Aug 24 - Spotting invasive species on the Island

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend! Today we’ve got your guide to invasive plants on the Island, info on a new sports facility for the Peninsula, and a rundown on the Harbour Blues ’n Roots Fest happening at Ship Point.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 17 / 10

Tomorrow: ⛅ 18 / 12

Monday: 🌧 18 / 10

7-day forecast

NEWS

Your guide to invasive plant species on Vancouver Island—and how to deal with them

Here on the Island, we’re lucky to have unique ecosystems that exist nowhere else in the world. You’ll only find Garry oak meadowlands in Victoria and on the Gulf Islands, and our temperate rainforests to the west and alpine region up-Island are home to animals found only here. 

But humans have introduced—whether intentionally or not—an array of invasive species that have ravaged Island ecosystems, threatening the survival of these natural gems. 

There are some familiar invasive culprits, such as Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberries, but the list doesn’t end there—learn how to identify these plants and find out how to reduce the spread of invasive seeds both in your gardens and out in nature.

An important step to preserving local ecosystems is planting and maintaining native species. While gardening season is winding down, you can plan ahead for next year.

Read more on the benefits of native plant gardens and how to DIY one at home.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Some rain this weekend is expected, before mostly sunny and mid-20s weather during week.

Road paving tomorrow: Chatham will close between Government and Douglas, while the intersection of Douglas and Belleville closes for the same work. 7am to 3:30pm.

UV risk index: 4 (moderate) but rising to 6 by Weds.

Downtown rally expected: A protest for Gaza running 2-4pm may shut streets temporarily.

Saanich splash pads at Beckwith & Rutledge have reopened for season, but Rutledge is closed on rainy days.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Parking downtown? Check the parkade space tracker.

NEWS

Central Saanich to get new multi-sport facility

The facility will be a covered, open-air build to replace the aging lacrosse box that has sat in Centennial Park for 40 years. The new facility will still offer a space for lacrosse players, but will now be able to host pickleball and ball hockey as well. 

While these other sports are rising in popularity, it was particularly of interest to preserve lacrosse for residents of the peninsula, given the importance of the sport for Indigenous communities in the area.

“Lacrosse, being one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the provinces, holds a significant connection to the youth in the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱SIKEM (Tseycum) First Nations,” said Niall Paltiel, chair of Peninsula Recreation Commission (PRC) in a statement. 

“The sports box, with its cover and light features, will provide year-round enjoyment for all.”

PRC came on board to work on the project with the District of Central Saanich in 2022 and recommended its approval to the CRD board.

The entire project will cost $4.9M, but will be partly funded by a $2M grant from the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The remaining $2.9M will come out of PRC’s capital plan, a subsection of CRD’s financial plan.

The project includes:

• Demolition of the existing box

• 17K square feet of new play surface with acrylic coating to improve visual accessibility

• Dasher boards complete with above chain-link fencing

• Team benches

• Scoreboard

• Shot clocks

• Penalty box

• Lighting for covered areas

The project is set to begin late this summer and finish next year. In Jan., the PRC will take over other on-site facilities at the park, including the field house and picnic shelters, on a 60-year lease.

EVENTS

Harbour Blues ’n Roots Fest hits Ship Point this weekend

The festival—previously known as the Vancouver Island Blues Bash—has returned to Ship Point for a weekend of bluesy tunes.

Catch live music throughout the afternoon near the Inner Harbour, with free shows running from noon until 3:30pm. After that, shows will be ticketed as bigger names take the stage. The festival is already in full swing having kicked off last night with headliner The Dip. 

Today there will be food vendors and a beverage garden to enjoy as the music begins. 

Locals can catch Rick Estrin and the Nightcats tonight with opener Steve Marriner & Local Electric, or see Mike Farris and The Fortunate Few with opener Cousin Harley tomorrow.

