Life

Yes, it's that time again. Every year - or so it seems - Canadians head to the polls to choose their next federal government and this spring is no exception. The to start boning up on the ridings, candidates and issues on Vancouver Island.

Q A few years ago, armed with an Indian cookbook I received as a present, I set out to make some delicious Indian dishes. This went well, mostly, until I hit some recipes calling for mustard oil.

OPENING Rio (Cineplex Odeon, Empire University 4, SilverCity, Star) When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams.

Like many oenophiles, I embrace just about any reason to raid the wine cellar. Dinner parties, birthdays and writing a column for the Times Colonist all provide welcome licence.

Museum hosts environmental film festival

British Columbia's New Democrats are in the final days of a leadership race they say is less about naming a new Opposition leader than it is about selecting the province's next premier-inwaiting.

POSH CHARCOAL COLLABORATION DINING Address: 1063 Fort St., Victoria Tel: 250-382-7674 Open: Dinner, nightly from 5 p.m. Lunch, Friday and Saturday only Major credit cards and Interac accepted. Wheelchair accessible.

Q I have some chicken fillets in the freezer and would like to know the best way to use them, not spicy. Julie Campbell AChicken fillets are boneless, tender strips of meat located near the centre of the breast.

A month after raising more than $20,000 to kick-start her feature film debut, Victoria Westcott is sharing the wealth.

Q In France I was served a yogurt-like substance called fromage blanc. This stuff is like yogurt on steroids. It is so delicious it's difficult to control yourself around it.