Sam Duerksen

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Pat Patterson is a beloved volunteer at Saanich Volunteer Services Society. (Courtesy of Saanich Volunteer Services Society)

Saanich volunteer changes lives from behind the wheel

Pat Patterson finds happiness as a Saanich Volunteer Services Society volunteer for 18 years

Pat Patterson is a beloved volunteer at Saanich Volunteer Services Society. (Courtesy of Saanich Volunteer Services Society)
Victoria Pride Week runs June 29 to July 9, 2023. (Courtesy KZ Photography/Victoria Pride Society)

‘There’s no wrong way to love’: Victoria Pride Festival returns June 29

Popular parade, taking place July 9, has a new route this year

Victoria Pride Week runs June 29 to July 9, 2023. (Courtesy KZ Photography/Victoria Pride Society)
Many B.C. festival favourites return this summer, including Laketown Shakedown, Sunfest, Shambhala and Nanaimo Blues Festival. (Courtesy Laketown Shakedown)

Road trip? Here’s some B.C. festivals to visit this summer

This festival preview features music and art festivals, from day trips to full-on camping weekends

Many B.C. festival favourites return this summer, including Laketown Shakedown, Sunfest, Shambhala and Nanaimo Blues Festival. (Courtesy Laketown Shakedown)
From left: Maureen, Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Wayne Ralph. The Ralph family, including daughter Kirstie (not pictured), has worked together to create Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)

Victoria Cider Co. took a risk making keeved cider, but the results set them apart

A lifelong dream creates prize-winning keeved cider

From left: Maureen, Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Wayne Ralph. The Ralph family, including daughter Kirstie (not pictured), has worked together to create Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)
Pulcherie Mboussi organizes AfriCa Fest to help newcomers feel at home. (Kazakiz)

‘A space for me to feel at home’: AfriCa Fest set for May in Victoria

AfriCa Fest’s Pulcherie Mboussi uses dance, music and food to bring together small but diverse African community

Pulcherie Mboussi organizes AfriCa Fest to help newcomers feel at home. (Kazakiz)
Artist Marcela Strasdas shows art in her home during the Hills to Shore Artists Tour, which runs over Mother’s Day weekend. (Carol Sherwood photo) Artist Marcela Strasdas shows art in her home during the Hills to Shore Artists Tour which runs over Mother’s Day weekend.

Five ways to treat mom this Mother’s Day in Victoria

High tea, gardens, annual art tours and more

Artist Marcela Strasdas shows art in her home during the Hills to Shore Artists Tour, which runs over Mother’s Day weekend. (Carol Sherwood photo) Artist Marcela Strasdas shows art in her home during the Hills to Shore Artists Tour which runs over Mother’s Day weekend.
Leave a Legacy Month marks a time for donors to consider options for legacy giving and what matters to them. (Image supplied by Victoria Foundation)

‘Everyone has been touched by somebody else’s generosity’: May marks Leave a Legacy Month

As Canadians see largest generational transfer of wealth, local charities say legacy giving has huge impact

Leave a Legacy Month marks a time for donors to consider options for legacy giving and what matters to them. (Image supplied by Victoria Foundation)
Anya Goldin, animal care and facility technician, holds Dugle, who came to North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre as a juvenile raven. (Photo by Agatha Lloveras Delgado)

VIDEO: Island rehabilitation centre gives spring tips on helping injured wildlife

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre identifies ways to help injured animals or unnested birds

Anya Goldin, animal care and facility technician, holds Dugle, who came to North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre as a juvenile raven. (Photo by Agatha Lloveras Delgado)
George Millar and Ian Millar, lead singers of The Irish Rovers. Millar, an Irish Rover all his life, wrote the song Hey Boys Sing Us A Song as a response to the Covid-19 years, and includes the refrain “We all need some happiness back in our lives!” The song is nominated Canadian Folk Music Awards, SINGLE OF THE YEAR. (Hamish Burgess)

