COMMUNITY EVENTS | π
Breakfast with Santa by The Kiwanis Pavilion Foundation will take place on Dec. 9 from 9am to noon at Willows Beach Tea Room. There will be pancakes, live music and lots of fun. | πΌ Caroling and Christmas Treats with the Canadian College of Performing Arts Alumni is on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 1-2:30pm at the Monterey Recreation Centre, Garry Oak Room. | π The 24th annual IEOA Truck Light Parade is taking place on Dec. 2 at 5:30pm. The parade will start at the Breakwater District before making its way through Oak Bay. | πΊ Abkhazi Garden Festive Weekend Market will be selling festive planters, swag, decorative table centres, culinary wreaths and more starting on Saturday, Dec. 2 until Sunday, Dec. 24 from 11am to 3:30pm. | π Churchmouse Books is holding a book sale on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10am to 2pm where proceeds will go to support the food bank at St. John the Divine, Threshold Housing Society and Our Place at St. Maryβs Oak Bay. |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | π’ No baby chum salmon were found in Bowker Creek this year despite painstaking efforts by Friends of Bowker Creek. Goldstream River got record low returns of chum salmon adults this fall, so its hatchery cannot supply eggs to the project this year. [Friends of Bowker Creek] | π The Oak Bay Beach hotel won two national awards. The hotel was named both tourism business of the year, while its spa was recognized as one of the top 25 spas in Canada. [Capital Daily] | π¨ Saanich Police are looking for information about a man whose car was found in Oak Bay. They are seeking help from the community after his vehicle was located on the 300-block of Beach Drive. The man was last seen downtown on Nov. 26 and there is concern for his wellbeing. [Saanich Police] | βοΈ Eileenβs Gourmet Cafe will close Dec. 31 after 30 years on Oak Bay Avenue, citing unaffordable rent increases as its reason for closing. [Victoria News] | π§Ά An Oak Bay local has been making the tiniest, cutest little sweaters. Check them out here. [Oak Bay Local] | π AAA Boys High School Volleyball Championships will be held at Oak Bay High and Lansdowne Middle School through Dec. 2. | How often do you go out to eat in 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 | Off-leash dogs at Uplands Park? | Oak Bay locals were looking for information this week as to whether or not dogs were allowed to be off leash at Uplands Park. Several people have said that itβs been difficult to find information online or to know what the rules are. One local helpfully pointed out that there was a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 30 where Chris Hyde-Lay, manager of Oak Bay Parks Services, and Wylie Thomas, manager of Invasive Species in Uplands Park, provided an update on the federally supported project to restore and protect the globally endangered Garry Oak Ecosystem and discussed the challenges of balancing recreational use with biodiversity conservation. | Among other things, the meeting involved discussions around plans to improve sections of the existing trail network to make the park more walkable in winter. This meeting was open to the public and members of the Friends of Uplands Park were able to vote on proposed changes. | |
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| | | Restoring Island Rail | Locals were discussing the potential benefits of what a rail service to nearby communities could mean for those who are wishing to travel on the Island by train. The original commenter linked to a petition that is currently circulating, which is looking to restore Island Rail service. While itβs on the wish list for many, its feasibility is currently being studied, as some communities on the Island are rallying locals to gain support. What do you think? Would you like to travel the Island by rail? | |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Friends of Uplands Park are looking for help | Bring your tools and gloves to help restore Uplands Park by planting native species and removing invasive species. Email info@friendsofuplandspark.org to learn more or meet on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1-3pm at the Dorset Entrance near Beach Drive. |
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| | | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |  | Photo credit: Cecile Brisebois Guillemot |
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