Esquimalt Sunset

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

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!

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.

OCP Review - Height and Density

We want to know what YOU think about development in Esquimalt! Hope to see you at one of these workshops!

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Review of Esquimalt Official Community Plan Regarding Maximum Heights and Densities for Multi-Unit and Mixed-Use Developments

Esquimalt’s 2007 Official Community Plan (OCP) divides the municipality into ten broad land use designations. The designations of Multi-Unit, High-Rise Residential and Commercial Mixed-Use allow for buildings up to and including ten storeys in height with a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 2.0.

The OCP also allows Council to consider greater heights and/or higher densities than 2.0, provided the project will enhance the community through the provision of affordable or special needs housing or other amenities.

Since the adoption of the OCP, several development proposals have been presented to Council which have heights in excess of 10 storeys and floor area ratios or densities much higher than 2.0. Developers have told the municipality that building to the numbers set in the OCP would not be economically viable. On March 24th, a panel of speakers with extensive experience in urban planning, architecture and development discussed this at a Community Forum held at the Municipal Hall.

Now we want to hear from you, the residents of Esquimalt. The municipality has scheduled two workshops - Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 and Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 to explore what heights and densities you feel would be suitable for those areas of Esquimalt designated for Multi-Unit, High-Rise Residential and Commercial Mixed-Use.

We are requesting that residents register in advance so that we can ensure there is a large enough meeting space and enough printed information packages. If the October 3rd and 6th workshops become filled, additional sessions will be scheduled.

Workshop Dates and Times:
Saturday, October 3, 2009
9:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
7:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

To register, please call Karen Hay at 250-414-7179

Curling Classic on move to Esquimalt

Hot on the heels of our grant announcement is this great news for Esquimalt and the Archie Browning Sports Centre!

Curling Classic on move to Esquimalt

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