Community

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

B.C. university ‘renames’ stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021

BC Dairy thanks the community for over $850,000 flood relief donations, and shines a spotlight on local community heroes

British Columbians have come forward with an incredible show of support for…

  • Jan 10, 2022
Volunteers from River Wrangler Sportfishing in the Mission Hills community deliver donations by boat after the floods affected dairy farms in Abbotsford in November 2021
Videos from throughout 2021 capture Vancouver Island’s top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Vancouver Island animal videos we watched in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Videos from throughout 2021 capture Vancouver Island’s top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)
Otters can often be spotted in Victoria, but they’re usually playing in the grass – not the snow. (Courtesy of Lisa McPhail)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island otter spotted frolicking in fresh snow

A Victoria resident caught the adorable moment on video

Otters can often be spotted in Victoria, but they’re usually playing in the grass – not the snow. (Courtesy of Lisa McPhail)
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.

Ellie’s journey: Rare condition points to critical research need

BC Children’s Hospital shares need for increased research for childhood cancers

  • Dec 27, 2021
Dr. Rebecca Deyell, pediatric oncologist at BC Children’s Hospital, with Ellie, treated for a rare childhood cancer at BC Children’s Hospital. Thanks to vital donor support, researchers can explore uncharted paths and treatment options for children like Ellie.
Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Tofino restaurant serves over 1,300 free takeway turkey dinners in one night

Lil Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ keeps community Christmas tradition alive

Ronnie Lee, left, holds three turkey platters ready to be delivered to West Coast homes. (Nora O’Malley photo)
(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

Grand Forks’ Can Can dancers trot out Christmas flash mobs

City residents with amazing Christmas displays were treated to the surprise dances

(L-R) Les Folles Jambettes’ Vanessa Reyes-Golding, Sarah Leslie and Melanie Shenstone pose for a photo next to a family of snow people displayed at a home on 17th Avenue, near the intersection of 77th Avenue on Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
A fundrasier will be held in Tofino on Saturday night to drum up support for flood relief throughout B.C. (Image courtesy of Jessica Walders)

Flood relief fundraiser in Tofino on Saturday night

Event scheduled at The Hatch Waterfront Pub on Saturday

A fundrasier will be held in Tofino on Saturday night to drum up support for flood relief throughout B.C. (Image courtesy of Jessica Walders)
Santa visited Ucluelet on Dec. 11 and continues to to roar through the West Coast during his busiest time of year with a scheduled tour through Tofino with the volunteer fire department on Saturday, Dec. 18. (Jen McLeod photo)

UPDATE: Gloomy weather forecast postpones Santa’s Tofino visit to Sunday

Tofino Volunteer Fire Department will parade Jolly Old St. Nicholas through town on Dec. 19

Santa visited Ucluelet on Dec. 11 and continues to to roar through the West Coast during his busiest time of year with a scheduled tour through Tofino with the volunteer fire department on Saturday, Dec. 18. (Jen McLeod photo)
Relatives of Wilson S.C. Lai join care providers, Island Health board chair Leah Hollins, Island Health president and CEO Kathy MacNeil, hospitals foundation board chair Tom Siemens, and executive director Avery Brohman to celebrate a $5-million gift to Victoria hospitals. (Courtesy Victoria Hospitals Foundation)

$5M donation means better care for Island residents at Victoria hospitals

Foundation’s biggest donor, Lai family, donates $8M to date

Relatives of Wilson S.C. Lai join care providers, Island Health board chair Leah Hollins, Island Health president and CEO Kathy MacNeil, hospitals foundation board chair Tom Siemens, and executive director Avery Brohman to celebrate a $5-million gift to Victoria hospitals. (Courtesy Victoria Hospitals Foundation)
Tickets are now available for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 50/50 draw.(News Bulletin file photo)

Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 50/50 raffle tickets now available

Winning ticket could be worth as much as $100,000

Tickets are now available for the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue 50/50 draw.(News Bulletin file photo)
The Food Bank on the Edge Society cheered another successful Stuff the Cruiser event on Saturday afternoon in partnership with the Ucluelet RCMP. Const. Mike Moore, food bank executive director Cris Martin and auxiliary constable Kevin Cortes were all smiles as they collected donations outside the Ucluelet Co-op. A Stuff the Cruiser donation drive is scheduled at the Tofino Co-op this Saturday. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Christmas hamper donations underway in Tofino

