Contents Publisher Cindy Melland
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Advertising Manager Kimberly Brucks Marketing Specialist Bob Cloyd Brandi Larson Cynthia Chavez Cindy Frontado Megan Ripley Editor Stacy Moore
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Getting Social in the Coachella Valley Best bets for your 2020 calendar.
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It’s Time for Adventure Attractions worth adding to your itinerary.
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Crush it this Spring & Summer Follow our Canadian datebook for the best in culture, food and fun.
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Fashion Week El Paso From Handsome Hounds to California Chic, everyone is welcome to socialize in style.
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Montréal Biosphere More than Just a Transparent Dome Architect Buckminster Fuller’s goal was to honor the Earth’s resources.
News news@desertentertainer.com
BNP Paribas Open Exlaims ‘Tennis Paradise’ for Fans Enthusiasts eager to see if Canadian Bianca Andreescu will smash her way to victory again this year.
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Advertising kbrucks@desertentertainer.com
Palm Desert Food & Wine For the love of cheese...and wine, pastry, spices, pasta and more.
Tax Talk Michael fills you in on the latest developments for Canadian sellers of U.S. real estate.
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Tim Hortons The company has perfected the pairing of coffee and donuts.
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Getting Small in the Magnificence of the Canadian Rockies Two sample tours for your summer getaway.
Big Rock Pub Rocking and Rolling with a Cause A world where great burgers and guitars support cancer treatment.
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Places to Stretch Your Legs Popular high and low desert hiking trails.
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An Equal World is an Enabled World Canadian women show the world who’s boss on International Women’s Day.
Contributing Writers Alison Elsner Michael W. Brooks, ESQ. L Graphics and Layout Jose De La Cruz
Entertainment and events sometimes change after press deadline. Please check with venues to confirm the date and time Distribution
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All delivery inquiries should be directed to Ahkto Distribution at 760-459-4202 or email distribution@ahkto.com. 760-365-3315 or 760-820-2610
Canada Night at the Palm Springs Art Museum A special evening of culture and fun with Canadian artists Luc Bernard and Sara Genn.
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CanadaSouthMagazine.com Titles registered and all contents copyrighted 2020 by the Hi-Desert Publishing Co. All rights reserved. A PRODUCT OF
Cover photo courtesy of BNP Paribas Open.
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February 2020
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Welcome Canadians
Photo courtesy of Fashion Week El Paseo
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welcome
anadian tennis phenom Bianca Andreescu is on our cover this issue, as part of the ramp up of excitement for the upcoming BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells in March. Not only has Ms. Andreescu become a significant source of pride and inspiration for Canadians as well as Americans, but also she represents a special type of achievement, given her young age (19) and the decidedly intense levels of discipline and commitment that she’s had to channel to bring her to this point. Even for those who aren’t tennis players or fans, or athletes for that matter, her selfactualization can and should be respected. With the recent and shockingly unexpected passing of basketball legend Kobe Bryant several weeks ago, many people have found themselves reflecting on the components that define greatness. In Kobe’s case, his loss has triggered contemplation about the ingredients for success, which seems to be something that unites us all as humans. Quotes
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from Kobe like, “If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail,” and “There’s a choice that we have to make as people, as individuals. If you want to be great at something, there’s a choice you have to make. We all can be masters at our craft, but you have to make a choice,” strike a chord with most everyone, forcing us to each focus on the act of taking responsibility for our personal destiny. It’s in this context that Andreescu’s achievements can be fully appreciated and admired, perhaps serving as motivation for us all. In any case, the world is watching to see if she will take the court and snag the win at the BNP Paribas Open, which will welcome visitors from around the world to our sun-drenched desertscape for two weeks in March. Of course, there are plenty of other wicked-fun events and activities coming up, which we’ve outlined in our Coachella Valley datebook. Also in our pages, readers will find information about Fashion Week El Paseo, Palm Desert Food & Wine, Canada Night at the Palm Springs Art Museum and the dining experience
February 2020
with a Canadian twist at Big Rock Pub in Indio. For those anxious to return to Canada, this issue will prepare you with our overview of upcoming Canadian festivals and gatherings, suggestions for travel through the Canadian Rockies, everything you always wanted to know about Tim Horton’s coffee stores and the story behind the iconic Montréal Biosphere designed by architect Buckminster Fuller and now open to the public as an environmental museum. As many of you prepare to venture north and we all get ready for spring and summer, we wish you safe travels along with peace and harmony. Feel free to reach out to us at any time at news@desertentertainer.com. From all of us at Canada South, we wish you well and look forward to your return in the fall! From the desk of
Alison Elsner Canada South Magazine
canadasouthmagazine.com
Fall Calendar
Photo courtesy of Indian Wells International Arts Festival
Coachella Valley Getting Social in the
Best bets for your 2020 calendar
By Alison Elsner
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people can fulfill their dreams of dancing on stage for charity while all their friends and family watch and cheer them on. Tickets $90, includes lunch and one vote. Agua Caliente Resort Casino, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, 760-218-1687, dancingwithourstars.com.
Dancing with our Stars, March 1, 1 p.m. This dance show that tops all the others is open to charities who enter representatives to raise much-needed funds as well as to amateur and “pro/am” level couples. Dancers participate for “Audience Choice” trophies in their respective categories. Most exciting of all,
Pink Martini featuring singers China Forbes and Storm Large, March 4-8, 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Pink Martini’s diverse repertoire is a blend influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, Italian folk, Asian and romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and ’50s. According to bandleader/ pianist Thomas Lauderdale, “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, Pink Martini
he Coachella Valley presents one of the best and busiest social seasons anywhere to be found, with a range of events and activities for every taste and price point. Entertainment and food-related gatherings populate much of our list, with sports, culture and art figuring in prominently as well. Whether you prefer to cover ground during the day or hit the town after dark, options abound!
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would be that band.” Tickets $58-$98. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, 760-340-2787, mccallumtheatre.com. BNP Open Tennis Tournament, March 9-22, Day and evening. Tennis players and fans will experience tennis paradise at this largest two-week combined ATP and WTA Premier professional tennis tournament in the world outside of the four grand slams. Five award winning restaurants will include Nobu, Spago, Piero’s PizzaVino, Fresh Agave and The Sports Bar, overlooking the on-court action in Stadium 1 and 2 as well as two dozen concession and bar areas. Whether strolling the grounds, enjoying a drink or lunch, shopping or catching championship tennis, this is the place to be and be seen. Tickets $20-$1,085. Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, 800-999-1585, bnpparibasopen.com.
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Fall Calendar
Daryl Hall and John Oates.
15th Annual Fashion Week El Paseo, March 20-28, Day and evening. Showcasing the talents of renowned and emerging designers, this premier fashion event presents the newest collections, packed with cocktail receptions, trunk shows, celebrity meet-and-greets, afterparties and plenty of elbow-rubbing. In addition to runway shows, there are numerous instore events up and down El Paseo throughout the week. Designers like hometown favorite Michael Costello return this year as well as colorful California favorite Trina Turk. Tickets $80 and up. The Gardens on El Paseo, 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, fashionweekelpaseo.com. Daryl Hall & John Oates live in concert, March 21, 8 p.m. The number one-selling duo in music history will rock the house with chart-topping hits like “Sara Smile,” “She’s Gone,” “Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” “Maneater,” “Out of Touch” and so many others. Their albums have sold an estimated 40 million records, and the pair remains popular for their mix of rock, soul, rhythm and blues, new wave and power pop. Billboard magazine named them the most successful duo of the rock era, surpassing Simon & Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers. This is a “can’t miss” chance to see living legends live on stage. Tickets $79-$169. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, 800827-2946, fantasyspringsresort.com.
canadasouthmagazine.com
Photo courtesy of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Palm Desert Food & Wine, March 27-29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Calling all food and wine lovers at the 10th annual celebration of food and drink. This premier cultural event features eclectic tastings, libations, hands-on celebrity chef demonstrations and a wide variety of scrumptious presentations. There will be more than 30 local and celebrity chefs, over 40 restaurants and at least 60 premium and sparkling wines and craft beers for sampling, from vendors like AC3 Restaurant + Bar at Hotel Paseo, Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, On The Mark, TRIO Palm Springs, Wildest and so many more. Whether you’re in for the James Beard Gourmet Luncheon or the Grand Tastings, be sure you are ready to chuck the diet. Tickets $40 and up. The Gardens on El Paseo, 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, palmdesertfoodandwine.com.
18th Annual Indian Wells International Arts Festival, April 3-5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This international palette is a colorful, diverse ecosystem of art with all types of contemporary and traditional fine art and crafts in 31 mediums and categories like painting, sculpture, jewelry, wearable-art, fashion, photography and ceramics. Enthusiasts can browse or buy while listening to live jazz, sipping cocktails and sampling foodie delights. The event will feature hands-on painting and sculpting artist demos, pottery-throwing and kid’s palette-knife painting classes, and the Saturday and Easter Sunday “Eggs + Champagne in the Garden” brunch menu until noon is always a hit. Tickets $13, kids 12 and under free. Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, 760-3460042, indianwellsartsfestival.com.
ANA Inspiration Golf Tournament, March 30-April 5, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 38th year of this major championship, formerly known as the Kraft Nabisco and still sometimes referred to as the Dinah Shore, is one of the five majors of professional women’s golf, part of the LPGA Tour. All Nippon Airways (ANA) took over title sponsorship in 2014. Aside from outstanding golf, ticketholders can take advantage of food trucks, a full bar and action on a large screen. The highlight is getting to see who jumps in to “Poppie’s Pond” to celebrate victory. Tickets start at $18. Mission Hills Country Club, 34600 Mission Hills Drive, Rancho Mirage, 760-834-8872, anainspiration.com.
Brew at the Zoo, April 4, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Come join the wildest party in town and celebrate a full culinary adventure of tasty dishes and desserts from some of the Coachella Valley’s top restaurants and food trucks, tastings from some of the finest specialty brews around in addition to highly acclaimed wines. Live music stages will be found throughout the grounds. The African section of the park will be open for guests to explore and see animals such as zebras, cheetahs and oryx who will also be celebrating the nightlife. Tickets $60$150. The Living Desert, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, 760-346-5694, livingdesert.org.
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Photo courtesy of ANA Inspiration
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Opera in the Park, April 5, 1 p.m. Presented by the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert, this open-air afternoon event showcases the most accomplished opera professionals on stage with a professional orchestra conducted by Valery Ryvkin. Event attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day of beloved opera arias. Food trucks and a beer garden make this a family-friendly event for all ages. There is limited shade space under the main tent which may be purchased by making a contribution through the Opera Guild office. This event fills up quickly. Free. Sunrise Park, 2000 E. Ramon Road, Palm Springs, 760325-2107, palmspringsoperaguild.org. Champions Honors Luncheon benefitting Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, April 10, 11 a.m. Reception, 12 p.m. Lunch. This year’s event will honor Lindsey Vonn, Olympic champion skier, to support programs for abused children at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. Guests will have an opportunity to hear remarks from Vonn, who won the gold medal in downhill skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the first one for an American woman. The Center provides individual, group and family therapy for children suffering child abuse and neglect. Tickets $150. Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort, 71777 Dinah Shore Drive, Rancho Mirage, 760-340-2336, barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org.
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Brew at the Zoo.
27th Annual Evening Under the Stars to benefit Aids Assistance Program, May 2, 5:30 p.m. This year’s annual gala will include an extended cocktail hour, delicious dinner, awards, dancing, fireworks and the music of Elton John, performed by a talented tribute entertainer whose impression sounds just like the real thing. Guests can celebrate and dance to decades of famous hits like “Benny and the Jets,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Candle in the Wind.” Tickets $395-$2,500. O’Donnell Golf Club, 301 North Belardo Road, Palm Springs, 760-3258481, aapfoodsamaritans.org/events.
February 2020
Photo courtesy of The Living Desert
Corazón de Mexico Exhibit, Through May 30, Open 10 a.m. daily. An eclectic collection of Mexican folk art representing many Mexican artisans of textiles, pottery, costumes and wooden toys will be on display in the 1926 Smiley-Tyler Adobe House. This charming museum is a historical campus with exhibits like the historic 1909 Indio Schoolhouse, the world’s only Date Museum, Desert Submarine, a Blacksmith’s shop, pioneer farming implements and a variety of gardens like the Memorial Date Garden, Japanese Garden and the Liberty Tree, the oldest cork tree in the Coachella Valley. Admission free with annual $50 membership. Coachella Valley History Museum, 82616 Miles Avenue, Indio, 760-342-6651, cvhm.org.
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Datebook HSBC World Rugby Canada Seven Photo courtesy of independentsportsnews.com
Crush it this
Spring&Summer Follow our Canadian datebook for the best in culture, food and fun By Alison Elsner
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rom running with bunnies to sampling the best beers to competing in the Kootenays, spending the summer in Canada has lots to offer. There are plenty of opportunities to rachet up your cultural awareness while also focusing on fitness and health. Whether you decide to fly solo or participate with family and friends, these exciting happenings will remind you why Canada is so spectacular. Take a look at our overview of upcoming festivals and events so you can decide which ones to attend, and be sure to register soon, as many of the popular activities book up quickly! After all, no one likes FOMO (fear of missing out).
