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A staycation in B.C.’s glorious capital never looked better!
This year, travellers who shared their experiences on Tripadvisor have picked one Victoria hotel as the best in all of Canada.
The Magnolia Hotel and Spa, conveniently located in the city’s downtown core was described as “outstanding”, particularly while operating during the pandemic and therefore took the cake for best hotel in 2020.
“The hotel staff, were organized re COVID-19 precautions…and most courteous, and efficient in satisfying our requests,” reads one testimonial.
The rankings are compiled by Tripadvisor each year based on reviews, ratings, and saves shared by travellers around the world.
The Magnolia was the only hotel to crack the top 10 in Canada, however Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn ranked #12 and the Long Beach Lodge Resort took the #15 spot.
(Finlayson Street at Douglas Street / ItkasanImages)
If you’re an island driver, you may want to check ICBC’s 2019 list of the most dangerous intersections on Vancouver Island. Believe it or not, most of the intersections that had the most collisions were within the Greater Victoria area.
The list is released annually. ICBC President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez says the report is meant to ensure that the public is “well-informed” and “supported.” Customers are able to customize the information they are viewing or download the data in its entirety.
With 101 vehicle collisions over the course of 2019, the Admirals/Mckenzie/TransCanada Hwy came in first place—which comes as no surprise with all the construction at that intersection over the past year.
(ICBC)
Seven out of the remaining nine intersections are within the Greater Victoria Area, with only two coming from Nanaimo—Bowen Rd/Island Hwy and Mostar Rd/Island Hwy.
In second place, just a few short blocks from the Island’s most dangerous crash site, is number two: Douglas St/Mckenzie Ave/Pat Bay Hwy.
Basically, what we’re hearing is: Victoria highways are some of the most dangerous on the Island.
It wasn’t just vehicles that ICBC collected crash data for. They also released a report detailing the most dangerous spots for cyclists.
Surprisingly, the most dangerous intersection for cyclists on Vancouver Island is nowhere near a highway. It’s the left-turning lane onto Gordon Head Rd from Mckenzie Ave—just a few blocks west of the University of Victoria. There were 12 cyclist collisions during 2019 there.
(ICBC)
Just one block down from the most dangerous intersection for cyclists is its runner up: Mckenzie Ave and Shelbourne St, which saw 11 crashes in 2019.
Tied for third are Catherine St/Esquimalt Rd, and Pandora Ave/Vancouver St Both saw 10 cyclist accidents during 2019.
If you’re a driver and you find yourself anywhere near these intersections, it might be good practice to keep an eye out for cyclists!
ICBC has been keeping this data since 2015. In that time, the intersection in Victoria that has seen the most driver-related accidents (318 in a four year period!) is Douglas St/Finlayson St—perhaps no surprise there.
For those who would like to view some of this data for themselves, check out the report on the ICBC website.
From a kid friendly walk to arts and trivia, here are five things you can do to battle the Monday blues.
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Without further ado, here are five things to do today, Monday, August 10th:
Meet at the small (dog) beach for a nature walk with stops to give thanks, meditate, listen, and explore. All at a child-friendly pace. Be sure to bring a snack.
For rounds of complete random obscure knowledge including movies, music, sports, science, geography and possible things found in a hardware store …who knows!
When: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Christies Carriage House Pub, 1739 Fort Street
Join the Downtown Community Centre for Art Studio time in the gym. All supplies provided. No experience necessary. Every other Monday, there will be a range of creative workshops that will focus on specific skills. This will include everything from watercolour to poetry and more!
PLEASE NOTE: There is limited capacity due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions. All participants are required to sign up for sessions either in-person at 775 Pandora, email at dcc@coolaid.org, on the phone (250)-383-0076, or via Facebook.
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where:Downtown Community Centre, 755 Pandora Avenue
Online life drawing is open to members and non members alike. The same as our in-person sessions, all skill levels are welcome. In fact, beginners may be even more comfortable working in their own space to begin with. If you have any concerns about group gatherings or our in-person sessions are full, this is a great option.
Cost: $10 Members, $15 Non Members
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Xchanges Gallery and Studios, 2333 Government St Suite 6E
Saanich Council meets at 7:00 p.m. on most Monday evenings. Agendas and minutes are available at the Municipal Hall or online. You can attend in person or watch the live webcast, available at saanich.ca.
From nature walks to live music, Victoria Buzz has your event planning covered for the weekend of August 8th to 9th.
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice social distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Hands up if you’ve missed live music! We know we have, and the Mary Winspear Centre is bringing it back for a summer concert series featuring exclusive performances to small groups of fans.
Alex Cuba is a Latin Grammy/Juno winner and singer-songwriter who has a vast musical vision and is not tied to tradition. Along with his sugarcane-sweet melodies, his pop-soul hooks and powerful guitar riffs smash the typical stereotype of the Latin music landscape.
When: Thursday, August 6th – Sunday, August 9th – all shows at 7:30 pm
Take part in a Sunrise Yoga on Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Seaside Terrace every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 7:00 am to 8:00 am, beginning July until September 30.
Each class will be taught by Spa Manager, Tina Lyons. Teaching yoga for over 10 years, Tina offers a breath-focused Hatha/Vinyasa moderate style of yoga suitable for all yogis.
The drop-in fee is $15 per person which is donated to a different charity each month.
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel will be donating proceeds raised in August to Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
One of Victoria’s largest weekly summer farmer’s markets is back for its 29th year at a new and expanded location to help vendors and customers practice proper physical distancing. Enjoy fresh, local produce, delicious food and handmade goods.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Sir James Douglas school grounds and Moss Street and Thurlow Road boulevards
Non-profit group SUPPLY Victoria redistributes art, office and school supplies and provides education programs for youth and adults alike. This Saturday they’re bringing back their creative reuse workshop for in-person instruction! Planet-saving, physically-distanced crafting will be offered for up to 25 people. Email coordinator@npna.ca to reserve your spot or try dropping in to get on the sign-up sheet.
Sooke farmers provide fresh produce, plant starts, home baking and preserves. Fine artists and crafters showcase pottery, jewelry, fabric arts, woodwork, body care products and inspired west coast art. Talented musicians play every week!
Local Artisans are coming to Hillside Shopping Centre this August! Held in the outdoor parking lot behind Marshall’s Department store you will find up to 50 local vendors! With proper health guidelines in place, you will be able to safely shop while respecting social distancing.
You will be able find locally made home decor, children’s wares, bath & body, jewelry, art, sweet & savoury treats and more! We will be doing multiple giveaways leading up to the event, you do not want to miss it!
When:
Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Hillside Shopping Centre, 1644 Hillside Avenue #21
The Market supports and promotes a sustainable and vibrant local agricultural industry and artisan community by providing an outlet for the farmers and artists.
If you grow it, make it, or bake it, come sell it at Goldstream Farmers Market in the heart of downtown Langford.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Goldstream Farmer’s Market in Veterans Memorial Park
The walk will start off with a one-hour discussion, followed by a one -hour “light” version of a forest therapy walk.
Reconnect with yourself and nature through a mindful walk in the beautiful Gardens at HCP.
An ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide will offer you a unique “forest bathing” experience, an “immersion” into the space of trees, plants and the beings of the forest and gardens. During a guided walk, the guide will offer you a series of “invitations” or suggestions, to help you to slow down and connect with your senses.
Daniel Cook is a singer-songwriter-guitarist & Norm MacPherson is a guitar virtuoso. With duelling guitars and sweet vocals, they fuse contagious folk melodies with timeless country stories. The final mix is a blend of ambient instrumental classical & jazz flavours, creating a fresh brand of original West Coast Roots Music. Reservations highly recommended.
Tally-Ho is now offering a Tally-Ho & Sea Cider Picnic Experience for a limited time: it’s a three-hour long carriage tour showcasing the Saanich Peninsula, and including a complimentary coffee or tea from Fresh Cup Roastery Café, a flight of six award-winning ciders selected by Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, and a fresh gourmet meal prepared by Truffles Catering.
When: Sunday, 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:45 p.m.
Where: Tours depart from Fresh Cup Cafe & Roastery (101-1931 Mt. Newton X Rd, Saanichton, BC)
Dreamland Silent Disco & Social Club hosts two Silent Dico Yoga sessions at SeaCider on Sunday. Admission gets you a wireless headset which allows you to hear the live DJ during the one-hour yoga class, taught by Salt Spring Island local Amy Haysom. Also enjoy a complimentary cider tasting, along with coffee, tea, or bottled water from SeaCider. Note that you’ll need your own yoga mat!
