Thursday, October 29, 2009

Victoria News - Church gives from ground up

So great to read this good news story on a rainy rainy day!

Victoria News - Church gives from ground up

Volunteer Positions Available for Esquimalt Committees, Commission and Board

Every Fall Esquimalt seeks volunteers for its Committees, Commission and Board. This is a great way to get involved and provide Council with valuable input and insight into issues affecting our community. I served on the township's Environmental Advisory Committee before running for Council and really learned a lot from the experience! We also encourage youth to apply as youth liaisons to our Parks and Rec Advisory Committee. This perspective is really valuable and we hope to see lots of applicants! Please consider applying for one of the openings in the press release below:

Municipal Appointments to Advisory Committees, Commission and Board
October 27, 2009

Each year the municipality accepts applications from individuals interested in serving the community as a member of an Advisory Committee, Commission or Board. Esquimalt Council will be considering applications for appointments in the following areas:

Advisory Planning Commission (up to 3 vacancies)
Access Awareness Advisory Committee (up to 4 vacancies)
Arts, Culture and Special Events Advisory Committee (up to 2 vacancies)
Environmental Advisory Committee (up to 3 vacancies)
Heritage Advisory Committee (up to 2 vacancies)
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (up to 3 vacancies)
*Youth are encouraged to apply as non-voting liaisons for a semester at a time on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee

The Advisory Planning Commission Bylaw and Advisory Committee Terms of Reference are available on our website. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment to any Committee or Commission, is invited to submit an application form (available online or at the Municipal Hall) and a résumé listing professional and volunteer experience and interests, to Carollyne Evans, Manager of Corporate Services by 4:30 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2009. Applicants will be notified of interview date and time.

For more information, please contact:
Carollyne Evans, Manager of Corporate Services
Tel: 250-414-7135

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Busy Weekend in Esquimalt!

There is so much to do in Esquimalt this weekend! I've copied all these events from the esquimalt.ca website:

Open House at Macaulay Point Park

When: October 24th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Where: Buxton Green at Macaulay Point Park, 1111 Munro Street

The Township of Esquimalt is hosting an open house event at Macaulay Point Park to gather input from Esquimalt residents and other park users on future management direction in the park. Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, as well as representatives from the Capital Regional District and the Department of National Defence, will be on hand to answer questions.

The land at Macaulay Point is owned by the Department of National Defence and is managed by the Township of Esquimalt through a renewable five-year licence agreement. The lease agreement requires that the Township take adequate measures to protect the natural areas and federally protected native plant species that exist in the park.

A recent environmental assessment report—commissioned by Esquimalt Parks and Recreation—proposed specific management strategies to maintain and enhance these native plant species. This report, along with public input and other planning activities, will help Esquimalt Parks & Recreation develop a sustainable management plan that will minimize degradation of the areas where these plants exist. It is the parks department’s goal to maintain public access while ensuring that management strategies are consistent with its legal obligation to protect the park’s environment.

Japanese Garden Re-opening in Esquimalt Gorge Park

Please join Esquimalt’s Mayor and Council for the grand re-opening ceremony of the Japanese Garden in Esquimalt Gorge Park. Also in attendance will be Mr. Nozomi Nakamura, Consul of Cultural Affairs for the Japanese Consulate in Vancouver.

The event will feature performances by the Japanese drum group Uminari Taiko and the Furusato Dancers.

Where: Esquimalt Gorge Park
When: Sunday, October 25th at 1 p.m.

The garden is the oldest Japanese Garden in all of North America and was created by Isaburo Kishida, who designed the Japanese Gardens at Royal Roads and Butchart Gardens. The Takata family operated a very successful tea house in the gardens for many years.

Come and celebrate the return of this very special place.

Esquimalt's Harvest of the Arts
Artists, artisans, and art lovers are invited to celebrate Esquimalt’s first “Harvest of the Arts.”

This event, hosted by Esquimalt’s Arts, Culture and Special Events Committee, will feature demonstrations by artists in a variety of media, musical performances, and an exhibition of local artists’ work.

When: Sunday, October 25th, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: In the Esquimalt Recreation Centre (527 Fraser Street)

Building on the successes of the 2008 Spring Awakening, the Committee is continuing to support arts and culture in Esquimalt. This event will provide an opportunity for local artists to promote their work, and to connect with each other and the community.

Admission to this event is free.

