Lynne, Jill, Tom and Ken signed off on Monday, April 30th. The map has gone to press and we should have maps by the end of May.
Thanks to everyone who helped create this living work of art. There are so many to thank that we are planning a celebration to announce the map to the residents of Oak Bay.

FINALRound2Boards.pdf

As a reminder the Open Houses are scheduled as follows:
1. Saturday, April 28 – St. Aidan’s United Church. Noon – 3 p.m.
2. Monday, April 30 – Mount Doug Secondary School. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
3. Tuesday, May 1 – UVic Student Union Building. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
4. Wednesday, May 2 – Cadboro Bay United Church. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Thumbs up to all the sponsors for your support for today’s Earth Day event. We appreciated that Nils and many Councillors were able to join us. We were thrilled with your appreciation of our community connections and look forward to active collaboration in the future.

Thanks also to Monty Holding, Parks Commissioner for his words of recognition, Ray Herman, Manager of Parks and Recreation, and Chris Hyde-Lay, Manager of Parks Services, who have been very active in designing, building and erecting the beautiful new Uplands Park entrance sign.

Special thanks to “The Bald Eagles” for their great tunes, all of the volunteers and all of you who joined us to celebrate!

See you next year!

•80% of us live in urban centers
•90% of our time is spent indoors
•5% of our time is spent in cars
•5% of our time is spent outdoors
•100% of our time is spent living in natural eco-systems

Dr. Hancock encourages us to “grow people, build community and protect nature.” He believes that governance is central to what we do (relates to community health, planning and development). When thinking about community, he stresses the importance of “capital,” meaning that we should grow human, social, natural and economic capital simultaneously. He talked about the significance of the following goals, using the quote that “A goal is a timeless statement of aspiration”:

•community involvement
•political commitment
•intersectoral partnerships
•healthy public policy

A final quote from his presentation states: “When inequality becomes too great, the idea of community becomes impossible.”

by Councillor Cairine Green

Telephone numbers and email addresses for Oak Bay councillors and the mayor were added to the municipal website this week.

The recommendation was made by an ad hoc municipal committee that presented ways to improve relations between Oak Bay’s political leaders and the public.

Sunday April 22, 2012 12 to 3:30 pm
Uplands Park at entrance to Cattle Point
“Friends of Uplands Park” and the
“Community Association of Oak Bay”

Invite you to bring your family, a picnic and
listen to the music of “Ron Carter and the
Bald Eagles”. Be inspired by Uplands Park.

The music tent and information tables will be at the grassy entrance to
Cattle Point at Beach Drive. Participate in invasive Scotch broom
removal and park clean-up and family activities like a Treasure Hunt,
Bubbles, and Face painting. Ramble on nature walks to enjoy the
wildflowers, rare plants and animals.

Walk with your Community Association starting from the Municipal Hall
at 11:00 am.

This event is supported by Oak Bay Council and Oak Bay Parks Dept.

Contacts: Margaret Lidkea 250-595-8084
Kathleen Matthews 250-598 7995
Jill Croft 250-595-6284

WALK, BIKE, BUS OR CARPOOL!
CELEBRATE YOUR COMMUNITY RAIN OR SHINE!

Active Transportation Advisory Committee

• Charlie Etchell
• Lesley Ewing
• Chris Harvey
• Carol Hubberstey
• Neil Jackson
• Darius Kanga
• David Leach
• Greg Miller
• Kris Nichols
• Gerald Smeltzer
• Tobin Stokes

Advisory Design Panel:

• James Aalders
• Nigel Banks
• Duane Ensing
• Adam Fawkes
• Patricia Wilson

Allan Cassidy Recognition of Renovation & Building
Achievement Awards Panel:

• James Aalders
• Frances Chapman
• Cassie Kangas
• Kris Nichols
• Tim Taddy
• Bronwyn Taylor

Board of Variance:

• Spencer Manning
• Caroline Monahan
• James Murtagh

Community Initiatives Committee

• Audrey McFarlane
• Scott Piercy

Environmental Advisory Committee

• Meegan Armstrong
• Angela Buckingham
• Ron Carter
• Caitlin Currey
• Taylor Davis
• Chris Garrett
• Brian Holl
• Patricia Lane
• Heather Sinnott
• Andrew Stinson
• Noreen Taylor
• Tess van Straaten
• Anita Wolfe

Heritage Commission:

• Ben Clinton-Baker
• Richard Collier
• Gwen Ewan
• Joan Heagle
• Valerie Murray
• Margaret Palmer
• Carl Peterson
• Cora Smith
• Bronwyn Taylor
• Monica Walter
• Patricia Wilson

Heritage Foundation:

• Ben Clinton-Baker
• Marion Cumming
• Gwen Ewan
• Joan Heagle
• Valerie Murray
• Jane Neilsen
• Margaret Palmer
• Jean Sparks (Volunteer Archivist)
• Bronwyn Taylor
• Patricia Wilson

Oak Bay Tourism Committee:

• Ken Agate
• Hazel Braithwaite
• Tom Croft
• Rena Kendall-Craden
• Alf Lyon
• Dave McMillan
• Michael Prescott
• Patrick Tier
• Derek Vair
• Egle Vair
• Shawna Walker

Parks and Recreation Commission:

• Liz Hawes
• Drew Henderson
• Monty Holding
• Victor Lotto
• Rick Marshall
• Sandi Piercy
• Brian Sharp
• Chris Smith
• Brian Yellin

Police Board:

• Wendy Brown
• John Mochrie
• Sandra Waddington
• David Winkler

Wall of Fame Committee:

• Alexandra Devon
• Liz Hawes
• Sandi Piercy

Working Group – Community Engagement

• Jill Croft
• Tom Croft
• Lara Lauzon
• Elise Wickson
• Michael Wilmut

Working Group – Official Community Plan

• Linda Allen
• Jack Basey
• Patrick Frey

Connect.Communicate.Collaborate

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION OF OAK BAY
2012 Annual General Meeting
3pm, Saturday, March 31. 2012

Bamboo Room, Monterey Recreation Centre
Welcome Councillor Pam Copley
Guest Speaker Trevor Hancock PhD
Creating a Healthy Community: A Quarter Century of Experience

by Ryan Flaherty – Oak Bay News
Published: March 02, 2012 5:00 PM
Updated: March 02, 2012 5:12 PM

A stretch of the Bowker Creek next to Oak Bay high school will soon have a very different look thanks to an influx of cash from the federal government.

Conservative MP Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) was on hand Friday to announce that the government is contributing $738,000 to a restoration project that will help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and offer increased recreational and educational opportunities along the creek for members of the community.

“By investing in projects that contribute to cleaner air, cleaner water, and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are helping to ensure the long-term health and prosperity of Canadians,” Wong said.

The money is coming from the federal gas tax fund, which is distributed to municipalities across Canada each year. In B.C., those funds are handed out as grants to communities selected by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

“This project is really a shining example of all governments working together,” said Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen.

Members of the Bowker Creek Initiative, which submitted the restoration proposal to the UBCM, are excited about what the project will mean for the community.

“It’s a watershed moment, because it connects the future with all the work that was done in the past,” said Soren Henrich, who represents the Friends of Bowker Creek on the BCI steering committee.

Much of the excitement during Friday’s announcement centred on the educational opportunities the new-look creek will offer. Oak Bay high school offers courses in marine biology, and this project will not only give them a chance to learn in the natural environment, but could mean the addition of a freshwater biology course as well.

“It’s kind of the perfect storm for us in terms of developing our program, and the fact that we can have our students in essence be creek stewards, and monitor water flow and water quality, and to investigate the rehabilitation of the creek … I think there’s just some great opportunity,” said Oak Bay high principal Dave Thompson.

Early conceptual designs created by the BCI envision a creek-level “viewing terrace” which can double as an outdoor classroom of sorts. The goal is to make the creek accessible for all who wish to enjoy it. BCI steering committee chair Jody Watson emphasized that the final redevelopment will go through design charettes that incorporate public consultation and include input from students, whom she sees as the creek’s future stewards.

“We actually want to work with the school to integrate into their curriculum … the actual long-term monitoring of the creek,” Watson said.

She added that the project also represents significant progress in the BCI’s implementation of its 100-year plan for the watershed, known as the Bowker Creek Blueprint.

“This is a huge catalyst for moving forward and seeing the fulfilment of the vision that’s outlined in the Bowker Creek Blueprint,” said Watson.

That vision is not lost on Jensen.

“This shows that (for) many individuals who have a dream and pursue that dream, this is how it can end up,” Jensen said.

There are no firm timelines for when work will begin on the restoration, but it’s believed that the project will take place at the same time as construction of the new Oak Bay high school, which is expected to open in time for the 2013/14 school year.