FEBRUARY I MARCH 2019
VICTORIA LIFE AT ITS FINEST
WORK, PLAY, REBOOT WHITE HOT WEEKEND Gems to spark romance
MODERN DELIGHT Seamless beauty in a classy Gonzales home
THE INFLUENCERS Business people who inspire
design | build | enjoy 778 351 4088 | villamar.ca
CONTENTS 122
44 FEATURES
On the Cover Photo by Lia Crowe Sizzle Models Krystal Hanson and Jeff Baker are seen on location at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, wearing beautiful pieces from select jewellery stores and fashion boutiques in Victoria. Styling by Jen Clark FASHION
44
28 MODERN DELIGHT
52 FOREST BATHING
Seamless beauty — inside and out — at a custom Gonzales area house.
A reboot for the body, mind and soul
By Lauren Kramer
By Angela Cowan 74 THE INFLUENCERS
40 A BUSINESS IN FOCUS
Three generations of the Maycock family
By Tess van Straaten
People making a difference in Victoria’s business community
44 WHITE HOT WEEKEND
Precious time spent; precious gems beautifully set
By Jen Clark
122 PIEROGI PLEASE! This classic Polish dish is cosy, hearty and richly flavoured
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By Lia Crowe, Don Denton and Sean McIntyre
F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 9
By Chef Heidi Fink
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28
14
DEPARTMENTS
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
18
inspiredHEALTH
142 TRAVEL NEAR & FAR
12
EDITOR’S LETTER
How to Live a Long, Charmed Life
Glitz & Glamour A Cunard Cruise
Out of the Woods
By Pamela Durkin
By Suzanne Morphet
14
inspiredSTYLE
CG Morrison and Anna Quinn
By Lia Crowe
16
inspiredDINING
French Twist: The Courtney Room
By Chelsea Forman
8
148 FRONT ROW 24 inspiredPEOPLE
What’s on this Month
A Passion for People Mary Ploegsma
By Robert Moyes
By Chelsea Forman
158 SECRETS & LIVES
132 TRAVEL FAR
Good Wood: Jason Good
Ah, Jamaica. Living Well in Paradise
By Erin McPhee
By Susan Lundy
162 BEHIND THE STORY
By Lia Crowe
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OURCONTRIBUTORS
JEN CLARK MAKEUP ARTIST/ STYLIST: WHITE HOT WEEKEND
“The models did such a fabulous job! Krystal and Jeff made this playful and sensual fashion story come to life. Makeup-wise, I choose to keep the focus on Krystal’s gorgeous eyes, bringing in classic elements, like tons of liquid liners and heavy on the lashes... you can’t go wrong.” Jen is a Victoria-based makeup artist.
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V I C T O R I A L I F E AT I T S F I N E S T F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 9
PUBLISHER Mario Gedicke 250.891.5627
ANGELA COWAN WRITER: MODERN DELIGHT
PAGE 28
LIA CROWE PHOTOGRAPHER: THE INFLUENCERS
PAGE 74
“It was so fun chatting with Damon about NZ Builders’ modern project in Gonzales, and travelling down memory lane with him. He had so many fun stories about the build and the relationships they developed with the homeowners!” Angela Cowan is an award-winning writer and editor who contributes regularly to Boulevard magazine. Find her on Twitter @angela_m_cowan.
“Creating our feature The Influencers is always a highly complex endeavour. But we pulled it off, thanks to the incredibly inspiring 1515 Douglas Street location and the people we worked with there, particularly the building’s security man, Kevan Dalzell, who was a pleasure to work with.” Lia is a stylist, creative director, photographer and writer with a long history of working in the fashion industry.
GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto
EDITOR Susan Lundy
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan
DESIGN Lorianne Koch Michelle Gjerde Cara Robbins ADVERTISING Mario Gedicke Pat Brindle Vicki Clark CONTRIBUTING Angela Cowan, Lia Crowe, WRITERS Pamela Durkin, Heidi Fink, Janice Jefferson, Erin McPhee, Robert Moyes, Bruce Sach, Tess van Straaten, Jane Zatylny CONTRIBUTING Lia Crowe, Don Denton, PHOTOGRAPHERS Geoff Hobson CIRCULATION & Marilou Pasion DISTRIBUTION 604.542.7411 TRENDING ONLINE:
DON DENTON BOULEVARD PHOTOGRAPHER: PIEROGI PLEASE!
PAGE 122
HEIDI FINK WRITER: PIEROGI PLEASE!
PAGE 122
“Pierogi, perogy, pyrogy, pirohi, pyrohy can be spelled many ways but the simple, dough-filled dumpling has come a long way since my mother made them one way — stuffed with cheese and potato — and my mother-in-law another, stuffed with dry curd cottage cheese and no additions except for toppings. The tasty variations Chef Heidi Fink came up with showcase some of the flavour possibilities. Who even needs to argue now whether they are better boiled or fried?” Don has photographed numerous high-profile events, including the Olympics, World Hockey Championships and a Royal wedding. “I do not use written recipes for my pierogi fillings; I mix ingredients until they taste good. For this issue’s article on pierogi-making, I had to nail down my fillings to create a structured recipe, meaning I had the pleasure of making pierogi several times over the last few weeks. I don’t normally make them so frequently; so for the first time ever, I felt like I got my fill of peirogi (and my appetite for the homemade ones is large). Delicious!” Heidi Fink is a chef, food writer and culinary instructor, specializing in local foods and ethnic cuisines.
View Boulevard’s Fashion Friday
www.vicnews.com/life Any device. Any time.
FEBRUARY I MARCH 2019
VICTORIA LIFE AT ITS FINEST
WORK, PLAY, REBOOT WHITE HOT WEEKEND Gems to spark romance
MODERN DELIGHT Seamless beauty in a classy Gonzales home
THE INFLUENCERS Business people who inspire
ADVERTISE Boulevard Magazine is British Columbia’s leading lifestyle magazine, celebrating 26 years of publishing. To advertise or to learn more about advertising opportunities please send us an email at info@blvdmag.ca Mailing Address: 818 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1E4 Tel: 250.381.3484 Fax: 250.386.2624
CHELSEA FORMAN WRITER: A PASSION FOR PEOPLE
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“Chatting with renowned portraiture artist Mary Ploegsma, I begin to understand the true art of human beings both on canvas and off, while gaining some perspective on how to lead a life full of great adventure and discovery at any age.” Chelsea has had the opportunity to build her career writing about the people and places that make this diverse province so special.
F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 0 1 9
info@blvdmag.ca boulevardmagazines.com
Victoria Boulevard® is a registered trademark of Black Press Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Ideas and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Black Press Group Ltd. or its affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents, both implied or assumed, of any advertisement in this publication. Printed in Canada. Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #42109519.
OURCONTRIBUTORS
JANICE JEFFERSON
LAUREN KRAMER
ERIN MCPHEE
WRITER: DESIGNER NEW WAVE
WRITER: FOREST BATHING
WRITER: GOOD WOOD
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PAGE 52
“Coral, vibrant red, baby pink with hits of black and white will give you the ‘80s edge you’ll want to stay ahead of the design game.” Janice is an Interior Designer who creates well-functioning spaces with an eye-catching mix of playfulness and refinement.
“I’ve been an avid forest walker since childhood, so learning about the regenerative benefits of Shinrin-yoku came as no surprise — I always feel refreshed, clear-headed and replenished after a peaceful forest walk.” Focussing on food and travel, Lauren is an award-winning Richmond-based writer and a mother to four children who inspire her daily.
“It was inspiring to hear about the things that drive woodworker Jason Good: his work ethic, cultivated at an early age, and his interest in creating art in the every day.” New Brunswick-born and a longtime Vancouverite, Erin McPhee is a professional communicator and award-winning writer currently getting to know Victoria.
SUSAN MORPHET
ROBERT MOYES
LEANNA RATHKELLY
WRITER: GLAMOUR AND GLITZ
WRITER: FRONT ROW
PHOTOGRAPHER: MODERN DELIGHT
PAGE 148
PAGE 28
PAGE 142
“Cunard has such a long and fascinating history that a cruise on one of their ocean liners feels a bit like going back in time — back to an era when ‘getting there was half the fun.’ I love that their ships recall the glamour of those days and give guests the chance to play along on multiple gala evenings.” Suzanne is a freelance writer based in Victoria.
“The edition’s Front Row is a collection of all things artsy, fun and spectacular happening here this February and March. Enjoy Phoenix Theatre’s production of a classic absurdist comedy by Morris Panych, the vivid physicality and beautiful aesthetic of Ballet BC, and a stageful of Victoria performers exploring the deeper meaning of Valentine’s.” A born and bred Victoria native, Robert is a longtime freelancer and editor whose main focus these days is arts journalism.
TESS VAN STRAATEN WRITER: A BUSINESS IN FOCUS
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“Shooting from scaffolding built for me by the terrific team at NZ Builders, the peacefulness of the urban street at twilight was remarkable. Neighbours stopped to chat about Gonzales Modern, birds twittered softly in the absence of traffic, and the new home glowed, tucked into this lovely old neighbourhood.” Leanna is a commercial photographer specializing in architecture and portraiture who creates powerful imagery for businesses.
“Lots of family businesses can start to run into trouble with the third generation but it’s easy to see Maycock Eyecare is in good hands. Jason and Carrie Maycock are passionate about eye care and eye wear, and the funky red frames Carrie was wearing for our interview made me wish I needed glasses!” Tess is an award-winning journalist and television personality who has had the privilege of interviewing people for more than two decades.
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EDITOR’SLETTER
Out of the woods BY SUSAN LUNDY
T
PHOTO BY LIA CROWE
our five acres looked apocalyptic. We HE forest has long been had at least 16 trees down, including six my sanctuary and I can across our driveway, plus one massive recall to this day all the fir uprooted and (still) hanging in the paths, hidden crevices trees. The road at the top of our driveway and mossy knolls of looked like it had been hit by a bomb with “the woods” near my wires hanging everywhere, a transformer childhood home in Ten Mile Point — smashed on the pavement, trees down although much of it is now covered by a and a hydro pole sheared in half. subdivision. And between the popularity For someone who’s hugged a tree or of Shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” two in her lifetime, the devastation was and the celebrity of bestselling book heartbreaking: we lost a grand, old, The Hidden Life of Trees, the forest moss-covered maple tree and a 100-yearis emerging as a realm of therapeutic old cedar, as well as fir and alders; and substance, not to mention a place where the scape of our forest has changed trees apparently communicate with each dramatically. The forest clean-up is other within a social network. ongoing — on the bright side, we now If, as The Hidden Life of Trees author have several years’ worth of firewood — Peter Wohlleben suggests, trees do and plans are afoot to plant 16 new trees communicate with each other — sharing this spring. Stories about the windstorm nutrients with ailing neighbours and will be told for years. warning of impending danger — there The trees and forests featured in this issue of Boulevard exist in was a lot of tree chatter going on in the wooded acreage of my home on Salt Spring Island when a massive windstorm hit in late a somewhat calmer environment as writer Lauren Kramer explores Shinrin-yoku in our feature story “Forest Bathing.” (I suppose one December. Working at my home office that day, I was barely cognizant of could point out that trees involved in the making of the magazine are actually in a less happy environment — and I concur.) the wind outside until a sudden crack and crash coincided with Beyond forests, there is much to read in this edition, not the the power going out. Losing power isn’t unusual in a windstorm. least of which is our annual feature The Influencers, which But the tree in our front yard — which narrowly missed the beautifully and artfully provides insight to a host of people who barbecue and the side of the house, but crushed an outdoor are making a difference in this city’s business community. table — was unexpected. We ran outside, becoming increasingly Readers can tour a beautiful shocked at the force of the gusts. As In fact, all hell was breaking Gonzales home, travel with me to we surveyed the front yard damage, Jamaica or take a Cunard cruise with two trees came slamming down near loose on our property and the writer Suzanne Morphet. They can the driveway, one brushing the side road leading to it. Branches fell consider Pamela Durkin’s tips on of a truck, the other landing on an outbuilding. like rain and cracks and thuds achieving longevity; feast on Chef Heidi Fink’s pierogi; check out a In fact, all hell was breaking loose on our property and the road leading to reverberated through the forest. restaurant renovation; incorporate a little ‘80s rock ’n’ roll into home it. Branches fell like rain and cracks and design; and revel in the beauty of gorgeous local jewellery. thuds reverberated through the forest. My husband and his friend Meet Jason Good, CG Morrison and Anna Quinn, artist Mary grabbed chainsaws and set out to cut a tree off our neighbour’s Ploegsma and Jason and Carrie Maycock. We hope you enjoy the driveway as the gusts continued to swirl around us. My elder journey through these pages. daughter — home for the holidays — and I walked with them, Back at our home, amid our forest clean-up, I was happy to stunned to see a massive tree tangled in broken wires and hanging discover several tree seedlings that have taken root and now, precariously across the road, with vehicles trying to drive under with increased light in the forest canopy, have a better chance of it. As Bruce and Julian moved on to clearing the roadway (luckily growing. But most inspiring, I came upon an old fir stump that the wires were all dead at this point), a primal journalistic instinct has two cedar trees growing from it, the cedars’ roots snaking kicked in and I said to Danica, “We need to get photos!” down the sides, intertwined with the fir’s bark. Both discoveries And so we set off. The wind was blowing hard but it wasn’t a were, for me, heart-warming reminders that the forest — my steady force — it was the gusts that hit alarming speeds. We quickly realized this walk was a bad idea and turned back, but as lifelong sanctuary — has the ability to regenerate itself. And I hope that’s what the trees are talking about now. the wind suddenly revved up again with fury, we heard cracks in Susan Lundy has been writing stories since she was six years three directions above us. Not knowing where the branches and old. She has a degree in creative writing from the University of trees were falling, we dove into a bus shelter, hearts hammering. Victoria and, after working for many years as an award-winning Then we ran for home! journalist, is now a magazine editor, author and freelance writer. By the end of the storm, which raged for about eight hours,
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inspired STYLE
Both originally from Victoria, Anna and CG are a couple who share a passion for health and fitness, family and the outdoors. Clearly, they also share an appreciation for expressing their style with beautiful tattoos. Here are some of their favourite things, which add up to some mighty fine style. BY LIA CROWE
Anna Quinn SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETER FOR CHATTERBLOCK
“Good style to me is a clean look with pops of colour, some name brands but not too many. I like it when people take a little bit of a risk. I have a lot of tattoos — got my first one at 20 — but at some point you start running out of space.”
FASHION & BEAUTY
STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE
STYLE ICON: Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, and Amber Rose. FAVOURITE ARTIST: Johnny Murdoch, Victoria tattoo artist. PIECE OF ART: Tattoos. FAV PRINT MAGAZINE: National Geographic. FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT: Ebizo and Il Terrazzo. FAVOURITE COCKTAIL/WINE: Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon. ALBUM ON CURRENT ROTATION: Hip hop playlists always. FAVOURITE FLOWER: White orchids. FAVOURITE CITY TO VISIT: Montreal. FAVOURITE HOTEL: Fairmont. FAVOURITE APP: Spotify. FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE 14 boulevardmagazines.com | F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H WHOLE WORLD: Victoria.
2019
UNIFORM: High-waisted skinny jeans and bodysuits. ALL-TIME FAVOURITE PIECE: YSL chain wallet. CURRENTLY COVETING: The Grete Jacket by Wilfred Free. FAVOURITE PAIR OF SHOES: “I always have a pair of Chuck Taylors (have about 5 pairs now). I’m obsessing over Dr. Martens right now too.” FAVOURITE DAY-BAG: Louis Vuitton Neverfull (“Basic but fits everything I need for work/day”). FAVOURITE WORK TOOL: Google! FAVOURITE JEWELRY PIECE OR DESIGNER: “My ‘Leo’ necklace by Pachulah goes with just about anything! Also obsessed with designers Leah Alexandra and Catbird.” FASHION OBSESSION: Bodysuits and Citizens of Humanity jeans. ACCESSORY YOU SPEND THE MOST MONEY ON: Handbags. NECESSARY INDULGENCE FOR EITHER FASHION OR BEAUTY: Eyelashes and brows. SCENT: Givenchy Play Intense - Givenchy Play. MUSTHAVE HAIR PRODUCT: Milkshake Purple Shampoo. BEAUTY SECRET: Dry shampoo.
CLOTHES & GROOMING
UNIFORM: “Simple – T-shirt and jeans.” FAVOURITE DENIM, BRAND AND CUT: Levi’s 511 Slim Fit Stretch Jeans. BEST NEW PURCHASE: Lululemon training shorts. CURRENTLY COVETING: The Jack Boot by Taft. ACCESSORY YOU SPEND THE MOST MONEY ON: Sneakers. FAVOURITE WORK TOOL: Microsoft Excel. SUNGLASSES: Ray Ban Wayfarer. SCENT: Prada Luna Rossa Sport.
CG Morrison FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, HARBOUR CITY KITCHENS
“I’ve never liked just fitting in. I am always drawn to unique style and fashion that sets you apart from everyone else, rather than fashion that makes you fit in.” STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE FAV PRINT MAGAZINE: GQ. LAST GREAT READ: Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey. BOOK CURRENTLY READING: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. FAVOURITE BOOK OF ALL TIME: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. STYLE ICON: David Beckham. FAVOURITE ARTIST: Dillon “Dboy” Sachen, Victoria tattoo artist. PIECE OF ART: My chest tattoo. FAVOURITE FASHION DESIGNER OR BRAND: Jerry Lorenzo. FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT: Il Terrazzo. FAVOURITE COCKTAIL/WINE: Old Fashioned. ALBUM ON CURRENT ROTATION: Rap Caviar playlist on Spotify. FAVOURITE FLOWER: Rose. FAVOURITE CITY TO VISIT: Tofino. FAVOURITE HOTEL: Fairmont. FAVOURITE APP: Spotify.
inspired DINING
French twist New Courtney Room meshes menu and design for a casually elegant Parisian experience
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BY CHELSEA FORMAN P H OTO S BY L I A C R OW E
V A.
