Special events to mark the 100th anniversary of the Canadian navy have included a huge military parade and the unveiling of the Homecoming statue on Wharf Street.
A smaller but no less meaningful tribute occurred yesterday when a commemorative stained-glass window was dedicated at St. Paul's Naval and Garrison Church in Esquimalt. The church, consecrated in 1866, has had a close connection with the navy over the years.
Along with the Homecoming statue, the window will be a lasting monument to the naval centennial, said retired rear-admiral Bill Hughes, who led the committee that oversaw the church project.
The window, made by Victoria's Mercer and Schaefer Glasstudios, contains four panels depicting stages in the navy's history. Rev. Canon Andrew Gates called it "a tremendously welcome addition to the already rich military heritage of the church."
U.S. navy crew earns praise
The United States navy made its mark in the community earlier this month when sailors from two visiting ships, the USS Halsey and the USS Sterett, paid a visit to the Burnside Gorge Community Centre for a volunteer painting and cleanup session.
The group mowed lawns, weeded, removed debris and painted three classrooms.
Burnside Gorge custodian Simeon Goa lauded their efforts.
"With volunteers, positive changes are possible and can assist in creating a better working environment and a sense of connection with the community and abroad," Goa said in a statement.
A fairy garden
for little Ella
A tough six-year-old girl named Ella Smith walks into her very own fairy garden today, courtesy of the Help Fill a Dream Foundation and many other supporters in the community.
Foundation director Brian Losie said Ella was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago, and the garden is a special acknowledgment of what she's been through. She is now cancer-free.
Losie said Peninsula Co-op and Integral Design landscapers have been big contributors to the garden, and their staff members have donated time to help. The garden includes ceramic fairies, mushroom lights, a fairy-themed hummingbird feeder and even a "secret" entrance, said Losie.
Firefighters boot up for drive
Firefighters from across Greater Victoria are staging their annual Boot Drive on Friday and Saturday to raise money in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Canadian firefighters have been part of the fight against muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders for more than 50 years. In the capital region, members of several local fire departments will be at stores, shopping centres and other key locations using their boots to collect donations.
The Boot Drive runs from noon to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. A $5 donation can also be made by texting the word "muscle" to 30333, or donors can contribute by visiting the website at www.muscle.ca.
Relay runs up Island's spine
Anyone interested in giving the wilderness some backbone is invited to take part in the 22-day Vancouver Island Spine Trail Relay beginning June 5.
"We're trying to promote the idea of a 700-kilometre long connected wilderness hiking trail that would be a tourist attraction as well as something great for people on the Island," said Victoria's Maia Green.
Legs of the relay, which begins with an 11-kilometre trek from the parking lot at Cape Scott Provincial Park to Nissen Bight, range from one to three days.
"We're looking for people to sign up for any of the relay legs," Green said. "Some of them are mountain biking, some are hiking, there's one or two that are running. It's a chance to explore somewhere new."
The relay includes a cycling leg from Royal Roads to Clover Point along the Galloping Goose Trail. At the end of the ride will be one of the "community day" celebrations that will be held at various centres along the relay route. There will six community days in all during the relay.
"VISpine" is a project of the Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association or VISTA as part of Hike B.C. -- the B.C. component of the National Hiking Trail.
In the past 30 years, the National Hiking Trail has been involved in the formation of such regional trail systems as Newfoundland's East Coast Trail and the Nuxalk/Carrier Grease Trail from Bella Coola to Quesnel.
The cost to join a section of the Vancouver Island Spine Trail Relay is $30. Participants are given a
T-shirt.
Go to www.vispine.ca or call 250-592-7017.
- Before the relay gets started, Green will be honoured for another of her ventures by the Recycling Council of B.C. She has been named as a recipient of one of the council's annual MOBI Awards (named for the "mobius loop," which is commonly used as a symbol for recycling) for the children's camps she leads in the summer.
Green created Friends Uniting for Nature or FUN Camps for six- to 12-year-olds, which have a focus on environmental education and the development of leadership skills. One-third or more of camp spaces are given free to children from low-income homes.
Green receives her award Wednesday at the Recycling Council of B.C.'s Zero Waste Conference in Whistler.
Ride to Live tackles cancer
Motorcyclists will be making difference in the fight against prostate cancer June 6.
They will be taking part in the West Coast Motorcycle Ride to Live, which begins at 10 a.m. at Ogden Point. Riders will go on a "poker run" that takes them to Sidney for a barbecue at the Mary Winspear Centre.
A similar event in Vancouver is set for May 30.
The Victoria ride is being held in partnership with the Prostate Centre, which provides information and promotes research on prostate health from its offices on Richmond Road.
Pre-registration for the ride is underway. Go to www.ridetolive.ca or contact Central Saanich police Const. Luc Beauvais at [email protected].
Sign-up also takes place June 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the CHEK-TV parking lot behind the 780 Kings Rd. station, or at Ogden Point from 7:30-9:45 a.m. on the day of the ride.
Daughters, fathers dance
The Butterfly Ball, an event for dads and daughters, is being held this Saturday at the Marriott Hotel. All proceeds go the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children.
The May 29 event is designed for dads, daughters from eight to 18, and grandpas. It begins at 4:30 p.m. and includes a buffet dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing and games. Cost is $125 per dad and $75 per daughter. Call 250-519-6955 or e-mail [email protected].
Off-roaders haul away trash
People who enjoy off-road vehicles joined forces recently to show concern for their natural surroundings.
The South Island Motorized Recreation Advisory Council said about 80 volunteers supported by a number of sponsors did an extensive cleanup around the Bear Creek Reservoir. Abandoned and burned vehicles were found and hauled away, and three dumpsters of trash were also removed.
Sherry Shamblin, Cory Hinds and Leeandra Brown instigated the effort.
Off-roaders said they will work with Crimestoppers to keep areas like Bear Creek clean.
