Five Hole for Food – Help the Mustard Seed Food Bank

It's no secret that a good deal of my news concerning special events comes from social media via Twitter and Facebook. So, when Dixon Tam tweeted me about Five Hole For Food, I was only more than happy to help promote this fundraiser/foodraiser for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. I've known Dixon virtually for several years now; Five Hole For Food is his volunteer commitment. It will be an added bonus to meet him in person. What is Five Hole … [Read more...]

I LOVE Esquimalt – Buccaneer Days and more!

I LOVE Esquimalt! Where else can can adults dress up as pirates for the annual Buccaneer Days, and parade around yelling "Arrr matey"! Our family lived in Esquimalt for over 20 years. It was a wonderful place to raise children, with easy access to schools, the recreation centre, library, shopping, parks and beaches. A highlight of our year was always the annual Buccaneer Days - from the early morning "wakey wakey" call shouted through … [Read more...]

Quadra Village Day 2011

Who doesn't love a free, family-friendly, all-ages celebration? Especially when food is involved. You'll find all that and more at the 9th annual Quadra Village Day, Saturday May 7th from 9:30 am to 1pm. I've been actively involved on the planning committee since shortly after moving to the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood in 2006.  It's wonderful to see people pulling together - businesses, not-for-profits, citizens (young and old), community … [Read more...]

#yyj Twitter #Fooddrive Results & Update

Saturday December 4th saw the Victoria BC #yyj Twitter community join together in support of the Mustard Seed and Westshore Food Banks.  Rocky Mountain Soap, Fiber Options and Jamtots agreed to be our drop off spots. Thanks to Scott McDonald  (aka @FootButterGuy) of Rocky Mountain Soap for the updates for Victoria proper(Megan from Fiber Options – now EcoEverythingBC – took the donations from her store to Scott). There was a total of $146 … [Read more...]

Pecha Kucha Night 4 Victoria BC, Generational Knowledge Transfer

Here’s the presentation that Jaryd Zinkewich and I did at Pecha Kucha Night 4, Victoria BC, November 25 2010.   From our Pecha Kucha introduction: “Jaryd Zinkewich and Janis La Couvée originally met through Twitter and Social Media Club, and discovered, despite several decades of age difference, that they shared many of the same values and ideas concerning community, connection and engagement. They worked together on Twestival … [Read more...]

Community Engagement – Talk at #smcv10 Social Media Camp, Victoria BC October 3 2010

I had the opportunity recently to speak at Social Media Camp #smcv10 in Victoria BC. Social Media Camp is the brain child of Paul Holmes, Idea Zone, and Chris Burdge, B West Interactive. I've known Paul and Chris since early 2009, ever since getting involved in Victoria's social media scene.  Paul is the co-founder (with Catherine Novak) of Social Media Club Victoria, the first Canadian chapter of the much largerSocial Media Club. Chris is a … [Read more...]

Official Launch of The Road to Port Hardy

Today was the day! After 18 months of training which included 7500kms of riding, 14 centuries, and 25 trips up to the Observatory, Frans Jonker@fransjonker left on his solo unsupported 4 day,  525 km ride from Victoria to Port Hardy. The Road to Port Hardy is a fund raiser for the BC Cancer Foundation. Before he'd even left the house Frans had a message from CHEK News that they would be at the launch of the ride at 7:30am Mile Zero, Victoria, … [Read more...]

Volunteering for the Victoria Fringe Festival

It's no secret - I love theatre, especially the Victoria Fringe Festival. Every summer since 2007 I have made the last two weeks of summer my staycation, working half days, volunteering in the afternoons and fringing away like crazy into the wee hours of the morning. Why? I'm a failed thespian; star of high school drama, and student in the U of C theatre department before becoming "serious" about life. Although I did manage a role as … [Read more...]

Clean Safe Community Picnic – Harris Green (1100 Block Pandora) Saturday August 21st 2010

A few days ago I received information about a community picnic being organized by two "ordinary" women in the 1100 block Pandora, Victoria BC, on Saturday August 21st. Please support this initiative if you believe, as I do, that we benefit from creating the community we want to see.  Kudos to the women involved (who at this time are anonymous). Photo by KFoodAddict on Flickr Clean Safe Community Picnic Dear Neighbour: We hope … [Read more...]

Road to Port Hardy Silent Auction, Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach realtor Marc La Couvée and Sharyn from the Crown Mansion have organized a silent auction in support of The Road to Port Hardy by Frans Jonker@fransjonker August 16th - 19th. Frans' 525 km solo unsupported ride from Victoria to Port Hardy is a fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation. All monies raised remain on Vancouver Island, for the care of cancer patients and their families, as well as to support research. The Crown Mansion … [Read more...]