Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Gates McFadden from Star Trek Next Generation Facebook page
Another Star Trek alum is making her way to Victoria!
Capital City Comic Con has just announced that actor Gates McFadden who plays Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: Next Generation will be making a guest appearance at their upcoming event in 2020.
The event, scheduled to take place in March, will be the third for the organizers who, in the past, had Star Trek: Next Generation’s star Marina Sirtis attend in 2019.
McFadden’s career as the doctor on Captain Picard’s (actor Patrick Stewart) ship, The SS Enterprise, was a role that spanned 154 episodes, 3 video games, and 4 films between 1987-2014.
Capital City Comic Con organizers boast an expected turn out of between 9,000 – 12,000 participants based on interest in previous years.
Fans of all things science fiction and cosplay enthusiasts will also have a chance to dress in replica costumes from their favourite cult shows, and take pictures with McFadden and other celebrity guests.
The full line-up guests at the event will be announced in upcoming months.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, October 18th. Click here for more information.
When: Friday March 20th – Sunday March 23rd
Where: 713 Douglas Street
Tickets: Starting at $10.00 click here to purchase or at Ticket Rocket Box Office 1050 Meares Street
The provincial health officer has just confirmed the first probable case of vaping-related illness in B.C.
According to Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Ministry of Health expects that several similar investigations will soon lead to them declaring more probable or confirmed cases of vaping-related illness in the province.
“These are the first cases of vaping-related illness in B.C., but we fully expect there will be more as this is quickly emerging as a significant public health issue,” Henry said.
“Vaping is turning back the clock on decades of effective anti-smoking efforts and creating a new generation of young people addicted to nicotine.”
On September 19th, after the US Centre for Disease Control stated that there were 530 probably or confirmed cases of the illness in the states, Dr. Henry issued a notice requiring BC physicians physicians to report incidences of patients exhibiting symptoms that meet the national case definition.
This includes patients:
who report vaping using e-cigarette devices, related products or other means of inhaling a variety of products in the 90 days before symptom onset,
who have pulmonary infiltrates on X-ray imaging,
whose illnesses are not attributed to other causes.
Information about vaping-related illness cases will then be forward to the BC Centre for Disease Control. For confidentiality reasons, the age, sex, and location (health authority jurisdiction) of the patients will not be released.
As of October 11th, there have been 1,299 lung injury cases associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping in the United States, including 26 deaths.
Last month, Health Canada issued an advisory warning the public of the potential risk of pulmonary illness associated with the use of vaping products.
A report released by the Canadian Cancer Society in June 2019 showed that between August 2017 and August 2018, vaping among Canadians under 19-years old increased a whopping 74%, up from 8.4% to 14.6% in just one year.
From left to right: Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer, Jagmeet Singh, Elizabeth May, Maxime Bernier/Photo by Victoria Buzz)
The mayors and councillors of Canada have spoken.
Climate Caucus, a non-partisan network of over 200 mayors, councillors, and regional directors across Canada, has just released a report card grading federal political parties on their climate change platforms as seen from a local perspective.
Unsurprisingly, the Green Party came first in the class with an A- while the People’s Party of Canada received a failing grade.
“We came together in a non-partisan, evidence-based way to see how the Conservatives, Greens, Liberals, and NDP stack up on this important file,” said Rik Logtenberg, Nelson, BC Councillor and co-founder and spokesperson for the Climate Caucus.
“Sadly, they’re not doing so well. All come at least somewhat short on the facts, figures, and fallout of climate change.”
The grading rubrics used to generate the report card took into account each party’s platform on transportation, buildings, waste, land use and adaption.
The Conservative Party of Canada was given a D for their transportation policies which involve eliminating the clean fuel standard, which would lead to an increase in emissions. The party also plans to work with local authorities to develop more sophisticated batteries for Zero-Emissions Vehicles but made no clear commitments.
No timeline or funding was available for when they plan to deploy an expanded network of charging or refueling stations.
Their platform promises a 20% tax refundable credit to anyone who spends between $1,000 and $20,000 on energy-efficient home renovations, but the Conservatives make no mention of a timeline or funding for local governments when it comes to making buildings more energy-efficient, earning them a D in this category as well.
While the party makes big promises for waste management – like banning export of waste unless it will be recycled at the destination, introducing a uniform nationwide plastics recycling regime which includes producer responsibility, and working to minimize plastic packaging – again no timeline or funding was promised.
Similarly, no timelines or new funding is promised for securing the facilities necessary for Canadians to adapt to the effects of climate change.
The Green Party of Canada received As and A-‘s for their transportation, buildings, and land use policies, and got Bs for land use and waste management proposals.
They pledged $600 million in 2020-21, rising to $720 million by 2023 to develop regional rail networks and strengthen rail connections between regions.
Other transportation policy highlights include a Zero-Emissions Vehicle target of 100% by 2030 by banning the sale of internal combustion cars, plans to build a cross-country electric vehicle charging system, and requiring all passengers ferries to switch to electric or hybrid systems within the next 10 years.
The Green Party also pledged $550 million a year to building retrofits in order to make them more efficient.
No specific funding or timeline is mentioned for waste management, although the party does pledge to implement e-waste collection and phase out the use of landfills for unsorted waste.
Proposals to protect land and ecosystems like reducing nitrogen fertilizers, investing in rebuilding soils to retain carbon, providing $3 billion of funding for initiatives like tree planting, creating fire breaks and fire suppression earned the party an A in the land use category.
The party received a B for policies pertaining to climate change adaption after pledging to direct the Canada Infrastructure Bank to invest in climate-proofing essential infrastructure, using federal powers to take on massive tree planting projects, and more. However no timeline or funding was provided for these initiatives.
The Liberal Party of Canada received a B grade for their transportation policies which include the introduction of a clean fuel standard to achieve 30 million tonnes of annual reductions in GHG by 2030, cut corporate taxes by 50% for companies that manufacture products that have zero emissions, and provide every transit system across Canada with 10-year funding allocations.
Climate Caucus also criticize the Liberals for understanding climate change but failing to implement an overall emissions reduction target for infrastructure.
They received a B for waste management policies after announcing plans to ban single-use plastic waste by 2021, reducing plastic waste use in federal operations by 75% in 10 years, and pledging over $10 million to help small and medium businesses develop waste-free alternatives.
For the land use category, the party plans to invest $150 million by 2023-24 to give one-fourth of land and ocean waters in Canada protected status, and provide $3 billion to plant 2 billion trees by 2030 and use natural climate solutions to store carbon from agricultural lands, wetlands, and coastal areas.
They were given a B in the adaption category for committing $1 billion over the next decade to support local government efforts to adapt to climate change, and for proposing a national action plan to assist homeowners with potential relocation for those at the highest risk of repeat flooding but failing to include local government buildings or infrastructure in this plan.
The New Democratic Party of Canada received a B+ for their plans to invest $6.5 billion zero-emissions buses and electric trains, funding research and development for Zero Emissions Vehicles, and planning to make all government vehicles including Canada Post go electric by 2025.
They were lauded for understanding the need to reduce GHG emissions and pursuing plans to achieve net-zero emissions targets for buildings by 2030. But they were given a B in the ‘buildings’ category for failing to mention specific programs or funding to meet these goals.
For waste management, the NDP received an A grade after pledging to not only ban single use plastics by 2022 but also recycle those in circulation, and hold companies accountable for entire life cycle of plastics. The party also proposes two sources of funding for local governments to manage waste, and plans to work with local farmers to reduce food waste.
They proposed funding for the protection of 30% of land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030 and plan to work with other levels of government to develop a system of urban national parks.
Climate Caucus gave the NDP a C for their adaptation policies because while they state intentions to work with local authorities to ensure communities have adequate resources for coping with the effects of climate change, no specific funding figures or timelines have been provided.
The People’s Party of Canada received F’s across the board for all five categories evaluated by Climate Caucus, earning them the comment “did not attend science class”.
