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News & Business
May 2010
Archive:
May
30. Sooke will have a third veterinary clinic soon, with Otter Point
Veterinary Hospital opening in June on West Coast Road near Maple
Avenue. Owner Dr. Erik Wirtanen says the "small animals and exotics"
service will also provide hands-on opportunities for Sooke youth to
learn about animal-care.
May 29. Village Food Markets and Western Foods are the receiving depots today (9 am to 12 noon) for the Help Stamp Out Hunger food donation collection drive by Canada Post in Sooke today. Donations will go to the Sooke Food Bank.
May 29. Artists in Sooke are invited to join a new Artists Association, coordinated by Margarita Dominquez. The group will help artists to help themselves sell art and build businesses, and support them in submitting their own grants for arts funding. Letter and Invitation | Blog: http://travelingart.wordpress.com/
May 28. The recently opened Farmers Daughter organic food market is already up for sale. Article about Sooke being 'open for business' (MapleLine Summer 2010).
May 28. A campaign to collect hair trimmings from several local hair salons (and individuals) and ship them to the oil-spill zone in the USA (for use in nylon-wrapped 'hair mats' that absorb the oil from the ocean and marshlands) is being coordinated by Gwen Fisher at the Pure Elements Spa and Salon in Sooke. She may be contacted at: 250-642-6452.
May 28. The anti-HST campaign now reports 84 of 85 BC ridings achieving the minimum 10% of voter-signatures, with 57 ridings achieving the campaign's internal threshold of 15%. The thrust this weekend is to find more signatures in Burnaby, Richmond, Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver areas.
May 27. Several community groups and activities pitched for funding from the District of Sooke's Community Grant Review Committee, at a meeting on May 26. Among them: Sooke Canada Day, Sooke Fine Arts, Sooke Philharmonic, Sooke Community Choir, Sooke Street Festival. See list.
May 26. The anti-HST campaign has reported voter-signature results for 71 of BC's 85 ridings, and all but one of the reported ridings have achieved more than the required 10% of voter signatures. Reports still to come for 14 ridings. See May 24 Fight-HST Report.
May 21. The Official Community Plan of the District of Sooke achieved final approval by Council on May 17, after two years of review and revision by residents, staff, Council, consultants and both government and non-governmental agencies. A long-term vision for Sooke was the goal. The full document will be available soon at www.sooke.ca . | News release
May 19. An interest-free loan program for students in their 2nd-year Masters program at Royal Roads University has been launched, made possible by a donation of $750,000 from Rachel Fox. Qualifying applicants may apply for loans of up to $5,000 to assist with post-secondary affordability.
May 19.
Sooke is one of three Vancouver Island communities participating in the
Communities in Bloom program this summer. In July two judges will visit
Sooke to measure local efforts and view at least 80% of the area. The
top rating is 5 blooms; last year Sooke earned 3 blooms. Sooke's
evaluation will be presented Sept.24-26 at the annual BC CiB Awards in
Hope, BC.
CiB
News release |
Story in Summer 2010
MapleLine
May 19. Prestige Hotels will be one step closer to opening their under-construction Sooke hotel (opening targeted for spring 2011), starting next month when their general manager arrives and a new website is launched to promote all hotels in the Kelowna-based chain.
May 18. The Official Community Plan achieved final approval at a Committee of the Whole meeting of Council last night, May 17. "It's the most important document in this community," said Bonnie Sprinkling, Corporate Officer, District of Sooke. "This document ensures that 66% of the Sooke District will remain rural and agricultural. There's a big push on agriculture," Sprinkling said today, noting that the town core will see most of the housing buildup (23%).
May 16.
The Spirit Square Grand Opening Concert was presided over by Mayor Janet
Evans, at Ed Macgregor Park on Sunday, May 16. Rain that pelted down in
the hours preceding the event, stopped and the skies cleared before the
2 pm opening ceremony that featured first-use of the performance stage.
"We used a lot a local wood, giving the stage a heritage aspect," said
Mayor Evans. She added that the acoustics is good for orchestra
performances. With funding provided by the BC Spirit Squares Program
there is now also an area for storage and a public washroom.
(Photo by Angela Bailey.)
May 15. Lots of yard sales around town today, plus the Sooke Country Market.
