Good morning {{First name}}!

Note to City of Victoria: Kudos for the yellow lounging chairs you folks installed about 5.5 years ago along Dallas Road.

I was speaking with a very kind and thoughtful visitor from Regina who raved about the view (obviously!!) and had high praise for the comfy chaises.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☀️ 17 / 8

Tomorrow: ☀️ 17 / 9

Sunday: 🌤️ 14 / 8

7-day forecast

Are we alone?

It’s a question UVic astronomy professor Jon Willis has made a living out of asking. He’s travelled to the Australian desert, visited mountaintop observatories in Chile, and explored deep into the Pacific Ocean in search of terrestrial clues to that celestial query. 

“Every astrobiologist, myself included, is convinced that the answer is yes,” he says.

“But the question of ‘where’ and ‘when’ life will be discovered is much harder to answer.”

Ancient fossils on Mars, free-floating plankton in the oceans of Europa, or truly weird goop on the methane-soaked surface of Titan are all possibilities, he says. 

It’s not something he can put a timeline on, he says, but scientists like Willis think they’re starting to look in the right places with the right kinds of scientific equipment. 

“What I cannot answer, however, is ‘will we get lucky?’”

Willis will be speaking tomorrow night at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory on West Saanich as stargazers and astrophiles mark International Astronomy Day.

“My talk on Saturday is about the science called astrobiology—the search for life in the universe. It’s a fascinating subject, but with my talk and book, The Pale Blue Data Point: An Earth-based Perspective on the Search for Alien Life, I really want to answer the question, what does an astrobiologist actually do?”

We’re told this event has sold out, but if you are interested in attending, check here today and tomorrow to see whether seating has become available.

Road closures for TC 10K: See the map of streets affected by Sunday’s race and the Khalsa Day Parade. [City of Vic]

Witty’s Lagoon Beach Trail to reopen intermittently, starting May 1. Full reopening expected mid-May. [CRD]

Saanich road closure: 1888 Townley, near Dean.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Baptiste “Skip” Dick (LEXIXEKEK), a pillar of the Songhees community, educator, and co-founder of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (VNFC), died this month at the age of 85.

In the 1960s, Dick played a pivotal role, alongside his wife Linda and other volunteers, in creating a space for urban Indigenous people who moved to Greater Victoria from a variety of First Nations and other communities through the VNFC. 

“His values, leadership, and vision over 56 years of service are foundational to VNFC’s mandate to encourage and promote the well-being of urban Indigenous people by strengthening individuals, family, and community,” the VNFC shared in a release.

“We raise our hands with love and gratitude for his remarkable legacy.”

Dick was also an important figure among students and staff at UVic and Camosun College. He began as an Indigenous counsellor at Camosun in the 1970s before going on to help found the Elders’ Voices program at UVic, which formalized collaboration with Indigenous knowledge keepers, elders, and the university. 

“Skip helped shape a space of guidance, care and cultural grounding for students, staff and faculty,” UVic said in a release. 

“He deeply believed in education as a pathway forward for Indigenous youth and worked tirelessly to remove barriers and open doors.”

The school says that “for many, Skip’s was the first voice they heard at UVic,” as he often led a territorial welcome for first-year students during their first week, at convocation ceremonies, and at many other events held by the university and Camosun.

In 2015, Dick received an honourary doctorate in education from UVic.

He is survived by Linda, his children, and his grandchildren.

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Book a tour at Glenlyon Norfolk School to explore our campuses. Discover how personalized learning, leadership, and belonging come together to shape extraordinary futures for every student. Visit our website today to schedule your visit and see our community in action.

🐝 The 2026 City Nature Challenge kicks off today. 

⛺ Victoria Outdoor Adventure Show begins today.

🎻 Daniel Lapp's Joy of Life Concert is tonight and tomorrow.

⚽ Pacific FC hosts Forge FC on Sunday, 3pm at RAP.

