Community

Through her Instagram account, Not In The Pink, Tina Martel works to raise awareness about breast cancer and loving your body. (Courtesy of Tina Martel)

Langford woman who beat breast cancer twice advocates for body positivity on Instagram

Flat Fashion celebrates women who choose not to undergo reconstruction surgery after mastectomies

Through her Instagram account, Not In The Pink, Tina Martel works to raise awareness about breast cancer and loving your body. (Courtesy of Tina Martel)
The Lochside Elementary School book house on Royal Oak Drive is a new addition to the little free library network. (Courtesy of Autonomous Furniture)

Victoria-based furniture store designs little free library for Saanich elementary school

Little free library at Lochside Elementary is one of more than 650 in Greater Victoria

The Lochside Elementary School book house on Royal Oak Drive is a new addition to the little free library network. (Courtesy of Autonomous Furniture)
Pearson College has announced it has raised nearly $40 million for its Renew and Re-found Campaign. Pictured, Deborah Saucier, president of Vancouver Island University, Craig Davis, president and head of college for Pearson College, and Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University, stand with Hatley Castle in the background following the April signing of a pair of MOUs to create a new climate action leadership diploma program, which is one of the programs funded through the campaign. (Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University)

Pearson College nears $40M goal for Renew and Re-found Campaign

The funds are to be used for reconciliation, climate leadership, and more initiatives

Pearson College has announced it has raised nearly $40 million for its Renew and Re-found Campaign. Pictured, Deborah Saucier, president of Vancouver Island University, Craig Davis, president and head of college for Pearson College, and Philip Steenkamp, president and vice-chancellor of Royal Roads University, stand with Hatley Castle in the background following the April signing of a pair of MOUs to create a new climate action leadership diploma program, which is one of the programs funded through the campaign. (Photo courtesy of Royal Roads University)
Karina Gomez and Nok Hutawatthana present The Women of the World (W.O.W.) Soup to DIVERSEcity. (Courtesy of Camosun College Facebook)

Students from Victoria’s Camosun College win $1,500 for new business pitch

Camosun students Women of the World Soup takes second place in DIVERSEcity competition

Karina Gomez and Nok Hutawatthana present The Women of the World (W.O.W.) Soup to DIVERSEcity. (Courtesy of Camosun College Facebook)
Monica Reekie rides a camel near the Egyptian pyramids. (Contributed - Monica Reekie)

A photogenic eye for adoption

Sooke Fine Arts Show winner has a growing family of elephants

Monica Reekie rides a camel near the Egyptian pyramids. (Contributed - Monica Reekie)
Good Earth Coffeehouse will close the Uptown centre location Nov. 20. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Good Earth Coffeehouse to close Uptown location, opting out of lease renewal

The closure leaves some disappointed, but fans can still get their fix at various other locations

Good Earth Coffeehouse will close the Uptown centre location Nov. 20. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Greater Victoria is set to host the new Northwestern Francophone Games next summer as a replacement for the now cancelled Canadian Francophone Games, originally set to be held here in 2020. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Francophone Games)

Greater Victoria to host Northwestern Francophone Games next summer

The event will run from July 11 to 15, 2023, with most events being held in Oak Bay

Greater Victoria is set to host the new Northwestern Francophone Games next summer as a replacement for the now cancelled Canadian Francophone Games, originally set to be held here in 2020. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Francophone Games)
Margie Edwards, director of administrative services, left, and Cheryl Chalifour, executive director of Revera Parkwood Place with the magical Santa workshop and village the team is creating for the 14th annual Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Sweet creations build housing for Victoria non-profit

Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s annual Gingerbread Showcase starts Nov. 26

Margie Edwards, director of administrative services, left, and Cheryl Chalifour, executive director of Revera Parkwood Place with the magical Santa workshop and village the team is creating for the 14th annual Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Julie Clark rakes leaves in the yard where male goat Wasabi enjoys the company of two females, apart from the rest of the goats. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Victoria petting zoo staff create cosy quarters to keep animals in Beacon Hill Park

Goats and more can be seen through the fence this winter

Julie Clark rakes leaves in the yard where male goat Wasabi enjoys the company of two females, apart from the rest of the goats. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Lindsey and Grayson Drakeley attend the launch of Help Fill A Dream and Country Grocer’s 2022 holiday campaign at Eurosa Farms in Central Saanich. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Help Fill A Dream, Country Grocer launch 2022 holiday campaign for Vancouver Island families

