Dawn Gibson

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A hooded oriole was spotted visiting a feeder in Sidney, by resident Stan Coe. The photo has been flagged on the BC Rare Bird Alert website. (Photo courtesy of Stan Coe)

Rare bird spotted at Vancouver Island backyard feeder

You never know what kind of flying friend you might draw in,…

A hooded oriole was spotted visiting a feeder in Sidney, by resident Stan Coe. The photo has been flagged on the BC Rare Bird Alert website. (Photo courtesy of Stan Coe)
Eli, left, Brent, Lindsay and Ava Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Wilson)

West Shore families share experience in raising a child with autism

Two families reveal some parallels, but circumstances are different for everyone

Eli, left, Brent, Lindsay and Ava Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Wilson)
Hamels Fabrics & Quilting is set to open on April 6 in Sooke. The shop is located at 2044 Otter Point Road. (Mark Martins/Pixabay)

Fabric and quilting store opens doors in Sooke

Shop is filled with all kinds of ‘bright, bold and cheery’ designs

Hamels Fabrics & Quilting is set to open on April 6 in Sooke. The shop is located at 2044 Otter Point Road. (Mark Martins/Pixabay)
The Parents Advisory Committee at View Royal Elementary School are hosting a bottle drive on April 10 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All proceeds made from the fundraiser will go towards replacing the swings at the school. (View Royal Elementary site)

View Royal Elementary School parents host spring bottle drive for swings

Proceeds from fundraiser go towards building new swings at the school

The Parents Advisory Committee at View Royal Elementary School are hosting a bottle drive on April 10 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All proceeds made from the fundraiser will go towards replacing the swings at the school. (View Royal Elementary site)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood Fire Rescue refreshes public on burning bylaws

No open burning, fire appliances allowed from sunrise to 10 p.m. when fire risk rating is low

(Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke author Beverley Elliott is bringing awareness to autism with her newly published book, Greyson’s Shoes. This is the first book Elliott has published, but she intends to create more in the future. (Photo courtesy of Beverly Elliott)

Sooke author shines light on autism in new children’s book

Beverley Elliott hopes book can be used as tool to bring awareness and understanding around autism

Sooke author Beverley Elliott is bringing awareness to autism with her newly published book, Greyson’s Shoes. This is the first book Elliott has published, but she intends to create more in the future. (Photo courtesy of Beverly Elliott)
The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, has been filming in Langford and Colwood over the past two weeks. On April 7, filming will take place on the east side of the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Black Press Media file)

Netflix series ‘Maid’ filming in Colwood

10-episode Warner Bros. production filmed exclusively in Greater Victoria

The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, has been filming in Langford and Colwood over the past two weeks. On April 7, filming will take place on the east side of the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Black Press Media file)
Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University in Colwood. (Black Press Media file)

Royal Roads University in Colwood rolls out spring webinars

Multiple free virtual sessions to take place throughout April

Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University in Colwood. (Black Press Media file)
Colwood Fire Rescue (Black Press Media file)

Colwood fire called to gas leak at Wishart Elementary

Problem resolved quickly, students returned to class safely

Colwood Fire Rescue (Black Press Media file)
On March 29, Metchosin council held a public engagement workshop, to discuss best practices of bylaw enforcement and investigation policies. (Black Press Media file)

Metchosin reviews bylaw enforcement policies

Residents give input at March 29 meeting; more public engagement sessions to come

On March 29, Metchosin council held a public engagement workshop, to discuss best practices of bylaw enforcement and investigation policies. (Black Press Media file)
Canadian Tire announced a $12 million commitment to the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund, which will help support around 300 organizations nationally. The Victoria YMCA-YWCA and Victoria Synchro Swim Club were given a total of $28,500. (Black Press Media file)

Canadian Tire pitches in for Greater Victoria sports organizations

Applications open for next round of Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund grants

