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Best of the City

There are so many good things happening around Nanaimo that to be the best, well, that really means something. We at the Nanaimo News Bulletin are happy to present our 18th annual Best of the City magazine: a collection of favourite places to eat and drink, the very best shops and services in town, and some other places to go and things to do. Although we did a lot of the work putting it together, Best of the City isn’t a reflection of our favourites – it’s a tabulation of yours. Earlier this spring, we put out the call for votes in our print issues and on our website and our readers came through in greater numbers than ever before. We’re thrilled with the ‘voter turnout,’ because it’s a greater show of support for this year’s Best of the City winners. There are worthy winners on this list, and we hope you’ll consider checking them out and finding out why they’ve attained their status. The following pages show winners and runners-up in 124 categories, but we recognize that barely scratches the surface of Nanaimo. This is a sampling of the best, some of the bits and pieces that help to define just why we like it so much here.

SPECIAL EDITION Publisher: Sean McCue Editor: Greg Sakaki Production: Nanaimo News Bulletin Contributors: Chris Bush, Josef Jacobson, Nicholas Pescod, Karl Yu. Winners in the 18th annual Nanaimo News Bulletin Best of the City supplement were chosen by Nanaimo readers. Votes were tabulated following an online survey. Black Press, parent company of the Nanaimo News Bulletin, has sole copyright over any written material or photograph in this publication unless otherwise credited.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z3

Trail network Nanaimo’s Doumont hill offers a range of fast, fun, and challenging mountain biking experiences close by

‘Almost supernatural:’ Killer whales ply our waters

Survey says… See how News Bulletin readers voted in 124 categories.

Signature dish Find out who’s slicing up the best Nanaimo bars in the city.

Though still a threatened ecotype, the transient orca population is increasing, and sightings have been common right outside Nanaimo harbour, especially lately.

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Lively market nights

Dancers Olivia Rockall, left, and twin sisters Leeya and Leena Sharma take a break from training at Vibrant Dance Studio. Chris Bush/News Bulletin photo

The Commercial Street Night Market did a lot to liven up Nanaimo’s downtown once a week last year, and it’s back for a second year, aiming to become bigger and better.

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Though still a threatened eco-type, transient orca population growing GREG SAKAKI NEWS BULLETIN

anaimo’s seascapes are always beautiful. But some of the ocean’s power and majesty only surfaces every so often, in the form of the mighty killer whale. Orcas can reliably be found in the strait around Nanaimo. Whale-watchers seek them out, ferry and floatplane travellers happen upon them, scientists study them, and many revere them. “There’s something hypnotic and mythically charged and almost supernatural about them. Their colour, their behaviour…” said Michelle Segal, executive director of Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society, speaking to the News Bulletin on World Oceans Day at Maffeo Sutton Park this month. “Just seeing their dorsal fin come out of the water, it inspires something in us.” Bigg’s killer whales splash near Nanaimo’s Neck Point earlier this spring. NATALIE REICHENBACHER/Vancouver Island Whale Watch

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f B.C.’s three ‘eco-types’ of killer whales, two can be seen in and around Nanaimo: transient, a.k.a. Bigg’s killer whales, and resident orcas, generally the endangered southern residents. Thomas Doniol-Valcroze, lead scientist for the Department of Fisheries and Ocean’s Pacific region cetacean research program, said northern residents have been seen near Nanaimo, but “it’s extremely rare,” whereas the southern residents will travel through the area during the winter months especially, up almost to Johnstone Strait. The “vast majority” of killer whales around Nanaimo, he said, are the transients, which primarily eat seals and sea lions and sometimes porpoises. While still considered threatened, the transients appear to doing well, Doniol-Valcroze said. “Especially seen from drone footage from above, it’s really easy to see that they’re quite robust and well-fed and healthy,” he said. “And their numbers have been increasing in terms of population numbers, the number of sightings, the number of animals in each group when the groups are sighted. Everything seems to indicate that this population is growing at a healthy rate.”

hat’s been the experience of Vancouver Island Whale Watch lately. There have been lots of Bigg’s sightings this month, especially, said Natalie Reichenbacher, manager of the Nanaimo-based tourism business. “All whale-watching vessels are avoiding the residents, to give them some space as they recover, so even if they are around, no one’s watching them anymore,” she said. “But the transient population has been growing steadily and so everyone’s watching the transients.” And the Bigg’s killer whales are well worth watching. Killer whales are considered an apex predator because they’re at the top of the food chain, and with the transients, that fact is underlined when they hunt intelligent marine mammals. “It’s always kind of high action and splashing around…” Reichenbacher said. “It’s fun to watch – some people, it makes them a bit squeamish, I guess, because seals are cute as well – but it’s the circle of life.” Whale-watchers come across the orcas in family groups and there are lots of new calves recently, Reichenbacher said, adding that they’re finding so much food that they’re able to reproduce more quickly. Every day is a fresh start, she said, as far as locating the whales, and it can take an hour or two of travel some days. “And then the past month, we’ve had four or five or more encounters where it’s just outside Nanaimo,” she said. “You could see them from the Gabriola ferry terminal, near Dodd’s Narrows, so Nanaimo’s backyard has definitely been a hot spot recently for transient orca.”

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z5

B.C. Ferries, for example, and might then launch boats from Nanaimo’s Pacific Biological Station to “intercept” the pods, take photos and identify the group and its individuals, Doniol-Valcroze said. “We don’t do systematic, dedicated research efforts from Nanaimo, but we will respond opportunistically to observations of whales passing by,” he said. More focused work happens on the west coast of the Island, the Juan de Fuca Strait, the north Island and the central and north coast of B.C., he said, and the DFO’s West Vancouver lab is leading dedicated field work this season in the Gulf Islands focusing on threats impacting southern residents.

fforts to ‘save the whales’ have intensified this year, first with the fishery closure and then with new laws to limit disturbances to killer whales. Boaters must stay 200 metres from all killer whales, and must now stay 400 metres away in certain “critical habitats,” says the DFO. “It’s everybody’s combined responsibility to protect the species that live in our ocean,” Segal said. “It’s hard when you know that it’s ultimately the government making choices, but there’s little things that we can do every single day that will help.” Activities like beach cleanups and choices like using less single-use plastics and reducing one’s carbon footprint, she said, are key, especially if people start to embrace those choices as something they want to do rather than as sacrifices. Reichenbacher said Vancouver Island Whale Watch sends “a strong conservation message with each trip” and said guests are receptive to it. Making sustainable seafood choices, she said, is one of the easiest ways to make a positive impact toward saving the whales.

iller whales look a lot alike. The Bigg’s are a little bit longer than the residents (6.07.3 metres compared to 6.0-6.6m), have a pointier dorsal fin, and travel in smaller pods, according to Strawberry Isle. They might be indistinguishable to a layperson. But the eco-types never interact with each other. “They have different languages. We call them different cultures, even,” Segal said. Doniol-Valcroze said they completely ignore each other, as if the other eco-types don’t even exist, yet because of the way their food sources are connected, they’re linked. And so are humans. Doniol-Valcroze is from Eastern Canada, but said he’s come to understand “the passion and intensity of the feelings” that people on the West Coast have for orcas. “They certainly have become emblematic of the marine wildlife here and also, I guess, the impact that humans have on the environment,” he said. “There’s such a feeling of power and strength when you see them and I guess it must be quite shocking to people to realize that they are still fragile and vulnerable.” he southern residents are being watched, Segal agreed that the killer whale has become too, but in a different sense. The population an “ambassador for ocean health,” but noted size is 76 individuals, Segal said, and “critithat the bond is even stronger than that. cally endangered.” “The human connection to killer whales goes She said with resident killer whales, chinook back many thousands of years and if we lose salmon makes up 95 per cent of their diet. One of the stated reasons for the federal government’s that connection, then we’ll lose the animal,” she shutdown of the chinook fishery this year was to said. Reichenbacher agreed that British Columbiprotect southern residents. Since seals and sea lions eat chinook, and tran- ans are lucky to have killer whales in our midst, sient orcas eat seals and sea lions, that could have where we observe them and marvel at them, some net benefit to southern residents, suggested without ever fully understanding them. “There’s a lot of mystery with them,” she said. Doniol-Valcroze. Certainly there’s a connection, “Even though we’re constantly learning more he said, but it can’t be fully understood. “Food chain links are always complex and hard about them over the years by watching them in the wild, it just leads to more questions. Why are to quantify,” he said. they doing this? And what are they going to do The study continues, though. The DFO is next?” routinely advised about orca sightings, by fisheditor@nanaimobulletin.com ermen, whale watchers, seaplane operators and

A Bigg’s killer whale near Nanaimo. NATALIE REICHENBACHER/Vancouver Island Whale Watch

“

They certainly have become emblematic of the marine wildlife here. - Thomas Doniol-Valcroze

Michelle Segal talks about killer whales on World Oceans Day. GREG SAKAKI/News Bulletin

Z6 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

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Those summer nights Commercial Street Night Market is back by popular demand JOSEF JACOBSON NEWS BULLETIN

After an unexpectedly successful debut last year, the Commercial Street Night Market is back and bigger than before. Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce president Kim Smythe said last year’s market opened with 65 vendors and on June 20 they opened with twice as many plus eight food trucks. He said most shops will be bringing their wares out onto the street. “We learned that more is better, definitely,” Smythe said. “So we’re coming back with a wider variety, a far greater number and solid attendance by food trucks this year. We’re occupying more space in Diana Krall Plaza. We’ve taken up about every square inch of downtown that we can squeeze out for our purposes.”

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The Commercial Street Night Market was a big hit on Thursday nights last year, and has returned for another summer. NEWS BULLETIN file photo

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Smythe said last year organizers expected attendance would dip after the first night, so it was a “mind-blower” when thousands of visitors returned to Commercial Street each week until closing night. “Right from the onset it exceeded our expectations wildly. We didn’t anticipate the number of people. We didn’t anticipate the size of crowds that would turn out for this thing,” he said. “And of course we were super excited to see it so well loved and so accepted by the community, by the residents of Nanaimo as well as by the vast number of tourists that showed up for it. So we were pleasantly surprised all the way along.” One returning vendor is Nanaimo’s Melts 4 Mutts Senior Dog Rescue, run by Mike Kitney and his partner Grant Snyder. Together they provide a home for older Island dogs that have been abused or neglected, and to help cover veterinary expenses they make and sell dog-themed scented wax melts, candles and bath products. Kitney said the Commercial Street Night Market was their most successful of the four markets they participated in last year. He said it was “unbelievable” and “brought some really much-needed energy and vibrance to the downtown core.” “Our supporters are pretty fierce and they follow us in the pouring rain out to Cedar, but it was nothing like it was at the night market.” Kitney said. “We were literally lined up for four hours in a row and we didn’t get a chance to even eat or have a drink of pop some nights because it was so busy.” Also coming back for year two is Sarah Coull and the Little Red Bird Baking Company. She sells mini-cupcakes, “which is super fun because I feed people sugar,” she said. Coull moved to Nanaimo from Ottawa a few years ago and said she wanted to take part in the night market because she loves the downtown. She said the experience was “absolutely thrilling.” “So many people came out for it and everyone was happy,” she said. “It was such a good time and like one big street party. It was just super fun.” Smythe said a byproduct of last year’s market was it helped support some businesses that were on “pretty shaky ground” and provided an environment for new businesses to flourish. “Nobody closed during the summer and five new businesses have opened on Commercial Street since the night market,” he said. “That’s incredibly good because I’ve been very involved with downtown for over 20 years and I can’t recall a time previous when you’ve had five new retail storefront operations open up downtown.” The Commercial Street Night Market takes place every Thursday night from 5 to 9 p.m. until Aug. 29. arts@nanaimobulletin.com

The Commercial Street Night Market features a range of artisan wares, food and drink, and more. GREG SAKAKI/The News Bulletin

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Good vibes

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Vibe Dance Studio members show rhythm on the big stage JOSEF JACOBSON NEWS BULLETIN

Vibe Dance Studio’s 13th season came to an end earlier this month with nearly 500 dancers taking part in three days of recitals at the Port Theatre. Vibe owner Serra Stewart said every year builds to that moment. “They’re trying to have their strongest moment on stage and I think they all did it,” she said. “I might be biased, though. I’ve been told that I am.” The dancers range in age from three to 20 and from complete beginners who’ve been dancing since September to the members of Vibe’s “performance levels” who perform at competitions and community events. Even after more than a decade Stewart said it “blows your mind” to see what the dancers are capable of by the end of the year. “It’s always exciting to see the first moments when they start working on stuff and just to see the progression,” she said. “And it’s always really exciting too because the parents can see it, which is something that I really want them to actually see so they understand why we ask their kid to be in the studio for hours practising.” Vibe dancers practise for end-of-year recitals earlier this month at the Port Theatre. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

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The end-of-year recital also marked the final performances for Vibe’s graduating dancers. Stewart said around 10 dancers are moving on and she’s known some of those students since they were little and it’s hard to say good bye. “I think most of them are going on either to university or quite a few of them are still going to be pursuing dance, which is always really exciting for me to see when they’re following on with what they really are passionate about,” she said. But as one generation leaves, another one comes up. Stewart said she had more three- to eight-yearolds than she’s ever had this year and it was “a bit overwhelming” having them all perform at the year-end recital. “There were a lot of kids backstage so I’m grateful for the volunteers that showed up to help me kind of calm them, but once they go onstage it’s sort of like this magical moment [when] you see this shift,” she said. “If they were acting out or being sillysauce or anything, they go onstage and they’re just focused to get the job done.” Stewart said another growing demographic is male students, with about 100 to 150 boys participating this year. She said the increase can be attributed to the growing awareness of careers in dance and its acceptance as an athletic pursuit and she’s happy parents are supportive. She recently had three teenage students appear on the NBC dance contest World of Dancer, with two of them, Jacksun Fryer and Carlow Rush of the duo Funkanometry, going far in the competition. Stewart said their success has made an impression on her younger students and she’s enjoyed seeing their reactions. “Jacksun, I‘ve known him since he was six … and he’s a super chill kid,” she said. “But he’ll walk through the studio with me chatting [and] you see these kids suddenly freeze and they’re just staring at him. It’s so cute.”

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z9

Vibe dancers practise at the Port Theatre for an end-of-year recital. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin Best Performing Arts School 1. Vibrant Studios (Vibe) 2. Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts 3. Kismet Theatre Academy

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Nanaimo bar renaissance

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Nanaimo’s signature treat making headlines and satisfying sweet tooths as often as ever KARL YU NEWS BULLETIN

bakery that has set up at the old Flight Centre location in downtown Nanaimo has taken off in voting for the Best Place to get a Nanaimo Bar. Stevie (Red) Sawatzky opened Red’s Bakery on Commercial Street a year ago and the Nanaimo bars she makes from scratch are the 2019 champion, based on the strength of her numerous bar types, some of which are only offered at certain times of the year. When asked why she offers so many different types of bars, Sawatzky said people like variety. “I have the regular, I do a raspberry, it’s got real raspberries,” said Sawatzky. “That one goes out of here. I can’t keep it on the shelf. I do a Baileys coffee,

Kahlua coffee, a mint, so there’s quite a variety and people just absolutely love them, it’s not just plain, so I play with it and I come up with new ones regularly.” The recipe for the classic bar comes from her mother, but the idea for the raspberries is something conceived by her. “I just thought, ‘Well, why not put raspberry in with the custard,’ and it was for Valentine’s Day I put that one out having a red one,” recollects Sawatzky. “Well man did it ever take off and the peppermint one, I had it green, I did it for St. Paddy’s Day, so just kind of a version.” Peanut butter-chocolate is also offered, Sawatzky said. Trevor Zavaduk, of Red’s Bakery in downtown Nanaimo, cuts up Nanaimo bars. KARL YU/The News Bulletin

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Best Place to Get a Nanaimo Bar 1. Red’s Bakery 2. Hearthstone Artisan Bakery 3. Bocca Café

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A chocolate Nanaimo McFlurry. McDonald’s photo

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z11

2019

Love is among the ingredients needed to make a good Nanaimo bar, according to Sawatzky, and while it is a dessert, it doesn’t hurt to lay off the sugar, she said. “I don’t make mine as sweet,” said Sawatzky. “I try really hard to watch that sweetness and to counteract it. Mine display very nicely ... to me, they’re gorgeous.” While her bakery offers sweet treats, Sawatzky said savoury items are also on the menu. “There’s meatball sausage rolls, taco pockets,” said Sawatzky. “Meals, because we do a meal every day, so it can be chili, butter chicken, there’s subs and we cook all our own meat here and we do everything from scratch. I do everything, every night.” Red’s, along with Hearthstone Artisan Bakery and Bocca Café, respective secondand third-place finishers, are all a part of the Nanaimo Bar Trail, a self-guided tour which visitors and locals alike can go on. A brochure that includes the tour’s 39 stops is available at visitor centres. The Nanaimo bar has also made the news on a number of occasions over the last year. McDonald’s, which won second place in the best french fries category, introduced a chocolate Nanaimo McFlurry and Canada Post introduced a stamp based on the confection. You might say the Nanaimo bar is having one of its ‘best’ years ever in terms of making headlines.

