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In case you’ve got a cool $9 million lying around and love waking up to gorgeous ocean views on the regular (who doesn’t?!), check this out!
A recent survey of Canadian luxury real estate properties by Point2Homes has revealed that one Victoria residence has made its way to the list of top 10 most expensive penthouses in the country.
The 1201-21 Dallas Rd property is #8 on the list, which is made up of penthouses ranging from $7 million to $30 million.
Located atop Shoal Point’s tallest tower, Victoria’s most expensive penthouse is 4,810 sq ft, has 2 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and boasts stunning harbour views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Anyone who moves in would be treated to a lavish life of arriving via private elevator entrance to an executive home with 9 fireplaces and 7 balconies.
One of the most unique features of this home, however, is the private rooftop conservatory which is home to a fireplace, a fish pond, and abundant plant life and foliage.
Hey Victoria, are you ready to have the city’s top local stories sent directly to your inbox, weekly?
As of April 12th, 2019 we’re bringing you the option to sign up for a first-of-its-kind hyperlocal newsletter that drops the latest buzz about Victoria right into your inbox.
We here at Victoria Buzz want to keep you in the know, and we’re so excited about it (and having you read it!) that if you sign up and subscribe, you’ll be automatically entered to WIN a $200 Nautical Nellies gift card!
Your favourite local media publication is about to become more accessible than ever, as we bring the latest and greatest happenings from in and around Greater Victoria directly to your email.
Because we know that you, our incredible readers, are busy people – we are, too! – there’s a chance you may miss some of the articles that we publish.
That’s where our newsletter comes in handy. It will allow you to stay up to date with the crème de la crème of content that we post on the Victoria Buzz website on a weekly basis.
When you opt to stay connected with the Victoria Buzz Newsletter, you’re getting the latest news, events, and contests featured on our site right to your inbox.
We’re not afraid to commit to bringing you the most exclusive content out there – click subscribe and commit to us, too!
PRIZE
We’re giving away a $200 Nautical Nellies gift card just for subscribing to our newsletter! Nautical Nellies is one of the best places on the island for fresh, local surf and turf – and have you checked out their brunch menu? Phenomenal! They’ve also recently rolled out a new Happy Hour menu, as well as updated lunch and dinner menus too. Patio season has never looked better!
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Contest closes on April April 30, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. One winner will be drawn at random.
Canada’s tallest waterfall, Della Falls, was summited for the first time ever by world-renowned Albertan ice climber and adventurer, Will Gadd.
Della Falls measures approximately 440 metres tall and is located in Vancouver Island’s Strathcona Park. The rushing water rarely freezes, making this year’s blizzardy winter ideal for Gadd, who had been waiting to climb the waterfall for three years.
“Della Falls first ascent, what an adventure!” said Gadd in a Facebook post.
“Last week, Chris Jensen, Peter Hoang and I snuck a high-speed trip in and climbed Della Falls, the highest waterfall in Canada,” he said. “And, surprisingly, it’s on Vancouver Island.”
Gadd believes that its location on our island is one of the reasons why the waterfall has never been summited.
“Vancouver Island does not give up its secrets easily; never have my boots and head been so wet at the same time,” he added.
The challenges before the climb
While the climb itself was already difficult, the trek to get to the base of Della Falls was a challenge in and of itself.
With a tight window of just four days to fly to the island, boat across 35 kilometres of lake, hike 15 kilometres of trail, and establish camp at the base of the waterfall, Gadd had his work cut out for him.
Travelling with photographer and climber Pete Hoang and local ice climber “grizzlyman” Chris Jensen, Gadd made his way to Della Falls and completed the difficult ascent.
In total, it took the group two days to conquer seven pitches in bitterly cold conditions.
Will Gadd, also known as “Captain Adventure”, is a world-renowned ice climber and outdoorsman who’s ascended routes around the globe.
In 2014, Gadd was named National Geographic’s Adventurer of The Year and in 2015 he was the first person to summit a frozen Niagara Falls. He has also broken the world distance record for paragliding three times.
With playoff-fire running black and blue through our veins, it’s almost easy to forget some of the spectacular regular season goals that got the Victoria Royals into the #2 spot in the WHL’s BC Division – but here’s a great reminder!
Royals’ right-winger D-Jay Jerome showcases some seriously fancy footwork against the Portland Winterhawks in this highlight-reel breakaway goal, which easily made its way into the WHL’s top 10 goals of the entire 2018-19 regular season.
If you can pick your jaw up off the floor after that epic display, you can check out the other 9 top goals from this season as the WHL has presented them below – Jerome’s goal clocked in at #5:
The Victoria Royals are no strangers to spotlighting stellar sportsmanship on the team, and goaltender Griffen Outhouse often tops the charts when it comes to big numbers and even bigger saves. The 20-year old net-minder even made the WHL’s top three-stars on March 22nd after the Royals recorded a 4-0 shutout on their opening night of the playoffs.
Friday’s win against Kamloops marked goaltender Griffen Outhouse’s ninth post-season victory. With the win, Outhouse tied Royals’ alumnus Coleman Vollrath for most postseason victories in franchise history with nine. Outhouse also passed Vollrath with his 21st career WHL postseason appearance to set a new franchise mark.
A few of Outhouse’s key saves have also made it into the WHL’s ‘Jane’s Saves’ of the week this week:
Feeling pumped for playoff hockey yet? The Victoria Royals recently released their 2018-19 Playoff intro video, and we promise it will get you hyped to watch the boys in blue as they battle for their playoff livelihood – you can check it out below!
The Royals continue their first round stint against the Kamloops Blazers tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sandman Centre, and the game is watchable online on the WHL’s website. They will also take on the Blazers once again tomorrow at 7 p.m. in their house, before they return home again on Saturday, March 30th at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – puck drop for that game is at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are still available.
You can check out the rest of the series schedule here!
We will face the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the #WHLPlayoffs! Game 1 is this Fri, while Game 2 will take place on Sat. Puck drop for both contests is at 7:05 pm! #VICvsKAM
VicPD are searching for people who may have witnessed an assault that took place on Dallas Rd on Sunday.
A woman was walking along Dallas Rd near South Turner St on Sunday, March 24th at around 4 p.m. when she was assaulted by a man.
The victim was able to defend herself and run away.
She reported that her attacker, described as a black man, was associated with two Caucasian men one of whom was standing by a white van parked near public washrooms, while the other was sitting in the drivers’ seat.
All three individuals are considered suspects in the incident, and are believed to be between 19 and 20 years of age.
The black man and one of the two Caucasian men were standing approximately 5’10” tall. The Caucasian man standing near the van was wearing a white tank top.
Anyone who witnessed anything, or believe they know who is involved is asked to call Victoria Police at 250-995-7654. To report what you know anonymously please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
One of the pillars of our community, the Greater Victoria Festival Society (GVFS) has been promoting spirit and pride in our fair city for many years – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Though they’re famous for bringing joy to thousands of people lining Victoria’s streets each year with their parades and events, the GVFS is so much more than that. Along with their numerous volunteer efforts and support for our fair city, they also aid in collecting much-needed donations for the Mustard Seed Food Banks.
Without further ado, here are 8 things you probably didn’t know (or may have wondered!) about the parades that happen in downtown Victoria:
1. The Greater Victoria Festival Society’s Island Farms Victoria Day parade is one of the BIGGEST events on the island!
Attracting well over 100,000 people each year, GVFS’s Island Farms Victoria Day Parade is a staple of the capital city and easily one of the biggest draws of Victoria Day long weekend!
Led by the Canadian Forces, this annual event is free and fun for the whole family. You can also follow the parade afterwards to Centennial Square for “Celebration Square” to continue on the festivities and make a day of it!
2. Some of GVFS’ parades and events happen with little to no funding
Majorly non-profit and volunteer-based, the GVFS has made magic happen with only a small amount of outside revenue – banding together as a community to bring you some of the most popular Victoria entertainment!
3. Many of the city’s largest parades that you attend each year are made possible by the GVFS
Though they were creating and promoting great events for years before, the Greater Victoria Festival Society became an official corporation as of 1992.
5. You could be one of their volunteers!
Are you looking to give back to the community, experience a cool event from behind the scenes, and make a difference in a way that only volunteering can? The GVFS is always looking for volunteers – and it’s as easy as applying online!
6. The Island Farms Victoria Day Parade follows a theme each year!
This year, the theme is ‘Denim and Diamonds’, so bring your best Canadian Tuxedo and bedazzled rhinestones out to this year’s must-see event!
7. Wicked Victoria was created 4 years ago – and is going strong!
The annual event started 4 years ago to promote a walkable downtown and the amazing harvest and Halloween time in our fair city! It’s a great (spooky) chance to learn more about some of the over 3000 non-profit organizations in Greater Victoria.
8. This year’s Victoria Day Parade will include all of the classics!
Join GVFS on Monday, May 20th at 9:00 a.m. this year for a multicultural event featuring talented Canadian and American marching bands, community and commercial floats, cultural performances and a spotlight on many of Victoria’s local businesses.
(Greater Victoria Festival Society / Facebook)
The Greater Victoria Festival Society’s aim is to present any activity that is beneficial to the community as a whole – to develop and promote civic spirit and pride with the creation of festivals, parades and special events!
You can follow GVFS’s social media to stay up to the minute with all their latest news and info by checking out the links below!
Last week, Bridget Matewish (granddaughter of Ron Hale who built Howard in 1998) and her family narrowed down Howard’s new home to five Vancouver Island locations.
The potential relocation spots included Galey Farms in Saanich, Fast Time Grand Prix and Log Cabin General Store in Parksville, Treasure, Curio and RV Park in Coombs, and White River Resort in Sayward.
While the family is grateful for the hundreds of places that offered to house Howard, Galey Farms was eventually chosen based on longevity, care, family oriented environment, and what Hale would have approved of.
“We would like to thank each and every person who expressed interest in taking on Howard,” said Howard the World’s Tallest Gnome Facebook page.
“We came to our decision based on longevity, lifestyle and what we though my grandfather would think of his new digs. The Galey family has promised to carry on his legacy and has grand plans for Howards future.”
In addition to the move, Howard is expected to undergo a full restoration.
DRUMROLL Please…. We are super excited to announce that Howard the Worlds Tallest gnome will be heading to his new…
BC Coroners Service has officially decided that the public has a right to know more about the circumstances surrounding the death of 16-year-old Elliot Cleveland Eurchuk who suffered an opioid overdose in April 20th.
The 11th grade student of Oak Bay High School died at his home on April 20th after allegedly taking street drugs his parents believe he was using to help him sleep. A mix of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine was found in his system.
The circumstances surrounding Eurchuk’s death will be reviewed at the inquest which will also explore whether or not a jury can make recommendations for how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Witnesses under oath will testify to the facts about his death which will be heard by presiding coroner Michael Egilson and a jury.
Eurchuk’s parents, Rachel Staples and Brock Eurchuk have been requesting this inquest since their eldest son’s death in April.
They have argued that the health care system failed Elliot who was given full autonomy of his treatment after a slew of surgeries, which caused his addiction to opioids before he turned to street drugs.
BC Coroners Service’s inquest will start on June 17th, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Victoria (Dispute Resolution Room, Fraser Building).
An enormous snake has been repeatedly spotted by one Saanich resident, according to police.
On March 19th, a resident in the 3200 block of Linwood Avenue called Saanich Police with reports of a large pale yellow snake on his property.
According to the man, the snake has been spotted several times over the past few months, with the first sighting occurring around Christmas time. It is normally seen at night or in the very early morning, while it is still dark out.
Police say that the snake may be an exotic species that was being kept by a resident as a pet that may have been intentionally released by an owner who no longer wanted it. or unintentionally escaped. Police say that if it did escape, there have not been any reports of a missing snake.
The reptile may also be classified under BC’s controlled alien species regulations, which require individuals to obtain a permit before owning select exotic species. The BC Fish and Wildlife Branch has been alerted to the report and will follow up with residents in the area who may have such a permit.
Saanich Police say that there have been no other reports of someone seeing a large snake and that the Saanich Pound has been unable to locate one as well.
Anyone who spots the big reptile is asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321. If possible and safe to do so, police ask that people take a picture of the snake and keep it in sight until officers arrive.
This Vancouver Island company is the latest to go green with its plan to convert to all-electric aircraft.
In an announcement made by Harbour Air today, the airline said it is partnering with engineering company, magniX, to convert all of their seaplanes into an all-electric commercial fleet.
All the aircraft that service Harbour Air’s 12 routes will be refitted with 750 horsepower magni500 electric motors. The first seaplane to be converted will be a six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver, with the first flight tests expected to occur in late 2019.
The new short-haul passenger planes will produce zero emissions and will have zero reliance on fossil fuels.
We're thrilled to announce our innovative plans to become the world's first all-electric commercial airline! Initiatives like this keep Canada a leader in aerospace and create planet-friendly transportation solutions for the future. Read more at https://t.co/eyNI0rXxd6@MagniXpic.twitter.com/FGvZo2idHc
“Harbour Air first demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by becoming the first fully carbon-neutral airline in North America in 2007, through the purchase of carbon offsets,” said Greg McDougall, founder and CEO of Harbour Air Seaplanes in a statement.
“Through our commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives, the communities where we operate and the environment, we are once again pushing the boundaries of aviation by becoming the first aircraft to be powered by electric propulsion.”
“We are excited to bring commercial electric aviation to the Pacific Northwest, turning our seaplanes into ePlanes,” said McDougall.
In total, the aviation industry is responsible for 12% of all carbon emissions in the US, and 4.9% globally. MagniX believes that their new electric propulsion system technology will serve as an example for innovation in the airline industry.
“In 2018, 75 percent of worldwide airline flights were 1,000 miles or less in range,” said magniX CEO, Roei Ganzarski in a statement. “With magniX’s new propulsion systems coupled with emerging battery capabilities, we see tremendous potential for electric aviation to transform this heavily trafficked ‘middle mile’ range.”
Harbour Air has been in operation for 37 years, and is North America’s largest seaplane airline. It services over 500,000 passengers on 30,000 flights each year, including flights between Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Tofino, Salt Spring Island, Whistler, Richmond, and more.
BC Ferries has halted service between Nanaimo Horseshoe Bay and Langdale terminals after a vessel hit the dock at the latter port.
At around 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the Queen of Surrey vessel made contact with the berthing structure at Langdale, and is out of commission for the rest of the day.
“The vessel is currently resting on the edge of a fender panel on the pontoon. A tug is currently en route and should arrive before 12:00 noon to assist,” reads an update from BC Ferries.
A free water taxi service for foot passengers has been set up for stranded passengers on both sides of the Strait.
It will be operating on a space availability basis between the government dock at Horseshoe Bay and Gibsons Landing and from the government dock at Horseshoe Bay and Hopkins Landing.
Passengers with vehicles are encouraged to via Earls Cove and Saltery Bay, Powell River and Comox, and Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay or Duke Point and Tsawwassen.
In the evening, service between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale will be provided by the Queen of Cowichan vessel with limited vehicle capacity as follows:
5:30 pm and 7:50 pm exit Horseshoe Bay
6:40 pm and 8:55 pm exit Langdale
The crown corporation’s website also crashed briefly earlier today due to increased traffic.
Now that you’ve spent a few months getting hyped about Vancouver Island’s latest sports team, it’s time to showcase some team spirit with this awesome part-time gig!
Pacific FC is hosting open tryouts to hire a team mascot, whose identity will be revealed later this month, for their inaugural season of the Canadian Premier League.
The successful candidate would perform as the team mascot year round starting April 8th, for 10-20 hours/week.
“Pacific FC is looking for someone passionate, motivated, and energetic to represent our team as our mascot,” reads the job posting.
