Used Around Town December 2021

Soupa Cafe presents The Gift of Music Campaign – Dec 1-24

Many of you will know about our event called “The Gift of Music” where each year we ask the community to donate their unwanted or unused guitars which are laying around in corners of homes all over the city. In turn, we re-string them and make them as good as new and then re-gift them to families without much for Christmas.

We feed all the families for free on Christmas eve and wrap their instruments, we even buy and wrap gifts for the siblings so the families can just enjoy it!

It’s truly a joyful and beautiful day.

We are asking if you can help join us in our donation drive to raise funds for some additional guitars, guitar tuners, new strings, carrying cases, additional gifts, and the like, or to raise used instruments or even awareness. Everything helps!!

Please learn more about the Gift Of Music and see some sweet pictures please see:

www.thegiftofmusic.ca

To help by donating any amount, no matter how big or small here:

www.soupacafe.com/donate

Local Businesses Support VHF’s Hospital Heroes Week – THANK YOU!

Our hard-working Hospital Heroes continue to give their all and their efforts are felt throughout our community—every hour of every day. They deserve to be recognized for the expertise and compassion they bring inside our Victoria hospitals.

To help acknowledge them during 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤, more than 40 local businesses have stepped up to provide over 115 caregivers with a special gift to enjoy on their day off. Thank you to these businesses—your generosity will go a long way to make our caregivers feel recognized.

Learn more: victoriahf.ca/hospital-heroes-week

Dine Around and Stay in Town Victoria – January 20- February 6, 2022

Easily one of Victoria’s most anticipated culinary events, Dine Around & Stay in Town Victoria gives locals and visitors alike the chance to indulge in some of the destination’s finest restaurant offerings by choosing from a $20, $30, $40, $50 or $60 set menu.

If you opt for the drink pairing, consider making a night of it at one of the participating hotels offering a special Stay in Town rate. Whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly, or luxurious, you’ll find an array of options available at $129, $149, $169, $189, $249.

Enjoy 18 days of culinary bliss from over 50 participating restaurants that have thoughtfully paired their Dine Around menus with wines of B.C, craft spirit cocktails, and B.C.’s finest in craft breweries. If you’re a serious foodie, you’ll want to take an advance peek at the menus and plan to try as many of Victoria’s top spots as possible over the 18 days from January 20th through February 6th, 2022.

Visit Dine Around & Stay in Town Victoria to plan your culinary adventure.

IEOA Light Convoy and Food Drive – Saturday, December 4, 2021

The convoy starts at Breakwater District at 5:45 pm.

Finishes at Westshore Motorsports Park at 8:30 pm.

Online foodbank donation links and more details can be found at: www.ieoa.ca

*convoy route timing is approximate

Nerdy Days of Christmas Craft Fair – December 4-5

Nerdy Days of Christmas is a quaint and nerdy craft fair in Market Square, downtown Victoria on December 4-5 from 11-4. Beautiful makers and artists all with a nerdy flair. Nerdy crafts, art, cards, gifts, totes, soaps, and so much more. Fun for the whole family and for a great cause! Entry is by donation and 100% of the proceeds go to Victoria Hospitals Foundation – Victoria General NICU!

Lasts Chance Christmas Craft Show – December 11-12

Come enjoy a day with family and friends at the Mary Winspear Center as Last Chance Christmas Craft Show celebrates its 32nd year! Presenting an array of unique inspirations from our talented West Coast artists and artisans. Choose from delicate pottery, vibrant jewelry, timeless home furnishings, seasonal decorations, and custom clothing. When you step through our doors, you will find fashionable jewelry, luxurious body and spa products, ceramics, fiber art, glasswork, candles, wearable art, leatherwork, sculpture, metal crafts, woodwork, and much more. Local wines, spirits, and all sorts of delectable food items will also be on display at this holiday event. Whether you are looking for a gift for someone special, stocking-stuffers, or wanting to inspire holiday spirit, we offer it all under one roof!

Lights of Wonder presented by Starlight Investments – December 16-31

Photo by ClickHead

Experience the magic of Lights of Wonder this holiday season!

This year, Centennial Square will once again be transformed for Starlight Investment’s Lights of Wonder! From December 16 to 31, come downtown and enjoy the magical lightscape. Grab your friends, family, or loved one, and visit this free, all ages, and accessible outdoor experience.

Finish your holiday shopping by stopping at Lights of Wonder!

Snap a photo with your special person amidst the lights, and then treat them to dinner at one of downtown’s incredible eateries!

Hit up your favourite bar downtown for happy hour, then check out Lights of Wonder!

Come downtown to witness the beauty of Lights of Wonder. Stay downtown to experience hundreds of unique eateries, shops, and services available in our beautiful core.

For more information on the event as it develops, visit lightsofwonder.ca

Lights of Wonder 2021 is brought to you by Starlight Investments!

Quadra Village Holiday Craft Fair – December 4

Date: Dec 4th

Time: 10-2pm

Location: Quadra Village Neighbourhood Gym (950 Kings Rd)

Please note this is a youth initiative and all proceeds go towards the CREW pre-Employment and Lifeskills Program!

