Community

Market Square in downtown Victoria, as seen from the southwest corner. (Don Denton/News Staff)

Best of the City: Victoria Squared – gathering places through the years

Victoria is a city famous for domed copper roofs, hotels with ballrooms,…

  • Aug 7, 2022
Market Square in downtown Victoria, as seen from the southwest corner. (Don Denton/News Staff)
Former chamber of commerce boss Denny Warner is the new executive director for the Mary Winspear Centre. (Photo submitted)

Familiar face arrives at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre

Former chamber head Denny Warner installed as new executive director at the centre

Former chamber of commerce boss Denny Warner is the new executive director for the Mary Winspear Centre. (Photo submitted)
Some of the paving blocks of Waddington Alley in Victoria. (Tammy Robinson/News Staff)

Best of the City: Waddington Alley’s unique bricks a throwback to Victoria’s yesteryear

An unassuming path connects two main streets in downtown Victoria, but it…

  • Aug 8, 2022
Some of the paving blocks of Waddington Alley in Victoria. (Tammy Robinson/News Staff)
Residents at Legion Manor Retirement Living in Saanichton spent the pandemic learning to play the ukulele and held their first concert on Aug. 2. (Courtesy of Paula Hosking)

‘It’s just lovely’: Saanichton seniors take up the ukulele

Legion Manor Retirement Living residents held their first concert Aug. 2

Residents at Legion Manor Retirement Living in Saanichton spent the pandemic learning to play the ukulele and held their first concert on Aug. 2. (Courtesy of Paula Hosking)
Oak Bay Avenue resident Tony Shelton, left, encounters a pinch point for people with accessibility needs along the sidewalk near Carlton House. (Courtesy of Tom Newton)

Community walks set pace for more accessible Oak Bay Avenue

Walkability advocates champion better sidewalk network, pedestrian experience

Oak Bay Avenue resident Tony Shelton, left, encounters a pinch point for people with accessibility needs along the sidewalk near Carlton House. (Courtesy of Tom Newton)
The Central Saanich Fire Department and the surrounding community are mourning the loss of former Assistant Chief Forrest Owens. (Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association/Facebook)

‘A true legend’: Forrest Owens’ contributions remembered in Central Saanich

Memorial service for former assistant fire chief Aug. 14 at Saanich Fairgrounds

The Central Saanich Fire Department and the surrounding community are mourning the loss of former Assistant Chief Forrest Owens. (Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters Association/Facebook)
Paul Fussell and Cathy Jansen are hosting the Didenko family (center), who fled to Canada after Ukraine was invaded by Russia. (Black Press Media)

Ukrainian couple, daughter land in North Saanich with hopes of building a ‘big, happy family’

The Didenkos hope to rent a unit nearby as their 5-year-old daughter enters kindergarten

Paul Fussell and Cathy Jansen are hosting the Didenko family (center), who fled to Canada after Ukraine was invaded by Russia. (Black Press Media)
The Caravan Stage Company brings its unique show to Sooke from Aug. 17 to 21. The shows are perfromed on ship decks and riggings while the audeince watches, sitting on the shore. (Contributed - Caravan AStage Company)

Sailing theatre ship makes its last port call in Sooke

Caravan Stage Company performs here Aug. 17-21

The Caravan Stage Company brings its unique show to Sooke from Aug. 17 to 21. The shows are perfromed on ship decks and riggings while the audeince watches, sitting on the shore. (Contributed - Caravan AStage Company)
David Mackenzie-Kong is working to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation and awareness of the importance of blood donation in the wake of his mother-in-law’s sudden death from a blood cancer. (Courtesy of David Mackenzie-Kong)

Oak Bay runner raising funds, awareness in memory of mother-in-law

September’s Finlayson Arm endurance race has dual meaning for David Mackenzie-Kong

David Mackenzie-Kong is working to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation and awareness of the importance of blood donation in the wake of his mother-in-law’s sudden death from a blood cancer. (Courtesy of David Mackenzie-Kong)
Barbara Holst, right, calls the herb garden fronting Jude Somers’ Oak Bay home a magical place. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

These herbs are grown for snipping, and Oak Bay guests sure do

Garden invites tasting, smelling and even conversation

Barbara Holst, right, calls the herb garden fronting Jude Somers’ Oak Bay home a magical place. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Eighty-eight units of blood were collected at a blood donor clinic in Sooke last month. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke blood donor clinic a success

88 units of blood collected

  • Aug 3, 2022
Eighty-eight units of blood were collected at a blood donor clinic in Sooke last month. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Victor Kraatz. (photo submitted)

PODCAST: Former world figure skating champ Victor Kraatz back coaching in B.C.

TODAY IN B.C.: Skater spent 3 years in Finland teaching hockey players about power and efficiency

Victor Kraatz. (photo submitted)
Mercy’s missing poster. (Petsearchers Canada/Facebook)

Missing B.C. dog found after swimming 1 kilometre across Metro Vancouver river

The German shepherd rescue was discovered 10 days after going missing

Mercy’s missing poster. (Petsearchers Canada/Facebook)
The 2022 edition of the Torque Masters Sidney Summer Car Show brings classic restored vehicles and newer models to Beacon Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Torque Masters car club)

Car show set to sizzle on the streets of downtown Sidney

Torque Masters summer car show takes over Beacon Avenue on Aug. 7

The 2022 edition of the Torque Masters Sidney Summer Car Show brings classic restored vehicles and newer models to Beacon Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Torque Masters car club)
2022 Best of the City awards

2022 Best of the City results are in

The winners of the 28th edition of Best of the City have been announced

2022 Best of the City awards
Which home will you choose? If you win the Grand Prize draw, you’ll choose one of eight options, including a $2.8-million home package.

Win the dream, live like a multi-millionaire!

Dream Lottery: Support BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, get chance at $2.8 million+ grand prize

  • Aug 1, 2022
Which home will you choose? If you win the Grand Prize draw, you’ll choose one of eight options, including a $2.8-million home package.
The Mysterious doorway is one of the natural oddities highlighted on the Elsie King Trail in Francis King Regional Park. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Three trails west of Esquimalt worth checking out

Each offers something different, and all have something worth seeing

The Mysterious doorway is one of the natural oddities highlighted on the Elsie King Trail in Francis King Regional Park. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Island Health and the Eldercare Foundation have dedicated a statue and garden at the Summit to the late Dr. Tom Bailey. (Courtesy of the Eldercare Foundation)

Statue, garden dedicated to late Greater Victoria doctor

The monuments at the Summit honour Dr. Tom Bailey

Island Health and the Eldercare Foundation have dedicated a statue and garden at the Summit to the late Dr. Tom Bailey. (Courtesy of the Eldercare Foundation)
Support Soweto Junior School is hosting a five-kilometre waterfront walk starting and ending at Clover Point for asecond time on Aug. 7 to raise funds to ensure students at the Kenyan school are fed. (Courtesy of Support Soweto Junior School)

Victoria fundraiser walk aims to help feed students in Kenya

Support Soweto Junior School is hosting the Aug. 7 walk for a second time

Support Soweto Junior School is hosting a five-kilometre waterfront walk starting and ending at Clover Point for asecond time on Aug. 7 to raise funds to ensure students at the Kenyan school are fed. (Courtesy of Support Soweto Junior School)
A crew filming in Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria voted fifth best small city to live and work as a filmmaker

Moviemaker’s Top 10 list boasts Victoria as a film destination

A crew filming in Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)