April 2017
James Bay Beacon Planning Meeting: Tuesday April 4 at 7 pm at our office #7-435 Simcoe St. Entrance off Croft St.
James Bay Neighbourhood Association meets Wednesday April 12at 6:45pm (doors open at 6:30), at JB New Horizons, 234 Menzies St. All welcome. To join our email list contact jbna@vcn.bc.ca Find the latest Association news at
JB Community Project board of directors meeting on the first Wednesday of each month, except August.
Mile Zero Matters Conversation Café: “Victoria – Only tourists & trendy home-owners welcome!” April20 5pm at Serious Coffee, #103-225 Menzies St. MileZeroMatters@gmail.com
CHURCHES:
Beacon Communities meets Sunday mornings at 10:30am at 140 Oswego St. (The James Bay Community School Centre). This is a Gospel-centered Christian church. Childcare is provided for ages 3-6. Visit or call 778-400-8562.
Church of Our Lord (Blanshard & Humboldt). Sundays: Prayer Book Service at 8am. Informal Café-style Service in the hall at 9:30am. Sunday School at 10am. Celebration Service at 10:30am. Visit: 250-383-8915.
Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation meets every Sunday morning at 10am in the JB New Horizons, 234 Menzies St. Call 250- 382-6828 for info.
Church of Truth, Community of Conscious Living - (111 Superior St.)Sundays at 11am, Oneness Wednesdays at 7pm. All welcome. Rental space available. Call 250-896-5933 or
James Bay United Church of Canada – SundayService for everyone begins at 10:30am, and Sunday School shortly after that. Come early, come late, but come into 511 Michigan (near Menzies). or call 250-384-5821. Thrift Shop on Fridays from 10am-2pm.
EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL:
Birdcage Toastmasters meets every Thursday noon to 1pm at Legion Branch #127, 514 Government St. Guests always welcome. Join us any week to learn to speak, laugh and grow, all in a lunch hour. http: //8394.toastmastersclubs.org 250-813-1727.
James Bay Toastmasters is a warm, friendly group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at JB Community Project, 547 Michigan St., from 5:30-7pm. Everyone welcome.
Thunderbird Toastmasters meets every Monday evening (except holidays) from 7-9pm at JB New Horizons, 234 Menzies St. 250-480-1900 or
Victoria Beaver Toastmasters meets every Wednesdayfrom 6-8pm at JB New Horizons Centre, 234 Menzies St. Guests warmly welcomed! 790.toastmastersclubs.org 250-477-4700.
The Gardens at HCP – Upcoming workshops: Kids Garden Club 1st Sat. each month; April 1 Native Pollinators; Art of Bonzai; April 8 Native Plant Garden; April 9 Backyard Beekeeping; April 15 Advanced Pruning; April 29 Medicinal Herbs; Plant ID; April 30 Propagating Plants. Fees apply. 250-479-6162, www.hcp.ca
Victoria Floral Artists Guild – Free artistic demonstration “Bamboozled by Bamboo” April 11, 7-9:30pm, 813 Darwin Ave. Techniques for using Bamboo in floral designs, painting, tying, cutting.
Victoria Edelweiss Club Anniversary – Two brilliant pianists playing “JS Bach and Beethoven” April 9, 2pm, members free and guests by donation, refreshments. John at 250-920-9140 for more information.
Victoria Historical Society “Vimy – Myth and Memory” with James S. (Jim) Kempling. What is the real story? Why has this battle, part of a much larger failed allied offensive, played so large a role our national consciousness? Thursday, April 27, 7:30pm at JB New Horizons, 234 Menzies St. $5; free for members.
EVENTS:
Victoria Edelweiss Club Concert Two pianists playing “JS Bach and Beethoven” April 9, 2pm. 108 Niagara St. Members free; guests by donation.Refreshments. Info: John 250-920-9140.
SPORTS AND FITNESS:
Canadian Pacific Lawn Bowling Club Visit our historic green behind the Crystal Garden. .
Victoria Lawn Bowling Club Open House, Sat. & Sun. April 8&9, 1-3pm. Experience the fun of outdoor lawn bowling and croquet. Cook St. at Park Blvd. in Beacon Hill Park. More info: 250-383-5851.
Sunshine Hikers meets every Thursday at 10am. We are a group of mature, active walkers, ages 55+ but all ages welcome. Hikes last 2.5-4 hrs. More info: la_richard@yahoo.com
SUPPORT GROUPS:
Self-Management Workshops by U. Vic Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health. 6 sessions, free, including text book. To register and information about other workshops: , 1-866-902-3767.
* Chronic Pain Self-Management Program – Thurs., April 13-May 18, 10am-12:30pm. Hillside Seniors Health Centre 1454 Hillside Ave.
* Cancer: Thriving & Surviving – Weds., April 5-May 10, 1:30-4pm. Canadian Cancer Society 2202 Richmond Rd.
* Chronic Pain – Thurs., April 13-May18, 10am-12:30pm. Hillside Seniors Health Centre 1454 Hillside Ave.
Al Anon - Is your life affected by someone’s drinking? Call 250-383-4020.
Alzheimer Society of BC – Greater Victoria Family Caregiver Support Group meets monthly at the Church of Truth, 111 Superior St.. Please call 250-382-2052 for information and to register.
Anxiety Management Support Group meets every Thursday with Dr. Tom Lipinski, Registered Psychologist at 6:30-8 pm at 125 Skinner St. This is a free drop-in service offered by Capital Mental Health Association. You may find this group helpful if you have phobias, generalized anxiety, panic attacks or OCD.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria. For more information visit
Blood Pressure Clinic first Wednesday of each month, from 1-3 pm at the JB Community Project, 547 Michigan St. Free drop-in service.
Community Casual Labour Pool, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 12:30pm. Carefully screened workers for gardening and more. Free booking service is offered by the Victoria Cool Aid Society. Call 250-388-9296 to place job order.
Dual Recovery Anonymous - Group meetings are held Tuesdays, 7:30pm at 941 Kings Road. DRA is a spiritually based (12 step) group for those with a psychiatric illness and a substance/behavioural addiction. Info: john.dra@yahoo.com
Empower Your Sober Self: The Life Ring Secular Recovery group meets every Thursday evening at 7:30pm at the JB Community Project, 547 Michigan St.
Family Caregivers Support Group meets first Monday of each month, 7:00-9:00pm at 6-3318 Oak St.. The drop-in group is facilitated by trained volunteers. More info: 250-384-0408 or
Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Support Group meets 3rd Thursday of each monthfrom 10-11:30am at the Community Project, 547 Michigan. Drop in, it’s free.
Police Victim Services - Emotional and practical support to victims of crime and trauma. 250-995-7351 or
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (T.O.P.S.) Meets Fridays at 9:30am at JB New Horizons.
Victoria Seniors’ Advocacy Services, Blanshard Community Centre, King & Dowler, Tues. 9am-noon and Thurs. 1-4pm. Call 250-388-7696
SOCIAL:
Prime Timers, a social club for mature gay men, meets in James Bay. 250-857-6072 or
Newcomer Clubs for Women in Victoria
Meet new friends, enjoy educational speakers and join special interest and activity groups.
* Newcomers Club of Greater Victoria holds a monthly luncheon meeting.
* Victoria Evening Newcomers’ Club for Women holds a monthly dinner meeting.
* Victoria Women’s Newcomers’ Club www.vicdaynewcomers.ca
* Grads of Saanich Newcomers Meet first Thursday of the month at Cedar Hill Golf Club with interesting speakers (reservations week prior, pay as you dine). 778-265-9176.
Seniors Social Connections for older members of our community. Feeling low, bored or alone? Join us for a light lunch, conversation, recreation and special activities. Thursdays 1-3pm. Suggested donation $0-$5. Info: Jennifer 250-388-7844 ext. 334 or email jtessier@jbcp.bc.ca
THRIFT STORES:
Community Closet Thrift Store 435 Simcoe St., James Bay Square Mall. Mon-Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat 10am-4pm.
James Bay United Church Thrift Shop 517 Michigan St. Fridays 10am-2pm.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Thrift Shop 680 Courtney St. 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 10am-12pm.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED:
Recreation Integration Victoria Volunteers need to help individuals with disabilities to become more involved in their communities! Participate in recreational activities while also providing companionship for others. Contact the Leisure Assistant Coordinator at 250-477-6314 ext. 205 or volunteers@rivonline.org.
Rocks needed for activity centre to build stone wall 2 ft by 10 ft. Please leave message for Irene Fraser at New Horizons 250-386-3035.