Community

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra will complete the season with a performance at the Sooke Community Hall on June 12. (Contributed - Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra)

Sooke Philharmonic’s final concerts a mix of timely classics

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra’s upcoming concerts in Sooke and Metchosin feature the…

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra will complete the season with a performance at the Sooke Community Hall on June 12. (Contributed - Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra)
The Victoria Foundation's 17th annual Victoria's Vital Signs citizen survey digs a little deeper into the idea of community – specifically, “What does community mean to you?”

What does community mean to you? Victoria’s Vital Signs wants to know!

17th citizen survey explores what’s working, what needs attention in Greater Victoria

  • May 23, 2022
The Victoria Foundation's 17th annual Victoria's Vital Signs citizen survey digs a little deeper into the idea of community – specifically, “What does community mean to you?”
Sooke legion members Richard Steele, Ted Davies and Murray Lambert prepare to host a sit-down Ukrainian-style dinner on June 18 to raise funds for Ukrainian relief efforts. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Legion assisting Ukraine relief efforts

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 54 hosts a sit-down Ukrainian-style dinner on June 18

Sooke legion members Richard Steele, Ted Davies and Murray Lambert prepare to host a sit-down Ukrainian-style dinner on June 18 to raise funds for Ukrainian relief efforts. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Diane Bernard shows a feather boa kelp (Eregia menziesii). Kelp is a valuable source of Alginic acid, which is used in the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

PHOTOS: Bountiful beach buffet makes waves with adult-learning class

Sooke’s Diane (The Seaweed Lady) Bernard conducts tour on some of B.C.’s 600 wild seaweeds

Diane Bernard shows a feather boa kelp (Eregia menziesii). Kelp is a valuable source of Alginic acid, which is used in the production of detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food products. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Victoria Foundation's 17th annual Victoria's Vital Signs survey is open now, with residents from Sooke to Sidney encouraged to weigh in about what works in their community, and what needs a little help.

Victoria’s Vital Signs Survey matters to the West Shore: Here’s why

Have your say: 17th annual survey continues to July 4

  • May 9, 2022
The Victoria Foundation's 17th annual Victoria's Vital Signs survey is open now, with residents from Sooke to Sidney encouraged to weigh in about what works in their community, and what needs a little help.
Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Jeff Topham photo.

Foundry supports youth in living a good life

Free and confidential health and wellness supports for BC youth ages 12 to 24 – online and in-person

  • May 2, 2022
Staff at Foundry Vancouver-Granville, operated by Providence Health Care. One of many Foundry centre across BC that provide integrated health services to young people like Aslam and Lee. Jeff Topham photo.
Marlena and Nick Salvador Nick, joined the 2021-2022 Gadsden Initiative cohort. Now in its second year, this Victoria Foundation initiative brings together GenXers and Millennials to build relationships within the community through learning sessions, community activities and networking opportunities based on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Inspiring stories: Why it’s important to share stories of philanthropy

Now’s the time to Make It Happen! Victoria

  • Apr 25, 2022
Marlena and Nick Salvador Nick, joined the 2021-2022 Gadsden Initiative cohort. Now in its second year, this Victoria Foundation initiative brings together GenXers and Millennials to build relationships within the community through learning sessions, community activities and networking opportunities based on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Cute as can be. Twin Nigerian dwarf goats were on born on April 15. They'll soon help out with Vancouver Island Goat Yoga classes inn Shirley. (Contributed - Dana Haydon)

PHOTOS: Vancouver Island Yoga asks public to pick names of baby goats

Twin boys born on April 15

Cute as can be. Twin Nigerian dwarf goats were on born on April 15. They'll soon help out with Vancouver Island Goat Yoga classes inn Shirley. (Contributed - Dana Haydon)
Michelle Carpenter, owner of Mijo Taekwondo, is excited about the opportunity to hold live classes at Seaparc Leisure Centre. (Photo - Mijo Taekwondo)

Taekwondo kicks back into Sooke

Mijo Taekwondo partners with SEAPARC

Michelle Carpenter, owner of Mijo Taekwondo, is excited about the opportunity to hold live classes at Seaparc Leisure Centre. (Photo - Mijo Taekwondo)
More people are stepping forward to resume volunteering in Sooke, say officials. (Metro-Creative)

