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!

As some of you know, I’ve been working on losing some weight and getting back into shape. It’s a typical story: boy is single, boy gets in shape. Boy meets girl, boy marries girl, fitness goes out the window, especially with all the ‘sympathy eating’ during girl’s pregnancy. Believe it or not, this was me just five years ago:

Slowly, surely, I became this:

*May not actually be me

So, understandably, I needed to do something about it. In addition to joining the gym at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke, I met up with Michelle from MIJO fitness at a Sooke Chamber function. Michelle told me about her FITCamp program and I was intrigued. One of the things I’ve always hated about working out is the routine. Doing the same exercises and running on the treadmill gets excruciatingly boring after a while, and it’s easy to lose interest. Michelle promised that I wouldn’t be bored and that I’d get the best workout of my life.

She was right.

The fresh air alone is invigorating, and fall temperatures are perfect!

MIJO FITCamps are held outdoors at various parks and public facilities around Sooke (and there is a separate program in Colwood/Langford too). I arrived last Tuesday evening at Journey Middle School not really knowing what to expect. It started out easy enough, a short jog around the parking lot to warm up. Then it got serious. Michelle put us through our paces with some tough circuit training. There were giant step-ups, long jumps, and push ups followed by more running. And then stair climbing, squats and rows, and more push ups. And more running.

Giant steps

By 30 minutes in, I’m sweating profusely and I’ve already drank all my water. What’s next? More stair climbing, some stretchy-tube lat exercises, and – you guessed it – more push-ups. Finally we’re done – cooling down in the evening air and stretching our tired muscles. I felt amazing after the workout and couldn’t wait for the next class.

Michelle briefs the group on today's boot camp

Some things I noticed about the bootcamp. Every exercise Michelle had me do seemed a lot easier than it actually was. I would think ‘no sweat,’ and sweat I did. Michelle knows how to make her students really work. There are lower-impact options. Michelle makes sure that everyone can participate and offers alternatives to all the exercises to ensure that no one is left out or unable to perform the training. And finally, I was the only guy in the class! Why more men don’t take advantage of these classes, I really don’t know. It was fun, the fresh air was great, and it’s much more interesting than slogging away in the gym. And let me tell you – I haven’t ever been that sore the next day from a gym workout.

If you’re looking for a challenge, and something different than the ol’ gym routine, contact Michelle and sign up for FITCamp – you’ll be glad you did!

PS – if you’re not following me on Facebook, you’re missing out – like What The Sooke?! on Facebook!

One of the many beautiful displays at Bombora Gifts

$150,000

 Here is your opportunity to own a  turnkey, established boutique right in the heart of the growing community of Sooke, on Vancouver Island, BC. Bombora Gifts specliazes in quality gift items for all occasions, candles, gourmet foods and teas.

 The current owners have spent years cultivating relationships with suppliers both local and international to bring the best into their boutique. The business is profitable and reliable, and is now ready for somebody to take it to the next level. Bombora enjoys great local clientele who know that Bombora is the go-to place for something truly unique and special. The selection rivals that of any downtown boutique. The shop also enjoys repeat business from the many visitors to Sooke, an increasingly busy year-round destination, having just celebrated the opening of a brand new resort and conference centre on the waterfront. More information on this fabulous opportunity can be found at http://TimAyres.ca/87

• What I wanted the logo to look like
• How to begin to think about it
• Whether or not I would change the name of 642Blog
• How happy I would be with the result!

The first thing Jason suggested was to email him with examples of logos that I liked. This way, he could get an idea as a designer what types of logos I would be happy with. So I scoured free and stock logo sites. What I wanted was a modern, fresh look that expressed the type of business I am in. So, naturally, houses come to mind, or rooftops, stylized gables, etc. I found it hard to find examples, however, that weren’t, well, trite.

Below are some of the examples I sent to Jason. See if you can pick out the design elements that he incorporated into the finished product.

Another element that I was drawn to were lighthouses. Being in a coastal community, this is obviously a natural. However, I had the same problem as before – it just seemed hackneyed and clichéd.

Jason emailed me the first results – it was starting to come together:

From my feedback we went here – a little too bright for my liking:

And then:

Finally we settled on this:

And this as an alternate:

It’s perfect. I really like how Jason put this together, using so many of the design elements that I like. The house sits atop the green hill, evocative of a lighthouse perched on a rocky shore. The stylized wave denotes a coastal theme and the typeset is bold and stands out.

While the logo for this blog is much more simple, it too is exactly what I wanted. The speech bubble indicating a conversation about Sooke – your comments will be that conversation. The ? signifies answering questions about Sooke and real estate in general, which is what I do here, and the ! denotes excitement, which I think we can all agree there is lots of in Sooke these days.

I’ve wanted a personal logo/brand for several years now, and had always been daunted by what appeared to be a monumental task. Jason helped bring that to fruition and I am forever grateful to him for it. If you ever need a brand or logo designed for your business – contact Jason - his approach is beyond comparison and the results will be spectacular! Jason can also be found on Twitter, usually at @DiscoverSooke.

Do you have a brand or logo you love? Share in the comments below!

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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The Prestige Hotel is slated to open in February 2011

Every day I drive by the site of the new Prestige Hotel and Conference Centre on the waterfront in Sooke. It’s been fun and exciting to watch it all come together. This amazing facility is scheduled to open in February of next year, and since my last update, they’ve announced some more exciting features:

• The restaurant in the hotel will be Sal’s Prime Steakhouse – just looking at their menu makes my mouth water!
• A Bistro called The Mix by Ric’s (as in Ric’s Steakhouse) will feature tapas, martinis, and a lounge
• There will be a coffee bar and bakery
• Indoor pool, hot tub and fitness facility
• Waterfront spa

I stopped on the way home last week and snapped a few pictures of the construction:

Work on the exterior cladding has started

Look at that view!

Immediately beside the hotel will be a public boat launch, whose construction is also underway. The District of Sooke recently updated the progress of construction and the project scope in their District Quarterly Newsletter.

I can’t wait to see what this place is going to look like when it’s finished!

-Tim Ayres – Sooke Real Estate Professional

Your comments are welcomed and encouraged!
Just use the form or link below this post.

You can bookmark this post using the button below,
or subscribe to this blog for free updates using the big buttons on the sidebar!