March 5 - Project climate-proofing Island rivers gets UN nod

Good morning !

You can now cast your vote for the Victoria Restaurant Awards, an annual roundup of the city’s best eats according to locals. Have your say on the top places to get seafood, go on a first date, or enjoy some fabulous Island views. Let us know if your favourite place was (or wasn’t) nominated!

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

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NEWS

Project that climate-proofs Island estuaries gets kudos from UN

The Nature Trust of British Columbia received an endorsement from the UN’s Ocean Decade program, thanks to its project that aims to protect estuaries in Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Englishman River, and throughout the south coast of BC.

The Estuary Resilience project has partnered with a dozen coastal First Nations, as well as academics and government scientists to research climate change impacts and rising seas to enhance estuary habitat and boost the health of threatened Pacific salmon populations, other wildlife, and Indigenous food systems. 

These estuaries are key to boosting Pacific salmon populations, but many have been lost in the province to shoreline development or drained for agricultural purposes.

The UN’s Ocean Decade program focuses on the advancement of science to protect ocean ecosystems from the effects of climate change. 

“It’s collaborative science aimed at solutions, working with community and it's really centred on Indigenous leadership,” Rebecca Martone, executive director of Ocean Decade, said of the estuary project. “So, I think it's really exciting.”

Read the full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Give your input on CRD’s Long-term Biosolids plan before tomorrow.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Island Health offering new treatment for liver cancer

Some Island cancer patients will be able to stay closer to home while undergoing treatment, thanks to a new therapy from Island Health that targets liver cancer.

The treatment, called transarterial radioembolization (TARE), is designed to direct radiation to the tumour while sparing the rest of the liver and surrounding organs. This approach can offer significant results with just one treatment, according to a statement from Island Health.

A 2016 study compared TARE to other typical liver cancer treatments and found it offered a slightly better quality of life for patients.

Prior to its availability in Victoria, Islanders in need of the treatment had to go elsewhere in the province, adding additional travel costs to receive it. Island Health said in a statement that patients can now go home the same day of treatment.

The procedure was introduced to Island Health by Dr. Vamshi Kotha, who says the use of TARE therapy puts the health authority “on par with major health-care centres across the world.”

“In a large majority of patients, liver cancer is now very treatable by such minimally invasive techniques,” Kotha said.

Patients who qualify will be referred by BC Cancer in Victoria.

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Dance Victoria Presents: Õkāreka Dance Company

Dance Victoria presents the Aotearoa/New Zealand-based Õkāreka Dance Company on March 27 at the McPherson Playhouse. Õkāreka Dance Company was established to fuse contemporary dance with indigenous Māori themes and other genres to create authentic, diverse works. Led by senior performer Taiaroa Royal, it has become one of New Zealand’s most sought after and prolific dance companies.

Õkāreka Dance Company will perform its landmark, all-female work 'Mana Wahine [Powerful Women]' which explores the strength, spirit, and beauty of women. Inspired by the true story of a young Māori heroine and informed by stories from the dancers’ families, Mana Wahine incorporates bold projections, original music, Māori traditions and myths, creating a contemporary work that celebrates female endurance and strength. Learn more here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐦 Dinnertime: Gulls flock to Island waters to catch spawning herring.

🤝 Now hiring: Out of School Care Coordinator at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group.

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria firefighters hindered by tampered building water supply
The tampered standpipes forced fire crews to change tactics while fighting the Friday downtown fire, instead using water from the truck. The crew’s acting captain said this delayed firefighting efforts and prolonged the building’s sprinklers causing potential water damage. Multiple people on the third floor, where the fire was, had mobility issues and needed help exiting. The fire was extinguished and two people were sent to hospital for smoke inhalation. 

Man who stopped to help at crash scene hit by another vehicle near Qualicum Beach
As he stood roadside with a woman who had gone off-road, he was hit by a possibly impaired third driver. He has life-threatening injuries. [RCMP]
This followed a week with several fatal crashes on the Island. 

Man accused of selling vape products near, at schools
VicPD say the man was seen selling the products, which are restricted from all school property, at or near several schools, including Esquimalt High, Reynolds Secondary and North Saanich Middle. Police seized 859 vapes, 1.6kg of marijuana, four fake guns, knives, masks, and other items, as part of Project Halo, which focuses on gang activity. [VicPD]

Wounded Warrior Run BC concludes its 8-day fundraising run
Eight runners completed the 800-km relay run across the Island—from Port Hardy to Victoria’s Market Square—to raise money and awareness about occupational stress injuries such as PTSD. Veterans and supporters welcomed the runners at the Langford Legion on Sunday. As of late yesterday afternoon, this year’s run had raised $167K of its goal of $250K. [Donate here]

🗓️ Things to do

🎧 World of Drum and Bass: Dive into a night of D&B music at Upstairs Cabaret, tonight at 10pm.

🎸 Art d’Ecco: See the local indie rocker at Capital Ballroom, Friday at 8pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday’s headlines: Underwater noise vs. local sea life; Local Black history; South Island distilleries win more awards. [Mar. 3]

Monday’s headlines: Two arrested in grandparent scam; South Island distilleries taste spirit accolades; Pizza and pinball; and more. [Mar. 4]

Victoria finish for New Zealander in 305-day run. [Times Colonist]

Victoria’s long-departed streetcars. [Capital Daily]

East Sooke close encounter of the orca kind. [CTV]

Robber fly on a leaf in the Highlands. [I am not a bee]

That’s it!

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