Tense times for tenants
10-4 good buddy, the trucks are coming. Light-up parade today. Town crier to retire.
Good morning !
A Santa’s hats off to the fine folks at CHEK who were nearing $100K raised at the 31st annual CHEK Drive Thru at the time of this writing.
If you’d like to add to the thousands of toys already donated to support families this holiday season, here’s a list of where you can drop them off.
Do you plan to donate or maybe volunteer this holiday season?
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Village on the Green tenants with disabilities worried they’ll end up on the street
Tenants in a subsidized housing complex on Johnson near Cook are anxious about their impending relocation.
Their current home, Village on the Green, a 38-unit complex, that serves families and people with disabilities, is set for demolition to make way for a $65M redevelopment that will increase the number of affordable homes there to 140. Many of the residents say they originally were promised the option to relocate to the new Caledonia development at 1211 Gladstone once it was completed, but a letter from the Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) on Nov. 26 indicated that timelines no longer aligns, meaning some tenants will be forced to move before Caledonia is ready.
Residents, including long-time housing advocate Kym Hines, are concerned they won’t be able to afford new housing, as subsidies at VoG may not transfer to available units in the CRHC portfolio.
A handful of them rallied on Thu., critical of what they say is a lack of support for people with disabilities—people particularly vulnerable in the housing crisis.
The province’s Persons with Disabilities (PWD) support allowance rates are insufficient to cover the cost of living, with average rents in Victoria far outpacing the available subsidies.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closures and CCTV will be deployed today for both downtown demonstration for Gaza [1-4pm] and Christmas Truck Light Show Parade. [5-7pm]
Some sun this weekend before mainly rain next week.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Holiday truck parade food drive is always a welcome Convoy of Christmas
One of the more colourful and louder staples of the holiday, the annual truck convoy is back to light up area streets early tonight.
The annual IEOA Truck Parade & Food Drive features 80 decorated commercial trucks—and a ton of high-powered horns and bright, shimmering lights.
All of the lights and decorations you’ll see are bought and built by drivers and family members of the Island Equipment Owners Association. The annual yuletide road romp can run them thousands of dollars, especially for the elaborately and lavishly lit lorries. Capital Daily profiled these trucks & dedicated drivers a few years ago.
Some drivers used their trucks on the job right up until last night, maybe this morning, before elfishly, selflessly festooning them for today’s rolling pavement party.
This event brings in a lot of food each year, and this is a year of particular need considering how the postal strike has dampened holiday fundraising for many charities.
If you’re able to bring a food donation, you can drop it off at locations along the route you can find in this link.
The convoy starts at 5pm at Ogden Point and moves along the water to Oak Bay at 6pm before crossing through Victoria and winding through View Royal, Colwood, and Langford. It ends at Ryder Hesjedal Way at 8pm.
Expect the usual traffic disruptions and road closures to last until at least seven.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🐋 Ocean visitor: A young grey whale spent two months feeding in the mud near Quadra Island before it began making its way to warmer waters. [Facebook photos]
🎅🏽 You can be Santa Claus for one local child for $50. Visit CFAX Santas Anonymous Society’s Virtual Tree, donate, and volunteers will shop for you.*
⏳Island Indigenous history: See a Hul’qumi’num village on Cowichan River in 1868. [Facebook photo]
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Crier to retire: Sidney Town Crier done after 20+ years
Sidney’s city council has announced that Kenny Podmore is retiring from his official role, which has included proclamations, parades, grand openings, welcoming dignitaries, and event emceeing. An event to honour him will come next year (date and details TBD).
HMCS Vancouver returns from a 6-month deployment
The ship and its 200+ crew members participated in several exercises including KAEDEX with Japan, RIMPAC (a massive multi-country marine exercise near Hawaii), and Operation Horizon.
Salt Springer tracks own stolen truck to Sooke: RCMP
Police said a man called them after tailing his own Winnebago trailer through the Westshore.
🗓️ Things to do
🌟 Lights of Wonder in Centennial Square. Music from Himalayan Bear (6-7pm) & classic Victoria indie band Frog Eyes (7:30-9pm), known for their collaborations with Spencer Krug. Plus: Lion dancers (4:30pm), horse-drawn trolley rides (5-7pm), & a free 360-degree camera booth (5-8pm). [Programming]
🛷 Sleigh the Day: Sing. Sip. Create. Get into the holiday spirit with free holiday craft-making for all ages, sing-alongs with festive carolers, and seasonal treats from local vendors. Ship Point. Tomorrow. 1-5pm. [Info]
📸🧑🎄 Photos with Santa: Ho Ho Ho! Say cheese. Bard and Banker. Tomorrow. 1-4pm. [Info]
🎄 An Upside Christmas: CHEK's Upside Guys, Michael Kaeshammer, The Victoria Rock Choir, and Stephen Fearing will perform at McPherson Playhouse. Today. 7pm. [Info]
🕯️ Dickens Fair: Enjoy a Christmas Carol experience at this market at the James Bay Community Centre. Today. 10am-4pm. [Info]
🧑🎄 Yo Ho Ho: A Thirrrsty Barrr and SantaCon Party. Calling all elves and Santas—head to Capital Ballroom for a Christmas club night. Today. 9pm-2am. [Info]
🛍️ Metchosin Christmas Spirit Market: Shop wares and crafts from local vendors at Metchosin Community Centre. Today & tomorrow. 10am-4pm. [Info]
🍎 Orchard Market: Art, coffee, and confectionaries are all on offer at this market at Junction Cidery. Today. 11am-5pm. [Info]
🎄Langford Light Up: Enjoy a fun-filled evening at Veterans Memorial Park to take in a holiday market, musical performances, and free hot dogs and hot chocolate (while it lasts). Langford Station. Today. 3-8pm. Lights at 5pm. [Info]
Want more events? Subscribe to This Week In Vic and get our weekly events newsletter every Tuesday.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Friday’s headlines: MLA Grace Lore takes step back from cabinet position amid cancer diagnosis; Victoria school board launching review after First Nations blast lack of communication; Other Guise look for arts hub money; And more. [Dec. 6]
Taylor Swift 101: UVic launches class on the record-breaking recording artist. [Capital Daily]
Weapons call: Police put Oak Bay High on lockdown yesterday. [CHEK]
Oak Bay Ave.’s celebrity cat dies after being hit by car. [Oak Bay News]
Underwater pics: Greater Victoria waters teeming with wildlife. [Facebook photos]