| COMMUNITY EVENTS | 📚 GVPL’s Oak Bay branch will be open seven days a week starting Sunday, Jan. 7. Opening hours on Sundays are from 1-5pm. | 🕺 The Soul Shakers Dance Party will take place on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available through Oak Bay Recreation Centre or Beacon Ridge Productions. |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | 🏘 A proposal for two new multi-unit homes was sent back to the heritage commission after some say they don’t approve of the aesthetic. At issue for some, was that the modern style of the new proposed buildings was an aesthetic deemed “insensitive” considering the style of other older homes in the area of Beach Drive. [Victoria News] | 📚 Greater Victoria Public Libraries are ditching fines for overdue items. The move was intended to reduce barriers for all library users and increase access to services for everyone, according to the board chair Andrew Appleton who said the board hopes anyone with an overdue fine will “feel welcome” to visit the library. [GVPL] | 📧 The Victoria Foundation’s e-newsletter shares bi-weekly updates highlighting stories about the vital work of local non-profits, the generosity of donors, funding and grant announcements, Vital Signs and Pulse publications, and even more. Subscribe today.* | 🧪 Lab volunteer questions the cause of bacteria at Willows Beach. Lynn Wharram, a volunteer with Blue Water Task Force, is communicating with the District of Oak Bay to find out what caused a dramatic increase in bacteria at the beach this summer. The raised bacteria levels did not align with the usual causes, such as rainfall, given the dry weather, she said. Island Health pointed to water temperature, tides and wastewater as potential causes. [Oak Bay News] | 🏡 An Oak Bay home built in 1996 topped the list of the highest-valued single-family homes on Vancouver Island, it came in at $16.2M. Oak Bay was also home to the top 10 single-family homes with the highest values on the Island, according to the newly released BC Assessment list. [BC Assessment] | 🍜 Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here! | 🌳 A tree at Willows Beach has been made a memorial for sisters Chloe and Aubrey, six years after the tragedy shook the Oak Bay community. Willows was a favourite play place for the girls, where community members left flowers, balloons and a pink sign. [Oak Bay News] | *Sponsored Listing | Do you plan to visit your local library in the new year?GVPL announced some changes, including opening on Sundays, and getting rid of fines. | | | 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 | An unwelcome card in the mail | Oak Bay locals have been reaching out in support of one new homeowner in the community who received an unwelcome surprise over the holidays. After recently having built a new home in Oak Bay, they received a card in the mail with a handwritten note. While the recipient appreciated the time it took to choose the beautiful card, write and place it in the mailbox, the message it contained was not very appreciated. | The note said that the design of the home was “revolting” and suggested it shouldn’t have been approved to be built in Oak Bay. While the style of the home is a more contemporary aesthetic, many in the community disagree that the look of the home is in any way unappealing, with its minimalistic exterior, clean lines and sustainable materials and low-maintenance exterior plants. | Nearly 200 people commented in support of the homeowner, saying that while Oak Bay has traditionally been thought of to embrace a certain village-core aesthetic, it is actually made up of an eclectic mix of architectural styles throughout its history. Newer styles are set to become another part of Oak Bay’s history, particularly as new provincial density requirements will require more multi-family units and will hopefully bring more positives than negatives to the community. | |
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| | | Community kindness | One Oak Bay local posted this week that they have noticed an increase in rude and unpleasant interactions among members of the forum. While this is certainly not always the case, administrators of the forum would like to remind everyone firstly, to be kind to one another. | Secondly, if you do notice an inappropriate or rude comment targeting someone, you can report it to admins of the forum who will do their best to ensure that the space continues to be safe for discussing various issues. The community is made up of all kinds of voices and perspectives, and while everyone is bound to disagree from time to time, doing so from a place of respect can ensure everyone continues to feel that they belong here. | |
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| | SPONSORED BY MLA MURRAY RANKIN | | International Day of People with Disabilities | Did you know last month marked International Day of People with Disabilities? Recently, MLA Murray Rankin met Simon, and wanted to highlight the amazing work he does to share his experience with disabilities, raise awareness within our community, and fundraise towards curing MPS! Hear more about his powerful message here! |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Local and her guide dog get their groove on at Ajna Yoga Studio | One community member reached out to thank the community for the support after a conversation left them feeling empowered to go out and meet new people. The original poster said that after the interaction, they attended their first yoga class at Ajna Yoga Studio with their guide dog, and wanted to send thanks for the accommodations that were made for them. They even gave the pup her own mat space! Their goal for 2024 is to “find my groove… right here in Oak Bay!” | |
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| | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |  | Photo credit: Cecile Brisebois Guillemot |
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