35 replies to this topic

[phx]

I went to the Saanich levee, which featured refreshments and live music.

The poor people were easy to spot as they were labeled. They seemed to be enjoying the event.

[Rob Randall]

Regional mayors host 2011 City Hall levees

By Robert Randall • Published on Friday, December 31, 2010

Acting Mayor John Luton will swing open the doors of Victoria City Hall’s antechamber at 9 a.m. January 1 as the City hosts its annual New Year’s levee.

The hour-and-a-half-long event is an opportunity for citizens to meet informally with the mayor, councillors and neighbours over coffee and snacks.

more...

[Bingo]

 

A recent strong solar storm is expected to give Canadians across the country a special New Year's Eve northern lights show.

The aurora's swirling colours may light up night skies as far south as 50 degrees geomagnetic latitude, says the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This means that cities along the Canada-U.S. border and farther north might get a chance to see the display.

People who want to increase their chances of seeing the lights should try to get away from light pollution, look north, and hope for clear skies.

And if you miss out tonight and tomorrow, the space weather agency is predicting an even stronger storm on Jan. 2.

A possible downside to the display is that massive solar storms can disable satellites and affect radio signals.

http://www.cbc.ca/ne...3384756?cmp=rss

 

[Rob Randall]

Anyone go this year? I saw photos of the Victoria one. Helps, Young, Thornton-Joe and Isitt were there, Alto is on vacation apparently. No sign of the three new TV rookies I am told.

[Victoria Watcher]

it’s a French and British settler thing.

[Rob Randall]

That's what I was thinking. I mean, it's not mandatory or anything but the Levee is something you're kind of expected to be at if you're on Council. Especially the newbies.

 

So why was Ben there? It may be a colonialist event but Ben wouldn't miss meeting his people. He'd attend the opening of a car door.

[Victoria Watcher]

Meet the Honourable Janet Austin, the 30th lieutenant governor of British Columbia, at the annual New Year’s Day levee at Government House on Wednesday. Visitors can stop by to socialize, enjoy light refreshments and be entertained by the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid a long lineup to meet the lieutenant governor.

 

_________________________

 

Mayor Lisa Helps and members of council are hosting the City of Victoria’s New Year’s Day Levee.

The theme of this year’s levee is climate action. Special guests talking about the city’s new Climate Champions Program include the founders of the Nulla Project, a new and innovative reusable-cup service in Victoria.

 

______________________

 

Meet the mayor and council at the Township of Esquimalt’s New Year’s Day Levee 2020, a time-honoured tradition that dates back to 1947. Light refreshments will be served.

The event runs 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser St.

 

https://www.timescol...rity-1.24041439

[Victoria Watcher]

Families can get a healthy start to 2020 with free admission to the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre on New Year’s Day.

 

Get an energizing workout at the Fitness on the First class from noon to 1 p.m., or join the Everyone Welcome Swim from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The facility will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day.

_____________________

 

Start the new year off with free swimming 1 to 3 p.m. at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre and free skating 1 to 2:50 p.m. at the Archie Browning Sports Centre on New Year’s Day. For more information, go to esquimalt.ca.

 

https://www.timescol...rity-1.24041439

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 December 2019 - 12:19 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Events that have been cancelled

• There will be no New Year’s Day levee at Government House this year. Levees planned by the City of Victoria, the District of Saanich, the Township of Esquimalt and the Bay Street Armoury have also been cancelled.

• The Polar Bear Swim from Glass Beach in Sidney has been cancelled.

• Activate 2022, a family-friendly New Year’s Day event set for Jan. 1 at the Beban Park Recreation Centre in Nanaimo, has been cancelled.

 

 

https://www.timescol...ictions-4912100

[A Girl is No one]

There will still be a couple of polar bear swims AFAIK: esquimalt lagoon and whiffing point.

[Mike K.]

Do you mean Whiffin Spit in Sooke?

[Victoria Watcher]

The Otter Point Volunteer Fire Department hosts their annual Polar Bear Swim at Whiffin Spit. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. with a cannon start at noon!

When: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday January 1st
Where: Whiffin Spit, Sooke

https://www.victoria...f-the-new-year/


Why do you need to “register”? In the old days you just showed up and did it.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 December 2021 - 10:17 AM.

[A Girl is No one]

Do you mean Whiffin Spit in Sooke?

yes sorry

[todd]

[Victoria Watcher]

You can welcome the new year with music, attend one of the last levees open to the public or a take cold dip to clear out the cobwebs.

 

For many Victorians, the new year is an opportunity to attend a traditional levee at various levels of government and the Armed Forces. The pandemic and many of the restrictions on large group events led to a cancellation of almost all of the customary gatherings in the past two years. Some events have returned this year, but still with restrictions.

 

The most popular event has always been the New Year’s Day Levee at Government House, which has opened its doors to the public on the first day of the year since 1871. Its doors were closed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are opening them again this year. The bad news is that the event, which typically sees 1,200 to 1,500 well-wishers showing up to meet the Lieutenant Governor, has been capped at 500 and all the invitations have been taken.

 

https://www.timescol...ew-year-6314199

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 December 2022 - 04:43 AM.

[todd]

Happy New Year!


-Todd