Nov 1 - What to do with your Halloween pumpkin

Good morning !

Not one.

That’s how many trick or treaters came to my door last night. And I live in a really super-crazy beautiful neighbourhood. It’s just never busy on Halloween, so people on my street don’t leave a light on. Which is why it’s not busy.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 10 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 14 / 9

Friday:  🌥️12 / 9

7-day forecast

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Under shifting legislation, people who use drugs are caught between rules & risks

A combination of new and old laws meant to reduce harm for people who use drugs may actually be making it more difficult for them to use those drugs safely.

In the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, an exemption to the Controlled Drug and Substance Act allows people in Victoria to carry up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs without fear of being arrested, but other laws on the books mean they have to worry more about where they use them.

Legislation, such as the clean air and tobacco acts, and other stringent workplace hazard standards are forcing people out of public spaces and out of sight, into greater risk of a fatal overdose.

Read Sidney Coles’ story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Give your input on potential fare price changes at BC Transit.

Give more of your input on bus route changes for the 11 (Tillicum/UVic), 9 (Royal Oak/UVic), 24 (Cedar Hill/Tillicum), & 25 (Maplewood/Tillicum).

Water fountains will be shut off starting this week along the Galloping Goose, E&N, and Lochside trails for the winter until April.

NEWS

When you don’t know what to do with your pumpkin, just smash it

Your pumpkin’s still looking OK but pretty soon it’s going to start to rot and cave in—so what do you do with it?

You can pull the seeds out and cook ‘em. You can compost it, or cut it into small pieces and drop them off in the woods for animals to eat, and you could even build a pumpkin bird seed feeder—a Snack-o’-lantern.

Or you can bring it to View Royal Fire on Sat. and drop it from on high and watch it smash to smithereens. The View Royal Firefighters Association’s annual Pumpkin Smash goes this Sat., from 10am to 2pm.

They’ll let you climb 15m up their training tower (they hang hoses to dry there, too) to drop your gourd on an old car. Just because.

“Kids love it because, just the sensation of the pumpkin exploding—it’s a lot more dramatic than people think, sometimes,” View Royal Fire Cpt. Troy Mollin tells Capital Daily. “They’ll explode into pieces 20-50 feet away from where they land.”

As in previous years, some of the money raised will go toward Movember—the annual Nov. moustache-growing event to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer, and men's suicide—and some to another, unnamed cause. 

Westshore Towing donates the vehicle that gets pummelled by plummeting pumpkins. “It’s pretty cool. People love it,” Mollin says. “Messy as hell.” And View Royal firefighters clean up the rest. They’re smart dudes. They put down tarps. 

If you’re not into smashing pumpkins, you can donate yours to the Friends of Sooke Parks Society (FSPS), which is hosting its Spooky Pumpkin Walk tonight at Pineridge Park.

Organizers expect to have more than 100 pumpkins lit up throughout the park. They’ll even have some hot chocolate. Drop off your gourd anytime today after noon. The walk is from 5-8pm.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🧑‍🎨 New public art downtown: Created by Ella Chay, the mural is on display in Commercial Alley on Yates.

💦 Don’t be afraid to jump in! Explore deeper career perspectives with Continuing Studies at UVic. Adapt to a quickly changing job market with short micro-credentials.*

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🗞️ In Other News

BC Hydro applying for $2 average monthly increase
The utility provider seeks a 2.3% bump that would begin next April, and says it prioritizes keeping increases below the rate of inflation.

Early childhood educators getting a $2 raise
This is on top of a recent $4-per-hour raise, so beginning New Year’s Day, licensed early childhood educators (ECEs) will earn approximately $28 per hour.

Saanich Preds now require all players to wear a neck guard
The VIJHL team made the announcement as the hockey world deals with the shocking death of former NHLer Adam Johnson, 29, who suffered a neck slash playing for the Nottingham Panthers in an English pro league match on Sat. [Victoria Now]

Westshore RCMP looking for Colwood stabbing assailants
A 27-year-old man suffered serious injuries early Sunday morning when he was stabbed, in the parking lot at 1880 Island Highway. One witness told police they saw up to four people running away from the parking lot and crossing the highway, police said.

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Venture Associate at Cindicates

• Sales Development Representative at Waterworth

• Enhanced Executive Support Analyst - Temporary at ISM

• Administrative Services Coordinator at Camosun College Faculty Association

• Part-time Eyelash Technician at Heartwood & Co.

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

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🗓️ Things to do

🎨 Oak Bay’s Avenue Art Gallery features artist Linda Wilder, whose paintings of mountains, waterfalls and abstract shapes are on display until Nov. 4. [Info]

🚘 How cars changed the way we live: UVic’s latest in the Cafe Historique lecture series looks at how personal mobility has reshaped the world around us. Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. Doors 5:30pm. [Tickets]

🎸 Half Moon Run. With Billie Marten. The Canadian indie faves perform their melodic sound on their North American tour. Royal Theatre. Tonight. 8pm. [Tickets]

🎶 Batshits: Halloween Never Dies Opening Night. See this Halloween musical, dress up in a costume. Roxy Theatre. Tonight. 8pm. [Tickets]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Photo: Natural artwork found on an Island beach.

The last cruise ship has sailed, wrapping up a record-setting season at Ogden Point.

Keep your eyes peeled—near McKenzie and Blenkinsop—for a deer with an arrow embedded in its side. [CHEK]

That’s it!

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