Great fashions, adorable dogs
Women will, for the first time, walk alongside men and dogs at the Man and His Dog Fashion Show, a fundraiser for the Victoria Humane Society, Thursday at the Atrium.
For the first time, Bernstein and Gold will join Outlooks for Men to present fashions for both men and women on the catwalk this year, the show’s 10th anniversary.
As always, humans will compete for attention with the canine models — the real stars of the show.
While some are the permanent pals of the models, others will be dogs that are adoptable and hoping to find a new home with a person they can call their own.
Proceeds from the show are donated to the Victoria Humane Society, which has rescued more than 3,000 animals over the past four years. This summer has been a particularly busy time for the group as they scrambled to help with the animals who lost their homes due to the B.C. wildfires.
“We’ve been able to bring in 123 animals from the fires so far,” said Penny Stone, the society’s executive director. “As we don’t yet have a shelter, we work through a network of foster homes, so bringing that many more animals in was a challenge, but fortunately the people in Victoria stepped up to help.”
The $55 admission includes one drink and nibbles. It starts at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Atrium, 800 Yates St. Tickets are available at Outlooks, 534 Yates St. and online at outlooksformen.com.
Boots, bourbon on tap for fundraiser
Support youth sport and education programs and the Canadian Cancer Foundation at Boots and Bourbon 4 Elliott, a country and western-themed fundraiser on Wednesday at the Duke Saloon.
Funds raised from the event will go to the RED (which stands for Remembering Elliott Dagg) Fund.
At the event, people can take country line-dancing lessons, listen to the County Line country band, win prizes for the best boots and buckle, and enjoy toonie tosses for prizes plus a silent auction.
Tickets are $30 and include a welcome shooter and snacks. Doors open at 6, with dancing lessons at 7 and 8 and the band starting their gig at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Duke Saloon, 502 Discovery St. For more information about Elliott and the event, go to 4elliott.com.
Teens and seniors meet over a meal
Teens and seniors get an opportunity to eat, talk and share at Cooking to Remember, an intergenerational cooking workshop, Thursday at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre.
The object of the event is to find out how teens and seniors each view Remembrance Day.
Participants will co-operatively create a three-course meal, sit down to enjoy dinner and have the chance to discuss topics of the day. The facilitated discussion will help both age groups build respect and understanding of each other.
Partners in the event include the Victoria chapter of the B.C. Association of Community Response Networks, an agency that works with the community to stop adult abuse, neglect and selfneglect, and Saanich Parks and Recreation.
The workshop is free to attend, but registration is required. The event runs 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre, 4100 Lambrick Way. To register, call 250-475-7100. For program details, call 250-475-5408.
Country Market is looking for volunteers
Have you considered volunteering for the Peninsula Country Market? Learn more at the market’s annual general meeting today at the Saanich Fairground.
The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in the Oak Room (upstairs in the main hall), Saanich Fairground, 1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd., Saanichton. For more information, call 250-216-0521 or visit the website peninsulacountrymarket.ca.
Join selfless grandmothers at book launch
Find out how grandmothers in Canada are helping their counterparts in Africa at the book launch of Powered by Love, which tells the story of fighting AIDS in Africa.
At the two events on Tuesday, sponsored by Victoria Grandmothers for Africa, people can meet co-author Joanna Henry, Gladys Mayaba, one of South Africa’s Grandmothers Against Poverty and AIDS, and Lisbie Rae, a local grandmother who is featured in the book.
The $35 illustrated book tells the story of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s work fighting AIDS in Africa.
For the past 11 years, Canadians have been helping raise money to support grandparents in Africa who are caring for their AIDS-orphaned grandchildren. In Victoria, the organization has raised $1 million in 10 years.
The St. Andrew’s Grandmothers Helping African Grandmothers will unveil the book at 2 p.m. Tuesday at 9691 Fourth St., Sidney, with Tanner’s Books handling the sales.
The book launch in Victoria starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the central branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library, 735 Broughton St. (free parking underground after 6 p.m.) with book sales provided by Munro’s Books.
For more information, call Lisbie Rae at 778-977-7069 or victoriagrandmothersforafrica.ca.
Book sale raises $12,000 for foundation
Bookworms — some from Greater Victoria — bought as many as 20,000 used books at the recent Garden House Foundation’s annual book sale, raising almost $12,600.
The proceeds will help support Cowichan Valley families in crisis — and animals in need.
For more information, go to gardenhousefoundation.wordpress.com.
Constable honoured for youth work
A Victoria police officer has been recognized for his commitment to working with youth at the 20th annual Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards last month.
Victoria Police Const. Chris Gilbert was the winner of the Youth Leadership Award, recognizing exceptional commitment to working with youth. A school resource officer since 2013, Gilbert bonds with students in a non-judgmental, supportive and often humorous way.
