News & Business

June 2010

Current news:                     Police Beat

June 30. Many families heading out of town for camping and other travels.

June 29. School's out for the summer. School-age children have almost 11 weeks of summer vacation this year, heading back to school in the Sooke School District 62 on September 7. The lengthy vacation period poses child care and recreation challenges for some families.

June 27. A meeting of local artists was held Sunday June 27, to organize a new collective of artists who will support each other for shows and marketing. A formal association will be created in the weeks ahead. More information to come.

June 23. Frederique and Sinclair Philip, co-owners of Sooke Harbour House, were in Ottawa June 23, 2010 to receive a Governor General Nation's Table Award. They were recognized for mentorship and inspiration. The awards are in their first year, to recognize the contributions made by chefs, restaurateurs, scientists and other passionate advocates of Canadian food and drink for achievement in five categories: creativity and innovation, education and awareness, leadership mentorship and inspiration, and stewardship and sustainability. Frederique's speech | article from Winnipeg Free Press

June 21. The Sooke Food CHI held a roundtable meeting at Sunriver Allotment Garden at the summer solstice today. Guests heard a report about how the community effort was launched with minimal funding and no formal business plan, said Sooke Food CHI representative Phoebe Dunbar.

June 18-20. The Sooke Bluegrass Festival drew big crowds on Saturday night, June 19, at Sooke River Campground. Despite the cooler evening with a medium breeze, there were several young families, and spontaneous dancing by young adults in front of the live bands. The ticket-taker reported steady crowds. The show runs 10 am to 4:50 pm on Sunday, June 20.

June 19. Mariners Village hosted Victoria's Ocean 98.5 Radio station live on-site in Sooke today, for on-air promotion of their "desirable lifestyle" sales push for 33 harbourfront condos and townhomes in Phase One.

June 15 & 16. A significant presentation was made to the public by the ArtsWave committee (funded through several grants issued to the Sooke Fine Arts Society), to report on the preliminary findings of a Sooke-region-wide survey (Beecher Bay to Port Renfrew) that aims to provide 'cultural mapping and planning' reports to the District of Sooke. In two meetings over two days, the presentation (led by Evonne Black and consultant Nancy Cooley) generated discussion about venues and services available to the local arts (both providers and patrons).

June 14. "Last week was a good one in Sooke," said Staff Sgt. Steve Wright, Sooke RCMP, in context -- no one was killed in a car accident in the 15,000 population area covered by the detachment. There were 120 service calls attended last week. Last week there was one $167 fine for use of a cell phone while driving (and two such fines in May). Assaults are up so far in 2010 compared to last year, but break-and-enter incidents are fewer in number. MapleLine is now covering a regular police beat as a news service to readers.

June 10. About 40 business movers and shakers gathered at the Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina this evening to tour the condos and enjoy a reception hosted by Nancy Cassie who is operating the resort this summer. The event was a networking mixer of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce (president Todd Olynyk).

June 8. The recent ArtsWave survey results as compiled by the Sooke Fine Arts Society will be presented publicly in two forums to be held Tues. June 15 (1:30 to 4:30 pm) and Wed. June 16 (7:30 to 9:30 pm) in Council Chambers. Meanwhile, a local collective of artists has started a blog, to explore how individual artists can support one another in the Sooke area: http://travelingart.wordpress.com/

June 7. The owners of local Sooke Home Hardware are opening a third store in September, located on Burnside Road in Victoria. The Gertsma family also owns a Home Hardware franchise Nanaimo.

June 4. The breakfast 'club' initiative (started a few weeks ago by a few local business people) has now been adopted by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, as part of its provision of service to paid members. It is hoped that under the Chamber banner a wider range of businesses will be served and represented.

June 2-4. The arts and musical theatre students at EMCS have put together a complex "final projects night" (Gr.9-12) of theatre, film, music and dance, including Journey Middle School student actors and dancers and the Gr.10-12 EMCS Art Dept. There were full audiences June 4 and 5 for This is your life... so far and the final performance is tonight June 4 at 7:30 pm, Edward Milne Community Theatre.

