Community

Vienna Matthews and Jordan King don their T. rex costumes and drew a lot of attention at the Parksville Community Park on Saturday, Jan. 6. (Michael Briones photo)

T. rex pair brings joy to walkers at Parksville Community Park

Costumes provided plenty of smiles and chuckles

Vienna Matthews and Jordan King don their T. rex costumes and drew a lot of attention at the Parksville Community Park on Saturday, Jan. 6. (Michael Briones photo)
A group of Cuban youths received baseball equipment donated by various Comox Valley organizations and individuals. Photo supplied

Vancouver Island group heads to Cuba with baseball gear for Cuban children

Numerous Comox Valley sports and fitness groups, and individuals, recently collaborated to…

A group of Cuban youths received baseball equipment donated by various Comox Valley organizations and individuals. Photo supplied
Art at the Lake is looking for your art. (Rowan Sanderson/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Downsizing? Saanich Peninsula art auction needs donated works

Art at the Lake looking for your art

  • Jan 4, 2024
Art at the Lake is looking for your art. (Rowan Sanderson/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Which social media platform has been banned from government-issued devices in Canada? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP)

QUIZ: How much do you know about the news of 2023?

A lot happened in Canada and around the world over the past 12 months

Which social media platform has been banned from government-issued devices in Canada? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP)
Jane Dean is presented with a prize recognizing her as a Mazda Rising Legend by Ryan Saunders, general sales manager at Harris Mazda, last month at the dealership. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

‘Rising Legend’ VIU student recognized for community work

Harris Mazda presents award to Jane Dean for her community leadership and volunteerism

Jane Dean is presented with a prize recognizing her as a Mazda Rising Legend by Ryan Saunders, general sales manager at Harris Mazda, last month at the dealership. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
Young people are set to take over the BC legislature building. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Greater Victoria kids to take over legislature as part of youth parliament

Youth get a taste of politics

  • Dec 30, 2023
Young people are set to take over the BC legislature building. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
It was so cold in Osoyoos on New Year’s Day 2023, that they had to break the ice to do the polar bear plunge. This year is at Gyro Park at noon. (Ron Hiller photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about the New Year?

The coming year will have a lot going on

It was so cold in Osoyoos on New Year’s Day 2023, that they had to break the ice to do the polar bear plunge. This year is at Gyro Park at noon. (Ron Hiller photo)
Funds rolling in for a new CT scanner. (Submitted photo)

Business matching Victoria donations up to $50K to fund imaging equipment

Campaign underway to raise funds for CT scanner

  • Dec 29, 2023
Funds rolling in for a new CT scanner. (Submitted photo)
Bird count organizers say a key is to attract younger people. (File photo by Don Willott)

Greater Victoria bird count draws in people of all ages

And people were rewarded with some rare species

  • Dec 28, 2023
Bird count organizers say a key is to attract younger people. (File photo by Don Willott)
Ray Young upcycles old wood pallets into incredible things, including libraries like this Oak Bay book box that matches its Hampshire Road human-sized home, through his company I Used To Be A Pallet. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Retired Greater Victoria consultant crafts wasted wood into libraries

Ray Young started I Used To Be A Pallet while reconnecting with his dad

Ray Young upcycles old wood pallets into incredible things, including libraries like this Oak Bay book box that matches its Hampshire Road human-sized home, through his company I Used To Be A Pallet. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The Alzheimer Society of BC needs volunteers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Society that helps people with dementia needs Greater Victoria volunteers

Number of people with dementia continues to grow

  • Dec 27, 2023
The Alzheimer Society of BC needs volunteers. (Black Press Media file photo)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises to vote during an overnight session in the House of Commons, Friday, December 8, 2023 in Ottawa. Trudeau’s birthday is Dec. 25. In which year was he born? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

QUIZ: How much do you know about Christmas customs and traditions?

