Oct 25 - Where to go to watch the fish

Good morning !

We start with the good—salmon swimming upstream and continuing the cycle of life—and the pageantry of nature.

Then there’s the bad—someone’s stealing driftwood art again.

No ugly. Not on this beautiful island.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 10 / 6  

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 13 / 10

Sunday: 🌦️ 12 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

Where to see salmon runs on the Island this fall

Seasons aren’t particularly dramatic on the Island—our summers and winters are mild, and you can find a plant with flowers blooming somewhere in the city year-round. But one way to remind us of yearly cycles is our proximity to nature. We get a front-row seat to some of the wild world’s most fascinating behaviours, all taking place during different times of the year—from being a hotspot for migratory seabirds to witnessing the changing water colours during spring herring spawning season, we easily can access what most people only get to see in a National Geographic documentary. 

One of nature’s most fascinating spectacles is the life cycle of salmon—particularly, salmon runs. Every fall, local salmon species return to the place they were born to lay and spawn eggs, leaving the ocean to swim upstream, fighting currents and jumping waterfalls to reach their destination. While some complete the difficult journey, others become part of a hearty salmon buffet for multiple predators—including bears and eagles. After the fish mate, they die and the following spring, baby salmon will make their way back to sea.

There are plenty of locations to see this, with vantage points nestled within beautiful hiking spots and accessible Island parks. 

We’ve rounded up some of the busiest runs on the Island where you’re most likely to see nature doing its wonderful thing up close.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Arrested: wanted person Hugh Garlow. [VicPD]

Road construction and closures. [City of Victoria]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

Have you seen these missing wooden sculptures?

More driftwood delinquency in Colwood.
Someone’s decided they like the art sculptures that have adorned Ocean Blvd.—near Esquimalt Lagoon—so much, they thought they’d take them home.

West Shore RCMP said they’re looking for clues as to who took the kingfisher, squirrel, and hummingbird, all made from washed-ashore wood. A fourth piece, a sculpture in the form of an owl, was damaged, police said.

There must be something about driftwood that makes for mischief.
In July, someone set fire to a statue of a mammoth at Royal Bay Beach, and the Beachlands sign and a staircase also were damaged.
In 2018, statues at Esquimalt Lagoon were vandalized, and a year later, someone walked away with Eddie the Eagle—another of artist Paul Lewis’s creations.

“It happens… there’s a lot of idiots out there,” Lewis told CHEK News at the time. “It’s not worth taking them, it’s not worth giving them away or trying to sell them or even just destroy them,” Lewis told Chek. “Why? So many people love them.”

Just like the mini T. rex stolen from Liquor Planet in Langford, and returned earlier this month after a police officer spotted it in someone’s home, these things are usually too unusual—or unique—to put on eBay or Kijiji without being caught.

We just have to hope whoever has the ill-gotten booty doesn’t destroy it all. 
That sounds like an opportunity for the perpetrator(s) to do the right thing and call Crimestoppers to let the cops know where they can find the art.

That 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) phone number also is there for anyone with information about the latest driftwood art thievery.

SPONSORED BY CORNUCOPIA

Uncork the bold tastes of Cornucopia this fall

This fall, guests are invited to sip, sample, and savour at Whistler's premier event, Cornucopia, from November 7 to 17. With 70+ tastings and events, attendees can indulge in multi-course culinary demonstrations, spirited parties, and elegant winery dinners.

This year’s spotlight shines on 18 Californian wineries, joining 50+ from across the Pacific Northwest. Whether you love bubbles or bold reds, Cornucopia offers the perfect opportunity to expand your wine knowledge, discover new flavors, and take home new favorites.

Lodging and ticket bundles start at just $95 per person, per night, with a complimentary $100 dining voucher to enhance the experience. Tickets are selling fast, so now is the time to grab yours. From intimate workshops and educational seminars to signature events like the CRUSH Grand Tasting, Cornucopia promises something for every curious sipper and connoisseur.

Cheers to the ultimate fall getaway in Whistler!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐟👻 Aquarium A-SCARE-ium: 4th annual Halloween Spectacular at Sidney’s Centre for the Salish Sea is tomorrow.

💎 When the opportunity appears, be ready! Sharpen your skills through online professional development programs with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🛣️ Draft Quadra McKenzie Plan online survey. [Until Nov. 26]

⚕️Help James and Kate with medical bills. [GoFundMe]

🤱🏼 Struggling to conceive? Trying for over a year, having irregular cycles, or are over 35? Talk to Olive’s fertility experts. Consultations are MSP-covered. Book now for personalized care.*

🤝 Now hiring: Lead Medical Office Assistant (MOA) at Sprout Family Health.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

UVic spent $1M on pro-Palestine encampment
Costs included security—making up the bulk of spending at nearly $700K—dealing with vandalism and preventing the disruption of convocation ceremonies. The encampment was set up in May when multiple schools across North America had similar protests. Here, protesters implored UVic to divest from partnerships linked to Israel and weapons companies. The camp was dismantled in July after UVic set a deadline to end the protest. [Times Colonist]

Heartbroken husband pays tribute to wife who died in Central Saanich bike race
Memorializing on social media, Chad Grice identified his wife, Lindsay Burgess, as the cyclist who died Sun. when her bike collided with a truck at Central Saanich and Tanner during the TripleShot CrossFondo event. “I can only say that I’m heartbroken and still expect her to walk through the door,” he wrote in his social media post. Some of Grice’s coworkers have started a GoFundMe drive. [CHEK]

Pick 6: new pickleball courts coming to the Langford area
In response to what it calls overwhelming community interest and demand, West Shore Parks and Rec says it’s going to build six new courts near the Q Centre on the Island Highway, replacing existing beach volleyball courts. The rec folks say they chose the location because it’s close to parking and washrooms but far from homes, which has been a courtside conundrum in the CRD of late. It’s not yet known when construction will begin. [Victoria Buzz]

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🗓️ Things to do

♥️ Victoria Shows Love: A Syrian Night: A group of kind and thoughtful people is working to bring a Syrian refugee family to Victoria. Fernwood Community Centre. Nov. 2. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎹 Beethoven Symphony No. 5. A brilliant showcase of both the lyrical and the virtuosic gifts of the great pianist-composer. Royal Theatre. Sun. 2:30pm. [Info]

✈️ 👻 Halloween Haunt at the BC Aviation Museum: Complete a scavenger hunt for prizes, meet the resident ghouls, and make some crafts while learning about the principles of flight. Today. 10am-4pm. [Info]

🛍️ Crafted Farmhouse Market: Visit the semi-annual market at the Mary Winspear Centre, with 60+ vendors showcasing unique jewelry, artisanal decor, and gourmet treats. Today 5-9pm; Tomorrow 10am-5pm. [Info]

🎻 Out of the Deep: Enjoy the pairing of Jonathon Adams’ rich voice with the passion of violinist Chloe Kim. First Church of Christ. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🧟 Fright Nights at Saanichton Corn Maze: See the fields transformed into a scare-fest with live actors. Please note this event is not for the faint of heart. Multiple time slots are available today and tomorrow. 7:30-10pm. [Info]

Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: New plans for busy McKenzie; 100+ drivers ticketed for distracted driving; 1,700 goldfish removed from Island pond; And more. [Oct. 24] 

BC Election recounts won’t start until Sun. [Vancouver Sun / CP]

One dead in Esquimalt apartment fire. [CHEK]

Multiple cars keyed in Oak Bay. [OBPD]

Zombie bug: This beetle got The Last of Us treatment from a fungus. [Facebook photos]

How ‘bout them apples? Apple pressing in North Park tomorrow.

That’s it!

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