the magazine of urban living theartspeoplefoodhomes march/april2009
SIT, STAY
Workplace pets please everyone
Urban Animation More wild creatures are prowling our city streets
Hot Properties
Where does a Tofino retreat end, and the rainforest begin?
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Owning a mystery bookshop is Frances Thorsen’s dream job
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Ink on Paper It’s spring at last! And who doesn’t love spring? The temperature rises, flowers begin to bloom and our moods lighten after what feels like a long schlep through winter. At Boulevard, the mood is one of special celebration, as this year marks our 20th anniversary. Not only is Boulevard the longestpublishing urban lifestyle magazine in Victoria, we have some of the longest-established clients in the city. But we know that a business can only be as healthy and successful as the community it serves. In order to survive, small businesses today not only have to be innovative, financially sound and forward-thinking, they must be flexible, too. In these ways, Boulevard has evolved and grown over the past 20 years, staying in step with the rapidly changing economic landscape. As creators of an urban lifestyle magazine, our job remains the same, however. We know it is not enough simply to roll out reader surveys. We strive to make sure we give readers the latest intelligence on what’s happening in the city: what’s fun, important, creative and worth a look. You’ll discover in this issue that the theme of animals connects many of the stories. Our cover features Marcus, one of our favourite “office gatekeepers.” You’ll see through a few Victorians that whether you’re at home or the office, four-legged friends can brighten even the dullest days. And as you wander the city streets, writer Alisa Gordaneer directs your attention to the urban animals you might see, and describes what impact they are having on the city and how we co-exist. As well, you’ll meet a woman of mystery, Frances Thorsen, owner of Chronicles of Crime. Not only does she make crime stories pay with her thriving mystery book business, her liveliest draw is also its resident dog, a Bouvier/giant Schnauzer cross named Dash. Springtime can put people in the mood to explore, whether at the table or on the road. If you’re in the mood to try a tantalizing treat that doesn’t involve meat or animal products, Greg Pratt opens your taste buds to vegan-style eating. Robert Moyes explains the fine points of icewines, and Julie Nixon travels up the Island’s west coast to discover a fabulous retreat in Tofino’s rainforest for our breathtaking “Hot Properties”. Adrienne Dyer goes back East to the Maritimes, where there is so much to see and do in spring, that the task of how to spend your time might seem overwhelming, but the possibility of running into hordes of summer tourists is not. Just as our writers and photographers have been busy with this issue, we’ve also been hard at work launching our new website victoriaboulevard.com. The online version provides more exposure to the growing numbers of our readers who enjoy online publications. As well, we’ve decided to use “page-turning” software so that readers may easily zoom in on articles or advertisements, as well as click through directly to our advertisers’ websites. So as you sit down and enjoy another issue of Boulevard, please don’t be shy: send us your letters, ideas, comments and questions. We’d love to hear from you! Sue Hodgson Publisher Victoria Boulevard welcomes your letters. Please include your name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for brevity and/or clarity. Write to Letters, P.O. Box 5417, LCD9, Victoria, B.C., V8R 6S4, or you can e-mail us at info@victoriaboulevard.com. Check out our website: victoriaboulevard.com.
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boulevard On our cover: For all the skepticism in that face, Marcus the boxer “loves everyone”, says owner Jennifer Porayko. In addition to keeping her company at work during the day, he enthusiastically welcomes
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VOLume xix issue 3 4. INK ON PAPER A word with you 8. URBAN WILDLIFE The animals that call Victoria home By Alisa Gordaneer 20. CULTURE TALKS Reshaping the publishing industry By Chris Creighton-Kelly
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march/april 2009
24. PETS AT WORK Animals are a positive presence in the workplace By Alisa Gordaneer
64. BAY FILM STUDIOS Robin Webb ignites the local film industry By Julie Nixon
76. FRANCES THORSEN The owner of Chronicles of Crime By Robert Moyes
104. spice it up! The vegan lifestyle isn’t what it used to be By Gregg Pratt
30. PUBLIC CITIZEN Nature needs some space By Ross Crockford
74. ON THE BOULEVARD A selection of today’s trendy wares By Kathleen Hay
82. STATE OF THE ARTS More than ever, the arts need your support By Alisa Gordaneer
110. TRAVEL A springtime sojourn in the Maritimes By Adrienne Dyer
88. FRONT ROW Dance Victoria welcomes Chunky Move; Ron Parker’s Pillars of the Earth exhibit at The Avenue Gallery; Lawyers on Stage Theatre perform As You Like It; Carmina Burana by the Victoria Symphony and guest choirs By Kate Cino
116. IN VINO VERITAS Raising a glass to icewine By Robert Moyes
34. CREATIVE MINDS Architect Chris Rowe creates meaningful spaces By Robert Moyes 40. HOT PROPERTIES A getaway home meets the needs of a large, extended family By Julie Nixon 50. GREEN HOUSE Flora for fauna By Julie Nixon 56. LOCAL GREENERY Indigenous plants help keep our ecosystem healthy By Anna Kemp
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98. JAZZ VESPERS Musical inspiration at local churches By Rick Gibbs
120. ISLAND CHEFS Mo:Lé’s Cosmos Meens brings wholesome, mouthwatering dishes to the masses By Alisa Gordaneer 126. SECRETS AND LIES Penny Stone on man’s best friend . . . and martinis
46,000 copies of Victoria Boulevard ® are published bimonthly by Boulevard Lifestyles Inc. President: John Simmons. VP Finance: Melissa Sands. Publisher: Sue Hodgson. Associate Publisher: Linda Hensellek. Acting Editor: Julie Nixon. Art Director: Jaki Jefferson. Production: Jaki Graphics, Kelli Brunton. Advertising: Sue Hodgson, Linda Hensellek, Eve Hume, Cynthia Hanischuk and Pat Montgomery-Brindle. Pre-press: Kelli Brunton. Printing: Central Web. Mailing address: P.O. Box 5417 LCD 9, Victoria, BC, V8R 6S4. Telephone: 250-598-8111. Fax: 250-598-3183. E-mail: info@victoriaboulevard.com. Website: victoriaboulevard.com.Victoria Boulevard ® is a registered trademark of Boulevard Lifestyles Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Printed in Canada.
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Critters in the City Animals learn to adapt to, and even exploit, a growing Victoria
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City streets, with their concrete sidewalks and metal lamp posts, their brick walls and their constant whirr of traffic, hardly seem like natural ecosystems. And it’s true, walking along Douglas or Blanshard streets isn’t much of a nature walk, unless you manage to wander as far as Goldstream Park, where trees grow more thickly and the forest shelters thousands of creatures who go about their lives, for the most part, unseen. But look again. There’s more to urban wildlife than the ubiquitous gang of urban pigeons, or perhaps a squirrel or 10. That’s because Victoria is different. Its urban environment, never truly far from nature, is home to numerous species of wildlife, from the familiar (and sometimes loathed) to the unusual and beautiful.
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According to urban wildlife specialist Val Schaefer, a University of Victoria environmental studies instructor and the academic advisor for the university’s restoration of natural systems program, wildlife in the urban context can be categorized in one of three ways, based on how it interacts with the environment. First are the animals that are considered “urban avoiders”. These shy animals aren’t keen on the whole city scene. Take cougars, for example. Despite the occasional sighting in a city backyard or, famously, in the Fairmont Empress parking lot, cougars are urban avoiders, and tend to stay far away from the downtown core. The ones that have been spotted, Schaefer says, are likely young animals “who just don’t know any better.” When a cougar is seen in the city, Schaefer says it has probably followed a deer or another type of prey out of the forest, and has lost its way back. They usually get a one-way trip back to the woods, courtesy of the B.C. government’s wildlife control officers. Other urban avoiders include many songbirds, such as vireos, and small furred animals like martens, which are far less frequently seen than their bolder cousins, minks and weasels. The second category is “urban adapters”, animals that have grown to know and love the city streets and backyards. They are often seen roaming about doing their shopping, attending business meetings and — well, seriously, you’ll see them foraging for food at backyard birdfeeders. Birds such as the chestnut-backed chickadee, the junco and even the Steller’s jay have learned that there’s something tasty to be had when there are humans around. Urban adapters in the mammal kingdom include squirrels, of course, plus skunks, river otters and harbour seals. Finally, there are the animals who know a free ride when they see it, and are more than happy to take advantage of the city and all its foibles, especially trash. These are the “urban exploiters”, animals who “actually take advantage of our garbage,” says Schaefer. Picture those raucous crows, those glaucous winged gulls, and yes, those creeping rats. Those are your urban exploiters, hanging out in the back alleys and making a life of petty crime as they steal garbage, food scraps and even, in the case of crows, eggs from song birds’ nests. They breed more, because there’s lots of food available, and tend to depress the numbers of other species, says Schaefer, explaining that the exploiters tend to crowd out the adapters. And yet, each one is a part of the urban ecosystem. Meet some of the more common, and uncommon, creatures who make our streets, backyards and even parking lots livelier.
Raccoons Raccoons are one of the urban exploiters, turning to our trash bins for quick snacks and our backyards as convenient places to build their nests. They’re hardly even difficult to find — step out in any area with a few trees after dark, and chances are you’ll recognize these critters despite their
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cute black masks. And they encroach on urban terrain with seemingly no fear: several years ago, a raccoon made headlines when it visited the Victoria Police Department’s bike enclosure. Keeping food sources inaccessible to raccoons can keep them away from dangerous altercations with pets, and don’t even think about feeding raccoons, says Schaefer. “They can turn on you,” he explains, and while there haven’t been any cases of raccoon-transmitted rabies in the area recently, it’s better to stay safe.
Hawks The red-tailed hawk and the Cooper’s hawk are both common urban hawks, and can be spotted frequently at UVic, in particular. As of last year, there were at least seven pairs of Cooper’s hawks. “They’re pretty efficient at getting our little bunnies,” says Schaefer. But a recent sighting of a red-tailed hawk lunching on a rat in a tree outside a building on the UVic campus had staff ewwwing and aaaahing as it used its powerful beak and sharp claws to enjoy its snack.
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Until about two years ago, a colony of great blue herons were urban heroes, living in 70 nests perched high above the Douglas Street side of Beacon Hill Park. They drew hundreds of visitors and even got international attention through a live heron webcam. But after a bald eagle attacked their nests, eating what some estimated to be more than 100 eggs and dozens of nestlings, the herons took off, and (quite reasonably, you might think) haven’t returned to the nesting site. “It’s pretty natural for the colonies to move,” says UVic’s Schaefer, explaining that the ground beneath the nests tends to get saturated with guano, which can even cause problems for the trees. “It gets to be an unpleasant place,” he says.
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Down at Ogden Point, along the breakwater, you can often spot the scampering members of a community of river otters. How do you know they’re out and about? Just look for that other common urban mammal, the human. “You see people out there with their cell phone cameras,” jokes Schaefer, explaining that while people often mistakenly think these cute critters are sea otters, only river otters scamper around on land. (By the way, another community of river otters can be spotted from the ferry, just as it passes the Mayne Island lighthouse.)
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Rabbits Cute as they are, bunnies fall into the category of invasive species, along with Scotch broom, English ivy and other noxious weeds. The rabbits that live on the UVic campus and on the grounds of the Victoria General Hospital (and nearby grassy highway medians, too) are descended from European rabbits — pets that someone let, uh, get away. The UVic rabbits have 14 victoriaboulevard.com COSM_5327_COSM046.indd 1
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become such a concern for grounds maintenance and athletes who risk their shoes and ankles every time they risk falling down a rabbit hole, that the university has launched an awareness campaign to remind people not to pat (or feed) the bunnies. But now there’s another bunny scourge, too — Eastern cottontails, small brown bunnies distinguished by their white puffy tails, are “spreading out from the Victoria area,” says Schaefer.
BlackTailed Deer You might have spotted the occasional blacktailed deer on local golf courses and UVic and Camosun’s campuses, and even in your neighbour’s back yard — these long-legged, bigeyed mammals venture pretty much anywhere there might be tasty treats in the form of almost anything grown in the garden. That’s because, as Schaefer explains, “they’re losing a lot of habitat — they’re looking for food.” As we build and bring the city to the deer’s natural habitat, the deer tend to simply come to the city. “They have a way of jumping into people’s yards.” And no, there’s not much you can do if you catch Bambi munching your tulips. Hunting’s not allowed in the city, and short of installing a very high fence, says Schaefer, urban residents just have to live with the deer (although beware, because deer can be injured trying to leap high fences). Just know you’re in good company — even Government House has lost hundreds of dollars’ worth of tulips to hungry deer. And feel grateful that at least this isn’t Churchill, Manitoba, where the large animals plaguing people’s yards include the much less placid polar bear.
Here’s a little-known urban nature fact: Apple cores can kill owls. How so? Well, not because owls eat apples. It’s because humans eat apples, and have been known to occasionally drop the cores out their car windows (come on, ’fess up). People figure, quite logically, that the cores will biodegrade, making on-the-run disposal of apple cores a pretty lightweight crime as far as polluting the city goes. But according to Angela Kendall, the administrator of BC SPCA Wild ARC, a wild animal rehabilitation centre in Metchosin, those apple cores attract rodents to the sides of the roads. 16 victoriaboulevard.com
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And those easily visible rodents attract raptors like owls and hawks, who enjoy grabbing a convenient meal as much as any of us do. Unfortunately, they tend to do their dining in the dark, when they’re less visible to cars on the roads. And then, the unfortunate human-wildlife interaction occurs, resulting in a dead or injured bird. The Wild ARC sees about 1,700 injured or orphaned wild animals each year, says Kendall, who estimates that “80 per cent of those animals are the result of some sort of interaction with people.” Those animals include owls and hawks hit by cars, plus deer hit by cars, birds that fly into windows of houses, and animals injured by fences, such as a recent visitor to the shelter, a great horned owl that had been caught in a barbed wire fence. As more people and wild animals live side-by-side in the city, the hazards of city living to animals become ever-more apparent. Apart from injuries caused by some aspect of the urban environment, wild animals can be harmed by people themselves — even, or especially, by the well-intentioned ones. Often, says Kendall, caring people will see a fledgling bird on the sidewalk, or a seal pup on the beach, or even a fawn in their yard, and will assume it’s lost or orphaned. “They’re inadvertently rescued, but their parents are still nearby,” says Kendall. But people will still conduct a kindly “rescue” of the animal, and bring it to Wild ARC. Suddenly, Bambi’s really lost his mother. (Kendall suggests that if you see a possibly orphaned wild animal, give Wild ARC a call and they’ll help you figure out what, if anything, to do). If you’re seeing more animals, especially deer and squirrels, in the urban environment lately, it could be because they’re being forced to adapt to living alongside people. “As the human population is growing, we are expanding into area that was habitat for wildlife,” says Kendall. “There’s a displacement that happens.” And just as animals adapt to us, we need to adapt, too, by co-existing in a way that doesn’t lead to more injured animals. Kendall recommends containing garbage cans, which can be like dive-in diners for animals like raccoons and squirrels, and closing off any parts of your home, like sheds or underneath decks, so that raccoons, squirrels and other animals aren’t tempted to move in. And don’t feed the animals. As tempting as it is to offer peanuts to squirrels or carrots to deer, it’s not a good idea, says Kendall. “You’re making them depend on your feeding,” she explains. “The reality is, wildlife is in our environment, and they are going to stay as long as a food source is available.” Wild ARC is operated by the BC SPCA, and is funded entirely on donations from the public. Visit wildarc.com to “adopt” a wild animal or to learn about other ways you can help. t Alisa Gordaneer is a writer whose favourite urban neighbours are hummingbirds and bats.
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Chris Creighton-Kelly is a Canadian artist and writer who lives in the Victoria area. Like many other citizens, he spends a lot of time online. But he does not really want to imagine a world without newspapers, magazines and books that are published on paper.
