Will you be my (furry) Valentine? Have a great day at the second Valentine’s Dog Party to raise awareness and funds for the Victoria Pet Food Bank, next Sunday, Feb. 14.
The organization, made up of a group of concerned citizens and animal lovers, was started four years ago to provide for animals abandoned or in distress, and to support low-income families whose pets need food. It also educates children about compassion, adoptions, abuse and neglect.
It supports clients of Victoria Cool Aid Society, the only aid group that allows pets inside emergency shelters.
“Demand has increased as word got out,” said Margarita Dominguez, president and founder of the organization. “We now distribute almost 500 kilograms of pet food per month, about 150 kilograms more than last year.”
At the event, people are encouraged to dress up their pets (and themselves) for an afternoon of fun. Last year, some of the dogs came dressed as ballerinas and little lions.
There will be a trainer from Thumbs Up Training and Walking on site with games for dogs. A groomer from Powsh Pups will give pampered pets nail trims. Paws on Cook, a pet food store, is offering the dog treats and a basket for the raffle.
Two-legged attendees can enjoy fresh java by Serious Coffee.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 on the field above Clover Point on Dallas Road. Pet owners are encouraged to donate cash, pet food or gift certificates from area pet stores. People can also drop off flea collars or leftover pet medication. For more information, go to safars.org.
Variety telethon celebrates 50 years
Variety’s Show of Hearts Telethon celebrates its 50th anniversary with an on-air concert led by Canadian rock group 54-40 on Feb. 13 and 14.
The telethon is one of the largest fundraising events for Variety — the children’s charity. Artists set to perform in the two-day show include Charlie, Aaron Pritchett, Five Alarm Funk, Vancouver TheatreSports League and Sarah McLachlan School of Music on Saturday. Sunday’s lineup includes Jim Byrnes, Chilliwack, Barney Bentall, Dustin Bentall, Shari Ulrich and Colleen Rennison.
The artists will perform on stage at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts and broadcast on Global TV. There will be live cut-ins between performances to showcase the telethon taking place at same time at the Hard Rock Theatre.
This year, viewers don’t even need a television to watch. The two-day extravaganza will be live-streamed on the Global B.C. website.
People can also buy tickets for the live-stage event.
As in previous years, the fundraising appeal will include stories of families who have been helped by the charity.
Over the past 50 years, the charity has raised more than $189 million. The money has gone to fund medical equipment and medication and to support special-needs children. It also supports organizations that provide services to children throughout the province. For more information, go to globalnews.ca/live/bc.
Concert will honour musician Luke Rachwalski
Local musician Luke Rachwalski died in a fire in 2014. On Saturday, family, friends and colleagues will ensure that his spirit will not be forgotten as they stage a self-described sexy rock and roll concert to raise money for a scholarship and songwriting workshops in his name.
LukeFest will be a night of music led by Daniel Lapp, artistic director of the Chwyl Family School of Music at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, in collaboration with the LukeFest HouseBand, a mix of local musicians of different ages, and genres.
“Victoria has a vibrant music community,” said Lapp. “Our goal is to deepen the connection between the music community and the Chwyl Family School of Contemporary Music. We want to provide ongoing funds for students who might not have considered the conservatory as a place to help them on their musical journey. My role as a mentor and coach is to help students learn about stage presence and the arc of a performance, not just how to play their instruments.”
Students from the music school will perform with the LukeFest HouseBand.
Lapp describes the event as musical exploration and a celebration of songwriting. The program will be a combination of rock classics with a fresh Victorian music-scene twist, and new classics with songs by local songwriters — as well as a selection written by Luke Rachwalski.
Proceeds from the concert will fund Luke’s Gift (scholarships) and Luke’s Legacy (songwriting workshops) at the Chwyl school.
General admission is $35, backstage VIP reception tickets $100 (reception includes beverages and light snacks at Wood Hall at 6 p.m. before the main event and includes preferred seating in Alix Goolden Hall). Doors open at 7, with the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. Tickets are available online at ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1010437/tfly and at Lyle’s Place, 770 Yates St. For more information, go to lukefest.ca.
CNIB is looking for Vision Mates
The local branch of the CNIB is looking for volunteers to be part of its Vision Mate program.
The flagship volunteer program provides one-on-one support to someone in the community who is blind or partially sighted.
Volunteers visit for two hours a week and do things such as reading, organizing, accompanying the person on walks, helping with errands or just socializing.
For more information, contact Jaishree Narsih at 250-595-1100 ext. 6032 or by email at jaishree.narsih.cnib.ca. For other volunteer opportunities, go to cnib.ca.
Help nature sanctuary by joining board
The society that manages the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is looking for people to fill vacant positions on its board.
The society is served by a board of directors made up of 12 sanctuary members elected by the general membership at the annual general meeting in April.
Board members guide, govern and influence the development of the nature sanctuary. Members are visionaries with the ability to work as a team and serve as ambassadors for the sanctuary.
The society is seeking new board members with any one or more of the following skill sets: Legal expertise, financial acumen, natural history, environmental and biology backgrounds, fundraising experience and an understanding of not-for-profits.
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is a non-profit, registered charitable organization run by the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society.
Nominations should include a complete name, title, address, telephone number, email address and fax number. Nominations close at 4 p.m. today. Voting for directors will be held at the AGM, April 7. For more information, or to download a nomination form, go to swanlake.bc.ca.
Special jerseys up for grabs at Panorama
The Peninsula Minor Hockey Association is hosting a Panthers Player Appreciation Night with a special ceremony at the first intermission for the Help Fill A Dream Foundation on Friday.
Players at the game will have a chance to win about 25 limited-edition Panthers third jerseys (created to honour their recent Hockeyville win).
During the first intermission, the association, along with the Help Fill A Dream Foundation, will surprise an 11-year-old boy who has serious medical issues with a free trip to see the Edmonton Oilers.
The game, against the Westshore Wolves, starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Panorama Recreation Centre, 1885 Forest Park Dr. North Saanich. For more information, go to pmha.bc.ca.
Hot tunes, cool desserts at Central Middle School
Central Middle School students are cooking up some hot tunes, while people partake in cool desserts during the school’s Music and Desserts Extravaganza on Tuesday.
The annual fundraiser features musical entertainment by talented teens performed in a casual café atmosphere.
Families, friends and 15 local bakeries have cooked up regular and gluten-free cookies, rum balls, a tower of macaroons, brownies, cheese cakes, tarts and pies.
Enjoy a coffee, tea or hot apple cider. Family-style seating at bigger tables and tall, cocktail-style tables in the silent auction area.
All proceeds from the evening go toward the Central Music Parents Association to fund music programs for students.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 students or $20 family, available at the door. The event runs 7 to 9 p.m. at Central Middle School, 1280 Fort St. For more information, call Jason Easton, president of the Central Music Parents Association at 250-508-1667.
