Together with

Good morning!

Do you like to garden? May always makes me think of gardening, and we’ve also been getting emails from readers about garden clubs and events, so we looked into the Westshore gardening scene. You can read more about that in today’s newsletter, along with an update on more Fairy Creek charges being withdrawn.

And if you’ve got a beautiful garden and want to show it off, send us your pictures.

COMMUNITY

The Westshore’s thriving garden club scene

Spring has sprung and we're exploring the many garden clubs that thrive in the Westshore. From the the View Royal Garden Club and the Sooke Garden Club, to the Victoria Horticultural Society, these organizations provide invaluable resources and opportunities for gardeners of all skill levels and interests.

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, connect with other enthusiasts, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, there's a garden club in Victoria that's right for you. Join us as we take a closer look at the rich gardening community that flourishes here in the capital region.

Sooke
The Sooke Garden Club is a long-standing community organization that has been promoting gardening and horticulture in the Sooke region since 1971. The club offers a platform for garden enthusiasts to come together, share experiences, and learn from experts in the field. Members benefit from the camaraderie and networking opportunities that arise from sharing a common interest in gardening. Membership in the Sooke Garden Club is open to anyone 12 years of age or older and costs $15 for the calendar year and individuals can join the club at any time. In addition to informative speakers and various garden events, membership also entitles cardholders to discounts at various garden centres on the South Island.

View Royal
Another community favourite is the View Royal Garden Club. A lively community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for gardening. Members of the club enjoy several benefits, including access to monthly newsletters containing gardening tips, notices of garden visits, classes, and events, as well as regular meetings featuring judged mini-shows, speaker presentations, and a plant sales table showcasing sought-after member-donated specimens. Members of the View Royal Garden Club also enjoy exclusive discounts at local garden-related businesses. Visitors are welcome at meetings, although non-members are subject to a $5 drop-in fee, which is refundable if they become a member. Through its numerous activities and resources, the club continues to foster a vibrant and passionate gardening community in View Royal.

Victoria
The Victoria Horticultural Society is a vibrant community of garden enthusiasts that offers a range of activities and resources to its members. With a focus on education, the society provides presentations, workshops, and access to a library for members to deepen their knowledge of gardening practices and horticultural trends. Additionally, meetings feature presentations by master gardeners who share their expertise and insights with attendees. Non-members are welcome to attend the monthly meetings for a drop-in fee of $5, which is refundable if they become a member.

By Meriana Plaja

TOGETHER WITH GABLECRAFT HOMES

The next generation of contemporary home styles

Gablecraft is proud to announce the newest offering of single family homes in the Southlands neighbourhood at Royal Bay. Built within this established and connected community you’ll find a vast network of trails, bike routes, and parks that give residents convenient access to the beach, schools, and all the exciting shopping and dining amenities of The Commons Retail Village.

Solar ready, sustainable, and designed with a modern architectural aesthetic, the Southlands at Royal Bay features an exciting new collection of modern homes that offers the flexibility to fit your lifestyle.

New 3- and 4-bedroom homes starting from the low $900’s.

Start your dream in the Southlands at Royal Bay. Register now.

NEWS

70 more Fairy Creek cases dropped, but some arrestees want day in court

Crown counsel has now withdrawn 85 cases due to an RCMP error. Noah Ross, a lawyer for multiple defendants, expects the withdrawal of between “85% and 95%” of around 100 remaining cases. The reason: the Henderson decision, which found that officers’ verbal warning had failed to accurately describe to demonstrators the injunction they were to be arrested for violating.

The Henderson decision did not apply to all arrestees—around 200 cases preceded it. Two Indigenous land defenders who pleaded guilty pre-Henderson have since requested the withdrawal of their pleas.

Some wanted day in court to speak against RCMP
Not all arrestees are relieved to see their charges dropped. One of them, Catherine McClarty of Victoria, has Stage 4 cancer and worries she missed her chance to give evidence against the RCMP. That would now require an expensive civil suit.

