* Volunteers and neighbourhood captains in the Sooke region are wanted for a Zero Waste Sooke street clean-up on Earth Day ~ Saturday, April 22. Gloves and bags will be supplied, and local pick-up spots will be arranged. Please let us know via email if you can help! PS Our thanks to Mayor Tait and councillors Berger, Logins and Reay for approving a ZWS community grant request last week that will partially cover our costs for the clean-up as well as two Sooke Repair Cafes this year and a summer workshop by the Victoria Compost Education Centre.

* After 13 years in print, the Rural Observer has gone digital in style starting with this month’s edition. Editor Terri Alcock invites her Sooke region readers to subscribe online and receive interactive e-book versions. Annual ($20) or lifetime ($100) memberships with the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society will help keep the new issues flowing. An essential read and service for all who care about this region’s rural character and natural beauty.

* Juan de Fuca Forest Watch meets again on Tuesday (March 28), 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ed Macgregor Park bandshell. “Lots to discuss, including timely reports of local forestry operations, proposed campaigns and more,” notes Darren Alexander. “Please consider bringing a guest or two. Pitch in $5 and we’ll order pizza.”

* Awareness Film Night and Sooke Region Food CHI present the 7th annual Farm and Film Gala on Wednesday, April 12th. Doors at EMCS open at 6:30 for “stocking up, browsing and noshing in the theatre foyer,” says AFN’s Jo Phillips. The feature presentation Seed:The Untold Story will start at 7:45 and the evening will conclude with gift basket draws at 9:20.

* All are welcome to local food potlucks every Sunday evening hosted by Everything Edible Landscaping‘s Jonathan Francoeur and friends at 6411 Sooke Road. “Bring some food or come ready to learn what you can make for next time,” says Jonathan. “Dine and dash, or stay and socialize.”

* Site C campaigners Janet and Steve Gray from Kairos Canada invite participants to one or more of their ‘No Site C Banner Waves’ in the Greater Victoria region. “We only go out in nice weather. Hope to see you soon!” Learn more here.

* Lights on: Instant BC Hydro rebates at Sooke Home Hardware and elsewhere for select LED bulbs, lighting fixtures and controls until April 13.

* Save the Date: Creatively United for the Planet Festival, April 22 at the Royal BC Museum 

* Bookmark these pages for ongoing coverage of the BC Election on May 9 (just 47 days from now)

* Victoria Times Colonist
* The Tyee
* Vancouver Sun
* CFAX Radio
* In-Sights
* Integrity BC
* Victoria Vision

Other essential links:

* Elections BC
* John Horgan, NDP
* Cathy Noel, Liberal
* Brendan Ralfs, Green

Finally, some highlights from our Facebook page, offered for those immune to the debatable charms of social media …

– Staying sane in (confirmation bias) insane times

– More evidence of why former federal Environment Minister David Anderson told a Sooke audience last week that global warming is the defining issue of our day

– Good neighbours: Companion planting guide (shared from the Sooke Food CHI FB page)

– The art of public engagement: A set of storyboards from the recent Local BC Government Leadership Academy

– Short film: “If you do nothing else with this life, cultivate gratitude”