Alberta - Edmonton Edmonton Folk Music Festival, August 6-9. A rousing line up of bands and soloists will perform on six different stages, playing R&B, tradi-
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tional country, blues, bluegrass, rock and more. All ages can attend workshops, childrens’ activities and games while sampling tasty food and thirst-quenching beverages. Past performers have included Trampled by Turtles, Bahamas, The Waifs, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Jason Isbell and many others. Food concessions and craft vendors in the past have included Frida Antojitos Mexicanos, Chocolate Covered Bananas, Lavanderia Market, Urban Forest Design Studio and many more. Tickets $22-$95. Gallagher Park, 10115 - 97a Avenue, Edmonton, AB, 780-429-1899, edmontonfolkfest.org.
British Columbia - Kimberley Canadian Rockies 2020 Orienteering Festival, July 3-12. The Foothills Orienteering Club (FWOC) and the Kootenay Orienteering Club (KOC) have teamed up to organize the 2020 races on some of the best terrain in Canada with the most spectacular surroundings. Participants navigate their way to vari-
February 2020
ous checkpoints across rough country with the aid of a map and compass, the winner being the one with the lowest elapsed time. Three races include sprint, middle and long distances as well as model event. The events offer safe, technically challenging courses for orienteers of all ages and stages. There will also be a closing banquet with silent auction, music and dancing. Be sure to bring your bear spray! Registration pricing to be announced. Kimberley Nordic Centre, 840 Northstar Drive, Kimberley, BC, crof2020.com.
British Columbia - Vancouver HSBC World Rugby Canada Sevens, March 7-8. This series is one of the most dynamic global sporting events on the market, featuring the dynamism of sevens rugby, paired with entertainment and fan engagement. The tournament takes place over two days, with the Saturday competition featuring 24 round-robin pool games. Sunday fea-
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Datebook
Newfoundland and Labrador - St. Anthony Iceberg Festival, June 5-14. Welcome to Iceberg Alley at this 10-day festival which celebrates the coming of spring in the north and the annual arrival of icebergs along the Great Northern Peninsula. Guests will enjoy music, food, entertainment, history, culture, great hospitality and, of course, breathtaking landscapes and seascapes of icebergs at venues like Norstead Viking Village and the Underground Salmon Pool. Attendees can dip their toes into the North Atlantic and eat seafood fresh from the sea, and the Polar Dip will help celebrate the this 12th annual event. Admission fees to be announced. St. Anthony area and tip of the Viking Trail, NL, 877-778-4546, theicebergfestival.ca. Photo courtesy of theicebergfestival.ca
tures another 21 playoff matches, including the Bronze and Gold Medal finals where the 2020 HSBC Canada Sevens Champion will be crowned based on accumulated points. This high energy party showcases colorful costumes and jubilant crowd participation. Tickets start at $139. BC Place, 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, canadasevens.com. Big Easter Fun Run and Egg Hunt, April 11. Easily the hoppiest event of the year, the fourth annual fun run tours picturesque Jericho Beach Park. The course winds its way along trails surrounded by spring blooms before looping onto the beachside path with views of the North Shore and the Vancouver skyline and is ideal for all ages and abilities. Leashed dogs and strollers are welcome. Prizes include 10K and 5K fastest male and female, team spirit and best bunnyfit. Look closely and you may just find yourself running alongside some Jericho bunnies! 11:30 a.m. registration, 1 p.m. first run begins. Registration $15-$30 in advance. Jericho Park, W. 2nd Avenue and Wallace Street, Vancouver, BC, 778-938-8687, raceroster.com/series/2020/28402/the-big-fun-run-series. Health, Sports and Lifestyle Expo, May 3-5. Get inspired to live a life of fitness and make health happen at this event that showcases healthcare and wellness industries. There’s also a marathon race, with all participants receiving a race bib, timing chip and tech shirt. Over 170 exhibitors will fill
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the hall for browsing and interacting before and after the race, displaying the latest products in categories like herbal, medical, pharmaceutical, sporting goods, toys, games and more. The Expo is open to participants and the public. Expo free, marathon separate fee. Vancouver Convention Centre East, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, expohour.com/healthsports-lifestyle-expo.
British Columbia - Victoria Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, April 1-May 8. For six weeks, over 9,000 students of music, dance and dramatic arts are on stages throughout the city receiving adjudications from renowned experts in the arts. Talented young people and adults perform in brass, classical guitar, choral, composition, dance (school and studio), ethnic dance, fiddle, musical theatre, piano, school bands, school orchestras, speech and dramatic arts, strings, voice and woodwinds. Dozens of significant awards and trophies are presented including the Rose Bowl (Classical Voice), the City of Victoria Medallion Tray (Piano), and the Roberto and Mary Wood Scholarship, the largest of its type in Canada. Tickets $8-$15. Various venues, Victoria, BC, 250-386-9223, gvpaf.org.
Manitoba - McCreary Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival, April 4-5. This festival brings people together to honor the local culture, heritage and land
that dominates this region in producing maple syrup. Attendees will start the day with a maple flavored pancake breakfast followed by a trip to a sugar bush by horse and wagon, tree tapping and hoop dancing. Guests also make the trip to taste maple taffy on snow, French Canadian tortière, bannock on a stick and fresh maple glazed donuts while enjoying local musicians and storytellers. Don’t miss the maple festival market for souvenirs! Tickets $10-$45. McCreary Community Centre, 445 Broderick Street, McCreary, MB, 204-835-2529, mbmaplesyrupfest.ca.
Ontario - Ottawa Canada Blooms, March 13-22. Did you know that the plant of the year is the Sincerity Dahlia (Dahlia x hybrida)? This verdant venue presents fantasy feature gardens by top designers, architects and garden builders who compete for awards. One of the highlights includes the Gilda’s (Club) Gnome Garden silent auction, featuring 20 adorable gnomes painted by local celebrities and artists, ready to be planted in the garden, with proceeds supporting networks for cancer treatment. Events include evening parties, presentations, workshops and tours. Opens 10 a.m. each day, closing times vary. Advance tickets $13-$17, individual events separate fee. Enercare Center, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto, ON, 416-263-3000, canadablooms.com.
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Datebook
Ontario - Ottawa Poutinefest on Sparks, April 23-26. Every year, Ottawa kicks off the spring season with Poutinefest, so get ready to say cheese! Four delicious days of traditional and exotic poutine will be presented from vendors and restaurants like Golden Fries, Twisted Tomato and Upper Deck Diner. Purveyors bring poutine in all flavors, including traditional, filet mignon, lobster, shawarma, fajita, pad Thai and even vegetarian options. Live local music and street performers will be onsite. Be sure to check out the Poutine Parlour featuring beverages from the Big Rig Brewery. Free admission, pay for food separately. 100 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON, 613-230-0984, sparkslive.com/poutinefest. Photo courtesy of Ottawa PoutineFest
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Ontario - Toronto Toronto Comic Con, March 20-22. This superhero sized celebration of entertainment and comic book culture offers over 400 exhibitors as well as presentations, workshops, photo and autograph sessions, a cosplay contest, meetups, question and answer panels, a family zone and visits with stars like Adam Baldwin from “Firefly” and “Full Metal Jacket.” There are also autograph sessions, celebrity photo sessions and 150,000 square feet of shopping bliss. Whether you prefer sci-fi, anime, horror, comics or fantasy, this is the best pop culture event of the year. Tickets $20 and up. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, 222 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, ON, comicontoronto.com.
Ontario - Toronto Hot Docs: Canadian International Documentary Festival, April 30-May 10. North America’s largest documentary festival offers an outstanding selection of over 200 films from Canada and around the world to Toronto audiences of more than 200,000. Screenings frequently include filmmakers or special guests in attendance, allowing viewers to get a first look at new releases, discover powerful
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Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. Photo courtesy of GVPF.org
stories and engage with the artists who bring them to life. The festival takes place in a restored century-old landmark theatre in Toronto’s Annex neighborhood, as well as TIFF Bell Lightbox and other theatres in the downtown area. Tickets $17.50-$19.50, packages $164-$399. Ted Rogers Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, 416-637-3123, hotdocs.ca.
Quebec - Montréal Festival Mondial de la Bière, May 21-24. Step into a world of beer, music and discoveries at this friendly tasting event, considered
February 2020
a doorway to the brewing industry in Quebec and around the world. In addition to its elaborate professional side, the Mbeer school of beerology and the Greg Noonan Mbeer Contest, the festival offers visitors an education about “all things beer.” In 2019, some of the featured beers for tasting included Grolsch Weizen, St-Ambroise Pale Ale from Brasserie Mcauslan and Double Hazel from Vox Populi. Opens at noon each day. Free admission, tasting coupons purchased on site. Gare Windsor and Rio Tinto Yard, 1160, avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montréal, QB, festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca.
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Cover Story
BNP Paribas Open exclaims ‘tennis paradise’ for fans and followers Enthusiasts eager to see if Canadian Bianca Andreescu will smash her way to victory again this year
Photo courtesy of BNP Paribas Open
By Alison Elsner
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he Coachella Valley in early spring is arguably just about everyone’s definition of paradise, but toss in a worldclass event like the BNP Paribas Open, and the experience is sheer nirvana. Set for two weeks from March 9 through 22 this year, a series of day and evening sessions on multiple courts at Indian Wells Tennis Garden keeps tennis fans on their toes with plenty of other attractions throughout the spectacular luxury venue, including fine dining, casual eats, shopping, demos and presentations, contests, and conveniently located al fresco cocktail patios. All of this beauty is made possible, of course, not only because of the panoramic mountain backdrop and swaying palms during a period of glorious weather conditions in the Coachella Valley, but also because of the upscale venue itself. The Indian Wells
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Tennis Garden (IWTG), built in 2000, has undergone extensive upgrades and renovations thanks to owner Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, who maintains a lavish home in Rancho Mirage and who purchased the facility in 2009. Boasting 29 tennis courts, including the 16,100-seat main Stadium 1, which is the second largest tennis-specific stadium in the world, the facility also includes an 8,000-seat Stadium 2. The architecture and amenities make the Tennis Garden a destination unto itself even for those who aren’t so hot on tennis. The tournament is the largest two-week combined ATP and WTA Premier Mandatory professional tennis tournament in the world outside of the four grand slams, and it’s one of two tour events (along with the Miami Open), other than the Majors, in which main draw play extends beyond eight days. The women’s main draw usually starts on Wednesday and the men’s main draw starts
February 2020
on Thursday. Both finals are held on Sunday of the following week. Both singles main draws include 96 players in a 128-player grid, with the 32 seeded players getting a bye to the second round. The 2020 event will mark the 47th edition of the men’s competition and the 32nd of the women’s play. All top 75 ranked WTA and ATP Tour singles players are usually included in the initial entry list. The purse for the singles winner, male and female, is $1,354,010, and the cash prize for each finalist is $686,000. The doubles team winners receive $457,290 per team and the doubles finalists get to split $223,170. For the past 15 years, each male and female winner of the BNP has been presented with a gleaming trophy designed by Baccarat dubbed “Shooting Star,” which is basically a solid block of pure lead crystal valued at $45,000 retail and weighing close to 40 pounds. Spectators can again expect to see the stunning tro-
canadasouthmagazine.com
Cover Story
Photos courtesy of BNP Paribas Open
phies awarded at the 2020 BNP Tournament in addition to a display of prominent Baccarat chandeliers positioned on the court for the trophy ceremonies. The human star power of this tournament never fails to impress, either. Past winners and finalists have included Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Martina Hingis. But 2019 was unusual in that it saw a couple of first-time winners overcome the odds to receive the crown. To everyone’s amazement, Roger Federer from Switzerland lost the final match to Austrian Dominic Thiem, with a final score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. The women’s match was what really got people’s attention, with 18-year-old Canadian Bianca Andreescu taking home her first career WTA championship win over Germany’s Angelique Kerber, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. There’s a lot more going on inside the gates besides tennis. The tournament venue offers tennis lovers as well as foodies a chance
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to indulge in delicious cuisine, ranging from snacks on-the-go to sit-down meals prepared by award-winning chefs. Five award winning restaurants will include Nobu, Spago, Piero’s PizzaVino, Fresh Agave and The Sports Bar, overlooking the on-court action in Stadium 1 and there will be two dozen concession and bar areas. Grab-and-go restaurants will include Baja Mex, Dave’s Doghouse, Cassell’s, Melissa’s Fresh, Sherman’s Deli and several others. Most importantly, there is an ample supply of watering holes throughout the grounds serving both coffee drinks and cocktails, like Moët & Chandon Circle of Palms, Kim Crawford Wine Terrace, Courtyard Oasis, Golden Road and others to keep everyone’s thirst quenched. Some of the other activities that can be encountered throughout the grounds during the Tournament include Kids Day, Autograph Signings, Tennis Talk at the Village Stage, live nightly music and a variety of entertainment.
