OpenRoad Driver Magazine - Winter 2012/2013

OpenRoadDriver.com

driving | living | you

INSPIRED BEST OF PARKSVILLE QUALICUM 10 NEWEST CARS HOT HATS ON ROUTE 66 THINK 2020 OKANAGAN WINE TOUR OPENROAD INFINITI HIDDEN LANDSCAPES BEST TEST DRIVES SHOKAI OR OMAKASE CAR WRAPS UNWRAPPED

WIN AN INFINITI JX EXPERIENCE

Volume 10 Issue 2 Winter 2012/2013

Experience the OpenRoad DifferenceTM

Open up to a different car ownership experience.

2013 JX

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadInfiniti.ca

Experience the OpenRoad Difference

TM

OpenRoad Infiniti Langley 5995 Collection Drive (Corner of Langley Bypass & Glover Rd.) Tel: 604-532-8888 (Sales) Tel: 604-539-3466 (Service)

starting at $46,895 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

Now is the time for specials on your winter tires.

W

inter is in full swing so this is the best time for special offers on parts and accessories that can help you travel further, feel safer and keep your Audi in top shape longer.

At OpenRoad Audi Vancouver, we have sizzling wheel and tire packages created just for your Audi, guaranteed to take the chill out of the winter. For more on available Audi accessories, visit audi.ca/aftersales or see us at OpenRoad Audi's parts department.

Most packages include: 4 tires, 4 Audi factory winter rims, wheel locks, tire totes, first season of storage free, mounting and balancing, and taxes.** A complete selection of Continental and Michelin tires are available at OpenRoad Audi. * Starting From prices ** Except Audi A3 - tire totes and wheel locks may be purchased separately for A3 packages.

Packages for other models also available. See OpenRoad Audi Vancouver for details.

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadAudi.com

Experience the OpenRoad Difference OpenRoad Audi Vancouver 2375 Boundary Road Vancouver Tel: 604-291-2828 Dealer# 30579

TM

A3 $2,171*

Q5 $2,946*

A4/S4 $2,532*

Q7 $3,114*

A5/S5 $2,621*

TT $2,828*

IN THI S I S S UE FEATURES 16

Shopping

The Street Best of Parksville & Qualicum Beach

20

Fashion

Make and Model Hot Hats of Olena Zylak

32

Travel

Where Our Road Takes You On Route 66 – Arizona Road Tripping

44

Autos

Driving Review An Impressive Lexus ES 350

48

Autos

New Models 9 Newest Releases

60

Food

Plates Shokai vs. Omakase – Minami Restaurant

64

Road Trip

One Tank Wonder Okanagan Wine Tour

74

People

Staff Associate Spotlight Calling the Shots – Hidden Landscapes with Howard Miller

82

Health

Trim Lines Think 2020 – A Goal-Setting Guide

20

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EXTRAS 26

Car Wraps, Unwrapped

Myths and Truths

42

Readers Contest

Win an OpenRoad Infiniti JX Experience

47

Feature Contest

Win the OpenRoad Lexus ES 350 Test Drive Contest

70

OpenRoad Infiniti

The Adeyaka inside OpenRoad Infiniti Langley

REGULARS 4

OpenRoad Locations

6

Publisher’s Note

8

OpenRoad Experience CADA Laureate, OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body, Digital Test Drives, Vloggers, Best Managed Finalist

12

The Customers Always Write

38

Ask the Experts

Get the Most from Your Test Drive – 11 Tips

87

High Beams

OpenRoad Events

OpenRoadDriver.com

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On the Cover Infiniti is proud to be an official sponsor of Quidam™

by Cirque du Soleil® *

Volume 10 Issue 2

The 2013 Infiniti JX is Infiniti’s first venture into the 3-row luxury crossover segment. To stand out from the crowd, the all-new JX combines intelligent technology, refined performance and sophisticated craftsmanship – all part of Infiniti’s Total Ownership Experience®.

driving | living | you

Winter 2012/2013

Cirque du Soleil® has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities. Quidam™ has toured on six continents and been experienced by millions of people. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, musicians, singers and characters.

INSPIRED BEST OF PARKSVILLE QUALICUM 10 NEWEST CARS HOT HATS ON ROUTE 66 THINK 2020 OKANAGAN WINE TOUR OPENROAD INFINITI HIDDEN LANDSCAPES BEST TEST DRIVES SHOKAI OR OMAKASE CAR WRAPS UNWRAPPED PM 40599157

WIN AN INFINITI JX EXPERIENCE Your personal copy courtesy of

OpenRoad Auto Group Volume 10 Issue 2 Winter 2012/2013

Experience the OpenRoad DifferenceTM

Artists: Vehicle: Art Direction: Photography:

Infiniti thanks the artists of Quidam™ for their participation.

2013 Infiniti JX by OpenRoad Infiniti Langley Fabrice Lemire, Cirque du Soleil® Todd Duncan

* The trademarks Quidam and Cirque du Soleil are owned by Cirque du Soleil and used under license.

OP ENR OA D LO C AT IONS

Experience the OpenRoad DifferenceTM

openroadautogroup.com

BMW Langley Langley Auto Collection

6025 Collection Drive Langley, BC, V3A 0C2 T 604.533.0269 F 604.539.2269 bmwlangley.com

MINI Langley Langley Auto Collection

6025 Collection Drive Langley, BC, V3A 0C2 T 604.533.0269 F 604.539.2269 minilangley.com

OPENROAD HONDA Burnaby

6984 Kingsway Burnaby, BC, V5E 1E6 T 604.525.4667 F 604.525.8692 OpenRoadHonda.ca

OpenRoad Infiniti Langley Auto Collection

5995 Collection Drive Langley, BC, V3A 0C2 T 604.532.8888 F 604.534.3380 openroadinfiniti.ca

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OPENROAD AUDI Vancouver

2375 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC, V5M 4W5 T 604.293.2834 F 604.298.1329 OpenRoadAudi.com

OPENROAD HYUNDAI Richmond Auto Mall

13171 Smallwood Place Richmond, BC, V6V 1W8 T 604.606.9033 F 604.606.9003 OpenRoadHyundai.com

OPENROAD LEXUS Port Moody

3150 St. Johns Street Port Moody, BC, V3H 2C7 T 604.461.7623 F 604.949.7623 OpenRoadLexus.ca

OpenRoad Lexus

Richmond Auto Mall

OPENROAD SCION

Port Moody

5631 Parkwood Way Richmond, BC, V6V 2M6 T 604.273.5533 F 604.270.9028 OpenRoadLexus.com

3166 St. Johns Street Port Moody, BC, V3H 2C7 T 604.461.3656 F 604.461.9140 OpenRoadScion.ca

OPENROAD TOYOTA

Port Moody

3166 St. Johns Street Port Moody, BC, V3H 2C7 T 604.461.3656 F 604.461.9140 OpenRoadToyota.ca

OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body Langley

5923 Production Way Langley, BC, V3A 4N5 T 604.532.9158 F 604 532.9193 OpenRoadRichmondAutoBody.com

OPENROAD MAZDA Port Moody

3170 St. Johns Street Port Moody, BC, V3H 2C7 T 604.461.9111 F 604.461.7988 OpenRoadMazda.ca

OPENROAD SCION

Richmond Auto Mall

13251 Smallwood Place Richmond, BC, V6V 1W8 T 604.273.3766 F 604.273.2892 OpenRoadScion.ca

OPENROAD TOYOTA

Richmond Auto Mall

13251 Smallwood Place Richmond, BC, V6V 1W8 T 604.273.3766 F 604.273.2892 OpenRoadToyota.com

OPENROAD RICHMOND AUTO BODY Richmond

2691 No.5 Road Richmond, BC, V6X 2S8 T 604.278.9158 F 604.270.9105 OpenRoadRichmondAutoBody.com

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P UBLI SHER ’ S NOTE

Inspiration

T

he Infiniti brand is about Inspired Performance. After all, inspiration and performance are platforms of Infiniti’s vision to create vehicles that will excite us. I’ve watched the recent evolution of Infiniti’s sense of Adeyaka and I’m truly excited about what I see from our latest manufacturing partner. I’m a big fan of the all-new 7-passenger JX luxury crossover, for example. It has innovative backup collision intervention (BCI) technology and features a multi-mode middle-seat design so you can enter the third row of seating without removing a secondrow child seat. That’s both innovative and exciting!

We are very proud to have just opened Infiniti’s newest retail centre in western Canada. On the occasion of launching OpenRoad Infiniti in Langley, we have decided to celebrate our new addition with an Infinitirelated theme. So, welcome to the Inspired edition of OpenRoad Driver magazine.

We asked our writing team to bring us features that inspire them, and they did a stellar job of presenting fascinating stories and discoveries. I’m excited to share their work with you. In this issue we present the best of Parksville and Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island’s

nearby oceanside communities. We travel a bit further back east to tap a Canadian designer for our fashion feature, Hot Hats, as Olena Zylak takes knitted hats to a whole new level of luxury. Inspired yet? Check out the chrome-wrapped Lamborghini Gallardo

Win an OpenRoad Infiniti JX Experience!

READERS contest – see page 42 6 |

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Spyder as we unwrap the myths and truths for you about car wraps.

We do a lot of driving and touring in this issue.

From Route 66 and a vortex tour through Arizona’s Sedona, to a test drive review of the new Lexus ES 350, or our consumer tips on how to get the most out of your test drive, the driving experience is front and centre this time. We also bring you the ten newest vehicles presented by our retail partners.

We take you on a tour of emerging Okanagan wineries in Oliver and Penticton; plus we travel to the backwoods of our province to share with you the inspired landscape photography of OpenRoad’s very own Howard Miller. Beautiful British Columbia, indeed.

Our resident foodie describes a Japanese Shokai experience where she finds the two best pieces of sushi in Metro Vancouver. You’ll find out where.

And our wellness expert gives us a solid guide to identify and achieve our goals into the next decade.

Ultimately, what is inspiration without the structure of goals to achieve our dreams?

Inspiration can come from many different sources.

For me it could be the slipstream in motor racing that gives me a slingshot past another driver, or the cherished moments of quiet time with my family.

It could be finding the sweet spot on my tennis racquet to hit that forehand winner, or learning that more than 90% of our clients would recommend OpenRoad to their friends and family. Now, that’s inspiring!

In our world inspiration leads to performance, and performance leads us back to inspiration.

It’s a 360-degree journey towards the continuous improvement that is such a part of our culture at OpenRoad.

So, what inspires you? We hope you’ll let us know so we can, in turn, be inspired to grant your wishes.

Christian Chia

President, OpenRoad Auto Group

Volume 10 Issue 2 Winter 2012/2013 www.OpenRoadDriver.com

OpenRoad Driver c/o OpenRoad Auto Group Ltd. 13251 Smallwood Place Richmond, BC, Canada V6V 1W8 Tel: (604) 232-5347 Fax: (604) 232-5323 E-mail: inquiries@openroaddriver.com Publisher:

Editor: Associate Editor:

Art Direction, Design: Advertising, Sales:

Christian Chia publisher@openroaddriver.com Will Fong Melissa Mak editor@openroaddriver.com Haydex Li Ben Lovie, Marketing Director sales@openroaddriver.com

Contributing Writers:

Will Fong, Vreni Gurd, Trevor Hofmann, Charlenne Icasiano, Lauren Kramer, Bruce Macfarlane, Melissa Mak, Rick and Chris Millikan, Mijune Pak, Jordan Rasmussen

Contributing Photographers: Joshua Chow, Todd Duncan,

Geoff George, Melissa Mak,

Howard Miller, Rick and Chris

Millikan, Angela Waterberg,

Michelle Yeung OpenRoad Auto Group President: COO: Senior VP: VP Finance: Marketing Director: HR Director: IT Director: Finance Director: Project Director:

Christian Chia Rob Steele Mark Lin Dev Walia Ben Lovie Sharon Rupal Peter Mo Jeremy Wong Moe Saboune

Change of Address Notices: Return covers of undeliverable copies to OpenRoad Driver, 13251 Smallwood Place, Richmond, BC, V6V 1W8 or send e-mail requests to inquiries@openroaddriver.com.

OpenRoad Driver is published twice a year by OpenRoad Auto Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher.

All views expressed in articles published in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of OpenRoad Driver. Advertising in OpenRoad Driver does not indicate an endorsement by the publisher or OpenRoad Auto Group. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisers’ claims.

Printed in Canada. Publications Mail 40599157.

Win the OpenRoad Lexus ES 350 Test Drive Contest!

Feature contest – see page 47 OpenRoad Driver • V o l u m e 1 0 I s s u e 2 • W i n t e r 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3

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NE W S F R OM OU R S TORE S

CADA Laureate

The OpenRoad team of corporate management and retail centre general managers.

T

he Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) has announced Christian Chia of OpenRoad Auto Group as the winner of the prestigious 2012 CADA Laureate award for Innovation. The Laureate award is considered the highest honour a new car and truck dealer can receive. “It’s a true industry award,” said CADA chairman Al MacPhee.

“Only three dealers win the Laureate award each year, from among more than 3,200 dealers in Canada. So it’s an exceptionally exclusive and prestigious honour.”

CADA’s partner in the Laureate program, Alnoor Jiwani, senior vice-president of Industrial Alliance - SAL Group, observed that “Christian Chia is taking auto retailing to a higher level. The list of innovations implemented by his OpenRoad Auto Group is extensive and impressive and each one enhances the OpenRoad brand. Whether it’s the in-house development of new shop software or a home-grown management development program, Christian is always looking for new and better ways to develop staff, serve customers and build the OpenRoad brand. It’s a winning combination.”

From a group of 15 national finalists, Laureate award winners were selected by the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University. In the category of Business Innovation, Professor June Cotte said, “Christian Chia and the OpenRoad Group really distinguished themselves in this

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category. Engagement with customers in real-time and on social media is the next obvious customer responsiveness innovation.

Creating an umbrella brand, and then leveraging it into a lifestyle magazine, seems a particularly powerful approach. Strong revenue growth was achieved, while significant investments were made in an in-house 2.5-year leadership development program, with strong completion rates. These sorts of varied innovations are likely at the heart of why Christian was named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and why the OpenRoad Group is one of the Globe and Mail’s Top 50 Canadian Employers.”

Accepting his award, Chia said, “The time for a better guest experience is something we at OpenRoad have been chasing in earnest for the last few years now. From a few new flagship LEEDcertified facilities, to back-to-back top-ten rankings as the Best Employer in Canada, our commitment to improving the guest experience is receiving recognition, and I am thrilled to accept this on behalf of OpenRoad.”

Same quality craftsmanship.

Two Locations. Twice the convenience.

Quality craftsmanship has now arrived in central Langley with a second OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body location.

Not only is our existing Richmond location an Audi-, Toyota- and Lexuscertified repair facility, but our new Langley location is also a BMW/ MINI-certified repair facility. Rest assured knowing that we use stateof-the-art repair equipment on all repair jobs, big and small. Both locations have an on-site Hertz car rental and a large fleet of loaner vehicles to make your collision repair experience even more convenient.

www.openroadrichmondautobody.com www.openroadautogroup.com

Experience the OpenRoad Difference

TM

OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body – Richmond 2691 No. 5 Road, Richmond (Just North of Bridgeport Road) Tel: 604-278-9158

OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body – Langley 5923 Production Way, Langley (Corner of Production Way & Fraser Highway) Tel: 604-532-9158

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NE W S F R OM OU R S TORE S

Second Body Shop in Langley

Vloggers

Y

ou’ve heard of bloggers. Now OpenRoad does one better by introducing Vloggers, or video bloggers, to the automotive retail experience.

A

second body shop location has been added to OpenRoad Auto Group. In addition to its flagship store in Richmond, a brand new location for OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body is now open in the heart of Langley on Production Way just off Fraser Highway between the Langley Bypass and 200 Street.

In addition to its expertise in all car repairs, the new shop is a special BMW- and MINI-certified repair facility inside a 20,000-sq.ft. building that also boasts an on-site Hertz location.

The unique and highly engaging social media campaign kicked off in the summer of 2012.

OpenRoad’s two Vloggers earned four-month gigs to video blog their experiences, always taking a different view as they test drove 32 different OpenRoad vehicles.

The videos are sometimes quirky, sometimes funny, but always informative and entertaining. They’ve already earned over 83,000 YouTube views. Check it out at openroadautogroup.com/vlogger

OpenRoad Infiniti Open

Contact (604) 532-9158 or openroadrichmondautobody.com for more details and shop hours.

O

penRoad Infiniti Langley is now open. It is the second luxury brand in the new Langley Auto Collection at Langley Bypass and Glover Road.

The new retail centre brings a luxury, boutique retail experience to the visitor. There are seven service bays and a high-end showroom built in line with the luxuries of a five-star hotel. The boutique-style retail centre also boasts a unique glass storefront specific to the brand, reflecting Infiniti’s design concept of Adeyaka, which encompasses enchantment, beauty and elegance.

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Making Wishes Come True

n 2010 OpenRoad began a relationship with MakeA-Wish Foundation BC & Yukon to grant wishes for children who have a life-threatening medical condition and to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

OpenRoad successfully funded five wishes, raising a total of $25,000 in its first two years. OpenRoad targeted four more wishes by raising a total of $24,000 in 2012. Funds are raised through outdoor activities such as the Sun Run and the OpenRoad Grouse Grind Challenge, annual company events and auctions, sales of the OpenRoad mascot Opie, and staff pledges and donations.

Digital Test Drives

Best Managed Finalist

O

penRoad has built a custom solution and online experience that integrates the most advanced vehicle interactivity, vehicle data and vehicle reviews into a new opportunity for online visitors: Digital Test Drives.

Available by desktop, mobile or tablet the new OpenRoad websites are all equipped to offer digital test drives and the most immersive digital experience offered by an automotive retailer in Canada.

An emphasis on original and relevant content can be found in the digital experience, including videos, customer and expert car reviews, interactive 360-degree interior and exterior vehicle spin views, side-by-side detailed car comparisons, large-format image galleries with 30-plus high resolution photos, live chat service, and a mobile website that is optimized for any mobile device.

O

penRoad Auto Group has been named a BC finalist and will compete to be named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2012.

Entering its 10th anniversary, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is a leading business awards program, recognizing excellence in Canadian-owned and -managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year, hundreds of companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process. It is already an honour to be awarded the distinction as a BC finalist.

National 2012 winners will be announced in late February 2013.

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S H A RE YOUR THOU GHTS . . .

The Customers Always Write PLEASANT & STRESS-FREE I have always found Nicholas to be very professional, extremely thoughtful and courteous. He has made my experiences with the OpenRoad Lexus Richmond dealership and their Service Department pleasant and stress-free.

I want the management team to know that Nicholas certainly knows how to please his customers. Thank you!

Arlene H. on OpenRoad Lexus Richmond’s service advisor, Nicholas Tsang

Thank you for making my purchase of the EX35 exciting. You guys are a fabulous bunch of friendly people and meeting everyone made my experience very comforting. Paul was great! I recommend your dealership every chance I can. Thank you so much for the Cirque du Soleil tickets. The show was great!

Irene W. on OpenRoad Infiniti Langley’s sales consultant, Paul Gill, and the entire retail centre team

Allan has always been a very helpful service advisor. He has excellent communication skills and always contacts me to let me know if there are any issues with my vehicle, and when it can be picked up. Allan has made my experience at OpenRoad Audi very pleasant. Overall, I’m very happy to be in the hands of OpenRoad Audi. OpenRoad Audi has given me the confidence and assurance to purchase or lease another Audi from you in the future.

Sam F. on OpenRoad Audi Vancouver’s service advisor, Allan Lin

We like mail...

Send feedback on OpenRoad Driver to: comments@openroaddriver.com

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AW E SOME SE RVICE The service at OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody is awesome. From the showroom to the service area, we are always very satisfied. A special thanks goes out to Marios who not only got Craig and I the vehicle of my dreams, but also helped us pick out a preowned 2001 CR-V for our daughter at the same time. She is also very happy.

Awesome service, Marios! Thanks again. We will definitely see you and recommend you all in the future.

Erin & Craig G. on OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody’s product advisor, Marios Procopiou, and the entire dealership team

I just wanted to say a quick thanks to you and the team. You did a great job on my car. I am very pleased.

Sean H. on BMW Langley’s service advisor, Sam Hu

QUALITY WORK & UTMOST CARE Thank you so much for fixing my car with such a short notice. Your high quality of work and utmost care in handling my vehicle was much appreciated. As a loyal Toyota customer for more than ten years, I am confident that I will experience your excellent customer service and high quality of work for many more years to come. Thanks again!

Sze Yuen F. on OpenRoad Toyota Richmond’s service advisor, Stephen Leung

Thank you for sharing your expertise and guidance with me through this purchase. This new Accord will be my fourth consecutive new Honda in 39 years beginning with a blue Civic in 1973 in Prince George. OpenRoad Honda was my dealer of choice in 1988 for a Honda wagon and my current Accord in 1991. That Honda continues

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to lead in the market place, that OpenRoad continues to thrive, that you have been there for so many years, and that I am back again all point to something. And that something is a quality product and service. Thanks again, Mike!

Leigh M. on OpenRoad Honda Burnaby’s product specialist, Mike Terry

FIRST-CLASS Joe is a real professional. He gave me the best car-buying experience I’ve ever received up until now. In terms of customer service, Joe goes above and beyond! Overall, a great experience.

Joe is a first-class sales rep and I love the car!

Todd K. on MINI Langley’s sales executive, Joe Wong

I’m just writing to inform you of the exceptional service we received from Sunny Bagri. We spent the day shopping at the Richmond Auto Mall, and he was by far the most helpful and genuine salesperson that we dealt with that day, and part of the reason why we decided to buy a car from OpenRoad Hyundai. Because of his service, we will definitely be back and will refer our friends to him. Thank you for the great service!

David G. & Stephanie W. on OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond’s sales & leasing advisor, Sunny Bagri

I wanted to take this opportunity to compliment these two great employees. Both Bruce and Jason went out of their way to assist me and accommodate my needs. Thank you so much!

Mr. Cheney on OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody’s product specialist, Bruce Macfarlane, and service advisor, Jason Hsu

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*F Sport Package Shown

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadLexus.com

Experience the OpenRoad Difference OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody 3150 St. Johns Street Port Moody Tel: 604-461-7623 Dealer# 30266

TM

OpenRoad Lexus Richmond 5631 Parkwood Way Richmond Auto Mall Tel: 604-273-5533 Dealer# D7827

Open up to a different car ownership experience.

2013 RX 350

starting at $46,945 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

Ask about our Club OpenRoad Loyalty Program and earn rewards towards your next car purchase, each time you service your Lexus with us.

THE S TREE T

Best of Parksville P & Qualicum Beach

icture a massive expanse of beach filled with scurrying crabs and interesting shells. Add an eclectic mix of gift shops and restaurants, a good selection of family attractions that include parks, wildlife, mini-golf and more, and a backdrop of waterfront cliffs and coastal rainforests. This is Parksville and Qualicum Beach, in a nutshell.

b y L auren K ramer

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Thankfully, the two seaside towns haven’t changed much over the years, which is a key element of their unique charm. Suspended in a sublime time warp, Parksville and Qualicum Beach offer a family-style vacation that’s all about quality time on the beach, sublime sunsets and a pace of life that’s slow, leisurely and just right. Hop on the ferry to Nanaimo from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen and prepare to be inspired. Here’s our list of top places while you’re in town.

Best P lace for W il d life W atc h in g The North Island Wildlife Recovery & Education Centre is an eight-acre centre in Errington, located between Coombs and Parksville. It’s a godsend for injured birds and mammals, rescuing and rehabilitating them until they are fit to be released. Focusing particularly on eagles and black bear, the centre has a wildlife viewing area where visitors can see these animals in close proximity and learn the story of their injury and recovery. niwra.org (250) 248-8534 1240 Leffler Road, Errington, BC Open 9 am – 5 pm daily mid-March through midDecember (gate closes at 4:30 pm)

Best P lace to S pen d the Night The Beach Club Resort is one of Parksville’s newest resorts. This 149-room property is chic, urban and sophisticated, its doors opening directly onto the beach boardwalk and offering breathtaking sunset views. A quick walk from the Lions Venture children’s playground and the town centre, the 4-star resort offers beautifully decorated one- and two-bedroom suites with full or partial kitchens, a fitness room, spa and a heated pool and hot tub. beachclubbc.com (888) 760-2008 181 Beachside Drive, Parksville, BC

Best P lace for K i d s 1 0 an d U n d er A dream come true for kids, the Lions Venture Land playground is just steps from the beach in Parksville.

It’s anything but ordinary. With innovative climbing structures, a child-size zipline and a waterpark, this fun family park can keep kids entertained for hours.

Its planners were smart – restrooms are close by and a concession with food, drinks and ice cream will keep hungry bellies sated so that playtime is uninterrupted. parksvillequalicumbeach.com Parksville Beach

Best P lace to Browse

Photos courtesy of The Beach Club Resort

Known to most as the “goats-on-the-roof shop,” the Old Country Market opened in 1971 with a green roof planted with grass, to remind one of the owners’ Norwegian relatives of his birthplace. Not long after, a livestock exhibitor at the Fall Fair needed a place for his goats during the show, so an arrangement

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was made to house them on the roof. The goats were such a hit with visitors to the Old Country Market, that they became a year-round fixture, feeding nonchalantly on the grass and inspecting shoppers with curiosity.

Step inside this one-of-a-kind, 12,000-square-foot market and you’ll find it packed with interesting products, including imported groceries, a European-style deli, a bakery and an ice cream parlour.

Check out the great selection of island cheese, sample the maple nugget salmon and don’t leave without a taste of sea salt caramel ice cream. oldcountrymarket.com (250) 248-6272 2310 Alberni Highway, Coombs, BC

Best P lace for a Green T h um b Milner Gardens & Woodland is a magnificent 70-acre property once owned by Winston Churchill’s first cousin, Veronica Milner. The seaside attraction features trails that wind through a Douglas fir forest and lead to a massive, lush garden showcasing more than 400 species of rhododendrons. Draped in vines, the Camellia Tea Room, once the Milners’ private home, displays some of the family’s memorabilia relating to their lives on this bluff overlooking the Georgia Strait. Among their many guests were Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. milnergardens.org (250) 752-6153 2179 West Island Highway, Qualicum Beach, BC Open 10 am – 5 pm daily April through September by admission fee

Best P lace to Break Brea d There’s an art to baking fine bread and pastry, and you only have to stop into the Qualicum

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Beach Bakery to see it first-hand.

Peter Schneider, a master baker trained in Germany, offers a great selection of high-end European pastries and breads without additives or preservatives. Favourites at this aromatic bakery include Bavarian rye, whole grain bread, pretzel sandwiches and Black Forest Cake.

(250) 752-6143 130 West Second Avenue, Qualicum Beach, BC

Best P lace for a Healt h y L unc h Heaven for the health food shopper, Naked Naturals Whole Foods store offers aisle upon aisle of delectable grains, hard-to-find organic products and a fridge-freezer stacked with everything from tofu to ice cream.

Arrive hungry and order from a selection of mouth-watering salads, including Asian bean with goji berries, curried quinoa and mango quinoa.

The deli also offers sandwiches, coffee, smoothies and more. shopnaked.ca (250) 594-0277 #101 – 671 Fir Street, Qualicum Beach, BC (250) 951-0277 142 Alberni Highway, Parksville, BC

Best P lace for F ine Dinin g With a heated patio and tables overlooking the beach and boardwalk, Pacific Prime Steak & Chop Restaurant, located inside the Beach Club Resort, is a casual fine dining restaurant with a fantastic selection of healthy salads, steaks and seafood. Great for cocktails and appetizers, a hearty family dinner or a romantic meal for two, Pacific Prime

is the meeting place of superb food, excellent service and an inspiring view. beachclubbc.com/dining (250) 947-2109 181 Beachside Drive, Parksville, BC

Best F amily A ttraction With two 18-hole mini-golf courses and laser tag bumper cars, Riptide Lagoon Adventure Park offers fun, well-shaded courses for families looking for a quick reprieve from the beach. Choose a lagoon or mountain course, pick your favourite ball colour and you’re set for an easy hour of fun. riptidelagoon.com (250) 248-8290 1000 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC Open daily March through October

Best P lace for an E asy Hike Cathedral Grove is a 25-minute drive from Parksville. This old-growth coastal forest in MacMillan Provincial Park has been a place of spiritual significance for the Hupacasath First Nation group for centuries. Step beneath these towering ancient cedars and Douglas firs and you know immediately you’re in a special place, one whose trees date back 800 years. An easy walk along wellmaintained trails, Cathedral Grove shows the coastal rainforest in action, its fallen trunks birthing new trees and providing shelter for birds, black bear and cougar. Warning: don’t venture this way on extremely windy days. env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/ parkpgs/macmillan Alberni Highway between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni, BC

P arksville Q ualicumBeac h . com Parksville Visitor Centre (250) 248-3613 Qualicum Beach Visitor Centre (250) 752-9532

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1275 East Island Highway, Parksville, BC 2711 West Island Highway, Qualicum Beach, BC

A road well-travelled We are pleased to congratulate OpenRoad Auto Group for its continued commitment to innovation and superior client service in automotive retail. We’re proud to be a part of your team and look forward to many more successful years together.

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PwC refers to the Canadian member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity.

Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.2175-29-1112

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M A KE A ND MODEL

Hot Hats of Olena Zylak

W or d s b y W ill F on g P h otos b y Geoff Geor g e

W

e’re not talking about the fascinators seen on the heads of certain members of the British Royal Family. Move over, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Your fascination with fascinators is a bit over-the-top for our taste. Being Canadian, we’re thinking of hats that are much more in line with our modest, yet stylish, and weather-appropriate sensitivities.

Canadian women don’t forfeit style for comfort and practicality. This winter we’ve selected the hot hats and accessories of a Canadian designer whose creations look equally at home on the slopes of Whistler or the streets of Toronto.

Olena Zylak offers a line of luxury knitwear that is both practical and beautiful. Her cozy headwear ranges from beehive styles and toques, to fedoratype creations and cloche-inspired knits. Hats are often adorned with unexpected accessories such as ruffles, straps, rhinestones and leather buttons.

The collection has recently expanded to include headbands, scarves, cuffs and unisex hats – guys, it’s time to be fashionable with that toque!

