Fall Deals Abound in Parksville-Qualicum Beach

Parksville-Qualicum Beach, BC Accommodation and dining prices have fallen with the autumn leaves in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area of Vancouver Island. From now until mid-December you’ll Dine Right, Sleep Tight enjoying excellent savings from luxury resorts and restaurants, such as Pacific Shores, The Beach Club and Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort.

Visitors can get three course meals for $29 at such high-end restaurants as The Landing, the Pacific Prime Steak and Chop Restaurant and The Creek House and a two-night luxury stay for as little as $149.

A survey by the Canadian Mental Health Association shows 79 per cent of Canadians experience increased stress this time of year. A mini winter vacation in November and early December is the perfect prescription to recharge the batteries before the heart of winter sets in. The area has 19 kilometers of sandy beaches, an abundance of parks, and the country’s mildest climate.

Not even the best festooned Christmas tree can compete with the giants of nearby Cathedral Grove and a walk along scented forest trails lined with living Christmas trees. After an autumn stroll, nothing beats a gourmet meal and cozying up in front of a fireplace.

Local community events and craft fairs exude small town ambiance and Christmas spirit, as well as offering great gift ideas. Some upcoming events include:

Qualicum Beach Moonlight Madness (Nov. 19th)

Craft fairs: Silver Sleigh (Nov. 20-21), Coombs Country Craft Fair (Nov. 22), Kris Kringle Craft Market (Nov. 26-29), and Christmas Craft Explosion (Nov. 26-29).

Milner Gardens and Woodland is lit up with Milner Christmas Magic the first three weekends in December.

Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church puts on Bethlehem Walk, a re-creation of Bethlehem with live animals, artisans and craftsman and over 250 people in period costumes (Dec. 12-15).

Santa Claus Parade (Dec. 4)

Festival of Trees (Dec. 7-18)

Parksville-Qualicum Beach is less than a tank of gas away from Victoria, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. And with Dine Right, Sleep Tight, getting-away this season won’t break the bank.

For more information on Dine Right Sleep Tight visit the Specials Page on www.VisitParksvilleQualicumBeach.com

Sea Cider Pours for Parkinson’s

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse hosts 3^rd annual Pouring for Parkinson’s event, on Tuesday, November 10^th, 6pm-9pm, 2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd, Saanichton, BC  V8M 1T7

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, in partnership with the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre, is hosting its 3^rd annual Pouring for Parkinson’s fundraising event on November the 10^th.  The evening launches Sea Cider’s month long fund raising initiative, Pairing for Parkinson’s, to support individuals and families touched by Parkinson’s disease.

The event is an opportunity to enjoy a relaxed evening of cider, live music, and abundant hors d’oeuvres with silent auction while raising funds and awareness for the VEC.  Tickets are 35.00 dollars each or 60.00 with a 25.00 tax receipt.

A musical trio from The Stomp Club will entertain with their signature retro swinging gypsy jazz, while guests graze on pairings designed by Ottavio Italian Bakery & Delicatessen and Steve Walker Duncan of Ambrosia Catering. The evenings offerings will feature artisan cheeses, hors d’oeuvres, and delectables such as blue cheese cheesecake and crab apple sorbet paired with Sea Ciders own traditionally fermented ciders.

Open since 2007, Sea Cider is a certified organic farm and ciderhouse located 15 minutes north of Victoria on the Saanich Peninsula committed to artisan cider making, practicing organic agriculture, and strengthening and supporting the local community.

The Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening clients’ and families’ ability to manage the effects of Parkinson’s and epilepsy by providing reliable information and services to enhance quality of life for those touched by either disease.

For more information on the event and on Pairing for Parkinson’s, contact Dionne Jennings at Sea Cider by phone at (250) 584-4824, by email at dionne@seacider.ca, or visit www.seacider.ca.

For further information on the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre, contact Executive Director Catriona Johnson at (250) 475-6677, by e-mail at cjohnson@vepc.bc.ca, or visit www.vepc.bc.ca.

For information on The Stomp Club, visit www.thestompclub.com.

For information on Ambrosia Catering and event services, visit www.ambrosia.ca

For information on Ottavio’s Italian Bakery and Delicatessen, visit www.ottaviovictoria.com

Getaway to Victoria and Sooke in style

From Tourism Victoria

Visitors to Victoria, BC can experience the best of downtown city life and the tranquility of an ocean retreat in one trip with a new package offered by Victoria’s Abigail’s Hotel and world renowned Sooke Harbour House. Valid until December 15, 2009, the two-night Island retreat package, called “Vancouver Island at its Best” offers guests one night at each five star property. Nestled in downtown Victoria, just steps from the Inner Harbour guests at Abigail’s Hotel will receive one night in a premier Coach House room featuring a four poster king size bed, wood burning fireplace and jacuzzi soaker bath, gourmet breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres compliments of the chef. Upon arrival at Sooke Harbour House guests will check into a deluxe ocean view room complete with stone fireplace, private bath (jetted or soaker tub), in-room breakfast, complimentary garden and wine cellar tour and use of the on-site Infra-red sauna. Although where you choose to start your Island getaway is up to you, one thing is certain, that the surrounding beauty of the picturesque downtown harbour and sights and sounds of the wild West Coast will delight the senses and lead to the envitable – restoration of the body and soul. Package rates start at $635 CDN / $589 USD based on double occupancy and are not available for on-line bookings. For more information visit www.abigailshotel.com and www.sookeharbourhouse.com.

FIELDS OF PLENTY

The Vancouver Island Feast of Fields is celebrating twelve years. This year’s event will be held on September 20, 2009 and for the first time is returning to a previous host farm, Providence Farm. Located in Duncan, 45 minutes north of Victoria, BC, Providence Farm provides programs for people who are encountering barriers to education and employment. On their 400 acres, visitors to the feast are armed with a wine glass and napkin in hand, and invited to wander the picturesque farmland sampling the gourmet offerings of over 50 of the island’s top chefs, wineries and micro-breweries while enjoying a delightful day in the country. Feast of Fields is an idea originally crafted by renowned chef Michael Standlandter when he partnered with Jamie Kennedy to create an event that drew sophisticated urbanites out to the farm. Feast of Fields is an annual fundraiser for FarmFolk/ CityFolk; a BC organization that works to promote ethical and sustainable food systems and develop relationships between local chefs and farmers. Partial funding will go back to the host farm as they embark on the St. Anne’s Garden Club Building Project – a natural stone wall. A Feast shuttle bus is available to take visitors from Victoria to the event for $5 CDN / $4.60 USD. Tickets for this years feast are on sale now. For more information visit www.feastoffields.com.

Care to be a cider cellar manager at Sea Cider?

Sea cider is trying to fill the position of Cellar Manager at effectively immediately. A link to the position description is available on their website at http://www.seacider.ca/job-opportunities/

www.seacider.ca