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Collaboration Matters e recently announced that the Saanich Peninsula Chamber had combined forces with the Sidney North Saanich Industrial Group in order to make the most efficient use of organizational resources in advocating for business on the Saanich Peninsula. Given our Chamber’s mandate to grow community through business, as we have been doing so since 1912, we are pleased to be providing additional focus to the unique interests of the advanced manufacturers on the Saanich Peninsula. Businesses are competing globally, but the issues we face on the Saanich
W Denny Warner Executive Director Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
BY FAYE AT RUSSELL NURSERY illing your seedlings is easy, but so is growing them to become strong and vibrant young plants. Whether you sow your own seeds or buy starts from the nursery, your seedlings will go through a vulnerable stage of babyhood when you must meet their every need. Some simple guidelines and lessons learned along the way: > Use a sterilized soilless seed starting mix when sowing seeds.
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> Seeds need heat, seedlings need light. A heat mat and grow lights will be the most effective investment you can make if you really want to get into seeding. Once the seeds germinate, keep light about an inch above the seedlings, and only turned on for 12 to 16 hours a day.
Peninsula such as transportation, affordable housing, lack of childcare and healthcare, and shortage of skilled workforce, are regional and can only be solved by involving a wide range of geographically represented partners. In order to capitalize on our competitive sectors and the strategic advantage inherent in operating in this region, we need to mobilize stakeholders from business — start ups to established large manufacturers, the school district, post-secondary institutions, local, provincial and national government, health organizations, agriculture, and community groups — to create a strategy in support of
community development. As we work and talk together, gain common understanding, build collaborative capacity — trust will emerge. Regional (cheer)leaders will surface “to inspire, motivate and empower action in a networked, shared-power world” (Regionalism on Purpose, Kathryn Foster). The values we hold in common are greater than those that separate us. Denny Warner, Executive Director
How not to kill your seedlings > Don’t over crowd. Use scissors to snip off excess seedlings if they are too close to separate. > Once they have two sets of true leaves, start to fertilize. Use a weak solution of liquid fish or seaweed. > Always water from the bottom. Your seeds will have been sown into a tray or cell-packs with drainage. Put these into a non-draining tray, add water to the bottom tray, removing excess water after half an hour or so. Watering the top of the soil encourages damping off, a fatal fungal disease of seedlings. Watering from below encourages roots to grow downward seeking moisture. If you want to be extra kind, water with room-temperature
saved rainwater or de-chlorinate > Harden off. Very important, the your tap water by leaving it little plants need to be gradually sitting out for a day or so before acclimated to cold, wind, rain, using. sun. Direct sun can burn leaves if not properly hardened off. Give > Pot on! Don’t allow roots to them partial days in dappled become over crowded and shade, bring in for the night, tangled; move plants up to 4 gradually expose to more weather inch pots. Hot-weather crops and more sun. A coldframe or like tomatoes, eggplant and cool greenhouse makes this peppers need to be started early, transition easier. yet moved to successively larger pots before planting out.
> Leaving the nest. When it’s time to move the seedlings to the > Grasp by leaves only. Seedling be wary of critters. Slugs garden, stems are fragile and easily love tender young shoots. Slug damaged. If you need to separate seedlings that have been grown together in trays, tease roots apart gently with fork or fingers.
bait is the best defense, along with rabbit fencing. Check after dark to uncover cutworms. > Label everything! Did I mention this already? Knowing the variety and date you planted is helpful when planning next year’s crops. Many good growers maintain a notebook listing plants, date seeded, when planted out, and result. Enjoy the harvest! You’ll be glad you got your babies off to a good start, and they will thank you with delicious produce. russellnursery.com
> Label everything! You think you will remember which flat is which, but you won’t. Trust me. > Pinch back. When plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, with two or three sets of true leaves, nip out the top leaves to encourage branching, more flowers and fruit. Technical bit: plant hormone auxin is in terminal (end) bud, and causes vertical growth but suppresses side growth, so you want to interrupt this cycle. Don’t pinch back tomatoes.
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> Rough ‘em up. Brush your hands gently over the tops of the little plants; this toughens up the cells and prepares them for the great outdoors.