This is attributed to the fact that the PPC issued the following blanket statement in lieu of any policies that would help mitigate and fight the effects of climate change:
“Given the uncertainties over the scientific basis of global warming, and the certainties about the huge costs of measures designed to fight it, there is no compelling reason to jeopardize our prosperity with more government interventions.”
Importance for voters
According to a recent Angus Reid report, climate change has been the primary issue on the minds of most Canadian voters throughout the 2019 federal election campaign.
However for those who lean towards supporting the Conservatives, fiscal issues including personal taxation and the federal deficit take precedence.
Other topics of significance to citizens include improving health care access, transparency from their government, access to affordable housing, immigration policy, and improving living conditions for First Nations.
(Angus Reid Institute)
In a statement to press over the weekend, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh expressed his support for forming a minority government with Trudeau’s Liberals, should the Conservatives win the most seats but fail to secure a majority.
He has since dialed back, stating that his priority is to focus on his own party’s performance. Meanwhile Trudeau has refused to state whether or not he’d be open to forming a coalition government with the NDP.
Opposition leader Andrew Scheer, on the other hand, has stated that his aim is to prevent a minority Liberal-NDP government by making sure the Conservatives secure a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are currently investigating a structure fire that occurred in the early morning hours of October 14th.
Police were called for assistance by the North Cowichan South End Fire to control the blaze, which broke out across several residences on Statlou Crescent in Duncan.
Victoria police is warning people selling cars privately to be vigilant after a man tried to steal a used car by presenting a fraudulent bank draft.
In response to an online ad for a vehicle on sale, the suspect showed up at the victim’s home on October 13th with what looked like a valid bank-issued draft, police said.
The buyer indicated to the seller that he was in a rush and wanted to complete the transaction quickly.
He handed the seller an envelope containing completed transfer papers and the full asking price for her vehicle, with “payment” in the form of a bank draft.
The seller then reviewed all the documents.
“Unbeknownst to the ‘buyer’, the seller has experience in the financial services sector and works with bank drafts. She immediately saw that the “bank draft” was a photocopied fake,” police said the in the release.
The woman returned to her vehicle to find that the suspect had already zap strapped new license plates to the vehicle.
When she confronted the man, he apologized, cut the plates from the vehicle and fled the scene.
The suspect is described as as slim 40-year-old Caucasian man with a tanned complexion, standing 5′ 7″ tall. He had short black hair, wore glasses and smelled strongly of cigarette smoke.
Anyone who has information on the suspect or has been victimized by him is asked to call the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Nanaimo RCMP are searching for witnesses and video surveillance footage of an assault that was reported over the weekend.
At around 7:30 p.m. on October 12th, a woman was allegedly attacked by an unknown man wielding a pipe in front of the Dorchester Hotel on Chapel Street.
Passersby who witnessed the incident called police, who arrived on site and found a 28-year-old woman suffering from serious but non-life threatening injuries.
She chose not to go to the hospital but paramedics treated her on site.
According to the victim, she was attacked by the pipe-wielding man as soon as she walked out of the Dorchester Hotel and managed to fight him off before fleeing the area.
Witnesses say the attacker then jumped into a waiting white GMC pickup that was parked across from 38 Front St.
He is described as a heavy-set Caucasian man with a beard, and was wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.
Police are now seeking further witnesses to the incident and ask that any motorists with dashcam footage between 7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. on Saturday October 12th, along Front St, Commercial Ave or Terminal Ave to come forward.
Anyone with information or video surveillance can contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
(Marty the Marmot in his country gear / Victoria Royals Facebook)
Victoria Royals coverage presented by:
Saddle up, partners!
This Friday, October 18th, head on down to the good ol’ Barn on Blanshard for the return of the Royals’ popular Country Night, where they take on the visiting Swift Current Broncos.
On top of what will be a spirited game against the opposition, local band The County Line will be performing the best country tunes to get you into the mood, and don’t forget the annual Line Dancing party at 5:45 p.m.
Better yet, don your best plaid n’ boots and you could win some fabulous Royals swag for best dressed cowboy/cowgirl!
There will also be tons more fabulous prizes, including a chance to win a pair of General Admission Weekend Passes to Sunfest Country Music Festival 2020 – featuring the legendary Keith Urban – or a 10-person access to the Sunfest Kick-Off Party.
So, what do you say – will the Royals buck the Broncos and take the win?
Police discovered the body of a deceased man after reports of gunfire in a Campbell River neighbourhood.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Campbell River RCMP responded to reports of gun shots in the Vermont Drive area.
Upon arrival, they found the body of a man lying dead outside a residence.
Police say their investigation of the incident is in its early stages and Major Crimes forces, forensics, and police dogs are being utilized.
For the duration of the inspection, officers ask the public to stay away from the general area in order to give authorities the space they need.
“This is a very serious investigation, and we are asking that if anyone has any information regarding the incident that they contact the RCMP directly,” said Cst. Mary Tyre in a statement.
Campbell River RCMP can be contacted at 250-286-6221.
Latoski is an avid hiker, known to hike for several hours, and has MS. His family became worried when he did not return to his residence by 3 p.m. yesterday and searched for him for several hours before contacting police.
Latoski’s hikes are usually in the area of Maki Road, including the area of the Living Forest Campground and the surrounding forest.
(Cortney Latoski/Facebook)
Nanaimo Search and Rescue commenced their search at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday until 2 a.m. with no success. They continued their search at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
Latoski is described as a slim, Caucasian man who stands 5’11” tall. He is believed to be wearing a black quilted jacket, acid washed jeans and new white runners.
Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 immediately, and those with information on his whereabouts are asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
A 32-year-old woman has been arrested for stealing a wallet from an unlocked vehicle and using the victim’s information to take out loans over $10,000.
On August 1st, 2019, West Shore RCMP began investigating reports of a wallet stolen from a parked vehicle that was left unlocked.
The day after the theft, the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Langford resident Crystal Bemister, used the complainant’s identity to take out loans of over $10,000 from a money lending business.
She also allegedly changed the complainant’s personal information through Equifax and Trans Union.
RCMP were able to apprehend the suspect after reviewing video surveillance, and a search warrant executed at Bemister’s residence lead to the seizure of other items that were reported stolen, including a camera and identification from another victim.
“We get daily calls for service regarding theft from unlocked vehicles. This particular theft led to the complainant’s personal information being compromised,” said Cst. Nancy Saggar.
“Please do not leave your valuables in your car. Adopt a nightly routine of locking your car doors and check to make sure your home is secure before going to bed.”
Bemister has been charged with one count of theft under $5000, one count of fraudulent use of a computer, 3 counts of fraud and 3 counts of impersonation.
Are you looking for work before the holiday season?
Make your way to the space across from Aritzia and bring your resume for this massive job fair offering positions at the retailers throughout Mayfair Shopping Centre.
When: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Mayfair Shopping Centre, 3147 Douglas Street
If you’re new to being a dad or looking for a support system, enjoy this evening of tea, coffee, snacks, and conversations about challenges you may be facing, among other fathers.
If you’re looking for an adventure this Halloween season, you can now immerse yourself into your very own horror movie.
All those who dare are invited to lose themselves within Saanichton Corn Maze which, for the next two Saturdays of October, has been transformed into a Maze of Horror.
The October 26th date has already sold out, and the 19th is expected to as well, so make sure you get tickets while supplies last.
This will be the debut event at this location which has been a family-run farm since 2010.
Their twisted interactive experience features evil clowns and zombies filling the 4-acre plot of land and they’re all ready to scare the pants off of even the most daring visitor.
“We have a mix of friends, family, volunteers, and paid staff. We even [hire] actors from a horror short film, ‘Attack of the Killer Scarecrow’, that was shot at our maze by a young local director, Octavian Kaul,” said owner and organizer Jag Dhariwal.
“I won’t give away all the costumes, but the maze will be filled with people you wouldn’t normally want to run into a cornfield at night.”
