June 30, 2007.
Here's a very unique and stylish home, built by a Scottish couple, with 16 foot ceilings in principal rooms, and 9 foot ceilings in lower (daylight) level. Wonderful oceanview living room, formal dining room, country kitchen, master "suite", plus gallery entry/foyer on main level. Lower level offers large family room/den, plus guest bed/bath, and super office (writer?). Double garage and workshop, too (artist? home occupation?). Easy access oceanfront, with beach, plus seasonal moorage! Panoramic ocean/islands/mountain vistas. Sunny and quiet, in area of quality homes. At Salt Spring's special "south end", this tranquil gem awaits your pleasure! See Li for appointments to view.
June 29, 2007. "Give back what you've learned. Share your experience." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
June 28, 2007. Steffich Fine Art gallery, in Grace Point Square (formerly Thunderbird Gallery) is showcasing Carol Haigh's latest paintings (The Ocean Series). The artist will be in attendance, at an opening reception, between 5 & 8 p.m., on Friday, the 29th, and the show runs through to July 15th. Don't miss this! Judy Mitchell Gallery, also in Grace Point Square, is currently showcasing the paintings of Gerry Davidson. His super real canvasses capture the essence of everyday encounters. Frankly Scarlet, also in Grace Point Square, offers jewellery and objets d'art. Galleon's Lap Photography Studio, on Park Drive, is still showing the beyond black and white exhibit. Catch this! The photography exhibition in the ArtSpring gallery continues to month's end. Salt Spring Woodworks summer show, plus all of the artist studios, around the Island, welcome you to enjoy their works. ArtCraft, in the newly repainted Mahon Hall, is open for the season. Wave if you see me!
June 27, 2007.
Sunsets forever, here! Beautiful home, master/ensuite "wing", plus sep. guest/inlaw suite, plus two bed/bath. Decking to enjoy the ocean and mountain vistas! Totally fenced property, easy- care garden, renovated completely in 2002, and wonderfully maintained. Just move in and start to enjoy the Salt Spring lifestyle, asap! Foreshore lease in place -- build your dock. Enjoy warm ocean swimming here, too. It's a gem, and ready to go, in area of quality homes. On comm. water. Best buy price.
June 26, 2007. "Don't be afraid to explore; Without exploration there are no discoveries. Don't be afraid of partial solutions; Without the tentative there is no accomplishment." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
June 25, 2007. Don't forget Salt Spring's "show and shine" car display on July 1st! With any luck, you'll get to see the Jaguar reconstruction (a 34 year project!) by Paul Crouch. Catch the incredible array on the Middle School Playing Field, just off Rainbow Road. Been down to Rock Salt Cafe, yet, for a great dinner? Thursday evenings it's Roast Beef special, and Friday is the "fish night". Great menu, organic locally grown produce, creative presentations - - yes, it's worth a drive from Ganges to Fulford, especially with these wonderful summer evenings! Al Fresco/oceanside dining here, too. New menu at the Harbour House Hotel, plus Al Fresco seating on their oceanview patio. Salt Spring Inn, Artist's Bistro, Piccolo, Calvin's, Auntie Pesto, Seaside Kitchen, Oystercatcher, Moby's, Mix (formerly La Cucina), Tree House, all offer deck and patio seating, for those warm evenings. Enjoy summer!
June 24, 2007.
Beautifully restored and new (seamless blending of renovation and new construction) character home, on special Stark's Road, with an appealing 5+ acres (lawn, meadow/pasture, seasonal creek, natural pond feature), zoned for separate guest cottage and separate studio, with all day sun (s/sw/w exposures), and quiet privacy -- it awaits your pleasure! Wood floors, wood accents, 3 bed/3 bath, formal living, formal dining, country kitchen with eating space, den/library/office, easy access to sunsplashed decking, plus option to complete lower (daylight) level (storage/workshop, at the moment). Double garage, orchard, veggie garden. You will love this!
