Seaside Magazine December 2018 Issue

SEASIDE M A G A Z I N E

YOUR SAANICH PENINSULA VOICE

OUR HOLIDAY ISSUE Christmas With the Kids | Seaside Book Club Wrap-Up | All That Glitters Keeping Warm and Dry This Winter | A Merry Menu Medley | Festive Finery Size Does Matter! | Your Holiday Survival Kit | Christmas Leftovers; Now What?

December 2018

QUICK TIPS FOR YEAR-END TAX PLANNING A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

Last April I made a note to remember Review my portfolio in early December My accountant said I missed many chances To avoid paying unnecessary income taxes To look at my mutual funds, bonds and stocks Keep all the gems, and throw out the rocks Some things are worth more dead than alive Save tax dollars and give yourself a high five And I must do this at the first sign of snow So this April CRA won’t dent my cash flow Ebenezer Scrooge

ARE YOU PAYING TAX ON SOMEONE ELSE’S GAINS? Mutual Funds regularly flow through income and capital gains to the unit holders. This year mutual fund investors may be facing significant year-end distributions. If you recently purchased or switched into a fund you may be getting a tax slip for someone else’s gain.

Many people are unaware that doing some simple detective work in December can reduce their taxes in April. Invest an hour of your time and learn many simple year-end tax saving strategies including how to evaluate your options around the taxable year-end distributions.

Please join me

Wednesday, December 5 – 10:30am Thursday, December 13 – 10:30am Mary Winspear Centre 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney www. raymondjames.ca/bradtippett RSVP requested to brad.tippett@raymondjames.ca or 250-405-2483 If you are unable to attend, please feel free to call me with any questions.

Raymond James advisors are not tax advisors and we recommend that clients seek independent advice from a professional advisor on tax-related matters. Raymond James Ltd. is a Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

The magic of

Christmas

...isn’t just for kids.

Suite 201 – 2400 Bevan Avenue 250-656-7176 or 250-589-0010

There’s just something about the holiday season that brings out the childish glee in us all.

This year, give the gift of home support; let’s give seniors something to really smile about.

Oak Bay Community 778-433-4784 or 250-589-0010

NEW LOCATION 250-656-7176 or 250-589-0010

Salt Spring Island 250-538-7411 or 1-855-252-5641 (toll free)

Contents DECEMBER 2018

51

11

INSIDE OUT Your Holiday Survival Kit

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KIDS 25 Days of Holiday Spirit

83

28

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS for West Coast Gardeners

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING A Merry Menu Medley

43

SHAW CENTRE FOR THE SALISH SEA Strong Women Lead the Way

ON THE COVER “Les Arbres” artwork by Alanna Sparanese

EVERY MONTH 8 First Word 9 Trendspotting 12 Word on the Street 16 Stories from the Sky 20 Can We Talk 24 Deb’s Day Out 27 Trade Student Spotlight 31 Common Cents 33 Seaside Arts Scene 34 In Fashion 36 Chasing the Golden Years

39 52 62 64 68 72 81 85 89 93 94

The Natural Path Behind the Scenes Island Dish Impromptu Seaside Book Club.

Seaside Homes On Design Loving Large, Living Small What’s Happening Sudoku Last Word

Season’s Greetings from Henley & Straub LLP When fulfilling your 2019 resolutions, think of us first. We are here to help.

Wills & Powers of Attorney Estate & Trust Administration Business & Commercial Real Estate Divorce & Separation Dispute Resolution Civil Litigation

Serving the Saanich Peninsula & Beyond for Over 40 Years Henley&Straub LLP P E R S O N A L & B U S I N E S S L AW

www.henleystraub.com • 250.656.7231 • #201 - 2377 Bevan Ave, Sidney

Roll Dice Win! AND

1

SPOT THE DICE

hidden somewhere in this issue

2

THE

EMAIL

news@seasidemagazine.ca

by December 31 to let us know where you found it

Roll the Dice with 6 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

3

Get the chance

to WIN A $50

GIFT CERTIFICATE to the matching business found on pages 70-71!

CONTRIBUTORS

december.2018 YOUR SAANICH PENINSULA VOICE

KRISTEN BOVEE PAGE 39

SHANNON DONNELLY PAGE 19

Good digestion is fundamental to our health. Too often I see people coming in after the holiday season suffering from digestive irritability (IBS). Prevention is the key: the more we can be kind to our gut during the holidays, the better we feel going into the New Year.

I have the privilege to share one story connected to my work with seniors in our community, one that tugs on the heart strings of what is important this Christmas and connects the spirit in a child’s eye to the heart of the season in a senior’s soul.

LARA GLADYCH PAGE 12 Going out into the community to connect with locals is always a pleasure, but asking individuals what they couldn’t do without for Christmas was particularly special.

I love seeing people reflect on a subject that makes them happy and puts a smile on their faces.

JANICE HENSHAW PAGE 72 As a life story writer, I love hearing people’s stories. And at Christmas, stories are extra special, created and remembered with the sparkle of twinkling lights and fragile, beautiful ornaments. My story in this issue contains imaginative and fun ideas for decorating ‒ from interior designers, sages and young magic seekers.

DEBORAH ROGERS PAGE 24, 68 Our Book Club is two years old! I wasn’t sure when we started if anyone would be interested, or if people would move on to something different after a few meetings. In fact I’ve become connected to a whole new group of widely-read literature lovers – and they have recommendations for you!

ALANNA SPARANESE COVER On this beautiful Island we are surrounded by nature’s bounty. My muse is this, as you will see in my artwork and drawings. My hope is to arouse a sense of calm and wonder in the viewer. A reminder of beauty in our everyday surroundings … instilling a moment of pause.

Owner / Publisher Sue Hodgson 250.516.6489 sue@seasidemagazine.ca Editor in Chief Allison Smith 250.813.1745 allison@seasidemagazine.ca Account Manager Steven Haley-Browning 250.217.4022 steve@seasidemagazine.ca Editorial Director Deborah Rogers deborah@seasidemagazine.ca Design Assistant Kelsey Boorman 250.580.8437 kelsey@seasidemagazine.ca Staff Photographer Cassidy Nunn info@nunnotherphotography.com

In-Room at:

This Month's Contributors: Jo Barnes, Kristen Bovee, Anne Brodbeck, Chloe Cross, Gillian Crowley, Shannon Donnelly, Shauna Dorko, Del Elgersma, Doreen Marion Gee, Lara Gladych, Sherrin Griffin, Matt Hall, Janice Henshaw, Jesse Holth, Linda Hunter, Tracey Jones, Stacey Kaminski, Paula Kully, Ken Miller, Cassidy Nunn, Stu Rhodes, Deborah Rogers, Susan Simosko, Alanna Sparanese, Phillip Tiicham Muir, Laura Waters P.O. BOX 2173, SIDNEY, B.C. V8L 3S6 news@seasidemagazine.ca Seaside Magazine is printed 12 times a year by Mitchell Press. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Reproduction requests may be made to the editor or publisher via the above means. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the publisher and editor. Staff of the magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

Cedarwood The

Inn and Suites

Emerald Isle Motor Inn Victoria Airport Area

Victoria Airport/Sidney

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 7

first

WORD

I honestly feel that writing my “First Word” each month gives me some of my most precious moments. It’s a time to try and be creative, and to hopefully make a connection with people, whatever their viewpoints. For myself, this time of year is about making memories and doing some reflecting. As I look back over this year at Seaside, I’m feeling very grateful.

Gratitude is simply “the quality of being thankful,” and really what better time of the year to give thanks to all the amazing people and things that have impacted my life with a little tribute. A big “thank you” to everyone! Growing up, I don’t really think I understood what the holidays were about, except for waking up early and finding amazing presents sitting under a beautifully decorated tree. Now the holidays represent more; this time of the year is about giving back and realizing how truly grateful I am for all the blessings I have.

I think it’s safe to say that most people are just a little happier during the festive season. A wave of Christmas cheer takes over us until around mid-January because now is the time when it’s perfectly OK to overindulge, to spend a bit more and to have a few late nights out. And it’s not just me that feels the effects of the season: our community is decorated with beautiful light displays and festive accessories as they prepare for the busiest time of the year for retail. The streets are filled with eager shoppers, there’s music, laughter flowing from the stores and restaurants and the enticing smells of spiced cinnamon and mulled wine seep out from all the packed Christmas markets.

But while most of us will be bursting with excitement, we must not forget those that don’t always feel that way. For some, the holidays can be lonely or a sad time of the year. So if you can, take the time to remember those who could be feeling lost. Simply knocking on your neighbour’s door or inviting an elderly person for tea could make a world of difference, and is another way for us to give our gratitude.

And with Christmas just a few short weeks away, feast your eyes on our jam-packed 96-page issue: everything from holiday floral workshops to holiday entertaining and your holiday survival kit!

A very Joyeux Noël!

e u S 8 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

Find us on Facebook for your chance to win all the goodies shown here!

T R E N D S P OT T I N G

Bosco & Roxy Holiday Dog Treats $8.99 (boxed set of two). Rascals Pet Market 250.778.426.4290

Honey Sample Pots $3 - $3.50 each. Urban Bee Honey Farm 250.580.0263

Stuffing the Stocking

Always on the lookout for amazing local products, Seaside’s Trendspotter Cassidy Nunn brings you something for every stocking on your list, and all for $10 or under!

Chuckwagon Chili Mix $8.50. Michell’s Farm Market 250.652.6770

Wooden Tree Ornaments Star $4.50; Fish $6. Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea 250.665.7511

Travel Brush with Mirror $9.95. Cameron Rose Gifts 250.656.8782

Level Ground Dried Fruit $5.99.

Peninsula Co-op Food Centre 250.652.1188

Jusu Lotion & Lip Balm $8/$6. Haven Spa & Salon 250.655.9797

Paper Coasters $9.95 (set of 12). The Ladybug Boutique 250.658.3807

photos by Nunn Other Photography

Employer of the Year!

Area Director Stasia Hartley is pleased to announce that the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce recognized Bayshore Home Health as their “Employer of the Year” at the annual Crystal Awards in October.

This prestigious award is given out to Employers who have a commitment to providing a healthy, safe and flexible workplace; and a track record for developing and supporting a workplace culture that enables employees to balance commitments to work, family and community.

We are very proud of our care workers and the work they do in our communities, so if you love to care for your community, come join our team! And if you would like to experience the award-winning home care of Bayshore Home Health, please call today to book your free consultation.

www.bayshore.ca Sidney 778.749.0014

Victoria 250.370.2253

#102 9840 Fifth St

#380 1900 Richmond Rd

Some of the smiling faces of the Bayshore team celebrating their Employer of the Year recognition!

Nanaimo 778.841.0109 Qualicum Beach 250.947.9775 #204 1650 Terminal Ave

650 Berwick Road North

Bayshore HealthCare has been enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of Canadians in their homes since 1966. Recently awarded a 2017 Vancouver Island Business Excellence Award in the Health Care category, a 2016 Crystal Award for Business Excellence in the category of Contribution to the Community and named one of Canada’s Best Employers 2016 by Forbes Media.

www.businessexaminer.ca

2017 WINNER

Annual Membership STARTING AT $750 FOR 2019

250.656.4621

Established 1933

www.ardmoregolfcourse.com 10 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

Christmas with the Kids: The Spirit of the Season

by Jesse Holth

The holiday season is a wonderful time for celebrating with family and friends. It’s about togetherness, enjoying simple pleasures and bonding over shared experiences. It can be easy to get swept up in the frenzy of gift-buying often associated with Christmas, but materialism is no recipe for happiness. In fact, studies have shown that materialistic people are much less happy. This time of year – and ideally, our everyday life – is

until Dec. 23 until Dec. 23

Take a festive Horse & Carriage Tour through downtown Sidney (Saturdays and Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m.).

really about kindness. It’s about treating others, and ourselves, with love.

We can teach children about the importance of giving back, and encourage them to practise gratitude, while also sharing in fun and creative activities. Spending time together is really the greatest gift to each other. Being mindful and present in the moment, and making memories that will last – this is the spirit of the season. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Dec. 1

Saanichton Community Christmas and Food Bank Fundraiser Christmas tree trail, carriage rides and much more! 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saanichton.

Take part in the Gingerbread House Scavenger Hunt! Find up to 40 gingerbread houses hidden around Sidney shops and businesses.

Dec. 1-30

Toys ‘n’ Teddy Bears of Christmas Past exhibit at the Sidney Museum, daily 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

until Dec. 31

Visit Father Christmas and the decorated streets of Old Town, at the Royal BC Museum (days vary for Father Christmas)

until Jan. 2

Festival of Trees at the Mary Winspear Centre (Peninsula Santa’s Helpers collecting new, unwrapped toys).

until Jan. 6

Gingerbread Showcase at Parkside Hotel & Spa – elaborate gingerbread displays by talented and professional chefs.

Have a craft day!

Make paper snowflakes and other festive decorations.

Spend the day volunteering at your local food bank, soup kitchen, or shelter

until Jan. 6

The Magic of Christmas, Butchart Gardens – a tradition on the Peninsula; light displays and more!

until Jan. 7

Come down to the 27th Annual Festival of Trees at The Bay Centre (supports BC Children’s Hospital).

Dec. 1

Pancake Breakfast with Santa Claus!

8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre (photos and face painting for the kids).

Dec. 2

Watch the Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade along Beacon Avenue from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the Lighted Boat Sailpast.

Dec. 7-9

‘Tis the Season at Mary Winspear Centre, with the Peninsula Singers, for an evening of song and dance (7:30 p.m. Fri/Sat; 2 p.m. Sunday).

Dec. 14-23

Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle, with traditional Victorian-era décor, a variety of seasonal music, and A Christmas Carol.

Get cozy on the couch with a Christmas movie marathon and simmer a pot with cinnamon and oranges

Go Christmas carolling, door-todoor, and singing for your neighbours

Make a list of everything you’re grateful for - and ask your loved ones to do the same

Dec. 15

Kids will enjoy The Storybook Nutcracker, presented

by Ballet Étoile, at the Mary Winspear Centre (2 or 7 p.m.).

Spend the day baking cookies and goodies to share with your friends and family.

Dec. 22

Winter Holiday Storytime at the Mary Winspear Centre, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts (all ages).

Dec. 29

Grab a hot chocolate and wander around your town’s main street to see the holiday lights

Stop by your local seniors’ centre to have a holiday visit and listen to someone’s stories

Interested in something a bit spookier? Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour in downtown Victoria (7:30 - 9 p.m.).

WO R D O N T H E ST R E E T

It Wouldn’t Be Christmas Without …

Seaside Magazine wants to live up to our slogan of being “the voice of the Saanich Peninsula,” so, in every issue, we’ll be asking people to answer a question. We’re looking for

by Lara Gladych responses from all ages and across the diverse neighbourhoods that form our community.

In imagining the multitude of ways to finish the sentence “It wouldn’t be Christmas without [blank],” I am pressed to pick a single word or idea.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Christ. So much of what we practise in December, be it religious or secular, stems from biblical origins and the religious significance of the day.

In my mind’s eye what I see immediately when I think of Christmas are the decorations: the tree and ornaments, the lights, the wreaths and boughs, hand-made children’s crafts brought home from school, and the religious symbols and manger scenes.

Then there’s the food: Christmas dinners, the baking, cookies exchanged with and gifted to loved ones, and all the celebratory gatherings of family and friends around food and drink.

We can’t forget the music: carols, Christmas and holiday songs, 12 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

and the traditional hymns. For my dad it wasn’t Christmas without listening to Handel’s Messiah. The movie classics, such as It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Carol, and all the animated children’s favorites, are also wonderful pieces of an intricate picture.

For me, the perfect Christmas playlist is what I can’t imagine not having. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel can still move me to tears. A decorated tree adorned with lights and a room full of candlelight are the crowning markers, and above all else, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without my husband and kids, and the magic I still see in my children’s eyes. These things put together fill me with the spirit of Christmas.

Twelve people I spoke with in Sidney, one beautiful evening in November, said that it wouldn’t be Christmas without family.

“Family. I’m not the best person to ask. My husband died just a few months ago, so this Christmas isn’t going to be the same for me,” said Penny, 79. I asked her who she will lean on the most this coming holiday season. “I’m going to Calgary to be with family, so I’m really looking forward to that. Family is very important.”

In keeping with the value of family, “My children” is how both Pat, 80, and Sharon, 65, answered this question.

“Before we had kids, Christmas wasn’t that exciting. It’s a lot more fun now that we have kids.” This was Rebecca, age 40.

Helen, 53, was one of those who said family, “but that’s obvious.” She expanded: “my husband’s cooking, and entertaining, having friends over for drinks. I love decorating the lounge.”

Seven people I spoke with responded that snow is what makes Christmas perfect. Perhaps it is its somewhat rare appearance here that makes it all the more magical for us Islanders.

Coming from northern Ontario, I can attest to the nostalgic wonder I feel every time we have a snowfall, especially over Christmas.

Jeff, who is 60, agreed with me that the lights are one of the most magical parts of the season. And on a grander scale, Kristi, 40, mentioned a visit to Butchart Gardens to take in the Magic of Christmas lighting spectacular – along with some ice skating.

Lara, 45, said that what she loves most about the season is the time we spend thinking of others, and all the different forms this takes in the lead up to Christmas Day. Rhys, 20, chimed in with “eggnog,” and “Christmas Eve” was Daniel’s answer. He’s 21.

Dean, 77, shares my love of the music of the season. She couldn’t do without the carols, and I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas is her favourite.

My good friend Alison, 48, passed by, and she had some wonderful answers, all centering around tradition. She, too, loves visiting the Gardens, but also mentioned the Sidney parade, all the annual parties to attend throughout the season, and crafts made with the kids.

Two of the youngest little people I interviewed came up with some very sweet responses. Piper, who is four, told me that she must have a Christmas tree, and six-year-old Abigail can’t imagine not having a present.

It was Don, 39, who was the only one to mention Santa Claus as the quintessential element of Christmas.

And coming full circle, dear Robert, 84, replied with “Jesus. Jesus is the reason for the season.”

I like these words from Bob Hope, that remind us that the magic isn’t in the grandeur of the festivities, but in something smaller: “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.” May you find your glow this season.

MARKET

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 13

LETTERS Seaside Magazine welcomes your feedback! Send letters to the editor via allison@seasidemagazine.ca or post your comments on our Facebook wall!

Letters may be edited for space and content.

I must congratulate you on the cover of your November 2018 issue of Seaside Magazine. Oh, how I wish our world was as beautiful, pure and innocent as your little girl and her pony depict!

Michael Stevenson

Really enjoy your magazine … keep up the great work all about in and around “Sidney By The Sea!” Elaine Jones I love the new look for Sue Hodgson’s First Word, and of course

LOVE the changes to First and Last Word – and couldn’t agree with you more about the health benefits of the Seaside! We’re so fortunate to have access anytime we want.

Coreen & Pete Zubersky

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for

for the Last Word as well, so refreshing.

Beverly Lewis

Compliments on an excellent cover [November issue] – Frankie and Eden are wonderful!

Elizah Rosewylder

producing such a quality and informative magazine – well done!

Let me take this opportunity to let you know that Seaside

Thank you for all that you do to make our community even more wonderful!

Maryann Harper

Magazine is a favourite in my family. We all love reading it. It is both entertaining and educational.

I love your magazine! I read it from cover to cover. It is always beautifully presented! Especially the covers!

Kathy Demchuk

14 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

Adelina Reyes

Via Choralis would like to thank you for all your assistance in promoting our choir and our concerts.

Margaret Bates (on behalf of Via Choralis executive)

NOTE: This logo version should generally be used for sizes where “strider” is larger than 1” high,

S TO R I E S F R O M T H E S KY

" The Victoria International Airport is a busy place where people come and go as daily flights arrive and depart. Travellers move with determination to make connections or wait anxiously for loved ones to arrive. Airports are places of joy and sadness, departures and reunions. Everyone has a story, and it's here that we'll be sharing some of them."

by Jo Barnes

There are all kinds of "firsts" for travellers here at Arrivals. Some walking through the gate have just experienced their first airplane ride.

Others are first time visitors to this particular airport. And some are visiting the west coast of Canada for the first time.

Luggage at her feet, a young woman sits quietly finishing up a message on her phone.

"I've just flown in from Pearson. I live and work in Kingston," says Taylor Fullerton. "I'm waiting for my friend Ali to pick me up here."

Taylor is a nurse and her friend Ali, also a nurse, has recently moved to Victoria. This visit is a first for Taylor.

"I haven't been to the West Coast at all," she says.

She shares that her friend Ali has been telling her all about Victoria and hopes she'll maybe consider moving here.

"Ali loves it. She says to me 'you're going to fall in love with the place.'"

Taylor brims with excitement. The sparkle in her eyes and constant smile are a giveaway.

"I'm looking forward to hiking, the food and the scenery too. We might go to Vancouver. My friend has a whole itinerary; it's all a surprise! I'm probably going to be moving here too. I can just feel it," she shares.

Ali arrives, and the pair head off happily through the doors. Taylor's words "I'll make plans to come back" linger in the air as she exits. For some travellers that first appearance at the Victoria gate will surely not be the last here.

He stands quietly waiting in the Arrivals area. He checks the flight board and, like many, watches passers-by. Unlike those in the room this day, however, he's clad in a military uniform bearing his name and a beret atop his head. His vocation prompts his presence in the airport.

"I'm waiting for Antonio Gomez. He's coming in from Halifax," says Michael McShane.

Both Michael and Antonio serve as pilots with the Canadian Air Force.

"We fly the Cyclone, the new maritime helicopter. We have about nine of them right now, and there'll be more delivered over the next couple of years," shares Michael. "We're training the West Coast air crew."

Michael speaks matter-of-factly. But as the interview progresses, his passion not only for flying but serving his country is clear.

"I've been flying since 1994. I think I've always been interested in flying. I enjoy teaching others; it's a sense of accomplishment."

His fellow pilots arrive and chat quickly ensues. The comradery among them is quite apparent. Their connection is one built on a commitment to serve Canada and to train others in that service. For Michael, perhaps you even could say his vocation is a calling.

"My father was with the air force for 30 years," he shares.

The pilots head off down the hallway, but unlike many here at the gate, they will soon be back up in the air. For you see, flight is not just a means of travel but a life challenge and purpose.

16 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

photos by Nunn Other Photography

As kids, we share our daily lives with our moms and dads. As teens, even though we're intent on being cool, we still like to connect with our parents. And as adults, even though there may be many miles between us, we treasure that special relationship with them.

A couple sit quietly chatting with each other.

"I'm waiting for my mom, Marlene. She's coming from Edmonton," says Craig Richards.

Craig sits with his wife Linda Petras; the enthusiasm shines in his eyes.

"My mom is 88 years old. She's been out here once, and she said that would be the end of her travels," he shares.

Craig and his wife don't live in the local area but have travelled down the Island from Mill Bay. The miles they've put on the car, however, don't matter because it's an important day.

"This will probably be the last time my mom gets out here," says Craig.

The family visit will undoubtedly include lots of opportunities to chat and share a meal, but Craig and Linda have also planned outings that will ensure unique experiences and memories for Craig's mom.

"We might go to the Raptor Centre in Duncan. It has some great flight demonstrations; it will blow her mind. We might do a stop at Goldstream. The salmon might be beginning to run."

Mom arrives through the gate and hugs are shared. It may well be the last visit she makes here, but at this moment in time, it's the beginning of a memorable week with loved ones.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 17

#107 - 2360 Beacon Ave, Sidney | 250.656.3486 | sidney@phre.ca | pembertonholmes.com/listings/sidney

From Our House to Your House, We Wish You and Your Family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

Your Pemberton Holmes Saanich Peninsula Realtors

Spirit of the Season for Young & Old

by Shannon Donnelly Broadmead Care

The holidays are a time of fantasy and imagination, with lights that twinkle, candies and toys that delight and a jolly fat man in a red suit bringing treats to good girls and boys. The excitement for a child can ignite something magical for those around them, especially our seniors. It can be these moments that bring the greatest of joys.

At Rest Haven Lodge in Sidney, the halls are decked and the tree is trimmed. Resident Jean Perry's face lights up with the sight of her great great grandchildren. At 97 years young, Jean is the matriarch of five generations in her family, with Quinnlyn (six), Melody (three) and Andrew (one) living closest to home and coming regularly with family to visit.

With the onset of dementia some years ago, Jean's memory is fading, so now her memories are formed by living in the moment. Her granddaughter Lydia recalls stories Jean would share from years past at the family farm on the outskirts of Buchanan, Saskatchewan, of large family feasts of traditional Polish and Ukrainian cabbage rolls, kielbasa and pierogis. Jean and her husband George worked hard each year to continue this tradition after moving to British Columbia, and enjoyed watching as their family grew, and more place settings were added to the table.

It has been many years since Jean's husband passed, and the days of hosting large family dinners for her ever-growing family are gone. That torch has been passed, and the traditions continue through the younger generations she has nurtured.

Even with all the changes, and despite her cognitive decline, you can still catch the delight of the holidays in her eyes as she watches the youngest in her family bounce with excitement.

This is the ultimate gift. It's nothing that's wrapped in shiny

paper and topped with a bow. Rather, it's living in the moment, experiencing anew that feeling of overwhelming joy and catching again the holiday spirit. These memories, this connection, can help bridge the gap widened by dementia, even if it's for a small moment in time.

Sometimes what matters most can get lost in the hustle and bustle, but if you watch closely, you will see how the sparkle in a child's eye connects with the compassion and caring of our seniors. And when it does, the spirit of the season comes alive!

Staff and volunteers at Broadmead Care are privileged to share in our residents' lives. In this precious opportunity to connect with Jean and her family, or to offer holiday cheer for residents who may not have family close by and ensure that every moment matters.

To learn more about Broadmead Care and the residents we serve visit www.broadmeadcare.com.

Photo by www.nunnotherphotography.com.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 19

C A N W E TA L K OWNER / PUBLISHER SUE HODGSON CHATS WITH TARA KEEPING, FOUNDER OF TIGER LILY EVENTS

20 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

designed events, and realize there is no one to better execute them then a professional planner.

Some of the more unique events I have planned include an Alice in Wonderland themed fundraiser; a winter wonderland wedding with a snow maker, snow and trees; a wedding where we had to outsource 1,000 peacock feathers from Seattle and New York City; and a convention with 3,500 delegates that was very media intensive – a whole different world! We had several gobos (a stencil placed in front of a light source) designed with the client's name and used a lot of different lighting as the décor.

When you're hosting your first event, doing everything yourself is a very big job and it can get very stressful! But even going through the process of hiring an event planner might seem a bit daunting – can you share some of the benefits of doing so?

I think first off is the peace of mind that you have hired someone to take on the responsibility and pressure of handling your event. You don't need to worry about any of the logistics; you can just sit back, relax and show up looking fabulous!

When hiring a planner you aren't spending any time organizing or agonizing over the details.

A planner has knowledge of budgets which are key, relationships with many vendors and a timeframe and checklists of when tasks need to be completed while organizing all the different details and aspects of the event.

photo by Nunn Other Photography

You grew up in the family business, a private retirement home named "Keeping House." You also spent many years abroad as a preschool teacher and flight attendant. How did this background prepare you for your career in event planning?

I think being a flight attendant at a prestigious international airline really shaped my attention to detail and the ability to multitask within time and space constraints while always presenting with elegance, style and flair. Spending most of my career in the first class cabin helped with executing a world-class service.

My family business helped in the business development and it was there that I first started planning events: I would plan the celebration of life for many of our clients. I really enjoyed it and decided to take an event management course. I then became a certified wedding and event coordinator.

My experience as a preschool teacher helped with ongoing patience and keeping things fun!

Hiring an event planner used to be mostly relegated to weddings and large corporate events, but now we see them used for everything from baby showers to birthday parties! Why the change?

What are some of the more unique events you have planned?

I think many people now do not have the time to plan their own events, so planners are hired more for smaller events. Also, in the Pinterest era, people want those stylishly beautifully and uniquely

Given that over the years you have had to deal with everything from a panic-stricken bride-to-be to the micro-managing leader of a large corporation, what have been some of the most challenging aspects of doing this job and how did you overcome them?

Some of the most challenging aspects are those last minute things that just pop up despite all of the extensive planning. An example: the AV (audiovisual system) is having some hiccups, in other words: not working! For me AV is always a challenge as I'm not an expert, but I've learned so much in that area!

I always have my contingency plans and prepare for the worst, but it's the “move fast, think slow” that has helped me in those challenging moments. I find as I keep moving, I can figure things out and the solutions come.

Back in the '90s we'd often see disposable cameras on all the tables, then with digital advances we saw photobooths at every event - what's happening at events now that's taking advantage of current tech-trends?

Photo booths are as popular as ever. I think they are here to stay as we are a smartphone/photo/selfie culture – always wanting to document our experiences.

Face filters, GIFs, green screen and boomerang are some of the newer ways of engaging guests. Using hashtags and photos from a shared gallery instantly on social media is popular too.

With the holidays around the corner, can you offer up some tips on how to plan a holiday party to end up with a really special event, but also keep costs down without impacting quality?

I really believe that simplicity is true elegance and allows for quality to shine.

Your guests will most likely remember the ambiance of your event and how they enjoyed themselves.

Food and drink can capture this nicely while being beautifully displayed with simple festive greenery and florals; Mason jars filled with holly and greenery can add to your decor and is budget friendly. Adding lots of candles can make the atmosphere more inviting.

A buffet is efficient and can easily be put together. It can also add to your décor – a beautifully decorated food table where your guests can mingle around.

I would also think ahead by organizing a way home for your guests who have enjoyed some extra festive cheer.

Adding your own photo booth can add to your entertainment and can be inexpensive. You can purchase glittery photography backdrops online for under $30.

Incorporating a signature holiday cocktail is also fun. You can't go wrong with good food and drink, simple elegant décor and a good mix of festive music. After all: it's the guests that add the true sparkle to any event.

Your tagline is Timeless Elegant Planning. Can you expand on this a bit?

I wanted a tagline where people would associate what I do with three words.

For me elegant says it all when thinking of weddings and events.

Timeless – because wedding and event planning should be.

And planning had to be there, as that is what I do!

“G ive t he G ift of Loc al ”

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 21

1

from your Team at

central saanich

ppy Holidays! a H

2466 Beacon Ave, Sidney 250.656.3035

Stop by and say hello; we’re on the corner where everyone meets: Third and Beacon, in beautiful Sidney by the Sea!

Happy Holidays from the team at Third Street Café. We’re a friendly and cosy local spot for breakfast and lunch with soups and sauces made from scratch!

Third Street Café Tastes Like Homemade!

1 - 7865 Patterson Rd, Saanichton 250.544.2210 | cseyecare.com

Dr. Neumann, Dr. Fernet-Leclair and our staff look forward to helping you see 20/HAPPY in 2019.

3

Central Saanich Optometry Dr Paul Neumann has been caring for Saanich Peninsula patients since 1995. Just like Santa, medical benefits only come once a year. He’s checking his list; have you checked yours?

2

#305 - 9810 Seventh St, Sidney 250.656.5553 | barkmeowlove.ca

4

Four Paws Pet Grocery and Boutique Looking for a great holiday gift for your favourite furry friend, or just want to spoil your Granddog?

Look no further than Four Paws Pet Grocery & Boutique, Sidney’s newest pet supply store. We have a carefully curated selection of dog and cat supplies, treats and premium quality pet foods.

from STREAMS COUNSELLING

Wishing You All the Gifts of the Season Peace, Joy, Hope & Snuggles

7820 Central Saanich Rd, Saanichton | 250.818.7687 streamscounselling.ca

Streams Counselling Self Care for the Holidays: 1. Be Gracious: give yourself permission to not be perfect. 2. Chill: don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle! 3. Be Frugal: respect your budget. 4. Joy: surround yourself with uplifting people. 5. Relax: schedule rest time. 6. Rest: ensure enough sleep.

7. Be grateful: count your blessings.

8. Be loved: your presence is a present.

5

216 - 2506 Beacon Ave, Sidney 778.426.3330 | alfordwalden.com

Alford Walden Law The holiday season is a time to enjoy with family and friends.

It is also a good time to review and update your estate planning documents to ensure that your affairs are in order before the start of the New Year. Alford Walden Law can assist you with this – contact us to make an appointment.

9

Season’s Greetings from Cuddles and the Staff at Sidney Pet Centre!

a3 - 9769 Fifth Street, Sidney 250.656.1041

Kiddin’ Around Merry Christmas from all of us at KIDDIN AROUND. Our selection of PJ’s in Chistmas and everday fun prints, robes, long johns, mermaid sleeping bags and slippers are perfect for cozy winter nights and holiday gift giving! Expecting guests over the holidays? We have rentals available: carseats, playpens, strollers and highchairs.

9767 Fifth St, Sidney 250.656.3314 sidneypetcentre.com

At Sidney Pet Centre, we offer the newest and best in food, toys, bedding, apparel, travel, supplies, and supplements, so there is something for every pet on your list!

7 Sidney Pet Centre We are your one-stop giftgiving shop for the furry, finned and feathered friends in your life!

7154 West Saanich Road, Brentwood Bay | 250.652.1002 greenhawkvancouverisland.com

10

Greenhawk Equestrian Sport Come try this trend-setting boot that never goes out of style! For a great selection of Blundstone Boots and Blunnies for Kids, visit Greenhawk Equestrian Sport in Brentwood Bay. Our large and friendly store also offers amazing outerwear and a greatly expanded pet area including fantastic dog coats and dog grooming studio.

All the Best of the Season from

Annilee Armstrong 250.888.7755 annileearmstrong@gmail.com

Wishing you all the best of the season.

Thank you for all of your support this year.

6 Red’s Chair Merry Christmas from Red’s Chair! Make sure you “Deck the Halls” with great hair this season.

Come and see the holiday gift packs that anyone would be thrilled to see under the tree!

7159A West Saanich Road, Brentwood Bay | 778.426.4876 hearcentralsaanich.com

8

Hear Central Saanich Hearing Services The holidays are a great time to get together with family and friends.

Make sure you are ready to enjoy all the sounds of the season! Call to book your hearing test and demonstration to find out if hearing aids are right for you. We can help you hear!

D E B ' S D AY O U T

Festive Finery

by Deborah Rogers

There’s nothing better

than a fresh arrangement to add instant decoration to your house: a centrepiece for the dining table or stunning standalone display for an entrance way or mantle. Nurseries and florists, even the grocery stores, seem to be packed with green arrangements, but perhaps you want to make one yourself? Flower arranging seems like a pastime truly from the past. I know my grandmother used to take classes, and was very skilled at making the simplest collection of blooms from the garden look like an exquisite bouquet. It’s not something I’ve ever really thought about myself though. I seldom buy fresh flowers for the house, but each December I do like to bring some of the greenery from our garden in, and fill vases with cedar, fir and holly.

To up my game in the display department I took up the offer of a Holiday Floral Workshop at Kildara Farms. Hosted by awardwinning floral designers Kristen Owen and Sarah Hughes, it’s part instruction, part night out. There’s a festive vibe on a Friday night and a lovely mixed age range gathered in the event space, a converted barn dressed with paper lanterns and soft lighting. Stations were set for us all with the tools we needed laid out. Oh, and there were drinks and appies too!

Arranged on the table at the front of the room were buckets and

24 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

vases, each containing fresh flowers; foliage of all sorts of shades and shapes; as well as apples, and pinecones. My class was specifically for holiday décor centrepieces, so there were also ribbons and baubles in Christmassy colours. Kristen and Sarah are good friends and a pretty hilarious pair. We could choose to make either a table centrepiece or a three-sided display for a mantle or sideboard, and they demonstrated one each. To hear Sarah talking about table scapes and how to manage longer table settings made me realize that I don’t host large or grand enough occasions!

They emphasised shape – the shape of your table and the shape of the vessel. With an oasis base – soaked in water – you can use almost any container. All the time the instructors were talking they were also snipping stems and adding foliage to their displays. Teaching through example, there was no sense of a right or wrong way to do things, just the requirement that you start with the greens and build up. It’s almost like you’re sketching out the shape with the first greens. There was a bounty to choose from:

leatherleaf, eucalyptus, snowberries, skimmia and even freshly pruned Japanese Maple. At home you could use things from your yard or forage locally, and there’s florist spray that can be used for covering fruit or foliage too.

With some beautiful, but totally different, examples for inspiration we were free to explore the materials ourselves. Sarah really emphasised that this is not a “paint-nite” style activity – we weren’t there to imitate, but rather to be inspired and follow our own creative leads. And although it’s holiday décor, you don’t have to be tied to green and red for Christmas – peaches, purples, pinks, there are all sorts of shades that work. The room took on a quiet hum as we each went back and forth between our stations and the selection of greens and flowers. We weren’t looking at what each other was doing, just focused on our own creations. Sarah and Kristen wandered the room giving advice and suggestions.

It doesn’t take long to build up the base, then the real fun comes from choosing which are the standout blooms to define your centrepiece. I loved the white roses in different sizes, and a few sprigs of lavender to add some height. I discovered that everyone had something totally different at the end. Some were more symmetrical, some asymmetric. Several had gone for just two colours while others had taken a whole range of shades and blended them. The elements that carried through them all though were blooms of varying sizes, occasional baubles, bows and spray-painted branches, and of course, unique creativity.

I am utterly thrilled with the arrangement I brought home. It looks quite unlike anything that I’ve managed to put together before. This is partly because of the variety of materials I had to work with, but more, I think, because I had my mind and expectations freed up.

With regular watering the display is holding up well, and I’ve been eyeing up the trees and shrubs in my yard, thinking about more spectacular decorations for my house this holiday season!

For more info: sarah@freshviewevents.com or 250-857-3303.

What do you want to see Deb do next? Send your ideas or invitations to news@seasidemagazine.ca. Photos by Nunn Other Photography.

Make your donation

TWICE AS NICE It’s the season of giving and every $1 you give will become a $2 donation to the Foundation!

Long-time donors to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation, Don and Ruth James, through the James Family Foundation, have challenged the community to match their pledge of $650,000 to this year’s fundraising efforts.

Give now and your donation is doubled, helping ensure that you, your family and neighbours receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Your donation will help us support patient-focused, team-based medical care and bring family doctors to the Saanich Peninsula and to our hospital.

Please give today.

your community, your health 250-652-7531 sphf.ca

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 25

T R A D E S T U D E N T S P OT L I G H T

Sebastian Hill: Electrician We all take for

granted many of the amenities we are able to enjoy as a direct result of the good work tradespeople do on a daily basis. At this time of year in particular, we can be grateful for things like a roof over our heads, running water, and well-lit living spaces. Of the latter, imagine Christmas without lights! Even with power at the pole outside our house, our homes would be in darkness for the majority of the day as we approach the winter solstice if not for the work of electricians.

Recent Stelly's grad Sebastian Hill is an electrical apprentice taking up the craft and helping to keep our homes and institutions functioning. Sebastian was a very strong academic student with exceptional skills in the woodshop during his time at Stelly's. He first became aware of viable trade training options when his wood work teacher tried to convince him to pursue the Joinery/ Cabinetmaking trade. With his trade curiosity piqued, he researched other various trades and zeroed in on the electrical trade as potential career pathway.

To help him decide if electrical would be the right choice, he applied for, and subsequently participated in, a work placement with the Department of National Defence during the summer between grade 11 and 12. This convinced Sebastian to apply for the Electrical Foundation program offered in partnership with Camosun College where he earned credits toward graduation as well as his trade certification.

Sebastian's mother, Catherine Oates-Hill, is particularly proud of his accomplishments at Camosun as he excelled in the self-paced version of the program, pulling down some of the highest grades ever achieved, and scooping three different awards at their annual awards ceremony. Sebastian is also a recipient of the $1,000 Youth Work In Trades Award from the Ministry of Education.

His mother went on to say how much she appreciated an educational program that

provided so much relevance.

Today Sebastian is working for electrical contractors Black & McDonald where he appreciates how much he gets to learn on a daily basis. "It's really nice to get paid for learning," said Sebastian. "When I first started, we were pulling a lot of heavy cables through conduit, so I got my exercise, and I continue to enjoy the physical aspect of the work. Now I'm getting to do much more technical tasks as well." He recently completed a 600-volt electrical panel on one of his sites!

His supervisor, Jason Fraser, had many complimentary things to say about Sebastian.

"He's a natural for this trade. He thinks ahead. He takes direction well.

He has a great attitude.

He never says no to staying a little late to finish a project; he's willing to put in the extra effort." And in wrapping it up he said: "This is helping him stand out from the crowd and be recognized as an up and comer in our organization!"

Jason and his company think it's fantastic that they can snap students up straight out of high school having already completed the Electrical Foundation program.

Sebastian has already enrolled for his Level Two technical training next March.

He encourages other high school students to consider trade training programs but adds they should "check the pulse" by sampling the nature of the work and the culture of the workplace by participating in a work experience placement as he did to make sure it's a "good fit."

If early observations are any indication of Sebastian's future successes, we anticipate he may become one of Black and McDonald's youngest lead hands!

Light it up Sebastian!

Contact Stu Rhodes for more information on how to get involved as a student apprentice, or as an employer sponsor in this, or any other career program in Saanich School District.

250 415-9211. View the promotional YouTube video, "Jump Start Your Career" at http://www.youtube.com/user/saanichcareers. photo by Nunn Other Photography

by Stu Rhodes

Holiday Entertaining: “A Merry Menu Medley”

by Jo Barnes

It's time to plan your Christmas Party!

It's fun, festive and … sometimes frustrating.

The chance to get your family and friends together for the holiday season is always special, but finding ways to satisfy their broad range of dietary needs can seem overwhelming.

"When you do the preparation, there doesn't have to be stress," shares Laura Waters, owner of Snowdon House Gourmet & Gifts.

So where do you begin? Some of your guests are vegetarian or can't eat dairy. Some are gluten-free. It's important to know their level of severity. Is it low level or does cross contaminating foods pose a risk?

"There is a definite difference between gluten free and gluten intolerant. Some people have quite adverse reactions to gluten; others just prefer to eat gluten free," says Laura.

In chatting with guests, outline the kinds of dishes you're serving.

If they have specific needs, invite them to bring foods they prefer to eat. The onus is more on the guest rather than the host. You can encourage more of a potluck style of party in which guests bring dishes according to their diets. It not only addresses personal needs but opens up the range of foods available.

28 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

A great entertaining option is a fondue.

"It can work with all groups. All the preparation can be done ahead of time. It's a very social meal," shares Laura, adding: "The interaction is so much fun."

Cooking can be done in several pots; electric woks work well. One might be the designated gluten free pot. One might be a meat pot and another meat free for the vegetarians in the crowd.

"If you want to do a batter that is gluten free, use a cornstarch batter and that will work for everyone," says Laura. "Prepare a variety of dipping sauces. You could offer a chutney one, onion pickle, hummus or a vegetable hummus. You have everyone covered," says Laura.

There are plenty of recipes and information available to help you prepare tasty dishes that can also satisfy various eating styles and needs. A festive party is an opportunity to try a new twist on an old favourite or combine new flavours and ingredients.

"We are so blessed to live in an area where fresh vegetables are plentiful and delicious. With the desire and a bit of research, making healthy food that everyone will love to eat is not that hard," shares Muffet Billyard-Leake, owner of Muffet & Louisa, a local business specializing in products for the home and dining.

You can create a gluten free quiche using quinoa and nut cheese.

Dress up a salad with dairy free avocado dressing. Rather than crackers and cheese how about kale or corn chips with hummus?

"Instead of raw veggies for an appetizer, try veggies roasted with unusual spices like cardamom or ginger," shares Muffet.

No party is complete of course without dessert. There are plenty of ways to sweeten the evening and appease the particular palate too.

Fresh fruit works well. Create delicious pastry using ground nuts and coconut butter. How about a chocolate torte using rice or quinoa flour? Coconut cream or vegan cream cheese mean cheesecake is on the menu for non dairy eaters!

Dietary consideration can also extend to your festive drink selection. There are all kinds of ways to make creative cocktails and hot steaming beverages that keep special diets in mind.

"We sell a variety of non-alcoholic cordial bases. Mixed with sparkling water these make delicious party drinks," says Muffet.

"Our mulling spice mix is paired with cranberry or apple juice for a lovely hot non alcoholic drink. Any of my vinegars can be paired with soda water or tap water for a refreshing beverage," shares Laura.

Eggnog, that perennial favourite, can still be enjoyed even if your guests can't have dairy. "There are lots of recipes online and in books using combinations of coconut milk, raw cashews, water, maple syrup, nutmeg and cinnamon. You start by soaking the raw cashews overnight and then process everything in the blender," says Laura.

So be stress-free with your party planning this season. Creating food and drink for all your guests, no matter what their dietary needs, is doable, delicious, and delightful.

From Our Home to Yours…

Season’s Greetings!

Comfortable, clean & healthy fresh air environment Quality, nutritious foods • Exercise yards up to one quarter acre Feline “Cuddle Time” • K-9 Playschool course All managerial staff “Certified Kennel Technicians” Recommended by veterinarians • Full grooming services available

A Full Service Animal Care Facility

250-652-2301 2918 Lamont Road, Saanichton puppylove.ca • email: info@puppylove.ca Just minutes from Victoria Airport & BC Ferries Terminal

Seaside Brandy

photo by Nunn Other Photography (gluten free!)

Martini glass 0.5oz Stoli Vanil 0.5oz St Remy 0.5oz Disaronno Amaretto 0.5oz crème de cacao white 2oz cream Chocolate syrup

Chill glass. Add all ingredients in shaker. Shake.

Spread chocolate syrup in glass. Pour drink into glass. Savour.

SIDNEY’S ART STORE imagine • create • inspire

art & framing

Victoria: 905 Fort St., Victoria BC V8V 3K3 Tel: 250-385-9786 Sidney: 2455 Beacon Ave., Sidney BC V8L 1X7 Tel: 250-656-1233

www.islandblue.com

recipe courtesy Haro’s Restaurant & Bar DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 29

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30 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

#12 - 1153 Esquimalt Rd 250-361-3530

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498 Old Island Hwy 250-391-4458

COMMON CENTS

by Chloe Cross, BA, PFP

Financial Planner, Investment & Retirement Planning

Strategies for Successful Investing

BMO Financial Group, Sidney

A successful investment plan is built on solid fundamentals. The following strategies cover some of these essential elements and can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls of investing.

Define Your Goals and Create a Plan. Before you start putting your money to work, identify your financial needs and define your investment goals – this will help clarify what investment choices are most appropriate for you.

Start Investing Early. The sooner you start investing, the longer your money has to grow. If you invest $5,000 at the age of 25 with an annual growth rate of 8% at age 65 that investment will be worth $108,622. If you invested the same $5,000 at the age of 40 at the same 8% annual rate, it would only be worth $34,242 at age 65. This is the benefit of compounding growth.

Contribute Regularly. An easy way to save is to set up a Continuous Savings Plan (CSP) – this helps make investing a habit and benefit from dollar-cost averaging. You’ll automatically buy more units when prices go down and fewer units when prices go up – steadily building your portfolio without having to worry about the ups and downs in the market.

Choose Investments You Are Comfortable With. Some investors are intimidated by volatile markets and always choose the safest investment options. Others seek the highest attainable returns and are willing to assume the risk necessary to get those returns. It is very important to understand where you fit on the investment risk spectrum. Knowing this will help you make better investment choices.

Diversify Your Portfolio. There are many ways to reduce risk and increase your portfolio’s performance potential. You can diversify by the three main asset classes (equities, fixed income, and cash), by geographic regions, by industry sectors, and by investing in mutual funds whose managers employ different investment styles. How you diversify your portfolio depends on your investment objectives, your investment time horizon and your tolerance for risk.

Review Regularly. Major life events will likely change your spending habits and may affect your current investment strategy.

So when your circumstances change, it makes sense to reconsider the content and structure of your investment portfolio. At a minimum, you should review your investment strategy with the help of an investment professional at least once a year.

Consolidate Your Investments. Keeping track of what’s happening and managing your investment diversification makes it easier to review your portfolio’s efficiency, saves time and involves less paperwork than trying to manage several accounts or plans.

Get Help from the Experts. The assistance of an investment professional that you trust is essential to helping you make the right short-term and long-term investment decisions.

Seasons Greetings to All Our Artists & Patrons!

Are you looking for that one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted gift? Visit the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park.

ARTISANS open until December 22 Special Hours: November 30: 10am to 8:30pm Items in this show include jewelry, glass, pottery, turned wood, fibre art, wearables and photography.

It is representative of the eclectic and varied talents of island artisans. You will find something for everyone who loves locally made unique art!

The ArtSea Gallery 2019 Season begins January 11 with shows by some of our members, followed by “Taste of Tulista” on February 1 to 7 which previews the balance of the upcoming shows for the year. So come in and get a “taste” of what’s happening in 2019!

Open Tues. to Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Mondays) Visit our website for more information: www.artsea.ca

by the sea

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 31

Wishing you all the best for the holiday season!

John Bruce

Anna Clemente

Tony Clemente

Bill Knowles

Robin Lewis

Stephanie Peat

David Thickens

Dan Van Der Vlugt

Maureen Vincent

Frances Wade

Our commitment to you includes a quality customer experience and if you require it, professional property management services.

DFH Real Estate Ltd. • www.dfh.ca 2405 Bevan Ave. • Sidney, BC • 250-656-0131

SEASIDE ARTS SCENE

by Gillian Crowley If there are any events in the arts world coming up on the Peninsula, please let us know via: news@seasidemagazine.ca.

There's variety galore during this festive month. Celebrate the arts during the holidays.

Music at The Roost A variety of musical entertainment will be presented each weekend this month at The Roost's Vineyard Bistro. A festive evening out … plus you don't have to cook! Artists include Brad Prevedoros, Sean McCool, David & Kathy Hilderman, Robbie Hancock and Two Among Friends (guitar duo). Saturdays and Sundays, 6 to 8 p.m. www.roostfarmcentre.com.

Gifts by ArtSea Artisans Last chance to get a unique gift crafted by a local artist or artisan.

Inspired creations, stocking stuffers, holiday décor, wearable art, jewelry – something for every taste. New items are brought out each week which makes it worthwhile to drop in frequently. At ArtSea Gallery in Sidney's Tulista Park, every day except Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ends December 22. Perfect for procrastinators!

Rig a Jig's Christmas/Solstice Celebration Energetic Celtic music rooted in the British Isles will be sure to get toes a-tapping. The band performs jigs, reels, waltzes, polkas and combines traditional songs with contemporary Canadian songs. Presented by the Deep Cove Folk Society. Tickets $10 at the door. December 14 at 8 p.m. (doors open 7:30). St. John's United Church, 10990 West Saanich Road, North Saanich. Extra parking across the road.

Handel's Messiah in Sidney Via Choralis will combine with the 45-member Sooke Philharmonic Chorus, Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and four soloists, all under the baton of Nicholas Fairbank, in this full performance of G.F. Handel's masterpiece. Incredibly, Handel composed the music for this oratorio in just 24 days! Tickets at Tanner's Books or online at www.viachoralis.ca. December 16 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Church, Sidney.

Tis the Season The Peninsula Singers' vibrant Christmas show is usually a sellout but it may not be too late to snag some tickets. It's worth arriving shortly before the show begins to see if any tickets have come available last minute. It's always an entertaining production with song, dance and laughter. December 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and December 9 at 2 p.m. Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney.

Carol Singing for All Ages Time for an outing? Why not take a bus or share a car out to Cadboro Bay to join the Victoria Good News Choir in a Christmas singalong led by Louise Rose. This community choir, started 21 years ago, always creates a warm, welcoming vibe wherever they perform.

Admission by donation. December 8 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cadboro Bay United Church.

Magical Colours

Storybook Nutcracker Ballet

Local resident Nancy J. Wood has published her first children's book, titled The Magical Power of Colour. Illustrated by Michael Tarantino, this charming book about a mouse who feels sad in her dark abode lets young children discover how colours can affect our emotions. Available on www.amazon.ca or contact Nancy at njbdance@gmail.com.

Young would-be ballet dancers and those not familiar with ballet will love this one-hour plus version of the well-known Nutcracker Suite. Ballet Étoile presents "The Storybook Nutcracker," a unique production bringing the classic story to life with engaging narration and vibrant costumes. December 15 at 7 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m.

December 15 and 16. Tickets: Mary Winspear Centre.

A perfect gift for the book lover or aspiring writer on your list is an Early Bird Pass to the 2019 Sidney LitFest to be held April 12 to 14.

