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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Best of the City Summer 2013 • 3
Sports & Bikes
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MEET THE LANGFORD TEAM
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MEET THE DOUGLAS STREET TEAM
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1519 Admirals Road
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2959 Douglas Street
MEET THE VIEW ROYAL TEAM
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Service Manager, Douglas Street
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DAN ROBBINS
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TOM HUNTER
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801 Royal Oak Drive
Service Manager, Royal Oak
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NIGEL MAGEE
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3993 Cedar Hill Road
Service Manager, Cedar Hill
4 • Best of the City Summer 2013
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MEET THE CEDAR HILL TEAM
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Service Manager, Langford
Service Manager, View Royal
Best City
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Westshore Town Centre
NOEL O’LEARY
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Voted
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BEST OF THE CITY | featured cONteNt
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KS YOUR PIC 3 1 s FOR 2th0 e e re choic top Reader’s in the annual e il e ey unv d e City surv Best of th
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I Love Victoria
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Carving a niche
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Native Ontarian and local personality Meribeth Burton talks about why she loves her adoptive city Expert carvers from the Songhees Nation are creating a unique style with their handiwork
Chicken-lickin’ good
23-30
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Famous faces
31
Paul’s Motor Inn enters its second season offering carhop service at the Paul’s Drive-In on Douglas Street
A neighbours’ village
Cook Street Village combines a certain comfortableness that attracts people from around the region
Romance on the beach
Finding a romantic spot to cuddle on the beach can be easy around the Capital Region
Feeling in a fishy mood?
Greater Victoria’s multitude of cafés and coffee shops offer numerous options for area residents
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Cultivate a vintage look
History with French flair
44
Taking to the air
Art walk in Saanich
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Urban wildlife
Free is the best price
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Beachcombing 101
And here they come
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What’s happening?
Coffee culture
We check out the secret behind this year’s winner for best chicken wings
Reviving a tradition
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Well-known celebrities take most of the spotlight, but other local notables deserve our attention
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St. Ann’s Academy has had a signficant impact on Victoria, which was largely French in the early days
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Gorge on Art gives visitors a close-up view of art in the making
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The Capital Region has many activities available for those on a budget
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No one can resist the appeal of a herd of baby goats on the move
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Tours and transportation keep float plane companies hopping The Fairmont Empress Hotel is home to an unlikely rodent Sandy sites produce beautiful souvenirs for collectors with a sharp eye Looking for something to do this summer? Check out our calendar of local events
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Thanks, ! a i r o t c i V g us
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Sync or Swim from Portland, Ore. races across the 500-metre Inner Harbour course during last year’s 18th annual Canada Dry Victoria Dragonboat Festival. The popular summer event, based at Ship Point, happens Aug. 16 through 18 this year and is expected to attract upwards of 90 teams from around North America. The races are the focus of the weekend, but there are also plenty of food and entertainment options, children’s activities and cultural displays for the public to check out. For more information, visit victoriadragonboat.com.
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Victor Rubillar, 2011 winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Victoria International Buskers Festival, entertains the crowd in front of the Fairmont Empress Hotel last summer by juggling five soccer balls. The Buskers Festival runs July 19 to 28 at various spots around the Inner Harbour. Confirmed acts include Sweden’s Got Talent winner, magician Charlie Caper; acrobats Reuben Dot Dot Dot, Mr. Phil, the LOL Brothers, Street Circus and such Victoria regulars as Plasterman, Copper Cowgirl and Darth Fiddler. For more information and a schedule of performances, visit victoriabuskers.com.
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The 2014 RLX has arrived. 250-382-2277 • www.CampusHonda.com 250-382-2277 • www.CampusHonda.com The 2014 RLX has arrived. Start your arrived. has arrived. The 2014 RLXexperience has arrived. at acura.ca/rlx. www.CampusAcura.com Start your experience at acura.ca/rlx. your experience at acura.ca/rlx. Campus Acura • 3347 Oak Street • (250) 383-0088 nce at acura.ca/rlx. perience at Start acura.ca/rlx. DL #31106
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Acura innovation turns a new with corner with the groundbreaking Precision All Wheel Steer™ system. Acura innovation turns a newacorner the groundbreaking Precision All WheelPrecision Steer™ system. Acura innovation turns new corner with the groundbreaking All Wheel Steer™ system. on turns a new corner with the groundbreaking Precision All Wheel Steer™ system. ItsItsdesign allows rear wheels to independently toe angle by a small degree —a small design the the rear wheels to independently theirSteer™ toeadjust anglesystem. bytheir a small degree —a small urns a new corner withallows the groundbreaking Precision Alladjust Wheel Its design allows thea rear wheelswith to the independently adjust theirAlltoe angle by a small degree —a small Acura innovation turns new corner groundbreaking Precision Wheel Steer™ degree to thatindependently a huge impact adjust on handling, stability and maneuverability. It’s just one the new system. ws the wheels rear wheels their toebyangle by adegree small degree e rear to independently adjustimpact their toe angle a small small—aofsmall degree thathashas a huge on handling, stability and—a maneuverability. It’s just one of the new degree has amost huge impact on handling, stability and maneuverability. It’s—a just one of the new Its designthat allows the rear powerful, wheels toluxurious, independently adjust theiryet, toethe angle a small degree small standards set by the and advanced Acura 2014by RLX. s a huge impact on handling, stability and maneuverability. It’s just onenew ofAcura the new uge impact on handling, stability and maneuverability. It’s justand oneadvanced of the standards set by the most powerful, luxurious, yet, the 2014 RLX. degree that has handling,luxurious, stability andand maneuverability. It’s just of 2014 the new standards set abyhuge theimpact most on powerful, advanced Acura yet,one the RLX. by the most powerful, luxurious, and advanced Acura yet, the 2014 RLX. e most powerful, luxurious, and advanced Acura yet, the 2014 RLX. The 2014 RLX has arrived.
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Chalk artist Lorelle Miller works on a piece during last year’s inaugural Victoria International Chalk Art Festival. Crowds flocked downtown to see art created in the Bay Centre and on the Government Street roadway, which was closed to traffic for the weekend. This year’s free festival happens Sept. 14 and 15 and features events from Government Street to Centennial Square. To ramp up the excitement, a 37-square-metre 3-D chalk art painting will be created in the Bay Centre lower level in the days leading up to the festival weekend. Visit victoriachalkfestival. com for more information and a list of artists.
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I love Victoria … Meribeth Burton
Corporate spokesperson, B.C. Transit, former longtime TV journalist and anchor Age: 45 Twenty years ago I moved to Victoria. I’m from Sudbury, but I was working in Timmins when I got a job offer to be the weekend anchor at CHEK. I worked in TV for 23 years and have been with B.C. Transit for 18 months. I went to community college in North Bay and Canadore for broadcast journalism, very much a northern girl and my plan was to get back (to Ontario) as soon as possible. I was going to give it two years in Victoria. It was a slower tempo than I was used to, but slowly, over time the city won me over. Now when I go home to Ontario I bring a B.C. vibe with me.
I have become a passionate walker, a power walker, and I have a particular hour-anda-bit stroll through the Uplands. It’s the place I feel happiest and freest. I dance every day. We try to do a family dance around doing the dishes. I also love my wine bars, I like Stage and Vis a Vis, and Charelli’s Cheese Shop. I try to get a movie in a few times a month. I have always been a fall person, what I like best about Victoria falls is that it’s always a rather long summer. I’m a passionate but terrible golfer. I get out about 20
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I go to the library every weekend with my daughters, Sher and Kennedy. I live in the Estevan area of Oak Bay and at Christmastime, we do a walking Christmas party. There are many people in the neighbourhood who have kids the same age and they’ve all grown up together.
I’ve had a chance to go to other places in the world, like Europe, but they rarely compare to Victoria. I went there by myself at 28 and spent a couple of months. I remember being in Lucerne, Switzerland and did a river cruise and it was so beautiful. I thought, ‘O.K., this is close, but I can’t wait to get home.’ It just reminded me of what we have here.
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times a year and have been taking lessons on and off.
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I’ve had opportunities and offers (to move) over the years, but when I look around and see the
quality of life here – I was having sushi on the beach one spring day with one of my daughters – I’m never giving that up. No matter what kind of day you have, that can be pretty healing and transformative stuff. The Ontarian in me would never have said that. But it’s just a lifestyle.
VICTORIA NEWS VIC
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Curious sea lions swim at Race Rocks ecological reserve near Victoria.
Adventure awaits under the surface Those who’ve sunk below the surface around the globe will attest to the world-class diving just outside our doorsteps in Greater Victoria. Like many veteran divers, Greg Dombowsky has explored locales from Alaska to Australia and a slew of exotic spots in between – and still trumpets the unparalleled beauties to be discovered around Vancouver Island. Dombowsky, a certified dive instructor, underwater photographer and author of Divers’ Guide – Vancouver Island South, says three of his favourite dives around here offer everything for undersea explorers of all skill levels. “We have the biggest octopuses in the world, the biggest anemones, the biggest sunflower stars,” he says. “Everything seems to grow bigger here.” Ogden Point breakwater This walk-in locale is perfect for beginners – there’s a dive shop nearby – and can keep expert divers entertained with its lush sea life. “As far as beginner’s dives go, it’s a really good spot, easy to navigate,” says Dombowsky, who was drawn to diving after learning of Jacques Cousteau as a kid. “There’s a lot of fish in general. It’s not uncommon to see a wolf eel or octopus and there’s quite a bit of invertebrate life.” Now with thousands of dives under his weight belt, Ogden Point’s still, calm waters continue to afford ample photographic opportunities for Dombowsky. Ten Mile Point “I’ve been diving around the world and Ten Mile Point is probably the best shore dive in the world,” he says. The basis for his argument? An almost guaranteed sighting of octopuses in their dens and the playful accompaniment of sea lions. But be warned, such
a payoff comes with a price, beyond traversing the rough terrain at the beach access. “The currents are strong and you have to dive on slack tide,” Dombowsky says, underlining that experience diving along the point is a necessity. “If you go somewhere and have any doubt: you probably shouldn’t (dive).” Race Rocks The ecological reserve surrounding the series of islets off the West Shore is a hotbed of sea life, from invertebrates and fish to the predator sea lions – often spotted sunning themselves atop the smattering of rocks that crest the ocean’s surface. The shallow dive, only accessible by boat, is on a level of wonder with any other reef in the world. The strong currents demand an advanced diver. “Vancouver Island is really an amazing spot,” Dombowsky says. “If I were to compare Race Rocks to any coral reef, the main difference would be that the fish are a little more colourful in the tropics and sometimes the water is a little clearer, but I would rate (the Island) as one of the best spots I’ve ever dived in the world.”
Photo by Greg Dombowsky
Octopus near McCurdy Point in Saanich Inlet.
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wheels at the legislative grounds. The son and namesake of the company founder will bring with him two roadsters and a deuce coupe from Torrance, Calif. With the summer sun in VictoOther southern guests include ria comes a never-ending stream a 148-member group representing of tourists, protesters and concerts Roy Brizio Street Rods in San Franacross the lawn of the legislacisco. The Brizio clan has booked an ture – and every three years or so, entire sailing on the M.V. Coho ferry hundreds of 1932 Fords, better from Port Angeles to Victoria the known as the deuce coupe. day before the show. From July 19 to 21, And while another about 950 classic Ford 228 enthusiasts from CE cars and trucks – the the L.A. Roadster THE PLA IS JULY majority are ’32s, Club – including TO BE TH ce Days Deu t s , e but about half were one 88-year-old rs w h to rt c No ar colle buffs classic c manufactured up veteran of the clasattracts experts and car nd ta on sic car scene – will until 1951 – will restorati Pacific Northwes est from the is one of the larg e make the drive line Victoria’s Inner It beyond. s of its kind on th from the Golden Harbour and legislaw o h h s rt car ast of No West Co rica. tive grounds during State, it’ s a relative Ame Northwest Deuce Days, jaunt compared to an event organized by lifethe lengths some autolong deuce lover, Al Clark. philes will go to put their “They put these events on all Fords on display next to the over the world and I figured (Vicworld’s best in our capital city. toria) was a good destination,” says Deuce coupes are being shipped Clark, a classic car restorer. from as far away as Nova Scotia, What began as a one-day car North Carolina and Europe to make show in Oak Bay grew in size, movthe seventh iteration of the event ing to the mainland in 2002 and since it began in 1998. back to Victoria in 2004. “I’ve been fooling around with In 2010 it ballooned into a three- these cars forever,” Clark says. day event. “They’re cars you only read about in “It’s a little overwhelming,” Clark magazines.” adds, citing an estimated 50,000 The show includes a poker run, spectators at the last event in 2010. gala dinner and of course, the main Vic Edelbrock, CEO of automoattraction, the public show downtive parts giant Edelbrock Corporatown. tion, will be among the visitors this More details can be found at year when he parks three sets of northwestdeuceday.com.
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NOrTHwEST DEUCE DAYS SHOwS TrEmENDOUS grOwTH SINCE EArLY DAYS
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Classic Fords descend on the Inner Harbour
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Al Clark sits behind the wheel of his two-door ’32 Ford sedan in his Fairfield backyard. Clark, the organizer of Deuce Days, is expecting more than 900 deuce coupes and other classic cars from all over the world. The three-day event is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors to the Inner Harbour.
of the
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Irish Times Pub 1200 GOVERNMENT ST.
Best City
Be
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itu Furn re Sto st Voted
Best City of the
S IA NEW VICTOR
ADVERTISING FEATURE
BUSINESS PROFILE: Dodd’s Furniture
BEST of the CITY FINALIST
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2013
Quality, service and commitment to community
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It’s no surprise to Victorian’s that Dodd’s Furniture; the local community-focused company is repeatedly named as one of the best in the city. The quality of their furniture and service, not to mention their impeccable record of community involvement, speak for themselves.
All the more reason why if you’re in the market for furnishings or accessories for your home, a visit to Dodd’s Victoria or Nanaimo stores is a must.
After years of serving communities as far away as Port Alberni and Comox from their Victoria store, last year Dodd’s threw open the doors on a brand new, 25,000-square-feet Nanaimo store, conveniently located across from the Woodgrove Shopping Centre, notes Gordy Dodd, who
launched Dodd’s Furniture back in 1977 with a 2,200-square-foot store at the corner of Quadra and King streets. Their reputation for quality, affordable furnishings led to Dodd’s expansion to a 35,000-square-foot building he built and owns.
Today, Dodd’s is home to Vancouver Island’s largest mattress gallery, as well as Canada’s largest independent Serta mattress gallery and Simmons’ largest gallery on the Island.
And, with their 43,000-squarefoot warehouse, there’s often no need to wait for new furnishings as much is held in stock. For those who prefer a customized approach, Dodd’s showcases made-in-B.C. products that allow you to tailor your styles and colours. The Nanaimo store has been the perfect companion to the 35,000-square-foot, three-storey Victoria store, notes Gordy’s son, Love Dodd.
“We have the same great service, selection and price, but with better
buying power, a value we can pass along to our customers.” Dodd’s Furniture has also expanded the community programs offered here in Victoria for years, such as the annual Thanksgiving dinner, hosted in Nanaimo this past year for the first time as well. They will once gain host a heritage festival in Beacon Hill Park’s Cameron Bandshell this June as well, Love notes. “Victorians are the ones who have made Dodd’s Furniture possible, so we want to give back to Victoria,” he says. “In Nanaimo, we have received such a warm welcome, we want to support our community there as well.”
Gordy Dodd opened Dodd’s Furniture with a 2,200-square-foot store. Today Dodd’s offers 35,000-squarefeet of quality furnishings in Victoria and another 25,000 square-feet in Nanaimo.
Additional programs respond to immediate needs after natural disasters, for example, as well as on-going support for developing countries.
715 Finlayson St., Victoria 250.388.6663 www.doddsfurniture.com Hours: Mon, Tues, Sat 9-6 Wed-Fri 9-9, Sun & Hol 12-5
“We are so fortunate to be able to do the work we do,” Gordy says, thanking Victoria and Vancouver Islanders. “It’s just wonderful.”
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Songhees Nation carving its niche A distinct coAst sAlish style is being developed by mAster cArvers in A shed on songhees first nAtion lAnd Story and photos by Charla Huber
Songhees First Nation artist Clarence Dick has spent the past three years working full time carving totem poles and traditional Coast Salish house posts for the Songhees Wellness Centre.
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 13
Museum practises hands-on approach to ethnology
Carvings and other First Nations art on permanent display at the Royal B.C. Museum are only about three per cent of the total number of items housed at the facility. "Artists or anyone interested can make an appointment and pick things up, turn them over and see how much they weigh,” says Martha Black, curator of ethnology, RBCM. “Artists really like to do that and see how things are made."
Songhees Nation carver Clarence Dick is working with other carvers in his community to develop a distinct Songhees carving style. He’s quick to point out Coast Salish people are more known for carving house posts, not totem poles. The difference, he says, is a totem pole is round and a house post has a “flat back with a high relief carving on top.” Showing an octopus carved on a house post for the proposed Songhees Wellness Centre, Dick shows how the tentacles curl out of sight, making it appear the sea creature is sitting on the post, not carved out of it. “On house posts we are carving on the sides and underneath to make it have a 3-D look,” Dick says. A traditional Coast Salish house post would have flat sides, he adds. This is one of the techniques setting Songhees carvers apart from others. Dick has been carvA face on a totem pole being ing full time for the wellness centre project carved for the Songhees Wellness Centre. since May 2010 and expects the project to be completed next January. He and two other carvers are creating five 20-foot house posts, two totem poles with a connecting centre piece and a 27-foot loon ladle. “None of us have ever done anything like that before,” Dick says. In keeping with tradition, he uses authentically Coast Salish designs and shapes, including crescents and trigons. “This is a blend of old traditions with a modern twist. We are trying to develop a distinct style for Songhees to leave our own legacy behind.” Dick and the other carvers are putting a modern flare on these massive carvings, but ancient traditions are reflected as well. “Everybody is going from old museum archives and old photos,” he says, explaining how novice and veteran carvers study to improve their art form. “A lot of people’s work looks similar because they are studying the same carvings.” It’s not only Songhees carvers who go to the Royal B.C. Museum to study ancient carvings. “We get artists from all across the province coming,” says Martha Black, the museum’s curator of ethnology. “The Songhees are always welcome, as we are on Lkwungen land.” Black sees similarities in work from carvers and from communities, but says there is no set style for the region. “It’s a living thing, it’s not static. It’s a living cultural heritage. I don’t see one Bella Bella style, I see several and they are all from the same community.”
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Touring in the belly of a hippo “Go, hippo, go!” an enthusiastic busload of passengers yells in unison. And with that, the bus drives down a ramp at Ogden Point and splashes into the Pacific Ocean. Fear not – it’s no suicide mission; it’s a tourist attraction that provides a unique, A Victoria Hippo Tours bus enters the water at the one-of-a-kind tour of Victoria from both land James Bay Anglers Association ramp near Ogden Point. The company’s three converted school buses and sea. Victoria Hippo Tours offers passengers a view from land and sea. is in its first season offering sightseeing tours in and around downtown Victoria. As the aforementioned amphibiSo far the feedback has been quite ous bus travels along Dallas Road, it positive. turns off the road near Ogden Point “Victoria has its own little flavour, and drives straight into the water. its own lustre. It’s got a lot of charm For 45 minutes, the hippo bus and because everybody comes to cruises through the water, touring centre ice (a.k.a. downtown VictoOgden Point, Fisherman’s Wharf ria) when they visit, we thought it and the Inner Harbour. would be a great place for us to be,” “It’s not hop-on, hop-off. It’s a says Geoffrey Lind, president and fully narrated tour with a guide and co-owner of Victoria Hippo Tours. a captain,” Lind says. “It’s a great The hippo buses – named Happy, way to see Victoria and get some Harry and Henrietta – were formerly history from a bus and from a boat school buses. They were taken apart without having to switch vehicles.” and had a boat’s hull built underVictoria Hippo Tours load in neath. The vessels are government front of the CPR Steamship Terminal certified to run on land and in water. building. Tours run on the hour beTours last roughly 90 minutes tween 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. For more and begin with a land tour downinformation visit victoriahippotours. town and in James Bay. com.
A Fresh Tradition Pepper’s Foods has been serving Victoria as a full service, independent grocery store for over 50 years. We are committed to continuing the same traditions begun in 1962: the freshest, highest quality products at the lowest possible prices. Local is always our first choice. Our independent nature allows us to listen to our customers and give them what they want. A truly independent store, visit Pepper’s Foods for all your local shopping needs.
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$ Kara Ferguson is co-owner and head chef at the Tartan Toque restaurant, which brands itself as Victoria's first chicken wing house. Despite being a fairly new business, our readers voted it the best place to find wings in the city.
The Tartan Toque soars with its chicken wings
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The Tartan Toque is quickly boasts more than 50 flavours, and garnering a reputation in Victoria as 1550’s, which gets long lineups evthe go-to place for delicious chicken ery Wednesday with hungry patrons wings. taking advantage of their $5 wings After just four months in opspecial. eration, the restaurant – dubbed The Tartan Toque is the brainVictoria’s first chicken wing house – child of Ferguson and Barry Thomwas voted the best place for wings in son, the latter of whom owns Greater Victoria. Victoria’s two Shine Café locations. Kara Ferguson, partner and head Ferguson worked in the kitchen at chef, is the one in charge of the Shine. menu. She’s the brains behind the Ferguson, who’s originally from flavours that pique taste buds and Ontario, says that province was keep hungry customers coming teeming with wing houses while she back. grew up. Once she and Thomson “We’ve got about 35 sauces now. realized that was what was missing What makes us a little difin Victoria, The Tartan Toque ferent, I call us ‘real food.’ was born. All the recipes come She says the secret to a t from my head, and we good chicken wing is conc a F Fun make everything from fit, slow cooking them in n a rt a T The rves scratch,” she says. their own fat. e s e u q o T s of d n u While she’s creat“We slow cook them o p 640 wings ing new wing flavours at (170 F) for about 24 chicken ly. week almost weekly – through minutes for prep, and trial and error, mixing then at service time we flavours and ingredients – cook them at (355 F,)” she The Tartan Toque already has says. “We did a lot of research unique classics. when we were starting up on what “The candied bacon – that’s will make the crispiest wing. We one of our most popular flavours,” found the secret to the perfect wing: Ferguson says. That one is a mix of the right times, the right temperatures.” brown sugar, butter, maple syrup, All Ferguson has to do now – bacon and Montreal steak spice. “Whenever I get days off, I spend when there’s a bit of down time in the kitchen – is create more flavours hours researching wing sauces. I look for what strikes me as amazing, that’ll continue to set The Tartan Toque apart from its competitors, delicious combinations, and I try to and continue building their wellfigure out how I can make it into a earned reputation as the best place wing sauce,” she says. for chicken wings in Victoria. Rounding out the Best of the The Tartan Toque is located at City’s top three chicken wing joints 1507 Pandora Ave. are Hecklers Bar and Grill, which
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Office Hours: Mon. 7:30 am – 4 pm, Tues. – Thurs. 7 am – 9 pm, Friday 7 am – 4 pm, Sat. 8 am – 4 pm
diner and 40th anniversary of the motel. The event was such a success, organizers felt compelled to bring it back for another summer. Step back in time to the golden “People just loved it last year,” he days of rock ‘n’ roll, James Dean and says. “We got a lot of response from T-birds as Paul’s Motor Inn revives grandparents who brought in their its diner drive-in every weekend this grandchildren to show them what a summer. drive-in was like back in the day. Paul’s Drive-In (1900 Douglas “Young people are coming in St.) features the ambience of a ’50s who’ve never heard of it. They’re night out, as carhops serve classics slack jawed when the food (tray) is like burgers and fries, ice cream set on their window.” floats and banana splits. The menu also includes fish and chips, Paul’s original diner BLTs, turkey club opened in 1952 with a sandwiches and a drive-in on the north Tale of y unique take on the side of the building. The Tra e from m co taquito. ys It lasted until 1972 a tr rhop w, Okla. Paul’s ca ken Arro The only tradiro when the restaurant g: B in K in l y e a O’Tra ger Mich l’s mana tion missing from was renovated, the uld find co I ce Says Pau la p the only ey also is y Th . ra this fun night out drive-in was closed, m ’T e “O th the ufactures trays for that man is rollerskating and the motel and m to s cu make the Drive-In.” carhops (a no-no lounge were added. in Sonic U.S. cha by current insurance Michael King, standards; how times general manager of Paul’s have changed). Motor Inn, likes the simplicity of the idea. “It’s a lot of new business, “You park, turn your lights on, though some of the drive-in cusand the carhop comes out and takes tomers are people who came here your order, then brings your food during the restaurant’s heyday when Sizzling Tandoor owners Gurinder and Narpinder Bawa welcome guests out to the car on a hanging tray,” he ran 24/7,” King says. to their new location at it Uptown, which has joined their bustling LoJo says. The drive-in is open through location. King decided to revive the August, Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., drive-in experience last summer to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. celebrate the 60th anniversary of the and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
BUSINESS PROFILE: Victory Barber and Brand
BEST of the CITY FINALIST
Classic men’s style finds home at Victory
This time last year, Matthew Conrad was thrilled to be honoured as one of best barbershops in the city – extra-special given that Victory Barber & Brand was then a newcomer on Victoria’s barbering scene. To follow that up with a second nomination in their second year confirms Victory is truly offering something much more than a simple haircut. “The secret to our success is a really strong understanding of who we are and what we are trying to do,” Conrad explains. Located in the prestigious Atrium Building, Victory is at its essence a men’s-only heritage barbershop. Conrad insists that they aren’t retro or vintage because typically those shops are a reproductions of the past. The heritage nature of Victory pays homage to the attitudes and attributes of generations-old barbering traditions while still being very much current for today. “It has a strong tradition but it’s not stuck; it’s able to change and adapt,” he explains, commending his staff who have not only embraced the concept, but are true “barbering phenoms” in their own right. “We’re passionate about bringing this form of men’s grooming back – we just love it.” Stepping in to Victory, clients are struck at once by the masculine appeal of the place, with its painstakingly restored vintage barber shares, the reclaimed wood signs
and even a moose head overseeing everything. “It’s a new space that already has a 100-year-old soul.” And then there’s the smell – this is definitely not a salon. Here there’s shaving tools, beard balm, mustache wax and other products crafted with men only in mind. “I love the smell of the shop. It doesn’t smell like a hair salon; it smells like handsome men,” Conrad says with a smile. That heritage philosophy permeates how Victory approaches its haircuts, as well as popular services like straight razor shaving – a “bucket-list” item for many men. At the same time, Conrad’s team has adopted their own modern twist, developing Victory’s line of shaving products and tools – Damned Fine Shaving for Gentlemen, with more to come. From the start, people have appreciated that authenticity. What began as a local buzz quickly spread across Canada and the United States, where Conrad has been sought after to teach others the unique trade of barbering. The real magnitude of Victory’s reach became clear while Conrad was travelling in a Toronto taxi where the cab’s TV console ran an ad highlighting Victory’s selection as one of the best
barbershops in all of Canada. “I think that’s when I realized we had done something really special.” While Victory may be designed for men, it’s no surprise that Conrad, who also owns downtown’s equally celebrated Lab hair salon, hears plenty of appreciative comments from women thrilled that their men now have a place that keeps them looking and feeling their best. “We’ve had a lot of feedback from guys, but even more from their wives and girlfriends!”