Extra! Extra! Do not read all about it! Someone has pulled the plug on publishing. Is anybody reading anymore? The signs are everywhere. Bookstores with declining sales and customers. The infamous “Black Wednesday” of last December when hundreds of writers, editors and publishers lost their jobs. Many predictions now say that magazine ad revenue will decline by at least 10 per cent in 2009. Newspapers have been on the skids for a while as more and more eyeballs have moved online. What’s going on? Well, lots. And lots of stuff at once. It is difficult to isolate just one factor. After all, the writing has been on the wall — and on the web — for a decade or so. There has been an increase in the cost of energy, of paper, of distribution, of real estate. And with the extensive splintering of niches and the advent of “assembled publications”, we are now on the threshold of a customized journal for every citizen. Let a few web feeds know what interests you and subscribe to a few blogs and presto! You have created your own unique, digital magazine. Speaking of the blogosphere, this in itself is partially a factor that moves folks away from traditional on-paper publishing. As mediocre and confusing as they can be, blogs 20 victoriaboulevard.com
nevertheless increasingly attract more viewers. They are up-todate, interactive and idiosyncratic in ways that paper publishing simply cannot equal. Blogs are a small part of what has been dubbed “Web 2.0”: using the Internet not only for consumption, as a content provider (RO or read-only), but also as an interactive platform (RW or read-write) that invites participation and sometimes even creative engagement with existing, personal content. Extravagant amounts of time are spent daily on MySpace, YouTube and Facebook, where people post messages, photos and videos. Of course, this is also a generational shift as young folks — those under 30 — bathe in screen culture as a condition of their contemporary rituals. My kids recently bought iPod Touchs and now they casually walk around the house, simultaneously thumbing their e-mails, listening to tunes with their headphones on and swerving their arms about in simulated bowling or golf swings. Their new devices did not come with any written instructions. In these tough economic times, there is another, emerging factor. Businesses, both neighbourhood and corporate, are becoming stringently careful with their advertising dollars. After all, these businesses are buying access to audiences and they need to be assured that those audiences are still there. This is the real business of most publishing. An astute academic, Dallas Smythe, theorized this concept as a “blind spot” in communications research over 30 years ago. It is not goods and services, not even ideas, that are the primary form of commerce, but what he called the “audience commodity”: the buying and selling of audiences that result in profits. Other commentators have extended this, suggesting that we are actually “working” for free as a member of this audience commodity when we watch TV or read a newspaper. The current struggle to hold on to its audiences is also hurting the publishing industry as a whole. It is not simply that ad revenue is moving from print to web, but rather that we are witnessing a total rethink of how to reach audiences. If my business makes widgets or provides a service to those who already have the widget or even a new service that requires no widget at all, then what is the most effective way of reaching my customers? Product placement in films? Covert buzz advertising? Infomercials? Pop-ups? Rack cards? Mobile ads? Viral marketing? Spam? Celebrity branding? Social networking ads? Whew! And these are just a few current advertising methods. Maybe my business should just give out leaflets on street corners. It is all a bit overwhelming. The ground, which has been shaking under our feet, is starting to crack. Once again, even the venerated, sacredness of the book is under question. This is not new. It seems that ever since Gutenberg, with each new technology — photography, film, radio, TV, the Internet — pundits have predicted the end of the so-called “old-fashioned” book. And yet the book has endured through all of it for over 500 years. Marshall McLuhan developed the notion of “rear-view mirrorism” — that we use the content of an old medium in
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developing the new, emergent medium, thereby freeing the old one to become something else. Photography allowed painting to finally become abstract. Widespread television broadcasting gave radio the chance to find newer, narrower audience niches. Will the hallowed book survive? Will it simply transform its shape in McLuhan’s rear-view mirror? Long an exception to Smythe’s concept of audience-commodity — almost all books have no advertising; there is no audience that is bought and sold — the book has a special place in many cultures of the world. Enter Kindle, the latest wireless e-book reader. It is the strongest attempt yet invented at displacing the paper-printed manuscript. It is lightweight and downloads books, newspapers and magazines from almost everywhere. No Wi-Fi connection, cables or computer are needed. It holds over 200 books with free samples for browsing before you buy. Books download in less than a minute and cost less than $10. Sounds pretty cool, eh? But there is another part to this story. Ted Striphas, author of The Late Age of Print, and other commentators have pointed out the delicious irony of the Kindle. Using it forbids you to sell, share or even give away your downloaded e-books. Yet Kindle users are “uploading” all kinds of micro-information about their reading habits. What does she read? When does he read? How often does she buy a book? So in a sense, updating Smythe with a smile, we would be seriously working for Kindle every time we read on one! Striphas describes this type of corporate data mining in this way: “The technology effectively transforms Kindle readers into the terminal
nodes of a massively distributed, on-the-go focus group . . . recording, mining, and exploiting their everyday textual encounters for a profit.” Well, can print publishing be saved? Here’s my formula: Go online; go community; go deep. Go online. And more. Go cross platform. Audio, video, radio, TV, posting, discussion groups, etc., etc. Folks need to know about your publication anywhere they might go, virtually or otherwise. Restage your info. Complement, enlarge, intensify the print copy. Take cues from the art world. Go community. Deepen your community(ies) wherever they are. On a superficial level, this could mean contests or sponsoring a charity. But it could also mean hosting public discussions, asking readers to support a civic project or spinning off a communitybased non-profit. Rebrand with roots. Go deep. More in-depth articles mixed in with the eye candy. More research, more thoughtful commentary, more respect for better writing. Yes, it costs more. But audiences are desperate for effective knowledge brokers. They already know that trivia is ubiquitous, cheap and transient. Of course this will mean new relationships among publishers, their readers, their advertisers and their writers. Some of the emergent business models offer fresh insights. Smaller advances to writers, but a 50 per cent share of proceeds instead of 15. Share the risk; share the profits; save money. The future of the printed publication is in your hands. You are holding one right now. t product sheets:Layout 1
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Keepers at the Gate
Victoria’s cuddliest workplace ambassadors walk on four legs
By Alisa Gordaneer
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Gunter Heinrich and Coco at Winchester Galleries.
For numerous workplaces in Victoria, the true employee of the year is an outgoing, friendly ambassador who brings in repeat customers, entertains clients and never asks for more than a few extra treats. They’re also likely to be four-legged. Yes, Victoria’s best public relations specialists may just be the cats, dogs and other pets that spend their time in local shops and offices. They faithfully do their jobs, accept tips only in the form of dog cookies or kitty treats, and make the days a little brighter for both customers and staff. There are no rules about pets at work, says Ian Fraser, senior animal control officer with Victoria Animal Control Services. “When an animal is in a place of business, it’s like keeping an animal in your own house.” As long as the cat, dog, or even duck is well-behaved and under supervision, he says, there’s no problem. “For some, it’s never an issue.” Plus, having a dog or cat on the premises does more than just help business. It can even be a tax write-off, because the shop pets do double duty as associate vicepresidents of pest control. Meet three of Victoria’s pets at work . . . Painting Pooch That’s not a stuffed toy on Gunter Heinrich’s desk: it’s Coco, his four-year-old apricot cockapoo, a cuddly bundle of cuteness that Heinrich and his Winchester Galleries business partner Anthony Sam adopted when she was just a puppy. Heinrich says Sam spotted Coco in a pet store one Easter, but he was hesitant about adopting her because he’d been cautious around dogs all his life. Heinrich, however, knew it was love at first sight, and before Sam could ask “how much is that doggie in the window,” Coco was on her way home. And Coco couldn’t have asked for a better home — she’s a particularly pampered pup. Pheasant, duck, turkey and venison are some of her favourite foods, says Heinrich. “She’s on a bit of a special diet” — she’s had to cut back a bit after a bout of pancreatitis. “But she used to love pork with lingonberry sauce.” However, as pampered as she is, all the attention clearly doesn’t go to Coco’s head. She’s extremely well-behaved, says Heinrich. “She sits on my desk, right beside the plate of chocolates, and never touches them.” She’s also one heck of a sales assistant, it seems. One time Heinrich was negotiating with a client who wanted to have a better deal on the painting he was about to buy. “I said, ‘Come on, I need to feed Coco!’” Heinrich recalls. “The next day, [the customer] walked in with a very expensive porterhouse steak.” Coco got the steak, the client got the painting, and Heinrich got one more example of the benefits of having a long-lashed cutie-pie working in the gallery. “Everyone absolutely loves her.”
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Hardware Helper Jette, the two-year-old black Labrador retriever that staffs the sales floor at Victoria Speciality Hardware, isn’t the first Lab that’s worked at the store. As owner Sue Emslie explains, Jette is a distant relative of the store’s beloved original shop dog, Ebony. As long as the store has been open, there’s been a Lab there to greet customers and make everyone’s day more fun. “She’s very calming for when it’s busy,” says Emslie. “You’ll see her playing and it becomes a much calmer day for everybody.” Even though Jette is still barely a pup, she has already taken her place as a valued employee. “If she’s bored, she’ll bring things up in her mouth,” says Emslie, explaining that Jette carries packets up and down the stairs between the store’s three levels, and occasionally “sorts” the recycling by taking the cardboard out of the recycling bin. “She entertains the children, and she entertains the delivery drivers — they all bring cookies for her.” Even the neighbours living around the Victoria/Oak Bay border, where the store is located, stop in to visit Jette and her wagging tail. “She has a real welcoming effect,” says Emslie. “We call her the Wal-Mart Greeter.” And if the store is busy, customers don’t seem to mind playing with Jette and her toys while they wait — call her a four-legged customer relations department, if you like. “It’s work for her,” Emslie says. “At the end of the day, she’s tired.” Bob and Sue Emslie with Jette at Victoria Speciality Hardware.
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“Coppy” Cat It was in the wee hours of “a really yucky stormy wet night” in September 2007, and acting Victoria Police chief Bill Naughton was on road patrol along Bay Street when he spotted a tiny grey kitten in the street. He stopped his car, opened the door, and the kitten hopped right in. He took the kitty to the station, intending to take the little grey tabby to the SPCA as soon as it opened the next morning, but . . . she was so cute . . . and everyone loved her so much. Within weeks, the little kitty had purred her way into the
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hearts of the staff at the police department’s Communications Centre, says Joanne Appleyard, a communications specialist who remembers when the kitty arrived. Eventually, the police chief gave special permission for the kitty — who’d come to be known as CeeCee (for Communications Centre) — to stay on at the station as the staff’s pet. “She’s even got her own ID badge,” says Appleyard, who explains that because the Communications Centre is busy 24 hours a day, there’s always someone to pet CeeCee, give her treats, and yes, even change the litter box. “She gives us more than she knows,” Appleyard says, explaining that after especially stressful phone calls, staff members will often spend a few minutes cuddling the cat. That’s because research has shown that petting animals can help soothe and calm people in stressful situations, she says, and having CeeCee around has a positive effect on the whole department. “She brings us a lot of joy.” t Alisa Gordaneer is a Victoria writer whose home office has numerous shop pets — including cats, chickens and dust bunnies.
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By ROSS CROCKFORD With humans affecting Earth more than any other species, Ross Crockford proposes how we can stop loving the last
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Suzy the tiger pads back and forth, her eyes locked on the German shepherd on the other side of the fence. At 200 kilos, the cat is twice the dog’s size, and she practically twitches with fascination. So do we. Three teenagers have stopped by Dave Bennett’s house on Millstream Road to see Suzy. “I’ve had over 2,000 people here,” Bennett proudly tells me outside his $10,000 tiger cage, built from plans he found on the Internet. “She’s been the subject of class projects in every school in the Western Communities.” Suzy is a cross between Bengal and Siberian tigers, two endangered and geographically distinct subspecies. Two years ago, people in Vancouver who wanted a cub for a movie shoot mated Suzy’s parents; after the shoot they dumped her at a pet-monkey farm near Cowichan Lake, where she grew up. But the farmer couldn’t afford the $40 in meat Suzy consumes daily, and the only offer to buy her came from someone who wanted her hide. Last August, Bennett took Suzy in. But the Highlands district passed a bylaw against exotic animals and now he has to ship her somewhere else.
Giving a home to an orphaned animal is admirable. But why does a man who rebuilds cars for a living want a tiger? Bennett’s voice softens like tanned leather as he watches Suzy lick her paws. “What’s not to love?” he replies. “She’s just a big pussycat.” Exactly why wild animals captivate us — their quiet strength, perhaps, or their innocence — is hard to say, but whatever the reason, Victorians feel the attraction deeply. Orcas and cougars are regional icons, the Goldstream salmon run and Christmas bird count are among the city’s biggest annual events, and practically every day the news has a story about a seal in a creek, an eagle-cam, or UVic’s feral rabbits. First Nations legends reflect this affection, as do the works of artists from Emily Carr to Robert Bateman. Here, “the environment” is our identity, not just a minor-league ministerial portfolio or an extension of the weather, and wild animals are the most elegant manifestations of its vitality and spirit. As we sadly know, that spirit is winking out. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says populations of more than half of the world’s mammal species are falling, and a quarter of them are at risk of extinction. The local news is often just as grim: a record number of grizzlies (430) were killed in British Columbia in 2007, even though the government has no idea how many bears are in the province; last October the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island reported the biggest decline in the number of resident orcas in a decade. The Vancouver Island marmot remains critically endangered, and only seven spotted owls survive in the wild — mainly because B.C. has no laws protecting the habitat of the 1,600-plus species at risk of extinction here. Instead of safeguarding endangered animals in their natural environments, many governments rely on zoos and sanctuaries to keep the species afloat. Russia uses captivebreeding programs to prop up the decimated wild stocks of Siberian tigers like Suzy’s ancestors; B.C. does the same with marmots at the Calgary Zoo, and spotted owls at a sanctuary in Langley. The strategy has risks: even if the animals breed, their offspring may not be able to fend for themselves back in the forest. It’s hard to know whether animals such as Suzy, raised in a cage, are truly “wild” at all. We may never find out, because even the sanctuaries are disappearing. “Finding a space in a sanctuary is like getting an apartment in New York: you have to wait for one to become available,” says John Creviston, former director of the Crystal Gardens Conservation Centre. As he learned when the Provincial Capital Commission closed his downtown-Victoria centre in 2004, the vacancy rate at North America’s wildanimal sanctuaries is tiny, and getting smaller: many verge on bankruptcy, and the newest is more than 15 years old. Creviston says it would’ve taken him two years to place all the Crystal Gardens animals, but the PCC couldn’t wait to start work on the ill-fated B.C. Experience, so it simply announced that the animals had new residences, and evicted them.
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As a result, many of the animals literally went underground. A former Crystal keeper had fruit bats, skinks, parrots, and pygmy slow lorises from Cambodia in her basement in Langford. Another still has a dozen pygmy marmosets from Brazil — the largest colony of the species on this continent — in his Saanich sunroom. “The objective was never to have them in people’s homes,” Creviston says, “but that’s what happened.” In response, Creviston started OASES, an organization advocating sanctuary for endangered species, with the long-term goal of creating another conservation centre in Victoria. (OASES offered to help move Suzy, but zoos don’t want her because she’s a cross-breed.) Some might argue that such centres are prisons, but Creviston, who’s worked with animals for 25 years, says “jail” has no meaning to animals if you meet their needs. “The main issue is, we have to slow the trend of extinction. When animals are in trouble, we have to do something.” On that point everyone agrees, Dave Bennett included. “I don’t think people should have any of these animals in captivity,” says Bennett, who favours a forthcoming provincial law against the importation of exotic species — especially after he visited a guy who has two six-foot alligators in his cellar in Mill Bay. “But if they can’t go back to the wild, someone has to look after them.” Trouble is, animals don’t pay their own way. Keeping animals is hugely expensive, and out in the wild — aside from bear- or whalewatching — they don’t contribute to the economy. Truly endangered species, like the spotted owl or pygmy slow loris, are too rare even
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to be sought by tourists, so they’re just a drag on development. Some politicians are starting to heed the concerns expressed about wild animals, though. Spain will officially extend legal rights to chimpanzees as of June, making it against the law to kill an ape, or use them in medical experiments, circuses, or even TV commercials. (Personally, I’d like to see animals get royalties from all the sports teams that use their likenesses without payment.) Ecuador passed a new constitution granting rights to Nature itself, requiring its government to “apply precaution and restriction measures in all activities that can lead to extinction of species.” But here in vast British Columbia we could do something even more visionary, and practical. Scientists say we’ve entered a new geological epoch — the Anthropocene — in which human activity is the greatest force affecting life on Earth, more powerful even than the processes that gave rise to us. Therefore, in addition to creating sanctuaries and saving habitat, we should go further and declare areas of eternal wilderness, territories in which no human activity of any kind will ever be permitted. By 2012, seven billion of us monkeys will roam this planet, and if we have any hope of preserving its diversity, we must recognize that we cannot meddle with every last inch of it. Nature doesn’t need rights as much as it needs room to be left alone. That wouldn’t provide space for Suzy. But if it taught humans to face the biological facts of our existence, and start respecting the limits of our precious Earth, it would be a very good start. t
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Most people hear the word “architect” and, reasonably enough, associate it with a fancy home or a grand office tower. But the discipline of architecture can be unexpectedly digressive — so much so that one of the signature designs of celebrated local architect Chris Rowe isn’t even a building. Back in the 1990s Rowe was hired to revitalize the three blocks of Broad Street running from City Hall south to what is now the Bay Centre. The objective was to make that stretch more pedestrian friendly, and the design was done in collaboration with a poet and some artists who worked at what used to be Starfish Glassworks. Most notable for the angled parking defined by those distinctive bollards, the site has many subtle touches and has also been “future-proofed” with hidden features — including electrically serviced spots for pieces of sculpture — should the decision ever be made to block the street to cars and fully pedestrianize it. “This was a good example of trying to find out what people wanted . . . and then giving them something they didn’t expect but that still meets what they hoped for,” says Rowe of this thoughtful example of urban renewal.
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Rowe is also well-known for his design work on the ARC Building, which was one of the first big projects of the Selkirk Waterway development and was undertaken in the ’90s when Rowe was a principal in a firm alongside fellow architects Peter de Hoog and Frank D’Ambrosio. “It was a complex design, and expressed with a tough materiality that suited the industrial history of the site,” says Rowe. “It was a bridge from pure industrial architecture to something that was more urbane but still had an edge to it.” According to graduate architect and heritage consultant Stuart Stark, “Of all the buildings down there, it’s the one that adds the most personality to the waterfront.” Stark, design director at nearby Charles Rupert Designs, praises the building for a curved design meant to reflect the curve of the waterway, as well as some deft street-level details aiding an interface with the sidewalk: “It’s a comfortable merger of form and function, one that is exceedingly effective.” Rowe earned his architecture degree at UBC in the early 1980s, at a time when there was no longer a singular, commonly held doctrine on what architecture actually was. “Post-modernism was pervasively in the air . . . a bit like disco,” he quips wryly. “But I think it often resulted in work that was shallow and inauthentic.” Rowe says that the most valuable thing he learned at university was about the so-called social aspect of design, which comes down to an attempt to understand how people react to and use space. “Basically, that approach to architecture means learning how to make great
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athletic ambition and prosperity, says Rowe, lead designer on the project.
spaces rather than great objects,” he explains. “The longer I practise as an architect, the more I realize that there are so many more pressing concerns than what a building looks like on the outside.” Rowe began his career in Toronto, spending a year there before migrating back west to Vancouver. By late 1986 he had returned home to Victoria, and worked for four years with the Campbell Moore Group before becoming his own boss, eventually forming Idealink Architecture Ltd. with partner David Wilkinson. Rowe then experienced a seismic shift in 2003 when he and Wilkinson sold up and joined mega-firm The Cannon Group, which has 800 employees in offices all across North America. Rowe splits his time between the Victoria office of 25 employees and its Vancouver counterpart, with 40. “On the face of it, it seems like a soulless corporate takeover,” admits Rowe. “But what is great is that we are one large firm full of talented people whose knowledge I can call on at any time, whether it’s an expert at laboratories or lighting systems,” he adds. “The culture at Cannon is fantastic because it allows you to tap the brain power of a lot of really creative people, many of whom have better ideas or more experience than you.” Although he is modest about his own accomplishments, Rowe’s peers are lavish in their praise of this cerebral yet passionate architect. “Chris has great design skills but he’s not just interested in the ‘bricks and mortar’ of getting a building up,” says Stark. “He really considers how it will affect people. Chris’s designs aren’t superficial, they have gravitas.” Notes Wilkinson, “Chris is an outstanding talent, and the embodiment of a modern architect: instead of being the ‘brooding genius’ he’s a highly rational humanist who finds new and innovative ways to pursue the discipline of architecture.” Wilkinson, who has known Rowe since their days at UBC, gleefully adds his super-smart and intimidatingly knowledgeable partner has a surprisingly salty tongue. “He can be devilishly sharp and funny. He’s the most civilized, urbane longshoreman I’ve ever met,” he laughs.
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Rowe’s leap to the big leagues means working on massive projects with formidable challenges — and much, much bigger budgets. Rowe is currently on the team building the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s new Patient Treatment Tower, budgeted at $500 million. “For a building like that, it’s not just about aesthetics,” explains Rowe. “The important factors include function, cost and constructability.” Rowe is also part of a 10-person team developing a luxury resort in Vernon. That combination of 150 rooms and a European-style health spa is budgeted at $120 million. According to Rowe, working for a large firm means you have to unlearn a lot of what you pick up at school and from smallfirm practice. “When you have to be self-reliant it’s essential to develop an ego,” says Rowe. “But move to a firm like Cannon and you need to reverse the process, learn to keep your ego in a box and only bring it out when necessary. The trick is to be creative collaboratively rather than individually.” As if that wasn’t challenge enough, institutional projects come with various groups attached, resulting in a jumble of competing interests and ideas. Cannon Design is doing the Richmond Olympic Oval, where the 2010 speed skating competitions will occur, and Rowe’s job is to organize about 25 consultant firms and subcontractors. “There are two structural engineers, a mechanical engineer, a refrigeration systems guy, a security consultant, an architect whose job is to help the building fit in with the surrounding buildings . . . There’s even a feng shui consultant, reflecting the strong Asian influence in Richmond,”
adds Rowe. “You need a certain mindset to be able to work effectively with all the data and all the different disciplines and expertise needed to design and then build a complex building.” This busy architect was also the lead designer for the dramatic Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, which opened this fall at Camosun’s Interurban campus. Although primarily a facility to train elite athletes, the centre includes classrooms, offices and a sports medicine/research lab, as well as community recreation facilities. The building, with its pointy geometries and thrusting forms, expresses the dynamism of physical striving. “One notable feature has been nicknamed ‘the stairway to heaven’ because the stairs make for one long ascent on the outside of the building,” adds Rowe. “It’s meant to be seen as a metaphor for athletic aspiration.” Not surprisingly, Rowe occasionally imagines a less frantic life. “There have been times throughout my career when I’ve said to myself that I wished it could be simpler, where I’ve dreamed about designing small, jewel-like buildings and there is no one to bug me,” admits Rowe. “But to work on my own would be boring. I really appreciate the diversity of the people I work with — it’s a fantastic opportunity.” t Local author Robert Moyes has two-dimensional thoughts and admires the way architects balance science and art while somehow transforming an idea into the reality of steel, stone and wood. He thinks Victoria is very lucky that Chris Rowe came back to his hometown.
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No matter what comes its way, the oceanside village of Tofino always seems to retain its natural charm. So when Don and Vivienne decided to build a house there, they knew it had to respect the rustic nature of the area and integrate with the surrounding landscape. To bring their vision to life, they hired award-winning architects Helliwell + Smith: Blue Sky Architecture and home builders Coastal Construction.
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Don and Vivienne have seven children and nine grandchildren, and thus a large extended family. Consequently, the house needed to meet a number of diverse requirements: a getaway cottage, a vacation retreat for family, and (when they downsize) quite possibly the couple’s retirement home. “We enjoy the beach activities, surfing, the laidback style,” explains Don. “And we wanted the house to fit in with the Tofino lifestyle and environment.” With all the activities available nearby — surfing, storm-watching, beachcombing — the house had to cater to a recreational way of life. The couple was drawn to the work of Blue Sky Architecture for a number of reasons, most importantly because of its reputation for organic modern design. “We work very closely with light, with site, with existing vegetation, trying to keep as much of it as we can,” says Kim Smith, architect. When siting the home on the half-acre lot, Don
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and Vivienne wanted the home to be harmonious with nature as much as possible, so that when inside it felt like you were nestled amongst the trees. The house fit perfectly among a number of old-growth red cedars, one of which is nearly eight feet in diameter. Because some of the roots of the massive tree stretched across the site, they had to be cut; the broken top of the tree was then trimmed to about 50 feet to ensure the home would be safe. “We tried to have the house work, in an engaging way, with the rainforest,” says Smith. The back of the house curves inwards, an approach Smith took for two important reasons: First, because the home “embraces” the massive red cedar tree and the woodland beyond, there is a distinct, unifying connection between the house and the landscape. Second, the graceful concave shape provides considerable
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privacy inside the home, as well as on the patio. In an attempt to mimic the topography, the shed roof rises sharply upwards, towards the towering trees in the palatial rainforest surrounding it. While the house form is contemporary, the wraparound veranda in the front lends an air of formality, and its roof shrinks the scale of the building slightly. The porch also adds a “cottagey” feel to the house, an appropriate impression for a West Coast home snuggled inside a forest. Materials for the exterior were kept simple and timeless. Cedar for the shingles, round posts and flush siding in the outdoor room, and fir for the pillar supports, exposed rafters and beams; these woods were used for their long life and resistance to weather. The metal roof is virtually maintenancefree. “Building remotely requires quality,” says Don. Robust, easy-care, high-quality materials and appliances mean fewer repairs and maintenance by hard-to-find professionals. “And the reason we picked Coastal was because we wanted it done right the first time,” Don explains. Being a high-end residential builder for over 15 years means the company has a reliable network of professional trades working with it. The craftsmanship essential to Coastal is apparent throughout the home, from the millwork to the Pennsylvania bluestone floor. One of the home’s more remarkable features is the visible timber frame, manufactured of Douglas fir by Canadian Timberframes in Golden, B.C. This traditional
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Two covered terraces flank the dining area and function as extensions of the great room, creating perfect spaces for entertaining, playing board games or
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construction method has timeless appeal and easily accommodates open floorplans and vaulted ceilings. The quality of the timber frame and wood joinery, and the warm tones of the wood, add character and beauty to the interior of the home while heightening the connection to the forest. The interior layout is straightforward but cozy. Upstairs is a media room (or additional accommodation), main bathroom and two bedrooms. The master and ensuite are tucked behind the living room. The open concept of the great room, with its soaring ceiling and slew of windows, makes for a
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hub that unifies all of the spaces around it. “That gives it the sense of the family cabin they were looking for,” adds Smith. On either side of the great room, the covered porches are more like “outdoor rooms”, allowing access to the front and back of the house and providing a protected area to entertain, read, play board games or just gaze into the rainforest. The bluestone used on the main floor extends out to both skylighted terraces, effectively creating a continuous flow between the two areas. Lovely six-inch tongue-andgroove cedar siding is used on the stairwell wall and the back terrace. All these congruent elements give a uniformity to the entire building and impart a sense of harmony. The interior has a balanced relationship with the exterior, and with the landscape itself. Behind the kitchen is the laundry area, powder room and what has been dubbed the “surf entrance”. A regional take on Whistler’s “ski entrance” and the classic mud room, the surf entry has an outdoor shower and wash down to clean off the sand, dirt and salt, as well as a surfboard and wet suit rack.
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A convenient shower and change room lets surfers and storm chasers clean up before scrambling to the kitchen for a cup of hot cocoa. Having had three custom homes built in the past 10 years, Don and Vivienne have had a lot of experience in working with interior designers. So this time they felt comfortable selecting the materials, lighting fixtures, appliances, and paint and stain colours themselves. They kept the palette neutral and earthy, and selected somewhat rustic, casual furniture with an elegant flair. “People shouldn’t be worried about putting their feet on the table,” says Don. The dark chocolate Natuzzi sofas are both comfortable and durable. The elliptical dining room table bears a striking resemblance to the shape of a surfboard, and the bar stools are constructed of white oak wine barrel staves, evoking the sense of wine country. In an effort to maintain consistency and flow to the home, Don and Vivienne chose a few attractive materials and colours and used them throughout. This Tofino home, nestled on a truly majestic site, connects with its surrounding landscape with grace. But the true success of any home is measured by the owners. “I love it! It’s just perfect. I can’t wait to get there; in fact, when we do get there I don’t want to leave,” enthuses Vivienne. “We worked with some of the best people. We can’t express enough praise about everyone who was involved.” With its close proximity to the beach and, insists Don, the “best fish and chips in the world,” this “cottage in the woods” promises to provide its owners and their nearest and dearest with many years of great family memories. t Nearly 15 years ago, Julie Nixon fell asleep on a Tofino beach, the perpetual morning fog a misty shroud around her. She awoke to the warm sun breaking through the haze, and at that moment she knew she had found a heaven on earth.
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Julie Nixon has a passion for birds. She has liberated many a hummingbird from the predatory jaws of her clever bird-catcher cat, Little Bear — who, much to her heartbreak, recently departed for the big barn in the sky.
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Increasingly, we are realizing the powerful impact that humans have on the natural world. Property development, which continually moves farther out from the city core, spoils sensitive animal habitat, isolates species and endangers the health of the natural ecosystem. Many homeowners, however, are helping avert these dangerous consequences by gardening with wildlife in mind. Our backyards are becoming “mini arks” of natural vegetation that connect green spaces, reestablish migration corridors within the urban environment, and conserve our region’s biodiversity.
Attracting local wildlife to your yard is highly rewarding. Watching and talking about living creatures fosters an appreciation for all forms of life. The high-flying antics of squirrels and the incredibly swift manoeuvres of birds can buoy spirits and induce relaxation. “Gardeners almost naturally create habitats that are attractive, particularly to birds,” explains Elizabeth Cull, franchise president and owner of Dig This stores in Oak Bay and Market Square. “But there are things that you can do, above and beyond just growing beautiful plants and shrubs, to encourage them to return.” Providing a diverse habitat attracts a variety of beneficial wildlife, including birds, dragonflies, frogs, snakes, butterflies, bats and bees. This habitat must include food, water and suitable shelter for each species, away from the easy grasp of predators. Persuading birds to visit your garden can be as easy as furnishing the yard with a couple of feeders, a birdbath and a birdhouse. “There are all kinds of different feeders for birds, and some are designed specifically for a particular kind of bird,” says Cull. She recommends acquiring a book on local birds, such as Birds of Victoria and Vicinity (Bovey, Campbell, and Gates, Lone Pine Publishing, 1989), to first identify the birds that frequent your garden, and then supply them with their favourite food in an appropriate feeder. While research shows that birds eating from feeders also acquire food elsewhere, many birds actually establish a range based partially on a feeder during the winter months. Those birds may be relying on that feeder, since natural food sources are scarce during
52 victoriaboulevard.com
that time. Therefore, it’s recommended that you don’t suddenly stop a supply of food for birds during the winter. Still, supplying birdseed in feeders should be supplemental, writes Karen Bledsoe in “How to attract wildlife in your garden” (helium.com). “The backbone of your wildlife food supply should be plants — preferably native plants — with high food value. This includes trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants that supply berries, nuts, seeds, nectar, pollen, and forage.” When tidying up the garden in autumn, leave some seed heads for the birds. As well, many birds feast on a variety of insects and will appreciate some leaf litter to scratch at in search of a smorgasbord of bugs. Those birds are natural pest controllers, devouring insects like aphids and caterpillars that munch on plants. Provide water regularly, especially when the mercury drops below zero. Birdbaths, for drinking and bathing, should be located above ground in a shady, protected area. Besides shrubs and trees as shelter, nesting sites like birdhouses are best placed in shaded trees where they are protected from predators. The hole size is very important, since aggressive birds like starlings and house sparrows may end up nesting there if the hole size is too big. It’s crucial that a birdhouse have a door so that you can disinfect the inside after the breeding season, eliminating parasites, fungus and bacteria that could harm the next season’s residents. A perch under the hole is actually dangerous for nesting birds. “Predatory birds will sit on the perch waiting for the little babies to stick their heads out,” says Cull. A birdhouse built to
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Audubon specifications would be a good choice. Ladybugs, toads and bats are also forms of natural pest control. Attracting these ravenous insectivores sometimes requires a modicum of patience. Bats, for example, are more likely to nest close to a freshwater stream or lake, because of the immense quantity of insects nearby. For information on bat habitat, visit or phone Wild Birds Unlimited (3631 Shelbourne Street, 250-595-3595). Toads can make a good home out of leaf litter, and ladybugs hibernate in protective shelters like logs and rock crevices. Alternatively, you can purchase man-made houses for bees, ladybugs, butterflies, squirrels and toads. Butterflies and bees are attracted to flowers teeming with nectar and pollen, so plant lots of flowers near vegetables to ensure pollination of crops. Bees are extremely effective pollinators, and the non-aggressive mason bee is easy to cultivate and manage by backyard gardeners. Beediverse, a Coquitlam company, offers online courses, books, houses and accessories for cultivating mason bees (beediverse.com). “There are lots of animals in the city that some people
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appreciate, and some don’t,” says Cull. Garter snakes, while harmless, make many of us feel rather unnerved. But they receive a hearty welcome by some gardeners because of their voracious appetite for slugs, insects and rodents. Deer, raccoons, rabbits and squirrels can be a nuisance, and even destructive to property. However, a well-designed and properly managed garden can discourage them from browsing fruits, vegetables and special plants. Cull says customers rave about the locally manufactured product called the Scarecrow, a motion-activated pulsing sprinkler that safely foils hungry visitors. Some people have a few plants specifically for deer, with the idea that they will leave other plants alone. You can feel good knowing you are helping protect wildlife by offering your yard as a refuge. And don’t be afraid to share your values, ideas and successes with friends and neighbours. Restoring the balance of nature and enhancing our ecosystems is well worth the effort. t
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Homegrown Horticulture A native plant enthusiast gets to the root of keeping it local
With our mild climate and long growing season, Victorians love to garden. Although we can grow a stunning range of plants from around the world, more and more local gardeners are discovering the benefits of using native plants in their gardens. “I remember being interested in what was growing along the side of the road, going on hikes and wanting to know more about the native species that I lived amongst,” says Victoria native plant gardening consultant and educator Patricia Johnston. Johnston, who worked as a career counsellor for 35 years, says her interest in wildlife and native plants grew while she was living in Powell River, out in the woods. “Then in 1993, I joined the Native Plant Study Group at the University of Victoria, which got me even more involved.” victoriaboulevard.com 57
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The Native Plant Study Group, associated with the Victoria Horticultural Society, is a group of volunteers dedicated to learning about and conserving B.C.’s native plants and their habitats. Johnston still gardens with the Native Plant Study Group but says she doesn’t want to be known as the expert. “What I have learned about native plants is a result of working with some of the members of the group and sharing our knowledge and information,” Johnston says. “I am the one who does the workshops because they don’t want to do that . . . I am not the expert, we are.” Despite her modesty, Johnston has an impressive knowledge of local plants. She also has plenty of experience teaching others about what she knows and easily rattles off a succinct list of the benefits of gardening with native plants. First of all, native plant gardens can conserve water because so many local native plants are drought-resistant once they are established. “This means that when the plant becomes droughtstressed, it goes dormant and doesn’t die, whereas a plant from somewhere else will usually die.” Native plant gardens support biodiversity of plants and wildlife, providing habitat not only for butterflies and birds, but also for microorganisms in the soil and beneficial insects. Native plant gardens are also low-maintenance, perfect for people who don’t want to be tied to watering and weeding all summer. Many Previous page: people are using native groundcovers, shrubs and Row 1 l-r: Red columbine perennial beds to replace (Aquilegia formosa); lawns, which require too Solomon’s seal and Vanilla much water and frequent leaf (Smilacina racemosa mowing. Also, gardening and Achlys triphylla); Mock with natives eliminates orange (Philadelphus the need for fertilizers and lewisii) pesticides. Row 2 l-r: Deer fern Choosing native plants (Blechnum spicant); Tiger prevents what Johnston lily (Lilium columbianum); calls “escapees”: nonFringecup (Tellima native plants like English grandiflora) ivy, Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry, Row 3 l-r: Oregon grape which become invasive (Mahonia aquifolium); and crowd out native Oceanspray (Holodiscus species. discolor); Red flowering On a larger scale, current (Ribes bringing natives into sanguineum) your garden contributes Row 4 l-r: Bunchberry to the health of the (Cornus canadensis); ecosystems that we live Penstemon (Penstemon in. The systems of the fruticosa); Woolly Victoria area are the Garry sunflower (Eriophyllum oak ecosystem and the lanatum) Douglas fir forest, both of which are endangered, explains Johnston.
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“In Canada, you find the Garry oak ecosystem only on the southern Gulf Islands and southeast tip of Vancouver Island, with just two small groves on the mainland. If you look at a map of the Saanich Peninsula comparing what was here 200 years ago to what’s left now, there’s only five per cent of what was originally here.” According to publications by the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, Garry oak ecosystems support thousands of plant, animal and insect species. More than 100 species at risk have been identified and several have already disappeared. “The more fragmented that ecosystem gets, the less chance it has of recovering,” says Johnston. “By bringing plants into our yards, which are part of the ecosystem, we ease the fragmentation that has mostly occurred as a result of development.”
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“Get a plant guide and go out into the parks, the demonstration gardens, some of the wild areas and get to know the plants.”
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Incorporating natives into your garden is the same as any gardening, says Johnston. You have to match the plants to the conditions of your yard. To assess your garden’s conditions, look at where the sun and shade fall at different times of the day, where the wet and dry spots are, what types of soil you have and where the winds come from. Learning about the plants might start with a workshop. Johnston’s workshops include a tour of a native plant demonstration garden and a whack of handouts and reading lists. But the best way to learn, she says, is to go for a walk. “Get a plant guide and go out into the parks, go to the demonstration gardens, go to some of the wild areas and get to know the plants,” says Johnston. “It’s actually a lot easier than when you are buying a plant from New Zealand, for example, and trying to grow it here. You’re here and all you need to do is look at a local plant and see where it is growing.” There are hundreds of native plant species that will thrive here in Victoria. We can grow the plants of both the Garry oak ecosystem and the Douglas fir forest, depending on the conditions. “If you are growing where there is lots of sun, plant things like stonecrop (sedum sp.), woolly sunflower (eriophyllum
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lanatum) and penstemons,” says Johnston. “The Garry oak ecosystem has many flowering plants to choose from. Forest plants like sword ferns (polystichum munitum) grow well in moist shadier spots.” Also, if you like to eat from your garden, there are plenty of edible native plants. “Aboriginal peoples used to use a lot of the native plants as a food source,” says Johnston. “Lots of berries, some nuts, and some things for salads.” When you want to find plants for your garden, don’t just go out into the wild and dig up a native plant, says Johnston. You can, however, take seeds or cuttings from an established plant, being careful not to take more than 10 per cent from any one plant. You can purchase native plants and seeds from many nurseries and garden centres, including a handful of specialty native plant nurseries. And be sure to mark April in your calendar for the annual native plant sale at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Salvaging is another great way to acquire plants and learn a lot about them. “When you salvage, you start to know what the plants look like underground as well as above ground, you learn how to transplant them and where they grow,” says Johnston. The Saanich municipality has a native plant salvage program you can sign up for. Whenever there is a construction site with plants that will be destroyed, the municipality arranges with the developer for people to take those plants off the property. The Native Plant Study Group also has a salvage program for all areas other than Saanich. “You can’t take plants and sell them, but you can take them and put them into your garden or into a park if you’re working on some public property,” says Johnston. Native plant gardening doesn’t have to begin with digging up your whole garden, nor does it require a lot of space. Johnston lives in a condo and has a beautiful native plant container garden on her balcony. Start small. Get a book and learn to identify some local plants, maybe try a few in your garden and see where it takes you. “People are starting to see the value of native plant gardening,” says Johnston. “We are talking about water conservation, we are talking about pesticide-free, and those kinds of things are very ethical. Native plant gardening is being kind to our Earth.” To find out about free native plant gardening workshops with Patricia Johnston, call the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary at 250-479-0211 or see the CDR website at www.crd.bc.ca/water/conservation/outdoorwateruse/ workshops/index.htm For information about the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team and to order their gardener’s handbook, call 250-3833427 or e-mail info@goert.ca. t Anna Kemp is a local writer and gardener who would love to see camas growing in the Garry oak park near her house.
62 victoriaboulevard.com
COWICHAN
Bay Film Studios
Founder Robin Webb loves creating films and videos in Maple Bay
By Julie Nixon photo by gary mckinstry
“I love where I am. I look out the back window and I see the ocean,” says Robin Webb, founder of Bay Film Studios, Vancouver Island’s newest film and video production studio, located in Maple Bay. Even though his life is hectic now that he’s the president of a full-service studio, he is thrilled about living and working on the Island. That is, an island with all the locations and talent he says are needed to attract production companies from all over the world (and right at home). And Webb, no stranger to adventure, is leading the charge to cultivate a local film industry.
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Born in England in 1945, he was a baby when he contracted polio and was placed in a plaster cast for over two years. The childhood disease did not leave permanent damage however, and in his teens he became a boxer. He went on to win 22 national titles, including the English Select at the 1964 Olympics. Webb began doing stunt work, and took up racing and martial arts. His diversified career has seen him as a stunt performer and coordinator on numerous TV and film productions. He produced and directed his first feature film, Seeking Fear, in 2005, and the crime drama won the Grand Jury Prize at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. Now, at 63, Webb says he has no intention of slowing down. “I still run two miles every day; I still enjoy every part of life; I just enjoy it all.” He has a tremendous passion for film as a catalyst for social change and is delighted to be embarking on his latest venture. Like most good yarns, the story of how Bay Film Studios came to be wasn’t a eureka! moment, nor was it Webb’s lifelong dream. Rather, it was formed through a series of somewhat fortuitous events. In 2006, Webb was commissioned to shoot 13 episodes of Keyeye: Making Kids Safe, a series based on the children’s program that Webb and his wife Judy Houghton developed and had been teaching in schools since 1983. For filming, he needed a school, not a studio. Mike Moroz, an acquaintance of Webb and a film teacher at Cowichan Secondary School, helped secure the school over the summer holidays for Webb to film the series. Webb also shot a small feature film called Keyeye: The Movie. (In 2007, the movie won Best International Feature Film Award at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival.) To market the series to a broader audience, Webb sent episode clips to HBO. They liked it. But, they wanted 52 episodes. “And I’m thinking, where on earth am I ever going to be able to find a facility with the budget that we were working with?” says Webb, stupefied even now at the memory. Again, a school location was critical. The principal of Cowichan Secondary School, Pat Duncan, along with Moroz, found two schools that had been closed. The plan was to lease Maple Bay Elementary School to shoot the rest of the series. “Next thing you know they’re saying, how about buying the school?” says Webb. “Oh yeah sure I’m gonna buy a school at this stage of life, but I did.” That was near the end of 2006. In 2007, with financial help from an old friend and now business partner Paul Callon (CEO), Webb began shooting the remainder of the series, and then in 2008 went on to the challenging task of converting a public building into a commercial film studio. They spent nearly one million dollars renovating and transforming the space into the sole full-service film and video production studio on the Island. The studio offers professional crew and equipment, pre- and post-production services, green screen facilities, nine set locations and set construction, and on-site film commission services through the Cowichan Film Commission, all in a spacious 20,000 square feet. With numerous early successes already under its belt, the privately funded studio appears ready to hit the ground running.
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In just two years they’ve shot commercials, the Keyeye series and a feature called House for Sale, a film prompted by the February 2008 murder of a Victoria real estate agent. This year the studio has already produced a 26-episode cooking show with host Mridula Baljekar, renowned chef and author of a series of bestselling cookbooks on Indian cuisine. In addition to feature films, they’re also shooting two more cooking shows: one that highlights family recipes (and the stories behind them) from people all over the world, and the other a show targeted to teens. Timely issues, meaningful content and social values are the cornerstones of Bay Film Studios and Webb’s production companies. “Basically, the studio is designed not for us to bring Hollywood in to film their shows here — I want to do our shows,” says Webb. Under his direction, the studio’s mandate is to balance both its cultural and commercial objectives. This homegrown business has received lots of support from the community, perhaps in response to Webb’s commitment to establishing a film industry on Vancouver Island. “We’re thrilled about [being in Maple Bay]. We’re here to stay,” says Webb. Apart from bringing in a few key people, he hires locals as much as possible. His experience shows that the best way to teach is through hands-on work, under the guidance of a trained professional. He’s happy to give a person the opportunity to work on set before they commit to film school. “Consequently we’re building and creating a complete database of great talent right here on the island,” he says excitedly. He’s hiring people of all ages, from enthusiastic teenagers
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to those who’ve had a long career and are now looking for something different to try. “You’ve got to have faith in youth,” says Webb, “but you’ve got to have faith in youthful people who want to do things as well.” Webb sees a lot of talent here on Vancouver Island. “I’ve come to a Mecca. Now all I’ve got to do is stop them from going back to the mainland to go to work,” he laughs. The studio is available to independent producers, and Webb always encourages them to hire local people and use some of the studio’s crew. Robin Webb says Maple Bay is a perfect place to develop a thriving local film industry. Being isolated from the metropolis of Vancouver has not been an obstacle in the least. And geographically, Maple Bay is centrally located to an abundance of locations, including the ocean, small towns, bigger cities, mountains and more. “And the wonderful thing about it is, we have year-round filming, similar to California. We just need a bit of desert, and we’ll have it all beat,” says Webb with a gentle laugh. The 5th annual Cowichan International Aboriginal Film Festival, sponsored in part by Bay Film Studios, runs April 16-19 at the Cowichan Theatre in Duncan. See aff.cowichan.net/index.php for more information. t Julie Nixon fell spellbound by Robin Webb’s charming British accent and its velvety cadence, as he spoke of his life and latest endeavour, Bay Film Studios.
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Fresh air and fresh fare.
Ready to get the cold, wet winter out of your system? Come experience the vibrant colours, sounds and textures of spring in the Cowichan. We’ve got lively downtowns, vivid naturescapes and a fresh and vibrant arts and culture scene. Everything you need to put a spring back in your step is right here in the Cowichan.
Spring ’09
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250 748 9411
MILL BAY . SHAWNIGAN LAKE . COBBLE HILL . COWICHAN BAY . DUNCAN . CROFTON . CHEMAINUS . LADYSMITH . LAKE COWICHAN . YOUBOU . HONEYMOON BAY
Step into spring in the Cowichan.
Spring is in the air! Flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the days are sunnier and longer. Our farmer’s markets are bustling with the first tastes of the season. Our boutiques and cafés are full of fresh fashions and goodies. Our beaches and forests are bursting with renewed life. The Cowichan beckons you.
A well established local hot spot, we are famous for fresh food and beer, as well as fun, energetic staff and a great atmosphere! Jakes ~ 250 746 5622 25 Craig Street, Duncan
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For more information, contact Tourism Cowichan | TEL 250 746 1099 TOURIST INFORMATION 1 888 303 3337 | discovercowichan.com
250-748-4614 Sunday 11am – 4pm
Refresh your spirit .
If your urge to hibernate is fading, come and refresh your spirit in the Cowichan. Take a leisurely stroll by our lakes and rivers. Explore our unique galleries and charming shops. Or relax in our superb bistros and restaurants, sipping on local wine and snacking on home-grown food. Beyond ordinary, there’s Cowichan.
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Springtime in the Cowichan.
Whether you’re in the mood for antique treasure hunting or a back-road cycling adventure, beachcombing or birdwatching, sailing or shopping or just enjoying a quiet, late afternoon lunch at a boutique café – the Cowichan is sure to please. We’re just a short, beautiful drive north of Victoria – yet a world apart!
Great Wines! Great People! Great Experiences! Taste the passion put in every bottle
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For more information, contact Tourism Cowichan | TEL 250 746 1099 TOURIST INFORMATION 1 888 303 3337 | discovercowichan.com
ON
By Kathleen Hay
the boulevard A few good things from our “A” list
Those Patio Lanterns The Soji lantern collects the sun’s energy during the day and gives off a warm amber glow at night, creating an Earth-friendly atmosphere for your patio haven. ($45; Dig This, 250-385-3212)
Tasty Tap Water Fit & Fresh LivPURE Filtered Water Bottle has a built-in filter process that reduces chlorine by 50 percent for up to 284 litres. One LivPURE is equivalent to 500 plastic water bottles. (20 oz bottle, $17.99 / two filters, $14.99; The Victorian Birdhouse, 250-656-5064)
Natural Glow Nurture and protect your skin with Green Science, Aveda’s four-step line of skin-care that boosts collagen production. ($282; Aveda Institute Victoria, 250-386-7993)
Not that Ruff Beach, park or mountain trail, Ruff Wear allows your four-legged friend to roam in style . . . and carry the doggy bags! (Ruff Wear Approach Pack $69.95 to $81.95 / Bark’n Boots, $69.95 / Hover Craft, $14.95; available at Bark & Fitz Westshore, 250-590-3647)
Heads Up What’s green, has three legs, and doesn’t sing? The new Cricket Laptop Stand, of course. Futuristic and functional, the Cricket reduces neck strain by keeping your laptop at eye level. ($44.95; Relax the Back, 250-592-1974)
Peck Away
Secret Garden Sip lattés and munch on delectable treats with this set of Crazy Daisy dishes by Portmeirion. Garden party gossip just got a lot more colourful. ($9.95 to $49.95; Muffet & Louisa, 250-382-3201)
eZee-Does-It Kick-start your urban commute and lower your impact on the Earth with one of eZee bike’s eight stylish models — enough to get you spinning. ($1,499 to $2,399, ezeebike.com; available exclusively at Scooter Underground, 250-220-7243)
This Woodpecker Feeder will prevent other birds from snatching the bounty of nuts and dried fruit woodpeckers crave. ($44.99, Birds Choice; Wild Bird Center of Langford, 250-590-SEED)
Making
Crime
By Robert Moyes photo by gary mckinstry
Pay
Bookseller Frances Thorsen is a woman of mysteries
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She somehow knew she wanted to own a bookstore at the tender age of four, but it wasn’t until Frances Thorsen had what she calls “a health scare” six years ago that she felt compelled to follow up on that long-ago dream. The result is the highly successful Chronicles of Crime, a genrespecific bookstore specializing in Murder Most Foul — everything from the polite “English village” mysteries of Agatha Christie to the blood-splattered neo-noirs of Michael Connelly. “[During the health scare] someone asked me what I had always really wanted to do,” says Thorsen. “That inspired me to head back east to a special booksellers course sponsored by the Canadian Booksellers Association.” The course lasted a short but intense three days — enough to send Thorsen back to Victoria with a fire in her belly and lots of ideas about how to make an independent bookstore viable in the age of Chapters. “I went looking for shop space, but it had to be in a high-density area that also got some tourist traffic. Plus I wanted an area that was safe,” says Thorsen. She settled into a shop in the northwest corner of the Mosaic Building on Fort Street and got to work. After slapping paint on the walls and building bookshelves — lots of bookshelves — Thorsen took a deep breath and sacrificed her massive personal library of mysteries, crime novels and police procedurals to stock all those empty shelves. “I had about 8,000 books of my own and bought a couple of thousand more to round out my stock when I opened Chronicles of Crime,” Thorsen notes. “These days the store has double that number of books for sale.”
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Thorsen has a lively wit as well as a keen interest in people and ideas — she is, in short, one of the nicest people you will ever meet who has learned how to make crime pay. Her research began early indeed: as a precocious young reader the first books she remembers picking up were mysteries that belonged to her older siblings. “I read everything from Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden to the Hardy Boys,” she recalls. Her favourite series, though, featured a smart kid named Encyclopedia Brown, who ran his own detective agency with a couple of friends. “When I was eight or nine years old I mimicked the whole thing,” confesses Thorsen with a laugh. “I used my brother’s old desk down in the basement, and put a disconnected phone on it. My friend and I used to stare at it, wondering why it never rang with a case for us to solve.” The Toronto-born Thorsen eventually grew out of her crimebusting phase and went to the University of Waterloo to get a classics degree. Although intensely interested in archaeology, she didn’t like getting dirt under her fingernails, so retreated back to Toronto to get a Bachelor of Education. She eventually moved west to Victoria, attending UVic where she got her Masters. This scholarly side of Thorsen’s personality also resulted in a massive pile of books — she owns approximately 10,000 nonbloodstained tomes. Her particular interests include AfricanAmerican writers like Langston Hughes, travel books, anything to do with The Titanic, the 1940s, and books by and about Lillian Hellman. “My collection is pretty eclectic, but I especially cherish books about the love of reading.” Mystery novels are an entire world unto themselves, with
literally thousands of authors and hundreds of niche categories. Whether you are into wine, golf, cats, B&Bs or craft hobbies, there is a murder series for you. Thorsen, with her eclectic interests and encyclopedic knowledge, is a great guide to this gruesome realm and is particularly useful at pointing clients towards a new author to get addicted to. “One thing I really like is preparing ‘gift baskets’ for customers,” she says. “It’s easy if, say, they like British mysteries, but I sometimes get asked to go with themes such as poker or even farming.” Thorsen is very responsive to customer interest and has been reshaping what she stocks in response to perceived demand. Despite the elitist condescension of some literary snobs — critic Edmund Wilson famously wrote a sneering article for The New Yorker entitled “Who Cares Who Killed Roger Ackroyd” — many highbrows can’t wait to burrow into a good mystery. For years Thorsen has been on the board of the University of Victoria’s Friends of the Library, so it was natural that she should be involved when Canada’s beloved literary maven Alberto Manguel came to town a little over a year ago. He was giving a Massey Lecture at UVic called “The City of Words” that was later aired on CBC radio as part of IDEAS. “Alberto is a huge mystery buff so we really got along,” chuckles Thorsen, who accomplished the rare feat of introducing Manguel to a couple of South American authors he’d never heard of. “I got him to autograph a copy of his The Library at Night for me and he included a drawing of a body lying on the floor with a knife sticking out of its back.” Popular for its various window displays, Chronicles of Crime also boasts lots of thematic décor that continues to evolve thanks to the
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The world can wait.
There’s no better time to recharge. Life is nuts these days. We’re all moving way too fast. It’s easy to forget the important stuff and hard to gear down. But if not now, when? So, cancel your appointments, turn off your cell and swing into Ladysmith. Your desk won’t miss you. Mellow out in a café on our heritage main street, soak up the sun at our oceanside beach park or cruise around our marinas and protected waterways by boat or kayak. Seriously. The world can wait.
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Maximilian Huxley Building & Renovations
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contributions of enthusiastic customers. Aside from crime-themed artwork by Michael Lewis and Jennifer Waelti-Walters there is an elaborate display featuring a dozen authentic police caps and approximately 50 badges hailing from police forces as far away as Alaska and the Cayman Islands. “People tend to think of this as ‘their’ store and come in wanting to chat . . . it’s like a bar in that way,” explains Thorsen. And the shop’s liveliest draw is its resident dog, a Bouvier/giant Schnauzer cross named Dash (as in gumshoe detective pioneer Dashiell Hammet, one of Thorsen’s favourite authors). Thorsen’s store would stand out in even a big city, and she gets rave write-ups in travel magazines and guidebooks like Fodor’s. That free publicity has been a clarion call for visiting mystery junkies. “Every couple of months a cab will pull up and someone just arriving from the airport will jump out with their luggage, come into the store and buy a huge bag of books,” says an amused Thorsen. “When they’re done I call them another cab and only then do they go find their hotel.” A map just inside the door of her shop is festooned with pins identifying the home cities of her out-of-town customers. All the continents except Antarctica are represented. The indefatigable Thorsen also does a big business — much of it mail order — in a wide assortment of collectibles. Stashed away in what’s known as the “evidence locker” are rarities such as signed copies, special cover art from classic books and magazines from the ’40s and ’50s, even Hardy Boys first editions. Thorsen has also cannily extended her “criminal” tentacles beyond the 9-to-5 confines of her business. She is a co-host of the popular Film Noir series at the Superior Café, which runs every second Wednesday from October through to the end of March. She organizes author nights at the shop, which are usually combined with a CBC interview by Jo-Ann Roberts on All Points West. “Frances and I have worked together a dozen times with B.C. writers such as Stan Evans and Don Easton,” says Roberts, herself a long-time mystery buff. “She works very hard for her customers and her range of knowledge is truly impressive,” she adds. “Frances has a sharp, insightful intelligence — and a wonderful wit as dry as the martinis she likes. I’m a big fan.” “Mysteries represent good escapism, but you can also learn about all sorts of things — from history to art to authentic forensic detail,” notes Thorsen. “And the best crime writers are literary stylists who often tackle big themes as they confront the darkest aspects of human nature,” she adds. “Authors like James Lee Burke, Ian Rankin and Ross Macdonald should be regarded as real novelists.” Despite currently battling severe and constant pain from two spinal discs awaiting surgery, Thorsen is happy to get to work every day, aware that she is one of the lucky few able to create an ideal niche for herself. “It’s one-on-one, I get to learn new things, and I love it when a customer gets excited about a new author,” she says. “This is the best job I’ve ever had.” t Local author Robert Moyes has been a mystery buff ever since he first followed Philip Marlowe down the mean streets of L.A. He thinks Chronicles of Crime is a unique cultural asset.
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1-888-622-7999 jodie@mortgagecanada.com victoriaboulevard.com 81
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By Alisa Gordaneer Alisa Gordaneer is a writer who’s passionate about the arts. Share your views with her at artstatevictoria@gmail.com.
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Lately I’ve been thinking of those desert flowers that grow up through cracks in the dried earth, their blossoms wide with colourful promise despite their harsh surroundings. The image first came to mind while I was looking at a piece of vibrant artwork in the window of a downtown gallery recently. I’d heard about local arts organizations that had ceased to exist in the past few months — the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, the Victoria School of Writing — and the troubles faced by Ballet BC over in Vancouver, not to mention trimmed budgets of traditional arts sponsors like the Victoria Foundation. Were the haunting words of “economic recession” starting to take root in this city’s arts community ? What would
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happen if more local groups fell prey to funding shortfalls and fewer ticket sales? Would we see the arts wither, or would we start to get more and more creativity blooming from the cracks? I’m no economist, and even less of a fortuneteller, so any guess I made would be based on wishes and dreams. But in tough economic times, I can say one thing certainly strikes me: we need the arts more than ever. Without those bright moments that come from admiring a piece of visual art, hearing a well-told story or an uplifting piece of music, the concrete reality of sliding economic markets — and the accompanying hard times that follow — looks bleak indeed. Which may be why there appears to be a mood of cautious optimism among those I’ve connected with in the Victoria arts community. When times get tough (as the saying doesn’t go), the tough make art. Just ask Stephen White, artistic director of Dance Victoria, who seems to be staring the hard times in the face and daring them to take their best shot. Last summer, the dance company had a taste of economic challenges, when it had to fulfill a number of contracts meant to be paid in American dollars. The contracts had been negotiated when the Canadian and American dollars were nearly at par; but when it was time to pay the performers, the Canadian dollar had significantly dropped in value. He made ends meet, as fortunately it happened early enough in the company’s fiscal year to adjust other budgeted items accordingly. However, White says he’s “loathe to cut in terms of advertising,” because “one of the worst things you can do is further handicap yourself by not being present in the market.” He concedes that the company has cut back a bit on “positioning” advertisements, which promote the company as an entity, but he plans to keep up advertising for specific shows, because that gets people to the box office. “When you see these ads, you get the sense that you won’t have another chance to see [such a performance], so you should go.” Plus, the upcoming shows, including much-anticipated performances by both Australia’s Chunky Move and the acclaimed Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (both in April), are the kinds of bright spots that are bound to take your mind off your plummeting stock portfolio. “The current climate has made us focus what we do: to come up a level and be better than we ever were before,” says White. There’s no sense in watering down the company’s artistic offerings with safer, tamer productions in order to hopefully attract bigger crowds, he points out, because — as Ballet BC learned with dismal ticket sales last fall — doing so just ends up making audiences yawn and forget to buy their tickets. “We can learn not to take the public for granted,” says White. No matter the economic climate, audiences will still buy tickets, attend shows, and find those moments of escape that participating in an arts event can provide; but they’re likely to be more selective about which shows they see. That audience choosiness is certainly foremost in mind at the Belfry Theatre, says Mary Desprez, the Belfry’s general
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manager. “Will we be programming five happy-slappy shows? Not so much. But will we program five horrific, depressing dramas? No. But we never do. We always look for a balance.” What it comes down to, for Desprez, is that the arts are a part of a healthy society, because they give us a way to find meaning and understanding in a world that is fraught with problems — like, oh, economic hard times, and the resulting social problems that come with them. “Everybody still wants to be told a story, and needs to be told a story,” says Desprez, explaining that our need for stories is a fundamental part of being human. By providing funding of any sort to the arts, it seems, it’s possible to buoy up the mental health of a community. “Thoughtful engagement is something people really need and appreciate.” Right now, funding is clearly a priority for Desprez: she was embarking on the theatre’s annual fundraising campaign when I caught up with her. She acknowledges that in tough times “the arts tend to drop down on the grocery list,” following more pressing concerns like making sure your investments aren’t falling too far behind. “We’re hoping folks will understand that this is the year to assist us,” Desprez says. “It’s always a challenge to make ends meet.” Perhaps it’s time for a few more such bailouts for arts groups, suggests Desprez. “Bailouts to private entrepreneurs and corporations are perceived as absolutely fine, but in terms of supporting and investing in the arts . . . it’s seen as throwing money away.”
But investing in the arts makes a lot of sense, says Desprez, because it has such a significant return in terms of the community’s health and well-being. “It’s a very communal experience — a really important experience for people to have. We don’t have so many of those in our lives anymore.” Plus, investing in the arts, no matter how big or small an investment is made, helps immensely: people stay employed, audiences see quality shows and communities become stronger. Last December, an anonymous donor bought $42,000 worth of tickets to Ballet BC’s production of The Nutcracker. The tickets were distributed to children in need, and the gift was hailed as a generous bailout that allowed the company to make it through to the new year, at least, and gave a thousand audience members a chance to see an acclaimed production. Speaking of philanthropy, Alison Trembath, owner of Dales Gallery in Victoria, takes a giving attitude towards the current economics of the arts. “I see myself as a philanthropist, in a way, supporting people who are following their passion,” she says. “I’m highlighting peoples’ creative skills. If money flows from that, even better.” But how could it not? I think Trembath puts it best when she says, “I remain optimistic that people will still want beauty in their lives. When things are so bleak, they’ll turn to the arts as a whole.” Let’s hope so. There could be an awful lot of empty deserts ahead, and we’ll need all the flowers we can get. t
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intimate disclosures through funky dance moves
“For me, I just feel that dancing totally misrepresents who I am as a person . . . I get so self-conscious that I really can’t find any pleasure in it at all . . . I’d rather just stand at the bar and have a beer.” These words are spoken by Franc in the contemporary dancework I Want to Dance Better at Parties, performed by Australia’s Chunky Move dance troupe. Franc is a 42-year-old composer, one of five men featured in the performance. The other four men include a recently widowed father of two who takes up ballroom dancing, a retired engineer who uses coding to record and archive Israeli dances, a gay line dancer who dispels his “quiet and shy” reputation onstage, and an enthusiastic clubber who transcends reality by trance dancing with friends.
Australian dance ensemble Chunky Move performs the compelling and original program I Want to Dance Better at Parties. Photo by Igor Sapina.
The Victoria Symphony
Live and in concert. Men in Brass march 12/13/14, royal theatre Brian Jackson, conductor Mike Herriott, trumpet Jeff Nelsen, horn
Sara Buechner performs Ravel march 22/23, royal theatre Edwin Outwater, conductor Sara Buechner, piano
ROW Chunky Move’s artistic director Gideon Obarzanek choreographed and directed the project. First conceived in 2004 as a film documentary, the director was so moved by the intimate disclosures of his subjects that he felt compelled to tell their stories through dance. Obarzanek has 10 years of experience and a distinct interest in defining the vibrant dance culture around Melbourne, Australia. The director’s style
Carmina Burana march 30, royal theatre Tania Miller, conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia, choral director Victoria Philharmonic Choir with members of Victoria Choral Society
Last Night of the Proms april 2/3/4, royal theatre Brian Jackson, conductor Audience, vocals
Terence Tam and Jeanne Lamon perform Bach april 19, uvic farquhar auditorium Jeanne Lamon, conductor & violin Terence Tam, violin
www.victoriasymphony.ca Royal Theatre 250.386.6121 UVic Box Office 250.721.8480
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APRIL14 – MAY 17, 2009
THE ENDS OF THE EARTH by MORRIS PANYCH
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includes seeking out public opinion. For example, to research his recent production Wanted: Ballet for a Contemporary Democracy, he conducted a national survey. In 2005, I Want to Dance Better at Parties won three awards including Original Choreography, Concept and Realization and Best Male Dancer. In 2007 the program toured North America and touched down in Vancouver. On April 7 and 8, Dance Victoria brings this exciting show to town. The audience is introduced to the story-telling men one at a time. We hear their voices and see their moving images projected on one of five white screens suspended upstage. Each man does a brief introductory duet with a member of the professional ensemble on stage (featuring two women and three men). One subject glides through a graceful folk dance; another executes the fancy footwork of a tap-dancing cowboy. Red-hot rock music ignites the passionate exhibitionism of the youthful bar dancer. After this warm-up introduction, the documentary-style interviews begin: Each man explains his relationship with dance, then gradually reveals more personal information. As the details unfold, the Chunky Move troupe expands on the themes presented. The five high-energy dancers offer impressionistic interpretations of the inner workings of the five men. For example, Phillip, the recently widowed father, transforms in the arms of his female ballroom instructor. Before our eyes, he sheds his awkward stumbling skin and morphs into a smooth rumba roller. Not everything works out perfectly however. Franc (the self-conscious beer drinker) has a lot of difficulty overcoming his anxiety. His fearful, frustrated feelings are expressed in a dramatic male/ female duet full of high velocity moves, throw-downs and fractured gestures. Chunky Move dancers are renowned for their acrobatic flexibility and rough and tumble renditions of precisely ordered chaos. Near the end of the dance they take turns flying through the air and landing safely on a minuscule floor mat. These athletic actions could symbolize the precarious nature of all relationships, how the forming and keeping of ties takes wild leaps of faith, concerted effort and emotional flexibility. I Want to Dance Better at Parties, manages to be insightful and honest, yet delivers these heartfelt stories with a good measure of respect and confidentiality.
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Dance Victoria presents I Want to Dance Better at Parties April 7 and 8 at 8 pm at the McPherson Playhouse. For tickets phone 250-386-6121 or visit dancevictoria.com.
serene vistas on the avenue “Art is all about observation,” says painter
Ron Parker, “I paint what I see by following the basic principles of art-making.” Words like these point out that Parker, who has painted professionally for over 30 years, is a practical artist who values discipline and determination. Parker is getting ready for his upcoming show at The Avenue Gallery, April 5-18, entitled Pillars of the Earth. Works for
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the show include his popular landscape paintings that offer eagle eye viewpoints of serene vistas. The artist extracts the essence of the scene by simplifying the forms of water, clouds, rocks and trees. Parker’s majestic mountains echo the work of Lauren Harris, who has deeply touched and inspired the artist. “Lauren Harris never stopped developing as an artist,” says Parker, “and his later works have great emotional power.” Harris moved through various painting styles before settling on his breathtaking mountainous forms. So did Parker, who spent 15 years as a successful wildlife painter, with Mill Pond Press, producing limited edition prints. While at Mill Pond, Parker met Salt Spring artist and naturalist Robert Bateman. After the two men became friends, Bateman offered occasional critiques of Parker’s carefully rendered birds and animals. “During those years I learned the essentials of composition,” says Parker, “how to arrange form, shape and colour to create a harmonious rhythm.” Harmony and serenity are evident in Parker’s landscapes. “Ron’s impressive imagery has the power to stop people in their tracks,” says Heather Wheeler, owner of The Avenue Gallery. “They are awed by the strength and tranquility of his paintings.” With such strong interest in Parker’s work, the idea was formed to host a retrospective at The Avenue Gallery next year, in 2010. “Our clients and collectors will have the privilege of viewing and selecting from more that 75 originals completed over the last 35 years,” explains Wheeler. This fascinating exhibition brings together early wildlife works, as well as Parker’s artistic journey through impressionism, portraiture and nude studies. To create works like Above Finlayson Inlet, Parker visits the site with a digital camera in hand. Hiking on the Malahat, he collects multiple images that can later be edited on his computer. Once a viewpoint is selected, the artist does a small sketch of the basic elements and then transfers them with blue pencil onto the primed canvas. Using his favourite medium
Finlayson Inlet, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 24 in, 2008.
Summer Clouds, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 40 in, 2008.
karenmartinar
by commission
(a brand of thick acrylic paint called Jo-Sonja) Parker settles into the rhythm of painting, which he finds relaxing and meditative. “I work all the time,” says the artist, who has another life as an athletic coach and Olympic trainer. Parker has written a book and produced several videos on the subject of sport, and instructs national coaching courses for BC Athletics. He considers his age, 66, to be his lucky number. “That was the
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only year I wasn’t injured in an athletic competition,” he says. It’s clear that Parker brings the same goal-oriented determination to his art making as his athletic occupations. Focussing innate talent with skills and determination spells success in any field.
ART: COMES IN ALL SHAPES & SIZES
Ron Parker’s Pillars of the Earth shows at The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Avenue from April 5-18. Preview on Friday April 4, from 10 am-5:30 pm. For more information, phone 250-598-2184 or visit theavenuegallery.com.
dramatic courtroom skills make it to the stage “A lot of my colleagues are terrific actors and singers,” says University of Victoria law professor Andrew Pirie. Talking about his 15year involvement with Lawyers on Stage Theatre (LOST), Pirie testifies: “I’ve had a lot of inspirational moments and interesting experiences over the years.” This year LOST puts on the Shakespearean comedy As You Like It at the McPherson Playhouse on March 13 and 14. The production is a fundraiser for the Kaleidoscope Theatre Production Society, a non-profit professional company with 30 years of experience bringing affordable drama to B.C. youth. “Lawyers are often good actors,” says Kaleidoscope’s artistic director Leslie Bland. “Many have honed their skills in the applied theatre of a courtroom.” A trial or prosecuting lawyer is similar to a motivational speaker, who must combine emotion and information to tell a convincing story. Bland enjoys his annual collaboration with local lawyers and UVic law students, who also work behind the scenes on lighting, sound, set and costume design. After all the hard work, friends and colleagues join with a curious public to support the actors and enjoy the post-performance reception and silent auction. Shakespeare wrote As You Like It over 400 years ago as a romantic comedy for medieval audiences. The simple theme involves the triumph of kindness and wisdom over the forces of greed and hostility. The play is a fictional account of an extended royal family struggling for courtly control. “As you like it” also refers to the myriad forms and fantasies of infatuation and the subsequent challenges of marriage. Woven through the political intrigues are several love stories with fascinating twists and turns. The primary romance involves the two main characters: Rosalind and Orlando. Rosalind is a feisty, inspirational heroine who plays the role of a wise humanitarian. In order to test the character of her beloved Orlando, Rosalind dresses as a male and journeys with his group to the Forest of Arden. Fortunately, Orlando passes his pre-nuptial analysis and romance flourishes in this robust comedy, which culminates in a flurry of four weddings in the final act. Several scenes in the play unfold as delightful skits with witty banter and singing. Crown prosecutor Steven Fudge, cast in this production, explains that he enjoys taking a break from his conservative professional persona. “It feels good to let loose and exaggerate once in a while,” says Fudge. The prosecutor
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Steve Fudge and Zophia Porter of the Lawyers on Stage Theatre perform in Kaleidoscope’s fundraiser presentation of As You Like It.
comments that lawyers tend to take themselves too seriously, and he counts himself among the guilty. Fudge also enjoys mixing with his colleagues and getting to know the new faces emerging from UVic’s law school. A spirit of camaraderie develops when everyone from judges to students work together to launch a production. “But the most important part of this whole endeavour,” he stresses, “is the worthy cause.” Fudge praises Kaleidoscope’s long history of delivering quality theatre programs to youth, especially in these times of funding cuts to the arts. “Everything we can do to nourish creativity in youth and nudge them away from computer screens is a good thing,” he concludes. Kaleidoscope Theatre presents As You Like It, performed by Lawyers on Stage Theatre (LOST) March 13 and 14 at the McPherson Theatre. Silent auction bidding starts at 7 pm and showtime is 8 pm. For tickets phone 250-386-6121. More information at kaleidoscope.bc.ca.
triumph of the human spirit Carmina Burana is a rousing cantata (a choral
composition with orchestral accompaniment) that reiterates the restless yearnings of the human heart. Little has changed over the centuries. Youth is still intoxicated by the primal delights of spring, love, song, dance and carousing in taverns. The text for Carmina Burana is a famous anthology of poetry, written in the 13th century and rediscovered in 1803 in a Bavarian monastery. The poems, written and sung in Latin, celebrate pagan joy as well as divine ecstasy. Tania Miller conducts the Victoria Symphony in performances of this perennial favourite on March 28 in Duncan and March 30 in Victoria. An amalgamation of talented local choirs will deliver the thrilling song-stories, given symphonic form in 1936 by composer/educator Carl Orff. Carmina Burana is the first work in Carl Orff’s trilogy called Triumphs. Orff described the trilogy as a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit through sexual and holistic balance. Carmina Burana is divided into three parts: the first section “On the Green” is filled with the joyful budding of spring and
s u m m e r c l o u d s ( 1 8 x 3 6 a c r y l i c o n c a n va s )
the promise of love. The middle section “In the Tavern” is a rousing and humorous salute to drinking and gambling. The third section called “Court of Love” pays homage to the passions of first love and the thrill of consummation. These three sections, full of innocent and expansive energy, are framed by an epilogue and prologue of identical music — the weighty and ominous “O Fortuna”. “O Fortuna” (Empress of the World) uses a minor key and brooding music to “bemoan the monstrous and malevolent villainy of fate.” Carl Orff had his greatest success with this work. Popular since the 1930s, famous excerpts from the piece have reverberated around the world in choral concerts, movie scores and commercials. Conductor Tania Miller describes the music as extremely dramatic and upbeat with lots of crashing crescendos and colourful variations. As a composer, Orff was inspired by the theatrical aspects of music, she explains, and fully envisioned a staged version of Carmina Burana with sets and lights. “The simple power of the music captures the total essence of our emotional lives,” says Miller, adding that the audience can expect a musical collage ranging from downright sexy to divine. The music is medieval in presentation and uses simple harmonic notes, chant-like rhythms and repeated phrases. This community collaboration involves three excellent local choirs: the Victoria Choral Society, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir and the Victoria Children’s Choir. Giuseppe (Joey) Pietraroia conducts the adult choirs and Madeline Humer the children’s chorus. Humer describes Carmina Burana as an extraordinary piece that combines rhythm, words and music to strike a deeper, more personal chord in the listener. “The rich sexual sounds of the music operate on a subconscious level,” she says. Humer explains that the pure, ringing sound of children’s voices offers an aural contrast for the listener. The composer has included some light, bright moments to accent the darker libido energies. Baritone soloist Theodore Baerg is well know for his full, flexible voice and operatic acting skills. Some of Baerg’s energetic numbers include notes in the falsetto range while others are more peaceful and contemplative. In one of the songs, he plays an inebriated Monk running around naked in a tavern. Baerg makes sure the audience understands his state of undress by stressing the Latin word “nudus”. Baerg calls the work a lot of fun, as well as universally accessible and accepted. “My teenage son thought it was the best thing I’d ever done,” he says. “So did my mother — although I never offered her a translation.”
ron parker
pillars of the earth Exhibition and Sale April 5th to 18th Preview day April 4th 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Artist’s reception and presentation April 5th 12 – 4 pm
2184 OAK BAY AVENUE, VICTORIA 250-598-2184 www.theavenuegallery.com
Carmina Burana is performed by the Victoria Symphony and guest choirs on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 pm at the Cowichan Theatre in Duncan, and on Monday, March 30 at 8 pm at the Royal Theatre. For tickets, phone 250-385-6515. More information is available at victoriasymphony.ca. t This is a good-bye Front Row for arts writer Kate Cino. Thanks to all the inspirational people who have made the column sing, dance and sparkle over the years. Time to spread my wings and do longer features. victoriaboulevard.com 97
Musical Leap of Faith Jazz vespers offer worshippers a new kind of spiritual music
About 70 people, mostly middle-aged and older, are gathered in the main sanctuary of the Anglican Church of the Advent in Colwood, a comfortable carpeted space with four rows of folding chairs set in a semi-circle, facing a simple wooden altar and cross mounted on the wall behind it. Lit candles in tall brass holders sit at either end of the altar. It’s a late September evening, and the Mike Broadley Quartet is about to inaugurate the fourth season of the church’s jazz vespers series. A religious sanctuary seems an unlikely venue for live jazz — once considered by some to be the devil’s music — but as I’m about to discover, while the place doesn’t exactly burn to the beat, more than a few toes will be tapping when the band digs into its first offering.
David Enns, the church’s young musical director, gives a short welcome, introduces the band, and turns it over to Broadley, who counts off a lively Duke Ellington tune. The music swings and the attentive audience settles right into the groove with the players. I even see a few heads bobbing, including the curly grey-haired head of Ken Gray, the church rector. He obviously appreciates jazz. As it happens, Gray is a long-time fan — and a classically trained musician who researched jazz vespers extensively while on sabbatical. Working with Enns, he brought the program to Colwood in 2005. “I was looking to connect with a different constituency than I would normally meet with on a Sunday morning, and the more
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I thought about the correlation between jazz and spirituality, I found a lot of common ground and thought that the idea of incorporating jazz into our worship pattern should be seriously considered.” The correlation is very important to Gray, who likes to do his improvising with words, linking his spiritual reflections to the music midway through the service. This evening he plays on the number 4 — since we’re hearing a quartet — and takes us through the significance of time signatures in music, Bach’s flirtations with numerology, and the miracle of time in our lives, before resolving his riffing with a four-letter word that he spells out: L-O-V-E. It’s quite a performance, as engaging as the music itself.
