Summer Fun - Cheap

By Doreen Marion Gee

Heaven is sliding my tired feet into those soft slippers after a long day! At $3 for gently used wool-lined suede slippers, the Community Closet in James Bay gives shoppers a real bang for their buck.  A pair of top-of-the-line sandals from the same shop cost me about one tenth of the actual value. These are the stellar deals in secret corners of James Bay and Victoria.  During this recession, saving money is a necessity. Around our community are many free and affordable ways to enjoy entertainment and recreation, learn something new and fill your stomach, closet and home. Of course you can always run along Dallas Road beach which is totally free.

Super Chance in James Bay Square is a treasure chest of gently used household items. They also have a few new gems, like my clunky sixties style necklace. Savvy bargain hunters can check out the thrift store at the United Church (517 Michigan). Real value for your buck comes from recycled high quality brand name products. My "Bare Traps" sandals from the Community Closet are a steal at $6. For those who trek downtown, Value Village is a cornucopia of used fashion clothing for under $10 and furniture and household items at a fraction of the cost. A delicious little Victoria secret is Dots on Yates. They buy new brand name clothes that have been discontinued or discarded but are still in perfect condition. At $6 for new gorgeous in-fashion blouses and skirts, these are a godsend to the frugal shopper. Some things are worth a special trip - like spices for $1 at the downtown Dollar Store.

If I was facing execution and I had to choose my last meal, I would scream "Halibut!" In my hunt for the best halibut deal in Victoria, James Bay Fish and Chips wins the prize. At $7.95 for one piece of halibut, chips and coleslaw, it is the lowest price in Victoria. Around James Bay, there are ample eating joints for those of us on tight budgets. You can get a Quesadilla for $2.38 from Serious Coffee or a low priced healthy lunch from Subway for about $5. James Bay Community Centre's Seniors' Dinner Program offers delicious low cost meals. But if you just want to indulge yourself, you can savour a Chai Latte (under $ 4) at James Bay Coffee and Books - the tastiest in town, in my opinion.

You can always get champagne deals on a beer budget. When it comes to recreation and exercise, the city's Leisure Involvement For Everyone program opens the door for those on low incomes. Eligible participants get 52 free passes a year to exercise classes in all of the recreation centres in Victoria. In addition, preschoolers and singles get a $40 credit for a program of their choice and youth receive a $60 credit. I used my credit to buy a membership in James Bay New Horizons (so I can get one of their $10 manicures). It is worth opening up an account at ScotiaBank, just to get their Scene card. Two instant free movies come with the card - plus more free movies as your Interac purchases stack up. If you are a Telus customer, Tuesdays are half price at the Odeon and SilverCity when you buy a movie and a regular popcorn and drink. On Reel Deal Tuesdays, movies at Empire Theatres are only $5.99. The Royal BC Museum holds interesting free events all year, like the Live@Lunch Series. Check out their website and the Facebook page for free events during the summer. In the Fall, the free UVic Downtown Lecture Series at the Greater Victoria Public Library is simply out of this world. Lectures by scholars like Andrew Petter excite the mind. The James Bay New Horizons offers a lot of free and low cost fun for adults of any age.

Beacon Hill Park is always an enchanting destination for those of all ages. Bring your popcorn to free B-Movies and outdoor concerts in the Cameron Shell this summer. Revel in the daily goat stampede and dancing lambs at the Petting Zoo (by donation). Take in some golf in the putting green and try your skills at cricket or lawn bowling. Children will love the two water parks. Luminara is a free summer highlight not to be missed.

For book lovers, James Bay Coffee and Books is a low priced adventure.  If you want to take a fascinating journey into the history of James Bay's architecture, pick up a brochure and do your own Heritage Walking Tour. This is by no means a comprehensive menu of affordable goodies. It is merely a taste to whet your appetite.