Check out the schedule here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐳 Spotted from the shore: Orcas swim past Trial Island. [Facebook photo]

✨ Shifty pricing? Gone. oxio internet has prices that stay the same as long as you stay with them. Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month free.*

🤝 Now hiring: Pyrotechnician/Lighting and Scenic Technician at Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria sees rise in tourism while other Island areas see dip, group says
The entire Island’s tourism has dropped in comparison to last summer. The north and central Island have had a 5% drop in tourism. However, Victoria saw a 9% boost in tourism since last year—an exciting increase, given that 2023 was a record year for tourism. [CHEK]

Saanich teen at World Powerlifting Championships in Malta next week
Tate Commandeur, 17, beat all BC lifting records, and many Canadian ones, in the 105kg class. Since many 120kg-class records are actually lower, strangely, he “chugged some water, weighed in at 106,” and began a quest to sweep the records in two classes. [Black Press]

Investigation underway after fatal Island helicopter crash
The BC Coroners service will look into the death of the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter in the crash at Brooks Peninsula near Port Hardy on Aug. 15. Victoria’s Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre dispatched a helicopter and, with the assistance of a rescue team from Comox, recovered the victim. [Times Colonist]

🗓️ Things to do

🏈 The Battle for the Rock: Westshore Rebels take on the VI Raiders at 7pm (doors 6pm) at Starlight. Special guests: The Superheroes of Victoria. [Tickets]

🎉 Pagliacci’s 45th Anniversary Street Party: Celebrate this community gem with live music and dancing in the street in front of the restaurant. Sat. 4-10pm. [Info]

🇯🇲 🇹🇹 🇬🇾 i-Land Caribbean Festival: Check out Victoria’s first-ever Caribbean Carnival event at Centennial Square, with a parade down Government, live music—featuring soca, calypso, and reggae—delicious food, history info, and activities for kids. Parade today at 11am, festival at 12pm. [Info]

🎥 Free-B Film Festival: Watch the 1957 sci-fi film Plan 9 from Outer Space tonight at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. 9pm. [Info] 

💛 Good Grief: See this one-man Fringe show about dealing with the loss of a parent at The Bauman Centre. Today. 6:45pm. [Info]

🧶 City of Gardens Quilt Show and Sale: Victoria Quilters’ Guild hosts an art sale at Pearkes Recreation Centre featuring over 250 quilts. Today and tomorrow. 10am-5pm. [Info]

🎵 Colwood’s Music in the Park: Gravitation will perform at Colwood Corners. Today. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info] 

👗 Island Vintage Fair: Shop at this vintage extravaganza, featuring clothes, toys, and home decor at the Mary Winspear Centre. Today and tomorrow. 9:30am-4pm. [Info]

🎨 Scattered Artists Summer Tour: Check out artists across Saanich at this studio tour. Today and tomorrow. 11am-4pm. [Info]

🌇 Suntown Shutdown: Local reggae-afrobeat artist Poncho hosts a listening party for his new Son of the Sun EP at Herald Street brewery. Starts 7pm today. Tickets 

😂 Simon King: The comedian will perform his stand-up set at Hecklers. Today. 8pm. [Info]

🎭 Fringekids Fest: Bring your kids aged three and up for two days of theatrical fun at Kaleidoscope Theatre during Victoria Fringe Festival. Today and tomorrow. 9am-12pm. [Info]

🎶 Music in the Park: Pacific Edge Chorus will perform at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

💃 The Duke Decade: Celebrate the country bar’s 10th birthday with a street festival featuring live music, local artisans, food, dunk tank for charity, corn hole, and drinks. Today. 4-10pm. [Info] 

🎷 La Noche Cubana: See Vancouver’s Julio Avila Cuban Band perform at the Victoria Event Centre. Today. 8pm. [Info] 

🖼 Art opening today at Madrona Gallery as Tamara Bond debuts her Forest Setting exhibition. 1-3pm. Show runs to Sept. 7. [Info]

🎧 Co[Lab]: Mind Garden returns to the Island for a night of experimental sound from Josh Teed and Saturna at Capital Ballroom. Today. 9:30pm. [Info] 

🎸 Lester Quitzau: The multi-Juno winner will perform his unique style at Hermann’s. Today. Doors 5:30pm. Show 7pm. [Info] 

🎭 Recon-SILLY-Action: During Victoria Fringe Festival, Mizz Rory Keewatin’s play performed in the Naheyan language will take place at Intrepid Studio. Today. 6:30pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Bus driver union wants to cut certain stops; More shelter beds for Victoria; global fisheries unsustainable. [August 23]

Delays in asset management have contributed to increased costs for Saanich—and tax hikes for its residents. [Capital Daily]

Victoria’s first Caribbean Carnival kicks off today. [Capital Daily]

Carbon copy: See the perfectly shed skin of a northern alligator lizard near Buckley Bay. [Facebook photos]

Death cap mushrooms found in Oak Bay; district warns to keep kids and pets away. [Info] 

Nanaimo man pleads guilty to manslaughter in girlfriend’s death. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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