The Definitive Guide to Dating and Mating in Our City
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PM40064924
MARCH 2016 // $4.99
#JJ UST BE T T E R #
Have you ever sexted? What’s the best place for a first date? Would you pay for sex? Are Vancouver men worse than Toronto men? Where have you had sex in public? Answers to these questions and dozens more, starting on page 46 (And yeah, we’ve redesigned)
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orld-class cosmetic dermatology practice Carruthers & Humphrey has recently undergone a facelift of its own, transitioning to a stunning 4,500-square-foot space in its West Broadway building. “It’s clean, airy and unencumbered,” Medical Director Dr. Shannon Humphrey says of the new clinic layout, which features a panorama view extending from UBC to Burnaby. Humphrey believes that the city’s undisputed natural beauty plays a big role in the aesthetic medicine industry. “Patients want a natural-looking outcome; something fresh and understated.” For the team at Carruthers & Humphrey—which includes Dr. Jean Carruthers, credited as a pioneer of clinical BOTOX, and Dr. Katie Beleznay—the real focus is on holistic wellness. “Wellness is the greater sum of the whole and physical appearance plays an important part.” A refreshed clinic space is just one of many ways Carruthers & Humphrey maintains relevance in hyper wellness-aware Vancouver. All three doctors are recognized as leaders in research. “We feel a responsibility to drive research in the cosmetic arena,” says Dr. Humphrey, listing the new boutique’s expanded inventory of evidence-based skincare products as one of the most beneficial additions to the clinic. “From the highest level of individualized care, to the highest standard of foundational science, and wellness planning for short-, intermediate- and long-term results, we are committed to making our patients happy.” Two new treatments are giving patients yet another reason to smile—non-surgical solutions for the dreaded double chin. Belkyra is an injectable treatment that uses deoxycholic acid to melt away excess fat under the chin, while CoolMini belongs to the CoolSculpting technology that freezes unwanted fat cells proven immune to diet and exercise. Having been involved in Belkyra clinical trials and physician training, and as long-time supporters of CoolSculpting, the team at Carruthers & Humphrey offers unique expertise on these cutting-edge treatments. Stunning new space aside, the emphasis behind their 30 year legacy remains the same: helping people feel their best. Suite 820-943 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC 604.714.0222 reception@carruthers-humphrey.com www.carruthers-humphrey.com
Created by the Vancouver advertising department in partnership with Carruthers & Humphrey
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KĀ’ANAPALI BEACH RESORT Chef Frank Pabst and Chef Francois Milliet enjoy a glass of wine after sending out the final course.
ALOHA COMES TO TOWN
Maui Pop-Up Party
Guests document the dinner on social media with the hashtag #CraveKaanapali
E UP N XT!
Party-goers “cheers” to the first course.
Guests enjoy “Maui 75” cocktails with grilled pineapple syrup, lemon juice, tropical bitters, Screech rum and a splash of dry Cava.
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On December 7th Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar and Chef Frank Pabst played host to Chef Francois Milliet of The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas. The chefs ian pineap worked together to present a five-course meal ple awai dH for e s to a room of local and international media, travel and food specialists, as well as some lucky Vancouver readers invited as part of our #CraveKaanapali contest.
Western Living magazine’s Julia Dilworth is welcomed with ice cold Maui Brewing Co. beer. Chef Milliet mixes up kimchi Brussels sprouts to accompany his pork belly entrée.
Chef Pabst serves up braised Okanagan beef cheek. Maui Gold Pineapple Progres and Roasted Hawaiian Pineapple Compote.
Vancouver’s Vikram Vij presents Indian cuisine in Kā’anapali Beach Resort, Maui April 12-16, 2016. For details visit kaanapaliresort.com
Executive Director Shelley Kekuna (centre) of Ka’anapali Beach Resort poses with Western Living magazine’s Julia Dilworth (left) and Vancouver magazine’s Max Fawcett (right).
City TV’s Dawn Chubai celebrates winning a trip to Ka’anapali Beach Resort in Maui. Created by the Vancouver advertising department in partnership with Blue Water Cafe, Kā’anapali Beach Resort, The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival.
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The developer reserves the right to make changes to the information contained herein without notice. Rendering is representational only and may not be accurate. E.&O.E.
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Find out which chocolate reigns supreme in our new “Taste Test” series
Pg 32
#J UST BE T T E R
MARCH V O L U M E 4 9 // N U M B E R 2
DE PA RT M E N T S
City
Why the sharing economy is hurting renters; A look at Christ Church Cathedral’s ongoing facelift; Whistler 2.0; Much ado about Uber. Pg 15
Taste
The Argo Cafe opens for dinner; Where to find the best chocolate in the city; The problem with pricey cocktails. Pg 27
Style
Sweat pants go upscale (Blame Tom Brady); A stroll around Vincent Park; Why the department store is back in business. Pg 37
Go feature story PG 46
Walking the Wild Pacific Trail; A few words with Oyster Jim; Why CrossFit might just kill you; Can juicing make you sexy? Pg 61
ELLEN HONG; CHOCOL ATES: PAGE & PAPER
EXTRAS
SU RV E Y SAYS... If a picture is worth a thousand words, then when it comes to our attitudes towards love and sex, a survey is worth at least 10,000 of them. Case in point: Our first-ever Love & Sex survey, which delves deep into how Vancouverites like to get down to business, and how they feel about the way other people do. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by what we’ve discovered.
Editor’s Note Meet the new Van Mag—and find out what hasn’t changed from the old one . Pg 12
Vancouver Specialist By Charlie Demers
Pg 66 ON THE COVER
j Photo composite by Mike Cormack
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Editor-in-Chief Max Fawcett Art Director Paul Roelofs Senior Editor Trevor Melanson Associate Art Director Naomi MacDougall Assistant Art Director Jenny Reed Assistant Editor Jenni Elliott Online Assistant Kaitlyn Gendemann Videographer Mark Philps Contributing Writers Mario Canseco, Charlie Demers, DJ Kearney, Neal McLennan, Amanda Ross, Jimmy Thomson, D.B. Thompson, Eagranie Yuh, Nick Zarzycki Contributing Artists Eydís Einarsdóttir, Clinton Hussey, Evaan Kheraj, Joe McKendry (contributor illustrations), Andrew Querner, Carlo Ricci, John Sinal, Martin Tessler, Milos Tosic, Luis Valdizon Editorial Intern Eliot Escalona Art Intern Ying Tang Editorial Email mail@vanmag.com
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East India Carpets D I S T I N C T I V E D E S I G N S S I N C E 19 4 8
VANCOUVER MAGAZINE is published 10 times a year by Yellow Pages Homes Ltd. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Not responsible for unsolicited editorial material. Privacy Policy: On occasion, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened organizations whose product or service might interest you. If you prefer that we not share your name and address (postal and/or email), you can easily remove your name from our mailing lists by reaching us at any of the listed contact points. You can review our complete Privacy Policy at Vanmag.com. Indexed in the Canadian Magazine Index by Micromedia Ltd. and also in the Canadian Periodical Index. International standard serial no. ISSN 0380-9552. Canadian publications mail product sales agreement #40064924. Printed in Canada by Transcontinental Printing G.P. (LGM Graphics), 737 Moray St., Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3S9. All reproduction requests must be made to: COPIBEC (paper reproductions) 800-7172022, or CEDROM-SNi (electronic reproductions) 800-563-5665. Distributed by Coast to Coast Ltd.
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Like no place else.
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A NEW YORK ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER Vancouver’s newest dining experience reintroduces the city to Chef Bruce Woods. Chef Bruce puts a premium on locally sourced and curated ingredients. His homemade pastas and the finest cuts of beef, guarantee a truly memorable dining experience. Our award winning wine list and wine by the glass program is sure to contain a new gem for discovery.
President Jacky Hill Director, National Sales & Channel Management, Lifestyle Nadine Starr National Sales Manager, Channel Management, Lifestyle Ian Lederer National Sales Director Moe Lalani Director of Content Susan Legge Yellow Pages NextHome Head Office 500–401 The West Mall Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 5J5 855-626-4200 Fax: 416-789-9705 U.S. Sales Representation, Media-Corps 1-866-744-9890 info@media-corps.com subscriptions enquiries 800-363-3272
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W W W. C P R I M E . C A
Design impacts everybody every day. Everything you touch and everything you look at.
“
Niels Bendtsen
An intimate collection of 58 design-led homes set in a prime location in Vancouver’s storied West End, the first project by the Inform + Intracorp partnership
The Jervis: elevated living by design Now Selling From $1 Million
rethinks the way homes are designed and built.
604 998 8989 TheJervis.com Prices and sizes are approximate. E&OE. Sales and Marketing by Intracorp Realty Ltd.
From the Editor
The New Normal Why Van Mag is headed in a different direction—and why it won’t stray too far from its roots in order to get there
Coming in the April issue BEST NEIGHBOURHOODS
Find out which ‘hood came out on top in our datadriven breakdown of 39 neighbourhoods—a first in this city. How did yours do?
NO PET CITY
Think it’s hard being a renter in Vancouver? Try being a renter who owns a furry friend. An investigation into the hardships that pet owners face—and the sometimes tragic consequences
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I was able to come back, although I promise it wasn’t easy. I did it in part because I wanted to contribute to the conversation about where this city is headed, and in part because I was given the extraordinary opportunity to lead a magazine that can help me do that. We have a brand new look, a (mostly) new team of editors, and a roster of whip-smart new contributors that includes Charlie Demers, a great talent and a man who understands Vancouver better than anyone I’ve ever met. I cannot properly convey just how excited I am to see what these new elements will bring to the important conversations that are shaping this city’s future. But while we represent something new, the core of what Vancouver Magazine is remains the same. Former editor Malcolm Parry once described it as a “brash, civic-minded, politicallyoriented publication,” and we intend to live up to that tradition. And if you ever find that we’re not? Well, be brutally honest with me about it. After all, you can expect the same from us going forward.
