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The 21st annual Japanese Cultural Fair streams online Oct. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. (Facebook/Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society)

Esquimalt’s Japanese Cultural Fair takes tastes, experiences and cultures online

21st annual free event streams Saturday, Oct. 24 starting at noon

Plastic Ocean by Oak Bay resident Gabriela Hirt is in the Federation of Canadian Artist’s “Crisis” exhibition on now in Vancouver. (Gabriela Hirt/cropped to fit)

Oak Bay artist wins juried show in Vancouver

Pair of Oak Bay artists part of ‘Crisis’ exhibition

Christopher Mauro, right, assistant manager of the Sidney Save-On-Foods, and Nick Luney, youth initiatives director for the Victoria Pride Society, celebrate the success of a pandemic fundraiser for the local Pride Society. (Courtesy Save-On Foods)

Grocery managers across the Island pull together for Queer youth

With Victoria Pride Parade and Festival cancelled, Save-On-Foods staff found a way to raise funds

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra presents its second online streaming concert on Nov. 1. (Niek Verlaan - Pixabay)

All together now: Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra to launch second virtual concert

Online performance set for Nov. 1

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra presents its second online streaming concert on Nov. 1. (Niek Verlaan - Pixabay)
OPINION SIG

SOOKE HISTORY: East Sooke group creates enduring friendships

Group hosts 40-year reunion

  • Oct 23, 2020
OPINION SIG
Actor Ryan Reynolds surprised a Shuswap family with a special birthday message to their son who was worried he'd be alone on his 9th birthday on Nov. 24. (Tiffanie Trudell/Facebook)

Ryan Reynolds text almost gives away Shuswap boy’s birthday surprise

Deadpool actor helps remind eight-year-old Canoe resident he’s not alone

  • Oct 22, 2020
Actor Ryan Reynolds surprised a Shuswap family with a special birthday message to their son who was worried he'd be alone on his 9th birthday on Nov. 24. (Tiffanie Trudell/Facebook)
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Free Car Giveaway
Best of the City 2020 - Sizzling Tandoor
Best of the City 2020 - Sizzling Tandoor
HMCS Ottawa returns in time for Christmas
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The salmon run has also begun at Goldstream Provincial Park for the 2020 season. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Salmon returning to Sooke River

Charters Salmon Interpretive Centre closed but trails remain open

The salmon run has also begun at Goldstream Provincial Park for the 2020 season. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Oulette the Great Horned owl was spotted alive just days after her mate, Ollie, was found dead from suspected rat poisoning on Oct. 17. (Photo by Cheryl Redhead)

Great Horned owl mate found alive in Cuthbert Holmes Park

Oulette spotted in tree above where male Ollie died of suspected poisoning

Oulette the Great Horned owl was spotted alive just days after her mate, Ollie, was found dead from suspected rat poisoning on Oct. 17. (Photo by Cheryl Redhead)
Sooke Elementary kindergarteners Zoe Sperrer (left), Christel Loutet, Chase MacKay and Gr. 5 Jace Ferris are helping to plant a native plant garden on their school property. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Sooke Elementary plants native plant garden with help from community

Sooke Elementary teachers, students expand backyard garden

Sooke Elementary kindergarteners Zoe Sperrer (left), Christel Loutet, Chase MacKay and Gr. 5 Jace Ferris are helping to plant a native plant garden on their school property. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Last year’s donation to Help Fill a Dream was $250,000 from the annual Golf for Kids Charity Classic. Instead of a golf tournament this year, organizers have created a online auction site and will host a virtual celebration Friday, Oct. 24. (Facebook)

Victoria’s Golf for Kids fundraiser goes online for 2020

Charity golf tournament continues raising money to fulfill dreams of kids with health challenges

  • Oct 22, 2020
Last year’s donation to Help Fill a Dream was $250,000 from the annual Golf for Kids Charity Classic. Instead of a golf tournament this year, organizers have created a online auction site and will host a virtual celebration Friday, Oct. 24. (Facebook)
Port Alberni resident Holly Braker-McLaughlin captured footage of five bears playing in her yard. (SCREENSHOT)

VIDEO: Quintet of bears frolic in Vancouver Island yard

Port Alberni family was treated to a visit from some playful black bears

Port Alberni resident Holly Braker-McLaughlin captured footage of five bears playing in her yard. (SCREENSHOT)
Reader’s Lens Richard Ashton took this picturesque scene from Whiffin Spit looking toward the Salty Towers dock and East Sooke. To submit a photo to Reader’s Lens, please email editor@sookenewsmirror.com. (Contributed photo)

Reader’s Lens

Reader’s Lens Richard Ashton took this picturesque scene from Whiffin Spit looking…

  • Oct 21, 2020
Reader’s Lens Richard Ashton took this picturesque scene from Whiffin Spit looking toward the Salty Towers dock and East Sooke. To submit a photo to Reader’s Lens, please email editor@sookenewsmirror.com. (Contributed photo)
Kelly and Paul DeRocco receive a Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award in 2017. Presenting the award was Karen Mason. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Nominations open for Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

Program goes online for 2020

Kelly and Paul DeRocco receive a Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award in 2017. Presenting the award was Karen Mason. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Joanne Smith has been visiting Goldstream Provincial Park since she moved to Langford two years ago. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Visitors flock to Goldstream Provincial Park for 2020 salmon run

‘I wanted to come here before I move back to Australia,’ says visitor

Joanne Smith has been visiting Goldstream Provincial Park since she moved to Langford two years ago. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Emily Harris (centre) started the in-person Monarch Moms meet-up groups in July, when it was much easier to physical distance in outdoor spaces. Harris started the group as a source of connection for women navigating the ups and downs of having a baby during a pandemic. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Victoria new mom group navigates challenges of motherhood in a pandemic

Monarch Moms meet once a week for physically-distanced connection

Emily Harris (centre) started the in-person Monarch Moms meet-up groups in July, when it was much easier to physical distance in outdoor spaces. Harris started the group as a source of connection for women navigating the ups and downs of having a baby during a pandemic. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Sails down, masks up for Ron and Sherry Pryde, who completed a 119 day journey that was supposed to be 70 days. (Zoe Ducklow)

Coast Guard towed rudderless sailors to Port Hardy hours before a powerful storm

Rudderless for a month, the couple zigzagged most the way home with “a few donuts and lazy-eights”

Sails down, masks up for Ron and Sherry Pryde, who completed a 119 day journey that was supposed to be 70 days. (Zoe Ducklow)
Spawning salmon have returned to local streams. (The Canadian Press)

TOP 5: Suggestions for your week ahead

This week – storytime, politics and wildlife

Spawning salmon have returned to local streams. (The Canadian Press)
Environmental advocate, Dorothy Chambers holds up the body of Ollie, a well-known Great Horned owl found dead in Cuthbert Holmes Park on Oct. 17. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)

Poison suspected after well-known owl found dead in Saanich park

Body of Ollie the Great Horned owl discovered in Cuthbert Holmes Park

Environmental advocate, Dorothy Chambers holds up the body of Ollie, a well-known Great Horned owl found dead in Cuthbert Holmes Park on Oct. 17. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)
Ma Miller’s Pub in Langford. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)

Historic Langford pub serves up some spirits

Ghostly experiences at Ma Miller’s pub

Ma Miller’s Pub in Langford. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)
OPINION SIG

SOOKE HISTORY: Prince of Wales visited Sooke twice

Royal connections to Lady Emily Walker and Rev. Reginald Walker

OPINION SIG