Dec 9 - More 30km/h streets on way

Good morning !

As the holiday season marches on, some Island skies may be letting it snow today. But in Greater Victoria, where snow is not expected yet, the air will instead be filled with music thanks to numerous holiday concerts.

We’ve rounded up some of those below, but first the latest on Saanich’s pursuit of safer—and slower—streets.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

NEWS

Wheels in motion for 30km/h streets in Saanich

Saanich city council voted Monday to study the effects of reducing driving speed to 30km/h on more than a dozen residential streets. This expands prior moves to drop 9 main roadways’ speeds, mostly to 40km/h.

“We’re taking action to ensure vehicle speeds are conducive to the safe enjoyment of our neighbourhoods,” Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock told Capital Daily.

Like Victoria, Saanich sees the reduction from 50km/h as a safety precaution—the lower the speed, the lower the impact in a collision. A few local municipalities’ road speed pilots have cited research indicating 90% of people survive being hit at 30km/h but below 20% at 50km/h.

Recent years have seen public outcry several times, including this Sept., over pedestrian deaths in crosswalks and on roads.

“Our neighbourhood streets are not thoroughfares for cut-through traffic,” Murdock says. “They are places where kids play street hockey and folks take walks and meet their neighbours.”

The target streets:
Tillicum, Lansdowne Panhandle, Lochside, Tolmie, Brookleigh, Burnside, Tattersall, Carey, Gordon Head, Glanford, Blenkinsop/Maplewood, Cedar Hill, Columbine, and Interurban.

The move follows Victoria, which is converting all “local“ streets—i.e. no centre line and under 1,000 vehicles/day—to 30km/h. The phased efforts have had the the city erecting 30kh/h signs in Hillside-Quadra and Burnside Gorge; Oaklands more recently; and VicWest next year.

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 6 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 9 / 7

Monday: 🌧️ 9 / 4

7-day forecast

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Snow is possible today for Malahat and east & interior of Island. 2-4cm may fall, mainly at high elevations, rising to 5-10cm for inland areas of the Island. Snow expected to become rain by tonight.

Sips & Sounds postponed: Today’s drink-tasting festival at Saanich Fairgrounds bumped to next June, due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Tree removal near Gowlland Point Road and Kloshe Road next week.

NEWS

Deck the concert halls:
Local holiday shows ramp up this weekend

We’ve had (and are still having) holiday parades and light shows, we’ve had (and are still having) holiday markets, but now ‘tis the season for holiday concerts to get their turn.

A few reliable seasonal music events have already arrived (City Hall carolling, the Jon and Roy Holiday Special, Jingle Brass), but there are plenty more to see and hear.

Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular
In its 15th season, this annual singing and dancing extravaganza at McPherson Playhouse has become a tradition for many. Today 2pm and 7pm, tomorrow 2pm. 

Jens Lindemann Christmas Pops
Victoria Symphony and Canadian trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann brings Christmas Pops—another local December mainstay—to brassy new heights at Royal Theatre. Today 7:30pm, tomorrow 2pm.

The Season is “Round Again”
South Island Harmony A Cappella Chorus presents this afternoon of music featuring Trounce Alley Quartet, Lady and The Tramps, and UVic Brass. Today at the Mary Winspear. 2pm.

A Celtic Christmas
Then tomorrow at the Mary Winspear, the Wavelengths Community Choir sings traditional Yuletide music at 2pm.

45th annual Tuba Christmas
The sound of the season: tuba! 100+ of the region’s players will flock to Market Square today (1-3pm) for the long-running tradition.

Winter Serenata
Today’s free afternoon of music from the Victoria Conservatory of Music features its voice students singing contemporary popular music for the first half and classical for the second half. 1-5pm.

Greater Victoria Concert Band
The GVCB is at Tillicum tomorrow (2-4pm), then doing a charity concert and a Parliament performance a week from now.

