Archive for February, 2011
The Wellness Show: Win Tickets And Healthy Pet Products
For those of you on the Mainland or who will be traveling to Vancouver next weekend, the 19th Annual Wellness Show is happening at the Vancouver Convention Centre from February 18th – 20th. Featuring a combination of workshops, cooking, demonstrations and exhibitors, the show is dedicated to healthy living and general wellness.
Photo: The Wellness Show
Some specific highlights of the show include wellness for your kids or your pets. It goes without saying that taking care of the little ones in our lives is crucial! Tickets for The Wellness Show can be purchased online and include a goodie bag for the first 2,500 people through the door each day.
If you’d like a chance to attend The Wellness Show this year, I have two pairs of tickets and two gift baskets – one for your canine pal’s wellness and one to keep the kitty in your life healthy.
The “doggy bag” includes:
- Taste of the Wild 15-pound bag of grain-free dog food (with bison, venison and lamb), Northern Biscuit Pheasant dog cookies, NiteIze Spotlit for your dog’s collar for nighttime walks, NiteIze Meteorball – a ball that lights up for playing in the park at night and 16 ounces of Grizzly Salmon Oil to improve skin and coat and work as an anti-inflammatory.
The “kitty box” includes:
- Taste of the Wild grain-free cat food (with venison, salmon and chicken), Pawbreakers pressed catnip ball, VitaNip, assorted cans of super healthy wet food and PureAyre – a crucial all-natural odour eliminator.
Each gift basket includes two tickets to the Wellness Show and the gift baskets must be picked up at the Wellness Show. You have two chances to enter:
Leave a comment below with your favourite tip for healthy living and specify which of the two gift baskets you’d like to win. (1 entry)
Post one of the following on Twitter (1 entry)
or
I’ll draw two winners on Thursday, February 17th. Good luck!
For more information about The Wellness Show, visit them online, find the show on Facebook or follow the show on Twitter.
Until February 11th, you can enter to win delicious Valentine’s Day prizes from Silk Road Tea, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, the Nanaimo Museum and Saltspring Soapworks. Click here to enter now.
Fair Fares To Protect Our Local Residents
Denman and Hornby Islands, Fulford Harbour, Gabriola Island, Sointula, Alert Bay: these are just a handful of Vancouver Island communities that heavily rely on our Province’s ferry system. Oversea transport is vital to the economic stability to these communities and to our Island as a whole.
You’ve no doubt heard by now that BC Ferries’ CEO David Hahn announced that, if permitted, the ferries will be increasing fares over the next four years. With a 20 percent hike on major routes, a 50 percent hike on minor routes and a whopping 100 percent increase on northern routes, it’s clear that these fare increases are set to pack a crippling wallop on residents’ wallets. [source]
Hahn asserts that either the fares must be increased or the Provincial government needs to kick in an additional $25 million on top of what is already contributed. If neither happens, BC Ferries will be forced to cut services.
If this is true, it seems only sensible to examine what the corporation deems to be “services”. As a taxpaying citizen that uses the ferry system on a very regular basis, I have absolutely no problem with my hard-earned money paying for ferry repairs, terminal upgrades, inevitable increases in fuel cost or even the added cost of labour in the interest of safety. In fact, I am incredibly grateful that BC Ferries does what they do. My question regarding so-called services is in respect of the add-ons – the shine and sheen that our world class ferry fleet has come to be known for.
Like those in smaller communities who rely on this form of transport as part of their daily commute or a sustainer of local business, riding BC Ferries is essential to all of us. Since the Province handed the helm over in 2003, transforming BC Ferries into an independent commercial company, a dramatic shift has taken place. The ferries have swung from essential to luxury. New vessels with cushy seats, gourmet food, sparkly items in the gift shops, private lounges, spa services and state-of-the-art entertainment options have taken to the seas. What are these expenses costing us and who have they been designed for?
This is a far cry from the once simple vessels with space for passengers, basic food and facilities dedicated to getting passengers from Point ‘A’ to Point ‘B’. Between revamping the vessels, the incredible salaries afforded to BC Ferries’ upper management and glitzy tourism campaigns, I simply question who BC Ferries is doing business for.
- Does BC Ferries need to advertise their services to the tourism market? No – they have an absolute monopoly on BC’s waterways.
Does BC Ferries need to spend your money and mine on luxurious on-ship facilities? No – we need safe, secure vessels to take us from one destination to another.
Does BC Ferries need to put public accountability ahead of their own agenda? You bet. Without us, their business would sink.
Should BC Ferries look at slashing funds from other areas of their annual budget before reaching deeper into the public’s pockets? This one’s a no-brainer.
