How Victoria Earned Its ‘Second Coolest’ Crown

Tofino just changed their downtown parking rules from parking to paid parking. While some concerns over affordability for residents were raised before the change was made, the expected $220,000+ in city revenue was too large to pass up for most of the City Council. “Frankly, people paying downtown will largely be tourists. There will be some residents, but most likely residents have the opportunity to avoid the downtown because they’re not here on holiday, and they can make other choices,” said Aaron Rodgers, Tofino’s Director of Infrastructure and Public Works, in a meeting. However, new concerns have been raised now that paid parking has been implemented. Residents from Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Ahousaht communities rely on the 110 allocated offshore parking spots to safely leave their vehicles while they travel home by boat or seaplane. Forty of these spots are given to Tla-o-qui-aht, according to the District of Tofino. However, new signage has led to confusion for both locals and tourists. To avoid the pay parking, some tourists park in the offshore spots, which were previously clearly indicated as such. “Even if we have a valid permit hanging on our rearview mirror, we have nowhere to park,” lamented Ahousaht resident Curt McLeod to Ha-Shilth-Sa. He has even seen vehicles with Washington and Alberta plates using these spots. Until recently, residents could park almost anywhere if the offshore spots were taken, but now all other parking spots are paid, so offshore residents run the risk of tickets or towing. In response to the concerns, the District of Tofino has said they know of the limited parking in the downtown core and are committed to working with offshore communities for a long-term solution. However, in an email, the city stated it is “aware that parking is limited in the downtown core and cannot meet the demands of everyone.” They emphasized that all drivers must comply with the posted time restrictions. Offshore permits are free and valid for one year, and residents can obtain them at the Tofino municipal office or register online with their license plate number and proof of offshore residency. But there is not much point in having an offshore permit if tourists fill the allotted spaces. The offshore parking spaces are available on a “first come, first served” basis. Permit holders may park in unrestricted areas or time-limited spots with the applicable fee if there is no offshore parking. McLeod highlighted the importance of the offshore areas for residents. “If there weren’t offshore areas…we wouldn’t be able to park in Tofino. That’s really our parking lot down there.” The change has confused everyone, and offshore residents hope for a resolution soon.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, underwater cinematographer and editor John Roney’s travel plans were shelved. So the Parksville resident decided to take his camera and capture local marine life. “I realized I had the opportunity to just hone in and film our local wildlife rather than travelling abroad and capturing the more famous tropical creatures,” says Roney. After two years of documenting the waters off of Vancouver Island comes the short film Beneath the Pacific Northwest. “It was filmed all over Vancouver Island, a lot in Victoria, up in Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay area, some even in the north island,” says Roney. “Really what made the cut for me was trying to fit in the animals that people didn’t already know about.” Just weeks after its release on YouTube and other online platforms the video is already drawing rave reviews. “The reception’s been awesome from both locals and around the world, so that’s been really cool,” says Roney. Roney hopes that the project helps educate islanders and British Columbians alike about the beauty that lies beneath the waves. “I think people don’t realize that we do have some of the best scuba diving in the world,” says Roney. “Most people think of Vancouver Island as having murky dark waters and the visibility is pretty poor, but at the same time the amount of colour is just amazing.” To see the full video and to see more of Roney’s work, visit his website [https://www.roneydives.com/].

