Good morning {{First name}}!

Well, that was fun!
Canada won 6-0 yesterday at the World Cup. It’s Canada’s first-ever men’s World Cup victory, and it leaves Les Rouges in the driver’s seat in their group.
From all accounts, Vancouver is lively and most of the events—especially the free ones—are drawing big crowds.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌤️ 26 / 10

Tomorrow: ☀️ 25 / 14

Sunday: 🌤️ 27 / 15

7-day forecast

The district has initiated an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to borrow the money to pay for wastewater system improvements for the Core Area and Western Communities.

Those are: Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Oak Bay, View Royal, Langford, and Colwood, along with the Xʷsepsəm (Kosapsum) and Songhees nations, which are serviced by the wastewater system.

The projects, which align with the CRD’s approved 2026–2030 Financial Plan, “will help maintain reliable wastewater services and ensure critical infrastructure continues to operate safely and effectively,” the CRD said. 

If approved, the CRD will use the loan to repair or replace aging infrastructure, including sewers, chambers, and manholes, and to upgrade the Shoreline Trunk Sewer, which collects wastewater from smaller municipal street pipes and conveys it to the treatment facility.

Part of the funding would go toward upgrading pump stations through its renewal program and introducing carbonisation technology at the residual treatment facility at the McLoughlin plant. 

The total Core Area Wastewater capital plan for 2026–2030 is $100.05M, up to $59.29M of which is currently planned to be funded through borrowing.

Under an AAP, approval is granted unless at least 10% of affected residents submit a completed elector response form indicating they don’t agree. In this case, that would be 25,259 residents opposed. 

AAPs are often used in BC—where voter approval is needed to advance major projects—instead of referendums, because they are cheaper. This AAP runs until the end of the day on July 31.

Elector response forms can be found here.  

Esquimalt road closures tomorrow and Sunday mornings for CFB Esquimalt Navy Run and Triathlon of Compassion.

Southbound Cook closure extended to Monday and Tuesday (will reopen over the weekend). Bay to Hillside. 7am-7pm. [City of Vic]

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: West Saanich between Wallace and Durrance, today 9am-3pm.

Saturna Island will no longer have gas—visitors advised to fuel up before arriving. [CHEK]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

A Victoria writer has co-authored a book with the lead guitarist of one of the biggest bands in modern music history.

Adem Tepedelen, who at 17 had an Almost Famous moment, interviewing a member of Metallica, and had done some writing for Rolling Stone magazine, is the co-author of a new book released last week on grunge music icons Soundgarden.

A Screaming Life: Into the Superunknown with Soundgarden and Beyond is in the #7 spot on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Alongside—and really, a bit ahead of—Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains, Soundgarden were pioneers of the grunge wave that emerged from Seattle in the mid-1980s and took over North American radio airplay. As the book points out, Soundgarden led the way, becoming the first grungers to sign with a major label when they hooked up with A&M Records in 1988.

The foursome split in 1997, reunited in 2010, and disbanded for good following the suicide death of lead singer Chris Cornell in 2017. However, Soundgarden’s appeal lives on—just this spring, the band’s 1994 hit “Black Hole Sun” surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.

“At some point, 20, 30 years down the road, they'll be considered to future generations what bands like The Who and The Rolling Stones and others were maybe to us,” Tepedelen says.

Read Mark Brennae’s full story here. 

This story ran for our Insiders on June 14. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

On Sept. 27, the Under Armour Eastside 10K returns—and the PHS Run Team is ready to make every step count. This isn’t just a race; it’s a chance to support PHS's crucial Food Program, which delivers thousands of meals each day to people facing homelessness and poverty.

Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, joining the PHS team means becoming part of something powerful. Set a goal, invite friends, and help PHS reach its fundraising goal of $30,000 to expand a life-changing food program.

Can’t participate? Your donation still fuels hope. Help PHS ensure no one is left behind—one kilometre, one meal, one life at a time.

🎺 Miles Electric Band: Miles Davis at 100 tonight at Royal Theatre.

🎵 Judy Collins performs at the Seaside Music Festival tonight at 7:30pm.

🏀 Canada vs. UCLA women’s basketball at SoFMC on July 22.

🍹Bif Naked headlines SoberFest on Aug. 15 at Starlight Stadium.

Summer, Served takes over Rally at Royal Bay (3515 Producers Way) on June 27 from 1–4pm. Celebrating the grand opening of Royal Bay’s four outdoor pickleball courts, this exciting afternoon will be filled with pickleball pros, music, food trucks, cocktails, family-friendly activities, and dog-friendly fun.