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Start Up in Sidney Means New Opportunities! by Susan Simosko PRESIDENT, SIDNEY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA SOCIETY
recent editorial headline in the Globe and Mail caught my eye: Dear Boomers — the economy still needs you. The piece goes on to explain there are many people between the ages of 54 and 72 who would still like to work, at least part-time, and that employers across Canada would be eager to hire them. Yes, I thought, and that is equally true right here on the Saanich Peninsula. Throughout the CRD, and especially on the Peninsula, employers are desperate to identify,
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Family Day Weekend in Sidney Until Mar. 31 Lego Exhibit at Sidney Museum The creative force has arrived celebrating 60+ years of Lego imagination. Admission by donation. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: sidneymuseum.ca Friday, Feb. 15 Watershed Wonders Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Be it a smack of jellies or a constellation of sea stars, “families” come in all different shapes and sizes. On Family Day weekend, immerse yourself in the vast diversity of Salish Sea species through an exciting hands-on all-day program. Friday, Feb. 15, an all-district Pro-D day, the Centre hosts their annual Watershed Wonders event with special guests, games and experiments. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: salishseacentre.org
recruit and hire people who are eager to work, willing to learn and who are enthusiastic. That’s true for all sorts of jobs — from managers to baristas, from receptionists to industrial painters and more. Because Vancouver Island enjoys one of the highest rates of employment in Canada, the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society has initiated a new campaign called Start Up in Sidney (startupinsidney.ca), which includes a job bank, designed to connect employers with potential employees. The job bank is open to all Peninsula businesses to post their jobs, and to all potential employees
to explore the opportunities. Right now, there are dozens of jobs waiting for applicants. Whether you are a boomer, a student, a returning-to-work mom, or a retiree looking for a few extra dollars, take the plunge and consider working on the Saanich Peninsula. Sidney is on the main bus line and many employers offer transit passes and a transportation allowance in addition to other benefits. Give yourself or someone you know a chance to work in Sidney, or maybe to start up in Sidney again. Through Start Up in Sidney, the Sidney BIA is attracting new businesses to town. Sidney offers a
dynamic environment for business opportunity and investment. As well as being a pretty seaside town, Sidney provides free parking: a free employee parking lot is also under construction, and a business-friendly municipal government. Sidney also serves as Southern Vancouver Island’s transportation hub: the Victoria International Airport Authority and BC and Washington State ferry terminals are minutes away. Sidney features a unique downtown with boutique shopping, multiple grocery stores, cafes, pubs, fun recreational and cultural options, and a wide range of world-class
professional services, restaurants and amenities. It offers active business organizations to provide support and networking opportunities. In addition to the Sidney BIA, these include the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the Sidney North Saanich Industrial Group and the South Island Prosperity Group. Some new businesses have already discovered that Sidney is an ideal place to start, relocate and expand. Check out startupinsidney.ca to read their stories and learn about what might be possible for you or someone you know. For a complete listing of Sidney businesses, check out: sidneybia.ca
Feb. 16 to 21 100 Boxes: A Family Day Event ArtSea Gallery at Tulista Park It’s a room full of boxes! Kids can play, create, explore and use their imaginations. Mom and dad can play with them, too! 12 to 4 p.m. Details: cacsp.com
Feb. 17 & 18 VicLug Lego Display, Sidney Pier Hotel Join the Victoria Lego Users Group for two full days of Lego fun. Explore a huge Lego build and chat with the VicLug team about everything Lego. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: sidneymuseum.ca
Feb. 17 & 18 Six-foot Lego Build Old Post Office Building, 2423 Beacon Ave. Join Lego professional Robin Sather for two full days of Lego fun. Help build a massive Lego mosaic and watch Robin complete the six-foot V&S Railway Logomotive build. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: sidneymuseum.ca
Feb. 17 to 28 Lego Scavenger Hunt, Sidney Museum Pick-up your Lego treasure map at the Sidney Museum and explore Sidney. Check out the Lego exhibits at locations around town. Bring your completed map to the Sidney Museum and enter to win prizes. Details: sidneymuseum.ca
Deep Cove Folk Genevieve and the Wild Sundays Friday, March 8, 8 to 10:30 p.m. Soaring harmonies, catchy original songs, foot-stomping fiddling: Genevieve and the Wild Sundays is an all-female quintet that feature the award-winning songs of Vancouver-Island homesteading, guitar playing mama Genevieve Charbonneau. With songs that run from insightful love ballads to rollicking political hootenannies, the music of the Wild Sundays is rooted in old-time country, incorporating Eastern European folk, Americana, and indi-pop. Genevieve and the Wild Sundays have graced stages at Rifflandia, the Islands Folk Festival, and Butchart Gardens and have toured the west coast. Genevieve began crafting tales of love, loss and rural living while home
steading in the Cowichan Valley, in between raising her three sons, harvesting veggies from the garden and hauling firewood to fuel her earthen home. Their songs will stir your heart one moment, make you laugh the next, and wow you with dazzling instrumentation and spitfire lyrics. wildsundays.ca St. John’s United Church,10990 West Saanich Rd., North Saanich. deepcovefolk.ca
Monday, Feb. 18 Free Admission for Family Day Panorama Recreation Centre Celebrate Family Day with free admission to swimming, skating, weight room and fitness classes, sponsored by Peninsula Co-op. Skate from 1 to 2:20 p.m., swim from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Details: crd.bc.ca/panorama
Shop You are investing in your community by supporting its unique businesses. App neighbourhoods different. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an inherent part of the di neighbourhoods; that is what brought us here and will keep us here. Shop local an merchants in your community. By supporting independent businesses today, you are sustainable future for your community.
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February To-Do List for Gardeners FROM DIG THIS GARDENING + OUTDOORS he most frequent question we hear these days is “What can I plant now?” The answer is ‘not much yet’. It’s still a bit cool for most seeds to germinate and the hours of daylight, too few. Not to mention that many gardens are too wet to work. The best resource to answer this question, besides chatting to one of the Dig This staff, is the West Coast Seed Catalogue (available at Dig This). The handy planting chart tells you what you can start indoors, direct seed or transplant each month. Look over your seed starting supplies. Make sure you have what you need: seed trays, starter mix, heat mats, grow lights, and of course, seeds. Consider organic starter mix.
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Start peas and broad beans outdoors. Start artichokes, onions, leeks and parsley indoors. Start Asian greens and radishes under row cover. Prune summer-flowering shrubs like Buddleja davidii, Spiraea japonica, and hardy Fuchsia. They benefit from cutting down hard in mid-late Feb. Don’t prune spring flowering shrubs like Forsythia, Clematis montana, Spiraea x arguta, Buddleja globosa, Viburnum tinus and Ceanothus burkwoodi now. They flower on stems produced after last spring’s flowering, which have ripened over the summer.
“When the forsythia blooms, it’s the signal to prune roses.”
When the forsythia blooms, it’s the signal to prune roses. Clean up your greenhouse and wash the glass. Most hardy perennials can be lifted and divided now.
Cut the tops back from 25 to 50 mm and lift the whole plant out with a fork. Look for a natural line across the plant and cut it with a sharp knife right through. Continue this until you have divided the plant up to suit your needs. Replant the pieces, or pot up immediately and water well. Buy seed potatoes and store the tubers in a light, cool (10°C), frost-free spot and leave them to sprout. This is known as ‘chitting’. Egg cartons make good chitting trays. Make sure you put the tubers with the ‘eye’ end – where the sprouts will grow from – upwards. Dig in overwintered green manures such as winter rye. Top dress overwintered crops, such as autumn planted onions, broad beans and spring cabbage, with compost to give spring growth a boost. Use a good rich garden compost or organic fertilizer. Feed the soil. If you don’t know how healthy your soil is, test the soil first. There are easy-to-use kits available to do this. A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE SOWING
To help the soil warm up more quickly, pull back any organic mulches, then cover with clear or black plastic. Put these in place a couple of weeks before sowing. Prune fruit trees, then spray them at their “pink bud” stage with either a copper or lime-sulfur solution if you’ve had trouble with foliar and fruit diseases. digthis.com
“Assistive listening devices are like binoculars for the ears.”
Hear! Hear!
Attributed to Cynthia Compton-Conley, Ph.D.
High praise for Hear Central Saanich Audiology Clinic f you have ever considered hearing aids to improve your hearing, look no further than Hear Central Saanich. Hear Central is proud to say they are 100 per cent locally owned and operated. At Hear Central Saanich, you have access to products from every major hearing aid manufacturer.
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Here’s what one of their clients had to say: “I was a reluctant customer, not only because it was difficult to admit to being hard of hearing, but also because I was suspicious of being oversold on a pair of hearing aids. What I found and experienced was professionalism, friendliness, and an excellent product for my deteriorating hearing. In addition, when an update, cleaning and some minor repairs were needed, the work was done promptly and at a reasonable cost. I live on Pender Island, and anyone who has the pleasure of living on one of the Outer Gulf Islands knows the challenges (and cost) of
having to travel to Victoria for service. Donna sets up at the Pender Health Clinic every other week and I believe that she also visits Mayne and/or Galiano Islands. When I’ve needed new batteries or had a minor problem with my hearing aids, I can access Donna’s service five minutes from my home. Not to detract from the national companies that have offices in Victoria, but I prefer to support a local, independent business. Donna is a professional audiologist and the owner of this small company, and I am more than happy with my hearing aids, now five years old, and Donna’s service.” — Dr. K.
You’ll find Hear Central Saanich at 7159A West Saanich Rd. in Brentwood Bay. They are open from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 pm., with flexibility for evenings and weekend upon request. They also set up clinics on the Gulf Islands. Visit: hearcentralsaanich.com/home.html
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Things To See & Do on the Peninsula Royal BC Museum FIELDTRIPPER Guided Walk at Island View Beach Feb. 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and Royal BC Museum scientists Heidi Gartner, Invertebrates Collection Manager, and Dr. Joel Gibson, Curator of Entomology, to learn about the fascinating world of invertebrate reproduction. Search the rare dune environment and intertidal zone for flying and marine invertebrates. Be prepared to get your feet wet. Meet at the grassy area adjacent to the picnic shelter off Homathko Road. Suggested $5 donation for Fieldtripper programs. Details: royal-bc-museum-fieldtripperguided-walk-island-view-beach
Insurance. saanichtonvillage.ca St. Mary’s Church, 1973 Cultra Ave. ISSAMBA Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. An unforgettable evening to the depths of African rhythms. ISSAMBA, an interactive musical spectacle, showcases African roots, rhythms and music, featuring world-renowned African-born artists. Issamba means “come together” in Cameroon. Immerse yourself in a mix of African instruments, traditional rhythms, and dancing styles. 90-minute show allows a glimpse into the rich and diverse musical culture of Africa. Mary Winspear Centre.