Come in costume or dress as yourself, but make sure to wear appropriate rain gear for possible muddy terrain caused by forecasted inclement weather.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and this event is not for anyone who suffers from cardiovascular health issues, is pregnant, or suffers from epilepsy that may be triggered by strobe lights.
While this year, Saanichton Corn Maze is strictly for bravehearts, Dhariwal plans to introduce kid-friendly Halloween events starting next year.
We may be heading towards a week of rain, but Victoria can expect a drier and sunnier winter than usual according to a long-range winter forecast.
AccuWeather has just released its winter forecast for Canada, predicting targeted Arctic blasts for the eastern Prairies but drier weather for British Columbia.
BC is also in for a mild winter – a prediction that was corroborated by experts at The Weather Network earlier this year – with central Canada receiving the brunt of the cold weather.
“The main storm track will likely bring bulk of rain and snowfall events to northwestern British Columbia this winter,” said Brett Anderson, AccuWeather’s Canadian Weather Expert, in a statement.
Across BC, weather patterns are expected to favour lower levels of snowfall which could signal a late spring and droughts in the summer.
Meanwhile, places like Victoria, Vancouver, Kamloops, and Prince George are predicted to experience particularly drier and sunnier weather than usual this winter.
Toy lovers and hobbyists rejoice! The Ultimate Hobby and Toy Fair is happening this weekend at Pearkes Arena in Saanich.
This bi-annual event presented by Cherry Bomb Toys is for all those looking to expand their collection with toys from over 200 vendors ranging from vintage classics to collectibles and hard to find items!
Entrance to the two-day event is free for kids under 12, and only $5.00 for everyone else.
There will be everything from Barbies, GI Joes, model train sets, LEGO, video games, and much more up for grabs, with seasoned collectors and sellers there to talk shop about the various merchandise from countless fandoms.
Along with toys, there will be food, drinks, and door prizes, as well as a charity silent auction. The previous silent auction earlier this year raised $2,110 for the MS Society.
Dressing up in costume is encouraged, as participants in themed attire will be rewarded by getting entered to win an additional door prize.
This fall charity fair aims to raise money for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation by also featuring various activities that guests can partake in by donation.
Throughout the weekend, children aged 12 and under can bounce around in an inflatable obstacle course entered by donation.
On Saturday, guests can participate in an ax-throwing event, while Sunday features photo-ops with the Star Wars Mandalorians Mercs in full gear.
Comox Valley RCMP have arrested 42-year-old Stephen Pawlak after he threatened to shoot a police officer while carrying a loaded handgun.
On October 11th, police received information that a man in Black Creek, a community located on Eastern Vancouver Island, was in possession of a firearm and allegedly threatened to shoot a police officer.
After receiving the tip, plain clothes RCMP officers put Pawlak under surveillance and followed him to the Black Creek General Store.
Officers approached him after he entered the bathroom but the suspect refused to come out, telling police that he was carrying a handgun.
With the help of the Emergency Response Team, officers were able to get Pawlak out of the bathroom and take him into custody.
“Our priority is always the safety of our community and acting on information of this nature can be very dynamic with many different considerations along the way,” said Comox Valley said Inspector Mike Kurvers.
Pawlak has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a loaded handgun, and possession of a firearm contrary to an order.
While he is expected to appear in court later this month, the Major Crime Unit is continuing their investigation of the incident and ask that anyone who witnessed Pawlak’s activities prior to his arrest come forward and speak with police.
The Comox Valley RCMP can be reached at 250-338-1321 and callers with information about this case are asked to refer to file 2019-15891.
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Comox Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca.
The NDP has gained a burst of support in British Columbia partially thanks to the popularity of leader Jagmeet Singh.
According to the latest Angus Reid report, the week leading up to Canada’s 43rd federal elections is expected to be a nail-biter as neither the incumbent Liberals nor the Conservative Party have made considerable strides in the polls.
With the CPC losing momentum, they now have a prospective 33% of the vote while the Liberals are stuck at a consistent 29%.
Meanwhile, the New Democrats have tied with the Liberals for second place in British Columbia, with both parties drawing support from 26% of voters each.
If it holds, this trend will cost the Liberals their ‘West Coast bonus’ earned in 2015, placing the possibility of a Liberal majority government firmly out of reach.
(Angus Reid Institute)
The NDP’s recent success in BC is partly attributed to the spur in nationwide popularity of leader Jagmeet Singh.
He is the only candidate to poll favourably across Canada with every age and gender group, while Trudeau has at least a -22 score with each group and Scheer only scores positively with men over age 55.
(Angus Reid Institute)
Top issues
Throughout the 2019 federal election campaign, climate change has been the primary issue on the minds of most Canadian voters.
However for those who lean towards supporting the Conservatives, fiscal issues including personal taxation and the federal deficit take precedence.
Other topics of significance to citizens include improving health care access, transparency from their government, access to affordable housing, immigration policy, and improving living conditions for First Nations.
(Angus Reid Institute)
With advance voting now complete and just days left until October 21st, Canada could realistically be headed towards forming a historic minority government.
In a statement to press over the weekend, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh expressed his support for forming a minority government with Trudeau’s Liberals, should the Conservatives win the most seats but fail to secure a majority.
He has since dialled back, stating that his priority is to focus on his own party’s performance. Meanwhile Trudeau has refused to state whether or not he’d be open to forming a coalition government with the NDP.
Opposition leader Andrew Scheer, on the other hand, has stated that his aim is to prevent a minority Liberal-NDP government by making sure the Conservatives secure a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
Voter turnout
Analysts at Angus Reid Institute predict that this election will largely be determined by voter turnout and, based on historical trends, some groups are more likely than others to cast their ballots.
According to Elections Canada statistics, voter turnout in 2015 gradually increased with age, from 57.1% for ages 18 – 24 to 78.8% for ages 65–74, and then declined to 67.4% for those 75 and over. This same general pattern has also been observed in prior elections.
Conservative Party support is strong with voters aged over 55, who have historically been the largest group to show up at the voting booths.
Citizens voting for Liberals or the NDP tend to be younger, and increased voter participation among people aged 18 – 24 years old is what drove much of the Liberals’ success in 2015.
There is currently no indication of whether this rise in young voters will continue this time around.
Held at the Mary Winspear Centre in beautiful Sidney by the sea, this event showcases the best of the best of modern and vintage goods from local-makers in Victoria.
Along with the over 90 local handmade and vintage exhibitors, you can enjoy delicious eats from a selection of Victoria’s finest food trucks such as Taco Revolution, sweet treats from places like the famed Sidney Scones, and Hoyne Brewing will even be there to provide beer on tap!
You can enjoy live, local music as you indulge in a unique market experience like no other. With everything from hand-poured candles from Lit Soy Candles, to things like Evercoast Handmade and their cozy creations, and even cute chic kid’s consignment at Thistle & Wren, the Crafted Farmhouse Market has a little something for everyone!
The event kicks off on Friday, October 25th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and also runs all day on Saturday, October 26th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can purchase discounted Weekend Pass tickets online for $7 for a limited time until October 20th, or at the at the door for $5 each.
If those affordable prices aren’t enough to sway you, the first 50 people through the door EACH DAY will receive a free swag bag! These will include a Crafted Farmhouse Market shopping tote and gifts, as well as a selection of vendor goodies including a delicious Sidney Scone.
Also, it pays to stay a while!
The Crafted Farmhouse Market will be doing live on-site giveaways hourly on Friday, was well as multiple Saturday draws.
They will also have a vintage selfie station, another way to win even more goodies! Post a snap and hashtag #craftedfarmhousemarket to win.
Victoria Buzz will be on location at the market Friday evening, and you could win a sweet gift basket if you stop by to say hi! The basket will include some great market-vendor goodies – so it’s worth it to pop by and enter your name in the draw.
CONTEST CLOSED** Congratulations to Sheila Gauthier!
