Colwood

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

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PHOTO: JESSE HOLLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

COLWOOD sparkles for the HOLIDAYS

Make your holidays bright and joyful. Enjoy time with friends and loved ones with a wander through the sparkling light tunnels coming to Meadow Park in Royal Bay and the magical Forest Lights returning to Herm Williams Park.

3 SIMPLE WAYS to get into the Colwood Holiday Spirit

1

Play together

Bring more joy to your holidays! Colwood is all about playing in nature with places like WildPlay Victoria.

Gather a gang and go climbing, swinging and zipping through the trees, or test your lumberjack skills with a little axe throwing. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground?

Lace up your skates and slip on your mittens and head to Juan de Fuca Arena for some good old fashioned fun. Or skip the ice and head for the green. Colwood is home to three golf courses where our mild climate makes it possible to golf all year round. Ease into it at the Juan de Fuca Golf Course or go the full 18 at Olympic View Golf Course.

Colwood is home to people and organizations that care, like the Victoria Backpack Project, the Goldstream Food Bank and the wellness programs at Pacific Centre Family Services Association.

Now, more than ever, knowing someone cares can make all the difference.

Go to facebook/BackpackProjectVictoriaBC, PacificCentreFamilyServices.org or GoldstreamFoodBank.org

3 Explore special places

Is there any place as magical as a castle? As intriguing as a lighthouse? As beautiful as an old growth forest? As powerful as the winter waves crashing up on an ocean beach?

Colwood is filled with special places to spend healthy, quality time with loved ones this holiday season. Visit Hatley Castle & Gardens and wander the lush forest trails that weave throughout miles of scented forest trails and the shore of Esquimalt Lagoon. Explore Fort Rodd Hill and the iconic Fisgard Lighthouse where history meets nature in the most wonderful ways.

Bundle up and feel the vast power of the ocean as you lean into the wind and the ocean thunders all around you at the Lagoon Beach.

GIFTS & WISHES

Beautiful artwork and handmade gifts created by local artists Saturday & Sunday, November 27 & 28 from 10am to 4pm Pendray House, 3221 Heatherbell Road

Don’t miss this opportunity to find unique and beautiful gifts created by local artists.

Held in the historic Pendray House that sits on the shore of the Lagoon, it’s sure to be a wonderful way to while away an hour or two to get into the holiday spirit.

For one weekend, Coast Collective is turning Pendray House in Colwood into a holiday wonderland filled with beautiful artwork and handmade gifts by local artists.

PHOTO: DOUG CLEMENT

2

Give if you can

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021

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STORMWATCHING at the LAGOON BEACH

PHOTO: ALANNA CANTOR.

The ocean thunders. Driftwood logs tossed like toothpicks.

You lean into the wind. Pink cheeks stinging with sea spray.

The power of nature makes your troubles seem small.

Worries washed away by the storm.

Calm amid the crashing waves.

Colwood: A community that cares C olwood resident Niki Ottosen’s dedication to paying it forward began in 2008 at Christmas time, when she started the Christmas Backpack Project.

Each Christmas, she and her family members and many volunteers put together backpacks stuffed with life saving supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothes, food, personal hygiene items, water and medical supplies for people facing a difficult time in their lives.

Ottosen works as a gardener and spends a lot of time outdoors.

“I know what it’s like to be cold and wet and tired,” she says. “But

I don’t know what it’s like not to have anywhere to go on top of that.”

That first year, Niki began with 20 backpacks that she hoped would bring warmth and comfort to folks who found themselves out in the cold at Christmas.

The Backpack Project has grown each year, thanks to Nikki’s generous heart and tireless work.

She now has the support of many municipalities, including Colwood, where donations are encouraged by dropping them in the bin at City Hall.

Learn more at BackPackProjectVictoriaBC on facebook and share the warmth if you can.

Jennifer leads clients through education and experience providing individuals, families and small businesses direction and a logical plan to build financial security.

DUSTIN FINERTY FINANCIAL ADVISOR

250-920-5192 dustin@colwoodshores.ca www.colwoodshoresfinancial.ca

A warm welcome and a hot drink Spending time in the winter weather makes cozying up by the fire with good friends nearby and your hands wrapped around a warm mug one of the best parts of the holiday season. Pilgrim Coffee House is a great place to meet, relax in a comfortable atmostphere with friendly service and delicious Drumroaster coffee, hot soups and fresh baked goods. Or hit the funky one-of-akind walk up and drive through Sequoia Coastal

Coffee in Royal Bay to take in the breathtaking ocean views and take the chill off. Pair your coffee with a sweet or savoury treat from the Royal Bay Bakery where everything is baked with love.

Looking for something stronger?

The Rose Pub or the 328 Taphouse & Grill will add a little kick to your coffee with the same warm welcome you’ll find everywhere you visit in Colwood.

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Drew loves sharing his experience and unique insights. He is focused on the vision and direction for each client with the persistence to help them stay the course to a secure retirement.