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Explore: A seafarer’s treasure hunt, Earth Day activities, cycling for prizes

A fundraiser for the Maritime Museum of British Columbia is set for Saturday at Ogden Point, with everything from full-size boats to marine antiques on offer. The Massive Marine Garage Sale will be held at Ogden Point’s Pier A from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Bargain hunters look for finds during the 10th Annual Marine Garage Sale at Ogden Point.

A fundraiser for the Maritime Museum of British Columbia is set for Saturday at Ogden Point, with everything from full-size boats to marine antiques on offer.

The Massive Marine Garage Sale will be held at Ogden Point’s Pier A from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will include approximately 100 tables of boating and marine-related goods for sale.

Ann Jones, who co-ordinates the event on behalf of the Maritime Museum, said 1,000 visitors turned up last year for the sale, which started as a modest fundraiser in 2004.

“We didn’t think it was going to be successful at first,” she said. “We had no idea.”

Money raised helps support the museum’s exhibits and public-education programs.

Organizers raise funds by renting tables to approximately 45 vendors inside Pier A, and another 40 or so outside on the dock.

They also sell items donated to the museum for the sale.

“We’ve got a very faithful following,” Jones said.

Among the interesting items that will be for sale Saturday is a brand-new dinghy valued at more than $1,000.

Another boat is coming down from Parksville and will be put up for sale, Jones said.

Boating enthusiasts will have plenty to see and do during the event.

The Victoria Model Shipbuilding Society will oversee an outdoor pond with demonstrations of remote-controlled model boats.

There will also be a silent auction, in addition to a wide range of garage-sale items, Jones said.

“Books, prints — anything that is nautical will be for sale. Clothing people wear on boats, anchors, anchor chains, charts. Anything you can think of that will be in, on, or around a boat.”

Parking is free. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are admitted free.

More details are available at mmbc.bc.ca.

There’s no shortage of family fun in the works for Earth Day on Saturday.

Take a trip to Fort Rodd Hill, where a cornucopia of free events is offered.

• The Volunteer Victoria Youth Advisory Committee oversees tree-planting and eco-system restoration from 10 a.m. to noon.

• A Victoria tea follows from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Garry Oak Learning Meadow, courtesy of the Victoria-Esquimalt Military Re-Enactors Association.

• A mural-painting session featuring local artist Christina Timms is set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Garry Oak Learning Meadow.

• Guided walks with a Parks Canada naturalist start at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Garry Oak Learning Meadow.

 

Another Earth Day event on Saturday is Earth and Friends: A Fundraiser for Science Outreach at the Centre of the Universe observatory.

The event — an evening of music, mingling and education — takes place at 5071 West Saanich Rd., from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Science journalist Bob McDonald of CBC’s Quirks & Quarks fame will speak. There’s also a performance by Vox Humana Chamber Choir. Rounding out the night is a silent auction to raise funds for public education at the observatory.

Tickets, $40 each, are available at eventbrite.ca.

 

Singer Ann Mortifee, novelist Pauline Le Bel and textile artist Jaime Murdoch are among the presenters at Creatively United for the Planet Sustainability Showcase.

This free arts and culture event takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Royal B.C. Museum. It features talks from local leaders, displays, panels and workshops for all ages. Topics covered include food, forestry, art, education, transportation and energy.

The museum also promises Electric Love In — An Electric Car and Bike Extravaganza. See creativelyunited.org for details. .

 

Curator tells stories of castle history

Cardiff Castle curator Matthew Williams will give an in-depth presentation on the Welsh landmark Wednesday at Craigdarroch Castle.

Williams is a expert on the historic 2,000 year-old castle, and gives guided tours of the popular tourist attraction in Wales. His visit to Victoria is supported by funding from various organizations, including Craigdarroch Castle, Historic Seattle, and the Royal Oak Foundation.

He will discuss historical figures once attached to the castle, including the 3rd Marquess of Bute — once considered the richest man in the world — and architect William Burges, who designed the castle’s iconic interiors.

The event begins at 7 p.m., with doors set to open at 6:45. Admission is by donation.

Reservations are required as seating is limited. To secure a spot, phone 250-592-5323 or e-mail info@thecastle.ca.

For more information, visit thecastle.ca.

 

Dinner introduces Tea Girl

Best-selling American author Lisa See will introduce her new novel The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane at Golden City Restaurant on Tuesday.

Tickets are $50 a person, or $60 a person including a copy of the book or $100 for two (including two copies of the book).

The event, starting at 6 p.m., includes an eight-course Chinese dinner, followed by See’s talk.

See has written such New York Times bestsellers as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane is about a Chinese mother and her daughter; the latter has been adopted by an American couple.

For reservations or further information, email Charlayne Thornton-Joe at thorntonjoe@shaw.ca. The Golden City Restaurant is at 721 Fisgard St.

 

Cook St. festival features multicultural food, stories

The Cook Street Village Activity Centre will be alive with stories, song and dance from around the world on Saturday.

The Multicultural Food Fair and Storytelling Festival will showcase an array of food, dance and storytelling courtesy of several cultural groups from the region.

Food vendors highlighting Mediterranean, African, Greek and Thai cuisine will be on hand, in addition to desserts spotlighting pastries from Syria.

The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

For more information, visit cook streetvillageactivitycentre.com or phone 250-384-6542.

The centre is located at 380 Cook St.

 

Help clean up UVic’s Finnerty Gardens

Volunteers are needed for a spring cleanup at Finnerty Gardens on the University of Victoria campus.

Caretakers of the popular garden, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016, need help with maintenance of the area on Saturday, in advance of the spring bloom in May.

Organizers will provide the tools, but ask that volunteers wear work shoes/boots and bring gloves.

A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. The day will be split into morning (9 a.m.–noon) and afternoon (noon–4 p.m.) shifts. To participate, contact volunteer co-ordinator Anne Mace, 250-479-7677 or amace@telus.net.