– by Lara Gladych –
News, changes, updates, launches? Email news@seasideamagazine.ca.
NEW BUSINESSES
Watchful Eyes
Sidney Property Watch is a new business in Sidney. Linda Duivenvoorden and Kenny Podmore are working together to keep your property secure and offer you peace of mind. Whether you are a remote home owner or like to take extended holidays, let them check in on your insured property or deal with unexpected repairs or scheduled maintenance when you are unable to do so in person. For more information on their services, visit www.sidneypropertywatch.ca or contact the office directly at 250-858-8816.
A Taste for Wine
Liza Miles, owner of The Gracious Grape Wine Tours, is relatively new to the Peninsula. Liza launched the business last summer, and she offers personalized tasting tours to the Peninsula, Cowichan Valley and Salt Spring. The 2016 season will include new mixed libations and brewery tours, in addition to the existing tours of local wineries. You can look forward to lively discussions with your tour guide, as well as food throughout the day. Contact Liza by phone or text at 250-589-6828, or by email at thegraciousgrape@gmail.com. Her website is www.thegraciousgrape.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring Flowers
Wonderful news from Marigold Nursery and the Smith family! December 24th, 2015, was supposed to be their last day of business; however, they will be temporarily leasing their space from the new property owners and will return for one more spring season in 2016. Marigold will open with new stock on March 1st, or earlier depending upon the weather, and will stay open through the end of July. You can expect to see a full line of colourful annuals and baskets, planters and small perennials. You will find everything you’ll need for spring and the bedding season. After July, the nursery will close permanently and the buildings will be torn down, ending their long-time run as a favourite local nursery. For more information on what’s to come this spring, look them up online at www.marigoldnurseries.com.
Fresh Spaces, New Faces
There are big changes happening at Spitfire Grill! Back in May, Wally Boctor stepped back from running the restaurant after almost 18 years, and his son Brandon took over as lead and owner of the family business. The restaurant is under new management, too: Steve oversaw renovations to the interior space in December, with more to come in the new year. In January, you can expect to see a modernized menu, courtesy of new chef, Herb. For more information on what’s happening at Spitfire, follow them on Facebook, or visit www.spitfiregrill.ca.
The New Marine Centre Society operating the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre welcomed the following new board members at their AGM on December 8th: Anita Blakely, LGL Limited; Sarah Cook, Coastal & Ocean Resources; Charles Elliott TEMOSENG, Coast Salish Artist; Andy Hoggarth, Treasurer, BC Assessment; Lesley Nicholls, Volunteer Representative; Chris Straub, Henley & Walden LLP; and Dr. Andrea Walsh, University of Victoria. Colleen Craig continues as Chair joined by Martina Beck, Vice Chair, and Graham Debling as Secretary.
EVENTS
Healthy Happenings
Coming to the Mary Winspear Centre on February 27th is the Headway Health Fair 2016. A showcase of helpful fitness, health and wellness information, there will be presentations, educational speakers, demonstrations and prizes too, all promoting tips and practices for a healthier you. For further details, contact Lynn Fanelli at either 250-656-2871 or lfanelli@vepc.bc.ca. Proceeds support the Headway Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson’s Centre.
