Community

A dark-eyed junco perched on a branch of a budding shrub. A record-setting 1,894 dark-eyed juncos were recorded in this year’s Christmas Bird Count in Sooke. (Alan B. Schroeder – Shutterstock.com)

Christmas Bird Count draws a crowd in Sooke

About 60 come out for annual event sponsored by Rocky Point Bird Observatory

A dark-eyed junco perched on a branch of a budding shrub. A record-setting 1,894 dark-eyed juncos were recorded in this year’s Christmas Bird Count in Sooke. (Alan B. Schroeder – Shutterstock.com)
An aerial view over downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbour. Victoria has been named the 10th friendliest city in the world by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria named 10th friendliest city in world by travel magazine

The readers of Conde Nast Traveler voted in the 35th Readers’ Choice awards

An aerial view over downtown Victoria and the Inner Harbour. Victoria has been named the 10th friendliest city in the world by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Tim Hortons on Goldstream Avenue has long lines in the morning. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Langford tops Tim Hortons list for ordering this strong coffee

Tim Hortons says the city ordered the most Americanos per capita of any Canadian city in 2022

The Tim Hortons on Goldstream Avenue has long lines in the morning. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
This photo by Brandon Guell, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, is one of many on display at the Royal BC Museum during Community Days this week, which allows visitors to enter by admission rather than paying standard admission. (Photo courtesy the Royal BC Museum)

Community Days returns to Victoria’s Royal BC Museum this week

Until Jan. 8, admission to the museum is by donation, rather than standard admission

This photo by Brandon Guell, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, is one of many on display at the Royal BC Museum during Community Days this week, which allows visitors to enter by admission rather than paying standard admission. (Photo courtesy the Royal BC Museum)
Monterey announced the loss of longtime recreation programmer Joanne Donohue. (Kevin Light Photography)

A look back at Oak Bay’s most-read stories of 2022

Five stories that captured the interest of Oak Bay News readers

Monterey announced the loss of longtime recreation programmer Joanne Donohue. (Kevin Light Photography)
Eddy Charlie embraces Tsartlip First Nation elder May Sam after gifting her with a quilt at Na’tsa’maht, an open-sided structure inspired by Coast Salish designs, located at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Year in Review: Saanich in photos

A look back at the year that was 2022

Eddy Charlie embraces Tsartlip First Nation elder May Sam after gifting her with a quilt at Na’tsa’maht, an open-sided structure inspired by Coast Salish designs, located at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Swimmers sporting festive New Year’s attire enjoy a chilly dip at Willows Beach in Oak Bay on Sunday (Jan. 1). (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Greater Victoria polar bear swimmers plunge into 2023

Cold Water Addicts’ inaugural polar bear swim drew huge turnout at Willows Beach

Swimmers sporting festive New Year’s attire enjoy a chilly dip at Willows Beach in Oak Bay on Sunday (Jan. 1). (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Team Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) celebrates with her gold medal after defeating the United States in women’s hockey gold medal game action at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. How many medals did Canada win in the 2022 Winter Olympics? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

QUIZ: How much do you know about the news of 2022?

A lot happened during the past 12 months

Team Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) celebrates with her gold medal after defeating the United States in women’s hockey gold medal game action at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. How many medals did Canada win in the 2022 Winter Olympics? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
An interior view of the vaulted ceiling in Christ Church Cathedral. (Don Denton/News Staff)

New Year’s Day concert celebrates 17th century composers

The concert will be free of charge and will feature local singers

An interior view of the vaulted ceiling in Christ Church Cathedral. (Don Denton/News Staff)
David Eby said team-work will be key in improving the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Premier Eby’s New Year’s resolution to continue work to improve B.C.

Housing affordability and economic recovery high on list of 2023 goals

David Eby said team-work will be key in improving the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
A group called the Mile Zero Minnows do cold dips year-round no matter the weather. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff) A group called the Mile Zero Minnows do cold dips every day. (Black Press Media Files)

Jump into the new year with polar bear swims in Greater Victoria

Various polar bear swims are being held in Greater Victoria on Jan. 1

A group called the Mile Zero Minnows do cold dips year-round no matter the weather. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff) A group called the Mile Zero Minnows do cold dips every day. (Black Press Media Files)
Oak Bay police hope to reunite a ring found near Uplands Park on Christmas Day with its rightful owner. (Oak Bay Police/Twitter)

Return of precious family heirloom brightens the holidays for Victoria woman

Lost family ring found atop the snow in Uplands Park on Christmas Day

Oak Bay police hope to reunite a ring found near Uplands Park on Christmas Day with its rightful owner. (Oak Bay Police/Twitter)
Victoria’s Fiona Hatherly, 10, won the eight to 10 category of the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s second annual Kids Salmon Art Contest. (Courtesy Pacific Salmon Foundation)

Victoria girl scores top spot in salmon art contest

Pacific Salmon Foundation received more than 500 salmon-inspired art submissions from across B.C.

Victoria’s Fiona Hatherly, 10, won the eight to 10 category of the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s second annual Kids Salmon Art Contest. (Courtesy Pacific Salmon Foundation)
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)
Oak Bay birders counted 90 species – a new record high in the more than 50-year history of the count – on Dec. 17 including a townsend’s solitaire (Photo by Geoffrey Newell)

Oak Bay birders break 50-year-old record in species count

Greater Victoria Christmas Bird Count saw 290 people document 138 species on Dec. 17

Oak Bay birders counted 90 species – a new record high in the more than 50-year history of the count – on Dec. 17 including a townsend’s solitaire (Photo by Geoffrey Newell)
Father-daughter duo Dan and Millie Del Villano volunteer at Reynolds secondary’s 2022 tree chipping event – an environmentally friendly fundraiser for the school’s music program. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Last chance to chip your Christmas tree to help Greater Victoria causes

Start the year right by trashing your tree in a responsible way…

  • Dec 27, 2022
Father-daughter duo Dan and Millie Del Villano volunteer at Reynolds secondary’s 2022 tree chipping event – an environmentally friendly fundraiser for the school’s music program. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Victoria Gizeh Shrine Clown Unit is hosting its annual tree-chipping fundraiser by donation on Jan. 2 and 3 to raise funds for the Montreal Shriner Children’s Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)

Shrine clown unit hosting tree chipping fundraiser in View Royal Jan. 2 and 3

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Montreal Shriner Children’s Hospital

The Victoria Gizeh Shrine Clown Unit is hosting its annual tree-chipping fundraiser by donation on Jan. 2 and 3 to raise funds for the Montreal Shriner Children’s Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)
The CRD is asking residents to avoid entering the water between Hollywood Place and Cook Street, including Clover Point. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

CRD: Avoid shorelines from Hollywood Place to Cook Street

If a polar plunge is one of your holiday traditions, avoid shorelines…

The CRD is asking residents to avoid entering the water between Hollywood Place and Cook Street, including Clover Point. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Christmas lights account for much of the light bulb waste found in landfills, according to Product Care Recycling. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

One way to support the Earth this holiday season? Recycle old decorations

Product Care Recycling is urging British Columbians to take care of holiday waste responsibly

Christmas lights account for much of the light bulb waste found in landfills, according to Product Care Recycling. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Organizers of the community dinner at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre, which takes place every Christmas said it is an event with a high demand. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

The Mary Winspear Centre hosts annual community dinner after 2 year hiatus

Organizers of the event said it was truly a community effort, including donations of food and time.

Organizers of the community dinner at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre, which takes place every Christmas said it is an event with a high demand. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)