Archive for February, 2012
The Iconic Wickaninnish Inn Makes A Triumphant Return
More than five weeks ago, the carved cedar doors of Tofino’s Wickaninnish Inn were closed to allow the illustrious resort time to refresh and refurbish itself. Under the direction of BBA Design Consultants and with contractors from Tofino, Ucluelet, Port Alberni and Parksville, “The Wick Inn” – as it’s lovingly known – is ready to once again welcome guests.
Photo: © The Wickaninnish Inn [used with permission]
Among the renovations includes the 45 original guestrooms within the Wickaninnish-at-the-Pointe building, having received reviving, genuine West Coast detailing. Featuring the same warm and welcoming standards as the Beach rooms, these guestrooms are set to re-open in March.
Now nearing its completion, perhaps the most notable addition is the Sea Cave steam room within the Ancient Cedars Spa. Spa guests can enhance their relaxation by adding the steam room to any of the various treatments, services and yoga options offered by Ancient Cedars Spa.
Photo: © The Wickaninnish Inn [used with permission]
To celebrate the re-opening of the Wickaninnish Inn and Ancient Cedars Spa, the resort has a special offer for guests over the month of March. Visitors who book a minimum three-night stay at The Wick Inn before March 31st will receive $100 off their nightly room rate.
Escape to rustic elegance on nature’s edge with a visit to the Wickaninnish Inn. The resort is located minutes from downtown Tofino at 500 Osprey Lane. For more information on the Wickaninnish Inn, Ancient Cedars Spa or The Pointe Restaurant, visit The Wick Inn’s website. You can also follow their updates on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
Giveaway: Win $250 In Seaflora Wild Organic Seaweed Products
Living in such an abundant place, Vancouver Islanders have successfully harvested this land and its shores to create everything from mead wine to organic vegetables. Thanks to Diane Bernard – also known as ‘The Seaweed Lady’ – Seaflora Wild Organic Seaweed Skincare has been making an incredible name for its effective thalassotherapy products both locally and abroad.
Photo: Sea Flora
Made with seaweed selectively harvested from company boats offshore or directly in the Sooke, BC inter tidal zone (during low tides), Seaflora’s products are fresh, nourshing, animal-friendly and entirely sustainable. And the best part? Their products work. I’m no stranger to their line of exquisite skincare, and wanted to give my readers the opportunity to reap the benefits of locally-produced luxury products.
While you can find Seaflora products in some of the Island’s most reputable spas – including the Ancient Cedars Spa in Tofino – look no further to get your hands on their skincare. Diane and the Seaflora team have graciously offered up $250 worth of Seaflora skincare product of the winner’s choice to be delivered to their front door! You have three ways to enter…
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1. Visit the Seaflora website, view their product line and leave a comment below telling me which product (or products) you’d most like to try. (1 entry)
2. Post the following on Twitter: (1 entry)
3. Find Vancouver Island Blog on Facebook, click the Contests tab and leave me a comment with your favourite skincare tip!
I will pick one winner at random on Monday, March 5th at 3:00 p.m. Good luck!
Winners must be 18 years of age or older. Winners cannot have won a contest on Keira-Anne.com within the last six months. This prize is not transferable and is of no monetary value. Keira-Anne.com nor its affiliates or the contest prize sponsor bear any responsibility to the winners, the collection of the prize and/or the use of the prize.
Comox Valley SPCA Paws For A Cause Work Party
Still months away, I’ve hardly yet turned my mind to the 2012 Paws For A Cause event. However, the staff and volunteers at the Comox Valley shelter want to make this year’s Paws walk a memorable one for the whole community! It’s a great way to get everyone involved and support shelter animals in need.
Photos L-R: Keira-Anne.com; Miss604 on Flickr
This coming Saturday, February 25th, the Comox Valley shelter is holding its first in a series of work parties at 11:00 a.m. The work parties are a fantastic opportunity to get involved, brainstorm new fundraising ideas and come up with ways to make the event more fun than it’s ever been! The staff are already dreaming up some pretty exciting themes, but you’ll have to attend to find out more!
If you’re interested, send an e-mail to Susan, the Comox Valley SPCA Volunteer Coordinator, or phone the shelter at (250) 339-7722. The Comox Valley SPCA Shelter can be found at 1668 Ryan Road East in Comox. You can also find the shelter and search for adoptable animals online.