May 14. A second full-time paid firefighter will join the Sooke Fire Dept. staff on July 5, 2010, almost doubling the current full-time contingent. This was made possible with the recent District of Sooke budget approval. The Sooke Fire Rescue Service will now operate with 5 full-time firefighters supplemented by a crew of 40 volunteer firefighters. New firefighter
May 14. The District of Sooke's revised 2010 Five-Year Financial Plan was adopted May 11 at a special council, meeting. Property owners will continue to experience the 2nd-lowest municipal property taxes in the CRD in 2010, despite that the tax bill will increase by 4.7%. The District is moving toward its goal of transferring 15% of property taxes to capital projects; in 2010 $733,401 will be transferred to capital reserves for future expenditures.
May 9. Triathlon in Sooke on Mother's Day.
May 3. The April 2010 MLS stats from the Victoria Real Estate Board revealed continued strength in housing numbers. In Sooke sales appeared to be steady, with perhaps some natural price-correction due to the busy spring market and possibly leaning heavily toward townhome sales. The average house sale price in April was $415,576 (34 sales) which was a bit below the 6-month average of $420,059. There was only one condo sale in April in Sooke, at $150,000 (well below the 6-month condo average of $217,250). There were six townhome sales in Sooke last month, on average selling at $431,067 (well above the 6-month average of $392,249). The Greater Victoria average house sale price in April 2010 was $624,149. Real estate feature from MapleLine's summer 2010 print edition | MLS stats at Victoria Real Estate Board
May 2-8. This is national Emergency Preparedness Week (May 2-8). EP Week began 15 years ago to raise Canada-wide awareness. In the remote Sooke area we must be prepared for 7 days of coping while those in urgent need are helped first (most other locales prepare for 72 hours). The "big one" (the earthquake that everyone hears about) will come and the sooner it comes, the better. The longer we wait the more (tectonic) pressure that builds up,” says George OBriain, Emergency Coordinator, Juan de Fuca (JdF) Electoral Area. It’s been 300 years since the last ‘big one’ (Jan. 26, 1700). Eight ways to prepare: know the risks, make a family emergency plan, talk to your kids about emergencies, get an emergency kit, take part in a local event, download/read a publication, take part in a contest, add a comment online (FaceBook, etc.) about how you have prepped for an emergency.
May 2-3. Very windy and rainy in Sooke. About 250 electricity customers were without power north of Phillips Road from 12:41 pm to 4:18 pm on Monday.
May 1. There was a steady turnout of visitors to the 20th annual Sooke Rotary Spring Fair and Auction (at SEAPARC arena) on Sat. May 1 to see a bountiful presentation of business exhibits and displays by several local organizations.
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Community Events
May-June 2010
Events Hotlist:
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. Andrew/Zach Smith band. 6661 Sooke Rd. Phone for time: 250-642-3264 or email.
Sooke Breakfast Club. Bi-weekly meeting. Thurs June 3. 7 am, at Sooke Harbour House. All businesses welcome.
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.
Sunday June 13 is Father's Day.
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
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
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
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
Canada Day at Sooke Flats ~ July 1, 2010. 12 noon to 11 pm. Outdoor activities, raft race, live music, fireworks. Article about Canada Day: Post Olympics in the summer issue of MapleLine Magazine (coming May 5). Info
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
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Sooke Rotary Auction & Spring Fair ~ Sat. May 1, 2010. 10 am to 10 pm. 20th annual spring fair and auction. Business Expo (about 80 businesses and organizations with tables and displays), plant sale, used bike sale, children's play area. At the SEAPARC arena. www.SookeRotary.com
District of Sooke Committee of the Whole. Mon. May 3. 7:00 pm. At Council Chambers. Agenda online: www.sooke.ca
MapleLine Magazine (Summer 2010 issue) released Wed. May 5. Copies of the Summer Issue in the Sooke News Mirror, and at the usual free pick up locations including SEAPARC, District of Sooke office, Sooke Library, Sooke Regional Museum, Serious Coffee, The Stick, Reading Room Cafe, etc. Subscriptions available for readers located outside Sooke town centre area. www.maplelinemagazine.com/about.htm
Duck Race for Kids ~ Sat. May 8, 2010. 11 am to 4 pm 4th annual at Sooke Flats. Cash prizes. Proceeds to support juvenile diabetes and sending children with disabilities to Camp Shawnigan this summer. Tickets $5 (or 5 for $20) at Shoppers Drug Mart, Saturday Sooke Lioness Lions hog dog stands, or any club member. Info
Sunday May 9 is Mother's Day.
