Camosun offers dental services
The Dental Hygiene students at Camosun are ready to tackle the teeth of the general public! Basic cleaning services, X-rays, and assessments are available at the dental health clinic on the Lansdowne campus for a low cost. To book, email smile@camosun.bc.ca or call 250-370-3184.
Chargers women on a roll
The Chargers women’s basketball team have been on a roll this month with three wins in a row, while both women’s and men’s volleyball teams have been about 50Đ50 on wins and losses. There will be a few matches left by the end of November, so come out and help keep the winning streaks going!
Victoria’s bike master plan updated
Victoria calls itself the cycling capital of Canada for many reasons, including mild climate and a condensed destination area. The city council has announced that its Bicycle Master Plan will be updated to reflect the capital’s changing needs. With new infrastructure, Victoria could reach cycling rates as high as 25 percent in high-density areas, compared to the current nine percent. The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition is holding a discussion and feedback session on November 30; check out some info at gvcc.bc.ca.
Kitchen scraps shouldn’t go to waste
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is upgrading its kitchen scraps processing capabilities at the Hartland Landfill to meet projected demand. Waste removal companies are currently receiving an incentive to deliver kitchen scraps as separate loads from landfill waste and will eventually pay a surcharge on garbage loads containing kitchen scraps. Beginning in 2015, the CRD plans to ban such material from the landfill altogether, using it to create compost or biogas instead.
BC a hot spot for international students
In the past three years, BC has seen a 13 percent increase in the number of international students. The amount of money these students bring to the provincial economy has also jumped, according to a recent report. New Canadian legislation for 2014 is intended to strengthen the system and increase the desirability of Canada as a study destination. The government has lent support to a new website that aims to further increase international student numbers, including those from BC who wish to travel. You can find it at bcstudyabroad.ca.
New indigenous activist website makes connections
Victoria-birthed group Indigenous Nationhood Movement (INM) has launched a website that intends to be a platform for sharing support and vision with people across the country. Large-scale movement Idle No More jumped into the media limelight last year with countrywide protests. The new INM website continues that momentum with more specific principles and campaigns, which everyone is invited to support. Find it at nationsrising.org.
Doorknobs, use the door
Vancouver has officially become the first city in Canada to ban the installation of doorknobs in new building construction, including residential. The intent is to improve accessibility by using levers instead. The new building code also makes changes to faucets so they are easier to use for people with arthritis. The changes are predicted to influence building codes across the country, as Vancouver (the only BC municipality to have its own bylaws regarding construction and building design) has been somewhat of a trendsetter in the past.