When: Sunday, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: SeaCider, 2847 Mt. Saint Michael Road, Saanichton
Bring your own discs for a 6-hole course designed for experience levels of all kinds. Never even heard of disc golf? That’s okay too! It’s exactly what it sounds like: players take turns throwing a flying disc to try to get closest to a target. Be sure to follow posted COVID-19 safety plans!
The VNCS Heritage Committee invites you to join walking tours of some of the early Japanese Canadian pioneers resting in the Ross Bay Cemetery.
From Manzo Nagano’s second wife, Tsuya and daughter, Haru to Yoshitaro Muneyama, the earliest Japanese to be buried, to a marker for the Oriental Home, we will help bring life to these former lives and places. The tour will start at the Kakehashi monument, meaning bridge, to represent both the journey of the pioneers who came to Victoria from across the Pacific and also the joining of two cultures that contribute so much to our society today.
When: Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to -3:00 p.m.
Where: Ross Bay Cemetery, Meet at the corner of Stannard Avenue and Fairfield Road
Remember to preregister for the guided walks (groups of 6 for social distancing). Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of this special property. This land has been under conservation ownership since 1947 so nature definitely has a strong presence here.
The Mary Lake property has 7 different ecosystems, contains a 7 acre lake with various riparian areas and both the Earsman and Millstream creeks which are part of the 13,000 year old watershed flow thru it.
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary, 1772 Millstream Road
All day Happy Hour and Drink & Think Trivia. So you think your’re smart?! Grab your friends and head down to the Times and flex your brain muscle and win some prizes!
Victoria Police are seeking information about suspects in a random, unprovoked assault in the Burnside-Gorge neighbourhood.
At around 2 p.m. on Thursday August 6, police were dispatched after receiving reports that a 64-year-old woman was assaulted while taking a picture of a dog at in Burnside Gorge’s Cecelia Ravine.
According to a statement from VicPD, the victim reported that she was working in the gardens at the nearby community centre when she saw a black Labrador dog sitting alone by the ravine.
Concerned about the dog’s safety, she went to take a photo of it with her phone. While doing so, she was randomly assaulted from behind by a man.
The report says she was pushed over to the ground, and that the man took her phone and threw it into the ravine.
After this, the suspect and a woman accompanying him took the dog, went to a nearby tent, packed it up, and left.
The victim, in the meantime, says she went back to the community centre to call police. She sustained non-life threatening injuries during the incident and declined medical treatment. Her phone was found in the ravine, damaged beyond repair.
The suspect and the woman accompanying him had left the area when police arrived.
He is described as a slim Caucasian man in his early 20s, standing 5’6″ tall. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a football jersey with the number 44 on the back, a baseball hat and shorts.
Police say the woman accompanying him had pink hair, was wearing a crop top, and riding an orange bicycle.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Victoria Police at (250) 995-7654 ext 1. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 50 new test-positive cases and three new epidemiologically linked case of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number of cases in B.C. to 3,934.
In total, 1,143 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 2,045 in Fraser Health, 146 on Vancouver Island, 385 in Interior Health, 93 in Northern Health region, and 69 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has spiked by 15 to 386 in B.C.
There are a total of 11 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No new deaths were reported today, and the death toll stands at 195 in total.
A total of 3,353 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Public health officials are also currently monitoring over 1,500 people who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Outbreaks
One new health care facility outbreak was reported in the Fraser Health region Friday, bringing the total to six active outbreaks in the province’s health care system.
Public health officials continue to monitor all outbreaks at health care facilities, and the two ongoing community outbreaks in Haida Gwaii and at Fraser Valley Packers in Abbotsford.
No new community outbreaks were reported today but multiple community exposures have been recorded.
“As we see new COVID-19 hot spots emerge and the new cases creep up in every health authority, we have to keep our firewall strong,” reads a statement from the Ministry of Health Friday.
“Like a wildfire, COVID-19 has the potential to rapidly burn out of control and we need to put out these flare-ups.”
B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
One new COVID-19 case was reported in the Island Health region today.
There have been 147 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, five of whom have died, and 137 people have recovered.
This means there remain five active cases in the region.
Thus far, there have been 276,739 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 40,864 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 19,197,449.
Over 715,680 people have died from the illness and 12,301,524 have made a full recovery.
VicPD are hoping to return a large amount of stolen jewelry with the rightful owners after seizing the items during a traffic stop on Thursday.
Police say they conducted the traffic stop at approximately 4:30 p.m on August 6 in the 200-block of Menzies Street.
The vehicle was driven by a known property offender and officers observed a large amount of stolen property in the vehicle.
The man was arrested and officers recovered a large amount of items including shoes, sunglasses, power tools, purses and jewelry.
Police also seized a replica firearm. The file remains under investigation.
VicPD are working to reunite the stolen jewellery items with their rightful owners.
Anyone who recognizes the jewelry or who has information about the stolen items should call the police non-emergency line at 250-995-7654, and press option 1 for the report desk.
Those wishing to report information anonymously can call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will be marking National Peacekeepers day on Sunday with a flyby over Victoria.
A CC-115 Buffalo aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron will conduct a flyby over the city around 7:15 p.m.
The event is subject to weather and operational requirements and the RCAF says that all flybys are carefully planned and controlled to ensure public safety.
“Members of the public are reminded to maintain proper physical distancing practices in line with their provincial health guidelines while observing the flyby,” the RCAF said in a release.
The Buffalo will fly overhead at an altitude no lower than 500 feet above the highest point of the flyby route, before resuming a higher altitude for the return trip to 19 Wing Comox.
A dangerous driver caught on dashcam was stopped by a spike belt deployed by RCMP just south of Duncan on Highway 1 Thursday afternoon.
RCMP received multiple 911 calls around 4 p.m. as the driver made their way north along the highway, passing through several jurisdictions.
One of the callers was Shanepreet Gill, who captured the driver on his dashcam.
In a clip Gill sent to Victoria Buzz from his dashcam, a light green Range Rover passes him on the shoulder at high speed while traffic is just beginning to travel northbound after a red light.
Then, in a second clip from a few minutes later, the vehicle passes at high speed again as Gill approaches Fisher Rd on Highway 1.
“It was the second time that he almost hit my rearview,” Gill said in a phone call with Victoria Buzz. “I was a bit frightened. It was maybe a few millimetres away.”
A dangerous driver caught on dashcam was stopped by a spike belt deployed by RCMP just south of Duncan on Highway 1 Thursday afternoon.
Cst. Pam Bolton with the Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP says that officers attempted a traffic stop with the Range Rover, but it took off.
Officers did not pursue due to concerns of public safety.
Gill says the traffic stop is what put the vehicle behind him again before it passed once more.
“He must have been going upwards of 150 km/h,” he says.
RCMP then deployed a spike belt just south of Bench Rd in the northbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway, which caused the vehicle’s tires to deflate and eventually come to a stop.
The driver was arrested a short distance from his vehicle.
Officers closed the highway for just under an hour while they investigated on scene and cleared debris.
The suspect is a Victoria man and remains in custody. The RCMP say he will likely face numerous charges but are still investigating.
Police are asking the public to report to police in their jurisdiction if they witnessed or were involved in incidents involving an older model light green Land Rover/Range Rover.
The vehicle was potentially involved in incidents anywhere between the city of Victoria and the south end of Duncan along the Trans-Canada Highway Thursday afternoon.
Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a two-vehicle collision near Mayfair Shopping Centre Friday morning.
Shortly after 9 a.m., Victoria Police were called to the intersection of Douglas and Finlayson Streets for a report of a two-vehicle collision.
The driver of a vehicle travelling northbound on Douglas Street ran a red light and collided with a southbound vehicle stopped at the red light.
The drivers of both vehicles suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the southbound vehicle was transported to hospital while the offending driver did not need medical treatment.
According to police, a passenger in the suspect’s vehicle fled the scene and went into a nearby business. He was found by officers while he was disposing of drugs at the business and was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
He was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver of the northbound vehicle failed a standard field sobriety test (SFST) for drug-impaired driving. He was served with a 24-hour driving prohibition, a violation ticket for driving without due care or attention, and a violation ticket for invalid insurance.
Anyone with information is asked to call the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. Call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to report what you know anonymously.
Statistics Canada’s monthly Labour Force Survey for July shows a positive trend for employment rates in British Columbia and across Canada.
In B.C., there were another 70,200 jobs added to the labour market last month which, when combined with the jobs created in May and June, makes up for 50 per cent of the jobs lost in March and April at the height of the pandemic.
Wholesale and retail trade, along with food services and accommodation, increased by 48,300 jobs in July.
The provincial unemployment rate is at 11.1 per cent, after falling by two points last month, which is slightly higher than the national unemployment rate which is now at 10.9 per cent.
“For the first time, Statistics Canada has included race-based data in its monthly survey, which will help provide a fuller picture of who’s being impacted by changes in the job market,” said Michelle Mungall, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness in a statement.
