Seaside Magazine January 2021 Issue

SEA SIDE M A G A Z I N E

JANUARY

2021

SPECIAL FEATURE

YO U R S A A N I C H P E N I N S U L A VO I C E

Start Fresh

WELCOMING A HEALTHY NEW YEAR

Peninsula Financial Experts

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS

Caring with Compassion

Reader Cookoff Challenge

CHRIS COWLAND'S MUSINGS FROM MEXICO

CAN YOU COOK LIKE A CHEF?

GET OUTSIDE WITH SALISH SEA NEWS

TAKE NOTE BACK FOR 2021!

2021 Membership Options to Fit Everyone • 7 Day - $1300* • 5 Day (Mon to Fri) - $1100* • After 3pm - $800* *prices do not include gst

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is a Gift…

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Salt Spring Island 250-538-7411 or 1-855-252-5641 (toll free) info@OakBaySeniorCare.ca

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OWNER / PUBLISHER SUE HODGSON 250.516.6489 sue@seasidemagazine.ca

EDITOR IN CHIEF ALLISON SMITH 250.813.1745 allison@seasidemagazine.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

TOP STORIES 11

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOURS Jane Dolan: Facilitating Meaningful Moments

43

SAANICH SCHOOLS Change During a Pandemic

12

SPECIAL FEATURE The Peninsula's Financial Experts

44

READER COOKOFF CHALLENGE Beef en Croute

36

IN FASHION Fashion Meets Function: Finding the Perfect Frame

46

LIVING OFF THE LAND Planting Potential: Saanich Native Plants

LEAH-ANNE MACLEOD leahanne@seasidemagazine.ca

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DEBORAH ROGERS deborah@seasidemagazine.ca

ACCOUNT MANAGER STEVEN HALEY-BROWNING 250.217.4022 steve@seasidemagazine.ca

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JANIS JEAN hello@janisjean.com AMANDA CRIBDON amanda@amandacribdon.com

THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS Dan Adair, Adam Addleston, Jo Barnes, Samantha Bourdeau, Francois Comtois, Chris Cowland, Dave Eberwein, Karen Elgersma, Doreen Marion Gee, Sherrin Griffin, Sheila Henn, Janice Henshaw, Jesse Holth, Aaric Humphreys, Tina Kelly, Katie Kroeker, Paula Kully, Anne Miller, Marcelo Najarro, Cindy Pendergast, Deborah Rogers, Joan Saunders, Marita Schauch, Jim Townley, Maximilian Waid P.O. BOX 2173, SIDNEY, B.C. V8L 3S6 news@seasidemagazine.ca To find Seaside Magazine near you, visit www.seasidemagazine.ca/get/ Get Seaside direct to your door; email news@seasidemagazine.ca for subscription details Seaside Magazine is printed 12 times a year by Mitchell Press. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Reproduction requests may be made to the editor or publisher via the above means. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the publisher and editor. Staff of the magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

Contents

JANUARY 2021

EVERY MONTH 8 11 19 21 22 27 28 32

First Word Meet Your Neighbours Common Cents The Golden Years Peninsula Voices

35 36 39 40 44

Inside Out Coffee Three Ways Deb's Day Out

46 53

The Natural Path In Fashion New & Noteworthy Art Scene Reader Cookoff Challenge NEW!

57 58 62 69 78 79

Messages From Mexico From the Kitchen Seaside Homes West Coast Gardener Last Word Take Note

Living off the Land Salish Sea News

ON THE COVER "Sunrise at Sidney Pier" photo by Amanda Cribdon Photography

DISCOVER E X T R AO R D I N A R Y

At Amica Beechwood Village, you’ll experience the senior lifestyle you deserve with premium amenities, your choice of engaging activities, and delicious meals prepared by Red Seal Chefs. Our professional staff will ensure your safety and well-being always remain a top priority while supporting your every need, even as those needs change.

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JANUARY 2021 YOUR SAANICH PENINSULA VOICE

Contributors

SAMANTHA BOURDEAU PAGE 36

DAVE EBERWEIN PAGE 43

SHEILA HENN PAGE 19

Eyecare and glasses are two things I'm passionate about. Shopping for new frames can often be overwhelming, but the variety of materials, designs and colours can be incredibly flattering and confidence building. In this issue I share the 2021 trends and tips to find the perfect frame.

With COVID-19 being a significant part of our context these past 10 months in how we're operating our schools, we actually have an incredible opportunity to reflect on what has worked well and how we might leverage that for our future. I have some thoughts on that.

I believe it is important to consider how to "Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe" with all aspects of your life. For your financial health and organizing your taxes, I think it is a matter of keeping it simple and taking small steps to gain control of your finances.

KATIE KROEKER PAGE 69

ANNE MILLER PAGE 11

JIM TOWNLEY PAGE 28

Spring isn't far away and patio season is right behind it! Whether you're catching up with friends or jumping on a Zoom call on your patio, you might need to tweak your outdoor spaces to take advantage of looser restrictions or ongoing work-from-home opportunities, and I've got some tips!

You can't see me smile under my mask but our eyes meet and we utter a greeting.

It's important and, notably, it's life-giving.

Human connection. Jane Dolan knows this well as she passionately manages Covid-19 risks in order to provide those connections at Saanich Peninsula Hospital's long-term care facility. We're honoured to have her.

Roasting for over 20 years has led to many discoveries about our favourite daily hot beverage. Coffee adds deep, complex flavours to baking and cooking, and with this experience we've been able to develop our own "Dry Coffee Rub" for meat, as well as an amazing glaze we intend to use often at the cafĂŠ.

Timeless classics never go out of style.

Available in-store & online

2418 Beacon Ave, Sidney | 250.655.0774 @boutiquemoden | modenboutique.com

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 7

F I R ST WO R D

First Word

from the

Publisher

Sue Hodgson

Hello 2021, goodbye 2020! We are so glad you're here!

It's been over a decade since I bought Seaside, right in the middle of a recession. Ten years of building up our business, and then COVID hit.

I was so excited for 2020 with new ideas and thoughts for our team and before I knew it, everything got squashed.

That's when we had to roll up our sleeves, start thinking positively and figure out how to keep Seaside going. I can't begin to explain what it took to maintain a print issue, but we did, and we are so grateful for all of our advertisers and partners that supported us.

I've often written here about my late friend, Rudi Hoenson, and how he managed to get through being a prisoner of war and came out of it with no bitterness, only gratitude. Many of us getting through the COVID year, I think, will come out of it a different person. At least, I have. It encouraged me to start reading again and I found a timely book called Midnight Library. It explores one woman's journey, her regrets, and her search for an answer to the ultimate question: What is the best way to live? It really resonated with me. As I read it I had a few tears, and in the end understood why author Matt Haig wrote it during this difficult year we've all had.

There is no better place than the Saanich Peninsula and in this issue we bring the community together: celebrating life indoors and out, from our local people to our agricultural land. Whether your love is for food, fashion, home design or the pursuit of adventure, you'll find it in these 80 pages! And take note of the design tweaks we've made for the new year!

Our new Seaside Giveaway launches this issue. A beautiful curated box filled with amazing items from our local shops, given to one lucky person each month. How to play?

Find the image of the box hidden somewhere in this issue.

Visit www.seasidemagazine.ca/SeasideBox at the end of every month and win!

e u S

DON BELLAMY

info@donbellamy.com

JEFF BRYAN

islandrealestategirl@gmail.com

BILL TOZER

BROOKE MILLER

btozer@icloud.com

DEBBIE GRAY

DENISE GALLUP

jeffbryan@shaw.ca

brookemiller@shaw.ca

RON PHILLIPS ronsoffice@shaw.ca

sagegray@shaw.ca

ghelmsing@gmail.com

GAY HELMSING

ANTHEA HELMSING

JEFF MEYER

KAREN DINNIE-SMYTH

CRAIG WALTERS

jeff@peninsulahomes.ca

kdinnie-smyth@shaw.ca

antheahelmsing@gmail.com

craig@craigwalters.net

We offer 12 senior living communities with care that is personalized to each resident’s unique needs and preferences.

Locally Owned & Operated | 250.383.6509 | TRILLIUMCOMMUNITIES.COM

M E E T YO U R N E I G H B O U R S

by Anne Miller | photo by Amanda Cribdon Photography

Jane Dolan: Facilitating Meaningful Moments

Stats. Graphs. Demographics. Daily, we learn how COVID-19 is threatening our world and remains a clear and present danger. The numbers don't touch our hearts, though, like images and stories.

The November 30th broadcast of CBC's The Moment revealed the image of a doctor embracing an elderly COVID-19 patient crying for his wife. The photo encapsulates the widespread anguish of so many.

So does storytelling. I recently talked with Jane Dolan, a recreation therapist at the Saanich Peninsula extended-care facility. She talked about her role and the lives of residents there – many of whom have dementia – since this pandemic appeared. Contact between family members is limited to phone calls, essential in-person visits or visits through a window. Here, I want to talk about life on the other side of that glass, through the eyes of the residents and the caregivers.

Forced "lockdown" has meant that comforting touches now pose a threat to residents so caregivers, within their goal to keep residents safe, improvise ways to retain essential human connections.

Staff have stepped up from Day 1, offering personal cell phones to facilitate conversations. Subsequently, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation and Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation have offered tablets and phones to residents and sponsored a special activation department to manage the overall functions central to residents' quality of life.

Jane takes her responsibility to each resident to heart. She believes that she can personally contribute by facilitating meaningful moments, introducing humour, patience and encouragement as well as knowing the families and residents on an intimate level. She pictures what it's like for someone with dementia to understand why she can't touch her loved one. She sees the difficulty of the family

member who's never been inside the facility, not knowing where Mum eats, what her father's room looks like or if his wife remembers him. Jane wants each of you to know that caregivers love and know your parents, your spouses, your sibling, making sure they know they aren't forgotten. Staff are putting them first, though sometimes it can be exhausting and heartbreaking.

To cope, Jane writes. "Today, I watched a husband sit in the pouring rain, one hand balancing the umbrella while his gloved hand reaches through a small crack in the door. Each day, this man comes to hold his wife's hand. She's visually impaired and his touch and voice are keeping her alive. I listen to him talk to her. I watch him look at her with a look of lifetime love. My chest gets tight and I feel my eyes well up. My heart aches for this couple."

Writing about her feelings is cathartic, but Jane also knows how important her work family and self-care are to maintaining her ability to be strong and supportive. She loves her work and the privilege of helping this particular population and that motivates her. "If I can make residents laugh or connect them with something meaningful, I feel I'm successful."

She understands that those of us on the outside of that glass feel moved to contribute somehow. She suggests donations to the Foundations to provide tangible resources like virtual programming, more robotic or companion animals, more resources. Some might be inclined to write a letter or pick a poem to share with residents or caregivers. They can be dropped off and they will certainly be read.

Jane remains hopeful and yearns for the day soon when "our doors will open again so that you may come and take your seat alongside your loved ones and, on that day, I will step aside and watch your eyes meet, watch you open your arms and embrace. In that moment, I will know everything is OK." JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 11

Special Feature: The Peninsula's Financial Experts

Anxiety over financial matters is stressful and can have a negative impact on your well-being, and that of your family. Last year brought new and unexpected challenges which may mean that your long-term financial plans will need reviewing or adjusting.

According to CPA Canada's Canadian Finance Study 2020, of the participants: • 31% say their income has decreased as a result of COVID-19.

• 30% report COVID-19 has reduced the amount they are saving.

• 21% of pre-retired respondents revealed they now plan to retire later as a result of COVID-19.

Clearly, there is no time like the present to get a handle on your personal finances. Regardless of your age or income, there

are many ways that good financial planning can benefit you, both in the short term and the long term.

As well as new Covid-related concerns, statistics show that many Canadians are living with increasing levels of debt, and without a clear financial action plan. If you don't have all the answers at your fingertips, your first step towards a more secure future should be to take advice from an expert. Professionals will work with you to maximize the assets you have, and could reduce your debt in the long term.

Seaside Magazine is pleased to present a selection of the qualified professionals located on the Saanich Peninsula who are available to help support your financial health.

Alistair Mackay CFP, CLU, CHS

ALISTAIR MACKAY FINANCIAL PLANNING Financial Planner and Insurance Advisor With over 30 years’ experience in the financial planning industry, Alistair assists clients with all aspects for their financial planning needs. He works with them to not only create a retirement or legacy plan, but also to review, monitor and adjust their plan to ensure it still meets their needs.

Alistair also works with Disability Savings plans and Education Savings plans. He offers all aspects of Life, Disability and Critical Illness Insurance to ensure you have the correct protection in place for you and your family. Segregated Funds and Employee Benefits programs are also available.

Disclosure: Financial Planning Services through Alistair Mackay Financial Planning. Insurance products offered through IDC WIN.

250.514.8424 • alistairmackayfp@outlook.com

12 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

Robyn Walle & Stephen Leaver BAKER TILLY SIDNEY Full Service Accounting Firm and Tax Specialists.

We have a longstanding reputation for value-added accounting, audit, tax and advisory solutions, due to the depth and breadth of our in-house skills, customized offerings and service excellence.

Robyn Walle is the Principal in our Sidney office and brings over 10 years of comprehensive accounting experience with a focus on audits, reviews, trusts and Estates. Stephen is a long-time Sidney resident and Senior Manager with a focus on Canadian and U.S. tax.

Please see our website, give us a call, or drop on by to learn more about how we can help you with taxes, finances, and business so you can enjoy life.

250.386.0500 • www.btvic.com

Dominique Alford ALFORD WALDEN LAW Alford Walden Law offers a wide range of legal and notary services from their premises in the Landmark Building in downtown Sidney.

With over 23 years of extensive legal experience and expertise in wills and estate planning, estate and trust administration, real estate, corporate and business law, Dominique is committed to providing her clients with practical and easy to understand legal advice. Supported by friendly, helpful and highly skilled staff with years of experience and dedication, everyone at Alford Walden Law takes pride in serving the Saanich Peninsula community.

An active and dedicated community participant, Dominique currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation, is the current President of the Brentwood Bay Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Brentwood Bay Foundation and is a founding member of 100 Women Who Care – Saanich Peninsula. When she is not assisting clients or out supporting her community, Dominique can usually be found cooking a gourmet meal for family and friends or scuba diving in a warm corner of the world!

The COVID-19 pandemic presents challenging and unique circumstances and everyone at Alford Walden Law is here to help with your estate planning & administration, conveyancing and business law needs during these trying times.

Alford Walden Law is currently open to the public by appointment only.

*Alford Walden Law is a division of Dominique J. Alford Law Corporation

778.426.3330 • www.alfordwalden.com JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 13

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250.655.2122 • chloe.cross@bmo.com

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I believe every investor should feel understood, in control, confident, and secure. That is why I chose a career as a Financial Advisor, and I strive every day to 02/15-160 ensure all of my clients experience this.

With 27 years of industry experience, I create tailored investment strategies that fit with my clients’ unique goals and circumstances. I specialize in Retirement Savings strategies, Retirement Income strategies, Estate & Legacy strategies, Business Owner considerations, and Wealth Protection strategies.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. Please consult a qualified tax specialist or lawyer for professional advice regarding your specific situation. -Insurance and annuities are offered by Edward Jones Insurance Agency (except in Quebec). In Quebec, insurance and annuities are offered by Edward Jones Insurance Agency (Quebec) Inc.

250.652.2075 • www.edwardjones.ca/anne-delves

Barbara A. Armstrong Financial Advisor

#1 in Investor Satisfaction with Full-Service Brokerage Firms* Are you finding today’s market and economic news difficult to understand?

Volatile markets are a normal part of investing.

Have confidence in your long-term strategy.

Let’s start the conversation.

250.384.8722 • www.edwardjones.ca *For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

Brigitte Herold Archer –

Financial Advisor

EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS Personalized strategies for your financial goals Ranked #1 in Investor Satisfaction for eight years in a row in the JD Power Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study.

Growing up in Germany I was raised on hard work, honesty, integrity and respect.

Pursuing my MBA in Singapore and living and working in the U.S. taught me how culture, history, geography and experiences shape you as an individual. I take the time to listen and understand your unique circumstances, values and concerns and how they relate to your financial situation. I aim to provide clarity and confidence in your financial future by constructing well designed, tailored, tax-efficient solutions that will help you achieve your goals. My commitment is to be there for you and your loved ones and partner with you through all market and life cycles.