Mother's Day Paint-In and Craft Fair. Sun. May 9. 10 am to 4 pm. Free event at Royal Roads University, 15th annual family event, children's craft station, walking tours, access to the Hatley Park Historic Site gardens. Artists painting in open air. Parking $5 for the day. www.hatleypark.ca
New SEAPARC guide (programs for summer 2010) comes out Wed. May 12. See: www.seaparc.ca
HST information meeting. Wed. May 12. 1:30 pm. Open to all businesses. Presented by Canada Revenue Agency, hosted by Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. At the Mason/Shriner building on Throup Rd., Sooke.
Free Swim at SEAPARC. Fri. May 14. 5:00 to 7:30 pm. Courtesy of Coast Capital Savings. Everyone welcome. www.seaparc.ca
Stargazing at Royal Roads University. Sat. May 15. 6:00 to 10 pm. Workshop $15+gst. RRU Continuing Studies
Sooke Spirit Square Grand Opening Concert. Sun. May 16. 2 pm. At Ed Macgregor Park on West Coast Road. Hot dogs and popcorn. Limited parking (carpooling/bus recommended). Featuring Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, Sooke Community Choir, Group Therapy, Ekoos, and Carole Cave Dancers. RSVP to the District of Sooke at 250-642-1634 or thansen@sooke.ca by May 12, 2010. Funding provided by BC Spirit Squares Program.
Eco Chic Fashion Show. Sun. May 16. 2 pm. At Sooke Harbour House in the summer pavilion, 1528 Whiffen Spit Rd. Tickets $10 available at Sooke Harbour House. info@sookeharbourhouse.com
District of Sooke Council Meeting - Commttee of the Whole. Mon. May 17. 6:00 pm. Review of the Official Community Plan (final approval pending). Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Road. Open to the public. www.sooke.ca
Sooke Community Development Association. Wed. May 19. 7:00 pm. Monthly members meeting. At Village Food Markets upstairs meeting room.
Sooke Literary Association. Thurs. May 20. 5:00 pm. New members welcome. At the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Rd. www.sookeliteraryassociation.org
Concert. Sat. May 29. 7:30 pm. Linden Singers of Victoria present Singing for Change. Metropolitan United Church (Balmoral at Quadra, in Victoria). $18 ($15 seniors & students).
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Sooke Leaders
Health, Environment, & Arts
May 2010
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
Events
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.
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
ARCHIVE (May 2010):
Emergency Preparedness Week May 2 to 8 . EP Week began 15 years ago to raise Canada-wide awareness. In the remote Sooke area we must be prepared for 7 days of coping while those in urgent need are helped first (most other locales prepare for 72 hours). Eight ways to prepare: know the risks, make a family emergency plan, talk to your kids about emergencies, get an emergency kit, take part in a local event, download/read a publication, take part in a contest, add a comment online (FaceBook, etc.) about how you have prepped for an emergency.
Pacific Rim Potters - annual pottery sale & Exhibition. Sat. May 8. 10 am to 4 pm. Featuring 10 Vancouver Island Potters. At Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, 2964 Richmond St., Victoria. Free admission. Wheelchair accessible.
Metchosin Poultry Swap & Sale. Sun. May 9, 11 am to 12:30 pm. At the Metchosin Municipal grounds, 4450 Happy Valley Rd. It will also be the opening of the Metchosin Farmers Market 2010 season. Info: metchosinpoultry@gmail.com
Dare to Dream ~ Scrap Booking and crafts groups for women. Starts May 6. Thursday mornings, May 6 to June 9. 10 am to 11:30 am. Art & goal setting. Free. Sooke Transition House. Liza Miles, STV Counsellor, 250-642-2543
Awareness Film Night - Wed. May 12 at 7 pm. Slingshot Hip Hop. Weaves together the stories of young Palestinians using dance to surmount divisions imposed by occupation and sanction-created poverty. At EMCS, 6218 Sooke Rd., Sooke. By donation.
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