West Shore This Week – Pushing through to the long weekend

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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Happy almost-long-weekend! I don’t know about you, but I could definitely use some delicious fall holiday treats and a day off to unwind (and nap). Whether you’re going solo, keeping within your bubble or having a virtual festive dinner, I hope you’re able to fill your belly – and heart – in a safe manner. Send me photos of what you get up to this weekend! I’d love to see some fall West Shore snapshots.

I also hope you’re enjoying this newsletter. The number of subscribers is steadily going up but I could use your help in continuing to spread the word. The Discourse is new on the West Shore, but we’d love to be able to stick around with your support. And, as always, send me your feedback so I know what you’d like to see from us.

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News and announcements

• The provincial election has entered its third week and a recent poll from the Angus Reid Institute says just two-in-five voters say they’re certain which party they’ll support. Election day is on Oct. 24. You can find a list of candidates as well as information on how to vote at elections.bc.ca.
• With the upcoming long weekend, BC Ferries is reminding passengers to wear a mask, book in advance, maintain physical distance on the ferry, arrive early and leave your vehicles if you’re on an enclosed vehicle deck.
• This year, the BC Centre for Disease Control is recommending people skip Halloween parties and trick or treat in small groups. Other guidelines include incorporating a mask or face covering into costumes, keeping social gatherings to six people and getting creative when handing out treats to maintain distance. Full guidelines can be found online.
• A massive mammoth tooth that was unearthed in Royal Bay 50 years ago has been brought back to Colwood by the Royal BC Museum team. The tooth is thought to be more than 18,000 years old and helps tell the history of Colwood’s ancient seaside landscape.
• The City of Colwood will host its first prosperity roundtable with local business and development representatives on Oct. 15. The first discussion will be about COVID-19 business recovery.
• The District of Metchosin is hosting a flu clinic for its residents at the end of the month. The clinic is a cooperative effort between the Metchosin Seniors’ Resource Centre, IDA Latoria Pharmacy and the Metchosin Fire Department. 
• Consumer fireworks events will be allowed again on the evening of Oct. 31 in View Royal, Highlands, Colwood and Langford but the West Shore fireworks bylaw still applies. Those who want to light fireworks on Halloween need a permit and need to complete a Fireworks Safety Course, which is being offered for free online this year.
• A man who says he believed he was fleeing zombies when he stole a truck, then a canoe and tried to paddle across Portage Inlet with his hands last year was deemed not criminally responsible at Western Communities provincial court, the Times Colonist reports.
• Metchosin ArtPod has put out an open call for vendors for its Mighty Fine Affordable Art and Craft Sale and Show, which will take place Dec. 3 to Jan. 10. Details can be found online.
• On Monday, health officials identified 11 new COVID-19 cases on the Island, and all of them are in the south and central Vancouver Island regions, CTV News reports. Only 10 of those cases are considered active and five are in the South Island, which has recorded six more cases since Sept. 29.
• The fight against plans to expand Hartland Landfill continues as residents protested the expansion on the weekend, the Goldstream News Gazette reports. The protesters are concerned about the landfill access point moving to Willis Point Road and want the Capital Regional District to investigate other waste management solutions.

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Community events

• Now until Nov. 6: 📸 Get your camera ready for Royal Beach’s photo contest in celebration of the new Birds of Bark driftwood installation by Paul Lewis. Details about the contest can be found on the Royal Beach Seaside Village Facebook page.

• Friday, Oct. 9: 🎨 Head over to Metchosin ArtPod for its Open Art Studio Paint-in. There are limited numbers due to COVID-19 so send an email to [email protected] if you’re interested in attending.

• Friday, Oct. 9 to Sunday, Nov. 1: 🖼 The Metchosin ArtPod Plein Air Show continues on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Nov. 1. Head on over to see art that has been painted by West Shore artists outdoors.

• Friday, Oct. 9: 🎃 Pick up a free pumpkin from the Westhills office in Langford and take it home to participate in a virtual pumpkin carving contest. Pumpkins can be picked up between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at 2819 Meridian Ave.

• Saturday, Oct. 10: 🛍 Head down to Veterans Memorial Park in Langford for the last Goldstream Farmers Market of the season. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The last Sooke Country Market also takes place at the same time.

• Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18: 🍁 Support local farming and buy your fresh pumpkins and gourds at the Annual Pumpkin and Gourd Sale. The sale takes place at Lohbrunner Community Farm in Langford and will feature the Indecent Risotto food truck.

• Tuesday, Oct. 13: 💻 Enjoy another Royal BC Museum at Home online event from noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday’s event is about Emily Carr’s 1911 trip to France.

• Tuesday, Oct. 13: 👩‍💻 The City of Colwood is seeking public input on an amendment to a bylaw that would allow a cannabis retail store at 310 Goldstream Ave. The public hearing will take place online and residents can provide written submissions or speak at the hearing via phone. More details are on the Colwood website.

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

The photo of the week is this stunning shot from East Sooke Park taken by Ricky Kipp. The eerie-looking vessel coming out of the fog is perfect for this spooky season. Thanks for sharing this photo with us, Ricky!

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, and you help drive our stories.

Last week I shared a poll that The Discourse put out to hear what questions you have for candidates in this upcoming provincial election.

On Facebook, Shelley said, “Thanks for the opportunity to let me share my biggest concern going forward!”

Thank YOU, Shelley, for sending us your thoughts. We want our community to drive our coverage and appreciate any and all feedback that comes our way.

With gratitude,

Shalu [end]