Oct 1 - October events in Greater Victoria

Good morning !

Cloudy skies, dark evenings, and falling leaves—fall is officially here in Victoria. I’m usually a summer fanatic, but this year I’m ready for all the autumnal activities that come with this time of year.

Making a big pot of soup and marathoning horror movies is my go-to way of spending a rainy night in. What fall activities are you looking forward to?

—Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 15 / 11 

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 15 / 11

Friday: ⛅ 15 / 11

NEWS

Events happening in Greater Victoria this October

The season of falling leaves, spooky decorations, and Thanksgiving feasts is upon us.

October in Victoria brings a vibrant mix of cultural celebrations, creative workshops, and unforgettable performances to close out the fall season. 

From intimate jazz sessions and theatrical spectacles to hands-on homesteading classes and haunting Halloween festivities, there's something for every interest and age group. Mark your calendars for these local events that showcase the best of our community's creativity, talent, and seasonal spirit.

Check out the full list of events here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Missing man, Treshaun, 28, last seen Sept. 12 near Esquimalt Plaza. [VicPD]

Closures at Thetis Lake Park for filming, tomorrow through Saturday. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Repairs on Chinatown gate roofs begin this month

The Gate of Harmonious Interest welcomes visitors and residents alike to Canada’s oldest Chinatown—Est. 1858—and those passing by or through it can see some of the roof tiles and figurines are fading in colour and deteriorating. 

So, the city is replacing the gate’s three roofs “with long-lasting, weather-resistant materials and a new mounting system that allows for thermal expansion, which is expected to last another 75 years,” it said on its website. 

The city said it will use high-quality materials, including superior clay terracotta pieces, to extend the life of the Victoria landmark, which was erected in 1981.

While it’s at it, the city plans to install a new programmable sound system and updated lighting. Except for minor delays, Fisgard is expected to remain open during construction, the city said.

Paid for through fundraising and donations from the city, the Chinese community, and the public at large, the freestanding gateway—what the Chinese call a paifang or pailou—serves as “a symbolic entrance to Chinatown and as a celebration of the joint efforts by Chinese and non-Chinese Victorians to preserve the heritage of Chinatowns,” according to the city’s website.

The gate’s name is alluded to in two inscriptions celebrating the relationship between the Chinese and non-Chinese communities: “To work together with one heart” and “To help each other achieve harmony.”

A plaque lists the names of 61 Chinese-Canadians who died in battle for Canada during the Second World War. 

The Gates of Harmonious Interest stand 11.5 metres high and 17 metres wide. There are three arches: the large one over the street and two above the sidewalks. 

The art on the gate is in keeping with the Chinese concept of Yin-Yang, and the dragons, birds and other carved symbols bring positive energy.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION AND COAST CAPITAL

Celebrate 20 years of Victoria's Vital Signs!

Victoria's Vital Signs' 20th anniversary edition is out! And this year, survey respondents graded the quality of life in Greater Victoria a 'B.'

When Victoria’s Vital Signs was first published in 2006, few people could predict the significance this “annual check-up” would grow to have in identifying the community’s pressing issues. Nor could they have guessed the wide-scale change it would catalyze in the capital region—from a food security network to physical literacy initiatives, and more.

Since its first edition, Vital Signs has become a steadfast watchdog for all areas of community wellbeing. It turns complicated statistics into easy-to-use information. It spotlights the work of courageous impact organizations. It’s relied upon by civic leaders and decision-makers for a deeper understanding of how Greater Victorians perceive their daily lives.

Delve into a fascinating retrospective called "What's Next For Victoria's Vital Signs?" in the report's online edition, filled with bonus digital content!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🧡 Truth and Reconciliation Day message from the minister. [Capital Daily]

🎶 Pacific Opera Victoria’s 25/26 season presents a powerful trio of operas. Starting with The Turn of the Screw. Tickets and season subscriptions on sale now.*

🦀 Natural art: See the beautiful patterns of a red rock crab’s carapace. [Facebook photos]

✍️ Victoria Writers’ Society: Everyone welcome to our Wed October 1 meeting, 7-8:30pm at Russell Books, 747 Fort St., to learn more about Critique Groups! Need feedback from other writers? This event is for you!*

📚 New and notable reads: See which titles were popular last month at Victoria libraries. [GVPL]

