Grab a cup of joe and help clients of the Hope Farm Healing Centre, a ministry supported by the Mustard Seed.
The centre offers a restorative farming community, grounded in Christian practice, to men seeking a life free from addiction or other self-damaging patterns. The facility is in Duncan.
The Mustard Seed Coffee Co. is now available at select Thrifty Foods in Greater Victoria, Mill Bay and the Cowichan Valley. Three signature roasts are available. To learn more, visit HopeFarm.ca.
Vivienne Poy speaks for Asian Heritage Month
Vivienne Poy, the first Canadian of Asian descent to be appointed to the Senate, will be in Victoria attending two events May 27 and 28.
During her time in Senate, Poy championed gender issues, multiculturalism, immigration and human rights. She was instrumental in having May recognized as Asian Heritage Month across Canada.
She will be appearing at the Chinatown Lioness Club Author’s Banquet, 6 p.m. on May 27 at Golden City Restaurant, 721 Fisgard St. For more information, go to victoriachinatownlioness.com.
To celebrate Asian Heritage Month in Canada 150, Poy will be the guest speaker at a special talk: The Asian Heritage Month and Chinese Diaspora, at the Royal B.C. Museum.
Drawing on her research for the book Heroes & Gamblers: Tales of Survival and Good Fortune of the Poy Family, she will provide a panoramic view of the Chinese diaspora. This talk will reveal stories of horrors, heroism, struggles and fortunes of the Chinese in Canada — and the significance of the Asian Heritage Month.
Admission to the talk is free. It runs 2 to 3:30 p.m. May 28 in the Newcombe Conference Hall at the Royal B.C. Museum, 675 Belleville St.
For more information, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/ events/calendar/event/104213/ distinguished-lecture-dr-vivienne-poy.
Concert will help kids get into sports
Enjoy a benefit concert featuring the legendary Powder Blues Band and help foster positive relationships between the police and youth in the process, on Saturday at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall.
The concert, a fundraiser by the Victoria City Police Athletic Association, features Tom Lavin and the band, which has toured with musical legends including Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and James Brown. The Jason Buie Band, with special guest Lauren Webb, will be opening the show.
The athletic association, established in 1971, promotes events in Greater Victoria and southern Vancouver Island.
The registered society donates $30,000 every year toward youth sports and various scholarships. It has donated more than $1 million to events in the community.
Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets available at Lyle’s Place, 770 Yates St., and Ticketfly.com. Doors open at 6:30, with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. on May 27 at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall, 907 Pandora Ave.
For more information, go to vicpd.ca or ticketfly.com/ purchase/event/1462753.
Step out with thousands for MS Walk
Join thousands of British Columbians on a walk to end multiple sclerosis at the Scotiabank MS Walk, on May 28.
More than 4,000 participants from 18 communities across the province are expected to come together to demonstrate their power in helping to change the lives of Canadians living with multiple sclerosis.
The event occurs during MS Awareness Month.
“It brings me a lot of hope to know that the MS research community is working hard to answer the complex questions about MS that still remain, while working with the clinicians to develop and provide tools for earlier detection, individualized treatment, and comprehensive care,” said Dr. Karen Lee, vice-president of research at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. “I look forward to seeing the progress of these studies in 2017, and await the next major advances that will move the needle in our search for a cure.”
Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world, and the society funds research and services that empower Canadians affected by the disease.
The walks vary in length, including wheelchair-accessible routes. Participants will also have the opportunity to join in start/finish line activities and team awards ceremonies.
For a list of events and to register, go to mswalks.ca. To learn more about MS and the activities of the MS Society of Canada, go to mssociety.ca.
Iris Reception aids mental illness
When life gets tough due to a mental illness, the Victoria Branch of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society is there to help. Citizens can help the society help people with schizophrenia, psychosis and other mental illnesses by attending the Iris Reception, presented by Investors Group, Tuesday at the Hotel Grand Pacific.
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time — 20 per cent will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime and others might have a family member, friend or colleague who has suffered.
But not a lot of people know that mental illnesses are surprisingly common in children and youth. About one in seven young people in the province will experience a mental illness at some point. Many mental illnesses — between 50 and 70 per cent — show up before the age of 18.
Illnesses can affect how well children do in school and how they form relationships. If not treated early, it can be disruptive and affect them for the rest of their lives.
Tickets are $65 for the event. It runs 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St. For tickets, go to hibid.ca/events/ iris-reception. For more information, go to bcssvictoria.ca.
