PENDER LINKS & INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION
General:  www.penderisland.info; www.gulfislandsguide.com
Organizations: Chamber of Commerce; Community Hall
Magic Lake Estates Property Owners Association (MLPOS)
BC Ferries Schedules
Local (CRD/PIPC) Parks
Gulf Islands National Park
Pender Island Golf and Country Club
Golf Island Disc Golf Course
Morning Bay Vineyard
For links to restaurants, accommodations & travel info, see below.

LOCAL NEWS AND WEATHER
Weather Forecast from Environment Canada
Marine Forecast
Tide Tables
Satellite Weather
Victoria Times Colonist
CBC News


UPCOMING EVENTS - OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
See the Pender Post for local community-related events. 
Films are at the Community Hall (MAP 3) at 7;30 pm unless otherwise noted (Donation)
Gulf Islands Concert Series concerts are at the School auditorium at 7:30 pm
New: Check out the links to film reviews.
Advance tickets for special events are typically sold at Talisman Books and Southridge Country Store. Concerts are at the Community Hall unless stated otherwise.

NOTE: See the penderblog for details on upcoming Pender highlights! 

The Following  Events are at the Community Hall:
April 15 Leslie McBain’s Slide Show of Kenya
April 25, 26, 27 Choir Concert
May 2, Friday ~ Fiddle and Guitar Duo, Jaime RT and Andy Hillhouse www.jaimert.com 
May 9, Friday ~ “Hope Bay Rising”,  presenting Patrick Smith, Bryce Woolecombe and     Allison Vardy in Concert.
May 18, Sunday ~  Cliff Ridley Baritone, with pianist Danielle Marcinek. They are presenting work of contemporary art song written by Christopher Ludwig to the poetry of Ken Cathers from Ladysmith. The piece is called “Outward Voyage” and is set around the Gulf Islands area. Concert time is Sunday at 3:30- www.cliffridley.com
May 22, Thursday ~ Traditional Irish and folk music by duo Norah Rendell and Brian Miller www.norahrendell.com


TRAVEL INFORMATION & LINKS
Ferries
Most travelers arrive on the Pender Islands via a  BC Ferries vessel from the Victoria area (Swartz Bay) or Vancouver area (Tsawwassen).  Phone: 1-888-BCFERRY; 250.381.5452.

To get from Washington State to the Victoria area, vehicle ferry options include the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC (except in winter) and the Coho ferry from Port Angeles, WA to downtown Victoria.  Passenger-only ferry options all arrive in downtown Victoria in the Inner Harbour and include Victoria Express from Port Angeles or Friday Harbor (summer only), Victoria Clipper from Seattle, and Victoria-San Juan Cruises from Bellingham.

Pender Local's Ferry Schedule
Ferry travelers in the know keep updated as to the boats that handle a particular sailing, in order to plan which ferry to take and how early to arrive at the terminal. 

The BC Ferries website has begun to list ferries where overloads are expected.

Customs
To cross between Canada and the U.S., passports are recommended, but U.S. and Canadian born citizens can still get by with a valid photo drivers license, though some agents may also require a valid birth certificate.  The January 2007 passport requirement for entering or leaving the U.S. refers to air travel only.  For the most current information see the Canadian and U.S. customs websites.

Air
To fly into the major transportation hubs, see the websites for Vancouver (YVR), Victoria (YYJ) and Seattle (SEA) international airports.   Horizon Air connects Seattle and Victoria airports. Float plane service is also available to Pender Island via Seair from Vancouver airport, Harbour Air from Vancouver downtown or airport, and Kenmore Air from Seattle/Lake Union.

Ground
Bus service between points in Vancouver and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal is provided by Pacific Coach Lines, or you can use the public Translink (bus and SkyTrain).  From Victoria airport a taxi is your best bet to get to Swartz Bay terminal.  From downtown Victoria, take a taxi or use Victoria Regional Transit, Route 70.    Rent a car at or near the airports or in Vancouver or Victoria.  Try Avis, Budget, National, Hertz.  No car rentals are available on Pender, however, Poets Cove guests can ask the concierge for availability of a van for rent by the day.

PENDER ISLANDS ACCOMMODATIONS LINKS
* Under new management   # "Gay-friendly list" 
w Waterfront  (many others have ocean vistas)  o See orcas from property
North Pender Island -
North Area
Oceanside Inn   w #
Beauty Rest-By-The-Sea B&B  w o
Arcadia-By-The-Sea  w  o
Central Area
Eatenton House B&B Inn  * #
The Inn on Pender Island
Port Browning Resort, marina & camping   #  w
Magic Lake Area B&Bs
Ferndale on Pender B&B #
Sunshine Hills B&B   #
Gnomes Hollow B&B   #
Oaks Bluff (high bluff vista)
Delia's Shangrila Oceanfront B&B   #  w o
Sahhali Luxury Oceanfront B&B   * #  w  o
South Pender Island
Poets Cove Resort   #  w

Vacation Rental Agencies
Gulf Island Vacation Rentals (Platinum Vacation Group)
Island-Explorer Vacation Rentals

Camping
Prior Centennial Campground Reservations

RESTAURANTS
Call restaurants for current open days and hours.

North Pender:
Hope Bay Cafe  629.6668
Islanders 629.3929
Pistou Grill629.3131
Memories  629.3353
Chippers  629.6665
Port Browning Pub & Cafe 629.3493
Pender Island Bakery  629.6453
South Pender:
Poets Cove  Syrens 629.2114 Aurora 629.2115

GOLF COURSE EVENTS Call the golf course at 629.6659 for course closures due to tournaments.  Weekly events are as follows (call anyway as there may be room if there is a low turnout):
Every Tuesday: Ladies Day 9-1
Every  Thursday: Mens Day 9-1