May 3 - Coolest ice cream in town

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend. We’ve got a roundup of some of the tastiest cold treats in town to kick of your sunny Saturday.

But first, we look at a pilot project that aims to improve a small section of downtown for everyone—including those who shelter there.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 15 / 7

Tomorrow: ☀️ 16 / 6

Day after: ☀️ 20 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

Victoria approves pilot program to pay street community to clean Pandora block

Victoria city council approved a $9K pilot project that will clean up the 900-block of Pandora Avenue, while providing jobs to those sheltering in the area. 

The three-month plan would pay people sheltering on Pandora a small stipend for collecting and disposing of garbage on the block—between Quadra and Vancouver—allowing them to sign up for two-hour shifts, with a limit of 4hrs per day. The work would be overseen by Our Place Society.

The dumpster used for the collected garbage would be locked throughout the day and would only be opened briefly by Our Place staff to throw out waste. The dumpster component would cost $3,600, while three months of stipends would be $5,400.

The motion was brought forward by Coun. Dave Thompson and seconded by Coun. Krista Loughton, who says the pilot will provide an opportunity for people sheltering to “contribute to their community.” 

“It has the potential to be a great social program,” Loughton said at Thu.’s council meeting. “This is also a way to provide employment opportunities to a community where there are very few options to work.”

Thompson said the idea isn’t “intended to solve every problem” on Pandora but could address the garbage issue on the block.

The program shares some similarities with another run by SOLID in 2020, that employed people currently and formerly experiencing addictions to collect discarded needles from the streets and hand out harm-reduction kits. The program aimed to restore dignity to people who use drugs, while keeping the city clean.

If the new pilot appears successful after three months, the motion says council will look at allocating provincial funding through Heart and Hearth to extend it. Loughton says if the pilot works, the city should focus more on job creation for the unhoused community. 

Mayor Marianne Alto supported the motion, saying it was a “fairly modest amount of money” that could have a “significant impact” on the block. She said it could have the potential to expand to other areas of the city if the pilot goes well.

Council voted 7-2 in favour, with Coun.s Stephen Hammond and Marg Gardiner against.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Busy ferries expected this weekend—especially on Horseshoe Bay / Departure Bay route, on Sunday, and on midday or afternoon sailings.

Increased wildfire risk over the weekend for Southern BC. No open burning. [BC Gov.]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

Victoria’s coolest ice cream shops

Spring is in the air… and so is the smell of waffle cones. We’ve got back-to-back sunshine this week and we believe days like these are best paired with a sweet, creamy treat.

We’re spoiled with choice in the city, with several local independent ice cream makers around town. 

We’ve rounded up some of our favourite spots to grab a cone to bring to the beach or to pick up a pint for a cozy night in. 

Check out the full list here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

💻 Greater Victoria’s tech stars honoured at 2025 VIATEC Awards.

💰 Economy in Victoria was graded a C+ last year. Do you agree in 2025? Take Victoria's 2025 Vital Signs survey for a chance to win a $100 Country Grocer gift card!*

🐐 Beacon Hill Children’s Farm starts summer hours this week. 10am-5pm daily, with goat stampedes at 10:10am and 5:10pm. 

☕ Enjoy the world-renowned flavor of AeroPress, a velvety-smooth coffee without the grit or bitterness found in other methods.  Loved globally, with 55K+ 5-star reviews.*

📚 Times Colonist Book Sale. Tomorrow & Sun. 

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🗞️ In Other News

Rare memoir possibly worth $5,500 turns up at TC Book Sale
Among the donated copies of Eat, Pay, Love and The Help, a memoir published in the 1880s was dropped off over the donation weekend. Written by Andrew Williamson, Sport and Photography in the Rocky Mountains includes photos taken using steel plates with “exceptional clarity.” The sale typically prices used books for $5 or less, but given the value of the memoir it will be auctioned online to maximize proceeds (which go toward literacy funds and school libraries). [Times Colonist]

Dashcam video shows wrong-direction TCH crash that injured 3
The collision happened shortly after 9pm on Thu. when a driver traveling at a high rate of speed down the wrong way of the southbound TCH near McKenzie slammed into an oncoming vehicle and then was broadsided by another. Three people were taken to hospital, and southbound lanes between Helmcken and Admirals were closed into the early hours yesterday. [CHEK]

‘Unprovoked’ stabbing in Pioneer Square on Quadra injures 1
Police said they believe the attack was random and that the victim, who was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the suspected assailant—a bald man in his 40s—did not know each other. The suspect got away and police seek dashcam video from near Quadra and Rupert on Thu. around 6:45pm. [VicPD]

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🗓️ Things to do

🌱 Spring plant sales this weekend in downtown Victoria, Swan Lake, & Sidney. [Info]

💐 Mother's Day Artisan Market & Workshops: Unique gifts and creative workshops at The Bay Centre’s Mother's Day market today. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🛍️ Spring Craft Fair: 90+ vendors, bouncy castles, live performances, music, free games, and more at Ruth King Elementary today. 10am-3pm. [Info] 

🖼️ Free Gallery Days: Free admission to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria on the first Saturday of the month. 10am-5pm. [Info]

🥕 Goldstream Farmers Market: The outdoor market has reopened for the season, with local produce, crafts, and baked goods at Veterans Memorial Park, today. 10am-2pm. [[Info]

🌱 Peninsula Garden Club Plant Sale: Head to St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Sidney to shop annuals, perennials, veggie starts, and more. 9am-noon today. [Info]

🐶 Victoria Pet Expo: Pet vendors, services, and demos at Pearkes Recreation Centre today and tomorrow. 10am-5pm. [Info]

🎵 Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: Victoria Chamber Orchestra and Victoria Choral Society anniversary concert at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🍎 Mother’s Day at Merridale Cider: Pop-up market with local artisans, food, drinks, and live music at Merridale Cidery today and tomorrow. 10:30am-8pm. [Info]

🚶Inaugural Jane’s Walk in James Bay: This free event invites everyone in the spirit of Jane Jacobs to come together and explore the neighbourhood, today and tomorrow. [Info]

🪖 Service of Thanksgiving for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day: During the service, the Second World War II memorial window to the regiment and the Canadian Army will be rededicated at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church tomorrow. 10:30am.

🧭 Battle of the Atlantic commemoration is also tomorrow. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: How to book the legislature lawn; Political colours changing on the Island; Tariffs beginning to show. [May 2] 

Elizabeth May relieved to be re-elected, but surprised she’s the lone Green in Ottawa. [Times Colonist]

Few housing options, says displaced woman, 73, living at shelter. [CHEK]

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs in Vic tomorrow. [Victoria Symphony]

Vintage Vic: Douglas Street in the 1940s. [Facebook photo]