“This person must be available for all home games plus community outreach events, throughout Vancouver Island. The ideal candidate is a positive team player that is very self-motivated, creative, outgoing and loves interacting with people in the community.”
Just show up
Mascot trials will be taking place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27th at Upstairs Cabaret in Bastion Square.
Each participant will be judged on two main activities: a 45 second dance performance, (rehearsed or unrehearsed), and a short game of charades meant to test spontaneity.
Costumes and music will be available upon request, so all you have to bring is your confidence, positive attitude, and your grooviest moves!
Can’t make it to the open tryouts? Send out your résumé to Kadie Smith, ksmith@pacificfc.ca with subject line “Mascot” ASAP!
One of the world’s most famous and controversial comedians is coming to Victoria this fall.
With a long list of popular productions to his name, Australian comedian Jim Jefferies is bringing his trademark thought-provoking comedy to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on November 16th.
For a taste of Jim’s work on screen, fans can check out any of his three popular Netflix comedy specials or his Comedy Central series, the Jim Jefferies Show.
Not one to shy away from his opinions, Jefferies’ Comedy Central series features him travelling the world and tackling the latest news stories and controversial issues with his trademark cutting comedic edge.
Jim also produced the critically acclaimed FX television series, Legit, and was featured on the silver screen in films Killing Hasselhoff and Punching Henry.
Off the screen, Jim can be found on Comedy Central’s Podcast Network with his own broadcast, the Jim Jefferies Show Podcast. The audio show features a variety of guests every week, and discusses current news and politics with greater focus and less filtering than his television series.
This November will be the fourth time Jim brings his act to Victoria. Tickets for this year’s show will go on sale starting March 29th at 10 a.m.
One of Victoria’s most popular breakfast staples, Floyd’s Diner, has been spotted preparing to open a new location in Saanich after shutting down its flagship Yates Street branch in January.
The third branch of the restaurant chain will be setting up shop at the former Olive Grove restaurant location at 4496 W Saanich Rd – a building that has recently received the hot pink exterior wall treatment that is unique to the home of the iconic Mahoney.
According to staff, this newest addition to the Floyd’s family of restaurants will be ready to welcome brunch-goers as early as the second week of April.
The original Floyd’s, which was located on the corner of Quadra and Yates Street, closed on January 2nd after 15 years due to a disagreement on lease terms. Two other branches remain open in James Bay and Langford.
Earlier this year, restaurant chain owner Petr Prusa, told Victoria Buzz that several downtown locations were under consideration for the restaurant.
We have reached out to Prusa for further comments about the decision to move to Saanich.
Just minutes after West Shore RCMP asked for the public’s assistance in identifying a couple whose pictures were found in a lost camera, the rightful owners were discovered!
The camera was found in View Royal on Monday, and the owners contacted police just 15 minutes after their photo was shared with the public on Tuesday.
West Shore RCMP are thanking everyone who helped share the post.
About 15 minutes after posting a photo of a couple who’s camera was turned into us, the owner called in. We are happy to reunite the camera with its owner! Thanks everyone for sharing the previous post! https://t.co/Xt792ydYnG
On Monday, a Good Samaritian found a digital camera that was lost near Helmcken Road in View Royal and handed the item over to local police.
Now, West Shore RCMP are looking to return the camera and believe that the couple pictured above are its rightful owners.
“We looked through the photos and are asking the public’s assistance in identifying the people,” said Cst. Nancy Saggar of the West Shore RCMP. “If you know these people, or this is you, please call us so we can return your camera.”
If you are or know the identity of the owners, West Shore RCMP asks that you contact them at 250-474-2264.
We’re officially in the last week of March, can you believe it? On today’s agenda we spring breka activities for children, educational improv, cool ways to volunteer for the city, and more!
Without further ado here are 5 things to do in and round Victoria today.
Spring Break means games, crafts, songs, and hands-on activities at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sactuary Society!
Visitors can expecct outdoor guided walks and live animals during the Snake Spectacular event. The guided walks will be on uneven terrain so be sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle and snack if desire!
Tuesday, March 26: Swan Lake Trails Discovery
Wednesday, March 27: Snake Spectacular
Thursday, March 28: Christmas Hill Wildflower Walk
When: It’s Admission by donation March 25-28 from 12 to 3 p.m. drop-in anytime.
Where: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, 3873 Swan Lake Road
Love it or hate it, everyone has to make small talk. If your chatting skills need some improvement, now’s your chance with Be Improv!
Learn how to up your small talk game with master improviser, Brett MacDonald. Brett uses her improv principles and exercise to help people feel relaxed and more comfortable with themselves and conversing with others.
Join the City of Victoria and Canadian Red Cross for a volunteer fair and learn about volunteering with Victoria’s Emergency Social Services (ESS) and Cyclist Response Teams (CRT).
There will be displays and a chane to talk to representatives from each volunteer team. training is free but volunteers must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license.
Tuesdays can only mean one thing, it’s a swing jazz and speakeasy kind of night! Get ready to step back in time to 1928 and listen to live swing jazz, sip on classic cocktails, and of course, dance!
Bootleggers and cocktail drinkers experienced or new are welcome, but people who know the speakeasy’s secret word will get one free drink!
While winter in Victoria has come to a close, flu season on the island is far from over.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), the province is being hit with an unusually late second wave of Influenza A.
In the past three weeks, the number of flu cases has increased by 50%, and has been particularly affecting long-term care facilities. While this year has seen a lower rate of Influenza A than in 2017-18 and 2016-17, the recent uptick could bring the illness up to its previous levels.
The BCCDC adds that it is too early to say whether or not this second wave of influenza has reached its peak yet.
“We are seeing an upswing in influenza activity, including those requiring hospitalization and in long-term care facilities,” Cheryl Bloxham, Island Health, told Victoria Buzz.
“It is expected that most of the current influenza activity is the H3N2 strain, while early influenza was H1N1 strain.”
According to Island Health’s active outbreak list, there are 6 outbreaks of Influenza A occuring at provincially run centres on the island. The locations include, Amica Douglas Housein Victoria, Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in Nanaimo, and more in Duncan, and Parksville.
To protect yourself from the flu, Island Health offers a few easy to follow tips:
Clean your hands regularly (with soap and water or alcohol based hand rubs).
Cover your mouth when you cough or cough into your sleeve.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
Reschedule visits to loved ones at Island Health facilities when you are sick.
While flu season is usually associated with winter, it’s usually not declared over until April. Health authorities say that annual flu shots are still beneficial for those who may not have gotten them this year.
Symptoms for Influenza A include cough, fever, and aches and pains.
Do you really have time for the flu? Until the end of March, please wear a mask in care facilities if you have not had a #flushot. https://t.co/wfZYpLQRdE
The Nanaimo RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing piece of First Nations art that was stolen from its public location last weekend.
The art piece, called Spindle Whorl, was last seen on Thursday, March 21st, in its public display area near the intersection of Albert Street and Victoria Crescent. The Spindle Whorl had been in place since 2015.
Before the piece was moved to that location in 2015, it was on display at Maffeo Sutton for years.
“The Spindle Whorl represents Coast Salish art and has been a fixture in downtown Nanaimo for many years,” said Nanaimo RCMP in a release. “Historically, the spindle whorl has become an iconic symbol for the Snuneymuwx people with carvings that often depict family stories and legends.”
The art piece, created by a local Nanaimo carver Joel Good, is described as a large carved cedar disc that measures approximately 3 feet in diameter. It was attached to its base with four screws.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 and quote file # 2019-9878. Alternatively, people can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
(Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews / Google Maps)
A typical Sunday lunch quickly took an action packed turn after a would-be purse thief was chased down by Red Robin patrons, staff members, and an off duty corrections officer.
At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Stephanie Johnson was eating lunch with her family at Red Robin on Tolmie Avenue when she spotted a man “slyly” grabbing her mother and sister’s purses from an empty chair beside them at their table. She immediately yelled for him to stop and began to get up and chase the thief around the restaurant.