Pumpkin Swim
It’s back! Our annual pumpkin swim! Bring your whole family to this fun filled Halloween event. Brave the spooky Halloween games of the pool deck, and take home a pumpkin to carve for Halloween!
Regular Admission Sunday October 25 1:30 – 4:30pm

Pumpkin Carving for the United Way

Saturday October 24
Annual fun day of carving pumpkins and crafts. Fundraiser put on by Country Grocer and Esquimalt Neighbourhood House at the Plaza. Hot dogs by donation and all proceeds go to United Way.

If you're still looking for some fun...you can check out a Cougars game at Archie Browning tonight, Storytime at Beans and Greens on Sunday morning, The Japanese Cultural Festival at the rec centre on Saturday or simply go for a walk at Saxe Point and enjoy the beauty of Fall.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Esquimalt Sunset


Spectacular October evening. Taken yesterday at Fleming Beach in Esquimalt.

Monday, October 12, 2009

25 Things I Am Grateful For


1. Writing what we are grateful for on coloured paper leaves and hanging them on the "gratitude tree"
2. Knowing children who believe in "the force". Their conviction that good should always win fuels my optimism.
3. Sleeping in.
4. Living in good health.
5. Enjoying warm meals surrounded by loved ones.
6. Having so many loved ones that we need to rent a room at the Archie Browning Sports Centre for Thanksgiving dinner.
7. Receiving a grant for the Archie Browning Sports Centre....and knowing that many more family celebrations will take place there.
8. Moving ahead on many projects in Esquimalt. While traffic may be backed up now, we'll be enjoying new sidewalks, bike lanes, roads and improved bus service next year.
9. Healing my children's wounds with a Sponge Bob bandaid and a kiss.
10. Witnessing my friends have the courage to set goals and the dedication to achieve them. 26.2 miles non-stop - thank you for inspiring me.
11. Meeting new teachers and coaches that have come into our lives since September. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
12. Knowing teachers and coaches from the past who continue to show us kindness and caring. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do.
13. Having teachers who take the time to write notes that say, "Your kid had a great day today!"
14. Living in a community rich with volunteers who make events like the Esquimalt Lantern Festival, Buccaneer Days and the Hallowe'en Bonfire happen. You build the scenes of my children's fondest memories. I hope it inspires them to pass these traditions on to their own children.
15. Seeing my old dog find the energy to get up from his nap and greet me at the door.
16. Knowing that my children can walk 5 minutes in any direction of our home and find someone who cares about them.
17. Losing track of time in a good book.
18. Drinking good coffee at Beans and Greens while I type on my new laptop.
19. Feeling friendship and love that have passed the tests of distance, grief, joy, and change.
20. Surrendering to the giggles in public.
21. Being a small part of something amazing. The colleagues I have at QA are all truly the best of professionals. They make it easy to come to work because it feels like we are doing something meaningful.
22. Discussing Esquimalt with all the interesting people I have met in the last year. I have learned so much and I am so grateful and honoured to work with each of you.
23. Receiving gifts of construction paper turkeys - made with the outlines of little hands.
24. Holding hands and sharing popcorn on family movie night.
25. Evrieheng

Sewage Treatment Forum in Esquimalt

So what could get me off the couch on this beautiful long weekend? Delivering flyers door to door for the upcoming Sewage Treatment Forum in Esquimalt. Details are here: http://www.esquimalt.ca/events/events10150901.aspx This Thursday night is your chance to meet with our Mayor, the Sewage Treatment Action Group and other concerned residents to find out the latest developments.

Please come find out more about how current plans impact Esquimalt. Decisions will be made at the CRD by the end of the year - make your voice heard!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Children's Story Festival

A big belated Thank You to everyone who made the 7th Annual Children's Story Festival happen last weekend. In between birthday parties, skating lessons and Beaver Apple Day we happened to catch a few fabulous storytellers. This annual tradition has been a part of our lives in Esquimalt since my oldest was just a baby. It is a always a treat to see favourite librarians, amazing storytellers and all of our friends at the town square! Thank you to GVPl, Country Grocer, Kiwanis and staff at the township of Esquimalt!

Afghanistan 360 exhibit

In the Atrium of the Esquimalt Rec Centre is a very moving multimedia exhibit about Canada's role in Afghanistan. Last night, I attended a presentation where two people spoke of their experiences in Afghanistan. One civilian from CIDA and one Lieutenant Colonel from the Canadian Forces. It was interesting. It was powerful. It was thought provoking. The discussion carried on long into the evening in the rec centre and outside on the streets.

The exhibit is up from Oct 5 - Oct 14 and I think its worth a trip to the Esquimalt to check it out. My thanks to Councillor Garrison for encouraging this to come to Esquimalt.