“From this first report, we see that South Asian, Arab and Black Canadians are seeing significantly higher unemployment rates across the country.”
Across Canada, 419,000 people returned to work in July, on top of 953,000 jobs created in June.
According to StatsCan, the overall unemployment rate dropped from 13.7 per cent in May to 10.9 per cent in July, falling 1.4 percentage points for the second consecutive month.
However among visible minorities, the unemployment rates were higher. South Asian Canadians are experiencing a 17.8 per cent unemployment rate, Arab Canadians are at 17.3 per cent, and Black Canadians are at 16.8 per cent.
Before COVID-19, the national unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent.
VicPD have seized a pellet gun that they suspect was used in a shooting that damaged a window at City Hall, and is linked to a second shooting in the area.
The staff member was uninjured. Police say that the damage was consistent with a projectile being fired at the window from outside.
Evidence from the scene indicated that the window was most likely damaged by a compressed-air style air gun such as a pellet gun.
During their investigation police learned of a second pellet gun shooting in Centennial Square.
The second shooting is believed to have occurred sometime in the week of July 25th and damaged multiple windows at the McPherson Playhouse at 3 Centennial Square.
Police say the damage at the theatre is estimated to be several thousand dollars.
Officers seized a pellet gun on Tuesday that they suspect is associated with both of these incidents from a person in Centennial Square.
There have been no arrests to date.
VicPD say that replica firearms have been involved in 59 different incidents across Victoria and Esquimalt from January to August 2020.
The shootings at City Hall and the McPherson Playhouse remain under investigation. Police are seeking assistance from anyone who may have information about these incidents.
Those who wish to report information can call 250-995-7654 and select extension 1 for the report desk.
Anyone who wishes to report anonymously can contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
UPDATE: The missing 13-year-old has been located as is safe, according to the Comox Valley RCMP. In a release, they thanked the public for assisting in their search.
— original:
Comox Valley RCMP are seeking public assistance in their search for missing teenager Jenessa Shacter.
According to police, the 13-year-old girl was visiting family in the Comox Valley region when she went for a walk in downtown Courtenay on Thursday, August 6 and has not been seen since.
“Jenessa was visiting family here in the Comox Valley. She went downtown Courtenay, said she was going on a walk, and agreed to be back after 45 minutes” said Cst. Monika Terragni in a statement.
“It is not completely unusual for Jenessa to leave and not indicate where she is going; however, she is not from the Comox Valley and is not terribly familiar with the area” she added.
Shacter stands approximately 5’5″ tall, and has blonde/brown hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a short black shirt, black shorts and a denim jacket, and carrying a “Hello Kitty” purse.
Anyone who sees her or knows where she may bee is asked to contact Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-
800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca.
Gimme a T! Gimme a G! Gimme an I! Gimme a F! TGIF!
Here are five things to do in and around Victoria this Friday.
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Without further ado, here are five things to do today, Friday, August 7th:
Vancouver Island Brewing is opening up their patio for some socially distanced eats and treats. This week they’re hosting The Very Good Butchers, a local producer of handcrafted vegan meals. Vancouver Island Brewing will also feature their vegan certified beer, for the perfect pairing.
When: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Island Brewing, 2330 Government St.
Theatre SKAM brings a pop-up show to Royal Athletic Park with a theatre mounted on the back of a flatbed truck! The family-friendly content is created by four young local artists and is free to watch. If you enjoy the show, you can also talk to SKAM about booking the pop-up theatre for your own neighborhood!
The farm season is already past the halfway point but you can still find plenty of fresh, locally grown and produced goods at Victoria Public Market on Friday. This week K&L Orchards in Gordon Head will be bringing in the market’s first harvest of local figs! Check them out along with other local producers like Silver Rill Farm, Oceanview Farm, Cure Charcuterie, French Oven Bakery, and so much more.
Non-profit meal program Red Cedar Café now has a restaurant space, and they’re inviting the local community to eat, drink, and celebrate their grand opening! The company has provided over 15,000 free meals to those in need since COVID-19 hit Victoria. Red Cedar Café relies on donations from the public and a pay-what-you-can model to supply folks with badly needed food. Come down and say hello!
Quaranbeats, an online concert series presented by Vinyl Envy and Pacific Knorth will feature local band The Purrverts. The Purrverts describe their sound as “psychedelic, noir, spaghetti western inspired” and uniquely them.
The BC Centre for Disease Control has identified a flight carrying one or more COVID-19 patients that departed from Victoria and landed in Calgary last week.
Passengers travelling on WestJet flight 538 travelling on July 29 from Victoria to Calgary are advised to be aware that they may have been exposed to the virus.
According to the BCCDC, passengers seated in rows 5 to 11 are in particular danger of having been exposed to COVID-19.
Affected travellers are asked to monitor their symptoms for 14 days and call 8-1-1 to get tested if they do develop symptoms of the virus.
Since late March, the BCCDC has not been contacting passengers who sat near a confirmed patient during their flight.
Instead all travellers must check their website to find out whether they have been exposed to the virus.
Since the beginning of June, multiple international and domestic flights have landed in or departed from Vancouver with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Last month, an Air Canada flight landed in Victoria with a similar exposure advisory in place.
Vancouver Island’s biggest event for Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon is back – and though it may look a little different this year – the prizes to be won are bigger and better than ever!
For 5 years now, UnWined has featured local food and beverages, auction, wish moments, entertainment, a raffle, and more, and has helped to raise awareness and funds to grant wishes for island children living with critical illnesses.
This year, due to current restrictions, the popular event is going virtual – and that’s how UnWined Outside was born!
UnWined Outside runs all summer 2020 (from June 20th to September 22nd), and wraps up with their UnWined @ Home event on September 22nd.
Support Make-A-Wish Foundation BC & Yukon this year in a few simple ways:
1. Visit your favourite food and beverage partners this summer
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 46 new test-positive cases and one new epidemiologically linked case of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number of cases in B.C. to 3,881.
In total, 1,143 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 2,045 in Fraser Health, 146 on Vancouver Island, 385 in Interior Health, 93 in Northern Health region, and 69 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has spiked by 20 to 371 in B.C.
There are a total of 11 people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, five of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No new deaths were reported today, and the death toll stands at 195 in total.
A total of 3,315 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Public health officials are also currently monitoring 1,518 people who have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Outbreaks
Two new health care facility outbreaks were reported in the Vancouver Coastal Health region Thursday, bringing the total to five active outbreaks in the province’s health care system.
However there have been several new exposure events including one at a U.S. registered marine vessel with Canadians on board, where ten crew members tested positive.
Local, provincial and federal health authorities are monitoring this outbreak, according to Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Public health officials continue to monitor all outbreaks at health care facilities, and the two ongoing community outbreaks in Haida Gwaii and at Fraser Valley Packers in Abbotsford.
B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
No new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region today.
There have been 146 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, five of whom have died, and 137 people have recovered.
This means there remain four active cases in the region.
Thus far, there have been 274,179 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 40,487 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 19,197,449.
Over 715,680 people have died from the illness and 12,301,524 have made a full recovery.
A delivery truck for Brick furniture collided with a railway bridge in Shawnigan Lake late Thursday morning, tearing the roof of the vehicle off.
The bridge, located near the intersection of Recreation Rd and Shawnigan Lake Rd, was undamaged except for some bent signage on the side of the collision.
Shawnigan Lake Fire Chief Keith Shields told Victoria Buzz that there were no injuries in the crash and the driver was able to move the vehicle to the side of the road by the time crews arrived.
He says the truck’s aluminum roof was completely destroyed in the accident.
“It peeled like a tin can,” Shields said.
The Fire Chief says that the driver wasn’t familiar with the area and may have missed warning lights directing low-clearance vehicles away from the bridge.
Shields says the area has seen prior accidents of a similar nature.
He estimates that his department is called out to incidents involving the bridge once or twice a year, but adds that they aren’t always notified since injuries are rare.
Shields adds that while drivers of RVs, semi trucks and other large vehicles need to be aware of obstructions, it is equally important for other drivers to be cautious around accident scenes.
“Pay attention to the road. Don’t be taking photos.”
Local hockey fans have been waiting with bated breath on when their beloved Royals will hit the ice once more; and we’re here to tell you, we’re getting a little closer!
The Western Hockey League announced on Thursday that they will now have an adjusted start date to the 2020-21 regular season.
According to a release from the league, this year’s season will officially kick off Friday, December 4, 2020.
The WHL has said that their commitment to the health and safety of its players, officials, staff, and fans, remains first and foremost.
Despite the announcement, the opening date of the regular season remains dependent on receiving approval from the government and health authorities in each of the six provincial / state jurisdictions in WHL territory.
