Britt Santowski

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An enthusiastic client enjoys skimming the treetops on a zipline.

Ziplining good for adrenaline and fundraising boost

On Saturday September 14, Sooke’s Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours raised over $1,700 for Autism Speaks Canada.

An enthusiastic client enjoys skimming the treetops on a zipline.
This is a recovery scene from a non-fatal accident that occured on Sunday, August 25. The incident was handled by the Metchosin Fire Department, and I had the opportunity to speak with Stephanie Dunlop, the Fire Chief who attended the scene. “The helmet the gal had probably saved her life,” said Dunlop, stating that she was the one who attended the female passenger. It was at least a three-quarter helmet that included a face shield. Dunlop offered two profound pieces of advice. For riders, slow down. The 4000 to 4500 block of Sooke road sees a lot of accidents. For people who witness a motorcyclist going down, do not try to move the rider, don’t take off their helmet, and don’t do anything to improve their comfort. “When an accident occurs, don’t try to propel their head,” Dunlop advised. Motorcyclists, due to their vulnerability, “are much more liable to have spinal injuries.”

Column: The ache of motorcycle fatalities

This week's Throttle Therapy column parks the didactic view and looks through a lens of compassion.

This is a recovery scene from a non-fatal accident that occured on Sunday, August 25. The incident was handled by the Metchosin Fire Department, and I had the opportunity to speak with Stephanie Dunlop, the Fire Chief who attended the scene. “The helmet the gal had probably saved her life,” said Dunlop, stating that she was the one who attended the female passenger. It was at least a three-quarter helmet that included a face shield. Dunlop offered two profound pieces of advice. For riders, slow down. The 4000 to 4500 block of Sooke road sees a lot of accidents. For people who witness a motorcyclist going down, do not try to move the rider, don’t take off their helmet, and don’t do anything to improve their comfort. “When an accident occurs, don’t try to propel their head,” Dunlop advised. Motorcyclists, due to their vulnerability, “are much more liable to have spinal injuries.”
District of Sooke Committee of the Whole met to gather public input on a proposed bike skills park in Sooke. The photo shows the crowd after a break.

SEAPARC to be the site of bike skills park

District of Sooke Committee of the Whole voted for mayor's option

District of Sooke Committee of the Whole met to gather public input on a proposed bike skills park in Sooke. The photo shows the crowd after a break.
In earlier iteration of the Sooke Celtics, the team from 2007 - 2008 poses for a team photograph. According to the weebly.com website, they started out as a Division 4 team in 2001. If it was done once, it can be done again.

Sayonara Sooke Celtics

While interest in soccer is on the rise, the Sooke Celtics pack it in

In earlier iteration of the Sooke Celtics, the team from 2007 - 2008 poses for a team photograph. According to the weebly.com website, they started out as a Division 4 team in 2001. If it was done once, it can be done again.
Four fire fighters from Sooke participated in the vehicle extraction course that was held on Friday afternoon at the Metchosin Fire Station. Here, Sooke fire fighters Darcy Abell, Mark Zinkowski, Adam Beaumont and Dan Donaldson show how it’s done.

Fire fighters converge on Sooke for training

Weekend provided multiple opportunities for learning life saving skills

Four fire fighters from Sooke participated in the vehicle extraction course that was held on Friday afternoon at the Metchosin Fire Station. Here, Sooke fire fighters Darcy Abell, Mark Zinkowski, Adam Beaumont and Dan Donaldson show how it’s done.
Bears are on the prowl for food before hibernating.

Bear meets pig, pig escapes

A pig was spotted running amok at Sunriver Estates

Bears are on the prowl for food before hibernating.
Sooke Fall Fair president Ida McDonald and Sooke historian Elida Peers escort the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon into the Sooke Community Hall. Guichon was on hand to open the 100th Sooke Fall Fair. She also reviewed Sooke Sea and Navy League Cadets and was met with an Honour Guard from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54. The two-day event is one of the highlights of the fall season in Sooke.

Fall fair honoured by Lte. Governor

The HOnourable Judith Guichon was on hand to open the 100th Sooke Fall Fair.

Sooke Fall Fair president Ida McDonald and Sooke historian Elida Peers escort the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon into the Sooke Community Hall. Guichon was on hand to open the 100th Sooke Fall Fair. She also reviewed Sooke Sea and Navy League Cadets and was met with an Honour Guard from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54. The two-day event is one of the highlights of the fall season in Sooke.
New vessel christened.

New rescue vessel christened

The new Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue vessel was launched.

