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.
I can’t believe it’s September already! I’m trying my hardest to hold on to every last bit of summer but something about back-to-school season makes me excited for fall. I’ll be pulling out my cozy sweaters and fall baking recipes soon.
In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy our weekly news and events updates. What do you think so far? This is a brand new newsletter, so I’d love to hear your feedback so I can make it even better. Send me an email to let me know.
And if you like what we’re doing, spread the word to your West Shore friends!
News and announcements
-
The province is planning Malahat safety improvements near Goldstream Provincial Park and accepting public feedback on the plan until Sept. 20. Improvements include widening the median barrier, installing a pedestrian highway crossing and more.
-
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is developing management plans for East Sooke, Roche Cove and Matheson Lake regional parks. The CRD invites residents to fill out a survey to gather information about park use and changes the public wants to see.
-
Police are looking for a suspect who may have been involved in two robberies in Langford on Aug. 30 and 31, West Shore RCMP reports. In both cases, the victims were approached by the suspect while they were walking late at night.
-
At Monday’s council meeting, Colwood council unanimously voted to open up Ocean Boulevard to vehicle traffic on Sept. 8. The road was temporarily closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Colwood also awarded a contract to Windley Contracting Ltd. to move forward with safety upgrades for the dam at Lookout Lake Park. Work is expected to begin soon and the park will be closed in the fall and winter.
-
The South Island Prosperity Partnership released a series of recommendations for the region’s economic recovery with reports on agriculture, education, retail, restaurants, tourism and more. The partnership’s Rising Economy Taskforce is working to establish recovery priorities to help the region through the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
West Shore RCMP Officer in Charge, Insp. Todd Preston, released a statement in support of Victoria police chief Del Manak, and opposing the inclusion of the acronym ACAB, commonly understood to mean “all cops are bastards,” in a mural funded by the City of Victoria. The city asked the artists behind the mural to remove the acronym after Manak raised concerns, but says it won’t force the removal without further discussion, Victoria News reports. A group of 17 artists collaborated to paint “More Justice, More Peace” on the ground in Bastion Square in response to calls for racial justice in Canada and the U.S. Read a statement from the artists here.
-
Metchosin’s Glenrosa Farm Restaurant will be closing its doors in September. The family-run restaurant will hold its last brunch service on Sept. 13, according to an announcement on its Facebook page.
-
A protest against old-growth logging in Port Renfrew is now in its fourth week with three blockades, the Sooke News Mirror reports. The protestors seek to prevent the construction of a road to the Fairy Creek Watershed.
Community events
-
Thursday, Sept. 3: 🍺 Grab a local craft beer and participate in a Virtual Hoppy Hour to learn about B.C.’s craft beer community.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: 🏍 Join the Victoria Motorcycle Club for its annual Nuts in May-tember road ride. Meet at the West Shore Town Centre and jet off for a tour of Victoria’s curviest roads.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: 🎸 Make your way over to Veterans Memorial Park in Langford for a physically distant version of Music in the Park.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: 🎨 Join the Esquimalt Community Arts Hub at Saxe Point Park for an outdoor rock painting session. The rocks will then be part of the Sooke to Sidney Rock Hunt.
- Sunday, Sept. 6: 🚲 Enjoy a day of building trails at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park with the Sooke Bike Club. Remember to bring gloves and a snack/drink.
- Monday, Sept. 7: 💉 Join others in giving back by donating blood at Colwood Church’s Westshore Blood Donation Event. Make sure to check your eligibility and book an appointment to participate.
-
Monday, Sept. 7: 🛍 Head over to Royal Beach for another Sunset Mini Market featuring local vendors from Colwood and the West Shore.
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
Willy McCrea captured this beautiful photo of the morning fog slowly lifting in Metchosin. What a picturesque scene that showcases the beauty of the West Shore! Thanks for sharing, Willy.
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. Why? “I believe in honest reporting by real, diverse people who care about the world,” Cathy tells us.
We do, too. Thanks for being here.
With gratitude,
Shalu [end]
