Good morning! 

With the time change this weekend, it's definitely starting to feel cold and dark these days. When the weather gets like this, I love to curl up with a hot cup of tea. So we rounded up some cool cafes in the Westshore to get a hot treat. 

— Emma

NEWS

Langford’s Urban Forest Management Plan finally making its way to light

The City of Langford recently announced the moves it will take to implement its Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP). Touted as a community-based initiative, the council will consider future planning and action based on information it currently has and that it will gather from various sector experts and from a participatory survey for its residents. It will integrate these into its 25-year vision, operational plans, and the policies that will support the plan’s future implementation.

“Langford Council recognizes the significance of Langford’s urban forest and wishes to formalize its protection and management through the creation of the city’s first Urban Forest Management Plan,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson at the time of the announcement.

Thus far, the character of the city’s urban forest planning and management has been more ad hoc, relying on temporary or interim bylaws. Trees in Langford are regulated both through the city’s Development Permit Areas, as well as through the city’s Interim Tree Protection Bylaw (2136). A point of concern are exemptions to protection that ceded to development projects. 

Trees that are exempt from protection under the interim bylaw include trees to be cut down by the city in relation to walkways and trails, trees authorized to be cut down in accordance with a development or building permit or any other permit issued by the city, and trees that are located on properties within development permit areas, but which are excluded from the development permit process.

Despite its name, the trees under consideration in the plan refer not just to those in natural forested areas, but also include yard trees, street trees, streamside trees, trees in agricultural areas. And it goes beyond trees. The plan will also consider data collected about Langford’s plants, soils, and ecosystem components located within its boundaries.

Head to the Westshore to read more about the Urban Forestry Management Plan and how you can have your say.

SPONSORED BY INTERTIDAL WELLNESS

What to expect at Intertidal Wellness

New clients sometimes wonder what to expect from psychotherapy. The therapists at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness want to give Westshore readers an introduction to what happens during one of their 50-minute counselling sessions:

• Establishing a goal with questions like "why make a change? How could life be different? And what would happen if things remained the same?"

• Providing education about the brain and body’s responses to stress and offering tools to calm the nervous system.

• Mindfully and compassionately piecing together emotions, sensations, impulses, thoughts and memories to promote neuroplastic brain change.

• Meeting clients where they are at, with curiosity and without trying to ‘fix’ them.

Learn more about Blair and Lorilee’s approaches here, or contact them with any questions. Book a free consultation with them today.

COMMUNITY

Five coffee shops to warm you up on a cold day

As the cold weather sets in, this is the perfect time to bundle up and get cozy inside. The Westshore has a number of different cafes and coffee shops to pop into for a warm drink on a walk around the town. Here are five local favourites: 

Broken Paddle: Using local ingredients to make freshly baked goods, drinks, and light lunches, the Broken Paddle is a Metchosin staple located on Happy Valley Road. The cafe is open daily with the exception of Saturdays, and is a great place to get a warm drink and tasty treat. 

Cafe Vosino: Home to delicious scones, sandwiches made to order, warm soups, and of course, great coffee supplied by Stick in the Mud, Cafe Vosino offers a warm and inviting environment to meet the community. Located in Sooke, the cafe is open from 7am to 3pm Monday through Sunday. 

Esquimalt Roasting Company: The Esquimalt Roasting Company emphasizes the importance of quality coffee, roasting it every Wednesday to bring the freshest blends to customers. As a local brewery, the company offers free local delivery for postal codes starting V9A, or you can enjoy the shop and sit at the “Town Square” cafe at Park Place.

Nest Cafe: A convenient place to stop along the Galloping Goose trail in View Royal, the Nest Cafe offers more to drink than just good coffee. Host to food, coffee, and even options with alcohol for those 19+ to enjoy,  Nest Cafe is open every day from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Dagwoods Cafe: Recently named a finalist for the best independent cafe, Dagwoods is a Langford favourite with excellent service. Fresh sandwiches, soups, coffee, and more make the shop a community treasure, and it is open from 9am to 4pm daily.

Around the 'Shore

📉 Greater Victoria charities see an increased amount of people in need of help: With Christmas approaching, many local organizations are unable to provide support to the increasing number of people seeking their services. A recent survey reported that 57% of charities cannot meet the current demand, and are looking for any support possible to increase supplies by Christmas. [Vancouver Island Free Daily] 

🎶 Colwood musician fulfills a dream of his late father: Justin Hewitt, a Colwood local, grew up playing music at local bars and even released two albums before retiring to focus on work as a civil servant. After his dad’s passing, Hewitt applied to record at Abbey Road, the same studio that the Beatles recorded in—despite worrying if they would agree, Hewitt went on to fulfill his shared dream with his dad, and is incredibly proud of his hard work. [CTV News] 

🎀 Join United Way Southern Vancouver Island in celebrating local donors this National Philanthropy Day, November 15. Make a positive impact with your gift today!*

🐕 Metchosin executing new bylaw to reduce conflict with dogs: The District of Metchosin is prepared to enact a new bylaw on animal control to maintain a balance between off-leash dogs and safety concerns of citizens. On Oct. 23, the council unanimously agreed that the bylaw will come into force after a final reading at council on Nov. 6, which specifies certain behaviours a dog and owner must follow in public spaces. [Times Colonist]

*Sponsored Listing

Community Events

🧶 Learn to knit: Every Thursday from Nov. 9 to 30, the Langford Station invites the public to learn how to knit. From 5-6:30pm, get tips on how to knit from professionals, with all materials provided.

🏢 WorkBC Centre open house: On Nov. 10 from 9:30am to 12pm, the WorkBC Centre in Sooke is hosting an open house. Check out the newly renovated centre, learn more about the programs and resources available, and even enjoy refreshments while you receive a guided tour of the facility on 2096 Church Rd.  

🌳 Climate chat: Looking to learn more about climate change? Royal Roads University is hosting a presentation with Karyn from Regenerate BC and Nancy from the Royal Roads Master of Arts in Climate Action Leadership program to help the public become more educated in climate change. Hosted at the library, the Nov. 10 event will go from 12-1pm.

What’s Offshore?

🚢 The Pan Hope is a bulk carrier built in 2011 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Port Edward 🇨🇦 ➡ Roberts Bank 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Oct. 23.

⛴ The Shagang Haili is a bulk carrier built in 2011 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Port Edward 🇨🇦 ➡ Roberts Bank 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Oct. 27.

Westshore Snaps

The morning sunrise on the ferry route between Swartz Bay, and Tsawwassen. —Paul Young, Langford

That’s it!

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