Good morning {{First name}}!

Day 1 of significant job action by BC Transit drivers resulted in a bunch of delayed and cancelled buses in Greater Victoria. The union representing drivers and mechanics says it’s trying to steer sidelined discussions back to the bargaining table, so it has cut overtime.
If you plan to take the bus today, it's best to check ahead to make sure your ride is still running.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 17 / 12

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 18 / 11

Friday: 🌤️ 19 / 11

7-day forecast

After a summertime cleaning, the large organ at Christ Church Cathedral is active and ready to roar.  

The organ’s 4K pipes were recently cleaned and regulated, and its mechanical and electrical components were carefully restored, the church said. 

“This will ensure that the organ can continue to sing for years to come,” it said.

The Quadra Street church’s four-manual, 67-stop mechanical action organ is widely regarded as one of the largest and finest instruments of its kind in North America. 

It was built in 2005 in Quebec and is considered the cathedral’s backbone of musical and liturgical life. It’s also the primary teaching instrument for UVic’s organ program, as well as the Victoria Organ Studio, and has been used to teach students of all ages from around the world.

The restorative work was paid for by generous donations from the public.

To celebrate the organ’s return, Christ Church Cathedral has put together a series of events and concerts this month and next, including a Labour Day concert featuring the Choir of Merton College, Oxford.

The organ will be rededicated on the first weekend in October, which will be a busy one at the church:

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: Hastings between Delmar and Rosedale today and tomorrow, 8am-3pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life.

A day after Baggins Shoes announced it would cease operations after 57 years, two more Victoria businesses are calling it quits.

Thunderbird Chicken, a popular Korean fried chicken restaurant in Cook Street Village, announced yesterday that it plans to close up shop at the end of the month. 

"Running a small restaurant for many years was not always easy, but we were very fortunate to receive so much help and support along the way," the Thunderbird team said in a social media post. 

"It meant a lot to us to see first-time customers become regulars and continue visiting us over the years."

The restaurant will be closed every Monday this month and is expected to shutter for good on Sept. 27. Thunderbird's operators said this date could change—if it does, they’ll share an update online. 

A five-minute drive away, another local business is saying goodbye. My Mothers Eye, a quirky vintage store on Lillian, near Hollywood Park, will be closing in the coming weeks, according to its owner, Shannon Ferguson.

"It’s with a very heavy heart, an extremely tired brain, and a very empty bank account that I have made the decision to close the shop," wrote Ferguson in a social media post. 

"I will be open for the next month or so, selling everything for a large discount to help pay the debt that has accrued in my life since breast cancer."

Ferguson opened My Mothers Eye in 2023 and was diagnosed with breast cancer six months later, according to a report from Black Press.

Ferguson said that the effort to keep the store open "has depleted [her]." 

She thanked the customers who visited her store and appreciated the in-person charm she sought to create in a "world of Amazon packages and Costcos."

"This city and all of its beauty deserve better—and now it’s up to you, stronger, healthier, younger ones, to bring the magic back," Ferguson wrote. "I love Victoria, but man, you have broken my heart."

🍔 Randy's Cheeseburger Picnic is tonight at Capital Ballroom. [Info]

🎭 Victoria Fringe Festival continues across the city.

🎡 Saanich Fair returns this weekend. [Info]

🚀 Go! This is your opportunity. Build skills and get ahead in your career with Continuing Studies at UVic.*

🚍 Are your kids 12 and under BusReady?

