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- July 7 - Hot hot heat—but not extreme
July 7 - Hot hot heat—but not extreme
Masked cowboy opens up. Pride today. Orca sighted. Election signs will stay. Burned kittens recovering
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Good morning !
We hope you're having a good (and well-hydrated) weekend. We have stories below on what's hot this weekend—both culturally and literally.
— Cam
Hot enough for you? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Heavy heat hits parts of Island
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One way that locals beat the heat on Victoria's hottest day, 3 years ago. File photo: Colin Smith
The South Island has so far been spared the brunt of a BC heat wave that has prompted nearly 30 weather warnings from Environment Canada. Temperatures in some areas, including Lytton, are projected to exceed 40C, while the East Island is in the low 30s.
This heat wave began on the Island and is now moving east into the Interior, but meteorologist Armel Castellan says that the seriousness of the 2021 heat dome should not be expected. Temperatures are not slated to rise that high, and Island Health notes, in its heat warning and safety tips for Duncan up to Campbell River, that the province has not declared a heat emergency event. The BC CDC also lists heat-related safety tips on its site.
The BC Wildfire Service has said that the heat will likely increase fire risk, by making things dry despite reducing the incidence of lightning (which have caused about three quarters of the current BC fires).
The Island along with the BC coastline was the only part of Canada not projected to be hotter than average this summer. So far, the Island also remains at low risk for drought (unlike in recent summers).
This summer is projected to possibly become the driest in over a century. But the CRD tells the Times Colonist that it is prepared, due to raising the Sooke Lake Dam more than 20 years ago, and taking other conservation measures.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Temperatures will be 6-8 degrees cooler where winds blow ashore.
Elk Lake algae alert: Avoid the blue-green bloom, and don't let animals swim or drink. [CRD]
Hit-and-run in View Royal on Trans-Canada during Thurs. rush hour. RCMP seek witnesses and footage.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
The ever-evolving Orville Peck returns to Victoria tonight
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Photo: Gillian Clark / The Georgia Straight
The masked man who has become one of the biggest stars in alternative country music was once, not so long ago, working the counter at a Vancouver burrito joint. That makes these BC dates—tonight at the Phillips Backyard and tomorrow on the mainland—a small homecoming for Orville Peck during the 40-date continent-spanning tour he's currently headlining.
“The best part of being a touring musician is getting to go back to these places and revisit these different parts of your life,” Peck told the Georgia Straight. Tonight, then, Peck will be revisiting his rapid rise to fame in 2019, when he played Victoria's Capital Ballroom after breaking out with a debut album of booming, theatrical throwback country ballads and his trademark fringed mask.
That mask has since shrunk to a Lone-Ranger band over the eyes, and more and more of the person behind it has been revealed—including in this week's interview with Capital Daily's mainland cousin The Georgia Straight.
In it, Peck speaks about his life, his new music, and his journey from playing punk music in cramped Vancouver basements to recording duets with Willie Nelson and Elton John.
NEWS
Victoria's 30th annual Pride Parade is today
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Route map
The annual parade will start at Douglas and Fisgard around 11am today, opened by the Songhees Nation and its guests of honour. The organizers also invite anybody celebrating Pride for the first time, the first time in Victoria, or the first time under a new identity to gather at the parade starting area [more info].
The parade, which is expected to draw 70,000 people, will then move down to James Bay to end at McDonald Park (which will open at 11am, as a quieter environment until the parade arrives). You can also watch the livestream here.
The annual event is one of the region's largest, and functions both as a celebration of the local 2SLGBTQ+ community and a protest against homophobia and transphobia. Greater Victoria has the most gender diversity in Canada, per StatsCan, but incidents such as the repeated defacement of the painted rainbow crosswalk at Spencer Middle School show that 2SLGBTQ+ locals continue to face antagonism.
SPONSORED
Join Andrew Wilkinson at Bolen Books on July 9 for his debut memoir book launch
Join local entrepreneur and investor Andrew Wilkinson on July 9, 7pm at Bolen Books at The Hillside Shopping Centre for the launch of his debut memoir, Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire. This will be the first public reading from Andrew’s highly anticipated memoir, detailing his journey from college dropout to tech investor and businessman.
Once a barista in a small café making $6.50 an hour, Andrew Wilkinson built a business valued at over a billion dollars by the time he was 36—and yet, his path to success was anything but a straight line. It’s a tale of unrelenting ambition, unexpected lessons, and the pursuit of something greater than wealth.
No matter if you're a budding entrepreneur or just fascinated by genuine tales of triumph, we invite you to join us for this engaging dialogue.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🥔 The tater bowl at Jam is one of our favourite dishes in Victoria this year. [Tasting Victoria]
🦉 A Barred Owl in a broken tree. [VanIsleWildlife]
💐 Summer evening sights in the Inner Harbour. [Doug Clement photos]
🤝 Now hiring: Irrigation Trades Assistant at The Butchart Gardens.
🗞️ In Other News
Orphaned orca Brave Little Hunter likely seen in Island waters
This week, Bay Cetology announced that the orca hadn't been seen since May. But shortly after, Victoria author Karina Halle sent in a video that appears to be the young orca swimming in Friendly Cove, 50km south of the lagoon that it escaped. [CP/Yahoo]
No election sign ban for public land in Esquimalt
Council voted 4-2 against Coun. Ken Armour's proposal, citing concerns about lowering voters engagement, excluding locals without private lawns, advantaging incumbents, and being in a possible conflict of interest as councillors deciding election policy. [Times Colonist]
4 kittens from Port Alberni fire are recovering
One kitten found by firefighters has since died, but those remaining are being fostered, recovering from burns and smoke inhalation, and nearly ready to be adopted. [BC SPCA]
“Suspicious circumstance” after random call offered free asphalt
A truck driver brought gravel and wanted payment, say Saanich Police, who say they defused the non-criminal but suspicious situation. [Saanich News]
🗓️ Things to do
🎤 Phillips Backyard: The music festival’s Tilt weekend continues today with performances from Orville Peck, Noah Cyrus, and more. [Info]
🏳️🌈 Victoria Pride Parade: The annual parade will start at Douglas and Fisgard and will end at McDonald Park. Today. 11am. [Info]
🍓 Saanich Strawberry Festival: The annual family-friendly festival at Beaver Beach includes live music, bouncy castles, a farmers market, and lots of strawberries. Today. 11am-4pm. [Info]
🏳️🌈 Festival in the Park: This afternoon of Pride celebrations at McDonald Park includes live performances, over 130 vendors, a kids area, and food trucks. Today. 11am-6pm. [Info]
🎺 CanUS: Enjoy a traditional jazz matinee at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 12pm. Show 1pm. [Info]
🦇 Goth Nite IV The Lovers will be Pride-themed, with DJs, drag, and vendors at the VEC. 8pm-2am. [Tickets]
🚘 Volksfest at the Saanich Fairgrounds this morning. Free for spectators, and has a pancake breakfast! [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
In court over a pickleball court? Group seeks to overturn North Saanich's closure at Wain Park. [Capital Daily]
Victoria author explores bisexuality and polyamory in new novel Daring Decisions. [Capital Daily]
Friday news: Stanley Cup could visit Vic. Big gun bust. 22 years since mysterious disappearance. [July 5]
Original Pho to open second location: The Vietnamese eatery will take over the old Chorizo & Co. location.
Search continues in Lake Cowichan for missing man Nicholas Marion.
Road closure: Shelbourne between Cedar Hill Cross and North Dairy is closed all July.
City Spark: Explore Victoria’s Official Community Plan’s topics and share feedback.
View Royal Draft Annual Report available for public input.
That’s it!
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