VICTORIA LIFE AT ITS FINEST

AUGUST 2015

MODERN MAKEOVERA swanky Songhees reno

DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFFTips for livingin small spaces

CONDOS on the RISENew development is green, livable and legato

AUGUST BOUNTYRelishing the gardens harvest

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Sonora wears the Bobby coat

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FEATURES

20 RISE AND SHINE New condos rising By Angela Cowan

24 DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF Small space living By Amy McGeachy

34 COLOUR IN THE NUDE Fashion that ignites By Lia Crowe

43 AUGUST BOUNTY Garden fresh food By Cinda Chavich

COLUMNS

40 HAWTHORN Meals on wheels By Tom Hawthorn

DEPARTMENTS

6 EDITORS LETTER Living the good life In Victoria

8 HOT PROPERTIES Modern Makeover By Carolyn Heiman

14 TALKING WITH TESS Suzanne Bradbury By Tess van Straaten

16 TRAVEL NEAR Playtime in Whistler By Susan Lundy

28 DESIGN MATTERS Fab flatware By Sarah Reid

32 FASHION FAVES Jason Binab By Lia Crowe

52 FRONT ROW Boom, Dragon Boat Festival, Integrate Arts Festival and more By Robert Moyes

58 SECRETS & LIVES Lisa Williams, Realtor By Susan Lundy

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Issue 08, Volume XXIlIICONTENTS

Penny Sakamoto

Susan Lundy

Lily ChanLorianne Koch

Mario GedickePat Brindle

Oliver Sommer

Mario Gedicke 250.891.5627

Miki Speirs250.480.3277

Angela Cowan, Cinda Chavich, Lia Crowe, Tom Hawthorn, Carolyn Heiman, Amy McGeachy, Robert Moyes, Sarah Reid, Tess van Straaten

Lia Crowe, Don Denton, Cathie Ferguson, Leanna Rathkelly

Victoria Boulevard is a registered trademark of Black Press Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publishers written permission. Ideas and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Black Press Group Ltd. or its

affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents, both implied or assumed, of any advertisement in this publication. Printed in Canada.

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ADVERTISE Boulevard Magazine is Victorias leading lifestyle magazine, celebrating 24 years of publishing in Greater Victoria.

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6Living the good life in VictoriaEDITORS LETTER

N THE 1950S, my dad bought two waterfront lots in Victorias Ten Mile Point for a song and a dance (far less than one per cent

of their value today).He sold off one piece fairly quickly

(if only hed waited half a century!), but I grew up on the water, catching minnows and poking crabs in tide pools and scrambling over barnacle-crusted rocks. Every year it seemed, a telephone call would go out and the whole neighbourhood would run down to the point to watch killer whales breach and pffff their way by.

In my kaleidoscope of childhood memories swirls a bit of magic: day trips to Old Town at the museum, Miracle at Sealand, Polly the Parrot at Beacon Hill Park. The Oak Bay Tea Party and Saanichton Fair sandwiching summer days clambering over the sea serpent at Gyro Park and building castles in the sand at Willows Beach. I can hear the squeak of the dock at the yacht club, and the tinkling sound of the masts on our various sailboats. I can smell the varnish that I painted on my wooden dingy, which I called Spunk.

Growing up in Victoria with the ocean as my playground and the citys beautiful parks as my backyard makes me one of the lucky ones. And now, add in a burgeoning food scene, a revitalized downtown, mild winters, eco-consciousness and a population thats growing younger, and Victoria becomes one of the best spots in Canada to live something others are catching on to.

Among the odd press releases that appear my inbox is one from U-Haul announcing that once again Victoria has made the top-10 list of one-way U-Haul truck rentals in Canada for the past calendar year.

While migration trends dont correlate directly to a citys population or economic growth, they are a strong gauge as to how well cities are attracting new residents, it states.

Its the Venice Beach of Canada. People come here for the lifestyle, amenities and standard of living, according to

realtor Dallas Chapple. She and I recently drank coffee and chatted about Victoria real estate a commodity that is resurging after a post-recession dip in the last few years.

In fact, the Victoria Real Estate Board shows a 33.8 per cent increase in real estate sales this June (910 sales) over the same month last year (680), plus a steady increase every month so far in 2015.

In this issue of Boulevard, we take a look at one trendy aspect of the real estate market condo and small-space living.

In Rise and Shine, writer Angela Cowan profiles developer Bijan Neyestani and Alpha Project Developments newest condo project, Legato (page 20). Home designer Amy

McGeachy provides tips for living in tight spaces (page 24), and Hot Properties writer Carolyn Heiman tours a beautifully renovated Songhees townhouse (page 8). As Dallas Chapple points out, Condos are bookends: young

people start out with them, and we often end up with them. They offer an easy care lifestyle.

Realtor Lynne Sager agrees, The market will keep moving into more condo development. Baby Boomers are downsizing, and many young buyers are so

busy that they do not want yard work on weekends.Theres a lot more to read in this issue of Boulevard as

you enjoy your wonderful Victoria lifestyle: food writer Cinda Chavich offers some excellent ideas for dealing with excess garden bounty (a typical problem in this region); columnist Tom Hawthorn reveals an international smorgasbord of mobile kitchens; and regular columns profile Jason Binab, Suzanne Bradbury and Lisa Williams, all movers and shakers in this city. Also have a look at August entertainment in Front Row and embark on a little excursion with me to Whistler.

And in between all this reading, go on out there and enjoy this fabulous city. I recommend tide pools and the sea serpent at Gyro Park.

BY SUSAN LUNDY

IP

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GROWING UP IN VICTORIA ....MAKES ME ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

7OUR CONTRIBUTORS

With Toms ambition of being a flneur in Paris thus far thwarted, he makes do with perambulations in Victoria. His curiosity (nosiness?) has him poking into other peoples lives. This month, he meets a couple whose mobile canteen feeds passersby, and discovers a food truck also fuels a dream. Tom, who is a widely published newspaper and magazine writer, has been a Boulevard columnist for five years.

As creative director of Boulevards fashion section I never tire of the process. Fashion never plateaus, every season theres something delightfully new. Each location we shoot at brings a certain feeling and when the clothes go on the model and she steps into that feeling, a story emerges and thats the juice. Lia Crowe is a stylist, writer, photographer and can now say mother to a teenager.

BoulevardMagazine

@BoulevardMag

We welcome your letters:editor@blvdmag.ca or visit us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and links to featured stories and local events.

WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU

Tom HawthornCOLUMNIST: MEALS ON WHEELS, PAGE 42

Lia CroweFASHION DIRECTOR,COLOUR IN THE NUDE,PAGE 36

Boulevard BuzzFor grant lovers: The Victoria Foundation is accepting

applications for its Community Grants program until Aug. 11. Last year, the program provided nearly $1.5 million to 86 non-profits on Vancouver Island, bringing the total granted by the Victoria Foundation to over $144 million since 1936.

For music lovers: The 26th annual Victoria Symphony Splash takes place August 2 in the Inner Harbour, complete with Tchaikovskys 1812 and fireworks

For jewellery lovers: Fans of Ann-Louise Jewellers will be happy to learn that the popular store is reopening its doors at Hillside Centre this August, following the malls renovation. The store is known for its top-line engagement rings, diamond jewellery and brand-name watches such as Gucci and Tissot. Pandora Jewellery will be available there as well.

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8HOT PROPERTIES

SWANKY NEW LOOK FOR A SONGHEES TOWNHOUSE

MODERN MAKEOVER

BY CAROLYN HEIMAN PHOTOS BY LEANNA RATHKELLY

HE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF A SONGHEES

TOWNHOUSE didnt even recognize it after being invited back to see its top-to-bottom renewal.

They werent sure it was the right place [although they had lived there 20 years], says new owner Rob Blackwell.

And its small wonder that their recall synapses got a jolt. Right from the threshold of the front door, the alterations erased all trademarks of yesteryear like peach and mauve colours, white melamine cabinetry, shiny gold pulls, carpets, small rooms and dated wallpaper. The space has been completely rethought from how it is used to how it fits with the outside environment.

The former cubbyhole entryway is now bright and offers a welcoming view to the principle public areas. Go one step farther and the main floor once cut up into smallish rooms that sabotaged the panoramic vista is now airy and draped in a warm, transitional style, imbued with comfortable ambiance.

The kitchen, completely reconfigured by Claire Reimann, certified kitchen designer for Jason Good Custom Cabinets, carries on the theme of easy elegance.

One of the challenges was to fit in every appliance [and the Blackwells wanted them all from steam oven through to built-in Wolf coffee maker], have them in a good, functional location and still maintain enough storage space.

Reimann adds the islands subtle L-shape mimics the kitchen shape, allowing more than two chairs to be seated around it.

T

HOT PROPERTIES

In the kitchen, a message centre (located away from food prep) provides a space to

charge cell phones, leave keys and write memos and grocery lists on a chalkboard.

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It serves more like a table as it gets wider at the end. When you have a prep sink in the island you dont want to be sitting right at the sink.

Arlene Blackwell grew up in Victoria but her adult life has mostly been spent in Vancouver where Rob has built a successful machine and fabrication manufacturing business. With close family ties on Vancouver Island, the couple wanted a second home in Victoria, which could become the gathering place for large family events. But they didnt want to double up on house maintenance, and focused on finding a condominium or townhouse instead.

Many design decisions like making the cramped entryway larger by removing the closet and installing practical coat hooks for easy-come-and-go access were made in anticipation of entertaining. Even the choice to install a counter-height bar off the kitchen island and include full-back leather chairs, considered the comfort of elderly parents who no longer want to hike up to tall bar stools.

Arlene and Rob were very hands on in terms of selecting the soft taupe and rich brown colour palette, furniture and accents for their new home-away-from-home, which replaces a high-maintenance, luxury, 64-foot yacht theyve since sold.

I was tired of being a yachtsman, and Arlene would be slaving just to get the boat ready [for cast off], says Rob.

They now have a smaller runabout boat that gets them on the water without all the fuss. Meanwhile, they embraced the renovation project as a joyful shared experience, finding fun in making all the decisions together, easily agreeing on most things and finding happy compromises elsewhere.

Getting better waterfront views guided many decisions. In addition to opening up the main floor, the couple selected swivel chairs that turn to provide 360-degree views from the living room, television lounge area and kitchen. A curved television monitor allows for great

In the owners bathroom, soft , slip-resistant basket tiles create a warm visual embrace, and well-thought-out details include a storage tower in the centre of a framed mirror, a magazine rack at the end of the vanity and lighting around the toe kick.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WAS TO FIT IN EVERY APPLIANCE, HAVE THEM IN A GOOD FUNCTIONAL LOCATION AND STILL MAINTAIN ENOUGH STORAGE SPACE.

1 1

viewing from side angles; they can glance at the non-stop Inner Harbour activity without turning away.

In his career as owner of Charger Engineering Limited, Rob builds a lot of cool stuff ranging from utilitarian sawmill equipment through to amusement rides. That creativity continued to the home front if they didnt find what they wanted in a showroom, they were happy to have it custom made.

Looking back, they reflect that it did take a leap of faith to buy the townhouse.

I didnt have a good visual of what it might look like when I first came into it, says Arlene. It was very dated and in many places the view could only be seen in glimpses.

But it was spacious compared to many more recently built condos and townhouses, and seeing another unit in the strata that had been re-done opened their eyes to the possibilities.

Another advantage is the two-car garage, something not always offered in newer townhouses and condos in

Rob and Arlene Blackwell, with one of their classic cars, outside their beautifully renovated Songhees townhouse.

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central locations. This permits Rob to have access to some of his collectible hot rods and classic cars while away from their primary residence in Vancouver.

It was the couples first renovation and the experience was a positive one, something they credit to taking ample time to consider what they wanted to do before signing any contracts. In fact, they permitted the seller to stay rent-free in the home for almost a year while they took pleasure in checking out lighting, plumbing and other supplies to help formulate their vision for the place.

Its unbelievable how much evaluation we did, says Rob, adding, It was a lot of fun.

The research paid off as they have complete confidence about every decision they made, right down to the satin nickel fixtures in the bathroom picked for their nice glow, and through to the distressed white oak engineered flooring that will stand up to the high traffic from large family gatherings.

They devoted considerable time reviewing potential contractors and placed a priority on having quality work done.

I knew we needed an honest contractor with an open purchase agreement, says Rob. I didnt want anyone cutting corners Your contractor is your biggest and most important decision.

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Black and white photographic cityscapes recall places the two have visited.

Carolyn Heiman explores beautiful Victoria-area homes each month for Boulevard magazine. Let her know about a gorgeous home youd like to see profiled by contacting her at cheiman@shaw.ca

primary residence in Vancouver they ultimately responded to friends comments that the place looked a little sterile or hotel-lobby-ish.

We talked, and said I guess we need some additional dcor. Then we started to go crazy, says Arlene.

But the adornments stay true to who they are as a couple and reflect their interests. Their art, for example, includes large black and white photographic cityscapes of places they have been.

The Blackwells always knew what they wanted, says Reimann, adding that often it was the best of what could be had on the market.

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OTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE getting out and enjoying the outdoors. And thanks to Fort Properties owner Suzanne Bradbury, we can do that in the most unusual places.

When we decided to open Fort Common to the public last summer, we wanted to have some fun and support our amazing tenants. It was also an opportunity to place make create an intimate hidden place thats easy on the eye, and which the community can enjoy, says Bradbury, who took over the family business with her sister Jayne four years ago.

With a mission to create space that contributes, the sisters have turned Fort Properties parking lot into a summer living spot again this year for use by area businesses and residents developing an urban oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle.

Did we do it to make money immediately? No, were relinquishing the parking revenue for those months, Bradbury explains. But we really take a long view to community-building and in the long-run, it will help our business plan.

That business plan for the third-generation family business that focuses on property ownership, management and development includes such core philosophies as putting people first, making healthy choices easy and choosing collaboration over competition.

We choose collaboration over competition whenever possible because theres so much to be gained by connecting with each other and sharing resources. And you find synchronicities and inspiration when you attract others that have values aligned with yours, Bradbury says. It may take a while for you to see the results of your efforts, but I think it builds resilience into your business system.

For Fort Properties, which was previously called Fort Realty, its a business model that already seems to be paying off. While other downtown Victoria landlords deal with high vacancy rates, Bradbury says, they have businesses coming to them, wanting in.

We believe we all rise together so another persons success takes nothing away from our ability to succeed, she says.

Were cultivating something that is much more satisfying than just serving one bottom line, so thats why we take a triple bottom line to our work we value people, planet and profit equally.

Another example of that value system at work, and

TALKING WITH TESS

DEVELOPING A NEW STORY BY TESS VAN STRAATEN

featuring

SUZANNEBRADBURY Fort Properties

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creating a space that contributes, was the launch of a parklet in the 700 block of Fort Street in June. With the aid of a healthy communities grant, two parking stalls were replaced with a patio and seating for the public to enjoy.

Our goal is for these places to act as community catalysts, fostering a sense of a belonging, Bradbury says. Our theory is that its good for the block, the area businesses and the downtown community as a whole.

To help build her dream for a better city, Bradbury also recently took over as chair of the Downtown Victoria Business Association. The mother of two says theres so much entrepreneurial talent in town, and people are working so hard to contribute to the community, its a pivotal time for the BC Capital.

I truly believe that Victoria is on the cusp of a re-birth and its almost like were developing a new story, Bradbury says. We have a great past but its not the whole story anymore so our challenge now is to expand the story of Victoria beyond tea and roses to something that better encapsulates what we are today, and what we have the potential to become.

Given her passion for business and the built environment (the human-made space in which people live, work and recreate on a day-to-day basis), it may be surprising to learn that, with a masters degree in counselling psychology from UBC, Bradbury comes from a mental health background. Her younger sister and partner Jayne Bradbury, an epidemiologist, also worked in health care before the two took over the business.

It is unique and I think we definitely bring those values to real estate development, Bradbury acknowledges. Theres a lot of really exciting research coming out of the United States which is looking at how the built environment can impact human health and well-being for the better the idea that cities can be good for you if theyre well designed and promote a sense of belonging.

For the Bradbury sisters, success is also about taking risks and theyve adopted a French phrase nous avons non dans notre poche, which means, we have no in our pocket as a reminder to be open to new ideas.

What that translates into for us is to remember the value of an exploratory attitude and to be willing to try stuff out because at the very worst, youll just be back where you started so why not try?

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT VICTORIA IS ON THE CUSP OF A RE-BIRTH.

Tess van Straaten is an award-winning journalist, television personality and fourthgeneration Victorian.

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Dual zipline: first zip on the Eagle Tour at Whistlers Ziptrek Ecotour.

TRAVEL NEAR

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TS EARLY JUNE AND worlds appear to be colliding in Whistler Village.

Mountain bikers decked out in helmets and riding gear, carrying bikes on their shoulders, head to the

Whistler Village Gondola to access world-renowned alpine and forest bike trails. Also wandering about the village are goggled snowboarders, boards in hand, and likewise heading to the mountain, ready in their case to play in the last few days of snow.

While the two sports seem incongruent in the same place at the same time, Whistler known by most as a top-notch winter ski destination appears to be the perfect summer playground as well.

Just ask me. Im walking jauntily through the village with four other women as part of the Eat. Play. Love. Ultimate Girls Getaway at the beautiful Nita Lake Lodge. While the word spa initially caught my eye, Im feeling pretty exuberant (and darn proud of myself), having just completed two hours of ziplining with Ziptrek Ecotour. Initial trepidation overcome, the five of us flew over valleys, through treetops and above winding rivers. At an elevation of 1,000 metres, we stepped confidently from a treetop perch and plunged onto one of the tours newest, 300-metre-long zipline.

Between ziplines, we crossed treetop suspension bridges and stared out at the views from towering

wooden platforms (Wondering initially if, at 50, Im too old for such

frivolity, I asked one of our two charming Aussie guides the age of their oldest ziptrekker. Eighty-eight, I was informed. Heck! Im a ziplining spring chicken.)

But ziptrekking (which also includes educational chitchat on local flora, fauna and sustainability efforts) is just one of many summertime activities at Whistler. There are numerous hiking trails chose winding paths along forest floors or lakeside walkways and even mountain glaciers white-water rafting, bungee jumping, horseback riding, mountain climbing and ATV excursions. And, of course, the Peak 2 Peak gondola experience is an exhilarating must-do for everyone.

Access to Whistler is a cinch. I float-planed into Vancouver Harbour and walked a few blocks to the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel, where a Pacific Coach Lines bus picked me up, offered me stunning visuals out the window on the Sea-to-Sky Highway (the book I brought remained in my bag) and deposited me right at the doors of Nita Lake Lodge. Another woman in our group took a PCL bus directly from the airport (a two-hour trip), while the others drove up from Vancouver also easy.

The entrance side of the grand, chalet-style Nita Lake Lodge was a hub of activity, making my lakeside room a surprising contrast with its tranquil views over the

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still, sun-sparkling water. Lodge visitors can choose from spacious studio rooms and luxurious one or two bedroom suites, or go all out and rent the 1,415-square-foot Rainbow Suite, featuring a private elevator, double soaker tub and a full-size dining room.

Theres complimentary equipment for water activities canoes, kayaks, paddleboards plus bikes and daily on-site yoga classes. We drank lavender-inspired cocktails on the sunny, edge-of-the-lake patio at Cure Lounge, and feasted at Aura Restaurant, which lived up to its promise of a serving a seasonal menu that is locally focused and globally artistic.

Turns out, fabulous food is the concession stand of the Whistler playground. A definite highlight of our stay was a five-course, wine paired dinner at Araxi, Whistlers culinary cornerstone, recognized internationally for its gourmet deliciousness. I believe I ate some of the finest seafood ever to caress my palate, and I left clutching Chef James Walts popular Araxi cookbook (but dont expect too many miracles emerging from my kitchen).

Also memorable was the signature drink at Stonesedge Kitchen. There, the swinish Caesar, which features bacon-infused Finlandia Vodka and a meaty bacon straw, drew round-the-table accolades from our group.

Our next adventure involved roaring up the side of Blackcomb Mountain on ATVs with Canadian Wilderness Adventures. Great views and loads of dusty, dirty fun. (A particularly satisfying moment occurred as we zoomed by a sweating cyclist. I figured Id probably hit peak terrain, breathe in the view and be lying prone in the spa by the time he crested the summit.) Some of our group met what they called an empowering challenge of mastering the ATVs themselves, others like me, rode tandem with a guide.

And then finally the spa!The Girls Getaway comes with a four-hour Nita Spa

Day, including Swedish massage, facial and mani/pedi. Post ziptrekking, ATVing and gorging on bacony Caesars, this was one of the best massages Ive ever had, and adding to the experience was use of the rooftop hot tubs and a

Dock and view over the lake at Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler.

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eucalyptus steam room.Whistler is home to any number of trendy restaurants,

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And move over, ziptrekkers: theres a new girl on the block.

The spa lounge at the luxurious Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler.

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WE ARE THE TRUSTEES OF OUR COMMUNITIES. BY ANGELA COWAN PHOTOS BY DON DENTON

S WRITER MAYA ANGELOU once said, The ache for home lives in all of us. And in a time when commuting and relocating

are the norm in many careers, that ache is stronger than ever.

Finding a place to put down roots can feel like a holy quest in a city where there is a marked housing shortage. But luckily, Bijan Neyestani has a knack for delivering just what Victorians need.

Since co-founding Alpha Project Developments in 1999 with his brother-in-law and colleague Fred Rohani, Neyestani has been behind some of the most inviting multi-family residential projects Victoria has seen.

Aria at 737 Humboldt Street and The CityPlace at 827 Fairfield Road both brought home Awards of Excellence from the Victoria Real Estate Board, and The Mondrian Alpha Project Developments most recently completed feat at 1090

Johnson Street was close to being sold out as of last month.

Neyestanis sense of the market is grounded in decades of experience, having worked in the business for many years with Rohani before they founded their development company. Both men have engineering backgrounds, plus building and real estate experience, so Neyestani and Rohani understand the needs of the many professionals instrumental in creating projects of great magnitude from the big-picture consultants and architects to the work-booted builders with concrete dust on their hands.

We have a small infrastructure, but were very hands on, says Neyestani. Our expertise compliments each other. [Rohanis] the field guy; Im the office guy.

The two men have combined their expertise most recently to create Legato, a condominium building with street-level retail at 960 Yates Street, which broke ground last month.

An Italian word meaning tied together, legato is a musical term for notes that flow smoothly in sequence, moving effortlessly through song or voice without pause. The poetry of the term seems to fit.

The connection to the building is, I think, quite appropriate, says Neyestani.

Each of the 88 condos in the building flows into the next, using gentle curves to create a feeling of seamlessness leading to the added bonus of creating spectacular views from most balconies and decks. Its a clean and light design, largely the brainchild of Lynn Gordon-Findlay, project architect, and part of the design team, who also helmed the design of the Mondrian.

Legato is straying into new territory as well, as it takes over the space where clothing store Philip Nyren Menswear stood fast for 10 years. Rather than simply demolish the building and start anew, however,

A

Bijan Neyestani of Alpha Project Developments.

22

it has been meticulously taken apart to recover as much material as possible.

Our intention is to recycle everything, says Neyestani. We decided to really spend a little more time to salvage everything we could.

And take their time they did. From beginning to end, it took nearly a month and a half to deconstruct the existing building. Its a commitment to working green that carries more than just environmentalism.

These buildings will be here long after we are gone, so I think its a social responsibility that you really deliver responsible projects in your neighbourhood community, says Neyestani. We are the trustees of our communities.

Aside from re-using and recycling building materials from the existing site, the new project also includes an electric car charging station, secured bike storage, rooftop garden with a water wall and an extensive recycling facility on site, as well as numerous green building strategies to increase efficiency, reduce heat loss and improve fresh air flow.

And being so close to the heart of downtown, Legato brings a whole host of amenities within a fingertips reach, reducing dependence on car travel. Parks become your front yard, local eateries your entertaining lounge.

Especially these days, when the living spaces are becoming smaller, the neighbourhood becomes an extension of your living room, adds Neyestani. Our aspiration is for these buildings to become vertical

communities that can really affect the livelihood and vibrancy of the community, so you feel that sense of belonging.

And the condos arent just designed for young professionals; a full two-thirds of the suites in the 18-storey building will have two or three bedrooms, offering just a little more space than whats been on the market recently, and opening up the Victoria core to more families. With room for displays of Lego creations, couch lounging with a favourite movie, or pyjama-clad Sunday crosswords in the sun, these are homes that are meant to be lived in.

Ask Neyestani where he finds his inspiration, and he lets out a short burst of laughter. Granted, it is a big question. After 30 years in the business, its not a single source that stokes his creative flame, he says, but the culmination of many designs, many lessons, many sparks.

Every project you do, of course you make mistakes, he says. And you learn from your mistakes, and its a long process. I think we have been in the learning mode since we started the partnership.

His words echo the sentiments of Michelangelo I am still learning and speak to the desire that Neyestani and Rohani share to continually improve and perfect their additions to the Victoria skyline.

Its quite an organic process, and thats what makes it enjoyable, says Neyestani. Even after all these years, were still learning.

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AT HOME WITH BOULEVARD

DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF BY AMY MCGEACHY

HERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID for choosing to reside in a home with a smaller footprint.

While it isnt for everyone, living in a smaller space has several perks, including a reduction

in home maintenance, the chance to join a close-knit condo community, an affordable way to live in a luxury location, or a way to get into the real estate market. While the perks can out-weight the disadvantages, there comes a certain set of challenges with living in a tighter space. However, if youre armed with the right set of solutions, you can make your small-space living dream come true.

FUNCTION:Every inch of your small space counts. Not only does

everything need to have a place, but it must also serve a purpose. If you are short on sleeping quarters, or simply dont want to devote an entire room to a spare bedroom,

a sofa bed, wall bed or chest bed is a great option. They all tuck away when not in use, and hide or serve as another purpose for day-to-day living. There are many options available to best suit the space and size of the room. A Murphy bed can double as a desk or bookshelf when not used for sleeping, while a chest bed can become the anchor piece under your TV in the den.

SCALE:Remember to choose smaller pieces that

accommodate the size of the room, and use of the space. Consider a small sectional or sofa chaise instead of the standard matching sofa and loveseat set. This allows for more people to lounge comfortably at one time. Many furniture stores now offer custom options. If you need a sofa to be six inches shorter, many stores can get the manufacturer to accommodate this, without substantially increasing the price.

T

Large mirrors, light paint colour and shelving to the ceiling make a small space feel larger.

DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

26

Also, consider using the vertical space in the room. By carrying a built-in shelf to the ceiling, or opting for full- height upper kitchen cabinets you can provide more space for storage or display in your home, while drawing the eye upwards and making the room look larger. Just make sure that you dont overdo it. If you introduce too many bulky, heavy pieces to the space, it can actually make the room feel claustrophobic and small. Look for smaller scale pieces that dont waste precious space.

ACCENTS:Place interesting art and large mirrors in a small space.

Go big! A mirror reflects light and a gorgeous view back into the space. A large painting can add interest and texture, without feeling cluttered. This is also a great way to add an accent colour and a punch of life into your small space.

Resist the urge to display many items. Less is more, and a small area can feel very cluttered when too much is occupying the space. Instead, focus on highlighting the view, or placing a key furniture piece, like your familys antique armoire or a well-travelled chest.

STORAGE:Stealing additional storage space is key in a small home.

I try to use furniture to add extra spaces to hide away winter sweaters or extra linens whenever possible. Many beds can be purchased with full drawers underneath for maximum storage space. Its like getting the capacity of an extra chest of drawers, but in a space that is usually just wasted. A storage ottoman, used as a bench or coffee table, provides a great opportunity to not only have more hideaways for your items, but it can also double as extra seating for your guests.

STEALING ADDITIONAL STORAGE SPACE IS KEY IN A SMALL HOME.

A storage ottoman is a great option, doubling as extra seating while hiding away all of your extras. Milo loves it!

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The Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula (CACSP) is the heart of the arts community. With a mission to encourage public awareness and appreciation of the cultural life on the Peninsula, CACSP offers and supports events throughout the year: the Spring and Fall Studio Tours, the Artisans Show, and the Sidney Fine Art Show are but three examples. The Community Arts Centre at Tulista Park is also home to rotating exhibits of local artists dynamic work.

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The Mary Winspear Centre, a state of the art community centre, offers an extraordinary mix of cultural events throughout the year, showcasing music, dance, and theatre performers from around the world. The Centre also houses one of the most outstanding exhibits of First Nations and Canadian art from across Canada, featuring the First Nations, Metis & Inuit Art Show in August.

The high quality of visual work is also evident in many of

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FASHION FAVES

LIFE & STYLE BY LIA CROWE

OUTSIDE OF REAL ESTATE, I love all things cycling. You get to see a lot: you can go from here to Sidney to Shawnigan and see the

beauty of this area. Driving in a car is not the same [cycling], you get to take in the sounds and the smells. You come to like the torture [of riding] because it makes you stronger and fitter. But while youre doing it, youre always questioning. You think, Why the hell am I doing this? This hurts, Id much rather be in bed. But then when youre done, youre like, That was awesome, Im so glad I did that!

I photographed Jason in the Uplands and the only tricky part was not getting distracted by the fact that

practically every person who passed by, stopped to say hi to Jason.

Jason is one of those guys who, if youve lived in here for say more than a minute ... youve probably heard his name. He grew up here, was one of the stars of the local TV show Design District and through his business cultivates an insane amount of community, not just through advertising and social media, but through social engagement. He supports multiple charities and sponsors a cycling team through Trek bikes. He has coached sports and possesses a genuine love of talking to and connecting with people.

I definitely get a high in the deal, Jason said, after being asked where the juice is in his work. It makes me feel good because Im helping somebody. I dont care about the commission; its about the relationship. I take pride in my clients values, look after their interests and take genuine care.

Hes a fellow fan of The King of Pop and a true 90s man (which I just made up, and means he was fully formed before texting existed). He didnt hesitate to give recognition to his wife, Amber Binab, as a huge contributor to his successful business and life. He says he likes to talk, but I would go one step further and say hes a master in the art of conversation.

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33

Fashion Uniform: Jeans,

collared shirt and either a blazer or a cardigan. I have

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looking good is also feeling good. Jeans: Baldwins or Wings + Horns. Shirts: I like

the look and feel of Strellson or Matinique. Current go-to item: Light blue Strellson blazer.

Coveting: Black Panerai watch. Shoes: John Fluevog black ankle boot. Sunglasses: Justins

by Ray Ban Grooming Necessary indulgence: Hair product, he says, laughing. The one I use

is from Victory Brand; its in a brown bottle, its very thick if you feel my hair it doesnt move.

My hair is naturally thick so its gotta be something strong to hold it. Who cuts

your hair: Crystal at Victory Barber. Scent: Polo Sport and Givenchy,

but my favourite is classic Dolce & Gabbana.

Style Inspirations

Celebrity or public figure who inspires your style: When I

was young I loved Michael Jackson, I had the jacket and the glove. I loved how he

was a storyteller ... his videos were like a movies, and I was drawn to that. Nowadays, Id probably

like the presentation of somebody like Ryan Gosling: he seems to dress well but hes not an always-in-a-suit kinda guy. Musician: Michael Jackson. David Gray I think hes got one of the best voices in the world and Im surprised hes not bigger in the US than he is. Hes such a

good live performer. Film: Scarface is my favourite movie of all time. I also love Minority Report, it was so forward thinking.

Era: The 90s. Nowadays its so tough because everybodys on cellphones all the time and texting and not talking. I come from a generation where people talked to each other. I like to

talk and I like people and now its not very personal. In the 90s you had nothing but a pager. I feel like we got to know each

other better. Life Album on current rotation: Michael Jacksons greatest hits, my favourite is Earth Song. I also

love Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal. David Grays White Ladder and Ed Sheeran. Favourite local restaurant: Il Terrazzo. Beer: Becks. Favourite

City: New York. Fav tech: The Apple watch. Fav print magazine: Boulevard. Last great read:

Playing with Fire, autobiography of Theo Fleury.

GOOD STYLE IS SOMEONE WHO OWNS IT.

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BLUSH & CREAMJacket ($425) and skirt ($265) by Judith & Charles and available at Bagheera Boutique; necklace ($198) and earrings ($34) by Loren Hope and available at Violette Boutique.

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HAWTHORN

N A STEAMY SUMMERS lunch hour, a global gastronomical tour was on the agenda. From Mexico, tacos. From New Orleans, jambalaya. From Eastern Europe, perogies. From our own waters, fresh wild

salmon off the barbecue. For dessert, from Italy, gelato. All washed down with fine local craft beer.

This international smorgasbord can be found every day this summer in Newcombe Square, the hidden patio at the rear of the Royal B.C. Museum. The square is the site of a food truck rodeo featuring Deadbeetz, Pig BBQ Joint, The Love Perogy, Puerto Vallarta Amigos, Wild West BBQ Salmon and A Streetcar Named New Orleans.

Ive always been a sucker for food on the go. When I was 10, we were among the first tenants to move into a new high-rise development in Toronto. The building was still under construction, so a coffee truck pulled up every morning at 8 a.m. The driver, a woman, opened the passenger side of the truck to display a snackers cornucopia of chips, cookies, Danishes, sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs and chilled cans of pop. Steaming black coffee gushed from a spigot attached to a seemingly bottomless stainless-steel urn. To this day, a certain rhythm of horn honking a beep, beep, BEEP to alert workers on the job site has me salivating like one of Pavlovs pooches.

A mobile canteen inspires dreamers and schemers who love the idea of working an open kitchen on the open road. Fred Jacobs was a German-born, classically trained chef who settled in Victoria after hitchhiking across Canada in 1967. He opened a small restaurant in Esquimalt but had a fast-food brainstorm he would cook chicken inside the truck and bring dinner to your door.

In 1970, he converted a one-ton camper into a kitchen and went into business as Uncle Freds Chicken on the Run. The menu had only three items fried chicken, fried potatoes

and coleslaw. Word spread about the delicious food served piping hot at the door. Jacobs bought a second truck, then a third, and sold franchises as far afield as Saskatchewan.

Alas, the energy crisis of the early 1970s made gas prohibitively expensive and Chicken on the Run stalled as a business proposition. Uncle Fred wound up as a cook on the ferries.

Sarah and Billy Rieger, both 37, have more modest ambitions. They own and operate the New Orleans food truck, which serves Crescent City staples as fil gumbo, red beans and rice, muffaletta and po boy sandwiches. Jambalaya is a Friday special. Sarah was born in Calgary and raised in East Texas; Billy is New Orleans born and earned a degree from Louisiana State University in

mechanical engineering. Billy decided after graduating that what he really wanted to do was cook Cajun and Creole foods. He worked in the kitchens of Brigtsens and Pche, two acclaimed Big Easy restaurants.

Life in a mobile kitchen is anything but easy. Just getting the 1991 GMC P3500 truck was an

adventure. It was purchased in Wyoming, and then driven to Victoria where it was re-outfitted with a new kitchen. The end result is good grub on wheels and a livelihood to support the couples two infant daughters. The Riegers are glad to have settled in for the summer on the museums backyard patio.

Its a great location, she said. Though I wish more locals knew where we are.

One of the bonuses of being your own boss is you can tweak your own menu. Fans of the Canadian television program Littlest Hobo, they came up with a special item for Canada Day called the Littlest Po Bo. Billed as being more Canadian than Rick Moranis playing hockey against a moose, the sandwich featured Canadian bacon topped with a dollop of Kraft Dinner. Who says theres no Canadian cuisine?

MEALS ON WHEELSFOOD TRUCKIN IT IN VICTORIA

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FOOD & DRINKAugustBOUNTYFOR FOOD LOVERS, AUGUST MAY BE THE BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR. ITS THE MONTH OF BOUNTY. THE GARDEN IS FILLED WITH FOOD MASSIVE SQUASH HIDING IN THE TANGLE OF VINES, BUNCHES OF GREEN BEANS TOUCHING THE GROUND, TREES LADEN WITH FRUIT. TEXT BY CINDA CHAVICH

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FOOD & DRINKAugustBOUNTY

E LIVE IN A TIME AND PLACE of abundance when it comes to fresh, local food. And while its a blessing, it can also be a curse. In fact, thanks to todays access to abundant and cheap food, we have become a generation of wasters.

