Sept 17 - Big fish

Good morning !

Today we look at a strange and stunning aquatic encounter for some lucky Islanders, round up some of the best autumn drinks the region has to offer, and look at an update from Victoria council.

— Cam

Today’s approx read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 19 / 11

Tomorrow: ☀️ 19 / 9

Tuesday: 🌧️ 18 / 9

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

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

NEWS

Huge sunfish spotted in Island waters—and researchers want the public’s help

You can tell, in this photo with kayakers for comparison, just how large a single Mola mola looks up close. The photo was taken in Kyuquot Sound in early August, just off western Vancouver Island.

The uncommon (though not completely rare) sea animal has been caught in local photos a few times in recent years. But it turns out that some of those were imposters.

In 2017 it was determined that what is now called the hoodwinker sunfish had been misidentified as ocean sunfish, and so went undetected in waters in the Pacific Northwest. Now researchers are hoping Islanders can help find out more about it.

Keep reading.

NEWS

What to drink this fall: Victoria’s seasonal coffees and cocktails

The changing of the seasons isn’t just in the air—it’s in the drinks.

Now is the time for the shift from white to red wines, hazy IPAs to dark stouts, and iced coffees to hot mochas.

Today Tasting Victoria has two roundups of local seasonal drinks:

–Autumnal cocktails with flavours such as nutmeg and apple pie.

–Fall coffees and teas that go beyond just the classic pumpkin spice lattes, with different seasonal twists like pumpkin pie and apple butter.

NEWS

Island-first “farm-to-table” cannabis retail nears approval in Vic West

A new approach to cannabis retail could arrive in Vic West soon—council is moving forward with Victoria Cannabis Company (VCC) application for a Farmgate license, which would allow VCC to sell the cannabis they currently grow from the same location.

Kyp Rowe, VP of brand for VCC, refers to the process as “farm-to-table” cannabis retail, telling council this storefront would be the first of its kind on the Island and third in BC.

The company also points to the tourism value, saying its novel approach to craft cannabis could draw those who are visiting the nearby Songhees Walkway.

Councillors opposed to the storefront cited issues for neighbours, from increased traffic to smell. Rowe told council they received their first smell complaint for their growing operation, but have recently completed a $20K upgrade to their smell mitigation system.

By Robyn Bell

⭐️ Capital Picks

 🥘 Recipe: How to make pan-seared duck breast with autumn apple compote. [Tasting Victoria]

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🤘 Rock icon Iggy Pop performs his hit The Passenger—recorded with, and partly about, David Bowie in 1977—at Rifflandia on Friday. [Video]

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🗞️ In Other News

Victim of suspicious death identified
Outreach workers told CHEK that Michael “Mikey” Henning was the man killed, and described him as a street community leader. One worker wants more “micro-communities” like the now-emptied tiny home village, to serve people such as Henning—for whom supportive housing didn’t take but market housing was too expensive. [CHEK]

Oak Bay mansion sold after 14 years on market
Price settled at $7.5M after roller-coaster that once asked as much as $13.5M. [Oak Bay News]

 MLA fights deer for 20 minutes
Parksville-Qualicum’s Adam Walker was betrayed within 15 minutes by a deer whose antlers he untangled from a tree. When it attacked his dog, he grabbed those same antlers to corral it—but any attempts to let go just gave it openings to attack him, injuring his legs, until a neighbour came to help. [Times Colonist]

Parvovirus outbreak hits West Island dogs
The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is trying to halt an outbreak that has killed 10 dogs in Ty-Histanis near Tofino. Complicating efforts, field tests have at times been giving negatives only for lab tests to later confirm positives. [Westerly News]

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION

The Vital Victoria Podcast is back!

The Victoria Foundation's Vital Victoria Podcast is back with host Lucky Budd! Catch the latest episode with local journalist, Jack Knox.

Recently retired from the Times Colonist, he shares interesting moments from his career and talks about why local journalism matters and how it helps create a sense of community.

🗓️ Things to do

👟 Terry Fox Run is today, starting at Mile 0. 10am-12pm (9am registration).

🎷 Connor Stewart Sextet, inspired by the ’60s and ’70s with a New Orlean’s influence, plays Hermann’s. 7pm today.

🔮 Psychic and Spiritual Arts Fair: Delve into the metaphysical with psychics, mediums, tarot, and crystals at the Mary Winspear Centre. Begins 10am.

🌊 One Wave South Pacific Feast: Celebrate Pacific Island culture with music, dancing, and plenty of food. 5-9pm at Cook Street Village Activity Centre.

🎶 The Deadly Hiyas & Hot Pot: Jump into the psychedelic funk rock sounds of these two bands at Victoria Event Centre. 8pm.

🐶 Dachshund Picnic & Fun Day Tiny legs galore—this annual dachshund event features food and fun for humans and wiener dogs alike. Begins 10:30am.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Ship Point revamp restarted: Proposed major landscaping of the large Inner Harbour area is back at council after several years on the shelf. [Sat. newsletter]

Bald eagles converge to fish for hake in Island waters as currents push the fish to the surface. [Liron Gertsman photo]

Two restaurants up for best-in-Canada status after making list of top new eateries. [Tasting Victoria]

Saanich’s controversial dog-leashing bylaw proposal takes a two-week break at council after pushback against the limits pitched for local parks. [Capital Daily]

That’s it!

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