Max Fawcett max.fawcett@vanmag.com
RYAN GIRARD
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HONESTY, IT’S SAID, is the foundation of a healthy relationship, which is why it’s important for me to start mine off with you, the reader, by saying this: I never thought I’d have this job. That’s not because I don’t think I’m smart or talented enough to do it properly, although I’m quite sure you could find a few people in this city who might argue otherwise. No, I never thought I’d have this job because I never thought I’d move back to Vancouver. I grew up in this city and lived here until I was 22, but when I left to go to grad school back east in 2002 it felt like I was buying a one-way ticket. The job market was tough, housing was prohibitively expensive (if I’d only known, right?), and economic opportunities seemed more promising elsewhere. In the years that followed I did an entirely unintentional tour of Canada’s biggest cities, living two-plus years in Ottawa, three and change in Toronto, three more in Edmonton, and finally two in Calgary. Each time I settled in a new city I found myself meeting other ex-Vancouverites who had fled in search of their own opportunity, and each time we’d tell ourselves that we’d love to go back home if only it were financially feasible. But the further real-estate prices rise, the more distant those dreams become, and that has repercussions that extend well beyond the lives of thousands of people who grew up here and can never come back.
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*MSRP of $24,995 on 2016 Crosstrek (GX1 TP). MSRP excludes Freight & PDI of $1,675. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. $0 security deposit. Model shown is 2016 Crosstrek Limited Package with Technology Option (GX2 LPE) with an MSRP of $31,895. Dealers may sell for less or may have to order or trade. Vehicle shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See your local Subaru dealer for complete program details.†Ratings are awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Please visit www.iihs.org for testing methods.
WHAT’S IN YOUR GENES? WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN PERSONAL RISK FACTORS. KNOW YOURS.
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WATCH HOTTIES BRING EDUCATION TO LIFE AT RETHINKBREASTCANCER.COM
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VANMAG .COM/CITY
THE PROBLEM WITH AIRBNB / RAISE THE ROOF / WHISTLER WONDERLAND / NICK ZARZYCKI’S GUIDE TO VANCOUVER / ROBSON + THURLOW EX AMINED / UBER WARS
AT I S S U E
Long Term Tenants Need Not Apply IN A CITY notorious for its high cost of living and relatively low incomes, subletting your apartment for the occasional night can be tempting. You get some extra cash, and Jill from Ohio saves on hotel costs. A win-win— if only that were how Airbnb really worked in this city. Instead, Airbnb could be squeezing Vancouver’s already tight rental market, as a growing number of landlords are using their properties solely for short-term stays. “They are effectively taking away rental housing options,” says Karen Sawatzky, an SFU master’s graduate whose research has shown that short-term rentals directly affect Vancouver’s long-term
i A look inside the Christ Church Cathedral's biblically big roof renovation. Page 18
City
AT I S S U E
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T H E E X PL A I N E R
Vancouver <3 Airbnb
Compared to our West Coast neighbour, Seattle, and East Coast equivalent, Toronto, Vancouver has a far more active relationship with Airbnb
VANCOUVER
67.2%
Hosts posting full homes rather than single rooms
TORONTO
63.6%
SEATTLE
66.5%
Number of postings per 1,000 residents
VANCOUVER
7.8
SEATTLE
TORONTO
4.0 2.4 SOURCE: INSIDE AIRBNB
rental market—a real problem considering this city’s low vacancy rate, 0.8 percent as of October. “Someone who’s willing to invest some time in becoming a savvy and available Airbnb host can make two to three times as much by renting a property on a short-term basis to tourists than is possible by renting long-term to someone who actually lives and works here,” she says. This isn’t something that’s limited to a few cases here and there, either. Vancouver has a higher percentage of its population listing apartments on Airbnb than comparable cities like Toronto and Seattle (see infographic). It’s also ahead of the pack when it comes to hosts renting out full apartments rather than the spare rooms that were the company’s original vision. In other words, investors may be buying condos and turning them into full-time Airbnb hotel rooms. No one knows why Vancouver has fallen prey so extensively to this illegal practice. Technically, the City of Vancouver forbids short-term rentals unless the dwelling has a relevant business licence. Yet 33 percent of local Airbnb hosts have multiple listings—one host alone has 22 condos available throughout the region. The City says it’s investigating the matter. For now, what we do know is that Vancouver is in desperate need of more rental units— and that Airbnb is making an already big problem just a little bit bigger. —Jenni Elliott
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1706 WEST 1ST AVE 1706 WEST 1ST AVE DISTRICT ARMOURY ARMOURY DISTRICT VANCOUVER 604 683 1116 VANCOUVER 604 683 1116 LIVINGSPACE.COM LIVINGSPACE.COM
City
SHOW & T E L L
Building on a Prayer And a few million dollars By TREVOR MELANSON WHEN THE COLOSSAL LABYRINTH of scaffolding comes down at Christ Church Cathedral later this year, a 20-year, $20-million-plus renovation will finally be complete. Projects have included everything from landscaping to a new pipe organ, but the most visible upgrade of all came last: the new roof. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every great city has a great cathedral,â&#x20AC;? says Peter Elliott, dean and rector of the church. And every great cathedral, presumably, needs a great roof.
The Holy Trinity In addition to the new roof, this latest round of renovations includes a new kitchen and bell tower, which should be up by fall. The cost for all three comes in at $9 million, with $6.6 million of that having been raised as of December. The province pitched in $1 million
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Better with Age Built in 1889, the Christ Church Cathedral at Burrard and W. Georgia is downtown Vancouver’s oldest surviving stone structure. Not surprisingly, it’s also a heritage building, which means that significant alterations aren’t allowed (maintenance renovations like this one aside)
ROOF: MARTIN KNOWLES; CATHEDRAL WITH BELL TOWER: SARAH HALL STUDIO
A Much Thicker Skin Old, asbestoscovered shingles were removed and will be replaced with a new zinc roof the church says could last up to a century. Also added was a steel frame, one of many seismic upgrades the church has received in recent years. Removal of leadcontaminated dust, dislodged during demolition, added an unexpected $1 million to the cost
City
BE S T BU Y
born from a 1968 Winter Olympic bid is a summer paradise, and it’s often the reason people decide to live there year-round—a trend that’s on the rise. “Fifteen years ago, people looking for real estate were still mostly asking questions about how close they could be to the chairlifts,” says Whistler Real Estate Company agent Rob Palm. “Now, it’s questions about community, good schools, and summer activities. People want to know how close they are to the lake and the mountain-bike trails.” Take the Crawford family, who moved to Whistler from the Lower Mainland last year shortly after coming up for Tough Mudder, a summer obstacle race. “We looked around, got excited, and said, ‘Let’s do this,’” says Erin Crawford. “We bought our place within two weeks, sold everything in our old house, and moved up. We wish we did it 10 years ago.” Erin’s husband, John, works with the City of Vancouver, commuting to the city for four-day-on/four-day-off shifts. With everything they can do on his days off, the family has found their decision to move to Whistler to be worth every minute of his lengthier commute. “It works out amazingly well,” Erin says. “We have the same sort of work schedule, but we have this No longer simply a ski resort, Whistler is incredible new lifestyle.” That includes attracting an increasing number of residents everything from mountain biking to spending time at the lake to listening with its year‒round allure to music in the village. “We’re meeting fabulous, like-minded people.” By MIKE BERARD That doesn’t surprise Whistler Real Estate Company agent Dave Burch, who helped the Crawford family find WHETHER IT’S A FAVOURITE powder their home. “More people are moving stash or the rowdiest après spot, Whistler locals rarely share the secrets to Whistler to live permanently,” he says. Burch recently sold first homes to of their utopia. The most shocking people from Toronto, New Zealand, the secret of all? Whistler’s summer U.S., and the U.K. “We’ve always had actually trumps its winter. While the that, but the numbers are increasing.” alpine peaks of Whistler have always According to Patricia Westerholm been a lure for the Pacific Northwest’s of Tourism Whistler, the summer of recreation class, the mountain town
Home, Sweet Home
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WHISTLER CANADIAN TOURISM COMMISSION
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We bought our place within two weeks, sold everything in our old house, and moved up. We wish we did it 10 years ago 2015 was Whistler’s busiest on record. Large conferences played a role in that, as did events like Wanderlust, the Whistler Beer Festival, and Crankworx. But cultural attractions like the new Audain Art Museum and a bounty of amazing restaurants could help court a new, less outdoorsy breed of visitor as well—and, potentially, more year-round residents. Of course, moving to Whistler comes with sacrifices. Not everyone can work remotely, commuting to the
2015 Whistler Developments Red Sky Townhomes North of Whistler’s Village, a contemporary townhome development is being built in the new Rainbow neighbourhood. The area is full of local families, giving it a friendly vibe many empty Whistler neighbourhoods (populated with second homes) lack. Cypress Place Unlike the shady mountainside lots of old Whistler, these sunny properties are bound to be populated by expansive outdoor living spaces and modern homes. Lakecrest Residences This development in the lakeside neighbourhood of Lakecrest in Alta Vista recently offered townhomes to great fanfare. The initial three properties sold immediately.
How to Online Date Like a Pro PEOPLE ASK me all the time: Nick, how come you are so successful at online dating? Is it your effortless charm? Your confidence? The fact that you live with your parents? Friends, there are many parts to the Vancouver online dating equation. Being anxious and aloof all the time, overthinking everything, choosing which sweatpants to wear: these are all important factors. But if I were to pick one that stands above the rest, it would be your online dating profile. To be successful, you must obsess over it until it is perfect. Want to see the ideal Vancouver online dating profile? Take a good, long look at mine. Note how ambitious and successful I am, but also how I am described as the most “laid back person you will ever meet.” Note my love for “kayaking,
city can be arduous, and the size of townhomes in the mountains tends to be smaller than in the suburbs. But another secret that locals know is that life can be better with less. “Some of our furniture didn’t fit into the layout of the new place, so we downsized,” Crawford says. “It was actually quite freeing. My husband used to mow the lawn, clean the gutters. Now we pay a strata, but we also spend way more time outdoors doing the things we love.” When asked about Whistler’s reputation for being expensive, Crawford comes to its defence. “Where isn’t it expensive in the Lower Mainland? We have to be mindful of finances because I’m not working, but you choose what’s important and what matters to you. For us, it’s less about acquiring things and more about acquiring experiences.”
i Each issue, Nick offers authoritative advice on living— and getting by—in the (pretty) big city
m
swimming naked through kilometers of cold water, and dating fellow readers of Vancouver Magazine.” Note also how my cellphone number is 604-5558930 and how I am currently listed as single (!). My editor tells me the readership of this magazine is a pretty even split of middle-class men and women. This, coincidentally, is exactly who I’m interested in having sex with at the moment. I’ll tell you what, Vancouver Magazine reader: you and I can grab coffee, I’ll show you how to write the perfect online dating profile, and we’ll see where it goes from there. For the love of God, please, someone go on a date with me.
Nick Zarzycki edits the Syrup Trap, Canada’s favourite humour magazine
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I N T E R SE C T IONS
*
Robson
Northeast In the early days, the West End was home to the palatial mansions of the city’s ruling class. But as the rich migrated, apartments were built, and none was grander than the Manhattan. Built in 1907, it fell into disrepair after the Second World War but was converted to a co-op in 1979. It’s now a heritage building—and a Starbucks.
ALBERNI
Northwest
ROBSON
Thurlow Named for the Thurlow Islands between Vancouver Island and Bute Inlet, which themselves were named for a former British chancellor
Southeast
THURLOW
Joe Forte’s Seafood and Chop House, named after Vancouver’s first lifeguard, has been an institution here for over 30 years. Of course, back when it opened in 1985, you could get a New York steak for $11.95 (not adjusted for inflation).
Named for John Robson, publisher, politician, and future premier (1889–1892) of B.C.
Banana Republic, a signifier of Robson’s destination status for fast fashion, has long occupied this building.
HARO
Southwest From 1988 to 2012, the Robson Landmark was home to Starbucks, which closed due to, among other things, rising rent. After years languishing, the space finally found a shiny new tenant. Aritzia announced in 2015 it would move in and is scheduled to open sometime this year.
Conjure up Vancouver circa 1995. Pavel Bure is screaming down the right wing. Every street is an exterior shot from the X-Files. And on Robson and Thurlow, there’s the famed kitty-corner Starbucks. The duelling locations, commercialism personified in a city that encapsulated Gen-X irony, became a part of Vancouver’s identity. Today, only one remains. But this intersection has long been a place where Vancouver’s past, present, and future have collided. By D.B. THOMPSON
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1917 MANHAT TAN BUILDING: COURTESY OF THE VANCOUVER ARCHIVES
*
Robson and Thurlow
Where road becomes track. C ATCH I T I F YO U C A N.
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acura.ca/ILX
*Prices not applicable in Quebec. Selling price is $29,490 on a new 2016 Acura ILX (DE2F3GJX). Price of model shown, a new 2016 Acura ILX A-Spec (DE2F8GKX), is $34,890. Prices exclude $1,995 freight and PDI, fees, license, insurance, registration, and taxes. Some terms/conditions apply. Model shown for illustration purposes only. Offer is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. While quantities last. Visit acura.ca or your Acura dealer for details. Š 2016 Acura, a division of Honda Canada Inc.
City
C I T Y SE E N
Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Operate Here Home of Canada’s most expensive cab licences, Vancouver will see its plate prices fall the farthest of all—with or without Uber
T
THE ONGOING UBER WARS aren’t about to end any time soon, it seems. In December, Toronto’s taxi drivers took to the streets to protest UberX, the company’s lower-cost option and one that many cab drivers say is skirting regulations and killing their industry (and their ability to earn a living in it). Consider the fact that between 2012 and 2014 the estimated value of a taxi licence in Toronto dropped from $360,000 to less than $100,000. Much of that had to do with Toronto merging its two-tiered plate system, but Uber has received its share of the blame. That price drop is nothing compared to what Vancouver cabbies are in for. Vancouver doesn’t have Uber yet, and council is in no apparent rush to change that (though the province recently warmed up to the idea), but it may not matter much. After topping out in 2014 at $800,000, the value of a taxi licence is already dropping because of the mere threat of Uber, according to
By TREVOR MELANSON
the Vancouver Taxi Association’s Carolyn Bauer. Yes, $800,000, a price tag that’s far beyond anything ever seen in Toronto. It’s nearly what they’re worth in New York and substantially higher than any other city in Canada. Overregulation has led to too few cabs on the road, but it’s also why a taxi licence in this city has increased so much in value—and why it has so far to fall. And make no mistake: it will fall. While Uber may be public enemy number one (for cabbies, anyway), the tech firm is just the most visible manifestation of an unstoppable shift. There are other reasons, after all, why the value of a Vancouver taxi licence might be in decline. Car2Go, a taxi alternative, doubled its fleet size this past summer, while BCAA’s version, Evo, launched months earlier. And while self-driving cars are still a decade or so away from replacing human-driven taxis, the threat they present to the industry’s business model is clear and inescapable. Even GM, a company that’s been in operation since 1908, sees the writing on the wall. In January, GM invested $500 million in Uber competitor Lyft to co-build a network of self-driving cars. According to Peter Nowak, a Toronto-based technology journalist and author of Humans 3.0, the protests over Uber are “small potatoes” compared to what’s coming next. “Self-driving cars are going to inevitably change everything,” he says. “If taxi drivers think UberX drivers are eating away at their livelihood, they haven’t seen anything yet.” As for Vancouver, home of Canada’s costliest cab licences? Just ask Icarus how rough the landing was.
C A SE I N P OI N T
Heading in the Wrong Direction m B.C.’s mandatory helmet laws have spoiled many good hair days (and exacerbated more than their share of bad ones), but the tradeoff was always well understood: better ruined hair than a ruined head. Now a UBC study is questioning that conventional wisdom. According to a report published in the British Medical Journal last November, though mandatory helmet laws such as B.C.’s compel more cyclists to wear helmets, the rate of head injuries does not actually decline as a result of them. There is one effective way to protect cyclists, however, according to study author Kay Teschke: build more separated bike lanes.
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2016-01-22 5:47 PM
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Taste
V A N M A G .C O M /T A S T E
T HE A RGO E X PA NDS / VA NCOU V ER ' S BE S T CHOCOL AT E / GEEK BA R S / E X PENSI V E COCK TA IL S / LOC A L A M A RO o Duck confit with blueberry gastrique, mashed potatoes, and veggies ($14.95)
THE DISH
MARSHALL TO
Argo Feed Yourself
T
THERE’S A certain irony in the fact that, for a place that’s often described as a “greasy spoon,” the Argo Cafe produces a duck confit that doesn’t betray even a hint of grease. Instead, it’s executed to perfection, and served alongside a blueberry gastrique that balances out its fatty flavour. Even more impressive, perhaps, is its price: just a shade under $15. But this ability to balance cost and quality is not unusual for one of Vancouver’s hidden culinary gems—one that’s about to become just a little more visible.
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T H E DI S H
The Argo Cafe has been around since the mid-1950s, but it’s only since Lynda and Denis Larouche bought it in 2004 that it really found a following. Both have spent their careers working in some of the city’s best kitchens, and they’ve brought that technique and touch to the items on the menu at the Argo. Yes, there’s the requisite comfort food, like pasta, burgers, and clubhouse sandwiches, and they’re executed with aplomb—so much so that the Abbotsford turkey farm where they sourced their meat from once paid them a visit to find out where all of their birds were ending up. The soups, meanwhile, are among the best in the city—and better still because they come free with an entree. But it's the stir-fries and other Asian dishes that Denis has become known for among the regulars. “This guy can make Chinese food better than my mother,” Lynda says. With the growing volume of evening foot traffic in the neighbourhood and a new nano-brewery opening up right next door, the Larouches felt the time was right to expand the Argo’s hours beyond its usual lunch service. So did their neighbour, as it happens. “He didn’t want to see a food truck parked in front of his brewery,” Lynda says. Now, with the Argo open on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 10 and Saturday days from 8 am until 2 pm, he won’t have to. — Max Fawcett The Argo Cafe
1836 Ontario St., 604-876-3620 argocafe.ca
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I N + OU T
East Meets West
How a trio of Toronto imports turned an old space into a new hit
MOST PEOPLE who are trolling the Internet after midnight are looking for something other than a location for their new restaurant. But that’s what Andrew Jameson and his wife Katie, who moved back to Vancouver from Toronto in 2013 to start a family, ended up finding. That discovery breathed new life into the space at 415 Powell Street, one that had been sitting vacant for more than a year. “The location sort of fell into our laps at 2 am on Craigslist,” Andrew says. It wasn't easy to get the space back into shape, either. “We almost lost fingers and toes as we built it out,” Jameson says. “It was an extremely physical and emotional experience just getting the doors open.” But they did, and today those doors lead people into the Mackenzie Room, the latest addition to the culinary landscape in a neighbourhood—the Downtown Eastside— that’s fast becoming known as much for its growing collection of interesting restaurants as it is for its median income. The menu put together by head chef Sean Reeve (another Toronto import), featuring items with names like Filled with Neglect, the Roots of All Evil, and Head or Tentacle Terrine, is nearly as adventurous as the restaurant's postal code. “We want to challenge the diner, get them to step outside their comfort zone and try something new,” he says. That commitment to pushing the limits isn't about to disappear, either. “At the end of the day,” he says, “it’s the stimulation of creating something and evolving. That’s what it’s all about.” — Eliot Escalona
k Before: The Parke Place coffee bar After: The Mackenzie Room 415 Powell St., 604-253-0705 themackenzieroom.com
K ATIE JAMESON
Taste
THAI RESTAU RANT ( on Burrard)
Immerse yourself in the great tradition of classic and authentic Thai dining. Catering, Take-out and Delivery orders available. Fully Licensed. Semi-Private & Private Room Booking Options. 102-888 Burrard Street 604.683.7999 www.salathai.ca Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-10:00pm
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Taste
C OM MON DE NOM I NATOR
Peak Geek Why it’s suddenly cool to be, well, uncool By MAX FAWCETT
T
THE MEEK might well inherit the earth one day, but for the time being it’s the geeks that are clearly in control. And while Star Wars, Marvel Comics franchise spinoffs, and other dorkfriendly fare are crushing it at the box office, locally the surest proof that we’re approaching peak geek can be found in the transformation of the Game Theory former location of The Academic, The Storm Crow a Donnelly Group bar located at Tavern made its name Broadway and Fir that catered to in part because of university students. That site has been the wide selection of board games that it reborn as the Storm Crow Alehouse, offered to customers. But among them a few and it will add to the growing number stand out, manager of establishments in this city that Sean Cranbury says— aren’t shy about getting their geek on. for better and for It's owned by the same group worse. behind the Storm Crow Tavern on Commercial Drive, a place that proudly celebrates the quirky and Settlers of Catan “A couple of times a year unique and in the process created a we’ll do a ten-game buy.” gathering place for people in this city Cards Against Humanity who never had one before. Now, they’ll "I’ve seen mothers and sons have a home on the west side, and it too playing it—just two people. It’s actually really funny.” will cater to those who would rather play Cards Against Humanity over a pint of beer than watch the Canucks Hungry Hungry Hippos game. Manager Sean Cranbury thinks “Hungry Hungry Hippos is too loud—which is it’s part of a growing shift in the unfortunate.” attitude toward geek culture. “Is it on The Official Board Game the rise?” he says. “I think it is.” of the Arts Club Theatre But while other hospitality groups “Nobody ever played it, but we had it on our shelves for might be tempted to cash in on the a long time.” phenomenon, Cranbury says it’s Monopoly: “No matter not as easy as buying a few copies of how many times they Settlers of Catan and playing Dr.Who try to sex-up Monopoly, I’m not sure how well it’s on the TV once in a while. “It’s kind succeeding any more. It’s of alchemy,” he says of Storm Crow’s the same boring game success. “We’ve done a good job of about capitalism.”
n
p
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making people feel comfortable and welcomed and understood, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum. The opinionated, austere super-nerd for whom nobody is nerdy enough is as much of a dick as the bro with the backward ball cap who walks in the door. In the early days of the Storm Crow it was a battle to weed those guys out—not the bros, but the guys who tried to take it over and turn it into their own personal basement of misery. We managed to do that, and somewhere along the way it became this comfortable place where everybody could hang out and just play some games and be nerds.” Each month in this space we’ll feature a trend—an ingredient, an idea, or an influence—that’s popping up throughout the cafés, bars, restaurants, and eateries in our city
WHERE TO FIND IT STORM CROW ALEHOUSE 1619 W. Broadway Ave. 604-428-9670 stormcrow.com The jury's still out on whether it'll be better, but with twice the licensed capacity and more than three times as many beer taps the new location is certainly bigger.