June 2. A lifetime achievement award was received by Sooke Harbour House owners Sinclair and Frederique Phillip, issued by Vancouver Magazine at a ceremony held May 18 at the Sheraton Wall Center in Vancouver.

June 1. MLS sales stats for May 2010 showed a remarkable drop in the usually high-momentum spring market. Total sales were 695 in May compared to 756 the previous month. There were 879 sales in May 2009. Anticipated increases in interest rates and overall lack of affordability (average house price now $646,483 in Greater Victoria) were cited by the Victoria Real Estate Board. Sooke's average house sale price in May was $426,204, though in March the highest Sooke average was seen at $447,494. |  Sooke spring 2010 real estate

June 1. The local Canada Post office in Sooke coordinated the collection of 426 lb of food and $261 for the Sooke Food Bank during their food collection drive on Saturday, May 29. "That is down from last year, but still a great effort," says Debbie Clarkston, Sooke postmaster. The drop-off depots were at Village Food Markets and Western Foods.

June 1. The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce today at is executive meeting determined that as an organization that promotes business, that all food-service providers that wish to be part of the Taste of Sooke event (being co-sponsored for the Sooke Fine Arts Show) may participate. The productive meeting also produced some progress with long-range strategic planning and also the production of a small printed members directory.

---

 

 

---

June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010  | March 2010  | Feb. 2010  | Jan.2010 |  Dec.2009 | Nov.2009  | Jul.-Oct.2009

---

 

Send comments and news releases to: news@maplelinemagazine.com

Community Events

July to September 2010

Events Hotlist:          

 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. See www.canadadaysooke.ca . Article about Canada Day: Post Olympics in the summer issue of MapleLine Magazine. 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.

 Communities in Bloom ~ July 2010.  Judges coming to Sooke in July. Article.

 Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society DERBY ~ July 31 & Aug. 1, 2010.  Chinook fishing derby. $5,000 first prize & other prizes. $50 per rod. Dinner. Info

 Sooke Fine Arts Show ~ July 24 to August 2, 2010.  At the SEAPARC arena. 24th season. Practising artists may submit up to three works of art; 375 adjudicated works will be selected for the show. On July 24 (7-9 pm) there will be an Artsz4Fashion fashion show put on by Salts Organic Clothing.  Info

 Sooke Region 1st Annual Food and Farm 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. www.sookefoodchi.ca 

 SEAPARC Fall 2010 Program Guide ~ release date Wed. Aug. 11, 2010.  Fall programs brochure will be released via the Sooke News Mirror.

 MapleLine Magazine ~  Fall 2010 "Back to School" and "Harvest" issue ~ release date Wed. Aug. 18, 2010.  Fall issue (including a new permanent feature section on health) will be released as an insert in the Sooke News Mirror as well as being available in the usual Sooke town centre locations including coffee shops, the library, the District of Sooke office, SEAPARC, 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), 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 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).

 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 JUNE 2010:

 Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. Tues. June 1. 12 noon.  Regular monthly executive meeting. At the Service Building on the Sooke Region Museum grounds.

 Music evening at Serious Coffee. Tues. June 1. 7:30 to 9:30 pm.  Andrew/Zach Smith band. 6661 Sooke Rd.  250-642-3264  [This ended up being cancelled.]

 Sooke Breakfast Club. Bi-weekly meeting. Thurs. June 3. 7 am.  At Sooke Harbour House. All businesses welcome.

 "This is your life...so far". June 4 Final Performance - 7:30 pm.  Annual musical theatre performance by students at Edward Milne Secondary (with Journey Middle School contributors). EMCS, 2168 Phillips Road.

 Grand Opening of Oak Bay Bicycles Westshore. Sat. June 5.  BBQ and giveaways. 800 Kelly Road, Langford.