COVID-19 restrictions have cancelled Fish and Loaves’ annual Christmas dinner

The Food Bank on the Edge Society cheered another successful Stuff the Cruiser event on Saturday afternoon in partnership with the Ucluelet RCMP. Const. Mike Moore, food bank executive director Cris Martin and auxiliary constable Kevin Cortes were all smiles as they collected donations outside the Ucluelet Co-op. A Stuff the Cruiser donation drive is scheduled at the Tofino Co-op this Saturday. (Andrew Bailey photo)
The Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia and serves a population of more than 450,000. File photo

Vancouver Island Regional Library mandating vaccines for all employees

The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is adopting a Vaccination Operational Policy…

The Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia and serves a population of more than 450,000. File photo
The Ukee RCMP will host a Stuff the Cruiser event in the Co-op parking lot on Saturday to help bring happy holiday seasons to locals in need. (Westerly File Photo)

Ucluelet RCMP and Food Bank on the Edge team up for annual ‘Stuff the Cruiser’ event

Folks can make their donations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ucluelet Co-op parking lot on Saturday

The Ukee RCMP will host a Stuff the Cruiser event in the Co-op parking lot on Saturday to help bring happy holiday seasons to locals in need. (Westerly File Photo)
Excited Patrick Leslie visits with Santa Claus during a special socially distanced photo event organized by the Ucluelet Children’s Centre last year. (Jen McLeod photo)

Santa Claus will be at the Ucluelet Children’s Centre on Saturday to take photos with kids

Santa Claus will be at the Ucluelet Children’s Centre on Saturday, Dec.…

Excited Patrick Leslie visits with Santa Claus during a special socially distanced photo event organized by the Ucluelet Children’s Centre last year. (Jen McLeod photo)
Judy Gray’s Mid-Island RE/MAX Realty team are helping connect local kids in need with willing ‘Secret Santas’ through their Angel Tree program. Residents are encouraged to help bring joy to Christmas mornings by picking up an angel from the tree at the local RE/MAX office,<tcxspan tcxhref="1091917" title="Call 109-1917 via 3CX"> 109-1917 </tcxspan>Peninsula Rd, (Andrew Bailey photo)

Holiday season wraps Ucluelet in giving spirit

Food Bank on the Edge Society’s Christmas Hamper program underway as COVID-19 increases need

Judy Gray’s Mid-Island RE/MAX Realty team are helping connect local kids in need with willing ‘Secret Santas’ through their Angel Tree program. Residents are encouraged to help bring joy to Christmas mornings by picking up an angel from the tree at the local RE/MAX office,<tcxspan tcxhref="1091917" title="Call 109-1917 via 3CX"> 109-1917 </tcxspan>Peninsula Rd, (Andrew Bailey photo)
Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)

Born to be wild: Goat finds family with herd of deer

Greta the Goat sought freedom from the start

Greta on the day she was brought 'home' at four months old, only to run away that very night. (Submitted photo)
Boats sparkle with holiday magic in the Tofino Harbour at a past Sea of Lights event. (Tofino Resort + Marina photo)

Get into the holiday spirit with Tofino’s Sea of Lights boat parade

Festive holiday celebration ready to sparkle through Tofino harbour on Saturday

Boats sparkle with holiday magic in the Tofino Harbour at a past Sea of Lights event. (Tofino Resort + Marina photo)
North Island College students will explore Indigenous literature and B.C. history alongside peers from Costa Rica and Japan, thanks to a pair of upcoming virtual exchange programs starting this January. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

North Island College connects students in Canada, Costa Rica and Japan, virtually

North Island College students will explore Indigenous literature and B.C. history alongside…

North Island College students will explore Indigenous literature and B.C. history alongside peers from Costa Rica and Japan, thanks to a pair of upcoming virtual exchange programs starting this January. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Ucluelet Aquarium crewmembers Emma Brisebois, Laura Griffith Cochrane and Alana Carswell smile around a tank full of baby skates, which have become one of the facility’s most popular attractions. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet Aquarium invites sealife lovers to annual release day event

Thousands of animals are ready to head home

Ucluelet Aquarium crewmembers Emma Brisebois, Laura Griffith Cochrane and Alana Carswell smile around a tank full of baby skates, which have become one of the facility’s most popular attractions. (Andrew Bailey photo)