Always a great deal, the weekend passes will be available in December for a limited time only. Subscribe to the LitFest's e-newsletter to get advance notice of the sale. www.sidneyliteraryfestival.ca.

Elizabeth May, OC, MP Saanich - Gulf Islands

Gift for Book Lovers

for every occasion

Accessories for Life …

Dunoon Bone China Charlie Paige Clothing LAMPE BERGER Maxwell & Williams Tableware Thymes Bath & Body

250-657-2000 | elizabethmaymp.ca 9711 4th St., Sidney BC V8L 2Y8

The Dancing Orchid 250.656.1318

2416 Beacon Avenue

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 33

I N FA S H I O N

Keeping Warm and Dry This Winter

by Cassidy Nunn Nunn Other Photography

While we may not get the extreme

cold temperatures and snowy days that much of the rest of Canada and other parts of B.C. experience throughout the winter, Victoria is not without its wet-cold days: those days where the dampness cuts right through the layers and chills to the bone. However, dressing appropriately for winter weather can go a long way in your overall comfort out in the elements.

For any good West Coaster’s winter wardrobe, a proper raincoat is a must.

Look for one with breathable fabric that is waterproof, not water resistant. In a good downpour you will appreciate the difference.

An umbrella is a handy tool to have at the ready – I usually leave one in the trunk of my car and another in the front entrance of my home. With the variety of sizes and colours these days, they’re a fun way to add a splash of colour and personality to your overall outfit.

Gum boots, Wellingtons, galoshes, rain boots – whatever you want to call them, they will keep your feet dry this wet season, but probably not warm. Cozy up with a pair of fleece or wool boot socks and add extra warmth with an insulated insole. To get more life out of your rain boots, wash any mud off them regularly to prevent the rubber from drying out and cracking over time. Sprays are also

available to give some shine and gloss back to your rubber boots.

When it comes to winter coats, insulation is key. There are three main types of insulation: down feathers, synthetic fibers and synthetic fleece. Down is your warmest option; however, it’s priciest and doesn’t perform well in wet weather, so save it for those dry, crisp days or use it as a thinner layer to add under an insulated jacket or rain shell.

Now is the time to “winterize” the rest of your outside wardrobe for the coming months. There are many waterproofing sprays for use on coats (material dependent; always be sure to read the label before applying and do a spot check) as well as leather shoes. Be sure to give ample time for these materials to dry after waterproofing before you wear them.

Instant hand and feet warmer packets that are one-time use only are convenient but incredibly wasteful; thankfully, reusable options exist, from battery powered heat packs that fit inside your gloves to the type you boil in water to reset the heat activation crystals inside.

Clothing technology continues to evolve and for those like me who are cold all winter, there is hope. Battery-powered heated jackets, rechargeable heated insoles, electric socks, scarves and gloves are now on the market. Just remember to charge those batteries before heading out into the cold!

Lashes AND Colour? Oh My!

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SEASIDE talks with Del Elgersma, founding partner of Beacon Law Centre, about what’s

in FASHION …

On your bedside table?

London, by Edward Rutherford. I love historical fiction and our daughter and sonin-law live in London On your playlist? The Cranberries, Roxy Music, Leonard Cohen, and ‘80’s Rock and New Wave Adding colour to your outfit? At work, socks and ties, or a shirt from d.g.bremner When it comes to your go-to “uniform?” One of my Strellson suits from Outlooks for Men On your skin? I drive a convertible, so sunscreen is a must When you want to smell irresistible? A soak in the tub with lavender oil On your walls? Canvas prints of my photos of Horth Hill wildflowers, original art by local artists, and family vacation photos from our 13 house exchanges.

photo by Nunn Other Photography

In your closet?

Shirts from d.g.bremner (I have a bright red shirt that I love to wear during the Christmas season) In your bathroom cabinet? Deep Blue rub, to soothe my muscles after a hard swim In the kitchen? My DeLonghi automatic espresso machine, with fair trade espresso from Level Ground Trading – I bring my wife Karen a latté in bed every morning, so it’s her favourite too! In home décor? Two paintings and a table by Tsartlip artist Chris Paul On your luxury wish list? An Omega watch.

In your shaving kit? Kiehl’s Facial Fuel When you want a night out? Karen and I have a date night every week – our go-to restaurants are Bistro Suisse, Haro’s, Surly Mermaid and Zanzibar On your Netflix queue? I loved The Crown When you want to throw fashion out the window and be all about comfort? Jeans and a T-shirt When you don’t care how much it costs? A great pinot noir for a special night, or our next trip to Tuscany In haircare? Bumble and bumble Sumogel to tame my thick hair On your feet? A unique pair of leather shoes I found in France.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 35

2355 James White Boulevard, Sidney Cremation Service 250.391.6294 $1,095 sandsecocremation.ca The holidays can be difficult time after a loss, but you are not alone. Please join us for an evening of support and community at our annual Candlelight Service, Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m.

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Happy Holidays Thank You to All Our Clients & Friends for Your Support Over the Last Year.

Wishing You All the Best in 2019!

New Clients Welcome!

Tax & Accounting for Individuals, Businesses Trusts & Estates 250.656.110 | #105 - 9717 Third St, Sidney | www.proulxcpa.ca 36 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

CHASINGTHE GOLDEN YEARS SENIORS ADD MAGIC TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON As the holidays approach, we are all reminded of what this special time of year means to us.

Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali or other cultural or religious festivals, it is a magical time to not only observe age-old

by Shauna Dorko traditions, but to gather together Owner, Sidney SeniorCare young and old to enjoy the peace and beauty of the season.

Steeped in tradition and age-old rites, it's a golden opportunity to let the seniors in your life really shine; trust me, they have the inside track on the best Christmas movie classics, the best cranberry rugelach recipes, and tricks to get that turkey dinner cooked to juicy perfection.

There are more than a few famous seniors and their talents associated with this time of year – Frank Sinatra and his Have Yourself a Merry Little Chrismas is a classic that just gets better over the years.

And probably the most famous Christmas song of all, Bing Crosby's White Christmas, has reigned supreme since it was first released in 1942. In terms of movie classics, who hasn't watched the 70+ yearold It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart at least a gazillion times. The wisdom, values and messaging in these classics are timeless, no matter how many decades pass. And the seniors of today are not only well acquainted with these seasonal favourites, they grew up with the stars that made these classics famous.

With no doubt, at the ripe old age of 1,748 years old, the most celebrated senior of all is Father Christmas, "Saint Nick" or "Santa Claus" as he is more commonly known. According to legend, a monk named Nicholas was born in Turkey sometime during 270 AD. He became well-known for his generosity, kind heart and association with gift-giving. His signature "miracle" of, according to legend, placing gold in the hanging stockings of three sisters to provide money for a dowry so that they would not end up as "ladies of ill repute" became widespread, and his good deeds eventually deemed him the patron saint of children, among other titles. His death on December 6, 343 AD, became a day of reverence for many, and the legend of "Sinterklaas" later spread to America by a group of Dutch settlers.

These famous seniors, and many more, have really added the sparkle to Christmas as we now know it. This holiday season, let's honour the seniors in our lives for the special stories and traditions that make this time of year so magical for us all.

Written in collaboration with Sherrin Griffin. We welcome all comments, suggestions and ideas for future columns. Please email us at news@seasidemagazine.ca with "Seniors" in the subject line.

Craig Walters

craig@craigwalters.net

Dan Juricic

danjuricic@gmail.com

Michelle Martin info@michellesellsvictoria.ca

Karen Dinnie-Smyth kdinnie-smyth@shaw.ca

Ron Phillips

ronsoffice@shaw.ca

$68 MILLION, donated to Children’s Miracle Network

by Remax in North America to date.

Shelley Mann

Jeff Meyer jeff@meyerproperties.ca

shellmann@shaw.ca

Brooke Miller

Don Bellamy

info@donaldbellamy.com

brookemiller@shaw.ca

Peninsula Properties Debbie Gray

sagegray@shaw.ca

250.655.0608 www.remax.ca #14-2510 Bevan Ave, Sidney Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated

Denise Gallup

islandrealestategirl@gmail.com

Stephen Gagnon, AMP Kelly Curtis, AMP Mortgage Planners

#2-4440 Chatterton Way, Victoria BC

Anthea Helmsing

antheahelmsing@gmail.com

Gay Helmsing ghelmsing@gmail.com

250.744.5557 | www.MortgageDesigners.ca

Jeff Bryan jeffbryan@shaw.ca

Angie Hughes

jerang42@live.com

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Optimizing Digestion for the Holidays

Welcome to that time of the year of endless holiday events where there's always a plethora of celebratory feasts! And if you're like my family, everyone's birthday is also in December. As a result, it's also a challenging time for our digestive tracts. Holiday meals tend to contain ingredients that people are commonly intolerant of, and rich, abundant dishes make your digestive system work to capacity to break them down.

Our digestive tract is both complex and simple at the same time.

Food goes in, it digests and absorbs into our bodies. We have many organs that support and contribute to our digestion. However, many of these organs may not be functioning optimally. Those with no gallbladder would have a hard time digesting fats. Medications such as proton pump inhibitors affect the breakdown of meats (proteins) and vegetables (minerals and vitamins). If you have high yeast levels (candida) or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), carbohydrates and certain fibers will cause gas and bloating in the small intestine. A combination of all these factors is not uncommon!

As we head into the month of food, family and festivities the following are some simple tips to aid digestion so you can enjoy yourself to your fullest.

Eat slowly. Take your time to chew your food well and consume small amounts of water with your meal. This will allow your digestive system to efficiently break down your meal and respond to it by secreting the digestive juices needed. Drinking too much with the meal can dilute these essential acids and enzymes needed to allow full breakdown and absorption.

Take a Break. Between courses, take a pause for your body to complete digestion of the dish before. Wait one to two hours after your main meal before having dessert. Even better: take a short walk to stimulate digestion and give your body some activity before consuming more. This also allows time for leptin (the hormone that tells your brain you are full) to set in and slow down your intake.

Use digestive support. Even with taking the time to chew and process your meal, we inherently may not produce enough hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes or bile salts to break down our food. This is where digestive enzymes can help. Using a formula that has a combination of betaine HCl, pancreatin and bile salts can make eating meals much more comfortable. Probiotics are also important for the breakdown and absorption of your meals. Both of these can be found at quality health food stores.

Limit reactive foods. Many people have foods they know they don't tolerate well. If you're not sure what these foods are for you,

it's possible to easily get tested for food sensitivities (naturopathic doctors test for these regularly). If you know what they are, limit them if you can't completely avoid them. Reactions are often dose-dependent, so having a little bit could be OK (especially if you're using digestive enzymes) but too much can be very problematic.

I teach my patients how to eat optimally on a daily basis; however, even at the best of times it can be a challenge to eat well. Depending on your symptoms, you can use these tips to keep your tummy happy in times of excessive eating and food-focused festivities.

The Light in a child’s eyes is all it takes to make Christmas a magical time of year.

From the Kip Wilson & Staff family to yours: Happy Holidays!

C. J. (Kip) Wilson

SAANICHTON LAW OFFICES Wills & Estates • Estate Planning • Real Estate • Mortgages • Corporate

#6-7855 East Saanich Road, Saanichton 250.544.0727 • admin@saanichtonlaw.com • saanichtonlaw.com DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 39

The Centre of Your Experience

What’s Happening at the Mary Winspear Centre

Share in the Holiday Spirit at the Mary Winspear Centre The Winspear Festival of Trees will be open to the public from November 30 – January 2. Visit the Centre to cast a vote for your favourite tree. With a selection of beautiful unique Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and community groups it will be hard to choose just one!

This Holiday Season we are asking the community to donate new, unwrapped gifts for ages 6 months to 16 years to the Toy Drive - Peninsula Santa’s Helpers.

Gifts can be dropped off at the Mary Winspear Centre, Buddies Toys and the Peninsula News Review. Any and all support is graciously accepted. We anticipate the need to be equally great this year and hope by working together everyone on the Saanich Peninsula will have a joy filled Christmas.

Blues Songs of Christmas Big Hank’s Tribute to the Blues Songs of Christmas featuring Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band returns Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m.

This won’t be the usual medley of familiar Yuletide carols. It’s a tribute that

looks into the souls of fabulous Blues Legends by sharing the Christmas Blues songs written by them. You’ll find it a refreshing take on a Christmas music show.

It will include blues tunes - from the ‘20’s right through to the ‘60s - by Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, BB King, Eric Clapton, Charles Brown, Etta James and many more.

Uncle Wiggly will take you on a journey into the soul of some fabulous holiday blues songs written by the very legends of blues themselves!

Reba Las Vegas!

Celebrate the sounds of Christmas with five-time award winner Corrie Sachs and her seven-piece band as she pays tribute to the Queen of Country, Reba McEntire on Friday, December 14.

Corrie Sachs is the #1 Reba McEntire tribute artist and impersonator in Las Vegas, and stars in the award-winning production “Country Superstars Tribute Show” at Bally’s Hotel & Casino. Winner of the 2011 “Tribute Act of the Year”, Corrie is widely considered one of the best, and best known, Reba McEntire tribute artists in the country.

Having performed in dozens of shows over the years, from “Country Tonight” and

“American Superstars” and “Legends in Concert,” this incredible performer has REBA down to a T! Corrie will be flying in direct from the Las Vegas Strip to the Mary Winspear for one night only! Listen to many of the Christmas classics as well as some of Reba’s biggest hits. Corrie’s show is guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit!

The Storybook Nutcracker Ballet Étoile presents ‘The Storybook Nutcracker’, a unique production bringing the classic Nutcracker story to life with engaging narration, vibrant costumes, and the intimate setting of the Charlie White Theatre.

After receiving an unusual Christmas gift from her Uncle Drosselmeyer, Clara is swept away on a magical adventure to the Kingdom of the Sweets, encountering a number of enchanting characters along the way.

At just over 60 minutes in length The Storybook Nutcracker is perfectly suited to younger audience members and first time ballet attendees. Performances run Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Ali Baba The Peninsula Players present the Christmas Pantomime, Ali Baba, one of the most exciting Arabian Nights stories full of suspense, humour and song, with the villains finally getting their comeuppance.

Ali Baba lives with his mother and their servant, Salma, on the Saanich Peninsula, long ago before his tribe moved to the Middle East. Life was pretty uneventful until a group of former pirates arrived in town and began to steal from the citizens. Amongst other

items, the thieves have stolen the Sultan’s scepter, his mark of office, and Ali, who has fallen in love with the Sultan’s daughter is determined to impress him (and her) by stealing it back. The trouble is that he has no idea how to do that.

With the help of Salma, a genie, a hard-working camel and (we hope) the audience, and despite his mother getting in the way, we hope that Ali will succeed in his quest. However, the thieves have a few tricks up their sleeves

Coming Events Winspear Festival of Trees Breakfast with Santa Rancho Vignola Harvest Sale Christmas Pudding ii Peninsula Singers ‘Tis The Season Last Chance Christmas Craft Fair Michael Kaeshammer Uncel Wiggly’s Blues Songs of Christmas Reba Las Vegas!

The Storybook Nutcracker Ali Baba Pantomime Community Christmas Dinner

Performances will be held December 21, 22 & 28 at 7:30 p.m. and December 23, 26 & 27 at 2:00 p.m.

2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney | 250.656.0275

www.marywinspear.ca

December

1-30 1 1 1 7-9 8-9 10 13 14 15-16 21-28 25

and an ally in high places so you won’t know whether or how Ali will manage it unless you come to see the show!

January

7 11 12 18 19-20 25-27 26 31

Blood Donor Clinic Aaron Pritchett Valdy Wavelengths Community Choir The Taffetas Wizard of Oz Robbie Burns Dinner Matthew Good

February 7

Palm Court My Valentine to You

1

Caesar Salad Lettuce Wraps

Popeye’s Passion Dip

2

Beet Hummus with Rose & Cardomom Vinegar Lemon Verbena & Ginger Red Snapper Ceviche

3

Appy Holidays!

12 Brie Bites with Lemon Verbena Brie Topper

Twice Baked Sweet Potato

11 4

All recipes can be found at snowdonhouse.ca

10

Sweet Potatoes with Ginger Coconut Dahl

5 Prawns with West Coast Batter and Fir & Fire Sauce

Chili & Chive Foccacia

Douglas Fir & Tomato Goat Cheese Bruscetta topping

9

6 8 Yam & Curry Egg Roll with Fir & Fire Sauce

7

Grilled Zucchini & Tomato Bites with Cheese Paté

Farm Shop Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

250.658.3419 • 1890 Mills Rd, North Saanich • www.snowdonhouse.ca

photo by Nunn Other Photography

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea:

Strong Women Lead the Way

by Susan Simosko

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

is unique. There is nothing quite like it in the region, or maybe the province. It's been around for almost 10 years and serves as an educational, scientific facility as well as a lively, fun place for young and old alike to let down their hair and thoroughly enjoy.

Considering its place in our community, how much do you really know about it? See how you do on this pop quiz. True or false, the Centre: 1. Is home to more than 3,000 live critters.

2. Welcomes 70,000 visitors a year.

3. Houses three octopi.

4. Relies on more than 100 volunteers.

5. Is currently managed by an all-women team.

Only #3 is false. The Centre typically has only one octopus, a fascinating wriggly creature who often steals the show!

Beneath the beautiful habitats and exhibitions, the Centre is a highly complex, intricate facility that requires the skills, knowledge and dedication of many. Numerous university degrees, decades of expertise, international experience – representing more than six countries – and immeasurable passion for a healthy and vibrant Salish Sea are a few highlights of the team.

