Community

Whiffin Spit in a blaze of glory. (Pete Knight)

PHOTOS: Sooke’s spectacular sunset sights

Readers share their favourite sunset photos

Whiffin Spit in a blaze of glory. (Pete Knight)
Peter Maguire, library manager of the Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Sooke branch, says the doors are open to members of the public, but only five inside at a time. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Sooke library enters next chapter with limited service re-opening

Limited sit-down service available two hours a day from Tuesday through Saturday

Peter Maguire, library manager of the Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Sooke branch, says the doors are open to members of the public, but only five inside at a time. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
The Sooke Santa Run will head out into the community with Christmas lights and holiday music on Dec. 12, but organizers are asking for donations online for 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke to move forward with Santa Run, decked out with lights and music

Event to take place on Dec. 12 around dusk, online donations accepted

The Sooke Santa Run will head out into the community with Christmas lights and holiday music on Dec. 12, but organizers are asking for donations online for 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
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Renegade Prospectors co-founders Rick Curiston and Tina Francis pose near Cayoosh Creek. Former Agassiz resident Curiston recently celebrated one year sober from alcohol and eight years drug-free, loving his new lease on life, family and their love for treasure hunting. (Contributed Photo/Tina Francis)

Former Agassiz DJ turned prospector finds treasure, renewed life in Lillooet

Eight years drug-free, Rick Curiston reflects on his passion for agate, gold hunting

Renegade Prospectors co-founders Rick Curiston and Tina Francis pose near Cayoosh Creek. Former Agassiz resident Curiston recently celebrated one year sober from alcohol and eight years drug-free, loving his new lease on life, family and their love for treasure hunting. (Contributed Photo/Tina Francis)
The City of Victoria announced the official opening of Agamemnon and Eleni Kasapi Park in the South Jubilee neighbourhood on Nov. 18. (Courtesy of Jeremy Loveday)

Purchase of South Jubilee park funds new UVic scholarships

Victoria residents have a new park and UVic has two new scholarships

The City of Victoria announced the official opening of Agamemnon and Eleni Kasapi Park in the South Jubilee neighbourhood on Nov. 18. (Courtesy of Jeremy Loveday)
MARS volunteer John shows ambassador owl Otis to visitors. Photo supplied

Merville avian rescue shelter seeing spike in victims of rat poisoning ingestion

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society cautions against use of rodent poisons

MARS volunteer John shows ambassador owl Otis to visitors. Photo supplied
NEW CUTLINE Fisgard Lighthouse celebrates its 160th birthday on Nov. 16. (Photo courtesy of parks Canada)

Famed Colwood landmark lighthouse celebrates 160 years

Celebrations abound online for 2020 party

NEW CUTLINE Fisgard Lighthouse celebrates its 160th birthday on Nov. 16. (Photo courtesy of parks Canada)
The Sooke Santa Parade planned for Dec. 6 is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Metro-Creative)

Sooke Santa Parade cancelled due to COVID-19

Organizers say they spent months considering ways of throwing the annual event

The Sooke Santa Parade planned for Dec. 6 is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Metro-Creative)
The Sheringham Point Lighthouse, near Shirley. (Contributed - Lee-Ann Ruttan)

New book shines a light on Sheringham Point Lighthouse

Publication examines history, lightkeepers, and volunteer society

The Sheringham Point Lighthouse, near Shirley. (Contributed - Lee-Ann Ruttan)
West Shore Parks and Rec is asking the public to complete a survey to determine what youth programs they will re-introduce in January 2021. (Black Press Media file)

West Shore Parks and Rec surveys youth ahead of 2021 programs

Online survey closes Nov. 20

West Shore Parks and Rec is asking the public to complete a survey to determine what youth programs they will re-introduce in January 2021. (Black Press Media file)
The Silk Road Tea boxed set of 12 varieties is being sold as a fundraiser for the non-profit Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)

Seasonal fundraiser suits Victoria youth housing non-profit to a tea

Winter Carnival cancelled, but Threshold Housing brewing up a tasty option for donors