STORM CROW TAVERN 1305 Commercial Dr. 604-566-9669 stormcrowtavern.com West siders will almost certainly flock to the new location, but there’s nothing wrong with version 1.0.
OTHER GEEK BARS EXP RESTAURANT + BAR 309 W. Pender St. 604-558-1337, expbar.ca Particularly popular for private group functions, where the city’s arcane liquor laws won't get in the way of drinking and gaming.
PIZZERIA LUDICA 189 Keefer Pl. 604-669-5552, ludica.ca Show up here on a Wednesday with a group of four or more, win your game of choice and you get a free pizza for your efforts. Talk about a win-win.
Taste Vancouver’s
BE S T
T H E TA S T E T E S T
Photo + styling by PAGE & PAPER
Chocolate
For all of the elaborate permutations of and interpretations on chocolate that exist there’s still no truer test of a chocolate maker's skills than the basic truffle. It’s yet more evidence that the greatest things in life are also often the least complicated. That’s why, for the first iteration of this ongoing series, one that will put the best this city has to offer to the test each month, we’ve gathered a sampling of truffles from Vancouver’s finest chocolatiers and given them over to our three expert judges. Try not to be too jealous.
ChocolaTas
This creamy 67% dark chocolate ganache was universally praised by the judges for its superior craftsmanship and the rich flavours it delivered.
1689 Johnston St. 877-668-8932 Chocolatas.com
Chocolate Arts
Their entry, a minimalist dark chocolate ball dusted with bitter cocoa powder and filled with sweet chocolate ganache, impressed with its balance and execution.
1620 W. Third Ave 604-739-0475 chocolatearts.com
Find out how our judges made their decisions—and what it’s like to judge chocolate for a living—at vanmag.com
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Beta 5
This received the highest marks on technical execution, but it was nearly as popular for its flavor, whicth featured a nutty undertone that reminded the judges of an upscale riff on a Coffee Crisp bar. “They’ve done a really beautiful job on it,” Williams says. “That one, I’d be proud of.” 413 Industrial Ave., 604-669-3336; Beta5.myshopify.com
THOMAS HAAS TEMPER CHOCOLATE ARTS CHEZ CHRISTOPHE
THOMAS HAAS
BETA 5
THOMAS HAAS CHOCOLATE ARTS
BETA 5
BETA 5
CHOCOLATAS
BETA 5 GEM PURDY'S CHOCOLATAS
Chez Christophe
This one’s the outlier of the bunch, a delicious chocolate truff le dusted with white chocolate whose slight but still perceptible foot had one judge commenting that it looked a bit like a Death Star. A branding opportunity, perhaps?
Temper Chocolate & Pastry
4712 Hastings St., Burnaby 604-428-4200 christophe-chocolat.com
Gem Chocolates
A gorgeous hard shell—similar to its Monarch truffle— surrounds a soft and smooth ganache interior. Visually, this one stands out from the pack.
Thomas Haas’s protégé, Dundarave’s own Steven Hodge, has created a simple but elegant truff le with a crisp shell and ganache that has a sweet, almost fruity flavor profile.
2409 Marine Dr., West Vancouver, 604-281-1152 Temperpastry.com
2029 W. 41st Ave. 604-263-9878 Gemchocolates.ca
Purdy’s
It’s tough to achieve perfection when you’re cranking out so much volume every day, but Purdy’s does an admirable job of balancing the two imperatives. This one will keep on the shelf and still please your palate.
Multiple locations 888-478-7397 Purdys.com
As rated by these expert judges
Thomas Haas
The renowned and respected master doesn’t disappoint with this simple but sublime presentation of fudgy ganache that finished in a very, very close second.
2539 W. Broadway 604-736-1848 Thomashaas.com
Pam Williams
Founder of Ecole Chocolat Professional School of Chocolate Arts
Peter Van de Reep
Bar Manager, Campagnolo Restaurants
Stacey McLachlan
Associate editor of Western Living, editor of WL Condo
Taste
LAST CALL
Table Stakes Expensive cocktails are the new normal, it seems. But is that so bad?
N
“NOTHING GOOD ever happens after midnight” was my parents’ cautionary refrain throughout my youth, and it was on my mind last week after dropping into one of the city’s storied watering holes for one last belt. I skipped the menu and went straight to an old standby: the Oaxaca Old Fashioned. It was dynamite, and I was so pleased with it that I actually stopped at just one. I found my server on the way out and gave her a $20 bill, so great was my experience (and so expansive my generosity). But in the cab ride home one of my cohorts admonished me for leaving a lousy tip, and no wonder: It turns out my bill came to $18.25. All class, McLennan. But the more I thought about this, the more it bothered me. There was no pricey single malt in the mix—just Mezcal, bitters, sugar, and an orange peel. And it’s not just this spot—we’re awash in gin joints with Cognac prices. A $13 drink seems to be normal these days, and that’s
BU Y T H E B OT T L E
Amaro No. 1 Linnaeus LONG TABLE DISTILLERY $38 for 375 mL
Skip the double-digit cocktails and make your own with this new Amaro, the first to be made in B.C. and one that sings when it’s served with some gin and Dubonnet.
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By NEAL McLENNAN
nuts. Not every restaurant charges Hawksworth prices because not every restaurant delivers Hawksworth’s food and service, and that’s how I like it: Sometimes I want a $9 bowl of ramen and sometime I want a jigger of whisky with a splash of bitters and a sugar cube and I don’t want to spend $13 for it. But if you want a decent drink these days, everything’s a Hawksworth. I called up Shaun Layton at the newly opened Juniper because he’s both a near perfect bartender (and accustomed to listening to blowhards) in order to find out. “Cocktails are cheap in Vancouver,” he said. “Compared to cities like Toronto, NYC, Sydney, London, Barcelona, and Paris, cocktails are half the price sometimes. Considering how much we pay for booze and rent, this is one of the best value drinking cities in the world.” Nuts to that, I thought. I very clearly remembered recently staggering around Portland, where amazing drinks were basically free. Then again, my recollection is somewhat undercut by a Google search that showed my barrel-aged Negroni at Clyde Common was $12, a solid $17.42 CDN before tax and tips. And that’s in a city where you can buy a nice house for one-fourth of what it would cost here. Then there’s the perfect Martini at the Connaught Bar in London that came around on its own trolley … for only £21 (or $43.25 CDN). I started to think maybe $13 was not such a bad deal. Even $14. And I suppose if you take the tax off $18.25 you’re getting closer to $16, so this may all be because I spent a toonie more than I wanted to for a drink that was amazing. I think I owe someone a bigger tip.
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GREGORY HENRIQUEZ Architect, Henriquez Partners
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Style
V A N M A G .C O M /S T Y L E
CL A S S Y SW E AT S / V INCEN T PA RK / PER S ON A L SPACE / DEPA R T MEN T S TORE RE V I VA L
ON T R E N D
COURTESY OF WINGS + HORNS
Business, Casual
k Find out more about this fabulous shoe—and why our new style columnist Amanda Ross thinks you should buy it Page 40
THE SWEATPANT used to be the calling card of the lazy and underemployed. No more. And if you don’t believe that the lowly jersey cotton pant has become an object of high—or, at least, higher—fashion, well, think back to the December issue of GQ magazine. It featured a photo spread of their man of the year, New England Patriots quarterback and walking dimple Tom Brady, and in one of them he’s slouched on a sofa wearing grey sweatpants, a white sweatshirt (Tom Ford, natch), and a Tommy Hilfiger grey cotton sports jacket. He was, in other words, wearing a sweatsuit— albeit one that cost a bit more than the ones we used to wear as kids. It didn’t take long for the Internet to pick up on what Brady was putting down, with the Atlantic’s Megan Garber declaring that his “fancy sweats” heralded the “Era of Conspicuous Comfort.” But in fairness to Brady, that era has been underway for a while now. Formal
VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
37
MAIN
28Th
26Th
ON T R E N D
KING EDWARD
Style
STREET
DE S T I NAT ION S HOPPI NG
menswear has been heading in this decidedly informal direction for a few seasons now, according to Natsumi Akatsuka, the buyer and store manager at Roden Gray in Gastown. “It’s been happening for at least the last two or three seasons—we’ve been seeing this trend growing more and more,” she says. “Guys are very comfortable wearing dress pants with a sweatshirt on top, or sweatpants with a blazer on top. They like to mix and match.” So, is the casual revolution played out? Not here, Akatsuka says. “If we were in Paris or London, the scene could be a little different. But I feel like at least in Vancouver people are still very excited about this trend.”