Soon after the chase began, restaurant staff members and other patrons joined in. According to police, the man then fled outside, crossing Blanshard Street and abandoning the purses roughly one block away from the restaurant.
As people were recovering the handbags, one restaurant manager was still in pursuit of the thief, prompting another witness who was driving by the chase to notice the incident. The new witness, reportedly an off-duty corrections officer, tracked the thief down Alder Street where he was attempting to hide behind a fence and held him there until police arrived.
“We fly out to Disneyland at 5 a.m. and passports and money were in one of the purses!” said Johnson in a Facebook post. “The staff and management at Red Robin were amazing and definitely went above and beyond.”
“Saanich police were incredibly fast,” she added.
Police say that the suspect is well known to them and was wanted for previous thefts. In addition to his previous warrants, the man is now facing 1 count of obstruction, 2 counts of theft, 3 counts of breaching his recognizance, and 4 counts of failing to comply with his probation order.
He is currently being held in custody for court.
“I’m so incredibly appreciative of the people that stepped in – if it weren’t for them the guy would be long gone!” said Johnson.
Johnson also noted that the incident serves as a good reminder to keep personal items like purses safe when out and about.
Two Victoria Police K9 units are being credited with bringing quick conclusions to three separate arrests over the past 10 days.
The first arrest involved police dog Alpha on March 16th scaring one suspect into complying with police officers peacefully.
Alpha and his partner discovered a man rummaging through a donation bin at Tillicum Mall. The man gave the officer a fake name but was recognized as someone from previous interactions and had outstanding warrants out for his arrest.
As more officers were enroute, it appeared like the man was about to flee. Alpha’s firm barking scared the man straight, however, and he was safely taken into custody.
One week later, on March 23rd, police dog Zender and his partner located a dangerous man in the early hours of the morning. At roughly 4:00 a.m., Zender and his partner approached a suspicious vehicle and found that the male driver was breaching conditions and was considered “extremely violent”.
Like Alpha, Zender’s firm bark and and presence convinced the man to comply with officers safely.
Much later on the same day, at 11:00 p.m., Zender was back on duty with his partner and helped track down a suspect involved an assault.
Zender and other members of Saanich Police were searching near the 1300-block of Hastings Street where an assault had occurred. Zender began sniffing out the area and began tracking a scent heading towards a shed on the property.
The suspect was hiding inside the shed, and was safely taken into custody.
A retired Saanich Police officer has raised thousands of dollars for children battling cancer after recently being diagnosed with cancer himself.
On Friday, Cst. Paul Cain held a head shave to help raise money for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. The reason for the head shave was two-fold, as Cain wanted to both help children battling the disease and to prepare himself for the aggressive cancer treatments that lay ahead of him.
“In the spirit of not letting cancer win, Paul chose to lose his hair on his terms and asked for it to be shaved at the Saanich Police Department in front of those he spent his career with,” said Saanich Police in a release.
Paul had originally imagined that a small gathering of friends and coworkers would show up to the head shave, and set a goal of raising $1000 to support kids who were about to battle the same illness that he was.
What unfolded, however, was a much larger show of support.
“He met his fundraising goal on Friday by raising $1000, and then another $1000, and another,” said Saanich Police. “At the end of the day, Paul had raised more than $16,000!”
The day was also filled with cake donated by a local Thrifty Foods, coffee provided by a nearby Starbucks, and door prizes courtesy of a Saanich Pharmasave.
“Paul embodies the spirit of Cops for Cancer and humbles us with his humanity,” said Saanich Police. “Well done Paul…we couldn’t be prouder of your drive to kick cancers butt, all while never losing your humour or kindness!”
Saanich Police has supported Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock since 1998. For more information on Tour de Rock or to donate check out their website online here.
A case of an unpaid taxi fare last Thursday took a number of odd twists and turns, according to Oak Bay Police.
Just before 4 a.m., a taxi driver contacted police to report that a male passenger failed to pay his fare. As police were enroute, a different man approached the cab and handed the driver his identification, promising to return after he found enough cash to pay him.
When police arrived, they ran the identification given to the driver through their systems and discovered that the man had two outstanding warrants out for his arrest.
The warrants involved possession of drugs and failing to attend court.
The 48-year-old man returned to the taxi and was arrested, and the cab driver was paid in full.
Five months after cannabis was legalized in Canada, the BC government has licensed the first legal recreational dispensary in Victoria.
According to the Original Farm retailer, the province has approved of its applications to re-open their two locations on 3055 Scott Street and 1402 Douglas Street, and their doors could re-open as soon as April 2019.
The dispensary opened its doors in 2015 and was the first to receive a business license from the City of Victoria in April 2017.
Since cannabis was legalized in Canada, however, the Original Farm has been closed alongside many other private retailers in the city.
“We pride ourselves on our safety standards and respect for usage laws – our cannabis products are not intended for nor marketed to children, and our values are backed up by the city’s decision to license us right where we stand,” said the retailer back in 2017.
The two locations could open as early as next month, says the Original Farm.
Here are the two timelines for the approximate opening dates of the retailer:
1402 Douglas Street re-opening
Aug 2018 – Provincial application submitted
Oct 17, 2018 – Closed in preparation for legalization
Feb 2019 – Provincial approval
Mar 2019 – Municipal approval
Apr 2019 – Final inspection from the Liquor Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB)
Apr 2019 – Receive Provincial license
Apr 2019 – Place 1st order with the LCRB
Apr 2019 – The Original Farm downtown re-opens
3055 Scott Street re-opening
Oct 17, 2018 – Closed in preparation for legalization
Feb 2019 – Provincial approval
Mar 2019 – Municipality sends back to public hearing
As Canadians across the country are in the process of filing taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) systems have gone down, making logging-in impossible.
The systems reportedly went down early Monday morning, preventing users from logging in to their accounts, and the agency said it is currently working on a fix.
Due to technical issues, our online systems are currently down. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to get them back online quickly.
Since the technical errors first occurred, the “My Account” and “My Business Account” login pages have been unusable. Some people have reported the site has been acting up since Friday.
Trying to log in redirects users to a page that says “this service is not available at this time.” The CRA notes that some online services may still be available through the CRA main page, but has given no estimated time of when the website will be fully restored.
With tax season upon us, the CRA website sees increased traffic at this time of year.
If you were in downtown Victoria this weekend, chances are you spotted one of the many colourfully and impressively attired fans attending this year’s Capital City Comic Con.
Hundreds of people from across BC made their way to Victoria’s largest pop culture convention, exploring the many exhibitors, meeting celebrity guests, and of course making friends with other geeky members of the community.
From Star Wars to super heroes to movie and video game characters and more, if you have a favourite pop culture character, there was probably someone dressed up as them this weekend.
Last year’s gallery can be found here, and if we missed you in this year’s feel free to add a photo of yourself in the comments!
Without further ado, here’s a look at 29 of the most memorable outfits of the weekend!
Games, crafts, songs, and hands-on activities; fun for the whole family! Live animals will be featured during the Snake Spectacular event. Swan Lake Trails Discovery and Christmas Hill Wildflower Walk both feature outdoor guided walks on uneven terrain; be sure to wear sturdy shoes, bring a water bottle and snack if desired.
Monday, March 25: Bird Bonanza
Tuesday, March 26: Swan Lake Trails Discovery
Wednesday, March 27: Snake Spectacular
Thursday, March 28: Christmas Hill Wildflower Walk
When: It’s Admission by donation March 25-28 from 12 to 3 p.m. drop-in anytime.
Where: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, 3873 Swan Lake Road
It’s that time again! Witness over 1000 Blue Morpho butterflies flooding our indoor tropical jungle all month long. They’ll be showcasing an extra 700 pupae and new butterflies will emerge each day! This amazing transformation can be seen in our emerging window as the butterflies hatch from their chrysalides.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Victoria Butterfly Gardens, 1461 Benvenuto Avenue
An evening of BC true-to-single vineyard wines and a family-style, farm to table feast. Friends, Jay Drysdale of Bella Wines and Matthew Sherlock of Lock & Worth Wines, Nichol Vineyards and Sedimentary Imports join forces with Sherwood.
