TOGETHER WITH | | | | COMMUNITY NEWS | 👷♀️ Investigation continues one year after Oak Bay worker’s death. One year ago today Oak Bay public works employee Steve Seekins was killed on the job after an SUV struck him at a high speed near Bowker Park. Saanich Police, BC Coroners Service, and WorkSafe BC have been investigating since then, though no new information has been made public. [Victoria News] | 🎾 Pickleball players measure sound levels at Oak Bay’s upgraded pickleball courts in attempt to save North Saanich courts. Using a calibrated microphone, Simon Vickers, an Oak Bay program supervisor who worked on the new softer racquet developed by Oak Bay resident Howard Haugom, spent a few hours Wednesday taking a snapshot of sound. [Capital Daily] | 🚨 Oak Bay Police catch two drivers going more than double the speed limit. Police said both drivers were speeding along Beach Drive, which has a limit of 40km/h. One driver was caught going 96 km/h on May 11 and another driver was found going 116 km/h two days later. [Oak Bay Police] | 🏞 Former Oak Bay Lodge property could be used for health purposes. Colliers will develop economic feasibility plan for the rocky property. The health authority, Capital Regional Hospital District and District of Oak Bay are partnering on the project. [Times Colonist] | ☀️ Solar storm picked up on deep sea compasses. Many in Oak Bay saw the aurora borealis in the sky last weekend, and the storm was also detected in the deep sea. Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) recorded magnetic shifts up to 2.7km below the ocean’s surface. Folger Passage subsea site recorded the most dramatic disturbance, with the direction of its compass shifting in a range of +30 to -30 degrees. [UVic] | Did you catch the aurora borealis last weekend? | | | 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 | Lack of options for housing after evictions | An Oak Bay parent reached out to the group this week in search of housing options in Oak Bay that will allow their child to continue at the same school as their friends. Housing concerns are a frequent topic on Oak Bay Local, where there are often weekly posts showing hopeful renters looking to either move to or stay in the community. In this case, a young parent is looking for a rental in the Monterey catchment on Aug. 1 or earlier, after they received a notice that their landlord will be renting their apartment to a family member. | There were dozens of comments in the thread where others have said they are in the exact same situation. One commenter said “it’s the worst part about renting, not knowing when your life is going to blow up. Constant stress.” | Another commenter noted that the proposed capital gains taxation rule changing on June 25, 2024, could lead to more landlords selling off their revenue properties, and many predict that rents are surely to increase as a result. In the case of the original poster, and any others who are currently struggling to find housing that fits their budget, good luck in your search, and you are certainly not alone. | |
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| | | An apple tree without blossoms | An Oak Bay local was looking for some advice on why their old apple tree isn’t blossoming for the first time ever. The original poster said that last year the boughs were bent to the ground where they got a bumper crop of apples. They are aware that sometimes if a tree bears a lot of fruit it won't flower the next year, but up until now, the tree has never been completely free of blossoms and they were wondering if anyone else has any advice or faced a similar issue. After a year of many dead flowering bushes due to the arctic cold snap, heat bombs, and atmospheric rivers, many Oak Bay locals have reported seeing negative impacts to their gardens. | Other Oak Bay locals chimed in to share their personal experiences, including some who have noticed disappearing blooms, dead plants and other negative effects like a lack of bees. While most suspect it is due to the changing weather, others suggested heavy pruning and other measures can help their gardens thrive despite the harsher conditions. | |
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| | SPONSORED BY INTERTIDAL COUNSELLING & WELLNESS | | Your life in review | As an older adult, you may be facing a host of unique challenges. You don’t have to take them on alone. | In our Life Review group, participants will imagine their life as a book, sharing moments of joy and past hardships. Each week there will be a writing topic and ensuing discussion. Group members will identify what is most meaningful in their lives and use these insights to form plans and aspirations for the future. | Running June 7, 14, and 21 at Christ Church Cathedral. Registration closes May 23. Please email blair@intertidalwellness.ca to register. |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS | | Help Broken Promises Rescue save animals | The organization spends over $150K a year on vet care, and provided three options to support their continued work, including: | ❤️ 50/50 Raffle. Ends May 22. 50% of pot goes to winner and the other half (after fees) goes to the rescue. | ❤️ Online auction. Ends May 21 at 7pm. 99 cool things to bid on and all the proceeds go to the rescue. | ❤️ Drink up. Throughout the month of May. Get your returnables to 604 Sandra Place in Langford. Be sure to separate the glass. |
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| | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |  | Photo credit: Mary McArthur |
| Three of the District’s hardworking employees from the Parks Department—Iain, Karif, and Chris. |
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