Boulevard Magazine - June 2012 Issue

LIFE AT ITS FINEST

special

JUNE 2012

wedding is sue

tying the knot

Stories By

three looks that say “I do”

Readers pen stories of late life love

also: Old Growth, New Beginnings Reclaiming our heritage wood

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Jessie Homer French

John Hartman

Philip Mix

Lindy Michie

Jean McEwen

David Blackwood

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Familiar Victoria site sparks positive addition to community

O

n April 26th, 2012, BMW/MINI Victoria moved into its new home at 95 Esquimalt Road. It was a day anticipated by many and one that was long awaited for by our staff and valued customers.

Conveniently located just minutes away from downtown and the inner harbour, our new facility has transformed a neglected site in Victoria into what we hope to be a new positive addition to the community.

The new property was purchased in 2010 with the help of Michael Miller of Colliers International when it became evident that our previous home at the corner of Yates and Cook was simply getting too small in all aspects to operate efficiently. All of that has now changed.

Since then our team, led by Sam Distefano, David Leigh and Gary McMurtry, planned diligently with the architect partnership of Plaston Architects in Toronto and de Hoog & Kierulf in Victoria, to design a facility that would allow both the BMW and MINI brand to further expand for many years to come.

The design of our new facility had to represent the dynamism of BMW while also capturing the fun and hip character of what makes MINI, MINI. We wanted to build a dealership where each and every one of our customers walking through the doors could fall in love with not only their vehicle at first site, but with the atmosphere created by the showroom and our staff.

And so it began ...

4

As we look back today, we are confident that was achieved. However, none of this would have been possible without the help and support of various people. First and foremost, we would like to thank our valued customers, for without them and their continued support in sales, service and parts, none of this would have been possible. Next, we would like to thank our incredible staff and their dedication within the last 28 months. They have made so many significant improvements to the dealership in every aspect that they have truly proven themselves to be worthy of working within one of the most modern and beautiful buildings in the city.

Last but certainly not least, we would like to thank everyone who made this beautiful new building possible. To all of our contractors, subcontractors, engineers, consultants , architects and various suppliers for all the materials required, we thank you dearly for making this all happen.

We welcome everyone in to our new home and hope it’ll be as inspiring to you as it is to us. After all, it was our intent to create a store for fellow enthusiasts who would share that unique passion for “The Ultimate Driving Experience”.

Sincerely, Peter Trzewik

Welcome to the new

BMW / MINI Victoria at 95 Esquimalt Rd

Special Thank You To: Campbell ConstruCtion

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Adrian Small, Small & Rossell Advanced Projects Roofing Arbutus Excavating Ltd Atlas Audio Bizcom Telecom Ltd Canem Electric CBL Consulting Ltd, Carola Bomfim Lima Colliers International, Michael Miller DES Canada Inc. Grand & Toy Hi-Cube Hold Fast Metal Works Houston Signs Ian Dunlop & Associates Island Floor Centre Ltd Parker Johnston Industries Ltd Pino-lite PML, Mechanical.

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A private 12 acre estate on Quamichan Lake in the Cowichan Valley

Surrounded by trees on 3 sides and a lake on the 4th, Lakehouse is a private and enchanting heritage home and property with many unique features. This Douglas James designed home was originally built in 1929 and has had extensive and tasteful upgrades including a new geothermal heating system. It features 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 fireplaces, oak floors, a built in vacuum, French doors, stained and original leaded glass windows that provide abundant natural light from the sunny southwest exposure. There is a family room, den, large living room, formal dining room, and a large front foyer. It includes a 1 bedroom cottage, studio, workshop, 4 bay machine shed, boathouse, small barn, and various outbuildings suitable for storage. It is an old world home of beauty, comfort, and function, only 8 minutes from town. Offered at $2,499,000.

For more pictures or information visit www.Lakehouse2.com or email Lakehouse2@telus.net 12

See the Queen in Victoria Queen Elizabeth II

by Cecil Beaton:

A Diamond Jubilee Celebration June 1 to September 3, 2012

A North American Premiere!

From the world renowned Victoria & Albert Museum in London, this special exhibition of nearly 100 portraits by royal photographer Cecil Beaton (1904–80) depicts Elizabeth in her role as princess, monarch and mother.

It will include a number of rarely seen photographs alongside extracts from Beaton’s personal diaries and letters.

Exhibition organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London Image © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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Curious, at the Royal BC Museum at Wing Sang. Opening in Vancouver June 14, 2012. www.rbcmvancouver.com Sustaining Patron, Rennie Marketing Systems 13

Your Style Your Way

What’s your style? You know you have one, but it can sometimes be hard to describe and even harder to bring to life. Whether it’s a colour, a style, or even a feeling, our interior designers are here to help. Work with them to find the perfect furnishings and accessories, plan your ideal space, or help coordinate your next project.

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CONTENTS June 2012 Issue 6, Volume XXI

42

48

84

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

24

SIENNA AND STEVE The courage to say yes again

By Anne Mullens

21

CONTRIBUTORS Some of the talented team

22

26

YOUR WEDDING, YOUR WAY Three fashion choices for a stylish new union

EDITOR’S LETTER Northrop and me

By Anne Mullens

34

STORIES BY Our readers write: It’s never too late for love

COLUMNS 30 HAWTHORN Excuse me while I rant

By Tom Hawthorn 32

16

STATE OF THE ARTS All that Jazz: a primer

By Alisa Gordaneer

23 LETTERS

TO THE EDITOR May issue a hit 40

42

26 48

CREATIVE MINDS Al Hall finds new uses for old wood

By Adrien Sala

52

HOT PROPERTIES A forever home in Ucluelet

By Carolyn Heiman

62

DESIGN MATTERS More than a pretty space

By Sarah MacNeill

65

BOULEVARD BOOK CLUB Ageless Austen

By Adrienne Dyer

SOCIAL CAPITAL Where to get hitched

By Alex Van Tol FRONT ROW Bach’s B minor masterpiece; Artists Steven Armstrong and Nicholas Bott; The Walworth Farce; Anne Schaefer; and more

By Robert Moyes

68

HEALTH & WELLNESS Dive in for a watery workout

By Wynne MacAlpine

72 72

TRAVEL NEAR Forging bonds of love with a Salt Spring jeweller

By Carolyn Heiman

77

FOOD & WINE Let them eat cake

By Maryanne Carmack

80

WRY EYE Haven’t we met?

By Marlene Palmer

82

SECRETS & LIVES The quirks and sparks of Bob McDonald

By Shannon Moneo

On our cover: Newlyweds Sienna Caspar and Stephen Cullimore model the “Casual Fête” look in our wedding fashion spread. Photo by Dean Azim.

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Proud supporter of

lIFE AT ITS FINEST

President John Simmons Vice President Mary-Ellen Echle Managing Editor Anne Mullens Associate Editor Vivian Smith Acting Art Director Sarah Reid Business Manager Janet Dessureault Production Assistant Melissa Cross Administrative Coordinator Kayleigh von Wittgenstein Editorial Intern Karolina Karas Printing Teldon Print Media Advertising Vicki Clark, Mary-Ellen Echle, Pat MontgomeryBrindle, Scott Simmons, Geoff Wilcox Contributing Writers Maryanne Carmack, Adrienne Dyer, Darryl Gittins, Alisa Gordaneer, Tom Hawthorn, Carolyn Heiman, Sarah MacNeill, Sharon McLean, Shannon Moneo, Robert Moyes, Adrien Sala, Alex Van Tol Contributing Photographers Dean Azim, Vince Klassen, Gary McKinstry

ISSN 1196-6807

1196 6807 18

Dean Azim is a Victoria-based photographer, photo-journalist and videographer who focuses on portraiture, lifestyle, commercial and human-interest works. Azim, who travels the world to take photos, recently started Cinderbloc Studio with Antonio LaFauci, where they collaborate with other creative people to realize projects that include promotion, film, publication and more. This month, Azim shot our fashion feature as well as photos for Adrien Sala’s story on “Al the Wood Guy.” See cinderblocstudio.com.

Makeup artist Hollie Brown (left) and hair stylist Nicole Collingridge (right) provided three distinct looks for our wedding photo shoot. Trained and certified as a freelance mobile makeup artist since 2000, Brown’s specialty is natural but glamorous makeup for any occasion, including weddings, photo shoots, fashion shows, graduations and other special occasions. Collingridge is involved in many aspects of hair styling, including owning Nicole and Co Hair Design, and as an educator for Framesi Colour and Great Lengths Hair Extensions.

Her hairstyles have been featured on television, in print, and on the runway. See nicoleandco.com and hmakeup.ca.

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Marlene Palmer is a former broadcast journalist who has worked as a publicist for recording artists for the past 30 years. Her career has taken her across the country to Victoria, where she settled four years ago. Her columns on mid-life appeared in the Toronto Sun, and in this month’s Wry Eye she chronicles one of the casualties of middle age — failing memory.

is a writer and journalist who regularly contributes to a wide selection of publications, websites and radio shows across Canada. His professional life also includes owning a podcast and voice studio in Market Square, and he is the founder of The Gentleman’s Kitchen, a lifestyle and media company developing a series of products for men. This month, he brings us the Creative Minds story of Al Hall, who harvests heritage wood from demolition projects. Sala is also now working part-time as an editor at Boulevard. See adriensala.com Adrien Sala

EDITOR’S LETTER I’ve always appreciated a good love story, especially one in which the protagonists have come through the trials of life, finding not only each other but within themselves the ability to trust and love again. As Sienna Caspar, our real-life heroine in both our wedding fashion spread and in our lead story this month, told us: “It is finding the courage to say yes again.” We think you’ll enjoy the story of Caspar and her husband Stephen Cullimore, who models the groom’s clothing alongside his wife in our fashion spread.

Earlier this year we also asked readers to send in their “Never too late for love” true stories. We received a number of charming, uplifting, even funny ones, a selection of which you can find on page 34.

I can trace my affection for these tales to a night 23 years ago, when I was a journalism fellow at Massey College at the University of Toronto. Massey, a graduate college, is home to a number of intellectual bright lights, called senior fellows.

In my day, one of the more intimidating to us junior fellows was the late Northrop Fry, then one of the world’s leading literary theorists, with some 25 books and 100 academic papers to his credit. I’d tried, and failed, to read The Great Code, his opus about the Bible in literature.

One night the only seat left to me at a dinner was next to his. What would I talk to him about? But then I noticed he was holding hands under the table with his second wife, Elizabeth Brown. I knew they had married earlier that year after coming through the loss of longtime first spouses. So I struck up my courage and asked the couple what it was like to fall in love at age 77. Fry beamed: “I feel like I’m 16 again!” he said giddily. The next hour was spent in delightful conversation, full of laughter, about their friendship in U of T’s class of ‘33 some 60 years earlier, reconnecting while mourning, their courtship, marriage and honeymoon. My friends accosted me after the meal: “What were you talking to Northrop Fry about!?” “Love!” I said.

This issue has a theme of celebrating love and new unions and includes not only our fashion feature and Stories By, but articles on the latest trends of DIY wedding bands, wedding cakes and some of the premier spots to hold a celebratory event. I hope you find, as I did so long ago, that no matter one’s station in life, how lofty one’s intellect, or how many one’s years, celebrating love connects us all. VB Anne Mullens Managing Editor 22

YOUR LETTERS Only in Victoria you say...pity After a business trip to Victoria, I read Boulevard’s May issue on the plane home to Toronto. I marvelled at how you managed to mix thoughtful journalism into a lifestyle publication. Well done!

Sue Andrew

What have the Romans ever done for us? Part 2 I thoroughly enjoyed the May article by Margo Malcolm on Hadrian’s Wall. I even used the computer to then go to view some of the history of it. It never ceases to amaze me how people so many years ago were able to build things like this. Where did they get the large boulders from and how did they get them in place?

Only old age and health stop me from visiting them.

Arthur Seibel

Oops, an even better deal than reported

Thank you for the excellent article in your May issue on how to get out on the water this summer — particularly the segment highlighting the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club. You might want to let your readers know, however, that annual membership at VCKC is $40 for singles and $60 for families, making it an even better deal than the article suggests! For this incredible amount members get to learn safe boating, teach paddling skills to others, make new friends, and participate as volunteers in a number of activities benefiting the local community. Bliss!

Barbara Abercombie Secretary, VCKC

Pass the gluten-free, low-fat, low-carb donut Congratulations to Boulevard for publishing a thoughtful article in April on some of the prevailing myths about diet that exist in the popular media. Many people are confused about what a truly healthy diet looks like because we are bombarded daily with conflicting information — carbs are good, carbs are bad, meat is good, meat is bad. It’s enough to make you throw your hands up in despair and reach for the nearest donut. Pamela Durkin’s article cut through a lot of the nonsense and propaganda and presented wellresearched, factual evidence — well done!

Suzanne Gregory Three errors occurred in the May Photos By biographies.

Len Langevin was a software marketer, not developer, in Victoria and his website is ecuadorphototours.com.

Christine McAuley is enrolled to start at, not graduated from, Western Academy of Photography. We welcome your letters: editor@victoriaboulevard.com 23

photo credit: dean azim

by anne mullens

W

hen Sienna Caspar signed on to eHarmony in the fall of 2010, she was determined not to remain despairing from the death of her husband two years earlier. When Stephen Cullimore signed up around the same time, his twin teenage sons urged him to do so, wanting to see their divorced Dad happy.

Sienna, 44, and Steve, 46, are the real-life models on our cover and in the wedding fashion shoot that follows. Falling in love at any age demands a leap of faith, but when couples unite after loss, disillusionment and heartbreak, that leap is all the more inspiring. As Sienna likes to say: “It is the courage to say ‘yes’ again.” Happily, they aren’t the only ones in the Victoria area to revisit the aisle: This month in Stories By, page 34, other local couples tell tales of falling in love again.

Each year in BC some 22,500 people marry, the majority being between the ages of 20 and 35 and saying “I do” for the first time. However, about one in five is over 40. In some 500 weddings annually, both partners are over 60.

According to the Vanier Institute of the Family, in the aftermath of divorce or separation most Canadians (69 per cent of women and 82 per cent of men) eventually re-partner.

Sienna knows what that means. Her first marriage at age 24 produced two sons, now 16 and 15, but ended in divorce after 12 years. “I was young. I focused on all that we didn’t have in the relationship rather than all that we did have. That’s a mistake I won’t make again.”

While commuting to complete a master’s in gerontology at Simon Fraser University in 2006, she met her second husband, John Caspar, on the Vancouver Skytrain. Their instant 24

connection felt fated, but just six weeks after marrying in 2008, John was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Sienna was a widow before her newlywed year was out. “Our meeting was destiny, but not in the way we thought it was. My role was to be with him as he died.” Her experience working in health care proved helpful during his rapid, debilitating decline.

Sienna, who is now doing health care research in Victoria towards her PhD at UBC, needed a way to carry on. “I believe you create your life through your choices. And I really made a choice that I would not be crushed.” She joined eHarmony and went on a few coffee dates, but nothing clicked so she took herself offline after a couple of weeks.

Steve, a father of four, had taken himself offline, too, after his early eHarmony experience. Born and raised in Bermuda, he had built a successful computer company with his father and sold it in 1999, giving him the freedom to explore other locales like New Hampshire, Calgary and Victoria, and to try other vocations. While he realized his life-long dream of becoming a firefighter, his dream of a life-long marriage was not to be. His marriage ended in 2009. Now employed as a firefighter by CFB Esquimalt, Steve was swamped with some 200 local female matches in his first two weeks on the dating site. “I didn’t know which way to turn.” So he signed off.

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i t: A

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M cI

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Sienna Caspar and Stephen Cullimore on their wedding day, July 2011.

By chance, a few weeks later, Sienna and Steve both decided simultaneously to give the site another shot and found each other. They shared similar interests and attitudes. They conversed via email for three weeks before they met. “I knew I loved her before I actually met her, we had shared so much online,” said Steve, but Sienna had warned him of the letdown in which people who match on paper don’t click in person.

When the coffee date finally They emailed For came, “I was terrified,” confesses Steve. So was three weeks Sienna. “I knew within a few before they met minutes that he could be the one,” she says. Steve knew the moment he saw her drive up.

They married in July, 2011 in a small, Unitarian ceremony at UVic. The ceremony was both a public declaration of their love to one another and a clearly expressed commitment to their six teenage children, ages 17, 17, 16, 16, 15, and 13. “For us the most important thing to acknowledge in our ceremony was the creation of this new family,” said Steve. Adds Sienna, “People often gasp when they hear the ages of our children, but because we included them every step of the way, we’ve avoided so far some of the pitfalls you often hear about with blended families — we are very lucky.”

For Sienna and Steve, recreating the three wedding looks for Boulevard in the pages that follow was a hoot and a celebration of their personal love story: “It was a wonderful experience.

And we felt lucky to be part of it,” they said. VB 25

BOULEVARD FASHION

Your wedding day doesn’t require a personality change.

Look your best and look yourself — there’s a fabulous style for everyone.

Elegant never goes out of style. Sienna wears a Martina Liana raw silk ball gown with lace bodice and tulle skirt, ($2450) from Blush Bridal Boutique. Her shoes are Ros Hommerson Roxy pumps in light pink, patterned snakeskin leather, ($142) from Waterlily Shoes.

Steve sports a Hugo Boss, one button, peak lapel tuxedo ($1298), Jack Lipson Signature bibbed front formal shirt ($168), and Philip Nyren grosgrain silk self-tie bow tie ($48). All available at Philip Nyren. His shoes are Italian loafers by Donald J Pliner, ($295) from Outlooks for Men. Flowers are from Kenmar Flower Farm; Chandelier is from Illuminations Lighting Solutions.

27

Wedding vows and cocktails mix well in an intimate afternoon celebration.

Hidden from view are Sienna’s black patent leather Collection Portia pumps, ($135) from Waterlily Shoes.

Her floor-length dress is Dessy Collection made of renaissance satin fabric ($650) with an Enzoani collection “Danbury” belt ($350), from Blush Bridal Boutique.

Steve wears a black Strellson suit ($750), a made-inCanada pearl white shirt ($165), a Dion knit tie in apple green ($90) and a black leather belt by Strellson ($95). His Italian loafers are

by Donald J Pliner ($295) and pocket square by Dion (3 for $20). All from Outlooks for Men. Flowers, menu board and table courtesy of Rook & Rose Floral Design Boutique.

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Whether it’s on a beach, in a backyard, or in an old barn, a rustic wedding always charms.

Sienna kicks it up with red floral Sacha London slingbacks ($159) from Waterlily Shoes.

Her tea-length, Mikado fabric dress is from the Enzoani Blue Collection ($1430) and birdcage veil by Bridal Classics ($110), both from Blush Bridal Boutique.

Steve is polished yet comfortable in Italian loafers

by Donald J Pliner ($295), Horst light grey washable dress pants ($135), Canadian-made mauve gingham shirt by Jack Lipson ($165), Canadianmade Benchcraft belt ($65) and Italian mauve socks by Marcoliani. All available from Outlooks for Men. Flowers, pom-poms, Polariods and confetti all courtesy of Rook & Rose Floral Design Boutique.

models: Sienna Caspar, steve cullimore photography: dean azim styling and art direction: sarah reid Production Assistance: Melissa Cross hair: Nicole Collingridge makeup: Hollie Brown

Do you have a wedding coming up in your family or among your friends?

Visit Boulevard’s website at victoriaboulevard.com to sign up to receive wedding-based information, tips, promotions and local event notifications.

29

photo by vince klassen

By Tom Hawthorn

Who moved the retirement goalposts?

Hey Canada, we need to talk.

Last year, on my birthday, I was 14 years from being eligible to collect Old Age Security. This year, on my birthday, I’m 15 years away.

I am not always so good at math, but I figure at this rate by the time I reach retirement age I’ll be about 30 years from retiring.

I am bitter. Cranky, too. Angry, even. I went to Facebook, that 21st-century version of the town green, to express my indignation.

“Those damn #%&@! baby boomers moved the old-age security goalposts,” I wrote on my wall. “After hogging the best jobs for the past 35 years, they want me to keep working to finance their retirement. Grrrrrrrr.”

This did not please some of my, ahem, older friends.

Every generation thinks it faces the toughest circumstances.

(Those who survived the Depression and the Second World War win that argument.) Friends already collecting government pensions mockingly begged forgiveness for the pittance they receive. One pal complained about facing high mortgage rates in the 1980s. Hey, who does he think was paying higher rent to cover homeowners’ costs? I didn’t have the heart to remind him the unemployment rate in 1982 for people my age was a shocking 19.7 per cent.

Back when I was a kid in the ‘60s, “never trust anyone over 30” was the saying that marked the generational divide. Now that generation gap is more like age 55.

I’m 52. I have no memory of JFK’s assassination, a 30

shared experience of the boomer generation. RFK’s death upset the teachers at my Catholic elementary school. I’m of the generation where the Dead Kennedys were a punk band from California.

The range for boomers is usually placed from about 1946 to about 1964. The Toronto economics professor and demographer David Foot, who wrote Boom, Bust and Echo, ends the Canadian boom in 1959 and sees a different generation emerging from those born between 1960 and 1966.

That’s where I find myself, in a group that takes its name from a novel written by Vancouver author Douglas Coupland: Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture.

Many of my friends are in the cohort a decade older than me, a reflection of the media world, where a tremendous amount of hiring took place in the boom days of the 1970s.

The high inflation of the early 1980s and the 1987 market crash, followed a decade later by the primacy of the Internet, put an end to the glory days of newsroom employment.

Three decades later, my working life can be divided into one-third of full-time employment and two-thirds freelance, being paid by piecework like a factory seamstress, most of it without guaranteed work, or benefits, or pension. It is a helluva place to find oneself when the government moves the retirement goalposts.

For all my crankiness and harrumphing, I can only wonder what the Millennials and those younger make of the future.

We live in straitened times. The upcoming generation is expected when I was a kid in to make do with less than we the ‘60s, “never had. At the same time, they face trust anyone over the burden of supporting the 30” was the saying demands placed on the medical that marked the system by boomers, who will be generational divide. living longer and thus enduring ever more ailments. Do today’s young face a future of higher taxes and fewer benefits for themselves in order to support the medical costs of their wealthier parents and grandparents?

What kind of city will Victoria be? Will families with children be priced out of the core?

We can glimpse the future by looking at the Southern Gulf Islands, where rising house prices and limited employment prospects squeeze out young families.

Listen, Canada, we need to talk.

Politicians refuse to raise tough topics during election campaigns, fearing punishment at the ballot box. So we get the HST after a provincial election and a change in retirement benefits after a federal election. These policies are delivered by fiat. It is not the proper way to conduct public policy.

I’m happy to keep working to 67 if Canadians agree that is for the best. But I’m not willing to do so solely on Stephen Harper’s word. VB

Your most important investment starts here…

250.384.7663 tara@tarahearn.com tarahearn.com 31

photo by gary McKinstry

by alisa gordaneer

Knowing the “head” from the “changes”

The inside guide to JazzFest

Jazz. The word conjures images of smoky clubs, hipsters in black, saxophones flashing, cool cats swinging. But if you’re like many, the inside world of jazz may make you balk at taking in a show when the reknowned JazzFest comes around.

Fear no more, ye jazz-challenged folk. I’m not afraid to ask all those dumb questions. Luckily, pianist Miles Black (MB), who plays with the Kelby MacNayr Trio, and Anne Schaefer (AS), a local jazz musician and teacher, were happy to provide a few jazzy answers. Here’s what I found out.

Why are some jazz songs called standards?