Get the Look
John Elliott Baseline Sweatpant ($285) Roden Gray 8 Water St., 604-689-7302 rodengray.com Wings + Horns Washed Linen Utility Blazer ($645) Wings + Horns 133 W. 5th Ave., 604-568-0140; wingsandhorns.com Kit + Ace Klein Button Up ($198) Kit + Ace Stores everywhere, including 2235 W. 4th Ave. and 151 Water St. in Vancouver kitandace.com
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Sister Act
How Vincent Park is bringing Main Street cool to the masses The Shop
VINCENT PARK
4278 Main St. 604-879-6665 vincentpark.ca
Most expensive item $299 Line coat Least expensive item $30 Cheap Monday top
CARA STRYER has a confession to make. “We didn’t really know what we were doing in the beginning,” she says. “We just bought things we liked—now we’re a lot more refined.” The 32-year-old Stryer is one half of the duo behind Vincent Park, a store that has moved past those early growing pains to become a Main Street staple. That sense of refinement, meanwhile, is reflected in the 1,000-sq.-ft. space that Stryer and her sister Lauren Kurc, who is also a professional photographer, have called home since 2008. When it comes to what stock they carry, Stryer says they’ve learned to find a balance between staying loyal to brands that their customers love while also maintaining a rotating inventory that keeps them coming back for more. “People here aren’t trend driven right away,” she says, “so we have to find a balance between what people want and where style is heading.” They haven’t always gotten it right, mind you. The brown linen overalls from Free People that they brought in back at the beginning, for example, turned out to be five years ahead of the dungaree trend. But they’ve learned from that experience, Stryer says, and a lot of that has to do with—you guessed it—the Internet. “Social media is changing the way stores like ours operate. We found this great Australian watch brand called The Horse on Instagram. Now we are one of only two retailers in Vancouver.” Their overarching goal, Stryer says, is to connect people with their city, be it through local designers or working together with other Vancouver boutiques. “We love where we live and we want to show everyone how great it is. It’s as simple as that.” —Jenni Elliott
The Pick
Two faves from local designers
The Nights Magic Ring $320 | Army of Rokosz
Fenntessa Swimwear $60 bottoms, $50 top
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Style
PE R S ONA L SPAC E
If You Build It, They Will Stay AS IT TURNS out, you can go home again. Just ask Cheyenne Reese, who in 2011 bought the very house where she grew up in Kitsilano. “It still has my height markings from when I was a kid in it, for example, so it’s pretty cool to have my kids grow up in the same house and be in such a great neighbourhood.” It wouldn’t be a Vancouver real estate story if it didn’t involve some sort of intergenerational wealth transfer, mind you, and while Reese and her husband Kieran Moore were both practicing lawyers at the time of the purchase they still needed help getting their foot onto that particular rung of the property ladder. We are still talking about a detached house in Kits, after all. But instead of getting help with a down payment, they bought a 75-percent stake in the house from her father, who was looking to downsize. It’s a nifty piece of creative financing: he gets exposure to the upside in the house’s value while they got to buy the house they wanted in a neighbourhood they love. By MAX FAWCETT // Photo by DAVID STRONGMAN
Home Field Advantage One of the biggest draws of the house is its large, open-concept living room, one that allows them to entertain lots of guests—and guests of all age groups, too. “It’s invaluable to have a house that other people want to come to. We like to entertain, and it’s nice to be able to do that—and hopefully, down the road, having a house where the kids’ friends want to be will be a big benefit.”
Blinded by the Light Having lots of light is generally regarded as a design feature, but it does come with one notable drawback. “One of the challenges of having a house with that much light is that it isn’t great for art, because it just washes it out,” Reese says. “You can see it, but anything that goes on that big wall tends to wash out pretty quickly. We had another piece there for a few years, but it just looked sad.”
Idle Ivory The piano has been there since Reese was a little girl, but that doesn’t mean she has any particularly fond memories of it. “I’m not a naturally gifted piano player, so I did it but I didn’t love it. But Kieran is a naturally gifted piano player, and he would play it all the time if he could.”
Open Concept Reese’s home isn’t the only one that her father, architect Peter Reese, contributed to the neighbourhood’s housing stock. He also drew up the plans for five other adjoining properties that were built in the late 1980s on the parcel of land he’d put together. But their house, she says, was the best of the bunch. “His goal was to have natural light coming from every side in every room. And that is, for the most part, achieved—certainly in our main living space.”
In the future, when he wants us to—or when we are wanting to—we can buy the rest from him.”
Style
T H E HOT TA K E
By AMANDA ROSS
Not Your Mother’s Department Store Why Nordstrom’s arrival last year was only just the beginning
M
MY EARLIEST memory in life may be of my mother toting me along to Woodwards’ food floor in search of exotic ingredients like pineapples and pistachio pudding mix. Little did I know at the time that I was visiting a commercial and social institution that was on death’s doorstep. But while our collective decampment to the suburbs may have put the department store into intensive care, it’s been getting a new lease on life lately in Vancouver. The surest sign of that was Nordstrom’s launch last year, a seminal day for the city’s evolving retail landscape. Not only was it the brand’s first foray outside of the U.S., it was “the most successful opening we’ve experienced in our company’s history,” according to copresident Blake Nordstrom. While there were those who complained we were getting all whipped up about a chain, others sensed it heralded something more—a turning point in
R E TA I L T H E R A PY
j Holt Renfrew’s cotton knit jacket by Barena strikes the perfect note between relaxed and refined with its unstructured shape and impeccable tailoring. $725, holtrenfrew.com
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the march toward downtown’s manifest density. Of course, for the past 40 years Holt Renfrew has sat alone atop the golden throne of luxury Vancouver retailers. But with challengers now lining up to challenge it for that spot—including Hudson’s Bay’s newly-acquired Saks Fifth Avenue concept, which will arrive in town later this year—the tony brand has been forced to respond. It’s done so by adding 40,000 square feet, a restaurant, and a top-floor apartment complete with a balcony and the ability to host private client dinners with designers. And while most flagships set their sights on a downtown postal code, that’s not so for Simons. The 175-year-old Montreal upstart, with its weird (and successful) mash-up of high/low, is jumping into the city’s department store scene with a suitably unconventional location at Park Royal. It'll be eschewing marble-clad interiors for a hybrid mix of high-end couture and street-level cheap, one that president and CEO Peter Simons says “creates a store environment where multiple generations can enjoy shopping." None of this is to suggest that we've returned to the glory days of the past. After all, the retail landscape is still littered with high-profile casualties—Target, Zellers, Sears, Eaton’s and my mother’s beloved Woodwards among them. But now there’s a new generation of department stores making a push for our wallets as well. If they're lucky, they might just play host to some memory-making of their own in the future.
p Nordstrom’s calling card is its combination of crackerjack service and fashion-forward style, and it serves up the latter with the patent leather Flossie d’Orsay pump by L.K. Bennett. $325, nordstrom.ca
k In February, Simons launched its first major designer collection for its Maison department; Samantha Pynn takes on bedding, bath and kitchen textiles, all in pretty colours and prints like the linencotton Zebra tea towel. $9.50, simons.ca
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Time and again the Lower Mainland reigns supreme in terms of natural beauty and quality of life. These latest developments make some of the area’s most coveted addresses even more attractive.
VANCOUVER Renowned for its nature, culture and stunning skyline, Vancouver is a big city with all the right priorities. THE JERVIS
Corner of Davie & Jervis Units: 58 homes Project completion: Spring 2018 Distance to city centre: • By car – 7 min • By transit – 14 min • By bike – 7 min BUYER BREAKDOWN It may seem cliché to claim that a development is fit for all ages, but when it comes to The Jervis—the inaugural partnership project between Intracorp and Inform Interiors—that claim couldn’t be more true. “Our buyers range from a first-time homeowner to a couple in their eighties,” shares Intracorp Director of Sales, Barrett Sprowson. “An emotional connection to the neighbourhood has been a constant theme throughout early sales.” Their primary market is comprised of upgraders already in the condo market and downsizers who aren’t willing to sacrifice city center living, both of which are attracted to the vibrancy of the West End and a design-centric development. “The neighbourhood’s natural amenities speak for themselves,” Sprowson continues, referencing English Bay, Sunset Beach and the Seawall.
THE NORTH SHORE This string of seaside cities frames the Burrard Inlet, promising a strong sense of community and a convenient escape to your chosen pleasures in any direction.
THE RESIDENCES AT LYNN VALLEY
GROSVENOR AMBLESIDE
1340 Marine Drive, West Vancouver Units: 98 suites total Project completion: • Phase 1 completion: 2017 • Phase 2 completion: 2019 Distance to city centre: • By car – 14 min • By transit – 21 min • By bike – 29 min BUYER BREAKDOWN With Phase 1 over 85% sold, the response to Grosvenor Ambleside has been overwhelming. “Our market is primarily downsizing West Vancouver residents who want stay in the community,” tells Michael Ward, Senior Vice President, Development for Grosvenor Americas. “This is a chance for something of equal quality to a custom built home.”
AMENITIES Efficient and beautiful amenities reflect a downtown lifestyle and the Inform philosophy. Even the 800 square foot fitness centre reflects Inform’s renowned emphasis on beauty, with streamlined equipment like the WaterRower Classic. A 24-hour lobby concierge adds sophistication to the neighbourhood, while an adjacent waiting area that blends into an outdoor landscaped space makes waiting for a Seawall running buddy or a taxi aesthetically pleasing. “The offerings are functional, not superfluous.”
BRIEF Designed for the ultimate West Coast lifestyle, with Italian cabinetry by Snaidero custom-configured for each residence and seamlessly integrated indoor-outdoor spaces, Grosvenor Ambleside establishes a new standard of attention to detail and quality befitting the prestigious West Vancouver waterfront. The James KM Cheng Architects project features contemporary interiors by Mitchell Freedland Design. “Mitchell has designed many of the custom single family homes in West Vancouver, so many of our purchasers have worked with him before,” shares Ward. “They have a high level of trust in him and he has an inherent sense of what they like.” The development also includes public art by Douglas Coupland and residential lobby art by Gordon Smith. The two building, six- and seven- storey development includes an engaging streetscape of shops, cafes, art and even music under a covered galleria. “This is an exciting catalyst to take what’s great about Ambleside and make it even better,” says Ward.
BRIEF Designed by NSDA Architects, Richard Henry Architect and Trepp Design Inc., The Jervis is about upscale design in the heart of the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows highlight high ceilings and stunning views of Stanley Park and Coal Harbour, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces: a winning combination in the West End.
AMENITIES All suites feature future ready technology by Millson and each building will have its own dedicated 24-hour concierge team, private residents lounge, fully-equipped fitness centre, yoga space, private enclosed garages and stunning terraces. Ward isn’t surprised by the positive response. “A condominium project of this quality is a rare offering in West Vancouver.”