The UN estimates we discard $1 trillion (US) in food every year $31 billion worth in Canada, alone. In North America, a full 40 per cent of the food thats produced is wasted, half of it tossed out of our own kitchens. All the while, other people are starving, or living in urban food deserts, finding it hard to access and afford fresh produce.

Factor in the damage to our air and oceans, and food waste is a pressing environmental issue, too. As an entity, food waste is the the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, after China and the US, and a major contributor to global warming. Were also wasting precious fresh water, burning fossil fuels, depleting soils and straining the worlds resources, all to produce food that goes straight to the dump.

Food waste has become such a huge global issue, governments here and abroad are now legislating against it.

WASTE WARRIORSAs of this year, Vancouver

and Victoria instituted a ban on food waste no household or business, grocer or restaurant, can dispose of food scraps in the regular waste stream. All must be separated and collected for composting.

The government of France recently went one step further, passing a law that bans grocery stores from throwing away unsold food. It must be donated to charities first, then to farmers for animal feed or compost. Violators face fines of up to 75,000.

Here in Victoria, Rotary Clubs have joined forces with the Victoria Foundation, Thrifty Foods and up to 40 local agencies, including The Mustard Seed, the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul, to form a Food Share Network (FSN) designed to waste less and feed more.

This is a CRD-wide food rescue project, says Rudi Wallace, director of food security for The Mustard Seed. We waste so much fresh and healthy food, while people are going hungry.

The Rotary Club is hoping to raise $100,000, which will be matched by the Victoria Foundation, to develop a food rescue facility a place where farmers, grocers and restaurants can bring excess food for refrigeration

and storage (or processing), followed by distribution to organizations that feed the hungry, or sold at deep discounts to low-income families.

Other groups, like LifeCycles, help reduce waste by organizing volunteers to pick fruit or harvest vegetables from city gardens, and then share it with both homeowners and those in need. LifeCycles is also working on a local farm project this summer, aiming to determine how food from farms and farm markets could be saved.

Even businesses are getting on board with the idea of reducing food waste. At The Root Cellar, ripe or scarred produce is culled several times daily, offered at deep discount to thrifty customers, and sent to The Rainbow Kitchen and UVics student-run Community Cabbage to feed hungry people. Scraps, from cornhusks to carrot

tops, go to local pig and chicken farmers to feed animals.

SAVE FOOD YOURSELFConsumers are the largest

contributors to food waste, and while composting is better than sending food to the landfill, reducing food waste at home is the key. If just one quarter of what we now throw away globally was saved, wed have enough food to feed 25 million people. And the average household could save more than $1,500 a year by using, rather than tossing, perfectly edible food. One study estimates that businesses can reduce operating costs by 15-20 per cent by reducing food waste.

We are already rescuing some food but as much as 3 million pounds of fresh food is wasted in the CRD alone, says Wallace. My objective is to rescue all of it its a moral imperative and an economic imperative.

Its an issue that Im passionate about, too so passionate, in fact, that I just wrote The Waste Not, Want Not Cookbook (Touchwood Editions) to help people learn how to stop wasting food at home.

For those whose gardens are overflowing in bountiful August with fresh beans, zucchini and apples, here are some recipes from my new cookbook.

GREEN BEANSStore your freshly picked beans in a perforated plastic

bag in the fridge for up to five days, or blanch two minutes, chill in ice water, drain well and use a vacuum sealer to package for freezing.

W

IT CAN BE EASY TO BE OVERWHELMED BY IT ALL. BUT

WITH A LITTLE PLANNING AND PERHAPS A PICKLING OR

PRESERVING GET-TOGETHER YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT FOOD

BOUNTY GETS INTO THE BANK FOR FUTURE WITHDRAWALS, AND

NOT INTO THE TRASH BIN.

44

TOSSED SALAD NICOISE

PREP 15 MIN COOK 25 MIN SERVES 6

This potato and bean combo is a tossed version of that classic composed salad. Its also a great way to use up leftover grilled salmon or tuna.

1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise1/4 cup low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt2 tsp Dijon mustard2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil4 cloves roasted garlic (or 1 tsp fresh garlic, pureed in a

press)1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped 2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (plus some grated

lemon zest)salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds small new red or yellow fingerling potatoes,

scrubbed 1 cup fresh green beans, steamed lightly and chopped2 to 3 green onions, chopped1 can solid white tuna (packed in water) or canned

sockeye (bones removed), drained and broken into chunks (or a cup of leftover diced grilled tuna or salmon)

1 small head butter lettuce, leaves separated, washed and spun dry

1/2 cup tiny grape tomatoes, halved1/2 cup Nicoise olives 1 egg, hard cooked, peeled and chopped1 Tbsp fresh parsley

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, mustard, olive oil, roasted garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper.

Put a steamer basket in a large saucepan and add about 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Put the potatoes in the steamer basket and steam until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into chunks and add the warm potatoes to the dressing in the bowl; toss.

Add the green beans to the steamer and steam until just barely tender, about 2 minutes. Rinse under cold tap water to stop the cooking process, and chop into bite-sized pieces. Mix the beans, green onions and tuna into the salad, being careful not to break up the potatoes. Cool to room temperature or chill (bring back to room temperature before serving).

To present, line a wide bowl or deep platter with lettuce leaves and arrange the salad on top. Scatter the grape tomatoes and olives around the edge of the salad, pile the chopped egg on top, and sprinkle with parsley.

FRESH & LOCAL

1286 McKenzie Ave. Victoria, BC.

250.477.9495

45

APPLESDont let that perfect fruit spoil on your backyard tree.

Contact a gleaning group like LifeCycles to help you pick it, then make pie. Store apples in a cool place, around 34 F (1C) for long storage.

APPLE BERRY CRISP

PREP 1 HOUR COOK 45-55 MIN SERVES 6-8

Apple Crisp is a simple dessert thats even better if you add a handful of berries. Use tart apples and any berries that are in season.

3/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp honey1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 3 Tbsp brandy, Calvados or Grand Marnier 2 cups blueberries (or substitute blackberries,

strawberries, cranberries or sliced rhubarb) 5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced2 Tbsp flour

Topping:3 Tbsp butter, softened 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup rolled barley or oats 1/2 cup brown sugar pinch of salt1 tsp cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix the sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and brandy and add the sliced apples. Toss to coat the fruit with spices and set aside to marinate for an hour, until the fruit releases its juices. Stir in the flour and pour into a buttered shallow baking dish.

