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AROUND TOWN: Calendar listings for Greater Victoria

Jennifer Blyth offers up a range of community events and activities

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area will receive $50,000 over the next two years from Island Savings, a title sponsor for its In-School Mentoring program.

The program matches referred children at designated schools with screened and trained mentors for activities that support positive relationships, resiliency, social development and success in school.

“We are pleased that Island Savings has become the title sponsor of In-School Mentoring,” said Rhonda Brown, Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “In 2012 we are celebrating 15 years of service to children through this program and know that our volunteers visiting local schools each week are truly making a difference.”

As a result of In-School Mentoring, 48 per cent of children are less likely to have behavioural problems in school, while 34 per cent are less likely to allow themselves to be victimized or bullied by their peers, according to a release from BBBS.

The partnership, which extends an existing three-year agreement, also allows Big Brothers Big Sisters to dedicate resources to screen and train volunteers, deliver child safety training, liaise with schools, match at-risk children with mentors and provide ongoing monitoring. Island Savings employees have also contributed more than 720 hours of volunteer time to both mentoring and Big Brothers Big Sisters events.

To become an in-school mentor, Big Brother or Big Sister, visit www.bbbsvictoria.com.

Organizers of a May 21 car show at the Langford Costco are seeking support for the fundraiser for BC Children’s Hospital, including monetary donations (a tax receipt can be issued), door prizes and interest from those who would like to participate in the car show. FMI: Nicole Gillis, ngillis99@gmail.com or 250-893-0455

April 26 – Uncork Your Palate fundraiser for the  Victoria Conservatory of Music, 6:30 p.m. at the Crystal Gardens, featuring wines by Naramata Bench Wineries and food from local restaurants. Tickets: $95 – for details call 250-386-5311.

April 26 – Forty Years in Forty Movements, a history of the Victoria Conservatory of Music with Joan Giles, 7:30 p.m. at the James Bay New Horizons Centre, 234 Menzies St. All welcome. FMI: victoriahistoricalsociety.bc.ca

April 26 – RON’s Club (Royal Oak Neighbours) meets for a discussion cafe, “The Future of Saanich?”,  with Coun. Vic Derman and others. Broad ranging discussions including. energy,  food, health, mobility, and waste. All welcome. Due to limited seating interested persons are asked to email info@planetwater.ca Social hour 6 to 7 p.m.; group discussion 7 to 9 p.m.  at Crumsbys at the Schoolhouse, 4525 West Saanich Rd.

April 27 – Deadline to submit your entries for the Esquimalt Photo Contest in one of four categories: Parks & Recreation; Historic Esquimalt; About Town; and People and Activities. Entries will be displayed in the Atrium at the Esquimalt Rec Centre May 15 to 28 and published in a special newspaper section May 16. Mail or deliver entries to: Esquimalt Photo Contest, 818 Broughton St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1E4, or to Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd., Esquimalt, BC, V9L 3P1, or email to promo@vicnews.com

April 28 – Gorge Waterway Clean-Up, from the Tillicum Bridge, around Portage Inlet (including the Colquitz Creek and Craigflower estuaries), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at Victoria Canoe & Kayak Club 355 Gorge Road West. Those who want to participate with the paddling group in the voyageur canoes should wear clothes and footwear they don’t mind getting muddy. Gloves, garbage bags provided.

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & June 5 – Alzheimer Society of B.C. presents Shaping the Journey: living with dementia series, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hillside Seniors Health Centre. Pre-registration required. FMI: Emily Pridham, 250-382-2033 or epridham@alzheimerbc.org

May 4 –  Fantastic Friday, featuring Messy Church and activities for the whole family, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Hall, 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd. at Cedar Hill Road. Free; dinner provided. FMI: 250-477-6741 or www.stlukesvictoria.ca

May 5 – Plant sale at St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, 4733 West Saanich Rd., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flowering baskets, tomato, flower and vegetable plants, heritage plants, dahlia tubers, strawberry-themed items and containers. Refreshment stand.

May 5 – Come for “High Tea” and shop for Mother’s Day, 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Esquimalt United Church, 500 Admirals Rd. Bake sale, silent auction and plant sale. Admission: adult/$10; children/$5.

May 6 – First annual Hike for Hospice along the Westsong Walkway from the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa to Barnard Park and back. All proceeds support Victoria Hospice in providing end-of-life care to local patients and families. All ages and abilities, families and corporate teams welcome. FMI: www.victoriahospice.org or 250-519-1744.

May 12 – M&M Meats Charity barbecue day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit any M&M Meat Shops location in Greater Victoria and Sidney to support the 24th annual benefit for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Enjoy a hamburger or hot dog, a drink and bag of chips for a minimum donation of $3. FMI: www.mmmeatshops.com or www.charitybbqday.ca/home.asp

May 14 – Victoria Fibromyalgia Networking (Support) Group meets, 1 p.m. at First Metropolitan United Church, Quadra & Balmoral (enter from the Balmoral courtyard). Min. $2 donation to cover costs. FMI: 250-381-5202 or 250-381-1182.

May 29 – The Saanich Emergency Program hosts a free individual and family emergency preparedness session for Saanich residents, 7 to 9 p.m. at Commonwealth Place. Learn to plan and prepare before disaster strikes. Register early at 250 475-7600 (Course #470012).