Thurs. May 25 - Navigating van life in Victoria

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

The announcement of Pic-A-Flic’s upcoming closure has hit home for many residents who have been long-time patrons of the video store—the last of its kind on the Island. My parents fondly remembered their early days of dating in the 80s, picking up a VCR player and movies from the Cook Street location to have a home movie night—a luxury in those days! As a nerdy kid, I would head there on a mission to find underground cult-classics and alternative films, and the recommendations from staff remain some of my favourites to this day.

While streaming has made it easier to watch movies, it's hard not to feel nostalgic for the routine of picking up a Friday night film—especially with the unique offerings at Pic-A-Flic.

What are some of your favourite memories of Pic-A-Flic during its 40-year run? Reply to this email and let us know!

-Robyn Bell, Newsletter Writer

NEWS

The Tow Away Zone: What it’s like to live in a van in Greater Victoria

We often see headlines and stats about the housing crisis in Victoria, but it's completely different to hear how this affects people on a human level. The lack of affordable housing for students—and any resident, really—has pushed many to find alternative living arrangements or drop out of school entirely.

For Braedon, a UVic student living out of his van, just finding a parking spot can be an impossible task, made all the more difficult by the city's strict laws against sleeping overnight in a vehicle.

Braedon is not someone you’d expect to be living in a van. He’s a 24-year-old English honours student, a poet, and works part-time as a shadow writer for business leaders on social media. On second thought, maybe he is someone you’d expect to live in a van.

While there are some perks to living out of a van—like no property taxes—Braedon admits that, given the choice, he would much rather live in a normal home.

Read more about Braedon's experience and the circumstances that led him to the van life.

Capital Bulletin

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny. High 23C / low 12C.

🎨 Muralist wanted for Brentwood Bay Cultural Centre: The District of Saanich is seeking an artist to highlight diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. Submissions are due June 22.

🦭 Moulting elephant seal: The public is asked to keep a distance from a juvenile seal moulting near Oak Bay Marina.

NEWS

The founder behind local apparel company L/L Supply just raised $1.24M for a new venture

Jeff Duke may be best known in Victoria for being the founder of local apparel company L/L Supply, where he transformed material waste into upcycled clothing. But in the past few years, Duke brought his learnings from L/L Supply to co-found Locorum—a B2B home services reward program that just raised a $1.24 million pre-seed round led by angel investors.

“If you're a Victoria business owner—contractors, trades, even residential development, realtors, mortgage brokers—80% or more of your business comes from referrals,” said Duke, CEO and co-founder of Locorum.

Locorum has partnered with MasterCard to create a referral program for these businesses, without the need for an online transaction.

Read more at Vic Tech Journal.

SPONSORED BY WATERWORKS IRRIGATION

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Capital Picks

🎈 AfriCa Fest: Browse food and craft vendors tomorrow at the African Festival Night Market in Centennial Square, 6-9:30pm.

🖌️ Art Attack: Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Council presents an art showoff between 10 artists tomorrow, 7-9pm. [Tickets]

📣 Change your bad habits for good. Tall Tree’s Health Coaches are black belts in behaviour change. They push, pull, and drag you towards better habits.*

🎉 Ḱelset Spring Fair: Ḱelset Elementary’s fundraising event tomorrow will host food trucks, games, and inflatables, 5-8pm. [Details]

📅 Save the Date: “Meet the Makers” Market - Father’s Day Edition, Jun. 3 at the Bay Centre! Discover over 40 YYJ local artisans.*

🤝 Now hiring: Packaging/Shipping & Receiving Operator at Seastar Chemicals.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🤝 BBQ fundraiser for Oak Bay municipal worker killed last week
A vehicle procession will start off the fundraiser for Steve Seekins’ family today, 11am-2pm, at Oak Bay Municipal Hall, followed by pulled pork and brisket served by donation. A GoFundMe has raised over $100K for the family so far.

🦮 Saanich Paralympian finds missing person
With the help of her seeing-eye dog, Jessica Tuomela was able to locate a neighbour with dementia who had wandered off at Elk Lake. Tuomela has been training her dog, Lucy, to identify and track scents to aid in search and rescue. The duo were able to find the missing person within 40 minutes. [Victoria News]

🚨 Two men killed in car crash on Mayne Island
The single-vehicle crash Saturday night involved a 1995 Firebird that struck a tree after failing to navigate a curve on Merryman Drive. Police say alcohol and speeding may have been involved. ​​[Times Colonist]

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

Fill a bus with menstrual products May 28 at Tillicum Mall

Did you know that one in four people can't find affordable menstrual products when they need them?

Join United Way in making a difference with Period Promise.

In Case You Missed It

🌿 No-Mow May: Experts encourage Victoria residents to plant native plants rather than forgoing the lawn mower. [Capital Daily]

💰 September 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dock dreaming of a new life. 164 years later, what he built changed your life. Learn more at the Belfry Theatre.*

📰 Wednesday newsletter: Infrastructure upgrades for Victoria’s heliport and Malahat rest stop, Pic-a-Flic announces closure, monster truck blows fire at BC Ferries terminal, and more. [May 24] 

*Sponsored Listing

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