This is Vancouver Island CBC Local

Vegans may be familiar with the idea of "carrot lox," but Aki Kaltenbach wants everyone to eat more plant-based seafood. She tells host Kathryn Marlow about her island-based company's carrot-based smoked salmon and jackfruit-based tuna - and her plans to expand into the U.S. market, while still keeping headquarters in greater Victoria. 

We talk about where to see live music in the Comox Valley, how you can watch it affordably, and why it’s worth getting off the couch to see something in person. Plus, why some local cultural organizations are lobbying for better public transit in the region.

Financial planner and millennial mom Courtney Castledine talks with host Kathryn Marlow about all the ways life has become less affordable - and jokes that if it weren't for the rising cost of one particular toddler-friendly food item, she might actually be able to retire. 

Longtime music fans were thrilled recently when Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder shouted out a legendary Victoria music venue. Harpo's Cabaret closed in 1995, but fans still reminisce about shows they saw there. So what made Harpo's so special? And what would the ideal music venue look like in 2024? We ask local musician, and Seaside Music Festival artistic director, Oliver Swain. 

When London Drugs closed for a week due to a cyberattack, many of us realized what a unique role it plays in our lives. Where else could you get a vacuum, toothpaste, and (once upon a time) an Atari 2600? On this episode we talk London Drugs - and other iconic brands on the Island. 

Hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail can be a transformative experience for locals and visitors alike. Learn more about the multi-day journey, its history, and things you can expect to see along it.