Saanich seeks name for sweeper used to clean bike lanes
The District of Saanich is looking to the public to come up with a name for a new piece of machinery.
It’s a downsized version of the classic street sweeper, and is designed to keep the municipality’s extensive network of bike lanes clear of debris.
Suggestions are welcomed until May 15 in the Name That Sweeper contest via HelloSaanich, Saanich’s public-participation platform, at hello.saanich.ca/en/.
The contest is being held in advance of National Public Works Week from May 19-25. Saanich public-works staff will select the top five names to be put forward for a public vote during the week.
Local Grade 4 and 5 classes will be shown the ropes at the parks/public works yard during the week, and a two-hour public tour of the yard at 1040 McKenzie Ave. is set for May 23 starting at 1 p.m.
RSVPs are not required for the tour, and more information is available at 250-475-5599.
National Public Works Week has been marked since 1960, when it was started by the American Public Works Association, which has more than 32,000 member communities in the United States and Canada.
Public works includes transportation and parks maintenance, water and wastewater service, and stormwater treatment.
The stars beckon at museum and observatory
Star seekers can look forward to local activities marking International Astronomy Day on May 18 at the Royal B.C. Museum and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
The Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will sponsor family-friendly events at the museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, beginning with solar telescopes being set up out front for safe viewing of the sun.
Inside the museum, there will be examples of astrophotography and other displays from the University of Victoria physics and astronomy departments, Camosun College and the Monterey Middle School Astronomy Club.
Astronomical Society volunteers and UVic staff will help children with hands-on activities.
All presentations and workshops are free, while regular admission will apply for regular museum exhibits and showings of astronomy-related films in the IMAX Theatre.
Speakers will include John MacDonald talking about stars, Nathan Hellner-Mestelman delving into the vast dimensions of the universe, Simon Smith telling the story of the Milky Way and Amy Archer explaining how people used the night sky to guide them to freedom via the Underground Railroad in the 19th century.
Members of the Astronomical Society will also join the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory from 7:30-11 p.m. at Observatory Hill, 5071 West Saanich Rd. for more offerings to mark the occasion.
Entry is by ticket only. Tickets are free and will available starting Monday at 5 p.m. at centreoftheuniverse.org/events/2024/5/18/star-party
Those with tickets will be admitted to Observatory Hill starting at 7:15 p.m.
Centre of the Universe exhibits will be open and the observatory, including the Plaskett Telescope, will be available for tours.
Astronomer Trystyn Berg will give a presentation about how metals in distant objects reveal the way stars and galaxies change over time.
Along with that, Astronomical Society members will have their own telescopes set up for public viewing, weather permitting.
Further information about the society can be found at victoria.rasc.ca.
More viewing events will be held at the observatory on selected Saturdays over the spring and summer.
Young furniture-makers show off their talents
Historic Craigdarroch Castle is getting a contemporary look starting Wednesday thanks to the Fine Furniture Program at Camosun College.
Several Victorian rooms at the castle will feature student-made furniture in an exhibition that runs until May 26. It can be viewed Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. as part of regular self-guided castle tours.
Students have been creating furniture based on the history and architecture of the castle, said program instructor Sandra Carr.
“The exhibit celebrates the rich history of craft and design, and illustrates the relevance historic work can have for present-day makers.”
It is the first such exhibition at the castle, which is designated as a National Historic Site.
“It promises to be an interesting meeting of the past and the present,” said John Hughes, the castle’s executive director.
Ticket cost and further details are available at thecastle.ca/pages/plan-your-visit.
The exhibition is also part of Design Victoria, a four-day festival from May 9-12.
The festival started in 2023 and this year includes more than 30 free events and attractions such as the Downtown Design Trail, with window exhibitions and a talk on landscape design by presenting sponsor Gabriel Ross.
“This year’s festival will introduce audiences to the people and ideas that are defining the city’s design identity and shaping its future,” said Design Victoria director Carla Sorrell. “The design community has come together to give you a sense of the growing cultural sector.”
Some events require preregistration.
• For more details, go to designvictoria.ca/.
Sooke wants you to pull some broom
The District of Sooke is once again mustering the public to give broom the boot.
Its annual broom drop-off program started Saturday and will continue to run every Saturday until May 25, with the drop-off station at the Sooke parks yard (2070 Kaltasin Rd.) open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Now is a prime time of year to cut and remove the invasive plant.
“Scotch broom, an invasive woody shrub introduced to southern Vancouver Island in the 1850s, poses ecological threats by competing with native plant species and altering soil chemistry,” the district said in a statement. “Its removal is important in reducing wildfire risks and preserving local biodiversity.’
Local “broom-busting” events are also held to root out broom, including one that brought volunteers to the Broomhill playground area April 26 — including members of the Friends of Sooke Parks Society, the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and the aptly named Sooke Broombusters.
In other outdoor news from Sooke, the backyard burning season came to a close last Tuesday.
The district’s fire regulation bylaw prohibits backyard burning from May 1 to Oct. 31.
“Despite recent light rain, conditions remain seasonally dry and projections suggest even drier weather in the coming months,” the district said. “This underscores the importance of exercising caution and following regulations diligently.”
Backyard campfires are still allowed pending direction from the B.C. Wildfire Service or the fire chief.
The campfires should be no more than 60 centimetres in diameter.
