ARCHIVE SEPT. 2010 NEWS: Sooke, BC Sooke Enews archive | Sooke Police Beat

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News & Business

September 2010

Archive:

Sept.30. Nighttime work continues on the Sooke Highway causing traffic backups in one lane for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time while traffic is allowed through in the other lane.

Sept.30. Greenbox kitchen scraps pickup services may soon accompany the CRD bluebox program, enhancing the recycling process for Greater Victoria area households. Curbside pickup of kitchen scraps (including meats, dairy and meal waste that generally cannot decompose properly in backyard composting) is part of the proposed program that is subject to CRD board approval in the coming months. One greenbox/tote would be issued to each household in the Greater Victoria area and collection trucks would need revamping to keep compost separate from plastic and paper recyclables. CRD held a public information session last night at the Sooke Community Hall; public input was sought on four greenbox-funding options: tax levy through an additional municipal tax line item, increasing the tipping fee at the Hartland landfill, inviting waste from out-of-region communities (to increase tipping fee revenues), and a short-term financial boost to sell additional rock from the Hartland site. Full story to come.

Sept.29. An injury accident occurred at the pedestrian crosswalk outside Edward Milne Secondary School on Wed. Sept.22 at approximately 8:15 am. Bright sunlight had obscured the vision of the driver resulting in the injury of two teens, one of whom was sent to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, said S/Sgt Steve Wright, Sooke RCMP. No criminal charges have been laid. Counselling for witnesses is being provided at the school.

Sept.29. Sooke RCMP have reported that on Sat. Sept.18 two loaded unregistered handguns were recovered from a residence on Kaltasin Road. Five Sooke police officers were present at the arrest.

Sept.29. On Tues. Sept.21 the RCMP discovered some child pornography in a house in the 6600 block of Sooke Road while there on a search warrant for the seizure of drugs. According to Sooke RCMP S/Sgt Steve Wright there has been a charge of one count of child pornography against Donald Gordon Kotzer, age 56. Four Sooke officers were present for the arrest. There is an ongoing investigation by the Integrated Child Exploitation team out of Surrey, with assistance from the Victoria-based Integrated Technical Crimes unit.

Sept.25. The BC government is operating an online survey until October 15 where individuals and organizations may comment on Budget 2011 spending priorities. The survey is brief (fund new programs and services; reduce the debt; cut personal income taxes) but the commentary field accepts 3,000-word commentaries. A final report is to be released by Nov.15. Budget survey

Sept.23. The Fall 2010 networking mixer of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce was hosted by Brookeline Publishing House at the MapleLine Business Centre after 5 pm on September 23, drawing more than 40 business owners to enjoy refreshments and exchange business cards. Chamber president Todd Olynyk (RBC Sooke branch manager) was pleased at the turnout, hosted by Mary Brooke of MapleLine.

Sept.22. A fire training exercise will see some torching of the Manuel Quimper Motel this afternoon in Sooke. Elimination of the old motel makes room for Mariner's Village and more progress toward Water Street (the District of Sooke's expansion of town centre down to the harbour). Background

Sept.21. The Sooke Community Arts Council (SCAC) will hold its usual events again in 2010-2011: their own member's art show (Nov-Dec), Family Arts Fair (April), Art in the Park (Aug.) and Beach Art (Sept.). The new SCAC board was elected at the group's AGM tonight at Sooke Harbour House: Deb Clay (pres.), Carole Cave (vice-pres., Allen Crandall (secty.), Marion DesRochers (past pres. and acting treasurer), and as directors: Peggy Alms, Loretta Boerkamp, Mary Brooke, Bobbie Momsen, Sandy Skuse, and Barry Whiting.

Sept.20. A local collaboration of business and District of Sooke reps are organizing a local radio station called Stickleback FM.

