Hello, and welcome to the November edition of The Island Brief.
There's a lot to share this month: a new look for VanIsleNet, a free offer for every business that has claimed its listing, more than fifty new Island businesses in the directory, and a November calendar that is filling up fast with markets, concerts and the first holiday events of the season.
A fresh new look for VanIsleNet
If you've visited lately, you may have noticed some changes. Over the past few weeks I rebuilt VanIsleNet around one simple idea: it should be quick and easy to use, especially on your phone.
- Faster pages. The site now runs on a new West Coast server, much closer to home, so pages load noticeably faster across the Island.
- A cleaner, compact layout. Listing and event cards are smaller and tidier, so you can see more without endless scrolling.
- Search that stays with you. The search bar now sits at the top of every page, and new category buttons take you straight to what you're looking for.
- Happening this weekend. The homepage now shows a few events coming up this weekend.
- Easy to read for everyone. The site still meets accessibility standards, and you can pick larger text whenever you'd like.
I hope it feels like a handy tool you'll keep coming back to. If something doesn't look right, or you have an idea, just reply to this email. I read every message.
Try a Featured listing free until January 1, 2027
If you've claimed your business listing on VanIsleNet, you can now try a Featured listing free for 60 days, or until January 1, 2027.
A Featured listing puts your business in front of more people:
- A spot near the top of the homepage and your category pages
- Photos on your listing
- A map on your own listing page
- A highlighted card that stands out from the regular listings
Featured spots are limited on each page, so they don't get crowded. To start your trial, log in to your owner dashboard and choose Featured.
Haven't claimed your listing yet? Find your business in the directory and click "Claim this listing." It's free, takes a few minutes, and lets you update your own details, hours and description at any time.
Now Featured on VanIsleNet
A big thank you to the first businesses trying Featured:
Bussard Grove Pottery (Sooke)
Courtenay Plumbing (Courtenay)
Friesens Heating & Air Conditioning (Qualicum Beach)
Cedarswell (Courtenay)
Welcome to our newest members
These businesses added or claimed their own listings this past month. Welcome aboard!
Cedarswell (Courtenay): Soft vintage-style hoodies, crewnecks and stickers inspired by Vancouver Island, designed in Courtenay.
InflataFun VI (Nanaimo): A family-owned bouncy castle and party rental company for kids' birthdays and events.
Geoff Howe Photography (Victoria): Event photography for corporate events, conferences and government relations.
Draws Media (Comox): Marketing and media services from the Comox Valley.
TradesWebsites (Victoria): Websites built for Vancouver Island trades.
Slack Tide Therapy (Sooke/Colwood): Counselling and therapy on the West Shore.
Terra Nova Plumbing (Courtenay): A family-owned plumbing, heating, gas fitting and drainage company serving the Comox Valley since 1983.
Daves' Bakery (Campbell River): A scratch bakery in Willows Market baking European-style breads, sandwiches, soup and sweets.
Eagles Aerie #2546 (Duncan): A non-profit Fraternal Order of Eagles club with a licensed lounge and an affordable 300-guest community hall.
New in the directory, from every corner of the Island
More than fifty businesses joined VanIsleNet this past month. Here's one from each region:
Oak Bay Flower Shop (Victoria): Arrangements, plants, orchids and gift baskets in Oak Bay Village, with same-day delivery.
In The Beantime Cafe (Ladysmith): Breads, desserts and meals made from scratch, with coffee roasted in-house.
Gabriola Sea Kayaking (Nanaimo): Guided sea kayak trips from the Gulf Islands to the Broken Group and Clayoquot Sound.
L'îlette Café & Bakery (Qualicum Beach): A French-inspired bakery making sourdough and pastries from scratch with freshly milled organic grains.
Latitude 49N (Courtenay): Outdoor and camping gear, from tents and sleeping bags to rain jackets and merino layers.
Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre (Campbell River): A lakeside adventure lodge on Upper Campbell Lake with guided climbing, zip lining, paddling and hiking.
Cameron Ocean Adventures (Ucluelet): Whale watching and bear watching tours leaving daily from downtown Ucluelet.
