WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE Local Hot Spots to Get Your Chill On p. 39
OMaKase only WE LET THE CHEFS DECIDE p. 61
NOVEMBER 2023
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ON THE RISE
Contents
NOVEMBER 2023 VOLUME 56 // NUMBER 6
Classic crochet with a modern twist: meet Atelier Solana, the Vancouver brand making noteworthy knits.
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THE TICKET
What to expect at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week 2023, plus holiday musicals, foodie events and more.
Is the Kitsilano Showboat sunk, or will the city be able to keep it afloat?
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THE WINE LIST
When in doubt, give vino: here are the best bottles for gifting this year.
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NIGHTCAP
A spiked horchata recipe from Alimentaria Mexicana— cheers to the cozy season.
COME DINE WITH US Managing editor Alyssa Hirose and photographer Leila Kwok take on the city’s best omakase. Read more on page 61.
Features
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(COVER) K YOKO FIERRO; (OMAK ASE) LEIL A K WOK; (TRAVEL) COURTESY OF TOURISM JASPER
CITY INFORMER
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GIFTS FOR EVERYONE How to shop mindfully, sustainably and locally: this is the gift guide you know you need.
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EMBRACE THE CHILL
Five winter vacations that explore both the great outdoors and insider hot spots.
61 IT’S UP TO YOU
Omakase dining puts the chefs in charge—we get a taste of the top Japanese restaurants offering this unique experience.
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Poplar Grove Syrah
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assistant editors Kerri Donaldson, Rushmila Rahman editor - at - large Stacey McLachlan
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contributing editors Frances Bula, Melissa Edwards,
Amanda Ross, Julie Van Rosendaal editorial intern Megan Zolorycki email mail@vanmag.com design senior art director Jenny Reed
art directors Stesha Ho, Edwin Pabellon
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VANCOUVER MAGAZINE is published seven times a year by Canada Wide Media Limited, Suite 130, 4321 Still Creek Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 6S7. Phone 604-299-7311; fax 604-299-9188. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Not responsible for unsolicited editorial material. Privacy Policy: On occasion, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened organizations whose product or service might interest you. If you prefer that we not share your name and address (postal and/or email), you can easily remove your name from our mailing lists by reaching us at any of the listed contact points. You can review our complete Privacy Policy at Vanmag.com. Indexed in the Canadian Magazine Index by Micromedia Ltd. and also in the Canadian Periodical Index. International standard serial no. ISSN 0380-9552. Canadian publications mail product sales agreement #40068973. Printed in Canada by Mitchell Press, 8328 Riverbend Ct, Burnaby, B.C. V3N 5C9. Distributed by Coast to Coast Ltd.
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Ed Note
When you work in the magazine biz, Christmas comes early—very early. Case in point: our editorial team started planning for the issue you’re holding in your hands back in August. At the time, wildfires were devastating the Okanagan; we watched as friends and family feared for their safety, some losing their homes and businesses. It was a solemn reminder of what truly matters in life—and of the grave impact of climate change. That reality was very much in mind as we began brainstorming our annual gift guide, which you will find starting on page 25. And while we didn’t set out to produce a roundup of strictly “green” gifts, that awareness led to a careful and conscientious process of choosing. From meaningful experiences to thoughtful presents with a purpose, every gift we feature here is intended to be used, cherished and loved—and to not end up in the landfill. Our team of editors battled it out to get our own personal picks on the page, and we brought in plenty of local experts to share their go-to recommendations. (We’ve pretty much left you with no excuses to put off your shopping to the last minute this year!) If you’re looking to gift wine, we’ve dedicated our monthly Wine List (page 76) to B.C. bottles as a show of support for our wine-producing friends in the Okanagan. And in our ongoing mission to celebrate the city, we’ve also highlighted some of the festive fun Vancouver has to offer this season. Check out the exciting lineup of upcoming events in our culture section, starting on page 16. Meanwhile, over at vanmag.com, we’ll keep you updated on all of the local annual traditions, like Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Peak of Christmas on Grouse Mountain, Bright Nights in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Christmas Market in Coal Harbour, the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden and much, much more. So add us to your bookmarks, and while you’re stopping by, don’t miss out on our special gift to you this holiday. For a limited time, we’re offering free subscriptions to Vancouver magazine. It’s as easy as entering your name and address at vanmag.com/subscribe, and each and every one of our print issues will be delivered straight to your door at no cost for one full year. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. We’ll be squeezing in one more edition of Vancouver in 2023, so stay tuned for more of our insightful insider info in our December/January issue. Until then, from our Vanmag family to yours, we wish you all the very best for the holiday season!
JANINE VERREAULT editor - in - chief jverreault @ canadawide . com
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Coming Up Next Issue
24 Things to Eat in 2024 Starters, sauces, dinners, desserts, drinks and more: we’re serving up the best sips and most delicious bites in Vancouver in one scrumptious package. We’ve tasted our way through the city to make sure you know exactly where you should book a reservation, stop in for a treat or order takeout.
City Informer Did you know that Vancouver has five (yes, five!) sister cities scattered around the world? Our intrepid reporter investigates the purpose of a sister city and why we have so many.
On the Web Vancouver Now Has Nine Michelin-Starred Restaurants ICYMI: The Michelin Guide recently revealed new additions and recommendations—we’ve got the full lineup of all 77 (!) Vancouver restaurants that are now on on the prestigious guide’s lists.
FOLLOW US ON @ janinej 9
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Season’s Greetings
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The powerhouse of energy and life-long vibrancy What are mitochondria, and how do we spark them? They are like very tiny powerplants that produce energy in every living cell in our bodies. On average, every cell has 1,500 mitochondria. Can you imagine that for their extremely small size, it’s been said that they produce, gram for gram, 10,000–50,000 times more energy than the sun? To say that mitochondria are important to human health is grossly understating their role in our
survival. We literally would not be alive without them. They convert our food into energy, so that every other function of our body can occur as it needs to. As we age, our ability to create healthy mitochondria to support our energy demands diminishes. And because about 90% of our cellular energy is produced by mitochondria, this decline can cause significant health issues.
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Culture EVA GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY
ooking for fashion, films and festive fun this season? Flip the page to find out more about Indigenous Fashion Week, Elf: The Musical, Disney on Ice, the Vancouver International Black Film Festival and so much more. Plus, an update on the fate of the Kitsilano Showboat.
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Fine Knits Vancouver-based Atelier Solana embraces the texture of traditional crochet.
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Culture
On the Rise
OUR FAVE _ Knit Wit This cheeky Constance set (top: $357; skirt: $535) from Atelier Solana puts a skinbaring twist on cottagecore. Founder Tessa Kassinger is pictured top right.
Atelier Solana’s modern crocheted fashion represents a new generation of knitwear. by Alyssa Hirose
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The practice of crocheting is more than 200 years old, but trendsetters are challenging the belief that these pieces reflect a bygone era or an outdated silhouette: in fact, most modern “cottagecore” knitwear would make your grandma blush. But new trends mean new waste, and as fast-fashion brands pump out the latest knitted halter top by the thousands, garbage is inevitable. Then, there’s Atelier Solana— the Vancouver-based knitwear
label that’s handmaking heirloom-quality fashion. Slowly. Tessa Kassinger is the creator behind the crochet hooks: she makes every one of her pieces to order. Her dainty tank tops, cropped sweaters and cozy cardigans weren’t specifically designed to suit the cottagecore craze. “I just make things that I would wear and love myself,” she says. “My work is feminine and minimal, but keeps those classic, more whimsical vibes.” Kassinger says she learned
how to crochet at her local library when she was a child and picked up the art again just a few years ago. “It really helped me with anxiety,” she explains. “I was always scrolling on my phone while watching Netflix on my laptop, and it was not good for me mentally. Having something to occupy my hands really helped.” Plus, she’s turning a ball of yarn into a beautiful, bespoke piece: something that’s made to be timeless, not trendy.
EVA GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY
Thrown for a Loop
If learning to crochet during the pandemic didn’t quite work out for you, there’s always the Pia Cardigan ($796, above) to turn to. The vintage-inspired sweater is pure grandma-kitsch cool, but made from super-soft Peruvian wool.
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CHAMPIONS WANTED Leave a Legacy for BC Children and Families
EVA GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY
Leaving a gift in your will to Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon will provide accommodation and support for up to 2,000 families with seriously ill children each year at our 73 room house.
1983 – 2023 British Columbia & Yukon
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Contact us: 604-736-2957 plannedgiving@rmhbc.ca www.rmhbc.ca
Scan To Learn More 2023-10-16 11:33 AM
Culture
The Ticket
FASHION FIRST Enjoy runway shows, art, music, dance and more at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week this month, founded by Joleen Mitton (inset).
Runway Ready
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week takes on year four with its biggest stage yet. by Alyssa Hirose
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For its first three years, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week was held in the atrium of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It’s a beautiful space, but the 2023 event has officially outgrown it. “Last year, we were overflowing with traffic,” shares Joleen Mitton, founder of VIFW. This November, models will rock the runway inside the theatre itself, which has over 2,000 seats. VIFW 2023 will feature fashion shows, art, music and dance, plus a marketplace
where attendees can purchase ready-to-wear clothing and jewellery. (“Our earring game at VIFW is really strong,” says Mitton.) All are welcome: “You don’t have to be Indigenous; we want everyone to come and purchase goods from us to support our circular economy,” says the founder. The five-day event will include designs from locals like Debra Sparrow, Pam Baker and Chief Janice George, as well as international artists (one is Patricia Michaels, a New Mexico-based designer whose work
was recently worn by actress Tantoo Cardinal on the Cannes red carpet). The tremendous growth and design-icon attendance has been rewarding, but Mitton says she’s most proud of VIFW’s mentorship program. “We bring in youth from all around Turtle Island to come and learn from the best,” she explains— from design to makeup to backstage and admin positions, Indigenous youth can gain work experience and learn about the world of fashion. Mitton notes that many of the young people who take part in the mentorship program grew up in foster care, and that the week begins with a Red Dress event held in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. “We’re just reminding people that they matter—being able to be seen as beautiful Indigenous people is protection, and we can all hold each other a bit tighter,” says Mitton. “What we’re trying to create here is a movement— it’s not just a fashion show.” vifw.ca
VANCOUVER INDIGENOUS FASHION WEEK DATES November 20 to 25 VENUE Queen Elizabeth Theatre COST From $20
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Culture
ENDLESS ENTERTAINMENT Disney on Ice brings Frozen and Encanto to the Coliseum; Hadestown raises hell at the QE Theatre; Teen Angst presents cringe-y nostalgia at the Fox Cabaret.
