TOGETHER WITH | | COMMUNITY EVENTS | 🎭 Bazaar is hosted by Friends of Monterey Centre and will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9am to 1pm. Find everything from knitwear, sewing, crafts, silver and china, to records, books, Christmas decorations, puzzles, games and more. | 🎃 Spooky Woodland Walk is on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 6pm at the Monterey Centre. The walk leads young children through an enchanted woodland, full of pumpkins and critters, to Monterey Recreation Centre. Once inside, enjoy a family friendly, easy dinner, with activities and washrooms. Kids can even enter to win a free family drop-in admission to Oak Bay Recreation. | 👻 Trick-or-Treating in the Village. Over 50 businesses from Foul Bay Road to Monterey Avenue will be ready to welcome trick-or-treaters, on Thursday, Oct. 31, beginning at 4pm. Look for the pumpkin poster in the window of participating businesses. | ✏️ Saturday is election day, are you set to vote? Saturday, Oct.19 is voting day, which often leads to an outdoor wait. To avoid lineups at the ballot box, voters can go to any of the eight district electoral offices in the CRD. |
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| | COMMUNITY NEWS | 🏞 The people of Oak Bay have spoken - and 95% say life here is good, according to the results of the 2024 Annual Community Feedback Questionnaire. The municipality got back 1,268 responses to its annual “how-are-we doing?” questionnaire, which represents 16% of households—one-third more than last year when 12% of households responded. | The vast majority—95% said the quality of life in Oak Bay is good—with 27% of those saying life is very good—and 77% said they feel a sense of belonging. When asked which areas of service result in the highest levels of satisfaction, 70% said parks; 78% said garbage pickup; 76% said fire protection, and 74% went with policing. As for the highest levels of dissatisfaction, almost half, 49% said road pavement maintenance was the thing that cheesed them off the most. For 36% it was sidewalk maintenance and for 34%, it was road lines and markings.
| On the whole, 56% of respondents said Oak Bay’s municipal services meet their needs. [The District of Oak Bay] | ☔️ Heavy rains set for election day as atmospheric river could bring an expected 70 millimetres of precipitation, along with heavy winds. Environment Canada says the weather system will bring prolonged heavy rain that voters across the Island and beyond will have to contend with. [Oak Bay News] | 📖 Pulitzer-prize winning author Richard Powers will read from his new novel Playground at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre on Oct. 28. The event is hosted by Munro's Books. The story is an epic tale of love, friendship, and humanity’s next great adventure. [Oak Bay News] | 🌿 Oak Bay Climate Force seeks actions to revitalize Bowker Creek. The group seeks signatures as part of Nature Canada’s initiative to help get natural parks in urban cities, saying the implications directly or indirectly for the revitalization of Bowker Creek can’t be underestimated. [Oak Bay Climate Force] | 🌳 Oak Bay’s current Committees and Commissions seeking to fill vacancies. Vacancies include the Advisory Design Panel, the Advisory Planning Commission, Parks, Recreation and Culture, Heritage Commission, and Accessibility Advisory Committee. The term for these vacancies begins Jan. 1, 2025, and applications must be made by 4:30pm on Oct. 21. [District of Oak Bay] | 🙇🏻♂️ Having trouble tracking election promises? Are you having trouble keeping tabs on the various election promises made by the major parties ahead of the upcoming provincial election? A round-up of the most prominent promises was compiled by The Canadian Press. [Oak Bay News] | 🐕🦺 Capture fall photos of your dog surrounded by the beautiful Victoria colours. Contact Shelly Welch Photography to book the perfect autumn session for your furbaby.* | 😋 Everything you need to know about Victoria’s food scene. Join 30,000+ local foodies and subscribe to Tasting Victoria’s weekly newsletter.* | *Sponsored Listing | | 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 | | Oak Bay High parent advocates for better security | An Oak Bay local reported that their child’s e-bike was stolen outside of Oak Bay High, and is now advocating for better security, and cameras outside. They reported that the incident took place in the middle of the day (between 1 and 3 pm) from the main bike rack on Cadboro Bay Road. | While they were thankful they had an air tag on it and managed to recover it, the school has no working security cameras outside so they are unable to identify the person responsible. If anyone walking by witnessed anything, please send a DM. They also said that no matter how good the lock, bikes can be stolen in broad daylight with limited recourse, and they will be advocating for security cameras in the bike racks. Any Oak Bay parents with similar concerns should notify the administration. | | |
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| SPONSORED BY OTTAVIO ITALIAN BAKERY AND DELICATESSEN | | European flair in Oak Bay | Come visit Ottavio in Oak Bay Village for fresh coffee, pastries, and an exceptional international and domestic cheese selection. Shop one of Victoria's best hidden gems seven days a week for a little taste of Europe this side of the Atlantic! |
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| | | Locals turn to community in search of eldercare support | One Oak Bay local was seeking overnight support in the community for their loved one who is experiencing dementia. They were not looking for nursing care or any specific training, just someone kind with good references to stay overnight and give them a prepared lunch and dinner while they go to Vancouver for work. | Several locals responded to the request, including some retired nurses in the community, offering to give them a break anytime. Others commented that they were following the thread as they were also seeking support. | | |
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| SPONSORED BY GLOW INTEGRATIVE CLINIC | | Counselling services in Oak Bay | The fall is a time when we often see an uptick in anxiety, seasonal depression, and stress. Taking care of mental health can look many different ways, and counselling services can play an important role for many. | Glow Integrative offers individual and relationship counselling for people ages 13 and up. All appointments are available in-person or virtually. | Clinical counsellor Elena Trenholm is passionate about supporting individuals with ADHD, perfectionism, and trauma, while clinical counsellor Christina Atkinson enjoys working with people focused on sleep and insomnia, sexual health, anxiety, and panic disorders.
Book your free 20 minute consultation here. |
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| | IN OTHER NEWS |  | Les Misérables School Edition Trailer | November 21st-24th | Triple Threat Performers |
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| Triple Threat Performers will be returning to the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre at Oak Bay High with another musical production! Les Miserables runs from November 21 to 24 and features 41 incredible local youth performers. Check out the trailer for a peek at the show. | Community support makes all the difference in their ability to continue creating theatre, and they want to thank the community in advance for supporting the show. | |
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| | SPONSORED BY CORNUCOPIA | | Savour fall’s finest at Cornucopia in Whistler | Sip, sample, and savour this fall at Whistler's premier event, Cornucopia. From November 7-17, explore over 70 tastings and events. Enjoy live multi-course culinary demonstrations, spirited parties, seminars, and winery dinners. Elevate your stay with lodging and ticket bundles starting at $95 pp/pn, plus receive a complimentary $100 dining voucher. |
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| | | | PHOTO OF THE WEEK |  | Photo credit: Mary McArthur |
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