Feb 8 - Lunar New Year in Victoria

Good morning !

Today we’ve got your roundup of events for Lunar New Year. As always, let us know if we’ve missed any and we’ll add it our list.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 8 / 3

Tomorrow: ☁️ 7 / 3

Day after: ☁️ 7 / 5

7-day forecast

NEWS

Here’s where you can celebrate Lunar New Year in Greater Victoria

This weekend marks Lunar New Year, sending us into the Year of the Dragon with plenty of ways to celebrate over the next two weeks.

Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, typically falls around the second new moon after the winter solstice—like the one happening tomorrow—to mark the end of winter and is celebrated throughout East Asia and its diaspora. 

Victoria has a vibrant Chinese history, with both the oldest Chinatown and Chinese temple in Canada, so it’s no surprise there are many ways to celebrate this occasion. 

Check out our list of events to see where you can watch lion dancing, learn about the Chinese zodiac, and indulge in great food.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

CRD biosolids management plan online open house Feb. 20. [Register]

No trespassing on/near Metchosin’s Bentinck Island, and it could get loud. Canadian Forces are using the demolition range near Rocky Point. Today, 9am-4pm.

And nearby, Canadian Navy will be active at the underwater demolition range at Whirl Bay from 8am-4pm until Sat.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

View Royal treatment centre expansion announced for the summer

Our Place Society’s treatment centre in View Royal will be adding 20 beds this summer for women, thanks to recently announced provincial funding.

Our Place Society says the program will be run much like the men’s, which currently has 47 beds for clients who take part in a nine- to 24-month program. Although they operate similarly, the new program will take into account the subtle differences women face when escaping dangerous situations. This will be the first long-term treatment facility for women on the Island.

Read more in The Westshore about this announcement.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

👩‍🎤 Taylor Swift tickets draw. [Details here]

⚽ Gold Cup fanfare kicks off: Tigres fans, arriving to the Island to watch the CONCACAF game in Langford, cover ferry railing with signs.

🩰 Dance Victoria presents Australia's Circa, a visionary circus troupe that's been redefining the genre for 20 years! Feb 10 at Royal Theatre. Learn more at the Dance Victoria website.*

💸 My Great Neighbourhood Grant. $140K available for projects supporting vibrant communities. Residents, non-profits, and schools can apply. [Info]

📈 Rising Economy is March 6 - 8. Register by February 9 to save 25% for this transformative business conference about succeeding in the new economy.*

🤝 Now hiring: Staff Lawyer (Victoria) Together Against Poverty Society.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria city workers were concerned decapitated cougar story would get out: FOI
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request released to CHEK indicates city staff were worried about the public’s reaction after police killed a cougar wandering a Gorge neighbourhood on Nov. 21 and the animal’s head went missing for at least one night before being returned. A city staffer was fired. [CHEK]

Nanaimo's Lauren Spencer-Smith leads locals with 3 Juno nods
The 20-year-old singer is up for artist, album, and pop album of the year. She entered the scene via American Idol, where she made the top 20, and broke out in 2022 when her single “Fingers Crossed” [below] went platinum in multiple countries. Nanaimo’s Christine Jensen, and Busty and the Bass, led by Victoria's Evan Crofton, also received nominations. Victoria’s Nelly Furtado hosts the Junos Mar. 24. [Full Juno list]

Sea turtle found in Pedder Bay recovering from hypothermia
That loggerhead we showed you Tue. that was found near Metchosin Sun. in colder waters than they usually travel, had a core temp. of 8.4C. Vancouver Aquarium staff are administering fluids and antibiotics to help it gain strength as its temperature rises. They’re calling it Moira. [CP/Toronto Star] 

Religious group loses Swartz Bay island tax exemption bid 
The Matsuri Foundation of Canada, a registered charity that propagates the Shinto religion, argued that 31-acre (12.5ha-) Knapp Island is a “place of worship.” The BC Supreme Court disagreed, stating the foundation had not shown the $12.9M island was accessible to the public, thus its principal use was not for public worship, which could have triggered an exemption. [CTV]

🗓️ Things to do

🪕 High Valley: See this Canadian country supergroup perform at the Royal Theatre, with openers Tim & The Glory Boys, tonight at 7:30pm.

🎭 Grease: It’s the word! See the Shawnigan Lake School production of the beloved musical at McPherson Playhouse, tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Sat. at 2:30pm. 

💃 Doug Towle: Hear a flamenco performance from this world-class guitarist at Hermann’s—with an option to arrive early for a Dine Around dinner, tonight at 7pm. 

🎷 New Orleans Mardi Gras Party: Shanna Dance and Jonnie Bridgman will bring Mardi Gras to Victoria with their performance of NOLA classics, tomorrow at 7pm.

🪟 Window Wanderland: Wander through James Bay to see decorated windows created by residents. Check out the downloadable map on the day to see which addresses are taking part, tomorrow 6-9pm. 

🚴 Winter GoByBike Week. Downtown Celebration Station with coffee, snacks and prizes at the Bike Valet at City Hall, 7am-9am. [Info]
Read more about GoByBike Week in Capital Daily.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Victoria FN language hub loses federal funding. [Capital Daily]

Starbucks pulls birthday cake pops after an Island purchaser found a pill inside. [CHEK]

Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame inducts new members. [Victoria News]

Wednesday’s Highlights: FanCon coming to Langford, Island skier headed to championship, sea lions on Trial Island. [Feb. 7]

South Island restaurants named among top spots in Canada. [Tasting Victoria] 

Petition to bring back E&N rail chugs to Parliament Hill. [Victoria News]

That’s it!

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