MicCHEK

In this episode we chat with the founder of CRAFT Beer Market to learn what's in store when the former Canoe Brewpub reopens under a new name this summer. Bocce anyone?

We're looking for the best of the best in Tofino, and not the places everyone's heard of. We want to hear from locals about where they eat and what they do for fun. In this episode, we've lined up three locals to give us their favourite beach, restaurant, quick bite (like a coffee shop), activity, and miscellaneous pick for the best their community has to offer. Also in this episode (34:40), a look at a unique food truck on the south island that's not just filling up bellies but also helping our next generation of great island chefs.

In the last few months, there have been multiple collisions between pedestrians and vehicles on Greater Victoria streets. As a result, local governments are currently exploring ways to protect the most vulnerable road users. In this episode, we asked two of the region's most vocal advocates for cycling and walking to come on and discuss possible solutions to making the Capital Regional district safer.

Time to bring in the experts. In this roundtable, we asked the team behind Zambri's and Big Wheel Burger to lay out what THEY think are the Top 10 restaurants in the capital city. They've turned their restaurants into staples in Victoria and know the chefs and staff at some of the finest restaurants in the region, so they understand quality food. After a brief history of Zambri's we dive into their picks and then we head up to the Comox Valley for this week's Order Up spotlight featuring Pizza Guerrilla in Courtenay.

It's one of the biggest misconceptions when homeowners receive their property assessments in the mail. This year many islanders saw a whopping increase in their assessment rate and some immediately feared their property tax would jump as well. In this episode we chat with a BC Mayor who has taken on the somewhat complicated task of clarifying the difference between property assessments and property tax. If you're confused by the two, this episode is for you.

Who makes the best potato chip on planet earth? And should tortilla chips, corn chips, sweet potato chips be included in the discussion? These are the questions we set out to answer in our first ROUNDTABLE of 2022. With the help of an employee from Hardbite, BC's major chip company we put forth our list of the Top 20 chips (ROUNDTABLE starts at the 6:20 mark). Also in this episode, a new feature to our Friday episodes. Every week we plan to highlight an island restaurant or business and in the inaugural "Order Up" spotlight we head to Fernwood to meet Tamara Parks, the owner of Fern Cafe and Bakery (Order Up starts just after the 1 hour mark).

Vancouver Island is home base for many of Canada's national athletic teams, including the home of many of the country's top climbers. Tosh Sherkat moved to Victoria from Nelson to go to school and pursue his dream of climbing for the national team. Recently though, he decided to leave the team over an ethical dilemma involving the climate crisis and Canada's history of Indigenous oppression. He joined us to talk about his decision.

We're back! After a longer than expected December break Joe and Kyle return with their first episode of 2022. In this episode Joe shares his experience testing positive for Covid-19. The two also put a bow on 2021 with the first MicCHEK CHEKie Awards handed out to the best island restaurants of the past year. Listen as some familiar ROUNDTABLE guests return with their CHEKie picks.
[CHEKie Awards start at 48 minutes]

The City of Victoria is in the process of overhauling its noise bylaw. The bylaw hasn't really been touched in nearly two decades but council hasn't decided what will change. Should gas-powered leaf blowers be banned? Should the beeping noise large city vehicles make when they back up be eliminated? Should bylaw officers work later and on weekends to crack down on partiers making a racket in the early hours of the day? These are all questions that are on the table which we address in a conversation with Victoria Councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

The most wonderful time of the year, eh? Not so fast. Look, we love December and the holiday season but we can’t gloss over all of the added stress we all feel this time of year. In this episode we’ve asked some of the nicest humans we know to put their joy to the side for a moment, and help us compile a list of the Top 20 things that really grind our gears during the holiday season. Happy Holidays!