New vessel christened.
Throttle therapy specialist, Britt Santowski, keeps her eyes on the road and her hands upon the ... handlebars.

Motorcycling: 12 tips for cold weather riding on the West Coast

Britt Santowski gives riders some helpful information for year-round riding, as summer creeps to an end and Canadians highways stay tasty.

Throttle therapy specialist, Britt Santowski, keeps her eyes on the road and her hands upon the ... handlebars.
Hockey has begun for these Sooke girls,

Hockey begins

Sooke minor hockey is beginning its new season at SEAPARC arena

Hockey has begun for these Sooke girls,
Hockey has begun for these Sooke girls,

Hockey begins

Sooke minor hockey is beginning its new season at SEAPARC arena

Hockey has begun for these Sooke girls,
Elida Peers, speaking on behalf of the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre, addressed the infrastructure improvements that will ultimately help with their plan to accommodate an on-site caretaker. The federal government came through with funding which will see improvements made to the centre. Funding was also given to Camp Bernard for upgrades and also to the Sooke Region Historical Society for fixing the roof of the Sooke Region Museum and installing better lighting. In total the federal government handed out just over $80,000.

Infusion of funding for local projects

Federal government comes through with funds from Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund.

Elida Peers, speaking on behalf of the Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre, addressed the infrastructure improvements that will ultimately help with their plan to accommodate an on-site caretaker. The federal government came through with funding which will see improvements made to the centre. Funding was also given to Camp Bernard for upgrades and also to the Sooke Region Historical Society for fixing the roof of the Sooke Region Museum and installing better lighting. In total the federal government handed out just over $80,000.
“That photo was taken 100 meters from the finish,” said Stampflee, “my stomach was far better than it had been but everything else was worn out.”

Sooke’s Stampflee completes gruelling Ironman

Sooke's Owen Stampflee competes in, and completes in good time, the Whistler Ironman.

“That photo was taken 100 meters from the finish,” said Stampflee, “my stomach was far better than it had been but everything else was worn out.”
Cadet Lyra Hindrichs with her flight instructor, OCdt Richard Soos. According to Regional Gliding School (Pacific) “Home of Air Cadet Flying Training” Facebook page, “Lyra reports that her solo was very relaxing because there was no instructor telling her what to do! She flew for 12 minutes in glider GCLY before returning safely for what she describes as one of her smoothest landings!”

Sweet 16 and flying high

Sixteen-year-old Lyra Hindrichs of Sooke has taken to the sky, flying in a glider. Apparently, she likes it up there.

Cadet Lyra Hindrichs with her flight instructor, OCdt Richard Soos. According to Regional Gliding School (Pacific) “Home of Air Cadet Flying Training” Facebook page, “Lyra reports that her solo was very relaxing because there was no instructor telling her what to do! She flew for 12 minutes in glider GCLY before returning safely for what she describes as one of her smoothest landings!”
Firefighters tend to multiple hotspots in the late morning of August 22 in a construction site just north of Maple Park Terrace in Sooke.

Blasting sets off blaze

Residential area in Sooke was the site of a brush fire

Firefighters tend to multiple hotspots in the late morning of August 22 in a construction site just north of Maple Park Terrace in Sooke.
Singers from the “Voices in Bloom” concert, April 26th, 2013.

Sooke Youth choir ready for a new season

Another season is on the horizon for young singers

Singers from the “Voices in Bloom” concert, April 26th, 2013.
Todd Kazinka’s son and a friend engaging in a bit of one-on-one, just having fun and playing outside. Kazinka says basketball is one of the least expensive and most accessible sports available to youth today.

Dribbling is acceptable in certain circles

Sooke’s Todd Kozinka is heightening awareness of basketball, a low-cost, high accessibility sport steadily gaining popularity.

Todd Kazinka’s son and a friend engaging in a bit of one-on-one, just having fun and playing outside. Kazinka says basketball is one of the least expensive and most accessible sports available to youth today.
Singers from the “Voices in Bloom” concert, April 26th, 2013.

Sooke Youth choir ready for a new season

Another season is on the horizon for young singers

Singers from the “Voices in Bloom” concert, April 26th, 2013.
From the end or Arranwood Drive looking towards Poirier elementary, one can see the road construction that was complete and that which is still outstanding.

Paving purgatory at Ecole Poirier

Connecting roads will take some time to be completed

From the end or Arranwood Drive looking towards Poirier elementary, one can see the road construction that was complete and that which is still outstanding.

Sooke’s summer slo pitch invitational winners

On the August long weekend (Aug 3 - 5), Sooke’s Slo Pitch hosted an Invitational tournament.