Dec 8 - Are local whales wearing fish as hats—again?

Good morning !

Welcome to your Sunday edition. As you know, Capital Daily sends out this newsletter 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But we’ve got two big changes coming up. 

The first is that we are taking our first ever break for the holidays. We will be sending newsletters up until Dec. 22, and then you won’t see us back in your inboxes until Jan. 3. 

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— The Capital Daily Team

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 10 / 3

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 8 / 3

Day after: 🌧️ 7 / 4

NEWS

Trend alert: Salmon hats are back in style for Southern Resident killer whales

The 1980s were a decade known for bold fashion trends—permed hair, legwarmers, and massive shoulder pads were some of the notable looks young Gen Xers were wearing.

While these trends continue to fall in and out of fashion, there’s one style from the ’80s making waves again—just not with humans.

Nearly 40 years ago, orcas began to balance dead salmon on their heads like a hat, a behaviour that baffled scientists at the time. It began in 1987, when one trend-setting Southern Resident female from K-Pod began to place dead salmon on her head, a style she committed to for an entire year. Her influence soon caught on and within a few weeks, orcas from L-Pod and J-Pod began to hop on the trend.

Now, the dead salmon hat appears to be making a comeback in the Salish Sea. A male from J-Pod—J27 Blackberry, aged 32—was seen by Washington researchers sporting the salmon hat in Puget Sound. So far, he’s the only orca seen showcasing this behaviour, but it could be a sign that it’s once again catching on. 

Scientists aren’t sure what’s sparked the behaviour, and there is skepticism that the trend is truly back. It could simply be that J27 is finding a way to hold onto a snack for later, given the unpredictable hunting conditions in the area. It could also be playful behaviour that illustrates how the orcas are enjoying a particularly abundant salmon season this year. 

Some of the orcas who first took part in the trend in ‘87 are still around, and one Norwegian scientist postulates they could be passing this style to a new generation of the Salish Sea’s most fashionable whales. 

See the photo that sparked all the speculation here at Orca Network.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Cloudy weather, with some rain, expected all this week.

BC Ferries has added late-night sailings today due to the Taylor Swift concert and other events: From Swartz Bay at 11pm, and from Tsawwassen at 1am.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

These Victoria restaurants will be serving Christmas dinner this month

As Christmas approaches—just over 2 weeks away—it is time for many people to start seriously considering what you are going to eat for the big holiday dinner. If you don’t feel like cooking this year, many Victoria restaurants have you covered.

Tasting Victoria compiled a selection of restaurants that are serving both take-out dinners to enjoy at home and dine-in options to make the day a special one.

Read that roundup here.

NEWS

Victoria tech industry mourns loss of its “brightest champion” Greg Caws

The late Victoria entrepreneur Greg Caws boasted plenty of titles:

• president and CEO of Innovate BC / BC Innovation Council from 2013 to 2016

• board chair and CEO of VIATEC, a non-profit that supports the growth and promotion of the Greater Victoria tech sect

• president of the Premier’s Technology Council, a non-partisan initiative that provides advice to the government on technology-related issues in BC

• co-founder and co-chair of Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster (now Digital, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster)

But when people in the local industry spoke of him after his death last month, they spoke less about what he did and more about the way he did it. Caws was remembered by peers as a happy, respectful man who paid attention to those around him and didn’t sequester himself away from or above others even when he was in high-profile roles like CEO. Instead, he could be found at a desk out beside the rest of the office workers or setting up IT equipment.

Read more about Caws, and the tributes pouring in for him, at Victoria Tech Journal.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🦭 When sea lions can fly: See a California sea lion shoot out of the water near Colwood. [Facebook photo]

🚚🚚 Watch the Truck Light Parade from last night via the CHEK broadcast:

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🗞️ In Other News

Towers at former White Spot site will add 56 rooms instead of offices
Victoria council will let Chard sub in more housing, cutting offices and 114 parking spots, at the Caledonia former site of the Capital City Centre Hotel. The developer said it had financing issues on the already approved project after 2023 Bank of Canada rate hikes. [Times Colonist] 

We are not calling you to get your credit card, CRD says
The public is advised that scam calls impersonating the CRD have been reported, and that the real CRD will not call you to ask for your personal info.

New BC NDP provincial director has “serious medical emergency” 
Just a day after local MLA Grace Lore announced her cancer diagnosis, former Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter has been hospitalized after an unspecified event. Coulter lost re-election but was tapped to remain with the party in the director role. [CHEK]

5 years behind bars for Victoria man’s sexual assaults on local teen 
Peter John Hopper, then 42, was convicted for two “vile and incomprehensible” incidents of preying upon a girl aged 14-15 in 2018. The girl was addicted to street drugs and was led to believe she would get them from him. He has also been convicted of sexual crimes against 3 other teens in that same year. [CTV] 

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🗓️ Things to do

 🎅 Sooke Santa Parade on Sunday, with a new route and a celebration of the District's 25th anniversary. Festivities start 4pm / parade starts 5pm. 

✨ Sidney Sparkles Holiday Parade is 5-6pm today, along Beacon Ave.

🗓️ Find more holiday events in local municipalities in our roundup here.

🛷 Sleigh the Day: Sing. Sip. Create. Get into the holiday spirit with free holiday craft-making for all ages, sing-alongs with festive carols, and seasonal treats from local vendors. Ship Point. 1-5pm. [Info]

📸🧑‍🎄 Photos with Santa: Ho Ho Ho! Say cheese. Bard and Banker. 1-4pm. [Info] 

🛍️ Metchosin Christmas Spirit Market: Shop wares and crafts from local vendors at Metchosin Community Centre. 10am-4pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tenants with disabilities are worried they’ll end up on the street when Village on the Green is demolished. [Capital Daily]

Local MP Randall Garrison retired this past week with an emotional speech in parliament. [The Westshore]

Village on Cowichan River in 1868. [Facebook photo]

A young grey whale spent months feeding in the mud near Quadra Island. [Facebook photos]

Salt Springer tracked own stolen truck to Sooke, RCMP say.

Baby born in SUV on side of busy highway in Nanaimo, with help from fire truck. [CHEK]