C.
ICTORIA’S Courtney Room has added a little je ne sais quoi and miam! to the city’s dining scene with a restaurant redesign that hums with a French bistro vibe on the lower level and offers fine Parisian dining upstairs. “Old world meets new” at the Magnolia Hotel & Spa’s newly renovated Courtney Room, which — through harmonizing design and menu — evokes a sense old Paris within a classically modern setting and a uniquely local expression. High ceilings, elements of Art Nouveau, artfully tiled entranceway and chevron-patterned wood floor conjure the grand dame hotels of Paris, while the menu further elevates the Parisian experience with locally sourced and seasonal cuisine — from both land and sea — created with a French flourish. “The vision and goal was to take the area and turn it into a classically modern space that would tie into the hotel’s overall design,” says Bill Lewis, general manager at Magnolia Hotel & Spa. “We wanted the dining experience to meet the food experience, so we developed the menu to match the space.” Two separate menus, one in the downstairs, casually elegant bistro area and one in the upscale, upstairs dining room, offer a range of French-style delicacies from caviar and velour en croute to charcuterie sandwiches. Although created with a French twist, the cuisine pays homage to its locally sourced ingredients with names such as Nootka Rose lentil and Bean Ragout, Yarrow meadows Duck Breast and Cache Creek Beef Tartare. The Courtney Room renovation was undertaken by Sharon Bortolotto of BBA Design in collaboration with Vancouver-based design agency Glasfurd & Walker. “Sharon has worked on the aesthetic of hotel for over 20 years … continuity in the design exists throughout the hotel, spa and now restaurant,” says Bill. The main bar features gray marble and a custom glass oyster station. The elevated upstairs dining room features brasseriestyle velvet banquette seating in a carpeted space with white tablecloths and a glassed-in wine room. Vintage lighting creates a casual elegance reinforced by the restaurant’s sophisticated colour palette of smoky grey-blues, taupes and earthen hues. Commissioned abstract expressioniststyle artwork by Blu Smith pairs with the space’s decorative accents of leather, brass, bronze-beaded curtains and white marble chevron details. “Ideally, The Courtney Room will become an iconic dining space that is as timeless, classic and as long-lasting as the hotel. We think we built something exceptionally well designed and well thought out. It’s a timeless dining experience in a classic restaurant,” says Bill.
B.
D.
E.
F.
A.“For the Charcuterie Sandwich, we use a country loaf (made in house — it’s a mix of sourdough and rye), pickles, mustard and a rotating charcuterie, also made in-house.” B. “The French 250 cocktail is a take on the classic French 75, but instead of regular gin we use Empress Gin from Victoria — hence the 250 (Victoria area code) to make it local. We also add wild mountain honey syrup and lemon juice and top it off with the Unsworth Charme de L’ile (also local from the Cowichan Valley). C. Smoked honey mussel, fermented radish foam and pieces, trout roe. D. Chef de Cuisine Chris Klassen. E. “Potatoes Courtney — essentially they are potatoes rosti that are cooked in duck fat and served with a green onion dipping sauce.” F. Entrance to the Courtney Room.
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inspired HEALTH
How to live a
long,
charmed
life BY PAMELA DURKIN
Optimism, lifelong learning and social connections aid longevity BY ANGELA COWAN | PHOTOS BY LIA CROWE
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A
CCORDING to Business Insider 80 per cent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February, so this year I decided to focus on things I could do to put as many more meaningful years ahead of me as possible — rather than making resolutions for the upcoming year. While many of us may want to live to 100, few achieve this monumental feat. However, there are places around the world — dubbed “The Blue Zones” — where people live extraordinarily long lives, and social scientists have discovered they share a host of practices that promote longevity. Surprisingly, these are not all related to diet and exercise. Here are some of the surprising habits that have helped these people live long lives.
Being Optimistic “Blue Zoners” and other centenarians around the world are an optimistic bunch. The recently released New England Centenarian study, conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, examined the psychological profiles of 200 healthy centenarians and found a common trait — all were positive thinkers with positive views on aging.
Another practice the “super-agers” all engage in is lifelong learning.
Another study, conducted by Harvard’s School of Public Health and published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, showed that, after 10 years of follow up, people who were optimistic had a 55 per cent lower risk of death from all causes and a 23 per cent lower risk of death from heart disease, compared to people who reported a higher level of pessimism. According to the science, optimism even beats genetics in determining the quality and quantity of life. That doesn’t surprise life and career coach Julia James. “Optimism allows us to relax more deeply, sleep better, be happier and more present — it positively impacts our physical, mental and emotional health,” she notes. So what does optimism actually do within our bodies that renders it such a powerful influence on longevity? Several studies show that optimism is associated with a healthier lipid profile, lower levels of inflammatory markers, higher levels of serum antioxidants and better immune responsiveness. Does all this mean that people who are innately pessimistic are doomed to short lives? Not necessarily — it has been demonstrated in randomized trials that optimism can be “learned.” “One of the ways to grow more optimistic is to flex your gratitude muscle,” James explains. “Make it a daily practice
to write down three things you are grateful for and feel the gratitude in your heart. And also tell the people in your life what you appreciate about them on a daily basis.” Other ways to enhance optimism include laughing daily, surrounding yourself with positive people, avoiding negative selftalk and practicing self compassion.
Learning Another practice the “super-agers” all engage in is lifelong learning. And while the exact causation remains inconclusive, a plethora of studies suggests that remaining engaged in the learning process throughout life can improve longevity and provide other health and social benefits. Joanie Anderson, an executive assistant at mining giant Teck concurs, saying, “I have always believed in lifelong learning and at 62 I plan to continue it indefinitely — I call it Botox for the mind. It keeps you vibrant, fresh, interested and interesting.” It’s been proven that the more new things your brain tries to understand, the better it functions. As a report on the benefits of lifelong learning noted in Scientific American, “If the brain is not challenged with new learning, its capabilities can gradually boulevardmagazines.com |
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erode over time, leading to decreased memory and cognitive dysfunction.” So does it matter what you learn? No. Choose something that matches your passion and do not worry about your age — your brain loves learning no matter how old you are. If you’re really stumped about what to learn or what new skill to acquire, you can simply commit to reading more. Reading is a great way to stimulate the mind, and a new study published in Social Science and Medicine found that individuals who read books for up to three and a half hours per week were 17 per cent less likely to die over a 12-year period than non-readers. People who read even more than that were 23 per cent less likely to die. Clearly, continuing education may just be the fountain of youth. So go ahead and learn a new language or culinary skill, or join a book club — you’ll be enhancing your longevity and the quality of your years.
Building Social Ties Taking a course or joining a choir or book club can also help you form new social connections. Why is that important? Researchers have discovered that strong social ties are more critical to physical health than exercising or maintaining a healthy weight. A recent meta study, covering more than 300,000 participants across all ages, revealed that adults get a 50 per cent boost in longevity if they have a solid social network. The researchers, from Brigham Young University, analyzed results
from 148 studies going back as far as the early 20th century. More than 100 years worth of research came to the same conclusion — having a healthy social life is paramount for staying physically healthy. Like optimism, social support has some clear benefits for the human body. It’s been linked to lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, better wound healing and good immune function. In contrast, science has revealed that social isolation increases the risk for inflammation by the same magnitude as physical inactivity, and its effect on hypertension exceeds that of other clinical risk factors such as diabetes. In animal studies, social isolation has been linked to an increased risk for mammary tumours and metabolic syndrome. Sadly, despite living in the “hyper-connected era” of Facebook and Instagram, social isolation is on the rise. In fact, according to statistics, three times as many people report feeling lonely than they did 20 years ago. “Friends give us a sense of belonging,” says Susanne Dannenberg RSW, an outreach worker with Capital City Volunteers. “While online connections might be better than nothing, they can’t replace a warm phone call or face-to-face conversation with a friend.” So to increase longevity, peel yourself away from the screen, volunteer, invite a guest to dinner or make a play date with a close friend. The experts advise it isn’t the number of social connections that matters, but what those connections provide us in terms of real support and human warmth.
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inspired DESIGN 2.
BY JANICE JEFFERSON MODHAUS DESIGNS
3.
4.
Don your leather power suit and embrace your inner David Bowie for a 1980s rock ’n’ roll revival; make bold statements with your surroundings. With rounded edges and hard lines, the push and pull of design keeps it interesting, challenging you to move beyond your comfort zone.
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inspired PEOPLE
A PASSION FOR PEOPLE Mary Ploegsma’s portraits and her goal to give back BY CHELSEA FORMAN | PHOTOS BY DON DENTON
Artist Mary Ploegsma with portraits of her two sons.
M
ARY Ploegsma is waiting for our meeting outside the front doors of her studio on lower Johnson Street. The renowned portrait artist introduces herself warmly in a lovely English accent. “Do you mind if we walk for a coffee?” she asks. I follow Mary’s quick stride across Johnson Street and through Theatre Ally to Bean Around the World on Fisgard Street. Mary orders an Americano and chats affably with the baristas as they work. “My husband and I walk into town from our home, pick up coffee, and then I spend the day working in my studio,” Mary explains. Mary and her husband, Wob, are relatively new residents of Victoria, having purchased their home in the city just nine years ago. Mary met her husband, who is Dutch, while working as a flight attendant. “I really wanted to see the world but I didn’t have any money so I applied to airline companies. I ended up working for British Caledonia and I met my husband six months into the job on a flight from London to Amsterdam. “We moved to Belgium where Wob worked for a subsidiary of an oil company. I couldn’t speak French, so I couldn’t take my job with me. I decided to learn to speak Dutch, and then taught English at a private school,” says Mary, as she unlocks the front door of the building where her studio is located. We are immediately immersed in the most brilliant floral scent from the flower shop on the first level of the building. The smell is so wonderfully dense, I feel as though we have to push through it to reach the twisting staircase leading up to Mary’s studio. “Welcome to my oasis,” she smiles, opening the door. The space is clean and charming, with open, brickarched windows that continue to draw in the scent of flowers. Mary offers me a seat at a quaint, bistro-style table and continues her story. “Wob was invited to move to Houston for an assignment, so we went ... because life is an adventure! We ended up staying for 40 years. Once children and schooling came along, it became more difficult to move,” she recalls. Upon settling in Texas, Mary and Wob welcomed two sons into the world. “Producing the next generation’s citizens was a huge thing to me. But I did take one day off a week for painting lessons in a program called Paint Along with Lindy,” Mary says with a laugh.
“Life is supposed to be an adventure, every moment enjoyed to the fullest, and at this moment I want to give back and use my art to help people.”
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It wasn’t long before Mary’s skills became apparent and she began studying under Texas-based artist Dick Turner. For Mary, this was the breakthrough she needed. “He was a brilliant teacher and knew how to use colour, light and value. I learned so much. I painted a portrait of my youngest son in 1993 and people said, ‘that’s what you should be doing.’” Mary’s first paid commission was a portrait of three children in 1996 and portraiture became both Mary’s area of expertise and her passion. “I find people fascinating. We are all the same but also very different. We are male and female with two eyes, a nose, a mouth, two arms and two legs, and yet not one of us is the same. Capturing a person is not just painting their image. What I want to do is get on the inside; I want to paint what it is that makes that person tick. I want people to look at my paintings and say, ‘I feel as if I know this person.’” Mary completes her portraits from photos, which she takes before beginning a commission. “I take hundreds of photos of a client; it’s part of my process. I do that because I want to capture a certain look, a subtle nuance. In the beginning, the client will try to pose. Once subjects relax, they let their guard down and almost forget my camera is there and become themselves. And I’ll capture that moment that says everything about their personality,” After Wob retired, the couple wanted to find somewhere to escape the heat of the Texas summer. Having searched both England and Wob’s native Holland, the couple struggled to find a place that fit their lifestyle. “Because we had grown up in England and Holland and then lived 40 years in the states, we just didn’t feel as though we fit
in anywhere. Finally, my husband said, ‘why don’t we try out Victoria?’ We had visited the city some 25 years before for a conference,” Mary explains. “I suggested we try a trip to Victoria that winter, just to get it out of his system, because I knew it would be cold, miserable and damp, and it was, and it actually snowed, and we fell in love with it. It’s like a piece of England from my childhood. We really feel that this is home.” Although Mary and Wob are legally limited to six months of the year in Victoria, they have submerged themselves in the city’s culture and community. “We are both foodies. I actually went to culinary college in England many years ago. Wob and I eat out a lot and I have gotten to know many of the restaurant owners and chefs, and I noticed that many have tattoos. Tattoos are artwork on skin, so to paint skin with muscle tone and then to paint all the tattoos on top, well I thought it would be a real challenge — so I did just that,” Mary smiles. Throughout our conversation, I have been admiring Mary’s tattoo series featuring local Victoria chefs. Each portrait is so filled with personality, I feel as though I have had an audience throughout my interview with Mary. “I painted Dylan first; he used to work at Camille’s. I painted him standing in front of a graffiti-covered wall behind the restaurant. He was very quiet, very pensive but like the wall, there was so much more going on,” Mary says nodding towards one of the portraits. She moves along the series of 10 portraits, acknowledging each subject. “Heather is a confectioner. What I found fascinating about
ORIAN CONSTRUCTION INC. 250-812-1496 | orianconstr uction.ca 26
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her is that her tattoos are like chocolate-dipped strawberries, cupcakes, little hearts and ice cream cones. Kerry owns DeadBeetz food truck; she can handle anything. She has the most beautiful, pale gray, sparking eyes. Her tats are like a whole aquarium on her arm. She was a great subject to paint. This is Matt the Butcher at Farm to Field. He has everything that’s in the butcher case on his arms — all this wildlife.” Mary has donated all 10 chef and food artisan paintings to the Victoria-based, not-for-profit Power To Be. The organization provides inclusive adventures rooted in nature to people living with a barrier or disability, offering them a chance to focus on inclusion and personal growth. The paintings will be part of an annual silent auction during the Power To Be signature fundraising event this coming summer. Proceeds will support the development of a nutritional education program as well as a facility with kitchens that will be used for teaching. As my time with Mary draws to an end, my admiration for this vivacious woman and her adventurous life compels me to ask what she feels is the secret to happiness. Mary replies, “Through each stage of my life, something really fantastic has happened. People ask, ‘If you could go back to one point in time when would it be?’ That time would be now; I don’t need to look back. Life is supposed to be an adventure — every moment enjoyed to the fullest — and at this moment I want to give back and use my art to help people.” Leaving Mary’s studio, I am inspired by our conversation. Mary reminded me that life is a journey and anything can be accomplished when we are honest with our desires and follow through on achieving them with a lot of heart. Mary’s art can be viewed at maryploegsma.com
Mary Ploegsma with a portrait of local chef Sophie Fenlon.
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HOTPROPERTIES
Modern delight Seamless beauty — inside and out — at a custom Gonzales home BY ANGELA COWAN | P H OTO S BY L E A N N A R AT H K E L LY
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Quick Facts: 3,200 square feet 4 bedrooms 4 bathrooms Rainwater harvesting Radiant in-floor heating throughout Swiss pearl siding
C
LEAN lines, bright whites, polished concrete. In the heart of Victoria’s Gonzales neighbourhood is a home that exemplifies modern design — its precise angles nestled in the ever-greenery of the surrounding trees. Designed by Chris Foyd at 591 Designs, NZ Builders’ Gonzales home would be a dream come true for anyone who adores the efficiency and deceptive simplicity of modern design. “Chris is a talented guy,” says Damon Gray, general manager at NZ Builders, as we chat about the build. “You watch him draw and it’s like, whoa.” That “whoa” response transfers over to the house itself. The view from the road is striking, with an exterior moving from gently striating strips of cedar to smooth concrete to panels of Swiss pearl over the house’s three levels. A cedar lattice runs the height of the home and provides an extra modicum of privacy for the front entrance, while a glassed-in and beautifully lit garage provides an ideal display spot for classic cars. Inside the front door, polished aggregate flooring runs throughout, creating a seamless feel between the different areas, while varied ceiling heights form subtle boundaries in the open floor plan. Open stairs off to the side lead down to the lower floor, housing the garage as well as a guest bedroom and bathroom, and a spacious media room. The main floor, bathed in light from the abundant south-facing windows, is spacious and bright. Verticalgrain Douglas fir carries through the entire design, from the cabinets in the kitchen and inner casings on the windows to the built-in shelving around the hearth in the living room, and even the ceiling baffle that adds a wonderful sense of texture to the design. The trimless baseboard detail creates a clean edge and subtle shading effect between the walls and flooring, an incredibly challenging drywalling feat, but pulled off flawlessly.
