Sept 23 - Significant fall storm" arriving

Good morning !

Just in time for the the “official” (solstice-based) end of summer and start of fall, it’s expected to rain for a week straight in Greater Victoria.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 17 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 16 / 13

Monday: 🌧️ 17 / 11

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), down from 5 yesterday (caused by smoke from US). Some smoke continuing today, but rain set to arrive.

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

NEWS

“Significant fall storm” on Island tomorrow

A windstorm warning has been issued for the whole Island by Environment Canada, as what has been a warm and fairly sunny September gives way to more typical fall cloud and rain.

Winds up to 90km/h expected over west and north Island on Sunday, with winds 60-80km/h in the inner south coast by Monday.

Week of rain could dampen fires
There are 23 forest fires currently burning on the Island (including 9 classified as out of control).

But if too much wind arrives without rain, it may initially just spread the fires further. Trees that have weathered extended drought may also be more brittle and likelier to come down in storms.

Several warm-weather streaks are now over
One was the longest on record for days above 8C at the airport, per YYJ Weather Records, with 121. Another was 10 days short of the record for >10C days in Victoria (Gonzales).

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Weather warning issued for high storm winds on Sunday.

Missing person found: The Campbell River woman, 23, who went missing Sept. 11 is safe.

Tour de Rock bike ride fundraiser starts today in Port Alice, and arrives in Victoria Oct. 6.

Pacific FC plays in Hamilton today, as it chases a top-2 seed (which would offer a playoff shortcut to the finals).

NEWS

Victoria Symphony contributes score to major miniseries

At this point Victoria is well known for appearing on the big and small screen (though it doesn’t always play itself). But the region’s latest contribution to film and TV is not sights but sounds.

The Victoria Symphony has handled part of the score for Bones of Crows, the miniseries currently airing on CBC and APTN after premiering at TIFF one year ago as a feature-length film.

The Indigenous-led series has been heralded as a Canadian equivalent of the US’s iconic, challenging 1977 historical miniseries Roots.

Read more about the project, and watch a video on the making of the songs, in the full Capital Daily story.

NEWS

The Healing Hearts Run returns for second year

The late Charlene Chambers responded to the loss of her daughter by doing work around the Island that provided resources to people struck by child loss and infertility, and challenged the stigma around those issues.

Though Chambers died in 2020, her legacy lives on in a foundation that continues that work and a run that fundraises for it. That run kicks off its second year today at 11pm at Royal Roads.

Although there is often support and care for devastated people while they are in the hospital, “they're there for 24 to 48 hours, and then once they go out into the community, there's no support,” according to Stephanie Curran, who co-founded the foundation.

The group wants to fill that gap—and they’re hoping that today other locals will help them do it.

Read the full story in The Westshore.

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA

An Epic Serving of Fate

Pacific Opera Victoria presents Wagner’s Die Walküre - October 12 – 21 at The Royal Theatre. In Richard Wagner’s mesmerizing opera Die Walküre, the second installment of his epic tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen, a dramatic tale of gods, heroes, and destiny unfolds. Set in a mythical world of gods and mortals, the story follows the intertwined fates of the brave warrior Siegmund and his long-lost twin sister Sieglinde. As their forbidden love blooms amidst a raging storm, they discover their true identities and their shared heritage as the offspring of Wotan, the mighty ruler of the gods. However, their passionate bond sets off a chain of events that threatens the balance of power in the divine realm. Tickets on sale now starting at $30.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌱 Get growing: City of Victoria is now taking applications for its community garden grants.

⛱️ Victoria’s best patios, as voted by readers like you. [Tasting Victoria]

🗣️ Have your say: You can drop in at the Burnside-Gorge Community centre today (10am-12pm) to voice your opinion on proposed street upgrades for 2024-2025.

🤝 Now hiring: Part time cook at Rose Bank Gardens.

🗞️ In Other News

 Downtown cafe, bar, and restaurant Sherwood is closing
The eatery across from City Hall opened in 2018 as a sibling of Habit Coffee and one of the city’s few spots to operate as both a full-fledged cafe and full-fledged bar. But this year it had already scaled back its dinner service, and is now being sold. [Full story at Tasting Victoria]

Another fire singes Dallas Road
Victoria crews are warning that beach fires there are not allowed at any time of year. [CHEK]

SaaSquatch captured: US tech platform acquires local company
SaaSquatch’s customer referral software will be merged with US-based Impact.com’s partnership management platform to create a larger system focused on helping companies grow “through the power of people.” [Victoria Tech Journal]

2 brothers, 35 years, 350 search-and-rescues
The Jones brothers were recognized by Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue for decades of dropping everything to help people in the popular but treacherous waters near Lasqueti Island. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍖 Langford festivals: The Station Food Truck and Music Festival continues today, and then tomorrow Brewery and the Beast brings a stadium feast full of fire-kissed meats, craft beers, cocktails, ciders, and wines. Details at Tasting Victoria.

🖼️ Emily Carr: Walk, Talk, Lunch, Learn: Learn about the legendary Victoria artist by exploring her home and neighbourhood in James Bay.

📚 18th annual Victoria Anarchist Bookfair: The long-running alternative fall festival has free entry and free workshops. Today and tomorrow in Fernwood.

🖌️ Sophie Pemberton exhibit opens at AGGV: Explore the life and work of the Victoria artist at this exhibit.

📖 How do you tell a great story? Actor and comedienne Deb Williams guides you through the steps in her two-day storytelling workshop. Learn more.*

💗 Care Work as Community: Join this workshop on caring for your community at The Dock Centre for Social Impact. 1-3pm.

🥮 Autumn Moon fundraising dinner: Raise money for the Tam Kung Temple, Canada’s oldest Chinese temple with dinner at Don Mee. 6pm.

🎶 David Arkenstone at UVic: See the five-time Grammy nominated artist at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. 5-7pm.

📽️ Foggy Isle Film Festival: See short films at Victoria’s dark comedy film fest at the Vic Theatre. 7pm.

🚀 ​​Victoria Symphony: Star Trek, Star Wars, and Beyond: Hear some out-of-this-world music at the Royal Theatre. 7:30pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Island Health puts Chinatown long-term care home under operation of an administrator after seven formal complaints in seven months. [Capital Daily]

Firefighters rescue dog on roof—“breaking the stereotypes” around cats stuck in trees, the Victoria fire crew says. [Video]

Wanted man arrested in Victoria on Friday; a police alert on Thursday said he did not return from day parole.

Northern Lights photo, taken near Nanaimo.

That’s it!

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