July 23, 2007. ArtSpring's "Way Cool Summer Nights" begins on June 29th, with Christine Lavin (legendary New York folk singer) & Alan Miceli (Salt Spring guitarist/composer). Starts at 8 p.m. "Cool is the New Sizzle" continues at ArtSpring on July 6th, with B.C. Folk/Roots band, Tiller's Folly. On July 12th, it's the Siberian Folk Group, CHIRGILCHIN. Performances begin, both evenings, at 8 p.m. Tickets at ArtSpring. On June 25th, it's the internationally acclaimed a cappella vocal jazz combo Novel Voz, showcasing its talents at ArtSpring. Tickets are $15 and the performance begins at 8 p.m. The 2nd annual jazz fest plays at Tree House in Ganges Village on June 23rd. Don't forget regular Sunday evening jazz at Salt Spring Inn -- this week it's the Larry Miller Trio, playing from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. Pat Webber's Pottery Show & Sale, in her garden & studio (425 Stewart Road) is on June 23 (10 to 5) & June 24 (12 to 4). See you there!
June 22, 2007.
Sit beside the seaside! Warm ocean swimming, here, plus year round moorage, too. Enjoy this pretty cedar cottage, easy-care property, super dock, good access to the water. Sunny, s/sw/w exposures, privacy, on comm. water. A best buy for Salt Spring oceanfront! See Li for appointment to view.
June 21, 2007. It's the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! Official summer is here, at long last! Do something lovely -- dine alfresco, in one of Salt Spring's many restaurants that offer seaside or oceanview decks & patios! Have strawberries and cream for dessert! Go swimming in a lake! Take a picnic, and go sit on a beach and simply "enjoy"! Wander some art galleries, or drop in on an artist's studio, or see what ArtCraft holds (it's open!), or go for a walk with your dog, or call a friend and enjoy wine and cheese at one of the vineyards. Enjoy the roses. Celebrate the season! Be.
June 20, 2007. "Grilled asparagus & leaf salad: 3 tablespoons sesame seeds 2 bunches of asparagus, about 24 spears 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 5 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing' 2 cups mixed salad leaves, such as arugula, watercress, and spinach Serves 4 - 6 Lightly toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet, stirring frequently, until golden and popping Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Wash the asparagus and cut off any tough stalks. Brush with olive oil. Heat a stove top grill pan until very hot, add the asparagus (in batches, if necessary) and cook, turning occasionally, until bright green, blistered, and slightly charred, about 5 to 7 minutes (depending on thickness). Put the toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl and gradually whisk in the oil until emulsified. To assemble, put the salad leaves on a platter, arrange the asparagus on top, drizzle with the sesame dressing, and serve." (new vegetarian, bold & beautiful recipes for every occasion: celia brooks brown, with photography by philip webb)
June 19, 2007. The July Fibre Festival is something to note on your calendars! From July 18 to 22, the main events will be held at ArtSpring. 23 workshops are offered, from July 18 to 20, and this year's keynote speaker is Charlotte Kwon of Maiwa Handprints on Granville Island, in Vancouver. Don't miss this annual event! Story time at ArtSpring, with the StoryKidz troupe from Stagecoach School of the Performing Arts, is on Wednesday, June 20th, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5, at the door. Have you caught the photography exhibit at ArtSpring? 24 photographers are displaying their works, & the show runs through to June 30th. Don't delay on this one!
June 18, 2007. If you have your own boat/yacht/seaplane, you can also consider water access only options such as the smaller islands. I currently have a listing on several of the smaller islands: Mudge Island Wise Island Valdes Island There are other small islands with residential properties, please check out my Other Islands section off the Gulf Islands link in the Main Menu.
June 17, 2007. Have to go to Victoria, and dinner is an option? Try Niche, in the former Pablo's Spanish restaurant location, in James Bay, close to the Inner Harbour. Terrific cook! (Emphasis on "modern dining"). Cafe Brio retains its allure, too (on Fort Street). Rosemead, in the Old English Inn's former location, in Esquimalt, is exceptional. Wonderful kitchen! One is never disappointed at the Deep Cove Chalet -- excellent French cuisine! What about the Brentwood Inn? "Yes" to this, too.! The Fairmont Empress dining room delivers a wonderful dining experience. The Lure in the Ocean Point Inne is also a "winner", for dinner. Some more suggestions? See Li!