Zylak has made her name in Ontario, where she is based, but her beautiful knitwear is our pick to make an impact here in British Columbia too. Here are some of our favourites for the season:

• • •

the beehive hat is a nod to the retro 60s with a contemporary twist; the double stripe split toque has a practical cutaway back for ponytails; the playful ruffles on the flip-up brim hat adds a cute accent that will surely turn heads.

Colours can be two-tone, conservative or bold – citrus makes a definite statement – so there’s a style and colour for all occasions.

These hats are hot and they are gorgeous. So take some time to explore the beautiful knitwear of Olena Zylak.

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ONE-ONONE WITH OLENA We caught up with Olena Zylak in between her winter shows in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa.

This sure isn’t your grandma’s knitting. You were drawn to knitting at a very early age. Why knitwear?

I love the large-scale texture of knitting as opposed to using fabric.

I have an emotional response to knits that I don’t get from ready-made material. To me, fabric just comes off a roll. It’s something somebody else designed and made decisions about, whereas with knitting, I’m creating directly from the raw source — the ‘string’ so to speak. And of course, I love wearing knits. I find that knits make people happy. There is a coziness about knitwear that I’m drawn to, which I don’t find in other types of clothing design.

What continues to be your inspiration?

My inspiration often comes from music. Lately it has been Norwegian avantjazz artists such as Nils Petter Molvaer, Jaga Jazzist and Eivind Aarset. I saw Nils Petter Molvaer at the Montreal Jazz Festival and was absolutely transported to another universe! My ongoing muse is the ambient work of Brian Eno. There is something

Go retro with the Shadow Stripe Beehive Hat. It has a cutaway in the back so the hat covers the ears.

The Ruffle 20s Hat boasts a vintage cloche shape, two-tone colour, with a cute ruffle and a practical contoured open back. The dramatic Ladder Stripe Capelet is lightweight and features a cowl neckline.

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about the work he did in that phase of his career that is very inspirational to me. It’s difficult to express in words, but there is a strong feeling I get from the music that I’m always trying to express somehow in my work. I’m also inspired by just sitting down at the knitting machine and playing, a flow of consciousness that is inspired by the yarn itself.

Tell us about the wools and imported yarns you choose.

I work primarily with natural fibres, especially combining wool and kid mohair. Wool has a lightness and coziness that is unmatched, and kid mohair has a silky lustre and body that adds glamour to the knitting.

All of the yarns I use are imported from Italy.

Love the combination of style and functionality with the open cutaway in the back of some pieces. What other new features are you considering?

You will have to wait for fall/winter 2013 for that!

I’m always thinking of the functionality of design though.

Are all your pieces made in Canada?

Everything is made right here in Collingwood, Ontario.

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This is a knitted interpretation of a fedora.

The hat’s name incorporates the two accents of this hat: the Ruffle Flip Brim Hat. A satin ribbon punctuates this fully lined beanie available in four colours including citrus, poppy, cream and black.

The Shadow Stripe Hood Scarf proves that there’s another option to a hat.

This is a sumptuous and super-long scarf with a built-in hood made of merino wool and kid mohair.

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You’ve just introduced unisex and men’s hats. Will you be expanding your collection for men in the future?

At the consumer shows that we did in 2012, such as Vancouver’s Circle Craft Christmas Market, I found that women were drawn to the men’s hats, not just as a gift for a boyfriend, but for themselves. Within that show’s first day, it was obvious that “unisex” would have been a better label for them, and it’s a description that I’ll continue to use for select styles in the upcoming 2013 collection.

You have a background in theatre costuming. Tell us about that.

After graduating from Ryerson University in Toronto I worked for four years as a costume seamstress for all the big shows. That was where I really learned to construct garments that needed to last. It was a very different world than commercial fashion production.

There was a lot of hand sewing! The theatre was where I really learned to think of garments in a three-dimensional, sculptural way.

Do you prefer musicals, comedy, drama?

What most fits your own personality?

My favourite show that I sewed costumes for was Tommy by The Who, but if I go to the theatre I usually pick a drama.

Any celebrities spotted lately in your designs?

Quite honestly, I haven’t been one to follow entertainment news lately — I’m too busy with my work! If there has been a star-sighting or two, somebody will have to let me know.

Probably the most unexpected instance of someone wearing one of my pieces was the singer Prince, at a Toronto Raptors game, wearing a chunky merino turtleneck with suede fringe.

Give us a sneak preview. What do you have in mind for your next collection?

I’m just starting to sketch, and I think I’ll be exploring some larger silhouettes such as big wraps and capes. Check back soon!

The Cocoon Peaked Cap features a black brim in the front and your choice of four colours including black/ivory, eggplant or red/charcoal. The hat sports a tab and smart buttons in the back.

W h ere to Buy The Olena Zylak knitwear collection is available at olenazylak.com Select pieces from the Olena Zylak collection are available at these BC boutiques: The Red Pair Shoe Store (250) 362-9662 2002 Columbia Avenue, Rossland, BC Sidewalkers Boutique (250) 638-1711 4548 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace, BC

Try the two-tone Nordic Headband that features a tab and leather button accents.

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E x tras

A Vancouver Canucks playoff Honda-Acura NSX-R was featured on Canucks.com and Breakfast Television. (Photo courtesy of Blitzgear)

Car Wraps, Unwrapped

C

b y L auren K ramer

hances are you’ve seen them around on other cars you’ve passed on the road. You noticed them for their catchy graphics, their sleek decals or their business logos that stand out vividly among cars with standard paint jobs.

Car wraps are an innovative way to make a personal statement on your vehicle. “Some people simply want a colour change on their vehicle, but they don’t want to paint it because that could devalue the vehicle if they sell it later,” reflects Jacob Ung, brand and market strategist for Blitzgear in Richmond. “Most of our customers wrap their cars to be different, to stand out by personalizing and differentiating their vehicles.”

your best marketing investment, says Scott Paterson, owner of SpeedPro, a North Vancouver company specializing in digital imaging.

“It works out to pennies a day when you use a car wrap to advertise your business, and it’s a great way to get your name out there so that thousands of people can see it,” he says. “Particularly if you have a fleet of vehicles, it’s a smart idea to get those cars wrapped – otherwise, you’re wasting a great opportunity.”

There are lots of myths and misunderstandings when it comes to car wraps, many of them urban legends that are inaccurate or refer to issues that have long been resolved thanks to technological advancements. We approached some of the top car wrap experts in the Lower Mainland to demystify, or unwrap, the questions swirling around car wraps.

But car wraps are also being recognized as a smart way to market your business. Dollar for dollar they could be

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Myth: Car wraps will spoil my vehicle’s paint.

Myth: Car wraps don’t last a long time.

Truth: “In fact, car wraps don’t cause any damage to the vehicle’s paint when they’re removed,” says Paterson.

Jonathan Glen, owner of Canawrap in New Westminster, argues that wraps can, in fact, protect your paint job, particularly when it’s the original manufacturer’s paint that’s being wrapped. “Let’s say you’re leasing your vehicle for a business for five years,” he says. “You can wrap it while you’re using it, unwrap it five years later, and the car will look like it just rolled off the lot, brand new.” Ung cautions that a vehicle needs to be properly prepared prior to the installation of a wrap to ensure there is no later damage to the car’s paint.

Truth: Most car wrap specialists recommend a three-to-fiveyear lifespan on the wrap, after which it should be removed or replaced. “After that time the wrap medium becomes a bit more permanent, leaving more adhesive behind when you remove it,” Glen explains. “It’s easier to remove it before that happens.” In our climate in British Columbia there is little likelihood of car wraps deteriorating significantly or fading, he adds. “But from a marketing perspective, if you’ve wrapped your car for business purposes, you want to rethink your message and branding after five years anyway. That’s when it’s time to be stepping up your visual conversation.” Blitzgear warranties most of its car wrap films for at least three years.

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Nike Slingshot Irons inspired this BMW Z4 featured in Golf Digest.

(Photo courtesy of Blitzgear)

Myth: Car wraps are really pricey.

Truth: The cost of car wraps varies according to the size and type of your vehicle, the level of detail in your graphics and whether or not you choose window perforation. “Expect to pay between $2,500 and $5,000 for a car wrap,” says Paterson. Pricing also varies according to the type of material and the complexity of the installation, says Ung. “Some vehicles have easier shapes to work with while others have more complex curves,” he explains. “The design of the graphics on the wrap can also affect costs.” A partial wrap at Canawrap could start at $1,000, while creative services on a food truck may go up to $5,500, Glen says. “But think of those numbers in terms of the impressions they generate,” he suggests.

Myth: No one notices car wraps.

Fact: “Research indicates that individual vehicle advertising generates between 30,000 and 70,000 daily impressions,” says Glen. “When you tally up the cost of your car wrap, it works out to 15 cents per impression. It’s a hugely powerful medium for marketing, generating more eyeballs than most other forms of advertising.” Think of a car wrap as a large, moving billboard on which your company can

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This Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is the first chrome-wrapped Lambo in North America. The custom wrap took more than 70 hours to apply using 3M chrome wrap film. (Photo courtesy of Canawrap)

communicate its brand and message, says Ung. “Uniquely creative vehicles can be photographed, published and shared through social media, adding to the tens of thousands of views a wrapped car can get in a single day. Both motorsport racing and public transportation use this form of advertising as a revenue generator,” he adds.

Commercial car wraps constitute 85% of business at Canawrap and Glen often counsels clients to ensure the money they spend will be a good return on investment.

“They might come in wanting a logo on the side of the door.

But today people are so desensitized to seeing a car with a logo and phone number on the door. Especially in a world where everything moves so fast, we want to see something with colour, that will draw our attention,” he explains. “So we educate customers on what will get the most and best impressions.”

Myth: There are a limited number of options for car wrap colours and textures.

Fact: The choices are huge and include textured carbon-fibre

wraps, brushed metallic wraps including aluminum and steel finishes, chrome wraps and the popular matte wraps, with matte black, matte white and matte military green rating as the most frequently sought-after options. For partial wraps the options are unlimited and drivers can choose the parts of the vehicle they want wrapped, be it the hood, the roof, the trunk, or select details of the vehicle. “When we have claims that come in on a wrapped vehicle we can just remove the wrecked parts, reprint the wrap for those sections and the car rolls out the door as if nothing happened,” says Glen. “Compare that to a touch-up matte spray job if your car was keyed and you’ll see it’s very difficult to match the original matte paint.”

Myth: From a safety perspective, car wraps are plain dangerous.

Fact: Wrapping headlights, brake lights, reflectors or even the windows on and next to the driver’s side is not permitted. For back windows most car wrap specialists apply an optical clear laminate over the top of the wrap that eliminates any visibility issues and appears as a slight tint through which drivers can see clearly.

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A design for Azzkikr Custom Cycles was awarded first place by Sign & Digital Graphics trade magazine. (Photo courtesy of Canawrap)

OpenRoad Scion unveils O-thra, an xB inspired by Mothra from the Godzilla series of films. (Photo courtesy of Speedpro North Vancouver)

Myth: It takes a long time to get a wrap job done.

Fact: Usually it takes no more than a week to complete a wrap job. Digital imaging specialists like Blitzgear, SpeedPro and Canawrap can create the graphics for the car wrap in-house, or clients can come in with their own graphics.

Myth: It’s not hard to wrap a car. I could do it myself.

Fact: “Wraps can be done by professionals of all levels and amateurs as do-it-yourself projects, just like auto body painting,” cautions Ung. “Make sure you choose a reputable company that has experience in performing such installations. Look at their portfolio of work. And, remember, not all materials are created equally, which means some are more durable than others.”

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Raised letters give Nordica a unique 3D effect.

(Photo courtesy of Speedpro North Vancouver)

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Where Our Road Takes You

Sedona-scape

On Route 66

Arizona Road Tripping W or d s an d p h otos b y R ick an d C h ris M illikan

R

oute 66 has been called the most famous highway in the world, and it remains the ultimate road trip. We begin our journey in Arizona’s capital, but from Phoenix, we quickly zip north through saguaro-dotted desert on a road trip into Arizona’s natural wonder and alluring past.

Streams of yellow-blossomed bristle bushes border the highway. Chalky cliffs rise among darkening green landscapes as we ascend into the high desert.

Nearing Sedona, the rock bluffs glow a glorious scarlet red. Main Street reflects a southwestern flair: bronze horses, cowboys, cowgirls and brightly painted pig-like javelinas dot the street. Galleries further celebrate the natural splendour both here in Sedona and in Tlaquepaque, a wonderful replicated Mexican

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tells us that sculptor Marguerite Staude spearheaded this spiritual creation in 1956 and points out what inspired this specific location: sandstone pinnacles resembling Mary holding baby Jesus and two kneeling nuns. We wind up a ramp onto a patio to enter the chapel’s serenity where, behind the altar, a huge window frames a heavenly view of Sedona.

We start our jeep tour at Airport Mesa lookout, the most accessible of the world-famed vortex energy fields.

Guide Randy notes, “We’re atop one vortex and surrounded by others: Courthouse Butte, Cathedral Rock, Schnebly Hill and Boynton Canyon.

Interpretations of vortex power vary. To us, Sedona’s beautiful red sandstone conveys the inspiration of the female yin, while the rising pinnacles bestow the empowerment of the male yang,” he continues.

Feeling not a twinge of vortex energy atop Rachel’s Knoll, we do feel curious about its unique plants. So Randy points out basket-making bear grass, edible root-yielding yuccas and tequila-producing agaves. “See those gnaw marks?” he asks. “The javelinas love eating prickly pear cactus, thorns and all. And there’s a packrat nest in the middle! That cactus keeps ’em safe from coyotes,” he marvels.

From Rachel’s Knoll 2

village amid white-barked sycamore trees.

Restaurants cater widely to worldly tastes. We savour gourmet hotdogs and local suds at Oak Canyon Brewery while a strumming Irishman wails out ballads. And it’s haute cuisine over at the Barking Frog. There are shop signs everywhere alerting predominant newagers to spiritual possibilities:

palmistry, yoga, crystal readings, alternate healing…and vortex tours.

A vortex is a magnet of energy, and Sedona claims fifteen vortex sites that are believed to be spiritual locations where the energy supports healing. We decide to take a town trolley to the renowned Chapel of the Holy Cross nestled below Bell Rock, one potent vortex. The conductor

The next day, we take scenic highway 89A upward through Oak Creek Canyon. Stopping at creekside viewpoints, we breathe air that is freshly spiced with junipers and ponderosa pines. At its summit, a park pathway leads us past tables displaying native pottery, handicrafts and silver jewelry. We arrive at magnificent panoramas along the canyon rim.

Merging back onto Highway 17 we enter the city of Flagstaff and make our way onto fabled Route 66. By connecting primitive roadways, this legendary route once linked Chicago to Los Angeles in 1926. Luxurious hotels in downtown Flagstaff thrived by lodging wealthy motorists,

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Galaxy Diner

while across the rails cheaper motels accommodated waves of migrants. Even today Flagstaff is an important rest stop, and it continues to host hot and weary travelers in assorted old and new motor inns.

Giant statuary was supplied by a muffler company, lining the route and beckoning curious travelers here. The first “muffler man” held an axe beside Flagstaff’s Paul Bunyan Restaurant where only a small replica remains at the original site. The actual 40-foot lumberjack towers alongside the Skydome at Northern Arizona University.

We take a trip back into the 1950s at the Galaxy Diner. Still stellar, black-and-white photos

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of Hollywood stars cover the walls. We’d heard producers were ready to build studios here…but reconsidered when, like two days ago, it snowed heavily. While munching on our burgers, we visualize customers jiving around the jukebox. And surely listening to Nat King Cole crooning, “Get your kicks on Route 66.”

We visit another nostalgic spot at the Museum Club, which has morphed from a log trading post to a taxidermist’s shop, and ultimately to a popular roadhouse.

Nicknamed for all the stuffed wildlife that take up the shelves and walls, the Zoo pulsates nightly with live western music.

Flagstaff’s economy depended initially on logging and mining,

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and as the home base for Grand Canyon explorations. Scientists traveled early roads by wagon to gather rock specimens, dinosaur fossils and native artifacts. One prominent geologist and his acclaimed artist wife ventured here, establishing the Museum of Northern Arizona. Their foresight resulted in an extensive collection that showcases the natural beauty and cultural history of Arizona’s Colorado Plateau.

Inside, the Hopi culture fascinates us. Initially the museum director explains how the intricate kachina dolls help Hopi children to gain practical and magical insights into their world. We then study a fresco from a spiritual kiva religious room that dates back to 700 AD, followed by a visit to a replicated

We imagine their lives as we view five decades of their photos, old cameras, canvas-boat and vintage movies of their trips down the Colorado.

Grand Canyon from Studio Terrace

kiva. Its colourful wrap-around mural illustrates Hopi history and future visions. The Hopi even predicted the computer’s liberating potential.

The next day we drive the I-40 Interstate to the quaint town of Williams, often atop old Route 66, to catch the Grand Canyon train. Train service began during Williams’ wild-west phase.

Gunfights are reenacted daily near the depot. Here, a wily sheriff redefines the code of the west, out-punning and outgunning a trio of desperados.

All aboard! Our train clicketyclacks through arid ranchlands and into high pinion forest.

These extraordinary landscapes inspired early writers like Zane Grey and many western movies.

As we enjoy the scenery, two young cowboys stroll through our car singing melancholy ballads.

Arriving at the log rail station at Grand Canyon Village, we walk up past century-old El Tovar Hotel and Hopi House to the southern rim of the canyon.

In crystal clarity we finally behold the rich hues of the Grand Canyon. It is a natural wonder of the world. The vast canyon measures more than ten miles across and one mile deep.

Magnificent red and golden buttes rise up, four named aptly temples of Isis, Brahma, Deva and Zoroaster.

The oldest studio in the village perches on the rim of the canyon. Through the windows we sight Bright Angel Trail winding twelve miles downward to the Colorado River. Back in 1901 the Kolb brothers arrived here on the first train, and began trekking this arduous trail daily, snapping photos of mule-riding tourists.

Beyond Canyon Village, the Trail of Time offers awe-inspiring vistas plus notable rock samples gathered from the canyon’s 70-plus layers. Illustrated storyboards explain several distinctive strata. Every metre of this splendid walk denotes one million years of the canyon’s remarkable two-billion-year history.

On our return train trip another cowpoke croons witty songs, spins hilarious yarns and yodels.

Soon afterwards, a group of inept and grizzled outlaws stage an inane train robbery. Of course, the erstwhile sheriff “captivates” them…and us… as nearly everyone dies of laughter!

Back in Williams we take in the nostalgic Route 66 murals and eclectic attractions on Main Street, including an impressive Elvis Presley standing in one shop doorway. Homeward bound, we reflect on the amazing diversity of Arizona’s historic charm and natural magnificence.

W h en Y ou Go Check out Sedona’s powerful possibilities visitsedona.com Relax at Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa sedonarouge.com Discover Route 66 ventures flagstaffarizona.org Consider a B&B starlightpinesbb.com Take the Grand Canyon Railway thetrain.com

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Get the Most from Your Test Drive

11 Tips

OpenRoad Driver asks two of our driving experts how to get the most out of a test drive. What should you do and what should you know before and during your test drive to make it the most useful experience for you?

Here are their top eleven tips.

by Bruce Macfarl ane and Jordan Rasmussen

At what point should I test drive a vehicle?

True, there is a lot of quality information online and on our websites, but we recommend that you test drive a few vehicles early on in your buying process.

Information in a brochure or online does not translate to how the car feels to drive. You may discover that the car you thought you’d like best is not that comfortable to drive, and it’s better to know that early in the process.

What should I bring to my test drive?

Your driver’s license is mandatory.

Technically you won’t need anything else, but you should bring some of your lifestyle items such as golf clubs, a car seat, snowboard, bicycle, travel suitcases and the like. You should make sure the vehicle you are considering is right for every situation in your life.

What is one thing that often gets overlooked in a test drive?

The correct seating position. Your safety, comfort and driving performance is greatly improved if you take the time

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to position the seat correctly. Your OpenRoad advisor is trained to help you with the correct position.

various driving environments that you may encounter daily. Ask your advisor to recommend a route.

How long is a test drive? And will I get to drive the vehicle?

A typical test drive takes between 15 and 30 minutes, and you will drive the vehicle. Let the product advisor drive first to demonstrate certain driving features that matter to you. At the same time you’ll learn what it’s like to be a passenger in the car. That’s a situation that will happen in real life, so it’s good to simulate it during your test drive. After 5-10 minutes you should be familiar with most features on the car and be ready to test drive the car yourself.

When driving a hybrid vehicle, what should I pay attention to?

Note the power and responsiveness of the engine and electric motor in a variety of driving situations. Pay attention to the smoothness of the constant variable transmission. Notice how the brakes respond and how they regenerate energy to charge the hybrid batteries. Enjoy the complete silence at a stop light as the gasoline engine will be shut off and all the systems are powered by the hybrid batteries.

What type of route should I take during the test drive to fully experience the vehicle?

To fully experience the vehicle, we recommend a comprehensive test drive route. It should include stop-and-go driving, highway driving, up and down hills, and some roads with curves. The idea is to get a feel for the vehicle in the

What is the best time to do my test drive?

Generally the best time is during the weekdays. The busiest times at the stores are Friday to Sunday. Try to time your test drive to avoid peak times and rush hour traffic, so you have more driving time.

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With all the technology these days, what are some key features I should look for?

You may want to determine if front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive works best for you. Will a hybrid or a traditional gas powertrain suit your driving requirements? Check out navigation, a backup camera, parking sensors, and Bluetooth phone with voice commands. If you like music, test a premium sound system with USB, satellite radio and Bluetooth audio. If you have younger children, you may want to get a demonstration of a DVD player for the rear seats.

vehicle, avoid distractions to get the most out of a test drive. You may want to have someone along to help tend to younger children or consider leaving kids at home. Later on you’ll want to make sure that any car seats or boosters fit into the vehicle that you’re considering.

You also want to make sure that there is plenty of room for everyone.

What safety features should I be aware of?

Safety is vital. Check the number of airbags that the vehicle has and where they are located. Is the vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control? Test these features.

Blind-spot monitors are an interesting feature to help with driving in traffic.

What if I buy the car and after a few days it’s not right for me?

For our OpenRoad Certified used cars we offer a 3-day money-back guarantee and an exchange privilege of 30 days/2,000 kilometres. For new vehicles, no licensed auto dealer is able to offer such privileges, so we do encourage you to take your time during the shopping process to make sure you’re buying the right vehicle for you. That’s why test drives are so important. Our product advisors are here to help.

What should a family do to get the most out of their test drive?

In the early stages of looking for a

If possible, make sure each member in the family with a driver’s license takes a turn to test drive the vehicle. This will give every member in the family a chance to sit in different seats in the cars and try all features in the vehicle.

Bruce Macfarlane is a product specialist at OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody with 20 years of direct Lexus experience, including expertise as a master technician.

Jordan Rasmussen is a product advisor at OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond. He is a recent graduate of OpenRoad’s Leadership Development Program.

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Open up to a different car ownership experience.

2013 Q5

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadAudi.com

Experience the OpenRoad Difference OpenRoad Audi Vancouver 2375 Boundary Road Vancouver Tel: 604-293-2834 Dealer# 30579

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starting at $41,895 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

Open up to a different car ownership experience.

2013 ACCORD

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadHonda.ca

Experience the OpenRoad Difference OpenRoad Honda Burnaby 6984 Kingsway (5 minutes East of Metrotown) Tel: 604-525-4667 Dealer# D7828

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starting at $25,630 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

OpenRoad Infiniti JX Experience

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Readers Contest

W in a lu x ury d rivin g an d accommo d ation packa g e at t h e Harrison Hot S prin g s

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tarting January 11, 2013, submit a car review online to win a luxurious getaway package for two to the beautiful Harrison Hot Springs.

Escape and relax with a luxurious 2-night stay at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, plus breakfast each morning at The Lakeside Café, a table d’hôte dinner at The Copper Room, plus access to five hot spring pools and the fitness room. Sit back and enjoy the drive with a complimentary rental of an all-new 2013 Infiniti JX from OpenRoad Infiniti Langley.

http://openroadautogroup.com/reviews How to E nter 1. Visit http://openroadautogroup.com/reviews 2. Click on ‘Submit Your Review Today’ at the top and select ‘Vehicle’ to write your car review 3. Complete your review and include your full name and e-mail address* *The winner will be contacted by e-mail, so please ensure that you have provided it correctly.

Contest ends April 30, 2013. See website for details. Must be a BC resident minimum 21 years of age to be eligible.

Online review submissions only. No purchase necessary. One entry per person. Staff and partners not eligible.

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Drivin g R eview

A uto F eatures

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An Impressive

Lexus ES 350 b y T revor Hofmann

I

f ever there was a car that typified Lexus luxury, the ES is it. It’s been the brand’s bestseller since inception, way back in 1989. But Lexus is an evolving brand. Where it was once mostly known for wonderfully quiet, ultimately comfortable and extremely highquality luxury, the brand has redefined itself to also embrace performance that can rival the best from Europe. Case in point, the brilliantly capable LFA supercar, superbly fun IS F performance sedan, and thoroughly impressive GS 350 F Sport.

The 2013 ES 350 is tailored with the luxury brand’s exciting new styling. The spindle-shaped grille front and centre, LED daytime running lights enhancing the headlamp clusters, elegant yet sporting lines

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front to rear, optional LED taillights penned in a similar fashion, and just that right amount of nickel-plated bright work thrown in so you know you’re arriving in something truly special.

If you’ve experienced any ES model before you’ll appreciate its interior. The car is not only generously sized, but offers good quality, an impressive array of standard features and appealing design. All said the new 2013 ES 350 ups the design element tenfold, at least for me. It pulls cues from the new GS and other recently redesigned Lexus models, serving up a sense of occasion previous ES models lacked. The quality was always there, don’t get me wrong, but some of the older cars didn’t deliver as many “I've arrived!” elements.

Now, just like the new exterior styling, there’s an importance to its interior design.

From the gracefully curved soft-touch stitched dash top to the elegantly simple thin strip of wood and brushed metal that spans the instrument panel just underneath, visually splitting primary controls from secondary functions, those on top including a set of brightly lit gauges directly in front of the driver and, at the dashboard’s dead centre, the infotainment screen, while those below including the powered mirror switches at the left and entertainment and HVAC controls within the centre stack. And then there’s the analog clock at centre stage. Just gorgeous! Yes, the ES 350’s cockpit is not only a nicely designed layout from a visually stimulating perspective, but everything falls wonderfully to hand, especially the Lexus award-winning Remote Touch infotainment controller with haptic sensing technology.

Spe cs 2 0 1 3 LE XUS E S 3 5 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $39,500 EPA Classification: Mid-size Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 10.9 (2012) L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 7.2 (2012) L/100 km Engine Type: Gas V6 Displacement: 3.5L/211 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 268 @ 6200 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 248 @ 4700 Passenger Capacity: 5 Basic Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 6 Years / 110,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 6 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 4 Years / Unlimited km

Of course, it’s how the ES 350 drives that wins over most of its loyal buyers when it comes time to trade in and they find themselves back at OpenRoad Lexus.

And those driving dynamics have steadily improved with each new generation. The ES 350 still can’t be classified as a sport sedan,

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A uto F eatures

its front-wheel drivetrain and softer suspension setup making sure of that. The GS 350 nicely fills those shoes in the midsize E-segment anyway, but along with a superbly comfortable ride that soaks up the majority of the world’s imperfections better than its class rivals, comes a quiet, composed confidence when the road starts to bend that previous generations lacked.

Most of this newfound confidence comes from its reworked front suspension, entirely new rear suspension, electric power assist steering, and the 18-inch alloys on 225/45 Michelins fitted to my near top-line tester, but part of it is due to a new threemode drive system that offers Eco, Normal and Sport presets. It’s activated via a centre console-mounted dial, the mode then displayed within the instrument panel unless you’ve got it set to Normal. It’s a fairly comprehensive system that varies the ES 350’s steering and throttle response as well as its air conditioning settings to optimized fuel-efficiency or performance, depending on whether it’s set to Eco or Sport, while it applies a nice balance of both in Normal mode where most drivers are likely to keep it set to. The only thing it doesn’t change is suspension settings.

The dual exhaust system sounds great on acceleration and the car feels strong off the line too, although the 268-horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque from its 3.5-litre V6 isn’t quite as energetic as the GS 350’s 306 and 277 respectively. But once again, straight-line performance isn’t what the ES 350 is all about. It won’t let you down at the stoplight, leave you embarrassed on the highway onramp or lagging during passing maneuvers thanks in part to its quick-shifting six-speed automatic, which is what really matters. To the ES 350’s credit it delivers better fuel economy than its sibling at 9.9 L/100km city,

6.4 highway, and 8.3 combined compared to 10.7, 7.1, and 9.1 for the GS 350.

Now that we’re talking practicalities, I should mention the Lexus attention to safety. The new ES contains no less than 10 airbags, including two for front occupant knees and two side-impact airbags for rear passengers.

Other available items include rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning, while the usual ABS/EBD/BAenhanced disc brakes plus traction and stability control come standard.

The rear seats are nice, but I must admit the 10-way powered front seats are wonderfully supportive and totally comfortable. I didn’t take it on a long trip, but I’m sure it would prove a great traveling companion.

The ES 350’s other standard features are too numerous to list, with the shortlist including a beautifully crafted leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a good audio system with Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, auxiliary and USB jacks, and more.

There are five trim levels available, so you should be able to suit up your ES 350 exactly how you like it.

I, for one, love what Lexus has done with its new 2013 ES 350. It now has distinctive character to go along with its renowned dependability, while delivering a level of driving dynamics that ideally balances out its excellent economy. In one word: impressive.

With more than a decade in automotive journalism and over 1,000 test drives under his belt, Trevor

Hofmann is

president and executive editor at Canadian Auto Press Inc.

Visit openroadlexus.ca for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody or Richmond.

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Feature Contest

OpenRoad Lexus ES 350 Test Drive Contest T est d rive t h e all - new L e x us E S 3 5 0 for your c h ance to win a lu x urious d inin g an d d rivin g packa g e .

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est drive the all-new 2013 Lexus ES 350 at an OpenRoad Lexus store between January 11, 2013 and April 30, 2013 to be entered into a draw for a fine dining and luxury driving package.

One lucky winner will receive a $300 Toptable gift card, valid at any of Toptable Group’s five award-winning venues, including Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin, West and Thierry. Get there in style and luxury with a complimentary 2-night rental of a new 2013 Lexus ES 350 from OpenRoad Lexus.

Fine dining and luxury driving at its best. Experience both with the Lexus ES 350 Test Drive Contest.

http://openroadautogroup.com/es S c h e d ule your T est Drive Option 1: Visit http://openroadautogroup.com/es and fill in the online form to schedule an appointment. Choose your OpenRoad Lexus store of preference. A representative from the store will contact you directly to schedule your test drive.

Option 2: Contact your OpenRoad Lexus store of choice to schedule your test drive.

OpenRoad Lexus Richmond OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody OpenRoad Lexus Port Moody 5631 Parkwood Way, Richmond Auto Mall 3150 3150 Johns Street, Port Moody St.St. Johns Street, Port Moody 604.273.5533 604.461.7623 604.461.7623 Contest ends April 30, 2013. You must complete your test drive before April 30, 2013 to be eligible. Entrants must be BC residents minimum 21 years of age. No purchase necessary. One test drive per person. Staff and partners not eligible.

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Rev reviews by Trevor Hofmann

A uto F eatures

SCION FR-S uick question: If you want to own an affordable new sports car for less than $30,000 – a real sports car, that is, with rear-wheel – what are your options? Until very recently the options were limited to a very short list.

Happily, for 2013 that list has now expanded to include two new entries: the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S. The two new cars were co-developed by Toyota and Subaru and are near identical in execution.

They are also, as I found out during a week spent with the Scion FR-S, brilliant fun to drive.

Under the hood the Scion has a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine that blends Subaru engineering with Toyota’s combined direct-injection/ port-injection fuel management system to produce 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. These may not sound like staggeringly large numbers, but given the car’s light weight there’s certainly enough power to keep things entertaining. The FR-S will scoot from 0-100 km/h in about six seconds while emitting a characteristic throaty growl.

Weaving the FR-S through the corners, I was immediately struck by how responsive, balanced and light-on-its-feet the car feels. It’s firmly sprung, but I didn’t find it jarring even on some of the rather rough inner-city pavement surrounding my neighbourhood.

So, after months – years, even – of anticipation,

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Spe cs 2 0 1 3 S C I O N FR -S • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $25,990 EPA Classification: N/A Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 9.6 (Est) L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 6.6 (Est) L/100 km Engine Type: Gas Flat 4 Displacement: 2.0L/-TBD- SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 200 @ 7000 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 151 @ 6400 - 6600 Passenger Capacity: 4 Basic Warranty: 3 Years / 60,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 5 Years / 100,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 5 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 3 Years / 60,000 km

does the long-awaited Scion FR-S live up to the hype?

In a word, yes. It does have one of the most direct, unmediated and enjoyable connections between the driver and the road available in any car at any price. It’s a car that you drive, rather than one you pilot along the road. It’s a car that makes driving fun again and that’s something worth celebrating.

Visit openroadscion.ca for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Scion Port Moody or Richmond.

Open up to a different car ownership experience.

2013 FR-S

starting at $27,485 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadScion.ca

Experience the OpenRoad Difference OpenRoad Scion Richmond 13251 Smallwood Place Richmond Auto Mall Tel: 604-273-3766 Dealer# D7825

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OpenRoad Scion Port Moody 3166 St. Johns Street (5 minutes West of Coquitlam Centre) Tel: 604-461-3656 Dealer# D7826 OpenRoad Driver • V o l u m e 1 0 I s s u e 2 • W i n t e r 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3

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MAZDA CX-5

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uel-saving technologies that don’t take away from a vehicle’s performance. That’s the basic philosophy behind Mazda’s new SKYACTIV technologies.

The CX-5 is a new model for Mazda and it comes with a host of new engine, body and design enhancements that will also be making their way into other 2013 Mazda models. The CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV. This class of vehicle is really heating up and I think Mazda has done a fine job with this new model. All CX-5 trims use the same fuel-friendly SKYACTIV engine and transmission combination, as well as efficiency advancements made in other areas like its body structure and undercarriage. The engine features an ultra-high 12:1 compression ratio, as well as precise multi-point injector technology and uniquely shaped piston cavities for a more fully controlled burn process. Mazda’s SKYACTIV body structure includes a lot of lightweight materials and the chassis has been massaged for great response in the corners and good stability at high speeds.

Spe cs 2 0 1 3 Ma z da C X-5 • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $22,995 EPA Classification: Special Purpose Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 7.8 (Est) L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 5.7 (Est) L/100 km Engine Type: Gas I4 Displacement: 2.0L/122 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 155 @ 6000 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 150 @ 4000 Passenger Capacity: 5 Basic Warranty: 3 Years / 80,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 5 Years / 100,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 5 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 3 Years / 80,000 km

These advancements by Mazda have really challenged the hybrid car makers with what can be achieved in terms of fuel performance from a gasoline-powered car.

I also really like what Mazda’s design department has done from front to rear. My favourite styling element is the way the chrome trim around the lower edge of the grille flows up to the headlamps, and almost seamlessly melds into the chrome trim within the light clusters themselves. It’s a nice piece of design, showing that Mazda took some care and attention in putting this little SUV together.

The CX-5 is a very good compact crossover. In fact, it’s one of the nicest I’ve tried.

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Visit openroadmazda.ca for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Mazda Port Moody.

Open up to a different car ownership experience.

2013 MAZDA CX-5 with SKYACTIV Technology

starting at $24,890 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

highway city 5.7 L/100km 7.8 L/100km

50mpg 36mpg Finalists for the 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year

*The all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 promises more fun per litre. Ready to hit the streets, the all-new 2013 CX-5 is the first vehicle that includes the full suite of SKYACTIV TECHNOLOOGY - which includes redesigned chassis, body, engine and transmission. The result is exceptional performance, fuel efficiency, lower emissions and pure driving pleasure. 5.7 L/100 km (50MPG) Highway/7.8 L/100 km (36MPG) City - Based on ENERGUIDE Fuel Consumption Rating for the 2013 CX-5 with 6-speed manual transmission. These estimates are based on Government of Canada approved criteria and testing methods. Actual fuel consumption may vary. MPG is listed in Imperial gallons. Based on 2012 fuel consumption ratings published by Natural Resources Canada. Dealer order/trade may be necessary on certain vehicles.

We Have Moved. Just follow the arrows when you visit us.

Temporary Location

New Store Construction

Entrance subject to temporary closure

1. From Buller Street 2. From lane way between OpenRoad Toyota and OpenRoad Mazda 3. From Moray Street 10 vehicle showroom • Preowned vehicles • Full service facility

Experience the new digital test drive at OpenRoadMazda.ca

Experience the OpenRoad Difference

3 routes coming to our temporary location:

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OpenRoad Mazda Port Moody 3170 St. Johns Street (5 minutes West of Coquitlam Centre) Tel: 604-461-9111 Dealer# 30875 OpenRoad Driver • V o l u m e 1 0 I s s u e 2 • W i n t e r 2 0 1 2 / 2 0 1 3

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vailable in both long- and shortwheelbase models, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe brings a third row to Hyundai’s most popular crossover utility vehicle for the first time. Meanwhile, the short-wheelbase Santa Fe continues along the sportier path established by the cute ute at its introduction back in 2001. The long-wheelbase model essentially replaces the Veracruz in Hyundai’s product portfolio. That model languished in the company’s showrooms even while the Santa Fe was a perennial best seller.

Two engines are offered for the 2013 Santa Fe: a 2.4-litre inline four making 190 horsepower and 191 ft-lbs of torque and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four making 264 horsepower and 269 ft-lbs of torque. Numbers aside, the first thing that registered for us was the level of sophistication exuded by the Santa Fe. Easily the quietest model from the manufacturer we’d ever experienced (save the

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HYUNDAI SANTA FE

super-upscale Equus luxury car), the all-new Santa Fe benefits from a double-layered windshield, floor insulation, a dashboard noise absorption pad, as well as a number of mechanical improvements adopted specifically to reduce its noise levels.

The new five-passenger Santa Fe is some 120 kilos lighter than the outgoing model and the long wheelbase is almost 200 kilos lighter even though both have significantly more content than the automobiles they supplant.

One of the advantages Hyundai has in this regard is the operation of its own steel plant, enabling it to play around with alloys. This also helps the company maintain a consistent supply of steel while keeping production costs down.

As with all the rest of Hyundai’s lineup, the new Santa Fe benefits mightily from handsome styling, smart packaging and a strong standard feature set.

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Spe cs 2 0 1 3 HYUN D A I S AN T A F E • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $26,499 EPA Classification: Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 10.1 (Est) L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 6.7 (Est) L/100 km Engine Type: Gas I4 Displacement: 2.4L/144 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 190 @ 6300 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 181 @ 4250 Passenger Capacity: 5 Basic Warranty: 5 Years / 100,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 5 Years / 100,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 5 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 3 Years / Unlimited km

Visit openroadhyundai.ca for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond.

HONDA ACCORD

T

A uto Features

he best-selling Accord is back with a major redesign for 2013 and the approach to the overhaul is very pleasing. Firstly, they kept the V6 offering and improved mileage and design refinement across the board.

The 2013 Honda Accord is actually a bit shorter than last year’s model, but it’s packaged better than ever, with an excellent interior design, an improved back seat and cargo area, and significantly improved cabin refinement.

To give the Accord sedan a sportier flavour, a new Sport trim is added. It adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, slightly stiffer suspension tuning, fog lights, rear spoiler, paddle shifters for CVT-equipped models and a dual-exhaust system. If you want the sportiest Accord, look to the coupe, offered with both the four-cylinder and the V6.

Driving the Accord you’ll find the electric power steering is light and has a dead spot on centre, but once more angle is dialed in it gets weightier and more responsive. On the road, the cabin is quiet and well isolated from road and wind noise. To quiet the cabin – an area Honda admits it needed to work on – active noise and sound controls are now standard.

Driving the 2013 Accord you feel this car is very confident on the road, and behind the wheel you feel a more modern Honda is beneath you.

Spe cs 2 0 1 3 Honda Accord • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $23,990 EPA Classification: Midsize Cars Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 10.3 (2012) L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 5.8 (2012) L/100 km Engine Type: Gas I4 Displacement: 2.4L/144 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 185 @ 6400 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 181 @ 3900 Passenger Capacity: 5 Basic Warranty: 3 Years / 60,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 5 Years / 100,000 km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 3 Years / Unlimited km Corrosion (Rust-Through) Warranty: 5 Years / Unlimited km Corrosion Warranty: 3 Years / Unlimited km

Visit openroadhonda.ca for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Honda Burnaby.

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Mini Cooper S Roadster

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INI is pushing ahead with a rigorous expansion of its fun-loving sporty family. The MINIRoadster is the sole premium model of its kind in the small car segment. The faithful reproduction of MINI design language in a roadster format gives the MINI irresistible charisma.

Only a few clicks through the twists and turns and it immediately became evident that this MINI was born to corner, with a wide track, longer wheelbase, short overhangs, and a low centre of gravity. But while it begs to be thrown into curves with seemingly wild abandon, it also gives plenty of reasons to feel safe and protected. Optimum braking behaviour in any situation is ensured thanks to four-wheel discs with ABS and cornering brake control. One of my favourite safety features in this

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micro tour-de-force is also what adds to its brilliant handling, its multilink rear suspension.

With the speeds my Cooper S Roadster was able to hit, all I can say is that I was grateful my tester included the optional wind-protection insert, which is secured between the roll bars to cut down on swirling air inside the passenger compartment.

If you happen to hit this particular winding highway in this particular vehicle, you’ll not only look good but I guarantee you’ll remember it for the rest of your life. The Coquihalla Highway supplies magnificent scenery combined with superb fastpaced four-lane fun, whereas the new MINI Cooper S Roadster delivers responsive power and impressive efficiency combined with precise, stable, go-kart-like handling that’s hard to beat.

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Spe cs 2013 MINI Cooper S Roadster • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $32,900 EPA Classification: Minicompact Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 7.7 L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 5.7 L/100 km Engine Type: Gas I4 Displacement: 1.6L/98 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 181 @ 5500 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 118 @ 4250 Passenger Capacity: 2 Basic Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 12 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 4 Years / Unlimited km

Visit minilangley.com for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with MINI Langley.

A uto Features

BMW 640i GRAN COUPE

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he phrase “a beautiful BMW” is almost an oxymoron. Yes, BMW builds handsome cars. Yes, BMW’s cars also have a purpose. The new 2013 version of the 640i Gran Coupe is as beautiful as the revised two-door coupe.

Yes, BMW’s cars can credibly be classified as svelte. And yes, BMW’s cars certainly possess that indefinable characteristic known as presence. However, until now, no BMW ever built could be truly classified as beautiful.

This is largely due to the fact BMW’s design language tends to emphasize function over form.

Now, before you think this new BMW is all about looks, rest assured the brand’s ultimate driving machine DNA is also solidly intact. Powered by BMW’s

315-hp, turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, the 640i Gran Coupe places 330 ft-lbs of torque at its driver’s disposal, which it routes to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Given the 6 Series Gran Coupe bridges the worlds of luxury and sport in terms of its overall character, to ensure maximum flexibility BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control allows the driver to choose from among five driving modes.

Slotting nicely into BMW’s sedan lineup between the 5 Series and the 7 Series, the 640i Gran Coupe combines the tidy size and driving dynamics of the 5 with the sumptuousness and style of the flagship 7. All in all, we feel the Gran Coupe is a positive addition to the Bavarian manufacturer’s lineup.

Spe cs 2 0 1 3 B MW 6 4 0 i G R AN C O U P E • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $99,800 EPA Classification: Sub-Compact Drivetrain: All Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: TBD EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: TBD Engine Type: Turbocharged Gas V8 Displacement: 4.4L/268 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 315 @ 5800-6000 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 330 @ 1300-4500 Passenger Capacity: 4 Basic Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 12 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km

Visit bmwlangley.com for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with BMW Langley.

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AUDI RS5

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udi’s A5 and S5 models are beautifully styled and filled with some of the nicest interiors in the industry, and for regular folk their performance will be more than adequate. Then again there are always a few radicals who can never get enough speed, and for these, Audi now offers a special RS version of its gracefully penned sport coupe.

The new 2013 Audi RS5 boasts 450-horsepower and 316 lb-ft of torque from a high-revving (8,250 rpm), naturally aspirated

Sp e c s 2 0 1 3 A UDI RS 5 • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $77,000 EPA Classification: Subcompact Drivetrain: All Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 7.3 L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 7.3 L/100 km Engine Type: DOHC V8 Direct Injection SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 450 @ 8250 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 316 @ 4000 - 6000 Passenger Capacity: 4 Basic Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 4 Years / 80,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 12 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 4 Years / Unlimited km

4.2-litre V8 with FSI direct injection and sodium-cooled exhaust valves, good for a sprint to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h. And check out this fantastic feature! The RS5 comes with Standard Dynamic Steering that in another language “automatically adjusts the steering ratio and steering force to the RS5’s speed to optimize steering for any situation, while a rear spoiler set within the rear deck lid will extend automatically to increase downforce at high speeds.” Awesome!

The new RS5 gets some exclusive styling details such as a honeycomb “Singleframe” grille, distinct front and rear bumpers, a front splitter and a rear diffuser, plus unique 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

My favourite standard inclusion in this new RS5 is the famed all-wheel-drive Quattro. This is one up on its BMW and Mercedes competition and perfect for BC weather.

Visit openroadaudi.com for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Audi Vancouver.

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A uto Features

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INFINITI JX35 he new 7-passenger Infiniti JX35 is a stylish, upscale alternative to the minivan or big SUV.

This new model from Infiniti has squeezed itself into a vehicle class that often defies definition. This one is a 7-seat luxury crossover for under $50K. And, don’t go thinking the JX35 will leave you wanting for features, because along with fuel friendliness it woos the family buyer with pampering premium goodies like a standard powered liftgate, power-folding heated mirrors as well as the three-zone automatic climate control, plus the heated leather seats with eight-way driver and six-way passenger powered adjustability that are ultra-comfortable. The leatherwrapped power-adjustable steering wheel with illuminated audio controls is nice too, and connects through to a six-speaker audio system boasting a 7-inch colour screen.

Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity is standard too. Very nice!

Plus, there are a lot of additional items that come, well, standard. Like a powered moonroof (yes, standard!), front-door-handle courtesy lights, automatic HID bixenon headlights,

fog lamps, LED brake lights, plus some more family-oriented items like UVreducing solar glass, rear-seat reading lights, eight cup holders and six bottle holders, cargo net tie-down anchors, and roof rails. Breathe. That is a lot of standard features that normally cost you a few extra bucks.

From where I am standing, I think the JX35 should please most onlookers, as it sports Infiniti’s beautiful big chrome grille and additional chrome where most SUV buyers want it. You’ll love the cabin design too, which incidentally just took Ward’s 10-Best Interiors honours for “spectacular design and value” in its class.

While some of Infiniti’s performance fans might criticize the JX35 for its quiet, comfortable, family-oriented demeanour, I believe that’s exactly why the big crossover will succeed.

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Base MSRP: $44,900 EPA Classification: Full-Size Drivetrain: All Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: N/A L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: N/A L/100 km Engine Type: Gas V6 Displacement: 3.5L/215 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 265 @ 6400 SAE Net Torque @ RPM: 248 @ 4400 Passenger Capacity: 7 Basic Warranty: 4 Years / 100,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 6 Years / 110,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 7 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 4 Years / Unlimited km

Visit openroadinfiniti.ca for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Infiniti Langley.

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TOYOTA PRIUS V

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elling in near mythic numbers, Toyota’s Prius represents the heartiest last laugh any auto manufacturer has enjoyed to date. It’s easy to see the extra height and length the new “v” model adds to the Prius lineup. With so much success, Toyota’s plans to expand the Prius portfolio into a broader variety of models are quite understandable. Toyota officials promise ten new hybrid autos within the next 20 months and four distinct members of the Prius family eventually.

The first distinct new vehicle is the Prius v (v as in versatile, not as in Roman numeral five). Larger and more spacious than the standard Prius, Prius v has folded a number of features into the basic recipe to make the world’s most-noted hybrid more family-friendly.

Best viewed as a cross between a station wagon and a minivan, Prius v has the size and feature set of the latter, with the four doors and rear hatch of the former. Boasting 58% more cargo space than the standard Prius, along with rear seats that slide fore and aft as well as fold flat and recline, the Prius v is ready to haul pretty much anything the modern family has to throw at it. Additionally, subtle reworking of the interior’s details, such as moving the shift lever to the dash from the centre console, have resulted in more personal storage space as well.

Going down the street, it all works together pretty well. The Prius v goes, stops and steers in a manner engendering complete confidence in its abilities.

Visit openroadtoyota.com for our digital test drive.

Book your road test with OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody or Richmond.

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Spe cs 2 0 1 3 T oyota Prius V • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Base MSRP: $27,200 EPA Classification: Mid-Size Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive EnerGuide Estimate - City: 4.3 L/100 km EnerGuide Estimate - Hwy: 4.8 L/100 km Engine Type: Gas/Electric I4 Displacement: 1.8L/93 SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM: 134 @ -TBDSAE Net Torque @ RPM: 105 @ 4000 Passenger Capacity: 5 Basic Warranty: 3 Years / 60,000 km Drivetrain Warranty: 5 Years / 100,000 km Corrosion Warranty: 5 Years / Unlimited km Roadside Assistance Warranty: 3 Years / 60,000 km

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Get 15% back in points when you service your car at any OpenRoad store‡ 20% off select accessories during your birthday month∆ Pre-owned Select purchase privileges Complimentary car wash with every service Exclusive discounts at over 400 retailers

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Shokai vs. Omakase Minami Restaurant

W or d s b y M i j une P ak P h otos b y M ic h elle Y eun g

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onight I’ve chosen to sit at “chef’s table.”

It’s where all the action is and I had already decided on omakase, which is best experienced in front of the chef, in this case Sushi Chef Hideto Moriki at Minami Restaurant in Vancouver’s Yaletown.

Omakase is a Japanese term that means “I’ll leave it up to you.” It’s the equivalent of a chef’s tasting menu. The dishes start off light and progress to heavier courses, ending with sushi and followed by dessert.

It is an open platform for the chef to show creativity, skills and technique. Omakase is generally a pricier way to dine just like any tasting menu, but if you are looking for an authentic, unique and memorable Japanese experience, then I would highly recommend it. The omakase menu at Minami is not well advertised, but it is available upon request.

Minami is the sister restaurant of Miku, one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in the city. While the menus at both restaurants have similarities, the concepts are different. Miku offers traditional Japanese cuisine specializing in aburi sushi or flame-seared sushi, and Minami offers Euro-Asian Japanese cuisine with Pacific Northwest Chef’s table at Minami Restaurant in Yaletown. style and flavours. Personally I prefer the traditional Miku, but popular dishes overlap at both restaurants, so you can’t really go wrong at either location.

I have tried omakase at Octopus Garden, Kimura, Hapa Izakaya and Dan. The point of omakase is to showcase natural creativity using whatever ingredients are in the kitchen. It’s an open stage for the chef

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When I originally ordered the omakase at Minami I was expecting the “only” omakase experience I had ever known. I was hoping for things that were off the menu, so I was a bit confused when course after course was more-orless signature items from the regular menu. Mind you, those signature items were still excellent and made with high-quality ingredients and fine presentation, but it wasn’t the omakase experience I was expecting or thought I had ordered.

The omakase I was given ended up being the Minami Shokai, not the Minami Omakase which requires 72-hour pre-booking notice. If I had known I would have prepared for the notice. It was likely a miscommunication, but I really wish I had known or that there were only one option.

So while I was not disappointed by the Minami Shokai experience, it just wasn’t what I had ordered.

I did end dinner thinking “was that really omakase, or ‘just-a-best-of’ tasting menu that could be ‘easily’ replicated again?” The Shokai would be good for first-timers who want a highlight of the menu (little did I know “Shokai” means “first time” in Japanese).

Regardless, I did have a good time and an epic meal. Minami delivered, as it usually does, but next time I’ll make sure I get that authentic omakase experience.

O n t h e ta b le

to explore and create with whatever he happens to have at the moment. And that use of time, freedom of expression, and raw experience was what I wanted.

P remium S as h imi P latter 4/6 (Very good) This was beautiful and I wasn’t expecting it. It’s a selection of premium sashimi: 12 pieces not on the menu. The variety of sashimi is quite standard – not many exotic species – but the quality was good and the knife skills were great. Minami’s sashimi platter included:

• Yellowtail (hamachi) with avocado purée • Atlantic salmon with chopped onion • Red tuna • Hirame (flounder) • Wild sockeye salmon • Albacore tuna toro (tuna belly)

4/6 (Very good) 5.5/6 (Excellent!)

4/6 (Very good) 4/6 (Very good) 4/6 (Very good) 4/6 (Very good)

The freshly grated wasabi here is fantastic and very hard to come by anywhere in Metro Vancouver. The hirame was sliced very thin and almost translucent. It demonstrated very nice knife skills. The sushi chef made an effort to showcase his knife skills and technique. The paper-thin shavings of cucumbers were even and consistent, and fanned out perfectly without a tear in sight. The platter had artistic presentation with purpose and these are the details that didn’t go unnoticed.

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P remium S pecialty S us h i & R olls S ampler 6/6 (Must try!)

This course was a very nice and unexpected surprise, but much appreciated. The sampler included Minami Roll, Yaletown Roll, Sunset Roll, Crunchy Scallop Roll, Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi, Aburi Saba Oshi Sushi, Yellowtail Belly Nigiri with Avocado purée, plus Ebi Nigiri with Pesto Sauce. I wish this was available a la carte, but it’s not.

I can’t imagine how long it took for them to get one piece of each recommended and signature roll.

This was probably my ideal sushi sampler and all the pieces were enjoyable. It was a matter of which do I like and which do I love. The rolls come already seasoned with their own chef-made sauces, and the rice is also well seasoned, so asking for soy sauce is almost like asking a western chef for salt.

Simply do not ask for soy sauce or wasabi.

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A b uri S almon O s h i S us h i 6/6 (Must Try!) This is the must try and very possibly the best-tasting nigiri you could have in the city, and I hate saying anything is “the best.” With pressed local salmon, jalapeño and miku sauce ($14 for 6 pieces) this is a creamy, savoury, rich, buttery and moist salmon with two levels of spice from the freshly cracked black pepper and slight crunch of heaty jalapeño.

The salmon on top was brushed with Chef’s own savoury and sweet soy sauce before topping it with Miku sauce. The Miku sauce is the secret ingredient and it was very rich, buttery, indulgent and intense with umami savoury flavour. When the sauce is seared or baked it becomes smoky, aromatic and almost nutty and sweet. Imagine baked mayo. Each bite was a perfect balance and harmony of flavours, and the whole thing just melted in my mouth.

A b uri S a b a O s h i S us h i 6/6 (Must Try!)

This is a house-cured saba pressed and dressed with Miku miso sauce ($14 for 6 pieces). I used to prefer the Aburi Salmon Oshi sushi, but the tables have turned and I like this one even more now. This was one of my favourite bites of the whole night. Being that it was saba (mackerel), it was a fishy and strong-flavoured sushi. It was incredibly smoky from the aburi searing which just melted the buttery sauce and released the oils from the mackerel and enhanced its flavour. The sauce was very indulgent and just melted right into the oils of the mackerel.

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The Final Bite

Recommendations: Minami Shokai or Minami Omakase (requires 72-hour notice). If ordering a la carte: Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi, Aburi Saba Oshi Sushi, Premium Aburi, Minami Roll, Yaletown Roll, Sunset Roll, Miku Roll, Saikyo Miso Baked Sablefish, Chicken Nanban, Earl Grey Berry Cake, Green Tea Opera

M inami R estaurant

Hamac h i ( T una ) wit h A voca d o P ur é e 5.5/6 (Excellent!)

1118 Mainland Street Vancouver, BC Phone: (604) 685-8080 Web: minamirestaurant.com Email: info@minamirestaurant.com (reservations by OpenTable, not by e-mail)

Price Range: $30-50+ ($25-29 main courses) 1: Poor 2: OK 3: Good 4: Very good 5: Excellent 6: Très Excellent!!

Food: 5 (based on Shokai menu) Service: 4 Ambiance: 4 Value: 3 Overall: 4.5

This piece is perhaps my favourite nigiri here and I would order it a la carte. This item was the same as the piece served in the sashimi platter, but I liked the aburi-style version even more. I could smell and taste the charcoal-smoky aburi sear. It was lovely and it brought out the fish’s flavour. It was super creamy and rich from the buttery hamachi and the almost-melted avocado purée seasoned with salt and cracked black pepper. The rice was well seasoned, moist and excellent quality sushi rice.

Green T ea O pera 4.5/6 (Very good-Excellent) At the end of the Shokai Menu you can choose a dessert. At most Japanese places in Metro Vancouver you’re left with green tea, mango or vanilla ice cream, but here they actually invest in a pastry chef at Miku and Minami, and they have a dedicated pastry department.

Three Sixty Photography

Mijune Pak is the creator of Follow Me Foodie, one of the most recognized food and

The Green Tea Opera cake features green tea sponge infused with espresso and Frangelico liqueur, green tea butter cream, dark chocolate ganache, azuki bean cream, green tea ice cream and green tea sauce. The cake has excellent texture with a crispy feuilletine layer. It tastes like a Ferrero Rocher chocolate in green tea cake form. I loved that it was served with green tea ice cream, which was smooth, rich and custard-based with good matcha flavour (powder form, not tea leaves). Although the berries were not seasonal and another garnish would have been welcome, this is still the most popular dessert on the menu.

travel blogs in Canada. Her award-winning blog, infectious excitement & passion for food make her one of Vancouver’s most influential food bloggers. Visit her at the website www. followmefoodie.com or: Twitter: @FollowMeFoodie Facebook: Follow Me Foodie YouTube: FollowMeFoodie

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Okanagan Wine Tour b y L auren K ramer

Painted Rock Estate Winery

O ne T ank Destination : V ancouver to O kana g an wineries Distance : 4 9 2 kilometres one - way Drivin g T ime : 5 h ours 5 2 minutes N um b er of S tops : 4

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he Okanagan is fast emerging on the world wine scene as one of North America’s great wine destinations.

But in a region literally dotted with vineyards and wineries, it can be challenging to know just where to go to find the best of the best – on one tank of fuel, no less. We selected four of the hottest labels being snatched up by some of the Lower Mainland’s best restaurateurs and wine connoisseurs. As crush season was underway, we spoke with the passionate folks behind the labels to learn what makes their wine extraordinary, and how the Okanagan has shaped their lives.

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S top # 1

Painted Rock Estate Winery – Penticton Distance: 425 kilometres Driving Time: 4 hours 38 minutes

Drive the road that wends its way along picturesque Skaha Lake and you might easily miss the turnoff to Smythe Drive, so bewitchingly beautiful is the view. It’s a road oft-cycled by Vancouverite and former stockbroker John Skinner, who saw the Okanagan become a winery destination nine years ago and couldn't resist the opportunity to get personally involved.

In 2003 he purchased a 60-acre bench overlooking Skaha Lake and planted 25 acres with a goal of producing ultra-premium wines. “Our first vintage was in 2007, and when we released it in 2009 we were really proud of our wine,” says Skinner, the owner of Painted Rock. The road to the winery takes you up a sharp

hillside overlooking the lake, just a stone’s throw from the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park. Don’t expect any lavish restaurants when you reach the top, where a small tasting room one critic described as a ‘toolshed’ will soon be accompanied by a new, 1,800-square-foot facility. “It’s small and modest, but it reinforces the message that we’re all about the wine,” says Skinner.

Skinner’s vineyard produces the Red Icon blend along with standalone varietals cabernet sauvignon, merlot, Syrah and chardonnay.

“Our credo is we’ll never get bigger, only better,” he says, referring to Painted Rock’s policy of no more than 5,000 cases per year. “We know from bud break to bottling exactly what’s happening with our fruit, and our attention to detail is really aggressive.”

French wine consultant Alain Sutra flies into town six times a year to offer Painted Rock the benefit of his experience, but basically, says Skinner, “we produce wine that I like.” It’s clearly hit a chord in the Vancouver market, where private buyers and restaurants constitute a loyal community of buyers. “We're in China, Japan and London, but the anchor of our brand will always be the Lower Mainland,” he says.

Skinner believes that only by submitting your wines into competitions and seeing how they stack up can you gauge how well you’re doing.

“We sent our wines to the Decanter World Wine Awards in London and they fared really well.

That gives us good international context as to how we rate internationally,” he reflects.

S top # 2

Poplar Grove Winery

Poplar Grove Winery – Penticton Distance: 11 kilometres Driving Time: 18 minutes

If you’re visiting Poplar Grove in Penticton, make sure you arrive with an appetite. The winery’s restaurant, Vanilla Pod, offers sumptuous fare from its exquisite floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Okanagan Lake from its position high up on the mountain slopes. “Between the view, the restaurant and the wines, people don’t want to leave,” says Tony Holler, president of Poplar Grove. If you’re not hungry the winery has a magnificent wine tasting room that opened in June 2011. A testament to the art of viticulture, the building carries the rich aroma of wine, with woodsy hues and a warm, inviting ambience without a hint of pretentiousness.

A relative newcomer to the Okanagan, the winery celebrated its first harvest just four years ago. Since then, Holler and Ian Sutherland, Poplar Grove’s founder and executive winemaker, have learned that wine-making is not for the faint of heart. “You need patience and courage,” says Sutherland.

“Specifically, the courage to wait until the fruit is at its optimum, and the grapes have their own agenda, so there’s no set schedule.” Poplar Grove has a policy of letting its red wines stand for three years, “which is when they’re at their peak,” Holler says. “We age them 18 months in French oak and 18 months in bottle, so generally our wines are four years old by the time they are released.” The 100 acres of vineyards, of which merlot constitutes the largest volume, presently produce 13,000 cases a year. Be sure to try Legacy, Poplar Grove’s flagship wine.

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S top # 3

Intersection Winery – Oliver Distance: 51 kilometres Driving Time: 47 minutes

Bruce Schmidt became smitten with the idea of owning an estate winery in the 1990s, when he was director of Blue Mountain Winery. By 2005 he found a property a few kilometres from Oliver, on the Golden Mile, at the intersection of Road 8 and Highway 97. “The west side of the highway is known to have excellent fruit and great ripening characteristics, as well as the perfect balance of heat and temperature inflections,” he reflects. Since he was at a crossroads in his own life, the name of his new 10-acre winery came easily and Intersection Winery was born.

Visit today and you’ll likely find Schmidt helping troubleshoot on a piece of machinery or getting an update on the vines. If he has a minute, he’s inclined to show guests around the property, and though there’s no tasting room yet, he’s in the process of building one that is scheduled to open in the spring. “We want to do tastings and try to reflect our philosophy in how we receive people here,” says Schmidt. That means having visitors spend time in the vineyard, “because that’s in essence what you’re drinking,” he says earnestly. “When people leave our winery we want them to do so having learned something about wine.”

Five of Schmidt’s acres are planted with merlot and the remainder with white blends Viognier, sauvignon blanc and Marsanne. But it’s merlot he’s truly passionate about. “It's an ideal red grape for the Okanagan Valley, and it can be grown to be exceptional,” he says. “We need to celebrate the grapes that do really well in this region, so that Canadian wines can stand on the same level as wines from anywhere else in the world.”

Intersection produces close to 3,000 cases a year, the majority of it distributed to wine enthusiasts, select restaurants and friends, but this year it will be available in private wine stores. Schmidt’s most popular wine is the Viognier sauvignon blend, of which less than 500 cases are available. “We want people to recognize it as a wine that’s handcrafted,” he explains.

“That's why we're planning to stay with a very limited quantity.”

Intersection Winery

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Black Hills Estate Winery

S top # 4

Black Hills Estate Winery – Oliver Distance: 5 kilometres Driving Time: 9 minutes

The quest to educate is a common trait among vintners, who are passionate about their vineyards and viticulture and keen to share their thoughts on the art of creating great wine. “We ask our guests to make an appointment for a tasting and commit an hour of their time,” says Glenn Fawcett, president of Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver.

Instead of bar tastings, visitors explore the wine with a sommelier at the new Wine Experience Centre on Black Sage Road.

The centre is a striking building with a large water feature, a spacious

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W h en Y ou Go Painted Rock Estate Winery is open May through October from 11 am to 5 pm, and by appointment the rest of the year.

The wines range in price from $30 for a chardonnay to $40 for red varietals and $55 for the Red Icon blend. They can be purchased at winerydirect.com, at paintedrock. ca or from private wine stores in the Lower Mainland. paintedrock.ca (250) 493-6809 400 Smythe Drive, Penticton, BC

tasting room with massive floor-toceiling windows and a patio that overlooks the 41-acre vineyard and the mountains beyond. It’s an easy place to lose yourself in the flavours of Black Hills’ popular bordeaux-style blend and cabernet sauvignon. The wines turn out so well because the Black Sage Bench has the perfect microclimate for viticulture practice, says Fawcett. “It’s one of the hottest, driest and sunniest sites in Canada, with an exceptional diurnal temperature variation that allows the grapes to fully ripen by day and

retain the acidity at night. The result is that our vineyard yields intensely flavourful grapes.”

Black Hills grows cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet blanc, sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Carmenere and Viognier. The winery produces 10,000 cases a year, and its success has attracted celebrity investor Jason Priestly, who has become a passionate advocate of the winery.

You might expect stiff competition among the vintners in the Okanagan, but you’d be wrong. The group shares camaraderie and a friendship born of the knowledge that only together can they highlight the region for its high-quality wines. “This is a very collegial community,” says Schmidt. “If there’s a problem there’s always someone who will help you, whether it’s a piece of machinery you need, or someone else’s breadth of experience.”

Each vintner is passionate about his grapes and proud of his brand, but acutely aware of strength in numbers.

“We believe that the more wineries focus on great wines, the more it will support us,” Sutherland reflects.

“This is a long-term business, and only if we do it right will it yield great returns in the future.”

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Poplar Grove’s wine tasting room and restaurant are open yearround and visitors are welcome to drop in. The wines range in price from $20 to $50. poplargrove.ca (250) 493-9463 425 Middle Bench Road North, Penticton, BC Intersection Winery will offer formal tastings for the first time this spring. A wine reception area for visitors is under construction.

Wine prices range from $19-$25 for reds and $18-$20 for whites.

Curious to explore the vineyard?

Schmidt is happy to offer tours.

Call for an appointment. xwine.ca (604) 760-0160 9736 326th Avenue, Oliver, BC Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver strongly recommends visitors make reservations for a tasting with a sommelier, aka a ‘wine evangelist.’ The Wine Experience Centre is open May through November and the wines range in price from $16 for a white blend to $60 for the Nota Bene. blackhillswinery.com (250) 498-0666 30880 Black Sage Road, Oliver, BC

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The Adeyaka Inside OpenRoad Infiniti b y C h arlenne I casiano

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new car that are important to you.

From the art on the walls, the orchid centrepieces, to the furniture you sit on, you truly feel like you are in a different kind of retail centre, and maybe not a dealership at all. We really do appreciate our customers’ time and we aim to make the stay as comforting as possible. We offer complimentary bottles of water, tea, and snack bars for our guests. To add to the spa-like experience, we offer Aveda products in the restrooms.

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he Japanese word Adeyaka means beauty, fascinating elegance and vibrant, lively colours. Adeyaka inspired the Japanese auto manufacturer when they designed Infiniti’s luxury vehicles. Through the contours of the trim and the smooth lines on the dash, you sense Adeyaka in each Infiniti model, and this holds true to each Infiniti retail centre. Nothing holds truer to the definition of Adeyaka than OpenRoad Infiniti, the new Infiniti centre in the luxury autoplex on the Langley Bypass.

The making of OpenRoad Infiniti began in 2011. Fast forward to a year later, August 2012, when OpenRoad Infiniti opened its

The service department is not something that you would expect.

Should you walk into the service area, you do not stand in line waiting for the next available service advisor to help you. There are no wickets or service counters to walk up to. You are greeted by the service coordinator and seated in an office for privacy and comfort. If you need a good cup of coffee while you wait or even to go, we don’t just serve any cup of coffee.

We have organic coffee beans, decaf, vanilla latte, vanilla coffee, mocha, long espresso and cappuccinos. These are just some of the choices available to you through our beverage centre. doors and introduced a different kind of dealership to the industry. Unlike other automotive retail environments, Infiniti in Langley is small and boutique-like with the feel of a luxurious hotel. Once you pass through the front entrance you are welcomed by our receptionist sitting in a foyer fit for a modern-day spa. The showroom or as we like to call it, the gallery, showcases six vehicles to allow more room for you to peruse through the retail centre or sit in any of our spacious guest lounges.

OpenRoad Infiniti has four sales offices, one office for the business manager, an office for the sales manager and even an office for the insurance agent who will assist you with all your needs with privacy. We understand that purchasing your new vehicle is something to be proud of and excited about. We share that same excitement and showcase the final delivery in our glass-walled delivery room for everyone to see. Inside the delivery room your sales consultant will spend the time with you to explain functions on your

Our shop is state-of-the-art and has the feel of a laboratory. We take pride in our facility and in what the name Infiniti represents. Our technicians are fully equipped with all the necessities to service and repair your Infiniti vehicle with ease and care. We offer our customers a view of the inside of our shop to see the care that we take with their investment. Two of the three certified technicians bring each with them 25 years of experience. A smaller retail centre also comes with a small, yet close-knit team that easily feels like family. We have a staff of 21 employees, so it is easy to know most of the associates at OpenRoad Infiniti.

The team is led by the general manager, Roger Bhajan. With over 22 years in the automotive industry and the majority of those years in management, Roger was a great choice to be general manager. You may know a few others that work here. If you visited Nissan stores in Richmond or Burnaby, chances are

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Photos courtesy of Ventana Construction

you know sales manager Reza Dadfar, service manager Mike Farkas, service advisor Bryan Mackay, receptionist and sales assistant Joleen Russell, or sales representative Paul Gill. It’s amazing how they all worked at one dealership and have now reunited at OpenRoad Infiniti.

For all the staff associates here, we begin a new and exciting journey at OpenRoad Infiniti. To date, we have already exceeded targets and serviced hundreds of guests. We are excited to be part of a growing luxury auto mall, a growing company at OpenRoad, and a vastly growing community.

INSPIRED WITH GENERAL M A N A G E R R O G E R BH A J A N We sat down recently with the new general manager of OpenRoad Infiniti Langley to ask him about his new retail centre, his passions and the team that surrounds him.

Infiniti unveils an all-new luxury sports sedan at the 2013 North American International Auto Show on January 14th.

What is it?

It’s the 2014 Infiniti G37.

Roger, tell me about the reaction to the new 2013 Infiniti JX so far.

We have had nothing but positive reviews. The styling is always mentioned. It has great gas performance and it’s an all-around hit!

Infiniti continues to set sales records month after month over the past year. Why is the trend so positive?

I think it’s because Infiniti separated itself from Nissan. We have the new stand-alone stores which really defines us as a luxury brand.

In the latest J.D. Power and Associates sales satisfaction survey, Infiniti zoomed up the rankings to place second overall among luxury brands. That must have something to do with Infiniti University and the brand’s Total Ownership Experience. What are those two initiatives about?

I believe so. Infiniti University is total training for all staff to gain complete knowledge of the Infiniti brand and its products. The Total Ownership Experience is the experience you receive once you walk into our retail centre, from the delivery of your vehicle through to the servicing of your investment. The experience includes the professionalism of the staff and the product technology at the highest level. We try to be different and exceed our customers’ expectations.

And what is the Infiniti Personal Assistant concierge service?

It’s an Infiniti program that is provided on every new model

by Infiniti. It’s a complimentary concierge service for the first four years of owning your vehicle. The service is 24/7 and your live assistant can help you with pretty much anything such as

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booking hotels or flight reservations, purchasing hockey tickets, or seeking advice on where to eat. They can even find out where you can get a professional business to hang up your Christmas lights. That was very handy recently! You can simply call, e-mail or text your personal assistant to help you with your needs.

Quidam by Cirque du Soleil is on the cover of this issue of the magazine. Did you see the show? And what gets you excited about Cirque du Soleil?

I did see the show and it was great. It was really exciting that Infiniti was a main sponsor of the event because I think that

we’re similar in the way that we’re both unique and stylish. The show provides a unique flair that is also present in our retail centre and products. It’s a wonderful act altogether.

from doing the Grouse Grind, hiking or snowboarding. They’re fit!

So, did you ever want to run away and join the circus?

No (laughing). I’ve been told a few times that I’m a clown so there is no need to run away and join the circus!

What does the OpenRoad difference mean to you?

It means professional staff providing the highest level of customer service and giving the total customer experience. The difference also means going above and beyond our customers’ expectations.

You are always here at OpenRoad Infiniti, but what do you like to do when you’re not here at this retail centre?

I am very active in sporting events.

I play soccer and golf. With a young family I spend a lot of my spare time with my wife and kids.

Tell us about the amenities at your brand new facility.

We have a beautiful six-car showroom in our state-of-the-art IREDI facility. We also have a one-of-a-kind glass delivery bay. Our retail centre is very boutiquelike with the beautiful woodwork and tile selections.

Everyone has a hidden talent. Tell us about some of your hidden talents and the surprising talents of your staff associates here at OpenRoad Infiniti.

Well I found out that a lot of the staff participate in a lot of outdoor activities

Finally, tell us about the guest experience at OpenRoad Infiniti Langley.

Our staff’s aim is to greet each customer with a warm smile. We treat everyone with respect and negotiate in

a friendly way. Our hope is to provide the highest level of service worthy of guest recommendations to your friends and family.

Charlenne Icasiano is the warranty and service coordinator at OpenRoad Infiniti Langley.

She handles all the warranty claims and service appointments at the retail centre and is the most cheerful person you’ll meet. Charlenne likes to travel, cook and spend time with her dog, Nala, when not at the retail centre.

we build relationships, as well as buildings Ventana Construction has been collaborating with the OpenRoad Auto Group for nearly a decade. We’ve built four automotive retail centres together, and have developed a strong working relationship based on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to quality.

The new OpenRoad Infiniti retail centre in Langley embodies the spirit of excellence that is synonymous with the OpenRoad name, and Ventana is very proud to have been the general contractor for this project.

All of us at Ventana want to wish OpenRoad great success with this new venture. We look forward to building on our relationship in the years to come.

VentanaConstruction.com 604.291.9000

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S taff A ssociate Spotlight

Calling the Shots

Hidden Landscapes with d s b y M elissa M ak Howard Miller WP horotos b y Howar d M iller

“Driving between Jasper and Banff in Alberta’s national park, I was hoping to catch the sunrise over the Rockies when I noticed the moon. I drove around for another 20 minutes in order to find just the right spot to pull over and set up for the shot.”

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WHEN: Mid-September 2008 WHERE: Alberta, just over 850 km from Vancouver HOW: Canon EOS 5D | F9.5 | Canon 400 mm lens

“We were taking an alternate route home from the Cariboo when we drove past a deer. I slowed down to see if I could get out and capture a shot. I first had a look through my binoculars, and realized that she had just given birth to two fawns. They could not have been more than an hour old when we arrived.”

WHEN: Late June 2012 WHERE: Approximately 450 km from home HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | F6.3 | Sigma

50-500 taken at 174 mm

B

esides calling the shots in his department, Howard Miller, parts manager at OpenRoad Toyota Richmond, also knows how to take money shots through his camera lenses.

The 1976 Fujica ST605N camera that his mother gave him 23 years ago was Howard’s first exposure (no pun intended) to photography. Ever since then, he has travelled all over with his wife, Maureen, and captured some breathtaking photos of landscape and wildlife along the way.

Other than photography, Howard also has a long history with OpenRoad, starting back in January 1990, or as he likes to say, about 85 pounds ago. Grateful to be surrounded by good people at work, Howard loves his job, and also a good game of hockey each week. We recently asked him to share some of his amazing photography over the years. But don’t blink, as we take you back in time with Howard Miller on his adventures through beautiful British Columbia.

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“We visited tidal pools outside of Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island. We were simply exploring some places while on the Island, and came across this pretty cool area.”

WHEN: Mid-June 2010 WHERE: 230 km from home, including the ferry ride HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | F16 | Canon 70-200 mm lens

“Traveling to photograph the bears feeding in the Bella Coola region is right at the top of my list of favourite trips to make. If you’re lucky, you wait a few hours to see them come down to the river and feed. Other times, the wait could be for the whole day. Here we found a grizzly bear feeding in the Atnarko River.”

WHEN: Mid-September 2009 WHERE: Over 2,300 km travelled, round trip HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | F5.6 | Canon 400 mm lens

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“Helmcken Falls, located in Wells Gray Provincial Park in the east-central part of BC, is the 4th highest waterfall in Canada. I remember it was a foggy, snowy winter day the first time I was there. Although the falls were not visible in those conditions from the viewing deck, I could certainly hear the thunder of the falling water. I made a point to return in the springtime, and was rewarded with good weather.”

WHEN: Victoria Day weekend 2012 WHERE: Just under a 1,000 km round trip from home HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | F20 | Canon 50 mm lens

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“Bridge Lake is one of my favourite lakes in central BC’s Cariboo Region. I had travelled to this lake on several occasions over the span of two years before the weather presented itself with a great day.”

WHEN: Mid-September 2011 WHERE: About 475 km from home HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | F20 | Canon 50 mm lens

“Night images are something I enjoy, but don’t do as much as I should. This is a 25-second exposure, and the time lapse allows the water in the inlet to show motion.”

WHEN: Mid-August 2011 WHERE: Vancouver looking towards Granville Street Bridge HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark II | F16 | Canon 50 mm lens

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Canadian Marketing 100 Yonge Street, 16th Floor Toronto, ON M5C 2W1

WHEN: Mid-September 2009 File Name: BOR_AD_AMEX-NF WHERE: About 1,500 km return trip from home Publication: Trim: 8.625” x 5.625” 1/2 Page HOW: Canon EOS 5D Mark Material II | F22 | 17-40 mm lens Deadline: Bleed: 0" Safety: 0” Mech Res: 300dpi Insertion Dates: Colours: CMYK

“Returning from Ghost Lake Falls, located southeast of Barkerville, we stopped on the bridge to have a look at the headwaters of the Matthew River.

Prepare for a full day’s drive from either end. Or you can stay at the Ghost Lake campsite, but either way, the trip is worth the time. I have traveled this road a few times over my life and witnessed a lot of changes, from logging to pine beetle infestation.

Regardless, it is still a beautiful area.”

Richness hness is:

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You will earn 4 points per $1 on the first $50,000 in purchases made annually at American Express merchants classified in the American Express network as: Gas Service Stations and Automated Fuel Dispensers; Grocery Stores and Supermarkets; Eating Places and Restaurants, Drinking Places, Fast Food Restaurants; and Entertainment including Motion Picture Theaters, Theatrical Producers, Ticket Agencies, Bands, Orchestras and Miscellaneous Entertainers.

Some merchants may sell these products/services or are separate merchants who are located on the premises of these merchants, but are classified by American Express in another manner, in which case this added benefit would not apply. You will earn 1 point per $1 on purchases made after you have reached the 4 points per $1 $50,000 annual spend maximum and on all other purchases made with the card. 2 The 20,000 Scotia Rewards bonus points are awarded when you use your Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® card for a purchase within two months of open date and provided the account is open and in good standing. The points will appear as an adjustment on your Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® card statement within two statement cycles of your first card purchase. Offer applies to new accounts opened by March 31, 2013. ®* 1

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05/11/12 10:20 AM

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Men's Soft shell jacket

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Audi Baby socks (2 pcs)

Audi Sport Functional jacket

Audi Baby bottle

$19

$250

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The STaSIS power lineup delivers exotic performance at a fraction of the cost. Our portfolio spans the Audi lineup—everything from a Ferrari-beating, 710-hp R8 to a 410-hp S4 luxury sedan, to a rugged Q5 that outperforms the competition. No matter what Audi you drive, there’s a STaSIS product with your name on it.

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Experience the OpenRoad Difference OpenRoad Audi Vancouver 2375 Boundary Road Vancouver Tel: 604-291-2828 Dealer# 30579

5/12/11 2:47:59 PM TM

TRI M LINE S

Think 2020 A goal-setting guide b y V reni Gur d T h e b e g innin g of t h e year is t h e perfect time to reflect b ack on t h e past to acknowle d g e w h at went ri g h t , an d to fles h out our d reams for t h e upcomin g d eca d e .

W

hat about you? It’s time to get out any goals you have previously written down and review and update them, and if you do not have anything written down, get yourself a pad of paper. Got it? Okay.

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Write down any thoughts that come to you and flesh them out with as much detail as possible.

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What is your dream?

What makes you happy?

What were you put on this world to do?

What will be your legacy?

What are the 5 things you want to do in life before you die?

What values are important to you?

Goal-setting requires a lot of time, soul searching, and understanding of self. Questions like “what is your dream?” or “what makes you happy?” can be surprisingly difficult to answer. It might help to think about what you liked to do and what made you happy as a kid before responsibility and “reasonableness” took over. It might help to take some walks alone in nature to ponder these questions. But it is worth taking the time to sort those questions out because once you know the answers everything else in life will probably fall into place. You will know what you want, and the path to your destination will be clear.

Now let’s look at where you are now by creating a Wheel of Life. So draw a big circle on the piece of paper and divide the circle into an 8-piece pie.

Label each piece as follows:

• P ersonal Growt h

continuing education, improving your relationship with yourself, self-image, creativity

• Healt h fitness, nutrition and well-being

• R elations h ips family and friends

• C areer • F inancial • C ommunity giving back, volunteering

• S piritual • R ecreation

Wheel of Life Personal Growth

Recreation

Spiritual

Health

0 Community

Financial

10 Relationships

Career

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The centre of the circle can be given the number “0” meaning completely unsatisfied, and the outside of the circle can be given the number “10” meaning extremely satisfied. Keeping in mind your dream and your legacy, look at each piece of the pie and think about how happy you are with that aspect of your life, and try to give each section a number. Put a dot in the centre of each pie piece corresponding with the number you gave it. Connect the dots. How round is your pie? Most of us have areas in our life that we feel great about, and others that we feel far less good about. This will give you a visual on not only how balanced your life is, but also on which areas of your life can use a commitment in order to improve. Now you have a starting point from which to set some goals.

Each component of the Wheel of Life has a role to play in your dream. For example, is your current career taking you towards your dream? Does it fit with your values? If not, perhaps making a change in career path will make you happier. Start with the section that you feel is the most at odds with your dream or the section you feel needs the most work. Think about and write down what it would take for you to be able to label it a 10. Keeping in mind your ultimate dream and what makes you happy, where do you want to be in ten years with this aspect of your life?

Once you know your destination, break it down. What can you do this year to move towards your goal? What can you do this week? Today? Write down specific, measurable baby steps that you can take to move you towards your goal, and set deadlines for those baby steps. Put them in your day-timer.

Focus on doing the baby steps and over time you will make big strides towards your goal. Repeat the process with each section of your pie.

I did better with my goals last year, because I met up with a

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friend of mine once a month in order to review our goals, and set targets for the following month. We would acknowledge our successes and refocus if we slipped up. When we got stuck, we would call each other to get a pep talk. It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, and completely lose sight of the big picture. So having someone to be accountable to on a very regular basis is extremely helpful.

When setting goals that seem to be no fun, like starting an exercise program, for example, I think it is really important to keep in mind the big reason WHY you want to be successful at achieving that goal. If you succeeded in creating that exercise habit, what would you be able to do that you now cannot? Be around for your kids? Pick up and run after your grandkids? Hike Peru’s Machu Picchu? Pull off wearing that nice outfit to the reunion?

Lastly, schedule the time needed to accomplish weekly goals into your day-timer. You are far more likely to do something you have made time for. By scheduling it you are focusing on it, and it will get done.

Vreni Gurd was the top graduating student in PHE from the University of Toronto in 1992, and is continually furthering her education in exercise, nutrition and health. As a C.H.E.K. 3 practitioner and holistic lifestyle consultant, Vreni’s current Vancouver practice involves helping clients feel better through posture correction, corrective exercise, metabolic typing, and nutrition and lifestyle counseling.

vreni@wellness-works.ca www.wellnesstips.ca

OPEN UP TO A DIFFERENT CAR OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE. starting at $28,445

MINI Countryman

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View our Demonstrator vehicles at MINILangley.com

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HI GH BE A M S

CURE is the New Black Twins Cancer Charity Event BMW Langley

A black-and-white affair, it was time to party for a cause at BC’s newest BMW centre. BMW Langley hosted CURE is the New Black to help raise an impressive $93,180 for the Shaun G Foundation in support of cancer research. The 6th Annual Twins Cancer fundraiser was a sold-out triumph of style and substance.

In between the gorgeous lines of BMWs, it was all about raising funds for a deserving cause, looking good and partying down.

VIP guests were transported to the venue in the best way possible – by 7 series BMWs, naturally – where Top Chef Canada runner-up greeted guests with some of his best bites. Trevor Bird tore himself away from his new restaurant, Fable, to dazzle us with his pulled pork Pogos, mushroom tarts with mushroom foam, and scallops with bacon and apple… say no more!

A live auction featured a trip to Whistler, a complete fishing trip, and three art pieces in honour of both the event and Shaun G, courtesy of tattooist and abstract artist Erik Van Kobra.

Over at the fashion runway, clothing of the optional and not-so-optional kind was on full display. Gorgeous models that had posed in the Shaun G calendar strutted bikinis by Smooch Boutique. The funky B-boys from The Originators made their moves in between each model, breaking into their own choreography on the dance floor to get everyone shaking.

Toronto’s Juno-nominated hip hop DJ Skratch Bastid mixed it up with the incredible global party rocker DJ Hedspin, last year’s Red Bull Thre3style World Champion. The talent came from all over: Feathrrr and Timmy Boom Bap

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on drums from Vancouver, The Shrew and Mr. Smith from Victoria, and Kenny Mac also from Vancouver. The place was rocking!

So, who is the Shaun G who inspired the foundation and this fundraiser? Shaun Gauthier passed away unexpectedly two years ago from a rare form of cancer only two weeks after his diagnosis of Angiosarcoma. He was 28. Twins Chris and Jamie Ruscheinski were good friends of Shaun G. After watching their mother die of cancer when they were still teenagers, and following the recent death of Shaun G, they created Twins Cancer Fundraising to stage events that can raise funds for the battle against cancer. This was an amazing fundraiser by the twins, and congratulations to BMW Langley for hosting a great event for a great cause.

Inspiring!

Photos: Angela Waterberg, Blush Photography

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OPEN UP TO A DIFFERENT CAR OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE. 2013 X5

starting at $63,895 Includes Freight & PDI. Call for monthly incentive offers.

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6025 Collection Drive Langley, BC V3A 0C2 604.533.0BMW (269)

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HI GH BE A M S

FR-S Test Drive Event OpenRoad Scion

Photos: Melissa Mak, Joshua Chow

What could be better than a sports car experience where you can push the vehicle to its limit? OpenRoad Scion hosted the perfect event to deliver just that.

Facebook fans were invited recently to an exclusive closed-track day at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond.

The driving course was inspired by California’s Willow Springs International Raceway, and on deck was the 2013 FR-S, Scion’s lightweight rear-wheel drive. Over 400 people completed test drives of the exciting all-new vehicle throughout the day, taking advantage of the course and other attractions.

Also on display was a custom Scion iQ and O-Zilla, OpenRoad Scion’s custommodified xB featuring three pop-up flatscreen TVs and a foldout rear DJ booth with turntables.

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HI GH BE A M S

Lexus ES Launch OpenRoad Lexus

Lexus calls the new ES 350 luxury sedan a stunning feat.

And that was our inspiration to launch the 2013 model at both OpenRoad Lexus locations in Port Moody and Richmond.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery stepped up to the task of creating something unique for the ES 350 launch, mixing their award-winning sparkling wine with ice wine. This was a mix that had never been done before – a feat in its own right. Summerhill proprietor Stephen Cipes delivered OpenRoad’s version of a TED Talk on organic wines to a captivated audience. Catered Art prepared delectable canapés inspired by the equally inspiring new ES. Guests also enjoyed the cool jazz of Laura Crema Trio and Swing Duo to welcome the ES 350 in style.

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Photos: Melissa Mak

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HI GH BE A M S

ENSEMBLE – Seoul Philharmonic OpenRoad Hyundai The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is the oldest in Korea and one of the oldest orchestras in the world.

OpenRoad Hyundai Richmond staged ENSEMBLE, a private performance and memorable event exclusively for 200 OpenRoad Hyundai guests at the Country Meadows Golf Course. Renowned maestro Myung-Whun Chung was in attendance.

Guests were greeted with a preperformance reception of hors d’oeuvres and beverages followed by a special buffet dinner after the performance.

Photos: OpenRoad Street Team

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Best of Langley OpenRoad Infiniti

The Best of Langley was showcased recently to officially launch the new retail centre at OpenRoad Infiniti Langley.

The specialty wine and cheese items were all from local gourmet suppliers in Langley: wines by Domaine de Chaberton, cheeses by Milner Valley Cheese and edible décor from Edible Arrangements.

The Red Bull Racing F1 Show Car was also at the open house, the final stop on the show car’s tour across Canada. Swing Trio provided live toetapping jazz music.

Photos: OpenRoad Street Team

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HI GH BE A M S

S Party

OpenRoad Audi

Photos: Angela Waterberg, Blush Photography

It isn’t every day that Audi launches the new S-Line, so we took full advantage of the opportunity to host a one-of-a-kind S Party courtesy of OpenRoad Audi Vancouver.

Guests were invited to a unique venue: the Esso Avitat private airplane hangar where over 300 Audi enthusiasts were treated to culinary heights and custom cocktails. Chef Jonathan Chovancek of Kale & Nori Culinary Arts served up twelve different hors d’oeuvres such as Okanagan apple Schnapps-cured arctic char, and black garlic braised bison short ribs. Custom cocktails and mocktails were created by award-winning mixologist Lauren Mote. The cocktails were inspired by the newest 2013 Audi S-models: the RS5, S6, S7 and S8. The RS5 creation was our favourite offering of the evening, consisting of senchascented gin, Provencal lavender and red bush tea, peppered peach syrup, citrus, bittered sling Lem-Marrakech bitters, lemon peel and pine-cone tincture.

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On the entertainment side violinist extremist Kytami and DJ The Phonograff thrilled the guests with an explosive performance and sound that can only be described as a blend of indie rock, dancehall, hip hop, Bangra-Celtic fusion and more.

A private 7-seat plane was provided

by AirSprint Private Aviation, while the live auction awarded two pairs of seats on the plane as a “Private Flight Experience” package. The auction raised over $3,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC & Yukon.

This was one incredible S-Line launch party that truly hit the heights. Wheels up!

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