Good morning! 

As the holidays get closer, lots of people are still looking for last-minute gifts for their family and friends this season. If you’ve left your shopping until this week, make sure to read our list of local goodies to grab for your loved ones.

— Emma

NEWS

Colwood City Council votes to expedite step codes to increase its climate resiliency

Like many other communities in the Westshore, the City of Colwood is looking to the future and considering how to meet its Climate Action Plan’s 2050 Zero Carbon goals and maintain climate resiliency at the same time. One of the vehicles it’s considering to help it achieve these goals, is the Zero Carbon Step Code, a provincial BC Building Code standard that local governments can choose to implement in their prospective jurisdictions. 

The step code encourages communities to consider what energy sources they will use for service provision to residents in the future, and also in building requirements of new developments to meet these same goals. BC is the first province in Canada to make these kinds of changes.

At its recent council meeting, Colwood city councillors weighed in on considerations around adopting the new step code’s EL-4 option. Victoria, Saanich, Central Saanich, View Royal, Metchosin and Nanaimo have already adopted (or plan to adopt) Code EL-4. In discussion of a motion of consent, council was asked to expedite the adoption of the Zero Carbon Step Code for new builds at “zero carbon performance” by Jan. 1, 2024, and on a rolling, six-month schedule for multi-storey, multi-residential and commercial buildings beginning on July 1, 2024.

Previously, municipalities could opt into levels of energy step code with a focus on energy efficiency. While such flexibility allows for communities to adopt energy-saving measures best suited to their unique circumstances, that option means there is no way to limit a building’s operational carbon emissions specifically. 

Head to the Westshore to read more about Colwood council’s discussion on the Zero Carbon Step Code. 

SPONSORED BY INTERTIDAL WELLNESS

Last days of 2023

It’s almost time to say farewell to 2023. At no other time during the year does there seem to be such a difference between one month and the next. As with other seasonal transitions, it’s a time for reflection and the setting of intentions, a time for endings and new beginnings. At Intertidal Wellness they can help you start the year strong. Be the first to book a consultation in 2024.

COMMUNITY

Holiday goodies in and around the Westshore

With the holiday season well underway, many people are struggling to look for the perfect gift for loved ones. Our sister publication Tasting Victoria recently released a list of foodie gifts and holiday treats to check out in the area, with a number of Westshore stores featured. Check out some of the local goods that might make the perfect gift for your family and friends this winter. 

Sweets and Baked Goods

Origin Bakery: Origin Bakery makes gluten-free holiday treats including shortbread, gingerbread, biscotti, and meringue trees. Its dessert items include a yule log and an eggnog cake. The bakery also has a gingerbread house kit available for those who want to partake in cookie decorating but cannot eat gluten. Two locations are available, with one open in Langford. 

Julie’s Delights Chocolates: As the weather gets colder, hot drinks are in order. Julie’s Delights Chocolates makes hot chocolate bombs perfect for snuggling up by the fireplace, steaming drink in hand. This Langford-based chocolatier makes its products with fresh locally sourced ingredients.  

Martha’s Delectables: Martha's Delectables is known for its shortbread. Made in the traditional Scottish style, these shortbread are available to check out in View Royal in their classic form or with flavours like lemon, maple, or orange brandy. This festive season the bakery also has three-packs of mini gingerbread people. 

Liquor 

Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs: Made using BC honey, this Esquimalt-based company’s apéritifs are the perfect gift for any cocktail lover. Its Rosso Sweet Vermouth was named the world's best semi-sweet vermouth this year at the World Vermouth Awards. Other notable apéritifs include its limoncello and its kina-blanc. Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs can be found in select liquor stores throughout Greater Victoria.    

Sheringham Distillery: This Langford-based distillery produces delicious gins that make an exciting holiday gift. Particular highlights include its Raincoast Gin with notes of oakmoss and nettle. The distillery also makes exciting liqueurs like its Rhubarb Liqueur with notes of lemon and star anise. 

Delivered to you 

Vancouver Island Gift Basket Co.: This Victoria-based company includes locally made items in its gift baskets. This season it has several holiday baskets available, including a sweet and salty basket. This basket includes chips and salsa, flavoured nuts, and crackers as well as chocolate bark and truffles. Delivery available throughout Victoria and the Westshore.

West Coast Gift Basket: This gift basket company has a holiday basket available for this festive season. The basket has both sweet and savoury local treats like classic shortbread, non-alcoholic cider, assorted chocolates, brie, and sea salt crackers. Delivery available throughout Greater Victoria.

Around the 'Shore

🚔 Police distribute holiday hampers: West Shore RCMP gave back to the community, delivering 17 holiday hampers with around $2,500 worth of food. West Shore RCMP have done holiday hampers over the past few years, and hope they inspire others to also contribute in helping the community this holiday season.  

☃️ Colwood holiday display warms the community: A local family in Colwood goes all out for their Christmas decorations, and this year is no exception; Tasha Knight and her family have tens of thousands of lights and almost 100 inflatables on their property at 1973 Colwood Cres. to bring some festive spirit to their neighborhood. An annual tradition, the lights, inflatable decorations, and Christmas carols start up around 4:30pm every day for onlookers to enjoy. [CHEK]

🍽️ Food insecurity breeds constant uncertainty. A box of crackers should not suffice for anyone's dinner. This is not dinner – for anyone. Learn how you can help.*

📝 Sooke resident receives rude letter regarding Christmas decorations: Sooke resident Cheryl decorates her house each year to bring neighbourhood joy, something that one resident took issue with. After receiving a letter protesting her decorations, a friend posted the message with a photo of the decorated house; the community has rallied in support of Cheryl, who decorated the house in honour of her son who recently passed. [Victoria Buzz]

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY CFAX SANTAS

Virtual Tree of Wishes

We need your help! CFAX Santas Anonymous is heading to the finish line: 1,300 more toys needed - deadline is Friday this week. Join us at the Virtual Tree of Wishes, donate a child's wish, and our Elves will make it come true. It’s a click away.

Community Events

🏮 Solstice Lantern Walk: Join the community in a celebration of the Winter Solstice with Sooke’s lantern walk at 6:30pm on Dec. 21. Going for an hour, residents will gather at the Sooke Municipal Hall before to enjoy a peaceful evening stroll through John Phillips Memorial Park with friends and family; make sure to bring your own lantern. 

🎸 The New Owners Christmas: Head to the Langford Royal Canadian Legion this Dec. 22 and watch live music performances in honour of the holiday season. With performances from JaimesonRhy, Actual Human People, and The New Owners, the performances will start at 7pm and go until 10:30pm. Make sure to get tickets online, as tickets will be limited at the door. 

🎅🏻 Santa Claus comes to Langford: As families gear up for the holiday, Langford Fire is excited to invite the community to meet Santa Claus this Christmas Eve as he travels through the town in a shiny red fire truck. Starting at 5:30pm on Dec. 24, Langford Fire has released a map of the locations to wave to Santa on his journey; he’ll even be handing out candy canes as his elves stop and accept any nonperishable food items that visitors bring to donate to the Goldstream Food Bank.

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Sunrise over Bear Mountain. —Sue Raubenheimer, Langford

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Westshore local.

And before you go, let us know: