Community

Outdoor art hangs in a unique setting where Pika Blades, left, and Chelsea Trousdell conduct some of their outdoor classes at their farm and forest school in Westholme. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Up Top elevating its profile as a farm and forest school

Westholme site coming up to the end of its first year fosters early child development

 

Phil Hillier is joined by dad Chris in the digger at a Campbell River construction site for Phil’s third birthday. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

VIDEO: Campbell River construction workers help build the best birthday ever

Akers Property Solutions construction crew gives a young fan a party to remember

 

The Greater Victoria Public Library celebrates local authors and illustrators with its 2023 Emerging Local Authors Collection. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria library’s emerging author series looks to build on 1,073 unique titles

In its 7th year, GVPL program features more than 750 book-makers since inception

 

Donation boxes were set up at Queen Margaret’s School for Tom Andrews, left, and Danny Dares to take shoes to San Antonio Palopo on their Rotarian aid trip. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Chemainus Rotarian service in Guatemala reaches a milestone

It’s now been 10 years since the first trip to provide support in San Antonio Palopo

Donation boxes were set up at Queen Margaret’s School for Tom Andrews, left, and Danny Dares to take shoes to San Antonio Palopo on their Rotarian aid trip. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Sponsor Revera Living’s entry in the 14th annual Gingerbread Showcase the premier fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Victoria. (Courtesy Habitat for Humanity Victoria)

Hogwarts hall the people’s choice in Victoria’s magical gingerbread fundraiser

$74,000 the frosting on the fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Victoria

Sponsor Revera Living’s entry in the 14th annual Gingerbread Showcase the premier fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Victoria. (Courtesy Habitat for Humanity Victoria)
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Valdy returns to Sooke for a concert on Jan. 21 at Holy Trinity Church. (Submitted)

Legendary folk singer Valdy’s roots run through Sooke

Valdy performs on Jan. 21 at Holy Trinity Church in Sooke

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Valdy returns to Sooke for a concert on Jan. 21 at Holy Trinity Church. (Submitted)
Give three different ways in 2023 and know you're actively participating in saving lives.

Help Make All the Difference — give 3 in 2023!

Transplants and blood donations helped Erica bounce back from a devastating diagnosis

  • Jan 9, 2023
Give three different ways in 2023 and know you're actively participating in saving lives.
Senior Centre Without Walls returns this month with a variety of online offerings. (Metro-Creative)

Senior Centre Without Walls returns to Sooke

Program provides educational and recreational programs for seniors through video conferencing

Senior Centre Without Walls returns this month with a variety of online offerings. (Metro-Creative)
The 2023 Polar Bear Splash saw a good turnout at Parksville Beach on Jan. 1. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Hundreds take plunge in Parksville’s Polar Bear Splash 2023

Residents brave cold waters to celebrate new year

The 2023 Polar Bear Splash saw a good turnout at Parksville Beach on Jan. 1. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Members and the public are welcome to join Sooke Squares for a free afternoon of dancing on Jan. 10 at the Sooke Legion. The dancing begins at 2 p.m. (Metro-Creative photo)

Sooke Squares need new members

Put your best foot forward in new year

Members and the public are welcome to join Sooke Squares for a free afternoon of dancing on Jan. 10 at the Sooke Legion. The dancing begins at 2 p.m. (Metro-Creative photo)
Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

VIDEO: Working 7 days a week with 2 kids, B.C. single mom surprised with car

Huber Bannister Chevrolet held its second annual Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23

Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
A T-Rex tackles an Oak Bay walkway, albeit rather haphazardly, on Dec. 21. (Alyx Valdal/Facebook)

Oak Bay T-Rex called out for shoddy snow shovelling

Move over Sooke unicorn there’s an old dinosaur in town

A T-Rex tackles an Oak Bay walkway, albeit rather haphazardly, on Dec. 21. (Alyx Valdal/Facebook)
(Photo by Jaime Kaelble)

