Local Entertainment

What started as an idea turned into almost an entire store full of vinyl records for a local father and son business team. Aaron Stone (centre) and his son Tyson Stone began selling records at their store Uforik Computers. Massimo Dagostini (left) holds one of his favourite albums beside them. (Duck Paterson photo)

Ladysmith computer store delves into vinyl records

‘The analog sound you get from vinyl is more sophisticated,’ said store owner Aaron Stone

  • Oct 12, 2021
Jeff and Rina Puska are planning a grand opening for their boutique and “cuddle farm” later in October. It features two sheep named Boots and O, among other animals. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

Vancouver Island family brings original children’s book to life

‘We wanted a place where people could just put their phones down and have this magical experience’

Alan Tudyk, as Harry Vanderspeigle, in downtown Ladysmith during recent shooting of the SyFyi series Resident Alien. Tudyk plays an alien who has come to earth to destroy the human race but is finding out that humans have a bit more to offer. (James Dittinger photo)

Resident Alien films in Ladysmith

‘What we saw in Ladysmith is a small town that has a feeling of embracing people’

  • Oct 5, 2021
Elise Boulanger released her first music video, It Started in the Garden, with the help of a provincial grant. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island artist promotes biodiversity with new music video

Elise Boulanger releases first music video with help from Creative BC grant

Elise Boulanger released her first music video, It Started in the Garden, with the help of a provincial grant. (Submitted photo)
Maynard Johnny Jr. created this steering paddle orca design using a playful colour palette and as he was painting the fun colours it reminded him of how playful and happy his granddaughter is, therefore becoming granddaughter orca. “I’m proud to be a part of the Coast Salish Renaissance and perpetuating the style to the forefront of the West Coast Native Art world,” he noted. (Photo submitted)

Coast Salish artist’s colourful design selected for newest BC Ferries vessel

Maynard Johnny Jr. honoured for his vision for the Salish Heron

Maynard Johnny Jr. created this steering paddle orca design using a playful colour palette and as he was painting the fun colours it reminded him of how playful and happy his granddaughter is, therefore becoming granddaughter orca. “I’m proud to be a part of the Coast Salish Renaissance and perpetuating the style to the forefront of the West Coast Native Art world,” he noted. (Photo submitted)
Skye Skagfeld spruces up the walls with some fresh paint in the gallery where her paintings are going to be hung during an upcoming show. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Sail away with Skagfeld in her latest art exhibit

Another seasonal change also marked by nautical inspiration

Skye Skagfeld spruces up the walls with some fresh paint in the gallery where her paintings are going to be hung during an upcoming show. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Paul Manly takin’ it to the streets during campaigning. (Photo by Sean Wood)

Manly vows to retain crucial seat for the Green Party

Nanaimo-Ladysmith identified as one of the key races in the Sept. 20 federal election

Paul Manly takin’ it to the streets during campaigning. (Photo by Sean Wood)
Nanaimo acting coach Jacqui Kaese won her first Leo award for casting the Vancouver Island-made film ‘All-In Madonna.’ (Photo submitted)

Cassidy acting coach wins B.C. film award for casting Island film

Jacqui Kaese receives first Leo Award for work on film ‘All-In Madonna’

Nanaimo acting coach Jacqui Kaese won her first Leo award for casting the Vancouver Island-made film ‘All-In Madonna.’ (Photo submitted)
Decorations were hung with care around downtown Vernon for a new film being shot in town Aug. 9, 2021. (Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce photo)

Christmas movie filming in Vernon transforms downtown into winter wonderland

Three Hallmark films and one Lifetime being shot in Okanagan

Decorations were hung with care around downtown Vernon for a new film being shot in town Aug. 9, 2021. (Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce photo)
Ladysmith author and illustrator Brittany Leonard co-wrote and published The Life of a Shadow with her father Mel Leonard. (Cole Schisler photo)

Local author publishes new children’s book: The Life of a Shadow

Brittany Leonard collaborated with her father Mel to bring a childhood bedtime story to life

Ladysmith author and illustrator Brittany Leonard co-wrote and published The Life of a Shadow with her father Mel Leonard. (Cole Schisler photo)
Jonathan Scott’s documentary Power Trip, explored the obstacles in bringing solar energy to every household. (PBS/Special to THE NEWS)