The creative force has arrived at the Sidney Museum with their newest presentation of the ever-popular Lego Exhibition celebrating over 60 years of Lego imagination. Dozens of Star Wars themed Lego models provide a special focus for this exciting exhibit, rounded out by hundreds of other Lego models including Hogwarts Castle and Lego model of the Bugatti Chiron automobile. Admission is always by donation.
With a gorgeous townhome, two brand new vehicles and $700,000 cold hard cash just being ONE of the eight incredible grand prizes that BC Children’s Hospital Lottery is offering up this year, grabbing your tickets before their April deadline is looking better than ever!
The Early Bird Deadline is also this Thursday, March 28th and tickets are already over 90% sold out – so grab yours while you still can!
Capital Park Residence townhome kitchen
The other Grand Prize choices aside from the Victoria prize are nothing to balk at either – they feature homes in South Surrey, Vancouver’s English Bay, downtown Kelowna and Quail Ridge (Kelowna), and Squamish, or choose $2.2 million cash!
When you buy a BC Children’s Hospital Lottery ticket, you’re supporting the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to children, and with your support, they can help improve their lives and define the future of children’s health care for generations to come.
As if one of Capital Park Residence’s 1,443 sq.ft. three-level, 2-bedroom townhomes wasn’t draw enough, its location is to-die-for – picturesque James Bay is one of the most sought-after communities in Victoria, and here are 6 of its amenities you won’t want to miss out on:
1. James Bay Square has everything you need and more
With everything in walking distance and basically at your fingertips, James Bay Square offers up grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants – and even a popular Victoria liquor store!
2. Did somebody say Red Barn?
If you’ve lived in Victoria, you know what a Red Barn Market sandwich tastes like! The Red Barn Market is part of the new Capital Park development located right behind the BC Parliament Buildings. The new development includes a brand new library, government offices and condominiums.
3. Local chocolates at Bird Cage Confectionary
A staple in Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood, James Bay, since 1915, the Birdcage Confectionary continues to operate to serve the neighbourhood selling flowers, local cheeses, chocolates, and of course the bags of barley to feed the local duck population!
4. Fresh-cut flowers from Fine Floral Designs
You’ll never be left wondering where to buy beautiful blooms again! A staple of Victoria and the James Bay area, Fine Floral promises to wow you with the finest floral arrangements and gifts.
5. Late night drinks or even brunch at Bent Mast Pub
Serving up local craft brews and authentic Canadian eats in a refurbished 1880’s house, the Bent Mast is the perfect spot to wind down after a long day – and they even serve brunch!
6. The ocean is literally steps from your front door
At Capital Park Residences, you’re minutes from the inner harbour and the waterfront. The beautiful new development also offers a unique rooftop patio with stunning views – perfect for entertaining or BBQing during the upcoming warmer months!
On top of the Grand Prize draws, BC Children’s Lottery also has one more Early Bird draw coming up! One winner will have their choice of either a travel package including a Challenger Private Jet from London Air Services to Maui for 6 with 5 nights, 5 star accommodation, plus a 2019 Tesla Model X 75D AND $50,000 cash, or vacations for life – $200,000 vacation/travel gift card plus $100,000 cash! The third option is $250,000 cash – how do we even pick?
The Early Bird Draw deadline is March 28th at midnight, so grab your tickets soon!
Tickets to the lottery – and a chance to win one of the 8 prize packages including the beautiful new James Bay town-home – start at 3 tickets for $100, and go all of the way up to a 20-ticket pack for $500.
Capital Park Residence townhome bathroom
If you want to check out one of these spectacular townhomes in person, you can visit Capital Park Residence’s presentation centre at 665 Douglas Street, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m every day, aside from Fridays.
Deadlines to enter the both draws are:
Early Bird Draw: Midnight, Thursday, March 28, 2019
Main Draws and Grand Prize: Midnight, Thursday, April 11, 2019
The grand prize draw will be Thursday, May 2, 2019. Purchase your ticket (or packs of them!) here.
Your guide to our favourite places around town to enjoy the spring blossoms!
Spring is upon us and that means time to enjoy the plum and cherry blossoms!
Here are some of our favorite spots to catch the blooms around town, while the bloom usually begins from February through March. This year, we are being treated a little later thanks to a colder winter – but as the saying goes, better late than never!
Downtown
Always one of the first locations to bloom, View street turns pink as early as the first week of February! ItkasanImages
James Bay
Our favorite tree on Menzies street on the grounds of the Parliament Buildings. ItkasanImages
The grounds of Helmcken House and Thunderbird Park are usually full of bloom by mid-February. ItkasanImages
We love this spot across from the James Bay Inn! Relax under the blossoms on the bench at the end of Avalon road.Take a seat and look at the plum blossoms.The Sakura will soon be in full bloom right above the bench! ItkasanImages
The entire length of Montreal street is a sight to behold! ItkasanImages
Clarence street between Simcoe and Niagara is one of those neighbourhood treasures when the blossoms arrive. ItkasanImages
Croft Street just near Thrifty Foods in James Bay, is a perfect spot to go for a quick wander under the blossoms. ItkasanImages
Beacon Hill Park is dotted with pretty trees in bloom. ItkasanImages
South Turner is a March bloomer, and possibly James Bay’s most famous street in spring! ItkasanImages
Fairfield/Rockland
Richmond Ave as it heads down toward Gonzales is one of the most beautiful roads when in bloom. ItkasanImages
Meares Street is just a stone’s throw from downtown, and full of blossoms. ItkasanImages
McKenzie street is a slice of Cook Street Village heaven, blossoming beautifully. ItkasanImages
Tucked between Cook St and Beacon Hill Park, Oliphant Avenue makes for a perfect spring stroll. ItkasanImages
Gonzales Ave just off Richmond Ave is another beautiful Rockland street. ItkasanImages
Revercomb Pl is one of those magical little streets that bursts into bloom. ItkasanImages
Ross Bay Cemetery is full of trees in bloom and makes for a serene late afternoon spring wander. ItkasanImages
Fairfield road passing by Margaret Jenkins Elementary is a beautiful spring drive. ItkasanImages
Wildwood Avenue bursting with blossoms that go down to the view of the sea. ItkasanImages
Take a romantic March stroll along Trutch street, just outside of Cook street village. ItkasanImages
Fairfield’s most famous stretch of blossoms, Moss street usually bursts into bloom in March. ItkasanImages
Running parallel to Moss and Trutch, is delightful Harbinger Avenue. Usually in bloom come March. ItkasanImages
Quadra/Hillside
Fifth street behind Quadra Elementary school all the way down to Hillside Ave is perfect. ItkasanImages
The playground behind Quadra Elementary nestled between Finlayson street and Fifth Street, would have to be one of the prettiest once in full bloom. ItkasanImages
Tolmie avenue makes for a scenic late drive. ItkasanImages
Between Tolmie Ave and Finlayson Ave, Glasgow Ave is a little piece of suburban blossom magic! ItkasanImages
Just across from Mayfair Mall, and off Tolmie, is Alder street bursting with late March blooms. ItkasanImages
Fernwood
Princess Avenue running past George Jay Elementary all the way to North Park’s Crystal Pool, is bursting with blossoms, as is Queens Avenue on the other side of the school. ItkasanImages
Vining street has some lovely old trees that blossom. ItkasanImages
Just around the corner from Fernwood Square, is pretty Stanley Avenue, usually in bloom by late February. ItkasanImages
The lower end of magical Stanley Avenue, toward Begbie street. ItkasanImages
Suggest your favourite spots in the comments below! Enjoy!
Tonight’s tilt at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre saw big hits and even bigger goals, with Kamloops taking the overtime win over Victoria in a final score of 4-3.
We drop Game 2 to Kamloops, splitting the series 1-1. The final shots are VIC: 42 KAM: 35. pic.twitter.com/2JVyIwuSJk
Despite tonight’s loss, the Royals have notoriously put up impressive numbers in their previous ‘game-twos’ in playoff history – winning their last four out of the five second-game matchups in the post season.
