West Shore This Week – South Island transportation strategy released

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.

Is it just me, or did September fly by? It was so strange to wake up before the sun this morning! Although we may not be celebrating the upcoming fall holidays the same way we normally do, I hope you’re able to find a way to make those moments special to you. I’ve been virtually chatting with my friends and folks a lot lately and it’s been such a comfort to have them around.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving and Halloween? Let me know if you’re doing anything special and pandemic-friendly.

I’d also love to hear what questions you have for candidates in the upcoming provincial election. The Discourse has created a short poll for you so we can use your thoughts and questions to guide our election coverage. We want to put you in the driver’s seat, so fill out our poll if you have a spare moment! And don’t forget to share this newsletter with friends and family if they’re not subscribed yet.

News and announcements

• With the upcoming fall holidays, Dr. Bonnie Henry recommends people don’t have family gatherings and keep to their small, nuclear families instead, CBC News reports. As for Halloween, Henry says parties and trick-or-treating in large groups should be a no-go but mask-wearing as part of a costume is encouraged. More guidelines for Halloween are expected to be released this week.
• The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has released its South Island Transportation Strategy. It lays the groundwork for future improvements to transportation in the region. More information and the strategy documents can be found online. What questions do you have about this that are West Shore-specific? Send me an email so I can look into this with your guidance.
• West Shore RCMP captured a dangerous, high-risk sex offender who was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after a taxi driver called in a tip. Police say the offender, who was in the taxi, asked the driver to buy him new clothes because police were looking for him but the driver called police instead. 
• What might society look like after the pandemic, and what lessons can we learn from it? Three disaster management experts say COVID-19 could prepare us for future disasters. Read The Discourse’s story on what they have to say.
• Elections BC says an estimated 431,000 vote-by-mail packages have been requested for the upcoming election as of Monday. Voter registration for the Oct. 24 election is now closed but not to worry, you can register and update your information when you vote. You can still request a vote-by-mail package online or by phone. Nominations close on Oct. 2, after which a final list of candidates will be posted online.
• The District of Metchosin is looking for community input at the beginning of the 2021 budget process. A series of surveys will be sent out to Metchosin residents asking for their views. Those who want to participate can visit the municipality’s website for more information.
• BC Ferries is reminding customers that they must exit their vehicles on enclosed car decks for safety reasons. The Transport Canada regulation comes back into effect on Sept. 30. Customers can stay in their vehicles on upper or open car decks.
• Sooke’s Sheringham Distillery won gold for Product of the Year at the annual B.C. Food and Beverage Awards on Sept. 24, the Sooke News Mirror reports.
• Frederique and Sinclair Philip, the couple who built Sooke Harbour House, were awarded more than $4 million by a B.C. Supreme Court judge after the conclusion of a messy ownership battle that was ongoing since 2014, CBC News reports. The building and its assets are now owned by North Vancouver-based IAG Enterprises, which purchased it in a court-ordered foreclosure sale this summer for $5.62 million.

Community events

• Today, Sept. 30: 🍊 Victoria Orange Shirt Day is a day to honour, acknowledge and recognize the harm caused by the residential school system on Indigenous people across the country. This year, the event has gone virtual with a Royal BC Museum talk for children and families at 11 a.m. as well as a pre-filmed virtual ceremony at noon.
• Today, Sept. 30: 🤝 Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation and Pacific Peoples’ Partnership have teamed up to hold a First Nations Market at Royal Beach in honour of Orange Shirt Day. There will also be a community mural which people are invited to contribute to in the spirit of remembrance and reconciliation. The event takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 1: 🎨 A new show opens at Metchosin ArtPod on Oct. 2. The Plein Air Show features art painted outdoors. The Zoom opening event will take place on Oct. 3 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. More details here.
• Saturday, Oct. 3: 🍰 Indulge in some sweet treats from the St. Mary’s Blackberry Festival in Metchosin. This year’s drive-through format makes the event COVID-19-friendly and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 4: 🚙 Take part in the Victoria Electric Vehicle Club’s road trip to celebrate National Drive Electric Week. Drivers will gather in View Royal, make their way to Sidney and back to the West Shore with stops along the way.

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

The photo of the week is this gorgeous shot taken at Thetis Lake last weekend. It was captured in between bouts of rain. I just love how still and calm the water looks. Thank you to Neil Tran for sharing this lovely photo!

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, and you help drive our stories.

In an email, Sue said “I’m so glad to see alternative news at a local level.”

Thanks for your support, Sue. We’re happy to be here.

With gratitude,

Shalu [end]