Community

Teale Phelps Bondaroff delivers the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s 5000th book to the Republic of North Park little free library on Queens Ave. File Contributed/Charles Joerin

Victoria’s little free libraries get 5,000th book

Volunteers have been dropping off books around Greater Victoria since 2017

Teale Phelps Bondaroff delivers the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s 5000th book to the Republic of North Park little free library on Queens Ave. File Contributed/Charles Joerin
Victoria’s 8th annual Pet-a-palooza is coming to town this weekend! File contributed

Pet-A-Palooza a good reason to ‘pawse’ this weekend in Victoria

Puppies, goats, wiener dog races and more on the grounds of St. Ann’s Academy Aug. 18-19

Victoria’s 8th annual Pet-a-palooza is coming to town this weekend! File contributed
Esquimalt Arts Festival returns to Memorial Park

Esquimalt Arts Festival returns to Memorial Park

Day-long event showcases local art with live music, interactive displays and children’s activities

Esquimalt Arts Festival returns to Memorial Park
The 2018 Victoria International Wine Festival happens Sept. 20-22 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa. Courtesy Victoria International Wine Festival

WINE LOVERS UNITE: Victoria festival offers numerous tasting options

Parkside Hotel and Spa hosting Victoria International Wine Festival

The 2018 Victoria International Wine Festival happens Sept. 20-22 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa. Courtesy Victoria International Wine Festival
Ann Kilbertus has been a student and yoga teacher at the Iyengar Yoga Centre for many years. This year marks 100 years since the the birth of the practice’s founder, B.K.S. Iyengar, and the studio is celebrating.                                Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS

BODY AND MIND: Founder of Iyengar yoga celebrated in Victoria

100 days of yoga events, readings will lead up to birthday of B.K.S. Iyengar

Ann Kilbertus has been a student and yoga teacher at the Iyengar Yoga Centre for many years. This year marks 100 years since the the birth of the practice’s founder, B.K.S. Iyengar, and the studio is celebrating.                                Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS
Kayakers and other classical music fans gather in the Inner Harbour for the Symphony Splash performance in 2017. The annual event attracts upwards of 40,000 people each year and happens this year on Sunday, Aug. 5. Victoria Symphony/Facebook

Five things to do this B.C. Day long weekend

Check out these great community events in Greater Victoria

Kayakers and other classical music fans gather in the Inner Harbour for the Symphony Splash performance in 2017. The annual event attracts upwards of 40,000 people each year and happens this year on Sunday, Aug. 5. Victoria Symphony/Facebook
The Victoria Event Centre recieved $20,000 in funding to launch a pilot coffee shop and shared workspace in daytime hours. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS

Victoria Event Centre to open café, begin workspace pilot project

$20,000 grant from Coastal Community Credit Union will help Centre expand its services

The Victoria Event Centre recieved $20,000 in funding to launch a pilot coffee shop and shared workspace in daytime hours. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS
Their drummer encouraging them to work hard to the finish, a team’s paddlers crank their way to victory during last year’s Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. Spectators line both sides of the Inner Harbour to watch the event, which also includes many land-based activities at Ship Point. Don Descoteau/Monday Magazine

FIRE AND FURY: Dragon boats heat up the Inner Harbour

24th annual festival Aug. 10-12 sees paddlers do battle in a busy Victoria waterway

  • Jul 31, 2018
Their drummer encouraging them to work hard to the finish, a team’s paddlers crank their way to victory during last year’s Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. Spectators line both sides of the Inner Harbour to watch the event, which also includes many land-based activities at Ship Point. Don Descoteau/Monday Magazine
Golfers line up at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort before playng in the 13th annual BC Ferries Media Charity Golf Classic, a fundraiser this year benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria. The event raised $50,000 for the cause. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Ferries golf tournament raises $50G for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria

Local non-profit’s mentoring programs to be boosted with influx of cash

Golfers line up at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort before playng in the 13th annual BC Ferries Media Charity Golf Classic, a fundraiser this year benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria. The event raised $50,000 for the cause. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Vintage cars will be on display in Fernwood Square on Saturdays for the rest of August. Photo courtesy Joey Scarfone

