Wed. April 26 - Anawim unveils its new home for women in need

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

One thing I love about living on Victoria is that while the tourists come to visit the city, we get to explore the lesser-known islands like Sidney Spit, or even the more northern parts of Vancouver Island like San Josef Bay. Those are just a couple of places on my list to visit. What about you?

Oh, and speaking of hidden gems: check out the Tasting Victoria awards below to see if you spot any of your favourites on the list.

NEWS

Anawim unveils its new home for women in need

A housing facility in Victoria for at-risk women funded entirely by community donations will begin welcoming new residents this summer, as announced by Anawim Companion Society at an unveiling Tuesday.

The home will serve as a safe, substance-free environment for women-identifying people in Victoria who struggle with addiction and housing issues. This will be the first Anawim home for women. Anawim president Dan Greco said that in the past, the society was turning women away from their men-only facility “on a daily basis.”

The two-storey house, located in a quiet Victoria neighbourhood, has private rooms for each resident, a full-scale kitchen, common areas and a community garden in the backyard, where a sage-planting ceremony kicked off the home’s unveiling.

The project was entirely community funded, including the land on which it was built, which was anonymously donated to Anawim. Even the building materials were largely acquired through donations, according to Michelle Griffin, project manager with Aryze Developments.

“It was humbling to see—every supplier that I reached out to was eager to donate or discount materials to bring this to fruition,” Griffin said.

“I often think that it could be anyone who needs this resource," Griffin said. “There’s nothing saying that I won’t at some point in time need this support—it literally could be one life choice you make that takes you in the wrong direction and you may need this type of support.”

Read the full story

Capital Bulletin

🌤️ Today’s weather: Clearing. Light wind. High 15C (11 near water) / low 6C.

🔎 Nearly 1km of rope stolen from Fort Rodd Hill: RCMP said the blue rope, which protects the ecosystem and walkers’ safety, was taken from multiple locations along trails.

NEWS

Here are the best hidden-gem restaurants in Victoria

Tasting Victoria readers often go beyond the marquees and the Google reviews, discovering local mom-and-pop shops, food trucks, or unexpected restaurants in stranger parts of town that often go overlooked.

This year’s Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards is a great example of how our readers champion that frame of mind.

So, check out a few of the reader-voted winners from the 2023 Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards, presented by Gordon Food Service:

Best hidden gems
There’s nothing like knowing about a restaurant that no one else does. And perhaps it’s a bit ironic that we’re telling you about these places, but frankly, they’re too good for us not to. Check them out here.

TOGETHER WITH SHORT CIRCUIT PACIFIC RIM FILM FESTIVAL

More than 40 short films from Victoria and around the Pacific Ocean

Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival returns to the Vic Theatre May 5-13, followed by online content running May 14-31.

Films are grouped into themed programs screening over two weekends, featuring local works from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, several from elsewhere in BC, and others hailing from New Zealand, Colombia, Fiji, Malaysia, Korea, Hawaii, and more. This year promises a diverse lineup of documentary, animation, comedy, drama, and even a couple thrillers.

Plus, don't miss the 7th annual CINE️SPARK pitch event with five local screenwriters vying for a prize package of cash and resources to create their short film.

Presented by CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers. Get your tickets and check out the full program at ShortCircuitFilmFestival.com.

Capital Picks

💐 Mayfair Spring Fair: West Coast Amusements sets up outside the mall, April 27-30. Today is the last day to get early-bird wristbands for the rides.

🥑 This is the place: The Root Cellar at Oxford Corner in Cook Street Village—your innovative destination market for fresh locally grown produce and extraordinary food experiences. Learn more at TheRootCellar.ca.*

😂 Gerry Dee at the Royal Theatre: Gerry Dee, the iconic Canadian comedian who starred in the sitcom Mr. D and now hosts Family Feud Canada, will be at the Royal Theatre on Wednesday, April 26. [Tickets]

🏡 An exciting new collection of modern homes offering the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. Start your dream in the Southlands at Royal Bay. Register now.*

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In Other News

⛱ Capital Iron’s new owners announce re-opening of store this fall

The Store Street mainstay, which had operated for 88 years, shut down last December. WestCoast Appliance Gallery owner Fred Aram bought the name and intellectual property rights, and told CTV that the reopened store will sell only outdoor gear rather than the famously broad general-store selection of the old Capital Iron. The original family owners had a deal with site redeveloper Reliance to remain in the 1863-built building for several more years as the area begins redevelopment; it’s not yet clear what the terms of lease are for this new version of Capital Iron.

⛴ BC Ferries waives fees for medical trips

BC residents travelling for medical reasons can travel for free on all bookable BC Ferries routes, as long as they qualify for BC’s medical transport subsidy program that covers costs for out-of-community, non-emergency medical care. BC Ferries estimates that this move would cost up to $300,000 in forgone revenue. More than 300,000 subsidized medical trips were booked with the ferry corporation last year.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ODLUM BROWN LIMITED

A reliable, trusted resource

At Odlum Brown, building portfolios is their business and building relationships is their strength. Let Victoria-area Portfolio Managers Brian Howe and Gareth Dickson help you define and achieve a broad range of individual objectives and reach your financial goals.

In Case You Missed It

🏢 Faulty tower’s remediation was also faulty: Langford has revoked the occupancy permit of the 11-storey RidgeView Place (formerly Danbrook One) for the second time in four years. [The Westshore]

🍁 Laurel Collins, MP for Victoria, continues to offer constituents support with federal government services. Get support by reaching out at [email protected] or 250-363-3600.*

🦪 The Wandering Mollusk settles on a home: Owner Jess Taylor is finally wading into the waters of owning a restaurant after Shine Café on Blanshard announced its closure. From a decade shucking oysters, and a brief stint in the world of finance, you can read about Taylor’s journey at Tasting Victoria.

⚡️ Do you work in tech? Then sign up for Button Inc.’s free twice-monthly newsletter and up your digital communications, user experience, and customer relationships!*

*Sponsored Listing

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