Kristi Dobson

Volunteers of FAVAS, in back, from left, include Teresa Fanning, Tana Cole, Sara Fox, and Erin Parker. In front from left are Shirley Yan, Jenny Wallman and Simon Fox. Missing from photo is Caroline Vining.

Alberni parents provide artistic opportunities

A small group of parents are hoping to make a big impact on the arts in Port Alberni.

Volunteers of FAVAS, in back, from left, include Teresa Fanning, Tana Cole, Sara Fox, and Erin Parker. In front from left are Shirley Yan, Jenny Wallman and Simon Fox. Missing from photo is Caroline Vining.
A handful of the many PAGO Grannies invite others to join their group to help grandmothers in Africa.

Alberni’s grannies step up to the plate

Ten years ago, a few local women joined a movement to help women and children in Africa.

A handful of the many PAGO Grannies invite others to join their group to help grandmothers in Africa.
Wholesome Meals on Wheels volunteer Gail Acker loads a stack of totes filled with hot meals to deliver to home-bound residents in Port Alberni. Meals on Wheels will be one of several organizations at the Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Alberni Valley volunteer fair returns Sept. 21

Many organizations in Port Alberni are facing the challenge of a lack of volunteers.

Wholesome Meals on Wheels volunteer Gail Acker loads a stack of totes filled with hot meals to deliver to home-bound residents in Port Alberni. Meals on Wheels will be one of several organizations at the Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 21.
Ashleigh Clark got her big break in radio as afternoon host on 93.3 The Peak, but is now off to lend her voice to morning radio listeners in Campbell River.

Peak DJ bids Valley goodbye

Ashleigh Clark is saying goodbye to her Peak radio gig and the Alberni Valley after two years as the 'afternoon drive' host.

Ashleigh Clark got her big break in radio as afternoon host on 93.3 The Peak, but is now off to lend her voice to morning radio listeners in Campbell River.
Kevin Wright, left, of SteamPunk Café and Graham Hughes, executive director of Literacy Alberni, hang out in the new reading lounge beside SteamPunk.

Alberni’s little library program gets a retail boost

When Artemis Books closed in mid-June, owner Kevin Wright saw potential for a free community library that would give back.

Kevin Wright, left, of SteamPunk Café and Graham Hughes, executive director of Literacy Alberni, hang out in the new reading lounge beside SteamPunk.
Vice mayor of Abashiri, Kawata Masahiro, Coun. Denis Sauve and Mayor Mike Ruttan sign a reaffirmation of the Sister Cities to mark 30 years of friendship.

Alberni and Abashiri renew relationship

A reaffirmation between Port Alberni and Abashiri, Japan was signed marking 30 years of friendship for the sister cities.

Vice mayor of Abashiri, Kawata Masahiro, Coun. Denis Sauve and Mayor Mike Ruttan sign a reaffirmation of the Sister Cities to mark 30 years of friendship.
Mike Parcher of Port Alberni tackles part of the technical track on a single-speed mountain bike at the TransRockies Bike Series in June.

Alberni cyclists take bike racing to extremes

Port Alberni riders Blaise and Parcher challenge themselves with a 24-hour endurance race in Golden.

Mike Parcher of Port Alberni tackles part of the technical track on a single-speed mountain bike at the TransRockies Bike Series in June.
City gardener, Eric Landsvik, inspects the damage of recent theft and vandalism of the flower beds he helped plant along Johnston Road.

Thieves pilfering flowers from planter boxes all over the city

Plants designed to beautify the city have been the target of theft and vandalism since the May long weekend.

City gardener, Eric Landsvik, inspects the damage of recent theft and vandalism of the flower beds he helped plant along Johnston Road.
Children in Abashiri, Japan, participate in a ‘salmon fishing’ derby during Port Alberni night.

Celebrating 30 years with Abashiri

A small delegation from Japan will arrive in Port Alberni on July 16 to honour the twin cities.

Children in Abashiri, Japan, participate in a ‘salmon fishing’ derby during Port Alberni night.
Alberni District Secondary School girls’ rugby coach Ryan Hall, centre, is The Province’s Coach of the Year for 2016.

Ryan Hall is The Province’s Coach of the Year

Ryan Hall, coach for the Alberni District Secondary School's female rugby team, is honoured and humbled by his win.

Alberni District Secondary School girls’ rugby coach Ryan Hall, centre, is The Province’s Coach of the Year for 2016.
Heather Shobe, left, and Sarah Thomas are recruiting volunteers for the Alberni Valley Gleaning Project.

Alberni Valley Gleaning Project works to reduce food waste

Organizers hope that a more streamlined structure will ensure that no fruit is left to rot this summer.

Heather Shobe, left, and Sarah Thomas are recruiting volunteers for the Alberni Valley Gleaning Project.
An ADSS Armada player runs with the ball during the BC high school rugby championship in May.

ADSS girls’ rugby earn silver at BCs

The ADSS girls’ rugby team brought home a silver medal at the provincial championships at the end of May.

An ADSS Armada player runs with the ball during the BC high school rugby championship in May.
The U12 Blazers fastball team won gold in their first tournament of the year in Sooke on May 28 and 29.

Alberni Blazers bring home gold

On Sunday, May 29, the Port Alberni U12 Blazers fastball team brought home a gold medal from the first tournament of the year.

The U12 Blazers fastball team won gold in their first tournament of the year in Sooke on May 28 and 29.
Teya Doughty and her coach from Victoria, Danny White, relax after her match.

Alberni taekwondo competitor ranks eighth in Canada

Teya Doughty from Port Alberni has returned home from the taekwondo National Championships with an eighth place win in her weight class.

Teya Doughty and her coach from Victoria, Danny White, relax after her match.

Syrian refugee family arrives in Port Alberni

Port Alberni Refugee Sponsorship Committee keeps lid on new family's privacy for now.

Jean Thomas, a Nuu-chah-nulth Education Worker at E.J. Dunn School, shows Edward Fedirchuk the phonetic alphabet in Mr. Koch’s Grade 2–3 class.

Keeping language alive

A Nuu-chah-nulth education worker motivates kids to learn her culture

Jean Thomas, a Nuu-chah-nulth Education Worker at E.J. Dunn School, shows Edward Fedirchuk the phonetic alphabet in Mr. Koch’s Grade 2–3 class.
Phaedra McEachren snapped this photo of the smoke over Fort McMurray from the camp she was working at, 18 kms north of the Alberta city.

‘There was a lot of tension and fear’

A Port Alberni worker is home after fire forces evacuation of Fort Mac

Phaedra McEachren snapped this photo of the smoke over Fort McMurray from the camp she was working at, 18 kms north of the Alberta city.
Don Ferster of Jim’s Clothes Closet, left, and Gretchen Carlson, executive director for AV Hospice Society, get ready for the inaugural Butterfly Effect release happening April 30 at Canal Beach. 400 Painted Lady butterflies will be released by community members, and a butterfly garden will be planted at the beach.

Butterfly effect brings colour to beach

Port Alberni residents will release 400 butterflies at Canal Beach for inaugural hospice fundraiser.

Don Ferster of Jim’s Clothes Closet, left, and Gretchen Carlson, executive director for AV Hospice Society, get ready for the inaugural Butterfly Effect release happening April 30 at Canal Beach. 400 Painted Lady butterflies will be released by community members, and a butterfly garden will be planted at the beach.
Together Juanita Currie, Carla Bressan and Jessica Burns set up a support group for parents of children affected by autism spectrum disorders and are gearing up for their second annual Walk the Rock for Awareness.

Autism group brings local support to Alberni

Rock the Walk takes place April 23 at 10 a.m. at the Best Western Barclay Plus Hotel.

Together Juanita Currie, Carla Bressan and Jessica Burns set up a support group for parents of children affected by autism spectrum disorders and are gearing up for their second annual Walk the Rock for Awareness.
Students from Alberni District Secondary School, clad in red T-shirts, join students from Cuba during a school trip last month.

Alberni high school students schooled in Cuban culture

Spring break for a group of Alberni District Secondary School band students was an unforgettable one this year.

Students from Alberni District Secondary School, clad in red T-shirts, join students from Cuba during a school trip last month.