Feb 11 - All that glitters...

Good morning !

I’m not one to get too wound up over attire, but I have to agree with lifestyle blogger Ryan Massel—who is hilarious and absolute gold. What were our Canadians athletes wearing at the Olympic Games opening ceremonies on Friday? That shawl/cape/sleeping bag/thingy is a real mystery to me.
Full story below in ICYMI.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 9 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 9 / 5

Friday: 🌧️ 8 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

RCMP warn of parking lot con artists selling faux gold for cash

Shakespeare famously wrote, “All that glisters is not gold”—in modern terms, glitters—and at least nine people in the Westshore recently experienced that firsthand.

There’s a scam going around that pits people’s empathy and good-naturedness against common sense, and it’s got West Shore and Nanaimo RCMP concerned enough to issue a warning. 

"These fraudsters rely on sympathy and urgency to pressure victims into handing over money,” said West Shore RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Nancy Saggar. 

The scammers usually approach people in parking lots outside busy retail areas—where there’s a money machine conveniently nearby—with a hard-luck story about having run out of money for gas and food. They then offer gold jewelry for a bargain-basement price.

“In several reported cases, the suspects had young children with them, which appeared to be used to gain trust and lower suspicion."

The gold—you guessed it—is bogus, and the victim doesn’t find out until the scammer is long gone. 

West Shore RCMP says it wants to remind people that buying jewelry from strangers is a high-risk move and that stories involving emergencies are often untrue. If something sounds suspicious, that’s your instinct warning you that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck, and not a golden opportunity. 

Nanaimo RCMP are dealing with the same issue and figure it’s a group of thieves who are part of a larger enterprise that roams the Island and Lower Mainland looking for marks. 

Spokesperson Gary O’Brien says last Friday, a man was filling his vehicle up at a Harbour City gas station when a man and woman pulled in and said that they had lost their wallet and badly needed gas money to get back to Victoria.

They showed the man a ring they claimed was worth 3K and asked $100 for it. The guy’s niceness kicked in, and he withdrew a hundy from the ATM. 
You know how this ended.

“If you encounter a similar situation, do not provide money,” O’Brien said. 
When safe to do so, report the incident to police.”

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. [Global News]

Saanich road closure: Kremlin between Broadmead and Kisber, through Feb. 27, 4pm-8am.

Saanich single-lane traffic: Quadra between Glenora Pl. and Union, through Friday, 9am-3:30pm.

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Cedar Hill between Garnet and Cedar Hill Cross, today, 9am-3:30pm.

Partial closures coming to E&N Trail next week as BC Hydro conducts work. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Free Family Day events in Greater Victoria

The first long weekend of the year is almost upon us, and there’s no shortage of activities to fill that extra time off.

This year, the Family Day weekend overlaps with Valentine's Day, making it an extra-special occasion to share quality time with the people you love most.

Events kick off on Friday, with plenty of fun to be had through to Monday. 

Check out Victoria at Dusk, the new winter arts festival happening downtown, or bring the whole family out for a day of skating, swimming, or yoga. Get your kids learning how to code, dance, or discover new art techniques. 

We’ve rounded up some fun—and free!—activities to do with your family.

Check out the full list here.

NEWS

Interpretative installation on Inner Harbour lower causeway celebrates lək̓ʷəŋən culture and language

Five colourful information structures were installed next to the marina gates on Monday, replacing ones that had been there for several sun-drenched years and needed to be changed.  

“This new installation contains more lək̓ʷəŋən content, including examples of the lək̓ʷəŋən language,” said Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) spokesperson Richard Davies.

The GVHA and representatives from the Songhees Nation and xʷsepsəm Nation officially unveiled the installation yesterday. 

“Pedestrians are already stopping to read the panels,” Davies said.

Inspired by the traditional Big House design, the installation explains the historical and cultural connection between the lək̓ʷəŋən People and the Inner Harbour.

The installation features the lək̓ʷəŋən language and describes how the lək̓ʷəŋən People used the harbour and surrounding lands. An orca designed by Butch Dick (Yux’wey’lupton) is incorporated into the design.

"This is more than art—it is a living connection to our land and the community who built upon it,” said Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam.  

The installation is located in an area called xwsəyq’әm (pronounced Whu-SEI-kum), meaning Place of Mud.

“This location was once the village site of the xʷsepsəm, right where the legislature building stands today,” said Chief Jerome Thomas of xʷsepsəm Nation.

“We’re excited that visitors and residents will have the opportunity to learn about lək̓ʷəŋən culture and the importance of this area to our people.”

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

See Puccini’s Tosca live at the Royal

Pacific Opera Victoria presents Puccini’s Tosca, a thrilling operatic masterpiece packed with passion, intrigue, and unforgettable music. Set in Rome against a backdrop of political unrest, Tosca follows the fiery Floria Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi, and the ruthless police chief Scarpia in a high-stakes battle of love, loyalty, and power.