The rising costs of fuel, labour and services are a part of life and an expected component in a forward-moving economy. We each have the personal responsibility to ourselves to ask the crucial questions. Does this ferry service work for you and your family? I would love to see the ferry service shift back to meeting the very basic needs of our Province’s residents as it did from the 1960s to the 1990s.
At the end of the day, whether or not BC Ferries’ proposed fare hikes are justifiable is up to you and me. The BC Ferry Commission will be reviewing the issue, along with our Provincial government, and the fare increases won’t hit us until 2012 – if they’re even approved. However, there are a number of things you can do.
The BC Ferry Commission welcomes input with regard to issues relating to fare caps and service levels. You can directly e-mail the Commission.
Being that on my regular ferry trips I travel with my dog, my frustrations with riding the ferries are nothing new. However, facing yet another hike in fares to sit in inappropriate conditions makes me very upset. The issue goes back, once again, to whether or not we’re getting value for the dollar in terms of service. If BC Ferries would take my money and invest in bringing up the standard of the pet areas, I’d gladly dish out twice the cash I pay now for fares.
If the increased fares, decreased service or even the pet areas are of utmost concern to you, I strongly encourage you to flex your vocal muscles and send the Ferries a note. BC Ferries is highly committed to customer service and has a great public consultation program, consisting of advisory committees dedicated to engaging you and I in decision-making processes. The Ferry Advisory Committee is led by terminal liaisons. For a complete list of contacts and e-mails, you can find them here.
Giveaway: Celebrate Love On Vancouver Island And Win One Of Three Great Prizes
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with someone this year or flying solo, there’s always reason to spread a little love. No matter where, or with whom, you find yourself on the 14th, here are some great ways to celebrate the day:
1. Spend an afternoon wandering small shops – chic boutiques in Victoria, gorgeous antiques in the Cowichan Valley or Nanaimo artisans – and treat yourself to something that catches your eye.
2. Treat your tongue (and a friend) to creamy, savoury cheeses with on-site sampling from either Natural Pastures Cheese Company in Courtenay or Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. I’m a big fan of the brie from both companies.
3. Vancouver Island is home to seemingly infinite vineyards, so head to any one of them for a (usually free) wine tasting. Bring along a bit of chocolate to make the experience more sumptuous.
Photos: Andrew Johnson (L) and Jay-P (R) on Flickr
4. Stay active and have fun doing it. Whack the clubs at a driving range, rent bicycles and hit the path or get in touch with nature on one of Strathcona Park’s hiking trails.
5. With all the Island’s utterly incredible spas and resorts, indulge in a side-by-side couples’ or friends’ massage. The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville and Tofino’s Ancient Cedars Spa come to mind.
6. Escape the frenetic pace of everyday and dig your toes into the sand of some of the deserted beaches near Port Hardy. The pine-scented air and thrashing ocean will have you feeling relaxed in no time.
How do you share love? Does Valentine’s Day mean much to you or do you show it year-round? You could win one of three lavish prizes:
Prize 1 Victoria’s sought-after Silk Road Teas is providing one winner with a stunning Moroccan lantern for a candlelit bath, delicious massage oil, bath salts and a tasty romantic tea blend.
Prize 2 Get a taste of the famous Nanaimo Bar Trail in the Harbour City with a $25 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and delight in their signature Nanaimo Bar Fudge. This prize also includes a complimentary double pass to the Nanaimo Museum to learn all about Nanaimo’s famous local treat!
Prize 3 Incredible organics and homegrown goodness come together from Saltspring Soapworks with a gift basket containing a 100% Organic Lipbalm with local honey, Pure Vanilla Handmade Soap, Lavender and Ylang Ylang Body Lotion and a charming heart-shaped Coconut Bath Bomb.
You’ve got two separate chances to win!
- Leave a comment below telling me how you celebrate love all year round. (1 entry)
- Find Keira-Anne.com on Facebook, click on the “Contests” tab and write a quick message telling me about your most memorable Valentine’s Day – whether it was the best or the worst! (1 entry)
I’ll draw three winners at random on Friday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. Good luck!
About the contest’s fantastic sponsors…
A jewel in Victoria’s Chinatown neighbourhood, Silk Road Teas has been hand-blending unique organic loose teas since 1992. I was fortunate enough to attend one of their popular tea workshops in the Fall of 2010 and also found a treasured selection of essential oils, aromatherapy and bathing products as well as a complete on-site spa. [website] [Facebook] [Twitter]A new addition to Nanaimo, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory produces inspired and deeply flavourful artisan chocolates. With everything from fudge to brittle to Rocky Pop, there’s certainly something to please everyone. Visit them at the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal or their pop-up shop in Woodgrove Centre. [website] [Facebook] [Twitter]
The Nanaimo Museum highlights the Harbour City’s vibrant and fascinating history through interactive displays and exhibits. Be sure to visit some of the current exhibits, honouring Black History Month and Nanaimo’s Chinatown. [website] [Facebook]
A long-time favourite of mine, Saltspring Soapworks is the little soap-maker that could. Based on its namesake island, Saltspring Soapworks has been producing delicious handmade, locally sourced soaps, body products, lotions and much more for over 30 years. [website] [Facebook] [Twitter]
BC Spirit Festival Events On Vancouver Island
It’s hard to believe that it’s been close to a year since British Columbians were swept up in an Olympic-sized tidal wave of Canadian pride. From the torch relay to the Games themselves, our spirits were on high.
