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Municipal elections may still be months away, but the candidates anticipated to be on the ballots across Greater Victoria are starting to shape up. Check out the details in our second story today.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ☀️ 13 / 7

Tomorrow: ⛅ 13 / 7

Day after: 🌧️ 14 / 9

7-day forecast

Hermann’s Jazz Club isn’t out of the woods yet.

The popular music venue was anticipated to close at the end of April, but after an outcry from patrons and fans, its operators decided to place its future in the hands of the Victoria community.

The Arts on View Society, which operates Hermann’s and the neighbouring View Street Social, launched a pledge-based fundraising campaign in an effort to gather the nearly half-a-million dollars it needs to keep the doors open for both spots.

In less than 48 hours, the pledges blew past the $450K goal—but a pledge isn’t the same as cold hard cash. Now, Arts on View is hoping those who pledged money will make good on their promise.

In a Tuesday release, Arts on View shared an update about where the jazz club stands. So far, it’s collected nearly $300K of the pledges made and has verified donors for $480K.

“That’s real momentum, but we are not saved yet,” said Al Smith, board chair for Arts on View. 

“We must reach $450K in collected funds by April 26 to move forward.”

The cash received so far is being stored in a bank account separate from operations, and the society says it won’t be touched unless the full $450K is donated. If the last of the money falls through, that $300K will be returned to the donors.

Smith says when he joined the board in August 2024, the club’s finances were a mess. He says the board “had not received financial statements for years,” GST had not been filed or paid since 2022, critical maintenance had been deferred for years, and significant debt had accumulated.

Before that debt could be paid, the CRA came knocking. The board voted to close, giving staff notice of their April 30 termination on March 19.

All of these issues could be addressed with $450K, but Smith says that even if the funds are raised, both venues would still need to close for three to six months to repair structural issues.

Because of this, current staff positions will be terminated as expected at the end of the month. If the venues reopen, Smith says they’ll be invited to apply to their former roles.

Smith is calling on those who pledged money to send it before April 26. E-transfers can be made to [email protected]. Cash and cheques can be mailed to or dropped off directly at Hermann’s or View Street Social.

Single-lane alternating traffic: Prospect Lake Road between Prospect Ave and Meadowbrook, today and tomorrow, 9am-3:30pm

GVPL website down for scheduled maintenance today. Online collections and digital services will be unavailable 9am-5pm. [Details]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life.

The city’s former top cop took to social media yesterday to make the announcement.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I want to focus my energy on other opportunities where I feel I add value outside of politics,” Manak posted. 

The lifelong police officer said his choice came “after careful reflection and many thoughtful conversations with community members.”

Yesterday, he told CHEK News, “My heart's not in it” to provide “the level of commitment, sacrifice that's required.”

In January, Marianne Alto announced her plans to seek another term as Victoria mayor in the municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 17.

Business owner Melissa Cseszko is the sole announced candidate to challenge her.

Karen Harper announces bid for Saanich mayor

Yesterday, Karen Harper, a three-term Saanich councillor, threw her hat into the ring to succeed Mayor Dean Murdock.

“I offer my experience not only as a councillor but as a former senior vice president and chief information officer (CIO) of a provincial Crown corporation to help lead Saanich through what are likely to be rather challenging times,” she said.

In February, Murdock announced he won’t seek another term as mayor, preferring to spend more time with his family.

Read the full story here. 

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🌺 Rhodo Rave at Abkhazi Garden. [Info]

🍝 Spring food tours: As the weather starts to warm, explore our springtime local food-tour roundup. [Tasting Victoria]

🧑‍🏫 Glenlyon Norfolk School empowers students to lead with confidence. Attend an upcoming Open House to see how IB learning and belonging shape extraordinary futures.*

🎸 Chase The Bear and The Steadies, tonight at Lucky Bar.

