Community

Burt Hill shaves the head of Thomas Joe, a Grade 6 student at St. Patrick’s Elementary School who raised more than his target of $10,000 for cancer research. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Victoria youth skips haircuts for nearly 3 years, raises $12,000 for kids with cancer

St. Patrick’s elementary abuzz as 12-year-old loses a foot of hair

The last time the garage sale was held was in 2019. It’s back this year after a two-year COVID hiatus. (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin Mighty Garage Sale back in action this month

Event raises money for the Metchosin Community House

Gowns, suits and smiles filled a section of Henderson Road as Oak Bay High’s class of 2018 celebrated at the annual grad block party. (Black Press Media file photo)

Community party tradition returns for Oak Bay High’s class of 2022

Graduates gather in their finery at Willows Beach Friday

Lucas Gentina needed about 90 minutes to swim 3.7 kilometres across the Saanich Inlet from Mill Bay to North Saanich as part of a fundraising effort for seniors living in the long-term unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital, where he works as a rehabilitation assistant. (Courtesy Robert Borthwick)

‘Aquaman’ crosses Saanich Inlet

Lucas Gentina is raising money for the Saanich Peninsula Hospital

Lucas Gentina needed about 90 minutes to swim 3.7 kilometres across the Saanich Inlet from Mill Bay to North Saanich as part of a fundraising effort for seniors living in the long-term unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital, where he works as a rehabilitation assistant. (Courtesy Robert Borthwick)
Diane Bernard shows a feather boa kelp (Eregia menziesii). Kelp is a valuable source of Alginic acid, which is used in the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

PHOTOS: Bountiful beach buffet makes waves with adult-learning class

Sooke’s Diane (The Seaweed Lady) Bernard conducts tour on some of B.C.’s 600 wild seaweeds

Diane Bernard shows a feather boa kelp (Eregia menziesii). Kelp is a valuable source of Alginic acid, which is used in the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Nataliia Nadzelska and her daughter, Sophiia, and son, Andrii, have found safe haven from the war in Ukraine with Anne-Marie Smith and her family in Sooke. (Rick Stiebel/Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke community offers family refuge from war

Local family opens door to Ukrainian mother and two children

Nataliia Nadzelska and her daughter, Sophiia, and son, Andrii, have found safe haven from the war in Ukraine with Anne-Marie Smith and her family in Sooke. (Rick Stiebel/Sooke News Mirror)
Ethnic dance groups and food kiosks are in store at Centennial Square June 4 to 6, as Folktoria returns to an in-person event after two years of virtual celebrations. (Folktoria/Facebook)

Folktoria festival making cultural return to downtown Victoria

Multicultural dance and food festival set for June 4 to 6 in Centennial Square

Ethnic dance groups and food kiosks are in store at Centennial Square June 4 to 6, as Folktoria returns to an in-person event after two years of virtual celebrations. (Folktoria/Facebook)
Despite the day’s rainy weather, about 30 members of the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club made their way to the Gorge for fun races on May 15. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club gets a restart on the Gorge

About 30 paddlers attend weekend event, big season anticipated for 400-member club

Despite the day’s rainy weather, about 30 members of the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club made their way to the Gorge for fun races on May 15. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Jason Heit teaches a class at the Island MMA Training Centre in Victoria. Heit moved back to the Island in 2007 after spending four years as a security guard for various A-list celebrities. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Victoria man’s journey took him from the boxing ring to supplying security to the stars

Drew Barrymore, Nicholas Cage, Robbie Williams: Victoria’s Jason Heit was by their side

Jason Heit teaches a class at the Island MMA Training Centre in Victoria. Heit moved back to the Island in 2007 after spending four years as a security guard for various A-list celebrities. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Megan Omran and Ariah Cummings (right) have each been named winners of $40,000 scholarships from the Cmolik Foundation. (Courtesy of the Cmolik Foundation)

Belmont students win $40K scholarships

Award goes to students for achievements in overcoming adversity and excelling in their studies

Megan Omran and Ariah Cummings (right) have each been named winners of $40,000 scholarships from the Cmolik Foundation. (Courtesy of the Cmolik Foundation)
People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)

Community rallies to help B.C. couple battling rare form of cancer

GoFundMe launched after wife was diagnosed with the same rare cancer husband is fighting