Whether you love it or hate it, of all the sports news, none seems to generate funnier headlines than Pickleball does. The exciting mix of tennis and ping pong has a generous fan club in the gulf islands – and a just as prominent group of haters. The reason for so many people’s vehement distaste for what most would simply view as a fun game is the record level of noise it can generate. Unlike tennis, which uses a relatively soft and furry ball, pickle palls are made of hard plastic, producing an almost gunshot-like sound with every hit. The noise can be so bad that it induces some pretty crazy behaviour from those living near a court – a Chilliwack couple just went so far as a week-long hunger strike in protest of the pickleball courts near them. Yikes. While no one has yet had to resort to a hunger strike, residents across the Island have staged their own forms of protest. On Mayne Island, a BC Supreme Court judge recently dismissed a case involving a group of tennis players who had tried to take over two tennis courts to prevent people from playing Pickleball there. Although the case has gone away, the struggle over the courts created a genuine rift between Mayne Islanders. “It’s been quite devastating,” Adrian Gowing, Mayne Island Tennis Association president, told CBC News. “You know, we’re in our little village here. At times we get on the ferries to go places, and now you’re sort of looking around going, ‘Oh, I don’t want to talk to that person, I don’t want to talk to that person.’ It’s become quite uncomfortable,” said Gowing. On the other hand, Pickleball has been gaining a massive following in the Comox Valley and seems to be bringing the community together. “Pickleball is fun….. Pickleball is competitive….. Pickleball is recreational….. Pickleball is social; Pickleball is anything you want it to be!.. YOU WILL LOVE IT!” says the uber-enthusiastic Comox Valley Pickleball [https://www.facebook.com/cvpickleball.ca] group on their Facebook page. They host weekly skill sessions and don’t seem to have gotten any public flack over generating noise – likely because the courts are mainly indoors and out of residential earshot. In recognition of National Pickleball Day, the Comox Valley group is hosting an Open House at the Rotary Highlands Pickleball Courts for their 500 group members and anyone else that would like to join! Will this be your new favourite sport? Or do you hate Pickleball just as much as pickles? Let us know in the comments.

October 3, 1936 – October 22, 2025 With broken hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Frank Andrew Herman on October 22nd in Nanaimo, B.C. at the age of 89. Above all else, Frank loved his family and will be deeply missed by his children Craig (Tina) and Lynda (Larry), and his two grandsons, Liam and Dawson. He is survived by his sister, Sharon and preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Patricia, his brother, Edison, and his dear friend, Joan. Born in Nanaimo to his parents John and Josephine (Andre), Frank graduated from NDSS in 1956. Frank met Pat in 1958, and they married in 1959. Frank was trained as a Registered Industrial Accountant and his career with McMillan Bloedel began in 1957 in Port Hardy. As his career progressed, he became a Logging Division Manager, and lived in Ucluelet, Port Alberni and Campbell River. Frank retired from McMillan Bloedel in 1991. As a side endeavor, in 1970, Frank, together with 3 partners, developed Arbutus Point Estates (now known as Madrona Point in Nanoose B.C.) Having been successful with that venture, they then went on to build a development at Fairwinds, including the Fairwinds Golf Club in 1979. Frank and Pat loved to travel the world, with his favorite destination being Australia. One of his highlights was being able to brand cattle on the Australian Outback! Another favorite pastime was fishing, where he enjoyed many adventures with Craig. Frank will be remembered as a loving, kind, generous and devoted father, Bubba and friend to many. His quick wit will be missed by all. His family is grateful for the incredible care and support from the staff members at Berwick on the Lake in Nanaimo. At Franks’s request, there will be no funeral service, but a celebration of life will take place at a later date.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Kelly Brian McKenzie on October 14th, 2025, at the age of 66. He was predeceased by his beloved grandparents who raised him, Hugh and Bessie McKenzie; his father, Rex McKenzie; and his uncles Doug and Hughie McKenzie, and Clint Unwin. He is survived by his partner of 14 years, Kathy Sarrasin; her children, Jeremy (and family) and Jaclyn Sarrasin; his brothers, Michael, Sean, Collin, Kevin (Rebecca), Graham, and Aaron; and his aunt, Nita Unwin, whom he always thought of as a big sister. He is also lovingly remembered by numerous other family members and friends. Also missing him deeply is his Chihuahua, Eli — they were inseparable. Kelly drove transit in Nanaimo for 36 years. He retired 8 years ago and enjoyed every minute of it. Kelly loved animals, the outdoors, Island drives and adventures, kayaking at Spider Lake, and playing his guitars. Kelly will be laid to rest at Cedar Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Family and close friends will be notified.