June 16, 2007. The Western Investor's June edition showcases their annual summer recreational real estate report. You can find this, online, at: www.westerninvestor.com Check it out, for the interesting ideas and projections! According to their report, lakefront prices have increased 200% in the last 10 years. See what else they have compiled, statistics-wise, and what else they are projecting for the future. Your ideas?
June 15, 2007. Check out the Western Investor publication's special June issue (Recreational Real Estate, waterfront: investment opportunities, 2007). It can be found on their website, too, at: www.westerninvestor.com Worth noting that many publications are emphasizing the continuing upward momentum of the recreational/retirement real estate market. Check out Ozzie Jurock's latest newsletter report, too. He draws attention to the fact that investment mobility is never a direct track, but encounters fits and starts along the way. Overall, though, Ozzie is also calling for higher price points, in coastal areas, including in B.C.'s two major cities. Whistler's market, after three years in the doldrums, is flying again, and sales are consistent, and sellers are achieving their price points. Although Whistler's market is quite specific, it does augur well for all other secondary home/discretionary marketplaces, as they do follow suit. This would include Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands. See Li for up to date/up to the minute info. on market trends, in the Gulf Islands area. It is the 21st century, and so there's no easy rule book out there! Be creative, and trust your own instincts, too.
June 14, 2007.
Looking for a wonderful family home? Here is a splendid gem, a true country house, authentic in its English tradition, with an homage to Georgian grace. Four bedrooms/three bathrooms, formal living, lovely dining room, recently renovated kitchen that keeps the character of the home, library/den, main floor laundry, welcoming entry/foyer, plus "mudroom" entry, too. Master with sitting area, and ensuite, plus three other bedrooms on upper level. Full basement, with office, workshop, storage, bathroom. Many unique features -- red and yellow cedar panelling, oak floors, built-in cabinets in living room. Patio and easy-care garden (deer fenced!), plus orchard & fenced veggie garden, too. One can be self-sufficient, here! 10 + acres, with potential for subdivision, and zoned for sep. guest cottage and sep. studio. Sunny (s/sw/w exposures), and private. Enjoy this gracious lifestyle!
June 13, 2007. "Have you ever had a knot in your shoelace? You have to bend down to untie it." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
June 12, 2007.
Swans with their "babies", as seen at the home of Betsy & Derek. This lovely waterfront property is for sale, at this moment. Approx. 750 ft. of lowbank oceanfront, with walk-on beach, plus year round protected moorage, at a deep water dock (pull right up, in your 50 foot + yacht!). The lovely country inspired home, offering 6 bedrooms (4 ensuite), plus separately sited oceanside guest cottage, awaits your pleasure! Historic orchard, deer fenced garden, totally private, and panoramic ocean / islands / mountain vistas! Sunny (s/sw/w exposures), proximity to all amenites, and in its own serene world. Just move in, and enjoy!
June 11, 2007. Salt Spring Woodworks (at corner of Upper Ganges Road and Churchill Road) are showcasing for their Spring/Summer show, New Vancouver Furniture Design. The show features: Brent Comber, Judson Beaumont, Enrico Konig, Paul Tellier and Francis Lemieux. Fantastic imaginative pieces, which go way beyond the term "furniture", will be on display. The 3rd anniversary of the Woodworks will be celebrated with the opening of a sculpture garden and "The Children", a new show of paintings by local artist, Stephanie Denz. The opening reception will be July 1st, from 5 to 8 p.m. Summer hours at the gallery are: 10 to 5, daily. Enjoy! P.S. The Salt Spring Woodworks reminds us of the June 21 to 23 show, at the University of Victoria, where the best furniture makers, in North America, will be meeting for the prestigious conference of the Furniture Society. The conference offers a rare opportunity to see six juried and curated furniture shows in one week. The two main shows: Cascadia, in the Maltwood Museum, and the 20 year Camosun College retrospective at the McPherson Gallery will continue throughout the summer.
June 10, 2007. Upcoming events at Jill Louise Campbell's Gallery: Tibet Week is on from June 9th to June 16th, with original works on display. "The Pilgimage Begins" runs from June 23rd to Sept. 2nd. This new show features work inspired by the artist's travels along a 1000 year old pilgrims trail, in southern France. In the Fall, from Sept. 28 to October 8th, there will be a "17 Year Retrospective", and 15 original paintings, from the artist's collection, will be on display. The Gallery will be closed between October and May, as the artist and her husband, Duart, will be travelling in India. Her collectors will be awaiting the outcome of this journey, on Jill's canvasses.
June 9, 2007. Experience HUM, the journey of a Tibetan shaman through the magical realm of an airborne troupe of circus acrobats. They are the masters of illusion and he is the wizard of sound. Featuring Tenzing Tsewang. This wonder runs from June 29th to July 15th, at "The Temple", at 112 Sun Eagle Drive. Tickets via www.flyingdreams.ca or Ticket Web (1-888-222-6608). Galleon's Lap showcases Grammar of Photographs:bw, on June 17th. The 1st Salt Spring Piano Festival takes place at ArtSpring on June 8, 9, & 10. Tickets on sale at ArtSpring's ticket centre (537- 2102). Did you know that Bruce the Chef, at Rock Salt Cafe, is making sure that all the organic ingredients are purchased locally? Different specials, every evening. If you haven't been down to Fulford, except to catch a ferry, you're in for a treat! Seaside dining, pleasingly renovated space, interesting menu, good food, and a lovely drive, through the Fulford Valley, to dine. Enjoy!
June 8, 2007.
Looking for a wilderness retreat, to build that dream home? Here's two adjacent small acreages, in "natural state", with lovely forest preserve intact, and very close to good beach accesses, to lakes and to hiking/walking trails in nearby park areas. Buy one, or purchase both, and develop one now, and hold the other for the future appreciation. In a lovely "south end" location, with good all day sun exposure. See Li for more details!
June 7, 2007. The Steffich Fine Art Gallery, in Grace Point Square, invites you to hear poet, storyteller, musician Les Barker, renowned in the U.K. tonight, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m., for performance at 8 p.m. See you there! Jill Louise Campbell's Gallery is showcasing her original Tibetan images, all this week. Don't miss this! ArtCraft opens on June 15th (its 40th year!), in the newly painted and upgraded Mahon Hall. An important venue for the artists of the Gulf Islands, this showcase of talent runs through to Sept. 16th. The Tree House Cafe hosts Black Velvet Band tonight, too (Irish & Island melodies). Call 537-5379, to find out who's playing -- someone new every night, until September. Did you remember the Salt Spring annual eco-tour? It's on June 17th, from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m., and you can visit ten of Salt Spring's finest eco-homes. Tickets available at Salt Spring Books. For more information, call: 538-0318. Don't forget the fun of SeaCapers, on the 9th! Lots happening, between 10 & 3, in downtown Ganges. See you around! The annual celebration of photography, Photo Synthesis, opens this Sunday, at ArtSpring. The opening reception, on the 10th, is from 6 to 9 p.m., and the show runs through until June 30th (open from 10 to 5, daily). Between June 29 & August 29, the annual Sizzling Summer Nights occurs, with many unique theatrical and musical experiences, for your pleasure. Call ArtSpring, for the full lineup! Lots to see and to do! Enjoy!
June 6, 2007. "Though life is a dream, Act as if it isn't. Act with no weight." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
June 5, 2007. Mark your calendars for July 12, 13, & 14, for the ArtSpring Treasure Fair, 2007. One of ArtSpring's major fundraisers, this is also an opportunity for you to search through your classy cast-offs or your treasures that you no longer feel strongly about, and to donate them to ArtSpring. Moving house, and needing to get rid of a few good things? Call up the hard working volunteers (Fran at 250-537-0036, or Kay at 250-653-4927) re picking up some of your donations. There will be a silent auction, in the Gallery, plus the grand finale of the Live Auction, on the Saturday evening, in the Theatre. Lots of fun, and it's always a well attended event. Note: tax receipts can be issued for items accompanied by a written independent appraisal or other approved documentation evidencing a value exceeding $50. No receipts for services, though. See you there!
June 4, 2007. "Movement, objects, speech and words: We communicate through gross symbols. We call them "objective", But we cannot escape our point of view." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
June 3, 2007. Mark your calendars! The public meetings, to discuss the recent Trust organized focus group reports, will be on June 28 & 29. Results from the June meetings will be further consolidated into draft policies made into a new OCP bylaw that will be released in mid-September. June, then, is the time to make your voice heard. What is your idea of the future of Salt Spring? Make sure you attend the meetings, and that your vision is included with the Trust's designated vision. Have you picked up your copy of the focus groups presentations, from the Trust office? Make sure you've read these, before the June 28/29 meetings. Be informed!
June 2, 2007. Live music, every night, at Tree House in Ganges Village. Tonight is the original urban jazz of Planet Music (don't miss this, if you're in town!). Every Tuesday is "open stage" night. The Tree House restaurant is now known as Mix, and it offers pizza, panini, seafood, vegetarian choices, from healthily grown food and organic produce, in partnership with salt spring island farms. Open for lunch and dinner, on the waterfront patio of Tree House. Try it, some lovely sunny evening. Been to Auntie Pesto's lately? Great menu, seaside dining on the patio, and good appetizers, if you feel like dining "light". Tried Hastings House for breakfast, yet? Take some time for yourself, and give this a whirl, too. Wonderful Harbour views, outside your window. SeaCapers is on Saturday, June 9th, with traditional boats on display, with dragon boat and kayak demonstrations, a kids build a boat event, food specials, balloons and more. See you around town! Have you been into the Salt Spring Roasting Company lately? Enjoy the murals of Sav Boro -- incredible wildlife paintings, for your pleasure! Looking for donut treats? Every Saturday, TJ Beans has their donut machine up and running! A portion of all sales goes to the Food Bank. Enjoy those mini-bites, hot off the press! Another breakfast idea? The Salt Spring Inn is open at 8 a.m., and offers an extensive menu. Worth a visit! Enjoy!
June 1, 2007. The "summer season" is with us, and it's been a busy year, to date. The listing inventory remains relatively "thin", with few new listings coming onstream to replace the consistent "solds". Buyers are wanting to "act" again, too. This is a recipe for both stability and for price increases. High demand and low supply always create higher price points (simple economics). On top of this "market trend" dynamic, we have the Islands Trust's current Official Community Plan (OCP) Review process. If the Trust achieves all of the changes that they are considering, the effect will be to further narrow the interpretation and the outcome of the currrent bylaws, re zoning/densities. This will definitely have the long term effect of making it ever more expensive to purchase here. It is not a joke, at all, then, when one describes Salt Spring as becoming "Carmel of the North", or "Martha's Vineyard West", or "Muskoka of the West", or "Whistler-by-the-Sea". This is simply the outcome of further development restrictions, coupled with a buyer profile that is both global and affluent, in an area that has become a pristine park-like environment, on the doorstep of major centres, and with easy access to them. The Trust mentions, in passing, the need for affordable housing, but its new focus group suggestions on how to totally preserve the Island, as it is viewed today, will not encourage development of same. In the Fall of 2006, several focus groups were struck, at the Trust's discretion, and the members of same met on a fairly regular basis, to grapple with key issues. Their suggestions to the Trust, under the guidelines set for them by the Trust, were compiled by April of this year. There will be a community meeting in mid-June, to present these group findings to the public. One can also pick up a copy of the various focus group reports, at the Islands Trust office on Salt Spring. It's important to read this, and to attend the public meeting. The general sense is that the Trust would like to cap any possibility of future development/growth, and would thus be finetuning the already existing bylaws, and "narrowing" the interpretation of same. The "precautionary principle" is frequenty mentioned, in these reports. This principle seems to espouse the concept that one should not do "anything", as the outcome of change is not "known", and so the best path is to remain static, rather than to do anything without a known outcome. This may be a simplistic version of this principle, but a more "in depth" version of same can be found on an internet search. However, the Trust isn't just holding to the status quo of the bylaws currently in place. They are bringing in very narrow interpretations of the issues the bylaws are attempting to address, so change is very definitely "in the works". Make sure you're informed, as both a current property owner, and also as a potential property owner. Salt Spring is not a municipality, and so these Trust bylaws are our form of government. Be aware, be informed, and also "act" accordingly. It's your Island, too, and it's not a time to be apathetic. See you at the public meeting!