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Happy January, Victoria!
While 500+ sea lions throw the loudest bachelor party our coast has seen in years, we humans are keeping busy with our own adventures this week—from live painting battles to choirs where being off-key is the whole point.
We've also got BC's funniest 911 calls of the year—yes, someone actually called about a bad haircut
Let's dive in! 🌊
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Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three unique family experiences we're excited about this week
🎨 Family FUNdays – Sunday, Jan 11
Kaleidoscope's FREE drop-in mornings are back! Storytelling, crafts, dress-up, and rotating special guests make these Sundays (10am-1pm) a neighbourhood favourite. Perfect rainy-day rescue for families with kiddos of any age. Old Town Victoria, see you there! 🌈🎭
✂️ Kids Sewing Classes – Jan 6-8 (Langford)
Stone Soup Studio is teaching kids actual sewing skills—stuffies, bags, garments, the works! Five-week sessions starting this week (Tue, Wed, OR Thu options, 3:45-5pm). All levels welcome, materials included. Your kid might just make you something adorable! 🧵✨
💃 Dance Baby Dance – Monday, Jan 12
Got a wiggly toddler? Head to Little Fernwood Gallery (4-5pm) for a parent-tot dance party that'll tire everyone out in the best way! Ages 0-3 welcome. Just $5, and proceeds support no-cost doulas. Way better than another lap around the block! 🎶👶
Active & Outdoors
North Saanich: Hike North Saanich Neighbourhood Trails Jan 8 (Thur) – Meet at Coles Bay Regional Park, 10am-12pm
Saanich: 24th Annual Douglas Creek Salmon Carcass Transplant Jan 10 (Sat) @Douglas Creek Bridge and Outdoor Classroom, 1151 Edgemont Rd 10am
Sooke: Exploring Indigenous Perspectives (Guided Walk) – All Ages Jan 10 (Sat) @East Sooke Regional Park 1:30-3pm
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Arts & Entertainment
Victoria: TINA: The Tina Turner Musical Jan 6-11 (Tue-Sun) @Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St
+ Phillips Comedy Night Jan 7 (Wed) @The Mint 1414 Douglas St. 8pm
+ Bowie’s Birthday: Celebrate the Music of David Bowie Jan 8 (Thur) @Lucky Bar 503 Yates 8pm-12am
+ Girls Night All Female Comedians Jan 9 (Fri) @The Mint 1414 Douglas St. 8pm
+ Art Battle Victoria Jan 10 (Sat) @Capital Ballroom 858 Yates St 7pm
+ Victoria Speed Dating Ages 40+ Jan 10 (Sat) @The Old Spaghetti Factory, 720 Douglas St 11:45am
Sidney: Sidney Tuneless Choir Launch Jan 7 (Wed) @Peace Lutheran Church 2295 Weiler Ave 6:45-8:30pm
Langford: Langford Tuneless Choir Launch Jan 8 (Thur) @Redeemer Lutheran Church Hall 3036 Jacklin Rd 6:45-8:30pm
News Bites
You Called 911 For WHAT? BC's Silliest Non-Emergency Calls
BC's 911 operators just released their annual list of the most absurd emergency calls they received, and it's a doozy. Someone actually dialed 911 over a bad haircut. Others called about Walmart refusing an air fryer return, oversized carry-on luggage, and a Starbucks parking violation (someone parked there but walked to the grocery store instead—the audacity!). The list also features broken dishwashers, Airbnb lockouts, and one stubborn hornet. While these might give us a chuckle, every unnecessary call delays help for people facing real emergencies. Save those three digits for actual life-threatening situations!
Read the full story: CHEK News
Epic Sea Lion Bachelor Party Takes Over Trial Islands
Over 500 sea lions have taken over the Trial Islands for their annual winter hangout, and Oak Bay neighbours are feeling it – literally. The mostly-male gathering of California and Steller sea lions is creating what locals call a "sea lion symphony" of barking, roaring, and yes, plenty of belching. Volunteer warden Jacques Sirois braved a New Year's Eve kayak trip to count the boisterous bunch, noting the aroma alone could knock you over. These party animals are camping out until March, waiting for herring to spawn. Want to witness the chaos? Grab binoculars and head to Anderson Hill or Gonzales Hill for a front-row seat!
Read the full story: Times Colonist
The New Year Ritual That Sets the Tone for Energy and Glow ✨
January calls for rituals that actually make you feel amazing—and Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha is mine. It delivers clean, focused energy with zero jitters, supports glowing skin and gentle detox, and feels deeply grounding. Smooth, ceremonial-grade, and crave-worthy, it’s the easiest way to start your day clear, energized, and glowing from the inside out.
Community & Creative
Victoria: Intention: A Wellness Getaway in Victoria Jan 5-18 @Hosted by Destination Greater Victoria (see link for details)
+ Billiards/Snooker Jan 10 (Sat) @Cook Street Village Activity Centre, 380 Cook St. 9:30am-12pm
+ Family FUNdays at Kaleidoscope Arts Centre Jan 11 (Sun) @613 Pandora Ave 10am-1pm
+ Dance Baby Dance Jan 12 (Mon) @Little Fernwood Gallery, 1923 Fernwood Rd 4-5pm
Langford: Sewing Classes for Kids by Stone Soup Studio Jan 6-8 (Tue-Thur) @651 Fairway Ave 3:45-5:15pm
Colwood: Clay Date – Pour Your Slab Out! Jan 10 (Sat) @Arts and Culture Colwood Society, 170 Goldfinch Rd 11:30am
Sidney: 20th Annual LEGO Brick Exhibit Until April 26 @Sidney Museum, 2423 Beacon Ave * Want to build, create, and display your creation at the exhibit? If yes, click here.
📚 $50 BOOK GIVEAWAY
WIN one of 10 autographed hardcover books by New York Times bestselling author Tilar J. Mazzeo (value: $50 each).
Make it a thoughtful gift for the book lover in your family!
Earn 3 bonus entries everytime you refer a friend to the Greater Victoria Scoop.
[Read the full contest rules and details here]
🌲Christmas Tree Recycling
That Christmas tree? Is it still up? Here are a few tree chipping events across Greater Victoria:
View Royal: View Royal PAC and FireSmart Christmas Tree Chipping and Bottle Drive Event Jan 10 (Sat) @218 Helmcken Rd 10am-2pm
Saanich: Christmas Tree Chipping Jan 10-11 (Sat/Sun) @3861 Cedar Hill Cross Rd. 10am-4pm
Sooke: Christmas Tree Chipping & Bottle Drive Jan 11 (Sun) @6530 Sooke Road 9am-3pm
Have a great week Greater Victoria! 💙
