West Shore This Week – Smoky skies stick around

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.

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I can’t believe we’re halfway through September! I was at a cycling fitness class this week and my instructor said something that stuck with me: “There are a lot of things that aren’t in our control right now, but you can control what you do to take care of yourself.” As fall sets in, I’ve pledged to be kinder to myself and make some more “me” time. I hope you’re able to do the same.

How are you liking these emails? Tell me your thoughts on what you’re enjoying and what you’d like to see. The Discourse is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so feel free to give us a follow, share our newsletter with friends and family and help support local journalism!

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News and announcements

• As of Tuesday, a special air quality statement from Environment Canada was still in effect for regions in southern B.C., including Greater Victoria. The national weather service says heavy smoke from the U.S. is still making its way north. Smoky conditions are expected to last until Thursday, Sept. 17.
• The Capital Regional District has plans to dismantle the Deertrail Resort “ruins” located in Sooke Potholes Regional Park. The Discourse spoke with the son of a stonemason who had a large part in the project in the 1980s and found out more about future plans for the unfinished resort.
• Seaspan Victoria Shipyards will be coming to Colwood’s Allandale lands located on Veterans Memorial Parkway near Sooke Road. Colwood says Seaspan will have an 81,500-square-foot office and warehousing space on about four acres of the 20-acre property. The $26 million project is estimated to create 90 construction jobs and 44 long term jobs.
• Colwood’s Lookout Lake Park will be temporarily closed while required safety upgrades are made to the dam located in the park. Colwood says after work on the dam is complete, the city may consider adding some new features to the park.
• The Capital Regional District is creating a management plan for Mount Work Regional Park and the public is encouraged to weigh in on how the park is used, what’s working and what needs to be done. The survey is available online until Oct. 11.
• The West Shore RCMP detachment says it has had a busy summer with 2,175 calls for service in August alone. According to a news release, the detachment saw a large increase in calls for mental health response and wellness checks compared with last year. 
• Police have launched an impaired driving investigation and impounded a vehicle after an alleged drug-impaired driver crashed a Volkswagen Jetta into a stopped vehicle on the Millstream Road off-ramp on Monday afternoon. West Shore RCMP is reminding the public to call police right away about dangerous driving behaviour or a suspected impaired driver.
• Colwood Fire Rescue is recruiting volunteer firefighters. Men and women 19 years of age or older who live in Colwood can apply. Find more information here.
• The Sooke School District says students will be kept inside in their learning groups during break times due to poor air quality in the region. Doors and windows will be closed, filtered ventilation systems will be used and students with asthma or other breathing conditions will be closely monitored.

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Community events

• Today, Sept. 16: 🎓 Learn about some of the tools we can use to save the world with the first speech in Royal Roads University’s online Changemakers Speakers Series. Thomas Homer-Dixon, a bestselling author and director of the university’s Cascade Institute will kick off the series with a Facebook Live speech titled “Commanding Hope: The Power We Have to Safeguard a World in Peril.”
• Today, Sept. 16: 🐶 Head to Royal Beach for one final Community Dog Walk and explore the future Royal Beach village with your best four-legged pal. 
• Saturday, Sept. 19: 🎶 Take part in a virtual coffee house hosted by Sooke Folk Music. Participation is by donation to [email protected]
• Sunday, Sept. 20: 🏃‍♂️ The Terry Fox Run goes virtual this year on Sunday. Participate from wherever you are, but be sure to register online first.
• Sunday, Sept. 20: ☀️ Join Metchosin ArtPod artist David Westelmajer for a mini suncatcher stained glass workshop. Space is limited and the cost is $50 and includes supplies. Contact Memet at [email protected] to register.
• Sunday, Sept. 20: 🎨 Head to West Coast Creative Spirits in Langford for an afternoon version of Paint Night. Registration is required, materials are provided and the cost is $35.
• Monday, Sept. 21: ✨ Make your way to Belmont Secondary and Westhills Park for the Light up the Hills Festival of Light. The festival starts at 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 21: 🛍 Last week’s Royal Beach market was postponed again and will take place on Monday instead. Head on over one last time to enjoy some food and shopping by the ocean.

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

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Photo of the week

What do you like to do in your downtime? For me, nothing beats reading and relaxing by a fire (bonus points if it’s outside in nature). I snapped this photo while camping at Fairy Lake just outside of Port Renfrew. It’s exactly the kind of “me” time I needed.

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!

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In your words

The Discourse is supported by you, our community.

In an email, Julie says: “Keep up the good work, Shalu. I enjoy your Discourse!”

Thanks, Julie. Discourse is what we’re about! If you’d like to start a conversation on a community-related matter, let me know. I’m always happy to chat.

With gratitude,

Shalu [end]