To enter for your chance to win a pair of entry passes to the Crafted Farmhouse Market AND $25 in vendor gift bucks, complete at least one or more of the following:
SHARE this post on Facebook and/or and comment below to let us know (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 pm on October 22nd, 2019. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter.
This Halloween, the house at the end of Daffodil Avenue will be transformed once again into one of the most epic trick-or-treat destinations in Saanich.
The owner of 693 Daffodil Ave, Peter Lyons, has been working nearly 6 hours a day since mid-September to build ‘Morbid Motel’ – a Bates Motel-inspired haunted hotel that will be entirely free of charge for visitors to peruse!
According to Lyons the miniature motel features seven rooms in total, some of which can be wandered through at a leisurely pace while others are cutaways meant to be peered at from outside.
Around seven actors dressed as motel workers will be present throughout the set to provide direction to visitors, as well as the occasional jump scare.
“I can’t stand when a little kid cries or they’re that scared. But my wife told me that this year we have to have some jump scares, so we’re gonna test the crowd,” Lyons tells Victoria Buzz.
“Parents can gauge whether or not their kids can handle it. I’ve seen kids from the smallest ages love it, and older ages get really scared so I think it depends on people’s fear-based feelings.”
Come check-in to the Morbid Motel! Our horrendous hotel staff is busy preparing to make your stay as uncomfortable as possible. You'll be dying to leave! Halloween night!
2019 will mark the 11th year that Lyons has built a spooky set at his home for trick-or-treaters to enjoy.
“Over the last 5 years I’ve done a bunch of theme changes like Carnival of Souls, Condemned Carnival,… last year we did a zombie bus with live actors,” he said.
However Lyons says this year’s Motel theme will be the final switch-up for the haunted house, as Morbid Motel is expected to be making a comeback for many more Halloweens to come.
The extensive and detailed task of setting up the haunted house is undertaken almost entirely by Lyons himself.
As the owner of foam-based art studio, ‘Wherever I May Foam’, Lyons has the ability to carve intricate archways and spooky crypts, and has thus far created around 20 realistic characters out of foam.
But as with any great endeavour, Morbid Motel is not entirely a one-man show.
As BC Transit employees, Lyons and his wife Brenda sometimes enlist the aid of fellow bus drivers who show up to lend a hand with the preparations.
“The neighbourhood’s really good, so sometimes people donate things or they come over to help on the night of. In the year we did the Carnival of Souls theme, they came and participated in the whole thing,” said Lyons.
A prime trick-or-treat destination
As any seasoned trick-or-treater will tell you, the end goal for every kid on Halloween night is to gather as much candy as possible.
And Lyons not only respects that goal, but has streamlined the Morbid Motel experience for young visitors to achieve the most efficient trick to treat ratio.
“I wanted to make it a structured tour so that kids in the family can view the haunted house and get the experience, and also at the end there will be a main area for them to get their candy,” he adds.
The haunted motel experience will be up and running for around four hours on Halloween night, and takes approximately half an hour to walk through.
“It’s up for one day only because we have full time jobs and it’s labour intensive [to keep the show running]. For the best theatrical performance, it’s best done just the one day,” says Lyons.
Ten years ago, when he first started transforming his yard into a spooky Halloween destination, 693 Daffodil Avenue would receive between 30 and 50 trick-or-treaters.
This spooky season, cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show is returning to our very own Vic Theatre for five showings of kooky fun.
Running from October 25th all the way until Halloween night, it’s that time of year to put on your fishnets, wig, and little gold shorts for an interactive show you’re surely not to forget.
Whether you’re a Rocky Horror newbie or a seasoned veteran fan, the Vic Theatre promises to host a fantastic night featuring a lively host – to indoctrinate Rocky Horror virgins, of course – a costume contest, and all of the rice-tossing, newsprint-hoisting, interactive madness you can dream of.
In this highly acclaimed and famed screening, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist.
As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”
Note: This is a 19+ event. Two pieces of ID are required for entry. No outside props are allowed, as bags will be checked but prop bags will be available at the door for $5 cash. Stock is limited, so get there early!
The panda who ran in Sunday’s GoodLife Marathon in Victoria is missing its head!
According to a social media post, the head of the panda costume worn by Super Pacers runner Ty Twung was not returned to him after he took it off for part of Sunday’s marathon.
Exhausted from all the running, Twung took off the panda head at around the 27 or 28 km mark and a fellow runner offered to have his wife take the costume off his hands.
She was supposed to meet them at the finish line to return the panda head but unfortunately this meeting never happened.
As a member of Super Pacers, Twung participates in marathons and races across North America while dressed as a panda, and has another race in the US this coming weekend.
GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon has issued an appeal to the public to keep an eye out for this iconic panda head, in their efforts to return it to its rightful owner ASAP.
Although the costume remains missing as of the time of publication, an update on Facebook states that marathon organizers may have an unconfirmed panda head sighting.
If you have the missing head or know who does, contact GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon on Facebook.
Oak Bay Police arrested a man for threatening to kill a woman and her husband last week.
On October 11th, police were called to the 2500-block of Beach Drive after a man threatened violence when he was refused a cigarette.
The complainant reported that when she said ‘no’ to him asking for a cigarette, he allegedly responded by threatening to slit her throat and kill her husband.
The woman then fled into her home and called police.
Officers arrived at the scene shortly, after which the suspect became hostile and aggressive and proceeded to threaten to kill the police officer.
Soon after, the man was taken into custody and no one was injured in the incident.
“The male was about 6 feet, 250 lbs and extremely agitated and threatening,” Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties tells Victoria Buzz.
“However, we’re pleased that we were able to get there so swiftly and, despite being prepared to use our CEWs [Conducted Energy Weapons], they were not necessary.”
He was transported to the hospital for a mental health assessment and the file remains under investigation.
At this time, there is no word on whether charges against him will be recommended.
Make your way down to the Capital Ballroom to jam out to the tunes of alternative rock band Thrush Hermit and singer-songwriter Shotgun Jimmie, for a night of live Canadian music for old fans and new.
Royal BC Museum opens its door for an introduction to their exhibits for children along this guided tour, with the feature exhibit Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises!
Interested in a night of live entertainment with your meal? Chaz Avery and #yyjdrag host the eighth performance that brings together drag performers and late Happy Hour specials.
Thousands of British Columbians are expected to participate in the province-wide earthquake drill, ShakeOut BC, this week.
On Thursday, October 17th at 10:17 a.m., thousands of people in schools, businesses, organizations, and households across BC will drop, cover, and hold on, as part of the province’s largest annual earthquake drill.
Once again, the Great British Columbia ShakeOut Drill will be on the third Thursday of October, which is officially proclaimed ShakeOutBC Day by the Province of British Columbia.
Last year, over 780,000 people across BC and 72,000 people in Victoria participated in the emergency preparedness drill.
Even if you enrolled last year, you’ll need to renew your registration for 2019.
You can also help drive participation by checking whether organizations in your community are taking part at www.shakeoutbc.ca/whoisparticipating.
If you don’t see your local schools, governments, or non-profit groups on the list, give them a call and encourage them to participate.
Practicing what to do during an earthquake increases the odds that people will respond correctly when one occurs.
Plus it’d probably be nice to know how to help a friend who gets a little shook after a big earthquake (or for your friend to be able to help you).
Did you know you live in a Ring of Fire?
The Pacific coast, which Vancouver Island falls under, is the most earthquake-prone region in Canada. The island is also a part of the dramatically named Pacific Ring of Fire.
The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped chain of oceanic trenches, volcanoes, and plate movements that is home to roughly 90% of the entire world’s earthquakes.
Earthquakes are caused when tectonic plates collide into each other, slide past one another, or diverge from each other. And the alarming part is that Victoria sits in one of the few places on earth where all three of these plate movements occur.
Moreover, according to earthquaketrack.com, there were 548 earthquakes in the past 365 days (of magnitude 1.5 or greater) in British Columbia.