MB: Some songs, such as My Funny Valentine or My

Romance have been labelled standards because they have stood the test of time by providing wonderful frameworks that jazz musicians enjoy improvising on. Some be-bop tunes have even reached the iconic “standard” title, but interestingly, these pieces are often based on older standards. Charlie Parker’s famous be-bop tune Scrapple From The Apple is based on the old chestnut Honeysuckle Rose, for instance.

Am I allowed to call them songs?

MB: “Song” generally refers to compositions with lyrics, such

as Fly Me to the Moon, whereas, the instrumental standard Nardis would be called a “tune.”

AS: Sure, why not? They are songs … great songs, hopefully.

What do jazz people call them?

MB: Jazzers often say “tune” for everything, but it’s not

uncommon to hear the following: “I’ll play the ‘head,’ then you blow on the ‘changes,’ then I’ll take the ‘head’ out.” (Me: Huh?) 32

“Head” refers to the melody, which is also rarely referred to as “the line.” One time through the harmonic sequence (the chord changes) is called a “chorus.” why does the audience clap in the middle?

AS: The audience starts clapping in the middle of the song to

acknowledge their appreciation for a solo.

How do I know when to clap?

AS: By listening to the person who appears to be making stuff

up in the forefront you can hear often times when they are winding down and finishing up, or you can just wait till others clap and follow along. If you clap at the wrong moment nothing tragic will happen. It occurs regularly and sometimes is even the right time and no one else felt it!

MB: There’s no wrong time. It’s worse if nobody claps.

How do musicians know when it’s their solo?

MB: Beginner jazz players often plan who will play when, and

stick to it. Seasoned vets just go for it when they feel the time is right, and provide subtle signals from time to time.

Is it all written down somewhere?

MB: In jazz, musicians know a lot of standards, and

occasionally have original tunes in their books, which they often memorize. The best jazz occurs when played spontaneously, with lots of listening. how do the musicians all stay in tune/in time if they don’t have a book to look at?

AS: When jazz musicians improvise they’re actually following

the skeleton of the original song and following the harmonic changes i.e., chord progression. They often make references to the melodic line as well. The beauty of many great jazz solos is the combination of creating additional melodic lines that fall within the harmony, and lines that fall outside of the harmony, giving the listener an opportunity to experience tension (excitement) and release (relaxation). Much like watching a tightrope walker perform a daring trick.

How do I tell great jazz from not-so-great?

MB: If you are moved by the music, then it’s great for you.

Why do jazz musicians seem so cool?

MB: The “cool jazz” movement came from a deliberate attempt

to break away from the “hot jazz” of the 1920s-30s. It’s a studied indifference, usually, and sometimes it’s a put-on. If a jazz musician looks “cool” to you, it may be the player is a nervous wreck on the inside. Or the player maybe staying very calm, even when the music is burning, so that they can remained focused and perform at their best. This is the Zen-like state that produces the finest art.

If you’re in any further doubt, follow what JazzFest Executive and Artistic Director Darryl Mar suggests: “It’s best to approach the music with open ears and an open mind, and watch the music being performed.” He adds that beginning listeners will probably really like Dianne Reeves, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Chris Botti, Terell Stafford, Jill Barber and the Eliane Elias Brasileira Quartet. JazzFest runs June 22 to July 1 at venues around Victoria. See JazzVictoria.ca for more. VB 33

stories by Remember that Sinatra song The Second Time Around? It celebrates that loveliness and miracle of feet-on-the-ground, head-in-the-clouds romance that can happen later in life, often when you least expect it. Earlier this year we asked readers to send in their true stories of later-life love. Here are some of our favourites:

Three strikes and you’re out?

No way!

By J. LEIGH HUGHES

When I was a child, I was deeply affected by the Prince Charming, happily-ever-after stories. Those romantic dreams were, of course, destroyed by a massive dose of reality.

My first husband was my highschool sweetheart and one of the finest people I have ever known.

Who could have predicted that traumatic incidents from his past would bring an end to the marriage? We remained close friends until his passing on March 5, 2008.

Husband Number Two turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and my romantic dream was a nightmare of his endless philandering. The cure for my severe case of head-in-the-clouds

stupidity came when he finally ran off with whomever it was he spent our whole marriage searching for.

Ever the hopeless romantic, I met my third husband a couple of years later. Definitely Prince Charming material, he made me laugh endlessly and treated me with the loving care and respect I had almost forgotten I should have. Tragically, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away in January 2004. We had been married less than a month.

At that point, things were looking pretty bleak. I had to face the possibility of three strikes and you’re out in the relationship department. That is

when I started to pray for the faith to keep that little flame of hope and romance alive. It worked. I met Robert when I least expected it and was quietly swept off my feet. Is he perfect?

Of course not, but he is about as close to Prince Charming as I could ever have imagined. He is a man of strong faith and solid moral values who believes, as I have always done, that marriage is a sacred and precious union.

We will be celebrating our fifth anniversary in 2012. I still wake up every day wondering if I’m dreaming.

It’s not the childhood Disneyesque fantasy, but it’s a pretty wonderful happily ever after.

The first date: a cold night, a lock-out and a drooling dog

By DEBBIE MACDONALD

Friday-night social tennis was made particularly interesting with the arrival of a new face sparing for one of our regular players. The fellow in question was tall, dark and handsome. He was suffering from broken ribs but it didn’t hamper his game or his sense of fun. His humorous commentary made for an enjoyable couple of matches.

A few more matches later, Mike invited me to accompany him to a symphony Christmas special. It was my habit to turn down all such invitations after my divorce 10 years earlier. “Why would I stick beans up my nose twice?” But in the end, I decided I had nothing to lose.

It was my first date in a decade and I was nervous, but Mike was a perfect gentleman. I invited him in for coffee after the performance and he agreed. Going inside, my first priority was to let my dog, Tess, out for a bathroom break.

34

I dropped my purse on the couch and encouraged her to come outside with me. It was a cool night. Mike stepped out onto the porch with us, closing the door. On hearing the quiet “click,” I froze.

“I believe you just locked us out,” I said. My keys and my cell phone were in my purse. Thus began a hilarious jaunt to track down my daughter to secure a key and driving to where she was to pick up the key, which involved taking along a reluctant dog in the back seat of Mike’s hot sports car. Tess is always stressed in vehicles, and she shook and shivered. She sat on the back seat with her head over Mike’s shoulder, panting and drooling the entire trip. Mike could now say he got some heavy breathing on our first date.

We did finally get our coffee (and a kiss) and we’re still together today, more than six years later.

Love is lovelier with a stack of red jujubes

By WENDY HACKING

Our romance is more sugary than most, as it features those magnificent, juicy, teeth-rattling little morsels called jujubes.

He had been widowed for several years and I was divorced for the same span, each of us living contentedly alone for what we thought would be the remainder of our lives.

And then we sat next to each other during a meeting of the volunteer board of a large, not-for-profit organization. He was a new member and I’d had some years of experience. To this day he believes the seating arrangement was fate. But I now publicly admit that when his resume had been circulated to the board and I saw that he was retired and writing a mystery novel, my voracious-mystery-reader antennae had perked up and I angled to sit beside him.

Fate did emerge. As the meeting started he drew from his briefcase an old-fashioned fountain pen. I, too, pulled an oldfashioned fountain pen from my purse and laid it next to his on the boardroom table. We laughed in unison.

By the end of the long day we found ourselves maneuvering to walk out of the boardroom together. We took an inordinately long time making our way to the parking lot as we talked effortlessly about our selves and our lives.

He telephoned me shortly thereafter, leaving a message to call. My cell phone was so new I inadvertently erased his message before I could even listen to it.

He persisted and invited me to come to lunch at his home on the small Southern Gulf Island where he lived, but he misread the ferry schedule and it turned out to be impossible for me to travel there and back on the appointed day.

It was red jujubes, however, that propelled our relationship along. A mutual love of this sweet treat had been part of the conversational minutiae we had exchanged during our walk out of that first meeting. At every subsequent meeting I would arrive to find a small, glistening pyramid by my name sign. We never again sat beside each other at the boardroom table, but we have since shared a home — and red jujubes — as husband and wife for the happiest years of our lives.

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A love more powerful than that of the young By maureen Marwood

I had moved back to Victoria from Duncan after my husband of 40 years died unexpectedly.

After muddling through the paperwork and considering continuing in a community where we lived as a couple, I didn’t know who I was anymore. I did the unthinkable, sold almost everything and drove away to a “new” life.

Friends were fearful and skeptical about my sanity. I chose a lovely heritage house in Fairfield, close to the sea, shops and town, walked for miles each day with my black Lab and took up dance and swimming. At 61, I felt a newfound freedom, making my own decisions and savouring being able to cook, read or garden whenever the mood struck.

A 45th Oak Bay High School reunion was being planned and I was asked to phone people for email addresses.

The first man who answered was reluctant, feeling no one would remember him. He had attended our school for only one year but he did ask about various students from his home room. I thought he sounded sad. He said he lived alone and I thought, “why not?” and invited him to meet me, walk my dog with me and then at least he would know one person if he decided to join the party. I had no recollection of him from high school, having been wrapped up with my own crowd and activities.

And so it began. He arrived at my door, quiet and shy, and we walked along Dallas Road. We talked our way into a deep romance. How was this possible, we asked one another? With each succeeding visit, powerful emotions welled up. The full moon, blossoming trees, spring flowers, sunsets and rainbows all seemed brighter.

The love we have is just as special as that experienced by the young and at times even more powerful. We were able to weather the challenges of resistance and criticism and gradually all those important to us saw the beauty of our devotion and came to accept us. Eight years later, we were married in our new home with my two sons, his two daughters and our respective grandchildren, plus extended family, there to celebrate with us.

Happiness has come to us unexpectedly and late in our lives. There is great comfort in knowing we can count on a loving spouse. The simple acts of sitting down to quiet dinners together, sharing movies, taking daily walks, planning and enjoying short holidays and work projects, discussing books and world affairs and visiting family and friends make us feel lucky and fulfilled. VB 37

38

SOCIAL CAPITAL

photo credit: dean azim

Vic’s best venues to tie the knot…properly, this time

by Alex Van Tol photo by dean azim

Getting married again? Good for you. This time do it your way.

But where will you hold the event? Whether it is the first or second time, you want a location that is right for you. We’ve done the footwork to help you figure out some of the region’s best spots for tying the knot. (Note: all venues recommend that you book up to a year ahead, but inquire about last-minute reservations.)

Church & State Winery Refined style in a unique and elegant vineyard setting? That has to be a good way to start your second life. Offering award-winning wines, an open kitchen with a warm atmosphere and a West Coast wood feel in its Brentwood Bay location, a Church & State wedding will run you around $85-$100 per person, all-inclusive, says operations manager Lyndell Curry. Up to 250 people can be accommodated, indoors or out.

When You Want Not a Hair Out of Place From four to 400, The Empress does weddings in a way only Fairmont can.

Venues include the Rose Garden, the Library, the Crystal Ballroom or even the lounge on the Fairmont Gold floor, which is perfect for family gatherings and intimate ceremonies alike, says director of conference services and catering Lisa Klimek. Packages run from $50 to $450 per guest and will be ably organized by the in-house wedding planner.

Dancing in the Dahlias (with the Donkeys, natch) Have some fun at the beautiful gardens at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific.

Retail Director Jane Tice recalls one recent wedding involving a picnic for 150, wandering minstrels, a dance party and a donkey for the bride. “We’ll allow just about anything as long as the noise is restrained and mess cleaned up,” says Tice.

Site max is 150; professional caterers only. The new marquee can accommodate events of 100 or fewer. (HCP is also building a larger space for next year.) For $1000 you get either the reception or ceremony for up to 50 guests; additional guests are $10 each. Both ceremony and reception are yours for $1,500.

