| COMMUNITY EVENTS | 💃🏼 The Soul Shakers Dance Party is going down on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available through Oak Bay Recreation Centre or Beacon Ridge Productions. | 🎻 Catch Tony Furtado with John Reischman on mandolin, and virtuosic fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Luke Price on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30pm at the Sports View Lounge. | 🥁 FOM Music Society is holding FREE drumming classes, every Tuesday from 1-3pm at Eric Martin Pavilion Theatre. Drop-ins welcome, so come get your groove on! |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | 🏆 Oak Bay wins award for being one of the best places to live in Canada, despite its high cost of living. Moving Waldo deemed the community the second best place in Canada to live, due to its many beaches and parks, low crime, as well as its natural beauty and high walkability score. The award was given despite it being one of the most expensive communities to live in, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment coming in at $2,108. [Moving Waldo] | 🌊 Video shows high water levels along Dallas Road on Tuesday. While some community members feared the potential for future rust forming on their cars, others called out engineering for failing to properly assess flood risks on this road. [Vancouver Island Buzz] | 🍩 One police officer was written up for taking long coffee and meal breaks in Oak Bay, according to BC’s police oversight agency’s 2022/2023 annual report, which revealed 10 local investigations led to discipline in Greater Victoria. [OPCC report] | 🚨 The RCMP arrested an Oak Bay man for possessing a “gun” at the Langford library, which turned out to be a replica. The 59-year-old man was initially facing three weapons offences, which will likely end up different than in the initial arrest. [RCMP] | 💤 There is an elephant seal currently moulting on Cadboro Bay Beach. The seal is going through its natural process, even though it may look distressed or beached. Community members should be cautious and give the animal lots of space in the coming weeks. [Photo] | ♻️ Need alerts for Oak Bay's garbage day? Sign up for a free local email reminder service here. | Have you ever come across a moulting seal in Oak Bay? | | | 📚 Last week’s survey in the Oak Bay Local newsletter showed that locals love the library! When asked whether they plan to visit the library, nearly 200 hundred voters said “yes”. Some of the comments were incredibly heartwarming, with many saying they want their libraries protected, and appreciate the increasingly rare opportunity to connect with their community. | 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes - I am planning on going as often as I can. (84%) | ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No - I don't have a use for the library. (6%) | ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Not sure - my reading habits have changed and I want to see what's available. (10%) | | P.S. Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here. |
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| | PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT | To join the conversation, become a member of the Oak Bay Local Facebook Group | Locals speculate on new occupant of Estevan business space | Oak Bay locals were speculating on what kind of a business may occupy a vacant space in Estevan Village. There were some chain reactions to suggestions that Walmart, Costco or IKEA could take up space in the picturesque village space. Not to worry though, so far nothing is confirmed, and one commenter said they were name dropping to get a reaction from the community. | While future tenants remain unconfirmed, one thing is clear, Oak Bay loves their local independent businesses and appreciates what they bring to the community. What kind of new business would you like to see open shop in Estevan Village? | |
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| | | Locals discuss benefits of more bike lanes and transit services | The topic has been a hot one for years on Oak Bay Local, and the community once again discussed the development (and lack of) bike lanes and improved public transit for the community. Over 60 commenters discussed their thoughts, with the majority arguing that better bus services would benefit the most people in the community. The original commenter posted some photos to illustrate how people in cars, on buses, bikes or on foot take up space on the road. How would you like to get around Oak Bay in the future? | |
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| | SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION | | Stay connected to everything social impact | Want to stay in the loop on social impact in the capital region? Sign up for the Victoria Foundation’s newsletter for bi-weekly updates on Foundation news, publications like Vital Signs and Pulse, funding and grant announcements, donor updates, and highlights about local non-profits! Stay informed and engaged with your community. |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Vibes Fitness Oak Bay gets a new owner | Local Elliot James Raymer has been sharing his fitness journey with the community, particularly how how his grandmother inspired him to help others stay fit after she struggled in her later years with strength and mobility. After two years of his own journey training at Vibes Fitness, he’s now the proud owner of the local business. Read more of his story, or stop by the business to learn more about his vision on Oak Bay Local. All ages are welcome! | |
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