QOL

I cherish my stays and moments at Intercontinental Hotels. I am a fan and have an affinity for the experiences. Here are two conversations with top administrators in two of the many properties that circle the world: Athens and Lisbon. In world capitals Intercontinental is the go-to for quality and care. The level of high touch service makes these a touchstone: enjoyment is their genuine goal.

April Fluevog offers more than clarity if you are dealing with an estate... especially if you agreed to be the executor of a will... and you have a house to clear of its contents before it can go on the market. That is another daunting task! What should you dispose of... what should you keep? Visit Simply Estate Services – Senior Transitions & Estate Clearing Listen to this episode and learn a...

Our cities are changing so rapidly. Solid sixties and fine fifties homes with fir timber beams and real hardwood flooring are not trash. My guest Glyn Lewis is not just saving materials from landfill, but his company is helping on both ends of the transformation. For the contractor/land acquisition company who might just demolish this is a much better route. www.renewaldevelopment.ca comes in with...

Ever notice how sometimes you don't meet people until it is the right time? I walked by Harbourview Church and Living Edge so often, but curiosity never prompted me to look into their streetside gathering spot. Then one day I had to step in and ask what they were about. In this episode of QOL learn how Neil, Terry, and so many volunteers ensure those who have need are given the opportunity to...

I was delighted to find Red Truck Lager at the bar in the Ward Room. Kyle Murphy tells me it is in other military messes. We connected at the annual Formation Fun Day at Work Point and likely our paths had overlapped many other times in the past. Come along for some Vienna Lager and talk about beer generally. It is that season for fall in a glass.

Maybe you have given blood, or maybe plasma? This conversation with Ann Chabert at blood.ca in Saanich is a valuable introduction for some, and a reminder for others: the need is great, local and national. We talk about who donates, what the motivation could be, and the cohorts that participate. Could it be you? Find out how here, or go to: www.blood.ca/en/blood/donating-blood

I came across posters in Oak Bay and thought "what a great concept!" And what a delight it was to have a conversation with Nicole Ashlee. She is your "Granddaughter for Hire" and can offer everything from conversation to all sorts of supports. Older adults will find her a friendly ear and highly engaging; she is here not just when you need a hand, but when you may be experienci...

Hidden disability? Well, we see a cane - maybe a hearing aid - and we know this person might have had an injury, or a challenge for life... but what if the hurdle is anxiety or autism, or arthritis, or dementia? Wearing a lanyard or pin with the sunflower is a discrete way to say "I need more time to understand," to move, to answer, or to board a plane, or to have security at the airport...

What a delight to have a conversation with Jasmine Montgomery. She represents several progressive wineries of Argentina. Her 15 year stay brought her into contact with more than Malbec. The "emblematic" grape of the country is still riding a wave of enthusiasm but it is joined by many you have yet to taste. What was once a country of lighter and more fruit forward styles for domestic con...

What is the effect of noise on your life? We now know hearing loss can contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Ingrid Bouday joins me in conversation about quiet, silence and noise; specifically human made noise both persistent and punctuations in our day. Her group "No More Noise" advocates for healthier, calmer, quieter communities. The focus has been Toronto, but it now operates on a globa...

Pandora's 900 block (and more) is ground zero for violence, homelessness, drugs, and anti-social behaviour. VicPD is obviously involved in quelling the volume, but others are also putting an effort in to make it safer for everyone. Collaboration with so many is the only way to damp the unrest. Meet Mirko Filipovic of Themis Security. He and his team are visible, active and pro-active. They man...

Our world depends on shift workers. They are our emergency workers: police, fire, ambulances... and nurses, doctors, and so much more. Our transportation system functions 24/7 as does much manufacturing. We don't shut down and maybe the 9-5 world of work is becoming mythology. Audra Starkey knows late nights and early morning starts from her years in the Australian aviation industry. She speci...

At some point the stairs become a challenge. The laundry room may be in the basement, and you just can't do it anymore. There could be a health crisis or a fall. Suddenly your forever home is a burden what with gutters to clear, and maybe a roof that needs care. James (Jim) Stover to the rescue. They can provide end to end services that declutter, replace that long outdated look and not just r...

Highways 69 is a vital piece of our provincial and national highway system. If that is true why are 68 kilometers still just 2 lanes? Deaths and injuries from collisions (many head-on) continue to mount. Does Queen's Park hear the pleas to act? MPPs France Gelinas and Jamie West have launched a sticker campaign to add to the calls for action. In this episode France speaks on the history, curre...

Wave back to Adrien Smart. He brings Hazel's Ice Cream Bars to the Thursday Esquimalt market. What a treat! Inspired by Hazel these locally produced bars are now in chain grocery stores - you can even find them in the Yukon - and so many unique spots like country fairs and festivals. Great flavours and always on the quest for something new/novel they are made from BC dairy. Apologies for the s...

The countdown is closing in on the last days of the Snowbirds. This Canadian airshow favourite is soon to fly no more. In Victoria they arrived at YYJ after a flypass to celebrate the BC Aviation Museum's unveiling of their piece of history. The crowd cheered and the huge turnout celebrated current and past pilots who arrived for signing of memorabilia. Listen to the stories from those in atte...

A Master's graduate from Milan Margaret Ross is now in Manhattan. She has done so much with menus and design in hospitality that we could talk for hours including about airline food. Here we have a conversation about restaurants, presentation, what's hot and what's not... and of course the line-ups for seats at any eatery in New York. I have a feeling Margaret will be back on this prog...

In the air - at altitude - your senses are diminished. Put food in your mouth and it can seem flat and shallow. Most inflight caterers could add salt, seasonings/spices, fats, or sweet elements. Dr. Yana has created a fresh option that triggers sensations and expressions without more of everything. "Dr. Yana Steudel is a chemist and flavour designer who brings scientific clarity and creative...

I thought I knew all about Vancouver Island wineries so it was delightful to start a conversation with Mike Nierychlo. He and his wife Robin are not just growing grape but raising a family on this little piece of paradise. A truly quiet corner of the Cowichan Valley you will find this a delightful destination. Come along and let's visit with Mike.

So maybe you are 50, or 60, or life throws a curve ball at you... what systems are in place to be that safety net? Have you saved enough? Did you ask to be "downsized" or pushed aside? Skills are lost, and corporate knowledge/wisdom disappears, but often no one cares except the worker who is laid off or retires early. These situations and more are shared from an Australian perspective by...

What could really improve your quality of life? I believe crossing off tasks - getting stuff fixed or jobs completed - really can remove stress and anxiety. There may be 10 small projects, but you never seem to have the time, the tools, or the skills, to "Git-R-Done!" Okay, not exactly one click, but www.jacksvictoria.ca can help. The platform built for and promoted by 21 year old Nolan...

With social media and phone cameras it seems everyone is documenting the plates that are presented in restaurants; with time on our hands while transiting the continent and planet airline food gets even more attention. Join me for an enlightening conversation with author Richard Foss who is an absolute authority on the history of dining in the sky.

An invitation from Leanne Teron and John Cave and add the associated words cacao and chocolate... it couldn't be a more delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Understanding the growing, the cultivation, the origins of the trees, pods and their beans, brings a better appreciation of the uniqueness of this crop. To taste the terroir - or place - will force you not to think of it as a single...

It has been years... what a wonderful reconnection with Sam Jones. Here we are at his 2%Jazz Hillside location talking about what makes a great cup of coffee. In the hospitality industry for more than 3 decades Sam has created a welcoming 3rd place for you to meet at; what he offers as a brew really reflects his skills. What a pleasure to spend part of an afternoon exploring his journey and though...

Loss of sight (or diminishment) can be terrible; taste and smell can also decline. But the incremental decline in hearing often goes unnoticed, until something triggers action. Join me in conversation with 3 subject matter experts as we discuss how easy it is to improve your quality of life with hearing aids. This program takes place on Vancouver Island, but clinics exist across this country and a...