Li's Blog: British Columbia: Salt Spring Island

"Celebrating the good life on Salt Spring!" is the header on the ads for this weekend's Salt Spring Jazz Fest!    Lots to enjoy!   Great musicians, food, and wine -- 8 concerts, 3 feature venues.  Mistaken Identity Vineyards, Salt Spring Island Cheese, Salt Spring Vineyards.  Plus, 13 exciting shows at 7 local pubs and eateries.   Aug 13 to 15: check the website for exact times, specific locations, who's playing where and when (www.saltspringjazzfest.org).   Weekend passes available!  Wow...such talent!   Don't miss this annual event.

Photosynthesis opens with a reception on Aug 18th, 5 to 7:30 p.m., at ArtSpring, and the show runs to Sept 7th.  This is the 10th year of this exceptional photography show, and there will be 24 photographers showcasing their work.   Lucky us!

Julia Luccich's This and That show opens today, at ArtSpring, and there's a reception on Friday, 6 to 8 p.m.   The reception will include wine from Gallery 8's new label.  Be inspired by Julia's evocative and whimsical paintings!

Do not miss the Diana Dean show at Starfish Gallery...delve into the artist's development over the past 30 years, up to and including a newly finished master work.   Show runs to Sept 6th.   Exceptional!

Treehouse continues with its 111 days of live music:  tonight it's Chamigos, Friday enjoy the amazing Planet Music, Saturday be sure to catch the so talented Darryl Chonka, and Sunday close out the Jazz fest with El Jose's Cuban Dance Party!   Wow!

ArtCraft's showcase work is M.D. Hennessy, SOULS.   Opening reception Friday, 6 to 8 p.m., with ArtCraft open daily, 10 to 5, in Mahon Hall.

Gallery 8's Exhibition features JD Evans and Bob Leatherbarrow, Aug 13 to Sept 4th, with an opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday.   Inspiring!

ArtSpring's feature till Aug 15th is the Sibling Revelry show -- two brother and sister teams showcasing the creativity that clearly runs through this family tree!   Enjoy!

Fiddleworks 11th Annual Fiddle Camp is underway from Aug 16 to 20, with an instructors Showcase Concert, at ArtSpring, 7:30 p.m.  It features 11 of North America's Top Folk Musicians!

Harbour House Hotel's music lineup, this weekend:  Friday it's Cecile LaRochelle and Co., part of Jazz Fest, Saurday it's Sweetwater and Co., more Jazz Fest, and Sunday it's the superb Flora Scott Trio (again, a Jazz Fest offering).   Remember, Aug 20th, welcome the Shag Harbour Band!

So much more....Saturday Market in the Park, Ganges Galleries all open (Steffich Fine Art, Gallery 8, Starfish, Pegasus, Jill Louise Campbell, Salt Spring Gallery of Fine Art), coffee spots showcasing painters and photographers, home studios all open to welcome you...

Summer on Salt Spring!  The place to be!

Here's a wonderful opportunity to own a 6 + acre oceanfront property, with 450 +/- feet of easy access beachfront, on special Salt Spring Island!

Sunny (e/s/sw exposures), private, quiet, in an area of fine homes (estate style properties), close to all services/amenities, and yet wonderfully "apart", in its own serene world, this land has drilled well in place, a roughed in driveway to good building site choices, and the land is zoned for main home, plus separate guest cottage, plus separate studio. 

Expanisive panoramic views of ocean, islands, mountains!

Share in park reserve (only 5 oceanfront acreages in this bare land strata, plus two oceanview lots), plus boat launch/beach area.    

A "south end" gem!     Bring your architect, and let's walk this one, soon.

www.liread.com

Looking for a blend of grandeur and style, meshed with rural charm?    Here it is!    

The stone work on this formal entry is locally created, and the builder is a designer / contractor, who has moved here from Ontario.

