SOOKE LOCAL NEWS – ARCHIVE [ JULY 2016 ]
Sunday, July 31 ~ SOOKE. There’s just one more day to enjoy the upbeat 30th Sooke Fine Arts Show. Catch it on BC Day, Monday August 1. Open 10 am to 5 pm at SEAPARC.
There’s been a big turnout this year, says Sooke Fine Arts Society past-president Dave Bennett. He attributes the additional popularity to 30th anniversary spin and ample media coverage.
Revenues are higher than ever before, says long-time Sooke Fine Arts Show organizer Marion DesRochers! That includes admission, art sales and gift shop sales.
Overall the show draws $600,000 to the Sooke economy, says Sooke Fine Arts Society president Geraldine McGuire — tourism exposure, real estate spin-off and business interest.
Well done, organizers and volunteers! www.sookefinearts.com
Friday, July 29. The BC Day Long Weekend is almost here! Saturday July 30 through Monday August 1 will be taken as a long weekend by many folks.
The Sooke Fine Arts Show continues through to and including Monday. Buy your copy of a book about lighthouses, in the gift shop at the art show. Proceeds split between the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society and the Sooke Fine Arts Show.
The Sooke Salmon Enhancement Society’s annual Chinook Salmon Derby will be on this weekend.
The Weather Network is predicting ‘seasonal’ temperatures for this weekend for south Vancouver Island – highs in the 23°C range compared to the hotter temperatures we have seen this week. And with pretty much no rain in the forecast. Great for relaxing, outdoor activities, gardening and more.
Wednesday, July 27. There are daily art demonstrations at the South Shore Gallery at 2046 Otter Point Road in Sooke, during the Sooke Fine Arts Show (July 22 through August 1).
The line up for the next few days: Lorna Bell will be doing glass mosaic today July 27 (noon to 4 pm); Len Platt painting in oils on Thursday July 28 (1 to 3 pm); Lisa Riehl will be demonstrating her painting with acrylics on Friday July 29 (1 to 3 pm); Deborah Czernecky will paint with oils on Saturday July 30 (noon to 4pm); and Wendy Dickens on July 31 (1 to 3 pm).
The South Shore Gallery shop and gallery was purchased by Jessie Taylor-Dodd a few years ago, upon retirement of the previous store owner Elizabeth Tanner (who still works at the shop).
Wednesday, July 27. The Stone Pipe Grill restaurant business at the prominent corner of Sooke Road and Otter Point Road has reportedly been sold.
Established 10 years ago by Patrick Irwin and his wife Emma, the popular 60-seat eatery was listed for sale only a few weeks ago (on June 29) by Re/Max Alliance at $98,000.
Commercial annual taxes to the District of Sooke have been about $31,820 (or about $2,651 per month) as of 2015.
Apparently the buyers are from back east, to be confirmed.
Tuesday, July 26 ~ SOOKE. This is a day for kids at the Sooke Fine Arts Show!
Artz4Kids runs 2 to 4 pm. $2 Special Admission! $2 for all ages after 2pm. Free for children 12 and under (must be accompanied by an adult). www.sookefinearts.com .
Artz4Youth 4 to 7 pm. Admission$2 for all ages (children 12 and under are free). This is a chance to enjoy the next generation of talented young musicians. Live performances begin at 4pm, and food will be available for purchase on-site. www.sookefinearts.com
Tomorrow and Thursday will be the popular Seniors’ Tea events, 2 to 4 pm. Free for seniors age 65+. For those also accompanying, it’s $3 per person for tea.
Monday, July 25 ~ SOOKE. On Friday, July, 22 at 4:48 pm Sooke RCMP responded to reports of a group fighting with bats and pipes on Ayre Road.
“Upon arrival, multiple combatants were breaking up and dispersing. The attending officers quickly noticed that bearspray had been used during the altercation, several of the subjects involved were contaminated. Ten people in total were involved, all of them Sooke residents. Four subjects were transported to hospital, all suffering various injuries from the fight,” said Sooke RCMP Detachment Commander S/Sgt Jeff McArthur.
“Arrests were made, and the confusion on initial attendance was such that, it took officers some time to determine what had taken place,” it was stated in a news release today. The weapons used are reported as including bear spray, a steel pipe, a baseball bat, brass knuckles, handcuffs, knives, axes and a hammer. There were two vehicles at the scene – both with smashed windows and other damage from the altercation.
Initial indications are that, the violence resulted from a brewing landlord/tenant dispute. A new tenant had shown up at the property with others, in an effort to convince the current occupants to vacate. The violence stemmed from this confrontation.
All subjects admitted to hospital have been released. Of the 10 persons involved — seven men and three women.
Investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events in this violent altercation, in a residential Sooke neighbourhood. Charges are expected to be forwarded for approval by Crown Counsel against nine subjects, says McArthur. The charges being considered are Assault, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon, Mischief Over $5000, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Possession of a Weapon.
Anyone with information about this incident, is asked to contact the Sooke RCMP (file 2016-3400). To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers:
• by phone: 1-800-222-8477(TIPS)
• online: www.solvecrime.ca
• by SMS: Text: BCTIP and your message to CRIMES (274637)
Monday, July 25 ~ SOOKE. Ayre Manor is celebrating their 8th Anniversary as a housing facility for seniors in Sooke. The facility at 6764 Ayre Road in the town core area of Sooke offers independent living, assisted living and complex care.
They opened in July 2008 with 25 assisted living apartments and 32 residential complex care suites.
Ayre Manor is owned and operated by the Seniors Elderly Citizens Housing Society (SECHS). They welcome new board members.
SECHS is now hiring casual RNs and care aides for employment at Ayre Manor. Apparently they have enough LPNs now, at this time.
There are 75 seniors units at residence at Ayre Manor, all of them full: 18 independent living cottages, 25 assisted living apartments, and 32 residential complex care suites. There is a waiting list.
In October 2016, two of the 32 Complex Care beds will be transitioned over to become hospice beds, says SECHS Chair Sandy Pedneault.
Monday, July 25 ~ SOOKE. TELUS held a local food drive for the Sooke Food Bankout the front of Village Foods on Thursday July 21. For every non-perishable item donated, TELUS gave out a complimentary Ice cream!
“Thursday went great,” says Dinara Mukhametianova, TELUS marketing specialist. “We managed to raise $214 and received 150 lbs of food for the Sooke Food Bank.”
TELUS is marketing their new Fibre Internet and Optik TV services in the Sooke area this summer. They have also had a booth (with ice cream!) at the Sooke Region Museum open house, and one night at the Sooke Night Market.
A new TELUS wireless pole was installed in Sooke town centre on TELUS property near the Sooke Centre Mall earlier this summer, next to the CIBC branch building. The mono-pole is encased in a tube-like structure which after a while seems to blend into the visual landscape.
Saturday, July 23 ~ SOOKE. Sooke Midwifery delivers!
About 69 babies are expected by families who are being attended to by midwives Uta Herold and Paula Schikkerling at Sooke Midwifery.
Last summer they gathered all the moms and dads and babies and families at Ed Macgregor Park and a dog or two — for a huge gathering. It was a special day!
“There was a very special energy in the park that day,” says Uta Herold who has been a midwife since 1981. She opened Sooke Midwifery in 2010.
Friday, July 22 ~ SOOKE. The Communities in Bloom committee awarded certificates of recognition to several Sooke businesses and organizations last night in a quick little seaside ceremony at Sooke Harbour House.
Present for the recognition at 6pm were the two provincial Communities in Bloom judges for this year in Sooke: Peter Crawshaw (Director and judge) who is a former Parks administrator retired from the City of Nanaimo, and Bruce Hobin (judge) who has retired from 40 years as an agrologist in Ontario.
The CiB effort this year in Sooke was led by the Sooke Program of the Arts Committee (Drew Johnston, Chair). Guiding the essence and flavour of the event again this year has been District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson.
Photo of the CiB lead team taken July 21 2016 on the grounds of Sooke Harbour House — where the forest meets the sea (from left): Linda Anderson, Frederique Philip, Bruce Hobin (judge), Peter Crawshaw (judge), Brenda Parkinson, Brianna Shambrook, Drew Johnston, and John Russell. [Photo Copyright 2016 West Shore Voice News]
District of Sooke Councillor Kerrie Reay attended the event and accepted the certificate that was awarded to the District of Sooke. The Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society certificate was accepted by Elida Peers, who has long been involved in bringing the Communities in Bloom program to Sooke.
See July 21 entry below for the names of 55 nominees for the 2016 certificates.
Friday, July 22 ~ SOOKE. After 36 years of dedicated community service, District of Sooke Fire Chief Steve Sorensen announced today that he is retiring from the Sooke Fire Rescue Service. He is now on holiday to October 17, 2016 after which time there will be a retirement party, says District of Sooke CAO Teresa Sullivan. “The District of Sooke is reaching out to fill an interim 3-month position while we go through a hiring process,” says Sullivan. That hiring process will be open to both internal and external candidates.
Sorensen’s name and presence has become synonymous with fire protection in the Sooke community. He has attended countless fires, vehicle collision scenes, hazmat scenarios, medical calls, and more. He has saved many lives, supported others, and borne the stress of losing others in some tragic cases. He has been the leading force for recruiting and training firefighter volunteers, with the support of his team of career firefighters and many volunteer firefighters. A decade or more of emergency services personnel (the ones who volunteer to help out the community an emergency) have been positively guided by Steve Sorensen’s leadership.
One of Chief Steve Sorensen’s proudest moments was hosting the 100th Fire Department Anniversary in August 2013 to which so many of the community came out to honour the work of local firefighters. “It couldn’t have been a more perfect day,” he told Sooke Voice Newsat the time. [Photo: August 24, 2013 at the 100th anniversary of the Sooke Fire Department, Copyright West Shore Voice News]
With the creation of the Sooke Fire Commission in 2016, the role of fire chief in Sooke came under another layer of administration. The amount of funds available for department management was shifted over into another area of the District budget. Vehicle procurement and fleet management came under closer view under the new Commission.
