Get a jump on spring at Seedy Saturday
There might be snow on the ground now, but if you want to taste fresh vegetables from your own garden in a few months, you may want to get to Seedy Saturday at the Victoria Conference Centre on Saturday.
Touted as Victoria’s premier seed exchange and garden show, the event is the unofficial start of the season for those interested in food gardening.
A combination seed exchange, exhibitor exposition and educational forum, the annual event offers gardening tools, tips, seeds, plants and trees for everyone from beginners to gardening experts.
A growing number of condominium and apartment dwellers has meant an additional focus on gardening in small spaces, including containers and balconies.
“As interest grows in urban gardening, people are looking for ways to make the best of small spaces, while others are looking to maximize the space they have,” said Carole Elliott, chairwoman of the James Bay Market Society, which is hosting the event. “We wanted to make sure we were bringing something for novice gardeners as well as a great variety of information and innovation for our experienced gardeners.”
You will find more nearly 60 vendors and exhibitors, as well as representatives from local garden societies and clubs.
Novice and seasoned gardeners can attend presentations and workshops by 16 educational presenters that take place throughout the day. Topics range from practical advice, such as how to grow plants from seed, to more specialized instruction on topics such as growing hops, creating a butterfly garden and eating your weeds.
Bring seeds from last year’s harvest to the seed exchange to trade or share with other gardeners. Or bring in old gardening books to trade for ones you haven’t read yet.
Younger green thumbs will be kept entertained with crafts and activities at a children’s activity area.
The Seedy Cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults, free for children under 16. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St. For more information, go to jamesbaymarket.com/SeedySaturday.
Walk your downward dog to UVic
Your body will be in Victoria but your spirit will be in nirvana as the Victoria Yoga Conference returns, Friday to Sunday at the University of Victoria.
This is the seventh year of the event. Participants can choose from more than 70 sessions over four days, with offerings of yoga, meditation, dance and acro yoga.
Wellness, yoga, health and spirituality workshops are geared to a wide variety of participants, from yoga beginners to experienced teachers. Sessions include: Anahata Expansion, Yin and Reconciliation, Resonance: The Authentic Voice, Lyrical Yoga, Nourish, Nourish, Subagh Kriya and The Art of Rest, among others.
Participants can attend the whole conference, or sign up for single classes that have space.
While attending the conference costs $160 to $295, the public can attend the event’s free Wellness Market in the Student Union Building on Saturday and Sunday, which features more than 30 wellness vendors, as well as a tea bar.
People are encouraged to bring along a refillable beverage container. Tea and cold-pressed juice are available in the Cadboro Commons. The Health Food Bar at the Student Union Building will be open for lunch, with coffee available at the Munchie Bar from 9:15 a.m.
Attendees are asked to bring their own yoga mats and to dress in layers to reflect the level of activity they choose.
If arriving by car, park in Lot 5 or Lot 2. The University of Victoria is a hub on B.C. Transit, accessible through several routes.
Classes and workshops run throughout the day Friday to Sunday at either the Student Union Building or the Cadboro Commons at the University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd.
For more information, go to victoriayogaconference.com.
Take your kids to museum, market for Family Day
Enjoy Family Day with your children at a number of events throughout the city on Monday.
• At the Royal B.C. Museum, families enjoy free admission. You can also join two hour-long Becoming B.C. tours through the modern history galleries, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For details, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
• For a hands-on creative activity, enroll your children in a soapstone-carving workshop at the Robert Bateman Centre. Participants start with a pre-cut soapstone animal shape of their choosing and are guided through a step-by-step process to complete the work of art.
Choose a bear, orca or seal. All materials are provided and the entire process is done using water, so there is no stone dust.
The activity is suitable for ages seven to adult. Parents can purchase a second ticket and create a carving themselves, or accompany their children free of charge. Additional kits are available for purchase.
Cost of the workshop is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. It runs 10 a.m. to noon Monday at the centre, 470 Belleville St. For more information, go to batemancentre.org.
• Take the children for a fun-filled Family Day at the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson on Monday.
The event includes live music, magic shows, balloon twisting and a free photobooth.
The event is free to attend. It runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson, 1701 Douglas St. For more information, go to victoriapublicmarket.com.
Get tips on how to survive for seven days after a disaster
Learn how to stay safe, healthy and comfortable in the event of an emergency or natural disaster at Emergency Preparedness Begins With You, a program offered by the Saanich Emergency Program Wednesday at the G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre.
The 90-minute program will offer tips on how to survive on your own for up to seven days after any type of disaster. Potential scenarios facing residents include forest fires, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods.
Participants will learn how to make a family emergency plan and an emergency supply kit.
Each household will receive a free workbook to help with emergency planning.
The program is free to join. It runs 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd. Register for course #16906 at 250-475-5400.
For more information, go to saanich.ca.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with music
Bring your loved ones for an afternoon of Gaelic and Scottish love songs at My Heart is in the Highlands, a Valentine’s concert and tea, Sunday at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
The entertainment will be provided by the Victoria Scottish Gaelic Choir (Guth nan Eilean), an a capella choir dedicated to preserving and sharing Gaelic music and culture.
Light refreshments will be served following the concert.
Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. The concert runs 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2964 Tillicum Rd. For more information, go to Facebook.
Meanwhile, Victoria Silver Threads is hosting a Seniors’ Valentine’s Day Tea today.
Entertainment will be provided by Andy McCormack, who specializes in classic tunes from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
Admission to the tea is by donation. It runs 1:30 to 3 p.m. today at Victoria Silver Threads, 2340 Richmond Rd.
For more information, go to silverthreads.ca.
