Community

John Hillman, 103, with the judge presiding over the July 21 virtual citizenship ceremony where the British veteran became Canadian. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Meet Canada’s oldest newest Canadian, John Hillman of Oak Bay

103-year-old performs official oath in English and French to earn citizenship July 21

John Hillman, 103, with the judge presiding over the July 21 virtual citizenship ceremony where the British veteran became Canadian. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Kenny Podmore, left, inspired by John Hillman’s philanthropy, pushed to get the Oak Bay centenarian his Canadian citizenship. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay’s philanthropic centenarian scores Canadian citizenship

John Hillman, 103, has raised well beyond $300,000 for Save the Children over three years

Kenny Podmore, left, inspired by John Hillman’s philanthropy, pushed to get the Oak Bay centenarian his Canadian citizenship. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Organizer Angel Sampson’s grandnephew Benjamin George, here seen in 2015 holding his son Carlisle, is expected to be among the dancers during the Yellow Wolf Intertribal powwow happening July 22 to 24 at Stelly’s secondary in Central Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Angel Sampson)

Yellow Wolf Intertribal powwow returns to Saanich Peninsula

Multifaceted Indigenous cultural event takes place July 22 to 24 at Stelly’s secondary

Organizer Angel Sampson’s grandnephew Benjamin George, here seen in 2015 holding his son Carlisle, is expected to be among the dancers during the Yellow Wolf Intertribal powwow happening July 22 to 24 at Stelly’s secondary in Central Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Angel Sampson)
Kyrie Parimi, 5, gets a turn in the driver seat of a Victoria firetruck when crews from local departments visited children at Victoria General Hospital on July 20. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Firefighters bring trucks, cheer, donation to kids at Victoria General Hospital

Firefighters’ foundation donated $25,000 for pediatric equipment

Kyrie Parimi, 5, gets a turn in the driver seat of a Victoria firetruck when crews from local departments visited children at Victoria General Hospital on July 20. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
SERVING UP Breakfast Spencer Barkley of the North Saanich Fire Department works with colleagues Chuck Hanan and Kurt Barner to unload 300 boxes of cereal and other in-demand breakfast items purchased with a $5,000 donation by CFAX Santas Anonymous Society to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. See story on page A8. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

$5,000 donation serves up breakfast for Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank

Santas Anonymous Society donation goes a long way, firefighters deliver the goods

SERVING UP Breakfast Spencer Barkley of the North Saanich Fire Department works with colleagues Chuck Hanan and Kurt Barner to unload 300 boxes of cereal and other in-demand breakfast items purchased with a $5,000 donation by CFAX Santas Anonymous Society to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank. See story on page A8. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Jan Burns serves up lunch at the Oak Bay Kiwanis Tea Room where the service club hands out 500 free hot dogs this weekend to celebrate 75 years. (Black Press Media file photo)

Kiwanis celebrate 75 years with Oak Bay community party

Club members handing out hot dogs this weekend at Willows Beach

Jan Burns serves up lunch at the Oak Bay Kiwanis Tea Room where the service club hands out 500 free hot dogs this weekend to celebrate 75 years. (Black Press Media file photo)
Canada's Best City Report. (photos submitted)

PODCAST: Victoria and Kelowna are Canada’s best small cities

TODAY IN B.C.: Mayors, Chamber CEOs talk amenities, housing, business and more

Canada's Best City Report. (photos submitted)
Jaguar Car Club of Victoria member Doug Irving poses with his 1950 Jaguar Mark V, which he calls “Elizabeth” after Queen Elizabeth 2. The Jaguars on the Island car show returns to Windsor Park this Saturday (July 23), uniting hundreds of attendees and more than 100 Jaguars from as early as the ’40s. (Courtesy of Doug Irving)

Jaguar fanatics hit the grass Saturday in Oak Bay

Windsor Park show features ’40s and ’50s Jaguar vintages

Jaguar Car Club of Victoria member Doug Irving poses with his 1950 Jaguar Mark V, which he calls “Elizabeth” after Queen Elizabeth 2. The Jaguars on the Island car show returns to Windsor Park this Saturday (July 23), uniting hundreds of attendees and more than 100 Jaguars from as early as the ’40s. (Courtesy of Doug Irving)
There are 32 openings for free summer camp, July 25 to 29, at Ukrainian Safe Haven in East Sooke. (Photo contributed)

