Oct 7 - The last hot days of the year?

Good morning !

Enjoy it while you can—it’s looking likely that this sunny Saturday may be Greater Victoria’s last day over 20 degrees in 2023. More on that below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 23 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 18 / 11

Day after: 🌧️ 16 / 10

7-day forecast

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Warm weather at least once more, but fall dip coming up

Today’s highs are expected to land among the hottest temperatures on record for an October day in Victoria. But once they dip next week, the next two weeks are projected to mainly hover around the mid-teens, and it’s unlikely they’d surge all the way back up to 20.

This heat is part of a current trend of warmth across Canada, bucking the typical El Niño pattern.

‘23 warm overall, but no longer as dry as ‘22
Assuming today cracks 20 degrees as projected, it will also put 2023 into a tie for the second-most days of 20C+ recorded at the weather station near the airport, per YYJ Weather Records. That station has been tallying local temperatures for over 125 years, with 1958 reigning at 103 days, 1947 at 102, and a gaggle of years from this millennium making up most of the top 10 from there.

The Island has settled into Drought Level 3—the midpoint of the scale—after months in the two highest-risk tiers. That means the uncommon warmth won’t have the risk it had last year, when fires such as Finlayson arm were fuelled by dry conditions while temperatures hit 23C well into mid-month.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Thrifty Foods issues recall on certain Sunrise turkeys, & offers refunds.

Road closures for Royal Victoria Marathon today in Oak Bay and then tomorrow downtown, in James Bay, and in Oak Bay. [Details]

Langford Bikefest seeks volunteers for Oct. 21-22 event.

Pacific FC finishes the regular season in Calgary today, with a last chance to climb back up after a recent drop into 4th place.

NEWS

Youth shelter expands to year-round and unveils mural created by homeless youth

The mural on the wall of the Out of the Rain Youth Shelter, run by Beacon Community Service, is the handiwork of 20 homeless youth over the last year, who painted it as an outlet for expression.

“It can be difficult to, as a group, come together to express ourselves, especially as youth with experience of homelessness,” said Emily Jackson, who helped oversee the project.

“[This mural] is a statement about hope—hope in spite of loss, hope in spite of grief and hardship.”

The painting depicts a sunrise to symbolize hope after a dark night, with trees and a crow in the foreground—symbolism that’s personal to its creators.

The youth were led by Cree/Métis artist Jesse Campbell, who provided art lessons and guidance to help achieve the group’s vision.

The mural unveiling came with the announcement of expanded services at the Out of the Rain Shelter, which will now operate year-round starting Oct. 15, after being an exclusively cold-weather service since 2007.

Shelter expanding to year-round, and soon all-day

The shelter operates 12 hours a day, but Beacon’s CEO Tricia Gueulette says renovations scheduled to take place soon will allow it to stay open 24/7—a change she says could happen as soon as next year.

Victoria Coun. Jeremy Caradonna, who attended the unveiling, says he sees Beacon as an important resource for keeping youth off the streets. He says he hopes to see an expansion in its service, and adds the city's rapid deployment of affordable housing could help add more units to the facility.

“I could see this place being a couple more storeys, therefore helping more unhoused youth,” Caradonna said. “If that’s the way Beacon and BC housing want to go, the city would be open to that conversation.”

By Robyn Bell

NEWS

Where to find Pacific Northwest cuisine in Victoria

What exactly constitutes Pacific Northwest cuisine?

Well, the seafood is a no-brainer. The South Island features some of the best fresh seafood in Canada, from buttered-up Dungeness crabs to tender lingcod and salmon fillets. There’s nothing else quite as satisfying as eating the freshest catch with a dazzling view of water around you.

But the region’s cuisine features lots of what the land has to offer too, from what’s foraged in the lush forests to what’s harvested from the fertile farms.

Here are some of the local restaurants that continuously seek out—and innovate with—the Island’s flavours.

