Special Features - 2017-02-10

PEARL FEB/MAR 2017

THE GEM OF THE SALISH SEA

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PEOPLE ARCHITECTURE HISTORY ARTS

Love

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FEB/MAR 2017

8 Editor’s letter 10 Going Green 18 Booktown 20 Taste of the Sea 26 Fashion 30 At Home With ...

37 Landmarks 38 Historic Peninsula 43 All that Glitters 48 Footloose Travel 52 Meet the Advertisers 54 Peninsula Paws

CONTENTS

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on our cover Chef Rob Mountfort at The Latch.

Photo by Don Denton

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38 PEARL magazine is

GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto 250.480.3204 PUBLISHER + ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Oliver Sommer osommer@blackpress.ca EDITOR Susan Lundy lundys@shaw.ca ASSCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe 4

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan PEARL CREATIVE & DESIGN Lorianne Koch PHOTOGRAPHERS Don Denton Lia Crowe CREATIVE SERVICES Shawn O’Connor Michelle Gjerde Claudia Gross

PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

ADVERTISING Dale Naftel sales@ peninsulanewsreview.com 250.656.1151 Mario Gedicke 250.891.5627 Christopher Cook 250.656.1151

published six times a year by Black Press. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher of Pearl. The contents of Pearl magazine are protected by copyright, including

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PEARL

CONTRIBUTORS DON DENTON

LIA CROWE

ANGELA COWAN Angela is an award-winning journalist, poet, freelance writer and editor who regularly contributes to Pearl, Boulevard, Tweed, and Soar magazines. She has always been fascinated by other people’s stories, and is excited to be able to more deeply explore the Peninsula in her writing, particularly in her home community of Sidney.

Born and raised in Victoria, Lia spent the first decade of her career working in the international fashion industry, and now has more than 10 years experience working in the editorial side of lifestyle magazines. Lia brings her expertise to Pearl and is excited to explore the glorious Saanich Peninsula.

Don is the Photo Supervisor for Black Press, Greater Victoria. He contributes photographs to magazines such as Boulevard, Tweed and Monday as well as Pearl and to newspapers including the Victoria News. He is a photography instructor for the University of Victoria’s Continuing Studies department.

HANS TAMMEMAGI

DARCY NYBO

KORINA MILLER Korina grew up in Sidney. At 18, she took off around the world, visiting 36 countries and covering art, culture and travel for publishers like Lonely Planet, The Guardian and BBC. She is now based in Victoria but returns to the Peninsula regularly to visit friends and family and to keep up with the ever-growing arts scene.

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Hans’ writing is eclectic, including travel, environment and native culture. He has penned 10 books (one national bestseller) and writes for numerous newspapers and magazines in Canada and internationally.

He has a strong affinity for nature and the environment around us. Hans loves exploring the Gulf Islands and Saanich Peninsula by bicycle, scooter and kayak.

Darcy is a freelance writer, a multiple award-winning author, book editor and publisher, and a writing instructor. Words are her passion and she knows everyone has a story to tell. She began writing at age seven, and believes her writing has improved somewhat since then.

IVAN WATSON Ivan is a writer, historian, photographer and marketing strategist. Raised locally, he enjoys discovering the region’s parks and trails and learning the stories of the people and communities that make Vancouver Island a vibrant place to live. Follow him on Twitter: @watsonivan

Music lover forever Music, art, literature, the outdoors, the things that

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EDITOR’S LETTER SUSAN LUNDY

H

Unplugging to revel in the senses

ard to believe that a mere four years ago, I mocked my husband mercilessly about his beloved smartphone, implausibly believing I’d never succumb to such misplaced affection.

I’d pose questions like, “so, if both your iPhone and I were drowning, who would you save?” and “oh look, the floor needs sweeping, does your phone have an ‘app’ for that?”

He and his techno-mistress were inseparable.

Then I got my own smartphone and, smitten, I discovered my own adulation had no bounds. Eternally “connected,” I could send work emails in the grocery store lineup; check Facebook during a party; avoid irksome conversations by taking a Very Important call.

need to respond to emails right away, and to texts, even faster. I felt naked without my phone, and a bit panicked if I went too long without checking in.

Nothing was sacred; even my former Fortress of Alone Time — the bathtub — could easily be invaded by access to the world via iPhone.

So when our annual winter sojourn to an off-grid spot near Sooke beckoned amid approaching deadlines and a spate of meetings, I braced myself against unplugging and disconnecting for two days. No Internet, no cell coverage. My phone and I entered a period of separation — I sat on my hands to avoid plucking it from my purse — and I learned to walk without feeling like I was missing an appendage.

But as Bruce and I traipsed along the beach, hiked the trails, sat in an outdoor hot tub, watched the sun set and the ocean crash in and roll back out again, I realized how little I missed my pocket lover. More importantly, I discovered how very important it is to take time out of this fast-paced, frenetic world, and just “be.”

Because we are constantly connected and existing within this urgency of immediateness, it’s harder to step away and enjoy the world around us. Our leisure time gets hijacked by a “quick text,” or “I should take this call,” or “hang on, I’m just gonna check my email.” But nothing plumps up the soul like disconnecting from the world and setting a slower, simpler pace.

THEN I GOT MY OWN SMARTPHONE AND, SMITTEN, I DISCOVERED MY OWN ADULATION HAD NO BOUNDS. I could answer any question — and seriously, I have so many — with a simple Google search; and, even better, could fact check certain assertions of my aforementioned husband. Myriad methods of procrastination now sat, beloved, at my fingertips.

But with this connection came a soft-butpersistent hum of anxiety. Suddenly, I felt the

Many elements of this edition of Pearl — and all editions — celebrate the things in life that are best experienced in the moment and in person; things that tantalize and satiate our senses.

For example, with this edition we introduce a regular food feature, which explores the joys of “good taste” set to a backdrop of different Peninsula communities. In the first story, writer and food-lover Angela Cowan visits the nautical Harbour Road in Sidney and uncovers seafood specialties at Sea Glass and The Latch restaurants.

Art is a sensory vision to behold and the many glorious works of glass artist Rick Silas can be found throughout the Peninsula.

Writer Korina Miller talks to Rick, while photographer Don Denton captures his glimmering work visually. But again — check it out in person for the full beautiful benefit.

With this edition, we’re also launching our new series At Home With, exploring the lifestyles of well-known Peninsula people inside their homes. And who better to feature in kicking off the series than the exuberant MP Elizabeth May? And as always, this edition highlights trendy fashion, a beautiful home, history, travel, books and beloved pooches — all things to be enjoyed unplugged from our busy, hyper-connected lives. We need to be deliberate about disconnecting and taking time out to touch, see, taste and listen to all the beauty around us.

Now, where’s my phone? Maybe there’s an app for that.

Susan Lundy is a former journalist and two-time recipient of the prestigious Jack Webster Award. Her award-winning stories have appeared in numerous publications, and she is also the author of Heritage Apples: A New Sensation (Touchwood Editions, 2013).

