The oldest residential neighbourhood in Victoria just welcomed its newest additions with the planting of three community apple trees near the Ernest Todd Playground in James Bay on Wednesday.
In a few years, trees will have taken root in the community, proving shade and fruit for anybody to pick.
Kathryn Pankowski, garden advocate for the James Bay Neighbourhood Association, co-ordinated the initiative, with the James Bay Market Society donating the cost of the trees and planting supplies. Contributions to the effort are funded through a City of Victoria grant program.
Tree-steward volunteers will ensure care of the trees until they are mature.
The trees are by the tennis courts of the Ernest Todd Playground, 100 Montreal St. For more information, go to jbna.org.
51st Show of Hearts benefits Variety B.C.
The Show of Hearts Telethon turns 51 with a new format — now with eight hours of entertainment. The change has been inspired by the changing landscape of philanthropy — and to appeal to a new generation of donor.
The annual show has carried on for almost the entire 50-year existence of Variety — the Children’s Charity. Every year, proceeds from the annual broadcast have helped fund organizations such as B.C. Childrens’ Hospital, Canuck Place and neonatal intensive-care units in hospitals around British Columbia.
“We want to tell stories that will reflect the core purpose of Variety. To inspire donors to help all children who have special needs in B.C. and the Yukon to fulfil their potential, so they can focus on the important things — like being kids,” said Kristy Gill, CEO of Variety B.C.
The new one-day format is designed to be more impactful and efficient. It features an energetic lineup of hosts from Global B.C., Rock 101, CFOX World Famous, CKNW AM 980, as well as live entertainment from Dallas Smith, Dan Mangan and the Washboard Union.
“We could not be more excited about the quality of performers who have graciously agreed to be a part of the show and help us raise funds for families who have children with special needs,” said Gill.
As always, the show will bring together donors from communities across the province for a show of support.
“We want our audience to meet some of our kids, and learn about how Variety supports families all across B.C., but we also want them to have fun and enjoy a great show,” she said.
Variety — the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children with special needs in B.C. and the Yukon. It has ensured children have the support to reach their potential for more than 50 years.
The 2017 Show of Hearts Telethon, set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 12, will be broadcast live from the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam. Global will air full coverage of the one-day telethon from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., both on-air and online via livestream on Globalnews.ca.
Donations can be made online at variety.bc.ca, toll-free at 310-KIDS, or by texting “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.
Tea time for the symphony
Tickets are still available for Tea and Symphony, a fundraiser for the Sooke Philharmonic Society on Feb. 12 in the Sooke Community Hall.
Tickets usually sell out for this event, which sees the orchestra entertaining guests while they enjoy an afternoon relaxing with light refreshments.
Tickets are $40 for the event, which runs 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the hall, 2037 Shields Rd. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. For more information, go to sookephil.ca or 250-419-3569.
Students showcase theatre skills
See what a group of French Immersion Grade 8 students from Central Middle School have been working hard at for the past four months as they present Le Goblet D’or (The Golden Goblet), a piece of French theatre, Wednesday at Langham Court Theatre.
Volunteers and staff from the theatre have generously donated their time and expertise to mentor the students in writing, acting, stage design and construction, lighting, sound, props and much more to make this play a reality.
The experience of working in a real theatre has brought the world of the stage to life for the students,who are taking part in an integrated French/social studies project.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The show runs about one and a half hours, with a short intermission. Doors open at 6:30, play begins at 7 p.m., with refreshments sold during the intermission.
Feast on food from around the world
Sample local First Nations cuisine as well as dishes from around the world Thursday at the Cultural Food Event, a fundraiser by students from Vancouver Island University’s Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island and the hospitality management programs at the school in Nanaimo.
Diners will be treated to a seven-course meal with foods from around the world, with smoked salmon and bannock, pork dumplings, tamales and beer-glazed weisswurst sausage.
The event is an opportunity for culinary arts students to put their skills to work, try out new recipes and show off what they’re learning.
“It’s always fun to try something new and experiment with different flavours,” said Aaron Wende, a student. “People in this program are from all over the world and we all submitted our favourite recipes from our different backgrounds to be considered for the event. From there, they chose dishes that would allow us to show off the depth and breadth of our training here.”
