by John Kernaghan –
News, changes, updates, launches? Email noteworthyseaside@gmail.com.
THE GIVING NEVER ENDS
It’s not a good sign when you walk into a law-enforcement office and a staffer remarks they’ve just seen your mug shot. But at the Sidney RCMP detachment, see, I was on their radar due to a Facebook post looking for items for this column. And the staffer, a young woman, had a timely reminder for me: “Let people know the need at food banks doesn’t end at Christmas.”
That, combined with a request from a Saanichton teenager to promote his charity bottle drive, seemed an appropriate start to 2024.
The Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank reopens January 3 after a holiday break and normally operates Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for donations. Remember, rising food prices have made the need even greater. See www.splfoodbank.com.
Andrei Marti, 14, has raised more than $50,000 for good causes since a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. He has several recycling bins alongside his family’s farm stand at 1642 Keating Cross Road and donates mostly to the children’s charity Help Fill A Dream.
“So many kids don’t have access to health care, wheelchair access, bikes for therapy and more,” says Andrei.
MOBILE VET SERVICES LAUNCHED
Many pet owners will face hard decisions in the coming year as aging animals need special care and the final, heartbreaking goodbye.
A new veterinary service recently began offering consultations, palliative care and euthanasia in the comfort of one’s own home.
Dr. Ashlee Albright of Brentwood Bay and Dr. Mary McDowell of North Saanich launched PenVet Mobile Veterinary Services and bring the experience and compassion of 12 years each in their field.
“So many people find it very traumatic to deal with end-of-life situations in a clinical setting,” Dr. Albright said of the need for the service, which includes in-house visits to suggest ways to keep pets comfortable when they face health struggles.
WELL LOVED CAFE CLOSES
Many businesses struggle maintaining foot traffic – getting folks in the front door. It was road construction which ended Melinda’s Biscotti Café on McDonald Park Road in North Saanich.
“We didn’t have enough (foot) traffic due to the construction to improve road traffic,” said owner Melinda Cownden. “Business was down 70% and I was having to sell off equipment to pay the rent.”
The good news is that she continues to produce biscotti for local groceries and shops and says demand has reached the point she plans to ship her biscotti throughout western Canada … and perhaps nationally after that.
Folks looking for Melinda’s products can email her at melinda@melindasbiscotti.com or call 250-896-1964.
THE PUCK STOPS HERE
Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
Two local executives teamed up for a big goal when they helped land the nationally-televised event, running January 17 to 20 in Victoria.
John Wilson of The Wilson’s Group; and Brenda MacFarlane of IG Private Wealth Management, who lives in Brentwood Bay; are chair and treasurer of Victoria Hockey Legacy Society.
Wilson described it as a win-win by showcasing the region and its passion for hockey while setting benchmarks for the kind of off- and shoulder-season events that can boost tourism in future.
Wilson noted the physical legacy piece – an artificial ice rink by CAN-ICE – which has been purchased and will be available for community groups and businesses in future.
The four-day event kicks off with a Victoria Royals game and concludes with Hockey Day celebrations of the game Saturday hosted by Sportsnet’s Ron MacLean. It’s the day all seven Canadian NHL teams play at home.
MacFarlane stressed the major beneficiary of the events is the Courtnall Society for Mental Health, which promotes understanding of mental health through awareness and education. Former NHL players and Islanders Russ and Geoff Courtnall will be on hand.
AND FURTHERMORE …
There are hoops to jump through and obstacles to be vaulted, but a promising affordable housing development for seniors and workers is making progress for a site along Hovey Road close to East Saanich.
The proposed project by the tandem of Aryze Developments and Legion Manor Victoria would include a west building of 133 market rental homes and the east structure would house 62 studio and one-bedroom units for seniors. Stay tuned.
Wait for it – a looming battle between the off-leash dog crowd and the pickleball proponents over six courts for the latter at Cy Hampson Park.
North Saanich has listed Cy Hampson as the top of eight sites, largely because few homes are near the large park, which runs from Hwy. 17 to the water bisected by Lochside Drive.
Finally, historians and aerospace fans will want to catch the viewing of Lancaster, a documentary featuring the surviving crew members of a storied World War II bomber. It’s playing at Mary Winspear Centre on January 25 at 7 p.m. Proceeds go the restoration of a Lancaster by the BC Aviation Museum.
