Aug 24 - Emily Carr-related home in need of serious work, says owner

Good morning !

Did you know there were two area houses with a strong Emily Carr theme? I live in James Bay and had no idea.
Our first story explains why one home’s owner is looking for a break from the province.
Our second covers the top events from last week.
And if you like it hot, check out that forecast just below. It’s not expected to cool down until Thursday.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 31 / 15

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 30 / 15

Tuesday: 🌤️ 30 / 15

7-day forecast

NEWS

Owner of Emily Carr’s House of Allsorts asks province to help fix it up

A house in James Bay made famous by Emily Carr needs a lot of work, and its owner thinks turning part of it into a short-term rental could be the long-term answer.

We’re not talking about Carr House on Government—that’s a beautifully restored provincial and national historic site where the Victoria artist once lived.

Not far away, on Simcoe, sits the privately owned, 112-year-old House of Allsorts—so named by Carr, who had it built as a revenue source where she lived for much of her adult life while renting out space for all sorts of people and art.

Fast-forward a century and a bit, and current owner Peter Willis tells CHEK he figures it would cost in the neighbourhood of $800K to restore the building, located a stone’s throw from Beacon Hill Park. 

“We’ve worked hard to preserve it and share it with the public, but it’s unaffordable and we can’t do it alone,” said Willis.

Willis is asking the province for “immediate funding to repair and maintain the deteriorating exterior of the house.”

And, because he doesn’t live there, Willis can’t use it as a short-term rental, so he’s also seeking a provincial exemption from the Short-Term Rental and Accommodation Act.

“I think it’s the province’s moral and ethical obligation,” he told CHEK.

According to its website, the building, which has two suites on the main floor and a pair on the second, was designed on Carr’s instruction following her return from Europe in 1911. 

Two long-term tenants currently occupy the ground-floor suites, and the two second-floor flats are available for rent with a 90-day minimum stay.
Visitors can sojourn in the artist’s former studio—complete with easels and a north-facing window and veranda overlooking the BC Legislature—where Carr painted and wrote. They can view the attic, still adorned with some of her paintings.

“This property isn’t just a house—it’s a living piece of Canadian history,” Willis says.

In her 1944 book, The House of All Sorts, Carr chronicled 41 stories of her tenants who came and went, something its current owner is hoping to see happen again. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Rescinded: boil water advisory on Salt Spring. [CRD]

Counterfeit $100 bill used in Sidney. RCMP issues warning to businesses.

City of Victoria Official Community Plan public hearing is Sep. 11.

James Bay Neighbourhood Association survey on Victoria’s OCP.

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. 

NEWS

Weekly roundup: Craft beer brewing tax concerns, swimmers’ plans beached, UpIsland wildfire downgraded, summer fests in full swing

BC’s craft beer brewers want a break from the government
Driftwood, Phillips, Whistle Buoy, Lighthouse, Hoyne, and Howl are just some of Victoria’s craft beer makers that have filled our glasses and bellies with succulent suds. As popular as they are, they still face the daunting task of competing with Big Beer, which gets more elbow room and shelf space.
While foreign-owned beer producers see $9M in rebates each year, the craft beer set faces an escalating tax rate at a time it’s dealing with Trump’s tariffs.
According to the BC Craft Brewers Guild, craft beer production costs have increased by roughly 30% since 2020, so the guild has launched the “Protect BC Craft Beer” campaign, encouraging beer lovers to support the industry and its 6K workers.
It wants the BC government to reform the way it taxes the industry, something the governments of Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have done.

Add 4, minus 1, Greater Victoria beaches to the no-swim list
It’s been a hot summer, but indications of elevated bacterial levels and other potential contaminants that increase the risk of illness to the public have thrown cold water on the plans of area beachgoers. Esquimalt Gorge Park Kinsmen Beach, Saxe Point Park Beach, Langford Lake Ed Nixon Lane, and Sayward Beach were the latest swimming spots to be placed under advisory by Island Health due to high bacterial levels.
The good news came from Oak Bay, where swimmers were encouraged to return to Willows Beach after enterococci levels dropped to an acceptable measurement.

Mount Underwood fire downgraded, but damage done to the tourism sector
The wildfire south of Port Alberni is no longer a fire-of-note to BC’s Wildfire Service, meaning as of Thursday, it no longer posed a threat to public safety. That rain last week really helped.
The blaze cut off the main road leading into the coastal resort community of Bamfield, and dozens of burned hydro poles have left 500+ customers in the area without power. BC Hydro said it hoped to have electricity restored to many of those residents and businesses by last night—way ahead of schedule—but a big chunk of the summer tourist season has been scorched. Since the fire started Aug. 11, resorts, restaurants, and campgrounds, along with fishing guides, water taxi operations, and other businesses, have had to deal with cancellations. “August is the one month that everyone in Bamfield relies on to make money,” said Gillian Bradley, owner of Flora's Restaurant and the Bamfield Inn. (Read full story here)

There’s 1 more day of live blues and roots tunes outdoors
The Harbour Blues n’ Roots Festival concludes today at Ship Point. For 20+ years, the festival—previously known as the Vancouver Island Blues Bash—has had heads bopping and toes tapping.
Tonight, Toronto-based 7-piece supergroup Bywater Call will fuse blues, southern soul, and roots music for an oceanside crowd. Victoria swing band Slim Sandy’s Atomic Cocktails will open.
It’s not the only festival in town. The Victoria Fringe Fest is flowering all over the city at various locations and runs until Aug. 31. 
For 39 years, this festival has been showcasing indie theatre, drag, poetry, and comedy shows. 
And Opa! GreekFest opened on Friday for two weekends of live dancing entertainment and, of course, delicious food. Gypsy Rovers kick off today’s live music at noon. 

