Community

Lucas Gentina holds a Chilean flag listing the name of his hometown, La Boca de Rapel, after swimming across Elk Lake to fundraise for equipment benefiting residents at the long-term care unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital, where he works as a rehabilitation assistant. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Morning swim across Elk Lake splashes up thousands for Saanich Peninsula Hospital

Rehabilitation assistant Lucas Gentina finishes 2K swim, learns that he raised $8,500

With over 100 pieces of hand-painted yard art – in particular the Peanuts gang – 4360 Torquay Dr. was a shoo-in for first place, Light Up the City judges said. (Courtesy of Yvette Fornelli)

2021 Light Up the City entries spread cheer around Greater Victoria

Winning decorators impressed judges with festive lighting displays and other elements

OPINION SIG

MAYOR’S MESSAGE: Several major projects planned for Sooke this year

Affordable housing projects expected to open in 2022

  • Jan 17, 2022
Kathy Ajas (left to right), Cheryl Chalifour, Kristina Quinn present their People’s Choice Award winning gingerbread creation, Revera Retirement 2050. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

PHOTOS: Many interpretations of futuristic theme among Victoria Gingerbread Showcase winners

Revera Living wins 2021 People’s Choice award, Habitat for Humanity Victoria raises over $37,000

Kathy Ajas (left to right), Cheryl Chalifour, Kristina Quinn present their People’s Choice Award winning gingerbread creation, Revera Retirement 2050. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island CEO Veronica Carroll (left) and annual giving manager Michele McKenzie (right) accept a food and gift card donation from Save-On-Foods store managers Ross Prendergast, George Clarke and Dave Alexander outside Jeneece Place. (Photo courtesy of Island Kids First)

Greater Victoria Save-On-Foods ‘fill the pantry’ for families at Jeneece Place

Store managers deliver $600 in groceries, $1,ooo in gift cards to family support home

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island CEO Veronica Carroll (left) and annual giving manager Michele McKenzie (right) accept a food and gift card donation from Save-On-Foods store managers Ross Prendergast, George Clarke and Dave Alexander outside Jeneece Place. (Photo courtesy of Island Kids First)
Sooke resident Leslie Speed has published the Crabapple Tree inspired by a poem she wrote when she was a young child. (Contributed - Leslie Speed)

Sooke children’s book reflects seasonal changes

Local author publishes and illustrates first book

Sooke resident Leslie Speed has published the Crabapple Tree inspired by a poem she wrote when she was a young child. (Contributed - Leslie Speed)
Natori is located on the east coast of Japan. Sooke and Natori municipal councils hope to sign a sister city agreement in March 2023. (File - iStock)

Sooke asks Natori, Japan to join the family

Communities with longstanding relationship set to become sister cities

Natori is located on the east coast of Japan. Sooke and Natori municipal councils hope to sign a sister city agreement in March 2023. (File - iStock)
The Team 4 Hope (donated by Mayfair Optometric) tree during the 30th Festival of Trees Victoria earned top Judges Choice award as voted by the volunteer committee. (Courtesy BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)

Festival of Trees Victoria raises $171,000 for BC Children’s Hospital mental health initiative

Mindfulness program open to young patients, caregivers, family and health professionals

The Team 4 Hope (donated by Mayfair Optometric) tree during the 30th Festival of Trees Victoria earned top Judges Choice award as voted by the volunteer committee. (Courtesy BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)
Friends of Bowker Creek Society members visit the Goldstream Hatchery to participate in a chinook salmon egg harvest. (Courtesy Gerald Harris)

Incubating salmon eggs may make early entry to Oak Bay creek bed

Volunteers hustle to repair November damage to Bowker Creek

Friends of Bowker Creek Society members visit the Goldstream Hatchery to participate in a chinook salmon egg harvest. (Courtesy Gerald Harris)
Torches are effective for removing carpet burweed because the invasive plant has shallow roots and the flame also burns viable seeds. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Plant burning in Oak Bay park a shared experience

Parks managers from Victoria, Saanich, Nanaimo join in on carpet burweed session at Cattle Point

Torches are effective for removing carpet burweed because the invasive plant has shallow roots and the flame also burns viable seeds. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Canada celebrations in Sooke are expected to return this year. District council has agreed to fund the July 1 event. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Plans for Canada Day celebration moving ahead in Sooke

Popular community event to return after COVID absence

Canada celebrations in Sooke are expected to return this year. District council has agreed to fund the July 1 event. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
A Boeing Flying Boat CF ALB docking in Victoria harbour in 1931. The Weiler Building and the Empress Hotel can be scene in the background. (C0ntributed - Sooke Region Museum)

SOOKE HISTORY: Sooke’s connection to an early Boeing flying boat

The vessel delivered mail between Victoria and Seattle in the 1930s

  • Jan 13, 2022
A Boeing Flying Boat CF ALB docking in Victoria harbour in 1931. The Weiler Building and the Empress Hotel can be scene in the background. (C0ntributed - Sooke Region Museum)
This home at SookePoint is one of eight grand prize options in the 2022 B.C. Children’s Hospital Lottery. (Contributed - B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation))

Sooke home grand prize option in B.C. Children’s Hospital lottery

SookePoint property comes with cash and vehicle

This home at SookePoint is one of eight grand prize options in the 2022 B.C. Children’s Hospital Lottery. (Contributed - B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation))
Xeriscaping – the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation – will be discussed at the Jan. 26 meeting of the Sooke Garden Club. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

SOOKE GARDEN CLUB: Xeriscaping – gardening in a changing climate

How to reduce the need for water in your garden

  • Jan 13, 2022
Xeriscaping – the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation – will be discussed at the Jan. 26 meeting of the Sooke Garden Club. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is offering a $200 prize if you fill outs its Hidden Treasures survey. (File - Metro-Creative)

Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Hidden Treasures a shopper’s dream

Sooke Chamber initiative offers a $200 prize

The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is offering a $200 prize if you fill outs its Hidden Treasures survey. (File - Metro-Creative)
Lucas Gentina, a rehabilitation assistant for seniors in long-term care at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, is doing a 2K fundraiser swim across Elk Lake, winding up near the Victoria City Rowing Club, where he is pictured here. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

‘Aquaman’ raising funds for seniors at Saanich Peninsula Hospital with Elk Lake swim

Lucas Gentina plans to swim 2K from corner to corner across the Saanich lake on Jan. 17

Lucas Gentina, a rehabilitation assistant for seniors in long-term care at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, is doing a 2K fundraiser swim across Elk Lake, winding up near the Victoria City Rowing Club, where he is pictured here. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

Colwood university ‘renames’ stairway after alumnus Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)
B.C. students returned to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 10. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

POLL: Do you think parents are equipped for more school closures?

Students across Greater Victoria headed back to class this week as surging…

B.C. students returned to the classroom on Monday, Jan. 10. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
Strokes, heart attacks, falls, dementia, unstable medical conditions and the lack of family support contribute to a senior needing to be in a care facility. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

RON CAIN: How seniors can avoid going into care

A key to staying healthy is fitness

  • Jan 10, 2022
Strokes, heart attacks, falls, dementia, unstable medical conditions and the lack of family support contribute to a senior needing to be in a care facility. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The District of Saanich is offering online climate action workshops to help residents reduce climate impact in and around their communities, such as in shared green spaces like Elk-Beaver Lake Park. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Six-week workshop to help Saanich residents tailor climate action efforts

Sustainable transportation options, living minimally among topics to be discussed by experts

The District of Saanich is offering online climate action workshops to help residents reduce climate impact in and around their communities, such as in shared green spaces like Elk-Beaver Lake Park. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)