The question for a big earthquake near us is not if, but when.
Temperatures are not expected to drop below 6°C, with daytime highs reaching 14ºC.
This weather is positively balmy when compared to last week’s cold front during which temperatures in Victoria broke 50-year weather records by reaching 0°C on Wednesday, October 10th.
Now that there is a new weather system coming in from the Pacific, we are back on track for that warmer-than-average fall predicted by the Weather Network earlier this year.
Just outside of Chinatown is this gem of a restaurant specializing in Asian street food. With many tasty options to choose from – including stir fries and ramen – they are famous and named for their BAO (Chinese steamed buns).
Choose from fillings like Chinese bbq, buttermilk fried chicken, and Shanghai Black Bean, sandwiched between little dough pillows of delight for just $4.50 each.
As one of Victoria’s beloved bakeries, this boutique bakeshop regularly cranks out an impressive array of pastries, breads, and lunch options.
Many of their savoury options fall in the $6 or less category, including current offerings like the spinach, ricotta and pine nut calzone, beef and rosemary pot pie, and zucchini, dill and feta quiche all for $5.50 each.
La Pasta is the newest, authentic Italian spot in the Victoria Public Market at the Hudson. They create a range of fresh pastas, sauces, antipasti, salads and more from scratch. Most notably, their entire antipasti menu is priced at $6.
Try the crispy cauliflower with capers, lemon, and garlic, the arancini (fried risotto balls) with a side of marinara, the fried mozzarella sticks served with marinara, and more.
Superbaba is a modern Middle Eastern restaurant serving quick and delicious food options for lunch and dinner. They serve authentic sandwich wraps, nourishing bowls, and desserts made from scratch in their kitchen.
Choose from the dip and pita with hummus, baba ganoush or labneh served with freshly baked pita for only $4.50, or a side order of falafel (4 balls with tahini sauce) for $6.
As an OG staple of the Victoria Public Market , Vij’s Sutra brings a colourful combination of curries, flavourful appetizers and unique side items to the island.
Choose from the satiating vegetable pakoras with chutney for $5.00 or the Cassava fries with chutney for $4.50.
This popular little Mexican restaurant serves 100% authentic family recipes from Guadalajara, Mexico. Their corn tortillas, fresh salsas, tortilla chips and fillings are all made in house.
Try the veggie tacos for $2.60 each or meat tacos for $2.85 each. They have many fillings to choose from including bean and cheese, chicken tinga, and Baha style shrimp. Also, their chips and salsa are heavenly and come in a generous portion for only $4.00.
(Photo by Jeff Friedman of Maya's Legacy Whale Watching and Island Adventures Whale Watching)
A rare white orca calf was spotted by a whale watching group over the past weekend in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The highly recognizable calf made an appearance amongst its pod of T46B Bigg’s transient killer whale family and according to Island Adventures Whale Watching, appeared to be feeding on a marine mammal.
Identified as T46B1B or Tl’uk (which means ‘moon’ in Coast Salish), the orca calf is about a year old and was first spotted in November 2018 near Nanaimo.
Tl’uk is not an albino calf as he has a distinct grey-white colour. Researches say he either has leucism which causes loss of pigmentation in any cell or suffers from Chediak-Higashi Syndrome.
While the former has no association with serious health risks, Chediak-Higashi Syndrome may signal several serious health conditions and a short lifespan.
Check out the T-Party we had in the Salish Sea yesterday!!!http://blog.island-adventures.com/2019/10/october-12-2019.html
For the second year in a row, Nestlé and Tim Hortons have been named the top two plastic polluters in Canada.
Greenpeace Canada has just released its list of top 5 plastic polluters for 2019 and four out of the five companies are the same as last year.
They are:
Nestlé
Tim Hortons
Starbucks
McDonald’s
The Coca-Cola Company
The only new addition to the list is Starbucks, which knocked out PepsiCo. from the same spot in 2018.
“Canada’s top plastic polluters are once again the usual suspects. Polluters like Nestlé and Tim Hortons are continuing to shift responsibility on consumers, instead of fixing their own broken business models,” said Sarah King, Head of Greenpeace Canada’s Oceans and Plastics Campaign.
“Companies’ responsibility doesn’t end at the point of sale. It’s time these polluters got honest with their customers about the scale of their plastics problem and made a real commitment to solve it through ditching disposables and embracing reuse.”
To compile this list, Greenpeace Canada conducted an audit of branded plastic pollution collected at the Canadian locations and were able to identify 240 companies.
Of these identifiable plastics, 39% belonged to the top five polluters with Nestlé making up 12% and Tim Hortons accounting for around 11% of the pollution.
Other brands like Sobeys, Costco, Walmart and Loblaw were also found in the audit.
The five most commonly collected single-use plastic items were cigarette butts, bottles and caps, wrappers, cups and lids, and straws.
“Shoreline and community cleanups expose companies’ inaction and their failed attempt at green-washing,” added King.
“We’ve collected everything from bioplastics to paper straws and recyclable lids and bottles, but it’s all still trashing our planet. Replacing single-use plastics with other single-use alternatives is a false solution that perpetuates our broken, disposal-centric business models.”
To conclude, Greenpeace Canada calls for a nationwide ban on the single-use plastics that are regularly found in the environment.
Earlier this year, the Canadian federal government announced a ban on all single-use plastic products and packaging including shopping bags, straws, cutlery, plates, and stir sticks, to be implemented as early as 2021.
However there is currently no information on how this ban will be implemented, or whether it will look different for each province and territory.
One of downtown Victoria’s most prominent East African/Indian restaurants is about to close its doors for good at the end of the year.
Spice Jammer first opened for business in 1991 with power couple Amin and Bilkiz (Billie) Essa at the helm, and since then several generations of loyal customers have dined at the Fort Street restaurant.
Much of its popularity can be attributed to Billie Essa’s inspired original dishes, and her husband Amin’s outgoing personality which together made the restaurant a hotspot for a fun and fulfilling night out.
The family-run business took a hit when Amin Essa unexpectedly passed away in 2004, leaving his wife to carry on his dream of running a successful restaurant.
Now, after decades of serving up delectable East African and Indian cuisine for Victorians (and visitors from other cities and countries) to relish, Billie Essa will be hanging up her apron and closing shop in order to enjoy a well deserved retirement.
Billie, her son Aly and daughter Noren have been running Spice Jammer since her husband’s death and plan to close the restaurant for good at the end of 2019.
(Spice Jammer)
The taste test
Victoria Buzz staff were invited to take in some of their signature dishes – the ones that kept people coming back for more – and we can honestly say it was one of the best Indian meals we’ve tried in Victoria thus far.
For starters, we devoured a plate of hot, crunchy samosas with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fillings, served with a selection of sweet and spicy dipping sauces.
Spice Jammer
This was followed up by heaping plates saffron rice, platters of fresh, hot naan, and several servings of vindaloo lamb, butter chicken, and masala (spiced) vegetable curry, all washed down with steaming cups of masala chai.
Our favourites included the mild and mouthwatering saffron rice (consumed within minutes), the butter chicken with its distinctive Indian flavours, and the rich masala vegetable curry that paired incredibly well with their naan.
Spice Jammer
While these dishes were served mildly spiced – for those among us whose palates are less tolerant of hotter dishes – Spice Jammer customizes the spiciness of their meals to suit the wishes of each diner.
According to Billie, a few brave customers regularly order their dishes at their hottest ‘Double Suicide’ spice level, while even more enthusiastic spice lovers have been known to request their meals at ‘Triple Suicide’ levels.
Closing – but not lost forever
While nothing can replace the experience of dining at Spice Jammer once it’s closed for good, Billie Essa is not about to leave her customers hanging.
All of the dishes served at the restaurant are her original recipes born out of tireless flavour experimentation, and as such there is currently no way for anyone else to replicate them.
However, she is working towards publishing a cookbook so that fans of Spice Jammer cuisine will not have to give up their favourite meals forever.