Defence leaders meet in Victoria, amid stormy Canada-US seas
Senior military leaders from 29 Pacific-region countries, including China, are meeting at the Victoria Conference Centre. On Day 1 of the meetings, Defence Minister David McGuinty was asked what he thought of US Defence Sec. Pete Hegseth’s social media post that appears to body-shame a Canadian cadet. McGuinty said the post was "below the dignity of the office [Hegseth] holds" and that Canadians can recognize the "performative nature” of the current US leadership. [CTV]

17 unions to BC Ferries: ‘Build new ships in Canada’
On Monday, a coalition of trade unions launched a campaign called "Build Them Here" in response to the ferry company looking to Asia. Last year, BC Ferries awarded a contract to a Chinese company to build four new ships. A report commissioned by Seaspan, the BC-based shipyard that did not make a bid, suggests thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic spinoff would be possible if ferries were built in BC. The report said the Asian approach may be cheaper, but it doesn’t bring the economic spinoff from building boats here. [CHEK]

Sooke cafe apologizes after performer repeatedly uses racial slur
Cafe Vosino and Sooke Radio issued apologies after performer B$MITH (Bradley Aaron Tejano-Smith) repeatedly used the N-word and misogynistic, violent content during an Aug. 19 concert hosted by the radio station at the cafe. Cafe Vosino admitted it had not properly vetted the performance. Sooke Radio said organizers intervened mid-show, and the artist agreed to stop using offensive language for the remainder of his set. Tejano-Smith later posted an apology on Facebook. [Victoria Buzz]

Enjoying our newsletter? Help us make it even better!

Become an Insider member and help keep local journalism and storytelling alive in the Capital Region.

🧘TFA Fitness: Drop-in fitness classes with The Fitness Academy. Bring your own mat if you can and a reusable water bottle. Ship Point. Today. 12-1pm. Free. [Info] 

🌷🎶 The Butchart Gardens: Outdoor Summer Concerts. Pat Temple and The HiLO Players perform original western swing, rockabilly, and jump today. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🛋️🎵 Furnishing Jazz: John Stowell, Elliot Freedman and Dan Howard perform in a jazz concert series of elegant sounds in elegant surroundings. Proceeds to Victoria’s Women’s Transition House. Luxe Home Interiors. Friday. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎥 Movies Under the Stars: See an outdoor screening of Goat at Starlight Stadium. Proceeds to the South Island Primary Care Society. Friday. 5:30pm. [Info] 

🇬🇷 Greek Fest: The cultural festival returns for a second weekend with great food and live entertainment at the Greek Hellenic Centre. Friday-Sunday. [Info]

⛵ Classic Boat Festival: Celebrate maritime heritage in the Inner Harbour, with classic boats, live music, and snacks. Friday-Sunday. [Info]

📖 The Story of Madrika: A live reading performed by a fully costumed forest nymph, followed by a gentle meet-and-greet with children and families. Indigo Books at Mayfair. Sept. 13. 12-3pm. [Info] 

🦀 Sooke Crabfest 2026: Enjoy delicious Dungeness crab freshly cooked on-site and corn on the cob, a cash bar, a 50/50 draw, and live music. Sooke Region Museum. Sept. 19. 3-6pm. [Info] 

🥻Attic Treasures Vintage Market: A variety of items for sale, including vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories, collectibles, and curiosities. St. Luke's Community Hall. Sept. 19. 9am-4pm. [Info]

Tuesday's headlines: Baggins Shoes closing by year-end; Victoria considers new noise bylaws; BC Transit delays expected as strike escalates. [Sept. 1]

Missing teen: Oak Bay Police are looking for Jahmai (Nathan) Joe, 15, who was last seen Aug. 14. [Black Press]

Victoria rabbi reflects on hearing people out. [Times Colonist]

Pickleball: Saanich to test reservation system at new Cordova Bay courts. [CHEK]

Ice cream for breakfast: 49 Below is fundraising for Victoria Mustard Seed's “Fair Start Fill-a-Backpack” program at its Vic West location today. [9am-12pm]

Dolly Parton Tribute: Nine to Five Sunday at 7:30 at The Vic. 

Want to be mayor or a councillor? Nomination period is now open and closes Sept. 11.

Muji coming to Mayfair Mall: Hiring events happening Sept. 11 and 12. 

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

And before you go, let us know: