Lorien is the owner of Sooke Mountain Cycle and a skilled rider, riding these trails for many years. If you are interested in learning more about riding these areas, I’m sure Lorien would be more than happy to give you all the knowledge you need.

Please visit their website: http://www.sookebikes.com/

Don’t forget to check out their new location as well. For all your biking needs in the Sooke area, please support our local businesses.

Thanks for the videos, Lorien.

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/147811/

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/147821/

http://www.pinkbike.com/video/147819/

I first heard about this idea for a community radio station a couple of weeks ago and I thought this was an amazing opportunity for us all. The benefits of this station for the area would be tremendous, allowing important information to reach the community in case of emergencies, or special news bulletins.

But they want the community to be involved in coming up with a name.

So, put your creative hats on and let’s find something suitable. All potential names will be forwarded and decided on by committee members.

So, what we need you to do is this.

Below this post you’ll see an area to leave a comment. Please leave your name and email, don’t worry, we won’t use this for marketing purposes, and tell us the name you’d like this new station to be called. Be creative. Have fun and let’s get the ball rolling!

Another business, Stone Pipe Grill, stated: “It’s a real loss for Sooke Both as fabulous restaurant, contributors to the community and nice people.”

I feel that sums it all up. I know Mrs. DiscoverSooke and I have always enjoyed our meals there, whether it was last minute take out or a sit down meal with friends, the food, the staff, the ambiance will be missed.

I am glad for the times we’ve had there and I wish the staff and the owners the best of luck in the future.

Thank you.

WCG: Hey DISCOVER SOOKE, have you heard about the new Training for Innovations Fund designated to assist BC Small Businesses access training funds for their staff?

DS: No, WCG, please tell me more.

WCG: The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development has established a new initiative, the Workplace Training for Innovation Pilot Program (WTIP). The program is designed to provide funding to eligible employers with less than 50 staff for the employee training of their choice, delivered by the training provider of their choice. Through WTIP, employers decide on the training and the training provider best suited to assist them to improve productivity, enhance competitiveness, and/or introduce new technology, equipment, or work processes. There are hundreds of training options available across the province for employers to choose from, including colleges or private training institutions. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development has not pre-approved nor endorsed any courses, programs, or training providers with respect to WTIP.

For more information, please visit the WTIP website www.aved.gov.bc.ca/workplace_training_program or contact the Program Administrator (Chemistry Consulting Group Inc.) toll-free at 1.877.365.5757.

DS: So what does this mean for the members of the Sooke, WCG?

WCG: That’s the exciting part DS. WCG is poised to deliver a myriad of programs to meet the needs of Greater Victoria Small Businesses interested in taking advantage of this tremendous opportunity. WCG delivers customized training on a range of topics including:  Adapting to Change for Improved Business Results, Increased Productivity, Conflict Resolution, Human Resources, Leadership and Team Dynamics, Coaching for Improved Performance, Effective Marketing Using Web 2.0, PEAK Retail, Customer Experience, Career Development for Non-Career Development Professionals and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.

DS: Is there a time limit on how long people can wait to apply.

WCG: There is DS. Businesses are encouraged to apply immediately, but training can take place any time within the next 6 months.

DS: What do you suggest as next steps for interested businesses?

WCG: Very simple, they can email training@wcginternational.com and we’ll set up a time to sit together and discuss their individual needs and how we can be of assistance.

DS: Simple is right.

WCG: Simple and so beneficial for businesses. What’s the hardest thing to budget money for if not staff training? This is a win win for everyone because we all know that engaged employees are productive employees and productive employees are like little cash generating machines

DS: Thanks for the info WCG, how can we help you spread the word?

WCG: This has helped tremendously DS, and I hope anyone who has the chance to read it will share it with others who may be able to benefit from it as well.

GK, as she also goes by, is a fairly new person in Sooke and has been spending a lot of time spreading the love for Raw Food and learning about the benefits of living a Raw Food lifestyle.

So what is Raw Luck? Well, it’s a Raw Food Pot Luck of course.

The first Wednesday of each month, Kelly puts on a Raw Luck. So bring a friend and bring a dish!

You can follow Green Kelly on Facebook to get all the latest information and the when’s and wheres for the next Raw Luck.

Just click here to go to her page: Raw Luck information

Of course, how cool would it be to see what the first Raw Luck was like. No worries if you couldn’t make it. Green Kelly made a video of the event last night. (June 2, 2010)

Be sure to watch it and don’t forget to register for the next event.

Here is a quick blur about their hiking business.

“Rainforest Tours offers guided adventures into the spectacular beauty of Vancouver Island’s temperate rainforests. From lush rainforest canopies and hidden waterfalls, to colourful and rich tidal pools teaming with diverse sea life, the parks we explore will take your breath away.

Rainforest Tours experienced guides are highly skilled and eager to share their love and knowledge of the natural surroundings.

Whether you join a guided hiking tour or create your own customized adventure, your day will end with your senses truly indulged and your thirst to experience Vancouver Island’s rainforests fully satisfied.”

For more information about Toni and Rachel and their hiking company, please visit their website. Click Here.

For more information on the Sooke Region, please visit the official Discover Sooke website here.

Resurrected on 2.5 acres,  the Sunriver Allotment Garden consists of about 60 plots for use by local families. The idea behind the garden is to both build awareness about local food production and enhance the community within Sooke. For just $50 residents can rent a garden plot for the season to grow any variety of flowers, fruits and vegetables they choose. The garden enables people to grow their own produce who either don’t have access to land with optimal gardening conditions or who are looking for a rewarding, community-enhancing experience.

The community garden offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to designing a garden in one’s own backyard. One of the practical advantages is that the garden is surrounded by proper deer fencing and rabbit wire. The garden also makes provisions for all the critters and pests that typically gravitate to gardens. For example, volunteers are gearing up to create small pond-like areas for frogs and toads, to encourage the natural culling of pesky worms and bugs, and rock piles (the “Scream Zone”) will be assembled as safe havens for snakes, natures pure approach to rodent management. In fact, everything in the garden’s infrastructure is as eco-friendly and natural as possible. And, nearly all of it was donated by local businesses and organizations.

This is part of the magic of the Sunriver Allotment Garden; it’s a true community project. From the individualized plots, giving the grounds charm and character, to the beautiful gazebo—a communal gathering place, to the artistically-painted work shed, the garden shines as an example of what the Sooke community is capable of.

DiscoverSooke recently spoke with Phoebe Dunbar, Sooke Food CHI volunteer and driving force behind the project; watch the video below.

The official garden dedication takes place on Saturday, June 19 at 6pm with the Solstice Potluck Garden Dinner Party. Celebrations will take place in the Sunriver Garden Gazebo, donated by Sooke Marine Industries. Everyone is welcome!

The Sunriver Allotment Garden is located on Phillips Road, north of the entrance to Sunriver Estates. If you would like to volunteer or garden with the Sunriver Allotment Garden please contact Diane 250-704-8699 or  Phoebe at 250-642-4342.

Don’t forget to check out the official Discover Sooke Online website to learn more about Sooke businesses and our community: www.discoversooke.com.

She is dedicated to helping people achieve their wellness objectives by combining education and experience that encompasses traditional Eastern, Alternative, and conventional Western philosophies.  Various treatment methods are used such as acupuncture, natural health / nutritional supplementation, homeopathics, and diet and lifestyle counseling to help heal the body holistically and naturally.
Diagnostic testing include metabolic & nutritional profiling, allergy testing, hormone testing,  and live blood analysis.

Shelly and Lee recently moved to the Sooke community after spending the better part of two years building their new home.  Both are from small communities, Maple Ridge and Port Alberni, and having decided to build their life together in Sooke, they look forward to meeting everyone and being part of the local community and West Coast lifestyle.

