- Tonight, as part of the library’s Heritage Week series, attend an illustrated talk about James and Mary Yates, one of the earliest families living along the Gorge Waterway. Maureen Duffus, the couple’s great-granddaughter, will share details about the 400-acre property, which once extended from Tillicum Road to Harriet Road and from the shore of the Gorge back to Burnside Road. The family purchased the property in the 1850s. The presentation is free, but registration is recommended. The talk starts at 7 p.m. at the library’s Saanich Centennial branch.

- On Saturday, at the central branch rotunda, watch Richard Wong demonstrate his interpretation of Chinese brush painting. Wong is a brush and watercolour artist who works from his home studio in Esquimalt. He will show how this ancient Chinese art form is created based on harmony, spontaneity and balance. The event is free and no registration is required. It runs 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the central branch rotunda.

- Black History Month continues Wednesday with Black Pioneers of the Area, a presentation by Karen Hoshal and the B.C. Black History Awareness Society. Hoshal, a descendant of the Alexander pioneer family and past president of the B.C. Black History Awareness Society, will talk about B.C.’s black pioneers.

The presentation is free, but participants are asked to register for the event. It runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the living room of the Saanich Centennial branch.

For more information, call your local branch or go to gvpl.ca.

© Copyright 2013