Staff Writer

Mayor Maja Tait

Sooke population drop raises questions

Survey shows population in Sooke needs access to more services

Mayor Maja Tait
B.C.'s Vital Statistics Agency has released the top baby names chosen in the province in 2013.

Olivia, Liam top lists of new baby names in B.C.

Also popular were Emma, Sophia, Emily and Ava for girls, and Mason, Ethan, Lucas and Benjamin for boys (With interactive charts)

B.C.'s Vital Statistics Agency has released the top baby names chosen in the province in 2013.
UsedHelps is a new charity crowdfunding initiative from Black Press's Used.com.

#UsedHelps: Connecting Business with Canadian Charities

It's a first for Canadian buy and sell websites, where sellers can donate the proceeds of their sales directly to national, local charities.

UsedHelps is a new charity crowdfunding initiative from Black Press's Used.com.
The Breitling Jet Team will perform at the 2015 Abbotsford International Airshow.

Aerobatic jet team added to 2015 Abbotsford International Airshow lineup

Breitling Jet Team promises "a meticulously co-ordinated ballet" with seven L-39C Albatros

The Breitling Jet Team will perform at the 2015 Abbotsford International Airshow.

Modern day “Ninjas” discover the outdoors through play

Kids get chance to learn and play in the outdoors in Sooke

Soloist Rae Gallimore performs with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra

Warming to Winter with the Sooke Philharmonic

Two performances for orchestra in Sooke and Metchosin

Soloist Rae Gallimore performs with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra
Coxswain Jason van der Valk is a volunteer with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue based out of Sooke. Volunteer David Steeves is on the left.

On call along the west coast 24/7

Volunteers with Royal Canadian Search and Rescue save lives

Coxswain Jason van der Valk is a volunteer with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue based out of Sooke. Volunteer David Steeves is on the left.
Red-Belted Polypore

Part 2: Mushrooms for health and wealth

The Greenman talks about the folk lore and benefits of mushrooms

Red-Belted Polypore
Calijah Phillips

Star of the week

Athletes in Sooke are being recognized for their dedication

Calijah Phillips
Paul Unwin is a carver and his  tool is the chainsaw.

Unwin wants to transform people through the power of art

Sooke's chainsaw artist is inspired by nature and community spirit

Paul Unwin is a carver and his  tool is the chainsaw.
The Amanita Muscaria

Part 1: The mushroom madness

Greenman of Sooke talks about the delectable fungus

The Amanita Muscaria
Leighanne Georgeson plays the diabolical Queen of Heaven in Afterlife the Musical.

Afterlife presents thrills and chills

Sooke Harbour Players on stage for one more weekend

Leighanne Georgeson plays the diabolical Queen of Heaven in Afterlife the Musical.
Sooke firefighters are taking the Movember moustache challenge.  BACK (L to R): Chris Daoust

Mo Bros grow it for Movember

Sooke's volunteer firefighters are growing moustaches for charity

Sooke firefighters are taking the Movember moustache challenge.  BACK (L to R): Chris Daoust
Hockey action

Kinetic hockey action

Local hockey teams hit the ice and win some and lose some

Hockey action
Ben Temple of the Sooke volunteer firefighters with the 2015 13 month calendar photographed by the Sooke Photography Club.  The calendar features both staged and action shots of the Sooke firefighters and their equipment in dramatic scenes.

Sooke firefighters enthused about 2015 calendar

Sooke firefighters fundraising for trip to Boquete, Panama

Ben Temple of the Sooke volunteer firefighters with the 2015 13 month calendar photographed by the Sooke Photography Club.  The calendar features both staged and action shots of the Sooke firefighters and their equipment in dramatic scenes.
maryna Ell with her roommate and her host family in Peru.

Girl Guide diplomacy

Local woman travels to Peru to do good deeds for local community

maryna Ell with her roommate and her host family in Peru.
Brayden Friesen

Young BMX star on the rise

Sooke's Brayden Friesen comes in first at Chilliwack races

Brayden Friesen
JdF regional Director Mike Hicks

Shovels in the dirt for new training centre

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue centre to be in East Sooke

JdF regional Director Mike Hicks
Pierre Trudeau

TIMELINE: An interactive history of terrorist attacks and plots in Canada

From the FLQ and the War Measures Act to Al-Qaeda-inspired plotters, Canada has seen terrorism before. Interactive timeline.

Pierre Trudeau
Flying high

Flying high

Kitesurfing is becoming a popular sport in the Sooke region

Flying high
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