TOGETHER WITH | | COMMUNITY EVENTS | 🥳 Block Party: Celebrate Turnabout’s 6th birthday and the grand opening of the Ottavio patio. Free mini gelato scoops, samples, bites, live DJ, prizes tomorrow (Saturday), from 11am-3pm. | 🌿 No Ivy League: Ivy removal in Uplands Park every Sunday in May from 1-3pm. Meet at the field at the entrance to Cattle Point. All tools, gloves, and instructions will be provided, including refreshments at the end. | 🏃♀️ Oak Bay Half Marathon is next Sunday, May 25. | 🥁 Victoria Day Parade: Celebrate Victoria Day with a world-class parade showcasing diverse cultures and community partners. The parade route runs from Douglas and Finlayson to Douglas and Courtney. Monday. 9am. | 🎯 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival: Celebrate Scottish culture with heavy athletic events, pipe bands, Highland dancing, whisky tasting, and more. Topaz Park. Today and Tomorrow. |
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| | IN THE NEWS | ⚖️ Former Oak Bay High teacher charged with sexual exploitation
Marnie Burnham, who also taught under the name Marnie Forin, faces three counts of sexual exploitation and two counts of telecommunication to lure a child under 18. None of the allegations against the 36-year-old has been proven, and a five-day jury trial has been scheduled to begin on June 16. Saanich police have appealed to the public for more potential victims to step forward. [Times Colonist] | ☕ Oak Bay Starbucks workers file to unionize
The United Steelworkers union says the Starbucks at 2182 Oak Bay has met the threshold for automatic certification, meaning 55% or more of the workers voted to join the union. It’s now up to the BC Labour Board to approve. If that happens, Oak Bay’s would join a Starbucks on Douglas, which in 2020, became the first in North America to unionize. [CHEK] | 🚲 Wheels spinning on the future of 2 proposed Oak Bay bikeways
The city council has deferred decisions on proposed plans for the Henderson and Haultain-Estevan bikeways. The Henderson bikeway would be a north-south route through Oak Bay, connecting the district to Camosun's Lansdowne campus. The Haultain-Estevan proposal would run east-west on Haultain and Estevan and take cyclists to Willows Beach. [Black Press] | 🍣 Don Don Restaurant, formerly known as Kissako Sushi, at 2027 Oak Bay, is closing its doors after 10 years in business. The owners announced the restaurant's closure in a statement on social media. They have expressed their gratitude to the community, which has been supportive. | 🍽 Now Open at 713 St. Patrick in Oak Bay: Liv Café and Bistro
Inspired dishes focusing on freshness, simplicity, and seasonality. Currently open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 2pm, the café offers pastries, an extensive lunch menu on weekdays, and a brunch menu on weekends. Dinner service is expected to launch in the second week of June. [Tasting Victoria] | | | 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 | Mess in Carnarvon Park | One local writes about how lucky residents are to live in such a gorgeous area, but then came across a mess at Carnarvon Park, where garbage was strewn about. The local sounded frustrated that the city council can take time to craft bylaws about heat pump noise, but can’t seem to solve the problem of people leaving garbage in the parks. | One commenter said that considering what is going on in the world, we have it pretty good here. | |
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| | | Bird feeders: to feed the birds, not the rodents | A local is considering installing a bird feeder but is concerned about attracting rats. Others share their experiences and feedback. One local buys seeds with no shells and uses a tray and a large mesh tray beneath it to catch the crumbs. | Another local says using a spicy element helps because birds can’t taste, while rats, mice, and squirrels seem to avoid spicy foods. Another says sticking to feeding only hummingbirds has helped them avoid rodents and rodent droppings. | |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Fundraiser Raffle | Head to Ottavio’s Block Party tomorrow—Saturday, May 17—to participate in the Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Fundraiser Raffle. Raffle tickets are $20 each, three for $50, and eight for $100. You could win $1,000 in cash, a couples retreat to the Boathouse Spa, or a $250 gift card to Old Farm Market. |
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| | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |  | Image credit: Mary McArthur Photography |
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