Sept 1 - See a 127-year-old boat

Good morning !

The big game has now come and gone, but there's still plenty of long weekend left to enjoy. We have more info below on the CFL's first game in Victoria—and some photos from Mark, who was there–along with other events you can check out this Labour Day.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤 24 / 13

Tomorrow: ⛅ 20 / 13

Day after: ☀️ 22 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

See BC’s oldest boat this weekend

At age 127—a senior citizen nearly twice over—she still manages to get out on the water regularly. She's Dorothy, the oldest active sailboat in BC and possibly in Canada. It was built in 1897, right here in James Bay, for future Legislature clerk William Henry Langley. The boat is now in the collection of the Maritime Museum of BC and just completed a decade-long retrofit.

Dorothy is the headliner this weekend of the Classic Bost Festival happening down in the Inner Harbour. She even got a visit from another senior named Dorothy, a nearly 97-year-old who is a fan of the boat and came up from Minnesota. [Times Colonist]

There are 80+ other boats there also vying for your attention—and in many cases vying against each other to win races.

One such race will happen between 11am and 1am when the current competitive boats face off while many of the classic boats stick to the more reserved sail-past, which will go by Ogden Point Causeway, Clover Point, and Fisherman’s Wharf.

The full event runs 9am to 6pm, and here's what else it includes: 

Get food from the Yacht Dogs Cafe, which is open 9am-6pm with hot dogs, veggie dogs, and corn on the cob.

Hear music from Seeking Sirens (10am-noon) and the Salty Singers (1-3pm).

NEWS

Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean will not run this fall

The two-term incumbent local NDP MLA is withdrawing her candidacy just 50 days before the fall election, she announced on Saturday.

Dean said the decision was one of her most difficult ones because she valued representing the community, but that she “must put my health and the wellbeing of my family first.” She cited “personal challenges of this past year” that have taken a toll on her. Dean was removed from her role as Minister of Children and Family Development after a damning report about the ministry's operations and a high-profile case of an Indigenous child being tormented, and eventually killed, in foster care.

Premier David Eby said in the same release that he “agree[s] with those reasons” why Dean is leaving, and wishes her “the best with the difficult personal work she has ahead.” He said Dean will immediately be on leave from her second-tier ministerial role and won't return during the 3 weeks left in her term. The BC NDP will soon have an update on the riding nomination, he said.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Dangerous driving impound fees go up today across BC. 

UV index 6 (high) today and Humidex 28. Some fog this morning and late tonight.

Missing Port Alberni man found dead, RCMP say, likely after fall down embankment.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Pacific Touchdown touches down in town

Victoria's downtown and North Park were buzzing with people, even by long weekend standards, as the BC Lions hosted their first-ever game on the Island. Some 14,727 fans in Royal Athletic, and others in the nearby watch party event in Central Park, were not let down. The Lions (6-6) reversed their recent losing streak and gave fans a dominant 38-12 win over Ottawa (7-3-2).

Hometown hero

Victoria-born quarterback Nathan Rourke led the way with 3 passing touchdowns and another one rushing. Rourke signed back with the Lions just in time to play in his hometown, returning to the CFL last month after testing the NFL waters the past 2 years.

Several sporting successes

Victoria already hosted Hockey Day in Canada at the start of the year, and Langford hosted the national-team women's soccer team last Dec. for Christine Sinclair's farewell tour. In 2021, Save-on-Foods arena hosted a pre-Olympic men's basketball qualifying tournament.

More to come in 2026?

The CFL's commissioner told CHEK yesterday that there has been “a casual conversation, which will intensify in the days to follow” about returning to Victoria when Vancouver helps to host the World Cup in 2026.

Opportunity cost

Not everybody was completely happy with Victoria hosting the CFL, though—the HarbourCats had to go make Nanaimo their home field for the playoffs (they lost in the first round). Langford had been in talks to bring the Lions game to Starlight Stadium, but that bid fell short right before reaching the endzone.

Watch the game recap below:

SPONSORED BY TALL TREE HEALTH

Is this the key to longevity? 

What if you could take steps today to understand your risks and prevent disease before it starts? 

Tall Tree’s longevity program is designed to help you live a longer, healthier life. With a team of medical and behavioural experts, aggressive evidence-based metrics including a blood panel, DNA testing, VO2 max testing, and cancer and cardiovascular screening, this is not conventional healthcare. This is a totally different approach designed to move your health from normal to optimal. 

Do you want to live longer and healthier? Get started with Tall Tree Health.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐸 A frog on a flower in North Qualicum and a big bluish bullfrog in Sproat River.

🌌 We were spoiled by aurora appearances this summer. [James MacDonald photos]

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

🍦 Try some local craft ice cream before the summer ends. [Link]

🩰 Early Bird tickets for Dance Victoria's special presentation of Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker are now on sale! Save up to 15% (valid until Sept. 16).*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Award-winning Nanaimo McDonald's manager recalls serving burgers in war
Arnold Roxas was just named one of the best Canadian managers of the massive fast food company he has been with for 20+ years. That career includes time in Kuwait amid the US invasion of Iraq, watching missiles flying overhead and tanks come to his drive-thru window. [Nanaimo News Now]

Parksville swimmer wins Paralympic silver
Nicholas Bennett, 20, took second with a personal-best time in the 200m freestyle. He won gold in that event at last year's world championships, but this time his opponent set a world record. Bennett, who is autistic, competes in the S14 impairment category and is coached by his sister. [CP / Yahoo]

Pacific FC knocked out of Canadian Championship by Whitecaps
Last week the local pro soccer team ended its national inter-league run in the semifinals, and also lost 0-2 to rival Forge FC in league play.  [TSN]

🗓️ Things to do

 🎸 Boy & Bear: See the indie favourites perform at Capital Ballroom. Today. 8pm [Info]

😆 Horseface: This funny Fringe show delves into the inner world of a woman dealing with unruly men at SKAM Satellite Studio. Today, 6:45pm. [Info]

🎡 Saanich Fair: Ring in the fall season with this annual fair, featuring rides, games, a farmers market, animals, and more. Today and tomorrow. [Info]

⛵ Classic Boat Festival: See these classic boats gathered in the Inner Harbour and check out boat racing all weekend. [Info]

🏡 Helmcken House: Summer open hours for RBCM's historic house end on Monday. [12-2pm]

👀 In Case You Missed It

2 dead, 2 in hospital after Metchosin beach tragedy. [RCMP]

Yesterday was Int'l Overdose Awareness Day and several events marked the occasion. [Aug 31 newsletter]

Correction: Yesterday we listed, among several IOAD events, one at First Met. It has been held there in past years, but not in 2024. We regret the error, and any inconvenience caused.

2 of Victoria's oldest craft breweries are closing. [Tasting Victoria]

Canada’s 2023 wildfires were a top global carbon emitter. [Aug 30 newsletter]

After a month's hiatus, Bao Victoria is back in business. [Tasting Victoria]

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: