Nov 13 - Victorians in space: Asteroids named after 2 locals

Good morning !

Our apologies about the problem with the link to yesterday’s story about a new free food market in Victoria. Here is the proper link to that story.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 11 / 3 

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 8 / 4

Wednesday: ☁️ 9 / 3

7-day forecast

NEWS

Asteroids named after two Victorians

The rare, out-of-this-world honour was given last week to author-historian Chris Gainor and educator-volunteer Lauri Roche. They’re among 40 people, including environmentalist David Suzuki, who just learned that orbiting leftovers from the formation of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago will forever bear their names. 

“It’s pretty neat thinking there’s something, way out there, with your name on it,” Gainor told Capital Daily. 

So how were these locals chosen, and how do asteroids get discovered and named anyway?

Read our holiday Monday feature story to find out.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

 99% of customers got power back by Sunday morning, BC Hydro said, after an early-weekend store knocked it out for 235,000 in BC 

Rain on and off this week, with temperatures often in single-digits. 

Saanich yard waste drop-off closed today but reopens tomorrow; Victoria’s reopens on Sat. 

Hullo ferry service to resume today from Nanaimo after being cancelled Sat. and Sun. due to maintenance and weather.

NEWS

Locals are once again playing the “world’s most boring video game” for charity

Think of the most boring road trip—hours on a straight empty road, with no variation in the scenery, no landmarks, and no sign of life beyond bugs splatting the windshield. Maybe the wheels of your vehicle are misaligned, constantly pulling you slightly to the right towards the shoulder. 

This is the premise of Desert Bus, created for magicians Penn & Teller in the ‘90s to be the world’s most boring and inoffensive video game. This week, dozens of local gamers, entertainers, and special guests will be taking turns playing it for the 17th-annual Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser. 

As always, the more money Desert Bus for Hope raises, the longer they’ll drive. Last year, they raised more than $1.1M for Child's Play Charity after nearly seven full days of gaming, and this year they’re on track to pass $10M all-time.

Capital Daily profiled Desert Bus for Hope, and some of its many local bus drivers, last year.

NEWS

A great pour on the Westshore

As the cold weather sets in, this is the perfect time to bundle up and get cozy inside. The western communities have a number of different cafes and coffee shops to pop into for a warm drink on a walk around the town.

The Westshore rounded up five local favourites in the Westshore municipalities and Esquimalt. 

Check them out here [subscribe to read].

Also in the issue: Langford’s tree management plan, Metchosin’s dog bylaw, and more.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🐦 A beautiful Scarlet Tanager photo highlights what the Victoria Natural History Society says has been a great month for birds.

🔎 Local author’s murder-mystery is set in James Bay. [Profile story]

🍣 The best sushi in town, according to readers like you. [Tasting Victoria]

🤝 Now hiring: Inclusion Support Worker at Fernwood NRG.

🗞️ In Other News

Give cat back to ex, court tells Victoria woman
A BC Civil Resolution Tribunal found that she had promised to return Tobi the cat after a Jan. 2023 visit, and that her ex-partner had paid the full original cost of the pet—which is legally considered personal property. [Victoria News]

UVic cross country teams finish 5th & 6th in Canada
At this weekend’s national championships, the Vikes’ top finishers were Daniel Damian (16th) and Anja Krueger (19th). [Full recap]

Alpaca escapes near Nanaimo
Chewy got out of his fencing around 2am on Tuesday and got out onto the highway. Although he seemed to be comfortable and curious out there, RCMP vehicles guided him back to his pen due to the safety risk. [RCMP release / photo below]

Spike in overdoses has increased Nanaimo fire rescue responses
The city’s fire services have responded to over 1,500 overdose incidents since January, more than doubling the 672 in 2022.
Municipalities are calling on the province to cover the cost of increased responses amid the toxic drug crisis. [Nanaimo News]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE) or Assistant (ECEA) at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Society

• Account Executive at Capital Daily

• Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Tenant Legal Advocate (Nanaimo) at Together Against Poverty Society

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

Craft Markets: See where to go this month.

The Beaches at Royal Theatre: The Juno winning Toronto-based band will perform tonight, 8pm.

Diwali at Wicket Hall: Camosun Student Society is hosting a Diwali celebration Monday, 7pm-1am. 

All Together Now Drop-in Choir sings Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time” tonight. Doors 7pm at the VEC.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Westshore Rebels finish #2 in Canada after defeat in the final bowl. Plus: A new free food market, and stories of Victoria in wartime. [Sun. newsletter]

South Asian Islanders celebrate Diwali in Victoria, Comox Valley, and more. [CHEK]

Local living wage hits $25/hour. Plus: Islanders’ letters from war, young entrepreneurs honoured, and a death at a local hotel. [Sat. newsletter]

Owl on a pole: Check out these photos of a Barred Owl perching in Comox. 

That’s it!

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