July 31 - Deadline looms for sheltering unhoused

Good morning !

That was a real treat. Watching Canada battle so hard and punch above its weight was a joy to watch.

Everyone in Langford associated with the women’s rugby sevens and their training program on the Westshore should be proud of a job well done.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 20 / 14

Tomorrow: ☀️ 26 / 14

Friday: ☀️ 26 / 15

7-day forecast

NEWS

Advocates and council face off on park sheltering deadline

A day before tomorrow’s deadline for banning overnight sheltering in Victoria's Vic West and Irving parks, the ongoing conflict between housing advocates and city officials appears to have intensified.

Advocates, including Nikki Ottosen of the charitable group the Backpack Project, argue that the city is violating human rights, and they say they’re considering legal action.

A council motion brought last Thu., limits temporary shelter spaces in any one neighborhood to 40 and mandates that new social-service centres adhere to strict conditions, such as not being within 100 metres of another shelter and that they maintain high standards of upkeep.

But residents don’t see that as good enough. Councillors Chris Coleman and Krista Loughton say they’ve faced backlash from residents opposed to the rezoning amendment and social services hubs like the one proposed for 2155 Dowler Place in North Park.

What we have now is a bit of a standoff between the rights of residents and those of the unhoused. 

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

BC Lions announce Inner Harbour festival for two days before Aug. 31 CFL game at RAP. [Info]

Air quality: Low-risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Langford-based Canadian women’s sevens stun rugby world with ‘golden’ silver

They held their own against the finest and, even in defeat, gave Canada its best-ever finish in their sport.

The Canadian women’s rugby sevens squad, whose members live in Greater Victoria full- or part-time, dropped a compelling, hard-fought 19-12 decision to a star-studded New Zealand team that was perfect in Paris and fully deserving of its successful defence of Olympic gold.

But if the Kiwis were consummate, the Canadians were captivating.

The fifth-ranked Canucks spoiled the French party by knocking off the hosts in Monday’s quarterfinals and then astonished the Australians—and the rugby world—by dumping the Aussies 21-12 yesterday in a come-from-behind upset in front of 70K+ at Stade de France.

“It’s hard to describe,” Canada’s Piper Logan told the National Post following a semifinal win that propelled Les Rouges into yesterday’s final.

At the risk of chipping in from the peanut gallery, we’d say it’s fair to describe Canada’s silver medal as a golden moment. Never had Canada veered within the exclusive lanes occupied by the Aussies and New Zealanders. Not at this level. 

Up against the reigning champions and overwhelming favourites—the Black Ferns put up 55 points against China and hung a 38-spot on Fiji—Canada led 12-7 at the half courtesy of tries from Chloe Daniels and Alysha Corrigan. 

But New Zealand tallied twice in the second half and kept Canada off the board to secure the Kiwis their third women’s rugby sevens Olympic medal, a streak that began with silver in 2016 at Rio when Australia took the top podium.

Those Aussies fell to the USA in the bronze-medal game, allowing the US to join Canada in taking its first medal in this discipline.

Hats off to Captain Olivia Apps—who just weeks ago, sustained a cougar bite while hiking in Strathcona Provincial Park—and the rest of Les Rouges.

From the peanut gallery, yesterday’s silver sure tastes a lot like gold. 

SPONSORED BY GARDEN CITY ELECTRONIC MUSIC SOCIETY

Wonderment Festival (9th edition) this weekend

Wonderment returns with free live performances of ambient and electronic music over the BC Day weekend.

Friday at VEC (1415 Broad Street) features a stacked lineup of Victoria live acts, including Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness, No Way Back (Koosh, Danuel Tate & The Mole), and Hot Sleepers (efemme & Hrdvsion).

Saturday at the Johnson St. Bridge features 2022 Juno Award Winner Tor and Berlin’s Thomas Melchior, followed by Montreal’s Softcoresoft at VEC.

Sunday settles into Wonderment ambient programming including Daega Sound offshoot Ghost Orchid at the Cameron Bandshell followed by Manchester UK’s Synkro at VEC.

Monday features an afternoon chillout session with Adham Shaikh and UK Ninja Tune artist Mixmaster Morris (3-hour set!) at Banfield Park in Vic West.

Full details and tickets here.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏅 Follow your 🍁 athletes at the Summer Olympics. [Paris 2024]

🎹 The painted pianos of Oak Bay. [CHEK video]

🥾 Explore a new path to health and wellness, Tall Tree Health pairs time in nature with counselling to deepen opportunities for learning and growth.*

⚾ HarbourCats’ 5-3 victory over visiting Edmonton is win No. 7 straight for ‘Cats.

🅿️ Find parkade spots in real-time with Victoria's parking tracker. 

