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Happy New Year! Hope the season has treated you well and you enjoyed our brief but intense week of snow. I must admit that it makes me dream of sunny shores and warm beaches….
As always, if you see anything you'd like more information on, or would like to get involved in any of the activities, events or committees mentioned, please get in touch.
The DRA Annual General Meeting took place on Saturday 7th January 2012 at the Cool Aid Downtown Community Centre. Thanks to all the folks who turned up especially when there were so many things going on around town that day.
Kathy Stinson, ED, Cool Aid Society, provided us with a great range of information on the people, resources, goals and results of Cool Aid and their partners in the community.
The Board would like to welcome both Bryan Alonzo who joined us as a new Board Member as well as Lisa Helps who is our new City Council Liaison.
Throughout 2012, monthly Board Meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at Silver Threads on Douglas Street (not the retail unit on the corner, but the larger office to the south). Meetings start at 7:00 pm and once the meetings commence, the front doors are locked (for security purposes).
Meetings may be rescheduled from time to time, in consideration of holidays and other commitments. The date for each meeting is confirmed the month prior at the Board Meeting.
DRA Members and those who are interested in joining the DRA are welcome to attend.
The February meeting will be on Wed 22nd Feb.
Stay tuned for an announcement for the next Roving Refinery. We hope to have the next event planned for February.
The Roving Refinery is a DRA members' social event where you will get a chance to meet other downtown residents and merchants in your neighbourhood.
It is a new calendar year, so we ask members to renew their memberships and invite new members to join us in 2012.
An updated membership form for 2012 is included below.
Please fill it in, snail mail it, email it, fax it, or drop it off. And don't forget to print off a couple extra copies for your neighbours or forward the application to them!! All voluntary donations of $10 (or $5 for the under-employed and retired) are appreciated.
Darb Erickson is a new City employee, working with Michael Hill, as a Downtown Programs Liaison. His portfolio includes Graffiti Management and the Late Night Great Night Strategy.
Come meet Darb, bring your questions, comments and concerns. No pre-registration is required.
When: Wed 14th MarchTime: 6:00 – 7:00 pmWhere: Silver Threads – Main Meeting Room A high-level review these programs is provided below: · Consolidating a comprehensive strategy to managing graffiti throughout the City.
· Partnering with various organizations that are involved with graffiti removal such as the DVBA, VTAG and neighbourhood associations.
· Supporting the efforts of community groups by hosting graffiti-paint out events and providing paints and supplies.
· Developing programs to support businesses that have been victims of graffiti.
· Communication – comprehensive strategy to inform the public of the issue of graffiti and what can be done.
· Communicating the existing resources available to victims of graffiti.
· Communicating the value of the three R’s- Record, Report, Remove· Sending specific properties to Bylaw enforcement that have shown an unwillingness to address graffiti on their property.
· Working with utility companies to address graffiti on their property.
· Partnering with Bylaw and VicPD in the apprehension of vandals.
· Making improvements to the late night taxi stands and other modes of transportation.
· Partnering with VicPD and the Bar Association to further the Barwatch Program.
· Review and recommend improvements to the Late Night Task Force Policing Program.
· Offer leadership to solidifying the mandate and direction for the Multi-Agency Task Force - Police, Fire, Bylaw, Liquor Board.
· Supporting the efforts of groups that are offering evening and late night activity in the downtown (non-liquor focused activities)· Continuing to monitor and minimize issues around public urination, litter, vomit, etc.
· Develop patron responsibility campaigns and branding around the Late Night Great Night Programs.
************************ 1. The first DRA hosted Container Gardening Workshop is coming soon! Details to be confirmed! 2. Seedy SaturdayVictoria’s Annual Seed & Garden Show When: Saturday 18th FebTime: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMWhere: Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St 3. Planning Your Food GardenLifeCycles is offering a workshop hosted by Amy Crook, certified Master GardenerWhen: Sat Mar 3Time: 10am-12pmWhere: Ingredients Health Food Store, upstairs2031 Store StPRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED as space is limited. Please [email protected] or 250-383-5800 to register for workshops.
************************ 603 Pandora Ave – Plaza Hotel/Monty’s Parking Variance – Public Hearing 19th Jan LISA HELPS – COMMUNITY COFFEE HOURSCity Councillor and DRA Council Liaison, Lisa Helps, has organized bi-weekly Community Coffee Hours and invites those who are interested in joining her and other community members in open discussions on a variety of topics.
