Good morning!

Months ago, Islanders were worrying about the continuously growing geese population and the decreasing natural wildlife population. Now, locals can see change, as the CRD found a solution and are now seeing success in pushing Canadian geese to migrate during the winter season. Hoping to continue the restoration, an ecocultural habitat is currently underway at the Craigflower Marsh to help View Royal with its geese problems. More on that below.

— Emma

NEWS

Saying goodbye to nosy neighbours

Just over seven months have passed since the Capital Regional District (CRD) found a solution to the geese problem, as restoration work and partnerships have proven the project as a much-needed event. For years, geese have tormented local species and communities on the Island with harsh attitudes, heavy appetites, and huge amounts of feces.

Having been a fully migratory species brought in to increase hunting opportunities on the Island in the ’70s, the past few decades have changed the geese with cross-breeding and a lack of predators; now, the Canadian icons can no longer make the Island their year-round home, as Peninsula Streams Society (PSS), Guardians of our Salish Estuaries Society (GooSE), along with a number of other partners create partnerships to reawaken the ecosystem.

“It's a habitat solution to keep geese out of the surge marshes on Vancouver Island that have an Indigenous touch to it,” says Tim Clermont, executive director of GooSE and member of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. “It simulates similar to the old Indigenous fish weirs that were common hundreds of years ago; the First Nations used it to catch salmon and other forage fish that they ate, and now we're doing it to protect critical salmon habitat.”

Head to the Westshore to read more about the ecocultural habitats project currently underway in Craigflower Marsh in View Royal.

EVENTS

Ribfest is back for its tenth year of delicious ribs and charitable competition

Ribfest is gearing up for its tenth anniversary at Bullen Park this year, and it’s sure to be a fun-filled event. Partnering together, the Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation, the Esquimalt Ribfest Society, and seven local non-profit groups host the charitable event each year, raising over $1 million for local charities in the past decade. With six “big-rig BBQ companies,” eight local breweries, 20 local bands, and 20 local vendors, this year’s event is bigger and better than ever.

Ribbers

Boss Hog’s: Smoking’s the game and Boss Hog’s the name. With “Taste the Smokin’ Difference” being Boss Hog’s motto, the team has been rising in success for over 10 years. Through dedication and consistency, the team has served Canadians coast to coast and are a delicious spot to stop.

Gator BBQ: Serving “mouth-watering chicken, pulled pork and ribs to the hungry crowds of Rib Fests all across North America,” Gator BBQ has been around for over 30 years. Touring Canada and the Northern United States, the Smith family attend over 30 rib fests a year and are a fierce competitor for the other ribbers attending.

Grizzly BBQ: Chef Oliver Briggs started Grizzly BBQ in 2016 after years of envisioning his own kitchen. As a fifth-generation Vancouver Islander, Chef Ollie is a local favourite with a talent for keeping people coming back to taste his delicious spice blends and smoking techniques.

Pit Crew BBQ: Despite the new branding, Pit Crew BBQ are not new to the fest with over 25 years of experience. Originating from the Maritimes, the team has crew from Ontario all the way to Vancouver Island, and are excited to serve locals delicious BBQ.

Prairie Smoke & Spice BBQ: Coming all the way from Southern Saskatchewan, this team is seasoned in the Esquimalt Ribfest, taking home first place ribs and second place sauce in the 2021 event. Looking forward to the competition, this team is the most decorated BBQ business in Canada, winning over 250 awards.

Smoke Dem Bones: Last but not least, Smoke Dem bones is a company that started with their passion for barbecue, but quickly jumped into competing after seeing the thrill of it. Despite being a newer competitor, they’ve already made a name for themselves, having won awards for best sauce twice last year.

The event is running Sept. 8-10, starting at 11am every morning and ending at 10pm Friday/Saturday and 9pm Sunday. Make sure to check out the website for details. 

Around the 'Shore

🔥 Colwood Fire puts out an RV that caught fire: In the afternoon of Aug. 30, Colwood Fire responded to a motorhome catching fire while parked in the city. Responders arrived quickly, and got the fire under control within 30 minutes; thought to be a mechanical issue, no one was injured and Colwood Fire prevented the blaze from spreading significantly to nearby vegetation. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

🛍️ RCMP catches shoplifting suspect who assaulted staff in Langford: A disturbance broke out on 700 Goldstream Ave. between two individuals, with one male running from the fight leading to an arrest. Police further investigated while the male was under custody, and discovered he was also suspected of shoplifting from nearby Fairway Market before the Aug. 29 incident which led to a staff member confronting him and the altercation occurring shortly after; while the suspect was released, he must follow conditions including not attending Fairway Market.

🐈‍⬛ Colwood cat Smokey resurfaces after three years: ROAM has a new record for a recovery after a long disappearance, finding 14-year-old Smokey after three years of looking. Smokey went missing after getting outside in his owners’ unfamiliar new neighbourhood, and has quickly readjusted to his life back home. [CHEK]

Community Events

🥕 Edible Landscaping Design: Looking to create your very own edible garden? The Edward Milne Community School Society is offering a program from Sept. 8 to Dec. 22 where you can choose from over 1,000 species of edible plants and use a program to help design your garden. With outdoor field trips and meetings every second and fourth Friday of the month from 5-7pm, you can register via email.

🚙 West Shore Lions Club membership drive: This Sept. 10, the Westshore Lions Club is hosting a membership drive at Veterans Memorial Park in Langford from 11am to 3pm. Looking for new members, the club invites locals to share a coffee with them and chat about becoming a part of the service club.

🌙 Sooke Night Market: Don’t miss Sooke’s last night market at the Sooke Region Museum, as they host their final market for the summer on Sept. 7. Enjoy a bountiful number of local artists, food producers, and entrepreneurs from 5 to 8pm with family and friends.

What’s Offshore?

🚢 The Grand Race is a vehicles carrier built in 2000 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Ulsan, Korea 🇰🇷 ➡ Victoria 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Sept. 2.

Westshore Snaps

Evening rainbow over Happy Valley. —Paul Young, Langford

That’s it!

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