Created by the Vancouver advertising department in partnership with our real estate partners
1199 Lynn Valley Road Sales Centre: Located in the Lynn Valley Centre Mall Units: Over 350 homes Project completion: • Phase 1 (115 homes): December 2017 • Phase 2: TBD Distance to city centre: • By car – 19 min • By transit – 47 min • By bike – 1 hour BRIEF After more than a decade of negotiations, Bosa Development is finally set to revive Lynn Valley. The neighbourhood—which remains an undiscovered enclave of the Lower Mainland— will be home to a new mixed-use masterplanned community, featuring The Residences at Lynn Valley and a complete renovation of Lynn Valley Centre. The overall development encompasses six residential buildings, ranging from four to twelve storeys; $1.6 million in highway infrastructure; a new 43,000 square foot home for Save On Foods; and five additional commercial retail units. With Nat Bosa at the helm—the iconic Vancouver-based developer who has created some of the most highly recognizable residential communities along the Western Seaboard of North America —the project is in good hands. FEATURES Phase 1 of the development’s residential portion features 115 concrete homes, each outfitted with geothermal heating and air conditioning. The high end finishes selected by Cristina Oberti Interior Design Inc. proves that condo living isn’t a sacrifice with imported Italian cabinetry, genuine hardwood flooring, over height ceilings and large windows that promise stunning views and maximum sunlight. The mountain resort aesthetic has become the new standard for North Shore luxury, but it’s ultimately a blend of nature, culture and one hundred percent walkability that sets this community apart, with a gourmet deli, liquor store, dry cleaners, drugstore and a florist as your new neighbours. BUYER BREAKDOWN Thoughtful design with a balance of mid-rise, low-rise and townhomes enables long-time Lynn Valley residents to remain a part of the community while young families look to settle in the North Shore. The Residences at Lynn Valley brings a new level of luxury living and sets the tone for the entire area.
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*
MORE SURVEY RESULTS AT VANMAG.COM
■ Exclusive data about how residents of Toronto and Vancouver compare ■ Advice from a divorce lawyer (three of them, actually) ■ A peek behind the curtains at the Penthouse, Vancouver’s longest-serving family business ■ A sex-themed, made-in-Vancouver version of Choose Your Own Adventure
A look at the thriving boudoir photography business and why it’s so popular in Vancouver
■
■ The full cut of our interview with Vancouver’s most highly-rated escort
Caption Extended: tempori blabo. Ta con remquae persped excestibus undam earum autem. Nequis id quae repti veles ellenih ita
IMAGE CREDIT
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VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
COVE R STORY
Love &Sex* The definitive guide to how Vancouverites date and mate
We’re a curious bunch here at Vancouver Magazine. That’s why we commissioned a poll to dig into our attitudes toward the various aspects of love and sex. The results offer a window into how (and how often) Vancouverites get busy that you won’t find anywhere else. And if you’re hungry for more—and trust us, you will be—after you’re done with the print copy, the data continues online at vanmag.com. So strip down, dig in, and have some fun with it. Don’t worry—we won’t judge.
IMAGE CREDIT
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELLEN HONG
Methodology
Results are based on an online study conducted from December 8 to December 14, 2015, among a representative sample of 582 adults in the Lower Mainland (and a representative sample of 201 adults in the City of Toronto). The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender, and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.1 percentage points for the sample of Lower Mainland residents.
VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
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Vancouver: a city of two competing reputations. There is the hippy-dippy Vancouver, the Pot Capital of Canada, the crown jewel of the Left Coast. And then there is the cold, sterile Vancouver, where cliques and bubbles abound. And while one might imagine that first Vancouver would be a good place to find love (or even just get laid), in that second Vancouver it's much, err, harder. So which one are we? While neither is a perfect representation, our data suggests that the latter is closer to reality. Just take a look at the top three words used to describe our dating scene: difficult, hard, and tough. Yikes.
Better off Gay Privilege, apparently, doesn’t come with a better sex life, as straight men said they are the least content with theirs. While an equal percentage of men and women said they are satisfied, sexually speaking, fewer women are explicitly dissatisfied. But the most content group of all? Vancouver’s LGBT community—63 percent are satisfied as opposed to 54 percent of heteros.
*
Would you say you are satisfied or dissatisfied with your sex life? 63% 58% 58% 54% 38% 32%
*
SATISFIED
DISSATISFIED
7% said they are virgins
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STRAIGHT
MALE
FEMALE
QUEER
STRAIGHT
MALE
FEMALE
31%
QUEER
37%
m
The Lay of the Land
More is Better Queer locals are not only happier with their sex lives, they're getting more too. Almost half (47 percent) of LGBT respondents said they've had 10 or more sexual partners. The same is true for only 35 percent of straight Vancouverites.
+ 100 Four percent of men said they’ve had over 100 sexual partners. Just one percent of women said the same.
It's not impossible to date in Vancouver, but it is definitely more challenging than other cities and countries I've been in." –Male respondent, 18-34
The Dating Game Vancouver can be a tough place to find love. To help our single readers out, we’ve gathered some intel on where people meet—as well as where they meet again for that critical first date.
Where did you meet your last sexual partner? 10%
Bar / Club / Party
15%
Class / School
1%
16%
Other
Work
12%
Church / Temple
15%
31%
Online
Through a friend
% 25
A quarter of those surveyed had no sex at all in the last 12 months. Keep swinging, folks
TOP 10 ...words used to describe Vancouver’s dating scene
...most frequently mentioned dating spots
1. di f f ic u lt
1. c ac t us clu b
2. hard
2. the keg
3. tough
3. sta r buck s
4. ba d
4. w h i t e sp ot
5. bor i ng
5. e a r l s
6. ac t i v e
6. m i l e s ton e s
7. g o o d
7. t h e b o a t h o u s e
8. sh a l low
8. n u ba
9. c l iqu e y
9. bu rg o o
10. you t h
10. c h a m ba r
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The Ultimate Vancouver
In our survey, we asked you to tell us what your ideal man and woman look like. And guess
44% Long Hair Prefer
Educated
It’s hardly breaking news, but the days of men being more interested in dating down the educational scale than up it—or, at least, across it—are over. Fully two-thirds of them prefer women with some university or a degree from one, while 32 percent said it doesn’t matter at all to them.
White
The good news is that a healthy majority (60 percent when it came to women, and 57 per cent for men) of respondents said that race doesn’t matter when it came to creating their idealized mate. The bad news, of course, is that a substantial minority think that it does—and that 29 percent of people said that being white is a desirable trait in a woman. For men, it was even higher—34 percent. So much for that progress.
52% Down-to-earth Prefer
p
We asked our survey participants to rank a variety of local celebrities and high-profile figures, and created an indicator we’re calling the DesireO-Metre. How does it work? We added up the number of “very desirable” and “moderately desirable” responses, subtracted the “not too desirable” and “not desirable at all” ones and ignored those who didn’t have any opinion at all. Behold, the locals you love—and a few that you don’t.
Th
om eW
50
No Yoga Pants Nordstrom employees, avert your eyes. When it comes to what men look for in a woman, high-fashion is just about as low on the list as it can get. A mere six percent indicated that they find “highfashion” women attractive, versus 12 percent who prefer someone “fitness-oriented” and a staggering 58 percent who selected “downto-earth” as their look of choice.
40% Prefer
Slender
The Van Mag Desire-O-Metre
en
*
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carrie-Ann Moss
Cobie Smulders
Coco Rocha
Christy Clark
+34 All, +45 Men
+22 All, +28 Men
+23 All, +28 Men
+7 All, +8 Men
-42 All, -24 Men
VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
*
Five percent of people 18-34 find Christy Clark attractive, but 15 percent don’t even know who she is.
Man & Woman
what? It’s not Lulu wearing women or plaid-clad bearded hipsters
Clean Shaven
46% Tall Prefer
Men in Vancouver may still be proudly rocking their finely coiffed and perfectly conditioned beards (well, some of them, anyway), but our survey clearly suggests that they’d be better off investing those grooming dollars in a subscription to the Dollar Shave Club. A whopping 54 percent of women—and a surprising 44 percent of their fellow fellas—said no to men with a beard.
Owns a Car
You might be saving the environment and your pocket book by passing on vehicle ownership, but the results of this survey are crystal clear: it’s doing nothing for your love life. While 65 percent of respondents said they find vehicle ownership to be an attractive quality in a man, just one percent said the same about habitual cyclists, transit users, and those who rely on car sharing to get around.
49% Short Hair Prefer
A question we didn’t ask: “Is vaping an attractive trait?” The proportion we’d expect to say yes if we had: 0 percent
39% University Grads
No Glasses
Prefer
If you’re someone who wears glasses, you’d do well to stay away from Surrey—at least, if you’re trying to meet a mate. That’s because 23 percent of women in Surrey said they dislike men who wear them, compared to 14 percent in the City of Vancouver. It’s hardly better for optically-challenged women there, with 19 percent of Surrey men saying they don’t find women with glasses attractive. Ouch.
The men in Vancouver have no game, and the only ones that ask you out are the ones that are from other cities." –Female respondent, 35-54
en M
COURTESY DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION
e Th
*
*
Ryan Reynolds
Michael Bublé
Joshua Jackson
David Suzuki
Gregor Robertson
+53 All, +57 Women
+38 All, +36 Women
+13 All, +19 Women
-54 All, -47 Women
-15 All, -5 Women
Michael Bublé was a hit, especially with men (26 percent of whom rated him as “very desirable”).
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Location, Location, Location.
For lovers of the great outdoors, we live in one of the best cities in Canada and, indeed, the world. The options are almost endless. Skiing down Grouse Mountain. Walking along Kits beach. Biking around the Sea Wall. And, of course, screwing in Stanley Park. In total, 27 percent of our survey respondents said theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had sex in a public place in Vancouver. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where they did it.
Spanish Banks UBC Who would have thought a large, sprawling university campus would be subject to such indecencies? SFU was also mentioned.
Spanish Banks was mentioned three times, but beaches in general are a popular choice, second only to parks.
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VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
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Stanley Park Parks are by far the most popular destination for public sex. Fully half of the people who’ve had sex outdoors mentioned parks (especially Stanley Park). Must be the tree coverage.
Granville Street The human zoo that is Granville Street on a Friday night is also a good place for public sex, according to one of our respondents.
Robson Square Most people love the late Arthur Erickson's architecture. But apparently, some people really, really love it.
The Back Alley “In the alley behind the Blarney Stone,” said one respondent. Alleys were the fourth most popular setting for outdoor extracurriculars.
Granville Island SPANISH BANKS: ROBOBERG, STANLE Y PARK: OLIVIER HILL , GRANVILLE ISL AND: LIJUAN GUO, ROBSON SQUARE: VICTOR ANDRE
We're betting it was the phallic concrete silos that got them going.