For the second year in a row, the UVic Vikes women’s rugby team came up just short in the U Sports national championship, losing 15-13 to the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 2. The low-scoring final was a nail-biter, and fourth-overall meeting on the season between UVic and UBC. The Vikes had beat the Thunderbirds in all of those occasions, including a 18-17 win in the Canada West final on Oct. 19. But, on Nov. 2, the host Thunderbirds got the upper-hand. In the dying seconds, Claremont Secondary School graduate Adia Pye scored the game-winning try for UBC, sealing the Vikes’ fate. > The crowd goes wild!???? Adia Pye scores a breathtaking try, putting UBC ahead! > > La foule est en délire!????Adia Pye marque un essai époustouflant, mettre > @ubctbirds [https://twitter.com/ubctbirds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] avant ! > > > > > > > Watch live ???? Regardez en direct : https://t.co/B2EnlWxShC > [https://t.co/B2EnlWxShC] > > UBC: 15 > UVic: 13#ChaseTheGlory > [https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChaseTheGlory?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] | > #ViserHaut > [https://twitter.com/hashtag/ViserHaut?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] > pic.twitter.com/j2BVYfIOlR [https://t.co/j2BVYfIOlR] > > — U SPORTS Rugby (@USPORTS_Rugby) November 3, 2025 > [https://twitter.com/USPORTS_Rugby/status/1985159087705792577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw] “I want to start off by saying that UVic are an absolutely outstanding team,” said UBC head coach Dean Murten. “They’ve got some world-class players, they’re well-coached, they’re aggressive defensively and knew it was going to come down to the wire, but not the last play of the game, absolutely not.” The Vikes entered the tournament with strong credentials, coming in as the number one ranked team in the country. On the individual side, Olympic silver medalist, Carissa Norsten was named U Sports player of the year, while head coach Brittany Waters received U Sports coach of the year. “She comes to practice early, she works as hard as anyone in this league,” Waters said before the tournament. “You often see the superstars get the recognition, and with this one, it really is so well-deserved. She’s a leader for our group in more ways than one.” Norsten, along with Olivia Newsome, Justine Blatt-Janmaat, Emily Findlay and Sierra Gillis, earned spots on the tournament all-star team. Victoria opened the U Sports Final 8 tournament with a 41-8 victory over the University of Ottawa, followed by a 42-0 semifinal win against the University of Guelph.

The Nanaimo African Herage Society put fairy tales front and centre in royal tea party, at which attendees got to dance and hear stories about women of colour who have contributed to B.C.’s heritage. On Oct. 19, Elsa from Frozen, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Snow White and more gave local children a show, joining them for tea and activities. Queen Shalema’s Princess Tea Party is an annual event hosted by the society, giving opportunities for children to hang out with their movie heroes – including not only princesses, but also a guest apperance from Spider-Man. In a press release following the event, Shalema Gantt, founder of the the Nanaimo African Heritage Society, said the event was well-attended.