Areas of Focus:

Metabolic and Nutritional Profiling
Homeopathic Remedies
Needle Acupuncture
Laser Acupuncture (painless, harmless, non-invasive alternative to traditional needles)
Allergy & Hormone Testing
Natural Health / Nutritional Counselling
Detoxification / Oxygenation
Acid / Alkaline Balancing

Education:

Diploma  -  Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncturist (Shang Hai  Acupuncture & TCM College of BC, Canada – 5 year program + 2 year Science pre-requisites)

Natural Health Doctor  (Shang Hai Acupuncture & TCM College of BC, Canada – additional 1 year program, DTCM degree pre-requisite)

Certified Biofeedback Specialist   (Natural Therapies Certification Board, Quantum Center of Excellence)

Certified Orthomolecular Microscopist   (International Society of Orthomolecular Microscopists, Dr. Gary Jackson, MD, ND)

Reflexology Levels I, II, III   (Touchpoint Reflexology, Yvette Eastman, Director)

For more information on Shelley and her new company, please visit her website: http://www.islandintegrativehealth.com/

It took us about an hour and a half to drive there from Sooke. The directions we got were really good and had no problem in finding this plot of land which has been slated for clear cutting at any moment.

Regardless of your stance on forestry and the industry, there is something to be said about any large first growth trees and just leaving them be.

We wandered around for an hour or so taking in the lush west coast rain forest and forest floors lush with ferns and moss.

There are two sides to the Avatar Grove. The upper grove and the lower grove. We managed to wander around the lower grove and Mrs. Discover Sooke is 8 months pregnant and the steep trek up to the upper grove proved to be a little hard for her to manage.

After we left, we decided to take the rest of the Pacific Marine Circle route to Duncan and Cowichan Bay to eat some dinner, then head back to Sooke on highway #14.

There were MANY people driving this newly paved route and many people camping alongside the route. On of the nicest stops we made between Port Renfrew and Duncan was the Harris Creek Canyon. The road follows along this river for many kilometers and we stopped a couple of times to take in the roaring water crashing through the canyon, which can be seen on this video. The sun was out and the weather couldn’t have been better for this trip.

Please enjoy.

In line with a theme of diet conducive to autism treatment, the cuisine offered up at this event will be Gluten Free, Casein Free.

Here, in point form, are the specifics”

Nathan and Allison Forget Autism Fundraiser: May 11, 2010

- Stone Pipe Grill

- arrival 5:30 p.m. – dinner at 6:30 p.m.

- 55 seats available

- cost: $50 / person

Itinerary: – live music by a quartet from the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra

- cocktails and silent auction between 5:30 and 6:30

- dinner from 6:30 to 9:00 with Mead education by Bob Liptrot from Tugwell Creek Meadery: the first meadery in western Canada

- Silent auction closure after dessert.

Treatment options are available, but pricey. A good turnout on May 11 will really help the Forgets.

GFCF WINE DINNER FOR AUTISM

1

Turkey salad: organic turkey rillette and pistachio pate with cold-pressed exotic greens juice, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and greens-fibre masa tuille.

2

Crab burger: Dungeness crab cake on grilled ghee-brushed gfcf bread, dill hollandaise, lettuce chiffonade, and chardonnay-pickled cucumber with reductions of sweet corn and red pepper juices.

3

Woven tapestry of salmon and halibut with fried prawn pakoras on crispy quinoa risotto and roasted squash with green curry coconut cream and spiced mango coulis

4

Charbroiled double lamb-loin chop with Cognac coconut-cream demi on braised leg and diced potato latke with rutabaga, carrot, and turnip coulis

5

Belgian-chocolate almond torte with fireweed-honey sponge toffee and vanilla-bean Better cream

Contacts: Patrick Irwin and Debi Anderson from the Stone Pipe Grill 250-642-0566 or Kathleen and Trevor Forget 250-642-2808

For more information, please read the Sooke News Mirror article: Click Here