BUYER & SELLER REALTOR® RENTAL PROPERTY MGMT CALLMARIO.CA 604-207-9966 LET ME HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME VOL. 3 ISSUE 22 NOT-FOR-PROFIT Mid-December 2019 or MANAGE YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Steveston rejoices in St. Nick’s arrival 16 Santa Claus’ arrival in Steveston is met with great joy. He’ll be back Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) during his annual global voyage. Photo by Chung Chow 2019_WinterCamp_PRINT.pdf 1 11/28/2019 4:04:11 PM 2 | Mid-December 2019 RICHMOND SENTINEL C M Y CM The best sport camps for youth in Metro MY CY Vancouver are ready to keep the kids busy CMY WINTER and active during the holidays. K 2019 Choose from a variety of one-day camps featuring activities like basketball, skating, BREAK badminton, table tennis and more. SPORT CAMPS Perfect for all skill levels, ages 6-12yrs. AT THE RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL REGISTER ONLINE TODAY 6111 River Road, Richmond, BC richmondoval.ca/camps 778.296.1400 richmondsentinel.ca Mid-December 2019 COMMUNITY | 3 Christmas with the Brodies By DON FENNELL @DFSentinel t's long been said that home is where Ithe heart is, an ancient proverb that Malcolm and Christine Brodie em- brace. Amidst their busy lives, centered around serving others, the holiday season holds special meaning. "The greatest gifts of all are the experiences we have together ever year—whenever and wherever we are at Christmas. These memories will last over many lifetimes, and have built our strong family relationships," they say. Since 2009, when their first grand- child was born, the popular and high- ly-respected Richmond couple's fond- est Christmas memories have been spending the holidays with their fami- ly that includes son Garrett, daughter Stephanie, and three grandchildren Kayla, Matthew and Brodie. But as the family resides both locally, in Cal- Photos by Don Fennell ifornia (where Christine grew up) and Malcolm and Christine Brodie look forward to spending Christmas with family and friends. Lloydminster, Sask., the location and timing of celebrating and being to- er, they enjoy many holiday traditions new pajamas for the kids and now munity, the Brodies have resided in gether has often varied. that extend from Malcolm and Chris- grandkids on Christmas Eve, reading Richmond since 1977. Christine has When they are able to get togeth- tine's own childhoods. They include Christmas books, and watching hol- been a dedicated supporter of kids iday movies together. A Christmas at risk as a educator in the Richmond tree—sometimes more than one—is School District, while Malcolm, a law- standard fare, with lots of food, cook- yer by profession, is the second-lon- ing together and plenty of laughing gest serving mayor of BC's fourth-larg- and singing of carols as Malcolm est city since winning a by-election in plays the piano. 2001. He was first elected to council in Christmas Eve also sees the family 1996. gather to make cinnamon buns from The Brodies also enjoy taking in local scratch, let them rise overnight, and plays, Christmas concerts and sharing then bake them on Christmas morn- many meals together, says Christine. ing while the kids open their stock- Steadfast in their belief that giving to ings. The family then enjoys the cin- others and spending time volunteer- namon buns with freshly-squeezed ing is important, they enthusiastically orange juice and coffee for breakfast. support non-profits throughout the "Celebrating with friends and fami- year who strive to make everyday life ly is the best gift we can give and re- better for so many families. ceive," says Christine. "We are very "We also attend so many wonderful thankful for all the memories past too, Richmond holiday parties and charity and miss those friends and family who events for the support of others. This Mayor Malcolm Brodie tickles the ivories at the opening of Winter have passed away." is the spirit of Christmas for us." Wonderland. Tireless contributors to their com- •[email protected] 4 | COMMUNITY Mid-December 2019 RICHMOND SENTINEL Richmond-raised Ajaye Jardine rising up the country charts in Nashville By DON FENNELL come to the realization that no“ one is @DFSentinel alone; we’re all in this together. I relate to all of my songs, because each song hen Ajaye Jardine broke up with I write, whether on my own or with Wa longtime boyfriend and headed co-writers, comes from a true emo- to Nashville, it had all the makings of a tional place.” traditional country song. Jardine made her first trip to Nash- Only the BC Country Music Asso- ville six years ago knowing she would ciation’s reigning Female Artist of the Year isn’t your conventional country artist; her