Also, in the Royals’ two back-to-backs against the Blazers this regular season, Victoria went 2-0-0-0 and out scored Kamloops 10-4.
Though the Royals made a valiant push in the opening 20 minutes, the first period saw the Blazers go up 2-0 with goals from Kyrell Sopotyk and Brody Stewart after only two shots on net.
After an interference penalty by the Blazers, the Royals roared back in the second – Kody McDonald and Carson Miller tied it 2-2, both goals being on the powerplay.
Veteran goaltender Griffen Outhouse saw 31 shots this evening, fresh off of his 28-stop shutout performance on Friday. Regardless of the loss, there were plenty of jaw-dropping saves by the 20-year old in epic pad-flashing fashion.
The Blazer’s net saw Las Vegas Golden Knights prospect Dylan Ferguson with the start tonight, the Lantzville native drawing back in after missing much of the regular season due to injury – he banked 39 saves with the win.
It was a hard-fought third with both Sopotyk from Kamloops and Victoria’s McDonald netting their second goals of the game respectively, marking the score 3-3 before the two rival teams headed into heated overtime.
Time for a little bonus hockey! Overtime starts now!
Though the ‘Let’s go, Royals!’ chants of 4,614 fans rang through Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre’s walls tonight, the team still fell short in overtime with a goal by Blazers’ Jermaine Loewen.
The first-round series is now tied 1-1, and the Royals head to the Sandman Centre in Kamloops to continue their round one match-up against the Blazers on Tuesday, March 26th and Wednesday, March 27th.
Come cheer on the boys in black in blue as Victoria returns home on Saturday, March 30th for Game 5 against Kamloops with puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are still available!
You can check out the rest of the series schedule here!
We will face the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the #WHLPlayoffs! Game 1 is this Fri, while Game 2 will take place on Sat. Puck drop for both contests is at 7:05 pm! #VICvsKAM
In a surprise announcement on Saturday evening, Victoria-based event production company Atomique Productions stated that Rock the Shores will not be returning to the city in 2019.
The annual music festival featuring a plethora of local talent has been hosted in Colwood since 2012.
Today’s announcement explicitly states that Rock the Shores will not be returning in 2019.
“It has been an amazing run and we will miss it this summer,” reads the statement. “To everyone who has participated over the years on both sides of the stage, thank you!”
Victoria Buzz has reached out to Atomique Productions to inquire about future plans.
Delmer Esau was found safe by a member of the public on Thursday, March 28th.
Earlier:
Victoria Police are seeking public assistance in their search for missing Delmer Esau.
43-year-old Esau was reported missing on Tuesday, March 19th after failing to show up for a medical appointment.
He is a Caucasian man standing 5’8″ tall, weighs 130 lbs, and has long brown hair that he typically wears in a ponytail. He’s also known to wear a black “Guns N Roses” baseball hat.
A substantial one-time funding of $18.6 million is being provided to ground and search rescue (GSAR) groups across British Columbia.
The investment will be provided to the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) and then distributed to 80 GSAR groups over a three-year period in order to help them “bolster training, provide administrative support,” and renew equipment.
This is the single largest provincial investment in ground search and rescue operations in BC’s history, and is allocated in addition to the funding already provided by the province each year to cover GSAR operational costs – this initial amount was $9 million in 2017-18.
“In discussions with BCSARA, I’ve heard the ground search and rescue community’s strong concerns about the need for both an immediate infusion of funding and a clearer path toward long-term sustainable funding,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“That’s why we’re providing a record-level of funding as an immediate top-up of what B.C.’s GSAR groups are already receiving, as well as establishing a joint committee to move more quickly toward developing a sustainable funding model.”
The distribution of these funds will be overseen by a management committee formed by representatives from Emergency Management BC and BCSARA.
There are approximately 2,500 registered search and rescue volunteers in BC who respond to over 1,600 incidents every year.
A national recall has been issued for Janes brand Pub Style Chicken Nuggets due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Consumers are are advised to not eat the recalled product, described below:
(Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advises people to throw out or return the product to the store where it was purchased.
There have been illnesses reported linked to the consumption of this particular Janes brand chicken product.
According to the CFIA, food contaminated with Salmonella may look harmless but can cause a host of health issues.
Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.
Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.
Members of GoodLife Fitness’ Vic West branch are in for a change, as the health club recently announced that they will be closing that facility this summer.
Patrons of the gym were sent a letter advising them that the owners of the Vic West branch have decided to not renew their lease due to lack of parking and space at the 655 Tyee Rd location.
Those who currently have a ‘one location membership’ for the Vic West facility will then gain access to the GoodLife Fitness branch at the Bay Centre on Douglas Street.
As of July 26th, 2019, the Bay Centre facility will be the only Vancouver Island location for Canada’s largest health club company.
However, the notice from GoodLife also advised club members that the business is on the hunt for a new facility in which to move their operations.
“We have been looking for a great new location to give us the possibility to create a bigger and better facility with sufficient parking and other great amenities in the area. At this time, we have not yet found the right opportunity,” reads the letter.
For the past 39 years, GoodLife Fitness has hosted the widely popular annual ‘GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon’ every October.
If you see some of Victoria’s most prominent building’s turning red tomorrow night, don’t be alarmed!
As part of a global initiative to raise awareness about the fight against tuberculosis on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, advocacy group RESULTS Canada is shining a red light on landmarks across Canada.
In Victoria, the three buildings to be transformed for the night are:
City Hall, 1 Centennial Square
B.C. Provincial Legislature, 501 Belleville St
Capital Regional District building, 625 Fisgard St
The symbolic lights will be turned on at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 24th and remain in place until dawn the next day.
The goal is encourage support from the Canadian government for programs that work towards ending TB.
According to the organization, 10 million people worldwide (including 1,796 people in Canada) contracted tuberculosis in 2017 despite it being a preventable disease.
In a spirited bout Friday evening, the Victoria Royals came out flying and netted a 4-0 win over visiting Kamloops Blazers, in what was the first in the best-of-seven series between the two clubs.
Well. It’s just one game. Long series to go here. 👑 4 🔥 0 Shots 37-28 VIC
The Royals hold an impressive record against the Blazers – they’ve put up a 4-0-0-0 tally this regular season against Kamloops, and at home, Victoria is 23-6-2-0 in all-time contests versus the visitors.
Goaltending superstar Griffen Outhouse is no stranger to putting up points against the visiting team, either; with a record of 5-1-0-0 in his six starts against the Kamloops this season, he also holds a save percentage of 0.936 and goals against average of 2.10. In his first post-season career shutout tonight, Outhouse made 28 saves and surpassed Coleman Vollrath in career post-season appearances by a Royals goaltender with 21.
The Royals hit the ice running tonight, their shots tallying 10-0 over the visiting team before Sean Gulka drew first blood with a goal at 6:23 of the first period. Noah Lamb racked up his first career WHL point on an assist to Carson Miller’s goal in the second period, seeing Victoria go up 2-0 over Kamloops at 9:51.
Dino Kambeitz made it 3-0 later in the second period, and sealed the deal with a sweet empty netter in the third, bringing the barn on Blanshard’s crowd of 4,103 fans to their feet in the most epic way with a 4-0 shutout.
Victoria native and Blazers’ goaltender Dylan Garand made his first career WHL playoff appearance and start tonight at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – he was drafted by Kamloops in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft’s third round as 58th overall.
The three stars tonight were Sean Gulka (1) with one goal (and game-winner!), Griffen Outhouse (2) with the 28-save shutout, and Tanner Sidaway (3) with one assist.
The two teams will face each other once again tomorrow night, Saturday, March 23rd for the second game of the series before the Victoria Royals head off to the Blazers’ ice in Kamloops for game three.