The league has committed to playing a full regular season schedule of 68 games, with four rounds of playoffs during the 2020-21 season to follow.
The WHL will continue to have discussions with government and health authorities on the extensive safety measures necessary to protect players, staff, and fans, and to address issues such as spectator capacities and border crossings.
In adjusting the start date for their regular season to early December, the league hopes to have additional time to work with government and health authorities on this issues.
“Regardless of our start date, the WHL is committed to playing a full Regular Season and Playoffs in 2020-21,” stated WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.
“In our discussions with the government and health authorities, it has become apparent that additional time is required to ensure we can return to play in a safe and responsible manner. Our WHL health and safety protocols have been well received by the health authorities but we have several key issues that we will need to reach a resolution on in the coming months.”
UPDATE: As of 12 p.m. August 7, Nguyen has been located and is safe.
Earlier: Victoria Police are seeking public assistance in their search for missing An Phi Nguyen.
The 38-year-old man was last seen on July 28 near the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, and police are working to locate him and ensure he is safe.
Nguyen is described as a slim Asian man standing 5’10”, weighing around 130 lbs, and has short black hair and brown eyes.
He was last seen wearing a dark sweater and dark pants, and police say he may be in possession of a green bicycle.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call VicPD’s non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 and select option 1 for the report desk. To report what you know anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The District of Oak Bay announced that the Oak Bay Recreation Centre will be re-opening the pool on August 17, 2020 for select programs and activities.
The pool was closed along with all other public recreation facilities in Oak Bay on March 17 following COVID-19 protocols.
Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture says that the following activities and programs will be available upon re-opening:
Registered lane swimming,
Single lane bookings for swimming or water running/walking
(Screencap from video submitted by Chelsey Columbus, owner of Sidney Scones)
VicPD have arrested a man in connection with multiple suspicious fires, including a large fire in June that caused extensive damage to a local business.
Police responded on June 7 at approximately 10 p.m. to a suspicious fire at the U-Haul Moving & Storage facility in the 700-block of Topaz Avenue.
Police were able to identify a suspect and executed a search warrant August 4 at 10 a.m. at a temporary housing facility in the 3000-block of Blanshard Street.
One man was arrested at the multi-unit facility.
A representative with VicPD said they were unable to confirm if the person of interest they were seeking in June was the same person arrested this week.
The man was also arrested in connection with a second case of suspected arson on June 7.
In this second incident two fires were started in a business parking lot in the 600-block of Hillside Avenue at approximately 12:15 a.m.
While the fires were close to a building and vehicles, no injuries or property damage were reported from the second incident.
The man was transported to cells and detectives are recommending two counts of arson.
BC Transit and TransLink have announced that non-medical masks or face coverings will be mandatory for all passengers starting August 24.
This move comes just one day after doctors in B.C. penned an open letter urging a mandatory mask policy for transit, along with other situations.
At briefings over the past few weeks, the provincial health officer had hinted that this mandatory mask policy for transit was in the works.
According to a statement from BC Transit, children under five and those who cannot wear a face mask for health reasons will be exempted from this policy.
Overall, the crown corporation says that though masks will be made mandatory, there will be no enforcement and it will be implemented as “an educational step”—an approach that is also being taken by TransLink.
BC Transit spokesperson Jonathon Dyck says the decision to not include enforcement is in alignment with other transit authorities in Canada, like the Toronto Transit Commission, that have successfully implemented similar mandatory mask policies by using an education-only approach.
“We recognize the advice from health professionals, including Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, has been to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not possible including on transit vehicles,” reads a statement from BC Transit.
“Customers have indicated making the use of face coverings mandatory will create a more comfortable environment.”
BC Transit has had signage posted on board buses and at stops across the CRD encouraging the use of face coverings while on board for several weeks.
Dyck says they will increasing signage and working to make people aware that masks are now mandatory and not just encouraged.
However he says people who board the bus without a face covering will not be asked to put one on. Instead, bus drivers will assume they meet the exemption criteria and are unable to wear a mask for health reasons.
Last month, BC Transit launched a campaign to encourage more people to wear face coverings while on board buses by handing out 1,650 branded face masks at various bus stops in Greater Victoria.
Since the start of the pandemic, the transit operator has introduced multiple safety measures aboard buses including enhanced cleaning mechanisms, markings to help understand where to stand, and signage on board explaining the use of face coverings and importance of physical distancing.
West Shore RCMP have arrested a 28-year-old man after he broke into a Langford home while wielding a crossbow.
In a statement released Thursday, mounties say they received a call from a homeowner—who was outside their residence at the time of the incident—at around 8:48 p.m. on August 5.
The homeowner stated that someone had broken into their property after they saw a vehicle in the driveway and an open bedroom window upon returning home. Seeing this, they left and called police.
When officers arrived, they identified the suspect, a 28-year-old man, and figured out that he and victim were known to each other.
The intruder was also known to police through prior interactions and, according to RCMP, had a violent history including multiple convictions for flight from police and firearms related charges.
He was also wanted at the time for an unendorsed warrant for breaching multiple court orders.
Knowing this, police called for Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiators and a K9 unit to assist and the area around the property was secured.
Within a few hours, by 1:30 a.m., officers had taken the suspect into custody without incident and no parties were injured according to police.
The suspect was found with a crossbow, which was in breach of a court order banning him from possessing weapons.
He remains in custody and is expected to appear in court today with expected charges of break and enter and weapons possession.
You’ve made it over the hump! In honour of the work week nearing its end, why not treat yourself to an event? Here are five things to do in and around Victoria today.
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
Without further ado, here are five things to do today, Thursday, August 6th:
EFM believes in building connections that create a sense of community through partnerships, collaborations, and building relationships with the community, and pushing forward with a movement promoting healthy eating, living & relationships.
Watch your favorite bartenders compete via live broadcast on Facebook.
Bartenders of Victoria, here is your chance to show your talent and share your passion with the very bests among the cocktail community for the first step of the most extravagant competition in Canada: the Qualifiers!
The High Quadra Ramblers are a high energy banjo-fiddle duo performing their much-anticipated new original album. Both highly skilled instrumentalists, the album touches on multiple traditional genres while creating an entirely new feel to old music.
As well as instrumentals, the album features beautiful vocal harmonies on a few original folk songs. “Los Algodones” is a new wave of celtic, appalachian and french-canadian inspired music, with Pete Mynett on upright bass and Gabe Pinchbeck on guitar as guest musicians.
A spokesperson for Walmart Canada has confirmed to Victoria Buzz that the department store chain will be requiring all customers to wear a face covering in their stores starting Wednesday, August 12.
This measure has already been in place at Walmart and Sam’s Clubs stores in the United States since mid-July.
The mandate will cover Walmart stores in jurisdictions where there is not already a local government mandate requiring people to wear face coverings indoors.
“Customers have done a great job following face covering requirements in those jurisdictions where it is mandated by the local government,” said spokesperson Felicia Fefer in an email.
“We trust that customers in the rest of our stores where we are initiating this policy will respect and follow it and will bring their own face coverings when they shop.”
According to Fefer, 60 per cent of Walmart Canada’s 400 locations are in jurisdictions where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings.
Making masks mandatory as a company will bring more consistency across the chain network.
Walmart Canada says in addition to the mandatory face covering policy, the company will continue to undertake safety measures like enhanced cleaning, wellness checks (including temperature checks) of all staff at the start of their shifts, limiting the number of shoppers in store at a time, cleaning shopping carts, and more.
Did you wake up to the chiming of church bells this morning, and wonder why?
You’re not alone!
Many readers reached out to Victoria Buzz this morning to find out the meaning behind the early morning chorus, and it’s been determined that it was indeed for good reason.
At 8:15 a.m. Thursday morning, the bells at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, First Metropolitan United Church, Christ Church Cathedral and several others across the region rang 75 times in succession.
This was to mark the moment, exactly 75 years prior, that an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan by the United States during World War II.
The commemoration was organized by the group Bells for Peace.
Additionally, the City of Victoria designated the week of August 2-9 as Hibakusha Remembrance Week, which honours survivors of the world’s first nuclear bombings.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 46 new test-positive cases and one new epidemiologically linked case of novel coronavirus in the province today, bringing the total number of cases in B.C. to 3,834.
In total, 1,132 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 2,015 in Fraser Health, 146 on Vancouver Island, 384 in Interior Health, 91 in Northern Health region, and 66 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has spiked by 32 to 351 in B.C.
There are a total of nine people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, six of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No new deaths were reported today, and the death toll stands at 195 in total.
A total of 3,288 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
No new health care facility or community outbreaks were reported on Wednesday.
