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Summer is finally here, and while the weather out side may not entirely showcase the season, we do, and will get many hot summer days! One pastime that seems to travel between almost all walks of life from one corner of the planet to the next, is the good old fashioned picnic!
Where to picnic may depend largely on your circumstances. If you need something with easy access you may want to consider stopping by the Courtenay Airpark or Lewis Park along the River. For those with kids, any one of the many playgrounds would serve you well, or of course you may want to consider Comox Lake, or one of the fabulous ocean beaches like Kye Bay or perhaps Goose Spit. While it may be a bit of a drive north, Miracle Beach has long been a favorite Picnic Spot.
 Stotan Falls, Comox Valley If your kids are a bit older, Stotan Falls (at least when the water levels are low enough) is a fantastic place to kick off your shoes and enjoy a bite and a brisk dip in the water.
For the more adventurous, why not consider packing a lunch and heading out on a hike up in Paradise Meadows – There are plenty of spots along the trails to stop for a scenic bite to eat.
The Comox Valley is home to almost countless picnic venues. Where are your favorite spots? Be sure to drop a comment on this post and let us know where you like to head out on those warm sunny afternoons!
The Comox Valley really is the recreation capital. All year round there is ample to do in the great outdoors, but now that summer is upon us the recreational options are into full swing!
For the golfing enthusiasts there are ample golf courses to choose from. Crown Isle caters to the seasoned golfers, but amateurs are welcome too. If you are looking for more of a pitch and putt, longlands offers a shorter course perfect for beginners. For those of you who want a few longer holes, but are either too worried about slicing a ball into the windows of some high value real estate or just don’t want to spend a fortune Mulligan’s may be more your style, with twilight rates as low as only $8!
For those mountain bikers out there the trails are ready to go with a wide variety of options for the hard-core extremists as well as the entry level riders. Cumberland has plenty of great trails to choose from, especially if you are looking for some big air, or you can take it easy with the chip trails over at Seal Bay.
Kayaking is also a great pastime during the summer months with some great river, lake, and ocean kayaking available. A popular drop in spot is not far from down town, at the north end of the Courtenay Airpark – you can then paddle up stream to Lewis Park, or head out into the estuary and Comox Harbour. For the next few months, just follow the signs for the construction on Cliffe Ave and you’ll get there!
We can’t forget about the many Comox Valley beaches! There is endless water fun in all corners of the Valley. If you want Lake, River, or Ocean swimming it’s all here. There are some great beaches around Comox Lake and along the Puntledge River. Sandy ocean beaches can be found at Miracle Beach, Kye Bay, and Goose Spit to name a few.
No matter what you are into, if it’s recreation, you will find it here in the Comox Valley! For some more ideas, be sure to check out our Comox Valley Recreation page!
Carnival Caribbean Cabana is one of the newest dining options offered to the Comox Valley, and is the only option that is inspired solely on Caribbean cuisine.
Carnival Caribbean Cabana specializes in preparing food in an authentic Caribbean style. Their blends of sauces and spices guarantee a unique dining experience.
Their menu offerings include Jamaican Patties, Johnny Cakes, Curry with Rice and Peas, Curried Goat or Chicken Roti, Fried Plantain, Wain’s famous Jerk Chicken Wings or Ribs, Sweet Potato Fries with Jerk Mayo, made in house Ginger Beer, Jamaican Sodas (we have Ting!) and so much more
If you asked Wain Jarvis, owner of Carnival Caribbean Cabana for one word that would describe the Caribbean Cuisine that he brings to our valley, it would be “flavors”.
While aroma, texture and visual presentation are important in any cuisine, it is the flavors that are the hallmark of Caribbean cooking. It is this rich blend of both familiar and exotic spices blended with heavy overtones of fresh tropical fruits and unusual vegetables that make it really distinct and habit forming!
Food served in the Caribbean islands have been influenced by cultures all over the world. Wain is the product of this mixing: his father is Jamaican and his mother is Guyanese. He learned his cooking style from both of them.
Whether you are new to this cuisine or a longtime fan, you’ll find a treat when you visit Wain’s converted bus at the top of Mission Hill. They know you’ll come away satisfied and a bit richer for the experience.
Carnival also believes in giving back. During the month of May, $1.00 from every order of Johnny Cakes sold at the Cabana went to support Conga III – A group of women who ride to support the fight against breast cancer. Conga III raised more than $12,000 in 2009 and hope to exceed that in 2010. Carnival also donated the food trays for the “Haiti in my Heart” Silent Auction held at Crown Isle Resort on April 09.
You can check out Carnival Caribbean Cabana’s website at www.carnivalcaribbean.ca,or be sure to catch them on Facebook or Twitter
Carnival Caribbean Cabana
4915D Island Highway North
(Top of Mission Hill)
Courtenay, BC
V9N5Y9
250.334.2644
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Sat, 11 – 7
Sundays – noon-5
Featured Comox Valley Business Column
Each week all summer long, We will be featuring a local Comox Valley Business! These featured businesses have not paid for these endorsements, but rather are hand picked by Comox Valley Guide. To have your business considered for inclusion check out our “ Featured Comox Valley Business” page for a submission form and more information!
The Valley’s Funky Mining Town Hosts a Day of the Local Food Challenge
Cumberland Food Event Highlights a Community Already Committed to Supporting Local
Cumberland will be hosting a day of local food as a part of the Comox Valley 30 Day Local Food Challenge. On July 14th visitors will have an opportunity to sample some great local food, tour the newly revitalized Elementary School Community Garden, and use their pass books from the event to get great discounts. Events include:
- Local food sampling, local food puzzles for the kids, and a 10% discount for Food Challenge passport-holders all day at Seeds Food Market (on the corner of Dunsmuir and 3rd Street)
- Mediterranean food at Tarbell’s (2705 Dunsmuir) featuring local growers, along with free samples of the best hummus in the Valley
- Freshly made chocolate samples featuring local berries at Dark Side Chocolates (2720 Dunsmuir), as well as specials on other products made with local ingredients
- Tour of the Cumberland Community Schools Society Environment Club Garden (2644 Ulverston Ave. – behind the Elementary School)
The Comox Valley 30-Day Local Food Challenge is a community experience each July that connects people from around the Comox Valley to the agricultural traditions and potential of this region. Each year, local residents are challenged to spend 30 days experiencing local food through farm and food producer tours, restaurant events, educational activities and demonstrations that showcase the work and bounty of the nearly 500 farms, food producers and food-related organizations in the Comox Valley.
“Seeds Food Market fits in with the Eat Local Food Challenge in many ways”, says Seeds owner Tina Willard-Stepan. “Our commitment year-round is to sell products from local farms and food producers as much as possible. This event is a great chance to highlight some of these products, and let people know about this commitment.”
Cumberland Community Schools Society is also excited about showcasing their newly revitalized, long-dormant community garden at the Elementary School in Cumberland. “It was really cool to grow our own vegetables and learn where some of our food comes from”, says one student participant. CCSS Coordinator Jeremy Grasby adds, “This is the kind of thing that Community Schools focuses on – community businesses, and participants coming together to strengthen our community through knowledge-sharing activities.”
Cumberland events will happen between 1:00 and 4:00 on Wednesday, July 14th. For more information about other events that are a part of the Comox Valley 30 Day Eat Local Food Challenge, visit www.ourbigearth.com
The 2 –day Comox Valley Shellfish Festival concluded yesterday and the combination of weather, attendance and record sales have organizers elated and already looking forward to next year’s event.
“First of all I have to thank Mother Nature for providing us with the best possible weather over the weekend, it couldn’t have been better. Our gala dinner for 200 guests at the Filberg Lodge was a huge success and we were able to raise $3,000 during our silent auction for Y.A.N.A. It was great seeing all nine chefs and their sous-chefs working collaboratively to prepare the finest nine-course seafood meal served on Vancouver Island,” said festival producer Matthew Wright.
Sunday in Comox Marina Park drew a throng of locals and visitors alike to the site to enjoy live music, a beer garden and plenty of tasty seafood treats.
“The festival day in Comox Park was also a huge success with record numbers in attendance which we estimate to be over 2,000 people. Our food vendors were sold out by 3 p.m. and the oyster shucking contest was a crowd favorite,” Wright said.
Nine competitors from as far away as Vancouver drew shucking knives and went toe-to-toe while a large crowd curiously watched and cheered them on. At the final tally, it was 23 year-old Comox Valley resident and line cook Devon Shute from Avenue Bistro who won the $500 cash prize.
Organizers were also extremely pleased with the amount of attention the festival generated this year culminating in a mention in this past weekend’s Globe & Mail as well as by the attendance of two food/travel TV shows from both internationally and nationally broadcast companies who will be highlighting the festival.
The festival would like to thank all the generous sponsors who generously donated to this year’s live auction including BC Ferries, West Coast Air, Cindy Mawle, The Old House Village Hotel & Spa, Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa, Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community, Atlas Café, Avenue Bistro, Horne Lake Caves, Mustang Survival, the Vancouver Aquarium, Mussels and More Pottery and Horne Lake Outdoor Centre.
Festival organizers are now setting their sights even higher for next year’s festival, stay tuned to developments at www.comoxvalleyshellfishfestival.ca
 Back in 2007, when firefly owners, Chelsea & Tenille were both pregnant they realized that there was nowhere in town to get maternity clothing, and later on nowhere for nursing-friendly clothing. Any of the clothing or gear they wanted for their kids was also unavailable locally, and shopping online isn’t always the same as in-person. The idea for a funky retail store for mums was hatched and firefly new beginnings held its grand opening in July 2008!
Since then they have been serving the Comox Valley specializing in stylish and comfortable maternity and nursing clothing for all the moms out there. They also carry a line of organic and funky clothing for babies and toddlers as well as baby carriers, locally produced goods including toys, soaps, diaper bags and so much more! Their store is also a Tupperware outlet, so drop by for a catalog and to have a look at items in-person.
Firefly also has a consignment section dedicated to top-quality and primarily brand name baby clothing and gear as well as growing selection of brand-name maternity clothing.
Since their business started a few years ago, firefly has been contributing and donating to YANA and local charities that tend to support young moms and families. They are also involved with Comox Valley Midwifery, Plum Midwifery, and the Comox Valley Doulas.
Consignment clothing which has been abandoned by the sellers is donated to the Too Good To Be Threw Thrift Shop, which then donates all proceeds to the Comox Valley Transition Society to benefit women and children in need.
Be sure to keep up to date with firefly’s blog, facebook, and twitter pages to learn about giveaways and tutorials for things like baby-wearing and craft workshops!
Firefly new beginnings
435 Fifth St, Courtenay
250.703.2848
www.fireflynewbeginnings.ca
Hours of Operation:
Monday : 12-5
Tuesday – Saturday : 10-5
Sunday : closed
Featured Comox Valley Business Column
Each week all summer long, We will be featuring a local Comox Valley Business! These featured businesses have not paid for these endorsements, but rather are hand picked by Comox Valley Guide. To have your business considered for inclusion check out our “ Featured Comox Valley Business” page for a submission form and more information!
If you’re looking for something to do this summer, consider taking in some FREE concerts at Filberg Park in Comox!
On Sundays each summer the Filberg hosts free performances from 2-4 pm for the whole family! Here is a look at the schedule for Summer 2010! The first concert starts this Sunday on Fathers Day, so be sure to get down to the park and take in some of the excitement!
June 20 – Georgia Strait Big Band
June 27 – Comox Valley Concert Band
July 04 – Gordon Carter
July 11 – Cure All Dance Band
July 18 – Fiddle Jam
July 25 – Jenn Forsland Group
Aug 22 – Todd Butler & Helen Austin
Aug 29 – Rio Samaya Band
Sept 05 – Luke Guthrie & Ali Romanow
Hello Everyone! In the coming months we will be looking at redesigning the Comox Valley Guide site. While we have a number of ideas being played with and a rough idea of the direction the design will take, would would love to hear from all our site visitors with what their thoughts are.
If you have any ideas about where you think we should go with design, navigation, content, or any other aspect at all with the site please contact us and let us know. The more info we are armed with, the more we can do to improve the site for you.
Also, please consider taking our short survey to help give us a full picture of where we need work.
Thank You,
Comox Valley Guide
Before I get into this article, I want to make it clear that this incident is not something that occurred here in the Comox Valley. It is however very relevant for any parents out there and as such I felt it important to raise attention.
A few days ago an 18 month old girl suffered second degree burns to her hands, knees, and stomach after going down a hot plastic slide at a playground in Des Moines Iowa.
The little girl was hospitalized and had golf ball sized blisters on both of her hands. This is also an incident that could have been avoided had her mother thought to check the slide first.
All that said, how many of us touch the playground equipment prior to letting our kids play? I for one have never done so – but I will now.
Upon later inspection the temperature of the slide was inspected and found to be as hot as 163 degrees! So while the weather here in the Comox Valley has not been all that hot lately, when it does warm up, be sure to check out the equipment before letting your little ones loose to play.
Here is the original article that I read on this: “Tot Badly Burned By Playground Slide”
(This does not appear to be an isolated incident. Doing a few Google searches brings up other similar incidences. Back in 2007 a two year old boy was badly burned by industrial strength drain cleaner that had been poured onto a slide by vandals. )
Lets keep our kids safe – be sure to inspect equipment before they play.
Twenty-Five years ago Rick Hansen kicked off the Man in Motion. Now the Comox Valley is building off this to launch the first Comox Valley Amazing Race.
The adventure will include participants in teams of two racing around the Comox Valley completing tasks, much like those found on the popular Emmy Award winning Television program. Teams must consist of at least one individual in a wheelchair or with a simulated disability.
To compete a requirement of at least $100 in donations is necessary along with their online registration. The event is set to raise funds to help those affected by spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.
The event takes place on Saturday June 19 from 2 to 4pm.
For more information contact Jim Milina at 250-339-2304 of visit www.ComoxValleyWheelsinMotion.com.
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