Aug. 9 - Granny power propels fundraising for cyclists

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NEWS

Grannies hit fundraising milestone

There are superheroes among us—this time, the spandex is for cycling.

Take the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa (VG4A).

Fellow cyclists and eagle-eyed people-watchers may recognize them as the older women in brightly striped yellow, green, and orange jerseys, burning up area bike paths.

Over the weekend, the fundraising grandmothers pushed past the $2M mark in total funds raised across their 17 years of fundraising existence.

“Two million pieces of help,” said spokesgranny Lisbie Rae, 79.

We’ve written about these big-hearted women before. They’re associated with an international movement known as the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, which raises money for the impoverished in Africa.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the people in Victoria who buy our crafts and go to our African dinners,” Rae said.

It’s those dinners, craft sales, and myriad cycling events that have helped to raise the $2M, which has helped pay for education, mobile health clinics, and grief counselling in 150 communities across 15 African countries.

“It took 11 years to raise the first million, and only six years later, they’re celebrating the second,” the group said on its website.

Overseas peers inspire local riders

Rae recalls going to South Africa in 2010 and being moved by a book called Powered by Love: A Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa, written by Joanna Henry and Ilana Landsberg-Lewis.

AIDS was—and still is—taking many young lives, and one particular grandmother wanted—and received—funding to be trained as a carpenter so she could build caskets for the disease’s many victims.

A bleak necessity. But a powerful result.

“[Now], she has a job, she can provide for her family, and more importantly, she can meet her goals of providing for community needs,” Rae said. “These women are so determined to make a difference in the lives of their community, and every tiny bit of help that we can give them is put to good use.”

The group has approximately 50 members—including some soon-to-be octogenarians—taking part in a month-long cycling tour, which begins next week and culminates Sept. 10 at Mile Zero. Many of the cyclists will be arriving on Dallas having just completed a three-day trek from Campbell River.

Read more from our archives.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closure for National Peacekeepers’ Day parade: Admirals will be closed today between Lyall and Esquimalt, and Esquimalt will be closed between Admirals and Fraser. 6:30-8:30pm.

Maria’s Deli closing: After 46 years of business in Saanich, the deli will shut its doors for good Aug. 31.

Rise in Cyclospora infections: The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends thoroughly washing imported fruits and vegetables—especially berries, fresh herbs, and leafy greens—to prevent the gastrointestinal illness.

Missing teen found: The 14-year-old boy reported missing last week has been located.

NEWS

New proposal for Island rail, as CRD begins consultations on transportation future

It’s been five months since the provincial and federal governments reached deadline day for a decision about whether to restore disused Island rail lines. They responded by returning land to the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation, whose lawsuit over land taken in the 1800s under a rail-purposes clause in the Indian Act started the 18-month timer.

Now the Island Rail Corporation (IRC), a private company that brings together stakeholders who want to restore the rail line, is proposing the other 13 First Nations along the line also have their land returned, and receive compensation for the years the land was used without their consent.

For its part, the IRC wants to operate a modern train system along the line, with some re-routing where First Nations want the land used differently. It would like to partner with the First Nations. It also proposes the Island Corridor Foundation, the entity owned by the 14 nations and five regional districts along the line, be put under Indigenous governance.

Early this year, several Indigenous members of the ICF board resigned over the ICF’s reluctance to consider non-rail alternatives. In Indigenous consultations about the line, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure found that rail restoration received “limited interest”.

Other concerns have included the price of resurrecting the line, which some estimates have put at more than $700M.

In March, BC committed $18M to future consultation with the affected First Nations and regional districts.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🎤 An ABBA-themed drag lunch is coming to Victoria later this month.

🌭 Hot dog heaven: After a nearly three-month hiatus, Saint Franks is re-opening this week.

😥 Feeling stuck? You’re not alone. Discover what motivates you at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.*

🎸 Pleasant Company Accepted on CFUV: An hour of indie pop, folk, alternative, and rock music. Wednesdays, 10-11am.

🏡 AirBnB Condos For Sale: View all the condominiums with short-term rental zoning in Downtown Victoria. View the listings, photos, and more.*

🫐 Fresh picked bulk BC blueberries at great prices. MJ Bros Berries is back for another run, bringing Abbotsford blueberries to your door in Victoria. Order your box now until August 11 so you don't miss out!*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Vandalism-interruptus at Bayside School Pride crosswalk: A person trying to paint over the rainbow crosswalk that celebrates the 2SLGBTQ+ community on Wallace left behind a tin of white paint after fleeing the scene Monday at 11pm. Central Saanich Police are asking for nearby dashcam footage. The same Pride crosswalk was vandalised with white paint on July 4.

Shoppers claim to have been devalued at Value Village: A Victoria woman has filed a complaint with a federal agency and the Better Business Bureau after she says a thrift store worker falsely accused her of swapping price tags. The store then allegedly repriced the original tags to a higher figure. A Victoria high school student says she also was falsely accused of swapping tags and adds the thrift store took her photo for security purposes. [Victoria News]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Lighting and Scenic Technician at The Butchart Gardens

• On-Call Administrative Assistant at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Early Childhood Educator or Assistant at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Ages 3-5 Program Team Lead at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

• Payroll Clerk at The Butchart Gardens

• Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Scale Collaborative

• Accountant at Victoria Hospice Society

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

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🗓️ Things to do

🎻 Victoria Summer Music Festival: London’s Marmen Quartet is joined by celebrated viola player Yariv Aloni for the festival finale. Tonight. 7:15-9:30pm at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. [Details / tickets]

​​🌇 Eventide music in Centennial: This week Audio Osmosis presents Pursuit Grooves, Total Chroma, and Psychic Pollution. 6-9:30pm tonight in Centennial Square. Also streamed online.

⚾ HarbourCats playoffs: The ‘Cats can sweep the Wenatchee AppleSox and move to the next playoff round. First pitch at 6:35pm. Tickets here.

🎻 Unfaithful Servants at Butchart Gardens: The traditional folk band will perform tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.

🎥 North of Normal at The Vic Theatre: The drama inspired by Cea Sunrise Person’s memoir will show tonight, 7:30pm.

🎙️ Garden City Harmony: Sing along to some folk, indie, pop, and rock tunes today at this drop-in choir at Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. 5:30-7:30pm.

Upcoming events this week

🛶 Victoria Dragon Boat Festival: Take in the dragon boat racing as well as live performances and cultural demonstrations at the Inner Harbour. Saturday-Sunday.

🎧 Reverb at Phillips Backyard: Phillips Backyard festival returns for its second weekend this summer. Friday-Sunday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: BC Ferries avoids major cancellations and delays over long weekend, Islander awarded Order of BC, Pacific FC retakes #1 spot, and more. [Aug. 8]

Cougar spotted near Playfair Park: Monday’s sighting follows several in other Saanich parks in mid-July, and on the Westshore last week. [Times Colonist]

Sunday’s headlines: Rare octopus nursery discovered off the Island, Victoria company raised $10M to monitor dams and bridges, Gwen Stefani to headline Laketown Shakedown 2024, and more. [Aug. 7]

That’s it!

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