Free summer fun for kids on offer in East Sooke

Summer camp runs from July 25 to 29

There are 32 openings for free summer camp, July 25 to 29, at Ukrainian Safe Haven in East Sooke. (Photo contributed)
Atomic Vaudeville, producer of The Batshits, was among the recipients of a CRD arts and culture operating grant in 2021. (Photo by Pedro M. Siqueira/Atomic Vaudeville)

Arts funding in the CRD provides multiple benefits

2021 progress report offers insights into the impact for artists, community

Atomic Vaudeville, producer of The Batshits, was among the recipients of a CRD arts and culture operating grant in 2021. (Photo by Pedro M. Siqueira/Atomic Vaudeville)
Enthusiastic mountain bike riders traverse the newly opened Tripp Youth Bike Skills Park in Saanich. The facility officially opened Saturday (July 16) and is expected to be popular with riders of all ages this summer. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Busy bike park opening a sign of future success, Saanich hopes

Tripp Youth Bike Skills Parks offers options for all ages

Enthusiastic mountain bike riders traverse the newly opened Tripp Youth Bike Skills Park in Saanich. The facility officially opened Saturday (July 16) and is expected to be popular with riders of all ages this summer. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Northwest Deuce Days deals Victoria a winning hand

Triennial event packs Inner Harbour area for Sunday show and shine

Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Victoria has handed out $512,000 in grants to almost 70 community organizations whose programs aim to improve life in the capital city. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria awards $512,000 in grants to programs that improve community

Average allotment given this year approximately $5,700

Victoria has handed out $512,000 in grants to almost 70 community organizations whose programs aim to improve life in the capital city. (Black Press Media file photo)
Artists Paul Redchurch and Patricia Hindmarch-Watson show their work that hangs as banners throughout Oak Bay Village (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Local artists bring beach beauty, colour to Oak Bay Avenue

Business Improvement Association summer banners line the village

Artists Paul Redchurch and Patricia Hindmarch-Watson show their work that hangs as banners throughout Oak Bay Village (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Vehicles line up to board B.C. Ferries sailing at Tsawwassen. British Columbia has the longest free ferry ride in the world. Do you know where this ferry can be found? (Black Press Media)

QUIZ: Are you ready for some summer driving?

How much do you know about roads and cars in Canada and beyond?

Vehicles line up to board B.C. Ferries sailing at Tsawwassen. British Columbia has the longest free ferry ride in the world. Do you know where this ferry can be found? (Black Press Media)
Langford Beer Festival attendees cheers before sampling some B.C. craft beer Saturday at Starlight Stadium. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Langford Beer Festival sells out inaugural edition

Starlight Stadium filled with more than 2,500 people Saturday

Langford Beer Festival attendees cheers before sampling some B.C. craft beer Saturday at Starlight Stadium. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Capital Bike’s free All-Aboard Family Cycling program is back for its second year, helping families gain knowledge and skills to cycle safely. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria families invited to learn cycling safety with Capital Bike

Free All-Aboard Family Cycling program back for second year

Capital Bike’s free All-Aboard Family Cycling program is back for its second year, helping families gain knowledge and skills to cycle safely. (Black Press Media file photo)
Crowds line Goldstream Avenue in Langford as more than 500 hot rods roll by Saturday as part of Northwest Deuce Days activities ahead of the main show Sunday in downtown Victoria. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Hundreds of hot rods roll through Langford

Saturday’s rolling car show was part of Northwest Deuce Days, which finishes Sunday afternoon

Crowds line Goldstream Avenue in Langford as more than 500 hot rods roll by Saturday as part of Northwest Deuce Days activities ahead of the main show Sunday in downtown Victoria. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
The Victoria Art Council’s main gallery. The council has been named a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award. (Courtesy Victoria Arts Council/Facebook)

Victoria Arts Council receives Lieutenant Governor’s award

The group received the award in recognition of their work on inclusion in the community

The Victoria Art Council’s main gallery. The council has been named a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award. (Courtesy Victoria Arts Council/Facebook)
The Arts and Culture Colwood Society is hosting a summer art show on July 23 at Meadow Park in Colwood. (Courtesy City of Colwood)

Summer art show coming to Colwood

Arts and Culture Colwood Society is hosting the show July 23 at Meadow Park

The Arts and Culture Colwood Society is hosting a summer art show on July 23 at Meadow Park in Colwood. (Courtesy City of Colwood)