Public health officials continue to monitor all outbreaks at health care facilities, and the two ongoing community outbreaks in Haida Gwaii and at Fraser Valley Packers in Abbotsford.
Last week, the provincial government banned non-resident travel to Haida Gwaii meaning the only legal travel to the archipelago will be for the delivery of essential goods and supplies, medical appointments, and urgent or emergency family matters during the pandemic.
B.C. residents are urged to check the BC CDC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
No new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Island Health region today.
There have been 146 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, five of whom have died, and 137 people have recovered.
This means there remain four active cases in the region.
Thus far, there have been 272,453 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 40,257 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 18,920,460.
Over 709,260 people have died from the illness and 12,076,833 have made a full recovery.
UPDATE: 58-year-old Joseph Cote has been located and is safe, according to West Shore RCMP.
— original:
West Shore RCMP are seeking public assistance in their search for missing Joseph Cote.
The 58-year-old man is a Langford resident who was last seen on August 4.
Police say there is nothing to suggest foul play is involved in his disappearance at this time.
Friends and family have told police that it is out of character for Cote to out of contact for this long and officers are concerned for his health and well-being.
He is described as a Caucasian man standing 6’2″ tall, weighing 240 lbs, with brown hair and white hair on his temples, and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on Cote’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local police department, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Pandora Ave homeless camp/Photo submitted by Tim Ford
A biennial count of homeless individuals in the Capital Regional District (CRD) has found that over 1,500 people were without permanent housing in Greater Victoria as of March 2020.
The count was conducted in partnership between the CRD, the Community Social Planning Council (CSPC) and the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.
This year’s result is relatively unchanged from the previous count on March 15, 2018, which found 1,525 people were homeless in Greater Victoria.
The CRD says that the two counts do not necessarily reflect a trend due to changes in collection methodology.
They also say that the PiT count should be treated as an under-estimate due to some individuals choosing to not participate in the survey and other people experiencing “hidden” homelessness.
“The survey results are indicative of the vulnerability to homelessness people experience because of structural factors such as poverty, stigma and discrimination,” said Kelly Roth, Executive Director, Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.
Roth also said a lack of resources aimed at addressing complex needs and a lack of housing choices with proper supports are contributing factors to homelessness and vulnerability.
The full report highlights that homelessness disproportionately impacts Indigenous people, with 35 per cent of those counted in the survey identifying as Indigenous despite accounting for just five per cent of the general population in Greater Victoria.
LGBTQ2S+ youth were also disproportionately represented among the city’s homeless, with 30 per cent of youths identifying as such.
63 per cent of those surveyed were male, and 70 per cent were between the ages of 25-55.
17 per cent also said they are currently employed, including full-time, part-time, and casual work.
The CRD says that the PiT Count will be used to improve service delivery and real-time reporting of homelessness levels.
“The Count results are instrumental in guiding the housing, social supports and health supports community in its planning processes to ensure that resources are invested in areas of greatest need,” said Christine Culham, Senior Manager, Regional Housing, Capital Regional District.
The CRD says that 134 people have found housing in hotels purchased by BC Housing over the course of the COVID-19 and another 347 are currently being housed in other hotel rentals in Victoria.
A new provincial Youth Employment Program aims to match young people interested in environmental management and conservation to positions at BC Parks and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS).
The government says the $1.8 million program will provide funding for 25 new jobs at BC Parks and 18 new jobs at COS.
“These new positions give young people an opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience in the natural environment protection sector,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
Young people who successfully apply through the program will be employed for up to four months through fall and winter. They will be directly mentored by experienced park rangers and conservation officers.
The government says that the program is focused on hiring Indigenous youth and young people from under-represented groups who may face employment barriers.
People interested in applying for positions at BC Parks Youth Employment positions must meet the following requirements:
Registered as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution within the past six months at the post-secondary level
Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada
Available to work continuously for a 4-month term beginning in late summer or early fall
Positions at COS will be filled using an existing list of candidates, with a second phase of hiring later in August, if necessary.
BC Parks positions will be available on the B.C. government employment opportunities page by mid-August 2020.
Detailed information on the Youth Employment positions at BC Parks is available online at http://bcparks.ca/yep/.
Summer camp is something that every kid looks forward to.
And for 10-year-old Leif Bergseth, it’s not much different; though his camp is pretty special.
Leif attends Burn Camp, an incredible opportunity hosted by the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund each July.
Over one thousand children from across B.C. between the ages of 6 to 18 have attended the camp since 1994, and Leif himself has spent a part of his summer there for the past four years – this year, virtually.
Each year, an estimated 9,000 children in Canada visit hospital emergency room for burns and close to 1,000 are hospitalized as a result of these injuries; at only 18 months old, Leif was one of them.
Leif’s mother, Lara Bergseth, tells Victoria Buzz that he was being watched by someone else when he sustained his burns. His caregiver was boiling a pot of vegetables on the stove, and he was riding around on his Plasma car when he reached for the pot and ended up pulling the the scalding water onto himself, burning his back, arms and legs.
In total, Leif burned about 30 percent of his body.
Statistically, toddlers sustain the highest number of burns, and burns remain the third leading cause of hospital admission for children.
(Leif Bergseth, young burn survivor)
Thankfully, Burn Camp exists for children like Leif – providing an opportunity for survivors to just be themselves, and to share their experiences with their peers.
The Burn Fund welcomed 74 campers from across the province in 2019, all who were burn survivors.
Campers and their counselors participate in group activities such as swimming, hiking, kayaking, rafting, waterskiing, skit night, and arts & crafts.
Doctors, nurses, therapists, adult burn survivors and firefighters also donate their time as counselors for the camp, building close connections with the children who attend.
The camp is purely volunteer-based, and free for young burn survivors to attend. The cost to the Burn Fund for each camper to attend is approximately $2,900.
Thanks to Firefighter fundraising and some of the Burn Fund’s biggest annual events like the Hometown Heroes Lottery, the campers’ travel, accommodation and the cost of coordinating and operating the camp are fully covered.
The Hometown Heroes Lottery was an early sell-out this year thanks to overwhelming support.
“I remember at the time, being told that because of his burns, Leif will be able to go to Burn Camp when he was older,” says Lara, Leif’s mother.
“Now I realize just how special Burn Camp is and how lucky Leif is able to go to such an amazing camp with such fantastic people.”
Two teenagers hailing from West Shore have been arrested after they allegedly smashed windows at a school in Colwood.
In a statement released Wednesday, West Shore RCMP said they were called to David Cameron Elementary school at 675 Meaford Ave in Colwood for a report of windows being smashed at around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday August 2.
When officers arrived, a witness gave them a detailed description of the suspect who turned out to be a 15-year-old youth. They were found on scene and arrested without incident.
About an hour later police were called back to the same school for reports of more window smashing. A second 15-year-old suspect was found and also arrested.
According to RCMP spokesperson Cst. Nancy Saggar, both teens were transported to cells.
“Legally we can’t release a youth unless we release them to their parents. So they were held in cells while we were trying to figure out who their parents are and get a hold of them; then they were released when their parents picked them up,” said Saggar in a phone call with Victoria Buzz.
One of the teens has been charged with Mischief while the second is awaiting a similar charge. They are expected to appear in court next month.
The school estimates that it will cost $300 to repair the damage to the windows.
According to Cst. Saggar, police have had prior interactions the teens which means at least one of them is not a candidate for restorative justice and must go through the court system.
Victoria Police officers arrested a woman early Wednesday morning after she allegedly broke a window at a downtown business and stole merchandise from inside.
Police responded to the report of a break and enter in the 500-block of Johnson Street at approximately 4:30 a.m. and were given a detailed description of a female suspect.
Officers quickly located the woman, who was in possession of stolen property, and took her into custody without incident.
The woman was transported to cells and faces charges of break and enter.
Police also say that she was arrested for failure to comply with conditions of probation and will be held for a court appearance at a later date.
HMCS Regina and a CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter (Maritime Forces Pacific Facebook)
Two frigates from the Royal Canadian Navy are being sent to a massive multinational maritime exercise and the public will be able to see the vessels depart from Greater Victoria Thursday afternoon.
HMCS Regina and HMCS Winnipeg, both Halifax-class frigates, will sail past the shoreline between 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. as they depart for the Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC) off of Hawaii.
The ships will be accompanied by airborne CH-148 Cyclone helicopters from the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Those interested in seeing the departure can visit one of the following observation points as the ships travel West, starting from Discovery Island at approximately 4:15 p.m:
Trafalgar park at 4:40 pm;
Clover Point park at 4:45 pm;
Beacon Hill park at 4:50 pm;
Holland Point park at 4:55 pm;
Ogden Point breakwater 5:00 pm;
MaCauley Point park 5:05 pm;
Saxe Point park 5:10 pm and;
Esquimalt Lagoon at 5:15 pm.