Vancouver is very sexoriented. People are looking for hook-ups only." –Female respondent, 35-54
Queen Elizabeth Park A good place to bring the queen in your life. Queen Elizabeth Park is the second most popular park for public sex, after Stanley.
The Cemetery Two, yes two, respondents said they’ve had sex in a local cemetery. Hopefully, it was with each other.
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The Gender Gap No surprise here: men and women see the romantic and sexual landscape through very different lenses. How different? See for yourself
He Said, She Said We asked: Regardless of whether you would partake in each of the following actions, are they acceptable or unacceptable to you personally?
Hell yeah, I think it's acceptable... Having an “open relationship” (sex outside marriage with the consent of your partner) Men: 50% Women: 30%
Having a one-night stand Men: 69% Women: 50%
Do Vancouver Men Still Suck? In the January/February 2012 issue of Vancouver Magazine, we published a piece that was perhaps our most popular—and certainly our most talked about—in recent memory. It was written by Katherine Ashenburg, and online it was called “Do Vancouver Men Suck?” The evidence marshalled in that piece suggested that they did, in fact, suck, and suck to a remarkably widespread degree. As Ashenburg wrote, “Women who’ve moved to Vancouver, or lived in other cities, partnered up with men from elsewhere, or left the city for greener pastures, agree that Vancouver is in a class by itself. When it comes to inert, inattentive men, the ones in Vancouver seem to have written the book.” Has anything changed in the intervening four years? It’s hard to tell from our survey results given that we don’t have a baseline to compare them against, but Vancouver men certainly still have a reputation of being, well, underwhelming.
Paying for Sex Men: 42% Women: 15%
Sleeping with a co-worker Men: 59% Women: 46%
Having sex with more than one person at a time Men: 64% Women: 34%
In general, are Vancouver men more or less desirable than men from other cities? More desirable: 5% The same: 49% Less desirable: 16% Not sure: 30%
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tled-1 1
Ask the Shocked that one in five Vancouver men have paid for sex? We asked Vancouver’s most popular escort what she thought of the numbers. Here are just a few of Angel’s answers And, yes, this is her...
Our survey said that 22 percent of male Vancouverites admitted to paying for sex. Does that ring true for you? I think it’s probably much more.
Really?
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So 85 percent of men have paid for sex? Or just some sort of sexual act?
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I’m not talking about if they’re 18, but if you go 25 and over I think it’s probably around 85 percent, especially 11:30 AM if you’re saying ‘ever,’ not just in the past year.
It doesn’t have to be penetration. Essentially, it’s paying to be with somebody for the purposes of intimacy.
Okay. What percentage of men pay for your time but then don’t actually have sex with you? Probably about 20 percent.
So what do they want, then?
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A lot of the time men feel they lack appreciation. It’s common for women to feel underappreciated, but we never hear that about men. They can’t say how they feel because they’ll be judged by society—you know, “you pussy,” that kind of thing. They want to be able to be
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It sounds like they just want a girlfriend—are a lot of the men single?
My demographic is predominantly single. I think a lot of people are just craving touch. We are in a world where people don’t really have physical contact anymore— we are on our iPhones constantly. We feel social because we have 800 friends on Facebook so we have this illusion of connection. But it’s such a superficial connection, and I think the soul is really deprived of something deeper.
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Do you see any difference in-out-of-towners compared to Vancouver locals?
It might just be because they’re playing in their own back yard and they want to be a little more cautious, but local people still want to order takeout or not go out because too many people know them and they don’t want questions. Vancouverites, in general, tend to be more demanding with what they want than men from other cities. They want to get their money’s worth, for lack of a better phrase. I find it peculiar because Vancouver seems to be such a relaxed city on the surface. You would think in Toronto they’d be a little bit more uptight, but it doesn’t seem to work that way.
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She Saw You Lisa Icarus has written at least a dozen fake love letters to the Georgia Straight. What is she after?
A
by Jimmy thomson
man carrying a blue Nalgene water bottle with a “No Pipelines” sticker strikes up a conversation with a woman in a health-food store on the Drive. It’s mid-December, 2014, and they chat about kombucha and Hornby Island before parting ways. Later, the man regrets letting her go without even an email address. He submits a heartfelt letter to the Georgia Straight’s I Saw You section and hopes for the best. No one ever replies. This is because neither the man, nor the woman, nor even the Nalgene bottle ever existed. Trying to contact the man from the shop—or the woman folding her delicates in Rainbow Coin-op Laundry, or the man in the black sweater in La Taqueria on Hastings—will only lead to Lisa Icarus (not her real name). She’s the elusive author of at least a dozen anonymous I Saw You letters. And, therefore, possibly the most prolific inventor of supposedly genuine romantic encounters in Vancouver. Lisa uses I Saw You as an outlet for her musings on desire, loneliness, and love. “I wouldn’t call it a remedy to social isolation in Vancouver,” she says. “It’s one of the places where we can go to say what’s on our mind about
had pined over for months but had no way of contacting. Lisa, inventor of so many imaginary personal moments between imaginary strangers, wrote her only honest I Saw You for this man. With characteristic coyness, she refuses to reveal who he is—or which one of her published tales is true. The section is, of course, one of the Georgia Straight’s most popular. The cultural phenomenon speaks to a sense of what Lisa describes as “romantic optimism,” which thrives even in a romantically pessimistic city such as this one. “In Vancouver, there are constantly people watching other people but not connecting with one another,” she
I guess it's a way of being brave about making connections with other people while not being that brave.
connection.” Lisa is single, 35, was born in Langley, works in communications for a non-profit, and, aside from the fact that she writes about imaginary encounters between strangers in Vancouver, won’t reveal much about herself for fear of being mocked for her admittedly weird hobby. As she puts it: “I think it speaks to an almost unhealthy obsession with another person if you’re having to create an outlet with I Saw You.” Indeed, her dabbling in I Saw You began as the product of an actual missed connection in her own life: a man she
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VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
says. “There’s hardly a chance of someone seeing the I Saw You, or seeing the sentiment, but we’re still putting it out there and being positive and making some sort of wistful romantic connection with somebody—even though it’s probably futile.” It’s not always futile, though. One Halloween night, Anna Russell went to a bar dressed as a banana. She soon met Scott George, who was dressed as a monkey, and naturally the two hit it off. Then her roommate was thrown out of the bar, taking Anna with her and leaving Scott alone
Lisa's “I Saw You” Letters Tower Encounter I was strolling your way at Tower Beach and paused to comment on the Sun Kil Moon song coming from your iPhone. You smiled confidently and asked me to smoke a joint with you. I had to dash up the stairs and back into the real world, but would love to return to the sand and have a sunset smoke with you one of these days. Get in touch if you see this. April 29, 2015
and disappointed. “I thought I was going home with her,” says Scott, to a smirk from Anna. “I went to get my jacket, walked outside, and she was gone.” A sensible person would assume they would never meet again. They hadn’t exchanged numbers, and all Anna knew about Scott was his name and that he worked “with film.” She even tried to Google people named Scott within the film industry and turned up only strangers. But a few weeks later Scott’s friend pointed out an I Saw You: “I was a banana, you were a monkey, maybe it was meant to be? Sorry I didn’t say goodbye.” Today, the cute couple sipping coffee on their couch—the dog barking in the background— have been together for three years. Over and above its raison d’être—connecting strangers like Scott and Anna, a happy outcome that, as far as one former Straight editor says, is a rarity—I Saw You gives the rest of us an excuse for our romantic optimism. These small stories reassure us that, even in Vancouver, we’re not alone in pining after perfect strangers or falling in love a dozen times a day. The letters offer a glimpse into the private moments occurring all around us as we go about our lives: fleeting eye contact between the men pretending to ignore each other on the bus; the electrifying brush of one hand on another in a cash transaction; a shared laugh over an obnoxious stranger on the street. “I guess it’s a way of being brave about making connections with other people while not being that brave,” Lisa says. “It’s a middle ground between seeing someone and not saying anything, and seeing someone and walking up to them and starting a conversation.”
Toronto to YVR We sat next to each other on a mid-day flight, enveloped in comfortable silence. You (brown hair, soft features, studded belt) were reading non-fiction; I was absorbed in magic realism. You drifted off a few times in a leftward-leaning direction, and my shoulder gratefully absorbed the weight of your body and the warmth of your breath. Just wanted to tell you that you made a cozy impact on my travels, and that you're a very handsome man. Happy holidays! December 21, 2014 Lacanian Lunch I was looking at you looking at me looking at you in the wall-length mirror at La Taqueria on Hastings last Tuesday. You (blonde, Navajo-print sweater) seemed embarrassed by the mushroom mixture that trickled from your tinga de hongos taco as you took the first bite, but you recovered swiftly and with sass. I was the guy trying not to get creamy corn taco filling all over my black woolen cowl. I’d like to challenge you to a discreet sushi-eating duel—drop me a line, and we’ll see who dribbles the least soy sauce. December 16, 2014 —via the Georgia Straight
VA N M A G . C O M M A R C H 2 0 1 6
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start your search here. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re renting or buying, finding your next home has never been so easy.
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V A N M A G .C O M /G O
WIL D PACIFIC T R AIL / OYS T ER JIM / HE ALT H VS . VANI T Y / SE X Y JUICE
T H E D E S T I NAT I ON
Voyage to the Edge of the World
BARBARA SCHRAMM
STANDING ON ONE of the Wild Pacific Trail’s viewing platforms, it’s tempting to squint your eyes and try to see Japan’s coastline on the horizon. A sighting is unlikely, seeing as there are over 7,000 kilometres of Pacific Ocean between Vancouver Island and Japan, but the trail does have that standing-on-the-edge-of-the-world vibe. It’s closer to home than you’d think, too, with daily flights to nearby Tofino ( flyorcaair.com) for those in a hurry and a leisurely BC Ferries ride from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo for those with more time to spare. Oh, and once you disembark, remember not to rush the drive to your destination. You’re on island time now.
j Jeremy Koreski’s first book, This Is Nowhere, has over 100 of his images that will have you itching for a thick wetsuit and some ice-cold water. Jeremykoreski.com
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UCLUELET
Long weekend Musts Where to eat, sleep and play in Ucluelet
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Eat
For breakfast, compete with locals in the lineup at Zoë’s Bakery and Cafe in Village Square ( facebook. com/zoesbakeryandcafe). Make sure to seek out the Raven Lady food truck at lunch for the best oysters in town (ravenlady.ca).