Giveaway: Go Play In The Snow At Mount Washington Alpine Resort!
It’s hard to believe that the Spring ski season is almost upon us, but I’d like to believe most of us are more than ready for warmer temperatures and softer snow.
With almost two feet of fresh powder over the last week, Mount Washington Alpine Resort shows no sign of slowing down for any season. This bodes well for yours truly because I still have yet to get up there this season, but I’m planning to get my shred on during Easter weekend. Many of the mountain’s Spring activities – including the infamous Crush Slush Cup – have been pushed back with the extended season.
Photo: © Mount Washington Alpine Resort
“Our snowbase is now over 300 centimetres so the decision to extend our winter season was easy,” enthuses Don Sharpe, Director of Business Operations and Marketing. “Skiers and boarders will now be able to enjoy another 7 days of great Spring riding in April!”
This no doubt causes back-country bliss amongst the skiing and snowboarding community, and to celebrate Mount Washington wants to make sure you get up to their slopes! Two readers will each win a pair of alpine lift tickets that are valid through to the end of the current season. You’ve got two ways to enter:
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1. Leave a comment below and let me know if you prefer skiing or snowboarding. (1 entry)
2. Post the following on Twitter: (1 entry)
I’ll draw two winners at random at noon on Wednesday, February 29th! Good luck! For more information on the resort, the amazing family-friendly events or the great stay-and-ski deals to be found, visit Mount Washington Resort on their website, follow them on Facebook or stay updated on Twitter.
Winners must be 18 years of age or older. Winners cannot have won a contest on Keira-Anne.com within the last six months. This prize is not transferable and is of no monetary value. Keira-Anne.com nor its affiliates or the contest prize sponsor are responsible for transportation to, from or within the Comox Valley or for accommodation within the Comox Valley. Keira-Anne.com nor its affiliates or the contest prize sponsor bear any responsibility to the winners, the collection of the prize and/or the use of the prize.
From now until March 3rd, you can enter to win an exclusive romance prize package from Old House Village Hotel & Spa’s Wedding Show, SNAP Weddings and Keira-Anne.com – especially designed for newly engaged couples! For more information on how to enter, visit the contest page now!
Vancouver Island Blog Flickr Pool
Reading about all the things that make Vancouver Island so wonderful is one thing, but there’s something to be said about seeing it with your own eyes! My posts, stories and articles would only be half as interesting without amazing photos from residents and visitors of Vancouver Island.
Flickr “pools” are a way of essentially pooling together photographic talent – whether amateur or professional – to showcase breathtaking scenery, smiling faces or unforgettable experiences. I have recently started the Vancouver Island Blog Flickr Pool so that images of our beloved Island can be found in one place.
This is where you come in! Whether you’ve only picked up a camera once or are a well-experienced shutterbug, head over to Flickr and join the Vancouver Island Blog Flickr Pool. There you can contribute some of your favourite snapshots for others to see, as well as for the chance for your photos to illustrate a post or two on Keira-Anne.com – Vancouver Island Blog. Any photos used on Vancouver Island Blog will always be given full credit with links back to the original photo and user’s Flickr account.
I hope to see you over on Flickr!
Giveaway: Celebrate Your True Love At Old House Village Hotel & Spa
For decades, gentle waters and lush gardens have drawn visitors to the banks of the Puntledge River. The Old House Village Hotel & Spa gives visitors a reason to stay.
Photo: © Old House Village Hotel & Spa (used with permission)
Nestled in the true, geographic heart of the Comox Valley, this boutique hotel blends modern comfort with rustic West Coast design. Featuring 79 rooms, guests can enjoy convenient amenities, indulgent services at Oh Spa and exquisite dining all while only steps away from everything downtown Courtenay offers.
With riverfront gardens and breathtaking space, it’s no wonder that Old House Village Hotel & Spa is a favourite destination for weddings. It only seems logical for the hotel to host a unique Wedding Fair on its charming grounds. Now entering its third year, the Wedding Fair gathers incredible photographers, caterers, bakers, florists and venues in one unique setting. On Saturday, March 3rd, brides and grooms-to-be are invited to visit the Old House Village Hotel & Spa to make their Island wedding dreams come true.
Photos: © Old House Village Hotel & Spa (used with permission) Prize accommodation may not be as illustrated above.