"We are so lucky," says Graham Debling, president and chair of the Board.

"We have an incredibly strong team. With so many visitors each year, the Centre, including all the critters, needs to be in tip-top shape each and every day. It's not a job for the faint of heart!"

Pauline Finn, the Executive Director, agrees that running the Centre is sometimes challenging but her passion and skill seem well suited to meeting the unexpected. Pauline joined the Centre in August 2018, after serving as Vice President for Community

Engagement and Visitor Experience at Science World in Vancouver, a post she held for 17 years. "I love everything about the Centre," says Pauline, "the facilities, the animals, our incredible staff and volunteers and, of course, our many enthusiastic visitors!"

Leah Thorpe, Director of Operations, has been with the Centre for three years and like Pauline is dedicated to the Centre in ways that go beyond the everyday. She is adamant about the need for collaboration and eagerly fosters it whenever possible.

Deanna Mathewson, Director of Volunteer and Business Development, says the Centre reflects many of her passions – education, volunteerism and community efforts to conserve and protect habitat and the environment. She, like Pauline and Leah, is always on the go.

Tina Kelly, Director of Learning, enjoys nurturing curiosity and a sense of wonder that so often arises from a visit to the Centre.

Through school programs, summer camps, daily programming and special events she and her team strive to ensure every visitor has a meaningful experience.

The other talented and highly specialized women who keep the Centre ticking include Kit Thornton, Chief Aquarist and Nicole Doe, Retail and Visitor Experience Manager.

This strong and able team keeps the Centre humming for all of us to enjoy and learn from. So next time you are in Sidney, pop in to meet the critters of the Salish Sea and the outstanding women who make it possible!

The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea's winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) seven days a week.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 43

I N G O O D H E A LT H

Tuning Up Over the Holidays: Peninsula Physiotherapy and Massage

by Phillip Tiicham Muir This is one of a series of profiles on some local businesses that are working to keep us all in good health.

Let’s be honest: not many of us spend the winter holidays at the gym. For most, winter is a time to hermit away and take a break from our usual health and fitness routines.

Are there ways we can still honour the restful nature of the holidays without letting our physical wellness take a backseat though?

Linda Walker of Peninsula Physiotherapy and Massage thinks so, and she was kind enough

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

to share some simple concepts.

Linda suggests we see the holidays as an opportunity to address the tension that builds up in our muscles during repetitive activities.

Muscle tension doesn’t simply dissolve with rest unfortunately; stretching is a huge component. Linda explained: “as muscles get stronger they get shorter, unless you’re strengthening in a yoga pose.” Linda even says “basic stretches just weren’t working for [her] patients,” so she’s become a huge advocate of regular yoga practise.

Yoga presents a unique opportunity to simultaneously stretch and strengthen your muscles. A yoga instructor herself, Linda emphasizes the importance of insuring that you practice yoga correctly. While she acknowledges it can be tough to get out of the house this time of year, Linda explained that you should only practice yoga from home (with or without a video) if you have gained a basic understanding of the concepts from a reputable class or book. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of yoga classes,

Fall can sound as beautiful as it looks.

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Linda recommends a book called How to Use Yoga (available for purchase at Peninsula Physiotherapy and Massage).

Why are our muscles so tight though, even if we don’t take part in sports? Linda explained that it all comes down to repetitive motion.

So much of what we do throughout the day is subconscious, and as a result we tend to do the same activities in the same way on the same side over and over every day. Our autonomic nervous system makes it very efficient for us to complete simple tasks without occupying our conscious minds. Linda suggests we become more conscious of our routine activities this holiday season. Things as simple as starting up the stairs on the opposite foot, or answering a phone call on your non-dominant side can help bring balance to our bodies. If you think your body is well balanced, try some stretches on both sides and you might be surprised how different they feel.

Peninsula Physiotherapy and Massage is all about prevention. Their practitioners are thrilled to see patients book before an issue arises. At a preventative visit you can

"Linda suggests we see the holidays as an opportunity to address the tension that builds up in our muscles during repetitive activities." find out which of your muscle groups have shortened and tensed the most, so you have the opportunity to address the issue before you’re even aware of it. Unfortunately muscles do shorten and tighten as we age too, but Linda says their practitioners can provide an

“education about how your body will change as you age.”

Some of the most common injuries Peninsula Physiotherapy and Massage treats this time of year are from slipping on ice or shovelling snow. If our bodies are less restricted in their movement though, we’re far less likely to hurt ourselves. There’s one other enemy of our health this time of year, and that’s diet. Linda suggests you find alternatives to Grandma’s recipes that reduce the use of refined sugar, dairy and GMO wheat. On top of their health risks, these can actually increase our chances of congestion and catching colds. There’s nothing better than starting the new year healthy, tuned up, and ready to face our resolutions. So let’s be conscious of our bodies this holiday season, and think about paying our local physio and massage therapists a visit to learn how.

For more information, visit www.peninsulaphysio.ca.

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DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 45

Café Culture:

Celebrating the Season at BBVE December is a special time of year for people to gather and celebrate.

One of Brentwood Bay Village Empourium's aims is to provide a venue for local artistic expression and appreciation, which supports another important goal: bringing community together.

December's featured visual artist is Diane Adolph. A graduate of the Victoria College of Art, Diane has finetuned her unique artistic style and bold use of colour which have become her hallmarks over the past two decades. We're also showcasing a variety of local artisans including jeweller Dave Warnock's creative repurposing of antique handsaws and other implements.

Our Friday Music Nights attract a wide range of talented musicians from our community. On December 7 we're pleased to present another of our popular Songwriter Showcase evenings featuring thee local musicians. Ray Spencer's songs are reminiscent of John Prine and Wille Nelson. Native Ontarian Tim Black's compositions are authentic stories of his worldview, adorned with harmonies and instrumentation. Daniel Cook fronts his own band, the Radiators, who performed earlier this year both at Music in the Park and BBVE to enthusiastic response.

Lisa Bosman returns to BBVE on December 14 to showcase her formidable guitar and rich vocal talents. She credits songwriterperformers Janis Ian and James Taylor as major influences.

Our popular monthly Open Mic evenings have evolved into a cabaret of song, spoken word and even magic acts. On December 2 we're excited to present our Fourth Annual Jingle Jam. As with all our Open Mic evenings, there's no telling who might show up, but it will certainly include some great music, maybe a seasonallyappropriate story or two, and a fabulously fun Christmas carol

by John Carswell

singalong. If you're a potential performer, details can be found at facebook.com/groups/bbveopenmic.

While there's no cover charge for Friday night music, on this special evening we're seeking cash donations in support of the Artemis Christmas project which provides gifts for the students of Artemis Place, a resource and education centre for youth and young moms who face difficult life challenges and schooling setbacks.

All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. While we're licensed, we're also family-friendly. Due to limited seating, we recommend eventgoers take advantage of our Advance VIP list: a visit to the shop or a phone call during business hours (778-351-0178), will save a seat until 7 p.m., at which point all unclaimed seats revert to first come, first served.

Whatever your seasonal celebration plans, we hope you make time to enjoy music, art and community – happy holidays!

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Senior Investment Associate

Viola Van de Ruyt Investment Advisor

250.657.2222 250.657.2220 annette.quan@nbc.ca viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca www.violavanderuyt.ca

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Happy Holidays from

all of us at Holmes Realty!

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INSIDE OUT

by Anne Brodbeck Streams Counselling

The holidays are upon us and they can come with mixed emotions. To really enjoy the season a holiday survival kit would be a great gift to give yourself. So what would that look like? Here are some ideas.

1. Check your Boundaries. Set limits. What is your yes and what is your no? Be aware of and listen to the signs you've had enough. It's perfectly acceptable to give yourself permission to keep a meeting short.

A good resource is Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

2. Create an Emotional Budget. Just like creating a budget when we go shopping, we need to create a budget for our emotional energy.

The best way to establish this is to start with an inventory of your resources such as time, circumstances, energy, fatigue level or travel.

Allocate emotional energy. To ascertain this ask yourself things like: • What is the optimal amount of time you're willing to spend at this event, or with this person? Be aware of quality time rather than quantity.

• To help you gauge how long to stay, reflect on past experience.

What made them successful or disastrous? You may need to take a break or stay elsewhere.

• Predetermine answers to what you know your relatives may say.

Decide on the amount of information you wish to share, and be careful to avoid topics likely to spark arguments.

• Look for opportunities to apologize for past quarrels.

• Formulate answers for favours you may be asked.

• Agreeing to disagree may be a more loving approach to family members with different opinions.

• What is your exit plan if things go crazy?

Your Holiday Survival Kit 3. Tools to Employ – as required.

• Permission – when you find your energy depleting and diplomacy evaporated, allow yourself to take a break.

• Breathing – breathe and stay calm.

• Listen – take time to listen and ask questions. Respond rather than react by being mindful of your own thoughts and behaviour.

It's perfectly natural to change the subject or allow distraction to bring a new topic forward.

• Lower expectations. Be aware that some family members may be unable to meet your standards of behaviour. Be respectful of their limitations and choose gracious communication.

4. Self Care. In order to be fully present, have a self-care plan in place. Some ideas here are: • Allow yourself enough down time.

• Ground yourself with whatever makes you feel balanced, such as exercise and personal routines.

• Focus on the positive aspects of your family visit. Dwelling on the negative will ignite anxiety and likely hinder your enjoyment.

5. Put Fun into Family.

• Be ready with light, uplifting topics of conversation.

• Prepare interactive games or activities that are whimsical in nature.

Remember, your presence is a gift. Keep things light and lower your expectations. You are responsible for your own emotions and actions, not other people.

Anne Brodbeck can be found at https://streamscounselling.ca/.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 51

BEHIND THE SCENES

All That Glitters I have lived in many places in my life but have never seen a community that embraces Christmas the way Sidney does.

From the festive street decorations and lights, cheery store windows lovingly decorated by shop owners and Breakfast with Santa to horsedrawn carriage rides, carollers and many other activities that lead up to the big day, all of it creates a magical atmosphere reminiscent of Christmases of old, making us all feel like children again.

Perhaps the pièce de résistance is the Annual Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade and Lighted Boat Sail Past. Each year, Beacon Avenue is lined with hundreds of spectators from around the Saanich Peninsula, eagerly watching as some 50 brightly-coloured, glittering floats glide by all decked out in thousands upon thousands of twinkling lights. This year, the parade takes place on Sunday, December 2 beginning at 5 p.m. with the Sail Past to immediately follow.

This touchstone event has been organized by the tireless volunteers of the Peninsula Celebrations Society (PCS) since 1985. It was initially spearheaded by Don Trivett with the support of Joan Beattie and Dicken Reynolds who was the original parade marshal during that time. Don is well remembered as a dynamic community volunteer who contributed to many local events and initiatives.

Murray Christianson began the lighted boat sail past a few years later, around 1990. That first year there were only about seven boats, but as time went on the sail past grew to 80 vessels! Current numbers are fewer but the boats are still just as spectacular.

by Paula Kully

52 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

The key volunteer of any parade is the parade marshal. Over the past four years, this role has been filled by Cam McLennan. When asked how he came to be the parade marshal Cam laughs and says: “I was voluntold.”

While serving on Sidney Council from 2014 to 2018, Cam was appointed the Council Liaison to Peninsula Celebrations (PCS).

At the time, the organization was desperately searching for an experienced parade marshal. When it was discovered that Cam had marshalled the 100th Anniversary of the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, it seemed obvious that he was a perfect fit.

Cam says that the parade takes approximately one month to coordinate. He is assisted by a dozen or more PCS volunteers and multiple Town of Sidney staff. The process begins in mid-October when parade applications are made available online. The application deadline is mid-November, to allow the parade marshal time to organize the floats that register each year. Similar to the July 1 parade (except with lights), floats include everything from marching bands, community organizations, local businesses, military, RCMP and fire departments, big trucks and much more.

A month prior to the parade, Cam meets with Town of Sidney staff, RCMP and the Fire Department to arrange road closures for the route and to identify potential security and safety issues. The day of the parade, Town staff set up barricades and block off major intersections with a vehicle along the parade route. During the parade, PCS volunteers are stationed on each block along the route to watch for and

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deal with any potential safety issues.

The parade marshal’s job includes assigning a number and place in the parade lineup for each entry. This ensures that the parade runs smoothly and floats and entries are complementary to one another as they make their way along the parade route. Cam, along with his eldest son and a few other volunteers, begin setting up for the parade early in the afternoon by placing numbered stakes for each float in the marshalling area, which are the side streets along the parade route. This is where the floats “muster,” or assemble in preparation for the parade. As the parade begins, floats fall into line and set off along the parade route.

When asked what he feels is the best thing about the Sidney Sparkles Parade Cam explains: “It’s the atmosphere. It’s fun for the kids, and if you’re willing to come out and decorate, that makes it pretty special.”

Yes, Sidney Sparkles is special. It is a community effort that embodies the true spirit of Christmas. I hope that everyone enjoys this year’s parade and has a very Merry Christmas!

Photos by Bob Orchard.

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* Offer valid between 10/1/18 – 12/25/18. Available to new members, who sign up for a 6-week Curves Fitness membership, payable up front in full at the time of signing. 6-week Curves Fitness membership valid only at the club where the membership is purchased. Offer excludes CurvesSmart® and Curves Complete®.

Valid at participating locations only. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value. © 2018 CURVES NA, INC. (1810)

Curves Sidney: © 2018 Curves NA, Inc. (1806)

© 2018 Curves NA, Inc. (1806)

Fit, Strong & Healthy This is part of a rotating series of articles about some of the unique shops and services available on the Saanich Peninsula.

If you want a richer and healthier life and to look and feel better than ever, sign up at Curves in Sidney today. At the friendly fitness centre, women get the complete package deal – increased fitness and strength, weight loss, inspiration for healthy living and caring individual support throughout the whole life-changing process.

Curves is a one stop shop for personal transformation.

To slow the effects of an auto-immune disease, Carolle Batham joined Curves in Sidney and soon graduated to coach. In 2010, she became the Cleveland-Clinic-Certified owner "because I am a strong believer in preventative care." The Curves experience is especially designed for women of all ages and abilities. The program features a 30-minute total body workout that is fast and effective: "In the 30 minutes, you will do your warm up, cool down, strength training, cardio and stretching. Our machines are double positive, which means that you are working the opposing muscles at the same time. It is the equivalent of a 90-minute workout." The biggest thrill for Carolle is seeing the positive changes in her members: "I love it when women come in and tell me that their

by Doreen Marion Gee

bone density has improved or their doctor has taken them off medication because they don't hurt anymore or their blood pressure has gone down."

As women age, building strength in their bodies becomes increasingly important to prevent and diminish the effects of chronic illness. Strength training is a vital part of Curves. According to Carolle, building muscle can also help increase one's metabolism – thus thwarting its usual decline with aging. This means you will burn more calories each day, even at rest. Not only will women lose weight, but "those who do the resistance training maintain their muscle mass, metabolism and strength."

It is hard to commit to big changes in our lives such as losing weight, getting fit, and making healthier lifestyle choices. A huge selling point of the Curves program is that you don't have to do it alone – a coach is always included in your membership. They are there to encourage and support members, celebrate their successes, and hold them accountable to achieve their goals at every workout – even calling them when they don't get in for their sessions. Carolle is very proud that their personalized service "helps members get results." Curves empowers women with a practical and effective approach to living a healthier and more active life. It makes the simple workout look so "yesterday."

Contact: https://www.facebook.com/curvessidneybc/.

Looking for a space to hold your Christmas party?

The Farmer’s Daughter is an intimate and cozy cheese and wine bar that can host up to 30 guests!

Slipcovers for Living!

Removable • Washable Custom Cushions & Shades Available

250.655.1257 | www.nancysewcreative.com

For more information contact us at : 778 - 351 - 3500 www.thefarmersdaughter.co 101 - 2360 Beacon Avenue, Sidney

N E W & N OT E WO R T H Y News, changes, updates, launches? Email news@seasideamagazine.ca.

by Paula Kully

National Top 10 Hotel Awards on November 14th. Out of thousands of properties across Canada, Sidney’s own beautiful Beacon Inn was rated the #3 Canadian 3-Star Hotel!

Congratulations to the owners and their great staff!

Cozy Destination

WINNING

New Council There are some new faces on the municipal government scene on the Saanich Peninsula. Sidney welcomes new Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, North Saanich sees former Councillor Geoff Orr take the Mayor’s chair and Central Saanich’s Mayor Ryan Windsor returns by acclamation.

Sidney has four new members on Council, while Central Saanich has only one. In North Saanich, all six members of Council were acclaimed with four incumbents and two new members.

Congratulations to all and thank you to those who have served on the previous councils. It is not an easy job and everyone who takes on the task should be commended.

Good Things Come in Threes Trivago released its 2019

November also saw the Town of Sidney rank 12th out of the “55 Coziest Cities in Canada” by Expedia, the popular online global travel technology company. The ranking notes that: “Sidney is known for their book scene, making it not only a cozy destination but a most charming town, as well.” Special mentions are given to Beacon Books, The Haunted Bookshop, Tanner’s Books, and the Surly Mermaid.

just auto parts, but it can’t be denied that this is a big win for all the car enthusiasts out there.

A Shining New Star Thanks to Casman Properties and local building owner Stephen Weller, Sidney’s beloved Star Cinema will have a new home during construction of the new Cameo condominium development on the current cinema site. The transition to the temporary location at 9824 Fifth Street will take place in late December/early January.

The Star will open in its new location as a three-screen movie house anchoring Casman’s 45-suite residential complex at the intersection of Third Street and Sidney Avenue in mid-2020.

NEW BEGINNINGS Maxine’s Car Enthusiast Rejoice!