Sept.19. A garage sale at the Sooke RCMP detachment parking lot today attracted about 150 visitors, with the event netting about $1,600 in donations for Cops for Cancer. Early birds arrived around 8:25 am and the sale wrapped up around 3 pm. The previous evening about $7,000 was raised with an auction at the Sooke Harbourside Lions dinner at the Sooke Legion, said Staff Sgt. Steve Wright. Garage sale refreshments provided by the Sooke Lions contributed $150 to the donation total; the Lions also provided tents. The leadership class at Edward Milne Secondary helped raise funds with a bottle drive. The Cops for Cancer Tour cyclists are set to arrive in Sooke around September 28th or 29th. Sooke Police Beat

Sept.18. A power outage affecting 2,827 customers in the Sooke area between 4:47 pm and 7:14 pm this evening was apparently caused by a bird contacting BC Hydro wires. Seasonally warm weather and daylight hours resulted in few disturbances to residents though blackened retail buildings likely resulted in the exit of customers for the last hour or two of business on this Saturday afternoon. Without operational traffic lighting, drivers resorted to cooperative travel through intersections in town centre. | Summary of Sooke area outages

Sept. 18. A grey whale was spotted in the Sooke Harbour today around 4 pm. Russ Nicks of Sooke Coastal Explorations reported the sighting, saying it might be the same whale that was spotted near Oak Bay earlier this week.

Sept. 16. Enhanced curbside collection by CRD (Capital Regional District) could include a kitchen scraps pickup-for-composting program aimed at reducing organic waste input at Hartland Landfill by 30%. Public input on the new program is being sought throughout the Greater Victoria area with drop-in sessions and 2-hour structured community workshops; in Sooke the workshop will be on Wed. Sept.29 (6:30-8:30 pm, Sooke Community Hall). Pre-registration: www.crd.bc.ca/atthecurb . An online forum will also be provided. The proposed collection of kitchen waste follows a successful pilot program of green totes that operated alongside blue box pickup in View Royal and Oak Bay during 2006-2008.

Sept. 15. The Fresh Fitness clothing company has closed its doors at the Evergreen Centre, with Video to Go now opening at that retail location.

Sept. 15. Champagne Ventures received approval last week from District of Sooke Council to build new homes at 1999 Maple Avenue South and 7130 West Coast Road.

Sept. 14. Stone Pipe Grill has new upscale signage in beige and brown tones, a nice touch for Sooke town centre at Sooke Road and Otter Point Rd. Read more business updates.

Sept.14. Next week (Sept.20) new impaired driving and vehicle impoundment regulations will come into effect including immediate driving prohibition for driving with a blood alcohol of .05 or more, and vehicle impoundment if driving 40 km/hr above the posted speed limit. Story

Sept.13. Sooke will be visited by 102 firefighters, arson and insurance investigators Sept.21-24 to observe and participate in a firefighting training exercise at the former Manuel Quimper Motel. The old building will be set on fire in several different ways so that firefighting methods and investigative techniques can be practiced. Story

Sept. 12. The Sooke Fall Fair continues today at the Sooke Community Hall. Yesterday the fair was opened with a ceremony including the BC Commissioner of the Girl Guides, for that organization's 100th anniversary. President of this year's fair, Candace Linde, was pleased that the commissioner received a rose blossom from the Girl Guides rose bush (the only one in Sooke from the original 1985 distribution of the original orange-pink strain from a nursery in Ontario) that grows behind the Sooke Legion. Story and photos

Sept. 11. Up the ladder for fundraising -- Heroes in the Sky (organized by Sooke Fire Rescue Service) happened in Sooke town centre today, alongside the 4th Annual Great Chili Challenge. A total of 16 people went up 100+ feet on the ladder. The firefighters' Fire Within calendars for 2011 were sold as the 'currency' for letting people down again. Photos.

Sept. 10. At China Beach this morning five vehicles were rammed and a Parks Dept. vehicle is missing, says S/Sgt. Steve Wright, Sooke RCMP; investigators are on the scene.