Photos: The great Cowichan snowfall of December, 2022, from our readers

Check out photos from our readers of the snow on Dec. 20, 2022

(Photo by Jaime Kaelble)
John Muir Elementary School students Kahlan Thornton (left), Callie Watson, Sophia Smith, Konnor May, Weston Cole, and Carly Clare hold up envelopes with their prizes for the Sooke Legion’s Remembrance Day Poster and Literary Contest. School principal John Muir and Legion member Ken Levert stand behind the students with the trophy that goes to the school with the highest percentage of participation in the contest. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke students salute veterans, soldiers

John Muir students take trophy for highest participation in Legion’s Remembrance Day contest

John Muir Elementary School students Kahlan Thornton (left), Callie Watson, Sophia Smith, Konnor May, Weston Cole, and Carly Clare hold up envelopes with their prizes for the Sooke Legion’s Remembrance Day Poster and Literary Contest. School principal John Muir and Legion member Ken Levert stand behind the students with the trophy that goes to the school with the highest percentage of participation in the contest. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
Dennis and Donna Jones show off part of their Christmas Village display at Cassy’s Coffee House in Youbou. (Andrea Rondeau/Gazette)

Christmas Village display in Youbou delights

Entry is by donation, with proceeds going to cancer care in Cowichan.

Dennis and Donna Jones show off part of their Christmas Village display at Cassy’s Coffee House in Youbou. (Andrea Rondeau/Gazette)
Prompted by a cancellation, Finning driver Shawn Spain drove around Campbell River's neighbourhoods this weekend. Photo courtesy Jessica Colado

Campbell River truck driver makes Truck Parade still happen — sort of

Mom grateful her boys got to see a piece of what is special about Campbell River’s Holiday season.

Prompted by a cancellation, Finning driver Shawn Spain drove around Campbell River's neighbourhoods this weekend. Photo courtesy Jessica Colado
The Campbell River Food Bank's staff is small and mighty, but Manager Joanne Watson says they need more as they head into the holidays and 2023. Pictured here are Volunteers (Left to Right): Cynthia Barnes,warehouse manager Josh Orwin, manager Jo Watson, Annie Hildebrand, Sandra Rushton, Anatolii Samoilyk, and Driver Ross Milnthrop. Photo Edward Hitchins/Campbell River Mirror

Campbell River Food Bank manager sees tough road ahead of the holidays

Uptick in renters, double income families and seniors relying on Food Bank

The Campbell River Food Bank's staff is small and mighty, but Manager Joanne Watson says they need more as they head into the holidays and 2023. Pictured here are Volunteers (Left to Right): Cynthia Barnes,warehouse manager Josh Orwin, manager Jo Watson, Annie Hildebrand, Sandra Rushton, Anatolii Samoilyk, and Driver Ross Milnthrop. Photo Edward Hitchins/Campbell River Mirror
Chris Rafuse, executive director of the Cowichan Brain Injury Society, said the CBIS is looking for space to host its programs and gatherings after a fire put the society’s headquarters temporarily out of commission. (Citizen file photo)

Cowichan Brain Injury Society looking for space to hold programs after fire

Repairs to society’s headquarters expected to take some time

Chris Rafuse, executive director of the Cowichan Brain Injury Society, said the CBIS is looking for space to host its programs and gatherings after a fire put the society’s headquarters temporarily out of commission. (Citizen file photo)
A look back at the early days of Do Some Good when the team was first forming. Photo courtesy Do Some Good

Do Some Good Receives National Award for Social Impact

B Corp and tech-for-good platform Do Some Good is being recognized on…

  • Dec 2, 2022
A look back at the early days of Do Some Good when the team was first forming. Photo courtesy Do Some Good
Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)

PODCAST: Poilievre talks pipelines, LNG and more in one-on-one interview with Black Press Media

TODAY IN B.C.: Reporter Michael Bramadat-Willcock interviews Conservative Party of Canada leader

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)