Proceeds of the family-oriented night go toward supporting students in skills competitions, as well as field trips and equipment.
Tickets are $45 for adults, $15 for children aged six to 12, free for children five years and under, or $330 for a table of eight adults. Doors open at 5:30, with dinner starting at 6 p.m. in the main cafeteria (Building 300) at Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth St. Nanaimo. Beer and wine will be available for purchase from the bar.
For more information, or to buy tickets, call 250-740-6289 or 250-740-6338, or email [email protected].
Dance party celebrates courage
Celebrate the courage, creativity and passion of the underground dance scene during the AIDS crisis at the Strike a Pose Dance Party, in conjunction with the Victoria Film Festival’s screening of a documentary with the same name, on Thursday at the Copper Owl.
At the height of the AIDS crisis, seven young dancers joined pop star Madonna on a world tour. No one suspected three of these dancers had been diagnosed with HIV before they joined the tour. One eventually died from AIDS-related complications in 1995.
The six surviving dancers’ stories became the narrative of a new documentary, Strike a Pose, which will be screened Thursday at the Victoria Film Festival.
The public is invited to the dance party for a chance to show off dance moves, have fun and celebrate these pioneers of sexual freedom.
People can warm up with a Vogue dancing lesson about 9:30 p.m. DJ Nova Jade Greene will be the musical guide for the night, and AIDS Vancouver Island’s Screw Crew will be there offering educational resources and safe-sex supplies.
Tickets are $10 and are available online at Eventbrite, StrikeAPoseAfterParty, and at the Vic Theatre’s screening of the documentary. Limited tickets might also be available at the door. Doors open at 9, event starts at 9:30 p.m. This 19-and- older event takes place at the Copper Owl, 1900 Douglas St.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit programs at AIDS Vancouver Island. For more information, go to avi.org.
Your used handbag could help others
A local charity is asking Victorians to take a peek inside their closets for any gently used handbags, scarves and jewelry for the upcoming Handbags for Hope fundraiser.
The collected items will be sold at a silent auction at the annual event, which supports childhood cancer research at B.C. Children’s Hospital and local families with neuroblastoma.
Last year, the Handbags for Hope fundraiser raised almost $68,000 and more than $371,000 over the past six years.
People can drop off their handbags 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11 and 12 in front of Toys R Us at Mayfair Mall. Tickets for the Handbags for Hope fundraiser are $26.50 and the event takes place from 7 to 9 p.m., Feb. 24 at Victoria Mariott, 728 Humboldt St.
For more information, go to team4hope.com.
Christmas Child says thanks, Victoria
We received a thank-you letter from Anamaria Laturnus, media co-ordinator volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, addressed to Victorians for their contributions this past season.
“I am writing to thank and celebrate Greater Victoria residents for spreading joy to children around the world this Christmas season. The generosity of Victoria volunteers, families and groups paved the way to collect over 5,800 shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind.
“Our community’s shoeboxes contributed to 664,525 shoeboxes collected across Canada.
“The gift-filled shoeboxes are tangible expressions of God’s love for children around the world suffering from poverty, natural disaster, war, disease and famine. These children, many of whom have never received a gift before, learn they are loved and not forgotten.
“Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories.
“Thank you to everyone who packed a gift-filled shoebox, and for those who do so year after year. These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message of hope and continue to transform the lives of children worldwide.”
For more information, go to samaritanspurse.ca.
Sidney wants volunteers for a birthday party
Organizers of the Sidney Celebrates Canada 150 program are looking for volunteers for events taking place during the year to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary and Sidney’s 50th anniversary.
Events needing volunteers include Sidney Days, Vancouver Island Comic Con, Paint the Town Red & White Street Party, Children’s Carnival and Diner en Rouge.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be involved with an extraordinary celebration of our country and our community,” said Kenny Podmore, co-ordinator of the event.
A volunteer information session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Arbutus Room at the Sidney Town Hall, 2440 Sidney Ave.. Interested individuals can hear details on the various openings and register as a volunteer for the event of their choice. People can also contact Kenny Podmore at [email protected]. For more information, go to sidney.ca.