One of the best ways to experience the Tournament is by snagging some single tickets. If visiting on non-consecutive days or if only able to stay for a day or two, the Single Session Ticket option is perfect. For double the fun, attendees should take advantage of the Daily Double offering. Of course, reserving a suite provides the ultimate and most luxurious fan experience, with a prime view of the action on Stadium 1 (suites sell out fast). Whether strolling the grounds, enjoying a drink or lunch, shopping or catching championship tennis, this is the place to be and possibly be seen. Tickets $20-$1,085. Indian Wells Tennis Garden is located at 78200 Miles Avenue in Indian Wells. For tickets or additional information, call 800-999-1585 or visit bnpparibasopen.com.
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Cover Story
Photo courtesy of BNP Paribas Open
Canadian Spotlight on
Bianca Andreescu
The first Canadian to ever win the Grand Slam at the U.S. Open
C
anadian Bianca Andreescu’s life changed in one instant last March 17, 2019, when she captured the WTA title at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Prior to that point, she had collected $350,000 in winnings throughout her entire career. Then again, she was only 18 years old. On that fateful day, she overcame all the odds to beat Germany’s Angelique Kerber, getting to head back home to Toronto, Canada with a check for $1.35 million and ascension to No. 24 ranking in the world. But…the story gets better. On September 7, 2019, Andreescu made Canada even more proud when the 19 year old managed to defeat Serena Williams in the nail-biting U.S. Open finals match in a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5 win. This catapulted her into that rarified air of being the first Canadian player to win a Grand Slam title. Let’s say that again: Andreescu is the first Canadian ever, male or female, to win the Grand Slam trophy at the U.S. Open in her main-draw tournament
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debut in the Open era, which started in 1968 when professionals were allowed into Grand Slam tournaments. She has only participated in four majors in her brief career. Oh, and she’s also the first player born in the 2000s to win a major, the youngest Grand Slam winner since Maria Sharapova at the 2006 U.S. Open. Andreescu’s match up against Williams represented the largest age gap in a grand slam final, and it came almost exactly 20 years to the day since Williams won the U.S. Open for her first major title in 1999, a year before Andreescu was born. Her youthful accomplishment is noteworthy on its own, but what’s really launched spectators up out of their box seats is that she handed Williams her fourth consecutive defeat in the final of a major which again denied Williams a 24th grand slam title. That’s history-making and jaw-dropping, especially since such a title for Williams would have tied her with Margaret Court, the only player in history with 24 grand slam singles titles.
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Despite withdrawing from Wimbledon earlier in 2019 due to a shoulder injury, Andreescu recovered and dominated throughout the U.S. Open. She took down Katie Volynets, Kirsten Flipkens and Caroline Wozniacki throughout the tournament. She took to the court for the second Grand Slam of the year at the French Open, playing as the 22nd seed, and she ended the year at No. 5. At year’s end, Andreescu’s results led to her being awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy, given annually by a panel of sportswriters to the person deemed Canada’s top athlete. She was the first tennis player to receive the Trophy. She also received the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as the The Canadian Press’ choice for the country’s top female athlete, having received 66 (97 percent) of the 68 votes cast by journalists to determine the recipient. Globe and Mailsports editor Shawna Richer remarked that it was “hands down the most dominant performance of any athlete, male or female. This year, a star was born.”
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Cover Story Photos courtesy of BNP Paribas Open
“Andreescu made Canada even more proud when the 19 year old managed to defeat Serena Williams in the nail-biting U.S. Open finals match in a rollercoaster 6-3, 7-5 win.” So, who is Bianca Andreescu? She lives in Toronto, her nickname is Bibi and she speaks Romanian fluently. She was born in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, to Romanian parents who moved to Canada in 1994. She started playing tennis at age 7 in Pitesti, when her family moved back to her parents’ native Romania. When she was 11 years old, she joined Tennis Canada’s National Training Program in Toronto, after her family moved back to Canada. Her tennis career can be traced back to 2014, when she won the prestigious Les Petits As. Andreescu began the 2015 season by winning both the singles and doubles titles at the Grade-2 tournament in La Paz. She also began working with former world No. 3 Nathalie Tauziat, who previously coached Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. Andreescu was named the 2015 Outstanding Junior Female by Tennis Canada. At the 2016 Rogers Cup, she was
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encouraged by player Simona Halep to turn professional. The year 2017 saw her advance to the semifinals at the junior event of the Australian Open and win the doubles title with fellow Canadian player Carson Branstine. At the Citi Open in August that year, she defeated Camila Giorgi in the opening round, her first win on the WTA Tour. In her next match, she upset world No. 13 Kristina Mladenovic, becoming the first player born in the 2000s to beat a top 20 player. In 2018, she continued with a steady performance, however a back injury forced her out of tournaments until November. Her breakout year proved to be 2019, as we now know, where she won her first WTA 125K title at Newport Beach in January, bumping her to a career-high ranking of No. 68 and passing Eugenie Bouchard to become Canada’s topranked player.
Many observers assess her play as creative and powerful. She’s been practicing meditation since she was 12 years old, believing it helps her mental discipline on the court. Whatever she’s doing for motivation, it’s brought her to that sweet moment where she was able to accept the champion’s check for $3.85 million. As we head into tennis season in the desert, fans and followers are eagerly watching to see if Andreescu will again smash her way to victory at the 2020 BNP Paribas Open in March. She’s currently ranked as No. 4 in the world. We would say “remember her name,” but the reminder really isn’t necessary. We’re sure we’ll be hearing a lot about Bianca Andreescu from here on out, as she pumps her fists all the way to the bank and into sports history.
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Let’s Eat! Photo courtesy of Palm Desert Food & Wine
Palm Desert Food & Wine
For the love of cheese…and wine, pastry, spices, pasta and more
By Alison Elsner
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alling all food and wine lovers! The 10th annual Palm Desert Food & Wine festival presented by Agua Caliente Casinos is set to be served up on March 27–29, 2020 and will once again top itself in presenting a deliciously diverse selection of mouthwatering eats, premium wines, hands-on cooking demonstrations and much more. Produced by “Palm Springs Life” magazine and staged on the upper level of the oh-so-chic El Paseo shopping strip in Palm Desert immediately following Fashion Week El Paseo, this annual gastronomic event is the most celebrated cuisine and beverage celebration in Greater Palm Springs. The gathering features a roster of the nation’s top chefs, including Jamie Gwen, Keegan Gerhard, Scott Conant, Paulette Goto, Curtis Stone and other notables. The fête begins with a James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon prepared by culinary virtuosos and will be followed by two days of grand tastings
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and chef demonstrations, where guests can delight in delectable offerings from local and regional restaurants and more than 60 wineries and craft breweries. But it’s not just about satisfying the palate. It’s a labor of love to help others, with a portion of the proceeds going to Coachella Valley’s FIND Food Bank. Featured restaurants include AC3 Restaurant + Bar at Hotel Paseo, Bernie’s Supper Club, Cork & Fork, Copley’s on Palm Canyon, Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Tu Madres Cantina and Grill, TRIO Restaurant + Bar, Daniel’s Table, Luna Olivo and so many more. The grand tastings will give attendees the chance to sip and savor wines, beers and spirits as well as interact with many of the vintners and winemakers. Well known labels and hidden gems abound, with brands such as ZD Wines, Jonata, Turnbull, Grgich Hills Estate, Dragos Cantina, Sahara Brandy, Hunter’s Point Brewery, La Quinta Brewing Co. and dozens more.
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There will also be a variety of culinary-centric vendors offering top-of-the-line, unique, and cutting-edge products such as spices, herbs, olive oils, cutting boards, kitchen appliances and cooking utensils. Stations will include hosts like Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, Magic Bullet, North Shore Living Herbs + Greens, Flint & Flame, Tahoe Kitchen Co., Wine Me? and many others that will add to the fun. Here’s an overview of events (and because alcohol will be served, all attendees must be 21 or older): James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon: Friday, March 27, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the tent, upper level, El Paseo and Larkspur, Palm Desert Featuring emcees Carla Hall, former cohost of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning series “The Chew” who now appears in ABC’s “Strahan, Sara, and Keke,” and Zac Young, creator of viral dessert sensation The PieCaken, finalist on Continued on page 16
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Let’s Eat!
Photo courtesy of Palm Desert Food & Wine
Continued from page 18
Bravo’s “Top Chef: Just Desserts,” and Pastry Director of Craveable Hospitality Group. Celebrity chefs include Jamie Gwen, Culinary Institute and Le Cordon Bleu graduate, certified sommelier, nationally syndicated radio host and cookbook author; Elizabeth Falkner, author and artist; Curtis Stone, restaurateur, author and businessman; and Chris Ford, Le Cordon Bleu graduate, executive pastry chef at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire hotel and creator of the “Butter Love & Hardwork” blog. Reserved seating $160. Celebrity Chef Reception at The Santorini House: Friday, March 27, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Santorini House, 400 W. Camino Alturas, Palm Springs At this chance of a lifetime cocktail reception, guests will meet and mingle with celebrity chefs and enjoy culinary tastes and specialty cocktails. Chefs include Lisa Bailey, Elizabeth Falkner, Chris Ford, Gale Gand, Keegan Gerhard, Paulette Goto, Jamie Gwen, Carla Hall, Afrim Pristine and Curtis Stone. VIP tickets with private tour $150, general admission $100. Saturday Grand Tastings: Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the tent, upper level, El Paseo and Larkspur, Palm Desert The Grand Tastings will give you the best overview of delicious food and beverages to sample. More than 40 restaurants will be represented. It’s also a great opportunity to talk to chefs and vintners from throughout California and the Coachella Valley. $100-$160.
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Photo courtesy of Palm Desert Food & Wine
Sunday Brunch with Bubbles & Spritz: Sunday, March 29, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. In the tent, upper level, El Paseo and Larkspur, Palm Desert The best Sundays begin with an extraordinary brunch and refreshing cocktails. This taste experience will be prepared by award-wining celebrity talent, including Paulette Goto, pastry chef, food writer, and television personality on The Cooking Channel’s “Unique Sweets” and judge on The Food Network’s “Sugardome,” “King of Cones,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Bakers vs. Fakers” and “Worst Cooks in America”; Gale Gand, James Beard awardwinning chef, nationally acclaimed pastry chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, teacher and host of Food Network’s “Sweet Dreams”;
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Keegan Gerhard and Lisa Bailey, executive chef husband-and-wife owners of D Bar Desserts in Denver, Colorado and D Bar Restaurant in San Diego. Gerhard is an award-winning pastry chef and former host of the Food Network series “Food Network Challenge.” Reserved seating $150 (includes admission to the Sunday Grand Tastings). Sunday Grand Tastings: Sunday, March 29, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. In the tent, upper level, El Paseo and Larkspur, Palm Desert Another afternoon of indulgence with area chefs and over 60 premium wines, beers and spirits. The Chef Demonstration schedule will be announced closer to the event. Admission $100.
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Let’s Eat! There are also some tastebud-worthy pre events: Savory Spice with Gale Gand: Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26, 6:30 p.m. Savory Spice, 73399 El Paseo, Palm Desert Two-time James Beard Award winning pastry chef and restaurateur Gale Gand will offer the informative and delicious Tea and Spices session where guests will learn how exotic spices like cardamom, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and others are grown, harvested and used in cooking. Find out the differences between black, green and white teas and tisanes, and try your hand at making Chai Marsala, tasting Chai tea and baking with a mixture of spices. $40.
Canadian Chef Spotlight
Afrim Pristine Cheese Master
For The Love Of Cheese…And Wine!: Thursday, March 26, 6 p.m. On The Mark Cheese Shop, 111 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 155, Palm Springs Learn all about the art of cheese making and pairing cheese with wine from Maître Fromager (Cheese Master) Afrim Pristine, Canada’s premier cheese expert and owner of the Cheese Boutique. Attendees will receive a signed copy of Chef Pristine’s cookbook, “For the Love of Cheese.” On The Mark is a one-ofa-kind gourmet food market and deli offering craft beer and wine, artisan crafted cheese, nitrate-free meats, pâtés, small-batch oils and vinegars and more. $60. Under the Tuscan Moon Celebrity Chef Dinner at Toscana Country Club: Thursday, March 26, 6 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dinner. Toscana Country Club, 76009 Via Club Villa, Indian Wells This gourmet evening features a cocktail reception and passed hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner with wine pairings prepared by Fabio Viviani, chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author and Alain Redelsperger, executive chef, Toscana Country Club. Each guest will receive a signed cookbook by Chef Viviani. $175 per person, $1,500 table of ten. For more information, schedules and to purchase tickets, visit palmdesertfoodandwine. com or call 1-800-210-0689. The ticket booth is located at The Gardens on El Paseo (check website for hours), west side upper level parking deck. Be sure to purchase tickets soon to be a part of one of the country’s most exclusive culinary showcases right here in the desert. Bring your appetite, and you also might want to wear your expandable pants. Bon Appétit! The Gardens on El Paseo, 73-545 El Paseo, Palm Desert. Parking is available in the parking garage on San Pablo or the parking lot behind El Paseo Village.