The Royal Canadian Navy says that the public should remember to observe COVID-19 social distancing efforts during the event.
Hosted by the US navy, RIMPAC is the largest multinational maritime exercise in the world. It is scheduled to take place August 17-31, 2020.
More than 80 physicians and dentists across British Columbia have penned an open letter urging a mandatory mask rule for certain situations.
The letter, addressed to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Premier John Horgan, expresses support for the use of face coverings and makes an argument for why they should be made mandatory in spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
In addition, the doctors’ letter advocates the creation of a public education initiative that informs residents of the benefits of wearing a face covering.
“Our opinion is based on recentstudies showing that the use of masks provides source control and may provide recipient protection,” reads the letter.
“Furthermore, there is no evidence of harm from use of masks. If a 60-80% public usage of masks can be achieved, we can significantly reduce the basic reproductive number (R0).”
The reproductive rate is the number of people that the virus infects after one infected person comes into contact with others.
In light of studies showing the effectiveness of face masks in the battle against COVID-19, and the fact that reopening B.C.’s economy has and will lead to more cases, the experts recommend a mandate requiring face masks in all indoor spaces outside one’s home, on public transportation, and in any crowded space where it is difficult to maintain distance from others.
The letter also cites a recent Angus Reid poll that says 75 per cent of B.C. residents would support a mandatory mask policy in their community’s public spaces.
A Leger survey also that shows 86 per cent of Canadians think wearing a face mask on public transit should be mandatory.
The doctors’ letter recommends including exemptions to a mandatory mask rule for people with medical contraindications or disabilities, and young children.
In implementing a mandatory mask rule, B.C.’s doctors ask that masks be distributed to vulnerable and high risk communities, and that enforcement of the mandate not be done through penalties or fines, but rather through an education program to help people understand how and why face masks reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“British Columbians have sacrificed so much to flatten the curve, and we have been successful. We are now at an important juncture in our efforts to again take control of the spread of COVID-19,” the letter continues.
“Mask wearing in addition to current physical distancing measures and hand hygiene can assist in the safe reopening of public life and can prevent additional outbreaks. An immediate implementation of mandated mask policies will help protect British Columbians. We ask that you not let our sacrifices go to waste.”
The letter concludes with an invitation to public health leaders to engage in an open discussion about a mandatory mask policy with the doctors who signed it.
Thus far, B.C.’s provincial health officer has been adamant in her decision to not make the use of face coverings mandatory, particularly in light of the province’s controversial school restart plan set to take effect next month.
The next time Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix will be addressing questions from the media will on Thursday, August 6.
(Protest at Lifestyle Market/Photo by Mike Graeme)
Nearly four months after activists and workers held a protest at Lifestyle Markets to demand hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has officially unionized and will have their demands met.
According to a statement from the union, workers at the local grocery chain had already been in the process of searching for solutions to their workplace issues for several months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
With guidance from the Retail Action Network (RAN), the group had voted to join UFCW 1518 in February 2020—the first grocery store to unionize in Victoria in more than a decade.
However the pandemic began gaining momentum in B.C. while workers were in the process of negotiating their first collective agreement.
At the time Lifestyle Markets workers received no hazard pay for being frontline workers who stayed at their posts, despite workers at other grocery chains receiving additional pay.
This prompted workers and activists to begin advocating for pandemic hazard pay from management at the chain in April.
At the time, Lifestyle Markets did not respond to this demonstration—instead, a lawyer representing the chain called the protest an “intimidation tactic” outside of the collective bargaining process.
Negotiations of the collective agreement wrapped up in July and was ratified unanimously by staff.
“We’re encouraged to see what can happen when people act collectively,” said Keira Zikmanis, Employee and Bargaining Committee Member in a statement.
“Now that we have a contract in place, workers will be paid the hazard pay they deserve, move closer towards a living wage, and have the protections we need to make this store a fair and equitable place to work.”
Unionization means staff will now receive hazard pay retroactive to March 8, a comprehensive benefits’ package, paid sick days, enhanced paid vacation, up to 30 per cent wage increase over the contract term, a holiday bonus, and 20 per cent store discount.
Workers also have access to a Joint Labour Management board to speak on their behalf, a retroactive bonus, harassment and bullying protections, and third-party education and training.
Comedy Night at the Mint is back! Each week they bring you the most hilarious comedians in the city. Each week Morgan Cranny and Drew Farrance bring the most hilarious comedian’s in the city together for a wonderful evening of food, drink and fun!
Seating is limited, be sure to book your table online! There are options for 2, 4 or 6 only.
Build your teams and test your knowledge! This is four rounds of Pub quiz for every skill level, from the “blinding halogens” to the ” dimming 60 watt bulbs.”
It’s FREE to play, no charge per person or per team and damn rights we have wicked prizes!
When: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Yates Street Taphouse Bar&Grill, 757 Yates Street
Things can be a little stressful these days, so we can all use a little help to stay calm. Join Briana Sadler, MakerLab Coordinator at Two Rivers Gallery in Prince George, to learn how to make paper fidget spinners (otherwise know as Flextangles)!
What you’ll need:
1. This template, printed out, on card stock or a heavy paper if possible: http://ow.ly/D2js50AKRr0
(If you are not able to do this for the session, they’ll give you a chance to trace the template on your device screen.)
2. Something to draw with (coloured pencils, markers, crayons, etc.)
3. Scissors
4. Glue or a glue stick
5. Scotch Tape
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
British Columbia remains in the longest state of emergency the province has ever seen after a further extension on Tuesday.
Premier John Horgan has extended the provincial state of emergency for the tenth time on August 4 after the previous extension period ran out.
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth initially declared a state of emergency on March 18 as a result of COVID-19, which was originally in effect for 14 days.
It was then extended nine times by Premier Horgan, on March 31, April 15, April 29, May 13th, May 27, June 10, June 24, July 7, and July 22.
Tuesday’s announcement further extends the state of emergency until the end of day on August 18, 2020.
“In recent weeks, British Columbians have been reminded that COVID-19 case counts can easily rise if we’re not careful,” said Premier John Horgan in a statement.
“As we continue our slow and safe approach to Phase 3, extending the provincial state of emergency will continue to provide government with the resources we need to respond to any new challenges. This is not the time to let our guard down.”
Declarations of emergency can be extended by the province by increments of 14 days at a time.
The province has recently seen an increase in the number of daily cases, with more 146 new cases reported over the course of four days.
A large portion of these have been attributed to private events, social gatherings, and workplace exposures.
Saanich Police are looking for information about an investigation into several unprovoked assaults over the past year.
In a statement released Tuesday, the department says a man in his 30s has been identified as the person responsible for some of these incidents.
But investigators are still looking for more witnesses and victims to come forward in two assaults that were reported to police in June 2020.
The first incident took place on June 12 between 10:30 and 11 p.m. at the Esso Gas station at the corner of McKenzie Avenue and Shelbourne Street.
The second incident also occurred on June 12 at around 11:00 p.m. in the area of Shelbourne Street and Kenmore Road.
Although these cases were reported to police, investigators did not find the victims in either incident.
“We believe there are two to three people that were victims of an assault or attempted assault that evening and are hoping they are able to come forward and speak to us,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades in a statement.
“If you were the victim of either of these assaults, we understand that this might be difficult for you however, we are here to support you and will work with you through the process.”
Those who wish to come forward are asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.
The B.C. Ministry of Health has reported 142 new test-positive cases and four new epidemiologically linked cases of novel coronavirus in the province over the past four days, bringing the total number of cases in B.C. to 3,787.
Between Friday and Saturday, 43 people tested positive for the virus; 29 cases were reported between Saturday and Sunday; 46 cases were reported between Sunday and Monday; and there were 28 new cases between Monday and Tuesday.
In total, 1,119 of the cases are in the Vancouver Coastal Region, 1,989 in Fraser Health, 146 on Vancouver Island, 377 in Interior Health, 91 in Northern Health region, and 65 people whose residence is outside of Canada.
The number of active cases has spiked by 41 to 319 in B.C.
There are a total of eight people who have been hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
No new deaths were reported over the past four days, and the death toll stands at 195 in total.
A total of 3,273 people have now recovered from novel coronavirus in B.C.
Outbreaks
One new health care outbreak has been detected in the Maple Ridge Senior living facility in the Fraser Health region.
Public health officials continue to monitor all outbreaks at health care facilities, and the two ongoing community outbreaks in Haida Gwaii and at Fraser Valley Packers in Abbotsford.