Classic cars will jazz up Saturdays this month in Fernwood

Vintage Cars in the Square to run through Aug. 25

Vintage cars will be on display in Fernwood Square on Saturdays for the rest of August. Photo courtesy Joey Scarfone
5 things to see in Greater Victoria this weekend

5 things to see in Greater Victoria this weekend

Hot cars, cool dogs, music, art and street hockey all on the agenda

  • Jul 27, 2018
5 things to see in Greater Victoria this weekend
A hearty community pancake breakfast made with local ingredients is part of the North Saanich Flavour Trail, happening Aug. 17-19 at 21 different venues around the area. Flavour Trails/Facebook

North Saanich Flavour Trail Festival returns for 11th year

Farm-fresh food, wine from the source and more in store on 21-venue tour

  • Jul 26, 2018
A hearty community pancake breakfast made with local ingredients is part of the North Saanich Flavour Trail, happening Aug. 17-19 at 21 different venues around the area. Flavour Trails/Facebook
A social time combined with the goodness of locally produced food and beverages is what FarmFolk CityFolk’s Feast of Fields is all about. (Bright Photography)

North Saanich’s Kildara Farms part of annual Feast of Fields

Island organic farm among three sites hosting events across B.C.

  • Jul 26, 2018
A social time combined with the goodness of locally produced food and beverages is what FarmFolk CityFolk’s Feast of Fields is all about. (Bright Photography)
Victoria artist Craig Bauer works on a piece inspired by Chesterman Beach in Tofino at the 30th annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In. Hundreds of artists, musicians and vendors took part in the popular one-day event. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)

Five fun things to do this weekend

From a paint in to festivals, there are lots of fun events taking place this weekend

  • Jul 20, 2018
Victoria artist Craig Bauer works on a piece inspired by Chesterman Beach in Tofino at the 30th annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In. Hundreds of artists, musicians and vendors took part in the popular one-day event. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)
Midway rides are back at this year’s 149th Saanich Fair. (Steven Heywood/News staff file)

Saanich Fair: An idea is born

The attaining of a 150th year anniversary is a notable event in…

  • Jul 18, 2018
Midway rides are back at this year’s 149th Saanich Fair. (Steven Heywood/News staff file)
Friends and colleagues of Greater Victoria philanthropist and arts patron Eric Charman began a bursary fund in his name last year for students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The goal is to see the fund grow to $1 million by Charman’s 90th birthday in 2022.  Photo by Hugo Wong

Charman’s name will live on through Victoria Conservatory of Music bursary fund

Iconic arts patron Eric Charman thrilled to see financial assistance fund growing

Friends and colleagues of Greater Victoria philanthropist and arts patron Eric Charman began a bursary fund in his name last year for students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The goal is to see the fund grow to $1 million by Charman’s 90th birthday in 2022.  Photo by Hugo Wong
Additional buses added for Rock the Shores

Additional buses added for Rock the Shores

Colwood Transit Exchange closed at night, passengers directed to Island Highway instead

Additional buses added for Rock the Shores
NEW FESTIVAL: Vegans of Victoria unite

NEW FESTIVAL: Vegans of Victoria unite

First ever Vegtoria features all things vegan, July 21 in Centennial Square

  • Jul 10, 2018
NEW FESTIVAL: Vegans of Victoria unite
Victoria scratch ticket winner Angella Gordon-Spence was thrilled to receive confirmation recently of her Set for Life total prize of $675,000. She bought the ticket at an outlet in the Hillside Shopping Centre. Photo courtesy BC Lottery Corporation

Victoria lotto winner looking forward to Mexican holiday with family

Angella Gordon-Spence won weekly $1,000 payday for 25 years on Set for Life scratch game

Victoria scratch ticket winner Angella Gordon-Spence was thrilled to receive confirmation recently of her Set for Life total prize of $675,000. She bought the ticket at an outlet in the Hillside Shopping Centre. Photo courtesy BC Lottery Corporation
TESS VAN STRAATEN: Having one whale of a time

TESS VAN STRAATEN: Having one whale of a time

Monday columnist joins her mom, a whale-watching rookie, in ocean adventure

  • Jul 9, 2018
TESS VAN STRAATEN: Having one whale of a time