All posts by Max Thaysen

Max Thaysen immigrated to Cortes Island from Vancouver in 2007. He has been elected to the board of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) in 2009, and served as president since 2012. He is one of the story producers for the Cortes Currents Radio Magazine.
Uncategorized

Collapse Now, Avoid The Crush

This year has seen a couple of fairly major shocks to the global industrial economic system that so many of us rely upon. One could say that we had a near-collapse experience.

I thought it might be wise to take a moment, step back, and have a look at the bigger picture. To see where western civilization is at, what’s driving us and what kinds of a future we might want to plan for. How does the pandemic fit with other threats to stability.

To help me with this, I sought out the ideas of a Cortes Island thinker and researcher who deals with a lot of the sh*t on this island that most people would rather flush away without looking at – he’s a plumber, but so much more.

Continue reading Collapse Now, Avoid The Crush →
Animals, Food

The Humble Cortes Island Shellfish Farmer

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The Cortes community is in various levels of emergency mode: the climate emergency has moved many people to increase their local self-reliance. Community non-profits like the Cortes Community Economic Development Association, the Friends of Cortes Island Society and Climate Hope are organizing to relocalize essential needs like food production.

And then the covid-19 pandemic came along with its own challenges to the established modern food systems – bacon is under threat.

Continue reading The Humble Cortes Island Shellfish Farmer →
Transportation

BC Ferries Don’t Take Cash

On Monday, April 13, I was intending to board the ferry in Heriot Bay bound for Cortes Island.

“How will you be paying?” the officer in charge of boarding asked.

“Cash.” I replied.  I only had cash, having left my wallet at home on Cortes.

“We don’t take cash… Because of the virus,” he replied.

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Business

The Pandemic’s Impacts On Frontline Workers – The Stores

In this episode, we get a deep dive from Eric Hargrave, manager at the Cortes Natural Food Cooperative, and Bill Dougan, manager at the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort General Store.  These are two fellows who run grocery stores and have given a lot of thought to the modern food chain.  They present their insights with wit and charm. Together we explored the impacts that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on their lives and their businesses.  I was especially curious about the pandemics impacts on frontline workers — those working the tills and stocking shelves.  

Continue reading The Pandemic’s Impacts On Frontline Workers – The Stores →