🌿 Oak Bay weighs in on 'No Mow May"

TOGETHER WITH

COMMUNITY EVENTS

🕺 Playground Fundraiser Dance with the Bald Eagles Band on Saturday, May 6, from 6-10pm at the Sports View Lounge. The evening is jointly organized by the Rotary Club of Oak Bay and the Oak Bay Municipality as a benefit concert to raise funds for accessible playground equipment in Oak Bay.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Oak Bay Half Marathon on May 28 is looking for volunteers for a maximum of four-hour shifts. This would be an excellent opportunity for any fundraising groups, as honorariums are offered. Details on how to volunteer are here.

🚲 Curious about e-bikes? Oak Bay Bicycles is offering a free workshop at the Marigold Cafe on Saturday, May 6 from 10am to 3pm where riders can test a variety of e-bikes from brands like Trek, Norco, and Electra out along the Lochside Trail.

🧘 Tall Tree Health announces the “Nature of Now” with John Astin. Popularized by Sam Harris’s Waking Up app. Explore the mystery of experience with this masterful spiritual teacher.*

*Sponsored Listing

COMMUNITY NEWS

🚗 Oak Bay lowers speed on 17 collector roads by 10 km/hour in a strategy to combat speeding in the community. [Victoria News]

🥳 104-year-old veteran John Hillman to begin annual fundraiser where he will walk 104 laps of Carlton Place over the next 10 days to raise $104,000 for Save The Children. His three prior birthday walks have raised $333,000 in total. Check out photos of the community coming out in support and walking with him.

🚨 Oak Bay Police are looking to speak to a man suspected of stealing a wallet and backpack from the Oak Bay Rec Centre. Do you recognize him?

👩🏻‍🔬 UVic walkout pushes for better science funding: About 150 grad students, researchers, and faculty members joined a Canada-wide protest for improved federal funding for the sciences. [Capital Daily]

🌾 Considering No Mow May? Some experts say the well-intentioned call on homeowners to let their lawns grow wild throughout the month is actually pointless. [Oak Bay News]

🚽 District of Oak Bay warns community to “keep the wipes out of the pipes” and reminds people that there is no “flushable” wipe on the market that is actually safe to flush.

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PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT

To join the conversation, become a member of the Oak Bay Local Facebook Group

Weed Control vs. No Mow May

An Oak Bay local reached out to the group in search of recommendations for lawn care companies who can help get weeds under control in a way that does not use chemicals or pesticides. Some local companies were recommended, including 2 t Fence and Garden, Dom Lawn (which also offers discounts for veterans and clients who are disabled), and Nutrilawn.

Some took the opportunity to promote #NoMowMay, a movement which has grown popular since 2019, and calls on homeowners to wait until June before first cutting their weeds and grass in an effort to support pollinators to kickstart the season. Some experts say the practice is counterproductive and confusing for insects and other animals who are looking for a habitat and urge lawn owners to consider replacing them entirely with native plants or even a meadow.

Lack of cycling infrastructure in Oak Bay

An Oak Bay local asked the group what is holding the community back from developing its cycling infrastructure in order to match the cycling developments in other communities in the CRD. The community member asked why the Municipality of Oak Bay is prioritizing vehicles and parking over all other forms of transportation. The post struck up a debate, with some saying they believed there should be lobbying for key routes.

One commenter said they “would love to see that lane continue all the way up Cadboro Bay, left on Cedar Hill and join up with the Henderson lane entering UVic.” However, they made clear that they would not like to see every main road in Oak Bay have a protected bike lane.

Another commenter argued that protected bike lanes “get kids and hesitant adults riding. [While] buffered and unprotected don't.” Another commenter suggested that protected bike lanes led to complacency among riders and and a false sense of security, including an increase in riders foregoing their bike helmets or texting while riding. Other commenters accused car drivers of complacency. Where do you stand on the issue?

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IN OTHER NEWS

Camas season

With camas season on full display, Oak Bay local Margaret Case posted some stunning photos and a reminder to appreciate and take care of this unique feature in the region.

SPONSORED BY BAY CENTRE

Victoria’s favourite arcade is popping up at the Bay Centre

Kick it old school with Quazar’s Pop-up Arcade coming to the Bay Centre on May 8. The Pop-up features Quazar’s newly acquired and restored retro games from the 80s and 90s not seen in the arcade.

Find fan favourites such as Space Invaders Frenzy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mario Bros, Ms Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, Final Fight, and Arkanoid—classic arcade games that will bring you back to your childhood!

This all ages, affordable arcade experience will be open during shopping centre hours until Jul. 4, 2023. Tokens are 50 cents each with each game between one to three tokens per play.

This is a retro arcade experience you won’t want to miss!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Photo credit: Kate Jordan

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