New Year's Levee

On Thursday, January 1st from 1-2:30pm, the township of Esquimalt will be hosting its annual New Year's Levee in Council Chambers. Light refreshments will be served.

I hope to see many of you there!

Children's Art Show

Beans and Greens in Esquimalt is hosting a Children's Art Show in January. Each month, our local coffee shop has featured local artists on its walls. This month, those artists will all be children!

If your child would like his or her artwork included bring it down to the shop on Saturday, January 3rd.

After that, come back and enjoy the show!

Where Treetops Glisten and Children Listen...

Happy Holidays!

May you marvel at the joy and wonder of children. May you share the season with loved ones. May you be warm - inside and out.

All the best,
Ali

Esquimalt Roads

Today I went for Coffee at Beans and Greens. There was one topic of conversation - snow. Everyone I spoke to agreed on one thing - Esquimalt has done an incredible job of clearing the roads! Callers on CFAX were saying the same thing at noon.

Thanks so much to our Esquimalt crew for keeping us all safe! You make this a great place to live!

Snow Day

A couple of years ago I discovered something rather unpleasant. I woke up. I sensed the quiet fall of snow. I gazed out the window and I froze. As visions of snow tires and schedules danced in my head, I realized that I was an adult.

That morning, much like this morning, I awoke to worry...it was all I could see as I looked out the front window. Fortunately for me, my children care very little for the plans I have in my daytimer or the items on my to-do list. They are filled with an infectious joy.

There are some simple pleasures in life. Catching snowflakes and building snowmen. Discovering snow angels. Talking to neighbours while shoveling the walk. Following footprints just to see where they go. Warming hands with a mug of hot chocolate. Today was a day for all of those things...but if it weren't for Grace and Oliver I might not have noticed.

Hockeyville 2009

Thank you so much to everyone who entered Esquimalt in Kraft Hockeyville! We have over 100 stories posted! I LOVED reading them and I hope you will too! Check it out at: www.cbc.com/hockeyville We'll know by January 14th if we've made the first cut!

Gingerbread Smiles

The other day, my colleagues and I were struck by the wonderful smell of baked goods wafting up the stairs. Upon investigation, we discovered this incredible work of art sitting in the cafeteria.

I don't know who the artist is or how it got there...but I am absolutely delighted every time I look at this amazing gingerbread creation. I just had to have a photo to share with the kids!

We're Official!

Monday night the new Mayor and Council were sworn in. We're official!

Our Mayor's speech is online at www.esquimalt.ca The external appointments are also listed.

I am deeply honoured and truly looking forward to the future and the challenges ahead!

Many thanks as always to my friends, family and neighbours for the support and the love!

Inaugural Meeting of Council

The inaugural meeting of Council will be held on Monday, December 8th in Council Chambers. Please come to see our new Mayor and Council sworn in. Tea and Cookies will be served.

Hope to see you there!

Smiles

"Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles." - Unknown

My kids are settled in their beds, so I must take a moment to rave about Esquimalt. We just got home from the Celebration of Lights, and as always, it was a night to remember.

For my kids, this night is nothing short of magical. They get to see friends from school, sing and dance on the stage, and march in the parade. They visited with Santa, received a wonderful goodie bag and munched on hot dogs and hot chocolate made for them by the Lions. The organizing committee, the Esquimalt Neighbourhood House, the merchants of the Plaza - they all did an incredible job.

What makes this evening so special is the amazing people who live here. I am so lucky to live in a community where we are surrounded by smiles from familiar faces! My kids saw their elementary school teachers, their preschool teachers and their coaches from various activities. It is a powerful thing when these trusted adults come to watch the kids perform in the choir or walk in the parade. It says, "you matter to me." As a Mom, I simply can't thank them enough for the positive influence they've had on my kids.

Thank you Esquimalt for getting me in the festive spirit!

Celebration of Lights

Tomorrow is our Celebration of Lights in Esquimalt! Tuesday, December 2nd from 6-7:30pm.

It starts with a parade that begins on Lyall Street at Canteen Road. It travels down to Admirals Road, then turns right on Esquimalt road and ends in the Esquimalt Plaza. After that, enjoy musical entertainment, refreshments and a visit with Santa behind the Archie Browning Sports Centre!

There is also a free public skate at ABSC from 6-7:20pm.

Hope to see you all there!