Central Saanich group searches for land to set up community garden
A group in Central Saanich is hoping to address the issue of food security among individuals and families in the community with the creation of a community garden.
Since the Central Saanich Community Gardens Society was formed in May they have had no problem finding people to add their names to a waitlist for a plot.
The problem right now for the not-for-profit group is not the will to till the soil, but finding a suitable piece of land to plant the seeds for next year’s crop.
The group has contacted churches, the school district and private landowners. They have returned with nothing that allows them to get started anytime in the near future.
It may come as a surprise to some that there is a need for a community garden in an area so rich with Agricultural Land Reserve land, but it is the abundance of ALR land that creates the scarcity, said Caroline Lennox, the president and founder of the group. Their hope now lies in securing a piece of public land. “Ask any budding farmer about land security, and you’ll get an earful. Land is expensive and public land is scarce,” said Lennox. “Central Saanich’s Official Community Plan speaks to community gardens, rooftop gardens and such, but will this plan become reality? Will there be a greater divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ over time? Can our initiative fill that divide? Will council give us enough land to do just that?”
A proposal and presentation to the District of Central Saanich council is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 14.
“It is a fight for food – a road map to self-sufficiency for those who are not privileged enough to own property,” she said.
The group has an information table, 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday in August and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Peninsula Country Market, 1528 Stellys Cross Rd.
For more information, go to csgardens.org.
Mustard Seed Coffee perks up
The Mustard Seed Coffee has just launched a new coffee website, with two premium roasts and free delivery in Greater Victoria, with a 10 per cent discount for one week with the code LAUNCH10.
The coffee company began as a social enterprise of the Mustard Seed Street Church in 2017. Proceeds from the venture help to support the Food Rescue program, which distributes more than 1,800 kilograms of food to various agencies around the city every day.
The coffee is sold in two roasts — medium and dark, each with their own distinct flavour profile.
Two 454-gram bags sell for $27. For more information, go to mustardseedcoffee.ca.
$149,000 for pandemic modelling
The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research COVID-19 Research Response Fund and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s have jointly awarded more than $149,000 to a Victoria research team using mathematics and statistics to help anticipate future pandemic outbreaks.
Already underway, the research project — Managing the Risks of Future B.C. COVID-19 Outbreaks Using Mathematical and Statistical Modelling — will be completed in June 2021.
“By estimating the number of undetected cases, we will gain a better understanding of the spread of the current wave and the underlying spread of a future wave,” said Dr. Laura Cowen, principal investigator and associate professor in the University of Victoria’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “Our mathematical model will allow the detection of early signals that a future wave has begun, and identify infections among high risk groups such as the elderly, school children, and longterm care clients.”
Using data provided by Island Health, Cowen and her team will adapt the current contact tracing tool to pinpoint locations where COVID-19 infection may inadvertently be transferred to vulnerable populations.
When completed, the model will predict with greater precision the transmission rates associated with the relaxation of public health measures.
The community can support healthcare research on Vancouver Island by donating to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation at victoriahf.ca/research.
Funds for refugee sponsorships
Help the Lutheran Church of the Cross raise $30,000 for refugee sponsorships by joining a virtual fundraiser via Zoominar on Tuesday.
Last year Canada was the largest resettlement country in the world, welcoming 28,000 refugees from around the world. The United Nations Refugee Agency reports that Canada surpassed 25 other countries in accepting asylum seekers.
The high number can be credited in part to a private sponsorship program that allows ordinary Canadians to complement the federal government’s resettlement program.
The Lutheran Church of the Cross is hoping to sponsor either an individual or a couple.
At the Zoominar, guest speaker Sabine Lehr from the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria will provide an update on the situation facing refuges during the pandemic. Globally, refugees and displaced persons have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis, with few countries offering resettlement opportunities.
The event runs 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Register by 3 p.m. Monday at 250-477-6222, or at lutheranchurchofthecross@shaw.ca to attend.
If unable to attend the virtual fundraiser, the church is joining Board View United Church (formerly St. Aidan) for an outdoor garage sale, featuring jewelry and accessories, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at 3703 St. Aidan’s St. The parking lot entrance is off Palo Alta Street and pandemic safety protocols will be followed. Cash only.
Shifting to digital libraries
The transition to digital library resources has been made easier, thanks to funding from the Friends of the Library.
Library cardholders looking for assistance as they explore today’s digital library can now turn to Niche Academy for help. The platform offers easy-to-use video tutorials that teach viewers how to get the most out of the library’s digital content.
“With the tremendous growth in online usage during the pandemic, we wanted to further assist Greater Victoria Public Library users to learn how to get the most out of the amazing digital content available to them through gvpl.ca,” said Maureen Sawa, the library’s CEO. “We are so grateful to the Friends of the Library for their support. With Niche Academy, online tutorials will be available to assist patrons with their digital questions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Users can choose from a range of video tutorials and learn, for example, how to borrow and download ebooks; take classes on Lynda.com; stream movies and music; and learn a language with Mango Languages.
Niche Academy is available on the library’s website at gvpl.ca/help. Explore the library’s digital services at gvpl.ca/digital.