November 8 saw the grand opening of the new Canadian Tire at Sandown. It was an exciting day for Store Manager Grant Wood as hundreds flooded through the doors to check out the new store. Of course, Canadian Tire offers more than

There’s a new stylist in town.

Maxine’s Salon and Barbershop recently opened at 2407 Bevan Avenue in Sidney, the former location of The Indian Café.

Although we are sad to see the Indian restaurant go, the Salon and Barbershop brings another styling choice for families and provides a fresh, new, welcoming look.

MILESTONES

Happy and Healthy November 14 marked the fifth anniversary of Reach Health Clinic located at 102-9710 Second Street in Sidney. Reach Health is a multidisciplinary clinic that provides a wide range of services to mentor clients in obtaining their health goals. This includes Registered Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Manual Osteopathy and Holistic Nutrition.

Taking to the Sky Viking Air has some big news to share! Their parent company Longview Aviation Capital Corp. recently acquired the entire Dash 8 program from Bombardier Inc. as well as the rights to the de Havilland name and trademark in all Canadian transactions. This will be the first time in over a decade that the entire de Havilland product line is housed under one corporate banner. We can only assume that this will mean great things are in store for the Saanich Peninsula in the field of aircraft service and manufacturing.

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Your

Love

LOCAL ‌

Saanich Peninsula Shops & Services Part of what makes our neighbourhoods special are the businesses that thrive within them.

As Saanich Peninsula entrepreneurs we strive to meet the needs of, and give back to, our diverse community.

We ask that you please take a minute to think about the large potential of your consumer dollar.

When you shop local, more revenue remains in your community, supporting parks, schools and more!

For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $46 is recirculated back into the local economy.

Statistics courtesy of www.locobc.com Photos courtesy distinctlysidney.com, nuttycake.com

Your

Love

LOCAL …

Saanich Peninsula Shops & Services

Brentwood Crossing Shopping Centre

Groom That Dog We offer expert grooming in a relaxing, safe atmosphere for your dog. We also feature anestheticfree teeth cleaning for dogs and cats

by Cheyanne Cave of Happy Tails Teeth Cleaning.

keekeeklean Professional House Cleaning

BRENTWOOD CROSSING

Two new groomers will soon be joining our team; stop by and say hi!

778.977.3647 10109 McDonald Park Rd, Sidney happytailsteethcleaning.com

SHOPPING CENTRE Located in the heart of Brentwood Bay, this vibrant shopping center boast ample parking, a vast array of local businesses and shopping experiences.

We appreciate your business!

7103 West Saanich Rd Brentwood Bay

for all your housekeeping needs Ho Ho Ho Christmas is near Lots of events and time is dear Life is busy, kids are too Keekeeklean is here for you!

Parties, get togethers, lots of fun House is messy, nothing gets done Trees going up; decorations too Keekeeklean will clean for you.

Turkey, stuffing, lots of snacks Gifts and shopping fill your sacks Things get messy, you’re out of time Keekeeklean will make it fine.

Going here, going there Family is arriving; it's getting near You’re out of time, what will you do?

Hire keekeeklean we’re here for you!

Residential $32hr; Holiday/Office $35hr; Final $40hr.

Licensed | Registered | WCB Protected

Vibes Fitness Sidney

Vibes Fitness Try Vibes in December or January with our $99 Intro Offer. New classes start in January.

Follow us on Facebook – @vibesfitnesssidney – for new class schedule, information, promotions and more.

778.426.2146 vibesfitness.ca 2506 Beacon Avenue, Sidney

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Gift Certificates Available

Brown's The Florist Brown's The Florist is your local choice for flowers and floral gifts. We are locally owned and passionate about the environment so we make a point of supporting our local growers and economy.

When importing flowers we look for Fair Trade and sustainable farms. We are open seven days a week and deliver from Sidney to Sooke and some of the Gulf Islands.

Sidney Downtown Westshore brownsflorist.com

Chef on the Run

We are your perfect holiday helper! English and Christmas grocery stock now in; delivery available to the Saanich Peninsula, Cordova Bay and Salt Spring Island. Your choice of rice, pasta or potato and two vegetables plus main for just $9.50. Balanced and nutritious; cooked and ready to reheat for an easy meal!

250.655.3141 | 9781 Second St, Sidney chefontherun.net

You are investing in your community by supporting its unique businesses. Appreciate what makes our neighbourhoods different. Our one-of-akind businesses are an inherent part of the distinctive character of our Saanich Peninsula neighbourhoods; that is what brought us here and will keep us here. Stay local and stay connected to the merchants in your community.

By supporting independent businesses today, you are investing in a unique and sustainable future for the Saanich Peninsula community.

keekeeklean

Wine Kitz Sidney

professional house cleaning

WINE KITZ offers a great selection of quality, award-winning wines that you'll be proud to serve ‌ for any event or occasion. On-premises wine-making available. Product and supplies for the home vintner.

250.654.0300 winekitzsidney.ca #5A - 2042 Mills Rd West, Sidney

Yay, we got a cleaner! Now mom and dad are so much happier and we have time to do all sorts of activities. If you would like this freedom, hire keekeeklean to make your home sparkle and life easier. We do it all; book your clean today.

Vibes Fitness

Residential $32hr; Holiday/Office $35hr; Final $40hr. Licensed | Registered | WCB Protected.

250.896.6540 | keekeeklean@gmail.com

PET MARKET

From top quality Canadian raw, dry, or dehydrated foods to local treats, toys and accessories, Rascals only provides the very best for your furry friend at great prices for you.

Open 7 Days a Week & We Deliver!

778.426.4290 rascalspetmarket.com 5 - 7103 West Saanich Rd, Brentwood Bay

Muffet & Louisa

From now until Christmas, all through the store, Our elves will be busy cutting prices to the floor. $100 off here and $1,000 off there, These happy little elves Save you money everywhere!!!

250.655.7467 (SHOP) 9819 Fifth St, Sidney onestopfurniture.ca

Add a little whimsy to your Christmas this year with Patience Brewster's Krinkles! Shop early to ensure the best selection, and don't forget to ask us about our late night shopping hours leading up to Christmas.

250.656.0011 9813 Third St, Sidney muffetandlouisa.com

This Is NOT just Your Nanna's Workout ‌ but she is probably stronger than you!

Known to some as senior specialists, Vibes may be one of the best kept secrets to the under-60 population. A Vibes workout activates the body's reflexive response with the use of a vibration plate, accelerating training results quickly, efficiently and safely for any fitness level. This 20-minute workout is equivalent to 60 minutes of traditional strength training. This is a keystone to many innovators and early adopters of new technology in the fitness industry, including professional sports teams (Broncos, Dodgers and Bears to name just a few), Olympians, MMA fighters, the PGA, Serena Williams and actors such as Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson.

Vibes is excited to announce more class choice in January 2019 to appeal to your inner athlete, including V-Cardio Tone, a High Intensity workout including cardio, strength, power and core; V-Core, an intermediate to advanced core workout; V-Stretch, for reducing stress and increasing flexibility, circulation and general well being; V-Balance, a class focused on balance alone and V-Classic, our classic low impact workout for all fitness levels.

For more information visit www.vibesfitness.ca.

Your

Love

LOCAL …

Saanich Peninsula Shops & Services

Peninsula Academy of Music Arts Peninsula Academy of Music Arts (PAMA) began in 1987 in a home studio in Sidney. This evolved to Sidney Musicworks in 2001 and in 2008 became Peninsula Academy on Mills Road in North Saanich. The space was transformed into nine sound-designed teaching studios, including a drum studio, performance space and student music store.

Since its inception, PAMA has taught over a thousand local students on many instruments including Piano, Guitar, Violin, Woodwinds, Drums, Voice, Ukulele, Accordion and more. Each of PAMA's 18 instructors has been carefully chosen not only for their formal education but equally for their real-world career, performance, and teaching experience. Over the years PAMA's teachers have developed several popular classes that are fun and encouraging and have become not only learning events but welcomed weekly gatherings. PAMA continues to host several student recitals yearly which provide an opportunity for students of all ages and levels to share music with their friends, family and local community. Classes and private lessons are offered throughout the year whether for fun, to improve skills or for Royal Conservatory Exam or university entrance preparation.

"Music comes to life when it is shared." ~ Diana and Lloyd English

Homefront Ideas

Focus Hair Design

Kristy has designed and project managed renovations for 18 years specializing in kitchens and bathrooms.

Please come visit our show room to see kitchens and custom furnishings 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Focus Hair Design is a Green Business of the Year award recipient! Let us match you to one of our stylists and share with you the green steps we have taken!

250.656.2691 | homefrontideas.com 2071 Malaview Ave, Sidney

250.656.8122 #102 - 2527 Beacon Ave, Sidney

Sidney by the Sea Dental Hygiene Clinic Now that summer is over, book your dental hygiene appointment … we focus on preventative dental hygiene in a relaxed environment.

Complimentary complete dental hygiene exam and diagnosis ($100 value).

We are accepting new patients!

Paulette Reid, RDH, BBA, MSc 250.655.4884 #102 - 2423 Beacon Ave, Sidney www.SidneyDentalHygiene.com

Peninsula Academy of Music Arts Your community music school offering instruction for all levels. Ukulele and guitar classes for adults and children, private lessons for piano, guitar, bass, voice, drums, violin/fiddle and more.

778.426.1800 | peninsulaacademy.ca 1662 Mills Rd, North Saanich

Deep Cove Customs Local, affordable custom cabinets … right here on the Saanich Peninsula! We offer a full-service shop, from design and manufacturing through to the installation of our exceptional product.

250.412.3472 deepcovecustoms.com 2071 Malaview Ave, Sidney (call for appt.)

Panorama Recreation:

Fitness Fun – To New Year’s and Beyond

by Jo Barnes

For Christmas, My true love sent to me, Three sets of weights, Two tennis rackets, And a pair of skates just for me.

While it might not feature partridges, pipers or pear trees, 25+ days of Panorama offers plenty of fun, festivities and fitness.

Kick off December by building a gingerbread house in the Gingerbread House Challenge. Proceeds benefit CFAX Santa’s Anonymous. Join Santa for pancakes and fresh fruit at Kindergym Breakfast with Santa on December 18 at Greenglade Community Centre.

From December 22 to January 6 there are numerous ways to revitalize and refresh. Aquafit classes like Deep, Shallow, Aqua Joints, and Aqua Yoga, allow you to have a great workout with less stress on the joints. Enjoy a combo of music and movement? How about Drop in Jazzercise? How about indoor biking in the dark? It’s lights out and music up in Spin Glow!

Join a team and put some top spin on festive fun in The Christmas Mixed 3KO Tennis Tournament from December 7 to 9.

“Try ‘Holiday Mashup,’ an “anything goes” style class for the holidays with a mix of cardio, strength, core and stretch. Other great drop-in class options include Spin, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), TRX (suspension training using body weight), Kettlebell and Yoga,” says Krista Enderud, Fitness, Weights and Rehabilitation Coordinator.

The festive season of course means family. Winter Wonderland Family Carnival on December 22 offers kids’ games, painting on the ice, heavenly hot chocolate and a visit by Santa. How about a twist on the annual Santa photos? Get a snap underwater at Scuba Santa December 8!

Goggles and masks are provided. Enjoy swimming and fun on the rope swing, waterslide, climbing wall and diving boards at Everyone Welcome Swims December 26 and January 1. Bring in the New Year with First Night New Year’s Eve Family Celebration on December 31! Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Activities include a welcome swim, skating, inflatable fun, laser tag, arts and crafts, face painting and a spectacular fireworks display.

Fun and fitness carry on well into 2019 with interesting new programs like Better Body Training. Designed by a personal trainer, it provides an efficient workout whereby participants can work each major muscle group twice per week. Starting February 13, Parent and Baby Hiking, gives parents a chance to enjoy fresh air and fitness with their little ones.

Find out ways to live life waste free in Zero Waste Living on February 9 or learn how to be in the moment and improve your communication in Improvise Your Life Feb 2-23. Expand your cooking skills in Introduction to Authentic Indian Cuisine on February 5.

As 2018 wraps up and we move into a new year, let the countdown to fun at Panorama begin!

Celebrate the season with our popular Festive Lunch Buffet!

Turkey & ham with all the trimmings, seafood, salads and desserts Monday to Friday from December 11th – 21st from 11:00am un�l 2:00pm $24.95 per person Enjoy live entertainment to get you in the holiday spirit!

Dining Reserva�ons 250.655.9700 • www.haros.ca DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 61

ISLAND DISH

Christmas Leftovers; Now What?

by Laura Waters

In the Sidney Pier Hotel 2536 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 250.656.5676

62 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

I love a traditional Christmas

dinner as I find it the easiest dinner to cook. I can prepare so much ahead of time so I can enjoy the meal and the day. I make the stuffing the day before, wrap it in cheesecloth and cover it in the fridge. Then when I stuff the turkey I just put the cheesecloth in the turkey. It makes the stuffing so much easier to get out of the turkey later. If you have gluten-free issues to deal with, cook your stuffing separately and fill your bird's cavity with fresh herbs and butter and make your gravy with cornstarch. You can cook your potatoes the day before, mash them and then just reheat them slowly in the oven. My twice-baked sweet potato recipe is much better if it sits overnight in the fridge and then is warmed the next day.

I always seem to dirty every dish in the house when I cook; the cleanup crew reminds me of that all the time!

Menu: Fresh locally grown turkey Sautéed sliced Brussels sprouts with mushrooms and onions Twice baked sweet potatoes, Mashed potatoes with garden herb butter (a blend of sage, rosemary and oregano blended and mixed with butter), gives mashed potatoes a very different flavour.

Croissants with herb butter Stuffing (the beautiful thing about living on the coast is herbs are still available in the garden in December, so I will include fresh rosemary, oregano and sage in my stuffing along with the onions, bread crumbs and butter Cranberry sauce: fresh Cranberries, the juice of one orange and sugar to taste.

Tomato and pomegranate salad Snowdon House Gourmet & Gifts

Im weißen Feld der Anzeige können Sie Ihre Händleradresse ergänzen.

You can enter your dealer address in the white box in the advertisement.

Turkey puff with croissant crust and mashed potato topping

Traditional plum pudding with hot butter rum sauce. I have used Grandma's recipe for years. It must be at least 75 years old, takes a while to make and is very rich but you only need a mouthful. I usually make this early in the fall and freeze it.

A tray of shortbread and Christmas cake So now that I have cooked Christmas dinner and I have all these leftovers, what can I do?

I love a hot turkey sandwich the next day, and always put on a pot of soup. I freeze some turkey in a ziplock bag with gravy.

Try an eggs benedict with turkey (minus the gravy).

How about trying some savoury waffles with turkey, gravy and topped with cranberry sauce?

I have just tried a new recipe that uses the leftover croissants as the crust and is full of a layer of mashed potatoes covered in turkey with gravy and then garnished with cranberries.

You will need: 10" round pie plate 2 leftover croissants 1½ cup mashed potatoes (at room temperature) 2 cups turkey and gravy ¼ cup stuffing Preheat oven to 325° Break croissants up and use them to cover the sides and bottom of the pie plate. Put in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

On the stovetop, warm your leftover gravy and turkey.

Place a layer of mashed potatoes over the croissant crust. It doesn't have to be exactly even. Leave about a ¼ cup for the topping.

Take the warm turkey and gravy and cover the potatoes. Top with scoops (see picture) of mashed potatoes and bake for 10 minutes till pie is warmed through. Serve on individual plates garnished with cranberry sauce.

Enjoy!

RayDahlOptical.ca

Dr. Samantha Bourdeau O.D Dr. Andrew Lewis O.D. 101-2376 Bevan Ave Sidney, BC V8L 4Z9 Phone: 250-655-1122

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 63

IMPROMPTU

Christmas Magic

John Rogers, Photographer

The Sidney Sparkles Parade always marks the start of the Christmas season. The excitement of getting there early to find a spot, maybe on chairs we’ve remembered to bring, maybe just on the edge of the sidewalk. It’s usually cold (or we just forget the years when the weather doesn’t match our expectations), and everyone’s bundled up in hats, and scarves and mittens.

There’s a buzz in the air while we wait, eagerly, impatiently; watching and listening for the first sounds. For kids there’s excitement in it all – the candy being handed out, the trucks, lights and music. For parents there always seems to be a bittersweet edge to the festivities. While they’re watching the parade, we’re watching them, wondering how many more years we’ll get to share the magic with them.

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Individually handcrafted with care, Pyrrha talismans protect, celebrate and inspire the wearer. Come and explore our shop, with one-of-akind hand-chosen greeting cards, an amazing selection of unique giftware and treasures that will put a smile on your face. We pride ourselves on friendly customer service and welcome individual custom orders with many of our giftware lines.

Over this busy season, don’t forget to give yourself the gift of relaxation and pampering.

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Slippers from Around the World A lovely selection of slippers are in stock now from all our favourite makers: GARNEAU, GLERUPS, ROMIKA, VIONIC and HAFLINGER. We stock slippers featuring great support, removable insoles and fun ones too! Many styles and colours for both men and women are in stock for the Holiday Season.

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Swedish Angel Chimes Happy Hour on the Hook

by Phyllis Anderson “Illumination of Love” Annual holiday group show in support of the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Now through to Dec. 31.

The Gallery at Mattick’s Farm, featuring artwork, jewelry, metalwork, pottery and glasswork by local artists and artisans.

Ring in Christmas with a bit of nostalgia... Swedish Angel Chimes are back at the Ladybug.

Our fabulous Danish candles are restocked, beautiful hand-painted candles from Lithuania are in the mix, and of course all of the local pottery, glass and jewelry is ready to go!

