Do you have a question about drug use, addiction, mental health, relationships, sexuality, or other life issues? We've got you covered with real-life advice from those in the know.
October 21, 2019
by Megaphone Magazine
follow this author
by Megaphone Magazine
photos:
EMAIL / TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS: EDITOR@MEGAPHONE MAGAZINE.COM OR @MEGAPHONEMAG
Dear Pen Pals...
Are there things you’ve always wondered about but have felt too uncomfortable to ask someone? Is there an issue you just don’t understand but would like to learn more about? Do you need life advice?
Megaphone has the answers you need.
Welcome to Pen Pals, a feature that runs each month in our magazine.
Building on the open dialogue around drug use and addiction fostered by Megaphone’s Speakers Bureau program, we publish a monthly “advice column” that aims to encourage respectful discussion.
So fire away! We have the awesome folks who are involved with Speakers Bureau, as well as some of our seasoned vendors, standing by to dole out their two cents’ worth.
Agree or disagree, rant or rave, but please be concise and respectful. No profanity. And while we are supportive of an honest exchange of ideas, racist, sexist, homophobic or other denigrating comments will not be printed.
Dear Pen Pals,
I am visiting Victoria and I have no idea what I should do and see. Megaphone vendors are always out and about. Do you have any recommendations for what I should check out when I am in town?
We thought this would be a great question for longtime Victoria vendor Evelyn Baron, who is known for her recipes and multitude of hats. Evelyn sells Megaphone in Cook Street Village, on the corner of Cook and Oxford Streets.
Answer:
1. Hop on/hop off city bus tour: Runs every 40 minutes. You can catch it in the morning from in front of the world-famous Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria. This is the best way to see all the sights as it goes all around town and you can get on and off as you please,
2. Beacon Hill Park: Great place for a stroll and to have a picnic on the grass. If you have kids, there are plenty of playgrounds, two water parks and a petting zoo.
3. Cook Street Village: This wonderful community has lots of great restaurants, markets and shops in a cozy, heritage neighbourhood. Spend the afternoon eating, shopping and enjoying the slower pace. I sell there so don’t forget to come visit me and buy a Megaphone. I will be the one in the hat!
4. Get out of town: I am quite the homebody myself, but there is amazing nature all around our little town. Whale watching and visiting one of Vancouver Island’s old-growth forests are always popular with tourists.
5. Butchart Gardens: This is little bit out of downtown Victoria in Saanich, but it’s a lovely place to go enjoy the flowers and relax. Plus, there are fireworks every evening until December.
6. Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre: This area hosts the biggest names in entertainment. If you want to see a concert while you are in town, check out who is playing.
7. B.C. Parliament Buildings: Victoria is the capital and seat of government in this province. Check out our beautiful Parliament Buildings on Wharf Street and in addition to a daytime visit, be sure to see them at night when they are lit up. It’s a beautiful sight!
8. Restaurants: On every corner you go, there is somewhere fabulous to eat. Moxie’s Grill & Bar is a classic; try Millos for Greek; check out Romeo’s for Italian; and there are lots of great Chinese food eateries in Chinatown. We have a diverse ethnic population in Victoria, so you can enjoy cuisine from a different country every night you are here.
9. Chinatown: Victoria’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in B.C. There are so many wonderful buildings and shops and it is located right downtown.
The opinions expressed in Pen Pals are the sole opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the news of Megaphone or Street Corner Media Foundation.
Send your questions to editor@ megaphonemagazine.com, drop them off at the Megaphone office at 312 Main St. (at Cordova), or drop us a line on Twitter: @MegaphoneMag
Sign in with