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A lifelong kitchen-lover, it’s the kitchen that immediately grabs my eye. There are double wall ovens placed at ideal heights, as well as a slim warming oven tucked beneath the induction stovetop. A generous farmer’s sink, open countertops and an expansive stainless fridge and freezer provide plenty of space for food prep and storage. Heavenly for dinner parties! White quartz counters offer incredible brightness, and the waterfall edge carries the smooth texture down beautifully. The corner bank of windows is filled with greenery from outside, and topped with a stretch of open cupboards which show off colourful dishware and add just the right pop of personality to the streamlined design. With the flooring and wood carried through, the design naturally flows into the dining area and living room, which features a smooth concrete hearth and gas fireplace, as well as a built-in bench framed by tall windows that nearly span the height of the room. Especially cosy while the fire’s going, it was a favourite feature of most of the build crew, says Damon.
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Upstairs, the master suite is home to a roomy walk-in closet and a stunning bathroom. Catching my eye immediately is an egg-shaped soaker tub, situated in front of two massive corner windows. Cafe blinds provide privacy when needed without disrupting the view. Similarly, the shower stall is partitioned off by a single frameless wall of glass. An expansive deck extends off the master suite, creating a secluded spot to enjoy the sun, the fresh sea air and the blue of the ocean between the trees. Much like the deck below that leads out onto the patio and yard, it’s a lovely connector between indoor and outdoor living, comfortable and private. That simple concrete deck off the dining area provides a lovely space to enjoy dinner in the open air, but it’s actually the design that fascinates me. The whole thing is cantilevered, says Damon, leaving space for a particularly neat feature of the house. Lying beneath and hidden from view under a bed of
built for life,
Built for beauty established in 1980
gravel are two 2,000-gallon rainwater harvesting tanks that the owner actually installed himself. “That was another highlight, the owner working alongside us every day,” says Damon. “When you build these custom homes, you connect with the clients so much. Nine times out of 10 you become friends.” Built to step code 4 levels, the house is just one step below being net zero ready, where the house would generate any energy needed for heating or electricity. As it is, the home was built with a passive solar design to maximize heat from the sun. It uses a natural gas boiler to power the in-floor radiant heating on each floor, and utilizes a HRV (heat recovery ventilator) system to recapture any heat and provide fresh air throughout. With the BC building codes expecting all new homes to be net zero ready by 2032, it only makes sense to build as close to that standard as possible now, says Damon.
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“It hasn’t been much of a challenge for us because we’ve been building that way for a while. We’re always looking at the leading edge of building.” He adds, “The comfort of the home is phenomenal. You’ve got a continuous supply of fresh air, you’ve got a great [insulation] envelope.” Built with comfort, efficiency and a sleek design in mind, the Gonzales home fuses gorgeous modern aesthetics with practical and innovative inner workings, and it’s absolutely beautiful, inside and out.
Suppliers List:
Architect/Design: Chris Foyd, 591 Design+Build Interior Design: Chris Foyd, 591 Design+Build Construction & Interior Finishing: NZ Builders Interior Drywall: Definitive Drywall Painting: Cloverdale Paint, Precision Pro Painting Cabinetry and Millwork: Splinters Millwork Flooring: CD Specialty did the concrete floors Tiling: T-Bag The Tiler Windows & Doors: Complete Windows Lighting: Stand Sure Electric Plumbing Fixtures: Andrew Sheret, Coast Environmental Countertops: Floform Countertops Landscaping: Brock White Canada Co., Butler Brothers, National Concrete Accessories Exterior Siding: NZ Builders
Imagine the possibilities…
We offer a complete service from space planning to installation 3955 Quadra Street, Victoria | 250.479.7151 | lumberworld.net 36
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TALKINGWITHTESS
A
business in focus
Three generations of Maycocks bring eye care to the city BY TESS VAN STRAATEN | PHOTOS BY DON DENTON
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Jason and Carrie Maycock.
“Taking over the business, I think, was always in the back of mind, and after I went to optometry school I was able to take the business and the history and the heritage and add another level to it.”
F
OR Jason and Carrie Maycock, running Victoria’s oldest familyowned eye care business comes with a lot of responsibility — but the couple, who are passionate about eye care and eye wear, wouldn’t have it any other way. “It will be 70 years this year, which is pretty amazing,” says Dr. Jason Maycock. “My grandfather started the business in 1949 and we still have some of his patients who see us, which is pretty incredible.” Jason and Carrie took the reins of the thirdgeneration business in 2015 after his parents, Brian and Karen Maycock, officially retired. Jason, who’s an optometrist, worked with his parents for nine years before that, expanding services at Maycock Eyecare in 2006 to include eye exams — prompting the name change from Maycock Optical — after returning from school and residency work in the United States. “Taking over the business, I think, was always in the back of my mind, and after I went to optometry school I was able to take the business and the history and the heritage and add another level to it,” the 41-year-old explains. “We were able to bring a whole new focus into the business.” Forty-year-old Carrie, who has a nursing background and is a licensed optician, worked with Karen for a full year before she retired, learning the ins and outs of running the business and making for an easy transition. “They were very successful. We’ve just kind of taken that and we have our own spin on things, but that’s really our foundation,” Carrie says. “Succession is not always easy but it was as smooth as it possibly could have been for us and my parents are still available for consultation,” adds Jason. “We ask them the odd thing but mainly they come in shopping for nice glasses.” It was a very different story when Brian took over the business from his father and company founder,
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Ronald Maycock, back in 1971 under some very stressful circumstances. “My dad was in accounting school when my grandfather had a really bad stroke and couldn’t maintain the business. So my dad decided to come back from Vancouver and take over, but he had absolutely no eye training whatsoever,” explains Jason. “Luckily, he was a smart accountant and that helped with the business aspect and he learned eyes on the go.” For Jason, who never met his grandfather, hearing stories about him from their oldest patients is always a treat. “He passed away when my dad was young so it’s neat to hear some of those stories of how business was done in the 50s and 60s,” he says. “[Clients] used to come to pick up their glasses and sometimes have a drink, have a scotch — a Mad Men sort of thing. It was definitely a different era.” It’s not the only way Maycock Eyecare, which used to primarily sell glasses, has changed over the years. At one point, Jason’s parents had five locations, but he says it was always a challenge to get people as invested in the business as they were, so those locations were franchised and sold off. Now, with one large downtown location, they’ve expanded to include 10 staff members and two additional optometrists to meet growing demand. “Our employees are essential to the business and some of
them have been with Jason since he started his practice,” Carrie says. “Getting the right staff is critical and we really believe in education, which is why we take them to conferences where they’re exposed to the newest trends. It’s engaging and it gets them excited, and then they come back and pass that on to the clients.” But by far, the biggest change over the decades has been the technological advances. “When it comes to eye exams, it’s totally high-tech, and we have a real focus on technology,” he says. “Not only do we get an image of the eye, we ultrasound the eye and get into the layers of the retina to see disease like we’ve never been able to before. For things like macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Canada, anything we can do to detect it quicker and have a better outcome is important.” “We pride ourselves on having the best diagnostics and equipment,” Carrie adds. “It can be expensive, but we feel it’s critical to patient care.” Another thing critical to the Maycocks success was the purchase of their Blanshard Street location, which was taken down to the studs and totally renovated in 2010 to create the perfect space for both eye wear and eye care. “Moving to this building was very beneficial for my parents and also for us because it’s set us up for the future and for success. It’s their legacy but it’s also their retirement package
“They used to come to pick up their glasses and sometimes have a drink, have a scotch — a Mad Men sort of thing. It was definitely a different era.”
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that we’re paying for,” laughs Jason. “It worked out well for everyone.” The couple says they’re constantly looking at ways they can build on that success and make improvements. “We’re both really self-reflective and analytical and I’m always evaluating things — I think it comes from my nursing background,” Carrie says. “I look at the whole picture and the base causes of things, so I’m always looking at how we’re doing and how we could do things better. That’s just part of my DNA.” As they continue to grow the business, Jason says he knows how lucky they are to own a respected Victoria business, but he says his dad recently reminded him that the harder you work, the luckier you get. “I was very lucky to have this to come back to and to build on it,” Jason says. “Over the last three years, we’ve been lucky, but we’ve tried to work hard to make that luck happen. We know how hard we work, we saw how hard they worked, and we couldn’t have got it to where it is now without that.”
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FASHION
On Krystal: Dusty-rose racer charmeuse cami ($210) by Cami NYC, ivory blazer ($695) by Smythe, fresh water pearl and 24k yellow gold plated sterling silver earrings ($350), fresh water pearl and 24k yellow gold plated sterling silver necklace ($320) and 24k yellow gold plated sterling silver pendant necklace ($220) by Pamela Card from Bernstein & Gold; charcoal black pumps ($229) by Yuko Imanishi from Footloose Shoes; hosiery, stylist’s own.
On Jeff: Rolex Datejust 41 in Everose Rolesor, featuring a chocolate dial and oyster bracelet ($14,200) from Lugaro Jewellers; slim white shirt ($280) by Eton and double-edged, short-grooved safety razor ($55) by Simpsons from Outlooks for Men.
NOTHING SPARKS ROMANCE like a weekend at a classy hotel with the one you love. PRECIOUS TIME SPENT, precious gems beautifully set. Follow Boulevard to the OAK BAY BEACH HOTEL for a look at gorgeous jewellery that is sure to spark a little heat. On Krystal: Forevermark Diamond Pendant, 18k white gold pendant featuring 0.14 carat ideal cushion-cut Forevermark diamond, accented by 8.46 carat total weight diamonds ($16,500) and white gold diamond flower ring, featuring 0.40ct genuine ruby, accented by 2.08 carat total weight diamonds ($3,200) from Lugaro Jewellers; black evening dress ($305) by Tiger of Sweden from Hughes Clothing. On Jeff: Rolex Datejust 41 in Everose Rolesor, featuring a chocolate dial and oyster bracelet ($14,200) from Lugaro Jewellers; slim white shirt ($280) by Eton from Outlooks for Men; black trousers ($195) by Aedelhard from Citizen.
STYLING BY JEN CLARK  |   P H OTO S BY L I A C R OW E
On Krystal: Lady’s White 14 karat bangle with 643=8.72Tw round diamonds by Roman & Jules by First Image Design ($45,000) and Lady’s White 14 Karat Large Hoop earrings with 126=5.00TW round diamonds by Roman & Jules by First Image Design ($16,500), both from Barclay’s Fine Jewellers; patterned stretchy pants ($350) by Marc Cain from W&J Wilson; black lace camisole ($345) by Luisa Cerano from Bagheera Boutique.
On Jeff: Handmade bracelet ($98) by Pig & Hen from Citizen Clothing; Slim skinny jeans ($255) by Adriano Goldschmied from Outlooks for men.
On Krystal: Dusty rose smocked sateen dress ($945) by Ulla Johnson from Bernstein & Gold; 18k yellow gold handmade toggle chain bracelet ($5,595), rose cut bi-colour tourmaline drops ($4,995) from Idar Jewellers.
On Jeff: Slim skinny jeans($255) by Adirano Goldschmied from Outlooks for Men; handmade bracelet ($98) by Pig & Hen from Citizen.
On Krystal: Yellow bronze topaz pendant necklace ($180), 14k yellow gold and diamond necklace ($720), yellow bronze earrings ($210) and individually handmade rings in solid 14k gold with diamonds and sapphires by Emma Glover Design.
On Krystal: Black one-piece swimsuit ($227) by Eberjey from Bernstein & Gold; printed silk shawl ($368) by GoSilk from Bagheera Boutique; 18k yellow gold handmade squared bangle ($4,350), 14k yellow gold handmade stud earrings with 14.5 total carat weight rose cut chalcedony ($2,595) from Idar Jewellers. On Jeff: Bathing suit is model’s own.
Makeup and hair: Jen Clark, in-house makeup artist for COSMEDICA, using glo.MINERALS makeup. Models: Krystal Hanson and Jeff Baker. Production and styling assistant: Vellar Chou and Victoria Craig. Photographed on location at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. A huge thank you for hosting our fashion crew for the day.
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Keep it simple with
keep it simple with
shinrin-yoku Japanese (n) A visit to the forest for relaxation and to improve one’s health.
I
’M FOLLOWING a trail alongside a gushing river at Goldstream Park, and my only companions are a bald eagle that swoops silently through the treetops and the stillness of a forest with ancient trees that date back 600 years. Hair-like cascades of moss drape from the tree branches, and beneath my feet pine needles form a soft bed that cushions my step. I inhale deeply, absorbing the fresh scent of the forest and the pristine beauty of ferns that flourish around me. With no rush, no destination and no conversation to shatter the stillness, I can be fully present to touch, smell and explore the beauty of a Vancouver Island rainforest. The Japanese formally recognized the recuperative benefits of Shinrin-yoku, roughly translated as forest bathing or forest therapy, in the early 1980s. Shinrin-yoku is not about hiking in a forest, or even meditating, though both can help accomplish the goal of this unique form of therapy, which is to be fully present in a forest, bathing in its pristine atmosphere through sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. Why do it, you ask? Well you must try it to fully understand. That means leaving your mobile phone and camera behind, and heading out by yourself or with a guide, friend or family member who won’t chatter endlessly or rush you to a finish line. It means giving yourself the gift of time and quietness to simply be present, and abandoning the usual goal of reaching a certain place by a particular time. For this form of therapy, you don’t need to get anywhere. Instead, you let your body be your guide, and use the healing energy of the forest to reduce anxiety and stress, clear your thoughts and rejuvenate a tired, oftmalnourished soul. John Fraser, owner of Elemental Magick Adventures, is one of just a handful of island entrepreneurs offering forest bathing excursions. His term for them is “mystical rainforest tours” because “most people have never heard
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“Being surrounded by nature gives people a chance to slow down and connect with themselves, but also to know they’re part of something so much greater than themselves.”
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of forest bathing and it conjures up this idea of taking your clothes off in the woods!” he says. “The philosophy behind forest bathing is essentially a mindfulness-based walk through the park. I have structured exercises that walk my guests through the five physical senses, asking them to focus on the forest and let their imaginations flow. Most people have fun with it — it encourages them to relax, be playful and connect with nature the way we all did when we were children.” The 2.5-hour tours take place in Francis King Regional Park, a hidden gem 25 minutes from downtown Victoria that offers privacy, solitude and a sense of peace. “It’s a mature forest and a profoundly healing place,” Fraser reflects. In his mystical rainforest tours, his goal is to raise guests’ awareness of and appreciation for nature, reminding them of the importance of getting out into nature more frequently. “Being surrounded by nature gives people a chance to slow down and connect with themselves, but also to know they’re part of something so much greater than themselves,” he says. “To feel the presence of nature is an amazing experience, beyond healing. And it’s often easier to connect with nature this way than to connect with other people in our lives.” Ryan LeBlanc is another islander who leads half- and fullday forest bathing walks all over the south island, from Port Renfrew to Metchosin to Sooke. “On these excursions we walk at a slower pace and stop to take in the scenery as we go,” he says. “Midway through the tour I bring out foam pads to sit on and make a wild tea blend with huckleberry and salmonberry leaves, mint and honey. We do a 10-to-15-minute meditation practice and afterwards we talk about personal struggles with stress, anxiety or depression. I try to convey how time spent in nature can help resolve those problems and even create some prevention.” Another technique LeBlanc uses to help guests eliminate negative energy in his forest bathing trips is to instruct them to put a small rock in each of their hands. One rock represents a negative, stressful instance in their lives while the other symbolizes positive, happy experiences.
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“ When you are at “home” some of the best living & most valuable living happens ” - Enjoy
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“I invite guests to focus briefly on the stressful moment, and then to throw that rock into the river and focus only on the positive rock. I have them keep it in their pocket all day as a physical reminder connected to the natural world.” Guests on Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours’ forest bathing excursions in Qualicum Beach take a slow, meditative walk in Heritage Forest. The 50-acre old growth, coastal Douglas fir forest is a very quiet, special place says Ronda Murdock, who leads the tours. “I offer invitations for people to get into the present moment, quiet the mind and use their senses to benefit from the forest’s natural preservatives and fungicides, called phytoncides,” she explains. “While we’re experiencing this, the forest is providing amazing health benefits for our body, minds and spirit.” The walks are quiet and solitary, with little conversation until the end, when Murdock conducts a tea ceremony and her guests can choose to share how they felt and what they noticed. “Many guests have told me they’re committed to incorporating forest bathing into their lives and there have been people so touched by the experience, it brought them to tears. I’ve had psychologists on my tours who now incorporate forest bathing into their practice, and teachers who plan to pass it on to their students.” She adds: “Forest bathing can help create a very deep connection to the forest, such that people become more in touch with themselves. It’s physical, but it’s also very good for the brain and spirit. The one thing guests come away with for sure is a sense of peace, calm and uplift.”
VICTORIA’S FINEST REAL ESTATE
L U X U R Y AT YO U R D O O R S T E P
5345 LaBonne Road
#611-100 Saghalie Road
3350 Upper Terrace Road
Metchosin, BC $2,350,000
Victoria BC $1,475,000
Oak Bay, BC $2,695,000
In Metchosin, 35 mins from Victoria, 10+ acre private oasis property with amenities close at hand. Open concept contemporary home meticulously designed & built with environment conservation in mind. Outdoor living space maximizes on lake, mountain & ocean views from multiple decks & pathways. Property also yields workshop, mature trees, manicured gardens & dynamic scenery.
Luxury condo enjoys privileged ocean views captured by walls of floor to ceiling windows. Open concept and thoughtful layout maximize functionality. Wrap around balcony is perfectly situated for enjoying vibrant skies and the views of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Everything just outside your door: fresh food markets, shopping, yoga studios, 5-star dining, beaches & trails!
Victoria character manor surrounded by mature trees & manicured gardens. Situated in prestigious Oak Bay. Chef’s kitchen equipped for the culinary enthusiast with top of line stainless steel appliances. Custom cabinetry for abundant storage with granite counters. Outside, 0.32 acre property affords peace & privacy, with sun drenched deck overlooking backyard oasis.
233 King George Terrace
#2002-83 Saghalie Road
203-9880 Fourth Street
Oak Bay, BC $5,950,000
Victoria, BC $6,800,000
Sidney, BC $424,500
Privileged opportunity to own a brand new ocean front residence in Oak Bay. Set on picturesque King George Terr, this home is being commissioned to an elite standard. Interior will feature a modern design aesthetic that capitalizes on the sweeping ocean & mountain views. Outside, privacy on several decks & patios to enjoy year round: entertain in style, watch the active marine ways & resident wildlife.
Sprawling luxury sub-Penthouse perched in a striking concrete, steel & glass building. 3,000+ square feet of living space situated to take advantage of Victoria’s best views. Walls of glass frame city skyline suspended over the famed Inner Harbour. Premier location affords access to five-star dining, shopping, galleries & entertainment. Endless recreation options with nearby beaches & nature trails.
A central Sidney location and no car needed here as you can easily walk to every convenient amenity ... located just 2 blocks from Beacon Ave. This west facing unit offers a lovely layout with an balcony accessed from both the living room and master bedroom, an inviting entrance, gas fireplace in the living room and large kitchen. This complex allows pets up to 25lbs and no age restrictions.
©2017 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.
735 Humboldt Street, Victoria BC, Canada V8W 1B1
The local real estate agent with the international network: vi.evcanada.com Scott Piercy, Private Office Advisor Personal Real Estate Corporation 250-686-7789 scott.piercy@evcanada.com www.luxurybchomes.com victoria.evcanada.com
#11-100 Plaskett Place
N511-737 Humboldt Street
1293 Rockhampton Close
Victoria, BC $2,400,000
Victoria, BC $999,990
Bear Mountain, BC $1,299,000
Set on the ocean’s edge, surrounded by water on 3 sides, stylish art deco residence takes full advantage of sweeping 280-degree ocean & mountain views. Complete privacy with no adjacent homes. Modern interior enjoys warm hardwood flooring & soft design aesthetic. World class amenities & attractions of Downtown & Inner harbour minutes away. This unique property is truly one of Victoria’s finest.
South facing luxury suite in the prestigious Aria building. Open concept encourages entertaining & maximizes functionality. Floor to ceiling windows frame stunning views overlooking some of Victoria’s historic buildings including the Empress Hotel, Royal BC Museum and Crystal Gardens. Building amenities include concierge, gym, sauna and more. Victoria’s world class amenities all steps away.
West Coast Contemporary at its finest! Award winning manor showcases true elegance & exquisite craftsmanship. Chef’s kitchen designed for entertaining, with premium appliances & 10ft island. Host friends & family in the sophisticated dining room then retire to the inviting living room. Take advantage of the resort style living this unique property offers.
#511-100 Saghalie Road
Goose Landing, Stuart Island
5135 Cordova Bay Road
Victoria, BC $1,359,000
Desolation Sound, BC $19,500,000
Saanich, BC $1,969,000
Executive luxury condo with designer upgrades throughout. Walls of glass capitalize on scenic mountain, ocean and harbour views – providing a dynamic backdrop. Wrap around balcony the highlight of this artistic residence. Building amenities: fitness studio, hot tub/sauna room & steam room, outdoor patio, owner’s lounge with business center, car wash, dog grooming area & kayak/bike storage.
Goose Landing, rests on the ocean’s edge, positioned to ensure each room enjoys uncompromised ocean views. Completely separate, 3 bed guest house spaced over 3 levels totaling 3,287sqft. Caretaker’s cottage, staff accom, green houses & addtl out buildings all constructed on favoured locations. Resort style living on this 120 acre parcel completely self sustaining, off the grid property.
Walk-on beach front home offers the epitome of West Coast living. The premier feature is the panoramic oceanfront captured by floorto-ceiling windows in all principle rooms. Outside, the true value becomes evident - enviable outdoor living space consisting of plenty of patio space, manicured gardens & direct access to the white sandy beach below. Prime location offers a resort lifestyle with complete privacy.
©2017 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated.
2249 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria BC, Canada V8R 1G4
The local real estate agent with the international network: vi.evcanada.com James LeBlanc, Private Office Advisor Personal Real Estate Corporation 250-812-7212 james.leblanc@evcanada.com www.luxurybchomes.com victoria.evcanada.com
exclusive luxury listings
2805 BEACH DRIVE | OAK BAY 4 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 404575 | $2,800,000
3000 VALDEZ PLACE | UPLANDS VACANT LOT | 404482 | $2,650,000
2488 PLUMER STREET | OAK BAY 4 BE D S | 5 B AT H S | 3 9 7 3 2 3 | $ 2 , 2 0 0 , 0 0 0
1035 ROSLYN ROAD | OAK BAY 5 BE D S | 3 B AT H S | 4 0 0 9 2 6 | $1, 8 5 0 ,0 0 0
112 PRINCE EDWARD DRIVE | OAK BAY 3 BE D S | 3 B AT H S | 4 0 4 4 2 8 | $1, 8 5 0 , 0 0 0
3812 SINCLAIR PLACE | SA ANICH EAST 5 BE D S | 4 B AT H S | 4 0 0 474 | $1, 8 8 0 , 0 0 0
844 DALEWOOD LANE | SA ANICH EAST 6 BE D S | 4 B AT H S | 4 016 01 | $1, 4 2 5 ,0 0 0
1905 LEYNS ROAD | SA ANICH EAST LO T | 4 0194 2 | $ 2 , 4 0 0 ,0 0 0
1336 FINLAYSON STREET | VICTORIA 6 BE D S | 5 B AT H S | 4 0 019 9 | $1, 6 0 0 , 0 0 0
207-847 DUNSMUIR ROAD | ESQUIMALT 2 BE D S | 2 B AT H S | 4 0 0 4 2 2 | $1, 2 0 0 ,0 0 0
544 RIDGE POINTE PLACE | COLWOOD 4 BE D S | 4 B AT H S | 4 0 4 5 21 | $1, 0 0 0 , 0 0 0
JASON BINAB *
JA SON.BINAB@THE AGENCYRE.COM 778.265.5552 *PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
SARAH BINAB
SAR AH.BINAB@THE AGENCYRE.COM 778.265.5552 THE AGENCYRE.COM/BC
987 987 BEACH DRIVE DRIVE OAK BAY BAY || $3,400,000 $3,400,000 9 87BEACH BE ACH DRI V|||EOAK | OA K |BAY | $ 3,4 0 0,0 0 0 987 BEACH DRIVE OAK BAY $3,400,000
33 EDS EDS BAT HS HS 2,484 SQ. T. T. CO M GG SO 4 BATHS | 2,4SQ. 8 4 FFFSQ. T. M | IIINN COMING 33BB BBEDS EDS ||| 4|4 4 BAT BAT HS ||| 2,484 2,484 SQ. T. |||FCO CO M N G SO SOOO ONN N SOON
2802 ARBUTUS ROAD ROAD SAANICH EAST EAST $3,000,000 22802 8 02ARBUTUS A RBU T US ROA|||DSAANICH | S A A NICH A S T | $ 3,0 0 0,0 0 0 2802 ARBUTUS ROAD SAANICH EAST |E|| $3,000,000 $3,000,000 333 B EDS BAT BAT HS HS 4,899 SQ. FFFT. T. || T. 401149 401149 BATHS | 4 ,8SQ. 9 9 SQ. | 4 01149 3 BBEDS BEDS EDS ||| |66 66 BAT HS ||| 4,899 4,899 SQ. T. |F 401149
An Aninternational internationalassociate associateofof ofSavills Savills An international associate Savills
1580 1580 LANDS END END ROAD ROAD ||| NORTH NORTH SAANICH SAANICH $5,790,000 15 8 0LANDS L A NDS END ROA D | NOR T H S A A||| $5,790,000 NICH | $ 5,79 0,0 0 0 1580 LANDS END ROAD NORTH SAANICH $5,790,000 33 EDS EDS BAT HS HS ||| 4,803 4,803 SQ. SQ. T. T. 391168 4 BAT | 4 ,8 0 3 FFFSQ T. | 39116 8 33BB BBEDS EDS ||| 4|4 4 BAT BAT HS HS 4,803 SQ. T. .||| F391168 391168
2713SEA SE A V IE ROAD W ROA|||D | S A A NICH A S T | $ 4 ,5 0 0,0 0 0 2713 2713 SEA VIEW VIEW ROAD SAANICH SAANICH EAST EAST |||E$4,500,000 $4,500,000 2713 SEA VIEW ROAD SAANICH EAST $4,500,000 5BAT BAT | 5,16 4 FSQ T. | 39 9 94 0 55 55BB BBEDS EDS EDS ||| |55 5 BAT BAT HS HSHS ||| 5,164 5,164 SQ. SQ. T. . |||F399940 399940 EDS HS 5,164 SQ. FFT. T. 399940
THEAGENCYRE.COM/BC
An Anindependently independentlyowned ownedand andoperated operatedlicensee licenseeofof ofUMRO UMRORealty RealtyCorp. Corp. An independently owned and operated licensee UMRO Realty Corp.
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1851 Crescent Road, Victoria
MALIBU-STYLE BEACH HOUSE
WORLD CLASS OCEANFRONT 2530 Queenswood Drive, Victoria
150-ACRE OCEANFRONT ESTATE $7,250,000 1126 Gillespie Road, Sooke
Exceptional custom 6,103 sq. ft. home with breathtaking views from all rooms. 1.74 acres with 300 ft of oceanfront.
$5,980,000
Masterly crafted 4,810 sq. ft steel & concrete executive home on the sheltered shores of Gonzales Bay.
MAGNIFICENT ESTATE $6,750,000
Extraordinary double A frame home on Sooke Basin with year-round moorage. Sub-dividable with valuable timber.
1259 Garden Gate Drive, Victoria
$3,400,000
Substantial 8,058 sq. ft. granite clad residence with classic details set on 2.23 landscaped acres.
“We believe every home is a mansion regardless of size, location or price”
MACLEOD GROUP Glynis MacLeod
Personal Real Estate Corporation
250.661.7232
gmacleod@sothebysrealty.ca
GLYN IS M AC LEO D.COM
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250.686.3385
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00 0 , 0 ,59 6 $
0 ,00 0 ,48 $2
2640 Queenswood Drive
Exclusive Waterfront Acreage -Private Beach
00 0 , 9 19 $1,
00 0 , 119 $1,
4631 Ocean Park Place
Luxurious 3 bed/3 bth Townhouse with Views
Lovely Cordova Bay 4 Bed Craftsman
00 0 , 00 8 , $3
00 0 , 0 ,25 3 $
4033 Rainbow Hill Lane
1210 Lavinia Lane
Spacious & Luxurious Oceanfront
4589 Balmacarra Road
Private 1 Acre Oceanfront w/ 6900sqft Home
4657 Vantreight Drive
Stunning ‘As New’ Home on the Beach
APPROACHING
$1,000,000,000
$850,000,000
+
I N T R U S T E D R E A L E S TAT E T R A N S A C T I O N S .
Representing Buyers & Sellers in Price i n t rusALL t e dMarkets r e a l eand s tat e t rRanges. a ns ac t ions. Lisa Williams is Your Negotiating Advantage
Buying Buying or or Selling: Selling: Lisa Lisa Williams* Williams* is is Your Your Negotiating Negotiating Advantage Advantage ( 2 5 0 ) 51 4 -1 9 6 6 ( 2 5 0 ) 51 4 -1 9 6 6
LI SAWI LLIA M S .C A LI SAWI LLIA M S .C A
* Personal Real Estate Corporation * Personal Real Estate Corporation
when others see a
HOUSE WOR K we see a
of
ART
Discover your masterpiece. Christie’s International Real Estate and Newport Realty’s curated network of property specialists are trusted advisors in the at of connecting buyers and sellers of fine homes.
Sylvia Therrien
SOLD Custom Home in The Uplands
Personal Real Estate Corporation
Sylvia@SylviaTherrien.ca | 250 385 2033 SylviaTherrien.ca | LuxuryWaterfront.ca
Art. Beauty. Provenance.
Extraordinary Properties! Unrivalled Experience and Expertise Luxury Waterfront Specialist
VICTORIA’S PREMIER PENTHOUSE – NOW AVAILABLE This exquisitely executed Penthouse sits as the jewel of Victoria, in the premiere position atop Shoal Point’s tallest tower; an iconic statement at the entrance of Victoria Harbour. Designed for the developers, it offers a unique alchemy of Luxury, Prestige and Sophistication. Encompassing 3 levels, it captures 360-degree views over the entire Inner and Outer Harbour. One can appreciate these vistas from any one of 9 viewing decks or the Roof Top Conservatory, truly an inspirational lifestyle! The kitchen would command the attention of a gourmet chef with pantry, state of the art appliances & caterer preparation area. While the guest suite is on the main, the master retreat occupies the entire 2nd floor accessible by elevator. Unique amenities include a separate storage room which is temperature controlled for wine tasting, 9 fireplaces, 3 extra generous storage rooms, as well as secure parking for 3 cars. Words fail to capture all this Penthouse has to offer. Simply best in Class! Offered at $8,900,000 MLS# 401695
QUEENSWOOD GEM ON HALF ACRE ZEN GARDEN Situated in the Heart of Queenswood, this charming mid-century modern residence has come to the market for the first time in 40 years. It sits on a beautiful ½ acre Zen garden just a short stroll to the Cadboro Bay Beach. The owners have artfully combined the home, accented with original cove ceilings & hardwood floors; with an extensive addition of a welcoming family room. Floor to ceiling windows and wrap-around deck extend the home to bring the forest in to be enjoyed year-round. All principal rooms are on the main, including master bedroom, den & guest room. Offered at $1,375,000 MLS# 404420
MACDONALD REALTY LTD. 755 Humboldt Street, Victoria, BC | T 250.388.5882 | TF 1.877.388.5882 leslee@lesleefarrell.com | www.lesleefarrell.com
Call Leslee Farrell at 250.388.5882 for assistance with your local and global real estate needs.
SO
$5,295,000
$2,300,000
9700 Glenelg Avenue, North Saanich
mls
# 404458
1630 Lands End Road, North Saanich
mls
# 404493
$2,700,000
mls
# 401634
485 Dunmora Court, Saanichton
mls
# 404602
mls
# 404556
$1,799,000
10379 Allbay Road, Sidney
personal real estate corporation
201-9600 Second Street, Sidney
$2,899,000
$4,750,000
Chace Whitson
LD
mls
# 404277
· 250 818 9338 tel · 778 426 2262 cel
1780 Lands End Road, North Saanich
Chace@ChaceWhitson.com CHACEWHITSON.COM
Happy Chinese New Year FROM THE TEAM AT MACDONALD REALTY
NEW PRICE
EXCLUSIVE LISTING
4521 Eva Avenue, Victoria
493 Owlwood Place, Victoria
Gordon Head Luxury Home - $1,999,000 6 Bed | 5 Bath | 4,836 Sq Ft
Broadmode Luxury Home - $2,488,000 4 Bed | 4 Bath | 3,661 Sq Ft
David Beswick REALTOR®
250.216.7143 dbeswick@macrealty.com
Dane Kingsbury PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION
250.885.1252 Dane@KingsburyRealEstate.ca
With offices serving Victoria | Saanich Peninsula | Gulf Islands | Parksville
250.388.5882 Macdonald Realty Ltd. | macrealty.com
– ESTABLISHED 1887 –
SO
LD
11003 Tryon Place, North Saanich $995,000
1814 Jeffree Road, Saanichton $2,650,000
6433 Fox Glove Terrace, Central Saanich $1,449,000
9-626 Goldstream Avenue, Langford $350,000
A-113 Superior Street, James Bay $799,900
336 Newport Avenue, Oak Bay $2,225,000
203-1620 Mckenzie, Gordan Head $428,000
102 - 1715 Pritchard Road, Cowichan Bay $428,000
1753 Adanac Street, Area Victoria $1,499,000
Bobby Ross 250-661-0751
Vanessa Roman 250-589-7325
Brent Beagle 250-888-8134
Kash Burley 250-213-6873
Laine Buckingham 778-533-4988
Jerry Du 250-813-2166
Ray Murray 250-686-3789
Tracy Menzies 250-419-2075
Rob Davies 778-350-5525
Mark Wallace 250.896.2315
Tricia Keller 250-886-0620
Paul Cooper 250-686-4234
Andrew Plank 250-360-6106
Sean Cunnin 250-744-7326
Kat Rainsberry 250-516-3380
Dean Bayles 250-893-4868
Agnes Sebestyen 250-508-7825
Ram Raman 250-580-4747
FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS CALL
2000 Oak Bay Avenue
Providing Over 130 Years of Experience For Your Peace of Mind
250.590.8124
modern
778-432-4611 team@modernrev.com www.modernrev.com
R E A L E S TAT E T E A M
LD SO
305 Viaduct Ave W 3 bed | 2 bath $995,000 MLS 401980 5.9 ACRES OF PRIVACY
1509 San Juan Avenue 5 bed | 4 bath $1,150,000 MLS 400695 TWO HOMES IN ONE!
4345 Shelbourne Street 5 Bed | 4 Bath $1,031,000 MLS 400694 SOLD
1-1060 Tillicum Rd 3 Bed | 4 bath $729,900 MLS 401848 END UNIT NEXT TO PARK
Contact our award winning team of dedicated real estate professionals *Personal Real Estate Corporation
Modern Real Estate Team Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty Coast Capital Realty
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
70
208-2187 Oak Bay Ave Victoria BC, V8R 1G1
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Saira Waters*
Tasha Medve*
Lindsay Block-Glass
LET ME HELP YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY…
606-21 DALLAS ROAD IN SHOAL POINT - $1,190,000
1099 Vic Place
SO LD
SO LD
SO LD
Bright Sunny South Facing Two Bedroom & Den Suite at Desirable Shoal Point. The 2 bedrooms are separated by the living & dining room for maximum privacy. New light Maple flooring throughout. Spacious open plan with view to the Straits of Juan de Fuca & the Olympic Mountains. Convenient walking distance to downtown or a stroll along Dallas Road waterfront. This suite offers gas fireplace in living room & geothermal heat & air-conditioning. Shoal Point amenities, 25m lap pool, spa, fully equipped gym, 2 guest suites, putting green, car wash, concierge, on site maintenance staff, underground secured parking & storage. Check out the virtual tour for an interactive 3D floorplan! www.kristav.ca
19-500 Marsett Place
2709 Goldstone Heights
Krista Voitchovsky • RE/MAX Camosun • 4440 Chatterton Way • Victoria, BC V8X5J2 Tel: 250-744-3301 • Cell 250-888-3256 • www.kristav.ca
2185 Granite St, South Oak Bay 3 Bed & 3 Bath | 3,517 Sq Ft $2,150,000
3350 Upper Terrace Rd, Uplands 4 Bed & 4 Bath | 4,170 Sq Ft $2,650,000
2810 Lansdowne Rd, Uplands 7 Bed & 7 Bath | 9,034 Sq Ft $5,099,000
3285 Beach Dr, Uplands 6 Bed & 6 Bath, 9,301 Sq Ft $8,500,000
250.888.4579 / callaghanoconnor.com
CALLAGHAN O’CONNOR
Sarah West and Bill Ethier Personal Real Estate Corporation
The Real Estate Team You Trust for Life
info@propertiesinvictoria.com | 250.920.7000 | propertiesinvictoria.com
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ISLAND PARADISE AWAITS
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
MODERN LIVING
474 Smelt Bay Road 3 beds 3 baths MLS 402167 $749,900
245-1999 Country Club Way 1 bed 1 bath MLS 398046 $184,900
4204-3221 Heatherbell Road 2 beds 2 baths MLS 399758 $599,900
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BRIGGS & STRATTON
& ASSOCIATES
Together this dynamic team, offers their clients an in-depth knowledge of Victoria’s real estate market and the characteristics of the array of neighbourhoods under consideration. Whatever the needs of their clients... whatever their stage of life or the lifestyle they want to accommodate. Briggs and Stratton offer energy, competence and personal attention. It’s a winning combination. 307-100 Saghalie Road, Victoria
The result is inevitable — a host of satisfied clients Combining the reach of the world’s most prestigious real estate brand with local market knowledge and specialized marketing expertise. Briggs and Stratton connect you to an exclusive network full of unique opportunities to showcase your home locally, across Canada and around the world.
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THE
INFLUENCERS Meet Victoria’s finest — some of the business people who drive this city — as they discuss success, vision and personal satisfaction. Boulevard presents: The Influencers
photos by Lia Crowe & Don Denton words by Sean McIntyre makeup by Jen Clark production assistant Vellar Chou a special thank you to Karen Jawl
The classy urban scape of Jawl Properties’ stunning new office and retail building, 1515 Douglas, set the backdrop for Boulevard’s 2019 edition of The Influencers. Located across from Victoria’s historic City Hall, 1515 Douglas is a six storey, Class AA LEED Platinum building designed by architects D’Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism. It features a stunning foyer that soars to a windowed ceiling, and an open, industrial-style, glass-fronted double elevator that allows riders to view the changing landscape around City Hall — framed by floor-toceiling windows — as they ride it. Outside, artist Bill Porteus’ sculpture Contours adds dramatic visual interest to the streetscape, and a glazed concourse links 1515 Douglas with 750 Pandora — Jawl Properties’ 13-storey office and retail building. Restaurants located here — Sherwood and Dobosala Cantina and Ride-thru — offer coffee-to-cocktails, eat-in or take-out menus. Shane Deveraux, known by coffee lovers for his Habit cafés, helms Sherwood, a space designed by Bidgood + Co Interior Design that serves as a casually elegant eating spot, while staying true to the owner’s coffee and café culture history. The daytime menu features lighter breakfast/lunch fare, while the evening menu moves up to tasty dinner offerings. Chef Kunal Ghose brings his Indian influence from his two Fishhhook seafood outlets and marries it with flavours from around the world at Dobosala Cantina and Ride-thru. Utilizing reclaimed wood, concrete and steel, the space creates a contemporary but cosy dining experience. Dobosala, which offers Ghose’s unique take on tacos, noodle bowls and sopas to eat in or take out, also sports a unique, open-tothe-street, take-out window.
Amandeep Gill Owner, Patriot Homes
“If you work hard, do what’s right for your clients and value the relationships with the people you work with, everything tends to fall into place. My family has been in the home-building industry for 30 years, so I’ve been around it my whole life. I have always been interested in building things and I’m drawn to the satisfaction of seeing a completed project. I find the new technologies and approaches in construction very interesting and am proud to have built a reliable, talented and trustworthy team.” patriothomes.ca / 250.217.3080
Peggy Yelland, CPA Owner, Peggy Yelland & Associates Inc.
“I was drawn to accounting more by inevitability than intention. I was always organized and meticulous when it came to my personal finances, and this translated easily to becoming an accountant. I sincerely enjoy the field and get a kick out of solving the puzzle of tax accounting, playing within the rules while maximizing what my clients get to keep. I think my presence is helping the industry move in the right direction. Women in business are in the minority, but that’s changing. I run my business without giving a thought to gender roles. I act in the best interests of my clients and ignore the politics of things like gender.
If we all just did the best job possible without any consideration of such trivial thoughts, I believe many of our problems would simply vanish.� peggyyelland.com / 250.652.7845
Michael Walsh Interventions, Sober Coaching
“I did not envision I’d be doing work today that I absolutely love! I help individuals and families create recovery stories that are often life-altering and extraordinary. I assist those who want to change their relationship to alcohol or drugs, while also working to help heal the family system. I provide practical, individualized and evidence-based solutions to change. Discretion is assured.
If you continue saying yes to alcohol or drug use, what are you saying no to?� MichaelWalsh.com / 250.896.8494
Shirin Purewal Professional Realtor & Project Manager, BC HOME GROUP/JonesCo Real Estate Inc.
“My work ethic is to not quit. When clients need me to show up, I show up. It doesn’t matter if it’s the weekend or at night; I show up. I put in the effort on the front end to get success on the back end. My approach is consistent, and I ensure I can be quick and resourceful in a fast-paced environment to make certain my clients’ decisions are profitable. Be it coordinating legal and tax advice or gathering key information, as a professional project manager, my motto is ‘I deliver.’” bchomegroup.ca / 1.778.401.9545
Sarah Binab
Katherine Gray
Senior Agent, The Agency
Agent, The Agency
“I’ve always strongly believed you can do anything you set your mind to. My greatest achievement is being a mom. It’s the most challenging and most rewarding life experience.”
Binabgroup.com or theagencyre.com/bc or SarahBinab.com / 1.778.265.5552
“A passion for interior design, as well as renovating a home with my husband, showed me what a career in real estate could offer. I quickly knew that switching from commercial leasing to residential real estate would turn my passion into a fulfilling career, which is such a gift.
At The Agency, collaboration is a key focus. This in turn leads to greater success, both individually and as a company. It gives me added confidence to have access to the advice, experience and teamwork of my colleagues to navigate our every changing industry and best represent my clients.”
HomeSweetGray.com / 250.516.4563
Ryan Cochrane Real Estate Advisor, The Agency
“Victoria was incredibly supportive of me while I pursued my Olympic dreams, and real estate now allows me to give back and be dedicated to my clients when they’re in the process of buying or selling their home.
Success in this market takes hard work, perseverance and sacrifice – all while loving what you are doing. More specifically, you must be able to go above and beyond for each and every client, never forgetting the significance of each transaction.”
RyanCochrane.ca / 250.661.2743
Jason Binab Partners, The Agency BC
“My father once told me: ‘Son, you have to be willing to work harder than anyone else, but you need to learn to work smart too, not just hard.’ Launching The Agency has been a lifelong dream. Sometimes the path that you take to the dream isn’t what you imagine, but all becomes clear when you reach your goal. For me specifically, I switched through several real estate companies in the last seven years. That needed to happen or I wouldn’t have met Brian and discovered the unique opportunity to create The Agency.”
Brian Danyliw “Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. There is always an element of risk in doing something new; it’s how you manage the risk that counts. I moved through a few real estate companies before landing here, but every move was done with the intention of taking the next step to advance my real estate career. Becoming a managing partner with Jason is the culmination of years of hard work. I am very proud that we’ve both realized our goals.”
theagencyre.com/bc
Linda Rajotte Owner, Silver Ocean Designs
“I have always been drawn to silver and the natural world. I weave, texture and form silver to create unique, wearable art that adorns the body and provides an organic energy that reflects my connection with nature and a passion for artistic pursuits.
I use my background in mathematics to create distinctive designs and look to logarithmic spirals found in nature to inspire my work.� lindarajotte.com 250.727.1232
Ben Brannen Principal Designer, Bespoke Design Ltd.
“I’ve been interested in design and architecture since I was very young and I have memories of ‘space planning’ rooms when I was still too small to actually move the furniture. It was pure coincidence that landed me my first position in the industry as a summer job at a Benjamin Moore paint store while getting my Bachelor of Commerce degree. This sealed my fate to follow a career in the world of interior design. It’s a path I continue to love and enjoy with each new project and client experience.” bespokedesign.ca / 250.298.1105
Derrick Paas & Eric Gummer Co-owners, Thomas Philips Woodworking Ltd.
“Professionally, my greatest achievement is building this successful company. From a personal perspective, however, it would be finding my wife, who is my biggest supporter. Derrick and I started by working from my garage. We worked extremely hard and have grown the business from two people to a 14-member team, while still keeping true to the quality and service that got us here. Derrick brings over 20 years of experience and expertise working on high-end custom homes and cabinetry, and I’ve always had a passion for woodworking.
Both of us pride ourselves on exceptional customer satisfaction and an unparalleled attention to detail.” Eric Gummer thomasphilipswoodworking.com / 778.351.3390
Rebecca Barritt “Everything moves quickly in the real estate industry, and you have to keep up with the market’s shifting tides. My experience in the sector, combined with my background in social work, has taught me that it’s crucial to stay open and responsive to change.
I’ve always enjoyed getting to know my clients and working to help accomplish their goals — no matter how big or small.” 250.514.9024
Sophia Briggs “It’s important to always love what you do. If you’re going to get up every day to spend countless hours working at a specific task, it’s vital that you need to love your career. I’ve always followed this advice and it’s made a big difference in my life. I couldn’t imagine going to a job I didn’t love every day.” 250.418.5569
Nancy Stratton “As realtors, we’re constantly aiming to build our clientele.
I was once told that the key to driving our business forward is to maintain the relationships you have already built — have confidence that the people you’ve gained trust and confidence with will be your greatest references.” 250.857.5482 Licensed Realtors, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
strattonandbriggs.com
Richard DeLuca
“A business mentor once told me, ‘If your clients need it and you can’t find it, build it for them.’ With that in mind, in 2006, Jonathan Veale and I created DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel, our island-based independent investment management firm. Eight years later, we built RealStream Income Properties. Now our clients can be diversified in stocks, bonds and real estate.”
Brenda MacFarlane
“I started my career in the banking sector 28 years ago and gravitated toward investments as
I found I had a gift for explaining investment options to clients, helping them make the right decisions. Today, I'm pleased to have so many new and exciting wealth-building options to offer clients as part of DeLuca Veale.”
Jonathan Veale “Our approach to investing aligns our interests with our clients’ well-being, increases client engagement and eliminates unneeded bureaucracy and cost to ensure success. Our presence in Victoria with local portfolio managers brings this winning approach to investors in Southern Vancouver Island.” DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel Portfolio Managers, DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel
delucaveale.com / 778.433.2000
Scott Piercy “Over the years, I’ve learned from family and friends to be be humble, give and always look forward with some reflection on past decisions.
To quote author and visionary William S. Burroughs, ‘When you stop growing, you start dying.’ I was drawn to this career because of the everyday diversity, my passion for working with others and the opportunities for continual growth.”
Jim LeBlanc “I’m proud to have been a part of taking a company from an unknown name into a recognized brand on Vancouver Island in just four years. Our office was ranked ninth in all of North America last year, an achievement that was possible because of the incredible people we work with, our focus on creating a respectful work culture and building strong relationships within the community.” Real Estate Advisors/Owners,Engel & Völkers Vancouver Island
luxurybchomes.com / 1.778.433.8885 ext. 106
Diane Regan Owner/Operator,Triangle Healing Products
“Triangle Healing Products was born from my research into techniques to help people obtain optimum health and enjoy a better quality of life before and after retiring. A growing, family based business with on-site sales and service, we teach people how to be healthy without relying on drugs. Generations of families return time and time again because of our generous loyalty program with countless satisfied clients and a history of results.” trianglehealing.com / 250.370.1818
Jessica O’Brien Investment Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy
“I have been fortunate enough to have my father as my mentor. He taught me the importance of listening;
I learned early on that we don’t learn from talking but from listening. Listening can be more effective than anything; everyone has a story to tell. I have always enjoyed getting to know people, learning their goals and aspirations and finding solutions to help them.” jessica.obriencameron@cibc.com / 250.361.2272
Chris Barrington Foote “What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail ? This question has driven me to step up, reach out beyond my comfort zone, and say ‘yes’ to the unknown, where fantastic experiences live. I’m thankful for the results, as this approach has helped me become a proud father, coach, neighbour and the human my grandparents hoped I’d be.” 250.881.3668
John Byrne “When faced with a challenge, the answer is always correct if it’s good for the client, good for ourselves and good for the company we represent. Choosing the right ethical path will protect your reputation and ensure longterm success in whatever endeavour you pursue. This philosophy has always been at the root of what’s become a personally rewarding career in the world of home and property sales.” 250.818.7362 Residential Real Estate Advisors, Chris and John Team Engel & Völkers Vancouver Island
chrisandjohn.ca
Kirsten Marten Realtor at Martenhomes and owner of Coldwell Banker Oceanside Real Estate
“In life, if you aren’t scared when trying something new, you aren’t growing. If you want to conquer fear and grow, don’t sit at home thinking about it — go out and get to work. Always trust your instincts, act with integrity and align your life with your values. That will lead you down the right path towards success.” martenhomes.ca 250.857.7326
Mark Rice Realtor at Mark Rice Real Estate and owner of Coldwell Banker Oceanside Real Estate
“When I get asked what my secret to success is, my answer is always the same:
‘Get up every day and attack it like it’s your last, always drink the good wine, never hesitate, help others and love.’” markricerealestate.com 250.588.2339
Blaise McDonald Owner/Operations Manager, MAC Renovations Ltd.
“As an apprentice, after a particularly trying day with a new crew member, an older journeyman told me, ‘Remember that you have the opportunity to learn something valuable from every person you meet, even if it’s how not to do something.’ Building on experience for two generations has helped us establish a loyal following as builders who can be trusted for your design-build home renovation projects.” macreno.com / 250.384.6091
Robyn Sandsmark, Korey Sandsmark & Tara Bushby Design Team, South Shore Cabinetry
“As a family business with more than 35 years of experience in cabinetry production and installation, we’ve utilized a lot of advice over the years.
The most valuable advice has made the best business practice: in order to achieve success, it is imperative that you surround yourself with professionals, trust your team to do the best job possible and represent your company well.” southshorecabinetry.com Victoria 250.920.2003 / Lake Cowichan 250.932.2004
Melodie Reynolds Founder & CEO, Eluma Beauty Inc.
Elate Cosmetics
“Communication is the most integral part of any successful company. The beauty industry is incredibly wasteful, but through communication with suppliers, customers and staff, we have created a more sustainable approach to our company’s practices and packaging to change the future of beauty.” elatebeauty.com / 250.590.5530
Roman Hahn Vice President and Wealth Advisor RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities
“Ours is an incredibly dynamic industry as changes are constant. These changes come from technological disruption, political shifts, a flow of new products, emerging competitors and market fluctuations. It’s not necessarily the strongest that survive, but rather those who are able to continuously adapt.
My love of current affairs, geopolitics and economics helps me excel at adapting to these ceaseless changes and finding new opportunities for my clients.” romanhahn.com / 250.356.4838
Daisy & Adam Orser Co-Owners, The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer (home to: The Potting Shed Garden Market, The Chop Shop Meat Market & The Coffee Project)
“We dreamed of our own market for years, finally opening our doors 10 years ago.
We wanted somewhere that offered people with shared values a place to shop with the knowledge that products are sourced with a local focus, and with care. The number of locals whose food dreams aligned with ours has grown The Root Cellar from a little market on the corner in 2008, to a well-known community hub and vibrant shopping experience. The community’s enthusiasm for our business model really makes it feel like we’re having an impact on consumer awareness and food sustainability, directly affecting the way people shop, eat, and experience food for the better.” therootcellar.ca / 250.477.9495
Geoffrey Beattie Owner, Barclay’s Fine Jewellers
“One of my proudest accomplishments has been to become Canada’s sole provider of luxury jewellery from the exceptional Robert Procop. He creates the finest jewellery using the rarest gems the world has to offer.
If you love rare, investible, luxury jewellery, Robert’s fascinating story and impressive body of work can be viewed at robertprocop.com.” barclaysjewellers.com 250.592.1100
Don Beatty President, Pacific Rollshutters and Awnings Ltd.
“One of my first bosses taught me a valuable lesson in life and business. When a customer has a problem or challenging request, it’s best to deal with it head on, regardless of how tough it may seem. Once the problem is taken care of, everything else becomes easier. Outdoor leisure, dining and relaxation areas for residential and commercial are experiencing an exciting new opportunity and are becoming more and more popular. In response, we’ve proactively expanded our lineup of products to help meet the growing demand.” pacificrollshutters.com / 250.361.4714
Sarah West & Sharen Warde Licensed Real Estate Agents, Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty
“We believe it’s important to align what you do with who you are. We pride ourselves in putting our clients first and consistently push ourselves and the industry to be better. We evolve with new technology, remain grounded to our values and are passionate about helping people. Our approach to real estate is relational and strategic. We want our clients to be as knowledgeable as possible about the process and the market. By staying in touch with clients’ changing needs, government policies and our rapidly evolving industry, we bring solutions and use change as a platform for being better at what we do best. We believe that real estate involves strengthening the communities where we live and enjoy volunteering in the community.”
rlpvictoria.com / 250.592.4422
Eric Schulz “The best advice I’ve ever been given is to listen very intently to successful business owners and entrepreneurs from the generation before me. They’ve been there already, faced the challenges and overcome the obstacle. It is through their stories and experience that we can often discover valuable advice about the highs and lows of owning a company.”
David Wallden “‘It’s better to do a good job than a fast job.’ This is a quote from my first employer, where I served my formal apprenticeship. Thirty years later, I carry this motto forward everyday in my business practice. I take pride in the work we do, the products we supply and the reputation we have built at Decora Tile.” Owners, Decora Tile
decoratile.com 250.475.2033
Scott Thompson Owner/Manager, W&J Wilson Clothiers
“My grandfather’s advice has always inspired me. He said: ‘Be mindful of the small steps which give you the chance to make the next right step.’ I’ve learned that this only works if you practice it as a daily part of your life. Six generations of my family have run our stores, which opened in Victoria more than 155 years ago. My approach has been to value quality product and service, a rarity in today’s retail world. I’m proud W&J Wilson is the first choice for the finest woolen imports and quality apparel for men and women of all ages.” wjwilson.com / 250.383.7177
Danielle Keogan Principal
“My dad always said, ‘‘A shortcut is the longest distance between two points.’ Shortcuts can be seductive, but they never really pay off. It’s easy to focus exclusively on the goal, but if you stay engaged with the process and mind the details along the way, the outcome takes care of itself. Be efficient, be effective, but stay in the process. That’s where the magic happens.”
Nicala Hicks Principal Designer
“Ideas have to be made real. Grand visions, without order, fall short in the execution. We weave planning, design and build into a single, clear continuum, breaking down compartmentalized silos that so often plague and frustrate the industry. The outcome is the simultaneously efficient execution of our projects and an emergence of greater utility and beauty for our clients.” MAVEN Design + Build
mavendesignbuild.com 250.508.4801
LYF Marketing Dan Kerr, President/Marlie Coward, Content Manager / Terrilyn Hindle, Web Developer/Dave Alexander, Web Developer / Hendriko Van der May, Photographer / Santana Tarasewich, Intern & Web Developer / Tessa Green, Social Media Expert / Chloe Resch, Social Media Expert & Photographer
“We’ve taken the real estate marketing industry by storm by offering realtors and developers personalized websites and industry leading marketing services at an affordable price. Our knowledgeable and creative team specializes in websites, social media, graphic design and search engine optimization (SEO). Our success has helped us reach new clients across Canada. By offering every service imaginable all in one place, we save our clients time and money, leaving them with more time to enjoy LYF (pun intended!).” lyfmarketing.com / 1.778.557.8855
Keith Baker Principal, Keith Baker Design Inc. (KB Design)
“The best piece of advice I’ve received is: ‘Do it right once.’ If you have time to redo something, you had time to do it right in the first place. In terms of custom home design, this means thoughtful and carefully considered wholistic design. It means getting the space right, understanding spacial relationships, orientation, function and integration. Beauty reveals itself naturally when considerations flow from the do-it-right-once perspective.”
keithbakerdesign.com / 250.384.1550
Sandy Higgins Mortgage Broker/ Owner, The Mortgage Centre Island Properties
“After working in the lending industry for almost three decades, I decided it was time to become a mortgage broker so I could use my experience to help my clients make sense of the many options available to them. I work with clients to find the perfect mortgage product to fit their needs. I strive to explain the often-complicated world of mortgages in plain English. Choosing a mortgage product has lasting implications so it’s crucial to make your choice based on experience of trends, knowledge of different products and an understanding of various rate structures.
Making the right choice can save you time, money and regret.” ipmortgages.ca 250.658.9315 ext. 1
Tasha Medve & Saira Waters Real Estate Agents, Modern Real Estate Team at Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty
“We both have a passion for helping people and believe in educating our clients to feel empowered when they are making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. We wanted to have a team of real estate professionals who share the same values and provide excellent customer service throughout every transaction.� modernrev.com / 1.778.432.4611
Jacqueline Armour PhD (c) CEO, Armour Addiction Services Inc.
“As someone who has gone through recovery, I struggled with trauma-based emotional flooding during my first two years of recovery. Some of the trauma I experienced occurred while in a treatment centre.
Trauma therapy led me to real freedom and a better quality of life. I believe we need to provide trauma sensitive treatment and prevent retraumatizing clients in our care. In recovery, I’ve realized how amazing my life can be. Helping people achieve that goal in their lives is my greatest passion and calling. It’s not what I do, it is who I am.” 250.619.9324
Geri Laurence Somatic Therapist
“I believe all of our experiences are valuable, even those that can feel very disorganized at times. I feel that if we are able to embrace our experiences and strive to be connected to one another in healthy ways with therapeutic support, we will heal. The more we open the door to science, the more we see that we are social creatures who long for connection to one another in safe ways that are nourishing and supportive. We need a felt sense of healing in our communities and work places. We survive trauma when we are nurtured in healthy environments.” 250.203.3037 Armour Addiction Services Inc.
armouraddictionservices.ca
Francis Mairet Principal, Mairet Hotels
“When I started my career at the Ritz in Paris at age 15, my father gave me a book for Christmas. Inside the front cover he wrote:
May you always keep your passion in all you do. ‘Passion is the luck of mankind as it brings us focus and joy in the difficult moments of life. With passion alive in your heart, I know that you will become one of the best in anything you do.’ These words are with me every day and have guided my family and professional life ever since.”
250.889.5494 francis@mairethotels.com
Gautam Arora Licenced Realtor, Pemberton Holmes/ Gautam Arora Personal Real Estate Group
“My family started out in retail and slowly shifted to the world of real estate by buying buildings and either leasing them or reselling them. I was involved at an arm’s length, gaining experience through those various transactions.
As we slowly transitioned from retail during the past few years, it was only natural for me to pursue a career in this exciting and ever changing industry.” PembertonHolmes.com / 250.384.8124 Investment Properties Group
Evan Thomas “At Dockside Physiotherapy, we’ve developed systems to ensure our team can focus on exceptional client care and a healthy customer experience.
Our team is aware of each person’s role and expectations, which ultimately leads to the best outcomes for patients. We’re also committed to setting an example in the health care community by reducing our waste in creative ways. We’re the first clinic to be certified by the Vancouver Island Green Business Collective as well as approved by the Surfrider Foundation.”
Cathy Stedman “A fascination with the human body is what drew me to physiotherapy, and I’ve since developed a keen interest in pelvic health after witnessing so many problems left untreated in the health care system.
As a certified pelvic health physiotherapist, I look at how the whole body works together to develop a solution for each person’s concerns. I know that if I don’t address a person’s lifestyle habits in conjunction with any movement/strength deficits, then we won’t get to the root of their problem together.” Registered Physiotherapists and Clinic Owners, Dockside Physiotherapy
docksidephysio.com 250.590.5840
Jodie Kristian Mortgage Specialist, DLC Modern Mortgage Group
“A realtor for whom I have much respect gave me some valuable advice early in my career. He encouraged me to put my nose down, work hard and focus on ways to improve myself. Do not worry about what everyone else is doing. Sixteen years later, I still hear those words in my mind. Comparing yourself to others is useless and self-defeating. Professional and personal growth comes from within. Life is a journey, enjoy and learn from the process.” jodiesmortgages.ca / 250.885.5738
Kelvin Scheuer Lawyer, Beacon Law Centre
“My dad was fond of saying ‘all things in moderation’ whenever he encountered someone taking an extreme or polarizing position on any issue. Although I was never sure whether he was quoting Aristotle or Oscar Wilde, I think this piece of advice has helped me develop a level-headed, thoughtful and measured approach to my work and to life in general. I've always had an interest in the law and find the practice both challenging and stimulating. My work with Beacon Law Centre allows me to help people achieve their goals in business as well as in life.” beaconlaw.ca / 250.656.3280
Lonnie Powell & Jordan Illingworth President and Vice President, Sexy Beast: The Dating App For Dog People
“Inspiration can strike at any moment. For us, it was part way through a bottle of tequila at a dinner party where the conversation was — ‘What if the person you are dating doesn’t like your dog?’ It was everyone’s deal breaker. Today we’re connecting dog people in an organic way by swiping left for love, dates, walks, hook-ups or something else. Lessons learned along the way?
Don’t waste your time trying to convince someone you’re worth it, concentrate on those who already know it.” sexybeastdating.com / 1.855.872.6797
David Burns Clinical Director, Burns Clinical Life Options Inc.
“At Burns Clinical Life Options, we know that alcohol and drug use ruins lives, ruptures families and destroys careers. We specialize in trusted, local, private and professional addiction treatment, for all types of addiction (alcohol, food, drugs, internet and gambling), providing clients with support and tools through all stages of recovery.
Applying evidence-based tools and strategies, we work together with clients and those they love to create a customized plan of care to navigate addiction recovery. We also offer services to help employers manage addiction in the workplace with compliance monitoring, assessments, support, treatment planning and follow up care after treatment. We restore hope, and return individuals and families to healthy and productive lives.” addictionsvictoria.com / 250.590.3168
Glynis MacLeod Senior Vice President, Sales
“Having owned beautiful homes in multiple cities across three continents, I have been fortunate to have experienced many cultures and landscapes.
Now working on Vancouver Island, it gives me huge pleasure to facilitate property purchases or sales in such an idyllic part of the world, where the beauty, climate and freedom we enjoy is something sought after worldwide.” 250.661.7232
Kirsten MacLeod Sales Associate, MacLeod Group
“I was raised on the principle that you should always strive to work harder than those around you, go the extra mile and always work with passion, integrity, positivity and empathy for others. I try to never get pigeon-holed by my job description. Anyone can do a good job and meet expectations, but people will remember you for the times you go above and beyond.” 250.686.3385 glynismacleod.com
Krista Voitchovsky Victoria Lifestyle Realtor, RE/MAX Camosun
“I’m proud of where I am and where I come from. I moved to Victoria from Kitimat, BC as a single parent in 2000. I launched myself into the real estate industry in 2010 following a 30-year career in travel.
Thanks to much hard work and a steadfast commitment to clients, I’m now ranked among the top 20 per cent of realtors in the Victoria region.” kristav.ca / 250.744.3301 / 250.888.3256 cell
Eric Johnson Partner, Complete Windows
“We take a no-pressure approach when it comes to doing business. Ninety per cent of communication is about listening. It’s about paying special attention to the details. It’s about our team bringing the best information forward so our clients can make the best design decisions with the best available products. After that, it is all about bringing the homeowner’s vision to reality.” completewindows.ca
Danielle Roke, Rhea Cavelti & Michelle Beaumont Danielle Roke, Cosmetic Manager / Rhea Cavelti, Front Store Manager / Michelle Beaumont, Assistant Front Store Manager, Broadmead Pharmasave
“Our approach to retail is: ‘Our only limitation is our own imagination.’ We’re always looking forward, looking for new, looking for trends and looking for local. As a team, we all have different perspectives, different tastes and different outlooks, but we bring it all together to offer an exceptional shopping experience that’s unlike any other in Victoria. We’re proud of winning eight Pharmasave Store of the Year awards in the Pharmasave Pacific Region and being named Giftware Store of the Year by the Canadian Giftware Association in 2017. You can be sure to always expect the unexpected at Pharmasave Broadmead.” pharmasavebroadmead.com / 250.727.3505
Michael McMullen Personal Real Estate Corporation, RE/MAX Camosun
“I’ve been a people person as long as I can remember. Sales felt to be a natural fit. Real estate appealed to me because I love the idea of helping people make the most important purchase of their lives. When I help people buy a home, I like to think of all the happy memories they will create as their life happens. It’s an honour to be a small part of that. I work hard to give people thoughtful advice, the kind I would give to family or close friends, the type of advice I’d like to be given.
I always counsel my clients to think about longterm value and resale. Although I’m very proud of my career, and the high level achievement awards I’ve received and the many families I’ve helped, I can honestly say my children are my greatest achievement and what I feel the most proud about.” mcmullenhomes.ca / 250.415.3355
Toni Desrosiers Founder and CEO, Abeego Designs Inc.
“Inventing a breathable, beeswax food wrap, creating an entirely new category that is now trending around the world and completely disrupting the billion dollar plastic-wrap industry is my greatest achievement to date. The notion that food needs to breathe debunks decades of airtight plastic food wrap and sparks a conversation about what it really takes to keep food fresh, alive and out of the waste. As the world turns its attention to the staggering amounts of wasted food, Abeego will be there to keep food alive and push the conversation forward; the plastic industry will have no choice but to follow suit, which will change the future of food forever.” abeego.com / 1.855.522.3346
Jake Nemec, CIM, FCSI, CFP Investment Specialist, Financial Planner, Scotiabank
“I was fortunate to work for a successful advisor early on in my career.
My biggest takeaway from that experience was to systematize my business, pay attention to small details and to not always accept the first answer to a question at face value. As a financial planner, I now get to work with many different people, each with wildly different stories. The opportunity to work with them through major life events, both good and bad, is constantly rewarding.” 250.217.8862
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Ross Marshall “I’m an early riser and I try to maximize my productivity in the beginning of the day so I can free up time to spend with my wife and three sons in the evenings.
Our industry is fast-paced and competitive, but I’ve found that embracing stress, setting goals and being disciplined about what I want to achieve each day have been the keys to success.”
Chris Rust “I was once told to avoid burning bridges. If you lose on a pitch or whatever project you are working on, be a good loser. Understand how you could have done better and learn from your mistakes. Victoria is a small town and closing a door permanently is never a good idea. Learn, adapt and persevere. The same person or a similar opportunity will often return to you in the future, at which time you’ll be better than ever to tackle the assignment at hand.” Investment Properties Group/CBRE Limited Senior Vice-Pesidents
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There’s nothing like a blustery evening paired with a warm pan of crisp-fried pierogi, especially if you have pulled those morsels of deliciousness from your homemade stash in the freezer.
A
LTHOUGH it may seem like a daunting task, homemade pierogi are one of the most satisfying and delicious things a cook can make. The tender, pillowy, homemade dough, the perfect amount of flavourful filling, the crisp buttery crackle as you bite into it — homemade pierogi are transformational, and ever so much better than store-bought. I make pierogi from scratch in the winter months, when I want to eat foods that are cosy, hearty and richly flavoured. It’s a special project for our family around Christmastime, but the joy can last all winter long. There’s nothing like a blustery evening paired with a warm pan of crisp-fried pierogi, especially if you have pulled those morsels of deliciousness from your homemade stash in the freezer! Homemade pierogi are a project, but one that is uncomplicated and absolutely worthwhile. The process
of filling and sealing them gets quicker and easier, until it becomes a kind of kitchen meditation. I love to try out different fillings, branching out from the traditional cheeseand-potato (still my kids’ favourite, let’s be honest) to a variety of winter vegetables, aromatics, cheeses, meats and even sweet fruit fillings. Think sautéed mushroom, kielbasa sausage, roasted squash with buttery leeks, or spiced apple. No matter which filling you pick, wrapping it in dough is going to elevate it from tasty to extraordinary. The importance of a tender yet resilient dough cannot be overstated, and I have, after years of trial and error, finally found the perfect pierogi dough and have shared it below, along with a few of my favourite fillings. In addition, I’ve shared as many of my tips and tricks I can think of to make your pierogi-making venture a success. I urge you to try your hand at homemade pierogi. I dare you not to love them as much as I do.
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After years of trying one recipe and another (most from Polish or Ukrainian grandmothers famous for their cooking) and never feeling quite satisfied, I finally stumbled on the original of this one on the King Arthur Flour website. Oh, the joys of the internet! I have adapted it a bit, but all credit for this perfect, tender, pillowy-yet-strong pierogi dough must go to them. 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 cup sour cream ½ cup room-temperature butter
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In a medium bowl, mix together the flour and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and sour cream until smooth. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, along with the room-temperature butter. Mix well with a spoon until a rough dough comes together. It will be very sticky. You can do this beginning step in a food processor, but the dough will still need to be kneaded by hand. Turn the dough (with any unmixed dry flour) onto a countertop and knead without adding additional flour until the dough is smooth, silky and not sticky. This will take at least five full minutes. You can knead longer, if you wish — it can’t be over-kneaded. Divide the dough into 4 portions. Wrap each portion well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 48 hours.
FILLINGS: The following four recipes are only a small sample of the types of fillings you can make for pierogi. The homemade filling is almost the best part of making these yourself. You can use any combination of vegetable, meat, dairy and aromatics that you like, as long as the resulting filling isn’t too wet and sloppy. Let your imagination run wild. You can even make sweet pierogi with fruit filings! All fillings can be made up to four days in advance of making the pierogi. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to use.
WINTER SQUASH, LEEK & GOUDA This is my all-time favourite pierogi filling. The combination of sweet, earthy squash with tender buttery sautéed leeks and grated cheese is a dream inside a dumpling. NOTE: It’s very important to use either kabocha squash or buttercup squash. These dark-green-skinned squash have a very dry and dense flesh, which provides a great consistency in the filling. Other squashes and sweet potatoes taste good, but make wet fillings that are difficult to work with. 2 lbs kabocha or buttercup squash (3 cups diced) 1 large or 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts (3 cups sliced) ¼ cup butter ¾ tsp salt 1 Tbsp butter (additional) 2 cups grated gouda cheese
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Using a big sharp knife, cut the squash in half through the stem. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and membranes. Cut the squash into wedges. Lay each wedge on its side and cut the peel off. Discard the peels, seeds and membranes. Cut the squash into 1-inch cubes. Place in a steam basket and steam over boiling water for about 15 minutes, until fork-tender. Meanwhile, slice and clean the leeks. Sauté the leeks gently in ¼ cup butter until softened. Remove from heat. When the squash is ready, remove it to a bowl. Add the salt and the additional 1 Tbsp of butter. Mash with a fork or potato masher until relatively smooth. Stir in the leeks and grated gouda. Taste for seasoning — it may need more salt. Let filling cool completely before filling pierogi.
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A riff on samosa filling, this is a winner with everyone who has tried it. This filling is especially tasty when the pierogi are pan-fried — the combination of crisp dough, curry spices and the sweet pop of the peas is wonderful. BONUS: You can use this recipe as a side dish with any meal. 2 large russet potatoes (about 1-1/2 lbs) ¼ tsp salt 4 Tbsp oil ½ tsp cumin seed 2 shallots, diced fine 1 Tbsp minced ginger ½ jalapeno, seeded and minced 1¼ tsp garam masala ¼ tsp turmeric ½ tsp coriander ½ tsp salt (additional) 2 ripe Roma tomatoes, chopped 3 Tbsp water 1 cup frozen baby peas, rinsed in warm water to thaw ¼ cup chopped cilantro Peel, rinse and dice potatoes into ¾-inch cubes. Place in a small pot, cover with water and add the ¼ tsp salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer gently for about 10 minutes, until tender. Drain potatoes and transfer to a tray where they can evaporate excess steam. In the meantime, heat oil in a medium-large sauté pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds, then add the shallots. Sauté for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until shallots have softened. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the ginger and jalapeno and sauté until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the all the spices and the salt, stir a few times, then add the tomatoes along with the water. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have broken down into a sauce and everything smells delicious. Add the cooked potatoes and stir until everything is well mixed. Keep cooking and stirring for a minute or two until all the flavours are blended together. Remove to a bowl, stir in the peas and cilantro. Taste to adjust the salt levels.
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TRADITIONAL MUSHROOM & SAUERKRAUT
COTTAGE CHEESE, SPINACH & HERBS
This is the most traditional filling in this lineup, but one of the standouts. I like to sauté the mushrooms until they are caramelized and “meaty” tasting, and then mix just enough chopped sauerkraut to give the filling a tangy, salty zing.
Cottage cheese is a very traditional pierogi filling. But jazz it up with steamed spinach, sautéed green onions and piles of herbs, and you get a fresh twist on a classic!
1 lb brown mushrooms ¼ cup butter ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 cup packed sauerkraut, drained and chopped To clean mushrooms, I put them in a large bowl and run cold water over them, swish them around, and pull the mushrooms out into a colander, letting the dirt settle into the bottom of the washing bowl. After cleaning, mince the mushrooms until they are quite small — I find it best to use a food processor for this step. Next, place a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the butter to the pan. Once the butter is melted, add all of the minced mushrooms, along with the salt and pepper. Sauté for several minutes, until the mushrooms are giving off liquid. Turn the heat down to medium-low and continue sautéing, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid has evaporated, the mushrooms are getting some dark colour on them and the aroma of browned mushrooms is filling the room. Remove from heat and scrape mushrooms into a bowl. Let cool completely. Meanwhile, drain and chop the sauerkraut. When the mushrooms are cool, mix the sauerkraut into the bowl. Taste to adjust the seasoning.
2 cups cottage cheese, drained if very wet 10 oz spinach (boxed or bagged spinach is great) ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper tsp freshly grated nutmeg ¼ cup butter 1 bunch green onions (6 to 8), sliced — use both the white and green parts ½ cup minced EACH of fresh parsley and fresh dill Place the cottage cheese in a bowl. Mash with a back of a fork until some of the cheese has broken down and the curds have binded together a bit. Place the spinach in a large pot with a lid and about ½ cup water. Cover and bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and let stand for 1 minute. Using tongs, remove spinach to a plate to cool. Once it is properly cool, pick up handfuls of cooked spinach and squeeze to rid them of excess water. When all the spinach has been squeezed, chop it finely with a knife and add it to the bowl with the cottage cheese. Add the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Heat a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter and
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let it melt. Add the prepared green onions and sauté for 1 minute, until softened. Scrape into the bowl with the spinach and cheese. Add the parsley and dill. Mix everything very well. Taste to adjust seasoning.
TO ROLL AND FILL PEIROGI Roll each portion of dough on a lightly floured counter, turning and flipping the dough as necessary, adding a little more flour as necessary, until the dough is very thin, about 1 millimetre thick. Don’t worry if the dough appears too thin; it’s very stretchy and shrinks back on itself somewhat. It’s better if the dough starts off looking too thin. Use a 3-inch-round biscuit cutter to cut rounds of dough, cutting as close together as possible to avoid wasting any of it. Remove the excess dough from around the cut circles. Have a small bowl of water on the counter beside the dough circles. Have a parchment-lined tray ready as well. Place approximately 2 tsps of filling in the middle of each circle of dough. Dip your finger in the bowl of water and run your wet finger along half the edge of 3 or 4 circles of the dough (just work with a few at a time, otherwise they get too sticky). The most common instruction is to fold the dough in half over the filling, but this often leads to the filling squishing out and wrecking the seal. I think it’s better to place a filled round of dough in your non-dominant hand and use your fingers to pull the dough around the filling in a semi-circle (and sometimes you need to push the filling in a bit) and
pinch the two sides of the dough together. Pinch firmly the whole way around, making sure no filling is in the way. For beginners, I would also recommend sealing the edge of the pierogi with the tines of a fork, but you can do this once all the pierogi are filled and sealed. Transfer the filled pierogi to the parchment-lined tray. Continue folding and sealing until all the pierogi are done. I always freeze mine right away, on the tray, until firm, before transferring them to a zipper-lock bag. They can be cooked directly from frozen.
TO COOK AND SERVE PIEROGI Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in no more than 18 pierogi at a time; boil until all pierogi float to the surface and the dough becomes somewhat translucent — 3 to 5 minutes. In the meantime, have a large tray ready in a low oven (200 F) with about ¼ cup butter melted on its surface. Once the pierogi are cooked, turn off the heat under the pot. Remove the pierogi in batches with a slotted spoon, making sure to let as much of the excess water drip off as possible, and place pierogi on the melted butter tray in the warm oven. Repeat until all pierogi are removed to the oven. (I’ve started using this method in an effort to prevent the cooked periogi from sticking together until they have all been fried.) You can eat the pierogi like that, or you can pan-fry them in butter until both sides are crisp. It’s most common to serve pierogi with sautéed onion and sour cream.
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View from a cottage at Jakes Hotel on the south coast of Jamaica.
Living well in paradise 132
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Just moments earlier, we’d been motoring along the southern coastline of Jamaica in Captain Joseph’s tour boat, keeping an eye open for dolphins and enjoying the bliss of warm wind on our faces. Landing at a remote beach, we waded through the warm water, darted over a strip of hot, golden sand and onto a path that led to a flight of stairs and fully hidden platform, containing a beautifully set table, bar and foliage-framed views of the sea. This is Sea Grape, a deserted, private beach where Captain Joseph Treasure Beach Adventures hosts tour groups in his secret hideout. The vibrant red tablecloth glows in the sunlight as we sit down with our “dark and stormys” and feast on crab, lobster and traditional Jamaican rice and peas, all prepared by Captain Joseph’s charming wife on a huge outdoor grill. Later we climb up to an observation platform, again searching the horizon for dolphins, and then climb down, strip down and float in the so-warm water. We came to Jamaica on a “health and wellness” excursion and in this moment — with my mind clear and calm, and my stomach full with real, wholesome food — I definitely feel the vibe. Ah, Jamaica. Arriving the day before, we’d driven via tour bus from the airport at Montego Bay through the mountains to Black River, and then along the coast to Treasure Beach, mesmerized by the colours, vibrancy and breathtaking views of this Caribbean island. Checking in at Jakes Hotel — named one of the 14 best family hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveller in 2018 — I actually gasp as I step into my room, which, with its back doors
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Checking in at Jakes Hotel — named one of the 14 best family hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveller in 2018 — I actually gasped as I stepped into my room, which, with its back doors flung open to the warm breeze, sat perched on the rocks just steps from the ocean. flung open to the warm breeze, sits perched on the rocks just steps from the ocean. The funky, 49-room, family-run Jakes is nothing short of miraculous. Offering hotel rooms, bungalows, cottages and villas — some at sea level, some on the cliffs above, some rising like flowers in the gardens — it has a Bohemian, artsy atmosphere. There are colour-drenched walls, oddly shaped doorways, glowing glass bottles used like stained glass, mosaics on the pathways, outdoor showers hidden behind seashell-androck walls, and bathtubs perched on private balconies. No two rooms are alike. And details small and large in Jakes’ outdoor
Bar and pool area at Jakes Hotel.
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patio restaurant, pool and bar area rival the gardens for splashes of colour: the tables, for example, pop with hot pink coverings one day and glow in rich red the next. We enjoy several meals at Jakes Restaurant and Jack Sprat Seafood and Pizza Restaurant, located next door to Jakes. Since this area grows a significant portion of Jamaica’s domestic produce and is set at the ocean’s edge, the food is fresh and locally sourced. I choose authentic Jamaican cuisine, grooving on delicacies like ackee, codfish and callaloo for breakfast, fried plantains for a snack, and all manner of seafood. I don’t eat red meat, but my fellow travellers revel in the flavours of Jamaican patties and jerk chicken. The healthy food and laid-back vibe of Jakes definitely speaks to the health and wellness theme, but the pièce de résistance is a morning yoga session followed by massage at Jakes’ Driftwood Spa. While both experiences are exquisite, the setting makes them stand out: the open yoga space sits rooftop under a palapa, with views across the ocean. The gentle slap of sea on the rocks below and the chatter of birds sets a gentle backdrop as we move through postures and yogic breathing. Similarly,
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Rooms at Rockhouse Hotel are perched at the water’s edge.
the massage unfolds in a bright, open space, filled with soothing scents and a peaceful murmur of sound. Jakes offers other health-boosting activities such as a sunrise bike ride (although considering the hilliness of the region, I’m not sure how “healthy this would be for me) hikes, farm and boat excursions and more. Our second spa visit occurs a few days later, after we bus back up the coast to the city of Negril. Rockhouse Spa — two-time winner of the World Travel Award for Best Spa in Jamaica — presents as another miracle. My treatment takes place in a darkened, sweetly scented room in the Rockhouse Spa Pavilion — a temple-like structure set amid a flourishing garden — but also incorporates cliff-edge Spa Cabanas and
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a Bathing Pavilion. The spa promises an authentic Jamaican experience, including treatment rituals like a “welcome” foot ceremony soak and scrub, and uses all-natural, Caribbean-made products. A peek into the Bathing Pavilion reveals two side-byside tubs, facing an open view of the sea. They are filled with warm, milky water, strewn with pink flowers and scented with aromatherapy blends. (Sign me up!) Rockhouse Hotel is exquisite in itself, with 34 stand-alone rooms made of timber, stone and thatch, perched around the edge of the water amid eight acres of tropical gardens and volcanic rock. Private patios, many with steps down to the sea, are set into the rocks below the rooms, and the entire acreage is connected by walkways and bridges. Touring the Rockhouse Organic Garden, we discover that many of the plants that grow here are used for medicinal and culinary purposes and frequently incorporated into cuisine at the hotel’s three restaurants. For our stay in Negril, we check into the upscale Royalton Negril, an all-inclusive resort that pretty much offers everything you could possibly need, including personal butlers and — wait for it — a pillow menu service. It takes us two-and-a-half hours to tour the Royalton Negril, which has three distinct districts (Resort, Diamond Club and the adults-only Hideaway), more than six restaurants, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, children’s daycare, teen hang-out space, conference rooms and a sports bar that, apparently run by a Canadian, has a hockey theme. Our first night here, we drink champagne on a moonlit patio bar before heading indoors for a chef-hosted dinner in a private room at Hunter Steakhouse. As a vegetarian, I have no idea
how the steak tastes — although everyone seems to be melting with joy into their plates — but I have to say, my piece of fish bursts with some of the best flavours I’ve ever tasted. Morning at Royalton Negril begins with outdoor yoga on a huge beachside platform. Some of the younger, fitter and more energetic members of our group follow up with a bootcamp in the fitness centre. I chose a more leisurely form of exercise, walking from one end of the ocean-hugging resort to the other, clutching a morning coffee, and basking in the warm, humid air. A visit to the west-facing Ocean Point Bistro at the very far end of the resort quickly establishes my favourite spot at Royalton Negril. From here, later in the day, you can watch boats returning to port as the sun dips behind the horizon sending fingers of colour across the sky. And it is here that I sit on my final evening, sipping another bright and calm dark and stormy, feeling relaxed, healthy and fit, and watching the sun set on what has been a remarkable visit. Ah, Jamaica. I’ll be back.
IF YOU GO: Our bus service to and from the airport was exceptional: paradisetravelsinja.com. At the airport in Montego Bay, Club Mobay fast tracks visitors through customs and immigration and provides a place to await flights out with activities such as an on-site spa, and complimentary food and beverages: paradisetravelsinja.com/club-mobay
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Wandering through the ship after boarding in Southampton, Alanna and I are dazzled by the elegant public spaces — the sweeping staircase in the Grand Lobby with its shiny black piano and striking floral arrangement; the Queens Room with the largest dance floor at sea; and the Commodore Club overlooking the ship’s bow.
O
N MY recent Cunard cruise I packed with extra care. Three nights out of the seven would be gala evenings and a chance to wear something a little out of the ordinary. Well, make that a lot out of the ordinary. Many cruise lines have given up on formal flings, but not Cunard, the company that pioneered the concept of world cruising in 1922 and continues to give guests plenty of opportunities to celebrate in style. For my 24-year-old daughter and me, these evenings would prove to be one of the highlights of our voyage. For our first Cunard cruise, Alanna and I chose a Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York on Queen Mary 2, one of three Queens in the Cunard fleet. When commissioned in 2002, she was the largest, longest, widest and most expensive passenger liner ever built. And unlike cruise ships designed for shallow waters, her long, slender lines combined with the power of her engines allows her to slice gracefully through wild Atlantic waves that can — and one day on our cruise did — reach eight and a half metres. Queen Mary’s two sister ships, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, are smaller but equally regal looking with their jet-black hulls and distinctive red-and-black funnels. Inside, they’re just as glamorous as Queen Mary. Imagine, for instance, a large theatre with seating for 1,000 people, including private boxes where you can sip champagne and eat chocolates while enjoying a lavish production worthy of London’s West End. That’s the Royal Court Theatre on Queen Elizabeth, which, by the way, will return to Canada’s West Coast for the first time in 20 years this spring, making four 10-night return trips from Vancouver to Alaska with stops in Victoria. So how did our cruise go?