He has been involved in Youth for Change and Inclusion, the Chief’s Youth Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youth Wilderness Camp and numerous youth fundraisers.
The awards acknowledge volunteers, non-profit organizations and other local public-safety partners for their work to reduce crime, violence and victimization in the community and support law enforcement and others in the justice sector.
The awards were presented by Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth.
The award presentation preceded Crime Prevention Week, Nov. 1 to 7.
Save-on-Foods pledges $15M for hospital
Grocery chain Save-on-Foods has pledged $15 million toward the Family Immunization Clinic and equipment purchases at B.C. Children’s Hospital.
The clinic, the first in the country to be located in a hospital, will provide patients and their families with publicly funded immunizations. It is intended to increase immunization rates among children, especially those with complex medical conditions. It will also serve as a hub for consultation services and support new research.
In addition to the immunization project, the donation will fund urgently needed equipment for the hospital.
“As lead benefactor of the Immunization Project and a funder of urgent equipment, this transformational $15-million gift brings their all-time giving to $45 million — making Save-on-Foods our biggest donor of all time,” said Teri Nicholas, B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation president and CEO.
Save-on-Foods, its supplier partners, team members and customers have donated more than $30 million to children’s hospitals — and contribute $3 million in donations to food banks across western Canada every year.
For more information, go to saveonfoods.com/communitysupport.
Home tour supports community causes
Assist members of the construction community of Bear Mountain to raise money and see some incredible homes at the Holiday Home Tour, Nov. 18 at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort.
This is the third year of the event, created by KC Custom Designs and Bear Mountain. The event gives the construction community around the popular area of town the opportunity to come together to give back to those most in need in the community.
The event supports Our Place, Goldstream Food Bank and the Mustard Seed — organizations that require assistance in providing nutritious food, programs and activities year-round, but are most in need during the winter months. Last year, the tour raised more than $27,000.
The tour starts with a cocktail reception in the Westin Bear Mountain penthouse. Afterward, you can board the shuttle service or pick up a map and take a selfguided tour to six holiday homes at your leisure.
Tour tickets are $25 — or $45 with lunch. The event runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 18 in Bear Mountain. Tickets can be purchased at the Westin Bear Mountain, participating retailers and online at victoriaholidayhometour.ca.
HarbourCats honour top teachers
Nominate your favourite educator for the Teacher of the Month recognition program and if he or she wins, the teacher’s class will attend the HarbourCats’ 2018 School Spirit game for free.
Mayfair Optometric Clinic and the HarbourCats have teamed up for this off-season incentive, which runs monthly through May.
Any student or parent can nominate a great teacher to be the monthly winner, by sending an email indicating what makes that teacher so great. Each month, a teacher will be recognized with a special prize pack and attend the School Spirit game for free.
“Education is the cornerstone of the blossoming careers of our players, and our program supports school students and youth baseball players, so this just makes a lot of sense to introduce a program like this,” said Jim Swanson, managing partner of the HarbourCats.
“We know that students perform better in class when their eyes are functioning properly, and regular, routine eye exams are an important part of that,” said Mary Lou Newbold, CEO of Mayfair Optometric Clinic. “One in four children diagnosed with learning issues are found to be misdiagnosed when corrective lenses are brought into play.”
For more information or to nominate a teacher, email greatteachers@harbourcats.com, or call the HarbourCats office at 778-265-0327.
Diamond Forever raises funds for legion
Watch a special Remembrance weekend performance of Diamond Forever, a celebration of the music of Neil Diamond, Nov. 12 at the Victoria Trafalgar Pro Patria Royal Canadian Legion # 292.
The show is an homage to the legendary singer-songwriter’s sixdecade career with a performance by tribute artist Jason Scott.
The audience-interactive show creates a sight and sound experience that will transport Neil Diamond fans, old and young, down memory lane.
Tickets are $25 with a dinner menu available for order (5 to 6:30 p.m.). Doors open at 5, show at 7 p.m. in the show lounge of the Victoria Trafalgar Pro Patria Royal Canadian Legion #292, 411 Gorge Rd. East. Tickets are available at the legion office or 250-384-7814.
Explore volunteer opportunities at fair
Volunteer Victoria, in partnership with Camosun College, is hosting a Volunteer Fair at the Lansdowne Campus on Wednesday.
Representatives from eight community serving agencies: Recreation Integration Victoria; Progressive Alliance Canada; Lifetime Networks; SHAW Centre for the Salish Sea; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area; Baptist Housing; Habitat For Humanity Victoria; and Beacon Community Services will be in attendance to talk about the numerous volunteer opportunities that they have available at their agencies.
The event runs 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the foyer of the Fisher Building, Camosun College, Lansdowne Campus, 3100 Foul Bay Rd.