Boulevard Okanagan, September/October, 2019

SEPTEMBER I OCTOBER 2019

OK ANAGAN LIFE AT ITS FINEST

MAKE A SPLASH

Late summer leisure on the lake

LANGUAGE OF SCENT

Ancient alchemy for a deeper connection to place

PAR EXCELLENCE

Form, function and design in award-winning home

TAPPING INTO TAPAS Small plates that are sure to inspire

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CONTENTS 18

62 FEATURES

On the Cover Photo by Darren Hull Models Kristina Finamore and Mitchell Campagnolo, photographed on a Regal 35 Sport Coupe provided by Martin Motorsports.

FASHION

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26 PAR EXCELLENCE

54 LANGUAGE OF SCENT

Award-winning show home highlights dazzling form, function and design

Botanical alchemists use ancient methods for a deeper connection to place

By Valaura Jones

By Lia Crowe

46 LAKE LOVE

Crisp whites, soft creams and warm browns are perfect for those late summer lake days

By Kim Appelt

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62 SMALL PLATES THAT INSPIRE

Shop and serve for easy entertaining

By Chef Heidi Fink

36

46

26

DEPARTMENTS 10 OUR CONTRIBUTORS

24 INSPIREDHEALTH

68 TRAVEL FAR

Magic Touch: Reiki

By Pamela Durkin

And the Rest is History Tallinn, Estonia

By Lucas Aykroyd

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EDITOR’S LETTER

A celebration of the Senses

By Susan Lundy

36 TALKING WITH TOBY

16

inspiredSTYLE Rena Saini

Necessary Endings Ken and Linda Stober

72 FRONT ROW

What’s on this fall

By Lia Crowe

By Toby Tannas

By Kathy Michaels

18

inspiredWINE

Sandy Leier Sandhill Winery

By Susan Lundy

20 designNOTES

Designer Picks for Fall

By Trisha Isabey

58 TRAVEL NEAR

78 SECRETS AND LIVES

Spirits of the West Shelter Point Distillery

Sister Act Tamara and Shannon Stone

By Susan Lundy

By Kathy Michaels

82 BEHIND THE STORY

By Darren Hull

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OURCONTRIBUTORS

JON ADRIAN PHOTOGRAPHER: PAR EXCELLENCE

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"The Fawdry Homes show home is a great example of how to build and design a black and white home. It feels sophisticated and livable all at the same time." Jon Adrian is a photographer creating visually branded imagery for architectural, winery and lifestyle clients.

O K A N A G A N L I F E AT I T S F I N E S T S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

GROUP PUBLISHER Penny Sakamoto

PUBLISHER Mario Gedicke

KIM APPELT STYLIST: LAKE LOVE

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TREVOR COOPER PHOTOGRAPHER: DESIGNER PICKS FOR FALL

“This was one of my favourite Boulevard shoots to date. It was the perfect day with beautiful clothing and amazing energy on the boat. The images are stunning!” Kim is a fashion stylist and respected style expert. Her work has been included in numerous publications, and seen on the red carpet at The Junos and The Daytime Emmys.

“It’s been a joy photographing and working with Trisha and her team at Isabey Interiors over the last two years. Their diversity of design and creativeness works really well with my photography.” Trevor is a Fine Art Commercial and Agency photographer with work worldwide.

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LIA CROWE PHOTOGRAPHER + WRITER: LANGUAGE OF SCENT

“My strongest sense has always been scent; I move through the world nose first. So it was an exceptional pleasure delving into the world of botanical essence and spending time with some inspiring people resurrecting ancient plant crafts.” Lia is a stylist, creative director, photographer and writer with a long history of working in the fashion industry.

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DON DENTON PHOTOGRAPHER: SMALL PLATES THAT INSPIRE

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HEIDI FINK WRITER: SMALL PLATES THAT INSPIRE

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“Every issue of Boulevard gives me the opportunity to photograph (and sample) a new series of dishes during our food shoot with Chef Heidi Fink and Boulevard associate editor Lia Crowe. I’m a big fan of small-plate dining, both for the taste and ease of preparation, so this issue’s focus on tapas offered a great chance to pick up some tips for entertaining at home.”

Don has photographed numerous high-profile events, including the Olympics, World Hockey Championships and a Royal wedding.

“ALL THE CHEESE! I was like a kid in a candy shop, sourcing Spanish cheese for the photo shoot. At least one other person at the shoot felt the same way. She said: ‘Look at all this cheese; it’s like Christmas morning!’ It was definitely cheese heaven for a day.” Heidi is a chef, food writer and culinary instructor, specializing in local foods and ethnic cuisines.

250.891.5627 info@blvdmag.ca

EDITOR Susan Lundy ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lia Crowe CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lily Chan

DESIGN Lorianne Koch Michelle Gjerde Cara Robbins Tammy Robinson ADVERTISING Mario Gedicke Vicki Clark

CONTRIBUTING Lia Crowe

WRITERS Kim Appelt Lucas Aykroyd Pamela Durkin Heidi Fink Trisha Isabey Valaura Jones Kathy Michaels Toby Tannas

CONTRIBUTING Jon Adrian PHOTOGRAPHERS Trevor Cooper Lia Crowe Don Denton Darren Hull

CIRCULATION & Kate Sarac

DISTRIBUTION 250.763.7575

TRENDING ONLINE:

View Boulevard’s Fashion Friday

www.vicnews.com/life Any device. Any time.

Victoria Boulevard ® is a registered trademark of Black Press Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Ideas and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Black Press Group Ltd. or its affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents, both implied or assumed, of any advertisement in this publication. Printed in Canada. Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #42109519.

Tel: 250.381.3484 Fax: 250.386.2624 info@blvdmag.ca boulevardmagazines.com

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Keeping it Simple®

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At just $30/month, Valley First’s Unlimited Chequing for Business® account is so predictable it allows growing businesses like Holroyd Family Chiropractic to continue to do what they do best.

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OURCONTRIBUTORS

DARREN HULL

TRISHA ISABEY

PHOTOGRAPHER: LAKE LOVE

WRITER: DESIGNER PICKS FOR FALL

PAGE 46

“Logistically, shooting on a boat comes with a lot of challenges. But in the end I think the fashion story is the most ‘Okanagan’ shoot we have done to date.”

Darren is an editorial and commercial photographer who has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s top image makers, with work informed by a strong sense of storyline.

PAGE 20

“As an interior designer, my focus is on the 'intention of design' — giving our spaces purpose, such as connection, productivity, rest or wellness. The pieces I have chosen to highlight are meant to bring out a sense of pleasure to the home — visual luxury.” Trisha Isabey owns Isabey Interiors, an award-winning interior design company in Kelowna.

VALAURA JONES

JENNY MCKINNEY

WRITER: PAR EXCELLENCE

STYLIST: LAKE LOVE

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PAGE 46

“This Rocky Point Drive home is a design enthusiast’s dream. From the beautiful windows to the drains (trust me!), no detail has gone unnoticed.

Whether you’re building a home or not, visit this house to see the craftsmanship and design for yourself.” Valaura is a writer, marketer and community enthusiast with a passion for great design and unusual spaces.

“Mix together a luxurious marine craft with a gorgeous couple and some elegant fashion and you have a phenomenal day on set. I loved creating the understated but high-fashion-feeling makeup look for Kristina — her look is so current and she is a joy to work with. It was such a stellar day in the Okanagan with the sun out on the lake. It’s not every shoot where the entire team gets a chance to take a dip and swim off the heat.” Jenny has been voted best makeup artist in Kelowna by the community for three consecutive years, and she’s been in the beauty industry for over two decades.

KATHY MICHAELS

TOBY TANNAS

WRITER: SISTER ACT

WRITER: NECESSARY ENDINGS

PAGE 78 PAGE 36

“It was great speaking with the Stone Sisters about how they’ve survived and thrived in one of the Okanagan’s most volatile industries. This city is growing in leaps and bounds and it’s exciting to get perspective from women who are shaping its future.” Montreal born and longtime Okanaganite, Kathy is an award-winning reporter and editor who loves to turn a good phrase.

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"Sometimes you think you know people but in reality you only know their name.

The Stobers in Kelowna are synonymous with building. It was a pleasure to sit down with Ken and Linda Stober and pull back the veil on who they really are.

Compassionate, community-minded and down to earth is where the story begins.” A broadcast veteran, Toby co-hosts Beach Mornings with Ara & Toby on Kelowna’s New 103.1 Beach Radio. She’s a mother to two teenage girls and two four-legged kids.

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EDITOR’SLETTER

A celebration of the senses

BY SUSAN LUNDY

I

PHOTO BY LIA CROWE

don’t play music while I work. (And I’m N the past few weeks, I’ve frequently asked — “Who needs drugs, said things like, “His when you have synesthesia?”) name is Clint or Clive; Other less common forms of it’s yellow, for sure.” And synesthesia are Lexical-gustatory (certain “Sorry, but can you turn tastes are experienced when hearing off the music? Too many words) and one that is odor-colourshapes while I’m editing.” related where scents evoke colour.

I have synesthesia, a “perceptual Synesthesia is often hereditary, and phenomenon in which stimulation of one one of my two daughters has it. sensory or cognitive pathway leads to Danica’s words are multi-coloured: she automatic, involuntary experiences in a sees the colour of each letter. Helpful second sensory or cognitive pathway.” in proofreading because she can Have I lost you yet? immediately tell if a word’s colour is out Until I was in my late teens, I thought of order and therefore misspelled. But she everyone saw words in colours. I also sees colours as fighting with each wondered why I got blank stares with a other and it’s “painful” for them to be comment like: “No, I can’t remember the side-by-side on a canvas. So less helpful name of the hotel. But I think it’s blue.” since she’s a visual artist. In fact, many About four per cent of the artists have synesthesia. I draw on it a population has synesthesia, where the lot when I write poetry, especially the experience of one sense or mental image Chromesthesia because it gives me such is simultaneously perceived by another visually rich imagery. sense.

I also have “spatial sequence synesthesia,” where I see months So for me, I “see” all words and letters in colour. Each mental and days of the week in colour but also in a 3-D sequence — image of a word is the colour of the word’s first letter. However, almost like a map. It took me a long time to understand why the shade of the hue depends on the collection of colours of the others couldn’t seem to keep up individual letters, most dominantly with me as I spewed travel plans if it contains a white letter like About four per cent of the and/or various appointment dates, "O." It’s complicated, but here’s an population has synesthesia, easily navigating my internal 3-D example. Take my name, Susan. It’s red because S is red. But it’s a light where the experience of one map. Having a 3-D calendar in your brain is very, very handy! shade of red because U is white. sense or mental image is I believe synesthesia enriches my Colour-word associations might simultaneously perceived by life. Last summer, when I tumbled be handy in recalling names, but headfirst down a flight of stairs they can also be disconcerting. For another sense. into a concrete wall, it wasn’t my example, when I found out "Robert" shattered elbow that concerned me is my husband Bruce’s actual first as I sat in emergency. Would the concussion somehow re-route name, his moniker went from being a lovely blue to a rusty my brain back to normal? I shut my eyes and envisioned words. brown. And the colour of Robert is less “comfortable” with the Hurray! The colours were still there. yellow of his last name, Cameron, than with the blue of Bruce.

This issue of Boulevard is a celebration of the senses, offering As I’ve become more aware of synesthesia in the past decade, features on food, wine, spirits, the healing power of touch and I’ve discovered there are numerous types. Word-colour the language of scent. And with its gorgeous visuals, it’s also a relationships — called Grapheme-Color Synesthesia — is the feast for the eyes. most common.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Boulevard Okanagan. And if I Another form, Chromesthesia, involves the association of meet you in the street and can’t quite remember your name, at sounds with colours. I have a variation on this where sounds evoke shapes or images in my mind. For example, when I hear an least you can rest assured I have your colour covered. eagle, I “see” an image that looks like a waterfall of diamonds.

Susan Lundy has been writing stories since she was six years Lovely! But I also “see” shapes of other sounds, such as burps, old. She has a degree in creative writing from the University of which are much less attractive than cascading diamonds. When Victoria, and after working for many years as an award-winning it comes to listening to music, it can be difficult for me to juggle journalist, is now a magazine editor, author and freelance writer. hearing the sounds, seeing the multitude of shapes and focusing on anything beyond the drama occurring in my brain. So I

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inspired inspiredSTYLE STYLE

with

Rena Saini NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

BY LIA CROWE

ALLTIME FAVOURITE PIECE: Simple white dresses “... so classy!” FAVOURITE PAIR OF SHOES: “These straps wedges by mjus.” FASHION OBSESSION: Jackets. ACCESSORY YOU SPEND THE MOST MONEY ON: Earrings. NECESSARY INDULGENCE FOR EITHER FASHION OR BEAUTY: Dresses.

MOISTURIZER: Heaven Sent by Back to Earth. SCENT: Signorina

Eleganza by Salvatore Ferragamo.

MUST-HAVE HAIR PRODUCT:

Hairspray and hair oil. BEAUTY SECRET: “For healthy shiny hair, I coat it in coconut oil 20 minutes before a shower.”

I

MEET Rena for a stroll through the beautiful and peaceful Kasugai Gardens in Kelowna to chat about life and work and how she does it all in fine style. Naturally gorgeous, she describes her style as feminine and free, and loves to dress up when the occasion calls for it.

Born in Prince Rupert, Rena travelled around, spending time in Grand Prairie, Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary and Fort MacMurray before settling in Kelowna three years ago.

“This may sound strange, but I love the smell of the air here. I love how laid-back it is, and the slower pace. I felt a heart-pull to this place and I love it."

COFFEE In addition to having a passion for her daily yoga practice, TABLE BOOK/ Rena is incredibly passionate about her work — and healing PHOTOGRAPHY in general.

BOOK: Annie Leibovitz.

LAST GREAT READ: “We all have our little niches as naturopaths, so your The Power of Eight. BOOK approach can be very unique to you. I do a lot of mind-body work, CURRENTLY READING: homeopathy, acupuncture, herbs and supplements, but I really love to hear Letting Go by David R. people’s stories, hear what’s going on with their emotions.”

Hawkins. FAVOURITE When practicing as a naturopath, Rena explains, hearing about life BOOK OF ALL TIME: experiences can reveal a key to unlock physical ailments, and help clients The Alchemist by move more quickly to a better state.

Paulo Coelho.

Asked for a recent life lesson or light bulb moment, she says, “I’ve started believing in myself — ‘Ya, I deserve this!’ I do a lot of healing projects on the side so I had to believe in myself in order to step into that space.”

STYLE ICON: Audrey

Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Abigail Spencer. FAVOURITE ARTIST: “Locally, I love Jaide Fox (jaidefoxpaintings.com) and Aaron K. Metz (aaronkmetz.com).” ERA OF TIME THAT INSPIRES YOUR STYLE: ’60s and ’70s. FILM OR TV SHOW THAT INSPIRES YOUR STYLE OR THAT YOU JUST LOVE THE STYLE OF: “I love Robin’s work style in How I Met Your Mother.” FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT: Krafty Kitchen Kelowna. FAVOURITE COCKTAIL/WINE: Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin. FAVOURITE FLOWER: Cherry blossoms. FAVOURITE CITY TO VISIT: “So far ....London, Toronto

and San Diego, and anywhere in Italy!”

FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD: Italy. boulevardmagazines.com |

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inspired WINE

Sandy Leier Winemaker at Sandhill Winery

BY SUSAN LUNDY | P H OTO S BY DARREN HULL

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V

ANCOUVER-born Sandy Leier moved to Kelowna when she was two years old and has lived here ever since.

After completing a degree in chemistry at UBC Okanagan, she worked as a research assistant and chemistry lab teaching assistant at the university for a few years. She started working at Sandhill Winery, assisting the winemakers, 13 years ago.

How did you get started in the wine business?

I had a friend in university who was working with the winemakers at Sandhill. She sparked my interest in winemaking by the way she talked about the wines and how they were made. After she introduced me to the winemaking team, I got the opportunity to cover her maternity leave at the winery. She didn't end up coming back, so I stayed on and continued to learn and take on more. And here I am today!

What is your winemaking style?

Clean and varietally-focused, building on some Italian wine styles.

How do you KNOW when you have a particularly good vintage?

When you’re tasting the grapes in the vineyard, you can feel it when the flavour concentration is there before the sugar levels get too high and the acidity starts dropping too low. Then you know the wines will have a good intensity of aromatics and flavours, and balance between alcohol, tannin and acidity.

What is one of your favourite varietals to work with and why?

Syrah is fun to work with because it grows very well in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys, and we get a few different expressions of it from our different vineyards. It also requires a lot of attention through fermentation, so it’s that much more rewarding when you see the final product.

Do you have a favourite wine or vintage that you have made?

The 2018 Sandhill Small Lot Syrah is going to be amazing — stay tuned for its release early next May. What is one of the hardest things about winemaking year in and year out?

Each vintage has its own unique challenge and Mother Nature usually has something to do with it. No two vintages are exactly the same so there’s always something to learn.

What is one of the most rewarding things about your job?

Sitting in a restaurant anonymously and overhearing someone enjoying one of our wines.

Hobbies?

I love hiking and snowboarding with my family, yoga and the occasional game of golf.

Anything else we should know?

To celebrate the end of each harvest I travel somewhere warm right after we wrap up. This gives me energy to come back and put the finishing touches on the wines before bottling. That’s my secret to happy winemaking!

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design NOTES

Designer Picks for Fall

BY TRISHA ISABEY | P H OTO S BY TREVOR COOPER

W

ITH the cooler temperatures approaching, my heart turns to all of the wonderful colours of fall — rich burgundies, greens and blues — and I’m inspired to layer my home in sumptuous textures and bold patterns. While this could incorporate big changes, such as adding wallpaper or new furniture, it could also be decorative features that are changed seasonally. Here are a few of my favourite things, and most are available at Isabey Interiors.

1. Basset Mirror I am a fan of breaking up square lines with a curve. This mirror by Renwil also incorporates an unexpected shelf.

Perfect for an entryway or even above a vanity in a powder room. $278 2. Vlad, Turin and Uma Side tables from Arteriors. The inspiration for all of the pieces here, these steal the show. I love the palette as well as the visual interest of the three heights. These can be used on their own or in a group, but consider using them as a set of three to replace a traditional coffee table. They are definitely a splurge! Vlad, $948. Turin, $1,680. Uma, $1,296.

3. Figura Decorata Wallpaper by Metro Wallcoverings. This is not the wallpaper of the past; it adds a splash of colour and lends a bold botanical pattern. Perfect for an otherwise neutral space. Available at Isabey Interiors. $34 /yard plus freight.

4. Faucet Cut04-H #39514 from Aquabrass. I’m excited to see plumbing fixtures that add some drama. This new, matte-black faucet tops my list. Available at Baths by Design in Kelowna. $875

1.

2.

3.

4.

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design NOTES 5. Leah Dining Table and Brit Dining Chairs from Four Hands.

Mid-Century Modern has been at the forefront of design for some time. These lines are simple but the change in texture on the chairs adds complexity. Table, $1,404. Chair, $526.

6. Hourglass Pillar Candleholders by Global Views.

The ivory with a touch of gold will warm up any space and add a feel of luxury. Gold is here to stay — and it works really well with the warm tones of fall. $240.

7. “Butterflies for Brains” Sculpture from Global Views. I like this piece so much that it sits in my home. And the name says it all — something that I’m sure depicts every one of us at some point. I love the whimsy and I’m a fan of adding sculpture into a home. $855 8. Wood Beaded Chandelier from Regina Andrew. This light fixture has a little bit of a Bohemian feel to it. I love the beading — the warm white complements so many spaces.

I also love the shape. It’s perfect for

an entryway or even above the dining room table. $1,831.

9. Aria Sofa and Aria Occasional Chair from Nuevo. Mulberry velvet? Not sure it gets any better! Add in the brushed gold legs and you had me at “hello!” I am a sucker for luxury, and this screams luxury. The best part is the price tag — add this piece to your home without breaking the bank. Sofa, $1,836. Chair, $1,242.

7.

8.

9.

6.

WE BUILD

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DREAM HOME

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inspired HEALTH

Magic Touch Reiki uses “universal life energy” to support the body's natural ability to heal itself

BY PAMELA DURKIN

T

OUCH is the most

fundamental of all the senses and the first one to develop in the human body. Without it, we cannot thrive. It nourishes, entices, soothes — and more importantly — it heals.

Victoria naturopath Dr. Jocelyn Taitt concurs.

“Touch is critical for our well-being at every stage of life,” she says. “It has a profound effect on both our physical and mental health.”

The healing power of touch is certainly not a new discovery. Its therapeutic power is

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described in both the Judeo-Christian Old and New Testaments. Unfortunately, in the “scientific” age, touch therapies were often decried as “nonsense” and viewed with widespread skepticism by the medical community. However, with the current renaissance of holistic medicine we are once again recognizing the amazing healing potential of touch.

One system of touch therapy that is gaining recognition and acceptance in the medical field is Reiki, an ancient tradition that uses “universal life energy” to support the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

After decades of skepticism and dismissal, the effectiveness of Reiki is finally being proven via peerreviewed double-blind studies and top medical facilities around the globe are utilizing it as a valuable adjunct in the treatment of pain, depression, anxiety and more.

While only a handful of Canadian hospitals, such as Toronto’s Princess Margaret, currently employ Reiki as a supportive treatment tool, there are now more than 60 US hospitals, including renowned places like the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, that offer Reiki as part of their patient services. And worldwide, Reiki is now widely used in cancer support centres, drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics and in palliative care facilities.

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“Reiki supports the release of emotions and energy blockages, re-establishing equilibrium in both body and mind.”

Reiki 101 Reiki is a Japanese word derived from rei, meaning “universal,” and ki, meaning “vital life force.” It is a relaxing form of healing therapy that is applied through gentle, non-invasive, nonmanipulative touch. In its basic form, it involves the Reiki practitioner laying his or her hands just above — or on — the clothed body of a client, slowly working over the front and back in a concentrated progression of hand movements.

Although various accounts relate slightly different versions of its history, it is thought that Reiki began in Tibet several thousand years ago. Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar, is acknowledged for rediscovering the lost art of Reiki in the 19th century. He passed on his knowledge to others who have since spread the practice of Reiki worldwide.

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Proponents of the therapy believe that the power of physical touch, by way of the palms of the hand and tips of the fingers, can be used to channel the body’s natural energy in a way that promotes general healing and overall good health.

The Treatment With my curiosity piqued, I decided it was time to experience Reiki firsthand. The decision led me back to Dr. Taitt, who, in addition to being a naturopath, is also a seasoned Reiki master.

We began the session by discussing my past and current health concerns and honed in on areas I wanted to focus on during this first treatment.

Proceeding to the massage table I grew ever more curious.

What would Reiki “feel” like and how would my body react? As Dr. Taitt placed her hands on different sites along my body, I became aware of intense heat emanating from the areas she was working on, in addition to some “tingling.”

What surprised me most, though, was the rather profound emotional response I experienced while she was working on the crown area of my head. I felt overcome by a sadness I was at a loss to explain. When we discussed this at the end of my treatment, Dr. Taitt explained that we often carry emotions in our bodies like memories, and they can become trapped and block the flow of “vital energy,” causing both physical and emotional discomfort.

“Reiki supports the release of emotions and energy blockages, re-establishing equilibrium in both body and mind,” she notes.

By the end of my treatment I felt blissfully relaxed, and this state of calm wasn’t just ephemeral, either. It lasted for several days. So what’s my conclusion? While Reiki is clearly not a cure-all, it certainly is a valid and valuable treatment that should be considered as a health-enhancing support for a variety of modern-day ills.

The Science Scientists are not completely certain how Reiki wields its magic, but several biological indicators suggest it activates our parasympathetic nervous system (aka our “rest and digest” system) and halts the body’s “fight and flight” stress response. How does this translate into a positive biological response in humans? Clinicians at both New York Presbyterian and Columbia hospitals found that Reiki treatments can lower heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. Given this, it’s not surprising that a recent meta analysis published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice concluded that Reiki is an effective approach to relieving pain and reducing levels of anxiety and depression.

Several studies also suggest the gentle therapy can improve certain behaviour and memory problems in patients with mild cognitive impairments or Alzheimer’s.

What’s more, as reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, it can calm dementia patients.

Finally, ongoing research points to its effectiveness at treating insomnia, increasing mobility in those with arthritis and Type-2 diabetes, accelerating recovery from sports injuries and surgery, and alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Expanding the possibilities of design.

INTERIOR DESIGN Residential | Commercial | Development | DIRTT

202 - 3935 Lakeshore Rd, Kelowna, BC

|

begrandfastdesign.com boulevardmagazines.com |

|

778.477.3488

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HOTPROPERTIES

Par Excellence

Award-winning show home highlights dazzling form, function and design

BY VALAURA JONES | P H OTO S BY JON ADRIAN

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Quick Facts Design time: 5 months Build time: 12 months Square feet: 4,600 Bedrooms: 3+ Bathrooms: 3.5 Notable features: Two-storey fireplace, Euro-style wet room, second-floor wet bar, putting green, custom steel staircase, ICF Foundation, 4. KW Solar Array, geothermal cooling and heating, dedicated HRV system

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E

ACH year, thousands of people make the pilgrimage to Kelowna, moving their lives as they seek the enviable Okanagan lifestyle. Those chasing the ultimate dream often find themselves exploring the breathtaking community of Wilden. Surrounded by nature and nestled on the hillside just a 10-minute drive from downtown, it’s a picturesque landscape that demands a similarly stunning home.

This is how I find myself pulling up in front of 1462 Rocky Point Drive on a warm, summer afternoon. It’s a two-storey home along Wilden’s panoramic West Ridge, with a lovely combination of exterior finishes that nod to nature while embracing clean, modern lines. The extra-wide sidewalk leads me to the front door as a water fountain splashes in the background.

This is an award-winning show home, recently honoured with the Okanagan Housing Award of Excellence. Built by Fawdry Homes, which also picked up the Small Volume Single Family Home Builder of the Year award, it is indeed an example of excellence in everything from design to finishing. No corner has gone unnoticed, and the quality of care and attention to detail is evident in every exceptional aspect of this property.

“Show homes are different because everyone is excited to show off their skills,” explains Chris Freer, co-owner of Fawdry Homes. “There are so many unique elements in this house that a homeowner may not typically do. But we can do those things in a home that is built to showcase our work and products.”

Walking through the front door, I’m greeted by an impressive fireplace that spans two storeys and divides the living room from the entry. Clad in an iron and concrete composite, the fireplace looks like it is straight out of a converted loft in Manhattan. To my left, a glass and steel staircase rises to a catwalk that overlooks the living space below.

The Fawdry team worked with interior designer Shonna Fox to create a modern industrial aesthetic. It’s an urban house that would be well suited to an

design. manage. build.

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entrepreneurial couple relocating from Toronto or Vancouver, seeking the best of the Okanagan without sacrificing on style.

“People come here from a long way away, and our homeowners are more discerning these days. They appreciate walking into this home and seeing things that they don’t see anywhere else,” says Chris.

The kitchen is perhaps the perfect embodiment of this design philosophy, with gleaming white cabinetry and quartz countertops highlighting the texture of a gray brick wall. A large iron hood fan looks like it was once in an industrial warehouse in Europe, while the dark Waterstone faucets tie it all together. The hardwood flooring offers a touch of warmth, making for an inviting space that will provide the perfect environment for lazy Sundays, family holidays, or raucous parties with friends.

The dining area is flanked by a wet bar, complete with wine fridge and wine wall. An eye-catching acrylic sink is the perfect place to chill a bottle or two for company. The best part? The sink is backlit so your bottles will literally shine.

Just steps away in the west-facing living room, I’m struck by the breathtaking scenery outside. In the Okanagan, it’s not difficult to find a great view, but the foreground of the landscaped yard with the hills and mountaintops in the distance is even more breathtaking than other luxury Okanagan homes.

The backyard has been carved into the rocky hillside and boasts a covered patio and a lawn area that’s the perfect size for sunbathing or playing

250.864.7446 | castellocustom.com

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3937 Lakeshore Rd. Kelowna lexiandlake.com 778-477-4787

Bring home – the – Luxury

9

Find everything from home furnishings to jewelry.

Four Hands, Barter Design, Fussenegger and more … boulevardmagazines.com |

S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

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games. But the real highlight is the synthetic putting green, placed to maximize the views for golfers working on their game.

Surrounded by lavender, this is truly a space designed for relaxing and unwinding at the end of the day.

Back inside, we make our way to the second floor, which Chris describes as “not so much a master suite as a master floor.”

He’s right.

The master bedroom itself is simple in design, allowing the views from the picture windows to do the work. The custom bed unit is warm and modern, constructed locally by 90 Degree Joinery. The clean lines continue in the master en suite that feels like an evolution of Scandinavian design. Large windows surround the deep bathtub, and the glass shower enclosure boasts a shower system so unique that it’s only the second one built in the Okanagan.

The master closet is a fashion-lover’s paradise. It’s not so much a closet as a his-and-hers walk-in dressing room, the size of most people’s bedrooms. For convenience, the dressing room is complete with a washer, dryer and laundry sink.

The upstairs landing features a wet bar niche within the fireplace facade. It’s the perfect place to set up a coffee or tea station so that you can start the day off right. To the left is an open lounge area that would also make a great office space. The lucky homeowner can start his or her day off with a cup of coffee, perhaps replying to emails before heading downstairs to the kitchen.

When building a home, it’s easy to get caught up on the design details. Attention gets pulled to finding the perfect light fixture, selecting paint colours and choosing flooring. But none of that matters if the home isn’t built correctly in the first place. Fawdry

Homes is passionate about its responsibility to ensure that a house truly functions well.

Touring the home with Chris, it’s clear how much the Fawdry Homes team values quality. While the design decisions are beautiful, the construction itself goes above and beyond with features like solar panels, a dedicated heat recovery system, and geothermal heating and cooling. The form follows function, with an emphasis on ensuring year-round comfort.

“We want to be known for the quality of our construction. We want to be known for doing things differently in the sense that we think of the home from the functional perspective,” Chris says.

“Our job is not just to build things that look great, but to ensure that the core of the home is better. It must be built correctly.”

It’s not hard to see why this show home was given top honours by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association judging panel. With an abundance of features, products and finishings not seen in many homes, 1462 Rocky Point Drive is the definition of special.

Whoever calls this property home will count themselves lucky indeed.

Supplier list:

Construction and Project Management - Fawdry Homes Ltd. Interior Design - Shonna Fox Design Concrete and Framing - Genuine Custom Builders Ltd. Windows - Andersen Windows Lighting - Lights on Banks Fixtures - Baths by Design Landscaping - Dario’s Landscaping Appliances - Coast Wholesale Appliances Flooring - Ploutos

Indulge your senses in PowderRain

kitchen & bath fixtures

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inspiration lives here COURTENAY • NANAIMO • VICTORIA

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TALKINGWITHTOBY

Necessary Endings Ken and Linda Stober’s Third Space

BY TOBY TANNAS | P H OTO S BY DARREN HULL

I

T has been said that some of the most beautiful

dreams are born in the less desirable moments of our lives. Kelowna’s Ken and Linda Stober know this firsthand.

“I like to call them necessary endings,” Ken explains. “It’s hard to believe when you’re doing something good, that something even better is waiting for you in the future.”

Seven years ago, Ken called it quits on the family construction business. He had spent 26 years as part of the fabric of Al Stober Construction, but when work-related tension with his dad started taking a toll on his well-being, Ken knew he had to leave.

“Our business relationship had come to an end. I wanted to make a different kind of impact on Kelowna away from building buildings. It was the hardest year of my life as I had no clear backup plan.”

All Ken knew was that he wanted to help people. He leaned heavily on his wife and best friend of 25 years, Linda, for support.

“We did a lot of talking and dreaming up what the future could look like for us,” she recalls.

Ken kept coming back to his passion for encouraging people and nurturing mental health. It was out of this passion that Third Space Life Charity was born.

“It came from my own experience and journey to find health and healing. I looked back at all the times I needed help and it was hard to find the answers to life’s big questions,” explains Ken. Third Space was created to be a barrier-free community space that offers people help and hope.

“The beauty of this is that if you can afford to pay for counselling, you can, but the charity raises money for our community care program and that’s for people to access counselling who can’t afford it.”

The counselling centre in Kelowna’s Landmark District is a friendly space, staffed with counsellors who are hand-selected by the Stobers. Just across the hall is Third Space Coffee Shop, a cosy gathering spot from which all profits are donated back to the charity.

“Your first space is your home, your second space is where you work and your third space is your community,” explains Linda. “The coffee shop is our community space.”

The Third Space community extends far beyond the walls of its counselling centre and coffee shop. Through a rare partnership with the University of British Columbia School of Social Work, Third Space is able to offer free counselling to university students. More than 1,500 UBCO students benefitted from the service last year. boulevardmagazines.com |

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Third Space also works closely with organizations like the Karis Support Society and NOW Canada by offering a program called Life Transitions. It is a post-addiction, recovery and return to community plan. Linda sees first-hand how it’s changing lives.

“The women in this program have been told what’s wrong with them for their whole lives. We’re showing them their strengths. You look at their faces and you see hope instead of despair.”

“That’s really our sweet spot,” Ken explains. “We take people who have been hurt or abused and help them heal and see a different future for themselves. If they can see themselves in a different future the chances of them being successful in their recovery improves drastically.”

The desire to foster this work in the community is deeply personal for the Stobers.

“It came out of our pain,” says Ken. “We have people who are very close to us who have struggled for years with addiction, trauma and suicide. It was our reality and we wanted to do something about it.”

The Stobers are molding a charity model that serves the community in many different ways. Third Space offers workshops on subjects people are struggling with. It works to destigmatize mental health and also to help people advance their own social conscience.

“We believe that generosity is a virtue that truly changes a person’s outlook,” says Ken. “We encourage people to join us and help make our community stronger.”

Third Space organizes its own fundraisers to support its work. It also graciously accepts donations from individuals and

groups within the community. But what really sets Third Space apart is its ability to direct 100 per cent of donated money to its programs.

“We are very fortunate to have a few donors that match every donation made to Third Space. Any overhead comes off the matched amount so the entire original donation goes towards helping people,” Ken says. “This makes our charity unique — and a great investment.”

The Stobers will always be about supporting and helping people, from baristas who staff their coffee shop to recovering addicts ready to embark on a new way of life.

“It’s our thing, and when you find that thing, it’s a game changer.”

Ironically, Ken’s journey has come full circle this year as his father’s deteriorating health means he is stepping back into the family business with his sister Carolyn. His role will be limited to high-level leadership, as the day-to-day running of the company is managed by a skilled and passionate team of employees.

Ken and Linda’s primary focus is and will remain the charity — growing Third Space and keeping it relevant.

“We will always listen to the needs of the community and we will always provide resources and hope.”

As the caretakers of Third Space, the Stobers have answered their calling and are therefore even more passionate about helping others from all walks of life fulfill their own soulfeeding, passion-finding, destiny-calling journeys.

For more information on Third Space and its charity spectrum, visit thirdspacemind.ca

Spectacular Okanagan Valley Lakeside Homes Act now for best selection on the remaining homes The word is out that The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake is the best new home community in the Okanagan Valley.

The Cottages includes a community centre with a gym, two pools and hot tubs as well as our private sandy beach and boat slips, there’s something for everyone. With over 220 homes sold, the remaining opportunities won’t last long.

With eight different home plans to choose from ranging is size from our modest 1,300 sf meadow homes to the exclusive 3,000 sf Meritage plan, there really is the perfect home for you.

We have several unique homes under construction and all homes can be customized to suit your needs. Please contact our sales team at 1.855.742.5555 or visit our website for a full tour.

Th Cotta e exempges is BC’s Va t from c Home ation Tax

Visit our Display Homes » 2450 Radio Tower Road, Oliver, BC See website for open hours.

1.855.742.5555 osoyooscottages.com

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OKANAGAN DEVELOPMENTS Encompassing breathtaking mountain vistas, glorious lake views and ample amenities and recreational opportunities, these premier developments offer the very best of Okanagan living. Create the life you want to live!

ARIVA KELOWNA Ariva is a beautiful master-planned lakeview estate with Premium Condominiums and a plethora of incredible amenities. Just five minutes from downtown Kelowna, yet it seems a world away. Ariva is specifically designed for people who want to downsize and make the most of every day.

People here will live healthy, happy and active lives. arivakelowna.ca

WEST HARBOUR West Harbour offers an affordable piece of premium lakeside luxury in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Minutes away from pristine nature as well as Kelowna’s bustling downtown, West Harbour is one of the region’s most comfortable communities, complete with a pool, sport courts, fitness amenities and a private beach and marina.

West Harbour is not just a place, it’s a community of like-minded families. westharbourkelowna.com

SKAHA HILLS

LOST CREEK POINT Upsize your lifestyle, downsize your spending. Maintenance-free living in spacious, semi-detached homes, located just 10 minutes from downtown Kelowna. Bright, open layouts and high-quality interior finishings and top-of-the-line appliances elevate the look and feel of these homes.

Skaha Hills’ third neighbourhood offering, The VISTAS provides a fresh approach to townhome design. These unique terraced ranchers continue with the one-level living plan, and the amazing views for which Skaha Hills is famous. The balconies are huge, offering unlimited potential to enjoy everything the Penticton lifestyle has to offer. The BENCH — Skaha Hills’ next detached homes neighbourhood — is now released for registering. skahahills.com

wildentownhomes.ca

VERT. GREEN SQUARE

Build your lakefront masterpiece at McKinley Beach. Become a part of the finest master-planned lakefront community in Kelowna. We invite you to visit our show home and tour our exclusive lakefront lots.

There’s a first time for everything. vert. is the newest phase in the popular Green Square community in beautiful Lower Mission and features the first six-storey wood-frame building in the city. vert. is the perfect choice for firsttime home lovers, first time families and first time downsizers.

mckinleybeach.ca

Liveatvert.ca

MCKINLEY BEACH

THE UPSIDE OF DOWNSIZING Barry Johnson, Predator Ridge and Canadian Adult Communities Development Partner announces an extraordinary development

WITH 5 COMPELLING REASONS TO DOWNSIZE

LOCATION

EXCEPTIONAL CONDOMINIUMS

A magnificent 12-acre Lakeview Estate with beautifully manicured grounds in a tranquil, almost rural environment is located on Old Ferry Wharf Road, just 5 minutes from downtown Kelowna.

ARIVA condominiums are truly exceptional with beautiful outdoor rooms that combine with great rooms to create an incredible space when glass walls are retracted.

The hub of ARIVA is a gathering place where residents meet, make new friends, and build an

UNPRECEDENTED COMMUNITY

BISTRO CAFÉ

WINE BAR LOUNGE

LAKEVIEW TERRACE

EXCEPTIONAL AMENITIES

ARIVA AMBASSADORS

Will be brought to life by a LIFESTYLE CONCIERGE who will arrange more activities, events, social functions, excursions and group travel opportunities than you can imagine.

Early adopters will help establish the character of a new community and be rewarded with:

PEOPLE AT ARIVA WILL LIVE WELL & PLAY MORE

• First choice of residences • Mission Hill VIP Membership • Ambassador pricing • First right to extra u/g parking • Credit toward upgrade packages

NO GST | NO SPECULATION TAX | NO PROPERTY PURCHASE TAX

NOW SELLING Visit Our New Presentation Center at 529 Bernard Avenue, Downtown Kelowna.

ARIVA RESORTS

Renderings are an artist’s conception and are intended as a general reference only.

E. & O. E. Sales and Marketing provided by Epic Real Estate Solutions Inc.

#WESTHARBOURLIFE LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE. LIVE YOUR WEST HARBOUR LIFE.

Introducing PARKSIDE West Harbour, the newest phase in Kelowna’s favourite lakeside community.

3 BR + Den. 2 Car Garage. Resort-Style Amenities.

NOW SELLING FROM $650K Register at westharbourkelowna.com

Upsize Your Lifestyle.

Downsize Your Spending.

Starting at $609,900+GST For a 2,000 Sq. Ft. Home No Strata Fees For 1 Year* Up to 50% More Energy Efficient Than the Average New Home *Only in phase 1

Maintenance-free living in a spacious, semi-detached home, ten minutes from downtown Kelowna. By exceeding the current standards for wall insulation, Wilden provides maximum living comfort at minimum energy cost.

Live carbon-neutral with local Renewable Natural Gas provided

by FortisBC. When buying a townhome in Lost Creek Point, Wilden will pay for your FortisBC RNG premium for the first 12 months after you move in.

LOST CREEK POINT Phase 1 · 1341 Rocky Point Drive · Kelowna Showhome open daily from 1-5pm, except Fridays.

WildenTownhomes.ca Contact Wilden Sales: 250.762.2906 · sales@wilden.ca

Luxury Lakefront Living START BUILDING NOW! LIVE AT THE BEACH BY NEXT SUMMER!

ONLY 11 EXCLUSIVE LOTS LEFT

YOUR HOME COMES WITH A KILOMETER OF LAKEFRONT PRIVATE SLIPS AT THE MARINA A WEALTH OF ON-SITE AMENITIES

VISIT OUR SHOW HOME AT 3428 WATER BIRCH CIRCLE MCKINLEYBEACH.CA | 250-980-5555

This is not an offering for sale. Such an offering can only be made with a disclosure statement. E. & O.E.

Penti c ton B C | Sk aha Hi lls . com

Take a Look at

The VISTAS Terraced Ranchers

Okanagan’s most unique property.

Famous views, one level living plans & large outoor living spaces.

NOW SELLING! Skahahills.com

Change Your View on Life.

Live. At Skaha Hills.

You Belong | Penticton, BC

Stunning Views

The BENCH Duplex & Single Family Homes

Unique, modern, exciting, efficient and going fast – don’t miss out.

NOW SELLING! Skahahills.com

9 0% SO LD

There’s a first time for everything.

– First Time Families This is not an offering for sale. E.&.O.E.

3 MOVE-IN-READY HOMES AVAILABLE Looking for your first home? Fall in love with vert., Kelowna’s first six-story wood frame condo and townhome

complex

located

in

Lower

Mission.

Competitively priced, featuring contemporary, westcoast design in a prime location, vert. is just minutes from Gyro Beach and close to schools, shopping and other amenities. Connect with vert.

CONDOS FROM $275K TOWNHOMES FROM $575K Call to book an appointment at 250.300.7711

FEATURES: 14 FLOORPLANS

/

1- 4 BR • BRIGHT,

OPEN LAYOUTS • ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION 1,400 SQ FT FITNESS AREA • GARDENING PLOTS

Liveatvert.ca

FASHION

Lake Love CRISP WHITES, SOFT CREAMS AND WARM BROWNS ARE PERFECT FOR THOSE LATE SUMMER LAKE DAYS, ESPECIALLY ON A BEAUTIFUL BOAT WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE. S T Y L I N G BY KIM APPELT | P H OTO S BY DARREN HULL

On Her: Vitamin A Swim Top ($140), black button-up linen shorts by Cotton Candy ($65) from Man + Woman; Leah Alexandra Herringbone Necklace ($ 795); Leah Alexandra Baroque Pearl Necklaces ($155); Janessa Leoné hat ($253), all from Fossello’s.

On Him: Model’s own shorts by Nike.

On Her: Dress by Vince ($475) from Fossello’s.’’

On Him: Blue button-up

by Jack and Jones ($65) from Man + Woman.

On Her: Lacausa linen dress ($219); Leah Alexandra Herringbone Necklace ($795); Leah Alexandra Baroque Pearl Necklaces ($155); LeSpecs Sunglasses ($105); James Smith Suede Slide ($249); Sancia Saddle Purse ($489), all from Fossello’s.

On Him: Black and white checkered button-up by National Standard ($125); gray Johnny khakis by Mavi ($140), both from Man + Woman.

On Her: Frame Satin Tank ($274); Vince Skirt ($450); Leah Alexandra Herringbone Necklace ($795); James Smith Suede Slide ($249), all from Fossello’s.

On Him: White, longsleeved button-up by Ben Sherman ($100); dark denim by Mavi ($129); Cream Herschel duffel bag ($114); straw hat with feather by Brixton ($74), all from Man + Woman.

On Her: Vince Knit Tank ($195) from Fossello’s; Cream high-waisted, wide-legged linen pants by Rails ($200) from Man + Woman.

On Her: Black Vince Square Knit Tank ($255); black, Vince Crinkle Pleat Pull On pant ($345); Janessa LeonÊ Hat ($253); Sancia Saddle Purse ($489) from Fossello’s.

On Him: Checkered shirt by National Standard ($125); straw hat with feather by Brixton ($74) from Man + Woman.

Models: Kristina Finamore and Mitchell Campagnolo, both represented by Deja Vu Model Management.

Makeup: Jenny McKinney.

Production assistants: Shay Mois and Aspen Appelt .

The absolutely gorgeous and luxurious Regal 35 Sport Coupe boat was provided by Martin Motorsports.

A huge thank you to Kevin Isabey and captain Kit Crowe for helping bring this shoot to life.

N EW P R I CE

$1,048,000

$998,000

612 Thorneloe Road, Kelowna BC Newly renovated mid century modern masterpiece on quiet cul-dec-sac. This family friendly backyard is a secluded oasis. The pool sized lot is set beneath a canopy of mature trees & has the sounds of a running creek nearby.

$1,095,000

401 - 1289 Ellis Street, Kelowna BC Never Before Available! The Ultimate In Kelowna Loft Living. Two storey corner unit with $2,000,000 renovation. Just one block off the beach! 18 ft. ceilings, floor to ceiling glass, private rooftop patio, hot tub.

4610 Crawford Court, Kelowna BC Executive walkout rancher with accessible floor plan having 2 private -law living suites. Thoughtfully landscaped and fenced yard is spacious enough for a pool. The two double driveways easily accommodate parking an RV or boat.

N EW P R I CE

NEW P RICE

6342 Topham Place, Peachland BC Enjoy sweeping Lake views from Kelowna to Naramata!

Quietly located on a no thru road overlooking Lake Okanagan. Well maintained 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home complete with elevator.

434 Curlew Drive, Kelowna BC Lovely 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom family home nestled on one of Kelowna’s most highly desired neighbourhoods. This home shines with upgrades including newer shaker style kitchen, upgraded windows, new flooring, new furnace and more!

213 Summer Wood Drive, Kelowna BC Nestled in the established neighbourhood of Wilden, Echo Ridge delivers a family oriented lifestyle amongst nature and close proximity to airport,downtown and schools. 1,902 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths and a den in the lower level.

MOV E- I N R E ADY*

MOVE-IN RE ADY*

MOVE-IN RE ADY*

$639,900

$895,000

$845,000 gst applicable

$799,900 gst applicable

$855,000 gst applicable

243 Grange Drive, Vernon BC New 4 bedroom 3 bath home in the new Commonage neighbourhood at Predator Ridge. Oversized windows and high end laminate floors are featured throughout the main areas in this vaulted great room plan.

291 Grange Drive, Vernon BC Convenient, easy one level living with 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms +den. Open, vaulted ceiling plan with hardwood flooring throughout the main living areas.

$819,000 gst applicable 239 Grange Drive, Vernon BC New 3 bedroom plus den, 2.5 bath home in the new Commonage neighbourhood at Predator Ridge. Huge transom windows & high end laminate flooring are featured throughout the main areas in this vaulted great room plan.

MOV E- I N R E ADY*

$1,295,000 gst applicable

$820,000 gst applicable 287 Grange Drive, Vernon BC New 2 bed, 2 bath home with unfinished basement in the Commonage neighbourhood at Predator Ridge. Over size windows and high end laminate floors are featured throughout the main areas in this vaulted great room plan.

253 Ashcroft Court, Vernon BC The Arroyo features 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms over two expansive levels. Open, vaulted plan with hardwood throughout the great room and foyer. Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, including dual fuel gas range.

*First 3 sales include furnishings. Contact us for more details.

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Language of

SCENT

Botanical alchemists use ancient methods for a deeper connection to place STORY AND PHOTOS BY LIA CROWE

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CENT is connected — through the oldest and most primal part of our brain — to memory, pleasure and desire. The smell of damp earth, dry leaves underfoot, fresh conifer needles or lavender blooms crushed between fingers can transport and calm your mind, as well as connect you to nature.

Local companies are harvesting and wildcrafting botanicals to create natural scents and skincare products, and bringing back self-care rituals that are infused with ancient and traditional knowledge.

Stepping on to the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm in Kelowna, for example, immediately awakens the senses with a flood of the most beautiful scent, and the sound of a million bees happily buzzing fills your ears. The overall message? Slow down, connect and enjoy. Every product made here comes straight from the land.

Touring the farm and shop is like walking back in time, with bunches of lavender hang-drying, and bottles and tins of oils, floral waters, hydrosols and salves lining the walls. Little blue glass bottles beg to be opened and experienced. Lavender has a huge medicinal history; it’s an anti-inflammatory, has antibacterial properties and just generally makes you feel good.

“I use lavender a lot in my scents; it’s like mustard in a sandwich,” says natural perfumer Laurie Arbuthnot of Wild Coast Perfumery. “When I sit down to make a perfume, it’s like sitting down to write a story or paint a picture — I need a direction.

So I use scent inspiration from locations to build the perfumes. Oak moss reminds me of being a kid at the end of summer going through the woods when everything is crunchy. The perfume called Tofino is inspired by the scent of moss, damp earth and a path leading to the beach lined with cedars and wild roses. Saltspring is inspired by a coastal cottage garden.”

When Laurie was asked to create a bespoke Okanagan scent for Green Vanity Boutique in Kelowna, she wanted to connect with the story told by the land in the Okanagan.

“It’s called Terroir 344. Terroir means all the elements in the environment that make a plant and its flowers and fruit distinctive, plus 344 is Kelowna’s elevation in metres. So to blend something Okanaganinspired, I envisioned sipping a glass of Pinot Grigio while looking out at the beautiful Okanagan vistas.

Following the lead of Pinot Grigio, Terroir 344 opens with fruity notes of bergamot, pineapple, lemon zest and grapefruit and blood orange. Slight velvety floral

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Fragrance has been a part of our life for centuries. It’s part of our culture and history. It’s a personal statement. notes of ylang ylang and jasmine weave through the heart of the perfume, followed by gentle, earthy, grass notes from vetiver and helichrysum, anchored by light touches of cedarwood and Douglas fir. It’s light and beautiful like a glass of Pinot Grigio.”

As my journey into the discovery of scent continues, I visit natural perfumers Karen Van Dyke (of K Van Dyke Parfum) and Stacey Moore (of Flore Botanical Alchemy) at The Still Room in Victoria, where they create and sell their scents and skincare products, and make custom, individualized scents.

“It’s about reconnecting to nature,” Karen says. “In this synthetic world we are floating on top of life; we’ve lost our connection with the earth.”

“Because of technology, many people are feeling disconnected, suffering from depression and anxiety,” Stacey adds. “Scent is a way back to our intuitive selves, to feeling connected to our place.”

Stacey does her own steam distillation and both perfumers incorporate sustainable and locally wildcrafted botanicals in their scents. They say this is important because the quality of the

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materials, who’s harvesting them, how they are harvested, and where they come from all matters.

Some of their favourite locally wildcrafted botanicals are wild rose and cottonwood. “Rose is the heart medicine,” Stacey says. “It wraps silk ribbons around your heart and just makes you feel good.”

“Rose scent is the highest vibration of any flower,” Karen adds. “When I first smelled cottonwood buds, the world opened up to me. It was like being attracted to a lover and I was inspired to get that scent into a bottle.”

Leigh Joseph/Styawat, from the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations, is an ethnobotanist and the owner of Skwálwen Botanicals. Pronounced squall-win, it’s a Squamish word that roughly means “spiritual heart” or “essence of being.” Leigh chose this name to represent the cultural connection to plants and Indigenous knowledge, as well as what working with plants brings to her life.

“It’s about relationship to the land,” Leigh explains. “I think there is a desire to have those tangible smells to ground you to place.”

She harvests wild plants in a sustainable and respectful way, and each product has a Skwxwú7mesh name to honour the place from which this knowledge comes.

“I want to infuse this creative outlet [making self-care products] with respectful cultural grounding. While you’re harvesting something, it’s important how you feel in your heart and your mind. Part of the cultural relationship is how you harvest, for example. When harvesting wild rose, you take only three of the five petals so that pollinators can still land, and the flower can still turn into a rose hip. Birds and animals

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rely on rose hips for food and I’m mindful to spread out the harvest.”

One of her favourite botanicals is conifer resin or pitch, which is crystallized tree sap.

“It smells very green and earthy. Sap is the antibacterial system of the trees so it has the same ability for us in fighting infection. Tree scents are very grounding and they connect me to the land.”

Like artists, approaches to creating scent vary. Back at The Still Room, Stacey takes a storytelling approach.

“I think about where I’m going. I may picture the sea and the sunset. So I imagine myself in that moment and then find smells that take me to that place. Then when you smell it, you can almost feel that sun on your skin.”

Karens says, “My scents are more abstract. Everything has a vibration, colour, sound and scent.”

She shows me a beautiful colour chart full of swirling colour combinations that she created as a tool to discover what scents a person might be attracted to.

“Perfumes are structured like a pieces of music: top notes, heart notes, base notes and accessories. Like a chord in music, each has a different vibrations. Our job is to make sure the movement through scent is smooth and you don’t lose the theme.”

“Art can change people quicker than language. Scent is an art form — you’re painting with scent, making music with scent, opening ideas and thoughts with scent, unlocking parts of the mind with scent and going back to your primal self. It can be very profound and connect us to why are we here, who we are.”

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TRAVELNEAR

SPIRITS WEST

of the

“Field to flask” at Vancouver Island’s Shelter Point Distillery

BY SUSAN LUNDY | P H OTO S BY L I A C R OW E

PHOTO COURTESY SHELTER POINT DISTILLERY

S

tanding in a converted cattle barn with 2,000 barrels of aging whisky lining the walls as far as the eye can see, I’m enjoying the thick, heady scent as I undertake some mental math. Despite the effects of the delicious fumes known to whisky lovers as the “angel’s share,” I calculate we’re surrounded by the makings of more than half a million bottles of Shelter Point Distillery spirits.

We are mid-point in a tour of this fast-growing Vancouver Island distillery, which barrelled its first whisky in 2011 and now produces more than 125,000 litres of spirits — whisky, gin, vodka and liqueur — per year.

To get to the barrel room, our small group — including me, my husband, another couple and our guide, Shelter Point general manager Jacob Wiebe — climbed into a quad and bounced around the distillery’s beautiful 380 acres of oceanfront land. Located on the eastern side of Vancouver Island just south of Campbell River, the property is crisscrossed by streams, the Oyster River, wetlands and, of course, the golden fields of barley and wheat that rippled gently in the wind as we motored by.

Jacob is informative and funny. Being married to one of Shelter Point owner Patrick Evan’s four daughters gives him license to gently poke fun at his father-in-law. The camaraderie among staff at this tight-knit, family-based business is obvious.

“You’ll be successful if you work half a day every day,” Jacob says, quoting Patrick’s father, who also once worked this land. “Doesn’t matter if it’s the first 12 hours or the second 12 hours.”

Jacob laughs and adds, “That’s Patrick’s motto, too.”

Shelter Point’s five full-time staffers have all learned to multi-task. This includes the two distillers, who now drive tractors and bang nails in addition to crafting fine spirits.

Today, they’re awaiting the delivery of 288 Kentucky bourbon barrels. When the shipment arrives, everyone will drop everything to help in the strength-taxing process of moving barrels from truck to storage.

Patrick was raised a dairy farmer. But with the industry in

decline — and, besides, his daughters weren’t fond of it — he looked to establish value-added agriculture on his land.

Creating Shelter Point Distillery was more about capitalizing on an opportunity than being a whisky aficionado.

“I am a beer drinker,“ Patrick laughs, patting his stomach as we chat with him prior to our tour. “I asked myself, ‘How do you value agriculture to the highest degree?’ Well, one acre of land produces 800 litres of alcohol, or 2,700 bottles of whisky.”

What must have been seen as a leap of faith in 2011 — after all, it took five years to produce the first bottle of whisky — is paying off today. Shelter Point Distillery is one of the largest producers of single malt whisky in Canada, and the accolades are rolling in, with two gold medal wins recently announced at the 2019 World Whisky Masters.

Plans are afoot to get even bigger by adding another still and eventually developing a true “field-to-flask” operation with on-site malting.

Currently, Shelter Point out-sources malting to a plant in Armstrong. But within the next year or two, Patrick hopes to be malting here, meaning every aspect of production — from seed to spirit — will occur on this land. And with the malting process in place, the business can add smoked whisky to its repertoire, incorporating true west coast flavours like maple or kelp.

“There are different perspectives on what defines the flavour of the whisky,” Patrick says. For him, as a farmer, it’s all about the soil. But there are many other factors, including the distilling process, the type of barrel used and — like grapes in wine — the variety and quality of the grain.

“When [the alcohol] goes into the barrels, it’s all exactly the same,” Patrick points out. “But it comes out different from each barrel. Even the barrel's wood and the history of the tree will affect the taste.”

Back in the barrel room, where the fumes are definitely making us all a little giddy, I suddenly understand the importance of water in the world of whisky. Once the barrelled whisky has aged, water is added to cut back the percentage of alcohol (unless the whisky is being bottled boulevardmagazines.com |

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Distiller James Marinus.

PHOTO COURTESY SHELTER POINT DISTILLERY

at cask-strength). Water at Shelter Point bubbles up from a mountain-fed aquifer, so it’s hard to imagine a more pure-tasting addition to the spirits.

At this thought, I’m ready to hit the tasting room, but the men are deep in conversation about Shelter Point cask purchases. At around $6,000 each, plus taxes and bottling costs, and a two- to three-year wait, the potential might not be immediately clear. However — despite the headiness of the angel’s share — I’m able to calculate that the ultimate yield of more than 250 bottles per barrel puts the price point way below retail value. My husband plans to present the concept to his whisky club.

Next, our group heads to the place where it all happens.

Stepping into the distillery with its soaring, timber-trussed roof, gleaming, six-metre-high copper stills and futuristic-looking columns is like walking into a piece of art or a sci-fi movie set. The entire Shelter Point building is gorgeous — from the flowered entranceway to the cushiony, aged-leather armchairs in the lounge — but this room is truly spectacular.

It’s here we meet distiller Leon Webb who, with his gentle Scottish brogue, leads us through the distilling process.

Dissatisfied with his previous occupation as an investment banker, and realizing that his prized Scotch collection brought him immense joy, he studied to become a master distiller. My husband is over the moon to learn that Leon created Victoria’s famously purple Empress 1908 gin.

“He’s like a rock star,” Bruce enthuses, asking me to photograph the two of them together.

The distilling process is fascinating, and we wander among the stills, poking our heads into them and inhaling the wonderful scents. Public tours of this part of the operation are free for the 60

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taking and I definitely encourage it. But for us — finally! — it’s time to taste the fruits of all this labour (or more accurately, the “spirits of all this distilling.”)

Whisky and I have a bit of a troubled past. It was once a favourite of mine; I even organized whisky evenings for our friends. But after a night of overindulging on cask-strength brew, it’s been tricky to get our relationship back on track.

However, after tasting samples from two bottles of Shelter Point whisky, I’m ready for a reconciliation. This whisky is among the best I’ve sampled. And since it’s a true west coast single malt, I’ll describe it as “smooth as the silky trunk of an Arbutus tree or the feather of an eagle.” We quickly pick up two bottles for purchase.

Then comes the vodka and gin. Light and clean with a hint of caramel, this vodka is too good to mix with tonic. It’s made for sipping. The gin is another surprise (although it was developed by a gin rock star). Rich with juniper, citrus and floral flavours, it rivals and surpasses any of the gins I’ve sampled in the past — and that’s quite a few. Bottles of vodka and gin are added to our bag. Finally, we savour the Barrel of Sunshine Liqueur, which comes with a story.

“My daughter didn’t like the taste of the whisky,” says Patrick, “so we told her to go and create something she did like.”

The resulting liqueur has been the distillery’s bestseller (although this summer sales were surpassed by the gin). Basking in its heavenly blend of sweet, citrus, honey warmth, we understand why. We purchase a bottle of Sunshine as well.

As we hit the Old Island Highway for the scenic drive back down island, I’m thrilled to have had the experience, collected the bag-full of bottles happily clinking in the backseat, and enjoyed a little of the angel’s share.

“Since it’s a true west coast single malt, I’ll describe it as “smooth as the silky trunk of an Arbutus tree or the feather of an eagle.”

THE ABCs OF

SHELTER POINT SPIRITS

ABV:

Alcohol by volume is the percentage of alcohol in a bottle, sometimes referred to as proof. The ABV of most Shelter Point spirits is 40 per cent, but it ranges from 30 per cent for the Barrel of Sunshine Liqueur to 50 per cent or higher for some lots of whisky.

BARREL AGEING:

To qualify as a whisky, a spirit must age at least five years in a cask, three of which must occur in charred oak casks. Shelter Point uses a variety of different barrels or casks, including Kentucky bourbon barrels and various types of wine casks, many from Quails' Gate winery in Kelowna.

CASK STRENGTH: In many cases, distillers

decide if a whisky from a certain cask can be consumed as is, or if water should be added to reduce the ABV. If a whisky is “cask strength,” it has been bottled exactly as it was in the cask, ranging from 46 to 60 per cent alcohol.

COPPER POT STILLS:

For any type of distilling, a pot or still is used to extract the spirit from the grain mash. Shelter Point uses two beautiful hand-crafted stills ordered specially from one of the oldest still manufacturers in the world: Forsyth of Scotland. Why copper? Because it is an excellent conductor, spreading the heat evenly in the distilling process.

E OR NO E?: Whisky is sometimes spelled

whiskey. There is no definitive answer to the question “e or no e?” but for the most part, Irish and American whiskey is spelled with an “e,” while whisky made in Canada, India and Japan conforms to the Scottish tradition of having no “e.”

PURCHASING A CASK:

Shelter Point Distillery warehouseman David Marshall in the barrel room.

The price of acquiring a cask at Shelter Point may seem daunting — averaging $6,000 plus taxes and bottling — but there are actually many benefits to such an investment. While the cask ages (for an additional two to three years), those who have invested in it can organize tastings of the spirit directly from their own barrel in Shelter Point’s barrel room. Customized bottling is another unique opportunity. But best of all is the end price per bottle (minimum of 250 bottles per cask), which is significantly below retail pricing. So like all good investments, the reward is worth the wait.

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FOOD+FEAST

Small plates that

inspire

Shop and serve — beautifully

BY CHEF HEIDI FINK P H OTO S BY D O N D E N TO N

T

APAS: the traditional, Spanish style of eating small bites of flavourful food while sipping on adult beverages. It’s a genius idea, and one that adapts well to home entertaining. Small plates, casual service, and delicious variety is the heart of tapas and the soul of summer entertaining.

Authentic tapas can run the gamut of simple cold dishes of olives and sliced cheese to more elaborate pre-cooked concoctions of tortilla (potato frittata), albondigas (amazing meatballs) and piquillo bacalao (roasted peppers stuffed with whipped salt cod). Although the cooked tapas are wonderful, the simple ones can still wow a houseful of guests.

My simple tapas entertaining idea comes from a crowd favourite in my Spanish cooking class: something I call “Shop & Serve Tapas.” It’s a collection of high-quality Spanish cheeses, meats, deli items, breads and nuts, arranged beautifully on platters and served as pre-class, or pre-meal, nibbles.

As a method of entertaining, “shop and serve” done right is easy on the host, stunning for the guests and delicious and filling. The trick is to source the right ingredients, plate them beautifully and throw in a few twists of your own.

I always start with a collection perfectly ripe cheeses that range from creamy and sweet to blue-veined. (If you are unsure of how to build a good cheese platter, see my tips below and enlist the help of knowledgeable cheese sellers at any of the delis

in town.) I then add shaved Jamón ibérico or Jamón serrano (dry-cured Spanish ham), thinly sliced spicy chorizo and drycured wine chorizo.

Round out the selection with delicious tidbits: marinated olives, warm spiced nuts, membrillo (aromatic quince paste), artichoke hearts, and piquillo peppers. These, combined with sliced breads, crackers, a full-bodied red wine or crisp white wine and a lovely table, make for a perfect storm of entertaining magic. Simple and fun for the hosts, inviting for the guests.

Must-haves for Shop & Serve Tapas: • Two types of olives (usually spicy Spanish from Charelli’s or home-marinated Mantequilla olives plus a black olive) • Quince paste: known as membrillo, this sweet-sour and flavourful paste pairs beautifully with cheese and blue cheese in particular • Spanish salted almonds (see recipe) • Three to six varieties of Spanish cheese (see cheese platter list below) • Charcuterie platter with Jamón serrano and sliced dry cured chorizo • Marinated piquillo peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, or other marinated vegetables of your choice (see recipes) • Sliced baguette, crackers, rice crackers and other objects for holding cheese • Anything else that strikes your fancy, including cooked tapas Tortilla Espanola (see recipe)

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Almonds

Manchego cheese (aged three months, sheep milk, Spain)

Queso de Romero (sheep milk, Spain) Quince paste

Valdeon blue cheese (cow and sheep milk, Spain)

Manchego cheese (aged 12 months, sheep milk, Spain) Mahรณn cheese (cow milk, Menorca Islands, Spain)

Idiazabal (sheep milk, Spain)

Robiola cheese (cow and goat milk, Italy)

Platters, bowls, cheese knives, wooden scoop and shopping bag from Pigeonhole Home Store.

HOW TO BUILD A CHEESE BOARD Most important rule: Have fun and enjoy the different flavours, textures and aromas of the cheeses you have chosen.

The information below has been provided as a guideline only — there is no true right or wrong way to enjoy cheeses.

How to choose cheese for a platter If you are unsure of where to start, enlist the help of the knowledgeable cheese sellers at any of the delis in town.

Select at least three cheeses that vary in shape, size and colour for a visually interesting platter. Choose cheeses of different textures: one soft, one firm, one crumbly, for example.

Choosing different textures will also take care of the next rule: choose cheese of different flavour profiles. Have a variety of flavours, from mild and sweet, to strong, sharp, creamy.

Aim to have at least two different milk-types represented. The most commonly available milk types are goat, sheep and cow.

Most of all, choose cheeses that you LOVE. Ask the cheese seller for samples and recommendations.

For more fun, choose a theme; for instance, select cheeses from the same region or by the same cheesemaker. In this article, I built the platter almost exclusively from Spanish cheeses, most of which are firm, sheep-milk cheeses, that still provide an interesting contrast in flavours.

Display

MARINATED ROASTED PEPPERS This recipe can easily be made with home-roasted peppers, if desired. But the small, sweet and flavourful Spanish piquillo peppers are available roasted in jars at a couple of delis around town and make an excellent addition to the tapas table.

1 jar roasted piquillo peppers, drained, sliced 45 ml (3 Tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) salt, or more, to taste 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) sweet paprika, or more, to taste 15 to 30 ml (1 to 2 Tbsp) freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste In a medium bowl, mix together sliced peppers, olive oil, salt, paprika and lemon juice, stirring to mix well. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes before adjusting the seasonings (it may need more salt and/or lemon juice). This can be made up to two days in advance or served immediately.

Photo: Jon Adrian

Make sure you have a large enough surface to fit cheeses comfortably with enough space between them so your guests

can cut them easily. It’s trendy right now to cram platters and boards full, with every available surface covered with garnishes, figs, charcuterie, pickles. While this looks stunning at first, it interferes with your guests’ ability to serve themselves, and it disturbs the natural beauty of the cheeses themselves. Feel free to add small bowls of olives, fig jam, chutney, quince paste and anything else that would enhance the guests’ experience with the cheese — but don’t go crazy.

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QUICK-MARINATED ARTICHOKE HEARTS I prefer to buy plain canned artichoke hearts and add my own lemony, herb-y marinade. Bright and fresh tasting, this is one of my favourite quick recipes.

1 can artichoke hearts (not marinated), drained, sliced thin 45 ml (3 Tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil 1.5 ml (¼ tsp) salt or more, to taste, 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced very fine, or pressed through a garlic press 60 ml (4 Tbsp) finely minced parsley 30 ml (2 Tbsp) freshly squeezed lemon juice

Spanish spiced almonds

Marinated roasted peppers

In a medium bowl, mix together sliced artichoke hearts, olive oil, salt, garlic and lemon juice, stirring to mix well.

Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes before adjusting the seasonings. This is best made at least one hour before serving, and up to two days in advance. Just before serving, stir in the minced fresh parsley. The parsley will lose its colour if it is added too far in advance.

Marinated olives

MARINATED OLIVES 500 ml (2 cups) Mantequilla olives, or other high-quality olive 60 ml (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil 8 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed zest of 1 lemon, thinly sliced or grated 10 ml (2 tsp) fennel seeds, lightly crushed 2.5 ml (½ tsp) red chili flakes Gently heat the olive oil with the garlic, lemon zest, fennel seeds and red chili flakes. Be sure not to cook it, just heat it up a bit to help release the flavours. Pour everything over the olives and let marinate for at least 1 day, and up to 5 days, before serving.

SPANISH SPICED ALMONDS This is the best kind of a recipe: one that is very simple, but tastes VERY more-ish. Fried almonds (almendras fritas) are an authentic tapa in Spain — the almonds are traditionally deep fried and then salted (always) and spiced (frequently) and served either warm or at room temperature.

I have adapted the recipe to be pan-toasted in olive oil; it’s just as tasty and not so intimidating. I prefer the almonds while they are still warm – for a more interesting eating experience – but they are still delicious at room temperature.

Feel free to play around with the spicing: add hot pepper, ground cumin or lemon pepper. I prefer them the way I have written it — enough salt to make them snacky and a hint of smoked paprika for an exotic touch.

250 ml (1 cup) raw natural almonds 10 ml (2 tsp) extra virgin olive oil 1.5 ml (¼ tsp) fine sea salt 1.5 ml (¼ tsp) smoked sweet paprika a few grinds of black pepper

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Pickled peppers

Quick-marinated artichoke hearts

Marinated olives

Heat a large skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes.

Reduce heat to medium-low and add the two teaspoons of olive oil. Add the almonds and stir to coat with oil. Toast the almonds, stirring almost constantly, until lightly toasted, about 6 minutes (the nuts will start to give off a slightly toasted aroma, but shouldn’t have any dark or black spots on them). While the nuts are toasting, keep an eye on the heat. Every stove is different. If the oil is smoking or the pan seems otherwise too hot, turn down the heat. If the nuts don’t appear to be toasting, turn the heat up a bit.

Once you are confident that the nuts are lightly toasted, add the salt, paprika and pepper. Stir vigorously to coat the nuts evenly with the spices, and continue to stir constantly for another 30 to 45 seconds, until the spices are fragrant and the nuts are completely toasted. Immediately remove to a bowl and serve.

TORTILLA ESPANIOLA I couldn’t resist throwing in one actual cooking recipe. This delectable potato “omelet” is pretty easy to make and is absolutely one of the most famous and delicious of the Spanish tapas. Russet potatoes taste best for tortillas that will be served immediately. For a tortilla made in advance, use Yukon Golds.

125 ml (8 Tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil 568 gm (1¼ lb) russet or Yukon gold potatoes (about 3 medium), peeled and sliced into 3 mm (1/8-inch) rounds 1 small to medium onion, halved and sliced 3 mm (1/8 inch) thick 5 ml (1 tsp) salt 8 large eggs

Experience

Heat a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (i.e. cast-iron) over medium heat. Add 30 ml (2 Tbsp) of the oil and the onion and sauté until onion is limp and translucent. Remove onions from pan and place in a bowl.

Add 75 ml (5 Tbsp) of the oil to the pan and add the potatoes with ¼ tsp of salt and stir to coat thoroughly with the oil. Sauté, stirring occasionally, with the pan covered at least half the time, until the potatoes are mostly cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove potatoes from the pan to the bowl with the onion, leaving as much oil as possible in the pan. Turn off the heat.

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs with the remaining salt until eggs are evenly yellow and no streaks of unbeaten white remain. Turn the heat back on to medium.

Add the potatoes and onions to the bowl with the egg. Stir well to mix evenly. Add half of the remaining olive oil to the pan (15 ml, 1 Tbsp). Add the egg-potato-onion mixture and immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, until set and mostly cooked through.

At this point you can finish cooking the tortilla under the broiler, or do it the traditional way: use a thin metal spatula to loosen around the edges of the tortilla, place a plate over the top of the pan and, using oven mitts, invert the pan so the tortilla comes out upside down on to the plate.

Pour the last tablespoon of oil in the pan and heat over medium-low heat. Add the upside down tortilla and cook on the second side for 4 to 5 minutes more. Remove from the pan and let cool for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.

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TRAVELFAR

And the Rest is History

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Modern comforts mingle with Tallinn’s Soviet past

BY LUCAS AYKROYD

G

AZING up at the Hotel Viru as the sun sets and the moon rises, I feel a strange wave of nostalgia hitting me here in Tallinn.

I first visited the capital of Estonia with my family at age 15 in 1990. It was the twilight of the era of communism and the Cold War. Estonia was still a Soviet republic, and while we didn’t stay at the Hotel Viru — which, at 23 storeys, is Tallinn’s tallest building — we always saw it looming over the city. I’m half-Finnish, and the hotel was built

by Finns in 1972. But back in the day, visitors didn’t know about its sinister inner workings.

Nearly 30 years later, I’m back in this city of 437,000 on a customized tour with JayWay Travel, enjoying a taste of Soviet flavour minus the Soviet hassles. Specializing in Central and Eastern Europe, the New York-based boutique travel company offers independent travel with accommodations, transportation, transfers and a local guide arranged for you.

Getting to Tallinn hasn’t changed much. It’s a smooth, twohour Eckerö Line ferry ride from Helsinki over the glittering Baltic Sea with saxophone-heavy Muzak and passengers drinking beer at 9 am. However, getting picked up at the terminal and driven to the St. Petersbourg Hotel is a novel, cushy experience.

En route, I spot such non-Soviet innovations as Chanel ads and a Bon Jovi concert billboard. The curving, cobblestone streets of Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre dating back to the 13th century, remind me of Prague and Quebec City.

At the five-star St. Petersbourg Hotel, a king-sized bed, coffee machine and big-screen TV grace my Russian Imperialstyle suite. Such luxury is a far cry from my 1990 hotel, where East German and Mongolian currency rates were displayed in the lobby, and lunch each day was cabbage soup, gray sausages, and bread on every table – occupied or not – in the cavernous dining room.

To delve back into the darkness of Soviet hegemony, I meet Jonas in the lobby for a walking tour. Educated in Reykjavik, this Icelandic historian met an Estonian woman and moved to Tallinn, doing double duty as an archaeologist. Moonika, my official JayWay guide, also joins us.

As we stroll through the walled Old Town in the sunshine, Jonas describes how the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact with Nazi Germany gave the Soviet Union control of the Baltic states. The deal remained unknown to Estonians until 1987

under USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost (“openness”).

After describing mass deportations during World War II and the 1944 Soviet bombing of Tallinn, Jonas points out the boxy Pegasus Restaurant, which formerly housed the Estonian Artists Union.

“This was a popular place for artists to discuss how to advance culture and get special imported food — like bananas,” he says.

Jonas leads me past other landmarks, like the 1950s-built Soprus propaganda cinema, the old KGB headquarters and the Church of St. Olaf, which once had a KGB watchtower and radio tower. Less ominous is the Lenin Palace of Culture and Sports.

The concrete seaside compound hosted sailing events during the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. When we chat about the Olympic mascots, it stokes my appetite for Soviet kitsch.

Before going down that rabbit hole, Moonika takes me for lunch at nearby, trendy Umami, where I enjoy crispy chicken from the fusion menu. We wander past the Suur Toll icebreaker in the harbour, and check out spectacular modern apartments springing up in the Noblessner maritime industrial district.

I get my kitsch fix at an old indoor bazaar packed with stuffed Olympic mascot toys: Misha the bear and Vigri the seal.

Incongruously, Bon Jovi’s “Wanted: Dead or Alive” blares as I browse through vintage anti-alcohol posters and Stalin busts.

Moonika guides me back into the 21st century. In the Telliskivi Creative City district, I beeline for the independent Puänt bookstore, which stocks collections of Estonian fairytales alongside books by Umberto Eco and Haruki Murakami.

We stop for a pre-dinner drink at Pudel Bar. It has 13 craft beers on tap, including my Kolk Nakk, a refreshing passion fruit witbier. This is different from Gorby’s heyday, when kvass — a low-alcohol Russian beer made with fermented rye bread — was the go-to beverage.

Dinner is at Farm, serving modern Estonian fare in the Old Town. The upscale room has a cheery, surreal farmhouse vibe, including a diorama with a stuffed wolf and boar dining together.

I feast on juicy duck filet with baked parsnip and cherry red wine sauce.

I’m well-fortified for my next plunge into Estonian history the following day. A quick cab ride brings Moonika and me to the Bronze Soldier statue in the Tallinn Military Cemetery.

Commemorating combatants who fell in World War II, it oddly resembles a mid-1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger.

We cut through the nearby Kadriorg Park, home to Catherine boulevardmagazines.com |

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Restaurant Tchaikovsky at Tallinn’s Hotel Telegraaf.

the Great’s summer palace, and then walk 20 minutes to the Statue Park, with granite carvings of Lenin and assorted local communists. The collection is eerie and stoic.

Located behind Maarjamäe Palace, the Statue Park lies in eyeshot of some cool museums.

At the History Museum, I gape at the 1987-created “Friendship of Nations” mural portraying everything from the Baikal-Amur Railway to legendary Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Moonika and I also play a vintage Soviet pinball game. And I learn about the late 1980s Singing Revolution, where thousands of Estonians belted out patriotic songs on the road to 1991 post-Soviet independence.

The Estonian Film Museum amusingly depicts different dilemmas for directors, from complaints about foreign bourgeois ideology in 1980 to attempts to incorporate a condom endorsement artistically in 2000. Moonika tells me about The Last Relic, a 1969 historical movie that became a hit: “It’s a bit silly, as they used Latvian and Lithuanian actors with dubbed Estonian dialogue.”

For me, the highlight of an Estonian pop music exhibition is spotting posters and memorabilia of Ultima Thule, whose 1988 self-titled debut LP I bought on my first

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I join a tour group on the hotel’s 23rd floor and learn what the KGB didn’t tell the Finnish architects: 60 hotel rooms were bugged.

Lamps, phones and ashtrays contained listening devices.

guide Margit notes: “The Soviet Union, officially the best country in the world, knew its people wanted out.”

Paradoxically, today’s Westerners find the idea of KGB surveillance shocking, but happily hand out their private details via Facebook and Twitter. I just shake my head as I leave the hotel to wander through Old Town again. A long-haired busker in a leather jacket riffs his way through Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” — very un-Soviet.

It’s time to engage in capitalist commerce. I enter the nearby Rimi supermarket and buy organic peppermint tea from Pohjala Taimetee and black currant chocolate from the Roosiku Chocolate Factory. Yum! Yes, life has gotten a lot more comfortable in Tallinn since my teenage years.

Tallinn visit. On that note, it’s time to take a major Soviet plunge. Back downtown, Moonika drops me off for my Hotel Viru tour.

I join a tour group on the hotel’s 23rd floor and learn what the KGB didn’t tell the Finnish architects: 60 hotel rooms were bugged. Lamps, phones and ashtrays contained listening devices. We enter a stale, ominous KGB radio transmission centre that monitored ships bringing foreign visitors.

An adjacent office displays such oddities as Estonian newspapers that ran identical obituaries when Soviet leaders Leonid Brezhnev and Yuri Andropov died in 1982 and 1984 – just to make sure they didn’t say anything ideologically incorrect.

This lack of freedom took its toll, as our middle-aged tour

MORE LUXURY LODGINGS Tallinn’s Hotel Telegraaf, which opened in 2007, tastefully celebrates its roots as a 19th-century post office.

At the five-star property, blown-up images of vintage Eesti Post stamps decorate superior rooms, which also feature working rotary telephones and French balconies. Executive chef Vladislav Djatsuk serves beautiful Russian and French cuisine at Restaurant Tchaikovsky.

IF YOU GO Contact JayWayTravel at jaywaytravel.com or 1-800-344-5785 to plan your trip.

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FRONT ROW

BY KATHY MICHAELS

A ROUNDUP OF ARTSY HAPPENINGS TAKING PLACE IN THE OKANAGAN THIS FALL. ENJOY ROCK MUSIC, WINE, BEER, HUMOUR AND A ONE-MAN SHOW.

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cutline

Big Wreck will be playing two Okanagan dates this fall.

BIG WRECK

VERNON, OCTOBER 29 KELOWNA, NOVEMBER 3

A

MERICAN-Canadian band Big Wreck announced two Okanagan shows for its upcoming But for the Sun tour, the first in Vernon and the second in Kelowna.

The band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1994 and then disbanded in 2002. Eight years later members reunited for a tour and audiences clearly got a taste for their brand of music.

In 2012, the band released its third studio album, Albatross.

The band has since released the albums Ghosts in 2014 and Grace Street in 2017.

The first single from their most recent album, Locomotive, was released in February and reached number six on the Canadian rock charts.

Big Wreck is going on with the tour despite losing founding member and guitarist Brian Doherty to cancer on June 5. The band has continued performing as a trio.

Tickets are available at livenation.com.

BREWLOOPS

SEPTEMBER 27 AND 28 MCARTHUR ISLAND PARK, KAMLOOPS If you’re in the market for an event that’s lighthearted and tasty, BrewLoops may be the right fit.

Tyson Andrykew, who is on the board of organizers for the event, said this year’s BrewLoops have one of the best entertainment lineups to date.

“For the fall event we kind of want to up our game as far as the musical acts go, so we have a second stage. Plus we’re bringing in a lot more artists, so there should be something for everyone to enjoy,” Andrykew said.

There will be some local performers as well as some bigger BC bands entertaining the crowds. Headlining the event will be The Zolas, an indie rock band out of Vancouver. Other notable acts include The Dudes and Sinister.

Of course, the highlight of BrewLoops remains the beer and cider. Andrykew says 30 vendors are registered to partake in the event, with local companies and breweries from around the province pouring their craft.

If you’re looking for some lighthearted fun, there will also be

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a Ferris wheel and bumper cars. On Friday night, you can try your hand at axe throwing, and on Saturday you can check out magician Clinton W. Gray.

BrewLoops is a volunteer-run event with proceeds donated to non-profit organizations like the Western Canada Theatre and the Rotary Club of Kamloops West, among others. You can check out more information and get tickets at www.brewloopsfest.ca/2019-brewloops-festival/

SENSATION, THE FALL WINE FESTIVAL FINALE PENTICTON LAKESIDE RESORT OCTOBER 12

With fall comes the harvest and with harvest comes the Okanagan’s most well-known celebration — the Fall Wine Festival.

There are a number of events to quench a thirst for one of BC’s most famed exports, but one event being held in Penticton is offering a unique blend that extends beyond the glass. Sensation pairs BC wine with art, music, food and culture.

Organizers say you should expect to see big bold whites paired with a local author’s vivid reading; moody red wines paired with a dramatic string trio; crisp, lively bubbles paired with an energetic live art demonstration.

“Around every corner, the best of Okanagan culture and the arts meets the best of BC wine through this sensational event,” organizers say.

For more than 30 years, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society has partnered with organizations to produce tasting events that showcase wine, while elevating the valley's social and cultural landscape.

The fall event is now in its 39th year of gathering Okanagan wineries and farmers together to create a unique experience where guests may sip and sample wines and feast on an array of cheeses, breads and charcuterie items.

Event and ticket information for is available at thewinefestivals.com.

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KELOWNA CURLING CLUB SEPTEMBER 20

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As the sun fades away, everyone needs a bit of magic and a dash of laughter.

Luckily, there’s an act for that. You may know Wes Barker from America’s Got Talent, MTV’s Greatest Party Stories Ever, Wizard Wars or Full Frontal Magic. But this Canadian comedian and magician is best known for his 2015 stint on Penn and Teller: Fool Us. Barker famously managed to win on the CW program by fooling the legendary magicians with a trick. Barker asked the show's host to pick a page of a phone book at random and remember the page number. Barker then ripped the phone book in half from top to bottom. He asked the host to throw the ripped pages into the air and then stabbed one with a sword. The page he stabbed was the page the host picked at the beginning. Neither Penn or Teller could figure

Wes Barker will be bringing his show to the Kelowna Curling Club September 20.

out how he did it. The act won him YouTube channel following of over 159,000.

For ticket information go to trainwreckcomedy.com

BRUCE MCCULLOCH

CREEKSIDE THEATRE, LAKE COUNTRY NOVEMBER 9 One of Canada’s most well known comedians, Bruce McCulloch, will be performing Tales of Bravery and Stupidity in Lake Country this fall. The one-man show has been lauded for being as touching as it is funny. It’s part stand-up and part storytelling, and offers insight into some of the bravely stupid things McCulloch has done over the years.

“The title Tales of Bravery and Stupidity is really about my personality,” he said. “It’s about how I get myself in and out of trouble, seemingly for sport, which I think I’ve been doing since I was a young punk. But I still have that characteristic that I just can’t get rid of, so I do find myself in weird situations.”

It is autobiographical in nature like his other one-man shows, looking into his past, but also exploring his recent decision to relocate his family back to Toronto after living in the US for a few decades.

Known most famously as a member of the The Kids in the Hall, the Kids recently returned to TV with the series Death Comes to Town. He’s also known as the creator of ABC’s Carpoolers. His latest project for Rogers TV, Young Drunk Punk, is a show inspired by his own life that began airing in January of 2015. Bruce both writes and stars in it.

He has also written and/or directed several films, including Dog Park starring Luke Wilson, Superstar starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell, Stealing Harvard starring Jason Lee and Leslie Mann, and Comeback Season starring Ray Liotta.

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Bruce McCulloch, of Kids in the Hall fame will be at Creekside Theatre in Lake Country

Tickets are $39 (Includes taxes and fees). For more information and to purchase tickets online go to: creeksidetheatre.com or trainwreckcomedy.com Deepen your appreciation for the North Okanagan at our brand-new tasting room and year-round restaurant, Home Block at CedarCreek. Open Daily.

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CANADA’S GREAT KITCHEN PARTY NOVEMBER 15 DELTA GRAND HOTEL, KELOWNA

There is no better way to take in Okanagan culture than by enjoying its bounty.

An opportunity to do just that will take place in Kelowna November 15, when the city hosts Canada’s Great Kitchen Party at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. The event is a fundraiser for youth in sport, but it also gives local chefs a chance to compete in the Culinary Championships, which leave Kelowna for Ottawa January 31 to February 1.

“Kelowna has been the proud host of the National Canadian Culinary Championships for the past nine years, but we have yet to have a local chef compete,” said Daniel Bibby, Kelowna co-chair. “This November we’ll be able to showcase seven of our local Okanagan chefs and have Kelowna represented at the national event in Ottawa. It is pretty exciting.”

The event begins with the culinary competition where seven chefs from the Okanagan Valley serve their chosen dish, paired with a Canadian beverage, to a panel of judges. On that panel is James Chatto, Chef Bernard Cassavant, Judy Burns, Jennifer Schell, Chef Mark Filatow and Chef Jeremy Lyupen.

The local chefs selected to compete in this prestigious culinary event are: Rob Walker from Big White Ski Resort, Kai Koroll from BLOCK ONE Restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate, James Holmes from Salt & Brick, Chris Braun from RauDZ Regional Table, Brock Bowes from CrAsian Foods Corp, Andrea Callan from the Red Fox Club at Indigenous World Winery and Jeff Van Geest Miradoro from Tinhorn Creek.

After the culinary competition, the 350-plus VIP guests will be invited to the second part of the evening, the Celebration Gala.

Elite athletes from amateur, para and pro sport will be introduced with the opportunity to mingle and enjoy some wonderful music.

Tickets are available at greatkitchenparty.com/ca/cities/ kelowna.

SECRETS&LIVES SECRETS+LIVES

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They share history, but it’s also clear they have a strong bond that carries them forward.

Sister Act The ties that bind real estate partners Tamara and Shannon Stone

BY KATHY MICHAELS | P H OTO S BY DA R R E N H U L L

S

AYING the Stone Sisters are impressive negotiators may sound like little more than an endorsement for their real estate partnership. But in actuality, it’s much more.

Negotiating is part of the tie that binds them together and is woven so deeply into their story it’s almost as intrinsic to who they are as their DNA. “We had to negotiate for everything growing up,” said Tamara one afternoon while sitting in a Kelowna Starbucks, prompting Shannon to nod in agreement.

“Our report card would come in and our dad would say, ‘that’s great — you got a B in math, now go and get an A.’ We would be like ‘huh, what?’ And he would say, ‘go back to school and talk to your teacher.’”

They would trundle back into their classroom the next day and start making the case for a better mark, pointing out that perhaps the grading of a paper or exam failed to take note of some nuance of the answer they’d offered. Inevitably, they’d sway their teachers and their marks would inch up.

It taught them how to confront an issue, be resourceful and believe in themselves — three key ingredients to success and — more importantly for young women who wanted to one day make an impact on the world— independence.

“It was important to both our mom and dad that we be able to stand on our own two feet,” said Shannon.

Unsurprisingly, it makes an impression on those who have seen it in action.

“We went to list an old teacher’s house two years ago, and I said ‘we’re really good negotiators,’” Shannon said.

“They were like, ‘oh, we know.’ Back when we were students, she told us, all the teachers would talk about

which Stone sister was coming in to negotiate first.”

It’s part of what made real estate such a natural fit for the sisters, although they came to that realization at different times.

Their parents were realtors in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Tamara decided to follow in their footsteps in 1995, in the thick of an economic lull that hit the Okanagan hard.

“Everyone actually said to me, ‘are you insane, you’re getting into real estate? Why would you do that?’” Tamara said, adding that she was glad she started in such a hard market.

“July 1, 1995, was my first day and I had a dark suit and I’d cut my hair off and sold it to buy business cards … I looked like I was 11 years old.”

Shannon stopped her sister there and offered some perspective as only a loved one can.

“She didn’t look 11. She was 22 and while all of her friends were going to the bar, she’d decided to go into real estate,” Shannon said. “She had short hair, and the worst blue suit — she looked older than she looks now.”

With that, the two laughed and the story shifted to include the added insight.

The Stones have an easy way of communicating. They speak at an energetic clip, encouraging each other as they tell stories and laughing at jokes and shared memories.

They even finish each other’s sentences. They share history, but it’s also clear they have a strong bond that carries them forward.

That closeness is part of the reason why their family was concerned when, 10 years after Tamara donned her blue suit, Shannon decided she too wanted to be in real estate.

“Shannon came in after years of me begging her and she boulevardmagazines.com |

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The CHBA has over 270 industry leaders locally in the Central Okanagan, over 2,500 members provincially, and more than 8,000 industry leaders nationally. As an association, we have a collective strength and visibility to help serve our industry, all while offering our members a number of direct benefits.

BENEFITS YOU CAN BUILD ON.

BECOME A MEMBER.

To become a member visit chbaco.com/join-now Or call us at 250.861.3988 80

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said, ‘okay, but I am not going to work for you, I will work with you for six months,’” said Tamara, adding that they were content to go their separate ways at that point.

“Everyone was worried. We have a tight-knit family, and they worried that if we didn’t get along it would wreck everything.”

Of course, it didn’t. They’ve been a homegrown success story, awarded Kelowna’s Best Realtors multiple times and continually ranking among the Top 100 Teams with RE/MAX Canada.

They’ve found success, balance and a way to have fun with the work they share.

“If I do anything that annoys Shannon, she just has to raise her eyebrow a little bit and I stop,” said Tamara.

And vice versa.

“We know and we appreciate each other and each other’s opinions,” added Shannon.

“We’re almost one person, but we have different strengths and weaknesses that complement each other.”

They found a groove that allows them to take on all challenges, including market fluctuations. They choose to look at the positives in the market, and work with what they have.

“There are always people moving, sales to be had and chances to be creative,” said Tamara.

“A market like this is nice because you can be honest. Lots of realtors don’t want to tell someone what they need to hear because it’s not what they want to hear. We’re in an industry where people want to be positive, but we want to be realistic.”

Shannon said that means when someone says they want to downsize or expand their real estate portfolio, it’s on them as realtors to look at what’s happening in the market recommend full steam ahead, or say, “this isn’t the market.” And when there’s a real lull, it’s on them to look elsewhere to find new clients to bring to the market. This approach has landed them in Seattle, Toronto and even the oil patch, depending on the year.

“We think of ourselves as more of a marketing business,” said Shannon. “We don’t wait for something to happen or someone to come around and buy our listings — we look at what’s happening and go out and invite people here.”

That approach has its risks and its rewards. But together, the Stones are clearly able to make it work.

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EMBERS of the Boulevard fashion team — minus photographer Darren Hull, who is behind the camera — enjoyed the best of Okanagan living this summer as they produced this issue’s fashion story: Lake Love. The luxurious Regal 35 Sport Coupe, which provided a sleek backdrop for the shoot, was provided by Martin Motorsports. The team also offered “huge thanks” to Kevin Isabey and captain Kit Crowe for helping bring the shoot to life. The day ended in a welldeserved jump in the lake.

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S E P T E M B E R /O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9

Photo by Darren Hull

Compact Form.

Innovative function.

2019 VOLVO XC40 FROM

$ 41, 675 PLUS TAXES

T H E

2 0 1 9

VOLVO XC40 O U R

I D E A

O F

LU X U R Y

VOLVO CARS KELOWNA

839 Finns Road

VolvoCarsKelowna.com

LOTS TO EXPLORE

Now selling: Single family lots and spacious, semi-detached townhomes, minutes from downtown, airport and UBC. Presentation Centre and Showhomes open daily 1-5 pm except Fridays.

1454 Rocky Point Drive · Kelowna Contact sales@wilden.ca – 250.762.2906

NATURE INSPIRED LIVING

Wilden.ca