Burnside Gorge Community News, PB

Community NewsBurnside Gorge

W elcome to summer 2010 with the Burnside Gorge family centre! We have lots happen-

ing during the summer months. Everyone is wel-come to attend, there is no cost to the following programs and no registration is required.

Babies at the BeachEach Monday from 10am -12pm we will meet at

a local beach for some fun in the sun. A light snack will be provided. Please bring a beverage along with hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and a towel. Some beach toys will be provided but feel free to bring toys of your own to share.

July 5 – Gyro Park. Located on Sinclair Rd., this park is easily accessible from the #11 uplands bus

Vol. 24 No. 7 July 2010 www.burnsidegorge.ca

Community NewsEnjoy Summer Beaches and BBQs with Burnside Gorge

route. July 12 – Willows Beach. Located off Beach Dr,

this park is accessible from the 2A bus route (can be caught at Douglas and Johnson St downtown)

July 19 Elk Lake – Located off the Pat Bay Hwy. This beach is accessible from the #70 or the #75 bus route from downtown. (Get off at Sayward Rd. The beach is a short walk from the stop)

July 26 – Carnarvon Park – Although not a beach, this is an excellent spot to spend a summer day. This waterpark is located on Allenby Dr in Oak Bay. It is a short walk from the #11 Uplands bus route.

August 2 – No program. Happy BC day!!August 9 – Willows Beach. Located off Beach

Dr, this park is accessible from the 2A bus route (can be caught at Douglas and Johnson St down-town)

August 16- Gyro Park. Located on Sinclair Rd., this park is easily accessible from the #11 uplands bus route.

If weather is poor at 9am, beach outings will be cancelled and the family centre will be open for drop in.

Playground Drop InEach Tuesday from 10am-12pm join us for a

snack, activities and circle time on our own play-ground here at the centre. Snack will be served in the playroom at 10am. This program is best suited to ages 2.5 and up however younger children are

welcome. If weather is poor at 10am, the family room will

remain open for playtime.

Indoor Drop InEach Wednesday, the family room will be open

from 10am-12pm for drop in playtime and a snack. There will be a 15 min. circle time beginning at 11:45am.

Summer BBQEach Thursday come and enjoy a delicious BBQ

served on our back patio at 5pm. Bring the whole family! We will be serving hamburgers, hotdogs and veggie dogs. Please bring a blanket or lawn chairs for your family to sit on as seats are limited. There is no cost for this program however dona-tions are gratefully accepted! The playground and will be open following the BBQ until 7pm. The youth centre will be open until 9pm for youth aged 7 and older.

The Burnside Gorge Community Centre is lo-cated at 471 Cecelia Rd. Just behind the SPCA, off Burnside Rd. We are also accessible from Jutland Rd. or from the Galloping Goose trail. We are lo-cated on the #8, #11, #21 and the #22 bus routes. Please note, parking is limited and we do encour-age walking or public transit.

For more information, visit www.burnside-gorge.ca or call Shauna at 250 388 5251 ext 248.

by Shauna Eiriksson, Family Centre Coordinator

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Family Self-Sufficiency Program Youth Individual Asset Development (IDA) Program

T he Family Self-Sufficiency Program at Burn-side Gorge Community Association wrapped

up Phase Three of the Youth IDA (Individual De-velopment Account) Program in June 2010. In this six-month program, ten youth between the ages of twelve and sixteen had the opportunity to learn valuable financial skills, contribute to a sav-ings account and receive matching monies. The youth had the opportunity to save up to $60 and receive a match of $210 at the end of the program. Plans for using their monies include saving for a vehicle, a school trip, post-secondary education, and investing funds in a savings account.

A warm thanks to James Clark and the rest of the staff at Vancity, who have once again sup-ported the program by hosting the IDA accounts, providing reports and giving a “behind the scenes” tour of the bank. Vancity has been an active sup-porter of the program since its inception in Sep-tember 2006.

The program is a first of its kind in Canada and is an innovative way to teach the basics of good money management while the youth are scoring matched dollars for every dollar they save. The point is to initiate a lifelong habit of saving and the skills to track, budget and invest money in the fu-ture.

Congratulations Youth IDA Participants!

A Youth IDA Participant receives a certificate of completion from James Clark, Account Manager at Vancity

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Burnside Gorge Preschool Teaches Children Though Creative Choicesby Darlene Kent-Thesen, Preschool Teacher

T his September, help your children get a head start by registering them in preschool at Burn-

side Gorge. The goal of preschool is to prepare chil-dren for entering kindergarten but it is much more than learning numbers and the alphabet.

