Community

As part of Earth Week, Ucluelet Rotary Club member Ryan Wackett will be handing out free Clean Up Packages with grabber picker up tools at his shop Westcoast Connect from April 10 to 23. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet Rotary honours Earth Day with week long community clean up

“Let’s spring into action and clean up our beautiful communities!”

Building on the success of Black Press Media’s niche digital platforms, Today’s Home brings the same wealth of knowledge and local expertise to the search for a home, be it buying, selling, or even just daydreaming about what changes you can make in the future.

Black Press Media introduces one of Western Canada’s best real estate platforms helping home buyers Find. Love. Live. that new home

Listings cover properties around the region

  • Apr 12, 2021
Pickleball is a favourite recreation for older adults on the West Coast. (Westerly file photo)

Pacific Rim Hospice releases older adult survey report

One key theme unearthed during the research process was the need for companionship

Seven-year-old Rowan Walroth (right) donated just shy of $3,000 to a Vernon food bank in March 2021. (Contributed)

B.C. 7-year-old discovers locals are struggling, raises $3K for food bank

Rowan Walroth read a book about boys who dared to make a difference, and decided to become one

Seven-year-old Rowan Walroth (right) donated just shy of $3,000 to a Vernon food bank in March 2021. (Contributed)
From left, Food Bank on the Edge volunteers Barbara Millar, Laurie Bird and Annie Goertzen celebrated a heartwarming donation of 20 Easter baskets put together by local kids Percy Udell, Daphne Hurwitz and Kesler Taron alongside the food bank’s executive director Cris Martin. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Local kids present Easter donation to Ucluelet’s Food Bank on the Edge

Youth receive Neighbourhood Small Grant from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust.

From left, Food Bank on the Edge volunteers Barbara Millar, Laurie Bird and Annie Goertzen celebrated a heartwarming donation of 20 Easter baskets put together by local kids Percy Udell, Daphne Hurwitz and Kesler Taron alongside the food bank’s executive director Cris Martin. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Ucluelet senior Ellen Kimoto beams with relief after receiving her first dose of the Moderna vaccine from community health nurse Zoe Jewell. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet seniors receive COVID-19 vaccine

“I felt good I didn’t have to leave Ucluelet. This is a wonderful service having them come here.”

Ucluelet senior Ellen Kimoto beams with relief after receiving her first dose of the Moderna vaccine from community health nurse Zoe Jewell. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Delivering special care packages to the elderly is a project idea that would qualify for a Small Neighbourhood Grant. (Clayoquot Biosphere Trust photo)

Neighbourhood Small Grants are open for application

Get your creative, community-driven project funded for up to $500

Delivering special care packages to the elderly is a project idea that would qualify for a Small Neighbourhood Grant. (Clayoquot Biosphere Trust photo)
Devin Meads planned to walk 150 kilometres from Langford to Qualicum Beach in support of the Victoria Humane Society and homeless animals. (Contributed photo)

Vancouver Island walk to help homeless animals takes detour

Devin Meads forced to quit 24-hour fundraiser at 100-kilometre mark due to injury

Devin Meads planned to walk 150 kilometres from Langford to Qualicum Beach in support of the Victoria Humane Society and homeless animals. (Contributed photo)
“Taste The Bread!” declares Walter Rasmussen, the mayor of fictional Windward, Washington (Haig Sutherland) during filming of The Baker’s Son in Chemainus Friday. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Parallels between Island community and fictional town evident in Hallmark movie

Tourism boost likely down the road for Chemainus from publicity after a week of filming

“Taste The Bread!” declares Walter Rasmussen, the mayor of fictional Windward, Washington (Haig Sutherland) during filming of The Baker’s Son in Chemainus Friday. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Carmen Hou joined BC Cancer’s Personalized Onco-Genomics Program, where scientists sequenced her DNA to match her to the best treatment possible for her cancer. Today, she nears the three-year mark of being on a trial drug that’s kept her cancer stable.

Facing Stage IV breast cancer at 36

One in eight Canadian women develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

  • Mar 22, 2021
Carmen Hou joined BC Cancer’s Personalized Onco-Genomics Program, where scientists sequenced her DNA to match her to the best treatment possible for her cancer. Today, she nears the three-year mark of being on a trial drug that’s kept her cancer stable.
Food Bank on the Edge executive director Cris Martin happily hands a $1,400 cheque to Fish and Loaves president John Enns outside the Tofino BC Liquor Store on March 10. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Tofino and Ucluelet food initiatives share support

Local groups share $3,800 windfall collected by local BC Liquor Stores.