🐙 Messy eater: Follow the trail of discarded shells to find a Pacific octopus in Island waters. [ScubaBC] 

^{*Sponsored Listing}

🗞️ In Other News

UVic emphasizes safety with overdose-prevention moves
Following the overdose death of first-year student Sidney McIntyre-Starko last year, the university says it has improved security training and equipment, clearly labelled residence buildings so they are easily located by emergency workers, and undertaken frank discussions with students about the dangers of drug use. In addition, each floor of the residence buildings has been equipped with a nasal naloxone kit and an automated external defibrillator and signs with emergency instructions. A series of mistakes, including campus security’s inability to treat an overdose and confusion over McIntyre-Starko’s location were found to contribute toward the 18-year-old’s death last January. [Times Colonist]

Rent increases may force Oak Bay businesses to close
Multiple Oak Bay businesses are facing closure after being informed of a 59% rent hike. Owners of Timeless Toys—which has been in Oak Bay Village since 1997 and on the avenue for a decade—and Hide and Seek Cafe say they may need to shut down after the Bell Block Building, where they and three other businesses operate, was sold to a Vancouver firm that plans to raise the rent. The landlord says they are not willing to negotiate with tenants. [CHEK]

4 young people arrested after series of thefts, vandalism in Sidney
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP got a call about someone erratically driving a truck that matched the description of a 2021 Dodge Ram that was later reported stolen. That same morning, they received a call about a truck stuck near the Tsawout First Nation, with four youths leaving the scene. That afternoon, there was a call about an attempted theft of a vehicle nearby. Police believe some of these incidents may be linked to other vehicle thefts and to an estimated $20K in damage done to vehicles at a dealership. [CTV]

Victoria boy takes stands tall with robotic legs
Elliot Parent, 7, put aside his walker on Friday and strapped into the device at Kids Physio Group on Saanich Road. He was the first in Victoria to test it out. Elliot is living with cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, and his mother said he was “empowered” in the robotic legs, which offer the postural stability necessary to walk. The equipment, from Ontario-based Trexo Robotics, is being used by children across the continent. It was part of a touring stop in Victoria last week. [Victoria News]

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

Prepare today, so you can lead tomorrow.

Choose from 70+ programs. Pick up new skills in small doses, right when it works for you, through Continuing Studies at UVic.

🗓️ Things To Do

🎤 Inter-tidal Relations Concert Series: Hip Hop & Rap Roots: This show, curated by Indigenous femmes, will feature hip hop artists at Ship Point today. 4pm. [Info]

🦉Sculpt an Owl in Clay: Create a charming owl sculpture with instructor Monica Burrell at The Gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific today. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Dan Mangan: The JUNO Award-winning musician will bring his folk-roots sound to the Royal Theatre tonight. 8pm [Info]

🥕 Esquimalt Farmers Market: Fall Indoor Season: The market has moved indoors to Esquimalt Rec Centre with autumnal goodies available tomorrow. 4:30-7pm. [Info] 

🎶 The Great Divide: Celebrate the music of The Band: Canada's premier The Band tribute act will perform timeless hits at Hermann's tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🍷 Victoria International Wine Festival: Explore 400+ wines from around the globe with walk-around tastings and educational seminars at the Victoria Conference Centre, today through Sat. [Info]

🍂 Fall Family Fest: Head to Henderson Rec with kids aged 1-7 for a day of fun with crafts, food, a bouncy castle, and more. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday’s headlines: Weekly roundup; Minister's message for Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; 2 Victoria Starbucks locations among 400+ worldwide to close. [Capital Daily]

Truth and Reconciliation events continue in Greater Victoria this week. [Capital Daily]

Pop-up overdose prevention site returns to Royal Jubilee. [CBC]

Victoria’s Sophie De Goede is world’s female rugby player of the year; Canada falls to England in final. [Times Colonist]

National aerial firefighting fleet urged in petition started on the Island. [CHEK]

BCGEU strike fallout: food truck vendor caught up in the picketing. [CTV]

Richmond closed between Quamichan and Oak Shade for three months, starting Wednesday. [City of Vic]

Spectacular sunset on the Malahat from Capital Daily contributor, James Macdonald. [James MacDonald]

That’s it!

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