Opinion

First of all, I'd like to thank the RCMP for doing their jobs to the very best of their abilities. When entering our home you were respectful, understanding, and truly concerned. Now, let's talk about why the police were called to our home.

There is an urban myth that says that if you live in a large city, you are never more than six feet from the nearest rat. Having lived in Victoria for many years, I have had more than my share of rat encounters of the gross kind.

It's Monday again, and for most people that means the beginning of their work week. Work can be a stressful place and it's easy to get overwhelmed, discouraged and disheartened. That's why it's important to keep things in perspective.

This week I have three wines for your consideration. All of them are from the New World and the Southern Hemisphere. I enjoyed each of them and hope you might find one that appeals to you. Inception 2011 Deep Layered Red (548354) South Africa $14.

Irises continue to be an old time favourite perennial. The bearded iris varieties and the Siberian iris varieties both do very well in our Northern climate. They are hardy, deer resistant, drought tolerant and easy to grow.

VICTORIA -- One could build a good case against the chances for the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline just from the doubts raised by Premier Christy Clark over the past two years.

The 2014 season marks a momentous "first" in Barkerville's second life as a western North America's largest heritage attraction. Visitors to Barkerville this year can take advantage of a unique opportunity to meet the town's namesake resident: Mr.

The Iraqi army will have to destroy Mosul in order to save it - and it's not clear whether it can do the job even then. It isn't so much an army as a vast system of patronage providing employment of a sort for 900,000 people.

Diets don't work. Ok, ok.... They may make you thinner but that's about it. After a diet, you are still left with all the scars that made you overweight in the first place. How do I know? I've been there, and I know so many people who have as well.

I would like to ask a few questions that I have been unable to get answered recently.