Tag Archives: Real Estate

November 2011, Salt Spring Island, BC

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November, 2011.

At this time of year, it’s a mix of settling into a softer season, with an emphasis on holiday celebrations, with family & friends, and also a time for business planning for the following year.

I often think of November, December, January as the “fallow field” moment…we drop inward, to the root level of our lives, the surface appearing quiet, not much happening, and yet below ground there’s all that prepping for the next phase…a “getting ready for the new” time.

It’s essential to look back, to take stock…an inventory check is always important. Then it’s a plan focused on going forward, encouraging new momentum, using what still works while creating new paths.

This is a very buoyant shift moment in time, with a technology explosion that continues to erase old business models…anyone of us is capable of rewriting the business plan in order to be creatively current.

A good idea, then, to use this fallow field segment in our year, to make sure we’re swimming in the pool of now, and not hanging onto past methodologies. That means making sure all our systems are proactively using technology and that we are also reconfiguring our systems to benefit the consumer.

The consumer is now enabled and is in control of information outcomes. It’s a pull forward concept, not a push out plan. Profound shift….

Global economic uncertainties abound, still. Perhaps the insecure scenario is the surround sound for our time…perhaps shift, instability, upheaval, change is the ground we now walk upon? Important, then, to remember to “flow”…trying to stop a flood means we’ll be swept under. “Go with the flow” was the old hippie ethic, and it’s one to remember.

A good idea to go for a 15 minute walk, every day, to experience physical movement in the natural world. At this time of year, where trees are stripped of leaves and nature is pared down to its essentials, we can be inspired to be thoughtful and so to catch at our particular pathway forward. This kind of rhythmic pause is a form of walking meditation, and may be helpful in awakening our editing function.

Easter Island Ahu Tongariki

Easter Island

In change lies opportunity. We need to be a little quieter so “our” opportunity can come forward…this fallow field moment at year’s end allows us to calm, and then to go forward, renewed. That’s when we will notice our individual opportunities.

Big picture concerns out there, of course…government bailouts, debt defaults, currency instability worries, societal breakdowns, deflation vs inflation arguments, and at the end of October, the seven billionth human was born. Food, water, a safe place to live, health care, education…the same needs to be met, for all of us. In Africa, the bulk of the population is under 16. Interesting….

So important, though, to practice peripheral vision, and not to fall into the tunnel vision encouraged by the “shout media”. Peripheral vision captures the creative response that leads to discovery and that is the pathway out of fear. A time of shift/change is unsettling…remember the mantra: go with the flow.

In this lovely Pacific Northwest Coast area, we are lucky to be surrounded by natural beauty, in a protected & still quite pristine region…remembering the attitude of gratitude is important at this time of year, too.

Looking to relocate to a Salt Spring Island or a Southern Gulf Island or Southern Vancouver Island property? Call me! Good choice of properties in all prices/types, continuing low interest rates, prices reduced substantially over the past three years, a very pleasing lifestyle opportunity…a time to step forward, as a buyer.

I look forward to sharing my knowledge, of both inventory and of market trends, with you…maps, information on all listed properties, links to professionals to advise on immigration & legal issues, a full service real estate experience, to benefit you. I look forward to helping you to discover this beautiful area!

How may I help you to buy your Gulf Island / Salt Spring Island property? Call me!

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Salt Spring Island: Arts, Music & History

Salt Spring Island: Arts, Music & History

Well done, Birgit Freybe Bateman! 70 photographs are crated and on their way to Russia (to the Stroganoff Palace
of the Russian Museum, to be exact). This retrospective of Birgit Bateman’s amazingly evocative and thoughtful photography is called: “Mindful Vision”. On Island, we’ve been lucky to view Birgit’s work at such presentations as ArtSpring’s “Photosynthesis” show. The “Mindful Vision” show will be seen during the peak tourist season, between July 2 and August 30.

Salt Spring Woodworks has had a name change: same location and same beautiful offerings, just a re-name to Duthie Gallery. A physical change to the gallery itself mirrors the name change. The evocative Summer Lights exhibit will be back in July/August, Thursday to Monday, 9 to 11 p. m. Currently, the gallery is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or by appointment.

