I am not a flag waver and a recent road trip through the flag, banner and billboard festooned state of Idaho didn’t help but as I write this it’s Canada Day. I think we would all be better off if businesses went back to Sunday and holiday closures but that’s not happening and so I worked today. My place of part-time employment is very busy and I get to serve a never ending diverse parade of customers. Today, there was a fair amount of red and white and I eavesdropped on people’s plans. They varied from community events to family barbecues and there were a lot of cheerful and proud people but the thing that struck me was the number of new Canadians who wished me a Happy Canada Day. I was reminded to not take this country for granted and to be grateful for the choice made by my immigrant parents. It was a beautiful summer day as I drove back into the Creek. I took a deep breathe, smiled, and started to look forward to summer and some escape from the troubles of the world. We live in the right place for that and so I will move on to some local events to help.
You all know about the Art Crawl but did you know there is a Pottery Prowl? The third annual one is taking place this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 15 potters, up and down the Coast will open their studios for you to drop by. If you think pottery is all the same and pretty boring you will be surprised. A portion of sales will be donated to the Sunshine Community Services to support their women’s housing project. Creek potters will be well represented at the following studios: Fire and Ash - Cheryl Anne Park Road; Hawthorne Ceramics - Roberts Creek Road; Cup & Ocean - Roberts Creek Road; Mustard Seed Pottery - Kraus Road; Beach Ave Pottery - Beach Avenue. For more information and a map go to linker.ee/potteryprowl.
The Roberts Creek library has a new art exhibit up so drop by to see acrylics and water colours by Kathy O’Brien. While you are there, take a free puzzle. People have been donating them and there are some nice ones to do on a rainy day or sitting in the shade on a hot one.
My inbox today includes an email from SC Streamkeepers on the subject of protection of shorelines and riparian areas.
By the time you get this, it will be too late to attend the July 4 public information meeting on this subject however there will be a Zoning Amendment public hearing on July 16 at 7 p.m. at the SCRD on Field Road. You can write to the planning and zoning department expressing your support if this is an issue important to you. Go to sunshinecoaststreamkeepers.com for more details.
Okay let’s get to the music.
Friday night at the Legion it’s Usually Trespassing, an evening of acoustic folk, punk rock featuring local bands including the one with the best name, Vomit Lips.
Saturday night it’s a DJ night with Sky Bray and Robby Luvdub.
Thursday Night Jazz on the 11th will feature the Clef Seeley Radio Show and you might want to plan ahead for next Friday the 12th when the Matchbox Blues Band brings their Chicago blues to the Creek.
Just in case you don’t remember, Slow Sunday has started for the summer and just in case you have never been, it takes place at the Gazebo behind the library every summer Sunday from noon until 3:30 p.m. It’s a chance to hear local musicians and see your neighbours in a casual outdoor setting. Bring a chair or blanket and an umbrella for shade. Slow Sundays always starts with your community ukulele band, the Bugs. Some of you will stick your noses in the air and roll your eyes but there is something very cheerful and lovely about a group of familiar faces all strumming and singing together. The rest of the lineup is:12:40 The Elfintones; 1:25 The Wildflower Band; 2:20 Joe Stanton.
So that’s a nice low key afternoon. Then you can go home, have dinner, and head to the Hall for 8 p.m. and participate in Rhythm Bliss In The Creek! Yoro and Yat Noukassi (Benin) will be there along with Celso Machado (Brazil) and Alexandra Jai with the Rhythm Bliss Family Band featuring Benjamin Milman on keyboards. They will be drumming up a storm and spreading joy and you can bring your own drum to learn some African and Brazilian rhythms. Admission is by donation and kids are free. This will be way more fun than watching Netflix.
Next Saturday July 13, the indie rock band Yukon Blonde will be playing at the Hall.
Creek Daze will be Aug. 11 and LOTS of volunteers are needed.
Have a great week. Write to me [email protected].
