The Whiffin Spit Christmas Tree

When I first came to Sooke to look at the house I eventually bought, I took a walk out Whiffin Spit. I knew nothing about the community that would become my home and my chosen place to start a family. I didn’t even know what Whiffin Spit was, I was just driving around exploring and found this cool seaside park with a light at the end of the path. It was just after Christmas, and as I meandered along the path, in addition to the many friendly people I saw and lots of dogs, there it was, this tree.

A lone Sitka Spruce, perched somewhat precariously on this exposed, windswept, salty spit of land. It had been decorated with all sorts of different ornaments. It was clear to me immediately that it was something special, and the eclectic array of ornamentations amused me. The salmon flashers and other bits of maritime and fishing-related items hung from its boughs and other home-made items made me think “How West Coast is this?!” I’ve enjoyed visiting the tree every year since and today went down to the spit to snap a few pictures for you.

With everything from plain old Christmas balls to driftwood, this is a real display of Island culture and I was amazed once again at the variety. There were many cute kids’ crafts on the tree, and also a number of touching tributes to lost family members, both human and canine, which is fitting as the Spit is a favourite for both to stroll.

I think my favourites are the ornaments fashioned from fishing gear, floats, and crab trap bait containers:

So, who decorates the tree every year? Well of course, it’s a public park, so anyone is welcome. But there is a group of local elves who has been taking care of the decorating and un-decorating of the tree since 1995. Read the interesting story, and learn about how you can help, here.

A bit of a bonus to my stroll down on the Spit today were the waves. They were big. I used to live very near the Spit so I know that’s not terribly uncommon in the winter, but it was a lot of fun to watch, and to photograph. The sun even poked its way through the clouds for a while and it looked spectacular. Here’s my favourite of the wave pictures. See more on Facebook.

The weather forecast isn’t great for Christmas, but I hope you’ve had a chance to stroll by the Tree in the days leading up – we’ve sure had spectacular weather for December. But if you haven’t, make sure you head down when we get a break in the weather like we had this afternoon! Below are all the pictures I took of the tree today. Merry Christmas, Sooke (and beyond)!

T’was the week before Christmas, and you’ve done it again – no presents, no gifts; shopping left ’til the end!

It’s the same old story every year. You tell yourself: “Next year, I’m starting my Christmas shopping in September!” and yet here we are, with gifts still to buy, packed parking lots in Victoria, and eggnog to drink in the fridge (which is much more fun). So why not finish up (or start and finish) your Christmas shopping here in Sooke? Here are a few suggestions:

Fossil Watches - Available at Bombora

Bombora Gifts - Everything from gourmet food items to artisan teas, to watches, décor and local artwork, Bombora has it all (shameless plug: it’s also for sale). Pop in and see what unique items you can find for the special ones on your list.

Markus works his craft

For  food lovers - Gift certificates from any of our wonderful local restaurants. Upscale casual cuisine at Stone Pipe or The Edge. Classic diner fare at Mom’s Cafe. Fine dining at Markus’ or Sooke Harbour House. Pub food at Mulligan’s or Buffy’s.

Craft beer makes a great gift

Beer, wine, and spirits - For a smaller community, the selection available in Sooke is quite good. the BC Liquor store is a little too small to stock a huge variety, but it’s pretty decent. And although it might be a bit late, they can order in just about anything you can think of, if somebody on your list has a taste for, say, a rare scotch or a Côtes du Rhône you can’t otherwise find. They also offer gift cards! The two private stores (at The Castle and Buffy’s) have a great selection, too. If you have a beer nerd (like me, perhaps) on your list, Buffy’s has an amazing selection of the large ‘bomber’ craft beers from many of our local breweries in the Victoria region and beyond. You can often find the limited release beers there long after they’ve sold out in Victoria. And don’t forget Tugwell Creek Meadery. Mead, or honey wine, is a tasty and unique gift and is 100% local.

For the kids - The Bees Knees consignment is the go-to place for kids’ items in Sooke. Judy has an amazing selection and stock is turning over all the time so there are always new treasures to be found. My wife has gotten so many things for our daughter there, many of them brand new, with tags on! A great way to save some money while spoiling a little one in your life. A newer store is Sugar and Spice, located near Stone Pipe.

Coffee: the perfect gift - My wife and I love to give our relatives on the mainland gift baskets of Vancouver Island products. Often in these baskets is a pound of locally-roasted coffee from The Stick. They also have awesome ceramic and travel mugs, stickers, hoodies, and more. Gift cards are also available for the stockings!

Photo: Sheringham Light by Jason van der Valk

Art and Photography - Sooke is a haven for art and artists – why not grab something unique and locally made. Paint, sculpture, fibre art, and photography are just a few of the media that you’ll find displayed in local galleries and of course the Sooke Harbour House. Check out local photographer Jason van der Valk for stunning local landscapes, or why not buy somebody you love a photography session with him? The Reading Room Cafe has an art show and sale from local artists all month long. For links to artists, see the Sooke Community Arts Council site.

Computers, video games, and tech - The new Shoppers Drug Mart has quite a good selection in the back of the store – digital cameras, video game systems and games, music players, cables and accessories, and more. Local computer guys Salish Sea Technologies can do upgrades, repairs, or put together a new system for you, even on short notice. They also have a selection of accessories and laptop bags – drop in and sea them (above the pet shop).

Woof.

And speaking of pets - Wiskers and Waggs never ceases to amaze me  with their great selection of pet supplies and accessories. Make sure your four-legged friends are taken care of this Christmas, stop in and pick something up!

As you can see, it’s easy to get your shopping done locally, without braving the roads and parking lot mayhem of Victoria. Good luck – and now if you’ll excuse me, I have some presents to buy!

 Do YOU have any suggestions for last-minute gifts in Sooke? Leave it in the comments below or on my Facebook page!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Evergreen Centre

As many of you know, it was reported last week that Evergreen Centre (the Western Foods mall) was sold to Partners REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust). The sale completes this month. I had the opportunity to interview Adam Gant, CEO of League Assets Corp, a Victoria-based company which manages the REIT. We talked about League and what their plans are for Evergreen Centre and their track record with similar properties on and off the Island.

A real estate investment trust is sort of like a mutual fund, except that it is made up of (usually income-producing) real estate properties instead of stocks and/or bonds. The REIT looks for, negotiates and purchases properties its managers believe will produce income for the trust, and provide a return on investment for investors.

League Assets sought out Evergreen Centre because the REIT tends to focus on retail properties which have anchor tenants such as grocery and drug stores. Evergreen was attractive because of the long-standing Western Foods and the brand new Shoppers Drug Mart. The new medical centre (which is going in where the old Shoppers was) is also a draw. These stores and services are everyday necessities, which are somewhat recession-proof, and are a reliable source of revenue. Adam also noted that the centre is over 96% occupied, obviously an important factor.

We talked about Sooke in general and how it is poised to be the next big growth area. Adam mentioned what many of us here in Sooke already know – that outsiders – in particular, off-island people – see Sooke as a separate community, far-removed from major metropolitan areas. But being Victoria based, League knows that Sooke, more and more, is part of the greater Victoria region and South Island economic region. The continuing redevelopment of our downtown and investment in the form of commercial properties like the new hotel, and Mariner’s Village are further proof that Sooke is a sound place to invest.

League has a track record of improving the properties it manages – one example is up-Island in Duncan, where they completely redeveloped a centre which formerly housed Wal-Mart, greatly increasing its appeal and value. Their plans for Evergreen are no different. While the centre’s buildings are in decent condition, it could certainly use a facelift, and simple cosmetic improvements are contemplated. Adam also talked about the office component of Evergreen and how it could be made more useful and accessible by adding an elevator. He also hinted that there is still room on the site for another building, a possibility that may be explored in the future; League tends to hold properties for the long-term rather than improve and sell.

I’d like to thank Adam Gant for taking the time to chat with me and welcome him and League Assets to Sooke. It’s good to have Evergreen Centre under local ownership and management once again. I’m excited to see what they do with the property.

