Register or volunteer for the fifth annual Fort Street Cycle Beginner Tri for MS, a non-timed triathlon, which takes place Sunday, May 7, at Saanich Commonwealth Place and the surrounding area.
The event is not a race, but rather a training experience for beginner triathletes, those returning to the sport after an absence or people who just want to take part in this fun event to experience a triathlon in a non-competitive and supportive atmosphere.
The event is presented by TriStars Training.
“It’s aimed to give beginners the best experience possible,” said Carolyn Gebbie, the event organizer. “As one of the earliest events in the season, it also serves as a kickoff to the race season.”
The event is geared toward beginners, with a lot of information provided for participants along the way.
People who wish to join the fun but don’t want to do all three sports can invite friends or family to form a relay team, with team members choosing to do one or two of the sports.
The event is also an important fundraiser for the South and Central Island chapters of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Last year’s event raised more than $15,500, with a total of more than $68,000 since its inception four years ago.
At this triathlon, participants swim 500 metres at Saanich Commonwealth Pool, ride a bicycle 17.5 kilometres and run (or walk) four kilometres.
“I need to stress that this is a fun, non-timed event that gives people an idea of actual race conditions without the pressure,” said Gebbie.
Only 120 spots are available.
Registration is $75 or $120 for a relay team, with registration closing May 3. The event starts at 6:15 a.m. when the transition area opens. Body marking is from 6:30 to 7 a.m., with the first heat starting at 7:30 a.m. in the pool at Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Dr. There is a three-hour deadline to complete the event.
As many as 60 volunteers will make sure the event runs smoothly, but more are always welcome.
For more information or maps of the race route, go to tristarstraining.com/ beginner-tri-for-ms.
Dress down for Jeans Day
This year, there are more ways to help B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Jeans Day, which takes place on Thursday.
Jeans Day, one of the foundation’s signature events, has always been a fun and easy way for people to support the foundation. They simply showed their support by purchasing a Jeans Day button or lapel pin to wear with their favourite denim.
With advances in social media and technology people can now spread the word using the hashtag #JeanUp on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook leading up to May 4.
People can tag @BCCHF to follow on social media.
Encourage friends and family to participate in Jeans Day by purchasing a button for $5 or lapel pin for $20 and wearing jeans on Thursday.
For more information, go to bcchf.ca/events/event-calendar/ jeans-day.
Breaststrokers get a hand from fundraiser
Island Breaststrokers is hosting a Power of Women fundraising event at Heron Rocks Bistro on Sunday, May 7.
The Island Breaststrokers is a dragonboat team made up of breast-cancer survivors — they call themselves thrivers — who paddle for the health of it and to inspire other survivors to lead a full, healthy life after treatment.
The event includes delicious finger food, a drink and silent auction.
Proceeds from the fundraiser goes toward boat rentals, coaching, equipment and festivals. Funds ensure any breast-cancer survivor can afford to participate on the team.
Next year, the team will travel to Florence, Italy, to participate in the World Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Festival with 119 other teams.
Tickets are $25. The event runs 3 to 6 p.m., May 7 at Heron Rocks Bistro, 435 Simcoe St.
For more information, go to islandbreaststrokers.com or [email protected].
Venturer Scout earns top honour
Scouts from across British Columbia, including one from Victoria, were recently awarded Scouts Canada’s top honour, the Queen’s Venturer Award, at a ceremony at Government House.
Ford Smith, a Venturer Scout from Victoria, was one of 70 recipients of the award, bestowed by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, provincial patron of Scouts Canada.
This was the 62nd year of the annual awards, which recognizes the outstanding achievements among Venturer Scouts (ages 14 to 17).
This year, the ceremony was celebrated as a Canada 150 event, hosted by Government House in partnership with Scouts Canada.
For more information, go to scouts.ca.
Thanks a million from the United Way
Eleven companies in the Capital Regional District were recognized for their philanthropy by induction into the new Thanks a Million Club at the United Way annual Spirit Awards at the Fairmont Empress on Monday.
The companies each reached more than a million dollars in cumulative donations since first starting their workplace campaigns.
The awards spanned 15 categories, and highlighted 58 nominees and 30 finalists from more than 250 workplaces.
The honour roll includes: the Department of National Defence, Island Health, University of Victoria, Coast Capital Savings, RBC Royal Bank, City of Victoria, Camosun College, CIBC, TD Canada Trust, ESIT Advanced Solutions Inc. and Canada Revenue Agency.
