LIFE-GIVING DREAMS BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Dream Lottery BEAUTIFUL BOARDS The art charcuterieof AT HOME WITH ART Using art to personalize your space of Dreams &Art VANCOUVER LIFE AT ITS FINEST AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2022
Fashioned in a rich European design with a classic limestone exterior, this visionary architectural masterpiece creates a rare blend of modern grandeur combined with a welcoming ambience. A stunning great room encompasses a state-of-the-art kitchen, dining and living rooms, while a comprehensive gym, golf simulator, games and media rooms, a home office, a four-car garage and four sumptuously-ensuited bedrooms including a luxurious principal bedroom suite offer a symphony of family delights. Outside is a tantalizing all-season recreational playground with a magnificent swimming pool, hot tub, games court, cabana and kitchen. This home is a work of art, balancing ease of living with the epitome of sophistication. It is a property like no other. sq design
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with high-end finishes • Spacious 0.6-acre (0.25 ha) parcel of land 1318 Minto Crescent Shaughnessy, Vancouver West ASKING PRICE: $24,800,000 INQUIRIES: Faith faithwilson.comT:C:faith@faithwilson.comWilson604.813.3656604.224.5277
ft (924 sq m) of immaculate interiors • Breathtaking
2 BEDROOM HOMES FROM THE LOW $800’S SIGNATURE HOME COLLECTION FROM $1.5-$3 MILLION+ In our continuing effort to improve and maintain the high standard of the One Bear Mountain development, the developer reserves the right to modify or change plans, specifications, features and prices without notice. Materials may be substituted with equivalent or better at the developer’s sole discretion. All dimensions and sizes are approximate and are based on architectural measurements. As reverse, flipped, and/or mirrored plans occur throughout the development please see architectural plans for exact unit layout if material to your decision to purchase. Illustrations, renderings, photos and marketing materials provided are an artist’s conception and are intended as a general reference only, not to be relied upon, and are subject to change without prior notice. Please ask one of the helpful sales staff to reference the most recent set of architectural construction drawings for most up to date dimensions and other details. Please refer to disclosure statement for specific offering details. E.&O.E. ONE BEAR MOUNTAIN IS MARKETED BY BLUEPRINT GLOBAL AND BROKERED BY FIFTH AVENUE YOUR SELECT HOMES NOW AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER 2024 DELIVERY
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10 BOULEVARD FEATURES 38 L IFE-GIVING DREAMS BC Children’s Hospital Foundation Dream Lottery B y Lisa Manfield 50 A RT & FASHION High fashion inspires the self in t he same way art can stir the soul B y Lia Crowe + Sarah D’Arcey 60 AT HOME WITH ART Using art to personalize your space B y Jane Zatylny 68 BEAUTIFUL BOARDS T he art of charcuterie B y Ellie Shortt 76 HIGH IN LONDON E xperiences with a view B y Susan Lundy CONTENTS ON THE COVER Photo by Lia Crowe Dream Lottery spokesperson Erin Cebula at a stunning South Surrey prize home. Styling by Sarah D’Arcey. Makeup by Heather Nightingale. PROPERTIESHOT 38 5030
BOULEVARD 11 DEPARTMENTS 14 CONTRIBUTORS 16 EDITOR’S LETTER Another trip to the loo B y Susan Lundy 20 LIFE. STYLE. ETC. Heather Nightingale B y Lia Crowe 22 GOOD TASTE Flavour with a view B y Joanne Peters 26 WELL AND GOOD C onsidering bravery B y Kaisha Scofield 30 I N STUDIO Going public: Ola Volo B y Lin Stranberg 34 WEEKENDER To the lake! B y Lia Crowe 48 S PACES WE LOVE Ocean dreams B y Dawn Sondergaard 56 BUSINESS CLASS Brands for Better: B y Lauren Kramer 84 SECRETS AND LIVES Natalie Langston B y Chloe Sjuberg 86 NARRATIVE Aloha Kauai B y Linda Doctoroff 90 BEHIND THE STORY Photo contributed 6860 56
AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2022 BOULEVARD GROUP PUBLISHER Mario Gedicke PUBLISHER Harry van Hemmen harryvh@blackpress.ca 604-649-1707 MANAGING EDITOR Susan Lundy ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lia Crowe, Sarah D’Arcey, Linda Doctoroff, Lauren Kramer, Susan Lundy, Lisa Manfield, Joanne Peters, Kaisha Scofield, Ellie Shortt, Lin Stranberg, Dawn Sondergaard, Jane Zatylny DESIGNERS Lily Chan, Michelle Gjerde, Tammy Robinson, Kelsey Boorman ADVERTISING SALES Vicki Clark Eleanor Ajram PHOTOGRAPHERS Lia Crowe, Don Denton, Shayd Johnson Patrice Lacroix, Shelia Say ILLUSTRATION Sierra Lundy DISTRIBUTION Marilou Pasion Marilou@blackpress.ca 604-542-7411 Boulevard Magazine is published 6 times per year by Black Press Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. VANCOUVERBOULEVARD.COM contributors ELLIE SHORTT BEAUTIFULWRITER BOARDS PAGE 68 “Sometimes deeply personal, other times collaborative, art takes shape from the medium and transforms from the setting—and nothing could be more true for this month’s food feature. Conceptualizing, creating (and consuming) edible boards is my favourite artful food expression, and being able to brainstorm and execute this piece with the Boulevard team was so much fun. It was one of my favourite articles to write and shoots to stage, and hopefully it offers some inspirational guidance for readers as we slowly start to share spaces, experiences and flavours with our loved ones again.” Ellie Shortt is a certified nutritionist, food writer and regular columnist for Boulevard. 14 BOULEVARD DOCTOROFFLINDA ALOHAWRITERKAUAI PAGE 86 JANE ZATYLNY ATWRITERHOME WITH ART PAGE 60
Linda, who likes to hike, bike and kayak, is once again travelling to far-off places, immersing herself in their offerings.
“Writing this article reminded me that the best way to build any art collection is to slowly choose pieces you love.” A former art gallery administrator, Jane Zatylny is a regular contributor to Boulevard, as well as a communications specialist, magazine writer and the owner of Fernwood Fashionista, an Etsy vintage shop.
“From the moment the plane landed at the airport in Kauai, I was captivated with the beauty surrounding me, acutely aware of my senses springing to life after a long dormancy. Each morning I wrote in my journal, capturing the first moment of the sun rising in the darkened sky, the splash of colour against the black canvas awakening me. I was turning the corner of a milestone birthday and celebrating it in Kauai seemed like the perfect antidote to this passage.”
Susan Lundy is a former journalist who now works as an editor, author and freelance writer. Her latest book, Home on the Strange, was released earlier this year via Heritage House Publishing.
Washrooms became a bit of a theme in this trip to London, which is documented elsewhere in this edition of Boulevard. In fact, as I sought out yet another public washroom amid our sightseeing, my husband Bruce wryly remarked, “I see our tour of London toilets continues…”
What can I say? Between pints of British beer and cups of tepid tea (actually, make that red wine and coffee), bathrooms beckoned. And the array was dizzying.
Bruce’s experience in the men’s washroom at a bus station left him muttering “just a wall for the men, really.” But the toilet following the art show was the most memorable of all. We arrived early at the gallery event—“we” being me and Bruce, as well as Sandra, the partner of my ex-husband Derrick, who passed away in November. We arrived early, well before dinner, so that Danica could show us the art privately. Next came an hour-long artists’ talk, followed by three hours of art viewing and art chitchatting.Italways seemed we were standing elsewhere (usually in line for Prosecco) when the trays of food were trotted out—so invariably, the delectable-looking bites were just a little beyond our reach. Danica had no time to eat at all. By 10 o’clock we were starving.Planswere set to go to “the club” for the event’s after party. But before that, some 15 of us set out to find food—not an easy task in London where most places close their kitchens early. Eventually, we found an Indian-cuisine restaurant able to accommodate us. I’m not sure I’ve ever attacked a basket of papadums so fiercely. (In an unusual twist, one woman in the group sat down at a table, enjoyed a drink and plate of food…and then left. It turned out everyone assumed she was with someone else and, in fact, no one knew her at all.)
Finally it was time for the after party! Were we wrong to envision “the club” as a quiet, elegant, wood-panelled room with ornate carpet, high-backed antique chairs and perhaps a grand old wooden bar serving Glenlivet in cut-glass tumblers? We arrived expectantly at our destination and, as Danica’s guests, we were escorted past the long line of patrons awaiting entrance on a steeply descending staircase. At the bottom of the steps, we entered what I now know is called the Bermondsey Arts Club, an art deco bar created in—you guessed it—a former public washroom. To its credit, it gets great reviews. Apparently, it’s a beautiful and trendy— albeit small—bar that serves excellent cocktails in an “intimate” setting. We could see theSteppingintimate.through the doors, we immediately met a crush of people, pulsing music and a thick blanket of hot, moist air (hello, COVID!). Even Bruce—known to enjoy a cocktail bar or two—looked skeptical. We paused long enough to say quick goodbyes and skedaddled back up that crowded stairway. No matter, it had been a wonderful evening. And four hours after we arrived back at our hotel? It was time to get on a train to Gatwick for our flights home. In this era of convoluted air travel, it’s not surprising that we missed our connection in Calgary due to an hour-long hold-up on the tarmac in Halifax. But the issue that caused the problem seemed rather appropriate to our journey.
The plane had just arrived from Glasgow, where a horde of thirsty Scots had left the toilets too full for the next flight, and servicing was required. It required another trip to the loo.
For example, there was the public restroom on Level 35 of the spectacular building The Shard. Here, the only thing more stunning than the view was the shock of plunking down on a heated (!) toilet seat. Then there was the pub bathroom discovered behind a secret door that looked like a bookshelf; the underground restroom accessed dungeon-style by a narrow set of stairs winding through cramped concrete walls; and a tiny, tiny loo, in which I’d chosen to change from jeans to shorts and barely had room to untie my shoelaces.
Susan Lundy Editor My daughter Danica’s art opening at the prestigious White Cube in London, England was everything you’d expect: chichi outfits, flutes of Prosecco, little canapé sandwiches…and, of course, lots of art. Too bad the night ended in “The Toilet.”
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Asked what fires her up the most in her work, she says, “I get fired up when I get to create and enhance the skin and meet the most incredible people. Nothing beats being an artist when your canvas is alive with energy and passion.”When it comes to good style, Heather believes the most im portant aspect is understanding yourself.“What feels good? What excites you? What makes you feel vibrant and exuberant?”
HEATHER NIGHTINGALE, MAKEUP ARTIST & EDUCATOR WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE “Trust your instincts and intuition, follow your passion, go get what you want in life. Just do something new that is not comfortable—step out do what youThesewant!”are the best life lessons that internationally acclaimed makeup artist Heather Nightin gale has learned in her more than 20-year career. After studying art at Alberta University of the Arts and Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Heather transferred her art, skills and knowledge to enhancing the natural beauty of the human face, using skin as her canvas.“Afew years later, I elevated my performance of artistry by going to Paris to study with Dany Sanz—the world-renowned cre ator of the brand Make Up For Ever. This is when I bloomed!”
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Blazer: Skirt: ZimmermannNordstromGivenchy fromCanadafromNordstromCanada
Coffee table book: Pursuit 365 by Shelly Lynn Hughes. Favourite author of all time: Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
READING MATERIAL
STYLE INSPIRATIONS & LIFE Style icon: Coco Chanel. Favourite artist: Dany Sanz. Piece of art: "The Kiss," Gustav Klimt. Favourite fashion designer or brand: Dior. Favourite cocktail: Caesar. Favourite musician: Bob Marley. Favourite city to visit: New York City.
Favourite print magazine: Vogue Favourite style blog: glamlifeblog.com.
Favourite work tool: My collection of makeup brushes from around the world. Fashion obsession right now: A zebra print cast mini dress with draping by Dolce & Gabbana. Favourite moisturizer: Whipped CleanMoisturizerSundaybyMisMacKCosmetics.
FASHION & BEAUTY
Scent: Havana Cologne by Geo. F. Trumper. Beauty secret: Sleeping on a silk pillowcase and wearing a silk mask at night. Sleep! Necessary indulgence: Spanks bodywear. Favourite Hair Product: Drybar Mr. Incredible styling mousse.
Film that inspires love of style: The Devil Wears Prada Favourite album: ACDC’s Back in Black. Favourite place in the world: Maui. Favourite flower: Bird of Paradise. One thing consistentlythatlifts your spirits during hard times: Having good friends by my side.
All-time favourite piece: Vintage tuxedo jacket. Currently coveting: Dior bag. Favourite shoes: Prada boots. Accessories you spend the most money on: Jewellery. Fashion obsession: Cos brand.
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22 BOULEVARD good taste Flavour with a view Granville Island restaurants take sit-down feasting to new levels WORDS JOANNE PETERS X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE
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Beer and wine flights, happy hour and brunch are all avail able; this is a place to kick back, soak it all in, and play tourist in your own town. At the opposite end of Granville Island is another stunning waterfront dining destination. Dockside Restaurant in the Granville Island Hotel features an elegant indoor space with double-height windows and ceilings, and a 50-foot aquarium; the outdoor setting, with beautiful greenery, flowers and even a few cherry trees, makes for serene al fresco dining. Views here are unique, as your eyes follow the furthest reaches of False Creek toward Telus World of Science, the city’s skyline across the way; there’s so much marine activity to watch, from people on paddle boards to dragon boats plying the waters and sailboats heading out to sea. Distinct patio spaces total just over 200 seats, with cabana-style sections and luxe low chaises around gorgeous marble fire tables.
Josh Gale, executive chef of culinary development, has created a menu that fuses Tap & Barrel’s focus on premium comfort food with the seafood-forward cuisine for which Bridges was known. Anyone who frequented Bridges will instantly recognize the hot seafood caesar—the greens studded with seared garlic prawns, halibut and salmon, all topped with shaved fennel, house-baked croutons, crispy capers and Parmesan in a creamy dressing. A pleasing tomato-fennel broth is the savoury base for seafood cioppino, with mussels, seared prawns, halibut and Yukon gold potatoes.
The Public Market is famous for everything from fresh crab to apple fritters the size of dinner plates. And while it’s great to make it a day of grazing, there’s nothing like sitting down for a meal at one of Granville Island’s standout restaurants with city-meets-sea vistas.
Tap & Barrel Bridges is the island’s newest culinary destina tion, and we’re willing to call it a knockout. Nearly all of the restaurant’s 800 seats have breathtaking views of False Creek, the marina and the West End; there’s Burrard Street Bridge and beyond it, English Bay and the North Shore mountains.
ranville Island packs a lot into its 40 or so acres: the former industrial site is home to theatres, art galleries, specialty shops and much more. Where the urban peninsula really shines, however, is in its culinary offerings.
Then there are the famous Bridges nachos, a locals’ favourite featuring crunchy cumin-dusted tortilla chips, cheddar, smoked mozzarella, pickled jalapeños, black olives, pico de gallo, feta cheese, green onion, cilantro and sour cream. (Look for the “b” on the menu for menu items that are Bridges classics.)
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Then there are newly created dishes, such as hummus and baked-to-order za’atar flatbread with whipped feta and harissa; honey Valentina lettuce wraps, with either crispy fried chicken or cauliflower, along with fillings like charred corn and roasted pumpkin seeds; and a truffle-mushroom mac and cheese cranked on the flavour scale with arugula, sharp cheddar bechamel, and Parmesan breadcrumbs. The noodles for this dish come from InGrain, a BC company; other local suppliers include Mario’s Gelato and Island City Baking Co., to name a few. We love that the seafood is Ocean Wise. The rotating tap list is purely BC, the 32 taps representing some of the best brews in the province: think Brewhall Beer Co., Wildeye Brewing, Red Truck Beer Company, House of Funk Brewing Co., Granville Island Brewing and Superflux Beer Company. Sixteen wines are on tap, and the system allows for premium options to be served by the glass. The list leans local, but this location is Tap & Barrel’s first to offer international bottles. Desserts are not an afterthought in the culinary team’s hands, with up to six selections; we’re suckers for the sticky toffee pudding, which consists of a warm date and molasses cake, smooth toffee sauce, Mario’s vanilla bean gelato and addictive candied walnuts.
Ocean Wise seafood plays a starring role on executive chef Zach Steele’s menu, with dishes such as seared plump scallops
The year-round heated and covered patio, along with the extended upper balcony with a retractable roof, boast nearly 400 seats combined, the umbrellas matching the building’s iconic sunflower yellow. A brief bit of history: the landmark restaurant, located in what was formerly the Arrow Transfer building, first opened in 1980, with Bridges being among the first anchor tenants to move into the cultural hub operated by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The place is close to Tap & Barrel owner Daniel Frankel’s heart; his parents moved his family to Vancouver from Israel to help bring Bridges to life with a team of founders on the once-derelict site. Other than the venue’s sunny exterior, most of the restau rant has changed, with the interior taken right down to the studs and rebuilt with a new floor plan and fixtures. It’s a more open and breezy space than before, with butcher-block tables and booths looking out to the water through floor-to-ceiling windows. There are flat-screen TVs for sports games; a glassencased fireplace at one end; a “library room” upstairs where people can flip through books; and accents that pay tribute to the community’s marine heritage, with mirrors resembling portholes and a wall of dangling, weathered wooden buoys. There are even some of Frankel’s own artworks here and there. (Look up, waaay up.)
Desserts here are handled with as much thought as mains. We love the idea of sharing the triple chocolate mousse—with blackout sponge cake, milk chocolate mousse, white chocolate mousse, dark chocolate mirror glaze and vanilla anglaise—and the Instagram-worthy lemon tart, with its caramel orange compote and hat of dry meringue. And while it’s great to make it a day of grazing, there’s nothing like sitting down for a meal at one of Island’sGranvillestandoutrestaurantswithcity-meets-seavistas.
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Steele adeptly gives texture to his dishes; take the toothsome roasted beets and carrots with the snap of puffed barley, the creaminess of labneh in an evenly balanced tarragon vinaigrette.
served with almond purée, green beans, bacon, apple and watercress and dressed in warm shallot vinaigrette; and steelhead salmon accom panied by chorizo-and-cannellini bean ragu and cavolo nero, a dark green Italian variety of kale. Halibut is featured in an innovative way; the grilled filet comes in a pool of creamed corn purée with celery, cubes of potato and carrot, and chili and chive oils. The flavours evoke the kind of nourishing chowder a mariner would crave.
There are other nice touches here: all of the restaurant’s flatbreads for hand-helds (such as pesto-prosciutto arugula or hot-smoked salmon) are made in house by executive sous chef Joel Chiasson, while breads and rolls are from La Baguette, a local supplier formerly on Granville Island. Other from-here purveyors that Dockside prides itself on supporting are Two Rivers Specialty Meats, Mikuni Wild Harvest and Oyama Sausage Co. Being in a hotel, Dockside is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner and weekend brunch. Look for local beer by the likes of Red Truck Beer Company, Four Winds Brewing and 33 Acres Brewing Company; spirits by Vancouver Island’s Ampersand Distilling Co.; and wines by BC’s own Blasted Church Vineyards and Stoneboat Vineyards, among others.
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26 BOULEVARD well and good Considering bravery A story about facing and (almost) conquering fear through the love of nature, movement and family adventures WORDS KAISHA SCOFIELD
BOULEVARD 27 IMMERSE YOURSELF halcyon hotsprings.com 1-888-689-4699 in nature in wellness IMMERSE YOURSELF PRESCHOOL–GRADE 12 admissions@qms.bc.ca www.qms.bc.ca New world. New challenges. New learning.
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e all have that thing. You know, the thing where just thinking about it makes you break into a cold sweat and feel a knot in the pit of your stomach? For some, it’s public speaking or flying, for others it could be small spaces, spiders or heights. These things can be called worst fears or even phobias. My thing is deep water. Oceans, waterfalls and streams are great, but deep, dark, bottomless lake water? No thank you. I’ve never been a strong swimmer and the mere thought of the weeds in lakes makes me woozy. Living here in BC, however, I still manage to spend most of my summer holidays at or around bodies of water. My family and I take several annual lake-centred camping trips with friends. These trips involve all sorts of water activities; swimming, diving off the dock, lounging on inflatable unicorns, water frisbee and paddle boarding. Until recently, my involvement in these activities was limited to wading, splashing and the occasional shallowwater doggy paddling. I was content with my limited water activities until a few years ago, when I decided to buy my husband a paddle board. This paddle board is glorious, nine feet long with black and red stripes, cool fins and a shiny paddle. Never had I been so dazzled by a piece of sporting equipment. I couldn’t wait to try it out. The following month, we headed out on our annual camping trip to Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island. We scored a beautiful spot, right in a pristine bay with a sandy Panic creepingwasin.
The girls fearlessly dove off of cliffs and swam around the rocky outcroppings, while I perched safely atop one of the more sturdy-looking rocks. It was beautiful and magical and something I will never forget. After nearly an hour of frolicking, we decided to head back. Before anyone could speak, I challenged the adults to a race back to camp. I paddled that board like a professional with my eyes on the horizon, as fast as I could. In the end, I decided that even though I will not be agreeing to any mid-lake island adventures any time soon, I am braver than I think. The water will always be equal parts magical and terrifying to me, and that’s okay. I will continue to practice my paddle boarding in the shallows, occasionally daring to reach a little deeper.
28 BOULEVARD lakebed and clear blue water. I eagerly hopped on the board and paddled around in the shallows. Sure, I fell in a few times, but the water was waist deep and perfectly clear so I felt confident to keep practicing. I was feeling quite pleased with my progress and increasing water savviness, which is why I agreed, when my pre-teen daughter and her friends suggested that they paddle us moms to the big island in the middle of the lake. Surely it wasn’t as far as it looked, and besides, several of the people we were camping with had paddled and even swam out there. My new-found water courage was swelling as we enthusiastically set off on our adventure. It started off smoothly. We travelled in a little flotilla, coasting along peacefully as the sun glistened on the water. Sitting on the back of the board, I lazily dangled my feet in the clear water. Fairly quickly, however, one of the boards pulled ahead and the group started to spread out. My daughter paddled as hard as she could to keep up but the distance grew too far. We were on our own. It was at this point I realized that we had well and truly reached the middle of the lake. I could tell this because of the vast distance between us and the shore but also by the deep and very dark water below us. The same water that my helpless feet were dangling in. Cowichan Lake has depths of 50 to 150 metres and my mind started imagining what could be lurking in the depths. I also realized my daughter was paddling painfully slow, and I wondered if we might be marooned in the middle of the lake forever. I considered that at only 11 years old, she might lack the sheer muscular strength to paddle us the rest of the way. I started glancing between the distant island destination, my helpless feet and my daughter's slow paddles. Panic was creeping in. Anyone familiar with the beginnings of a panic attack might describe it as waves, but when you are enduring a panic attack on actual waves, it’s more like an ooze that starts in your chest and slowly radiates out. My heart started pounding, my mouth got very dry and my body became strangely rigid. Simultaneously, I started to slowly but gingerly sneak my feet out of the now terrifying water. I tried to compose myself by taking deep breaths while my brain, essentially doing the opposite of deep breathing, started calculating how reasonable it was to consider calling search and rescue. At the time, a rescue mission off of a paddle board felt completely reasonable and something for which I would have paid almost anything. I glanced at my daughter, assuming she was also in the throes of a deep panic and would be interested in discussing our search and rescue options. But she wasn’t. My sweet, lovely daughter was not panicked at all. Instead, she was positively beaming with pride. Standing astride the board like it was a chariot, she paddled us into the great unknown. She didn’t appear to have a care in the world. I gave my head a shake and willed the fear to retreat. I looked around and noticed that we were now only a few metres from the island, certainly close enough that I might be able to out-swim a lake monster. In no time, we landed at the island, lifted the boards up and stood firmly on solid land. I was still shaken but the sheer excitement expressed by my daughter and her friends, as they celebrated their epic paddling trip, filled me with comfort. The waves of my panic receded to a manageable murmur.
Anyone familiar with the beginnings of a panic attack might describe it as waves, but when you are enduring a panic attack on actual waves, it’s more like an ooze that starts in your chest and slowly radiates out.
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30 BOULEVARD WITH OLA VOLO in studio … Going public Ola Volo and her spectacular murals WORDS LIN STRANBERG X PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICE LACROIX + SHAYD JOHNSON PHOTO BY PATRICE LACROIX
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“The first time I saw it, it just shook me! I saw how it made my voice as an artist very clear, how it gave people no choice but to react to the artwork, to notice it and think something about it— good, bad, whatever. That’s the power of large pieces.”
“If you know where to look, you can even spot it from the air when landing in Montreal,” Ola says. “The first time I saw it, it just shook me! I saw how it made my voice as an artist very clear, how it gave people no choice but to react to the artwork, to notice it and think something about it—good, bad, whatever. That’s the power of large pieces.”
Born in Kazakhstan to a Polish mother and a Russian father, Ola grew up surrounded by the myriad colours and patterns of the Middle East, China and Russia until she emi grated to Vancouver with her parents at the age of 10. Her parents still live in Coquitlam and she visits regularly. She credits the distinctive look of her work, with its folkloric elements, magical but universal themes and colourful patterns, to the visual influences of her early upbringing.
“Painting large murals is my favourite work,” says Ola Volo, a 30-something Canadian artist who lives in Vancouver andYouMontreal.couldbe forgiven for thinking this tall blonde looks more like a model than a muralist, but make no mistake. She has made her unforgettable mark on walls throughout North America and other parts of the globe as well. In fact, a 2019 mural she completed in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood is the biggest mural painted by a woman in Canada. Called “Walla Volo,” it’s a vibrant tribute to the neighbourhood’s cultural and artistic diversity, extending over a whopping 15,000 square feet on a 10-storey building wall.
“Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, and as a vastly multicultural country, it’s a sort of melting pot of content. When I started to look at what made my home beautiful as a child, I saw there were real connections with the ethics of the Eastern European and Kazakh culture that is often represented in bold colours and patterns.”
“To me, the code in the pocket symbolizes how domestic violence is often a secret many keep hidden,” Ola says. Her artist’s statement for the piece says: “Coming onto this project, I thought a lot about what it takes to leave a domestic violence situation. It made me think of a powerful, brave queen who grants herself love and opportunities to thrive. Crown held high, she’s looking forward to the future, protect ing the fragile bird companion on her shoulder, and rising above the snake that’s trying to hold her down.”
She wanted the woman to claim her confidence and her power back by taking up space. “She isn’t small or fading into the background. She’s front and centre and commands the attention she deserves—even in the busy streets of downtown Vancouver.”
Women are central to many of her murals, none more strikingly so than in YWCA Metro Vancouver’s “The Wall for Women,” a 42-foot mural on a wall at the corner of Burrard and Melville streets in downtown Vancouver. Described as a “message of hope,” it was created to support women experi encing violence. Reflecting the theme of how domestic vio lence hides in plain sight, five QR codes are hidden within the mural: taking a smartphone photo of them activates statistics about domestic violence and enables viewers to donate to new housing for women who have experienced violence.
There were not a lot of murals 10 years ago. When Ola painted her first one, called “Bunny on the Seawall,” on 50 feet of Kitsilano’s seawall north of Point Grey Road near MacDonald, she didn’t know much about public art at all. She was not even aware that a city permit was required. Soon the commissions started to come her way.
She has remained independent of agents or agencies, mak ing herself accessible through her website—and she likes it that“Allway.the work I do usually comes to me from people reaching out. I like that I get to run my own show, make my own deci sions and develop my own art. I find projects that align with me usually find their way to me,” Ola says. She’ll be spending time in Vancouver this fall working on a Vancouver NFT Gallery opening and other projects.
“I’ve been painting walls non-stop since COVID, and recently I found digital work to be another great way to tell stories. It’s a different medium I’m using to keep exploring my art.”Still, she is sentimental about “Bunny on the Seawall,” her first mural, painted during low tides on the beach in Kitsilano.
Hootsuite, a Vancouver tech firm, was her first client: she painted a mural at its Vancouver head office. She’s done work in Canada and the US for clients like Starbucks and Lulule mon, and public art in spaces from Montreal to Monterrey. She’s always aware that public art reflects its community and cultural identity. For the Vancouver Mural Festival in 2016, she created “Van City Scape” at 1st Avenue and Main, a bright, lively piece “to bring colour to Vancouver, as it is often grey and rainy in the city.”
PHOTO BY SHAYD JOHNSON
Her Eastern European folkloric influences, with their pat terns and colours, are prominent in this piece, while symbols like fire, hearts and stars contribute to its power and energy.
“It was a complicated topic to create a public piece from, and it shifted my perception of what public art can really do for spaces and people.”
“It ignited me to take that leap into storytelling and mes saging to the public and not be insecure about it. Besides, she says, “Once you try it, you can’t stop.”
Ola earned a BFA from Emily Carr University in Vancou ver.“I wanted to be a painter,” she says. “Then I tried graphic design, but I wasn’t that great at it. With all its standards and strictures, I didn’t thrive. Instead, I became interested in illus tration. I studied for a year in Rotterdam and felt like I found my tribe with painters and graphic artists. I was not concerned with public art until I returned to Vancouver—I discovered the city through an art perspective.”
In Mexico, she incorporated colour palettes that fit into the neighbourhood as well as colours she had seen in local mar kets. As for the women she depicts, “They represent a little bit of me, a little bit of the women who inspire me.”
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34 BOULEVARD weekender To the lake! Okanagan Lake is the heart of summer life in the Okanagan Valley WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE Wes and Tara Swaren.
Okanagan Lake is like a magnet around the centre of which Okanagan life orbits. The picturesque towns of Peachland, Summerland and Naramata dot its perimeter and the larger cities of Penticton and Kelowna hug its shores.
A s we begin our descent down the east side of the Okanagan Connector mountain pass, which runs from Merritt to Kelowna, the landscape quickly changes from a green forest of fir and aspen trees to a dryer landscape of pine and bunch grasses. My partner and I immediately feel the temperature warm up a few degrees. And then, like a majestic queen, Okanagan Lake suddenly appears in our view: blue, sparkling and impressive in its immensity. Okanagan Lake is like a magnet around the centre of which Okanagan life orbits. The picturesque towns of Peachland, Summerland and Naramata dot its perimeter and the larger cities of Penticton and Kelowna hug its shores. They are all connected by fruit-producing land with or chards and wineries that flow from the hills down to the fresh water. And as the summer temperatures start to creep up, the lake is the place to be—this is where valley residents and visi tors get to Windingplay.along West Kelowna’s Boucherie Road, we pass numerous wineries that beckon with the promise of cool Chardonnay—with notes of honeycrisp apple and butter scotch—or bright pinot gris, refreshing in its minerality. But the wineries will have to wait because after our lengthy drive from Vancouver Island, our ultimate destination comes into view—Hotel Eldorado, Okanagan lakeside luxury at its finest. Hotel Eldorado has been a hidden gem of Okanagan hospitality since 1926. Beautifully situated right on Okanagan Lake, “The El” has a private boardwalk that glows in the evening with twinkling lights, a luxury marina that offers boat and personal watercraft rentals, along with daily and weekly moorage for all in-house guests’ boats. It immediately sets the tone of stepping back in time to an era of luxurious elegance. We open the door to our lavish lake-view suite and let out a big sigh as we flop onto the comfy king-sized bed. The sound of waves lapping the shore and a sweet breeze fill the room from the open window, and our nervous systems start a slow unwind.
The next morning at the West Kelowna Yacht Club, we meet Wes and Tara Swaren and their family, who are taking us out on the lake on their Starcraft pontoon boat—which is like a floating living room—for some fun in the sun. Wes and Tara regale us with stories about summer on the lake as we sip cold rosé. The lake bustles with life, and activity on it is essential, they say, as Okanagan summer temperatures can soar, hitting close to 50 degrees Celsius last summer.
Later that evening we have dinner in the Eldorado dining room, where an old-fashioned wooden rowboat suspended from the ceiling gives the room a lovely feeling of warmth against the backdrop of the blue lake that turns grey as the last light fades from the sky. We sample buttery steelhead trout with burrata salad to start, and then dive into Cornish game hen and a vegetarian coconut curry, all paired with mouthwatering Okanagan wines. Our server delights us by offering a bit of the history of The El, which was founded by Countess Bubna, an aristo cratic English woman, who decades earlier had been married to an Austrian count. But the highlight of the dinner for me—and my sweet tooth—is the pina colada dessert of compressed pineapple, passionfruit cremeux, coconut rum sorbet and almond financier.
