Feb 28 - For HarbourCats, it's a field of bad dreams

Good morning !

A couple weeks ago I wrote this story about couples whose love stories began here on the Island, and it got me thinking about how dating has changed. Now it’s more common to chat with someone in an online dating app and then graduate to sending text messages. But sometimes you set up a date to meet in person—and then get ghosted.

That’s the reality of dating in the 2020s.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 10 / 2

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 8 / 3

Friday: 🌦️8 / 2

7-day forecast

NEWS

HarbourCats forced to go old school with outdated basepaths

Work has begun to upgrade Royal Athletic Park (RAP) in preparation for a CFL game to be played there on Labour Day weekend—and the new look may surprise fans of the HarbourCats, the stadium’s main tenant. The baseball infield is being dug up and once complete, it appears, will include cut-out base areas similar to those once used in Major League Baseball—in the multi-purpose stadium days of the 1970s. 

Jim Swanson, the HarbourCats managing partner, said he was “disappointed the way this has been handled,” but refused to say more. Pink outlines for the three base and plate cutouts, similar to what baseball fans may remember from Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium and Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, can be seen painted onto the grass.

It would appear the city intends to grass over the traditional dirt of the infield apron, likely due to CFL policy not to play on a baseball apron configuration.  Inquiries to the city and BC Lions, scheduled to host the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 31, weren’t immediately returned. The CFL wants to play a game each year at the RAP, and Swanson would not comment on whether the new-old cutout configuration would impact his ability to attract players.

The surprise comes less than a week after BC Housing announced Tiny Town, the 30-unit tiny home village in a parking lot adjacent to RAP, would return. The newly named Caledonia Place is primarily for people staying in local shelters who are ready to transition into permanent supportive housing. Swanson said neither the team—nor the neighbourhood—was sufficiently made aware the village would be re-opened. “It’s not NIMBY [not in my backyard sentiment], it’s about communication,” Swanson said on CFAX.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD & DRINK

Victoria Beer Week returns for its 10th birthday this Friday

Victoria’s craft beer festival is fast approaching and Tasting Victoria has the scoop on what you can expect from the Victoria Beer Week events that are taking place from March 1-9. The festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and its events are highlighting both heritage beers as well as innovations that have been made over the past decade. 

To kick-off the start of Victoria Beer Week, the festival is collaborating with several local breweries to create an exclusive extra pale ale that is made with 10 grains, 10 hops, and 10 yeasts. Île Sauvage Brewing Co. will host the launch party for the special beer—fittingly called Ten Ten Ten—on March 1.

Other events during beer week will include tours and tastings at Hoyne Brewing, Small Gods Brewing, Beacon Brewing, Lighthouse Brewing, and more. For German beer lovers, there is a Marchtoberfest event at Moon Under Water on Monday, and those who love a good Hazy IPA should definitely check out Haze Fest at Whistle Buoy Brewing on March 6.

The finale is a big 10th birthday bash at Victoria Press Building on March 9. For the full list of events with details on how you can get tickets to each one, read the full story at Tasting Victoria.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎟️ Encanto star Jess Darrow, latest addition to Island FanCon.

🍺 Beer Week starts on Friday. [Sip here]

🌊 Poly poly, aka Pin-cushion sunburst lichens, in vibrant colour and minute detail. [Photos]

🗞️ In Other News

Vic gymnasts have the rhythm—and BC Winter Games medals
The West Coast Rhythmic Gymnastics Club athletes helped to bring 12 medals home from the 2024 event in Lhtako Quesnel last weekend. Caitlin van Gerven, 11,  Baya Cherif, 12, Anna Davison, 12, and Flavia Perez, 10, all produced podium placements. 

Dylan Willows celebration set to honour Vic radio host 
Willows announced two weeks ago he would be leaving The Zone 91.3 due to his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The fundraising concert includes a lineup of Victoria’s top musicians, many of whom were once The Zone Band of the Month, a program for up-and-coming artists that Willows championed. The show will take place at the Royal Theatre, March 19 and all proceeds will go to Willows and his family.

Suspected gang member believed to be recruiting near Vic schools
VicPD Chief Del Manak told the Greater Victoria School Board that a recently arrested individual was allegedly recruiting students in parking lots near several schools. Manak says the seven active street gangs in Victoria have recruited students as young as 11 to traffic drugs and vapes. [Times Colonist]

Teen seriously injured after being hit by SUV in Saanich
The girl, 17, was struck on Monday in a marked crosswalk, suffering injuries to her leg. Police are working to identify the driver. [Saanich News]
Saanich has had a string of serious crashes involving minors over the years, with the district working on a program to reduce speed limits.

🗓️ Things to do

🎞️ What’s Your Story 2: Radio host Gregor Craigie shares stories in person and introduces three new local short films. Star Cinema in Sidney. Sunday. 1pm and 3:30pm. [Info]

🐶🤣 Big Dog Energy Comedy: Bring your pup to this dog-friendly comedy show at Ollie Quinn Optometry. Tomorrow at 7pm. 

🎶 The Smokestacks: The six-piece band will perform old-school blues and soul at Hermann’s. Tomorrow at 7pm. 

🎭 Something Rotten: See the SMUS performance of the musical comedy at McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow to Sat. at 7:30pm.

💻️ Rising Economy, the business event for business insiders, is March 6-8 in Victoria. Tickets are going fast—get yours today.*

📚 Best Canadian Poetry in English Launch: Celebrate the launch of this poetry collection at Munro’s Books with Yvonne Blomer, reading the work of five of this year’s best local poets. Tonight at 7pm.

*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Youbou Bob: an elk of a different ilk; Afternoon tea in Vic; Rental tower coming to View; and more. [Feb. 27]

Esquimalt probes policing options. [Feb. 27]

Wayde Compton and the Black Poets of BC. [Capital Daily] 

The washed-up mug of what appears to have been a cabezon. [Facebook photo]

Camosun to host men’s volleyball championship. [March 7-10]

‘Rolex Killer’ denied time away from William Head pen. [Times Colonist] 

That’s it!

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