Belfry Theatre presents Serving Elizabeth – November 23 – December 19

Live In-Person – November 23 – December 19, 2021 (Live Streaming – December 7 – 12)

New this season – Pay what you want tickets

Actor and playwright Marcia Johnson was inspired to write this play after watching an early episode of “The Crown” on Netflix. The play premiered in February 2020.

Politics and pop culture collide with unexpected twists as this fascinating new play moves between 1952 Kenya—when an anti-monarchist cook challenges Princess Elizabeth in the moments before she becomes queen—and 2015 London—when a Kenyan-Canadian film student clashes with convention and custom while working on a TV series about the Royals.

The tension between people and politics—imperialism, prejudice, and the irresistible draw of the monarchy—infuses and ignites this exciting new play.

Pay what you want tickets are available at 250-385-6815 or belfry.bc.ca

Saanich Predators’ Buddy Check for Jess Fundraiser – December 3

The Preds are excited to be hosting a Buddy Check for Jesse Fundraiser at our December 3rd home game against the Victoria Cougars. Teams will be showing their support with green tape on their sticks and will also be fundraising for the mental health program that was created by Saanich resident Stu Gershman in memory of his son Jesse.

The program was developed for coaches to deliver to their teams to create an environment where teammates are more aware of potential mental health issues and are prepared to step in with support when they see a teammate, friend, or family member struggling.

Please join the Preds at their home rink at Pearkes Arena to support this important cause on Friday, December 3rd. Stu will be on hand to say a few words and take part in a ceremonial puck drop at 6:30 pm. Tickets are available at the door.

To learn more about Buddy Check for Jesse and download resources for coaches, visit their website. To help the Preds reach their goal of raising $2,500 in support of this important cause, visit their Canada Helps page to make a donation. All donations – large or small – are greatly appreciated!

Christmas Tree Festival and Market – November 27-28 & December 4-5

Come enjoy the holiday season at our 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Festival & Market

Our Christmas Tree Festival & Market will feature artisan vendors, wreaths & decor, food trucks, free hot cocoa, & entertainment.

November 27 & 28 – 10am – 4pm

December 4 & 5 – 10am – 4pm

Can’t make it to the market? Every weekend from November 20th until Christmas there will be free hot chocolate, wreaths & fresh-cut Christmas trees to buy, and a warm fire to cozy up to!

1096 Derrien Place, Metchosin (Victoria), BC

Victoria HarbourCats Baseball – WE WILL BE BACK!

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 and now 2021 seasons due to COVID-19, the Victoria HarbourCats are gearing up for what will be a celebratory season and a return to West Coast League baseball in 2022. Season tickets, 10-game flex packs, gift cards, and merchandise are now on sale through the HarbourCats offices at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, or by calling 778-265-0327. Merchandise, gift cards, and 10-game packs may also be purchased online through “The Cat Shop” at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/.

Try us again for the very first time! Help support the best summertime sports entertainment in the City and lock in your 2022 tickets today! Offices open 10-5 Monday to Friday.

Note: Thanks to all our fans who purchased 2020 and 2021 game tickets or flex-pack vouchers! Please keep them in a safe place and we will happily exchange them for tickets or vouchers to any regular-season game in 2022 once the schedule has been released, likely in the fall of 2021.

For more information, follow the HarbourCats at www.harbourcats.com or at our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/harbourcats.

Light Up the City – Dec 1 – 17

Enter your Christmas Lights display & You could win 1 of 15 Prize Packs!

The Greater Victoria Festival Society is excited to present this year’s annual Light Up the City campaign. We want all of Greater Victoria and the Westshore to light up our cities! Challenge your neighbours, your friends, a local business.

Enter the contest to win 1 of 3 top prizes in 5 categories:

Homes, Apartments/Condos, Local Businesses, Community Organizations and First Nations Communities.

All voters will also be entered into a draw for a separate prize!

Let’s all join together to Light Up the City!

To view the map of displays click here!

DODD’S 23rd Annual CHRISTMAS DINNER- December 17, 18 & 22

“Share a meal. Lift your spirits. Feed your Soul.”

Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress has been in business since 1977. Starting with one small location in Victoria, Dodd’s is now Vancouver Island’s #1 family owned & operated furniture and mattress store. Now with 3 locations in Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River, Dodd’s Delivers just about anywhere on the island!

The Dodd Family’s commitment to being involved in the communities they serve sets them apart in that being local and helping others is part of their core mission. Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress is honoured to partner Our Place Society in Victoria; Nanaimo’s 7/10 Club and Salvation Army Ocean Crest Community Ministries in
Campbell River.

DATE & TIME LOCATION
Friday, December 17th
4:30-6:30 PM
Our Place Society
919 Pandora Street
Victoria, BC

Saturday, December 18th

4 -7 PM
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
100 Chapel Street
Nanaimo, BC

Wednesday, December 22nd
4-7 PM
Salvation Army Lighthouse
1381 Cedar Street
Campbell River, BC

The Q!’s Feed The Need!

We know the face of Victoria’s people in need and marginalized is changing and they are in need of our help. For over 30 years, we have had The Q!’s Help The Homeless which has tried to provide a little relief with our annual clothing and food drive. But this year is a little different due to COVID-19, we are focusing on The Q!’s Feed The Need Drive-Thru, where we are asking that you donate food and cash to fill the shelves in our local food banks and assist the people who use them.

On Friday, December 3^rd The Q! Morning Show will broadcast live from Mayfair Shopping Centre’s Parking Lot from 6am – 9am in an effort to collect non-perishable food, cash, cheques and gift card donations for the many food banks in Victoria and Greater Victoria. Feed The Need will be a food charity/fundraiser drive-thru this year, also if you don’t have cash on hand we will have a handsfree debit machine to make those easy donations!

If you can’t make it to The Q!’s contactless charity/fundraiser drive-thru “Feed The Need” on Friday, December 3^rd between 6am-9am at Mayfair Shopping Centre’s Parking Lot, you can drop off your donations to six Peninsula Co-op locations starting November 29 till December 2.

Drop off locations:

Peninsula Co-op – 4397 West Shore Parkway (Langford)
Peninsula Co-op – 2320 Millstream Road (Langford)
Peninsula Co-op – 321 Wale Road (Colwood)
Peninsula Co-op – 6429 Pat Bay Highway (Saanich)
Peninsula Co-op – 10350 McDonald Park Road (Sidney)
Peninsula Co-op – 6739 West Saanich Road (Brentwood)

Malibu Motors 12 Days of Giving – Dec 1-12

We are excited to announce we are holding a toy drive for CFAX Santa’s anonymous this holiday season!

Anyone can drop a new toy to our office at 2515 Ludgate St or if you would rather donate virtually, you can donate online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/malibu-motors-12-days-of-giving/

All toy donations must be in by Dec 12th to meet the Dec 15th deadline.

We are hoping with some community help this Toyota drive will be a great success for the family’s and kids needing a little extra help this holiday season.

UVic Vikes Basketball is back! – Dec 3-4

Basketball is back in the CARSA Performance Gym at UVic! Hoops fans can catch all the action and cheer on the Men’s and Women’s Vikes teams at their last weekend of home games of 2021.

UVic Vikes vs UNBC Timberwolves

Friday December 3; Women’s tip off at 6pm, Men’s at 8pm

Saturday December 4; Women’s tip off at 5pm, Men’s at 7pm

CARSA Performance Gym, UVic

Tickets give you access to both Women’s and Men’s games that night.

Get your tickets today at govikesgo.com/tickets

Capital Bike December Lights Ride – December 11

Light up your bike, bundle up, and join us on this gentle 10km ride to see some holiday lights and decorations around town!

Meet us at 4pm the Cook St Playground in Beacon Hill Park (100 Cook St) and bring your festive lighting to charm and be charmed on a bike tour of some holiday lights and decorations!

Please register via Eventbrite to let us know that you are coming!

Easter Seals Chip in for the Kids – January 8-9, 2022

Easter Seals’ annual Christmas Tree Recycle, Chip In for the Kids, will be happening January 8th & 9th, 2022. People can dispose of their Christmas tree in an environmentally-friendly manner at one of our 8 locations on Vancouver Island. All funds raised from Chip In for the Kids goes towards Easter Seals programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan.

Lions Club members, along with volunteers from Davey Tree Services (Greater Victoria) and Competition Tree Service (Shawnigan, Mill Bay and Duncan) will be accepting Christmas trees in exchange for a donation at the following locations from 10am to 4pm on January 8th & 9th, 2022:

∙ Tillicum Centre

∙ Save-On-Foods – Fort & Foul Bay location

∙ Broadmead Village Shopping Centre

∙ Westshore Town Centre

∙ University Heights Shopping Centre

∙ Thrifty Foods – Mill Bay Location

∙ Mason’s Store & Patio, Shawnigan Lake

∙ BC Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan

Check out more here! Thank you for the support for Easter Seals!

Victoria Hospice Celebrate a Life 2021

Celebrate a Life offers a unique opportunity for you to honour a loved one during the holiday
season – a difficult time of year for many dealing with grief. Join Victoria Hospice to celebrate
the lives of people we have lost – whether this year or long ago. Dedicate a star or make a
donation in memory of your loved one, light a candle while watching our virtual Sharing of the
Lights ceremony or drop by the Community Support Centre and hang a star on the Hospice Tree
from December 6 – 12.

For tips on coping with grief over the holidays, visit our website at
https://victoriahospice.org/celebrate/

Give the Gift of Beer This Year!

This year, Give the Gift of Beer! Perfect for that family member or friend who never stops talking about how much they love craft beer, or as a workplace secret santa gift for that coworker who insists you try the newest Berliner Weisse from their favorite BC Craft Brewery. The Give the Gift of Beer Bundle includes a Victoria Beer Society “Beer People” t-shirt and a membership to the Victoria Beer Society for 2022, gaining your giftee access to exclusive VBS member events, discounts on upcoming Beer Week and Great Canadian Beer Festival in the fall as well as discounts off of VBS merchandise.