by John Kernaghan –
News, changes, updates, launches? Email noteworthyseaside@gmail.com.
BEACON BOOKS’ WHODUNIT SPEAKS VOLUMES
There’s mystery books and then there’s the mystery of the books – namely the 10,000-plus Beacon Books collection. The volumes, so many owner
Christine Tanner couldn’t pin an exact number on them, are headed over sea and mountains to Creston, B.C. But to whom was a riddle as January closed and moving trucks headed to Beacon Books in Sidney to transport them.
Christine is coy on the buyer and an owner of Creston’s only known bookseller, Kingfisher Quality Used Books, says it’s not his business that did the deed. “That’s a big whack of books,” said co-owner Joe Fraser. “We looked at the listing (of books for sale at Beacon) and imagined how many trucks it would take to move them. That’s a big job.”
So the list of suspects moving a big chunk of Book Town outta town remains open, with Kootenay River Books prime for an interview. A Facebook entry says they are temporarily closed, shows no phone number but a photo of Creston’s post office.
“Never heard of them,” says Kingfisher’s Fraser, but he speculated that it could be a wholesaler using Creston’s location, a 10-minute drive from the U.S. border, to move the books to American dealers.
Letting go of a chunk of her life’s work, 31 years of it with Beacon Books, turned out not to be so wrenching, says Christine. “It’s a feeling of relief; I didn’t think I’d feel that way.”
She takes a full life of stories with her, particularly the trips with her late husband Clive to England to research book towns and meet booksellers. Then there’s the couple’s role in fostering Sidney’s Book Town designation (once there were 10 booksellers in the town).
Most of all she’ll remember the customers and the joy of introducing them to new authors, particularly under-sung Canadian writers. And she hopes to write a book. A mystery? She’s not saying.
A SWEET CUSTOM WORTHY OF COPYING
Leave no stone unturned, because you might find one like the tiny blue one Rosalind Calder found artfully hidden near Sidney Library. It was inscribed with a Bob Dylan quote: “All I can be is me, whoever that is,” she reported on the This is Sidney Facebook page. She thanks whoever placed it and told Seaside that after a period to appreciate it, she would find a special place to hide it so another person can find it.
TWO NEW BUSINESSES FOR BRENTWOOD BAY
The town is welcoming two newcomers, one to tempt your stomach and the other to have your back.
Brentwood Bakery opened late in 2023 and began serving Christmas goodies from the location on West Saanich Road beside Fairway Market.
Brentwood Chiropractor Group, an offshoot of Saanichton Chiropractic Group, is expected to be open this month at #108 – 7088 West Saanich Road beside Politano Cafe after a facelift of the previous business.
SONG CONTEST CELEBRATES PENINSULA
Tunesmiths and poets take notice – Deep Cove Folk is looking for songs of our backyard with cash prizes in Open, First Nations and Student categories.
“We’re on the hunt for songs that are clearly situated on the Saanich Peninsula, perhaps mentioning places, people or events or telling of historical events,” the folk club explains.
Check out www.deepcovefolk.ca for more details.
ALL ABOARD THE FREEDOM ADVENTURE BUS
With public transportation a bit thin on the ground in the north of the Peninsula, a private bus operator is looking to open horizons for groups up to 15 for all manner of trips. The bus also offers lift-equipped accessibility options.
Owner Glenn Moore is eager to serve everything from sports groups and seniors to charity and special events like last month’s Hockey Day in Canada.
See www.freedomadventurebus.com for more information.
WANTIN’ SOME DUMPLINGS?
C.S. Chan has opened its doors at 2350 Beacon Street in Sidney with a menu heavy on wonton pork dishes and a light hand in cooking veg components, keeping them fresh and crunchy.
For our meat-eater, the Tangy Blaze Dumpling got good marks. And vegan takes on two other options, Dan Dan Mein, rice noodles, veg and spicy sesame sauce, and Coconut Noodle Soup won approval.
HOORAY FOR CAFÉS!
Empourium Tops the List
Saanich Peninsula locals know what a gem we have in our midst with the Brentwood Bay Village Empourium, which has been part of our community for the last five years.
It appears that this will be a hidden gem no longer – Empourium was voted Greater Victoria’s Favourite Coffee Shop in the 2023 Times Colonist Readers’ Choice Awards. Congratulations!
Marigold Cafe Goes Platinum
The popular Lochside Drive eatery in Saanichton has won the Victoria Community Votes 2023 poll for Cafes and Coffee Shops.
“Over the moon,” said owner Ryan Hayter, a former executive chef who runs the cafe with wife Jenny, whose background is hotel management.
It was further vindication for them after they left the corporate food world for a neighbourhood operation that has a strong local following and has become a must stop for cyclists touring up and down the Peninsula.
And the future looks even better with three big housing developments underway close at hand.