Saanichton SPAGHETTI SUPPER Mar. 6, 6 p.m. Saanichton Village Association community spaghetti supper that includes entertainment by Knacker’s Yard. Tickets: $15. Purchase at Fresh Cup & SeaFirst
Centre For Active Living 50+, 1229 Clarke Rd. (next to the library) Brentwood Bay. SPEAKERS SERIES Friday, Mar. 15, 2-3:30 p.m. Speaker: Ann Nightingale Topic: Nesting Local birding expert returns to The Centre to talk about “nesting birds.” From tree tops to ground nesters, learn about the interesting world of birds. Admission is by donation. Refreshments served. Everyone welcome. Details: 250-652-4611. central saanichseniorscentre.org Join the Centre for more activities Meet new friends at whatever activities you enjoy – luncheons, teas, interesting speakers, fitness, dancing, card games and others, choir, crafts, bingo, Sunday socials.
Elk Lake Spring Regatta MARCH 2-3, ELK LAKE BOATHOUSE, 5100 PATRICIA BAY HIGHWAY
ounded in 1973, the Elk Lake Spring Regatta brings together Pacific Northwest rowers to race on the legendary waters of Elk Lake. Elk Lake is home to the waters of the Canadian national rowing program. This regatta is hosted by the athletes of the UVic Vikes men’s and women’s rowing programs, UVic Athletics and Recreation, and Vikes parents and alumni. Athletes must be registered members of their provincial sports organization and Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) to participate. US entries must be registered with
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USRA. Entry deadline is Feb. 27. UVic is home to the most dominant intercollegiate rowing program in Canada, and fosters an environment that, for over 50 years, has consistently developed countless national, world and Olympic champions. UVic rowing is currently recruiting strong, athletic and selfdriven individuals who want to be part of this program. Whether you have rowed for years or excelled in another sport, if you are interested in rowing at UVic, you can connect with them during the Elk Lake Spring Regatta.
Sea Cider Community Events
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Brave the cold at these community events this month. Sea Cider will be pouring for two full weekends of Be A Tourist Your Own Hometown — Feb. 22 to 24 and Mar. 1 to 3. Grab a Be a Tourist VIP card for three free samples, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for VIPs. attractionsvictoria.com On Thursday, Feb. 14, from 6:45 to 10 p.m., on Valentines Day, do something different with the one you love at the Valentine’s edition of Acro Date Night at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse. Acro Date Night is a chance for you to connect with the one you love on a physical and emotional level. You will move through partner stretching, playful acro yoga and Thai massage. Expect to laugh a lot. Includes cider tasting for each person and a charcuterie plate for each couple, and a gift bag. You will leave feeling more connected to your partner and feeling great for the rest of your weekend. Space is limited to 19 couples only and you must pre-register. katiethacker.ca Details: seacider.ca/event/acroyoga-date-night/ 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd. Saanichton. Phone: 250-544-4824.
Permaculture Program for Youth
avenhill Herb Farm, located on the Saanich Peninsula, brings the world of organic and regenerative farming to South Vancouver Island schools. This Island-based farm provides Mediterranean-like climate and views. A herb farm since the early 1980s, Ravenhill has provided culinary herbs to restaurants and has served as a
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beacon of community activity. Today, they are preserving the farm’s legacy while adding their own trademarks of organic life. Ravenhill’s knowledgeable instructors provide an exciting, hands-on approach for students through their permaculture programs. Upper level students receive classroom-based technique and
theory along with practical learning. Younger students enjoy practicalbased farm and animal care along with games to make learning fun, exciting and memorable. Learning areas include seeding and planting, preparing beds for planting and for winter, working with compost, manure and mulch, collecting and cooking food,
fermentation techniques, intro to medical herbalism, creating herbal products, hatching chicks and growth observation, animal care for goats and chickens, intro to sustainable farming, forest plant walks and flora and fauna observation, and more.
What is Permaculture? Permaculture is a philosophy of agricultural and social design,
intended to create regenerative living systems. Permaculture holds a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Ravenhill’s programs are available to schools in the Greater Victoria area. The farm is located at 1330 Mount Newton Cross Rd. ravenhillherbfarm.ca