July 26 - Libraries pass on Pic-A-Flic

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Boy, Canada really needs to find the net this morning—perhaps the luck of the opposing Irish will rub off—as it plays its second match at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Both teams are looking up at host nation Australia in first place in the Group B rankings. Canada came into the tournament ranked No. 7 in the world—Ireland was No. 22, and lost its opening match to the Aussies—but a recurring scoring drought persisted in Canada’s 0-0 opening-game draw with Nigeria.

Let’s go Canada!

— Mark

🌤️ Today's weather: Mix of sun and cloud. High 20C / low 13C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), light smoke expected in afternoon.  

NEWS

Libraries won’t buy Pic-A-Flic stock after all

UVic and the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) say they will not buy the DVD stock from Pic-A-Flic, despite requests from the public for the vast movie collection to be absorbed in one place.

In May, Pic-A-Flic announced its upcoming closure after 40 years in business. A petition encouraging libraries to take over the multitude of movies was created shortly after that announcement, and has garnered more than 2,500 signatures.

In a joint letter, UVic and the GVPL said they have sizable DVD collections, but each has witnessed a major decline in rentals over the last five years as more people opt for streaming services instead. They also pointed to the risk of damage and theft with physical media options, something that is not a concern with streaming.

GVPL says Pic-A-Flic’s DVD collection would have too much overlap with the offerings on its streaming services, Hoopla and Kanopy—though Pic-A-Flic has roughly 10 times the amount of titles Netflix offers.

UVic said in the letter its libraries may still buy titles from the anime and criterion categories at Pic-A-Flic, but won’t pursue other genres.

Pic-A-Flic owner Kent Bendall told Capital Daily he’s had “other interested parties” reach out, but he’s waiting for the potential deals to go through before he confirms anything. He says if nobody buys out the stock in the next few weeks, he’ll likely hold a big sale at the end of August or early September.

While Bendall hasn’t announced an official closing date, the store’s lease expires at the end of September.

“It’s getting to the point where I have to start figuring out concrete dates, but I’m a big procrastinator, so I’m not there yet,” he joked.

Pic-A-Flic supporters have mourned the loss of Victoria’s last video-only store—Oswego Video still has a small stock available to rent at its James Bay convenience store location—with many sharing memories of discovering unique and hard-to-find titles at the legendary rental spot.

Capital Bulletin

⛴️ BC Ferries cancels all Coastal Celebration sailings from Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen through July 27 due to a mechanical issue. Drivers are encouraged to travel as foot passengers or from Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay or Duke Point-Tsawwassen.

⛔ Marigold Road closure to continue until 3:30pm today.

🚧 Road paving on Fort, from Fernwood to Belmont, extended until Friday. Expect single-lane traffic on Fort and restricted access at cross roads.

🔍 Missing person: Sarah Healy, 36, was reported missing on July 24, and the RCMP have confirmed that she has been located safe and sound.

NEWS

Low chance of earthquake when storing carbon in rocks deep in the ocean, says UVic study

Since 2019 when a pilot feasibility program was first announced, we’ve been telling you about a promising idea to battle climate change by storing carbon under the ocean floor.

Last October, Capital Daily told you about a UVic and Oceans Network Canada/Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions project, Solid Carbon, and how carbon dioxide captured from the atmosphere and pumped deep into the ocean floor could turn into solid rock in 25 years.

The latest development also is encouraging.

Solid Carbon researchers now say injecting CO2 into the ocean basalt (read: volcanic rock) poses almost no risk of causing seismic activity, such as an earthquake or fault slip.

According to a UVic report, “advanced computer modelling by scientists with the Solid Carbon team shows injecting CO2 under the Cascadia Basin has less than [a] 1% chance of causing fault slip.”

“Right now, we are very relieved that this won’t be a concern,” said Martin Scherwath, a senior scientist at Ocean Networks Canada, and co-author of a recent paper on the study.

Scientists applied software—previously used to predict what happens when liquid is injected into rock on land—to what would happen in the Cascadia Basin, a relatively stable oceanic plate that runs undersea from northern California to BC.

They found similar results.

“That is what we thought would happen because there are very few natural earthquakes in this region,” Scherwath told Capital Daily.

With the modelling confirmed, the next step is to actually try it out.

“It’s a proven concept on paper or computer, but the real test is still to happen,” Scherwath said. “It's still good news.”

Physically propelling CO2 into seabed rocks could become a physical reality within the next three to five years, Scherwath said.

“The plans are laid out in our heads, “ he said. “Right now, we’re looking for funding.”

Scherwath is cautious to predict companies—including Big Oil—looking for green projects will be falling over themselves to jump on board.

“It will be expensive,” he said. “This is where governments are required to work together. I see this as a global climate-change solution—I don't see it as a way to make a few companies rich.”

SPONSORED BY WONDERMENT - GARDEN CITY ELECTRONIC MUSIC SOCIETY

Live Electronic Music in Victoria Parks

Eight years in, Wonderment continues redefining what a festival can be. By focusing on the music, and eschewing traditional festival infrastructures, Wonderment offers many of its headliners at free outdoor park events in Victoria.

Daytime programming explores the ambient side of electronica, featuring live performances by Moog Music artist Lisa Bella Donna, Edmonton’s Khotin, Matthew Cardinal (from Polaris shortlisted band Nehiyawak), Hannah Epperson (electronic folk), and Desert Bloom (featuring Austin Tufts from Braids).

Attendees are encouraged to get creative with picnic ideas, and should bring water and sunscreen as there are no concessions in the parks. Wonderment promotes a “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” ethos, inspired by Burning Man.

“Avant Dance” offerings fill out the night at indoor venues, with tickets to all night-time events costing under $100.

Capital Picks

🎤 Ziggy Alberts at Capital Ballroom: The Australian singer-songwriter will be joined tonight by Kim Churchill, 8pm.

🏡 AirBnB Condos For Sale: View all the condominiums with short-term rental zoning in Downtown Victoria. View the listings, photos, and more.*

🎙️Louise Rose at Hermann's Jazz Club: The Canadian musician will perform solo jazz piano and vocals today, 5:30pm.

🎤 Garden City Harmony: Join in on this drop-in choir today at Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park, 5:30-7:30pm.

🎶 Youth Music Series: Enjoy performances from up-and-coming youth musicians today at Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park, 2-4pm.

🎵 David Francey at Butchart Gardens: The Canadian singer-songwriter will perform tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.

⭐🏠 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!*

😊 Now Hiring: Community Engagement Manager at Dance Victoria.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🚔 Island to get $1.3M for sexual assault programs
The province has announced “stable funding” for sexual assault programs, and to establish new policing standards for responding to sexual assaults. The government will spend $6.6M to fund 68 new sexual assault programs, including five regional centres to care for survivors; $1.38M will be split among 11 Island-region service providers.

🗣️ BC puts $23.4M into First Nation institutes and language fluency
The investment over the next three years aims to preserve First Nation languages and increase access to post-secondary education programs, training, and supports. The funding is part of $101M from the StrongerBC action plan to support initiatives that shift post-secondary education and training programs from government-led to Indigenous-led.

🚲 Bike theft on the rise in Victoria
With more Victorians hopping on bikes to commute, more bikes are being stolen, as police say they’ve received north of 4,600 reports of stolen cycles since 2016. Half of all the snatched bikes were pilfered from apartment and condo building storage, according to VicPD. The rest were taken from the street. Bike parts such as wheels and seats also are very popular with bike thieves. [CTV]

👪 Seniors raise money for Ukrainian refugees
Residents of Tapestry at Victoria Harbour, along with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) helped raise money for more than 20 Ukrainian families who will receive critical financial and housing support as they begin new lives in Victoria. Last year, the seniors group raised more than $20,000 for displaced Ukrainians through a provincewide quilt raffle.

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

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In Case You Missed It

✉️ Graphic anti-abortion mail upsets residents: Leaflets containing photos of purportedly aborted fetuses were left in mailboxes of at least two area households. And Capital Daily has received several emails from people who said they also received the pamphlets. [Capital Daily]

📰 Tuesday’s headlines: Canada-led patrol of illegal fishing launches in Sidney, Victoria woman killed in Mt. Washington ATV crash, Saanich teen wins gold at national karate championships, and more. [July 25]

☎️ 988 hotline coming for suicide prevention: The federal government will spend $156M over the next three years to implement the new hotline, which launches in November.

🔍 Missing person: Nicholas Blackwell, 40, was last seen in Duncan on July 7. North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP says he could require an immediate medical assessment.