Events
comedy show hosted by Sara Bynoe shines a spotlight on real, embarrassing, verbatim adolescent journal entries. Prepare to be brought back in time in the worst, best way. eventbrite.com
Holly Jolly Calendar Film fests, food events and a packed schedule of musicals to lift your winter spirits. ELF: THE MUSICAL WHEN November 2 to December 31 WHERE Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage COST From $39 If you haven’t yet caught the musical version of this holiday classic, this is the year: the Arts Club’s live production will feature all the joy, syrup and feel-good family moments of the blockbuster movie, plus plenty of song. artsclub.com HADESTOWN WHEN November 7 to 12 WHERE Queen Elizabeth Theatre COST From $48 Go to hell. Seriously: the award-winning modern musical Hadestown is wildly entertaining. It features the stories of King
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Hades and his wife Persephone, along with famed lovers Orpheus and Eurydice—get a ticket and don’t look back. vancouver.broadway.com YVIE ODDLY PRESENTS STRANGE LOVE WHEN November 18 WHERE Hollywood Theatre COST From $45 Finally, things are gonna get weird. This one-queen show brought to you by the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 11 promises “outrageous comedy, insane musical numbers and gratuitous nipple play.” hollywoodtheatre.ca EAST VAN PANTO: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST WHEN November 22 to January 7 WHERE York Theatre COST From $20 It wouldn’t be winter in Vancouver without this east-side tradition. This year, Theatre Replacement takes on the story of Beauty and the Beast. Expect the classic anthropomorphized furniture to be replaced by
Japanese snacks (Miso Potts > Mrs. Potts) and plenty of opportunities to yell at the stage. thecultch.com DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS FROZEN AND ENCANTO WHEN November 22 to 26 WHERE Pacific Coliseum COST From $104 They say let it go... but if you (or your kids) can’t, Frozen is coming to a, well, frozen stage near you. Encanto is taking the ice as well, making this a pretty awesome show when it comes to female empowerment (for traditionalists, allies Mickey and Goofy will also be making an appearance). disneyonice.com TEEN ANGST NIGHT WHEN November 23 WHERE Fox Cabaret COST From $20 Is there anything more cringe-y than reading things you wrote as a teenager? This monthly
BOILER ROOM MONDAYS WHEN November 27 WHERE Straight and Marrow COST $57 To celebrate its third anniversary, Straight and Marrow is hosting a communal seafood smorgasbord on the last Sunday of every month. The menu includes Dungeness crab, clams, shrimp, mussels, andouille sausage and more. straightandmarrow.com VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL WHEN December 1 to 4 WHERE Various COST Varies This fest, founded by Vancouverite Fabienne Colas, is back for a third year: expect awesome Black films from Vancouver and beyond. Screenings of features and short films alike will be both in-person and online. vancouverblackfilmfest .com REFLECTIONS ON CROOKED WALKING WHEN December 2 to 24 WHERE Firehall Arts Centre COST From $30 Imagine you and your family wake up to find you’re the only ones who did: everyone else is sleeping because of a strange sickness. That’s the way that this Juno-nominated musical mystery begins. firehallartscentre.ca
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Gryphon
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WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE Marco Polo by Gryphon defines the post-pandemic workplace with workfrom-home flexibility and multiple needs fulfilled within a single establishment. It combines traditional strata office spaces with complimentary access to The
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EAST MEETS WEST Hsu was born in Taiwan, studied in Canada and graduated from Simon Fraser University. He credits the combination of his Taiwanese heritage and Canadian education for shaping his approach to real estate and community development at Gryphon. “I’ve always had a strong connection with Canadian people and places,” he says. “Coming from a family of developers in Taiwan, I gained substantial knowledge about development, construction and real estate during my upbringing.” Six years ago, he began to recognize the opportunities in Vancouver’s real estate market. “I am fueled by a passion for building quality structures, particularly after witnessing the exceptional standards set by our parent company Jinray, which has over three decades of experience and an impressive portfolio of more than 80 luxurious buildings in Taichung, Taiwan,” he says. “I aspired to establish a company in Vancouver that upholds the same level of excellence.” Hsu recognizes trends in design, service and community-building that are present in both East and West cultures and aspires to bring the best of these concepts to life in Vancouver. “We aim to inspire our city to continue dreaming, creating and flourishing,” Hsu says. “Marco Polo sets a new standard for future workspaces.”
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Created by Canada Wide Media in partnership with Marco Polo by Gryphon
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Culture
City Informer
Why Is the Kits Showboat Being Destroyed? An iconic, boat-shaped institution is about to sink. 20
by
Stacey McLachlan illustration by
Byron Eggenschwiler
I know we’ve all said this at one point or another, so forgive the cliché: I’ve got a bone to pick with Oscar Hammerstein. Back in 1927, he wrote a little Broadway production called Show Boat, rudely not considering that, nearly 100 years later, someone might want to use the name for their own unrelated musical spectacular about the tragic tale of the Kitsilano Showboat stage. Ugh! Men! So
thoughtless! What else am I supposed to call my technically not-yet-written, definitely unfinanced love letter to this enduring institution of poolside community theatre? BoatShaped Beach Stage? Show Boatier? There’s No Business Like Showboat Business? (Producers: call me.) But I guess the bigger issue with my hypothetical Showboat-themed play, besides the fact that I am not a librettist and have no musical-theatre experience, is that there would be nowhere to perform it. Because the iconic boat-themed outdoor stage at Kits Beach—which is my dream venue in addition to being my dream muse—is being demolished this fall. That’s right: though the Showboat has provided a free outdoor performance space for community groups since 1935, the glory days of being able to accidentally watch a children’s capoeira demonstration or a ferret magic show en route to your Spikeball game are over. It’s rattling to realize that it will soon be gone: I know, for many of us, a seaside outing simply isn’t complete without seeing an adult improv troupe get attacked mid-set by Canada geese. If enjoying the specactle of a oneman barbershop quartet while eating a $7 concession stand popsicle isn’t on your summer bucket list, then do you even really live in Vancouver? A dressing-room fire back in the spring caused severe damage to the structure, and the Parks Board ultimately proclaimed the whole stage irrepairable. While
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Culture
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City Informer
the Showboat gang squeezed in a few last performances over the summer, the plan is to tear it down this fall. It seems a little inappropriate not to give the Showboat a respectful burial at sea, but you know how bureaucrats are. So while we may have to suffer without sensual summer-evening performances from a seniors’ chair-dancing class for the time being, eventually, from the ashes, a paddlewheel-flanked phoenix will rise. The volunteer-run Showboat Society has already raised more than $30,000 from community members for operations and replacement equipment—you can’t be the city’s premiere source of live kazoo-choir entertainment without a good sound system, after all— including a few thousand bucks from Mayor Sim’s own pocket. That fundraiser, though, won’t be contributing to the rebuild of the stage. Instead, to fund construction, the Society is looking for one or two major “community hero” sponsors. Vice-president Barry Leinbach (whose family has been operating the Showboat since the ’40s, and who will presumably be the protagonist of my play, ideally played by Ben Platt) estimates that Showboat 2.0 could cost a couple of million to build (with the intention of being a multi-use bulding). This is, pardon my French, les bananas. Someone out there in the city knows where the disassembled pieces of the infamous Sunset Beach Barge are— it’s time for that hunk of metal to fulfill its true destiny. Anyone who has ever had the privilege of doing a sword-fighting recital or free mime workshop will absolutely be willing to pitch in; with a little elbow grease, we can pull together something that’s just as delightfully incongruous as the original. But do not invite Oscar Hammerstein. He knows why.
Got a question for City Informer? stacey.mclachlan@vanmag.com
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Full Page Vancouver Magazine October 2023
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CMYK
2023-10-16 11:34 AM
Gifts for Everyone Consider us your shop-local elves: we’ve spent countless hours scouring the city’s best shops, grilling the gift-giving pros and thinking outside the (literal) box to make sure you’ve got something amazing for everyone this holiday season.
SHOP THE
CITY 2023
PHOTO BY KYOKO FIERRO
That’s a Wrap Stephanie Vogler of The Cross Decor and Design (with dog Gigi) reveals what she’ll be giving this year (p. 32). VA N M A G . C O M N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3
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Best bets UNDER $100 THE NATURAL BEAUTY
YOUR ROOMMATE WHO WON’T MIND IF YOU DRINK OUT OF THESE, TOO We’ve all gotta hydrate. Might as well do it in style. These satisfyingly heavy Blenko Dimple tumblers feel as great in-hand as they look on the table. $75, detailsbymrk.com
ANYONE WITH A NOSE Wood-burning fireplaces may be a rarity in Vancouver condos, but this Canvas Candle Co. fireside-scented candle brings that cracklingyule-log essence home for all. $34, canvascandleco.com
The gift of a fresh face? Priceless. Huna’s Revitalize Age-Grace face serum is crafted from rosehip and sea buckthorn berry to deliver some serious moisture and a gorgeous glow. It’s the brand’s best-seller for a reason. $92, hunaskin .com
UNDER $100 We all know it already, but sometimes in the last-minute present panic we can forget that you don’t need to spend a lot to make someone’s holiday dreams come true. Here are our best budget-friendly picks that’ll still spark a million-dollar smile.
THAT SPARKLY SPECIAL SOMEONE If the holidays aren’t the time to dress yourself up like a Christmas tree, we don’t know when is. These glittery Etoile Star Drop earrings from Lover’s Tempo are New Year’s Party ready. $95, loverstempo.com
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THE SELF-CARE KING IN YOUR LIFE Mifa’s eucalyptus coco body wash is the ultimate wake-up call. $39, mifaandco.com
YOUR STATIONERY-OBSESSED SISTER For the to-do-list lover, nothing is more pleasing than a nice notepad—and this hand-painted Swirl Rio number is beautiful even before you start checking things off with a flourish. $32, nineteenten.ca
YOUR LET’S-GET-DRINKSAFTER-THE-GYM BUDDY Fanny packs are hot now. We don’t make the rules. Herschel’s hip packs are the hippest option out there. $42, herschel.ca
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EXPERIENCES
Bear’s Blooms delivers boxes of sustainably sourced, fresh-cut flowers at your preferred frequency—think of it as the gift that keeps on giving. From $42 per month, bearsblooms.com
THE GREEN-THUMB NEIGHBOUR When the urge to grow outlasts gardening season, there’s this chic avocado vase from Walrus. $80, shop.walrushome.com
A monthly Slice of Life pass gets the recipient unlimited access to their favourite programs so they never have to miss a life-drawing class or pinball night again. From $15, slicevancouver.ca
THE FOODIE FRIEND WHO SHOULD INVITE YOU FOR DINNER Olive oil is a kitchen essential, but fancy, Italianimported olive oil is a treat. Snag a bottle of Viola Il Sincero Extra Virgin from the shelves of Caffè La Tana for your fave Top Chef. $69, caffelatana.ca
YOUR PICNIC PARTNER This wine bottle and tumbler set from Hydro Flask is lined—which means no weird, plastic-y transfer taste in your vino. $54 for the bottle; $36 for the tumbler, mec.ca
THE TEACHER WHO’S A LITTLE TIRED OF MUGS THAT SAY “2 TEACH IS 2 TOUCH LIVES 4 EVER” For the foodie in your life, map out a Restaurant Awards winner crawl: study up on our list of 2023 winners and get your resos ready to hop from pre-drinks to decadent dinner to five-star dessert spot. vanmag.com
The Turkish hand towel has dominated the beach experience: let the fast-drying, handwoven material elevate the mundane act of handwashing, too. $48, obakki.com
THE SCATTERBRAINED STEPDAD
THE SWEET TOOTH, DUH Beta5’s chocolates are known for being as pretty as jewels. So is it any surprise the artful Trademark Chocolate collection box is a feast for the eyes, too? $32, shop.beta5chocolates.com
There’s a reason the scarf is the go-to holiday gift: practical, stylish, one-size-fits all, and they’re going to lose it somewhere before New Year’s, so they’ll need another one soon. This fine woven wool scarf from Muji comes in a handsome charcoal-grey check. $30, muji.ca
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Best bets OVER $100 YOUR FRIEND WHO FINALLY UPGRADED THEIR BEDDING AND NEVER SHUTS UP ABOUT IT
THE DAD WHO’S HAVING A FITNESS RENAISSANCE The Beast’s name belies its sleek appearance. The mini-inverted blender and accompanying water-infusion tumbler will keep your giftee well hydrated, whether they actually make it to the gym or not. $284, crateandbarrel.ca
Do they really, really love their linen sheets? Take the material obsession one step further with these breathable, perfectly slouchy Sömn Home unisex PJ sets. $324, somnhome .com
THE FRAGRANCE FANATIC The 7 Virtues Cherry Ambition parfum spray isn’t just a scent: it’s an opportunity to manifest your desires. Give yourself a spritz during moments of success. $119, sephora.ca
OVER $100 Sometimes you’ve just gotta splash out. But just because something costs a pretty penny, that doesn’t mean it’s designed to delight. So we’ve combed the city for the best-value splurges: from wear-everyday earrings to livein-’em linen pajamas.
YOUR OWN STOCKING Mini thick hoops from Vancouver-based Welleree are the ideal “great job on shopping!” gift to pop under the tree for yourself. $239, welleree.com
THE LUXURIOUS LOUNGER
We’re usually leaning into sweats when it comes to Netflix-o’clock, but for the most stylish (and sensual) couch potato, there’s the Christine Signature chemise. The silk charmeuse slip is part of the bridal collection, but for the indulgent romantic in your life, this absolutely qualifies as loungewear. Pair with a silk robe for the ultimate in comfortable luxury. $670, christinelingerie .com
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YOUR CONDO-DWELLING COUSIN This minty-green Japanese Tomo stool is ideal for reaching up high or for hosting one more friend at the dinner table—in other words, a one-size-fits-all winner. $150, shop.vanspecial.com
THE SHUTTERBUG This year’s redesign of the popular Fujifilm Instax Mini camera gives it a handsome, old-school makeover for even more retro joy. $129, indigo.ca
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EXPERIENCES
THE FRIEND STILL MOURNING THE DEATH OF BON APPETIT’S YOUTUBE GLORY DAYS
THE TRAVELS-FOR-WORK BROTHER It’s a weekend bag that’s all business. He’ll be working it well with this sophisticated vegan-leather Metro duffel from Monos in hand. $280, monos.com
Circle Wellness Granville Island opened this fall—it’s a longawaited expansion of the cult-fave secret cold-plunge circuit that existed on Industrial Avenue for years. Ancient wellness rituals meet modern technology for a thermal spa experience that’s a guaranteed shoulder-dropper. From $219, circlewellnessspas.com
Serve up a party on this confetti-speckled chopping board from Fredericks and Mae (a fave brand of celeb chef Molly Baz). $130, shopneighbour.com
THE LOCAL SKIN-CARE CONNOISSEUR Dear Lucy’s Marine antioxidant serum is the ultimate in dark-spot repair, purported to create visibly smoother skin in just a few weeks. A magic potion in their stocking? Call it a Christmas miracle. $140, dearlucyskincare.com
YOUR SISTER WHO LOVES HEAVY METAL The Melanie Auld Keane bracelet is at once classic and eye-catching: the chunky 14k-gold links are as timeless as they are fun (they’re hollow, though, for lightweight wear). Auld calls it a “forever” piece. $1,590, melanieauld. com
Giving a paperweight? Lame. Letting someone make their own paperweight at a glass-blowing class at Vancouver Studio Glass? A slam dunk. VSG’s object class is an excellent intro to the fine art of handling molten glass—something dangerous enough for even the craft skeptic to enjoy. $175, vancouverstudioglass. com
YOUR FRIEND WHOSE FUTURE IS BRIGHT These white-tortoiseshell Vasuma Persson shades from Kits are the ideal accessory for beach vacations and (rare) sunny Vancouver days alike. $129, kits.ca
THE CONFIDENT MOM WHO WANTS TO FEEL THE WIND ON HER ANKLES Buying pants for someone else is risky, we know, but the Harper Wide-Leg Pant II from Smash and Tess is an educated gamble: they’re cute, look great on all body types and transition from workday to couchhang effortlessly. $130, smashtess.com
Dirty Apron remains the best cooking class in town, with a range of skill levels, ages and palates. Ocean Fling is the ultimate seafood primer; On the Bone levels up your braising game. $190, dirtyapron.com
THE CHEF FRIEND WHO’S ALWAYS SAYING “YOU EAT WITH YOUR EYES” No wonder it’s a staple on the holiday wish list: the Le Creuset braiser (we’re loving this year’s new Shallot hue) is a workhorse that looks damn good on the stove when it’s off, too. $445, lecreuset.ca
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Best bets ASK THE EXPERTS a
T.M.: “Holaday hammocks. The Vagabond nylon hammocks from Holaday are perfect: they’re super lightweight and pack up small for backpacking, hiking and kayaking.” $115, holaday.co
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c R.B.: “Maater Cosmetics Beta radiating body oil. It’s perfect for a little shimmer during the holidays and the scent is heavenly.” $60, maatercosmetics.com
R.B.: “Aralea Sun Kiss vitamin D vegan lip balm. My favourite lip balm. It’s not only vegan and organic, it’s also enhanced with vitamin D3, which we could all use more of in Vancouver!” $24, araleabeauty.com
ask the experts We grilled Vancouver’s savviest tastemakers about our biggest gift-giving challenges—and they delivered the perfect shopping list. Thank you to the coolest Santas we know.
T.M.: “A puzzle from Vancouver Island’s Villager Puzzles. These are brand new, feature art from Canadian women artists and are made of premium recycled paperboard. They’re flying off our shelves.” $32, thecoastgoods.ca
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D.R.: “Shelter Point’s single malt whisky. Despite winning some major awards and being in production for 11 years, Shelter Point is surprisingly still a bit of a hidden gem. Made on Vancouver Island, I think it’s really setting the bar on what Canadian whisky can be.” $79, shelterpoint.ca
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J.M.: “Sunja Link skincare. Because everyone needs to indulge in some self-care during the holidays. This is also a great spot to have a facial before or after you shop.” Prices vary, sunjalink.com
R.B.: “A robe from One Wednesday. It’s so cozy and has the most luxurious waffle fabric. A classic, you can’t go wrong. Everyone needs a white robe!” $120, onewednesdayshop.com
THE EXPERTS Hey, Tanya McLean, owner of The Coast Goods and Mango Design Co.! What should I gift the friend who has everything?
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Hey, Rebecca Bree Rawlinson, founder and CEO of Rebecca Bree Boutique! What should I get my self-careobsessed BFF?
Hey, Dylan Riches, bar manager of Published on Main! What should I get my wannabe-mixologist husband?
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T.M.: “A recycled cotton Everyday Beanie from Merge Tofino. Who doesn’t love a good toque? These are perfect yearround and great for folks who are averse to wool. I personally love the concrete colour, but artichoke and orchid are new this season.” $46, shopmerge.ca
Hey, Jessica MacDonald and Kate Snyder, principals of Studio Roslyn interior design and creative consulting! What should I get my interior designer sister?
S.H.: “Kits from Survive Outdoors Longer. Safety first, right? A survival kit is the perfect gift for the nature lover in your life. SOL offers a selection of kits suitable for hikers, canoeists, kayakers and more.” From $32, surviveoutdoorslonger.com
T.M.: “A candle from Vancouver’s Mala the Brand. Hand-poured, clean-burning soy wax with an FSC-certified wood wick. My favourite warm and cozy scent is Fireside, which has notes of amber, lavender and musk.” From $24, malathebrand.com
J.M.: “Vases by Stooludio. One of the owners, Megan, works for our studio as well. She makes these vases individually out of bioplastics at her home studio in Strathcona.” From $95, stooludio.ca
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neroli hand and body lotion. The scent is divine and the packaging is super chic—it goes with any decor. I love supporting a local brand and especially a clean, organic one!” $120, sangredefruta.com
F.L.: “Bubbles. My husband Joshua and I love bringing bubbles to holiday parties. Some of our faves include Evolve Cellars Effervescence, Unsworth Vineyards Cuvée, Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Fitz Brut, Blue Mountain Winery Brut Gold Label and Haywire’s The Bub.” Various prices and locations
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S.H.: “LifeStraw filters. These handy-dandy filters allow hikers and anyone else to safely slurp fresh water from rivers, lakes and even puddles. Their newest straw filter, the Peak Series Solo, weighs only 1.7 ounces and can treat up to 2,000 litres.” From $30, lifestraw.com
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F.L.: “Throws and blankets. We love gifting blankets to our friends. You can find hand-knitted throws and blankets at the Circle Craft Christmas Market, but one of our go-to gifts is the iconic HBC Multistripe Point blanket. It’s a classic, and never goes out of style.” From $325, thebay.com
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D.R.: “Cocktail Codex. This book focuses less on recipes for people to try and more on the DNA of cocktails and why some work better than others. It’s a great gift for anyone who likes to experiment with their own recipes, and it helped change my perception of cocktails in general.” $54, indigo.ca
Hey, Stephen Hui, author of Destination Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia! My dad loves to camp and hike... what should I get him this year?
Hey, Fred Lee, Man About Town! What should I get the host with the most?
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Best bets ASK THE EXPERT
Cross It Off Your List
PHOTO BY KYOKO FIERRO
From glam glassware to charming tchotchkes and festive scents, these thoughtful gifts will please even the hard-to-buy-for on your list. 4
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W
e love supporting independent, brickand-mortar stores in the city (literally brick, in this case), and one of our favourite local shopping destinations—especially during the holidays—is The Cross Decor and Design in Yaletown. At Christmastime, the heritage building at the corner of Homer and Davie transforms into an 8,500-square-foot winter wonderland, adorned with glittery decorations, twinkling lights and plenty of pretty gift offerings. When we heard The Cross was celebrating its 20th anniversary this November, we wanted to spotlight why this neighbourhood gem is a top spot to get your Christmas shopping done while also getting in the festive spirit. “The holidays are such a special, busy and sometimes stressful time,” says Stephanie Vogler, president and creative director of The Cross. “We want to be a place of inspiration, where you can come and find unique items for your home while checking things off your gift list. We want you to feel joyful.”
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NEED IDEAS?
We asked Vogler to share her top gift picks for the season. Visit us at
Voluspa Rose Otto five-wick hearth candle “This is the perfect gift for that someone who has everything. It sparkles like diamonds when lit and has a whopping 250-hour burn time—it’s super luxe.” $325 1
CozyChic eye mask, scrunchie and sock set “This self-care set from Barefoot Dreams is sure to delight and pamper the busy mom on your list.” $165 6
WWW.WESTERNLIVING.CA
Mon Ami Jingle holiday dachshund plush toy “Delightful stuffies are popular with kids and adults alike, and this adorable festive dog is a treat for all.” $51 7
Sparkle coupes “These iconic fluted coupes are perfect for that friend who enjoys serving up festive cocktails.” $30 for set of 2 2
Very Merry Cocktails Deck: 50 Festive Drink Recipes “This collection of recipe cards makes a great stocking stuffer or a lovely add-on with a pair of coupes. Classic cocktails, champagne sippers, non-alcoholic libations—there’s something here for everyone.” $30 3
Rifle Paper Co. winking Santa mug “Christmas mug collections are a growing trend. This one is on my wish list!” $35 IMAGE CREDIT
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5 Illume balsam and cedar diffuser “Give the scent of the season, without the flame.” $60
Leah Alexandra Martinique pearl necklace “Jewellery always makes a great gift for that special someone. This delicate pink-hued baroque pearl on a chunky clasp is lovely to layer or to wear on its own.” $235 8
9 Moonlight USB lighter “An ideal host gift, this rechargeable USB lighter is elegant, futuristic and a fun conversation starter.” $55 10 Heartfelt wooden spoon “This is the sweetest little wooden spoon, perfectly packaged for giving to the friend who loves to bake.” $18.95
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Best bets FOR THE KIDS THE DOLL THAT HAS IT ALL
SMALL TALES Think of the Yoto Player as this generation’s books-on-tape player. Kids can plug cards into the charmingly designed cube to listen to stories or play games—no screen required. $150, yotoplay. com
Barbie may not be in theatres anymore, but that doesn’t mean the mania has to end: the Margot Robbie version of the iconic doll will be on the wish list of Barbie lovers of all ages. $40, indigo.ca
ON THE LETTER As proud word nerds ourselves here at the magazine, we think this So. Many. Letter Stickers. kit is A-OK. $17, kidsbooks.ca
FOR THE KIDS The options for make-’em-smile gifts are almost endless when it comes to your littlest giftees. But whether you’re shopping for an architect-in-training or the sticker enthusiast on your list, these picks are all kid-approved... and quiet enough for parents to love, too.
A LITTLE CHEESY There’s a Jellycat stuffie out there for everyone: bunnies and dogs, yes, but also fluffy smiling friedegg dolls. Perhaps a brie cheese bud for the little gourmand in your life? Prices vary, shop.kaboodles.ca
IDEAL FOR BLOCKHEADS
THE LAZY SUNDAY UNIFORM
The Garden City Blockitecture set is the latest in Areaware’s collection of construction blocks that come together into condo towers we would actually love to live in. $120, walrushome.com
The super-soft colour-block Little and Lively pullover is made in Canada—and the brand also makes adult sizes for when the whole fam wants to get cozy. $39, westcoastkids.ca
BEAR WITH ME NeeDoh gummy bears hit the sweet spot for slime obsessives and fidget-toy fanatics alike, thanks to their pleasingly squishy bodies. $8, indigo.ca
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Best bets FOR THE PETS DOUBLE COAT It’s not Rover’s fault that you live in Raincouver. Get your dog this Blizzard puffer dog vest for the next atmospheric river: it’s fully waterproof and reflective, has a removable hood and is only a little bit humiliating for the wearer. From $76, woofconcept.com
SUPER BOWL
BRAIN GAME
Everyone else in the fam has their designated Yeti—why not your pet? The 4 Dog bowl has a non-slip bottom, and the stainless steel is both rust-resistant and dishwasher safe (and your pet will be happy to help clean it). $50, yeti.ca
Enrichment toys are a great way to keep your dog occupied (and make them smarter... apparently), and the Falcon puzzle toy from Fable Pets can hold both dry kibble and spreads—great for picky pups. $32, shopgoodboy.com
PLAYING TAG
Happy Pawlidays No, your cat and dog do not know it’s the season of giving. That said, they do give you unconditional love all year long. (Also vet bills and poop to clean up... but hey, who’s counting?) Here are the best gifts to treat your pet with in 2023.
Kissamo is a pettag brand based locally, and their recycled acrylic designs are made for Vancouver (think bubble tea, sushi and avocados). Our personal favourite is the Hot Dog tag—an apt choice for your dog, an ironic joke for your cat. $49, kissamo.com
PUPPIN’ BOTTLES Is your Shih Tzu a sommelier? Weiner dog a wine nerd? Italian greyhound an oenophile? (We could go all day.) This wine barrel toy has three bottles for your dog to burrow after. Warning: it also has a pretty loud squeaker—you may need to cut them off. $21, barking babies.com
CANINE COOKIE
PICK OF THE LITTER Vancouver-based Tuft and Paw’s Cove litter box has an integrated hand brush, dustpan and scoop—it’s a design-forward solution for one of the messier parts of cat ownership. $199, tuftandpaw.com
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Treats are the universal love language for all dogs, and these Puppy Butters from Three Dog Bakery are a peanut butter dream—they look so good, in fact, they could easily be mistaken for human food (watch out, visiting uncles). $10, threedog.com
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Kits Eyec
See more at
KITS.CA
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Reserve Relaxation SC ANDI NAV E .COM
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE
EMBRACE THE CHILL Soak in an outdoor tub, skate on a frozen lake, icewalk in a majestic canyon, snowmobile on an epic mountain and more. These five winter vacation destinations offer adventure and cozy comfort for the perfect cold-weather escape.
CELINA FRISSON
BY ALYSSA HIROSE
MIGHTY MOOSE Keep your eyes peeled for moose and other wildlife around Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: JASPER
ADVENTURES ON ICE
Foodies and outdoor enthusiasts, take note: this 48-hour Jasper itinerary is a foolproof wintery agenda. The cold never bothered you anyway, right?
10:00 A.M.
SPIN CYCLE If Everything Everywhere All at Once taught us anything, it’s that great things can happen in a laundromat. Jasper’s SnowDome Coffee Bar certainly embraces the multiverse theory: the same space holds Coin Clean Laundry and Andromeda Coffee, making this charming locale a café, retail space and laundering facility all in one. Warm up with a fresh scone and an Earl Grey, masala chai or honey lavender latte. 11:00 A.M.
ABOUT TOWN The weather is chilly, but the town is walkable—there’s plenty of shopping to be done in the stores and boutiques off Connaught Drive, Jasper’s main drag. For a classic guilty pleasure souvenir shop, hit up Baxter’s Gifts and Souvenirs (you dream it, they’ve printed a mountainscape on it). For dainty jewellery, handmade soaps and cozy socks, Highground is the place to go. If you’ve overestimated the temperature just a titch, Wild Mountain has all the localapproved outdoor apparel.
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12:00 P.M.
ICE ICE BABY Is there a more stereotypical Canadian experience than skating on a frozen lake? Pyramid Lake Lodge—on Pyramid Lake, of course— maintains a gorgeous outdoor skating track with a hockey rink in the centre. Rent some skates, lace up and tread carefully on your way to the ice (or don’t—falling on your butt is a rite of passage). Whether you’re a pro on the ice or still struggling to remain upright, you’ll work up a much-needed sweat and enjoy a breathtaking view of the mountains. 2:00 P.M.
LUNCH WITH A VIEW After you yank off your skates and remember how to walk normally again, pop upstairs to Aalto—this restaurant just opened on the Pyramid Lake Lodge property in June 2023. The brand-new room has that gorgeous lake view and a lunch menu that puts an elevated twist on traditional (think a burger on a pretzel bun with truffle mustard or a fresh salad with duck prosciutto).
4:00 P.M.
CREATIVE CORNER The Jasper Art Gallery’s hours are a bit funky (it’s only open Thursday through Saturdays) so plan ahead if you want to stop by. Here, you’ll find bright watercolours, intricate wood carvings, wildlife photography and more, plus a beautiful selection of prints. The gallery puts on events and workshops, too— keep up on Instagram at @jasperartistsguild. 6:00 P.M.
SLICE OF LIFE Here’s the rustic mountain lodge experience you came to Jasper for: a river rock fireplace, stuffed bison head and full-sized canoe are among the decor at the Hearthstone Lounge. The menu here is a real feast of cozy comfort food,
(Clockwise from top) Pyramid Lake Lodge, which maintains its own skating track and ice rink; Connaught Drive, Jasper’s main drag; elevated dining at Aalto; and ice-skating on Pyramid Lake.
including roast chicken, mac ’n’ cheese and beef Wellington. But the hidden gem here is the Detroit-style deep dish pizza—it’s available for takeout only, so you can chow down on the Berta (short rib, gouda, caramelized onion, thyme aioli and smoked paprika gaufrette) from the comfort of your own hotel room.
COURTESY OF TOURISM JASPER
SATURDAY
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COURTESY OF TOURISM JASPER
shine
Book a cozy stay and savour locally grown ingredients at independently owned restaurants. Head to Dakota Ridge and explore Nordic ski and snowshoe trails. Take in stunning and expansive views of the Salish Sea and Coastal Mountains. Winter is the Time to Shine without the crowds on the Sunshine Coast.
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: JASPER
7:00 P.M.
ALPINE DINING End the day at Terra, a restaurant that marries the rustic mountain landscape with modern design and innovative cooking. The Aurora Mule cocktail (Epitaph gin, rosemary syrup, triple sec, soda and lime) is inspired by the northern lights and sparkles with edible glitter. The simple but oh-so-delicious house sourdough is served with an unexpected, umami-forward spread (miso butter!) and the corn ribs are a smoky vegetarian triumph. Main-wise, steak frites is an obvious choice (when in Alberta...) but the duck with smoked black garlic mushrooms is an outside-the-box winner.
SUNDAY 9:00 A.M.
LET THERE BE SKYLIGHT Sunhouse is aptly named—the ceiling is all windows, so this IG-worthy brunch spot is always flooded with natural light. The food is just as photogenic (and, importantly, tastes as good as it looks): the lineup includes key lime French toast, Turkish eggs and halloumi and next-level avocado sourdough toast topped with pomegranate, preserved lemon and pistachio dukkah.
browse the huge gift shop before your canyon tour begins. 1:00 P.M.
SOUP FOR YOU
CANYON DO ATTITUDE
Fuel up for a canyon tour at the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen (lunch is included when you book the six-anda-half-hour tour). Get the open-faced fried chicken sando with white barbecue sauce and smoked tomato jam—it’s delicious and comes with a side of soup. If there’s time,
For those afraid of heights: the Maligne Canyon Icewalks will make your heart race, but it’s totally worth it. Thanks to Mother Nature, our planet’s most terrifying artist, the canyon becomes a treasure trove of organic sculptures, rippling waterfalls and icy caves in the winter. A guide
12:00 P.M.
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(Clockwise from top) Guests are provided with boots, spikes and a helmet for Maligne Canyon Icewalks; the walks feature mesmerizing ice formations; kick off the day with brunch at the Sunhouse.
provides you with boots, spikes and a helmet and the tour starts at the top—walk along the (fenced) cliffside and peer down into the canyon below if you dare. But the most enchanting views are at the bottom, where you can gaze up at the mesmerizing formations frozen in motion and duck under walls of icicles.
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Get inspired and plan your trip at:
bellingham.org/ plan T H E S T AT E O F W A S H I N G T O N
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: RICHMOND
BOUTIQUE FOR THE BOLD
A new hotel just outside of Vancouver takes a big, beautiful design risk.
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a boring wall in sight—floral wallpaper, bright paint or striking stone blankets nearly every surface. Curvilinear sofas and accent chairs give the space an organic touch, and gold light fixtures add a splash of luxury (not without soul, though—the poodle-shaped table lamps provide plenty of personality). “I think anytime you take a bold stance in design, you
know that people are going to have a visceral response,” says Rankin. But this hotel isn’t just for maximalists. “We really strode the line of ensuring that the design was thought out and well-implemented enough that even if it isn’t your thing—even if you don’t want to take that design home and live in it—you can still appreciate it and you could really enjoy it.”
COURTESY OF VERSANTE
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ftentimes hotels can err on the side of being a little safe—a little bit more subtle—just because they are looking to appeal to a wide audience,” says Adèle Rankin, managing principal of Chil Interior Design. But when Rankin’s team was brought on to design Versante, a new boutique hotel in Richmond, B.C., subtle wasn’t in the vocabulary. The designer chalks this up to the owners understanding both the neighbourhood and their guests. The hotel is located in a diversely populated city with a large Chinese-Canadian community; it’s adjacent to the lively, colourful Richmond Night Market; and it aims to host a lot of international travellers. In other words, neutral wasn’t going to cut it: this hotel needed to make a memorable statement. The “floating” washroom, for example, is about as conspicuous as it gets. It’s a semi-public space open to hotel guests and visitors to Versante’s on-site restaurants and event spaces, and it’s unapologetically sexy: a backdrop of red, black and white creates a dark, intimate vibe, and the room’s round shape feels futuristic and exciting. In the guest suites, there’s not
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: SUNSHINE COAST
EAT THE
COAST From old-school faves to the freshest modern menus, here are five awesome Gibsons-area restaurants to check off your Sunshine Coast to-do list.
COURTESY OF VERSANTE
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IF YOU FEEL LIKE COMFORT FOOD...
IF YOU FEEL LIKE PLANTBASED...
Perched just up the hill from the Gibsons main drag is the cozy Drift Cafe (546 Gibsons Way), a restaurant with a truly spectacular ocean view—if a window seat is available, grab it. The menu features elevated comfort-food classics (think spaghetti and lamb meatballs, prawn benedicts and vegan kimchi fried-rice bowls). The walls are splashed with local art that’s for sale, so you can go home with more than a full tummy. drift-gibsons.ca
The Gumboot Cafe (1053 Roberts Creek Rd.) is a hippie haven in the best way—the sun-filled interior feels more like a house than a restaurant, and the breakfast menu is fantastically veggie-forward: avocado toast, beet cakes and kale salad are the heroes. If that’s sounding a bit too green for you, there are also plenty of pastries—the vegan salted caramel bar is an obvious winner. thegum bootcafe.com
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IF YOU FEEL LIKE SEAFOOD...
IF YOU FEEL LIKE SOMETHING NEW...
IF YOU FEEL LIKE JUST DESSERTS...
Smitty’s Oyster House (643 School Rd.) is a living legend: it’s the oyster restaurant so good, they took it to the big city (Smitty’s on Vancouver’s Main Street opened early last year). But the Gibsons digs—sitting right by the water the iconic shellfish live in—will always be the benchmark. Besides the delicious raw oysters and housemade sauces, order the crab cakes and chili lime prawns... they’re the secret stars on this menu. smittysoysterhouse.com WHILE YOU’RE THERE, VISIT...
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Brassica (292 Gower Point Rd.) launched in the fall of 2022, but it’s already developed a stellar reputation with the locals. A marketplace greets you when you first enter (the shelves are stocked with jams, spreads, snacks and more from Coho Commissary, the shared commercial kitchen that operates behind Brassica). The family-style menu changes often, but you can expect delicious, coast-focused dishes like skillet cornbread with Roberts Creek Honey, koji-marinated sablefish collar, roasted beetroot with pistachio and grilled octopus with roasted pepper vinaigrette. brassicagibsons.com
Okay, there is a lot more than dessert here—awesome Mexican dishes like quesabirria and beef tenderloin carne asada tacos are highlights—but make sure you save room at Lunitas (645 School Rd.) for that post-dinner sweet thing. For tradition with a twist, go for the churros (heavy on the rum-cinnamon whipped cream). For a treat that’s Insta-worthy and delicious, there’s the Mayan chili chocolate pot de crème (spice plus chocolate has to be the best winter dessert duo). The space itself is gorgeous, too: bold floral murals and colourful papel picado punctuate this lively room. lunitas.ca
THE SUNSHINE SPA If you live in the city, basically any spot you stay on the Sunshine Coast is going to feel
tranquil. But the Shades of Jade Inn and Spa (1489 Henderson Rd.) brings that tranquility to another level entirely: nestled in the forest just off of Henderson Beach in Roberts Creek, this boutique Japanese-influenced accommodation is beautiful and spacious, all warm woods and natural stone. There’s a hot tub and spa on site, and the two units both offer steam showers, heated tile floors and a bubble massage tub. Host Sylvie Bruce greets you with the calming demeanour of your favourite yoga teacher. Just try to be stressed out here. We dare you. shadesofjade.ca
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: THE PACKING LIST
Keep your necklaces, bracelets and earrings unbothered and untangled using Edmonton-based Poppy Barley’s sleek trifold jewellery case. This compact, travel-friendly case is a collaboration with Kelowna brand Fraîche Living, and comes complete with necklace snaps, ring pillow, earring card and bracelet cushion. $165, poppybarley.com
2. P RETTY LITTLE LUGGAGE
Viral luggage brand Béis (founded by Vancouver celeb Shay Mitchell, whom you probably know from Pretty Little Liars and You) has ditched its all-beigeand-black aesthetic for some wild new colours: now, the internet-famous Weekender bag comes in bright orange and neon green. Yes, that’s a zip-off bottom pouch just for shoes. $145, beistravel.com
3. HOT WHEELS
Vancouver-designed Monos is cornering the sexy-luggage market, and their entire lineup is monochrome (olive green, rosy pink and a deep ocean blue are three of their pretty hues). Except, that is, for the brand’s new limited-edition terrazzo-printed polycarbonate shell suitcases. You’ll be laughing at all those grey-luggaged folks desperately searching for their bags: this one stands out like a work of art. From $325, monos.com
4. IN THE PODS
If travelling with expensive beauty products in fragile (and heavy) glass bottles stresses you out, here’s a solution: RoC Skincare offers a selection of anti-aging serums in a perfectly portable capsule
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format. Just throw enough pre-measured 10-ml doses into your toiletries bag (don’t worry, they’re biodegradable) and you’re ready for takeoff. From $33, rocskincare.com
5. TOUGH TRAVELLER
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Given the design-forward nature of Vancouver-based Herschel’s backpacks and duffles, it’s no surprise that their new heritage hardshell luggage looks slick, too (hey, ash rose!). But it’s more than just a pretty case: made of polycarbonate that’s 70-percent recycled road barricade material, the line has been performance-tested with weighted drop and tumble trials, zipper cycle trials and more—plus, the silent 360-degree Hinomoto wheels are a joy to roll through the airport. From $275, herschel.ca
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PACKING LIST
6. J UST PLANE HYDRATING
Travel during the colder months often means chapped lips, and this Kw’as Cocomint lip balm from Indigenous-owned Skwálwen Botanicals can help: ingredients like coconut oil, cocoa seed butter and sweet almond oil keep your kisser comfy. $9, skwalwen.com
The latest travel tech, fashion and skincare to make prepping for your next trip a breeze.
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7. SUBLIME SUIT
Business class, meet your match: Smash and Tess’s recently launched colourway (called “red violet”... but let’s face it, this is Barbie pink) of the Harper blazer and Harper wide-leg pant is perfect for travelling in style. The Vancouver-based brand is known for rompers, and this pink suit embraces all that pyjama-like comfort in work-appropriate fashion. Blazer $170, pant $130; smashtess.com
IMAGE CREDIT
1. STILL BEJEWELLED
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: WHISTLER
PIT STOP
Snowmobiling in Whistler is peak awesome (even if you get cold feet).
I’
m jealous of the other couple on this snowmobiling trip. Yellow Jacket is perched at the front of the machine, Red Jacket has her arms wrapped around him. They’re straddling the same seat, about to take on every exhilarating second as one. My partner Chris, on the other hand—he was the one who booked this semi-private beginner tour with Blackcomb Snowmobile— has made the executive decision that we will not be sharing a snowmobile. He might as well be on another planet: our instructor, Arnaud,
arranged us behind him so that Yellow Jacket and Red Jacket are second, then me, then Chris. Since my neck won’t turn 180 degrees—especially not when operating an alpine-certified crotch rocket—I can’t even see him, much less touch him. I think back to the release form I signed just a few minutes ago: Chris better be sorry if I experience “serious injury or death” all by myself. After a very quick rundown of the machines, we take the snowy mountain trail—though not exactly by storm. Yellow Jacket turns out to be an absolutely
terrible driver, and I need to keep stopping to avoid a fender bender. That said, the machine is much easier to manoeuvre than I anticipated, and my fears of accidentally falling off a cliffside dissipate. Eventually, I develop a strategy: drive slow for a bit, wait for the snowmobile in front of me to get well ahead, then let ’er rip. I don’t like to admit that I’m wrong, but in this instance, I’ll confess: driving a snowmobile is way more fun than riding on the back of one. It only takes a few minutes for me to get completely comfortable racing over the hills and sending snow flying in my wake. I even stand up, wind rushing past my cheeks. Arnaud stops us about an hour in for a photo op, and I realize how truly stunning
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Your feet don’t spend much time on the ground when you’re snowmobiling, but even making your way through the parking lot can be a challenge in this icy climate. Hunter’s women’s Wanderer insulated vegan shearling short snow boots were my shoe of choice for this outing. They kept my feet warm and dry, and, more importantly, they’re super comfy and have a great tread: no slip risk here. $185, hunterboots.com
the mountains are—I’ve been head-down driving for so long, I’ve forgotten we are in one of B.C.’s most beautiful places. The two-hour tour passes quickly, and soon we’re turning in our helmets and goggles. I’m weirdly grateful to have been separate from— and in front of—my partner. He got to watch me discover a love for snowmobiling, and I didn’t have to watch him try to capture every moment with his phone, a GoPro and a 360 camera. But I do have the photos and videos to prove that I had a blast. A two-hour private tour with Blackcomb Snowmobile is $269 per person. (Or $229 per person if you share a machine... but who wants to do that?)
COURTESY OF BL ACKCOMB SNOWMOBILE
SHUT UP AND DRIVE
Even ATV newbies can quickly tackle the slopes with Blackcomb Snowmobile, as our managing editor discovered.
For an après-snowmobile, we hit up Squamish’s Backcountry Brewing (#405-1201 Commercial Way, Squamish)—it’s tough to beat hot buffalo wings ($19) and pizza after a day out in the snow. We ordered the Killa Beez pie (soppressata salami, mozzarella, red onion, chili flakes and honey drizzle, $26) and a pair of pints of one of their absurdly long-named beers. I recommend the Why Can’t You Be Happy For Me And Then Go Home And Talk About Me Behind My Back Like A Normal Person? sour—it’s passionfruit orange guava, and if you can get over the embarrassment of ordering it, it’s delicious. backcountrybrewing.com
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THE OKANAGAN YOU REMEMBER
@visitpeachlandbc @visitsummerland @visitpenticton @discovernaramata @visitokfalls @visitoliver @uncorkthesun
COURTESY OF BL ACKCOMB SNOWMOBILE
www.visitsouthokanagan.com
2022
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WINTER GETAWAY GUIDE: FRASER VALLEY
SUPER SOAKER
An unlikely oasis is waiting to be discovered in a Fraser Valley golf resort.
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The Woodland Cabins at Rowena’s feature modern, minimalist interiors and deep ofuro tubs on the back deck—perfect for wildlife gazing.
Wrong. According to a printout on the coffee table, the tubs take “approximately one hour” to fill. That makes sense, of course. The deep tub gets me considering the eco-friendliness of this experience. We’ll fill the tub for an hour to sit for what—20 minutes? Then drain it all? I have about 45 minutes to consider the ethics of this, because that’s how long it actually takes for the tub to fill (it’s now 2:30 p.m.). There’s no soap or shampoo allowed, but the resort does provide a packet of all-natural lavender eucalyptus bath salt. That salt combined with the smell of the cedar is positively heavenly. The tub design is rather simple—one end has a slanted insert for leaning back on. Two people (including one
who is over six feet tall) can comfortably fit. Maybe it’s counterintuitive to lounge in a spa-like bath while reading a murder novel, but that’s the way I like to recharge. (Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier is my page-turner of choice.) We chill for about an hour— me reading about fictional killers leading double lives, my partner listening to Harry Styles—as the sun flickers through the trees and tiny birds hop along the patio railing (which, by the way, is positioned so that you can’t make awkward eye contact with anyone who happens to walk by, thank goodness). It’s perfectly peaceful, save for one moment when a disgruntled golfer yells, “Shit!” from across the course.
When it’s time to get out and dry off for our dinner reservation, my partner reaches in to pull the plug, but I stop him—if there’s any chance the water is warm-ish when we get back, I’d like to try it out. We slide on the heavy tub cover and head over to the on-site restaurant. It’s exactly 7 p.m. when I gingerly lift the cover again. Steam comes billowing out. The ofuro tub is still very warm—in fact, it doesn’t seem even a degree cooler than when we covered it three and a half hours ago. We’re in and out for another two hours. The tub is even more tranquil at night. Those 45 minutes invested in filling it have more than paid off. In the winter, Rowena’s Inn offers indoor whisky tastings every Thursday, a four-course fireside dining experience once a month and trails for salmon and eagle viewing from October to January. So there are plenty of things to do, other than golfing, at this quiet Fraser Valley resort. But there’s also something to be said for doing nothing—so long as that nothing is in a tub.
COURTESY OF ROWENA’S INN ON THE RIVER
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olfers would likely recognize Rowena’s Inn on the River by the fairway that surrounds it: Harrison Mills isn’t exactly a buzzing area, and the Sandpiper Resort is an obvious landmark. But my partner and I didn’t make the trafficky two-hour drive from Vancouver to tee off. We’ve come to take a bath. That’s a bit dramatic, I suppose, but it’s the truth. Rowena’s Inn on the River recently revealed their “Woodland Cabins”: six new accommodation options added to some already impressive lodgings. (Besides the boutique “Colonial” rooms within the inn itself, there are also cozy rustic cabins and modern luxury cabins—the latter are more like a house; the largest has three bedrooms.) Right—back to our bath. Patio ofuro tubs are the main draw of the Woodland Cabins. The outdoor red cedar barrel baths are what we’re here to check out. You’ve heard of destination dining. This is destination dipping. The interior of the cabin has a modern, minimalist vibe: it’s all concrete, black, white and wood. A switch on the wall activates blinds that slowly reveal the patio tub, as well as a serene view of a little pond, the golf course and the Harrison River beyond. My partner and I get our swimsuits on and beeline for the tub. We’ll be bathing in no time.
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sponsored report
OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION:
Learning Unscripted Vancouver’s Stratford Hall, and independent International Baccalaureate school, brings kids outside to learn negotiation, self-advocacy, healthy risk-taking and other real-life skills
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t Stratford Hall, Outdoor Experiential Education (OEE) is more than time outside the classroom. It is a biweekly, adventure in sport and immersive outdoor education that is embedded in the grade 4-10 curriculum at the Vancouver-based International Baccalaureate school. And the kids can’t wait for it. Stratford Hall is an urban school that strives to develop harmony between the urban and natural worlds. The outdoor education program’s experiential-driven philosophy provides opportunities for students to challenge the limitations they put on themselves, foster independence and resilience, and develop a personal relationship with the outdoors—while, of course, having so much fun. Led by Director of OEE, Mitch Taylor, students learn problem solving through a variety of different tasks and activities including kayaking, SUP, climbing, biking and camping, to name a few. “This commitment to outdoor learning ensures students are regularly connected with the natural world,” Taylor says. “These
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trips are ideal for fostering environmental stewardship, building collaborative skills, and pushing boundaries through risk-taking.”
APPROACHES TO LEARNING Besides the physical benefit of mastering activities like rock climbing or kayaking,
OEE and its activities are the catalysts for life skills like perseverance, emotional management and negotiation. The cycling program, for instance, encourages students to practice leadership skills and consider implications of choice as they lead their peers through the streets of Vancouver. While in the cooking program, students learn to negotiate fairly, practice selfadvocacy and collaboration, and develop independence as they take control of their nutrition. The snowshoeing program is another perfect example. In it, student can engage in snowball fights—an activity often deemed unsafe—because snowball fights allow students to explore nature and physical activity while negotiating, cooperating, and understanding consent and fair play. “Observing a group of sixth-graders diligently discussing and setting the parameters for a snowball fight is a sight to behold,” Taylor says. “They ensure everyone feels comfortable, understanding when someone wants to participate or not, or when someone needs help or wants to exit the game.
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“The joy and the large smiles as they play within the boundaries they set, affirm the success of this approach.”
EMBRACING RISK Perhaps the most important message OEE students will hear is “Step out of your comfort zone” as leaders encourage them to move bravely into areas of growth, allowing them to forge a healthy and safe relationship with risk. “A fundamental aspect of our program is risky play,” Taylor says. “In our society, we often underestimate the capacity of young people to manage risk, frequently prohibiting activities deemed too risky. However, exposure to calculated risk is essential for developing risk tolerance and understanding how to evaluate various situations.” The emphasis is on holistic development, preparing students for real-world challenges, and although students’ comfort is not guaranteed, safety is always paramount.
“We are equipping them with the skills to assess, make informed decisions, and learn from their experiences, reinforcing their academic learning and preparing them for future challenges,” Taylor says. “The focus is on real-world, applicable learning and personal growth, equipping students with skills relevant to any career path, from astronauts to professional wrestlers.”
FORGING CONNECTIONS Its important to recognize one of the most obvious benefits of OEE: that kids learn how to play. “Sometimes we go for a walk in the forest to learn about forest bathing and how being surrounded by nature can help us manage our emotions and manage anxiety,” Taylor says.“But sometimes we go on a walk in the forest just so we can have fun with our friends. Students have full schedules, including co-curriculars, sports and external arts and languages classes. This program is time every week when the kids can really just play and explore and have fun with their friends and decompress in a way that maybe they don’t normally get to.”
IB CURRICULUM Hazel Chee, Senior School Principal says Stratford Hall’s IB school designation makes it the perfect venue to this type
of program because, like OEE, IB fosters holistic development by providing students with hands-on opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in realworld settings. “Embracing an OEE program within the context of an IB school holds a special place in my heart, having experienced its transformative power firsthand,” she says. “At an IB school, OEE becomes more than just a curriculum supplement; it becomes a cornerstone of personal growth and academic excellence.” By promoting critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability—all essential skills emphasized by the IB curriculum—it instills a sense of environmental stewardship and global awareness, aligning with the IB’s commitment to nurturing responsible global citizens. “Stratford Hall teaches by design a rigorous and inquiry-based pedagogy that complements OEE seamlessly, encouraging students to ask meaningful questions and engage deeply with the natural world,” Chee says. “The IB framework and outdoor experiential education are a synergistic combination that empowers students to become knowledgeable, principled and well-rounded individuals who are not only academically adept but also socially and environmentally conscious, cultivating not only knowledge, but a true passion for lifelong learning.”
Learn more at stratfordhall.ca @ StratfordHallSchool @ stratford_hall
@ Stratford_Hall
@stratfordhall
Created by Canada Wide Media in partnership with Stratford Hall
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Stratford Hall
GLOBAL
WORLD BC’s independent schools foster critical thinking, empathy and social responsibility with globally-focused curriculum
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nternationalism and global citizenship are essential in today’s interconnected world. They foster a deep understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives and global challenges, which is the foundation of a well-rounded worldview. Most importantly, understanding the world as a global community instills empathy and a sense of responsibility towards both local and global communities. That is why some of BC’s finest independent schools embed internationalism and globalism in their curriculum.
“This outlook not only enriches students’ personal growth but also significantly enhances their academic learning,” says Hazel Chee, Senior School Principal at Stratford Hall in Vancouver. “It provides a broader context for subjects such as history, economics and social studies, making the curriculum more relevant and engaging.”
STRATFORD HALL Stratford Hall is an independent school offering the complete International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB curriculum is by nature designed to instill global awareness, citizenship and intercultural understanding. There are more than 5,000 IB schools worldwide, each connected to the next and bringing together thousands of educators from around to further understand different cultural perspectives when developing programs. Stratford Hall is grounded in principles of pluralism and community, which means cultivating an international perspective that embraces cultural diversity and inclusivity while fostering engagement within both local and global communities. SPECIAL FEATURE
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
“Students are encouraged to think beyond national borders, champion global awareness and develop leadership skills to contribute to a more interconnected and equitable world, in alignment with the IB program's emphasis on international-mindedness and holistic global understanding,” Chee says. Stratford Hall takes a multi-faceted approach to nurturing global citizenship in its students. “By prioritising pluralism and community, we encourage students to cultivate an international perspective, embracing the richness of diverse cultures and fostering inclusivity,” Chee says. “Through a rigorous language program, students gain proficiency in language acquisition, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.” Through service initiatives such as environmental conservation in Costa Rica, students learn the connection between place and local flora and fauna. Their actions in reforestation of mangroves and learning of Indigenous medicinal plants allows for growth in their appreciation of the unseen environmental services our earth provides. “These trips also foster a strong local connection to the community, ranging from local trips to Indigenous communities to explore how local populations celebrated, lived and continue to thrive today allows for students to learn about not only the present but also past lives of Indigenous populations in Canada,” says Global Programs Coordinator Gladys Kong.
“These experiences also support students in exploring the world around them, to bring them to places where families may not have thought to go or an opportunity to dive deeper into local culture and practices.”
COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL Collingwood School in West Vancouver focuses on developing socially responsible students pursuing passions for a better world, starting with a personalized approach to learning for all students. Prioritizing forward-focused learning, building community, wellbeing and sustainability, the school provides authentic learning experiences connected to real world problems or issues where students develop cultural awareness and consider the broader global context of issues and challenges. “We offer trips and activities through academic, athletic, arts and service-learning opportunities, to expose our students to different languages, cultures and lived experiences,” says Lisa Evans, head of school. “A strong community includes diverse minds and broad perspectives, and we explore what it means to live in a “connected world”, to break down barriers (i.e., in language, or by learning styles), so that we can appreciate and be inspired by others in the world.” This learning starts early. In kindergarten, students exchange information about their local natural environment with students at Aubrick School in Brazil. Collingwood School
Aspengrove
In grade 4, they partner with students in South Korea to explore ways to connect Western and Eastern cultures, in a project called Crossing/Across the Big Blue that was proposed by a grade 11 Collingwood student. In grades 6 and 7, students participate in a Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) Student Leadership program, which is designed to engage and support the development of student leaders from CAIS Schools across Canada, including Bermuda. Grade 7 students also have a 10-day exchange program with the Hackley School in New York, and in grades 8 and 9 they participate in a variety of off-campus excursions to develop awareness of the Metro Vancouver region and beyond while focussing on personal development of traits such as self-reliance, decision making and healthy relationships with peers. By the time they reach grade 12, students are well-prepared for Entrepreneurship 12—designed like a university level business course—where they learn through case studies that span diverse industries and explore real-world problems. “Our academic program is rooted in developing thinkers who are able to understand multiple perspectives of any given topic and transfer that learning and knowledge across disciplines to create novel solutions,” Evans says.
SPECIAL FEATURE
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ASPENGROVE Aspengrove, an IB World School nestled in Lantzville on Vancouver Island, is on a mission to challenge and inspire the student community to act with purpose as compassionate, knowledgeable and principled global citizens. International perspectives are integrated throughout subjects, starting with the junior kindergarten classes through to grade 12. “Service learning is a key component of our approach to global citizenship,” says Andrea Wyness, Middle Years Programme Coordinator. “Through research projects that address pressing global issues such as poverty, environmental and wildlife conservation, students gain a deeper understanding of these issues and have opportunities to actively contribute to making a difference.” At the community level, students regularly volunteer with the local food bank and are always looking to collaborate with local organizations who make a direct impact on the Vancouver Island community.
Each year Aspengrove dedicates a day in their Primary Years Program to embrace cultural differences and celebrate diversity. Always a highlight, “Intercultural Day” invites students to showcase their cultural heritage through food, clothing, music and art. “Last year's Intercultural Day featured a vibrant display of cultural dishes from over 20 countries,” Wyness says. Language programs also play a pivotal role in broadening horizons. Aspengrove offers a diverse range of language courses, including Spanish, French and self-taught Mandarin. Students learn a second language starting at four-years-old, giving them the tools to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. “We regularly invite guest speakers and conduct workshops on global topics,” Wyness says. “Recently a local Indigenous Elder spoke about the history and importance of Orange Shirt Day, inspiring students to take an active role in addressing the truth and reconciliation calls to action.”
Girl Focused 5-DAY BOARDING PROGRAM N O W AVA I L A B L E Just a short flight to Victoria. Offer your daughter an unmatched boarding experience at SMS, Vancouver Island's only girls-centred school. With a 100% university acceptance rate and global academic renown, discover SMS's potential for her future.
To join us for an Open House or to schedule a meeting visit stmarg.ca
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
ST. MARGARET’S SCHOOL As an IB World School, St. Margaret’s School (SMS) welcomes students from around the world to study and live on campus, fostering a global perspective in education. “At SMS, leadership is about action and influence rather than a position. It is a commitment to helping others and an ongoing collaborative process that raises everyone to the highest levels of competence and morality, nurturing a sense of global citizenship among our students,” says Sharon Klein, Head of School at the girl-centred independent school in Victoria. Today’s students are learning to lead during a time of profound social and environmental change. Guided by values of courage, care, challenge, curiosity and connection, SMS creates “thrivability” with a focus on STEM-X (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and experiential education). “Eighty percent of people displaced by climate change are women, yet women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields and global climate negotiation bodies,” Klein says. “It is more important than ever to engage girls in these areas, which is exactly what we do as Canada's first girl-centred school focused on STEM.” Extending the school community beyond that campus and into local and global communities, SMS fully supports eight Global Scholars through its scholarship program.
St. Margaret’s School
Meadowridge
“These students, from countries such as Ukraine, Nepal and Afghanistan, add depth in our community and learning environment as we share different cultural experiences in education from around the world,” Klein says. “Our Global Scholars develop friendships with local and other international students as together they learn to collaborate on global issues and initiate meaningful and impactful action plans to share within our school community and beyond.” The school’s Model UN, Scholars and Debate clubs supports students in grades 9-12 to tackle global issues that are debated and where ideas, values and perspectives are shared. “SMS school motto is ‘Service with Love’,” Klein says. “This commitment to service creates an environment for our youth to be caring individuals extend
Mulgrave School
their actions of care to others, both locally and globally. Students are encouraged to live out our school motto, to be curious about the world and to work collaboratively to enact change.
MULGRAVE SCHOOL Craig Davis, Head of School at Mulgrave in West Vancouver says understanding one’s own identity is a central part of wellbeing. “To become Global Citizens and thrive in a culturally diverse and interdependent world we believe students should have an understanding of their own (emerging) identity and the privileges and challenges they have,” he says. “They should also understand the identity of others and the privileges and struggles they face; and have the intercultural skills to connect with others.” Students of all ages, from preschool to grade 12, engage in global citizenship learning activities and experiences that range from Units of Inquiry in the Early Years and Junior School to a year-long Grade 10 Global Citizenship course and a Global Citizenship Experiential Learning Programme (GEx) in Middle and Senior School. “The grade 10 course enables students to become critically thoughtful and informed citizens who value an inclusive society and are comfortable examining their role as ally, advocate, and/or activist,” Davis says. “Students explore historical, social, economic and political developments and events and their impact on the lives of different individuals, groups and communities.” These include First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Canada and around the world since 1914. Students also explore issues of civic importance such as environmental responsibility and the policies needed to meaningfully engage with issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. The GEx Programme includes a ‘week without walls’ in Vancouver or regionally in Canada, with optional international opportunities.
SPECIAL FEATURE
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“Students expand their educational experiences, further develop their real-world leadership skills, and engage in meaningful and impactful learning experiences grounded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals through community partnerships,” Davis says. “Fundamentally, our school values cultivate student commitment to the ‘greater good’ to inculcate a motivation to use privilege and education in the service of something bigger than themselves,” Davis says.
EMPOWERING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE | INNOVATIVE THINKING | GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP Nanaimo, BC | 250.390.2201 | AspengroveSchool.com
MEADOWRIDGE At its essence, global citizenry develops students to have a broader way of thinking and understanding that multiple responses to the same situation can be correct. “Our biases—individual to each of us, shaped by our contexts, situations and upbringings—influence our thinking,” says Meadowridge Head of School, Scott Banack. “As global citizens, we understand that our individual needs do not supersede the needs of society.” As IB learners, students at Meadowridge learn from diverse authors, study multiple perspectives on history, acquire additional languages and, perhaps most importantly, develop critical thinking skills and the confidence to ask challenging questions. “Our children build a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world through intentional programming, including a variety of age-appropriate gardening, farming, camping and outdoor experiences,” Banack says. Internationalism refers to cooperation and understanding between nations— teachers at Meadowridge focus on teaching the skills necessary for leaders to support internationalism. “Developing empathy in our children, alongside the development of skills like communication, collaboration and critical thinking, provides our children with the opportunity to have a great positive impact on their world,” Banack says.
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MEADOWRIDGE SCHOOL is a Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12
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INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
The world is becoming more interconnected than it ever was, making globalism more important than ever for today’s and future generations. “Global citizens, who carry a broader understanding and have a strong moral compass, are needed to lead our society as we deal with the challenges of a closely integrated world,” Banack says. “Our academic learning directly supports this initiative and is reflected in our mission: Learning to live well, with others and for others, in a just community.”
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Urban Academy’s approach to promoting global citizenship begins in the classroom at a young age. Through empowering students to inquire about the world around them and their place in it, they hear from their peers who represent diverse backgrounds. Students and families lead Diwali, Hanukkah, Lunar New Year and many other cultural celebrations to help showcase the richness of the community and foster a greater global understanding. Beginning in grade 8, students participate in Model UN to learn about how different countries perceive shared issues. By preparing position papers and representing perspectives that may be ‘other’ to theirs, they develop a greater perspective on global issues. Attending conferences allows them to gain an understanding of the international political landscape and how they may impact change. “While we lay the groundwork for global citizenship in the classroom, developing true global citizens requires getting beyond the comfort of the classroom with opportunities to experience new cultures firsthand,” says Mike Slinger, Head of School for Urban Academy. “Grade eight and nine students explore another Canadian perspective with trips to Quebec, immersing themselves in the history and culture of our nation.” In the senior years, students are able to take part in international travel such as an upcoming trip to Japan in 2024. “Starting inside the classroom and then crafting immersive experiences allows students to step out of their comfort zones, build resilience and understanding, and ultimately become global citizens who are compassionate, informed and ready to make a positive impact on the world,” Slinger says.
DISCOVER GLOBAL EDUCATION TODAY: Stratford Hall stratfordhall.ca Collingwood collingwood.org Aspengrove aspengroveschool.ca Mulgrave mulgrave.com Meadowridge meadowridge.bc.ca St. Margaret’s School stmarg.ca Urban Academy urbanacademy.ca
SPECIAL FEATURE
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A photographer and a food writer embark on an omakase odyssey through Vancouver’s top Japanese restaurants.
IT’S UP TO YOU by Alyssa Hirose photography by Leila Kwok
THE UNI-CORN
Stem Japanese Eatery’s abura-mono dish: Chiliwack corn goma tofu agedashi with BC uni and hazelnut. More on p. 63.
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OMAKASE
IMAGE CREDIT
This tiny freshwater crab isn’t just here for the photo op: it’s entirely edible.
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IMAGE CREDIT
E
ating five multicourse meals in one week may not be logical. Or practical. But when food photographer Leila Kwok and I set out to snap and scribble our way through the best omakase dinners in Vancouver, we abandoned any sense of control. “Omakase” literally translates to “I’ll leave it up to you”—it’s a Japanese way of dining in which the chef decides what’s served. Typically, it takes the form of several meticulously crafted small plates. This is more than a cooking style: it’s an art, and it’s one of the truest ways to experience the personality of the artist (and the soul of the chef). Choices, begone. Preferences, be damned. Two women, one camera, no menu. With open minds and ready stomachs, we left it up to them.
Clockwise, from top left: Nagasaki Bluefin tuna o-toro; pine mushroom with pike conger eel in ichiban dashi; Chilliwack corn goma tofu agedashi; roasted Yarrow Meadow duck breast.
PART 1
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME STEM JAPANESE EATERY 5205 Rumble St., Burnaby stemjapanese.ca
The first rainstorm of the season only makes the shelter of Stem’s rustic, clean-lined room that much cozier: natural woods, deep greens and stained-glass pendant lighting give the restaurant a quietly comforting vibe. Chef Tatsuya Katagiri says his omakase menu changes about once a month, but that’s not a hard and fast rule—if a certain vegetable is suddenly available, for example, he’ll rush to alter his plans. That’s the case
now: mushrooms are in season. Chefs just wanna have fungi. Tatsuya-san’s menu has a focus on hot food. Most courses arrive as a tray full of small dishes and feature a mix of Japanese and local ingredients— think expertly seared Brant Lake wagyu, bonito with sweet onion ponzu and roasted Yarrow Meadow duck breast with B.C. butternut squash purée and goma dashi sauce. The aburamono dish perfectly sums up the chef’s style: pillowy corn VA N M A G . C O M N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3
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OMAKASE
The gohan (above) is the last part of dinner. It’s a brilliant finale— and also easy to pack up if you can’t finish it all. Chef Tatsuya Katagiri (below) puts soul and seasonal ingredients into every dish.
and tofu agedashi sits in a sauce that’s hefty on the spoon but light on the tongue. B.C. uni levels up the dish (as does an edible flower) and hazelnut provides an unexpected touch of bitterness. It’s comfort food done expertly and elegantly. One tray arrives with a stowaway tucked among the colourful dishes. It’s a tiny miyazaki sawagani—a freshwater crab—that’s been painstakingly boiled and caramelized in sweet soy, so it’s entirely edible. That’s what the chef assures us, anyway, right after confirming that it’s fully grown (I ask, because I feel a bit bad about eating an adorable baby crab). Relieved that it lived a full life, I bite the little guy in half. It’s surprisingly easy to eat—Leila expected a violent crunch and warned me to be careful, but there was no need. The cooking process made the shell delicate but still crunchy, and it’s delightfully sweet. The crab is a detail, but an important one: a playful, exciting and super-memorable treat. The last part of dinner is the gohan, which also plays into the warm, homey mood of the menu. The massive rice bowl is beautifully adorned with salmon yuan yaki, bright ikura and those earthy mushrooms. It’s more than we can eat, but also perfect for takeout, so we pack it up. Somehow, it’s been almost four hours. I know how ridiculous that sounds. But the food and hospitality at Stem sets such a pleasant, relaxed pace that it feels like home. So much so that you forget about your own. Chef’s Kaiseki Omakase: $150 to $170
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OMAKASE PART 2
UNPRETENTIOUS UPSCALE YUWA JAPANESE CUISINE 2775 W 16th Ave., Vancouver yuwa.ca
Clockwise, from top left: Chef Masahiro Omori prepares fish; Yuwa’s mukozuke (sashimi) dish; grilled sockeye salmon; parent sweet fish; taro potato ankake with mushrooms.
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I learned in high-school theatre that you’re not supposed to commend actors on how well they know their lines— that’s sort of the bare minimum—and since then I’ve always been conscious about not pointing out anyone’s memorization skills. But at Yuwa Japanese Cuisine, neither Leila nor I can prevent ourselves from applauding our server Ayano’s comprehensive presentation of each dish. She doesn’t seem
offended (and hey, she’s not an actor—she tells us she loves her job, and her authenticity shows in her attentive but easygoing service) and when we ask her about it she acknowledges that the ever-changing menu isn’t easy to master. She mimes how mindblown she gets each time the list of new dishes is presented to her. We get it. Technically, our dinner at Yuwa is kaiseki, a kind of omakase. It’s still a multi-course chef-curated meal, but kaiseki is made up of dishes cooked in a specific way and presented in a specific order, with an emphasis on seasonality (co-owner and sake specialist Iori Kataoka makes this distinction). And the seasonality in Yuwa’s kaiseki comes through not only in the ingredients, but also in chef Masahiro Omori’s artful presentation: dishes adorned with Japanese maple leaves; tiny leaf-shaped yam chips sprinkled atop marinated tofu. Expert technique is evident everywhere. Sword squid is sliced into refined noodle-like strips, marinated grilled eggplant is robust and smoky, perfectly
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cooked taro breaks open in a savoury sauce with chanterelle and lobster mushrooms. Sockeye salmon is carefully wrapped in paper, and, once open, gives me pause. “I feel crazy, but this smells like pancakes,” I tell Leila. If she’s questioning my competence as a food writer, she doesn’t show it. She breathes it in herself and agrees: shio koji gives the dish a syrupy aroma. The dish, served with ponzu vinaigrette for dipping, is perfectly flaky, flavourful and balanced. Sophistication reigns here, but there’s no pretension. The agemono (fried dish), for example, is a spring roll containing wood ear mushroom, Hokkaido scallop and... mozzarella cheese. It’s served with a sweet, jam-like dollop and feels like an elevated take on street food. And the ni-mono (simmered dish) is spectacular: an entire sweet fish bursting with eggs, glazed in a sweet soy and entirely edible, similar to our crab friend from Stem. At the end of the meal, the chef visits our table, joined by Kataoka, who helps translate. Masahiro Omori is more on the reserved side—he nods humbly as we assert how lovely the meal was and is bashful when Leila jokes that he has a lot more hair than most of the Japanese chefs we’ve been photographing. Kataoka indicates it’s time for a trim. Yuwa somehow manages to achieve a dignified, artistic and professional fine-dining atmosphere while maintaining a friendly, down-to-earth spirit. Perhaps that’s the trick to keeping a great head of hair, too. Chef’s Kaiseki: $190
Clockwise from top left: Tetsu’s ceramics; the appetizer platter; flattened udon noodles with Mosa shrimp; expertly sliced sardine nigiri; hot, delicious chawanmushi.
PART 3
SLICE WORLD TETSU SUSHI BAR 775 Denman St., Vancouver tetsusushibar.com
I have to double back to find Tetsu Sushi Bar. On my first pass, I walk right by even though I’m looking for it: the tiny restaurant has only 12 seats. Leila and I take up two of the three bar chairs, giving us a front-row view of chef Satoshi Makise’s incredible knife skills. The way he carefully serrates flesh, expertly slices away skin and delicately extracts bones is mesmerizing. Behind him, there’s a gorgeous cupboard with a slatted sliding door that leaves intricate, unique ceramics exposed—the chef tells us he’s formed close relationships with potters in Japan and points out a tiny sauce bowl made by a 92-year-old artisan. He’s just as particular about his dishes as he is about his ingredients. Satoshi-san’s omakase starts with a platter of appetizers to be enjoyed in any order (except for the chilled corn soup— that’s last, he explains). The sablefish in sweet vinegar sauce VA N M A G . C O M N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 3
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OMAKASE PART 4
DINING WITH THE STARS MASAYOSHI 4376 Fraser St. masayoshi.ca
There are only 12 seats at Tetsu, but the three at the bar are definitely the best in the house: the front-row view to the chef’s meticulous slicing and plating makes the meal that much better.
is delicious—hearty but refreshing—and the bonito and sea bream are evidence of those stellar knife skills at work. The bonito is smoked, the sea bream lightly seared, but both are delicately sliced to maximize surface area and flavour. There’s also a tiny ice cream cone filled with negitoro; it adds a whimsical touch to this intricate spread (and is very fun to eat). Next, there’s cold and hot: chilled udon noodles (the flat kind) on ikura with egg yolk, then a gorgeous little pot of chawanmushi (steamed egg). Each dish is unique—one is refreshing, the other is steamy—but both walk the same careful line between light and deeply satisfying. Listening to the chef explain his strategy is awesome: he slices the shiro ika (white squid) again and again to make it taste sweeter and prefers his rice on the harder side to balance the soft fish. When Leila looks at what’s coming up later on the menu and says, “Fancy uni time,” Satoshi-san agrees: “Fancy uni time.” He shows us the three kinds of uni he’s currently serving (Hokkaido Bafun uni, Hokkaido Hadate Murasaki uni and Awaji Aka uni). The boxes of sea urchin can be up to a thousand dollars apiece. Fancy uni time, indeed. At the meal’s end (a delicious little tamago egg brulée was the finale), the chef disappears and I assume he’s prepping for the next customer. But soon he emerges from the kitchen with a stunning boat full of desserts, complete with the tiniest, cutest nigiri I have ever seen. It’s like sushi for Barbies. Also on board is Japanese melon, Hojicha ice cream and little pots of creamy coffee mousse. Leila had secretly told the team that I’m getting married in a week—as if this meal could possibly be more thoughtful or special. Love is definitely in the air here: love for craftsmanship, love for technique, love for detail. It’s all around. Sushi Bar Omakase: $220
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Stepping into Masayoshi from blustery Fraser Street feels like stepping into another world—the quiet room embraces all the serenity of minimalist Japanese design: it has a calm, noble, spa-like aesthetic. Chef Masayoshi Baba himself smiles with his entire face. He greets every diner with that signature grin, but the moment he turns his attention to his work, his expression is all business. I have the best seat in the house (the sushi bar, where I can watch the Michelinstarred master at work and also eavesdrop on fellow restaurant guests). Leila’s hunkered down in the corner, so her flashing camera doesn’t bug any of the folks who’ve had their spot booked for a month. Masa-san’s machine-like preparation of his dishes is captivating. The way he divides his ingredients among 10 plates, individually positioning each ingredient, feels like a factory—that is, if a factory could also manufacture each dish in its own individual way, taking into account the specific curve of every sliver of preserved lemon, the circumference of each radish circle. As we eat, he carefully reaches over to
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OMAKASE
Chef Masayoshi Baba (top middle) puts on a big grin for guests, but is serious when it comes to his food. The two soups (top left and top right) were standouts on the cold-weather menu.