Plus, a holiday play:
A Christmas Carol, In Gay Apparel
Eleanor S. Crooge is the focus of this comedic parody of the Dickens classic holiday tale. Today at The Metro at 2:30pm and 7:30pm.

There are more Christmas and winter concerts coming up in the next week; sign up for the This Week in Vic event newsletter to get them all at once on Tuesday.

SPONSORED BY BOLEN BOOKS

Books (and more!) for everyone on your list

Need help finding the perfect gift? From bestsellers to hidden gems, Bolen Books is your one-stop destination for everyone on your list. Whether it’s the latest award winning novel, a kids’ picture book, or a collection of poetry, their friendly staff are ready to help you discover the perfect fit for all readers. And for those who aren’t avid readers, Bolen Books has the best selection of puzzles, games and stocking stuffers! You can feel good about your holiday shopping this year because when you shop at Bolen Books, you're not only getting great stuff; you're also supporting a locally owned, women-run business.

Don’t have time to make it to the store? Shop online, anytime!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🎙️ New track from Victoria singer Bella White, who was just featured on the new Hunger Games soundtrack. [Music video]

🌹 Trying to cozy up this winter? Tasting Victoria collected readers’ votes for the best first date restaurants in town.

🤝 Now hiring: Corporate Controller - Hospitality at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

🗞️ In Other News

Coastal Renaissance ferry will return in March
Out since August, its return was recently delayed. BC Ferries said Friday that the Coastal Inspiration will take Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen as of Jan. 3 and there will be no sailing capacity loss.

Credits roll on South Island’s film commissioner
Kathleen Gilbert is retiring after shepherding the local screen industry for almost 14 years. [VISF&MC]
She spoke to Capital Daily a year ago about the exponential growth she’s seen here over that span.

Royals on win streak, taking 4th in a row
Victoria’s hockey team is firmly 2nd in the WHL’s BC division, but can pull up right behind the 1st-place Prince George Cougars by beating them again tonight after winning on Friday.

SPONSORED BY OXIO

4.3 stars on Google

Canadians have spoken and oxio is one of Canada’s most loved ISPs. With reliable service, fair pricing, and a referral program where you can give and get free internet, it’s no wonder Canadians choose the service that loves them back.

Check out oxio with code CAPITALDAILY for first month free.

🗓️ Things to do

🚒 Another parade today! Sooke Santa Run. Start: Fire Hall No. 1. End: Evergreen Mall. 5-6pm.

🖼️ Small Works Exhibition and Sale: Check out local art, merch, and drinks at 750 Fairfield. Today 2-8pm, tomorrow noon-4pm.  

🥫 Food bank fundraiser: The annual White Wolf Homes Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank Fundraiser is on Saturday at Harbour City Kitchens.

🎧 Yo Ho Ho 2023! Thirrrsty Barrr’s fundraiser at Hermann’s Upstairs on Saturday night.

🖼️ In The Flesh at AGGV: This exhibition opening today brings together more than 100 works of art with the focus of the nude as a subject for artistic expression. 

🛍️ The Odd Fellows Winter Market: Check out vendors at this market at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Victoria Lodge #1. Entry is by donation and proceeds will go to Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Today. 11am-6pm. 

🎻 Harry Manx and Mark Ferris: The Victoria Conservatory of Music brings the blues artist and Vancouver Opera violinist together to play songs from their new recording at Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Today. 8pm.

🎧 Neon Steve & Friends: A night of house music at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. Doors 9pm, show 9:30pm. 

🪄 Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders: The world-class illusionist will take the stage at The Farquhar at UVic to perform some impossible magic. Today. 7pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Hiker’s body found after a year missing: Melissa McDevitt’s father spoke to Capital Daily about the closure the family is finally and unexpectedly getting.

Gingerbread castle built by an Island LEGO master. [Flickr]

Beware traffic ticket email scam, Central Saanich police warn.

That’s it!

Please consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Islander who might value it.