Community

Conservation photographer TJ Watt has won the Trebek Initiative grant and named a National Geographic Explorer and Royal Geographic Society Explorer for his work to protect B.C.’s old-growth forests. (Contributed - TJ Watt)

Champion of old-growth forests wins prestigious awards

Program aims to promote emerging Canadian explorers, scientists, educators and photographers

Conservation photographer TJ Watt has won the Trebek Initiative grant and named a National Geographic Explorer and Royal Geographic Society Explorer for his work to protect B.C.’s old-growth forests. (Contributed - TJ Watt)
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor, holding a seedling, says Tree Appreciation Day on Nov. 6 will offer attendees Indigenous plant knowledge and a chance to get their hands dirty. (Black Press Media file photo)

Central Saanich’s Tree Appreciation Day digs into Indigenous knowledge

Nov. 6 event includes planting of native shrubs, edible fruit trees by community members

Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor, holding a seedling, says Tree Appreciation Day on Nov. 6 will offer attendees Indigenous plant knowledge and a chance to get their hands dirty. (Black Press Media file photo)
OPSRRA members erect a new sign at the entrance to Jordan River. The sign not only welcomes visitors to the community but also honours diitiida’s rich cultural heritage as the origin site of the Pacheedaht First Nation. (Contributed - OPSRRA)

Jordan River unveils new welcome signs

New signposts ‘capture the vibrancy of Jordan River’

OPSRRA members erect a new sign at the entrance to Jordan River. The sign not only welcomes visitors to the community but also honours diitiida’s rich cultural heritage as the origin site of the Pacheedaht First Nation. (Contributed - OPSRRA)
Bon Ga is a Korean restaurant located in the Glenmore neighbourhood in Kelowna. (Bon Ga/Facebook)

Kelowna residents rally behind Korean restaurant targeted with racist graffiti

Bon Ga was vandalized with racist graffiti on Saturday morning, Oct. 30

Bon Ga is a Korean restaurant located in the Glenmore neighbourhood in Kelowna. (Bon Ga/Facebook)
New homeowners join representatives from Habitat for Humanity and the Victoria Real Estate Board in ceebrating the board’s $100,000 donation to the housing charity. (Photo courtesy of VREB)

Victoria Real Estate Board boosts home ownership hopes with $100,000 donation

Donation to Habitat for Humanity plants seeds for its Build the Future fund

New homeowners join representatives from Habitat for Humanity and the Victoria Real Estate Board in ceebrating the board’s $100,000 donation to the housing charity. (Photo courtesy of VREB)
Odessa found a new home through RainCoast Dog Rescue. (Photo courtesy of raincoastdogrescue.com)

Demand for pets levels off as workers return to offices, says Greater Victoria rescue founder

During the early months of the pandemic, requests for dogs and cats shot up

Odessa found a new home through RainCoast Dog Rescue. (Photo courtesy of raincoastdogrescue.com)
Members of the Sidney Concert Band perform at 2019’s Salute Our Veterans concert. (Sidney Concert Band)

Sidney Concert Band announces Nov. 7 Remembrance Day concert

Salute to Our Veterans concert to be held at Mary Winspear Centre

Members of the Sidney Concert Band perform at 2019’s Salute Our Veterans concert. (Sidney Concert Band)
Bane gives out candy at the event, held at M2 Graphix on Langford Parkway on October 1, 2021. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Car meets Halloween

Cars and candy were on offer for families at M2 Graphix on Halloween

Bane gives out candy at the event, held at M2 Graphix on Langford Parkway on October 1, 2021. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Oh DEER! A deer feasts on grass at the Caleb Pike Heritage Park in the Highlands. (Kendra Wong/News Gazette staff)

Caleb Pike Heritage Park still standing strong in Highlands

Society volunteers keeping spirit alive despite pandemic challenges

Oh DEER! A deer feasts on grass at the Caleb Pike Heritage Park in the Highlands. (Kendra Wong/News Gazette staff)
Greater Victoria Naturehood, which includes the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society in North Saanich, has earned a national environmental award from Nature Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria group honoured for environmental education by Nature Canada