The Inner Harbour’s Sexiest Secret Second weddings are smaller, more intimate affairs, notes Avril Matthews, director of sales and marketing at Inn at Laurel Point. How about a ceremony on the waterfront terrace and champagne reception for 30 in one of ILP’s luxury suites? Penthouse rates range seasonally, from $899 to $1,200. Whether it’s for two or 200, every wedding is custom-made, says Matthews, and can include custom cakes from the hotel’s pastry chef, delectables from Chef Ito, and photos in the private Japanese garden.

Sail Away Into A Bright Future Here’s a place to throw a big party (even better if you’re marrying a member!). The Royal Victoria Yacht Club can host a sit-down event for 110, 200 for cocktails, and even more in lawn tents. Costs range from $20 (cocktail) to $40 (buffet) per person (more for sit-down). From intimate affairs on the grass to grand bashes in the club house, the RVYC offers a jaw-dropping backdrop and loads of historic charm.

And while the club doesn’t officially do weddings aboard, food and beverage manager Sharon Taekema figures some members would explore the idea.

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A Sunny Afternoon on Top of the City Second weddings generally show a higher per-guest spend, says Neil Judson, communications specialist for Parkside Victoria. And Parkside’s rooftop gardens are the perfect place to spoil your buddies. Try an afternoon reception for up to 120, with canapés, cake and sparkling wine. Parkside can also accommodate a sit-down for up to 60, or 30 at a Tuscan-style long table. Venue-only rental starts at $1,000; ceremony and reception packages from $1,795.

Winning West Saanich Wines Get hitched at bucolic Starling Lane Winery and revel in the fact that your $500-$2,500 is helping to restore this heritage property. Bring your caterers, and offer your guests a garden tour, vineyard tour, or a tasting of Starling Lane’s award-winning wines while you have photos done in any of numerous pretty spots. “There’s a place for bocce, croquet, or just sitting under the trees,” says site manager Jacqeline Wrinch. “People don’t want to leave.” Hold the live music, and know that the party’s over at 9:30 pm.

Westin Bear Mountain Bear Mountain’s got spa enthusiasts and golfers covered — and offers rugged backdrops for your wedding photos.

The outdoor ceremony circle seats up to 300 with views of Mt Finlayson and Mt Baker. Move into the Bear Mountain Ballroom for a reception for up to 300. If you’re having an intimate affair, try Bear Mountain’s exclusive Wine Cellar.

Wedding package prices range from about $70 to $110 per person.

Butchart Gardens Blink and you’ll miss it: wedding season runs January 15th to March 31 at Butchart Gardens’ indoor Spring Prelude garden, where you can have a stand-up ceremony and reception for up to 60. Want more? Move the party into Jennie Butchart’s own historical dining room. Catering is onsite. Packages range from $1,499-$1,649, not including food or drinks; photo packages $400-800.

Cider House Jewels Merridale Estate Cidery goes in for stress-free nuptials, all the way down to the pre-wedding massage and pampering.

“Basically, everything you need is here: the pondside ceremony, cider house reception and a romantic night in the yurt,” says owner Janet Docherty. The cider house accommodates groups of up to 130 ($1,500 weekend, based on 50 people; $1,200 weekday; additional bodies $10 per).

Dinner is served from the outdoor cookhouse, Tuscan-style, at long tables on the covered deck in the orchard. VB

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FRONT ROW

Bach’s genius will shine when the Victoria Philharmonic Choir joins with VancouverVoices June 9 to sing Bach’s Mass in B minor.

June by robert moyes

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BACH’S TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT Renowned singer and choirmaster Peter Butterfield refers to J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor as “the Mount Everest of choral music” and is clearly relishing the moment when he will finally reach the summit in mid-June. Butterfield has combined his two choirs — the Victoria Philharmonic Choir and VancouverVoices — and thus will have 90 singers as well as two dozen of Victoria’s finest professional musicians to perform this daunting, profound work, considered the summation of Bach’s musical and spiritual life. Written in sections over a number of years, the Mass was completed a year before Bach’s death. It is Catholic music composed by a Protestant, but to the Victoria-raised Butterfield, who had a brilliant career for many years in Europe, including performing the Mass as a tenor soloist under the baton of Sir John Elliot Gardiner, the music ultimately transcends religion. “It’s a tour de force that can only inspire awe and joy and a lifeaffirming feeling,” he declares. “And the singers have to be in top form to meet the vocal and

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Bach’s Mass in B minor

First Metropolitan United Church

23 Anne Schaefer

Centennial Square

physical challenges.” He began working with his choirs in January, fully aware of what lay ahead. According to Butterfield, to pull off a successful performance, “you need top soloists and a courageous choir that simply has to feel inspired.” But despite all its apparent profundity the Mass can sometimes inspire the audience to want to dance. “It’s magnetic to the ear... an extraordinary, exhilarating experience,” says Butterfield.

Performance Saturday, June 9, 8 pm, at First Metropolitan United Church, corner of Quadra and Balmoral streets. Tickets available from Ivy’s, Cadboro Bay and Tanner’s bookstores, Long & McQuade, and La Tavola Kitchenware.

Subscriptions on sale now!

250.385.6515 victoriasymphony.ca

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WORTH WAITING FOR

Singer-songwriter Anne Schaefer peforms The Waiting Room June 23 at Centennial Square.

Despite being one of Canada’s best singer-songwriters, Victoria’s Anne Schaefer only gets to be a part-time musician. “You can only play so often in your hometown,” she says. “Plus I’m in the home stretch of single-parent-raising my kid, and it takes a lot of time to organize shows.”

Aside from occasional tours with other performers, the award-winning Schaefer mostly pays the bills overseeing 30 teachers at Larsen Music. She also develops summer programs such as Indie Band Boot Camp, which shows 10-to-17-year-olds how to create original music. Last heard here a few months back with the long-delayed launch of her concept album The Waiting Room, Schaefer was in top form as she shifted from folk to cabaret to jazz in order to tell the story of all the different characters stuck in a waiting room. Although recorded in 2008, the project was in limbo until Schaefer could raise several thousand dollars to master the CD. “My next project is going to be called Instant Gratification,” she quips. Booked into JazzFest, Schaefer is doing Waiting Room with three of the city’s finest jazz musicians: bassist Sean Drabbit, drummer Kelby MacNayr, and vocalist Sara Marreiros. A free outdoor performance definitely worth waiting for!

Performing June 23, 1:30 pm, at Centennial Square. The Waiting Room is available via anneschaefer.com.

LANDSCAPE WITH BIRTHDAY PARTY Most second birthdays involve a party with balloons and a sing-along. But if you’re Madrona Gallery, there’s always the option of bringing in a case of bubbly and opening a one-man show by iconic landscape painter Nicholas Bott. “Hands down he’s one of our biggest artists,” says gallery co-owner Michael Warren. “His work is collected all over the world, even though there are only four galleries that sell his paintings.” Now based in Vancouver, the Dutch-born Bott spends a lot of time along the west coast of Vancouver Island and that will be the focus of this show. Although clearly influenced by the Group of Seven, Bott has 44

a distinctive sense of structure as well as a vivid colour palette that makes his work accessible yet rewarding in deeper ways. “His work is so essentially Canadian and just incredibly pleasing,” notes Warren. “I know one collector in Calgary who has 45 of his paintings — it can become an addiction.” Even though Bott’s largest canvases go for $13,000, Warren expects at least 80 per cent of the 30 paintings to get a red sticker. Happy birthday, indeed.

Running June 2-16 at Madrona Gallery, 606 View Street. For information, see madronagallery.com.

Nicholas Bott’s 2012 Bamfield Harbour, oil on canvas, 30” x 40”; Ensuing West Coast Cloudburst, oil on canvas, 48” x 60”.

MUSIC ON THE SUMMERY SIDE Would you like some Pinot Gris with your Mozart? It’s an appealing question, one that at least some of this year’s attendees at Eine Kleine Summer Music will have the chance to ponder. It’s the 25th anniversary for this much-loved tradition of four Sunday afternoons of chamber music being performed in the pastoral depths of Central Saanich. And because the event consistently sells out the 250-seat capacity at its Unitarian Church venue, encore performances of the first and fourth programs are scheduled for the Tuesday night following at North Saanich’s Muse Winery, which offers a 100seat room plus all the tasty extras you’d expect from a winery with a first-rate bistro. “Classical musicians like chamber music the best, you can do things that you can’t do as soloists or in a symphony,” explains cellist Laura Backstrom, co-organizer for 14 years. One of her perks is having a lot of input into programming, and Backstrom will be performing her favourite piece of music, Schubert’s C major Quintet. Sharing that bill will be the Brahms String Sextet in B flat. “Brahms’ chamber music is all really good,” says Backstrom. “His long melodies draw you in, and there is this rhythmic complexity ... there are so many layers.” Other highlights include Mozart’s Oboe Quartet and Beethoven’s exotic Septet in E-flat major, which combines wind and string instruments. Aside from regular performers, including oboist Pierre Cayer, violinist Terence Tam, and violist Kenji Fuse, the Borealis String Quartet will make a guest appearance. “They originated in Vancouver in 2000 and now play around the world,” says Backstrom. “They have such vivid intensity and colour in their playing ... they’ll be sensational.”

Primary performances are June 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2:30 pm, at the First Unitarian Church, 5575 West Saanich Rd. Repeat performances are June 5 and 26, 7:30 pm, at Muse Winery, 11195 Chalet Rd. For tickets and information, call 250-4133134 or see Eine Kleine Summer Music.

String Quartet will play at Eine Kleine Summer Music.

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A PAINTER’S SENSE OF PLACE Steven Armstrong was born to a geologist father and an artist mother and seems to have drawn equally from both as a landscape painter interested in communicating a profound sense of place. After a childhood spent in rural Canada, Armstrong moved to the West Coast and eventually settled in Victoria, where he has been a professional painter since 1997. A vivid colourist, Armstrong conveys a deep affection for the wild areas of Vancouver Island, from lyrical beach-scapes to images of fields and forests that gleam with rugged beauty. About 20 new paintings by this highly collectable artist will be on display for two weeks at West End Gallery. “We started showing Steven in 2004 and have had him about 10 times,” says gallery co-owner Dan Hudon. “People just love his landscapes, even his Prairie ones, and his colour palette is very strong. He’s one of our most sought-after artists.” Armstrong paints exclusively with acrylic on canvas — hence those intense colours — and his works sell from $550 up to $9,200 for his largest paintings.

Showing June 2-14 at West End Gallery, 1203 Broad St. For information, call 250-388-0009.

Clockwise from left: Steven Armstrong’s 2012 works, all oil on canvas. Resplendant, 48” x 48”; Recollection, 36” x 60”; Perfect As You Are, 36” x 72.”

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NO LAUGHING MATTER It took him three long years, but Theatre Inconnu director Graham McDonald finally got the performance rights to The Walworth Farce, a coal-black comedy by celebrated Irish playwright Enda Walsh. “First I had to wait for it to premier in New York City, then it went to London and onto a world tour.

Finally, last summer they said we could do it.” What will almost certainly be a Canadian premier is an absurdist yet hard-hitting play about a father and his two sons, exiles from Ireland who have lived in London for 20 years. This dysfunctional trio are forever repeating their tortured family history in the form of a play they constantly perform, complete with a trophy for best actor. During the course of Walworth we see this play-withina-play twice, with the second iteration being the one that breaks the endless tape loop of their stalled lives. McDonald is himself a playwright, having debuted at the 1995 Vancouver Fringe Festival and most recently had his autobiographical Similkameen O’Rourke is: Jimmy 1977 presented at the Belfry’s Spark Festival last March. He is a big fan of Walsh, who is probably most famous for Disco Pigs (and who co-wrote the script for the internationally celebrated film Hunger, a drama about IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands). “I’ve never seen Walworth performed and I’m still wondering how I’m going to do a lot of things,” laughs McDonald. “This is a big production on a small budget . . . but I couldn’t say no!”

Running June 1-16 at Theatre Inconnu, 1923 Fernwood Rd. For tickets, call 250-590-6291. VB

Subscribe Now! rmts.bc.ca | 250-386-6121

47

CREATIVE MINDS

Al the wood guy:

a Demolition Man becomes an unlikely environmentalist

By ADRIEN SALA

photography by dean azim

P

oak floors radiator ulling up to a job site in a well-worn work van Installed in a Installed in a covered in grime from the demolition of a character home downtown loft character home might not be how you’d anticipate finding a passionate environmentalist. Nor would one typically expect an environmentalist’s main tools to be a sledgehammer, nail puller or crowbar. But with Al Hall, a business owner with a spirited perspective on green building, that’s exactly what you get. It’s a far cry from the Suzuki-style image of an environmental crusader, but an effective advocate for the cause nonetheless.

Known as “Al the wood guy” by anyone familiar with him, Hall has built a successful word-of-mouth business over 18 years by positioning himself as a diversion for material between the junk pile and landfill. Hospitality and customer service are key in his work, too. A retired chef, who was once a sous chef on the Rocky Mountaineer train, Hall learned early the importance of 48

delivering products efficiently. “Organization is the biggest thing,” he says. “And safety.”

Bristled, bespectacled, tanned and wiry, “Make sure you tell Hall stands beside his van, nervous about being interviewed. “Make sure you tell them that I couldn’t them that I couldn’t do any of this without do any of this my wife,” he says. “She’s really good with all the stuff I bring home.” without my wife.”

It’s a statement Hall, 50, makes again and again. Family is clearly important to him and he has built for his wife, Kelly, and two kids (son, 13 and daughter, 10) a beautiful home on a big property in Cadboro Bay out of “stuff” from job sites across Victoria. But his work requires him to stack, sort and store that stuff somewhere. If he weren’t able to bring the majority of it home at some point, he’d go broke from storage fees.

windows

shiplap floors

Floor Joist

Reused in an upIsland green house

Became a wall at the Root Cellar and flooring at Coastline Surf & Sport

Acquired by a furniture maker

Treasure trove in old homes Hidden within the walls of almost every character home or older building in Victoria is wood that was harvested during an era of abundance, when the common building blocks were giant beams of first-growth fir, two-inch oak floors and joists milled from trees hundreds of years old. When a project requires the tearing down of any of these buildings, most of that original wood is sent to a landfill to rot alongside discarded linoleum, rusted radiators and more.

But before any of this can happen, Hall (HallIt-Up Removal Services) takes a swing. He strikes a deal with the contractor and then goes in to pry loose whatever can be had before the bulldozers and wrecking balls make contact. The bulk

of his saves are wood (flooring, beams, joists, mantels, railings, trim) but he also considers other items like claw-foot bathtubs, vanities or marble countertops, anything in good condition that could be of value.

“Most of it is virgin wood,” he says. “You can’t get it anymore. And it’s in the same condition it was back then; maybe a few nail holes here and there, but still the same.”

All of this makes Hall an unlikely environmental hero. It also makes his recycled products popular with homeowners, builders and designers looking for material that most building supply stores can’t provide.

A great example is in the Atrium (800 Yates St.). The vintage product he provided solved a

Al Hall reclaimed all usuable wood in this recent demolition of a 1911 house in Oak Bay.

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design

build

inspire

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vexing issue for developers, Jawl Properties, whose vision went beyond the cold fluorescence of a typical office building.

A new barbershop gets an old soul “One of the challenges with building,” says Robert Jawl, “is to make a concrete and glass structure warm and personal.

Introducing reclaimed elements, whether they be a wood countertop or a floor that Al brings, really personalizes it.”

Several of the ground-floor tenants in the Atrium used Hall’s wood, but perhaps the best place to see that transformation is in Matthew Conrad’s barbershop, Victory Barber & Brand. For Conrad, who was enthusiastically aiming to recreate a sense of longevity there, integrating reclaimed material was essential.

“For me it was the idea of trying to get something to have a soul,” he says. Conrad accompanied Hall to a Queenswood house slated for demolition. “It was almost like picking lobster out of a tank. I was just, ‘well, I’ll take the floor.’”

That floor became the foundation of his classic barbershop.

“Every mark, nail hole, stain: it gives everything such a rich feel,” he says. “We’ve been able to create this amazing sense of illusion that this is a vintage space. This really is a new cement box, but we made it look like it has been here for 50 years.”

Expensive, but longer-lasting Although the flooring Hall provides for projects like Conrad’s is old and pocked, it still doesn’t come cheap. It often adds up to about twice the cost of a new floor (from $10 to $12 per square foot, installed and finished; $4 for just the wood). There are benefits, though. Environmentally speaking, you can’t get more sustainable than recycled wood. Also, the planks are sometimes two to three times the thickness of new wood floors, meaning they will last longer and stand up to more sanding cycles. As Conrad says: “Sometimes it’s beyond what makes the most fiscal sense. It’s about creating something unique. It’s impossible to put a price on the feeling reclaimed wood puts on a place.”

Habit Coffee & Culture has Hall’s wood in both locations.

Stage Wine Bar, Sitka, Fol Epi in Dockside Green, Cinderbloc Studio, as well as a host of other businesses and homes have Al’s first-growth oak, fir and maple that would be in a landfill.

All the great stories of environmental heroism and soulful wood aside, what really strikes a person about Hall is his genuine enthusiasm for his work. He gets giddy when explaining what was on a particular job site or where the wood has gone. It’s all one can do to not be dragged by him out to Sidney or across town to see the insides of an old structure being ripped apart.

“He’s passionate, and I love that,” says Conrad. “Old wood and tearing houses apart to find it: nobody gets off on that like Al does. And it’s hard to not find his enthusiasm infectious.”

It’s a simple equation for Hall: he saves the good stuff because he cares about it and wants it to be appreciated again. “Besides,” he laughs, “the finished product is pretty nice-lookin’.” VB

TM

custom homes | renovations | landscapes 250 381 8700 www.landeca.ca

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HOT PROPERTIES

By Carolyn Heiman photography by Szymon Szymczakowski

Ucluelet meets Europe: A family home for life

W

hen Maren Carson learned that the next house she would design with her builder husband would be finally theirs she spent a lot of time thinking about how to make it the home they would stay in for the rest of their life.

The young German-born woman has embraced her Canadian life in Ucluelet, even suppressing complaints while living with her husband-to-be for a period in a cabin without running water. But for her family home, she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her parents and many other Europeans.

“I don’t want to move around. In Germany you build, move in, and stay. That’s a family home.”

As she speaks about the vision for her home, now called

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the Rainforest House, there is no talk about skylights, countertops, flooring or plumbing fixtures. Instead it’s all about the place her pre-school sons will romp in as they grow to teenagers. It will be where they hang out with friends and bring girlfriends. The kitchen is where Christmas meals will be happily prepared by multi-generations of family.

Maren’s guiding principles of what she really wanted kept her on track both in terms overall look and feel. Features seen in rambling North American homes are absent. There’s no family room, gym or media room. It does not have more bathrooms than people living in it.

The overall effect of this restraint is a 2,995-square-foot home that feels considerably more spacious because hallways,

After building multiple homes for clients, Jamie and Maren Carson wanted their family home in Ucluelet to be a home for life, with timeless, classic features, where their boys, Jack and Cohen, could thrive.

*

Words of advice

from an award winning builder:

“Don’t get caught up in the moment, think things through to what at the end of the day is going to matter most. Unfortunately I didn’t always listen to my own advice! I will say it’s always a good idea to invest in good window and doors,” says Jamie Carson, Icon Developments Ltd.

bedrooms and the living room dimensions have not been scrimped to squeeze in an extra room or bathroom. Incorporated into the garage is an office and custom wood-working area, where husband Jamie operates Icon Developments Ltd. It’s fully plumbed to maintain a separation between family life and work.

Bucking a trend on multiple bathrooms On the subject of bathrooms, Maren lived for a short time in one of the spec homes she and Jamie built that had six bathrooms. Knowing the time commitment to keep those spotless, she limited the number to three in her own home: guests, kids, and master bath. “I want to play with my

children, not clean.” The boys, who will not spend as much time grooming as girls growing up, share a bathroom with a two-sink vanity. The toilet, in both the boys’ bathroom and the master bath, is behind a door and partitioned from the rest of the bathroom.

Maren’s training as an occupational therapist held sway in the boys’ bedrooms, which are roomy and sparsely furnished, allowing active play. Cohen, who is two-and-a-half, has a magnificent swing hanging from his cathedral ceiling. Jack, 5, 53

meanwhile, has his own climbing wall on one end, a seeming extravagance.

But Maren points out that frequent heavy rain and the risk of wild predators, limit outdoor play for young children in Ucluelet.

The dining room off the kitchen, which is the singular place where all can sit-down to eat, has the luxury but casual-comfort feel of a Ralph Lauren advertisement with its wicker chairs, 54

high wainscoting, deep windows and whitewash walls. But it transcends a catalogue page with a display of children’s art work hanging from a tensioned cable system that elevates the look to architectural elegance.

Timeless White palette The Carson’s home does not neatly fit into one style genre. “I like a lot of different styles. But for this home I

wanted a timeless classic. I wanted to be able to change things over the years if our tastes change,” says Maren. Sofas are slipcovered for an easy update. They’re a neutral white now but if they tire of that they can be easily something else without the upholstery bill. The palette throughout most of the home is a white, although powerful splash of red in the laundry room cheers a routine chore.

While the Carsons are no different

*

think

green

Green features in the home include wool carpets, solar preheat of hot water, heat pump, HRV, hot water drain recovery and 10-inch thick exterior walls, something which the builder says in hindsight made it unnecessary to install a heat pump.

VICTORIA

NEWS

Clockwise: The kitchen features lights on pulleys that can be raised and lowered.

The eating area is simple but welcoming.

The guest bedroom resonates a European manor feel, while the master bedroom has one of only three bathrooms.

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2011 Winner of 5 Gold Care Awards

*

clever

idea

The two-sink vanity has a pull-out step the boys can use while they are small to reach the taps without assistance, but will invisibly tuck away as they grow.

than other couples in that they had a budget to work within, they didn’t scrimp on taking time to find the perfect fixture or piece of furniture. Maren looked for months for kitchen light pendants, similar to ones in her grandparent’s home that had pulleys, allowing them to be raised and lowered. Light store after light store told her they didn’t exist, but she found them one day when pushing her stroller on a rainy day in Vancouver.

She was determined that only a round light fixture would be suitable over their round dining table and spotted the perfect one in a magazine. Never mind that it took a while to order it from Toronto. For a house that you’re planning to stay in a lifetime, what are a few weeks or months wait for the right thing?

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ATTENTION TO DETAIL MAKES A PROVINCIAL WINNER Furnishing is a work in progress. “I want a few nice antique pieces in the living room and in the guest bedroom. But I’m not in a rush. I’ll know when I see the right thing.”

The careful attention to detail has paid off. The home won a 2011 Georgie award for the best single family detached home (2,000-2,999 square feet), marking the second year in a row that Icon has picked up a Georgie given by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia.

Looking back on the project, was it hard for Jamie, who has more than a few homes under his belt, to surrender all the design decisions to Maren?

Over 30 Years of Making

Home Renovation Dreams a Reality!

Rainy days will find Cohen, left, and Jack, right, playing on the climbing wall in Jack’s bedroom.

“Actually building with Maren was easy, I had a few ideas I wanted to incorporate, like the climbing wall and the tunnel (that serves as a secret passage connecting the boys’ bedrooms). What every kid would want, including me! Maren had a clear vision of what she wanted the home to look like. I just sat back and built what she told me.” VB Carolyn Heiman explores beautiful Island homes each month for Boulevard. If you know of a gorgeous home you’d like to see profiled she can be contacted at cheiman@shaw.ca.

Professional, Suppliers and Trades: Contractor/builder: Icon Developments Ltd.; Interior designer: Maren Carson; Cabinetry: CopperStone Kitchen & Design Inc.; Tiles: City Tile Ltd.; Flooring: Wide Plank Hardwood Ltd; Appliances: Sears Canada; Plumbing fixtures: Splashes Kitchen & Bath Centre, Victoria Speciality Hardware; Windows: Complete Window Services; Window coverings: West Coast Shutters•Blinds•Closets; Lighting: Mclaren Lighting, Country Furniture in Vancouver, Union Lighting and Furnishings, Toronto.

R E N O VAT I O N S “A contractor you can trust” Relationships are the most important thing we build as a company.

We have forged many long lasting relationships with our clients over the years due to our attention to detail, integrity, and the personal service we provide to turn your dreams into reality.

Give us a call, visit our web site, or drop by our Home Comfort Centre showroom to get your renovation dreams started.

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Dallas & Dolores Sell Victoria/Oak Bay Personal real estate CorPoration

“Our goal is to find your dream home and ensure that the decision you make stands as a wise investment over the long term.”

UPLANDS ESTATE Truly gracious home, stunning gardens on .50 acre. 4 bdrms, 4 baths, formal living & dining rms, gourmet kitchen. Fabulous outdoor fireplace & patio, separate indoor pool house $2,280,000 with guest accommodations.

WATERFRONT! Soaring windows in the Great Room, fabulous deck overlooking the water, granite kitchen.

This 4 bedroom home on the Gorge has a legal suite too! $998,000

SAANICHTON ONE LEVEL Many custom extras, 2 bdrm, 2 bath, 1,619 sq.ft. Year round sunroom, patio, beautifully landscaped rear gardens, double garage. Steps to all amenities. $619,900

COUNTRY TREASURE Fabulous 3.3 acre property at Beaver Lake.

Ranch style, 4 bdrms, 3 baths, gourmet kitchen, 3,285 sq. ft. with pool & guest accommodations. Outdoor dog kennels, 3 stall barn. $1,178,000

MOUNT DOUG! Elegant, contemporary home. Great Room with 35 ft. ceiling, 12 ft. windows flanking fireplace. Maple floors, new kitchen & professional grade appls, large dining rm., $844,500 3-4 bdrms. Walk to shopping.

GORGE WATERFRONT CONDO! Stunning southwest water views from principal rooms. Top quality custom finishings, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, wide plank oak floors. 2 bdrms, $599,900 2 baths, +den, 1,212 sq.ft.

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LISA WILLIAMS W EXCLUSIVE 1 ACRE WATERFRONT property in upscale 10 Mile Point! Enjoy incredible, panoramic views & walk-on ocean access from this immaculate 6144 sq.ft. home w/4-5 bedrms, 7 bths & many beautiful upgrades & reno’s throughout! Lovely formal living & dining rms, deluxe kitchen w/huge conservatory & family rm, main level master, office, exercise rm, spacious & private guest rms & so much more! Enjoy tons of privacy, expansive patios, manicured lawns & gardens . . . a stunning opportunity! $3,488,000

SUNNY ‘TUSCAN’ GATED ESTATE on a spectacular S/W facing, 2 acre property just 15 mins from downtown on exclusive ‘Tuscan Lane’! Stunning & luxurious custom 3+ bedrm, 5 bath villa w/incredible design & detailing, & elegant finishing throughout every aspect! Enjoy sun all day and lots of privacy, gorgeous salt-water pool, hot tub, heated outdoor dining terrace, professionally landscaped grounds, tons of parking and an unbelievable Italian feel! $2,595,000

CHIC & MODERN WATERFRONT home in a private and tranquil setting near the water’s edge! Absolutely luxurious with incredible views, sumptuous main level master suite, floor to ceiling windows, slate & HW flrs, exposed beams & SO many extras . . . Fabulous family/TV room, lovely guest bedrms w/ensuite baths, lots of storage . . . Steps to the beach w/ a bonus boat launch too! $2,198,000

STATELY & ELEGANT 6420 sq.ft. home in a private, gated Oak Bay setting . . . totally peaceful & quiet yet just steps to the Village! Beautiful architecture & tons of character throughout w/ lots of options for family & entertaining!Incredible formal living rm, expansive formal dining rm, cozy den/library, sunny kitchen with adjacent family rm, conservatory, billiard room, 5 bedrms/5 bths & more . . . Gorgeous new slate/marble terrace boasts sun all day, perfect for outdoor living! $1,698,000

NEW 4 BEDRM LUXURY HOME This lovely home will boast all the ‘extras’ with 9-10’ ceilings, HW flrs, high-end appliances & finishing, beautiful main floor master suite with huge walk-in closet & luxurious ensuite, sunny Great rm & elegant dining rm w/beautiful ceiling detailing, main level den/ library. Bright walk-out lower level features a self-contained nanny suite w/private entry PLUS 2 large bedrms, bath & large media/games room! $1,598,000

BEAUTIFULLY RENO’D OCEANFRONT HOME w/gorgeous, panoramic views, in a quiet & convenient location just 5 mins from UVic! This lovely 4443 sq.ft. home boasts new gourmet kitchen & sunny eating area, beautiful HW flrs, luxurious master suite, new baths & much more! Lots of options w/main level office & 4 bedrms up, PLUS fantastic 1 bedrm in-law . . . also lower level rec rm with ocean views, and a studio over the garage too! Enjoy easy access to the waterfront and walk the beautiful pebble beach! $1,898,000

FABULOUS UPLANDS HOME w/tons of character and beautiful new reno’s! Stunning formal living rm, gorgeous new gourmet kitchen with all the extras, cozy sunroom, formal dining area, and fully finished lower level perfect for the teens or in-laws with a sep. entry & lots of space! Main floor master plus 2 bedrms up and room to expand in unfinished attic too! Circular drive w/lots of privacy . . . a lovely Uplands home! $1,648,000

SOLID UPLANDS FAMILY home on a super .55 acre south-facing property that backs onto Uplands Park! This wellmaintained home has seen many upgrades & boasts a spacious layout with large living, dining & family rms, huge windows, HW floors, French doors, granite/stainless kitchen, heated tile floors & more! Large rec room great for the kids, and the expansive patio & totally private property fabulous for family, pets & summer fun! $1,498,000

SPACIOUS & AFFORDABLE WATERFRONT home in N. Saanich w/ 5 bedrms & lots of options! Architect designed w/ huge Pella windows, high ceilings, private master suite, huge family and rec rms, separate breakfast rm and huge Great rm, lovely stone FP, oversized decks & much more! $1,128,000

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Independently Owned and Operated

DESIGN MATTERS

More than just a pretty space:

How good architecture enriches communities

By Sarah MacNeill

Photo: Iwan Baan, courtesy of Quinze & Milan

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Photos: courtesy Vancouver Convention Centre

What makes a great building? How can architecture serve people and communities?

On a basic level, buildings shelter us from the elements and provide places to work and play, but our built environment also has the potential to enrich communities, encourage social interaction, improve comfort levels, and limit environmental impact. If all of these things are achieved and the building is also beautiful, truly great architecture has been created.

We can all recognize architectural “blind-spots” and eyesores or buildings that simpy don’t work for people or places.

Here’s my round-up of some close (enough) to home buildings that show we don’t have to settle for anything less than attractive and community-enhancing architecture.

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Seattle’s Central Library: Designed by OMA, lead by world-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, it has been referred to as an indoor public park or plaza. It works as a library, but also as a landmark gathering place. Natural and artificial lighting, indoor air quality, accessible space for books, computers and people are all cohesively integrated to create an undeniable sense of place. Its “you-can’tmiss-it” unconventional architectural form, a multi-faceted skin of steel and glass, has increased civic pride and attracts tourists, thereby boosting the local economy.

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Vancouver Convention Centre: Completed in 2009, it changed the face of Vancouver’s waterfront. Its most visual feature (at least from above) is the 2.5 hectare acre green roof, which is the largest non-industrial living roof in North America, although not accessible to the public. The expansion has enhanced the community by using a host of sustainable building features. As well, more than 12,000 square metres of new walkway and bikeway have extended the waterfront and improved public access. Careful urban and architectural design considerations maximize sight lines from the downtown core to the waterfront and Stanley Park, continuing across the Burrard Inlet to the North Shore mountains.

This visual connectivity between urban and natural settings heightens visitors’ experience and underscores place-making design. Furthermore, the Convention Centre brings together members of a global community, which contributes to Vancouver’s cultural vibrancy and perhaps creates a sense that international guests are really just a neighbourhood away.

From left to right: Seattle Public Library; Klahoose First Nation Multi Centre; Vancouver Convention Centre, outside and in the main hall; Victoria’s Atrium building.

Photo: Peter Stefanski, Ledcor Construction

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Klahoose First Nation Multi-Centre: Nestled amid cedar trees and rocky terrain on the remote eastern shore of Cortes Island, the building is eye-catching to those in the waters of Desolation Sound. I was privileged to be involved in the later design stages of the project, reinforcing for me that good architecture evolves out of culture and place. The building is “the face of the Klahoose Nation to the world,” says Darryl Jonas, project lead for Merrick Architecture.

The 13,000 square-foot building, completed in 2010, is divided into two wings for administrative offices and health services. A multi-purpose room, commercial kitchen and fitness area make up the building’s central node.

The heavy timber frame is expressive of traditional Coast Salish buildings.

Large windows maximize natural light. Existing rock formations surround the building and a concrete terrace provides opportunities for people to gather comfortably outdoors. Western Red Cedar was harvested from the band’s own forestry resource and a saw mill was set up nearby for all the building’s needs, from siding to stairs to seating benches. The saw mill then and now employs band members, enabling steady jobs, participation in the building’s construction and the development of new skills. “The building has uplifted the community tremendously,” says band councillor Jessie Louie.

Photo: © silentSama / www.silentsama.com

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The Atrium: The design of the building bore a social intention from the outset. Architect Franc D’Ambrosio was conscious of repairing a transitional area of the city and making the public domain more livable.

The pedestrian level was mandated to be interactive and animated. Inside, several of the shops and cafes like Habit and Zambri’s spill over into the open atrium space. The ground floor allows people to cross through the city block, while surrounded by interesting amenities and art (artist Bill Porteous was commissioned to paint the construction hoarding which was later disassembled and now displayed throughout the building).

Outside, landscaped rain gardens provide storm water management while also adding some natural beauty to the sidewalk.

The late American architect Samuel Mockbee lamented that architecture in recent decades had “retreated from social and civic engagement to a preoccupation with matters of style.” I believe these four examples represent an architectural consciousness that is re-aligned on a more socially-minded course. Acquiring more buildings like these, however, relies in part on a public demand for socially inclusive and non-isolating buildings. Let’s make buildings like these the standard, not the exception. VB 63

BOOK CLUB

by Adrienne Dyer

Jane Austen’s appeal is timeless. Almost 200 years after her death, scholars still plumb the depths of her literary talents; while in mainstream culture, Austen is everywhere. She’s in the movies, on television, in books with modern spins on her classic tales, or cavorting with zombies. She is even in Victoria this month in the form of the Prospect Lake Community Association’s annual Jane Austen Tea Party, which raises funds to maintain their member-owned community hall.

Last June, I donned white elbow gloves, a straw bonnet and a sunny empire-waist dress to attend the fundraiser at Starling Winery and Heritage Farm with my young children and a real-life Elizabeth Bennett (my lovely younger sister, whose last name has two ts to the Austen heroine’s one).

Perched on white wicker chairs shaded by a fruit tree, we watched as gents in top hats nibbled Stilton and sipped the winery’s Wild Blackberry Port; while bonneted, bustled and beribboned ladies swished about.

Entertainment included Mr. Darcy’s famously botched marriage proposal scene from Pride and Prejudice reenacted by two theatre students, and a Mozart aria sung by the real Miss Bennett, again my sis.

Anonymous in life I can’t read Austen without thinking about her life and the context of her times. Austen was a prolific writer who penned six literary masterpieces before dying of a mysterious illness in July 1817 at the age of 42. Born into a close-knit family of English gentry in 1775, Austen declared herself a

professional writer at 14, and often entertained her six brothers and one sister with her witty stories of love and social satire. Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816) were smash hits during her lifetime, although her identity as author was kept secret. Her brother Henry and older sister Cassandra arranged publication of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion in 1818, revealing at last the identity of one of England’s favourite

authors. Sadly, Austen left several works unfinished.

Austen’s time was particularly interesting given the strict societal rules.

I’m always amazed that in her books, everybody knows exactly how much money everybody else is worth. It’s hard to imagine vying for matrimonial bliss amidst meddlesome elders. This was especially troublesome for young women of no fortune. Since women couldn’t earn their living, marriage was crucial.

Austen was an exception to this rule.

A woman in period costume enjoys tea at last year’s Jane Austen event.

Photo: Karen McNeil

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Although she wasn’t able to marry the man she loved — his parents forced them apart because both were penniless — she did earn a living from her writing. By all accounts she enjoyed her life, and continued to believe that marriage ought to be based on love. Likely her passion for writing soothed the ache, as did the support of her family, both of which helped her to remain remarkably independent.

Irresistible Mr. Darcy What’s my favourite Austen story? On film, I’ll never tire of Sense and Sensibility (directed by Ang Lee, 1995). The movie earned Emma Thompson two Oscars: one for acting and one for writing the screenplay. My second favourite is BBC’s six-hour TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for A&E, with Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. It leaves nothing out.

On the page, Pride and Prejudice wins again. As a student of the romance genre — with three unpublished novels on my laptop — I can’t resist the aloof Mr. Darcy.

Clever, likeable Miss Bennet shows her humanity when her prejudices against the cranky Mr. Darcy skew her judgment so badly that she succumbs to George Wickham’s deceit. Sweet-tempered Jane Bennet and non-judgmental Mr. Bingley make one of the sweetest pairs in literature.

Complex in its portrayal of the societal dance with propriety (or lack thereof), Pride and Prejudice has great characters and plenty of juicy bits. The best romance novel of all time?

I think so; but then, Colin Firth may have something to do with that.

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A cuppa with Austen But why the Jane Austen Tea Party? Starling Winery owner Jackie Wrinch thought of an outdoor tea party to raise funds for the Prospect Lake Community Association, and Jane Austen was a natural fit for the setting. “So much of the action in Austen’s novels occurs in various gardens,” says event organizer Barbara Newton. Interest in the oneday event has grown steadily since it was first held in 2010, so this year they’ve extended it to two days. Bennett is slated to sing again, and two students from the Victoria Conservatory of Music will wander with their period instruments.

The Jane Austen Tea Party takes place June 23 and 24 from 1-4 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children five to 12 (kids under five are free). Tickets available at the Prospect Lake Save On Gas, all Dig This locations, at Copeland Music in Brentwood Bay, and online at prospectlakecommunity.ca. Bring your period costumes! VB

Connect with fellow Austen fans through the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA), which has a chapter in Victoria. Visit jasna.org.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

NO SWEAT:

Learn to swim for fun, fitness, training and even survival

By Wynne MacAlpine

Nothing beats the water as a medium for a great workout.

Water’s buoyancy, resistive forces and efficient thermal conductivity make it a unique environment for exercises that improve your cardiovascular condition, muscle strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.

“One of the greatest benefits to working out in water is that it has zero to low impact,” says Sarah Madelung, aquatic programmer at the Crystal Pool. The more of your body you immerse, the less weight you bear, which is easy on joints and reduces the risk of falling.

Water exercise engages and strengthens core muscles, whether you float, swim, or even just stand in water, says Kristy Bowden, aquatic programmer at the Gordon Head Pool. “If you’re on land, you can easily use your back muscles instead of your core, but in the water, you are forced to use it — you don’t need to be told to think about your core, it just comes naturally,” she says Whether you are a new or expert swimmer, a program is available to suit your needs.

Learn to Swim A survey conducted last year by the Lifesaving Society found that 4 per cent of adults born in Canada can’t swim, and 20 per cent are nervous around water. Those numbers jump to 19 and 31 per cent respectively for new Canadians. Adult lessons that follow a Red Cross program are offered at every community pool year-round, and draw steady numbers.

Adult beginners, like novice kids, start with learning to float and submerge before moving to kicks and strokes. But with adults, there’s usually more to it. “People who don’t know how to swim seem to have very specific issues with it, like they don’t like water in their ears,” says Jarrett Holst, who first stepped into the pool in January, determined to overcome a life-long fear of water. Some even feel claustrophobic from 68

the enveloping pressure of the water, or they may have had a sibling drown. Instructors work with each beginner to help overcome issues, bringing in masks and other aids. According to Madelung, they’re well prepared to deal with any concern, whether it’s discomfort or a lingering traumatic experience.

How long does it take to learn to swim? Madelung explains that relaxation is the key, since tense muscles condense body mass, making it harder to float. Bowden agrees. “It really depends on the individual, their experience in the water, how driven they are to improve, or how severe their fear might be,” she says. “By the end of a six-week session, some people are able to glide on their own, while others are able to float with noodles or different equipment. And any little thing like that is still a big accomplishment.”

Holst, 37, and his wife are thinking about starting a family, so there’s an additional motivation: “I want to be a parent who can swim a bit and encourage my son or daughter to do the same.”

Stroke Improvement/Swim for Fitness For adults who can swim, more advanced classes improve skills and build stamina, either for general fitness or a specific goal, such as training for a triathlon. While the adult Red Cross Swim Strokes program focuses on the same basic strokes as the kids’ lessons — front crawl, back crawl, elementary back stroke, breast stroke, and sidestroke — there’s built-in flexibility to accommodate the needs of participants. Some do drills to improve a stroke, while others do a workout and lengths for endurance.

Masters swimming offers similar skill development. Despite its imposing name, Masters swimming — which refers to the Masters Swimming Association of British Columbia and Masters Swimming Canada — welcomes anyone aged 18 and up who wants to develop skills in a coached group setting. Though the provincial and national Masters associations sanction swim

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meets, competitive swimming is not required. There are six MSABC-affiliated clubs in Greater Victoria, and some recreation centres also offer Masters-level swim classes.

Frances Melville, 57, a Victorian originally from Jamaica, swims four mornings a week with the Tyee Masters Swim Club at the Crystal Pool. While she’s a strong swimmer — she swam for Jamaica in the 1968 and 1972 Commonwealth Games — Melville now swims to stay limber. Coach Neil Harvey designs a workout for variety and challenge, and oversees every swim, but Melville reports the atmosphere is low-key. “The only thing the coach tells me is that nowadays some of the strokes have changed a bit, so he just gives me one or two ideas. I tell him, ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!’ But he knows I just enjoy swimming so much.”

Aquafit Aquafit offers the benefits of water-based exercise, even for non-swimmers. Since the 1980s, aquatic exercise classes have been evolving in parallel with land-based programs, and at the pools in Greater Victoria there’s an aquafit class to suit anyone. Aqua Therapy is taught by kinesiologists and exercise therapists for those with injuries or chronic pain; Aqua Joints was developed for people with arthritis. Aqua Lite and Aqua Walking, Strengthen and Stretch, and Aqua Yoga are mild, shallow-water classes, great for starting out. More intense are Cardio Blast, a high-energy shallow-water class, and Deep Water Running, with speed intervals and resistance training.

Aqua Boot Camp uses a circuit-training format and Aqua Zumba is based on Latin-inspired dance fitness. Oak Bay’s pre- and post-natal aquafit classes are so popular, there’s a wait list. In July, Panorama is introducing aquatic spin classes to the Island, which will use immersible Hydrorider stationary bikes.

Lezlie Martinson started aquafit in Winnipeg when she retired five years ago and kept it up when she moved to Victoria, joining classes at the Crystal. “You don’t have to worry, ‘I’m too fat, I’m too skinny. My bathing suit is ugly.’ It doesn’t matter,” she says.

Swim to Survive The Swim to Survive standard is a sequence of three skills that can help you survive an accidental fall into deep water: you should be able to surface following a disorienting fall into the water; support yourself at the surface to gain control of breathing and overcome cold water shock; then swim 50 metres to safety. Aquatic facilities around Victoria will be promoting Swim to Survive during National Drowning Prevention Week, this year from July 21-28. Participants will be challenged to do a front roll into deep water, tread water for one minute, and then swim 50 metres, simulating a short swim in cold water with water-logged clothing. VB

For schedules, cost and registration information, check the recreation listings for your municipality. Information on Victoria-area Masters swim clubs is available at msabc.ca/.

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text and photos By Carolyn Heiman

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TRAVEL NEAR

When Candice Cole and Morgan Fry exchange vows in September, they will symbolically forge their new bond by giving each other wedding rings they have made by hand.

That’s why the Vancouver couple was recently found soldering and filing at a weekend workshop at Martinus Fine Jewelry Design on Salt Spring Island, where noted goldsmith Martin Ebbers is offering this latest of wedding trends: DIY rings.

It is not just the affianced, however, who are trekking over to the Martinus Studio in Ganges.

Ebbers, a professional jeweller whose career spans two continents and 30 years, including eight at top German institutes, offers a range of workshops for everyone from newbies wanting to make wedding rings to jewelry professionals looking to upgrade skills or work with new materials. Victoria Shannon, from Victoria, training for a post-retirement career

as a silversmith, has attended three Matinus workshops.

“He really explains how things work. Every other class tells me what to do. He tells me why,” said Shannon, who couldn’t find a similar approach to learning how to work in precious metals anywhere.

I was intrigued by the chance to learn how to make my own jewelry so I joined Cole and Fry this spring in Ebber’s intimate, four work-bench studio for the weekend ring-making workshop.

We start at 9 am sharp on Saturday. None of us have any relevant experience, but Ebbers and his Italian-trained apprentice, Paul Jacobson Jensen, supervise our every move. Will the final product be something a couple might cherish for the rest of married life? Says Ebbers: “In two days I cannot train you to be jewellers, but with

Complete beginners learn to manage professional goldsmithing tools from Martin Ebbers, in his Martinus Studio on Salt Spring Island, making beautiful jewelry with their own hands.

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your hands, and my knowledge you can make (professionallooking) pieces. And nothing will leave the studio unless it is absolutely perfect.”

The first order is learning to breathe. We must control the intensity, direction and distance of a flame by using our mouth-blown torch so that it quickly melts slivers of silver into glowing molten balls. It is easier said than done.

Next we practice soldering the balls together using silver specks smaller than pin heads and requiring quick assessment of when to withdraw the heat at the point the solder flows but before the pieces being soldered melt. Again, not easy.

“Bring the flame a little closer. Blow a little harder. Whoa, whoa, whoa … take the flame away,” Ebbers says often.

Each of us has dreams: Fry wants to create a companion ring to Cole’s engagement ring, which is shaped like a miniature tree branch cradling a diamond. Cole wants to make a band for Fry with lots of surface texture. I want a simple ring with a small gem setting. How hard can it be?

Morgan, a carpenter and housebuilder, is soon soldering, filing, and sawing with ease. It is harder for Cole and me, as handling gold requires not only physical dexterity but considerable hand strength. Fortunately, Jensen and Ebbers keep a ready hand and a watchful eye on us.

Goldsmithing, I soon learn, is an amalgam of hard labour and laparoscopic surgery. But Ebbers patiently teaches us techniques and diverts frustration, gently guiding us away from ideas beyond our reach yet still coaching us to fashion entirely our own creations. We depart at the end of the first day on a giddy high but still far from having a finished ring.

The next day finds all three of us filing away, with nearly invisible dust falling onto the leather apron around the workbench. Ebbers tells us that by year end he’ll collect almost $4,000 worth of “dust” from these aprons.

Ebbers has designed jewelry lines for fashion designers and his precision designs are inspired by both the vastness and intricacies of nature, such as rippling sand or perfectly detailed boxwood leaves. His signature Barnacles collection is built on the theme of diamond-crusted barnacles chained together.

Despite his professional standards, Ebbers never makes us feel inferior. “The quality of your work is as good as it gets!” he tells me, stoking my pride — although he helped me with the tricky task of setting gems and soldering the setting.

By the end of the second day Fry has completed his ring for Cole that nestles the engagement diamond, looking every bit a matched set from the start. Cole’s gleaming ring is fit for a showcase. Both have something that will be remembered for a lifetime. And I have charming set of three simple rings that has already garnered admiring remarks. VB Workshops start at $290 per person plus materials. Old gold jewelry can be brought for evaluation and credit towards the already-refined material used in the workshop. For more information or to register see martinus-gold.com

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FOOD & WINE

Modern wedding cakes

marry tradition with personal taste text and photos By Maryanne Carmack

white wedding cake

smooth buttercream icing

cake pop glaze

Like all good marriages, wedding cakes are built on firm foundations. The tradition is said to derive from a Roman custom, in which parties to an agreement would share a cake baked from flour, water, and salt. Cakes today play several roles: they have to look gorgeous, fit with the wedding theme, and taste absolutely delicious.

Some couples turn to their families’ cultures

and customs for inspiration. In Great Britain, guests are treated to an elaborate fruitcake soaked with brandy or cognac and covered with marzipan. The traditional cake from the Caribbean is similar, but kept hidden and guests pay to glimpse it.

Some wedding cakes aren’t cakes at all. In the Ukraine, weddings are celebrated with

Passion For Cakes’ Corina Ludwig styled a tiered wedding cake, cupcakes and cake pops. Flowers: Verbena Floral Design.

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A Local Story.

Every week a batch of Hollie Wood’s fresh Satori oysters makes its 100 mile journey from Denman Island to the Marina Restaurant. And every week we send any extra oysters back to be re-seeded.

a bread-like dessert known as korovai, decorated with symbols to represent the joining together of families.

“Couture” cakes, which match details from the bride’s dress, shoes or jewelry, are in fashion now. They sport decorative lacework, sugar pearls, textured ruffles and sweet cameos. Traditional floral designs with sugar flowers and/or brushwork are still popular. Colours still tend to be mainly whites and ivories and sometimes pastels for the icing, with colour accents. Last year’s royal wedding is having a huge impact on the style of cakes in 2012, with its traditional piping with roses, acorns, ivy leaves and apple blossom motifs as accents.

Victoria has a number of wedding cake outlets that make custom designed cakes, including Passion for Cakes, Cakes Etc., Ohh La La, Pure Vanilla Bakery and more.

Charelli’s Cheese Shop and Delicatessen on Foul Bay Road makes a festive “cheese cake” consisting of tiers of different cheese wheels decorated with ribbons and flowers.

Corina Ludwig of Passion for Cakes says: “Bridal couples are looking for works of art.” She never makes the same cake twice, so each couple gets a unique design that fits them, just like ordering a custom wedding dress or tailored suit.

White Wedding Cake A moist, sweet and light cake, perfect for layered cakes

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or cake pops. Courtesy Passion for Cakes.

INGREDIENTS 2 cups white sugar 2 cups white flour 3 teaspoons baking powder ¼ lb butter

1 cup whipping cream or homogenized milk 2 tbsp vanilla extract 5 large egg whites

Beat egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Mix in ¼ cup sugar into egg white mixture, then add vanilla and remaining sugar. Lightly fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture.

Slowly add the baking powder and white flour. Set batter aside.

In a medium pot, on medium heat, slowly heat whipping cream/milk and butter until butter is melted and mixture is warm (not boiling). Pour into the batter, stirring until blended.

Pour into a 12” square or two, 9” round pans. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Test with a toothpick. Do not over bake! Set aside to cool before icing or layering.

For in between layers or for covering, use a smooth buttercream icing using cooked egg whites and sugar beaten with butter. Google Swiss Meringue Butter Cream for a recipe.

Cake Pop Glaze Makes enough to cover about 30-40 cake pops.

INGREDIENTS 12 oz of white or dark chocolate ½ cup whipping cream (Use up to 1 cup of whipping cream for a softer coating or as little as ¼ cup for a hard chocolate coating. Harder coatings stand up better outdoors.) (optional) Wilton gel food colouring for modifying color (do not use water based colouring) In a small non-stick bowl, measure chopped white or dark chocolate and set aside. Heat whipping cream on medium heat until the cream starts to boil. Remove from heat and slowly pour over chocolate. Mix in bowl with wire whisk until all chocolate is smooth. Add gel food coloring if desired. Dip cake pops in the chocolate mixture. Cool in fridge until chocolate is solidified.

POP GOES THE BUBBLES

By Sharon McLean Nothing says “celebration” like a flute of bubbles. True Champagne — from the Champagne region of France — reigns supreme but is pricy. While Champagne has many styles, it always has mouthwatering acidity and distinct toasty, brioche notes. It pairs with a huge range of foods — perfect alongside mixed hors d’oeuvres.

If budget is a concern, consider a traditional method sparkling wine from another region. Like Champagne, the bubbles come from a second fermentation that takes place in the bottle. After that, the wine is left in contact with the spent yeast cells — the lees— and this gives the typical bready, nutty notes (known as “autolytic” characteristics). Wines in this category include Cavas from Spain, Cremants from other parts of France and many New World offerings. Try the Cristalino Brut Nature ($12.99), Bailly-Lapierre Cremant de Bourgogne ($24.99) or Mumm Napa Brut Prestige ($25.99).

A lighter style of sparkling wine, without the autolytic characteristics, is Prosecco from the Veneto region in Italy or a Sekt from Germany. These are made without significant lees contact so the true nature of the grape shines through. Proseccos, made from the lightly aromatic Glera grape, often have green apple, citrus and floral notes. Many Proseccos are available, some fully sparkling, some with just a slight spritz, some bone dry, some slightly sweet. Try the Villa Teresa Frizante ($16.49) an organic wine with a slight spritz.

Note: some celebrations need a Special Occasion Licence (SOL).

Check the BC Liquor Store website for more information on SOL and other event-planning tips: bcliquorstores.com. VB

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ILLUSTRATION SHELLEY DAVIES

It began as a typical visit to Home Hardware. Work was quiet at midday so I went out to get a jump on the weekend chores.

12:33 PM I picked up what I needed quickly and heading to the cashier, heard a male voice call out, “Can you get me a Gordon Lightfoot autograph?”

I turned to look for the source of the voice and saw a man in his forties, dressed smartly in a suit. Based on his question, he knew me from my work as a publicist for recording artists. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

So I did what you tend to do in these situations, I made small talk; hi, how are you, what have you been doing etc. We were about two minutes into our chat when the

gentleman wrinkled his nose and pushed his glasses back up to the bridge.

I suddenly felt my face flush. I had finally figured out who he was: my ex-husband!

I know what you’re thinking. How is it possible for someone to walk down an aisle in a white dress, say “I do” and In my mind’s eye he was as I last saw him: then one day not recognize the groom?

28, with a slim build It’s a good question for and boyish good which I do not have a looks reminiscent of good answer, but I’m living proof that it is possible.

John Denver.

To be fair, he had put on weight and I’d not seen him in 17 years. We met in the midSeventies while working at the same radio station, married two years later and separated two years after that. In my mind’s eye he was as I last saw him: 28, with a slim build and boyish good looks reminiscent of John Denver.

I quickly shifted the conversation to more relevant topics, hoping he had not cottoned on to my near gaffe.

As though running into my ex and not recognizing him weren’t enough of a shock for one day, as we neared the natural end of the conversation, he proudly told me that he was now a nudist.

This is a real conversation stopper. What do you say? I came up with “good for you!” Rather lame, but under the circumstances this was the best I could do.

We said our goodbyes, and as he turned to leave he stopped, looked back and said, “Can I ask you one more question?”

“Sure,” I responded, with more than just a little trepidation. “Did you take your husband’s name when you remarried?” he asked.

“No,” I replied.

He smiled at this, shook his head, muttered something about some things never changing and proudly announced that his wife had taken his name. With that he set out into the bright light of the afternoon.

I proceeded to the check-out, pondering this curious twist in an otherwise mundane afternoon. I had not known until that moment that not taking his name had been an issue for him.

It had been my decision to end the marriage. I was so young and so unprepared for the choice I had made. My ex was left with no option but to accept my decision, one I still believe was the right one for both of us.

He remarried long before I did. Eighteen years would pass before I made that commitment again.

Hearts do mend and life takes you down paths you could not possibly have foreseen.

On my path, we’re fully clothed. On his, clothes are optional.

Now, if only I could get everyone to wear nametags. VB

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SECRETS & LIVES

By shannon moneo

Why did you move to Victoria? The love of a beautiful woman. Sharon’s from here and I wanted to be with her. And also, after almost 40 years of living in Toronto, I wanted to move to a beautiful place. Victoria has beauty, the ocean. If I need to be in Vancouver, I can go there by float plane. It’s got everything that I want.

Do you get recognized in public? Much more here than in Toronto. There seems to be a large CBC audience here. I had a guy pushing a shopping cart down the street stop and say: “You’re that science guy. Hey, I love your stuff,” then kept walking. Even the homeless people are interested in science.

It’s quite refreshing.

Your 20th anniversary as host of Q&Q was in 2011. Has there been a highlight? I’ve done more than 7,000 interviews. It’s hard to pick, but I must admit that when the Nobel Prizes are announced and I’m speaking to the winner of a Nobel Prize, it’s always a thrill.

How does a person who studied philosophy in university, with no science background, become the host of a long-running science show? I’ve always enjoyed what science does, but when it came to doing science, I wasn’t very good at it. Doing the math and the calculations and the formulas, I was terrible at it. But I’ve been able to combine my interest in science and my theatrical background to make it entertaining. I think my lack of a formal education in science actually helps me in translating it into everyday language. I’m closer to the side of the audience.

How do you prepare for interviews? Every story I do comes with background material that I have to read. The worst thing you can do is go into it ignorantly. I know the answers to all the questions. I’m not telling the story. I’m bringing the story out of them. I work with my producers very carefully on that.

You’ve got six honourary degrees, the Order of Canada, several other prestigious national and international awards.

What does that say about not having a university degree? My university has been talking to the top scientists in the world.

The first time I got an honorary degree, at the University of Guelph, it was very emotional for me. I’ve never seen my name on a university diploma. I’m not knocking universities at all, but I wasn’t good at it. Some people aren’t good at that way of learning but you can still learn in other ways. It’s wonderful that the universities will recognize other ways of getting an education.

What’s your favourite gadget? I’m not much of gadget person. In fact when we first got here, I got myself an iPhone and I gave it back to them. It was more than I needed. I don’t like to be attached to the device all the time. My motorcycle’s my gadget.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

How do you define “science”? I call science a pair of glasses that you put on that makes the ordinary, extraordinary.

So with your scientific glasses you can look into the very small and see the proverbial universe in a drop of water. Or you can look out to the distant universe to the beginning of time. You can see relationships, how the plants and the animals and the atmosphere and the water are all connected. It’s an organized way of trying to see the world and how it works.

Tell us about your in-home broadcast studio. The studio in my basement connects me directly to the CBC studios through a special digital phone line and a decoder device which is used by radio stations around the world.

Along with a studio microphone, a mixer and a little soundproofing, I can do interviews and record narration for Quirks & Quarks. I talk to my producers in Toronto through Skype and also use a webcam and Skype to do television interviews with CBC News Network. All of this equipment came from a studio that was being dismantled in Toronto so there was almost no cost to do it. Shelagh Rogers and Randy Bachman do the same thing from their homes. I have to be up at five in the morning, but when I sign off with Toronto at 4:30 pm, it’s only 1:30 here. Let’s go sailing.

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Bob McDonald, 61 CBC’s Host of Quirks & Quarks

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