Food Bank on the Edge executive director Cris Martin happily hands a $1,400 cheque to Fish and Loaves president John Enns outside the Tofino BC Liquor Store on March 10. (Andrew Bailey photo)
West Coast Nest is calling for video submissions from local youth. (West Coast Nest photo)

West Coast Nest launches youth video contest

Local youth aged 10 to 18 could win the chance to interview a top scientist

West Coast Nest is calling for video submissions from local youth. (West Coast Nest photo)
Two transient orcas were spotted near the shores of Esquimalt Monday afternoon. (Miller Fernandez/Facebook video)

VIDEO: Orcas spotted close to shore in Esquimalt

Transient brothers give Greater Victoria residents a show

Two transient orcas were spotted near the shores of Esquimalt Monday afternoon. (Miller Fernandez/Facebook video)
Wolf tracks spotted along a Tofino shoreline last month provide a striking reminder that West Coasters co-exist with wildlife year-round. (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/wildsafebcpacificrim" target="_blank">WildSafeBC Pacific Rim Facebook Page</a>)

Bear and wolf sightings in Tofino and Ucluelet

WildSafeBC Pacific Rim coordinator says responsible attractant management is vital year-round.

Wolf tracks spotted along a Tofino shoreline last month provide a striking reminder that West Coasters co-exist with wildlife year-round. (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/wildsafebcpacificrim" target="_blank">WildSafeBC Pacific Rim Facebook Page</a>)
Chelsea Harry was last seen Feb. 21. Photo via Comox Valley RCMP

Vancouver Island RCMP seeking help locating a missing woman

Missing person last seen in Courtenay on Feb. 21

  • Mar 4, 2021
Chelsea Harry was last seen Feb. 21. Photo via Comox Valley RCMP
Fish and Loaves Humane Society volunteers Bobby Burns, left, and John Enns, right, receive Volunteer Recognition Awards from acting mayor Duncan McMaster during the free food hand out at the Tofino Legion on Feb.24. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino Fish and Loaves volunteers Enns and Burns cheered for community service

“He’s a very conscientious and hard-working, giving volunteer.”

Fish and Loaves Humane Society volunteers Bobby Burns, left, and John Enns, right, receive Volunteer Recognition Awards from acting mayor Duncan McMaster during the free food hand out at the Tofino Legion on Feb.24. (Nora O’Malley photo)
This poster, spreading misinformation regarding COVID-19 restrictions, has been popping up in communities across Vancouver Island.

UPDATED: Poster popping up in Island communities falsely claiming COVID restrictions are over

Unattributed poster claims COVID restrictions ended March 1; Island Health responds

This poster, spreading misinformation regarding COVID-19 restrictions, has been popping up in communities across Vancouver Island.
Lone orca from a pod that made its way north from Georgia Strait and into Discovery Passage on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. Photo by Ella Smiley/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Comoxvalleywildlifesightings/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings </a>

Island wildlife viewers thrilled by close view of passing Orca pod

Group gives wildlife photographers a classic opportunity to view them off Campbell River shoreline

Lone orca from a pod that made its way north from Georgia Strait and into Discovery Passage on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021. Photo by Ella Smiley/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Comoxvalleywildlifesightings/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Comox Valley Wildlife Sightings </a>
Dasher is back home with mom Christine Girvin thanks to some help from BC Ferries staff. Photo supplied

The cat came back, with help from BC Ferries staff

After Dasher made a dash, staff in Comox found her and got her home safe

Dasher is back home with mom Christine Girvin thanks to some help from BC Ferries staff. Photo supplied
The BC SPCA is offering many chances for school-aged kids to learn about animal welfare and other animal topics. Pictured here is Keith, a three-month-old kitten seen on Nov. 4, 2020 at the Chilliwack SPCA. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

From pets to wildlife, BC SPCA offers animal education programs geared to youth

BC SPCA offering virtual spring break camps, workshops and school presentations

The BC SPCA is offering many chances for school-aged kids to learn about animal welfare and other animal topics. Pictured here is Keith, a three-month-old kitten seen on Nov. 4, 2020 at the Chilliwack SPCA. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)