The Local Weekly The heart and soul of our communities with news and information about the Sunshine Coast

It was a busy September that capped off a strong finish to the quarter on BCs Sunshine Coast. September year-over-year comparison is as follows: September 2019 saw 66 total sales – 35 of them were single-family detached, and the average price of those homes was $728,500. The average time on market was 90 days, and ... Read More »

Are you supporting a family member or friend who is struggling with mental illness? The challenges families face when a loved one has a mental illness can be overwhelming. Imagine what it is like to have a family member who is actively psychotic, paranoid, or so deeply depressed that they can’t get out of bed. ... Read More »

Smiling helps reduce our body’s response during brief periods of stress, regardless of whether we actually feel happy or not. All of our facial expressions are contagious. In part, how we handle feeling isolated depends on our personality. In her book Quiet, author Susan Cain explains “the orchid hypothesis.” Many children are like dandelions, able ... Read More »

I expect the Sunshine Coast market to start slowing down over the next few weeks and, if there is another shut down due to COVID-19 over the winter, the 2021 spring market could be busier than we have ever seen. Summer may have only just turned to fall, but if you’re considering putting your property ... Read More »

Many of us share our lives and households with dogs, and we see and meet dogs often when out in public. Dogs are very social animals, and generally, the relationship between people and dogs is a friendly one. Dogs have a ritualized system to communicate how they are feeling, and many people are familiar with ... Read More »

British Columbians at high risk of lung cancer will soon be able to receive early detection screening, thanks to the provincial government’s investment in a new lung cancer screening program offered by BC Cancer – the first of its kind in Canada. “At a time when we are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, it’s ... Read More »

Millions of people across the globe get flu shots each year. Flu shots protect people against influenza, but they might provide even greater benefits in 2020. As the world continues to confront the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, it’s imperative that people everywhere take every step necessary to protect themselves and others. The Centers for ... Read More »

If you’re considering moving your family to BC’s Sunshine Coast, know that there’s no shortage of schools. Local School District 46 is well known for the quality of its schools, teachers and programs. There are a total of nine elementary schools with locations stretching from Langdale to Madeira Park. They go from kindergarten up-to-and-including grade ... Read More »

Returning to school this September will be a new experience for many of us in our community. Some children will be starting school for the first time. Others are choosing to stay home and dive into online learning. Amid fears of contracting COVID-19 are general school concerns about making friends, learning new skills, and navigating ... Read More »

We are welcoming warm weather after quite a bit of rain. This means we may be hiking and walking more with our dogs, so we need to watch out for the risks associated with warm weather. Dogs have few sweat glands and must pant to cool down, and they are susceptible to heatstroke. Symptoms of ... Read More »