Volunteers return after the pandemic

Sooke Region Volunteer Centre sees new interest in volunteering

More people are stepping forward to resume volunteering in Sooke, say officials. (Metro-Creative)
Volunteers in the 2019 Sooke Fine Arts Show gift shop: Bobbie Momsen, left, Rae Williamson, Elaine Thrale, Eileen Badiuk and Bev Lewis. (Contributed - Angela Bailey)

Sooke Fine Arts Show seeks cast of volunteers

Summer art exhibition runs from July 22-Aug. 4

Volunteers in the 2019 Sooke Fine Arts Show gift shop: Bobbie Momsen, left, Rae Williamson, Elaine Thrale, Eileen Badiuk and Bev Lewis. (Contributed - Angela Bailey)
Esquimalt’s new library is opening to the public March 31. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

PHOTOS: ‘The living room of the community’: Esquimalt’s new library set to open

Branch opens to the public March 31

Esquimalt’s new library is opening to the public March 31. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The Oak Bay Tea Party returns to Willows Beach Park, June 3 to 5. (Oak Bay Tea Party/Facebook)

Community party steeped in tradition returns to Oak Bay beach

Yes the baron of beef is back, by demand, courtesy of Oak Bay Sea Rescue

The Oak Bay Tea Party returns to Willows Beach Park, June 3 to 5. (Oak Bay Tea Party/Facebook)
The application process for the Victoria Foundation’s 2022 Community Grants Program is open, welcoming eligible applications via the Foundation’s online grant portal until April 14.

Make It Happen: Victoria Foundation’s Community Grants program opens for applications

Donations made before May 14 will help vital programs in your community this year

  • Mar 21, 2022
The application process for the Victoria Foundation’s 2022 Community Grants Program is open, welcoming eligible applications via the Foundation’s online grant portal until April 14.
Lora de Vries with some of her collection of sea glass. “I got hooked on the thrill of finding these little pieces of history,” she says. (Contributed - Lora de Vries)

PHOTOS: Sooke collector perfects beauty in sea glass

Lora de Vries finds treasure in gift from the sea

Lora de Vries with some of her collection of sea glass. “I got hooked on the thrill of finding these little pieces of history,” she says. (Contributed - Lora de Vries)
Vital Vittles opens its doors to the dining room on March 18. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Vital Vittles reopens doors after pandemic

First meal served up on March 18

Vital Vittles opens its doors to the dining room on March 18. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Victoria Foundation welcomes new board chair Rajiv K. Gandhi, and new director Tamara Napoleon.

Victoria Foundation welcomes new board members and March launch of Community Grants

A new-look Pulse publication and annual Vital Signs add to a busy year for the organization

  • Feb 21, 2022
The Victoria Foundation welcomes new board chair Rajiv K. Gandhi, and new director Tamara Napoleon.
The Sooke District Lioness Lions Club is gearing up for its largest-ever fundraising sale at the end of the month, featuring three trailers full of antiques and collectables. (Photos Courtesy of Gunny Tennese)

Sooke Lioness Club hosting largest-ever fundraiser sale

On Feb. 26 and 27, three trailers worth of antiques and collectables will be up for sale

The Sooke District Lioness Lions Club is gearing up for its largest-ever fundraising sale at the end of the month, featuring three trailers full of antiques and collectables. (Photos Courtesy of Gunny Tennese)
Feral cats tended to by the Sooke Animal Food and Rescue Society. The society celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. (Contributed - SAFARS)

Sooke animal rescue group celebrates 10th anniversary

SAFARS helps make a difference to abandoned cats in the region

Feral cats tended to by the Sooke Animal Food and Rescue Society. The society celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. (Contributed - SAFARS)
Ashley Howe, founder of Supply Victoria, stands in front of her non-profit Creative Reuse Centre on Vancouver Street in the North Park neighbourhood. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Free art supplies offered weekly at North Park pop-up in Victoria

‘Everyone deserves the right to express themselves,’ says Supply Victoria founder Ashley Howe

Ashley Howe, founder of Supply Victoria, stands in front of her non-profit Creative Reuse Centre on Vancouver Street in the North Park neighbourhood. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)