Sept. 8. Local business updates. The Farmer's Daughter Food Market has closed after less than a year in business and the space in Seaview Centre is up for lease. The centrally located Stone Pipe Grill restaurant is getting an interior paint facelift. Sooke Power Supply is extending their building footprint on West Coast Road. The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is having difficulty with membership renewals; they are hoping that a printed membership directory will be one incentive to seeing more businesses sign up or renew for 2011. The new coordinator for the Sooke Literacy Project is Jodie McDonald. Business updates from the Fall 2010 MapleLine Magazine.

Sept. 7. Students and their families are focussing on 'back to school' activities today. The weather forecast for Sooke shows cloudy skies and rain, and a high of 16^oC. The SD62 budget for 2010-2011 shows a salary and benefits allocation of almost $77 million to pay salaries and benefits to teachers, administration, support staff, substitute teachers and 'other professionals'. BC Ministry of Education grants cover $73.5, or about 95% of that expenditure. The Board's overall goals are stated as improving student transitions (grade to grade, and Gr.12 completion) as well as achievements in numeracy and literacy. Education commentaries: Bev Berger, Sooke Councillor | John Horgan, MLA | Allan Cahoon, RRU president

Sept. 6. Cool rainy Labour Day in Sooke.

Sept.5. Sooke Minor Hockey Club and Sooke Rotary hosted the annual BCHL Victoria Grizzlies vs Cowichan Capitals at SEAPARC arena.

Sept.2-4. Big-money derby held at the Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina this weekend. Top prize of $100,000 to Dave Drabb, Des Hatchard and Jeoff Brohman for a 33.2 lb chinook. Second prize was $50,000 (Geroge, Brad and Jamie Weatherall and Stew Gordon for 27.6 lb), 3rd prize $25,000 (Neal Elliot, Jason and Terry Dobson for 26.8 lb), and new level -- 4th prize -- was $10,000 (Stan Eakin, Murray Wiseman, Kirk Unwin and Jim Shaver for 26.6 lb).

Sept. 2. The average Sooke house sale price of $414,773 in August showed a $9,000 drop in just one month -- while the overall average house sale price in the Greater Victoria area dropped by about $28,000 in one month between July and August to $586,676. These numbers revealed in Victoria Real Estate Board MLS stats on Sept.1 show the inevitable pricing correction required if the overall market is to remain affordable and attainable for homebuyers. See Sooke housing prices for 2010 to date.

Sept. 1. There was another long line of traffic on the Sooke highway last night, holding up some travellers for up to 45 minutes getting back home as highway improvements continue.

Sept. 1. Two additional weeks of public skating (plus two days of skating instructor training) have been squeezed into the August 23-Sept.3 time period at SEAPARC. The arena upgrade at SEAPARC continues in September.

Sept. 1. Yesterday it rained all day in Sooke. The cooler wet weather was quite a change from the long hot dry July and August experienced in our seaside town this summer.

Sooke Police Beat

For the interest of our readers, we post regular new stories about the work and activities of the local Sooke RCMP. Sooke Police Beat

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

Community Events

September 2010

Events Archive:

Hockey Game at SEAPARC. Sun. Sept. 5. 2 pm. Annual Rotary Hockey Game. Junior A Hockey in Sooke. Victoria Grizzlies vs Cowichan Capitals at SEAPARC arena. Adults $9, Youth (under 12) $6. Buy tickets at SEAPARC. Proceeds to Sooke Minor Hockey.

Back to School. Tues. Sept. 7. First day of classes for the 2010-2011 academic year in School District 62 (Sooke).

Executive Meeting, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. Tues. Sept. 7. 12 noon. Regular executive meeting, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. At the service building (Sooke Museum grounds).

