BC Maritime Museum - A Great Place to Visit

Here is what is coming up at the Maritime Museum

Everybody is Irish�on St. Patrick’s Day!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a day early with the Maritime Museum of BC! Friday, March 16^th from 7:30-9:30pm enjoy an evening of song, dance and refreshments as we take you to the Emerald Shore with Cookeilidh and special guests, the O’Connor O’Brien Irish Dancers.

Set in the Museum’s beautifully restored 19^th c. Courtroom, Music from the Shamrock Shore; A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration will be sure to delight all ages and have everyone feeling a little Irish! As in the words of an old Irish toast, “May the sound of happy music and the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after”.

Doors open at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance in the Crow’s Nest gift shop of the Maritime Museum. Cost is $12 General admission; $10 for MMBC Members, Students and Seniors and children 12 and under are free.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 250-385-4222 or see our Events Calendar at www.mmbc.bc.ca

Also at the Maritime Museum of BC!

Attention Parents and Grandparents! Does your child love being on the ocean? Do they love the beach? Are they crazy about art? If your child is 5 to 12 years old, the Maritime Museum of BC needs you! We are accepting artwork − be it a drawing, painting, picture of a sculpture or photograph − that represents what it means to live by the ocean in a maritime city.

The artwork must include reference to the water or something nautical, such as kayaking or beach-combing, boating or fishing, etc. It can even be about the environment, as long as it is related to the ocean. The chosen art will appear in our 16-Month School Calendar which will be printed and available for sale through the Museum.

Two top prizes of an Eagle Wing Tours Whale Watching Adventure and lunch at Barb's Place at Fisherman’s Wharf will be given. Submissions may be dropped off, mailed or emailed to the Museum no later than June 30th, 2012. Winners will be announced in July, 2012.

Partial proceeds of the sale of this calendar will go to the SALTS Sail and Life Training Society, a nonprofit providing youth with life-changing adventures. All entries will temporarily be on display at the Museum after June 30th. To electronically send in a submission, or for more information please contact mdieno@mmbc.bc.ca or call 250-385-4222. You can also visit mmbc.bc.ca.

If you want to check out the museum, please go to our Facebook Page to see our photos.  It is a great place with excellent exhibits and programs.  Check it out. 

Today we posted a new addition to our web site.  This page is a self-guided tour of the marine drive scenic tour.  All you need is wheels and you are off.  Detailed descriptions of what you might find are in this addition.  If you live here, you might find something new.  If you plan on visiting, you might want to do this tour.  It is far better than you could ever get on a paid tour.  You will see more and fill your digital camera with amazing sites.  All you need is transportation and a blue sky day.   Enjoy.  You can see it by clicking on this link. 

Today was the Federation of Canadian Artists Spring Show at Goward House.  Above is artist Sandy Terry with her latest painting.  It received the Award of Excellence.  For more pictures of the event go to our Facebook Page.

When you are on Vancouver Island you need to get out on the water.  There are lots of ways to do that.  You can rent a boat, charter a guide, take a 3-hour sail, ride the BC Ferries, go whale watching etc.  The more you do, the more you will see.  Here is a video that will give you an idea of some of what you can see.  Enjoy.

Warmland Eats - Go To Genoa Bay Cafe

When we find ourselves in the “Warm Land” aka the Cowichan Valley and our stomachs are saying that it is time to eat – we like Genoa Bay. This is a picture-perfect spot to enjoy some of the best food on Vancouver Island. Take the Trunk Road east from Duncan to Maple Bay, then turn right for 8 more clicks to tiny Genoa Bay. Leaving Maple Bay the road passes through bucolic farmland and is tucked under the steep treed slopes of Mt. Tzuhalem. The farms are dotted with huge chunks of rock that have obviously left their perch for greener pastures. The boats in the marina greet us as we round the last corner. At the top of the marina ramp is the Genoa Bay Cafe, a quaint, rustic looking, weathered clapboard structure at "Mile 0". The bistro style restaurant is perched at the water’s edge in a tranquil and picturesque setting. It seats 40 inside and another 30 on the deck hanging over the water.
Stacey Johnson the GM greeted us with a warm smile and escorted us to the best table where we enjoyed the view while waiting for our friends. On arrival they were greeted with hugs and handshakes from Gord Rumley the Manager. These friends introduced us to the Genoa Bay Cafe and they've been bringing guests there for a couple of years. It looked like old home week as they entered.

Stacey was our waiter and he outlined several specials of the day. We all chose dishes from the main menu, and Ron enjoyed a delicious starter of Seafood Chowder packed with a bounty of local seafood. While waiting for our meals we were treated to a plate of their signature Calamari, lightly battered, very tender and super tasty. Three of us opted for the excellent battered halibut Fish and Chips. The fries are hand-cut daily from fresh Kennebec potatoes, the very best for making fries. Linda thoroughly enjoyed her 2 Egg Breakfast and loved the maple glazed bacon. Neighbouring diners tucked into equally delicious looking food. Simple food using fresh local ingredients pleasingly presented and mouth watering leave customers happy and coming back. At the Genoa Bay Cafe you will always find top-notch cuisine served in a casual environment. You can also come by boat, but be sure to come. Otherwise you will never know what you are missing! Relax, unwind, enjoy and you will be back. View more pictures at our Facebook Page.

UVic Basketball Playoffs Friday night Down but Not Out!

Last night there was bad Karma in the McKinnon Gym. Maybe it was my feeble attempt at a Calgary put down in my last post. It could have been the cheerleaders who could easily distract the players with there attention getting antics. Or it could have been that annoying photographer with his camera in the teams face on almost every shot. Whatever the cause, it was a mirror image of the season final. They were six points up most of the fourth quarter until they "let" Calgary go on a 10-0 run. They were up by one at the half, rather than down one as in the last game. It just didn't work. So close yet so far. So, they must win the next two games. To do that they will have to play better. The UVic team are good outside shooters but they did not set up good outside shots. Calgary seemed quicker and it was tough for UVic to get inside. Calgary got inside all night. So....go Uvic go..and good luck. I will stay away for the next two games in case it was my Karma....enjoy the game photos by going to our Facebook Page.