Blog > February 2024 Newsletter - Dine out gems, family events, and more
In January, I was humbled and honoured to be named Best of Parksville by Rank My Agent for the third consecutive year! This recognition is a testament to the trust and support of my wonderful clients. It's a privilege to serve this community, and I'm grateful for the relationships built along my real estate journey.
Thank you for your continued trust and confidence.
Recognitions aside, I love being a realtor because I get to share all the reasons why Central Vancouver Island is a wonderful place to live. In this month’s newsletter, I’ll be sharing dining destinations and family-friendly events in the spirit of Family Day
Local Restaurants Deliver Bold Flavours
Dine About Mid-Island is the local region’s annual festival for foodies. During their recent run, I visited two restaurants and they both blew my socks off!
Horang Korean-inspired restaurant and bar
6367 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo
It was my first time trying this restaurant since it opened in 2022. I ordered the Dine About “Galbi Hansang” 5-course dinner which included a dumpling soup, yuza salad, tiger prawn gang jung (sweet and spicy glaze), and the main course of Galbi-Jjim (a soy braised beef short rib). And if you can believe it, I still had room for the blueberry Basque cheesecake!
The food and atmosphere were amazing. I was so immersed in the experience I forgot to take photos! This means you’ll have to try it for yourself, and conveniently, Horang is just across the street from Costco and Woodgrove Mall.
7143 Caillet Road, Lantzville
The following weekend, my friends and I went to one of our favourite restaurants, Camas in Lantzville. This time, I remembered to take photos of our Dine About meal!
Albacore tuna appetizer
Sole with Salt Spring Island clams
Drinking chocolate with amaretto biscuits
Camas never fails to impress. Dinner was delicious and the atmosphere and service are always perfect. We’ll be back!
Declutter Your Stress Away
Are you overwhelmed with stuff in your living space? At the latest Island Living Today talk, I was joined by Rae-Lynn Varga, Downsizing Specialist and Owner of Refine Home Inc. We discussed how to get ready to sell your home and how to bring harmony into your daily life.
Some highlights included:
- Giving yourself lots of time to prepare for downsizing
- Starting with an easier space to practice categorizing items into Keep, Donate, Sell & Discard piles
- Asking how many you need of something and how often you use that item
We covered lots more so catch the full recording now!
Island Living Today will return on March 6, 2024 to explore the topic of real estate planning. More details will arrive in your inbox soon.
Popular Recycle BC Pop-Up Depot Continues in 2024
Did you know? The top seven materials that are not accepted in the curbside recycling cart are: flexible plastic (soft and crinkly plastic), glass, scrap metal, books, electronics, durable plastic products, and hazardous materials.
Luckily, on select Saturdays in 2024, you can visit 1080 Industrial Way, Parksville between 10am to 3pm to drop off the following materials free of charge:
- Flexible Plastic Packaging
- White and Coloured Foam Packaging
- Glass Packaging
- Paper Packaging and Cardboard
The next pop-up depot will be on March 2, so get your recycling ready!
Get the full 2024 schedule using this link
Optimism for the Spring Market
In January 2024, 152 single-family homes were sold on Vancouver Island, down 6% from a year ago but up slightly from December. Sales of condos and row/townhomes were significantly higher compared to one year ago, increasing by 12% and 14% respectively. Local agents have observed that more homes are up for sale and moderately priced options are selling quickly. It appears that buyers and sellers are experiencing more optimism about the market so an active spring may be on the horizon.
Community Events to Explore
Feb 17 | 6pm-8pm
Nanoose Bay Cafe (3521 Dolphin Dr, Nanoose Bay)
Enjoy complimentary live music while you dine at Nanoose Bay Cafe. This session will serve up tunes by Gary Lovell, a local piano player/vocalist raised in the Oceanside area.
Feb 19 | 1pm-4pm
Qualicum Beach Museum (587 Beach Road, Qualicum Beach)
Stop by for an afternoon of fish-related fun and exploration! Discover crafts, scavenger hunts, prizes and plenty of salmon education. Featuring special guests Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers. All ages and families welcome. No admission required.
Feb 22 to Mar 10
Village Theatre (110 W 2nd Ave, Qualicum Beach)
A romantic comedy with a handy supply of humour, this play is a witty exploration of unexpected love. In 1972, the Duke of Windsor (Edward VIII) dies in exile at the age of 78. Two weeks later, in Canada, an 80-year-old woman in a small town named Galt has her tombstone engraved, claiming to be his wife. Flashback to 1919 as Edward, then holding the official title of the Prince of Wales, visits Canada as an emissary of the King, bored with the pomp and circumstance, he slips away from his official duties and begins a romance with a charming young woman.
Feb 25 | 9am-11am
Country Club Centre (3200 North Island Highway, Nanaimo)
Nanaimo Science has organized a large-scale expo featuring non-profit organizations and science-related providers for families since 2014. Kids and their parents/caregivers are invited to explore hands-on science education! Pre-purchase tickets at Nanaimo Science or Country Club Centre's Information/Lotto booth. Tickets are also available at the door, but lineups are expected. Cash only: $5 per person, $20 for families of 4 or more, free for children under 2.
Mar 3 | 10am-3pm
Nanaimo District Secondary School (355 Wakesiah Ave, Nanaimo)
Nanaimo Seedy Sunday is a local event where you can purchase locally produced seeds, participate in a seed exchange and gain knowledge to grow your own successful garden! $3 admission. Registration required for educational workshops on backyard livestock and backyard composting.