TOGETHER WITH | | COMMUNITY EVENTS | 🎼 Oak Bay compost fundraiser sale is on until Feb. 27. Proceeds from the sale will support the Oak Bay High Band and Athletics programs. | 🛍 Oak Bay United Church Thrift Store is open on Fridays from 10am to 1pm. | 💃🏼 Monterey Recreation Center to hold rummage sale fundraiser on Feb. 25 from 9am to 1pm. | 🥂 Culinaire 2023 is now sold out! Be sure to subscribe to the Culinaire newsletter for 2024 event announcements and to secure tickets to next year's event!* | *Sponsored Listing | | COMMUNITY NEWS | 📚 Oak Bay Library remains closed for asbestos testing after it was found in "an isolated area" last Friday. It is set to reopen on Feb. 6 if no more is found. [Capital Daily] | 🙏 Oak Bay staff, volunteers, race to absorb oil spill coming from Victoria that puts local salmon project at risk. Volunteers are watching closely to ensure they can follow-through with plans to plant 30,000 eggs on Saturday. [Saanich News] | 🔥 Oak Bay police respond to report of a small group of people around a beach fire. They later reminded the public that outdoor fires, whether backyard burning or on the beach, are not permitted in Oak Bay. [Oak Bay Police] | 🐝 Oak Bay Beach Hotel could add rooftop beehives after bylaw change opens up restrictions that could eventually allow rules to ease around commercially-zoned properties. [Oak Bay News] | ⚡️ Do you work in government and tech? Sign up for Button Inc.’s free twice-monthly newsletter and up your digital communications, user experience, and customer relationships!* | *Sponsored Listing | | P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here. | | PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT | To join the conversation, become a member of the Oak Bay Local Facebook Group | Oak Bay ponders whether there is still a place for an old-fashioned video rental store | The Globe And Mail recently profiled Pic-A-Flic Video, the iconic 40 year-old video rental store that is now located at the Stadacona Center, at the border of Oak Bay. The shop is one of the few remaining in BC, and owner Kent Bentall reflected on the decline of the video rental industry and its future. He told the publication that while the decline is evident, he does see the possibility of a swing toward physical media again, comparing it to the lasting appreciation of vinyl records. He also said that "it warms my heart when I see a younger generation coming in and renting Charlie Chaplin films... that is amazing. There is always hope." | Other Oak Bay locals didn't seem as hopeful, however, with many expressing concern that they no longer know how to use older technology like standalone DVD players that don't integrate with the commonly-used platforms, subscriptions, and devices used now. Regardless of whether they plan on using them again, most locals remembered their experience with video rental shops fondly, even if they can't see a place for them in their lives any more. | | Missing tulip bulbs | An Oak Bay local reached out to the group after noticing that some sort of a creature dug up and ate their tulip bulbs leaving a large hole, and they did not suspect their dog was the culprit. After initially suspecting rats, others chimed in to report having seen racoons and squirrels responsible in the past. The original poster followed up with a picture of the hole that was left, with some suspecting it was a tunnel while others were sure that a squirrel was the guilty party. Squirrels, racoons, rats, deer, and rabbits have all been responsible for digging up bulbs of all kinds in Oak Bay, and those with experience suggested trying whole cloves (not ground), chicken wire, or nematodes (to get rid of grubs) to restore the balance and preserve the bulbs. | | | SPONSORED POST | | TOGETHER WITH ROBYN WILDMAN, SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY CANADA | Achieve your real estate goals | Whether you’re buying or selling a home (or both), your success hinges upon the expert advice and services provided by your real estate agent. | Robyn Wildman of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada uses her 33 years of real estate sales and marketing experience to serve you and deliver services designed to meet your needs. Specializing in this local market, Robyn has a reputation for putting the client first, and keeping the real estate process as stress-free as possible. | Any time you want information on the market or are ready to buy or sell a property – contact Robyn. She’s ready to talk when you are! | | IN OTHER NEWS |  | Photo: Maggie May |
| Volunteer seeks Oak Bay locals to help distribute Valentine's Day cards to seniors | An Oak Bay local is seeking help to distribute Valentine's Day cards to local seniors after they had to take some unexpected time away from the project. A local after-school care program has said they can help out, in addition to other possible volunteers. Do you have some spare time? Locals would like to hear from you. | | SPONSORED POST | | IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GARDEN CITY | Get your yard ready for spring | Now available from Garden City: 1 yard (27 cubic foot) tote bags of bulk materials delivered right to your door! Island gold mulch, kelp mulch, garden blend soil, and lawn soils are all available. | Order yours today! | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK | | Image credit: Neil Dickie "Mt. Baker from Cattle Point" - January 29, 2023 | | Interested in advertising in Oak Bay Local? | Contact us at info@oakbaylocal.com |
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