Category Archives: Your Island Guide

Your guide to the best our islands have to offer.

06.20.12
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Cleopatra’s Happy Hooka

Cleopatra Hookah
and Coffee Lounge
732 Broughton St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 590-7240

E: Very rarely will I ever have the eyes of a hawk and spot a new establishment offering, of all things, something Egyptian.

James and I were leaving the downtown library when the arms of Cleopatra embraced me. Like Marc Anthony, I was drawn to her mystique, and this shop offered more than just coffee.

J: Cleopatra must like to leave furniture in places customers least expect. I was soon to learn this after almost tripping over a foot stool as I entered. The place was cluttered but the decor of red painted background with framed Egyptian art on papyrus was a nice touch.

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06.03.12
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James’ Pick of the Events – June, 2012

Esquimalt’s Buccaneer Days
I may not have a peg leg but I knows a good pirate festival when I sees one. What true pirate can resist a fair? or refuse a pancake breakfast? A pirate has to have something to go down with the rum. Activities for the whole family including a parade, a craft and garden sale, children’s activity area and a Saturday night dance.

Vee Dub 9 Skateboard Competition
Much has changed since the days of being thrown from a banana board and today, the sport isn’t just for kids.

Island Chefs’ Collaborative Food Festival
What can be better than partaking in alcoholic beverages and food in the beautiful historic setting of Fort Rodd Hill. Names of the new businesses, the old establishments and the well established have served their wares at previous ICC Food Fests. Let’s hope for the sun on this one.

Christ Church Cathedral Community Fair
I can easily enjoy a good church social and the CCC’s Community Fair sounds very inviting. Here, I can look for local baked goods, And Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore will be performed. The Church has a strong history. They were graced 2 years ago by the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. In the 1960’s CCC produced a record of songs performed by choir boy Bill Dyson.

First Peoples Festival
In elementary school, I was read the stories of Raven, I was also taken to see the Aboriginal People’s exhibit at the Royal BC Museum. Here at the festival, I can relive some fond memories of observing wood carvers, jewellers, and weavers ply their craft. Also, there will be knitters from Cowichan Valley and shamans teaching traditional medicine.

Fernwood Bites 2012
Victoria’s neighbourhood of Fernwood is “distinct.”

Topped by the crown jewel that is the Belfy Theatre, this commuity offers a decent amount of fine businesses to patronize — Aubergine Specialty Foods, Fernwood Inn, The Little Piggy and Stir It Up.

Besides an excellent Vintage Fair, Fernwood Bites is a must attend. They offer many delights for attendees to savour. They have plenty of delicious food, fine wines and spirits. But it is the meeting of many creative individuals that make this scene an excellent venue for anyone to mingle in.

To those people who loathe the nightclub scene, this event is a refreshing salvation.

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.

05.14.12
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Fanny Bay Follies

Happy Hen’s Cafe
Fanny Bay Service
8256 Island Hwy S RR 1
Fanny Bay, BC
(250) 335-2200

A long trip up island will eventually mean some kind of rest stop. And when one of my friends announced the need for a break to stretch our legs, we ended up in Fanny Bay, the home of some of the world’s famous oysters. They’re known for their plump and delicate taste. While I generally love eating any oyster raw, this chance visit meant our discovery of a cozy diner in a building simply called Fanny Bay Service.

For $9, they have a great offer of six large oysters with fries and toast. There were also delectable burger offerings using ingredients like locally raised chicken, which tempted me, but I did not deviate.

We asked if the diner did take-out and huge points were scored for the fact that they indeed do. We simply opted for just the oysters. They were panko coated and pan fried to a tenderness that I really liked. These large pieces were freshly shucked and I could taste the difference. These oysters had a light juiciness that really hit the spot.

If I lived in the area, I’d be back for more. The locals seem to congregate there for some old fashioned home style cooking. I imagine this service station was once a home at some point; the main level looked like it was converted so it could be a grocery store and diner. The space is very large and can accommodate at roughly 24 people at a time. I really liked the earthy feel of the dining side of the space, and with luck, I hope to return for more.

4 Blokes out of 5

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