Sarah Starkweather
@sstarkweather.bsky.social
Bike-heavy / car-light • I grow things, make things, sing in choirs • she/her • Oak Bay / Victoria, BC
Pinned
Games you can play if you want to break your NYT habit: a 🧵
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
That opportunity for the general public and businesses to chip is called..... property taxes.
Gardiner: This isn't seen as a sponsorship with company branding. This was an opportunity for general population to get involved, and businesses to chip in. A light touch... just seeing who wants to contribute to this! A project for the people! Who want it!
November 20, 2025 at 11:19 PM
That opportunity for the general public and businesses to chip is called..... property taxes.
Google: “If you elect not to use our useless unethical trash-bots we will blow up your inbox.”
When I turned that off, the tabs "Updates, Promotions, Social, InBox" were deleted by default. The tabs that existed BEFORE Gemini. #rage
a cartoon drawing of a cat 's eyes with fire in them
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a cat 's eyes with fire in them
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Google: “If you elect not to use our useless unethical trash-bots we will blow up your inbox.”
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
I pay property tax and I’m here to say this is fucking stupid.
A statement from the office of Mayor Andy Fillmore regarding the 2026-2027 #budget.
“Affordability is the top concern for everyone right now. Our job at City Hall must be to reduce the property tax burden on residents as much as possible." /1
“Affordability is the top concern for everyone right now. Our job at City Hall must be to reduce the property tax burden on residents as much as possible." /1
November 20, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I pay property tax and I’m here to say this is fucking stupid.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
Different decade, same problem.
Back then, the “boogeyman” for local residents was townhouses; today, it’s towers.
I wonder how many of the people opposing the Quadra–McKenzie plan now are living in homes that were fiercely opposed in 1977.
Back then, the “boogeyman” for local residents was townhouses; today, it’s towers.
I wonder how many of the people opposing the Quadra–McKenzie plan now are living in homes that were fiercely opposed in 1977.
November 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Different decade, same problem.
Back then, the “boogeyman” for local residents was townhouses; today, it’s towers.
I wonder how many of the people opposing the Quadra–McKenzie plan now are living in homes that were fiercely opposed in 1977.
Back then, the “boogeyman” for local residents was townhouses; today, it’s towers.
I wonder how many of the people opposing the Quadra–McKenzie plan now are living in homes that were fiercely opposed in 1977.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
Sarah Evans, contemporary Welsh painter known for her local landscapes #WomensArt #Winter
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Sarah Evans, contemporary Welsh painter known for her local landscapes #WomensArt #Winter
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
VicPD's 2026 budget proposal is outrageous and harmful. I've reposted my email to #yyj council here. I encourage anyone opposed to uncontrolled police spending to write to Victoria (councillors@victoria.ca) or Esquimalt (council@esquimalt.ca) to tell them. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/2025/11...
VicPD's budget stinks — Needs More Spikes
VicPD wants an $11 million, 14% budget increase in 2026. Here is my message to council outlining some of the ways VicPD’s budget is harmful and unnecessary, and where to start cutting.
www.needsmorespikes.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:57 AM
VicPD's 2026 budget proposal is outrageous and harmful. I've reposted my email to #yyj council here. I encourage anyone opposed to uncontrolled police spending to write to Victoria (councillors@victoria.ca) or Esquimalt (council@esquimalt.ca) to tell them. www.needsmorespikes.com/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Second trip downtown: tried some old chewing gum.
Pupdate, 4 1/2 months: First trip downtown. Definitely ate a cigarette butt.
November 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Second trip downtown: tried some old chewing gum.
Perhaps the Sun should leverage this into a whole series? Because there’s a car parked in front of my house and I have no recourse.
This resident is objecting to the new Lime scooter station because - not a joke - it's "ruining her view."
This is what we're up against when we push for more micromobility.
vancouversun.com/news/east-va...
This is what we're up against when we push for more micromobility.
vancouversun.com/news/east-va...
'We had no recourse': East Vancouver residents object to new e-scooter docking stations
During its first phase in Vancouver, Lime introduced e-scooters and docking stations in the Hastings-Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland areas.
vancouversun.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Perhaps the Sun should leverage this into a whole series? Because there’s a car parked in front of my house and I have no recourse.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
Vaguely progressive candidates like Mark Carney and Dave Eby always feel like Manchurian Candidates once elected—except they're sleepers activated not by North Korea but capital
#cdnpoli #bcpoli
#cdnpoli #bcpoli
Carney offers 20th-century responses to 21st-century challenges
timescolonist.com/opinion/trev... op-ed by Trevor Hancock in
@timescolonist.bsky.social
#cdnpoli
timescolonist.com/opinion/trev... op-ed by Trevor Hancock in
@timescolonist.bsky.social
#cdnpoli
Trevor Hancock: Carney offers 20th-century responses to 21st-century challenges
Both people and the planet are largely missing from the Carney budget. Instead, the government seems to be following the old Bill Clinton maxim: ‘It’s the economy, stupid’
timescolonist.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
#30DayMapChallenge
Day 15 - The PATH
Welcome to the PATH — Toronto’s Downtown Underground Pedestrian Walkway linking 30 kilometres of underground shopping, services and entertainment
www.toronto.ca/wp-content/u...
Day 15 - The PATH
Welcome to the PATH — Toronto’s Downtown Underground Pedestrian Walkway linking 30 kilometres of underground shopping, services and entertainment
www.toronto.ca/wp-content/u...
November 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
#30DayMapChallenge
Day 15 - The PATH
Welcome to the PATH — Toronto’s Downtown Underground Pedestrian Walkway linking 30 kilometres of underground shopping, services and entertainment
www.toronto.ca/wp-content/u...
