The photo got a few laughs. But why all that paving instead of plants? Good morning, Oak Bay. Why no garden in that traffic circle?  Photo · Tina Others / Oak Bay Local group |
A portable toilet in the new Haultain and Eastdowne traffic circle got the group talking. Beneath the jokes: why all that paving instead of plants? We checked the construction drawings. Sheet 23 specifies a 200 mm concrete apron and a rollover curb, with signs at the centre. That paved area is in the design. Neighbour Kevin Hall says residents asked for native planting but were told larger vehicles need room to turn across part of the circle. We have not independently confirmed that explanation with the district. Yesterday’s district update said paving was rescheduled to Nov. 13, with road markings tentatively due Nov. 16 to 20. The surface may look finished before the work is. How will the circle work for people walking and cycling once the markings are in? Live nearby? Tell us what you notice. The Oak Bay Local team |
Paid partner · ExchangEnergy Your house might be too expensive for the heat pump rebate. Since April, BC's income-tested rebate stops at an assessed value of $1.2 million for the larger amounts and $1.82 million for any amount at all. A lot of Oak Bay is on the wrong side of one of those lines. ExchangEnergy, a family-owned installer in Duncan, built a 60-second check that tells you which side you are on, and what a heat pump would cost you either way. Local ads help keep Oak Bay Local free. Become a partner |
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| 🎾 | International tennis, right here. The Masters International 100 tournament continues at Oak Bay Recreation Centre through Sunday, Nov. 15 |
| Spectators are welcome. Check the tournament information for schedules before heading over. |
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| 🖼️ | Reminder: Start at Monterey. Today, Saturday, Nov. 14, 9 am to 3 pm |
| The Fall Oak Bay Arts Exhibition, Demonstrations & Sale brings ceramics, painting, weaving, photography and more to 1442 Monterey Avenue. Free, family friendly and fully accessible. |
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| 🎨 | Reminder: Then step into a studio. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and 15, noon to 4 pm |
| Oak Bay artists open their home studios for the free Fall Artists’ Studio Tour. Choose a few stops from the organizer’s map before heading out. |
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The Oak Bay Crossword Why we made you a crossword We could all use a break from scrolling. So we made a crossword with a few Oak Bay clues. Something to have a go at over coffee. While building it, we found three little Easter eggs: 🔶 The first crossword (1913) was diamond-shaped, with FUN already filled in. ✏️ Simon & Schuster’s first crossword book (1924) came with a pencil. 📰 The New York Times added its crossword in 1942 as a wartime diversion. Today’s mini is Seal of Approval. Fancy a longer one? Try Tea for Two. Both are free. Sources · Crossword history · Smithsonian |
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Police budget What that 10.2% police-budget increase means Oak Bay’s proposed 2027 police operating budget is about $9.49 million, up 10.2%. That is the department’s increase, not the increase to your whole municipal tax bill. At the Nov. 9 council meeting, the police presentation attributed most of the added spending to pay and benefits, overtime, mandatory training and regional obligations, with a smaller portion for targeted growth. The budget is provisional. What it means for household tax bills depends on the district’s wider financial plan. Hear the presentation from about 56 minutes into the recording. Sources · District of Oak Bay council meeting, Nov. 9 |
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Village spotlight · Olympic Mortgage Reverse mortgages, explained Stay in the home you love and unlock some of its value. What it is, who it fits, and what to ask first, from Olympic Mortgage. Local ads help keep Oak Bay Local free. Become a partner |
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| 📱 | That alert on Wednesday is a test. BC’s emergency-alert system will be tested Nov. 18 at 1:55 pm Pacific time, across compatible phones, radio and television |
| EmergencyInfoBC asks people not to call 911 for information about the test. [EmergencyInfoBC] |
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| 🤝 | A seat at the table. Oak Bay’s volunteer advisory-body applications close Friday, Nov. 27, for terms starting Jan. 1 |
| The district estimates about three hours a month to prepare for and attend meetings. Read the mandates and apply through the committees page. [District of Oak Bay] |
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| 📅 | Put these registration dates in your calendar. Oak Bay’s Winter 2027 Active Living Guide comes out Nov. 25 |
| General program registration opens Dec. 2 at 6:30 am; swim-lesson registration follows Dec. 3 at 6:30 am. The guide will be online and at the three recreation centres. [District of Oak Bay] |
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| 🌅 | Looking for sunrise company at Willows |
| Susan is looking for swimming or dipping companions. Neighbours suggested the south end at sunrise. Arrange details through her group post. [Oak Bay Local group · Nov. 13] |
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Community Bulletin Board What's pinned up around the village |
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Posters from around Oak Bay. Tap any to open the source. |
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| 🧵 | Fabric scraps for a new sewist |
| Sue Christensen is looking for unwanted fabric scraps for a teen learning to sew. Have offcuts to spare? Contact Sue through her original post. |
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| 👒 | A hat looking for its owner |
| Kim Oldham found a ladies’ hat in Estevan Village. It has been washed and is ready to go home. Contact Kim through her post if it might be yours. |
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| The Scriveners Club welcomes writers 55+, including beginners. Meet Fridays at 1:30 pm in the Cedar Room at Monterey Recreation Centre to share writing and encouragement. Details from Ann Tiplady’s post. |
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| 🛋️ | An estate art sale on Sunday |
| Sarah Tee’s estate sale includes art, antique furniture, housewares and high-end table linens. Sunday, Nov. 15, 10 am to 1 pm in North Oak Bay. Check her original post Sunday morning for the address. |
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Around the Avenue · Sponsored Fish from our own waters, a few doors down the Avenue Oak Bay Seafood is a fresh fish market and kitchen at 2024 Oak Bay Ave, run by Gregg and Anne. The counter carries the best seasonal fish and shellfish from local waters, plus canned, smoked and frozen favourites for the pantry. The kitchen does gluten-free fish and chips, popcorn shrimp and salmon burgers for lunch or dinner. Eat in, take it home, or order for delivery. Everything is fished and sourced with sustainability in mind, so you know where dinner came from. Local ads help keep Oak Bay Local free. Become a partner |
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From the Oak Bay Local group A few things your neighbours shared |
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A basement clear-out, a set of removable metal rods, and no instruction manual. Tracy Wong asked the group what this is. Any ideas? |
Joanne Penn’s marmalade fundraiser starts with the jars. She’s looking for 250 mL glass jars, screw bands and new lids for this year’s batch. Reservations aren’t open yet; contact Joanne through her post to help. |
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What should we investigate next? Reply with a question about your street, an unexplained change, or a neighbour we should meet. Have a good weekend, Oak Bay. The Oak Bay Local team |
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Pass it on Know a neighbour who'd want this? If this issue was useful, forward it. Or send them the signup page and they'll get the next one. |
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