Cortes Currents

Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - The main topics at the fourth Cortes Virtual Conference were housing, the food bank and employing people on priority community initiatives. The meeting started fourteen minutes late, but (thanks to Ayton Novak) with a polish that was not present in previous meetings. The proceedings started with a series of community updates.

Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - As the COVID-19 global pandemic unfolds our world has become shrunk by fear and limited travel and worries over loved ones and livelihoods. But as the initial fears subside and it becomes clear that it may take a very very long time for the world to return to a more familiar pace, countries that have taken other paths come more into focus. Much in the news are places like Sweden—which did not close primary schools or enforce strict social distance—another is Denmark that has already sent its primary students back to school after curbing their death rate. Another is the Netherland, which came closer to the Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - Canadian approach of encouraging 1.5 meters of social distancing and working from home when possible and closing schools and the like. Yet, already that country is taking measures to give children and teenagers more freedoms, including reopening childcare centres and primary schools in early May and secondary schools at the beginning of June. as well, outdoor sports games for youth are being reinstated.

Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - As the COVID-19 global pandemic unfolds our world has become shrunk by fear and limited travel and worries over loved ones and livelihoods. But as the initial fears subside and it becomes clear that it may take a very very long time for the world to return to a more familiar pace, countries that have taken other paths come more into focus. Much in the news are places like Sweden—which did not close primary schools or enforce strict social distance—another is Denmark that has already sent its primary students back to school after curbing their death rate. Another is the Netherland, which came closer to the Manda Aufochs Gillespie/ Cortes Currents - Canadian approach of encouraging 1.5 meters of social distancing and working from home when possible and closing schools and the like. Yet, already that country is taking measures to give children and teenagers more freedoms, including reopening childcare centres and primary schools in early May and secondary schools at the beginning of June. as well, outdoor sports games for youth are being reinstated.

Tara Warkentin/Cortes Currents - Loni Taylor is a member of the CCEDA – the Cortes Community Development Association. The CCEDA is working on initiatives to improve local food security. They are informed by a recent survey, which addressed community needs and desires. Respondents were eager to grow more food, but identified a need for permanent growing space.

“[Many] people that have the knowledge and the desire to grow their own food don't have sustainable year round housing on Cortes, and they're usually displaced sometime in the spring.” Loni says.

CCEDA’s food security initiatives aim to fill this gap by providing solid ground for all islanders to grow food in. CCEDA is entrusted with 2.7 acres of commercial land in downtown Manson’s Landing, adjacent to the Community Housing project, that they hope to develop into a vibrant green hub that meets islanders needs. CCEDA also hopes to generate produce and revenue for the Food Bank.

Tara Warkentin/Cortes Currents - Loni Taylor is a member of the CCEDA – the Cortes Community Development Association. The CCEDA is working on initiatives to improve local food security. They are informed by a recent survey, which addressed community needs and desires. Respondents were eager to grow more food, but identified a need for permanent growing space.

“[Many] people that have the knowledge and the desire to grow their own food don't have sustainable year round housing on Cortes, and they're usually displaced sometime in the spring.” Loni says.

CCEDA’s food security initiatives aim to fill this gap by providing solid ground for all islanders to grow food in. CCEDA is entrusted with 2.7 acres of commercial land in downtown Manson’s Landing, adjacent to the Community Housing project, that they hope to develop into a vibrant green hub that meets islanders needs. CCEDA also hopes to generate produce and revenue for the Food Bank.

Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - On the April 17th Folk U Friday Gardening tips were provided by Billie Taylor and were focused largely on water conversation and included a call out to local potters to perhaps make and sell an ancient water conservation pot called an olla. Check out these photos of some I found online. Let us know if you try making your own or if you want to make some for sale!

The main feature on April 17th was Hayley Newell, RTC who came to the studio to discuss the Nervous System 101. Nervous system health has been a popular topic these days and with Hayley’s help we learned more about what nervous system health looks like and what regulation and disregulation and resilience (popular buzz words of the times) actually means. She also discussed how to mitigate the stress during these COVID-19 times There are many ways to tend to this amazing part of your body.

Manda Aufochs Gillespie/Folk U Fridays - On the April 17th Folk U Friday Gardening tips were provided by Billie Taylor and were focused largely on water conversation and included a call out to local potters to perhaps make and sell an ancient water conservation pot called an olla. Check out these photos of some I found online. Let us know if you try making your own or if you want to make some for sale!

The main feature on April 17th was Hayley Newell, RTC who came to the studio to discuss the Nervous System 101. Nervous system health has been a popular topic these days and with Hayley’s help we learned more about what nervous system health looks like and what regulation and disregulation and resilience (popular buzz words of the times) actually means. She also discussed how to mitigate the stress during these COVID-19 times There are many ways to tend to this amazing part of your body.

Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - 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.

Max Thaysen/Cortes Currents - 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.

Noba Anderson/Cortes Virtual Community Meetings - At the third meeting: Vacation Rentals; anybody who has a worsening cough or significant symptoms in a rural or remote community now qualifies for COVID 19 testing; Well being during a time of isolation; possible self distancing gatherings