People are rallying behind the Drombolis family of North Langley. Dad Shane has been battling a rare form of cancer and mom Kristine was recently diagnosed with the very same condition. (GoFundMe)
M’akola Housing Society CEO Kevin Albers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Change-Makers Gathering returns to Langford in larger festival format

The June 4 event will be held at Starlight Stadium

M’akola Housing Society CEO Kevin Albers. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich is launching its 2022 pop-up off-leash dog park program June 1 in Beckwith, Gorge and Vantreight parks. The pilot program includes nine parks this year, up from five in 2021. (Adobe stock)

Off-leash dog parks return June 1 in Saanich

Pop-up pilot program sees nine parks in mix this year, up from five in 2021

Saanich is launching its 2022 pop-up off-leash dog park program June 1 in Beckwith, Gorge and Vantreight parks. The pilot program includes nine parks this year, up from five in 2021. (Adobe stock)
Bridget Ducker (left), Dolores Dowler and Mary-Ann Tennent with a collection of quilts. (Kevin Laird - Black Press Media)

Sooke quilters sewing warm welcome for Ukrainian refugees

Community sets goal of 100 quilts for incoming families fleeing war

Bridget Ducker (left), Dolores Dowler and Mary-Ann Tennent with a collection of quilts. (Kevin Laird - Black Press Media)
Black Press Media owner David Black shares a laugh with Helen Hughes at a Women in Business event at the Union Club of B.C. in 2016. Hughes, who died recently at 89, was a tireless volunteer and longtime city councillor. (Black Press Media file photo)

Helen Hughes, longtime city councillor, advocate for Victoria youth, dies at 89

Order of Canada member was dedicated to many causes here and in Saskatchewan

Black Press Media owner David Black shares a laugh with Helen Hughes at a Women in Business event at the Union Club of B.C. in 2016. Hughes, who died recently at 89, was a tireless volunteer and longtime city councillor. (Black Press Media file photo)
All participants who sign up for Sweatin’ for Science are automatically entered to win the grand prize, but they can also gain extra entries by following @sweatinforscience on Instagram, liking the post announcing the grand prize, tagging friends and sharing it to their stories.

Win a two night stay at Westin Whistler with Sweatin’ for Science

The Science Fair Foundation BC’s biggest fundraiser, Sweatin’ for Science Space Edition…

  • May 9, 2022
All participants who sign up for Sweatin’ for Science are automatically entered to win the grand prize, but they can also gain extra entries by following @sweatinforscience on Instagram, liking the post announcing the grand prize, tagging friends and sharing it to their stories.
And they’re off! Grade 2 students start running during a cross-country race held at the West Shore Park and Recreation’s Juan de Fuca Lower Park in Colwood on May 12. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Cross-country’s back for SD62 elementary students

Hundreds of students ran at the Juan de Fuca Lower Park in Colwood

And they’re off! Grade 2 students start running during a cross-country race held at the West Shore Park and Recreation’s Juan de Fuca Lower Park in Colwood on May 12. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Great blue herons are often seen in Saanich near wetlands, including at Swan Lake. (Photo by Robert Fraser)

Actions to protect feathered friends earn Saanich bird-friendly city status

Efforts by the municipality’s Saanich bird team recognized with Nature Canada award

Great blue herons are often seen in Saanich near wetlands, including at Swan Lake. (Photo by Robert Fraser)
A North Saanich firefighter gathers up a fawn, one of two found at the roadside, before reuniting it with its mother. (Twitter/North Saanich Fire)

North Saanich firefighters get in some R&R (rescuing and reuniting)

Emergency responders help roadside fawns find their moms

A North Saanich firefighter gathers up a fawn, one of two found at the roadside, before reuniting it with its mother. (Twitter/North Saanich Fire)
Fern Davidson, Jean Sparks and Bronwyn Taylor show a trio of keeper trophies won by James Kinghorn while he attended Oak Bay High. The items and story were donated by Kinghorn’s daughter after his 2014 death. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Alumni unpack history, share student stories across generations at Oak Bay High

Space under social staircase dedicated to highlighting the school history

Fern Davidson, Jean Sparks and Bronwyn Taylor show a trio of keeper trophies won by James Kinghorn while he attended Oak Bay High. The items and story were donated by Kinghorn’s daughter after his 2014 death. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)