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Gray feels that jazz and Christianity have many parallels. “In the same way that a jazz musician takes a melody and harmony and interprets them and performs them,” he says, “Christians take resources [like the Bible] within faith traditions and in fact perform them in the circumstances of their lives.” Reverend Murray Groom at Sylvan United in Mill Bay, which has been offering its jazz vespers program slightly longer than Colwood, also sees important theological connections, noting that music, from classical to pop, has long been associated with religion. “Jazz fits our constituency — it’s a demanding form and we tend to draw people who want complexity, not simplicity, in their thinking, in their perspective on life . . . it has a kind of resonance with an informed theology.” Jazz vespers, first developed in New York City in the early 1960s by a pastor who wanted to create an early evening service that musicians such as Duke Ellington could attend — since they were generally up all night playing — has evolved into something of a movement with, according to Gray, as many as 30 programs nationwide and more developing all the time. With its three established programs, Victoria seems to be in the vanguard of the West Coast trend, although St. Andrew’s-Wesley United in Vancouver has been running a series for 15 years and offers weekly sessions, unlike the monthly services available here. Pat Selman, the producer of the Sylvan series, says that it’s proven to be an effective community outreach program that provides an opportunity for people to enter the church “in a safe environment where they don’t feel pressured to join,” as well as a way to expose more people to jazz. “We look for top-notch musicians because a lot of the people in our congregation don’t go to clubs . . . we have converted a lot of people into loving jazz, which is wonderful.” As well, they invite students from local high schools to attend to hear live music. Bernadette Greene, the music director at St. John’s United in Deep Cove, notes a similar experience with their series, which began two years ago. “We have made it, I hope, a little more accessible, and I know we have people attending who come from different backgrounds.” She says participants include those who otherwise never attend church, people from other churches, and regular parishioners. “It’s another way to be relevant in our community and still be true to ourselves,” says Greene. It’s a hybrid crowd in Colwood, too, and their motivations are as varied as their make up. Some enjoy what one attendee calls the “hour of gentleness” before the week begins, others appreciate the blend of spirituality and music that the program offers — without being “preachy” as another participant tells me. Sally Manning, a regular at the Colwood service and an avid jazz fan, says, “It touches my spirit in a certain way,” adding that jazz is a very inclusive, communityminded art form. But many attend mainly for the music itself, which is offered in an acoustically rich environment where the musicians are respected and really heard. Enns says his main
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motivation was “to get the absolute best quality of jazz in a situation where people really listen,” noting that people often go to clubs just to hang out, and even the best music becomes mere background. “You’re going to get people’s rapt attention in a church,” he says. Mike Broadley appreciates this aspect. “It’s totally about people listening to every note and so you have to be right on top of your game. I think it raises the bar for a performer — you can get away with a lot more when you play in a club than you can when you’re playing for an audience that’s totally silent.”
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Jazz pianist Chris Donnelly plays to a rapt audience at the Anglican Church of the Advent in Colwood.
Chris Donnelly, an award-winning jazz pianist from Toronto, thinks the audience is possibly more open in a jazz vespers setting, making the experience better for the musicians. “It’s an intimate gathering and it’s a set up that is meant for that reflective atmosphere.” But musicians can also relate to the spiritual elements of the experience. Juno award-winning saxophonist Phil Dwyer says that, although he doesn’t have a religious upbringing, “something about the combination of the music and the worship really resonates” with him and he always feels more grounded after playing such a gig. Ron Hadley, a Qualicum-based musician who has actually composed music specifically for jazz vespers, and hopes to do more, takes it even further: “Music and religious practices are similar undertakings, so when you do them together you get an augmenting effect, and when you do it in that formal context of a sanctuary or church or temple . . . that makes it easier for people to just give themselves up to whatever is going to transpire. I find that very inspiring, really.” Whether for the music, the spiritual inspiration, or both, jazz vespers just might be one gig worth checking out.
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Visit sylvanunited.ca, stjohnsunited.net, or colwoodanglican.ca for more information on jazz vespers in the Victoria area. t A Victoria freelance writer specializing in music, Rick Gibbs, who doesn’t normally attend church, says his Colwood experience has hooked him on jazz vespers and he plans to seek out more services.
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Do
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If you’re looking to spice up your eating habits, one way to add more is to take away. To take away the meat, that is, and switch over to a vegan diet (abstaining from any animal products, including dairy: bye-bye, cheese). It’s healthy, it’s fun and it’s tasty. These days there’s no shortage of information and organizations to help out; the worldwide vegan scene has come a long way in the past 20 years. And the face of the local vegan scene is certainly Sarah Kramer. Kramer has written (or co-written) four vegan cookbooks and has become something of a celebrity in food circles. As Kramer and I sit down to eat and chat at a local café, she is recognized by someone who asks, “You write the vegan cookbooks, right?” After Kramer accepts some compliments, she tells me about her growing up vegetarian. “My mom raised me vegetarian since birth in Regina in the ’70s, so it wasn’t easy,” she says, as we dive in to a delicious vegan lunch of huge yam crackers with various dips (it may not sound like much but, yes, it’s very filling and very tasty). “There was one health-food store, in the basement of our friend’s house. And there weren’t products; my mom had to make everything from scratch. I think that’s part of where my love of creating stuff in the kitchen came from. I was vegetarian my whole life, except for a small period in high school where I did a little experimenting, like teenagers do,” she laughs. Kramer, now 40, was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in her early 20s; she says switching to a vegan diet helped her beat the condition. These days she feels and looks great, and goes non-stop promoting the vegan lifestyle. When we got together to chat she had just returned from a book tour for her latest, Vegan A Go-Go!, and is busy putting together a 2010 calendar and unabashedly debunking the myth that you won’t have any energy if you don’t eat meat. victoriaboulevard.com 105
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Another myth is that veganism is inherently more expensive than a meat-based diet. Kramer says that if people are buying a lot of fake meat products or other pre-packaged food this may be the case, but if you’re making more meals from scratch, it’s not an expensive way to eat. “I can make a giant pot of chili for six bucks if I go out and buy all the ingredients,” she says. “But a can of Amy’s chili is four dollars. Making your own wheat-gluten fake meat products is so easy and you can do it for pennies. It just takes a little time.” The biggest vegan-related myth is that all vegans eat is bread and peanut butter, maybe some twigs for flavour, a bit of dirt as a spice . . . the truth is much different. Chatting with Kramer, we dive into a date/avocado/chocolate vegan cheesecake of sorts, which is almost too tasty for either of us to handle.
“I remember back in the day when I’d be hanging out with my friends and all I could order would be salad and a baked potato.”
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“Bland food is bland. So bland vegan food will be as bland as bland non-vegan food,” says Victoria’s Dave Shishkoff, the Canadian correspondent for Friends of Animals, a 50-year-old organization that promotes respectful treatment of animals through animal rights and vegan advocacy. “The most common way to de-bland foods is to spice them up, and luckily all the herbs and spices I can think of are plant-based. Veganism actually opens up a whole new world of flavourful delights for many people,” says Shishkoff. “Suddenly, the entire produce section of the grocery store is more in focus, and there is a very wide range of fruits and vegetables out there. Veganism encourages people to expand their horizons and try them all.” I ask Kramer what her favourite vegan dishes are and it sounds anything but bland: Portobello Mushroom Bake, a side of Edamame Hummus, and Vegan Nanaimo Bars or Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie for dessert. So Kramer and Shishkoff (who has been vegan for over 18 years) agree that vegan food doesn’t have to bland; they also agree that vegan living doesn’t have to be expensive. He says it can work well on a tight budget and can offer many very healthy and nutrient-rich foods.
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“I favour and recommend a whole-foods diet, with a big focus on greens,” he says. “Since I buy primarily organic produce, it’s a bit pricier, but it’s worth it. One can be vegan and extremely frugal — think of how cheap dried beans, flours, fruit and other bulk items are, along with produce like potatoes and carrots.”
and I eat as we talk), Mo:Lé, Green Cuisine, Lotus Pond or the Joint, to name a few, will open up your taste buds to a whole new array of delicious, animal-free foods. And good news for those who are vegan or thinking about making the switch over: things are getting easier.
“I can make a giant pot of chili for six bucks if I go out and buy all the ingredients. But a can of Amy’s chili is four dollars.” And consensus is having a vegan diet isn’t hard work like some may think it is. Shishkoff says that it takes some effort and a lot of commitment in the beginning, but don’t sweat it: it gets easier. “It’s like any endeavour one might take on, and requires education and adjustment,” he says. “One needs to spend some time learning about all the ‘secret’ animal ingredients in food, such as whey or casein, and apply this knowledge by reading labels and possibly finding new brands that are vegan.” “It can be tough, but I think the trick is to be prepared,” says Kramer. “We’re really lucky in Victoria; there are a lot of places downtown where you can get vegan food.” She’s right: one visit to local restaurants like Bliss (where Kramer
Local organizations like Vancouver Island Vegetarian Association (islandveg.com) help people make the transition. Grocery stores are carrying more and more speciality products, and you’re no longer speaking a strange, impenetrable language when you tell your restaurant server you’re vegan. “I remember back in the day when I’d be hanging out with my friends and all I could order would be salad and a baked potato,” says Kramer. “It’s not like that any more, at least on the West Coast, for sure. We’re really lucky.” t Greg Pratt is a local freelance writer who recently lost his own personal battle against cheese and used his interview opportunity with Sarah Kramer to confess his sins to her.
A veritable vegan feast At the Market stores you can get all the ingredients needed to prepare a nutritious, delicious vegan feast — beans, lentils, spices and the freshest vegetables — it’s all here. And, if you’re pressed for time, we have a large selection of vegan dishes — from tasty patés and dips to delicious soups, tangy main courses, and even desserts — ready for your table. We carry an amazing array of the freshest organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, meats, poultry and seafood — as well as exotic spices, vinegars and oils from around the world. So if you’re looking for those special and sometimes hard-to-find ingredients, shop at The Market on Yates or The Market on Millstream.
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the maritimes sparkle in springtime The Maritimes offers beauty, history and wide-open arms
View of Halifax from the Citadel
William Lyon Mackenzie King once said about Canada: “If some countries have too much history, we have too much geography.” In the Maritimes, the opposite is true. The three provinces that make up the region — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island — are tiny in comparison to the rest of the country’s expansive provinces, yet are steeped in a rich and complicated history that began centuries before Canada became a nation. The region was homeland to the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations for thousands of years. European settlement of the Maritimes dates back to the early 1600s, when Samuel de Champlain rowed ashore, took one look around, and decided to stay awhile. During the two centuries that followed, Acadia — as the area was first called — was fought over incessantly by the British and the French. By the 1820s, things had settled
Lighthouse at Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia
down somewhat as far as wars were concerned. It was in this comparatively stable environment that emigrants from Scotland and Ireland arrived to plant those Celtic roots the area is so famous for today, especially in Cape Breton, where visitors are greeted with a heartfelt “Céad Mile Fáilte!” (one hundred thousand welcomes). The question, then, isn’t whether to visit the Maritimes, but when. Typically, tourists tend to flock there in the summer, but personally, I love the Maritimes in the springtime, when the light-hearted energy of the place buzzes afresh. In spring, the Atlantic Ocean — which exhales some of the freshest sea air in the world — sparkles blue again under the spring sunshine, inspiring visitors to seek out the nearest beach, kick off their shoes, and run with wild abandonment through the sand. That’s not to say summer isn’t a superb time to visit the Maritimes. It’s just that there’s something magical about having
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the place all to yourself before downtown Halifax becomes clogged with tourists clamouring up the hill to the Citadel. Before Anne-adoring pilgrims from around the world overrun Prince Edward Island. Before every last “Vacancy” sign disappears until September. In this quieter time of year, you can really feel the history that surrounds you. You can mix and mingle with locals, and calmly discover exactly where they got their world-famous reputation for hospitality. Admittedly, some of the most popular tourist attractions and accommodations don’t open for the season until mid-May to early June, so it’s important to plan your trip accordingly. Websites like novascotia.com, tourismnewbrunswick.ca, and gentleisland.com (for PEI) are all packed with information to help you plan your trip, and include online order forms for complete vacation guides that will be mailed to your door.
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In terms of weather, spring in the Maritimes can be fickle, but even the occasional freak snowstorm is incapable of withering the fruit tree blossoms that explode into frothy white and pink glory in time for the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival at the end of May. A light sweater is usually sufficient during the day, but you’ll want your trusty Gore-Tex for visits to such must-see sites as rocky, wind-blasted Peggys Cove just south of Halifax, or the five-kilometre stretch of sand that is Martinique Beach, or the spectacular Cabot Trail that winds high above the breathtaking shoreline of the Cape Breton Highlands. There is so much to do and see in the Maritimes that the task of deciding how to spend your time there is almost overwhelming. Luckily, unlike anywhere else in Canada, geography is on our side in this little Eastern neck of the woods. It’s quite possible to fly into Halifax in the morning, be in Moncton for lunch, and (thanks to the Confederation Bridge) check into your bed and breakfast on PEI in plenty of time for dinner. No visit to PEI is complete without a visit to Green Gables Historic Park in Cavendish, where the house that inspired the setting of L.M. Montgomery’s first Anne book sits atop its grassy slope in the middle of one of the most idyllic patches of soil in all of Canada. The park is open with restricted hours throughout the year, but extends to daily, nine-to-five operations starting the first of May. A visit to PEI before June may be bittersweet for Anne fans, as many related tourist attractions (including the recreated village of Avonlea) do not open until June. Likewise, if you visit prior to June 18th, you’ll be too early to catch Anne of Green Gables — The Musical, which runs throughout the summer at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown. victoriaboulevard.com 113
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On the other hand, Cavendish in the off-season is more akin to the world Anne would have known, allowing one to explore Lover’s Lane, The Haunted Wood, and the nearby beaches and sand dunes of PEI National Park in peaceful solitude. Besides, without all those Anne-related activities to fill up your itinerary, you’ll have more time to explore Charlottetown, take a lighthouse tour, or simply revel in nature’s palette of red soil, golden dunes, green fields, and all the varying shades of blue splashed across sea and sky. New Brunswick is home to the ancient Appalachian mountain range, the lobster-rich Chaleur Bay, and the extreme tidal ranges of the Bay of Fundy, where — according to Mi’kmaq folklore — the frolicking of a giant whale causes the highest tides in the world. The province also boasts Moncton’s mysterious Magnetic Hill, where the laws of gravity fly out the window. Open starting in May, the attraction also contains all the usual trappings of a tourist . . . well . . . trap — including shops, a water park, and the largest zoo in the Maritimes. Fredericton is another must-see, especially the Historic Garrison District, where you can relive the day-to-day life of 18th century British military personnel in New Brunswick’s capital city. Just be sure to brush up on your conversational French before you go, for Acadien culture is still very much alive here. You may be required to order your Tim Horton’s donut en Français. Nova Scotia may be Canada’s second smallest province (after PEI), but it is home to the greatest number of folks in Atlantic Canada — by and large thanks to the bustling hub of Halifax. It’s a fascinating metropolis, comprised of a seemingly incompatible mixture of urban chic, Celtic music, naval pomp and circumstance, and old-world maritime lore. The result is a city you’ll want to explore from top to bottom before you head off to explore the Annapolis Valley, Kejimkujik National Park, or the multitudinous beaches along the Northumberland Shore. Besides Digby scallops and the best lobster you’ll ever savour, Nova Scotia’s greatest treasure is its maritime history. The best place to revel in the tales of “wooden ships and iron men” is the town of Lunenburg — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and homeport to the Bluenose II, where you can even stay in the elegantly restored Victorian-era Bluenose Lodge. Lunenburg is located just an hour’s drive south of Halifax, unless, of course, you take the scenic Lighthouse Route, in which case you’ll need to allow for plenty of time to stop, play, and max out the memory card on your digital camera. As Anne would say, there’s so much “scope for imagination” in the Maritimes, and a sojourn there in spring, when tourists are still a rarity, grants you the freedom to follow your whimsy when it comes to what to see and when. Besides, who would want to share this Canadian national treasure with anyone else? t Though Adrienne Dyer has been happily married for nearly a decade, she never fully understood the meaning of true love until she glimpsed the sun-drenched shores of PEI.