Check out our new line of stocking stuffers, too!

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November Meeting

by Deborah Rogers

Talk about going out with a bang! Our last Book Club meeting of 2018 was our best attended yet, with 26 of us (slightly) squeezed into the Lounge at the Shoal Centre. I couldn't have asked for more when I first raised the idea of a book club with Sidney/ North Saanich Library two years ago.

Rounding out our reading year was a slim novel by Celeste Ng, Everything I Never Told You. Everyone had read it, and a show of hands suggested that it had been enjoyed by most. Actually, enjoyed probably isn't the right word. It's a sad book detailing a dark story packed full of grief, yearning and anger. There were themes about belonging, about being a parent and a delicate exploration of the idea of empathy.

Our readers felt that the author's skill lay especially with characters 68 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

that were well developed. She gave us insight into each of their relationships, allowing a rounded view of the dysfunctional family at the centre of the story. With the death of a child the catalyst for the family that had been barely holding it together, to totally fall apart, the reader sits in the middle and observes. I wouldn't say it's an especially emotional book despite its tragic topic.

The setting of 1970s midwest America is essential for this story, Books recommended by Seaside Magazine Book Club Members: From our shared reading this year: Everything I Never Told You – Celeste Ng Born A Crime – Trevor Noah The Mountain Story – Lori Lansens Two Old Women – Velma Wallis And from members’ individual reading: The Bean Trees / Flight Behaviour – Barbara Kingsolver Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations – Richard Wagamese Conversations With Friends – Sally Rooney

photo by Nunn Other Photography

but some of the themes are universal. The issue of being seen as an outsider, whether through race, gender or sexuality is pulled apart for examination. There were lots of ways that our members could relate to the topic. We discussed the author's own background a little, and how she became a parent for the first time part way through writing the book. The switch in perspective from daughter to mother seems important both to the way it's written, and perhaps to how the book is read.

Such a slim novel raised big themes and provoked a really engaged discussion.To wrap up the meeting I invited all those present to share the books they had enjoyed reading most this year. It's a great way to hear about titles that otherwise might not have crossed your path and I'm pleased to share their recommendations with you.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our meetings this year, and those who have signed up for the mailing list and I just know are reading along at home!

The Book Club is a joint effort with the Sidney library and especially Virginia MacLeod – thank you for all you do sourcing and providing our titles each month. We've been sustained by wonderful coffee and goodies from Quince Café in Sidney – thanks to Courtney and her team there.

Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 16 at the Shoal Centre from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We'll be discussing The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George.

Women Talking – Miriam Toews A Year of Living Danishly – Helen Russell The Japanese Lover – Isabel Allende The Garden of Evening Mists – Tan Twan Eng Sweetness in the Belly – Camilla Gibb Our Souls at Night – Kent Haruf Shooters in the Sky – Karen Woodhouse The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot Company Town – Madeline Ashby Beneath A Scarlet Sky – Mark Sullivan The Wind is not a River – Brian Payton Lilac Girls – Martha Hall Kelly

Gift ideas for all the readers on your list this Christmas!

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Christmas Decorating Ideas:

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Bring on the glow with twinkle lights and more twinkle lights! Nestle candles and tea lights into all your festive settings to create that holiday glow.

STORY BY JANICE HENSHAW

Have you unearthed your boxes of decorations and sentimental treasures? How do last year’s Boxing Day specials look? If, by chance, things are not quite working out as well as you had hoped, and you need to spice up your holiday decorating, look no further – we have some sparkling tips from design experts for you! We also share some holiday thoughts and traditions, and Christmas decorating requests from kids under 10.

Wendy White, Interior Designer & Architectural Technologist at Trudi Jones Interior Design, says that she tends to match Christmas décor and accessories with the style of the home, inside as well as outside. “My preference is simplicity and natural elements like evergreen boughs, pinecones, ‘Christmas berries’ and branches decorated with little lights.

“The decorations look great embellished with glitter and a few ornaments; try mixed metals, silver, gold and crystal. Satin ribbon and organza material can be woven in to enhance the look.

These elements can be used to decorate inside entrances, stair railings, tables, fireplace mantels and outside entrances, porches and windows.

The decoration I always include in or outside my home is the nativity scene to commemorate the true origin of Christmas.”

Tracey Jones, principal designer and owner of Remarkable Redesign, also brings nature’s winter bounty indoors. She spreads fresh cut pine, fir and cedar boughs generously on horizontal surfaces and tucks in cones, eucalyptus and winter berries. For added sparkle, she nestles a decorative tree ornament or candle along the surface. “Raid the kitchen!

Cranberries, fresh rosemary and pomegranate make beautiful tablescapes.”

“Bring on the glow with twinkle lights and more twinkle lights! Nestle candles and tea lights into all your festive settings to really create that holiday glow (use LED lights for safety).

Use scented oils and candles to enhance the forest boughs and mulled spices of the holidays.”

Janice Long, interior designer at Calla Design, says that her favourite part of decorating for

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 73

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Christmas is doing her mantel. Janice anchors her mantel display with a pair of large antique brass and black candlesticks with gold beaded shades. “I put a tea light inside, and the effect is magical.” Another idea is to use hurricane lamps of different heights and put tiny wired lights inside. Janice’s store (located in Estevan Village) is filled with beautiful ornaments and Christmas ideas for 2018.

More Decorating Ideas!

If you’re still looking for inspiration, consider some of the following. If you are a minimalist, go green, simple and natural. If you love glitz and glitter, go wild, try them all: Display beautiful bowls full of apples, oranges, and pomegranates.

Fill unique containers with flowers, branches, evergreen sprigs, small logs, and berries.

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Top: spread fresh cut boughs and nestle in cones, eucalyptus or winter berries Bottom: Try a nativity scene to commemorate the true origin of Christmas

For texture and warmth how about a plush faux fur tree skirt and cozy throws?

Add white textured or clay feathers to your table or centrepiece.

Create a holiday scene with a rustic pre-lit tree and add stars and

victoriagardencity.ca • info@victoriagardencity.ca • 250.385.4858

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Create a holiday scene by crafting lots of paper snowflakes and hanging them everywhere!

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Hang your stockings on the mantel with Santa Claus stocking holders, not nails!

Dust off your puzzles and board games and have them displayed and ready to play.

Cuddle up to a furry white teddy bear with a red collar.

Hang boughs and holly branches over mirrors, and drape twinkling lights from the ceiling (did you know that big bulbs [LED] are making a comeback? But consider colour: some users have reported that blue LEDs have caused headaches or insomnia).

Pin Christmas cards and kid’s artwork to vertically placed unfinished wood planks and add some greenery. Or hang a vintage wooden window with small panes and glue on wooden clothes pegs to display your cards.

Decorate your tree – what’s your style: earthy or glitzy? Or make your own trees! Consider paper or cardboard; there are no limits to the imagination here.

Put holiday collars on your best friends (dogs and cats that is!).

Don’t forget to dig out your warm Christmas socks, fuzzy elf slippers, and consider a cozy, jacquard knit holiday sweater for that Nordic chalet look.

Christmas Decorating and Traditions

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Madye, my book club friend, has very definite ideas on decorating for Christmas. She says: “No 1950s aluminum trees and angel hair for me! Nothing silver or cold and icicle-looking, and NO BLUE OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!” To each her own, though … personally, I kind of like blue lights!

As a child, Madye loved to dig under the Christmas tree and rattle all her presents. One year, her mother decided to put a stop to that by putting numbers on the gifts instead of names, so no one knew whose gift was whose. A grand plan, but it fell short when she lost the number key. On Christmas morning they all opened random boxes. Madye unwrapped her grandfather’s new flannel pajamas and pipe tobacco. It was the first and last year for that tradition.

“I always decorate my home at Christmas in the scarlets and forest greens of the holly bush, backlit by candles in brass sticks,” says Madye. “Nothing ever looks perfect; no magazine photographer would be invited to my door, but it is always warm, cozy, and a little chaotic. In Germany, they say ‘gemütlich.’ Each decoration evokes memories of past Christmases, and each is cherished. As my family of origin has been reduced by death and geography, these holiday treasures have become more important to me.”

Another book club friend, Pam, thwarts the early darkness and rains of December by looking for opportunities to create joy. Filling her house with music, she dances and sings along to her favourite Christmas songs. “Looking at my house when it is all lit up with sparkly lights and lots of pretty decorations makes me so happy. Perhaps like the roses and other flowers in my garden, I want to enjoy my time with the lights and decorations, knowing they will soon be packed away once more.”

All the Best of the Season, from Our Family to Yours!

HOOK & HOOK RENOVATIONS & DESIGN A fun idea for gift wrap is to use plain paper with a bit of twine. Add a small sprig of greenery for seasonal pop.

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Christmas Decorating Requests from Magic Seekers Under 10!

I asked some starry-eyed little ones – if they could have a wish, what would their decorations look like?

Neko (nine) and Violet (six): “Strings of popcorn on the Christmas tree and bowls of popcorn for us.” Abby (five): “I like ornaments on the tree, especially the baby ones with our names on it.”

Mikayla (six): “I would get red lights for the outside of the house because Santa’s hat is red. And maybe a sled with Santa in it on the front lawn.”

Luke (eight): “Blow up decorations; Frosty the Snowman is my favourite!”

Gabby (nine): “I would decorate our whole house with white lights because it will make it shine. And white reindeer because they guide Santa’s sleigh.”

And that’s a wrap – oh right – don’t forget to be creative with the gift wrap too! A fun idea is to use plain paper with a bit of twine, and a white pen for marking dark paper. Add your artwork to enhance the gift or glue on some cut-outs. Add a small sprig of greenery for seasonal pop.

I hope you sing along to your Christmas playlists and enjoy all the sparkly lights, fragrant boughs, love and good cheer of the holiday season. And let us all take a moment to be grateful for our freedom, our friends and family, and for the beautiful island on which we live. We are so blessed.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 79

Ask our residents:

Life is divine here.

Lois and Bente share their ‘me-time’ over a fine glass of wine.

Shot on location at Peninsula at Norgarden 80 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

Independent and assisted living choices for today’s senior

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

by THE TIDMAN GROUP

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ON DESIGN

Light Up Your Life

by Tracey Jones and Stacey Kaminski

It’s here … the most wonderful time of the year! But wait; what? No outside lights up? No giant blow-up Santa in your winter wonderland? If you’re sweating the holiday light chaos, you’re not alone. So many options; so little time!

Here’s a rundown of just a snippet of what is available for exterior lighting these days and also some ideas for thinking outside the box (and off the ladder perhaps!) for festive décor that will light up your holiday home.

“Old school” string lights. A great option always for eaves and roof peaks. Go for LED bulbs; your Hydro bill will thank you Garden Laser Light. No ladders, no hassle.

Just point this single laser light toward the house facade and voila: thousands of twinkles! Bonus that you can control it remotely from inside!

Net lights. Wrapping hedges with twinkle lights may seem like a daunting task, especially when figuring out where to stop and start each strand. Eliminate all of the second-guessing by investing in net lights. Time saved here is priceless!

Classic Icicle lights. This holiday standby gives you so much more dazzle than a single strand. Bonus tip: stuff these icicles into garden shrubs like a net light … less expensive and works well!

The following are tips and tricks for a glowing holiday display: Lights on timers. Most timer options simply plug into an exterior outlet, giving you a low maintenance approach to holiday lighting that’s perfectly timed.

Lighting walkways. Since holidays often attract more guests to the home than other times of the year, be sure to keep walkways brightly lit. An easy way to do this is to take advantage of any smaller trees or shrubs along or around the walkway and outfit them with just a few strands of lights. Although they may be too small to properly read from the street,

the subtle glow cast onto walkways will help guests make their way up to the house safely.

Mixed light sources. Year-round exterior lighting such as sensory-activated motion lights, security spotlights and sconces can often interfere with the soft ambiance created by twinkle lights. The key to properly mixing different sources is overpowering year-round fixtures with twinkle lights. Consider changing year-round bulbs to those with lower wattage, resulting in a beautiful, soft glow along all exterior surfaces of the home, and allowing twinkle lights to shine bright(er)!

Decorate a tree outside! In addition to the one inside, why not also light up and decorate a tree outside? Pick your star timber – front and centre – and decorate away!

Simplicity (and natural) is key when it comes to Holiday porch decorations. Cut

boughs from various tree sources , cut winter berry branches, collect winter cones … put some string lights in a galvanized bucket with the fresh greenery. So pretty!

Skip the traditional candle and toss in a tangle of string lights or battery-operated LED wire lights to amp up holiday lanterns.

Tomato cages are the perfect shape for making outdoor Christmas trees for porch or front lawn. Pick up light strings and wired garland and simply wrap! Sparkling “saplings” look magical outdoors!

Whether you go all out with your holiday decorating, simply put up a tree, or even just pull up the covers (!) find some moments to stop and revel in the sparkling magic of the season. Happy Holidays!

Contact: www.remarkableinteriors.ca or www.interiorstylesbystacey.com.

Timeless Elegance, Unmatched Quality Professional Services from Design Through Installation www.SeasideCabinetry.ca | 250.812.4304 | 9715 First Street, Sidney DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 81

Hot Properties

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2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Townhouse located across the street from some of the best beaches Victoria has to offer.

These Units are well sought after in this impeccably maintained complex. For more information photos and floorplans please visit www.annwatley.com.

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W E ST COAST GARDENER

Craftsmanship With Style

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR WEST COAST GARDENERS For many of us, the holiday season is a time for reflection upon the past year. This introspection may also apply to the successes and failures of the past gardening season. Perhaps it's even time to draft some New Year's resolutions in the hope of dragging us into green-thumbed betterment.

by Matt Hall 1. "I will not impulse buy a plant Red Feather Horticulture that I don't have a place in the garden for." You've bought so many that you secretly think that your collection of potted plants might be the reason your patio is sinking.

2. "I will not be lured into starting seeds on the first warm day of February." You might not think of yourself as the eternal optimist when you're planting 24-inch-tall sweet-pea starts.

3. "I will admit to losing the battle with moss for my lawn … if you stand way back and squint, it looks like grass."

4. "I will be smarter with my composter." It's not like this year will be the year that your compost decides to break down the corn cobs and Douglas fir cones that seem to find their way in every year.

5. "I will try to remember that Mother Nature is not at war with me personally." The waves of sparrows, aphids, weevils and bud worms are not a trial to test your faith (though railing at the heavens can be so satisfying).

6. "At social gatherings, I will stop deadheading other people's plants." It's hard to greet someone with a shake when your hand is completely tacky with rhododendron sap.

7. "This year, I will only grow one zucchini plant." You secretly think your daily zucchini deliveries might be the reason your neighbours installed a locking gate last summer.

8. "I will stop trying to convince people that I grow vegetables to save money." You snickered when you read the joke "Only a gardener will spend $40 growing a plant they can buy for $1.99 a pound at the grocery store," but inwardly felt a bit crushed.

9. "Your next-door neighbour does not want your slugs." No matter what you tell yourself, relocation is only for cougars.

10. "You will wait patiently for the 2019 seed catalogs." The staff at the garden centre have already started answering the phone with "No, they still aren't here yet."

I hope this little bit of humour adds to a joyful holiday season for all Seaside readers. My best wishes for a happy holiday season and bountiful New Year from all of us at Red Feather.

Matt is the owner/operator of Red Feather Landscaping and Horticulture. If your New Year's resolution is to finally let someone else do the gardening, please drop us a line at info@redfeatherhorticulture.com or visit us at www.redfeatherhorticulture.com.

Whether you’d like to open up your kitchen, create a spa-like bathroom or finally design that custom dream home … if it’s an important project to you, it’s an important project to us and we’ll treat your home as if we were working on our own.

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#6-7855 East Saanich Road, Saanichton 250.544.0727 • admin@saanichtonlaw.com • saanichtonlaw.com DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 83

We have something for everyone on your list this season

We are located in The Sidney Pier Hotel 9805 Seaport Place, Sidney, BC • 250.655.9797 • havenspa@sidneypier.com

84 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

LOV I N G L A R G E , LIVING SMALL

Off-Grid Gifts For many who celebrate the

by Linda Hunter

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holidays, it is a beautiful and joyful time of year. For others, it may instead be filled with stress and overwhelm along with the added challenge of gift giving. A time meant to be full of the festive spirit, it can at times be filled with dread: navigating relationships, finding extra funds and participating in the excess and consumerism that is often part and parcel of the season.

For our family, this time of year is mostly about experiences and each other. We choose to forgo presents for presence, and our focus is on sharing meals and moments, crafting memories that are more easily held in your heart than in your hand.

Part of simple living is simple giving and for our clan, this has not only meant a more meaning-filled Christmas, but also a more relaxing and beautiful season, one with fewer expectations and much more celebration. And while many might argue that giving is better than receiving, this year we are especially grateful to receive some of the gifts that we so often take for granted: those that are offered up freely in nature, gifts that last and won't need to be exchanged or returned.

This December, we will all spend some time off from working, on the Island's west coast, in Shirley. Rather than chop down a tree or purchase one that has been specifically grown for the season, we will instead enjoy the abundant living forest that surrounds us while adorning a few of our favourite trees with battery-operated LED lights. Our solar panels will continue to gift us with enough of the sun's energy to charge our batteries and provide the necessary power for any electrical needs. Our composting toilet will work hard over the holidays, taking care of business as usual. Our new hand wash pump station (thanks to YouTube) will provide washed hands and cool drinks, allowing for early morning teeth brushing and early evening dish washing, while our greywater will be used to put out our post dinner

campfires. While enjoying time off along with these off grid gifts, we'll begin to design a rain harvesting system that will gratefully accept that abundant West Coast winter rain offering, ready to use in spring planting when a new season finally peeks through the trees.

While enjoying a connection to the land and an offline connection to each other (no working cell phones), our goal this Christmas will be to appreciate what we already have without purchasing more, to take only what we need when we likely already have enough, and to share what is so readily available and so freely given in the natural world: fresh sea air, sensational sunshine, cool crisp water, abundant trees and trails, spectacular wildlife, and some sensational Shirley sunsets. Our aim will be to return home after the holidays, with not much more than what we went with, except for bringing back our newly made shared memories; all the while knowing that the gifts we did leave behind will continue to give even when we are no longer present.

You can continue to follow Linda's journey along with her family at www.lovinglargelivingsmall.ca , starting in the New Year.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 85

Turkey Tips

by Ken Miller

Are you you on on the the Are right track? track? right well-diversified portfolio portfolio that that isis AA well-diversified Aaligned well-diversified portfolio thatand is your to your financial goals aligned to your financial goals and your aligned to your financial goals and your risk tolerance tolerance isis still still the the best best defense defense risk risk tolerance is still the best defense against market market volatility. volatility. against against market volatility.

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86 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

I cooked my first turkey when I was

21 and had left home and was going to school.

With no experience to draw from, I did exactly what my mother did as I was growing up. I cooked a "traditional bird" and the only thing back then we had to worry about was how big a turkey to get.

In the last 50 years I have cooked well over 100 turkeys, almost all of them traditional Christmas/Thanksgiving turkeys, and have learned a thing or two that slightly change the way I cook it.

First, and most importantly: the turkey has changed over the years.

Turkeys are big business and feeding them is expensive. They grow them faster and the meat is less dense, so all the timings in older cookbooks are off. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the new times for the modern turkey and most current cookbooks have picked this up. Most unstuffed turkeys today will be cooked in three to four hours at 325°. If you stuff it add an additional 30 to 40 minutes. Cook until you reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Other changes I have made over the years are to use poultry seasoning and fresh herbs whenever possible, and add pork sausage and melted butter to the stuffing. A few years ago I started using ciabatta buns from Country Grocer instead of bread. With these changes, the demand for my stuffing went up and I had to learn to be creative with the way I put it in the bird. So I lay the turkey on its back with the cavity and leg facing me. I very carefully slide my hands under the skin on each side of the cavity and work them around so the palm of my hand is around the body of the bird and at the back of my hand is the thigh and drumstick. Gradually pulling outward, I create two cavities that will hold another one to two cups of additional stuffing.

Finally, the last departure from my mother's recipe is I cook my turkey upside down; the white meat is always juicer. I still buy a farm-raised bird and I am still worried about how big a bird to get, which translates into how many people are coming over and of course there need to be leftovers!

Another change I've made over the years is using this recipe for

Cranberry and Dried Cherry Chutney instead of cranberry sauce.

A huge deviation from the traditional accompaniment, it's a deep crimson chutney and the balance of flavours is a fitting complement to the noble bird. Makes 2-3 cups.

1½ cups water 1½ cups granulated sugar 1 pkg fresh cranberries (225g; 3 cups) ¾ - 1 cup dried cherries (80g), coarsely chopped 3 tbsp cider vinegar 2 tbsp light brown sugar 3½ tsp fresh ginger, minced 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half In a medium saucepan combine 1½ cups of water and 1½ cups of sugar. Set over medium-high heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved, then bring the mixture to a boil without stirring.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to mix.

Lower the temperature to simmer and cook until the mixture starts to thicken (about 7 to 8 minutes).

Remove from the heat and add: 3 tbsp apricot brandy 3 tsp grated orange zest, coarsely grated or chopped.

(For Thanksgiving you can also add chopped, fresh ripe pear.)

Stir in the orange zest & brandy. Carefully remove the two cinnamon halves and discard. Cool the mixture, transfer to a dish, cover and refrigerate.

The chutney will thicken. Recipe should be made three days ahead and chutney should be brought up to room temperature before serving.

If you are invited out for the turkey dinner go to your local Thrift Store and purchase a couple of small cut crystal serving dishes (about 50¢ each). Clean them, fill with the chutney and bring them along, leaving the dishes for your host when you leave. You are sure to get invited back again!

Every pet has a wish list

OPEN

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A WEEK!

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DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 87

The Magic of Christmas

A family tradition December 1 - January 6 Lights Skating Entertainment butchartgardens.com/christmas 88 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

W H AT ' S H A P P E N I N G DECEMBER 1 - 31

DECEMBER 10: Celebrate the Season:

Panorama Recreation Centre, 1885 Forest Park Drive, North Saanich 250.656.7271 | nbobrowich@panoramarec.bc.ca

7:30 p.m. at 1831 Fern St. (Park on Begbie.)

250.727.3097 | www.victoriastorytellers.org

Gingerbread House Challenge

Get together with your family, friends, teammates and coworkers to kick off the holidays by building a Gingerbread house to benefit CFAX Santas Anonymous!

DECEMBER 2

Stories at Fern Street (since 1989)

For people who love to tell stories, for people who love to listen, for people of all ages.

DECEMBER 15 & 16: Forest Festivities (drop-in event - all ages)

Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, Saanich

5 to 6 p.m. on Beacon Avenue, Sidney

250.478.3344 | www.crd.bc.ca/parks

The annual Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade starts at 5 p.m. Sunday, December 2 and runs through the centre of town along Beacon Avenue. Lighted Sail Past to follow!

Join CRD Regional Parks naturalists in the spirit of the season. Make recycled cards, crafts, and a small green swag with Scotch broom. We’ll supply material and instructions, you supply the creativity. Drop in anytime at the Beaver Lake Nature Centre with your family and friends.

DECEMBER 3: Sidney Concert Band Musical Sleigh Ride Concert

3 to 7 p.m. at Parkland Secondary School Theatre 10640 McDonald Park Road, Sidney info@sidneyconcertband.ca

Featuring the Sidney Concert Band and musicians from Bayside, North Saanich and Royal Oak Middle Schools. Tickets at the door - $10 suggested donation. All proceeds to SD 63 middle school band programs.

DECEMBER 8: Holiday Bird Count Training (guided walk - 12 yrs +)

9 to 11 a.m. at Island View Beach Regional Park, Central Saanich 250.478.3344 | www.crd.bc.ca/parks

Join guest bird expert, Geoffrey Newell, to learn your song birds and ocean ducks, cormorants, grebes, loons, and seabirds. Good for beginners and advanced birders alike.

DECEMBER 8: RockCoast Confections Holiday Open House and Fundraiser 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at #107 - 1753 Sean Heights, Saanichton

Visit Santa, bring a smile and snap a picture of him with you or your pets … FARM ANIMALS included! Help us support Vets for Pets by bringing dog/cat food or related products and enjoy complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, mochas and yummy RockCoast Confections treats.

DECEMBER 10: Floating Ideas Lecture Sea-ries Diving Back in Time: Conservation at the Interface of Indigenous knowledge and Ecology

DECEMBER 16: G.F. Handel's Messiah performed by V ia C horalis Chamber Choir and Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus 2:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Church, 10030 Third Street, Sidney www.viachoralis.ca

Soloists: Anna Shill, soprano; Alana Hayes, mezzo; Adam Dyjach, tenor; Nathan McDonald, bass. Tickets $30 / students $5, children under 12 free. Available at Tanner’s Books, Sidney, www.brownpapertickets.com and Seaberry Garden & Flower at Mattick’s Farm.

DECEMBER 22 Winter Wonderland Family Carnival 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Panorama Recreation Centre, Arena A 1885 Forest Park Drive, North Saanich 250.656.7271 | mking@panoramarec.bc.ca

Join us on the ice for some holiday fun for the whole family! Enjoy hot chocolate, kids games, painting on the ice, a figure skating performance and a special visit from Santa!

DECEMBER 25: Annual Christmas Dinner Seatings at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney 250.656.7678 | www.marywinspear.ca

7 p.m. at Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea 9811 Seaport Place, Sidney 250.665.7511 | www.salishseacentre.org

Please call Wendy during the day at 250-656-7678 to reserve a space for one of the seatings.

Yelloweye rockfish are a marine species of immense ecological, economic and cultural value. The fish, which can live more than a century, are relied upon by commercial, recreational and First Nations fishers alike. Like many species valued by multiple user groups, yelloweye rockfish have faced massive stock declines in British Columbia throughout the last century. Coastal Indigenous Peoples worldwide have relied on fish and other marine resources for millennia, and continue to do so despite recent degradation of ocean systems by external forces. Their Indigenous knowledge and law, comprised of experiences, observations, beliefs, and lifeways, is relevant for modern marine management and conservation. In B.C., Coastal First Nations are in the process of developing proprietary Marine Use Plans, that combine Indigenous knowledge with independently conducted ecological studies to inform local marine management decisions.

2ND WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH Caregivers of Family and Friends Support Group 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Saanichton Bible Fellowship Church 2159 Mount Newton Cross Road sol.valiquette@shaw.ca

Find comfort and camaraderie in a safe setting.

3RD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH Sidney Sister Cities Association General Meeting 7 p.m. at Vancouver Island Regional Library, Sidney www.sidneysistercitiesassociation.com

Speakers and discussions on the association's ongoing projects.

DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 89

Peninsula Panthers

The Mid-Season Report Card

The 2018/19 season in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League has been one which has seen more parity than ever before. The Comox Valley Glacier Kings appear to be on life support as they sit at the bottom of the VIJHL standings and most hockey pundits of the League are already forecasting that they will be the odd-man out when the playoffs commence in late February. The Westshore Wolves and Oceanside Generals have lost a lot of games however, both teams have enough horses that they could go on a long run which would vault them right back into the race. The Peninsula Panthers have locked up a playoff berth only halfway into this season but the Club has a bigger goal than simply competing in the playoffs. The squad has been built to win hockey games when the going gets a bit tougher and with some size and toughness they will make some noise this season.

It has been a tale of two seasons for the gritty “Cats.” After dropping their first two games of the season at home - both winnable - the Panthers then proceeded to win their next eight in the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre. In the 8-game Home winning streak, the Team beat every other Club in the VIJHL except the Nanaimo Buccaneers who they did not match up against during the run. But on the road it was a different story where the puck did not seem to bounce their way and they came out on the short end of the stick more often than not.

Head Coach Brad Tippett, who is back for his 3rd year as the Panthers’ Bench Boss, commented on where he sees his troops as they enter into the 2nd half of the Regular season, “We are approaching the midpoint of this season and yet it feels like two seasons. After a successful exhibition season we followed it up in the first couple weeks of the Regular season with an 0-5 record. It was a shock to reality for our group. We have been a vastly different team since then and our confidence is really starting to grow.

Photo by Gordon Lee

Defensively we have been much improved in spite of some of the injuries to key players. Rarely have we been out-shot and our goaltending has been consistent. Little things such as an improved willingness to block shots has really helped out. We continue to struggle to score goals and that has certainly been our Achillies heel.

Our deficiency of secondary scoring has resulted in many one-goal and overtime games. Missed opportunities have kept many games much tighter than the play would indicate. Our less than acceptable shooting accuracy - not hitting the net and shooting too high - leads to a lack of second chances for our group. We have to be more willing to pay the price in front of the net. Our play at home has been superb and a little less stellar away from the Panorama.”

The Panthers will play their final home game on Friday, December 14th however will play in Victoria against the Cougars on December 16th and will be at the George Pearkes Arena in Saanich on the 21st of December before they head to their Christmas Break. They will return from eating turkey and opening presents on Friday, January 4th when they will welcome in the visiting Kerry Park Islanders.

Off the ice, a large 20’ x 12’ video screen was installed on the North wall of the rink and it has made games on Friday nights that much more entertaining. The screen also presents an incredible opportunity for the Panthers to highlight their sponsors both in still digital ads as well as 25-30 second commercials run during breaks in the action.

“Junior Hockey survives on sponsorship and the type of exposure that we can provide to an advertiser is as unique as it gets,” said General Manager Pete Zubersky. “We are really excited about our program and as we head into the second half I see great things on the horizon.

Jr. Hockey Club

UPCOMING home games

Panorama Recreation Centre

Puck drops FRIDAYS at 7:30 p.m.

NOV. 30 DEC. 7 14 JAN. 4 11

vs. Victoria Cougars vs. Nanaimo Buccaneers vs. Kerry Park Islanders vs. Kerry Park Islanders vs. Victoria Cougars @ppanthersvijhl

Visit our website: www.ppanthers.bc.ca Opposite page - The Peninsula Panthers celebrate one of their wins in the longest home winning streak in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League this summer. The eight-game streak spanned from September 24th to November 9.

Left: The Club is seen here working on assignments given out by Coach Brad Tippett. Each Tuesday before practice the players and Coaching Staff meet before practice to go over systems and examine video from previous games. The session usually lasts an hour and this is followed by an 80-minute practice where systems learned in the classroom are further shaped on the ice.

Below: 17-year-old Riley Braun is all smiles after notching a goal late in the 3rd period against the visiting Oceanside Generals back on November 2nd. Braun is in his 2nd year with the Club and although one of the youngest players, has developed into a leader.

Photo by Gordon Lee

SAANICH PENINSULA HOSPITAL & HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION

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Victoria Author Valerie Green Releases New Historical Book "Fifty Conversations from the Past"

4 1

7

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KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY The Alzheimer's Association recommends doing puzzles like Sudoku to strengthen brain cells and the connections between them. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square. *Sudoku Solutions may be found on page 85.

with Sue Hodgson, publisher and owner of Seaside Magazine

Telling tales from B.C.’s history from the perspective of the people who lived it

Fifty Conversations From The Past

is a completely different way of looking at the history of British Columbia. This book takes us on a journey through time with a travelling reporter who conducts imaginary interviews with some of the many characters who were part of British Columbia’s exciting history.

Since 1990, Valerie Green has written over 17 non-fiction historical books and true crime books.

Available in Local Bookstores!

To get your copy contact Seaside Magazine at 250.516.6489 or sue@seasidemagazine.ca DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 93

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WORD

In this month’s “Word on the Street” (page 10), writer Lara Gladych asked people to finish the sentence “it wouldn’t be Christmas without …” For me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa Claus. Of course I know that the myth of Santa Claus is, at its core, about getting gifts, but to me it’s quite simply all about the magic.

I remember being in the car with my stepdaughter years ago when she was about four years old. She had announced that Santa was made up and her mother and I were trying to convince her he wasn’t. Eventually we had to concede the debate, not wanting to lie to her but a little sad, all the same, that she’d stopped believing at such a young age.

Happily for me, my daughter, the same age now as Maddy was then, is a firm believer in the magic of Santa Claus. And I hope she keeps believing, for as long as possible. I admit that it wasn’t until I was around 12 (an immature 12) that I understood that no matter how much I wanted him to be more than a fairytale, Santa was just that. I found presents under my parents’ bed that later appeared under the tree, marked “love Santa,” and the bubble was burst.

To me, the story of Santa Claus is at the heart of the magic of Christmas; above all it’s about innocence and purity, and setting aside all the things that make the season stressful and chaotic, to experience magic at its simplest. This holiday magic can weave its way through all we do over the season, if we let it. Chat with strangers while in a long line rather than tapping your foot and grumbling; stop for a few minutes to listen to carols despite being late for an engagment, appreciate the glow in someone’s eyes as they look upon a Christmas tree, or stop by the “North Pole” at the mall to watch the kids whisper their wishes in Santa’s ear while their parents watch with a look of shared joy and love. And when it all gets to be a little overwhelming, remember the time you were positive you heard jingle bells and footsteps on the roof on Christmas Eve. May the magic of Santa Claus touch your life this Christmas, and all the best in the coming year.

n o s i l l A

ALLISON SMITH

Editor-In-Chief

94 SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA | DECEMBER 2018

WINTER WONDERLAND

FIRST NIGHT

FAMILY CELEBRATION! DECEMBER 31, 2018, 4:45pm

Saturday, December 22nd to Sunday, January 1st

WINTER Each year, Panorama Recreation FAMILY Centre’s arena is transformed to CARNIVAL! become a beautiful winter scene, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22 complete with falling snow, lights, 11 AM to 3 PM trees, penguins and polar bears, and of course a Christmas tree and Santa Claus! Throughout this winter season, ignite your holiday spirit and drop-by for one of our daily public skate, or book the ice for a private family or corporate function.

Purchase your tickets at Panorama Recreation Centre, Greenglade Community Centre or call 250.656.7271 A VARIETY OF FOOD TRUCK VENDORS WILL BE ON SITE FOR FOOD SALES

Book your private skate for only $228!

250 655 2181 panoramarecreation.ca

Join us for our 13th annual First Night New Year’s Eve celebration! Enjoy an activity-filled evening that includes swimming, skating, face painting, our inflatable obstacle course, and much more.

This family friendly event will be topped-off with a spectacular fireworks display!

/panoramarecreation

@sliderpenguin

1885 Forest Park Drive, North Saanich, BC panoramarecreation.ca

@panoramarec

SEASIDE M

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YO U R S A A N I C H P E N I N S U L A V O I C E

The Perfect Gift?

Seaside Delivered Direct to Their Door Every Month!

Subs crib Now e ! $65/ yr

For more information call 250-516-6489 or email news@seasidemagazine.ca DECEMBER 2018 | SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA 95

SIDNEY All Care Residence We’re All About Care …

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Sidney All Care Residence.

For more information or to book a tour and complimentary lunch please contact Judy Peterson at 778-351-2505.

Proudly Offering Long Term Complex Care and End of Life Care Services

778.351.2505 • www.allcarecanada.ca • 2269 Mills Rd, Sidney