5,500+ supporters petition federal government to return deported BC climate protester 
Zain Haq, who lived in Vancouver and Victoria for about one-quarter of his 24 years on the planet, was deported to Pakistan earlier this year because of what was deemed to be a student visa violation.
SFU, his university, thinks this was wrong, and his legal team believes he got the boot from Canada because of his activism.
The dispute resulted in a lengthy battle to keep him at home with his wife, Victoria-born Sophia Papp.
Dogwood BC has gathered support from more than 5,500 Canadians, who have emailed Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab to tell her to bring Haq home.

CORRECTION: An item in this section of Friday’s edition misidentified the Victoria band Wet Future, which appeared at the Harbour Blues n’ Roots Festival. Capital Daily regrets the error. 

⭐️ Capital Picks

🫒 GreekFest is happening again today and returns next weekend. [Admission is free]

🐉 Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival, Day 2 today. [On the Gorge]

🏈 Westshore Rebels 34 VI Raiders 17. [Info]

🗞️ In Other News

VicPD Chief Del Manak is in his final week as top cop
Manak began his career with the Vancouver Police Department 35 years ago, when he was 25. Three years later, the Victorian’s father died, so he moved back to the Island and joined VicPD. In 2017, he replaced Frank Elsner as chief, where, among other challenges, he oversaw the city’s policing during the pandemic. Manak has been fighting for a bigger budget and more officers as policing continues to evolve through complex issues such as addiction, mental health, and homelessness. Manak retires at the end of the week and will be replaced by Fiona Wilson. [CTV]

BC Ferries seeks permission to avoid passing fuel rebate along to customers
When fuel prices fall lower than expected, the sea carrier has to comply with the Office of the BC Ferries Commissioner regulations by passing along single-digit percentage fuel rebates to its customers. BC Ferries has applied to implement that rebate not now, but in 2029, when fare prices are expected to increase. “What we’re asking for is the ability to spread those savings out over several years,” BC Ferries spokesperson Ritinder Matthew told the TC. [Times Colonist]

Moon Under Water Brewery becomes Brass Monkey Brewing
A baker’s dozen years ago, Clay Potter and his wife got together with his parents to buy Moon Under Water. His folks just retired, so Potter felt it was a good time for a change. The Rock Bay bar has been rebranded as Brass Monkey Brewing and Taproom—yes, that’s a shout-out to the Beastie Boys song. Potter has two new partners and says customers will soon see a new revamped space, with different beers—including a hazy pale ale with BC-grown hops—and a new menu. Favourites such as Creepy Uncle Drunkel beer will still be served, Potter said. [CHEK]

Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better!

Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region. 

🗓️ Things to do

🎭 Victoria Fringe Festival: A celebration of live performance from around the world, featuring an eclectic mixture of spoken word, drama, musicals, dance, comedy, magic, and theatre for young audiences at venues across the city. Through Aug. 31. [Info]

🚘 Second Annual Exotic Car Show: See some of Victoria’s exclusive cars. Prizes, raffles, and food and drinks available by donation. Entry is also by donation, and in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. 6675 Mirah in Brentwood Bay. Today. 10am-3pm. [Info]

📚 Books, Treats & New Friends: Simon Says Victoria has partnered with Meant Well Books and Alicias Bakehouse to bring you a reading party. All you need is a blanket and a book. Robert J. Porter Park. Today. 11am-2pm. [Info]

🌻 Natural Dyeing in the Orchard: Learn to create stunning patterns on fabric using locally grown flowers and take home your own flower-pounded tote bag in this hands-on outdoor workshop. Welland Legacy Park & Community Orchard. Today. 10am-12pm [Info]

⚓ Salty Sundays: Paper Weaving Cards: Create beautiful woven designs using paper inspired by historical sailmaking techniques, and leave with a handmade card to send to someone special. Maritime Museum of BC. Today. 2-4pm. [Info]

💃 Pole & Pastries: Sweet treats meet sultry feats in this sizzling showcase of pole artistry and burlesque featuring student performers and special guests. Artemis Whiskey Bar. Today. Doors 1pm. Show 1:30pm-3:30pm. (19+). [Info]

🎵 The New Groovement: Enjoy vibrant live music from talented local performers at the city's free summer concert series. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

💃 Latin Dance—Salsa: Everyone's welcome to learn salsa with no partner or experience needed, featuring a lesson followed by social dancing. Ship Point. Tomorrow. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. [Info]
*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: BC’s craft beer industry wants tax-break taste; Harbour Blues n’ Roots Festival kicks off 3 days of music; Children’s clinic at Vic General to close next week. [Aug. 22]

Downtown safety needs multi-level government support, says new Chamber of Commerce CEO. [CHEK]

Working from home: BC not expected to follow Ontario’s lead in forcing workers back to the office. [CTV]

$52.5M: new listing for Beach Drive lots along the ocean. [Times Colonist]

A visitor discovers the best of the Island: See the anemones, fossils, butterflies, and more found on our shores by an out-of-towner. [Facebook photos]

Dessert special: Try the Earl Grey dark chocolate marquise at Bray’s this week. 

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: