OWNER / PUBLISHER
SUE HODGSON 250.516.6489
sue@seasidemagazine.ca
EDITOR IN CHIEF
ALLISON SMITH 250.813.1745 allison@seasidemagazine.ca
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LEAH-ANNE MACLEOD leahanne@seasidemagazine.ca
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
DEBORAH ROGERS deborah@seasidemagazine.ca
SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER
JOCELYN DUNCAN jocelyn@seasidemagazine.ca
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
JANIS JEAN hello@janisjean.com
KATHRYN ALVAREZ ms.kathryn.alvarez@gmail.com
SCOTTEE GILES media@shorepinestudio.com
THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS
Annilee Armstrong, Jo Barnes, David Bremner, Adriano Cartuliares, Jamila Douhaibi, Jennifer Etherington, Joan Fischer, Tristan Gentile, Scottee Giles, Tabatha Golat, Sherrin Griffin, Jesse Holth, Tracey Jones, Tina Kelly, Angela Leavey, Tilar J. Mazzeo, Cassidy Nunn, Bella Parent, Cynthia Philp, Deborah Rogers, Steve Sakiyama, Joan Saunders, Marita Schauch, Ahava Shira, Susan Simosko, Stephanie Staples, Katharina Stocker, Christopher A. Straub
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.
We acknowledge and thank the W̱SÁNEĆ people on whose traditional territory we live and work.
Photo by Janis Jean Photography
PAGE 15
In this issue I take the time to reflect on how my past relationship with Sidney caught up with me and began my amazing journey, for which I will be forever grateful! Sometimes we need to be reminded that all it takes is a subtle change in perspective to realize how fortunate we are.
PAGE 43
Fraud Prevention starts with education, including the Police. Because technology changes so fast, we're seeing new methods and techniques all the time. We need to make sure we're aware of the new trends so we can update our residents as soon as possible so they know how to recognize new frauds and scams.
PAGES 12 & 64
Following your dreams is easier said than done – it takes vision, drive and courage. That's exactly how the brand Pachulah came to be. I was honoured to tell this story for Danny and Mandy, a story that shows how we can push forward and keep our dreams alive, even through unimaginable tragedy.
PAGE 82
Space planning when you have a "room with a view" can be tricky! Connecting to the use of the room AND that view are key to a successful and usable layout. Fresh eyes on a living space can also help when homeowners are at an impasse on the "way it has to be."
PAGE 38
June is a great excuse to hop the border to the Olympic Peninsula, where I'm lucky enough to have the best lavender-farming cousins. No cousins? No worries! Great walks, wine tasting or lazing away an afternoon in an orchard (with, you know, some cider) are all the reason you need.
PAGE 51
There's humour to be found in smart devices, cloud computing and all gadgets that are auto-magic. Funny how that is. I'm delighted to tell you about the lighter side of technology as well as the wonder of real clouds that we see floating in the sky.
Recently, one of my writers, Lara Field, shared with me a book she's written. Ricky J. is a personal story of a father, husband, grandfather and son. It's a compendium of three daughters' remembrances of their shared experiences with their late father. It was quite inspiring, and reminded me why we love celebrating our special Men To Watch feature, and Father's Day, in our June issue.
I think back now to my relationship with my father. I lost him way too young, almost 28 years ago. He was taken from us by cancer. It was a time of huge emotions: disappointment, anger, disbelief and confusion. To be honest, I blamed him. After all, he was my dad. I can remember for months after his death, having his picture in my office, talking to him and asking, "Why did you do this to me? Why did you end our relationship so quickly?" At the time none of it made sense, but as my experiences in life have grown, those memories and wounds have been better understood, and healed.
We all have to face adversity. I've been thinking about the fact that we don't get to choose our parents or siblings; they are part of the hand that is dealt to us. What about our friends and colleagues – do we choose them, or do they stumble into our lives for a reason? Perhaps it's both. Just like life itself, do we fully have control of it or is it predetermined?
After reading Lara's book and the special experiences those women all shared with their father, it left me with the fact: cliché or not, we only have one life and we should live it to the fullest before we go. Don't be negative; be all that is positive! Don't intentionally hurt someone; it doesn't serve any purpose. Be open to understanding and please be kind. Regardless of a difficult situation, we can work things out; we can all be better, community-minded, people.
Happy Father's Day!
"The good news is that you are alive. The essential thing is that you must live."
– Ernest Agyemang YeboahPhoto by Janis Jean Photography. Styled by Shai Thompson at House of Lily Koi, Sidney.
DAN JURICIC danjuricic@gmail.com
CRAIG WALTERS craig@craigwalters.net
DON BELLAMY info@donaldbellamy.com
ANTHEA HELMSING antheahelmsing@gmail.com
JEFF BRYAN jeffbryan@shaw.ca
RON PHILLIPS ronsoffice@shaw.ca
KAREN DINNIE-SMYTH kdinnie-smyth@shaw.ca
BROOKE MILLER brookemiller@shaw.ca
LINDSAY CASEY lindsay@sellingseaside.ca
DEBBIE GRAY sagegray@shaw.ca
JENNA TURNBULL info@jennaturnbull.ca
Q: What is the origin of Stockus & Parry?
A: We formed our partnership out of a mutual respect for each other’s experience and strengths. Passion for this industry led us here. With our collective knowledge and expertise, we offer far more together than we could do apart. We extend to our clients the exciting and disruptive branding of The Agency. It empowers us to provide much more than a traditional agent ever could. In everything we do, our focus is to add value, perfect our service, and adapt to remain ahead of the curve.
Q: Speaking of The Agency...
A: Boutique approach, global reach… Offices in Victoria, Vancouver, and other cities across Canada and the world. Known for successfully selling real estate on a global scale, we partner with the best in the business and always take a quality over quantity approach. By engaging Terry and I, expect a white-glove experience. Expect to be informed, and expect success.
Q: What sets you apart?
A: Knowing how to sell a home isn’t the challenge. It’s knowing how to sell a home while ensuring our clients’ expectations, needs, and emotions are satisfied. Being present, having that personal touch, along with the strength and reach of The Agency, sets us apart. We firmly believe our platform is the most effective global marketing platform in the industry. Our exclusive clients and their wonderful properties deserve nothing less. The market always presents opportunity. Terry and I are constantly striving to connect our clients with those opportunities.
When Daniel and Amanda Welch first moved away from their hometown of Victoria, they had no idea they'd return as entrepreneurs. While working in aviation in remote northern Canada, the couple fantasized about living in Hawaii together and running their own business. After researching E2 investment visas, Amanda started taking apart her old jewelry, thinking there could be a way to repurpose it, and the idea to start a jewelry business – or better yet, a brand – was born.
What began as a dream in that northern Saskatchewan basement evolved into Pachulah, a luxury brand offering jewelry, accessories and bespoke footwear. "It started off as a website, with the intention of moving back and opening up shop in Victoria," explains Danny. A few months later, in 2016, they were able to open their first kiosk at Uptown. "It was a huge success," adds Danny. Amanda would make the jewelry in-store and at home, and Danny would come home from his day job, change into a suit and head to the shop. "It was a grind for the first couple years," says Danny.
"Mandy was the artist and I was the business guy – she would design and make the jewelry, and I'd do the behind-the-scenes stuff like bookkeeping, training and general oversight of the direction of the business. We just worked really great together."
With the business a success, they revisited their plans for Hawaii – in 2018, the couple flew to Toronto for their big E-2 Investor Visa interview to gain the right to live and do business in the state of Hawaii. "It felt very difficult for two young kids without a business background; you have to make the investment prior to receiving the Visa, which felt quite risky. But we were successful! That was a really special moment," adds Danny. "We were out crying in the streets in January."
They travelled back and forth to Hawaii, and began to expand their product lines including engagement rings and fine jewelry collections, as well as bespoke footwear. When Covid hit, Danny and Amanda decided to come back to Canada to be close to family. "It was quite a stressful situation: we were forced to close down our business locations multiple times due to the emergency mandates, while still maintaining employment for our staff and keeping up with online orders – it was a hard time for us just like for so many others." Shortly after, they found out the news that Amanda was pregnant with their son Dante, who is now two-and-a-half. "It was perfect timing," says Danny. "We got to lock ourselves down at home, relax together and dream about who the new addition to our family would be. These memories are incredibly special to me now!"
Once markets began reopening post-Covid, they felt the need to return to Hawaii and get their business kickstarted again. After six months of getting things back up and running, they eventually found their dream property on Salt Spring Island. "Then we found out Mandy was pregnant, again! I was renovating the old farmhouse while she was raising our son Dante, and working endlessly with staff and continuously building our brand. We were getting things ready for Baby Dante's little sister. And then tragedy hit … ."
After Amanda and their baby passed away from a tragic pregnancy complication in August 2022, Daniel was determined to keep their dream alive. "I know she had to go be with our little baby girl Rachelle, and they're our two guardian angels now – it gives me extra motivation, knowing that they're watching over us."
The couple had been negotiating opening a larger space at Uptown, with a lease agreement already set up – they wanted to expand beyond the kiosk, and a new store opened in March this year. "The community here in Victoria has been incredibly supportive. The mall has been incredibly supportive, and I chose to bring everything here to Uptown; we pulled out of Hawaii, which was really hard, but we're focusing here in Victoria, where our support system is.
"I'm very grateful for my team here at Pachulah; I'm so proud of every single one of them and I know Mandy would be as well. We are just a wonderful family, I feel very blessed and fortunate."
Although this new shop is the focus, Danny says it would be really special to reopen a store in Mandy's honour in Hawaii, one day. "I've been through something absolutely indescribable, but I'm here, I'm alive and the sun is shining – you've just gotta push forward. My little boy is my lifesaver: he comes to work with me and he brings so much joy.
"Mandy was a naturally beautiful soul and the love of my life. She was a dreamer and she lived with reckless abandon – she would dream big and instill confidence in others. I just did my darndest to make her dreams and ideas a reality."
Appreciating time, people, life and the lens of youth versus the incredibly humbling corrective lens of age.
As I put the finishing touches on my submission for this month's edition of Seaside Magazine , I find that I am continuously brought back to the people, events and situations that have ushered me to this point.
It is Mother's Day, and I've just spent part of the morning with my 98-year-old mom in the extended care wing of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital. I am an only child; we've been looking at pictures that span almost a century of her life, and virtually all the 68 years of mine. All the while I can see she is struggling to place me in her world Mom has dementia; to her, these photos are her link to the past and her conduit to the present. Seeing the pure joy of recognition, of a temporary restitution of her memory … is without doubt the most important thing I'll see or do anytime soon.
So, forgive me for being nostalgic for a moment, but this is more or less what I had decided to write about: remembering the Saanich Peninsula as it was and seeing it as it is today.
I'm a Victoria boy, so my memories of Sidney and the Peninsula as a whole will always be textured with those experiences. Back in the day, we used to smugly say Sidney was "a two-day wagon ride from Victoria," and the only reason to go was the pub at the Sidney Hotel.
It was a place to explore when you first got your driver's license, it was BC Ferries, the airport and the gateway to the Gulf Islands, but its reputation as a retirement village gave little reason to spend much time here, let alone to invest in a business or consider moving here.
Fast forward 50 years! Over that period the things I took for granted or just didn't see attracted people from all over the world. I asked one famous American transplant – "You could live anywhere in the world; what made you pick Sidney?" His response was "you grew up here, didn't you?" I believe it was his kind way of inferring in this regard that I was likely not of average intelligence. He is sadly not with us anymore, but regretfully I understand that he was bang on.
What he saw then, and what people continue to see now, is a location recognized as one of the most livable places in the world, with a strong and resilient downtown core with most if not all of the services people need, and with exceptional access to transportation hubs. Add to that our proximity to the ocean –we have become a gateway to the Salish Sea for hundreds if not thousands of people every year, who leave appreciating all the things that as a young man, I took for granted … because back then I thought Sidney was simply "a two-day wagon ride from Victoria."
On the following pages, Seaside Magazine is happy to introduce you to some of the local businessmen who contribute to making the Saanich Peninsula what is is today.
Stephen is a Principal at Baker Tilly with a speciality in tax. His practice covers a wide range of tax planning for individuals (e.g., property sales, estate planning to minimize future tax liabilities) and corporations (e.g., optimal compensation strategies for owners, corporate restructuring, & business sales). His experience is supplemented with completion of CPA Canada’s intensive three-year In-Depth Tax Program. Stephen has deep roots in Sidney and takes great satisfaction in helping his clients throughout the community. When not working you might see him walking around Sidney with his favourite pup – Storm.
7 - 9764 Fifth St, Sidney 250.386.0500 | www.btvic.com
Beacon Law Centre is expanding its 20+ year legacy of serving the legal needs of businesses, their owners, their families and our local communities. We’re proud to frequently win community choice awards for best legal service provider, and to have our clients continue to refer their friends and family to us. We’re also proud to continue growing our excellent team.
Thaddeus has been buying and selling Real Estate in Victoria since 1988. He lives in Deep Cove on the water with his wife Brenda and their family and truly believes that North Saanich is Heaven on Earth. His extensive knowledge and passion for the Real Estate Industry and his attention to detail and customer service has allowed him to offer his clients an exceptional and unparalleled experience whether they are selling their home with him or buying their new home.
He is a master negotiator and truly works for that "Win Win" for everyone. Thaddeus looks forward to working with you and would love the opportunity to care for all your Real Estate needs.
THE LONG HISTORY OF THE FIRM WILL CONTINUE
Cowland & Associates is a direct descendant of Sidney’s first CA firm, which was founded in 1970. It will continue to operate at the same location on Fifth Street under the Baker Tilly banner.
CONTACT INFO
7 - 9764 Fifth Street
Sidney, BC V8L 2X2 Phone: 778.351.3737
After a decade at a boutique business law firm, Joshua Steeper is excited to be joining the exceptional team at Beacon Law Centre, as the head of the corporate and commercial group. Combining forces means more resources, more expertise, and better service – all of which lead to better outcome for all our clients, old and new.
A NOTE FROM CHRIS COWLAND
If you are a business owner on the Peninsula, let us show you what makes us different. Phone or email our office to book a time.
“Well, I have been an accountant since 1976 and it looks like it has come full circle. I started off with a well known international firm, Price Waterhouse, and I am now joining forces with Baker Tilly, a cooperative that has 145 member firms worldwide. Baker Tilly Victoria is locally owned and operated, rather than one huge firm, so we can continue to offer the type of personal service that I have provided in Sidney for 31 years. Robyn Walle will be my full time equivalent in Sidney, but I will still be available at any time, though I might be spending more of my time in Mexico, or fixing up my old cars and motorbikes. Although the signs on the door will change soon, you will still recognize most of my existing staff, and I’m sure you will love the new accountants who will boost our complement so we can offer exceptional service with a much faster response time.”
& A with
What is your business best known for and why? Owners need confidence that they’re taking the right steps to grow and protect themselves. We provide the right answers and tools, on time.
What inspired you to follow this career path? As a business lawyer I get to enjoy being a part of hundreds of businesses, working alongside entrepreneurs who are creating value, building legacy and transforming our communities.
We’re used to professions being considered traditionally femaledominated or male-dominated. The latter, such as jobs in the trades, STEM roles or senior management, tend to be higher paid, while female-dominated careers often fall under the lower-paid “caring” or “creative” professions. But as women cross the professional gender divide, men have also moved into positions considered to be on the other end of the spectrum. For this month's Men to Watch issue, we interviewed three men in traditionally female-dominated careers to find out what they love about their professions. The way that each individual cares for our community's children, students and seniors shows that the idea that only women are suited to these roles is out of date.
It is instantly apparent how much joy and satisfaction Connor receives from working as a care aide. At 22 years old, he says that he already has "the most fulfilling and interesting job." Growing up, he was always curious about hearing other people's stories. This, along with his respect and interest in seniors, led to working at Sidney SeniorCare. "Being a care aide to me isn't so much about getting in, doing the job and getting out," says Connor. He understands the need for empathy, patience and giving clients the best quality of life. Every day has its challenges when you're working to support others, but Connor feels very fortunate to be able to assist the seniors in his care. Connor believes that just being present is an important aspect of his job. He says that he has spent many quiet visits drinking tea and playing chess with one particular gentleman. "He was a man of few words and even fewer stories," says Connor, but one day he shared about growing up as a sailor and being one of the first Canadians to lead an expedition to the Antarctic. Connor says that at the end of the day "all one has to do is sit, listen and engage" to be rewarded with these incredible stories and significant lessons.
Though this is still a female-dominated field, Connor says that many male seniors feel more comfortable with a male care aide for personal care, so it's important to have the option. "There is no reason why men can't be strong and be caring at the same time and I hope that my generation will start a new movement in this direction," says Connor.
Photos of Connor and Sheldon by Kathryn Alvarez Photography.
"Honestly, fashion kind of found me," says Paul. Costume design, puppet-making, children's book illustrator – Paul has done it all. A graduate of Parkland Secondary School, he went to Emily Carr University and then moved to New York City to work for Fisher Price, designing toys and dolls for many of the top brands. Back on the West Coast, he has continued to design toys and create graphics for products.
When the opportunity to head the fashion design department at the Pacific Design Academy in Victoria arose, Paul embraced the new challenge. Though he's always had an interest in costume design, he says that he never imagined that he would be a fashion designer, as his personal style is more "retro-grunge meets dad-bod denim." But, to Paul, fashion is "all about dressing up and taking on a persona – it's theatre." All of the designing, cutting and re-sewing is the difficult but rewarding process of getting a unique piece of clothing out into the world.
Citing numerous famous male fashion designers, Paul says that "perhaps the idea of sewing as 'women's work' still persists in some people's minds, but in the fashion industry, that particular gender bias is not an issue." Paul focuses more on the problem of "fast fashion" and says that "the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters on the planet." Whether it's the water to grow and process cotton, the chemicals to dye clothing, the fuel to ship each shirt, or the extremely poor conditions and underpayment to workers, the movement needs to be towards more sustainable design and manufacturing. In his role as a designer and instructor, Paul says: "if I can inspire at least one young fashion student to work towards designing healthy, long-lasting garments that can be manufactured by people making a fair wage, then I will have done my job."
When Sheldon was growing up in Winnipeg, there was no before and after school care. His introduction to working with children came about when a friend asked him to work at an intake shelter for Manitoba's Child and Family Services. Though it was a really heartbreaking experience, when Sheldon moved to the Island in 2001 he knew that he wanted to continue to support children. He was hired by Beacon Community Services and says that after 21 years he still finds his job rewarding. "The profession I have chosen is like a fountain of youth," says Sheldon – children's kindness, creativity and sense of adventure keep him young.
Sheldon always looks forward to children starting kindergarten, teaching kids how to ride two-wheeled bikes, and being able to connect with families. "They have enriched my life 100%," he says, and even though he never had children, he has loved being a role model for all of the children who have come through the doors of Otter Be Fun. "Some of the kids are parents now," Sheldon says, but as long as he's healthy, he has no plans to retire.
Sheldon says that childcare isn't about gender, but about finding a job that you can really connect with and love doing. "You have to have a lot of patience and compassion to work with children," says Sheldon. Everyone brings a different dynamic and strength to the program, and that's what is needed. They are experiencing a high number of staffing shortages throughout their childcare centres, and Sheldon says that anyone with an interest should apply. After over two decades Sheldon can still say that he has loved every minute of it. His suggestion to younger generations: "Go into childcare – you won't regret it."
Although Anami is relatively new to Sidney, he is already a part of its local business community as managing partner of The Farmer’s Daughter.
His recent project involves a partnership with Devon Bird, owner/operator of Moden and Moden Essentials. The pair has opened a new and edgy menswear store in Sidney, although Anami says: “we aren’t breaking the mold, we’re filling a void. Sidney is changing. Men here – young and old – are looking for quality clothing from contemporary brands. We’re simply curating that for them.”
Anami hopes to open more businesses in our community to further its evolution.
9813 Third Street, Sidney
778.426.0081 | www.modenmens.com
Huntly began his career in funeral service in 2017 with Arbor Memorial Inc.
As a Continuing Care Specialist, Huntly assists executors in closing out affairs during the ensuing year. His service to families continues well after the funeral services have taken place.
Huntly cannot eliminate the heartache of loss, but he can reduce anxieties by guiding families during that difficult time and help to make choices that are right for them. There are 87 decisions to make in the first 72 hours following a death. As an Advanced Planning Specialist, Huntly’s message to families is: have a conversation with your loved ones about final wishes – it is one of the best things you can do for your family – to consider planning in advance. Huntly is a seasoned public speaker and hosts many events to educate the community on what to do before and/or after a person dies.
Owned and operated by fatherand-son team Roger and Field Comartin, Rodco specializes in custom window treatments and upholstery. With a design philosophy based on client satisfaction, with Rodco you get over 46 years’ experience in this niche market that varies from the most complicated motorization tasks to the cleanest hospital and hotel rooms.
For your home, you get the RIGHT PRODUCT for the RIGHT PRICE on shades, draperies and upholstery (repair/replacement), free colour and in-home estimates from this local family business.
What is your business best known for and why? Since 1912, Sands Victoria Funeral Chapel has been a leader in helping families remember and celebrate lives lived. We assist families of all faiths, traditions and budgets to find meaningful ways to honour and celebrate the lives important to them.
What inspired you to follow this career path? The death of a loved one is exceptionally tough, and the work I do supporting families through those hard times is unique. I feel privileged to provide my service to those in need.
by Stephanie Staples
"Whatever is different scares people," says James Gardner, facilitator of the relatively newly formed LGBTQ2+ for Seniors, a monthly support group in Sidney. "We all just want to live our lives authentically."
James, an award-winning anchor/reporter at CFAX, is used to being on the other side of the interview, but I wanted to learn more about what, we believe, is the only support group of its kind on the Island and the transgender man who stepped up to take the lead.
On the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the group meets at St Paul's United Church in Sidney to share wins, socialize, create friendships, help each other through challenges and serve the group's collective needs as they arrive. Though hosted at St Paul's, the group has no religious affiliation, but appreciates Reverend Cheryl Black's welcoming and inclusive space. St Paul's is currently working to become a designated Affirming Church, which means it will be listed amongst a network of primarily United Church ministries that strive to be fully inclusive of people of all genders and sexual orientations.
While James already feels comfortable walking through the doors of St Paul's, he tells me tolerance and understanding of "the other" is not always a given.
"As a transgender person, I personally take note of what are considered 'safe spaces,' that is, a place where I don't have to guard my words, or try to figure out which person I can be myself with. Not all of our group members feel safe and welcomed in our current society, and it's nice to have this space where everyone knows hate is not tolerated.
James, please share a little bit of your story and how you got to be in this role.
"It was total synchronicity that I was asked to facilitate this group. I was introduced to St Paul's through another transgender person living in Sidney who identified a need for outreach to the senior LGBTQ2+ community. I have become a mentor for this person. I had been looking for such a group and was surprised there was nothing similar being offered on the Island. I felt very strongly we needed a group for LGBTQ2+ seniors."
What brings people to the group and what keeps them coming back?
"There are specific issues we share collectively as a group. We still face discrimination in many areas. This group gives us a platform to identify areas of concern and work towards solutions. We've identified
two areas in need of more support and action: lack of affordable housing, and better treatment of trans people in the health care system. But, there is also so much to celebrate. There is more inclusivity in the community; we are thriving with so much family support and some of us, like me, are looking forward to our retirement."
How can we, as allies, help move the needle toward supporting equal rights and inclusion?
"It is imperative as an ally to speak up whenever you see or hear something homophobic or transphobic. Similar to racism, we must not be tolerant of hate of any kind. It's easy to be complacent by thinking this isn't happening, but LGBTQ2+ people are easy targets of hate and it still continues.
James, could you say something here about Pride Month?
"Pride month is a time to reflect on our wins as a community and to celebrate by coming together through music, readings and flag-waving. It's also a time to welcome our allies and show our appreciation for their efforts. I am heartened to see so many straight/ cisgender (those who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth) allies taking part in Pride activities. By coming out and joining the fun, you are showing your support." There are plenty of ways to show your support: visit @pridesidney on Instagram or the Victoria Pride Society at www.victoriapridesociety.org/pride-2023.
Hope reigns eternal; what wins have you seen in the community in the last 10 years?
"I think society as a whole has gotten better at embracing our differences. People are taking the time to learn about the LGBTQ2+ community and realizing that we all want the same things in life, like love, support and to live our lives authentically. It seems people are feeling more comfortable giving space for differences."
Thank you for saying yes and filling this important need. The group is still finding its legs, but what hopes and dreams do you have for it going forward?
"I am hoping the group flourishes and that we can continue to provide a safe space for folks and that we might even have an influence on community policies that enhance seniors living here. Maybe someday there won't be a need for this type of group."
The more I listened to your stories the more I see abundant similarities rather than abundant differences. We are all on a continual journey in a life of self-discovery; we all want to be loved and accepted and live the best versions of ourselves. When this is realized, we can give our best to the world at large. James, what parting thoughts would you like to leave us with?
"I want people to know that Sidney is a welcoming town and I believe it is making room for everyone to live and grow – I am happy to see that."
If you are a senior who identifies as LGBTQ2+ you are most welcome to drop into this safe space and/or please feel free to reach out to James to find out more about the group at: 55plusinSidney@gmail.com.
Thanks to the generosity of the community we have reached our annual fundraising goal of $2 million. We asked for help to update and provide new equipment for three areas of need in our hospital and community, and you delivered.
• With the increased numbers through our Emergency Department doors our ER team is grateful for the advances in new equipment made possible by your donations.
• New equipment purchased with donor dollars for our Surgical Department will ensure that all three operating rooms will run even more e ectively.
• Our hospital relies on community physicians to sta the Emergency and Acute Care departments. Thanks to your help, we can continue to support the Doctor of the Day program, ensuring the best possible care in our hospital.
We are so grateful for your contributions. Every donation has helped to provide excellence in healthcare close to home. Thank you!
Sean is a Registered Massage Therapist bringing care to you! With focus on compassion and convenience, he brings the healing benefits of massage therapy directly to your home or workplace. From previously being an outreach worker and raising a young family, he understands the importance of accessibility and convenience. He is committed to making massage therapy available for those who find it challenging to access a traditional clinic.
Sean brings professionalism and integrity to every appointment and takes pride in making people feel comfortable. He takes a collaborative approach with people by listening to their needs and body. He specializes in working with people who have diverse needs and stubborn areas by providing tailored and effective massages.
Sean also partners with businesses, providing onsite massage therapy. Bringing massage services directly to the workplace promotes wellness and productivity.
“I want people to feel relaxed and find renewed vitality – wherever they are.”
Westcoast Ethos Health and Wellness
250.514.1209 | sean@westcoastethos.com
Sean Graves Mobile RMTWhat is your business best known for and why?
Convenience and compassion. Bringing massage to people makes it easy for them and I have an ability to make people feel comfortable (while still getting those tenacious knots!)
What inspired you to follow this career path?
Massage therapy helped me overcome chronic pain and it’s rewarding to contribute to others health and well-being.
11 - 9843 Second St, Sidney | 250.655.4348 |
What is your business best known for and why? We’re best known for taking the extra time to educate our customers; we don’t want them to feel rushed or pressured into making an investment they don’t fully understand. A heat pump system installation is a major investment in your home comfort and we want our customers to feel engaged, educated and informed with the process; there should be no surprises during the project.
We want everyone to feel fully satisfied with the consultation, equipment performance and finished product. Our company really cares about our customers, and we want them to feel that.
At Pacific Heat Pumps, we love serving the Saanich Peninsula community and being your local choice for heat pump sales and service. There is a lot of buzz about heat pumps right now and we want to play a leading role to educate consumers on heat pump technology and help take the mystery out of it.
Wondering what heat pumps look and sound like? Want to reduce your carbon footprint? Like to learn more about government rebates? Interested in a heat pump hot water tank? The experts at Pacifc Heat Pumps can help! Come tour our showroom in Sidney and see this technology in action first-hand.
Our goal is to help you feel comfortable with making the switch from fossil fuels to a heat pump. We have heat pumps for homes replacing oil furnaces, for homes on baseboard heat,
for condos, for heating hot water, and many indoor styles of ductless heat pumps – lots of options so you can pick the right aesthetic and technology for your home.
We’re locally-owned, friendly and have a professional certified installation team that loves your home heating as much as you do. Free estimates and consultations are guaranteed, and no job is too big or small!
“We really care about our customers!”
What inspired you to follow this career path? I’m a thirdgeneration tradesman. My father was a local building inspector - he was passionate about quality workmanship and doing it right.
We are enthusiastic about training our staff and ensuring quality work; I love training new apprentices and passing on knowledge to the next generation. We work hard at the little details, and we’ll redo it if it’s not right. We are a contractor with a conscience!
What are the current men's haircut trends for this spring and coming summer? A bit of everything! Fades, classic, tight short, long … it looks like midlength hairstyles are coming in force though. Nevertheless, the
most important thing is to have a haircut that corresponds to your hair texture and face shape while fitting your personal tastes and lifestyle. Hair changes with time, so your barber might be the best specialist to guide you when it
comes to hairstyles and products that are right for you.
Do you know that good-looking hair requires a healthy scalp? That always starts with a quality shampoo and conditioner that correspond to your needs. Did you also know that men's and women's scalps are different? Picking any all-around "off the shelf" shampoo and conditioner might not be the way to go to have success with your hair; hair products are not all the same and using the right ones makes a great difference. Do not hesitate to get advice on what you need. Keep in mind that instant outcomes are not common – desired results come with time and regular use. Grey and white hair is dryer, with frizzy texture, so it's harder to "control." Using good products, corresponding to your hair needs, is then especially important. Taking care of your hair and scalp is the recipe to good-looking haircuts.
Daniel Jones, CIM® Financial Planner
Daniel Jones CIM® Financial Planner Tel: 250-665-8154 | Daniel.CarranzaJones@td.com
TD Wealth Financial Planning 2406 Beacon Avenue Sidney BC V8L 1X4
Tel: 250-665-8154 | Daniel.CarranzaJones@td.com
TD Wealth Financial Planning 2406 Beacon Avenue Sidney, BC V8L 1X4
Daniel Jones CIM® Financial Planner
As a Financial Planner, I work closely with my clients to help them develop a financial plan that balances life today with their goals for the future. I take the time to understand, not just their current financial circumstances, but also the objectives and motivations integral to it. Whether you are planning for retirement or starting a new business, I am here to help guide you every step of the way. In addition to investment advice, I can also connect my clients with the right TD specialists to help them address a range of financial goals.
Tel: 250-665-8154 | Daniel.CarranzaJones@td.com
TD Wealth Financial Planning 2406 Beacon Avenue Sidney BC V8L 1X4
In my role, I focus on four key areas:
Build net worth – Identifying investment solutions that align to my clients’ evolving needs.
Implement tax-efficient strategies – Working with my clients to help create and structure their accounts to help reduce tax exposure while keeping income available for when it’s needed.
As a Financial Planner, I work closely with my clients to help them develop a financial plan that balances life today with their goals for the future. I take the time to understand, not just their current financial circumstances, but also the objectives and motivations integral to it. Whether you are planning for retirement or starting a new business, I am here to help guide you every step of the way. In addition to investment advice, I can also connect my clients with the right TD specialists to help them address a range of financial goals.
The same applies to facial hair. Hair products do not necessarily match what your beard and moustache need; facial hair is usually coarser and dryer than the hair on your head. This is why beard products and hair products are fundamentally different. Hair shampoo is usually more "soapy" than beard wash, which contains more beneficial oils.
Protect what matters – Leveraging the expertise of TD specialists, I help integrate strategies to protect what matters to my clients.
In my role, I focus on four key areas:
Leave a legacy – Helping my clients to build a plan to effectively transfer their wealth.
As a Financial Planner, I work closely with my clients to help them develop a financial plan that balances life today with their goals for the future. I take the time to understand, not just their current financial circumstances, but also the objectives and motivations integral to it. Whether you are planning for retirement or starting a new business, I am here to help guide you every step of the way. In addition to investment advice, I can also connect my clients with the right TD specialists to help them address a range of financial goals.
Building your financial future – together
• Build net worth – Identifying investment solutions that align to my clients’ evolving needs.
In my role, I focus on four key areas:
As a financial planner with over 8 years of financial services experience, I am passionately committed to providing my clients a fully integrated financial plan that balances living life today with setting goals for tomorrow. I hold the CIM® - Chartered Investment Manager designation offered by the CSI.
Build net worth – Identifying investment solutions that align to my clients’ evolving needs.
Should you be following a facial hair trend? Not necessarily! Your moustache and beard should correspond to your face shape and facial hair texture. Your beard specialist can guide you. A clean look is still the norm though. Beard shapes and styles are endless, although some wouldn't necessarily look good on you: wise choice and commitment are required. Some men are going for "beard trim only" in between haircuts, to keep that clean look … and maybe to be pampered with a face massage and hot towels, for instance.
• Implement tax-efficient strategies – Working with my clients to help create and structure their accounts to help reduce tax exposure while keeping income available for when it’s needed.
Connect with me today to learn more about how I can help you and your family reach your personal and financial goals.
Implement tax-efficient strategies – Working with my clients to help create and structure their accounts to help reduce tax exposure while keeping income available for when it’s needed.
• Protect what matters – Leveraging the expertise of TD specialists, I help integrate strategies to protect what matters to my clients.
Protect what matters – Leveraging the expertise of TD specialists, I help integrate strategies to protect what matters to my clients.
Leave a legacy – Helping my clients to build a plan to effectively transfer their wealth.
• Leave a legacy – Helping my clients to build a plan to effectively transfer their wealth.
Building your financial future – together
There are wonderful quality product lines out there that are specifically designed for men. Those products are conditioned to a man's hair and beard, with non-overpowering but still masculine scents that do not destroy your cologne.
As a financial planner with over 8 years of financial services experience, I am passionately committed to providing my clients a fully integrated financial plan that balances living life today with setting goals for tomorrow. I hold the CIM® - Chartered Investment Manager designation offered by the CSI. Connect with me today to learn more about how I can help you and your family reach your personal and financial goals.
As a financial planner with over 8 years of financial services experience, I am passionately committed to providing my clients a fully integrated financial plan that balances living life today with setting goals for tomorrow. I hold the CIM®Chartered Investment Manager designation offered by the CSI.
Connect with me today to learn more about how I can help you and your family reach your personal and financial goals.
In conclusion, don't hesitate to try something new, rather than keeping the same style you've had for decades! You could be surprised by the results and comments. Excellent haircuts and beard trims boost look, confidence and pride. Very often, men get the feeling that they do not have great hair, but the wrong haircut and beard shape are the real culprit. Spring is here, and summer is coming; what a wonderful time to change your style and be well advised when it comes to the right products for you. A clever man once said: to make a fine gentleman, several trades are required, but chiefly, a barber.
closet? Lots of suits. On your feet? Loafers. When you want to throw fashion out the window and be all about comfort? A linen shirt. When it comes to your go-to "uniform?"
On your skin? Jo
When you don't care how much it costs?
In the kitchen?
When you want to smell irresistible?
Gucci Mémoire d'une Odeur. In your shaving kit?
Tuff Luck beard oil. haircare? essential oil. bathroom cabinet? Secrets …
Nick the Nightfly. When you want a night out? The Bard and Banker, or The Courtney Room for dinner. On your Netflix queue?
Formula 1: Drive to Survive. On your luxury wish list? A Riva wooden boat. On your walls? LJC Art.
On your bedside table?
The Sommelier's Atlas
Photos by Janis Jean Photography. Shot on location at 10 Acres at The Pier.
SEASIDE talks with Adriano Cartuliares, Sommelier & Wine Director, 10 Acres, about what's
Come out to Sidney and join us for a date with 26X CCMA award-winning country star Gord Bamford on the 2023 Canadian Dirt Tour.
Come out to Sidney and join us for a date with 26X CCMA award-winning country star Gord Bamford on the 2023 Canadian Dirt Tour.
The way Gord Bamford lives his life transcends through his music. His songwriting ability allows him to craft songs of love, family, hanging out with the boys and then illustrate them vividly in his lyrics. He’s sincere, hard-working and it shows. Gord’s just as comfortable playing in front of 35,000 screaming fans opening for George Strait at the Calgary Stampede as he playing for an intimate theatre setting in rural Ontario.
For Gord, it’s all about remaining true to your roots—roots which are firmly entrenched in Lacombe, Alberta. Although he was born in Traralgon, Australia, Gord has lived in the rural Alberta town since his parents divorced when he was four, and his mother moved the family back to Canada. His love of music started at an early age and although he spent his teenage years playing sports and entertaining a professional career in baseball, but his love of country music never waned.
After several years’ hiatus, a reinvigorated Sutcliffes return, featuring Terry Marshall, Chuck Simms, Shaun Wilson, and Pedro Arbour on drums. The band still offers the energetic stage show they were renowned for.
From I Saw Her Standing There as the opening track of the first Beatles album, to Get Back as the closing track of the last album, the Beatles rocked. The songs they wrote, the songs they loved, and a two-guitar rock band powering it all. As Paul McCartney often claimed, they were a great little band. A new multi-media show featuring deep cuts and hits, The Sutcliffes remember above all, The Beatles ROCK.
On Saturday, June 17, from 11 am to 3 pm, join in the fun as Downtown Sidney celebrates Pride featuring live music, dancers, pride selfie station, pet costume walk, and face painting! @PrideSidney on Instagram
Photo Credit: Moden Boutique
story and photos by Scottee
Giles
steep slope past a wide variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Mossy rock walls, steps cut into the hillside and little hidden waterfalls give this local gem a timeless ambience.
A lively brook can be crossed by way of a traditional Scottish packhorse footbridge, unique in its dry-stone construction using no mortar, only gravity, friction and the shape of the granite and field stones.
Tree lovers will recognize their West Coast favourites such as fir, pine, arbutus, hemlock and dogwood. Swaths of bluebells and daisies gather at the base of oaks and big leaf maples. White flowers adorn walls of laurel in bloom, festive yellow chains hang from liburnum, and red berries stand out on holly and skimmia.
Papery white birch and the mottled bark of London planes give away their names, but you may want to bring a good tree ID book to help identify rare finds like yew, ginkgo, deodor, copper beech, and sumac.
Thanks to the initiatives of Katie and John Dawson, a citizens group formed the Friends of Dominion Brook Park non-profit society in 2000. They stepped in when invasive plants took over and there wasn't enough federal funding to restore the park.
At the bottom of a long grassy hill in the shade of a cedar grove, two picnic long-tables can seat more than 30 people. A historic tea house nearby offers shelter to additional picnic tables. Further down, the trees open up to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the islands surrounding the Saanich Peninsula.
Things to Note:
• Find free roadside parking at 8801 East Saanich Road
• Be prepared for hills and stairs, and dress for the weather
• To reserve space for an event email admin@northsaanich.ca
• There are no washrooms on site. Closest facilities are across the road at Panorama Recreation
• Dogs welcome; must be kept under control and picked up after
• To volunteer, donate, sponsor the park and to book tours visit www.dominionbrookpark.ca
I have very fond memories of travelling to a variety of sunny spots over the years and indulging in the most glorious seafood tacos. With prawn season upon us, we can bring that feeling home and enjoy our local bounty by encasing this very tasty shellfish in a tortilla, all while augmenting the flavours with a delectable variety of accoutrements. Fabulous.
If you know me, you will know that I absolutely love condiments and putting together my own little combinations of flavourful yumminess. A tortilla is just another excuse to create a lovely, savoury package of prawns, cabbage and other goodies. What's also wonderful is that we have local companies that make amazing tortillas; you can pick them up from Adriana's The Whole Enchilada or find some made by MAiiZ. Whatever type you prefer, corn or flour, having a great-tasting tortilla will start you off on the right foot.
The star of the show is, of course, the prawns. They don't need much to make them shine, but adding a zesty mixture of garlic, salt, pepper, cayenne and cumin highlights the goodness of these morsels. The secret to not overcooking them is to keep an eye on the crevice in the back of the prawn where the vein was removed. Stay focused on the thickest part of the prawn, the opposite end to the tail, and when the flesh at the base of the crevice shifts from translucent to opaque, it's cooked through. This won't take too long, but the cooking time does depend on the size of the prawns.
What's also fun about these tacos is that everyone can assemble a mixture that suits them. Not fond of onion? No worries; add more avocado or cabbage. Don't like cilantro? Sprinkle on a little more cheese. Squeezing on some lime juice also augments the flavours of the whole combination, as the freshness of the citrus makes the components meld together beautifully.
But, for the grand finale, don't forget to drizzle on the taco sauce as it makes the whole mixture sing. It's a simple condiment, but sometimes simple is best. If you're worried about adding the hot sauce, you can always leave it out and let people add sriracha if they're so inclined. A great option if you're assembling a prawn taco feast for Father's Day is to spread it all out on the table and let people discover their own special combinations. Some side dishes might include Spanish rice, Mexican corn salad or rice and beans. But whatever you choose, 'tis the season to savour the stars of the show: some fresh, local prawns.
Prawns
1 to 1 ½ pound uncooked prawns or shrimp, peeled
1 garlic clove, minced or grated
½ tsp sea salt
Taco fillings
8 tortillas (6 inches, small ones) corn or flour, your choice
1 ½ - 2 cups cabbage, shredded or thinly sliced (or slaw mix)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, diced
Taco sauce
⅓ cup sour cream
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 ½-2 tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed is best
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp cumin
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
½ red onion, diced small 1 cup grated Cotija cheese, or ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup cilantro, chopped coarse
1 lime, cut in wedges
¾ tsp garlic powder
½-¾ tsp sriracha sauce, or to personal taste/preference
Make taco sauce first. In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together. You can use this bowl for people to take the sauce from or transfer to another bowl or squeeze bottle as desired.
Get your serving platter ready: slice cabbage, dice avocado, finely dice red onion, coarsely chop cilantro. Place these on a serving platter along with lime wedges. Leave a space where you will put the cooked prawns, or the bowl of cooked prawns.
Pat prawns dry with paper towels; put them in a medium bowl. Add seasonings, garlic; stir gently to mix all together.
Place a large, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil then add the prawns in single layer. Sauté 1-2 minutes per side or until just cooked. You don't want them to go rubbery. They should be cooked through, not overdone. Transfer to serving platter or bowl as they're cooked.
Toast tortillas in another small frying pan on high heat until lightly charred in spots. This should take about 30 seconds per side.
Build tacos by arranging cabbage, prawns, toppings, sauce in each toasted tortilla.
Adapted from:
www.natashaskitchen.com/shrimp-tacos/
www.tasty.co/recipe/grilled-shrimp-tacos-with-creamy-cilantro-sauce
Whether you are new to the area, going through a life transition, or unhappy with your current situation, you will find that Deborah takes a unique approach when working with her clients.
Her 25 years of experience in the investment industry is her guide when working with investors. Deborah realizes that building a strong client relationship is rooted in trust and transparency is key to an investor’s success. The foundation for a strong relationship is ensuring compatibility and effective communication. Investors want to know that their financial advisor is committed to their success and willing to take the time to listen to what is important to help them determine their goals. It may surprise many to learn that investing is often not about achieving the ‘highest rate of return’, but rather having confidence that their financial advisor understands their goals and will prepare an investment plan that will help achieve those goals. What one investor considers important, another may not, therefore, goals, plans, and solutions are as unique as the individual, so too should be the portfolio!
Experience matters when it comes to guiding investors through turbulent markets. Although setting goals, determining the appropriate asset allocation, implementing a strategy, building a portfolio, and monitoring investments are essential to successful investing, the most important factor is the amount of time that the professional spends with the investor. The more investment knowledge and understanding of the markets that an investor has, the greater the chances are for success. When investors are prepared for volatility and understand the emotional roller coaster that can be experienced during market corrections, the less chance they have of making decisions based on emotion rather than discipline and logic.
A financial advisor who has experience guiding investors through these market corrections is an invaluable asset to achieving one’s financial goals.
Deborah Reid fma, fcsi® Financial Advisor
Don’t take chances with your financial success because experience truly does matter!by Tabatha Golat
Looking for a new series to binge-watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat? Look no further than The Diplomat, a new eight-part political thriller from Netflix. Starring Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, an American ambassador reluctantly assigned as a diplomat to the United Kingdom, this show is full of tense intrigue and fast-paced action that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Traditionally I am not drawn to political dramas; however, The Diplomat surprised me with its gripping storyline and episodic cliffhangers. Russell delivers a brilliant performance as a foreign service officer tasked with navigating the complex waters of diplomacy in a new country. Her mission becomes even more challenging when she is thrust into the middle of an international crisis between the U.S. and Iran and must work to prevent a war while uncovering the truth about an attack on a British aircraft carrier. With the help of CIA station chief Eidra Park (Ali Ahn) and deputy chief of mission Stuart Heyford (Ato Essandoh), Kate sends a hidden signal to Iranian intelligence, leading to the discovery that a Russian mercenary group was behind the attack. Kate is also on a shortlist as a potential replacement for the U.S. vice president, much to her chagrin.
The Diplomat is an absorbing show that offers more than just politics – the relationship between Kate and her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell) adds an extra layer of depth to the series. Hal, a political darling used to being in the spotlight, finds himself overshadowed by his wife's position as ambassador, causing tension and conflict in their marriage. Even if politics aren't your cup of tea, stay for the spectacle of their relationship which offers a fresh take on the "complex power couple" trope.
Fans of political dramas like House of Cards and The Newsroom will find familiarity in The Diplomat. It boasts a snappy, dialogue-heavy script and plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. Despite its complex subject matter, The Diplomat manages to avoid feeling bogged down or dry. Keri Russell and her co-stars deliver an excellent performance, tackling the political intrigue with a surprisingly fun approach.
If you're looking for something fresh and exciting, The Diplomat is the perfect choice. With a second season already confirmed, it's clear that this show is just getting started. While you wait for season two check out my recommendations for other politically-charged series to add to your watchlist.
1) Scandal, Apple TV+
2) The Morning Show, Apple TV+
3) House of Cards, Netflix
4) The Newsroom, HBO
5) The Americans, FX Canada
It's not typically a good thing. The phrase "kids these days," often muttered out of exasperation, and accompanied by an eye roll or head shake, highlights a belief the current generation is different than those before and different in a negative way.
Yet kids these days have access to new and different education. There is "new" math (don't ask me) but there is also curriculum content on local ecosystems, water conservation, climate change, sustainability of resources and more.
I recently facilitated a field trip for a group of grade five students from Oak Bay. The program focused on the biology and conservation of endangered Southern resident killer whales. At the end of the presentation, I asked the students to form small groups, and keeping endangered species and the health of the ocean in mind, answer two questions. Often questions are met with silence and shrugs save for one or two outspoken students, but this class, with no prompting of suggestions or ideas, collectively made short work of their answers.
What do I already do for the environment?
• When I see trash on the ground, I pick it up
• Eat everything on my plate
• Don't litter
• Try not to use glitter and plastic straws
• Use the compost
What can I do better?
• Buy stuff that creates less garbage
• Encourage others to stop or not litter
• Use more environment-safe products
• Eat less salmon
• Eat less sushi
• Use reusable products
• Walk more
• Eat Ocean Wise
• Install a heat pump
Witnessing the quality and breadth of these answers made me hopeful. The students had clearly come for a field trip after classroom learning about conservation and the Salish Sea. A fifthgrade student may not have the power to install a heat pump, but perhaps they can influence the shopping list, dinner menu or other habits their family can lean into.
A Peninsula middle school offers a grade eight level class focused on learning from the land and sea, and living sustainably. Outside of school and field trips, children may learn about environmental sustainability through camps, clubs, friends or books.
Be curious about what children are learning outside the home, harness that knowledge, support them in further learning and empower them to influence change. Talk to your kids, or grandkids, about the same two questions – give yourself a pat on the back for anything you already do for the environment and discuss what other positive change you can work towards.
Kids these days – they're learning about environmental issues and conservation initiatives; use them as a resource and demonstrate you are invested in a healthy planet for their future.
June, of course, is the beginning of lavender season, and one of my favourite quick getaways is just over the Strait to the Olympic Peninsula to learn about the best new wine and dine spots from my cousins, who (truth in disclosure here) run Lavender Connection (www.lavenderconnection.com), one of the two dozen or more lavender farms in Sequim, a few minutes of country driving from Port Angeles.
You're undoubtedly aware of the popular Sequim Lavender Festival, which in 2023 is slated for the weekend of July 21 to 22, and while you can certainly join in the fun then, Doug and Rebecca's inside recommendation is that you plan on any other weekend this summer. Lavender country during the festival is wall-to-wall, but the farms are opening for the season June 1, and June is the best time to go if you want to learn about essential oil distillation at your leisure.
If you go to the "other" Peninsula this summer, what are the newest hotspots? Well, I've got for you here the local, insider's scoop.
But the first thing to remember is that the Olympic National Park has some amazing hiking, and just like here on the Island, summer reservations fill up quickly. If you're planning to make a wilderness (or groomed trail) adventure part of your getaway, you want to get cracking. Reservations are already open and filling up (www.recreation.gov/permits/4098362).
The second thing to remember? Get a ferry reservation. The Coho Ferry runs from downtown Victoria to Port Angeles, but, just like you're not going to leave the ferry to Tsawwassen to chance on Canada Day weekend, you want a confirmed ticket in both directions. (On your return, get your vehicle in the ferry lineup and nip over to Pho New Saigon (www.phonewsaigonpa.com) for a great, inexpensive bowl of pho.)
Once you've got your coming-and-going logistics in place, it's time to think about some entertainment. The best new Port Angeles secret of 2023? Drum roll, please! You do not want to miss heading down to the "HarBar" – the Harbinger Winery's Wine Bar, which opened this winter. This place is tough to find on social media, so the address is: 401 East Front Street (also Highway 101). If you're not familiar with Port Angeles, that's up on the bluff, which means, if you're on foot, a climb. Once you make it to the bluff, you can enjoy Harbinger's Washington State wines (they source fruit from across the state), local beers and wines, and amazing ocean views back home toward Victoria. While you're in Port Angeles, the other local tradition is a visit to Camaraderie Cellars (www.camaraderiecellars.com). They are a small, family-owned and long-established craft production, also sourcing fruit from around the state, located a few miles outside Port Angeles. You want to call or email (360-417-3564; info@ camdraderiecellars.com) to make sure they can host you for a tasting and tour, but, after some spirited debate, we agreed this won our "best wine" award for the season.
As on the Saanich Peninsula, the Olympic Peninsula is more suited to growing and ripening white wines and ciders. If you're tasting Sequim (or Victoria) cabernet sauvignon, that fruit is coming from somewhere drier and warmer. What does flourish on the Olympic Peninsula is apples, and there is also a thriving craft hard-cider scene. If I had to pick just one place to visit, it would be Finnriver Farm and Cidery (www.finnriver.com).
They are located a bit further afield, on beautiful conservation farmland in Chimacum (about 45 minutes from Port Angeles), but this place has it all: great cider (my favourite is the "Farmstead," a community-sourced cider made from over 50 locally grown apple varieties), an orchard where you can laze away a summer afternoon, live music, rotating food trucks and lawn games. Be sure to check out their website: Wednesdays are BYO picnic days, and events fill up quickly. Tastings ($20 per person) during the busy summer season generally need a reservation.
There's just one downside to all this, of course. You can only bring back, duty free, a small quantity of wine or cider, so you'll have some hard decisions to make out there while you're tasting.
You are investing in your community by supporting its unique businesses. Appreciate what makes our neighbourhoods different. Our one-of-a-kind shops and services 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 them today, you are investing in a unique and sustainable future for the Saanich Peninsula community.
Looking for a reliable and professional cleaning service provider on the Saanich Peninsula?
Look no further than LML Cleaning Services! Our company was founded in 2018 with a commitment to providing high-quality cleaning services to residential and commercial clients. We have gained a reputation for our attention to detail and exceptional customer service.
At LML Cleaning Services, we understand that every client has unique needs, which is why we offer a wide range of cleaning services to meet your specific requirements. Our services include reoccurring residential cleaning, move-in/move-out, and commercial cleaning. Whether you need weekly, biweekly or monthly cleaning, we've got you covered.
Our team of cleaning professionals is fully trained, insured and equipped with the latest cleaning techniques and equipment to deliver exceptional results every time. At LML Cleaning Services, customer satisfaction is our top priority. We take pride in our work and use eco-friendly cleaning products and techniques that are safe for our clients and the environment.
So, why wait? Contact us today to experience the difference for yourself. Let us show you why we are the go-to cleaning service provider on the Saanich Peninsula. Let us show you how we shine!
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 250.812.4304 | 9715 First St, Sidney SeasideCabinetry.ca
yourself! info@lmlcleaning.ca | www.lmlcleaning.ca
Summer is almost here – but evenings are still cool. Wrap yourself (or a friend) in a soft alpaca throw, hand made in Peru.
102-2360 Beacon Ave, Sidney 250.656.0011 | muffetandlouisa.com
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.)
Five years ago, Sidney Mattress & More was established as a boutique style Mattress and Bed store. Our goal is to provide a good selection of excellent beds and mattresses for all your needs in a pleasant environment without pressure, sales gimmicks, ridiculous markups and nonsense. We want the experience to leave you comfortable and smiling. Our pricing is fair and includes free delivery in the area. We also remove and dispose of your old items. We feature Restwell's Back Supporter series. These are made in Surrey B.C., using top quality foams certified not to off-gas and springs that are made of very high quality tempered steel. These beds are built to provide incredible support and comfort, and are built to last with 20 years of warranty at affordable prices. Latex is a popular material in mattresses these days and we have a selection using latex as well as memory foam.
Many of us are moving to smaller spaces. Sidney Mattress & More handles Small Space Solutions including Trundle Beds, Chest Beds and Murphy Beds with novel concepts. If you'd like to dress up your space, we handle upholstered and wood bed frames and headboards. Need pillows sheets or mattress protectors? We have those too! Please come and see us
Every home has a story. And no one understands this better than Newport Realty.
We continue to give . . . to help our community to be the best place to live.
We've all received emails claiming we've won a prize, or the phone call with the automatic message advising us that there is an outstanding debt and a warrant for our arrest by the CRA. Some of us might even remember a hard copy letter in the mail with similar claims. As long as there is currency, there will be people who attempt to trick others into giving it to them. These tricks and frauds change with time; however, the end goal is always the same: to take as much money as possible. As a scheme becomes well known, it can become increasingly difficult for the scammers to use so they turn to new tricks, generally utilizing new forms of technology – the same way we saw fraud mail sent through the post office transition to email.
The high use of cell phones means they have become a popular form of fraud technique. As automated voice messages have become more widely used in legitimate businesses, we have seen an uptick in phone calls from scammers using the same technology.
Now some of the most popular frauds are coming through as text messages sent either to our cellphones or to our social media chats. Scammers are becoming increasingly bold with their scams, going as far as posing as a family member in trouble, needing cash to bail them out of jail or to fix their car. This one is often referred to as the "Grandparent Scam" as scammers try to target seniors, posing as a grandchild.
Most recently, scams have been discovered using AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology. A scammer will take a recording of a family member's voice, create an AI clone of that person and program it to have very real conversations, sounding identical to that family member.
While these scams are becoming increasingly clever and harder to distinguish between real or fake, the methods to protect yourself remain the same.
If you receive a phone call or text message from someone
claiming to be a family member in an emergency situation, hang up the phone or don't respond to the text. Instead, contact them directly using a phone number you already have. Do not use one provided by the person on the phone.
If the caller claims to be a police officer or other law enforcement officer, hang up and call your local police directly, using a phone number from a reputable source. Again: not one provided by the person calling. Be wary of Caller IDs when answering; it's easy for scammers to make their Caller ID look like it's coming from someone else.
Be suspicious of telephone calls from any business or person that requires you to immediately act and requests money. The caller may be angry or pushy and may ask for money in the form of e-transfer, gift card, bitcoin or another online currency. Hang up and call a verified phone number for the business to confirm the legitimacy of the call.
For more information on how to protect yourself and to stay informed of the latest scams and frauds, please visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website: www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca .
If you think you've been targeted, or have lost any money to a scammer, please contact your local police.
Stepping foot onto Heart Lake Farm in Saanichton, it's easy to feel an immediate sense of calm, peacefulness and a distinct connection to the earth and nature. The 40-acre property was purchased in 2018 by Jessica and Scott Lake, with the intention to transform the somewhat swampy area into a centre where they could offer nature-based counselling in an agricultural setting, of which horses would be at the heart. Jessica had been inspired after seeing a therapeutic program for veterans working with horses and, although she didn't have a background in mental health or therapy herself at that time, she says that "we were at a stage in life where we could give back." Together she and Scott decided to "create the space and find the experts in the field," to run these sorts of therapeutic programs, which range from Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to one-on-one counselling sessions with a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist.
Although Jessica has been around horses and involved in riding most of her life, she'd never owned a horse before the purchase of this property; she and her husband are now the proud owners of seven horses and ponies, all of which – along with three other
boarded horses – are used in the various therapeutic programs offered on the farm. The horses include a wide variety of breeds, sizes and personalities, from Newfoundland ponies and quarter horses to a larger draft-horse cross and a miniature horse – the feistiest of the herd according to Jessica. The horses are divided into two herds, based on their personality dynamics and various feeding needs, but the horses are often allowed to intermingle as a larger group during the day.
Jessica is passionate about "not doing harm in the pursuit of doing good," and this philosophy has guided her in how the property would be transformed, from using native plants and electrifying as many of the farm vehicles as possible to using an electric tractor, a hybrid skidsteer, electric ride-on lawnmower and electric side-by-side. Beautiful wooden shelters and paddocks for the horses are lined by more than 200 trees that have been planted on the property so far. Towards the back of the property is a large, covered arena with open sides, picnic tables, grassy turnout fields for the horses and larger seating areas where workshop attendees can sit in a semi-circle while surrounded by horses on the outside. Another large field is hayed each year and tall shrubs create a privacy screen from the neighbouring property.
All the programs offered with the horses here take place on the ground – building relationships with the horses from the ground teaches so many incredible skills and learning to read the horse's body language. "That is where the learning happens – where you have to slow down and not make assumptions," says Jessica. Occasionally the horses will go riding with the owners or staff, but as Jessica says: "riding is totally unnecessary to meet [the horse's] needs." The therapy programs can take an emotional toll on the horses as well, and she's ensured their needs are well looked after, surrounding them with excellent caretakers, as well as Equine Behaviour Specialist Brooklyn Greig, who will often be a part of sessions that include the horses being turned out loose around the workshop attendees. Safety is a high priority, and there's a lot of training and time spent with the horses behind the scenes to ensure a positive experience for both attendees and the horses. "The offerings at Heart Lake Farm create an opportunity for people to reconnect with themselves, nature, and with horses, who are brilliant at teaching how to slow down and be present with what is," says Brooklyn.
"Almost all programs are organized in conjunction with another society," adds Jessica. "They know their clients and membership … and are the experts in their fields." Some of the partner organizations include Bridges for Women, the Victoria Brain Injury Society and Camosun College, to name a few. While the programs are often fully booked up, Jessica encourages schools, social service agencies and charitable organizations to still reach out. She hopes to continue to raise awareness in this field and is busy setting up a charitable foundation to help fund other similar programs. "I'd love to see this type of work elevated across the world," she says. For more information visit www.heartlakefarm.ca.
Attention all hockey enthusiasts and community members!
Seaside Magazine’s “Taking It To The Street” is back and better than ever! Join us for a day filled with excitement and fun as we raise funds for Help Fill A Dream kids and their families
Ice cream & treats, Silent Disco, VRX racing simulators, games, and a hands-on creative booth from McTavish Academy of Art!
This one-day fundraising event features a “by donation” BBQ, a fast paced tournament, and the TD Family Fun Zone for everyone to enjoy!
Bring your whole family and come join us for a day of hockey, fun, and making a di erence in the lives of those in need. We’re back, and we can’t wait to see you there!
Iroquois Park, Sidney BC
Saturday, June 17, 2023 9am-4pm
Register your team now!
(Teams can consist of up to 5 people and must include a goalie. Teams must have a min. of 3 people. Teams are responsible for supplying their own equipment.)
Scan the QR Code to register or visit us online at helpfilladream.com
Proud sponsors
by Angela Leavey, R.Ac.
As we welcome spring, nature awakens from the winter slumber, creating new beginnings and changes in energy. We enjoy increased daylight for more activities, indulge in the vibrant colours and smells and our energy becomes more expansive.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), one of the foundational teachings focuses on the principle of the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. The elements are believed to influence each other, as the balance of these elements is essential for overall health.
Spring season represents the element of Wood. The Wood element aligns with growth, expansion and creative expression and directly correlates with the liver and gallbladder meridian channels of the body. Balanced energy of the Wood element supports the smooth movement of energy in the body that creates the body's natural rhythm. The element of wood balances the energy for the eyes, tendons and ligaments, and regulates the emotions of anger and impatience.
The Wood element in TCM is also closely linked to the health of the liver and gallbladder energy which plays a role in preventing and treating allergy symptoms during the spring season. To support the Wood element and promote healthy liver and gallbladder energy during allergy season, Acupuncture, TCM dietary changes and lifestyle modifications can be supportive to improve the flow of energy throughout the body, reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.
Traditional Acupuncture may alleviate allergies by balancing the body's energy (known as Qi) to assist in supporting a healthy immune system.
Acupuncture and Acupressure used on specific points of the body seeks to promote the body's natural healing processes, by stimulating Qi along energy channels. Acupuncture uses small, thin needles to stimulate and restore the body's Qi balance. In the case of allergies, Acupuncture points may be selected based on an individual's specific symptoms. These treatments can be helpful in promoting better health in the following ways:
Supporting Immunity. Acupuncture is believed to help support the immune system, which can help to prevent or reduce allergic reactions.
Symptom Relief. Acupuncture may alleviate some seasonal allergy symptoms such as congestion, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes by ensuring there is a proper balance with the smooth flow of energy, as well as ensuring a proper influence with lung energy, connected to the element of metal. Relaxation. Stress can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Acupuncture may help by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels, which can further improve overall health and reduce allergy symptoms. Specific points are used to promote stress relief.
Traditional Acupuncture may be a helpful complementary therapy for people with allergies. It is important to consult with a Registered Acupuncturist to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs and continue any prescribed medical treatments for allergies, as needed.
To learn more about the benefits of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine therapies for allergies and various symptoms, visit www.angelaleavey.com.
There’s a reason Holmes Realty leads the pack. With the Victoria Real Estate market more challenging our knowledge, confidence and commitment to exceptional service be your guide. Your move
Paul Macris - Clayton Jeffs - Chauncey Smith - Rob Rolston - Kent Roden
challenging than ever, let is our passion.
To
WITH Peter Dolezal
The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), forever exempt from taxes, is, at any age, the gold standard of all investment accounts. However, it also serves as an invaluable financial safety net for retirees.
In addition to CPP and OAS benefits, retired seniors usually supplement their incomes by drawing on their RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund) or LIF (Life Income Fund). Many without workplace pensions are concerned about their future financial security should their retirement funds be exhausted prematurely. With the right strategy, they need not be overly concerned.
Ideally, by the time an individual or couple has retired they have some funds invested in their individual TFSAs. By January 2022, anyone who was 18 or older in 2009 when TFSAs were introduced is eligible to have contributed a maximum $88,000 to his/her TFSA.
When draws from a RRIF or LIF commence, they should be set at a level that not only meets lifestyle requirements, but also includes sufficient funds which can be added to a TFSA – keeping in mind that if the TFSA had been fully topped up before retirement, no more than $6,500 can be added each subsequent calendar year.
The advantages to moving extra funds from Registered accounts to a TFSA are significant. While RRIF or LIF balances continue to grow and compound tax-free until drawn, they are taxed at the recipient’s full marginal tax rate when draws are made. Once the after-tax proceeds are moved to a TFSA, taxes are never levied on income received or capital gain achieved. Even in an eventual Estate, the TFSA can be distributed tax-free and without Probate.
Furthermore, by more rapidly depleting the taxable RRIF and/or LIF, the impact of future Estate Taxes becomes less significant. In an Estate, the full residual balance of a RRIF or LIF is added to the final year’s income of the deceased (or last-survivor spouse) and taxed at his or her final year’s marginal tax rate. Should the residual balance of the registered account be significant, the tax assessed could exceed 50% of the RRIF/LIF value.
In almost all circumstances, draws on a RRIF or LIF while a person is living will be taxed far more favourably than in an eventual Estate.
If, with this strategy, a retiree’s RRIF and/or LIF is exhausted while draws are still required, the retiree can turn to the TFSA. Because draws are tax-exempt, less needs to be drawn, and the account balance will last longer.
As an example, assume a retiree, having converted to a RRIF or LIF, also has a modest $50,000 in a TFSA. He/she begins to draw from the RRIF or LIF, including an extra $6,500 annually to add to the TFSA. If carefully invested at a 6% average annual total return, the TFSA, by the holder’s age 80, will have reached a projected $280,000. Even if all other registered accounts have been exhausted by then, the TFSA will be a substantial financial reserve to support the retiree’s lifestyle for many years. For a couple, the TFSA balance could be doubled.
A TFSA not only provides a tax-free financial safety net for all ages, it can also play a key role in the reduction of eventual Estate taxes. If, upon one’s retirement, no TFSA exists, it may be extremely beneficial for the retiree to set one up – gradually moving excess taxable RRIF/ LIF funds to a perpetually tax-free account.
Just when I figured out how to program my PVR, a wave of new smart gadgets with Artificial Intelligence (AI) invites me to use them. By the way, "AI" when spoken sounds like "Eh" which leads me to believe it's a Canadian invention.
All this technology improves our lives, right? For example, automatic doors allow me to make a breezy exit while carrying an armload of stuff. However, I have walked chalantly (vs nonchalantly) into a glass door while leaving a store, thinking that it would automatically open. It didn't. You see, some doors are automatic while others are not – this causes much confusion in my world.
Sometimes technology can serve two purposes. Automatic paper towel dispensers are good for hand hygiene and great for entertainment. It's fun to do all sorts of hand contortions in front of a mysteriously-located sensor before an undersized paper towel finally spits out with a "bzzt" – as if it's blowing a raspberry at you. They must have AI with a funny bone.
Automatic self-checkout is great too. It speeds up my departure and avoids situations where everybody in line knows what I'm buying. You know, where the cashier yells: "Price check on the jumbo tube of foot fungus cream for this gentleman."
Believe it or not, we now have smart appliances that connect to the "cloud" and communicate with us through our smartphones. This means the fridge will text me information like the expiry dates of the contents, thus minimizing food waste. Maybe in the future it will have a personality like Jerry Seinfeld and send messages like: "That's
your third piece of pie today. Come on … really." Or: "The cheese has been in here since the Jurassic Period … (three teary-eyed emojis)."
Speaking of clouds in the computing ether, there is a different kind of cloud that we can actually see floating in the air. Real clouds are made up of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that are too small to fall to the earth. They come in infinite shapes and sizes and are a visual representation of the conditions in the atmosphere. For example, strong upward motions in the atmosphere create clouds with a large vertical extent and a puffy appearance. Wispy clouds at high altitudes that look like a long paintbrush smear result from very strong winds that stretch them laterally. Clouds move, transform and are so visually impressive that they have inspired poets, artists and musicians. While aesthetically pleasing, clouds are vital to sustaining life as they play a critical role in the earth's climate and water cycle.
As the door to June opens, what kind of weather will greet us? The smart models prefer a warmer-than-normal month with near-normal precipitation, so let's go with that.
Hey, it's June. Don't miss it. Although we benefit so much from technology, this month put your phone down and step away from it all. When our devices begin to push our buttons, drop the e-baggage and take a slow walk outside in the natural world. Sink into the sights, sounds and smells of the real, living environment. The land, sea and sky are a harmonious, interconnected natural system, filled with awe-inspiring wonder that transcends all understanding. Before you know it, you'll feel human again. ~ Weatherwit
Back to school has never been more convenient, varied and fun! For the price of a cheap date you can invest in yourself, be entertained, educated and maybe even enjoy a tax deduction!
I was recently fortunate to attend two UVic Continuing Education courses at the Mary Winspear Centre, and I left both of them feeling better than when I entered.
UVic on the Peninsula has been a staple in our community for decades and the courses are as varied as the selections at Murchies. My selections for this month included "lectures" by columnist Jack Knox – Writing Gooder Humour, and UVic professor Dr. Olav Krigolson's The Neuroscience of Human Decision Making, aka Why We Do the Dumb Things We Do! You would be hard pressed to look at the offerings and not find something that made your eyebrows lift and your whole body lean forward with interest.
Additionally, the Peninsula Friends Advisory Committee (PFAC) is ever so open to suggestions and requests for both topics and speakers. In fact, a fellow student requested Jack and then – poof ! – he appeared as if by rapid transit.
Campbell, a fellow student, told me he's been coming to classes on the Peninsula for some 25 years. As a business owner in Sidney, he regularly marks time off on his calendar to ensure he can attend. Warren, a Probus Club member, finds it a great place to scout for speakers for his club and Linda and her husband John, members of the PFAC (an integral part of bringing the education to us) have attended over 800 lectures each … yes 800!
Since they say the best way to learn is to teach, I thought I'd share a few of my ConEd learnings with you.
From Jack Knox's Writing Gooder Humour -
1) Use similes – here's my try at it … Sidney is like a sloth, slow and quiet but super cute!
2) Write the opening line to your own obituary – my try at it … Steph was such an optimist she probably doesn't believe she's really dead.
3) Write when you are inspired and when you aren't. Just write.
From Dr. Olav Krigolson's The Neuroscience of Human Decision Making: You will make better decisions when you …
1) Have had enough sleep
2) Have consumed a healthy diet
3) Have had some exercise
4) You evaluate the value and assess probability
5) Are wary of gut hunches
6) Take 30 seconds to contemplate.
Perhaps my favourite tip was about exploitation vs exploration. Exploitation is when you always make the choice with the highest expected outcome; for example, I love this trail on this hike. Exploration is when you deliberately choose the option with a lesser value or unknown outcome; for example, let's try a completely new hike!
Now if only I can use my newfound wisdom to convince my hubby to come take some courses with me!
The ConEd sessions will run with a minimum of 13 people and sometimes pull in 50 plus; if we want to continue having ConEd on the Saanich Peninsula, we have to support it. The sessions are very reasonably priced.
If you are like me, you see things pass your desk dozens of time and think, "Ya, I should do that" and then one day you find out it's cancelled and you think "Ohhh, I was going to try that." I say: make a decision and try it now!
They typically have an Open House in January and the courses themselves run in two sessions: January through June and September through December. So plan ahead!
Registration is super easy: just visit www.continuingstudies.uvic.ca/peninsula or you can even register by phone at 250-472-4747 if the computer doesn't jazz you up. If you would like to request a speaker or topic, email uvcsreg@uvic.ca.
I predict you will be as glad as … (insert some funny simile here) … you did!
(I guess I need to repeat Jack's class!)
Chatterton Way Dental may be our new name and location, but our office has been serving Victoria for over 40 years. Our brand new space offers ease of access from all over Greater Victoria. Dr. Matthew Foulkes and his team are committed to providing all our current and new patients a relaxed environment with calm and quality care. Come visit our office and staff!
Our services include but aren't limited to:
Anyone blink? Spring has sprung, and we are soon headed towards another summer on the Saanich Peninsula. The Peninsula Country Market is set to open again for another wonderful season, June 3rd. This beloved market has been a staple in the community for over 20 years and continues to grow and evolve each year. Living in a rural community has its benefits, and one of them is the abundance of farm stands that are scattered throughout the area. These stands offer fresh, locally sourced foods that support the local economy. However, busy families are often running in multiple directions and don't have the time to visit several stands to fill their fridge and pantry. The Peninsula Country Market offers a solution to this problem by providing a one -stop-shop for all your local produce needs. You can find everything from fresh berries and vegetables to artisanal brea d and homemade jams. You can also find unique crafts, and handmade items from local artisans. Every week we feature more than 50 local vendors showcasing their creations.
Anyone blink? Spring has sprung, and we are soon headed towards another summer on the Saanich Peninsula. The Peninsula Country Market is set to open again for another wonderful season, June 3rd. This beloved market has been a staple in the community for over 20 years and continues to grow and evolve each year. Living in a rural community has its benefits, and one of them is the abundance of farm stands that are scattered throughout the area. These stands offer fresh, locally sourced foods that support the local economy. However, busy families are often running in multiple directions and don't have the time to visit several stands to fill their fridge and pantry. The Peninsula Country Market offers a solution to this problem by providing a one -stop-shop for all your local produce needs. You can find everything from fresh berries and vegetables to artisanal brea d and homemade jams. You can also find unique crafts, and handmade items from local artisans. Every week we feature more than 50 local vendors showcasing their creations.
Our theme this year is all about Family and Kids with the Peninsula Co-op Kids Zone making its inaugural appearance. Each week a hand selected interactive and educational guided activity for kids will be offered. The activities will allow parents to participate with kids focusing on learning something about gardening, agriculture, or sustainability.
Our theme this year is all about Family and Kids with the Peninsula Co-op Kids Zone making its inaugural appearance. Each week a hand selected interactive and educational guided activity for kids will be offered. The activities will allow parents to participate with kids focusing on learning something about gardening, agriculture, or sustainability.
In addition to the new kid zone, the market will also feature weekly live music performances and adult games like corn hole! These events are a great way to bring the community together and showcase local talent.
In addition to the new kid zone, the market will also feature weekly live music performances and adult games like corn hole! These events are a great way to bring the community together and showcase local talent.
Overall, the Peninsula Country Market is a must-visit destination for the entire family. Whether you're looking for fresh local produce, unique handmade crafts, or just a fun day out with the family, this market has something for everyone. Mark your calendars for June 3rd and come s ee how the country feels at our wide-open fresh air market with lots of parking and accessibility, you can even bring your 4-legged friends!
Overall, the Peninsula Country Market is a must-visit destination for the entire family. Whether you're looking for fresh local produce, unique handmade crafts, or just a fun day out with the family, this market has something for everyone. Mark your calendars for June 3rd and come s ee how the country feels at our wide-open fresh air market with lots of parking and accessibility, you can even bring your 4-legged friends!
We journeyed off to Tasmania this month for a mystery set in a small coastal community. Jane Harper has had international success with her series of outback thrillers that started with 2016's The Dry , we read her 2021 standalone novel The Survivors . Her protagonist is Kieran Elliot. He's back in his hometown to deal with some family issues (his father's dementia and supporting his mother to move house), bringing his wife and infant daughter with him. The return home isn't just about dealing with present day problems though – it's been 13 years since a storm caused a tragic accident that cost Kieran's brother and another young man their lives, and Kieran is still living with that trauma.
The ocean and the beach are integral to the novel, both in the plot but also to create the feeling of isolation and living on the edge of the world. A small community is a good setting for a mystery as the characters all know each other, and each other's histories. This book has all the usual elements of town secrets, hidden lives, outsiders and red herrings thrown in here and there to keep the reader away from uncovering "whodunnit."
We haven't read many thrillers or mysteries as a club, but some of our members do read them regularly. The verdict on The Survivors was a bit lukewarm. It was hard to connect with the characters who never seemed fully formed, and whose motivations seemed superficial. Where Harper succeeded was with creating a sense of a place weighted down with grief. The "Survivors" of the title is a sculpture on the coast that commemorates a past shipwreck, but the whole community feels like it's just barely surviving, due to the consequences of the storm, and then the present-day death that brings it all back to them.
One reader commented that they had enjoyed that it was a regular person piecing together the clues and uncovering the mystery instead of a policeman or private detective. Another observed that this would make a good TV series. Many commented that they had read Harper's other books and enjoyed them more than this one.
Our next meeting takes place on Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sidney/North Saanich Library. We'll be discussing The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Please join us! Stay up to date with all things Book Club by signing up for our newsletter: www.seasidemagazine.ca/book-club
Check
The Covenant of Water Abraham Verghese Fiction | HC $39.95
at Beacon & Fourth in Sidney | open 7 days a week 250 656 2345 | tannersbooks.com
At Garden City Tree & Landscape LTD, making you happy with the outside of your home is our top priority. No matter what your outdoor goals may be, our team is here to help bring them to life and make your dream landscape a reality.
We have our own topsoil and mulch production facility and own all of the necessary equipment for your projects, allowing us to provide you with a seamless and efficient landscaping experience. Our comprehensive in-house expertise also saves you the hassle of working with multiple landscape contractors. Whatever your project requires, you can depend on our team for quality work that will provide you with a vibrant and healthy outdoors for years to come.
Contact our landscape team today to begin the transformation of your property.
Excellent quality. Excellent value. Professional, respectful and courteous. Personable. Prompt and timely. Outstanding work ethic.
~ P. Keenan
As we approach Father's Day, it's the perfect time to turn our thoughts and attention to the important men in our lives.
Most of our senior men today still harken back to a more conservative era. Many were groomed from an early age to assume the conventional roles of "breadwinner" and head of the household. These old-fashioned male "values" can become so firmly entrenched that even as the world around them changes, including perspectives on male roles and gender bias, these men, now seniors, may continue to be locked into their machismo roots. This deeply ingrained perspective can affect everything from men's reluctance to go to the doctor to an inability to show deep emotion and express their feelings.
Of course, as men age, they are prone to the same health issues as their female counterparts such as heart disease, diabetes, mobility challenges and cognitive decline, as well as their own unique gender-based conditions such as issues caused by the prostate and erectile dysfunction.
We're well aware that regular visits to the doctor are necessary for not only the maintenance of good health, but to prevent disease. Unfortunately though, senior men are less inclined to visit health care professionals than senior women, even when they exhibit symptoms of illness. They may see verbalizing their aches and pains as a sign of weakness, so it's important to check in regularly with male seniors. Ask them questions, take notice of any changes in their health and ensure they make regular appointments with their GP including applicable labs, bloodwork etc. Of course, there is a certain level of awkwardness for either gender where personal health issues are concerned, but for men, it can be far more pronounced. Taught to be "tough" and not to complain, men are more apt to shoulder even serious afflictions with resolute acceptance.
And, as men age, as with either gender, there will come a time when they will need to ask for assistance, whether that be with physical tasks such as yard work or anything that requires great strength/ heavy lifting or with personal tasks of self-care such as bathing/ showering, shaving, denture care, and possibly other activities of daily living. I know with my own elderly father, having to ask his wife or daughter for assistance with personal care was absolutely mortifying to him, even borderline emasculating. Learning how to navigate through the layers of our senior men today, understanding their roots and respecting their unique perspectives will go a long way towards ensuring their health and happiness, while preserving their dignity. Try to be proactive with the senior men in your life. Offer your assistance before they have to ask you for it. Don't make it into a big deal; chances are they are probably already ruminating about needing help, and lightening the mood will help. Just dive in, gently, and start helping;
start gradually and then increase your assistance slowly but surely. Be positive ALWAYS. Try to help the male seniors you love focus on the things they can still do and the activities they still enjoy. Reinforce that you get benefits as well by helping the senior, and that you really enjoy helping him. When I take my Dad for a walk down the hallway of his condo building to maintain his mobility and strengthen his legs, he tells me how much he appreciates my time and that he's sorry he is such a burden. I respond by saying "It's OK Dad; I need the walk as well, so it's just as good for me as it is for you." Positivity, happiness and laughter are good for the soul and the body as scientific evidence attests to.
One day as I was cleaning my Dad's dentures for him, he asked me "What is that tune you're humming?" "Tune?" I asked him, not even realizing I was humming while I worked. "It sounds so nice," he said. I could see that he had noticeably perked up. I couldn't remember the last time I saw him smile like that. To me, that was thanks enough.
Ever heard of flax? Like most people, you might have a vague idea that it's a plant with seeds that are good for digestion. Beyond that, the details get fuzzy. Flax is in fact the oldest textile fibre on the planet.
Well known to the Saanich Peninsula farming community and board member of the Growing Young Farmers Society, Carol Hyland recently started growing flax, a plant not only rooted in her field but also in her family roots.
"Flax and linen are part of my family folklore. It's in my DNA," shares Carol. "My dad grew up at Brontë's Glen in Northern Ireland, the birthplace of Patrick Brontë, father of the famous literary sisters. There used to be endless fields of flax growing there."
Carol and husband Trevor have been growing produce and raising livestock at their farm, Alderley Grange, since 2010. A few years ago, Carol wanted to grow a new type of produce and turned her thoughts toward flax. She knew of its current popularity in terms of health benefits, but she also knew from her family history its applications in the world of textiles. "My ancestors would make linen from the flax," she shares. "They would roll out reams of fabric in the fields and let the sun bleach it white."
Spurred on by these memories and a keen desire to try and grow flax herself, Carol began her journey. She wanted a flat area to grow the flax, and an opportunity arose when Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture began a new program which matched her needs. "In 2020, Sandown offered me an incubator plot," she says. "It was half an acre in size."
She planted a variety of flax in test plots to learn how to grow and harvest the new plant. In 2021, she planted flax as a successful winter cover crop and pulled it in spring of 2021. Then a relationship with a Saanichton grain farmer brought a new opportunity.
"I learned that Field Five Farms also used flax as a cover crop, so they offered an acre area to plant my fibre flax seed," comments Carol. "I had the seed, and they had the field and equipment. It was a great arrangement."
She procured the flax seed from an American source which has proven successful. "I purchased my original seed from Fibrevolution in Oregon. It's a genetic blend of seeds from Pacific Northwest flax called Linore. Originating from the Netherlands, Oregon State University saved and revived this variety," she remarks, adding: "This flax is hardy."
Carol is now learning how to process this remarkable plant. While flax can be used whole or ground or pressed for oil, the flax fibres can also be transformed into an array of products from textiles to twine to translucent paper.
The flax fibres, however, need to be freed from the outer core of the plant. This process is called "retting." The flax is put into rainwater, and through the work of micro-organisms resulting from decay, the fibre separates from the main stem. Carol recalls her father talking about the retting ponds near his farm in Ireland where flax bundles were submerged under flat rocks, and the family tales of children accidentally falling into the rank water.
Now as well as growing the flax, she is learning to do the retting to utilize the fibres for making textile products. "I have always knit and made my own clothes. Now, I am learning how to spin flax," she shares.
Carol's desire to learn more has led to meeting other members of the local fibre community who work with flax and other fibers such as nettle or wool. This collaboration has introduced her to new environmental perspectives on clothing and fibre processing.
"There is a movement right now, establishing Fibresheds, which started in California," she says. "It's about getting away from microplastics in clothing and using only natural fibres. It's about producing items that are long-lasting and repairable and not just tossed away."
Keen to share her passion with others, Carol has made new connections as a member of the Vancouver Island Fibreshed and the North American Linen Association (NALA), organizations which promote sustainability and resilience in fibre flax agriculture and the textile industry. "I'm trying to help people grow flax by providing seed," she says. "Growing and processing flax is yet another way to become sustainable."
Beginning with a few flax seeds, Carol is now harvesting not only flax in the field, but enjoying valuable collaborations with the community. Farming has given her a new path forward while at the same time connecting her with her heritage. So, the next time you hear of flax, Carol's hope is that your perception of this versatile plant will be a little less fuzzy.
Exercise
Feline
All
250-652-2301 2918 Lamont Road, Saanichton puppylove.ca
In an early cartoon of Hi and Lois, the baby Trixie notices a sun beam shining through the window and exclaims: "It just makes me feel so warm and happy, I want to tell the whole world about it." That sense of delight is what I see on my husband Greg Watson's face every time I catch him sitting in the sun. It's also what gets him up in the morning, despite being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease three years ago.
"I visualize myself participating in activities where I experience that same delight," he shares. "I'm a designer and I am redesigning my life. It's about taking a series of little steps that move me toward creating a life I love."
When I ask him about that life, he is very clear: "A loving relationship, supportive friends, a home you and I share, sporty transportation, meaningful work, time freedom and above all else, allowing myself to feel happy. These are the things I am focusing on, regardless of what's going on with my body or the world."
This is not a new strategy for Greg, who took his first personal development course in the early 80s after graduating from university with a degree in Physiological Psychology.
An emergency preparedness geek, when news began circulating about a virus sweeping through Wuhan, China, in the fall of 2019, Greg started to panic. Not long after, his right arm began to tremor, he started losing his fine motor skills and his walking became awkward.
"My body started to change, to seize up" he says, remembering how distraught he felt at both the world situation and his body's overblown stress response. Six months later, just shy of his 62nd birthday, a neurologist diagnosed Greg with Parkinson's.
"You just have to live with it," Greg heard his neurologist say. "Oh and take this medication." The side effects of which are horrific, Greg discovered. That's when he started to research alternatives. The doctor also told him to exercise, but he didn't offer much hope. Diagnose, Adios, Greg calls it. Initially he kind of gave up.
But Greg is a fighter. He loves to tell the story of how the kids called him "Mad Dog Watson" for the way he played floor hockey and rugby in high school. Whether it was an innate trait or an adaptive strategy to cope with a physically and verbally punitive father and alcoholic mother (his adopted parents), it instilled in him a determination and focus that enabled him to overcome difficult situations in his life. But, as Greg readily admits: "this is the most challenging thing I have ever faced."
Instead of going on medication, which he sees as only masking the symptoms, Greg is choosing to question the cultural beliefs about the illness and explore alternative treatments, from shifting his diet, developing a physical fitness routine and working through his childhood trauma with a counsellor.
"Why should I believe what the doctors say? There are enough
examples of outliers who have healed themselves from all kinds of supposedly incurable illnesses."
When I ask Greg what he has discovered as a result of this choice, he tenderly shares: "I'm rewiring my brain and reparenting myself; There's an incremental progression toward wholeness. I'm much more able to express my feelings. The protective box I used to have around my heart is gone."
Trusting his intuition, deepening his conversations with friends and living with a sense of authenticity, curiosity and openness to life are other benefits he names. His compromised physical abilities have also required him to ask for help, which has meant a huge identity shift for someone whose core value was self reliance.
"Taking those little steps toward creating a life I love; it just makes me feel so warm and happy."
Like the sun, whose healing energy recharges him so he can get up and keep moving forward, Parkinson's has invited Greg to slow down and recommit to each little step.
Being an outlier can be lonely at times. If you or someone you know is seeking a place to talk about alternatives to the pharmaceutical model for Parkinson's symptom management Greg would be happy to chat. Email gwsaltspring.bc@gmail.com.
Between Victoria and the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal sits a stunning stylized Coast Salish Longhouse. The newly renovated building is the office of NIȽ TU,O Child and Family Services Society.
As a Coast Salish run organization with a mission to keep children in Coast Salish communities and with their families, NIȽ TU,O serves the children and families of seven Coast Salish communities (Beecher Bay, Pauquachin, Songhees, Tsawout, Tsartlip, Tseycum, T'Sou-ke) in southern Vancouver Island. Until very recently, NIȽ TU,O operated out of a leaky, poorly insulated, mouldy and bug-infested building – the result of chronic underfunding.
From this new culturally relevant building, NIȽ TU,O provides a wide range of support and programs for Coast Salish children and their families. Focusing on family strengthening, NIȽ TU,O provides culturally appropriate learning experiences, training and support for families, children and youths of member Coast Salish communities.
The renovation of the NIȽ TU,O building began at sunrise with a blessing of the land, led by Pauquachin-born Maryann Thomas, wife of the late Esquimalt Chief Andy Thomas, and their son. Outlook staff and NIȽ TU,O staff gathered for breakfast while Maryann provided instructions on proper conduct on the site during construction.
Architect Karen Hillel and Jason Pierik of Outlook Project Management worked together to realize the vision of the executive team; to provide a culturally resonant and welcoming place for the children and families they serve.
Outlook PM is a family-owned construction company based in Victoria that has been serving Southern Vancouver Island for over two decades.
Founded in 2002, Outlook Project Management specializes in residential and commercial construction projects, including new builds, renovations, and project management services.
"Jason and the Outlook team have been incredible. Recognizing the poverty present in our communities, they supplied food hampers over the holidays both during the construction and the year after. Their generosity is just an example of how they work to listen to the things that aren't expressly said and go over and above to deliver," shares Risako Ota, Administrative Manager at NIȽ TU,O
Jason of Outlook Project Management shares: "It's a huge honour to be a part of the project. I am grateful for the trust and excited about the outcome."
Karen Hillel, of Hillel Architecture, echoes the sentiment. "I was very grateful for the opportunity to be involved with such a meaningful project and to play a small role in NIȽ TU,O's story. My role was to listen to and to help reinvent how existing nondescript buildings could meaningfully represent, elevate and celebrate community and the vital role NIȽ TU,O plays within."
You can watch the renovation of the NIȽ TU,O Child & Family Services' offices, a finalist in the 2021 C.A.R.E. Awards, in a compelling time-lapse video on the Outlook PM website (www.outlookpm.ca).
Becoming parents is the greatest gift and life transition. I am here to support you and your partner so you feel Relaxed, Safe, and Empowered.
•
•
• Counselling and much more ...
Studies have shown that having a Birth Doula as a member of your birthing team decreases the overall caesarean rate by 50%, the length of labour by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%.
Eve is a native of Victoria and owner of Eve's Doula Services. She has decades of experience supporting women through the birth process and offering postpartum support. She also brings 30 years of Massage Therapy and 15 years of Counselling to her practice. She holds Infant First Aid and CPR, and has over 100 volunteer hours with BC Ambulance service. Below, she explains how she supports her clients and educates them to know what to expect before, during and after your birthing process.
What's the difference between a Midwife and a Doula?
A Midwife is a medical person who is covered under BC Medical, so there is no cost to you. They will monitor you throughout your pregnancy, making sure your baby is healthy and doing well. They will check your labour advancements and provide pain medication if needed. Once you start active labour, your Midwife will provide baby monitoring and examinations if you wish to see how you are progressing, and they will deliver your baby.
They will accommodate a home birth or hospital birth. If you are having a hospital birth, your Midwife will work alongside the hospital staff to ensure the well-being of you and your baby, as there are some things like an epidural that would be performed by an anesthesiologist.
A Doula is a non-medical person who is not covered under BC Medical – clients pay privately, with the exception of Aboriginal clients who qualify for the Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program. Your Doula supports mom and partner emotionally, physically and spiritually, and provides prenatal and postnatal education including breastfeeding. Once you call your Doula for support at home, they will stay with you through your early labour, and at your birthing location during active labour, until your baby is born. They will then do a follow-up postpartum visit once you return home. Doulas also act as an advocate for parents when things are not clearly understood.
What does Labour/Birth Support include?
This can be an exciting yet scary time for many women as labour begins and new sensations and discomfort starts to present. When you begin to feel nervous, this is usually when you call me for support. Once I arrive, we work together to find the best comfort positions. I provide emotional reassurance during the long early stage of labour at home and I show partners how they can support also.
Physical relief with massage, pressure points, soothing music and candles all keep the atmosphere calm, allowing mom to focus on herself. As things become more intense, your Midwife can offer you pain medication, as you move through the second stage. By your request, I will take photos throughout your labour and birth and provide you with all images on USB.
What does Postpartum Support include?
Arriving home with your new baby, closing the door behind you, can feel a bit overwhelming. I provide postpartum care including debriefing your birth experience, massage, bottle feedings or bringing baby to mom for breastfeeding. I care for baby while you take care of yourself: diaper changing, dressing or swaddling, bathing baby, bottle prep, meal preparation for the family and light housekeeping such as laundry, dishes or vacuuming.
Eve offers two extensive packages: Labour & Birth as well as Postpartum. Many of the clients who hire her for the Birth package also include the Postpartum package, as their relationship is already established. She also offers hourly rates on an as-needed basis, along with a variety of other services.
"Your Doula supports mom
partner emotionally, physically
spiritually,
provides prenatal
postnatal education."
Total Body Collagen is a unique formula featuring hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, L-tryptophan, L-glutamine, vitamin C, and biotin – essential nutrients that promote healthy skin, muscles, and connective tissue.
Hydrolyzed collagen promotes collagen synthesis and has been shown to help reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. Collagen and hyaluronic acid work together to provide structure, strength, and resilience in the body’s tissues, and are vital for maintaining hydration in the joints. This formula also supports muscle growth and recovery, helping physically active people to build lean muscle mass.
• Helps reduce joint pain associated with osteoarthritis
• Helps increase skin elasticity, promote healthy collagen and elastin production
• A source of amino acids involved in muscle protein synthesis
CurcuminRich Theracurmin is significantly better absorbed than other curcumin products and delivers clinical results. There are more double-blind clinical trials confirming the benefits of Theracurmin than for any other curcumin product.
Furthermore, curcumin is incredibly well studied, with over 7,000 papers published in medical journals investigating the compound’s numerous biological activities, adding to the impressive evidence that curcumin is a well-tolerated and safe natural product.
Theracurmin was shown in a double-blind human clinical trial to be an effective pain reducer in patients suffering from osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis.
Curcumin also shows potential in protecting the brain from neurodegeneration problems that can progressively degrade memory and cognitive function.
Is it just me or does life suddenly seem a lot better as soon as the sun starts to show its face again? With all of the horror stories about the damaging effects of the sun's UV rays, we can sometimes lose sight of the profound impact that sun exposure has on good health.
Vitamin D. As you probably already know, sun exposure is a crucial catalyst for the body's production of Vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for teeth and bone health, the immune system and reducing inflammation. Sunlight and Vitamin D have also been linked with improving autoimmune disease symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory benefits.
Sleep & Energy Levels. Our bodies are innately attuned to the sun's rhythms, and getting outside in the sunshine improves this connection. The setting of the sun triggers the body to release melatonin, the hormone which prepares us for sleep. Additionally, bright sunlight in the morning signals it's time for our body to stop producing melatonin and wake up. This is why getting morning sun can have such an energizing effect on the body, as dim indoor lights can confuse the signals for our bodies to become alert and energized.
Skin Healing. When enjoyed moderately, sunlight therapy has shown benefits to healing inflammatory issues such as psoriasis, eczema and acne.
Boost to Mental Health. It's no coincidence that your mood may feel brighter when the sun is out. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to several mental health disorders. Seasonal depression is a big issue for many Canadians, but the benefits of sunlight go beyond that. It has been shown that the light spectrum of sunlight, when entering the eyes, triggers the production of serotonin, which is key in regulating mental and emotional health.
Catch the morning or evening sun. The UV rays of the sun are much stronger between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so try to enjoy the sun in the early mornings or late afternoons to receive the benefits with less risk.
Use Natural Sunscreen. Look for natural sunscreens with active ingredients that have low toxicity levels as sunscreens with toxic ingredients can disrupt your endocrine (hormone) system. Look at health food stores for many natural sunscreens that use minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient as well as other oils that provide moderate SPF levels. Keep in mind
that they are not invincible; take part in other sun protection measures. Seek Shade and Cover Up. If you have a full day planned out in the sun, plan to have an "escape" where you can seek a source of shade. Bringing along a beach umbrella and wearing a few lightweight layers supports the flexibility of being able to shield your skin from the sun's rays whenever you desire. Enjoy the light!
We understand the emotional rollercoaster that comes from the death of a spouse or a divorce. Your financial picture has changed and brings with it the question “Will I be OK?” violavanderuyt.ca
Life changing events can add an overwhelming number of financial decisions. For over 30 years we have been helping women achieve peace of mind about their financial future. If you would like a chat or our free Will I be OK? toolkit - just ask!
Now that I’m on my own, how do I manage my financial future?
News, changes, updates, launches? Email noteworthyseaside@gmail.com.
Wishing a wonderful retirement to Bill Singer who has owned the Rumrunner Pub for over 32 years. The beloved pub-style restaurant will be missed by locals and tourists alike. Singer hopes the Rumrunner will be remembered as a warm and welcoming place.
Congratulations to Macaloney's Island Distillery, which took home the World's Best Pot Still award at the 2023 world Whiskey Awards for their Kildara Signature Expression. The distillery took home three gold medals in total, the other two for Best Canadian Single Malt, and Best Canadian Single Cask Single Malt. www.macaloneydistillers.com.
Devine Distillery
Congratulations to Devine Distillery in Central Saanich, which took home a gold medal in the Best Canadian Small Batch Single Malt category for its Glen Saanich Whisky. www.devinedistillery.com.
Watch for some fancy attire worn by the community's young adults as they gather at the Sidney waterfront on their grad ceremony dates: June 28, Parkland Secondary; June 29, Claremont Secondary; June 30, Stelly's Secondary.
Both Parkland Secondary Concert Band and Royal Oak Middle School Grade 8 Concert Band attended the Con Brio Music Festival in Whistler in April. Parkland took home a hard-earned Gold standing, and Royal Oak earned a respectable Silver standing.
Congratulations to the Music Directors – Cristina Sousa (Parkland) and Jonnie Bridgman (Royal Oak) – and the hard-working bands who represented our community with professionalism and respect.
Throwdown
Peninsula CrossFit is hosting their second "Van Isle Throwdown"
All the care and support you need, in the comfort of your own home. There may come a time when you or someone you love requires full-time care and support at home. Bayshore offers around the clock care to ensure you have the attention and assistance you need when you need it.
24/7 care is ideal for someone coming home from the hospital after surgery, or someone with dementia-related conditions who is at risk when left alone. Whatever your health care needs, Bayshore is here to assist. Our caregivers provide compassionate care to meet you and your loved one’s unique needs. We can assist with all daily living activities including bathing, dressing assistance, medication reminders and meal prep. Give Bayshore a call, and our care manager Terra will be happy to assist you in getting started with a free in-home assessment.
June 10 to 11. The Saturday portion of the competition will be held indoors at their gym at #20 – 2075 Henry Avenue. The outdoor portion on the morning of June 11 will be held at Tulista Park. The event is free for spectators. PCF is also excited to announce their Legends Fitness Program – a group fitness class programmed specifically for the needs of people over 55. The focus is on strength, mobility, functional movement and longevity. No fitness experience necessary. www.peninsulacrossfit.ca.
Congratulations to Kirsten Roden of Making Changes Fitness on a successful fundraiser for Raincoast Dog Rescue in April. The event raised $2,050 for the rescue. www.makingchangesfitness.com.
Teddys Boxing & Fitness
A warm welcome to Teddys Boxing and Fitness, located at #28 –2075 Henry Avenue (top floor). Owner Anna Kerevan has been in the fitness and boxing industry for over 15 years. Teddys will offer small group classes and private sessions for both boxing and weight training. Anna's goal is to make boxing and fitness fun and accessible, regardless of where you are in your fitness journey. www.teddysboxingfitness.com or Instagram @teddysboxingfitness
Venerable Kelly Duncan will be the next Rector of St. Andrew Anglican Church in Sidney. Archdeacon Duncan will assume her duties August 15.
Welcome to Moden Men's, now open at 9813 Third Street. This new addition to the local business community offers polished casual menswear pieces for everyday dressing. www.modenmens.com
You may remember Bunyaad Rugs from the Ten Thousand Villages fair trade stores in Victoria. Hansell & Halkett vintage home décor is honoured to partner with Bunyaad to bring the rugs back. The event, at the Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa, will feature over 200 hand-knotted rugs, from intricate florals to hand-spun wool natural dye tribals. Bunyaad works with over 850 families in 100 villages in Pakistan. Working with artisans in their homes, increasing employment opportunities for women and paying a living wage, Bunyaad is making changes in so many families across Pakistan.
Local author Randy Mains has written a children's book for ages eight to 12. Captain Barnaby's Helicopter School for Bears was launched May 21 by Summers Island Press. A Brentwood Bay local, Randy says "I decided to write a children's book because I see a deep need for positive role-models for children these days. I decided to create characters with many admirable traits, with the occasional flashes of heroism." The book will be available for purchase on Amazon, and the publisher's website at www.summersislandpress.com.
This marks the 20th year that I have been practising general dentistry. I have worked in private practice, in hospital and in remote First Nations communities. I enjoy all aspects of general dentistry, with a special interest in oral surgery and pediatrics, but most of all I enjoy meeting people of all ages. I belong to the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, the BC Dental Association and the Canadian Dental Association. I grew up in a small farming community in Manitoba, and came to Vancouver Island in 1992 to study at UVic. With a degree in Biochemistry, I then went on to study dentistry at UBC. I made my way back to the Island in 2009 and have been a proud North Saanich resident since 2012, where I live with my husband, our three children and a rescue pup, Coco.
Born and raised in Victoria, I’m so happy to call this city home. I took my dental prerequisite courses at UVic before studying dentistry at UBC. I strongly value gentle dentistry and put empathy, kindness and thorough evaluation at the centre of my care. My practice philosophy is all about making the dental chair a comfortable and successful place for you! I’m constantly expanding my practice through continuing education and have additional qualifications in many areas including neuromodulation therapy using Botox (for both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes) and Invisalign.
When not at the clinic, I love baking complicated desserts, walking the Lochside Trail, and spending time with my husband, Austin.
Dr. Tracy Mitchell Dr. Sophie Dundas
I wrote a few years back about money and children. As I write this my wife and I are planning for our annual weekend away without our kids. This year we are headed to Las Vegas, and will have returned by the time you are reading this. We will have undoubtedly been relieved of some change – the house always wins – but an annual getaway is much needed and worth it. We have spent months planning, budgeting and preparing for this holiday. Going away is a time investment well before the plane takes off – the logistics of everything from petsitters and babysitters to flights, accommodations and activities while away. Taking the time to make a budget and plan for a vacation can help you relax and enjoy yourself without fretting over the details. Travel can be expensive and as with all things financially related, informing and educating yourself before shelling out is prudent and just plain responsible.
Our children have been asking a lot of questions about our trip, and some of these include questions about costs and expenses. They always have lots of questions about money, and we regularly encourage discussions on the topic. Of late they seem to wonder about the financial side of a lot of day-to-day life, from the pros and cons of working as an employee versus being an employer, to the federal workers striking along the side of the road as we drive to school and their negotiations with the government, to the housing market and real estate sales. These questions can often be difficult to answer and I often find myself using the internet to clarify a detail here or there. As I tapped my queries into Google, I realized that adults often have the same questions, but are often afraid to ask them for fear of sounding uneducated.
With financial matters, it is important to appreciate that not just children have questions about money. When I went to high school, we didn't learn much in terms of financial literacy. Nevertheless, I have clear memories of banks waving credit card application forms at anyone with a pulse during my first year of university. There seems to be an expectation that adults have it all figured out when it comes to money management, but this is the furthest thing from reality or what should be expected. The most important thing a "grown-up" should know is that they don't know everything! That is perfectly okay. That is why there are accountants, investment advisors, lawyers and other professionals to help. People should not be afraid to ask questions about money. As I say to my clients, staff and kids: there are no stupid questions. Surrounding yourself with people that can work together and facilitate your decisions regarding budgeting, investing, tax planning and important life events is just plain smart. Take advantage of what the professionals in your life have to offer – it's what they're there for!
He has floppy ears, a shiny brown coat and bright eyes. His head is turned inquiringly to one side, as if to say: "Can we go for a walk now?" He is so realistic you might forget for a moment that he's made out of bronze.
"Joy of Life" is a bronze piece local sculptor Joanne Helm created of her pet dachshund, Krispy Kreame, and one of many in her collection that depicts a variety of subjects including dogs and people.
"I like doing three-dimensional representation of things, and I cast in bronze. A lot of my work has to do with dogs," she shares.
Joanne has sculpted two pieces depicting her dachshund. Each one shows the little dog in a different situation such as walking or even balancing on a board over a pipe. In each case, the size of the sculpture is lifelike, but you won't find any of these little dogs waggling their tails or nuzzling your arm anytime soon!
For over 40 years, Joanne has been an Airedale terrier dog breeder. As well as raising these dogs, she has also entered many of them in dog show competitions. As a result, she has extensive experience in grooming, an activity she likens to her art.
"I breed Airedales. I like grooming. With dogs, you take the time to shape the hair and that can make for top quality dogs. Sculpting is like this. In fact, a lot of groomers are good artists."
Creating these captivating bronze pieces is work that requires time, attention to detail and precision. "I draw it first then I use oil-based clay to sculpt," she notes.
Careful measurements are taken to ensure accuracy. A keen eye and a fine sense of perspective contribute to her drawing skills, an innate ability that Joanne has nurtured over time. "I did a course on engraving glass and my instructor said 'you can really draw'," says Joanne. "I read books, looked at YouTube videos and took classes from local artists."
For her, shaping the piece is like grooming her dogs. It involves proportion, balance and perspective, all of which can be challenging. "Often your eyes will lie to you. Your eye will complete what you see, things that aren't there," she says. "If you walk away then come back, you have a better idea of what it looks like. I use a mirror which is really helpful."
Joanne knows it's important to understand anatomical detail in her subjects, and says: "You need to learn what's underneath the skin. For instance, there are numerous ligaments and muscles that produce the human smile. Learning these things makes you a better sculptor."
photos by Scottee Giles and Azara Effect Productions The Ghost Dale (2019)She was first introduced to sculpting as a child. "When I was growing up, I loved to work with clay or plasticine. I always wanted to work with it," she notes.
After drawing the design and shaping the form, Joanne applies rubber onto the sculpture and covers it all with plastic. Subsequently, she pours wax into the interior of this mould. Care is taken to make sure there are no imperfections in the wax casting such as air bubbles. "I spend a long time on the wax process to get it right," she remarks.
The piece is delivered to the foundry where it's coated with ceramic and cooked in a commercial kiln. The wax melts off in this procedure, hence the name "lost wax process." This ceramic
shell is then filled with bronze. It's a long journey from concept to final product, sometimes taking as many as six months to complete.
Always keen to learn and grow in her craft, Joanne has taken numerous courses both locally and abroad, often working with talented artists like contemporary figure sculptor, Melanie Furtado. A member of the Vancouver Island Sculpture Guild, Joanne has showcased her work at Sidney's Art Walk, McTavish Academy of Art, the Sidney Museum and Mary Winspear Centre, and leased sculptures to Castlegar, Port Alberni and Oak Bay.
Joanne also enjoys sharing her love of art with others. "I'll be at 'Sculpture Splash' at Gorge Park Pavilion giving a 'From Clay to Bronze' workshop. I'm also on the ArtSea committee for the Sculpture Walk in Sidney," she says.
Recently, Joanne sculpted a piece called "The Ghost Dale." It's an idealized bronze Airedale, another opportunity to pay tribute to the four-legged friends she has loved over the years and to share an activity that has so positively impacted her life. "I am lucky, and I want people to know how rich it's made my life and how much pleasure it gives me," she remarks.
From top to bottom, or as often is the case, from nose to tail, it's this very joy that exudes from Joanne's sculptures.
Those interested in purchasing Joanne's sculpted pieces can visit: www.joannehelm.wixsite.com/joannehelm.
photos by Janis Jean Photography
We love bookcases because they are so versatile and functional and can be used in a multitude of ways depending on which room of your home they are placed in. We have styled the Eero bookcase three different ways: for the kitchen, living room, and as a bar.
When styling shelves, remember to layer pieces, vary height and include items with different textures and finishes such as plants, books, woodbased materials, and metal frames/candle holders.
• A coffee station
• Display cookbooks and cookbook stand
• Dishware (FABLE in "Beachgrass Green" shown)
• Oils/spices/salts
– or any pantry items
• Everyday glassware for easy access
• Display your pretty glassware
• Wine decanter
• Citrus squeezer, corkscrew and other bar utensils
• Serving trays
• Limes, lemons, olives or other garnishes for cocktails
• Cocktail recipe books
• Liquor bottles
• Display your favourite books
• The Athletic Men bookends
• Vases
• Art or décor items
• Plants
• Picture frames
• Candles
Clive Tanner was a giant of a man. He was wise, witty, and compassionate … and let's not forget adventurous! For 40 years, Clive brought all this and more to the benefit of the Saanich Peninsula. He was a visionary community leader, always seeing the potential in the area and inspiring others to get involved. Softspoken and with a wicked sense of humour, Clive engaged so many of us in contributing time, money and a sense of purpose in making the Peninsula all it has become.
Over his lifetime, Clive wore many different hats: politician, entrepreneur, devoted family man. Born in England, Clive lived across Canada before settling in Sidney in the late 1980s with his wife and business partner, Christine, and their four children. "He was a natural business leader with a lot of ideas," says Christine. Tanner's, the bookstore that bears their name, remains a cornerstone of Sidney culture and a tribute to the Tanner's spirit.
"Clive was action-oriented," says John Treleaven, long-time Sidney resident and businessman. "He and Christine helped to shape Sidney as few others have!" In addition to serving on multiple boards, Clive was an advocate for the Sidney Business Association, the Sidney BIA and many other not-for-profit organizations. He and Christine made regular financial donations to all types of Peninsula organizations – sports, arts, recreation and the environment. "Perhaps this was the impetus behind his spearheading the establishment of the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation (SPCF)," says Marie Rosko, former Sidney mayor and business leader. "Clive loved people and he loved making a difference."
Along with others, Clive established the SPCF to ensure that local not-for-profit organizations could be supported well into the future. He believed that these organizations and the many volunteers who keep them thriving are the life-blood of the Peninsula, enriching the lives of us all. Annually, the SPCF encourages charitable organizations to apply for grants to support meaningful projects that will enhance the lives of Peninsula residents. Over the past 13 years, the Foundation has awarded more than $250,000 to approximately 40 different Peninsula organizations – and the work continues!
To honour Clive and his many years of service, the SPCF has launched an ambitious and important fundraising campaign called Remembering Clive. "We hope people will give generously," says Tim Maloney, President of the SPCF Board. "Clive gave so much of himself. We need to ensure his good work and commitment are sustained for the benefit of us all."
Donations may be made online at www.sp-cf.ca or mailed by cheque to SPCF, 9768 Third Street, Sidney, BC V8L 3A4.
#loveyourlocal
• Author Valerie Green Seaside Folk ‘n Fiddle Festival Stonehouse
Butik
$10 – Burger & Fries or 1 lb Wings
Creole Chicken Salad
7806 East Saanich Road, Saanichton 250.652.1575
Prairie Fries baked: cheese, feta, bacon, gravy
Potato Skins tomato, bacon, green onions and cheese
Sea Salt & Pepper Pork Riblets served with honey garlic dip
Tempura Prawns with sweet chili sauce
Crispy Fish Tacos tomato, bacon, green onions and cheese
Veggie Spring Rolls served with plum sauce
grilled or breaded chicken, mixed peppers, tomato, cucumber, green onion, cheese, and mixed greens tossed in a Creole dijon dressing with garlic toast
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
Cobb Salad
mixed greens topped with fresh turkey, smoked ham, hard-boiled egg, cheese, tomato, cucumber and green onion served with garlic toast
Caesar Salad small or large add shrimp, grilled or crispy chicken
Clubhouse fresh turkey, bacon, swiss, tomato, lettuce, cranberry, mayo, and thousand island on triple stacked bread of your choice
Turkey Dip fresh turkey, house-made stuffing, cranberry sauce, and swiss on a grilled Portuguese bun with gravy for dipping
Reuben corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss and thousand island dressing on marble rye bread
Skookum 6 oz chuck burger, Red Barn back bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo, and red relish single or double patty
Tuxedo 6 oz chuck burger, side bacon, swiss, cheddar, sautéed mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, mayo and thousand island single or double patty
Slick Chick crispy breaded chicken fillet, swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickle, and honey mustard
Belly Buster 8 oz chuck burger, smoked ham, cheddar, tomato, lettuce, onion, relish, mayo, and pickle on a large sourdough bun
Malibu Burger grilled teriyaki chicken breast, smoked ham, pineapple, swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo, honey mustard, and a pickle
Don't forget Breakfast served daily until 2pm
This is part of a rotating series of articles about some of the Saanich Peninsula's unique shops and services.
The Skinny Body Contouring and Esthetics has been a fixture on Beacon Avenue since February of 2022. Owner Megan Turpin became passionate about body contouring after her own journey through weight loss. In 2018, she had lost 45 pounds but was still finding it difficult to lose weight in certain areas, even with diet and exercise.
When she was visiting family in Calgary, she started looking into treatment options and came across body contouring. She trained at an institute in Calgary so that she could bring these services to Sidney, and says that body contouring is popular in the U.S., Europe and South America, and is now becoming popular in Canada.
There are a number of services available to complement a healthy lifestyle. Each treatment targets certain areas of the body using different non-invasive, non-surgical techniques. Some treatment requires more than one session, and each depends on body or skin conditions to determine whether treatment is suitable. The team at The Skinny offers a free consultation to determine if the below services are right for you.
Cryolipolysis. This fat-freezing procedure reduces localized areas of fat on the body, such as stubborn areas in the abdomen, thighs, love handles and upper arms. Individuals can lose up to 25% of fat cells from the treated area.
Radio Frequency. This procedure helps to improve the appearance of face, neck and body skin, including improving wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, stretch marks and sagging or uneven skin. Energy is delivered into deep layers of the skin, which causes the stimulation and production of new collagen and elastin. The results are tighter, firmer and more youthful-looking skin.
Ultrasound Cavitation. A handheld device delivers ultrasound energy waves to break down fat cells and reduce the appearance of cellulite in targeted areas like the thighs or abdomen. The waves vibrate cells to release fat, which is then metabolized by the body and eliminated through the lymphatic system.
Red Laser/Low Level Light Therapy. Helps reduce body fat by targeting fat cells and stimulating stored fat to be metabolized and removed through the lymphatic system. This works well when paired with ultrasound cavitation.
Other Services Offered. Eminence organic facials, waxing and tinting, lash lifts, spa manicure and pedicures with regular or gel polish.
The spa is wheelchair accessible and offers one-on-one services, great for those who are Covid conscious, immune compromised, or simply prefer an individualized, private space for treatments. With so many services on offer, whether it's body contouring or spa treatments, The Skinny has something for everyone.
Visit www.theskinny.ca for a full list of services and to book online.
It's no secret that people from all walks of life are feeling the pinch of rising inflation and the soaring costs of everyday living. A simple visit to the grocery store hits hard on those with limited incomes, especially affecting those facing poverty and homelessness who are struggling more than ever.
Grant McKenzie, Our Place's Director of Communications, has noticed a rise in seniors coming to Our Place for meals in recent years. A large group of low-income seniors living near Pandora Avenue are often seen eating meals together at the Our Place Community Centre to make ends meet. "Seniors are increasingly having to choose between paying rent and buying food, as rents in the region rise, so it's quite easy for them to lose their homes," says McKenzie.
According to the most recent "Point in Time Homelessness Count," completed by Victoria's Community Social Planning Council in 2020, people over the age of 55 made up 19% of Greater Victoria's homeless population. The latest count, which is due to be released this summer, hints that this number is growing steadily.
"We are seeing a significant increase in seniors accessing our housing and shelter programs," says Courtney Graham, Manager of Housing & Shelters at Our Place. "One in three of the residents we care for at our six temporary housing sites are aged 55+, and many have no history of unstable housing. One resident is a veteran and, at 92 years old, he has just moved into our first permanent housing location on Albina Street in Saanich. What joy!"
One program that fills the gap for many vulnerable seniors is Our Place's 55+ Seniors Club. Three donor families ensured that the program could expand beyond the Community Centre on Pandora to three more housing locations. The Club brings seniors together at each location to enjoy social connections and escape from isolation. A coordinator does hospital visits and arranges speakers, activities and outings each week to local attractions, shared meals, and marking special days and birthdays when it's tough to be alone.
"[Seniors'] support needs tend to differ from the supports traditionally offered in supportive housing (less psychosocial rehabilitation and more physical care)," adds Graham. "So our teams are using their creativity and system navigation skills to provide supports to our senior residents."
Seniors' programs like the 55+ Club rely on a grant from the federal New Horizons Program for Seniors, private donations and legacy gifts in wills from concerned citizens who care about their elders. Legacy gifts are an easy way for people to extend their values of thoughtful compassion beyond their lifetime, ensuring that services that nourish dignity and belonging can carry on in the future.
Please visit www.ourplacesociety.com to learn how you too can make a difference.
June is PRIDE month and Sidney will be celebrating with its annual family-friendly PRIDE event on Saturday, June 17. Local businesses are thrilled to participate in this year's event. The festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the downtown core. Events are planned along Beacon Avenue and adjoining side streets. In addition to some live music and entertainment, local businesses will offer a range of activities and promotions throughout the day.
For those who love their furry friends, pick up your pet passport that day to tour the town with your pets in costume. Collect your stamps at the checkpoints and strut your stuff throughout town to enter into a draw to win a gift basket.
Children and adults alike can indulge in facepainting and capture the memories at the selfie station. Shoppers can enjoy sidewalk sales including local handmade goods. Stroll the avenue and view the PRIDE-themed window displays; note your favourites and be sure to vote! Don't miss out on your chance to purchase this year's 2023 Sidney PRIDE T-shirt. Each one is unique and hand printed locally by Print House. T-shirts will be available all month long at Will + Wheel, Seawards Souvenir and Apparel and Buddies Toys.
Businesses have generously donated to a raffle again this year; tickets are available at Will + Wheel and DGD Gifts. Proceeds will be going to support mental health initiatives for youth at the Foundry Victoria Youth Clinic.
The Sidney PRIDE event is all about celebrating diversity and creating a welcoming community for everyone. The event is an opportunity for families and friends to come together and enjoy a day of entertainment and fun while showing their support for the LGBTQIA2S+. Attendees are encouraged to wear their most colourful and festive attire and come ready to celebrate.
For more information on the event and to keep up to date, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @pridesidney.
Proud members of the Saanich Peninsula community for 43 years. Visit our farm stand at 1246 for flower off sales as well as eggs and seasonal produce.
Fundraising and Tours available for groups: info@eurosa.bc.ca. 1246 Greig Avenue, Brentwood Bay
Your garden expresses your love of beauty and nature. Discover exciting new plants and our show-stopping Campania garden art (exclusive to Seaberry in the Greater Victoria area), with our team of garden design experts. Or treat yourself or someone you love with one of our spectacular floral arrangements!
Visit the team today at the Shops at Mattick's Farm on Cordova Bay Road or in Cook Street Village. Let's get growing!
250.590.3777 | 5325 Cordova Bay Rd, Victoria
250.590.7333 | 333 Cook St, Victoria
www.seaberrygarden.ca
Growing strong roots for 30 years!
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!
Come in today to see our huge variety of hanging baskets: Colourful Confetti, 12" Mixed Full Sun, 14" Begonia, Fuchsias, Calibrachoa and many more! Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9-5; Sunday 10-4; closed Mondays.
250.652.8338
www.patiogardens.ca 6536 West Saanich Road, Saanichton
• Almost any space can be made into a garden...
• All you need is inspiration, beautiful plants and some good advice.
• Our friendly staff can help you choose the right plants, and will make sure you have all you need to get growing.
250.656.0384 | www.RussellNursery.com 1370 Wain Road, North Saanich
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!
story and photos by Cynthia Philp
I was thrilled to receive an invitation to a seminar on constructing a rock garden from Maria Hendrix, of West Bay Rock Gardens, who arranged the event in honour of International Women's day. On a blustery March afternoon, a group of women met on the property of Tienna Stempowicz – a new homeowner who was stymied by a steep slope in her backyard. Tienna wanted something that was low maintenance, sensitive to the environmental conditions, beautiful to look at, and was willing to offer up her yard as a teaching garden.
Maria guided us through the steps of building a rocky slope that would retain water where it was needed and direct water away from where it wasn't. As she easily rolled around small boulders (of locally sourced blast rock), showing us the different facets and possible placements, it occurred to me that I had never quite appreciated the versatility of rocks before.
After the larger rocks were dug into place, we selected smaller rocks which would be strategically placed to build off the terracing already taking shape, as well as creating pockets for planting material. To make a natural-looking slope, it's best to group similar looking rocks together – but not in a straight line. Even though these smaller rocks were only about a foot across, they were heavy – rock gardening is a fun workout!
A rain-garden blend soil mix was then spread out by eager students. I always love the planting phase of any gardening project, and Maria and Tienna brought a lovely selection of alpine plants to work with.
I was fascinated to learn that purchased alpine plants are almost always rooted in completely inappropriate soil matter – usually a peat mix, which retains too much water for these plants. Watching all the soil be removed from the roots was shocking, but once they were safely and securely tucked into their new homes, I knew that it wouldn't take long before they established themselves and rewarded Tienna with lovely blooms.
The site still looked like a construction zone when I stood back and surveyed our hard work. Chatting with the other students, I discovered that some were homeowners with similar, challenging yards. This was truly an all-women event – supplies and materials were delivered by women, and one of the attendees works for an allwoman owned and operated landscaping company.
The key to drought-tolerant gardens is using an effective mulch to help retain ground moisture during our dry summers. Maria selected a half-inch crush natural bedrock, which was spread over the soil and tucked carefully around the rocks and plants. Very quickly, the site changed from a raw and unfinished area into a beautifully naturalistic landscape, as if created by Mother Nature herself.
My day out gave me new knowledge of a landscaping technique that's sensitive to our drought-prone climate and an awareness of how women are not only improving their own yards, but pursuing careers in the industry as well.
We live on the ocean in Victoria. Our living room looks out over the water so everything is arranged looking outwards, with the TV off to one side so we can watch it too.
This works well when it's just the two of us. When we have people over, however, the room is not conducive to people sitting around in some kind of conversational circle.
We are trying to understand how we can solve both requirements in one room without blocking the view.
HELP! ~ Joan Fischer
Having a beautiful view from your living space is wonderful and is rarely a complaint, but working everyday function into these spaces can be a challenge when the absolute focal point is that stunning view! Our reader, Joan Fischer, wrote in with just this "problem:" a gorgeous oceanfront view from the living room that she and her partner did not want to block with furniture. This is great for two people, but poses a problem when company arrives or TV is to be watched! Add two sides of sliding balcony doors and it was an understandable layout dilemma.
But there is always a way! Sometimes it's just a fresh set of eyes on a space to envision a new layout and get past the "way it has to be" that homeowners get stuck on.
With this space, some low back comfortable condo scale occasional chairs were the answer to the company seating and TV watching problem. Creating a cozy conversation area is a must in any living room space. The side sliding doors are still accessible, but better now to use that space for the chairs and access the balcony through the front set of sliders. The TV along the opposite wall is viewable but not the focus.
~ Tracey Jones, Remarkable Interiors
When styling there is always space for a "moment." Here it's an afternoon muffin break.
Pairing collectibles with simple décor makes a home feel like home – your home.
Layers of lighter and brighter soft décor –pillows and throw + some simple surface décor let the space breathe.
We love the makeover Tracey did for us. She solved the problem I wrote to you about by creating a seating arrangement that is welcoming for a small group of people but doesn't impact our view of the Salish Sea. But what is especially great is that she went further. We have an open floor plan with living room, dining room and a somewhat forlorn area between the kitchen and the rest of layout, in which we have a desk.
Tracey touched every part of the floor plan and brought the whole thing together. She didn't add a lot of external stuff but she reorganized and arranged what we already had in a way that I just wouldn't have seen. I was pretty sure Tracey would create something that looked great in the magazine, but wondered if it would also be great to live in. We are surprised and delighted to discover that she did. Thanks for a great opportunity. ~ Joan
Fischer
This 10,182 sq ft lot is well located in Central Saanich with easy access to Victoria and Sidney. Privacy fence in place, building site is cleared. Services are at the lot line: hydro, sewer, storm drain, municipal water. Buyer must confirm with Central Saanich to determine potential home size and location on the lot. MLS 920650
Willy Dunford*
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
An opportunity to own a home with the breathtaking views overlooking Mt. Newton Valley including glimpses of Saanich inlet and Malahat. This 2400 sq.ft , 1975 home is a blank canvas to create your custom dream home, so many options for changes! 6 beds, 3 baths + room for 4 or 5 vehicles! A must see! MLS 931066
Willy Dunford*
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
UNBELIEVABLE WATERFRONT! $3,200,000
1.75 acres of sun-drenched waterfront. Unobstructed views of Mt. Baker and beyond. This stunning home built in 2009 by award-winning Tidman Construction has it all. With magnificent gardens, numerous patios, and beautiful lawns for entertaining. Located on a no thru road adding privacy and tranquility. Newly Listed.
250.656.4626
This architecturally designed home is open concept with high ceilings and is perfect for entertaining. Main floor just under 3000 sq/ft and includes the primary bedroom for those who enjoy one level living. The sun drenched property includes gardens, workshop, recreation room, office, 2 fireplaces. Close to beach access! MLS 932235
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
Offering spectacular ocean views with private beach for summertime swimming, located on a secluded cul-desac, this impressive 3,880 sqft home offers 3 beds & 3 baths, a spacious kitchen & living area perfect for entertaining. The entire property is surrounded by lush, meticulously cared for gardens, & features a spacious deck w/ sunny western exposure. MLS 930587
Dolores Todd
250.385.2033
To feature your listing in next issue's Hot Properties contact
7254 East Saanich Road, Saanichton
Almost NEW! 2021 built home with 6 Bdr, 4 Bth, a legal 2 Bdr suite, and a STUNNING VIEW of a lovely equestrian farm, pastoral valley, and the ocean beyond! This luxuriously finished home is 2430sf, has a double garage, two decks, tenant & RV parking, and a private fenced 5900sf yard. Close to Saanichton Village, Brentwood Bay Village, schools, parks, & trails. MLS 931048
Nicole Burgess | 250.384.8124 nicole@nicoleburgess.com
SHIRLEY WATERFRONT $2,292,000
Boasting breathtaking ocean & mountain views, this warm and welcoming 5 bed/4bath residence offers abundant natural light and embraces an alluring ambiance and offers a spacious open-concept design – perfect for relaxation and entertainment. With its serene surroundings, this property delivers seamless indoor/outdoor living and is enhanced by a 1-acre lot. A must see! MLS 927997
Mona Palfreyman
250.656.4626
SIDNEY CONDO! $589,000
PH601 $1,395,000
9805 Second Street, Sidney
Indulge in the epitome of luxury living with this high-end suite. This penthouse, situated in the sought-after Landmark building, features unobstructed South-facing views of the Ocean, Island & Mountains. The property boasts a stunning modern design with an open plan layout, sleek clean lines & highend finishes that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Karen Dinnie-Smyth
Personal Real Estate Corporation
www.karendinnie-smyth.com 250.655.0608
$1,800,000
The most desired location in this 2019 JAWL DEV. quality building overlooking CORDOVA BAY GOLF. 2 Bed/2
Bath, Media Room, Home Office, Gourmet kitchen. Building Amenities incl: fitness gym, workshop, bike storage & SW outdoor pergola gardens. Sunny SE 250sf balcony offers the most stunning OCEANVIEWS in the city. MLS 924544
Ingrid Jarisz*
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
$485,000
2-bed/2-bath, 55+ condo located on tranquil treelined street, just two blocks from the ocean and Sidney core. Pet friendly spacious condo with a separate dining area, gas fireplace, in-unit washer/ dryer and storage closet. This 1,050sqF unit has an east-facing balcony, the living area is filled with natural light. MLS 929738
Kai McCaig | 250.656.4095
kai.mccaig@holmesrealty.com
Enjoy this spacious 2-level home with 1 BD/2 BA, 1,152sf, and 17' vaulted ceilings. Recently updated, amazing natural light and move-in ready. Royal Oak Estates is a quiet, well maintained complex and fully rentable offering owners and investors an excellent opportunity. MLS 928511
Ingrid Jarisz*
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
PINNACLE
Sitting on a private 1.32 acre lot, backing onto a park this 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home provides lots of space for the family, plus a legal 1, bedroom, 1 bathroom suite great for family, friends or an income helper. Wonderful Brentwood location.
Karen Dinnie-Smyth
Personal Real Estate Corporation
www.karendinnie-smyth.com 250.655.0608
This exquisite and immaculate home offers 2,300sf of open plan living, with 2BD/3BA, panoramic views of Cordova Bay Golf Course, Salish Sea, Mt. Baker & Gulf Islands. Featuring 9' ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, an abundance of natural light & an incredible outdoor terrace of 675sf. Two parking stalls & separate storage. Not just a home, a lifestyle! MLS 929187
Ingrid Jarisz*
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
Quality built 2007 boutique condo complex in the heart of charming BRENTWOOD BAY. this beautiful 2 BD/2BA home with 9-foot ceilings, fantastic layout is over 940sf, with large bright windows, great separation of bedrooms, loads of storage, in-suite laundry and updated lighting and designer features that makes this condo move-in ready. Pet friendly! MLS 931813
Ingrid Jarisz*
250.656.4626
(personal real estate corp*)
Delight in this Deep Water Dock Beauty with Foreshore Licence, PLUS Legal NEW Suite, all designed for 180' VIEWS, SUNSET VISTAS of OCEAN and SAILS! $3,375,000. MLS 925002.
submitted by CRD Environmental Services
We are all ready to enjoy the warm weather – and what better way to do it than by practising active transportation.
Human-powered transportation is not only beneficial for our health, but also for our environment. More than half of our regional carbon pollution comes from transportation, thus choosing to travel by bike is one of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Biking to work, walking to the grocery store or kayaking to a picnic are also great alternatives to make our commute memorable during the sunny days.
Don't want to do all the work? Don't worry, there are multiple ways to get a boost on your transportation method like mobility aids, electric bikes, or a good pair of shoes that will get you excited to walk. You can learn more about rebates for electric vehicles, including electric bikes, by visiting www.crd.bc.ca/charge
Implementing active transportation is also a great way to save time by avoiding getting stuck in traffic. You can have a smooth commute using bike lanes and trails all through the region. You can plan your ride using the regions bike map showing 58 routes through all 13 municipalities.
Busy places such as Downtown Victoria are often challenging when looking to park your vehicle. With current gas prices and the rising cost of parking, there's no better time to leave the car at home and use your bike. The City of Victoria offers the free bike valet in a coat-check style. You have a free, convenient and secure parking option when riding your bike to the busy downtown core to enjoy your day worry-free knowing your bike, bike trailers, and other bike accessories are safe.
Need more reasons to implement active transportation this summer?
• Enjoy the nice weather and the views during your commute.
• Get your exercise in while enjoying nature.
• Create safer streets by reducing traffic congestion.
• Save time and money. No more time wasted in traffic or money wasted on expensive fuel and parking.
• Support climate action initiatives by lowering GHG emissions.
We can't wait to see residents enjoy the warm weather during their daily activities by implementing active transportation. Still not convinced? Visit www.www.crd.bc.ca/active to learn more ways to include human powered transportation in your daily routine.
Seaside Magazine's "Taking It To The Street" Charity Road Hockey Tournament is back! On June 17, lace up your sneakers, grab your hockey sticks, and join us for a fun-filled day of street hockey and fundraising. This event brings together our local community and Help Fill A Dream, a non-profit organization that helps fulfill the dreams of children facing life-threatening or critical conditions.
Registered teams will participate in an adult street hockey tournament with families enjoying the TD Family Fun Zone, offering ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy, Silent Disco, VRX racing simulators, games and a hands-on creative booth from McTavish Academy of Art. The one-day event will take place at the new location, Iroquois Park, providing more green space for teams to spread out and enjoy the day. Smaller playing surfaces will keep the action going all day long, and teams will play at least three games, so make sure you come ready to play (and cheer!).
However, the best part of the tournament is that all funds raised will go towards fulfilling the dreams of some incredible kids in the community, thanks to Help Fill A Dream. These experiences could be anything from a family trip to Disneyland to specialized medical equipment to meeting their favourite sports hero. Over $125,000
has been raised in previous years, and this year we're aiming to raise even more. By participating in the tournament, you will be helping Help Fill A Dream raise funds to support their mission and make a difference in the lives of these incredible local kids.
of hockey, fun and community. Thanks to the generous sponsorship from TD Bank and the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation, Used.ca, and VRX Simulators, this year's tournament promises to be the best one yet.
To The Street" Charity Road Hockey Tournament 2023! For more information and to register your team, visit
This featured seasonal treatment includes full body dry brushing, ginger infused hot towels and Eminence's New Yuzu Solid Body Oil. To bring your freshest face forward, you will also indulge in a brightening and illuminating facial. With vibrant citrus scents, awaken the body while revealing glowing, radiant skin. 75 minutes. $155
June 1: Winging-It
June 2-8: Four Winds Art Show
June 9-15: Within the Devine
June 16-22: Diverse Dreams
June 23-29: Fun with Fibre: Cloth & Wood
June 30-July 6: Palettes Ablaze!
ArtSea Gallery
Tulista Park, 9565 Fifth Street, Sidney ArtSea Gallery showcases a variety of artists presenting painting, poetry works, jewelry and more. www.artsea.ca/events
Sidney Museum
2423 Beacon Avenue, L-3, Sidney
Victoria Therapeutic Riding
Association: Online Auction
Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association
JUNE 5-12
VTRA uses horseback riding as a recognized therapeutic aid and offers a variety of equine-assisted activities to children and adults. This online auction offers over 50 items on which you can bid including hotel stays, getaways, local dining and attractions, golf games, toys and much more. Proceeds help support VTRA. For details: sue.davepaterson@shaw.ca; www.vtra.ca
Peninsula Newcomers Club AGM
SHOAL Centre
10030 Resthaven Drive
UNTIL JULY 31 10AM-4PM
This brand-new featured exhibit presents a community-collaborated photo gallery. The theme is "New Beginnings" and features resident-submitted photography reflecting the Peninsula's natural beauty, its diverse communities and the ongoing story of its economic activity. Admission by donation. www.sidneymuseum.ca
8am: Pancake Breakfast
10am: Parade
JUNE 3
11:30am-2:30pm: Stage Entertainment
7130 W Saanich Road, Brentwood Bay
It's a whole day of family fun! The entertainment line-up includes Fred Penner, Valdy, and Auntie Kate & the Uncles of Funk. A variety of food and beverages available onsite. www.brentwoodbay.info/brentwood-bay-festival-1
Workshop: "New to Watercolours?"
McTavish Academy of Arts
JUNE 4 9:30AM-3:30PM
1720 McTavish Road, North Saanich
Led by artist Bryony Wynne-Jones, this class provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy playing with the watercolour medium. Splash on colours and blend washes and see the fresh and spontaneous results! All painting abilities are welcome. Please review the supplies needed for the class. www.mctavishacademy.ca
JUNE 8 12-3PM
Welcoming women to the Peninsula since 1987! Come celebrate the year end with lunch, elections and fun activities! Pre-booking is required. For further information: www.peninsulanewcomers.com or email: pncpublicity@gmail.com
Saturday Concert Series
June 10: West Coast Soul Collective
June 24: The Brandy Moore Trio
St. Paul's United Church
2410 Malaview Avenue, Sidney
JUNE 10 & 24 2PM
Enjoy an afternoon of great vocals and talented musicianship! St. Paul's is a well-known community venue and offers excellent acoustics, refreshments and plenty of free on-site parking. Wheelchair accessible. Tickets through: St. Paul's United Church, Tanner's Books and Eventbrite. Contact Event Coordinator Geoff at magnolia4events@gmail.com.
Patio Gardens Workshops
June 10 – "Beyond Basil"
June 24 – "Seduced by Lavender"
Patio Gardens
6536 West Saanich Road, Victoria
JUNE 10 & 24 10:30AM-12PM
You'll want to sign up for these great workshops led by Lynda Dowling of Happy Valley Lavender & Herb Farm. There will be valuable information and tips provided as well as take-home goodies for the garden and the kitchen! Register at: www.patiogardens.ca
Sidney Street Market
Beacon Avenue, Sidney
JUNE 15, 22 & 29
5:30-8:30PM
The popular event which runs until September 14 features dozens of vendors including local farmers and growers, creative food vendors, local artisans and so much more! www.sidney.ca; www.facebook.com/sidneybcmarket/
SHOAL Community Centre
10030 Resthaven Drive
JUNE 15
10-11AM
Tuesdays | 10-11am
Sponsored by Saanich Peninsula Community Response Network (SPCRN). Guest speakers will talk about beliefs, attitudes and behaviours about growing old, and ways we can all help to reverse those negative stigmas. Register at SHOAL reception or call 250-656-5537. www.bccrns.ca
Father's Day Summer Fair
Heritage Acres
7321 Lochside Drive, Saanichton
JUNE 16-17
9AM-3:30PM
A wonderful opportunity for the whole family, this event features train rides, tractor tours, entertainment, agricultural demos, refreshments and loads of other fun. Adults $10 per car; under 12 free. For info: 250-652-5522 or www.heritageacresbc.com/events
Central Saanich Lawn Bowling Club: Garage Sale
Centennial Park
1800 Hovey Road, Central Saanich
JUNE 17
9AM-12PM
Stop by for all kinds of bargains! There will also be some great books and delicious baked items for sale. www.sites.google.com/site/csaanichlawnbowls/home
Blood Donor Clinic
Mary Winspear Centre, Bodine Hall
2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
JUNE 19
12-6PM
Make all the difference in the lives of Canadian hospital patients by donating blood! Book your lifesaving appointment online at blood.ca, by downloading the GiveBlood app or by calling 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Free Swim: National Indigenous Peoples Day
Panorama Recreation Pool
1885 Forest Park Drive, North Saanich
JUNE 21
6:30-8PM
This is a wonderful opportunity, via Zoom platform, for seniors to speak and socialize. For online meeting details, email mastermotivators4671@gmail.com with subject "Seniors Toastmasters". www.1288.toastmastersclubs.org
2nd & 4th Thursdays | 2-3:30pm
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.
Peninsula
Thursdays | 8-9:30am
The Saanich Peninsula Chapter of BforB is a peer-support (mastermind) group for local business owners and leaders of professional practices. Guests are welcome, at no charge. Current members and other details: www.bforbnetworks.com or email doug@cambiumleadership.ca.
1st Saturday | 10am
St. Paul's United Church
This program offers a safe place for community members to make new friends and connections and support one another on their personal journeys. This is not a counselling group. Participants are encouraged to register to participate, but walk-ins will be welcome. Email: 55plusinsidney@gmail.com.
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with friends and family! Everyone is welcome and the evening event is free. www.crd.bc.ca/panorama
Mountain Dream Productions: "Freaky Friday The Musical"
Mary Winspear Centre
2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney
JUNE 23-25
This comic and poignant adaptation of the classic novel and Disney films, Freaky Friday, follows the story of a teenager and her single mother, who struggle to understand each other. They magically swap bodies and spend a day walking in each other's shoes. Tickets: 250-656-0275 or at www.marywinspear.ca
NEW DATES! 3rd Friday | 10am – 1pm
St. John's United Church
Visit the Repair Café, a free meeting place where voluntary repairers with skills in sewing, jewelry, carpentry, electrical and bikes can help fix your item on the spot. Plus knife sharpening and tech help with digital devices. www.repaircafenorthsaanich.ca Email: repaircafenorthsaanich@gmail.com.
Have something for Take Note?
Email: takenote@seasidemagazine.ca
Submission deadline: 1st of the previous month (eg June 1 for July issue events)
Allison Smith
This month we celebrate some of the Men to Watch in our community. I recently travelled to Calgary to celebrate one man in particular and the life he lived – a life filled with humour, caring, family and friends.
On March 17, shortly after the word Covid entered our daily vocabulary and the day it felt like things really "shut down," my husband and stepdaughter flew to Alberta to be with my father-in-law, Ed Laurie. He was in the final stages of lung cancer; my stepdaughter was there to say her final goodbyes and James was there to spend time with his dad in his last days. My younger daughter and I were supposed to follow a short time later, but as the days passed and Covid affected everything, the idea of getting on a plane became unimaginable and with heavy hearts we cancelled our flight. Missing that final visit with him is one of my greatest regrets, but Ed spent much of his time in those last days on FaceTime with us, crafting heartfelt video messages and making sure we knew how much we were loved.
On April 3, 2020, a wonderful man we called Papa Ed took his last breaths. In his 62 years, this was a man who brought so much joy to those around him. He loved a good joke and to tease those closest to him. No matter what the topic of conversation, he had an opinion on it. "I guarantee it" was his catchphrase and beware to the person who tried to disagree! Ed would come to the Island for "a vacation" but spend his time here doing yardwork, building things, reorganizing my husband's workshop … always asking what I needed done and quickly checking those things off our to do list.
In one of his last messages to me, Ed told me how glad he was that I am his son's partner, and mother to his granddaughter. He told me that I shouldn't ever change. He told me he loved us with all his heart and would miss us. In my last message to him I told him we'd never forget him and to come visit us, if he could.
So while we celebrate our men to watch, I'll also be watching for a sign from one of my favourite men.
Submit your application to one of 12 different categories before June 30, 2023.
Do you know incredible people on the Saanich Peninsula community that go the extra mile? Nominate them for a 2023 Local Hero award.
The Local Hero Awards were made with the purpose of creating a platform for those powerful people stories that make our Saanich Peninsula community strong.
The awards celebrate a wide range of organizations and individuals, in the form of our sponsors, partners, nominees and nominators – to honour our community heroes.
Nominating someone is easy. Simply go to hero.peninsulanewsreview.com, click “Submit a Nomination” and follow the directions.
FOR NOMINATIONS IS JUNE 30TH, 2023