If there’s one guy who loves the Sooke region as much as I do, it’s my pal Jason at Discover Sooke. Jason was the first friend I made when I moved to the Island 6 years ago. He and Mrs. Discover Sooke eventually decided to move out here from Langford and haven’t looked back.
Jason was recently asked to produce three TV commercials for Sooke, which will be aired on TSN when they broadcast the Sooke Subaru Triathlon that was held on August 7. Below are the videos, and they are, in a word, outstanding. I’d move here all over again if I saw these on TV.

What do you think? Do these make you want to Discover Sooke?

The Sooke Subaru Triathlon On Whiffen Spit

For the past five years, approximately 600 elite and amateur athletes have come to Sooke to compete in the Subaru Western Triathlon Series. Set against our lush coastal rainforest location and rugged, varied terrain, the triathlon has been a popular event and it’s about to get more popular.

This year’s event, on August 7. 2011 is going to be broadcast nationally on TSN! The format this year also includes an exciting ‘chase’ feature, which will set the women against the men for exhilarating moments at the finish line. Based on a mathematical formula, the women will be given a head start on the course ahead of the men, to level the playing field and create some exciting man-vs-woman races! Olympic Gold Medal skier Ashleigh McIvor will be in Sooke to participate in the race, using it for rehabilitation after an MCL injury.

This should be the biggest and best event so far, now that the brand new Prestige Oceanfront Resort is the host hotel and conference centre. In conjunction with the race, a Sooke Sport and Wellness Trade Show has been added this year.

Volunteers are needed for the following:

Expo Set-Up: Thursday, August 4 –Varied shifts, noon to 8 pm
Pre Check in/Expo/Race Set-Up: Friday, August 5 -  Varied shifts, noon to 8 pm

Registration/Body Marking: Saturday, August 6 – Varied shifts, 9:00 am to 6: 00pm
Race day: Sunday, August 7  – Varied shifts, many positions, 5 am to 2 pm - Take down 2 pm to 6 pm

If your church/sport/community group can get 25 or more bodies to help out, the District of Sooke is offering honoraria in varying amounts – a good opportunity to get exposure for your group and some cash!

Volunteer registration can be done here.

More information about group volunteering or any other questions can be directed to Sarah Temple at the District of Sooke, the volunteer coordinator for this event. Sarah can be reached at 250-642-1634 or stemple@sooke.ca

The long wait is over!

Sooke has its first full-size commercial hotel, and it’s a beauty! Nestled on the shores of the Sooke Harbour, The Prestige is quite a sight – and offers visitors and guests spectacular views and service, tasty dining options, and a full-service spa.

I had the pleasure of joining Mr. and Mrs. (and baby) DiscoverSooke for dinner at The Mix by Ric’s – one of the dining options at the hotel – for dinner last night. The spectacular view over the harbour is visible from almost every seat in the restaurant and bar. Sooke has needed something like The Mix for a long time – an upscale casual spot right on the water.

Overall, we were impressed. The service was spectacular, the dining room was gorgeous and perfectly appointed, with large, comfy chairs and that view! Despite a few hiccups attributed to the first few days of opening, dinner was great. The menu has something for everyone, and focuses on seafood, fresh salads, steaks, and pastas. We were told that soon the Sal’s Prime (a steakhouse) menu will also be available, so you’ll have two choices when dining. The prices were by no means cheap, but reasonable considering the quality of the food and the location – much less than you’d pay in a downtown waterfront hotel – that’s for certain.

I had had a late lunch so I opted for a couple of tapas – Kobe beef meatballs and calamari. The meatballs were exquisite – lots of garlic and just a hint of spice, with a tangy basil marinara sauce, fresh bruschetta, and parmesan cheese. The calamari was a little overdone, but I still enjoyed it. My wife had an absolutely gorgeous spinach salad – complete with candied pecans, smoked gouda, and tart apples –  to which she added grilled sockeye salmon. Mr. and Mrs. DiscoverSooke enjoyed the tuna offerings, including an amazing tuna poke and a tuna rocket salad.

Baby DiscoverSooke enjoyed munching her cheerios, pureed prunes, and broccoli brought from home –

Kobe beef Meatballs at The Mix by Ric's

While the bar was not set up – I had a look at their offerings. I was told there will be over 120 different bottles of wine available, just about any spirits you can think of, and the beer selection is varied also. I perused the draft offerings and saw they had mostly, if not all, local or import selections – Sapporo, Guinness, and local favourites Phillips (Blue Buck, Hop Circle IPA) and Vancouver Island Brewery (Piper’s, Islander, and I think Hermann’s). Prices are reasonable, around $6.50 for an 18oz pint, and they have great nightly drink specials. A few I made a note of were Monday (pints for $5) and Wednesday (2 oz martinis, $6). The bar is in the centre of the room and has plenty of seats, and a couple TVs for sports nuts.

I also snuck a peek at their breakfast/brunch menu. Great choices and very reasonable prices, with most items in the $9-14 range – I’ll definitely be checking out breakfast there in the near future. If you’re a local, be sure to ask about Prestige’s VIP program!

With their first conference arriving today, the staff and crew at the Prestige has been working pretty much around the clock to finish preparations – and I think they pulled it off beautifully. Congratulations to the team that made it all come together, and best of luck for a great future here in Sooke!

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

The pillars look even larger than from the road

I was invited to take a hard hat tour of the brand new Prestige Oceanfront Resort and Convention Centre on the waterfront in Sooke. Their first Vancouver Island property, Prestige has pulled out all the stops and has created something incredible on our shores.

Everything is going to be top-notch and elegant. The hotel is much closer to the harbour than I had anticipated – the views are simply stunning and most rooms will enjoy a great view of the harbour, basin, East Sooke, Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains.

The bar at the oceanfront Sal's Prime Steakhouse in Sooke at the Prestige Resort

A worker puts the finishing touches on the wine racks at Sal's Prime in Sooke

In addition to the main restaurant – Sal’s Prime Steakhouse and Bar – there will be a sushi bar, and The Mix by Ric’s cocktail bar. Sal’s Prime features a huge waterfront patio which will feature gas fireplaces to keep warm on windy Sooke evenings.

The Public Boat Launch continues construction beside the Prestige Sooke Resort

I also had a tour of the rooms – most are just about complete, right down to the wall finishes, carpets, and luxury bathrooms. Some of the deluxe rooms feature hardwood floors and jetted tubs. Many have private balconies which could only be described as massive – perfect for enjoying the view and the sunset with friends and family.

Massive private balcony for one of the rooms at the Prestige Hotel Sooke

The resort will also feature an ocean-view pool with doors on to a terrace to allow guests to take in the sun and the sea breezes. The health club will also have memberships available for local residents.

A worker works on the pool at the Prestige Sooke Oceanfront Resort

There is a buzz going around town and everyone is excited about this new addition to our community. While it looks like there is still a lot of work to complete before their early April opening (there is a convention booked), the hotel will be ready, shining and bright , to welcome guests to the New Sooke.

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

It’s not hard to see when you drive by the spectacular waterfront site that this landmark property is nearing completion. I was contacted yesterday by Prestige to let me know that they will be hiring for positions at the new hotel and conference centre, with a hiring fair of sorts occurring this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday – January 12, 13, and 14, 2011.

They will be accepting resumés and applications for all positions in person at the Sooke Harbour Marina Resort, 6971 West Coast Road (map| streetview), right next door to the hotel site from 10-2 on Wednesday, and 1-5 on Thursday and Friday.

Interested? They are hiring for the following:

Guest Service Agents:

Prestige Hotels & Resorts is currently seeking Guest Services Agents to join our team at our new resort, The Prestige Oceanfront Resort & Convention Centre Sooke. This position offers exceptional growth opportunities within the Prestige Hotels & Resorts chain.

As a candidate for this position, you must have excellent communication and telephone skills, a strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and the ability to relate to the public in a friendly and professional manner.

Catering and Convention Coordinator:

Prestige Hotels & Resorts is currently seeking an experienced Catering & Convention Coordinator to join our team at our new resort, The Prestige Oceanfront Resort & Convention Centre Sooke. This position offers exceptional growth opportunities within the Prestige Hotels & Resorts chain.

As a candidate for this position, you must have excellent communication and telephone skills, a strong attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and the ability to relate to the public in a friendly and professional manner.

Room Attendants:

Prestige Hotels & Resorts is currently seeking Room Attendants to join our team at our new resort, The Prestige Oceanfront Resort & Convention Centre Sooke.

As a candidate for this position, you must ensure hotel quality and guest satisfaction at all times, work as a team player, and be physically fit in order to fulfill this entry level position.

All interested candidates should check out the Prestige website for more information about the potential employer and download an application form to include with their resumé.

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

Lifestyle Photography by Jason van der Valk

Capturing Lives

Local Sooke photographer Jason van der Valk has broadened his focus and is now accepting clients for intimate lifestyle shoots, in the comfort of your home, or a favourite outdoor location. Many of you may be familiar with Jason’s landscape and scenic work, but it is only recently that he has used his talent to capture beautiful, natural, intimate moments between families in a natural light setting.

Jason has had an eventful year, to say the least, including the birth of his first child. It is from these events that has emerged in him a new appreciation for the special moments a family shares, and how important it is to capture these in a meaningful, natural way.

Unique Approach

You won’t be in a brightly lit studio or be forced to wear matching plaid for a photo destined for Awkward Family Photos. Instead, Jason prefers to shoot using mostly or all natural light, and in a location you choose – your home, or perhaps a special outdoor location that is meaningful to you. He encourages clients to be natural and does not force poses or clichéd smiles. The results are stunning and beautiful. Jason has put together packages for all occasions and offers real value. Each photo is much more than a photo – it’s a treasured piece of artwork that will be enjoyed for generations. Make sure you check out his video packages also.

Contest!

Jason is giving away two lifestyle photo shoots, and you can win! Just see the contest page on his site to find out how to enter. He is also offering 15% off photo shoots for a limited time.

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

Cyclists get a great view of Sooke Basin on the Goose.

A few weeks ago, my Twitter feed for Sooke turned up a post from a justifiably irate cyclist from Vancouver, who heard about this little town called Sooke at the end of a fantastic little bike trail known as the Galloping Goose. Much to his chagrin, to actually get to Sooke from the Goose required hopping off the trail and heading west along Sooke Road (Highway 14). As we all know, the only road in and out of Sooke is very busy at peak periods. Not surprisingly, our friend from Vancouver didn’t exactly feel safe, and was even introduced to one of our more, shall I say, colourful locals in a “… giant pick-up truck who … while honking loudly … roared away… giving us the finger…”

Way to welcome the visitors, buddy.

Anyway, his scathing blog post got me on the defensive, because I knew that the town had already recognized the problem and had been working to fix it. In fact, Joe the Cyclist posted an update with quotes from emails he’d received in response from Mayor Janet Evans and her staff (good job!).

The District of Sooke has been contemplating a separate crossing of the Sooke River for cyclists and joggers for quite some time. And, as it turns out, the design work for this project is well underway. At The District of Sooke Community Open House on October 21st, residents (and visitors) are invited to give feedback about the four proposed designs. All four designs will also include the associated connecting trail networks to link the Galloping Goose with the east-west trail network north of Sooke Road/West Coast Road that has been quietly building out over the past decade or so. Construction of the crossing is expected to take place in 2012.

Another thing that Joe mentioned was the lack of cycling-friendly facilities in the town centre. Even something as simple as a bike rack was difficult to find outside a business. This is something the Chamber should get behind – perhaps a bulk buy of some bike racks or arranging sharing the cost outside a central location near several businesses. Also mentioned was the lack of a bike rack at Whiffen Spit Park. Cyclists are not allowed on the Spit, but should certainly still be provided a safe place to secure their bike so they can enjoy the best views in Sooke along the Spit.

I’d like to thank Joe for his constructive criticism of our cycling infrastructure. It’s direct input like this, from visitors to our town that carries the most weight for improving our increasingly tourist-based local economy.

Thoughts? Opinions? I’d love to hear from the business community, if you’re reading.

The District of Sooke Open House will take place on Thursday, October 21st, 2010. It starts with a tour at Municipal Hall from 1:30-4:00 and then the open house at the Sooke Community Hall, Sheilds Road, from 4:00-8:00. More information can be found in the latest District Quarterly.

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

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