Good morning {{First name}}!

BC Ferries is expecting close to 450K passengers over the Thanksgiving long weekend—there's a good chance that, without a reservation, you'll have to wait a sailing or two to drive on. 

One Victoria man is hoping to save people time with a new app that lets users know when they should head to Swartz Bay. That's our second story today.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☀️ 18 / 13

Tomorrow: ⛅ 14 / 9

Day after: ⛅ 14 / 11

7-day forecast

The Center for Whale Research (CWR) in Washington state confirmed yesterday that a Southern Resident killer whale, known as J31, was seen pushing her dead newborn calf through the water. It's unclear how long she has been carrying her calf's body.

Researchers said J31 has had a history of reproductive challenges—10 years ago, she was seen carrying her first dead calf. She has one surviving offspring, a daughter, J56, born in 2019. 

The CWR said the cause of the calf's death is unknown—it's not clear what the calf's sex was and whether it had been carried to full-term before birth—but it "occurs against a backdrop of longstanding reproductive difficulties within the population."

"For a population as small as the Southern Residents, the successful birth and survival of every calf matters," said the CWR. "Their recovery depends not simply on increasing the number of pregnancies, but on creating the conditions in which mothers and calves can survive and thrive."

The endangered orcas have become known over the years for carrying their dead calves for days—and sometimes weeks—at a time. This grieving behaviour made international headlines in 2018, when a Southern Resident orca named Tahlequah, or J35, carried her deceased newborn for a record 17 days. 

Tahlequah was seen exhibiting the behaviour again in 2024, when her calf, J61, died within 10 days of birth. She carried J61 for 11 days. 

Last fall, another J-Pod member, J36, was observed pushing the dead body of her newborn for up to two days.

Five calves were born to J-Pod last year, but only two survived. Two calves were born to L-Pod this year, with one likely deceased, according to CWR. 

The surviving young calves appear to be thriving, according to recent updates from CWR and the Orca Behavior Institute.

Water main flushing in the Westshore: Now through December, starting in East Sooke. [CRD]

Saanich road closure: Fairburn, between Gordon Head and Feltham, will be closed through Oct. 16. 9am-3pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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If you’re one to optimistically show up to the ferries without a reservation, there’s a new app developed here in Victoria designed to reduce your risk of a dreaded two-sailing wait.

Next Ferry is a free web app—no downloading, and you don’t need to set up an account—that streamlines BC Ferries’ real-time data. It places all major routes onto your screen, showing how quickly each sailing is filling, and it sends a phone alert when the sailing you want is about to reach capacity.

The app was created by Neil Tran, founder of Victoria-based brand and digital studio Leap. Since its launch last week, more than 2,500 people—mostly around Victoria, Vancouver and Nanaimo—have used it, Tran said. 

“People tell me it's very helpful, and I can see folks tapping through to BC Ferries to make their reservations afterwards,” he told Capital Daily.

Tran says other tools, including BC Ferries’ booking alerts, let you know when space opens up after a sailing sells out. He said his app differs because it lets travellers know when there’s still room.

"Nobody wakes up wanting deck-space percentages. They want to know when to leave the house."

For some routes, it can also send an alert when space becomes available on a previously sold-out sailing.

Next Ferry is a third-party service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by BC Ferries. When asked for a comment, BC Ferries said, "We encourage customers to use the BC Ferries website and app for the most current official sailing information.”

Dance Victoria presents Out Innerspace’s acclaimed Rhino. Featuring the company’s signature blend of theatricality, humour, and innovative production design, Rhino follows an unlikely constellation of characters questioning whether their best days are behind them. Experience surreal, dreamlike cinematic dance for one night only on Oct. 24 at the McPherson Playhouse!

✅ Election grades: See where Greater Victoria candidates land on top issues. [Livable CRD]

🖼 New Indigenous mural under Johnson Street Bridge is complete and ready for visitors. [GVHA]

🩸 Bleeding tooth fungus season: The spooky-looking fungi are popping up on the Island, just in time for Halloween. [Facebook photos]

🎭 Harold Pinter's masterpiece, Betrayal, is on stage at the Belfry starting October 27. Pay-what-you-want tickets are available for all performances.*

🎄 Jon & Roy Holiday Special: Tickets now available. [Dec. 12]

🛍️ Muji opening its first Victoria location in Mayfair Mall. [Oct. 24]

🛻 Motorsports Spectacular returns to Victoria for 3 shows in January 2027. [Tickets on sale Friday]

*Sponsored Listing

Victoria mayoral candidate drops out while on air
Victoria mayoral candidate Lyall Atkinson announced during a Wednesday radio debate that he is ending his campaign and endorsing Bruce McGuigan, though Atkinson's name may remain on the Oct. 17 ballot. McGuigan, who described himself as centre-left and Atkinson as conservative, said the endorsement shows people with political differences can unite around shared values, calling it a "coalition for change." [Victoria News]

Pat Bay crash leaves Ford Bronco hanging on median
A three-vehicle crash on the Pat Bay Highway, near North Saanich, yesterday morning sent two drivers to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and left a Ford Bronco hanging over a concrete median. The collision closed lanes in both directions until about 10am, when a tow truck removed the Bronco. [Times Colonist]

43 years later, overdue book is returned to Greater Victoria Public Library
The book, War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk, was due back in 1983 and was just returned, the GVPL said in a Facebook post. “It may well be one of the most overdue items we've ever had returned,” the post said. The GVPL did not identify the person who brought the book back. They don’t face a late fee because the library stopped its fine system in 2024.

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🎭 Harold Night: This long-form improv show will see performers make up a one-hour play on the spot at Theatre SKAM tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎵 Singer-Songwriter Showcase No.14: Hear music from local up-and-coming artists at The Coda tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎃 God is a Scottish Drag Queen: Halloween Spooktacular: See this seasonal special packed with sass, satire, and supernatural wit at the McPherson Playhouse tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎸 The Zolas: The Vancouver band will bring its indie-rock sound to the Capital Ballroom tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]

🍎 Orchard Market: Shop local makers and enjoy good food, cider, and music at Junction Cidery. Sunday. 12-6pm. [Info]

🎶 Victoria Folk Music Society Weekly Gathering: Join the open jam at 6:45pm or catch a set by Toni Vere and Carla Olive at 9pm at Friendship Hall. Sunday. [Info]

😂 Maria Bamford: The comedic legend will bring her unique standup to the McPherson Playhouse. Oct. 16. [Info] 

Wednesday’s headlines: Vic city council to consider opening daytime shelter; Tips for fire prevention week; European wall lizards may now number 1M in BC. [Oct. 7] 

Election coverage: CHEK-TV to broadcast provincial leaders’ debate on Oct. 14. 

BC Conservatives only party to field a full slate of 93 candidates for Oct. 24 provincial election. [Times Colonist]

See your book in the library: GVPL is now accepting applications for the 2027 Emerging Local Authors Collection. Apply before Jan. 17.

Royal Victoria Marathon events are this weekend. [Registration]

Fall Indoor Training Camps are open for registration. [HarbourCats] 

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