Our preschool helps develop the interpersonal skills required for learning in a group setting. Our program encourages children to develop personal in-dependence, being able to make creative choices for themselves, and to teach responsibility and respect for each other. Whether they initiate their own coop-erative play or work together as a team, our children practice new skills and learn how to communicate their ideas and needs effectively. We give them the tools to build and soar to new heights.

It is through a cooperative effort with our parents that we will see our children grow and prosper. This will help them develop important skills and attitudes to become successful in life.

Our program focuses on developing and refining

...Preschool at Burnside continued on page 3

by Heather Johnson Family Advisor/Youth IDA Program Coordinator Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Burnside Gorge Community News July 20102

6th Floor, 395 Waterfront CrescentVictoria BC, V8T 5K7Tel (250) 381-7188Fax (250) 381-7804lawyers@carlaw.ca

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Focusing on personal injury and insurance litigation since 1985. Free initial consultation at our Selkirk Waterfront offices.

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Community NewsPublished by the

Burnside Gorge Community Association471 Cecelia Rd Victoria BC, V8T 4T4T. 250-388-5251 | F. 250-388-5269

www.burnsidegorge.ca

Editor: Kim PerkinsBGCA Board of Directors Tracy James, ChairMichelle Peterson, Vice-ChairCatherine McGregor, TreasurerTJ Schur, SecretaryKate ForsterLesley ValourVickie Jackson

TO ADVERTISE

As a not-for-profit organization, we depend on advertising to cover publishing costs. Please contact us for current rates and information:

250-388-5251 ext. 223 | newsletter-bgca@shaw.ca

Note: Written contributions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the BGCA or its staff.

Dodd’s Furniture

715 Finlayson StCall 388-6663

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A t a recent open mic at the Upper Deck, Vince Vac-caro, a rapidly rising Victoria musician, jumped

onstage to provide impromptu drum accompani-ment for a musician on guitar. That kind of sponta-neity can be found Tuesday through to Sunday at the Upper Deck Sports Lounge.

This vibrant venue presents live musicians, ka-raoke and a name-that-tune game night, all free of charge. The intimate performance space is ideal for listening to a range of acoustic rock, blues, folk, country, soul and R&B four nights a week. One of the nights I viewed was Nate Dunn’s debut, accompanied by long-time Victoria musician Dan Weisenberger. Dunn plays authentic country with punch-in-the-gut vocals to match; his ballad “Waiting On You” show-cases his powerful voice and striking lyrics.

Many of the original songs I heard over several nights have stuck with me. Musician Mark Ednie said that “every open mic is amazing” which I saw firsthand – it was wonderful to see their intuitive interaction in playing together. When I spoke with some of the musicians about their musical influenc-es, it wasn’t a surprise that they’re strong songwrit-ers as well, ranging from Bruce Springsteen to more contemporary musicians such as Hayden and Elliott Smith.

As an added bonus, the Victoria Operatic Society and the ASAP Theatre company have begun to fre-quent the Upper Deck karaoke nights, so the quality

of singing on display exceeds the usual expectations for karaoke nights. Liz Barrett, the events manager and karaoke night hostess, is also an experienced singer and brings her enthusiasm to the night’s pro-ceedings.

So, whether you’re interested in just sitting back and enjoying a night of live music, or want to hit the stage yourself, the Upper Deck is a great option right in the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood.

The Upper Deck Sports Lounge 229 Gorge Road East, in the Travelodge http://www.theupperdeck.ca/upperdeck/index.

php or search by venue on www.livevictoria.comJuly Live Music Line-up: Thursday, July 8th, Mark Ednie (http://www.

myspace.com/markednie) & Cole Martin (http://www.myspace.com/colemusicmartin) (Acoustic/Al-ternative Rock)

Thursday, July 15th, Geoff Lundstrom (Acoustic/Alternative Rock) http://www.myspace.com/geof-flundstrom

Friday, July 16th, Momentum (Funk, Motown, Pop & Rock Hits) http://www.myspace.com/listen-tomomentum

Thursday, July 22nd, Richard Leon Gauthier & Neil Trett (Acoustic Blues/Alternative Rock) http://www.reverbnation.com/richardgauthier

Thursday, July 29th, Chris Charlyfolk Olson (Acoustic Blues/Alternative Rock)

Musical Talents Shine on the Uppder Deckby Geraldine Bulosan, BGCA Office Assitant

We’re Passing Legislation that Canadians Wantby Denise Sovoie, Victoria MP

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Community NewsBurnside Gorge

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O nce again the Selkirk Waterfront Festival was a great kick-off to summer. Thanks to Gillian

Rowan for organizing everything so well. It was a lot of fun to introduce the Victoria Drumming Orches-tra, founded by Jordan Hanson. It was a cold and windy day, so a big thank you to all of the talented musicians for keeping the enthusiastic crowd mov-ing and warm with their beat.

This festival keeps getting better and bigger be-cause of volunteers like Carmel Thomson, Anne Rus-so and Vickie Jackson. Another person who contrib-utes so much to the community is Colleen Garner, owner of Sol Food Café, whose good food and coffee has been enjoyed by workers and residents since the beginning of the Selkirk development.

In the spring session in Ottawa, while the Harper

Conservatives spent their time subsidizing banks and oil companies and the Liberals flailed about clumsily, New Democrats succeeded in passing legislation that Canadians want.

Our groundbreaking Climate Change Account-ability Act was passed and our Environmental Bill of Rights is closer to becoming law. We recommended expansion of CPP, which the government now ap-pears to have accepted, and we won support for our national affordable housing strategy. I introduced a bill that would use the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s $2 billion surplus to provide housing for low-income households.

Our motion on the risks of unconventional oil ex-ploration responds to Canadians’ fears that what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico could easily happen here. Additionally, my Green Commuter Bill (C-466) has been endorsed by municipal governments across Canada.

And as Assistant Deputy Speaker and Chair of the All-Party Arts Caucus, I have worked hard to bring MPs together to improve dialogue on Parliament Hill.

The government is finishing the session more or less as it started: with a refusal to make climate change a priority and a deal on Afghanistan that prob-ably means Canadians will never learn the truth.

But I am more encouraged than ever that people from Victoria to St. John’s to Inuvik are taking notice that the NDP is on their side – and on the move!

Burnside Gorge Community News July 2010 3

650 Hillside AveVictoria BC, V8T 1Z2Guaranteed service since 1959

250-384-4722Fax 250-384-8860

info@russhays.comwww.russhays.com

Pleased to support the Burnside-Gorge Community Centre.

Visit us at 3026 Jutland Road, Victoria, BCor call 250-385-4455 for assistance.

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...Preschool at Burnside continued from front page

physical abilities and development of motor skills, language and communication skills, social skills to work and play as a group and the desire to learn.

Preschool runs from 9am to 12pm Monday through Friday at the Burnside Gorge Community Centre. We offer both five day and three day per week programs. Call now to register your child for Septem-ber. 250-388.5251.

Approximately 150 children and families attended the annual out-of-school care BBQ on June 16. Children enjoyed food, games and a bouncy castle. Thanks to all the staff and parents who helped out at the event!

B C Hydro has a program to assist low income rent-ers and homeowners make their homes more

energy efficient. The Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP) provides energy assessments and free installation of energy saving products to qualify-ing low income households with high energy usage.

Free Energy-Saving Upgrades include:• Compact Fluorescent Light blubs• Faucet aerators• Low flow showerhead• Water heater tank wrap• Basic comfort draft proofing• Thermometers for fridge and freezer• Nightlight that’s light on energy use

• And more!

Qualifying households may also be eligible for free:• Refrigerator upgrade• Advanced draft proofing• Insulation upgrades

If your Hydro bills are over $500 a year, and your household qualifies as a low-income according to Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut Off (LICO) you may be eligible for the free upgrades. Call BC Hydro at 1-877-431-9463 or visit http://www.citygreen.ca/bc-hydro-energy-conservation-assistance-program-ecap to apply. BC Hydro will require your utility ac-count number and your Notice of Assessment (NOA) as proof of income in your application.

City Green also offers a range of energy efficiency services for those who do not qualify for ECAP, in-cluding:

Home energy assessments for the LiveSmart BC grant program,

EnerGuide Rating Service and ENERGY STAR programs for new homes,

Thermal Imaging Assessments with an infrared camera to detect hidden home problems and find so-lutions

A comprehensive search tool of over a hundred energy efficiency programs for the affordable hous-ing sector at www.affordablewarmth.ca

Visit http://www.citygreen.ca/ for more informa-tion.

Free Home Energy Upgrades for Low Income Renters and Homeowners by Glenys Verhulst, Communications Coordinator City Green Solutions

Photo: Certified Energy Adviser performs a blower door test to find air leaks in a home.

Simeon Goa!www.s

imeongoa.c

om

Burnside Gorge Community News July 20104

Summer is here - remember to sign your teen up for our Camp Survivor Series. Camp Survivor offers a summer of non-stop activities for youth with a sense of ad-venture. From rock climbing and paintball to kayaking and more.July 5-August 279am-4pm$155/week or $40/day

Youth Getaways are available every Wednesday for a cost of $20/day. Contact Becki for more details.

The Scene will be hosting Young Chefs on the Run. Youth will participate in edu-cational, nutritional snack preparation plus lots of physical activity.July 5-9 5/$259am-12pm or 1-4pm

Contact: Martina youthrec-bgca@shaw.ca or (250) 388-5251Becki: youthoutreach-bgca@shaw.ca or (250) 388-5251

Volunteer CORNER...recognizing those who give their time

The Volunteer Dept. is made possible through support by The Provincial Employees

Community Services Fund. To become a volunteer:

community-bgca@shaw.ca or call 250-388-5251

My relationship with Burn-side Gorge began in 1997 in my capacity as a project manager with the Ministry of Environment. I oversaw the work of a BGCA Environment Youth Team which was doing remediation in Cecelia Ravine. Some of their great work in-cluded invasive plant removal and creating the Tom Arkell Trail beside Cecelia Creek.

Shortly after that, I bought property in the neighbour-hood and was recruited to the Board by Dean Fortin. I held the position of Treasurer for two years and then took a one-year break from the Board to work on another volunteer ini-tiative with a local folk dance group. I was welcomed back to the Board in December 2008 as the chair of the Land Use Committee. This is a diverse and richly rewarding portfolio involving a lot of interaction with the Burnside Gorge com-munity.

My day job is with the Province of BC. I manage the Violence Against Women Pro-grams Unit in the Ministry

of Public Safety and Solicitor General. We fund programs to provide counselling and out-reach services to women who have experienced domestic vi-olence and children who have witnessed abuse. I have been with the public service since 1992 in several, very interest-ing and challenging positions.

My favourite memory of volunteering with Burnside Gorge was a couple of years ago at the Easter Eggstravaganza. The weather was threatening to rain but the children were dancing and playing and sing-ing along with the performers on stage. It took me back to being five years old.

I encourage all our news-letter readers to volunteer with the Burnside Gorge Com-munity Association. There is a good fit for everyone. An easy and fun way to start getting involved is to come out for the Gorge Waterway clean-up on September 25th. It is gratify-ing to see the dumpsters fill up and our precious waterway get cleaned up.

Volunteer Profile - Vicki Jackson

Support your community

YES I would like to make a donation of:

$10 $20 $30 $50 other $_______

Amount enclosed in form of: cheque credit card

Credit card # ____________________________ CSV # __________

Expiry date:______________ Signature:______________________

Active Families Fund Burnside Gorge Community

News Youth Centre Family Centre Community Chest Fund

Christmas Hampers Family Self Sufficiency Homeless Family Outreach Out of School Care Community Garden Other _______________

Please direct my donation to support:

For more information please contact the centre.

Mail to: Burnside Gorge Community Association471 Cecelia Road, Victoria, BC V8T 4T4tel: 250-388-5251 fax: 250-388-5269 www.burnsidegorge.ca

Name (please print) _____________________________________

Address _______________________________________________

City _______________________ Postal code _________________

Email______________________________Phone______________

Y I would like to receive community announcements by email.

As a non-profit organization, the Burnside Gorge Community Association depends on the genorosity of community members and businesses to provide programs and services to families in

the Burnside Gorge and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Tax receipts available upon request.

Thank you

Knitters Asked to Complete SquaresBy Lesley Crassweller, regular contributor

W ith the opening of the Ellice Street Shelter scheduled for this fall, the “Blanket on Every Bed” project is nearing its goal of 106 afghans for

each bed in the new shelter. All knitters are asked to complete their squares by early July. Volunteers are working on putting the afghans together and there will be enough to meet the goal.

Knitters can call Lois at 250-385-1400 or Rosemary at 250-727-7339 to arrange for pickup of completed squares. We are hoping to plan a celebration before the actual opening. Congratulations on a splendid Centennial United Church/ Burnside Gorge community project for the new Ellice Street shel-ter!

Vickie Jackson (left) with City of Victoria Councillor, Charlayne Thornton-Joe (centre) and BGCA Executive Director Suzanne Cole (right).

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