TOGETHER WITH | | COMMUNITY EVENTS | 🎪 Family Fest at Willows will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 11am to 2pm at Willows Park. The free event is organized by the Canvas Church in Oak Bay, and is open to everyone. This annual event is a community favourite and features bouncy castles, live music, games and more. | 🔥 Community BBQ on Beckwith is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11am to 2pm at Beckwith Park (857 Beckwith Ave.). The event marks 15 years in business for Provincial Moving & Storage, and they hope to see many community members there. | 🌚 The last Oak Bay Night Market of the season will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 4-8pm. Markets were held on the second Wednesday of the month in Oak Bay this summer, where the village transformed into a European-style street market with fresh and local produce, food and artisanal goods. More info here. | 🎹 Free pop-up piano concert on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 6-7:30pm at Cattle Point, Uplands Park featuring Jorge Eduardo & Yousef Shadian. | 🎼 Monterey Music Bingo is on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:15-8:15pm at the Monterey Recreation Centre which will feature nostalgic tunes and bingo excitement. Members can purchase tickets for $21, while non-members can join for $25. |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | 🏡 Oak Bay residents criticize townhouse proposal near Uplands Golf Club. The 13-unit townhouse proposed for the lot right next to Uplands Golf Club has some saying that the building is too big and too tall. Oak Bay council was reminded in April that it's far behind in its provincial requirement to build 660+ new housing units over the next five years. [Times Colonist] | 🚔 Internet Child Exploitation unit to be reactivated for three years. In 2021 the Oak Bay, Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, and Central Saanich police departments formed an integrated Internet Child Exploitation (“ICE”) unit as a six-month pilot. The group continued to collaborate afterward, but without a shared workspace. Now, $3.5M from the province for several ICE units in BC will bring that team, which includes a sergeant, four constables, and a disclosure clerk, together for three years. [BC Gov] | 🌾 A guide to invasive species, and the benefits of native plant species. Humans have introduced an array of species to the area that have ravaged the local ecosystem, such as English Ivy, Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberries, which have changed entire landscapes. [Capital Daily] | 🐟 UVic study says global fisheries sustainability likely overstated. The study, conducted by marine ecologist Amanda Bates, found that two thirds of the 230 fisheries analyzed over-estimated how many fish were available. Consistent over-estimation can lead to declines in stock available. Among the fisheries analyzed were Pacific herring fisheries on the west Island and in the Strait of Georgia. [University of Victoria] | 🚐 Changes to UVic bus route 13 to begin on Sept. 3. The change is part of a service update, where passengers are being advised to use route 11 Tillicum Centre/UVic as an alternative. BC Transit says the changes were made in order to better align service with demand. [Oak Bay News] | 🚴♂️ Oak Bay survey on planned cycling improvements open until Sept. 12. The draft designs for improvements to Henderson Road and Haultain-Estevan Avenue can be viewed here, and the survey is available here. The design team has met with residents who were invited to ask questions about the design. [District of Oak Bay] | | P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here. |
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| | PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT | To join the conversation, become a member of the Oak Bay Local Facebook Group | | Distracted driving in Oak Bay | Oak Bay locals have been discussing distracted driving this week, after reports that an Oak Bay driver crashed into a parked car on Monterey Avenue after having been distracted by the fire department while it happened. Many noted that while the incident caused some light gossip, others noted that it didn’t get near as many negative comments as incidents involving cyclists, which often stoke divisiveness in the community. | Accidents involving cyclists often get people asking questions about what the cyclists were wearing and what they were doing wrong, and many feel that drivers of vehicles don’t get asked similar questions. Have you noticed a discrepancy as well? | |
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| | | Grocery gift cards for seniors | An Oak Bay local posted that they were inspired to leave a $10 gift card at the Fairway Market grocery counter, for an employee to offer to a senior who may need it, at their discretion. | They were prompted to do this after seeing an older person count a small amount of change in order to pay for a grocery item. This got them thinking that the increasing costs of groceries must have an outsized impact on seniors on a fixed income. While many people of all demographics struggle to afford everyday essentials, it can be hard to find extra to give to people in need. Food banks have also been seeing massive spikes in demand across the country. This community member highlighted how a small action may just make someone’s day, and encouraged others to do the same. | At last count, the post has over 118 comments, with dozens saying they plan to give a little extra to help someone with their next grocery bill. | | Have you ever added a gift card to your grocery order to give to a stranger? | | |
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| SPONSORED BY BREWERY & THE BEAST | | Brewery & the Beast is coming up on September 22 | Victoria’s ultimate culinary celebration, Brewery & the Beast, is set to ignite Starlight Stadium in Langford on September 22. The Festival of Meat promises an unforgettable afternoon of indulgence with over 45 of Vancouver Island’s top chefs and restaurants, including Dumpling Drop, La Mano, Q at the Empress, and Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, presenting meat-centric dishes cooked over live fire. Alongside the food, enjoy a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages—all included in your ticket. | The event also features live music, making it one of the best parties on the island! With a commitment to sustainability, all proteins are responsibly sourced from Western Canadian farms and ranches. Treat yourself to the best food and drink Vancouver Island has to offer—grab your all-inclusive tickets now! |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Local child selling handmade items on Wilmer | A local posted a handmade stand, made by a local child who is offering handmade items on Wilmer Street. They have also ventured to the Oak Bay Village to see if they can sell any. Feel free to contact the family through the post. | |
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| | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |  | Image credit: Phil Warren |
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