Chief Sorensen first joined the Sooke Fire Department in 1980 as a volunteer. In 1997, Steve fulfilled his lifetime dream of becoming a career firefighter. With the incorporation of the Sooke in 1999, he became the first employee of the new District. In 2009, Steve was appointed Fire Chief, and later the additional role of Emergency Coordinator.
“After being on duty 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week for all those years, it’s now time to relax and spend time with family and friends,” said Steve Sorensen. And he will be able to concentrate on building his new home and the restoration of his 1930 (you guessed it) fire truck.
“Chief Sorensen has been a shining example of community service in Sooke, having selflessly given countless hours to ensuring the protection of residents and organizing fundraising events to benefit the community,” says Teresa Sullivan, CAO, District of Sooke. “On behalf of the community, we thank him for all he has done for Sooke, and wish him a well-deserved break and a very happy retirement.”
Probably the most significant fire event of Chief Steve Sorensen’s career was the Evergreen Shopping Centre fire on July 31, 2013. The hours were long, the magnitude of personnel management and resource-use were great, and the work went on for days (cleanup) and then weeks and months (contamination followup and incident investigation). Sorensen managed the additional help from fire departments around the region, including Otter Point, Shirley, Langford, East Sooke and Metchosin. [Photo: Fire Chief Sorensen oversaw management of the Evergreen mall fire on July 31, 2013 copyright West Shore Voice News]
Then the very next summer on the same date fated date of July 31, there was a house fire in a heavily forested area that backed up traffic on Hwy 14 (Sooke Road) for over five hours.
Last year Sorensen oversaw the installation of a new emergency telecommunications tower at the main fire hall on Otter Point Road.
Over the years Sorensen oversaw the coordination of several firefighter training events, information sessions, and prevention-industry conferences.
Sooke without Steve Sorensen at the fire helm will be a new reality for many, but his leadership will affect many future actions and decisions of both firefighters and the workings of the fire department.
See this story on page 1 in the print-PDF July 22, 2016 issue of West Shore Voice News.
Thursday, July 21 ~ SOOKE. Some people eagerly wait for this all year — like waiting for Christmas — for the annual Purchaser’s Preview Night of the Sooke Fine Arts Show. And now here it is!
The walkabout opportunity to purchase the art that you like, is on tonight from 7 to 10 pm, Thursday, July 21 at SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at www.sookefinearts.com for pickup at the door.
It’s the 30th annual show for the Sooke Fine Arts Society this year!
There are about 375 pieces in the adjudicated exhibit, by art creators from around the coastal islands. Check out the sponsor list in the July 15, 2016 issue of West Shore Voice News (pg3).
Thursday, July 21 ~ SOOKE. Welcome to the two judges coming to Sooke today from Communities in Bloom! We hope you enjoy our growing, dynamic community!
As Mayor Maja Tait has said in her intro to the District of Sooke’s 2016 Communities in Bloom report: “We are a progressive community, proud of our heritage and strong community spirit”.
And the report header sums it up like this: “A growing community. Beautiful spaces. Creating excellence.”
The Communities in Bloom committee (chaired by Drew Johnston, with Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson in the lead), will host the judges today through Saturday. As they tour around Sooke on Friday, July 22, District of Sooke Councillor Rick Kasper will be the driver and tour guide!
As a kickoff to all this, tonight at 6pm at Sooke Harbour House, over 55 local businesses and groups will be recognized by the 2016 CiB committee, for their contributions to enhancing the community. These are the 2016 recipients:
ACADEMY DENTAL (SOOKE) | ANDY’S 2 FOR 1 PIZZA | A SEA OF BLOOM | B & K JEWELLERS & GIFTS | BARKING DOG STUDIO | BURNSIDE B & B | CANADA POST (SOOKE) | CANDY PIT | CAROLYN’S BOUTIQUE | CHERYL’S ESTHETICS | COAST CAPITAL SAVINGS | DISTRICT OF SOOKE | JENNY’S COUNTRY PANTRY & TEA SHOPPE | JUAN DE FUCA SALMON ENHANCEMENT SOCIETY | LANNON CREEK PARK | LITTLE VIENNA BAKERY, CAFÉ & MARKETPLACE | MOM’S CAFÉ | MRS. LEWERS FARMHOUSE | PEOPLES DRUG MART | PRESTIGE OCEANFRONT RESORT | RBC ROYAL BANK OF CANADA | READING ROOM CAFE & BOOKSTORE | ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH #54 | SASEENOS VETERINARY SERVICES | SEAFLORA LTD. | SEAPARC LEISURE COMPLEX | SEASIDE YARN & BUTTON | SFRS THRIFT SHOP | SHOPPERS DRUG MART | SOOKE BOTTLE DEPOT | SOOKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, SOOKE RIVER) CAMPGROUND (THE FLATS) | SOOKE ELDERLY CITIZENS HOUSING SOCIETY | SOOKE FAX & COPY CENTRE | SOOKE FLOWER HOUSE | SOOKE GLASS LTD | SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE | SOOKE HOME HARDWARE | SOOKE LAUNDRY | SOOKE REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | SOOKE REGION MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTRE | SOOKE SENIORS DIAMOND JUBILEE HOUSING SOCIETY | SOUTH SHORE GALLERY | THE STICK IN THE MUD COFFEE HOUSE & ROASTER | STICKLEBACK WEST COAST EATERY | SUDS & PUPS AUTO & K9 WASH | SUNRIVER COMMUNITY GARDENS | TALE OF THE WHALE | THE LAZY GECKO EATERY | TD CANADA TRUST | T’SOU-KE NATION | VILLAGE FOOD MARKETS | WESTERN FOODS | WEST SHORE VOICE NEWS | WILD MOUNTAIN (FOOD & DRINK) | WOOD TRAVEL
Thursday, July 21 ~ SOOKE. Sooke RCMP are in possession of two found items and are hoping to get them back to the owners. The phone number for Sooke Detachment is 250-642-5241.