Folk Stock and Trade (Salt Spring Island): Curated kitchenware, bath and body, stationery, jewellery and home decor.
Cove Adventure Tours (Port Hardy): Guided hikes on the North Island, including San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park.
Browse all 852 Island businesses
November on the Island
Every Saturday: Duncan Farmers' Market, City Square, Downtown Duncan. Details
An evening with Red Dirt Skinners: Island tour. The duo is playing halls and churches around the Island this month:
Wed, Nov 4, Campbell River · Thu, Nov 5, Port Alberni · Sat, Nov 7, Duncan · Sun, Nov 8, Sooke · Mon, Nov 9, Victoria · Tue, Nov 10, Salt Spring Island
Got Stones! A Night of Rolling Stones. Fri, Nov 6, McPherson Playhouse, Victoria. Details
Christmas in the Valley. Fri, Nov 6 to Sun, Nov 8, Alberni Athletic Hall, Port Alberni. Details
Paranormal Investigation of the Heriot Bay Inn. Fri, Nov 6 to Sat, Nov 7, Quadra Island. Details
18th Annual Intuitive Arts Festival. Sat, Nov 7 to Sun, Nov 8, da Vinci Centre, Victoria. Details
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. Fri, Nov 13 to Wed, Dec 23, Chemainus Theatre Festival. Details
Campbell River Art Gallery Holiday Faire. Sat, Nov 14 to Wed, Dec 23, Campbell River Art Gallery. Details
Holiday Winter Market. Sat, Nov 14 to Sun, Nov 15, Glenwood Centre, Port Alberni. Details
Crash Test Dummies: Jingle All the Way. Tue, Nov 17, The Port Theatre, Nanaimo. Details
Cedar & Yellow Point Country Christmas Arts Tour. Thu, Nov 19 to Sun, Nov 29, artisan studios around Cedar. Details
Holiday by the Harbour. Fri, Nov 20 to Sun, Nov 22, Downtown Comox. Details
Christmas Starts at the Farm. Fri, Nov 20 to Sun, Nov 22, Merridale Cidery & Distillery, Cobble Hill. Details
Parksville Holiday Sparkle Tree Lighting. Fri, Nov 20, Memorial Plaza, Parksville. Details
Moonlight & Magic: Elf Yourself! Fri, Nov 20, Downtown Courtenay. Details
Barracuda with special guest All Fired Up. Fri, Nov 20, Port Alberni. Details
Got Stones! A Night of Rolling Stones. Sat, Nov 21, Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, Duncan. Details
Sugar & Spice, Naughty & Nice: A Community Empowerment Fashion Show. Sat, Nov 21, Campbell River Sportsplex. Details
Ladysmith Festival of Lights. Thu, Nov 26, Downtown Ladysmith. Details
Tofino Oyster Festival. Fri, Nov 27 to Sun, Nov 29, Tofino Community Hall. Details
Nanaimo Christmas Village. Fri, Nov 27 to Sat, Nov 28, Wellington Hall, Nanaimo. Free entry. Details
Magic Valley Market. Fri, Nov 27 to Sun, Nov 29, Alberni Athletic Hall, Port Alberni. Details
Eagles Aerie #2546: Celebrating 80 Years in Duncan. Sat, Nov 28, Eagles Hall, Duncan. Details
Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade. Sat, Nov 28, Downtown Sidney. Details
Campbell River Toy and Craft Show. Sat, Nov 28 to Sun, Nov 29, Campbell River Sportsplex. Details
Cumberland WinterFaire. Sat, Nov 28 to Sun, Nov 29, Cumberland Cultural Centre & Museum. Details
Country Grocer Christmas Parade. Sun, Nov 29, Main Street, Lake Cowichan. Details
Hosting an event? Community groups, halls and organizers can add their events to VanIsleNet for free. It's one of the easiest ways to let the whole Island know what's happening.
Thank you for being part of the VanIsleNet community. Whether you run a business, organize events, or just love finding what's happening around the Island, I'm glad you're here. If you know someone who would enjoy The Island Brief, please pass it along.
See you around the Island,
Mike Perks
VanIsleNet: Vancouver Island's business directory and events calendar
hello@vanislenet.net