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InVino
Veritas
BY ROBERT MOYES
Local writer Robert Moyes occasionally has a sweet tooth — and is very appreciative of the magic that happens when a well-made icewine skates across his lucky taste buds.
“A tongue tantalizer offering lushly honeyed
David Dare 250-883-5763 www.roadsend.ca 116 victoriaboulevard.com
enchantment.” “Exotic elixir dripping with sense-pricking notes of papaya and apricot.” “Sweet-as-sin potable potion literally oozing with decadent delights.” Although the preceding quotations sound like they slid off the back of a porno DVD — call it Naughty Nectar and imagine it set in a sun-dappled vineyard — they are accurate (albeit lurid) descriptions of icewine, the luxury libation that is the glory of the B.C. wine industry.
Dessert wines, including ones made from naturally sweeter grape varietals such as Muscat, and those resulting from the so-called “noble rot” that shrivels up grapes and concentrates their sugars, are widely produced throughout the winemaking world. But icewine can only be made in those few countries, especially Canada and Germany, where warm summers nurture ripe grapes, and the winters are cold enough to freeze solid a final crop left behind on the vines (which, until harvest, must be protected from the predations of birds, bears and other animal moochers). The winemaking process is straightforward, beginning with the impatient wait until the first serious December cold snap (usually defined as 8°C or colder) turns the grapes into frozen marbles. Then the winemakers roust their pickers from their warm beds in the middle of the night to stumble out to the vineyard to haul in the year’s final, and most precious, crop. Freezing will have transformed any water into ice crystals, thereby concentrating the grapes’ sugars and flavour solids into a dense syrup that is drawn off during the crushing process and later fermented like any other wine. Not only is icewine labour-intensive in terms of harvesting, but also the yield is extremely low, less than 10 per cent than if the grapes had been used for regular wine. Those factors are reflected in the price tag, which can range from $20 for an entry-level product, up to $50 or more for a top-tier awardwinner from the likes of Inniskillin or Jackson-Triggs (and keep in mind that we’re talking about a 375-ml half-bottle). Although someone used to paying $8 for a jug of Pete’s Perfectly Potent Porchclimber might gasp at the cost, icewines truly are exceptional — especially the best ones. Pour some into a cordial glass and get ready to experience a sensuously tongue-coating, ambrosial libation with intense aromas that can be reminiscent of everything from pear, peach and dried apricot to citrus, figs and mango. And thanks to a unique combination of intense sweetness and high residual acid, icewine offers a racy interplay of flavours on the palate that you don’t have to be a hedonist to be seduced by. It is believed that the first icewines were made in Franconia, Germany in 1794. But Germany’s eisweins were
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rare until 1960, when regular production began. On the other side of the globe, Canada’s commercial icewine industry started in the early 1980s, jumping to world prominence in 1991, when Inniskillin won the prestigious Grand Prix d’Honneur at France’s esteemed Vinexpo for an icewine made from the Vidal grape. (Inniskillin continues to have great success with its Vidal-based icewines, and partial sales from their current flagship bottle, the “Commemorative”, support the 2010 Olympics.) By the early 2000s, Canada became the leading producer of icewines: it seems that one of the minor benefits of global warming is that our winter climate now offers the world’s most consistently chilling conditions favourable to the creation of this charming potable. Riesling, Ehrenfelser and Vidal are the grapes most commonly used to make icewine in Canada, followed by Cabernet Franc, a red-wine grape. Winemakers in the Okanagan and Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula have recently begun using non-traditional varietals such as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Intriguingly, Inniskillin Okanagan is just bringing an icewine to market featuring Spain’s Tempranillo grape. And a few vintners are even trying their hand at producing sparkling icewine — a two-for-one treat that some may regard as gilding the lily. Much as champagne manufacturers campaigned to have their product normalized (“Champagne! Not just for special occasions!”), icewine is being rebranded as a versatile culinary complement and not just the climax to a grand dinner party. Consider being a bold host and starting things off by splashing some icewine into an ice-filled shaker (one part icewine to two parts vodka) before straining the vividly flavoured result into a chilled martini glass. And to make sure your guests get the idea, ditch the traditional olive and garnish with a frozen grape. Icewine can also be used in vinaigrette apt for a salad made with bitter greens. Assuming that you are well stocked with icewine, it can then be served with a surprising variety of main courses. Thanks to its aromas redolent of exotic fruits, icewine makes a natural pairing with seafood and gets on well with spicy Asian cuisine. It is also a memorable companion to Stilton or a rich paté. And this golden or amber-coloured nectar is always welcome for the dessert course, either solo or accompanied by pastries, cheesecake or fresh fruit. Just remember that icewine needs to be chilled for a couple of hours before serving. Unfortunately, as with other brand-name items such Louis Vuitton purses or Rolex watches, fake icewines are often sold internationally, especially in Japan, where there is a big demand for tasty luxuries. Luckily, British Columbians have no such worries. Winemaking in B.C. is a $250 million industry, of which icewine represents nearly 10 per cent. Although some icewines are only available in restaurants or at the winery, a few dozen different brands are regularly for sale at private and government stores. Other than the wineries already mentioned I can also happily recommend See Ya Later, Sumac Ridge, Mission Hill and Nk’Mip. Happy sipping! t
Creative risks, Creative dishes Mo:Lé’s Cosmo Meens was born
to cook up something good
IslandCHEFS By Alisa Gordaneer Photos by Vince Klassen
Cosmo Meens calls himself a “creative risk-taker”, an apt description for a successful 30-year-old chef and restaurateur who could easily pass for a skateboard kid. But behind the black hoodie lies the brain of a passionate entrepreneur responsible for the ongoing success of the popular Mo:Lé restaurant on lower Pandora. In a city where restaurants seemingly open and close with the seasons, Mo:Lé is a testament to Meens’s determination. He says he learned his trade the hard way, starting at age 12 as a dishwasher at Overtime Restaurant and working his way up through various positions in many of Victoria’s most successful restaurants, including the nowclosed Cassis and the ever-popular Pagliacci’s. It gave him an extensive education in restaurants — not just the fun cooking side, but the hard work of managing staff, running a business and yes, cleaning up — so it only seemed natural, one summer day four years ago when he passed the lower Pandora space where Mo:Lé is located, that he’d open his own restaurant. Meens named the restaurant for himself (Mo) and his wife Leah (Le), and jokes that their business partner, Josh Miller, is “the colon in the middle.” Within months of opening, it was the breakfast and lunch hot-spot for hipsters of all ages. As tempting as it might be to take sole credit for the restaurant’s success, Meens doesn’t. “I’m not the conventional model of a chef-owner, enslaved in the kitchen.” That’s because he learned early on to let go of the reins. Shortly after the restaurant opened, Meens’s newborn son had kidney failure. Knowing he needed help to run the restaurant, Meens placed the kitchen in the trusted hands of chef Dustin Pierson, who “makes this place functional without me . . . he’s my backbone here.” Meens remains the creative mind behind the menu, which he says comes from the way he uses his palate to relate to
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Spring has Sprung 3 courses for $33
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the community as a whole. He describes his taste in food as a “broad, common palate” which matches that of many Victorians. “What I like, a lot of people like.” It stems from having grown up here, and knowing the kinds of foods available in any given season. As such, he says, the menu at Mo:Lé is “what I want to eat, from the perspective of lots of different sides of myself.” For example, he says that while he wouldn’t choose to order mac and cheese at a restaurant, if he did, he’d want it the way it’s prepared at Mo:Lé, with organic whole wheat noodles and vegetables. And he makes sure the menu has something for everyone, whether they’re vegetarian, vegan, have an allergy or have other dietary needs. It’s “comforting, warm, homey things that people recognize,” many of which seem to feature yams, which are more mineral-rich than potatoes and offer a tasty, sweet starch. Each dish on Mo:Lé’s menu has been honed to the point where Meens feels he just can’t make any changes to the overall roundup, chosen from more than 100 different dishes. People come for the yam omelettes, the hearty wraps, and the vegan salads, and he knows his customers would be upset without those familiar favourites. “It’s great for people,” he says, “but it’s a little stifling creatively. I need to continue to make things all the time — it’s like if a painter only ever made 12 paintings.” Which is why he finds such bliss next door at Café Bliss, which opened last summer as a partnership between Meens and chef Heather Cunliffe. There, Meens experiments with surprising all-vegan raw foods, like a mouthwatering pumpkin “cheesecake”. Meens says raw foods have led him to better health, and that’s what he mainly eats now. But they also led to a gig cooking for the Canadian Olympic cycling team last summer in Beijing — his job, he explains, was to make sure the team stayed healthy enough to reach the starting line. It was a challenge to set up a kitchen from scratch, but he had no trouble finding all the ingredients he needed to ensure medalwinning Victoria cyclist Simon Whitfield was well-fed for his big race. (Whitfield brought home a medal.) Meens created the recipe he shares here, a layered vegetable lasagna, specially for Boulevard readers — you won’t find it on the regular menu of either of his restaurants. He chose it because it’s raw food but not a salad, and it uses seasonal ingredients easily found in Victoria. For more of Meens’s tips and treats, he’s setting up a culinary website that should be ready this spring. Visit FreshCoastTV.com to see short demonstrations of techniques like how to make nut milk, or longer explorations of questions like how much vitamin B12 is destroyed by cooking, filmed on a set Meens has built in his basement. It’s just one more way he can connect with the community, he says. “There’s an element of love to everything I do.” Mo:Lé restaurant is at 554 Pandora Avenue. Open daily 8 am-3 pm. 250-385-6653.
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Flash-Grilled Zucchini Noodle LasagNa
Two for Tea?
Marinara 2 cups sun dried tomatoes (soaked) or a small can of tomato paste 2 cups spring water 5 large Medjool dates, pitted 2 medium cloves garlic 1 cup fresh vine tomatoes 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 1/2 tsp salt 1/8 tsp smoked paprika (optional) 1/4 tsp cracked pepper 1/8 tsp cayenne (optional) Blend all ingredients except oregano in blender. Stir in oregano and set aside.
Tea for Two
Cashew Cream 2 cups soaked cashews 5 tbsp lemon juice 3/4 cup water salt to taste (1/4-1/2 tsp) pinch white pepper pinch nutmeg
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Blend until smooth. Fresh Basil Salsa 1 cup chopped basil 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (or mixed variety) 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt or Fleur de sel 1 clove garlic minced Mix together all ingredients. Marinated Zucchini Noodles Thinly slice zucchini lengthwise to create the noodles. In a dish, drizzle layers of zucchini with about one tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle more oil and vinegar on top. Cover and leave on the counter overnight (or for a few hours). To build the lasagna Bring all ingredients to room temperature. If you want to do some fusion, flash grill the marinated slices of zucchini or pop them in the food dehydrator for extra flavour and warmth. Place one large or two overlapping small strips of zucchini on cutting board. Sprinkle with chopped oregano and basil. Spread about three tablespoons cashew cream along the centre of the zucchini. Add another zucchini layer and spread about three tablespoons marinara along the centre. Slice some ripe tomatoes onto this layer as well. Repeat layers, minus the fresh tomato. On the top layer, spoon basil salsa along the centre. Garnish with cracked pepper and a calendula flower. t Alisa Gordaneer is a writer who likes food both cooked and raw.
BOULEVARD w
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Visit www.victoriaboulevard.com and click on Enter the Boulevard Winter Getaway Contest for your chance to win a 2 night stay for two at Poets Cove Resort and Spa on Pender Island courtesy of Boulevard Magazine. The winner must be at least 21 years of age and the stay must be completed before May 31, 2009. The contest draw will take place on April 15, 2009.
victoriaboulevard.com 125
Secrets & Lies Penny Stone
Who are you, anyway? I’m the manager of Victoria’s BC SPCA. I’ve got four kids and two granddaughters. Animals have always been my passion, but I never thought I’d be in this job. I think it’s the nurturing thing; I always have to fix everything. You’d be reincarnated as . . . ? I don’t think I’d come back as an animal. We don’t treat animals very nicely. I’d come back as someone with A LOT of money so I could make a difference.
What is the best part of your job? The best part — I’ll cry when I say this — is when we’ve been able to turn an animal’s life around. There are days when I say “I can’t do this,” and then someone will walk in with a dog that we didn’t think would ever live. If you had a magic wand, what would you change? I’d spay and neuter everything. What would you do with a few extra hours each day? Spend more time with my own animals (three dogs and three cats). I’d take my dogs hiking in the mountains with me.
What is it that you most dislike? The laws. Animals have to be in critical distress before we can remove them from a bad situation. What is your most compulsive habit? Martinis. (I don’t really drink that much, but when I drink, I drink a lot. Of martinis.) What popular trend baffles you? Designer pets, like Labradoodles. People get them for the wrong reasons. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Skydiving. I loved it. What are your guilty pleasures? Martinis. Vegas. I’m not a big gambler, but I can sit at a table for hours playing cards. What do you think is Victoria’s best-kept secret? Bullock and Kirstein’s “Sexy in the City.” It’s a night where women get pampered . . . they do your hair, makeup, serve martinis and take great pictures of you. What is your philosophy of life? You’ve got one chance at this thing. You need to make it matter.
photo by gary mckinstry
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This is ROBIN
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When you meet Robin Arnold you immediately notice her inherent beauty; and as you get to know her an equally charming personality unfolds. Born and raised in Calgary, she comes from a family of very successful business people. After earning her business degree she travelled for a year, and then began a job selling medical devices in London, Ontario, where she met and married her husband, David. David was working as an engineer in London but decided to pursue his dream of studying Eastern medicine. Consequently, they settled in Victoria, where David would study and become a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. Robin’s father taught her to work hard, take risks and visualize great success, while her mom taught her the importance of family, loyalty and unconditional love. “All these lessons have resulted in fulfilling a wonderful life so far,” says Arnold. After the birth of her daughter, Robin decided to pursue a new career and joined the Binab Strasser real estate team. She feels very fortunate to work with such highly motivated and caring individuals. “Together, we are able to share our ideas, expertise and provide the best real estate service in the industry,” says Arnold.
2009 Lexus RX 400H Very well equipped from $55,545.00 Includes freight and pre-delivery inspection
Helping people sell or buy their homes is Robin’s forte, and she knows a great vehicle when she sees one too! A year ago she noticed the RX 400H and had her sights set on it ever since. “It was the right-sized vehicle for work and family, and looked so beautiful on the road,” says Arnold. She and her husband knew they wanted a luxury SUV with hybrid technology, and Lexus came highly recommended. Being savvy consumers, they test-drove all competitive vehicles, but the Lexus stood apart. “Our experience with the vehicle has been extremely positive. I knew hybrid meant less gas consumption, but was surprised that my first tank lasted nearly four times longer than our previous SUV,” says Arnold. Preset seat adjustments, lots of headroom, ample storage room and a sleek interior are just a few of her favourite features. “Not only is the RX 400H a pleasure to drive, the staff at the Lexus dealership are outstanding,” says Arnold. She met with Lexus months before making the purchase and throughout the entire process it was seamless and stress-free. “Not only does the Lexus dealership stand out from the crowd, they have become my friends. ‘Buddy’ as they call me now!”
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