Community

The Juan de Fuca pool opens up again Jan. 20, after being closed since last March due to ongoing public health restrictions due to the pandemic. (West Shore Parks and Recreation)

Juan de Fuca pool to reopen in Colwood after 10-month shutdown for COVID

West Shore Parks and Recreation using federal/provincial restart funding to reopen facility

The Juan de Fuca pool opens up again Jan. 20, after being closed since last March due to ongoing public health restrictions due to the pandemic. (West Shore Parks and Recreation)
A foursome of golfers watches as one of their group tees off at McMicking Point on the Victoria Golf Club course along Beach Drive on New Year’s Eve. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)

GALLERY: Weather makes last day of 2020 one worth going out for

Residents say so long to 2020 with a breath of fresh air

A foursome of golfers watches as one of their group tees off at McMicking Point on the Victoria Golf Club course along Beach Drive on New Year’s Eve. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)
Heather Leier was in high spirits after having her second child, Reese Campbell Leier, who’s claimed the title of the first baby born on Vancouver Island. (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)

PHOTOS: Sooke remembers 2020

The top news stories of 2020

Heather Leier was in high spirits after having her second child, Reese Campbell Leier, who’s claimed the title of the first baby born on Vancouver Island. (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)
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The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Pexels photo) The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria libraries list most popular titles of 2020

Old releases such as Little Women crack Top 10 list as readers turn to digital sources

The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Pexels photo) The Greater Victoria Public Library has lots of options for readers to check out from traditional books to online and audio sources. (Black Press Media file photo)
Participants partake in a previous polar bear swim in Sooke. (Kevin Laird/Black Press Media)

Greater Victoria polar bear swims hibernate for 2020

Black Press Media wants to see your photos and videos, email vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca

  • Dec 31, 2020
Participants partake in a previous polar bear swim in Sooke. (Kevin Laird/Black Press Media)
Christmas trees at Santa’s Forest in Braefoot Park in November 2020 are destined for the chipper to start 2021. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Recycle Christmas trees for causes across Greater Victoria

Distancing in effect for annual fundraisers

Christmas trees at Santa’s Forest in Braefoot Park in November 2020 are destined for the chipper to start 2021. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The Salmond family’s Christmas House at 4091 Tuxedo Dr. has drawn thousands as Saanich residents hunt for pandemic-friendly festivities. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich Christmas House draws thousands per night as residents seek pandemic-friendly festivities

Display lit up 5-11 p.m. until at least New Year’s Day

The Salmond family’s Christmas House at 4091 Tuxedo Dr. has drawn thousands as Saanich residents hunt for pandemic-friendly festivities. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
(Left to right) Brennan Chow and Christan Cavanaugh from Tutela Technologies present the tech company’s donation to Abbeyfield House residents Connie Parman and Edna Dickinson. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Victoria tech company makes $2,000 Christmas donation to Saanich seniors’ home

Abbeyfield House residents benefit from smart TV, wireless headphones and more

(Left to right) Brennan Chow and Christan Cavanaugh from Tutela Technologies present the tech company’s donation to Abbeyfield House residents Connie Parman and Edna Dickinson. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
OPINION SIG

Trekking through deep snow to find beautiful vistas

Maywell Wickheim loved the backcountry

  • Dec 28, 2020
OPINION SIG
Metchosin Museum Society is looking for three vintage doors for the old Metchosin Schoolhouse, located at 4475 Happy Valley Rd. (Bob Burgis photo)

Metchosin group seeking vintage doors for 148-year-old building

Metchosin Schoolhouse in midst of facelift

Metchosin Museum Society is looking for three vintage doors for the old Metchosin Schoolhouse, located at 4475 Happy Valley Rd. (Bob Burgis photo)
Fans check out the Space Police sets of Lego at the Sidney Museum in 2019. In 2021, visitors must wear masks, and book an appointment. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney Museum kicks off 50th year with Lego display, by appointment

Popular annual event still a go with pandemic protocols in place

Fans check out the Space Police sets of Lego at the Sidney Museum in 2019. In 2021, visitors must wear masks, and book an appointment. (Black Press Media file photo)
Langford’s Heather Charlton had dozens of her custom cookies featured in two Hallmark holiday movies. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

How one Langford baker got her homemade cookies featured in Hallmark films

Film company ended up ordering over 11 dozen cookies

Langford’s Heather Charlton had dozens of her custom cookies featured in two Hallmark holiday movies. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
View Royal residents and local history fans can find the late Maureen Duffus’ book, Craigflower Country, An illustrated history of View Royal 1850-1950, at the town hall. (maureenduffus.com)

Town hopes to rekindle interest in View Royal history

Craigflower Country talks about the area’s past to 1950

View Royal residents and local history fans can find the late Maureen Duffus’ book, Craigflower Country, An illustrated history of View Royal 1850-1950, at the town hall. (maureenduffus.com)
Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count has finished with a total of 142 individual bird species spotted within a single day. (Mark Byrne photo)

Rare bird usually found between Oregon and South America seen in Central Saanich

Greater Victoria birders spot more than 140 bird species within a single day

Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count has finished with a total of 142 individual bird species spotted within a single day. (Mark Byrne photo)
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave Merry Christmas. The duo was attending a drive-thru drop off of non-perishable food, new toys and cash donations for local food banks, Salvation Army and toy banks behind Archie Browning organized by the The Greater Victoria Festival Society and the the Island Equipment Owners Association. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)

Santa and Mrs. Claus wish Greater Victoria a Merry Christmas

Pair was in town to celebrate, help gather food for those in need

  • Dec 25, 2020
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave Merry Christmas. The duo was attending a drive-thru drop off of non-perishable food, new toys and cash donations for local food banks, Salvation Army and toy banks behind Archie Browning organized by the The Greater Victoria Festival Society and the the Island Equipment Owners Association. (Don Denton/Black Press Media)
Santa Claus made an appearance at the recent Christmas hamper night in Esquimalt. (Photo by Terry Hopkins)

Visit from Santa adds excitement to hamper night in Esquimalt

Celebration of Lights volunteers and others assemble, hand out Christmas groceries

Santa Claus made an appearance at the recent Christmas hamper night in Esquimalt. (Photo by Terry Hopkins)
Frank Burrell as Father Christmas in Oak Bay, circa 1900, courtesy of the Oak Bay Archives' Burrell fond. (Oak Bay Archives/2010-010-061)

From the Archives: Father Christmas in Oak Bay

Frank Burrel in a Father Christmas costume circa 1900

Frank Burrell as Father Christmas in Oak Bay, circa 1900, courtesy of the Oak Bay Archives' Burrell fond. (Oak Bay Archives/2010-010-061)
Some of the gifts and food that staff and officers donated to help a family in need and children in the community. (Photo contributed by West Shore RCMP)

West Shore RCMP shares Christmas with those in need

Donations piled so high, some went to a second cause

Some of the gifts and food that staff and officers donated to help a family in need and children in the community. (Photo contributed by West Shore RCMP)
Victoria’s legislative building lit up and captured through a crystal ball. (Cindy Borbridge photo)

PHOTOS: Homes go all-out to brighten Greater Victoria this Christmas

Light displays across the region continue to warm hearts

  • Dec 24, 2020
Victoria’s legislative building lit up and captured through a crystal ball. (Cindy Borbridge photo)
Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)

Christmas miracle leads to a gingerbread legacy for Cowichan’s Kim Barnard

Seasonal business celebrates Sweet 16 this year

Shawnigan Lake’s Kim Barnard displays “Happy Campers,” her entry in the 2020 Habitat for Humanity Victoria Gingerbread Showcase. (Submitted)