Day 15 - The PATH
Welcome to the PATH — Toronto’s Downtown Underground Pedestrian Walkway linking 30 kilometres of underground shopping, services and entertainment
www.toronto.ca/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
I live in Alberta. This time last year we were drowned out by separitist chuds. Now we rejected Provincial meddling in our civic elections, used our provinces own laws that they made to reject the issue of separation, and 24+ MLAs are in the process of having *their* recall legislation used on them.
maybe i’m naive but i think it’s kinda doomerism to always be saying this is gonna take decades to undo or you’ll be old or dead when it ends. first it doesn’t matter, plant trees you won’t live to sit in the shade of. second great change is capable of happening very quickly
November 15, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I live in Alberta. This time last year we were drowned out by separitist chuds. Now we rejected Provincial meddling in our civic elections, used our provinces own laws that they made to reject the issue of separation, and 24+ MLAs are in the process of having *their* recall legislation used on them.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
Hi friends in Victoria and Saanich - let’s talk about the referendum that’s coming next year to join urban, suburban, and rural parts of the BC capital region into a single-tier municipality. The experiences of other cities across Canada should be our guide: Vote No!
www.stopamalgamation.ca
www.stopamalgamation.ca
Vote NO to Amalgamation of Victoria and Saanich
Amalgamation is expensive, wasteful, and decreases democracy in our communities. Saanich and Victoria are great places, let's keep it that way!
www.stopamalgamation.ca
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Hi friends in Victoria and Saanich - let’s talk about the referendum that’s coming next year to join urban, suburban, and rural parts of the BC capital region into a single-tier municipality. The experiences of other cities across Canada should be our guide: Vote No!
www.stopamalgamation.ca
www.stopamalgamation.ca
Pupdate, 4 1/2 months: First trip downtown. Definitely ate a cigarette butt.
November 14, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Pupdate, 4 1/2 months: First trip downtown. Definitely ate a cigarette butt.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
LNG is bad. I think it’s embarrassing that the Province and the Feds are ‘all in’ on fossil fuels.
We will look back and regret these decisions, and the saddest part is that these projects capture resources that could be going towards sustainable development.
We will look back and regret these decisions, and the saddest part is that these projects capture resources that could be going towards sustainable development.
"Many northwest B.C. residents have compared [LNG Canada's] flare to J.R.R. Tolkien’s 'Eye of Mordor.'”
You can see why 🫤
You can see why 🫤
As the federal government signals support for LNG exports, residents of Kitimat, B.C., live alongside Canada’s first major liquefaction facility — and its flaring activities. Latest by @writermjs.bsky.social and photographer Marty Clemens thenarwhal.ca/kitimat-lng-... #bcpoli
November 14, 2025 at 9:00 PM
LNG is bad. I think it’s embarrassing that the Province and the Feds are ‘all in’ on fossil fuels.
We will look back and regret these decisions, and the saddest part is that these projects capture resources that could be going towards sustainable development.
We will look back and regret these decisions, and the saddest part is that these projects capture resources that could be going towards sustainable development.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
My first formal remarks as mayor-elect: When I say, “This is your city,” I mean you have a right to be here, no matter your background. But I also mean that we have a collective responsibility to this place and each other.
#thisisyourcity
#thisisyourcity
November 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
My first formal remarks as mayor-elect: When I say, “This is your city,” I mean you have a right to be here, no matter your background. But I also mean that we have a collective responsibility to this place and each other.
#thisisyourcity
#thisisyourcity
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Here's a thread with an annual reminder that VicPD is overfunded and overstaffed. VicPD likes to say it's a special exception as a "downtown" police force, but they cost more per capita than every other department in B.C., including Vancouver. #yyj 🧵
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
'Three black cats' by Maud Lewis (1903-1970), Canadian folk artist #WomensArt #FridayFeeling
November 14, 2025 at 6:41 AM
'Three black cats' by Maud Lewis (1903-1970), Canadian folk artist #WomensArt #FridayFeeling
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
My Oak Bay homies: if you care about the lack of transparency in city planning and process, you gotta show up and do something about it.
Public Hearing coming up likely Dec. 1/2- would be great to hear voices that are concerned about the process followed here to speak up. Addressing the false dichotomy between what the mayor proposed and “massive densification” is important. This is not an either/or, and the process is at issue.
November 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM
My Oak Bay homies: if you care about the lack of transparency in city planning and process, you gotta show up and do something about it.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
That time of the year when we celebrate the cozy winter village and worship the bustling holiday markets, streets, shops, restaurants and a vibrant outdoor life full of community & togetherness that we continually refuse to support, approve or build for everyday life.
people walking down a snowy street with a sign that says vives on it
Alt: people walking down a snowy street with a sign that says vives on it
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
That time of the year when we celebrate the cozy winter village and worship the bustling holiday markets, streets, shops, restaurants and a vibrant outdoor life full of community & togetherness that we continually refuse to support, approve or build for everyday life.
Took the kid to see Sigur Ros in Vancouver tonight (wow, yowza, amazing). Said kid was polite enough about the concert, but then truly impressed when I took them to McDonald’s after & introduced them to the concept of swamp water.
November 13, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Took the kid to see Sigur Ros in Vancouver tonight (wow, yowza, amazing). Said kid was polite enough about the concert, but then truly impressed when I took them to McDonald’s after & introduced them to the concept of swamp water.
Reposted by Sarah Starkweather
KING 5 has called it!
Katie Wilson defeats incumbent Bruce Harrell to become Seattle mayor
In Wednesday's ballot drop, Katie Wilson extended her lead to 1,976 votes over Bruce Harrell. KING 5 is now calling this race for Katie Wilson.
www.king5.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:40 PM
KING 5 has called it!