Greetings
Welcome to the July 2022 SGI Newsletter. Summer has finally arrived on the West Coast, and outdoor activities are plentiful, from music concerts to sporting events. We hope you are enjoying the lovely sunshine, that your garden – if you are able to have one – is thriving, and that you are staying covid-free.
We have for you some SGI events, detailed information about donation options, gardening information from Gary and Nancy and local opportunities in Gordon Head. Read on for more…..
Saanich-Gulf Islands EDA News
Elizabeth on Pender Island
Elizabeth will be attending the Mosaic Arts & Culture Festival at Hope Bay on Pender Island (4301 Bedwell Harbour Road) on Friday evening July 29th to watch the Emerging Artists Showcase, which begins at 6:30 pm PDT, before the evening’s headliner, Leela Gilday at 8:00 pm.
Elizabeth on Mayne Island:
Elizabeth will attend the Mayne Island Farmers’ Market Saturday July 30th, and the SGI Greens will have a table at the market. If you live on Mayne Island or will be visiting the island that day, please stop by and say hello.
Elizabeth at Vancouver Pride
On Sunday, July 31st Elizabeth will be walking with Interim Green Party Leader Amita Kuttner and local Greens in the Vancouver Pride Parade. If you are in Vancouver, be sure to wave or say hello! The parade starts at 12 noon.
SAVE THE DATE: We are going to have a SUMMER PICNIC!
WHEN: Sunday, August 7th, 2022 from 12 noon – 3 pm.
Come and join Elizabeth May and the SGI Greens for our SUMMER POTLUCK PICNIC at Centennial Park in Central Saanich (7526 Wallace Drive)! We are really excited to be able to gather again outdoors. We will be located at the picnic tables/ Shelter 2 near the lacrosse boxes; there is parking near the lacrosse boxes or on Wallace Drive.
Please bring your own dishes and cutlery, and cup or glass, PLUS FOOD TO SHARE. We will provide drinks and treats. Bring a chair if you wish to sit out on the grass just outside of the picnic table enclosure.
Location map here.
**We really appreciate knowing how many people are coming so that we can plan accordingly – so PLEASE RSVP HERE. We would hate to run out of refreshments!!!
Donating to the Green Party of Canada or Saanich-Gulf Islands?
As you know, all parties and other non-profit organizations rely on donations to keep running. Donors are the lifeblood of the GPC for sure, and we are providing this information because we have had some questions about different ways to donate, and donating to the Saanich-Gulf Islands Electoral District Association (the SGI EDA) vs the national party (GPC) – and what is the difference?
Here is an explanation of donation options, in the event that you are planning to make a donation this year, currently make donations, or would like to learn more. We want to make this as easy and clear as possible, and we thank you in advance for considering this…
READ MORE HERE……including specific “How to” details of making a donation. with gratitude………
Gardening with Gary and Nancy
We were going to write an article on growing food in containers, but that will have to wait. We can’t ignore the crisis forming in global food distribution due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Not only are farmers there not able to farm, but the food that is grown in Ukraine, “the breadbasket of Europe” is not able to be exported to those who are in desperate need of that food. Which brings us to the central issue of this article – growing and eating locally and in a sustainable manner. Okay, that is the topic for a book, not an article so this is a high-level synopsis…
READ MORE HERE, including additional references from the Tyee and the Mayne Island Conservancy’s “The Oystercatcher” newsletter articles.
Exhibits in support of Ancient Trees:
Legacy Art Gallery exhibit downtown: Still Standing: Ancient Forest Futures, Wed—Sat until Sep 17. An outstanding exhibit of art, interviews, and words on ancient BC forests, and ‘Ada’itsx/Fairy Creek in particular. See Inspiration!
Gage Gallery exhibit: The Painted Land in Bastion Square, Aug 2 – 21. Opening reception Aug 5 from 5—8pm, with talk by the artist, Anna Bees Grant, and Jackie Larkin speaking of ancient trees. A percentage of all sales will be donated to Sierra Club BC.
If you haven’t already done so, please watch the Old-Growth Fact and Fiction webinar here, then share it with a friend.
Also of interest:
In recognition of the impacts of the climate emergency on mental health, the University of Victoria is offering a course called Addressing Climate Anxiety and Ecological Grief. This online synchronous course will be delivered Nov. 22 & 24, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Fee: $65 plus GST.
Regional information: Saanich
Natural Intelligence
Natural Intelligence is a beautiful initiative of Saanich Municipality. It consists of two branches – forgive the pun – Giving Back to Nature and Letting Nature Give Back to You. The links under these two headings provide a wealth of resources to benefit all ages and interests. Not only is respecting nature’s gifts an important step toward honouring the lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, it is also a small yet sincere step toward reconciliation that benefits us all.
Gordon Head Community Association
Feeling a part of one’s community is important and healthy in many ways. The GHCA is the recognized community association for the Gordon Head Area.The GHCA represents the residents of Gordon Head at Saanich Council, responds to traffic challenges, issues, and problems in the neighbourhood, monitors property development in the community and provides information about Saanich and the neighbourhood to residents.
If you are a resident of Gordon Head, please consider completing this survey. Your input helps shape our community. You need not be a member, but at $10/year, why not support them in their work? Click here to join!
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