July 27 - Beer for dogs

Good morning !

Today we’re looking at active transport implementation in Central Saanich, a fracking protest at a local MLA’s office and… beer for dogs? Turns out it’s a thing—and don’t worry, it’s completely alcohol-free!

— Robyn

🌤️ Today's weather: Mainly sunny. High 22C / low 12C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

New trails, bike lanes, and paths fast-tracked for peninsula

Central Saanich adopted its first active transportation plan two years ago, and following an injection of funding, the district is putting the pedal to the metal on that plan.

“Safety is a big part of it,” Mayor Ryan Windsor told Capital Daily. The district wants to make it easier—and safer—to walk and cycle in Central Saanich, by establishing a connectivity between sidewalks, trails, and roadways.

“Where there are gaps, we would like to close them,” Windsor said.

Several projects are being fast-tracked, with construction to begin later this year. Those projects include:

• Pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure along Mt. Newton Cross Road, and Lochside connection (connecting the east side of highway, such as Tsawout First Nation and Lochside area with Saanichton)

• Sidewalk improvements in Tanner Ridge along Central Saanich Road

• A connection on East Saanich Road, allowing northbound cyclists to better access Wallace Drive

• A pedestrian pathway on Hagan in Brentwood Bay

• Roadside bike lanes along Wallace between Brentwood Bay and Saanichton

Engineering work has begun on the Brentwood Bay and Saanichton bike lane project, Windsor said, but old underground sewage pipes will have to be replaced first, meaning those bike lanes are at least a year away.

“We can't accelerate those because we literally have to dig up the road to get to the sewers,” Windsor said. That last project is going to cost $10M, Windsor said.

The district has earmarked $10.4M over the next five years, thanks in part to a $5.5M grant from the province’s Growing Communities Fund, a one-time grant allocated to all BC municipalities based on population and growth.

Earlier this month, Central Saanich council approved a debt plan in next year’s five-year capital plan to help pay for new infrastructure. That provides an extra $5M to be spent on active transportation.

The $76.8M Keating Cross Road overpass project is the crown jewel of all the transportation construction happening or about to happen in Central Saanich, as an estimated 52,000 cars drive through the area daily.

Other CRD municipalities recently announced nearly $10M in provincial funding for active transportation projects in Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, and the UVic campus.

Capital Bulletin

🪷 Provide input on Sidney’s new logo: The town is requesting community feedback on two design options. Online survey closes Aug. 8.

📖 Victorian author wins BC Historical Federation award: Jennifer Iredale won the best article award for her work Well Made Baskets: Nlaka’pamux Basket Makers and All Hallows School.

NEWS

Fracking protesters rally in front of Murray Rankin’s office

An estimated 75 protesters converged on the New Democrat MLA’s office Tuesday night, calling for an end to fracking in BC.

The rally was organized by Dogwood, as well as Frack Free BC, which are holding several rallies throughout BC this week as part of their campaigns to end the oil extraction practice.

Both organizations want the BC government to:

• Set a date to stop issuing fracking permits

• Begin a phaseout of existing wells and fracking infrastructure

• Support local communities to transition to more sustainable industries

Hydraulic fracturing—fracking—is the process of drilling into rock layers in the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals to release gas from within.

More than 90% of oil and gas wells in BC require fracking to extract natural gas, and with multiple proposed liquid natural gas (LNG) projects under review in the province, it’s estimated BC could use up to 10.4 billion litres of clean water to support them, according to a study by Stand.earth.

“To expand fracking in BC is a shortsighted decision that will blow our climate targets,” said Calum Campbell, rally organizer. “If we’re to have any chance of avoiding the worst of this crisis, our government must change course.

Dogwood organizers pointed to Canada’s record wildfire season and global heat records broken this week as urgent reasons to end fracking in the province.

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NEWS

Victoria brewery creates pet menu for its patio

Victoria is truly a place for pups.

