Author Archives: James Robert Shaw

05.18.12
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James’ Pick of the Events – May, 2012

I know what you’re going to say, “Why write an article about events in May when the month is more than half over?”

Well to be quite honest I didn’t give the idea of a monthly events breakdown much thought until today. And I’ll justify it by saying there are still plenty of juicy events just ripe enough to pick.

All British Field Meet, May 19th
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver, B.C.
http://www.westerndriver.com/?page_id=96

With both sides of my family originating in the United Kingdom, it’s only natural that I carry a fondness for items that remind me of home be it what I would like to call my Yorkshire cap (ala Last of the Summer Wine) down to my wool duffle coat. But to me, British automobiles have a downright attraction from the comfortable ride of the classy jaquars to spending a day in the country with your Morgan.

For the observer, ABFM will be paying tribute to MGB’s 50th but for the paticipant, there’ll be a GB motor car run to Whistler.

Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival, May 19-20
Topaz Park 
Victoria, B.C.
http://victoriahighlandgames.com/

Highland games isn’t just for kilt-wearing kin, it can be for everyone. The exuding of strength in the games and the pride of Scotland in the traditional dances make this event hard to beat. And you watch, it won’t be long before kids adopt caber tag at the playground. I always thought playground games needed sprucing up.

Island Farms Victoria Day Parade, May 21st
Douglas St. (Mayfair Mall to the Legislature)
Victoria, B.C.
The floats, the marching bands and the clowns …. There is no better way to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria and our current monarch than with a street parade for the people.

Old-Time Barndance, May 26th
Edward Milne Community School
Sooke, B.C.
http://emcs.sd62.bc.ca/

If they are true to the old ways, perhaps they’ll have a very good caller. Although it is held at Edward Milne school, I’m hoping the decorations will leave little to the imagination. Why is it that I can never think of a barn dance without associating it with the Wingfield series? Maybe it’s because having people like Freddy and his nephews appear at a country hoot would be like someone spiked the punch.

Goldstream Station Market
May 26th
Bryn Maur Road
Langford, B.C.
http://goldstreamstationmarket.ca/

The annual opening of Langford’s own farm market and just within arms reach of my residence. I come here for the jams, eggs, tomatos and lovely cheeses.

Fawlty Towers 2
May 26-27
Sooke Community Theatre
Sooke, B.C.
http://www.sookeharbourplayers.ca/Home.html

After a successful premiere last year for the Sooke Harbour Players, Fawlty Towers (created by John Cleese and Connie Booth) has been brought back for a 2nd annual run. And with my holiday landing on at least one of the performance days, I’ll have a chance to get me some tickets.

05.04.12
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Is Yogurt Food of the Gods?

Good morning to all of you. If you happen to live and shop in beautiful downtown Victoria, British Columbia, forget the weatherman. Look not to the skies today but something closer. If one inspects the streets we know and work on, one may find a Greek God giving out samples of yogurt. Who knew the Gods of Olympus had time for such things. And ladies, hands off the olive-oiled chest.

Victoria, B.C. – (May 3, 2012) – Hain-Celestial Canada, ULC, a leading natural and organic food company, will give away almost 2,500 tubs of The Greek Gods™ yogurt in downtown Victoria tomorrow Friday May 4th 2012 between 11.30am – 2.30pm.

Commuters can enjoy this delicious treat for free, while also meeting with ‘The Greek God’, who will bestow the yogurts upon Victoria.

“We are excited to offer people in Victoria a taste of our indulgent traditional Greek Style yogurt. The Greek Gods™ yogurt is a great option for a nutritious main meal or snack,” says Heather McTavish Taylor, Vice President, Marketing of Hain Celestial Canada.

The Greek Gods™ yogurt has five active and live cultures including probiotics and is available in four flavours – Plain, Honey, Honey Strawberry and Honey Vanilla. The 650g-sized containers will allow many residents of the beautiful island to enjoy this delicious yogurt.

Yogurt lovers can stop by the following intersections during their lunch break to meet The Greek Gods™:

• Fort Street and Douglas
• Government Street and Humboldt Street

For more information about The Greek Gods™ yogurt visit www.greekgodsyogurt.ca

04.30.12
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10th Annual Quadra Village Day

                            Would you like to volunteer for this event?

Contact:
Quadra Village Day Planning Committee
                            c/o Blanshard Community Centre
                            901 Kings Rd., Victoria
                            250-388-7696
                            quadravillage at gmail.com

02.22.12
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A Financially Lean Lunch

Culis Market
#153 – 2745 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Reflections Building
Langford, BC
(250) 590-8881

I was on special assignment recently. My job, if I chose to accept it, was to locate a lunchtime meal for under ten dollars. From Liberty Cafe to Renaissance Bakery, it wasn’t until I arrived on my home turf of Langford that I found that little bit of what I was craving. Culis Market offers a decent Vietnamese sub but I was after Anne’s (the owner) pork wonton. $5.99 was a deal I couldn’t refuse.

What Anne brought me was a large bowl one would normally find served in a Vietnamese restaurant. She fluttered about my table once she saw my camera — very little slips by Anne. My bowl was like a professional female model, you have to snap the photos before she loses steam.

I must admit this meal was traditional. There were several large pieces of wonton dumplings bobbing about. In decor, bits of chopped green onion and chop suey managed to hide themselves at the bottom. Perhaps a little of Kikkoman soy sauce would help liven it up.

The broth was very tasty. She was using a chicken stock and cilantro for flavour. It surpassed Fu Wah Express and Ming’s broth. But both of them could safely say they have more garnish.

The dumplings are supplied by Hung Kee Wonton and Noodle in Vancouver and I must admit it’s a heavier meatier taste. I found inconsistency in the manufacturing. Either there was pork or there was fat. I think that a little fat makes for a better flavour.

When I finished the meal, I was still hungry. But a big man like me can consume much in one sitting. Overall this is a nice meal for those looking for a fast lunch. The flavour is certainly there but traditional wonton isn’t my style. I’ve been spoiled rotten and it shows.

3 Blokes out of 5

Culis Market on Urbanspoon

12.06.11
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Going Mandarin or Japanese with Oranges

Sun Japanese Mandarin Oranges
Available at Costco and Thrifty Foods.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat but I’m eating something different. Do I mean chasing after some chocolate? No, I have some delicious traditional Mandarin oranges to suckle on. In all of my life, I’ve only ever tasted the Chinese products.

But today, I spied with my little eye the product from the Land of the Rising Sun. Could this particular box make for a better grown product? It’s red and it screamed “buy me!”

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