In partnership with | | COMMUNITY EVENTS | ⛹️♂️ The new spring/summer Oak Bay Active Living program guide is available for viewing now. | 🎶 Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Victoria Chamber Orchestra and the 90th anniversary of the Victoria Choral Society with a powerful performance at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium, May 3. | ✈ 89 Pacific Air Cadets are having a fundraiser tomorrow (Sat.) at 3955 Quadra. A bottle drive will take place from 9am to 3pm. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served from 11am to 2pm. | 🎨 UVic Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition 2025: If Traces Remain. One of the largest exhibitions on the Island, showcasing work by 35 emerging artists from UVic’s Visual Arts graduating class. Visual Arts building. Opening reception tonight (Fri.) at 7pm. Exhibition starts tomorrow (Sat.) 10am-6pm. | 🌱 Join Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary on May 3-4 to shop Vancouver Island’s largest Native Plant Sale! Purchase native plants and support local conservation efforts.* | *Sponsored Listing | |
|
| IN THE NEWS | 🥰 'A sign of hope’ as endangered killer whales welcome newborn orca. According to the Center for Whale Research, the calf is the fourth born into the Southern Resident killer whale population in the past 12 months. Field biologist Mark Malleson spotted the calf on April 6, travelling close to its mother in waters near Victoria's harbour. [Oak Bay News] | ☑️ Federal Election information for Oak Bay residents. Eight candidates are vying to win the riding, a strongly held NDP zone since 2006. Capital Daily has compiled information on each candidate for the Victoria riding, which includes Victoria, Oak Bay, and parts of Saanich. The latest census data pegs the electoral area’s population at 123,482, of which 100,230 are eligible to vote on or before April 28. [Capital Daily]
Federal election advance voting on April 18-21, in person, by mail. | 🏆 Victoria Royals prepare for their biggest challenge of the season. The Royals will face the high-flying Chiefs in the Western Conference semifinal. Game 1 of the series will take place in Spokane on Sunday, April 13 at 6:05 p.m. [Oak Bay News] | 👷♀️Oak Bay issues update on Estevan Utilities Project. Crews have worked their way across Beach Drive and are now installing the storm main on Estevan between Beach and Lincoln this week. They will continue to work on the sanitary main next. [District of Oak Bay] | | P.S. Did someone forward you this email*? Subscribe here. | | PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT | To join the conversation, become a member of the Oak Bay Local Facebook Group | | SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION AND COAST CAPITAL | | Take Victoria's 2025 Vital Signs survey today! | Your voice, your Victoria! | Fill out the 2025 Victoria's Vital Signs survey today for a chance to win $100 in groceries. It only takes a few minutes! | The capital region has friendly people, a temperate climate, and natural beauty. But it also faces many challenges, including affordability, housing, healthcare, and more.
How do we protect what we love about our region while finding solutions for the challenges?
Share what you think in a short-form survey, for a chance to win 1 of 3 $100 gift cards to Country Grocer. You can double your chances by taking the long-form survey. | Victoria's Vital Signs is sponsored by Coast Capital. |
|
| | Travel Insurance | One Oak Bay local reached out to the group looking for information on travel insurance, with several commenters recommending BCAA. Others said they’ve purchased medical-only insurance from TD Visa to add to what is already covered when paying for flights with their card, and it can be done over the phone. Another option is to buy via the TuGo website and to pick the London Drugs option. | Some recommended insurance they’ve bought through Costco. Others have said that it’s worth looking into different options and considering where they are travelling, and getting quotes from several companies before embarking on their journey. Do you have any recommendations to share? | | |
|
| SPONSORED BY 1440 MEDIA | Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today. | Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed. | Sign up now! |
|
| | | Increase in email scams | An Oak Bay local reached out to the group, wondering whether others have been increasingly targeted by email trickery. One local said a recent potential con felt so real that they needed a second opinion. Other locals said they’ve been targets of the same scam, which has been posted as an alert on the website of the company that is being impersonated. | Others said they’ve noticed similar schemes as well as an uptick in Messenger scams. | | Have you noticed more email scams lately? | | IN OTHER NEWS |  | Image credit: Safaa Naman |
| Syriana Restaurant and Catering starts to make Dubai chocolate bars. Visit them at 1258 Esquimalt Road or contact Safaa to place your order at 250-858-8796. | | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |
|
|  | Image credit: Mary McArthur |
|
|
