Topics

Port of call

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:28:00 -0800

By David Jordan

In a floor-length skirt and quilted vest, Sarah Morgan-Silvester is the picture of West Coast casual. Her unlined face framed by a simple bob, the youthful 48-year-old greets a visitor to her spacious waterfront office with a relaxed smile.
Meet the new face of corporate Vancouver.

Industrial revolution

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:32:00 -0800

As Vancouver’s unrelenting real-estate story continues to hog headlines, now is a good time to step back, take a breath and ask a few big questions. How exactly did we get into this prolonged hot market? Where is it taking us? What are the consequences for B.C.’s economy?

Fight club

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:56:00 -0800

By Jessica Werb

Harrison comes by his weaponry honestly: he’s an accredited fight director, choreographer and stuntman – in addition to acting and making radio appearances on JRFM as Nick the Guy, doing stunts such as bicycling through an automated carwash.
He’s also a case study in why it pays to have more than one skill.

Pitcher perfect

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:49:00 -0800

By Jessica Werb

The most colourful object in the studio may well be Birstein herself. Hair done in multiple braids, a bright bindi decorating her forehead, the youthful 56-year-old is sporting leopard-print leggings under a sparkly black skirt, a one-shouldered, short-sleeved leopard-print blouse over a brown velvet top, and what look to be platform Birkenstock sandals with rhinestone-encrusted buckles.

Editor's podcast: Monte Paulsen

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:15:47 -0800

"Who is the man behind the condo boom?"

Neighbourhood watch

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:52:34 -0800

By Peter Mitham

When a 300-square-foot house hit the market in Toronto last year at an asking price of $179,000, it was an instant media sensation.

Yes, it was outrageous. But here in Vancouver, a recent Century 21 Canada survey touted a 412-square-foot one-bedroom downtown condo as just the thing for first-time homebuyers. The price? A mere $281,000, or $682 a square foot. The Toronto shoebox? Just $596 a square foot.

Yoga battlefield

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:50:32 -0800

by Valerie McTavish

Downward dog eat dog

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:14:06 -0800

By Valerie McTavish

It’s day two of the grand opening weekend at Bikram Yoga White Rock. The evidence of renovations – a Shop-Vac, paint cans and scattered tools – are hidden behind a closet door downstairs. The stairs lead up to a cube cabinet on which a sign is posted imploring visitors to remove their shoes.

Some pairs sit tucked into the cubbyholes while others have been kicked off and lie haphazardly on the floor. There is a tangible excitement in the air as well-wishers greet and hug Jennifer Hanover, the owner.

Treasure island

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:58:12 -0800

By Ryan Stuart

Its security system is what also makes it a refuge for U.S. draft dodgers, pot growers and escapists: isolation. It is here, in this unlikely location, that Tolling Jennings and Ray Lipovsky are literally minting money.

“What we originally wanted to do was get precious metals into the hands of people in the Gulf Islands to support the economy and to get precious metals back into the currency,” Jennings explains.