Special Features - Connector Sept/Oct 2017

Connector ONBOARD MAGAZINE FOR THE WILSON’S GROUP

The Fun Is In Getting There!

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017

Take the shopping shuttle Day-trip to Tsawwassen Mills

GOLFERS’ GLORY

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Contents

SEPT/OCT 2017 5 6 8 10 12 13 14 18 20 22

President’s message Day-Tripping Golfers’ Glory New at Wilson’s Meet the Team On the bus

6

9

18

20

Five on the Drive Five for the Foodie Hit the Road By the Number

ON OUR COVER

Shopping at Tsawwssen Mills.

14

GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto 250.480.3204

PHOTOGRAPHERS Don Denton Sierra Lundy

EDITOR Susan Lundy lundys@shaw.ca

WRITERS Chelsea Forman, Sierra Lundy, Sean McIntyre, Darcy Nybo

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan PRODUCTION Janice Marshall

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Mario Gedicke 250.891.5627 mario.gedicke@blackpress.ca

ADVERTISING Ruby Della Siega 250.480.3222 Patty Doering 250.480.3242 Nick Warrington 250.480.3399 Annemarie Rindt 250.480.3244

Put Your Home in Put Your Home OurHands in Our Hands

CONNECTOR magazine is published six times a year by Black Press and is distributed by The Wilson’s Group. The points of view or opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or The Wilson’s Group.

The contents of Connector magazine are protected by copyright, including the designed advertising. Reproduction is prohibited without written consent of the publisher.

818 Broughton Street Victoria, BC Canada V8W 1E4 www.blackpress.ca

www.gowilsonsgroup.com

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 3

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CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

welcome aboard ummer offers a chance for rest and relaxation for many; however, for those of us in the tourism industry, it’s our busiest time of year.

Autumn is when we all take a deep breath and start to relax a little. This has been one of the busiest seasons on record for visitors to both Vancouver and Victoria, and we are so grateful to our guests for trusting us with their travel plans this summer.

As we slow down a bit now in the cooler fall days, it’s a good time to say thank you to our customers and our industry partners — and especially to our amazing staff. During the summer months, our staff gives 110 per cent to ensure that all our guests are enjoying the best possible experience, whether they’re on a full day tour, taking a simple transfer from the airport or travelling between Vancouver and Victoria.

This is a wonderful team effort, involving everyone, from our front-line staff — customer experience agents, drivers and station employees — to our administrative team, and the guys and gals in the maintenance shop.

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g

On behalf of our entire management team, I want to send out a huge thank you to all of our staff.

I also want to thank their families for their support and understanding when their loved ones are working long hours and missing out on the odd barbecue or pool party.

We truly appreciate everyone’s commitment and we hope that you — our customers — have had the pleasure of meeting some of our staff. With that, I encourage you to have a look at our Meet the Wilson’s Group Team feature on page 12. In this issue, we highlight one of our BC Ferries Connector drivers, Rob Dawson, who may be familiar to many of you. Rob is a regular driver between Vancouver and Victoria, so be sure to give him a shout out the next time you travel with us.

We hope you enjoy getting to know our team, as they are truly some of the best!

John Wilson President

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 5

VANCOUVER

BY DARCY NYBO

DAY-TRIPPING:

TSAWWASSEN MILLS

Take the Shopping Shuttle Leave the car at home and shuttle your way to great shopping

BY DARCY NYBO

etting to Tsawwassen Mills shopping mall is now a whole lot easier. With shuttle services from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, Canada Place in downtown Vancouver and the River Rock Casino in Richmond, you can leave the car at home, whether you’re travelling from Victoria or the Mainland.

An exclusive, 42-passenger shopping shuttle now transports people for free from the ferry terminal to the mall on a daily basis, year-round. A 48-passenger coach provides

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6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

transportation from downtown Vancouver and Richmond to Tsawwassen Mills and back again.

With nearly 200 stores, Tsawwassen Mills has the largest offerings of outlet shops in BC. Should you get hungry from all the shopping, there are four, full-service, sitdown restaurants and 15 food retailers in the 1,100-seat food hall.

ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO

This is not your ordinary shopping mall, and Tsawwassen Mills has something for

all ages. Kids will love the Children’s Play Court. When children under 10 join the Mini Mills Club, there’s tons of free stuff available, including birthday gifts, discounts at several stores, buy-one-get-one free meals and more.

You can also take the kids to Uncle Bucks for a game of bowling and a meal.

Over at West 49, known for its action sportswear, you’ll find a 7,000-square-foot, indoor skatepark designed for all skill levels.

The Bass Pro Shop has a huge aquarium as well as a pond where you can cast your line. The entire store is set up like an

CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

THIS IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY SHOPPING MALL. TSAWWASSEN MILLS HAS SOMETHING FOR ALL AGES. outdoor museum with donated, pre-existing taxidermy so you can stare into the eyes of a bear without being eaten.

And then there is the shopping! There are outlet and specialty stores as far as the eye can see, many of which you won’t find anywhere else in BC. Get what you need from brand name sellers at great prices.

Take your time — there’s a lot of stores to visit here. If you live outside Greater Vancouver, pick up your free Love Everything About Savings Booklet for Tourists. It’s full of coupons with additional deals and savings.

Should you get tired from all your shopping, you’ll find several sitting areas throughout the mall, including an armchair resting spot in front of the Tsawwassen Mills Guest Services storefront. Step inside the guest services area and you’ll find stools, bistro tables and complimentary iPads to check out things online. There’s complimentary water too.

TO AND FROM TSAWWASSEN FERRY TERMINAL

Getting to the mall from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal is a breeze.

Upon exiting the terminal, turn left and walk just past the transit stops. You’ll see a big bus with Tsawwassen Mills written all over it. The bus is there for pick up when the ferries from Nanaimo and Victoria arrive; usually at the top of the hour. This shuttle runs during mall hours: 10 am to 9

CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

pm, Monday to Saturday, and Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 7 pm.

The same shuttle will take you back to the ferry terminal where you can walk on the ferry and use your return ticket on Wilson’s BC Ferries Connector to get to downtown Victoria, or purchase one on board the ferry.

The shuttle to the ferry terminal from the mall leaves at half-past the hour and can be found in front of Milestones restaurant. It is advisable to double-check the schedule at tsawwassenmills.com/tourism/ferry-shuttle when planning your trip.

Bridgeport Station in Richmond, right across from the River Rock Casino. Then you can hop on the SkyTrain and take the Canada Line downtown.

Which ever way you get there, you’re sure to enjoy your time at Tsawwassen Mills — and all without having to get into a car.

FROM AND TO VANCOUVER/RICHMOND

Coming from downtown Vancouver or Richmond? Hop on the bus! The shuttle leaves from Canada Place at 10 am and 12:30 pm, stopping for pick-ups at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond at 10:35 am and 1:05 pm. You’ll get a wristband when you board that will reserve your return seat.

Your shuttle heads back to Richmond and Vancouver at 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm daily.

The downtown shuttle can be found at the mall in front of Montana’s and it runs until the end of September. Check the website for updates and announcements about the schedule after that time.

Don’t worry if you miss the bus. There’s also public transit nearby. The bus stop is kitty-corner from the Bass Pro Shop on Hwy 17 and 52nd Street. Just take the 620 bus to SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 7

Golfers' glory

THE MOUNTAIN COURSE AT BEAR MOUNTAIN RESORT.

2017 Pacific Links Championship unfolds at Bear Mountain

BY CHELSEA FORMAN

olf-lovers will get a chance to

and interact with PGA G watch TOUR Champions this September

in one of Canada’s most pristine golf resort communities.

On September 11, the Pacific Links Championship will welcome a full field of world-class golfers to Victoria, and the three-day tournament will be hosted at beautiful Bear Mountain for the second year in a row.

The inaugural Pacific Links 8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

Championship was played at the Kapolei Golf Course in Kapolei, Hawaii — where it remained until moving to the 27 Club in Tianjin, China in 2015. The 2016 event at Bear Mountain was a tremendous success and saw 81 PGA TOUR Champions competing for one of the season’s highest purses — $2.5 million.

“We moved the tournament again because we were drawn to the region — the destination, the whole package with Bear Mountain Resort. It’s a great, unique property where the players have the luxury of staying right on the field,” says tournament director Brad Parkins.

“The course is an affiliate club of Pacific Links, and has also proven to adequately challenge the best players in the world.”

The tournament welcomed 27,000 spectators in 2016, making it one of the year’s largest events held on Vancouver Island.

“It is anticipated that this year will draw about 35,000 spectators,” Brad says. “There was a concern [from spectators] about access to the tournament and we demonstrated a real ease to it last year. Traffic flow up and down the mountain is very accommodating with Wilson Transportation’s shuttle service from the offsite parking.”

CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

Bear Mountain is renowned for its two Nicklaus Design golf courses, co-designed

by Jack Nicklaus and his son, Steve.

All three competitive rounds of the tournament will be played on Bear Mountain’s challenging Mountain Course, which boasts rugged natural beauty, sprawling views and dramatic elevation changes due to its location atop a 1,100-foot mountain. The course is a par 70 playing at 6,900 yards.

“We received tremendous feedback from the players last year about the golf course, the resort and also what Greater Victoria has to offer.

We set up some excursions and were able to showcase the area to the players and their spouses. It went a long way in their enjoyment. Some of the guys even played the Valley Course at Bear Mountain in their spare time last year, and thoroughly enjoyed that land too,” says Brad.

The players’ enjoyment of the region shone in their character on the course in the 2016 tournament. The champions were interactive and spirited with the spectators.

“Golf enthusiasts grew up watching these players. Golf is a unique sport as you are essentially walking the playing field of that of the athlete — something that’s very different from most other sports.

You’re right there next to them and the PGA TOUR Champions definitely play an interactive game — they enjoy interacting with the spectators,” says Brad.

When prompted for predictions about this year’s tournament champion, Brad laughs and says, “I’m not sure what 2017 has in store. Last year was exciting — Colin Montgomerie, the champion, defeated Scott McCarron in a three-hole playoff. They repeated the 18th hole three times before Colin finally sunk a 15-foot birdie putt to win the tournament.”

Colin Montgomerie and Scott McCarron will be returning to the field in 2017, ensuring another exciting tournament and the promise of some healthy competition.

Other champions vying for the win include Bernhard Langer, Stephen Ames, Paul

“WE RECEIVED TREMENDOUS FEEDBACK FROM THE PLAYERS LAST YEAR ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE, THE RESORT AND ALSO WHAT GREATER VICTORIA HAS TO OFFER.”

CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

Goydos, Fred Funk, Jay Haas, and Mark Calcavecchia.

Brad mentions that Pacific Links is looking forward to building on the successes of last year’s event. While the game is unpredictable with the level of talent on the playing field, spectators and champions are promised the opportunity to experience the great game of golf and Bear Mountain’s rustic beauty side by side as the three-day tournament unfolds.

For more information: pacificlinks-bearmountain-championship.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 9

New wheels

ONE OF FOUR, SLEEK NEW BUSES AT WILSON’S TRANSPORTATION.

Wilson's fleet enhanced by four state-of-the-art buses

BY SEAN MCINTYRE

taff at Wilson’s Transportation heralded the start of a new era this summer by adding four new stateof-the-art, long-distance buses to the company’s fleet.

“They’ve been up and running since the end of May, and we’re excited in the direction we’re heading,” says Andrew Wilson, the company’s fleet and maintenance manager. “These are the first new coaches we’ve purchased, and it’s definitely a positive.”

The 56-passenger, H3-45 model buses are manufactured by Quebecbased Prevost Car — a company widely regarded as the leading North American manufacturer of premium passenger coaches. Each of the new

S

buses is kitted out with leather seats, convenient plug-ins for a range of electronic devices and five drop-down, high-definition television screens.

Travellers are likely to immediately notice the vehicles’ modern styling and sleek, tinted, frameless windows, installed to better provide expansive views and greater passenger privacy.

“The thing that stands out for me is that new car smell, so to speak,” Wilson says. “The upholstery looks fresh and the carpeting and flooring look good. It’s just sharp and clean.

It’s new, and it’s the best of the best.”

Under the hood, Wilson says, the buses feature plenty of technology that’s recently been introduced to the heavy-duty vehicle market. Bells and whistles like adaptive cruise control

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“IT’S JUST SHARP AND CLEAN. IT’S NEW, AND IT’S THE BEST OF THE BEST.”

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and braking give passengers a smoother ride and help drivers on the road.

The Prevost H3-45 buses fit seamlessly alongside similar models among Wilson’s expanding fleet of approximately 170 vehicles. This increased standardization gives drivers a familiar feel and streamlines maintenance, Wilson adds.

R primarily E T I on R summer E M tours E Nbetween T R E S I D E N C E The new buses operate Vancouver, BC and Banff, in the Canadian Rockies. The vehicles are also going to be available year-round for private charters across the region.

Wilson says the decision to buy the buses coincides with a SUITES AVAILABLE booming tourism sector that he believes is linked to retiring baby Come see what better looks like! boomers with a desire to travel, and the increasing international popularity of destinations on Vancouver Island, the Lower Quality • Community • Location Mainland and the province’s interior.

Call for viewing, Take a Tour “Business is great,” Wilson says. “This represents a huge and stay for lunch investment, but the business is there, so we took a chance.”

More information, including details about how to charter 1188 Esquimalt Road (Village Centre) any vehicles from the extensive selection in the Wilson’s 250.386.1188 Transportation fleet, visit www.wilsonstransportation.com or www.renaissancevictoria.com call at 1-800-567-3288 during regular weekday business hours.

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MEET THE WILSON’S GROUP TEAM WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THIS JOB? My co-workers and the customers I get to meet every day from around the world.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? I was born in Richmond and grew up in Victoria, but moved to Vancouver 15 years ago.

WHO IS YOUR FAMILY?

My father is deceased. My mother and two brothers live in Vancouver. I have a daughter, who currently attends the University of the Fraser Valley.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF THE JOB? Playing golf and spending time with my family.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO IN VANCOUVER? I like to play the many different golf courses Vancouver has to offer, and enjoy the different types of food and restaurants here.

WHAT IS A “MUST-DO” IN VANCOUVER FOR VISITORS? To walk or bike the Stanley Park Seawall, go to the Capilano Suspension Bridge and to check out the Cruise Ship Terminal At Canada Place.

NAME: Robert Dawson POSITION: Bus Driver TIME WITH WILSON’S: Since February 2016

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? I played for seven years in a Western Lacrosse Association for the Victoria Shamrocks.

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Pantone Dark Blue C C: 100% R: 0 M: 93% G: 37

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EXPLORE • SHOP • PLAY • • • • • • • • • •

Adrienne’s Tea Garden Adrienne’s Ice Cream A Stable Way of Life Cordova Hair Boutique Country Gift Shoppe The Gallery Ladybug Candles & Gifts Lily Pad Lingerie Liquor Plus Mattick’s Farm Mini Golf

• • • • • • • • • •

Paper Chain Paletteable Pottery & Art Studio Pure Day Spa Red Barn Market Something More Sunday’s Snowflakes Seaberry Garden & Flower Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre Toying Around Victoria Pilates

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5325 Cordova Bay Rd. | Open every day | Free parking

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ON THE BUS

World traveller heads to Victoria

BY LAUREN BOOTHBY

oday, 52-year-old Maria Barton is taking a daytrip from Vancouver to Victoria, checking off another city on the itinerary of her 72day trip around the world.

She chats and laughs with the woman beside her as with an old friend, although they met only minutes earlier when they boarded the BC Ferries Connector onboard the ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. “Everywhere, I meet people,” Maria laughs.

Maria’s friendly demeanor and openness to experience helps her make friends everywhere she goes, revealing a world of travel opportunities. It’s how she made a new friend when she stayed in a Toronto hostel last year, ultimately leading her on a trip to Germany.

“She was from Berlin. She was beautiful, but very shy. I started talking to her,” she says. “I say I’m going to be in

T

Berlin next month, and she said ‘come stay with me.’ I got to see the four corners of Berlin with her.”

Last year Maria visited Mexico, her first trip outside of the US since moving to Hawaii from Brazil when she was a teen.

Since then she’s caught the travel bug, motivating her to plan her most recent adventure.

“That’s when I (got) the urge,” she says. “I saw the beauty and the richness, and the power and the love, and the food.

Mexico is amazing.”

This time, she’s starting her trip in Vancouver.

“I love Canada. My heart is here.”

Canada is the first of 14 countries she plans to visit over her 72-day trip this summer, including England, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, Germany and Portugal.

As for what comes after Portugal, she is leaving her options open.

HAWAII-RESIDENT MARIA BARTON ONBOARD THE BC FERRIES CONNECTOR. LAUREN BOOTHBY PHOTO.

Her plans today are flexible as well.

“I wanted to learn a little bit about the culture, what you have here,” she says.

“I’m going to let my instincts guide me.

Whatever happens will happen. It is a journey, right?”

As for sight-seeing, her new friend Robin has some suggestions: visit one of the museums, walk in the gardens by the water, and check out local businesses, restaurants and shopping on Government Street.

At Berwick Retirement Communities, you will enjoy an unparalleled standard of living at a superior value. We offer vibrant communities created by caring people, where the individual needs of the residents always comes first.

Find out about The Berwick Way™.

Visit BerwickRetirement.com Berwick Royal Oak: 4 6 8 0 E L K L A K E D R ., V I C TO R I A | 2 5 0 . 3 8 6 . 4 6 8 0 Berwick House: 4 0 6 2 S H E L B O U R N E ST., V I C TO R I A | 2 5 0 . 7 2 1 . 4 0 6 2 CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 13

Five mustsee or mustdo events in September and October

FIVE DRIVE ON THE

VICTORIA>VANCOUVER>

VICTORIA

event. Because of its raving success last year, Electric Avenue — Rifflandia’s biggest licensed night venue — will be back again this year on Discovery Street. Make sure to check out the different ticket options, including Super passes, VIP passes and Wristband Connect, which allows special perks to wristband wearers in the week leading up to and during Rifflandia. rifflandia.com

Great Canadian Beer Festival Where: Royal Athletic Park When: September 8, 4-9 pm and September 9, noon-5 pm

Featuring one cidery and more than 64 craft breweries from all across Canada, this festival is a taste bud gold mine. The Great Canadian Beer Festival includes a selection of more than 170 beers from all around the world with more than 8,000 beer enthusiasts sipping and sampling these products over a span of two days. This is the perfect opportunity to support the craft-brewing industry, while finding a new favourite brew (or five) — the choosing is guaranteed to be a difficult feat with all the flavourful options. Come down and meet the brewers and cider makers, who will be eager to share information about the process of traditional small-batch brewing, and get you equally excited about the outcome! www.gcbf.com

THANK YOU VICTORIA!

The UrbaCity Challenge

Where: Victoria Conference Centre When:year, September 24 This we asked if you were up for a challenge:

The Challenge is Victoria’s own urban adventure race! onUrbaCity Sunday June 12, you proved that you were!

Teams have four hours to complete a certain number of secret About 200 racers took on the UrbaCity course, challenges that involve teamwork, problem-solving, mental agility completing amazing Challenge Stations and physical prowess. This race provides a unique and fun body/ and fundraising to benefi our charity, brain workout, and it’s also a fundraiser fortthe Island Prostate Where: Royal Athletic Park & Various Other Downtown Venues Island Prostate Centre.

Centre, which is an integral local service that provides free When: September 14-17 consultation and screening.

Over 100 volunteers from MAXIMUS Spanning across numerous stages throughout the charming and Canada put on this event, ensuring that each challenge station is historic downtown core of Victoria, Rifflandia returns with a unique,PARTNER: strenuously stimulating full ofgo mystery. free-form PRESENTING Ourand thanks out toThe all our racers, bang for its 10th edition. Transforming the city into a feast for course leads teams through Victoria’s hot spots, heritage buildings sponsors, volunteers, and friends the ears, this festival features a diverse lineup of artists, including and bumping local businesses,ofsoUrbaCity. racers get a unique (and perhaps Moby (DJ), Zeds Dead, Bonobo and July Talk, to name a few slightly sweaty) Victoria experience. headliners. Running for four days straight of music, food, drinks PROCEEDS BENEFIT: urbacitychallenge.ca and band merchandise, Rifflandia is a legendary and “must-do” Brain 1st Place: Scotney

Rifflandia

14 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

Brawn 1st Place: Gym ClassGROUP Heroes CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S Ultra 1st Place: Runners Against

Victoria Festival of Authors Where: Various venues When: September 27 - October 1

Victoria Festival of Authors starts September 27 with a fantastic lineup of local and national authors. Expect big crowds for the four readings, ranging from an evening in celebration of poetry power-couple Lorna Crozier and Patrick Lane, to a party at the Vancouver Island School of Art that includes an art show, music and cocktails created for each feature author courtesy of Sheringham Distillery. There are about 30 writers coming in all, ranging from Ontario poet Gregory Scofield to prairie-based creative non-fiction author Sharon Butala.

Of particular interest will be renowned novelist Barbara Gowdy, whose serious health issues have kept her sidelined for the last few years.

routines or holidays, family is an essential and worldwide concept.

Discover internal and external truths of the definition by walking through a living interactive photo album — starting way back with First Nations families and early settlers. Learn how traditions brought to BC by immigrant families originated, and which family traditions have been refined or remain the same. Who knows, you may unravel secrets of your own family lineage! royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/exhibitions/family

VANCOUVER

victoriafestivalofauthors.ca

Vancouver Fringe Festival Where: Various venues When: September 7-17

Family: Bonds and Belonging Where: Royal BC Museum When: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm until October 31

The Royal BC Museum is proud to present its exhibition, Family: Bonds and Belonging, dedicated to family and exploring what the term truly means to each individual. Whether it’s determined by blood, devotion, loyalty, or even a person with whom you share CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

The Vancouver Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of Theatre for Everyone! In 2017 it will feature more than 700 performances by over 90 artists over 11 days. The festival employs an “everyone welcome” selection technique — the Mainstage shows are literally drawn out of a hat, giving all artists a chance to participate. The Vancouver Fringe Festival also features unique site-specific theatre where artists stage their work in the nooks and crannies of Granville Island, as part of the Fringe Onsite Program. You can “feast at the fringe” via some of the city’s top food trucks and check out the Big Rock Brewery Fringe Bar, the Festival’s social hub (located at Ocean Art Works, in front of Ocean Concrete and next to the Creekhouse on Granville Island.) This festival is part theatre, part party! vancouverfringe.com

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 15

FIVE ON THE DRIVE

Canucks Season-opening Home Games Where: Rogers Arena When: October 7-14

BC Culture Days

Where: Various Locations in the lower Mainland When: September 29 - October 1

Taking off in 2010 and engaging more than 700 cities and towns across Canada, Culture Days are back! Happening this year on the September 29 - October 1 weekend, this volunteer-based movement generates an outstanding amount of awareness, participation and integration of Canadians in their communal world of arts and culture. This event invites the public to bring to light more about the community of artists, historians, architects, curators and designers by partaking in interactive activities. To get a peek at what artists are brewing, and to find out more about what to expect from this year’s eighth annual Culture Days, browse the website.

Rogers Arena is the place to be on Saturday October 7 as it hosts the Vancouver Canucks’ 2017-18 season opener against the Edmonton Oilers. Not only will this match be an intense showdown facing league MVP and scoring champion Connor McDavid, but also special as it marks the third time in Canucks’ history the team has ever started the regular season against the Oilers — and the first time since the 1992-93 season. This year’s Canucks’ season starts with a unique four-game home stand against four different Canadian teams, running between October 7 and 14. The Canucks will then take to the road for a five-game spell starting in Ottawa on October 17, and finishing in Minnesota on October 24. But it doesn’t stop there — November and March will be the busiest months for the Canucks, so get your vocal chords ready to cheer! nhl.com/canucks

bc.culturedays.ca

The Cheese and Meat Festival Vancouver

Jersey Boys

It is an exciting time in the Pacific Northwest when artisan shops are in full bloom, awakening taste buds all across the land. With its delicious charcuterie spreads, unbeatable sweet and sour bites paired with wine, beer and cider, The Cheese and Meat Festival will get your mouth watering at the Vancouver Roundhouse Arts and Community Centre this September. Triple cream brie, pink peppercorn and caraway seeds, Gouda, sweet and savoury macaroons, nuts and olives, dips and spreads, hops and cocktails, chutneys and pickled products — and the list doesn’t stop there!

Come find out for yourself by strolling leisurely through the grounds and taste testing both local and international treats.

Additionally, there will be an on-site store, enabling you to buy the products directly, in case you want your sampling to never end….

Smoke, strobe lights, gunshots and action! Look out Vancouver, Jersey Boys the musical is coming to town this Novmeber to tell the story of how Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons became one of the most impressive successes in pop music history. Starting their careers as four anonymous, blue-collar New Jersey kids, they invented their own sound and identity. They wrote their own hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” — which are all featured in the musical —and sold 175 million records all across the world before they hit 30. A true story and inspiring tale, Jersey Boys was the winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, and features two-time Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff. Please note: Jersey Boys is not recommended for all ages.

Where: The Roundhouse When: September 30

cheeseandmeatfestival.com

16 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre When: November 14-19

jerseyboysinfo.com

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Coming to Victoria?

Traveling by land, sea or air, The Wilson’s Group has you covered

Daily Year Round Bus Transportation Between Victoria and Vancouver

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 17

VICTORIA + VANCOUVER

BY DARCY NYBO

FIVE FOR THE

FOODIE

PATIO PUNCH

There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious meal with a relaxing view of the water. We went to five very different restaurants with five completely different patio ocean vibes.

THE PATIO AT ANACORA.

ANCORA

1600 HOWE STREET, Vancouver

Located in Vancouver’s West End, Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio has great view of the ocean, boats and people! According to its website, it aims to “embrace the harmony of Peruvian and Japanese cultures while incorporating the bounty of riches the West Coast has to offer.”

We went for brunch, and the freshness of the produce was evident.

Most of Ancora’s meals are served with a complimentary chilled pea soup with toasted quinoa and an olive oil drizzle on the side. The Quinoa Salad and Eggs was a festival of flavour, including edamame, pickled beets, kale, ocopa and nori puffs. Come hungry and get a side of yucca fries with a mildly spiced Huancaina sauce. Bring a friend who likes to share dessert — the Suspiro de Lucuma with lucuma parfait, guava sorbet and aerated Dulcey was meant for sharing. The Blue and Grey is a great combo of Earl Grey brÛlée, blueberry and lavender ice cream topped off with some Earl Grey shortbread.

MUST TRY: : The Dungeness Crab Benny has one of the best hollandaise sauces I’ve ever tasted. Two perfectly poached eggs atop English muffins, served with a tasty potato pave and green salad. I hear the Salmon Benny is just as good!

18 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

BLUE CRAB’S CROISSANT PUDDING.

Blue Crab Seafood House (at the Coast Hotel) 146 Kingston Street, Victoria

Located in the Coast Hotel, the Blue Crab has a great harbour view and is a five-minute walk from Fisherman’s Wharf. It sources all its greens and vegetables locally and serves a wide variety of seafood. The seared scallops with wild BC mushrooms and zucchini ragout with black truffle miso vinaigrette just melt in your mouth. Creamy and sweet, they are a must-try, as are the crab cakes served with a chili aioli. The Dungenous crab is naturally sweet — perfect for dunking into Blue Crab’s rosemary butter.

Added bonus: fresh local vegetables roasted to perfection.

MUST TRY: I’d never had croissant pudding before, and now I must go back for more! As the name suggests, the base is a croissant, but that’s as far as the resemblance to croissants goes. This dessert made my taste buds oh-so-happy. Baked up with candied pecans and single malt scotch, and topped with vanilla ice cream, it’s the perfect way to end a delicious seafood meal.

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lemon chive butter. For dessert, indulge your sweet tooth with the Steamship’s pyramid of mini donuts coated in sugar and cinnamon with a hazelnut espresso dipping sauce.

MUST TRY: The Local Pacific Blackened Snapper floods your mouth with a rush of flavours that will make you deliriously happy that you ordered it. The sweet mango salsa provides a perfect contrast for this slightly salty dish, all served up with a fluffy basmati rice pilaf.

PATIO (LEFT) AND FEAST AT CANOE BREWPUB.

CAESER AND TEMPURA CAULIFFLOWER AT TAP AND BARREL.

CANOE Brewpub

450 Swift St., Victoria

Canoe has an interesting water view of Victoria’s upper harbour, looking across to the Point Hope Shipyard. If you want to access it via the water, a harbour ferry will drop you off just steps from the patio.

Canoe has taken pub fare and cranked it up a notch for some topquality eats. Its pork belly bites are made with a sherry gastrique, while the beet and cantaloupe salad registers off the charts for freshness.

Canoe serves a great burger too: it has a delicious sauce made with mustard, mayo, relish gherkins, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

For something from the ocean, try the sockeye salmon. It’s sesame encrusted and topped with apple slices and watermelon radish.

MUST TRY: The squid here is flash fried and tasty as heck. They use the body of the squid, not just the tentacles. It was very tender and served with a garlic-and-chili crunch in a cilantro and radish salad. The spicy dipping sauce made every bite delicious. Note: if you don’t eat all the sauce, save it for your french fries!

Tap and Barrel

False Creek Sea Wall, Olympic Village, Vancouver

MINI DONUTS AT STEAMSHIP. PHOTO BY KAT HENN

Steamship Grill and Taphouse 470 Belleville St., Victoria

Located next door to the Black Ball Ferry Line and below the Robert Bateman Centre, Steamship Grill and Taphouse’s view gives you so many things to look at, you may forget to eat. But don’t! The food here is sumptuous. We had the Spicy Firecracker Shrimp with a chili lime butter sauce, served with toasted garlic herb bread and fresh basil. The sauce has a subtle warmth to it that stays with you even after your last bite. The quinoa crab cakes are a nice gluten-free option and they’re served with a roasted cauliflower purée and a preserved lemon aioli.

They also offer up a mean wild Fraser River sockeye salmon with

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The Tap and Barrel in Olympic Village gives you great views of the village and the water. As a bonus, it’s steps away from Science World, BC Place and Rogers Arena.

It’s almost a necessity to start your meal here with Famous Fried Pickles and creamy dill dip. They are crunchy, very dill pickley, and really tasty. The tempura cauliflower is also a great starter; it’s served with a curried yogurt dip and fresh cilantro. There’s so much on this menu, you may have a hard time deciding. For a vegan dish, check out the Thai red curry. Want something to share? Try the Margherita pizza with grana padano cheese and fire-roasted tomato sauce and fresh basil.

MUST TRY: Tap and Barrel’s PB & J Burger is one of the tastiest and messiest burgers around. Keep the napkin nearby! The J is a sweet bacon jam, while the PB is blended with chipotle for a little kick. Top it off with lettuce, tomato, house mayo and a pickle wedge and you’ve got a filling meal.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 19

HIT THE

KIM JAY PHOTO

PHOTOS AND TEXT

BY SIERRA LUNDY

ROAD THE FASHION-SAVVY TRAVELLER Pablo Zamudio Claim to fame: Owner of El Kartel, streetwear for men and women, located on Granville Street and in Chinatown, Vancouver

Where were you born, where did you grow up?

I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and lived there until I was 18. Then I moved to Walla Walla, Washington to attend high school. After graduating, I went back to Guadalajara to go to university, and then in 1998, I moved to Vancouver. I’ve been here ever since.

What brought you to Vancouver?

I came to Vancouver in 1997 and fell in love with the city. Later on that year, I met a really nice artist from Vancouver in Guadalajara; we became very good friends and she invited me to come visit. I was really into snowboarding, skating, music and nature, so I got hooked right away. I ended up staying longer than expected, and after a few months I met the love of my life, got married and the rest is history.

What makes your stores different?

I think El Kartel is more than just a clothing store. We treat it as an art gallery as well.

Every six to seven weeks we have an opening and support painters, photographers, fashion designers, musicians etc. It’s also a place where many people gather and recharge their batteries, get inspired, meet someone new, and listen to some special music like jazz, soundtracks, space-age bachelor pad, bossa, chicha, Italo disco and rarities. It has become the headquarters for many, and we are like a big family.

What's important to you as a business owner?

Top by Études ($350), purchased in Paris; Slash Pants ($115) by Publish, based in Las Angeles, and available at El Kartel; sunglasses ($269) Seebaldt by Super (Italy) from El Kartel; hat ($200) by Larose, purchased in Paris; bag, PROJECT, Las Vegas. “My bag is from a big trade show in Vegas called PROJECT. I used to attend every six months and they would give away the coolest bags to all the attendants. It’s one of my favourite bags; I can’t believe it’s lasted this long.”

20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

As a business owner, it’s important for me to remind myself that money isn’t everything and that even if retail is tougher than ever, life is good when you do what you love, are around good people and can share what you are passionate about with others who appreciate it.

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Watch ($220) by Daniel Wellington from El Kartel; shoes ($85) CT70 by Converse from El Kartel. At right, Pablo Zamudio with one of his own paintings.

What does good travelling style mean to you?

When I travel, I like to be comfortable but still feel good about what I’m wearing.

Usually I go for some oversize top and crewneck, and some soft crop pants that feel like PJs but look rad. I like to wear my 1970s premium Converse — they are the

CONNECTOR l THE WILSON’S GROUP

most comfortable shoes and have that old school style look (hard to find; most people don’t know they exist).

What do you do while riding the bus?

Usually when I’m on a bus or airplane travelling, I fall sleep in a second.

What do you like to do on your days off?

On my days off I love going to the beach, skateboarding around Stanley Park or at a skatepark, paddleboarding, playing some music, taking photos, painting, record shopping and cooking.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 21

BC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

BY THE NUMBERS

Wilson’s is committed to actively supporting a healthy and vibrant community through sponsorships, charitable donations, and by having our leadership team volunteer on various boards and committees. Our support is wide and varied, from arts programs to sports and local charities, and we take tremendous pride in these relationships. Wilson’s is a proud sponsor of BC Children’s Hospital.

6,423 85,000

48,236

9,146

The number of operating room visits in 2015/16.

1982

The number of emergency department visits in 2015-16

The year construction was completed and the new BC Children’s Hospital opened to its first patients. At a cost of $60 million, the 29,730-squaremetre facility housed 250 acute care beds, an adolescent unit, a modern isolation facility, a rehabilitation unit, a 10-bed psychiatric unit and a 60-bed special care nursery.

The number of surgical daycare visits in 2015/16.

The number of infants, children and youth that BC Children’s Hospital serves each year.

45,303 1923

1,000+

The number of researchers at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, who work every day to improve treatments, discover cures and push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

59,400

The size, in square metres, of the new Teck Acute Care Centre, scheduled to open later this year. The $676 million project will include clinical space and 231 single-patient rooms on eight floors.

22 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

The number of inpatient days in 2015/16.

The year to which BC Children’s Hospital traces its roots. This is when the BC Women’s Institute established a fund for crippled children.

In 1928, Vancouver’s Crippled Children’s Hospital admitted its first patient at its Hudson Street location.

123

Number of specialty care beds, staffed and in operation.

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Over 100 years in bloom

Victoria, British Columbia Canada butchartgardens.com

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Open daily at 9am SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 23

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