Dec 1 - 2 South Island lottery winners within 4 days

Good morning !

With Black Friday and now Santa Parade Saturday both in the rearview, the holiday season’s kick-off now moves the Esquimalt Sunday parade. For many people, the schedule also brings Giving Tuesday—a charitable occasion meant as a counterbalance to the mass shopping of Black Friday.

But one group of locals has already delivered a year’s worth of donations—over a million dollars, in fact—after their unique November telethon set a new fundraising record. More on that below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 9 / 4

Tomorrow: ☀️ 8 / 2

Tuesday: ☀️8 / 2

NEWS

Local gamers raise a record $1.25M for children's 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. During November, dozens of local gamers, entertainers, and special guests took turns playing it for the 18th-annual Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser.

As always, the more money they raise for Child's Play Charity, the longer they’ll drive. This year, they went for a week straight, raising over a million dollars to add to an all-time total that is now well over $10M.

At this point, though, the event isn't simply about the desert bus game but has become a full-on telethon with all sorts of other games and activities happening at the same time. With the bus trucking along in the corner of the screen, teams rotating in shifts through the 7 days competed at everything from Beyblades to bizarre food-eating contests.

They also ran auctions and giveaways giveaways of arts, crafts, games, collectibles, costumes, and more—from a bucket of cute crocheted crabs to a replica chainsaw-sword to a harp.

Capital Daily previously profiled Desert Bus for Hope, and some of its many local “bus drivers.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Sun for a few days, followed by rain beginning Wednesday.

Celebration of Lights traffic disruptions: Esquimalt from Canteen to Lampson. [4:30pm-5:30pm]

Water quality advisory for Wilderness Mountain area, but lifted for for East Sooke are. [CRD]

Royals 6 Rockets 1: Victoria wins its final hockey game of the month.

NEWS

Colwood’s Pendray House is gaining heritage protection

Colwood Council will grant Pendray House official heritage protection. This means the iconic 8,400-square-foot home, located near Esquimalt Lagoon, is now officially part of the city's protected heritage collection.

The property, which dates back to the 1920s, was originally built by Herbert and Charlotte Pendray, prominent local figures in the early 1900s. Over the years it has served various communities, from a human development centre to an arts space for the Coast Collective.

This step safeguards its historic charm amid growing development in the surrounding Pacific Landing and a court-ordered sale of the House and several nearby lots. Although the house on Esquimalt Lagoon was not at risk of redevelopment, this step by the city formalizes its protected status and ensures it will be carefully maintained regardless of owner.

Pendray House joins other Colwood heritage landmarks such as Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill. Notable features of the house include its unique river rock foundation, historic interior finishes, and the surrounding lush landscape of mature trees.

Read the full story at The Westshore for photos of Pendray House, more on its history, and an explanation of local heritage status and which other sites have it.

NEWS

After Santa kickoff, weekend holiday light-ups continue with Esquimalt parade

Last night’s Santa Claus Parade drew tens of thousands of spectators—locals and tourists alike—downtown to watch as lit-up floats drove along Douglas. There was a giant Nanaimo Bathtub Race boat, a Shriners locomotive, and various elves, Santas, and Grinches (including one driving the Country Grocer float, one in a cage behind a Crimestoppers van, at least two walking around on foot, and one lashed to the front hood of an SUV).

You can rewatch the procession on CHEK.

The 42nd annual parade, which helps support the Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank, also marked the start of the Lights of Wonder in Centennial. They are now up and running but will have their full opening ceremony next weekend.

Today there will be plenty more lights, and parading, one municipality over. Esquimalt is running its own float parade, running along Esquimalt Rd. starting at 5pm. It will also have an event afterward, including hot dogs from the Lions (by donation), music by Maureen Washington, special guests, and Santa.

The parade’s main organizer is Kim Vis, who as a child in 1979 made a miraculous recovery after falling through the ice near her Port Alberni home and appearing to die.

See the full list at Capital Daily of other public seasonal events coming up this month.

We'd love to share some of your parade photos—send in your shots from Saturday or Sunday and we will include some in the next newsletter.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

⛰️ Mt. Baker at sunset, basking in the last few rays. [Facebook photo]

🦅 An eagle atop the totem pole in Beacon Hill. [James MacDonald photo]

🎁 Every child remembers that one special toy! You can create that memory today. It's just a click away! Visit the website and check out the Virtual Tree.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Two different Cowichan-area couples win lottery a few days apart
The Hewitts are planning a kitchen reno and a new car after ending up with a million-dollar ticket from the Duncan Walmart on Nov. 19. The Piatkowskis say they're taking some time to make retirement plans after buying a 500k winner on Nov. 16 at the Youbou General Store.

Crash closes Bay Bridge & hospitalizes 2
Police are investigating after a grey Mercedes reportedly hit the barrier around 4am Saturday. The bridge was closed until just before noon. [CHEK]

Cowichan Tribes council adds D’Arcy Joe to replace new MLA
Debra Toporowski resigned her council seat after being elected the new Cowichan Valley MLA, winning the riding for the NDP. The seat was offered to Joe, a runner-up in the previous council election, per the First Nation’s custom election law—although the council doesn’t need to fill vacancies if it is above the quorum of 7. [Info]

Reborn Victoria Salsa too hot for Chilliwack
The Grizzlies brought back their original identity for Friday’s hockey game and defeated the conference #2 Chilliwack Chiefs and pull within 1 point of them in the standaings. But once back to their current identity, the Grizzlies’ magic ran out as they lost in Chilliwack on Sat. 

🗓️ Things to do

🎄 UVic Vikes Christmas Tree Sale has begun, running Fri-Sun at Centennial Stadium until Dec. 15. 

☃️ RBCM WinterFest: The museum presents local vendors, multicultural performances, and warm drinks. Sat & Sun.

🎁 Chinatown Wonders Christmas Pop-up: Visit Victoria’s Chinatown for a Christmas pop-up, with a lineup of Chinese creators’ products. 11am-5pm. [Info]

🎛 Harsh Noise Petting Zoo: A hands-on exploration of creating extreme sound. Little Fernwood today (1:15-3pm).

🩰 Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker: See the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Canadian spin on the ballet, featuring a hockey game, Mounties, and polar bears, at Royal Theatre. 1pm & 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Comfort and Joy The Victoria Chamber Choir will perform old and new holiday tunes at Broad View United Church. 3pm today.

🛍 Winter Bazaar at Gorge Park Pavillion: 10am-5pm today.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Songhees sue over rail line cleanup, arguing that the E&N contaminated the land & that Crown should have paid for cleanup when rail service ended. [Sat. news]

4 in 5 said BC Ferries service is great, good, or okay in our recent reader poll. Also in Friday newsletter: Avian flu infects Peninsula farm.

Int’l Day of Consent fundraiser: Hotel Zed matching money for Good Night Out.

Vikes 20, Castaway Wanderers 14: UVic ends its fall men's rugby schedule with a win over some fellow Victorians.