I’ve experienced my share of cruises and cruise companies, from sleek Viking river vessels with 100 passengers, to mid-size ships including Holland America’s Rotterdam with 1,400 guests. At the opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve also enjoyed a couple of super casual cruises with UnCruise Adventures, where all I needed to pack was my bathing suit and a pair of shorts and was soon calling many of the 60 or so other guests by first names. Queen Mary 2 is a different creature altogether. Wandering through the ship after boarding in Southampton, Alanna and I are dazzled by the elegant public spaces — the sweeping staircase in the Grand Lobby with its shiny black piano and striking floral arrangement; the Queens Room with the largest dance floor at sea; and the Commodore Club overlooking the ship’s bow, where fabulous cocktails are concocted to celebrate some of Cunard’s most decorated commodores. The Punch Romaine à la Carpathia, for instance, recalls the last libation thought to have been served on the Titanic and celebrates Sir Arthur Rostron, the captain of Cunard’s Carpathia, which rescued all 705 Titanic survivors. Then there’s the library. Remember when we all read books printed on real paper? This is the largest library at sea with more than 10,000 books and a good selection of current magazines. I love my iPad, but I could easily spend many quiet hours here immersed in words while ensconced on a leather sofa, surrounded by gleaming glass-panelled shelves filled with books. Because Cunard has been in business for so long — the company was started by Canadian entrepreneur Samuel Cunard in 1839 — and because it has a stellar reputation to maintain, Cunard can claim a lot of industry firsts, such as having the first
ship with hot and cold water in every cabin. Of course, we all take hot water for granted these days, but how about the first planetarium at sea? The first cultural academy operated by the University of Oxford? Or the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea? One afternoon, Alanna and I lean back in our chairs in the domed and darkened planetarium to watch National Geographic’s documentary Asteroid: Mission Extreme. In visually riveting detail, it explains how asteroids are both a threat and an opportunity to humankind. Another day we learn about the more down-to-earth science of DNA testing that’s revolutionizing genealogy research. Four experts from Ancestry.com are on this particular cruise, including Jennifer Utley, who oversees research for the television shows Who Do You Think You Are? and Long Lost Family. There’s a daily “reveal,” where they share what they’ve learned about six crew and six guests, based on DNA analysis from samples of spit. (These lectures are so popular that Cunard and Ancestry. com plan to team up again on future Queen Mary 2 cruises.) And, not surprisingly, the spa becomes a much-anticipated part of our daily routine, especially on days when Deck 7 — where you can walk or run laps outdoors — is closed due to the weather. (It’s November, so it’s wet and windy.) Our visits usually begin in the aqua therapy pool where warm water pummels our heads and bodies and we can float on a bed of bubbles. A sweat-inducing session in the Finnish sauna comes next, followed by aromatherapy in the steam room. One day we treat ourselves to a facial and massage and let all the problems of the world slip away.
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You might think that putting in time on a cruise with no ports of call would be a bit of a problem in itself, but not on this ship. Before we know it, each day is done and it’s time to dress for dinner and an evening of entertainment. One night it’s the Black and White Ball where the dance floor soon fills with couples dressed in their finest, twirling to tunes from the seven-piece Queens Room Orchestra. Other nights it’s a Masquerade Ball with guests wearing Venetian-style Mardi Gras masks, or a musical show in the Royal Theatre. (Live music isn’t just reserved for evenings; pianists, harpists, string quartets and others play throughout the day.) With so much fun to be had, it’s midnight before we even think of turning in most nights. As a perpetually early riser, that might be a problem for me until I realize that five nights out of seven we’ll be turning back our clocks one hour as we travel ever westward. The luxury of a little more time to appreciate the finer things in life has never been more welcome.
If you go: Dates for Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth voyages to Alaska from Vancouver this spring are May 21, 31, June 10 and 20 with port calls in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Victoria. Highlights include scenic cruising through the Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier. www.cunard.com
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A COLLECTION OF ALL THINGS ARTSY, FUN AND SPECTACULAR HAPPENING IN VICTORIA THIS FEBRUARY AND MARCH. ENJOY PHOENIX THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF A CLASSIC ABSURDIST COMEDY BY MORRIS PANYCH, THE VIVID PHYSICALITY AND BEAUTIFUL AESTHETIC OF BALLET BC AND A STAGEFUL OF VICTORIA PERFORMERS EXPLORING THE DEEPER MEANING OF VALENTINE’S.
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VALENTINE’S WITH HEART
IT’S NOT WHO YOU LOVE, BUT DO YOU LOVE MULTI-GENRE CELEBRATION ON VALENTINE’S DAY FEBRUARY 14
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ALENTINE’S Day, so often reduced to chocolate-coated romantic clichés, is getting an innovative reboot by two Victoria artists. Renowned dancer-turnedchoreographer-turned singer Lynda Raino was walking on Gonzales Beach with sister Angela Henry, herself well known for acting and directing. Angela suddenly recalled a dance that Lynda choreographed nearly 30 years ago, a lovingly passionate pas de deux featuring a man and a woman … until the lights cross-fade to illuminate two men performing the same movements and lifts, followed by another cross-fade to two female dancers, identically engaged. “It’s a great celebration of the universality of love, and I thought we all needed to see it again,” recalls Angela. That notion soon inspired the two sisters to start calling performers in Victoria’s cultural community to see who would join a fundraiser for Langham Court Theatre on February 14. “The idea of a range of artists coming together to support love and diversity on Valentine’s Day really resonated,” says Lynda. “Everyone we asked who was available wanted to participate.”
The result, It’s Not WHO You Love But DO You Love, is a uniquely Victorian, genre-spanning showcase of the arts. Here are many of the participants and highlights: Award-winning poet Patrick Friesen and spoken word artist Emilee Nimetz know a thing or three about the language of love, while nationally recognized actor-director Jessica Van der Veen (The Goodbye Girl) has chosen to read a touching selection from Zinni’s Colour by Paula Wing. Kalamazoo, a wry, tenderhearted comedy about 70-somethings finding late-in-life romance, is being excerpted by Angela and Alf Small. Celebrated fado singer Sara Marreiros shares the dark beauty of those Portuguese laments, and tango dancers Pedro Siqueira and Alexa Ste. Marie offer some erotic sizzle. Musician and composer Brooke Maxwell (of Ride the Cyclone fame) leads a sing-a-long, and iconic French ode to bliss La Vie en Rose is a duet for Lynda and award-winning composer and choirmaster Stephen Hatfield. A complementary array of visual arts that includes the paintings and sculpture of Suddenly Dance co-founders David Ferguson and Miles Lowry and the delightfully creative portraiture of wedding photographer Helene Cyr will bloom in the lounge. “This is not a fluffy show,” asserts Angela. “In the face of the [political] darkness … it’s just so important for us all to push back.” Adds Lynda: “And these are many of Victoria’s best performers. Where else would you want to be on Valentine’s?” Performing February 14 at Langham Court. For tickets, call 250-384-2142.
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Fado singer Sara Marreiros is among the acts in It’s Not WHO You Love But DO You Love.
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ON THE EDGE
7 STORIES PHOENIX THEATRE PRESENTS A CLASSIC PLAY BY MORRIS PANYCH MARCH 14-23 A suicidal man standing on the window ledge of a sevenstorey apartment building isn’t intrinsically funny. Unless, that is, you’re quirky playwright Morris Panych, whose acclaimed 7 Stories is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Considered his first major play, Stories is a sly satire exploring themes of alienation and loneliness. The setting is restricted to the façade of the building, and the action consists of a dozen self-absorbed residents intermittently poking their heads out of windows to talk with the suicidal man, oblivious to what he’s doing out there. “When I reread the play it seemed more relevant now than when it was written,” says director Fran Gebhard, a veteran teacher at UVic’s theatre department. “Our society has become even more self-centred with the advent of social media.” Gebhard, who’s become friends with Panych after working with him several times over the years, feels she has some insight into his comedic voice. And as the director, the challenge for Gebhard is to take a potentially static situation and keep the audience engaged. “I’ll have to get the actors to be physical and give it visual interest,” she says. “And because it’s a satire, the characters can be a little bit larger than life. It’s not broad like Monty Python, but audience members have to know they’re allowed to laugh.” According to Gebhard, Panych is ultimately reminding us of the importance of relationships. “We really need to relate to live humans,” she says. Running March 14-23 at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre. For tickets, call 250-721-8000.
ARCTIC ADVENTURE
INTO THE ARCTIC KINGDOM ARCTIC PHOTOS OF FLORIAN SCHULZ FEBRUARY 27 German-born photographer Florian Schulz has been fascinated by wilderness ever since he visited Canada at age 17. A devotee of the books of Jack London, he was enamoured of both landscapes and animals — a passion that eventually transformed into a photographic career committed to conservationism. Willing to travel to the ends of the earth to document the most remarkable aspects of our ever-more-fragile planet, this award-winning photographer spends months at a time in the field, and then goes on the road presenting jaw-dropping images to audiences hungry to share his wilderness adventures. Schulz’s current tour, Into the Arctic Kingdom, is the result of nearly a decade spent in the exotic circumpolar world. “I’m pretty driven,” admits the man who goes out onto pack ice in pursuit of polar bears, tracks vast herds of caribou with Inuit hunters, travels by sled dog and endures bone-chilling cold — all to get the dazzling images that earned him the title Environmental Photographer of the Year. “It’s a theatre-quality presentation and the audience gets to experience the location through my eyes,” explains Schulz. “It’s
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also a chance for people to learn what’s at stake for the north and the animals that call it home.” Schulz estimates he has encountered 200 polar bears over the years, sometimes from as close as 15 metres. “I like to get at eye level with them,” he grins. “And I’ve only had to scare them off with a flare gun a few times — they’re hunting seals and usually not that interested in eating people.” Presenting at the Royal Theatre on February 27. For tickets, call 250-386-6121.
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Unhinged and more than a little autobiographical, the Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz is the haunting tale of an artist’s self-destructive erotic passion. Considered an early Romantic masterwork, it is rated “a totally original piece
Photographer Florian Schulz shows his work in Into the Arctic Kingdom.
of composition” by Victoria Symphony conductor Christian Kluxen. “It’s crazy … but it’s great,” says Kluxen. “And he might have been on drugs when he wrote it.” The elaborate story is told in five sections, and gets increasingly disturbing as the protagonist, in agonies over unrequited love, poisons himself with opium. His subsequent nightmares culminate with his execution for murdering his beloved and a final satanic dream about a witches’ Sabbath. Berlioz composed the symphony in his 20s, inspired by his own unanswered love for a beautiful Irish actress named Harriet Smithson. (Although she didn’t know Berlioz at the time and declined to attend the premiere, they did eventually marry and are buried together in Montmartre Cemetery.) This unique symphony is getting a special presentation with the help of acclaimed “animateur” Paul Rissman, who will introduce Fantastique with an exciting combination of visual projections, excerpts played live and vivid commentary. Later, the orchestra performs the entire score. “Paul has never been to Victoria before and we’re very lucky
to get him,” explains Kluxen. “He does these shows all over the world and they always sell out.” Kluxen also thinks that Rissman has a gift for demystifying the realm of symphonic music. “This will be a great experience for people who maybe feel intimidated by what an orchestra does,” Kluxen says. Performing March 24-25 at the Royal Theatre. For tickets, call 250-386-6121.
DANCING ON THE WORLD STAGE
BALLET BC A MIXED PROGRAM PRESENTED BY DANCE VICTORIA MARCH 15-16 Founded over three decades ago, Ballet BC was an interesting but occasionally faltering regional dance company. Its fortunes changed dramatically 10 years ago when Emily Molnar took over as artistic director. An inspired dancer-turned-choreographer, Molnar is a hardboulevardmagazines.com |
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working visionary who has turned Ballet BC into one of Canada’s most accomplished and forward-looking dance companies. And lately she’s been earning acclaim on the international stage too, including two sellout performances last year at London’s legendary Sadler’s Wells Theatre. “It’s been a very dense and exciting 10 years, and our current tour includes works that have meant a lot to Ballet BC,” explains Molnar. She’s particularly excited to be remounting Petite Cérémonie by Medhi Walerski, one of her very first commissions. “It’s a full-company piece and it has been enormously successful for us,” she says. “It’s very poetic and hopeful, but also playful and humorous.” Beginning After, another commissioned work, is danced to hauntingly beautiful music by Handel. Rounding out the program is Molnar’s own To This Day, which uses blues music by Jimi Hendrix as an opportunity for the dancers to explore ideas of freedom, creation and collective independence. “Half of our dancers are also choreographers,” says Molnar, who encourages an unusual degree of input from her troupe, who come to the company with 10-12 years of classical training. “That training helps the body articulate and support the movement, which is modern. Our dancers must have a deep and wide skill set to meet the virtuosic demands of the choreography.” Performing March 15-16 at the Royal Theatre. For tickets, call 250-386-6121.
Victoria Symphony conductor Christian Kluxen.
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PHOTO BY CINDI WICKLUND
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The paintings of Meghan Hildebrand have evolved quite a bit over the years, but even as she explores different themes, her voice and vision remain recognizable. Hildebrand’s dream-like landscapes feature giddy colours and a spirit of folk art. But rather than being charmingly naive, her paintings are richly immersive and reward repeated study. “She has a fantastical vocabulary and the unique, symbolbased iconography she uses yields a very specific aesthetic,” says Michael Warren, owner of Madrona Gallery. Warren has had a Hildebrand painting in his home for six years and gets lost in different aspects of her imagery every time he looks at it.
I nt roducin g Meghan Hildebrand’s acrylic on canvas, called East-West Therapy, is indicative of her style.
“There are all these separate narrative threads … it’s like a choose-your-own-adventure visual experience.” The Whitehorse-born Hildebrand has lived in Powell River for many years and that setting has strongly influenced her work. “You can sense the power of nature, and also how industrial intervention from the pulp mill has impacted that landscape … as well as notions of industrial decay and how humans fit into that altered environment,” explains Warren. Hildebrand has shown at Madrona since 2010 but Warren is particularly looking forward to this exhibition because her recent move to a different studio means she is able to produce larger canvases that really suit her artistic vision. “She’s one of the most interesting mid-career artists in Canada,” adds Warren. “Her work is very accessible with all its symbols, but her understanding of painting is very complex.” Running from March 9-23 at 606 View Street. For information, see Madrona Gallery.
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SECRETS&LIVES
GOODWOOD Jason Good crafts spectacular cabinetry BY ERIN MCPHEE | P H OTO S BY L I A C R OW E
T
HE one lesson Jason Good hopes he successfully imparts on his three growing children is the importance of hard work. “It’s really the most important thing,” says the Victoria native, an award-winning woodworker and entrepreneur. “You can be good at whatever you want to do. It doesn’t matter what field you want to go into, it’s about being driven and working towards it.” Good himself learned the value of hard work at a young age, having clocked his first seven-day work week at the tender age of 16. Years later, his work ethic is continuing to pay off, evident in the success of his award-winning company, Jason Good Custom Cabinets, which offers kitchen, bathroom and other custom services with a strong creative focus. “It’s been a lot of fun building this up and seeing it all come together, but it’s been a lot of work too,” says Jason,tucked away in his office, which is situated upstairs from his large, Lower Hillside workshop and showroom. As we chat, the high-pitched whir of industrial-grade saws blast intermittently downstairs as his staff tackle the projects of the day, and the smell of fresh cut-wood lingers in the air. “I just stumbled into this field,” he says, describing how he got his start in his early teens, after being encouraged to keep honing his woodworking skills based on a stellar performance in shop class. “Being 16 years old, I didn’t really know what to do in life. I ended up getting a couple of jobs in the industry and was spoiled working on some very nice houses, and decided that’s what I wanted to do,” he says. Grateful to the mentors he had along the way, Jadson continued to work hard to improve his skills, taking full advantage of all the apprenticeships, courses and professional work opportunities that were offered to him. One early job he remembers fondly was being hired to teach beginner woodworking classes, himself still a teenager.
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Asked what initially attracted him to woodworking, Jasons says he saw it as something tangible. “You get to build something [where] you can actually see the results,” he says. “You can really build whatever you want to a certain degree. I think at that time, it was something brand new. I’d never really worked with my hands before and everything was a brand-new experience.” Jason officially launched Jason Good Custom Cabinets 13 years ago and currently employs 18 people. The projects they take on can vary from a simple single vanity to a fun new build. The increasingly common larger projects speak to a changing trend in home design, says Good, explaining much of the cabinetry they build today ends up being more design-focussed and furniture-like than the straightforward cabinetry people used to solely request. “They’re no longer doing dressers, they’re doing full wardrobes,” he says. “They’re building the house around the cabinetry to a certain degree so it all kind of blends in. All of sudden where it used to be drywall is a lot of wall panelling and cabinets now.” This sits well with Jason since a major source of his motivation is his commitment to creating quality work that’s also pleasing to the eye. “My goal is to pair good design and quality craftsmanship,” he says. “With this new direction that building is headed, we have an opportunity to showcase our work in these high caliber homes.” When he’s not in the wood shop, Jason enjoys spending quality time with his family — he and his wife have five-year-old twin boys and a seven-yearold daughter. They have a lot of fun going to the park, camping and regularly renting a place at the lake. It’s the little moments with his children that he enjoys the most. “Every day they’re learning new things,” he says. “It’s just the simple things: watching them learn how to do something they’ve never done before. It could be as simple as a math problem that they couldn’t figure out and then all of a sudden [they get it] and the light comes on. They climb up a hill that they didn’t think they could climb up. Just watching them grow is amazing.”
“Being 16 years old, I didn’t really know what to do in life. I ended up getting a couple of jobs in the industry and was spoiled working on some very nice houses, and decided that’s what I wanted to do.”
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BEHINDTHESTORY
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here are many people who work behind the scenes to help create each issue of Boulevard. Our “Influencers” edition is the most complex magazine of the year, and we couldn’t have done it without production assistant extraordinaire Vellar Chou, who also works behind the scenes of our fashion shoots. In describing her work on this edition’s special feature, Vellar says, “Working on The Influencers shoot this year with Lia and Don was truly a treat. We maintained a busy shooting schedule, but each interaction was memorable. I felt uplifted by the passion all the influencers showed when they spoke about what they do; I was inspired by the stories they shared; and I was motivated by the astounding work ethics we uncovered.”
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Photo by Lia Crowe
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