Advocates known collectively as Greater Victoria NatureHood recognized for conservation efforts

Greater Victoria Naturehood, which includes the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society in North Saanich, has earned a national environmental award from Nature Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich artist Tiare Buoys paints marine debris to turn trash into art. (Photo courtesy of Tiare Buoys)

Saanich artist and diver creates artwork from marine debris

Tiare Buoys finds meaning in turning ocean waste into art

Saanich artist Tiare Buoys paints marine debris to turn trash into art. (Photo courtesy of Tiare Buoys)
Mick Coles with his kids Thomas and Bentley (front) enjoy a beautiful evening before a night passage. (Kate Coles/Cruising Meraki)

Greater Victoria’s sailing family survives stormy seas off California coast on epic voyage

Coles family heads for Mexico to grant birthday wish

Mick Coles with his kids Thomas and Bentley (front) enjoy a beautiful evening before a night passage. (Kate Coles/Cruising Meraki)
The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. (Black Press Media file photo)

Where to see spawning salmon on Vancouver Island this year

The top spots for fall fish viewing, from Goldstream to Campbell River

The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. (Black Press Media file photo)
Group commissioner, David Bratzer (left), and treasurer Grace Seabrook are excited to see the 1st Douglas Scout Hall in Saanich reopened for the first time since the pandemic began. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Scouting alive and well in Saanich; 1st Douglas Scout Hall celebrates 40th anniversary

Families invited to drop in Saturday, ask questions about the programs

Group commissioner, David Bratzer (left), and treasurer Grace Seabrook are excited to see the 1st Douglas Scout Hall in Saanich reopened for the first time since the pandemic began. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Second World War veteran Fred Seeley was presented the first poppy at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 in Langford Oct. 29. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: First poppy presented to West Shore WWII veteran

Ceremony signifies start to Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign

Second World War veteran Fred Seeley was presented the first poppy at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 in Langford Oct. 29. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Connie Martin (left), the Indigenous Perspectives Society’s associate director, and Rachelle Dallaire, executive director, at a drumming practice in Langford on Oct. 15. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Langford-based Indigenous Perspectives Society continues work of filling understanding, systemic gaps

Agency runs a myriad of programs, services that push back against colonial harms

Connie Martin (left), the Indigenous Perspectives Society’s associate director, and Rachelle Dallaire, executive director, at a drumming practice in Langford on Oct. 15. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
The Saanich Police Department recommends several safety tips this Halloween season. (Black Press Media file photo)

Spooktacular safety tips from the Saanich Police Department

Police encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween

The Saanich Police Department recommends several safety tips this Halloween season. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Resilience BC hub, operated by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, now offers access to racism and hate crime reporting and anti-racism support services online in 13 languages. (Photo vircs.com)

Victoria-led anti-racism initiative broadens reach, lowers barriers

Access to Resilience BC’s online hub now available in 13 languages

  • Oct 29, 2021
The Resilience BC hub, operated by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society, now offers access to racism and hate crime reporting and anti-racism support services online in 13 languages. (Photo vircs.com)
The Young Building was originally built in 1913 and is home to many spooky reports. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)

Spooky secrets surround landmark building at Camosun College

Young Building at Camosun’s Lansdowne campus home to numerous unexplained incidents

The Young Building was originally built in 1913 and is home to many spooky reports. (Photo courtesy of Camosun College)
Residents of Berwick House join some boney friends outside the Shelbourne Street retirement community. The residence is hosting its fifth annual Great Pumpkin Walk. (Photo courtesy Berwick House)

PHOTOS: Saanich retirement community, local students team up for Halloween event

Berwick House hosting its fifth annual Great Pumpkin Walk tonight (Oct. 28)

  • Oct 28, 2021
Residents of Berwick House join some boney friends outside the Shelbourne Street retirement community. The residence is hosting its fifth annual Great Pumpkin Walk. (Photo courtesy Berwick House)