If you’re like most people, your heart aches every time you have to close that door and head out for fun summer activities without your special furry friend. While there are plenty of pet-friendly patios, there aren’t as many places catering specifically to your pet.

Luckily, one Victoria brewery is changing that.

While Moon Under Water is known among Victoria locals for its beer, its spirits, its patio, and its shafts, now it’s likely going to be the bark of the town with its newest menu made for dogs.

This past weekend, Moon Under Water announced it would begin to serve a full-fledged dog menu, including chicken stew, meatballs, and bacon and egg bites cooked in-house and on the spot. Dishes do not contain added salt, leeks, onions, garlic, grapes, seasoning, or any other dog toxins, and are $5 each.

“We found a lot of our customers were ordering plain hamburgers for their dogs,” co-owner of Moon Under Water, Anne Farmer, told Tasting Victoria. “We researched [ingredients] that [are] good for dogs. All of us that work here have a dog.”

And that’s not all: Moon Under Water also has dog beer!

Find out more about this unique, pup-centric menu at Tasting Victoria.

Capital Picks

🎹 Brenda Morie Quartet at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The quartet will perform originals and blues classics today, Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

🎻 Symphony in the Summer Festival: Enjoy some classical music this week at several concerts across the city from today until Aug. 5. The Victoria Symphony will perform tonight at Christ Church Cathedral, 7:30pm.

🎤 Ben Sures at Butchart Gardens: The musician and storyteller will perform tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.

💃🏼 2023/24 subscriptions on sale now. The World’s Best Dance. Save up to $146 off regular prices. Royal Theatre Box Office: 250-386-6121 or DanceVictoria.com.*

📚 CFUW Saanich Peninsula Book Sale: Shop fiction and non-fiction while raising funds for scholarships today at Mary Winspear Centre, 3-7pm.

🎸 Hot Club les Insulaires and David John Stuart at Plaza Franco: Enjoy some jazz tunes today at this free outdoor concert at The Francophone Society of Victoria, 5-8pm.

🎙️ Summer Concert at Willows Beach: Watch a performance by Victoria-based dance band The Soul Shakers tonight, 6-8pm. [Details]

🎉 Eats & Beats Beach Party this weekend: This beach party will feature live music, an international food truck festival, a street market, and a craft beverage garden. Saturday at Royal Beach near Metchosin and Latoria, 1-8pm.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🚔 Body found in bushes in Oak Bay
The body was found on Beach Drive between Monterey and King George Terrace on Wednesday at around 8am. Oak Bay and Saanich police are investigating. That stretch of Beach Drive was closed for several hours.

🔬 UVic dig finds signs of former W̱SÁNEĆ village near Cordova Bay
The five-week-long dig at Agate Lane Park led by UVic professors and students has uncovered signs of ȾEL¸IȽĆE, a thousand-year-old village of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen-speaking peoples. The dig has led to the discovery of fire pits, slate fishing knives, fish hooks, and food remains. [Times Colonist]

🌾 BC-wide hay shortage affects Island livestock farmers
The provincewide drought that has followed a dry fall and cold spring has led to low hay yields, leading to a dearth in hay and increased prices. Some Island farmers say they are considering selling livestock to stretch supplies. The province is trying to connect farmers with hay growers in the northwestern United States. [CHEK]

In Case You Missed It

📰 Wednesday’s headlines: Libraries will not buy Pic-A-Flic stock, study finds that storing carbon in ocean rocks poses low risk for earthquakes, Island gets $1.3M for sexual assault programs, and more. [July 26]

⛴️ BC Ferries cancels all Coastal Celebration sailings from Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen through July 27 due to a mechanical issue. Drivers are encouraged to travel as foot passengers, or from Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay or Duke Point-Tsawwassen.

🚧 Road paving on Fort from Fernwood to Belmont extended until Friday. Expect single-lane traffic on Fort and restricted access at cross roads.