 Secret Garden Tour. Sun. June 6. 10 am to 4 pm. Rain or shine ~ 11 gardens on this tour presented by the Sooke Philharmonic Society. Self-guided tour with map: $20/person (children under 10 free). Tickets in Sooke at Double D Gardens, Shoppers Drug Mart and Westburn Garden Centre.

 Rose Gardening Workshop. Sat. June 12. 9 am to 12 noon. Workshop $15+gst.  RRU Continuing Studies

 Westcoast Panache. Sat. June 12. 11 am to 3 pm.  Grand opening of a new clothing & giftware store, 5611B East Sooke Rd.

 Grace~notes Concert. Sat. June 12. 7:30 pm.  Women's sextet choir presents their Holy Whimsey concert at Holy Trinity Church. Sacred and secular pieces from various time periods and various styles. Admission by donation.

 Graduation Ceremony at Edward Milne Secondary School.  Sun. June 13.  1 pm.   Includes presentation of scholarships and awards.

 District of Sooke Council Meeting.  Mon. June 14.  7 pm.   Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Road. Open to the public. www.sooke.ca

 Sooke Community Development Association, regular monthly meeting. Wed. June 16, 5:00 pm.   At Village Food Markets upstairs meeting room.  www.sookecda.org

 ArtsWave Cultural Mapping Project Public Presentation.  Tues. June 15 (1:30 to 4:30 pm) and Wed. June 16 (7:30 to 9:30 pm).   Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Road. Open to the public.  www.sookefinearts.com

 Film Awareness Night. Wed. June 16. 7 pm.  Film In Transition with discussion by the Transition Towns Sooke initiative. At EMCS, 6218 Sooke Rd.  Contact | article about Transition Towns

 Teen Pool Party at SEAPARC. Fri. June 18. 8:00 to 10:00 pm. Swimming, dancing, games and activities. Well done, teens! You've earned this party! www.seaparc.ca

 Sunriver Allotment Gardens. Sat. June 19. 6:00 pm. Dedication and Summer Solstice celebration. At the Sunriver Gardens Gazebo, 2380 Phillips Road, Sooke. Potluck supper and music. Bring a chair. Wood cooking fires on site, BBQs, garden salads from Sooke Country Market, Salmon Bake.

 Sunday June 20 is Father's Day. 

 Sunday June 20 - Sooke Bluegrass Festival. At Sooke River Campground. 10 am to 4:50 pm. Ticket admission at the gate.

 Sooke Food CHI Roundtable Meeting. Mon. Jun.21. 11 am to 1 pm.   Lunch roundtable meeting at Sunriver Allotment Garden, 2380 Phillips Rd. Hear about food producing initiatives (community gardens and unique farms) on Vancouver Island. Bring food to share.

 Solar Installation Tour - Wed. June 23. 6:30 pm.    Tour the TSou-ke Solar installation; explore what the rest of Sooke can learn from it at this Transition Town meeting. Band Administration building, 2154 Lazzar Rd, 6:30 pm tour, 7 pm meeting. Free. All welcome. Transition Town Sooke seeks to raise awareness of sustainable living and build local resilience in the face of climate change and oil depletion. Info: www.transitionnetwork.org  | www.transitionculture.org  | http://transitionvictoria.ning.com

 Teens and Alcohol.  Educational evening by the Sooke RCMP. Wed. June 23. at EMCS. 7 pm.   Corporal Scott Hilderley of the Sooke RCMP will host an info evening for parents and teens, to discuss the responsibilities and dangers of alcohol use. Two local parents who have lost children to drunk driving will also speak.  At EMCS. Includes prizes (Zipline tickets, skate board gear, etc.) 

 Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce - meeting to discuss combined activities with Sooke Economic Development Commission (SEDC) and the Sooke Regional Tourism Association (SRTA). Thurs. June 24. 12 noon. Location at the Services building, Sooke Region Museum location, Phillips Road.  info@sookeregionchamber.com

 BIZNet Sooke networking event. Thurs. June 24. 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Fashion show. Guests to come dressed for summer -- prize for best summer outfit. At Sooke Ocean Resort, 6669 Horne Road, Sooke. $20 includes refreshments.