Help Fill A Dream has helped over 3,400 Vancouver Island and Gulf Island families since 1986

Lindsey and Grayson Drakeley attend the launch of Help Fill A Dream and Country Grocer’s 2022 holiday campaign at Eurosa Farms in Central Saanich. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto and Bruce Williams secure themselves with harnesses before they are lifted to the top of the 42-foot tree. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Ralmax Group aims to spark holiday joy, support for local businesses with harbour lights

New seasonal Victoria Harbour Ferry tour will give spectators a front-row view

Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto and Bruce Williams secure themselves with harnesses before they are lifted to the top of the 42-foot tree. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Uninjured physically, but in shock and hypothermic, a naked baby squirrel is on the mend at Wild ARC in Metchosin. (Wild ARC/Facebook)

Naked and alone: Baby squirrel finds new family at West Shore wildlife rehab

Four red squirrels mark a rarity for BC SPCA centre in Metchosin

Uninjured physically, but in shock and hypothermic, a naked baby squirrel is on the mend at Wild ARC in Metchosin. (Wild ARC/Facebook)
Susanna Dery baker at the former Village Patisserie and Bob Atwell chocolatier from Casey’s Market are among the expected artisans at the Nov. 19 sale in Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)

Artisans bring unique gift options to Oak Bay centre sale

Expect to find chocolate treats, baked goods, epicure spices, knitwear and faux flowers on sale

Susanna Dery baker at the former Village Patisserie and Bob Atwell chocolatier from Casey’s Market are among the expected artisans at the Nov. 19 sale in Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)
HeroWork hosts its big reveal of Victoria Cool Aid Society’s new and improved downtown community centre on Saturday (Nov. 12), which has been under construction since early August. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Cool Aid Society’s downtown Victoria community centre gets a new look

HeroWork reveals progress on latest ‘radical renovation’

HeroWork hosts its big reveal of Victoria Cool Aid Society’s new and improved downtown community centre on Saturday (Nov. 12), which has been under construction since early August. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
A black bear lumbers along the banks of the Sooke River. A wildlife advocate says that weather impacts bears’ behaviour because it affects their food source. (Contributed - Gary Schroyen)

Black bears need personal space as they prepare for winter, says wildlife advocate

Spring and summer weather affecting hibernation schedule

A black bear lumbers along the banks of the Sooke River. A wildlife advocate says that weather impacts bears’ behaviour because it affects their food source. (Contributed - Gary Schroyen)
The Cannabis Act review comes as yet another hurdle medical cannabis patients have to clear. (Black Press Media file photo)

Cannabis Act legislative review may threaten medical marijuana program

Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club official says current legislation limits access to many in need

The Cannabis Act review comes as yet another hurdle medical cannabis patients have to clear. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke Harbour PLayers presented Blithe Spirit in 2017. The acting troupe will premier Ben Crocker's Camelot on Friday, Nov. 25. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

On stage: Sooke Harbour Players take a different approach to classic tale

A pantomime spin on Camelot

Sooke Harbour PLayers presented Blithe Spirit in 2017. The acting troupe will premier Ben Crocker's Camelot on Friday, Nov. 25. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Volunteers and donors Maria Dominelli (from left), Mary Collins, Sheila Connelly and Richard Crow stand in front of the new bread slicer that will help the team from The Soup Kitchen put together sandwiches faster. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

The Soup Kitchen celebrates 40 years of providing meals in Victoria

Volunteers prepare more than 3,000 meals a month for residents in need

Volunteers and donors Maria Dominelli (from left), Mary Collins, Sheila Connelly and Richard Crow stand in front of the new bread slicer that will help the team from The Soup Kitchen put together sandwiches faster. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Author and columnist Jack Knox. (Submitted photo.)

PODCAST: Author and columnist Jack Knox releases ‘Fortune Knox Once’

TODAY IN B.C.: Fourth book for the B.C. humour writer

Author and columnist Jack Knox. (Submitted photo.)
Eula Johnson, 105, and Eleanor Pattison, 102, share details about their lives with friends at The Wellesley. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Victoria seniors share their secrets to a long life including walking and good genes

105-year-old Eula Jonson and 102-year-old Eleanor Pattison are residents of The Wellesley

Eula Johnson, 105, and Eleanor Pattison, 102, share details about their lives with friends at The Wellesley. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)