Megan Atkins-Baker

Victoria author Jennifer Fraser explores how abuse impacts the brain in her book, The Bullied Brain. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Victoria author explores the impacts of bullying on the brain

The Bullied Brain looks at how the mind can heal from traumatic peer experiences

Victoria author Jennifer Fraser explores how abuse impacts the brain in her book, The Bullied Brain. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
A Curb Appeal installation on Earl Grey Street in Saanich invites neighbours to sit down and enjoy a fairy tea party. (Photo courtesy of Sandee Legh)

Resident art installations aim to add Curb Appeal in Saanich’s Gorge-Tillicum

Event calls on residents to create yard art displays for all to enjoy

A Curb Appeal installation on Earl Grey Street in Saanich invites neighbours to sit down and enjoy a fairy tea party. (Photo courtesy of Sandee Legh)
The District of Saanich is joining the call for free prescription contraception in B.C. (Courtesy AccessBC)

Saanich council joins push for free prescription contraception

Cost remains a barrier says local advocate

The District of Saanich is joining the call for free prescription contraception in B.C. (Courtesy AccessBC)
Rutledge Park will receive playground improvements, a new splash pad and washroom and changeroom facilities thanks to joint federal, provincial and municipal funding. (Courtesy of the District of Saanich)

Saanich’s Rutledge Park to see splash pad after almost 25-year wait

Other upgrades to the park include newly paved pathways, benches, washrooms and more

Rutledge Park will receive playground improvements, a new splash pad and washroom and changeroom facilities thanks to joint federal, provincial and municipal funding. (Courtesy of the District of Saanich)
Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort on the Malahat was rated among the best brunch spots in Greater Victoria and even Canada, based on reviews submitted to reservation service OpenTable. (Photo courtesy of OpenTable)

Greater Victoria brunch spots voted among Canada’s best

Four area restaurants earn high marks from OpenTable users, make top 100 list

Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort on the Malahat was rated among the best brunch spots in Greater Victoria and even Canada, based on reviews submitted to reservation service OpenTable. (Photo courtesy of OpenTable)
Troy Wilson is a local Saanich author who donated a bike trailer full of his children’s books to Victoria Placemaking Society. (Photo courtesy of Teale Phelps Bondaroff)

Saanich author donates trailer load of children’s books to little free libraries across CRD

Books to be found are Perfect Man, Hat Cat and Little Red Reading Hood and the Misread Wolf

Troy Wilson is a local Saanich author who donated a bike trailer full of his children’s books to Victoria Placemaking Society. (Photo courtesy of Teale Phelps Bondaroff)
Sidney resident Gladys Pfeffer (right) celebrated her 100th birthday on April 30. She is pictured with her granddaughter Jessica Pfeffer and her great-grandchild. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Pfeffer)

Lifetime of selfless volunteerism recalled as Sidney woman reaches 100

Gladys Pfeffer has long supported immigrants and refugees to Canada

Sidney resident Gladys Pfeffer (right) celebrated her 100th birthday on April 30. She is pictured with her granddaughter Jessica Pfeffer and her great-grandchild. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Pfeffer)
Families and residents attended Saanich’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday (April 23) where information booths and activities were available to promote greener living in the district. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich Earth Day Festival promotes greener living in the district

Information booths showcase cycling networks, protecting ecosystems and taking climate action

Families and residents attended Saanich’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday (April 23) where information booths and activities were available to promote greener living in the district. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Tsawout First Nation fisheries staff came together with the community to clean up the Tseycum and Tsawout beaches on Friday (April 22) and host a treasure hunt of Salish Sea species. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Peninsula First Nations lead beach cleanup as part of Earth Day celebration

Caring for the earth, stewarding the land important, say Tsawout, Tseycum leaders

Tsawout First Nation fisheries staff came together with the community to clean up the Tseycum and Tsawout beaches on Friday (April 22) and host a treasure hunt of Salish Sea species. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
An example of Sikh art that will be on display at the Royal BC Museum on Saturday, April 23. (Photo courtesy of Jindi Singh)

Sikh Heritage Month theme of Saturday exhibition at Royal B.C. Museum

Sikh artifacts on display April 23, talks and performances also part pf special day

An example of Sikh art that will be on display at the Royal BC Museum on Saturday, April 23. (Photo courtesy of Jindi Singh)
Parkwood Place resident Chuck Naylor helps Lansdowne Middle School students plant seeds in the community garden prior to making bee bombs. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich retirement community makes Earth Day ‘bee bombs’ with help from middle school students

Bee bombs create a ‘highway’ for bees and insects, handmade from clay powder, compost and seeds

Parkwood Place resident Chuck Naylor helps Lansdowne Middle School students plant seeds in the community garden prior to making bee bombs. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
From left, Deputy Chief Const. Dean Duthie, Brenda Freeman, Pulcherie Mboussi, Kristy Lowes and Mayor Fred Haynes cut the ribbon at the official opening of the community safety office at Uptown Shopping Centre. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

New Saanich police branch opens with fanfare at Uptown

Space brings community and police together, says chief

From left, Deputy Chief Const. Dean Duthie, Brenda Freeman, Pulcherie Mboussi, Kristy Lowes and Mayor Fred Haynes cut the ribbon at the official opening of the community safety office at Uptown Shopping Centre. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Iris McNeil was murdered in 1997 by James Shortreed, who was recently denied in his request for temporary absences from William Head Institution in Metchosin, where he has been incarcerated for roughly 25 years. (Photo courtesy of the McNeil family)

Killer denied bid for temporary absences from Metchosin institution

Parole board finds James Shortreed’s absence plan insufficient; risk factors not addressed

Iris McNeil was murdered in 1997 by James Shortreed, who was recently denied in his request for temporary absences from William Head Institution in Metchosin, where he has been incarcerated for roughly 25 years. (Photo courtesy of the McNeil family)
The Gardens at HCP in Saanich is having a spring plant sale this Saturday and Sunday (April 23 and 24). (Black Press Media file photo)

Full range of events coming up this weekend around Greater Victoria

From plays, to plant sales to classical concerts, April 23 and 24 full of options

The Gardens at HCP in Saanich is having a spring plant sale this Saturday and Sunday (April 23 and 24). (Black Press Media file photo)
Long-time volunteer in the garden at Strawberry Vale Elementary, Sylvia Samborski, said it is magical to see children interacting hands-on with nature. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Strawberry Vale Elementary students restore native species garden in Saanich for Earth Week

Teachers team up to provide remediation opportunities for the students

Long-time volunteer in the garden at Strawberry Vale Elementary, Sylvia Samborski, said it is magical to see children interacting hands-on with nature. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Models were called to participate in a casting opportunity for Victoria Eco Fashion Week – the show itself is coming up on Saturday, April 30. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Eco-conscious fashion showcase recruits Greater Victoria models to walk the runway

Victoria Eco Fashion Week to host events April 23 to 30, including fashion show

Models were called to participate in a casting opportunity for Victoria Eco Fashion Week – the show itself is coming up on Saturday, April 30. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
A University of Victoria student filed a class-action lawsuit against the university over parking fees that weren’t refunded when the school closed because of the pandemic, however, the case was dismissed based on what the judge referred to as clear contractual provisions. (Black Press Media file photo)

Student files lawsuit against UVic over pandemic parking fees, case dismissed

UVic did not contractually have to refund parking regardless of pandemic, judge finds

A University of Victoria student filed a class-action lawsuit against the university over parking fees that weren’t refunded when the school closed because of the pandemic, however, the case was dismissed based on what the judge referred to as clear contractual provisions. (Black Press Media file photo)
Artist Logan Ford, leasing agent for Rockslide Studio, works on a piece at the grassroots arts organization’s new home at 780 Blanshard St. Rockslide supports artists in the region by providing affordable studio and showcase space. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Victoria arts hub open house to showcase variety of styles

Rockslide Studio Gallery hosting public April 23 at new downtown home

Artist Logan Ford, leasing agent for Rockslide Studio, works on a piece at the grassroots arts organization’s new home at 780 Blanshard St. Rockslide supports artists in the region by providing affordable studio and showcase space. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
The fishing vessel Baby Jade, named for this Tsawout Nation toddler, was officially blessed by elders Thursday at the James Island Pier. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

New Tsawout Nation fishing boat blessed in ceremony on Saanich Peninsula

Vessel offers new way to protect waters, fish sustainably, fisheries manager says

The fishing vessel Baby Jade, named for this Tsawout Nation toddler, was officially blessed by elders Thursday at the James Island Pier. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
The medical clinic at Cook and Quadra is closing as of June 10, with the impending retirement of physician Dr. Peter Vizsolyi and the sale of the building. (Google Street View)

Saanich medical clinic set to close, now that building has been sold

Cook/Quadra Medical Clinic to close June 10, patients advised to join wait list

The medical clinic at Cook and Quadra is closing as of June 10, with the impending retirement of physician Dr. Peter Vizsolyi and the sale of the building. (Google Street View)