Community

Peter McMaster runs one of the biggest open mics in Victoria. (Sam Duerksen/Black Press Media)

The ‘Yes’ man of open mics in Victoria

How a local musician created the city’s most popular five-year-running open mic variety show

Peter McMaster runs one of the biggest open mics in Victoria. (Sam Duerksen/Black Press Media)
What term was given when online content creators were honoured by Time in 2006? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: A tribute to Time Person of the Year recipients

Each year, Time designates an individual, group, object or concept as its Person of the Year

What term was given when online content creators were honoured by Time in 2006? (Black Press file photo)
Winter Wonderland lane celebrates the Christmas holiday shopping season in Sidney B.C. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Sidney holiday event round-up

A look at special Greater Victoria events happening in December

Winter Wonderland lane celebrates the Christmas holiday shopping season in Sidney B.C. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
A new municipal flag design for Tofino done by two Grade 9 students from Salmon Arm. (Image from DoT council Agenda

Salmon Arm students pitch new municipal flag for Tofino

Tofino’s current municipal flag was designed by artist Roy Henry Vickers

A new municipal flag design for Tofino done by two Grade 9 students from Salmon Arm. (Image from DoT council Agenda
Curtis Becker (aka The Grinch) paddles the Gorge Waterway in 2020. He returns to lead others in a fun paddle Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. (Photo by Yvonne Becker)

Grinch leads Saanich paddle to spread cheer with trip down the Gorge

The Grinch Paddles the Gorge hits the water Dec. 23 at 11 a.m.

Curtis Becker (aka The Grinch) paddles the Gorge Waterway in 2020. He returns to lead others in a fun paddle Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. (Photo by Yvonne Becker)
Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Greater Victoria Placemaking Network board member and Little Free Library enthusiast, stops for a read at library on Richardson Street near Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)

Greater Victoria’s 800th little free library started as a pallet

Victoria neighbourhood launches latest placemaking project

Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Greater Victoria Placemaking Network board member and Little Free Library enthusiast, stops for a read at library on Richardson Street near Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/Oak Bay News)
Once a teacher in his native Nigeria, Folu Oloyede is now an early childhood education assistant in Vernon. (Contributed)

‘Stuck’ in Canada, Nigerian man finds purpose in Vernon

3 month visit turns to 3 year separation from family amid pandemic

Once a teacher in his native Nigeria, Folu Oloyede is now an early childhood education assistant in Vernon. (Contributed)
The Sun Dome Planetarium as seen through a constellation on the observatory deck at the Centre of the Universe, a public interpretative centre at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich stargazers count fundraiser in terms of trips around Pluto

Friends of the observatory create classroom wonder for students at the Centre of the Universe

The Sun Dome Planetarium as seen through a constellation on the observatory deck at the Centre of the Universe, a public interpretative centre at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Saanich. (Black Press Media file photo)
Barb Lavergne celebrated her 100th birthday Dec. 11 but it didn't stop her from taking up her regular duties on the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle at the Campbell River Walmart this week. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

100-year-old volunteers with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye

Vancouver Island woman celebrates 100th birthday serving at the Christmas Kettle

Barb Lavergne celebrated her 100th birthday Dec. 11 but it didn't stop her from taking up her regular duties on the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle at the Campbell River Walmart this week. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Santa and his entourage make their 19th annual flight aboard a Helijet air ambulance to cheer up sick children at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 12. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Santa arrives by helicopter at Island hospitals to cheer up sick kids

Old Saint Nick makes 19th-annual tour of pediatric wards at B.C. hospitals

Santa and his entourage make their 19th annual flight aboard a Helijet air ambulance to cheer up sick children at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 12. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Avid birders Liam Singh, left, and Rick Schortinghuis look out over Esquimalt Lagoon while on an outing with the Victoria Natural History Society. The annual Christmas Bird Count takes place on Saturday, Dec. 16. (Ann Nightingale photo)

