NEWS ARCHIVE: July 2010 Sooke, BC Back to Current News
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News & Business
July 2010
Current news:
July 31-Aug.1 - The annual chinook derby put on by the Sooke
Salmon Enhancement Society proceeds this weekend despite the fog.
However, many fishermen were getting 'no bites' and the largest fish as
of 6:30 pm July 31 was 33.6 lb. (last year's winning fish was 39 lb), which
had been caught at 11:30 am by Bruce Butler. There were reports of a
whale pod in the area, resulting in fish going deeper than usual. On
Sunday at noon the winner appeared to be Elden Smith with a 38.35 lb
catch, but final winners will be declared at 2 pm and announced at Sunday afternoon's awards dinner.
[Photo: Mel Hull puts a cleaned fish into the hands of a derby
participant.].
Story & photos.
www.sookesalmonenhancementsociety.com
July 29-Aug.2. The Sooke Fine Arts Show
(in its 24th year) continued its special events
with A Taste of Sooke on Thursday night and an afternoon tea for seniors
on Friday. The highly professional and upscale show runs through this weekend
(Sat-Sun, 10 am to 8 pm and Mon. from 10 am to 6 pm) including The Art of Wine Tasting tonight July
31 from 7-9 pm. The show is held at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke,
with plenty of parking. the efforts of over 300 volunteers are combined
by Sooke Fine Arts Society president Evonne Black and her team. There
were 39 artists represented from Sooke, who in total contributed 58 of
the show's 375 pieces.
www.sookefinearts.com
July 25. The Sooke Fine Arts Show's 24th annual event is going
strong. On Saturday night their first foray into presenting a fashion
show Artz4Fashion was a big hit (story and more photos to come). The art show that
draws visitors from throughout Vancouver Island runs through August 2
(10 am to 8 pm daily). Photo: Ana Robertson wears a dress from the
Phyllis Lysionek collection.
July 21. The Sooke Fire Rescue Service is looking for more volunteer firefighters. Training begins in September. Deputy Fire Chief Rick McLeod says anyone who is interested can drop by the fire station for more information or contact him by email at rmcleod@sooke.ca . The firefighters had their photo shoot yesterday for their 2011 fundraising calendar, says Fire Chief Steve Sorensen; the calendars will sell for $20 each, with proceeds going to support fire safety programs.
July 20. The iconic logger's pole in Sooke town centre was recently found to be rotting and today was relocated by the Sooke Fire Department to Sooke Flats on Phillips Road.
July 19. An elegant outdoor recognition ceremony was held in the
gardens of Sooke Harbour House, to honour the recipients of this year's
Communities in Bloom awards. Hosted by Sooke historian Elida
Peers, the recognition decals were awarded by Mayor Janet Evans in front
of the gathered crowd of about 60 business and community leaders. A
special Certificate of Merit was awarded by the District of Sooke to Frederique and Sinclair
Philip of Sooke Harbour House for their continued leadership. The pink
floral decals received by about 30 businesses, community groups and
neighbourhoods bear the logos of the District of Sooke, The Sooke Region
Museum, and the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. See
list of recipients.
July
18. A crowd of about 200 people are sitting in the open
sunshine to watch and listen to the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra
performing on the new covered stage (designed by SPO maestro Norman
Nelson) at the Ed Macgregor Park in Sooke.
July 17. Village Food Markets grocery store has extended its hours, now 7:30 am to 10 pm.
July 16. A male motorcyclist and his female passenger -- visiting
from Washington State -- were injured and taken to hospital following
the full speed impact of their BMW motorcycle into the rear end of a
white commercial van on West Coast Road at Caldwell Road, at about 5:10
pm today. The driver of the damaged but drivable Victoria Refrigeration
Ltd. van was uninjured and left the scene around 5:55 pm as police,
ambulance and fire personnel also packed up. The motorcycle was loaded
onto a Sooke Towing flatbed truck by Sooke Fire Dept. personnel, and
taken away. Traffic was detoured from Sooke Road onto Otter Point Road
as well as onto Maple Avenue South. More photos to come.