Victory Barber and Brand 1315 Blanshard St. at Yates in the Atrium • 250.381.1522
www.victorybarbers.com
From left: Aahmes Deshutter, Crystal Currie, Matthew Conrad, Paul Huxtable, Doug Macniell and Joshua Sparrow at Conrad’s men’s only heritage-style barbershop.
So nice to come home to.
Tessa Hamelin walks through Cook Street Village with her dog, Indiana on her way to get treats at the pet store. The stretch is great for dog-watching.
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Best ofof the the City City Summer Summer 2013 2013 •• 17 17 Best
of Starbucks. “Everybody got up to help.” One need not venture away from the village to be self-sufficient. You want food? The eight sitdown eateries offer a variety of choices, from pub food to ethnic specialties Cooking dinner yourself? Longtime icon Oxford Foods is joined by two organic grocery stores, a market/ deli, a fresh butcher shop and a produce/flower stand run by John the singing greengrocer, who performs on occasion at Serious Coffee. There’s a range of other merchants and services, from a pair of antique dealers, two hair salons, an all-night convenience store and an optician, a liquor store, a drug store, butcher, women’s clothing store and financial and physio/health services. And of course there’s Pic a Flic, one of the Capital Region’s rare thriving video rental stores, which has perhaps the largest library collection of classic movies and TV series. While small business is what keeps the village thriving, the overarching attitude is chill. “With all the chestnut trees and the dogs, it’s really fantastic and a great place to people watch on a nice day,” Kudra says. “I know people that have moved away, but they still come back, even all the way from Langford.”
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It’s more than simply a neighbourhood commercial district. It’s a place to meet up with friends, people-watch, have a first date, dog-watch and simply have a pleasant stroll under a canopy of chestnut trees. Cook Street Village, a three-block section of Cook Street in Victoria’s Fairfield neighbourhood, has developed from a hyper-local shopping district into a trendy stretch of food, health, entertainment and living. And it’s not just all about coffee, although the three largest cafés – Serious Coffee, Moka House and Starbucks – each have their fans and are among the biggest initial draws for people coming into the village. Some café visitors choose their patio based on the placement of the sun. But nearby resident Ab Kudra, a retired B.C. Ferries employee, nicknamed the Mayor of Cook Street Village by his friends – and he has many – likes to spread the business around. Stopping in at various spots in the village offers him a chance to check in with friends and neighbours and meet new people, he says. “The people around Cook Street Village are very hospitable; they’re so friendly and they help you out if you need assistance,” he says. Kudra recalls a situation when an elderly woman stumbled and fell in front
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fax your approval or changes Thank you, Victoria, for nominating us the best hardware store! to Integral Creative email: tom@integralcreative.ca tel.: (250) 885-9070 fax: 1 (866) 623-5128
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Oak Bay Home Hardware 1911 Oak Bay Ave 250.598.1620
Thank you
Ed Bain rocks out to his accordion for Beat the Polka Monster at 100.3 the Q studio on Quadra Street. Readers have voted Bain their favourite radio personality in Victoria for Best of the City.
Best radio personality:
Ed Bain
After A cAreer thAt spAns four decAdes, the morning funny mAn is still A fAn fAVourite He was the first voice on the air in ’87 and has been in the same time slot ever since. “I wouldn’t willingly go to any other time,” says Bain, who calls Victoria home with his wife of 28 years and 22-year-old son. Despite a changing landscape in broadcasting – one of declining 24-hour live programming – Bain is hopeful for those extroverts still willing to enter the industry. “It’s definitely tougher and there are less opportunities,” he says. “If somebody wants to get into it and is willing to go wherever it takes to find work, it’s still a wonderful career.” Bain topped our readers’ favourites list for his antics on the radio from 5:30 to 9 a.m. and his weather reports on CHEK’s evening newscast also landed him a spot among our top three best TV personalities. All that love from Victoria audiences isn’t exactly driving the 57-year-old to pack in his 14-hour days. “People always say: ‘When are you going to retire?’ and I always say the station or the audience will tell us when that’s going to happen. As long as the audience shows up and as long as my card key keeps working, I’ll be on.”
For over 50 years we have served the community as a family owned and operated business. We have the largest selection and inventory of lighting on Vancouver Island with showrooms in both Victoria and Nanaimo.
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VICTORIA 3400 DOUGLAS ST 250.475.2561 mclarenlighting.com
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After nearly 35 years on the air, Hudson Mack is a favourite personality in Victoria and beyond. Voted best TV personality, the senior news anchor and news director of CTV Vancouver Island continues to lead the industry and educate the next generation of broadcasters. He also continues to pick up industry awards – including the 2011 Jack Webster Award for Best TV News Reporting in B.C. – and sit on broadcast standards and curriculum advisory panels for broadcast journalism and communications.
Thank you for voting us for the past 4 years running in Victoria's Best of the City.
2013
Weyburn, Sask., 1974: a nervous 19-year-old settles into the sound booth at CFSL radio. A lightbulb spray painted red signifies On Air status and the beginning of an epic career in Canadian radio. A fresh-faced Ed Bain, with a newly-minted certificate in broadcasting, finally has the chance to show a broader audience he’s more than just the comedian of his peers. The light glows. The pressure mounts. Bain completes the inspired moment and sends out Three Dog Night’s “Mama Told Me Not to Come” across the airwaves. “I always thought that was somewhat symbolic, but maybe I shouldn’t have,” says Bain, longtime morning show host at 100.3 The Q and this year’s best local radio personality in our Best of the City survey. The native of smalltown Alberta had just taken what he describes as a fly-by-night broadcasting course in Edmonton that was appealing primarily on a sole promise: “They guaranteed you a job if you were willing to go anywhere.” Bain attributes the decision to enter the industry to a post-high school epiphany. “I’d always been a class clown, a loudmouth with an affinity for making people laugh.” Though his first years in Weyburn were fun, they weren’t exactly opulent. “I wasn’t making much money, living in a one-room basement suite and then moved to a two-room basement suite in a cabin. It was pretty lean in the early days.” Bain moved to the morning show position in Regina in the mid-70s, where he stayed for five years before moving to Saskatoon. He eventually landed a gig starting a station just outside of Vancouver in ’85, until The Q opened up shop in Victoria two years later.
Romance blooms on local beaches rocks, logs or sand, The capiTal region has iT all
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Ahh, romance. Snuggling with with families and young people for your significant other on a sandy a summer day of digging in the sand beach, with the sunset painting the and cooling off with a dip. sky pink and orange. There’s an added bit of romantic For some, the scenario might appeal for others. seem more suited to a tropical “I’m a dancer, and when my holiday thousands of kilometres friends and I want to go dancing south of Victoria. barefoot in the sand, Willows is always our No. Chin up, frustrated 1 choice,” says Kelsey lovers, Greater Victoria To Coplin. has miles of coastline The way T … ear “It’s beautiful available for such one’s h each visit ake a b any time of the day romantic interludes, m a to t ck n Wa tic? Pa re roman and in any season. much of it very wine or c ti even mo s la p nch, with mpagne Whether the sun is accessible – some picnic lu ses, cha s a gl e e s champagn juice, fruit, chee high in the sky or areas even feature ge of and oran ers, and sinking below the the aforementioned and crack colate! o course, ch horizon, Willows is sand. always welcoming and But just how to pick romantic.” the most romantic beach Given the abundance of in the region? coastline around Greater Victoria, It really depends on one’s idea many other spots received votes, of romantic, but there are plenty of including Esquimalt Lagoon. options out there. “One of the attractions is you Take Willows Beach, for example. The long stretch of coastline can enjoy the view in your vehicle, in Oak Bay has long been popular if it’s cold out, or on the beach if it’s
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J&J Wonton NoodLe HoUSe
U o Y k N a TH ! ViCToria
Thank You Victoria for voting J&J Wonton Noodle House as one of your favourite restaurants!
Marianne Heine and Remi Potvin chat in the spring sunshine while reclining at Gonzales Beach, one of the region’s most romantic beaches, according to our Best of the City reader’s survey.
warm, because of how close you can get to the water,” says Langford resident Janys Langer. Not only that, she says, it has a number of secluded places to gain some privacy and can be a perfect spot from which to watch the stars. For stargazing, anywhere along the Dallas Road waterfront can work well, since the lights of the city drop
Voted
Best City of the
from sight at beach level. The large number of logs, rocky outcroppings and other natural and man-made seats provide many spots to perch or snuggle up. Same for Gonzales Beach in Fairfield, Cordova Bay beach in Saanich, Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin and Becher Bay in East Sooke Park, to name but a few.
Located on Fort St. between Cook and Vancouver, J&J Wonton Noodle House specialises in Cantonese and Szechuan food. Using as many local ingredients as possible could be a reason for them receiving the title Best of the City more than once! The staff is attentive and friendly and the glassed in kitchen area allows you to watch the chefs preparing your food. The ingredients are incredibly fresh and there are a many daily specials. There are often line-ups so you may want to avoid peak times or reserve. Gluten-free and vegan-friendly options available. Bring the whole family.
Tues-Sat, lunch from 11-2 & dinner from 4:30-8:30
1012 Fort St. • 250-383-0680
Enjoy fresh, flavourful cuisine two ways at Japanese Village
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Many Victorians are familiar with the Japanese Village Restaurant’s award-winning teppan dining – after all, who hasn’t marvelled at the chefs dazzling with their remarkable skills, right at the table? But what diners may not know is that the Japanese Village also welcomes guests in their charming, traditionally decorated sushi bar and dining room – just one more reason why the iconic restaurant has again been voted one of Victoria’s best. Pull up a comfortable stool and watch the talented master sushi chefs create the delicacies right before your eyes, or relax at a quiet table to enjoy your meal.
734 Broughton St. I 250.382.5165 I www.japanesevillage.bc.ca
Best ofof the the City City Summer Summer 2013 2013 •• 21 21 Best
Open for lunch and dinner, additional selections here include a variety of individual and combination meals, including tempura, yakitori, lunch-time udon bowls and more. Can’t decide which kind of sushi and sashimi to try first? Ask the chef to prepare a special assorted sushi platter and discover a new favourite. Of course, if you’re in the mood for something hot and sizzling, venture into the Teppan Steakhouse. Teppan dining, or Teppanyaki – “the iron table” – was first introduced to North America in the 1960s, offering guests a front row seat as their dinner is cooked to perfection right before their eyes. Choose from filet mignon, chicken and seafood dishes, complimented by fresh-cut vegetables and fantastic secret recipe sauces, then enjoy the show as your personal chef dazzles and delights with his culinary sleight-of-hand. Have a birthday or special occasion coming up? Whether in the sushi dining room or the Teppan Steakhouse, special events are a Japanese Village specialty and the experienced staff will help ensure your celebration is memorable!
Various celebs in our midst
Voted
Best City
of the
It’s a funny thing, celebrity, especially for Greater Victoria. If we ask each other the names of local celebrities, it seems the ones who keep coming up are those we spot on our televisions and/or on the big screen – primarily the sports stars and the entertainment crowd. Sure, Steve Nash, Simon Whitfield and Jamie Benn (below) are big names from the sporting world. We instantly recognize Vicki Gabereau, Nelly Furtado (right) and David Foster, and for some, director Atom Egoyan. Even entertainment world celebrity, Pamela Anderson, a Ladysmith import has some local connections. But what about those famous folks who we don’t see on our TV screens. Let’s talk about writers. West Shore resident Esi Udugyan has won almost every major literary award in Canada in the past couple of years, not to mention several international ones. Patrick deWitt is another writer who has snapped up awards lately. Writers don’t often appear on our TV screens but we should be aware of these two and others such as the prolific Robert J. Wiersema. Finally, the most important celebrities are those folks we know who give to the community without any thought to their own public profile. People like Jeneece Edroff, who despite her own ongoing health issues, has fundraised millions of dollars for local causes, or the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock riders who each year take their own time to train, ride and fundraise to help ease the struggles of children battling cancer. These are the folks who we should recognize as our real celebrities.
