Dec 1 - Langford hosting Sinclair's second-last Canadian game

Good morning !

More sports to lead off with today, as another big game hits the Island. Yesterday, we highlighted the city’s hello to regular-season CFL action. Today it’s the city’s adieu to Canada’s greatest soccer player.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌨️ 7 / 6

Tomorrow: ☁️ 9 / 6

Sunday: 🌧️ 11 / 6

7-day forecast

NEWS

Starlight swan song: Christine Sinclair begins her goodbye here

Today, the most successful international soccer player in history comes to town. No, not Ronaldo, who has barely 200 senior national team appearances (a.k.a. caps), or Messi, who has “just” 106 goals.

It’s Burnaby’s own Christine Sinclair, 40, whose 190 goals and 327 caps make her not only the most decorated Canadian international player, but the most decorated anywhere.

Possibly a more impressive number: how many young Canadians Sinclair has inspired to take up the beautiful game. She led the team to bronze in a 2012 Olympic run that galvanized the nation, and capped things off with gold in 2021.

She’s ending that international career (before wrapping one more pro season in Portland) in a two-game exhibition series vs. fellow powerhouse Australia. They’ve renamed BC Place as Christine Sinclair Place for Vancouver’s Tuesday match, but first she visits us at sold-out Starlight Stadium in Langford.

Langford is using the occasion to help out the Goldstream Food Bank: the city’s charity auction for a catered VIP box at the game reached $3,500.

Today’s 7:30pm match will be our region’s second international soccer match in as many years with these gold medalist Canada women—but its last featuring that team’s, and soccer’s, greatest international star.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

 9-8-8 suicide crisis hotline launches across Canada.

Holiday CounterAttack road checks begin to deter impaired driving during month-long ICBC-police campaign.  

Missing person: Timothy Keeling, 38, was last seen downtown on Nov. 26. His vehicle has been located on Beach Dr. [Details]

EVENTS

11 community events happening in Victoria this holiday season

Enjoy turkey dinner with a side of community this month—and maybe afterward, some lovely cookies as shown above.

While the holiday season can be an exciting time of year, it can also be a financially stressful time of year and for those who do not have loved ones nearby, it also can be a lonely time. Luckily, there are a series of community events leading up to Christmas that can offer a sense of connection and celebration.

From pancake breakfasts and holiday lunches to a Christmas Day dinner, we have compiled a list of free and low-cost community celebrations scheduled for this month.

Read Sarah Madsen’s article about this in Tasting Victoria here, and tell me if your mouth’s not watering!

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⭐️ Capital Picks

⛸️ Winter recreation information is now live. General registration opens Dec. 4. Skating registration opens Dec. 11.

🌎 Make an impact in your career! Continuing Studies at UVic offers micro-credential, diploma, and certificate programs. Continue your professional development.*

🐚 New BC funding for beach cleanups—part of a $25M provincial investment into shoreline cleanup and derelict vessel removal projects.

🔖 Add to Cart: Get $20-$50 in Gift Card savings from the Bay Centre. While quantities last. Buy yours today!*

🎄 Lights of Wonder: Victoria’s largest, free outdoor light display. Tornight-New Year’s Eve.

🤝 Now hiring: Manager of Donor Relations at Victoria Conservatory of Music.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Sidney Island deer cull slated to begin today
The Parks Canada operation involves shooting and killing fallow deer on the island off Sidney’s coast, where the animal was introduced more than a century ago. Both the feds and First Nations say the deer are eating all the medicinal plants and ferns used for cooking salmon. [CHEK]

UVic housing development is officially complete
The new residence building has opened a year ahead of schedule, providing 385 new rooms. Combined with last year’s completed building, 621 total new units have been added, a 25% increase to overall on-campus housing.

Missing woman found after two cold days in woods near Nanaimo  
The 21-year-old was with a man when on Tue. they wandered off from others on a day trip. The man was found Wednesday night, but it took searchers with a chopper to find the woman who was “very cold”, yesterday afternoon. [CTV]

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🗓️ Things to do

🩰 Ukrainian Shumka Nutcracker: This twist on the classic holiday ballet will include both Ukrainian folk dancing and ballet. Royal Theatre. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎹 Ashley Wey shows the way: The pianist will be joined tonight by her trio and quartet to perform original compositions and classic tunes. 7pm. Doors 5:30pm. [Info]

👠 HOMO: A queer cabaret: This camp cabaret features a lineup of drag and queer performers. Metro Studio. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎄 The Spirit of Christmas: The Peninsula Singers will perform festive holiday tunes in support of Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Mary Winspear Centre. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎧 Funk the Halls: The Funk Hunters will perform alongside JackLNDN and Mews at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 9pm. [Tickets]

💃 Fire and Ice: This two-stage dance show will feature a stacked lineup of DJs. Hermann’s Upstairs. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

BC Lions to play in Victoria: The Lions will play the Ottawa Redblacks in a regular-season CFL game on Aug. 31. [Capital Daily] 

Ancient tree will be protected: The Western red cedar “Knight Tree” was recently discovered in the Caycuse Valley. [The Westshore] 

Thursday’s headlines: Victoria couple wins $5M in lotto; BC Ferries’ Coastal Renaissance will not be ready for Christmas; man dressed as Santa arrested, and more. [Nov. 30] 

Blue-green algae blooms at Beaver, Durrance, Elk, and Thetis lakes.

Out of Gaza: A Victoria woman’s parents have escaped to Egypt. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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