In another bowl, combine the flour with butter and brown sugar, mixing to form coarse crumbs. Stir in the oatmeal, and add the salt and cinnamon. Spread the oat mixture evenly over the fruit in the baking dish.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Set the baking dish on a baking sheet (this will save your oven if any juice runs over) and bake 45-55 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown. Serve the crisp warm with vanilla ice cream or lemon yogurt.

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46

ZUCCHINIPick your zucchini before it gets too big, and

share it with friends. Reduce the crop by picking blossoms to stuff and fry Italian style, or shred zucchini to freeze in 1-cup portions for zucchini breads and cake.

In summer, serve this fresh vegetarian dish warm or cold.

1 large onion, thinly sliced4 Tbsp olive oil, divided tsp sugar3 pounds small zucchini, sliced6 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced6 cloves garlic, minced1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leavessalt and freshly ground black pepper1 cup bread crumbs

Optional topping:1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

cup shredded Pecorino cheese

In a saut pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the sliced onions and cook for about 10 minutes, until soft and beginning to brown. Reduce heat to low, cover pan and sweat 10 minutes. Remove lid and sprinkle with sugar. Continue to cook, stirring, until onions are nicely caramelized. Set aside.

Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil into a shallow gratin dish and arrange one third of the zucchini in the dish, overlapping in concentric circles. Top with half of the caramelized onions. Add a layer of sliced tomatoes, a third of the minced garlic, a little thyme, salt, pepper and about cup of bread crumbs.

Repeat layers twice, ending with cup of crumbs and the remaining 1 tablespoons of olive oil.

Bake in a preheated 350F oven for 1 hour. Drain any excess liquid, top with cheese and bake another 20-30 minutes until bubbling and browned.

ZUCCHINI GRATIN

PREP 35 MIN COOK 1 HOUR SERVES 4

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Boulevard magazine supports Southern Vancouver Island's top

Realtors representing the region's finest real estate. We hope

you will find your next home, whether it is in the listings

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Boulevard Luxury Real Estate listings.

BEAUTIFULLY FINISHED NEW 5 BED 4 BATH home offering a fully contained large 1 bed legal suite above the garage with separate entrance laundry, hydro and smart meters. Roxul insulation in all ceilings on main oor and resilient channel to minimize all sound transfer. Fabulous Harbour City Kitchen with large working island, granite counters, under cabinet lighting and high end stainless steel appliances including gas range.

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IMPRESSIVE & LUXURIOUS custom home in a prestigious setting just minutes from Sidney & close to the airport & ferries! 5 bedrms/ 5 baths with lovely spaces for both entertaining & family living! Sunny & private .5 acre property includes expansive patios, hot tub, gardens & ocean views 3 car garage & tons of storage too! 1825 Marina Way

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51

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52

FRONT ROW BY ROBERT MOYES

ABORIGINAL ART AND CULTUREThe First Nations, Inuit & Mtis Art Show is the longest-

running event of its kind in Canada, and has evolved into an impressive showcase for indigenous art as well as an opportunity for cultural sharing and awareness. The show features up to 50 artists who live locally; they represent not only the areas Coast Salish peoples but also a wide spectrum of more distant nations including Mohawk, Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibway, Navajo, Mtis, Inuit and others. There are many nations of First Peoples living within the Coast Salish territory, but the art we all create represents our own unique culture and traditions, explains Tobias

Tomlinson. A potter with ties to the Chickasaw First Nation, Tomlinson is a member of the FNIM Art Collective that presents this event. Aside from some photography and painting, there will be many examples of aboriginal culture such as beadwork, antler and bone carvings, leatherwork, jewellery, mask and plaque carvings, pottery, weaving and fabric, painted drums, engraving and repouss what Tomlinson refers to proudly as fine crafts. Four different workshops as well as music performances and poetry readings are also included. The show is very immersive, and every day there are two artists on site who act as docent/ambassadors who talk to visitors as well as doing their art work, says Tomlinson. He suggests that it would take at least a couple of visits to

Woven blanket by Inuit artist Stephanie Papik.

53

truly appreciate all that is on offer. Were expecting up to 5,000 people to come by, he adds. Weve grown a lot in seven years.

Running from August 8 to September 3 at the Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue. For information, see First Nations, Inuit & Metis Art Show 2015.

RETURN OF THE DRAGONSAlthough the sport of dragon boat racing goes back

2,000 years in southern China, the modern international version only began in Hong Kong in 1976. Victoria joined the party two decades ago, and every August since then the Inner Harbour comes alive with adrenaline and high spirits as over 80 teams compete for bragging rights and the opportunity to fundraise over $100,000 for cancer. Its also a cultural event meant to bring the community together, says Mark Mawhinney, who is entering his third year as chair of the Dragon Boat Festival Society. Plus its a great way to celebrate our Asian roots. According to Mawhinney, the Victoria harbour is one of the best race venues on the circuit. The 500-metre sprint starts at Laurel Point and heads towards the Empress Hotel where the spectator bleachers are right at the finish line, Mawhinney explains. Its intense and thrilling and its the only race in the world that happens in a working harbour. Over 80,000 spectators gather over the course of

Wolf, acrylic on canvas, by Virgil Sampson of the Salish nation. 1.800.565.7738 | chemainustheatre.ca

Twist & ShoutConceived & Written by Alex Mustakas

Orchestrations & Vocal Arrangements by Robert Foster

Jun 12 - Aug 29

James and theGiant Peach

By Roald DahlDramatized by Richard R. George

Jul 18 - Aug 15

Confessionsof a Paperboy

By Doug Curtis

Aug 19 - 29Co

min

g u

pLuxurious Theatre Getaways

theatre, dinner & breakfast with accommodationat the Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn

Savour the Taste of

TICKETS: 250-383-7191 or victoriachamber.ca

Brewmasters Long Table Dinner

Summer

Wednesday, August 19, 5 to 9 p.m.

Set in the gardens of the English Inn, enjoy a four-course seasonal dinner prepared by Food For