Community

Musical entertainment and more is planned for Shirley Day on Sunday (Aug. 21). (Contributed - Colin J. McMechan)

Sooke Community Calendar

Looking for something fun to do this week? We’ve got you covered.

Jason Heit. (photo submitted)

PODCAST: Jason Heit: From the boxing ring to security for the stars

TODAY IN B.C. Island fighter/trainer worked security for Drew Barrymore, Nicholas Cage

Long-time employees of Sassy’s Restaurant (from left) Rich Nelson (30 years), Chrissy Olsen (25 years) and Barry McGarv join owner Cory Porter outside the restaurant as it prepares to closes its doors on Saturday (Aug. 20). (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Long-time family restaurant to close its doors in Central Saanich

Cory Porter opened Sassy’s 43 years ago as a Smitty’s, before rebranding

The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre needs cedar boughs to help raccoons transition into their outdoor enclosures. (BC SPCA Wild ARC/Facebook)

Mid-summer baby bump prompts reminder from Greater Victoria wildlife advocates

Metchosin-based BC SPCA animal rehab centre in search of greenery for raccoons

The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre needs cedar boughs to help raccoons transition into their outdoor enclosures. (BC SPCA Wild ARC/Facebook)
The Salish Sea Lantern Festival is underway on the Saanich Peninsula for the first time since 2019. The windup event happens this Saturday (Aug. 20) in Sidney. (Photo by Bob Orchard)

Salish Sea Lantern Festival lights up Sidney

Organized by ArtSea, event celebrates art, culture, light and community

The Salish Sea Lantern Festival is underway on the Saanich Peninsula for the first time since 2019. The windup event happens this Saturday (Aug. 20) in Sidney. (Photo by Bob Orchard)
A pair of baby birds remain in care after the two nestling house finches were found alone on the ground beside a deceased sibling. (BC SPCA Wild ARC/Facebook)

VIDEO: Greater Victoria wildlife volunteers celebrate pair of bird releases

25 years strong, BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabiltiation Centre restores flight for owl, gull

A pair of baby birds remain in care after the two nestling house finches were found alone on the ground beside a deceased sibling. (BC SPCA Wild ARC/Facebook)
Harbour Air’s electric-powered de Havilland Beaver takes centre stage for the BC Aviation Museum open house Aug. 20. (Courtesy BCAM)

E-Beaver, vintage aircraft in mix for aviation museum open house in North Saanich

Photo opps, kids games, flight simulators and more on tap for Aug. 20 event

Harbour Air’s electric-powered de Havilland Beaver takes centre stage for the BC Aviation Museum open house Aug. 20. (Courtesy BCAM)
This iconic vintage British sports car, a Morgan, was a people’s choice contender at the 21st Annual Car Show at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Time to shine: Classic and antique automobiles converge at Shuswap event

R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum hosts 21st Annual Car Show

This iconic vintage British sports car, a Morgan, was a people’s choice contender at the 21st Annual Car Show at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Former business owner Lea Shaw sells her China Cupboard treasures this weekend to raise cash for Ukrainian residents settling on Vancouver Island. (Photo by Dior Wilsher)

Victoria resident selling China Cupboard treasures to help new Ukrainian friends

Former business owner Lea Shaw hosting fundraiser sale Aug. 20 at Parkwood Place

Former business owner Lea Shaw sells her China Cupboard treasures this weekend to raise cash for Ukrainian residents settling on Vancouver Island. (Photo by Dior Wilsher)
Langford’s annual Show and Shine car show is returning to Goldstream Avenue on Aug. 21. (Black Press Media file photo)

Get your shine on: Langford Show and Shine makes its return Aug. 21

Goldstream Avenue will be filled with vehicles from 1975 and earlier

Langford’s annual Show and Shine car show is returning to Goldstream Avenue on Aug. 21. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Sooke ATV Club’s third annual environmental cleanup day on Aug. 13, hauling several large containers of waste out of the woods near Jordan River. (Contributed-Sooke ATV Club)

Sooke ATV Club cleans up area near Jordan River

Club targets area for third annual environmental cleanup day

The Sooke ATV Club’s third annual environmental cleanup day on Aug. 13, hauling several large containers of waste out of the woods near Jordan River. (Contributed-Sooke ATV Club)
A colour guard led the procession of firefighters and other emergency crews representing various departments during Sunday’s memorial in honour of Forrest Owens, who had served as Central Saanich’s assistant chief during a career that spanned 35 years in firefighting. The procession, which featured some 200 people, started from Stelly’s Secondary School on the way to the Saanich Fairgrounds. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Central Saanich remembers long-time firefighter, community leader Forrest Owens