Elder abuse increasing in BC, says provincial seniors advocate
The Office of the Seniors Advocate says total calls to the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) increased by 39% (7,700) over the last six years. Calls for abuse specifically increased by 71%. “Elder abuse can be financial, physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or other and can include mistreatment, neglect, and self-neglect,” said advocate Dan Levitt. BC’s seniors’ population (65+) has increased by 44% over the last decade, the report said. [Black Press]

Fisherman’s Wharf restaurateur erects big-screen TV for World Cup
Ramesh Espinoza, the owner of Puerto Vallarta Amigos, wanted to put up a big TV for his patio patrons, but for safety reasons—it could fall into the drink—the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said no. So Espinoza got creative. He called in his father, a former carpenter. The two MacGyvered an 89-inch Samsung to the family’s 16-person tritoon boat (a pontoon boat with three hull tubes instead of two) now anchored by the patio. Goooal! [Times Colonist]

Oak Bay High students dismissed after bathroom fire
Classes were cancelled yesterday after a fire broke out in one of the bathrooms. The Oak Bay Fire Department told staff and students not to reenter the building. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the blaze. Last year, the school had two bathroom fires within a week—one in a boys’ washroom and one in a girls’. [CHEK]

🛶 National Indigenous Peoples Day: Join this day of family fun and community relations, with a canoe landing protocol, traditional dancing and drumming, a plant walk along Colwood Creek, games, food, crafts, and more. Parking will be limited. Royal Roads. 10am-3pm. Free. [Info]

🪶 National Indigenous Peoples Day: Thunderbird Park Open House. Connect with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and museum staff through self-guided conversations. Learn about different Indigenous perspectives, histories, and traditions. Royal BC Museum. 11am-2pm. Free. [Info]

🐉 Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival: Dragon boat races, live music and cultural shows, marketplace vendors, and Chinatown booths fill the Inner Harbour for three days. Racing and the main festival at Ship Point tomorrow and Sunday. Inner Harbour. Today. [Info]

🐗 Hecklers 4th Annual Pig Roast: Hecklers' popular annual pig roast returns with tacos while they last and limited seating for a fun Friday evening. Hecklers Bar & Grill. Today. 6pm. [Info]

👐 TD Victoria International JazzFest: Victoria's longest-running professional music festival returns for its 42nd year with 10 days of jazz and associated genres, running through June 28. Various venues. All week. [Info]

🧶 Free Neighbourhood Mending Social: Drop in to learn basic knitwear mending techniques in a supportive, beginner-friendly group setting, with instructors on hand for both visible and subtle mending. Beehive Wool Shop. Today. 6–8pm. [Info]

🎍🖊️ The Pinecone and The Pen: Writing instructor Sue Scott leads a morning workshop inspired by Emily Carr's connection to the natural world, guiding participants through nature-focused writing exercises. Carr House National Historic Site. Tomorrow. 10am–12pm. [Info]

🛍 James Bay Market: This Saturday farmers market welcomes a vibrant gathering of 60 tents, bustling with friendly vendors from the Island and the Gulf Islands. Tomorrow. 9am-3pm. [Info]

🍅 Moss Street Market: A beloved weekly Saturday market running through the summer. Moss Street. Tomorrow. 10am–2pm. [Info]

🍗 Victoria Wingstock 2026: The Victoria Firefighters Association's third-annual charity fundraiser returns with chicken wings, BC craft beverages, and live music at The Roundhouse. Tomorrow. 1-4pm. [Info]

Thursday’s headlines: Old Y building sustains flood damage; Province-appointed adviser shares recommendations for improving North Saanich’s housing growth; Vic firefighters hot about proposed parkade garage. [June 18]

Former Hudson’s Bay at Mayfair to be turned into a food and performance hall, says owner Ruby Liu. [CHEK] 

Vancouver Whitecaps in Vegas? Premier Eby says, it ‘would be a travesty.’ [CTV]

Saanich Coun. Zac de Vries to vie for mayor’s job. [Island Social Trends]

Temporary washroom closure at Elk/Beaver Lake. [CRD]

The Price is Right Live is coming to Victoria and Duncan. [Sept. 30-Oct. 1]

No fishing—unless you’re a whale: Humpbacks seen taking advantage of protected waters in Knight Inlet. [Facebook photos]

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: