Seaside Magazine April 2026 Issue

Saturday, April 25th • 10am~5pm Sunday, April 26th • 10am~4pm

Friday April 24th • 6:30 ~ 9pm

Turning Surplus into Support: A Community Harvest

At the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation, every grant is an investment in the wellbeing of our community. One recent example is the impact of a grant to the LifeCycles Project Society, which helped expand its Farm Gleaning Program and bring more fresh, local food to people who need it.

Farm gleaning is a simple but powerful idea. Volunteers visit local farms to harvest surplus fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste. Through gleaning, this food is recovered and shared with community organizations that support people experiencing food insecurity.

With a $4,000 grant from SPCF in 2025, LifeCycles Project Society was able to expand their program from 9 farms to 12 farms, strengthening relationships with local growers while increasing the amount of fresh food recovered across the region. The grant helped cover key program costs including transportation for volunteer gleaners, warehouse space used to coordinate harvests, and staff time for outreach to farmers.

The funding also helped improve how the program operates. A short training video on farm gleaning etiquette was developed, helping volunteers prepare for farm work as well as trialling a new feature within its volunteer management system that allowed a participating farmer to self-schedule gleaning sessions directly with volunteers. In the future, LifeCycles look forward to extending this self-scheduling feature to more farmers.

“There was one memorable harvest that took place at Government House where volunteers gathered nearly 200 pounds of cherry tomatoes. Harvest and Share, the organization that manages the garden requested that we do more of these events in the future. The tomatoes were donated to the food bank, and volunteers were able to take home a small portion as well.” - Lifecycles Executive Director, Alex McArdle

The results exceeded expectations. Not only did the program reach its goal of gleaning at 12 farms, it also opened the door to new partnerships and future opportunities.

The Farm Gleaning Program continues to attract strong interest from volunteers eager to support local agriculture and reduce food waste. With growing farm partnerships and improved tools for coordination, the program is well positioned to continue expanding.

Stories like this demonstrate the power of community giving. Through the generosity of donors, the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation help charity and non-profit organizations like LifeCycles Project Society.

Learn more by visiting sp-cf.ca or contact us at info@sp-cf.ca.

growing a better community, one grant at a time.

As an endowment-based foundation, we invest donor contributions permanently and use the income they generate to support Saanich Peninsula charity and non-profits organizations.

Through our grants program, we fund initiatives that benefit peninsula residents — in health and social services, arts and culture, education, conservation, and recreation — all the things that help grow a better community for all of us.

Sue Hodgson

April arrives with that familiar sense of renewal with longer days, fresh energy and a quiet sense that we’re turning the page together.

In this issue, we’re proud to celebrate the Top 5 winners of our Women to Watch contest. Each of these amazing women brings passion, innovation and leadership to their work, reminding us how much local voices matter. Their stories are inspiring, but also grounding with a reflection of the strength that exists right here at home. We had many entries this year and it was difficult to choose, as you are all remarkable! We are launching something special for the men in our community, so keep an eye out for it!

In this issue, Jesse Holth takes a thoughtful look at climate anxiety (pg 32), a topic that continues to surface in conversations across generations. While the challenges can feel overwhelming, this piece explores how awareness, action and community connection can help shift fear into purpose. You’ll meet Katrina Chapman, (pg 26), whose dedication and connection with horses offer a powerful reminder of the bond between humans and animals.

In another deeply personal story (pg 39), local resident Wanda Gray shares the story of her daughter's journey, opening up about trauma and mental health, shedding light on both struggle and hope in the healing process. And of course, Joan Saunders returns with From the Kitchen (pg 46), bringing comfort and inspiration through food; this issue it’s sweet lovely cupcakes.

As always, this issue is about connection – it's always a privilege to share these stories with you. Enjoy the read, and take time to enjoy nature!

Seaside Sue, Publisher & Owner

These puppies may have already found a family, but there are many animals waiting for their forever homes at www.victoriahumanesociety.com PHOTO JANIS JEAN

OWNER / PUBLISHER

SUE HODGSON

250.516.6489 sue@seasidemagazine.ca

EDITOR IN CHIEF ALLISON SMITH

250.813.1745 allison@seasidemagazine.ca

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

LEAH-ANNE MACLEOD leahanne@seasidemagazine.ca

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TABATHA GOLAT tabatha@seasidemagazine.ca

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER KATHERINE KJAER katherine@seasidemagazine.ca

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

JANIS JEAN hello@janisjean.com

SARAH HARTLEY sarahhartleyphotography@gmail.com

AMBER WAHL windgypsyphotography@gmail.com

P.O. BOX 2173, SIDNEY, B.C. V8L 3S6 www.seasidemagazine.ca

Seaside Magazine is printed by Mitchell Press. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited; please contact us via the above means for approval. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the policy or views of the publisher and editor.

We acknowledge and thank the W̱SÁNEĆ people on whose traditional territory we live and work.

JESSE HOLTH

Pages 32 & 39

Collective action is the key to change. When we come together to make a difference, whether it’s supporting people who are struggling with trauma and addiction, or fighting to combat climate change, I’m reminded of a simple truth: we always have the ability to act.

CYNTHIA PHILP

Page 15

Many of us aspire to a picture-perfect garden. Such gardens require thoughtful planning, careful research and disciplined care; I laboured under the belief that a beautiful garden was tranquil and orderly. Adopting a rescue puppy changed all that.

JANICE HENSHAW

Page 81

I write life stories, which means I am honoured to hear fascinating accounts of people’s lives.

Writing Seaside ’s home review also gives me the chance to meet interesting people, and I get to discover what’s behind their beautiful doors. I loved this month’s home – wowzer!

MARITA

SCHAUCH

Page 63

In my practice as a Naturopathic Doctor, I try to make it simple for my patients to prioritize their health through routine. The "secret" to impeccable health is small, consistent habits that allow your body to keep showing up for the life you want to live.

Contributors:

Jo Barnes, Rob Botterell, June Murray Dagnall, Kelly Finerty, Tabatha Golat, Sherrin Griffin, Heidi Hackman, Janice Henshaw, Jesse Holth, Richard Hope, Natasha Jackson, Jackie LaPlante, Pamela Martin, Cassidy Nunn, Cynthia Philp, Joan Saunders, Marita Schauch, Claudette Sells, Shelley Tice, Patrick Yang

SPRING IS HERE AND IT IS TIME TO APPLY MULCH TO YOUR FLOWER BEDS

Benefits Include:

• Vital nutrients to your plants;

• Reducing the need to weed your flower beds;

• Significantly reducing the amount of water you need to apply to your flower beds (mulch retains moisture).

Made using local organic tree waste, our mulch meets or exceeds the guidelines set out by the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment.

Anthea Helmsing

Inspiring Entrepreneurs

Inspiring women entrepreneurs are redefining what leadership, innovation and resilience look like in today’s world.

WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL

Throughout all industries and communities, these inspiring women are building businesses with purpose, breaking barriers and creating opportunities not only for themselves but for others around them. You will see that each of their individual paths reflects boldness, ingenuity and dedication, showing how ambition, when combined with effort, can turn dreams into incredible achievements. These individual journeys are often marked by courage, creativity and determination. Meet these five inspiring winners, and learn about the passion, perseverance and purpose that drive each of their successes. All of them bring a unique story, bold vision and lasting impact to the world of entrepreneurship.

GLYNIS SCHULTZ

GREENHAWK VANCOUVER ISLAND

Glynis Schultz is an inspiring entrepreneur whose passion for the equestrian world has grown into two thriving community businesses. As owner and manager of Greenhawk, and Bark and Fitz, she has transformed her love of horses and animals into trusted destinations for quality products, expert guidance and exceptional customer service. Deeply committed to the local equestrian community, Glynis supports everyone from new riders to professional athletes and can often be found on the store floor offering advice and building genuine connections. Her innovative leadership extends beyond the retail stores, where she hosts workshops like mental fitness sessions with a sports psychologist to organizing private “barn nights” that bring clients together. Glynis is quick to point out that she has an amazing team (in fact, she wanted to be sure they were in the picture!) and is extremely grateful for all of them who have been with her throughout the years to create the business that it is today. Despite her many professional commitments, Glynis continues to train and compete with her own horses. Humble about her achievements, she leads with dedication, creativity and a very big heart!

CHARLOTTE DENTON SEA STAR PRODUCTIONS

Charlotte Denton is an inspiring entrepreneur whose vision and talent transform youth performing arts on the Saanich Peninsula. Over the past two years, she has built Sea Star Productions into an extraordinary local company, giving young people the opportunity to participate in high-calibre theatre productions. These are often created in just two weeks of summer camp at the Mary Winspear Centre. A professionally-trained and award-winning actress and singer, Charlotte fosters a fun, safe and nurturing environment where participants discover their voices, explore creativity, build confidence and form lasting friendships. Her impact now extends year-round, with classes offered through the McTavish Academy of Art and through ongoing camps and programs. Sea Star will be starting its own Academy in September at the Mary Winspear Centre. In addition to mentoring youth, Charlotte teaches voice lessons to adults and individuals of varying abilities. Her generosity, leadership and commitment all help empower young people today.

HILARY FAIRBANK ALL WAYS YOGA STUDIO

Hilary Fairbank is a truly inspiring entrepreneur whose vision, resilience and deep sense of community have made a lasting impact on the Saanich Peninsula. When local yoga studios closed during the pandemic, Hilary stepped forward with courage and determination. She collaborated with a team of wonderful yoga teachers and partners to open All Ways Yoga Studio, creating a nurturing space dedicated to health, connection and balance. Although Hilary was not yet a certified yoga instructor, she fully committed to the journey, earning her certification so she could serve her community with integrity and expertise. Nearly five years later, the studio continues to thrive as a cornerstone of local well-being and community connection. Hilary’s entrepreneurial drive extends to Triple F: The Fairbank Family Farm. This family-run flower farm specializes in dahlia tubers and cut flowers, honouring her late father’s legacy while supporting local growers, florists and special events. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Hilary has continued her healthcare career of almost 25 years, transitioning from Nuclear Medicine technology to CT technology, balancing the technical demands of medical imaging with compassion and care. Along with her husband of 25 years, she is raising two active teenagers, supporting their sports, activities and individual growth with steady encouragement. Hilary’s ventures are passionately purpose-driven, balancing leadership, service and family with calm and grace. Hilary identifies community needs, steps forward with courage, and creates spaces that uplift, connect and inspire, making her a remarkable example of a woman-led entrepreneur whose impact goes far beyond business success and into the heart of her community.

JENNIFER MICHELL

TITAN BOATS, FIELD FIVE FARM

Jennifer Michell is an exceptional young leader in the marine industry and currently serves as Vice President of Titan Boats, a familyowned business founded by her father, John Stanners. Titan Boats has grown to be a globally recognized manufacturer, employing more than 45 people and producing world-class rigid inflatable boats used by the Coast Guard, RCMP, whale -watching operators and marine organizations worldwide. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, Jennifer has distinguished herself as a respected leader, serving on multiple advisory boards as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. Despite being in her early 30s, Jennifer has made a significant impact on the marine sector across both coasts of Canada, demonstrating vision, resilience and strong business acumen. Her leadership extends beyond operations, blending innovation with community engagement and fostering excellence within her team.

Jennifer is also the co -founder of Field Five Farm with her husband, Kyle Michell, in Saanichton. Field Five was born from a family history of farming on the Saanich Peninsula and the couple's desire to create a value -added product beyond commodity grain sales (which would not sustain traditional grain farming practices). They established a malting operation to provide the local brewery and distillery sector with high-quality, locally grown and malted grains.

Jennifer’s achievements and influence make her an inspiring example of entrepreneurial talent, dedication and trailblazing leadership.

BARBARA HUBBARD BARBARA’S BOUTIQUE

For more than four decades, Barbara Hubbard has been a cornerstone of the Vancouver Island fashion scene, bringing timeless elegance and personal service to the Saanich Peninsula. As the owner and heart behind Barbara’s Boutique, she has created a shop that is both curated and welcoming offering a space where fashion isn’t just sold: it's experienced. Since opening her first boutique in Victoria in the 1980s, Barbara has earned a reputation for thoughtfully selected collections that blend classic and contemporary style, drawing loyal customers from across the region. Barbara’s passion for design extends beyond the racks where she champions personal service, believing clothing should empower the wearer, not overwhelm them. Her dedication to her community is vast, from supporting local cultural institutions to shaping Sidney’s retail identity. Even as retail has evolved, Barbara’s focus on thoughtful styling, exceptional service and meaningful connection has kept her boutique a beloved fixture on Beacon Avenue. With an eye for timeless style and a heart for her community, Barbara continues to make every visit to her boutique a celebration of fashion, confidence and personal expression.

With vision, passion and relentless drive, these five winners truly show what it means to lead and inspire in today’s world.

Congratulations to all our nominees for this contest: Alice Bacon, Elyse Barkley, Samantha Bourdeau, Kim Bremner, Aisha Cheng, Elyse Ellison, Natalie Foofat, Casey Friel, Allie Hampton, Tasleem Jessani, Morgan Shaw, Sonia Walmsley.

PHOTOS GLYNIS SCHULTZ BY NUNN OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY, CHARLOTTE DENTON, HILARY FAIRBANK, JENNIFER (MICHELL) STANNERS & BARBARA HUBBARD BY WIND GYPSY PHOTOGRAPHY

EVERY

PLAN STARTS

WITH A FIRST STEP. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO START.

Life brings change, sometimes expected, sometimes not. Financial planning isn’t about having all the answers, but having the courage to begin.

Join our Confident Women Workshop Friday April 17th at 4pm to 5pm in Sidney, where we’ll explore your financial purpose and uncover what truly matters to you. Ready to uncover your strength and confidence?

Attendance by RSVP only. Please contact Racheal Jamieson 250-657-2208 or racheal.jamieson@nbc.ca and reserve your spot today! Visit violavanderuyt.ca to start the conversation

Racheal Jamieson CIM® Wealth AdviSor 250-657-2208 racheal.jamieson@nbc.ca

Viola Van de Ruyt CIM, FCSI, CPCA Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager 250-657-2220 viola.vanderuyt@nbc.ca

Marcus Van de Ruyt Associate 250-657-2222 marcus.vanderuyt@nbc.ca

Gardeners know that the first step is to start out with a good plan: to carefully lay out where the garden beds will be, to establish pathways and appropriate fencing. There are courses to take on plant groupings and proper pruning techniques. I am reaching the last stages of establishing a calming garden in my back yard, and I love my sanctuary from the mayhem of life. A beautiful garden brings me joy. Dogs also bring me joy. So it was a happy day when we brought home Cookie, a 12-month-old rescue, and let her experience her first freedom in our secure back yard.

We didn’t anticipate her exuberance – instant zoomies over the deck, around the shed and through the garden. Forget the pathways; hairpin turns on a damp lawn turned up clumps of sod. Oregano, sedum and fuchsia were trampled that day, but we watched with indulgence: it was fitting that her first taste of home would be worth celebrating.

We learned that her border collie markings are more than fur deep. She tracks everything

that moves – giving our yard the feeling of a maximumsecurity prison. Good dog, I thought: rabbits will soon learn this is a no-go zone. So far, her surveillance has only earned the disdain of a chubby robin who sits just out of reach.

Cookie’s curious patrol takes her into, and through, things we hadn’t paid much attention to previously: compost bins, dodgy gates, gaps in the fence behind the shed and interesting smells under the deck. All required very hasty landscaping decisions by us –most aren’t elegant, but they do the job.

She’s had a head start on pruning day. My rosemary, blueberry shrub and spruce tree are now trimmed back. I’m not worried that she’ll chew on a poisonous leaf or plant in the yard – honestly, I’m more concerned she’ll consume a joint of marijuana on our leashed walks by the beach. (Why don’t the cannabis companies put out proper disposal PSAs?)

She bursts through the door in a streak of black-and-white fur. I get it. I too, am impatient and sometimes forget to wipe

Garden vs. Puppy

my paws, er, feet when I rush into the kitchen for a drink of water. At first, a quick wipe of her paws with a handy towel did the trick, but it didn’t take long before the clotted mud between her toes had me concerned enough to investigate.

Bundling up against the rain, I peered into the garden beds, surprised and then alarmed at the number of holes dug randomly throughout. Sprouted bulbs lay exposed; fresh dirt covered a blooming hellebore.

This required careful strategizing. Bulbs replaced and covered with a scrap of chicken wire has done the trick in some places, but I can’t cover the entire garden in wire. My solution had to be more creative.

I’ve decided to embrace the holes. After all, I love rescuing plants from gardens that are about to be bulldozed, or transplants from friends. Cookie has gotten a head start on this year’s gardening season by pre-digging the holes for me.

It turns out that neither of us follow the gardening master

WORDS

plan I started out with, but this is so much better. Maybe I didn’t know it then, but my cheeky rescue dog living her best life among my beautiful rescued plants was my garden’s master plan all along.

"We didn’t anticipate her exuberance – instant zoomies over the deck, around the shed and through the garden."

A Year of Results

A Career Built on Trust

MLS ® GOLD & PLATINUM AWARDS | TOP 5 AGENT | 2025

Since 2005 I’ve had the privilege of guiding my clients through the process of buying and selling homes from Sooke to Sidney. In 2015, I moved to the Saanich Peninsula — a community I feel fortunate to call home.

With the support of my clients, I was honoured in 2025 to receive MLS® Gold and Platinum awards and to be named one of Pemberton Holmes’ Top 5 Agents — recognitions that reflect not only strong results, but the confidence my clients place in me.

Over the years, my business has grown largely through referrals and repeat clients — something I view as a reflection of the trust people place in me and the relationships I’ve built along the way.

Every client deserves thoughtful attention and genuine care. Buying or selling a home is often one of life’s most significant decisions, and it can come with many emotions throughout the process. I take the time to listen carefully, understand each client’s goals, and provide clear guidance so they feel informed, confident, and supported from beginning to end.

I’m deeply grateful for the support of this community and for the opportunity to do the work I truly enjoy in a place I’m proud to call home.

Whether you’re planning to buy or sell, or simply exploring your options, I would be happy to connect. You’re always welcome to visit me at my Pemberton Holmes office in Sidney or reach out anytime for advice, local market insight, or a complimentary home evaluation.

Time in Nature:

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Canada’s Nature Prescription springs you into a season of wellness in the great outdoors.

House of Hathor

House of Hathor is a curated space of fine craft, gifts, and treasures. We offer local, sustainable, handmade wares alongside our internationally recognized natural fibre clothing line Priestess & Deer. Our clothes are made for all women, by women, locally on Salt Spring Island and in Victoria, BC. We love the beauty of diversity of all women and we specialize in made to order garments suited to fit all body types. Made for the Goddess you are and the Earth you adore. Adorn yourself in beauty!

WORDS

KELLY FINERTY

We Island folks have all been there. It’s the remaining weeks of a long rainy season on the Peninsula, the “blues” have set in, and time spent in the “grey” has felt a little too long – often leading to more time scrolling travel sites to escape somewhere warm, and less time outdoors in our own backyard.

Fret not! The wet and dreary months are nearly over as typically in April, Peninsula residents welcome the sunnier skies of spring. Flowers bloom from months of misty rain, boots are traded in for comfy sneakers, and bunnies leap forward with the last seasonal time change hiding chocolate eggs for the young people in Dominion Brook Park. What a perfect time of year to think about spending more time in nature, and enjoying the sights, and sites, the Peninsula has to offer. Remember the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, in the age of medical research and holistic wellness treatments, that saying may be due for an update to

something along the lines of “nature time and greenery, less doctor’s office scenery.” Regrettably, slogans are not my strength, but the sentiment remains with a new kind of prescription many healthcare providers are recommending to their patients.

Arriving on the scene in 2020, Canada’s Nature Prescription, also known as a Parks Canada Discovery Pass (PaRx), is a relatively new method PaRx-registered physicians, healthcare providers and mental health professionals use to recommend time in nature as treatment for their patients managing a myriad of health concerns. Several conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke can effectively use a nature prescription, collaboratively aligning holistic practice and medicine with the goal of improved overall well-being. The PaRx website notes time in nature “backed by decades of research, can improve heart and immune function, reduce

stress in adults, and boost vision, focus, and brain development in children,” listing hundreds of peer-reviewed academic articles outlining the benefits in clinical, psychological and social health: subsets of overall wellness important to managing conditions weighed down by the goings-on life inevitably produces throughout the year.

Dr. Eric Williams, a registered clinical counsellor and adjunct professor at UBC medical school, agrees. “Spending time in nature is about connecting with an environment that directly soothes and replenishes. Nature has a profound effect on our mind, body and sense of well-being that is hard to replicate. The sights and sounds of nature serve as a sort of circuit breaker, helping to return us to a more balanced operating state.”

A formal PaRx for treatment feels different for many Canadians. The BC Parks Foundation Healthy by Nature website explains “75% of Canadians say they would spend more time in nature if their doctor recommended it.”

Additionally, Canada’s Nature Prescription has partnered with several organizations, and some, like the Butterfly Gardens, offer a discount with a PaRx prescription on admission prices. Ultimately, Canada’s Nature Prescription is not only a document you can show off to the sword ferns as you hike the North Saanich Urban Trail (although I do think the foliage would approve), it is also a cost savings and motivator with support from your PaRxregistered healthcare provider cheering you on to better health.

So, as we welcome brighter skies this April on the Peninsula, it’s always a good idea to get a head start as the rains peter out, and improve health and well-being by walking, rolling or paddling in the South Island’s natural spaces. I can certainly get behind this after a sessile existence hibernating this winter like a barnacle, so I am certain a frolic in great outdoors would do wonders for my overall health!

Find out more about Canada’s Nature Prescription (PaRx) and their partners at www.parkprescriptions.ca.

“Every day, more people in need are living on the edge – without a doctor, without a safe place to heal. I see it firsthand,”

The Dr. Joe Centre at Crosstown will provide life-saving medical care, critical mental health support, and a path to recovery for those who need it most.

Construction is almost complete, and the doors will open this spring — but only with your support.

We’re 75% of the way there. Your gift will help bring muchneeded health care to our community.

Donate today at coolaid.org/crosstown-campaign/

Cool Aid: Housing, health care, and connection for our community.

Personalized Care at AMICA BEECHWOOD VILLAGE

New season, new possibilities. If you’re considering senior living in Sidney, now’s the perfect time to discover Amica Beechwood Village.

Our compassionate Wellness team delivers 24/7 support through a Personalized Wellness Plans that evolve with residents’ needs.

We offer Assisted Living suites, care bundles and à la carte services, so you can select which option best suits your needs.

Along with your premium suite, you’ll have access to chef-prepared meals, well-appointed amenities including our lovely garden courtyard, social springtime activities and more.

To learn more and book a tour, call Sandy or Claire at 250-655-0849.

We look forward to seeing you.

Spring IN TOWIN

Each of these businesses is donating one great prize for Seaside Magazine's Spring In To Win giveaway. There are 18 chances to win – flip the page for the ballot for each prize; just clip it, fill it out and bring it to the participating business to enter. We'll be drawing for all the prizes at the end of the month. Good Luck !

RED BARN MARKET

$50 gift certificate

Enter at: #102 - 10330 McDonald Park Rd, N. Saanich

THE

SHOP

Gift Basket (approx. $75 value)

Enter at: 9719 First St, Sidney

DANCING ORCHID

$50 gift certificate

Enter at:

#104-2537 Beacon Ave, Sidney

The Dancing Orchid

SIDNEY MATTRESS

Pillow ($100 value)

Enter at: 1A-2353 Bevan Ave, Sidney

DEPARTURES TRAVEL

Two Apple AirTags

Enter at:

#203-2423 Beacon Ave, Sidney

RUNWAY DENTAL

Zoom Whitening Treatment ($399 value)

Enter at: # 228-9800

McDonald Park Rd, Sidney

TANNER’S BOOKS

$75 gift certificate

Enter at: corner of Beacon Ave and Fourth St, Sidney

BRENTWOOD BAY VILLAGE EMPOURIUM

Beehive Teapot ($46.99 value)

Enter at: 7103 W Saanich Rd, Brentwood Bay

MUFFET & LOUISA

$50 gift certificate

Enter at: #102-2360 Beacon Ave, Sidney

FOCUS HAIR SALON

$50 gift certificate

Enter at: # 102-2527 Beacon Ave, Sidney

MCTAVISH ACADEMY OF ART

$40 gift certificate

Enter at: 1720 McTavish Rd, N. Saanich

RUNWAY AESTHETICS

Bela MD Facial ($225 value)

Enter at: # 226-9800 McDonald Park Rd, Sidney

VENUE RENTALS

BURL + BLOSSOM

Earrings ($35 value)

Enter at: 1720 McTavish Rd, N. Saanich

burlandblossom.ca

MARKET COLLECTIVE

$30 gift certificate

Enter at: #115-5325 Cordova Bay Rd at Mattick's Farm

DICKENS PUB

$50 gift certificate

Enter at: 2493B Beacon Ave, Sidney

BARBARA’S BOUTIQUE

$150 gift certificate

Enter at: 2493B Beacon Ave, Sidney

RASCALS PET MARKET

Cat OR Dog Gift Basket ($ 100 value each )

& ADULTS

Enter at: #5-7103 W Saanich Rd, Brentwood Bay

10 ACRES AT THE PIER

$100 gift certificate

Enter at: 2538 Beacon Ave, Sidney

Spring IN TOWIN

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When people think about surgery, they often picture bright lights, advanced equipment and focused concentration. What I see, after many years in the operating room at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, is something broader. I see the patient, their family, our medical team and the community that makes this care possible.

Every surgical procedure represents more than a medical event. It reflects a network of support that begins long before a patient arrives and continues well after they return home. Family members who drive to appointments. Friends who check in after surgery. Nurses who offer reassurance in moments of uncertainty. Behind every successful outcome is a system of care that extends far beyond the operating room.

Strong surgical services are a cornerstone of a resilient community. When care is available close to home, patients recover surrounded by familiar faces and routines. They are not travelling long distances while managing pain or anxiety. They remain

connected to their support systems, which plays an important role in healing. Access to timely, highquality surgical care helps people return to work, family responsibilities and daily life more quickly. In that way, surgical care strengthens not only individual patients but the broader community as well.

As Surgical Site Chief, I have the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team: surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, technicians and support staff who each play a vital role. Precision and technical skills are essential, but so is trust. In the operating room, we rely completely on one another’s expertise and judgment. That collaboration allows us to respond effectively to urgent cases and continually improve how we care for patients.

Community strength is also visible in the generosity of those who support our hospital.

Through the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation’s Enhancing Surgical Services campaign, donors are helping us invest in upgraded operating room equipment, modern surgical

Community Strength A Local Surgeon's View

technology and improved recovery spaces. These enhancements are not abstract improvements. They directly affect patient safety, efficiency and comfort. They allow us to perform procedures with greater precision, reduce surgical delays, and ensure patients can access care here at home when they need it most.

The demand for surgical services continues to grow as our population ages and our community evolves. Keeping pace requires thoughtful planning and meaningful investment. The Enhancing Surgical Services campaign is about preparing for that future now, so that our hospital remains

equipped to provide safe, efficient and compassionate care for years to come.

For me, this campaign represents a shared commitment to the future of health care on the Peninsula. It reflects an understanding that strong local services benefit everyone, whether today or years from now. Surgery happens inside the hospital, but its impact reaches far beyond. By investing in excellent surgical care, we strengthen our neighbours, families and collective resilience from the inside out.

To learn more about the Enhancing Surgical Services campaign, visit www.sphf.ca.

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SEASIDE STORIES

Stable & Field

The Unbridled Equestrian: Katrina Chapman

Katrina Chapman is a hardworking, Peninsula-based entrepreneur who wears many, many hats.

WORDS CASSIDY NUNN

PHOTOS NUNN OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY

She’s a certified independent saddle fitter for horses; runs Highland Saddles, a saddle consignment service that works with 20+ saddle brands; has started her own saddle and tack brand, Lovas Equestrian; and most recently has launched her podcast, The Unbridled Equestrian Podcast.

It was Katrina’s deep love of horses and the desire to advocate and improve their well-being that led her to this type of work. While she grew up horseback riding on the east coast in Nova Scotia, competing in the Hunter/ Jumper circuit and riding on the Dalhousie Equestrian team while completing her degree in Psychology, it wasn’t until her move to Victoria 15 years ago that she became interested in saddles for horses. She’d always been fascinated in the biomechanics of how a horse moves and the physics of saddle fit and how that affects the horse’s movement and corresponding behaviours, and found that a career specializing just in saddle fit could be a good option for her.

For riding horses, saddles are an important piece of equipment. They’re often, though not always, made of leather and sit on the horse’s back, providing a more comfortable option for riding a horse. But properly fitting a saddle to a horse is an art form in and of itself – there are many types of saddles for all sorts of equestrian disciplines, and just like people, horses come in all shapes and sizes and one saddle simply can’t fit all types of horses. Careful fit of a saddle for the horse and rider is important for the horse’s well-being as well as the rider’s. An improperly-fit saddle can lead to all sorts of symptoms and behaviours showing up in the horse. This is often when Katrina will be called, and she calls herself a “bit of a detective” when it comes to figuring out just what can be causing the horse’s seemingly negative behaviour.

“Saddle fit impacts every aspect of well-being for a horse – mental and physical health [and] soundness.” she says. Katrina likens a poor-

fitting saddle on a horse to that of an ill-fitting shoe on a person. It can cause pain, soreness, rubs, pressure points and just be all around uncomfortable.

“My approach is always to look through a lens of curiosity,” she says. “Horses are deeply empathic and we tend to look at them through a very narrow lens and tend to diminish what they’re communicating to us.” She always takes into consideration and educates her clients on how a horse’s body can fluctuate widely and can have drastic, rapid changes in body condition related to seasonal or environmental changes, feed changes, horses having new neighbours, whether a mare is in heat etc. “A horse can outgrow a saddle within two to three months,” she says. Katrina encourages horse owners to have their saddles checked by a saddle fitter often, especially if the horse has new behaviours showing

up or has changed shape. “We’re not always taught to value what the horse is telling us,” she adds.

Katrina’s decision to launch her own saddle and tack brand was born from the desire to meet more of the horse’s needs and their changing body shapes by offering saddles that can easily be changed and can fit more types of horses at a price point that is more accessible.

Her passion to help more horses and owners beyond saddle fitting led Katrina to launch her podcast in the fall of 2025 “with an aim towards offering education and a safe place to explore the challenges we are having or our horses are having,” she says.

Katrina’s many businesses keep her incredibly busy with travel, whether it’s up-Island for saddle fitting appointments or to Argentina to meet factory reps for Lovas Equestrian. She now has a small team

of employees helping her with some of the behind the scenes work but her days are still packed with fittings, administrative tasks, travel and organizing podcast guests. She enjoys giving back to the equestrian community as well, with Lovas Equestrian sponsoring several local riders.

To find out more about Lovas Equestrian visit www.lovasequestrian.com.

Listen to The Unbridled Equestrian Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or watch it on YouTube.

Carrying On a Legacy of Giving

In biology class almost 50 years ago, Sheri Eisenhuth met the boy who would become the great love of her life.

Gordon sat behind her, and one day when their papers were passed back, a note appeared on hers: “Nice buns.” Sheri turned around, surprised, and then laughed. It was cheeky, charming, and perfectly Gordon. That lightness, Sheri says, stayed with him throughout their 49 years together. It is the spirit she now carries with her as she honours his life.

“Gordon was a man of great integrity,” Sheri shared. “Very community-minded, super generous, and always thinking about others.”

He was a devoted husband and father. When their son Daniel was born with significant needs, Sheri and Gordon became an even stronger team. The days were demanding, but Gordon showed up with patience and purpose, becoming Daniel’s advocate and champion. His commitment to family extended into the wider community. He was known for his integrity during his years with the Ministry of Highways and as someone friends and family could depend on. During COVID, he helped create a safe gathering space in their backyard, earning the nickname “Papa Gord” from the families who found connection there.

There was also a quiet strength in Gordon that few people knew about. In his twenties, he nearly died from ulcerative colitis and required emergency surgery that resulted in an ileostomy. Sheri describes him as brave and uncomplaining, never allowing it to stop him from living fully.

Years later, when Gordon was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, Sheri’s world narrowed to the exhausting reality of caregiving while continuing to support Daniel. Then came a turning point.

Gordon was admitted to the Palliative Care Unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

“When I got there, I thought, oh my gosh… I can finally just be his wife,” Sheri recalled.

For the first time in months, she did not have to manage every detail. His care team provided steady, compassionate care. Even when Gordon was unresponsive, they spoke to him respectfully, treating him as the person he had always been.

“I was amazed at the respect and the kindness he received right till the end,” Sheri said. “It wasn’t just care for him. It was care for me. I felt supported.”

Sheri remembers the small comforts that mattered and the thoughtful design of a space that welcomed family. It is this level of compassionate care that donor generosity helps enhance, ensuring dignity, comfort, and support in life’s most tender moments.

“This is an incredible gift, to live in British Columbia where we even have the option of hospice,” Sheri reflected. “It’s a huge financial cost to provide hospice, and I didn’t want to take it for granted.”.

After Gordon died, Sheri found herself surrounded by the reminders of his daily life, including boxes of items he had ordered during his illness. Rather than return them, she, her family, and friends organized a garage sale in his honour, with a simple goal of raising $1,000 for the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation.

They posted the sale in the community and displayed a sign explaining that all proceeds would support the foundation. People arrived in the rain, some came to shop, others simply handed Sheri cash to contribute. When she counted the total, it was $1,001.

“We live in such a kind, caring, thoughtful community,” she said.

For Sheri, the fundraiser was more than a donation. It was a reflection of the generosity that defined her husband’s life.

“We want to carry on that legacy of giving,” she shared. “It’s important to realize we also need to give back.”

By sharing her experience, Sheri hopes others will better understand what is available when they need it most.

“Stories like this help people understand what’s there,” she said.

In honouring Gordon, Sheri has created something lasting, a reminder of what compassion looks like, what community can do, and how donor support helps families through life’s most difficult transitions.

Stories like Sheri’s remind us that community generosity makes a lasting difference. Your support helps advance care and enhance services at Saanich Peninsula Hospital for patients and families today and into the future. Visit sphf.ca to learn how you can give

SEASIDE LIVING

In Fashion

Rob

Botterell, MLA, Sailor, Hiker and Lover of Saanich

North and the Islands

In your bathroom cabinet?

Pears soap. In haircare? Mankind Barbers. On your skin? My moustache. When you want a night out? Depending where I am: Copper Otter on Pender, Sabhai Thai in Sidney, Auntie Pesto’s on Salt Spring. On your playlist? Miles Davis, 70s and 80s Rock, Adele, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton. On your luxury wish list? A pristine Sceptre 41 sailboat. In home décor? A restored cabin trimmed in edge grain fir overlooking water sparkling through a fir and arbutus forest. On your bedside table? A mystery book and iPhone.

In the kitchen? Blue pottery collected from our coastal sailing travels. When it comes to your go-to “uniform?” Jack Victor charcoal grey suit. When you want to throw fashion out the window and be all about comfort? Blue cotton shirt, zippered wool

In your closet? A Mustang Marine Wet Weather Jacket and Cowichan toque. On your feet? Brooks 880s to be out and about in Saanich North and the Islands talking to folks about matters important to them. When adding colour to your outfit? A wardrobe of green novelty socks gifted to me by my niece and a green tie. When you don’t care how much it costs? Something from my favourite toy stores – Trotac, Spencers Marine Supply and All Bay Marine along with work at Blackline Marine. On your walls? Indigenous art, Indigenous paddles gifted to me, watercolours and prints of the amazing coast where we sail. On your must-watch list? The Diplomat, Shrinking, a Scandinavian noir mystery.

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Strong Emotions: Distress About the Climate Crisis

"Action is the antidote to despair.”

– Joan Baez

According to a recent study, almost one million Canadians have serious climate anxiety – meaning that it disrupts sleep and everyday functioning. With 90% of respondents concerned about climate change and almost three quarters feeling some kind of anxiety, this widespread issue is only becoming more common. As we grapple with drastic wildfires, floods and extreme weather; the disappearance of wildlife, deforestation and pollution; and the continued expansion of fossil fuels and other extractive projects, environmental catastrophe can bring up strong emotions. Coupled with lack of action by world leaders and local governments, it often leads to feelings of hopelessness, despair and

existential dread.

Essentially, climate anxiety is distress about the climate crisis and its impacts. It can manifest as intrusive thoughts or feelings about disasters, global changes or the long-term future of human existence. It can also lead to symptoms such as panic attacks, loss of appetite, irritability, weakness and sleeplessness.

Worry can be healthy – it can motivate you to create change. But climate anxiety becomes a problem when it is overwhelming and debilitating, preventing you from functioning in your daily life. It can help to talk to someone, like a trained therapist or counsellor. It can also help to take action against climate change.

Collective action is a strong buffer against climate anxiety. Researchers found that anxiety only led to depression in those who were not engaged in group activities to address climate change. Doing something as part of a group is one of the best ways to combat feelings of helplessness. Social support is essential for mental health and wellness, so engaging in collective action can provide a sense of connectedness with people who share similar goals and values.

Climate anxiety can be very isolating – it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Many people are feeling the same way. Speaking openly about your feelings can help remind you that these emotions are a normal reaction to the crisis. We can navigate them

together and build connections, using our agency to have an impact on the world around us.

Choosing action is an important tool: speaking up, urging politicians to take bold climate action, and focusing on changes you can make in your local community may alleviate some of the stress associated with your anxiety. Actions you can take include:

• Participate in a rally, march, protest or other climate initiative

• Call or write to your MLAs and MPs

• Avoid environmentally harmful practices (fast fashion, industrial agriculture, fish farming, bottom trawling)

• Reduce food waste and choose climate-friendly

options (eat less meat, grow your own veggies, buy local produce)

• Boycott companies that destroy the rainforest and other ecosystems

• Check your food, health and beauty products for palm oil (a major contributor to global climate change)

• Support renewable energy and retrofitting (e.g. solar panels, heat pumps)

• Beware of greenwashing and misinformation – complain to the Competition Bureau about false advertising

• Change your daily commute (walk, bike or bus instead of driving)

• Advocate against fossil fuel projects

• Subscribe to action networks and email lists

(Sue Big Oil, Dogwood BC, David Suzuki)

• Donate to organizations working to combat climate change (Sierra Club BC, RAVEN)

“When people are struggling with climate anxiety, the goal is not to shut down and ignore the source of concern, but rather to care in a way that is sustainable,” says Robin Evan Willis, a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Sidney.

“Take breaks from doom scrolling, allow space for grief and fear without internal judgment, tend to your mental health through rest and movement, spend time in nature, stay connected to people you love, and find collective ways to contribute. Action, community, and selfcompassion are powerful antidotes to helplessness.”

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The West Coast's Largest In-the-Water Boat Show Returns to Sidney

The BC Boat Show is set to return, bigger and better than ever. As the West Coast's premier in-the-water boat show, this anticipated event will take place April 30 to May 3 at Port Sidney Marina in Sidney. With thousands of visitors expected from across British Columbia, Alberta and Washington State, and dozens of exhibitors, the seaside town of Sidney is ready to host an exciting weekend celebrating all things boating.

Attendees can look forward to exploring more than 200 new and used watercraft, ranging from paddle boards, kayaks and inflatables, to boats and yachts of varying sizes, both powered and sail, including some electric and hybrid innovations. Leading brokerages will bring a large inventory of vessels to the show and will be available to welcome attendees aboard.

In addition to the boats, the show will feature exhibits from marine-related businesses, offering products and services like boat yard services,

and boating apparel. This provides a unique opportunity for attendees to see the latest boats on the market and connect with industry experts to discover the newest innovations in the boating industry.

Boat Show Manager, Steven Threadkell, is looking forward to the annual show: "This year’s lineup is outstanding. Whether you're searching for a brand-new model, a pre-owned vessel, or just soaking in the incredible boating community, there’s something for everyone. The B.C. coastline offers some of the most breathtaking cruising grounds in the world, and we can’t wait to showcase the best of what’s out there."

For those travelling from the mainland, the BC Boat Show is providing a free shuttle bus from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and from the convenient free parking at the top of Beacon Avenue in Sidney. Visitors are encouraged to extend their stay and experience all that Sidney and the surrounding areas have to offer, including scenic beaches, forest trails, excellent

DAILY TICKETS:

$15 per person / $14 seniors & students Kids 16 & under free with paying adult Tickets available online at bcboatshow.com or at the gate.

The British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association (BCYBA) is a self-regulating professional not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting all aspects of the recreational marine industry and ensuring that yacht brokers maintain a high standard of competence and professional ethics

Stay informed at www.bcboatshow.com or on Facebook and Instagram @BCBoatShow.

Sunday, April 26 • 2pm

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A Big Thank You…

As the fiscal year draws to a close, Shoreline Medical Society would like to thank the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation for all its support since Shoreline’s founding. Up to this year, the SPHH Foundation has contributed more than $4 million to help Shoreline develop two effective and successful clinics.

We owe special thanks to former Foundation director

Dale Henley, who saw the potential in what many dismissed as an unworkable, even crazy idea. He understood immediately that mobilizing the community to recruit and retain physicians with the twin goals of giving Saanich Peninsula residents a real primary care home and strengthening our hospital was, in his own words, “the most important thing the Foundation has ever done.” He was right.

The Hospital Foundation’s priorities have shifted, and it is now focusing on needs at the hospital and other healthcare initiatives. As a result, the Foundation will no longer provide funding to the Shoreline Medical Society. For donors, this means that contributions made to the Foundation will no longer support Shoreline charitable activities. However, Shoreline family physicians will continue to deliver inpatient and palliative care services at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

Shoreline Medical Society Strikes Out on Its Own

We are ready. Over the last ten years, we have built a proven track record of recruiting and retaining physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and allied health providers delivering comprehensive, team-based care to more than 16,000 patients and carefully growing to meet the community’s evolving needs.

We are equally grateful to the many donors who have already stepped forward to support Shoreline Medical Society and stronger local primary care on the Saanich Peninsula. This community support helps us recruit additional primary care providers to care for more patients, bring in family physician locums to ensure continuity of care

when regular providers are caring for patients in hospital and community settings, and strengthens teambased care. Donors also make the Shoreline Youth Clinic possible, contributing roughly 95% of the funding needed to operate and expand the clinic. As the only youth clinic on the Peninsula, this essential service provides free, confidential care for young people at a time when youth mental health needs are rising across British Columbia.

Everyone at Shoreline Medical Society, from the Board to the physicians, nurse practitioners and staff, will work to:

• recruit more family physicians and nurse practitioners,

• explore the feasibility of expanding to a third clinic,

• develop closer ties with the UBC medical school (at UVic),

• support our young people and ensure that this community has the primary healthcare it needs and deserves.

Our goal is to continue attaching residents of the Saanich Peninsula to a family physician or nurse practitioner.

This community built Shoreline. Now Shoreline is asking this community to keep it thriving and help us grow.

ESS connects with residents of the affected home

ESS is Recruiting for Volunteers!

ESS provides essentials: lodging, food, clothing, etc

Five reasons to volunteer with Emergency Support Services

Community. ESS is a great way to directly get involved and give back to your community

Learn Something New. Initial and ongoing training opportunities are provided at no cost.

Flexible Commitment. Your commitment to the ESS team allows for flexibility around your other work, family, and social commitments. A Place for Everyone. Contribute to the ESS team in a role that best suits your skills and experience.

People Helping People. Providing practical assistance to community members has a direct impact and is very rewarding!

ESS is one of the volunteer teams of Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization (PEMO). Volunteer opportunites are also open for:

Disaster Communications, Search and Rescue, & Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness

Treating Trauma Saves Lives

Local resident Wanda Gray has an important message to share. Through her book, Broken Butterfly, she chronicles her late daughter’s journey through trauma and addiction.

Can you tell us a bit about your personal story and the book you’ve written?

Writing has always been very therapeutic for me, and when I began to recover from the deepest part of my grief journey, I felt I needed to get our story down “on paper.” I did not want people to forget about Erin, her artistic talents or the contribution she made to bettering the lives of friends she made while in treatment programs. At the time, I did not know how cathartic it would become, or how our experiences would lead to helping others with their trauma and recovery. I wrote this book from a real and raw perspective, detailing exactly what happened. This story aims to engage the reader, foster understanding and compassion for people who use drugs and their families by removing the stigma, and create a safe place for other parents experiencing the loss of a child under these circumstances. And to wake up the public to the perils of human trafficking in their own communities.

You said writing the book came naturally, but not easily – you had to relive all of the trauma, from both your daughter’s point of view and your own. How did it transform from a personal project into an educational tool for raising awareness? It was an exercise in determination – I lost sleep, questioned everything, and the

WORDS JESSE HOLTH

PHOTO SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

worst part was reliving those first many months and years of raw grief. That kind of pain is something only a parent who has lost a child can feel – it is indescribable. But I did my best to express that raw and honest pain because I knew others were going through it. There is no place lonelier than believing no one truly understands the implications of your child dying from overdose or toxic drugs.

Reliving the experience through Erin’s eyes was important to me as well because her daily life differed, and there is so much misunderstanding about what someone who uses drugs feels. By going through her journals and all our shared texts and emails, I came to understand her addiction better. Even though I was terrified to release such deeply personal parts of our lives, I always felt a gentle “push” to keep going, truly believing Erin was my guiding light through it all.

I really wished I had this book to read while we were going through the worst parts: her going missing, the search without law enforcement help, her rescue, and the subsequent PTSD and addiction that followed when she was finally free from captivity. And then the part I had to do without her: trying to survive losing her and making sense of it all. The realization that our story might actually help others shifted my focus from memoir to resource. It

had morphed into part elegy, true crime chronicle, and selfhelp manual.

Your daughter had trauma around sex trafficking – part of your mission is to educate people about the dangers of luring and grooming. What do you want people to know?

Sex trafficking is a highly lucrative “business,” making

even more money for the perpetrators than drug dealing. There is no investment, less risk, and the only requirement is to have no conscience (I call it having no soul). Vulnerable girls and young women (and boys, who are also victimized) can be relatively easy to source, groom and put into the trade. I, along with many hard-working organizations,

would like to shine a bright light and expose these types of criminals, teaching the public what to look for so potential victims can keep themselves safe through awareness and education. Intuition plays a big part in my story; I kept ignoring mine and instead listened to well-meaning but unaware people advising me what to do.

You said your daughter would have died in captivity if it wasn’t for a bystander – how can people recognize the signs when someone needs help?

Again, I would emphasize intuition. Ignoring a situation doesn’t make it go away and adopting an attitude of “I don’t want to get involved” can result in a life ending. In my experience, the signs are there: fear, avoiding eye contact and signs of physical abuse and/ or lack of nutrition. Traffickers work hard to keep victims compliant and hidden, but Erin recognized a brief opportunity to appeal for help, knowing

she risked her life by doing so. Fortunately, her rescuer did not turn a blind eye and listened to his own “gut” that something wasn’t right. I detail that night and day after her rescue in my book.

It's important to stop judging people who are struggling with addiction. Of the many people you’ve met who use drugs, they were all dealing with some kind of trauma – how can we treat trauma and addiction together, not separately?

Although every situation is different, trauma of some sort has been shown to be at the root of people’s pain. And everyone processes trauma differently. In my opinion, many drug rehabilitation programs treat addiction as a physical illness without investigating the root cause of the dependency. If that trauma is not sourced and treated with in-depth mental health treatment, that deep emotional pain remains and it becomes

a vicious cycle. The problem is that effective mental health and addiction treatment requires extended time. Currently, we use a “wash and repeat” system that treats the addiction, provides minimal outpatient follow-up care, and sends the patient back to treatment with the same emotional pain that caused the relapse. A full long-term wraparound program must be in place, giving patients access to qualified mental health professionals skilled in deep trauma treatment and, simultaneously, health professionals who treat the physical aspects of addiction – managing withdrawal, detoxification and prescribing appropriate medications. And it needs to be affordable. This is a major hurdle.

It often surprises people exactly who might be caught in a cycle of drug use, from small communities to big cities to the corporate world. Can you explain?

Not all people who use drugs are what you typically see in the news or on the streets. You often hear friends, family and co-workers say: “I had no idea,” when someone they know is discovered using drugs. Recreational drug use differs from addiction, a chronic condition involving intense compulsion despite the negative consequences. And recreational drug use can lead to addiction. The signs can be subtle and most people who use drugs are so ashamed of their need to use that they become experts in hiding it. This is where decriminalization can lead to greater resources for access to help, less shame and fewer people dying alone. I’m not an expert on how this would all be administered, but I do know that less shame would likely have saved my daughter’s life and she would not have died alone because of that.

You now speak publicly about the book, your story, your mistakes and the changes that are needed to prevent this from

happening to other families. What resources exist for people supporting loved ones through addiction? Or those struggling with the loss of a loved one due to addiction?

I have provided valuable resources in the back of my book, including informational videos and websites as well as help for families with a loved one currently using drugs and for those who have lost a loved one to drug use. I had access to a free grief support program called Healing Hearts through Moms Stop The Harm (MSTH), a network of Canadian families who have been impacted by substance use related harms and deaths. Since Broken Butterfly published, there is also a phone help line in place through MSTH as well as a substance use support line in B.C. Reaching out for help can be very difficult for some but many of those resources are peer-led. You might be surprised how understanding and supportive the person on the other end will be. Everyone has to start somewhere. Many of those resources weren’t available when our family went through what we did so I am grateful there are places to reach out for help. However, much more work remains because this is still a growing epidemic and families are losing loved ones every day.

You mentioned that the situation around addiction, overdoses and trauma worsened when mental health institutions were closed –what happened?

Several mental health hospitals in B.C. have a history of closing. For example, Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam closed in 2012, leaving patients to end up in hospital beds, homeless or in jail. There are other examples, but this history shows a rapid decline in help for thousands of people needing mental health and addiction support. Homelessness is trauma itself. We see the result in the number of overdose deaths among people who have nowhere to go, as temporary shelters are full or perceived as dangerous

by some who try to access them. Relief from the deep emotional pain exacerbated by homelessness and drug use becomes understandable.

We can look to Portugal for a successful model to reduce drug-related deaths – the combination of decriminalization, harm reduction and a focus on healthcare has resulted in less drug use, overdoses and street crime. How can we design our system after their example?

The program Portugal adopted could be a blueprint for our system to follow.

The country’s decision to shift from a criminal justice system to a public health approach significantly reduced overdose deaths, increased treatment intakes, reduced incarcerations, and created employment. The government made the bold move of stepping aside to allow health professionals to design an effective model. Any government that studies this model in depth will also see the documented proof that it has saved billions in criminal justice and health care and it has spurred a healthier economy.

How can individuals help? What are some actions we can take?

Write to the MLAs, MPs, the B.C. Minister of Health. Push for action to keep people alive with evidence-based pharmaceutical alternatives so people won’t die while waiting to enter the proposed recovery sector, which is moving far too slowly. Share our story, become better listeners, foster compassion and take action by helping to remove the stigma of drug use. To dissuade sex trafficking, it is key not to turn a blind eye to this criminal activity. It may feel too shocking, distasteful or unbelievable that this could possibly be happening in our own backyards, but it is happening – and it is growing at an alarming rate. Educate your family, pay attention, and report any suspicions you may have. Make your community uncomfortable for the monsters that do this.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS.

Whether you are new to the area, going through a life transition, or unhappy with your current situation, you will find that Deborah takes a unique approach when working with her clients.

Whether you are new to the area, going through a life transition, or unhappy with your current situation, you will find that Deborah takes a unique approach when working with her clients.

Deborah’s 25 years of experience in the investment industry has resulted in her having a greater understanding of an investor’s needs and their tolerance to volatility, which allows her the ability to effectively guide investors through the ups and downs of today’s markets.

Her 25 years of experience in the investment industry is her guide when working with investors. Deborah realizes that building a strong client relationship is rooted in trust and transparency. The foundation for a strong relationship is ensuring compatibility and effective communication. Investors want to know that their financial advisor is committed to their success and willing to take the time to listen to what is important to help them determine their goals.

She has successfully guided investors through many market cycles by ensuring that her clients are invested in a balance of suitable products. Determining the appropriate blend of investments that focus on preserving capital, generating income, or providing growth is key to finding a client’s comfort level.

It may surprise many to learn that investing is often not about achieving the ‘highest rate of return’, but rather having confidence that their financial advisor understands their goals and will prepare an investment plan to achieve those goals. What one investor considers important, another may not, therefore, goals, plans, and solutions are as unique as the individual, so too should be the portfolio!

The greatest threat to long-term investing is selling growthoriented investments during turbulent markets. History has proven that selling an investment with the expectation of purchasing it later (market timing) is not a successful investment strategy. An experienced financial advisor will ensure that the investor does not sabotage their long-term goals, and this starts with having a thorough understanding of the investor, such as past experiences, current investment knowledge, family situation, health concerns, and financial goals, both short and long-term.

Experience matters when it comes to guiding investors through turbulent markets.

Although setting goals, determining the appropriate asset allocation, implementing a strategy, building a portfolio, and monitoring investments are essential to successful investing, the most important factor is the amount of time that the professional spends with the investor. The more investment knowledge and understanding of the markets that an investor has, the greater the chances are for success. When investors are prepared for volatility and understand the emotional roller coaster that can be experienced during market corrections, the less chance they have of making decisions based on emotion rather than discipline and logic.

Preparing an investor for volatility helps the investor ride out the emotional roller coaster that one can experience during a market correction. Effective communication with the investor is essential to ensure that investment decisions are based on logic rather than emotion.

A financial advisor who has experience guiding investors through these market corrections is an invaluable asset to achieving one’s financial goals.

A financial advisor who has experience guiding investors through these market corrections is an invaluable asset to achieving one’s financial goals.

Don’t take chances with your financial success because experience truly does matter!

Don’t take chances with your financial success because experience truly does matter!

Raymond James Ltd.,

www.raymondjames.ca/deborahreid

You know that feeling when you look around, and it seems like everyone else has got their life sorted and you're the only one barely holding it together? Maybe you're having a rough week, and someone casually mentions how well everything's going for them, or you're struggling with something and everyone around you just seems ... fine. Yeah, me too. In my last article, "Behind the Scenes: Life Beyond the Highlight Reel," we talked about what's happening behind those curated personas and how we all move through different zones on the mental health continuum. Today I want to share something that's honestly changed how I think about getting through the hard days – and it starts with just eight minutes and the people around us.

Here's the thing – when we're overwhelmed or going through something difficult, we often think we need this big dramatic intervention or hours of deep conversation to feel better. But science has shown us something pretty amazing: all we actually need is eight minutes. Yep, just eight minutes of genuine conversation with another person.

I know what you're thinking – eight minutes sounds so simple it can't possibly work. But here's what I’ve learned through my own experience and what research keeps showing us: those eight minutes don't require you to spill everything you're going through or have some massive breakthrough moment. It's just about connection. It's about being present with another human for a few minutes and remembering you're not alone in this world.

And honestly? The magic often starts even smaller than that.

I’ve become fascinated with the power of what are called micro-connections – those tiny interactions we have with people we see regularly

but might not really know. The person at the checkout who always remembers you like paper bags; the woman you see every morning on the dog walking route; the person who's always the first to give that little smile and nod of hello when they see you at the gym. These brief moments of recognition and warmth add up in ways we don't always realize.

When I smile and say hello to people I pass by, I’m not just being polite – I’m actively building a web of connection around myself. Some of those hellos have turned into conversations and some of those conversations have turned into friendships I can't imagine being without.

Speaking of the gym ... let me share a bit about my own journey here, because two years ago I was terrified to join my local CrossFit gym. I mean properly scared. I didn't know anyone, I felt awkward and I wasn't sure I belonged there. But I did it anyway and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my overall health. Not just physical health, but mental and emotional health too. I found this amazing supportive community that genuinely cares about each other and now I can't imagine my life without them.

Here's what I want you to take away from this: we're meant to share life together. Our brains are literally wired for connection, and community isn't just nice to have, it's essential for our well-being. Remember how we talked about those strong social connections in the last article? They don't just improve health and longevity – they're what help us move back toward that green zone when we're struggling in yellow, orange or red.

When we're struggling, one small step toward connection can help alleviate that overwhelming feeling of loneliness.

Eight Minutes

The Small Ask That Changes Everything

So, here's my challenge for you: next time you're feeling overwhelmed or alone, reach out to someone and ask: "do you have eight minutes?" It could be someone you trust deeply, or someone new you'd like to know better. You don't have to explain everything or have it all figured out – just connect.

Remember, nothing changes if nothing changes. The magic you're looking for is probably

just outside your comfort zone, waiting for you to take that first small step.

The days are getting longer now, and your community is out there, ready to see you. Maybe it's time to find your next piece of magic. Maybe it starts with eight minutes. Maybe it starts with a smile and a hello.

What's your eight-minute conversation going to be?

Lesbihonest

April 12

At its core, Lesbihonest is about honesty—being truthful with oneself and others. Piccinin uses humour to make difficult topics approachable, allowing audiences to laugh while also reflecting on identity, acceptance, and personal courage. Her storytelling style is simple and conversational, making the show feel intimate and relatable. 2243

Lesbihonest is a one-woman comedy and storytelling show created and performed by award winning comic Laura Piccinin. The performance combines humour with honest personal stories as Piccinin shares her journey of understanding and embracing her identity as a lesbian. Through a series of candid and often hilarious anecdotes, she explores the challenges, surprises, and personal growth that come with coming out.

Presented as a one-hour solo show, Lesbihonest follows Piccinin’s multiple “coming outs” and the process of understanding and rebuilding her sense of self. The performance reflects on the challenges and surprises that come with navigating sexuality in a world where social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ communities have changed dramatically over time. Through humour, vulnerability, and sharp observations, Piccinin shares how these experiences shaped her identity and outlook on life.

Opera? Are You Kidding Me?

April 20

Opera? Are You Kidding Me? is a lively and approachable musical performance that brings opera to life with humour, storytelling, and world-class talent. The show is designed to introduce audiences of all experience levels to the excitement and beauty of opera. It features internationally acclaimed performers including Dutch soprano Anne Grimm, Canadian tenor Benjamin Butterfield, British baritone

Alexander Dobson, and South Korean violinist Jimin Shin Dobson, who perform a mix of beloved arias, duets, and lesserknown gems.

Unlike traditional opera performances that can feel formal or intimidating, this show focuses on entertainment and connection. The artists share anecdotes and playful commentary between pieces, helping audiences understand the stories behind the music while enjoying incredible vocal and instrumental performances. Accompanied by piano and violin, the performance creates a rich yet intimate experience. Opera? Are You Kidding Me? celebrates the accessibility and joy of opera, showing that classical music can be both powerful and fun for everyone.

Solidaridad Tango

April 23

Dive into the enchanting world of Solidaridad Tango, where virtuoso musicians intertwine their artistry to redefine the very essence of passion and power. This all-female ensemble stands as a beacon of innovation in the world of Tango, bringing a fresh, vibrant perspective to a genre steeped in tradition.

Emerging from a shared passion for tango and artistic collaboration, Solidaridad Tango brings together a group of exceptional women musicians whose talent, experience, and individuality shape a vibrant and compelling sound. Drawing from diverse musical backgrounds and influences, the ensemble blends tradition with fresh perspectives, weaving their distinct voices into a rich tapestry of rhythm, melody, and emotion. Their music captures the soul of tango while expanding its possibilities through expressive interpretation and refined artistry.

Beyond the notes themselves, the ensemble represents a powerful statement of unity and empowerment. Each performance reflects the strength, creativity, and resilience of women who have forged their place in a genre historically dominated by men. Whether performing in intimate clubs, grand concert halls, or on international stages, the group transforms every appearance into more than a concert—it becomes an experience that celebrates connection, expression, and the universal language of tango.

Upcoming Events

Spring 2026 Job Expo

Tower of Song

Team Westcoast Bazan Bay 5K

Lesbihonest

The Commodores Big Band

VIRAGS Spring Plant Show/Sale

Blood Donor Clinic

Opera? Are You Kidding Me?

Solidaridad Tango

Pop Goes the Sixties!

SPAC Art Show & Sale

Good Relations with Adam Olsen

Solidaridad Tango invites you to witness the magic – a symphony of passion and empowerment that transcends boundaries and resonates with the beating heart of Tango. Join the movement; join the solidarity. Delve into the soulstirring world of tango as these talented musicians transport you through the streets of Buenos Aires with their electrifying performance to the musical impact this style has made on a global level.

Peninsula Singers Passport to Broadway Island Band Fest 2026

Royal Wood & Fortunate Ones

Gilbert & Sullivan The Gondoliers

Blood Donor Clinic

And Then There Were None

Sidney Celebri-Tea Fundraiser

Colin James Blues Trio

The Doobie Brothers Experience

The Rewind; a RNS Show

Sidney Concert Band Decades of Pop!

Island Song Choir

Lobsterfest

Psychic & Spiritual Arts Fair

Messages from Beyond

Blood Donor Clinic

Frozen Jr.

SEASIDE FLAVOUR

From the Kitchen

Little Lovelies

WORDS JOAN SAUNDERS

PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

These are the cupcakes I have made for myself for the past few birthdays. I think they’re fabulous and, with a few colourful decorations, they’re perfect as a springtime treat. I know that coconut may not be everyone’s favourite, but it’s a light, somewhat unexpected choice in terms of a cupcake, and I love it. What I’ve learned about baking cupcakes is that if you crank up the heat for the first five minutes, then turn it down to the regular baking temperature, you get those gorgeous tall domes that look more impressive. And when you top these little

lovelies with some rich cream cheese icing and toasted coconut, you’ve created an impressive dessert. I like to add a seasonal decoration to the top or use the coconut to create a nest with some small Easter eggs tucked inside. I’ve found that people are always pleased with a cupcake (or two), as it’s a treat to have your own special little dessert. For some occasions I’ve made two types of cupcakes so people can pick which flavour they’d prefer. But I know that I will always choose these tasty, light and lovely coconut cupcakes, even if I have to make them for myself.

LITTLE LOVELY COCONUT CUPCAKES (makes 18-24 cupcakes)

For the cupcakes:

2 ½ cups cake flour (or all purpose flour)

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp salt

2 cups sugar

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 ¾ tsp vanilla extract

4 eggs, room temperature

1 cup full fat unsweetened coconut milk

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

For the icing:

¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

6 cups icing sugar

(or to desired consistency)

1 ¾ tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp unsweetened full fat coconut milk

To decorate:

¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut (toasted if desired) small flowers or Easter eggs, or other decorations of choice

Preheat oven to 400°F. Put cupcake liners in two 12-cup muffin pans.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

In a larger bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Beat in vanilla, then add eggs, one at a time. Beat until each egg is well combined before adding the next one. Using a spatula, stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed during the process. Put the mixer down to low speed, then add in the flour mixture, alternating with the

coconut milk. Then scrape down the bowl and add in the coconut, stirring it in. Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes, then turn down the temperature to 350° and bake for 18-20 minutes more. The initial blast of higher heat will make the cupcakes taller. The total baking time is about 23-25 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the pan for a few minutes, then remove them carefully from the pans and cool completely on wire racks before icing them.

For the icing:

In a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, or in a bowl using a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the icing sugar until very well combined. I like to sift the icing sugar first so

it’s not lumpy. Add the vanilla and coconut milk, then beat on medium speed for about 1 minute until it’s nice and fluffy.

Pipe on the icing or smooth it on however you prefer. Top with the coconut (or toasted coconut) and any decorations of your choice.

You can toast the coconut in the oven or in a frying pan on the top of the stove. In the oven? Preheat oven to 325° and put the coconut on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for a couple of minutes, then gently stir the coconut and bake for a couple more minutes. Keep an eye on the coconut, as once it starts to toast it browns quickly.

Or, on top of the stove works too. Put the coconut in a pan on the stovetop on medium heat. Stir it often and keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t get too brown.

Adapted from:

www.preppykitchen.com/ coconut-cupcakes/.

Parents often need to take time away from work, while incurring extra expenses at the same time. With the cost of living on the rise, families must make impossible choices.

That’s where Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island comes in. Its mission is to support these families along their health journeys, so that cost never stands in the way of a child getting the health care they need.

Formerly known as the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, the charity has a storied history on Vancouver Island going back nearly 100 years. Today, they’re best known for their Homes Away From Home and Bear Essentials programs.

Located on hospital campuses, Jeneece Place in Victoria and Q̓ʷalayu House in Campbell River provide welcoming, lowcost accommodation for families travelling for their child’s health care. Staying at a Home Away From Home saves them time and money, and allows them to focus on what matters most – their child’s well-being.

Through the Bear Essentials program, local families get help to pay for equipment that supports their child’s development, mobility and independence.

Jax’s mom, Tracey, knows how important that is.

SEASIDE

Charity

A Century of Supporting Island kids

Thousands of families on Vancouver Island have a child with complex health needs. The stress and cost associated with their care can be significant, if not prohibitive.

Jax (pictured) is a teenager from Sidney with cerebral palsy, autism and spastic diplegia, a condition that affects mobility due to high muscle tone and stiffness. The family has received support through Bear Essentials to buy equipment for Jax such as ankle foot orthoses, a specialized walker and a transfer belt.

“It’s huge. It’s taken the burden off us,” explains Tracey. “For other families, they can go to Walmart and buy their kid a $10 pair of shoes, but I don’t have that luxury. Jax needs certain equipment, and it’s costly. [As a parent], you have so many other worries, like how is life going to be for Jax as he gets

HEALTH

older? The Bear Essentials program has taken away that anxiety and financial worry.”

Since 1927, the Foundation’s work has been funded exclusively by generous individuals, community organizations and businesses across Vancouver Island.

“We can’t change what families are going through, but we can support them along the way, reduce their stress, and ultimately enable better health outcomes for their kids,” says Veronica Carroll, CEO of the Foundation.

Visit www.islandkidsfirst. com/donate to help kids like Jax who live right here in your community.

exploresidney.ca/giftcard

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

10 Acres at the Pier

3rd Street Cafe

900 Degrees Bistro

Avenue B Home Decor

Beacon Landing Liquor & More

Bodacious Lifestyles Boutique Bosley's - Sidney

Cameron Rose Gifts

Chef on the Run

Connections Consignment

Cottons and Blues

C.S. Chan Wontons + Dumplings

Davidson Chambers

Departures Travel

Deco De Mode

Ecotopia Naturals

Far & Away Adventures

Flush Bathroom & Travel Essentials

Fry Guys Bistro

Hansell & Halkett Vintage Home Decor

Home Hardware - Sidney House of Lily Koi

Kiddin' Around

Lolly Gobble - Home Hardware

Mary Winspear Centre

Miss Bliss Boutique

Moden Essentials

Moden Mens

Modern Massage Co.

Muffet & Louisa

Nest & Nook

One Stop Furniture

Peninsula Lifetime Eye Care Centre

Peninsula Veterinary Hospital

Provenance Fine Things

Pure Glow Laser

Refire Kitchen

Salvador Davis & Co

Sacred Somatics

Sapodilla's Smoothie and Juice Bar

Seawards Souvenir & Apparel

Shai Thompson Image Consulting

Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

Sidney Information Centre

Simply Pure Ice & Water

Sidney Museum

Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa

Sidney Scones

Skin by Angela

Smør Scandinavian Bakery

Tanner's Books

The Beauty House

The Children's Bookshop

The Dancing Orchid

The Farmer's Daughter

The Fickle Fig

The Five & Dime Diner

The Shop

The Surly Mermaid

Tivoli Gallery

Tyneham Luxury Products

Victoria Distillers

Waterlily Shoes

Quince Cafe

SEASIDE STORIES

Off the Land

3 Sheeps to the Wind: Wool Worth the Effort

It’s morning, and for some of us, we’ll awaken to a toddler jumping onto our bed or an alarm clock ringing or perhaps a loved one asking about coffee. For Danielle Litke, her morning starts with the steady gaze of hungry sheep peering through the window.

WORDS JO BARNES

PHOTOS SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Danielle and Jordan Litke, owners of 3 Sheeps to the Wind farm in Brentwood Bay, lead busy lives not only raising a family but also a flock. “I wake up to see four sheep standing there looking in my window waiting for breakfast!” shares Danielle. “It is a lot of work but a lot of fun too.”

The whimsical farm name refers both to the farm’s livestock and Danielle’s family roots. She grew up on the adjacent property, Eurosa Farms, well known on the Peninsula for its production of beautiful cut roses. Danielle’s parents – Hans and Debbie Bulk who own Eurosa Farms – are also longtime sailing enthusiasts.

“We’ve done a lot of sailing in our family. My parents have a

larger 40-foot sailboat. The farm name is based on the phrase ‘three sheets to the wind,’ but we substitute the word ‘sheep’," relates Danielle, adding with a laugh: “It’s of course grammatically incorrect, but I think it works great!”

Since moving to the property in 2018, the couple has worked hard to raise livestock and enhance the farming site with new structures and growing areas. “We put in a vegetable garden and we have a variety of animals here including sheep, horses, a miniature horse and chickens,” outlines Danielle.

“As well as lamb, we have 30 meat chickens and 50 layer hens. They are all raised for family consumption and not for commercial sales.”

Initially, the couple took over the care of four ewes then purchased a ram so that they could begin a breeding program. “We have both Charollais and Suffolk sheep, and we breed each year,” says Danielle. “Lambs are born towards the end of February or beginning of March usually.”

The proximity to family is not only valuable in terms of building strong family relationships but also practical farm support. “There are three generations of family farming here, all on neighbouring properties,” says Danielle. “Life on the farm only works when all the family work together, that is, my parents, four siblings, spouses and 11 grandchildren.”

to care for animals. “We shear the sheep once a year, and I use the wool to make dryer balls,” says Danielle. “My kids help feed the lambs. I have a great memory of my daughter skipping down the road one day and singing ‘Mary had a little lamb’."

Danielle shares that raising sheep has been a learning curve, especially when it comes to monitoring their health and watching for signs and symptoms. “I have learned through a lot of trial and error. Sheep are stoic, and if they are not feeling well, they hide that fact,” comments Danielle.

Before the couple started the farm in 2018, Danielle worked full-time as a radiation therapist. With three growing children and the demands of the farm, she stepped away from the medical field. Revisiting the farming lifestyle in which she was raised has brought renewal. “I love seeing something start and grow,” relates Danielle. “I love getting my hands in the dirt and also just being outside.”

The family farm means plenty of work to do, but tasks are often shared. “My husband and kids all help,” says Danielle. “My husband, who is a full-time land surveyor, built all the major structures like the shelters and farm fencing. This year he built me a chicken coop which is really great.”

As well as being a versatile source of wool and meat, the sheep are great companions on the farm and offer benefits to the younger members of the family, such as learning how

“So, you play catch-up with this. It is hard if they are going downhill fast.”

In addition, the sheep birthing process is not always straightforward and can bring surprises and challenges. “In our first year, we thought ‘Sheep know what they’re doing when it comes to birthing.’ But lambs have come out backwards, headfirst, and two at a time! We had one lamb that wasn’t strong enough to nurse, so we had to bottle feed it for 12 weeks,” she says. “My older sister is a Veterinary Technician, so if we have any lambing troubles, she can really help us out.”

When lambing season arrives, the sight of tiny woolly wonders springing about the farm prompts smiles on the faces of visitors and passers-by. “People sometimes are walking down the road, and they really want to feed the lambs,” relates Danielle. “It’s pretty fun.”

It’s a busy family farm where locals find the livestock “woolly wonderful” and where the farmers have discovered “shear” joy.

www.facebook. com/3sheepstothewindfarm/

Individuals • Small business • Proactive tax/ financial planning • Vancouver Island Professional Company of the Year Award (multi years)

your early summer proactive consultation: email Evelyn at egreene@andrewsgreene.bc.ca

Local Flavour: Feature of the Month

BEACON BREWING

This small, family-run brewery has been committed to supporting beautiful Sidney by the Sea, which they

by immersing themselves in the local community both personally and professionally; all while creating

and

beers and hosting entertaining events weekly.

CURRENT BEERS ON TAP INCLUDE:

Mainstay Beers:

Ladder Truck Lager

Power Surge Pale Ale

Capacitor Cold IPA

Disconnect Dark Mild

Four other rotating beer flavours are also available

Just in time for Easter weekend, we're whipping up something a little mischievous and a whole lot of sweet. Our limitedrelease Easter beer flight will include four candy inspired brews – perfect for making your weekend a little extra hoppy! And be sure to mark Sunday April 26th for our very first Food Truck Day of the year! We're kicking off the season the right way – great local eats, fresh pints and good vibes all around!

HAPPY HOUR

Monday to Friday 3-6pm with $5 16oz sleeves of mainstay beers

LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR

Friday and Saturday nights from 8-11pm with $2 off 20oz pints of mainstay beers

GOOD WINE, FAIR PRICE: Six Bottles Worth Every Penny

WORDS RICHARD HOPE

When someone talks about value in wine, it usually means one of two things: either they are trying to convince you that a $12 bottle is secretly as good as one that costs three times as much (probably not), or the word "value" is a polite cover for "cheap." Neither is particularly useful.

Real value is something else. It is the bottle where quality outruns the price, the wine you want to tell your friends about as soon as you have tried it. It is out there, reliably, if you know where to look. Here is where I would start.

FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA

Le Vieux Pin Petit Rouge 2024 | ~$26-29

Black Sage Bench, South Okanagan, B.C.

Le Vieux Pin is one of the South Okanagan's flagship estates, perched on the Black Sage Bench in Oliver – Canada's only pocket desert, where the northern tip of the Sonoran Desert meets Okanagan lake influence to produce conditions that shouldn't, by rights, exist this far north. Made from younger vines and fruit cropped at less stringent levels, the Petit Rouge 2024 is built around Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend that captures the estate's Rhône-meetsBordeaux house style in a more accessible, drink-now format. The 2024 vintage was a genuine redemption story for Le Vieux Pin. A devastating polar vortex in January 2024 decimated vineyards across the Okanagan, and winemaker Severine Pinte navigated

the chaos with remarkable resolve, sourcing carefully and maintaining quality despite everything the year threw at the estate. That a wine of this character exists at all from 2024 is worth raising a glass to, and at this price, it's one of the most compelling B.C. reds on the shelf.

Averill Creek Joue White 2022 | ~$27

Vancouver Island, B.C.

Natural wine has produced its share of challenging bottles, but when it is done right there is nothing quite like it: alive, direct and expressive in a way that more conventional winemaking rarely replicates.

Averill Creek's Joue White is the real thing – juicy and saline, with a freshness that makes you think of ocean air and rocky coastline. Great with fresh seafood, oysters or creamy pasta.

FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Farnese Fantini

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ~$15-18

Abruzzo, Italy

The label is modest and the price is almost suspiciously low, and yet this wine consistently tastes like it costs two or three times as much. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo doesn't carry the cachet of Barolo or Brunello, but this grape, grown on the clay and limestone soils of Italy's Adriatic coast, produces deeply

coloured, food-friendly reds with real weight and warmth.

Farnese is one of the most decorated producers in southern Italy, named Best Italian Producer by wine critic Luca Maroni three times in the past decade. What you get in the glass is classic Montepulciano: wild berries, dried herbs, soft tannins and enough freshness to carry it through a full meal. Pair with a steak, a tomato-based pasta or a hearty stew.

Castello di Ama Chianti Classico 2018 | $45 Tuscany, Italy

Chianti remains a great choice for the discerning buyer and Castello di Ama sits at the top of that mid-tier of wine between $30 to $50. The 2018 is bright and vivid, with a sour cherry character with a long distinctive (Sangiovese) finish. The wine has also been aged to give it a depth of complexity which makes for an interesting wine. This wine is a fantastic accompaniment to bistecca – cured meats and hard Italian cheeses.

Zuccardi Valle de Uco Malbec | $22-26 Mendoza, Argentina

Valle de Uco, a highaltitude sub-region of Mendoza where cooler temperatures and ancient soils produce a dramatically different kind of Malbec: structured and mineral, with

genuine complexity and an acidity that gives it life rather than just weight.

Zuccardi is one of the most decorated producers in South America, with a track record that extends well beyond its entry-level tier. This bottle reflects the house style at an accessible price, and compared to what comparable quality and provenance would cost from Napa or even the Rhône, it's genuinely under-priced. Great with grilled skirt steak with chimichurri, braised short rib, smoky barbecue and empanadas.

Bodegas Muga Reserva Rioja $28-32

Rioja, Spain

For a long time, Rioja was my go-to wine. Aged in oak and given time to integrate the different flavours and notes, Spain regularly produces red wines with a soothing character.

Bodegas Muga is one of the most reliable names in the region, and their Reserva is the kind of wine that shows up consistently year after year without ever disappointing. Aged 24 months in a combination of French and American oak, it hits a point of balance between freshness and development that makes it enormously versatile at the table. Alongside lamb or a good roast, or simply on a Tuesday evening with something simple from the pan, it’s a great accompaniment to any meal.

DEEP COVE CUSTOMS

9544 Aurora Place, North Saanich

Deep Cove Customs (DCC) has now expanded the services that we provide.

While still supplying custom millwork and cabinetry options for the kitchen, bathroom, closets and living spaces of your home, we are now offering full renovation services to our clients.

We have truly set ourselves up as a one-stop shop for clients who wish to keep things simple. Whether you are a homeowner, contractor or commercial developer, we can provide the personnel and services to complete your project, all while working with your budget.

For the DIYers out there, we also provide ready-to-assemble cabinetry options that will allow you to assemble and build out your own projects. All RTA projects come with detailed design plans, 3D models, and support from DCC from start to finish.

Stop by our showroom at 9544 Aurora Place in North Saanich for a free consultation and let us help you make your dreams a reality.

If you're truly looking for a place to help you that can be practical and affordable while still providing all the benefits of a custom supplier, then DCC is the right fit for you. Be sure to ask about our warranty program that allows us to provide a 15-year warranty on all installations that DCC provides, giving you the reassurance that your investment is covered.

Love Your Local

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

muffet & louisa

107 - 2360 Beacon Avenue, Sidney

We have been in business for 40 years this summer (more on that later!) and since 1990 have been proud retailers of Canadian made duvets.

We find it so surprising that we still hear: “Oh, I didn’t know you carried duvets, I thought you were a kitchen store.” Well, we do sell lots of excellent things for your kitchen, but half our business is bed linens, pillows and duvets!

Perhaps it’s because the full glory of a duvet is hard to show in an ad photo. You need to personally experience the light sumptuous beauty of a well-made duvet, filled with highlofting down.

We are so proud to carry what we consider to be the best-made duvets in Canada. Crafted with careful expertise by St. Geneve in Vancouver, they are filled with excellent Canadian or Polish down and available in weights from ultra-light and summer weight to classic and winter weight. Our best sellers are the summer or classic weights. We hope you might find time to pop in and let us show you these gorgeous duvets; perhaps a summer one before the weather gets too warm!

Now about turning 40 – we are planning a party in the Courtyard on Sunday afternoon, July 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. and we hope you will join us!

A Pet Care Centre That Loves Your Pets as Much

as You Do!

Comfortable, clean & healthy fresh air environment

Exercise yards up to one quarter acre

Feline “Cuddle Time” • K-9 Playschool course

All managerial staff “Certified Kennel Technicians”

Recommended by veterinarians • Full grooming services available

The People Behind Beacon's Community Impact

On any given day across Greater Victoria and the Gulf Islands, a Beacon volunteer might be delivering a meal to a senior, driving someone to a medical appointment, sharing conversation during a weekly visit, or sorting donations in one of Beacon’s thrift shops. Often these moments are small and quiet, but together they help shape the kind of community we live in.

meals through the More than Meals program.

“Volunteers bring compassion, creativity and connection into everything we do,” says Yasmin Rampuri, Manager of Volunteer Engagement at Beacon Community Services. “With their time and talents, they help us reach more people and make sure our programs reflect the care that exists within this community.”

A Full Service Pet Care Facility

250-652-2301 2918 Lamont Road, Saanichton puppylove.ca • email: info@puppylove.ca

Just minutes from Victoria Airport & BC Ferries Terminal

In 2026 we celebrate the UN International Year of the Volunteer, a once-in-a-generation recognition of the impact of volunteerism. During this special year, National Volunteer Week (April 19 to 25) highlights those contributions across Canada. The theme, Ignite Volunteerism, reflects how a simple act of giving time can spark connection, compassion and support throughout a community.

At Beacon Community Services, volunteers are fundamental to making many services possible. With about 250 staff and over 550 volunteers, much of Beacon’s work is powered by people who choose to give their time. They help seniors remain independent through Better at Home, provide rides to medical appointments or assist with light household tasks; deliver meals or offer companionship through the Volunteer Visiting program to people living alone or in Assisted Living; greet visitors and support activities at the SHOAL Centre; and help in Beacon’s thrift shops at the till and sorting donations, work that supports affordable shopping while helping fund community programs.

Behind each of these efforts is a broader impact. In 2024, Beacon programs helped house more than 135 individuals, supported 175 youth through homelessness prevention and shelter services, helped 118 people find employment, and served 17,740

Sometimes, volunteers bring their own ideas to life. Student volunteer Mira Wirk began leading weekly painting activities with residents at Parry Place. What started as a simple creative outlet gradually grew into a community art show and fundraiser celebrating the residents’ work, a reminder of how one person’s initiative can spark something much larger. Volunteers have shaped Beacon in many ways over the years. Maureen Dale, a Beacon volunteer, recently helped preserve Beacon’s history by organizing decades of records and stories from the people who helped build the organization. Some of Beacon’s programs themselves began with volunteer ideas, including the meal delivery program and the grocery shopping program that now runs out of the SHOAL Centre, both created to help address food security among older adults.

As National Volunteer Week reminds us, volunteerism often begins with a simple decision to show up. Across Beacon’s programs, hundreds of volunteers continue to do exactly that, helping neighbours, building relationships and strengthening the community we share.

Beacon continues to welcome new volunteers who want to be part of that work. For more information please visit www.beaconcs.ca or email yrampuri@beaconcs.ca.

New & Noteworthy

News, Changes, Updates, Launches SEASIDE STORIES

MOUNT NEWTON PATHWAY MOVES AHEAD

Central Saanich Council has approved detailed design work for a new multi-use pathway along Mount Newton Cross Road, bringing safer walking, rolling and cycling one step closer to reality.

phase could begin as early as 2027 or 2028. Project information can be found at LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/ MountNewtonPathway.

A NOVEL WAY TO SUPPORT KELSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Have something for New & Noteworthy? Email noteworthy@ seasidemagazine.ca.

WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL

Planned between Highway 17 and East Saanich Road, the preferred design places the pathway on the south side of the road, featuring a grass boulevard buffer to enhance safety and reduce conflicts near Saanich Peninsula Hospital. This has been backed by strong community feedback, including support from the Tsawout First Nation Council. The project now moves into detailed design and cost planning. Construction on this second

The KELSET Elementary School Parent Advisory Council invites the community to a family-friendly Used Book Sale supporting the school library, and author visits that promote literacy and creativity. Located at 1800 Forest Park Drive, the sale takes place on April 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations of gently-used fiction and non-fiction books are welcome on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No damaged books, textbooks, magazines or encyclopedias please. Come

donate, shop and support our young readers!

SIDNEY MUSEUM SOLICITING NEW BOARD MEMBERS

The Sidney Museum is currently seeking new members to join its Board of Directors.

If you have a love of local heritage and a desire to give back to your community, they would love to hear from you. Applicants of all ages, backgrounds and levels of board experience are encouraged to apply.

The Board provides governance oversight to help guide the Museum’s direction and ensure its continued success. Board members attend monthly meetings (typically 10 per year) and also contribute through committee work.

MAJOR DONATION CULTIVATES NEW HARVEST HUB FOR SAANICH PENINSULA

Gregory Warner has donated $750,000 to the District of North Saanich Council, which approved the Harvest Hub project, a new communityfocused food hub facility that would assist local agriculture and food production around the Saanich Peninsula.

MAKING GRAD DREAMS COME

TRUE WITH MAGIC WAND

The Magic Wand Project was founded in 2001 by Elizabeth Surerus who later partnered with Lesley Butterfield. They recognized the need for affordable graduation attire in Greater Victoria.

Magic Wand provides dresses, tuxedos and accessories to make every graduation magical! They believe every student should feel special and confident on their big day, regardless of their financial circumstances. Their mission is to ensure all students can attend their graduation celebrations in style. They rely on school staff to help spread the word, so no student misses out.

Thanks to generous donations, their service is now available to everyone. Join them in making every grad night unforgettable. Together, you can ensure every student celebrates their achievements in style and confidence. More information can be found at www.themagicwandproject.ca.

NEW PARTNER AT GRAY'S CAFÉ

Are you a fan of Gray’s Café in Sidney? Then make sure you stop in to say hello to new

partner Maude Mooney. The Gray sisters are thrilled; they have worked with Maude since they first owned Toast Café, and having her join them as a partner in this business is an exciting new development. Over the next year they will be working with her as she takes over full ownership. If you haven’t yet been to Gray’s, stop in to try the excellent coffee, delicious treats and healthy lunch options.

ROTARY CLUB SHREDFEST

On April 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 pm. our Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea is protecting the environment by hosting a drivethrough secure paper shredding fundraiser event. Come by the parking lot of 10364 McDonald Park Road. All shredded paper is properly recycled and does not go to a landfill. A minimum donation of $15 per banker’s box or equivalent is recommended, and please no plastic.

LOCAL STYLIST ON THE MOVE

Chanya Parsons, formerly a stylist at Island Haircutters in Saanichton, has moved to White House Salon at the Brentwood Bay Crossing shopping centre, 7103 West Saanich Road in Brentwood Bay. Chanya invites her clients to join her at her new location and is welcoming new clients! Call 250-544-6333 to make an appointment.

NEW LOCATION FOR DOT NATURALS

dot.NATURALS is so excited to welcome you into their new space. Come say hello, explore the shop and celebrate this new chapter with us.

And the best part? They can finally do your refills again, so be sure to bring your empty bottles.

100% ORGANIC TO HARNESS WHOLE FOODS’ FULL NUTRITIONAL POWER

When it comes to protecting your health, everyone agrees that eating whole foods is the best way to get your nutrients. Nature doesn’t deliver naked, isolated vitamins. Whole plants provide a broad spectrum of phytonutrients, both known and unknown, that make raw nutrition the optimal source of nutrients.

Whole Earth & Sea bio-enhanced, whole-food supplements don’t just provide vitamins and minerals in their free state, we surround them with the natural goodness of raw food components that make them whole. Our free-state nutrients are captured as unbound molecules that are highly bio-available, meaning they are ideal for maximum absorption by your body.

If you asked most people what their top priority is, many would say family. But if you looked at where most of our time and energy actually go, the honest answer is often work.

We have bills to pay and deadlines to meet. But where does taking care of your body fall on that priority list?

Because the truth is, your body is already working a full-time job: regulating hormones, digesting food, producing energy, repairing tissues, balancing blood sugar and supporting your immune system ... all while you click-clack away on your laptop. And unlike most jobs, your body never clocks out.

So, imagine for a moment that you gave your body the same commitment as your full-time job. What would be on its daily to-do list?

FEED ME REAL FOOD

Your body runs on nutrients the same way a car runs on fuel. Without the right fuel, your internal systems simply can’t operate efficiently.

Highly processed food and bottomless coffees often provide calories but very little of the raw materials your body actually needs. Your cells are constantly asking for things like:

• Protein for tissue repair and hormones;

• Magnesium for muscle and nervous system function;

• B vitamins for energy production;

• Healthy fats for brain and hormone health; and

• Fibre for digestion and blood sugar balance.

LET ME SLEEP

Cutting sleep short is like skipping your car's regular maintenance. Things will keep running ... but not for long.

During sleep your body:

• Strengthens the immune system;

• Balances hormones;

• Clears metabolic waste from the brain;

• Regulates appetite signals; and

• Repairs tissues.

MOVE ME

EVERY DAY

Your body isn’t designed to sit for eight to 10 hours a day and then suddenly attempt a heroic workout twice a week. It prefers consistent movement: walking, stretching, strength training and mobility work. We need to move for:

• Circulation

• Blood sugar regulation;

• Mood and brain health; and

• Joint health.

It’s time to reframe exercise less as punishment for eating too many potato chips and more as a need your body has to keep functioning properly.

HYDRATE ME

Water is required for nearly every physiological process in the body. Even mild dehydration can affect energy, focus, digestion and circulation.

A simple strategy: start your morning with water before coffee and bring a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day.

REDUCE MY TOXIN BURDEN

Your body is constantly detoxifying chemicals from food, air, water and personal care products. While we can’t eliminate all exposures, we can reduce the load. Simple steps include:

• Eating whole foods when possible;

• Choosing glass or stainless steel for food storage; and

Treating Your Body Like a Full-Time Job

• Using cleaner personal care products.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s simply giving your body fewer obstacles.

When patients ask me what the “secret” to good health is, they often don’t like my answer, because it’s not a miracle supplement ... and it

requires work!

It may not be 40 hours a week of work, but impeccable health is built from small, consistent habits – the quiet daily tasks your body needs to perform its job well. And the return on that investment? A body that can keep showing up for the life you want to live.

Dr. Matthew Foulkes and his team are committed to providing all our current and new patients a relaxed environment with calm and quality care. Come visit our office and staff!

Our services include but aren't limited to:

• Examinations & Hygiene

• Crowns & Bridges

• Complete & Partial Dentures

• Restorations

• Root Canal Therapy

• Extractions

• Clear Aligner Braces

Animal Pride Nature's Coming Out Story

WORDS TABATHA GOLAT

April is Earth Month, making it the perfect time to highlight a documentary that celebrates the natural world in ways most of us consider unconventional.

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Animal Pride: Nature’s Coming Out Story follows host and queer naturalist Connel Bradwell as he explores queer behaviour in the animal kingdom, investigating the science of gender identity and sexuality in nature.

From same-sex parenting in seabirds to hermaphroditic slugs, the film showcases research that challenges assumptions about animal sexuality. The show also exposes how human bias has influenced scientific interpretation over the years. One example features Lindsay Young, PhD., whose research on Laysan albatross uncovered a colony where female pairs raise chicks together as mated partners. Despite confirming her findings through multiple tests, she was accused of having a “lesbian agenda.” The science, however, speaks for itself, and the documentary highlights the persistence and care required to uncover truth in the face of skepticism. Bradwell is a charming and engaging guide. His curiosity and humour keep the tone light while ensuring the science remains clear and accessible. The documentary avoids traditional narration, using playful edits, cheeky music and informal commentary to make the information approachable. He listens closely to researchers, asking questions that help

unpack their work while keeping viewers intrigued. The energy he brings makes the film feel lively and approachable, even when addressing serious topics about bias in academia.

The project grew from Bradwell’s own observations of same-sex behaviour in orcas, sparking a journey into the incredible diversity of gender expression and sexuality across species. The documentary challenges the idea that same-sex behaviour is unnatural, demonstrates how human bias has shaped scientific understanding, and offers a broader perspective on the natural world. It reminds viewers that the stories we tell about nature often say as much about humans as they do about the animals themselves, and that curiosity and open-minded observation are vital for discovery.

For Earth Month, Animal Pride is a timely reminder that nature is full of surprises and far more varied than we sometimes assume. It is a thoughtful and entertaining watch for those curious about the natural world, and it is valuable for anyone interested in science, identity, or the ways humans relate to the world around them. The film is available to stream on CBC Gem and online at www.animalpride.ca

If you enjoy Animal Pride, check out these other films that celebrate discovery, curiosity, and the richness of the natural world:

1. My Octopus Teacher, Netflix

2. Fire of Love, Disney+

3. The Watermelon Woman, Apple TV

4. All That Breathes, Crave

5. Patrice, CBC Gem

Gravity: A Force Through the Ages

Last week, my husband came home with a scary-looking contraption that seemed best suited for a torture chamber. I found out that it was an inversion machine that he had borrowed from a buddy, determined to find some relief from a hip “situation.” After a brief conversation, oblivious as always, lol, to the full “story,” he carried it off to our rec room to investigate. We are well aware of the obvious signs of aging – grey hair, wrinkles, muscle and joint pain; but how often, if ever, do we think about how our planet’s gravitational force affects our bodies or the cumulative “damage” that it causes over a lifetime?

The pretty amazing fact is that after the age of only 20, we lose an average of a half inch in height every 20 years. Gravity exerts a constant downward pull on our faces, necks, shoulders, backs, chests, organs, legs and feet. Varicose veins, swollen feet, an aching back – these are all signs of gravity taking its toll. Perhaps the most noticeable effect of gravity is on our spine – its daily pressure compresses the spine, causing the discs to lose moisture throughout the day resulting in a height loss between half an inch and three quarters of an inch daily! When we lie down to sleep, the compressive force of gravity is removed, allowing the discs to rehydrate and expand back to their original size. We are, therefore, tallest in the morning. Without gravity, astronauts can grow up to two inches taller in space. Over the decades,

WORDS SHERRIN GRIFFIN, SIDNEY SENIORCARE

constant spinal compression leads to a gradual reduction in disc height, causing the discs to become less effective at distributing pressure, leading to osteoarthritis, bone spurs and potential nerve issues as the spine attempts to stabilize itself. Flexibility is impaired and organs begin to prolapse, falling from their original position and causing them to function less efficiently leading to bladder, kidney, digestive and circulation issues affecting blood flow. Also common is an increase in waist size, without actually gaining weight. Those “love handles” that seem to magically appear as we get older are actually “compression wrinkles” resulting from the direct compression of our spines.

Many health issues that we face as seniors can be traced back to this force as old as time itself. We cannot escape gravity, but we can try to compensate for it with daily, consistent activity and exercise, by sleeping horizontally (allowing the spine to recover and decompress), and with regular chiropractic treatments to help keep the spine aligned in order to enhance mobility, reduce nervous system blockages and improve overall physical functionality.

Another good strategy: my husband’s unwittingly brilliant trial of inversion therapy, where the body is held upside down or at an inverted angle with the lower part of the body higher than the upper part. This form of spinal decompression uses gravity for the good

by elongating the spine, maintaining proper organ position, improving circulation and increasing flexibility.

Short, daily sessions – one to five minutes – can relieve back/neck pain and muscle spasms, reduce nerve pressure including sciatica, and stretch muscles. It can also be effective for treating kidney stones. Inversion does, however, raise blood pressure and slows heart rate, and should be avoided if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, eye

disease (glaucoma), or vertigo. I eventually did climb aboard the borrowed inversion machine, curious to see what all the hype was about, strapped myself in and tilted backward. It definitely took some getting used to, but afterwards I felt lighter on my feet, and almost buoyant. And, while escaping gravity entirely seems highly unlikely, while we live on this planet anyway, I, for one, am quite happy to be tethered to our beautiful, bountiful planet Earth, compression wrinkles and all.

Radio Sidney Launches Compelling Docuseries on Financial Elder Abuse

WORDS RADIO SIDNEY

This 10-episode series combines a dramatized true story with expert insights as financial elder abuse hits record levels across Canada. They appear in every community. They are charming, attentive and helpful. They arrive at just the right moment, when an older person is isolated, grieving or simply in need of company. And slowly, methodically, they begin to take everything.

Financial elder abuse takes many forms. At its most predatory, it is a calculated and long-term campaign waged against some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. Experts warn it is dramatically under-reported and systemically difficult to stop, even when family members and professionals

can see it unfolding in front of them.

The stakes have never been higher. Canada is currently in the midst of the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth in its history, with an estimated $1 trillion passing from aging Canadians to their heirs. That concentration of assets in the hands of an aging population makes the threat of financial predation not just a personal tragedy but a national concern.

This spring, Radio Sidney premieres "Beware Mysterious Mark," a 10-episode radio documentary series that goes deep inside the world of financial elder abuse. Drawing on a true story spanning seven years, the series dramatizes how one predatory “friend” systematically exploited an

elderly man, dismantling his finances, his relationships and his independence while those around him struggled to intervene.

The series is not only a story, it is a resource. Woven throughout the dramatization are voices of experts in estate law, geriatric medicine and decision-making capacity, providing listeners with the knowledge to recognize warning signs, understand the legal and medical landscape, and take action before it is too late.

"Financial elder abuse exists in every community," says Bill Collins, Producer at Radio Sidney. "It isn't just the senior who falls for a phone scam. It can be a systematic theft of everything they've worked a lifetime to build.

"Better informed families and neighbours can make a real difference, helping ensure that our seniors enjoy the healthy and happy golden years they deserve."

The series was made possible through support from the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program, which funds community projects that promote the wellbeing and social participation of seniors across the country.

"Beware Mysterious Mark" premieres in late April 2026 on Radio Sidney, with new episodes releasing weekly. The series will also be available for free on major podcast platforms, including Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Music. For more information, visit www.themarkdoc.ca.

Building Community Through Connection

timeless style for seaside living

Shop Local, Shop Small.

The Shops at Mattick’s are a unique collection of independently owned boutiques in the heart of the Cordova Bay Community.

Just 20 minutes from the ferry, airport or downtown Victoria, it’s easy to reach from any direction. Whoever said money can’t buy happiness … just didn’t know where to go shopping!

The elegant navy and white flat by MLV Shoes pairs classic polish with everyday comfort!

Refined. Comfortable. Effortlessly chic.

waterlilyshoes.com

The perfect spot, at any time of day!

Enjoy our famous Eggs Benedict, Omelette and Belgian Waffle as ALL DAY BREAKFAST!

We offer Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea, High Tea, Kid’s menu, great Desserts and Drinks.

Discover refined, contemporary style at Moden Boutique

Thoughtfully curated collections, effortless silhouettes and standout pieces you won’t find everywhere else. Elevated everyday wear and occasion dressing, styled with intention for modern women who value quality, confidence and individuality.

MODEN 778.677.6741 modenboutique.com

We bake with butter. We buy local/BC products and sustainably harvested/ ocean wise seafood first.

250.658.1535

AdriennesTeaGarden.com

Open 7 days a week.

Market Collective victoriamarketcollective.com

100% Canadian made boutique

Profiling local makers, artisans, designers and food producers offering hope and possibility out of adversity. Looking for a warm, creative and community atmosphere while shopping over 200 curated artisans? Find us at Matticks Farm, The Bay Centre and Westshore Town Centre.

locally owned, personally focused since 2021

At Cordova Bay Optometry we blend advanced technology with a curated selection of stylish frames for a vision experience that’s uniquely you. See the difference quality care makes. Now offering MacuMira treatments, a new therapy for dry macular degeneration and Jett Plasma Pen specialty dry eye treatments.

Dr. Meaghan Goddard

Dr. Lisa Meister

Cordova Bay Optometry 778.587.3937 cordovabayoptometry.ca

Victoria's favourite garden & floral experience!

Your garden expresses your love of beauty and nature. Discover exciting new plants and our show-stopping Campania garden art (exclusive to Seaberry in the Greater Victoria area), with our team of garden design experts. Or treat yourself of someone you love with one of our spectacular floral arrangements! Also at 333 Cook Street. 250.590.7333. Seaberry Garden & Flower 250.590.3777 seaberrygarden.ca

Celebrate a Personal Connection

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

Paper Chain 250.658.2725

Open Daily 10 am - 5.30 pm

Journey of Self Discovery

Via Choralis: Creating Choral Collaboration

It’s a tricky path. You’ve got to warm up those muscles and keep a steady pace. You don’t want any missteps here. And, for Pete’s sake, don’t sing too loud!

A passion for singing is at the heart of Via Choralis, a mixed-voice community chamber choir since 1999, which under artistic director Grant Harville, strive for a unified sound where no single voice stands out alone. “All of us get on the same page. It’s about listening to each other,” shares Grant. “We do a choral warm-up to get voices ready to make one sound.”

Local music enthusiasts will want to hear the musical variety of Via Choralis in its concert “Gloria” on April 26 at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Sidney. Not only will the group perform traditional choral pieces by well-known masters like Handel, Mozart and Vivaldi, but they will also feature Canadianborn composer Nathaniel Dett and modern works by awardwinning Indigenous composer, Andrew Balfour.

“The first half of the concert is a sampler while the second half focuses on Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’,” relates Grant. “Our ensemble has a more classical bent than other groups, but we also lean into Canadian identity. One of the composers we’ll feature is Nathaniel Dett, a leading Black composer from the early 1900s who was a choral conductor and pianist.”

An eclectic repertoire is not unusual for this chorus, who have shared their love of music through a diversity of presentation themes over the years. In addition, community outreach has always been integral to what they do. This month they’ll also be performing concerts at Sidney All Care and Shoal Centre.

Through the rehearsal process, choir members learn to appreciate and blend their voices and build strong connections. “We are continually learning about composers, experiencing new music and working hard to produce the best sound we can as a group. Grant (below) is a wonderful director. We are fortunate to have him,” shares Delia McCrae, President (at right). “Singing new music is a learning process that is also rewarding in many ways. It has been a great way to meet people, connect with the community, and be part of the arts and culture scene.”

It is this sense of community that resonates with Grant. “This is very much a Sidney-based group. They get such joy from the craft of creating music,” he says. “For me music ensembles

create community.”

Understanding the details of the music such as notes, tempo and harmonies, and creating the sound with others, all represents a journey for each singer. Grant reflects on how this is echoed in the ensemble’s very name. “Via Choralis means ‘choral way’,” he says. “You could look at that from a couple of angles. ‘What path do you take to do good things in choir?’ and ‘What path does that take you on?’”

Grant understands that singers come with varying skill levels and experiences, so he helps them to access the music so they can sing it. “I want to make sure we start from the place of success,” he relates. “We read through the music, first stripping it down. Maybe we will sing without the words or maybe we’ll just do the notes.”

Grant’s performance background is varied including experience as a tubist, vocalist and violist. Currently, he works with the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, Victoria Symphony, Victoria Harmony Choir and Vancouver Island Chamber Choir. He took on the leadership of Via Choralis in 2025. “Via Choralis reached out to me, and I met with the leadership. I got to hear a dress rehearsal of the group,” he shares.

His affinity for music goes way back in his life. “Music was

always part of our lives. My parents were both semi-pro musicians. Mom was a voice teacher, and dad, a church choir director,” says Grant. “I did my music studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Michigan. I like orchestral music, music and history, and conducting puts it all together.”

Whether it’s the spring concert or the presentations at local seniors’ centres, Grant celebrates the value of community in every one. “There are not too many opportunities to come together,” he says. “It’s more than an excuse to put the phone away for one-and-a-half hours. You can sit back and let the music wash over you. That is a shared valuable experience.”

Delia adds: “This choir creates beautiful harmonies and can be very dynamic. Music awakens the senses, the imagination and emotions. It is a pleasure to create and to listen to. I can’t imagine a world without music.”

Listening to others, blending vocals, sharing music and building community lies at the heart of Via Choralis. Like hiking down a new path, members face choral challenges by putting one musical foot in front of the other, working together, and making sure they have a solid “footing” in the community.

www.viachoralis.ca

Now You Hear It

Audio books are rapidly gaining in popularity, with their production values becoming increasingly sophisticated. What was once a job for well-spoken readers has morphed into a format for voice actors, some of whom are specialists in the field and others who are famous Hollywood actors trying their hands (and voices) at audio.

Set in their family’s Michigan cherry orchard, mid-Covid, three grown sisters are sequestered with their parents. They pass the time listening to their mother’s story of her long-ago summer romance with a recently deceased movie star. In flashbacks to 1988, we learn that Lara had been lauded for her portrayal of Emily in Our Town , and invited to star at Tom Lake’s summer-stock theatre. Lara falls for the then-unknown actor Peter Duke and, while their time together is short, the effect of that summer on each of them lasts a lifetime.

Listening to a book is a rich experience. The voice actor can heighten the excitement with voice tone and clarify which character is speaking, by using modified accents and diction. Audio books can be enjoyed while commuting, running or cooking, although, for most, not in bed (or not for long!). Not every book is well-suited to the audio format, and a reader’s voice may make or break the experience, but listeners will quickly learn their preferences.

Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake, read by Meryl Streep, makes a compelling entry into the world of audio books. Patchett’s books are extremely well-crafted and are delightful in the printed format, but the unhurried pace of the reminiscing in Tom Lake makes this novel, in particular, a perfect read-aloud.

The dreamy lakeside setting of Tom Lake is mirrored by the slow pace of life in the orchard. Lara’s story, edited for the ears of her daughters, portrays her sense of contentment with her life, and has its own restful quality. Meryl Streep’s reading is subtly restrained, as are her choices of character voices. She employs only small variations in speech to delineate the three daughters and Lara’s husband, so there is little disruption in the aural narrative, and the reading is as professional as would be expected of this accomplished actress.

The books below run from the Hollywood cast narration of Lincoln in the Bardo to a single reader psychological thriller and an invigorating self-improvement title. If you are new to audio books, note that the reading speed can be varied. 1.25 is a good pace.

1. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

2. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

Because Word of Mouth Matters

Sidney Centre Family Dentistry

Most new patients arrive through a friend’s recommendation. Here’s how Sidney Centre Family Dentistry honours that trust – with thorough exams, clear communication, and care designed around each patient. Finding a new dentist often begins with a simple conversation. A neighbour mentions the clinic they trust. A friend shares a positive experience. In communities like Sidney, word of mouth still carries real meaning, and many patients at Sidney Centre Family Dentistry arrive because someone they know recommended the practice.

For those new to the clinic, the team understands that the first visit sets the tone for the entire dental relationship. Their goal is to create an experience that is welcoming, thorough and transparent – helping patients feel comfortable while gaining a clear understanding of their oral health.

PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

Before arriving, new patients complete a comprehensive medical and dental history form along with their insurance information. This helps the team understand important aspects of each patient’s overall health and plan care safely

and appropriately.

Providing insurance details in advance also simplifies the financial side of the appointment. Sidney Centre Family Dentistry accepts insurance assignment, including the federal CDCP dental plan, and direct bills most insurers, so patients generally only need to pay their co-pay at the time of the visit.

Submitting insurance information ahead of time also allows the administrative team to determine what a patient’s plan may contribute toward the new patient appointment, helping reduce uncertainty and making the process more straightforward.

A COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL EXAMINATION

At the appointment, patients spend approximately 30 minutes with Dr. Braun for a comprehensive examination. The visit begins with a conversation reviewing the patient’s medical and dental history, as well as any concerns or goals they may have for their oral health. Understanding a patient’s priorities helps guide a treatment plan that reflects their individual needs.

Before examining the teeth, Dr. Braun performs a head and neck examination, screening

for signs of oral cancer and other conditions affecting the lymph nodes, jaw and surrounding tissues.

The dental exam then moves to a careful evaluation of the teeth and mouth. Each tooth is examined and documented, including existing restorations such as fillings or crowns, along with any signs of decay, wear or other concerns.

The entire oral cavity is also assessed. Areas such as the cheeks, tongue, roof of the mouth, and floor of the mouth are examined for any unusual changes that may require further attention.

Digital X-rays are typically taken as well. These images allow the dentist to see areas that cannot always be detected visually, including decay between teeth, bone levels around the teeth, and potential jaw concerns.

A TREATMENT PLAN DESIGNED AROUND YOU

Once the examination and X-rays are complete, Dr. Braun reviews the findings with the patient and discusses possible next steps.

Every treatment plan at Sidney Centre Family Dentistry is personalized and patientcentred. The team works closely with patients to prioritize dental needs while also considering insurance coverage and budget.

Often, treatment can be staggered over time so patients can make the most of their insurance benefits and approach care in a manageable way.

For patients who experience dental anxiety, the clinic offers several sedation options, including oral sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and IV sedation. These services can also be helpful for patients with strong gag reflexes or other challenges that make conventional dental treatment difficult.

Once a treatment path is

decided, the clinic’s reception team can submit the plan to the patient’s insurance provider to determine what will be covered. This allows the team to provide a clear estimate of any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.

THE HYGIENE VISIT

After the examination, patients continue their appointment with one of the clinic’s dental hygienists.

The hygienist records gum measurements to establish a baseline for monitoring gum and bone health over time and reviews personalized oral hygiene habits. A professional cleaning is then performed to remove plaque and tartar buildup above and below the gumline, helping restore optimal oral health.

In many cases, the cleaning can be completed during the first appointment. If more time is needed to ensure a thorough cleaning, a second appointment may be scheduled.

Before leaving, patients can book any recommended treatment and their next hygiene maintenance appointment. The recommended interval for cleanings varies depending on each patient’s gum health, bone levels and buildup patterns.

Preventive care plays an important role in maintaining long-term oral health, helping address small concerns before they become larger problems.

For the team at Sidney Centre Family Dentistry, the goal of every first visit is simple: to provide careful evaluation, clear communication, and care that reflects the trust patients place in them.

In a community where recommendations matter, Sidney Centre Family Dentistry is proud to earn them – one comfortable, thorough visit at a time.

Peter Dolezal is a semi-retired Sidney resident. He offers INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES to individuals, couples and companies.

To date, he has assisted more than 390 clients across Canada, principally in Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland.

No Financial Products to Sell Leads to Truly Independent Advice.

WITH Peter Dolezal

B.C.’S FINANCIAL QUAGMIRE

In February, the B.C. Government tabled its new Budget. Assuming that in March, it will have been passed substantially unchanged, it will place British Columbia on the bottom rung of the fiscal responsibility ladder across Canada.

After posting a 40% increase in spending vs. 18% revenue growth over the past five years, the forecast deficit for the current fiscal year is $13.3 billion. The province’s debt of $154 billion is forecast to reach $234 billion by 2028. Current annual interest costs of $6.5 billion represent approximately $1,300 for every B.C. resident.

Not many years ago, B.C. was a model of fiscal responsibility across the country. No longer.

The Budget does contain modest efforts at future savings. Reducing the province’s broad Public Sector of 600,000 employees by 15,000, or 0.25%, is a tepid contributor, as are some deferrals of capital spending and tax adjustments.

Among the latter is the government’s most ill-conceived tax change which will affect some 90,000 residents – changes to the Property Tax Deferral program.

To date, B.C. homeowners who have reached age 55 have been eligible for indefinite Property Tax deferment, with accumulated principle and simple interest calculated at 2% BELOW Prime Rate. The full accumulated amount became repayable only after the property was sold by the owner, or an Estate.

Under the Budget’s proposed new rules, future deferred interest would not only be COMPOUNDED but also calculated based on Prime PLUS 2% – a 4% increase.

Among homeowners affected by this change, there is undoubtedly a minority who have taken advantage of the program but do not require financial relief. Most, however, are seniors and retirees, many of whom rely on this tax deferment to enhance low or modest disposable incomes. Many will have no choice but to continue deferring property taxes despite being charged an interest rate at least 2% higher than that of a five-year Fixed Term Mortgage.

The B.C. Government’s current average cost of borrowing is 4.2%. How can government justify charging its seniors a 50% higher interest rate than it itself is paying? Clearly, it has ignored the future “ballot” impact of this policy.

The government estimates that this “adjustment” will lead to about $30 million in increased annual revenues. Had the Tax Deferment Program remained unchanged, an addition of only about 400 positions to the proposed 15,000-person attrition-based reduction in the Public Sector, would have delivered the same economic benefit for government.

Unless the Government has a last-minute “rethink” on this ill-advised policy change, the Budget will pass, with many seniors paying the price.

Consider this. If we, the residents of B.C., were to run our households in the same manner as our government, increasing spending over time by 40%, vs. an income increase of only 18%, we would very quickly be headed to an unsustainable financial position, if not outright bankruptcy.

EMPOWERING FUTURE STYLISTS: Faith’s Journey & the Evolution of Saanich’s Hairstylist Program

The Saanich School District is proud of its strong partnership with Vancouver Island University (VIU) over the past 15 years, offering the highly successful dual credit hairstylist program to our students. As VIU undergoes organizational restructuring, that partnership has now come to a natural close – but the momentum is far from slowing down. We’re thrilled to launch the next chapter of this vibrant program with a new partner: Vancouver Community College – an institution widely recognized for its excellence in trades and technical training.

While change is inevitable, it also brings opportunities to innovate, refine processes and elevate the student learning experience. What remains constant, however, are the dedicated professionals at the heart of the program.

Instructor Anastasia Antoniadis and career teacher Nicole Thibadeau will continue to anchor the program, ensuring a seamless transition and maintaining the high standard of instruction and support that students have come to expect. This student-centred approach has supported many learners over the years, including recent ILC graduate Faith Card. A self-proclaimed visual learner who thrives when she has time to do her best work, Faith shared that being at ILC “made me feel responsible to show up for myself, and it gave me the work ethic I have now.”

WORDS HEIDI HACKMAN, CAREER TEACHER, SAANICH SCHOOLS

PHOTO SARAH HARTLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Faith has always been passionate about hairstyling.

“Whether it was playing with my Barbies and giving them haircuts or making a mess of my bathroom trying to colour my own hair, I’ve always loved the thought of being able to make someone feel more confident in themselves through their hair,” she said.

“So when I found out about the program, I knew I had to take the opportunity.”

That confidence extends beyond clients. Faith’s mom, Marlena, expressed deep appreciation for the program as well: “The hairstylist program helped Faith not

only learn a skill but build her confidence and pride. She has grown up so much while doing the program, and the educators taught her not just about hair but about going out into the workforce. The program even benefited me because I got to see Faith strive to achieve so much and watch her grow as a stylist and as a person. I will cherish the times I spent in her chair getting massages and haircuts.”

Faith is now working at Haven Spa in Sidney, where she continues developing her craft and connecting with clients. When reflecting

on her favourite part of the program, she said: “Definitely all the people I met and the friendships I made. The people in my class showed me so many different perspectives and taught me a lot about myself.” Her mom echoed this, noting that Faith “built amazing relationships with the staff and students,” adding with a smile: “If I didn’t have Faith to cut my hair, I’d be getting my haircuts from the next set of students taking the program.”

Studio 63 opens to the public on April 7. For hours or to book an appointment, call 250-652-5381.

For more information on Saanich School District Career programs and the Youth Work in Trades program please contact Heidi Hackman at hhackman@ saanichschools.ca.

We answered that call with a day trip to Sandcut Beach, just west of Sooke, about an hour-and-20-minute drive from the Peninsula. It remains one of my favourite beaches to explore on Vancouver Island.

We made our customary stop at Shirley Delicious for a takeaway lunch, a warm drink and something freshly baked to fuel the adventure.

From the small car park at the trailhead, the walk to the beach is short, about 15 to 20 minutes through coastal forest in every shade of green. In spring, it can be muddy, so sturdy shoes are essential. The path is gentle but uneven in places and would be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. The final

approach is a long set of wooden stairs that lead down to the shore, where the sound of crashing waves grows louder before the ocean comes into view.

Sandcut is rugged rather than sandy, a stretch of rocky shoreline scattered with driftwood and smooth stones. The soundtrack is constant and soothing, waves rolling in and breaking as they pull the rocks away from the beach.

Head left as you step onto the shore and make your way toward the waterfall that makes this beach so distinct. In spring, it is at its best, fuelled by seasonal rain and runoff. Water tumbles straight from the river above onto the beach, creating mist, shallow streams and endless

Sandcut Beach

Spring on Vancouver Island has a way of calling you outside.

fascination for children and adults alike. I managed to be the first one to get wet, misjudging a leap across the running water.

We spent lots of time exploring and made it back up the stairs just as the tide began to creep in. The beach is easier to navigate at low tide, when

THINGS TO NOTE

more shoreline is revealed, and walking is less of a scramble.

Sandcut Beach is proof that a family adventure does not have to be long or complicated. A forest walk, a dramatic waterfall and a stretch of wild coastline are sometimes all you need to truly get out and enjoy.

• Free parking and an outhouse at the trailhead

• Dog-friendly, but dogs must be on leash

• Pack in and pack out to help keep this beach beautiful

• Consider stopping at Shirley Delicious for lunch or a treat to take with you www.shirleydelicious.ca

• Plan for a couple of hours to walk in and out and explore the beach and waterfall

Happy April from Focus Hair Design!

Focus Hair Studio Design

WORDS JUNE MURRAY DAGNALL

Six years ago, when the world changed almost overnight, so did the view inside Focus Hair Design Studio in Sidney. During COVID-19, the salon was transformed, with chairs spaced apart and protective barriers in place. The dedicated Focus team however were determined to continue serving the community safely through those uncertain times.

Today, the Focus team looks back at those pictures as a powerful reminder of resilience, loyalty and community spirit. Focus Hair Design has always had heartfelt gratitude to the clients who stood by them during that challenging period and are still part of their important family of clients today.

The team also wishes to thank the many long-standing clients with whom they work with every day, who have trusted them over the years, as well as the new clients who have recently discovered the salon, and those they have yet to meet. At Focus Hair Design each appointment booked is more than just a service: it is a relationship built on trust. It's a workplace family and a gathering space within our vibrant Sidney community. Many of the stylists have worked side by side for years, creating a strong foundation of experience, creativity, and camaraderie that clients feel the moment they walk through the door.

The Focus team is excited to shine a spotlight on their newest team member, Taryn

Detta. Originally from Kelowna, Taryn joined the salon last fall as a junior stylist and has already made a meaningful impression. She has discovered a passion for working with long hair and is eager to continue refining her skills in colour services and specialized cutting techniques. When not at the salon, Taryn embraces adventure and enjoys rock climbing or exploring the outdoors with her partner. Taryn is currently welcoming new clients and looks forward to building lasting connections. Beyond beautiful hair, Focus Hair Design is committed to caring for the environment they are fortunate to call home. As a Certified Green Circle Salon, they actively participate in sustainable practices that help reduce beauty industry waste. Through their partnership with Green Circle, the salon works alongside clients to recover and recycle materials including hair clippings, foils, colour tubes and excess chemicals, ensuring these are kept out of landfills.

From reminiscing about their pandemic perseverance to their commitment to sustainable innovation and welcoming new talent, Focus continues to evolve. Their story is one of teamwork, loyalty, and pride in serving a remarkable community, one client, one conversation, and one great haircut at a time. After all, great hair doesn't happen by chance, it happens by a Focus Hair Design appointment!

A BREATHTAKINGLY SPECTACULAR

Oceanfront Reno in North Saanich

As I drive down the narrow lane towards the sea in North Saanich, the house colour catches my eye: not whiteon-white minimalism, but the warm taupe siding and brick-red trim that is carefully matched to the arbutus trees that thrive on the waterfront lot. Homeowner Cheryl explains that her sister, Kathy, and Kathy's husband, Phil, treasured these natureinspired colours during their 30 years in the house. “Our family spent many wonderful summers with them, enjoying the beach.” Over time, the three-storey, 4,500-square-foot home became too much for them to maintain, prompting Cheryl and her husband, Martin, who were then living in Vancouver, to buy the property and adapt it to their needs. While the distinctive exterior cladding remains, inside, almost everything has changed. “The bones of the house are fantastic because

Phil had such an eye for woodwork,” Cheryl said.

The kitchen is where old design gave way to new. Wanting a timeless, inviting seaside home, Cheryl and Martin enlisted Vancouver designer Jennifer Heffel of HB Design. “I'd worked with them before and understood their style, so I created a visual concept to show the home’s potential,” Jennifer said. “A key move was opening the kitchen to the living room for better flow. We developed a cohesive palette for finishes and guided millwork and details.”

Designer Carrie Mills from Seaside Cabinetry & Design managed all the millwork. In the kitchen, the cabinets have a clean, modern Shaker profile and are painted in a soft blue grey. When deciding on the colour, Carrie held up a paint chip to the ocean view window and said, “This one is actually what it looks

like out there six or seven months of the year.” On wet days, the cabinets echo the water and sky; in sunlight, they soften. Carrie suggested the brushed-gold hardware, and it looks lovely; it warms everything up. “Martin and Cheryl were easy to work with and have impeccable taste,” said Carrie. “In the end, and with the help and coordination of their contractor, Eric Kaercher (Kaercher Projects & Construction Ltd.), everything came together beautifully.”

The 14-foot quartz-topped kitchen island features softened angles that make it easy to move around. As there is no natural gas service in this area, Cheryl and Martin purchased a workhorse of a stove – an Italian-made Fulgor Milano induction range. The glazed brick format tiles (Brick Saffi) climb the wall behind it in neat columns. A pot filler (water tap) arcs from the wall

above the cooktop. Other appliances include two Wolf ovens and a panelled SubZero fridge. There was not enough space for a pantry, so Seaside Cabinetry added a tall, deep cabinet and tucked extra cabinets into a new half-wall that opens to the next room.

The thoughtful renovation wasn’t limited to the kitchen. The lower level, once dominated by a full theatre room, is now two rooms – a bar and lounge, and, through French doors, Martin’s office. North Saanich craftsman Sean Duff built a large western maple desk for Martin. “Sean is such a wonderful artisan,” said Cheryl. The floor-toceiling cabinetry and shelving in Martin's office/snug were designed by Carrie. A stunning ceramic fish is mounted in the centre, with shelves full of books surrounding it. There is even a rolling ladder to make full use of the upper shelves.

Continuing the custom feel, white oak plank flooring throughout most of the house features in-floor heating. In the stepped-down entertainment area, the same wood transitions into an intricate chevron pattern (a V-shaped, repeating zig-zag design). For floor installer, Brad Ozard, it involved several days of intense work, cutting and fitting each piece. The entertainment space has a quartz-topped built-in bar by Seaside Cabinetry, with a dishwasher, fridge, freezer drawers, and glass-fronted storage. “It helps you move the party out of the kitchen,” Martin said. “People can sit at the bar, lean on the rail, and have drinks passed up to the level above.”

Attention to artistry is evident throughout. Of special note are the home’s many fine original paintings and a few prints, most of which they have acquired over the past 25 years through

Heffel Fine Art Auction House. Martin said that Heffel is a great source for original artworks. On the main floor, the library, originally constructed with fine wood from floor to ceiling, was transformed into a library/ bedroom rather than updated to a different look. “Phil did such a beautiful job,” Cheryl said quietly. A full bathroom is just down the hall. In total, there are four bathrooms in the home, each beautifully finished.

Upstairs, three more bedrooms join the primary suite; two of them feature French doors opening to the glass-railed ocean view deck. In the main bedroom, Sean built a burled maple bed and headboard with drawers, added gold hardware and tucked wireless charging pads beneath the surface. There are integrated reading lights that fold from the headboard. Luxurious linens and decorative pillows suggested by Muffet Billyard-Leake of muffet & louisa in Sidney add a dramatic

touch. The amazing ensuite continues the artistry and attention to detail. Marble herringbone tile covers the floor and walls, topped with trim, while larger tiles extend to the ceiling. A tiled walk-in shower, white stand-alone tub, French doors to the deck, sitting area, cabinetry, and the view – words cannot capture the beauty of this space.

In one bedroom, the wood-lined ceiling has been painted white and has recessed lighting. A second bedroom pairs with a hall bathroom where the wall tile rises in a “picket fence” layout, another of Jennifer’s ideas. A Herman Miller saucer light hangs from the ceiling. All closets have been reworked with shelves and better hanging systems. Carey Salvador, former owner of Pigeonhole Home Store and Audra Harris, owner of Ines Simone, were invited to help style the house and assist in choosing the furnishings.

Let Us Help You

Sleep Better!

Sidney Mattress – locally owned and operated for the last 7 years – we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service with a personal touch. No pushy sales tactics, no gimmicks, no ridiculous markups, just a relaxed friendly experience focused entirely on you.

The upper-level laundry has a ventless European washer and condenser dryer on a raised platform. All windows are highquality tilt-and-turn, well-suited to the coastal climate. A Life Breath air system is hidden behind a cabinet. Solar panels on the roof generate power for the house.

Outside, the once-bare concrete pad now has wood decking, with nearby garden beds and a handy outdoor shower. Steps lead down to the lovely beach, where friends swim and enjoy “gin and tubing” (cocktails while floating on a tube). Martin said he finds it a real pleasure to go prawn fishing in the Saanich Inlet within sight of their home. Cheryl summed it up: “The most important thing was keeping this beautiful property in our family.”

What a spectacular home! What a gorgeous property! Yes, I am a wee bit jealous!

Visit www.seasidemagazine.ca/SeasideBox by April 30th to let us know where you found it.

CAPTURE the MOMENT

Is Your Garden Firesmart? Free April Workshop

WORDS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL SAANICH

As spring arrives on the Peninsula, many of us are eager to get gardening. This year, Central Saanich is inviting residents to dig in while thinking ahead to warmer, drier summers and a higher wildfire risk.

Wildfires spread in surprising ways! Rather than flames, it's often wind blown embers that can travel huge distances and ignite. Our gardening choices are more important than many of us realize.

This April, a free workshop led by horticulturalist Bethany Couture brings together practical preparedness and beautiful garden design. Ryan Vantreight, Central Saanich FireSmart Coordinator, will share insights into wildfire behaviour to reduce risk without giving up vibrant outdoor spaces.

Bethany and Ryan’s top five FireSmart gardening tips:

1. Spring clean strategically. Remove what wildfires love most: dry fuel. Learn where clearing dead leaves, dried stems and accumulated needles makes a big difference and where selective tidying supports soil health and biodiversity.

2. Break up fuel ladders. Dense, layered vegetation can help wildfire climb from the ground into shrubs, tree canopies and house eaves. April is a great time to prune lower branches, thin crowded beds and create horizontal and vertical spacing in your garden.

3. Create a non combustible zone. Think of the first 1.5 metres around your home like a castle’s protective moat. Replace flammable bark mulch with gravel or stone, clean out debris under decks and stairs, and reconsider plant choices close to buildings to reduce the chance of ember ignition.

4. Plant with resilience in mind

Learn which FireSmart plants suit the Peninsula’s changing conditions (think: broadleaf plants that hold moisture). Highly flammable conifers, including juniper and cedar, are best replaced with deciduous varieties planted at least 1.5 metres away from buildings.

Hot tip: Look for FireSmart plant tags at local garden centres or visit www.firesmartbc.ca/ landscaping-hub

5. Get water wise. A resilient garden is a well-hydrated garden. From installing drip irrigation to applying compost based mulches away from buildings, FireSmart water and soil conservation can keep your garden green without wasting water.

FireSmart gardening doesn’t mean giving up beauty or biodiversity – it simply means growing a garden that helps protect your home.

Dig deeper at the free Wildfire Resilient Gardening workshop on Sunday, April 19, from 12 to 3:30 p.m. at Patio Gardens, 6536 West Saanich Road. All gardening experience levels welcome! Learn something new and get inspired for the growing season ahead. To register, Central Saanich residents can call 250544-4238 (M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or visit www.CSaanich.ca/ apr19workshop.

For North Saanich residents: on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Saanich Canadian Tire (10300 McDonald Park Road), the District of North Saanich will relaunch the FireSmart Landscaping Program with a barbecue, chips and cold drinks by donation, raising funds for Jumpstart. Residents can sign up for a free and confidential home assessment and find out if they are eligible for up to a $1,000 rebate.

For Sale

on the Peninsula

We live in a little piece of paradise; here are some featured properties for sale on southern Vancouver Island to help you experience it to the fullest!

ULTRA-PRIVATE OCEANFRONT FAMILY ESTATE

$4,999,999

RISA GAGNER*

250.899.7188

risa@risagagner.ca

(*personal real estate corp)

8401 Lochside Drive. Timeless coastal luxury awaits. Cedar shingles, shiplap ceilings, oak plank floors, rock fireplaces and panoramic ocean views. Main level primary opens to a heated, screened porch. Gourmet kitchen with top-end appliances. Two-bedroom carriage house, boat house and two 3-car garages.

MLS #1024308

PRISTINE PRIVACY ON 2 ACRES WITH SUNSET VIEWS

$1,649,900

MARIANN ABRAM*

250.884.6796

mariann@mariannabram.com

(*personal real estate corp)

BRAND NEW HOME IN BRENTWOOD BAY

$1,425,000

MARIANN ABRAM*

250.884.6796

mariann@mariannabram.com

(*personal real estate corp)

THE BROWNSTONES AT LANGFORD LAKE

$839,900

MARIANN ABRAM*

250.884.6796

mariann@mariannabram.com

(*personal real estate corp)

754 Walfred Rd. Rare estate with sweeping mountain and lake views. Updated 3-bedroom, 3-bath mid-century rancher offers vaulted ceilings, open living, brand-new kitchen and ensuite, serene primary suite, plus a sun-filled family room ideal for a studio or future suite, gazebo, gardens, workshop, and office or gym space.

MLS#1024545

6983 Hagan Rd. Brand new 2,400+ sq ft 4BD/4BA home with legal 1BR suite, gourmet kitchen, heat pump, gas fireplace, heated floors, and spa-like primary ensuite. Fully landscaped and irrigated yard. In a quiet family communityjust steps to parks, beaches, and Brentwood Bay shops.

MLS#1024612

This 4BR, 3BA townhome in sought-after Kettle Creek offers open-concept living with a chef-inspired kitchen featuring quartz counters, gas range and large island, living room with a cozy gas fireplace. Vaulted primary with ensuite, versatile lower bedroom/office, heat pump with A/C, garage, and ample storage.

MLS#1027853

DISCOVER YOUR VERY OWN SANCTUARY

$2,350,000

INGRID JARISZ*

250.385.2033

(*personal real estate corp)

OCEAN AND MOUNTAIN VIEWS!

$899,000

INGRID JARISZ*

250.385.2033

(*personal real estate corp)

OCEAN VIEWS AND COUNTRY ELEGANCE

$3,395,000

SUSANNA CROFTON

SRES, PREN, CFSP

250.385.2033

BCSelectHomes.ca

In the heart of Mount Newton Valley, this European styled home has exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace & leaded French doors. Custom built with 4 beds/4 baths and approx. 3,562sqft. Lovingly maintained & landscaped gardens surround this home, and the balance of the nearly 5 acres is an expansive nature retreat.

MLS#1027398

Experience Island living at THE HARO in prestigious CORDOVA BAY. This near-new, meticulously maintained condo offers spacious 2BD, 2BA + Den layout with ocean and mountain views, high-end finishes, a modern upscale design plus A/C, EV charging & underground parking. The perfect blend of coastal charm and urban convenience.

MLS#1022890

11333 Chalet Road, North Saanich. Custom-built, vaulted ceilings. 4200 sq ft RANCHER.

1 acre. Gated. West-facing views over the warm waters of Deep Cove, with easy access to Chalet Beach.

"Buy Land, they're not making it anymore!" - Mark Twain

MLS# 1023460

WATERFRONT, 2 ACRE, DOCK & SUBDIVISION POTENTIAL

MARYAN VAN STOLK*

250.385.2033

(*personal real estate corp)

Enchanting two-acre waterfront, complete with its own private dock, stables, cottage, & orchard. This property offers endless possibilities, subdivision potential or private oasis. English country charm, an architecturally designed home and a chance to own a piece of history in this truly unique property.

MLS#1001062

WELCOME TO DREAMCATCHER

$1,197,000

INGRID JARISZ*

250.385.2033

(*personal real estate corp)

THE "UNION" IN THE HEART OF CHINATOWN

$498,000

INGRID JARISZ*

250.385.2033

(*personal real estate corp)

West Coast lifestyle, natural beauty & sheer artistic luxury awaits! Ruxton Island offers remote privacy, waterfront living & only a short boat ride from Nanaimo. Enjoy all conveniences of living off-grid in this uniquely designed home. Easy access to your foreshore 48ft welded aluminum ramp & 20ft dock.

MLS#1005198

Exquisite one-bedroom suite offers a sophisticated retreat with captivating northwest views. Boasting 601 square feet of modern living space and featuring tasteful owner upgrades and recently repainted making this home MOVE-IN READY! Secure parking, no pet or rental restrictions and professionally managed MLS# 1024136

FABULOUS FAMILY HOME

$1,249,000

WILLY DUNFORD

250.886.0612

willy@willydunford.com

PREMIER PENTHOUSE LIVING

$1,175,000

STEPHANIE PEAT

250.656.0131

stephaniepeat.ca

ARCHITECTURAL ELEGANCE IN ARDMORE

$1,849,000

STEPHANIE PEAT

250.656.0131

stephaniepeat.ca

9524 Greenglade Road, Sidney.

Searching for a fabulous family home? This is a must see with 4 ba. 4 beds: 2 primary beds with ensuites.

Large family room andprivate South West facing backyard. Living on the main! Room for the RV!

MLS#1027724

#402-2409 Bevan Ave.

Southeast corner penthouse nestled in the heart of Sidney by the Sea, just one block from amenities and a short stroll to the waterfront. This 1,469 sq.ft. home offers a bright open-concept layout with ocean and mountain views from every window.

MLS #1023707

885 Falkirk Ave. This beautifully maintained home features vaulted ceilings, a striking rotunda with wraparound windows, bright open living spaces, and a versatile lower level. With a serene park-like backyard, this home offers exceptional comfort near trails, golf, and beaches.

MLS #1026092

WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FAMILY

$998,000

WILLY DUNFORD

250.886.0612

willy@willydunford.com

MILLION DOLLAR VIEWSEXCEPTIONAL VALUE!

$599,000

STEPHANIE PEAT

250.656.0131

stephaniepeat.ca

BAZAN BAY WATERFRONT WITH UNBEATABLE VIEWS

$1,899,000

STEPHANIE PEAT

250.656.0131

stephaniepeat.ca

2087 James White Boulevard, Sidney.

Downsizing? This one level, almost 2,000 sq ft has it all. 3 beds, 2 bath with garage and room for the RV.

Large primary with ensuite. Fabulous large kitchen and great neighbourhood. A must see!

MLS#1021889

#17-2740 Statuw Road. Enjoy sweeping ocean views from this immaculate 2-bedroom home with 1,400 sq.ft. of one-level living in the 45+ community of Hummingbird Village. Bright interiors, deck with a view, and a convenient location near Sidney, the airport, and ferries.

MLS #1025529

8503 Lochside Dr. Experience sweeping ocean views from this 2-bedroom + den home featuring manicured gardens, sunlit patios, and direct waterfront access. Enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and West Coast living with easy access to Sidney, the ferries, and downtown Victoria.

MLS #1027496

Fill the Hive Food Drive

April 29th, 2026

Do you live in the Brentwood Bay, Keating, or Saanichton area? Stelly’s Secondary School will be going door-to-door collecting food items and/or monetary donations from houses for the “Fill the Hive Food Drive ” All donations go directly to the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank which distributes more than $410,000 in food each year

We will be distributing leaflets to houses in the areas mentioned a week before the date of the food drive to give houses advanced notice of our collection date Please have your donations ready and on your front steps by 4pm on April 29th in the bags provided

If you do not receive a leaflet, donations can be dropped off at designated collection sites: Brentwood Elementary, Keating Elementary and Central Saanich Municipal Hall between 4-6pm Stelly’s Secondary School between 4-7pm

Seaside Guide: What to See & Where to Be

APRIL 2026

Vocal Connections Song Circle

The Vocal Connections Song Circle is a friendly, non-judgemental community and each participant plays a role in creating that atmosphere. The experienced singers help to fill the sound with their strength which allows the reticent singer to find their notes and develop confidence. Instrumentalists on guitars and ukuleles round out the sound.

The Song Circle has been running since December 2023 and has two goals:

The first is to support the mental health and well-being of our community by being an inclusive, welcoming, informal song community.

The second goal is to be a flexible welcoming space for the least experienced singer to the “lifers.”

Meetings are on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Paul's United Church – 2410 Malaview Avenue, Sidney. Participants contribute $5. For more information contact: jcfast1957@gmail.com.

APRIL 1ST-30TH

Beacon Community Services Income Tax Service

SHOAL CENTRE 10030 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY

CENTRAL SAANICH CULTURAL CENTRE 1209 CLARKE ROAD, BENTWOOD BAY

Beacon Community Services will once again be offering free income tax filing for low to modest incomes (under $40,000/year). Returns must be simple; no self-employment. The group can file up to 10 years back. No appointment necessary. SHOAL hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Brentwood Bay hours Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more info call 778-351-1993 or email incometax@beaconcs.ca

APRIL 3RD 9AM-8:30PM & APRIL 4TH 12PM

Stations of the Cross Contemporary Art

SAANICH BAPTIST CHURCH CENTENNIAL PARK CAMPUS 7577 WALLACE DRIVE, SAANICHTON

This Easter, experience contemporary art that powerfully conveys the story of Jesus' journey on the day of his crucifixion. Come experience the ancient story. For more Information: bianca@aaid.ca

APRIL 5TH 12-2PM

Peninsula Celebrations Society – Easter Egg Hunt

DOMINION BROOK PARK 8801 EAST SAANICH ROAD, NORTH SAANICH

The Peninsula Celebrations Society invites families to hop over for some fun. Children are invited to bring their Easter baskets to Dominion Brook Park. Find hidden eggs, visit the Easter Bunny, and enjoy games and activities. The “Hunt” will start at 1 p.m. www.peninsulacelebrations.org

APRIL 9TH 5:30-7:30PM

Vancouver Island Regional Library Writers Support Group

SIDNEY / NORTH SAANICH BRANCH 10091 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY

Develop your writing in a supportive environment in this member-led group. Share your writing with other writers for encouragement and feedback. Welcoming writers of all genres and experience. Drop-in. 250-656-0944 for more info.

APRIL 17TH 2PM

CSSCA Speakers’ Series

THE CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ 1229 CLARKE RD, BRENTWOOD BAY (NEXT TO THE LIBRARY)

“Get Out of Jail Cards: do our bail and parole systems harm public safety?” Stephen Howell speaks on this interesting topic. Members $2; non-members $5. 250-652-4611 for more info.

APRIL 19TH 12-3:30PM

Resilient Gardening & FireSmart

PATIO GARDENS 6536 WEST SAANICH ROAD, SAANICHTON

Having a wildfire-resilient garden is becoming increasingly important for homeowners. This practical, engaging workshop helps residents understand wildfire behaviour, identify vulnerable areas in their yards, and take proactive steps to create a more wildfire-resilient landscape. Participants will learn how to make informed choices about plants, mulches, groundcovers and ongoing maintenance, as well as how to adapt to changing climate conditions and protect their homes without giving up a beautiful garden. www.patiogardens.ca

APRIL 22ND 7:30-8:30PM

Arbutus Singers Spring Concert

ST. ELIZABETH’S CHURCH 10030 THIRD STREET, SIDNEY

Inspiring and uplifting music performed in a fundraiser for Hanti Sidra One Global Family, a Sidney-based charity that has supported excellent work in Africa for more than 30 years. Proceeds this year will assist refugees in South Sudan fleeing the genocidal war in Sudan that has created the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Tickets $20 per person or $50 for a family, available at the door. Call 250-884-9243 or email hantisidra@ gmail.com for advance tickets or more information.

APRIL 23RD 6-8PM

Poem in Your Pocket Day

SMALL GODS BREWING 9835 THIRD STREET, SIDNEY

Poetry is a vocal art, which is meant to be heard in the reader's voice and experienced as sound, just like a song or conversation. Gather and read poetry aloud to each other in a fun, informal way. Please bring a short poem (one that fits in your pocket) that you would like to share with the group or just enjoy listening. Hosted by the Sidney / North Saanich Library. Telephone: 250-656-0944.

APRIL 24TH 7PM

Taizé Prayer and Meditation

ST. JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH 10990 WEST SAANICH ROAD, NORTH SAANICH

With Diego Barrientos and friends. No cost. Info: 250-661-3362.

APRIL 25TH/26TH 10:30AM-3:30PM

Central Saanich Lawn Bowls Club

CENTENNIAL PARK 1800 HOVEY ROAD, SAANICHTON

Central Saanich Lawn Bowls Club is hosting two Open Houses. Come give it a try! Flat-soled shoes are required. jcwake@shaw.ca

APRIL 26TH 2PM

Via Choralis presents Vivaldi's Gloria

ST. ELIZABETH’S CHURCH 10030 THIRD STREET, SIDNEY

Hear this uplifting work in its entirety, with guest soloists and musicians. Directed by Grant Harville and accompanied by pianist Kinza Tyrrell, the choir performs Gloria and other works, classical and contemporary. Tickets are $30 and $10 (children), available at Tanner's Books, from choir members or online at https://tinyurl.com/y2xcrnfw

APRIL 26TH 2-4PM

The Aerie Trio

CENTRAL SAANICH UNITED CHURCH 7180 EAST SAANICH ROAD, SAANICHTON

The Aerie Trio (flute, cello and piano) will be returning to Saanichton to present the eighth concert in the Musical Melange series. This enchanting group will play arrangements of familiar classical music. www.augmentedtriopromotions.com; www.centralsaanichunited.ca

APRIL 28TH 2PM

CFUW SPEAKER SERIES

MARY WINSPEAR CENTRE, ROOM 2 2243 BEACON AVENUE, SIDNEY

Speaker: Dr. Gina Harrison, University of Victoria. Topic: The Benefits of Reading. As a professor of educational psychology as well as a registered psychologist, Professor Harrison understands the synergy that reading creates. It can build neural networks in our brains that were not there before and can also establish links between language and, in turn, culture. She believes that reading is indeed the spark we all need to learn, live, and flourish. The meeting is free to members and guests and $10 for non-members. For more information: www.cfuwsaanichpeninsula.org

Cruisin and Groovin Dance

SHOAL CENTRE 10030 RESTHAVEN DRIVE, SIDNEY

All aboard for an evening you will not forget. Join SHOAL Centre for Beacon Community Services' Cruisin' and Groovin' event; a cruise-themed dance that begins with an exclusive Captain's Cocktail Reception. Enjoy a fun night of live music performed by local band Take Cover, dancing and cruise-themed activities. Tasty bites and good company. All proceeds support vital programming at SHOAL Centre. Early Bird tickets available until April 1 for $75; regular price tickets available for $100 after April 1. Tickets are available for purchase at SHOAL Reception (in person or via 250-656-5537) or at https://cruisin-and-groovin.raiselysite.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH MONDAYS | 10AM-12PM

Saanich Peninsula Stroke

Recovery Association Communication Group

10-11am: Social time – coffee/tea/cookies. 11am-12pm: Individual groups for:

• those requiring speech improvement led by a Speech Language Pathologist

• those with physical disabilities led by a Kinesiologist

• caregivers, led by an experienced convenor www.spstrokerecovery.org

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH MONDAY REHEARSALS | 7-9PM

Sidney Concert Band

A proud part of the Peninsula vibrant arts scene in its 38th season, this all-ages ensemble welcomes newcomers with at least three years’ experience on your instrument. Musicians are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes early for rehearsal with your instrument and music stand. Percussion instruments are provided, but bring your sticks. Most importantly, bring a smile and get ready to have fun. Visit www.sidneyconcertband.ca.

VIRTUAL TUESDAYS | 10-11AM

Seniors Speak Toastmasters

Saanich Peninsula Toastmasters offers a great way to speak and socialize from the comfort of your home. For details about this online opportunity, email mastermotivators4671@gmail.com with the subject line: Seniors Toastmasters. Visit https://1288.toastmastersclubs.org

BEACON BREWING FIRST & THIRD TUESDAYS | 2-4PM

The Socrates Café

Do you enjoy philosophy and exploring a variety of topics and perspectives with others? The Socrates Café, part of a global movement designed to inspire curiosity, nurture self-discovery and grassroots democracy, invites you to drop by to listen, share your thoughts and meet new people.

CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIVING 50+ FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAYS | 1-4PM

Afternoon Bingo

These everyone welcome games take place in the lower hall, next to the Public library. Hot dogs are for sale at noon both Wednesdays.

2ND THURSDAY | 2-3:30PM

EMAIL SEASIDEGUIDE@SEASIDEMAGAZINE.CA

SUBMISSION DEADLINE 1ST OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH (E.G. APRIL 1 FOR MAY ISSUE EVENTS)

Caregivers Connect: B.C.’s Virtual Caregiver Café

This peer support group is open to all caregivers. Please register at https://form.jotform.com/230336162808251 or email cgsupport@familycaregiversbc.ca.

SEASIDE STORIES

Last Word

Touch grass has become a popular phrase online, usually meant as an insult telling someone to step away from their computer and reconnect with reality. This April, with Earth Month in full swing, I’ve been thinking about the phrase differently. Taken at face value, it might actually be very good advice.

Living on the Saanich Peninsula means we are surrounded by some of nature’s finest work. Incredible beaches, rolling farmland, winding forest trails and rocky shorelines are never far away. One of my favourite spots is near Coles Bay in the Ardmore area, where the rhythm of waves against the rocks and the open stretch of sky seem to slow the world down.

Having a dog certainly helps ensure I get outside. Toby and I walk every day, often exploring new paths or revisiting familiar haunts. Along the way I find myself noticing the small details that are easy to miss when life gets busy, like birds hopping through the grass gathering twigs and soft bits for their nests. After Toby gets a brushing I sometimes leave small tufts of fur outside and feel a quiet delight when I see them carried away. Watching the birds work feels like witnessing a secret collaboration with nature. The air after a heavy rain smells earthy and fresh, and when sunlight breaks through the clouds it feels like the world gently announcing its presence again.

In many ways, this issue echoes that same invitation to reconnect with the natural world around us. On page 18, a look at Canada’s Nature Prescription explores how spending time outdoors is increasingly being recommended by healthcare providers as a way to support both physical and mental well-being. On page 79, a visit to Sandcut Beach captures the simple joy of letting a landscape shape the day.

Spending time outside may be one of the simplest of all the self-care habits. Sometimes the best thing we can do is step outside and touch grass.

Tabatha Golat, Editorial Director

Tabatha Golat

These puppies may have already found a family, but there are many animals waiting for their forever homes at www.victoriahumanesociety.com PHOTO

Discover the Artistic Splendour at the SPAC Spring Show Exhibition and Sale

WORDS SAANICH PENINSULA ARTS & CRAFTS SOCIETY

Welcome to the 73rd Annual Saanich Peninsula Arts and Craft Society (SPAC) Spring Show Exhibition and Sale, a vibrant celebration of creativity and craftsmanship at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. This year, the event promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring an astonishing array of over 2,000 artworks from SPAC members.

Join us on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are only $15 online at https://spacsociety. com/2026-spring-show/ showtickets/ or at the door

during the event.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of floral displays, pottery, jewellery, paintings and sculptures. Marvel at the intricate designs of fibre art and the exquisite craftsmanship of woodworks. This extraordinary exhibition showcases the incredible talent and creativity of our local artists.

Don't miss the chance to see the standout pieces designated as “Juror’s Choice” and cast your vote for your favourite artwork with the Viewer’s Choice Ballots. With 15 door prizes up for grabs,

every visitor has a chance to take home something special. The excitement starts early with Patrons Night on Friday, April 24. This exclusive event features wine and hors d’oeuvres, live music, and early access to the galleries. Mingle with the artists and gain unique insights into their work.

Patrons Night tickets are $175 for two people, which includes a $100 gift certificate to use in the galleries – a perfect way to support the arts while enjoying an elegant evening out. But don’t delay! Tickets are only available until noon on April 17 and can be acquired through

the SPAC website at: www.spacsociety. com/2025-2/patrons/.

This year’s SPAC Spring Show Exhibition and Sale is not just an event: it’s an experience. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a collector or simply looking for a delightful day out, there’s something for everyone. Visit the gift shop for smaller items and keepsakes that capture the essence of the exhibition.

Mark your calendars and join us at the Mary Winspear Centre for a celebration of art, creativity and community. We look forward to seeing you there!