Photos: Jude Freeman on Flickr
On the first anniversary of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, British Columbia is hoping to recapture the excitement of one of the most memorable times our Province has ever seen with a number of events as part of the BC Spirit Festival. Here’s what’s happening on communities across Vancouver Island…
Campbell River – Campbell River Community Arts Council
February 25-27, 2011
- The Rain and Fire Festival of Story incorporates music, dance, literature, spoken word, song, theatre, photography and fine arts to illustrate Campbell River’s heritage. [more information]
Chemainus – Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society
February 5-12, 2011
- Ye’Yutul: Carving, painting, jewellery making, drum making, basket making, drum making, weaving and traditional plants are used to celebrate Coast Salish Arts and Culture. [more information]
Denman Island – Arts Denman
February 17-20, 2011
- The Secret Tree Festival of Arts & Sustainability highlights environmental sustainability through music, visual art, storytelling and film in a weekend that’s fun for the whole family.[more information]
Duncan – Cowichan Intercultural Festival of Film and Art Society
February 1-26, 2011
- Through carving and through storytelling, the Living Legends Festival invites the community to bring to life the Story of Tth’uw’xe’luts’ – The Wild Woman and other Coast Salish. The work will be unveiled at the Cowichan International Aboriginal Festival of Film & Art in April 2011. [more information]
Nanaimo – Nanaimo Arts Council
February 4 – March 30, 2011
- The Spirit in the Shadow/Spirit in the Light Multi-media Arts Festival feateures activities in film, dance, music, theatre, visual and literary arts. [more information]
Parksville – Oceanside Community Arts Council
February 1-28, 2011
- Oceanside Community Arts Council explores the idea of mail art through an art exhibition and website called Mail Art Olympix. The unique exhibition features mail art from 355 artists in 41 countries – brought together by Ed Varney. [more information]
Pender Island – Ptarmigan Music and Theatre Society
February 4-19, 2011
- Beatlemania takes over Pender and Mayne Islands! The Ptarmigan Music and Storytelling and The Shirleys are featured performers. [more information]
Saltspring Island – Salt Spring Arts Council
February 17-20, 2011
- From a children’s art show to a dance flash mob, The “Salt Spring Celebrates” Festival offers something for everyone.
Sidney - Saanich Peninsula Community Arts Council
February 1-28, 2011
- A stunning art show created by local students will brings students and arts council members together to plan, produce and emphasize an art exhibition in the community.
Sooke – T’Sou-ke Nation
February 26, 2011
- First Nations artists from the Coast Salish, Nuu-cha-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw traditions will be on hand to entertain with story-telling, drumming, dancing and singing.
Victoria
Various Dates
- 18 different events have been planned for Victoria, including theatre and performing arts exhibits, live music and more. Click here for a complete listing of all Victoria area events. [more information]
For more information on these and all events planned across British Columbia, please visit Act Now BC’s complete listing online.
Shaken And Stirred
The illustrious Fairmont Empress Hotel is bringing sexy to Victoria with a culinary competition with Canada going head-to-head against our neighbour to the south. Shaken and Stirred brings together The Fairmont Empress’ Executive Sous Chef, Ken Nakano, and Chad Blunston of The Fairmont Newport Beach in an evening of delectable dishes under the twinkling lights of the Crystal Ballroom.
Challenged to create five mouthwatering courses, each paired with an expertly shaken cocktail, the featured chefs will battle it out for ultimate bragging rights. While there’s no doubt that incredible talent in the kitchen will be burning up the spotlight at Shaken and Stirred, The Fairmont Empress’ general manager, Martin Leclerc, isn’t sweating the competition: “To have the opportunity to pair the meal with cocktails and challenge a peer adds to the mystique of the event” and adds that Executive Sous Chef Nakano definitely “has a competitive advantage on home turf.”
The tempting tastes of the evening, with a twist of 007-esque glamour, promises to be nothing short of exciting.
I have been invited by The Fairmont Empress Hotel to judge each of the five courses presented by Chef Nakano and Chef Blunston, along with Kathy Kay of the Victoria Film Festival, Shelora Sheldan of Cooking With A Broad and foodie blogger Treve Ring. I think I can speak on behalf of the other judges that we are all extremely intrigued to discover what the evening will present to our palates.