Public Meeting & Committee of the Whole - District of Sooke ~ Tues. Sept. 7, 2010. 7 pm Municipal Meeting Room, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Public meeting about 1999 Maple Ave. S. and 7130 West Coast Rd. (7-8 pm); Committee of the Whole (8 pm). Agenda at www.sooke.ca

Sooke Program of the Arts ~ Thurs. Sept.9, 2010. 9:30 am Committee meeting, Sooke Municipal Meeting Room. 2205 Otter Pt Rd., Sooke. Committee members include Terrie Moore (EPCOR), Sande Cummings (Sooke Fine Arts Society), Marion DesRochers (Sooke Fine Arts Gallery), Liz Johnson, Shirley Skidmore, Sooke Councillor Sheila Beech.

Sooke Economic Development Commission ~ Thurs. Sept.9, 2010. 7 pm Municipal Meeting Room, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke.

4th Annual Great Chili Challenge ~ Sat. Sept.11, 2010. 12 noon to 4:00 pm Enter your company, service group, family, sports club or team. Win prizes. www.sookelionsclub.org

Heroes in the Sky ~ Sat. Sept.11, 2010. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sooke Fire Rescue Service will hang various Sooke dignitaries 100 feet in the air from their ladder truck for 1-hour stints during Heroes in the Sky -- a fundraiser and to launch the Fire Within Calendar. We would like to challenge all Sooke residents to find people to “hang” for one hour. It could be your boss, a co-worker, politician, neighbour, friend, enemy etc. Says Sooke Fire Chief Steve Sorensen: "We will raise them up and then after a suitable amount of donations has been collected, we will let them back down (maybe!)." Donations all go to charity (Sooke Lions, ShelterBox in Pakistan, Muscular Dystrophy, and others). Anyone who would like to volunteer to hang from the ladder truck should email the Fire Chief at ssorensen@sooke.ca .

Sooke Fall Fair ~ Open to the public on Sat. Sept.11 (1 to 6 pm) & Sun. Sept.12, 2010 (10 am to 4 pm). 97th annual Sooke Fall Fair, at Sooke Community Hall. www.sookefallfair.ca

Regular Council Meeting - District of Sooke ~ Mon. Sept.13, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Includes public hearing about Secondary Suites in RS-2 Zone. Also Annual Municipal Meeting.

Members Meeting - Sooke Community Development Assoc ~ Sat. Sept.15, 2010. 5 pm First meeting of the fall season, everyone welcome. At the Village Food Markets meeting room (upstairs), Sooke. www.sookecda.org

Sooke Sign Bylaw Committee Meeting - District of Sooke ~ Wed. Sept.15, 2010. 7 pm Municipal Meeting Room, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke. Committee chaired by Tatum Claypool (of Markus' Wharfside Restaurant), committee members include Ron Fedosenko (Realtor), Gwen Fisher (Pure Elements Salon & Spa), Mary Jane Rose, and Sooke Councillor Maja Tait.

Cops for Cancer~ donation of items drop off ~ Fri. Sept. 17, 2010. 8 am to 4 pm. Everyone is invited to drop off items for the annual garage sale fundraiser, at the RCMP station, 2076 Church Road, Sooke. Garage sale will be held Sun. Sept.19.

Sooke Harbourside Lions dinner ~ Annual FUNDRAISING Dinner for Cops for Cancer, with AUCTION & DOOR PRIZES~ Sat. Sept.18, 2010. 6:30 pm. At the Sooke Legion. $25. Organized by Al Latreille. Open to the public.

Cops for Cancer~ FUNDRAISER ~ Garage Sale ~ Sun. Sept. 19, 2010. 9 am to 3 pm. In the back parking lot at the RCMP detachment, 2076 Church Rd., Sooke. Sooke Lions will provide hot dogs and refreshments. Open to the public.

Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra ~ FUNDRAISER ~ concert ~ Sun. Sept. 19, 2010. 2:30 pm. At Alix Goolden Hall in Victoria.