VICTORIA NEWS
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Best City of the
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
BEST of the CITY FINALIST
BUSINESS PROFILE: Sizzling Tandoor
Savour the fine flavours of Indian cuisine
Gurinder and Narpinder Bawa were honoured to be named “Best of the City” for Indian food within a year of opening their Sizzling Tandoor restaurant in Victoria’s bustling LoJo neighbourhood. Today, a year later, they have opened their second location in the vibrant Uptown development and are vying for their second “Best of the City” title. Together, the Bawas have capitalized on Narpinder’s passion for cooking to create a pair of restaurants that have created quite a local following in just a short time. Serving fragrant and flavourful North Indian cuisine, Sizzling Tandoor has proven popular with the lunch crowd who appreciate the fresh, delicious ingredients crafted into their favourite Indian dishes. Daytime diners can choose from the regular menu or the hearty, quick and affordable Indian buffet, featuring such
favourites as butter chicken, beef curry, dal makhani, pakoras, rice, naan bread and salad. While both the menu and buffet are popular choices at lunch, guests are also welcome to order food to take out to enjoy outside or back at the office. In the evening, the Sizzling Tandoor’s friendly, efficient staff welcome an appreciative dinner clientele who enjoy a more intimate atmosphere and a full menu, including Narpinder’s celebrated butter chicken. “People say it’s the best in town,” Gurinder notes. Other customer favourites include the filled naan, appetizers like samosas, mussels and pakoras and a delicious array of entrees such as Chicken Tikka, Lamb Kebab and Tandoori Prawns. For those looking for something a little different, sample something new, like chicken strips and Marsala fries or Tandoori Poutine. An excellent choice for those watching the gluten in their diet, more than 90 per cent of the menu items are gluten-free,
637 Johnson Street • 250-388-5450 • www.sizzlingtandoor.ca
Gurinder notes, pointing as well to their numerous vegan and vegetarian selections prepared completely free of contact with meat, including utensils. “Our customers can have confidence when they dine with us,” Gurinder says. Those new to Indian cuisine might enjoy the mildly flavoured butter chicken or the various Tandoori dishes, cooked in a traditional clay Tandoor oven, as the spice level can be tailored to the individual. Those preferring something a little spicier might enjoy a Vindaloo, or for something completely different, a mango coconut curry. Accompanied with light and fluffy Basmati rice and delicious naan
bread – try a flavourful garlic naan or a rosemary naan for a yummy change – and it’s no wonder why Victorians are once again honouring Sizzling Tandoor as one of the Best in the City.
Sizzling Tandoor owners Gurinder and Narpinder Bawa welcome guests to their new location at Uptown, which has joined their bustling LoJo location.
Voted
Best City
of the
VICTORIA NEWS
R YEA
2013
19th
The Best of the City 2013 Results AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best Adventure Tourism
Leisure and Entertainment
1. WildPlay Element Parks 2. Prince of Whales 3. Eagle Wing Tours
Best Place To Take A Tourist 1. The Butchart Gardens 2. Inner Harbour 3. Dallas Road
Best Outdoor Art 1. Moss Street Paint-In 2. The Victoria International Chalk Art Festival 3. Inner Harbour
Best Place To Take A Parent 1. The Butchart Gardens 2. Beacon Hill Park 3. The Fairmont Empress
Best Place To Spot A Celebrity 1. The Fairmont Empress 2. Inner Harbour 3. Government Street
Best Place For Afternoon Tea 1. The Fairmont Empress 2. The White Heather Tea Room 3. Murchie’s
Best Place To Escape Urban Stress In The City 1. Beacon Hill Park 2. Mount Douglas Park 3. Willows Beach
Best Place To Walk Your Dog 1. Dallas Road 2. Thetis Lake Regional Park 3. Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
Harbour Ferries vessels shuttle passenger across the Inner Harbour with the Legislature (left) and the historic CPR Steamship Terminal building, (right) in the background.
Best Place To Meet A Mate 1. Starbucks 2. Thrifty Foods 3. University of Victoria
Best Free Fun 1. Beacon Hill Park 2. Inner Harbour 3. Dallas Road
Best Place To Worship 1. Christ Church Cathedral 2. St. Andrew’s Cathedral 3. Glad Tidings Church
Best Museum 1. Royal BC Museum 2. The Maritime Museum of BC 3. Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Local Celebrity You’d Like To Invite To Dinner 1. Ed Bain 2. David Foster 3. Hudson Mack
Best Place To Spot A Ghost 1.
Ross Bay Cemetery 2. Bastion Square 3. Victoria Golf Club
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 23
Voted
Best City
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VICTORIA NEWS
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The Best of the City 2013 Results AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best Urban Hiking Trail
Best New Car Dealership
1. Mount Douglas Park 2. The Galloping Goose Trail 3. Thetis Lake Regional Park
1. Metro Lexus Toyota 2. Campus Honda 3. BMW Victoria
Best Romantic Beach
Best Used Car Dealership
1. Willows Beach 2. Dallas Road 3. Gonzales Bay Beach
1. Galaxy Motors 2. Howies Car Corral 1. Metro Lexus Toyota
Best Worst Kept Secret In Victoria
Best For Motorcycles/Scooters
1. Red Fish Blue Fish 2. Blue Fox Cafe 3. Brasserie L’école
1. Steve Drane Harley-Davidson 2. Action Motorcycles 3. SG Power
Shopping
Best Bicycle Shop
Best Shop For Vitamins & Nutrition 1. The Vitamin Shop 2. Lifestyles Market 3. Popeye’s
Best Bookstore 1. Munro’s Books 2. Bolen Books 3. Chapters
Best Used Bookstore 1. Russell Books 2. The Smart Bookshop 3. Chronicles of Crime
1. Oak Bay Bicycles 2. Fort Street Cycle 3. Russ Hays The Bicycle Shop
Biker Darcy Lee, an avid biker, rides the Colwood portion of the Galloping Goose home from work.
Best Thrift Shop
Best Flower Shop
Best For Your Pets
1. Value Village 2. Victoria Women In Need Community Cooperative 3. The Salvation Army
1. Brown’s The Florist 2. Poppies Floral Art 3. Thrifty Foods
Best Garden Shop
1. Petcetera 2. Bosley’s Pet Food Plus 3. Pets West
Best Consignment Shop
1. GardenWorks 2. Dig This 3. Marigold Nursery
1. Baja Rosi’s Consignment Cabana 2. My Sister’s Closet 3. The Patch
Fresh & Local
Since 1963
n oug Yue sident D e r P h it nw Don Yue Founder
24 • Best of the City Summer 2013
“Giving Island communities our best for 50 years.” Fairway Market Proudly Supports Santa’s Anonymous • Rotary International • The David Foster Foundation • The Mustard Seed • Heart & Stroke Foundation • Victoria Dragon Boast Festival • Jeneece Place
Voted
Best City
of the
The Best of the City 2013 Results
VICTORIA NEWS
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AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best For Appliances
Best Farmers Market
1. Sears 2. Trail Appliances 3. Westcoast Appliance
1. Red Barn Market 2. Moss Street Community Market 3. The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
Best For Hardware 1. The Home Depot 2. Home Hardware 3. Rona
Best Kitchen Shop 1. Cook Culture 2. Capital Iron 3. Penna & Co. Kitchen & Giftware
Best Independent Shoe Store 1. The Cobbler 2. Footloose 3. She She Shoes
Best Fashion Boutique 1. Still Life 2. Mango’s Boutique & Accessories 3. Bliss Boutique
Best For Window Coverings
Best Furniture Store (Independent) 1. Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress 2. Sager’s Home Living 3. Luxe Home Interiors
Best Furniture Store (Chain)
1. Ruffell & Brown 2. Sears 3. The Home Depot
1. 2. 3. 3.
Best For Flooring
Best For Pool/Spa
1. End Of the Roll 2. The Finishing Store 3. The Home Depot
The Brick Sears Urban Barn Ashley Furniture
1. Capital Iron 2. Vintage Hot Tubs 3. Twilight Hot Tubs & Billiards
Best For Lighting
Best For Barbeques
1. Mclaren Lighting 2. Illuminations Lighting Solutions 3. The Home Depot
1. The Home Depot 2. Capital Iron 3. Canadian Tire
Best Department Store
1. Long & McQuade 2. Tom Lee Music 3. Larsen Music
1. The Bay 2. Sears 3. Walmart
Best For Musical Instruments
Heather Stretch holds leeks grown at Saanich Organics booth during the first full day of the Moss Street Market
ADVERTISING FEATURE Voted
Best City
of the
BUSINESS PROFILE: Hillside Veterinary Hospital
BEST of the CITY FINALIST
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A Balanced Approach to your best friend’s health
One visit to Hillside Veterinary Hospital and it’s easy to see why the full-service facility has consistently been named one of Victoria’s first choices for pets’ health. Not only are the dedicated staff committed to the needs of their four-legged patients and their families, but as an animal hospital, they provide virtually all the services your pet might need. On-site are exam and treatment rooms, surgery and radiology, with extensive diagnostic lab space upstairs. Hospital services include patient examinations, on-site anesthesia, surgery, dentistry, digital radiology, nursing care, on-site laboratory services, a full pharmacy,
including herbal medicines, plus a full range of complementary and rehabilitation services. “Because we understand that every patient is different, we have a full team that provides a compassionate, individual approach to every patient’s needs,” explains manager Jennifer Harris. “It’s a very holistic approach to the patient’s healthcare.” Welcoming patients since 1982, the hospital has marked many firsts in its history, including opening Vancouver Island’s first comprehensive veterinary rehabilitation centre in 2008, offering mobility assessment, hydro-treadmill therapy, massage therapy, sports therapy and more. It was also one of the first veterinary hospitals to offer acupuncture and chiropractic services, complement-
ing their extensive traditional veterinary services. After working at the hospital for many years, Drs. Jennifer Chan, Sylvie Abrioux and Glynis Newman bought the practice in 2004; joining them are veterinary associates Drs. Rachel Borwein, Jane Vermeulen, Laurie Gaines, Lesia Hyzka and Kevin Keller and a full team of support staff committed to providing a compassionate, balanced holistic approach to your pet’s heath needs. Voted among the top-three veterinary facilities each year since 2009, Hillside Veterinary Hospital welcomes dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and a full range of “pocket pets.” Because of their holistic approach, the Hillside Vet-
Hillside Veterinary Hospital 1700 Kings Rd. • 250-598-4477 www.hillsidevethospital.com
Dr. Jennifer Chan, Dr. Sylvie Abrioux Dr. Glynis Newman & Associates
Open 7 days a WeeK
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 25
· Full Hospital & Surgical Facility · Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage · Rehabilitation & Hydro-treadmill
erinary team also emphasizes preventive care and that, paired with an appreciation for the full hospital care available, has resonated with clients. “We’ve built the most incredible relationships with our clients and their pets,” Harris says. “We make the clients a partner in the decision-making; we give them the knowledge so they can make informed choices.” For more information please call, stop by or visit our website.
Voted
Best City
Restaurants/Food & Drink Best New Restaurant 1. Bin 4 Burger Lounge 2. Jam Cafe 3. The Tartan Toque
Best Chinese
Best Vietnamese
Best “All You Can Eat”
1. Ming’s 2. Don Mees 3. J & J Wonton Noodle House
1. Pho Vy 2. Green Leaf Bistro 3. Saigon Night
1.
Best Greek
Best Indian
1. San Remo 2. Il Greco 3. Opa Souvlaki
Best Old School Diner 1. Floyd’s Diner 2. John’s Place Restaurant 3. Rosie’s Diner
Best For First Date 1. Milestones 2. Il Terrazzo 3. Fireside Grill
Best Seafood 1. Pescatores Seafood & Grill 2. Red Fish Blue Fish 3. Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood House
Best For Steak
Best Thai
1. Il Terrazzo 2. Zambri’s 3. Pagliacci’s
1. Baan Thai 2. Little Thai Place 3. Sabhai Thai
Best Japanese
Best For Breakfast
1. The Japanese Village Restaurant 2. Azuma Sushi 3. Ebizo Japanese Restaurant
1. Blue Fox Cafe 2. Jam Cafe 3. John’s Place Restaurant
Best Mexican
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
1. Cafe Mexico 2. Hernande’z Cocina 3. La Taquisa
1. Rebar 2. Green Cuisine 3. The Lotus Pond
19th
The Best of the City 2013 Results AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best For Your Sweet Tooth 1. The Dutch Bakery 2. Rogers’ Chocolates 3. Ooh La La Cupcakes
Best Coffee/Latte/ Cappuccino(Independent) 1. Habit 2. Discovery Coffee 3. Caffé Fantastico
Best Business Lunch
1. Sizzling Tandoor 2. The Spice Jammer 3. Sabri Indian Cuisine
Best Italian
1. The Keg Steakhouse & Bar 2. Brasserie L’école 3. Milestones
Brunch at The Marina Restaurant 2. Raymond’s Restaurant 3. Purple Garden
19th
R YEA
AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
VICTORIA NEWS
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The Best of the City 2013 Results
VICTORIA NEWS
Voted
Best Best City City VICTORIA NEWS Voted
of the
1. Cactus Club Cafe 2. Moxie’s Classic Grill 3. Lure Restaurant & Lounge
Order up in the kitchen at The Penny Farthing. Andrew Frey places a salad next to a duck burger at the beginning of the lunch rush.
Best Ice Cream
Best Patio Bar
1. Beacon Drive-In 2. Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar 3. Marble Slab Creamery
1. Canoe Bewpub 2. Glo Restaurant & Lounge 3. The Local Kitchen
Best Wings
Best Sports Bar
1. The Tartan Toque 2. Hecklers Bar & Grill 3. 1550’s Pub Style Restaurant
1. Shark Club 2. The Podium Sports Grill 3. The Sticky Wicket Pub
Best Fish & Chips
Best For A Martini
1. Barb’s Fish & Chips 2. Red Fish Blue Fish 3. Haultain Fish & Chips
1. Veneto Tapa Lounge 2. Clive’s Classic Lounge 3. The Bengal Lounge
Best Burger
Best Pub
1. Bin 4 Burger Lounge 2. The Pink Bicycle 3. Big Wheel Burger
1. Irish Times Pub 2. Bard & Banker Scottish Pub 3. The Fernwood Inn
Best Pizza
Best For Scotch
1. Pizzeria Prima Strada 2. Romeo’s 3. Ali Baba Pizza
1. 2. 3. 3.
Bard & Banker Scottish Pub Clive’s Classic Lounge Argyle Attic The Bengal Lounge
Phil Ralph, bartender at the Strathcona Hotel Sticky Wicket Pub pulls a beer in the Games Room of the popular downtown pub.
