COMMUNITY EVENTS | 🌿 Friends of Uplands Park’s No Ivy League will continue every Sunday through February and March, from 1-3pm where volunteers are sought to help weed out invasive species. The group meets at the Beach Drive field near the Cattle Point Entrance. | 🌱 Annual Oak Bay Band compost fundraiser is taking orders. Students are raising funds to support a Strings trip this spring. Orders and donations can be made online. | 💰 Oak Bay Rec to hold free community talk on fraud prevention on Saturday, March 9 from 1 to 3pm at the Monterey Rec Centre. |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | 🛑 Man, 62, arrested after vandalizing stop signs with black marker and stickers along Beach Drive and Windsor Road. Oak Bay police said the messaging he wrote was “political” and included a $109 fine for each sign, which were promptly cleaned up before he was released. [Oak Bay Police] | 💸 UVic announces $13M in 2024/2025 budget cuts which it says is due to a decline in international students, which it says is the lowest its been in 10 years. While its domestic attendance is healthy, the drop in revenue is from international students, who pay four to five times more in tuition costs, which is expected to lead to staff layoffs. [UVic] | 🏀 Oak Bay Bays junior boys basketball provincials win bronze in 59-48 game against Vancouver College. Next up: Oak Bay’s senior girls team will compete in BC’s Feb. 28 to March 2 game and the senior boys will compete March 6 to 9 at Langley Events Centre. [Oak Bay News] | 🌵UVic research looks at threats to freshwater mammals, caused by human behaviour. [Oak Bay News] | ✊🏿 Celebrating Black history is celebrating Canadian history. Read more about how this non-profit organization in Victoria promotes diversity and overcomes stereotypes through educational workshops, interpretive theatre and dazzling musical performances.* | *Sponsored Listing | Do you see a need for more traffic calming measures 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 | Hedging bets against removing a hedge | One local reached out to the community in search of answers as to whether there is any recourse against a neighbouring property planning to remove a large hedge along the edge of their property. Several knowledgeable locals said that existing bylaws protect only certain species, and if a hedge or tree is located on a neighbouring property, there is likely little that can be done if the owner decides to remove it. Others said that there could be options if the hedge falls along both properties, though there could be legal options to explore and to call the Island Law Office in Oak Bay to learn more. | Others suggested that if it is removed, there are several good options for creating privacy, such as lattices, fast-growing plants on their own property or starting a new hedge, to enjoy in the future. | |
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| | | Traffic calming along newly diverted roads | While locals have been debating the benefits of the elimination of Richardson as a local collector road for a while now, one Oak Bay local proposed some possible solutions to the new increase in traffic coming from South Oak Bay to other areas. While there has understandably been some concerns as traffic volumes have increased on Central Avenue from Mountjoy, a result of the diversion of the Richardson traffic, one local suggested the addition of one or more four-way stops would be an option to calm traffic. | Looking at McNeill as an example of a road where the accident rates are relatively low, and one where many see bikes and cars moving at slower speeds and coexisting relatively peacefully, it was suggested that Oak Bay could benefit from more traffic calming measures in other areas. Several locals echoed similar suggestions, and most commenters agreed that speeding in certain areas (particularly along Beach Drive) was a problem that they would like to see solved in the community. In response to the call for more road signs and traffic stops, several cyclists chimed in with different opinions, saying McNeill (where there is no bike lane) is actually a very stressful street to cycle, particularly with children in tow. They suggested an expansion of the bike network, like what was done on Richardson, is the safest option for those seeking to get around the community by bike or other active modes of transportation. | Would you like to see more traffic calming in Oak Bay? | |
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| | SPONSORED BY GLOW INTEGRATIVE | | Acupuncture for Fertility | Glow Integrative Clinic has welcomed Malakai Button, a registered acupuncturist with advanced training in acupuncture for menstrual health and fertility, pregnancy, labour, and postpartum support. | Malakai offers acupuncture to individuals throughout their fertility and pregnancy journey, including cervical ripening/birth preparation. | Book an acupuncture appointment with Malakai here. |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | New community dog stop is complete | Several local pet owners reached out to thank the creator of a new dog stop in the community. The stop has been enjoyed by many pups this week, however, the creator of the destination wanted to ensure locals (and their fur babies) know that it will be closed on rainy days. Have you spotted the stop this week? | |
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| | | 2024 TASTING VICTORIA BEST RESTAURANT AWARDS | | It’s time to vote for your favourites | Do you love Victoria’s food scene? It’s time to give your favourite restaurants some love! Voting is now open for the Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards. Click here to vote for your favourite restaurants in each of the 18 categories! | Categories range from best date night spot to best cocktails, to hidden gems 💎, and more. | Voting will only be open for a couple weeks, so get started now! Then stay tuned for when the Tasting Victoria team releases the full list of winners! |
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| | PHOTO OF THE WEEK | | Photo credit: Mary McArthur’s “Blossoms at the bay”. |
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