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A

s Patricia and Aaron Pearson looked to create the home of their dreams, they knew they wanted it to be Built Green-certified.

They also knew this would be their forever home, from raising children to retirement, so they approached Steve Smith of SC Smith Building Company in Mill Bay with their ideas.

“Steve Smith was amazing,” said Aaron.

“He understood what we wanted and went about making it happen. Now our house is rated as a platinum Built Green build.”

The Pearsons believe anyone can create a Built Green home.

“The costs aren’t that much more than a regular build, and it pays off,” said Aaron.

“The first thing we wanted was solar panels to provide electricity to the heat pumps. We installed 18 of them on the top dormers.”

The Pearsons worked with Smith to build a house that pointed due south.

“It sits a bit differently than the rest of the houses on the street, but it is perfect for 12

PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

THE WALLS IN THE MASTER BEDROOM, THE FRONT ENTRANCE AND UP THE STAIRCASE ARE ALL CREATED WITH SALVAGED SHIPLAP. maximum exposure for the solar panels.”

They signed up for the net metering program, and to date, the electricity generated in the summer was enough to hold them through to January.

Next up was the metal roof with rainwater collection.

“We wanted a garden out back,” said Aaron, “so we created a rainwater collection system with chains in the front and downspouts in the back. Water is collected into two, buried, 3,000-litre tanks. We attached a pump system

and ran piping out to the garden area.”

In keeping with the energy efficient goal, they installed triple pane glazed Milgard windows throughout the house.

“All the windows open so we can create a cross breeze in the summer and cool the house down,” Aaron explained. “We also upgraded the insulation in the ceilings and the walls.”

The inside of the house has a cosy, lived-in feel not usually found in new homes.

“We used as much reclaimed materials as the building code would allow,” said Patricia. “And, our vanities, dressers, tables and free-standing cabinets are all reloved furniture.”

They decided on mixed width planks from West Wind Hardwood in Sidney for the floor because of its sustainable nature and natural look.

“We got the load bearing beams from an old mill on Annacis Island in Delta,” explained Aaron. “And we got the posts from the docks.

We had to take down a lot of trees on the property that were rotten. We didn’t want them to go to waste so we used them to create the

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fireplace mantel, a bench in the back and shelving in the kitchen.”

Aaron’s favourite room in the house is the kitchen.

“We love the recessed farmhouse sink and the subway tile backsplash.

We used similar tiling in the upper and lower bathrooms. I wanted a walk-in pantry but there wasn’t room, so we built extra shelving and cupboards. All the cabinetry was made by Thomas Philips Woodworking of Saanichton. We used blackboard paint on the main cupboards for a message centre, and we put wire mesh on the front of the cabinets to give it a more rustic look. I love the industrial look of the range hood/fan too.”

An outstanding feature of the kitchen is the maple island made by West Wind Hardwood.

“We had it made extra thick so that we can have it for years and years,” said Patricia. “It can take the wear and tear of a family and when it gets too bad, we’ll just sand it down and refinish it again.”

Patricia has some favourites too.

“I love the solar panels. They really help make this a sustainable house. Then there is the view from the en suite bathroom. It’s so relaxing to look out the window at the cows in the pasture behind us.”

Between the master bedroom and the kitchen is the den/playroom.

“We wanted it close to the living room/kitchen so the kids could go play and still be nearby,” said Aaron.

“It’s also nice to have a private space to just sit,” said Patricia. “We have so many windows and we are near a walking trail so a lot of people walk by and look at our home.”

And it’s no wonder they look. From the street, you can see through the windows to the stunning reclaimed brick fireplace in the centre of the great room.

“The brick walkway out front is the same reclaimed bricks that were left over from the fireplace,” Aaron explained. “We built bookshelves into

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Homeowners Patricia and Aaron Pearson and baby Emma at their North Saanich home.

the sides of the fireplace, and created ledges too.”

There are bookshelves under the stairs as well. Walk up the stairs and down the hallway and you’ll find Patricia’s second favourite place in the home.

“We built a reading nook into the upper hallway as it was quite wide due to the shape of the roof. It’s a great place to read to the kids. We didn’t put many windows on the north side of the house, but there is one over the nook that looks out over a pasture and Mt. Baker. It’s one of my favourite views. There’s a little bookshelf built in under the seating area too.”

Also upstairs are three bedrooms and a full bathroom, meant to accommodate a growing family.

A feature that adds to the rustic charm of this home is the shiplap walls. The walls in the master bedroom, the front entrance and up the staircase are all created with salvaged shiplap. There’s also a quirky feature, which is hard to spot unless you look for it. All the spindles on the staircase are repurposed and every second or third one is different.

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BOOKTOWN WO R D S A N G E L A C OWA N

Early spring on the West Coast can be a dreary affair, with grey and drizzling days in abundance. And with the promise of the new year and new experiences ahead, it’s enough to get your feet itching for exploration.

Whether you’re looking for a good read to occupy a plane or train ride, or your travel plans are more in the realm of daydreams, have no fear! Sidney’s book experts have an engrossing read waiting for you.

F

or those who aren’t flying south this season, “there are always some delicious journeys to take via your armchair,” says Odean Long, owner of the ever-popular Haunted Bookshop.

British author Patrick Leigh Fermor’s Between the Woods and the Water is high on Long’s list of recommendations. The second in a series of three travel accounts, Between the Woods and the Water narrates the then-18-year-old author’s journey on foot as he walked across Europe from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople in 1933 and 1934. This

middle read begins with Leigh Fermor’s crossing of the Mária Valéria bridge from Czechoslovakia into Hungary.

Eric Newby, another adventurous author, penned his Irish explorations in Round Ireland in Low Gear, an account of his travels via bicycle.

Rain-soaked and beset by storms and cantankerous local dogs, he and his wife Wanda come across a miracle-working statue of the Virgin, spectacular ruins and traces of 20th-century violence. And throughout, Newby weaves in Irish history and custom, touching on hermits, horsefairs, peat-cutting and poetry.

For something a little closer to home, Rod Laurie of Galleon Books and Antiques suggests any of Jack Boudreau’s titles.

A lifelong lover of the outdoors, Boudreau shares his experiences as a mountain climber, fisherman and naturalist in King of the Mountain, his most recent book.

And with eight previous BC bestsellers to his name, covering the Fraser canyon to the Chilcoten, there are plenty of “mountain campfire memories” to disappear into, says Laurie.

“They’re all nice little books to get snuggled up on the

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couch with a blanket.”

Exploring both the geography and history of Vancouver Island, Betty Bell’s The Fair Land “is a history of Vancouver Island from about 1915 to 1920,” says Laurie. “It focuses primarily on the Saanich region during the Edwardian years, and it does get asked for quite a bit.”

Along with a wide selection of travel guides for planning your next actual trip, Beacon Books has plenty of travel stories to keep you entertained at home.

“We stock some of the most interesting writers on our shelves,” says owner Christine Tanner. “Bill Bryson is one of those. His 1995 book Notes From A Small Island is a classic – humorous observations on travelling in the UK and his last walking tour of England.”

