Tag Archives: Greg Osoba articles

Arts

Cortes Island summer music festival cautiously revives as pandemic restrictions ease

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Editor’s Note: Greg Osoba has played with bands Six Foot Johnson and with the Mark Brotten and Rex Weyler ensembles in past Lovefest events.

An annual summer music festival, in various forms, on rural Cortes Island has been an institution for decades. It’s been organized by various people and set in numerous locations over the years. The events range from full weekend to single day celebrations.

Continue reading Cortes Island summer music festival cautiously revives as pandemic restrictions ease →
Communications, Transportation

BC Ferries has added free Wi-Fi service at smaller terminals

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

A 1.5 million dollar fund provided to the BC Ferries corporation by the provincial government, has added internet access to 14 small terminals on the BC coast. The effort is part of an initiative aimed at increasing broadband service to more British Columbians and visitors.

Continue reading BC Ferries has added free Wi-Fi service at smaller terminals →
Animals

Friends of Cortes Island Society launches Western Screech Owl research project

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

With funding from the BC government, the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) conservation and education society is taking part in a “threatened species” field research project aimed at determining the local status of the Western Screech Owl. The launch began with a public notice to Cortes Islanders on February 23rd and includes an evening presentation with a field biologist on March 7th.

Continue reading Friends of Cortes Island Society launches Western Screech Owl research project →
Environment

Cash rebates encourage residents to switch from wood stoves, reducing air pollution

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Vancouver Island’s Strathcona Regional District (SRD), in partnership with the BC Lung Association, has evolved its wood stove exchange program. It now offers rebates, ranging from $300-$750, for upgrading stoves to less polluting, more efficient models and converting to natural gas or pellet sources—or to heat pumps—in an effort to reduce air pollution. The program is underway and runs through until the end of 2022.

Continue reading Cash rebates encourage residents to switch from wood stoves, reducing air pollution →
Business, Food

Getting above ground: rural mushroom business dreams big

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

After toiling away in North Vancouver, Farhad Zahir made the move to Cortes Island in 2020 to escape the city and try rural life. He brought with him a passion to grow mushrooms for food and medicine and an ambition to do it commercially.

Continue reading Getting above ground: rural mushroom business dreams big →