Christmas, on Dec. 25, is a day steeped in tradition and with plenty of unique elements

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises to vote during an overnight session in the House of Commons, Friday, December 8, 2023 in Ottawa. Trudeau’s birthday is Dec. 25. In which year was he born? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate released its 2023 long-term care and assisted living directory report this week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Food standards, over-medication high on B.C. seniors’ care list of concerns

Office of B.C. Seniors Advocate releases long-term care and assisted-living directory

The B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate released its 2023 long-term care and assisted living directory report this week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Left: Diane Buchanan Holland collects new and often handmade toques to hand out to those facing housing or other challenges in winter. Right: The tree one mom had planted on the shores of Bowker Creek in honour of her late son Brennan. (Diane Buchanan Holland/Facebook)

Mom brings new toques to Greater Victoria streets to honour her late son

Street nurse, shelters hand out gifted headware to local residents

Left: Diane Buchanan Holland collects new and often handmade toques to hand out to those facing housing or other challenges in winter. Right: The tree one mom had planted on the shores of Bowker Creek in honour of her late son Brennan. (Diane Buchanan Holland/Facebook)
Amanda Farrell-Low with the wind phone at Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich. She led the initiative to have the phone installed, spurred by the loss of her brother in 2012. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Saanich wind phone offers ‘profound’ way to grieve lost loved ones

Woman plans payphone in Royal Oak Burial Park to honour memory of her brother

Amanda Farrell-Low with the wind phone at Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich. She led the initiative to have the phone installed, spurred by the loss of her brother in 2012. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Victoria Beer Week makes its return. (Don Denton/Boulevard)

Victoria Beer Week returns for a celebration of 10 years of flavour

Craft beers increasingly find favour with beer lovers

  • Dec 20, 2023
Victoria Beer Week makes its return. (Don Denton/Boulevard)
Jacob Hillhouse clipped 52 clothespins to his face Society Barbershop in Duncan on Dec. 7, breaking the former record of 51 which had been held since 2013. Riley Ingham, left, and Trevor Clemente kept time and Hillhouse honest at the record breaking fun event which was held at Society Barbershop on Dec. 7. (Submitted photo)

Man sets new Guinness World Record in Duncan for clipping clothes pins to his face

Hillhouse performed the record-setting feat on Dec. 7 at the Society Barbershop

Jacob Hillhouse clipped 52 clothespins to his face Society Barbershop in Duncan on Dec. 7, breaking the former record of 51 which had been held since 2013. Riley Ingham, left, and Trevor Clemente kept time and Hillhouse honest at the record breaking fun event which was held at Society Barbershop on Dec. 7. (Submitted photo)
North Saanich’s Alex Grzybowski (first from the right) attended COP28 in Dubai in December with the First Nations Climate Initiative. (Courtesy of Alex Grzybowski)

COP28 reveals green corridor prospects for North Saanich man, First Nations

First Nations find potential partners as they pursue emerging hydrogen sector

North Saanich’s Alex Grzybowski (first from the right) attended COP28 in Dubai in December with the First Nations Climate Initiative. (Courtesy of Alex Grzybowski)
Rory Kulmala, VICA CEO, and Petra Eggert, principal of Oaklands Elementary School. (Photo submitted)

Greater Victoria schools receive big donations from construction group

Money raised to brighten up Christmas for kids

  • Dec 18, 2023
Rory Kulmala, VICA CEO, and Petra Eggert, principal of Oaklands Elementary School. (Photo submitted)
Cathy Bailey, Emily Pridham, and Tania Fritz wrap gifts for the Christmas program that ensures seniors in need receive something Christmas morning. (Courtesy Eldercare Foundation)

Seniors struggling to make ends meet on the rise in Greater Victoria

Program ensures older residents in long-term care find joy on Christmas

Cathy Bailey, Emily Pridham, and Tania Fritz wrap gifts for the Christmas program that ensures seniors in need receive something Christmas morning. (Courtesy Eldercare Foundation)