No. 108Friday, February 7, 2025Oak Bay, B.C.

Fire sparks school closure

6 min · about one cup of tea · from the desk

TOGETHER WITH

ARBUTUS GROUP WEALTH MANAGEMENT & DESIGNED SECURITIES LTD.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

🐦 Longtime bird experts again will be offering a winter birding course on Thursdays until March 13 at the Monterey Recreation Centre. This is a great opportunity to learn about the Victoria area's exceptional variety of winter resident birds. Registration for the course is through Recreation Oak Bay.

🎨 Plans for Family Day weekend? Emily Carr House, on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10am-3pm, is holding an event with stories and crafts inspired by historic toys and pastimes. Entry is by donation, limited parking on site (additional free parking at Beacon Hill Park, a short walk away).

🎭 Ride The Cyclone: The Canadian College of Performing Arts’ Studio Ensemble presents this home-grown musical sensation about six teens looking for a story. Performance Hall, Oak Bay. Fri.-Feb. 15.

IN THE NEWS

🏘 Housing Minister dismisses Conservative accusations in Oak Bay development controversy. Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon rejected a conflict of interest claim by the B.C. Conservative Party calling for a special prosecutor to investigate a company owned by his brother. If approved, the company would have been cleared to replace a single-family home on St. Patrick Street with a three-storey triplex. [Victoria News]

🏠 Two Oak Bay homes up for sale for $200K. Sound too good to be true? The price also includes delivery. The pair of Oak Bay homes set for demolition are on offer for an asking price of $124,700 and $169,000 respectively, including local delivery courtesy of the Nickel Bros. [Victoria News]

🐕 Oak Bay Police partner with Victoria, Saanich for enhanced dog team. The Integrated Canine Service (ICS) is a joint police dog team that was launched by Victoria Police and Saanich Police in 2021. Partner agencies in regional units foot the bill together, so it’s going to cost the OBPD $89,684—an increase from its previous contract of $37,500 with the RCMP, which expired at the end of last year, Deputy Chief Const. Kris Rice told Capital Daily. The ICS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dogs conduct searches and other critical tasks such as tracking and apprehending suspects. [Capital Daily]

🧯Fire in a bathroom at Oak Bay High triggers Friday school closure. The fire was allegedly started when someone lit a paper towel in a washroom dispenser, according to unconfirmed reports. The fire sparked an early dismissal. No injuries were reported. Students were allowed to retrieve any items urgently needed at the school at 2pm. [Oak Bay Local]

🎶 The Victoria Conservatory of Music proudly launches the Centre for Music Therapy and Wellness, offering transformative, accessible music services for all ages and abilities.*

*Sponsored Listing

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

Locals share their favourite Canadian products

In the wake of a delay in the planned 25% tariffs by US President Donald Trump on Canadian goods entering that country, Oak Bay locals have been sharing lists of their favourite Canadian products and where to buy them.

Locals shared a wealth of information on local goods and shops, including Peppers in Cadboro Bay, which supports many local brands and producers, Berryman meats, Family Farmhouse chicken, and Parry Bay lamb and pork. Locals also said to look for Canadian apples and food grown in Canadian greenhouses at this time of year. Other tips include:

Buy Avalon dairy products from Richmond
Read labels on all canned goods
There are several brands of local tortilla chips and crackers
Buy Canadian beverages, which might be very tricky if you use almond and other nut milks
Buy Canadian flour
Buy local/Canadian clothing at Anian and Sitka, Smoking Lily, or Korine Vader Designs (to name a few)
Eat local while eating out - Hide+Seek, Discovery, and Ruth&Dean are excellent coffee shops to support. Village, 900 Degree Wood-Fired Pizza, Pizza Prima Strada, Farro, and Zambries to name a few
Nezza Naturals and Steele & Co. and Picot Collective make wonderful personal care products such as shampoo, facial creams, candles, lip gloss, etc.
Have more to share?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Are you planning to buy more Canadian products?

Yes

Whenever I can

Whatever is the most cost effective

SPONSORED BY ARBUTUS GROUP WEALTH MANAGEMENT & DESIGNED SECURITIES LTD.

Tax-smart wealth management from trusted advisers

Discover a different approach to wealth management. As independent financial advisers with deep accounting expertise, Arbutus Group Wealth Management & Designed Securities Ltd. brings a tax-efficient perspective to protecting and growing your wealth.

The difference? They’re not a bank pushing products or a Wall Street firm chasing trends. They are accountants who understand that true wealth management starts with preserving capital and minimizing tax burden.

With no ties to financial institutions, Arbutus Group Wealth Management & Designed Securities Ltd. provides truly objective advice focused on your long-term financial success. Their conservative approach is built on decades of accounting and investment experience, and a commitment to putting your interests first.

Ready for wealth management that makes fiscal sense? Contact the team at Arbutus Group Wealth Management, at 604-336-4919.

Award-Winning Spa: Valentine's Pampering and Self-care Awaits

This hidden gem offers luxurious treatments in private rooms with courtyard views.

Pure Day Spa, is locally owned and operated. Voted "Best Spa" for five consecutive years by the Times Colonist, Pure Day Spa boasts a 4.7-star Google rating. They specialize in advanced skincare using globally renowned brands backed by extensive scientific research and dermatological expertise.

Try their exclusive Glass Facial – "Ready to Date", celebrate Valentine’s Day with a side-by-side mani-pedi or massage, or give the gift of wellness. Check out their promos.