Some 800 people including hundreds of firefighters and other emergency crews took part in memorial

A colour guard led the procession of firefighters and other emergency crews representing various departments during Sunday’s memorial in honour of Forrest Owens, who had served as Central Saanich’s assistant chief during a career that spanned 35 years in firefighting. The procession, which featured some 200 people, started from Stelly’s Secondary School on the way to the Saanich Fairgrounds. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Fernie Brewing Co. Victoria rep Monique Le Sage, left, and Michelle Le Sage. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Organizers, craft brewers and food vendors pour their hearts into Island festival

Sold-out crowd enjoys taste treats and camaraderie at Cowichan Craft Beer Food Festival

Fernie Brewing Co. Victoria rep Monique Le Sage, left, and Michelle Le Sage. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Milne’s Landing High School opened in 1946, the first school west of Victoria to graduate students and besides classes, kids found opportunities to congregate together as well. (Contributed - Jerry Fillipo)

History: Milne’s Landing High School kids hanging out

Elida Peers | Contributed One thing that never changes is young folk…

  • Aug 15, 2022
Milne’s Landing High School opened in 1946, the first school west of Victoria to graduate students and besides classes, kids found opportunities to congregate together as well. (Contributed - Jerry Fillipo)
The Donaldson family of Bradner Farms has received the Century Farm Award from the provincial government. Robert Donaldson (in the centre in the plaid shirt) passed away on Aug. 11. (Photo from Bradner Farms)

Abbotsford family honoured for more than 100 years of farming

Bradner Farms celebrates 4 generations of farming with provincial award

The Donaldson family of Bradner Farms has received the Century Farm Award from the provincial government. Robert Donaldson (in the centre in the plaid shirt) passed away on Aug. 11. (Photo from Bradner Farms)
Valdy performs at the 2019 ROOTSandBLUES Festival. Do you know which communitiy hosts this iconic B.C. music festival? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: A celebration of summer fun

There are plenty of summertime activites to enjoy during the last weeks of August

Valdy performs at the 2019 ROOTSandBLUES Festival. Do you know which communitiy hosts this iconic B.C. music festival? (Black Press file photo)
Volunteers and neighbours gather around the road mural in progress near the entrance of Falaise Park in Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Taking it to the streets: Saanich gets road mural

Pilot project will measure traffic speed data

Volunteers and neighbours gather around the road mural in progress near the entrance of Falaise Park in Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Traditional ceremony sees red pupils painted onto the eyes of the dragon at the bow of the boats, thus awakening the dragon. (Austin Westphal/Staff News)

Victoria Dragon Boat Festival kicks off in Inner Harbour

Eye-dotting ceremony opens 27th annual festival, back after three years

Traditional ceremony sees red pupils painted onto the eyes of the dragon at the bow of the boats, thus awakening the dragon. (Austin Westphal/Staff News)
NEW CUTLINE Books for Boomers on Sept. 11 is a fundraising event for The Gathering Place, part of a seniors and multi-generational use project on land next to the new library on Wadams Way. (Contributed-SRCHN) The Sooke Region Communities Health Network will unveil plans for the future Elders' Complex on Wadams Way at an open house on June 30. (Contributed - SRCHN)

Sooke’s Books for Boomers a page-turner

The Sooke Region Community Health Network is taking a novel approach with…

NEW CUTLINE Books for Boomers on Sept. 11 is a fundraising event for The Gathering Place, part of a seniors and multi-generational use project on land next to the new library on Wadams Way. (Contributed-SRCHN) The Sooke Region Communities Health Network will unveil plans for the future Elders' Complex on Wadams Way at an open house on June 30. (Contributed - SRCHN)
Ayre Manor executive director Kerry Williams and Sooke Garden Club president Lori Kirk with the commemorative stone monument marking the club’s 50th anniversary and the addition of a second garden for the residents to enjoy at Ayre Manor. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

In Sooke, garden club unveils commemorative plaque at Ayre Manor

Club has planted two gardens at assisted living facility

Ayre Manor executive director Kerry Williams and Sooke Garden Club president Lori Kirk with the commemorative stone monument marking the club’s 50th anniversary and the addition of a second garden for the residents to enjoy at Ayre Manor. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)