SPONSORED BY BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Make a difference for BC’s kids

Victoria’s cherished holiday event is returning November 16.

Festival of Trees features up to 100 decorated trees on display at the Bay Centre over the holidays. Sponsor a tree in support of cancer research at BC Children’s Hospital. If you're seeking a fun team building event - this is it!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦃 Holiday decor inspiration for your Thanksgiving feast table. [Tasting Victoria]

🏠 CKT is looking for short term host homes to host 15 year old Japanese students from Dec. 1-5 (4 nights - 2 students per family). For more info contact Yuri ASAP. Hosts will be compensated $450. Convenient pick up/drop off locations at Westshore or Vic/Saanich.*

🐦 The beautiful colours & patters of a Northern Flicker right up close. [Photo]

😓 Are you feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Book a free consultation with a Registered Clinical Counsellor at Intertidal Wellness today.*

🤝 Now hiring: Retail Supervisor, Seed & Gift Store at The Butchart Gardens

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Redevelopment of golf course for housing floated
Cedar Hill Golf Course is enjoyed by too few, pays too little in taxes, and uses too many resources, some in the housing and shelter industry say. With Saanich now facing BC’s housing quotas, they argue its municipally owned 53 hectares should be on the table. [CHEK]

North Cowichan split on tax breaks for controversial Christian orgs
Council denied a break to House of Grace, fearing the pregnancy centre may be posing as a medical resource to deter locals from abortion. Camp Qwanoes, which lost its exemption over an anti-gay staff agreement, regained it for one year while council reviews its tax break policy. [The Discourse]

New disaster management legislation in BC
The proposed bill comes as BC wrapped up its worst wildfire season, with 40 structures lost and nearly $1B spent. [CP/CFAX]

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS

The largest celebration of reading and writing

Vancouver Island’s largest, and liveliest, celebration of books and book lovers, Victoria Festival of Authors runs from October 11-15.

With a focus on BC authors, diversity, and Indigenous voices, the festival is bringing together 35 emerging and established writers of poetry and prose for five days of readings and conversation.

For the first time there is sliding scale pricing, with a free option for all virtual events and the five in-person events taking place at Langham Court Theatre. Find out more.

🗓️ Things to do

Thrifty Foods Kids Run: Sat. Oct. 7 in Oak Bay. Sat. 10:15am. Start and finish at Willows Park. Register here.

Undefeated Westshore Rebels end the football regular season by hosting Langley. 4pm Sat. Tickets here:

Apple Harvest Fest: Enjoy fresh apple treats and tea at this autumn celebration at Ross Bay Villa Historic House, starting at 10am.

Help me, I think I'm fallin' in love again. The Belfry's Joni Mitchell musical opens on November 2. Get tickets and learn more.*

Joanne McNally: See the Irish comedian on her Prosecco Express tour at McPherson Playhouse. Show at 7pm.

Artist Studio Open House: Explore the work of 80+ artists under one roof at this massive open house, at 789 Blanshard, starting at 2pm. Read Capital Daily’s profile of the space here.

Final tickets for Art of the Cocktail on Oct 14th at Crystal Garden. Enjoy cocktails, tasty bites, and a shot at winning VFF Opening Gala Tickets!*

Soul Shakers: Groove to these soul, motown, pop dance hits at Hermann’s Upstairs. Show at 8:30pm

*Sponsored Listing

👀 In Case You Missed It

New welcome pole erected at International Marina in Vic West. [Capital Daily]

Victoria needs help with homelessness from feds and province, council says. [Capital Daily]

COVID numbers are up in BC, with hospitalizations rising 58% in just two weeks. [Friday newsletter]

Climate tax-credit cheques are on the way [Details].

When driving in wet fall weather, give yourself more time and distance, DriveBC warns.

That’s it!

Have a happy and safe long weekend! If you found this newsletter interesting or useful, please consider forwarding it to a fellow local.