Canadian Tire announced a $12 million commitment to the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund, which will help support around 300 organizations nationally. The Victoria YMCA-YWCA and Victoria Synchro Swim Club were given a total of $28,500. (Black Press Media file)
Wild ARC and the BC SPCA highlighted ways we can keep baby birds safe this spring, as nesting season is in full effect from March to July. (Photo from the Wild ARC Facebook Page)

B.C. wildlife groups hatch tips on keeping baby birds safe this spring

BC SPCA, Wild ARC identify signs to look for when you see a stray baby bird

Wild ARC and the BC SPCA highlighted ways we can keep baby birds safe this spring, as nesting season is in full effect from March to July. (Photo from the Wild ARC Facebook Page)
A rare Hooded Oriole was spotted visiting a hummingbird feeder in Sidney, by resident Stan Coe. The photo has been flagged on the BC Rare Bird Alert website, stating the bird was visiting Coe’s property from Feb. 16 to March 17, but has not been seen again since. (Photo courtesy of Stan Coe)

Rare bird spotted visiting a backyard feeder in Sidney

Hooded 0rioles are generally found in hotter climates, local bird watcher says

A rare Hooded Oriole was spotted visiting a hummingbird feeder in Sidney, by resident Stan Coe. The photo has been flagged on the BC Rare Bird Alert website, stating the bird was visiting Coe’s property from Feb. 16 to March 17, but has not been seen again since. (Photo courtesy of Stan Coe)
Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation. (Black Press Media file)

Victoria Foundation opens applications for next round of Community Recovery Program

Recovery program supports organizations impacted by the pandemic

Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation. (Black Press Media file)
Western Speedway changed names to Westshore Speedway for the upcoming 2021-22 seasons. Operations are set to continue at Westshore Speedway until 2022. (CBRE Victoria)

Western Speedway revs up with name change

Operations set to continue at the racetrack until 2022

Western Speedway changed names to Westshore Speedway for the upcoming 2021-22 seasons. Operations are set to continue at Westshore Speedway until 2022. (CBRE Victoria)
A new bottle drop was created for Wild ARC by Elite Self Storage, so the animal rehabilitation centre can now accept donations in the form of bottles and cans. (Facebook/Wild ARC)

New bottle drop created to support work of Wild ARC in Metchosin

Animal rehabilitation centre can now accept donations in form of bottles and cans

A new bottle drop was created for Wild ARC by Elite Self Storage, so the animal rehabilitation centre can now accept donations in the form of bottles and cans. (Facebook/Wild ARC)
The Spirit of Vancouver Island vessel docked at the Tsawwassen terminal. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Ferries vessel returns to dock, passenger detained by RCMP for violating COVID-19 orders

Spirit of Vancouver Island from Swartz Bay delayed, passenger ticketed

The Spirit of Vancouver Island vessel docked at the Tsawwassen terminal. (Black Press Media file photo)
The City of Langford extended sidewalk use permits, enabling restaurants and retail businesses to extend operations onto sidewalks, boulevards and other common areas, on a single permit for up to three years. The previous bylaw required businesses to renew their sidewalk use permit annually. (Black Press Media file)

Langford extends sidewalk use permits

Bylaw now allows businesses to renew sidewalk use permit after three years, rather than annually

The City of Langford extended sidewalk use permits, enabling restaurants and retail businesses to extend operations onto sidewalks, boulevards and other common areas, on a single permit for up to three years. The previous bylaw required businesses to renew their sidewalk use permit annually. (Black Press Media file)
In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)

Giant marine worms rising from burrows along Vancouver Island coast

Triggered by a lunar cue, the shallow water marine worms wiggle up into water column to mate

In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)
Farmers markets across the region are getting their ducks in a row for opening day. Most are planning a modified setup to continue complying with provincial health restrictions. (Photo courtesy of the Goldstream Market)

West Shore and Sooke farmers’ markets gear up for opening day

Markets modified to comply with health restrictions

Farmers markets across the region are getting their ducks in a row for opening day. Most are planning a modified setup to continue complying with provincial health restrictions. (Photo courtesy of the Goldstream Market)