Sooke Region Lifelong Learning

10/08/2026

"Often the biggest bully in our lives is our own internal dialogue.” If this rings true, you’re not alone – and this session on Thursday, October 29, is designed with you in mind. Join us for a warm, supportive, and engaging workshop focused on understanding and gently transforming the inner critic. We’ll explore why our internal dialogue can become harsh, how it shapes our sense of self, and what it means to shift toward a more compassionate inner voice. Through guided reflection, experiential exercises, and practical tools, you’ll learn the theory behind self-compassion and accessible strategies for nurturing a kinder, more grounded relationship with yourself. No experience with mindfulness or reflective practice is required – just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore.

Thursday, October 29, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

Dr. Jeff Halvorsen, PhD, RSW (he/him), is of Norwegian, Scottish, and German ancestry and grateful to live on the unceded territory of the T’Sou-Ke First Nation since 2020. Jeff has worked supporting people who have been unhoused as well as those who have experienced gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. He recently started in private practice at Riverstone Counselling in Sooke.

10/08/2026

Aging can bring meaningful new chapters in life but also involve significant change. Transitions such as retirement, relocation, caregiving, health changes, and grief all influence emotional and physical well-being. This interactive session on Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 to 3 p.m., explores how stress affects mind and body, and how our nervous system responds over time. You’ll gain a clearer understanding of stress, common thinking patterns that can arise during aging, and the connection between emotional experiences and physical tension. The session also includes simple, optional, chair-based movement practices designed to help you experience how gentle movement can support relaxation, awareness, calm, and grounding. You’ll leave with practical, evidence-informed tools to navigate life transitions with more resilience and self-understanding. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

Lihua Shao is a counsellor, educator, and certified fitness trainer based in Sooke. A registered Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling – Provisional with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association, Lihua integrates evidence-informed approaches, including CBT, trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, and somatic awareness. Lihua has also taught senior chair exercise in Sooke, Shirley, and East Sooke for the past five years.

10/08/2026

📕📗📘 This fall, the SRLL Book Club asks the big question: How can we survive and thrive in community with others? Two books endeavour to answer that question with wisdom, heart, and humour. The first, on Friday, October 23, is the New York Times bestseller Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman, which sets out to prove humanity does indeed thrive in a crisis. The second, on Friday, November 20, is Commune by Denman Island journalist, broadcaster, author and environmental activist Des Kennedy, a fictional memoir about the joys and sorrows of life in an intentional community in the 1970s. Both books are available, either as book sets, individual books, or online at our local library system. You can also borrow a copy of Humankind at a Greater Victoria Library location by using your BC One card.

📕📗📘 Fridays, October 23, and November 20, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room

As a Canadian media correspondent, Tim Traynor carried out assignments in international journalism. He later worked for federal government departments in the fields of foreign affairs, energy, and international cultural relations.

10/04/2026

💻 The internet is a valuable tool, but it also attracts scammers who target people every day. This one-session workshop on Tuesday, October 13, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room will help seniors recognize phishing emails, fraudulent websites, and common online scams. Together, we'll explore trusted resources such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, Reddit community discussions, Snopes, and other fact-checking tools to verify businesses and identify suspicious activity.

Through practical examples and easy-to-follow tips, presenter Desiree Ingram will show you how to evaluate online offers, protect your personal information, and browse the internet with greater confidence, safety, and peace of mind. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To check out our other sessions, go to sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Desiree Ingram is a web developer and digital consultant. She creates accessible websites and delivers practical education that helps older adults recognize online scams, protect their personal information, and safely enjoy the internet’s benefits through informed, confident decision-making.

💻 The internet is a valuable tool, but it also attracts scammers who target people every day. This one-session workshop on Tuesday, October 13, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room will help seniors recognize phishing emails, fraudulent websites, and common online scams. Together, we'll explore trusted resources such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, Reddit community discussions, Snopes, and other fact-checking tools to verify businesses and identify suspicious activity. Through practical examples and easy-to-follow tips, presenter Desiree Ingram will show you how to evaluate online offers, protect your personal information, and browse the internet with greater confidence, safety, and peace of mind. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To check out our other sessions, go to https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Desiree Ingram is a web developer and digital consultant. She creates accessible websites and delivers practical education that helps older adults recognize online scams, protect their personal information, and safely enjoy the internet’s benefits through informed, confident decision-making.

10/04/2026

The second of Cathy Tremain's soul-stitching classes is happening on Friday, October 16, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room. Participants can continue with the making of the “quillow” (pillow quilt). Crafters can bring their work-in-progress squares or new squares, with the opportunity to make more from provided materials. The group will have a chance to see the finished pieces to date and decide what to do with the completed artwork; either donate it or sell it to raise funds for a local charity. New participants are welcome, and Cathy encourages everyone to come with their own sewing projects for show-and-tell. Registration is limited to 20 so register early. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To learn about our other programs, visit us at sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Self-taught seamstress Cathryn Tremain enjoys exploring the history of garments and styles and the joy of sewing her own clothes. She is often seen out and about in her colourful quilted coat. The first quilt she entered into a local show won first prize; she’s enjoyed quilting ever since.

Cathy Tremain is back for another soul-stitching class! On Friday, October 2, 1:30 to 3 p.m.,at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room, participants from the Spring 26 session can continue with the making of the “quillow” (pillow quilt). Crafters can bring their work-in-progress squares or new squares, with the opportunity to make more from provided materials. The group will have a chance to see the finished pieces to date and decide what to do with the completed artwork; either donate it or sell it to raise funds for a local charity. New participants are welcome, and Cathy encourages everyone to come with their own sewing projects for show-and-tell. Registration is limited to 20 so register early. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To learn about our other programs, visit us at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Self-taught seamstress Cathryn Tremain enjoys exploring the history of garments and styles and the joy of sewing her own clothes. She is often seen out and about in her colourful quilted coat. The first quilt she entered into a local show won first prize; she’s enjoyed quilting ever since.

10/04/2026

🚩🚩🚩Coming up this Tuesday! October 6, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room!

Grandparents play an important role when families experience separation and divorce. In this presentation, you’ll learn to recognize the signs and impacts of parental alienation. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of the challenges children face during family transitions.
The session, led by Certified Divorce Coach Karissa Parrish, will provide practical strategies for maintaining healthy relationships with grandchildren, supporting adult children without getting caught in conflict, and navigating changing family dynamics. Attendees also receive information about communication techniques, boundary-setting, and available resources for families. The goal is to empower grandparents to remain a stable, supportive presence in their grandchildren’s lives during times of change. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce. To register, please email [email protected]. To learn about our other programs, please go to our website at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Karissa Parrish is a Certified Divorce Coach who has run her own home-based business for the past nine years in Sooke. She is passionate about helping people transition from marriage to new lives as divorcees with peace and confidence. She focuses on helping reduce the trauma children may experience and stemming the financial hemorrhaging that can occur during this phase of life.

Grandparents play an important role when families experience separation and divorce. In this presentation Tuesday, October 6, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room, you’ll learn to recognize the signs and impacts of parental alienation. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of the challenges children face during family transitions. The session, led by Certified Divorce Coach Karissa Parrish, will provide practical strategies for maintaining healthy relationships with grandchildren, supporting adult children without getting caught in conflict, and navigating changing family dynamics. Attendees also receive information about communication techniques, boundary-setting, and available resources for families. The goal is to empower grandparents to remain a stable, supportive presence in their grandchildren’s lives during times of change. This presentation is in partnership with the Sooke Chamber of Commerce. To register, please email [email protected]. To learn about our other programs, please go to our website at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Karissa Parrish is a Certified Divorce Coach who has run her own home-based business for the past nine years in Sooke. She is passionate about helping people transition from marriage to new lives as divorcees with peace and confidence. She focuses on helping reduce the trauma children may experience and stemming the financial hemorrhaging that can occur during this phase of life.

09/30/2026

Wednesday, September 30th, is Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In Sooke, this is a day to come together to honour Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities, and to recognize the ongoing impacts of residential schools.

The Healing Walk begins at 12:00 noon across from the Sooke Region Museum. Participants will walk to Edward Milne Community School (EMCS), where there will be cultural performances, Indigenous vendors, community connections, and food trucks. This is a time for reflection, learning, remembrance, and reconciliation.

09/29/2026

Due to illness, the first session of the Venezuela presentation had to be cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this caused. We are in the process of rescheduling the third session. The first session will take place Thursday, October 8, 1:30 – 3:00pm, with popular presenter Tyson Strandlund.

For decades, Venezuela has been in the crosshairs of U.S. imperialism. In January of this year, this culminated in an unprecedented U.S. attack on the country, killing dozens of civilians and military personnel, and kidnapping the elected president, Nicolás Maduro, and “First Combatant” Cilia Flores (his wife and advisor). In seeking to understand the circumstances that led to this, we go back to the earliest days of Venezuela’s fight with colonial interference, beginning with the founding of Gran Colombia, exploring the thought of The Liberator, Simón Bolívar, all the way through to the Bolivarian Revolution led by Comandante Hugo Chávez up until today.

These presentations take place at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room. To register, please email us at [email protected]. For a complete catalogue of all our courses for this fall semester, visit us at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Tyson Strandlund, MA, is an anti-fascist activist, historian, and published author. He studied at the University of Victoria and the Kyiv-Mohyla academy in Ukraine. Tyson is a proud member of the Métis Nation, with both his scholarly and political projects reflecting a respect for Indigenous knowledge and experience combined with rigorous scientific methodology.

On three Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 1:30 – 3:00pm, popular presenter Tyson Strandlund will discuss how for decades, Venezuela has been in the crosshairs of U.S. imperialism. In January of this year, this culminated in an unprecedented U.S. attack on the country, killing dozens of civilians and military personnel, and kidnapping the elected president, Nicolás Maduro, and “First Combatant” Cilia Flores (his wife and advisor). In seeking to understand the circumstances that led to this, we go back to the earliest days of Venezuela’s fight with colonial interference, beginning with the founding of Gran Colombia, exploring the thought of The Liberator, Simón Bolívar, all the way through to the Bolivarian Revolution led by Comandante Hugo Chávez up until today. These presentations take place at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room. To register, please email us at [email protected]. For a complete catalogue of all our courses for this fall semester, visit us at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Tyson Strandlund, MA, is an anti-fascist activist, historian, and published author. He studied at the University of Victoria and the Kyiv-Mohyla academy in Ukraine. Tyson is a proud member of the Métis Nation, with both his scholarly and political projects reflecting a respect for Indigenous knowledge and experience combined with rigorous scientific methodology.

09/29/2026

Cathy Tremain is back for another soul-stitching class! On Friday, October 2, 1:30 to 3 p.m.,at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room, participants from the Spring 26 session can continue with the making of the “quillow” (pillow quilt). Crafters can bring their work-in-progress squares or new squares, with the opportunity to make more from provided materials. The group will have a chance to see the finished pieces to date and decide what to do with the completed artwork; either donate it or sell it to raise funds for a local charity. New participants are welcome, and Cathy encourages everyone to come with their own sewing projects for show-and-tell. Registration is limited to 20 so register early. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To learn about our other programs, visit us at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL
Self-taught seamstress Cathryn Tremain enjoys exploring the history of garments and styles and the joy of sewing her own clothes. She is often seen out and about in her colourful quilted coat. The first quilt she entered into a local show won first prize; she’s enjoyed quilting ever since.

Cathy Tremain is back for another soul-stitching class! On Friday, October 2, 1:30 to 3 p.m.,at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room, participants from the Spring 26 session can continue with the making of the “quillow” (pillow quilt). Crafters can bring their work-in-progress squares or new squares, with the opportunity to make more from provided materials. The group will have a chance to see the finished pieces to date and decide what to do with the completed artwork; either donate it or sell it to raise funds for a local charity. New participants are welcome, and Cathy encourages everyone to come with their own sewing projects for show-and-tell. Registration is limited to 20 so register early. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To learn about our other programs, visit us at https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL

Self-taught seamstress Cathryn Tremain enjoys exploring the history of garments and styles and the joy of sewing her own clothes. She is often seen out and about in her colourful quilted coat. The first quilt she entered into a local show won first prize; she’s enjoyed quilting ever since.

09/28/2026

🪻🌼🥀 When our home gardens include native plants, they support healthy ecosystems and reflect an appreciation for these long-established ecological relationships. Native plants’ adaptation to the climate and the cultural management practices of Indigenous stewardship have shaped them and created co-evolutionary ties. Many insects, particularly in their larval stages, depend on one or a few host plants, and even seed-eating birds need insects to feed their young. This workshop on Tuesday, October 20, 1:30 – 3:00pm at the Sooke Library Multipurpose Room, will give a glimpse of the value of native plants and how using them in our gardens adds beauty and wonder to our lives and makes us better stewards. To register, please email us at [email protected]. To check out our other programs, please go to https://www.sookeregionchn.org/SRLL.

Jay Rastogi studied Natural Resources Management and Environmental Studies at the University of Guelph and worked at the University Arboretum. After graduation, he mentored in sustainable forestry practices with renowned eco-forester Merv Wilkinson. Over the past 15 years he has shared these principles with thousands of students and adults during tours and workshops. He is currently site director of Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.