Community

At more than nine metres wide, the enlarged Colwood Star can be seen from afar, now that it is remounted on the back of Dwayne Gordon and Leah Moreau’s Triangle Mountain home. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Gordon)

Scaled-up Colwood star shines down on city for second year

After receiving plenty of positive feedback last year, homeowners make it bigger and brighter

At more than nine metres wide, the enlarged Colwood Star can be seen from afar, now that it is remounted on the back of Dwayne Gordon and Leah Moreau’s Triangle Mountain home. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Gordon)
The cash prizes were donated by Transition Sooke. (Black Press Media)

Four Sooke students win cash for climate change posters

The contest coincided with COP26

The cash prizes were donated by Transition Sooke. (Black Press Media)
Sooke Winter Market will be held at the Sooke Region Museum grounds, located at 2070 Phillips Rd, on Saturday, Dec. 4 and 11, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both days. (File - Black Press Media)

Sooke Winter Market hosts blended event this year

The market is happening on Dec. 4 and 11 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Sooke Winter Market will be held at the Sooke Region Museum grounds, located at 2070 Phillips Rd, on Saturday, Dec. 4 and 11, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on both days. (File - Black Press Media)
Students from Camosun College’s criminal justice program, pictured alongside an Our Place volunteer (centre), gathered donated clothes for the organization. (Our Place Society/Twitter)

Our Place Society receives ‘truckloads’ of clothing from Camosun group

College’s criminal justice students collected donations as part of curriculum

Students from Camosun College’s criminal justice program, pictured alongside an Our Place volunteer (centre), gathered donated clothes for the organization. (Our Place Society/Twitter)
The Otter Point Fire Department’s decorated truck for their annual Candy Cane Run in 2020, when Sooke firefighters also held their annual Santa Run. (Contributed - Otter Point Fire Department)

Sooke firefighters focuse on cash donations for Santa Run

Fill-a-Truck still happening, but Santa Run is monetary donations only

The Otter Point Fire Department’s decorated truck for their annual Candy Cane Run in 2020, when Sooke firefighters also held their annual Santa Run. (Contributed - Otter Point Fire Department)
Cathy Gouk, the owner of Cathy’s Corner Cafe in Sooke, prepares for 2020’s turkey dinner. This year’s free dinner is planned for Dec. 15 and 16. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke cafe serving up Christmas dinner for more than 400 this year

Cathy Gouk says it’s been challenging with empty shelves and purchasing limits to get enough supplies

Cathy Gouk, the owner of Cathy’s Corner Cafe in Sooke, prepares for 2020’s turkey dinner. This year’s free dinner is planned for Dec. 15 and 16. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Capital Regional District has made some improvements and changes to mountain biking trails in the region after approving its guidelines for the activity last spring. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD updates Saanich mountain biking areas with realigned trails, added signage

Mount Work sees many of the improvements, Sooke trails also targeted for attention

The Capital Regional District has made some improvements and changes to mountain biking trails in the region after approving its guidelines for the activity last spring. (Black Press Media file photo)
OPINION SIG

SOOKE HISTORY: Whiffin Spit different from days of first settlers

Today, landmark displays slender promontory witha fewer wider sections

  • Nov 26, 2021
OPINION SIG
Students learned about conservation techniques as well as tree trimming. (Supplied by Cindy Moyer)

Local arborist hoping to fill gap by training next generation of tree trimmers

Saunders says there’s not enough people trained on the island who can do the work

Students learned about conservation techniques as well as tree trimming. (Supplied by Cindy Moyer)
A new exhibit at the Maritime Museum of BC features the story of a trio of sailing vessels in the museum’s care, the Tilikum, Dorothy and Trekka. Our Fleet: Small Craft with a Story opened Nov. 23 and runs until May 14, 2022. (Courtesy Maritime Museum of BC)

New Maritime Museum of B.C. exhibit celebrates trio of ships’ histories

Exhibit tells the unique stories of the Tilikum, Dorothy and Trekka

A new exhibit at the Maritime Museum of BC features the story of a trio of sailing vessels in the museum’s care, the Tilikum, Dorothy and Trekka. Our Fleet: Small Craft with a Story opened Nov. 23 and runs until May 14, 2022. (Courtesy Maritime Museum of BC)
The Sooke Christmas Bureau is gearing up for another busy campaign. Applications for the Christmas Bureau hamper campaign are available at the Sooke Food Bank or the Sooke Family Resource Centre. (File - Thinkstock)

