ADVERTISING FEATURE
Denny Warner Executive Director Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Spatial Mismatch here is a term for the situation where employees can’t or don’t live where their jobs are located. Economists call this “spatial mismatch”. In some cities, this condition is very pronounced. Think of San Francisco, Boston and New York City. And to a lesser degree, consider Vancouver, Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula. When housing costs are prohibitive, workers, especially those who are lower-income earners, are forced to live further and further away from their jobs. We are beginning to see the significant consequences
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“EMPLOYEES ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRAVEL LONGER DISTANCES FOR A POSITION THAT PAYS COMPETITIVE WAGES AND OFFERS A BENEFITS PACKAGE.”
of this mismatch. In the San Francisco area, some restaurants can’t hire servers, so, by necessity, they have gotten creative and have put their patrons to work.There are fine dining restaurants that have become self-serve. Diners find their own tables, get their own water, order drinks and food at a counter, and often bus their own dirty dishes. Perhaps not surprisingly, more people are opting for take-out than eating-in. Locally, a lack of available staff has resulted in Help Wanted signs popping up, and some businesses have had to reduce the hours they are open. In recognition of the growing divide, some cities and regions have developed strategies to connect low-wage workers to good jobs. Many of the jobs that go unfilled are those in the service industry. Employees are more likely to travel longer distances for a position that pays competitive wages and offers a benefits package. Employers are creating entry-level jobs and demonstrating the potential for those positions to lead to a career. Wherever possible, housing is being created adjacent to jobs and transit. Employers are offering predictable and regular hours that coincide with transit schedules and are providing employees complimentary bus passes. Connecting workers and employers across our region will remain an issue for the foreseeable future. Addressing this lopsided supply will require local governments and companies (and organizations like ours) to innovate a Saanich Peninsula solution. Denny Warner, Executive Director
Dreams Really Do Come True
BY BRENDA PYE emember watching Disney cartoons and movies on TV, in black-andwhite, and then the first time you ever saw it all in colour? It was a world of dreams, magic and unforgettable music. It’s no small wonder that Lena Palermo, artist director of the Peninsula Singers, has chosen, Dreams Come True! — The Music and Magic of Disney as the theme for their spring concert series, to bring you memorable selections from the 90 years of Disney music. Beauty and the Beast, sung by Angela Lansbury, has become a classic, as has Robin Williams’ energetic swingin’ Friend Like Me
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and Jiminy Cricket’s earnest Wish Upon A Star. In true Peninsulas Singers’ style, you will hear renditions of these and more Disney songs from the 1930s to today. Hear solos and choral medleys, Reflections from Mulan by the women, and a take on A Pirate’s Life for Me. The Spotlight on a Young Artist focuses on 16-year-old vocal soloist, Abby Blecic. Also featured are dancers from the Allegro Performing Arts Centre, inspired by their recent training and performances at Disneyland. Adding magic to the 60-voice chorus will be MC Jim Kingham, pianist Janet Yonge, percussionist Terry Erskine and
PENINSULA SINGERS PRESENT 0011676664 THE PENINSULA SINGERS Discover the Peninsu 3 x 57 CMYK, ,
APRIL 26, 27 AND 28
bassist, Jennifer Bennet. Proceeds from the Peninsula Singers’ concerts are donated to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation’s music therapy program. Dreams can be aspirations — hope for something in the future, and edged forward into reality by a wish. It is the wish of Lena Palermo and the Peninsula Singers that you will be their guest and join them in Sidney for their performance. Peninsula Singers Dreams Come True!
Apr. 26,27 and 28, Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney Box Office: 250-656-0275 marywinspear.ca
Russell Nursery Presents: Two Talks by 0011673804 LINDA GILKESON, PhD Saturday, March 23 At Kildara FarmsTICE & CO RASSENTI, 11293 Chalet Rd, N. Saanich RESILIENT GARDENS IN A CHANGING CLIMATE LTD 11am – 1pm Learn how extremeMarch weather affects plants,Sales including trees, and how to design resilient food and ornamental gardens, help plants survive ‘weird weather’ and other management tips that will help you become an adaptable gardener. 4 x 56 PROTECTING AND ATTRACTING BENEFICIAL INSECTS CMYK, , 2 – 4pm – Tickets can be purchased through our website or at the nursery – Locallyowned ownedand andoperated. operated.Celebrating Celebrating2626years yearsininbusiness. business Locally
Mary Winspear Centre • 2243 Beacon Ave • Tickets: $28 adults/$14 children Box Office: 250-656-0275 • marywinspear.ca
Located beautiful North Located ininbeautiful NorthSaanich Saanich
1370 Wain Road, N. Saanich, BC
250-656-0384
WWW.RUSSELLNURSERY.COM
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