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– by Doreen Marion Gee – Considering Shirley Lang’s commitment to altruistic ideals and compassionate social values in every aspect of her work, it is no surprise that she has been honoured with the 2014 Woman to Watch Award. A native Cree woman, her spirit name means Festival of the Raven. As an entrepreneur, Shirley

– by Susan Simosko – Marie Rosko believes women in business can have it all, and she should know. For the past 50 years, Marie has owned and managed multiple businesses, enjoyed a happy marriage, raised seven children, and made major contributions to the community. She is energy personified. Born in Edmonton but brought up

– by Gillian Crowley – The room buzzes with women talking about everything from the latest book they’ve read to golf scores, a hiking trip and the next education awards. These are the lively members of the Saanich Peninsula’s Canadian Federation of University Women club at their monthly meetings. Started in 1994 as a spin-off

– by Dr. Marita Schauch – Heart Disease and Stroke are two of the three leading causes of death in Canada. Every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies of heart disease or stroke (Stats Canada, 2011). Heart disease and stroke come with a hefty price tag: both cost the Canadian economy more than $20.9 billion

Publisher Sue Hodgson Talks With LifeSport Coach and Professional Athlete Lucy Smith. You participated in your first fun run at age 11, and since then you’ve had an outstanding career as a professional athlete: a 19-time Canadian Champion, a two-time World Championship Silver Medalist, and a myriad of podium finishes at international duathlon and running competitions.

– by Doreen Marion Gee –  March 2014 March 3 to April 28: French Songs and Playtime Excellent starter for parents and tots to learn to speak French together. Families enjoy traditional songs in a French environment. Mondays, 9:30 – 10:30am. 7/ $39. 11/2 – 3 years. Saanich Commonwealth Pool. www.saanich.ca 250.475.7600 March 10 to

by Adam Olsen Local small businesses are the lifeblood of every community, and the Saanich Peninsula is no exception. In fact, 99% of businesses in Canada are tiny by international standards. It’s an understatement to say that small business success is the most critical factor for a resilient economy, contributing jobs, innovation and diversity to

Among my earliest memories are bombs, rats in the air raid shelter, WWI servicemen, and the Poppy Factory. Until recently I thought the latter as much a myth as our family Homemade Cake Factory. Even though my mother pointed out a building not far from where we lived in Richmond, just outside London, as being “where the poppies are made.”For a week or two before Remembrance Day she would stand in the wind and rain selling those poppies to raise funds for veterans of both great wars.

by Linda M. Langwith The early pioneers of Brentwood Bay were a hardy lot, carving farms out of the forest, caring for their families, raising livestock, growing grain, and selling such staples as eggs, butter, milk and other foodstuffs to a growing population in Victoria. Even in those challenging times of long hours and hard