Thank you to all our customers for voting us number one! Store y r e c o r G t s Be Voted
Best City
of the
Best Bulk Store
Voted
Best City
of the
2
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Your destination for grocery shopping
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 27
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Best Flower Shop
YEAR
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Best Place to Me et
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VICTORIA NEWS
Best City 2013
Voted
1
Experience the difference our people make.
Voted
Voted
Best City
Restaurants/Food & Drink Best New Restaurant 1. Bin 4 Burger Lounge 2. Jam Cafe 3. The Tartan Toque
Best Chinese
Best Vietnamese
Best “All You Can Eat”
1. Ming’s 2. Don Mees 3. J & J Wonton Noodle House
1. Pho Vy 2. Green Leaf Bistro 3. Saigon Night
1.
Best Greek
Best Indian
1. San Remo 2. Il Greco 3. Opa Souvlaki
Best Old School Diner 1. Floyd’s Diner 2. John’s Place Restaurant 3. Rosie’s Diner
Best For First Date 1. Milestones 2. Il Terrazzo 3. Fireside Grill
Best Seafood 1. Pescatores Seafood & Grill 2. Red Fish Blue Fish 3. Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood House
Best For Steak
Best Thai
1. Il Terrazzo 2. Zambri’s 3. Pagliacci’s
1. Baan Thai 2. Little Thai Place 3. Sabhai Thai
Best Japanese
Best For Breakfast
1. The Japanese Village Restaurant 2. Azuma Sushi 3. Ebizo Japanese Restaurant
1. Blue Fox Cafe 2. Jam Cafe 3. John’s Place Restaurant
Best Mexican
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
1. Cafe Mexico 2. Hernande’z Cocina 3. La Taquisa
1. Rebar 2. Green Cuisine 3. The Lotus Pond
19th
The Best of the City 2013 Results AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best For Your Sweet Tooth 1. The Dutch Bakery 2. Rogers’ Chocolates 3. Ooh La La Cupcakes
Best Coffee/Latte/ Cappuccino(Independent) 1. Habit 2. Discovery Coffee 3. Caffé Fantastico
Best Business Lunch
1. Sizzling Tandoor 2. The Spice Jammer 3. Sabri Indian Cuisine
Best Italian
1. The Keg Steakhouse & Bar 2. Brasserie L’école 3. Milestones
Brunch at The Marina Restaurant 2. Raymond’s Restaurant 3. Purple Garden
19th
R YEA
AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
VICTORIA NEWS
AR 20Y 1E 3
R YEA
2013
19th
of the
of the
2013
The Best of the City 2013 Results
VICTORIA NEWS
Voted
Best Best City City VICTORIA NEWS Voted
of the
1. Cactus Club Cafe 2. Moxie’s Classic Grill 3. Lure Restaurant & Lounge
Order up in the kitchen at The Penny Farthing. Andrew Frey places a salad next to a duck burger at the beginning of the lunch rush.
Best Ice Cream
Best Patio Bar
1. Beacon Drive-In 2. Qoola Frozen Yogurt Bar 3. Marble Slab Creamery
1. Canoe Bewpub 2. Glo Restaurant & Lounge 3. The Local Kitchen
Best Wings
Best Sports Bar
1. The Tartan Toque 2. Hecklers Bar & Grill 3. 1550’s Pub Style Restaurant
1. Shark Club 2. The Podium Sports Grill 3. The Sticky Wicket Pub
Best Fish & Chips
Best For A Martini
1. Barb’s Fish & Chips 2. Red Fish Blue Fish 3. Haultain Fish & Chips
1. Veneto Tapa Lounge 2. Clive’s Classic Lounge 3. The Bengal Lounge
Best Burger
Best Pub
1. Bin 4 Burger Lounge 2. The Pink Bicycle 3. Big Wheel Burger
1. Irish Times Pub 2. Bard & Banker Scottish Pub 3. The Fernwood Inn
Best Pizza
Best For Scotch
1. Pizzeria Prima Strada 2. Romeo’s 3. Ali Baba Pizza
1. 2. 3. 3.
Bard & Banker Scottish Pub Clive’s Classic Lounge Argyle Attic The Bengal Lounge
Phil Ralph, bartender at the Strathcona Hotel Sticky Wicket Pub pulls a beer in the Games Room of the popular downtown pub.
Thank you to all our customers for voting us number one! Store y r e c o r G t s Be Voted
Best City
of the
Best Bulk Store
Voted
Best City
of the
2
VICTORIA NEWS
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19th
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VICTORIA NEWS
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Your destination for grocery shopping
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 27
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Best Flower Shop
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VICTORIA NEWS
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Best Place to Me et
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201 3
Best City
VICTORIA NEWS
Best City 2013
Voted
1
Experience the difference our people make.
Voted
Voted
Best City
of the
The Best of the City 2013 Results
VICTORIA NEWS
R YEA
2013
19th
AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Food Service Best Grocery Store 1. Thrifty Foods 2. The Market Stores 3. Fairway Market
Best Bulk Food Store 1. Costco 2. Thrifty Foods 3. For Good Measure
Best For Produce 1.
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer 2. Red Barn Market 3. Fairway Market
Best Organic Grocer 1.
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer 2. Red Barn Market 3. Planet Organic
Best Bakery 1. COBS Bread 2. The Dutch Bakery 3. Wild Fire Organic Bakery & Café
Best Specialty Deli 1. Italian Food Imports 2. Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen 3. Red Barn Market
Best Local Brewery/Winery 1. Phillips Brewing Company 2. Hoyne Brewing Company 3. Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
Best Wine Store 1. Everything Wine 2. BC Liquor Store 3. Liquor Plus
Best For Making Your Own Wine 1. The Winemaker 2. Cook Street Village Wineworks 3. WineKitz
Best U Brew 1. Brew Works 2. Bedford Brewing Company 3. West Coast Brew Shop
Service Best Hotel 1. The Fairmont Empress 2. Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa 3. Hotel Grand Pacific
Best Barbershop 1. Victory Barber & Brand 2. Jimmy’s Barber Shop 3. Status Barbershop
Best Spa 1.
Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress 2. The Spa at The Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort 3. Spa Magnolia
Best Manicure/Pedicure 1.
Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Empress 2. Alchemy Hair Design & Spa (no longer operating) 3. The Spa at The Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
28 • Best of the City Summer 2013
THERE’S NO STORE LIKE IT...
Mitch Kory gets a little off the top at the Oak Bay Barbershoppe during a cut from barber Happy Coxford.
for Backyard Magic!
1900 Store Street 250-385-9703 • FREE PARKING • Sidney Centre, Sidney 250-655-7115
Voted Voted
Best City
of of the the
VICTORIA NEWS NEWS VICTORIA
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The Best of the City 2013 Results AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best Hair Salon
Best Place For Picture Framing
Best Retirement Residence
Best Automotive Service (Chain)
1. Lab Salon 2. Alchemy Hair Design & Spa (no longer operating) 3. Fish Hair Salon
1. Michaels 2. Island Blue 3. Opus Framing & Art Supplies
1. The Wellesley 2. Berwick Retirement Communities 3. Carlton House
1. Canadian Tire 2. Midas 3. Kal Tire
Best Shoe Repair
Best Custom Home Builder
Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlour
1. Stevenson’s Shoe Clinic 2. Oak Bay Cobbler 3. Arcadia Shoe Repair
1. 2. 3. 3.
1. Urge Tattoos 2. Tattoo Zoo 3. Empire Tattoo
Best Automotive Service (Independent)
Best Optical/Eyewear
Best Condo Development
1. Goo Goo Goggles 2. Maycock Eyecare 3. Costco
1. Dockside Green 2. Village Walk 3. The Hudson
Abstract Developments Inc. Terry Johal Developments Coastal Construction Maximillian Huxley Construction
Best Tire Store 1. Kal Tire 2. Canadian Tire 3. Big O Tires
Best Pharmacy
1. Searles Auto Repair 2. Rand Automotive 3. Speedy Auto Service
Best Place To Improve Your Smile 1. Academy Dental 2. Saanich Dental Group 3. Mayfair Dental Centre
Best Public Washroom
1. London Drugs 2. Pharmasave 3. Shoppers Drug Mart
1. The Bay Centre 2. Cactus Club 3. The Fairmont Empress
Best For Photo Finishing
Best Pet Clinic
1. London Drugs 2. Costco 3. Walmart
1. Hillside Veterinary Hospital 2. McKenzie Veterinary Services 3. Kindred Spirits Veterinary Hospital
Best Weight Loss Centre Residents at Carlton House, a seniors retirement home, raise their glasses in a toast as they enjoy the start of their Thursday happy hour. The residence hosts a happy hour every Thursday and Saturday at 4pm.
THERE’S NO STORE LIKE IT...
1. Weight Watchers 2. Jenny Craig 3. Curves
for Great Housewares Value!
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 29
1900 Store Street 250-385-9703 • FREE PARKING • Sidney Centre, Sidney 250-655-7115
Voted
Best City
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VICTORIA NEWS
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The Best of the City 2013 Results AS VOTED BY THE READERS OF VICTORIA NEWS, OAK BAY NEWS, SAANICH NEWS AND GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE, MAY 2013
Best Bank/Financial Institution
Best Running Store
1. 2. 3.
1. 2. 3.
Coast Capital Savings TD Canada Trust Royal Bank of Canada
Frontrunners Running Room Peninsula Runners
Best For Insurance
Best 18-Hole Golf Course
1. 2. 3.
1. 2. 3.
Coast Capital Savings Megson FitzPatrick BCAA
Recreation
Best 9-Hole Or Par-3 Golf Course 1.
Favorite Local Sports Team 1. 2. 3.
Victoria Royals Victoria Grizzlies Victoria Shamrocks
2. 3.
1. 2. 3.
Moksha Yoga Victoria Moksana Yoga Center Feel Good Yoga & Pilates
1. 2. 3.
Recreation Oak Bay Saanich Commonwealth Place Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre
de Pfyffer Dance Victoria Karen Clark Dance Studio Lynda Raino Dance
Best For Martial Arts
Best Gym/Fitness Studio 1. 2. 3.
Saanich Commonwealth Place Recreation Oak Bay Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre
Best Dance Lessons
Best Rec Centre 1. 2. 3.
The Ridge Course at Cordova Bay Henderson Park Golf Course Juan de Fuca Golf Course
Best Swimming Pool
Best Yoga Studio 1. 2. 3.
Olympic View Golf Club Highland Pacific Golf Royal Colwood Golf Club
1. 2. 3.
YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria VI Fitness Centres Recreation Oak Bay
Kids Best Kids’ Attraction 1. 2. 3.
Beacon Hill Children’s Farm Victoria Bug Zoo Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
Best Kids Clothing Store 1. 2. 3.
Gap Kids The Children’s Place Abra-Kid-Abra
Best Camp For Kids 1. 2. 3.
Y Camp Thunderbird Camp Imadene Camp Pringle
Justice Kremler at Beacon Hill petting zoo Saturday as the goats climb on him.
Media
Best Local Radio Personality
Best Local Blog 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3.
1. 2. 3.
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Rick Herd and Wendy Duval enjoy time together working on a crossword puzzle at Macchiato Caffé on Broad Street downtown. It seems new coffee stops spring up weekly around the region, but each develops its regular clientele.
Victoria creates its own COFFEE CULTURE no matter where you are around the region, chances are there’s a café near home or work
Owner Shane Devereaux sits at the counter of the popular Habit Coffee shop on Pandora Avenue. He says enjoying coffee is about far more than just the flavour.
very long time.” It still comes down to that culture though, he says. When asked to describe the perfect cup of coffee, he speaks more of what’s around the
cup than what’s in it. “Who your with or where you are and what kind of comfortable environment are you in. I think it’s an overarching experience.”
Best of the City Summer 2013 • 31
vereaux believes the European influence in Victoria is another contributing factor. “It’s about community. That’s what coffee used to be about back in the old days of Vienna,” he says. It’s nearly impossible to walk a “Coffee was a place to go that was block in Victoria without strolling much like the pub. It was a place past a coffee shop. for people to gather and think and Whether a trendy chain or a share in this. And that’s what we see boutique independent joint, coffee is happening (here).” a big deal to Victorians. Oughtred’s company goes to “We have a really the source for its beans and pays sophisticated coffee great care and attention to where market here,” says the coffee is coming from John Oughtred and how it has been of Oughtred produced. Coffee & Tea, Habit takes its s u ro e are num re e a roasting and coffee seriously h s T n e house ent coffe d n distributing too, from seed to e p t e u d in ,b r Victoria st company estabcup, frequently in Greate o m s has the 3 lished in 1973. visiting the source Starbuck h3 it w t, u lo “The attention with its roaster, coffee c t. last coun to detail, the Victoria’s Bows & stores at quality of Arrows Coffee Roastpreparaers, and taking great tion, the care and attention through roasters every step of the mostly manual … When you get the process. leaders that come in and Even the baristas making the cofreally do a good job it pushes the fee at Habit’s two downtown locaenvelope for everyone else.” tions are trained extensively before Oughtred thinks the strong coffee they ever get to serve a customer. culture comes from the city’s prox“You’re really relying on truly a imity to Seattle and Portland, two high level of skill to understand day coffee meccas, along with coffee’s in, day out a fairly volatile, constantgeneral association with the Pacific ly changing product,” Devereaux Northwest outdoorsy lifestyle. says. “The art of making coffee has Habit Coffee owner Shane Debeen taken for granted for a very,
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VICTORIA NEWS
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A cornerstone of Victoria’s Francophone history St. Ann’S AcAdemy embrAceS French heritAge
offers bilingual summer tours of the campus. They’ve been running the past two years and the plan is to make French tours of St. Ann’s a year-round affair. The group also It’s said that 60 per cent of Fort hopes to make field trips to St. Ann’s Victoria’s population in 1858 spoke an integrated part of the school curFrench. riculum for Francophone schools in A fully Francophone newspaper, Greater Victoria. the Courrier de la Nouvelle-Calédonie The society, in partnership with launched that year, as did one of the the Provincial Capital Commission, created and installed bilingual city’s first schools, St. Ann’s Schoolhouse, on the grounds that later interpretive signs in 2012 across the became St. Ann’s Academy. six-acre grounds. The Sisters of St. Ann, who They tell the story of the academy, its founding members and taught at the schoolhouse, did so in legacy of education, Francophone French. heritage and advancement of “Fort Victoria’s labourers women in Victoria and were French speaking, B.C., Cormier says. which is why the g L’Association HisSisters came here, in d il bu Ademy torique Francoout of a need c A ’S n St. An t. Ann’s S f o phone de Victoto educate the n o t al secti , the firs The centr erected in 1871 ria. The ria also donated children of the to s wa Vic Academy masonry built in 6 with a new funds towards labourers,” says y 6 8 re 1 to size. four-s ded in the project. Julie Cormier, k was ad building’s east bloc nce, tripling the ilt in 1858 as a u “Because the executive main entr l was originally b lic cathedral, o e academy has director of the The chap first Roman Cath ol in 1886. o Victoria’s added to the sch Casavant deep roots into Friends of St. a s a s e w s d u an l still ho 1913 in Ste.e p a the Francophone Ann’s Academy h c e in Th n, made heritage of VicSociety. pipe orga yacinthe, Que. H toria, we want to The non-profit reach out to French society was created schools or schools with in 1997 in the hopes French immersion classes of restoring the academy to build more identity and sense to a modern vision of its original of place with Victoria’s history,” she mandate. One of the Friends’ key programs adds.
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The society repaired and restored the original schoolhouse, also known as the Pioneer Convent, and reproduced the original classroom. The building was relocated to Thunderbird Park on the grounds of the Royal B.C. Museum. There it sits alongside Helmcken House, a fitting neighbour, as Dr. Helmcken was one
of the first doctors in the area. The neatly kept building of St. Ann’s Academy and surrounding property on Humboldt Street is visited by an estimated 30,000 people per year and hosts more than 120 weddings, theatre, music and dance performances, as well as other festivals and events.
gs in town in w st e b e th ve ha e w k in th We rself! Come in and judge for you
I R E S TO TT R E
Downtown
This Sisters of St. Ann Archives (P1390) image shows the original St. Ann’s schoolhouse on the grounds that would become St. Ann’s Academy. The building is now located beside Helmcken House outside the Royal B.C. Museum.
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of the
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R YEA
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David Hunwick demonstrates his sculpturing techniques during Gorge on Art. On July 1, artists will demonstrate their work on Gorge Road between Colquitz and Adelaide avenues. The 2013 event is part of the Gorge Canada Day picnic.
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range of artistic disciplines, including painting and drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, metal art and more. Visitors can meet the artists and watch them work. The event also includes music and food vendors. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit saanichsunfest.ca and look under featured events.
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Seeking fun for free across Greater Victoria The kids are climbing the furniIf you want to keep the sand ture and your wallet is empty. out of your car and still want to Have no fear, Greater Victoria enjoy nature, why not take a trip to is bursting with places to go and Goldstream Provincial Park at the things to see that won’t cost you a south end of the Malahat Drive on dime. Highway 1? Being on an island, we are surEasy walking trails are suitable rounded by beaches and that can be for all ages and abilities. After a a great way to spend a day on the short 10- to 15-minute stroll, you’ll cheap. end up at the nature house, where Witty’s Lagoon is a beautiful park there is plenty of information and in Metchosin where the tide seems activities to keep your children octo be endless and the sun warms the cupied. There are also several hiking water to a temperature that may trails around the park for make you think you’ve more advanced hikers. boarded a plane to a If you really like tropical locale. Free it there, you can Bring a picnic, Finding camp for a reabeach toys or even events urs guided to sonable cost. a skimboard and arks has arking: visit P D R C n cheap p re details r o If you are you and your e e fr o and rm /parks fo Library new to the area family are sure c li b crd.bc.ca u P toria ca; ids: gvpl. reater Vic and want someto have a blast. n The G free events for k ke.bc.ca of nla one to show To add some has tons Swan Lake: swa dar es o d m/calen o o s .c s you around the magic to your w e n c y vi unit out n Check nts in your comm beautiful parks beach visit, e it ve s e b r e fo a.com w r ri to c in Greater Vichead down to vi in s fo n The kid s event listings toria, the Capital the amazing Glass also ha ugal parent the fr Regional District Beach in Sidney. always offers free The beach is full of events and hikes at its an assortment of colours parks. of beach glass, so bring a Parking at Elk/Beaver Lake rebucket and let the treasure hunt mains free, but popular Thetis Lake begin. is $2.25 for the day. The beach is located across from Nature centres at Beaver Lake, the Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa, 9805 Francis King and Witty’s Lagoon are Seaport Pl.
Brendon Kirkland strolls through Goldstream Park with his children, Spencer, 2, and Ella, 11 months. He finds the walk a great way to entertain his kids for free.
open on weekends in the summer. The Greater Victoria Public Library also offers free events for all
Summer Don’t miss these great local events!
ages. Activities span from making your own comic book to story time and crafts.
CITY
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WINGFIELD’S FOLLY
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by Dan Needles directed by Douglas Beattie starring Rod Beattie This summer, Rod Beattie will reprise the first three shows in Canada’s most endearing and longest running comedy series. Join us for an evening or three.
Belfry Theatre 1291Gladstone Ave.
BestBest of the of the CityCity Summer Summer 2013 2013 • 35• 35
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VICTORIA NEWS
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Becket VanderWal, 4, drops a piece of herring into Lucy’s mouth and grins from ear to ear. Lucy is one of Fisherman’s Wharf’s most famous, and recognizable, residents. The one-eyed harbour seal frequents the waters in front of The Fish Store, where locals – like Becket – and tourists enjoy interacting with nature. And the harbour seals don’t seem to mind mingling with the humans. Lucy, Slappy, Mad-Dog, Scott and Lulu seem to get a kick out of wrestling for a free herring meal tossed in the water. “We all love coming down here. It’s entertaining,” said Dirk VanderWal, who accompanied wife, Alyssa, and kids, Becket and Macy, at Fisherman’s Wharf on a sunny afternoon. “We like to teach them a little bit about nature and the world around us and the city we live in. We need to respect it.” The harbour seals aren’t just a Fisherman’s Wharf attraction. Oak Bay Marina has its own resident seals Courtney Belleau, 13, feeds a harbour seal at Fisherman’s Wharf, a popular that enjoy eating fish doled out by activity for both tourists and locals. visitors. Take a walk or kayak along Portage Inlet or the Gorge Waterway and you’ll find the region is teeming with these curious and agile mammals. “I think most people who spend any time on the harbour, even walking along the Westsong Walkway or along the causeway, are fairly familiar with seeing harbour seals (basking on rocks),” says Jody Watson, the Capital Regional District’s harbours and watersheds co-ordinator.
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Pint-sized animals great for petting Beacon Hill cHildren’s farm an ideal place for kids to develop a love for animals Residents and visitors alike experience, particularly with the know the kids at Beacon Hill Chilmost popular feature – the goatdren’s Farm are a must-see each petting area. spring and summer. A few folks Once the gates close, the staff may not know that the goats take starts putting all the animals away centre stage twice a day during the and get ready for the stampede. “goat stampede.” They open the petting area gates “It’s super fun and enterand let the goats run while taining to watch,” says a crowd cheers them on farm manager Amanda toward their dinner. your pets f Kyffin. “It’s something “A lot of people o k ic p kes that is cute and gets come in the mornpetting ta f all ta o g e il o Wh , critters the e g ing and the afterpeople involved ta s e d at centr be pette , noon just to see the because they get to sorts can l Children’s Farm il h goat stampede,” cheer on the goats. Beacon H to rabbits. Watc ts e le d e ig p p m m ta o s fr t a o Kyffin says. It’s not something g e th video of news.com/ The goats run you see every day.” at vic . m /touris lifestyles twice a day, at 10:10 The children’s farm a.m. to kick off the in Beacon Hill Park farm’s opening, then started in 1985 and has again after closing at 5:10 been operated since then by p.m. (that’s 4:10 p.m. in spring the Koenders family, working with and fall) the Beacon Hill Farm Society. Beacon Hill Children’s Farm is The goal is to provide an educational and economical form of in Beacon Hill Park in Victoria. Adentertainment for the whole family mission is by suggested donation of and help young ones develop a $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for kids. Baby goats race down a pathway inside the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm in Beacon Hill Park during the daily morning stampede. The goats run from their sleeping barn life-long respect for animals. One beaconhillpark.ca/ to their day pen, where they get plenty of attention from petting zoo visitors. way they do that is with hands-on 0326 Everything childrenspark/goat_run Wine - Monday Mag - Best of the City 2013 Nomination As - Black and White 9.75in W x 6.25in H - 02 Final Press Ready PDF
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Novels
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VICTORIA NEWS
2013
Mystery Horror
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Voted
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R YEA
Western
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R YEA
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We’ve all waited patiently for the opening of the Victoria Downtown Public Market in The Hudson Building. Touted as the kind of permanent marketplace that characterizes other great cities, it’s something we’re excited to see come to fruition. The location alone, inside the iconic Georgian revival building, is enough to get market aficionados excited. But many great seasonal markets abound in Victoria. The marketplace in Bastion Square is open Wednesday through Sunday from May through September and stretches from Government Street to Wharf Street. Wandering through the eclectic selection of vendors, one can find everything from handcrafted chocolates to jewelry crafted from stainless steel cutlery. There’s food, artwork and self-published books – an endless variety of crafts. The iconic Moss Street Community Market, open May through October, combines the produce of more than 25 local organic farmers with crafters, artists and food vendors. Billing itself as the “true farmers’ market,” it also features local musicians, painters and a broad representation of Victoria’s artistic community. For another taste of Island-grown produce, specialty cheeses and fresh fish and meats, the Urban Farmer’s
Farmers’ market mania
Wednesdays n Downtown Farmers’ Market (Hudson Building) Thursdays n Sidney Summer Market Saturdays n Goldstream Station Market n Moss Street Community Market n James Bay Market n Peninsula Country Market Sundays n Metchosin Farmers’ Market
Market at Centennial Square is sure to delight. It runs every Sunday throughout the summer and combines its offerings with an array of entertainment: acts performed on the free stage adjacent to the market. The Ship Point Night Market, a summer affair held Friday and Saturday evenings from 7 to 10:30 p.m., offers entertainment as well, using the panoramic backdrop of the Inner Harbour. The entertainment features everything from one-man bands to jugglers and classical musicians or jazz artists. Food vendors are just as varied, as is the selection of art, crafts and novelty items on display. The market is adjacent to the pedestrian walkway of the Inner Harbour at Ship Point.
Don’t Trust Your Vehicle to Just Anyone. Voted
Best City
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NEWS VICTORIA
AR YE
2013
38 38••Best Bestofofthe theCity CitySummer Summer2013 2013
1
h
t 19
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Barb’s seafood a favourite for 29 seasons Fisherman’s WharF icon voted best Fish and chips Nath Keo weaves through the hustle and bustle of line cooks and cashiers, happily darting around behind the scenes in one of the city’s busiest little kitchens. He glides past his office and staff room – both the size of modest closets – and takes pause at the receiving window, where he can expect at least three deliveries daily in the summer. Like many compact eateries, every square inch is in use, but something sets it aside from most others. It floats. While Barb’s Fish & Chips’ offbeat Fisherman’s Wharf location – and coolest address in the city, 1 Dallas Rd. – may have initially drawn in a few customers, Keo says it’s the flavour that keeps them coming back. Our readers agreed and once again voted Barb’s the provider of the city’s best fish and chips. “This is our 29th season and we stick to what we know,” says Keo, the restaurant manager. “We only allow superior product out the window.” The restaurant serves salmon, halibut and haddock, as well as a variety of shellfish and a little surprise for the landlubbers: Keo’s pick, the
d seaFoo s r a st
ed for s is nam sh & Chip who sold the Fi ’s rb a nB ersen, Barb Ped founder in 2005. business nd chips est fish a in an -up for b rs ng e ti n n ra e ru n The Fish, op Fish Blue ntainer at 1006 are Red co cargo h& up-cycled ultain Fis , and Ha Wharf St. 7 Haultain St.), a 12 at Chips (1 the city th legend in 1927. in d e n e op
hangover-free and ready to take whatever the day has to offer, rain or shine. “It feels like a family and I think it has to be since we’re working in such close quarters,” he says. “My staff is full of adrenaline junkies, in that we love the action that happens down here in the summer.” Nath Keo, manager of Barb’s Place Fish and Chips at Fisherman’s Wharf, tempts That action reaches beyond their the photographer with a basket of their famous fish and chips. busy service window – which serves between 700 and 900 customers beef burger. The readers’ choice fish When Keo first started at Barb’s, daily – to the growing community of is offered grilled or battered, and the wait times were closer to an eclectic food vendors and float home with all of those deliveries coming hour per meal. Now, they’re down residents on the wharf, who often in, it’s guaranteed fresh. to 15 minutes – a point of pride for stop by for coffee before the restau“I pride myself on superior Keo, who still delights in jumping rant officially opens. customer service, but I don’t think behind the service window whenBarb’s Fish & Chips is open from ever he gets the chance. people are coming back to look at mid-March until the end of October He attributes the current success my face,” Keo says. “That’d be flaton Fisherman’s Wharf. tering, but they’re here for the meal to the closeness of his team, which “I like it down here,” Keo says. “I that they know.” knows how to show up on time, think I’ll be here a while.”
