Community

People facing homelessness face many stigmas, says the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. The group hosts a workshop in Sooke on Oct. 15. (File - Black Press Media)

Workshop in Sooke sets its sights on erasing homelessness’s stigmas

Homelessness is increasing in Sooke

 

Eric Brunt poses with Second World War veteran Frank Krepps. (Photo courtesy of Melki Films)

PODCAST.: B.C. filmmaker documents stories of Canadian WWII veterans

TODAY IN B.C.: Average age of vets now 97, as Eric Brunt races against time

 

The Burden Family. (HAVAN Photo)

PODCAST: Following B.C.’s Burden family through their real-time renovation

TODAY IN B.C.: HAVAN’s podcast ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ debuts

 

Cyclists ride free on Greater Victoria buses Oct. 3 to 16. (File photo courtesy BC Transit)

Greater Victoria celebrates Go By Bike Week with celebration stations, free rides

Stations along popular cycling routes feature food, prizes, swag, mechanics and other resources

Cyclists ride free on Greater Victoria buses Oct. 3 to 16. (File photo courtesy BC Transit)
Port Hardy raised $16,000 for Tour de Rock this year. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)

Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock ride kicks off in the North Island

RCMP Cst. Kyle Dornan had half of his head shaved and was given a $16,000 cheque

Port Hardy raised $16,000 for Tour de Rock this year. (Tyson Whitney - North Island Gazette)
Sooke Rotary Club president John Topolniski with a handful of sock monkies created by William Head Institution inmates. (Contributed photo)

Collaboration provides comfort for families at Ukrainian Safe Haven

Sooke Rotary, William Head inmates and businesses donate tables and sock monkeys

Sooke Rotary Club president John Topolniski with a handful of sock monkies created by William Head Institution inmates. (Contributed photo)
The Victoria Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants Program welcomes applications for small grants up to $500 for local, community projects taking place between November 2022 and March 2023. Photo courtesy the Victoria Foundation

Neighbourhood vision, community generosity key to a liveable region: here’s how to get involved

Victoria Foundation program welcomes applications to Oct. 30

  • Sep 26, 2022
The Victoria Foundation’s Neighbourhood Small Grants Program welcomes applications for small grants up to $500 for local, community projects taking place between November 2022 and March 2023. Photo courtesy the Victoria Foundation
Bill Kent and Shannon Rae will serve up a selection of jazz classics on at Shirley Community Hall in support of diabetes education and research. (Contributed - Shannon Rae)

In Shirley, all that jazz to support a good cause

Kent Rae perform at diabetes fundraiser on Oct. 1

Bill Kent and Shannon Rae will serve up a selection of jazz classics on at Shirley Community Hall in support of diabetes education and research. (Contributed - Shannon Rae)
Wendy McCulloch (third from the left), Executive Director of Community Futures British Columbia, and Naina Sloan (third from the right), Vice President of programs and partners with the Pacific Economic Development Canada, with representatives of the communities receiving a portion of the funding. (Zachary Delaney)

Feds kick in $5.5 million to help B.C. mitigate economic effects of disasters

Funds given to Community Futures British Columbia to distribute to small business and non-profits

Wendy McCulloch (third from the left), Executive Director of Community Futures British Columbia, and Naina Sloan (third from the right), Vice President of programs and partners with the Pacific Economic Development Canada, with representatives of the communities receiving a portion of the funding. (Zachary Delaney)
Sooke artists Anika Lacerte (left), Shelley Davies, Jill Warne, and Jeannine Sayler created the art work for the book bins at SEAPARC Leisure Complex as part of the Sooke Region Literary Project. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

In Sooke, book bins receive an artistic facelift

Literacy project turns the page on 12 years of making books available to the community

Sooke artists Anika Lacerte (left), Shelley Davies, Jill Warne, and Jeannine Sayler created the art work for the book bins at SEAPARC Leisure Complex as part of the Sooke Region Literary Project. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
Local artist Sarah Jim began painting her mural earlier this week at Beckwith Park in Saanich. Her work showcases her WSANEC roots. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

WSANEC artist’s mural gets underway at Beckwith Park in Saanich

Mural completion subject to weather, unexpected factors

Local artist Sarah Jim began painting her mural earlier this week at Beckwith Park in Saanich. Her work showcases her WSANEC roots. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
The Sooke Quilt Show and Sale is set for Oct. 15 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Quilt show sewn into fabric of Sooke

First-time event planned for Sooke Community Hall on Oct. 15

The Sooke Quilt Show and Sale is set for Oct. 15 at the Sooke Community Hall. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Players from Westshore Basketball got to play on the court during halftime of the Canada versus Argentina game on Aug. 25, which took place at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. (Courtesy of Brad Lidstone)