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Z12 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

Go for pho

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Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant voted Best Asian Food in Nanaimo once again KARL YU NEWS BULLETIN

staple of the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s Best of the City, Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant has once again claimed top prize for Best Asian Food. Owner Tom Vuu said his family opened the restaurant, located on Bowen Road, in 1998 and said it’s the consistency of the food that enables it to rack up the trophies. “It’s what the customer expects when they come again, so we try to deliver the same dishes every single time, and the same flavour and so on,” said Vuu. Vuu said the signature dish is traditional beef noodle soup, or beef pho, that has its origins from the 1200s when Mongolians brought beef to Vietnam. “It started from the north and it made its way to the south, so we’re actually from the south, so different regions of Vietnam have different flavours,” said Vuu. “The north usually has more spice because of the climate and the south has more herbs because

of warmer weather.” The menu has remained relatively the same, but Vuu said it has been adjusted to cater to the appetites of customers. “What we’re doing now is we’re offering more gluten-free choices,” said Vuu. “So we’ve got about 14 or 15 dishes of gluten-free choices. We also add in tofu and vegetables for the vegetarian people, so we have about 15 dishes of that as well, so we noticed that people are changing and requesting more of that, so we’re adding and trying to accommodate that.” Delivery is now available for customers, according to Vuu, and that part of the business is picking up. Vuu also said he will be expanding into Parksville and hopes to have the new establishment open by the winter. reporter@nanaimobulletin.com

Best Asian Food 1. Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant 2. Nori Japanese Restaurant 3. Saigon Kitchen Tom Vuu, owner of Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant, invites diners to the Bowen Road establishment. KARL YU/The News Bulletin

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~ Terry Chiu, RID (fellow) - Director, Design & Construction Whitespot Restaurants Inc.

ST OF THE CI BE E

“…a great example of ultimate customer service. I wish all contractors would follow your example. Looking forward to working with you again in the future.”

New Ownership ---- Same Quality & Service Voted Best Roofing Company 11 Years in a Row

Z14 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Smooth sailing White Sails Brewing chosen Best Place to Buy Craft Beer NICHOLAS PESCOD NEWS BULLETIN

ummer in Nanaimo is a busy time of the year, with numerous events and festivals and activities taking place. At White Sails Brewing it’s no different. Brian McCarthy, general manager of White Sails, says the atmosphere at the brewery is one of fun and excitement, especially during the summer months as there is always something going on. “Festival season and summer time is always fun here,” he said. “We have events going on basically every weekend here in house and in the tap room. It’s a busy time and a lot of fun.” White Sails Brewing was voted the Best Place to Buy Craft Beer by News Bulletin readers in the 2019 Best of the City survey. Brian McCarthy, general manager of White Sails Brewing, shows off a flight of beer. NICHOLAS PESCOD/The News Bulletin

2019

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

We are proud to have won # Best Dentist in the Best of the City Awards! Thank You to All Our Patients Who Are Like Family.

ST OF THE CI BE E

DR. CHRIS GILL DR. VIC KOONER DR. SEAN McCARTHY 3767 SHENTON ROAD NANAIMO, BC V9T 2H1

(250) 756-0125 DIVERL@SHAW.CA New patients Always Welcome

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Located across from Maffeo Sutton Park, a frequent site for major festivals and events in the city, White Sails is no stranger to winning awards having picked multiple World Beer Awards since opening in 2016. McCarthy says after nearly four years in operation, he’s proud of what White Sails has been able to achieve as well as the growth of the craft brewery scene in Nanaimo. “It’s incredible, we’ve coming up on our fourth year of operations,” he said. “As an ownership and management group we have ties to Nanaimo for many, many years and [the way] we’ve seen the craft beer culture grow here over the years has been amazing.” White Sails’ flagship beers include their Mount Benson Pale Ale, Snake Island Cascadian Dark Ale and their award-winning Bastion Blonde Ale, which earned a silver medal at the 2019 Canadian Brewing Awards. “We’re super lucky that we have an awesome brew team that can put together really interesting stuff on the back end,” McCarthy said. “We kind of semi-retire beers every now and then and then bring them back into the lineup. We also try and bring out new and exciting brews all the time.” White Sails routinely releases seasonal brews. The brewery recently released a Circle Route Pale Ale and is about to release a pineapple tart ale. “It’s a little bit closer to a sour but holding back a little bit,” McCarthy said. “Our brewery is really small so the ability for us to effectively produce sour beers is a little bit limited but we

are able to do these really neat tart beers.” The Circle Route Pale Ale has a sweet summer fruit and orange peel aroma and McCarthy says it sold out quickly but will be available again soon. “We’ve got three or four more brews of it down the line and that will cover us for the summer.” On Friday nights, White Sails hosts an event called Friday Night Casks, where it offers a cask that is often unique and flavourful. The event also features live music. “It’s a lot of fun,” McCarthy said. From the moment they opened, White Sails has never had televisions. While they do have board games for people to play for free, McCarthy says the reason they don’t have TVs is simply because it doesn’t fit into their vision. “We are not a sports bar,” he said. “White Sails is a place where people get together to communicate and re-engage with the community. That is what we envisioned the taproom when we started out and we’re super stoked that the community has embraced that vision.” It’s something McCarthy says White Sails has no plans on changing. “That’s what we are always going to keep the taproom as,” he said.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z15

White Sails Brewing on Comox Road is always trying to offer something different. NEWS BULLETIN photo

nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com

Best Place to Buy Craft Beer 1. White Sails Brewing 2. Longwood Brew Pub 3. Lucky’s Liquor Store

White Sails has come up with several award-winning brews. Photo submitted

f voting us

Z16 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Desserts 1. Burnt Honey Dessert Company 2. Red’s Bakery 3. Nanaimo Bakery & Confectionery 3. Hearthstone Artisan Bakery Best Place to Meet for Coffee 1. The Buzz Coffee House 2. Drip Coffee Social 3. Starbucks Best Martini 1. Cactus Club Cafe 2. Nanaimo Bar 3. Modern Cafe Best Place for Cocktails and Shots 1. Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub 2. Cactus Club Cafe 3. Nanaimo Bar Best Pub 1. Longwood Brew Pub 2. Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub 3. Landlubber Pub Best Sports Bar 1. Old City Station Pub 2. Landlubber Pub 3. Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub Best Place for Birthday Parties 1. Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub 2. Oliver Woods Community Centre 2. Jumpin Jiminy’s 3. Brechin Lanes 3. 4Cats Arts Studio Kara, left, and Fiona Sheddon opened Burnt Honey Dessert Company in February to serve their homemade, high-quality ice cream and macarons. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

BEST ASIAN BEST ASIAN BEST ASIAN BEST ASIAN BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT RESTAURANT

2013

2014

2015

2016

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

ST OF THE CI BE E

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

250.756.7943 Dine in - Take Out - We Deliver

Info@Lanfood.ca

Like us

ST OF THE CI BE E

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11am to 9pm

ST OF THE CI BE E

2017

Huong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant 19-1925 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

ST OF THE CI BE E

2018

- Nanaimo News Bulletin

2019

“Voted #1 Asian Restaurant in Nanaimo for 2019”

“Best Beef Noodle Soup on # 1 Vancouver Island”

ST OF THE CI BE E

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z17

Best Restaurant Overall 1. Asteras Greek Taverna 2. Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe 3. La Stella Trattoria Best Patio Restaurant 1. Cactus Club Cafe 2. Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub 3. Longwood Brew Pub

WINNER

Best Pizza 1. Mambo Gourmet Pizza 2. Milano’s Ristorante 3. Ali Baba Pizza

Dishes at Asteras Greek Taverna. File photo

Best Place to Buy Produce 1. Thrifty Foods 2. Country Grocer 3. Cedar Farmers Market

Best Steakhouse 1. The Keg Steakhouse and Bar 2. The Bold Knight 3. Beefeater’s Seaside Bar & Grill

Best Place to Buy Seafood 1. Seadrift Fish Market 2. Thrifty Foods 3. Troller’s Fish and Chips

Best Sushi 1. Nori Japanese Restaurant 2. Umai Sushi 3. Firehouse Grill

Best Romantic Restaurant 1. Asteras Greek Taverna 2. La Stella Trattoria 3. Mahle House

Best Tacos 1. Baby Salsa 2. Gina’s Mexican Cafe 3. Jalapenos Mexican Food

Best Seafood Restaurant 1. The Bold Knight 2. Troller’s Fish and Chips 3. Asteras Greek Taverna

Best Vegetarian Food 1. Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe 2. Delicado’s 3. Eve Olive

Toys, Games & Puzzles for All Ages

EST OF TH E EB H

ST OF THE C BE I E

2019

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

NANAIMO!

2019

THANK YOU

BEST TOY STORE

#102-2517 Bowen Rd. Nanaimo

Kool Toys & Teaching Tools

250.585.1778 www.koolandchild.com

1712 KIDSON RD. NANAIMO

250.729.8993

www.importautorepair.ca

TY CI

1 # Toy Store

2019

Nanaimo’s

BEST AUTO SERVICING

N NEW ANAIMO S BU LLET IN

Best Place to Buy Meat 1. Nesvog Meats & Sausage Co. 2. Meat Craft Island Butchery 3. Costco Wholesale

Z18 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Art Gallery 1. Nanaimo Art Gallery 2. Gallery Merrick 3. Yellow Bird Arts Gallery Best Theatre Company 1. Nanaimo Theatre Group 2. Schmooze Productions 3. TheatreOne Best Karaoke 1. Quarterway Pub 2. The Oxy Pub 3. Wellington Pub Best Music Trivia 1. Landlubber Pub 2. Wellington Pub 3. Carlos O’Bryan’s Best Open Mike/Jam Session 1. The Queen’s 2. Vault Café 3. Landlubber Pub Best Place for Live Bands 1. The Queen’s 2. Vault Café 3. Nanaimo Bar Best Place to Dance 1. The Queen’s 2. LevelTwo Nightclub 3. Vibe Dance Studio Nanaimo Art Gallery staff invite the community and visitors to see what’s on exhibit at the Commercial Street gallery. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z19

100% CANADIAN OWNED! Nanaimo’s Retail Garden Super Store

PLANTLAND Across from Home Depot and Best Western Hotel.

Thank you Nanaimo and Central Island customers for voting us Best Garden Centre in Nanaimo

We greatly appreciated your loyalty and patronage. Art Knapp Plantland strives to provide the best selection, quality and knowledgeable service for all your gardening needs. So again, thank you very much. - The Van Hest Family, Owners.

BEST OF THE CITY

SPECIALS

BEST OUTDOOR GARDEN CENTRE 18 YEARS IN A ROW

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

F R O M J U N E 2 7 T O J U LY 1 , 2 0 1 9

ALL TREES & SHRUBS ! NOW

OFF

Reg Prices Only!

• FRUIT TREES, FRUITING FIG TREES, SMALL FRUITS (BUSHES & VINES) EG. GRAPES, BLUEBERRY. • RHODODENDRONS,AZALEAS, ROSES, HYDRANGEAS, JAPANESE MAPLES, MAGNOLIAS, FLOWERING CHERRIES & PLUMS, SHADE TREES, PORTUGAL LAUREL, ESCALLONIA, HEDGING CEDARS, JUNIPERS, CYPRESS, SPRUCE, PINES, LILACS, CLEMATIS AND OTHER VINES, FLOWERING SHRUBS, PLUS SO MUCH MORE. TIME TO PLANT NOW! TO GET ROOTS ESTABLISHED BEFORE RAIN HEAVY WINTER AND EARLY SPRING! WHILE QUANTITIES LAST. IN STOCK ITEMS ONLY!

ALL OUTDOOR

HANGING BASKETS

OFF

Reg Prices Only!

FABULAWN

*EVERYTHING ELSE IN STOCK

! W O N

OFF

Reg Prices Only!

FERTILIZERS, BAGGED SOILS, PESTICIDES, GARDEN TOOLS, PRUNING TOOLS, ALL TYPES OF POTS, TUBS, PLANTERS AND CONTAINERS. ANNUAL & PERENNIAL BEDDING PLANTS, METAL WORK (TRELLIS, HANGERS, ARBORS, ETC.) INDOOR PLANTS,TROPICAL PLANTS, CACTUS, LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES, GIFTWARE, GARDEN ORNAMENTS, FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS, HOSES AND HOSE ACCESSORIES, GARDEN FASHIONS, CERAMIC POTS - WOMENS FASHIONS! PLUS LOTS MORE. *SALE ITEMS ALREADY ON SPECIAL ‘NOT’ INCLUDED. *DOES NOT INCLUDE: BULK SOIL, BULK FISH COMPOST, BULK BARK MULCH. *WHILE QUANTITIES LAST. IN STOCK ITEMS ONLY!

! W O N

24-4-16 LAWN FERTILIZER

Best Lawn food for Vancouver Island covers 4,800 sq. ft. of lawn

NO TIME TO APPLY NOW!

STILL A LARGE SELECTION OF: BEDDING PLANTS IN STOCK

Yet ‘Growers’ inventories are getting low, so if you want to have a colorful garden this Summer, buy now before it’s too late.

BULK FISH COMPOST, BARK MULCH, PREMIUM GARDEN MIX SOIL 6469 Metral Drive Nanaimo, BC Across from Home Depot and Best Western Hotel

CALL FOR FREE GARDENING ADVICE

TOLL FREE: 1-866-845-3919

250-390-1151

PLANTLAND

55+ SENIORS DAY IS EVERY WEDNESDAY

20% OFF Regular Priced Items

(Except Bulk Soil, Bark, Fish Compost)

HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK

9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Z20 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z21

Thank You Nanaimo Visit Us at 1711 Bowen Rd.

Visit our showroom for The Best Styles in the City

IRRESISTIBLE & AFFORDABLE

COQUITLAM 1400 United Blvd 604.524.3443

LANGLEY 20429 Langley By-Pass 604.530.9458

MUSEANDMERCHANT.COM

KELOWNA 1912 Spall Rd 250.860.3635

NANAIMO 1711 Bowen Rd 250.753.8900

VICTORIA 661 McCallum Rd 250.474.3433

COQUITLAM 1400 United Blvd 604 524 3444

RICHMOND 12551 Bridgeport Rd 604 273 2971

SCANDESIGNS.COM

LANGLEY 20429 Langley By-Pass 604 530 8248

KELOWNA 1912 Spall Road 250 860 7603

SCANDESIGNSFURNITURE

NANAIMO 1711 Bowen Rd 250 753 6361

VICTORIA 661 McCallum Rd 250 475 2233

SCANDESIGNS_FURNITURE

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com ST OF THE CI BE E

Z22 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

2019

NANAIMO, B.C.

Celebrating our 25th year!

BEST PIZZA

BEST TILE STORE

11 years in a row

THANKS FOR VOTING US #1

Thank you Nanaimo for voting City Tile as the Best Tile Store 8 years in a row 250.729.9766 4337 Boban Drive, Nanaimo

Call us for Delivery!

citytile.ca

PIZZA BY THE SLICE

250-753-6667

w w w. m a m b o g o u r m e t p i z z a . c o m

DOWNTOWN NANAIMO

Your One Stop Tile Showroom Family Owned & Operated

CityTileInNanaimoLtd

Tiles | Tools | Materials | Inspiration | Pavers

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z23

Best Flower Shop 1. Turley’s Florist 2. Thrifty Foods 3. Ladybug Floral Best Bathrooms 1. Woodgrove Centre 2. Cactus Club Cafe 3. The Home Depot Best Bike Shop 1. Arrowsmith Bikes 2. Rock City Cycles 3. Coal City Cycles Best Consignment or Thrift Store 1. Charlie’s Closet 2. Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store 2. Salvation Army Thrift Store 3. Funk Your Fashion Best Customer Service 1. Thrifty Foods 2. Costco Wholesale 3. KC’s Boutique and Petites Best Floor Covering Store 1. United Floors 2. End Of The Roll 3. Abba Floorcoverings Best Furniture Store 1. The Brick 1. Dodd’s Furniture & Mattress 2. La-Z-Boy 3. ScanDesigns Furniture Turley’s Florist manager Melinda Harrison arranges flowers. Turley’s was voted Best Flower Shop. JOSEF JACOBSON/The News Bulletin

THANK YOU NANAIMO, FOR CHOOSING PRIDE PAINTING AS BEST IN THE CITY 2 YEARS IN A ROW! BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

CALL US AT 250-816-1641 FOR A FREE QUOTE, AND LET US PAINT YOUR PROJECT WITH PRIDE!

robert@pridepainting.ca jack@pridepainting.ca

250-816-1641 www.pridepainting.ca

Z24 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Going with the flow

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

250 Plumber voted Best Plumbing Business in Best of the City survey

NICHOLAS PESCOD NEWS BULLETIN

rock Wakelam didn’t plan on becoming a plumber when he was younger, it just happened. Wakelam studied criminology at Malaspina College – now known as Vancouver Island University – with the hopes of becoming an RCMP officer. He took courses and did all the tests, only to discover he couldn’t pursue that career. “I found out I was colour blind and they wouldn’t take me. So I needed to do something. There was an ad in the paper to be a plumber. I just applied and ran with it,” he said. Thirteen years later, Wakelam is now the owner of 250 Plumber, which was voted Best Plumbing Business in the Nanaimo News Bulletin’s annual Best of the City awards. The company offers an array of plumbing services to consumers including emergency repair jobs. Brock Wakelam, owner of 250 Plumber, with his work van. 250 Plumber was awarded Best Plumbing Business. NICHOLAS PESCOD/The News Bulletin

THANKS FOR VOTING US #1 Since 1928, White Spot has been home to kids of all ages. We take pride in offering a kid-friendly dining atmosphere & a menu that your kids are sure to enjoy.

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

2018

Visitwww.whitespot.ca/kids WHITESPOT.CA/KIDS for more details and download our WS Kids app.

ST OF THE CI BE E

f all ages. W We’re proud to be named Best Family Restaurant, Best Kids e& a t, Best Kids Restaurant. Plus we’ve also been recognized as a great place for burgers. We couldn’t have done it without you Nanaimo!

FREE PIRATE PAK WITH PURCHASE OF ENTREE NORTH NANAIMO 6561 Island Hwy 250.390.2941

SOUTH NANAIMO 130 Terminal Ave 250.754.6142

Valid from now until July 2018. Valid for dine-in only. Minimum purchase of $12.99. Maximum discount July 29 31,, 2019. $7.99. Not to be combined with any other promotional offer. No cash value. Limit one coupon per visit. Valid only at our Nanaimo White Spot Restaurants.

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

about the job is being able to interact with people from all over the city, adding that some encounters have led to unique opportunities for the company. “We do some work with the Clay Tree Society, where we volunteer labour for them. We also do some work for Foodshare,” he said. “That came from standard jobs we did and chatting with customers and that is one thing I really enjoy about doing this, is forming bonds with people.” Asked what plumbing advice he has for consumers, Wakelam says its important for people to check their pipes and other materials before embarking on a do-it-yourself repair job. “There is nothing wrong with DIY and if you can make things work then that is great but try and do some research beforehand. Check online and see what type of materials you do have,” he says. “We did a lot of building in Nanaimo in the ’80s and ’90s and there is a lot of defective materials, so it’s good to know what you’re working with.”

A 250 Plumber apprentice throws himself headfirst into his work. 250 Plumber/Instagram photo

nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com

Best Plumbing Business 1. 250 Plumber 2. Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating 3. Norm’s Plumbing and Heating

ST OF THE CI BE E

Thank you Nanaimo

A common repair job is installing newer, more environmentally-friendly water heaters. 250 Plumber/Instagram photo

“We cover everything except construction of new homes. We do all the small stuff basically, which is where we feel we’ve found our niche in this town,” Wakelam said. Wakelam, who became the owner of 250 Plumber two years ago, says said the most common repair job is fixing broken hot water tanks and installing newer ones which are more environmentally friendly. “A lot of people are switching away from conventional storage tanks these days,” he said. “Those tankless heaters are about 97 per cent efficient compared to the old storage water tanks, which are 67 per cent.” Another common job is drain cleaning. “People don’t realize that we got a lot of old pipes in this town,” Wakelam said. “The roots get into them and they will clog up and things won’t flow properly. That’s where we come and clean them. We have rotor machines that come in and clean them.” The plumbing industry has only recently began embracing modern technology according to Wakelam, who says Nanaimo consumers are now, more than ever, opting for energy-efficient products such as such as lowflow toilets, taps and shower heads. “Plumbing didn’t evolve for the longest time and there are all this cool technology coming out now,” he said. “We recently installed this system that automatically stops your water mains in the event that you have a flood in your house.” Wakelam says what he enjoys most

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z25

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

2019

Thank You for voting us the #1 Wine Making Store

for your votes! 104-2520 Bowen Road Nanaimo, B.C.

250-758-4664 www.unitedfloors.ca

00 Wine Making

OFF Fee (Reg 55 ) July 2 - 5, 2019 $

250-390-1362

#502-6581 Aulds Road

www.winekitzmetralplace.com

Z26 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Jewelry Store 1. Peoples Jewellers 2. Bastion Jewellers 3. Keller’s Jewellers Best Home Improvement Store 1. Home Depot 2. Lowe’s 3. Nanaimo Home Hardware Best Housewares/Linen Store 1. HomeSense 2. Hudson’s Bay 2. Flying Fish 3. JYSK Best Kids Clothing Store 1. Carter’s Oshkosh B’Gosh 2. Once Upon A Child 3. Pumpkin Pie Kids Best Lingerie Store 1. My Undies 2. La Senza 3. La Vie En Rose Best Marine Supplier 1. Harbour Chandler 2. Parker Marine 3. Marine Parts Supply Best Mattress Store 1. Sleep Country Canada 2. John’s Bedrooms 3. The Brick Sharon VanderPutten, manager of Peoples Jewellers, Nanaimo, has a setting for all of life’s celebrations. Peoples was voted Best Jewelry store. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

Why Pay Retail When You Can Buy BEST GAS BAR

FACTORY DIRECT

Thank You Nanaimo! A Business Owned By Your Community 100% member owned, pro fits stay in our community

Locations to Serve You!

Gas Bar & Card Lock Locations: Nanaimo, Parksville, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Gabriola Island, Ladysmith, Salt Spring Island, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan & Sayward

www.midisland.coop

“For All Your Petroleum & Convenience Store Needs”

SEE THE DIFFERENCE...THE DRIVE IS WORTH IT! #2 - 4151 Mostar Road • Nanaimo

250.756.8897 • 250.585.0326 www.vancouverislandhottubs.com

(Office)

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z27

Best Lighting Store 1. McLaren Lighting 2. Home Depot 3. Illuminations Lighting Solutions Best Outdoor Garden Centre 1. Art Knapp Plantland 2. Green Thumb Garden Centre 3. Costco Wholesale Best Paint Store 1. Cloverdale Paint 2. Home Depot 3. Sherwin-Williams Best Pet Supply Store 1. Bosley’s by Pet Valu 2. PetSmart 3. Olivers Pet Supplies Best Place to Shop 1. Woodgrove Centre 2. Downtown/Old City Quarter 3. Costco Wholesale Best Sewing Notions Store 1. Snip & Stitch Sewing Centre Ltd 2. Serge and Sew 3. Michaels Best Shoe Store 1. A Step Ahead 2. SoftMoc 3. Hudson’s Bay

Craig Finnigan, manager of McLaren Lighting, Nanaimo’s Best Lighting Store. KARL YU/The News Bulletin

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN TH

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

• best music trivia • best Sports Bar • best chicken wings

2019

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm • Saturday, 8:30am to 5:00pm

2019

• Stunning Floral Arrangements • Extravagant designs • Beautiful plants

2019

Fresh Gift Ideas for EVERY OCCASION

ST OF THE CI BE E

2018

Best Flower Shop

ST OF THE CI BE E

2019

ST OF THE CI BE E

2017

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

Turley’s Florist is celebrating over 55 years of business!!

Courteous, reliable and prompt service

2016

Flowers from Turley’s last longer naturally...

ST OF THE CI BE E

Thank You Nanaimo!

us g n i t o V r o f s k n i s g Than n i W n e k c i h Best C mo (Again!) Nanai

ST OF THE CI BE E

• best pub • best open mic jam • Best Burgers

More than 36 Flavours of chicken wings to choose from. 1⁄2 Price Wings Wednesday thru Saturday 4-11pm Music Trivia Friday Night 9pm-11pm Music Poker Saturday Night 8pm - midnight EAT LIKE A CAPTAIN * DRINK LIKE A SAILOR

www.landlubber.ca • Like us on 60 Terminal Ave • Nanaimo • 250-754-6344 • www.turleysflorist.com

Unit 10-2220 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H9 • 250.758.9400

Z28 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

Best Optical Store 1. Highview Optical 2. Costco Optical Centre 3. LensCrafters 3. Iris

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Store for Menswear 1. NYLA Fresh Thread 2. Mark’s 3. Hudson’s Bay

Best Store for Ladieswear 1. KC’s Boutique and Petites 2. Quintessential 3. Hudson’s Bay

Vivian Cameron of Highview Optical, left, with store owners Laura Cameron and Edie Blash. Highview was voted Best Optical Store. GREG SAKAKI/The News Bulletin

The Best of Both Worlds

6089 UPLANDS DRIVE, NANAIMO, BC @RETCONCEPTS I NSV.INFO@RETIREMENTCONCEPTS.COM

WWW.RETIREMENTCONCEPTS.COM

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

CALL: 250-760-2325

Catering for any event & any venue in Nanaimo area

1 Thank you for voting us

2019

FOR TOURS AND INFORMATION

ST OF THE CI BE E

Enjoy the ability to live life independently or with the assistance and care that you require.

6 years in a Row! 250-390-3197

Toll-Free – 1-888-416-7060

mail@spiceoflifecatering.ca

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z29

Best Store to Buy Tools 1. Midland Tools 2. Home Depot 3. Canadian Tire Best Sporting Goods Store 1. Sport Chek 2. Kirby’s Source For Sports 3. Cabela’s Best Store to Buy Books 1. Chapters 2. Literacy Central Vancouver Island 3. Window Seat Books Best Tile Store 1. City Tile 2. Cornerstone Tile Ltd 3. Home Depot Best Toy Store 1. Kool & Child 2. Toys R Us 3. Children’s Treehouse Best Vitamin/Health Food Stores 1. Pomme Natural Market 2. Charlie Brown’s Health Foods 3. Popeye’s Supplements

Proud Provider of The Best of Nanaimo Award Plaques

ST OF THE CI BE E

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

2019

The Best... for the Best

Brandon Hawksworth, left, Dylan Paquette and Adam Bro are some of the staff who help make Midland Tools Nanaimo’s best place to buy tools. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

Thank You Nanaimo! For voting us Best Auto Detailer in the City!

VI Precision Detailing and Car Care

BASTION TROPHIES TROPHIES • PLAQUES • SHOW RIBBONS • PERSONALIZED GIFTS

Nametags, Signs & Promotional Items Laser engraving of wood, glass, plastic & metal Over 40 Years of Superior Service, Selection & Craftsmanship

250.756.4151

1934 Northfield Rd., Nanaimo

HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5pm

www.bastiontrophies.com info@bastiontrophies.com

1-6430 Hammond Bay Rd., Nanaimo www.precisiondetailingnanaimo.com • 250.390.2423

Z30 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

ST OF THE CI BE E

Thank You for Voting Us Best of the City # 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

2019

Aesthetician & Owner Roberta

SERVICES:

PRODUCT LINES:

Aesthetics ■ Registered Massage Therapy ■ Healing & Relaxation Massage

■

Best Aesthetics

Eminence Organics Laboratoire Dr Renaud ■ Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics ■

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Accounting Firm 1. MNP LLP 2. Church Pickard Chartered Professional Accountants 3. Benson Seymour LLP Best Auto Detailer 1. VI Precision Detailing & Car Care 2. Harris Mazda 3. Auto Smile Best Auto Servicing 1. Bavarian Imports Auto Repair 2. Supertech Automotive 3. Midas Best Banking Institution 1. TD Canada Trust 2. RBC Royal Bank 3. Coastal Community Credit Union Best Barbershop 1. Sports Barbers 2. Shear Agony Barber Shop 3. Four Crows Barber & Shave Co. Best Beauty Salon or Spa 1. Breze Aveda Concept Salon & Day Spa 2. Maffeo Salon & Day Spa 2. Kiyo Salon & Day Spa 3. Nanaimo Elements Holistic Centre & Spa

250.585.8768 4551 Uplands Drive, Nanaimo, BC elementspa.ca https://www.elementspa.ca/

Best Dentist 1. Diver Lake Dental Clinic 2. Lantzville Dental Clinic 3. Harewood Dental Clinic Best Electrical Contractor 1. DenMar Electric 2. Mazzei Electric 3. Walls Electrical Ltd. Best Estheticians 1. Nanaimo Elements Holistic Centre & Spa 2. Breze Aveda Concept Salon & Day Spa 3. Kiyo Salon & Day Spa Best Financial Planner 1. Sun Life Financial 2. Investors Group Financial Services 3. RBC Royal Bank Best Fitness Centre 1. Driven Performance Fitness 2. Planet Fitness 2. Fit4Less 3. Jumpstart Outdoor Fitness Best Gas Bar 1. Mid Island Co-op 2. Mobil 3. Chevron

Best Hair Salon 1. Aura Hair Boutique Best Carpet Cleaners 1. Classic Care Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 2. Maffeo Salon & Day Spa 3. Salon Muse 2. Citrus-O Carpet Cleaning 3. Suck It Up Carpet Furnace Best Heating Business 1. Archie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating Best Daycare Centre 2. Norm’s Plumbing and Heating 1. Kids Kompany Small Fries 3. Coastal Energy Ltd 2. Jolly Giant Childcare Ltd. 3. Katies Korner Childcare

Thank You Nanaimo!

For Voting Us

OR THANKS F G CHOOSIN ITH ARROWSMO! NANAIM

the Best Tattoo Place in Town

Celebrating 25 Y Years

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Relegation Tattoo

Pre-Drawn Designs

Custom Designs

Home of the Arrowsmith Shredders & Arrowsmith Ladies Ride the Amazing Ar #4 4906 WELLINGTON RD NANAIMO

250-758-6675

www.arrowsmithbikes.com

Call us for a consult today

250-585-6560

#502 - 5800 Turner Rd. Behind Cactus Club

www.relegationtattoo.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Insurance Agency 1. BCAA 2. Hub International 3. Coastal Community Credit Union

Best Pet Grooming Business 1. Nanaimo Pet Services 2. Dog & Suds Pet Services 3. Happy Hound Dog Care

Best Landscaper 1. Neat & Tidy Landscaping 2. Island Eco-Scapes 3. VI Outdoor

Best Photographer 1. Concept Photography 2. HA Photography 3. Rachel Kirk Photography

Best Law Firm 1. Ramsay Lampman Rhodes 2. Duncan Allen Law LLP 3. Heath Law LLP

Best Place to Buy a Used Vehicle 1. Galaxy Motors 2. Steve Marshall Ford Lincoln 3. Bouman Auto Gallery

Best Massages 1. Knead Registered Massage Therapy 2. Island Optimal Health & Performance 3. Solace Wellness Centre

Best Place to Get Tires 1. Cedar Tireland 2. Kal Tire 3. Costco Wholesale

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z31

MADE FROM SCRATCH. FRESH EVERYDAY. JUST LIKE MUM USED TO MAKE.

Best Moving Company 1. Take A Load Off Moving 2. Clydesdale Moving and Hauling 2. 2 Burley Men Moving 3. Minute Men Moving and Storage Best Painting Contractor 1. Pride Painting 2. Sloan’s Painting 3. Sonshine Girls Painting Best Personal Trainer 1. Miguel Diaz, Driven Performance Fitness 2. Lee Surinak, Punisher Training 3. Brian Schick, B-Fit Bootcamp



Shining tires at Cedar Tireland. File photo

C H E ES EC A K ES  BA K E D G O O D S  C I N N F U L B U N S  M U F F I N S   N A N A I M O BA RS ( VA R I O U S T Y P ES )   P OT P I ES  S U B S A N D W I C H ES  B R EA K FA S T I T E M S   DA I LY LU N C H S P EC I A L S  C AT E R I N G 

NANA IMO NEWS BUL LETIN

ST OF THE CI BE E

2018

2017

NANA IMO NEWS BUL LETIN

250.755.6533

ST OF THE CI BE E

BIRTHDAY PARTIES !

2016

Our

ST OF THE CI BE E

MORE THAN ! ING JUST BOWL

2015

IS YOUR HOME FOR FAMILY FUN IN NANAIMO!

ST OF THE CI BE E

BRECHIN LANES

OPEN ALL NIGHT FOR YOUR CINNFUL TREATS

WINNER - 2018 VANCOUVER ISLAND RETAIL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

FOOD & BEVER AGE LICENSED FACI LITY

ChECK Out Our

2 NEW

ESCAPE ROOMS

ARE AMAZING

ALSO CORPORATE AND FUNDRAISER PARTIES

WE DO ALL THE WORK & YOU HAVE ALL THE FUN! • kids • teens • adult

1870 E. WELLINGTON RD

Escapism Nanaimo

Complete With Hollywood Style Effects is the Premiere Escape Facility in Nanaimo!

• BOOK ONLINE • www.escapismnanaimo.ca

250-753-2341

www.brechinlanes.ca

We would like to personally “Thank You” for your continued support in making us Best of the City for the last five years in a row, 2016 Retailer of the year, 2017 Micro Business of the Year, 2017 Vancouver Island Retail Business of the Year, and now 2018 Vancouver Island Small Business of the Year.

206 COMMERCIAL ST, DOWNTOWN NANAIMO | 250.716.3331

Z32 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Artist Jeremy Friesen draws. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

Artists Meag Stouck, left, creates a flower design and Brooke Roberts lays in a water lily for customer Michelle Corrigal at Relegation Tattoo, Best Place to Get a Tattoo. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

BACK TO

Thank You Nanaimo

BACK TO BACK

For voting us the

2019

#3-4906 Wellington Rd. • 250-585-2887

www.sportsbarbers.ca

ST OF THE CI BE E

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

6 Years Straight TY

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

2018

2019

2017

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

ST OF THE CI BE E

“BEST COFFEE SHOP”

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

ST OF THE CI BE E

CHAMPIONS! # 1 1 1 Come visit us at 1861 Dufferin Crescent Open 7 days a week 1-250-591-8310

Best Place to Meet for Coffee

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Place to Get a Tattoo 1. Relegation Tattoo 2. Electric Umbrella 3. Black & Blue Tattoo

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z33

Make Your OWN MONEY open daily 11am - 9pm

Best Retirement Community 1. Berwick on the Lake 2. Origin at Longwood 3. Nanaimo Seniors Village 3. Deerwood Estates

you Nanaimo k n a h T ting Baby Salsa o V r fo

Best Roofing Company 1. Erickson Roofing 2. Usher Roofing Systems 3. Milne Roofing 3. Allterrain Roofing

BEST TACOS

Best Tanning Salon 1. Golden Sands Tanning Studio 2. Divine Glow Tanning Salon 3. OrganicTan Best Travel Agency 1. Flight Centre 2. Marlin Travel 3. Imagine Cruise & Travel

Come in or take out our 6 Kinds of Signature Taco’s and 3 Kinds of Fish Tacos

Be a Newspaper Carrier! •

Best Veterinary Clinic 1. Chase River Veterinary Hospital 2. VCA Canada Island Animal Hospital 3. Petroglyph Animal Hospital

Share a route with your brother or sister Work Close to Home Just Two Days a Week

• •

Best Wine Making Store 1. Wine Kitz 2. Wine Works 3. Rainy Crick Wine

& 2

BEST NACHOS

Happy Hour - Daily 2pm-5pm for $2.00 Off all Beer & Wine & $2.00 Off Appy’s including Nachos.

Vegan Menu Avail

CALL 250-734-4605 FOR ROUTES IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD.

550 Fifth St. #205

Best Yoga Studio 1. Modo Yoga 2. OmTown Yoga 3. Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Nanaimo

Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R1P1

250-591-8353 www.baby-salsa.com

Summer

LOBSTER FEST

Thank You Nanaimo!

Stuffed Lobster Tail Dinner $ 95

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT REST 5 YEARS RUNNING!

Lobster & Oyster Combo $ 95

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

2018

2017

2015

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

ST OF THE CI BE E

ST OF THE C BE E

Y IT

ST OF THE CI BE E

2220 Bowen Rd.

ST OF THE CI BE E

2016

Best Fitness Facility

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

1140 Trans Canada Hwy, South Nanaimo

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

NAN NEWS BUAIMO LLETIN

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

DpFitness.ca http://dpfitness.ca/ |

ST OF THE CI BE E

2019

Best Personal Trainer

All our dinners include side salad, baked potato, vegetables & bread.

NANA IMO NEWS BU LLETIN

2017

ST OF THE CI BE E

*Over 40 classes per week

ST OF THE CI BE E

2018

FREE Personal Training Consultation

2017

Look forward to the experience!

ST OF THE CI BE E

Plus many more!

250.754.6411 www.boldknight.ca

Open Tuesday to Sunday at 4pm

Z34 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

OF THE C ST IT BE

TH E

Pipers Lagoon Park was voted the Best Place to Take Guests in the News Bulletin’s Best of the City survey. CHRIS BUSH and NICHOLAS PESCOD/The News Bulletin

NANAIMO NEWS BULLET IN

Every therapist I’ve seen at Knead has been so helpful, professional, and punctual. I’ve always left feeling improved. I love the direct billing to Blue Cross, as well. The hours are great, the therapists are wonderful. – Mariah M.

Thank-you for voting us #1 975 Terminal Ave N., Nanaimo, BC V9S 4K3

PH 250.753.6322 • FX 250.753.6321 info@kneadtherapy.ca

201

“Wonderful therapists.”

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Best Local Campground 1. Living Forest Oceanside Campground 2. Brannen Lake 3. Westwood Lake Campgrounds

Best Place to Walk Your Dog 1. Westwood Lake Trails 2. Colliery Dam Park 3. Neck Point Park

Best People Watching Spot 1. Maffeo Sutton Park 2. Harbourfront Walkway 3. Sway’A’Lana Lagoon

Best Place to Watch Birds 1. Buttertubs Marsh 2. Morrell Nature Sanctuary 3. Neck Point Park

Best Place for a Picnic 1. Neck Point Park 2. Pipers Lagoon 3. Westwood Lake

Best Playground 1. Beban Park Altrusa Playground 2. Oliver Woods Community Centre 3. Maffeo Sutton Park Playdock

Best Place for Paddling 1. Newcastle Island/Saysutshun 2. Westwood Lake 2. Long Lake 3. Departure Bay

Best View of the City 1. Mount Benson 2. Sugarloaf Mountain Park 3. Vancouver Island University

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z35

Thank you!

Best Place to Swim Outdoors 1. Nanaimo River 2. Westwood Lake 3. Departure Bay Beach

TD Canada Trust would like to thank our Nanaimo customers for voting us Best of the City for 2019.1

Best Place to Take Guests 1. Pipers Lagoon 2. Harbourfront Walkway 3. Sway’A’Lana Lagoon Best Place to Jog, Hike, or Walk 1. Westwood Lake Trails 2. Neck Point Park 3. Colliery Dam Park

The view from Mount Benson. File photo

18th Annual Best of the City Winner, Nanaimo News Bulletin . ® The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

M01698 (1014)

VIBRANT STUDIOS ST OF THE CI BE E

2019

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

(VIBE)

THANK YOU NANAIMO FOR VOTING Vibrant Studios (VIBE) FIRST BEST PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL IN NANAIMO

MAKE THEIR SUMMER

UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER CAMPS DATES: July 22 – 26 7 Yrs & Up

Aug. 6 – 9 3 Yrs & Up

Thank you NANAIMO! For choosing us again as your Best Marine store in Nanaimo for 17 years!

More info for summer camps and registration for next season, please email:

serra@vibrantdance.com

Registration on September 4th - 6th

4pm -7pm at Vibrant Studio

Vibrantdance.com www.Vibrantdance.com Serra@vibrantdance.com | 250-616-2726 1969 Boxwood Road, Nanaimo

52 ESPLANADE NANAIMO BC V9R4Y7

250-753-2425 www.harbourchandler.ca

Z36 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

The hills are alive

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Doumont trails network offers thrills and challenges for mountain bikers CHRIS BUSH NEWS BULLETIN

n the hills above north Nanaimo lies a network of nearly 48 kilometres of easy- to expert-rated, all-mountain and downhill trails offering thrills and challenges for mountain bikers of all ages and experience. The Doumont trails, located along Weigles Road, next to Benson Creek Falls Regional Park, were voted Nanaimo’s Best Place to Mountain Bike in this year’s Best of the City survey. Trails date back some 35 years or more to the earliest days of mountain biking when tracks were carved through woods, under the tolerance, if not the blessings, of land owners. Over the decades the trails wove their ways deeper through the woods and higher up the hills as mountain biking’s popularity grew and bike technology evolved allowing riders to refine skills and take on ever more challenging terrain. Dana Wacker of the Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club rides a trail on Doumont hill. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin

ST OF THE CI BE E

Make Island memories at Living Forest

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

201

Thank You Special ~ 20% Off All Wine Kits

(only) between June 25th - July 2nd

Located at: 9-1150 Terminal Ave. N. 250.753.5118

end of Maki Road- turn at Rona 53 acres, 300 incredible sites

2019

for Voting us #1 for the 12th Time!