Check out the series schedule below:
We will face the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the #WHLPlayoffs! Game 1 is this Fri, while Game 2 will take place on Sat. Puck drop for both contests is at 7:05 pm! #VICvsKAM
This second-to-last March weekend has lots in store, including Victoria’s largest comic con, hockey playoff games, puppies + drinks, clothing swaps, and so much more!
Without further ado, here are 14 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend.
Fulfill your childhood dreams with three jam-packed days of curious fun at the largest comic convention on Vancouver Island!
Celebrate this year’s convention by taking in all of the comics, gaming, cosplay, exhibitors, nerdy burlesque, panels, workshops and more spread out over 98,000 square feet of the beautiful Crystal Gardens and Victoria Conference Centre.
When: Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, 10:a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Victoria Conference Centre and Crystal Gardens, 713 Douglas Street
Come hang out with some of Victoria’s most adorable and adoptable puppies while filling up a growler at Phillips Brewery!
The animals are from the Flirting with Fid Animal Rescue. Just make sure to bring a pen in case you end up falling in love with one of the little guys!
When: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., 2010 Government Street
Think you’re a pro at one of Victoria’s newest and popular sports? Prove it as you raise money for charity at this Spikeball tournament for Power To Be!
Power To Be is a nonprofit organization that empowers people living with a barrier or disability by letting them explore their abilities through inclusive adventures rooted in nature.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Topaz Park, Finlayson Street and Balnchard Street
Head down to the Victoria Public Market’s community kitchen to watch this classic combination come to life!
Participants will learn how to make spicy tomato basil soup and a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich from scratch, and they’ll of course get to munch on some at the end of class. Admission is only $10!
When: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Victoria Public Market – Community Kitchen, 1701 Douglas Street
This annual 5 km family run/walk has returned for the 28th anniversary of the disappearance of 4-year-old Victoria boy, Michale Dunahee.
Proceeds from the run will go towards Child Find BC, a note-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of children in the province.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser Street
Do some of your outfits no longer “spark joy”? Maybe they’re perfect for someone new!
Bring your quality used items and a reusable bag to the Saanich Neighbourhood Place for a fun day of swapping clothes. There is a $10 admission free with all proceeds going towards refugee sponsorships.
Want to see a glimpse of what roamed Victoria millions of years ago? Dinosaurs, trilobites, ammonites, enormous clams, and sharks lived in the ancient tropical coral seas and palm tree forests that used to covered Vancouver Island.
At this Fossil Fair, families can bring their own fossils for identification, kids can take part in a scavenger hunt or make fossil rubbings, and paleontologists will share their personal fossil discoveries!
When: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Road
Start your Sunday at the Church of the Treasured Find! It’s the perfect place to find vintage, repurposed, refreshed and handmade treasures for house and garden.
Come check out the treasures that draw the crowds every week and talk with the old timers about local history and other weird stuff.
Come check out the Room, a FREE interactive pop-up exhibition at Uptown Shopping Centre that’s designed to provide the perfect environment for some quality pics. There’s one dozen displays available so take your pick!
UPDATE: As of 9:20 a.m. on Saturday morning, Izabel Velleneuve has been confirmed located and is safe.
Earlier: Victoria Police are asking public’s help as they work to locate missing youth, Izabel Velleneuve.
Izabel is a 12-year-old Caucasian girl standing five feet, three inches tall and has strawberry blond hair down to her elbows. She was last seen wearing jean shorts, a black long sleeve top and white running shoes.
Izabel was last seen on March 21st in the area of Shelbourne Street and Hillside Avenue.
Are you a small business owner, local entrepreneur, or just starting up a new venture? If so, the Bay Centre has a unique opportunity for you!
The Bay Centre is holding a one-of-a-kind ‘Pop-up Your Shop’ contest where you could win a rent-free kiosk space to showcase your business amongst the 600,000 visitors that frequent the Centre’s busy tourist season.
The grand prize of this once in a lifetime opportunity gives winners the chance to feature their product for four weeks during the bustling month of August. The second and third prize winners get to seriously cash in too – they will be given a free kiosk for the first two and last two weeks of July, respectively!
Showcasing your business during the highly-coveted tourism season at this popular destination is a fantastic way to get noticed, build sales momentum, and enter your brand into the retail market.
The Bay Centre will be considering applicants based on their business proposals, with a focus on unique offerings and growth potential – so show up and put your best foot forward this Spring!
The deadline for all considerable applications is Monday, April 15th, 2019 at 5:59 p.m. All entries are to be submitted to the Bay Centre’s administration office, located on the lower level at 2-1150 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC.
The bees are buzzing, birds are singing, and everywhere in town all signs point to the same thing: winter is officially over!
If double digit temperatures in Victoria this week weren’t enough indication of the moderate weather to come, the Weather Network has more affirmations in store for us.
“Warmer than normal temperatures are expected to dominate through the season,” reads the network’s prediction.
(Spring forecast for BC/Weather Network)
The majority of the province is also in for near normal precipitation with a few dry pockets in southeastern BC, according to Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton.
Warmer temperatures do not signal smooth sailing for all of BC, however. “During the periods of warmer weather we still have a heightened threat for flooding from rapid snow melt in the alpine regions.”
This pattern of higher than average temperatures is also expected to extend into the summer months across B.C. and Atlantic Canada, based on current Weather Network forecasts.
(Summer sneak peek/The Weather Network)
In the short term, and on a more local level, Victoria may be in for some spring showers along with the sunshine and double digit temperatures going into the weekend and next week.
The driver of a semi-truck that collided with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team last April has just been sentenced to 8 years in prison.
On April 6, 2018, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu failed to stop at a highway intersection and crashed into the Humboldt Broncos’ team bus. In total, 16 people died and 13 more were injured.
In January, he pleaded guilty to all 29 charges laid against him; these included 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
According to CBC, the crown prosecution called for a sentence of 10 years in prison while the defence, without offering an explicit recommendation, cited cases of dangerous driving that only resulted in 1.5 to 4.5 years.
After the court heard nearly 100 impact statements from victims and their families, acting Judge Inez Cardinal ruled a sentence of 8 years. She acknowledged that Sidhu was remorseful but had to take into account the number of people who were killed, injured, or affected in the crash.
After the incident, support for the team poured in from around the globe. A GoFundMe campaign launched for the Broncos raised over $15 million, which was divided among the families of the crash victims.
Since then, the Saskatchewan government has promised to install rumble strips, lights, additional, signs, and road markers in the area where the crash took place and along other highways in the province.
A three vehicle collision on Highway 19A has taken the life of one Nanaimo motorcyclist on Friday afternoon.
At approximately 12 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd, two motor vehicles and one motorcycle collided on northbound Highway 19A, between Bowen Road and Norwell Drive.
The drivers of both motor vehicles were taken to the hospital by ambulance after sustaining minor injuries, but the motorcyclist passed away as a result of serious injuries sustained in the crash.
The northbound lane of Highway 19A has been closed due to the incident, and traffic delays are expected for some time. Police are advising motorists to avoid the area if possible.
The investigation remains ongoing, and BC Coroners Service and RCMP Traffic Analysts are attending the scene.
After over 50 years of stoic existence, the Royal BC Museum is now asking for the public’s input on how to modernize and ensure the province’s natural and human history is preserved for generations to come.
The provincial government is planning on renovating the museum, which first opened in 1967. Seismic upgrades are needed for the building to mach current safety standards, and the museum’s collections of specimens, artifacts, and cultural treasures has outgrown available space.
“The Royal BC Museum is one of B.C.’s greatest cultural icons, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in a release. “It offers people the chance to explore our social and environmental history and discover the events and people that shape our province.”
“We know how important the museum is to people in B.C., and that’s why we are moving forward with plans to modernize and protect this irreplaceable collection. I’m looking forward to hearing people’s views on what a modern, accessible provincial museum could be.”
Over 880,000 people visit the museum each year. In total, the museum is home to more than seven million objects, archives, and specimens of BC’s natural and human history.
While the province finalizes its plans, British Columbians can share their ideas for the future museum designs online here or in person between April 1st and June 27th, 2019.