“And then there’s Peter Mayle,” she adds.

“He introduced life as a foreigner in the south of France in his first book, A Year in Provence. It’s an idyllic portrait of that region, and brilliantly describes the zany local characters he met, and the idiosyncrasies of local government.”

Also in demand are the alwaysentertaining Michael Palin with his “around-the-world travel series with great photography and comment,” Jonathan Raban and his travel accounts that blend in nearly as much history, and often pokes fun at his own foibles, and William Least Heat-Moon, who is perhaps best known for his New York Times bestseller Blue Highways, an account of a three-month road trip through the back roads of the US in 1978.

“A man travels

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TASTE of the SEA Succulent seafood in a nautical setting WO R D S A N G E L A C OWA N PHOTOS DON DENTON / LIA CROWE

Chef Rob Mountfort at The Latch.

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“We’re really going to look into bringing the Pacific Rim here.”

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“It’s very straight ahead, bold flavours. It’s West Coast, and I’m West Coast trained.”

Writer Angela Cowan with Salad Nicoise, Wild Sockeye Salmon Sliders and Vegetable Flatbread at Sea Glass Waterfront Grill with chef Ron Vincent.

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W

ith an abundance of marine supply shops, yacht services, kayak rentals and more, Harbour Road in Sidney has a distinctly nautical air.

Take a stroll on a crisp early spring afternoon and you’ll find yourself pausing to hear the faint creaking of hulls from the nearby marina. Keep walking, and the fresh tang of salt in the air is sure to set you craving an ocean-inspired feast. Luckily for you, exquisitely crafted lobster, Dungeness crab, Tiger prawns and wild sockeye salmon are mere steps away.

Hidden around the corner at the end of the road with an expansive ocean vista just beyond is The Latch Inn, housed in the historic Miraloma building. The rustic structure was designed by Samuel Maclure and built in 1926 as a summer residence for former Lt.-Gov. Walter C. Nichol. It’s an impressive sight steeped in a West Coast vibe with its bark-covered fir slabs blanketing the exterior, giving the impression of a luxurious log cabin. Inside, original wood panelling creates an early-century welcome as guests make their way to the intimate dining room.

But while the atmosphere channels the aesthetics of decades long past, the kitchen delivers a mouth-watering array of modern dishes.

Chef Rob Mountfort and his wife Mami Sato took over management of the inn in September of last year, and radically transformed the menu.

“We’re really going to look into bringing the Pacific Rim here,” says Mountfort, who spent 18 years in Hong Kong and two years in Indonesia before coming back to Canada. “There’s a definite love of food inspired

by Asian ingredients and French techniques.”

Seafood is a great passion for Mountfort, who lights up as he talks

about the selections he’s crafted. Crab salad, a Dungeness crab mousse, both made with live crab every day, and “we’ll be doing in-house smoked salmon, of course,” he adds.

One dish he’s particularly excited about is his take on Salt Spring mussels cooked in a Thai green curry with garlic, ginger, white wine, lime leaves and finished with a coconut cream. The ingredients simmer and bubble together until they blend in a swirl of mouth-watering tangy spice. It’s the kind of dish where the sauce is so good, it makes you want to scoff piece after piece of soaked bread until you’re bursting, he says.

Currently open for dinner every day except Mondays, beginning in March, The Latch will also offer a selection of high teas in the afternoons.

Along with a traditional English tea with scones, house-made lemon curd, small dainty sandwiches and sweets, Mountfort has also designed a Japanese tea and a Chinese tea.

“Like dim sum,” he says of the latter. “We’ll have steamed pork buns and crab buns. Lots of small plates for sharing.”

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Where The Latch offers a blend of old-world charm and a modern take on its menu, just around the corner Sea Glass Waterfront Grill serves up masterfully crafted breakfasts, lunches and dinners in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Caribbean afternoon.

Ron Vincent, Sea Glass’s chef and co-owner with his wife Maureen, outfitted the restaurant virtually from scratch when he took over the space five years ago, transforming a bright orange and blue interior into light sand-coloured walls and a tropical-inspired sea foam ceiling.

Marine-hued resin curves along the windows on one side, colouring the sun as it shines through, and glass sculptures adorn the entranceway — all sourced from local glass artist Rick Silas (see related story).

Turquoise and cerulean accents peek out from all corners, from the glass-encapsulated jellyfish to the glass fish above the bar. The colour scheme (and name) stems from Vincent’s lifelong love of sea glass.

Located in Van Isle Marina, the restaurant is set right over the water with gorgeous views of the boats, the skyline and the sea. What’s really neat about the spot, though, is Vincent’s personal history with it.

“My mom actually had this spot when I was ten years old,” he says, smiling.

Mama Vincent ran her own eatery for about two years from 1978

Chef Rob Mountfort inside The Latch. before selling it, he says. The building then burned down in the early ‘80s, and wasn’t rebuilt until 1996.

When Ron and Maureen began looking in the area for a new home several years ago, they stumbled onto the restaurant, which just happened to be for lease.

“It was kind of meant to be,” says Vincent, who, with the help of his dad, also built most of the in-house furniture.

“It’s very straight ahead, bold flavours,” he adds of the menu, which is generous in its seafood options. “It’s West Coast, and I’m West Coast trained.”

The Langoustine and Blue Crab Roll is a favourite, inspired when the Vincents stopped for lunch in Maine while on a honeymoon cruise.

Lemon-basil infused baby lobster, blue crab salad and butter lettuce get stuffed into a freshly baked Portuguese roll, enough to satisfy any lobster lover.

Wild Sockeye Salmon Sliders are another lunch treat, the pan-seared salmon cakes serving up a delicious variety of textures and flavours with a lemon-basil aioli and crispy onion threads.

“Ninety per cent of what we have is made in-house,” says Vincent, and the rest is sourced as locally as possible.

“I get it from the Island, and if not the Island, BC, and if not BC, Canada. We get halibut and ling cod in the summer, caught right off the coast of the Island.”

Sitting with Vincent as he talks about his food, it’s obvious he loves what he does, and that flows through into the tastes that come out from the kitchen.

As the lunch rush ends, two diners leave, calling out behind them: “Everything was amazing, as always.”

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OF TIME AND PLACE WO R D S H A N S TA M M E M AG I PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

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PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

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31

A

t first, I was slightly unsure about the selection of Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands, for the launch of Pearl’s new At Home With series.

On the one hand, she’s an excellent choice because she’s our MP. Furthermore, Elizabeth is famous across all of Canada. As the sole Green Party federal member, a strong environmental advocate and with her intelligent, non-partisan views, she attracts more media attention and is better known than most cabinet ministers.

But on the other hand, Elizabeth has achieved her position by being incredibly dedicated, driven and working long, long hours; she puts in 80- to 90-hour weeks and only takes a break one day each month.

There’s good reason she was voted hardest working MP by her fellow parliamentarians in both 2013 and 2014. So, I thought, what kind of home and home life can she possibly have? She has no time.