To fund this initiative, Billie’s children Aly and Noren have launched a GoFundMe campaign in hopes of raising $25,000 for their mom to write the book.
Spice Jammer
“Those who know us, or have been to our restaurant, know that our passion is connecting people through food,” they write.
“Our hope is that by sharing her [our mom’s] recipes we can continue to bring joy to the community through our food, even after the restaurant has closed.”
Some of the featured recipes in the proposed cookbook include samosas, butter chicken, masala prawns and Kuku Paka – a traditional East African Indian curry from the shores of Zanzibar.
As of the time of publication, the campaign has raised $245. Click here if you would like to contribute.
For now, diners can still enjoy an evening meal at Spice Jammer until the end of 2019. So, to facilitate the experience, Victoria Buzz is giving one lucky reader the chance to win $100 gift card to spend at the restaurant.
CONTEST
For a chance to WIN a $100 gift card to Spice Jammer, complete one or more of the following:
LIKE Spice Jammer on Facebook comment below to let us know (1 entry)
FOLLOW Spice Jammer on Instagram and comment below to let us know (1 entry)
COMMENT below letting us know your favourite memory or experience
The winner will be drawn on Monday, October 28th. Good luck!
The family of a 20-year-old woman injured in a hit-and-run are asking any witnesses of the incident to step forward and contact police.
Their 1-year-old French Bulldog, Louie, was killed in the crash.
At around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th, 20-year-old Azeya Pokorny was walking her dog at the crosswalk on Foul Bay Road and Leighton Road when they were hit by a car, whose driver did not stop to check on them.
Pokorny’s mother, Julianne Cameron says that the vehicle is described as a burgundy Toyota SUV.
“Azeya was pretty bruised up but she will be fine physically. The gruesomeness of the hit may result in PTSD symptoms which I’m very worried about,” Cameron tells Victoria Buzz.
She says their dog probably died on site as a result of the head trauma, but hospital staff did their best to try and resuscitate him.
“Neither municipalities will take responsibility for the safety of this crosswalk which really needs lights,” says Cameron.
The incident was reported to police on Thursday, however Cameron says that the constable assigned to the case had Friday and the weekend off meaning there was no one to work on finding the suspect.
Victoria Buzz reached out to VicPD on Friday and have not heard back as of the time of publication.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Victoria Police at (250) 995-7654, or call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1 800-222-8477.
Ruizhen WU was located alive and well earlier today by SAR volunteers and has been reunited with her family. (PEMO Search & Rescue)
Great news to report!
An elderly woman who went missing from the Saanich area on October 10th has been found.
Ruizhen Wu was located safe this morning by Search and Rescue in Saanich, according to Cst. Markus Anastasiades in a media release.
Saanich police asked for the public’s help in locating Wu on Thursday, October 10th. Police believed Wu suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, and may have become disoriented through her travels.
Police said Wu was found walking and talking in the area of Mount Doug and that her ‘health appears to be okay’. Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization tweeted a photo showing her being transported from the area on a stretcher, however, PEMO did confirm that she was reunited with her family.
“The Saanich Police would like to express their thanks to Search and Rescue for efforts throughout, as well as the public for their efforts and creating awareness on this matter,” Anastasiades added in the the release.
Are you in the market for kids’ toys, books, shoes, bouncy chairs, cribs, or strollers?
Make your way down to this mega sale hosted by Vancouver Island Multiple Births Association, but come early to get your hands on items while supplies last.
Pumpkin hunters and Halloween enthusiasts, your time of the year has finally arrived. Get into the Halloween spirit with Hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a corn maze, petting farm, haunted house, and much more.
When: Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Hosted by Galey Farms Corn Maze, 4150 Blenkinsop Road
Electra Socket and guest Woofie Goldberg give you a night of Pre-Halloween Bingo with chances to win prizes while also supporting the Youth OUTreach Ticket program.
Looking for a furry companion doesn’t need to be “ruff”, and Flirting with Fido will show you how you can adopt one looking for a good home.
Make your way down to Bosley’s on Burnside for National Adoption Weekend for this 3 day event that will have dogs on site as well as FWF team members who are happy to answer all your canine-related questions.
Spend a night dancing to early 2000s Hip Hop artists like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Missy Elliot, and Ludacris with this throwback Sunday event filled to the brim with nostalgia.
Join the members of the Victoria, Vancouver Island, and BC Lapidary clubs who will be selling their created crafts, collections, and all things rock related.
When: Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Leonardo Da Vinci Italian Centre, 195 Bay Street
Run, walk, or spectate the 40th year of the GoodLife’s marathon that will be taking over Victoria and Oak Bay. If you aren’t participating, remember that there will be detours and road closures in the area.
If you are still looking for Thanksgiving plans or not really in the mood to cook, venture down for a dinner prepared by Victoria Marriott for an evening of eating right on the Inner Harbour.
When: Sunday, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, 728 Humboldt Street
Experience a painting night at Ross Bay Pub that plans to bring out your inner artist and also leave you with something you may want to hang up in your house when it’s done.
Relieve yourself from the tension of the weekend with this hour of yoga that allows you to work at your own pace while offering modifications along the way.
Finish off your long weekend with a special Thanksgiving meal at Langford’s Bear Mountain Resort that will feature a tasting menu, breakfast and dinner buffets.
When: Monday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Bear Mountain Resort, 1999 Country Club Way
Saanich Police are investigating the death of an elderly man who was struck by a truck earlier this week.
The 89-year-old pedestrian was walking along the road on Royal Oak Drive near Pipeline Road at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9th when he was hit by a truck.
Investigators say he was not walking in a designated crossing area.
The driver of the vehicle remained on site and fully cooperated with investigators. The elderly man was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Collision analysts are working to determine the details of the crash, and police are now seeking witnesses to the incident.
“We believe that there are witnesses to this collision who we have not yet spoken to. Their information could help answer questions about what happened and provide some closure to the family and friends impacted by this man’s tragic death,” said A/ Staff Sgt. Damian Kowalewich.
Anyone who saw the collision is asked to contact Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.
Island Health has announced that they will be providing temporary employees at two long-term care facilities on Vancouver Island.
According to a statement from the authority, this measure is meant to address concerns about the quality of care at Nanaimo Seniors’ Village and Selkirk Place in Victoria.
Island Health, in cooperation with the Hospital Employees’ Union and BC Nurses’ Union, will begin providing these staff members at Selkirk Place starting Saturday, October 12th.
Similar measures have been in place at Nanaimo Seniors’ Village for several weeks and will continue to remain at the site.
“Our job is to put the health and care of residents in long-term care facilities first and that is what we are doing,” said Adrian Dix, Health Minister.
“The Ministry and I strongly support the decision to temporarily have Island Health staff in each of the facilities to stabilize care in the short-term and allow the private company to develop long-term staffing solutions.”
According to Mark Blandford, Executive Director of Primary Care and Seniors Health and Acting Vice President of Priority Populations and Initiatives, the additional employees will remain in place for up to 90 days.
They are employed to assist both operators in providing safe, dignified care to the residents in compliance with the standards stipulated in their contracts and in the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.
A Nanaimo business owner recovered a possibly stolen bike from a man she believed was wrongfully in possession of it and RCMP are now looking to return it to its owner.
The incident occurred in the afternoon of Thursday, October 10th, in a parking lot outside of the Departure Bay Road 7-Eleven.
The business owner (who has chosen to remain anonymous) spotted the man outside of the 7-Eleven with a newer model bike and had a suspicious feeling that it was not rightfully his.
After a short conversation with the man, he agreed to willingly turn the bike over to Nanaimo RCMP.
“The serial number was checked with negative results and it was registered at 529 Garage. There was a lot of dust on it so it may have been recently been taken from a shed or storage locker. Either way, we hope someone recognizes it and gives us a call,” said Cst. Gary O’Brien.
Nanaimo RCMP are describing the bike as a black and light blue GT Karakoram, and are asking for public assistance to have it returned to its rightful owner.