Alan Gerber plays Moby’s tonight, a dinner music show, $12 cover charge, show at 8 p.m. It’s a WOW…wave if you see me!

Saturday, May 14th, it’s an opening reception at Starfish Gallery in Grace Point Square…featuring Susan Haigh and introducing Beverly Chicoine. Show runs from May 14 to June 4th.

Mark your calendars: Viva Voce performs at ArtSpring, Saturday, May 28th, 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 29th, 2 p.m. Conductor: Debbie Toole, accompanist: Chris Kodaly.

House concert, May 14th, with John and Michelle Law: folk, bluegrass, acoustic country. RSVP to 250-537-1059, plus ticket info.

ArtSpring benefit on Saturday night: Joy Kogawa will read from her lifetime of award-winning creative work, at ArtSpring Gallery. MC will be Briony Penn. The evening is presented by the Land Conservancy of B.C. Doors open at 6:30.

Tonight is a very important evening at Mahon Hall. The Salt Spring Arts Council‘s steering committee for a new arts school will present a distillation of recent community conversations at a wrap up session. Starts at 6:30…see you there!

Don Conley presents Back to Bach…the last presentation of Simply Organic, for the Spring season. Don will explore the development of the concerto form during the Baroque period, which was a time of flowering of emerging musical forms. Mark your calendar: May 18th, 10:10 a.m., at All Saints by the Sea. Lucky Islanders, to have this in our midst!

This Saturday, the Salt Spring Island branch of SPCA invites the community to an animal-themed day of fun. From noon to 4 p.m., at location below Gulf Islands Veterinary Clinic. Check this fund-raiser out!

Live music venues: Harbour House Hotel, Friday, Saturday, Sunday! Moby’s Oyster Bar (Alan Gerber tonight). Treehouse Cafe…tonight, catch Peter Prince. Friday, it’s the so talented Billie Woods. The 111 nights of live music (Music Under The Stars) begins in May 16th!

The Salt Spring Forum presents Maher Arar, at ArtSpring, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. He speaks on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Middle East. Call ArtSpring for ticket info.

Lots to see and to do…enjoy the Spring Season!

Easy Living | Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Real Estate Easy Living!

One-level, well-built and maintained home is nestled in privacy among its own forest of almost 2 acres. yet is centrally located within easy proximity to Ganges Village, marinas, golf, pool, library, theatre, restaurants and shops.

The residence features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, master ensuite, open plan-living, woodstove, cosy wood floors, small country kitchen.

A real plus is the former garage has been completely renovated to provide an attached tenant or guest suite, with its own kitchen / dining / sleeping area & bathroom.

This home is in a sought-after location, ready to move in and enjoy!

Vargas Island

Vargas Island


65.48 acres off the west coast of Vancouver Island, about 20 minutes from Tofino, via small boat.

A wilderness island retreat awaits your pleasure on totally unspoiled Vargas Island, located in the pristine Tofino area, near Brabant Channel.

This Island paradise offers miles of beaches, old growth forest, your own hiking trails, and the majestry of the Pacific Northwest coast surrounding you!

More about Vargas Island

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Neighbourhoods on Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Island’s real estate and the Gulf Island’s appeal comes not only from our rich culture and natural beauty, but from the real estate of the Island’s neighbourhoods.

A sense of “community” abounds on Salt Spring Island and the neighbourhoods are no exception. In fact, quite the opposite.

Brinkworthy Place is a “planned adult community on Salt Spring Island”

Channel Ridge … in their own words:

Set Yourself to Island Time

Channel Ridge

Channel Ridge | Salt Spring Island

…Welcome to a new adventure in living. Welcome to Channel Ridge. So near yet so very different. So familiar yet still so exotic. It’s everything you’ve been looking for. Inviting. Warm. Intimate. Totally Salt Spring. Totally Gulf Island. Yet built entirely for 21st century tastes. Prepare to be fulfilled.

Magic Lake Estates
Residential development on Pender Island featuring both Lakefront and Oceanfront properties.

Maracaibo Estates