West Shore This Week: Back to school plan announced

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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These cooler evenings and shorter days are sure signs that summer is coming to a close, although I like to remind myself we still have a couple of good weeks left! The pandemic has made this summer like no other but I’m glad it gave me the chance to explore this beautiful place we call home. It seems uncertainty is inevitable in times like these but learning about the many ways our community has come together lifts my spirits, and I hope it does the same for you too. Keep taking it day by day, West Shore, and we’ll get through it “with a little help from [our] friends.”

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News and announcements

• The Goldstream Food Bank has received an outpouring of donations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The food bank’s president wants people to know their shelves are stocked to help those in need, The Discourse reports. See also our coverage of food insecurity, and the groups responding to it, in the Cowichan region.

• Two Langford-based stylists from two separate salons tested positive for COVID-19. Chatters Salon at the West Shore Town Centre and Twist Salon both confirmed the cases on their social media pages. The province’s health authority is expected to contact potentially affected clients.Masks are now mandatory for walk-on and vehicle passengers travelling with BC Ferries. The corporation says they must be worn at all times, with some exceptions.

• The 2020 Shockwave Seats Canada 200 event will be going ahead Sept. 6 at the Western Speedway. The Speedway says strict COVID-19 protocols will be in place, with no fans allowed at the event.

• The Sooke School District released its back to school plan, which involves different sized learning groups and various health and safety protocols like mandatory masks, increased cleaning and limitations on assemblies or gatherings. Each school will also share specific details on its website.

• City of Colwood council unanimously approved a motion to ban the use of anticoagulant rodenticides and join other municipalities in requesting that the province ban the use of these rodenticides as well. The city also plans to educate residents and businesses about the harmful effects of rodenticides. The full council meeting agenda and video can be found online.

• Witness reports of a man driving dangerously in Langford led to one arrest and multiple charges laid, the West Shore RCMP reports. Police charged a man for “numerous offences including possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a prohibited weapon, driving while prohibited and failure to comply with release conditions.”

• B.C. marked its third consecutive month with more than 170 drug overdose deaths, according to a report from the BC Coroners Service. There were 175 deaths during the month of July and the Coroners Service says it has “detected a sustained increase of illicit drug toxicity deaths since March.”

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Community events

• Friday, Aug. 28: 🎨 Visit the Metchosin ArtPod to take in its Light & Dark exhibit, featuring 11 ArtPod member artists and inspired by the words of Leonard Cohen: “there is a crack, a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets it.”

• Friday, Aug. 28: 🎤 Celebrate the local drag scene from the comfort of your own home with Sashay, Princets! All Ages Online Drag. The event will be streamed live at 7 p.m. on YouTube.

• Sunday, Aug. 30: 🇮🇳 Celebrate the heritage, arts and culture of India with IndiaFest Victoria. The event, which is typically held each summer, has gone virtual this year and takes place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• Monday, Aug. 31: 🛍 Head down to Royal Beach in Colwood for a Sunset Mini Market, all while following COVID-19 protocols.

• Monday, Aug. 31: 🕯 A national awareness group, Moms Stop the Harm, is hosting an online Candlelight Vigil of Remembrance on International Overdose Awareness Day. The event will be broadcasted live at 7 p.m. on the Moms Stop the Harm Facebook page.

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

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Photo of the week

Jess Taylor captured this lovely photo of his dog, Chef, basking in the sun on top of Mount Finlayson. The steep and rugged trail, located in Goldstream Provincial Park, makes for a great day trip for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts and ends with a rewarding view at the top.

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

Our first West Shore This Week newsletter launched last week and it’s been great seeing the feedback from it! Jacqui Ferguson commented on Facebook, “Wow, this is great!! I especially love the round up of events for the week!”

Thanks, Jacqui! I’m so glad you enjoyed our updates. Tell your friends! By spreading the word, you’ll help keep this newsletter alive.

With gratitude,

Shalu [end]