As part of my research for this column, I Googled how many days until spring and got 69 days, six hours, 59 minutes and 56 seconds. But who’s counting?
Looking back at last year’s garden, I know where things went right and where some went oh so wrong. I am still considering getting a duck or two but maybe I will build a slug-sized flamethrower instead. Be that as it may, the great 2021 garden preparations can officially begin with some philanthropy towards our Roberts Creek Elementary School Parents Advisory Council. This is no small 0.4 per cent kickback (I’m looking at you Canadian Tire) but in return for the high quality products of West Coast Seeds, a full 40 per cent of the purchase you make will help add to the early childhood experience of the young citizens of the Gumboot Nation. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to surf over to fundraising.westcoastseeds.com, either directly or via the explore tab on their home page, and when you have filled your cart, choose Roberts Creek Elementary School PAC in the “Select your organization” drop-down menu. Your seeds will be delivered to the school for pickup, free of charge. Time is of the essence; the purchases need to be in by Friday, Jan. 22 so get to it!
A reminder of some of the things that, despite Provincial Health Order No. 621 (but who’s counting?), are still happening here in Roberts Creek:
• The Gen is open winter hours from 9-9, with an extra hour on Friday and Saturday nights and our Library hours are Tuesday 2-8, Wednesday 2-6 and Saturday 10-2.
• Roberts Creek Wellbeing, our health-food shop, is open 10-6 weekdays and 11-5 weekends.
• Geek in the Creek is still be dishing out the same great tech service, Mac or PC, only now completely mobile! They will come to you, or meet in the coffee shop of your choice. Call 604-741-5315, Monday to Friday 11-5 or email [email protected].
• Yoga by the Sea has online classes, as well as low impact Hatha Yoga, in person at their studio in the Heart of the Creek. Check out yogabythesea.ca for details and protocols.
• Gumboot Cafe hours are 8-4 weekdays, 10-4 weekends, with limited indoor seating and unlimited take-out.
• Melomania musical instruments, just behind the Cafe, is open Saturday, Jan. 16, 10-2 and Tuesday to Saturday, Jan. 19-23, from 10-5. There will be new hours coming and you can call Paul at 604-885-3607 to spark your inner Rock Star!
• The Gumboot Restaurant hours are 12-7 weekdays and 10-7 weekends with outdoor patio seating and take-out.
• Fade ’n’ Dye, hair by appointment, 604-885-0400.
• Eco-Freako – Wednesday to Friday from 12:30-ish to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Get your wheels tuned up at Elphinstone Cycles, Thursday to Friday 10-6 and weekends 9-5, and bike off some of those cookies (but I love you just the way you are anyway).
If I missed you, please drop me a line at [email protected] and I will give you a shout out.
