Thurs. May 4 - Pastries worth lining up for at Goodside

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning!

We have a new team member joining us this week: Sarah Madsen will be our intern for the next four months. Sarah’s originally from Vancouver, but has lived in Victoria for the past four years. She’s excited to be a part of the team and is looking forward to hearing from you—drop her an email and say hi at [email protected]

NEWS

Goodside makes pastries that are worth lining up for

Tucked between a Hong Kong restaurant and a ceramics painting studio, on the southeast corner of the bustling Fort and Richmond intersection, sits Goodside Pastry House that, on most days, has a line waiting patiently for some of the most sought-after and jaw-dropping pastries in Victoria.

It’s the latest iteration of a journey that started on Granville Island, before migrating to pop-ups in Victoria in the midst of the pandemic, eventually moving to a semi-permanent space, and finally finding a long-term home at its new store front.

Established in 2020 by pastry chefs Haley Landa and Curtis Helm, their journey of “food and baking” as Helm put it, began 12 years ago when the two enrolled in culinary school on Granville Island in Vancouver.

“We quickly fell in love with both the craft and each other,” said Helm. “Once [we] graduated the goal was simple—start working for the people with talent and passion and learn as much as we can.”

Flash forward a decade, and having worked for some top chefs, the duo felt like it was time for them to take on building something of their own.

Keep reading to get the full story and check out the photo series that follows these bakers as they prep a new menu.

Capital Bulletin

☁️ Today’s weather: Mainly cloudy with light wind in the afternoon. Periods of rain expected in the evening. High 16C / low 9C.

🚒 Overnight fire in Sooke: The fire, which began Tues. evening, destroyed a residential building and damaged neighbouring houses. [CTV]

🔎 Missing man: Police seek Dau Nguyen, 33, who was last seen April 26 in Central Saanich. [Info]

NEWS

UVic-led project gets $83.6M to help shift Canada’s small-to-medium communities to clean energy

How will Canadian communities transition away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable sources of energy? It’s the million-dollar question — or perhaps the $83.6 million dollar question, to be precise.

The Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative, spearheaded by UVic, just received $83.6M in funding to scale clean energy transitions for small-to-mid-sized communities across the country. The project will focus on six research areas, including low-carbon and offshore renewable energy tech research, green hydrogen and e-fuels, as well as innovation in business and finance.

Although 99% of BC’s electricity comes from renewable sources, electricity only makes up a portion of its total energy use, and 70% of its power still relies on fossil fuels. Much of this fossil-fuel-driven consumption takes place in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, which often rely on diesel generators. UVic projects near Nootka Island and Campbell River are exploring using tidal-power microgrids to replace that generator reliance.

ACET hopes to take a “bottom-up” approach to community energy transitions, which centres place-based, local knowledge at the heart of solutions. While UVic is leading the project, there are over 40 community and industry partners currently involved. These include five First Nations, and local post-secondary institution partner Royal Roads.

The funding comes from the federal government through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, as one of 11 large-scale research initiatives supported by nearly $1.4B across the country.

For more stories like this, subscribe to the Victoria Tech Journal.

SPONSORED BY BAY CENTRE

Victoria’s favourite arcade is popping up at the Bay Centre

Kick it old school with Quazar’s Pop-up Arcade coming to the Bay Centre on May 8. The Pop-up features Quazar’s newly acquired and restored retro games from the 80s and 90s not seen in the arcade.

Find fan favourites such as Space Invaders Frenzy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mario Bros, Ms Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Final Fight, and Arkanoid—classic arcade games that will bring you back to your childhood!

This all ages, affordable arcade experience will be open during shopping centre hours until Jul. 4, 2023. Tokens are 50 cents each with each game between one to three tokens per play.

This is a retro arcade experience you won’t want to miss!

Capital Picks

🛶 Travelling exhibit on Indigenous canoes opens tomorrow at Royal BC Museum and runs until Oct. 29, with free entrance. [Details]

🧘 Announcing the “Nature of Now” with John Astin. Popularized by Sam Harris’s Waking Up app. Explore the mystery of experience with this masterful spiritual teacher.*

🎤 Bob Dylan tribute at Hermann’s Upstairs: Two Bobs and a Mule are performing May 5 with special guest Rachelle Reath. Doors open at 7pm. [Tickets]

💻 Looking for the latest on Greater Victoria’s fast-growing tech ecosystem? Subscribe to Victoria Tech Journal, the twice-weekly newsletter connecting you to tech and innovation stories from around the South Island.

🍺 BC Ale Trail begins: 21 participating Greater Victoria breweries are stamping “beer passports” all May. Six unique stamps get you a prize draw entry (grand prize is a two-night stay in Kelowna). [Details]

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🇨🇦 Victoria Canada Day loses its sponsor
Last year’s sponsor, Mayfair Mall owner Central Walk, has walked. This leaves organizers Blue Coast and Penmar Community Arts Society scrambling to either add a new sponsor or trim costs for the Legislature lawn event. [CTV]

🚲 Cyclists win big over drivers in commuter challenge
Capital Bike hosted a race through downtown to the BC Parliament Buildings May 2 between cyclist and motorist commuters. Cyclists won 17 of 20 races. Mayors and ministers participated in the race, including Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson and Island Health Officer Dr. Benusic. The challenge’s goal is to encourage commuters to cycle rather than drive. [Creatively United]

♻️ CRD proposes to ban wood and construction waste from landfill
A third of Greater Victoria’s garbage is construction and wood waste, and the CRD wants more of it recycled. The ban would lead to increased tipping fees. Capital Daily previously reported on the environmental benefits of “deconstruction”and local efforts to incorporate it in building. [Victoria News]

🏢 Fraud has affected 45% of BC ministries, auditor general finds:
Michael Pickup reported that fraud has become more sophisticated over the 20-year period studied. Theft was involved in 36% of fraud cases, despite 95% of ministries claiming they were at low risk for theft. [Canadian Press]

In Case You Missed It

🌲 70 additional Fairy Creek cases dropped: Some arrestees would rather give evidence against the RCMP in court. [Wednesday Newsletter]

🎼 Celebrate the legacy of Pacific Opera’s founding Artistic Director, Maestro Timothy Vernon, at the star-studded Friends of Timothy concert and exhibit featuring over 100 artists! Get tickets.*

🍻Best happy hours in Victoria: The top three happy hours as voted by readers in the 2023 Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. [Tasting Victoria]

☕ Friends-themed condo for sale in Victoria: Designed to look like Monica Geller’s purple apartment on the hit ’90s show, this former downtown Airbnb even includes a replica of Phoebe’s Buffay’s unique artwork. [CBC]

🛟 Nanoose Bay rescue: An anonymous Nanoose resident saved a couple whose boat capsized. [CHEK]

*Sponsored Listing

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