In partnership with | | COMMUNITY EVENTS | 🏒 Looking for activities over spring break? Check out the roster of activities at Oak Bay Recreation. March 15-30 here. | 📋 Friends of Monterey Centre Society Annual General Meeting. March 24. 1pm–3:30 pm. All AGM attendees must have both an active Monterey Social Activity Membership and be a Friends of Monterey Society Member. | 💃🏼 Glamma’s Night Out - Dinner & Live Music for Oak Bay Grandmas. Friday, April 4, at The Oaks Restaurant. | 🎼 Enjoy a free community concert every Thursday from 6:30-7:15pm at Eric Martin Pavilion Theatre. A different band is featured each time. Bring your friends and family to this free, dry event, with snacks and refreshments provided. Please use the Fort St. entrance (glass sliding doors). | 👂🏽Despite being so common, many people affected by hearing loss are reluctant to get help. The Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre aims to address one of the most common yet stigmatized disabilities in the world. Read more here.* | *Sponsored Listing | |
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| IN THE NEWS | 🚨Oak Bay Police say grifters posing as officers in jury duty scam. Police say there was a report of a resident who was contacted by scammers impersonating police officers in Oak Bay, who then said the resident failed to attend jury duty, and they need to pay a bond to avoid legal consequences. Luckily, the targeted victim wasn’t buying it—hung up and called the police. [Oak Bay Police] | 👩🏻🔬 UVic carbon removal project gets $24M in funding. UVic researchers on the Solid Carbon team of Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) have spent eight years studying an area of basalt 200km west of the Island to better understand how basalt could be used to reach a future of net-zero emissions. [Capital Daily] | 🏊🏼♀️ Oak Bay braces for impact of extended Crystal Pool closure. Mayors from Saanich, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay say they’re concerned that their pools won’t fit the needs of Crystal Pool users and the spillover may affect recreational opportunities for their residents. [Times Colonist] | ⛹️♂️UVic wins men’s national basketball championship. The UVic men's basketball team won the U SPORTS title for the first time in 28 years and the ninth time overall. The Vikes blew out Calgary last weekend, 82-53, tallying their largest-ever margin of victory in a title game. In what is being seen as one of Victoria's most compelling sports storylines in recent years, the team did it despite losing Canada's top player, the Western Conference championship, and its coach of two decades. [Capital Daily] | 🏞 After months-long delays, Windsor Park Playground is open. See below: |  | Image Credit: Bev Kissinger |
| | 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 | | Earthquake insurance | Many locals have noted the increasing costs of earthquake insurance in recent years, even on modest homes, and have been turning to community members for advice. Specifically, the original poster of the thread said that while they knew costs were likely to have gone up dramatically over the last few years, they were surprised by how much. For a modest 3-bedroom house the earthquake portion of the home insurance policy was quoted as $1800, or about half of the entire policy. | Some said that they have switched their policy to ensure they are being underwritten in Canada. Others said that they have ditched the earthquake insurance portions of their policies completely, due to the increasingly high costs. Many have recommended certain providers in the thread below. Do you have advice to share? | | |
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| | A polarizing zoned 4-plex | One local posted a thread regarding an application for 13 units on a lot zoned for a 4-plex, whose developers are requesting an amendment to the OCP and a rezoning. The original commenter was critical of this proposal, arguing that the changes to the neighbourhood are not what they want. | Others said they were happy with the proposal and were encouraging more developments, particularly more affordable developments for average or low-income earners. Some were critical that this proposal would further drive up costs while changing the character of the neighbourhood. | Do you have thoughts on this and other housing developments in Oak Bay? | | |
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| SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION | | How your will can strengthen your community | Legacy giving through a will or an estate has become one of the most popular ways to contribute financially to charities and causes that people care most about. | By leaving a legacy gift, a person ensures their continued support beyond their lifetime. | “We all want to look after ourselves, our family, and our community,” says Victoria Foundation's Sara Neely. “By making a gift in a will, we can do all three in a way that doesn’t negatively impact one over the other. And we create a ripple effect in the community by looking after those who follow us.” | Victoria Foundation has partnered with Will Power to help Greater Victorians continue their impact for generations to come. | Learn more about how you can use your Will Power to leave a lasting legacy. |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS |  | Image credit: Karen Hough |
| 1 of the Kings Park owls reportedly died this week | Commenters fear there won’t be any babies this year. | |
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| | SPONSORED BY SHAWNIGAN RETREATS | | Your winter escape on Vancouver Island | Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways this winter. Nestled by the serene Shawnigan Lake, our luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature, and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable winter experience. | Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your winter getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats. |
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