We are looking forward to meeting with you.

250.656.8797 • www.edwardjones.ca/brigitte

Deneen Cunningham

CFP, CLU, CH.F.C, CHS

MCVAGH CUNNINGHAM GROUP LTD. Smart Decisions. Real Results.

Are you making financial decisions alone?

Many women have to re-think their financial priorities after divorce or the death of a loved one. It’s a critical time because the decisions you make now will affect your future financial well-being.

Deneen helps women ask the right questions and navigate the most immediate decisions that are required. Then, Deneen will help you plan for tomorrow, translating financial strategy into plain language and creating a customized plan that’s right for you. She gives you the tools to make decisions regarding your finances with new confidence. Live your best life for the rest of your life.

Call Deneen Today: 250.475.1108 x 222 • www.mcgltd.ca

Fran Daviss

CFP, AMP, MBI

MORTGAGES BY FRAN INVIS - CANADA’S MORTGAGE EXPERTS Mortgage Consultant for Residential & Commercial Mortgages “Fran is a delight to work with. Our law firm works with Fran and her clients on a regular basis and the level of attention, detail and time that she puts into each transaction is unparalleled.” ~ INFINITY LAW, Nav Parhar/Managing Partner “I highly recommend Fran Daviss as a mortgage broker. Whether you’re a first time buyer, or trying to take your next step, Fran is always there to explain everything along the way. She answered all my questions and made me feel like I really understood the process and she worked around the clock to make sure everything went smoothly.” ~ Robin Farrell, Mornings with Robin and AJ, Ocean 98.5

778.426.0749 • www.mortgagesbyfran.com

Caroline Paterson & Sheila Henn CPA, CGA

CPA, CA

PATERSON HENN CPA - CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS Professional Accounting Services for Individuals, Businesses and Not-for-Profits.

Our firm offers a wide range of services and expertise, including complex Canadian and U.S. personal tax returns and Estate and tax planning.

We work with not-for-profits and small businesses with their financial and taxation needs.

Communicating with clients through secure methods is of the utmost importance to us. We continue to follow safety protocols and look forward to continuing to serve our clients while keeping our employees and our clients safe during this challenging time.

250.656.7284 • www.patersonhenn.com

Brian Liversedge CPA

HUGHESMAN MORRIS LIVERSEDGE Chartered Professional Accountants Brian has been providing exceptional accounting service to our clients for the past 11 years, and we’re proud to welcome him as the newest partner at Hughesman Morris Liversedge. Part of the first batch of students in the newly minted Chartered Professional Accounting program, Brian obtained his CPA designation in early 2016. He brings robust experience in the areas of personal and corporate tax, non-profits, estates and financial statement preparation to name a few, and we look forward for the chance for you to meet and work with him (even if it is behind a mask for now!)

Exciting Announcement!

Janine Morris, CPA, CA; Brian Liversedge, CPA; Elaine Hughesman, CPA, CA

Having grown up on the Saanich Peninsula, Brian appreciates all that our community has to offer. Hughesman Morris Liversedge supports a great number of organizations here on the Peninsula, including the Peninsula Celebrations Society where Brian currently sits on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer.

Outside of work you might find him kayaking off the waters of Sidney or perhaps floating on a surfboard off the west coast of Vancouver Island. You might also run into him at one of the local hockey rinks; that’s if, like him, your recreation starts as late as 10:45 p.m. on a weeknight.

Hughesman Morris Liversedge is a client focused, results oriented, full service accounting firm. From our office in Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula, we have been providing exceptional service and practical advice to our clients for over 30 years. Contact us today to set up a complimentary initial consultation.

250.656.3991 • www.sidneyaccountants.ca 16 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

Peggy Yelland

CGA

PEGGY YELLAND & ASSOCIATES INC. Full-service accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation We are a dynamic office of motivated accounting professionals, working to provide the best service possible to our clients. Year-end accounting, monthly and annual bookkeeping, and corporate and personal tax preparation are all undertaken with the utmost timeliness, reliability, professionalism, and integrity.

As a local firm specializing in the construction industry, we understand the challenges faced by our clients. We have been in business for over 25 years; Peggy began her career as the controller for a major local company. After striking out on her own, she took that experience and has been instrumental in the success and growth of many small and medium-sized companies on the Peninsula and beyond.

250.652.7845 • www.peggyyelland.com

Martyn Stimpson

CPA, CGA, LPA

STIMPSON | CPA Accounting Professionals You Can Count On. If you are looking for an approachable, professional accounting firm to handle your personal and business tax needs, you have found the right firm.

You have worked hard for the assets you have. Let our team of professionals help you safeguard both them and your financial future. Stimpson | CPA works primarily with business owners, investors and rental property owners.

As knowledgeable accounting professionals with three CPA’s on staff, we are committed to helping you succeed.

Whether you have a complex personal tax return or are a small business requiring financial statements and corporate tax return assistance, we are here to help and guide you. We also offer fixed-priced service agreements to handle all of your accounting needs with a monthly payment plan available.

For the seniors in our community, our firm also provides personalized eldercare services as well as estate planning and final tax returns.

We are centrally located, and free parking is available to all our clients.

Personal, Corporate and Estate Trust Tax Filings Estate Planning | Eldercare Services Free Consultation

250.590.5211 • www.stimpsoncpa.ca JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 17

supposed to be.”

brad.tippett@raymondjam www.raymondjames.ca/bra

BRAD TIPPETT, Financial Advisor Tippett Asset Management of Raymond James Ltd. 1175 Douglas St. Victoria, BC V8W 2E1 250-405-2483 brad.tippett@raymondjames.ca www.raymondjames.ca/bradtippett/

Brad Tippett

Raymond James Ltd., Member-Canadian Inv

BBA, CIM

Raymond James Ltd., Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

TIPPETT ASSET MANAGEMENT, RAYMOND JAMES LTD. Professional Advice for Portfolio Management, Estate and Tax Planning

We are meeting people every day who are anxious about what is going on in the world.

One of the major stressors is concerns over their financial affairs.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the advice of an experienced Financial Advisor please feel free to contact me.

Raymond James advisors are not tax advisors and we recommend that clients seek independent advice from a professional advisor on tax-related matters. Raymond James Ltd. Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

250.405.2483 • brad.tippett@raymondjames.ca

18 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

COMMON CENTS

by Sheila Henn, CPA, CA Paterson Henn CPA

BEING KIND, CALM AND SAFE WITH YOUR FINANCES As the past year showed us, we cannot control everything that is happening around us. But we can mitigate risks, follow guidelines and we can try to take advantage of the situation. The now commonplace phrase "Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe" can be applied to all aspects of your life, including your finances.

Be Kind. Listen to others and their advice, but remember that each person's or business' situations are different. A small amount of taxes for some may be difficult for another person to pay. What one person should invest in may not be right for another. Professionals in all areas have had challenges this past year, so seek their help early. Being organized will help everyone.

You could also check out local charities. Ensure their charitable status is valid if you donate, but if you don't have the funds, see how you can help in other ways.

You will be surprised at the work being achieved on the Peninsula. Being kind to your local charity can also potentially reduce taxes.

Be Calm. Dealing with your finances, budgeting and just making ends meet this year is difficult for most. Take a breath and work at it in small pieces. Start by checking the bank statements each month to make sure there are no fraudulent charges. Make a list of cash in and cash out. Educate yourself but also work with your advisors.

When you start receiving your tax slips, set up a folder or an envelope. Knowing what the government changes are, on a basic level, is a great start. Staying organized and having your finances in control can calm you in other areas of your life.

Be Safe. Consider your risk levels and where and what you are investing in. Consider your debt and if you are carrying a balance on high interest debt such as credit cards. Do you have a current will? For taxes it may seem obvious to follow the guidelines, but there were many new rules with the government assistance. Do you have back taxes or back filings that need to be dealt with? Have you called the CRA and set up a payment plan?

Being safe during uncertain times can help you achieve kindness and calmness for you and your family.

There are many resources available. Find COVID-19 financial resources at www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/covid19emergency-benefits.html. Remembering there are professionals and assistance available is the first step in being kind, being calm and being safe with your finances.

For more information, visit www.patersonhenn.com.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 19

WITH

Peter Dolezal

Financial Markets – 2020 & 2021 Peter Dolezal is a semi-retired Sidney resident. He offers INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES to individuals, couples and companies.

To date, he has assisted more than 245 clients across Canada, principally in Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland.

No Financial Products to Sell Leads to Truly Independent Advice.

At time of writing in early December, for January publication, the final verdict on the 2020 performance of financial markets is not quite finalized. But even after 11 months, the year has been memorable in many respects.

2020 kicked off superbly – even after 2019 delivered sizzling high teens-tomid-20% total returns on major Canadian, U.S. and Global Equity markets. The upswing continued through January and into February 2020. Then the visceral impact of the global pandemic hit, crashing markets world-wide. Declines approached levels not seen since the 2008/09 financial crisis.

Through this past spring, with economic activity crippled, unemployment surging toward levels experienced during the Great Depression, few pundits offered hope for a speedy recovery for stock markets.

Author of

The Smart Canadian WealthBuilder

(Third Edition) Included in the curriculum of several Canadian Colleges.

Once again, pundits were proven wrong. Today, despite the COVID-19 virus continuing on a global resurging trajectory, and economic activity still well below pre-pandemic levels, financial markets have not only recovered all losses

triggered by the pandemic but have actually passed previous peak levels – proving once again that attempting to predict market moves in the short-tomedium term is impossible. Investors who panicked and exited Equity markets in early spring not only locked in losses, but likely missed much of the quick rebound.

With the promise of several vaccines about to be rolled out, Equity markets, always forward-looking, remain optimistic as we enter 2021.

How should an investor view the prospects for financial markets in 2021? While reaffirming that one cannot make predictions with any certainty, some clues are available: • Markets like political stability and predictability; a Biden Presidency in the U.S. is likely to deliver.

• As 2021 unfolds, economic activity world-wide is likely to accelerate as vaccines immunize hundreds of millions, hopefully billions, of citizens.

• By mid-2021, with the pandemic at least under control, if not conquered, markets are likely to remain optimistic as economic activity accelerates.

For comprehensive financial consulting services, Contact pdolezal@shaw.ca or Visit www.dolezalconsultants.ca

THE GOLDEN YEARS

by Sherrin Griffin VP, Operations, Sidney SeniorCare

Navigating the World of the Senior Discount Having just arrived at my 55th birthday last month, I've been privy to a sea of cheeky remarks and quips about turning presenior, or a senior "tweenie," as I like to call it. "Now you can start getting those senior discounts," friends and family have jokingly said.

To be honest, I hadn't really thought about getting any breaks, since I wasn't 65 yet, an "official" senior. Curious to see what was available though, I decided there was no harm in checking out my options.

Surprisingly, I found quite a few that I am already eligible for and others that I thought I would share.

Of course, if you plan to start down this path, be prepared to prove your senior status by always carrying government-issued ID such as your passport, driver's license, provincial health card or birth certificate. Being a senior tweenie, it would be interesting to see how many proprietors asked for my ID, prompting old memories of being carded in my late teens while trying to be too big for my britches.

My first interesting find was CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, for Canadians aged 50 and above. How did I not know about this? With an annual fee of only $19.95, CARP members have access to various benefits including discounts in retail stores, rental car rates, accommodations, travel, etc. Even Rexall offers a 20% discount to CARP members.

Moving up to my own newly minted age, Michaels offers a 10% discount on all purchases by seniors who are 55 and above, while Shoppers Drug Mart offers a 20% discount on the last Thursday of every month to seniors (age 55 for some store locations and 65 for others) with a valid PC Optimum card. In terms of dining out, Denny's has a 55+ menu, as well as IHOP. Seniors who are 55 or older can also enjoy 10% off daily rates plus a $50 dining credit at participating Fairmont Hotels.

And, as you settle into your full-fledged senior years, there are even more discounts to look forward to: • All public transportation systems in B.C. offer a discount to seniors 65+. BC Transit offers $45 monthly passes to seniors 65+. (vs. $85 regular pricing for adults). B.C. seniors 65 or older travel free on major BC Ferries routes Monday through Thursday with the exception of certain holidays.

• ICBC offers a 25% discount on their Basic Autoplan insurance if both vehicle owner and principal driver are 65+, and don't use the vehicle for commuting, business or delivery. The five-year license renewal for seniors 65+ is only $17.

• All Cineplex theatres typically offer seniors discounts at a minimum of 20%, but best to inquire at time of ticket purchase.

• In terms of retail stores, The Bay offers 15% savings to people 60+ on the first Tuesday of every month, Bulk Barn offers 10% savings to those 65+ every Wednesday, and M&M Food Market offers 10% in savings every Tuesday for those aged 60 or older.

• Salvation Army Thrift Stores offer a 10% savings every day to everyone 60+.

• Even banks, including TD Canada Trust, RBC and CIBC offer savings and rebates to senior customers.

So while I may have initially felt a brief pang of loss for my younger pre-senior years, after settling in for a bit I now feel like I'm part of an exclusive club with super cool members full of knowledge, life experience and fascinating stories. There are indeed some pretty great perks, and I look forward to what lies ahead with brimming optimism … and a few extra dollars saved in my wallet to boot!

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P E N I N S U L A VO I C E S

by Karen Elgersma | photo by Janis Jean Photography

Talking with Adam Addlestone PACE FC is a non-profit that has been providing affordable, quality soccer training on the Peninsula since 2018. Adam Addlestone, one of the founders of PACE FC, started playing soccer when he was old enough to walk, and his passion for the sport keeps him involved as a coach, parent, player and advocate. Adam and co-founder Harj Nandhra hope this club will inspire more families – kids and adults – to experience the joy of the most popular sport in the world.

How does PACE FC offer families high quality soccer training that is accessible to anyone?

One of the beautiful things about soccer is that it's a communitybased sport that is accessible to everyone. At PACE, our goal is to bring back that community spirit and energy to players of all abilities here on the Peninsula, regardless of their circumstances.

PACE is an acronym – what does it stand for?

PACE stands for Passion, Attitude, Commitment and Energy. We try to empower all our players to adopt these qualities, not only in soccer but in all aspects of their lives to be successful.

The Saanich Peninsula has a soccer club; why did you believe a new club was important to our community?

We started PACE because we believe that we can provide an enriching soccer experience for players and deliver it in a way that 22 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

is affordable for families.

What's the experience been like setting up a new club?

We've seen tremendous support from the community with yearover-year growth in membership. One of the biggest challenges is not being allowed to compete in the Lower Island Soccer Association over fears that will draw players away from other clubs. We continue to advocate for our players to give them the same opportunity as players from other clubs. At the moment we remain a house league until we gain access into the Lower Island Soccer League.

Many kids and adults are intimidated by sports and they are often scared to play on a team, fearing they aren't athletic enough. How does PACE FC approach those who are either scared, or worried about their ability to be successful?

We welcome people of all abilities to join PACE. With the right coaching, some of the most timid characters can turn out to be the strongest and most vocal, confident players. Our job is to help them develop their skills and not be afraid of failing. We also provide one-on-one sessions with kids that are anxious about joining a team setting.

We know that many sports can be very expensive, and families often can't afford to enroll their children in these sports as a result. How has

PACE FC impacted those who don't have the resources to play soccer?

Some of the greatest players such as Messi, Ronaldo and Maradona come from very humble origins. Alphonso Davies started playing soccer in a Ghanaian refugee camp and now plays for Canada and won the Champions League with Bayern Munich this year. Soccer should be for everyone. Every child, no matter their circumstances, should have access to playing soccer.

This is something we feel has been missing on the Peninsula. We offer no-questions-asked, zero-cost soccer to these families that are in need.

We have also seen the cost of soccer rise year after year; club fees can be very costly. That can be prohibitive for families with several kids and both parents playing. That is why our "at cost" pricing model appeals to so many families. We're in it for the players' development, not profits!

Many parents, especially single parents, simply don't have the time to put in the volunteer hours required by local clubs or teams. How does PACE FC manage expectations around fundraising and volunteering?

Although we encourage volunteering, we do not mandate it, nor do we penalize you for not volunteering. We understand that life is busy and that your child's participation in sports shouldn't be a chore or a burden. Our club is 100% volunteer run with people that want to volunteer, not people that feel they have to.