Sooke Christmas Bureau preparing for increased demand

Application deadline Dec. 3 for families in need

The Sooke Christmas Bureau is gearing up for another busy campaign. Applications for the Christmas Bureau hamper campaign are available at the Sooke Food Bank or the Sooke Family Resource Centre. (File - Thinkstock)
A map of the Sooke Santa Claus Parade, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Contributed - District of Sooke)

Santa Claus Parade returns to Sooke streets

Popular parade returns after a two-year absence

A map of the Sooke Santa Claus Parade, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Contributed - District of Sooke)
The noon to 6 p.m. shift of entertainers chat during the live stream of the 2021 Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser. This year, the marathon event ran for nearly seven days and raised more than $1 million for the Child’s Play charity. (Photo courtesy of Graham Stark)

Victoria group raises more than $1M playing ‘worst video game’ for nearly seven days

Desert Bus for Hope smashed records in 15th year, supporting sick kids charity Child’s Play

The noon to 6 p.m. shift of entertainers chat during the live stream of the 2021 Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser. This year, the marathon event ran for nearly seven days and raised more than $1 million for the Child’s Play charity. (Photo courtesy of Graham Stark)
RCMP catamaran Lindsay patrolled off the shores of Sidney on Nov. 19. The vessel is nearly 60 feet long and is capable of reaching speeds of 36 knots or nearly 67 km/h. (Courtesy of Bob Orchard)

One of three Vancouver Island RCMP catamarans spotted off Sidney

The catamaran is capable of travelling up to 36 knots

RCMP catamaran Lindsay patrolled off the shores of Sidney on Nov. 19. The vessel is nearly 60 feet long and is capable of reaching speeds of 36 knots or nearly 67 km/h. (Courtesy of Bob Orchard)
Rabbi Harry Brechner helps youth light last candle of the hanukkiah – made by congregant Ed Walker – during a prior Hanukkah event. (Photo by Frances Rosenberg)

Menorah event shines light on 40 years of service from Victoria street minister

Dec. 5 event part of Congregation Emanu-el’s celebration of Hanukkah

Rabbi Harry Brechner helps youth light last candle of the hanukkiah – made by congregant Ed Walker – during a prior Hanukkah event. (Photo by Frances Rosenberg)
Members of the Brentwood Bay Community Association watch as Josh Gait of the Driftwood Communications hangs the first of 14 Christmas lights along West Saanich Road. Christmas decorations have also gone up outside Sidney outside Municipal Hall, along Beacon Avenue and Tulista Park with a large Christmas tree lighting the way along Lochside Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Saanich Peninsula lights up as crews prep for Christmas

Community association helps to light up Brentwood Bay

Members of the Brentwood Bay Community Association watch as Josh Gait of the Driftwood Communications hangs the first of 14 Christmas lights along West Saanich Road. Christmas decorations have also gone up outside Sidney outside Municipal Hall, along Beacon Avenue and Tulista Park with a large Christmas tree lighting the way along Lochside Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
St. Mary’s Church Rev. Canon Craig Hiebert peruses Cartoons from Punch, one of the many collector books available by silent auction during the Christmas books sale at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Vintage reads up for auction during annual Christmas book sale in Oak Bay

Charities on hand to offer information, gift ideas during Dec. 4 event

St. Mary’s Church Rev. Canon Craig Hiebert peruses Cartoons from Punch, one of the many collector books available by silent auction during the Christmas books sale at the church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Pearson College unveiled new SENCOTEN language names and artwork for its five student residences on Nov. 18. (Photo Courtesy of Pearson College/Facebook)

Pearson College renames residences in SENCOTEN language

The move is the latest in Metchosin international school’s reconciliation efforts

Pearson College unveiled new SENCOTEN language names and artwork for its five student residences on Nov. 18. (Photo Courtesy of Pearson College/Facebook)
Esquimalt Neighbourhood House will distribute community donated non-perishables to clients in need. (Black Press Media file photo)

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House begins holiday canned-food collections

Donations accepted at municipal facilities, pickups available on garbage days in mid-December

Esquimalt Neighbourhood House will distribute community donated non-perishables to clients in need. (Black Press Media file photo)
Muppet Man of Duncan B.C.’s Helmet Head Canada has shared the locations of this year’s holiday toy drive. (Courtesy of Helmet Head Canada)

Helmet cover company undertaking Vancouver Island hospital toy drive

Donations accepted at Bay Centre, Barnes Harley Davidson, North Oyster Fire Department

Muppet Man of Duncan B.C.’s Helmet Head Canada has shared the locations of this year’s holiday toy drive. (Courtesy of Helmet Head Canada)