Best City
19
hank you Victoria!
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19th
1321 Quadra St. at Johnson, Downtown Victoria Tel: (250) 385-4405 Fax: (250) 385-1392 Visit us online at www.mings.ca
Best Bestofofthe theCity CitySummer Summer2013 2013••3939
breakfast • lunch • afternoon tea
1
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• Pastries • Homemade chocolate • Birthday cakes• Wedding cakes• Anniversary cakes
Join us in our coffee shop
O
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2013
T
th
of the
2013
S VICTORIA NEW
NESE F O
Best City
Family owned & operated since 1956 of the
CHI
Voted
Celebrating over 50 Years in Victoria Voted
T ES
D
B
Thank You Victoria for Choosing
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Allison Piano New & Vintage New Kawai & Heintzman Pianos Keyboards ~ Appraisals Moving ~ Rentals ~ Tuning
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sabrina liang packages some medicinal items for a customer, as anna Wong looks on at the K & a chinese herbs ltd. shop on Fisgard street. chinatown is full of unique shops that cater to area residents with chinese roots, and anyone else looking for a taste of old traditions.
Chinatown businesses draw on past
Proprietor Ken ng holds a tray of sticky buns at his shop, Victoria BBQ house on Government street in chinatown.
Best of the City Summer 2012 • 41
Not long ago, if you needed vegOwner Ken Ng, speaking through etables or meat or maybe flour, you his bilingual daughter Helen, said the would head down to your neighbour- variety the shop offers keeps it alive, hood butcher, baker or grocer to along with offering products not restock the pantry. found at the larger grocery stores, and Nowadays, with major grocery a more personal shopping experience. chains dominating the market, that’s “The customers, when they come, generally no longer the situation. you kind of get to know each other Yet in Chinatown, where niche, and they become regular customers,” hole-in-the-wall delicatessens still Helen said. “I guess it’s the atmosphere. (Grocery stores) are so big, line Fisgard Street, sometimes with you don’t really get to know exotic-looking foods hanging in anybody. But usually these the windows, that nostalgic places, it’s always the neighbourhood feeling is e same people.” still a reality. s e in h c Across GovernLoy Sing Company, ies c a ic l e d ria’s to ment Street and a cooked meat store, ic V to ic wn Come do find various ethn up Fisgard a little has been in operad n a : n m Chinatow rites. Among the tion for 129 years. ways further you’ll favou rk o p BQ ork - B The current owners find K&N Chinese e - Crispy p onge cak p S k cook a whole pig c Herbs, a traditional u d g in - Pek biscuits everyday, which is herbalist. Here, ev- Almond typically all sold by the erything from Chinese end of the day. yams to dried seahorses Co-owner Shelly Rong to various roots and fungi said the shop thrives because of are sold to help ease all types of its longevity and because of the food. ailments, from the common cold to “You keep the food good then evchronic pain. erybody comes back,” she said. “Lots Herbalist John Wong recently sold of people know this, even people the store, but still mixes the soothing far away in Vancouver, they know concoctions and spends his free time the place already. I don’t need lots of in the back of the shop practicing advertising, they know we’re already traditional Chinese calligraphy. here.” The herbalist, along with the other Just around the corner is the Vicmom-and-pop shops of Chinatown, toria BBQ House and Bakery, which survives and thrives, thanks to the serves a wide variety of savoury and committed locals who have helped sweet buns and other baked items, keep such businesses a stalwart of along with meat. Victoria culture.
Voted
Best City
of the
1
VICTORIA NEWS
YEAR
201 3
Thank-you Victoria for choosing Recreation Oak Bay!
19th
Recreation Oak Bay was chosen by you in these categories: ì Best Recreation Centre ì Best Swimming Pool ì Best Gym/Fitness Studio ì Best 9-Hole Golf Course (for Henderson Golf) ì Best Romantic Beach - Willows ì Best Place to escape urban stress in the city - Willows Beach
250-595-7946
recreation.oakbay.ca
Celebrating 29 Years of Great Food! Barb’s tender-crisp Fish & Chips; grilled or steamed Halibut & Salmon; Salad or Fries; Oyster, Homemade Beef and Halibut Burgers; Dungeness Crab and Fresh Mussels & Clams; Vancouver Island’s Best Seafood Chowder and much more!
A TRUE VICTORIA EXPERIENCE
42 • Best of the City Summer 2013
Salon Modello wishes to thank all our clients as we celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary!
World Famous Fish & Chips on Fisherman’s Wharf Rated as one of the “Top 10 seafood spots by the sea in North America” by Sunset Magazine Just a 15 minute walk from Downtown Victoria or a short ride on one of the Victoria Harbour Ferry Boats! March – October: Open Daily 11:00am – Dark
www.barbsplace.ca
www.salonmodello.ca 104-2590 Cadboro Bay Road
598-HAIR (4247)
Fisherman’s Wharf 1 Dallas Road Victoria BC • V8V 0B2 250.384.6515 /BarbsFishNChips
Fashion forward, vintage inspiration In a world of increasingly fast fashion, one-of-a-kind clothing is seeing a resurgence in demand. From mid-century pin-up and prohibition-era flapper dresses to bowler hats, suspenders and saddle shoes, the vintage look has definitively hit the mainstream. Finding antique threads in Victoria can be tricky, but blogger Reb Stevenson of The Life Nostalgic knows the hidden gems to give you an updated classic Hollywood look. “The idea is not to try to pretend that you live in the past, but rather look to the past for inspiration on how to live today,” she says. “I’m not set on wearing authentic vintage garb, because good luck finding something that has the fit, style and odour that you want.” For new clothing with vintage influence, Stevenson recommends Sarah’s Place in Market Square. The pin-up/rockabilly style curated by
Amanda Komen and Amy McClay wear vintage clothing sourced from Empress Jade Vintage and Sam’s Sideshow boutique. Props were sourced from Vintage Fair Victoria. Victoria’s Vintage Expo takes place Sept. 27 and 28 at Crystal Garden.
owner Sarah Kramer is reasonably priced and sure to make you stand out in an Abercrombie and Fitch crowd. Before heading out for a day at Willows Beach or Thetis Lake, stop by Paradise Boutique on Lower Johnson Street for some made-inVictoria vintage-inspired swimwear. Sisters Dani Dubois and Rosebud Seads also offer a selection of original clothing and accessories, with a focus on independent designers. For the acutely eco-conscious
Voted
of the
S VICTORIA NEW
THE
LARGEST
Voted
THE
S VICTORIA NEW
S VICTORIA NEW
th 16
Victoria’s Best
& Largest
Chinese Food Buffet
Thanks Victoria!
Szechuan Chilli Fish Beijing Roast Duck Szechuan Hot Pot
Seats up to 120 People Over 50 items including Dim Sum, Salad & Soft Ice Cream
Buffet All Day
Voted
Best City
of the
2
VICTOR IA NEW S
YEAR
of the
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11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Dinner Menu also available Seafood Buffet Friday - Sunday & Holidays
★
Raymond’s Restaurant 1323 Government Street, Ph. 250-380-7522 ONCE INSIDE, THE STORE GOES ON AND ON!
212 - 815 Cloverdale Avenue next to Michael’s
250-380-1881
of the Summer 2013 BestBest of the CityCity Summer 2013 • 43• 43
! o ORIGINAL PRICES E TH ER TT Let’s celebrate A M O N S BELOW COST, erated ★ 1000’S OF ITEM p Local, Locally Owned & Op Sho
17
1
Best City
2010
” TMAS STOoRinEg sale IS R H C T S E L FUL atic ong
Voted
th
ing parlour” for $10/hour. Crafty clothiers can follow vintage pattern books using in-store cotton, sewing machines, cutting tables and more. “There’s a whole library of vintage patterns. You can sign up for workshops as well,” Stevenson says. For all your vintage needs in one place, check out the Victoria Vintage Expo, Sept. 27 and 28 at Crystal Gardens, 713 Douglas St. See victoriavintageshow.com. Check out Stevenson’s blog at thelifenostalgic.com.
20 13
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS!
R YEA
FULLEST NOBODY HAS MORE
“WORLD ur 25th Anniversary with a dram
th 18
1
Best City
of the
2011
Our customers are in heaven: pleasing music, carpeted floors, professional service, getting lasting values. ’S
on Government Street
R YEA
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Your heart will delight in our cozy four level, Alpine-style”Old World” Christmas Wonderland, bursting with thousands upon thousands of ornaments, locally made keepsakes and true one-of-a-kind treasures from all countries.
1
Best City
2012
Thank You All Victoria!
consumer, check out Lazy Susan’s in Fairfield Plaza. Mother-daughter owners Nicole Proom and Susan Doyle source the store’s vintage-inspired handmade clothing from North American producers, and make many of the pieces themselves using locally purchased fabrics. “It’s a surprise find, really funky and cool,” Stevenson says. Still not finding what you’re looking for? Make House in downtown Victoria offers a drop-in “stitch-
Seaplanes offer bird’s-eye view whether for sightseeing or transportation, flying brings new perspective Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the busiest working harbour in Canada. Looking out on an average day, you’ll see yellow and green harbour ferries zig-zagging between shorelines, the M.V. Coho en route to and from Port Angeles, the Victoria Clipper making the rounds from Seattle, luxury yachts, kayakers, fishing vessels and dozens of harbour seals sharing the water. Perhaps the most common sight among all that traffic is seaplanes, diving in every 15 minutes at peak hours from downtown Vancouver, Whistler, Seattle and various sightseeing tours around the Capital Region. Harbour Air Seaplanes operates a fleet of DeHavilland Turbine Single Otter, Twin Otter and Beaver aircraft out of the Inner Harbour at Ship Point, providing one of the most tempting launching pads to see Victoria from above. Harbour Air offers four unique charter tours to visitors and long-time residents curious for a different perspective of the area. For $104, take a 20-minute flight that offers unique views of the grand houses dotting the shores of Oak Bay and Gonzales Bay and get awestruck by the Olympic mountains
A Harbour Air seaplane comes in for a landing in Victoria’s Inner Harbour near the Ogden Point breakwater.
across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. For another $50 ($166 total), fly over the world-famous Butchart Gardens and the Saanich Peninsula after a low-level tour of the Victoria waterfront and offshore islands. Kids 11 and under fly for half the adult price, so don’t leave them at home. If you want to get up close at Butchart Gardens, opt for the fly and dine tour ($272) from Harbour Air. Your flight drops you off at the gardens, where a three-course meal is waiting, as is a leisurely evening walk through floodlit gardens. More ambitious trips include the Vancouver day trip ($377), where visitors can see the sights of Gastown, English Bay and Chinatown. Find the latest deals and tour offers at harbour-air.com. Seattle-based Kenmore Air (visit kenmoreair.com) also offers seaplane flights between Victoria and Seattle.
THIS IS MY NISSAN PRESENTING OUR NEWEST, MOST FUEL EFFICENT LINE-UP. EVER.
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4444• Best • Bestof ofthetheCity CitySummer Summer2013 2013
FROM
2013 NISSAN ROGUE
2013 NISSAN SENTRA
FINANCING
2014 VERSA NOTE
Campus Nissan 3361 Oak Street, Victoria, BC www.CampusNissan.com • 250-475-2227 DL #5059
A colony of one
of the
2013
RogeR the maRmot at home at the empRess
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AR YE
indigenous, and I guess that’s true,” Yarr says. “But it’d be pretty hard to start a colony of one.” The stubborn little Each year visitors hotel guest doesn’t face travel from all over the much competition for world to stay at Victoria’s food and shelter – the iconic Fairmont Empress native Vancouver IsHotel. land marmot remains In 2008, one guest MIA in Victoria and is arrived, and never left. one of Canada’s most Roger the yellow-bellied endangered creatures. marmot, a non-native Since Roger, named species to Vancouver for one of the hotel’s Island, is believed to have former managers, taken a cue from a beat couldn’t be enticed by poet and hopped aboard peanut butter traps, a vehicle heading west. he’s become a favouHe eventually took up Roger the yellow-bellied rite of hotel guests and marmot in the “wild.” employees alike. residence in the hotel’s “We all look forCentennial Garden. ward to him coming out of hiberna“He’s made himself quite a nice tion every year. After the first person little condo in there,” says Michael has a Roger sighting, it runs around Yarr, comptroller general and head the hotel like wildfire,” Yarr says. of the hotel’s environment committee. “You can see him on a hot day Roger wasn’t expected to sursunning himself.” vive his first wet West Coast winter In 2010 when former environhibernation, but five years later, the ment minister Barry Penner caught rotund rodent is still winning hearts. wind of Roger, the province inBut the joy the flower-nibbling tervened with two failed attempts fiend has brought his fans is temto live-trap him, but the little guy pered by an inescapable woe. couldn’t be caught. “One thing you really think about “The implication is that he is that he doesn’t have any comshouldn’t be here and shouldn’t pany,” Yarr says. “He’s all by himself establish a colony because he’s not and he has been for years.”
d Vote
Besitty C RIA NEWS 19
631 COURTNEY • 250.384.BUGS (2847) • WWW.BUGZOO.COM
ADVERTISING FEATURE
BEST of the CITY FINALIST
Voted
Best City
of the
WS VICTORIA NE
AR YE
2013
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BUSINESS PROFILE: Clive’s Classic Lounge
Thank you for voting us one of the Best of the City no radioactive cherries here! • Most of our syrups are made in house or sourced from the finest purveyors • We make and collect our own bitters from around the world • We practice the art of making a fine cocktail and tend to lean away from the mainstream • Most of all, we are here to give you the best experience possible. Tell the bartender or the server what you like and we will make something you will love. The bar started out quietly, as most hotel lobby bars do, but over time, it gained respect and admiration from both industry types and visitors alike. This organic growth from people discovering this cool spot and telling their friends built a steady and loyal clientele from both frequent hotel visitors and locals alike. A consistent communication with their customers about events and celebrations made the bar much more than just a great watering hole. It had its own social network and that network was recognized well beyond the borders of the town and country it calls home. Today, it enjoys a number of credits: • Tales of the Cocktail “Worlds Best
Hotel Bar” Nominee 2011 and 2012 • Tales of the Cocktail “International Bartender of the Year” top 10 in 2012 • Canada’s first Campari Red Bar • Host Bar for Art of the Cocktail 2010, 2011 and 2012. The biggest credit for owner Clive Peircy is that the bar played a key role in creating a Cocktail Culture in Victoria that is actually inspiring a new reason for visitors to return and experience our city. Head Barkeep, Shawn Soole will venture out on his own in 2013 to extend the reach of our cities cocktail culture with the opening of his own “Little Jumbo”, just a few blocks from Clive’s. He leaves behind a dedicated team of professionals that have the same passion as he to deliver the experience of a well-crafted cocktail in comfortable surroundings. The future of Clive’s looks bright as
the focus on you, our neighbours, increases. “If there is one surprise we had over the last few years, it is that a bar with a good mix of visitors and local patrons creates a very comfortable, warm and inviting environment for all. We never want our bar to be only accessible to our hotel guest or it will become a hotel lobby bar.” Jayce Kadyschuk, our new leader at the Bar is charged with the task of ensuring the vibe at Clive’s continues to grow. We look forward to seeing you next year as your Best of the City.