People reading this may not have kids in sports but they care about children. What can PACE FC teach us all about the value of community and sport and this unique approach?

Sports is important for the whole family and has an important role in our community. Soccer should be accessible to everyone, as it is around the world. PACE FC is living evidence of what we can achieve by working as a community.

Why is soccer such an amazing sport for kids and adults?

Soccer is by far the best and most popular sport in the world. The 2018 World Cup final was watched by 1.2 BILLION people! By its nature, it is inherently accessible for everyone, something not lost on PACE FC. Starting and running a new soccer club is a tremendous amount of work and takes enormous time and effort. Why are you so committed to creating opportunities for the community to participate in this game?

There are two goals that drive us forward at PACE. First, creating opportunities for people to play soccer who would otherwise be excluded. Second, providing genuinely high-quality coaching to people who want to learn.

What does the future hold for PACE FC? We will continue to pursue our mission. Our next major objective is to develop an artificial turf field so that players can play year round, regardless of the weather. Currently about 20 to 25% of practices are cancelled due to unsafe field conditions. We envision this field serving the whole community, not just PACE FC. If someone reads this and decides they just want to "try" this sport out – who should they contact?

We are always looking to grow the Wolfpack. If you would like to try it out or enroll your child into our current fall / winter season, please visit our website: https://www.pace-fc.com or email info@pace-fc.com.

New Year, New Monthly Giveaway with SEASIDE MAGAZINE! #loveyourlocal with the monthly Seaside Magazine giveaway box, filled with amazing items from our local shops and services given to one lucky person each issue.

How to Play?

Find the image of the box hidden somewhere in this issue.

Visit www.seasidemagazine.ca/SeasideBox

by Jan. 31st to let us know where you found it. *one entry per person, per issue. Each entrant is eligible to win the Seaside box giveaway no more than once per calendar year.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 23

SIDNEY BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA SOCIETY

2021 THE BEST IS YET TO COME As we welcome a new year, Downtown Sidney businesses continue to offer sincere thanks and appreciation to the local community who have gone above and beyond to ensure the health and wellness of our economy. Through your efforts in keeping your dollars local, Sidney has been able to keep its doors open and its streets vibrant - we've even gone as far as to see multiple new businesses opening which is quite the feat!

As our community organizations and businesses begin planning for the coming months, the support of our residents will remain the fuel behind Sidney's ability to remain creative and adaptive.

The Sidney BIA looks forward to the coming year with renewed community offerings and options for participation. While we may still have a ways to go on the road back to more "normal" days, we rest in knowing that the heart of our community is that of kindness, resilience, and most of all support of one another.

Visit SidneyBIA.ca to discover local blogs, event happenings, and more.

INSIDE OUT

by Maximilian Waid Energy Medicine with Maximilian

Emotional Immunity In the face of this transformative period taking place around the globe, immune health has taken centre stage for many of us. From increasing our workout regimes and cleaning up our diets to adding additional supplements and sleeping an extra hour each night, we are focusing more and more on our health, particularly our immune health.

As we realize the importance of our immune system, it becomes imperative to point out that this system is more than just a physical entity within each of us, protecting and healing us. As much as we are made up of a body, mind and soul, so is our immune system part of our physiology, how we think and what we feel. Nothing within us works in isolation: it is all an intricately connected union. For our immune system, this means that it's not merely a question of how well we eat, exercise, supplement and sleep to keep it strong. It is also a matter of how much we actively liberate this essential system inside of us from negative thinking patterns, suppressed emotions, unresolved trauma and beliefs that no longer serve us. In other words, now that we are taking better care of our physical immunity, it is time to look towards our emotional immunity as well.

How can we accomplish that? The answer lies within the common denominator that our trauma, beliefs, emotions and thoughts share.

Stress! Whether the nature of our stress is physical, mental, emotional or even spiritual, it all impacts our being – including our immune system. That is, when we experience a stressor, such as fear itself, we involuntarily move into the "fight or flight or freeze" state, a

primordial response to keep us safe from danger. This might entail you standing your ground and fighting, escaping the imminent situation or simply going into hiding. We all share this natural, protective response. However, nature intended for us to remain in such a state for very short periods of time, yet nowadays our fearful thinking, unregulated emotions and negative beliefs can keep us in this state continuously. As a result, our organism shifts its lifesustaining energy away from supporting regular body functions to keeping us alert of danger and increasing muscle tension. In the particular case of our immune system, this leaves us unable to respond appropriately to pathogens and viral infections. All due to insufficient amounts of energy. Simply put, we become vulnerable.

And how do we strengthen ourselves in the face of vulnerability?

By turning inwards and allowing ourselves to feel our suppressed emotions, reflect upon our negative beliefs and explore our hidden trauma. It is through these actions that we can finally process all that which has been stuck and repressed within us. It is by facing our own fears and darkness that we can let go for good, so that we no longer burden ourselves and our immune system with destructive thinking patterns, feelings and beliefs. We achieve a state of liberation from all stressors resulting in our organism and our immune system functioning autonomously and naturally again. It is right here where our emotional immunity lies.

For more information, visit www.wholistic.guide.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 27

CAPPUCCINO Latté Art by Ivy Finlayson Fresh Cup Roastery Café Classic: a shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk on top.

BOURBON ESPRESSO CHILI 2 tbsp canola oil 2 white onions, chopped 8 to 10 garlic cloves (depending on size), minced 2 lbs ground Beef 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes 355ml can beer of choice 1 cup espresso (Bourbon Cask Conditioned) 2 x 6 oz. tomato paste 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp salt (or more to taste) 2 x 14 oz. cans kidney beans 2 x 14 oz. cans bean medley 1 can corn 14 oz. beef broth Sautée canola oil, onions, garlic and ground beef and let simmer for 90 minutes, stirring regularly.

Add crushed tomatoes, your beer of choice (we used Gluten Free Craft Beer), and espresso

(we use our Cask Conditioned Bourbon Coffee), tomato paste, brown sugar and let simmer for another 45 minutes.

Add 1 tsp of salt (or more to taste), kidney beans, bean medley, corn and beef broth. Let simmer for another 45 minutes.

Serve up in bowls, with a dollop of sour cream on top and grated cheddar to taste, and a piece of warm cornbread on the side. Super comfort food !

For cornbread recipe visit www.seasidemagazine.ca

or email news@seasidemagazine.ca.

Coffee Three Ways

Jim Townley, Francois Comtois and Aaric Humphreys, Fresh Cup Roastery Café

Most people only think of our beloved daily cup of coffee from a drink perspective, whether it be a hot beverage, or on ice in the summer. Over the past 20 years of coffee roasting we've regarded coffee as an incredibly complex flavour ingredient to enhance a number of cooking and baking recipes. There are hundreds of subtle flavour references people make to describe coffee, with the most popular ones being chocolate, cinnamon, roasted nuts, cherry, fig, citrus, and even flavours like green apple, pineapple and blueberry (a common flavour reference to a good Ethiopian bean).

Below you'll see how we use ground coffee, and espresso to enhance some of our daily comfort foods for you to enjoy. The chili recipe is our house chili, which you can find us serving through the fall and winter at the café. photo by Janis Jean Photography

GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN CHOP Pork Chop Marinade 2 cups orange juice 2/3 cup soy sauce 4 tbsp fresh rosemary 6 tsp minced garlic 2 whole pork tenderloins salt & fresh black pepper to taste 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee or espresso Coffee Dry Rub 4 tbsp finely ground coffee 4 tbsp sea salt 2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp chili powder 2 tbsp (30ml) paprika 2 tsp (10ml) ground cumin 2 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp garlic powder Maple Balsamic Glaze cup maple syrup 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup of marinade from pork chops 1/3

This dish requires a day of marinating (keep aside 1/3 cup marinade for the glaze). Combine all marinade ingredients in a container and add the pork loin chops. Run a fork over them to ensure the marinade penetrates. Leave overnight in fridge. After one day, pat the loins dry and apply the dry rub. Let stand for 4-6 hours in the fridge. Pull out and let rest for 45-60 minutes so the chill is off the loin chop.

While you're waiting for the loin chop to warm up a bit, combine balsamic vinegar, maple syrup and

reserved marinade and simmer for one hour in a saucepan, until it coats the back of a spoon.

Grill your loin chop to your desired level of doneness, and drizzle the glaze over top. Add garlic cheddar smashed potatoes on the side, add your favourite toppings, and don't start counting the calories … this is a Saturday night meal!

For smashed potatoes recipe visit www.seasidemagazine.ca or email news@seasidemagazine.ca.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

The T Th he Centre he Cen Ce entr tre re of o Your Yo Yo ou u ur r Experince Exxp Ex p pe e er riin ri nc ce To the residents of the Saanich Peninsula, On behalf of the Mary Winspear Centre family, I want to say thank you to our local community for supporting the Centre throughout this past year.

The arts and entertainment industry has been particularly hard hit during the pandemic and our patrons have supported us by purchasing tickets to future shows, collecting a credit instead of a refund and buying gift certificates.

When small events were allowed to happen in the summer and fall our staff created the safety-first Exclusive Concert Series which allowed artists to perform a four-show residency to 50 people each night. The Mary Winspear Centre made national headlines being the first venue in Canada to offer live concerts. This unique venture allowed us to keep our doors open while giving artists from across Canada the ability to perform in a safe controlled setting.

While the pandemic continues to live in our everyday lives we look forward to the day when we can welcome everyone back to the Centre to enjoy all the events and activities you have grown to love.

We are excited about the year ahead as we celebrate 20 years of providing community and cultural events on the Saanich Peninsula.

Sincerely, Brad Edgett Executive Director Mary Winspear Centre

2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 250-656-0275 marywinspear.ca

Grant Lawrence and Friends January 15 & 16 An evening of songs and a stories with guests Kathryn Calder and will include stories from Grant's three books, Jay Malinowski. This show s and his extensive broadcast career all mixed with live performances. bro

Michael Kaeshammer Kaesham January 21-24 Acclaimed pianist Michael Mic Kaeshammer presents Winter Boogie, a four night concert sseries filled with toe-tapping boogie-woogie jazz.

This series will include a special 2021 New Year concert that will include festive surprises!

Shawn Austin JJanuary 28-31 Don't miss this country count concert featuring rising star Shawn Austin with special guest Kristin Carter.

C With over 14 million collective streams to date, Vancouver singer-songwriter Shawn Austin has continued to work singer-son tirelessly to cement his h place in the Canadian country music landscape.

Luca Fogale February Feb 4-7 The honesty in Luca’s voice is impossible to ignore, elevating songs rooted in the folk tradition to soulful hymns about the human condition. Luca's music has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS: Los Angeles, and featu Station 19, and his catalogue has over 32 million streams between Spotify ca and Apple Music.

Ryan McMahon February 12 & 13 Ryan McMahon has been entertaining since the first time he managed to b make his grandparents grandparen laugh. An only grandchild, McMahon discovered very early how much he loved connecting with people and hopefully moments of joy. His latest release, In Line for a Smile, provided them with m is a “Hail Mary” to the world to keep connecting and focus on the people right in front of you. In I stores and available online worldwide.

D E B ' S D AY O U T

by Deborah Rogers | photo by Amanda Cribdon Photography

Pounding It Out 2020 was the year that many of us took to the couch. It was out of our control. When recreation centres, gyms, yoga studios and fitness classes had to close it left a lot of people feeling cut off from their source of health and happiness. For a period over the summer there was hiking and biking, paddleboarding, running – everyone was outside getting some exercise. Now the weather has changed, and health restrictions tightened again, working out has become much more challenging for most people.

For my "Day Out" for January I wanted to try an activity that would promote wellness, that was accessible to just about anyone,

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and that was something new to me. And that is why I'm writing this article with arms that feel a bit like lead, and a pair of bright green drumsticks by my keyboard. Yes: I survived my first online Pound workout!

I met up with the friendly faces behind Peninsula Pound on a Zoom call before the class. Chelsea and Nici have an infectious enthusiasm that gave me full confidence that the class would be fun above all. People work out for many reasons. Of course staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight are two key reasons, but those who have participated in high intensity exercise over the years (the sort of exercise that gets you out of breath and a little sweaty) will know that there's something else that's triggered.

It's a surge of dopamine to your brain, and endorphins that flood your system, giving a sense of excitement and wellbeing. Finding the exercise that gets you into that state can be the difference between loving it and hating it; between finding a new way to stay healthy, or going straight back to the couch!

Chelsea and Nici have been teaching the Pound Rockout Workouts for several years, at various Peninsula studios, with McTavish Academy of Art one of the usual class venues. When everything shut down last March they were determined to keep providing classes for their regulars, as well as keep doing what they themselves love. Classes moved online, using Zoom as a platform, and they discovered a large and growing audience. They've had

people join them from all over the world for some sweaty, feelgood exercise, and the chance to share in the Pound community.

Pound is a workout designed to be a quick hit of interval training built around rhythm. You use a pair of specially-designed drumsticks that are slightly weighted. This, apparently, keeps your core engaged and pushes you to exaggerate your movements, working lots of your smaller stability muscles alongside the constant squatting and lunging which definitely works your hamstrings, quads and glutes! The class is just 45 minutes and it's built up of lots of micro workouts, as the movements are all tied to the music they use. Each song has a different rhythm, different sets of movements and finishes just about before you decide to throw your drumsticks to the floor and lie down.

I used to regularly go to aerobics and step classes, but it's been quite a few years now since I did anything remotely choreographed. I know if I'd have been in a classroom setting with other people around I would have felt terribly self-conscious, but really in the privacy of your own home there is nothing better then turning the music up high and thrashing about a set of drumsticks. The movements are repetitive so picked up fairly quickly and if you can't quite coordinate with the instructor? Well, who cares; Chelsea says " there are no mistakes, only drum solos!" That is the Peninsula Pound attitude; it's all about having fun rocking out, just feeling the music and letting it all go. It's a really sweaty, cathartic experience that put a big smile on my face from the first few beats.

To Design a home is to design happiness.

-Naomi Clever

The pros of doing the workout from your home? You can have the music as loud, or quiet, as you want. There are no big studio mirrors to distract you. No one can see your choreography missteps! The cons? If you turn your camera off, Nici and Chelsea don't know if you're just laying on the mat at some points. Though I'm not admitting to anything.

Find Peninsula Pound on Instagram or Facebook. Online classes are currently by donation so there's nothing holding you back from grabbing some drumsticks (or two wooden spoons) and rocking out.

Selfie courtesy Chelsea and Nici of Peninsula Pound.

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Brain Health:

by Dr. Marita Schauch, ND Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre

7 Tips to Show Up to 2021 Smarter It's a new year, and resolutions are flying left and right for better health. But when was the last time you considered the health of one of the most vital organs in your body?

Your brain. A healthy brain is not just about being smarter, it's about optimizing virtually every process that occurs within your body because your brain plays a key role in every single one of them.

The smartest thing you can do in 2021 is take care of that big beautiful brain of yours. Here are the seven best things you can do for your brain.

Slow Down. Stress is a major factor in overall health, but it is especially important for the brain. Studies show that chronic stress degenerates areas of the brain involved in memory, selective attention and executive function. A little bit of stress is good mental stimulation, but remember to take the time to slow down and destress regularly.

Reduce Inflammation. Higher than normal levels of inflammation have been shown to be found in patients with Alzheimer's, mood disorders, chronic depression and Parkinson's disease and it is thought to be a significant factor. The best way to reduce inflammation is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet that minimizes inflammatory foods such as dairy, gluten, alcohol, coffee, refined sugars and red meat.

Take Care of Your Gut. New research shows that gut bacteria communicate with and influence brain function. For example, people with gut flora imbalance commonly have symptoms such as mood disorders, insomnia, "brain fog," inflammation and intestinal disorders. Almost one third of patients with IBS have anxiety or depression. Eating an antiinflammatory diet as well as taking probiotics and eating fermented foods

such as kombucha and sauerkraut help optimize gut flora balance.

Exercise. New studies are providing even more evidence that regular exercise not only prevents problems with memory that come with aging but can actually help turn back the clock on brain aging.

Get Plenty of Sleep. Getting an appropriate amount of sleep helps to aid focus, memory and reasoning skills.

Limit the Use of Electronics. The instant and faced-paced world of TV, cell phones and other devices actually erode our ability to focus. Limit screen time wherever possible … might I suggest a good old-fashioned paperback?

Key Brain Supplements. There are a few supplements that are key for brain health: • Vitamin D – Lower levels of Vitamin D may be associated with an increase in dementia and cognitive dysfunction. Get that sunshine while you can, and then talk to your healthcare provider about adding a supplement.

• Vitamin B12 promotes normal memory, concentration, and verbal function. As we age, it is more difficult to absorb vitamin B12 from our diet.

• Omega 3's, which are found in fish oil, play an important role in brain function, especially in building cell membranes in the brain. They also have anti-inflammatory benefits that promote healthier brain cells.

• Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and also has antioxidant properties that have the ability to enter the brain, and bind and destroy any potential toxins.

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I N FA S H I O N

by Dr. Samantha Bourdeau, O.D. Ray Dahl Optical and Optometrists

Fashion Meets Function:

Finding the Perfect Frame

New Year. New Look. There is no better time than now to greet our friends and colleagues with a new look. Put 2020 behind you and express your style, while ensuring the best fit and vision correction in your new glasses. Eyeglasses are one of the first things people see when they look at you and are a great way to make a statement. Whether you're in the mood for classic elegance or something bold or retro, the trends of 2021 have got you covered.

Firstly, consider what you need the glasses for when choosing your frame. For example, a progressive lens wearer needs to be in a deeper frame than someone who is in a single vision lens. If you are active, something

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wraparound and sporty may be more appropriate. Most people can benefit from having more than one pair of glasses and depending on their lifestyle, two may not be enough. The glasses that work best on the golf course might not be the ones you want to wear to the office or for an evening out. Form and function go hand in hand.

Secondly, think of your eyeglasses as an accessory that brings out the best in you. If you have a round face try wide, angular frames that help to elongate its appearance. Square faces do well with round frames and rimless/semi-rimless will soften a more angular bone structure. Oval face shapes look great with most frame styles, especially bold and oversized. Our professional staff are trained to ensure that your frames will best suit your style and visual needs.

Lastly, when choosing new frames, think about what you want your glasses to say about you. For a bold youthful look nothing beats the retro cat-eye. This frame will be around in bright colours, thin metals, or transparent rims and will satisfy the most fashionable shopper. Are you looking for something understated? In 2021 thin metal frames will be very popular, especially in a gold or rose gold colour, and will give that classic elegant look. Round glasses also continue to be popular, with even the Aviator straying from the typical teardrop shape to a more rounded look. For something funkier, a new trend is geometric glasses. Deep squares, octagons and hexagons in vivid colours will be everywhere, and they will really get you noticed. And after a lockdown 2020, these geometric frames are perfect for moving forward with fun. They will take you from the boardroom to the dinner party without missing a beat.

So go out and find that perfect frame to express yourself. But don't be constrained by trends or rules – the best frame for you is the one you feel great in!

For more information, visit www.raydahloptical.ca.

SEASIDE talks with Dan Adair of Island Savings, about what's

in FASHION …

When you want to smell irresistible? Alfred Sung;

I've been wearing it for over 20 years. On your skin? I don't have a skin routine. While discussing these questions with my family, my daughter was horrified to hear this! But no, just natural. In your shaving kit? Electric shaver for the beard and a Bic razor for the head.

On your bedside table? I keep my journal there for when creativity strikes me … it's also often found on the coffee table in the living room.

On your feet? My Merrell MOAB hiking boots,

because it means I'm going hiking! I love the outdoors and try to do a major three- to five-day hike every year. My backpack is an integral part of that and is well worn and fitted to me. Adding colour to your outfit? Socks and ties. I love that over the last few years, socks have become a thing. Now at Christmas when I get socks, I really am excited! When it comes to your go-to "uniform?" I have always been a suit and tie kind of guy. It looks professional, and I don't have to think too much about being fashionable. In your closet?

Suits from Ralph Lauren, Eddie Bauer and Calvin Klein.

When you want to throw fashion out the window and be all about comfort?

Pajama bottoms, T-shirt and a hoodie.

On your walls?

I have lots of pictures of family and things we have done. I have a wall in my stairwell that has all my kids' school pictures, from K-12. In home décor? I would love to have smart lighting in the home; it sets the mood for any occasion. When you want a night out? A trip to local pub The Taphouse 328, or if we want to spoil ourselves, Il Terrazzo followed by a walk around the Inner Harbour. On your playlist? 90s rock. Really anything but country, but the 90s are my jam! On your luxury wish list? A Tesla. On

your Netflix queue?

Currently Queen's Gambit if I feel a little more serious and Schitt's Creek for laughter.

photos by Janis Jean Photography at The Latch Inn

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N E W & N OT E WO R T H Y

by Paula Kully

News, changes, updates, launches? Email news@seasideamagazine.ca.

GROWING STRONG

CREATIVE GENIUS

There's nothing Fickle about this Fig

To market, to market ...

The Fickle Fig is growing more than just veggies! They are committed to their clientele and have opened two new locations on the Peninsula: one at 2489 Beacon Avenue in Sidney and another, the Fickle Fig Market Cafe, in the Victoria Airport terminal. Both sites will offer their delicious baked goods, farm-fresh produce and gelato.

The Sidney Street Market will return in 2021! (Although it will look a bit different.) Due to the pandemic, it isn't possible to manage crowds on Beacon Avenue so, Laurie McDermid of Westcoast Impressions, who organizes the Sidney Street Market, is working with the Mary Winspear Centre to bring a modified market to Sidney in 2021. The outdoor market will be located in the parking area outside the Winspear Centre and will begin on Mother's Day, May 9 and run to Thanksgiving on October 9. It will take place every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If all goes well and the pandemic becomes a distant memory, the Market will return to Beacon Avenue on Thursdays in 2022.

Taking into account This New Year will see Hughesman Morris Chartered Profesional Accountants and Business Advisors became Hughesman Morris Liversedge, as Brian Liversedge becomes a partner. Brian joined the firm as a co-op student in 2009 and came on board full time in 2011.

Hughesman Morris Liversedge is a client-focused, resultsoriented, full-service accounting firm. From their office in Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula, they have provided exceptional service and practical advice to their clients for over 30 years.

Congratulations Brian!

Bring you the essentials On the horizon for spring of 2021, Moden Boutique is expanding to offer a lingerie shop under the banner Moden Essentials. The new shop will carry lingerie, lounge and sleepwear and basics. Ladies, we all certainly need something like this to look forward to after this past year!

FOR THE HEALTH OF IT Ladies will love this Starting January 27, Feed the Fire Nutrition & Wellness's online women's wellness program, Driven & Divine, will include specific support for better periods! Join Alyssa Madill, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, to work on three main aspects of well-being to help you thrive through 2021 and beyond.

The program will focus on resolving period problems like PMS & fatigue, learning to nourish yourself easily with whole foods, and setting meaningful intentions for 2021 and putting them into action.

Visit www.feedthefirewellness.com to learn more and register!

Have mask, will travel Victoria International Airport recently received accreditation under the Airports Council International Airport Health Accreditation Programme. The accreditation recognizes how seriously the VAA is taking the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects their continued commitment to prioritizing health and safety measures in accordance with international industry recommendations, guidelines and best practices.

Armchair touring If you are looking for something to do during the holidays, ArtSea has an excellent virtual tour of 32 local artists' studios.

If you love art, you do not want to miss this. Visit www.artsea. ca and check out the individual videos of artists who talk about their work and show you how they create. You will find every medium imaginable, from glass beads, First Nations art, pottery, watercolour, carving, and much more. The videos are very well made, highly engaging and highlight the abundance of talent on the Saanich Peninsula.

Turning paper into fashion Snowdon House Gourmet & Gifts has collaborated with a Montreal manufacturer to create a unique and beautiful collection of clothing and accessories using the patterns from their one-of-a-kind papers. The result are fabrics with names like Georgia Strait, Salish Sea, Willows Beach and others. Check out their Etsy shop at www. etsy.com/ca/shop/snowdonhouse.

CREATURE FEATURES Henry heads home Henry, the giant Pacific octopus named after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, was released from the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea on December 15. Henry spent six months at the aquarium and was released back into the area where he was collected on the west coast of the Island.

Read all about it The health-based Pet Connection Magazine, Canada's natural health magazine for pets, recently moved its Head Office to Sidney, from Vancouver. The magazine offers an abundance of information and resources for cat and dog owners ranging from nutrition to training and so much more. Visit www.petconnection.ca.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 39

ART SCENE

by Jo Barnes | photos by Amanda Cribdon Photography

Pamela Porter:

Writing that Resonates She plays piano and guitar, but it is the music of her words which strikes the most powerful chord with people.

North Saanich's Pamela Porter, a Governor General Award winning writer, was captivated by the power of writing from a young age and now her free verse style and narratives captivate audiences.

"Free verse, it's a music of words. It's a compressed language that's crystal clear," shares Pamela. "A word or phrase will open a door or window, a memory or image that feels important, and you have to write it down."

Her book The Crazy Man won the 2005 Governor General's Award for Children's Literature as well as other awards and continues to receive praise from readers. It's a shining example of Pamela's talents. The story is told in free verse so it's concise and easy to access. Character emotions are heightened, and the reader is quickly transported to the events as they unfold.

"The book has short lines that are compressed and compact on 40 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

pages. It's more accessible," comments Pamela.

It has been a long road to this level of writing, but the seeds were sown in childhood. An avid reader as a child, Pamela was deeply impacted by books and those who wrote them.

"In elementary school, when I had finished my work, I cracked open a book," she says. "I was so immersed in the book I hadn't heard anything around me. It was magic, and I thought to myself, 'how do you do that?'"

Pamela was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her family later moved to Dallas, Texas and then Monroe, Louisiana. She studied piano, often competing and performing and was involved in choir.

Like her sister, she enrolled at Texas Christian University (TCU), a school well known for its good music programs. One month in, however, she discovered what path to pursue.

"I realized what I wanted to do was to write poetry," says Pamela,

adding with a smile: "Everyone told me though I should get a real job."

After a year and a half at TCU, she transferred to Southern Methodist University in Dallas where she completed a Bachelor in English in Creative Writing.

Pamela was always inspired by other writers. There was only one book of poetry in the home where she grew up, a complete collection of Robert Frost poetry which Pamela spent hours reading. Later, she read works by poet and singer-songwriter Rod McKuen and Pulitzer prize winner Carl Sandburg. Each turn of phrase, image and word prompted ideas that would eventually influence Pamela's writing style.

The path to publication was long and winding, but for this writer, it was marked by determination and desire.

"I would send manuscripts to different publishers. I got discouraged," shares Pamela. "Writing always pulled at me and brought me the most joy."

The submission of a manuscript to Groundwood Books in 2004 marked a turning point in her writing career. It brought some hope and the eventual publication experience for which she yearned.

"They called me and said 'the story is good but needs work.' They sent me a list of what I needed to work on and a month later I sent it back with changes," shares Pamela. "They liked the changes and told me they wanted to publish it. Well I burst into tears. It had been 29 years that I'd been trying to get published!"

The book was Sky, which was based on Pamela's MĂŠtis friend Georgia Salois and her stories of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana including the flood of 1964. It was the kind of breakthrough that paved the way not only to other published pieces but many awards.

When her book The Crazy Man was given the Governor General Award, it was both surprising and affirming.

"I always thought there were people who win and people who didn't win. I thought I was the latter," says Pamela.

She has added more published works and awards to her credit, but that inner desire to write and make sense of the world still burns like a flame. Like many artists, during this pandemic time of stress and uncertainty, creativity is a lifeline for Pamela. Living in the North Saanich area not only provides natural beauty but the opportunity to enjoy her love of horses, all of which has provided inspiration for her work. "I enjoy creating poetry about the natural world around here and the beauty of this place, the things the world needs to know about and how we can find a better way together," shares Pamela.

She learned the magic of notes on the page. Early on, they were notes on a musical score. Now they are words, her words, which will elegantly resonate for years to come.

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Saanich Schools:

by Dave Eberwein

Change During a Pandemic It goes without saying that COVID-19 has caused some significant upheaval in the public education system – for students, parents, teachers, administrators and support staff. Schools were closed in March, then partially reopened with an emergency remote learning option in April, a partial opening in May and then fully reopened in September with an optional transitional remote learning program. All of them complex on their own with each phase requiring different approaches, different resources and different thinking – and all in an accelerated timeline.

We did it. Not only did we do it, but I would argue that our staff in Saanich did a great job pulling together. I take the opportunity to tell who ever will listen how proud I am that our team found some creative solutions to incredible challenges.

"Never let a good crisis go to waste." This quote from Sir Winston Churchill is just as applicable now as it was at the end of the Second World War. If it wasn't for the war, the UN likely would not have been created as an institution where countries came to work out their differences. We sometimes need a crisis to see significant change – to see what we're capable of achieving. We have that reality in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has created such a space.

So, what have been some of the realities in our schools these past 10 months? What things have stood out for me that are significant in their potential for positive change? Here are three areas that are worth noting: The Importance of School. Whether it was virtual or in-person, it became crystal clear to all of us: kids need school. It's critical to their growth, their mental health and their connectedness to their community. Schools are more than just places where curriculum is taught. We have been reminded that schools are a critical socialemotional anchor for our children, where they not only learn about "stuff," but they experience the importance of belonging within a community of caring adults. School is where we connect, where we learn and where we grow. COVID-19 has required us to find new ways of interacting with students, their parents and the broader community to ensure support is there when it's needed.

Leveraging Technology. COVID-19 restrictions forced us to leverage technology in ways not even considered a year ago – new learning platforms, new e-resources and new communication tools.

Launching a video conferencing platform called MSTeams retooled our communication patterns. Not only have we used it for our professional meetings, but it has been instrumental in connecting schools and teachers with students and parents. We share documents, send questions in a chat box and even raise our virtual hand when we have a comment to make.

New technologies have allowed connections in ways not previously considered. As an example, parent/teacher conferences have gone virtual this year, something we perhaps could have done earlier but didn't have the necessary impetus to make happen. Now,

Superintendent / CEO School District 63

we see the increased convenience for both teachers and parents.

Previously, parents may have had difficulty scheduling their day to accommodate the conferences. Now, the person-to-person dialogue with a teacher can be turned on at your desk or even while you're walking the dog.

Encouraging Risk-taking. We had no choice. We tried new and unfamiliar things in a hurry as we worked to connect with our students and their families: new resources, new learning platforms, new assessments and new reporting formats. What the COVID-19 crisis provided us with was the permission to take these risks and it paid off for us. It taught us that we have the ability to find creative solutions to even monumental problems when they happen. Even a global health crisis was no obstacle for the creative minds of our educators when their backs were to the wall.

So, as we move through to the other side of this pandemic, we need to remind ourselves that even forced change can result in some really positive innovation. Massive disruptions create opportunities for growth. Our new challenge is to find ways to maintain some of these very successful changes as we continue along our journey of being better tomorrow than we are today.

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JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 43

Reader Cookoff Challenge: Boeuf en Croute

by Marcelo Najarro | photo by Kevin Najarro Executive Chef, 10 Acres Restaurant Group

We know how our readers love trying the recipes we share each month; now we're throwing down the gauntlet with a Reader Cookoff! We asked 10 Acres chef Marcelo Najarro to provide a recipe that would challenge the home chef, test their skills and maybe push them outside their culinary comfort zone.

We want you to try it out and then share a picture with us – a whole community of cooks making the same dish!

From Chef Marcelo: Why Boeuf En Croute? Well, I think it's perhaps one of the most indulgent meals one can have. And there is no better time for indulgence than during the holidays! It's rich, delicious, buttery and flaky when done correctly.

Every single element is important, from the golden pastry to the creamy Bearnaise. I don't make it very often at home, but it's definitely one of my wife's favourites, and always good to make when I need a get out jail free card! It's a challenging dish, but one that is well worth the effort. I'm sure you'll agree!