July 15. Sooke Harbour House -- one of the foremost tourism attractions in this region -- is noticing a plunge in tourism business not only at their establishment but in many other aspects o the tourism-related industry. She says ferry traffic is down quite a bit, and that tour buses in Victoria have very low ridership. "The malls are empty, the streets of Victoria are not crowded," wrote Frederique Philip, co-owner of Sooke Harbour House, in a commentary today about a recent Tourism BC, Hello BC promotional campaign. Ms. Philip said of the information in the release: "It is great to say that international travelers came, when dealing with numbers everything can look good. The travelers from Europe increased 50% but if that percentage was only 10% of all travelers, it is a minute number!" While she acknowledge that the impact of the Olympics may indeed be felt in years to come, Philip stressed that tourism businesses need to hang on for a tough ride until business picks up.
July 14. The Sooke Community Arts Council (SCAC) is seeking more artists and local businesses to rent covered weekend-secure booths ($100 members, $125 non-members) for their annual Art in the Park public event, being held this year Aug.14 & 15 at Ed Macgregor Park -- 18 of the 26 spots have been rented so far. There will be a turnover of SCAC executive a the group's Sept.21 AGM, including a new president as Marion DesRochers -- who has held the post of president for the allowed maximum of two year -- steps down.
July 12. There will be a public hearing in September about secondary suites, it was decided at the regular meeting of the District of Sooke Council tonight. The primary concern among the councillors is vehicle parking, and the reduction or loss of landscaping and yard area to accommodate the additional two parking spots that would be required (under proposed bylaw amendments) for every secondary suite in a single family home. Council also discussed the pros and cons of permitting variances of small road accesses from 14 metres down to 12 metres; they decided against a specific variance requested by Coastline Holdings for their development of 11 lots at 1869 Tominny Road -- councillors and staff felt that skinnier roads are a potential safety issue for emergency vehicles, given that more houses mean more parked cars. The new proposed Laura's Lane will have a posted speed limit of 30 km and will likely become a through-road for traffic from Tominny Road to Maple Avenue South.
July
8. There is a new magazine in town, it's online, and it's all about
the arts! ArtsinSooke is being launched this month (still partly under
construction -- awaiting input from artists!) by Brookeline Publishing House Inc. and
MapleLine Magazine. The web-publication will feature backgrounders,
news, event promotions and ads from individual artists, organizations,
and businesses. A monthly contest will see one artist, organization or
business featured online. Free text listings available.
www.artsinsooke.com
July
5. The construction of a new Shoppers Drug Mart store beside the
Movie Gallery store at Evergreen Centre is not the reason Movie Gallery
is closing -- they are American-owned, and apparently the company's US
financial woes were shifted 'on paper' to the Canadian division of Movie
Gallery, forcing it into bankruptcy; the DVD/game inventory is now on sale.
July
2.
Tidying up in town centre... trees being trimmed at the Sooke Centre Mall.
July 2. The SEAPARC arena is under transformation in preparation for the Sooke Fine Arts Show that starts July 24 and runs to Aug.2. For SEAPARC itself, the changerooms have been under renovation (new floors). See photo.
July
1, 2010.
The Sooke event at Sooke Flats was well attended from 12 noon to 11 pm. Rain held off all day. The annual fireworks display was lengthy and creative -- a good show. See: Canada Day in Sooke (including photos of the local event).
Sooke Police Beat
For the interest of our readers, we post regular new stories about the work of the local Sooke RCMP. Sooke Police Beat
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Send comments and news releases to: news@maplelinemagazine.com
Community Events
July to September 2010
Events Hotlist:
Sooke Fine Arts Show ~ July 24 to August 2, 2010. At the SEAPARC Leisure Complex. 24th season. Practising artists submitted up to three works of art; 375 adjudicated works have been selected for the show. Info
Stinking Fish Studio Tour ~ July 24 to August 2, 2010. A tour of pottery studios in Metchosin and East Sooke. Info
Lighthouse Living ~ July 22 to August 2, 2010. Lighthouses are the focus of an art show at the Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood.
Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society DERBY ~ July 31 & Aug. 1, 2010. Chinook fishing derby. $5,000 first prize & other prizes. $50 per rod. Includes Sunday dinner. Info
Evening Yoga on the Long Weekend. Mon. Aug. 2, 2010. At the Ahimsa Yoga studio in Sooke. www.ahimsasooke.com
Sooke Region 1st Annual Food and Farm Garden Tour - Sun. Aug. 8 . 11 am to 5 pm Fundraiser for the farm mentorship program. Learn what can be grown and harvested. Demonstrations. Fresh produce sales. Tickets $10 available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Double D Gardens and other locations. Sponsored by Sooke Food CHI with generous support from the District of Sooke. www.sookefoodchi.ca
Regular Council Meeting - District of Sooke ~ Mon. Aug.9, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Agenda at www.sooke.ca
SEAPARC Fall 2010 Program Guide ~ release date Wed. Aug. 11, 2010. Fall programs brochure will be released via the Sooke News Mirror.
The Clothesline Show ~ Sun. Aug.15, 2010. An outdoor art show with art hanging on clothes lines at the Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood. 2nd annual. Application deadline for artists is Aug.8.
Committe of the Whole - District of Sooke ~ Mon. Aug.16, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Agenda at www.sooke.ca
Shirley Day - A Celebration of Life. Sun. Aug.22. 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Pancake breakfast to start, salmon BBQ to wrap up. Kids games, craft tables, info displays. Free admission. Public hall is wheelchair accessible. Take West Coast Road (Hwy 14) from Sooke to Shirley.
MapleLine Magazine ~ Fall 2010 "Back to School" issue ~ release date Wed. Aug. 25, 2010. Fall issue (including feature sections on health and the arts) will be distributed to selected routes in Sooke via Canada Post well as being available in the usual Sooke town centre locations including coffee shops & stores, the library, the District of Sooke office, and Sooke Harbour House.
Music Festival in the Park. Sat. Aug.28. 3:00 to 7:00 pm Free family event at Ed Macgregor Park (6700 block West Coast Road), headlined by local musician Gord Phillips. Includes a blues review. All proceeds from the producers (Shadowroc Music) go to supporting music programs in Sooke schools. Admission by donation. Co-sponsored by The Stick in the Mud Coffee House, MapleLine Business Centre, Alloy Music, and Freedom Arts Studio.
Back to School. Tues. Sept. 7. First day of classes for the 2010-2011 academic year in School District 62 (Sooke).
Committe of the Whole - District of Sooke ~ Tues. Sept. 7, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Agenda at www.sooke.ca
4th Annual Great Chili Challenge ~ Sat. Sept.11, 2010. Enter your company, service group, family, sports club or team. Win prizes. www.sookelionsclub.org
Regular Council Meeting - District of Sooke ~ Mon. Sept.13, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Agenda at www.sooke.ca
Business Mixer. Thurs. Sept.16. 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Regular mixer of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. Being held this month at the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Road, Sooke.
Journey Middle School PAC meeting. Thurs. Sept.21, 7 pm. First PAC meeting of the 2010-2011 season, at Journey Middle School in the library. All parents welcome. Info
ARCHIVE JULY 2010:
Canada Day at Sooke Flats ~ July 1, 2010. 12 noon to 11 pm. Shuttle buses begin running at 11 am. Outdoor activities, booths and displays, pie eating contest, canine agility demo, logging sports, 3rd annual raft race (signup / poster), live music (the "Rukus Band" from 7 to 10 pm), fireworks. Admission is FREE to this 15th annual event; donations welcome. See www.canadadaysooke.ca . Article about Canada Day: Post Olympics in the summer issue of MapleLine Magazine and current photos from the July 1, 2010 event. www.canadadaysooke.ca | Other sites: www.canada-day.ca
Distributed Learning starts at Westshore Learning Centre, Langford ~ July 2010. Students have one year to complete these courses. Announcement.