With soaring arias, heart-stopping drama, and some of opera’s most iconic moments, Tosca is a must-see for longtime fans and first-time opera-goers alike. Experience this powerful story live on stage at The Royal Theatre from Feb. 18 to 24. Tickets start at just $35.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥟 Dumpling Fest Victoria is tonight. [SOLD OUT]

♀️ The Victoria Women’s Expo. [March 7 & 8]

🎭 "Such a beautiful story." Maanomaa, My Brother is on now through March 1 at the Belfry Theatre. Pay-what-you-want tickets are available for all performances.*

💗 Pink Shirt Day is 2 weeks from today. [Show support]

🧠 Ready to think bigger? March 10-11, Rising Economy brings bold insights on business, tech, and innovation to help you stay ahead of change.*

⛷️ Olympics at the library: Catch the Games at your local GVPL branch. [GVPL]

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY SHAWNIGAN RETREATS

Your escape on Vancouver Island

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

🗞️ In Other News

Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock will not run for re-election 
Murdock’s first term as mayor will be his last. He says he’s stepping away from the demands of public service amid his wife’s battle with cancer. Murdock served three terms as a councillor, having first been elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2011 and 2014. He took a four-year break from municipal politics before running for mayor in 2022, when he beat incumbent Fred Haynes. The municipal election is set for Oct. 17. Currently, there is no declared mayoral candidate for Saanich. [CHEK]

Victoria-area woman’s brother killed in Iran: it took 5 days to find out his fate
The woman—whose name is not included in this story for her and her family’s safety—says her brother was shot in the leg by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and his injuries went untreated for days. His family in Iran took him to the hospital, but were not allowed in. Five days later, they were told to come to identify his body. The Victoria-area woman said in exchange for his remains, the regime wanted her family to say the man was an enemy of the state. The woman said her brother was not part of the protests in Iran, which have resulted in the deaths of thousands. [Times Colonist]

100+ BC First Nations oppose Eby’s planned amendments to DRIPA
In a joint statement, the First Nations condemned Premier David Eby’s plans to rework the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA)—a BC law enacted in 2019 to align with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Eby plans to introduce changes to DRIPA to maintain the free-entry system of the Mineral Tenure Act, which allows miners to access Crown land without Indigenous consent. In December, a BC court ruled this system conflicted with DRIPA laws. Eby wants to remove the courts’ influence over resource matters, but First Nations say the changes could lead to more land-claim challenges in court. [Victoria Buzz]

🗓️ Things To Do

🎺 The Don Leppard Jazz Orchestra: Victoria's 17-piece big band swings through classics from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and more, plus contemporary jazz arrangements with featured guest Ryan Oliver. Hermann's Jazz Club. Tonight. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

👽🎸 Close Encounters from Western Civilization Tour 2026: Interdimensional alien Draemus brings epic alt/rock/pop to iconic alien sci-fi sagas, and is joined by Victoria's War Eyes and progressive rock band Zenith. The Coda. Tonight. Doors 6pm, show 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🤣 Phillips Comedy Night: Funny guys Morgan Cranny and Drew Farrance bring the most hilarious comedians in the city together for a wonderful evening of food, drink, and fun. The Mint. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

💬 Imagine After Hours: This relaxed, supportive gathering offers a welcoming space to unwind, meet new people, and build community in a non-clinical environment. With coffee, conversation, and occasional creative or social activities. Serious Coffee Esquimalt. Tonight. 5-7pm. [Info] 

🎹 Showtune Piano Bar Cabaret: Diploma Year II and Certificate students from the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) perform a range of numbers from the Golden Age to off-off-Broadway, from classic to contemporary; each toe-tapping tune will charm and delight. Hermann’s. Tomorrow & Feb. 19. 7pm. [Info]

🖌️ Paint Night: Lovebirds. Step-by-step demonstrations are provided so you can come with no experience and still walk away with a masterpiece. Fairfield Gonzales Community Association. Tomorrow. 6:30-9pm. [Info]

🌱 Valentine’s Terrarium Workshop: Get your hands dirty and create a beautiful terrarium with a special someone—or treat yourself to a solo evening of planting. We will guide you through the process. VI Plant Shop. Friday. 5:30-6:30pm. [Info] 

🎉 Victoria at Dusk: Walk along a route filled with light-based installations, performance art, storytelling, and creative cultural expression at Ship Point. Friday through Sunday. 5pm-9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Victoria podcast on therapy access returns for second season; BC teachers reach tentative deal with public school employers; Downtown bus depot to close. [Feb. 10]

Goldstream Medical Clinic opens for Westshore patients. [CHEK]

Suspect sought after assault on bus in Saanich. [Times Colonist]

Canada’s Winter Olympic Games outfits raise eyebrows online. [CTV]

Carnival Culture Connection on Valentine’s Day. [Braefoot Park]

Beatlemania 1964: See people in Victoria lining up at the original Memorial Arena to buy tickets to The Beatles’ PNE show. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: