Aug 8 - World's best horseshoe thrower from Langford

Good morning !

Just got back from a week away where I got to enjoy some lake time in Osoyoos. Time off in the summer is a must for me when the weather is this good. Do you have plans to take a vacation before the summer’s out?

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today:  ⛅ 26 / 14

Tomorrow: ⛅ 26 / 14

Saturday: ⛅ 26 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

Alto says other municipalities, province need to help Victoria with social services

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto called on municipalities, the provincial and federal governments yesterday to address the city’s pressing housing, mental health, and opioid crises. Victoria has been shouldering a disproportionate share of regional social services and housing needs, something Alto says is unsustainable in the long term.

“We need additional provincial support for complex healthcare, emergency services, and housing,” Alto said. 

She emphasized the urgency of finding both immediate and long-term solutions in collaboration with other regional partners. 

“Our efforts to manage these crises are becoming unsustainable,” Alto said. “We need more support from the province and federal government to effectively tackle the complex healthcare, emergency services, and housing needs.” 

She expressed hope that increased provincial involvement will lead to significant improvements in these critical areas.

VicPD's Pandora and Ellice Safety Plan and the mayor's call for support comes in the wake of  the recent attack on a paramedic by an unhoused individual. In its response, VicPD has increased patrols and is working with bylaw officers to remove problematic structures along Pandora Street. The three-stage plan aims to clear the encampment, though no firm timeline is set for its complete removal.

Alto highlighted that Victoria hosts 87% of the region’s supportive housing, yet does not house 87% of those in need. She urged other municipalities to contribute more actively to regional housing and support efforts.

Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock expressed commitment to a coordinated regional approach. Meanwhile, Island Health is working to address the crisis and improve care, despite legislative limitations. 

Read the full story by Sidney Coles here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Missing person: Jacqueline Neuwirth, 49, was reported missing on July 29, but has not been seen since Feb. 1 in Duncan.

Heat warning issued for East Island. [Island Health]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Langford man wins Canadian and world horseshoe pitching titles

There’s a good chance you’ve played a game or two at the cabin or in a sandbox, but certainly not the way a Westshore man does it.

Tom Moffat, a retired Canada Post letter carrier more than brought the mail home, winning a Canadian championship and a world championship in the last two weeks, something he calls “a dream come true.”

“I never thought I'd accomplish that,” he tells Capital Daily. “I mean, it's always a goal, but I never thought I'd accomplish it.”

Competing at the Canadian Elders Championship in Abbotsford, Moffat compiled a 14-1 mark en route to winning his 65+ age class. Last Sat.—not a week later—there he was in Washington state, throwing nothin’ but ringers to capture the world title in his category.

Moffat is one of roughly 100 members who play at the Greater Victoria Horseshoe Pitching Association (GVHPA) club at Glanford Park, which opened in 1935 on Pandora and has had a few homes, including Beacon Hill Park and its present location in Saanich.

The game is exactly what you think it is—and just the way you may have played it—minus the beer in your hand.

“Yeah, it's the same game, and basically, we divide people into their abilities—we’re all in ringer percentage,” he says.

“So, if you throw 50% ringers, you're going to play against people that throw 50%.”

At the Canadian Elders Championship, he shot at 76.8% en route to a 14-1 record to defeat defending champion Jacques Houle of Quebec.

Find out the curious Montreal Expos link to this story by reading here.

SPONSORED BY THE BUTCHART GARDENS

Dinner and entertainment at The Gardens

Enjoy dinner in The Dining Room and an outdoor summer concert at The Butchart Gardens. Wednesday – Saturday, with dinner service from 5pm – 8pm.

Reservations are recommended and admission to The Gardens is required: 250-652-8222.

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🗞️ In Other News

Three Greater Victoria beaches under bacterial advisories
The south end of Willows Beach in Oak Bay, Mount Douglas Beach, and Kinsmen Beach at Gorge Park all have been found to have high enterococci levels, according to Island Health. Mount Doug beach’s levels reached 500 in July—the highest level since reporting began in 2014. Willows Beach had levels of 180 as of Aug. 2, and Esquimalt Gorge Park Kinsmen Beach had 110 as of Aug. 1. [Victoria News]

Mother and toddlers recovering after head-on Malahat crash
One boy, 3, remains in BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with serious head trauma after the Sun. collision. The mother remained at Vic Gen with a serious head injury while her youngest boy, 2, was treated for a broken collar bone and sent home to family on Mon. RCMP said a southbound SUV crossed the centre line where no meridian was present. Those in the SUV sustained minor injuries and no drugs or alcohol appeared as factors in the crash. [Times Colonist]

Day parole extended for man who plotted mother and grandmother’s murders
Darren Gowan was a Saanich teenager in 1990 when he orchestrated a plan with two schoolmates to kill the women in order for him to receive a $4M inheritance. The women were slain by the two schoolmates in Tsawwassen while Gowan waited at home. He received a three-month extension on his day parole, which was first granted two years ago. [CBC].

Bay Centre Goodlife going out of business
The fitness centre will offer workouts until Aug. 30, when the gym will close, after 14+ years. The company didn’t give a reason for leaving the downtown mall. It said it has offered members the option to transfer to other locations or to receive a full refund for time owing. There are no other GoodLife locations in Victoria, but Goodlife said its sister brand Fit4Less is open 24/7 on Cloverdale.

🗓️ Things to do

🐍 Slithery, Slimy & Scaly: Join CRD Regional Parks naturalists to learn about reptiles, amphibians, and snakes at Elk/Beaver Lake today. 10am-1pm. [Info]

🎵 Fringe Music Bingo: Intrepid Theatre has teamed up with the Fernwood Inn for a night of music and prizes tonight. 7pm [Info]

🎤 Emily Braden: The New York singer will bring her award-winning vocals to Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🌜 Quadra Night Market: Shop multiple vendors, enter the raffle, and grab some yummy food at this fundraising festival today. 3-5pm. [Info]

🎥 Outdoor Movie Night: See this special screening of Kung Fu Panda at Ship Point as part of the Dragon Boat Festival tomorrow. 9pm. [Free]

🎸 Josh Warren’s Groove Circus: The award-winning bassist will bring his eclectic sound to Hermann's tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🖼️ Earth & Garden: Arabella Young and Sonia Lesage will showcase their work featuring plant paintings and ceramics at ArtSea Gallery tomorrow. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🎧 An Electrifying Evening: Head to Capital Ballroom for a night of EDM tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🎞️ Free-B Movie Fest: Bring your picnic blanket and catch Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla tomorrow or The Breakfast Club on Saturday at Cameron Bandshell. 9pm. [Info]

🎉 Upper Fort Street Fest: Join the fun between Vancouver and Cook this Saturday, with a market, music, face painting, and food. 11am-5pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: HarbourCats get playoff spot as they’re displaced from home field; VicPD to spend $80k to bolster patrols at Pandora and Ellice; Victorian earns order of BC. [August 7]

Private clinics reshaping Victoria’s health care system. [Capital Daily]

Two frogs hanging out in Nanaimo waters. [Photos]

Fall recreation registration: City of Victoria. [Opens Aug. 19]

Oak Bay Bicycles celebrated nine decades of business.

That’s it!

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