by Paula Kully –
SCHOOL DAYS
Sign of the Times
Stelly’s Secondary School recently unveiled a new welcome sign carved by Charles (Chazz) Elliott Jr., a former Stelly’s student and Indigenous artist. The sign depicts a swan and welcome figures on either end with raised hands, symbolizing welcome and thank you. It reads, “Thank you all – it is really nice that you have arrived,” in SENCOTEN, English and French. The sign was made with ancient fir donated by the Pacific Forestry Research Centre.
Let the Band Play On
Parkland Secondary Band is hosting a silent auction on November 17 at Deep Cove Winery. Tickets are $10 and include a wine tasting, appies, entertainment and the opportunity to bid on many great items. Funds raised will provide students the fantastic opportunity to travel to Disneyland where they will work with a professional movie score conductor to learn, perform and record pieces that will be used as soundtracks for short film excerpts. The band will also go to California State University to perform for the Director of Bands, Dr. Emily Moss. Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased from Cristina Sousa (csousa@saanichschools.ca) or Annilee Armstrong (annileearmstrong@gmail.com).
HELPING HANDS
Gas to Cash
In keeping with their ongoing support to the community, Peninsula Co-op conducted their “Fuel Good Day” on September 18. The Fuel Good Day sees five cents from every litre of fuel purchased at all 18 Peninsula Co-op Gas Centres donated to the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. The total raised was $20,116! Thank you Peninsula Co-op.
Now That’s Hospitality
On October 4, Lilaberry Home Decor owner Chris Stephen had a big surprise when a troupe of enthusiastic people descended on her shop on Beacon Avenue to present her with the coveted “Victoria Hospitality Award.” Back in May, Chris came to the aid of two 22 year olds traveling from New Zealand who had everything they owned stolen from an underground parking lot in Vancouver. The mother in Chris inspired her to reach out to the young couple and open her home and heart to them while they waited for emergency passports and support from friends and family to get home.
DOWN ON THE FARM
New Winemaker
The Roost is the ultimate “farm to table” experience. The 10-acre farm produces many of the products on the menu such as wheat grown and milled on-site to bake the bread. They are excited to welcome their new Winemaker Derek Einberger to the farm. Derek is a second generation winemaker and vineyard manager from Napa Valley. He has worked at various vineyards in Italy, California and Oregon.
Coffee, Tea or Bees
A trip to Urban Bee Honey Farm on West Saanich Road in Saanichton is a sweet way to spend an afternoon. Their store offers a wide range of beautiful, bee inspired products, farm raised poultry and pork, a honey tasting bar and now, you can even enjoy a cup of Level Ground fair trade coffee or locally hand-blended tea from Queen Bee Farms.
NEW TO TOWN
The Doctor Is In
Dr. Geoff Newhouse and Dr. Sonja Baur are the new owners of Seaside Dental located in Sidney. They will be getting to know existing patients and are taking new patients. The pair have been practising in Whitehorse, Yukon for the past nine years and are excited to be a part of the community.
