Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Browse our growing collection of articles from current and previous issues of both the Comox Valley Collective and Strathcona Collective magazines by topic.

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KATIE PHILLIPS

Exploring the boundaries of photography, and pushing past them: that's the goal. When we imagine a "photoshoot," ...

FEATURED ARTIST: NICOLA NORTH

Nicola North spent her South African childhood climbing trees, riding horses, and living an outdoor lifestyle. ...

SEASONAL GOODS: FALL

Some things to make your autumn better—or maybe get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Keep your stuff ...

WINTER RESOLVE

It is late November and winter has hauled its gloomy tarp over the island. The sun has not appeared in weeks and I ...

Words by

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ELDER VALLEY: NATURAL EXPLORATION

The human instinct to explore is infinite To explore is to investigate the unknown, to learn about or become ...

Reflections from an older Comox Valley resident

Words by

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Elder River: Life after 70

The satisfaction found in adapting and creating A few birthdays ago, somebody told me “Everything changes ...

Reflections from an older Strathcona Region resident

Words by

Photo by

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LITTLE VALLEY: A SURVIVAL TRIP STORY

Finding magic in the sea, the forest, and our imaginations Exploring is something you do to find out more ...

Our young Comox Valley residents reflect on the home they're growing up in

Words by

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THE WORLD IS YOUR EGGPLANT

I’ve been bumping up against a lot of self-proclaimed eggplant haters lately. “Impossible!” is usually my reply. ...

Don’t be a hater. Boldly go forth and try it.

Words by

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LITTLE RIVER: ANNA ENGLAND

Life in motion: Balancing competitive sports with family-first adventures My name is Anna England. I am 13 ...

Reflections from a younger resident

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CLIMATE HOPE

In the face of increasing environmental challenges, many of us feel frequent anxiety about the planet’s future—but ...

We have the power to make change. Hope helps us act.

Words & illustration by

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EVERYONE CAN (AND SHOULD) MEDITATE

Yes, even you

Words by

Dennyse Harris

Photos by

Meredith Rose

AT HOME WITH RODERICK HAIG-BROWN

Larger Than Life

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos courtesy of

Museum at Campbell River

GETTING TO KNOW THE AWAKENEERS

For the love of music

Words by

Isa McKenty

Photo courtesy of

The Awakeneers

CVOX: COMOX VALLEY COMMUNITY RADIO

A local fountain of music, culture, and information

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

REFLECTIONS OF A YARD CAR

Content to be still after years of motion and freedom

Words & photos by

RJ Herron

HANDCRAFTING LINEN

From tiny flax seed to majestic fabric

Words by

Karla Sandwith

Photos by

Kareen Sanderson

HA̱’ME’ RESTAURANT REOPENS AT KWA’LILAS HOTEL

Food security and a celebration of culture

Words by

Camilla Sampson

Photos courtesy of

Ha̱'me'

THE HERRING GOLD RUSH OF 1979

For BC’s fishers, it was the year of money

Words by

Dave Flawse

Photos by

Jarrett Lindal

BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES

Take a book, leave a book

Words by

Joline Martin

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE STRATHCONA REGION IS GUIDED BY PASSION AND PURPOSE

Editor's introduction to Vol. 9

Words by

Camilla Sampson

Photo by

Matt Newfield

OUR COMMUNITY RUNS ON HUMAN CREATIVITY

Creative Director's Introduction to Vol. 37

Words & Photo by

Ian Adams

OUTRIGGER CANOEING IN SAMOA

Racing, roots, and reconnections

Words by

Zoe Norcross-Nu’u

Photo by

Simon Wallace

A PLAN FOR HOME-GROWN DOCTORS

A new program at NIC helps Island students pursue professions in health care.

Words by

Mike Chouinard

Photos courtesy of

North Island College

SEASONAL GOODS: WINTER

Photo by

Shelby Reid

WHEN THE BURNOUT IS REAL

What emergency service providers want you to know.

Intro by

Jen Groundwater

Words by

Cari McIntyre

LIVES OF LOGGERS AND FARMERS

TO CHOOSE THE TREES

Morgan Leigh Callison

Photo by

Scott Bell

A LONG AND WINDING ROAD

What it takes to keep the Strathcona Parkway open.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photo by

Nick Thornton

ELDER VALLEY: RADICAL TRANSFORMATION

Future generations need us to take action now.

Words by

Jay Van Oostdam

Photo by

Diane Van Oostdam

LITTLE VALLEY: EXCITEMENT AND HOPE

Our young Comox Valley residents reflect on the home they’re growing up in

Words by

Abby Hutton-Jay

Photo by

Nick Hutton-Jay

Plus ça change

Words by

Zoë Cooper

Illustrations by

Alex Maertz

BEAUTY BEFORE AMBITION

Pianist Sarah Hagen has earned her place among the best without sacrificing her soul.

Words by

Mike B

Photo by

Karen McKinnon

THE ILLUMINATION OF FIRE

A conversation with Wedlidi Speck.

Interview by

Dave Flawse

Photos courtesy of

Wedlidi Speck

HARD-SKINNED FOR THE WIN

Living in a winter squash lovers' paradise.

Words by

James McKerricher

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

INGRAHAM

The secret life of a vintage clock.

Words by

Sophie Gilmore

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

GUYS TALKING

The power of conversation in Comox Valley men’s groups.

Words by

Hans Peter Meyer

Illustration by

Matia Meyer

40 YEARS OF VOLLY PATROL

Some dedicated folks who help keep the rest of us safe on the slopes.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

Jess Cavanagh

COMOX VALLEY TRANSITION SOCIETY

Safe, affordable housing makes all the difference.

Photos by

Meredith Rose

FOUR WHEELS OF FORTUNE

Could RVs make Comox Valley housing more affordable?

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Illustration by

Lauren Spinner

PACIFIC REMEMBERING

Reflections on the joy of cold-water surfing.

Words by

Rhianna Walz

Photos by

Shelby Reid

A LINK TO THE PAST

The history of the Grieve family barn.

Words & Photos by

Jim Whyte

NEWCOMERS’ BOOK CLUB

Turning the page on another year of stories and friendship.

Words by

Hannah Slomp

Photos by

Joslyn Kilborn

A (SNOW) SHOE-IN

Finding peace in the winter mountains.

Words & photos by

Joanne McElroy

Centre Stage

The appeal of taking part in community theatre.

Words & photos courtesy of

Doris Wagner

FROM THOUGHT TO REALITY

Publisher's introduction to Vol. 36

Words & Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

GRIT AND GRACE

Kayleen VanderRee and Tyler Turner might be more competitive than your average couple. But when they participated in The Amazing Race Canada, they had to go with the flow to stay in the game.

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photo by

Amazing Race Canada

Sticking To My (Traveller’s) Word

Seven continents in 40 years.

Words & Photos by

Aleisha Thomas-Lebid

Radical Love at the Art Hive

Open doors provide more than a creative opportunity for everyone.

Words by

Sara Lopez Assu

Photos courtesy of

Campbell River Art Gallery