If you’d like to join in this sophisticated evening of wine and cocktails, tickets can be purchased for $160 each (+ taxes and gratuities) or $128 for Friends of the Empress. The winning chef will be toasted and celebrated in an after party at The Bengal Lounge. Call The Fairmont Empress at (250) 389-2727 to reserve your spot and purchase tickets or visit the hotel online.
Twestival Returns To Victoria And Heads To The Comox Valley
After four successful events in Vancouver and three outings in Victoria, Twestival 2011 will be reaching to the Comox Valley for the first time ever. With events planned for March 24, 2011 in Greater Victoria and the mid-Island, Twestival 2011 is aiming to raise funds for a worthy non-profit society in the respective local communities.
Twestival Comox Valley organizer Brenda Johima faces the exciting challenge of bringing this global Tweet-Up to the area, looking for volunteers and community nominations for which non-profit charity the event would benefit. Johima has volunteered her time and online resources to pull Twestival Comox Valley together and is searching for even more local volunteers who’d like to give a hand. A venue has not yet been chosen, so to offer help, suggestions and non-profit nominations, visit Twestival Comox Valley’s official website or follow them on Twitter.
On the south end of the Island, organizers are getting excited, having finalized some key details. The Fairmont Empress Hotel’s Bengal Lounge will be the outstanding venue for Twestival Victoria. Wine and beer stations and enticing appetizers will be on hand to raise funds for a to-be-determined charity. Last year’s event raised over $8,000 for Concern Worldwide but 2011 aims to trump that number and provide much-needed funds for a registered non-profit in the Victoria area. Visit Twestival Victoria online and follow their updates on Twitter to stay in the loop with developments.
Hockey For Life Fundraiser
Exciting action on the ice will be taking over Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo this weekend with the Hockey For Life charity game. Alumni from the Vancouver Canucks will be squaring off against the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH) Emergency Department hockey team to raise funds in this hotly anticipated game.
An event that’s fun for the entire family, all proceeds will benefit the NRGH’s Emergency Expansion Campaign and BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. The puck drops this Saturday, February 5th and tickets can be purchased for $20 each. Grab yours at the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation office (102-1801 Bowen Rd), SportChek at Woodgrove Mall, E-Zone Embroidery (3 – 1925 Bowen Road) or Artfitterz (15 – 1925 Bowen Road).
To learn more about the NRGH’s Emergency Expansion Campaign, visit the campaign online or track the progress on Twitter.
Dog Walk To Honour Bandit The Pit Bull Puppy And The Sled Dogs
For whatever unspeakable reasons, cruelty and abuse against dogs has taken its place in the news in recent weeks. While it’s unfortunately nothing new, it’s difficult to ignore what is going on.
A group that banded together and calls themselves Justice For Bandit – honouring the pit bull puppy who was recently murdered in Victoria – has organized a Dog Walk this coming weekend in the capital region.
Photo: Marty Hogan on Flickr
The Dog Walk will also honour the memory of the 100 dogs in the Whistler region who were senselessly executed last April.
-
Where: Start at the Dallas Road Dog Park at Cook Street and finish at the Ross Bay Cemetery on St. Charles Street.
When: Saturday, February 5th at 11:00 a.m.
Who: Anyone that cares for the lives of these dogs and wants to show support.
How Much: It’s free to attend and participate in the walk, but donations will be graciously accepted on behalf of the SPCA.
In order to investigate, bring about charges and prosecute anyone guilty of animal abuse and cruelty, the SPCA needs funds to do so as they are the only resource in our Province that can – and will – do so. Only 2% of their annual operating budget is funded by the government, so if we as a society want to see change and justice, it’s really up to us.
If you’d like to donate to the SPCA, you can do so here. For more information on this weekend’s Dog Walk, visit the Facebook page.
- UPDATE: Media maven Catherine Barr has organized a similar event for those on the Lower Mainland wishing to offer their support. Meet at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver on Sunday, February 6th between noon and 2:00 p.m. Find out more about the Barking Mad rally online.
Vancouver Island – Flickr Favourites
While clicking through Flickr last week, I realized it has been a few months since my last post of favourite Vancouver Island shots that I’ve come across. Here are a number of photos of our Island paradise that are certainly worth sharing.
Photo: Daniel Arndt on Flickr
Photo: Feet wet on Flickr
Photo: ai.dan on Flickr
Photo: mohit bhargava on Flickr
Photo: Chet Williams on Flickr
Photo: Yai&JR on Flickr
Photo: Tempest Kat on Flickr
Photo: Reverend Paul Mojave on Flickr
Photo: Daniel Arndt on Flickr