Last week, the provincial government banned non-resident travel to Haida Gwaii meaning the only legal travel to the archipelago will be for the delivery of essential goods and supplies, medical appointments, and urgent or emergency family matters during the pandemic.
B.C. residents are urged to check the HealthLink BC website for all public alerts about possible exposures to the virus.
Those who may have been exposed are asked to monitor their symptoms, reduce the number of contacts they have, and call 811 to get tested for the virus if they do develop symptoms.
Island Health region
Two new COVID-19 cases weere reported in the Island Health region over the past four days.
There have been 146 total cases of COVID-19 in the region, five of whom have died, and 136 people have recovered.
This means there remain five active cases in the region.
Thus far, there have been 265,004 novel coronavirus tests conducted across B.C., 39,185 of which were done in the Island Health region.
The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.
Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.
The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.
As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 18,665,733.
Over 702,580 people have died from the illness and 11,896,001 have made a full recovery.
The provincial government says they have amended regulations that will allow BC’s licensed private cannabis retailers to take payments online.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Ministry of Attorney General says the change comes in response to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on in-store sales and payment options.
Under old regulations customers had to be physically present to provide payment, even for orders reserved online.
The new regulations will allow for payments through websites, mobile apps or by telephone, to encourage physical distancing.
Regardless of payment method, however, in-store pickup will still be required so employees can check IDs.
Online sales options will also need to have an age-verification tool.
The government says they are also considering proposals for delivery but warn that any option would need to maintain strict standards preventing youth access to cannabis.
“This change responds to a request from private retailers as they continue to follow the mandates of the provincial health officer,” said David Eby, Attorney General.
“It supports public health and safety by reducing the amount of time customers need to spend in stores and allows them to remain physically distanced from employees and each other.”
The new regulations will also allow private licensed cannabis retailers to accept gift cards through online systems.
Who can say no to a weekend of luxury and relaxation, especially when it’s on us?
It’s not every day we get to indulge in the finer things in life, but thanks to the Latch Inn, we here at Victoria Buzz were privy to an amazing weekend staycation featuring breathtaking views, delectable breakfasts and so much more.
Better yet, they’re giving away the same experience to one lucky winner, so you’ll have the chance to experience it for yourself!
Nestled within the beautiful and tranquil town of Sidney, the Latch Inn is a stunning property just on it’s own; and the sense of relaxation hits you right as you walk through its brightly coloured door.
(The Latch Inn)
The ambiance
Walking through the doors of the Latch Inn is like being transported back in time; with a modern twist. Originally built in 1926, the breathtaking inn was commissioned by Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, Walter C. Nichol – to be a summer home, of sorts. Famed architect Sam McClure was able to create a residence that oozes an old-world elegance and charm, even today.
Recently, three entrepreneurs have taken possession of the beautiful gem, with a goal to restore the property to its former glory and then some; holding steadfast to its intricate roots while complementing each room with new-age comforts.
(Latch Inn innkeepers, David, Michael and Dominic)
From their rustic and inviting waterfront lounge – complete with the original log beams from the inn’s creation – to the crisp, white linens of the dining area, stepping into the residence is like travelling to some far-off luxury destination – with the convenience of never leaving the island.
(Waterfront Lounge / The Latch Inn)
The rooms
Once we were brought up the ornate staircase to our room, the Miraloma Suite, we were once again impressed by the modern touches the new innkeepers had brought to the Latch.
(Miraloma Suite / The Latch Inn)
The Latch Inn is an intimate property that houses only 5 rooms, making for a much more personal experience; we also learned that it was in the 1940s it was coined “The Latch”, reflecting that every door in the house was opened with a latch and iron key.
Aside from the luxurious linens atop the recently upgraded beds (featuring new, high quality mattresses!), our room opened up to a quaint patio overlooking the picturesque Van Isle Marina – perfect for a glass of wine at sunset, or even a morning coffee at daybreak.
The breakfast
One of the most incredible perks of your stay at the Latch Inn is that it includes a sumptuous breakfast each morning.
From eggs benny, to Belgium waffles and the one of the most mouth-watering omelettes we’ve ever tasted, they pull out all of the stops to make sure their guests never leave with an empty stomach – we weren’t hungry until dinner time!
(Eggs Benedict breakfast / The Latch Inn)
The full-plated breakfast is offered between 8 a.m and 10 a.m. each morning, with coffee, juice and one of their signature homemade muffins included – and check out those adorable details!
(Signature morning muffin / The Latch Inn)
We were able to eat breakfast one morning inside the relaxing ambiance of their dining room, and the second morning outside on their sun-lit patio – which is open for guests to enjoy every day until 10 p.m.!
Co-owner and local Islander Dominic Monet says, “We are thrilled to reopen an iconic Sidney venue for overnight stays and welcome visitors to enjoy this beautiful historic bed and breakfast.”
The Latch Inn is known for its seaside brunches and picturesque gardens, and will also cater to small weddings and special events for up to 40 guests.
Reservations for breakfast and the patio must be made ahead of time by calling 1-250-656-4015, while rooms can be reserved through the Inn’s website.
All in all, we left our weekend staycation at the Latch Inn feeling pampered, refreshed and surprised such a hidden gem is right in our own backyard – and we’re so excited to offer you the same incredible experience!
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Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on August 17th, 2020. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
Yana Hempler (Centre) with two volunteers from Victoria Hospitals Foundation (courtesy Yana Hempler)
A Vancouver Island runner has raised over $20,000 for a local charity by committing to run 12 marathons in 12 days.
Yana Hempler says she was inspired to perform the feat of endurance by a friend who was hospitalized last year.
“I picked this charity because back in October 2019, one of my best friends was in the hospital in critical condition, and is currently alive and well because of the care received,” she wrote in an email.
Hempler, who works as a fitness coach and writer, saw a need for community fundraising with most regular marathon events cancelled due to COVID-19.
Initially she pledged to run 10 marathons in 10 days to raise funds for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, with a fundraising goal of $10,000.
Hempler completed her 10th marathon on Sunday and shortly after made the decision to extend her pledge to a cool dozen, with her 11th marathon on Monday and her 12th on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, her fundraiser for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation had raised over $21,000.
With her 12th marathon completed, Hempler says she is open to extending her fundraiser even more.
“I’m tempted to say that since the fundraising page is open until Aug 31, that I would do one more marathon for every additional $15,000 raised through the fundraising page.”
She is also looking forward to holding more running events, some of which will be open to public participation.
“One of the events that I’ve opened up is a virtual run called Run4Life 5k or 10k where people can challenge themselves and do their run anytime anywhere with all proceeds being donated to charity,” Hempler added.
As for the response to this milestone, Hempler says she’s both proud of her personal achievement and thankful for the public’s support.
“Honestly, I thought that at best, $5,000 would be possible to raise especially considering the pandemic and the financial challenges that everyone is facing,” she says.
“I also didn’t think I was going to make it past day five with the daily marathons because of how much I struggled on day one. I also couldn’t run a block when I first started running several years ago.
I’m grateful for the media support as well as the support from the community that helped me reach my fundraising goal.”
Donations remain open for Hempler’s Victoria Hospitals Foundation fundraiser until August 31. Those wishing to contribute can do so online at Canada Helps.
VicPD are warning the public of a ball python that was reported missing Tuesday morning near the Galloping Goose Trail.
Police say that they were notified about the missing snake at 11:30 a.m. on August 4—however it has been missing since July 2.
The python vanished in the vicinity of the 200-block of Bay Street. It is described as four feet, five inches in length.
Ball pythons are non venomous snakes that kill their prey by constricting it.
VicPD say that Victoria Animal Control Services (VACS) has been notified.
Ian Fraser, a Senior Animal Control Officer with VACS, says that while the snake may appear threatening, it’s extremely unlikely to attack humans or even pets.
“They really are a docile snake,” said Fraser. “It’s not poisonous, there’s no venom. It’s a constrictor. I don’t think it could even kill a small dog like a chihuahua.”
However, Fraser says that the snake is likely to remain at large without a tip from the public.
“There’s really no tracking it down. Snakes are difficult to find. They can go into all kinds of places.”
Police are asking that anyone who sees the python should call 911. Those with information about the missing snake can also call the non-emergency line at 250-995-7654, and select option 1 for the report desk.
Islanders were treated to some stunning views of a ‘Sturgeon Moon’ last night and snapped some terrific photos for social media.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the first full moon in August is occasionally referred to as a Sturgeon Moon. The name dates back to colonial-era North America and likely derives from the fish being plentiful at this time of year in the Great Lakes area.
Kaigani Haida artist Dolly Garza says in her book “Tlingit: Moon & Tide” that the Haida referred to the August full moon as Chíin Kungáay, or a Salmon Moon.
The moon reached peak illumination last night but will be visible tonight as it begins waning to third quarter on August 11.