Good luck and happy cooking. (Serves 2) 44 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

Beef

Short Crust

14oz beef tenderloin 3 tbsp canola oil salt black pepper 120g fresh spinach 1 egg

250g all purpose flour 150g COLD butter 1 egg 2 tbsp COLD water or COLD white wine 1 tsp salt

Mushroom Duxelles

Bearnaise

1.5 tbsp butter 85g shallots, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 8 oz button/cremini mushrooms, finely chopped 2 tbsp minced garlic 4 tbsp white white ½ cup heavy cream juice of ½ a fresh lemon salt + pepper

4 large egg yolks 1 cup butter 2 bay leafs (optional) 4 tbsp dry white wine 4 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbsp water 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 shallots bulbs, chopped several stems fresh tarragon salt

Step 1

Step 4

Begin with making your shortcrust dough. This can be made a day or two prior! The key is when adding the wet ingredients to not overwork the dough; mix just enough so it stays together.

In a mixing bowl add your flour and salt. Cut your cold butter into rough 1" chunks, then place in bowl with dry ingredients.

Using a pastry cutter or two butter knives, cut your butter into smaller chunks in the bowl. Allow the flour to coat the butter pieces. Repeat, cutting the butter into small lumps while tossing throughout the flour. You want to create a grainy texture, with butter now roughly the size of peas.

Make a well in the centre of the bowl and add your egg.

Lightly mix with a spoon; dough will still be crumbly. Then add water or wine a few drops at a time, and mix lightly, folding from the bottom to the top. A dough should form with slight tackiness and have some loose crumbs. Using your hands, gather dough together from the bowl. Form a thick rectangle and wrap with plastic wrap. Allow to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or more.

Take your refrigerated shortcrust. On a lightly floured surface, roll out into a rectangle ⅛ inch thick that will cover all of your tenderloin when rolled up cylindrically, with some excess dough. Roughly 10" x 10".

Lay a thin layer of fresh spinach down on the dough, slightly smaller than the rectangle itself, to leave 1" border. Next, gently spread your mushroom duxelle top of of the spinach, creating an even layer while still leaving a border of dough showing.

Brush the exposed border of dough with a whisked egg. This will create glue for the dough. Lay the tenderloin down at one end of the rectangle.

From this end, gently roll the dough, holding it against your tenderloin until the tenderloin is rolled over, and completely covered by the dough.

Gently press the two edges of the rectangle that have met together. Do the same with the two open ends, pinching the dough together to completely seal in the tenderloin with no spinach or mushroom duxelle showing.

Brush the exterior of your wellington with egg wash (an egg whisked with a tablespoon of water). Place on a piece of baking parchment in the centre of oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes until crust is golden. We recommend checking the internal temperature of your meat with a thermometer as you want to ensure it is warm inside for the recommended med rare doneness look for 120°F .

Remove from oven, and allow to stand for 5-8 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows internal temperature to settle.

Step 2 | Mushroom Duxelles Melt butter in frying pan on medium heat. Add shallots and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Occasionally stir; allow shallots to cook in butter slowly, becoming softer and translucent. Next add the garlic; stir throughout the shallots. Cook for a few minutes until garlic is also softened and has lots of colour.

Add the mushrooms and thyme. Cook on medium high heat while mushrooms shrink in volume and release their liquid. Continue stirring until the moisture is gone and you have an almost-dry frying pan. Add wine and cream. Cook on medium high heat, to cook away the liquid, stir often.

The mixture should resemble a thick, coarse paste when ready, with most of the liquids evaporated. Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon, then remove from the heat. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Cool.

Step 3 Pre heat your oven to 350°F Remove your refrigerated tenderloin piece. Thoroughly sprinkle with salt and pepper. On high, heat a heavy skillet pan with enough canola oil to lightly coat the entire bottom of your pan.

Gently place your meat into the hot pan. Cook for 1-3 minutes on each side, creating a dark brown crust on the tenderloin. Rotate the meat until each side has been seared, sealing in the raw moist meat. Remove from heat and place on a paper towel to absorb extra moisture.

Step 5 | Bearnaise Sauce In a small pot, combine bay leaves, white wine, vinegar, water, chopped shallots and tarragon. Bring to a simmer gently over medium heat, reducing to about ½ in volume. This is the bearnaise reduction.

Strain, then add the fresh lemon juice and allow to cool to room temperature.

Next gently melt your butter, to a pourable consistency. Fill a pot with water ¾ of the way. Bring to a simmer. In a heat-proof bowl place 2 tablespoons bearnaise reduction and the egg yolks. Sit the bowl on top of the simmering pot of water; this should entirely cover the water and steam below. We recommend using an oven mitt to hold your bowl steady, as it will get warm.

Immediately begin whisking. Add a few drops at a time of the melted butter. Continue whisking, ensure as you mix you have your whisk against the bottom of the bowl, naturally scraping it. Each time the butter is no longer visible in the egg yolks, add another few drops.

Repeat until all the butter is completely incorporated and add salt to taste. This should create a thick sauce comparable to loose mayonnaise.

During this process you do not want the eggs to start to cooking so much they resemble scrambled eggs or start to steam. Lower your pot's simmering temperature if this starts to happen.

Send a picture of your Boeuf en Croute to news@seasidemagazine.ca OR tag us @seasidemagazine on Facebook or Instagram. At the end of January, we'll draw a name from the entrants for a foodie prize!

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 45

LIVING OFF THE LAND

by Jo Barnes | photos by Amanda Cribdon Photography

Planting Potential: Saanich Native Plants

A seed. Whether it's the start of a plant or the start of an idea, it has the potential to grow into something larger that can have an important impact on its environment.

Kristen and James Miskelly, owners of Saanich Native Plants off Haliburton Road, grow plants and produce seeds native to our local habitats and educate others on restoration and conservation.

"Native plants have an inherent value. They are a critical part of conserving and enhancing biodiversity," shares Kristen.

For both Kristen and James, natural habitat and ecology are foundational to their education and life approach. They both hold Bachelor and Masters' degrees in Biology from UVic, Kristen specializing in Paleoecology and James with a focus on butterfly

46 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

conservation. A philosophy of valuing nature informs their work and brought them together.

"We have a love of plants, especially those associated with Garry oak ecosystems. We got involved in the Haliburton Biodiversity Project in which we help coordinate restoration within farmlands.

This is how we met," says Kristen.

Involving a diverse network of dedicated volunteers, the Haliburton Biodiversity focuses on the restoration of wetland, meadow and forest habitat. Kristen and James began volunteering at Haliburton in 2009 and subsequently leased land and started their nursery. Over time, Saanich Native Plants has grown significantly.

"We had no staff in the beginning, but now it has grown to a staff of six to nine members, some full-time, some part-time and some seasonal as well," comments Kristen.

This is a unique nursery. Plants grown here are exclusively native, meaning those that are indigenous to South Vancouver Island.

Each is grown from seed or from cuttings taken from stock grown in the field here. Cultivation is done without herbicides, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Monkey flower to maple to many native bunchgrasses; the menu is mesmerizing! Whether it is a potted plant or package of seeds, each represents patience, planting ability and persistence.

"The seed is critical; it's genetically local. We need large areas to be planted. In 2018 we leased another area up island in Cobble Hill," says Kristen. "The work involves long hours and days, and a site steward there helps us manage the field."

The effort, however, springs out of a love of nature and a desire to protect and conserve ecosystems. As well as providing seeds and plants, the team at Saanich Native Plants offers education and expertise. They work not only with private landowners, but also larger organizations in the community, government and First Nations communities.

"We do consulting in restoration," shares Kristen. "We work from smaller private properties to government agencies. No matter whether you have a small rock garden or you own a big parcel of land, we can help you with a restoration plan."

Like many operations, Saanich Native Plants has had to make changes in business approaches in response to the pandemic.

"In March we shifted out of retail to delivery temporarily," says Kristen. "Consulting was done in person; now it is digital consulting.

Customers send descriptions and photos of their property, and we provide a detailed plan and approach."

They extended their community reach during the summer by producing educational webinars. In collaboration with Parks Canada, Pollinator Partnership Canada, and Habitat Acquisition Trust, Saanich Native Plants produced the ten part "Pollinator Steward Webinar Series" which showcases pollinators and their critical role in conservation and ecology.

Says Kristen: "The recordings are now there that we didn't have before. They can be used many times over to reach people."

Reaching out and educating the community is a daily objective at Saanich Native Plants.

"We encourage people to grow more ecologically friendly plants, thereby reducing their water consumption," shares Kristen, "We hope to inspire them about being appreciative of where they live and the unique plants here."

Got a question about site preparation or soil types? Are you keen to plant a butterfly garden? The team at Saanich Native Plants is ready to help! Visit http://saanichnativeplants.com for more information.

Restoring plant diversity, enhancing habitat, attracting pollinators and supporting wildlife; the benefits of planting native species are numerous.

It starts with one person but collectively can prompt widespread change.

"If you appreciate and conserve what is native to your place, you are contributing to global conservation," comments Kristen, "It's about working together towards these goals."

Saanich Native Plants is not only sowing seeds; it's securing the future of our farmlands, habitats and ecosystem.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 47

Professional Real Estate & Property Management Services

Professional Real Estate & Property Management Services

Tony Clemente

Anna Clemente

Dan Van der Vlugt

John Bruce

Tony Clemente

Anna Clemente

Dan Van der Vlugt

John Bruce

Frank Berke

Stephanie Peat

Maureen Vincent

Frank Berke

Stephanie Peat

Maureen Vincent

2405 Bevan Avenue, Sidney BC www.dfh.ca

250*656*0131

250.656.0131

Your

Love

LOCAL ‌

Saanich Peninsula Shops & Services

Trouble sleeping?

When we don't sleep well, it is often easy to assume that it can't be a problem with the mattress because it's relatively new and was expensive. Don't make that mistake!

START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT. Come and see us and Let Us Help You Sleep Better!

Seaside Cabinetry & Design is a boutiquestyle cabinet showroom located in downtown Sidney.

Custom Design, Merit Cabinetry, Lifetime Warranty. We have hundreds of styles and colours to choose from.

Showroom Open by Appointment

778.351.2113 | sidneymattress.com 1A - 2353 Bevan Ave, Sidney

250.812.4304 | 9715 First St, Sidney SeasideCabinetry.ca

Feed the Fire Nutrition & Wellness

Bright Greens Canada

Come join Alyssa Madill for a free online workshop on Desire Mapping for People with Periods! Create your goals with soul and align with your cycle for 2021.

Wednesday, January 13th at 7 p.m. Register at www.feedthefirewellness.com

Fresh from the farm, local salad greens, leafy greens and microgreens YEAR ROUND. We are specialists in sustainable, pesticide-free hydroponic farming. #lettucefeedyou.

Farmgate every Saturday 10 a.m.

- 2 p.m. at 6346 West Saanich Road.

250.213.9352 brightgreens.ca tamara@brightgreens.ca

Bright Greens Canada It's winter, the weather is chilly, damp and the sun sets so early. You'd think it would be impossible to find fresh, locally grown produce this time of year. Not a problem at Bright Greens!

Established four-and-a-half years ago, Bright Greens is your local, year-round hydroponic farm growing fresh leafy greens, culinary herbs, microgreens and even edible flowers. In our efficiently designed 800-square-foot indoor space, farmer Tamara Knott grows over 6,000 pounds of produce annually with 90% less water, zero chemical pesticides and minimal waste.

Bright Greens' crop list includes crisp lettuces, tender bok choy, kale and chard, edible flowers, culinary herbs and healthful microgreens.

Customers rave about how fresh our produce is and how long it keeps!

Customers are invited to Bright Green's weekly Farmgate Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6346 West Saanich Road. Pre-orders via email, phone or text are appreciated so we can ensure pickup is as safe and efficient as possible. For more information about our produce, our safe farmyard pickup and how to order visit www.brightgreens. ca or email the farmer at tamara@brightgreens.ca.

Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to all! #lettucefeedyou #allwinterlong

Your

Love

LOCAL …

Saanich Peninsula Shops & Services

Sidney by the Sea Dental Hygiene Clinic Inc.

MUSKOK

A focus on dental hygiene in a relaxed environment. We look forward to welcoming back our existing patients and meeting new patients as soon as we are open!

Paulette Reid, RDH, BBA, MSc 250.655.4884 #102 - 2423 Beacon Ave, Sidney www.SidneyDentalHygiene.com

The Muskoka Region of the Canadian Shi north, hard igneous south, soft fertile farm fuses these two char and wood into a si variety of metal co collection reflects not it’s namesake region.

P-MU2412 Chairside Table 12Wx24Dx24H

P-MU2418 End Table 18Wx24Dx24H

P-MU2140 Condo Coffee Table 40Wx21Dx18H

P-MU2452 Coffee Table 52Wx24Dx18H

P-MU1463 Sofa Table 63Wx14Dx32H

DCC Cabinets home these days, which can be exciting and liberating with a custom workspace like the one pictured above. A clean, dedicated workspace can go a long way to helping people be more focused and productive at home.

That's where we come in at Deep Cove Customs. We're a full service cabinetry and millwork manufacturing, distributing and installation company servicing Lower Vancouver Island as well as the Gulf Islands.

We provide quality custom cabinetry for all applications, whether it be kitchens, vanities, closets, built ins or millwork packages. We strive to provide excellent service from start to finish on all projects.

With a showroom at 2071 Malaview Avenue in Sidney, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., we're available to answer any questions our clients may have.

If you are in the market for a work desk, new kitchen, or have any cabinetry needs planned for your future, stop by our showroom to view options with our staff. We have no-charge consultations, free estimates, and all design aspects for your job are at no charge when you become one of our clients.

Contact us at www.deepcovecustoms.com and info@deepcovecustoms.com.

#202 - 9768 Fifth St, Sidney 250.655.7467 (SHOP) onestopfurniture.ca muffet & louisa's annual winter sale begins December 28th and runs until January 10th. Enjoy 15% off almost everything in the store, including prepaid bedding and towel orders! muffet&louisa 102-2360 Beacon Avenue muffet&louisa part 2 with Hansell & Halkett Vintage Furniture 105-2360 Beacon Avenue 250.656.0011

DCC Cabinets Local, affordable custom cabinets … right here on the Saanich Peninsula! We offer a full-service shop, from design and manufacturing through to the installation of our exceptional product.

250.412.3472 deepcovecustoms.com 2071 Malaview Ave, Sidney (call for appt.)

Acce Chair Coffe End T Sofa

WOOD: FINISH: HANDLES: FABRIC: METAL:

Brush Brush H18B Victor Sunris

COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZABLE FURNITURE! Get exactly what you want at One Stop Furniture & Mattress. www.handstone.ca

More people are working from

P-MU22FABRIC P-MU2412 P-MU2452 P-MU2418 P-MU1463

P-MU 26W

You are investing in your community by supporting its unique businesses. Appreciate what makes our neighbourhoods different. Our one-of-akind businesses are an inherent part of the distinctive character of our Saanich Peninsula neighbourhoods; that is what brought us here and will keep us here. Stay local and stay connected to the merchants in your community.

By supporting independent businesses today, you are investing in a unique and sustainable future for the Saanich Peninsula community.

WINE KITZ We wish to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to our customers for another successful year … despite COVID-19. We look forward to our continued relationship and are OPEN to serve your wine-making needs. Wishing everyone Good Health, Happiness, and all the Best in 2021.

muffet & louisa 250.654.0300 | winekitzsidney.ca #5A - 2042 Mills Rd West, Sidney

Ecotopia Naturals

Ecotopia is the Saanich Peninsula's Soap Exchange refill centre. Reuse any container for eco-friendly laundry, dishwashing, household cleaners, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner and more. Home to eco-fashions including hemp, bamboo, linen and organic cotton.

778.426.3088 9816 Seaport Pl, Sidney Online store: ecotopianaturals.com

Brown's The Florist Brown's The Florist is your local choice for flowers and floral gifts. We are locally owned and passionate about the environment so we make a point of supporting our local growers and economy.

Opening the Door for an Exciting 2021 January & February Hours Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10 - 4.

1890 Mills Road, North Saanich 250.658.3419 | snowdonhouse.ca

We are open seven days a week and deliver from Sidney to Sooke and some of the Gulf Islands.

• Sidney • Downtown • Westshore BrownsTheFlorist.com

At last it is 2021 and the very difficult year of 2020 is behind us. As someone so cleverly said, we have all been in the same storm, but we don't all have the same boats.

The families of muffet & louisa have been safe and well and so full of thanks for the support that you have all given our small but mighty team this year. I believe that all the merchants in Sidney owe our customers a giant "thank you" for your determination to support us, "your town and your stores." In return we have all done our very best to keep you safe and comfortable while you shop with us, and will keep doing so.

You may have noticed our new little shop in the courtyard, shared with Hansell & Halkett Vintage Furniture. The addition of this lovely little space at unit 105 makes more room for you to shop in our first space at unit 102.

As well, we now have a bright new website from which you can shop in the comfort of your home: www.muffetandlouisa.com.

Happy New Year to you all. Stay safe and let's embrace the new year with open arms and hope for 2021.

New Year, New Beginning.

If you are thinking about Buying or Selling your home, make sure to give Pemberton Holmes in Sidney a call.

Wishing Everyone The Very Best in 2021!

Stephen Postings

Gaye Phillips

Laurie Appleton

Patrick Achtzner

Michelle Appleton

Inez Louden

Ann Watley

Wendy Herrick

Harry Fowler

Offering Real Estate Sales with Commercial, Residential and Strata Property Management Service Divisions Laurie Appleton | #107 Michelle AppletonBeacon Avenue, Sidney 250.656.3486 - 2360

SALISH SEA NEWS

by Tina Kelly, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea | photo by Jeff Reindl

Get Outside La Niña – two small words reflecting a big influence on our weather. As I type, the sun is shining and shoppers in Sidney are notably toque-less. Not bad for December, but predictions suggest that's about to change. Peppered into news reports – between pandemic and politics – have been warnings of our winter weather to come.

Wetter and colder are not descriptors we particularly want to hear, especially as we navigate restrictions on our indoor activities and limited access to the people we typically share them with.

These restrictions, bleak weather and the season's limited daylight is a recipe for a long, miserable winter but there is one saving grace, one constant that has remained throughout this pandemic: access to the natural world. Time spent in nature is scientifically proven to have a significant positive influence on our mental and physical well-being.

Finding the motivation to head out into inclement weather, however, is the challenge. Here are a few tips for spending time in nature when the weather is anything but inviting: 1) Know you don't need to commit to a three-hour hike up a mountain 40 minutes away; there is likely nature nearby, even in urban areas. (Within a 15-minute walk of my concrete jungle home, I have access to the ocean, city parks and pockets of garry oak habitat.)

2) When it comes to understanding our local weather, we're intimately familiar with the phrase "wait 10 minutes; it'll change."

It's still important, however, to consult the forecast for special weather notices. Extreme wind warnings, for example, should factor in when choosing your destination – avoid heavily forested areas due to the potential for falling branches, as well as certain beaches as sea conditions can change dramatically. (Though storm watching can be fun if you maintain a safe distance from the shoreline.)

3) Bundle up! Dressing in layers is key to being able to adjust to

fluctuations in the weather and in your activity level. A waterproof layer is ideal, including footwear; cold, damp feet, or cold, damp anything, can end your adventure prematurely.

4) Where to go? We're somewhat spoiled for choice with municipal, regional, provincial and national parks, not to mention all of those random pockets of greenspace, a series of neighbourhood trails and access to creeks, rivers and beaches. You can find information and directions to parks on your municipality's website, the CRD website, and even Google maps.

5) Consider your destination's space in terms of physical distancing.

Open expanses, wide trails and beaches during lower tides provide more area to maintain the two-metre / six-foot distance from others.

6) Set a theme, goal, challenge or checklist. Maybe this is quantitative "I'll spend X minutes a day / X minutes a week in nature"; "I'll visit five different greenspaces a week"; "I'll explore one new-to-me park each month." Maybe it's experiential: "I will record my adventures in a journal"; "I will take this opportunity to learn how to identify birds or plants."

7) Reflect on your experiences through photography, art or journaling. Reliving your experiences in nature can be an additional mood booster.

8) Inspire others to get out by sharing your experiences, favourite places and any new discoveries that had an impact.

Embrace La Niña, explore nature. Get outside, breath fresh air – your health will benefit.

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea is a non-profit aquarium and education centre located on the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. Open Friday through Tuesday (closed Wednesday and Thursday), 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. www.salishseacentre.org.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 53

Meet our amazing acupuncturist and Dr of TCM(c) Grant Cross!

Grant is extra thorough to help you with your challenges inside and out.

by Paula Kully

Coping with Pain During COVID:

www.saanichphysio.com

Brittani Trap

Donna M. Stewart

7819F East Saanich Rd Saanichton Call: (778)351-1145

7159A West Saanich Rd Brentwood Bay Call: (778)426-4876

Doctor of Audiology

Audiologist/Owner

54 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

2020 11 Hear new clinic.indd 1

I N G O O D H E A LT H

2020-10-15 5:21:54 PM

Saanich Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic

Scott Simpson and the team at Saanich Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic operates out of three locations in the greater Victoria area. Two on the Saanich Peninsula, which includes their clinics at Elk Lake and in Saanichton, and a third in Royal Oak. They work with clients of all ages and abilities to help with rehabilitation after an injury, pain management and so much more.

Like all personal services, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the clinic and its clients. The clinic has vigorously followed and exceeded all recommendations from BC Public health. Here is what Dr. Simpson had to say about their response during the pandemic.

When we spoke earlier, you mentioned evolving evidencebased practice. What is this and how is it being used in the time of COVID 19?

I don't think we could ever have predicted the effects of COVID. It has changed how we live and reinforced the importance of following evidence-based public health measures to ensure community safety. In a similar vein, we want to focus on treatment methods that have been proven to be effective.

We always focus on ways to help patients feel better quickly, but also promote ways to prevent issues and build resilience going forward. This might not be the best business model in the short term, but we believe it is the ethical way to practise, as is supported by evidence. Treatments we provide now are active rather than passive, focusing on manual therapy, exercise and education.

What measures have you taken to ensure safety but still make sure people who are living with pain can be assisted?

This is a tough time to be in pain. There is already anxiety related to COVID, so it is our duty to ensure an extremely hygienic environment at the clinic. We are fortunate that we operate small, easily managed clinical spaces. These enable us to control the flow at the clinic by prescreening, modulating caseloads and encouraging physical distancing, all before we even

SIDNEY CENTRE FAMILY DENTISTRY Dr. Loren J. Braun

speak of personal protective equipment. We have spent thousands of dollars on PPE, disinfectants and barriers. Right from the return after closure in April, we made masks mandatory and provided them at our own expense. These measures have ensured that we can apply our evidence-based treatment approaches in a timely manner so patients do not have to suffer. We also offer video telehealth for those who would prefer that. We don't want anybody to suffer and it's our commitment to the community to provide a safe, supportive environment to help people heal.

I understand that many of your clients are professional athletes. However, I'm sure you treat people whose activity is more moderate or maybe even people who have just started a workout routine. For these people, what advice do you have for them to increase their activity level without sustaining an injury?

Although we treat numerous elite athletes, we strive to treat every single patient with the highest level of care. We feel that innovation can come through understanding how people who challenge their limits respond. We've certainly seen many people who have been limited from their normal gym routines, sporting teams and individual endurance events. It's amazing to see how people have adapted to new activities, such as running outdoors, because exercise is so critical for our physical health and mental health. As with any new activity, the body and mind need time to adapt, so it's important to be gradual and progressive. We can't put the cake in the oven for half the time at twice the temperature! We will always try to do the right thing, for the right person, at the right time based on the latest research. Research related to elite athletes can often be customized for anyone who wants to move better.

What plans do you have for the clinic in 2021?

To a large extent, our goal for 2021 is stability. We look forward to seeing this challenging time in the rear view, with the knowledge that we did everything to the best of our ability to safely support our community through it. It is our goal to keep innovating in the area of evidence-based practice. We have an amazing team of 15 therapists with a massive variety of skill sets which they continue to develop, adapt and refine. We feel if we empower our staff they will, in turn, empower our community toward ongoing physical health. We are community members too and we are all in this together.

Celebrating 20 years in Sidney!

• New Patients Welcome • Emergency Treatment • Insurance Accepted • IV Sedation Available 250.655.7188 | #215-9764 Fifth St. | sidneycentredental.com

"We feel that if we empower our staff they will, in turn, empower our community toward ongoing physical health."

Family & Implant Dentistry

Now Offering Sedation #104 - 9845 Resthaven Dr, Sidney 250.656.1199 | coastdentalcare.ca JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 55

The ‘Prohibition’ of 2020 wasn’t quite what we had in mind.

The real 20’s are now upon us, so

let’s Celebrate in style!

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2410 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 778.351.HERB

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Brightening Our Day: Resthaven Lodge's Fresh Face Campaign "It's a space that is very important to life here, to gathering, to community, and to socializing."

Speaking about the ground-floor sunroom at Broadmead Care's Rest Haven Lodge in Sidney, Activation and Day Program Manager Susan Bond told us why the space is important for life at the Lodge. "It's the only space we have where we can all get together as a group – and before COVID hit, we'd have families and residents packed in here for special occasions, making it a challenge to move around, especially with wheelchairs. We know we will be open again for these kinds of activities, and when we are, we want to be ready with useful space."

Rest Haven Lodge has a ground level and an upper level sunroom. Both were installed when the Lodge was built in the early 1980s, and both get a lot of sun during the day.

While we're always glad for blue skies on the West Coast, it's a bit of a two-edged sword, because when the sun streams in, the spaces beneath the glass atriums become too hot to use, and sometimes activities are cancelled. The glass has been repaired and seals have been replaced many times over the years, but after nearly 40 years, it's time for a fresh face: replacing the aging atriums with more usable sunrooms, creating comfortable and inviting spaces.

COVID-19 has life a little less busy than usual at the Lodge,

so timing is good to begin construction in the spring. Existing sunrooms will be removed and replaced with a streamlined roofline, energy efficient windows, updated flooring and, on the ground floor, an outdoor overhang with skylights that will permit light to travel inside while providing sheltered outdoor space.

Residents are equally excited about the changes that are coming. "Everything is best with the light, with the beautiful light, but it's too warm inside when the sun's out," said Kelly, who lives at Rest Haven Lodge. "Outside, there is such great fresh air. The overhang will help keep us cool in the shade, and protected from rain, which means we can be outside even more."

Now the residents need your help!

The cost of the project is $300,000, of which $150,000 has been raised. Through its Fresh Face fundraising campaign, featuring whimsical too-warm Charlotte Chair, Broadmead Care invites you to help create comfortable, homelike, and useable spaces for the people who live and work at Rest Haven Lodge.

You can help make a difference for the people who live and work at Rest Haven Lodge by donating to Broadmead Care's Fresh Face campaign today at www.broadmeadcare.com/ways-to-donate.

"While we're always glad for blue skies on the West Coast, when the sun streams in the spaces beneath the glass atriums become too hot to use."

Give with a heart of gold

GREAT SELECTION of Daniadown, Revelle, Brunelli, Laundress, Cuddle Down & more

pillows | duvets | covers | sheets 250.656.0510 2492 Beacon Ave, Sidney

250.383.6133 636 Broughton St, Victoria

www.sweetdreamsboutique.com

for every occasion

The Dancing Orchid 250.656.1318

#104 - 2537 Beacon Avenue

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 57

F R O M T H E K I TC H E N

by Joan Saunders

A million years ago, when

Good Things Come in Small Packages

I was at UVic, living alone for the first time, I would phone my mom and, while eating ice cream say, "I'm spoiling my dinner." And I was. I definitely was. Why bother cooking when ice cream was available?

It's not always easy to cook for one (or two, for that matter) as the effort seems to be the same as cooking for a larger group. It may then feel like the leftovers will never end. I have single friends who roast vats of veggies and eat them for a week in a variety of combinations, as they've found that's the best way not to be pulled in by the siren song of random snacks found in the cupboard.

However, there are many cookbooks and online sites catering to cooking for one or two. I've also found that cutting a recipe in half leaves me with just enough for my small family. I often make a meal and freeze part of it, so I have something to pull out when I don't feel like putting together dinner.

But it is lovely to cook a recipe that's, as Goldilocks would say, just right. What I appreciate about the Chicken Marsala is that it is made in one pan, so I'm not left with dishes and pots strewn all over the kitchen. While the directions state that it's great served with toasted Italian bread (and it is!), you could also serve it with rice or potatoes.

Add a salad and you've created a flavourful meal.

58 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

And dessert?

Yes, please. I love a little, as I say, "something, something" in the evening with a cup of tea. But I don't need a whole cake, as that's a dangerous item to have sitting around, tempting me. The Mocha Pudding Cakes, cooked in individual ramekins, make it easy to have a little something, something without tipping me into the dangerous zone of "just one more teensy slice."

After all, good things do come in small packages and, as I've discovered, good things also come in small, delicious recipes.

Chef John's Chicken Marsala From Allrecipes www.allrecipes.com/recipe/237928/chef-johnschicken-marsala/ Ingredients: 2 boneless chicken breast halves (skin on or off) 1 tsp salt and some pepper 3 tbsp butter, divided 2 tbsp olive oil 5 white mushrooms, sliced

1 minced shallot 1 tbsp flour 1 cup Marsala wine 2 cups chicken stock 2 tbsp chopped parsley 1 tsp cold butter

Step 1: Season chicken with salt, pepper.

Step 2: Melt 1½ tbsp butter and olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken, skin side down, in hot butter and oil until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until breasts are almost cooked, about 5 more minutes. Transfer chicken to plate.

Step 3: Melt 1½ tbsp butter in skillet over medium-high heat.

Sauté mushrooms with pinch of salt and pepper in butter until mushrooms are golden, 5-7 minutes. Add minced shallot; cook and stir until softened, 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle flour over top; cook, stir until bitterness of flour cooks off, 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Pour wine into skillet; bring to boil. Cook, stir until wine reduces and sauce thickens, 3-4 minutes. Add stock; simmer, cook until slightly reduced, 3-5 minutes more.

Step 5: Return chicken to skillet, reduce heat to low, cook chicken, turning once, until no longer pink in centre and juices run clear, about 10 minutes. If using thermometer inserted into chicken, should read at least 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat.

Step 6: Move chicken to one side of skillet and tilt skillet so sauce pools at bottom. Stir parsley and 1 tsp cold butter into sauce, stirring constantly, until butter is melted. Transfer chicken to plates; spoon mushrooms and sauce over top. Serve on top of toasted Italian bread.

Mocha Pudding Cakes From: Taste of Home www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mochapudding-cakes/ Ingredients: ¼ cup flour 3 tbsp sugar 1½ tsp cocoa ½ tsp baking powder ⅛ tsp salt 3 tbsp 2% milk 1½ tsp butter, melted ¼ tsp vanilla

Topping: 2 tbsp brown sugar 1½ tsp cocoa 3 tbsp hot coffee 1 tbsp hot water Whipping cream, optional

Step 1: In small bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt. Stir in the milk, butter, vanilla until smooth. Spoon into two 8-ounce/250 ml ramekins coated with cooking spray.

Step 2: Combine brown sugar, cocoa. Sprinkle over batter.

Combine coffee and water, pour over topping. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until knife inserted in centre comes out clean. Serve warm or room temperature, with whip cream if desired.

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Thankuary 2021

Monday

You make us smile every day!

We are so grateful for your support for the veterans, seniors, and adults with disabilities who live with us.

Thank you!

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To help create more smiles, visit www. broadmeadcare.com.

Broadmead Care 4579 Chatterton Way Victoria BC V8X 4Y7 Tel: 250.658.0311 www.broadmeadcare.com

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! Get your name in the draw for a “Local Goodies” gift basket Draw is Jan 29th 60 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

BE CON sign and apparel

250 656 8710 info@beaconsigns.ca www.beaconsigns.ca #18 2075 Henry ave West Sidney.BC V8L 1T2

Nourishing the Mind: Seniors Getting Creative Engaging in creative expression is like jumpstarting the brain. There is a universe of healthy benefits to our grey matter when we paint, make music, dance, write, sing or use a potters' wheel. Tapping into those creative juices helps to keep our brains healthy as we age. Splashing paint on canvas oceans or sewing the eyes of fabric peacocks are rejuvenating mindfulness exercises for seniors. Exciting new research shows that ongoing creative activity can enhance the overall functioning of the older brain. Many programs on the Peninsula help seniors to explore their creative sides, giving them an opportunity to nourish their spirit and expand their minds.

Every Friday, I give my brain a "spa day." As a participant in a therapeutic art program, I cherish that time of immersing myself in rivers of colour and giving life to the creatures and oddities of my imagination. The feeling of release is intoxicating, as I free myself from all worldly things and savour a sense of being healed from within. The research gives substance to my sensations, explaining how creative activities foster mental wellness in seniors.

