Community

Sooke resident Bill Romaniuk has launched a fundraiser to help Ukrainians new to Canada navigate Canadian currency. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

Fundraiser navigates currency for Ukrainians

When you can’t make sense of the currency in a different country,…

Sooke resident Bill Romaniuk has launched a fundraiser to help Ukrainians new to Canada navigate Canadian currency. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
A mural in Fernwood on Gladstone Avenue that was done by Victoria-based artist Collin Elder. It was finished in September, 2020. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff) 01/10/23

‘Murals simply make the city more cool,’ says councillor who wants more public arts funding

Councillor Matt Dell calls for an increase in funding dedicated to public art projects in 2023

A mural in Fernwood on Gladstone Avenue that was done by Victoria-based artist Collin Elder. It was finished in September, 2020. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff) 01/10/23
District of Sooke council is inviting you over for coffee. The new initiative will see local politicians have a casucal cup of joe with residents to discuss local issues. (File - Metro-Creative)

Join mayor and District of Sooke council for coffee

New initiative lets residents connect with elected officials in casual setting

District of Sooke council is inviting you over for coffee. The new initiative will see local politicians have a casucal cup of joe with residents to discuss local issues. (File - Metro-Creative)
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)
The 40-acre Maris Estates oceanfront property has been gifted to the Comox Valley Regional District through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. Photo supplied

40 acres of oceanfront property donated to Comox Valley Regional District to create a park

The Comox Valley Regional District has received a donation of 40 acres…

The 40-acre Maris Estates oceanfront property has been gifted to the Comox Valley Regional District through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. Photo supplied
Music director Yariv Aloni presents the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra’s 37th season. (GVYO photo)

Youth shine in upcoming Victoria orchestra event

Barber of Seville will be part of upcoming event

  • Jan 10, 2023
Music director Yariv Aloni presents the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra’s 37th season. (GVYO photo)
The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay Photo by Yana Dimitrova.

Writing contest for kids helps fund Greater Victoria homes

Entries need for Habitat for Humanity contest

  • Jan 10, 2023
The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay Photo by Yana Dimitrova.
(Shutterstock.com)

Trade show targets local businesses in Sooke

Sookarama returns in April after three-year hiatus

(Shutterstock.com)
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 37 members hold watch over swimmers at the annual Polar Bear Swim in Sooke on Jan. 1. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

‘Polar bears’ under watchful eye of Sooke’s marine search and rescue team

RCMSAR members help out at annual Polar Bear Swim

  • Jan 9, 2023
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station 37 members hold watch over swimmers at the annual Polar Bear Swim in Sooke on Jan. 1. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.

Stand up against dementia stigma this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Jana Schulz of Cranbrook, B.C. – a registered social worker, working as…

  • Jan 9, 2023
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.
City of Victoria Artist in Residence Kemi Craig has debuted her first project in the role – a series of looped videos projected on a Douglas Street storefront. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)

Victoria’s artist in residence debuts first piece with looped videos

The videos are being projected on a Douglas Street storefront

City of Victoria Artist in Residence Kemi Craig has debuted her first project in the role – a series of looped videos projected on a Douglas Street storefront. (Courtesy of City of Victoria)
Volunteers with the Friends of Bowker Creek clear a debris jam in preparation for the second annual planting of 30,000 chum eggs in an Oak Bay section of the creek. (Bowker Creek Salmon Recovery/Facebook)

Volunteers clear smothering debris from Oak Bay creek to ready for 30K salmon eggs

Groups plan to plant eggs from Goldstream Hatchery Salmonid Enhancement around the end of the month

Volunteers with the Friends of Bowker Creek clear a debris jam in preparation for the second annual planting of 30,000 chum eggs in an Oak Bay section of the creek. (Bowker Creek Salmon Recovery/Facebook)
Colwood council members stopped by the city’s public works department Wednesday (Jan 4.) to thanks staff for their hard work during December’s snowstorm. (Courtesy of City of Colwood/Facebook)

Colwood staff thanked for marathon hours spent clearing snow

Staff cleared more than 100 km of roads and sidewalks non-stop for four days

Colwood council members stopped by the city’s public works department Wednesday (Jan 4.) to thanks staff for their hard work during December’s snowstorm. (Courtesy of City of Colwood/Facebook)
Protestors from the Victoria Peace Coalition gathered January 7 on the corner of Government Street and Humboldt Street to protest against the federal purchase of 88 fighter-jets. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Nationwide rally opposing purchase of fighter jets touches down in Victoria

Rally organizers dub jets a waste of resources

Protestors from the Victoria Peace Coalition gathered January 7 on the corner of Government Street and Humboldt Street to protest against the federal purchase of 88 fighter-jets. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Monthly bottle collections at Oak Bay High in 2022 raised $7,499.85 for revitalization of the Jack Wallace Memorial Track. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay Rotary, alumni double down on 50/50 bottle drives

Threshold Housing Society, revamp of Oak Bay High track split funds

Monthly bottle collections at Oak Bay High in 2022 raised $7,499.85 for revitalization of the Jack Wallace Memorial Track. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Avid birder Andrew MacDonald scooped a photo of the puffin while changing the settings on his camera on Wednesday, January 4. (Courtesy Andrew MacDonald)

Rare sighting of puffin in Victoria a positive result of windstorms

Birdwatchers in the area said it was likely the bird was blown into the area by recent high winds

Avid birder Andrew MacDonald scooped a photo of the puffin while changing the settings on his camera on Wednesday, January 4. (Courtesy Andrew MacDonald)
Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) members celebrate the 20-year anniversary with the unveiling of a new crest. (Courtesy of EFRS)

Esquimalt Fire Department celebrates 20 years of service

The fire rescue unveiled a new crest, which incorporates its goals of inclusivity and support

Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) members celebrate the 20-year anniversary with the unveiling of a new crest. (Courtesy of EFRS)
These wide-mouthed Adams Peanut Butter jars are used for storing formula, fluids and food, helping staff and volunteers keep hungry bellies full at the BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin. (Wild ARC/Facebook)

Wild ARC wants Greater Victoria peanut butter fans to divert glass jars from the blue box

‘They’re glass and metal, we can keep them clean and sanitized between uses’

These wide-mouthed Adams Peanut Butter jars are used for storing formula, fluids and food, helping staff and volunteers keep hungry bellies full at the BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin. (Wild ARC/Facebook)
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)
Community Association of Oak Bay members Jan Mears and Rick Marshall hand off $6,000 worth of groceries to Karmen McNamara of Help Ukraine Vancouver Island to aid refugees this winter. (Courtesy Community Association of Oak Bay)

Oak Bay group spends $6,000 on groceries for refugees from Ukraine

With second housing option unattanable community association buys grocery cards instead

Community Association of Oak Bay members Jan Mears and Rick Marshall hand off $6,000 worth of groceries to Karmen McNamara of Help Ukraine Vancouver Island to aid refugees this winter. (Courtesy Community Association of Oak Bay)