Special Features - PEARL Feb/March 2018

PEARL FEB / MAR 2018

THE GEM OF THE SALISH SEA

INSIDE › › › ›

PEOPLE HOMES HISTORY LIFESTYLE

By

Golly,

we’ve done it...

...we’ve finally moved!

Moving can seem like an impossible task; but where there’s a will, there’s a way… despite the challenges along the road.

At Sidney SeniorCare, we see it as an invaluable opportunity to move forward – to enhance the quality of service for our clients and increase overall efficiency and communication.

We’ve officially moved to a bigger, better location, and have centralized all of our regional offices, right around the corner just above Toast Café.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Beacon Ave.

Old Location

Third St.

Fourth St.

Fifth St.

New Location

Bevan Ave.

201-2400 Bevan Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1W1 250-656-7176 or 250-589-0010

CONTENTS

FEB/MARCH 2018

8 Editor’s letter: When Winter is Spring 10 Food + Drink: Cocktail Hour 14 Health + Fitness: CrossFit for Life 16 Special Spaces: Views Across the Water 24 Fashion: Equi-Style 28 Lifestyle: Sweet Sundays 34 At Home With Hamish Crawford 38 History: An Accidental Gardener 42 Travel: The Living Desert 44 Meet our Advertisers 46 Paws on the Peninsula

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14

34

28 on our cover Model Devon Ball photographed with Rico (the horse) on location at a private stable on the Saanich Peninsula.

Photo by Lia Crowe

10 GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto 250.480.3204 INTERIM PUBLISHER + ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Dale Naftel sales@peninsulanewsreview.com 250.656.1151 EDITOR Susan Lundy lundys@shaw.ca ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe 4

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan PEARL CREATIVE & DESIGN Lorianne Koch PHOTOGRAPHERS Don Denton Lia Crowe Hans Tammemagi CREATIVE SERVICES Rose Bandura Michelle Gjerde

PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

ADVERTISING Dale Naftel sales@peninsulanewsreview.com 250.656.1151 Christopher R. Cook chris.cook@blackpress.ca 250.656.1151 DISTRIBUTION Lindsay Celeste 250.480.3208

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PEARL magazine is 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,

prohibited without written

103-9830 Second Street, Sidney, British Columbia PH 250.656.1151

consent of the publisher.

www.peninsulanewsreview.com

including the designed advertising. Reproduction is

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CONTRIBUTORS

LAWYER & NOTARY PUBLIC

New Location!

ANGELA COWAN

104-9840 Fifth Street, Sidney, BC V8L 2X3 Tel: 250.665-6869 eversonlaw.ca

LIA CROWE

Angela is an award-winning journalist, poet, and freelance writer and editor. 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 on the editorial side of lifestyle magazines.

DON DENTON

CHELSEA FORMAN

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.

Chelsea is a lifestyle writer and has had the opportunity to write stories about people and places around the world. One of Chelsea’s favourite places to write about is her home on the Saanich Peninsula.

SEAN MCINTYRE

DARCY NYBO

Wendy L. Everson Wills | Trust & Estates | Real Estate | Business & Family Law

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Sean McIntyre is a freelance writer from Montreal who now works, plays and enjoys living on Salt Spring Island with his wife Natsuko and their dog Goma.

Darcy is a freelance writer, an award-winning author, book editor and publisher, and a writing instructor. Words are her passion and she knows everyone has a story to tell.

HANS TAMMEMAGI

Hans’ writing includes travel, environment and native culture.

He has penned 10 books and writes for numerous newspapers and magazines in Canada and internationally.

PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

EDITOR’S LETTER SUSAN LUNDY

When winter is really spring

M

any people in this country would be stunned that this could even be a debate. But, here it is: should a magazine publishing in mid-February on the Peninsula be a “winter” or “spring” edition?

Theoretically, it’s still winter. However, budding pink cherry blossoms, bursting crocuses and blooming daffodils defy the calendar.

In Calgary, where I spent three winters, the chance of snow remained a possibility right up to the long weekend in May. There is no doubt there, and in most of the country, that a mid-February magazine is a deep, dark winter edition.

Once, amid the Calgary Deep Freeze in March, we scraped the ice off the truck, battled a whiteout on the highway out of town, and drove towards the coast through slush and drifting snow that swirled like fog on the pavement.

Eventually, we made it to Victoria, where we unzipped our thick, good-to-minus-40° coats, unpeeled scarves and gloves, and looked about us in wonder. Soft sun sat on our shoulders, birds chirped and gardens burst with flowers.

Back in Calgary, it was bone-chilling winter and even flower shops didn’t dare display their blooms outside. There, cars were crusted with thick chunks of gritty snow on the tire wells.

Here, cars were covered in petals that had fallen from trees flushed pink by blossoms.

Every few steps, we stopped and iPhonesnapped photo upon photo of these flowers.

We uploaded to Facebook so others back in Calgary could share our wonder. (Ha — read

"seethe with jealousy.")

The fact is, we live in a wondrous place. And as we round the corner, marching from January into February, spring is just a few steps ahead. True, we can still get a sprinkling of the white stuff — forcing us to publish more taunting photos of blossoms iced with melting snow — but the worst of winter is behind us.

BUT WHEN THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLOOM IN FEBRUARY ON VANCOUVER ISLAND, AND WE’RE COUNTING FLOWERS IN EARLY MARCH, THERE’S NOWHERE I’D RATHER BE. Born and raised in Victoria, I find weather predictions mildly interesting but not essential. How many times do you need to look at a rain icon to know you probably want to wear a waterproof coat and boots six months of the year?

But in Calgary, it was a favourite topic of conversation, and for good reason. Late last November, for example, the temperature showed a 16° C variation from one part of the city to the other. And early in January, when the mercury was hovering around -25° C, a Chinook rolled in, and the city warmed up 30 degrees in a matter of days.

And aside from the grim spring in Calgary,

I didn’t mind the weather, partially because it was so unpredictable, but mostly because the sun shone almost daily and rain was merely a concept. And where else could you wake up in the morning, enthuse, “It’s warmed up! It’s only -16°!” — and be genuinely happy about it?

But when the cherry blossoms bloom in February on Vancouver Island, and we’re counting flowers in early March, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

A sense of spring abounds in this “winter” edition of Pearl, especially as we consider the bursting bloom of colour at The Butchart Gardens, which is both the subject of our history story — “An Accidental Gardener” — and one of four potential stops in our feature piece, "Sweet Sundays: Four Ideas to Rev Up Winter Weekends in the Peninsula." (Or should that be “spring?”)

In our feature house story, "Views Across the Water," homeowners Fran and Al Boyd enthuse about their beautiful waterfront home.

Writer Hans Tammemagi meets the eccentric, fun-loving and innovative Hamish Crawford in “At Home With” and details Palm Spring’s Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in his regular Footloose Travel column.

Our fashion story pays homage to the equestrian community on the Peninsula — not to mention the great styles available here.

Finally, writer Chelsea Forman discovers the benefits of CrossFit in our new Health + Fitness section, while Darcy Nybo tries some trendy drinks in “Cocktail Hour.” (Who got the better assignment there?)

Happy spring, everyone. We hope you enjoy this “winter” edition. P

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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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

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PEARL INSIDER [ food + drink]

COCKTAIL HOUR Colour your world with classic local drinks WORDS: DARCY NYBO

The Empress & Tonic from Victoria Distillers.

R

obert Fulghum, the American author of the famous book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, once said, “If you want an interesting party sometime, combine cocktails and a fresh box of crayons for everyone.” I found some downright delicious spirits right here on the Peninsula, perfect for colouring the world.

First, I headed up the hill to de Vine Vineyards and Distillery for its take on the classic cocktail. Bradley Scissions is a fount of information when it comes to all things cocktail related — a true cocktail aficionado.

He believes in keeping it simple and letting the spirits be the star of the show.

My first sample drink was the de Vine Intervention. This cocktail is made with Genever gin. De Vine is one of the few distilleries around that makes this original, Dutch-style gin, and it uses organically grown BC malted barley. This drink is like G&T on steroids. There’s a touch of licorice flavouring, thanks to the star anise in the vermouth.

Up next was the good old-fashioned Old Fashioned. It’s made with de Vine Honey Shine, a honey based, barrel-aged rum, with a gorgeous caramel colour and smooth taste.

As Brad explained, it’s important to rub the rim of the glass with an orange peel. The citric acid opens the taste buds, offering an enhanced flavour profile. Despite the fact this drink is mostly alcohol, it’s not overly strong and quite tasty. It can be best described as “Vancouver Island meets Barbados.”

We finished up with a vodka and lemonade. This refreshing drink is made with Sitka Vodka, co-branded with the Sitka Clothing company in downtown Victoria. It’s a simple drink: vodka, Morley’s Lemonade and a sprig of rosemary in a tall glass of ice. The ingredients combine for some nice, earthy aromas and a delightful taste.

Next, it was time to taste the creations at Victoria Distillers in Sidney. Peter Hunt greeted me with a smile and a tour of the facility — it was fascinating to see the distillation process in progress.

Back in the tasting room, I was treated to some unique, simple-butelegant cocktails. First up was the Hunting Party, a basic cocktail with unexpectedly great flavours. Victoria Distillers oaks its Oaken Gin, giving it a distinctive flavour. Simply pour Oaken Gin, Dubonnet and Amaro Montenegro over ice and serve with a lemon or orange twist. It’s a strong drink that "goes down smooth."

They also brew a purple gin here, specifically for the Fairmont Empress Hotel. The Empress Gin has a beautiful lavender colour, thanks to the pea flower and Empress blend tea added near the end of the process. This distinctive gin makes a very colourful Empress and tonic. Simply mix Empress gin and tonic water, add a slice of grapefruit and serve! (You'll be surprised by the colour.)

Victoria Distillers' take on the Old Fashioned is slightly different. Its Smoke & Oak Fashioned takes a little longer to make, but the flavours are well worth it. It involves literally smoking the rock glass by lighting a piece of oak, placing the glass over it and letting the smoke coat the glass. Then combine the ingredients (see recipe) for an amazing flavour profile. The aftertaste is incredible and leaves a trace of smoky deliciousness behind.

Make one, or make them all and have a tasting party. Maybe add a box of crayons. There’s no better way to enjoy the ingenuity and unique flavours of cocktails made with Peninsula goodness. It’s sure to colour your world.

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The Hunting Party from Victoria Distillers.

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The de Vine Intervention 1 ½ oz. Genever ½ oz. Moderna Vermouth 2 oz. Fever-Tree Tonic Fill rock glass with ice. Pour 1.5 ounces of Genever over ice. Add a half an ounce of Moderna vermouth. Top with two ounces of Fever-Tree tonic. Stir gently and garnish with lemon peel.

Get Hooked on Fifth.

de Vine Cocktail RECIPES

Old Fashioned – Honey Shine style 2 oz. of Honey Shine amber rum 2 dashes of Angostura bitters sugar cube lemon peel Take large pint glass and place sugar cube in bottom and add two dashes of Angostura bitters on top of sugar cube. Allow bitters to soak into cube. Pour two ounces of Honey Shine over the sugar cube. Stir gently to amalgamate all ingredients. Fill glass with ice. Stir 15-20 times with bar spoon. Taste for proper dilution. Pour over large block of ice. Garnish with lemon peel.

2016

Sitka Vodka with Rosemary Lemonade 2 oz. Sitka Vodka 3 oz. lemonade 1 oz. soda water 1 sprig of rosemary Place sprig of rosemary in rock glass. Fill glass with ice. Pour two ounces of Sitka Vodka over rosemary and ice. Add three ounces of lemonade. Top with soda water. Stir gently.

READERS’ CHOICE AWA R D S

2017

The Hunting Party 1 oz. Oaken Gin ¾ oz. Dubonnet ¾ oz. Amaro Montenegro Pour over ice and stir. Serve with an orange or lemon twist.

Victoria Distillers Cocktail RECIPES

Empress & Tonic 2 oz. Empress 1908 3-4 oz. Fentimans Traditional Tonic Water Grapefruit slice Fill a glass with large ice cubes. Pour gin over top of cubes, add tonic, stir well and garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Smoke & Oak Fashioned 2 oz. Oaken Gin ¼ oz. smoked maple syrup 2 dashes Angostura bitters 3 dashes Twisted & Bitter Orange Bitters 1 cherry 1 large (round) ice cube 1 large chip of oak, spruce or other dried wood Smoke the glass by placing it over a smouldering chip of wood. As the glass gathers smoke, combine ingredients in a mixing glass and stir on ice. Once the glass is smoked, add the large cube and cherry, then add the mixed ingredients and serve. P

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PEARL INSIDER [ health+ fitness]

CROSSFIT FOR LIFE Exercise for fitness and wellbeing

WORDS: CHELSEA FORMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY: DON DENTON

I

t’s a cool evening in October — you know the kind — black skies at six o’clock and a chill that shakes you to the bone. It’s a night that makes you want to curl up under a blanket and hide out until morning. Instead, I’m dashing across the parking lot and through the front door of Keating CrossFit for the first time.

The fully loaded gym is clean and rustic, with visible signs of hard work and determination suggested through conspicuous scratches here and there.

Brent Owen, owner and head coach, welcomes me and 10 others to our inaugural session of the Keating CrossFit beginner series. The series is one month long, consists of two lessons a week, and Brent, with an assistant coach, teaches the fundamentals of the sport. Beginner series are common at all CrossFit gyms but the extent and delivery vary.

As I stand in line with my beginner comrades, I’m afraid. Brent stands before us with a cool reserve and confidence. He’s incredibly fit and speaks fluently about CrossFit, demonstrating his intimate knowledge of the sport.

Brent takes us through a typical CrossFit workout, which includes a warm-up, strength training and a “workout of the day,” better known as WoD. He is meticulous in his training. He has the eye of a hawk and, with the help of his assistant coach, manages to pay individual attention to everyone, ensuring we are doing the movements correctly.

“People come in here and think CrossFit is going to be hard. But all exercise is hard; it’s more about the effort you’re willing to put in. The difference when you come into a class like CrossFit is that you have a coach, someone like me watching you, encouraging you and expecting you to work hard,” says Brent.

Brent opened Keating CrossFit in 2014. The father of three young children describes CrossFit as a vessel for propelling change in people’s lives.

“You want to change your life when you come in here. I fell in love with being fit, feeling good and being in a good mood all the time,” Brent explains. “Once you start getting a little bit better and you see that you can do things you never thought you could do, you build a whole new confidence, which carries through to every part of your life.

It’s been about five months since that cool night in October and I have succumbed to the addictive nature of CrossFit. The sport is commonly referred to as the “CrossFit Community.” There is an undercurrent of acceptance and support for everyone’s personal circumstances and fitness level.

“CrossFit is for absolutely everyone. The movements are all scalable and practical. The hardest part for anyone is walking through the front door,” notes Brent.

CrossFit is a place where people of all ages (from teens right up to seniors), fitness levels and personal conditions — from injuries to pregnancies — come together to support one another in sport and in life.

I owe credit to Brent for a few important things: first, he has effectively debunked any negative connotations I previously had about the sport; second, he is beyond tolerant of my endless string of questions, even when I am repeating myself; third, the man has whipped me into better shape than I could have ever anticipated being in my life. P

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Brent Owen, owner and head coach at Keating CrossFit, sits on a stack of weights in his gym.

• CrossFit workouts are designed to be comprehensive and include high intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics and strongman components.

• The ten key physical qualities CrossFit contributes to are: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, power, speed, coordination, stamina, strength, flexibility, agility, balance and accuracy.

Beginner Tips: 1) Find a good coach. I could never have started on this journey without the proficient instruction of Brent and the other coaches at Keating CrossFit. 2) Start slowly and respect the limits of your body. I am still the slowest and lightest lifter in every class I go to, but I know I’m working my hardest, and listening to my body (in and out of class).

3) Don’t be afraid to speak up. If something doesn’t feel right, or a movement is hurting you in any way, tell your coach; he or she can easily offer you tips or an alternative exercise.

“CROSSFIT IS FOR ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE. THE MOVEMENTS ARE ALL SCALABLE AND PRACTICAL. THE HARDEST PART FOR ANYONE IS WALKING THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.”

PEARL INSIDER [ great spaces]

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

VIEWS ACROSS THE WATER Finding serenity in Saanich WORDS: DARCY NYBO PHOTOGRAPHY: LIA CROWE

QUICK FACTS: Sq. ft.: 5,400 on two floors (2,700 each floor) Bathrooms: 3 full, one powder Bedrooms: 4 full Fitness room, den, office, family room, bar area, hot tub and workshop 1 fireplace, 1 wood stove Garage: oversize 2-car garage Waterfront: 95 feet .91 acre of land

M

oving is never an easy task; however, when Fran and Al Boyd came from Burnaby to look at homes on the Saanich Peninsula, they knew it had to be done.

“We fell in love with the area and it met all our criteria,” said Fran.

Her husband, Al, agreed.

“It was close to an airport, close to the ferry, close to the curling rink and minutes away from downtown Victoria,” he said.

One element was non-negotiable. Their new home had to have a water view or be on the water. They took a drive, saw a for sale sign, looked at the home and the rest is history.

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

When you walk into this beautiful, waterfront home, the vaulted ceilings give a feeling of space and openness. The gorgeous view is serene and calming. Once you adjust to the view, your eyes are drawn to the white mantled fireplace and the spacious great room.

Fran loves absolutely everything about their new home with its 180 degree views of the ocean from the kitchen, dining room, great room and the master bedroom.

“We are so blessed to wake up every morning and see this view,” she said, gazing out across the ocean from the dining room.

In the warmer months, the couple entertains on their main floor deck, which has glass railings. The established landscaping adds to the comfort factor.

“It’s an older home,” explained Al. “It was built in 1999 by Roger Garside; however, the kitchen was updated in 2008 and the deck in 2010.”

There’s something about the style of the home that makes it feel timeless.

It has a classic design that exudes comfort.

“I love the kitchen,” said Fran, as we head in for a cup of tea. “I love that it has two ovens and a big open space for cooking and entertaining.”

The spacious kitchen has KitchenAid steamer ovens and a six-burner KitchenAid propane stove with a pot-filler behind the range. There’s also a microwave, dishwasher and bar fridge. The kitchen has two sinks: a bar sink to the left of the range and the main sink near the dishwasher in the island.

“THIS PLACE, FOR TWO OF US, IS MASSIVE, BUT YOU GET USED TO IT VERY QUICKLY. IT’S A REALLY FUNCTIONAL HOUSE. IT’S GREAT FOR US AS WE AGE TOO. EVERYTHING WE NEED IS ON THE MAIN FLOOR. IT’S VERY ACCESSIBLE.” The large, quartz island comfortably sits three and is a great focal point for the room. You can enter the kitchen from a hallway off the front entrance, from the garage, through a pocket door, from the dining area or through the sliding glass door on the deck. Beautiful bay windows allow clear access to views to wards James and Sidney islands.

There’s also a pantry off the kitchen with plenty of storage space — and another sink. It also doubles as the laundry room.

We head out of the kitchen and Fran points out the front door to a little bridge alongside the 100-metre-long driveway.

“Across the bridge is an area with a fire pit with seating for 10 people, and there’s a picnic table. There’s also a great little path that leads into a forested area.”

To the right of the front door is Al’s favourite room. This old-worldstyle den is entered through French doors or via a second entrance from the other side.

“I call it the ‘piano’ room,” said Al. “We have a player piano in there.”

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Al has his desk in the piano room, which sports a large window.

“I love the fact that I can look up the driveway, or look into the forest and watch the wildlife.”

The master bedroom is at the opposite side of the house from the kitchen and is easily large enough to fit a king size bed.

“It’s wonderful waking up each morning to a glorious sunrise,” said Fran.

The master en suite has a large Jacuzzi soaker tub, a shower and a toilet. The walk-in closet is more like a dressing room with plenty of storage for all their clothes.

When the Boyds first moved in, they found the sheer size of the house a bit overwhelming.

“We thought we had a lot of space in Burnaby at 3,200 square feet,” said Fran. “This place, for two of us, is massive, but you get used to it very quickly. It’s a really functional house. It’s great for us as we age too.

Everything we need is on the main floor. It’s very accessible.”

Al adds, “The quality of the construction is absolutely outstanding. It has steel beams and is a very solidly constructed home. We get some big storms here and this place is as solid as a rock — you can’t even hear the storm outside.”

“Because the house is long, it was designed and built with hot water heaters and propane furnaces on either end of the house,” explained Fran. “It makes for almost instant hot water and efficient heating.

Surprisingly, the cost for heating this home with propane is about the same cost as heating our previous home with natural gas.”

Downstairs is an entirely different world than the light and spacious upper floors. There’s plenty of natural light downstairs too, but it has a more island/cabin feeling with lots of wood.

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

“It's a great place to relax,” says Fran. “It’s such a family place where everybody wants to be. You can sit by the fire, sit at the bar, play pool and hang out.”

The lower floor, which has walk-out access to the yard, also has a gym, office, workshop and two other bedrooms.

We head back upstairs to finish our tea and our chat. The Brazilian cherry hardwood floors give off a warm glow as we seat ourselves at an enormous glass dining table.

“The table is a work of art,” explained Fran. “The top piece was originally a piece of welded metal art crafted here on the Peninsula by a local artist. When the previous owners moved into this house they had the table made around the metalwork. The glass alone weighs 800 pounds. When they brought the glass in, it took 10 people to carry it.”

“We had to negotiate to keep it,” said Al. “We love the fish and bull kelp and seaweed woven throughout. There’s such great attention to detail in it. And it fits perfectly with the scene that plays out every day outside our home.”

“We have a family of six otters that play right off the beach almost every day,” added Fran. “We often have seals or a pod of dolphins to watch.”

“This summer we had four pods of killer whales right out front and we’ve even seen a pilot whale,” added Al. “There’s also a family of eagles a few doors down. There’s so much wildlife here to watch. We get raccoons, squirrels, hawks and owls. Oddly enough, the only thing we don’t get here is deer.”

With room to spare, wildlife both on land and in the sea to entertain and enthrall, the Boyds are loving their retirement home.

“We’ll never get tired of this,” said Fran. Al agreed. P

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Annual hearing assessments ü ü Routine hearing aid check up for life of the hearing instruments Annual electroacoustic ü (computer) check of hearing aid performance Minor in-house repairs ü Hearing aid cleanings and ü checks Reprogramming of hearing aids ü Trial period with new hearing ü instruments Preventive maintenance ü appointments Free factory check of hearing ü instruments before warranty expiration

You are not alone One out of seven people over 65 have some form of hearing loss. The good news is that there is a wide range of help available, and we are here as partners in your hearing health journey.

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PEARL INSIDER [ fashion]

Jacket ($760) and mock turtleneck ($160) both by Marc Cain and from W&J Wilson; navy “Chelsea” breeches ($149) by Elation from Greenhawk Vancouver Island.

EQUI–STYLE It’s a grand affair in fashion inside and outside the riding ring: athletic silhouettes, rich colours and gorgeous fabrics.

WORDS + PHOTOGRAPHY: LIA CROWE

On Devon: Brown sweater ($65.99) by Ariat and navy “Chelsea” breeches ($149) by Elation from Greenhawk Vancouver Island.

On Ruckle the dog: Plaid dog coat ($30) by Shedrow from Greenhawk Vancouver Island.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018 PEARL

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Black and grey dress ($499) by Marc Cain from W&J Wilson; tall black boots ($675) by Ariat from Greenhawk Vancouver Island; gloves — model's own.

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Teal shirt ($149.99)

by Noel Asmar, grey “Chelsea� breeches ($149)

by Elation, belt ($59.99) by Noble Outfitters and tall black boots ($675) by Ariat from Greenhawk Vancouver Island.

Model: Devon Ball represented by Coultish Management Makeup: Trish Monkhouse, Makeup Artistry by Trish Production and photo assistant: Djuna Nagasaki Photographed on location at a private horse stable on the Saanich Peninsula. A huge thank you to the owners of the horses, Rico and Olive, for including their gorgeous animals in our fashion shoot.

PEARL INSIDER [ lifestyle]

Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.

Excellent single malt scotches and fine, rare vintage wines.

SWEET SUNDAYS

Let our experienced advisors assist you with your selection.

Four ideas to rev up winter weekends in the Peninsula WO R D S : A N G E L A C OWA N PHOTOGRAPHY: DON DENTON

I

n these late winter days, every windless afternoon or burst of sunshine offers a temptation to get out in the world, and it’s a great time to explore the beautiful Saanich Peninsula.

Though you won’t see farm stands for a couple of months yet, there’s no end of fun to be had, whether you’re looking for a delicious meal, an adrenaline rush, or you’re just itching to stretch your green thumbs.

Take a Sunday drive through the Peninsula and see what catches your eye. Nature abounds, so a brisk walk in the forest or along the shoreline is an obvious choice.

Pop into one of the area's many cosy coffee shops or stop for a pint at a pub.

But if you're looking for something a little more specific, we have a few ideas to rev up your winter weekend.

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How Does My Body Lose Its Alignment?

Your body encounters daily stresses that cause your nervous system to become stressed. The major causes of nervous system stress are Thoughts, Traumas and Toxins.

Our thoughts are one of the primary reason for disease and imbalance in our bodies. Our subconscious brain becomes wired to experiences we have had. Our experiences create our perception of how we interact and respond to our environment. Our challenge comes when we have prolonged states of stress. These stress responses are triggered due to inappropriate reactions in our nervous system causing our muscles to respond in defense physiology. This defense physiology causes muscles to become tight because the brain can be perceiving a threat, therefore sending a message to the muscles telling them that they need to be ready to “fight a bear”. These contracted muscles then pull your skeletal system out of alignment.

Dr. Christina utilizes a technique called Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique to change the signals, allowing the muscles to relax and the bones to naturally move back into alignment.

DR. CHRISTINA CLAPHAM

Chiropractor

A taste of spring Perhaps the most famous attraction on the Peninsula, Butchart Gardens is made for a Sunday afternoon stroll. With meticulously kept gardens and ever-changing floral displays, it’s a sublime spot for anyone who loves gardens.

To help bridge the gap until tulip and hyacinth season, until March 15th, the lower cafeteria is transformed into an indoor Spring Prelude.

Gentle stone walkways wind through expertly made garden beds with everything from daffodils to magnolia trees, and koi-filled ponds lend that extra sense of peaceful contemplation.

Warm and sweetly scented, the Prelude is a wonderful spot to sit and dream of warmer days to come. Just a few steps away in the Dining Room Restaurant, Butchart’s expert chefs have put together A Taste of Spring (until February 28) — a decadent high tea that’s sure to please. The menu is a wonder: signature house scones, Cornish pasties, caramelized leek and Gruyère cheese quiches, locally smoked wild BC salmon pinwheels, peach lavender pound cake, bergamot infused chocolate mousse, and so much more. The Taste of Spring is available for $53 plus tax ($32 for 12-month pass holders), and reservations are recommended. Call 250-652-5256 for more information and to book.

Just hang

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

If you want to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping, or just get in a great workout, then drop into Boulders Climbing Gym in Central Saanich.

The facility offers “Just Hang” sessions on Sunday mornings from 10:30 am to noon (and Friday evenings as well), where for $25, everything is provided from all technical equipment to staff belayers, to get even first-time climbers up on the wall.

There’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of reaching the top of a route and then pushing off into the air to come swinging down. If heights make you a little nervous but you still want to try out your balance and grip strength, Boulders also has a range of bouldering — low routes that don’t require equipment — in a range of difficulties. For more information, call during business hours at 250-544-0310.

Spin the wheel And for something truly unique, stop by Honeysuckle Fibre Studio at 9600 Third Street (easily accessible from First Street across from the ferry lineup) and have a gander at owner Dianne Cross’s collection of high whirl spindles, spinning wheels and gorgeous variety of fibre.

Cross is a Master Spinner with a passion for all things fibre, from traditional rug hooking to loom weaving, and spinning to needle felting. Her cosy shop front is a haven for anyone who’s been drawn to the old-fashioned way of doing things. She demonstrates how to use a high whirl spindle, setting it spinning with a quick flick of her wrist and yielding lengths of evenly spun wool.

It looks effortless, but to keep it even in thickness and tension takes a great amount of practice, and to that end, Cross offers lessons to anyone who purchases one of her spindles or spinning wheels.

That the fibre arts have undergone a resurgence in recent years makes her immensely happy.

“What gives me absolute delight is a young person who comes in and wants to get started,” she says. “I love doing it, and I love helping people do it.”

Call ahead to make sure she’s in, at 250-656-4201.

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE EXHILARATION OF REACHING THE TOP OF A ROUTE AND THEN PUSHING OFF INTO THE AIR TO COME SWINGING DOWN.

Derek Wilding, manager, and Elena Moss, climbing coach, at Boulders Climbing Gym.

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SIDNEY

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For something a little more low-key and down to earth, quench your thirst at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Nourish l your Sou

A flight of cider for a tasting at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.

Sea Cider For something a little more low-key and down to earth, quench your thirst at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.

Operating for more than a decade, this 10-acre farm is home to more than 1,300 apple trees of more than 50 varieties of organically grown heritage apples.

The ciderhouse is open for tastings and tours every day from 11 am to 4 pm, and you can reserve tables for groups by calling ahead. Grab a flight of ciders and tickle your taste buds with the ultra-dry Wild English (derived from the spontaneous wild yeast fermentation of English bittersweet cider apples), the semi-dry Bramble Bubbly (a meeting of sweet blackberries and apple), the Birds and the Bees Limited Release (farm-crafted cider blended with Vancouver Island fireweed honey and lemon bitters) or the dessert-style Pomona (with apricot and confectionary notes).

Artisanal lunch plates are available with every tasting, as are many more flavours of cider, and when you’re sated, browse Sea Cider’s shelves for farm-made goodies to take home with you. Kids are quite welcome. Call 250-544-4824 for more information. P

A Unique Shopping Experience

250.656.2547 10940 West Saanich Rd.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018 PEARL

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PEARL [ feature story]

WO R D S : H A N S TA M M E M AG I PHOTOGRAPHY: DON DENTON

ECCENTRIC. FUN-LOVING. INNOVATIVE. 34

PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

Supporting the Sidney Lions Food Bank ensures that you are helping people in your community

amish Crawford — lean, fit and exuding energy — is waiting at the entrance to the bustling Roost Vineyard Bistro and Farm Bakery.

He’s dressed in jeans and working farm clothes, and his face is framed by a white moustache and large sideburns. But what really stands out is an irrepressible smile and a twinkle in his eye. He is clearly a man who enjoys life and, as I am to learn, he’s also a remarkable person.

Early Years As we start a tour of his 10-acre farm, he explains how in 1965 he emigrated to Canada from Scotland at age 21. He worked for the National Grain Company, first in Winnipeg and then in Calgary.

One year, when he and his family holidayed in Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula, he became smitten by its rural softness, which reminded him of the fishing village in which he'd grown up. In 1989, he purchased — sight unseen from a newspaper ad — a 10-acre farm south of the airport.

With a love and knowledge of farming — he has a diploma in agriculture — Hamish decided to grow wheat, an unusual crop on Vancouver Island.

Hunger has no seasons.

How to Help sidneyfoodbank.com | 250.655.0679 Hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 2pm FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018 PEARL

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His goal was to start a bakery. The venture proved successful: the wheat grew, a bakery followed and it flourished.

The bakery grew into today’s Roost Vineyard Bistro and Farm Bakery, which is immensely popular, serving a wide variety of fresh-baked goods such as breads, muffins, pies and croissants as well as meals. Hamish believes it’s the only bakery in British Columbia that grows and mills its own wheat.

1 O F 3 5 0 0+ C O L O U R S

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Cars!

Asked about his hobbies, Hamish says, “Cars! Come, I’ll show you.”

We enter a large, barn-like building and — surprise! — it’s like an automobile museum with 16 shining vintage cars, including a striking black and white 1949 MG touring car with a supercharger, and a 1928 Model A Ford Huckster complete with rumble seat.

“I love mechanics and have been working on cars since I was 12. I always have one on the go,” he says. “It takes me about a year to refurbish a car. At the moment I’m working on a 1926 Austin 7 Chummy.”

We climb to an extended balcony and look down on the rows of gleaming cars. The balcony has a bar bearing several bottles and a sign, “Hamish’s Happy Spot.” Even here, however, Hamish doesn’t rest, for strewn about the floor are parts of an airplane he is assembling to hang from the ceiling above his cars.

Wine and Dungeon “After visiting California I decided we should grow grapes and make wine,” says Hamish.

WHICH WILL IT BE? Hamish Crawford shows the key PACto IFIC PAINT CENTRE INC. the underground, medieval-themed 2065B KEATING CROSS RD SAANICHTON, SAANICHTON V8M 2A5 wine tasting room he's building.

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RETAILER NAME VISIT US TODAY: ADDRESS 1 2065b Keating X Rd., LOGO Saanichton ADDRESS 1 RETAILER NAME CITY, PROVINCE POSTAL CODE

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pacificpaint.benmoorepaints.com WEBSITE

©2017 Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Benjamin Moore, Paint like no other, and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks of Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Printed in the USA.

©2017 Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Benjamin Moore, Paint like no other, and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks of Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Printed in the USA. ©2017 Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Benjamin Moore, Paint like no other, and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks of Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Printed in the USA.

WHICH WILL IT BE? W H I C H WPAICIL L IT BE? FIC PAINT CENTRE INC.

He planted two acres of The Roost Siegerrebe grapes and now Vineyard Bistro makes white wine, ginger wine and blackberry wine. The and Farm Bakery winemaker, of course, is Hamish is located at 9100 E Saanich himself.

Rd, North Saanich. In He leads me into a long, addition to offering tasty narrow tasting room in the pastries, it makes for a great basement of the barn. A full suit family visit with its chickens of medieval armour stands near and sheep. the entrance.

“That was a birthday gift after For bookings or info call I broke my hip. My friends felt (250) 655-0075 or visit I should be fully immobilized,” roostfarmcentre.com jokes Hamish.

To see the antique car He leads me past an elegant collection and wine tasting table with two candelabras room and dungeon, special into a dusky back room with arrangements must be made. foreboding concrete walls.

“This is the dungeon,” he says, pointing to a skeleton and ominous, full-size rack “comfort” chair and iron maiden, which look in perfect working condition.

“I’m still developing the dungeon and tasting room,” he explains.

During a trip to Napa Valley, he visited a winery with an Italian castle where the owner said the dungeon was the most popular part of the property.

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A Rubber-Chicken Cannon?

Back at the Roost, Hamish points to a large, horizontal propane tank with a pipe protruding upward from one end.

“That’s a rubber-chicken cannon I made,” he says. “When school groups come, the kids love it. The chicken flies more than 100 yards.”

Asked about his next project, a twinkle comes into his eye. “A distillery. I think I’ll start a distillery.”

We meet Dallas Bohl, Hamish’s son-in-law.

“Since 2008, Sarah and I have run the bakery and winery business,” says Dallas, “and Hamish supplies the ideas and the energy.”

Hamish counters, “I’m just the hired farmhand.”

Not true. Hamish is one of those gifted people, who not only brims with ideas, but also has the drive and talent to put them into action.

And he wears a smile the whole time. P

DMD

to last a Lifetime!

Daughter Sarah Hamish’s daughter, Sarah Bohl, joins us as we stroll to another building — Hamish’s workshop.

The interior is crammed with two cars partly disassembled, airplane wings and parts, wine containers, tools scattered everywhere and hundreds of jars, bottles and cans.

“This is where Dad spends most of his time,” says Sarah.

When I ask Sarah how it is to work so closely with her father, she gives him a hug and responds. “I love my Dad, he’s my idol. Everybody looks up to him. He’s terrific to work with and he’s very patient.”

She describes how when she was young, living in Calgary, her dad built her a recumbent bike. He also built several other bicycles, so their home became a popular spot for youngsters. Several of the bikes now hang in the rafters.

The three of us walk past a field of grazing sheep to Hamish’s home, an attractive two-storey Early American Farmhouse built in 1990. Sam, a black lab, greets us and accompanies us through the comfortable home, which is full of nautical and antique car memorabilia.

Dr. Trevor C. Neal

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HISTORIC peninsula

AN ACCIDENTAL GARDENER The Butchart Gardens: from rock pile to world treasure WORDS: SEAN MCINTYRE

W

hen she settled at her new home near Brentwood Bay in the early years of the 20th century, Jennie Butchart may have had a hard time telling the difference between a dahlia and a delphinium, but her budding enthusiasm, keen intelligence and a penchant for hard work would soon create what’s become a national treasure and a garden for the ages.

Jennie travelled to the West Coast from Ontario with her spouse, Robert Pim Butchart, in search of a fortune in the rapidly developing West. Robert came for the prominent limestone deposits in and around Tod Inlet with a view to establishing the area’s first Portland cement company.

Booming demand for a material needed to build growing coastal cities proved a lucrative business. Employed in the family business as a chemist, Jennie quickly found she had the ways and means to put her knowledge of soils and substrates to use in an entirely different enterprise: building The Butchart Gardens.

“It would appear that Jennie was impressed immediately by the weather conditions on this part of Vancouver Island,” says David Clarke, who is married to fourth-generation owner Robin Clarke and handles public relations at the Gardens. “It was such a change from Owen Sound, where winter defied outdoor gardening. Visiting her new friends and their gardens in Victoria resulted in a newly discovered interest in the possibilities of creating a garden close to her new home.”

She began by seeding a row of pea plants and planting a single rose bush. Her success initiated a process of experimentation with new plants and materials, recording successes and noting failures in a series

of school exercise books. As was her way, Clarke says, it was all very methodical and scientific. Attention to detail was paramount.

Within two years, she designed a Japanese garden with assistance from Isaburo Kishida, a visiting expert from Japan.

Word began to spread about the miraculous gardens at Tod Inlet, and both Jennie and Robert obliged curious friends and acquaintances by hosting afternoon tea services at their estate, which came to be known as Benvenuto — Italian for welcome. The tea service persisted until 1918, when roughly 18,000 people passed through the estate.

Though her gardens had already created a stir along the length of the Saanich Peninsula, Jennie’s work had only just begun. When the limestone quarry that fuelled the family business was exhausted, Jennie set out to heal the bleak industrial scar by filling it with topsoil from neighbouring farmland. In between shipments of Portland cement to ports up and down the coast, company employees would haul in the dirt that formed The Butchart Garden’s famed Sunken Garden, completed in 1921.

In 1926, the estate’s tennis courts were replaced with an Italian garden designed with input from famed local architect Samuel Maclure.

Three years later, the kitchen garden was cleared to make way for a brilliant collection of roses in a setting designed by Harvard-educated landscape architect Butler Sturtevant.

The expanding gardens attracted even greater numbers of visitors, who were now arriving on bus tours from the city or aboard a steam ship operated by Canadian Pacific.

“THE BUTCHART GARDENS WOULD NEVER HAVE EXISTED WITHOUT THE CONTINUING INFLUENCE AND INPUT FROM FIVE GENERATIONS OF THE FAMILY THAT CREATED THEM.”

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

History on display Further details about The Butchart Gardens’ impressive evolution from rock pile to National Historic Site can be viewed at the property from January 15 until March 15. The exhibit offers visitors a treasure trove of early photos, letters and artifacts from Jennie’s garden.

A site worth honouring The Federal Government declared The Butchart Gardens a National Historic Site in 2004. The garden’s 100th anniversary coincided with the carving of two symbolic totem poles erected at the site.

Above, Jennie Butchart; at right, spring in the Italian Garden.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018 PEARL

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“I do not know what Mrs. Butchart had in mind when she first conceived the idea of transforming a barren and desolate landscape into a beautiful garden but, at all event, it must have been a labour of love,” said Herbert Anscomb, the mayor of Victoria, to a delegation of more than 250 Garden Club of America members during a luncheon in the summer of 1930. “Love, not only of beautiful things but of her fellow men, and not the least part of her happiness in achievement must come from the knowledge of the joy and pleasure these gardens have given to thousands of people who have journeyed from far and near to worship at their beauty.”

By the late 1930s, however, the aging Butcharts had relocated to Victoria, where they could more easily access health care in the event of an emergency. The toll of looking after such a sprawling marvel had surpassed the couple’s diminishing strength. Left untended, many of the gardens began to fall into disrepair.

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The couple’s decision to gift the estate to their grandson in 1939 on his 21st birthday changed the course of Ian Ross’ life and prepared the ground for a major resurgence.

Ian, who spent the war years in the Royal Canadian Navy and had his hopes set on a legal career, stepped into his grandparents’ role with gusto when he returned from Europe. Over the course of his 58 years in charge, Ian transformed The Butchart Gardens from an elaborate hobby project into a fully self-sustaining and internationally acclaimed sightseeing destination.

During the 1950s, he oversaw installation of underground wiring and garden illumination. In 1964, he installed the mesmerizing Ross Fountain. Creative stage shows that involved staff and family members and live concerts became a regular feature on summer evenings. Visiting performers from the New York Metropolitan Opera sent the sounds of Mozart, Puccini and Verdi echoing through the sunken garden.

Ian was just one of the many Butchart family members and employees who worked tirelessly to preserve the spirit of Jennie’s vision. Each of the five generations that have passed through the gardens has left an imprint in some form or another. Christopher Ross, Ian’s son, introduced spectacular fireworks displays. His sister, current owner Robin Clarke, installed a carousel adorned with hand-carved animals and a traditional organ accompaniment. Robin’s son Barnabas Butchart Clarke is studying the legacy left behind by his great-great-grandparents and cultivated by successive Butcharts that preceded him.

“The Butchart Gardens would never have existed without the continuing influence and input from five generations of the family that created them. The variation of both the gardens and the entertainment offered has constantly renewed the enthusiasm of visitors,” Clarke says.

“There can be little doubt that many tourists are primarily attracted to Vancouver Island not only by the stunning natural beauty that abounds but also by a visit to the meticulously maintained Butchart Gardens.”

And we can thank Jennie and her pea plants for getting it all started. P

By the numbers: Peak-season staff: 550 Off-season staff: 290 Full-time gardeners: 50 Greenhouses: 26 Litres of of non-municipal water used annually from reservoirs: 110 million The Butchart Gardens overall size: 135 acres Area open to the public: 55 acres

FOOTLOOSE

TRAVEL LOG

THE LIVING DESERT Much more than a zoo in Palm Springs WO R D S : H A N S TA M M E M AG I

Barrel cactus: the Living Desert promotes desert conservation by preserving a portion of the Colorado desert in its natural state.

I

’m on a mission at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Springs, California. I want to feed the giraffes and see their enormously long tongues.

Heading to the enclosure, I can’t help but notice that this is far more than an ordinary zoo. Buildings and cages are few; instead, there are wide open spaces allowing animals lots of room to roam in the desert landscape. And I notice several other pleasant oddities.

Here and there, metal profiles of animals are grouped in realistic dioramas. A troop of monkeys swings from a tree. A pride of leopards is poised to pounce on zebras. And hyenas are lolling with their pups. Created by artists, the attractive dioramas cause

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PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

me moments of tension, even fear, before I realize the lethal wild animals they portray are only painted metal.

Towering Giraffes But the giraffes, all eight of them, are real, their long necks mimicking the nearby towering palm trees. Ostriches and kudu (African antelopes with long twisting horns) also wander in the expansive enclosure. I climb a berm, and a 13-foot-tall female giraffe — Twigga, the guide informs me — approaches. She reaches over the barrier and sticks out an enormous, seven-inch-long tongue and grasps the grass I’m holding, giving my fingers a wet lick at the same time. Wow, what an experience!

Botanical Garden I meander along, constantly checking my plant guidebook, for the Living Desert is also a botanical garden showcasing over 1,400 different species of plants found in deserts.

I’m able to identify only a small fraction of the cactus, agave, barrel cactus, ocotillo, sage, yucca, Mexican columnar cactus, grass, palm and aloe. I sit in the hummingbird and butterfly gardens, fascinated by the flapping of activity and colour.

Fast Cheetahs Arriving at the cheetahs’ enclosure, I’m just in time for the spectacular daily show.

Three cheetahs with black spots and bushy tails are lured to one end of a long enclosure with chunks of meat. Then meat is thrown in at the other end and the cheetahs race about 100 metres to get it, their lithe, muscular bodies moving with perfect coordination.

The fastest land animals in the world, they run at up to 100 kph. It is poetry in motion! I stay for a while watching this grand African show play out under the hot California sun.

Wandering along I’m immersed in a vast space, much of it open desert. The guidebook explains that the Living Desert is also a nature preserve. In fact, only about 120 of its enormous 1,200 acres house the 430 animals representing the deserts of America and Africa. The remaining 1,080 acres are undisturbed Sonoran Desert.

Three hiking trails explore the area passing through riparian woodland: a rocky mountain slope or bajada; a desert wash or arroyo; and an interpretive exhibit of the San Andreas Fault with broad views of this famous feature.

Wildlife viewing is exceptional and the views of the Coachella Valley at the top are spectacular.

Sustainability Being a “greenie” I appreciate that the Living Desert has a strong ecological mission. It promotes desert conservation by preserving a portion of the Colorado desert in its natural state, fostering an awareness and appreciation for the plants and animals in desert ecosystems, building up the populations of desert species threatened with extinction and fostering research contributing to their protection.

Model Train

HANS TAMMEMAGI PHOTO

Leaving, I stumble on a totally unexpected surprise — something that transports me back to my boyhood days. It’s one of the world’s largest model railroad layouts, covering three-quarters of an acre with about 910 metres of track arranged in six different loops.

I’m in youthful engineer-wannabe heaven as I watch locomotives pull trains past Mount Rushmore, a California logging and mining town, the south rim of the Grand Canyon and the Old Indio train station, which depicts the early days of railroading here in the Coachella Valley.

I vow to return to the Living Desert. I want to visit the state-of-theart Wildlife Hospital and observe a large exotic animal, or perhaps a reptile, getting a physical. I want to hike the trails into the desert and learn about the San Andreas fault. I want to see the spectacular festive light show during the Christmas season. So much remains. P If You Go The Living Desert is at 47900 Portola Avenue, city of Palm Desert in greater Palm Springs. For information or to book tickets: 760-346-5694 or livingdesert.org Plan on a full day, or more, as there is much to see and do.

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018 PEARL

43

MEET OUR

ADVERTISERS

ARDMORE GOLF COuRSE

GREENHAWK EQuESTRIAN SPORT

BEACON LANDING LIQuOR & MORE

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 40.

5000 square feet filled with horse equipment, pet supplies, fabulous apparel and footwear.

Beautiful new pet-grooming salon to take care of all your four-legged family members!

See ad on page 12.

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

See ad on page 29.

BRENTWOOD BAY PHARMASAVE

BRENTWOOD BAY EMPOuRIuM

RODCO DRAPERIES & INTERIORS

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 20.

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 32.

RODCO Interiors has been serving Victoria BC 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 6.

WENDY EVERSON LAW

DEEP COVE MARKET

BRIGGS & STRATTON

Wendy L. Everson is the principal of the law firm that holds her namesake, where clients matter and their interests come first.

See ad on page 6.

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 33.

FISH ON FIFTH

EYELAND OPTICAL

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 13.

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

See ad on page 32.

ISLAND SOAPSTONE Island Soapstone is Vancouver Island’s only dedicated soapstone countertop fabrication shop.

Our service, selection & quality are top notch - call us for an appointment!

See ad on page 21.

LILABERRY HOME DéCOR AND FASHION

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

SIMPLY CREMATIONS

Sophia Briggs & Nancy Stratton have formed an unbeatable team. Their wealth of experience & passionate commitment to quality service is unsurpassed.

See ad on page 47.

LANDMARK DENTAL 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 37.

LIFESTYLE HEARING

ELIZABETH MAY

Our audiologists are passionate about what they do and truly care about supporting and helping you and the ones you love on your journey towards better hearing.

See ad on page 22.

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 40.

SAGER’S HOME LIVING

PACIFIC PAINT

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.

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.

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.

Luxury is easy to find when you know where to look

PEARL DT - 750218 Docket #

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 36.

44

Pearl

PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

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

ONE STOP FuRNITuRE INC.

RuSSELL NuRSERY

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 back cover.

Russell Nursery has been providing great plants and good advice to local gardeners for almost 25 years. We love plants and it shows!

See ad on page 12.

MEET OUR SIDNEY SENIOR CARE

ARDMORE COuRSE

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

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

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.

SIDNEY LIONS See ad on page 40. 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 35.

BRENTWOOD BAY PHARMASAVE

Pearl

SAANICH PENINSULA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION It’s our hospital. And thanks to our donors, we have been raising funds to keep our hospital GREENHAWK modern and efficient for over 30 years.

EQuESTRIAN SPORT See ad on page 7.

5000 square feet filled with horse equipment, pet supplies, fabulous apparel and footwear.

Beautiful new pet-grooming salon to take care WINDSOR PLYWOOD of all your four-legged family members!

Serving the Peninsula for over 35 years, we See ad on page specialize12. in your home finishing needs.

Doors, flooring, mouldings, of course plywood, and so much more.

See ad on page 19.

BRENTWOOD BAY EMPOuRIuM

ADVERTISERS ALIGNMENT FOR LIFE Education is our mandate – to teach people about health and wellness and how to change the health care models of the future. We provide phenomenal education and service because of BEACON LANDING our conviction and passion for the benefits of a LIQuOR & toMORE holistic approach health and wellness.

Sidney’sSee boutique stylepage liquor store ad on 30. offering rare

finds of Wine, Scotch & Spirits.

See W&J ad onWILSON page 29.

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 11.

RODCO DRAPERIES & INTERIORS

RODCO Interiors has been serving Victoria BC Serving the community of Brentwood Bay for John Carswell and Alice Bacon and their son for over 25 years. A family business owned more than 25 years, Joe & Colin are proud to Will are the proprietors of Brentwood Bay TO ADVERTISE IN PEARL PLEASE CONTACT: Dale Naftel 250.656.1151 | sales@peninsulanewsreview.com & operated by Roger and his son Fielding be your neighbourhood pharmacist. Joe enjoys Village Empourium. They are delighted to Comartin. Residential, Commercial, Hospitality sailing around the islands, Colin enjoys cheering operate in their own neighbourhood to share and Commercial, we do it all! for his beloved Canucks. their love of food, coffee and community See ad on page 6.

See ad on page 20.

See ad on page 32.

DEEP COVE MARKET

WENDY EVERSON LAW Wendy L. Everson is the principal of the law firm that holds her namesake, where clients matter and their interests come first.

See ad on page 6.

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 33.

FISH ON FIFTH

EYELAND OPTICAL

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 13.

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

See ad on page 32.

ISLAND SOAPSTONE Island Soapstone is Vancouver Island’s only dedicated soapstone countertop fabrication shop.

Our service, selection & quality are top notch - call us for an appointment!

See ad on page 21.

LILABERRY HOME DéCOR AND FASHION 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

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

BRIGGS & STRATTON Sophia Briggs & Nancy Stratton have formed an unbeatable team. Their wealth of experience & passionate commitment to quality service is unsurpassed.

See ad on page 47.

LANDMARK DENTAL 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 37.

LIFESTYLE HEARING

ELIZABETH MAY

Our audiologists are passionate about what they do and truly care about supporting and helping you and the ones you love on your journey towards better hearing.

See ad on page 22.

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 40.

SAGER’S HOME LIVING

PACIFIC PAINT

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.

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

FEBRUARY / See MARCH 45 ad on2018 pagePEARL 36.

PAWS ON

THE PENINSULA

PHOTOGRAPHY DON DENTON

From left: Rafael is a 7-year-old English Setter; Cocoa is an 3-year-old Australian Labradoodle; Casey is a 12-year-old English Springer Spaniel.

Below, Sushi is a Border Collie.

46

PEARL FEBRUARY / MARCH 2018

SOPHIA BRIGGS & NANCY STRATTON LOCAL EXPERTISE, GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Together. Sophia Briggs and Nancy Stratton have formed an unbeatable team. Their wealth of talent, experience and passionate commitment to quality service is unsurpassed.

The result is inevitable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a host of satisfied clients

LIVE VICTORIA SOPHIA BRIGGS 250.418.5569

NANCY STRATTON 250.857.5482

sbriggs@sothebysrealty.ca nstratton@sothebysrealty.ca

strattonandbriggs.com

sothebysrealty.ca

Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated. Not intended to solicit properties already under agreement. E.&O.E.: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective Purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. Not intended to solicit properties already under agreement

Come in and feel the comfort!

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