Philips Lifeline highlights the life-affirming aspect of creative expression: "Active participation in creative endeavours, the process of exploring new possibilities through problem-solving and building new products or outcomes, can greatly benefit both physical and mental health for seniors."

Lifeline suggests that people get more creative as they age, as they turn wisdom and experience into a form of artful genius.

In these advanced stages of human development, "creative brilliance" becomes attainable.

The Lifeline authors refer to a study that compares the health impacts to seniors of participating in a professionally led chorale group against the wellness level of non-participants. The singers enjoyed less time with doctors, fewer falls, lower medication usage, and reduced levels of depression. The article cites other research showing the positive impact of creative expression in the lives of elders, such as lower anxiety levels and improved life satisfaction. One mind-boggling discovery is that creative mental challenges can actually change the brain: "It is altered through the formation of new synapses, the contact points between cells.

This improves communication across cells, in turn opening up the chance for new ideas and expanded thinking."

According to the online article Benefits of Creative Activities for Seniors: "Participating in art and craft activities can help stabilize heart rate and hormone levels. It also stimulates the release of endorphins that contribute to overall well-being and happiness."

Because they demand mental focus and concentration, creative activities keep the older brain active, engaged, and fit. Overall, seniors are rewarded with improved mental health and selfesteem plus a renewed sense of hopeful purpose.

by Doreen Marion Gee The creative juices are flowing at Sidney Care Home. "Music is a big part of our creativeness at Sidney Care Home. Residents with end stage dementia, who otherwise do not communicate verbally, will be seen tapping their feet or hands. We have musical instruments for residents to enjoy and participate" explains Alison Marshall, Director of Care. Even conversation is an art form: "The men's group has become very popular and they normally have doughnuts and chat about anything and everything." Alison sees the positive effects of these meaningful activities every day. "I believe that focusing on the individual and creating activities that are of value to them promotes quality of life for our population in Sidney Care Home."

As well as providing care to seniors in their homes, the staff of Sidney SeniorCare encourage their clients to be engaged in the community, such as participating in the creative arts. Sherrin Griffin, VP Operations, proudly notes that "I've seen first-hand how these art classes not only stimulate seniors' minds and senses, but foster healthy social interaction as well.

"What's really cool though is to see how creating an art project can bring a special twinkle to their eye and a new zest for life."

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 61

SEASIDE HOMES story by Janice Henshaw

Bathroom Renos – Do it Yourself or Hire a Magician!

With the real estate market so hot, is it still a good idea to renovate the bathroom if you plan to sell your home soon?

Michelle Holmes and Erin Mackenzie (Holmes Realty) agree that money spent on updating the kitchen and bathroom before a sale results in a good return. "Clean, white, and bright" bathrooms are a plus, says Michelle. Cabinetry with storage space is preferred to a pedestal type sink. A floating cabinet with motion sensor lights underneath is an excellent choice, added Erin, along with bright light fixtures or mirror lights for shaving and other bathroom activities.

They agreed that bathtubs are less popular now than they used to be except in high-end spa-like bathrooms. Glass walk-in shower enclosures with tiled walls, rain showerheads and a bench along with heated floors are all features that make a bathroom stand out.

It sounds like a win/win situation to enjoy a nicer bathroom and to have it appreciate if you plan on selling your house. If it's all a go, how long will you vacillate on the decision to renovate? Well, for me, it took an earthquake. I was soaking in a hot bath one chilly winter day when suddenly, the water in my tub started to move in waves. Then it got more frightening; the glass doors on the tub began to waver and bend in their metal frame. I didn't know whether to stay put and enjoy the surf or try to get through the doors before they shattered. Luckily, the quake stopped. I phoned for a bathroom reno the next day.

64 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

After an interminable wait, the renovation day drew near. To save money I removed the toilet and, with quite a bit of effort, carried it out to the backyard. When I arrived home that night, I could hardly wait to see the progress. There was none; they had not shown up. No message either. My white toilet reflected the light as it sat like a lonely statue in my back yard. So, a word of caution ‌ if you've pulled a toilet, remember to use the washroom before leaving work. And always have a spare wax seal.

If your budget can handle it and you have no wish to learn home improvement skills, then don't bother putting yourself through the trials and tribulations of a bathroom reno. You can just call a reputable local firm like Hook & Hook Designs or Seaside Cabinetry & Design and sit back and relax while they wave their wand and create design

Happy New Year! from all of us at Hook + Hook Designs

CREATE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

Outdoor Oasis

> Architectural Designs > Interior Design > New Builds & Renovations > Custom Cabinetry & Furniture > Project Management

Visit Us Online at www.hookandhookdesigns.com

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andihhrenos@gmail.com | 778.351.4665

victoriagardencity.ca | info@victoriagardencity.ca | 250.385.4858 JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 65

and artisan magic. But if your budget is tight, then why not do what you can to lower costs? Here are some "non-professional but been through it myself" ideas to consider.

Remove old wall tiles, carpet and wallpaper. Turn off the water lines and remove the toilet and sink. Buy new cabinetry and hire a plumber to hook up the sink – or perhaps you have the know-how to do that too? It can for some of us be a frustrating bit of work lying on our backs in a small space to remove the old faucet and then trying to line up the new taps. It's no problem if you don't mind being upside down and backwards!

If you are going to install a new water-conserving toilet, ensure that it has a decent flush (you can't save water if you must flush it twice!) and a new wax seal. Now we get to another fiddly bit: repairing dents and holes in the walls; they need to be filled with drywall mud, sanded, and the walls cleaned before sanding. A great look will emerge from newly painted walls, ceiling, the trim and door. To avoid being a bathroom acrobat and a visitor to the emergency room at your local hospital, buy a decent quality non-slip bathmat and install a strategically placed safety bar or, even better, two. On another safety issue, I discovered that bathtub glass doors must be removed if you wish home support assistance. They are dangerous to grab onto if a bather is unsteady on their feet.

Another do-it-yourself project is to replace the flooring. Check and repair any areas of the sub-floor that have started to rot due to water leakage. Now might be the time to buy an electric underfloor heating kit to really make your bathroom cozy. The bathroom floor is continually subjected to humidity and spills, so choose flooring that is impervious to water and is as non-slippery as possible. Textured ceramic tiles are an elegant choice and they are easy to mop up.

Smaller tiles require more grout, so their lines help reduce slips.

Tiles can be cold on your feet but not if you add underfloor heating.

Another popular and cost-effective choice is waterproof sheet vinyl flooring, tiles or planks.

Shopping for mirrors is an amazing experience – and you can hang it yourself. Some have very cool lights and even TV reception! Other items that I saw in high-end bathroom stores included a gorgeous, hammered copper bathtub ($15,000) with a black matte tub faucet ($2,000), a crystal chandelier ($1,000), an Italian Murano glass sink bowl ($1,200), and a polished nickel faucet ($1,800). I was also impressed by the $1,700 Toto Tornado flush toilet that comes with a remote control, deodorizer, heated seat, warm air dryer, auto open / close lid, and air-in wonder wave. I will let you figure that one out!

To finish off your bathroom, treat yourself to an online or in person visit to Flush Bathroom Essentials in Sidney. (The bathroom candy store!)

Owner Laura says even if you can't afford or don't wish to renovate, you can always give your bathroom a new look with countertop accessories or fresh towels in a different colour. She adds that they carry all sorts of hardware, such as heated towel bars, wall-mount magnification mirrors. space save trolleys, and many other specialty items.

When you are sitting on your luxurious new throne, or a no-frillsbut-works-great new toilet from Home Depot, here's a few words to ponder on for the new year: "The first step to better times is to imagine them." (Chinese proverb). These words can also be applied to bathroom renos. Have fun imagining in 2021!

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JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 67

Deep Cove Family Home on 1.23 acres

Enjoy the quiet country life in this well maintained, 3 bed/3ba family home. Over 2700 sq.ft. featuring a bright, open floorplan that includes living/dining combo, family room & office. New septic and roof, huge covered deck and 1800 sq.ft. garage/ workshop for all your toys and hobbies.

Maryan van Stolk* 250.656.4626 (personal real estate corp*)

Sayward Hill Million Dollar View! $965,000

Unobstructed panoramic views from this sub-penthouse, NW corner suite overlooking Golf Courses, Mt. Baker, Salish Sea & Gulf/San Juan Islands. Meticulously maintained & updated offering spacious layout of over 1,800 sf, 2 BD/2BA concrete & steel, with floor-to-ceiling Euroline slideout windows capturing ocean breezes & loads of natural light & sun! MLS 859089

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Amazing North Saanich Waterfront

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You will be impressed from the moment you enter this immaculate 2007, 3BD/4BA, 2,343sf custom built home with soaring 18' ceilings capturing incredible natural light, quality finishing as-new condition, with recent upgrades. SW patio with new Pergola perfect for BBQ's. Meticulously maintained: newer exterior paint, upgraded Heat Pump & new irrigation, landscaping & exterior lighting. MLS 427064.

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68 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

Stunning North Saanich Waterfront home with walk-on beach. Situated between Lillian Hoffar Park and Capital City Yacht Club on 0.65 acre lot, this 3,809 sq. ft. four bed, three bath home has an incredi-ble layout, a large water-facing deck, a two bed in-law suite, swim spa pool, workshop and more! MLS861073 Michele's Team | 250.656.0911 michelesteam@holmesrealty.com www.holmesrealty.com

W E ST COAST GARDENER

by Katie Kroeker, Pacific Ridge Landscapes

Patio Season Planning for the After Times Is your backyard ready for the "After" times? For obvious reasons, this year's patio season is likely going to be a bit different, but that doesn't mean we can't make the most of it, plan ahead and stay connected.

Here are six ways to party like it's 2021!

More space. Celebrate in social distance style! Instead of the traditional shared seating / barbecue area, look for ways to create multiple seating areas. Perhaps it's a kids area and an adults area or a smaller spot for two people to have a chat. A pair of Adirondack chairs could be tucked under a tree with a flat boulder as a side table. Flagstone pieces can also be cut into your lawn for a casual patio feel. Don't forget your front yard. There might be room for a new seating area that would let you safely chat with passing neighbours and stay connected to your community.

Outdoor kitchen. If you love entertaining and have the space, it might make sense to install an outdoor kitchen. This would give you even more time outside with your bubble people instead of requiring someone to be tucked away in the kitchen prepping food while everyone else visits outside.

Fire. Once bubbles are back and we can see our friends, there is going to be a lot to catch up on. A natural gas fire pit guarantees great conversations last longer into the evenings. Add in a couple of small boulders surrounding the fire; you've got instant heated foot rests!

Water. When we are thinking about making the most out of an outdoor space, a water feature is one of the best ways to enhance your time outside.

A small waterfall cascade and little stream is all you need to attract all kinds of birds and butterflies. Watching birds play and bathe in your own back yard is a special joy, and the sound of running water has proven health benefits and is a calming influence on your mind, body and spirit. Water features also muffle sound, cloaking your conversations and that of your neighbours, giving everyone more privacy.

Work-From-Home WiFi. As soon as the nice weather arrives, everyone is going to want out of the house! Get your tech ready so you can grab your laptop and hit your patio! No need for a fancy Zoom background when you've got your own garden to show off. The WiFi boost will come in handy in your off time when you want to kick back and stream your favourite murder mystery (or maybe that's just me!).

Get Cozy. On a scale of one to bliss, how comfy is your outdoor furniture? Does it make you want to curl up with a book and or furry friend and hunker down? If not, this is the time to order something new so potential supply chain delays and back orders don't get in the way of your spring and summer relaxing. Look for thick cushions and soft fabrics.

It might even be a good time to switch up your seating area altogether.

Instead of one big sectional, groups of club chairs might give you more versatility if you need to create multiple seating areas.

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 69

focus hair design We take care of our clients and ourselves with PPE, and the planet with our PPE recovery box!

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Monthly promos Bright fun environment Great team Certified Green Circle Salon

New Month | New Look | New You! 250.656.8122 Visit us in the Seaside Plaza!

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U N I Q U E LY PENINSULA

PPE Recovery Initiative at Focus Hair Design This is part of a rotating series of articles about some of the Saanich Peninsula's unique shops and services.

2020 was exhausting and extremely challenging, but here we are in 2021. A new year always brings the promise of hope, a fresh start – and that's something we need now more than ever. Clare Wedgwood, owner of Focus Hair Design, is feeling optimistic: "This is a new year and I feel, as I'm sure many do, filled with renewed hope as we go forward in dealing with COVID-19."

"There has been much sadness and hardship, but I am also so grateful. I wish to express my sincere thanks to all our amazing clients who have continued to show support, above and beyond; you are so appreciated by the entire team at Focus Hair Design. A big thanks also to our wonderful community as we all pulled together to care for each other in our efforts to thrive."

One of the great things about Focus Hair Design, as a Certified Green Circle Salon, is their PPE (personal protective equipment) Recovery Initiative. Developed this past year during the shutdown, the program allows Green Circle to collect boxes of used PPE and have them safely processed, with the waste creating clean renewable energy that powers homes and businesses. Known as "Waste Warriors," participants in this program – including Focus Hair Design – collect disposable gowns, masks, face shields, gloves, disinfectant wipes, paper towels and other items. "We have a box just inside the door, labeled as such: PPE Recovery Initiative," says Clare.

"People are welcome to stop by our salon for this purpose."

Anyone can drop off disposable masks at the salon – and programs like this are especially important considering early reports, which say that over 1.5 billion face masks could end up polluting the oceans along with tonnes of other plastic waste. "COVID got us back to single-use plastics and disposable cups," says Clare, "and we need to make our way back to caring for the climate."

"There is something we can do," Clare adds, suggesting that the PPE Recovery Initiative is just one part of the solution.

"We are keeping ourselves and our clients safe with PPE, while working to save the environment from it." As Clare says, humans are adaptable. "This is a challenge presented to us, and I think we can figure out how to be safe and still be conscientious of our environment."

by Jesse Holth

Eat healthy at home with Ultimate Microgreens

www.ultimatemicrogreens.ca • 250 812 8082 • ultimatemicrogreens@gmail.com

Thank You to everyone for taking our 2020 journey seriously Thank You for your support!

Stay Safe with our StayDry products: masks, gowns, shower curtains

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Here to Help You Grow & Explore • Safe, non-judgemental environment • Online Therapy so you can stay safe at home • Work with the client as a team to reach their goals www.coastalcompasscounselling.info | 250.896.5725

Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club: 25 Years in the Community What is educational, inspirational, philanthropic and fun?

It's Rotary and it's not your grandpa's club anymore! Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club is the go-to place for caring people who want to make a difference both locally and globally by sharing their resources: time, talents, ideas and yes, even financial resources.

You may join us to because you want to help or give back, or maybe you want to access the stellar education sessions that we are privileged to receive each week but what may surprise you and really make you stay is the friendly, family feeling that our members create with each other. Though we are all from different walks of life, we all share a love for serving our community. We are engaged, community spirited, and anxious to do what we can to make the world a better place while enjoying each other's company.

We are thrilled to be celebrating our 25th anniversary and our charitable endeavours, many that you may have seen around town and many that are under the radar. Some projects we have supported are: the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, Sea Cadets, ORCCA Dental Clinic, Mercy Ships Canada, Shelter Box, funding for the Water Park in Tulista Park and the North Sannich Freeride Park; out to a national widerand international Literacy projectsReach "1000 x5", funding Victoria and Vancouver exchange students, and so many more! We are proud that 91 cents Island market.

from every dollar raised goes directly to the cause.

The Rotary Foundation acts as a catalyst to tackle major global issues like literacy, housing, health issues, water and environmental issues. Rotary has championed the fight on eradicating polio, we are so very close to achieving this incredible milestone.

Join us Thursday mornings – there's plenty of room on Zoom!

Did I mention we have fun? For more information, visit www.rotarybythesea.org. Photo by Janis Jean Photography.

Reach vicToria’s acTive 55+ consumers Be part of this informative

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timescolonist.com 7/28/20 1:36:42 PM71 JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA

Join us for a virtual

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Tickets available at BreakfastToRemember.ca

This ad was generously donated by Seaside Magazine and Breakfast to Remember sponsor Bayshore Home Health.

Our Journey to Truth + Alibi You wanna open what?