- A rowboat with some equipment was located on Belivista Drive in Sooke – if you believe this may be yours – or know who it might belong to please call the detachment.
- Motorcycle Saddlebag. Earlier this week a man attended the front court of the detachment – asking if there had been a motorcycle saddlebag turned in – at that time there had not be. The man did not provide his details. We are now in possession of a found motorcycle saddlebag – and are looking for the man who came in to return and see if this is his.
Tuesday, July 19 ~ SOOKE. This month’s Sooke Chamber of Commerce Open House will be on Tuesday, July 26 at 5:30 pm, hosted by the Sooke Legion. Refreshments will be available.
Guest speakers about Crime Prevention for Small Business Owners will be Sooke RCMP A/Cst Maurice Connor on “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” along with S/Sgt Jeff McArthur and Cst Hedi Sherman on “Property Crime in Sooke”. Information on closed circuit surveillance system technology will be made available.
Monday, July 18 ~ SOOKE (updated July 19, 2016). After so many years of local Sooke residents hoping for and asking for sidewalks, another installation of sidewalk is happening this week.
Last year Sooke got a lot of new concrete sidewalks in the main commercial town centre area. But this one — technically an asphalt multi-use trail — is being installed along the residential thoroughfare that is Grant Road West. On the south side of the road, the 2-metre-wide paved multi-use trail will extend from Otter Point Road west over to Maple Avenue South.
Last Friday and on Monday, July 18, the area for the multi-use trail was stripped down. Then Tuesday through Friday the next four days the surface will be dug deeper, filled with road base, and then paved with asphalt, says construction crew leader Frank Wilson.
The project was contracted to PLAN Contracting Ltd by Sooke council earlier this month. PLAN Contracting Ltd is one of the local enterprises headed up by long-time Sooke businessman Doug Wittich. The contract with the District of Sooke is for $95,500 which is payable upon completion.
The new multi-use trail (which the District seems to also refer to as a sidewalk) will be a positive lifestyle boon for pedestrians walking and especially if people are pushing strollers or using mobility carts. Cyclists will likely appreciate it too! For motorists, the sidewalk will help delineate where pedestrians are — especially on foggy nights when poor visibility has made it a challenge to share the road with pedestrians and cyclists.
Some homeowners on Grant Road West are getting their driveways paved by the same contractor during this July 18 to 22 work phase. If new driveways are for homes between Otter Point and Maple, the driveway will meet up with the new sidewalk/multi-use trail. If the residential driveways are for homes west of Maple Avenue South, then those driveways will connect up with Grant Road West (no new sidewalks in that stretch of Grant Road West, at least not this year!).
Saturday, July 16 ~ SOOKE. The Shine & Show, Swap & Shop car show by the Sooke Fall Fair folks was a massive success today under bright blue skies at Sooke Flats.
People came from Sooke and afar including Langford, Victoria, Sidney and Duncan.
About 130 cars were registered for display in the four-hour show! And there were 20 tables of ‘swap and shop’ activity, a varied group from farmers to crafters to collectibles.
“It was an overwhelming success,” says Sooke Fall Fair president and show organizer Ellen Lewers. She had been working on event preparation for months, and it paid off! Some of the Sooke Fall Fair ladies made fresh pies for sale there today too, and sold 60 pies! Admission to the grounds was by donation.
Saturday, July 16 ~ SOOKE. Wow, look at this amazing list of businesses and organizations that have been nominated for 2016 Communities in Bloom recognition certificates!