Special honours were given to the Department of National Defence for surpassing the $10 million mark in donations for the community since 1994.
Dave Wheaton, owner of Wheaton Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC, received the Chair’s Award of Distinction, which showcases an individual for extraordinary commitment to United Way’s community campaign through the workplace and individual giving.
Dating back to 1994, Wheaton has always ensured there was a workplace campaign at his dealership, providing a 100 per cent corporate match donation for every dollar raised by his employees. Collectively, the car dealership has donated more than $400,000.
He also volunteered with the United Way Campaign Cabinet from 2012 to 2015.
“As we celebrate 80 years of serving the community, we have seen a lot of change in our community, but one thing that remains constant is people still face struggles and it takes all of us working together to help create possibilities,” said Patricia Jelinski, CEO of thhe United Way.
“While many of us have a support system to help overcome life’s challenges — others need a hand up. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, united, we are able to fund a local network of social services for when people need it the most. That’s why United Way was established and why it’s still relevant today.”
Together, businesses and employees helped raise $5 million in 2016 to benefit children, youth, families and seniors from Victoria to Sooke to Sidney and the Southern Gulf Islands.
A full list of nominees and finalists can be viewed at uwgv.ca/2016-spirit-award-nominees. Award recipients at uwgv.ca/2016-spirit-award-recipients.
Good neighbours are good for you
Go knock on your neighbour’s door on Neighbour Day, Sunday, May 7.
Neighbour Day is dedicated to creating safe, welcoming neighbourhood communities by increasing inclusion and reducing isolation through neighbour-to-neighbour connections.
Victoria residents report knowing as few as four neighbours whom they could ask for a favour when needed. In Vancouver, studies show 46 per cent of people say they never see their neighbours.
Neighbour Day wants to change that. Having connections can improve a person’s mental health and well-being. Neighbours also have a role in crime prevention.
The City of Victoria and the District of Highlands have proclaimed May 7 as Victoria’s inaugural Neighbour Day.
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon has issued a message supporting the inaugural Neighbour Day as an opportunity to open our doors and engage with our neighbours in fun and creative ways.
Municipalities in Greater Victoria supporting Neighbour Day include Saanich, Colwood, Oak Bay, Central Saanich, Esquimalt, Sooke, View Royal, North Saanich and Sidney.
For more information, or to get a toolkit to help plan Neighbour Day in your community, go to neighbourdayvictoria.com.
Reynolds program is school within a school
The Flexible Studies Program at Reynolds Secondary School was recently recognized by the Canadian Education Association with a honourable mention and $1,000 prize from the Ken Spencer Award in recognition of its innovation in teaching and learning.
The Flexible Studies Program operates as a school within a school, using a team-teaching approach to integrate multiple subjects simultaneously into learning situations.
Students explore their own ideas and questions in meaningful, relevant ways, working together for the good of society.
The program collaborates with local cultural institutions and businesses so students can examine timely issues such as oceans and climate change, food security and sustainability, and indigenous ways, all in the context of advocating for political change.
The program has 60 Grade 9 and 10 students collaborating.
For more information, go to cea-ace.ca/awards/ spencer-award.
Brewers will clean up beach
Vancouver Island Brewing is partnering with Surfrider Vancouver Island to clean up a beach on Dallas Road on Thursday.
Every month, the brewery hosts Island Time, an event where senior management, employees and partners participate in team-building exercises, workshops and partnering with foundations on initiatives that align with the company’s mandate and culture.
Some of the company’s top priorities are to connect and engage with the community and to take responsibility for their effects on the environment.
For more information, go to vibrewing.com.
Ink a tattoo for Huntington Society
Roll up your sleeves and put some ink on your skin at Tats for a Cure, a fundraiser held at Incendiary Tattoos on May 13.
Third-year professional tattoo artists at the store will donate their time to help raise funds for the Huntington Society of Canada. Temporary tattoos will be available for those not wanting permanent ink.
People can choose from a few designs, including an amaryllis flower (the signature of the society). It will be available in several colours for a minimum of $60.
Also available: a semi-colon tattoo for a minimum of $40 and a jitterbug tattoo, $40, which was popular at last year’s event.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 13 at Incendiary Tattoos, 890 Esquimalt Rd.
People are invited to stay for a barbecue with hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages by donation.
For more information, go to facebook.com/events/1738290639750708 or huntingtonsociety.ca.