One of B.C.’s Property Brothers nominated for Independent Lens award

Winner to be determined through audience votes on July 22

Jonathan Scott’s documentary Power Trip, explored the obstacles in bringing solar energy to every household. (PBS/Special to THE NEWS)
Chemainus is the 79th episode for Jonny Harris of Still Standing. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)

Still Standing with Jonny Harris still has legs

Host of the popular TV show brings educational comedy into his presentations

Chemainus is the 79th episode for Jonny Harris of Still Standing. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)
Maynard Johnny being interviewed by another Jonny, Jonny Harris, for the Still Standing TV show across from the waterwheel Monday. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)

Still Standing crew and host Harris seen around Chemainus Monday

Footage being compiled for the popular program to be broadcast in January 2022

Maynard Johnny being interviewed by another Jonny, Jonny Harris, for the Still Standing TV show across from the waterwheel Monday. (Photo by Chris Armstrong)
Nanaimo children’s book author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book, ‘Candy Bar War,’ recounts the time children protested the rising price of chocolate. A mural commemorating the protest is on display in Chemainus. (Photo courtesy Joseph Lyons)

Nanaimo author tells true story of Ladysmith kids protesting rising candy prices

Writer and illustrator Lindsay Ford presents latest book, ‘Candy Bar War’

Nanaimo children’s book author and illustrator Lindsay Ford’s latest book, ‘Candy Bar War,’ recounts the time children protested the rising price of chocolate. A mural commemorating the protest is on display in Chemainus. (Photo courtesy Joseph Lyons)
The Crofton trailer park home where the bodies of two people were found. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Mom still waiting for answers after daughter and her fiance found dead in Crofton

Pair discovered dead in their Crofton home in May identified as Rachel Gardner and Paul Jenkins

The Crofton trailer park home where the bodies of two people were found. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Chilliwack’s Matt Johnson was strapped into a straight jacket and hung by his ankles upside down, and had less than two minutes to free himself before two spinning saw blades fell. (America’s Got Talent video)

VIDEO: Chilliwack escape artist Matt Johnson dazzles judges on America’s Got Talent

Johnson brought a packed auditorium to its feet with a death-defying stunt

Chilliwack’s Matt Johnson was strapped into a straight jacket and hung by his ankles upside down, and had less than two minutes to free himself before two spinning saw blades fell. (America’s Got Talent video)
Mid Island Lego Users Group co-founders Krista Simpson and Laura Hawley and their members created a Lego pride parade on display this month outside Nanaimo Wellington Library. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo Lego fans celebrate Pride Month with miniature pride parade display

Three-by-six-foot scene on display outside Nanaimo Wellington Library through June

Mid Island Lego Users Group co-founders Krista Simpson and Laura Hawley and their members created a Lego pride parade on display this month outside Nanaimo Wellington Library. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)
From left to right: Vicki Barta, Bruce Ormond, Greg Heide, Gord McInnis, and Charles Harman rehearse via zoom for the upcoming radio play, “Visitor from Planet Zoltan”. (Submitted photo)

Radio plays prove successful for Ladysmith Little Theatre, four more in production

Ladysmith Little Theatre pivoted to producing radio plays during the pandemic

From left to right: Vicki Barta, Bruce Ormond, Greg Heide, Gord McInnis, and Charles Harman rehearse via zoom for the upcoming radio play, “Visitor from Planet Zoltan”. (Submitted photo)
Chemainus Art Group creates mural mosaic to celebrate a joyful spring. (Photo submitted)

Art group members celebrate a joyful spring in Chemainus

Each of 33 squares pushed together into one mural

  • Apr 12, 2021
Chemainus Art Group creates mural mosaic to celebrate a joyful spring. (Photo submitted)
“Taste The Bread!” declares Walter Rasmussen, the mayor of fictional Windward, Washington (Haig Sutherland) during filming of The Baker’s Son in Chemainus Friday. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Parallels between Chemainus and fictional town evident in Hallmark movie

Tourism boost likely down the road from publicity after a week of filming

“Taste The Bread!” declares Walter Rasmussen, the mayor of fictional Windward, Washington (Haig Sutherland) during filming of The Baker’s Son in Chemainus Friday. (Photo by Don Bodger)