Team Canada visits West Shore basketball camp

Players ran drills, met kids and gave away tickets to their Aug. 25 game

Players from Westshore Basketball got to play on the court during halftime of the Canada versus Argentina game on Aug. 25, which took place at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. (Courtesy of Brad Lidstone)
The Cape Scott Wind Farm produces clean energy for Vancouver Island communities and industries, yet when the North Island has power outages, local communities cannot access this local supply of clean electricity. (Photo supplied by ICET)

Power security: North Island coalition working together to end regional outages

Regional effort will explore alternative power supply opportunities to boost reliability

The Cape Scott Wind Farm produces clean energy for Vancouver Island communities and industries, yet when the North Island has power outages, local communities cannot access this local supply of clean electricity. (Photo supplied by ICET)
Artist Claire Crawford has been selected to paint the first of three murals as part of Saanich’s community canvas mural project at the entrance to Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre in Cedar Hill Park. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Vancouver Island artist leads first mural painting in Saanich community art project

Community canvas mural project seeks to create vibrancy, sense of belonging

Artist Claire Crawford has been selected to paint the first of three murals as part of Saanich’s community canvas mural project at the entrance to Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre in Cedar Hill Park. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
NEW CUTLINE Amber Academy Fine Arts Society is expanding the courses they offer with a new Advanced Acting with Stagecraft class for teens. A photo from the 2019 production of The Lion King is featured here. (Contributed-Amber Academy) Students Sophia Petronas, left, and Beyla Medos strike a pose in rehearsal as lionesses in The Lion King from 2019. Amber Academy launches its 2021-22 season on Sept. 13. (Contributed - Amber Academy)

Sooke’s Amber Academy ready to rock

Fine arts group adapts Rock of Ages: Youth Edition student’s first production

NEW CUTLINE Amber Academy Fine Arts Society is expanding the courses they offer with a new Advanced Acting with Stagecraft class for teens. A photo from the 2019 production of The Lion King is featured here. (Contributed-Amber Academy) Students Sophia Petronas, left, and Beyla Medos strike a pose in rehearsal as lionesses in The Lion King from 2019. Amber Academy launches its 2021-22 season on Sept. 13. (Contributed - Amber Academy)
Karl Schutz was the ultimate Chemainus booster. (Photo by Art Carlyle)

Island town’s mural project visionary Schutz dies

Chemainus booster leaves a lasting legacy with outdoor art gallery project

Karl Schutz was the ultimate Chemainus booster. (Photo by Art Carlyle)
Langford Lightning U17A Girls won their first ever national softball championship in Montreal between Aug. 17 and 21. Back row: Chad Bryden, Joni Frei, Kamryn Allin, Makena Aune, Dale Aune, Brynn Fortier, Peyton Bryden, Kaliyah St. Amand, Mason Barclay, Jenna Lehman, Rob Guenter, Ruby Anderson, Rob Haslam. Front Row: Marin Jorgenson, Kaela Gillis, Emma Pepin, Courtney Haslam. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Bryden)

Langford U17 girls team crowned Canada’s softball queens

Langford Lightning win national championship, which took place in Montreal between Aug. 17 and 21

Langford Lightning U17A Girls won their first ever national softball championship in Montreal between Aug. 17 and 21. Back row: Chad Bryden, Joni Frei, Kamryn Allin, Makena Aune, Dale Aune, Brynn Fortier, Peyton Bryden, Kaliyah St. Amand, Mason Barclay, Jenna Lehman, Rob Guenter, Ruby Anderson, Rob Haslam. Front Row: Marin Jorgenson, Kaela Gillis, Emma Pepin, Courtney Haslam. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Bryden)
Parksville’s David Woodward won two awards at the World Beer Cup this past May. He is seen here with some Sitka spruce tips for a new spruce beer he brews at Rusted Rake Brewing in Nanoose Bay. (Submitted photo)

Parksville brew-master brews gold at World Beer Cup

David Woodward’s submission chosen out of thousands

Parksville’s David Woodward won two awards at the World Beer Cup this past May. He is seen here with some Sitka spruce tips for a new spruce beer he brews at Rusted Rake Brewing in Nanoose Bay. (Submitted photo)
Doig River First Nation has received $51,000 from the Victoria Foundation’s Food Security Provincial Initiatives Fund for a community garden project, including workshops, increasing garden capacity for individuals and families, and outreach to gardeners.

Taking a bite out of food insecurity

The Victoria Foundation, Province boost efforts to make food more accessible

  • Aug 22, 2022
Doig River First Nation has received $51,000 from the Victoria Foundation’s Food Security Provincial Initiatives Fund for a community garden project, including workshops, increasing garden capacity for individuals and families, and outreach to gardeners.