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Sleep
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Play
Majestic Ocean Kayaking will make sure you’re cozied up in the right gear before you venture out—just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean it’s warm. Trust us on that (oceankayaking.com). Ask your guide to paddle by the eerie abandoned Japanese cottages on the shoreline for some spine-tingling sightseeing.
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Trail Blazer
How did the Wild Pacific Trail come into being? We asked "Oyster" Jim Martin, the man who almost single-handedly built it himself
I DIDN’T JUST come up with the idea for the trail and start digging. I used to fish for salmon from the rocks, which gave me a real sense of perspective on what the trail could be. Most lifetime residents hadn’t even tracked that area because it was pretty well impassable, so no one had seen views like that before. I went before the Ucluelet council and the Tofino Chamber of Commerce in 1988. At that time, the resource industry (fishing and logging) were strong, so they didn’t have an appetite to invest in tourism. But in ’95 the bottom fell out of the resource industry, so the municipality turned their attention to tourism as a source of income. I went in front of the council again and asked them to take this seriously. They set a gentleman from the Chamber of Commerce to work on my plans, but a year later nothing had happened. So I went back to the council and said: “This has to be done, one way or another.” They asked if I would accept responsibility for any problems, I did, and the first part of the trail opened in ’98. The bridges, stairs, and platforms were just a go-for-it situation. I had five bridges in place, but I needed to have them stamped by an engineer. I built everything to code, it got signed off, and away we went. The best starting point is at the parking lot on Coast Guard Road—that’s designated as the zero-kilometre part. There isn’t really one special place on the trail for me. I’m personally attached to all of it because I designed it. But there is one viewing deck overlooking spectacular wave action on the coast where I put a bench with my name on it, so I guess that’s where you’ll find me. —As told to Jenni Elliott
K AYAK /CAMPFIRE: DOUGL AS LUDWIG; OYSTER JIM: JENNI ELLIOT T; LIGHTHOUSE ILLUSTRATION: KEVIN ZIT TLE
Wya Point’s secluded groves of yurts on the shoreline are what a glamper’s dreams are made of (wyapoint.com). If you’re looking for a more solid form of comfort, book yourself into one of the resort’s luxury timber lodges, complete with interior hand-carved totem poles.
L O C A L I N S IG H T
SPONSORED REPORT 1.
Vancouver’s most influential gathered at the prestigious Vancouver Club on November 16, 2015 to celebrate the people who contribute to our city’s livability and innovation. Featured in the December issue of Vancouver Magazine and toasted by more than 150 of the city’s business, arts and cultural community, this year’s Power 50 reminded us all why we live in the best city on the planet.
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1. Volvo of Vancouver welcomed guests with their 2016 XC60 T6 R-Design and the 2016 XC90 flanking the entrance to the Vancouver Club. 2. Ian Gillespie topped the 2015 Power 50 ranking. 3. Power 50 rookie Tru Wilson brought the whole family.
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4. The Vancouver Club treated guests to a mushroom and seafood risotto bar. 5. Jill and Mike Killeen with Power 50 nominee Jill Krop. 6. The Vancouver Club mixed signature Negronis all night long. 7. CityTV’s Dawn Chubai and Kwantlen University’s Sharon Greeno. 8. Vancouver Magazine’s new editor-in-chief Max Fawcett announced the Power 50 honorees all evening. 9. The host of the evening, CBC’s Andrew Chang, raises a glass to the Power 50 class.
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10. Power 50 regular Bob Rennie addressed the audiences after accepting his award. 11. Power 50 nominees Kathy Kinloch (left) and Mary Ackenhusen (right) celebrate with Debra Finlay (centre).
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T R I A L + E R ROR
By JENNI ELLIOTT
Food for Thought Juice-based cleanses are all the rage these days—just ask Gwyneth Paltrow—but do our bodies love the trend as much as our Instagram accounts?
The Claim Juicing detoxes the body, resets your gut, boosts your energy levels, and even shaves a few pounds off in the process. At least, that’s what we’re being sold—and what Vancouverites are buying in large volumes, if the surge in local juiceries is any indication. I and a fellow guinea pig—err, investigator— put those claims to the test with a three-day, juice-only cleanse.
The Trial
It didn’t get off to a good start. Within 30 minutes of waking up on the first day of the juice cleanse I hated my life and I hated this stupid column. My head hurt, I felt dizzy, and I
wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. Unfortunately for me, my fellow cleanser was feeling on top of the world: “I’m pretty sure I’ve already lost weight,” he texted me. “Feeling pretty good.” As it turns out, I cannot stomach juiced dill. Nor juiced beets. Nor juiced turmeric. In fact, it got to the point that every time I put the juice in or around my mouth, my gut started gurgling and I wanted to vomit. Yes, I enjoyed the easy—sorry, the least nutritious—juice, which was made up of coconut water, pineapple juice, and chia seeds, while I was able to tolerate the tomato-based juice number five
I F YOU ’R E G A M E , T RY T H E SE OT H E R BE GI N N E R C L E A NSI NG OP T IONS:
The Juice Truck
Three day program If you’re talking about juicing in Vancouver, someone will recommend this Main Street hot spot ($195) thejuicetruck.ca
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Krokodile Pear
Green Run Blending avocado and banana makes these juices more of an appealing entry point for rookies ($150) krokodilepear.com
because it tasted a bit like a bad Caesar (and really, who hasn’t had a few of those?). But as for the other four? No chance.
The Verdict
k The Sexy Juice three-day cleanse ($162) includes six different juices and can be delivered straight to your doorstep, sexyjuice.ca
Ultimately, a juice cleanse package was not for me. I could barely stand the taste of each bottle, to the extent that I was basically starving myself, although my fellow tester enjoyed it enough to attempt a five-day cleanse. Yes, replacing your daily coffee with a juice will add extra vitamins to your diet, as the proponents of juicebased cleanses suggest. But losing three pounds is not worth starving yourself for three days, reset gut or not.
“If you’re looking to boost your intake of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, adding fresh juice to your current diet can be beneficial. We still fall short of consuming enough fruits and vegetables based on health recommendations, so it’s a simple way of meeting those targets.” —Vancouver dietician Maria Thomas
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T H E SHOW D OW N
Health vs. Vanity Everyone knows someone who has lost a friend to CrossFit. There are probably CrossFit widows out there, CrossFit orphans, even jobs vacant as a result of C.C.S. (compulsive CrossFit syndrome). But while it’s great for getting shredded, it also comes with its share of health risks (shattered femur, anyone?). That’s why we’ve stacked it up against some of Vancouver’s other popular fitness regimes to see how they compare when it comes to the tradeoff between looks and longevity. By JENNI ELLIOTT
Jogging not only builds muscle because of the impact, but is als0 a great cardio workout.
Ripped [CrossFit] increases the risk of acute injuries like tendon ruptures and disc bulges from randomized maximal effort workouts.
—BARRY DUNCAN OWNER OF MOMENTUM FITNESS
CROSSFIT JOGGING
—JONATHAN SUN CERTIFIED ATHLETIC THERAPIST
Healthy
Risky HOT YOGA YOGA
I had a person who got on their bike after hot yoga, fainted, then got hit by a car. —DR. SAUL ISSEROW DIRECTOR SPORTS CARDIOLOGY BC
No major weight loss will occur as the calorie expenditure is quite low.
Schlub
—MAGGIE MULFORD FITNESS MANAGER AT GYMBOX
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Vancouver Specialist
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The Truth Shall Set Us Free Why learning to love Vancouver is all about knowing how to embrace its ugliness 66
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By charlie demers
absolute statements are never, ever helpful—with the exception of the one I just employed, as well as the following: no one who has ever used the phrase “World Class City” truly loves Vancouver. They will tell you that they do; they will tell you that it’s gorgeous here, that there are beautiful mountains and three different places to get porchetta. But “World Class City” is only ever invoked with the same sort of panic that accompanies the words “he’s a good provider” when used to paper over marital lovelessness. “Vancouver is a World Class City . . .” is spoken aloud, but the “. . . if only,” though silent, is louder. People describe the city as World Class the same way fat kids were told that we had nice faces. The assumption is that cities are loved and hated in simple ways, in the same mode as people love or hate The Big Bang Theory or dill pickles. Years back, Winnipeg indie rockers The Weakerthans made number 12 on an American website’s list of “18 kiss-off songs to cities” for their track “One Great City!,” better known by its oneline refrain, “I hate Winnipeg.” I told a friend, a Weakerthans superfan, about their inclusion on the list, and he was predictably livid, sputtering: “But that’s one of the greatest love letters ever written to a city!” He was right. Like an inversion of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”, the Weakerthans’ track is about the irony marbled through any deep feeling for a place. It’s a long Canadian tradition, hating the places that we love and loving the places that we hate. But as it turns out, rather than loving and hating cities in the way we love and hate TV shows or pickled vegetables, we feel for them in the way we do for people—which is to say that our sentiments are complicated, and that sometimes the deepest feelings
It’s a long Canadian tradition, hating the places that we love and loving the places that we hate. of frustration and occasionally even hatred are reserved for those we love most deeply. Some cities are aloof, beautiful, and inaccessible lovers, like Paris; others are pocked and charming in that “My Funny Valentine” way, like Berlin. It’s not always clear what kind of beloved Vancouver is. Physically exhilarating, obviously, but a little unsophisticated, alternately braggadocious and insecure; nursing an early, perhaps ongoing trauma that they aren’t ready to talk about, though the visible scars seem to be healing nicely (with some surgical help). And easily taken for granted as a beloved, too, if we’re being honest. I grew up in Vancouver, with two generations on my mother’s side born here before me, and to me it never seemed like a real place. But as I got a little older, I started to love the city— at first defensively, overcompensating, but then with the kind thorough-going affection that allows for immense disappointment, flashes of anger, loving resignation to certain flaws and limitations. It’s still the only place I’ve ever lived. We can handle a little irony in our love letters to this city—something more like the Weakerthans wrought, though the World Class cheerleaders take Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” as their model. As the city’s own, Trooper, told us, even while enjoining us to have a good time, “the sun can’t shine every day.” Charlie Demers is a local comedian, writer, and the author of Vancouver Special
ALL-NEW LEXUS GS F | EDGE OF REFINEMENT Introducing the All-New 2016 GS F. Housed just beneath a strikingly aggressive exterior is a powerhouse worthy of its F heritage, a naturally aspirated 467 HP 5.0-litre V8. Experience the most powerful sport sedan ever developed by Lexus for yourself, today. AMAZING IN MOTION
A TUXEDO PAIRED WITH SPRINTING CLEATS.
by Erin B.
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