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February 2020
Photo courtesy of mycitylife.ca
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his year’s Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival in Palm Desert is fortunate to have one of Canada’s most renowned chefs participating. Afrim Pristine, Canada’s premier cheese expert and owner of the Cheese Boutique in Toronto, will be presenting a special session on March 26 to educate guests about pairing cheese with wine. This maître fromager (cheese master) has more than 25 years of experience in the art of cheese making. He studied with some of the world’s top cheese makers, including Luigi Guffanti, Stefano Sarti, Carl Schilt and Jean-Paul Morin, and he also trained with his Italian father and the world’s most renowned dairy farms. His passion and commitment trace to his father and family business of 48 years, Cheese Boutique. Pristine owns and operates the family business with his older brother, Agim. Afrim’s father sent him to Europe to learn cheese-making, allowing him to study with the best in France, Italy and Switzerland. Today the Cheese Boutique sells roughly 2,500 pounds of cheese per week, and he is at work by 6 a.m. every day of the week. Pristine is one of the world’s youngest — and the only Canadian — to hold the distinction of maître fromager, an
honor awarded to those who demonstrate exceptional cheese knowledge and recognized within their community. The France based Guilde Internationale des Fromagères, an exclusive association representing more than 5,000 dairy professionals worldwide, bestowed the honor on February 19, 2013. Prior to that achievement, in March 2007, Pristine was the youngest Canadian recipient of the “chevalier,” a distinction from the confrérie des chevaliers du taste fromage de France, following an upgraded status to “officier du fromage” in April 2010. He was also selected to the Ontario Hostelry Institute’s Top 30 Under 30 in the food industry. Pristine participates with many charities and foundations, including Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Women in Capital Markets, Etobicoke Humane Society, St. Joseph’s Hospital and others. He also builds relationships and collaborations with some of Canada’s top chefs and restaurants, including Momofuku, Langdon Hall, Alo, Canoe, La Palma, Scaramouche and Piano Piano, and he collaborates with chefs such as Michael Bonacini, Mark McEwan, Daniel Boulud, David Chang and Lynn Crawford. Pristine’s media appearances include “The Marilyn Denis Show,” City TV’s “Breakfast Television,” “CTV’s Your Morning” and Food Network. He also provides expert consulting to shows such as “Top Chef Canada,” “Masterchef,” “Chopped Canada” and others. He was honored among the top 50 most influential people in Canadian food by the “Globe and Mail” in 2016 and named among the top 10 most influential people in the food industry by LCBO’s “Food & Drink” magazine. He’s also a national brand ambassador for Goose Island beer. The chef’s first cookbook, “For the Love of Cheese,” was released in October 2018 and has become a best seller.
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Always Fresh
The company has perfected the pairing of coffee and donuts By Alison Elsner
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ince the beginning of time (well, almost), coffee and donuts have been soul mates. The two products combined have comforted generations of people around the world in the forms of breakfast on the run, snacks during work and as holiday traditions. Somehow the pairing is perfectly suited for our taste buds, with the contrasts of bitter and sweet, dry and moist, caffeine and sugar. In the United States, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme reign supreme, however one Canadian business is inching its way into American popularity. Tim Horton’s, known as Timmies, is a prominent feature of Canadian life, with slogans like “Always Fresh. Always Tim Hortons,” “You’ve Always Got Time for Tim Hortons” and “It’s Time for Tim’s.” As a matter of fact, Canadians eat more donuts per capita and have more doughnut outlets per capita than any other nation, and this popular coffee and donut shop has led to its branding as
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a Canadian cultural icon. Television commercials for the brand regularly depict vignettes of Canadians abroad experiencing homesickness for Tim Hortons. The company was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton, who played in the National Hockey League from 1949 until his death in an auto crash in 1974, and Jim Charade (1934–2009), after an initial venture in hamburger restaurants. In 1967, Horton partnered with investor Ron Joyce (1930–2019), who assumed control over operations after Horton died in 1974. Joyce expanded the chain into a multi-billion dollar franchise. Charade left the organization in 1966 and briefly returned in 1970 and 1993 through 1996. From 1995 to 2006, Tim Horton’s parent company was Wendy’s International. On August 26, 2014, Burger King agreed to purchase Tim Hortons for US$11.4 billion, and the chain became a subsidiary of the Canadian holding company Restaurant Brands International, which is majority-owned by Brazilian invest-
ment firm 3G Capital, on December 15, 2014. It is currently Canada’s largest quick service restaurant chain. As of December 31, 2018, there were a total of 4,846 restaurants in 14 countries, with its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. When the stores first opened, the menu served only donuts and coffee. Somewhere along the way, stores started offering tea, hot chocolate and soft drinks. In the mid-1990s the chain moved into specialty and premium items such as flavored and iced cappuccino and iced coffee. Other additions have included white hot chocolate, frozen lemonade, frozen green tea, apple cider and treats like Maple Chill, a maple milkshake topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with maple flakes. (Note to self: visit Timmie’s asap). Despite an expansion in their food offerings in 2009, the brand has remained heavily dependent on coffee sales, especially during the morning hours. The chain has an “always fresh” policy where coffee is served within 20 minutes of brewing.
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Explore and Enjoy
the Coachella Valley
Always Fresh
Continued from page 23
Since the mid-1990s, the chain has moved into other areas beyond donuts and coffee, including specialty items such as New Yorkstyle cheesecake and a lunch selection that includes soups, chili and submarine-style sandwiches. In 2006, they introduced a breakfast sandwich followed by a chicken fajita wrap, and they also serve oatmeal and yogurt. A few years back, a partnership was established with American ice cream parlor Cold Stone Creamery which was piloted in Rhode Island. And despite the chain’s ubiquity across Canada, Tim Hortons has never offered poutine as a regular menu item, even though poutine (largely seen as Canada’s signature dish) is offered at just about every other major restaurant chain in Canada. Tim Hortons did offer poutine for the first time in 2018 across Canada for a limited time, using seasoned potato wedges instead of the typical french fries, and this concoction received a mixed social media response. The food menu today contains a number of baked goods, such as donut holes (branded as Timbits), muffins, croissants, tea biscuits, cookies, rolls, Danishes, waffles, bagels and its signature “Dutchie.” Take-home cakes are offered in some locations. Hitting a little turbulence along the way, some controversy arose in 2007 with the shift to outsourcing of baked goods necessitated by the expansion of franchises as well as menu offerings. Donuts, which used to be made at
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night to be ready for the morning rush, started to be parbaked – partly cooked and then frozen and delivered to every restaurant in Canada from Brantford, Ontario, for each restaurant to bake and finish throughout the day. The issue arose when some customers and critics felt disappointed at the possible contradiction to the “always fresh” slogan embraced by the company. In addition, the new process resulted in a tripling of the franchisees’ fixed costs to produce each donut, due to the need to purchase new freezers and microwaves and thereby reducing profitability for each franchise while the parent company was rolling in dough, so to speak. A class action suit initiated in 2008 by two of the franchisees was dismissed in 2012. It’s unusual for Americans who live on the west coast of the United States to be familiar with Tim Horton’s, but east coast residents and travelers are a lot more used to seeing and/or visiting the stores. Expansion across the Canadian border was a natural progression to some extent in terms of new bases of operation. Most U.S. outlets are in the Michigan, New York and Ohio markets. They have also established outlets in Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia and a kiosk in Arizona. Stores can be found at locations on American and Canadian university campuses, including Durham College, Georgian College,
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Canisius College, York University, Ryerson University, University of Buffalo, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Plattsburgh, UBC and Simon Fraser University. Tim Horton’s has approximately 4,300 restaurants, nearly 4,000 of which are in Canada, and there are just over 800 stores in the United States and several dozen in the Middle East and Europe (mostly in the UK and one in Spain). Like any successful business, Tim Horton’s has evolved with the times, introducing new elements to its business model like a mobile app for ordering, a non-profit foundation to benefit children through camp-based programs and partnering with international coffee producers that encourage the sustainability of small coffee farms and the practice of environmental and social responsibility on a multi-national level. Efforts are underway to persuade the company to move away from the use of plastic cups, an online petition to which the company has not yet responded. Most of all, however, Timmies makes quality products that are fresh and flavorful as well as reflective of customers’ tastes and lifestyles. Canadian author Pierre Berton once wrote, “In so many ways the story of Tim Hortons is the essential Canadian story. It is a story of success and tragedy, of big dreams and small towns, of old-fashioned values and toughfisted business, of hard work and of hockey.” Maybe Tim Horton’s is every bit as much the American dream as it is the Canadian one.
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Getaway
Bow Falls.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Canadian Rockies Getting small in the magnificence of the
Two sample tours for your summer getaway By Alison Elsner
Tour One: Canadian Rockies: Banff, Kelowna and Vancouver with Victoria extension
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eeling small is one of those special reminders of just how magnificent the natural world around us really is. Nowhere is this more true than in the Canadian Rockies, where exploring means you can walk through U-shaped valleys, stare in awe at dramatic waterfalls and gaze down on fast-flowing rivers and grand lakes in deep shades of turquoise. What at first makes you feel dwarfed by its grandeur actually has the effect of convincing you of your importance because you’re a part of this meaningful landscape. If you haven’t ever participated in a proper tour and travel program to and through the Canadian Rockies, it’s something you need to add to your travel bucket list. Below are two options you might want to consider, with sample dates and itineraries to help you picture yourself at the forefront of the adventure. (Note: quoted prices may vary depending on exact dates of travel and optional excursions selected).
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Go Ahead Tours offers a nine or 11 day adventure which takes travelers on a journey from majestic mountains to charming cities. While crossing the scenic provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, there will be a chance to get a birds-eye view of Lake Louise as well as uncover unexpected treasures, including the world-renowned Okanagan Valley wine region. From rugged Banff National Park to coastal Vancouver, this is a way to discover the diversity of western Canada. Total package price: $2,969 per person (guests responsible for air travel arrangements). Add $749 for Victoria extension. 9 or 11 nights travel (June 20-28, 2020). Go Ahead Tours: 1-844-4526771, goaheadtours.ca Day 1: Arrive in Calgary and settle in the hotel before getting to know the tour director and fellow travelers at the opening night welcome dinner.
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Day 2: After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, guests will head out on a guided sightseeing tour of Calgary, site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Highlights will include Calgary Olympic Park and sweeping views of the city from atop the Calgary Tower. You will then make your way to Banff, a glamorous resort town known for its mix of outdoor activities, art galleries and vibrant culture. There will be an afternoon visit to Banff National Park, Canada’s first national park. The tour will pass by Bow Falls, the Banff Springs Hotel and Lake Minnewanka as you view beautiful landscapes rich in history and a variety of wildlife. Enjoy your overnight rest in the Banff area. Day 3: After breakfast which is included in your tour, spend a free day in the Banff Region or add an excursion such as Icefields Parkway and Glacier Experience. Day 4: After included breakfast, you will discover the showstopping scenery in southwestern Alberta as you pass through the Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park to stop at Moraine Lake and take in its beautiful turquoise water, soak in panoramic mountain views while you ride the Lake Louise Gondola and view Château Lake Louise. During free time, you can go canoeing or walk around the lake. Later, cross into the Rockies region of British Columbia and enjoy an included dinner. Stay overnight in Alberta. Day 5: Following included breakfast, you will pass by the stunning Rocky Mountains and travel through winding valleys en route to the city of Kelowna, which is bordered by Okanagan Lake and the acclaimed Okanagan Valley Continued on page 30
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Getaway Butchart Gardens.
Photo courtesy of canadatravelspecialists.com
Continued from page 28
wine region. As you drive through Glacier National Park of Canada, you can stop to take photos of the snow-capped peaks and sprawling forest before taking some free time for lunch in Revelstoke, an outdoorsy city nestled between Mount Revelstoke National Park and the Columbia River. Spend a free evening in Kelowna or add an excursion like Okanagan Lake Dinner Cruise. You’ll be ready for bed at your Kelowna hotel. Day 6: Spend the afternoon getting to know the flavors and wine making traditions of the Okanagan Valley. A local wine expert will provide a guided walk through an estate vineyard while guests learn about the unique microclimates of the Okanagan Valley and why this new world wine region is often called “the Napa of the North.” A visit to the wine cellar will educate travelers on the production process with wine sampling including the region’s signature Pinot Noir. A sit-down lunch will follow. Day 7: Once breakfast has finished, guests will transfer to Vancouver while taking in the picturesque views of British Columbia’s coastal range. Plan to stay overnight at a hotel in Vancouver. Day 8: Breakfast will be followed by sightseeing with a tour of the multicultural, cosmopolitan city of Vancouver with your guide before enjoying a free afternoon for exploration at your leisure. Stops will include Granville Island and Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre public space, the historic Gastown district, Canada
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Place and the Vancouver waterfront. You can celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your group before turning in to your room at your Vancouver hotel. Day 9: Your final day will transfer you to the airport after included breakfast for your flight home, or you can continue on to explore Victoria.