If you have any information, contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345
The newest mural near downtown Victoria has just been completed and it needs to be on your Insta feed!
If you find yourself walking by the James Bay Floyd’s Diner, you’ll spot the new addition created by local artist Paul Archer that has recently been airbrushed on the wall.
Archer’s depiction of the iconic film star took just over a day to complete, with his assistant Michael Johnston completing the borders of the image.
For inspiration, Archer looked at several pictures of Marilyn before deciding on how to create an interactive mural that allows people to take photos by standing near the tip of her finger.
Floyd’s Diner commissioned Archer to create this mural based on his previous work with them, including the now famous Marilyn painting that was stolen from the diner in 2015 at their former downtown location at the corner of Yates and Douglas Street.
That mural was later returned thanks to a tip from a homeless man who was then given free meals for life from the restaurant for his help.
Over the years, Archer has been hired to complete several paintings and artworks across the province, but when it comes to his preferences, home is where the heart is.
“It’s my favourite city. I would love to be commissioned more in Victoria,” Archer said.
Launching straight out of a career that has taken him all over the globe, Archer has found a home on the island at his Fort Street storefront where he can be hired for big or small works.
His Marilyn Monroe mural can be found at Floyd’s Diner, 332 Menzies Street.
This Greater Victoria business may not have a storefront but you’ve probably heard of them!
Just follow the long lineup at any fair or market they’re at and you’ll find Sidney Scones, with its staff hurrying to get large orders ready within minutes.
Now, to pre-empt those lines, business owner Chelsey Columbus has launched a one-day only pre-order bake sale through theSidney Scones website.
Patrons interested in purchasing boxes of 6 or 8 scones can pre-order on the website and pick up their treats at the commercial kitchen at 6824 Kirkpatrick Crescent, Unit number 3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, October 14th.
This is the first time the business has offered an online pre-order option.
“Because this is a completely new way of selling my scones and it is the holiday on Monday, I only have one person to work with me,” writes Columbus in an Instagram post.
“So I will only be able to bake up my original scones, but no keto, gf, vegan, gf/vegan. If all goes well, I will most likely be able to do this again but with more varieties!”
For this event, Sidney Scones will be offering boxes of 6 sweet scones or boxes of 6 sweet, plus two savoury scones. There will also be the option to purchase a 6 or 8 pack of only one of the flavours.
Here’s what you can choose from:
6 pack assortment includes one each of:
Pumpkin “Pie”
Double Cranberry, Blood Orange & White Chocolate
Ginger Pear & Cream Cheese
Maple, Oat & Pecan
Salted Caramel Apple
Chocolate Hazelnut
8 pack includes one of each above and one of each of the following savoury scones:
Roasted Butternut Squash, Bacon, Leek & Parmesan
Vegetarian Stuffing
Packs of 6 cost $28 while a box of 8 scones are $38.
Discount
To celebrate, Victoria Buzz has scored a sweet deal for our followers:
The first 10 people to head over to the new Sidney Scones website and use the discount code VICTORIABUZZ at checkout will receive 10% off on their order.
A majority of Canadians would support a move to declare Federal Election Day a national holiday, according to a survey conducted by Research Co.
Among those who responded to the online survey, 58% would like to declare election day a public holiday across Canada. On the other hand 32% oppose this idea, while 11% remain undecided.
In addition the results of this survey state that a majority of Canadians believe voting should be mandatory in federal elections, while 29% disagree and 9% are undecided.
An even larger majority of respondents (69%) believe it should be mandatory for candidates to attend at least one public debate in their riding with the candidates from other parties.
These results are based on an online poll conducted by Research Co. between September 24th and September 26th in which 1,000 Canadians representative of the population were surveyed. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Full results
Advance voting for the 43rd federal elections began today, Friday October 11th and will run until Thanksgiving Day, Monday October 14th.
The fixed election day is on October 21st, with polls closing at 7 p.m. PST.
One of Victoria’s newest farm-to-table restaurants, Wind Cries Mary, opened this past July to popular acclaim in the former Camille’s Restaurant location in Bastion Square.
This quaint hideaway restaurant features an ever-changing menu focused on using locally sourced meat, produce and seafood.
Meals are served family-style with a snazzy presentation, yet the food and pricing are fairly reasonable, especially when splitting the meals amongst your buds family style.
The main dining room is intimate and comfortable, with table service geared towards smaller parties. There is also a back dining area for larger groups of 6 or more, and the bar is ideal for individuals or small groups looking for a casual vibe.
On a busy Sunday evening, a party of three was served a ½ order of Vancouver Island oysters, an arugula, beet, and burrata salad, a ½ order of the most delicious fried chicken, a mouth-watering ribeye steak, roasted cauliflower, gnudi in a mushroom sauce (a pasta dish similar to gnocchi), and a deconstructed Nanaimo bar for dessert.
The food came out in several courses, was thoughtfully prepared, and boasted exceptional quality. Condiments like the house-made mignonette and hot sauce served in glass dropper bottles created a nice, island-style touch.
Patrons looking for the full experience can also opt for the chef’s choice family-style meal for around $65 per person – as long as the entire table participates.
The bar at Wind Cries Mary stays in sync with its restaurant counterpart, serving up tasty cocktails, craft beer, and BC wines with a local focus.
Their recent cocktail menu includes a tasty libation called Castles Made Of Sand with spiced rum, coconut, strawberry, and egg white.
If late-night drinking is your thing, industry hour – geared towards hospitality workers getting off work late at night – ensues from 10:30 pm to 12:00 am six nights a week (every night except Mondays).
The restaurant also plans to launch a new late-night food menu that offers different but similarly delectable fare.
Restaurant owner, Jesse Dame, and chef David Healey have worked together for years and are thrilled with the first 3 months of business, having welcomed many repeat guests in the short time since the restaurant opened.
Dame is a butcher, baker and very much involved with all aspects of the business. “As a local born and raised on the island, my vision for this restaurant was a place ‘for the locals’ – a cozy sanctuary to unwind from the daily hustle and bustle,” he explains.
Dame and Healey continue to change and evolve the menu items weekly in order to keep the menu fresh and exciting for their guests.
Guests can stay up-to-date with the weekly menu updates by following Wind Cries Mary’s Instagram page.
Great news to report. 75-year-old Ruizhen Wu, the subject of a missing police report, has been located two days after going missing. She was located near Mount Doug by Search and Rescue volunteers. Click here for the full story.
— original:
Saanich Police are renewing their call for public assistance in locating missing Ruizhen
Wu.
The 75-year-old woman who is believed to be suffering from Alzheimer’s was last seen by her family at around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 10th as she prepared to go for her daily walk.
(Photo by Saanich Police)
Saanich Police investigators have gathered surveillance footage that shows Wu walking along Westport Place in the Cordova Bay area at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.
In the photos and video provided, she is wearing a red coat, maroon pants and black shoes with white soles.
At this time, police are asking residents to be on the lookout for Wu and search areas like their yards or garages as she may be seeking shelter in unusual places.
We are asking residents of Saanich and Greater Victoria to be on the lookout for Mrs. Wu so she can receive a medical assessment and then be reunited with her family,” stated A/Staff Sergeant Damian Kowalewich.
She is described as 75-year-old woman of Chinese descent, estimated to be 5’4″ tall with short black hair and walks with a distinct limp.
MISSING PERSON***Public Assistance Still Needed*** We need to locate Mrs. WU who suffers from Alzheimer Disease and may appear disoriented. 75 year old female, 165 cm in height, short black hair & walks with a distinct limp. Call (250) 475-4321 or local Police. pic.twitter.com/ROBwBqJUi3
Internationally renowned mountain biking and free-riding icon Jordie Lunn has passed away.
According to Pinkbike Magazine, 36-year-old Lunn succumbed to his injuries sustained in a crash while trail riding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on October 9th.
