Look up, way up at Island Star Party
Learn more about the makeup of galaxies and stars and mysterious objects in the outer fringes of our solar system at the Island Star Party on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Saanichton, Aug. 9 and 10.
Hosted by the Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, the event is open to both astronomers and members of the public.
“Everyone is welcome to set up their telescopes and bring binoculars to enjoy observing the night sky from a dark site,” said Randy Enkin, the event co-ordinator. “Those who don’t have telescopes or binoculars can view the wonders of the universe at the Star Party through telescopes on the observing field.”
There will be activities in the afternoons and evenings, including telescope walks and talks by experts Trystyn Berg of the National Research Council’s Herzberg Research Institute and University of Victoria doctoral student Lowell Peltier.
Gates will open at 2 p.m. Aug. 9 and will remain open until noon Aug. 11 at St. Stephen’s Church, 7921 St. Stephens Rd. (off Mount Newton Cross Road, just east of West Saanich Road).
There is a suggested donation of $20 for people who choose to camp overnight near the observing field.
For more information, go to victoria.rasc.ca/island-star-party-2024.
Walk Aug. 11 helps feed children in Kenyan school
Help feed 300 children living in Africa’s largest slum by joining the five-kilometre Walk to Feed Soweto Junior School fundraising event at Clover Point, Aug. 11.
This is the fourth year for the event, which raises funds for a meal program at the school in Kibera, which is part of Nairobi, Kenya. For some children, the school meal is sometimes the only food they get.
To acknowledge donors’ efforts, students at the school will also walk three kilometres to raise awareness that food security is crucial for health and education.
Local walkers are encouraged to sign up sponsors to raise funds for the walk, which starts at 10 a.m. on Aug. 11 at Clover Point.
Participants will walk along Dallas Road to the duck pond (at Government Street) and loop back to Clover Point. Participants can choose to walk all or part of the five-kilometre loop.
The event is organized by Support Soweto Junior School, a Victoria-based non-profit that supports the mental and physical health of 300 students at Soweto Junior School.
For more information, go to supportsowetojuniorschool.org.
Period Promise campaign supports thousands in need
United Way Southern Vancouver Island’s 2024 Period Promise campaign has raised more than $25,600 and collected almost 92,000 donated menstrual products for those in need.
The campaign took place in April and May, culminating May 25 at a Fill-the-Bus event, supported by BC Transit, joni and Somedays — companies that make period products — and the Victoria Labour Council.
The donated menstrual products were handed over to partner agency Soap for Hope Canada to distribute to a network of local social service agencies.
United Way Southern Vancouver Island is also working with local businesses, workplaces, and government offices to provide free menstrual products in their workspaces.
Between 2017 and 2022, Period Promise has managed to get more than 1.5 million menstrual products into communities across British Columbia, including Southern Vancouver Island.
For more information, go to uwsvi.ca/periodpromise.
Telus board provides grants to dozens of youth charities
Telus’s Vancouver Island Community Board provided a total of $400,000 in grants to 31 youth-supporting charities across the region last year, including 21 health and 10 education programs, and is about to launch the next round of funding.
Applications will be accepted between Aug. 27 and Oct. 8.
Community boards, composed of local business and community leaders, decide how to allocate the charitable grants in their communities.
Telus and the Telus Friendly Future Foundation grant more than $6 million annually, supporting more than 9,000 charitable programs through 13 regional community boards.
The boards have disbursed $100 million in donations to charities in their regions since 2005.
For more information, or to submit an application, go to friendlyfuture.com/communityboards.
Parade for peacekeepers 50 years after loss of nine
On Aug. 9, 1974, nine Canadian Forces members were killed when their Buffalo aircraft was shot down over Syria.
It was Canada’s largest single day loss of lives during peace operations.
To mark the 50th anniversary, a Peacekeepers Memorial Parade will be held at Esquimalt Memorial Park on Aug. 9.
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the peacekeeping force in Cypress to prevent fighting between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot groups. More than 25,000 Canadians have served in Cyprus over the decades, and 28 have died.
It’s also the 30th anniversary of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda, where one Canadian died and dozens are still suffering as a result of their service.
The ceremony will be attended by Captain (N) Kevin Whiteside, Commander of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, joined by federal, provincial and municipal representatives, leaders of veterans’ organizations and those who have received the Silver Cross after the loss of a family member.
An aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron will fly past in salute.
Veterans of the Canadian Forces, RCMP, municipal police services and civilians who have served in peace operations are encouraged to attend.
The ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. at Esquimalt Memorial Park, 1200 Esquimalt Rd.
Horticulture centre holds 28th festival on Aug. 10
View art, listen to live music and wander the gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific’s annual Arts and Music in the Gardens Festival, Aug. 10.
This is the 28th year of the family-friendly festival, which will feature up to 50 local artists, music from three stages and access to the gardens.
There will be a plant sale, sunflower bouquets, family activities, food trucks and more than 30 local vendors.
Admission is $12 for non-members, or free to HCP members and anyone under 16. Advance ticketsare available online. The festival runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. The main parking lot is reserved for disable parking. Other parking is offsite on Beaver Road.
The concession stand, barbeque and cut flower sales are cash only.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward maintaining the gardens as a centre for education, conservation and cultivation.
For more information, go to hcp.ca/visit/arts-and-music.
How to register for Tour de Cure ride this month
There is still time to register for the 2024 Tour de Cure, with all funds raised benefiting the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
Presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, the event is B.C.’s largest cycling fundraiser, with around 2,000 riders set to participate this year.
This year, riders can choose between a two-day ride from Cloverdale to Hope or a one-day journey from Chilliwack to Hope. The two-day ride is Aug. 24 to 25, while the one-day ride is Aug. 25.
Justine Sparkes of Victoria is participating in this year’s ride with her husband Steve. Both lost their mothers to cancer.
“In 2018, I lost my mom to cancer … having done this ride last year, I got to hear stories from so many others; they took loss and pain and turned it into something amazing, honouring those who are fighting now and those that we have lost,” said Sparkes. “We ride for my mom, my husband’s mom, my husband’s uncle and everyone who has faced or is facing cancer today.”
The Sparkes have a goal to raise $2,500.
Since its inception in 2009, the event has raised more than $124 million for the B.C. Cancer Foundation to fund research programs and regional centres. More than 30,000 people in B.C. are diagnosed with cancer each year, with rates rising due to a growing and aging population.
For more information, or to register, go to tourdecure.ca.
