Good morning, 

Last week, we published a list of places to grab coffee in the Westshore, and it made me think of some other things I enjoy to warm up in the cold months. Grabbing a bowl of soup is one of my favourite things to do, especially from a local restaurant, so check out today’s list of places to grab soup in the Westshore!

Correction: In our story on the Rick Hansen Foundation's funding for Ditidaht Nation on Tuesday, we mistakenly listed the year of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion world tour as 2008. It should've been listed as 1985-1987.

— Emma

NEWS

New non-profit hopes to connect communities on climate change

Many community members struggle to understand how they can help make a change when it comes to climate impact, but with focus on public education, ReImagine Westshore has begun an initiative that aims to make climate information more accessible. 

As a new non-profit started by Cindy Moyer, Gwen Snyder, and Shannon Carman, the three local women began the project after feeling a lack of connection with the community members and climate change. Now, the group is reaching out to the public in hopes of receiving input into the public meetings they will host as soon as January. 

“We believe firmly that it's all of us regular people making whatever changes we can within our capacity to do so,” says Moyer. “We're going to be going to where the people are and making sure that it's accessible so that people can get to venues easily; for the most part, we're going to be focusing on making these workshops, meetings, and conversations either free—or by donation or as cheap as possible if it's a workshop of that nature—so it really is about making it accessible.” 

Looking to coordinate with community groups, volunteers, educators, and experts, ReImagine Westshore is gearing up to host public meetings. Moyer says that she understands how people can feel overwhelmed when it comes to the various challenges across the world, but that even the most simple changes to help save the environment makes a world of difference, and that's what the group hopes to accomplish through their presentations. 

“When we look at the state of the world, it's only gotten worse and lots of people are making a lot of really great changes,” says Moyer. “That's why we're really focusing on small changes that every day people can make, no matter where they are—it isn't a one size fits all situation.”

Although the project is still being developed, the non-profit has already received a fair amount of public attention, and wants the community to find value in the core of the project. By organizing community conversations, events, campaigns, and initiatives, the group is looking to make use of the community available to help climate change. 

“It'll mostly be a one-day meeting, and then you continue the conversation, you ideally get people connected and speaking with one another,” says Moyer. “Not only will we keep the fires burning by keeping the information going through social channels and ongoing connectivity, but we're also really looking for people to connect with each other around some of these common interests.”

Inspired by her own family, Moyer says that this project is deeply rooted in making the world a better place for future generations. Inviting the public, ReImagine values everyone’s input on the issues and presentations they will present in the near future.  

“If you don't have all of these people coming along and doing their part, whatever that part may be that they're able to do, then you're missing all of this energy; the biggest renewable resource we have is our people,” says Moyer. “We're here to try to give them a hand wherever it is that they are on the path.”

COMMUNITY

Places to satiate your soup cravings

Cold weather invites coziness, as people start to bundle up and stay warm from the cooler temperatures. Soup is one of the best ways to heat up during the winter months. With some delicious options around the area, here are some of the best local places to grab soup in the Westshore. 

Dad’s Soups and Sangy’s: With fresh homemade bread and soups that change daily, Dad’s Soups and Sangy’s is a cozy spot to stop for a warm meal in Langford. Located on Jacklin Road to sit-in, or available to take home, the shop originally took off in 2003 at Colwood Corners and is still locally owned by John Duncan; Dad’s Soups is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. 

Asian Noodle House: Check out Asian Noodle house on Goldstream Avenue for a warm and comforting bowl of wonton soup. Offering a variety of other delicious noodles, soups, and staples, the business is family owned and a “hidden-gem” for residents to try out everyday except Mondays. 

My Chosen Cafe: A local favourite, My Chosen Cafe has an extensive menu that also caters to gluten-sensitive eaters. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the cafe creates their soups from scratch, and has a number of options to choose from for everyone to enjoy. Located on Happy Valley Road in Metchosin, My Chosen has been open since 1987, and is another family-started business. 

Mom’s Cafe: Open Wednesday through Sunday, Mom’s Cafe in Sooke is a delicious diner with a large choice of breakfast and lunch options. With delicious soup options like their recent pumpkin soup, Mom’s has been making homemade food for over 50 years.

Original Pho: Cozy up with a hot bowl of pho from Original Pho on Jacklin Road. Winning an award for their delicious soup, this restaurant is open weekly and offers vegetarian options that can even be made vegan. If you’re not feeling pho, there are also a variety of delicious Vietnamese dishes to try out.

Around the 'Shore

🚔 Police arrest suspect on multiple counts of indecent acts: On Nov. 8, West Shore RCMP arrested a 33-year-old man for 15 counts of indecent acts and one count of indecent exposure. The arrest came after reports started in June of a man exposing himself on trails around the Langford area—the suspect has no criminal record, and has been released on an undertaking to appear in court on Feb. 8. 

📚 View Royal Reading Centre closing after 80 years: Despite receiving $30,000 from View Royal, the town’s only library is closing its doors. After 80 years of service to the community, the non-profit announced it would be closing due to overhead challenges for over a decade, despite receiving funding from the town each year. [CHEK]

📲 Langford woman shares her journey with diabetes on social media: Commemorating National Diabetes Day on Nov. 14, Mary Comeau has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 15 years after being diagnosed at the age of nine. Facing a long and hard journey, Comeau decided to tell her story on TikTok and YouTube two years ago to connect with a community. Since then, Comeau has reached many people, and shares daily life videos, educational information, and much more to show those with diabetes they are not alone. [CTV]

Community Events

🎄 Ruth King Elementary’s Christmas Craft Fair: Search through over 40 tables of crafters, vendors, and local artisans at Ruth King Elementary’s Christmas Fair on Nov. 18. With admission by donation going towards the Ruth King Parent Advisory Council, the public can enjoy the fair by shopping, checking out concessions, and even entering a silent auction and 50/50 draw from 10am to 3pm. 

🏆 Sooke Celebrates: Join the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce for an evening of celebration and excitement of some of the best local businesses. On Nov. 18 from 6-10:30pm, enjoy live entertainment, presentations and awards, and delicious refreshments at the EMCS Community Theatre in honour of the effort businesses around the area put into their work all year. Tickets are available for purchase online. 

☕️ Christmas Craft Fair and Tea: Get in the festive mood this Nov. 19 with a Christmas Craft Fair and Tea hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion #91 Ladies Auxiliary. Going from 10am to 3pm, the fair will showcase local artisans and crafters' work for you to purchase for friends and family this season.

What’s Offshore?

🚢 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.

⛴ The Christine Oldendorff is a bulk carrier built in 2010 and is sailing under the flag of Liberia. It is sailing from Jintang, China 🇨🇳 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Nov. 7.

🛳 The Ototachibana is a bulk carrier built in 2012 and is sailing under the flag of Japan. It is sailing from Himeji, Japan 🇯🇵 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Nov. 7.

🚢 The Guo Yuan 88 is a bulk carrier built in 2020 and is sailing under the flag of China. It is sailing from Wakayama, Japan 🇯🇵 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Nov. 15.

Westshore Snaps

Beautiful wings of a Trumpeter Swan at Esquimalt Lagoon.  —Gary Woodburn, Colwood

That’s it!

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