Oceanside Campground & RV Park

Thank You Nanaimo from Wine Kitz Terminal Park

TERMINAL PARK

LivingForest.com www.LivingForest.com 250-755-1755 .com/LivingForestRV

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club members get ready to ride earlier this month at the Doumont hill, Nanaimo’s Best Place to Mountain Bike. CHRIS BUSH/The News Bulletin Armageddon, Crazy Horse, Old Car, Monkeys in the Mist, Space Balls, Penny Lane and Mary Jane, one of the original trails carved out more than 30 years ago and now a wellworn path and old favourite among riders. Runs range from relatively gentle climbs, to tight, twisting single track and steep, technical downhill. All trails, even Fine China and Finer China, rated as expert-level runs, have go-arounds so less aggressive riders can enjoy them and ride within their comfort level. “We still have remnants of structures from days of old when Stevie

ers from the mainland coming over to sample some of our gnar, there’s literally something for everyone.” Long-term plans are to continue to revitalize the area – which has suffered abuse from illegal trash dumping along the numerous logging roads – as a recreation mecca. TimberWest, NMBC, the Regional District of Nanaimo and private companies sponsor clean-up events and trails are maintained by NMBC members and community volunteers. Bridges and features are also constructed and maintained along with trail markers, bearing names like

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETI N

ST OF THE CI BE E

Best Place to Mountain Bike 1. Doumont trails 2. Mount Benson 3. Westwood Lake trails

photos@nanaimobulletin.com

2019

BEST FRESH SEAFOOD FRESHER than ours is still swimming! BEST IN STORE made Deli, Chowders, Shrimp Salsa and Ahi Tuna Poki..... BEST FISH ‘ CHIPS

2019

to our Great Customers & top notch Staff!

B E

Thank You

NK Y U HAEST OF THEO C

Smith was growing up and building in here and hitting those things, so it’s kind of cool, as an up-and-coming rider, to see some of that old infrastructure – while it’s completely not safe to ride anymore – you kind of look back at the days of old freeride and where mountain biking is today and where it’s going and the different facets that have come out of it,” Wacker said. Find out more about the Doumont Trails by visiting www.tourismnanaimo.com/mountain-biking/ or Trailforks at https://bit.ly/2WzjWLm.

Nanaimo’s early trails might not have been sanctioned by local governments and landowners – TimberWest operates a woodlot in the area – but Nanaimo developed a reputation for some of the best riding to be found anywhere. The trails also gained popularity with hikers and trail runners as the community adopted the land, unofficially calling it the Doumont recreation area, which is also home to the Wastelands Motocross Track. With mountain biking in Nanaimo and its benefits to tourism established, groups such as Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club, the province and local governments started working together to sanction use of the area for mountain biking. Fine China, the first provincially approved trail in the Doumont trails network, was completed in 2013 and is managed by Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club with liability insurance obtained through the International Mountain Biking Association and trails are now built according to environmental and safety standards. “We actually have a three-way agreement with TimberWest and the Regional District of Nanaimo,” said Dana Wacker, Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club communications director. “What really is special about this area is that there is literally something for every level. We see a lot of beginners using this area. Whether it’s their very first time on a bike or they’re expert rid-

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z37

Thank You Nanaimo! We Appreciate Your Business

Best Place to Buy Seafood

Call Us For All Your Electrical Needs Our service is exceptional 24/7 >TERMINAL PARK MALL - 250-754-4913 1533 Estevan >w w w. s e a d r i f t f i s h m a r k e t . c a

www.mazzeielectric.com NANAIMO | VICTORIA | FORT ST JOHN

Z38 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

LAST WORD

All the best

Well, we’ve gotten to the end of 124 categories, and wouldn’t you know it, there’s still more to say. That’s because Best of the City, as a sort of a yearbook, brings us up to date of a lot of what we like about Nanaimo at the start of summer 2019. And if we’re caught up, then that means we can start getting excited about what’s to come. It’s going to be a good summer in the Harbour City – festival season is just around the corner. We hope you picked up another one of our tourism publications, 101 Things to See and Do in Nanaimo, which was tucked inside your newspaper earlier this month. It provided a very different sort of list, outlining a bunch of activities that are coming up, and was sort of a companion publication to this one. Most people like to talk about their favourite things, we’re no different, and we’ve had plenty of chances to do that. We hope it helps in some small way to strengthen pride of place. Thanks for being part of Best of the City, and we hope that with summer just getting started, the best is yet to come. Sway’A’Lana Lagoon is peaceful on a June evening, but will be bustling this summer with festival season about to begin. NEWS BULLETIN photo

•Be Pampered

•Be Beautiful

Best Beauty Salon/Spa

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

250-740-0092 www.maffeosalon.ca

2019

BEST HAIR SALON

Our team at Maffeo Salon and Day Spa would like to extend a very sincere thank you to Nanaimo for voting us once again ...

NA NEWS BNAIMO ULLETIN

ST OF THE CI BE E

•Be Relaxed

www.nanaimobulletin.com

Nanaimo News Bulletin

Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Z39

THANK YOU!

BEST FURNITURE STORE

www.doddsfurniture.com

Z40 Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Nanaimo News Bulletin

www.nanaimobulletin.com

The great “no-flip mattress” rip-off How much money have you lost trying to get a good night’s sleep? If you want sweet dreams, read on. by John Rogers, President, Johns Bedrooms

For over a quarter of a century now I’ve been searching for the perfect mattress system. I’ve listened to sales rep after sales rep telling me about their “latest and greatest, new and improved” products ad nauseam. On many an occasion I’ve bought these “latest and greatest” systems for my own stores, hoping each time that the product would live up to its hype. I’d conservatively guess that over the years we’ve spent over $150,000 on mattress systems that failed and warranties that didn’t work because of the fine print. And over the years we’ve listened to innumerable clients who are in the same boat. They’ve spent thousands of dollars on conventional mattress systems that failed weeks, months or a couple of years after their purchase, only to find that the terms of their warranty made it impossible to collect. What’s wrong with the mattress industry In the old days, mattress had quilted “comfort layers” both top and bottom. This meant we all had to flip our mattresses regularly in order to efficiently utilize both layers of topping. Now I never met anyone who enjoyed flipping their mattress, so it was inevitable that sooner or later someone would come up with a solution. This great day arrived in 2003 when manufacturers declared that the “no flip mattress” was the answer. “No more fighting with your bed! With our New and Improved Product, all you have to do is lie down and go to sleep” Sounds great, but were they really trying to save you extra work? No - they were trying to cut costs. Instead of quilting mattresses both top and bottom to provide you with two comfort layers, they saved a pile of money by only quilting the top. And because there’s only one quilted layer, guess what wears out twice as fast? You got it - your no-flip mattress. So it turns out that while the no-flip gimmick may have saved you some work, the real winners are the manufacturers who cut their costs by cutting quality. Why the warranties don’t work You can still get 15 - 20 year warranties on these new-fangled mattresses, so it looks like your new no-flip mattress should last as long as your old one.

But let’s take a look at the fine print. Old warranties used to protect you against the excessive softening of your mattress over time. New mattress warranties claim that up to 2 inches of visible height loss, or body impressions, are completely normal and so not warranted. What does that mean exactly? Here’s an example. We’ve all sat on a couch that’s old - you know, the kinds where you take a seat and your behind ends up lower then your knees. Have a look at the cushion when you climb out of the trough. Has it lost any height from its orginal size? Unlikely. But the top layer has lost all its ability to cushion you. It’s almost impossible to lose height on foam, which is what all mattresses are topped with, but that doesn’t mean the foam is doing the job you paid it to do. As the couch example demonstrates, just because your mattresses might look fine, it doesn’t mean that it will remain comfortable. But your warranty probably won’t cover you if it doesn’t. We have some solutions The mattresses in my stores are designed by me for my stores and aren’t widely available throughout the industry. I don’t follow the industry by touting new gimmicks, cutting corners and writing warranties that protect us not you. Instead I use old-fashioned common sense coupled with great components, many of them Canadian made. In addition to plant based materials in our Urethane foams my best sellers are natural Talalay and Dunlop latex mattresses, which of course are all flippable. And if that’s not enough for no additional charge we’ll build your mattress differently to accommodate 2 people with different needs. It’s not expensive! Queen sized mattresses start at $289.99 and natural Dunlop from $1199.99. Come in and see how we care and why we’re different.

www.johnsbedrooms.com

1707 Bowen Road, Nanaimo 841 Cliffe Ave., Courtenay

250-741-1777 250-897-1666