Over the course of his career, the Parksville native originally began his mountain biking career through cross country and racing in the early 2000s, making his mark by becoming the fastest Canadian at Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2003.
Lunn soon switched gears to take up free-riding and, over the course of his career, has competed on every stage in freeride mountain biking.
The Vancouver Island legend lived in Victoria and recently produced videos like the Rough AF series which garnered hundreds of thousands of views apiece on YouTube.
“He has this tough badass look to him but is the most cool nice dude you could meet. When rough freeriding was a thing of the past in the mainstream bike world he comes out with a vid series called Rough AF,” says Michael Bentham.
Bentham describes the series as a modern version of what he and others grew up watching, in which Lunn would perform stunts that no one else would attempt.
“A huge hole is left in the biking world,” he says.
Great news to report. 75-year-old Ruizhen Wu, the subject of a missing police report, has been located two days after going missing. She was located near Mount Doug by Search and Rescue volunteers. Click here for the full story.
–original:
Saanich Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 75-year-old woman who is believed to suffer from Alzheimer’s.
Ruizhen Wu was last seen by her family at around 9:30 a.m. this morning (Thursday) as she prepared to go for her daily walk.
Her last known whereabouts was near Rogers Avenue and Quadra Street.
It is believed Wu suffer from Alzheimer’s disease so she may be disoriented through her travels.
She is described as 75-year-old woman of Chinese descent, estimated to be 5’4″ tall with short black hair and walks with a distinct limp.
Wu was last seen wearing burgundy coat with black dots, blue or black pants and black shoes.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mrs. WU is asked to contact the
Saanich Police at 250-475-4321 or their local law enforcement service/agency.
The first concert of the UVic Wind Symphony season conducted by Steven Capaldo which will include works by Cait Nishimura’s “Lake Superior Suite”, Percy Grainger’s “Handel in The Strand”, and Jodie Blackshaw’s “Peace Dancer” (based on the book by Ron Henry Vickers”.
Experience the merging of cultures from the Canadian world music band that plays a mix of Bhangra, electronic, funk, dub, reggae, hip hop, and mashup of other genres!
A road rage incident between two drivers on Vancouver Island escalated into a vicious confrontation that resulted in an elderly man being hospitalized.
On Wednesday, October 9th at around 12 p.m., an 85-year-old man was driving along Herd Road toward Duncan when a truck tailgated and then passed by him.
The driver of the truck, who seemed unhappy with the speed of the victim, then pulled over near the 2500-block of Herd Road, and the victim parked behind him to have a conversation about the incident.
After only a few words, the unknown man broke the driver’s side window of the senior’s vehicle and then punched him repeatedly in the face and head.
The man then went around and smashed the passenger side window before getting in his truck and driving off.
The victim suffered undisclosed injuries as a result of the assault and was taken to the local hospital for treatment.
Police describe the suspect’s truck as:
third-generation Dodge Ram extended cab
short box
silver
white canopy with tinted side glass and tinted rear glass
black or darker aftermarket rims
rear bumper had an accent along the length of the top
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are asking for assistance from the public to identify the vehicle or may have witnessed the incident.
If you have any information that may be of relevance to this investigation contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522 and refer to police file number 2019-18034.
If you would like to remain anonymous, contact Cowichan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
While the haunted house at Ogden Point is on hiatus this year, another Victoria scare-station has decided to up their spook levels with a brand new theme.
Heritage Haunted House is back to scare Victorians for the 14th year and this year, their theme is Phobias.
Every October 31st, this character house in Saanich is transformed into something you’d find in your worst nightmares. Zombies, witches, ghouls, clowns – if you fear it, they’ve got it.
What started as a small event with a handful of props at Carly Burbank’s home has now evolved into a full scale production encompassing the entire property, including 2000 sq feet of their basement.
This year, the organizers have decided to keep Heritage Haunted House open for one more day on November 1st for those who just can’t get enough of Halloween activities.
Tickets for entry on October 31st are available by donation at the entrance, but admission for the next day must be pre-booked through this website.
As usual, all proceeds will go to the Help Fill a Dream Foundation – a local charity helping children in Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses.
“What Help Fill A Dream does for Vancouver Island children and families is such a valuable service. They step in when parents are facing the most difficult time of their lives, and assist with so many of the costs associated with facing a paediatric life-threatening illness,” said Burbank in a statement.
“As parents, none of us ever want to imagine our children being sick, let alone having to be without the financial means to receive the treatment required. That is really terrifying.”
Make sure to head over to Heritage Haunted House to make some nightmares come true – all for a good cause!
Once again, Victorians have stepped up and shown their compassion for others.
At this year’s event, thousands of rolls of toilet paper and hundreds of pounds of feminine hygiene products were donated at the 5th annual TP the Town event.
To be exact, there were 105,000 rolls of toilet paper and 324 pounds of feminine hygiene products collected during the all-day event.
This was also the first time in the event’s 5 year history in Victoria that organizers collected feminine hygiene products.
75 volunteers collected donations at 22 different grocery stores across Victoria in the annual drive to help those less fortunate in the community.
Originally founded in 2012 in Kingston, Ontario, TP the Town was created to focus on helping people who are forced to choose between food or purchasing toilet paper.
“TP the Town is more than an event, it’s a movement and a cause in itself. Nobody should be forced to choose between toilet paper and personal hygiene products.” said Shaun Cerisano, TP the Town Co-Founder.
“We understand how that forced choice adds to the mental health crisis in our community. We are proud that we can play a pivotal role in providing dignity to people in need in our own backyard,” added Cerisano.
Proceeds from the event were donated to the Mustard Seed Food Bank with further distribution to other local food banks through Food Share Network.
This year, the annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon turns 40 years old and it shows no signs of stopping as over 8,000 runners and joggers are expected to participate in the event.
As with every year, participants can choose between running a full 42.195K marathon, a half marathon, an 8K road race, and other featured races like Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
McTavish had an extensive criminal record and was known for evading police, so officers conducted surveillance and tracked his movements before arresting him.
He was wanted for trafficking drugs, possessing prohibited firearms and ammunition, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, breach of recognizance, and evading police.
According to West Shore RCMP Cst. Nancy Saggar, McTavish remains in custody until his next court appearance on October 31st.
Victoria Police have renewed a call to the public for assistance in their search for missing Luc Racicot.
63-year-old Racicot was last seen in July but reported missing to police on August 27th. He has not yet been located and authorities believe he may be in Vancouver.
He is described as a Caucasian man standing 5’5″ tall, weighing 160 lbs with grey hair and brown eyes.
Officers and Racicot’s family are concerned for his well-being as his behaviour is unusual.
If you see him call 911. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the VicPD non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 or your local police department.
If you felt particularly chilly this morning, it’s because temperatures in Victoria broke a 50-year-old weather record today.
Temperatures in the capital city dropped to 0°C at around 5 a.m. on Thursday morning. According to Environment Canada statistics, the last time it got that cold was on October 10th – exactly 50 years ago, in 1969.
“Basically what we had was a cold front through most of the province over the course of a day or two earlier this week,” Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon told Victoria Buzz. “Now we’re all entrenched in this cold air since about yesterday.”
The cold front descended over British Columbia from the Arctic around Tuesday, and is expected to clear out over the next few days.
While minimum temperatures have dropped to record low levels, daytime highs are still relatively warm, reaching up to 12°C today and 14ºC tomorrow.
According to Sekhon, a new weather system coming in from the Pacific will bring warmer air and increasing cloudiness over the next two days.
“On Saturday we start to get into more unsettled conditions with some showers in the forecast, but temperatures are going to be relatively warm,” he says.
To see temperatures drop this low so early in the season is clearly an anomaly, but not unprecedented.
“Looking back at Victoria, for example in 2009, on the 11th of October we had [a low of] 0.6°C. So it doesn’t happen often but we can get these cold snaps every now and again,” says Sekhon.
“As the climate changes we can have more extremes, but we can’t say this event is necessarily linked to climate change. It’s one event.”
