a few words from edITor DON DESCOTEAU
Spirit of the city
How to contact us: Black Press 818 Broughton St. Victoria, B.C. Phone: 250-381-3484 Email: editor@vicnews.com Web: www.vicnews.com Editorial Director Kevin Laird Associate Editor Don Descoteau Group Publisher Penny Sakamoto Director of Sales Oliver Sommer Circulation Director Bruce Hogarth Production Manager Janice Marshall Winners in the 19th annual Victoria News Best of the City supplement were chosen by Capital Region readers over the course of one month. Their votes were then tabulated by our promotions department and ranked in order to determine first, second and third place. Black PressVancouver Island has sole copyright over any written material or images in this publication. In the event of an error occurring in any advertisement, the liability of Black Press shall not exceed the charge of space actually occupied by the item in question.
black press reporters find the fun in best of the city Most newspaper reporters will agree, much of the spice in their career has come from experiencing activities or observation points unavailable to most people. Sometimes, however, taking the opportunity to observe or be exposed to something that is part of the everyday in one’s city can offer Don Descoteau just as much enjoyment and sense of discovery. Saanich News reporter Kyle Slavin, a Victoria resident for four years and part of this year’s writing team for Best of the City, has a natural curiosity about such things. He made a few discoveries of his own during the story gathering stage for the 2013 edition of the magazine. Take chicken wings, for example. Tasked to find out what makes the wings chosen by our readers as Best of the City, he relished the chance to learn firsthand (Page 15). “I think chicken wings, especially in Victoria where the gourmet burger has gotten a lot of attention over the last few years, are really underrated as good pub food or a cheap meal with friends,” Slavin says. For the record, he agreed with the
readers on their choice for No. 1 (find out who was selected as the top three in our survey results pages in the centre spread). There were other BOTC experiences that brought a smile to Slavin’s face, as well, such as popping down to Fisherman’s Wharf to feed the harbour seals (Page 36). “I don’t usually go down there unless I have visitors in town,” he admits. Visiting on his own, seeing the hub of activity and discovering the names and personalities of the seals gave him a different perspective. “It’s pretty neat to get that information and find those things out about a spot that is really popular, not just for visitors, but for locals too.” Slavin even unwittingly became part of a colleague’s research into the elusive Roger the marmot (Page 45) at the Reporter Kyle Slavin, seen here in his 2012 Fairmont Empress Hotel. Having made regular stops to the hotel’s Cen- Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock duds, had a tennial Garden for a year and half to lip-smacking good time chasing down his try and glimpse the rodent, he finally assignments for this year’s Best of the City. struck gold on May 3. “I reverted back to the three-year-old the City, we hope you’ll get a sense of the me who was excited to open up a Christ- fun we had in gathering the stories about mas gift and that gift on this day was a our shared region. It offers all of us here yellow bellied marmot named Roger,” he a chance to rediscover some of the great says. things about Greater Victoria and the As you read through this year’s Best of reasons why we choose to live here.
Finding anew the things we love about Victoria There is always a certain excitement in our newsroom when we begin producing Best of the City – a guide that celebrates what makes Victoria the best city in the world in which to live and play. I’m sure the reason is that it allows our writers and photographers to write about something different and fresh – away from the run-of-themill political, police and fire stories that are so much a part of a reporter’s day job. This year’s Best of the City certainly doesn’t disappoint, with a cornucopia mix of stories ranging from the best place to eat chicken wings
to the secrets of Government House. And of course let’s not forget the survey that is integral to this annual edition. This is where you told us what you think is the best about Victoria from restaurants to parks to recreation. There are always surprises in that list. Best of the City is a guide to unknown treasures and well-known favourites, but most of all it’s a reflection of what makes Victoria the community it is. And what makes this community such a place to call home are its people and their many stories. – Kevin Laird, editorial director
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THE SHELBOURNE PLAZA deep in the
of the Shelbourne Valley
Shelbourne at Cedar Hill X Road
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People’s Pharmacy
Cobs Bakery
Grocery & Bakery
Grocery & Bakery M&M Shops CardsMeat & Gifts
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Scotiabank
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Starbucks
Cards & Gifts
Squeaky’s Sports & Bikes Laundromat
“COME VISIT US AT SHELBOURNE PLAZA. AFTER ALL, WE’RE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS!”
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 3
Sports & Bikes
Best of the City