Fri. June 23 - Two Victoria women heading to Softball City

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

We welcome a new team member aboard this week: Mark Brennae has joined as our newsletter editor, so if you see some random editing and seemingly non-sequitur references to the Montreal Expos, you'll know he's on the desk.

Mark has lived in Victoria for 11 years, following lifetimes in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. He’s a big baseball fan and tries to relive his glory years on the softball diamond—tries, that is.

Any tips or comments—heck, even if you just want to talk baseball—you can touch base with Mark via [email protected].

Our top story today had his interest because it’s about softball stars here in Victoria. According to Softball British Columbia, some 16,000 people play softball in this province.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, light wind in afternoon. High 24C / low 12C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (3/10), possible light smoke over the South Island

SPORTS

Two Victoria softballers to represent Canada at championship

Emma Entzminger and Ruby Anderson will join Team Canada at the upcoming 2023 Canada Cup Women’s International Softball Championship. The Canada Cup, now entering its 30th year, is one of the biggest international tournaments for softball players.

Entzminger, 27, is no stranger to representing Canada on the world stage, having first joined the national junior team in 2013, and eventually becoming the youngest member of the senior team in 2015. She helped her club take home silver at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru before competing in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where she helped Canada secure a bronze medal with a key hit in the final game.

Anderson, while only 18, already has amassed some buzz around her exceptional pitching skills, taking part in the Tokyo Olympics celebration tour after the bronze win. She helped the Langford Lightning U-17s win the 2022 U-17 National Championship in Montreal, where she threw three no-hitters and was named tournament MVP.

The tournament will take place at Softball City in Surrey, July 7-16.  

Capital Bulletin

☕ Guido’s Caffe closing today: The cafe has been at its location on Grenville for six years.

🏆 Victoria tour org wins international award: Destination Greater Victoria is being recognized for its sustainable tourism.

⚠️ Toy recall: Health Canada has recalled the Zuru Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Toy, due to a laceration hazard.

🚢 CAF exercise departs from Colwood Jetty: Exercise TRIDENT FURY will involve 1,000 military personnel taking part in tactical warfare training and seamanship.

NEWS

Get to know who’s running in tomorrow’s Langford-Juan de Fuca byelection

Voters in the Westshore are encouraged to head to the polls tomorrow for one of two provincial byelections slated to find replacements for retiring senior politicos.

Votes will be held in the sprawling Victoria-area riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca and the urban constituency of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.

The NDP is expected to hold onto each riding, where replacements will be found for former premier John Horgan and former cabinet minister Melanie Mark, respectively.

The NDP has held Langford-Juan de Fuca since 2005 and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant since 2016.

Premier David Eby—whose New Democrats have 55 of the legislature’s 87 seats—called the byelections last month. The BC United party (formerly the Liberals) has 27 seats; Greens: 2; there is one Independent, and the two vacancies.

It’s always good to get to know a little bit about who’s looking for your vote.

So, The Westshore sat down with the candidates for a little Q&A.

NEWS

Victorians weigh in on removal of Centennial Square fountain

Yesterday’s news about proposed changes to Centennial Square’s design has received some heat from locals—particularly over the announcement that the fountain will be replaced with a splash pad.

We asked Capital Daily readers to share their thoughts on this—63% of respondents said they wanted the fountain to stay, citing its historical significance and notoriety of the artist, Jack Wilkinson.

Should the Centennial Square fountain be replaced?

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, I like the idea of the splash pad (16%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, but it should be replaced with something else (11%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 No, keep the fountain (63%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I don't care, either way (10%)

“There should be more education on artists of Victoria to the general public to open their eyes to historical moments and creations of that time period,” one reader wrote.

“Commemorative gifts should not be replaced,” wrote another, pointing to the fact the fountain was gifted to the city by neighbouring municipalities. “[The] Centennial was and still is important!”

Others were on board with the splash pad, with 16% voting favourably with the hope that it draws young families and tourists to the area.

“They are interactive,” wrote a reader. “Children have a great time running through the water jets—the fountain is a static experience.”

“Great for kids and as a cooling station,” another reader observed.

