Stories

Words Stephanie Staples I said I would never do one, and now here I am writing about my fifth triathlon. Before you go and get too impressed – did you know that triathlons come in many different distances? I thought it was all or nothing, but I discovered a “Try-a-Tri”’ and a whole new world [...]

Words Jo Barnes Photo Tanya Murchie When is it too late to learn or follow your passions? As the members of the Peninsula musical trio, Anam Danu, would emphatically say: never! While the stereotype of a new band might be teenagers rehearsing in their parents’ garage, this local trio refutes that image by bringing a

Words Heidi Hackman & Colleen McNamee, District Career Coordinators, SD 63 Photo Sarah Hartley Photography School District is excited to be celebrating 15 years of our highly successful VIU/SD 63 Hairstylist program with the opening of the teaching salon, Studio 63. Over the years there have been many changes to make the program better for

Tabatha Golat, Editorial Director The ways we influence others aren’t always obvious. Often, it’s the smallest acts that leave the deepest impressions. My Grandma Noni, for example, decorates her ground-level patio for every holiday with handmade displays that bring her joy. What Noni never expected was the impact on those around her. A recent post

Happiness comes in many forms, and this month, I have been reminded of just how diverse and beautiful those moments can be. Take, for example, the pure joy captured in my photo with the Victoria Humane Society during our recent photoshoot. The unconditional love of animals, their trust and affection, is an instant source of

Words Jo Barnes Photos Marcel Qualizza Many of us try to confront our fears: skydiving out of a plane, climbing an icy vertical rockface, diving off a towering cliff into the water below, and for some, it’s going nose to beak with a chicken! Bev Qualizza has always had an innate fear of animals, but

Words Jesse Holth Photo Sarah Hartley Photography Upcycling is a crucial element of the circular economy – that is, making sure the items we use in our day-to-day life are repaired or repurposed rather than sending them to the landfill. Whether that means revitalizing an old piece of furniture with chalk paint or sourcing unique

Words Jamila Douhaibi Photo Tanya Murchie Lucy Lacet Stevens is one of those remarkable women that knew what she wanted to do at a young age, and made the dream a reality. Shy but passionate, she moved to Canada from Brazil in 2003 with her three boys and husband Richard. Her first job after the

Words Angie Vinueza, Marketing & Development Manager, Soap for Hope Canada With the rising cost of living, individuals facing financial insecurity have been forced to choose between essentials like food, housing, or hygiene. While many take personal care products for granted, thousands in our communities face daily struggles without access to soap, shampoo, toothpaste or