StickFest 2010: Lilith Stick ~ Sat. July 10, 2010. 11 am to 4 pm. Celebrating the 3rd anniversary of The Stick in the Mud Coffee House. Music, food, fun, specials. 6715 Eustace Rd.
Organic Islands Festival. July 10 & 11, 2010. 10 am to 5 pm Outdoor green festival and sustainability expo, at Glendale Gardens in Victoria. Gate admission: $12.75 adults, $10.25 senior/youth. www.organicislands.ca
Regular Council Meeting - District of Sooke ~ Mon. July 12, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. [No regular council meetings on July 19, 26 or Aug.2]. Agenda at www.sooke.ca
Communities in Bloom ~ July 2010. Judges coming to Sooke anytime now! Get your gardens and storefronts all spruced up! The District of Sooke is holding a competition (click for nomination form) for neighbourhoods to improve the look of their streets. Article.
50+ Photo Walk ~ Tues. July 13, 2010. 5:30 to 6:30 pm and Community Social 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Walk from Sooke Community Hall to Ed Macgregor Park then along the wharf, for photo-taking. Followed by 50+ Community Social at Sooke Community Hall. Learn to use computers to enhance your digital photos (bring USB cord for camera). Info: SEAPARC 250-642-8000
Coffee with Council ~ Sat. July 17, 2010. 10 am to 11:30 am. District of Sooke Councillors Maja Tait and Dave Bennett will host Coffee With Council at the Reading Room Cafe & Bookstore (6660 Sooke Rd). The public is welcome to drop in to discuss any matters of interest or concern. www.sooke.ca
Music night at Serious Coffee ~ Sat. July 17, 2010. 7:30 pm Featuring folk musician Charlie Burton. 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Cover charge $8. At Serious Coffee, 6661 Sooke Rd (beside Village Food Markets).
Outdoor concert by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra. Sun. July 18, 2010. 2:30 pm "Philharmonic Fling" outdoors at Ed Macgregor Park in Sooke, this year on the new performance stage. Opens 1 pm, concert at 2:30 pm. Free admission. www.sookephil.ca
Communities in Bloom Awards ~ July 19, 2010. The judges have made their annual tour through Sooke in the past week or two. Their awards to recognize various aspects of community improvement will be announced on July 19 at Sooke Harbour House. List of recipients.
Swim to Survive Challenge - July 19 to 23, 2010. 1:00 to 4:00 pm daily. Participate in the Swim to Survive Skills Workshop or complete the challenge to receive a certificate. Roll into deep water; tread water for 1 minute; swim 50 metres. www.seaparc.ca
Arts4Fashion Show ~ July 24, 2010. 7 to 9 pm. At the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, part of the 24th Sooke Fine Arts Show. Organized by Salts Organic Clothing. Info
Seaweed Education Workshop & Lunch ~ Sun. July 25, 2010. 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Join Christine Hopkins and Amanda Swinimer (B.Sc. Marine Biology) to learn about identifying seaweeds, harvesting sustainably, health benefits, how to cook seaweed, use it in the spa, and gardening with seaweed. $75. www.fromthegarden.net | www.dakinitidalwilds.com
COPS for Cancer ~ Sun. July 25, 2010. Cycling races from 8:30 am to 12 noon at Windsor Park (Oak Bay), in Victoria. Presented by Oak Bay Bicycles. Minimum donation $10 (kids challenge free), all funds to Canadian Cancer Society. Info.
"A Taste of Sooke" ~ Thurs. July 29, 2010. Part of the Sooke Fine Arts Show, at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex. Co-sponsored by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. Info
Coffee House Night ~ Sat. July 31, 2010. 7 to 9 pm. With Jennifer Louise Taylor at Serious Coffee, 6661 Sooke Rd (Village Food Markets mall).