📸 When the Empress was a big mud puddle: See the view from the Parliament Buildings in 1899. [Facebook photo]

From April 30 to May 3, Design Victoria returns with over 50 (mostly) free events across the city. Explore open studios, exhibitions, talks, parties, and tours, and meet the creatives shaping Victoria’s built environment. A festival for design lovers and the design-curious alike.

Fatal outbreak of parvovirus at Victoria animal shelter
Two puppies died within five days at the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee (IBKC), and “several more” are fighting for their lives, according to the rescue group. Canine parvovirus is highly contagious, and unvaccinated puppies are particularly at risk. IBKC says the outbreak has put a strain on its finances and is asking for donations to cover medication, cleaning supplies, and towels. [CHEK]

VicPD’s rules and leadership policies not to blame for Project Julia failure, independent investigation rules 
The Delta Police Department said it found no evidence that the 2020 drug bust fell apart because of systemic failures at VicPD. Four years after the force announced three arrests and the seizure of $30 million in drugs, weapons, and money, a BC Supreme Court judge ruled that VicPD officers “obscured” a previous investigation—which involved an officer, himself, under RCMP investigation. Charges against three men in the fentanyl case were stayed. [CTV]

Reps from 50+ BC coastal and Island governments in town to talk about change
They’ll debate resolutions on dozens of issues, including ferries, forestry, taxation, and community safety. Motions that pass at the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) meeting move forward to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) gathering in September. The City of Victoria is soliciting support to update provincial regulations on the use of wheelchairs and three- and four-wheel mobility scooters in bike lanes. The convention starts today and runs through Sunday at the Victoria Conference Centre. [Victoria Buzz]

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🎶 American Beauties: An intimate tribute to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen featuring Lonnie Glass on acoustic guitar and vocals, Ashley Wey on piano, and Louis Rudner on upright bass. The Coda. Tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Pop Goes the Sixties!: Backbeat performs two nights of top 10 hits from the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and more. Mary Winspear Centre. Tonight & tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🍄 Guided Mushroom Walk: Catch a ride on the City of Victoria’s Recreation Bus and join mycology educator Elora Adamson for a walk through the woods, stopping to observe and identify fungi. Tomorrow. 9:30am-1pm. [Info]

💍 SPAC Arts & Crafts Exhibition and Sale: The 73rd annual Saanich Peninsula Arts and Craft Society spring show features 2K+ original works—paintings, pottery, jewelry, fibre art, and sculpture. Tomorrow & Sunday. Mary Winspear Centre. 10am–5pm. [Info]

🌱 Abkhazi Garden Spring Plant Sale: Annuals and perennials. Head gardener Jacqui Paulson will share expert tips and inspire your spring planting. Abkhazi Garden. Tomorrow and Sunday. 11am-4pm. [Info] 

🎼 Illuminare: Wings of Silence featuring the Emily Carr String Quartet. Centred on Christopher Tin’s striking cinematic oratorio, The Lost Birds. Christ Church Cathedral. May 2 at 3pm & St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Sidney. May 3 at 7:30pm. [Info] 

🌱 Plant Sale: The Ross Bay Villa Society’s annual plant sale takes place just ahead of Mother’s Day—annual and perennial flowers, along with herbs, ferns, succulents, fruit, and vegetable starts. Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum. May 9. 10am-2pm. [Info] 

Thursday’s headlines: Pacific FC gets international attention; CRD park visitors get new access tool; 4 grey whales found dead near Island waters. [April 23]

Bike lane update: a 2-kilometre stretch coming to Cook north of Bay. [Times Colonist]

New Clipper vessel unveiled for 40th anniversary. [CHEK]

Grease, presented by Triple Threat Performing Arts Society, opens tonight.  

Guided Mushroom Walk tomorrow at 9:30am. [City of Vic]  

You otter grab some dinner: See a river otter eating on the go near Galiano Island. [Facebook photos]

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