Oct 6 - How rabbits are helping to fight cancer

Good morning !

Today we have a roundup of some legal news from last month, a resource for next long weekend, and—first up—a story on local contributions to cancer research. Read it all below:

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today:  ⛅ 17 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧 17 / 11

Day after: 🌦️ 17 / 8

NEWS

Local company helps fight against cancer—by using rabbits

Plenty of Victorians like their IPAs hoppy. But a different local IPA (health-tech company ImmunoPrecise Antibodies), has gone all the way to working with bunnies. Working with bunnies’ monoclonal antibodies, anyway, which are increasingly popular for human therapeutic use in the industry.

IPA recently shared news of clinical progress with rabbit monoclonal antibodies designed and developed with IPA's B Cell Select platform. The work was performed on behalf of Seattle’s OncoResponse, a clinical-stage biotech company developing cancer immunotherapies. Monoclonal antibody research aims to find antibodies that can better mark cancer cells for the immune system to target. 

The local company’s CEO Dr. Jennifer Bath says that its “mission is not just to develop antibodies, but to redefine what’s possible in therapeutic interventions.” IPA’s technology preserves the natural structure of the antibodies, which it says helps clinical-setting therapies work better.

With files from Emily Edwards.

Read more at Victoria Tech Journal

NEWS

2 major Westshore developments put into receivership

In the past month, separate BC Supreme Court decisions have put overseers in charge of Spirit Bay and parts of Bear Mountain, with the goal of finding ways to pay off debts. Part of Bear Mountain's debt is to Langford; it missed a payment of its share of the cost of roadway to its developments.

The Westin Bear Mountain is not part of the receivership (it's owned separately) and the Times Colonist reports that neither are the golf and tennis portions.

Bear Mountain's current crisis is rooted partly in a conflict between the two men in charge of Ecoasis's two main component partners. They disagree on how to develop the site, whether and how to sell certain portions of it to generate funds, and a contract with the resort for use of sports facilities.

Read more in The Westshore.

Meanwhile, Spirit Bay, a decade-old project on Sc’ianew / Beecher Bay land, owes nearly $1.9M to building company Scala. Over a decade, it built just 50 of the 500 planned sustainable homes. The First Nation said in court docs, per the Times Colonist, that Spirit Bay developed money problems early on—particularly after the other partner, developer David Butterfield, fell ill and died.

FOOD

These 10 Victoria restaurants are serving Thanksgiving dinner

The next long weekend is just a week away, and for those who want to mark it with a Thanksgiving feast there are plenty of options. You'll find turkey roast, pumpkin pie, beets, squash soup, cranberry sauce, and more here in this list of local offerings. The food formats range from classic turkey feast to a high tea with three tiers of appetizers to the one-pan “holiday heater.”

The list from Tasting Victoria includes both dine-in and take-home options, and with a week to go there should still be time to send in orders or reservations.

SPONSORED BY OLIVE FERTILITY VICTORIA

Olive Fertility – where your journey to parenthood begins

Every fertility journey is unique, and Olive’s dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way. Offering the latest advancements in fertility treatment Olive’s new state-of-the-art IVF clinic provides world-class fertility care in a soothing and serene environment.

You are not alone on this journey. With the compassionate guidance of Drs. Graham and Dayan, Olive’s experienced fertility specialists, your dream of becoming a parent can become a reality.

In British Columbia, consultations with a fertility specialist are covered by MSP with a referral from your family doctor. Plus, Olive Fertility offers the convenience of no-fee, virtual referral appointments.

At Olive Fertility, you come first. Always.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🙋‍♀️ WIN silent auction has begun: Bid on items from local businesses, from gift cards to rounds of golf and symphony tickets, in the fundraiser for the community cooperative.

🌅 Stylised sunrise in red and blue by Work The Angle.

👁 Heading up Island? Check out Qualicum Beach's a new viewing platform on the waterfront. 

🏡 Bella Park is the Westshore's most popular seaside community – 1 to 3 bedroom condos starting from the low $400s. Book a tour today.*.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Sidney senior (and Elvis superfan) showcases hundreds of sea-glass sculptures
After meeting the King in a dream, Geraldine Bruckel began using his music to help her create her eclectic artwork—which the public can now view at her home gallery. [CTV]

Westshore Rebels will open playoffs on road—& on losing streak
Their 4th straight loss (Sat. in Langley) means they'll be seeded #3 and will open the postseason against those same Langley Rams, again on the road. 

Last month tied Victoria’s Sept. records by going above 28C twice
It was also the only Sept. to hit a humidex of 30 twice. [YYJ Weather Records]

In final fortnight, Pacific FC could make playoffs—or finish dead last
After losing 1-4 to Cavalry on Sat., the Langford soccer teams are in a pack of 4 teams that all have 28 or 27 points. With a fortnight left in the regular season, and two of those teams set to play each other, PFC will need to pick up a win or draw if it wants to keep the final playoff spot.

SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

From Alaska closes October 13

“Really beautiful show, thank you.”

When a retired librarian is held hostage by a tough-talking teenager, they gradually discover that the one thing they have in common is the thing they have both lost. 

The Belfry offers Pay-What-You-Want tickets to all performances.

🗓️ Things to do

🎪 Mayfair Mall Circus: From thrilling acrobats to hilarious clowns, the circus has something for everyone. Through Mon. [Info]

🗣 Election candidates forum (Oak Bay-Gordon Head): Diana Gibson, Stephen Andrew, & Lisa Gunderson are hosted virtually by the UVic Faculty Association & Professional Employees association (UVic Chapter). Zoom. Today. 1:30-3pm. [Register here]

👟 CIBC Run for the Cure is at UVic today. Registration 8:30am. [Info]

🧡📖 StoryWalk at the library: Last day to walk and read I Hope in the library gardens in the Sidney and North Saanich VIRL branches. [Free]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Victoria candidates debate business, tourism, parking, safety, labour law, transit, and more. [Capital Daily]

Recycling construction materials into new projects, in this new Island initiative. [Capital Daily]

Friday news: Another major arts venue closes. Only 73 Southern Resident orcas left. Another earthquake. [Capital Daily]

Another Taylor ticket scam, Saanich Police warn.

Hand out youth recreation passes instead of candy. [City of Victoria] 

Esquimalt’s business facade improvement program takes applications until Oct. 30