Extension to Victoria
Head to Victoria to experience the best of the Pacific Northwest. Temperate weather and coastal living make this city one of Canada’s best. Spend a few days visiting some of Vancouver Island’s top spots. Day 9: After breakfast, you will board a ferry to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, located on Vancouver Island. Then, set off on a guided sightseeing tour of the city that’s known for having the most beautiful gardens and mildest weather in Canada. Activities will include a stroll along the delightful Inner Harbour to see the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel and a walk through the colorful and eclectic downtown area. Head out into the countryside to visit the 55-acre Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada where you will learn about the Butchart family and how they turned a former limestone quarry into a sprawling, beautiful green space. You will also be able to explore the lush gardens. Day 10: Spend a free day in Victoria, breakfast included. You may want to add an excursion, like the Vancouver Island Wildlife Cruise. As you wrap up your trip, you can raise a toast to your trip with a farewell drink during evening dinner. You will overnight at your hotel in Victoria.
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Day 11: Time to transfer to the airport for your flight home. Tour Two: Pacific Northwest and Canadian RockiesTour Almond Tree Tours, located in La Quinta, California, has put together a bit more of an upscale itinerary for those who might want to depart out of Palm Springs. The trip incorporates a visit to the Pacific Northwest as well as the Canadian Rockies and includes a little of everything, such as wine, cuisine, culture, ferry excursion and train excursion. Total package price: $4,450 per person, double occupancy rooms (guests responsible for air travel arrangements). 7 nights travel (May 25-31). Jason Allmon at Almond Tree Tours. 760-541-0987, jason@almondtreetours.com, almondtreetours.com Day 1: Guest travel to Portland, Oregon and transfer to a downtown Portland hotel. Guests will have free time to relax and unwind before meeting up for a welcome reception dinner at a local restaurant. Get a good night’s sleep at your downtown Portland hotel in the heart of this cultural and multi-faceted city. Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Willamette Valley Wine region for a day of wine tasting. Spend the day with a local wine guide as you learn how this area grew to become a recognized wine region. You will be able to sample wines throughout the day. Following your exploration of the vineyards, board a private coach for transfer to Seattle. Overnight lodging will be at a downtown Seattle Hotel.
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Getaway
Canadian Rockies. Photo courtesy of canadiantrainvacations.com
Day 3: Following breakfast, the morning will be dedicated to discovering downtown Seattle. Stroll through historic Pike Place Market to take in the sights and sounds of this local landmark. Or spend the morning to discover the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight, Space Needle and/or Chihuly Garden and Glass. After a morning of free time to explore the attractions of downtown Seattle and try out various roasts of coffee, gather for lunch before departure by ferry to Victoria, British Columbia. Board the high-speed Victoria Clipper for a scenic cruise across the Salic Sea. Arrive in Victoria with free time to explore the city. You will overnight in a Victoria hotel after a full day. Day 4: Following breakfast, board a coach for transfer to the famous Butchart Gardens. Arrive in Brentwood Bay to discover the beauty of this Canadian National Historic site, a must-see oasis that has been growing in British Columbia for over 100 years. A local tour guide will be your host as you meander through the gardens of this evergreen complex, including the spectacular Sunken Garden. After a morning spent in the Gardens, you will transfer to the Fairmont Empress Hotel for an afternoon tea experience like no other! Sip tea like royalty during this unique experience in an exquisite setting. You will have free time to explore. Spend the second night in your Victoria Hotel. Day 5: After breakfast at the hotel, depart for downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Discover this beautiful modern city that was the host city to the Winter Olympics in 2010. Following the day to explore, the evening will
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Kelowna.
Photo courtesy of Lonely Planet
be spent relaxing before a reception dinner at the hotel. Plan to overnight in a Downtown Vancouver hotel. Day 6: Following breakfast, transfer to board the Rocky Mountaineer to discover the fascinating scenery of the Canadian Rockies. This exciting journey aboard a luxury locomotive will depart Vancouver with a destination of Kamloops, British Columbia, before arriving at the final destination of beautiful Lake Louise, which has a rich heritage of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountain destinations. With easy access to pristine wilderness you will feel totally immersed in nature but you will also have the option to stay civilized with fine cuisine and a hot drink by the
fire at your Kamloops hotel where you will slumber overnight. Day 7: After breakfast, depart aboard the Rocky Mountaineer for today’s mountain adventure. Another day of breathtaking scenery will bring you to your final destination of Lake Louise. Following arrival in Lake Louise, spend some time to relax in the hotel or explore the natural beauty before gathering for a Farewell reception dinner. You will stay overnight at a Lake Louise hotel. Day 8: Following your final breakfast, you will return to your point of departure or Calgary International Airport.
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Canada Night Photo courtesy of Palm Springs Art Museum
Canada Night
at the Palm Springs Art Museum A special evening of culture and fun, featuring Canadian artists Luc Bernard and Sara Genn
By Alison Elsner
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anadian artist Luc Bernard has prioritized achieving balance “between everyday hustle and bustle and the tranquility needed to reenergize one’s body and soul,” and this focus has been at the center of his work for years. Sara Genn, also from Canada, is widely recognized for her exhaustive use of color, patterning and repetition of motifs, blurring the lines between high art and craft while often incorporating quilt-making and textile design. Both artists will be featured guests at the first ever Canada Night hosted by the Palm Springs Art Museum on Tuesday, March 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Snowbirds and yearround residents alike will have the opportunity to get to know these two groundbreaking artists during this special evening gathering. The event is free to attend, and guests can look forward to sampling a selection of Canadian beers, wines and whiskeys as well as tastes of poutine and other treats. As it happens, the museum’s executive director, Louis Grachos, hails from Canada himself, so who better than to introduce these two iconic artists during the program? Grachos will discuss his own background and provide history about the Museum, followed by a guided tour of the Museum and a reception so that guests can get to know each other and speak one-onone with Bernard and Genn. Luc Bernard’s most recent exhibit of paintings is titled “The Fabricated Intimacy.” He explains the significance by saying, “How does one create barriers in order to escape the
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day to day madness that can exist in densely populated cities?” His perspective loops back to his efforts in seeking the ultimate balance in life and work. Bernard is known for his encaustic painting style. After moving to Los Angeles, Bernard said that he started to realize that people’s homes were their sanctuaries and that most “LA urbanites” created their own little worlds, minimizing interaction and protecting their privacy as opposed to engaging in a non-stop whirlwind of social activity. He says, “By concentrating on the more geometric shapes, minimal amount of color and focusing on the negative space within the work, I could portray the various sorts of isolation created.” Hence, “The Fabricated Intimacy.” He says that his two previous series, “Connectivity” and “Cinergy,” concentrated mainly “on the small degree that distances us from one another, where I started using shapes, lines and color that would repeat themselves and create subtle connections between works, telling a story that one could follow looking at the whole series.” Painter Sara Genn was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. The name may sound familiar, as her father is Canadian landscape painter Robert Genn. Sara obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University in Ontario, began exhibiting professionally at age 18 and sold out her first solo show at 19. Her work has appeared in both commercial and public venues and has been featured in such publications as Town and Country, New York Magazine, Canadian House and Home, Elle Canada, Canadian Living and Vogue. In
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2001, Genn was made a United Way Special Achiever for her charitable contributions, and she works regularly with The Steelhead Society, Big Sisters, Art For Life, Fashion Cares and A Loving Spoonful. In 1998 and 1999 Genn lived in France and Spain and kept an illustrated diary that she published as one of the internet’s first and most widely read travelogues. In 2002, she travelled by boat along the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories and painted the Canadian landscape. Since 2004 Genn has sojourned annually in Paris to write music and paint. In 2008, she lived in Lucca, Italy and produced a series of large-scale colorfields based on Lucca’s Renaissance walls. She’s been a New Yorker since 2003. Genn says, “A painting is a monument. It serves for engagement, consideration and contemplation. It exists as an object of desire, a provocateur, a companion. My paintings honor the act of painting while questioning painting’s practical usefulness.” The participation of both artists will likely prove to make Canada Night a memorable sensory event. An array of colors, textures and tastes will be presented, challenging attendees to open their minds in interpreting the various images while they take in some Canadian culture. It might just be the perfect chance to reexamine the balance and perspective in our own lives. The Palm Springs Art Museum is located at 101 Museum Drive in Palm Springs. For more information or to make reservations, contact 760-3224800 or visit psmuseum.org.
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Attractions
It’s time for adventure Attractions worth adding to your itinerary
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xperiencing something new is what traveling is all about. From the normal to the odd and eccentric, these can’tmiss, curious attractions are celebrated for keeping the Greater Palm Springs and surrounding desert region utterly unique. Best of the Best Tours Serving the Coachella Valley for 20 years, Best of the Best Tours offers premier entertainment and informational tour services. Tours include the Indian Canyon tour, Rich and Famous tour, Windmill tour and the Bonanza tour (a combination of the Best of the Best award-winning tours). thebestofthebesttours.com Big Bear Alpine Zoo San Bernardino County’s only zoo also serves as a wildlife animal sanctuary, rehabilitation and education center. 43285 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake. 909584-1299, bigbearzoo.org Boomers! Race to victory on the go-kart tracks. Become a golf legend on any one of the three 18 hole mini golf courses. Get a high from climbing the rock wall or just get wet on the splash island bumper boats. Play in the arcade with over 129 state-of-the-art games. 67700 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City. 760-770-7522, boomerspalmsprings.com Cabot’s Pueblo Museum A unique Hopi inspired Pueblo, Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is a multi-level building that includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors all crafted from found materials. The museum houses Native American pottery, 20th-century photographs and artifacts. 67616 Desert View Avenue, Desert Hot Springs. 760-329-7610, cabotsmuseum.org Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert Children and parents can learn and discover hands-on activities together, including traveling exhibits, toddler town and much more. 71701 Gerald Ford Drive, Rancho Mirage. 760-321-0602, cdmod.org Coachella Valley History Museum The Museum seeks to share the unique history of the desert, Cahuilla Indians and pioneers who forged through the difficult environment to create the community it is today. Featuring a date museum, memorial date and Japanese garden and the oldest Cork Oak tree in the desert. 82616 Miles Avenue, Indio. 760-342-6651, cvhm.org Desert Ice Castle The coolest place in the Desert is this NHL regulation-sized skating rink. Open to the public for recreational, figure skating and hockey. 68600 Perez Road, Cathedral City. 760-324-0400, deserticecastle.com
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Escape Games at The River It may look like an ordinary room, but it’s actually a real life adventure game designed for small groups of friends, families and co-workers. Find the hidden objects, figure out the clues and solve the puzzles to earn your freedom and “Escape the Room.” 71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage. 760-668-9041, escapegamesattheriver.com Escape Room Palm Springs Choose from six themed rooms, good for all ages. You have 60 minutes to search for clues, solve puzzles and achieve your goal before time runs out. 2500 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-779-8888, escapeps.com Get Air Trampoline Park A combination of amusement and exercise in a spacious indoor trampoline park. Featuring wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dunk lanes and a ninja course. 34450 Gateway Drive, Palm Desert. 760-206-7211, getairpalmdesert.com The Living Desert Representing the desert environments of North America and Africa. With more than 1,200 protected acres, 450 wild animals, live animal shows, kids’ play park, tranquil gardens, model train exhibit, hiking trails, tram rides and more, visitors experience an oasis of family fun. 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. 760-346-5694, livingdesert.org Magic Jungle Wildlife Preserve An extraordinary opportunity to view critically endangered species on a pristine desert oasis with views of sweeping mountain vistas. See endangered Siberian tigers, Black-Asian and Florida Panthers and Golden-Asian Panthers at this wildlife safari adventure. themagicjunglewildlifepreserve.org Moorten Botanical Garden Home to more than 3,000 desert cacti and other plants, the garden is a hidden treasure. You’ll find thousands of species of succulents and cactus growing together from all over the world. 1701 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760327-6555, moortenbotanicalgarden.com Palm Springs Air Museum Visitors can get up close to vintage World War II and Korea/Vietnam era aircrafts at the Palm Springs Air Museum. More than 40 flyable and static planes are on display inside three climate-controlled hangars totaling 65,000 square feet and outside on the tarmac. Visitors can tour the interior of a flyable B-17 and C-47 (when not flying). CNN Travel named the air museum one of the top 14 aviation museums in the world in 2014. 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. 760-778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway The world’s largest rotating tram car travels over two-and-onehalf miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Once you reach the Mountain Station—elevation 8,516 feet—enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and over 50 miles of hiking trails. 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs. 760325-4537, pstramway.com Palm Springs Art Museum The museum’s extensive permanent collection includes significant works by western, contemporary and glass artists, and features temporary exhibitions from internationally acclaimed artists. Year round hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays noon to 8 p.m. Closed Wednesdays and major holidays. 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. 760-322-4800, psmuseum.org Shields Date Garden Shields’ famous date groves provide an assortment of dates, as well as their famous date shakes, date ice cream and citrus. See the free movie “The Romance and Sex Life of the Date” after a walk through the biblical garden path on the 17-acre date farm, or enjoy a meal at the patio café. 80225 Highway 111, Indio. 760-347-0996, shieldsdategarden.com Sunnylands Center & Gardens Enjoy sculpture from the Sunnylands Collection as well as a rotating exhibition. There is a film and other offerings about the history of Sunnylands and its founders. Sunnylands also features free public programs, walks and activities for familes are offered on a regular basis. 37977 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage.760-328-2829, sunnylands.org Uprising Adventure Guides Giving the people the opportunity to climb, explore their surroundings and experience Joshua Tree National Park. 8332 Fleur Dr, Joshua Tree. 888-CLIMB-ON, joshuatreeuprising.com
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Runway
Photos courtesy of Fashion Week El Paseo
Fashion Week El Paseo From Handsome Hounds to California Chic, everyone is welcome to socialize in style
By Alison Elsner
I
t’s easy to assume that one must be a dedicated fashionista to feel comfortable at this event. Not true at all. Sure, it helps, but Fashion Week El Paseo, with title sponsor El Paseo Jewelers, is a dynamic party where everyone can feel welcome, with spectacular fashions, fantastic food and libations, festive lounges and just a solid good time to absorb creative energy, ideal for socializing or just spectating. This year’s showcase of style will take place on the upper level the Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert under the “big white tent.” Guests are invited to celebrate the 15th year at the West Coast’s largest consumer fashion show during the week of March 20-28, 2020, with both day and evening events scheduled. This world-class event provides an inspiring, immersive fashion experience and features cocktail receptions, trunk shows, celebrity meet-and-greets and much more. Highlighting fashion trends and featuring a who’s-who of the country’s top design talents
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(including some stars of tomorrow), the event takes one of the world’s most relatable art forms and invites everyone how to be a part of the action. Fashion Week is a chance to embrace the sophistication and laid-back luxury of the desert while getting in on the buzz with the industry’s most prominent influencers and motivators. Runway shows with chic models strutting the catwalk are the meat and potatoes of this gathering, with fashions from designers like Trina Turk and Michael Costello, who both hail from the desert and maintain a strong presence here but who have achieved global notoriety and their own fashion empires. Other designers will include names like Kyle Denman, Sofia Elin, Adam James, Andrea Isaza and many others.
