Sun. May 7 - Ancient fossils in a Sooke cliff face

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

Last year we published a feature story from Devon Bidal, courtesy of our friends at Hakai Magazine, on fossils found here in the South Island and the role they play in developing science’s understanding of the history of whales.

That story was just nominated for a Digital Publishing Award, so we’re including it here today. If you missed it the first time, check out this look at our region’s fascinating landscape—and its dedicated researchers.

Today we also have stories on the region’s garden clubs, local connections to this weekend’s coronation in the UK, and a new biomedical research facility.

NEWS

How a fossil from a cliff near Sooke has helped researchers understand whale evolution

Stephen Suntok pushes through a tangle of blackberry bushes. It’s a gray July morning on Vancouver Island, and the smell of smoke from a wildfire to the north mixes with the briny sea breeze. Suntok looks up for a moment, gazing at the pale sky, then picks his way down a beach access clogged with tree trunks.

Along the shore, the tide has retreated, revealing an expanse of boulders /coated in blankets of slick, verdant algae. Seagulls wheel overhead as the waters of nearby Muir Creek flow into the Salish Sea.

Suntok works as a criminal defence lawyer in Victoria but he spends much of his spare time in the service of science, collecting rare fossils that he donates to museums. For at least a decade and a half, he has searched shores and river gorges across Vancouver Island, collecting a wide variety of fossilized specimens—including the dental plate of a previously unknown fish, Canadodus suntoki, which paleontologists named after him, and a rare species of crab from a beach near Campbell River, where the species was once plentiful.

But of the many sites he checks regularly, few match the rock formations along Muir Creek beach when it comes to vertebrate fossils. In some spots, the sandstone cliffs and intertidal boulders are studded with fossil shells and bits of fossilized bone that date to more than 23 million years ago.

It’s in this ancient boneyard that Suntok has made some of his most intriguing discoveries—the fragmentary remains of ancient whales that lived and died in the ocean here tens of millions of years ago.

Capital Bulletin

🌦️ Today’s weather: Cloudy, then sun and cloud near noon, then 30% chance of showers in afternoon and evening. High 14C / low 8C.

​​🎭 Regional arts survey: The CRD wants public input on its Arts & Culture Strategic Plan.

NEWS

A few locals catch coronation live, while others watch from afar over tea

History buff Lauren Allan told CTV it was a “dream come true” to be able to see the procession for King Charles III live in London, where she is visiting with her husband and other medieval re-enactors. Another local couple in London told CHEK they took in the atmosphere but avoided the crowds, while Royal enthusiasts here at home made do with high teas at St. Luke’s Community Hall and the Empress. The BC Parliament buildings have been lit up emerald green on Saturday and Sunday overnight to mark the event.

Royal Family has made numerous South Island visits

Charles visited Victoria during several trips, in 2009 and 1986 (though the focuses of those were in Vancouver, for the Olympic lead-up and Expo 86 respectively) and 1979, as well as Metchosin’s Pearson College in 1980 and 1982.

Victoria visits during Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign spanned enough time that a local man and his grandfather had both been on her security team. There is also some evidence that Hatley Castle at Royal Roads had been lined up as a place for her to grow up if her family fled the UK in WWII.

More recent Royal appearances have included those by Charles’s sons William, in a 2016 official visit, and Harry, in a winter 2019-20 stay that was intended to be low-profile but drew international attention (and international photographers) the peninsula. Charles’s now-disgraced brother Andrew visited in 2013 and 2003, but his patronages with local yacht clubs were ended in late 2019 amid increased scrutiny of his friendship with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and allegations that he abused a teenager.

By Cam Welch

FEATURE

The garden clubs of Greater Victoria

Spring has sprung, making it prime time for the region’s many garden clubs. These organizations provide invaluable resources and opportunities for gardeners of all skill levels and interests to expand their knowledge, connect with other enthusiasts, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature.

The Westshore took a closer look at a few prominent clubs in the rich gardening community that blooms here in the capital region.

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

Period promise: Ending period poverty with access

United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) launched the 2023 Period Promise campaign earlier this month, seeking to eliminate period poverty in the region by increasing access to free menstrual products.

Period poverty, which limits access to menstrual products and facilities to use them safely, prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. UWSVI Executive Director, Erika Stenson, emphasized that organizations can play a significant role in ending period poverty. They can offer free menstrual products in their washrooms and donate products to local social service agencies.

To facilitate donations, UWSVI is organizing the Fill the Bus event on May 28, International Menstrual Hygiene Day at the Tillicum Centre. The event aims to collect financial and unopened boxes of menstrual products. Join United Way and be part of the movement to end period poverty!

Capital Picks

🏃‍♀️ KidsRun Victoria: Walk, run, and play to help fight childhood cancer. Starts 10am / 9:30am in-person signup for those not already registered online.

🎼 Doo Wop Project at the Royal Theatre: Lovers of the old-school sounds of doo wop will want to see this show featuring stars of the Broadway smash hits Jersey Boys and Motown: The Musical. Show 2:30pm / tickets start at $29.

💐 For the moms busy taking care of everyone else. Give her a clear picture of her health with a Dexa scan for Mother’s Day.*

🎨 Art show, sale, & fundraiser: The Cordova Bay 55+ Art Group presents works in oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel, and mixed media. Cordova Bay Elementary / 10am-3pm.

📚 Books, books, and more books: The massive annual Times Colonist Book Sale, which helps fund local literacy programs, continues today. Victoria Curling Club / 9am-5pm.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🏠 Multi-unit on Cook deemed hazardous by City of Victoria
The building, mainly housing low-income tenants, lacks basic safety measures such as functioning fire alarms and a fire escape. It has not fully passed any of its 75 inspections in 5 years, and owner Richard Good has ignored City communications and calls for improvements. [Victoria News]

🏢 New biomedical research facility gets $2.5M from province
Vancouver Island Life Sciences (VILS) will create a new facility (location still TBD) that will provide up to six Greater Victoria companies with access to research and development space to tackle healthcare issues. The complex will help early-stage companies go from prototypes to proof-of-concept products, according to Stephanie Willerth, the CEO of Victoria’s Axolotl Biosciences. Axolotl works in the field of 3D-bioprinting human tissue models; Willerth spoke to Vic Tech Journal about it last winter.

SPONSORED BY 8X REAL ESTATE

Condo for sale: Two bed, two full bath condo with split-bedroom layout!

Get ready to live your best life in this stunning recently updated condo in the heart of Saanichton Village. Perfect for first-time buyers or those looking for a room-mate or home office.

Includes modern conveniences: in-suite laundry, underground secure parking, bike storage, pet friendly, and walkable to everyday amenities.

Visit 8X Real Estate for more photos or to book a private viewing.

In Case You Missed It

🏡 Point Ellice House reopening: A new museum operator has been brought in, but can it overcome what the outgoing operator said were long-running funding problems? Plus: Langford football star drafted #1 in CFL. [Saturday newsletter]

🥐 Life in a pastry shop: Our latest photo series takes you behind the scenes at Goodside bakery. [Capital Daily]

📷 History Mystery #12: Last chance to guess where in town this photo was taken and submit a present-day snap of the same intersection.

⚡️ Do you work in tech? Then sign up for Button Inc.’s free twice-monthly newsletter and up your digital communications, user experience, and customer relationships!*

⚽ Pacific FC 4 Atlético Ottawa 1: In its first road game, Langford’s soccer team took revenge for its playoff loss to Ottawa last fall.

🚗 Speed survey closing: This weekend is the last chance to fill out Esquimalt’s survey on its plans to reduce street speeds.

*Sponsored Listing

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