ACADEMY DENTAL (SOOKE) | ANDY’S 2 FOR 1 PIZZA | A SEA OF BLOOM | B & K JEWELLERS & GIFTS | BARKING DOG STUDIO | BURNSIDE B & B | CANADA POST (SOOKE) | CANDY PIT | CAROLYN’S BOUTIQUE | CHERYL’S ESTHETICS | COAST CAPITAL SAVINGS | DISTRICT OF SOOKE | JENNY’S COUNTRY PANTRY & TEA SHOPPE | JUAN DE FUCA SALMON ENHANCEMENT SOCIETY | LANNON CREEK PARK | LITTLE VIENNA BAKERY, CAFÉ & MARKETPLACE | MOM’S CAFÉ | MRS. LEWERS FARMHOUSE | PEOPLES DRUG MART | PRESTIGE OCEANFRONT RESORT | RBC ROYAL BANK OF CANADA | READING ROOM CAFE & BOOKSTORE | ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH #54 | SASEENOS VETERINARY SERVICES | SEAFLORA LTD. | SEAPARC LEISURE COMPLEX | SEASIDE YARN & BUTTON | SFRS THRIFT SHOP | SHOPPERS DRUG MART | SOOKE BOTTLE DEPOT | SOOKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, SOOKE RIVER) CAMPGROUND (THE FLATS) | SOOKE ELDERLY CITIZENS HOUSING SOCIETY | SOOKE FAX & COPY CENTRE | SOOKE FLOWER HOUSE | SOOKE GLASS LTD | SOOKE HARBOUR HOUSE | SOOKE HOME HARDWARE | SOOKE LAUNDRY | SOOKE REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | SOOKE REGION MUSEUM & VISITOR CENTRE | SOOKE SENIORS DIAMOND JUBILEE HOUSING SOCIETY | SOUTH SHORE GALLERY | STICK IN THE MUD | STICKLEBACK WEST COAST EATERY | SUDS & PUPS AUTO & K9 WASH | SUNRIVER COMMUNITY GARDENS | TALE OF THE WHALE | THE LAZY GECKO EATERY | TD CANADA TRUST | T’SOU-KE NATION | VILLAGE FOOD MARKETS | WESTERN FOODS | WEST SHORE VOICE NEWS | WILD MOUNTAIN (FOOD & DRINK) | WOOD TRAVEL
The recognition ceremony to award certificates to these businesses will be held at Sooke Harbour House on Thursday, July 21 at 6 pm.
The event will be hosted by the Communities in Bloom committee (Drew Johnston, Chair), with District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson coordinating the soiree.
Friday, July 15 ~ SOOKE. A fun and active weekend coming up in Sooke. On Saturday, July 16 there will be a “Show and Shine, Shop & Swap” vintage car show at Sooke Flats, 10 am to 2 pm. Drop-in, it’s free to attend! It’s being organized by www.sookefallfair.com
Meanwhile, over at the Sooke Centre mall in town centre, there will be a pet food drive out front of Village Foods, 12 noon to 5pm. All pet food, pet litter, and cash donations are welcome. It’s being organized by www.safars.org
In the evening, a concert featuring the reknowned singer-songwriter Valdy will be held at Sooke Harbour House at 8pm. Tickets are $40, available at The Stick, Shoppers Drug Mart (Sooke), and www.EventBrite.ca .
If you miss all that, you may want to take in a free Music in the Park concert featuring Groove Diggers, on Sunday, July 17 at Veterans Memorial Park in Langford. 2 to 4 pm. Details at www.cityoflangford.ca
Thursday, July 14 ~ SOOKE. Just one more day to submit nominations for Communities in Bloom (see July 12 new below) and just one more day to apply to be a vendor at Art in the Park (see July 14 news below).
Tonight Thursday, July 14 is another Sooke Night Market, 5 to 8 pm on the grounds of the Sooke Region Museum.
Coming up Saturday July 16 is another pet food drive, outside of Village Foods from 11 am to 5 pm. Organized by the SAFARS folks who will also have a pet adoption day coming up in August.
Wednesday, July 14 ~ SOOKE. Sooke Council took the bull by the horns on Monday night (July 11) and authorized Sooke’s bylaw officer to do a cleanup on the property at 6543 Sooke Road. A fair amount of unsightly debris and garbage has been piling up.
The property is across the street from Sooke Elementary, just east of the town core area.
The cost of the cleanup will be tacked onto the property owner’s municipal tax bill, it was stated at the council meeting.
This move comes just a week ahead of the Communities in Bloom judges arriving in Sooke. They will be here July 21 to 23 to assess the overall beautification and community livability of Sooke. It’s a program that municipalities participate in voluntarily.
Wednesday, July 13 ~ SOOKE. Art in the Park will be a one-day event this year. The free-admission art and entertainment family activity in Ed Macgregor Park will be on Saturday, August 13 from 10 am to 8 pm. Local art and musical entertainment are part of the day’s activities.
Artists and food vendors who wish to apply for a booth should do so by the Friday, July 15 deadline. More info atwww.sookecommunityarts.com/artist-calls
There is also an opportunity for Sooke Community Art Council members to share a booth during Art in the Park, to promote their art for sale (for that, the deadline is August 1). More info atwww.sookecommunityarts.com/artist-calls .
Tuesday, July 12 ~ SOOKE. This coming Friday, July 15 is the deadline for submitting your Communities in Bloom (Sooke) Beautification Certificate nomination form. You can nominate your own business and/or other businesses in the Sooke community. Forms available at the District of Sooke office and online at www.sooke.ca
Tuesday, July 12 ~ SOOKE. The District of Sooke has posted an employment opportunity for Director of Corporate Services and Corporate Officer — apparently bundled into one position.