“I don’t understand how we can call this justice,” McClarty said in a press release. “How can our justice system allow only people with deep pockets to pursue RCMP violations?”

McClarty had locked herself to a gate, and claims officers chose to cut the lock near her neck—rather than the gate—with an angle grinder for 55 minutes. She also alleges they refused to wear masks despite being told she was immuno-compromised; seized and never returned a $1,200 defibrillator; and dropped an Indigenous co-arrestee off on a remote backroad with no supplies or phone.

Her misconduct claims are a few among many; pre-Henderson, defence lawyers tried unsuccessfully to get 300 charges tossed at once based on RCMP conduct. An official federal investigation into the RCMP C-IRG unit’s actions was launched in March.

With 1,100+ arrests, Fairy Creek is the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history, though not all arrests led to charges.

By Robyn Bell with Cam Welch

Around the 'Shore

🐛 Province to spray pesticides in View Royal and Esquimalt: Aerial sprays intended to eradicate invasive spongy moths begin May 15. They will be done three times, 7-10 days apart.

🚨 Driver hits cycling child in Langford, RCMP say: A girl, 4, received serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being struck on Bellamy Link last Thursday. Police said the driver had a prohibition due to driving while impaired and without a licence.

✨ Coastal Shores Window Cleaning has you covered! From pressure washing, moss removal, gutter cleaning, and window cleaning, Victoria’s best exterior cleaning company is the “clear” choice!*

🚒 Overnight fire in Sooke: The fire, which began Tuesday evening, destroyed a residential building. Neighbouring houses were also damaged. [CTV]

*Sponsored Listing

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEGSON FITZPATRICK-ACERA INSURANCE

Coming summer 2023 to The Commons at Royal Bay

After 55 years in business, Megson FitzPatrick-Acera Insurance is coming to the Westshore! Keep an eye on their socials and website for up-to-date information.

Megson FitzPatrick-Acera Insurance is looking forward to joining the many amazing businesses out in Royal Bay and they hope you’ll stop by and see them at #203-345C Latoria Blvd.

Community Events

💐 The Station’s Mother’s Day celebration: Head over to the Langford social and cultural centre on May 6 at 720 Station Ave. where there will be 50+ vendors, food trucks, live music, and crafts for kids.

🎼 Sooke Philharmonic’s Haydn: Sooke Philharmonic will be in concert at the Sooke Community Hall on May 6 from 7:30-9pm performing Haydn: The Creation.

🥬 Goldstream Farmers Market: The market runs every Saturday from 10am to 2pm starting May 6 until Oct. 7 at Veterans Memorial Park on Aldwynd Road.

📘 Curious Comics Free Comic Book Day: Saturday, May 6 is the first Saturday in May which means Curious Comics will participate in the annual free comic book day at its locations in Langford, Victoria, and Nanaimo. Visit Curious Comics at 844 Goldstream Ave. from 10am to 6pm to get your comic.

What’s Offshore?

⛴ The Ototachibana is a bulk carrier built in 2012 and is sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Oita, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 Roberts Bank, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 7.

🚢 The CS Nan Jing is a bulk carrier built in 2021 and is sailing under the flag of Hong Kong. It is sailing from 🇨🇳 Huanghua, China ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 11.

🛳 The Verdure Wave is a bulk carrier built in 2005 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from 🇯🇵 Kinuura, Japan ➡ 🇨🇦 North Vancouver, Canada and was scheduled to arrive April 14.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WESTSHORE REALTOR PAUL BRUM

Moving day pointers from a pro

Westshore Realtor Paul Brum shares his tips and tricks on how to avoid Moving Day disasters and keep your sanity (mostly!) intact. Peace of mind can be achieved!

Learn how.

Westshore Snaps

“Welcoming May by the ponds.” — Lynne Cuillerier, Colwood