Partnership Walk hits 33rd year
Victoria will join nine other cities across Canada for the 33rd annual World Partnership Walk to raise awareness and funds to end global poverty on May 28 at the University of Victoria.
Started more than 30 years ago, the event has grown to be the largest event in Canada, drawing tens of thousands of people. They walk in support of international development and a more peaceful, prosperous and equal world for all.
Family-friendly activities include a cultural stage show, cultural children’s interactive activities to celebrate Asian Heritage Month, sporting activities for children led by the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, a Jazzercise class (9:45 a.m.) and international food kiosks.
The walk is free to join. People can choose between 2.5 and five-kilometre routes. The walk starts at 10 a.m. May 28 from the front of the McPherson Library at the University of Victoria. For more information or to register, go to worldpartnershipwalk.com/en/walk-cities/victoria.
Check out the produce at Serenity Farm
Serenity Farm will open its gates for the community to explore the therapeutic community garden at its second annual Welcome to Spring in Our Garden event, June 1 at the Seven Oaks Care Facility in Saanich.
The garden is a unique addition to the care facility. Participants with mental-health issues, addiction concerns or doing court ordered community service, with the help of community garden volunteers, learn to grow organic food for themselves and the community.
The garden, officially known as Feeding Ourselves and Others, is in the centre of a field overlooking the Blenkinsop Valley.
At the June 1 event, people are invited to try some produce and get a taste of how the facility turns vegetables into hope and community caring.
In addition to garden tours, there will be an art sale featuring garden art by local artists, a plant sale, an information display on the garden and a demonstration by one of the participants of a special way to plant seeds.
The event is sponsored by the John Howard Society of Victoria with the assistance of the Island Health Assertive Community Treatment Teams, the Victoria Integrated Court initiative and Seven Oaks Tertiary Care Facility. Funding and support from the United Way, Island Health and other community organizations, businesses and individuals.
The garden is open noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at the Seven Oaks Care Facility, 4575 Blenkinsop Rd. For more information, go to: feedingourselvesandothers.com.
Lots for the kids at Touch a Truck
Get behind the wheel and explore trucks of all kinds, including fire trucks, police cars, excavators, dump trucks and more at the Touch a Truck event, May 28 at the Panorama Recreation Centre.
This is the sixth year of the event, presented by Team 4 Hope, along with title sponsors Stantec and Coast Dental Care.
Along with the trucks, new additions this year includes an appearance by the B.C. Guide Dog puppies, the Games2U hamster ball track and the Victoria Police Department Emergency Response Team’s armoured vehicle.
The fun-filled afternoon also includes a host of family-friendly activities and a barbecue lunch.
Since its inception in 2011 the Team 4 Hope, a local running and fundraising team, has raised more than $370,000 for neuroblastoma research in B.C.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 28 at the Panorama Recreation Centre, 1885 Forest Park Dr., North Saanich. For more information, go to team4hope.com.
Cross-country ride focuses on cancer
On Thursday, retired Mountie Dave Mackenzie set out on a 7,500-kilometre bicycle trip across Canada to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
After completing a 35-year career with the RCMP, Mackenzie decided it was time to do something he has been passionate about.
“It is my hope to do something to help,” he said. “I want more survivors and less cancer.”
He started his trek from Cowichan Bay. His route will take him across all the western and Prairie provinces and then on to Ontario and Quebec before entering New Brunswick. He will travel to Prince Edward Island via the Confederation Bridge then to Nova Scotia via the Woods Island Ferry.
From Nova Scotia he will travel via ferry to Newfoundland, circle the province and then go to Saint John, N.B, where he will end his journey in his hometown on the Bay of Fundy.
He is encouraging everyone to do their part by donating to the Canadian Cancer Society or visit his website for updates. For more information, go to davepedalsforhope.com.
Festival of Singing open to all faiths
Enjoy congregational singing at the Festival of Singing on Sunday, May 28, at the First Metropolitan United Church.
This year marks the 500th year since the Protestant reformation. One major contribution from the reformation was the renewed emphasis on congregational singing.
Listen to the choir or join others in song at the event. The music will be led by Scott Weidler, the cantor (music leader) for several large congregations in Chicago.
While the Lutheran church is one of the sponsoring congregations, the music will appeal to those of many church backgrounds.
Admission by donation. The festival starts at 4 p.m. May 28 at the First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Rd.
For more information, go to firstmetvictoria.com.