Monday, July 11 ~ SOOKE. Sooke could possibly have a soup kitchen, a temporary emergency shelter, and a micro-housing project for hard-to-house citizens, if Council takes up the momentum of a presentation that will be made tonight at their July 11 Regular Council Meeting. See pages 25 to 40 in the July 11, 2016 agenda at: www.sooke.ca
The presentation will be part of a delegation by Margarita Dominguez of the Victoria Pet Food Bank & Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society (aka SAFARS) which is based here in Sooke.
The other item in Ms Dominguez’s 5-minute presentation will be about converting half of Whiffin Spit into an off-leash dog park. That would involve construction of a fence, allowing for use of a designated area from 8 pm to 8 am for dogs to run free without leashes. In addition to exercise for the dogs (along with their owners), Dominguez says that salt water has a healing effect on the skin of pets, especially if they have any skin irritations.
Of note — the pretty cat in the above pet food donation request advertisement (Victoria Pet Food Bank & Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society, aka SAFARS) is Zeus. He was a large, elegant and gregarious Maine Coon who sadly passed away this past weekend at his home in Saanich, at the age of 18 years. Zeus shall remain forever the ‘poster boy’ of support for the animals of Greater Victoria. RIP, beautiful Zeus.
[The ‘We Love Your Pets’ ad runs free of charge, courtesy of West Shore Voice News.]
Sunday, July 10 ~ SOOKE. The week ahead — Monday July 11 through Sunday July 17 — shows a forecast of mixed sun and some rain for Sooke, with temperatures reaching the 17°C to 19°C range.
The last two or three days have seen moderate amounts of rainfall, enough to slightly dampen soils a little bit.
Sunday, July 10 ~ National. Today Canada Post dropped their threat of a worker lock-out that was to start on Monday July 11. Canada Post issued a brief statement today, saying it had withdrawn its lockout notice “which will allow both parties to focus their efforts on serious negotiations.”
Talks resumed. But a strike could still happen, if the union tips in that direction.
“We are also expecting the union to honour their repeated public statements that they have no plans to issue a strike notice,” the Canada Post statement said. “Assurance from both parties that the postal system will remain open for business while we negotiate will provide the certainty that Canadians and our employees are looking for.”
The Canadian Postal Workers Union (CUPW) say on their website that they “continue to be opposed to interest arbitration”, i.e. binding arbitration that would force them to accept the position of a 3rd-party decision maker.
The dispute between employer (Canada Post) and employees (CUPW) primarily involves these issues, heaped upon a difficult history of dispute resolution between the two parties:
- The two sides have been negotiating over the last seven months, including 60 days of conciliation talks and more than 30 days with federal mediators.
- The union wants changes in how rural and suburban mail carriers are paid. They want to be paid by the hour, like urban letter carriers, not by how many packages they deliver.
- Canada Post says it wants to change its pension plan, bringing it in-line with the private sector. It wants new employees to be covered under a defined contribution plan instead of a defined benefit plan. (Defined contribution plans reduce costs for companies and shift the risk for future payouts to employees, who are no longer guaranteed a set payment in retirement. This is seen by the union to be bad for incoming younger workers.)
Due to the uncertainty produced by the pending strike, mail and package volume was down by 80% last week, says Canada Post.
Saturday, July 9. There is a growing number of Sooke residents without a family physician, and the eight family physicians who currently work in Sooke at the West Coast Family Medical Clinic all have full rosters and are not accepting new patients.
“Unfortunately, there is a significant shortage of family physicians across the entire southern Vancouver Island region, and so the problem of many Sooke residents being unable to find a family physician is unlikely to improve any time soon,” says Dr Anton Rabien, MD, CCFP, FCFP at the West Coast Family Medical Clinic. The clinic is prominently situated within the Evegreen Shopping Centre at 1300-6660 Sooke Road, in the town centre of Sooke. The phone number is 250-642-4233.
“In an effort to increase access to primary medical care for Sooke residents without a family physician, West Coast Family Medical Clinic will be increasing the hours of the Urgent Care Medical Clinic,” says Dr Rabien.
Up to July 4, the clinic had operated their a walk-in Urgent Care Medical Clinic from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM Monday to Thursday, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM Sunday. Then starting Monday, July 4, 2016, those hours were expanded — from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday. However, the clinic will now be closed on Sundays and statutory holidays.
“It is hoped that these changes will improve access to primary medical care for those Sooke residents without a family physician, while at the same time maintaining the ability of the clinic physicians to meet their obligation of providing timely care to their registered patients,” says Dr Rabien.
New Urgent Care Medical Clinic hours (as of Monday, July 4, 2016):
Day Time
Monday – Friday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Holidays Closed
As many people know, Dr Rabien grew up in Sooke, and brought his medical training back home. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Family Practice; Affiliate Clinical Assistant Professor, UVic Island Medical Program; and Medical Lead, VIHA Chronic Disease Management Collaborative. He gave a captivating keynote address at the Edward Milne Community School (EMCS) graduation ceremony in June 2015.
