West Shore This Week – All things come in waves

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

• As of Tuesday, Dec. 1, there were 246 active cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, with 58 of those cases in the South Vancouver Island region. There are also five new health-care facility outbreaks, including one at Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead in Saanich. At a briefing on Monday, Dr. Bonnie Henry reminded people to not try and bend the rules. She said that those who choose to make exceptions for themselves are putting themselves and others at risk and are going against the various efforts people are making to slow the virus down.
• Premier John Horgan announced a new cabinet on Nov. 26 with balanced gender representation and a focus on keeping people safe and healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about the cabinet here. 
• On Tuesday, the Town of View Royal council heard a zoning amendment bylaw and report on electric vehicle charging infrastructure that proposes most new residential parking spaces must have vehicle charging available. Similarly, new bicycle parking must allow for electric bicycle charging. Since the proposal is in line with the Town’s recent declaration of a Climate Emergency, staff proposed waiving the public hearing portion of this bylaw. Find the report here and watch the council video here. Council will vote on the proposal at a future meeting.
• The District of Metchosin has given notice of its intention to officially turn the Blaney Trail lands into a park. The land is currently designated as a highway, and this move would protect the area as parkland. 
• BC Ferries released its second quarter results, which show the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued impact on the company’s operations and finances. Revenue for the six months ending Sept. 30 were down $190.7 million compared to the same period in the previous year.
• The Land Conservancy of British Columbia launched a new fundraising campaign to protect 27 acres of coastal Douglas fir ecosystem in the Millstream Creek Watershed located in the District of Highlands. It has received $248,000 in government grants and aims to raise $375,000 to protect the habitat. An anonymous donor has also offered to match gifts towards the goal at a ratio of 4:1 until Dec. 31, so the charity is seeking to raise another $75,000 to secure the watershed.
• The City of Langford is advising residents that the portion of the Ed Nixon Trail boardwalk located at the south end of Langford Lake is temporarily closed for structural repairs.
• West Shore RCMP is asking for the public’s help to locate missing Colwood resident, Geoffrey Irwin. He has been missing since Sept. 27 and is described as a Caucasian, 35-year-old man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He is approximately six feet tall and weighs about 196 pounds with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a grey zip-up hoodie, black t-shirt, black shorts and was carrying a backpack. He is known to travel between the West Shore and Lower Mainland and drives a black 2017 Ford Escape, which was recovered by West Vancouver Police on Nov. 25 near the Park Royal Mall. Police say they are concerned for his wellbeing. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call their local police right away, or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
• Port Renfrew and Pacheedaht First Nation are asking visitors to steer clear of their communities again as COVID-19 cases increase, the Sooke News Mirror reports. They’ve asked people to avoid non-essential travel until Dec. 7.

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Community events

• Now until Dec. 21: 🎄 Head to Luxton Hall for the Happy Holidays Christmas Tree Co. pop-up shop for Christmas trees and a maker’s market.  
• Various dates: 🛍 With many craft markets cancelled this year, Bliston Creek Farm has transformed into a local craft shopping destination with vendors, seasonal treats, hot drinks and more. Tickets can be booked in advance to help reduce lineup and crowding and masks are mandatory.
• Now until Dec. 6: 💰The Metchosin Community House is putting on a Silent Auction fundraiser. Treats, treasures and services have been donated by local businesses and community members for it. View items online and submit bids to [email protected].
• Saturday, Dec. 5: 🥖 Join the Victoria Compost Education Centre to learn the basics of how to make a gluten free sourdough starter and more. The event will be hosted online via Zoom. Find more information and a link to pre-register for the event here.
• This month: 🍅 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual 10,000 Tonight food drive put on by Royal Bay Secondary, Belmont Secondary and Edward Milne Community School have gone virtual. Make donations, to go to local food banks, here.
• Weekends Dec. 10 to Jan. 10: 🖼 The first day of Metchosin ArtPod’s Mighty Fine Affordable Art and Craft Show and Sale has been postponed to Dec. 10 due to public health orders. Check it out starting Dec. 10 to see local fine art and handcrafted artisanal pieces!

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

In your words

Marnie sent me a lovely email this week and said, “Thanks for all your efforts to get information out to West Shore residents. During this stressful time, I think I am not alone in wanting to help out and make a difference in our community.”

Thank you for the lovely message, Marnie. I completely agree, I think many people in our community are really stepping up to help out and it makes me feel even more grateful for living here. [end]