One reader pointed out that when the splash pad is turned off, the space could be used for other events.

But another 11% of voters felt that while the fountain could go, the splash pad was not the right idea, as most families with young children don’t live near the area or may feel less safe downtown.

“It will end up being abused or underused,” wrote a reader.

Some were concerned about water waste, pointing out the fountain and the splash pad aren’t desirable for conservation. They suggested alternative plans, such as community BBQs for people to have gatherings, a bandstand for events, a drought-resistant or native plant garden, and a local art display.

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Capital Picks

😂 Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny: The British comedian will perform his new show tonight at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 7:30pm.

🎙️ Malika Tirolien at Hermann’s Upstairs: As part of the TD Victoria International JazzFest, the Montreal-based Guadeloupean vocalist and musician will perform tonight, 8pm. [Tickets]

🎷 Malleus Trio at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The Vancouver-based instrumental band featuring drummer Ben Browns, saxophonist Dominic Conway, and bassist Geordie Hart will perform during JazzFest tonight, 7pm.

🎭 Blue Bridge Theatre presents The Guardsman by Ferenc Molnar (adapted by Bonnie Monte). A classic farce about the perils, and joys, of infidelity! Jul. 4-16, 2023 | The Roxy Theatre | 250-382-3370*

🎙️ Molly Johnson at McPherson Playhouse: The Juno winning jazz, funk, and soul vocalist will perform for JazzFest tonight, 7:30pm.

🎤 Congo Natty at Victoria Curling Club: As a part of Ska Fest today, Congo Natty will perform alongside Stickybuds and Jennay Badger. [Details]

🎧 Chali 2na at Ship Point Harbour: Chali 2na will be joined by The House of Vibes, The Aggrolites, Los Furios, and Tank Gyal for Ska Fest today. [Details]

😂 John Cullen at The Wicket Hall: The comedian will be joined by Carilynn Nicholson, Dylan Williams, and Syd Bosel for a night full of laughs tonight, 6:30pm.

🤝 Now hiring: Dental Reception/Front Desk Administrator/Patient Care Coordinator at Oaklands Dental.

🏠 CKT is looking for host homes to host Japanese students from Aug. 2-14 (12 nights). If you're interested in hosting (2 students per family), contact Yuri at [email protected] ASAP. Hosts will be compensated $1350. Seniors, single families with/without kids are welcome.*

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In Other News

🌊 Tsawout First Nation signs marine-protected area declaration
The QEN’T Marine Protected Area declaration gives Tsawout increased leadership in marine ecosystem preservation over a 155-square-km area east of the Saanich Peninsula. Tsawout leaders hope the declaration will encourage other First Nations to do the same. [CHEK]

🚨 Two dead after plane crash near Tofino
Two others were rescued by a helicopter Tuesday after a Quest Kodiak 100 amphibious float-equipped aircraft crashed in Tahsis Inlet. The privately owned plane was travelling from Masset in Haida Gwaii to Tofino. [CBC]

📱 Saanich man swindled $200K on dating apps, police claim
The man was arrested on 16 charges, including fraud over $5K and false pretense, for a romance scam against dozens of people beginning in 2019. The scam is alleged to have involved asking for financial assistance from people after connecting with them on dating apps.

🏥 Mental health services increasing for refugees, immigrants on the Island
BC will give $375K over three years to the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees for child and youth counselling services. The funding aims to increase access to mental-health supports.

In Case You Missed It

📰 Thursday’s newsletter: New plans for Centennial Square, petition in support of off-leash dog parks grows, “BC Hydro” scam leads to Oak Bay resident losing $8K, and more. [June 22]

🚲 New connecting path in Saanich: The pedestrian and cycling path connects Tolmie Park to Swan Lake and the Lochside Trail.

🏠 Want to age in place? Next Day Access delivers and installs mobility and accessibility products right to your home. Schedule your free in-home assessment today!*

🎸 Victoria band performs free concert at Ska Fest: Apex Breaks performed at Ship Point Harbour Thursday at North America’s longest running ska festival. [Capital Daily]

*Sponsored Listing