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Proving that all the outer beauty has some deeper inner meaning, several local charities will once again benefit from the festivities, including Animal Samaritans, GirlFriend Factor, Palm Valley School and Desert Cancer Foundation. Every night features a different themed event and designer, but here are some highlights to get the partyplanning started:
Trina Turk at 25
Friday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception, 8 p.m. fashion show
Turk’s colorful, upbeat designs return with an opening-night runway show featuring her limited-edition 25th anniversary collection, which includes loose tunics, wrap dresses and patterned suits, as well as her spring 2020 collection, which emphasizes polka dot, striped and geometric designs. Reserved seating $95, general admission $80, student admission $35.
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Runway
Photos courtesy of Fashion Week El Paseo
Le Chien
presented by and benefiting Animal Samaritans. Sunday, March 22, 5 p.m. cocktail reception and silent auction, 6 p.m. fashion show and live auction Handsome Hounds, generous donors to the Animal Samaritans, walk their own rescue animals for Fashion Week, and runway models bring their own pups to walk beside them while presenting designer Aneka Brown’s latest collection of California Chic fashions created from hand printed African fabrics. Reserved seating $100, student admission $35.
Michael Costello and Reality on the Runway
presented by Wildest. Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception, 8 p.m. fashion show Where are the Stars of Project Runway and their fearless leaders today? They’re on this
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runway showing off their latest collections, including a spotlight on Michael Costello, hometown hero who appeared on the eighth season of Project Runway. He placed fourth and was a fan favorite, having since gone on to design fashions for celebrities like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor, Tamar Braxton, Alicia Keys, Maren Morris and more, many of which are now on display at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live. Reserved seating $95, general admission $80, student admission $35.
Best of Saks Fifth Avenue benefiting Desert Cancer Foundation. Friday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. cocktail reception, 8 p.m. fashion show Featuring established and emerging designers, this show captures the modern energy, style and personalized service of Saks Fifth Avenue stores represented by the popular location on the lower level of the Gardens on El Paseo. The
show will feature the most iconic and noteworthy couture, always compatible with the Coachella Valley lifestyle and sensibility. It’s a great way to finish off the week. Reserved seating $95, general admission $80, student admission $35. Most shows include an after-party at a location to be announced for each, and there are numerous daytime events and trunk shows throughout the week. For the complete schedule and to purchase tickets, visit fashionweekelpaseo.com or call 800-210-0689. Fashion Week El Paseo is held at The Gardens on El Paseo (west side upper level parking deck). 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert. 800-210-0689, fashionweekelpaseo.com
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Architecture Photo courtesy of museesmontreal.org
Biosphere montréal
more than just a transparent dome Architect Buckminster Fuller’s goal was to honor Earth’s resources
By Alison Elsner
D
on’t expect four walls and a roof at this Museum. As a matter of fact, there are no walls, and the exterior is completely transparent, kind of like one giant window. The futuristic structure was used prominently in the original “Battlestar Galactica” television series episode “Greetings from Earth,” and scenes for Robert Altman’s post-apocalyptic ice age film “Quintet” were shot on site as well. It also made an appearance during the finales of “The Amazing Race: Family Edition” and “The Amazing Race Canada 4.” The Montréal Biosphere, known as “La Biosphère de Montréal” in French, is a spectacular museum dedicated to the environment located at Parc Jean-Drapeau, on Île SainteHélène in the former pavilion of the United States for the 1967 World Fair, Expo 67, in Montréal, Quebec in Canada. The museum’s geodesic dome was designed by American Buckminster Fuller, and it is regarded as one of North America’s most fascinating and responsible architectural endeavors.
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When it was first constructed for the World Fair, the building originally formed an enclosed structure of steel and acrylic cells measuring 249 feet in diameter and 203 feet high. There are a total of 32 triangles from the center of each vertex to the center of the next. And if you don’t quite understand all of that, don’t worry. The main thing to know is that it’s basically a hemispherical thin-shell structure based on a geodesic polyhedron (did that help or make things more confusing?). The triangular elements of the dome are rigid and distribute the stress throughout the structure, making the dome able to withstand very heavy loads for its size. Upon its completion, a complex system of shades was installed to control its internal temperature. The sun-shading system was an attempt by the architect to reflect the same biological processes that the human body relies on to maintain its internal temperature. Fuller’s original idea for the geodesic dome was to incorporate “pores” into the enclosed system, further likening it to the sensitivity of human skin, but the shading system failed to
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work properly and was eventually disabled. Architects from Golden Metak Productions designed the interior exhibition space. Visitors had access to four themed platforms divided into seven levels. The building included a 37-meter-long escalator, the longest ever built at the time. A Minirail monorail ran through the pavilion. Sadly, following structural renovations in 1976, fire broke out and burned away the building’s transparent acrylic bubble, but the hard steel truss structure remained. The site remained closed for 15 years. In August 1990, Environment Canada purchased the site for $17.5 million to turn it into an interactive museum showcasing and exploring the water ecosystems of the Great LakesSaint Lawrence River regions. The museum was inaugurated in 1995 as a water museum and features a set of enclosed buildings designed by Éric Gauthier, inside the original steel skeleton. The Biosphère changed its name in 2007 to become an environment museum. Continued on page 38
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Architecture
Photo courtesy of AtlantidaendotOpennemas.com
Continued from page 36
Visionary architect Buckminster Fuller The architect of the dome, Buckminster Fuller, is almost as much of a curiosity as is the dome biosphere itself. An inventor ahead of his time, Fuller popularized the concept of Spaceship Earth as a metaphor for living on a planet with limited resources. A self-taught inventor, engineer and architect, Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) holds a unique place in the history of contemporary American architecture. His avantgarde philosophy can be summed up as seeking maximum efficiency for minimum effort. He began his career in the 1920s, advocating a strictly functionalist approach devoid of all aesthetic concerns. However, through his research, based on good technical knowledge, empirical methodology and observation of nature, he developed architectural notions in which utilitarianism led to an economy of means and a purity of form that were by no means lacking in beauty. Long before society was concerned with a global vision and environmental protection, Fuller spoke of interrelationships, synergy and integrated functions and wondered how we could make the best use of our technology while improving humanity. Already in the early 1960s, he predicted that the survival of humankind would be compromised unless we stopped wasting the earth’s natural resources. Fuller said that the world was the sum of all human experience, an accumulation of each person’s experience. The parallel with Asian philosophies is striking, encompassing a mys-
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“Already in the early 1960s, Fuller predicted that the survival of humankind would be compromised unless we stopped wasting the earth’s natural resources” tical element. Fuller wrote that the goal of his research was to view the universe as an organization of regenerative principles. This is the very basis of life, with references to rebirth, reproduction and, in architectural language, to the notions of space, cycles, orbits and cells. His ideas found their expression in forms such as the egg, ball, sphere and geodesic dome. Built from triangles, which Fuller considered the perfect form, the Biosphere is the synthesis of his entire process: he demonstrated that it was possible to create a livable space using only one-fiftieth of the materials normally used in a conventional architectural design. The triangle is a natural mathematical figure that, in combination with other triangles, provides maximum efficiency with minimum structural effort. By assembling a series of identical geometrical units that are both self-supporting and light, Fuller obtained a dynamic construction in which the individual components contribute to the overall structure. While each component is independent, it cannot exist without the others. Buckminster Fuller’s first geodesic dome, measuring 18 meters in diameter, was built on The Dome Restaurant in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, in 1952. The technical problems encountered, such as leaks, the difficulty of
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Photo courtesy of rhe Biosphere, Environment Museum
controlling indoor temperatures in bright sunlight, the fragility of the outer covering, and high ambient noise levels, were hardly surprising given the novelty of the structure but slowed down the development of this type of construction. The experience was nevertheless considered conclusive enough for Buckminster Fuller to move on to the construction of larger domes. The Dome Restaurant’s hemispherical structure, composed of triangular plastic elements fixed to aluminum struts, laid down the basic principles that he refined in the years that followed. A striking demonstration of the soundness and quality of Fuller’s ideas came in the spring of 1953, with the construction in just a few weeks of the Ford Dome above the central atrium of the Ford Motor Company’s cylindrical head office building in Dearborn, on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan. The 8.5 ton dome, with a diameter of 83 meters, was in fact the only structure capable of covering the vast central space without placing too much pressure on the walls of a building that had not originally been designed to accommodate such an addition. World media attention to the construction and inauguration of the dome popularized the theories of “Bucky,” as he came to be known.
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Architecture When he approached the American government in 1963 to design the U.S. pavilion for Montréal’s World Fair in 1967, Buckminster Fuller had become a star. Geodesic domes are the most efficient structures ever created in terms of material weight. Their main quality is that they distribute tension and stress economically throughout the construction by channeling it in different directions. The larger the dome, the more resistant it becomes because of the synergetic forces at work. However, the domes also have a number of drawbacks; for example, they are not suitable for highly urbanized environments and are practically impossible to extend. Also, given the dynamics of indoor air circulation, they require major fire prevention installations and excellent ventilation systems. Ambient noise can also generate problems. On the other hand, the domes provide an ideal solution in some environments because of their solidity and light weight. The America pavilion, as high as a 20-story building, soon became the focal point on the Île Sainte-Hélène site. Within six months it was visited by more than 9 million people, making it one of the busiest pavilions at Expo 67. Its six inner floors were based on the theme “Creative America” and contained several hundred artifacts and works of art bearing witness to American genius, even featuring some of the space rockets actually used in the Apollo program. Nevertheless, everyone agreed that the highlight of the presentation was the building itself. The huge sphere, with a diameter of more than 80 meters, was imposing from the outside but discreet from the inside. At night, it was transformed into a sparkling jewel that dominated the landscape. In 1967, Buckminster Fuller dedicated the dome to his wife Anne in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary when they visited the site in April of that year. The geometrical form used to construct the Biosphere is the icosahedron - in other words, a mass with 20 faces composed of identical equilateral triangles. The structure is a threedimensional lattice measuring slightly over one-meter thick at its base and narrowing gradually towards the summit. It is built on a reinforced concrete foundation fixed to a rock base. At first glance, the structure seems to be composed exclusively of hexagonal (sixsided) honeycomb cells arranged side by side. However, closer examination reveals the presence of six pentagonal (five-sided) components, one at the top of the dome and the five others placed at equal distances around the upper third of the structure. The pentagons are the only remaining traces of the 12 angle points of the original icosahedron. The pavilion was originally designed to be dismantled. However, for reasons of economy, the American officials asked for the metal tubes to be welded, not bolted as Fuller had proposed. This change slowed down the building process considerably, and also (fortunately for Montréal) made the structure impossible to dismantle. As a result, President Lyndon B. Johnson gave it to the City of Montréal in 1967.