Hartland Happening ~ Sun. Sept.19, 2010. 10:30 am to 3 pm. Learn about the Hartland Landfill. Info from groups concerned with environmental sustainability. At Hartland Landfill, 1 Hartland Ave (off West Saanich Rd). Info

Regular Council Meeting - District of Sooke ~ Mon. Sept.20, 2010. 7 pm Council Chambers, 2205 Otter Point Rd, Sooke. Includes public hearings: 2280 Townsend Rd, Opal Place Park, Cinnabar Place Park.

Sooke Community Arts Council - AGM. Tues. Sept.21, 7 pm. Annual General Meeting of the Sooke Community Arts Council. At Sooke Harbour House in the Potlatch Room (downstairs). Deb Clay is standing for president, and Carole Cave for vice-president.

Journey Middle School PAC meeting. Tues. Sept.21, 7 pm. First PAC meeting of the 2010-2011 season, at Journey Middle School in the library. All parents welcome. Info

Climate Change Action Committee - District of Sooke ~ Wed. Sept.22, 2010. 7 pm Municipal Meeting Room, 2205 Otter Point Rd., Sooke.

Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Membership Business Mixer. Thurs. Sept.23. 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Regular business mixer of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce. Open to all members. This month being held at the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Road, Sooke. Tasty foods by MapleLine (Mary, Karen and Catherine) and beverages by Serious Coffee. Parking available out front and behind the building.

Coffee with Council ~ Sat. Sept.25 ~ 10 am to 11:30 am. Casual discussion with District of Sooke Councillors Dave Bennett and Maja Tait. At The Stick in the Mud Coffee House, 6715 Eustace Rd., Sooke.

Kitchen Scraps Workshop. Wed. Sept.29 ~ 6:30 to 8:30 pm. A structured 2-hour workshop by CRD regarding their proposed region-wide greenbox curbside collection of organic kitchen waste. At Sooke Community Hall. Pre-registration required: Info

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The Arts in Sooke

September 2010

News & Highlights:

Check out the Arts in Sooke.com website for local and regional arts events. Submit your free text listing about arts news, artists, art events, new books, concerts, etc. Contribute a photo or display advertisement, or be a sponsor. See Feature Artist of the Month. Art news.

Halloween Colouring Contest for kids ages 3 to 11. Get your entry form at the MapleLine Business Centre, 6707 West Coast Road, or click on the pumpkin to download. Each entrant gets a free pencil. Prizes listed on our contests page. Three top entries will be posted on www.artsinsooke.com . Contest closes at noon on Sat. Oct.30, 2010.

Jazz Concert at Sooke Harbour House. Fri. Oct.1. 7:30 to 9:30 pm. An intimate evening with Gergana Velinova, jazz vocalist and composer. $15. www.sookeharbourhouse.com

Sooke Fall Fair 2010 The 97th annual Sooke Fall Fair was held Sept.11&12, 2010 at Sooke Community Hall. Story and photos

Sooke Literacy Project - needs assessment. A continuing education needs assessment is being conducted this fall by the Sooke Literacy Project. www.sookeliteracy.ca | Story

Bulletins:

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

Health & Environment

September 2010

Events & Announcements

Sooke Hospice accepting volunteers. Sooke Hospice is accepting volunteers from Metchosin to Port Renfrew for end of life care. Training will take place at the beginning of October. Call 250-642-4345 (left voice message for more info).

Woodwyn Work Party. Oct.10. 11 am to 3 pm. Plant a tree in association with the 350.org Global Work Party being orchestrated worldwide on that date. The Victoria team is seeking donors to raise funds for 350 fruit and nut trees, and volunteers to help plant them at the 193-acre Woodwynn organic farm on 10/10/10. Donations go towards food producing trees, soil preparation, and irrigation installation. The average overall cost of each tree works is about $50. Info

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 SEPTEMBER 2010:

Art of Akira Yasuda at Serious Coffee At the Serious Coffee shop in Sooke town centre, 6661 Sooke Road (next to Village Foods). Until Sept. 1.

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