Community

The Sustainable Clothing Project aims to divert clothes that were destined for the landfill and redistribute them to people in the community. (Pixabay)

Sustainable Clothing Project aims to help people, keep clothing out of landfill,

Unsold clothing from thrift stores gets distributed to people and families who need it

 

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says the district is prepared to address additional policing costs arising from the increasing population. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke looks ahead to address policing costs

Plans are in place for growing population

 

Peninsula Panthers forward Logan Speirs and owner Pete Zubersky console Don Colegrave during a memorial ceremony for Grant Gilbertson Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘Our loyal friend’: Grant Gilbertson remembered at Peninsula Panthers pre-game ceremony

Gilbertson, a Panthers forward, died in a car crash just days earlier

 

Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

60 years of good wishes: Two long-time Kootenay penpals keep a Christmas tradition alive

Catherine Crewe of Fernie, and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending the same card back and forth to each other since they were both five years old

Catherine Crewe of Fernie with the card that she and Nancy Nester of Invermere have been sending back and forth to each other since 1964. Pictured here in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
A small tree in Queens’ Park, Oak Bay, is festooned with Christmas ornaments, village and cheerful painted rocks. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Decorating fairy hits Oak Bay waterfront

Queens’ Park tree festooned with Christmas ornaments, village and uplifting painted rocks

A small tree in Queens’ Park, Oak Bay, is festooned with Christmas ornaments, village and cheerful painted rocks. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Recruitment begins for new teen advisory group

Library hosting first meeting in January

The Sooke Night Market is one of the many local attractions that could benefit from the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce's Hidden Treasures camaoign. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Chamber promotes Sooke’s ‘hidden treasures’

Business campaign showcases what Sooke has to offer

The Sooke Night Market is one of the many local attractions that could benefit from the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce's Hidden Treasures camaoign. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
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)
United Way of Southern Vancouver Island is offering West Shore and Sooke youth $500 grants for projects that will improve their communities. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore, Sooke youth offered $500 grants from United Way to improve communities

The Youth in Action program is new this year, with applications due online by Dec. 3

United Way of Southern Vancouver Island is offering West Shore and Sooke youth $500 grants for projects that will improve their communities. (Black Press Media file photo)
District of Highlands council has approved the spending of COVID funds to upgrade the audio-visual technology and acoustics in the community hall. (Black Press Media file photo)

District of Highlands approves use of COVID funds to upgrade community hall

The funds will be used to improve audio-visual technology and acoustics for hybrid council meetings

District of Highlands council has approved the spending of COVID funds to upgrade the audio-visual technology and acoustics in the community hall. (Black Press Media file photo)
Art pieces, tasteful Christmas decorations and stylings can be found this month at Coast Collective’s Gifts and Wishes holiday showcase of art and fine craft. (Courtesy of Coast Collective)

Holiday shopping transforms Pendray House in Colwood

Coast Collective’s annual Gifts and Wishes show runs Nov. 27 and 28

Art pieces, tasteful Christmas decorations and stylings can be found this month at Coast Collective’s Gifts and Wishes holiday showcase of art and fine craft. (Courtesy of Coast Collective)
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.

Jillian Harris joins Do Some Good to drive more community impact

Team Jilly’s 12 Days of Giving campaign runs Dec. 1 to 12

  • Nov 22, 2021
Jillian Harris and Team Jilly have joined with Do Some Good to engage the community, support local causes and amplify the many amazing stories that non-profit organizations share. Join her for the 12 Days of Christmas campaign, Dec. 1 to 12.
Aboubakar Idriss speaks during a previous Employment Opportunity Exchange. The event returns on Nov. 23 with the goal of helping newcomers and employers connect and learn together. (Photo Courtesy of John-Evan Snow)

Victoria newcomer employment event returns Nov. 23

Employment Opportunity Exchange aims to facilitate networking and cultural intelligence

Aboubakar Idriss speaks during a previous Employment Opportunity Exchange. The event returns on Nov. 23 with the goal of helping newcomers and employers connect and learn together. (Photo Courtesy of John-Evan Snow)
OPINION SIG

HISTORY: Coal brought riches and pioneers to Island

Elida Peers | Contributed We have noted the extensive deliberations regarding climate…

  • Nov 15, 2021
OPINION SIG
The owner of these military medals and ribbons that were found in a bag near Cowichan River is bing sought. (Submitted photo)

Owner of military medals and ribbons found in Duncan sought

Bylaw officer found them in plastic bag by Cowichan River

The owner of these military medals and ribbons that were found in a bag near Cowichan River is bing sought. (Submitted photo)
Mick Trodden, an 11-year employee at the market, said he’d use his bonus to visit his grandchildren. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

B.C. grocer hands out thousands in employee bonuses amid regional staffing shortages

The extra cash followed a busy summer, says store owner Jean-Marc Pesant

Mick Trodden, an 11-year employee at the market, said he’d use his bonus to visit his grandchildren. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
(Contributed - District of Sooke

Sooke Region Museum welcomes two new board members

Trevor Price and Laurie Szadkowski bring community history to roles

(Contributed - District of Sooke
Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Island retiree operates thrift store to keep his neighbourhood neighbourly

Deni’s Dynamite Deals donates thousands of dollars every month

Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
While a Will is often seen as a way of sharing our legacy with loved ones, it can also provide a gift to our favourite causes. Assigning part of your estate to an organization like the Victoria Foundation, for example, is a way to leave a lasting legacy in your community.

Will Power: Create a lasting legacy for family AND your community

The Victoria Foundation works with donors to direct their legacy gift in meaningful ways

  • Sep 27, 2021
While a Will is often seen as a way of sharing our legacy with loved ones, it can also provide a gift to our favourite causes. Assigning part of your estate to an organization like the Victoria Foundation, for example, is a way to leave a lasting legacy in your community.
Cats in Nanaimo that want to go outdoors will have to be sterilized and bear identification under the animal responsibility bylaw adopted by city council Tuesday, Sept. 21. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo’s ‘cat control’ animal responsibility bylaw now official

Outdoor cats can’t be at large on other people’s properties, but enforcement will be complaint-based

Cats in Nanaimo that want to go outdoors will have to be sterilized and bear identification under the animal responsibility bylaw adopted by city council Tuesday, Sept. 21. (News Bulletin file photo)