Custom photos by Janis Jean Photography

… approved by Annie and Fynn!

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A cannabis store? Are you nuts?

Brad and I had that conversation about three years ago. But I'm getting ahead of myself, so let me go back to the beginning.

It was one of those beautiful summer days here on the Island. All sunshine and ocean. We were at the beach with our big, old, bouncy standard poodle, Vega. He was tearing around, sand and fur flying, living la vida loca. He loved it and we loved it. But later that day he was whimpering softly. Age and pain slowed him down a lot in his later years. He is gone now but we have beautiful pictures of him, including some of him snoring away on a dog bed just after we leased the store on Beacon Avenue. If only he could have been with us forever.

After that day at the beach, we began asking other dog lovers what they did for their old dogs. Friends told us about this cannabis product called CBD. So we started researching where we could buy it legally (hint: we couldn't).

That was about the time that the Canadian government started taking serious steps to legalize cannabis. The more we looked into CBD and THC and cannabis in general, the more it began to feel like "us."

We discovered you could chat with a fellow cannabis aficionado – in depth and with layers and layers of knowledge – about some of the very things we had wanted to know when we first heard about CBD. Terpenes, strains, LP's, genetics … it's a fascinating mix of science and love. People shared information and experience with us of such depth and richness that we were amazed. All of this knowledge was out there and available but, prior to legalization at least, the veil of stigma had kept it from many of the folks who could have used it.

Like us. And Vega.

I kind of got mad, to be honest. I just thought it was about time for me to smarten up, lose the stigma and embrace cannabis. I'm a bit embarrassed about how long it took me, but I'm glad I got here.

On a whim we all decided to check out a cannabis conference.

Mind blown again. Young people, middle-aged people, older people.

Stoners and suits … often the same person! We cruised around the displays, checking out the gummies and chocolates and bath bombs and you name its. It was fascinating and fun.

It became harder and harder to go back to "corporate" life, but we couldn't imagine being Cannabis Retailers … until the day that we couldn't imagine NOT being Cannabis Retailers.

So three-plus years ago, following the "are you nuts!" comment (which was promptly replied to with "you know I am and so are you" we just started slowly but surely to become exactly that.

So welcome friends, to Truth + Alibi Cannabis Co. And thank you for your incredible welcome! ~ Cindy, Brad and Zach

He ad s

by Cindy Pendergast Truth + Alibi Cannabis Co.

PAWS TO RETHINK YOUR COMMUNICATION STRATEGY

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We want your information - not your name!

victoriacrimestoppers.ca JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 73

Peninsula Eats:

MENU of the

MONTH Home of the Skookum

Open 11am to 11pm Mon - Sat Open 10am to 11pm Sun Neighbourhood Pub & Liquor Store

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Join Us for Great Food & Beverages or Call us for Take-out Please Support Your Local Businesses

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Creole Chicken Salad

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Taco Salad

spicy beef, chicken, or veggie patty. mixed greens, tomato, black olives, green onion, mixed peppers, and cheese. served with salsa and sour cream 17 Turkey Dip

Clubhouse

fresh turkey, bacon, swiss, tomato, lettuce, cranberry, mayo, and thousand island on triple stacked bread of your choice 18

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oz chuck burger, smoked 8 ,ham, cheddar, tomato lettuce, onion, relish, mayo, and pickle on a large sourdough bun 22

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oz chuck burger, Red Barn 6 back bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, and red relish single 18 / double 20

grilled teriyaki chicken breast, smoked ham, pineapple, swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo, honey mustard, and a pickle 18

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grilled cajun chicken breast, side bacon, swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo, honey mustard, and pickle 18

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oz chuck burger, side bacon, 6 swiss, cheddar, sautĂŠed mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, mayo, and

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Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers: Helping to Keep Our Communities Safe January is Crime Stoppers month and Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers would like to share with you the work we do in the community.

In July 1976, in Albuquerque New Mexico, a university student was killed during a gas station robbery. After six weeks of investigation the police had very few leads as to who was responsible. Police investigators thought that if the public were able to observe a re-enactment of the crime on television, this may lead to a citizen providing information that may lead to an arrest. At the end of the advert the lead detective, a man called Greg MacAleese, addressed the viewers and gave them a phone number to call. He said that he did not want to know who the callers were, just the information they had to tell him about the crime.

The gamble paid off! A caller contacted the police department the next day after seeing the re-enactment. The tip information was enough to lead the police to the two men who were responsible. Within 72 hours of the re-enactment being aired, the police had solved the murder. This was the beginning of Crime Stoppers.

The concept of Crime Stoppers quickly caught on and became a worldwide program. In 1984 your local program began being named Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers.

We are housed in Saanich police Department but cover nine different

Police jurisdictions; Sooke RCMP, West Shore RCMP, Saanich Police Department, Victoria Police Department, Oak Bay Police Department, Central Saanich Police Department, Sidney North Saanich RCMP, Salt Spring Island RCMP, and the Outer Gulf Islands RCMP. We remain a community, media and police co-operative program designed to involve the public in the fight against crime. Crime Stoppers provides citizens with a way to anonymously provide law enforcement with information about unsolved crimes, crimes that are about to occur, wanted persons, or crimes that the authorities are not aware have occurred.

Two Civilian coordinators run the program and we have a volunteer board of directors who administer the rewards to the tipsters as well as fundraise to help the program maintain its important role within the community.

We run a "Crime of the Week" feature in the local press and radio. In addition to drawing the public's attention to people wanted by the Police.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by either calling into our call centre or online via our website.

Our tipsters will always remain anonymous; we have no caller ID and do not have the ability to track IP addresses.

Our phone number is 1-800-222-8477 and our website is www.victoriacrimestoppers.ca.

BOOK A ROOM. PARKING IS ON US!

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Book a room with us in the month of January and park for free!

Call us directly to book and save!

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@Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 75

Peninsula Panthers

A Challenging Time for Final Year Players Fresh of f having their 2019-20 season cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year, the Peninsula Panthers were chomping at the bit to get back on the ice and play once again in the 2020-21 VIJHL season. In October, they did exactly that, with a ten-game cohort series against archrivals the Victoria Cougars brining with it tough, competitive hockey that set the team up for a tilt for the championship. However, in December things were put on ice once more, with new Covid restrictions brought into place just as the Panthers had moved on to their next cohort series against the Kerry Park Islanders. Games were suspended. Training for players aged 19 and 20 were banned. Panthers General Manager Pete Zubersky and Head Coach Brad Tippett decided to postpone all Panthers’ operations until January 8th, when further decisions will be released over Covid restrictions by Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The three most affected players due to this current suspension are Josh Lingard, Tanner Wort and Brayden Evans. All three are 20-yearolds and in their last year in the VIJHL. Their final tilt at Junior hockey has been heavily disrupted, and none of them know if they will even get another chance to play a game again due to the current situation.

Brayden Evans (below & top right), a goaltender, was brought in this season from his native Edmonton, Alberta to join the squad. In his four games he has played thus far, he holds a 0.876 save percentage and 4.49 goals against average. Of all three Panthers’ netminders he is the only one not to taste victory, meaning he has even more reason to want to get out on the ice once more. Evans said that the situation is hard, and cuts a little deeper for himself, Wort, and Lingard.

“Having our final season of junior hockey postponed is really hard as we don’t have any idea when we will be able to play again and we don’t have a next year to come back and play with all the guys. It also makes it tough on guys working to get to the next level of hockey.”

“We all need to put our health and safety ahead of playing sports so that we can get back to having a ‘normal’ life again.”

#33 Brayden Evans For Peninsula Panthers Captain Tanner Wort (right), there is an added layer to the uncertainty of this season. After a dominant 201920 in which he ended the regular season as the leading goal and points scorer as well as taking home several honours including the Jamie Benn Trophy for the League’s Most Valuable Player, Wort was primed to carry that success further in 2020-21 and push towards his maiden VIJHL championship. And in his 12 games so far this season he has continued his strong form, racking up nine goals and 18 points to sit comfortable in the top five players in the league.

With such a strong level of form, Wort already faced the disappointment of not being able to take that deep into last season’s playof f s, which were cancelled smack bang in the middle of a tense series against the Cougars. This current pause of the season has once again seen his red-hot form put on hold.

“Although the crisis at hand in the world is much more important than Junior hockey, Junior hockey is an opportunity that you cannot get back,” he said. “Having my last year manipulated by the changes we are facing daily is something I cannot change and I will forever wish my last season was different. I still have some hope for the second half of the season and want nothing more than to return to the ice.”

Wort’s prowess on the ice is backed up by his dominant line mates on the “8, 9, 10” trio, with Riley Braun and Lingard joining him to help create the most feared line in the VIJHL.

76 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | JANUARY 2021

Jr. Hockey Club

by Ben Waterworth

Panthers Colour Commentator & “Clawed Weekly” Podcast Host https://ppanthersvijhl.transistor.fm @ppanthersvijhl

#8 Josh Lingard

Like Wort, Josh Lingard (left) hoped to take his strong form from last season into this year, and in his eight games he played so far this season, he lit up the arena by scoring six goals and 15 points along the way. If any of the three 20-yearolds were set to light the wick even brighter for the remainder of 2020-21, it was Lingard. Similar to Evans and Wort, he too has felt the strain of the constant disruptions faced during this season, as well as the different feel of the game in having limited fans to play in front of when the season was up and running.

“With the scheduling having to play the same team over and over again with limited fans there to watch, is a lot different than the previous years I’ve played here,” Lingard said.

“Not having many people there doesn’t seem like it would change the game that much, but when they’re not there you definitely notice a difference.”

Practices are still possible for most of the team, with only 19 and 20-year-olds banned from taking part. However, both Zubersky and Tippett decided against practicing without their senior players, adding “we will play and practice together as a team”, meaning even if one player is unable to practice due to restrictions, the whole team will wait for them.

And while every member of the Panthers waits patiently in hopes of hitting the ice once again to complete the season, all are well aware of the bigger picture at stake in the community.

“Having the season postponed is hard in every way that you look at it, but in the end we all need to put our health and safety ahead of playing sports so that we can get back to having a ‘normal’ life again,” Evans said. “I know the three of us in our last year want this year back badly but we also need to make sure we are all healthy and safe before we do so.”

#9 Tanner Wort “C”

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2021 from the Panthers Family!

Photos by Gordon Lee Photography JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 77

ST WO R D LastL AWord from the Editor-in-Chief Allison Smith

The dawn of a new year always brings with it new hope, and none more so than this one.

When I look back at the first issue we put out after COVID-19 made its way into our lives, it was full of hope. At 64 pages, it was smaller than anything we'd published for many years (since the early days of the magazine, in fact) but we were proud to still be able to share something positive with our readers.

The stories, of course, were "COVID this, and COVID that," as really it was all any of us could talk or think about.

The issue was full of articles about our new normal, keeping mentally well, the idea of being socially distanced ‌ basically a road map for the days ahead. It was also full of ideas for keeping busy while staying safe. And now, 10 months later?

Our "normal" may no longer be new, but not a lot has changed. For a couple of issues we tried to stay away from COVID-centric stories, knowing that our readers, like us, must want a reprieve from that which is otherwise nearly impossible to ignore. We soon realized, however, that a balance was possible, and needed. As the months have dragged on, it has become more important than ever to keep busy, stay safe, and take care of our mental well-being.

At time of writing we are all facing spending the holidays with only a small group of our closest family, or for some of us, alone. A vaccine has arrived, but we aren't sure when, exactly, it will make a difference to our daily lives.

So what is hope, exactly? The belief that things will inevitably get better. In the meantime, we just do what we have to do to get through this, whatever that means, and we keep putting out a magazine for you that, as owner and publisher Sue Hodgson notes, "brings the community together: celebrating life indoors and out, from our local people to our agricultural land." We hope it brightens your day; we hope you have a wonderful 2021; and above all we hope you are safe and well. Happy New Year!

n o s i l l A

Virtual Cinema!

Star Cinema

9824 Fifth Street, Sidney Stream great movies from your own home! This is a wonderful way to support independent theatres and escape into the world of imagination and artistry. For details of available movies: www.starcinema.ca.

LEGO Exhibit Sidney Museum

JAN 2 - MAR 31

2423 Beacon Avenue, Sidney Celebrating the 50th anniversary of LEGO in 2021, this amazing local exhibit focuses on a castle theme this year and features a wonderful version of the Sidney Post Office as well as Harry Potter sets, Minecraft, and many other wonderful creations. Masks required. Entry is by timed admission with a maximum of six visitors at any one time.

For info: 250-655-6355 | www.sidneymuseum.ca.

ZOOM Virtual Meet & Greet

JAN 14

NOON-1:30PM

Peninsula Newcomers Club

Welcoming Women to the Peninsula since 1987! Please join us. Registration is required. Contact 1st Vice President at pncmeetandgreet@gmail.com or www.peninsulanewcomers.com.

Seaside Magazine Book Club

TA K E N O T E

JAN 1 ONWARD

6:30-8:00PM

Presented Virtually via Zoom We'll be discussing The Heaviness of Things That Float by Jennifer Manuel. Make sure you are on the mailing list to receive your Zoom invite: https://seasidemagazine.ca/book-club/

JAN 20

7:30PM

Bodine Hall, Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney Vancouver singer-songwriter Shawn Austin performs with guest country singer Kristin Carter. Come enjoy an evening of wonderful vocals and lyricism. Assigned guest seats, check in on arrival, contactless merchandise and concession. www.marywinspear.ca.

For our Future World

JAN 30 7PM

The Gettin' Higher Choir & Wavelengths Community Choir The concert will feature "virtual choir" videos from both choirs, plus special guest appearances by our two special online guests Lea Morris (from Alexandria,Virginia) and Valdy (from Salt Spring Island)! Admission free, and donations will be encouraged to our partner charities who will be the recipients of all funds received (after direct costs) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT). For information and login registration: www.wavelengthschoir.ca or www.gettinhigherchoir.ca.

ArtSea Community Arts Council

UNTIL

JAN 31

More than 30 artists invited ArtSea into their studios to record a studio tour experience. Enjoy short videos that highlight local artists, view their work, learn about their art mediums and methodology, and watch their art demonstrations, all from the comfort and safety of your home! www.artsea.ca/calendar/artsea-virtual-artist-tour.

4:00-5:30PM

Presented Virtually

Sponsored by Island Savings, a Division of First West Credit Union, this annual event celebrates excellence in our community and includes a variety of honours for businesses, nonprofits groups, newsmakers and entrepreneurs. www.peninsulachamber.ca

Mountain Dream Productions January Showcase

JAN 28, 29, 30, 31

ArtSea Virtual Artist Tour!

JAN 12

14th Annual Business Excellence Awards

Shawn Austin

JAN 23 2PM

Livestreamed from Charlie White Theatre, Mary Winspear 90 minute extravaganza features scenes and songs taken from musical theatre performances as seen on Broadway, London's West End and local Charlie White stage. The students have been working on their performance skills and are keen to entertain you! Tickets: $10 www.bit.ly/MDPShowcase

ONGOING

Caregivers Connect: BC's Virtual Support Group

2nd and 4th Thursdays | 2:00-3:30pm This virtual support group brings people from across the province together twice a month around a mutual experience of caregiving for a family member or friend. This is a time for reassurance, where caregivers can realize they are not alone. Pre-register each week to attend. Visit www.familycaregiversbc.ca or Call toll free 1-877-520-3267 extension 1.

Have something for Take Note?

Email takenote@seasidemagazine.ca

JANUARY 2021 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 79

SIDNEY All Care Residence We’re All About Care …

January is a special month to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s. Bowling is one of the many activities that promote cognitive abilities and physical exercise. At Sidney All Care Residence, we believe in keeping our residents active both physically and mentally in order to support better overall health and wellness.

So make sure to SPARE some time to combine fun exercises with brain-engaging workouts into daily life!

For more information on our health and recreation programs, please contact Matt Parreira, Community Relations Manager, at 778-351-2505.

Winner!

Winner!

Most Outstanding Complex Care Provider in Canada In 2019

All Care, We Care, I Care!

2018 Crystal Award for Outstanding Customer Service and 2019 Crystal Award for Contribution to the Community

Proudly Offering Long Term, Respite and Palliative Care

778.351.2505 • www.allcarecanada.ca • 2269 Mills Rd, Sidney