‘Absolutely wonderful’: Victoria Irish Rovers co-founder celebrates nomination

Popular Irish-Canadian band rings in 60 years of uplifting spirits with a tour, award nomination

George Millar and Ian Millar, lead singers of The Irish Rovers. Millar, an Irish Rover all his life, wrote the song Hey Boys Sing Us A Song as a response to the Covid-19 years, and includes the refrain “We all need some happiness back in our lives!” The song is nominated Canadian Folk Music Awards, SINGLE OF THE YEAR. (Hamish Burgess)
Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd. (Victoria Ska Reggae Fest photo)

Victoria’s 2023 Ska & Reggae Fest is high-energy fun

Headliners include Maxi Priest, the Aggrolites, Kid Koala and more

Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd. (Victoria Ska Reggae Fest photo)
Priscila Kumar and Teale Phelps Bondaroff distribute I Remember to a free little library. (Samantha Duerksen)

Teen author distributes book on Victoria-based choir empowering those with dementia

Voices in Motion Choral Society and Greater Victoria Placemaking Network are helping to spread the message

Priscila Kumar and Teale Phelps Bondaroff distribute I Remember to a free little library. (Samantha Duerksen)
Carol Todd with her daughter Amanda Todd. (Submitted to Black Press Media)

‘Today’s parents didn’t have to deal with the internet’: Conversations on cyberbullying needed at home

Amanda Todd’s mother hopes to help other families by sharing her story

Carol Todd with her daughter Amanda Todd. (Submitted to Black Press Media)
The Helmuth Wolff & Associes Ltee, Op 47, organ built in 2005 in the Christ Church Cathedral. (Courtesy Mark Thompson)

Landmark Victoria organ in the spotlight at this year’s Pacific Baroque Festival

Annual event kicks off Feb. 15 at Christ Church Cathedral

The Helmuth Wolff & Associes Ltee, Op 47, organ built in 2005 in the Christ Church Cathedral. (Courtesy Mark Thompson)
(Martina DaSilva)

Kimono-clad pianist set to light up Victoria stage

New York-based Miki Yamanaka plays Hermann’s Jazz Club Feb. 4

(Martina DaSilva)
A couple enjoys the fire at Oak Bay Hotel Boathouse Spa. (Aaron J. Barr)

Choose your own adventure: Things to do for Valentine’s Day in Victoria

Here’s our list of things to do this Valentine’s Day based off what mood you want to set

A couple enjoys the fire at Oak Bay Hotel Boathouse Spa. (Aaron J. Barr)
Victoria Beer Week will see the return of popular events, like beer and pizza night, along with new additions to the lineup. (File photo courtesy Victoria Beer Society)

Victoria Beer Week returns in May with new events celebrating craft beer

Almost 50 B.C. breweries will take part in the celebration

Victoria Beer Week will see the return of popular events, like beer and pizza night, along with new additions to the lineup. (File photo courtesy Victoria Beer Society)
A Toronto family’s home was sold without their knowledge while they were out of the city. Now the Better Business Bureau is offering tips to residents of B.C. (Graeme Roy/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

How to avoid scammers from selling your home from underneath you

After two home title fraud scams in Toronto, the Better Business Bureau offers tips to avoid this scam

A Toronto family’s home was sold without their knowledge while they were out of the city. Now the Better Business Bureau is offering tips to residents of B.C. (Graeme Roy/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Customers can get free popcorn with Scene+ on Jan. 19 at a Cineplex theatre near them. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)

Cineplex Odeon offering free popcorn – and Colonel Kernel tattoos – on Jan. 19

Cineplex’s free temporary tattoo for National Popcorn Day inspired by B.C. man

Customers can get free popcorn with Scene+ on Jan. 19 at a Cineplex theatre near them. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
An Air Canada aircraft taxis at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Airlines top list of who to blame for 2022 holiday travel chaos across Canada, survey says

More Canadians blame weather and airlines rather than the federal government for December’s flight cancellations

An Air Canada aircraft taxis at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)