A Christmas tradition for the birds takes flight in Greater Victoria

South Island birders hope for the unusual while counting species on Saturday

Avid birders Liam Singh, left, and Rick Schortinghuis look out over Esquimalt Lagoon while on an outing with the Victoria Natural History Society. The annual Christmas Bird Count takes place on Saturday, Dec. 16. (Ann Nightingale photo)
The Winter Arts Festival will transform Victoria into an open-air gallery and celebration featuring 3D art, light projections, digital and augmented reality, laser animations, and more. (@carrot_ee, courtesy Winter Arts Festival Facebook)

Vancouver’s Winter Arts Festival is coming to Victoria for the first time

The February festival will feature public art installations and pop-up parties around the city

The Winter Arts Festival will transform Victoria into an open-air gallery and celebration featuring 3D art, light projections, digital and augmented reality, laser animations, and more. (@carrot_ee, courtesy Winter Arts Festival Facebook)
Sidney fire department will cruise the community collecting food, and open its back lot for drop-offs in the annual food drive on Dec. 16. (Town of Sidney fire department/Facebook)

Drive-thru or drop-off, Peninsula firefighters call on community for food

‘Many local families and seniors just can’t cover all their expenses’

Sidney fire department will cruise the community collecting food, and open its back lot for drop-offs in the annual food drive on Dec. 16. (Town of Sidney fire department/Facebook)
Designer Sherry Kerr fine tunes a mantel at Victoria’s Craigdarroch Castle to prepare for Christmas. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Langford decorator infuses Craigdarroch Castle with Christmas

Victoria castle ready for the holidays

Designer Sherry Kerr fine tunes a mantel at Victoria’s Craigdarroch Castle to prepare for Christmas. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Rainbees and Honeybows: A Vancouver Island Fairy Tale is among the titles in the Greater Victoria Public Library 2023 Emerging Authors Collection. (Courtesy Wendy Picken)

Sidney author-illustrator turns 4,000-word poem into family favourite book

Greater Victoria Public Library now accepting applications for 2024 Emerging Authors Collection

Rainbees and Honeybows: A Vancouver Island Fairy Tale is among the titles in the Greater Victoria Public Library 2023 Emerging Authors Collection. (Courtesy Wendy Picken)
A wide array of oranments and decorations can be found to adorn trees during the holiday season. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: The festive tradition of the tree

Holiday trees can be found in many homes and public spaces across Canada at this time of year

A wide array of oranments and decorations can be found to adorn trees during the holiday season. (Black Press file photo)
Steve Farmer (left) and Kathy Green (right) deliver boxes of popcorn to health-care professionals at Victoria General Hospital on Friday (Dec. 8). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Transplant recipients thank Greater Victoria hospital staff with popcorn

Transplant recipients delivered popcorn at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital

Steve Farmer (left) and Kathy Green (right) deliver boxes of popcorn to health-care professionals at Victoria General Hospital on Friday (Dec. 8). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Youth Climate Corps BC, which trains young people and inserts them into climate-change-combatting jobs, hopes to start a program in Victoria. (Courtesy of Kari Medig/Youth Climate Corps BC)

Victoria, feds pushed to rally corps of youth workers in climate fight

Poll shows widespread support for national Youth Climate Corps program as Victoria MP leads call

Youth Climate Corps BC, which trains young people and inserts them into climate-change-combatting jobs, hopes to start a program in Victoria. (Courtesy of Kari Medig/Youth Climate Corps BC)
The 39th annual Christmas Lights Across Canada celebration in Victoria. (Jen Zielinski/ Black Press Media)

B.C. Legislature lights up for the holidays in Victoria

The event was held on Thursday, Dec. 7

The 39th annual Christmas Lights Across Canada celebration in Victoria. (Jen Zielinski/ Black Press Media)
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)

West Kelowna fire chief dropping the puck at Canucks firefighters night

The Canucks visited Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Fire Hall back in September

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)