Good morning! 

Are you getting egg-cited for Easter Weekend? All puns aside, the Westshore is hosting a variety of fun and family oriented events. For those looking for activities, make sure to check out our list of Easter events, and more, in today’s edition of the newsletter.

— Emma

RECREATION

Hopping into Easter Weekend

Easter is just around the corner and many families are looking for the perfect activity to celebrate the holiday. There are a variety of different events happening across the Westshore ranging from egg hunts, brunches, decorating, and more. Check out our list of family-friendly Easter activities: 

Easter Weekend at Bilston Creek Farm 

Enjoy the weekend at Bilston Creek Farm with their family-friendly Easter activities. From March 29 to 31, check out activities like the Botanical Easter Egg Decorating workshop, let the kids enjoy the bunny hunt and craft corner, and even take a shot at the Hunt for the Golden Egg for the chance to win a prize. Bits of Bliss and Sea Salt Chocolate will also be on site serving Easter-themed treats for you to indulge. 

Easter Breakfast 

Join Colwood Church on March 30 for their Easter Brunch. Starting at 10am and going to 12pm, the event will start with breakfast followed by an egg hunt. All activities are free for participants, and people of all ages are encouraged to join. 

Lions Easter Eggstravaganza

Search for chocolate eggs, join the egg and spoon races, try out the colouring station, and much more at the Lion’s Easter Eggstravaganza. Hosted at Esquimalt Gorge Park by the Gorge Waterway Nature House, the event will run from 11am to 2:30pm on March 30. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on site. 

Spring Market

This March 30 and 31 from 11am to 5pm, head to the Metchosin Community Hall for the Spring Market. With free admission you’ll have the chance to check out local vendors, meet the Easter Bunny, get balloons and glitter tattoos, and even have the chance to win a special Easter basket. The first 30 guests will also receive treat bags, so there is plenty of goodies to enjoy. 

Colwood Easter Egg Hunt 

The City of Colwood is looking forward to its Easter Weekend celebration, planning a day jam-packed with fun activities at Meadow Park this March 30. Starting with a chocolate egg hunt at 11am, followed by activities like live music, cookie decorating, family photos, and more from 11:30am to 2pm. Confirm your attendance on Facebook to save your spot. 

Sooke Easter Egg Hunt

Head to John Phillips Memorial Park this March 30 for a day of free Easter fun. The morning will be split into different time slots by age group for egg hunting where participants will gather as many eggs as possible and exchange them for exciting prizes; families can also enjoy face painting, colouring activities, balloons, and popcorn. Make sure to preview time slots so that your kid can get the most out of the egg hunt.

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NEWS

Restorative justice in the CRD gets a significant boost from the province

Restorative Justice Victoria (RJV) will receive $550K over three years as part of the province’s announcement to allocate $3 million to various restorative justice organizations across BC. Restorative justice, gaining traction in BC and Canada, focuses on addressing the needs of victims and the community while holding offenders accountable. 

Programs facilitate communication between victims and offenders to mend harm and address underlying issues, often involving alternative measures like compensation, apologies, or community service. Peace circles, rooted in Indigenous practices, offer a forum for conflict resolution and accountability. 

In the West Shore, the RCMP's restorative justice program diverts youth from the courts by offering community service as an alternative to charges for minor or summary offences like vandalism. Young offenders, as in the case with the West Shore RCMP's program, may participate in forums where they interact with victims and community members to develop a restitution plan. 

The program emphasizes remorse and accountability, with offenders writing apologies and performing community service. Volunteers play a crucial role in facilitating these restorative processes.

In 2023, the police diverted 24 adults and youth from courts, including two Langford teens caught spray-painting around Starlight Stadium that same year. The youths were required, as an outcome of the West Shore RCMP’s restorative justice forum, to write apology letters, pay a fine, and do community service in the form of park cleanup.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles on how restorative justice works, and its current impact in the Westshore.

Around the 'Shore

🙌 LEGO helps Langford man regain dexterity: Carl White has had a long journey in hospitals since his first issue in April of 2018 when he began experiencing breathing problems. With an array of medical issues, White was stuck in months of rehabilitation and therapy before being discharged, but was still struggling with his manual dexterity. White began to use LEGO to gain back his strength, which has helped with physical therapy and has become a fun new hobby. [Vancouver Island Free Daily] 

🚨 Police investigating cyclist crash: British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating an incident after a cyclist was struck on Millstream Road in Langford by an unmarked RCMP Vehicle. According to police, the incident happened around 2:25pm when an off-duty officer collided with the cyclist and was sent to hospital with serious injuries. The watchdog is looking into whether the cyclist was using the lane and the officers went over the lines, or if the cyclist was not using the bike lane. [CTV] 

🥾 Sooke trail extension aids in neighbourhood travelling: Sooke residents will be able to access walking and cycling trails more easily with the addition of a new pathway extension between the Sun River neighbourhood and Sooke’s town core. The plan is to add a three-quarter of a kilometre segment to the trail, which includes a bridge over Little River. [Times Colonist]

Community Events

🚲 Bikefest: The annual Langford Bikefest is back for its third year in a row, and is a great way to learn more about cycling. With the Jordie Lunn Pump Jam on March 29 and 30, followed by the Broad St. Cycles XC on March 31, Bikefest will also host a variety of other activities to enjoy. Make sure to check out the website for more information and featured activities. 

🎶 Live music: Head down to the Loghouse Pump this March 29 for an evening of country music. Listen to a live performance from Wayne Montgomery from 7:30 to 10:30pm while enjoying the special feature of prime rib and shafts. Loghouse Pub hosts live music every Friday evening, so keep an eye on the calendar to find out who the weekly performer is. 

🎤 Karaoke Night: Enjoy an evening of singing and laughter at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 this March 29 with Karaoke Night. Taking place every Friday at 8pm, bring out some friends, grab a bite to eat, and sing the night away.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Mother Nature at her finest. —Glenys Pumfrey, Colwood

That’s it!

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