The Silk Road Tea boxed set of 12 varieties is being sold as a fundraiser for the non-profit Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)
Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Center will host two nights of virtual Diwali celebrations amid the pandemic featuring dancers, singers and may other performers. (Photo submitted by Sridevi Ganti)

Diwali festival goes virtual in Greater Victoria

Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Center opts for two nights of online performances

Victoria Hindu Parishad and Cultural Center will host two nights of virtual Diwali celebrations amid the pandemic featuring dancers, singers and may other performers. (Photo submitted by Sridevi Ganti)
Camosun College is joining other Vancouver Island post-secondary schools in hosting a virtual career fair Nov. 19. (Black Press Media file photo)

Virtual career fair connects Vancouver Island students with job opportunities

Camosun College organizes virtual career fair for Nov. 19

Camosun College is joining other Vancouver Island post-secondary schools in hosting a virtual career fair Nov. 19. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Royal BC Museum has released a book about the history of the Tod Inlet. (Sarah Verstegen)

New book tells history of Tod Inlet

Deep and Sheltered Waters is written by researcher, writer and filmmaker David R. Gray

The Royal BC Museum has released a book about the history of the Tod Inlet. (Sarah Verstegen)
The winner of last year’s Esquimalt tree decorating contest, Operation Christmas Child. (Courtesy Township of Esquimalt)

Esquimalt tree decorating contest lights up online this holiday season

Businesses, non-profits can submit photos for the People’s Choice award

The winner of last year’s Esquimalt tree decorating contest, Operation Christmas Child. (Courtesy Township of Esquimalt)
M’akola Housing Society is asking the public for donations to help fund their annual christmas holiday gift program for Indigenous families that live in affordable housing units around Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C’s top Indigenous affordable housing provider asking for holiday donations

Organization handed out $15,000 worth of gift cards during Christmas in 2019

M’akola Housing Society is asking the public for donations to help fund their annual christmas holiday gift program for Indigenous families that live in affordable housing units around Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society is reminding park-users that damaging plants or removing mushrooms or anything else from the park is against Saanich bylaws. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)

Mushroom pickers disregard bylaws for Mount Douglas Park

Park-users cannot damage plants, remove things from greenspace, advocate says

The Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society is reminding park-users that damaging plants or removing mushrooms or anything else from the park is against Saanich bylaws. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)
The Rotary Club of Sooke is going virtual with their 2020 annual auction, to take place from Nov. 27 to 29. A majority of the funds will go towards building two gazebos for Ayre Manor Seniors Housing. (Jeannette Wilford photo)

Sooke Rotary Club eyes building gazebos for seniors with 2020 auction funds

Online auction takes place Nov. 27 to 29

The Rotary Club of Sooke is going virtual with their 2020 annual auction, to take place from Nov. 27 to 29. A majority of the funds will go towards building two gazebos for Ayre Manor Seniors Housing. (Jeannette Wilford photo)
Every year, piles of abandoned jack-o-lanterns appear in Mount Douglas Park after Halloween and advocates are urging residents to be responsible when displaying their pumpkin art. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)

The great Saanich pumpkin dump: Advocates advise against abandoning carved gourds in park

Removal of rotten pumpkins costs up to $800 annually, district says

Every year, piles of abandoned jack-o-lanterns appear in Mount Douglas Park after Halloween and advocates are urging residents to be responsible when displaying their pumpkin art. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)
Mehernosh Panthaki and Ian Stuart Sharpe carry a tree from the Oak Bay Preschool annual Christmas Tree Sale. The preschool’s 40-year-old tradition returns this year on Dec. 5, pre-order by Nov. 25. (Photo courtesy Oak Bay Preschool)

Oak Bay Preschool tree sale returns for 40th year

Parent-run preschool turns 50 this year

Mehernosh Panthaki and Ian Stuart Sharpe carry a tree from the Oak Bay Preschool annual Christmas Tree Sale. The preschool’s 40-year-old tradition returns this year on Dec. 5, pre-order by Nov. 25. (Photo courtesy Oak Bay Preschool)