Good morning {{First name}}!

Zach Galifianakis’s gardening show, filmed in the Comox Valley, has scored an Emmy nod for Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series. It’s a sweet, lighthearted series and, best of all, it captures how pretty our Island is.

Have you seen This Is a Gardening Show yet?

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ☀ 26 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀ 25 / 15

Day after: 🌦 23 / 14

7-day forecast

Dive into the newest travelling exhibits at the Royal BC Museum (RBCM), which explore our very own blue backyard. On Friday, the museum opened its two latest installations on its third floor, both of which highlight the ecological and cultural significance of the Salish Sea.

GO FISH and The Island in the Middle of Everywhere offer two distinct perspectives on our corner of the Pacific: one below the surface and another above the waves.

GO FISH is a 14-minute immersive video installation that transports viewers to the Pacific herring spawn, a vibrant annual event that fills our waters with life every spring. 

Three large screens showcase how millions of herring return to the Salish Sea each year, bringing with them an entire food chain. As the herring spawn, the surrounding waters turn turquoise and a host of fish, sea lions, whales, and birds descend on the area to feast.

The footage was captured underwater, at the surface, and high up in the air, creating an all-encompassing experience. The film doesn’t include narration, allowing visitors to focus on the sights and sounds of the ecological spectacle.

While GO FISH focuses on the animals of the sea, The Island in the Middle of Everywhere turns to the human and cultural connections of these waterways, focusing on Xwe'etay/Lasqueti Island. 

Through photography and video, this exhibit captures the historical connection that many Coast Salish First Nations have to the island just east of Qualicum Beach. 

Lasqueti Island is known to have several archaeological sites that date back as far as 3,500 years, including clam gardens and fish traps. The Island in the Middle of Everywhere highlights how researchers are uncovering the history of Indigenous stewardship in the area.

Displayed together, the two exhibits show the interconnected ecosystem of our coastal waters, from its people to one of its tiniest, but mightiest, fish. 

“These exhibits bring visitors closer to the rich natural and cultural histories of the Salish Sea,” said Allison Bond, CEO of the RBCM. “They tell the story of enduring connections between ecosystems and communities that shape British Columbia.”

Both exhibits are included with museum admission and will be on display through Jan. 10. 

Missing teen: Jahmai (Nathan), 15, was last seen in Oak Bay on July 10. [OBPD]

Food recall: Chongqing Hot and Sour Sauce, due to undeclared peanut. 

Saanich road closures: 

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Last week, Facebook parent company Meta announced plans to build a multi-billion-dollar hyperscale data centre just north of Edmonton. The federal government and Telus are planning three—albeit smaller—AI factory developments in Vancouver and Kamloops. 

With AI data centre construction booming, two CRD directors are suggesting we put the brakes on the boom in this community until more is known about how they will affect the environment and society.

Victoria councillors Dave Thompson and Jeremy Caradonna have put forth a motion calling on the CRD’s environmental services committee to direct staff to study and report back about the potential environmental, utility, and land-use impacts of AI data centres in this region and potential options for regulating them. 

Critics of AI data centres say the facilities consume too much energy and require far too much water, and they worry about their climate impact.

Caradonna and Thompson point to bans in parts of the US and UK, due primarily to those concerns.

While no AI data centres have been proposed for Greater Victoria—one has been approved with conditions in Nanaimo—Caradonna and Thompson said it’s likely only a matter of time, given all the water around here.

“The purpose of this motion is to get a better sense of the impacts of these facilities and to learn more about local governments’ jurisdiction in regulating or limiting the development of AI data centres,” they said.

Separately, and following a motion from Caradonna, the City of Victoria has submitted a motion to the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities requesting that provincial and federal governments work with local governments to create regulations overseeing AI technology.

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📸 Douglas Street 1948: See some familiar buildings on the downtown street, nearly 80 years ago. [Facebook photo]

💐 Wednesday–Sunday, dine at The Blue Poppy Restaurant at The Butchart Gardens, where casual fare and an inviting atmosphere complete your summer gardens visit.*

🧑‍🎨 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Paint-In on Moss is this Saturday.

🧚 A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Craigdarroch Castle until July 25. 

*Sponsored Listing

BC Nurses Union will stop picketing with mediation talks to start
Pickets were scheduled today in front of the Royal Jubilee Hospital but will come down tonight, the BCNU said yesterday, after mediators were appointed to the dispute. Union president Adriane Gear said the appointment is a positive development, and that she enters the new bargaining phase with “cautious optimism.” The union, which represents 55K nurses, is seeking higher wages, safer working conditions and more benefits. It also is accusing the management of intimidating nurses who refuse non-nursing duties.

Sooke man killed in Colorado helicopter crash while fighting fire
Sooke-based Nicholas Dale, 56, was helping fight a wildfire in southwest Colorado when the helicopter he was piloting crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir on Sunday. His body was recovered by divers; he was the aircraft’s sole occupant. The Federal Aviation Administration says the cause of the crash is currently unknown. Dale is survived by his wife and two kids. Colorado plans to fly state flags at half-mast on the day of his memorial once it’s scheduled. [AP/ Times Colonist]

At-risk owl showing encouraging sign of a comeback
The western screech-owl is one of the Island’s more vulnerable birds. Its numbers have declined due to urban development. Last year, the nonprofit land trust Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) documented only a single screech-owl in the region. This past spring, HAT volunteers located three owls, including a nest with at least two chicks. HAT says its new nest boxes mounted in trees have helped to support cavity-nesting owls. [CHEK]

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🖼️ Sea of Dreams by Karen Guilbault: A mixed-media exhibition featuring coastal seascape paintings alongside fibre art objects made from natural materials at Gage Gallery. Now through Aug. 2. 11am-5pm. [Info]

🎶 Felicia Harding: See this free lunchtime singer-songwriter concert at Ship Point today. 12-1pm. [Info]

🎵 Steve Schell & Speakers Corner: Catch this free busker performance at Ship Point today. 4-5pm. [Info]

🎸 Carmine: A free alt rock concert at Ship Point, part of the City's evening series running Tuesdays through Thursdays through Labour Day. Ship Point. Tues. 5:30-7pm. [Info]

💃 Ballroom in the Square: Join the Victoria Ballroom Dance Society for an hour-long beginner lesson followed by social dancing in Centennial Square today. 6:30-9pm. [Info]

🕺 Mister Mojo: See this free children's music and entertainment show at Cameron Bandshell tomorrow. 11am-12pm. [Info]

🗣️ Garden City Harmony: Join this drop-in choir to sing indie, pop, rock, and folk songs in simple harmony—no experience necessary—at Cameron Bandshell tomorrow. 5-7pm. [Info]

🎹 Victoria Jazz Jam: The Tom Vickery Trio hosts Victoria's monthly jazz jam, open to musicians of all levels at The Coda tomorrow. 6:30-8:30pm. [Info]

Sunday’s headlines: BC drug deaths trending downward; Weekly roundup; The push for a Westshore arts centre. [July 13] 

Parksville sand sculptures damaged by vandals. [Times Colonist]

One year of Victoria’s $10M safety plan: Has it worked? [CHEK]

Beach advisory lifted for Banfield Dock Park after sewage spill. [Island Health]

Barred owl takes off from a home in Cadboro Bay. [Video]

2026 WCL HR Derby and All-Star Game take place today and tomorrow at RAP. [Info]

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