Bakers in demand for gingerbread showcase
Habitat for Humanity Victoria is looking for 35 bakers for the 16th annual Gingerbread Showcase, on display at the Hotel Grand Pacific from Nov. 22 to Jan. 5.
The theme for this year’s competition is Through a Child’s Eyes.
Categories include: best first impression; best use of skill and technique; best interpretation of the theme; most creative and original; most diverse use of ingredients and The People’s Choice Award, which is determined by votes from visitors, who are asked to make a donation.
Each creation must be made of entirely edible ingredients, fit on a two-foot square base and be at least 18 inches tall.
Proceeds from the event go to Habitat for Humanity Victoria, which builds homes so local families can access affordable home ownership.
• For information, or to register, go to habitatvictoria.com/gingerbread.
Sidney book sale supports scholarships for women
The Saanich Peninsula chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women is holding its annual book sale at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney on Thursday, Aug. 1.
The sale features a selection of recent books in good condition — at reasonable prices. Last year’s sale was such a success that organizers have booked a larger room this year to handle the crowds.
Proceeds from the sale go toward scholarships for four young women graduating from Saanich Peninsula high schools.
Founded in 1919, the national federation boasts nearly 100 clubs, located in every province across Canada. The non-partisan, self-funded organization’s mandate is to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice and peace. The Saanich Peninsula chapter was formed in 1995.
The sale runs 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney.
• For more information, go to cfuw.org.
Island charities receive $120,000 in grants
Charities on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands have received $120,000 in grants from the First West Foundation, through its Island Savings Community Endowment.
A total of 11 grants were awarded, including $10,000 to the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees Association Victoria to fund mental-health counselling for refugees and immigrants.
The Island Savings Community Endowment has provided 179 grants totalling $1,361,625 in funding since 2016.
• For more information, go to firstwestfoundation.ca.
Cycle tour raises funds for African grandmothers
There is still time to register for Victoria Grandmothers for Africa’s Cycle Tour 2024, a fundraising campaign where women 55 years and older ride to raise funds for African grandmothers, from Aug. 11 to Sept. 8.
Originally a cycle tour, the event now includes participants riding a regular bike, e-bike or a stationary bike.
Each woman sets her own goal, deciding how far she will cycle in the month.
One of the organizations the annual ride supports is Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS, formed to support grandmothers who had lost their sons and daughters to AIDS-related illness prior to the advent of anti-retroviral drugs, and were left to care for their orphaned grandchildren.
Last year’s Cycle Tour raised more than $136,000. Since it began in 2007, the fundraiser has raised more than $1.2 million. The total surpasses $2 million when combined with the group’s other initiatives, such as craft sales, African dinners and Stride Walks.
The Cycle Tour includes a number of rides appropriate for beginners, intermediate and experienced riders. They range from a 1.6-kilometre ride with children to a three-day, 275-kilometre ride from Campbell River to Victoria. Both the launch and finale take place at Mile 0.
• For more information, go to vg4a.ca/Cycle-Tour.
Ts’uubaa-asatx and UVic come together for education
The University of Victoria and Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation (formerly known as Lake Cowichan First Nation) have signed a five-year collaboration agreement.
The agreement centre around a 25-acre property in Lake Cowichan that had served as a base for field studies and resource management for the university since 1967.
The agreement outlines a framework for joint initiatives, including educational programs, research projects and community engagement activities.
The collaboration agreement represents a commitment to ongoing dialogue, mutual respect and shared success, said Qwul’sih’yah’maht (Robina Thomas), University of Victoria vice-president, Indigenous.
“We are here to learn and take guidance from Ts’uubaa-asatx Nation,” she said in a statement. “This document is a beautiful way of coming together and reaffirms the commitment to working together in a good way with good hearts and good minds.”
Both partners plan to offer educational programming and services while upholding the values of Ditidaht culture, land and language.
• For more information, go to uvic.ca.
UVic welcomes acclaimed author Richard Van Camp
The University of Victoria will welcome its first Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence for 2024/25 in a ceremony at First Peoples House on Aug. 19.
Award-winning Tłı̨chǫ Dene author Richard Van Camp will offer two online courses called Recovering Family Medicine through Story.
The courses will be offered in parallel (through the Department of English) to current UVic students — and through Continuing Studies to the wider community.
During his term, Van Camp will also offer one-on-one writing workshops to students and En’owkin Centre communities, as well as an on-campus graduate seminar next summer.
“My hope for our time together is that you get on out there and reclaim your family stories, recipes, songs, harvesting techniques, traditions, ceremonies, names and anything you need to make your pathway more fun and brighter ahead,” said Van Camp, a recipient of the Order of the Northwest Territories. “Not only just for you, but for your family, for your community and for future generations.”
He will begin his term in September.
• For more information, go to uvic.ca.
Paddle for Health makes a splash for Kids Cancer
Registration is now open for Paddle for Health, a fundraiser for the Island Kids Cancer Association, at Willows Beach, Sept. 7.
Join the event and make a splash on the water. Participants can use canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, or cheer for their team on the beach. (There are a limited number of canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards that registrants can borrow)
There will be prizes for best team costume, top individual and top fundraising team.
Leading up to the event, registrants will be given fundraising tips and the ability to share their accomplishments on social media.
The Island Kids Cancer Association supports Vancouver Island and Gulf Island families facing childhood cancer. They support families with a holistic approach that prioritizes community connections, practical resources, mental health and wellbeing.
Registration, for a suggested $50 donation, is open to all ages and skill levels, but children require a guardian.
• For more information, or to register, go to ikca.ca/events/paddle-for-health-2024.
