I HOPE our residents will take a page from our American neighbours and GET OUT AND VOTE in our municipal election this weekend. We should be embarrassed with the voter turnout for the Federal election. November 11 should remind us of the incredible price paid by our armed forces and their families fighting to protect our right to vote and so many of us just can’t be bothered, end of sermon. If the turnout at the chamber-sponsored all candidates meeting is any indication, there should be a high percentage of voters going to the polls. Someone once asked me the difference between ignorance and apathy. I told them I didn’t know and didn’t care.

I REMIND you that the Santa Claus Parade is to be held Sunday, Dec. 7, 12:30 p.m., on the usual parade route. Please get your entries in. Forms to be completed, signed and in the chamber office by Nov. 28.

Tickets are now available for the Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet and Auction. The buffet dinner is going to be a cooperative effort of Sushi on the Sea, Stone Pipe Grill and Mom’s Café. You will be getting more than your money’s worth with this meal. The price is $35 per person for members, $40 for non-members. Tickets are available from chamber directors or the chamber office located at the rear of the Sooke Region Museum (Vote “Yes for the Museum,” Nov. 15), 2070 Phillips Road. 250-642-6112. This is the chamber’s main fundraiser of the year. If you have donations for the live or silent auction, they certainly would be appreciated, just call or email info@sookeharbourchamber.com I will pick them up.

If you, or someone you know, would like to sit as a director or executive of the chamber please forward your/their name to the office. The AGM is going to be held on Dec. 2. Please speak to the person before nominating them to ensure they can spare the three or four hours per month commitment.

We are still looking for donations of used or scrap cedar that can be used for either birdhouses or planters. Give me a call; I’d be glad to pick it up.

Some good and positive news to pass along in these often troubling times: Mary P. Brooke of Brookeline Publishing House Inc. has put out it’s inaugural edition of Mapleline. It is described as a magazine covering modern issues through the lens of Sooke. Congratulations Mary. Also, Bob Seright of Sooke Harbour Taxi has a new vehicle on the road in Sooke. It is a late-model van that is wheelchair accessible. Well done Bob. A positive stride in making Sooke more inclusive.

John Zaremba

Chamber manager