 Doodlebugs Preschool Open House at SEAPARC. Fri. June 25. 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Free family event to see what fun is to be had at SEAPARC's preschool (for ages 3 & 4, September to June). Includes family barbecue. www.seaparc.ca

 Canadian Authors Association annual CANWRITE conference. "Applying Technology to your Writing." Thurs. June 24 through Sun. June 27. In Victoria, BC. See schedule.

 Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra - June 25 (8 pm) in Sooke, & June 26 (8 pm) in Victoria. "Music for Midsummer" Soloist: Elspeth Poole, Cello. Fri. June 25 (8 pm) in Sooke at EMCS Sooke Community Theatre, 6218 Sooke Rd and Sat. June 26 at Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave in Victoria. Adults $18 - Seniors & Students $15 - Youth 16 & under $5. Proceeds to the Sooke Community Theatre renovations and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Tickets available in Sooke at Shoppers Drug Mart, South Shore Gallery, Wood Travel; in the West Shore at Tom Lee Music; in Metchosin at Metchosin Country Store; in Victoria at Long & McQuade, Larsen Music and Ivy's Book Shop, as well as at the door for both venues. Info: 250-642-2849.

 Public Picnic - for anyone who is new to Sooke (and region) in the past 12 months. Hosted by Welcome Wagon. At Ed Mcgregor Park, Sat. June 26, 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  BYOP (bring your own picnic & chair/mat). Live music. Prizes. Contact Judy MacNeill at 250-642-2268.  Story

 Pedestrian and Cycling Masterplan - Advocates Session Open House ~ Tues. June 29, 2010.  5 to 8 pm.  Open house on CRD's Phase II (Getting Technical), on what types of facilities are being proposed for the region; options for signage and wayfinding. At 625 Fisgard St., Victoria. Drop-in 5 to 8 pm, presentation at 7 pm.

 

---

 

---

Health, Environment, & Arts

June 2010

Events:                             Arts in Sooke

 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 House, MapleLine Business Centre, Alloy Music, and Freedom Arts Studio.

Announcements

 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

 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

 Music Jam Sessions ~ Fridays ~ 8 pm to midnight.  At the Langford Legion Lounge, 761 Station Ave, Langford. www.victoriabluessociety.ca

 

 

---

ARCHIVE (June 2010):

 How to Raise Drug Resistant Youth. Fri. June 4, 4:30 to 6:15 pm  A guest speaker presentation (Barry MacDonald) for parents of teens. At Edward Milne Community School, 6218 Sooke Rd. Registration: www.sd62.bc.ca/speac 

 Yoga Fundraiser for Forests. Sat. June 5, 10:30 am  A fundraiser to help save the ancient Avatar tree grove in Port Renfrew. At Ahimsa Yoga and Fitness, 6653B Sooke Rd., Sooke, BC V9Z 0A2. www.ahimsasooke.com

 Art Show Opening - Sun. June 6. 1:00 to 4:00 pm   Opening reception for display of west coast art by Lisa Riehl and Desiree Bond, at Sooke Harbour House.

 RRU Convocation ~ Fri. June 18 (9 am & 2 pm) . The RRU convocation will confer honorary degrees on Robert Bateman (artists and environmental educator) and the Hon. Iona Campagnolo (former Lt. Govt. of BC). Local businessman Bob Saunders will receive a Chancellor's Community Recognition Award (philanthropist).

 G8 Summit ~ June 25 & 26, 2010.   The Canadian government will host leaders of the world's wealthiest industrialized "G8" countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, USA, Russia) in the small northern Ontario town of Huntsville, in June this year. The Muskoka 2010 Canada summit (see PMO's June 2008 announcement) will include a discussion about maternal health. Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP, Dr. Keith Martin, says the exclusion of reproductive health issues from the summit discussion is a "regressive policy decision" by the Prime Minister.  Article by Dr. Keith Martin.  Read about two Sooke police officers on duty in Toronto this week. 

 

---