Christmas fundraiser for the Mustard Seed
Two days of Christmas-themed activities are on tap at the Saanich Gardenworks location this weekend, with something seasonal for the entire family on Saturday and Sunday.
The store’s annual holiday celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. each day. No ticket or pre-registration is required for the drop-in event, which features food, crafts, an in-store raffle and other family-friendly activities — including a by-donation photo with Santa, with proceeds benefiting the Mustard Seed. Organizers are also accepting non-perishable items for donation on behalf of the charity.
Photos with Santa are available through the weekend from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. ($5 suggested donation), but guests are asked to bring their own camera for the photo. There will also be music by The Avalon Singers (Saturday, 2 p.m.) and Skye and Josh (1 p.m., Sunday).
Saanich Gardenworks is located at the 4290 Blenkinsop Rd. For more information, visit . The celebration runs from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. both days.
All-ages walking tour all about salmon spawning
The City of Victoria’s Recreation Bus will take those interested in the regional salmon-spawning season out to western Vancouver Island for a guided walk and tour of Sooke Potholes Regional Park on Saturday.
The Challenging Life Journey of Salmon is an all-ages walking tour led by a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and cultural programmer. The walk explores the natural and cultural history of salmon as it pertains to the popular park located near Sooke. Tours run from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., and 12 p.m-4 p.m. Sooke Potholes Park is accessed via Sooke River Road, off West Coast Highway 14. Price is $15 per person. Start and end time includes time for transportation.
Those planning to attend are asked to leave pets at home. Guide and service animals are welcome. Space is limited, so participants must pre-register at . For more information, phone 250-478-3344.
Gorge waterway forest-planting party
The Gorge Waterway Action Society is hosting a free forest-planting party Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
Gorge Waterway Nature House is the setting for the community restoration event, which is designed to improve urban biodiversity. The free event is open to the public. No planting experience is necessary. The society will provide a range of planting equipment, including gloves, shovels, and plants, which consist of species native to Esquimalt-Gorge Park.
The event runs until 12 p.m. Gorge Waterway Nature House is located in Esquimalt-Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Rd. For more information, visit .
