Aug 31 - Multiple overdose suspected at Metchosin beach

Good morning !

I had the rare experience last night of watching a movie whose main character on the big screen was the cool dude seated in front of me, watching his film along with a packed Vic Theatre.

The movie was a prequel to the Canadian indie cult fave FUBAR.
Paul Spence is back as the endearing headbanger in the eponymous Deaner ‘89. Although in character (he’ll be at the tailgate party for today’s CFL game at RAP), Dean was a gentleman to limit any flatulence to two small onscreen toots.

While some curmudgeonly critics would say that’s two more toots than they’d give the movie—Canadian comedies often seem unfairly panned—the lively and appreciative audience gave it a huge ovation.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 27 / 13  

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 27 / 14

Monday: 🌤️ 23 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

Tragedy unfolding in Metchosin, just as community marks International Overdose Awareness Day

On a day set aside internationally to honour those who have died in the still-growing toxic drug crisis, we’ve got a stunning and troubling story emerging from Metchosin.

Two women are dead and two men are in hospital in critical condition, following what West Shore RCMP said showed strong indications of having been a group overdose. Emergency crews were called to the parking area of Taylor Beach just before 6:30am yesterday.

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), which also is a day to be conscious of the trauma and grief inflicted upon all the people impacted by deaths such as these, from family and friends to caregivers and colleagues. 

Yes, that’s the purple that people are wearing today

While a purple ribbon is appropriate today, there is an opportunity for the next month to celebrate the lives of those lost to toxic drug poisonings. Island Health has set up a digital memory wall so people can share photos and memories of loved ones lost to drugs. 

There are IOAD events all over the Island today, including three in Victoria.

• Our Place Society at 11:30am.

• Broad View United Church at 7pm. Hosted by Moms Stop the Harm, Victoria Community Action Team, and Broad View United Church

• The BC Legislature lawn, at 7:10pm. The grounds' fountains will also light up purple tonight.

Right now, we want to take you to Sooke, where Ben Goerner and Melanie Cunningham—neither a stranger to these toxic tragedies—are educating to end the stigma of overdose and drug addiction. 

Read that here in The Westshore.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Ride your bike to today’s CFL game at Royal Athletic. [Free parking]

Air quality: Low risk today (3/10). Current smoke forecast.

Traffic disruptions and CCTV use [2-4pm] during a planned downtown demonstration for Gaza today.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

It’s a Swans song for one of the Island’s oldest breweries

After nearly 36 years, the Pandora pub’s beer-making machinery will stop making Swans suds today.

The hotel, liquor store, and public house near the Johnson Bridge will remain open, with an expanded roster of other local and BC craft beer, once the last in-house brews run out (likely in mid-Oct.).

Swans Brewery opened in 1989 as one of the first modern Canadian craft breweries in what has distilled itself into a massive industry. Here’s the problem: that industry has become so crowded that Swans no longer stands out, according to the brewery’s operator Mike Boyle.

That crowded field poses a double difficulty for a brewpub: more beers competing with Swans’ brews in stores, and a greater variety of beers that patrons expect to be able to buy at the pub (where in-house beers take up many of the taps).

If this sounds familiar…

Fellow downtown brewer Vancouver Island Brewing (VIB)—which began brewing local beer even earlier than Swans, in 1984—is also mothballing its brewing & bottling department.

As of Nov. 1, VIB will outsource all its brewing and packaging down the road to Phillips. It’s also closing its tasting room in two weeks. A bevy of challenges, including increased costs and rising rent—a 35% hike, VIB said—has led to the decision, which includes layoffs.

Read more about the history—and future—of these iconic local breweries at Tasting Victoria. 

SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY OF THE ISLANDS

Opera event kicks off anniversary season

The Early Music Society of the Islands is celebrating its 40th season with a unique dinner-and-opera event.

The audience will step back in time to an Italian noble wedding in 1708, with a performance of Handel’s Aci, Galate e Polifemo, preceded by an Italian-themed dinner. International opera stars will present a story of tragedy and the triumph of love, to Handel’s soaring music.

