Are You A Movie Star - Victoria is your chance

Are you a budding movie star? Do you golf? Do you know all about golf? Are you between 20 and 35? Will you be in Victoria on Saturday May 8th? If so, you may want to apply, see information above. See you in the movies! Hard to read, click here.

Eclectic Gallery Victoria BC specializing in local original fine art paintings and sculpture

Eclectic Gallery is a locally owned specializing in local original fine art paintings and sculpture. We also promote local artisan glass, ceramics and wood, as well as handcrafted jewellery by several Victoria artists. Our aim is to support Victoria and regional artists and artisans, providing high quality art for affordable prices. Additionally, Eclectic is unusual because we offer one-of-a-kind international artifacts, as well as unique designer jewellery. Most of our jewellery contains semi-precious gemstones, and we carry stones in their natural forms for interior design pieces. With rotating art exhibits, no matter how many times you may visit, we are never the same. When you want a special gift for one of life's celebrations, Eclectic Gallery is a perfect destination.

Bistro Muse opens May 6th Victoria BC near Sidney BC

Bistro Muse opens May 6th for another magical season of gourmet delights carefully paired with Muse wines for your enjoyment. This casual open-air alfresco bistro amidst the vineyard grapes has a refreshing ambiance. Bistro Muse opens this year under the direction of Doug Stuart, owner of the Stonestreet Café & Catering in Sidney. Doug has been working with Jane & Peter Ellmann providing the in-house catering for Muse. His savoury creations and attention to detail made him a natural choice to take over the Bistro helm. Doug will be working with his sister, Sherril Gazarek, to bring fantastic new dishes paired to Muse Wines. The new Tasting Plates will feature local cheeses from Saltspring Island, Qualicum Beach and Comox Valley, with a charcuterie choice. A scrumptious Artichoke & Three Cheese Bruschetta will be a menu regular, with flatbread pizzas & quiche changing weekly. You’ll find a wonderful selection from the sea, with chowder, salads and prawn plates to tempt, along with old favourites like The Winemaker’s Special baby back ribs.

Visitors will be pleasantly surprised with the new look of Muse Winery from the moment they drive in. New colour, new look and even new wines being released this spring, all the surprises are good! The fabulous weather over last summer has produced an exceptional vintage of the 2009 Island varietals. The new teal coloured label on the Ortega brings to mind summer skies and balmy seas. Spring releases are ready just in time for the Bistro Muse opening. Look for Island favourites Ortega, Bacchus, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and the new Foch/Noir blend, along with meritage blends from small lot vineyards in the Okanagan. There are a plethora of wines to choose for every occasion, even a Late Harvest Viognier dessert wine that has been added to tantalize your taste buds.

The winery continues to promote art and music events to enhance the Muse experience, keeping it fresh and inviting. Come to Bistro Muse for lunch, but you might just want to stay the afternoon.

Pauline Olesen, (250) 655-4812 , For Muse Winery

This is a great place to take guests you want to impress or go and impress yourself. Have a wonderful lunch or afternoon at the Muse Winery and Bistro.

Ron

Marmot Living in Downtown Victoria

Outside one of Victoria's hotels, lives a yellow-bellied Marmot. We have seen and heard of cougars, bears, deer, eagles and the infamous UVic Rabbits, but we had no idea there was a marmot living in downtown Victoria. This photo was given to me by a friend who works near the Marmot. Sorry for being so elusive, but if I told everyone where the marmot was, he would get no peace. So, you will just have to hunt for him. He lives within five blocks of the Inner Harbour...that is the best I can do. Good hunting...he is a cute little guy. One day, I may even see him for myself.

Kunamokst - Coastal Inpirations - Victoria Airport then Galiano Inn

The objective of the "Mural Mosaic" is to creat Unity through diversity by bringing together hundreds of individual paintings created by hundreds of artists into one unifying image with each painting reflecting the artists unique creativity and style. As each painting is completed it is placed in sequence within the mural to assemble one masterpiece. No special effects are used, just lots of paintings brought together to creat a masterpiece. If you are in the Victoria region, you can see the "Mural Mosaic" at the Victoria International Airport from April 17- June 17, 2010. The Victoria International Airport is at, 201-1640 Electra Blvd, Sidney, BC. In the summer of 2010, the "Mural Mosaic" will be moved to a permanent location at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn, 134 Madrona Drive, Galiano Island, BC. Be sure you see this amazing work of art. Photo Courtesy of Mural Mosaic web site.

Bear Mountain Golf Course - The Mountain Course Victoria BC

Well, spring weather is finally heading our way, so we dust off the clubs and head to Bear Mountain for a game of golf. There are two courses at "the Bear" The Mountain Course and the Valley Course. Today we are on the Mountain Course. Both courses are very scenic and carved into a wilderness area that is on part of Skirt Mountain. Every hole has distinct beauty and many provide a good challenge to all levels of golfers. Each hole usually has at least 4 tee positions and the reds give a good measure towards female golfers, better than most courses.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164314&id=111354889003&l=ee72fa4696 will take you to some facebook photos take during our round of golf. This is likely one of the most scenic golf courses you will ever play, so be sure to give it a try. Bear Mountain is in Greater Victoria at Langford.

When you are done, stop by the Copper Rock Restaurant or Lounge for some fine food, or maybe Jack's Place for a lunch and beer.

A Whale of a Time in East Sooke Park near Victoria BC

A gray whale washed ashore in East Sooke Park, just west of Victoria. It appears to have died from malnutrition. A fierce storm last Friday brought the large whale to our shores. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a close up view of such a large animal. It is about 9 meters or 30 feet in length. Tons of people from Victoria and area have gone to see the whale. I would suggest that if you are in the area you go see it. It is a large baleen whale, which means that it feeds from bottom mud and uses its baleen to filter out all the goodies that live in the mud. One year we watch about 10 gray whales feed just off the Ferry Terminal in Sidney for about 3 weeks. They are beautiful creatures. If you would like to see my facebook pictures of the whale, click here.

If you are from out of town, stay at Hemingway's by the Sea or at Denniston by the Sea. Either will gladly direct you out to East Sooke Park.

Delivering the Dream - Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Resort

Below is a link to the travel magazine section of my web site and the latest article is http://tourismmall.victoria.bc.ca/travelmagazine/ Click on Delivering the Dream. It is all about Galiano Island and the Galiano Oceanfront Inn and Spa. I think you will enjoy reading about this very special island. It is located in the southern Gulf Island, a short 1 hour ferry ride from Victoria BC and Vancouver Bc.


It is a great place for a getaway and you should put it on your to do list for your next visit to Vancouver Island.


I hope you enjoy the article.

Canoe Cove Marina Sea Life Experience near Sidney BC

At Canoe Cove Marina, if you stay to the right hand side and go as far as you can you will get to "E" dock. For some reason, these docks are ripe with sea life that is up close and personal. There are anemones lined up, just a couple of inches from the surface of the water. Other life includes purple tube worms, star fish, and more. White plumose anemones are everywhere. It is a great place to take young children to see sea life in the wild. For photos click here. Photo above highlights white plumose sea anemones.

IMAX BLAST OFF WITH HUBBLE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio and vividly captured with IMAX technology, HUBBLE recounts this amazing journey. Check out this amazing IMAX production soon, you will not be disappointed.

To find out more about the IMAX and the BC Provincial Museum, click here.