"Canada's 8th Food Day" ~ Sat. July 31, 2010. 11 am to 3 pm. Outdoor buffet lunch at Sooke Harbour House, $29. Garden tours. Prize draw to win a stay at Sooke Harbour House. www.sookeharbourhouse.com
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Click here for a summary of 2010 PRINT EDITION
editorial themes and ad deadlines.
The Arts in Sooke
July to September 2010
Events:
Check
out the new Arts in Sooke website for local and regional
arts events.
Text
listings about arts news, artists, art events, new books, concerts, etc.
News and Highlights:
July 24-Aug.2. Sooke Fine Arts Show, in its 24th year. At SEAPARC Leisure Complex. www.sookefinearts.com
July 24-Aug.2. Stinking Fish Studio Tour. A vehicle-based pottery studio tour through Metchosin and East Sooke. www.stinkingfishstudiotour.com
July 22-Aug.1. Lighthouses are the focus of an art show Lighthouse Living at the Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood. Opening reception Sat. July 24, 2 to 4 pm.
July archive:
July25. August 8 was the deadline for artists to register for The Clothesline Show at the Coast Collective Gallery in Colwood. Display fee is $20 per individual or $30 for a group of artists. Animal rescue groups will also have displays. The Collective's events have been attracting about 500 people this summer.
July 18. About 200 people gathered to hear the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra outdoors this afternoon, for a free concert at Ed Macgregor Park in Sooke. Photos to come.
July 16-18. This has been the opening weekend for Inception, now the 3rd-highest grossing blockbuster film. See review on our ArtsinSooke website.
July 12. At the regular meeting of Council, District of Sooke, the District's Sooke Program of the Arts (SPA) committee's recommendation to grant $250 to the Sooke Community Arts Council was approved; the money is to be used toward purchase of special flooring for dance performances on the Ed Macgregor performance stage. Councillor Sheila Beech, herself a professional felt artist, emphasized that SPA funds should remain focussed on the creation and maintenance of public art(works).
New ARTISTS ASSOCIATION in Sooke. Artists in Sooke are invited to join a new Artists Association, coordinated by Margarita Dominquez. Ph. 250-664-7045. The group will help artists to help themselves sell art and build businesses, without reliance on non-profit grants and funding. Letter and Invitation
Chicago Blues - Harmonica Hinds - Sat. July 17. 7:00 pm Long-time harmonica jazz musician Harmonica Hinds, at Hermann's Jazz Lounge. $20. www.victoriabluessociety.ca
Music Festival in the Park. Sat. Aug.28. 3:00 to 7:00 pm Free family event at Ed Macgregor Park (6700 block West Coast Road), led by local musician Gord Phillips. Includes a blues review. All proceeds from the producers (Shadowroc Music) go to supporting music programs in Sooke schools. Tickets $12 each (kids under 5 free). Tickets available at the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Road. Sponsored by The Stick in the Mud Coffee
Music Jam Sessions ~ Fridays ~ 8 pm to midnight. At the Langford Legion Lounge, 761 Station Ave, Langford. www.victoriabluessociety.ca
Health & Environment
July to September 2010
Events & Announcements
Canada's 8th Food Day. Jul.31, 2010 National celebration of restaurateurs, suppliers, growers, farmers and citizens to show Canada's breadth and depth as as culinary nation. www.foodday.ca
Sooke Country Market. Saturdays in May thru October. 10 am to 2 pm. Fresh produce and local crafts. On Otter Point Road in town centre (at Eustace Rd). www.ahimsasooke.com
Save Our Natural Health Products . National momentum is being garnered by Save Our Natural Health Products to preserve the right of consumers to access a range of natural health products. They encourage writing to your MP. www.saveournaturalhealthproducts.ca
ARCHIVE (July 2010):
Updates to come.
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