Good morning, Westshore!
Writing this newsletter over the past 18 months has been one of my favourite jobs. There is an endless depth of worthwhile stories in this region to report on, and doing so has given me great satisfaction. However, it’s time for me to move on! This is my last week as The Westshore’s reporter.
I want to share my sincere thanks to everyone who took my calls, opened their lives to me and our readers, helped unearth the real answers, and shared critical data. As well, I’m grateful to our loyal readers and commenters. This newsletter is nothing without you!
And don’t worry, The Westshore newsletter isn’t going anywhere. The team is looking for the perfect candidate to take over starting next week, so if you're interested in this very rewarding job, whether long-term or short-term, or know someone who might be, reach out here.
Stay in touch on Twitter or online.
Reporter The Westshore
BEACH BUSINESS
The sauna with no home
(📸 Wildwood Saunas)
A few lucky groups of bathers have taken advantage of the mobile sauna parked at the Esquimalt Lagoon, punctuated with a brisk dip in the cold Juan de Fuca waters. Since Wildwood Saunas started parking at the lagoon early this year, it’s regularly been booked up for weeks in advance.
But its temporary business permit is set to expire this Sunday, with no hope of a longer term spot from Colwood’s council.
The City of Colwood said in a statement that Ocean Boulevard—the road that separates the lagoon from the ocean and provides beach access—just isn’t the place for a long-term business.
Instead, the city plans to transition beachfront commercial activity to Royal Beach as the master planned community is developed a few hundred metres south of the lagoon. The city also plans to construct a walking path between the two beaches.
The roadway is controlled by the city, but the lagoon is a federal wildlife reserve. Environmental advocates who spoke to council applaud the decision to encourage businesses to establish elsewhere.
The sauna was previously doing business at Willows Beach in Oak Bay, but was asked to leave by that municipality’s bylaw officers. The company started a petition in an attempt to be allowed back, but have so far been unable to move Oak Bay council. This January, the small mobile business relocated to the Esquimalt Lagoon without a business licence, and was later granted a temporary permit that will expire on April 2.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Frog hunting 101: How one man is trying to eradicate an invasive species
Scenes from an evening hunting frogs. (📸 Zoë Ducklow/The Westshore)
Indiscriminate and voracious, American bullfrogs can eat local species to extinction. And while they have few natural defences, they also have few local predators. Without human intervention, the frogs could ravage anything small enough to fit it their mouths all the way up the Island.
Last summer, I spent an evening with the South Island's eminent bullfrog hunter, Stan Orchard, to learn what it takes to stop the bullfrog invasion.
Around the 'Shore
🌙 Westshore’s Muslim community celebrates long-term rental in time for Ramadan: Until now, the group has rented facilities for periods of time, but now has secured a full-time lease, allowing community members to pray five times a day as their faith directs. The group is still fundraising to build a permanent facility for the Westshore. [CHEK]
🌊 Do you need to reach local customers? Consider joining The Westshore as a partner. We have more than 13,000 subscribers, and our readers are highly engaged. If you want to connect, fill out this short form or send us an email.
😵 There are good reasons for feeling stuck. Explore yours with a counsellor from Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.*
🩸 **Free menstrual products available at the Q Centre:**As part of United Way’s campaign to end period poverty, the Q Centre now has free menstrual products in washrooms, with support from West Shore Parks and Recreation, Victoria Grizzlies, Westshore Wolves, Victoria Shamrocks, the City of Colwood, and MLA Mitzi Dean.
🍁 As your Member of Parliament, Alistair MacGregor can assist you with federal agencies, and help explain how he’s bringing Langford and Westshore voices to Ottawa.*
⚖️ Colwood woman wins reduced sentence in appeal of internet luring conviction: the woman was convicted of internet luring and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, and will now serve three years in prison instead of the original five and a half year sentence. [Times Colonist]
*Sponsored Listing
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TOGETHER WITH ERGONOMYX
A desk that moves with you
Movement is the cornerstone of Victoria-based Ergonomyx, who have made the perfect sit-stand desk that's waiting to get into your office or home office.
The Westshore readers can save $170 this month on your Smart Sit Stand Desk, by using promo code OVERSTORYMEDIA at checkout. Made from 100% premium bamboo and with a 25% discount, this desk will get you… moving!
Community Events
🌎 TONIGHT: The CENiC speakers series tackles transportation: The Colwood environmental group is hosting its annual speakers series over Zoom. Tonight’s talk is focused on transportation. April 4 is protecting natural assets, April 11 is the economics of sustainable buildings, and April 18 covers environmental action in Colwood.
🎹 Sooke Philharmonic’s fourth concert of the season: Featuring works by Rossini, Mozart, and Vaughan Williams, with a performance by soprano Nancy Washeim, a company favourite. April 1 in Metchosin and April 2 in Sooke.
🐰 Easter egg hunt in Royal Bay: Meadow Park will be full of treasures and activities for Easter fans. April 8, 11am.
What’s Offshore?
(📸 Zoë Ducklow)
No big ships today, just a few kites!
SPONSORED POST. CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE WESTSHORE.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COASTAL SHORES WINDOW CLEANING
Want a jump on your spring cleaning?
Did you know Coastal Shores Window Cleaning does more than window cleaning?
With Coastal Shores you can get your driveways and patios pressure washed, too! Dirty gutters? They can clean them inside and out. Moss? Yes, they do that, too.