Clive’s Classic Lounge In the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites 740 Burdett Avenue • 250-361-5684 • www.clivesclassiclounge.com
Your Clive’s coctail crew.
BestofofthetheCity CitySummer Summer2013 2013• •4545 Best
The reputation of a cozy little 60 seat cocktail bar in the Chateau Victoria has far exceeded the limits of hotel patrons and locals who discovered it from a friend or business associate. Clives’s Classic Lounge was created as a result of a visionary meeting that Clive Piercy, hotel owner and philanthropist, had with his employee group at the hotel in 2009. The idea that we build and adhere to our strict MIXOLOGY MANTRA was at the heart of this quality experience right from the start. • We freshly squeeze the juice when you order your cocktail • We refrigerate our Vermouth, Sherry, Port & Madeira for maximum freshness & taste • We chill all of our cocktail glassware in the freezer • We chill all of our Vodka to 42°F for perfect serving temperature • All of our pop is bottled • Our garnishes are house made by either the chefs or the bartenders,
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46 • Best of the City Summer 2013
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Once upon a time, before the invention of plastic, all containers and many other items were made out of glass. Just like its modern, petroleumbased replacement, much glass ended up in the ocean. The difference is rather than float, glass sinks and is pummelled by tides for years, sometimes decades, until the glass becomes smooth and frosted. Sea glass washes up on the beaches of Victoria and is used in art by a variety of hobbyists and professional artists. But perhaps not for long. “Plastic changed everything,” says Norra Mirosevic, a beach glass artist based in Victoria. “My days are numbered because the glass is running out. But I used to find lots and lots of glass.” When beach glass was plentiful, she would make everything from lamp shades to candle holders to display pieces. Now, with supplies dwindling, Mirosevic focuses on smaller items such as high-end jewellery. Drawn to the glass, she started making crafts with it and went on to take a stained glass course to create her art, which is currently sold in galleries in Victoria, Tofino and Sooke.
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“When people ask me about my work I always say ‘Poor me, I have to walk the beach,’” Mirosevic says. “Some people I talk to don’t even know what the heck it is, but the people that do know and do like it, they love it.” The rarer colours are the most valued finds. Green, brown and white are fairly common, but red glass is a treasured find, as is blue, or any glass with texture from bottles with etched writing and designs. Mirosevic spends part of her time in Europe and finds beach glass all over the world, but still finds Victoria to be a treasure chest for the increasingly rare substance.
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CALENDAR
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JULY
members.shaw.ca/ravenbaroque.
June 30-July 1 – Victoria celebrates Canada Day, Inner Harbour. Festivities include children’s events on the B.C. legislature lawn, featuring Juno awardwinning entertainer Norman Foote, musical performances by both award-winning and upand-coming artists and fireworks. For a full schedule of events, see victoriacanadaday.ca.
July 3 – Music in the Park, every Tuesday at various locations throughout July and August, from 6 to 8 p.m. July 3 event takes place Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Rd. For more details, see saanichsunfest.ca or call Julie at 250-475-5408.
June 30-July 8 – Victoria Pride Society presents Pride Week 2012, including an artwalk and exhibition in Trounce Alley (June 30), Drag Ball Game in Vic West (July 1), and Pride Parade and Festival (July 8). Parade starts at Government and Pandora at noon, ends at MacDonald Park in James Bay. For details, see victoriapridesociety.org. July 1 – Victoria’s first-ever Vegan Festival, Market Square (560 Johnson St.), from noon to 5 p.m. Features guest speakers, entertainers, businesses and non-profits, and free vegan food samples. For more information, victoriaveganfest.com. Salsa dance instructor Javier Monsalve, front left, and partner Angela Jurj practice their moves on stage at Centennial Square during last year’s Festival Mexicano. The event, staged by the Mexican-Canadian Community Association of Victoria, happens July 13 to 15 this summer and features folk dancing, musical acts, ethnic food and other cultural activities.
EWS RIA N VICTO
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July 8 – Strawberry Festival at Beaver Lake Park (on Elk Lake Dr.), 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free, family-friendly event features face painting, pony rides, relay races, bouncy castles, and a pie eating contest. Strawberries and ice cream served from 2 to 3 p.m. for 50 cents. For more information, contact Rob, 250-475-5558. July 10-14 – Victoria’s 13th annual Ska Fest, featuring Toots and the Maytals, The Pietasters, Katchafire, Leroy “Heptone” Sibbles, and many more. Festival includes ticketed and free shows. For more details or to buy passes and tickets, see victoriaskafest.ca.
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July 1, 5, 12-14 and Aug. 4, 6, 9, 1112 – Raven Baroque Summer Celebration. Free concerts throughout Victoria featuring classical baroque played by musicians dressed in period costumes. More details at
July 7 – Yogathon in Centennial Square, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Drop-in yoga classes every hour, on the hour until 7 p.m. Suggested $5 donation per session, or through pledges for full 12 hours. Benefits Victoria Cool Aid Society. For details, see coolaid.org/dcc.
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CALENDAR July 13-15 – Festival Mexicano, hosted by the Mexican Canadian Community Association of Victoria. Dinner and dance at the Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad St.), July 13, 6 p.m. Activities in Centennial Square July 14-15, from noon to 5 p.m. Includes music, mariachi, dance, Salsa lessons, and much more. See victoriamexicancanadian.org, or call 250213-9366. July 14 – The eighth annual Victoria Dodgeball Championships, Royal Athletic Park (1040 Caledonia Ave.), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Play for fun or competitively. Register your team of six to 12 people by calling 250-361-0732. July 14-15 – Enjoy Serbian food and Balkan music at the third annual Serbian Days, at Reynolds Park (on Reynolds Road). Family-friendly event features Victoria’s Euro Cup, tennis, volleyball, basketball, and activities for kids. Event runs from noon to 7 p.m. (July 14) with a final soccer tournament from 3 to 6 p.m. (July 15). For more information, email Aleksandar at donmaconi@gmail.com. July 19-22 – Victoria International Accordion Festival, at Market Square (560 Johnson St.), and various venues in Victoria. Featuring internationally acclaimed performers, competition, concerts, workshops, kids’ corner, open stage, trade show and beer garden. For a full schedule of events, see bcaccordion.ca. July 19-22 – Taste: Victoria’s Festival of
Food and Wine, a weekend of wine and culinary tastings, seminars, and other events. Try more than 100 B.C. wines with local cuisine at Crystal Gardens (913 Douglas St.) For more details or to purchase tickets, see victoriataste.com. July 20-29 – Victoria International Buskers Festival, noon to 10 p.m. The free festival brings together street performers from around the world to stages across downtown. Visit victoriabuskers.com. July 21 – The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria celebrates the 25th annual TD Paint-In, on Moss Street, from Fort St. to Dallas Rd. More than 150 local artists take their studios outdoors for a paint-in from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Other events throughout the day include gallery open house and dancing to Kumbia in the evening. See aggv. ca/events/gallery-paint-in. July 24, 26, 28, 30-31 – Victoria Summer Music Festival, at the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall at the University of Victoria’s School of Music. For details, see vsmf.org. July 28-Aug. 6 – Sooke Fine Arts Show, a 10 day celebration of the arts at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Rd. For event or ticket info, see sookefinearts.com. July 29 – Fort Victoria Family Festival and Fort Building Competition, Centennial Square, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All-ages event includes music, performances, historic stories and tours. Register your team by July
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PHARMASAVE BROADMEAD VILLAGE PHARMASAVE
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13. For more information, see victoria.ca/ Victoria150.
AUGUST Aug. 2 – Celebrate 150Forward, Victoria’s 150th anniversary event, in Centennial Square. Public ceremony at 11 a.m. Free afternoon festivities from noon to 6 p.m. Bring old family photos, and contribute to a digital time capsule. victoria.ca/Victoria150. Aug. 3-4 – Integrate Art Crawl, a visual arts festival featuring 26 galleries. For more information, see integratearts.ca or email integrateartsociety@gmail.com. Aug. 4 – B.C. Aviation Museum Open House (1910 Norseman Rd., Sidney), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. View historical aircrafts, engines, and more. Admission by donation. See bcam.net. Aug. 4-5 – Victoria Electronic Music Festival, featuring more than 200 artists in Centennial Square. Includes interactive seminars, a vendor market, beer garden, and more. For full schedule of events, see vemf.org. Aug 4-11 – Victoria International Six-aSide Cricket Festival at Beacon Hill Park, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Features players from around the world in hour-long games with teams of six. See vdca.ca for more information. Aug. 5 – Victoria Symphony Splash at the Inner Harbour, featuring maestra Tania
Miller and the Victoria Symphony. Family zone open from 1 to 4 p.m., orchestra performance at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. Admission $5. For full schedule, see victoriasymphony.ca/splash. Aug. 5 – Oak Bay Collector Car Festival, on Oak Bay Avenue. Almost 300 collectable cars from various eras will line the street starting at 8 a.m. For details, please see bletheringplace.com/carshow. Aug. 6 – City United! at St. Ann’s Academy, 835 Humboldt St. The City of Victoria and the United Way of Greater Victoria partner to celebrate Victoria’s 150th and the United Way’s 75th anniversaries, noon to 9 p.m. Family-friendly event includes live music, entertainment, crafts, cooking and gardening demos. Details at victoria.ca/ Victoria150. Aug. 10-12 – FolkWest, a music festival celebrating folk-roots music. Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Ave. For details, see folkwest.ca. Aug. 17-19 – Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, Inner Harbour. Featuring more than 90 dragon boat teams from North America on a 500-metre course. Family-friendly event includes multicultural entertainment, crafts tent, food court, and more. For details, see victoriadragonboat.com. Aug. 31-Sept. 2 – Classic Boat Festival in the Inner Harbour. Featuring 100 boats from around the world. For details, see classicboatfestival.ca
30th Anniversary Sale Thanks to all our customers and consigners over the years!
1 DAY SALE JUNE 29th
30% OFF
ALL NEW STOCK
Shoes, hats, toys, ergo carriers & more.
Wanting a New Look for the Summer or a Glamourous Look for your Wedding Call to book your appointment to experience a Cosmetic Make-over with our make-up artist
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Thank You Victoria & West Shore For Your Votes! And nominating us “Best of the City” for Best Farmers Market (1st Place), Best Produce (2nd), Best Organic Produce (2) and Best Specialty Deli (3)!
“Local” Means “Local” at the Red Barn Market With summer just around the corner, BC grown fruits and veggies are starting to flood our stores and we want you to know where they come from! If the sign says “local” it’s from the Island All Red Barn Markets have added a “Local This Week” board in their produce departments. The board will showcase what items we are carrying and what farm they come from in the “From the Island” section as well as what we have from the mainland in the “BC Grown” section. Thank you for supporting local business in Victoria
Flying solo in Victoria Sometimes it’s just nice to travel around the city without making compromises. If you find yourself solo in Victoria, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. Take as long as you want inspecting the woolly mammoth at the Royal B.C. Museum, or admire the detail of model ships at the Maritime Museum of B.C. While downtown, stop and people-watch at the Inner Harbour. Buskers, jugglers and artisans offer plenty of eye candy. Beaches along Dallas Road in James Bay are a nice place to relax with a book or just enjoy the sun while collecting beach rocks. Tranquil walks can be found
at Abkhazi Garden, Glendale Gardens or the Ross Bay Cemetery. Farther afield, hiking trails cut through scenic Royal Roads University, a property with breathtaking views of Esquimalt Lagoon, manicured gardens and 100-year-old Hatley Castle. If you’re up for a little more adventure, swing through the obstacle course at Wild Play at West Shore Parks and Recreation. Or hike around Thetis Lake and finish the day with a dip. No matter how you tour the city or who you do it with, Greater Victoria has plenty to see and do. You won’t mind going it alone – and it may actually be more fun.
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