Stepping into her apartment near Sidney’s waterfront just off Beacon Avenue, I didn’t know what to expect. Elizabeth welcomed me with a friendly smile. Looking around, I saw her home is not lavish — it’s unpretentious and comfortable. It reflects Elizabeth’s personality right down to the two Blackberry cell phones on the coffee table and the young staff member from Ottawa busily thumbing at his cell phone in the corner; he was staying in the spare bedroom.

My observations were interrupted by an energetic little dog, Xiomara, a six-month-old, black-and-white Havanese puppy. Elizabeth picked her up, gave her a hug and showed me around the fourth-floor, threebedroom apartment, which she rents.

They say that art offers a window into the soul, and the pieces hanging on the walls certainly reflect Elizabeth’s past and the things she cares about. A lovely portrait of her late mother hangs in the dining room.

There is a large painting of the green cliffs and seascape of Cape Breton

near where her parents’ farm once sat.

She has two prints by Bill Reid, one a beautiful abstract of the canoe Loo Taas, which he gave her when she worked to preserve Gwaii Haanas in Haida Gwaii from logging. A wood-block print made of a gnu — made by Elizabeth — adorns one wall. And she has a glorious black-and-white photo of Albert Schweitzer.

When I inquired about her hobbies, she responded, “None, I’m too busy.”

But she clearly has artistic talent, for when she was younger, she quilted, created woodcuts and sketched, and I got the feeling that if she had turned her enormous energy to the arts, she would today be a soughtafter artist.

“I love cooking and having friends over,” she said, quickly throwing on an apron, grabbing a knife and frying pan, and demonstrating by whipping up an omelette with organic bell peppers and Jarlsberg cheese.

“But because I’m so busy I don’t get to entertain often — usually just around the Christmas holidays.”

Elizabeth has been a vegetarian since she kept lambs on the family farm. She doesn’t eat meat or poultry, but being from Nova Scotia, she

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relishes seafood — but only if it’s sustainably caught.

“How can you not enjoy cooking with these views,” she said, gazing out over her balcony at the marina, Sidney Spit and Mount Baker on the horizon.

Elizabeth especially enjoys cooking with her daughter, Cate, with whom she is very close. After seven years in Halifax, Cate is now studying for a Ph.D. at UBC, so they are able to get together more frequently and chat about Cate’s thesis (social justice and gender studies), politics of course, and religion, which is important to Elizabeth, as she considers herself an “aspiring theologian.”

Enveloped by the delicious aroma of melted cheese and herbs, Elizabeth described how this past New Years at her former partner Ian Burton’s home — a traditional get together — she cooked Lobster Newburg, which she described as “one of the most decadent dishes ever with mounds of butter and brandy. The grandkids went crazy.”

In addition to Cate, Burton has three other children, whom Elizabeth is close to.

When asked whether Ottawa, where she spends about half her time, or Sidney is her home, she was adamant.

“Ottawa is strictly for work. Sidney is my home. I love it here.

Everything is within walking distance. The views from my balcony are wonderful, so restoring. My neighbours are friendly. And I love the ocean and getting spot prawns in the spring.”

Elizabeth walks to the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, rarely missing a Sunday. She exercises regularly, using the facilities of the nearby Pier Hotel. She has a car — a hybrid Prius — of course.

With Elizabeth carrying Xiomara, we went down to the courtyard to give the three-month-old puppy a run and a bathroom break.

“Xio means a lot to me. Because I work so much, it can get stressful at times, so Xio is therapy for me,” she said, giving the adorable little

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bundle of black-and-white fur an extra big hug.

We went up again and into Elizabeth’s study, which looked like a hectic operations centre. Her desk was piled with papers and files with not a square inch of wood visible. The bookcases were so laden with books, the shelves sagged under the weight; I could almost hear them groaning.

Elizabeth is a voracious reader and her eclectic tastes were represented in books about environment, theology, politics and many other topics. A prolific author with eight books to her credit, she is currently pondering a ninth, possibly about the degradation of social ethics. She writes regular articles in a Gulf Islands newspaper called

Island Tides as well as The Hill Times in Ottawa.

We toured through the rest of the apartment seeing more books, art and memorabilia of her travels. She showed me photos of her daughter, stepdaughters and the many A-list people she has met such as Justin Trudeau, Chris Hadfield and Daryl Hannah. I was impressed.

Leaving Elizabeth’s home I was happy. I had been welcomed by a person who, in spite of her fame and tremendous workload, has no airs or attitudes. Instead, she is immensely friendly and down to earth.

Furthermore, she has made a rich and warm home in Sidney, and, yes, was an excellent choice for launching the At Home With … series.

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explored the Peninsula through the eye of his camera, capturing the many faces on public art.

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37

Harry Nunn in 1959 and photo taken from Centre Road of the Nunn home and garden in 1930.

MEMORY LANE

Harry Nunn and a lifetime of Sidney stories W O R D S I VA N WAT S O N

W

PHOTOS DON DENTON AND COURTESY SIDNEY ARCHIVES

hen Joseph Arthur Nunn and his wife Lillian settled on the Saanich Peninsula in September 1913, the surrounding area was a rural landscape of small homesteads and family farms. Until the late 1930s when the construction of the Patricia Bay Airport

window watching all the equipment, all the bulldozers and earthmovers at work when they were building the airport.”

The Nunn’s farmhouse was located where the airport parking lot is now. For over a century, the pioneering Nunn family has helped to shape the life and times of the community in and around Sidney, and Harry

“WHEN I GO THROUGH THESE THINGS, I SEE SO AND SO GOT MARRIED, OR SOMEBODY GRADUATED. IT BRINGS BACK MEMORIES. I GREW UP HERE, SO I KNOW A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE OLD PAPERS.” altered the region forever, the Nunn property retained its rustic character.

“I can remember when I was a kid, we’d go up to visit my grandparents’ farm for Christmas,” says Joseph’s grandson Harry Nunn. “I used to sit on the chesterfield by the

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PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

has continued that legacy with his many activities in the town.

Harry Nunn was born on March 26, 1936 at Resthaven Hospital. A lifelong “Sidneyite,” he has seen a lot of changes in the community over the decades. As a forklift

operator, firefighter, bus driver, wood carver, community volunteer and historian, Nunn has and continues to live a rich and varied life.

Nunn recalls many happy days during his childhood in Sidney.

“On Beacon Avenue there used to be Anderson’s General Store,” he says. “Mrs. Anderson would give you the biggest ice cream you’ve ever seen.”

He remembers show times at the old Rex Theatre.

“The first movies I ever saw there were Black Beauty and My Friend Flicka,” he says fondly while recalling happy hours immersed in the magic of the silver screen.

His childhood home was on Henry Avenue.

“Mum’s dad … moved four houses from down on Third Street. They were old bunk houses from the old Sidney mill. My grandfather bought the four of them and moved them up to Henry and our house was number four at the beginning. And then he switched two of them around so we became number three.”

historic PENINSULA

Harry Nunn has spent nearly 60 years with the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, first as a firefighter and now as the department’s archivist. Here, he sits on the department’s newest fire engine outside the fire hall in downtown Sidney.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 PEARL

39

Bunk houses belonging to Joseph Arthur Nunn, moved from Third Street to Henry.

Their home was spacious and the neighbourhood atmosphere was lively. His aunt lived next door and many school friends lived nearby.

Lazy afternoons were spent with family and friends around the dining room table.

“My dad made a ping pong table top and set it up on the dining room table. Everybody sat in the kitchen, around the big table. I had friends in from school and we’d all come in and play ping pong.”

When Nunn was about eight years old, a dramatic accident occurred.

“On Resthaven Drive and Sidney Avenue, there’s an apartment building called the Hampton. That’s because there used to be two

houses there and a Hampton Bomber crashed in between them,” recalls Nunn. “My dad had a lot across the road where he grew potatoes. I was out in the field behind our place when it crashed, but dad was right there digging potatoes when it happened. He went and got the kids out of the house to make sure they were safe.”

Miraculously, the plane crashed in the narrow space between the two houses. “It only scorched the side of one of the houses,” says Nunn.

“Everybody inside was safe.”

Nunn attended North Saanich School and in 1954 joined the Canadian Army Reserve’s Pat Bay Battery. Later, he joined the Royal

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Canadian Air Force and toured Canada for training and exercises.

Nunn has dedicated nearly six decades to the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, first as a firefighter and continuing his service to the present day as the department’s archivist.

“I joined in 1959, just as a rookie recruit,“ he says proudly. “We didn’t have much gear or trucks back then. We had the old truck, ‘Old Betsy’ that’s still there and there was also Number 92, which was a 1947 Mercury, and they still have that too.”

Both these engines have been proudly restored as part of the department’s heritage exhibit.

Nunn was often called into service unexpectedly to battle large fires.

He recalls one particularly dramatic evening.

“I was going with a girl who became my wife and at about 10 o’clock at night I left her place going home, when I saw this glow in the sky, so I just headed straight over there.”

AS A FORKLIFT OPERATOR, FIREFIGHTER, BUS DRIVER, WOOD CARVER, COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AND HISTORIAN, NUNN CONTINUES TO LIVE A RICH AND VARIED LIFE. In 1965, an arsonist targeted the local racetrack.

“It was a big fire. We used a hydrant by the Legion Hall on Mills Road with a hose all the way down the road to the racetrack with a couple of two-and-a-half-inch lines. It was going on all night pretty well.”

He adds, “I kid you not, I had a horse jump over my car. It was so scared. They later found some horses at Royal Oak that fled from that fire.”

In 1967, Nunn married his sweetheart, Cheryl. They were married for 34 years until she tragically succumbed to cancer. After her passing, Nunn took up woodcarving and hand-made a variety of intricate vehicles ranging from steam trains and old cars to fire engines and logging trucks. Each of his models has moveable parts such as working hydraulics and doors that open.

“It gave me something to do because I was retired and living in the house alone,” he says. “I was never into woodworking at school but I had a shop out back with a table saw, a drill press and other tools. I just learned by doing and gradually I got more careful and I got better and better.”

The Saanich Historical Artifacts Society acquired his spectacular wood models in recent years where they help to tell the story of the community’s rural and industrial heritage.

These days he volunteers at the Sidney Archives, working diligently to digitize over a century’s worth of the Peninsula News Review newspapers.

“When I go through these things, I see so and so got married, or somebody graduated. It brings back memories. I grew up here, so I know a lot of the people in the old papers.”

During his time at the archives, he has contributed to the publication of three books, including the centenary of the Fire Department, the history of North Saanich School and one on the genealogy of his grandfather’s family.

“Brad (the archives manager) did the writing,“ he says. “But I did the talking and told the old stories.”

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Rick Silas’ glimmering, shimmering glass art WORDS KORINA MILLER

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

Glass artist Rick Silas creates sculptures out of recycled glass.

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ick Silas’ glasswork is peppered across the Peninsula. In fact, within 10 miles of his downtown Sidney studio, you’ll find nearly 2,000 pieces.

Much of the art is functional — fireplace mantels, tables, countertops and doors — and its beauty makes you want to reach out and touch it. Some pieces appear frozen like a slab of ice curved to create a counter. Others pieces look shattered — a table splintered and hued an ocean blue — and some work is etched, like a wolf or octopus peering out from within a glass door.

All of it is unique.

“They’re all pieces of art to me. I’m using an artistic answer to practical needs and problems — a window with a bad view becomes a piece of art,” explains Silas. “I am commissioned sculptor [and the] advantage is that my customers challenge me. My work is largely client inspired, then I start designing.”

He creates his pieces with tempered glass, often procured from mistakes made in the building industry.

“Tempered glass can’t be re-cut, so if they’ve made something the wrong size, it can become a $3 million mistake for a building company.

I take it instead and up-cycle it to create my art …. The recycled part appeals to people. Initially I did it because I was green and poor. Now my clients want something green. They don’t want it new — they want it made from waste.”

“Tempered glass is strong,” he adds, striking a large, etched piece to prove his point. “And it costs a fortune to make.”

Silas grew up in Montreal and then lived in Calgary, where he established Point Studios, one of the biggest arts complexes in Western Canada. He moved to the Island in 2001.

In 1995, Sunlife commissioned Silas to create a large, freestanding sculpture. His plan was to create a 15-foot glacier with shattered glass walls.

“I wanted to make it look like ice, but discovered there was no technology that would allow me to make something of that scale and perfectly flat.”

Through determination and innovation, Silas developed a new method of glass art — one that requires no heat and allows him to shatter and bend tempered glass, while maintaining its structural integrity. This became the basis for his patented process — Silastial Glass. Without the need for heat, he can make molds from anything, and bend glass around stairways or walls.

“The technology is so simple. The truth is — it’s nothing I couldn’t teach someone to do in a half hour in a garage with no tools. You don’t even need electricity. There’s no magic.”

Looking around his studio, it seems difficult to believe there is no magic involved. Everything appears frozen. Each piece captures his unique artistic spirit — one that’s not easily replicated.

Silas studied art at John Abbot College in Montreal and then at the Alberta College of Art and Design. He knew early on that he wanted to find a unique form of art, and initially focused on woodcarvings, using a chainsaw and recycled telephone poles.

“At one point, I was recovering from spinal surgery and couldn’t work for a few months so to keep amused, I started working with liquid plastic, making jewelry. Then an engineer friend had half a ton of tempered glass and asked if I wanted it. I started making jewelry with it, but my pieces kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger.”

Silas recalls that glass inspired him even as a child.

“My uncle owned an acreage south of Montreal. We were playing in the back of the property where he’d throw old cars, and I crawled into my uncle’s old 1951 Chrysler. Someone had thrown a rock through the south facing tempered plate window. I spent hours making shapes in the hole. It was beautiful. I loved the way it sparkled.”

This love of glass hasn’t diminished and most days find Silas in the studio, working on new projects.

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“MY WORK IS LARGELY CLIENT INSPIRED, AND THEN I START DESIGNING.”

Rick Silas with sheets of tempered glass.

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“It’s the effects of an unlimited R&D budget,” he laughs, indicating the endless sheets of glass surrounding him.

It was this same R&D that inspired his glass etching technique.

“In 2008, I lost my shirt here. Everyone did. I had a lot of glass but no orders and no work. I couldn’t afford paints or resins but I had an old, small grinder my kid brother had given me and I thought I’d try drawing on the glass with it. The factory said it was impossible — that it would break. So I figured out how to resolve the problem of it breaking. I practised, practised, practised. I’m pleased with how good I’ve gotten and how fast I can do it. It really satisfies the artist in me. Now I can do a massive etching in a couple of hours.”

Silas’ work isn’t all residential; it has also appeared at Dockside Green, Brentwood Bay Resort & Spa, Cedar Hill Art Centre and at Calgary International Airport. In August 2016, he created glass headphones for the Electronic Music Awards in Los Angeles.

Perhaps his most rewarding piece was a sculpture for the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney. He worked with shower doors from India (the holes had been cut half an inch out, making the $100,000 shipment virtually worthless) and created glass panels with seaweed imagery.

“It was rewarding because it was local, in the town I live in.”

The panels are now dispersed throughout the centre and still contain the misplaced holes.

Another place to check out his work is Cedar Hill Arts Centre, where he etched the sliding glass doors.

“I created a mural of BC in full colour so when it folds away, it turns into a sculpture. I entertained the public for a summer while I was doing that. Kids loved watching me work so much, I started to

hide animals in bushes of the mural. There are 22 animals hiding in there.”

Silas has found the local community to be very supportive of his work. He has sat on the Peninsula Arts Board and the Board of Sculptures Guild for the past eight years.

“It’s a very active arts community. I love living here but after 15 years, I’ve loved it to death.

I’m looking forward to something new.”

In February, Silas is moving to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia where he plans to begin teaching his techniques to others. Beginning this spring, he’ll be offering webinars through Glass Patterns Quarterly (glasspatterns.com) via which he hopes to inspire thousands.

“I want to leave the world a little better than I found it. Up-cycling tempered glass is one little green thing I fixed.”

And while the Sidney studio itself closes in February, the legacy Silas leaves will continue to shine and inspire across the Peninsula.

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SILAS DEVELOPED A NEW METHOD OF GLASS ART — ONE THAT REQUIRES NO HEAT AND ALLOWS HIM TO SHATTER AND BEND TEMPERED GLASS, WHILE MAINTAINING ITS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.

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FOOTLOOSE

TRAVEL LOG

DAWSON CITY ... and the rush of gold WO R D S H A N S TA M M E M AG I

M

y mind preoccupied with visions of gold, the long drive from Whitehorse to Dawson City in the remote, northern Yukon Territory passed quickly.

I was heading there for Discovery Days, Dawson’s biggest party. But the lure of gold mesmerized me; I harboured a secret desire to strike it rich.

Piles of rounded rocks and cobblestones, neatly arrayed and stretching for miles, marked the final approach to Dawson. My pulse raced, for these are the remains of large-scale dredging for the magic yellow metal.

Gold was discovered here in 1896 and this remote, northern outpost became the site of the Klondike Gold Rush. I imagined men, and a few women, feverishly seeking the elusive bonanza. Raucous

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saloons, gambling den, and houses of ill repute sprang up, quickly transforming this quiet bend in the river into a wild boomtown with a population of 40,000. But mining is ephemeral. After two years, the frenzy petered out, the town’s population plummeted, and the gold rush was over.

Today, the town has a population of 1,300 but acts as though the rush is still on, especially during the Discovery Days weekend, held annually in August.

The town looks much like it did long ago. We drove along unpaved streets lined by wonky boardwalks and weathered wooden buildings that had a hangdog appearance. Dawson City is effectively a sprawling national historic site with 24 buildings maintained in original condition by Parks Canada.

“TODAY, THE TOWN HAS A POPULATION OF 1,300 BUT ACTS AS THOUGH THE RUSH IS STILL ON, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DISCOVERY DAYS WEEKEND.”

WITNESS THE RARE AND UNIQUE Hike across glaciers, trek the tundra, go Zodiac-cruising through ice-choked fjords and witness the remarkable: a Wandering Albatross lifting its enormous wings to take flight, tobogganing penguins, fluking whales. Every mile will reveal something astonishing.

An actor in period costume led me to the Bank of British North America. My excitement peaked when I handled (real?) gold bullion.

Later, I passed under impressive moose antlers over the door of famous poet Robert Service’s log cabin. The Bard of the Yukon‘s poems like “The Cremation of Sam McGee” depicted the gold rush, the intense winter cold and the mad desire for wealth.

“There are strange things done in the midnight sun / By the men who moil for gold.”

At the cemetery, old crosses bore the names of young gold seekers, a testament to the long, harsh winters that occur this close to the Arctic Circle.

Thirsty, I sought out the Sourdough Saloon and joined the crowd to drink a Yukon Jack whisky with a human toe in it. A bearded captain explained how the original toe in the story came from a claim poacher, whose foot became frozen while evading the Mounties. Dropping the blackened toe into my glass, he smiled as I grimaced and knocked back the cocktail. Later, learning the latest toe had come from a lawnmower accident in Edmonton, I resolved to read my organ-donor card more carefully.

Diamond Tooth Gerties, named after one of the town’s infamous working ladies, is Canada’s oldest legal casino and it was jumping.

And yes, Gertie had a diamond between her teeth. The slot machines and poker tables took second place in order of importance, however,

Cruise Vacations

&

so much more…

We can arrange your flight, hotel, car rental & more, all at Expedia prices!

Mounties march in the Discovery Days parade.

®

PHOTO BY HANS TAMMEMAGI

PROUDLY SERVING THE PENINSULA SINCE 1997

(250) 656 5441 #1-2353 Bevan Avenue, Sidney www.cruiseshipcenters.com/Sidney CPBC License Number: 25550-6 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 PEARL

49

Beacon

Books Thousands of good used books covering all the categories, including a Childrens section!

2372 Beacon Ave 250-655-4447

Military &

Simply Cremations & Funeral Services

Bookshop

Integrity - Dignity - Respect Simply Cremations

History Second-hand books on all things military, early & modern war, naval and aviation war history

9812 Fourth St. (Opposite Tanner’s)

250-655-3969

& Funeral Services

Entrust your loved one to our professionals where your needs and wishes are fulfilled, without guilt, pressure, or the burden of high costs.

Basic cremation $1325 + GST Services include: • Transfer & sheltering • Cremation container & urn • Cremation process • Registration & documentation

Learn about all the great bookstores at

sidneybooktown.ca

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PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Memorial Society Members welcome We honour all pre-arranged cremation & funeral contracts

24-hour phone: 250-656-5555 Online at: victoriasimplycremations.com

In your time of need we keep it Simple

Heather Island III 36x84 Heather Island III 36x84 Heather Island III 36x84 Heather Island III 36x84

Reflections of the the Salish Salish Sea Sea Reflections of Premiere Exhibition in Victoria Premiere in Victoria Victoria Premiere Exhibition Exhibition in Meet the Artist Meet the Artist Artist Meet the Saturday, February 11 • 1-4 pm Saturday, 11 • • 1-4 1-4 pm pm Saturday, February February 11 Exhibition Until Exhibition Continues Continues Until Until February 23, 23, 2017 2017 February 2017

as my gaze became fixed on a wooden stage where scantily clad chorus girls pranced, accompanied by Gertie’s humorous dialogue.

I arose early next day and headed for the Westminster Hotel, where locals call its tavern bar the Snake Pit and its lounge bar the Arm Pit. The former claims to be the earliest opening bar in Canada. I bellied up to the bar at 9 am and, wiping a line of foam from my lip, photographed my wristwatch next to my beer.

With Discovery Days in full swing, there was much to do. I dropped in at the Dänoja Zho Cultural Centre, and learned of the long First Nations presence in this region. A ride aboard the Klondike Spirit paddle wheeler took us past the paddle wheeler graveyard, while the captain explained the area’s history. From the top of the nearby Midnight Dome, the Yukon River and old gold workings were spread out like a patchwork quilt.

Particularly impressive was the drive along Bonanza Creek Road to the place where gold was first discovered. Nearby was Dredge #4, an enormous mechanical monster, now a historical site, that scooped enormous piles of rock and silt from local waterways, like the piles we saw upon arriving. Here, we passed working claims with men operating front-end loaders and hydraulic dredges. Our guide explained there are about 80 small, active mines today.

Perfect, I thought, I really could make my fortune here.

Too soon, the Discovery Days were over, and I faced the long drive back to Whitehorse. I loved Dawson City, but that alluring gold was far too elusive!

KittenIsland IslandIIII48x84 48x84 Kitten Kitten KittenIsland IslandIIII48x84 48x84

Entertainment at Diamond Tooth Gerties.

“THERE ARE STRANGE THINGS DONE IN THE MIDNIGHT SUN / BY THE MEN WHO MOIL FOR GOLD.”

West End End Gallery Gallery West Gallery

Teakerne Arm Shoreline 36x84 Teakerne Arm Shoreline 36x84 Teakerne Arm Shoreline 36x84 Teakerne Arm Shoreline 36x84

PHOTO BY HANS TAMMEMAGI

Naomi Cairns Naomi Cairns Naomi Cairns Reflections of the Salish Sea

1203 Broad Broad Street Street • Victoria • Victoria 1203 • Victoria 250.388.0009 • 250.388.0009 • Open Open Daily Daily 250.388.0009 • Open Daily www.westendgalleryltd.com www.westendgalleryltd.com www.westendgalleryltd.com

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 PEARL

51

MEET OUR

Pearl ADVERTISERS JERoME PEacock EngEl & VölkERS

MaRy wInSPEaR cEnTRE

A match-maker of people and homes, with over 10 years of sales experience in Victoria Real Estate, from Sidney to Oak Bay and from downtown condos to waterfront estates..

See ad on page 17.

The Mary Winspear Centre is the only state-ofthe-art event, conference and theatre facility located at the gateway to Vancouver Island.

See ad on page 41.

wInE kITz

PRoVEnancE

Family owned and operated in Sidney since 2008. Licensed funeral directors Jordan and Leslie keep it simple in your time of need.

See ad on page 50.

One of the leading, most well-respected wine kit manufacturers in Canada. Proudly serving Sidney, the Saanich Peninsula, Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands, for over 14 years.

See ad on page 24.

A lovely boutique style shop offering Pandora jewellery, Brighton, Sid Dickens and wonderful personal indulgences to spoil yourself or someone special.

See ad on page 35.

PEnInSUla naTURoPaTHIc clInIc

SUzI Jack *PREc DockSIDE REalTy

SPITFIRE gRIll

We offer patient centred health care, combining natural and modern medicine. Let our experienced health care team guide you to optimum health.

See ad on page 40.

Suzi is your friendly, professional Realtor with a community focus and local approach. Drop by our new office in Sidney and see our gallery of homes and featured local Art. See ad on page 32.

cHEF on THE RUn

PUPPy loVE PET caRE

nancy’S SEw cREaTIVE

Puppy Love Pet Care Centre and The Cat’s Meow is a full service pet resort and spa designed and managed out of a genuine love of animals.

See ad on page 11.

On The Peninsula for over 20 years, makes custom slipcovers for your quality furniture and custom outdoor furniture cushions.

See ad on page 40.

IncREDIBlE cloSETS

MIcHEll’S FaRM

TIgERlIly EVEnTS Celebrating life’s moments through the many different celebrations is important to us at Tiger Lily Events, and that is why we are passionate in creating that event for you.

See ad on page 35.

SIMPly cREMaTIonS

Take the effort out of meal planning, let us do the work for you. Seven different meals to choose from each week complete with starch/ vegetables.

See ad on page 40.

SaanIcH PEnInSUla HoSPITal FoUnDaTIon It’s our hospital. And thanks to our donors, we have been raising funds to keep our hospital modern and efficient for over 30 years.

See ad on page 7.

EyElanD oPTIcal Since 1997 Fima has helped clients with all their optical needs in both our Victoria and Sidney locations.

See ad on page 33.

SIDnEy lIonS FooD Bank The Sidney Lions Food Bank is an emergency food service and we are here to help you and your family in a time of need.

See ad on page 42.

BaIlIwIck FaRM Hazelnuts! Kiwifruit! Walnuts! Choc-a-bloc with vitamins and yummy flavour. Come and buy from our on-farm market. Open from October through April.

See ad on page 36.

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PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Serving the peninsula for over 18 years. A family friendly fully licensed restaurant with unique up close views of YYJ airport runway vista!.

See ad on page 32.

Ted Hancock and his incredible team, design, manufacture and install quality built-in furniture, closet organizers and Euro doors in Victoria and area.

See ad on page 13.

Michell’s Farm is a sixth generation, family-run farm that has been in operation on the Saanich Peninsula for over 150 years. We grow fresh, seasonal produce year round.

See ad on page 11.

DEEP coVE MaRkET

lIlaBERRy HoME DécoR anD FaSHIon

Rosemary Scott, owner of the Deep Cove Market brings her passion for food and shopping to a unique little destination in the country.

See ad on page 44.

Owner, Chris Stephen invites you into her welcoming and fragrant boutique. A pretty plethora of unique finds that are a pleasure to give and to receive. Come and indulge all your senses!

See ad on page 9.

aRDMoRE golF coURSE

FISH on FIFTH

Ardmore Golf Course is an ideal place to play your favorite game, host an event or hone your swing. Join us on the beautiful Peninsula.

See ad on page 46.

Casual and friendly as every good fish ‘n chip shop should be! Great staff serving excellent fish for over 18 years. Readers Choice Award for Favourite Seafood.

See ad on page 31.

DEEP coVE aUTo SERVIcE

EXPEDIa cRUISESHIPcEnTERS

Since 2012, Deep Cove Auto Service has been North Saanich’s neighbourhood garage — our business is all about service.

See ad on page 24.

Elaine Kirwin and her team at Expedia CruiseShipCenters Sidney, have been selling dream vacations to the residents of the Peninsula since 1997.

See ad on page 49.

onE SToP FURnITURE Inc.

FIX aUTo PEnInSUla

lanDMaRk DEnTal

Visit us and step back in time to when customer service and satisfaction were still the most important goals of a business.

See ad on page 64.

Being part of the community is important to us! Our quality commitment and our Fix Auto guarantee all combine to ensure your peace of mind.

See ad on page 47.

Dr. Donald Neal has been practicing in Sidney for over 25 years and together with his son, Dr. Trevor Neal, they provide personalized dental care at the Landmark Dental Centre See ad on page 15.

PacIFIca REal ESTaTE

BREnTwooD Bay PHaRMaSaVE

We are a local award winning real estate agency focused on providing high quality real estate consulting services within the Greater Victoria Area and beyond.

See ad on page 50.

Serving the community of Brentwood Bay for more than 25 years, Joe & Colin are proud to be your neighbourhood pharmacist. Joe enjoys sailing around the islands, Colin enjoys cheering for his beloved Canucks.

See ad on page 34.

caTEgoRy 12

BEacon BookS

Mac REnoVaTIonS

What happens when a love of beer and passion for science collide? Come find out at Category 12 Brewing, where award-winning beers are crafted here on the Peninsula.

See ad on page 45.

A general bookstore of good secondhand books, 4,000 sq.ft., fiction and non-fiction, from bestsellers to classics, for all ages. Come in and browse - find your favourite authors.

See ad on page 50.

A contractor you can trust. Relationships are the most important thing we build as a company. We have forged many long lasting relationships with our clients over the years due to our attention to detail, integrity, and the personal service we provide to turn your dream into reality.

See ad on page 16.

BRookES SHawnIgan lakE An independent IB boarding school with a vibrant community of students who desire an engaging, personalized education.

See ad on page 46

SIDnEy SEnIoR caRE

RoDco InTERIoRS RODCO Interiors has been serving Victoria & the Peninsula for over 25 years. A family business owned & operated by Roger and his son Fielding Comartin. Residential, Commercial, Hospitality and Commercial, we do it all!

See ad on page 16.

From: karla@readmedia.ca Date: October 13, 2011 12:42:03 PM PDT To: "Sagers" <store@sagers.ca> Subject: H&L Winter 2011 ad proof for approval Please see attached proof as discussed with Bob. Thanks! :) Karla

SagER’S HoME lIVIng Luxury is easy to find when you know where to look, established in 1956, with twelve unique showrooms. Traditional, transitional, and modern furniture styles, with eclectic accents.

See ad on page 5.

Award-winning, consistent quality home support customized to fit your every need.

Servicing the entire Saanich Peninsula, Victoria and now the Gulf Islands See ad on page 2-3.

Luxury is easy to find when you know where to look

THaI coRnER RESTaURanT Nina and her family is proud to be able to bring Thai native cuisine and hospitality where all patrons are welcome at her “home away from home” as valued guests.

See ad on page 33.

PEnInSUla lIFETIME EyEcaRE cEnTRE For those who value their vision as much as we do. Come see and feel the difference!

See ad on page 14.

FISH o cHIPS For the way you live

1802 Government 250-386-3841 1802 GovernmentStreet Street 250-386-3841 Monday-Saturday SundayNOON NOON Monday-Saturday9:30-5:30 9:30-5:30 Sunday to 5to 5

sagers.ca www.sagers.ca

Owners & Chefs Norman Viljoen and Tony Messer both have over 25 years of experience in hospitality and restaurants. Breathing new life to a Sidney institution, come and see us for great fish & chips and more!

See ad on page 23.

ElIzaBETH May

wESTEnD gallERy

D.g.BREMnER & co.

Elizabeth May is the Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands. She was first elected in 2011, and re-elected in 2015. She is also an environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and leader of the Green Party of Canada.

See ad on page 36.

Established in 1994 this family owned gallery represents significant new and established artists from across Canada. Focusing on original paintings and glass sculpture our friendly and knowledgeable staff will provide you with the very best professional service.

See ad on page 51.

is a family owned and operated menswear business with locations in Sidney and Victoria, specializing in luxury sportswear.

See ad on page 19.

BEacon lanDIng lIQUoR & MoRE

Hook & Hook REnoVaTIonS

PacIFIc PaInT

Sidney’s boutique style liquor store offering rare finds of Wine, Scotch & Spirits.

See ad on page 27.

More then just your average renovations company, we are your one-stop shop for all your home needs with over 20 years experience.

See ad on page 55.

BREnTwooD Bay EMPoURIUM

STEPHEn P RoBERTS

w&J wIlSon

Stephen P Roberts is the BC Liberal candidate for Saanich North and the Islands in the May 2017 Provincial Election. His global business experience and local perspective make for a balanced approach to Island issues.

See ad on page 21.

W&J Wilson the oldest family owned clothing store in Canada est. 1862! Now run by the sixth generation Scott Thompson.

See ad on page 25.

John Carswell and Alice Bacon and their son Will are the proprietors of Brentwood Bay Village Empourium. They are delighted to operate in their own neighbourhood to share their love of food, coffee and community See ad on page 16.

Terri Heal has worked in the paint industry for 22 years and her background includes interior design & decorating as well as fine art painting.

See ad on page 36.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 PEARL

53

PAWS ON

THE PENINSULA

Seen here, clockwise from top are: 5-year-old Sunny and 6-year-old Fynn, Australian Shepherds, enjoying the view from the doorway at d.g. bremner & co.; 2-year-old Willow, a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso cross; Bailey, an 11-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback; Sampson, a 12-year-old mixed breed; and Abby, a 10-year-old West Highland Terrier.

54

PEARL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

•

• Comfort. Functionality. Style.

Expertise & Innovation, under one roof.

Specializing in Interior Design, Custom Cabinetry, Project Management & Historic Home Renovations.

Hook & Hook Renovations 250-893-8124 handhrenovations.com

•

•

Come in and see for yourself!

Come in and see for yourself!

Why go anywhere else?

• High End Quality Furniture • Huge Selection • Above & Beyond Customer Service • Deliveries - on your schedule • Access to thousands of items

ONE STOP

One StOp Furniture ShOp inc.

9819 Fifth Street, Sidney F U250-655-SHOP R N I T U R E S(7467) HOP onestopfurniture.ca 9 8 1 9 F I F T H S T R E E T, S I D N E Y

• • • • •

High End Quality Furniture Huge Selection Above & Beyond Customer Service Deliveries – on your schedule Access to thousands of items

250.655.SHOP (7467)

onestopfurniture.ca