To celebrate its third Wedding Fair, Old House Village Hotel & Spa wants to make one lovely couple’s engagement an event to remember. One lucky Keira-Anne.com reader will win the chance to treat their fiancé (or fiancée) to a getaway at the Old House Village Hotel & Spa that exudes classic romance.
That said, the getaway is only part of it. Ashley and Mike Kitchen are Vancouver Island-based photographers (and a very-much-in-love husband-and-wife team) who have an eye for combining the romantic with the clever. We have teamed up with Ashley and Mike through their company, SNAP Weddings, to provide exclusive engagement photos of the couple.
Photo: © SNAP Weddings (used with permission)
This exceptional prize package includes the following:
- Two nights of deluxe accommodation at the Old House Village Hotel & Spa
- Rose petal turndown service on your first night
- Breakfast in bed both mornings
- 1-hour couples’ massage at Oh Spa
- $50 gift certificate to the adjacent Old House Restaurant
- 2 individual boxes of handcrafted chocolates from Hot Chocolates
- 1 bottle of Old House Village Hotel & Spa’s exclusive house wine
- During your stay, you’ll enjoy up to a three-hour session with SNAP Weddings’ photographers to capture your love on camera
- A disc of high quality, edited images from your engagement photoshoot provided by SNAP Weddings
While this prize package is being offered to newly engaged couples, it would also make for a wonderful surprise to someone you know that has recently become engaged. There are a few ways you can enter to win for yourself – or for someone else!
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1. Leave a comment below and tell me if you’d treat your fiancé/fiancée to this prize or if you’d pass it on to your friend, sister, nephew or someone else who’s recently become engaged. (1 entry)
2. Visit the Old House Village Hotel & Spa’s Wedding Fair page on Facebook and leave a comment. Let them know of a memorable event at a wedding or something that made the last wedding you attended extra special. (1 entry)
3. Post the following on Twitter: (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random at noon on Saturday, March 3rd. The winner will be notified by e-mail. Good luck, everyone!
For more information about the Old House Village Hotel & Spa, the March 3rd Wedding Fair at the Old House, or about SNAP Weddings, please visit each of them online:
Winner must be 19 years of age or older. Winner cannot have won a contest on Keira-Anne.com within the last six months. This prize is transferable as it is specifically designed for an engaged couple. The prize is of no monetary value. Keira-Anne.com nor its affiliates or the contest prize sponsors are responsible for transportation to, from or within the Comox Valley. Keira-Anne.com nor its affiliates or the contest prize sponsors bear any responsibility to the winner, the collection of the prize and/or the use of the prize.
Giveaway: Brew For Two At Parksville Untapped
Starting February 23rd, culinary curiosities will be satisfied when fabulous food and wonderful wines come together at Parksville Uncorked. Now celebrating its fourth year, this annual tradition allows attendees to sip and swirl over four days of events.
Increasing in popularity each year, Parksville Uncorked is proudly sponsored by Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and The Beach Club Resort. The signature gala event, Swirl, is the pinnacle of the weekend on Friday the 24th. Saturday and Sunday showcase winemakers’ dinners and the Bubbles & Brunch events, but the entire weekend is kicked off with an event just for beer lovers on Thursday, February 23rd.
Photo: John Bollwitt on Flickr
Parksville Untapped at The Beach Club Resort highlights some of British Columbia’s best local brews while serving up tasty treats from fantastic restaurants of the region.
Tickets for the weekend’s events start at $29.95 per person and the organizers have graciously offered a pair of tickets to Parksville Untapped to a lucky reader. The tickets are valued at $100 each and include two commemorative Parksville Untapped beer glasses. Here’s how to enter:
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1. Leave a comment below and tell me the name of your favourite BC beer. (1 entry)
2. Post the following on Twitter: (1 entry)
I will draw one lucky winner at noon on Monday, February 20th. Good luck!
For more information on Parksville Uncorked, Parksville Untapped and a complete listing of the weekend’s events, please visit the official website. A number of “sip n’ stay” packages are also available. If you plan to attend any of the events, please do so responsibly. Arrange for a designated driver or take a taxi.
Winner must be 19 years of age or older. Winner cannot have won a contest on Keira-Anne.com within the last six months. The tickets are not transferrable and are of no monetary value. Keira-Anne.com nor the event sponsors, organizers or venues are responsible for transportation to, from or within Parksville. Keira-Anne.com nor nor the event sponsors, organizers or venues bear any responsibility to the winner, the collection of the prize and/or the use of the prize tickets.
Dear Vancouver Island…
I love the little woodstoves that puff smoke on autumn days from the homes that dot the highway through Union Bay.
Photo: salil soman on Flickr
I love the sound of chilly water lapping the fishing boat hulls in Port Hardy.
Photo: Brian Huculak on Flickr
I love the colourful ducks that waddle through the grass in Beacon Hill Park.
Photo: André Gaudin on Flickr
I love that hidden away on the Gulf Islands is a treasure trove of incredible artists.
Photo: kris krüg on Flickr
I love the early morning dew that dampens my shoes at Strathcona Lake.
Photo: Sylvan Mably on Flickr
I love your little bumblebees and the incredible fruits and vegetables their pollination gives us.
I love that vibrant sunshine can be just as beautiful when it’s liquid sunshine on Hornby Island.
Photo: Evan Leeson on Flickr
I love that there’s no such thing as a bad view of the sunset in Tofino.
Photo: James Wheeler on Flickr
I love that, no matter where my boots take me, you will always be home.
Victoria Winter Farmer’s Market
You’ve no doubt noticed milder temperatures and sunnier mornings in recent weeks but there’s still a bit of time until Spring makes its official debut.
Farmer’s markets have quickly become a Saturday staple in most communities, but winter farmer’s markets are also gaining traction.
Photo: Victoria Public Market
Since 2010, the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society has brought the fresh, local flavour of farmer’s markets to the Victoria area and this year the brand-new winter market has already proven popular. On the first and third Saturday of each month, area farmers, food vendors, fishermen, cheese makers, bakers and live musicians have been converging on Market Square’s inner courtyard.
This free, family-friendly gathering provides a place for residents to obtain high quality, local feast-worthy food while directly supporting the community’s economy. The winter farmer’s market will be held on February 18th – for this weekend only – at Seedy Saturday at the Conference Center. You can find the winter farmer’s market at its usual spot on March 3rd and 17th before vendors will be gearing up for Spring and Summer!
For more information on the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society and its events, visit them online, on Facebook or on Twitter.
Island Profile: Faires Farms
I get excited when I come across a new-to-me Island-based business or initiative, so last week I was thrilled to learn about Faires Farms just outside of Parksville.
Based on the increasingly popular SPIN method – otherwise known as Small Plot INtensive – Faires Farms provides area residents with fresh, local produce they might not otherwise have access to. This sustainable method makes use of unwanted lots or unused backyards, so Faires Farms is able to keep costs low while making exceptional use of the rich Island soil.
Photo: Faires Farms – Used With Permission
Faires Farms is a collaboration between husband and wife team, John and Nicole Faires, and is getting set for their second year of growing. Land on the Island can be steep in price, but Nicole and John are committed to their vision. “Many people either can’t afford local organic food, or can’t get it because it’s just not available,” Nicole told me. “We want to make it possible for everyone on the Island to have access to fresh, natural vegetables and herbs. Mediocre just isn’t an option anymore. I want families on the Island to be able to make the local organic choice easily.”
All garden beds within the Faires Farms family are Certified Naturally Grown, meaning that they follow the strictest organic standards and take extreme sustainability measures. This includes using no-till methods, permaculture techniques, rainwater collection, and sourcing their soil inputs from the Island’s own bioregion. Nicole calls it an alternative to organic certification that’s run by farmers and without the politics.
Photo: Faires Farms – Used With Permission
You can find Faires Farms’ fresh produce at the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market between spring and fall or sign up for their weekly delivery service. Delivery is available in family size or a personal bag (great for one or two people) and guarantees 8 – 10 different items each week. The delivery boxes include a newsletter, a big bag of mixed baby greens, a big bunch of carrots and 6-8 other popular things such as tomatoes, potatoes, kohlrabi, radishes, broccoli, basil and more. When it’s in season, Faires Farms also sources locally grown organic fruit.
Faires Farms currently delivers to Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, Lantzville, Nanoose Bay and Nanaimo. They hope to soon expand the delivery service to the Comox Valley and Campbell River once the interest grows. For more information on Faires Farms, please visit them online. You can also find Faires Farms on Facebook or follow along with Nicole on Twitter.