Good morning! 

Colwood fire put out a blaze yesterday on a mammoth statue at Royal Bay Beach in Colwood, with the Beachlands sign and nearby stairs also receiving damage. With provincewide fire bans in effect, fire departments are warning locals to prepare and prevent fires from starting in the dry season. So stay safe, stay alert, and let’s get into today’s newsletter.

— Emma

COMMUNITY

Superheroes of Victoria comes to Starlight Stadium

The Superheroes of Victoria started as a charity group in 1999, hoping to raise awareness for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and their Be a Superhero Campaign. Now the group is celebrating their 15-year anniversary with the Super Summer Kids Camp in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Fundraiser event this Saturday, July 20 at Starlight Stadium. 

The event is set to be the “biggest-ever super summer kids day”, and will be a by-donation event filled with fun activities for all ages and abilities. Partnering with the City of Langford, Funtime Inflatables, the Q, and the Zone 91.3, the team is looking forward to the community coming together for a day of fun in support of a good cause.

"What better way to help a superhero campaign than with actual superheroes,” said Mark Ashfield, the founder and executive director of Superheroes of Victoria. 

The event has a by-donation entry fee, and will go from 10am to 3pm. Guests can check out a range of activities including eight food vendors, music, a dunk tank, and live performances. 

Attendees can even look out for different superheroes throughout the venue, with volunteers dressing up in costume and interacting with guests all day. 

“I am excited to be part of the Super Summer Kids Day event,” said Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson. “What a fantastic way to bring the community together to raise much-needed funds for the BC Children's Hospital; it will be a day filled with activities, music, food, live entertainment, and, of course, the chance to meet the Superheroes of Victoria.” 

Superheroes of Victoria has supported many campaigns over the years, including Cops for Cancer and Easter Seals Drop Zone, as well as organizations like the Victoria Film Festival. Maintaining a strong sense of community, the group says it emphasizes their support for everyday heroes and is always looking to highlight the strength in human connection and interaction. 

The group’s activities range from organizing family-oriented awareness functions to assisting full-blown campaigns, all done with a lot of volunteers dressed as superheroes.

“All volunteers and members share a dedication to helping those in our community in need… they are 100% volunteers,” Superheroes of Victoria said in a release. “Help us make a difference for the heroes in our community and put a smile back on a child's face.”

ENVIRONMENT

Unique underwater mountains near the Island protected in agreement with Feds and First Nations

A section of the Pacific Ocean 150 kilometres off the Island’s western shores has been designated a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The MPA designation is a joint agreement between the Council of the Haida Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Pacheedaht First Nation, Quatsino First Nation, and the federal government. ‍

MPA status means the designated region will be managed for the long-term conservation of marine resources, ecosystems, or cultural heritage.

The protection covers an area about four times the size of Vancouver Island—approximately 133,000 square kilometres—making it the largest MPA on Canada’s Pacific coast. The area makes up 2% of Canada’s ocean coast. Canada currently has protections on 15% of its ocean waters, with a goal of doubling that by 2030.

“The joint designation demonstrates that all parties share a long-term commitment to ocean protection and biodiversity conservation,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, president of the Council of the Haida Nation.

Called Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxwiqak — Tsig̱is, its name is a combination of words from the four different First Nations: Tang.ɢwan, a Haida word meaning “deep ocean”; ḥačxwiqak, a Nuu-chah-nulth and Pacheedaht word meaning “deepest part of the ocean”; and Tsig̱is, a Quatsino word referring to a “monster of the deep.”

The area has a unique ecosystem deep beneath the waves—more than 70% of all known Canadian seamounts and all hydrothermal vents are found within the new MPA. These underwater mountains and hotspots are teeming with life, with bacteria gathering energy from the gases escaping the vents (chemosynthesis) rather than the sun (photosynthesis). This creates a food chain of bottom-dwelling animals, some culturally significant to local First Nations.

Head to Capital Daily to read more about this marine protected area and its importance.

Around the 'Shore

🎶 Posh Coat takes on the Greater Victoria music scene: Langford locals Andrew Whitney, Tricia True, and Luke Hanna are a trio of musicians who formed the band Posh Coat, and their fan base is growing with each performance. The group plays indie rock, and currently has four of their original songs released with a fifth on the way. The band performs originals only, with their biggest performance to date on Canada Day at the main stage in Victoria. [Vancouver Island Free Daily] 

🚒 Sooke Fire Chief leaves for Canmore: Fire Chief Ted Ruiter is leaving for a position in Canmore on July 19 after three years leading the department; Ruiter has 37 years of experience in the field, and helped Sooke transition into 24/7 staffing. Deputy Fire Chief Wayne Kennedy, who has 27 years of experience, will step into the top role effective July 20. [Times Colonist] 

⚠️ Esquimalt adding slow signs across the city: The Township of Esquimalt voted early this year to reduce speeds on main roads to 40km/h while others (with a few exceptions) are down to 30 km/h. Locals will notice new signs placed along the roadside, with the full rollout of the new speed limit signs expected to take three years. [Capital Daily]

Community Events

🔥 FireSmart pop-up: Learn more about fire safety and emergency preparedness this July 18 at the District of Sooke’s Thursday Night market. Going from 5 to 8pm, the FireSmart  and Emergency Preparedness team will be hosting a pop-up booth to answer questions, give advice, and overall engage with the community. 

🎈 Community fun day: Join the City of Langford at Ruth King Elementary School this July 21 for a community fun day. Going from 12 to 7pm, attendees will have the chance to meet members of council and staff and chat about community planning initiatives. There are activities planned for all ages, including inflatable obstacle courses, face painting, food, music, and more.

🍓 Fresh food experience: Enjoy a snack-filled tour on Woodside Farm in Sooke this Sunday, July 21 with their fresh food experience event. Going from 10am to 4pm, guests can explore the gardens and walk through Canada's only apple tree maze, snack and eat fresh fruit and vegetables, and even visit the farm animals. Tickets are available online. 

What’s Offshore?

No ships today!

Westshore Snaps

Morning sunrise. —Paul Young, Langford

That’s it!

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

And before you go, let us know: