Potentially busy month ahead for Sookies of all ages interested in new possibilities and radical-shift thinking about themselves and the community at large. Here’s a countdown of what’s ahead on the calendar.

1. Awareness Film Night, Wed. Feb. 13 @ EMCS, 7 p.m. A festival of short films of interest to Transition Town disciples followed by three presentations: Frederique Philip on her downtown beautification campaign (which she calls “boatification” for good reason); Susan Nelson & Vivi Curutchet on the Village Farm Ecovillage; and Margaret Critchlow on the Harbourside, the senior cohousing project set for Ralph Hull’s Sooke Ocean Resort

2. Harbourside Information Session, Sat. Feb. 16, 1 to 4 p.m. @ Sooke Ocean Resort, 6669 Horne Rd. Find out more about the senior cohousing and the RRU course. Free Admission but please RSVP to seniorcohousing@gmail.com

3. Video & Dessert Night @ the Little Vienna, Sat. Feb. 16, 7 to 9 p.m. The JDF Cycling Coalition’s Stephen Hindrichs presents his second night of short films and friendly conversation at Sooke’s favorite bakery/bistro. Free admission + coffee, tea and sweet treats at a special price.

4. The Power of Hope @ EMCS, Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 16 and 17. The celebrated Pacific Northwest youth empowerment organization returns to Sooke for the first time in a decade with a special weekend arts and leadership camp titled “Positivity: Creativity, Diversity & Community Building” (exactly what Transition Town’s all about, in other words). Know any teenagers aged 14+ who might be interested? Point them to the EMCS Society registration page.

5. Sierra Club of Victoria film screening,  Wed. Feb. 20, 7 p.m. @ Sooke Community Hall (2037 Shields Rd.). “White Water Black Gold” is about three hikers who follow an imaginary drop of water from the Columbia icelands through the Alberta tarsands focusing on the effects the tarsands is having on our water supply. There is no charge for the event and the club is trying to arrange for the director David Lavallee to be present, at least for the film’s introduction.

6. Seedy Saturday, Sat. Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. @ Sooke Community Hall.  Sooke Region Food CHI Society’s annual seed sale and exchange promoting biodiversity, heritage plants and education. Drop by and say hello to Transition Town core-team member Sofie Hagens at our table.

7. Transition Town Cafe, Sunday, March 3 @ the Reading Room Cafe. Another monthly chance to share ideas, plot practical actions and enjoy lively dialogue with local Transition Townies.

8. Royal Road University presents “Aging Well in Community,” two Saturdays, March 9 and 16 @ Sooke Ocean Resort: Learn how to “get your head out of the sand and enjoy the second half of life.” Led by Transition Town’s Andrew Moore and Margaret Critchlow and limited to 20 participants, so please register early. PS This is the first-ever RRU course offered in Sooke, and the start of many to come, it’s to be hoped!