February 28, 2007. Another reminder of some more movie gems, to while away your early Spring evenings? * Gosford Park * A Month by the Lake * Stranger Than Fiction * Tea With Mussolini * Four Weddings & a Funeral * Chocolat * A Month in April * The Queen * A Room With A View Your list? Would love to hear your choices!
February 27, 2007.
Dine with a view! Here's a custom designed and built home, oceanside in Fulford Harbour, with expansive ocean/islands/mountains viewscapes (enjoy Mt. Baker's majesty, with your dining pleasure). Scottish owners have created a lovely blend of European craftsmanship with the best of "West Coast Contemporary" design. Sixteen foot ceilings in the principal rooms, and easy access to a great walk-on beach! Enjoy!
February 26, 2007. Real estate as an industry is undergoing huge change. The reason for this is, of course, the ever expanding digital universe that characterizes information exchange, in the 21st Century. The consumer is in the power position, now, and the role of the realtor has evolved from the keeper of all knowledge to the interpreter of data. In many cases, the consumer is far more saavy, re search techniques, to discover all data on property, area, amenities, educational facilities, etc. etc. etc. than most realtors will take the time and trouble over, and so when a customer contacts a realtor it's no longer at the beginning of the search, but, most likely, at a very end point in the process. The realtor isn't replaced, exactly, but is massaged into a different job description. Knowledge is important, so as to be able to help the customer filter/edit the huge amount of raw data "out there", on every property/area. Expertise in interpretation, coupled with strong negotiating skills, may turn out to be the hallmark of a good realtor, in the future. Everything else can be "discovered" by the consumer, at an earlier point in their search. A customer can "lurk" on the internet, without ever being "visible" to a realtor, for years. When they do "connect" with a realtor, it will be because they are "ready" to act. This connection point is at the discretion of the consumer, and there's little that the seller or the realtor can do to "hurry" the process. This is especially true in a "secondary home marketplace", such as is found on Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands. The "where" and the "when" of purchases are at the discretion of the buyer. How best to navigate the waters of change? For a realtor: to act ethically, and for the good of the client, in each and every transaction, which will ensure both good service and therefore good results, over time. It's also important to "keep up" with the changes in marketing, which have been delivered by the new digital format for information exchange. In change lies opportunity.
February 25, 2007. "Pattern and creativity Are the two poles of action." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
February 24, 2006. "Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born." (physicist, Albert Einstein).
February 23, 2007.
Sit with your morning tea, and watch the sun come up over Ganges Harbour! Here's a wonderful waterfront acreage, with orchard, country style family home (perfect for a professional couple, working from home, or as a family retreat, or as a corporate get- away), with separate oceanside guest cottage, plus a year round dock, in the Harbour, for your boat! Lowbank w.f., with walk-on beach, when tide is out. Sunny (s/sw/w exposures), panoramic vistas, private, in area of quality homes, and close to all amenities. Historic orchard, on the property! Just move in and be a part of the special Salt Spring lifestyle! Enjoy! There's a literary evening, tonight, sponsored by ArtSpring, Theatre Alive!, & The Salt Spring Celebration of Writers. Featured will be Rosemary Sullivan, reading from her book "A Magnificent Villa in Marseille", and introducing a short documentary film on the chateau and its precious cargo of refugees. The second featured writer is Myrna Kostash, reading from "River in Saskatchewan". It's at 7:30 p.m., at ArtSpring, and admission is free (or, a $10 donation would be appreciated). See you there!
February 22, 2007. It's staying lighter much longer, the daffodil bulbs are growing high out of the ground, now, and the snowdrops and crocus flowers are in bloom, everywhere. Early flowering ornamental cherry trees are also out, along with ready to burst camelias, and early flowering rhododendrons. Spring is closer all the time! Still looking for some movie moments, though, if it's a rainy evening? How about: -Babe -Anna Karenina -Never Say Never (Sean Connery's brief return as James Bond) -The best of Mr. Bean -The Horse Whisperer -Blue Sky -Sleepless in Seattle -The Way We Were -Big -Tootsie Pass the popcorn!
February 21, 2007. The Year of the Pig is with us! Some attributes are: -it favours family values and home -economic prospects are also encouraging -although buoyant, it calls for personal restraint -new products may be invented -feats of human endeavour -severe weather patterns are in evidence -political change can occur -a year of potential! How does your Chinese astrological sign fare in this Asian New Year? Check out your local bookstore, for the details!
February 20, 2007.
Looking for an estate style oceanview acreage, with all day sunshine (sunrises & sunsets, from here!), privacy, quiet, in an area of quality homes, close to all amenities and yet in its own serene world? Custom designed and built beauty awaits you! The plus? Zoned for sep. guest cottage and studio! There's a wonderful fenced veggie garden (organic!) in place, plus an orchard, and the home offers a terrific kitchen/solarium, a true cook's dream! First growth timber in the beams, stone feature fireplace, private master "wing"...hot tub with a view, too! Enjoy!
February 19, 2007. "Contemplate in the morning. Pull weeds in the afternoon. The joys and labor of a single day Are part of a whole journey." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations").
February 18, 2007. Jazz & Blues are "your thing"? Don't overlook the Saturday, Feb. 24th concert, featuring the Sharon Minemoto Trio, featuring Ross Taggart, at 8 p.m., at All Saints by the Sea Church. The 11th Annual Oscar party takes place at the Harbour House Hotel, on Sunday, February 25th. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Your hosts are Island Star Video. If you haven't been to Golden Island Restaurant, to celebrate the Year of the Pig, you have until Feb. 20th to enjoy their special Chinese New Year dinner! Enjoy!
February 17, 2007. "When I was young I was amazed at Plutarch's statement that the elder Cato began at the age of eighty to learn Greek. I am amazed no longer. Old age is ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long." (writer, W. Somerset Maugham)
February 16, 2007.
Walk to town or to the sailing club, from this terrific Salt Spring Island retirement choice! Orchard, fenced veggie garden, green house, easy-care mature landscaping, inground easy maintenance pool (keep limber, doing those laps!), plus a separate guest/studio, a detached double garage/workshop, and an absolutely perfect two bed/one bath quality home, woodburning fireplace, sunny patios and deck. Some Harbour glimpses, sunny, and private. On comm. water, too. Just move in and enjoy your Salt Spring lifestyle! See Li for viewings!
February 15, 2007. If you haven't read "The World Is Flat" yet, by Thomas Friedman, make sure to pick it up, and bring yourself up to date on the challenges of a geography-less world. Time, geography, gender, age...it's all dissipated, and it's about talent and intellect, one to one, delivered digitally, from anywhere to anywhere, at any time. This is a profound revolution in the dissemination of information. The last chapters of the book encourage the "dream makers" to remember that creative thought has brought into being this information age, and it's creative thought that will deliver the solutions this profound change has engendered. We're like the people described in Charles Dickens' novels, and in George Eliot's novels -- they were describing the rubbing through of the old agrarian world and the new industrial age. The rubbing through was a sandpaper moment, and some businesses and therefore lifestyles disappeared, while others emerged as the trend of the new day. We are perhaps coming to the end of the sandpaper moment, between the old industrial paradigm and the new information trend, but it's still a hybrid moment. In change, lies opportunity! The great thing is that new ideas can create new lifestyle and business opportunities, and one can do this from "anywhere", now. From India, from Canada, from China, from Africa, from the U.S., from Australia, from South America, from...why not from Salt Spring Island? You've seen the decal at the tourist stores..."Salt Spring Island...the centre of the known universe". Why not! Your ideas?
February 14, 2007. Happy Valentine's Day! Spoil yourself, just a little!
February 13, 2007.
Waterfront beauty! Private acreage, meadow and forest mix, with panoramic ocean/islands/mountain viewscapes! Custom home, with many unique features -- an artistic creation, awaiting your enjoyment! Master/sitting/ensuite, with exceptional views and private deck. Open plan living/dining, with garden and ocean vistas. A great kitchen, perfect for a cook! Guest beds/baths, too. The plus? A terrific studio/workshop space, awaiting a home occupation or artistic venue. Easy care landscaping (herb garden), deer fenced veggie and rose garden, sunrises and sunsets, plus wonderful sandy beach -- a beachcomber's and kayaker's paradise! A calm and inviting area, close to everything, yet in its own private world. See Li for the details! Where? Oh, yes...on special Salt Spring Island.
February 12, 2007. "Rules to Live By 1. Never lose interest in life and the world. 2. Eat sparingly and at regular hours. 3. Take plenty of exercise but not too much. 4. Get plenty of sleep. 5. Never allow yourself to become annoyed. 6. Set a daily schedule of life and keep it. 7. Get a lot of sunlight. 8. Drink as much milk as will agree with you. 9. Obey your doctor and consult him often. 10. Don't overdo things." (financier, John D. Rockefeller)
February 11, 2007.
Looking for a wonderful waterfront, with exceptional views, lowbank foreshore (beach), warm swimming water, easy care landscaping, orchard, personal vineyard, mooring for your boat in front of your home, mid-century modernist's home, plus separate guest/studio? With sunsets, forever? Privacy and calm? See Li for the details! It's here, waiting for you, on magical Salt Spring!