The astronomy viewing website cleardarksky.com says that it’s a clear night ahead, so there’s still plenty of good views to be had.
The Perseids meteor shower will be peaking August 11-12, and we have the scoop on how you can take in the annual display of shooting stars.
Comet Swift-Tuttle is the source of the meteor shower, a massive ball of ice, rock and other material orbiting the sun in a path that closely intersects Earth’s orbit.
Debris from the comet burns up in Earth’s atmosphere as it comes close to our planet, producing stunning trails of light visible in the night sky.
The Perseids are so named because they are most easily visible in the constellation Perseus in the Northern Hemisphere.
The meteor shower can be seen by looking directly Northeast towards the constellation, shortly after midnight on August 11.
A quarter moon should make for some fairly good views of the Perseids. However, as the moon starts to rise around 12:20 a.m. on August 12 it will be close in the night sky to the meteor shower, and the light will reduce the number of visible shooting stars.
The meteor shower is best viewed with the naked eye. Telescopes and binoculars will limit your field of view and your ability to see more streaks of light.
Find a good, dark place away from city lights, and give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. Arriving an hour before midnight on August 11 should be plenty of time to adjust to the night sky.
The seven day forecast is predicting a chance of rain on August 11, but we may get lucky with a clear dark sky.
Paramedics in B.C. say they responded to the highest number of overdose calls ever in a single month in July 2020, right after the provincial government announced more funding for its response to the overdose crisis.
In a tweet on Tuesday, the BC Emergency Health Services said they responded to over 2,700 overdoses in July, which represents the highest number of overdose calls to ever be made in one month.
“The highest numbers were for 21-40-year-olds. No community was immune. Paramedics are pleading: Don’t use alone,” reads the tweet.
Around the same time, the B.C. provincial government announced that a $10.5 million fund has been established to go towards sponsoring the province’s response to an increasingly toxic illicit drug supply.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, this $10.5 million is part of the $1.5 billion allocated by the province for B.C.’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
“There have been devastating consequences for people who use substances during dual public health emergencies,” said Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, in a statement.
“Last month saw a record number of lives lost to overdose—all the more heart-breaking since before COVID-19, we had managed to bring deaths down for the first time. The illicit drug supply is more toxic than ever before.”
The funding will be used to open up 17 new supervised consumption sites and 12 new inhalation sites in communities hit the hardest by the overdose crisis, to reduce the number of people using drugs alone.
42 new full-time registered nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers and peer support workers will be added to 14 new and existing interdisciplinary outreach teams throughout the province.
These workers will conduct initial assessments and connect people with substance use issues to treatment, recovery and services that best suit their needs.
The question of where the supervised consumption and inhalation sites will be built is still up in the air.
“Right now, that is being sorted out with the individual health authorities. We’re looking at which regions are hardest hit and making those decisions in the coming weeks,” said a Ministry spokesperson.
The BC Coroners Service reports for May and June marked both of those months as the deadliest ever in the province since the start of the crisis in 2016, with over 170 deaths each.
Victoria, once again, had the third highest number of overdose deaths in the province, after Vancouver and Surrey.
The BC Coroners Service report for for the number of illicit drug overdose deaths in July is expected to be released in late August.
It wasn’t looking too hot for Greater Victoria as several municipal pins from the area were out of the running for top spot very early on—but that all changed in the final hours of the countdown.
One of the most well attended activities on BC Day this year happened online on Twitter, as CBC reporter Justin McElroy shared the results of his year-long effort to collect and rank every single municipal pin in British Columbia, over the course of nine riveting hours.
Happy British Columbia Day.
Over the last year, I've collected pins from all 162 municipalities in this wonderful province.
McElroy’s mission was born after he shared a friend’s photo of a quirky Grand Forks municipal pin with his Twitter following of 32,000+ about a year ago. This prompted a follower from Vancouver Island to mail him her collection of 30 municipal pins.
“I was completely amused and blown away at how different each of these pins were. They had different shapes, and some of them focused on different aspects of B.C.’s economy or history,” said McElroy in a phone interview with Victoria Buzz.
When a colleague decided to film him unboxing the collection and shared it on Twitter, it started a movement of other generous British Columbians volunteering up their pin collections and letting McElroy select what he needed to complete his own.
McElroy, who says he had not been interested in municipal pins to start with, was now hooked.
“There’s 162 municipalities, and I ended up getting about half of those pins for free from people giving them to me … My mind went to its ‘completionist’ version [and I thought], ‘this seems like an impossible task of getting a pin for every municipality. What if I did it?’ That’s how it happened.” he added.
To complete his collection, McElroy meticulously hunted down pins from every municipality he could find, whether on eBay or by personally driving over to different cities to purchase them from gift shops.
In two cases where the municipalities didn’t have any pins whatsoever—Jumbo Glacier and Canal Flats—he went to the lengths of having a friend design and print buttons representing them, in order to be able to have a complete ranking.
The entire endeavour ended up costing him $1,000, but all in all, McElroy says it was money well spent.
“When I started this, if you had told me that this will cost $1,000, I probably wouldn’t have done it. But this is part of the fun and the pain of collecting. At the end of the day you think ‘this is now fun and I really want to do it’.”
Along with a few friends, McElroy ranked the pins by assigning each a rating out of 10—four points for design (is it interesting and unique?), four points for locality (does it showcase something unique about the municipality’s culture, history, or economy?), and two points for clarity (could you tell that the the pin represented its municipality immediately?).
Possibly the most delightful and entertaining aspect of McElroy sharing his rankings on Twitter was the commentary that accompanied each one, revealing a combination of his intricate knowledge of the province and his quirky personality.
3. PORT ALBERNI
– A salmon playing hockey, combining B.C.'s greatest obsession with Canada's, fantastic – "Good to see the salmon is wearing a helmet," the first time in history that's been typed – Very adorable, exactly what you think of for "weird local B.C. pins" pic.twitter.com/u5upFx3pR1
“It was really fun to see what different municipalities highlighted about themselves. A part of the reason why I do these projects is an excuse to dive in and learn a little more about these places that are so unique,” said McElroy.
In the past, the Municipal Affairs reporter has ranked municipality flags, local breweries, and roadside attractions in B.C.
Over the past three months, McElroy and his friends have also undertaken the task of ranking every local park in Vancouver as a fun, COVID-safe summer project.
“[These] fun competitions [are meant] to celebrate different parts of this province. It’s something I get a kick out of and it’s something people online seem to enjoy,” he adds.
Although it’s difficult to gauge the exact number of people who followed along on his nine-hour-long pin ranking odyssey on BC Day, over 1,000 people liked McElroy’s initial tweet announcing his endeavour and at least a few dozen commented to show their appreciation.
Now that the ranking is done, McElroy’s pins rest as laurels on a jean jacket waiting to be worn as a sure-shot conversation starter once the weather gets cooler.
Without further ado, here’s how Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island municipality pins fared on his list:
Langford – #160
Saanich – #153
Esquimalt – #151
Metchosin – #145
Campbell River – #144
Sidney – #136
Sayward – #133
Ucluelet – #118
Lake Cowichan – #116
Highlands – #106
Comox – #104
Ladysmith – #95
Qualicum Beach – #86
Sooke – #85
Oak Bay – #84
Duncan – #83
Parksvile – #82
Tofino – #78
North Saanich – #76
Zeballos – #63
Alert Bay – #60
Central Saanich – #58
Tahsis – #56
Port Hardy – #54
North Cowichan – #53
View Royal – #50
Courtenay – #40
Colwood – #36
Victoria – #23
Nanaimo – #7
Port Alberni – #3
Check out the full ranking, along with McElroy’s insights, on Twitter.
Why does the Tuesday after a long weekend always feel the longest?
To squash those Monday-like Tuesday blues, here are five things to do today, Tuesday, August 4th!
As you head out to activities and events, please follow the restrictions and guidelines that these businesses require to keep their employees and patrons safe during the pandemic.
As always, wash your hands, wear masks, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel sick or show symptoms!
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel has launched its new VIP Summer Screenings. A combination of Classic films and new releases will be presented in their David Foster Foundation Theatre each Tuesday evening throughout the summer.
The Life will feature tonight.
Each ticket includes complimentary parking, one glass of sparkling wine, a bottle of water, local charcuterie board and pre-packed theatre snacks such as popcorn and licorice. Tickets are $40 each and physical distancing measures are in place.
When: Doors open at 7:40 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
These gardens are fun to create and there are so many themes to explore. In this mini garden making session, you will take an inspiring flower garden wander then collect and use natural materials to give the fairies a tiny tea cup getaway to remember! Adults are welcome to stay or drop off. Children under 7 years must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided. Maximum 8.