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The three Swaren daughters laugh and smile as their dad pushes the pontoon boat into high gear. I face the wind and look down the long lake and start to get what it’s all about. Suddenly my hat flies off, landing far away on the water’s surface. Tara’s husband turns the boat around and the girls jump into action as one assures me that this happens all the time. As I place my rescued and now soaking hat back on my head, I feel—just like that—I’m inducted into lake life. Looking to join the fun? Here are some of the many ways to enjoy life on the lake in Kelowna.
Piper “Bentley.”EllaKristenSwaren,Swaren,Swarenand
36 BOULEVARD TO THE BEACH Okanagan Lake is home to over 30 beaches, and many of them have playgrounds, concessions and bathrooms. Five of the most popular beaches in Kelowna are Hot Sands Beach, Boyce-Gyro Beach, Rotary Beach, Sarsons Beach, and Strathcona Park.
EXPLORE A MYSTERY Okanagan Lake is welcoming and refreshing during the summer, but it also has its mysteries, such as mythical creatures, hidden coves and tombs. Search for Ogopogo, hike Paul’s Tomb trail at Knox Mountain or snorkel in the crystal clear water of the quiet, secluded bays.
SUP TRAIL If stand-up paddle boarding is your thing, Okan agan Lake offers a 27-kilometre SUP trail that runs from McKinley Beach to Bertram Creek Regional Park. Running along Kelowna’s shoreline, the trail has many buoys to guide paddlers along their way.
ON THE LAKE: There are many, many ways to have fun on the lake, where the summertime water temperature averages 19 to 23 degrees Celsius. Things you can rent include: stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), wakeboards, sailboats, houseboats, jet skis, pedal-boats, charter boats, flyboards, kayaks and canoes.With a host of marinas, serene bays and isolated beaches, boating is a great way to explore the 135-kilometre-long lake that stretches north and south from Kelowna. Numer ous marinas, yacht clubs, charters and rental companies dot the shoreline in both directions. Several marinas on the lake have gas bars with convenience stores. Boaters can take their time on the lake in some sort of vessel, or try parasailing, wind-surfing or learning to wake board. Another opportunity? Finish the day with an eve ning dinner and dance on one of the local charter cruises.
Paddle by more than 20 beaches and parks, three waterfront resorts and two bird sanctuaries, as well as downtown Kelowna. Paddlers can choose to explore part of the trail or test their stamina by pad dling the whole thing. Either way, it’s a great chance to take in the beautiful sights from the water.
SCUBA DIVING Okanagan Lake offers scuba divers shore and boat dives, catering to all levels of expertise. The lake is 232 metres at its deepest and has shallower reaches too. Visibility is best in the spring, fall and winter months: explore rock formations, small caves, overhangs, shelves and drop-offs.
AVAILABLE AT THE MINIMALIST COLLECTIONVANCOUVERSuperior materials and uncompromising design, along with the finest attention to detail is what attracts luxury real-estate expert Tina Mak to Monogram’s suite of appliances. Learn more by visiting monogram.ca
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W e could all use a ray of hope in the midst of difficult times. BC Children’s Hospital continues to deliver ray after ray, with discov eries and innovations on health issues as wide-ranging as childhood cancers to diabetes, and stem cell research to youth mental health. Driven by donor support, over 1,200 researchers affiliated with BC Children’s Hospital are redefining the limits of pediatric medicine for kids who need help—today andAttractingtomorrow.some of the brightest minds in child health, the hospital cam pus represents one of the few fully integrated medical campuses in Canada.
BC Children’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, along with mental health, developmental services and rehabilitation facilities, are all located on one campus. This allows researchers and clinicians to im mediately translate new research insights into hospital care and, conversely, take insights from care back to the research lab.
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Buying a ticket to
the BC childhoodresearchgroundbreakingwhilehomeaDreamHospitalChildren’sFoundationLotteryofferschancetowintheofyourdreams,supportinginconqueringillness PHOTOGRAPHYSAYSHEILA
PHOTOGRAPHYSAYSHEILA
PHOTO BY LIA CROWE
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BC Children’s Hospital Foundation ensures that all funds raised are well managed and used for maximum impact on child health, in part by amplifying donor contributions. Every dollar donated to the Research Institute, for example, gener ates an additional five dollars from other sources, and donor
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Last year, BC Children’s Hospital treated over 138,000 children, diagnosing serious illnesses, applying life-saving treat ments, and supporting patients’ physical and mental health. This care is all powered by research.
Most experts here work as both clinicians and researchers, allowing them to see the results of their research firsthand and apply them to future studies.
Working at the forefront of complex health challenges requires resources and every donation truly matters, says Dr. Quynh Doan, Interim Senior Executive Director and Director of Clinical Research at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.“ The lottery funds cutting-edge research in all different areas of pediatric medicine. These contributions not only directly support the efforts taking place to research novel treatments and care for kids, but also inspire and motivate researchers at BC Children’s Hospital.”
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support drives change and innovation, powers the generation of new ideas and accelerates discovery.
“With support from our donors, we’re building the team to get the work done and develop two-way communication— from children and their families, back to clinicians, and then back to scientists. Research is like a team sport,” she says. “It involves many roles, and being able to communicate with everyone involved is critical.”
“Donor contributions help support the baseline infrastructure, including growing the expertise we hold at the Re search Institute,” says Dr. Doan. “And they also help with specific projects that allow us to hire research staff, approach families and collect data.”
One of the many donor-supported projects Dr. Doan is working on is the development of a Knowledge Centre that will enable communication between scientists, clinicians and a wider audi ence. This will help better inform the research taking place at BC Children’s.
PHOTO BY LIA CROWE
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“ Most of us have touchedbeenbytheselflessworkoftheteamatBCChildren’sHospital,andbuyingaticketmeansyou’rejoininginthefighttoconquerchildhoodillnesses.”
Top and Zimmermannskirt: from Nordstrom Canada. Ring: Monica Vindar from Nordstrom Canada. Shoes: Giovanni Rossi from Turnabout Luxury Resale.
“The design is very multi-functional,” says stylist Kenji Chik, head/lead designer for La-Z-Boy Furniture and Home Design, who oversaw the selec
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VISUALSBRADLEYMIKEKenjiDesignerChik.
THE BEAUTIFUL BENEFITS OF SUPPORT Supporting the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute through the Dream Lottery means you can feel good about contributing to major break throughs in child health research. And it also offers the chance to dream about winning the ultimate dream home. One of the many fabulous prizes on the roster for this year’s Dream Lottery is this stylishly outfitted fivebedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom, 4,385-square-foot South Surrey home. It comes complete with an oversized gourmet kitchen plus an additional wok kitchen, custom-designed dining room, personal gym and yoga studio, and finished basement level that can be used as a two-bedroom rental suite.
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Enjoy the finest shopping and services surrounded by the stunning architectural heritage of Sinclair Centre including: RETAIL Closed:10am-5:30pmMon-Sat:HOURS:SundaysandHolidays Just steps from Waterfront Station 757 WEST HASTINGS STREET WWW.SINCLAIRCENTRE.COMVANCOUVER • Ethereal Art • Gastown Photo • International Experience Club Ltd. • Sinclair Travel • Sinclair Wellness Centre • The Perfume Shoppe • The UPS Store
PHOTO BY LIA CROWE
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WHAT ’ S NEW THIS YEAR?
Chik added versatile elements throughout the home, with an eye to furnishings and decor that reflect sea sonal trends and long-term usability.
“In the entranceway between the foyer and living room, for example, I incorporated a pair of small cube-sized ottomans to accent the space. It’s a seat where you can take off your shoes, and once you walk into the living room, it also becomes part of that space.”
“One of the eight grand prize choices is a pair of homes,” says lottery spokes person Erin Cebula. “Choosing them gives you the option of living in one, renting out the other, or filling both with family and friends.”
Cebula notes that each of the eight prize packages amounts to a dream come true, and that buying a ticket for this year’s Dream Lottery means advancing world-leading research initia tives that can ultimately save lives. “Most of us have been touched by the selfless work of the team at BC Chil dren’s Hospital,” she says, “and buying a ticket means you’re joining in the fight to conquer childhood illnesses.” You can buy your ticket to the BC Children’s Hospital Dream Lottery now at: bcchildren.com “ The design is very multi-functional. With inflation, everything is more expensive, so when we buy something, we want to think about how to reuse it.”
Canada.McQueenAlexanderDress:fromNordstromShoes:GuccifromTurnaboutluxuryresale.
He also accentuated the bedrooms and living spaces with cool summer pal ettes such as blue and yellow, cosy terra cottas and lavenders, as well as timeless blacks and whites. Organic materials such as rattan, linen and braided fringes add a natural element to the decor. And prints and patterns bring a pop of visual interest to ceilings, sofas and dining chair backings.
tion of furnishings and decor for this prize home. “With inflation, everything is more expensive, so when we buy something, we want to think about how to reuse it.”
28 showrooms across Western CanadaKitchenMonrovia™Collection
48 BOULEVARD spaces we love
An architectural landmark in White Rock, the exclusive Fantom community’s resi dences find inspiration in the prows of mighty seafaring vessels and dramatic ocean views. Designed and detailed to optimize views of White Rock’s sparkling ocean vistas, every resi dence at Fantom relishes in a prized, panoramic southern exposure.
An exclusive collection of 25 ocean-view homes built with the downsizer in mind, these residences are designed to have all the comforts of a luxury single-family dwelling.
The plan considers functionality. It’s thought ful and balanced, designed to flow with the day—sun-soaked, seamless passageways con nected by oversized glazing sweep the suite. Whether you are dressing for the day in the decadent walk-in closet, admiring White Rock’s iconic shores on the private decks, or enjoying a glass of bubbly in the deep soaker tub, there’s beauty from every angle.
Finished like a high-end luxury hotel, the suite features a brass canopy king-sized bed, adorned by a striking, custom-built Carrarawhite and Nero-black headboard feature wall, boasting full marble slabs and accents. The marble-adorned en suite features a stunning built-up vanity with floating mirrors, spacious walk-in double shower with brass shower fixtures, a lavish free-standing matte-black deep soaker tub and heated full-slab marble floors.
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Decadently marble-adorned with two privateview decks, spacious walk-in and spa-oasis en suite, The Wraith at Fantom penthouse suite is specifically oriented 45 degrees southwest to showcase incredible ocean views and stunning sunsets in abundance.
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Revel in inspiring sunrises and shimmering sunsets, dawn til dusk at The Wraith at Fantom! Forge Properties (White Rock) with Form Creative (White Rock) brought home eight 2022 HAVAN Awards for Housing Excellence, including Grand HAVAN Multi-Family of the Year.
50 BOULEVARD fashion Balmain
“Adler”Vancouver.($695),ChloéBodysuitBlazer($4,295),AlexanderMcQueenPaveRingwithPearlbothfromNordstromSeries,sculpturebyBirgitPiskor,fromtheTofinoGalleryofContemporaryArt.
Dion Lee Spiral Rib Crop Sweater($2,150)Chloé($775),PleatFrontWide-LegLinenVoilePantsfromNordstromVancouver.
art
fashion
Line, movement, shape: sparks of the unexpected mixed with references to things deeply familiar. High fashion inspires the self in the same way art can stir the soul; they both reach for a feeling, strive to say something not quite said before and catch the viewer off guard. On the curve of the Vancouver Island’s west coast sits Tofino Brick House, where pieces from the Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art come alive inside its walls, and spill seamlessly to the dramatic landscapes just steps from the door. Here, the loop of art and life spiral, catch you and lift you a little higher.
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PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE X STYLING SARAH D’ARCEY
AsymmetricLemaire Long Sleeve Apron Dress ($1,460), Chloe Lyv Shell
Art,allPrintMarineNecklacePendant($720)andSerreMoonGloves($541),fromNordstromVancouver.fromlefttoright:“Grapes,PearsandVasebyKevinNierman,”paintingbyMarionEvamy;“3Vessels”byFranSolar;“TwilightIV,”paintingbyMonicaGewurz.AllfromtheTofinoGalleryofContemporaryArt.
Khaite Sukey Draped($2,420)HarnessfromNordstromVancouver,swimsuit,stylist’sown.
Smythe ‘90s Blazer ($695), A.L.C. Tommy Pleat Front Linen Blend Pants ($575), and Dion Lee Ribbed Combat Corset Tank Top ($685), all ArtVancouver.Nordstromfromfromleft to right: “Wandering“Paroles,”Spring,”“UkrainianpaintingbyPaulaCallahan;paintingbyIraHoffecker(upstairslanding),HighandLow,”paintingbyChinYuen.AllfromtheTofinoGalleryofContemporaryArt.
All art provided by The Tofino Gallery of Contemporary Art. Photographed on location at Tofino Brick House, one of the vacation properties at Chesterman Beach managed by Tofino Beach Collective. A huge thank you to Tofino Beach Collective for hosting our team. Thanks also to Michael Sahely for loaning the big easel.
Makeup by Jenny McKinney. Model Niamh Harold represented by Mode Models. Production support by Peter Zambri.
VLOGOValentinoGaravaniBuckleLeatherBelt($695),leatherjacketbyDolce&Gabbana($8,245)fromNordstromVancouver,swimsuit,stylist’sown.
56 BOULEVARD Brands for Better Uniting for meaningful change WORDS LAUREN KRAMER X PHOTOGRAHY LIA CROWE business class
Brands for Better’s first capstone event, the Brand Battle for Good, kicked off virtually in April/May 2021. The theme of the event was “Moving Vancouver Towards Zero Waste,” and the two-part virtual event included an educational pre-confer ence, followed by a competition one week later where more than 250 participants across 19 teams rivalled each other for the best idea on how to promote a zero waste ethos. Karla and Scot were excited about the level of participa tion. Among the participants in attendance were brands Arc’teryx, LUSH, Hootsuite, Unbounce, Vancity, Earth’s Own, Happy Planet and Swany Gloves, alongside SOLE, ReCORK, Digital Hot Sauce and many others. The winning idea came from the “singles” table, a group of freelancers and other companies who pitched EcoMeter, an initiative aimed at publicizing those restaurants that are finding ways to lower their impact on the planet, while also enabling restaurants to connect with partners who offer sus tainable solutions. With help from the winning team participants, Brands for Better volunteers and SOLE’s web development team, EcoMeter officially launched in Vancouver in May 2022 as a grading system of a restaurant’s sustainability practices, focusing on food waste, takeout packaging, supply chain and community initiatives.
“It’s an educational resource for consumers who want to support restaurants acting sustainably, but it also incentivizes restaurants to increase their efforts in the eco-space,” Karla said. To date, over 500 restaurants are listed on the EcoMeter site.Karla, Scot and the Brands for Better volunteers are presently preparing for the second Brand Battle for Good. The hybrid event will kick off with a virtual conference on
At that moment, the Brand Battle for Good concept was formalized, and Brands for Better Foundation was born. The organization was created as a foundation with the goal of bringing measurable positive impact to local communities by harnessing the united power of different brands and the talented folk behind them. The volunteer-driven not-for-profit aims to turn brand teams into change-makers, multiplying the effects of their efforts in their local communities.
MThethinking was, what one brand could do to create impact is nothing compared to what many can do together.”
BOULEVARD 57 any companies talk the talk when it comes to “giving back,” “working sustainably” and improving the environment around them. While these catch phrases are ubiquitous and well intentioned, they often begin and end with rhetoric, creating little to no change. Every now and then, though, there are notable exceptions, and Brands for Better Foundation is the perfect example.
It started in 2018, when Karla Peckett, VP at footwear brand SOLE and recycling initiative ReCORK, was attending an outdoor retailer expo in Denver, Colorado. In an effort to draw attention to her company’s booth at the expo, the now 39-year-old executive for SOLE/ReCORK invited other brands that were practicing sustainable and ethical business to share five-to-10-minute talks on their efforts. The idea worked and SOLE’s booth was packed at the expo. Karla returned to Vancouver determined to expand the concept at home. Hoping to bring Vancouver-based brands together in a similar fashion and amplify their existing efforts towards social and environmental issues, Karla got to work. She’d recently started a client-agency relationship with Scot Sustad, 40, co-founder of the Vancouver digital marketing firm Digital Hot Sauce, and the two shared a similar ethos in their goals to create impact in the environment around them.
“I asked Scot, ‘what if we tried to get local brands united through a shared passion for impact, and created a space where they could work together to do some community give-back work?’ The thinking was, what one brand could do to create impact is nothing compared to what many can do together.”Scotwas immediately on board and suggested they initiate a design thinking competition that created solutions for a societal problem that needed to be addressed, and then implement the solution.Knowing they could never do it alone, Karla and Scot began reaching out to their connections. They were able to hustle 35 decision-makers into a lunch meeting where they pitched their idea to gauge interest. “During that lunch, the idea was validated and we realized people were willing to contribute their time and resources,” Scot said. “We were excited to learn there was wind in the sails!”
September 28, featuring 40 educa tional seminars from subject matter experts, and an in-person strategy hack-a-thon on October 5. They hope the teams will emerge with compelling, creative, practical and implementable solutions to combat social isolation and loneliness in Vancouver.“Vancouver residents have grap pled with a growing sense of social isolation for many years, naming it an issue of concern over poverty and the housing crisis. This has really been exacerbated by the forced isolation of the pandemic,” Karla said. Some 16 of the hoped-for 25 teams have registered at the time of writing. Each team pays a fee to at tend, which goes towards the estimat ed $100,000 in hard costs required to carry out the event. The winning concept will receive a $15,000 digital media package from Digital Media Title Partner, DailyHive. Last year’s winning team also received a $40,000 donation from the advertising agency PS DDB, and Scot said the foundation is looking for another ad agency to support this year, as well as sponsors, in-kind media partners and web development companies to contribute to the prize package and event costs. “With the help of this in-kind work, the prize becomes re ally valuable and gets the robust legs it needs to survive,” he said. “We’re still fine-tuning this concept to figure out the best recipe for success, but it’s not about one winner—it’s about activating brands on an impact level so we can motivate people to step in and create change. When that hap pens cumulatively, the impact is quite remarkable.”“Thesuccess of EcoMeter was a true validation of the Brands for Better concept,” Scot added. “Now we’re starting to think about how we can fine-tune this event in a sustain able way so that we can activate Brands for Better chapters in other communities outside of Vancouver. If mirroring Brand Battle for Good events started popping up in other major cities throughout the world, imagine the amazing reach it could have.”Learn more about Brands for Better at brandsforbetter.ca.
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Building a collection and using art to personalize your space WORDS JANE ZATYLNY X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE
hether it is your child’s first painting, an inherited watercolour, an old family photo graph or a piece of functional pottery—art brings incredible meaning to our personal lives. As the artist Pablo Picasso once put it, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
In a sea of manufactured goods, art also humanizes our homes.“Ialways like to look at it as the personalization of a space,” says Hannah Katey Berger, principal interior designer and owner of Hannah Katey Interior Design in Kelowna. “When you have a neutral space, art really adds that personality.”WhenIwas a teenager, I papered my bedroom walls with pages torn from fashion magazines, my own drawings and posters of my teen idols. A great compliment from a visiting friend was always, “Wow, there is so much to look at in here!” Today my condo walls are covered with colourful paintings, my own photographs, large pieces of pottery and art glass. There’s still a lot to take in, and it may not be to everyone’s taste—but that is perfectly okay. Art is powerful because it takes a room to the next level, explains Brooke Hatfield, interior designer and principal of Brooke Hatfield Design in Victoria. “Even if two people have the exact same furniture in a room, you will get a com pletely different vibe and un derstand so much about Person A and Person B, just from their selection of art.” The art you choose to display in your home can also profoundly influence the way you feel. It can calm you or it can energize you, depending on the pieces you choose—and where you choose to display them.“At museums, we often see people staring at a piece of art for a long period of time,” says Lucila Diaz, founder and creative director of Harmony Sense Interiors in North Van couver. “That’s because the art is making them feel something beyond the colours or the lines or the Thecomposition.”sameholdstrue when art is integrated into interior design, she stresses: “I know
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I’ve done my job when people say, ‘I don’t really know what it is, but it feels so peaceful and harmonious to be in this space.’”
3. Start by showcasing your children’s art, suggests Brooke. “One of my own favourite pieces of art is a series of three cards my god-daughter created in preschool, which I matted and framed.”
8. Online auctions like MaxSold can also be a great way to browse and find art to suit pretty much all tastes and styles.
5. Studio tours and art walks are another great way to build a collection; you can also forge a meaningful connection with the artist and learn the story behind a particular work of art.
Ultimately, art helps us create a beautiful sanctuary from the world, says Brooke. “If we have pieces in our spaces that we love, it can really bring us home to ourselves.”
A simple rule to follow is to buy what you love, she adds: “Follow your gut, and you won’t go wrong.”
2. “Be patient and have fun with it,” says Hannah. “Explore different artists and different mediums. There is nothing wrong with liking or disliking certain styles. When it’s right for you, you’re going to appreciate it in your space.”
4. Visit museums and galleries to get a sense of what you like.
9. Try to avoid settling by “matching” a piece of art to a sofa or other piece of furniture; instead, choose a piece that speaks to you, says Hannah. “Art can act as a major focal point, which should inspire the remain ing space. You can add cohesive harmony to your interior by pulling colours from the artwork through accent pillows and accessories.”
1. Building an art collection takes time, so it’s wise to buy art piece by piece.
6. Parker Street Studios in Vancouver, a 152,000-square-foot warehouse, is home to more than 100 artists’ galleries and studios, says Lucila. “It’s a great place to look for or even commission art.”
10. Many public art galleries offer art rental and sales. This is a great way to test drive a painting style or size in your home before buying.
7. Etsy, the global e-commerce website for makers, is another good place to source art, whether you purchase a digital download or an original piece. You can also explore Instagram for artists’ profiles and follow and purchase art through that platform, says Brooke.
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TEN TIPS TO HELP YOU SOURCE ART FOR YOUR HOME:
Building a collection When choosing art for your home, the nearly infinite selec tion of styles, colours and sizes can often seem overwhelming. “Many of my clients say, ‘I wouldn’t know where to start’ when I ask them about art for their homes,” says Brooke.
• Consider the overall atmosphere you want to create when hanging art, says Lucila. “If you have a piece of art you love, make it the centrepiece of your room.”
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Usually four to eight inches is ideal, says Brooke.
• Be mindful about scale when hanging artwork, as pieces can sometimes be too large or small for a particular space, says Hannah. With too-small pieces, consider adding an extra-large matte when framing, or group items together.
• Make sure your artwork is properly secured to the wall. “You don’t want things to fall,” says Lucila. “It’s also important to protect your investment with UV protected glass, so it won’t be damaged by sunlight.” Don’t be afraid to layer art by putting a lamp in front of a painting, sug gests Brooke. “You don’t want to obliterate the artwork, but layering is what makes a space interesting.”
• Use painters’ tape or trace your artwork onto news print to test out a gallery wall.
• Think outside of two-dimensional artwork, says Brooke. “A friend of mine collected those small blue and white houses that a Dutch airline gave away. Displayed together, they formed a powerful piece of art.”
• Try to make sure that the distance between pieces in a gallery wall is consistent.
• Take your cue from art galleries and museums and make sure that the middle of the art work is at your eye level.
How we hang or display our art pieces can greatly affect their impact in our homes. The most common mistake, ac cording to the interior designers I spoke with, is hanging a painting too high or too low. Here are some tips about hang ing, spacing and placing art.
• Another rule of thumb is to hang paintings 60 inches from the floor to the centre of the art for a room with an eight-foot ceiling. Adjust for higher ceiling heights.
Hanging, spacing and placing art
• When hanging art over a sofa, mantle or dresser, make sure it relates to that piece and isn’t too high above it.
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68 BOULEVARD food and feast Beautiful boards The art of charcuterie WORDS ELLIE SHORTT X PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON
WHAT YOU’LL NEED The canvas: While most traditionally and commonly made of wood, I have seen, curated and enjoyed many good charcuteries on stone slabs, ceramic platters and even just a basic dinner plate. The number of folks you’re feeding and the ingredients you’d like to showcase will determine the size, and shape is often dependent on the theme you’re exploring. For example, if it’s a sumptuous starter for a farm-style feast you’re after, try a long and narrow board, almost like an edible table runner.
The palette: If you’re new to charcuterie creation and aren’t wildly familiar with, or particular about, cheese and cured meat varieties, I suggest simply exploring textural range. I usually start with a soft cheese (brie, camembert, chevre), add in a medium cheese (gouda, compté, fontina) and then a harder cheese (aged cheddar, manchego), as well as a pâté or terrine, some pancetta or prosciutto and a salami of sort like genoa, felino or bresaola. After that comes the complementary spreads, which may include a tart or grainy mustard, a jammy preserve and honey. The bases of your choosing also lend well to textural variety; soft chewy bread, nutty seedy crackers or classic crisps all offer something different to each bite.
BOULEVARD 69 he surveys her palette: hues of creamy whites, muted reds, earthy browns. She ponders over her canvas, a blank backdrop awaiting adornment. Her tools are her hands, a knife, a spoon. She is guided by her senses; sight, smell…taste. She thoughtfully makes her first brushstroke—a honeycomb in the centre of dark mahogany. An artistic experience begins. It concludes with a soapy sink, full bellies, satisfied smiles and fading laughter in the background. For anyone who has ever enjoyed a considerately curated charcuterie board, you have been on the receiving end of a sensory undertaking. You have gazed upon the beauty of simple ingredients attentively arranged with care and precision. You have crafted your own creations with each curiously constructed bite, layering flavours and textures, making new exciting combinations and savouring preferred pairings. You have engaged in the communal analysis, the cultural dissection of discussing the ingredient groupings and favourites with your fellow gastronomes. Visually, expe rientially and, quite literally, the charcuterie board is often the centrepiece, as well as the masterpiece of the evening. However, to be the maker behind the chef-d’oeuvre is a whole other practice and one that adds a delicious layer of creative expression and imaginative enjoyment. For many though, conceptualizing a board can feel intimidating. Where to start? What to get? What direction to take? They’re the common questions and naturally nervous thoughts of any new artist exploring an uncharted medium.We’veall seen hundreds of paintings, but what is the process? What paints to choose? What canvas to buy? What method to explore? Just like with all art, there is no S right or wrong way to make a charcuterie board. However, if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to get started, the following may offer some loose guidelines to play with, keeping in mind that with all art—both the expression and interpretation are subjective and the possibilities endless.
As with all art, there is no limit on what you can do and how you can do it! Have fun, get creative, and… keep in mind that what you’re eating is more important than how it’s presented, and what folks will remember is not necessarily how everything looked, but how it made them feel. And that is what art is truly about.
Rule of thirds: While there are absolutely no rules for making a charcuterie board, when building classically appealing “Instagram-able” / “Pinterest-worthy” spreads that seem to find the ideal balance between abundant and overflowing, but are yet tidy and tasteful, I will often go for three varieties of the main components (cheese, meat and spread), arranging them on the board one category at a time,
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HOW TO MAKE IT
Consider style: Minimalist? Pop art? Abstract?
The tools: Your hands of course are your best instruments for assembly, but to appreciate and enjoy your creation, you and your guests will need a few essential implements. While it’s arguably impressive and certainly convenient to acquire particular utensils for specific cheeses, your guests will likely be just as content with a small paring knife to cut their camembert. What’s more important is to have enough (even if you’re just using dinner knives), and to make sure you include spoons for the spread. It can be painfully tormenting for drooling participants to be staring at the bounty before them with no way of getting the goods onto a cracker and into their mouths.Youwill also need a small bowl for olive pits, cheese rinds, and anything else your guests might want to discard as they dine. A sure-fire way to evoke audience aversion is to have spitty pits and half-nibbled rejects awkwardly and embarrassingly scattered throughout the edible landscape.
Last, but certainly not least, you’ll likely want to explore some tasty trimmings, such as the classic accompaniments of nuts, olives, cornichons and grapes. I encourage imaginative consideration here, though, and often find my most exciting boards unfold when I include nibbles like marinated mushrooms, pickled peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and chewy dates.
While it may seem silly to even name these iconic artistic movements in a story about building edible boards, I have found that drawing on some of these concepts from a purely superficial standpoint can guide me through a theme, or inspire a certain vibe. I love having that singular focus of a showstopper meat, an adventurous cheese, a perfect preserve and simple slice of sourdough, to anchor a minimalistic spread.Ialso adore a big, bold, beautiful mess, where each ingredient sort of melts into another. Whatever your intended outcome, start slow, perhaps one category at a time, placed evenly throughout the board, and build from there, knowing that you can rearrange and redirect at any time if your moods shifts and you’re feeling suddenly inspired to take it in a different direction.
The final touches: Whatever themes you’re inspired by, ingredients you’re working with, or concepts you’re exploring, I find certain details seem to turn a basic board into a memorable masterpiece. Edible flowers, microgreens, a small sprinkle of something special—there’s a reason garnishes are so popular when plating and practicing artful presentation. Do keep in mind, of course, to not mask the main event with unnecessary decorations.
4) Reduce the heat to low, add the seared white fish. Place the clams or mussels in the rice hinge side down so they can easily open. Cook for another 5-10 minutes over low heat until liquid is fully absorbed and shellfish pops open. Remove from the heat, add prawns, and cover with foil for 5 minutes before eating. 4 roma tomatoes, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 bell pepper, diced 1 onion, diced 7 cups flavourful stock 2 1 2 cups paella rice 1 2 lb clams or mussels and then filling in the holes with the accoutrements of nuts, olives, fruit, etc. Whether or not you place the bread or crackers on the board itself is (like everything) a personal decision, and may depend on dietary considerations like gluten sensitivity. However, I often go for a combination, incorporating some crackers on the board, and fresh bread (with perhaps a little olive oil and sea salt for dipping) on the side.
Makes about 1 cup of preserve Ingredients: 6-8 soft fresh figs 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice 1 sprig fresh rosemary Directions: Trim the figs and slice them in half. Place them in a medium-sized saucepan with all the remaining ingredients, over medium-low heat. Cook until everything is thick and jammy, stirring regularly throughout, mashing up the figs as you go, for 45 minutes to 1 hour. *Note: if you’re noting the figs aren’t breaking down after about 15 minutes, add more orange juice, or even a splash of water and give it a good stir and mash. Remove the rosemary sprig and any large rosemary needles, and transfer the fig jam to a sterilized and dry mason jar for canning (leaving some space at the top before sealing). Or, if consuming more immediately, allow the jam to cool to room temperate and store in the fridge for up to three weeks.
BOULEVARD 71 WILD, SUSTAINABLE, LOCAL, TRACEABLE 4675 Arbutus Street Vancouver 604.266.1904 finestatsea.com SEAFOOD MARKET • FOOD CART • ONLINE STORE Seafood Paella Serves 6-8 1⁄4 tsp saffron 1 lb white fish (lingcod or rockfish), cut into 2” pieces 1⁄4 cup high heat oil (canola or grapeseed) 8 head on spot prawns 1⁄2 lb squid or octopus, thinly sliced 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1) Place saffron in 1 4 cup of hot water and allow to steep. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Place your pan over medium/high heat and add the oil. Sear the fish and prawns in the oil allowing it to brown. You do not need to worry about cooking through at this point.
While I’ve largely explored the classic combination of charcuterie et fromage, many foods lend well to a beautiful board display. A rainbow-inspired veggie platter, a deconstructed fruit salad with a dreamy dip, a fun and funky dessert board with a chocolatey theme…I’ve even done a DIY pancake board that is always hit for brunch-time gatherings. As with all art, there is no limit on what you can do and how you can do it! Have fun, get creative, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, keep in mind that what you’re eating is more important than how it’s presented, and what folks will remember is not necessarily how everything looked, but how it made them feel. And that is what art is truly about.
Balsamic Fig Preserve Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: About 1 hour
BEYOND MEAT (AND CHEESE)
2) Once the fish has colour remove it from the pan and set aside. Add the squid, peppers, onions, garlic, and paprika and cook about 5-6 minutes until soft.
3) Add saffron water and broth, bring it to a boil, and season well. Sprinkle rice over the broth and stir to incorporate. THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU WILL STIR THIS DISH. Sprinkle tomatoes over the rice and cook for 10-12 minutes still on medium/high heat. If your pan is larger than your heat source move the pan around a few times to ensure that it cooks evenly.
Chocolate Almond Fudge Sauce Prep time: 5 minutes Makes about 1.5 cups of sauce
Creamy Roasted Beet Dip Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: About 45 minutes Makes about 1.5 cups of dip Ingredients 3 medium-sized beets, peeled and cut into chunks 1 large clove of garlic, peeled and trimmed ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (plus about 1-2 tbsp for roasting) ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
Honey Lemon Cream Cheese Whip Prep time: 10 minutes Makes about 2 cups of whip
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Directions: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and honey until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Pour one quarter of the whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth. Scrape down the sides and repeat a second time until thick and fluffy. Mix in lemon zest until just integrated. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. *Note: If you want the whip to be on the softer side, make sure to take it out of the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes and give it a little whisk before serving.
¼ cup feta cheese Handful of fresh dill Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: Preheat oven to 400F. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, toss the beets in some olive oil and place in a baking dish with a lid (you can also use aluminum foil if you don’t have any covered baking dishes).Roast for about 45 minutes, turning the beets once or twice, until fork tender. Allow the beets to cool, and then combine them with the remaining ingredients in a highpowered blender until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a container and store in the fridge for up to one week.
Ingredients: ½ cup dark chocolate chips ½ cup smooth almond butter ½ cup whipping cream 2-4 tbsp maple syrup Pinch of salt
*Note: the sauce will thicken as it cools.
Ingredients: ½-¾ cup cream cheese 2 tbsp honey ½ cup whipping cream Zest from 1 medium-sized lemon
Directions: In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the chocolate, almond butter and cream. Continue stirring until the chocolate is fully melted and well-integrated with the almond butter and cream. One tablespoon at a time, add in the maple syrup until you’re happy with the flavour (this will depend on how sweet your dark chocolate chips are). Add a pinch of salt, stir one more time, before taking it off the burner and transferring to a bowl for serving.
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High in London Experiences with a view
lose to 1,000 stairs. Three “lifts.” One very long walk uphill. One observation wheel, one cable car and one double-decker bus. During our six-day trip to London this summer, we did all we could to “get high” and witness the views of this spectacular city. We also walked 62 kilometres and climbed 92 flights. We savoured some truly exquisite food, slept in three stunning hotels, visited a strange pub, and used our Oyster cards to access the exceedingly simple and efficient tube system.
WORDS SUSAN LUNDY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LONDON & PARTNERS
C
An icon of the London skyline, the London Eye is the world’s largest cantilevered observation wheel (not a Ferris wheel) and is centrally located across the River Thames from famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. This is a major tourist attraction, so expect to join a quickly moving lineup and then follow a dozen or so others into a transparent observation capsule. The 30-minute experience showcases breathtaking 360-degree views as you slowly climb the wheel to a height of 135 metres. Purchase advance tickets at londoneye. com. We augmented this attraction with a 40-minute circular sightseeing boat cruise along the Thames—a lovely open-air voyage that was both fun and informative.
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THE VIEW FROM THE SHARD
HIGH STREETS
The number of options for High Tea (or Afternoon Tea) in London is dizzying. But to get high, how about tea on the top level of a double-decker bus? We nibbled on delicate sandwiches, buttery pastries and iconic cream scones on a B Bakery Tea Bus Tour, while driving about the city and listening to an amusing tour guide drop enlightening tidbits about various landmarks. Check out b-bakery.com to discover an array of bus tour offerings, including the intriguingsounding Slingsby Gin Afternoon Tea (next time!). This beautiful, walkable city, with its stunning architecture— both old and new— friendly chaps and so many things to explore is a must-do on any travel lover’s list.
THE LONDON EYE
What did we learn? This beautiful, walkable city, with its stunning architecture—both old and new—friendly chaps and so many things to explore is a must-do on any travel lover’s list. As for getting high? Here are some of the many options:
HIGH TEA
Every area in London has its own “high street,” basically a main street. But some are higher than others and Oxford Street is one of the most famous. Located in the west end of London, it’s considered the city’s premier shopping des tination, offering more than 300 stores, outlets and shops. It boasts more than 90 flagship stores along a 1.9-kilometre stretch and provides the best places to shop in London.
At 310 metres (1,017 feet), the 95-storey skyscraper The Shard is the tallest building in Britain and 96th tallest in the world. It dominates the London skyline like—as the architect planned—a jagged glass sculpture rising from the river.The “View from The Shard” is a tourist attraction that offers views from two viewing platforms inside the building: the first is a triple-level indoor gallery on Level 69, and the second is a partial-outdoor gallery on Level 72. An innova tive lift system transports guests in lifts that travel at six metres per second, making the total time to go from Level 1 to Level 68 about a minute. We had the immense luck to partake in a truly divine five-course meal overlooking the River Thames and city skyline in TING restaurant on Level 35 of The Shard. Everything about this feast—from the sublime flavours to the sommelier-recommended wine pairings and impec cable service—made it one of the most memorable meals we’ve ever enjoyed. And then there was the view…. The Shard is one of London’s most famous landmarks.
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EMIRATES AIR LINE CABLE CAR
Here’s a unique and fun way to take in the London sky line—soar across the River Thames 90 metres high in your own private cable-car cabin. You can grab either one-way or round-trip tickets from launching sites at Royal Victoria Docks or Greenwich Peninsula. This is a peaceful way to get high in a different part of London and soak in views of the river and beyond. If you catch the cable car after 7 pm, the journey slows down, adding a dozen or so minutes each way. Timed right, you might be able to catch a sunset. We loved this ride: quiet, peaceful—and no stairs!
CLIMB THE O2 ARENA
THE MONUMENT Built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and celebrate the rebuilding of the city, The Monument is a 61-metre-tall Doric column, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Inside, visitors can climb 311 steps through a narrow, winding passageway to take in panoramic views from the top. Hidden beneath the entrance is a tiny laboratory from where the column was once used as a giant zenith telescope. Who knew! It took a bit of huffing and puffing to reach the top, but the views—and the nod to history—were worth it.
THE DOME AT ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
Here’s an opportunity to get high in London that we witnessed during a few hours spent exploring the shops and restaurants at the O2 Arena, another London landmark. In this experience, you don a climb suit, boots and harness and cross a walkway on the roof suspended 52 metres in the air. With a daylight climb, you’ll see views for miles; at night you’ll witness a blanket of twinkling city lights.
climb to the top of Greenwich Park for great views of the city. This is also the home of Greenwich Mean Time where, in the Meridian Courtyard, you can stand on the world-famous (albeit slightly underwhelming) prime meridian line, or longitude 0, the starting point for measuring global distance east and west. Outside the observatory, there’s a fantastic viewpoint in front of a statue of General Wolfe.
A visit to the O2 Arena is a worthwhile trip in itself. In addi tion to stores and restaurants, there’s lots of activities available for young and old.
ROYAL OBSERVATORY GREENWICH
You can’t get much higher than space, and at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, you can marvel at The Great Equatorial Telescope and Camera Obscura, as well as Looking at the dome from inside St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Visiting the splendour that is St. Paul’s Cathedral is a mustdo, even without the lofty goal of getting high. Described appropriately as a “vibrant church, a national treasure and a London icon,” the cathedral is more than just a breathtaking example of Baroque church design. It houses an art collection and a crypt, and has figured prominently in events such as the funerals of Winston Churchill and the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. First built in 604, it has burned down and been rebuilt three times, most recently in the 1600s. At 111 metres high (365 feet), it was the tallest building in London from 1710 to 1963. The dome remains among the highest in the world. And guess what? Should you desire to embark on an up wards trek of 538 steps, you can visit the top of the dome. On the way up, you’ll pass the Whispering Gallery at 259 steps and the Stone Gallery at 378 steps. At the top is the Golden Gallery, and it encircles the highest point of the outer dome.
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Here are a few ideas to enjoy the high life in London. Try any or all of these hotels: Shangri-La The Shard: As we used our card to activate our room at Shangri-La The Shard, magic happened. Blinds on a semicircle of floor-to-ceiling windows lifted upwards, revealing dazzling views from every vantage point. The bathroom, encircled in glass, was also a revelation. Sitting in the tub, it feels like you’re soaking and floating at the same time. Every detail in this room was topnotch, from pillows and linen to technology, space and comfort, and the staff was super helpful. Want to get even higher? Reserve ahead and plunge into the hotel’s infinity pool on Level 52—nearly 200 metres above sea level. The Trafalgar St. James: Location, location, as they say. Situated amid London’s bustling Trafalgar Square, across the street from the National Gallery and just steps from cute patio bars and restaurants on The Strand, this is an excellent place to stay. Throw in impeccable service, comfortable rooms, an excellent rooftop bar and delightful breakfast served buffetstyle in the garden-themed Rockwell restaurant—and what more could you want? The Trafalgar St. James is also within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and many other London landmarks.
ELEVATE THE NIGHT
Sea Containers London: Named for its location on the former site of Sea Containers London (a former shipping company), this funky, cool hotel is set right on the waterfront in London’s Southbank. Standing on the balcony of our riverside room, it seriously felt as though we were in a boat—the gentle sound of the water lapped below us and a gentle hum of river traffic motored by. Built to mimic a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner, there are dozens of nautical touches, such as the copper wall built in the shape of a hull behind the front desk. Our room was exquisite, and our seafood dinner on the river-side patio at Sea Containers Restaurant was lovely. We also didn’t miss the opportunity to try one of the unique cocktails at Lyaness Bar, where each drink is created from five rotating ingredients. Mixology taken to new heights! The hotel also has a basement cinema, open to the public, and a lusciously scented spa. Want to get high? The 12th Knot bar is located on the 12th floor and once again, there’s a panoramic view. We absolutely loved this hotel. Pool at the Shangri-La.
The Trafalgar St. James. Lobby at Sea Containers London looks like the hull of a ship.
THE ROOFTOP
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This is al fresco dining at its best. Located on the seventh floor of the Trafalgar St. James Hotel, The Rooftop bar is set against a backdrop of London’s iconic skyline. We savoured a delectable assortment of unique small-plate fare—hello water melon sashimi and cider-poached chorizo—as well as a main plate of artisan cheeses, apple and cider chutney, grapes and focaccia. Although we sipped flutes of Prosecco, The Rooftop is renowned for its cocktails.
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WORDS SJUBERG and AND with NATALIE LANGSTON
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X PHOTOGRAPHY LIA CROWE secrets
Entertainment and lifestyle reporter Natalie Langston has always thrived on a sense of achievement. Growing up in the suburbs of Vancouver, she took part in just about every sport and activity imaginable, including start ing dance at age three and entering competitions by four. “Dance paved the way for my competitive edge, constant drive and motivation,” she says. Her reporting career is a child hood ambition made reality. She remembers telling her Grade 4 class that she wanted to be an anchorwoman when she grew up. Sure enough, she became Novus TV’s youngest host while studying broadcast journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Since then, she’s gone on to be a lifestyle reporter on Global TV and Breakfast Television, fitness re porter for BC Living, lifestyle editor at Iconic Concierge magazine, and more.“Ilove the variety my work pro vides,” Natalie says. “Meeting new people and having new experiences is invigorating.”Shealsoloves sharing people’s stories about what makes them unique. Memorable people she’s interviewed include David Suzuki at the JUNO Awards in Vancouver, and Matt Damon at a Toronto International Film Festival movie premiere.Nowa mom of two toddlers, Pierce and Bence, Natalie is finding new ways to foster her entrepre neurial spirit and share stories with her community. On her website, natalielangston.com, she offers tips and tricks for family life, and writes about healthy living, home decor and more, partnering with socially and environmentally conscious Canadian brands wherever she can.
LUST: What makes your heart beat faster? When I’m in front of the camera doing what I love: interviewing an exciting, notable person in our community, who is making significant changes in the world. When I held the microphone for the first story I reported, I remember I felt alive, I felt a sense of purpose and a rush of energy. It confirmed to me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing exactly what I loved most!
And what advice she would offer to other busy parents balancing work, family and time for themselves? “Coffee,” she laughs. “And ask for help from friends and family when you can! Don’t try to be a hero and do everything yourself—you’ll burn out faster than if you took it easier on yourself.”Shealso takes time for herself to de-stress and recharge however she can. “Some days it’s yoga, running or spin. Other days if I just get out for a walk in the fresh air with Pierce and Bence that makes me happy. It’s all about being kind to your body and soul, and really listening to give them what they need.”
“Before I had them, I couldn’t imagine the joy I would get from being with my children. My life has forever changed and I could not be happier.”
GLUTTONY: What is the food you could eat over and over again? New York cheesecake with fresh strawberries—a classic!
Maintaining her business and brand throughout pregnancy and parenthood has taught Natalie a lot about balance, but the journey has been completely worth it.
WRATH: Pet peeves? When we move backwards instead of forwards in re gards to women’s rights. And any abuse of animals is intolerable to me!
PRIDE: What is the one thing you’re secretly proud of? The growth I’ve made over the last few years, both personally and in my motherhood journey. After having my son Bence, I feel that I’ve really settled into this new layer of myself. I love juggling it all—work, mother hood, family life and everything in between.
GREED: You’re given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on? A Disney cruise with my family to Hawaii to start with! Then, I’d use the rest for therapeutic spa and skin treat ments. Ahhh, regular massages and fabulous facials, and the best treatments from around the world focusing on personal health, relaxation and rejuvenation!
SLOTH: Where would you spend a long time doing nothing? Walking along a warm, sunny white sand beach where I can clear my mind and feel free. I think my first choice would be Tahiti. Maybe I’d do some yoga and medita tion while I’m there. I could also spend hours sitting on a patio looking out at the beach and ocean, reading an interior design book, and be perfectly happy.
The 7 Sins ENVY: Whose shoes would you like to walk in? A woman in power who has the ability to make chang es or lead the collective consciousness to a better place, like feminist journalist and activist Gloria Steinem. In addition to women’s rights, she has helped fight to end oppressions she didn’t experience herself, including homophobia and racial inequalities. She has used her platform to speak out about many taboo topics and give a voice to others who were otherwise ignored. That’s what I hope to do one day.
“Sharing has always been a part of who I am, so it felt natural for me to move into the online space. It’s important for me to figure out ways to maintain my lifestyle while also being there for my kids, and I’m eager to help other moms do the same!”Arecent feature on the site is a beautiful room-by-room tour of her home. Asked which room is her favourite, she answers without hesitation: “The playroom for sure! I put so much heart into this room with meaningful art pieces, pictures on canvas of the boys, growth charts…books selected for each of the boys so carefully. We spend many hours engaged in play here. It’s the perfect space to be creative and imaginative together.”
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86 BOULEVARD narrative WORDS LINDA DOCTOROFF X ILLUSTRATION SIERRA LUNDY ALOHA KAUAI
A few days later I set out on a relatively easy hike called Sleep ing Giant. With an elevation gain of about 450 metres and eight kilometres long, this is the type of hike I do regularly at home. I ascend to a plateau where there’s a picnic table and decide to stop, since the view is lovely. But I meet a group of young bucks from Switzerland, who convince me to continue to the summit. “It’s only another 10 minutes up from here,” one of the guys says, “and the views are amazing.” Because I don’t want to miss out on anything, especially a great view, off I go. It had rained heavily the day before and the trail is slippery and muddy. Really muddy. I climb up the neck of the giant to its chin, a postage-stamp-size narrow summit with knife-edge ridges dropping down on either side of me. I freeze. Peering down the 450-metre plunge to the valley floor, I am immobile. Paralyzed, my eyes bulging with fear. It is sheer determination and the desire to see my grandchildren graduate from high school that guides me as I crawl on all fours down the precipice. I stop at a safe spot and exhaleGooddeeply.thing I didn’t know about the two hikers who climbed up to a waterfall and fell 100 metres to their death. The $15.4-million US settlement didn’t bring them back.
’m sipping a frothy chilled Mai Tai, sitting by the ocean on a low-slung Tommy Bahama canvas beach chair, watch ing the sunset. It’s my first night in Kauai and dozens of us gather on the beach to witness this spectacle. The sun hovers just above the horizon’s jagged clouds, then be gins to dip into the ocean, its radiance casting magnificent mauves and pinks and oranges and reds on the cirrus peaks. Everyone claps for the outstanding performance. Once the sun sets, as if on cue, the rose-ringed parakeets descend from the sky, searching for food in the coco palm trees lining the beach. They come nightly by the hundreds, their chorus of deafen ing chirps invading the silence with the same havoc they wreak on Kauai farmers, destroying their breadfruit, longan, rambutan and lychee crops. The next morning, I awake early to Kauai’s wild roosters. They have been ubiquitous on the island since the 1992 Hurricane Iniki, which destroyed chicken farms and set free these feral creatures with their reddish hackles and hefty combs. After breakfast we set out to explore the island. Hiking is central to my life, I do it almost daily, and it is a major reason I have come to Kauai. This volcanic island is known for its stellar hikes in can yons to waterfalls and along rugged coastlines. I am excited to do one of the epic hikes in Waimea Canyon, a spectacular gorge on the west side of the island. I have heard the hike down the canyon rim is similar to expe riencing the Grand Canyon. Since I haven’t been to Arizona yet, I am keen to do the hike. Though the trailhead isn’t obvious, we find it by noticing a number of vehicles parked on the shoulder of a main road, a sure sign in the wilderness that there is something special there to see. The Waimea Canyon hike does not disappoint. The canyon is huge—16 kilometres long, 1.6 kilometres wide and 1,200 metres deep. The rainbow-hued cliffs with layers of red, orange, pink and purple cascade down the canyon, and the trail descends as a series of switchbacks hugging the rim to the valley floor, where the muddy Waimea River gently flows. At the bottom I sit quietly on the river bank, breathing in the coolness of the eucalyptus trees, their leaves forming a thick, crunchy ground covering. I bring a picnic of Gruyere cheese, mul tigrain crackers and local mandarin oranges. I slowly eat my food, stillness surrounding me. I listen to the unhurried ripple of the river, take in the honey-like aroma of the eucalyptus forest.
On the second to last day before leaving this idyllic island—and like I have every afternoon since arrival—I enter the underwater habitat. I put on my bathing suit, grab my snorkel, mask and fins, and head down to the beach, a mere 40 metres from where I’m staying. Black lava rock covers much of the beach, but I find a patch of sand where the snorkelers enter the water.
Hawaiian green sea turtles are an endangered species. Their name comes from the colour of their underbelly fat, greenish because of their diet of algae and seagrasses. Each year, from their nesting spot in the isolated French Frigate Shoals, 750 kilometres northwest of Hawaii, they swim, journeying more than a month to reach their resting spot at Poipu Beach in Kauai. Only one per cent of sea turtles survive the trip.
I swim along in my flippered feet and come across two Moorish idols, easy to spot with their light-gold body banded with black in a perfect blend. Their orange-and-white snout and graceful trailing filament give them an exotic air. I learn that the bright neon colours of tropical fish act as a warning to predators to keep away. Even fish have turf wars. I continue swimming and spot a butterfly fish, distinguished by its bright yellow boxy shape, as it dips down to the cauliflower coral covered with algae and nibbles gingerly at it.
On my last morning, I’m sipping Kona coffee on the lanai in the dark, anticipating the sunrise while hearing the roosters crow. In the blackened sky, a purplish haze appears just above the horizon. Soon the sun-backed clouds emerge, their rim lined with a golden yellow that reflects the sun’s rays. A palette of hues wash the morning sky, turning the clouds amber and shading them with dark grey. Swatch es of deep gold stretch across the sky forming a canvas pulled tight. The clouds are brighter the farther they are from the rising sun. As I watch nature’s show, the wind picks up and the coco palms sway and swish about as if hula-dancing in rhythm with the wind. The rooster’s crowing drowns out the birdsong, surrounding me with a sensory dissonance: the stillness of first light and the racket of the birds. The two realms are competing for my attention. I take it all in, glad I am alive and awake enough to bear witness.
The ocean temperature is perfect at 24 degrees Celsius, as warm as a heated swimming pool. I step into the ocean and immerse myself into the sea world. Immediately I see a large reef covered with cauliflower coral containing all kinds of tropical fish and sea turtles. I feel like an interloper, intruding on their fragile ecosystem, and I’m careful to not disturb the fish as they forage for food. Soon a school of convict tang—named for their six yellow vertical stripes—swim by. Gliding towards a sea turtle that’s partially resting under a rock, they circle it for a few moments and then move on.
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A few minutes later, still underwater, I hear people exclaiming, “Come over here! There are sea turtles swimming!”
I kick my feet and speed ahead to see a green sea turtle the shape of an oversized beach ball tucked under a rock crevice, at rest. The creature is chameleon-like and blends perfectly into its habitat.
One early evening, several of us watch the turtles slowly, haltingly climb up the beach to rest after their long journey. The next morn ing, they are gone, having returned to their ocean habitat.
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A recent equity research report conducted by Argus Research, stated: “Solution Financial is well positioned to return to pre-pandemic growth rates above 18%. This growth should be driven by expansion into new markets, led by Ontario.” Along with the return of international students and immigration, the global supplychain issues are also set for recovery. The company will begin ramping up promotions and expansion plans to reach the largest available markets, particularly, the Greater Toronto Area. Upgrades have also been made recently to the in-house leasing and administrative system to ensure seamless operations as business rapidly increases.
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COURTESYPHOTO OF THE ARTIST behind the story
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By happenstance, the “art” theme in this edition of Boulevard coincided with editor Susan Lundy’s trip to London to witness her daughter’s art opening at the city’s renowned White Cube gallery. Susan embarked on numerous activities in London—es pecially experiences with a view, as documented in this edition’s travel story “High in London.” But the main purpose of the journey was to see Danica Lundy’s show and, in particular, to witness in person the 12-by-8-foot oil painting above called “Cham ber.” The paintings in the show were produced in the shadow of the death of Danica’s father, Derrick Lundy, a photographer. “Chamber” captures his final moments, as seen through an exploding camera.
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