The location is in Pringle Farm, a wonderful and quiet enclave at Salt Spring's prestigious "north end".    Sunny (s/sw/w), with expansive ocean, island, and mountain vistas, and close to beach and lake accesses (warm ocean swimming in this area!).

Triple garage, for those classic cars, too!

Warm woods, "great room" concept in living/dining, with cook's dream kitchen, deck off with outdoor kitchen/barbecue area...library/den off living, and lovely master sitting, with ensuite.

Lower (garden) development, too.  

A family would be happy, here, plus a professional couple workinng from home would also appreciate these generous spaces.

Easy to show...give me a call, and let's investigate your next lifestyle!

Here's a superb builder, with design flair and quality construction, that I'm happy to bring to your attention.

The interesting thing is that it's a family business, with Bruce Gamble and his sons involved in the design and execution of very fine homes.


The Pringle Farm Road gem awaits your pleasure -- wood floors, accents, custom window treatments, ocean vistas, spacious decking to expand summer living pleasures, triple care garage for those classic beauties, easy care landscaping, privacy and peaceful surround, very sunny (sunsets from here, too!)...."as new" home, and you will love the stone entry.


The Sunset Drive property enjoys a pond feature, and has a stellar guest cottage nestled into the gently sloping pastoral landscape. The main home offers wood floors, custom accents, great kitchen, a warm family opportunity...would also suit a professional couple, working from home. This parcel is a short stroll to a beach access (warm ocean swimming in this area), and it is adjacent to significant park land....walk trails for miles, if desired!

Meet the Gambles...these new homes are ready to just move into and to enjoy, and they welcome calls on your land parcels.

June 20, 2010.

Mona Fertig, of Mothertongue Press, has a book launch, today, at Lions Hall, at 8 p.m. Her 14 years of research has produced a long-awaited biography of George Fertig...his exceptional paintings and his life in the underacknowledged B.C. art scene, in mid-century Vancouver. A major solo exhibition of George Fertig's luminous paintings is currently underway at the Burnaby Art Gallery, until July 11th. This book is a part of the Unheralded Artists series, and can be ordered through Mother Tongue Press, or find at local art galleries, too. (A special thing to do on Father's Day!).

This is the final day of the exceptional Masterpiece Weekend art exhibition at ArtSpring...don't miss this. Superlative work, by 24 very different artists. Then, wander through the Ganges Village galleries, all of whom will be open for your viewing pleasure, this special weekend, too.

Live music venues, for your pleasure also, at: Moby's, Treehouse, Harbour House Hotel, Fulford Pub....the usual eclectic mix!

A classic car buff? Then this a.m/early afternoon, Qualicum Beach hosts their annual show and shine, and it truly is one of the best! A 20 minute ferry trip from Vesuvius to Crofton, and approximately one hour and fifteen minutes later, you're in Qualicum Beach (take the "new highway", all the way).

Also a day to pack a picnic, and to try some beachcombing (Vesuvius Beach, beach at end of Arbutus Road at Southey Point, trail to beach on Trincomali Channel, also reached off Southey Point Road, Beddis Beach, Drummond Children's Beach at Fulford Harbour, Ruckle Park, Mt. Maxwell Park, the Burgoyne Valley Park, anywhere along North Beach and Walker's Hook Road....enjoy!

Dine out on Father's Day, too, at: Harbour House Hotel, Moby's, Calvin's Bistro, Auntie Pesto's (yes, they are now doing Sunday dinner, through to end of August), Salt Spring Inn, Seaside Kitchen, Fulford Pub, Rock Salt Cafe...special menu items to spoil the "Dad" in your life!

Longest day of the year is with us....get out there and enjoy!

Don't forget to tune into my live radio show, tomorrow, Monday, 7 to 9 a.m. (Pacific Time), at 107.9 fm or www.cfsi-fm.com (click on "listen now", just underneath the photo on the website). Same thing on Wednesday, now, too. Thank you!

Here is a yesteryear treasure, beautifully restored, and with all of today's amenities! Very private, sunny, Harbour views, delectable garden, lawn for croquet games, heirloom orchard, sunsplashed patio with fountain, like a little bit of "south of France", right at your doorstep...this beauty is close to Ganges Village (can walk there, plus to Sailing Club, if desired), and offers lots of options!

Could have a very busy B & B here, if that's your pleasure. Or, an exceptional family opportunity. A professional couple, working from home, would also find this a very gracious living space.

Large country kitchen, separate laundry, pantry off, formal dining room, lovely and inviting formal living room, verandah style porch off living, self-contained "wing" on main level could be guest/inlaw option, or B & B potential. Upper level (storey and a half design) offers two bedrooms, full bath, plus master suite with ensuite bath. Basement, too!

Tack room/storage structure could be a studio space, for an artist...set in the enticing garden.

www.liread.com/1666.htm

This is a very best buy opportunity for this kind of property, on special Salt Spring Island. Call me, for appointments to view (liread33@gmail.com ).

Beautiful 8 + acres, dramatic ocean/islands/mountain vistas, property remains in appealing "natural state", with fenced garden areas (room for flowers and for veggies, here!).

Lovely pond feature!

Appealing "west coast contemporary" architect-designed home, ready to just move into and to enjoy! Perfect for a professional couple, working from home, or as a stylish family opportunity.

Sunny, quiet area of fine homes, close to park hiking/walking trails, and just minutes to all amenities/services offered by Salt Spring's enviable year round lifestyle...enjoy!

www.liread.com/1629.htm

Here's a terrific opportunity to own sunny and private waterfront, in an area of very fine homes (Scott Point), for a "best buy" price. Tax assessed value is $990,000. The property is listed at $799,000.

There is an upgraded cedar cottage, open plan living/dining, with galley kitchen, bedroom off, full bathroom, plus "loft" sleeping area.

Expansive decking for summer living pleasures, and a hot tub with a view. Oceanside deck, too!

The plus? There's a foreshore licence in place -- build your dock and keep your boat at home.

Sunny (s/sw/w exposures -- sunsets, here!), easy care landscaping, property in "natural state", and easy to expand the cottage, or, use as summer/weekender for now, and build your dream home later!

Don't delay on this opportunity to enjoy excellent oceanfront on the premier Southern Gulf Island!

www.liread.com/1543.htm

You might not have been a boater before arriving on Salt Spring Island, but as soon as you get here it's hard to ignore the alllure of the sea!

So many ways to "get your feet wet", too.    Sea kayaking is a true thrill...you're at eye level with the seals, and if you're very quiet, you can suddenly be among them as they troll up and down Ganges Harbour.    Two kayak companies train you, and they often practice in St. Mary Lake, too, just to familiarize you with a roll over, etc.   The first "sea voyage" is often a trip to Chocolate Island, which is right in front of this dock.  

On the horizon in this photo, one can just make out San Juan Island itself, in the U.S. San Juan grouping...so close to the Canadian Southern Gulf Islands!

Mariners call this entire area the best protected boating waters in the world, and in the summer season, whether gunkholing around the Gulf Islands/San Juans, in a sailboat, or powering up to Desolation Sound, it's always a welcome stop on Salt Spring Island.    The Saturday Market in the Park is a reason to hit Ganges, to reprovision the boat!

The Sailing Club teaches one to sail, if you're a novice, and the race schedule is a great way to both meet people and to sharpen your skills, before becoming your own skipper.    Wednesday evenings in the Summer season, and every Sunday in the Winter season.

You know it's summer, too, when it's time for the annual Round Salt Spring Sailing Race...sometimes it's dead calm, the race is called, and sometimes it's the kind of howling gale that makes me wish I were already back at the dock.

Yes, I admit it...I'm a fairweather sailor.   

Moer info about the seaside experiences on special Salt Spring Island?    Call me!