Friday, July 8 ~ SOOKE. An official grand opening of the Galloping Goose – Sooke Connector Trail will be held on Monday, July 11th at 11:30am to celebrate this new multi-use trail connection. The public is invited.
The event will take place at the north end of Sooke River Road Park where the paved multi-use trail enters the park. Street parking is available on the north side of the cross walk (park between Sooke River Road and the new paved trail). There is also parking at 2249 Sooke River Road (at the soccer fields) with a short walk along the new trail to the site.
The project to connect the Galloping Goose Regional Trail to the existing multi-use trail network in Sooke has been completed thanks to a generous grant to the District of Sooke from BikeBC. This connection at Kirby Road to Sooke Road allows users of the Galloping Goose Trail safe access to the town centre, avoiding an otherwise lengthy trip along the busy Sooke Road (Highway 14).
The scope of work included:
• Approximately 400 m of paved, separated, multi-use trail along Sooke River Road from Kirby Road to Sooke River Road Park
• Approximately 400 m of gravel multi-use trail through the park to Sooke Road;
• Pavement markings and signage along Kirby Road and Sooke River Road;
• Wayfinding at various locations along the Galloping Goose directing users to the Town Centre;
• Motorized vehicle parking improvements where possible, along the frontages of the Sooke River Road Park and the sports fields; which occurred with stakeholder consultation (Sooke Community Association, SEAPARC and Sooke Horseshoe Pitching Association)
Friday, July 8. A postal strike has been averted for now.
Both sides have decided to continue negotiating, for a 30-day cooling off period.
Postal mail services will continue as usual.
Thursday, July 7. Local Buzz: This is the 9th anniversary of business for The Stick in the Mud Coffee House in Sooke.
For posterity, West Shore Voice News dropped into The Stick’s main haunt at 6715 Eustace Road in town centre today, to snap a photo of owner/roaster David Evans on his big day.
The Stick opened at 7 am on July 7, 2007 just in time before the Great Recession took hold in 2008. He figures that people being happily addicted to caffeine is what helped his business survive. As well, of course, he listened to his customers and did what it took to cover as many aspects of the business in-house, including roasting his own beans (see photo taken today, July 7 2016 / sorry for the glare from the window, David!).
Most notably, over nine years Evans has created a community hub that is an easy place to find and meet, with friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere. Over the years they’ve held events, concerts and celebrations. People have memories of the place. That’s good for business.
The main branch of The Stick is accompanied by two other outlets — a coffee and snacks bar in the lobby of the Prestige Oceanfront Resort which is cleverly named The New Branch, and SpeedStick right in front of the main branch, which provides the fast in-and-out service that its name implies.
This business anniversary has had a bit of traction on Twitter today, with people congratulating the people-friendly entrepreneur for his coffee industry success.
Thursday, July 7. Canada Post has issued a lockout notice against its unionized employees, with the required 72-hours notice. The soonest a work interruption can occur — stopping mail delivery — is now Monday, July 11 (was previously Friday, July 8).
Staff at the Sooke Main Post Office say it’s been pretty slow this week. Sometimes the parking lot is completely empty.
See more about the pending strike, on the main page of this website.
Wednesday, July 6 ~ SOOKE. “No good deed goes unpunished,” as the saying goes. But here in Sooke one helper of the needy continues the good deeds, regardless.
With the Victoria Pet Food Bank & Feral Cat Rehabilitation Society (aka SAFARS), Margarita Dominguez has for several years now orchestrated the helping of pets, in many cases through the helping of the owners of those pets.
It is well documented by socio-psychological observation that caring for a pet – whether dog, cat, or any other – brings a sense of relaxation to the pet owner. That bears witness to the power of companionship.
The work of SAFARS particularly focuses on the needs of low income or challenged individuals and families. For that clientele even the smallest gesture goes a long way.
A case in point, when a local woman needed to vacate her rented premises for lack of funds to pay her rent, Margarita helped by taking care of the woman’s cat. Along with the cat came fleas. Then at Margarita’s home there was an inquiry by BC SPCA about fleas on the premises. An inspection one day last month turned up nothing. All in the clear.
Pet food drives are the most visible way that the community sees the committed volunteer work of SAFARS. From Sooke to Sidney, the day-long pet food collection booths set up by SAFARS serve to accept donations of pet food and supplies, and donations by cash or cheque.
The last one held in Sooke was on June 18. Coming up on the pet food drive event roster atwww.safars.org/events is a drop-off opportunity at Save On Foods on Blanshard Street in Victoria (11am to 5pm) on Saturday July 30.
The gratitude expressed by people who receive extra food for their dog or a bag of litter for their cat is payment enough, it seems, for this group of dedicated volunteers who just keep on doing what they do.
Tuesday, July 5. The DeMamiel Creek Golf Course owned by SEAPARC was officially opened today July 5, under bright skies.The brisk wind did not deter about 100 people from showing up for the event.
