Vancouver Island Reviews and Information

Some news stories from around Victoria! Rick Mercer visits Victoria, B.C to train with member's of the Canadian Olympic Team. Fairway Markets Quadra worker tests positive for Hep A Earth Hour 2012 is March 31, 8:30pm to 9:30pm - One of Victoria's greenest hotels The Empress will be celebrating with some eco-friendly activites and dinner by candlelight.

PRESS RELEASE Nanaimo Port Authority Pledges $50,000 Towards New Hospice House Nanaimo, BC – March 28, 2012 – Nanaimo Community Hospice has received a major gift of $50,000 to the Expand the Heart of Hospice fundraising campaign from the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA). The Port Authority is pledging $50,000 over three years towards a new Hospice House. There is now $700,000 left to raise to meet the $900,000 campaign target. “The Nanaimo Port Authority is pleased to support Nanaimo Community Hospice campaign for a new home,” said Robert Bennie, Chair, Nanaimo Port Authority “ NCH is an organization that provides support to those in need at a time when it is most needed.” Demand for Hospice’s services has more than tripled in recent years and Hospice’s present location is bursting at the seams. “We are thrilled that the Port Authority has chosen to partner with us at this level and encourage other service and corporate groups to do the same.” says Wendy Prat

Get A Go Go Designated Driver Service will get YOU and YOUR vehicle home safely. Based in Nanaimo, their rates start at $25 - which is comparable to most taxi services. Get A Go Go is different though - they get your vehicle home with you as well, here's how it works. When your unable to safely drive your own vehicle, give Get A Go Go a call ( 250-244-3456 ) the dispatcher will ask you where you are and how many people need a ride (the number of people MUST be equivalent to the number of seltbelts in YOUR vehicle). A team of professional drivers will be dispatched to your location. A professional driver will be dropped off to drive YOU and your vehicle home. They will either be followed by another vehicle (someone will pick up your driver once you get to your destination) or another driver will meet at your destination. Your driver will collect payment as this point, we live by the hospital and from the Old City Station Pub it cost $25 which was very reasonable. Any stops in betwe

Here are some news stories from the Tofino/Ucluelet area for today! Enjoy. Joel Aubie, head chef for Tofino's Shelter Restaurant will appear on Top Chef Canada on the Food Network tonight at 10pm. The Kennedy Lake Day Use Area in the Pacific Rim National Park is re-opened. It has been closed since mid-August of last year due to a cougar attack. Ucluelet's Black Rock Resort (Fetch Restaurant) took home the best west coast chowder honours in both the people's and judges choice at this year's Chowder Chowdown .

Photo: the delicious Greco (greek) individual pizza (10'') Since I was able to snap up a great deal through West Coast Daily Deals , we decided to try what had been described to me as "the best dang pizza in Nanaimo and no one knows about it!". Well I must say, the pizza was indeed top-notch and I will explain why. This review is also our second on our quest to do 52 Restaurant Reviews in 365 Days . There is a plethora of pizza joints in Nanaimo, some good, some great and some not so much. What makes a great pizza? Of course this is a subjective topic, as some people like thin crust, gluten-free crust or even a stuffed crust. There is something that makes Urbana Pizzeria stand out from the rest. Crude bread used to be baked on hot stones as early as the Italian Stone Age (not just a clever name! ha!) because stone can be heated to such high temperatures it allows the crust to cook evenly and develop the right balance of chew, crunch and char. We all know, perfecting

Photo & Article by Mr. David Hillier of dhpimages Living on the Island we are fortunate to have an abundance of outdoor playgrounds and parklands to enjoy and explore, from East Sooke Park on the southern Island, to Cape Scott on the Northern tip, we have many to choose from, however, we shouldn't overlook what our own backyard has to offer us. Just off Rock City Road you will find the trail to the Linley Valley, It begins with a descent down a few wooden stairs to a small open field where you are treated to a view of Cottle Lake and the surrounding woodlands. The trail splits here and no matter the way you go they will take you deeper into the wooded terrain. All trails are clearly marked, so there is no need for a bread crumb trail here, they are well groomed and wide making them easily traversed by legs both long and short of the two and four (woof) legged variety. For those who would like a 2 wheel (non-motorized) trek in nature, the park is user friendly to you. A varie

Norwegian Delegation Gets Lesson From Fish Farm Protesters in Campbell River Ladysmith Band Skellig jamming out in Toronto Storage Wars Hit Vancouver Island VIREB Market Update for February 2012 - from President Guy Bezeau

What's up with restaurants being closed on Monday? I must admit, the Mad Chef Cafe was not originally going to be our first choice when we decided to venture to Courtenay for lunch. I cannot express how happy I am we ended up checking out their eclectic menu on-line and I was instantly sold on it when I read about their use of quinoa in a salad. As most of you are aware we are currently doing a 52 Vancouver Island Restaurants in 365 Days Project and this marvelous place just happened to be the first one! We arrived just after 1pm (to miss the lunch rush) and it was still relatively busy, although the restaurant only has about 20 seats. I always take a busy restaurant during less-busy times as a good sign the food is probably great! We were greeted by an attentive and very pleasant hostess (whom was also our server) who brought out our drinks very quickly - we were in awe of the Caesar art piece! Seriously, I am not a caesar fan myself (but my partner is somewhat of a connoisseur)

Vancouver Island Brewery - Vancouver Island Brewery was the Island's first craft brewery. From humble beginnings in a small warehouse in Central Saanich in 1984 they began by handcrafting a small selection of draught only products for pub customers on Vancouver Island. Through loyal Island support, they began to grow and add to their portfolio of fresh handcrafted local ales and lagers. In 1995, they grew out of their original operation and made the decision to build a new brewery at 2330 Government Street in Victoria B.C. where the brewery still stands and operates today. They have grown from just 6 employees in 1984 to over 40 today and all of their brewery employees are “Islanders” with true Island roots. They have developed a 25 year tradition and connection with Vancouver Island and are proud of their history of supporting numerous local businesses, charities, and community events over the years. Part of the breweries philosophy will always be to make a positive impact and co

The 2012 Vancouver Island Music Awards will be held Saturday April 21, 2012 at Fairfield United Church in Victoria. Tickets for this event will go fast, and seating is limited, but the event is open to everyone! Tickets can be reserved via paypal. If you would like to purchase/reserve tickets, email VIMA Producer James Kasper at info@jameskasper.com or call (250) 885-5988 to indicate the number of tickets you would like. Ticket Prices: Adults: $25. Students & Seniors: $20. Children Under 6: $10. Leading up to the event I will be posting a 4 part series highlighting the nominees! Good luck and great job to all the nominees! Enjoy. ‎ 2012 Artist of the Year Nominee Lindsay Bryan (from Victoria) performing her nominated song "Skyscraper" 2012 Nominee for Best Live Act Maureen Washington Youth Artist of the Year Nominee - Brooke Turner "One Way" Ryan McMahon (5 nominations - male songwriter, artist of the year, album of the year, male vocalist & best video) and

Inspired by a recent Facebook wall post by Stephanie Scott I have decided to do a "mini" 365 days of dining reviews and do one a week for the next year. According to Tourism Victoria , Victoria has the second most restaurants per capita in North America (second to San Francisco, I figured New York would be first!) - so I should have no problem at all finding some great, local restaurants to highlight and enjoy. As usual, I will be looking to my followers/friends/readers to give me input as to where we should visit, I have a few on my list already but I need some suggestions! I will be visiting restaurants across the island from Victoria to Port Hardy and everywhere in between!