Dec 13 - Victoria company looks to stir up its industry

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We don’t aim to have our newsletter look like a police blotter. We try to give you a slice of all kinds of local news each morning. Today, though, there’s a lot of police news.
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— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

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NEWS

Victoria sustainable period company joni launches in Costco Langford

Despite innovations in health and wellness spaces over the decades, period care has long been stuck in the 20th century, with little innovation. But a tampon company from Victoria is looking to shake up the industry—and make period care accessible to everyone who needs it.

Launched in 2020, joni is a sustainable, organic period-care line aimed at disrupting the market and working to end period poverty. Co-founders Linda Biggs and Jayesh Vekariya brought their unique backgrounds to create a brand they hoped would stand out. 

Since coming to market, the company has given, free of charge 700K feminine care products to period-equity charities, and has donated 5% of its yearly revenue to non-profits that provide their communities health, food, and hygiene care, including the United Way, Let It Flow, and the Shelbourne Community Kitchen.

The joni team is also pushing to make its products available for free in office buildings and other public washrooms where tampons aren’t available—the way toilet paper is.

Last week, the brand hit the shelves in Langford’s Costco, a big move for the tiny Victoria team of six. 

Read more about joni’s ethos and how its founders hope to disrupt the stagnant period-care industry.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Missing person: Cheyenne Davidson, 31, was last seen in Nanaimo on Nov. 20 and reported missing on Dec. 4. She recently experienced a significant medical event, prompting concern for her safety.

Nellie McClung Library: Tomorrow is the last day to use services at the GVPL branch on Cedar Hill before it closes for three years.

Stanley brand travel mugs recalled due to a burn hazard. 

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

New program could help cut down on wait times at hospital emergency departments

As we approach winter, traditionally the busiest season for hospitals—even in temperate Victoria—Island Health is putting out a reminder of a pilot program for patients with non-urgent medical needs.

Link and Referral Units (LARUs) comprise paramedics heading out solo to assess and treat patients whose conditions are deemed more suitably seen at an urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) than at an already packed hospital emergency department.

“LARU paramedics allow for emergency ambulances to remain available for our most urgent patients,” Kayla Welwood, a manager at BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) said in a release. 

“Our historical response model of care was about taking patients directly to the emergency department; however, we realized that approach doesn’t serve non-emergency patients most appropriately,” Welwood said.

So far, 80+ patients who didn’t need emergency care for ailments or injuries such as sprains, minor cuts or burns, ear infections, or urinary problems were treated at Victoria’s six UPCCs—which the province brought in in 2018. 

“This program is so beneficial for providing patients with the appropriate care they need in a timelier manner,” said Dr. Kimberley Cameron, a physician at the Westshore UPCC one of 12 such facilities in the CRD.

The idea behind LARUs is similar.

“The main goal for LARU paramedics is to link non-urgent 911 patients with the most appropriate care within the health-care system, which may be a UPCC,” said the BCEHS’s Welwood.

“There are so many phenomenal services beyond that of emergency departments, and it only makes sense to synergize them whenever possible.”

BCEHS began the LARU strategy with a pilot program in 2020, and there are now 18 response units—in minivans not ambulances—throughout the province.

“This has dramatically changed the 911 response model established more than 50 years ago,” Welwood said.

Island Health says people should contact UPCCs directly for non-urgent medical concerns and call 911 in the case of a medical emergency.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

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🖼️ From Warhol to Banksy: Pop art exhibition opens tomorrow. [AGGV]

🎄 A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is a whimsical holiday masterpiece running from Dec. 18-21 at the McPherson Playhouse. Don’t miss this beloved show that has become a festive tradition for thousands!*

🦌 Boys will be boys: Young bucks playfully lock antlers in Colwood. [Facebook photo] 

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🗞️ In Other News

School liaison officers: police departments release gang data
The material shows increases in the number of files but isn’t specific to youth recruitment or the extent of gang activity at schools. With the help of an appointed adviser, SD61 has to submit a new safety plan by Jan. 6, on orders from the education and child-care minister who called the board’s previous plan “inadequate.” SD61 cancelled the police liaison program last summer. [CHEK]