As SEAPARC Chair, Mike Hicks was pleased to officially launch this new recreational opportunity for the Sooke area. SEAPARC manager Steve Knoke was beaming at the new activity unfolding under his watch.
Attending on behalf of the District of Sooke were Mayor Maja Tait, Councillor Rick Kasper, Councillor Brenda Parkinson, and CAO Teresa Sullivan. Barbecued burgers were enjoyed by all.
To prepare for the opening, about six weeks of daily maintenance of the 9-hole 3-par golf course at 6518 Throup Road was undertaken by local landscaper Steve McKague.
Green fees are $15 for adults, $10 for youth, $40 for a family, and $10 for an extra round. Pull cart rental is $4.75. Club rental is $7.25. Children age 8 to 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
The venue was privately owned before SEAPARC managed to swing the purchase of it as part of a land purchase for $999,000. Financing of the land purchase was approved by a CRD referendum in which voters in Sooke, East Sooke, Otter Point and Juan de Fuca were able to vote.
Hicks says the operation will remain as a golf course for a minimum of about five years.
The course has a putting green for easy practice.
There is ample parking along the street on Throup Road and up Charters Road.
Photos by West Shore Voice News. Top photo: crowd gathers for the barbecue after listening to official speeches. 2nd photo: SEAPARC Manager Steve Knoke (left) with SEAPARC Chair Mike Hicks. Bottom photo: Mayor Maja Tait and Councillor Rick Kasper enjoyed the event.
People who booked ahead could golf on this first day of the new facility being open.
The golf course is now open daily. Mon-Sat 7am to 7pm, Sundays 9am to 6pm. For more info visit: www.seaparc.ca
Tuesday, July 5 ~ WEST SIDE of SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND. Nothing else in the Canadian economy has skyrocketed upward in price like the price of housing in BC,particularly in the Lower Mainland and the south Vancouver Island area.
Clearly the action of market speculation by those of resource has occurred in the hottest market areas, as there is no sensible economic factor for housing price increases that are far outstripping the currently very low rate of inflation.
In the overall Greater Victoria area, the benchmark (data adjusted) price for single-family homes in all map areas was 14.4% higher in June 2016 compared to one year ago. When the actual sales are tallied and averaged out over the number of sales, the actual average sale price of a house in Greater Victoria was $758,146 in June 2016 — which is 21.7% higher than the $593,700 benchmark that the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB) likes to promote.
For the western communities focus of this publication (Langford, Colwood, Sooke), the average actual sale price was $540,075 in June 2016, which is 12.4% higher than the benchmark of $473,333 for that area. The benchmark (House Price Index or HPI) is a data-adjusted figure to incorporate factors that the VREB considers influential on a buying decision and/or livability in that area, including proximity to services, recreation offerings, and proximity and range of schools.
The three western communities of Langford, Colwood and Sooke saw a total of 181 sales in June 2016. That represents 30.9% of all 585 sales in Greater Victoria last month. Due to the relative affordability of this region — being somewhat away from the core (Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay), sales are strong.
- In Langford the actual sale average of $491,579 (91 sales) is 21.3% higher than the benchmark promoted by VREB. For some reason, the HPI factors are making Langford housing prices appear (on first blush) to be lower than they really are.
- In Colwood the actual average of $588,868 (34 sales) was 12.1% higher than the benchmark. This HPI percentage is on par with that of overall Greater Victoria.
- In Sooke the actual average of $439,777 (56 sales) is 13.0% higher than the benchmark. The HPI level of $382,700 makes Sooke sound more affordable than it really is. Factors to push down the HPI figure would include travel-distance to major services.
For the sake of people who already own homes, it would be favourable for the market not to ‘correct’ (drop significantly or crash). For the sake of people who can only dream of being able to afford a home, the BC Government says it aims to improve affordability in the months ahead.
Friday, July 1 ~ SOOKE. Although the weather was a bit cool and misty, there was no rain or blazing sun. People came down to Sooke Flats to enjoy the Canada Day Sooke festivities.
The official opening ceremony included short speeches by VIPs: Sooke Mayor Maja Tait, Juan de Fuca Director Mike Hicks, and Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan. The opening blessing was given by Shirley Alphonse of T’Sou-ke Nation (see photo by Linda Gordon). Also attending from the District of Sooke were Councillors Rick Kasper, Kevin Pearson and Kerrie Reay, as well as CAO Teresa Sullivan.
The event was emcee’d by Councillor Brenda Parkinson, her 9th year doing so! The national anthem was performed by Janet McTavish.
The popular annual fireworks display was set up early in the day by a team of volunteer Sooke firefighters (see photo by Sooke Fire Chief Steve Sorensen). The fireworks are funded in part by a federal grant.
Live bands included The Kicks and Virtual Elvis in the afternoon, and then The British Invasion: The Backbeat Band in the evening.
The District of Sooke contributes funding to the Sooke Lions for this event. The Sooke Lions took over organizing the annual community get-together a few years ago. The original Sooke Canada Day was started by Judithe-Ann Gatto many years ago, as July 1 is also her own birthday.