Cast your ballot for Victoria sailboat in classic-boat awards
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia is encouraging the public to vote — and tell others to vote — for the SV Dorothy in the 2024 Classic Boat Awards.
Dorothy, a classic 30-foot sailboat, has deep connections to Victoria, having been built in J.J. Robinson’s Inner Harbour boatyard 127 years ago.
She is emerging from an extensive refit and has been nominated for the Classic Boat Awards, administered by U.K.-based Classic Boat Magazine.
Dorothy faces fierce competition in her category of Restored Sailing Vessel under 40 feet (12.2m metres), but her inspiring story as well as her beautiful design make it clear that she is a strong contender.
“Vote today for what we believe to be Canada’s oldest sailboat, still sailing, Dorothy, and tell your friends to vote; share as widely as you can,” said Anya Zanko, events and development manager at the museum. “Dorothy is the only Canadian vessel in her category, and we know that her many passionate supporters on this coast are proud to see her nominated for this prestigious award. They’ll be prouder still to see her win it.”
• To vote, go to awards.classicboat.co.uk/vote-now.
• For more information on SV Dorothy, go to mmbc.bc.ca/dorothy.
Tea dance will back For the Love of Africa Society
For the Love of Africa Society is hosting a Valentine Tea Dance at Cordova Bay United Church, Feb. 10.
The event features dancing, entertainment and goodies.
Proceeds from the event will support the society’s ongoing work in Tanzania and international outreach programs.
Admission is $30. The event runs 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Cordova Bay United Church hall, 813 Claremont Ave. For tickets and table reservations, call 250-658-4451.
• For more information, go to fortheloveofafrica.ca.
Art gallery lecture series kicks off next month
Get your tickets early for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Gallery Associates’ popular Sunday Art Lecture Series, which runs Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 3 and 10 this year.
This is the 10th year of the lecture series, moderated this year by Liam Lacey, arts writer for the Globe and Mail.
The illustrated lecture series takes place over five Sunday afternoons, delving into Art History of the Now: Contemporary Western Canadian Art, exploring expressions of identity in contemporary Western Canadian Art and the influence of recent art movements.
The first lecture, on Feb. 4, is Modern Art Movements and the Expression of Identity with Betsy Tumasonis, PhD, who will survey post-war art movements, including Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Conceptual Art, Installation, Performance Art and Neo-Expressionism. She will demonstrate how these have affected contemporary artists in Western Canada.
Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the lecture.
The Sunday Art Lecture Series is a fundraiser for the art gallery organized by the Gallery Associates, whose role is to volunteer, promote and support the gallery through fundraising events and programs. Proceeds from the series support art gallery exhibitions and programs.
Tickets are $30 for an individual lecture or $100 for the series. The lectures run 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 3 and 10, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Space is limited.
• For more information and tickets, go to aggv.ca/sals-2024-art-history-of-the-now.
New Brentwood Bay office connects people to services
The public is invited to check out Beacon Community Services’ new satellite office in Brentwood Bay, based out of the Community Resource Office in the lobby of the library building.
The office, operated in partnership with the District of Central Saanich, will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — and is likely to expand its hours this spring.
“The impetus to open a physical office in Central Saanich came about from Central Saanich’s recent community outreach as we developed our Age-Friendly Community Plan,” said Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor. “Older adults and caregivers told us there is an overwhelming amount of information out there about local services and they find it difficult to navigate. Having a physical place to go where they could be assisted and connected to resources will be a big benefit. I really can’t emphasize how grateful we are for our partnership with Beacon and I thank their staff and volunteers for making this a reality so quickly for the community.”
The office will connect community members with resources to support them at all stages of life, ranging from childcare to mental wellness and housing resources to support services for older adults.
The office will also be able to issue disabled parking permits on behalf of the Victoria Disability Resource Centre.
Beacon Community Services was formed in 1974. Today, it serves Southern Vancouver Island and the outer Gulf Islands with around 300 staff and more than 500 volunteers.
The public is welcome to stop by the office at 1209 Clarke Rd. or email [email protected] to learn more about local services.
• For more information, go to beaconcs.ca.
Oak Bay seeks members for accessibility committee
The District of Oak Bay is looking for people with accessibility challenges, lived experience of disability or those involved in local disability-serving organizations to serve on its Accessibility Advisory Committee.
The committee will help the municipality to develop an Accessibility Action Plan that will help to improve the livability, inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities who live, work and play in Oak Bay.
Council appoints members for two-year terms, with the option to renew at the end of the term.
Applications are open until Jan. 26.
• Those interested in serving can apply by visiting connect.oakbay.ca/accessibility-oak-bay, calling 250-598-3311, or emailing [email protected].
Stair-climbing firefighters need your support
Support the View Royal and Colwood Fire Department Stairclimb teams at a Beer and Burger Night at the 328 Taphouse and Grill, Jan. 25.
The neighbourhood pub will be hosting the event on behalf of the firefighters association’s stair climbing teams to help raise donations and awareness for their two upcoming stair climbs in support of the B.C. Lung Foundation and Leukemia Society .
Every year, teams of firefighters, in full gear, take part in two stair-climbing events: Climbing the 48 stories of the North Tower of the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver and the 69 floors of the Columbia Center in Seattle. This is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi, with 1,356 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation.
At the Beer and Burger Night, the pub’s 50/50 burger is $25 when paired with selected beers, as well as $7 for pilsners, dark ales and India pale ales all night. A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated.
The event runs 5 p.m. until closing, Thursday, Jan. 25 at the 328 Taphouse and Grill, 102-328 Wale Rd.
• For more information, go to 328taphouse.com.
