Sam Duerksen

Mayor Christopher Causton paddles his way to victory at the 2002 Oak Bay Tea Party. (Oak Bay Archives)

Lost giant painted teacup may rest at bottom of B.C. harbour: former mayor

The lost piece, which remains to be recovered, gives a glimpse into Oak Bay history

Mayor Christopher Causton paddles his way to victory at the 2002 Oak Bay Tea Party. (Oak Bay Archives)
Rifflandia turns 16 years old this year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria music festival Rifflandia announces full lineup

Singer-songwriter Feist is the latest headliner announced, performing Sunday of the festival

Rifflandia turns 16 years old this year. (Black Press Media file photo)
For Elain Genser, canine companionship is an important part of her life. Genser holds up paintings she has done of her past pets. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Pet project: animal companionship important for B.C.’s older adults

Adopting, fostering, volunteering or sharing life with a senior pet can bring immense benefits

For Elain Genser, canine companionship is an important part of her life. Genser holds up paintings she has done of her past pets. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
Chris Harker. (Courtesy Chris Harker)

‘They’re survivors’: B.C. man wants to build new dorm for Tanzanian students

Successful girls dorm already built by Canadian Harambe Education Society, Stelly’s Secondary School

Chris Harker. (Courtesy Chris Harker)
Carole James at the Breakwater, April, 2024. (Lia Crowe)

Carole James speaks to Parkinson’s, perseverance and life after B.C. politics

Former longtime groundbreaking NDP MLA finding meaning through family

Carole James at the Breakwater, April, 2024. (Lia Crowe)
Premee Mohamed, Joseph Dandurand and Tanya Boteju are all presenters at The Federation of British Columbia Writers’ BC Writers Summit in 2024. (Individual photos courtesy Federation of British Columbia Writers)

BC Writers Summit returning for 4th annual online event

The festival helps writers strengthen their works and showcases talks with award-winning authors

Premee Mohamed, Joseph Dandurand and Tanya Boteju are all presenters at The Federation of British Columbia Writers’ BC Writers Summit in 2024. (Individual photos courtesy Federation of British Columbia Writers)
A roll of film from the Royal BC Museum, one of the items to be digitized for the Indigenous archives. (Courtesy Royal BC Museum)

Royal BC Museum gets $250K donation to digitize Indigenous AV collection

Landmark donation from Wesik Family Foundation fuels museum’s audio-visual digitization project

A roll of film from the Royal BC Museum, one of the items to be digitized for the Indigenous archives. (Courtesy Royal BC Museum)
A past Rifflandia show. (Courtesy Rifflandia)

REZZ, Ja Rule, Tokyo Police Club among 1st-night performers at Victoria’s Rifflandia

The music festival takes place over one weekend in September on Matullia Lands in Rock Bay

A past Rifflandia show. (Courtesy Rifflandia)
Dining at the Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy. (Indigenous Tourism BC/Kimberley Kufaas)

Indigenous tourism plays crucial role in promoting Island’s 50 First Nations

First Nations communities on Vancouver Island offer rich cultural experiences that tell the story of these lands

Dining at the Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy. (Indigenous Tourism BC/Kimberley Kufaas)
Woven artwork by Beverly Hancock. (Beverly Hancock)

‘It is magical’: repurposed art growing in B.C. along with eco-consciousness

As environmental concerns permeate the arts community, artists embrace a freeing era of art-making

Woven artwork by Beverly Hancock. (Beverly Hancock)
Sidney resident Courtney MacMurchyher is feeling the benefits of a trip to Barcelona in Oct. 2023 for surgery to help with her rare disease, Chiari malformation. (Courtesy Maureen MacMurchyher)

Rarest day on the calendar draws attention to some of B.C.’s rarest diseases

Fundraiser allows access to treatment, outpouring boosts morale

Sidney resident Courtney MacMurchyher is feeling the benefits of a trip to Barcelona in Oct. 2023 for surgery to help with her rare disease, Chiari malformation. (Courtesy Maureen MacMurchyher)
Without a safe place to unpack and reframe, people who have been bullied may internalize painful beliefs that can manifest in a variety of self-protective behaviours in relationships, said registered therapeutic counsellor Marlie Philp. (Stock photo)

Pink Shirt Day: Bullying affects adults in B.C. too

Therapeutic counsellor says bullying is a common source of relational, emotional wounding

Without a safe place to unpack and reframe, people who have been bullied may internalize painful beliefs that can manifest in a variety of self-protective behaviours in relationships, said registered therapeutic counsellor Marlie Philp. (Stock photo)
Somatic sex coach Maxine Fischer gives insights into the cons of online dating, polyamoury, sex positivity and the barriers facing daters in Victoria. (Julia Di Paolo)

Looking for love B.C.: the complexities of connection on line and in the wild

From dating app letdowns to polyamoury, a glimpse into what dating is like in the modern West Coast

Somatic sex coach Maxine Fischer gives insights into the cons of online dating, polyamoury, sex positivity and the barriers facing daters in Victoria. (Julia Di Paolo)
In a move to show support for the Vancouver Island community, limited-edition merchandise with this special temporary VIWFC logo will be sold in the stadium at the Feb. 7 Starlight Stadium game. (Courtesy Whitecaps FC)

Fans surprised by ‘Vancouver Island’ Whitecaps as MLS squad hosts Mexican side

‘Caps announce temporary name change for Feb. 7 match just outside Victoria in Langford

In a move to show support for the Vancouver Island community, limited-edition merchandise with this special temporary VIWFC logo will be sold in the stadium at the Feb. 7 Starlight Stadium game. (Courtesy Whitecaps FC)
Director Atom Egoyan produced Salome for the Canadian Opera Company (COC) and Vancouver Opera in 1996 and 1997. His latest film “Seven Veils” tells a layered narrative of a fictional remount of the opera. (Ulysse del Drago)

B.C.’s Atom Egoyan intertwines opera, film in deeply personal ‘Seven Veils’

Director’s latest being screened at the 30th Victoria Film Festival

Director Atom Egoyan produced Salome for the Canadian Opera Company (COC) and Vancouver Opera in 1996 and 1997. His latest film “Seven Veils” tells a layered narrative of a fictional remount of the opera. (Ulysse del Drago)
Jinelle Woodley has been living with post-COVID syndrome for 21 months. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Life derailed: Long COVID still gnawing at B.C. long after pandemic fades

Long, slow path of a constrained self facing thousands dealing with lingering effects of the virus

Jinelle Woodley has been living with post-COVID syndrome for 21 months. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)
The Instagram feed of Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (Lauren Ashley Jiles) features this image of her Spider act. Costume: @manugeettoi Photo: @carl.theriault.photo

Glamour, power and punk rock defiance found in B.C. burlesque show

‘Burlesque has always been political and it’s always been radical but there’s an interesting shift’

The Instagram feed of Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (Lauren Ashley Jiles) features this image of her Spider act. Costume: @manugeettoi Photo: @carl.theriault.photo
Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)

Best Christmas movies to watch this holiday based on movie taste

From Hallmark heartfelt to a Silent Night of retribution, Christmas time brings noteworthy cinema

Klaus is an animated adventure comedy that explores how a simple act of kindness always sparks another. (Movie still)
The National Institutes of Health stated that roughly 20 per cent of dogs experienced separation anxiety pre-pandemic and vets estimate that number to be higher post-pandemic. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)

Pet separation anxiety grew amid the pandemic: here’s how to help

Pet experts give advice on helping reduce problematic behaviours

The National Institutes of Health stated that roughly 20 per cent of dogs experienced separation anxiety pre-pandemic and vets estimate that number to be higher post-pandemic. (Olivia Vanni/The Herald)
From left: Maureen, Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Wayne Ralph. The Ralph family, including daughter Kirstie (not pictured), has worked together to create Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)

Victoria Cider Co. took a risk making keeved cider, but the results set them apart

A lifelong dream creates prize-winning keeved cider

From left: Maureen, Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Wayne Ralph. The Ralph family, including daughter Kirstie (not pictured), has worked together to create Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)