West Shore This Week – Lest we forget

Welcome to West Shore This Week, your source for the latest local news and events. Sign up to get this in your inbox every Wednesday.

News and announcements

• Remembrance Day is a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Discourse put together a guide on how you can still participate today.
• Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 998 new cases of COVID-19 between Nov. 7 and Nov. 9. On Nov. 10, another 525 new cases were reported. Over the weekend, Henry issued a new health order recommending only essential travel to and from the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
• Effective immediately, the province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021. Increases set to happen on Dec. 1 are cancelled along with all pending increases until July.
• Following the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as president and vice-president of the United States on Saturday, B.C. Premier John Horgan issued a statement saying he looks “forward to strengthening and growing [their] relationship to get through the pandemic and build an economic recovery that works for everyone.”
• West Shore RCMP have charged a man in relation to a homicide at a Langford home. Police say Ken Weber, 56, was arrested and has been charged with second degree murder. He will make a court appearance on Nov. 19. Police say they believe it was an isolated incident and unrelated to any other ongoing investigations on Vancouver Island. The victim has been identified as Weber’s wife, Kerri, according to the Goldstream News Gazette.
• On Nov. 5, leaders from local First Nations and the Sooke School District (SD62) celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking for two new schools in Langford’s Westhills neighbourhood. Check out The Discourse’s story on the groundbreaking and what it means.
• The Victoria General Hospital Auxiliary’s Poinsettias for Patients fundraiser is back and the deadline to order poinsettias is Nov. 16. Proceeds will go towards improving the ambulatory family lab at VGH to help calm and distract kids who have to take tests there. Poinsettias can be purchased online or at the hospital gift shop. You can also email [email protected] or call Val Smith at 250-598-3385.
• The Victoria Foundation released its 2020 Vital Signs report, an annual check-up on Greater Victoria that looks at everything from quality of life and economy to environmental sustainability and arts and culture.
• Did you miss the town hall about proposed catchment changes in the Sooke School District? Not to worry. It has been posted online. You can voice your opinion on the proposed changes here.
• West Shore RCMP say they have identified a suspect in regards to a sexual assault that took place on Sept. 17. Police say investigators are working their way through tips from the public and that further details will not be released at this time.
• The Meanwhile in Sooke Holiday Food Bank Challenge is back and is looking to raise $10,000 for the Sooke Food Bank. Last year, the fundraiser raised $7,500. Donations can be made online.
• The Sooke Night Market is looking for vendors for its outdoor Winter Market. Market dates are Nov. 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5. Contact [email protected] with questions and for the application.
• The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition is looking for community leaders to join its board of directors. More information can be found online.
• Following the death of a cyclist at the intersection of Gorge and Harriet Roads, the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition released a statement urging municipalities, the BC Coroners Service and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to develop improved crash investigation protocols that include road design considerations and increased investment in protected bike lanes.

Community events

• Today: 🇨🇦Remembrance Day is a little different this year due to COVID-19 but you can still commemorate it by watching the Langford ceremony on the Goldstream News Gazette Facebook page or the Sooke ceremony on the Sooke Legion’s Facebook page.
• Today: 🍻 V2V Blackhops Brewing Co. in Langford will also be live-streaming the Langford Remembrance Day ceremony starting at 10:55 a.m. Every veteran and military member gets a sleeve of barley wine for free with I.D. The brewery will screen military moviesfrom 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the army tent.
• Today: 🚢 Royal Canadian Navy ships will sail past the Victoria shoreline and Esquimalt Lagoon in Colwood for Remembrance Day. You can watch it via livestream or in person, respecting provincial health orders.
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in November: 🎨 Metchosin ArtPod’s new show, Aardvarks to Zeppelins: Kids Creations from A to Z launches on Nov. 6 with an official Zoom opening on Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 14, 21, 28 and Dec. 5: 🛍Head to the grounds of the Sooke Region Museum for the Sooke Winter Market. There will be coffee, food, clothing, artists and more.
• Saturdays until Nov. 28: 🎄Head to Veteran’s Memorial Park in Langford for a Christmas Market in the park.
• Sunday, Nov. 15 and varying dates: ❄️Bliston Creek Farm in Metchosin is being transformed into a local craft shopping destination. Tickets can be booked in advance to help reduce the lineup and crowding. 
• Thursday, Nov. 19: 💼 Check out the Beyond 2020 – Vancouver Island Career and Connections Fair online.

If you’re planning an event that I should consider for an upcoming list, send me an email and let me know.

Photo of the week

GableCraft Homes shared a photo of this beautiful creation by Cecilia Penner. You can spot it along Metchosin Road in Colwood. Thanks for sharing!

Have an awesome photo of life on the West Shore? Send it to [email protected]. I’d love to see how you view your community!

In your words

The Discourse is supported by you, our community. Why?

Rod says, “I think you and the team are creative and brave in this new way to circulate the news.”

Thank you, Rod. We’re glad you appreciate our work and hope you continue to enjoy it! [end]