style better described as Each song I write, modern country-pop. whether on my own or Rapidly building a reputation as an outstanding vocalist, songwriter and with co-writers, comes entertainer both in Canada and the United States, she has developed an from a truly emotional engaging sound influenced by Sher- yl Crow, Brandi Carlile, and Emmylou place. Harris. But she uses her unique and – Ajaye Jardine personal creative vision to remain au- thentically original. Growing up on Canada’s West eventually return. Last year, she took Coast, in the farming and fishing vil- the leap of faith and moved to the lage-turned-urban-metropolis of Rich- country music capital. mond, she enjoyed an eclectic taste in “I live by the words my dad has al- music largely influenced by that of her ways told me: ‘You never want to look parents. back on your life and wonder, What “I listened to a wide range of music if?’” growing up—pop, classic rock, coun- Jardine says being an artist is to be try,” she says.“My direction as an artist, vulnerable, honest, and an inspiration especially my upcoming work, inte- to others through her actions. grates all the genres I’ve listened to “I take my work seriously, I love what over the years, to create a sound and I do and I love who I am because of style that’s uniquely mine.” my commitment to my art,” she says, Also nominated for Record of the glancing in the direction of her BC Year by the Tennessee Songwriters Photo by Georgia Dominelli Country Music Association award. Association International, and fea- Having been compared to Sheryl Crow, Richmond singer-songwriter “I use it as a reminder that I’m doing tured on “Today in Nashville”, Jardine’s Ajaye Jardine, the reigning BC Country Music Association Female Artist what I’m meant to be doing. It inspires single “Fill it up Again” (from the album of the Year, is making a name for herself in country music. me to keep writing songs and digging Midnight & Bourbon) has received to the core of my artistry. It reminds more than 100,000 streams on Spoti- their authenticity.” depends on several factors, she says. me on both the challenging and suc- fy. And as part of her new project The Her songs, all of which she relates Sometimes it’s 30 months, other times cessful days that my path as an artist Demo Files, she is releasing new songs to, reflect a similar mindset. it’s three months. is bigger than myself.” each month exclusively through her “Each song I write, whether on my “I think the first step is coming from Jardine has received multiple BC online community “Team Jardine” own or with co-writers, comes from a place of honest emotion,” Jardine Country Music Award nominations at https://mailchi.mp/609822f8ef8a/ a truly emotional place,” explains Jar- says. “We all experience heartbreak. over the years, and performed at teamjardine. dine, a graduate of McNair Second- We all love the feeling of joy and suc- both the 2017 and 2018 award shows. “I’m a huge fan of artists like Brandi ary’s mini school program, and holder cess. We all face disappointment. As She’s also collaborated with Aaron Carlile and Kacey Musgraves,” she vol- of a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon an artist, it’s my responsibility to be Grain of the award-winning Canadian unteers. “I’ve followed their careers for Fraser University. vulnerable through songwriting, to country trio The Washboard Union years and I’m continuously inspired by How long the songwriting takes create a safe space where others can (2017), and was a finalist for Canadian richmondsentinel.ca Mid-December 2019 COMMUNITY | 5 Richmond-raised Ajaye Jardine rising up the country charts in Nashville publishing company Anthem Enter- turn at the mic, as young as six-years- duced to performing on large stages I'm her mom, but honestly she's an tainment (previously Ole Publishing) old. I knew music was in her blood. I from the Merritt Mountain Music Fes- extraordinary songwriter and an out- in 2016. Additional highlights include made her take piano lessons (Royal tival to the opening ceremonies of the standing performer. I have no doubt performing alongside the legendary Conservatory) at five, knowing that 2010 Olympics. she will accomplish anything she puts Steve Earle (Sixthman’s Cayamo) at it would give her a good base knowl- “When we were recording the sec- her mind to.” such iconic venues as The Listening edge of music and playing an instru- ond album Someone's Stolen Tuesday “My mom is an incredible woman Room and The Bluebird Cafe in Nash- ment. Fast forward to post-secondary, in 2011, Ajaye was hitting her stride,” and creative influence,” Jardine says. ville. Currently, she hosts and per- I gave her my Ovation guitar to take to Cherelle says.