Learn more here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏈 Gameday: Ottawa Redblacks at BC Lions. Kickoff just after 4pm at RAP 

🤝 Now hiring: Seed & Gift Store Retail Supervisor at The Butchart Gardens

🗞️ In Other News

After a month's hiatus, Bao Victoria is back in business
A major roof leak abruptly shuttered the popular Chinatown-area restaurant. But last Weds. marked the reopening of an eatery that Tasting Victoria readers have voted as one of the city's best hidden gems. [Tasting Victoria]

Cool Aid closes its downtown community centre ‘for now’
The Pandora facility will go on hiatus as Cool Aid reviews its programs for “financial and other efficiencies.” A spokesperson tells CHEK News the non-profit has to find “a sustainable funding option” while continuing to deal with clients “in a different way.” The spokesperson did not say how long the community centre, which accommodates thousands of people in need, will be closed. [CHEK]

Back to school, back to Backpack Buddies reliance
The charity enters the school year next week feeding 6K children in 68 sites across BC, its executive director says. And with many families’ finances becoming more difficult to navigate, Backpack Buddies has a list of 30 Island sites on its waiting list to provide meals to kids. [CTV]

🗓️ Things to do

🏈 Touchdown Pacific: BC Lions host Ottawa Redblacks in CFL action. Royal Athletic Park. Today. 4pm. [Info]

😆 Horseface: This funny Fringe show delves into the inner world of a woman dealing with unruly men at SKAM Satellite Studio. Today, 1pm. Tomorrow, 6:45pm. [Info]

✡️ Jewish-ish: This Fringe show explores Jewish identity and secularism, weaving music and speech. Wood Hall. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

☕ Ciarán and Islay Make Coffee: This immersive show will see performers weave a story while serving coffee at Habit today. 8pm. [Info]

🎨 Multiple Organism: See this Fringe show about an artist’s model who takes control of art at Metro Studio. Today,  8:45pm. [Info]

🎡 Saanich Fair: Ring in the fall season with this annual fair, featuring rides, games, a farmers market, animals, and more. Today until Mon. [Info]

⛵ Classic Boat Festival: See these classic boats gathered in the Inner Harbour and check out boat racing all weekend. Today until Mon. [Info]

🎸 The Pretzel Logic Orchestra plays the music of Steely Dan. Go back, Jack. Do it again. Hermann’s. Today. 7-9pm. Doors at 5:30pm. [Info]

🍸 Who Drinks Mocktails on the Beach?! This one-woman comedy follows party-girl Candace as she runs away to Mexico for her best friend’s destination wedding. What could go wrong? Today. SKAM Satellite Studio (Fringe Venue 4). 7:45pm. Tomorrow at 12pm. [Info]

🎤 Colwood’s Music in the Park: JaimesonRhy. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, JaimesonRhy is a new country duo consisting of Jaimey Hamilton & Rhyley Bremner. Lagoon West Park. Today. 5:30pm. [Info] 

🤣 Jane Stanton’s standup. This Vancouverite is a comedian, actor, writer, and producer. She also is funny, and headlines tonight. Hecklers. 8pm. [Info]

📖 52 🩷Stories: A storytelling show that takes place inside the memory palace of Pick-of-the-Fringe award-winning improviser Dave Morris. Today. Baumann Centre (Fringe Venue 3). 7pm. [Info]

🎞️ Kneecap. Three members of the eponymous Irish rap group play themselves in this reimagining of their origin story set in Belfast. Cincenta. Today. 5pm & 7:10pm. [Info]

🎵 Music in the Park: Drum Victoria. World Music. Cameron Bandshell. Beacon Hill Park. Today. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]

🥬James Bay Market. Neighbourhood market featuring produce, live music, crafts, and food vendors. Corner of Menzies & Superior. Today.  9am-3pm. [Info]

🍞 Moss Street Market. Year-round farmer’s market with farmers, bakers, local makers, and live music. Sir James Douglas School. 10am-2pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Saanich Fair No. 156; Survey to see whether McKinnon Pool can remain afloat; Province ‘steps up’ housing plan by changing building code plan; And more. [Aug. 30]

2023 wildfires catapult Canada for carbon emissions. [Capital Daily] 

Langford will be rockin’ today. [The Westshore] 

From Fairfield, Deer & Dough Bakery Cafe is now open at 770 Fisgard. 

A pelican flies north and is pictured here near Salt Spring. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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