February 10, 2007. "A moving door hinge never corrodes. Flowing water never grows stagnant." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
February 9, 2007. Celebrating the Chinese New Year? It's the Year of the Pig, and the Golden Island Restaurant will be holding its annual special menu delights, for the Chinese New Year event! Sat. Feb.17 to Tues. Feb. 20 are the dates -- reservations recommended! Did you know that one of the Islands Trust's Salt Spring trustees is holding an eight week musical appreciation course? An Introduction to Classical Music, conducted by George Ehring, will be held Tuesdays, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at ArtSpring Theatre. For more information, or to register, call: 537-2102. Don't overlook Diana Dean's wonderful paintings, in the ArtSpring Gallery! An exceptional talent, and she now lives on Salt Spring! An opening reception for Travis Shilling's paintings (portraits & landscapes) will be held at Pegasus Gallery, on Thursday, Feb. 22nd, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. On February 14th, at ArtSpring, at 7:30 p.m., it's Romance Through History & Around the Globe, with trombonist Marcus Hissen. Enjoy! On Feb. 11th, a concert by Karin Plato is featured at ArtSpring, at 2:30 p.m. -- a Garry Oaks Winery tasting takes place at 1:30 p.m. Mark your calendars! Don't forget Valentine's dinners at Calvins, at Auntie Pesto's, at Piccolo's, at Rock Salt Cafe, at Harbour House Hotel -- enjoy! If you see me, wave!
February 8, 2007. More "movie hits", with a nod to upcoming Valentine's Day? Try these: * A Room With A View * Sideways * Sense & Sensibility * Legally Blonde * The Remains of the Day * My Blue Heaven * First Wives Club * O Brother Where Art Thou? Enjoy!
February 7, 2007. "Youth is the period in which a man can be hopeless. The end of every episode is the end of the world. But the power of hoping through everything, the knowledge that the soul survives its adventures, that great inspiration comes to the middle-aged." (writer, G.K. Chesterton)
February 6, 2007. Looking for somewhere different, to treat your Valentine? Why not try the Rock Salt Cafe (formerly Tree House South), in Fulford? Great three course dinner planned, with a choice of appetizers and mains, plus delicious desserts. Live classical guitar performed by Alan Miceli. Dinner for two: $69.50. Reservations recommended (653-4833). Closer to Ganges? Don't overlook Piccolo's for a dinner par excellence! Auntie Pesto's is also offering a special Valentine's Dinner, by reservation only (537-4181). Calvin's is open, after their January holiday break -- always a good choice! From Feb. 2 to Feb. 18th, Calvin's is hosting their Thai specialty menu (regular menu also available). Meet your sweetie, and enjoy!
February 5, 2007. Don't miss out on the fundraising reading, by several noted writers, now making their home on Salt Spring. It's to benefit the Fulford Elementary School Library, and will be held at 7 p.m., in the School's Library room, on Feb. 9th. Mark your calendars! Brian Brett, Kathy Page, Shirley Graham, Murray Reiss, Nadine Shelly, Robert Bateman, and Peter Levitt will be featured. All the readers are parents or grandparents of Fulford students, or otherwise allied with the School. The work to be read is adult oriented -- help support this school's commitment to literacy and literature. The writers have donated signed books for a raffle. Refreshments, too! See you there!
February 4, 2007. "I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that really feel good on my feet. I like my shoes. I'm thankful for the birds; I feel like they're singing just for me when I get up in the morning, saying, "Good morning, John. You made it." I'm thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down. I'm a happy man." (musician, Johnny Cash)
February 3, 2007. Interested in Scottish Country dancing? Not for the faint of heart or the out of shape! An annual event is being held tonight, at Fulford Hall, with dancing following the traditional Burns celebration. If interested, you need a ticket -- call 537-9997, for information. New members are welcome to the next session of Scottish Country Dancing, which begins on Monday, February 5th, at 6 p.m., in the upper hall of All Saints By-the-Sea. Learning these folk dances tests the stamina and the brain -- better than crossword puzzles! See you there!
February 2, 2007. Some more "golden oldie" films, to entertain you on these still "wintry" evenings? How about the wonderful, whimsical and uplifting tale of: "Billy Eliot"? Plus: *Casablanca *Shine *A Beautiful Mind *Gladiator *The March of the Penguins *Billy Liar *Dr. Zhivago (Omar Sharif and Julie Christie version) *Lawrence of Arabia *The King and I *Schindler's List *E.T. *Witness for the Prosecution *My Cousin Vinny Popcorn ready, yet?
February 1, 2007. "A woman past forty should make up her mind to be young; not her face." (actress, Billie Burke)