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Sooke wildfire no longer classified ‘out of control’
BC Wildfire Service downgraded the Old Man Lake Wildfire to “being held” on Tue. morning; it remains at 230ha. The District of Sooke said Monday that many resources would be returning to normal after being marshalled from the Emergency Operations Centre. 

BC’s toxic drug death numbers fall, but 6 die of drug poisoning each day
The overall death rate from drugs is the lowest it has been in four years, according to the BC Coroners Service, which said the number of people who died from toxic drugs in the first half of the year is down from last year. Dr. Paxton Bach, co-medical director for the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, said while that’s good news, it’s still not acceptable that six people die from bad drugs every day. “So this is not cause for celebration,” he said. [Times Colonist]

Westshore distracted driving ticket-palooza an ‘unfortunate success’
Even though there were police cars, signs for drivers to see, and advance warnings through the media, West Shore RCMP still had to hand out 30 violation tickets and 18 written warnings for people who just can’t put their phones down. Police said they are disappointed with the number of drivers nabbed in last Thu.’s 3.5-hour crackdown. [West Shore RCMP]

Mission accomplished: Vic Hospitals Foundation surpasses $11M target
The goal was to raise enough money to upgrade three MRIs—one for the Jube and two for Vic General—and to replace one CT machine, among other medical apparatuses. The foundation said the generosity of 5,900 donors means the equipment—some of which is 13-22 years old—will be upgraded or replaced. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

🎶 Pacific Opera Victoria: A Summer Festival of Music. For five days, Pacific Opera singers will be in parks and surprise public spaces with concerts and free pop-up opera events. Aug. 1-5. Various venues. [Info]

🎞️🦈 You’re gonna need a bigger boat: Jaws at Cinecenta: As the Spielberg classic approaches its 50th birthday, catch one of two showings at UVic’s theatre. Today. 5pm. & 7:15pm. [Info]

🎸Music in the Square: Eventide in Centennial presents Iranian-Vancouverite band Gadfly and Seattle's Black Ends, with locals Dastard and Bong Witch. Centennial Square. Today. 6-10pm. [Info]

💃 Viva! Latin Fest. A Latin-American cultural event that features live music, dance, food, cultural activities, and more. Centennial Square. Sat-Sun. [Info]

🎥 Thelma: Revenge has never been sweeter. Internet scams are running rampant in the age of social media, but this time, they’ve picked the wrong grandma to mess with. Vic Theatre. Today. 5:10pm. [Info] 

🍎 Oaklands Sunset Market. 50+ unique local food, craft, and artisan vendors each week. Food trucks. Music. Beer. Oaklands Community Centre. Today. 4:30-8pm. [Info] 

🏞️ More fun in Beacon Hill Park. Peter Puffin's Whale Tales. Interactive family music in the Cameron Bandshell. Today. 11am-noon. [Info] 

📖 Summer Stories in the Park: Listen to children’s stories from BC authors followed by an activity at Saxe Point Park. Tomorrow. 10-11:30am. [Info]

🎤 Anne Martina. Catch this pop performance as part of the Fort Common Music Series at 1017 Blanshard. Tomorrow. 12-1pm. [Info]  

🤣 Fernwood Comedy Night: A night of laughs featuring local stand-up comics and improvisers. Fernwood Inn. Tonight. 8-10pm. [Info]

😂 More comedy: OK Dope and Foxy Box Girls Night: An evening of stand-up comedy featuring some of BC’s best female comedians. The Mint. Tomorrow. Doors at 7pm Show at 8pm. [Info]

💃 Frantic: Experience a night of drag, burlesque, and comedy hosted by Emily Woods at the Victoria Event Centre. Tonight. 8-10pm. [Info] 

🎶 Beach tunes: Head to Willows Beach for the Oak Bay Summer Concerts in the Park series featuring Elise Boulanger and opening act Kele Fleming. Tomorrow. 6-8pm [Info]

🎶 Pallmer with Charis Tazumi: Chamber-pop project Pallmer will perform with local singer-songwriter Charis Tazumi at Caffe Fantastico. Tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎙️Whistler’s Ryan Harris: Catch the indie-folk musician at Victoria Event Centre. Tomorrow. 8-10:30pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Rapid bus lanes to line TCH drive to Westshore; Canada’s women’s rugby sevens surprise in Paris; Keating overpass project hits halfway point; And more.  [July 30]

Not so united: BC United loses third MLA to Conservatives. [CP / Vancouver Sun]

Comox woman’s Jasper family home burned to the ground. [CHEK]

Safety board ready to release report on crippled Zim Kingston. [Times Colonist]

Esquimalt Lantern Fest seeks volunteers to help make & repair lanterns this Sat. [Info]

Hazy skies captured in photos by Colin Smith and James MacDonald.

That’s it!

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