wipe aside stray rice, keeping everyone’s plate perfect. Highlights from Masayoshi included kabocha squash soup with big chunks of snow crab, a beautifully smoked skipjack tuna with spicy mustard and green onion paste and (my favourite dish) a little teapot full of light broth, with lobster, lobster mushroom and lingcod. To eat it, instructs Masa-san, we must remove the tiny citrus fruit on top, 70
pour the broth into the teacup and sip—then, pour again and squeeze the citrus into the cup. (“Two flavours!” he says.) Finally, we eat the seafood inside. It’s a simple, repetitive process that feels therapeutic. There are simply no bad vibes here. The nigiri dishes come with an add-on option for Northern Divine caviar (hey, when in Rome) and the fabulous staff discreetly suggest when to use it—yes for aburi
sea perch; no for kohada; yes for bluefin tuna belly; no for the lean part of the tuna. There’s an understanding here that while some may have that big money to spend, others are here for a special occasion and might need a helping hand with godly caviar. My tamago (omelette with shrimp) is shaped like a boot—not on purpose, I think, just a funny detail— and dessert is just gorgeous:
an apple-and-ice-cream treat with edible gold, served on a hollow glass bowl that the chef fills with seasonal plants (it’s fall, so pretty green leaves rest delicately in tonight’s bowls). When compliments are sent Masa-san’s way—and many are—he covers his smiling face with his hands. Modesty and Michelin nods are not mutually exclusive. Sushi Bar Omakase: $220
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OMAKASE
Chef Tojo (left) has a story for every dish. From top to bottom right: Tojo’s tuna; Shiitake Shinjo; kabocha soup with Hokkaido scallop; salmon ceviche with ambrosia apple.
PART 5
LOCAL LEGEND TOJO’S 1133 W Broadway, Vancouver tojos.com Leila and I end our omakase journey in the restaurant that many folks consider the beginning—the beginning of the California roll, sure, but also the beginning of popularized Japanese dining in the city... and the province... and the country. Tojo’s menu 72
is iconic, and chef Hidekazu Tojo himself is iconic, too. The 73-year-old chef has a story to go with every one of his dishes. He might not be chatty at first, but all it takes are a few questions for the food-centric floodgates to open. There’s Tojo’s tuna, each geometric chunk individually seasoned with soy sauce and wasabi, from way back when the average Vancouver restaurant-goer didn’t know how to use either. There’s the sunomono-style ceviche with apples, his favourite fruit. There’s the roll inspired by the aurora borealis; it’s wrapped in a cu-
cumber sheet that looks the famed natural phenomenon. “Aurora’s too hard to say... so: Northern Lights roll,” says Tojo-san. His sense of humour is wonderfully blunt. After we hear the story of the Golden roll (it’s wrapped in an egg crepe and was invented to please a customer who didn’t like nori), Leila comments on how eager the chef is to innovate in order to please his guests. “They have no excuses,” I joke. “No escape!” he agrees. Tojo’s rolls favour the local. After all, he’s been serving Vancouver for 35 years. Even the names honour our
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OMAKASE geography: the Great Canadian roll, the Pacific Northwest roll, the aforementioned Northern Lights roll. The standout dish for me, though, is the Shiitake Shinjo (a mushroom stuffed with fish mousse). I’ve never been a big mushroom lover, but the way that these five chefs have served them up has been slowly converting me—and this one sealed the deal. From a dainty kabocha soup served in a little pumpkin with a fried scallop nestled inside to a casual hand roll stuffed with pineapple, avocado and lobster tempura, Chef Tojo’s food has
both history and attitude (can we really separate the art from the artist?) and is served with a side of special little memories... cut short, often, by the storyteller getting distracted by his regular customers. One dines at Tojo’s every Tuesday; another, Tojo-san swears, eats there every day he spends in Vancouver. Many of them drive expensive cars. “Do you have a fancy car?” I ask across the counter. I feel like I already know the answer. “Sixteen years. Toyota Camry.” Sushi Bar Omakase: From $330
PRICE CHECK Why is omakase so expensive? Like all upscale dining, there are a variety of hidden factors to consider when determining value: there are the years of experience the chef has under their belt, there’s the time each dish takes to prepare, there’s the specific storage needs of the ingredients, there are pricy knives and other kitchen tools, there’s rent to pay… And all of the above still doesn’t account for the most obvious cost: the food. Chef Jin (the all-star behind downtown’s premium omakase restaurant Sushi Jin) offered to pull back the curtain on the average rate of his most expensive ingredients. The chef says that while his menu features many local goods— including Gindara sablefish, scallop, spot prawns and ikura— it’s the imported ingredients that set them back the most. He’s out to serve “the best quality ingredients from all around the world”— and that comes at a price. 74
LOBSTER
Average cost: $20−$35 per 1−1.5 lb piece Imported from: Nova Scotia Chef Jin serves his lobster live (yes, it’s wriggling right up to the moment you eat it) so it’s ultra-fresh.
BAFUN UNI
KING SALMON
According to the chef, the sea urchin available in other regions just doesn’t compare.
This flavourful fish is chef Jin’s salmon of choice.
Average cost: $400−$500 per 300 g case Imported from: Hokkaido, Japan
BLUEFIN TUNA Average cost: $1,500−$3,000 per 20−40 lb piece Imported from: Mexico The chef says that this tuna has “great taste and texture, with a special aroma when it is aged properly.”
Average cost: $250−$300 per 11−14 lb piece Imported from: New Zealand
FRESH WASABI
Average cost: $180 per lb ($80−$120 per root) Imported from: Shizuoka, Japan Chef Jin says this wasabi root has “great scent and proper moisture to maximize the sushi quality.”
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by
Neal McLennan
The Gift of the Present Ten years ago, a roundup of special bottles for gifting might have been lucky to include one, maybe two bottles of B.C. wine, sprinkled among the international superstars that would impress the recipient. What a difference a decade makes—today, creating an all-B.C. list is a piece of cake, and narrowing it down to a half-dozen winners is the real trick. The reality is that the strides the local wine industry is making continue to be of the exponential variety: clone selection, continued improvements in winemaking techniques and an ongoing deep dive into our unique terroir is producing wines that stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.
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wildcard for a winning hand of bold reds.
THEY LOVE: BUBBLES
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Township 7 Sirius 2015, $80 I feel I could win a year’s worth of (wine) bar bets with this bottle, which underscores a true statement: some of the best sparkling wine in North America is being made in the Fraser Valley. Exhibit A is this traditionally made, classically conceived, lovingly aged stunner that will have even the most ardent Francophile nodding with appreciation. Fine bubbles,
THEY LOVE: NATURAL
Plot Wines Orange No. 4 2022, $30 Being local is at the heart of the natural ethos, and thankfully we no longer have to look to France and Slovenia for low-intervention winners. This orange wine from Plot is a gateway for natty newbies: it’s made mostly (89 percent) of agreeable gewürztraminer that keeps it juicy but not angry, and there are lovely notes of savoury tea leaves and underripe nectarine.
Martin’s Lane Naramata Ranch 2015, 2016, 2017, $300 It is a truly wonderful time to be a pinot lover. There are plenty of B.C. bottles that could stand proud beside Oregon and California’s best, but even in these bountiful times Martin’s Lane stands apart for its combination of ambition and excellence. This three-bottle vertical highlights the wonderful purity at play here: dark black cherry jousting with savoury herbs and a minor in freshness. A mic-drop of a gift.
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toasty round texture, elegant finish. A winner.
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THEY LOVE: PINOT
THEY LOVE: BORDEAUX
Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2019, $58 I’m not sure there’s ever been a B.C. winery with more focus than the 20-plus-year-old Osoyoos Larose: they specialize in classical expressions of a Bordeaux-style wine. It’s never too ripe or too cloying or too big. And if you really love someone, they have a pricey new wine club that offers both stellar back vintages and large-format bottles to those who share their passion for all things Bordelaise.
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THEY LOVE: CHARDONNAY
Quails’ Gate Rosemary’s Block Chardonnay 2021, $60 This is close to the priciest chard in B.C. (Missions Hill’s excellent Perpetua is $5 more) but it’s still a bargain when you compare it to its global competition in California and Burgundy. And here you get a bit of both—some of the creaminess and roundness of Napa, paired with an ever-present vein of acidity and some of the crunchy minerality of France... and it’s built to age easily for seven to 10 years.
(MCLENNAN) CHANTAL BENNET T ILLUSTRATION
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THE GREATEST GLASSES AROUND In a time where great glassware is so pervasive that you can buy Riedels at Winners, the ethereal, so-light-they-might-float-away glasses from Austria’s Gabriel-Glas ($189 for a set of two) are a revelation. They’re so unobtrusive that you truly feel like there’s no barrier between you and the wine, and they are still dishwasher safe... but try to hand wash them if you can.
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(MCLENNAN) CHANTAL BENNET T ILLUSTRATION
Cheers to SAVINGS!
Delivering the Largest Selection of Wine, Spirits & Beer for your home or office needs this Holiday Season!
.................................................... www.neighbourhoodliquor.com 778.670.WINE
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Culture
Nightcap TIPSY TIP _ Horchata Hints
The Holiday Escape Plan To quote the ever-relevant Taylor Swift, ’tis the damn season—and with that comes all the festivities, frenzy and feels. To inspire a vibe that’s more “fiesta” than “frantic” this holiday season, Alimentaria Mexicana has a cocktail that’s a sweet Mexican retreat (minus the airport lines): the Spiked Horchata. A twist on the classic combo of rum and eggnog, each creamy, cinnamon-kissed sip of this rum-infused traditional Mexican rice milk is a festive toast to you. Kick back, curl up next to the fireplace (channel), and let’s salud to shaking up tradition and savouring the moment, one sip at a time.
Ever sipped on horchata? This sweet, milky, chilled beverage, popular in Latin America, is the grown-up version of that Cinnamon Toast Crunch milk you secretly adore. Beyond its addictive taste, it’s a health powerhouse— packed with vitamins C and E, and minerals like calcium and magnesium. BONUS: It’s lactose-, casein- and gluten-free, making it a tummy-soother. As for curing hangovers? The jury’s still out on that one.
SPIKED HORCHATA SERVES 1
½ oz Licor 43 Spanish liqueur 1½ oz Crown Royal whisky 2 oz horchata* Fresh cream Sugar and/or vanilla mixed into the cream (optional, to taste) Cinnamon *Horchata powder mixed with milk rather than water works best for this recipe (powder available at Fresh Is Best at 2908 W Broadway). METHOD
AMY HO
1. Stir the Licor 43, Crown Royal and horchata over ice until cold. 2. Strain into a cocktail glass (a coupe or martini glass works best). 3. Top with fresh cream and a dash of cinnamon. 4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for extra flair.
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Gift of Time Gala presented by Nicola Wealth On Saturday, September 23, the 19th annual Gift of Time Gala presented by Nicola Wealth raised over $1.55 million in support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. This year’s gala saw an exciting collaboration with BC artist, Gabryel Harrison. Her painting Spring is Constant was the inspiration behind the event’s design. Global BC’s Sonia Sunger hosted the memorable event and auctioneer Fred Lee energized the room during the live auction and Fund-A-Need.
AMY HO
Canuck Place parents Wes and Marie Toews lovingly shared the story of their baby girl, Sophia, who received both perinatal care and end-of-life care at home through the Canuck Place Enhanced Community Care program. Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors who helped raised essential funds for Canuck Place care.
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L to R: Wes and Marie Toews, Canuck Place Parents, Deborah
L to R: Denise Praill, Canuck Place CEO, John Nicola, Nicola
Davison, Canuck Place Counsellor
Wealth Chairman & CEO, Tassan & David Sung, Nicola Wealth President
L to R: John and Claire Nicola
L to R: Michelle Porter, Robin Lalani, and
L to R: Fred Lee, Auctioneer, and Sonia
Lucy Greer, Gala Co-Chairs
Sunger, Global BC Anchor
L to R: Members of the incredible 2023 Gift of Time Gala Committee
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice provides pediatric palliative care for over 871 children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, across BC and the Yukon. A full life has a million moments, and at Canuck Place we believe that the shortest lives should be the fullest of them all. Together, we support families in living the end of life as fully as the beginning.
canuckplace.org
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