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Photo courtesy of nationalobserver.com
The structure was covered by a transparent outer shell composed of tinted acrylic panels. In 1968, the U.S. pavilion received a Design Award from the American Institute of Architects. The jury compared the spatial effect of the platforms, which seemed to float in the air, to a weightless sensation, entirely in keeping with the experiences of the first flights into space. The interior was skillfully integrated with the sphere’s frame. The architectural quality of the building resides not only in the technical feat of the structure, but also in the link between the frame and its contents. This way of thinking - globally and ecologically before those terms had even been coined - inspired Environment Canada and the City of Montréal to set up the Biosphere. Despite its undeniable advantages - its lightweight structure, strength and elegance - Buckminster Fuller’s dome was not suited to the Canadian climate. Inside, it was practically impossible to heat and the wide seasonal variations in temperature caused the metal tubes and acrylic outer panels to expand and contract considerably. Leaks were common. In fact, it was a welding operation during the maintenance of the outer covering, on May 20, 1976, that caused the spectacular fire which destroyed the entire acrylic shell in just half an hour, although the structure itself remained intact. After the fire, the dome was more or less abandoned for 15 years but was literally reborn from its ashes with the beginning of restoration work in 1992. The Canadian government, with the City of Montréal, invested $17.5 million to construct a unique museum and environmental observation center dedicated to water, the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes ecosystem and sustainable development. Quebec engineers and architects Blouin, Faucher, Aubertin, Brodeur, Gauthier, along with Desnoyer, Mercure et Associés architects, completely redesigned the layout of the dome to suit its new role. For financial reasons, it was decided to restore the structure but not to replace the acrylic covering because of the
cost of heating and air conditioning the vast inner space. The steel tubes were treated with anti-corrosive paint to protect them from the elements. A new building was erected inside the dome, incorporating three of the American pavilion’s four original platforms. The Biosphere opened on June 5, 1995, World Environment Day, and became Canada’s first Ecowatch Centre. The building was a hit with the critics right from the start. It received the 1995 Award for Excellence from the Ordre des architectes du Québec in the Architectural Conservation category. The “Montreal Biosphère” is the only museum entirely dedicated to the environment in North America. The Biosphere’s mission is to raise citizen awareness, action and engagement on significant environmental issues. The facility offers interactive activities and presents exhibitions pertaining to the major environmental issues related to water, climate change, air, ecotechnologies and sustainable development. Exhibits include learning stations like the Ecolab to let visitors evaluate the effects of water and air pollution; an area dedicated to exploring the science behind weather and the role of today’s meteorologists; and Spaceship Earth to inspire us to think about living on other planets should Earth run out of resources. The exciting part about a visit here is that guests receive a “two-fer”: education about a global architectural phenomenon as well as information about how to live in a way that respects the environment and a plan for inhabiting planet Earth. The museum is open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on holidays). Admission is $10$15 and children 17 and under are free. During Canadian Environment Week, held in June, all Biosphere exhibits are open to the public free of charge. Montréal Biosphère is located at 160 Chemin du Tour-de-l’Isle, Montreal QC. 514496-8435, parcjeandrapeau.com/en/biosphereenvironment-museum-montreal
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Tax Talk
TAX TALK
If You Are a Canadian Who Owns US Real Estate Which Has Appreciated in Value, Can You Sell it and Buy a New Property and Not Pay Any US Income Tax? By Michael W. Brooks, Esq.
A
s with US persons, non-US persons are allowed to enter into Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 (like-kind exchange) transactions. Like-kind exchanges allow owners of investment and business real estate to delay paying income tax on the appreciation of the property being sold (the “relinquished property”), provided the owner identifies a “replacement property” within 45 days of the sale of the relinquished property, and completes the purchase of the replacement property within 180 days of the sale of the relinquished property (the replacement property must be US real estate). This allows the investor (even a non-US investor) to avoid paying the US tax on the sale of the relinquished property, but the investor carries over the lower basis from the original (relinquished) property into the replacement property. So yes, Canadians can enter into IRC Section 1031 transactions. But is the Canadian seller still required to have 15% of the gross sales price withheld (i.e., the foreign seller withholding tax)? The answer is generally yes, the 15% non-US seller withholding tax must still be withheld. This begs the question of how, if at all, a non-US seller can use the 15% (which must be withheld) for the purchase of the replacement property (which must be made within six
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months of the sale of the relinquished property). This answer is by using the 8288-B/ withholding certificate route. The Canadian seller receives a refund in around 4 months after the closing, and that allows the 15% of the gross sales price tax to be used in time to purchase the replacement property (within the six month window required under IRC Section 1031 transactions). But here’s the rub Canadians- even though you can do IRC 1031 transactions and avoid paying US tax on the sale of property one if you purchase US property two within six months of the sale, you shouldn’t. The reason is that a Canadian who sells real estate in the US must report the transaction on tax returns both in the United States and in Canada. When a Canadian pays US tax on a sale of US real estate, he or she gets a credit against the Canadian tax owed on the same transaction (so there is no double tax). But what if there is no US tax due on the sale because the Canadian enters into a like-kind exchange transaction? Then there is no credit for a Canadian tax on the sale. And the Canadian tax will still be there, because the Canadian sold real estate, and if a Canadian sells any real estate in the world they pay tax (except where there’s a specific Canadian exemption from the tax). There is no IRC Section 1031 exemption under the Canadian tax rules, so while the Canadian might defer the tax it the US,
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they will pay the tax immediately in Canada. And further, they will owe a double tax in the US when they finally sell property two. Canadians should steer clear of like-kind exchange transactions with their US real estate. Michael W. Brooks is a California tax attorney and the President and Owner of Domestic and International Real Estate Closing Tax Services, a tax firm specializing exclusively on the tax issues faced by non-US sellers of US/California real estate. Michael can be reached at the office at 760-346-6140 or on his cell phone at 760-898-3413, or email him at michael@directsllp.com. For more information about DIRECTS, visit directsllp.com The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Michael W. Brooks and DIRECTS expressly disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this article.
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Are You Ready to Rock!
Photo courtesy of Big Rock Pub
BIG ROCK PUB
rocking and rolling with a cause a world where great burgers and guitars support cancer treatment By Alison Elsner
C
anada has been hailed for bringing numerous business exports to America, and one of the most valuable by far is Big Rock Pub in Indio. Canadian businessman Ken Hanna, who owns and operates both the Pub and the Indian Springs Golf Club which houses the restaurant, introduced the dining, drinking and entertainment venue to the Coachella Valley in 2016. In so doing, he brought the best of “rock and roll” to the desert. Given the amount of rock memorabilia displayed throughout the restaurant, including all along the walls and on the ceiling, adding the moniker of museum would probably be appropriate. There’s even a piano sunk into the glass entry way. Hanna has said that his passion for rock and roll and its history developed at an early age. As a lifetime music fanatic, he’s found his comfort zone admiring and displaying instruments, although he doesn’t play. The Pub showcases over 100 prized pieces, having been owned by legends
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like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The Pub is a replica of Hanna’s home in Canada, right down to the wall installations, and he has a place for everything, hanging and positioning each piece himself. The Big Rock endeavor is about a lot more than just fun, food and games, though. During past Coachella and Stagecoach Festivals, Hanna has donated guitars, famous clothing and related art to be auctioned off with all proceeds being directed towards Desert Cancer Foundation. The charitable aspect of sharing the memorabilia is at the core of his business, allowing him to combine his passion with the ability to help others. Hanna lost his own brother to cancer, so ensuring that guitars and other instruments are available for purchase is his way to support treatment and prevention of this insidious disease. Desert Cancer Foundation is the only nonprofit organization in the Coachella Valley that provides financial assistance to qualified local patients for cancer screenings and procedures, and every dollar donated translates into $10 of cancer treatment. In their first months
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of opening, Hanna and the Pub raised over $40,000 for DCF, and he has said that that number doubled in their second year. Hanna also continues to help raise funds for other desert charities, including Safe House of the Desert, Hope for Isaiah and Red Cross. Hanna manages to still run a successful food warehousing business in Richmond, BC, Canada, just outside of Vancouver. CDS Group of Companies distributes frozen and dried food products all over western Canada. He also owns a transportation company to ship the products and export meat out of the country. With things running smoothly at his home business base in Canada, Hanna is able to devote the necessary time to his projects in the Coachella Valley, namely this popular eatery. Chef Tony Guillen dishes up everything from pub snacks to brunch to happier hour bites to hearty entrees. Favorites include potato skins, slider trio, wedge salad, flatbreads, pub burger and special treats like the Big Rockin’ Riblets (Canadian dry ribs). Signature cocktails are a riff on famous rock songs and performers, like Stairway to Heaven with Hendrick’s Gin, Dream On with Absolut Mandarin and Pom juice and Heat of the Moment with Hornitos and jalapeno ($10-$13 each). Just try getting those tunes out of your head now. The entertainment is the big draw here, however, with regularly schedule live music performances and celebrity appearances. Past and upcoming groups set to take the stage include The Brad Mercer Band, Flogging Seagulls, Red Hot Cholo Peppers, 212 Band, Dude Jones, The Rockaholics, Josh Gallagher, Macho Combo, Anthem Road, The E & J Movement and Flashback Boyz. The newest buzz here is due to the addition of The Beer Garden at Big Rock. Trees, flowers and string lights surround picnic tables warmed by space heaters, and in true Big Rock style, rock and roll artwork is on display outdone only by the stunning view of the Big Rock golf course and panoramic mountain landscape. Giant patio games add to the fun, including corn hole, giant Jenga and Connect Four. The only thing required of patrons is to approach the beer shack to order one of the traditional German drafts and exclaim, “Beer me!” And, yes, there’s live entertainment on the Beer Garden patio, too. Ken Hanna showcases one of the best collaborations between Canada and America, covering business, charity, entertainment, food and drink. What more could we ask for? Main Pub: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday 9:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Beer Garden: Monday-Friday 3 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Big Rock Pub is located at 79940 Westward Ho Drive, Indio. 760-200-9844, thebigrockpub.com
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Hiking
Places to
Stretch Your Legs Check out these popular high and low desert hiking trails Amboy Crater Formed of ash and cinders, the 250-foot-high Amboy Crater rises from one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United States. A hiking trail winds to the rim with rest stations along the way. If you make it to the top, you’ll see the breach where lava poured out over 24 square miles, creating a landscape of dried lava lakes, collapsed lava tubes and sinks, spatter cones and massive flows of basalt. This can be a dangerous area. Don’t venture out in the heat, bring a gallon of water per person per day, hike with a partner and always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Crater Road eight miles off National Trails Highway. blm.gov/visit/amboy-crater Bear Creek Oasis Trail 8 miles in and out, with an elevation rise of 1,989 feet. Considered strenuous. From the Cove Oasis trailhead at the top of La Quinta Cove, follow Bear Creek Canyon to where the trail leaves the sandy wash. Follow the signs. Hikers on this trail enjoy the beautiful palm oasis at the end. Bump and Grind Trail 3 mile loop with an elevation rise of 523 feet. This trail is probably the most popular trail in the desert and frequented by exercisers who start behind Desert Crossings shopping center in Palm Desert.
Museum Trail 2 miles round trip with an elevation change of around 1,000 feet. This hike is quite strenuous because of the rapid incline. The trailhead is just behind the museum off Palm Canyon Drive in Downtown Palm Springs. Turn around at the picnic tables. Randall Henderson Trail 2.4 mile loop with a gently rising elevation change of 423 feet. This easy trail offers a good introduction to desert hiking for the novice. It starts and ends at the National Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert on Highway 74. Check the Visitor Center for guided hikes during the winter season. South Lykken Trail 4.4 miles with an elevation of just over 1,000 feet. This is considered strenuous and the north end of the trail starts at the west end of Mesquite Road, just south of downtown Palm Springs off South Palm Canyon Drive. There is no parking at the trailhead, but street parking is available. The hike is pretty strenuous for the first mile or so and then it levels off and one gets a great view of the Indian Canyons golf courses and South Palm Canyon communities. It is a beautiful hike and ends along South Palm Canyon Drive towards Indian Canyon. You will need to have vehicles at both ends.
Clara Burgess Trail 4.4 miles round trip with an elevation of 1,339 feet. The trail is the only route to the summit of Murray Hill, a prominent conical peak just south of Palm Springs. It is best seen when heading south on Gene Autry Trail and, although it is only a couple miles to the peak, it is strenuous with a steep incline. Eisenhower Peak Loop 6 mile loop with an elevation gain of 700 feet. This trail is considered moderate and is part of the Living Desert preserve (admission fee required) in Palm Desert. The trail begins at the Eastern edge of the Living Desert and takes hikers toward Eisenhower Peak. The trail is a good representation of desert terrain and makes a perfect beginning to a Living Desert tour. Giant Rock The largest freestanding boulder in the Mojave Desert, Giant Rock covers 5,800 square feet of ground and stands seven stories high off the ground at its highest point. Native Americans once considered it sacred, and in the 1930s German immigrant Frank Critzer dug a space under the rock to live in. One of Critzer’s friends later said he was contacted by aliens there. Today, the rock is a popular tourist destination and a photo opportunity for visitors from across the globe. Past Belfield Boulevard in Landers
Visitors can enjoy fantastic views of the Joshua Tree National Park while hiking, camping or exploring the town. Only a 45 minute drive from Palm Springs to a unique environment and community.
Joshua Tree National Park Characterized by its huge rock formations and immense Joshua tree forest, the national park lies where the Mojave Desert meets the low Colorado Desert. Hike through the trails that weave through the Hidden Valley, travel to Keys View and look out over the Coachella Valley or bring your rock climbing equipment and scale some of the most interesting geological formations in the California desert. nps.gov/jotr Lake Cahuilla Just six miles from Old Town La Quinta, the 710-acre park at the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains offers a great outdoor family day with hiking, coupled with a host of recreational selections ranging from shore fishing to horseback riding.
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Women’s Day
an equal world is an
Enabled World Canadian women show the world who’s boss on International Women’s Day
Margaret Atwood. Photo courtesy of en.hdhod.com
By Alison Elsner
I
t’s pretty simple. The message is to do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women. On March 8, 2020, International Women’s Day will celebrate women’s achievements around the globe, both past and present. There are no victims here. The global call to action is intended to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. The movement reminds us that individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. #EachforEqual and #IWD2020, the International Women’s Day (IWD) campaign theme hashtags for 2020, represent an effort that now extends well beyond one day to support and unify year-long activity aimed at forging women’s equality. IWD intentionally and purposefully celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The 2019 theme was #BalanceForBetter. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first gathering in 1911 supported by one million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this, the Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom’s Suffragists and Suffragettes and other groups communicat-
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ed the necessity for women’s equality. Interestingly enough, a study conducted at the University of Missouri-Kansas City released in January, 2018 reflects a major shift in societal attitudes towards female attractiveness from waiflike and thin to toned and muscular. Surely this must be a subconscious acknowledgement of the empowered woman? Canada can certainly hold its own in the arena of strong, accomplished and intelligent women, many of whom catapulted to first in their respective fields among both women and men. There are hundreds that we could list, but here are a few who truly make Canada proud of the contributions of its awe-inspiring and influential females: Jeanne Mance (1606-1673) Jeanne Mance began her missionary duties in 1934, after having cared for her 11 younger siblings after the death of her mother as well as nursing individuals who suffered in the Thirty Years War and the bouts of plague that swept France. Upon her move to Canada, Mance was recruited to Société Notre-Dame de Montréal. After wintering in Quebec, Mance and her colleague Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve arrived on Montréal Island in 1642, famously founding the city on the 17th of May. Initially, Mance ran a hospital from her home, but after securing other premises in 1645, she created the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, which still stands today. Jeanne returned to France twice in order to raise funds for the
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hospital, and on her second trip she returned with three sisters of The Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph who continued to help her with her project in Montréal. Despite being burnt and rebuilt three times, The Hôtel-Dieu Hospital remains one of the three hospitals to make up the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. Nellie McClung (1873–1951) Nellie McClung changed the face of women’s rights in Canada after the First World War. This busy mother of five still found time to take part in the suffragette movement that began in the early part of the 19th century. While residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba for four years, she used her natural oration skills and playful sense of humor to campaign for women’s rights to vote. Thanks to the work of activists like McClung, Manitoba became the first province to grant women the right to vote in 1916. In 1927 McClung became part of a group that become affectionately known as “The Famous Five” after putting forward a petition to clarify the word persons in section 24 of the British North America Act 1867. The clarification of this word and success of their petition laid the foundations for women to enter the political sphere. McClung was active in many areas of social reform. She championed many women’s causes including property rights for married women, mothers’ allowances and dental and medical care for school children.
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Women’s Day
Doctor Roberta Bondar. Photo courtesy of NASA on The Commons
Olympian Nancy Greene. Photo courtesy of sunpeaksresort.com
Louise Arbor. Photo courtesy of ohchr.org
Jennie Trout (1841-1921) In 1875, Jennie Trout became the first woman to earn a licensed medical degree. The medical field of the 19th century was dominated by men while women struggled for the right to practice. Encouraged by her husband and motivated by her own chronic illnesses, Trout braved the pressures of entering a male discipline and pursued a medical career along with her friend Emily Stowe. They were the only women in lecture halls filled by jeering male students. Trout eventually earned her MD in the United States in 1875. Subsequently, she returned to Canada and passed an examination before the College of Physicians and Surgeons. After retiring, Jennie continued to build a place for women in the medical field. Her campaigning culminated in the opening of the Women’s Medical College at Kingston in 1883. In 1991, “Canada Post” issued a postage stamp in her honor to commemorate her as the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Canada.
illustrious. From 1943 to 1945 and again from 1948 to 1951 she was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario representing the Toronto riding of York East. Active throughout her life in progressive Canadian politics, Macphail worked for two separate parties and promoted her ideas through column-writing, activist organizing and legislation. Macphail fought tirelessly against a barrage of gender discrimination through which she had to constantly prove herself worthy. Even with this added pressure, Macphail championed issues such as worker’s rights, prison reform, seniors’ pension and gender equity, making great headway in many areas.
dubbing them as speculative fiction due to the lack of “talking squids in outer space.” “The Edible Woman” was published in 1969 and coincided with the second-wave feminism movement, yet Atwood herself is unwilling to call it a feminist text. Atwood suggests that a feminist text can only be written by someone who is working consciously within a feminist framework. Although she often avoids the label, themes of empowerment are evident in her work, as many of the strong female characters about which Atwood writes resist a patriarchal figure. Among her contributions to Canadian literature, Atwood is a founder of the Griffin Poetry Prize and Writers’ Trust of Canada.
Military Nursing (1914–1945) Women served as nurses in the Army, Navy and Air Force Medical Corps throughout the World Wars. On the home front, women worked at jobs normally reserved for men while the men were absent and away in combat situations. Agnes Macphail (1890-1954) The first woman to be elected to the House of Commons in 1921 was raised by farmers and was acutely aware of the issues they faced. Macphail was elected to represent them in 1921, the first woman elected to the federal government. No token female politician, her career in both federal and provincial politics was productive and
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First Olympic team including women (1928) The first of Canada’s Olympic teams to include women participated in the track and field events at the Games in 1928. Women such as Bobbie Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith and Ethel Catherwood’s great performances made Amsterdam one of the best years for female, Canadian Olympians to date. Rosenfeld and Smith won silver and bronze medals respectively in the 100 meter race and, along with Myrtle Cook and Jane Bell, set a world record and won gold medals at the 4x100 meter relay race. Margaret Atwood (1939- ) A renowned novelist, poet, literary critic and environmental activist, Margaret Atwood was born in Ottawa, Ontario. A middle child, she started writing poems at age six, despite having no mainstream education until age eight. Atwood is most famous for her novels, though she has resisted many labels attached to them. She shuns the term “science fiction” in relation to “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Oryx and Crake,” instead
Nancy Greene (1943- ) Born in Ottawa, Nancy Greene is loved across the country, and she was even voted Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th century. Greene is Canada’s most decorated ski racer ever, winning 14 World Cup victories across Canada, the USA and Europe. After winning a gold medal in the giant slalom during the 1968 Winter Olympics by one of the largest margins in Olympic history, she was named Canada’s Athlete of The Year for a second time. After retiring from the sport, Greene and her family became part of the early development of Whistler-Blackcomb Resort in Whistler, BC. She also promoted skiing at the Sun Peaks Resort as well as creating the Nancy Greene Ski League which is dedicated to encouraging young children to enter the sport for themselves. Oh, and by the way, in 2009 Greene took her seat as a Conservative member of the Senate of Canada, retiring in 2018 at the mandatory retirement age of 75.
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Women’s Day Roberta Bondar (1945- ) The first Canadian female astronaut was launched into space in 1992. Known for her extensive knowledge in various fields such as neurology, incredible intelligence and speaking skills, she become the first neurologist and female astronaut to enter space aboard the shuttle Discovery. Following more than a decade as NASA’s head of space medicine, Bondar became a consultant and speaker in the business, scientific, and medical communities. Bondar has received many honors including the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, the NASA Space Medal, over 22 honorary degrees and induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Bondar has also been a consultant and speaker to diverse organizations, drawing on her expertise as an astronaut, physician, scientific researcher, photographer, author, environmental interpreter and team leader. Respected for her expertise and commentary, Bondar has been a guest of television and radio networks throughout the US and Canada. She is featured in the IMAX movie “Destiny in Space,” and she has also coanchored the Discovery Channel’s coverage of space shuttle launches. Bondar served two terms as the Chancellor of Trent University, from 2003 to 2009. In 2009, Bondar registered The Roberta Bondar Foundation as a not-for-profit charity, focused on environmental awareness. Louise Arbour (1947- ) Louise Arbour has had a career of legal firsts, from the first prosecution of sexual assault as the articles of crimes against humanity, to calling heads of states to justice. She was born in Montréal, Quebec and spent both her childhood and university years in the city. Moving to Ontario after university, she had to adjust to life in an English-speaking state after an entire upbringing in French. After a stint in Ontario, Arbour again relocated to teach at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, achieving the position of Associate Professor and Associate Dean before leaving to join the Supreme Court of Ontario in 1987. In 1996, Arbour was recommended and appointed as the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda in Arusha and the International Criminal Tribunal of the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. This was where the head of state was called to account in front of an international court for the first time. Since then, Arbour has been part of the Supreme Court of Canada and has been rewarded for her contributions to developing the justice system of Canada and beyond, winning various awards. Angela James (1964- ) Angela James is the first Canadian woman to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010. Often referred to as the “Wayne Gretzky of women’s hockey”, she was part of the first women’s group to take part in the induction ceremony in To-
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Angela James. Photo courtesy of thecanadianencyclopedia.ca
Jennie Trout. Photo courtesy of theglobeandmail.com
Agnes Macphail. Photo courtesy of Grey Highlands Public Library
ronto. She is known for her multiple wins at international levels, including her receipt of four gold medals at the world championships throughout the 1990s as well as her important role in promoting women’s hockey. Her plaque in the Hall of Fame describes her as a “Pioneer of the women’s game.” James was named her league’s MVP six times. She is also a certified referee in Canada as well as a coach. She is currently the Senior Sports Coordinator at Seneca College in Toronto. Bianca Andreescu (2000- ) Our list wouldn’t be complete without talking about this 19-year old phenom (Please see our Spotlight on Bianca Andreescu following our feature on the BNP Paribas Open in this issue). Andreescu is the first Canadian tennis player – male or female – to ever win the U.S. Open and a Grand Slam singles title, and the first to win the Canadian Open in 50 years. She managed to defeat Serena Williams for both titles, victories that were history-making. She has a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world as of this printing, and she is the highest-ranked Canadian in the history of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. She is also the first player to win a Grand Slam singles title as a teenager since Maria Sharapova in 2006. Andreescu began playing tennis in her parents’ home country of Romania before they returned to Canada, where she was born. She had success as a junior, winning the Orange Bowl and two Grand Slam doubles titles with compatriot Carson Branstine en route to reaching a
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career-best junior ranking of No. 3 in the world. After not playing any matches at the WTA Tour level in 2018, Andreescu had a breakout year in 2019, beginning with a runner-up in her first event of the season, the Auckland Open. She then rose to prominence by winning the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, a Premier Mandatory tournament right here in the Coachella Valley. Although she missed several months due to injury, she qualified for the WTA Finals at the end of the season and finished the year ranked No. 5. This wunderkind is being closely watched, especially as the 2020 BNP Paribas Open approaches. She has strong support from both Canadian and Romanian fanbases. There are so many others worth mentioning, such as Charlotte Whitton who was elected to be the Mayor of Ottawa in 1951, the first female mayor of a major metropolitan area in Canada; Muriel McQueen Fergusson who was the first woman to be appointed Speaker in the Senate in 1972; and Audrey McLaughlin who was the first female party leader in Canada in 1989, serving at the front of Canada’s New Democratic Party from 1989–1995. But for now, we will pause here in celebration of the women who have paved the way for future generations to succeed, express themselves personally and professionally and live their best lives. For more information or to get involved, visit internationalwomensday.com.
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