VicPD says a driver used their vehicle to pin a man against a tree
Just before 2am on Dec. 1, police received a call about someone screaming for help on Hillside, near Rock Bay. They arrived to find a man with life-altering leg injuries, and an abandoned vehicle “resting up” against a tree. VicPD has charged Cristian Ganzo-Murpy with several offences, including assault with a weapon—the vehicle. Police did not make public what kind of vehicle it was. Ganzo-Murpy, 34, turned himself in. He remained detained pending a court hearing. [VicPD]

Police investigating morning assault at downtown McDonald’s
Officers were dispatched to a fight at the McDonald’s on Pandora and arrived to find an injured man lying on his stomach, unconscious in the parking lot. In an online post, VicPD said it appeared that a male kicked another male in the face. An arrest was made nearby. [CTV]

Witnesses, dashcam footage wanted after man dies on Langford sidewalk
Emergency responders weren’t able to resuscitate a 40-year-old man who was found lying unconscious in an area near Claude and Goldstream late Tue. night. Westshore RCMP said at this point, there is nothing to suggest foul play but they are asking anyone walking or driving on Claude between 9pm and 10pm who may have seen a Caucasian man wearing dark jeans, a light-coloured coat, and walking a black, medium-sized dog, to call them. [RCMP]

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SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER AND THE EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY OF THE ISLANDS

Celebrate the holidays with Festive Cantatas: Bach & Zelenka

Celebrate the festive season with music by Bach and more! Featuring the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and five globally acclaimed soloists on Dec. 21 at 3pm, at Christ Church Cathedral Victoria.

Presented by Early Music Vancouver and the Early Music Society of the Islands.

🗓️ Things to do

⛸️ Victoria Pride Skate: The first all-abilities social ice skate, presented in partnership with the Victoria Pride Society, will feature guest appearances by local drag performers. Registration required. Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Sun. 2:30-4:30pm. [Info]

🎄🎼 Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular 2024: Now in its 16th season, this celebration of music, dance, lights, and decorations has become a holiday tradition. McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow at 2pm & 7pm. Sun. at 2pm. [Info]

👮🎶 Greater Victoria Police Chorus Christmas Concert: An afternoon of seasonal favourites and familiar songs from carols to classics. And there’s a sing-a-long to get everyone into the spirit. North Douglas Church. Tomorrow. 2:30-4:30pm. [Info]

🎼 The Allegra Singers: Winter 2024 Concert Series, led by the musical creativity of director Lana Betts and amazingly talented pianist Alistair Kornelsen. First Church of Christ, Scientist. Tonight. 7:30pm. Tomorrow. 2pm. [Info] 

🎭 Sense and Sensibility: See students from the Canadian College of Performing Arts take on Jane Austen’s beloved tale of love and family this weekend. Through Sun. 7pm. [Info]

⭐ Victorian Crafts Class: holiday ornaments. Learn how to create your own Victorian-inspired paper ornaments. Emily Carr House. Today. 10am-12pm. [Info] 

🎁 Starry Soiree: Winter Makers Market. DJ, vendors, a raffle & non-alcoholic bar. Collecting food & cash donations for Community Fridge Victoria. Market Square. Lower courtyard. Unit #29. Today. 5-10pm. [Info]

🎙️ The Late Show with Nash Park! A combination of improv, stand-up, and sketch all within the structure of a classic late-night talk show. The Mint. Tonight. 7pm. & 10pm. [Info]

😱 📽️ Today is Friday the 13th. See the 1980 film tonight at the Vic Theatre. [Info & Trailer]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday. 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Toxic-drug death decline in Oct. likely due to changes in drug supply; Santa and Rudolph deleted from Saanich Christmas concert lyrics; Seniors advocate says older residents are waiting in line; And more. [Dec. 12]

Making boat cleaning cleaner: An Island-developed dashboard could help. [Capital Daily] 

$4.7M to enforce unhoused daytime sheltering says Victoria city manager. [CHEK]

Warhol to Banksy to Greater Victoria. [Times Colonist]

Dead camper found near Port Alberni. [CTV] 

Best Christmas light displays by map. [Times Colonist]

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