The next events are:· When: Friday Jan 27, 10am-12pmWhere: Solstice Cafe, 529 Pandora St· When: Friday Feb 10, 10am-12pmWhere: Habit Coffee, 552 Pandora St (Note location change!)· When: Sunday Feb 26,4pm-6pm (Note time change!)Where: Spiral Cafe, 418 Craigflower Rd· When: Friday Mar 9, 10am-12pmWhere: Solstice Cafe, 529 Pandora St Please check Lisa’s website for additional information and other dates as they are posted. http://www.lisahelpsvictoria.ca/ If you’ve been over the bridge, or anywhere near the inner harbor, you’ve probably noticed that work is visibly underway.
However, the latest news posting through the JSB website from 6th Jan 2012, advises that there will be limited navigation channel access until 31st March. So if you plan on being on the water in the harbour, be sure to be aware and be safe.
You can follow news releases and get information on the project at: http://www.johnsonstreetbridge.com/************************ Where: Market Square, Inner CourtyardWhen: Saturdays 11:00 am – 3:00 pm February 4th & 18thMarch 3rd & 17th For more information, check out the website for the Downtown Victoria Public Market Society: http://victoriapublicmarket.com/ The Mayor has made the following neighborhood appointments for the next 18 months: Councillor Isitt (including the Hillside/Quadra NAG) Downtown Residents Association Councillor HelpsFairfield Gonzales Community YMCA HOSTS NATIONAL TOUR OF POLICY DIALOGUES ON THE HEALTH OF CANADIAN FAMILIES Between now and the end of March 2012, community policy dialogues will take place at YMCA associations across the country. These events will allow Canadians an opportunity to share their diverse perspectives about the issues facing families, and discuss how local leaders can use their voices effectively to build momentum around this important social and economic issue University of British Columbia Scholar Dr. Paul Kershaw, will present the recently released Family Policy Report for Canadians—Does Canada Work For All Generations? — along with province-specific findings. His research suggests that Canada has become a far more difficult place to raise a family. “The generation raising kids today is squeezed for time at home; they are squeezed for income because of the cost of housing, even when not ‘poor’; and they are squeezed for services like child care that will help them balance successfully raising a family with earning a living,” said Kershaw. What: Community Conversation on Health of Canadian Families & Family Policy Who: Diverse stakeholders including parents, not-for-profit leaders and members of the business When: Tuesday, January 24th from 12.00 – 1.30pm Where: First Metropolitan Church, 932 Balmoral Road Dr. Paul Kershaw is the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) Scholar of Social Care, Citizenship and the Determinants of Health at the University of British Columbia. He is known as one of Canada's leading thinkers about family policy, receiving two national prizes from the Canadian Political Science Association for his research. ************************ HELP NEEDED TO EQUIP EXTRA EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTERS As winter approaches, help is needed to equip extra emergency homeless shelters for extreme weather conditions. Donations of blankets, self-inflating mats, towels and rain-proof jackets are needed. Donations of money, time, and additional shelter spaces are also greatly appreciated. For more details: Extreme Weather Protocol website For donations and contributions, contact Jen Book, Extreme Weather Protocol Coordinator, at 250.896.4012 or email [email protected] you have time to volunteer, please contact the Sonja Ruthe, the Disaster Management Coordinator at the Canadian Red Cross at 250.382.2043 extension 3609 or email [email protected]************************ OPEN HOUSE: Cook Street Playground in Beacon Hill Park The Cook Street Playground in Beacon Hill Park is close to one hectare in size and is located between Cook Street and Nursery Road, across from the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club. The playground provides play and picnic opportunities for nearby residents and draws visitors from around the region. This year, the City of Victoria will upgrade the aging play equipment to meet national safety standards and to better meet the needs of the community.
You and your family are invited to drop by an open house to share what type of play equipment you’d like to see included. Children are encouraged to participate. Registration is not required. Refreshments will be served.
If you are unable to attend the open house, you can join the conversation by visiting www.victoria.ca and clicking on What’s New? ************************ 2012 Flu Shot ClinicAnyone who has not yet received their flu vaccine should get vaccinated now. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop an immune response. The flu shot is safe, effective and it’s FREE for: People 65 and older, People with chronic health conditions and their household contacts Call today and make an appointment!Quit Smoking Now!Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your health. It's never too late to quit smoking. Start a new year smoke-free! Pharmacare covers: Zyban, Champix, Thrive Gums, Habitrol Patches. Ask Pharmacist for details.
10% Community DiscountWe offer a 10% discount for the members of Downtown Community Network. (*Excludes prescriptions, sale items, and phone cards. Other restrictions may apply.) View St Pharmacy867 View St, Victoria, BC V8W 1K1Tel: 250-361-3773www.viewstreet.ca Thanks for your time! We look forward to meeting you and seeing you at events and in the community throughout 2012! Wendy BowkettChair & TreasurerDowntown Residents' Association

Source: http://victoriadra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/2012-Jan-e-news.pdf