🌳 Lucky tree—as in, lucky it didn’t fall on you, on Dallas Road, 1930. [Facebook photo]

*Sponsored Listing

As the Toronto hospice, Casey House, prepares for the historic visit of Princess Diana, residents and staff are inspired to beat the odds as a plague continues to ravage a generation. Casey and Diana vividly captures a moment in time when a rebel Princess reshaped the course of a pandemic.

Saanich Peninsula Hospital grant ends, forcing public fundraiser
While large hospitals like the Royal Jubilee and Victoria General have physicians who work exclusively there, SPH is a community hospital that relies predominantly on family physicians provided by nonprofit Shoreline Medical. Shoreline’s $150K funding from the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation (SPHF) ends this month, as SPHF redirects efforts toward recruitment. That’s left Shoreline looking to community donations, as doctors warn of potentially longer wait times. [CHEK]

Scam targets Victoria's Caribbean festival vendors
Scammers created a fake Facebook page and application form, masquerading as i-Land Festival operators and requesting payment from those who filled out the form. One woman lost $400 before Meta, Facebook’s parent company, took the fake ads down. Some vendors said they were suspicious when they were asked to pay multiple times. It’s the first time the festival, about to enter its third year as the Island’s only Caribbean carnival, has faced the scam, which has targeted other event vendors in Victoria and beyond. [Times Colonist]

2 Royal Canadian Navy members charged in fellow sailor’s death in Halifax
Petty Officer 2nd Class Gregory Applin, 38, and a 19-year navy veteran, was one of two sailors thrown into the cold water on Jan. 24, 2025, when their 24-foot rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) struck a mooring buoy and flipped in Bedford Basin. Both men were taken to the hospital, where Applin later died. Master Sailor David Terry from HMCS Montreal and Sailor First Class Alexandre Garrison from the Naval Fleet School (Atlantic) face charges under the National Defence Act. [Global News]

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🎴Thursday Social Club: Taro + Sips: Gather every other Thursday for mocktails, good company, and delightful low-stakes activity at KWENCH today. 3-5pm. [Info]

🎤 Spring Serenata: VCM voice students close their year with back-to-back informal concerts spanning classical, musical theatre, and contemporary music at Alix Goolden Performance Hall today. Drop-in 5–9pm. [Info]

🪡 Social Stitching: Mending Workshop: Learn basic knitwear mending techniques in this beginner-friendly workshop at Ecologyst (552 Johnson) today. 5–7pm. [Info]

🌿 Native Plant Study Group: Guest speaker Hunter Jarrett will discuss banning the sale of invasive species and protecting Garry oak ecosystems at Swan Lake Nature House tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 David Gogo & Band: Six-time Juno nominee David Gogo brings his blistering guitar skills and soulful vocals to Hermann's tonight. 7–9pm. [Info]

🎵 Confabulation presents: Songs That Saved My Life: True personal stories told live to celebrate the songs that changed people's lives, at The Coda tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎶 Victoria Folk Music Society Weekly Gathering: Join an evening of musical jams, open mic performances, and featured performers Peach & Quiet at Friendship Hall (formerly Norway House). Sunday. 6:45pm. [Info] 

💡Promoting Independence and Home Safety: Learn how the right medical equipment and home safety solutions help reduce risk, increase confidence, and support daily living at Saint Patrick’s Parish. April 22. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info] 

Wednesday’s headlines: Remembering sailors lost on HMCS Esquimalt 81 years ago; Victoria rental prices continue downward trend; Langford approves 10.22% property tax hike. [April 15]

Golf carts on roads could become a common sight in Colwood as new business rolls in. [CHEK]

Out-of-province campers face out-of-pocket fees when booking in BC. [Times Colonist]

GVPL celebrates April Poetry Month: Explore a roundup of Indigenous poetry or attend a poetry zine-making session.

West Coast Amusements is back at Mayfair next week. 

Ready, Aye, Ride: Navy Bike Ride is on May 30.

Victoria Motorcycle Club riders rev up for a race in 1959. [Facebook photo]

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