When Ladysmith artist Sarah Leo began fainting without warning, she didn’t know if she’d ever get her health — or her rhythm — back. For two months, she lost consciousness regularly. Doctors never found a clear cause, but the experience forced her to rebuild from the inside out. “It took everything in my power to get myself back healthy,” she said, sitting in the cosy studio of her Ladysmith home. “This is the next chapter of my life because of that.” This chapter is one filled with art. Her creative projects span music, poetry and painting, but it’s her custom jean jackets that have become Ladysmith legends. Born in New Westminster and raised mostly in Edmonton, Leo’s family moved to Vancouver Island when she was 10. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts followed by a Bachelor of Education. She went on to teach high school, but the realities of the classroom and long evenings of marking left no time for her own creative practice. “I loved encouraging kids to believe in themselves,” she says. “But I realized I needed to take my own advice.” Then her body forced the issue. Leo began fainting several times a day. Once, when she collapsed at home, she called out to her Alexa smart speaker for help. The device connected her with her husband at work, who called a neighbour to help. Those were dark days filled with health issues and uncertainty, but Leo leaned on music to stay grounded. “I had never really listened to blues music before,” she said. “It’s people singing about their pain, and yet when they leave the stage, they’ve done something. They’ve transmuted that negative feeling and they’ve helped other people feel human.” That process of taking pain and turning it into something that helps others became central to her own recovery. “Art has always given me a way to feel better. Every challenge I’ve gone through, art has helped me get to a healthy place.” She painted, she sang, she took photos and she created a different kind of lesson plan: not one for her students, but for herself. She built what she calls her Bliss Checklist [https://sarahleoartist.weebly.com/-bliss-checklist.html], which includes music first thing in the morning, gratitude before coffee, a deep, slow breathing practice and more. That shift set the stage for an artistic breakthrough that started, quite literally, in her closet. On a previous vacation to Tofino, she had fallen in love with a thrifted jean jacket that made her feel amazing when she tried it on. She brought it home, hung it up and forgot about it. Fast forward to postpartum depression, health issues and a closet full of clothes that no longer fit. One day she came across the jacket and remembered how good it had felt in that moment in Tofino. “I found it, put it on, and I breathed the biggest sigh of relief that I’d felt in a very long time,” she recalled. “I wore it around the house like a lunatic for two weeks. I felt great. I felt like myself. I started going out again. I was going for walks. I thought to myself, ‘I have to give other people this feeling.’ Then I was like, ‘Hey, I could paint on these.’” And she did. The result is custom-painted jean jackets that make the wearer feel like a rock star. Each jacket order begins with a questionnaire Leo sends to her new client. “I ask, How do you want to feel in it?” she said. Clients provide their own jacket or choose from her inventory. Leo creates each piece digitally, projects her design onto the fabric, and then paints it with acrylics mixed with a fabric medium. Her signature style features text above and below a central image, with colour that seems to glow. Her clients are mostly local, and when she has stock, she sells in stores, but most of her business is direct and through her website [https://sarahleoartist.weebly.com/]. For now, her creations turn heads around town, but she’d love to see one on a red carpet someday and dreams of creating jackets for celebrity clients. The jackets range from $120 to $220 per jacket, but the real currency is emotional. Leo lives for the moment when a customer sees her completed work for the first time. She usually mails her creations, but not always. “Sometimes I drive the extra mile just to see the reaction,” she said. “They dance around, they scream, their eyes start tearing. It makes me feel so fulfilled to provide something that makes somebody feel that comfortable in their own skin.” That feeling is something Leo fought hard to attain for herself, always via her art. In addition to her jean jacket business, Leo is now an in-demand singer. She performs at venues across Vancouver Island, from galleries and universities to restaurants and bars. Her goal has never been about recognition. “It’s about how much impact I can leave in the places I’ve been.” Now thriving in both life and art, Leo makes her home a creative haven with her husband, Chek TV journalist Tchadas Leo [https://tchadasleo.ca/], and their young son. The family stays rooted in Ladysmith, a community Sarah credits for both inspiration and support. “It was the first place I really felt accepted,” she said. “People here take care of each other.” Surrounded by a caring community, Leo found the safety and support to care for herself. Now she’s inspiring others to do the same. “If I take care of me, I take care of everybody,” she said. It’s a philosophy that turned her own healing into art, and her art into healing for others, one song, one poem, one jacket at a time. web1_sarah-leo-before-and-after-sized [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/11/web1_sarah-leo-before-and-after-sized.jpg;w=960]Now and then. Artist Sarah Leo stands with two of her hand-painted jean jackets — one created during a period of illness and depression, and another made after she found healing through art.