Public meetings will also be held in Victoria in May and June, with specific dates to be announced soon.
If you noticed last night’s sky looking unusually bright, you weren’t the only one!
Wednesday marked not only the first day of Spring, but also brought with it the third and final supermoon of the year – a phenomenon which won’t be visible again until 2020.
Supermoons appear larger and brighter than regular full moons, and in case you missed the lunar spectacle last night, check out these 12 photos to see how it lit up the horizon:
Thetis Lake and nearby regional parks have just gotten a whole lot bigger, according to the Capital Regional District (CRD).
Two large parcels of land have been purchased by the CRD for $6.5 million with the intent to increase connectivity between multiple regional parks and Thetis Lake.
The larger of the two properties measures 81 hectares, and includes 5 lots beside Thetis lake and Francis/King Parks. The land includes significant old-growth and mature second-growth forests, as well as wetland habitats that drain into Craigflower Creek.
The purchase of this land cost $5.5 million and includes existing conservation commitments and the option to purchase more land surrounding Pike Lake in the future.
Meanwhile, the smaller property measures 68 hectares, and is surrounded by two parks: the Sea to Sea and Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Parks. The land is heavily forested and encompasses the Jack Lake/Waugh Creek watershed.
This property was the last piece needed to complete one continuous stretch of protected land between Crabapple Lake and Jack Lake, which is deemed an important environment for wildlife.
“The lands near Thetis Lake will provide valuable greenspace near a dense urban area, for residents of the region,” said View Royal Mayor and CRD Director, David Screech, in a release.
“This acquisition represents a significant addition to Thetis Lake Park within the Town Of View Royal. Our Council thanks the CRD for their vision and their foresight in acquiring these lands.”
Funding for the land came from the CRD’s Land Acquisition Fund, which focuses on acquiring land to add to regional parks and trail systems.
“The CRD, with the support of our partners, has acquired more than 4,200 hectares of land valued at $58.7 million through the Land Acquisition Fund since it was established in 2000,” said CRD Parks and Environment Committee Chair Ben Isitt in a release.
“In that time the regional park system has grown from 8,400 hectares to more than 13,000 hectares.”
A quick-thinking Victoria woman helped contain a fire at her home until firefighters arrived early Friday morning.
Just after midnight, Victoria Fire officials responded to reports of a blaze in the rear deck of a house in the 1100-block of Kings Road.
When firefighters arrived, they found that resident of the house was already fighting the blaze with a nearby garden hose. Firefighters then took over the situation and extinguished the flames.
Battalion Chief Greg Batters told Victoria Buzz that he was impressed with the woman’s “quick action” and for calling 911 before trying to mitigate the situation, but also believes that the blaze was sparked by the “careless discarding of a cigarette butt.”
“She did the right steps after the fact,” said Batters. “[It’s] too bad the cigarette butt she thought she put out fell into a recycling box.”
Officials are reminding residents to completely put out all smoking materials before disposing of them.
In total, a small deck, a soffit area, and one exterior wall were impacted by the blaze. Damage to the home is estimated at $10,000.
(Helios development at 2006 Sooke Rd/Photo by Townline Homes - Facebook)
The redevelopment of an aging townhouse complex has resulted in the creation of dozens of new affordable homes for senior citizens, families, and people with disabilities in Colwood.
Twelve townhouses in the Colwood Lakes neighbourhood at 2006 Sooke Rd have been replaced by a development called Helios, creating 82 housing units for low- to moderate-income households.
The Helios development is operated by Pacifica Housing and is located near community amenities, schools, retail areas and transit. It includes pedestrian walkways, a playground and community gardens.
Units vary in size, including everything from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and the rents range from $862 to $1,570 per month.
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“These new homes represent new opportunities, security and peace of mind for families, seniors and people living with disabilities,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin.
“Our government is committed to delivering affordable homes across the province that are safe and foster a sense of community.”
The project was funded jointly by:
the provincial government which, through BC Housing, pitched in $8.4 million in capital funding and construction financing;
the City of Colwood which contributed $328,000 through its affordable housing reserve fund; and
Pacifica Housing which provided the land valued at approximately $4 million.
This is the latest in a slew of provincial and municipal efforts to increase the number of affordable housing units available in BC, in compliance with the NDP government’s 30-point-plan for housing affordability released last year.
New affordable housing units will soon be available to Victorians, according to the city.
Victoria City Council has promised $1.835 million to build two proposed affordable housing projects, with a focus on building for seniors, single working adults, people with disabilities, and families.
The two developments will be located in James Bay and Quadra Village.
In James Bay, the Capital Region Housing Corporation has proposed a redevelopment project, converting an existing three-storey building with 62 units into a four-storey building with 98 units.
Victoria has committed $1.395 million for this project, and construction will begin following a development permit approval.
“We’ve heard from residents and businesses that affordable housing is desperately needed,” said Mayor Lisa Helps in a release. “This contribution which leverages significantly higher investment from other levels of government, will create new affordable housing in two Victoria neighbourhoods.”
Meanwhile, the proposed Quadra Village project would also re-develop an existing structure.
The goal is to convert a three-storey building with 19 units into a five-storey building with 40 units. The City plans to invest $440,000 for this project, with plans moving forward after a rezoning and development permit are approved.
If the projects are approved, Victoria will give current tenants of the existing building compensation from the City Tenant Assistance Policy, and they will only have to pay “affordable rent” prices in their new temporary homes.
The two redevelopments will add a total of 138 new affordable housing units to Victoria.
Funding for the projects comes from the city’s Housing Reserve Fund. This fund was recently bolstered by an additional $250,000 for the 2019 municipal budget, increasing its total to $1 million.
Victoria, and British Columbia as a whole, has seen an alarming increase in the number of deaths among homeless people, according to the most recent data compiled by the BC Coroners Service.
In 2015, there were 73 homeless deaths in the province. In 2016, that number more than doubled, with a total of 175 deaths.
Out of these 175 deaths, 56% were considered accidental, 23% were classified as natural, and 11% resulted from suicide.
Additionally, accidental substance poisoning played a role in the vast majority of these deaths. 86% of all accidental deaths in the province and 53% of all homeless deaths in total involved unintentional drug and/or alcohol poisoning.
In comparison, from 2007 to 2015, deaths from unintentional drug and/or alcohol poisoning accounted for only 63% of accidental deaths and a minority 34% of all deaths on average.
Victoria sees increase in homeless deaths
The three BC communities with the most deaths in 2016 were Vancouver (43), Surrey (17), and Victoria (16).
While Victoria saw just one less death than Surrey in 2016, for almost every year between 2007 and 2013, our city consistently outnumbered the Lower Mainland community.
The BC Coroners Service’s report includes homeless people living outdoors, staying in make-shift shelters, and those residing in short-term shelters, safe-houses, or transition-homes.
Island Health sent a letter to parents and guardians of kids taking the Greenglade Community Centre pottery class in Sidney informing them of a case of pertussis or whooping cough recently recorded at the centre.
The advisory was sent out on Thursday, March 21st, and stated that the individual diagnosed with pertussis was taking a pottery class which ran from Monday, March 18th to Friday, March 22nd.
Earlier this month, the first case of whooping cough in Victoria this year was recorded at Mount Douglas Secondary School in Saanich, prompting Island Health to issue a letter to parents of students attending the institution.
Symptoms of pertussis include flu-like features which progress into severe coughing with a distinctive ‘whooping’ sound that can last for several weeks.
People diagnosed with whooping cough are required to undergo five days of antibiotic treatment before they are no longer infectious and can return to school/work.
The Island Health letter called for parents to ensure that their children are up to date with their immunizations against pertussis.
(Island Health letter)
Vaccines for the infection are typically administered during their first year of life, after 18 months, upon entering kindergarten, and an additional booster shot in grade 9.
It is unclear whether or not the individual diagnosed with whooping cough at Greenglade Community Centre was immunized against the infection.
According to Island Health Communications member Shannon Marshall, there have been a total of five reported cases of whooping cough on Vancouver Island this month.
