Treehouse in Costa Rica

1. Saturday, april 19, 2008 a toronto Star advertiSing Section
Extreme yoga
Wrestling diva Trish Stratus stretches
into a new kind of business
pa g e 2
Runaway housewives
The Week the Women Went—one
year later in Hardisty, Alberta
pa g e 6
Green-Gable tourism
P.E.I. celebrates 100 years of Anne
pa g e 4
buSineSS, enTerTainmenT, healTh and beauTy for The boomer lifeSTyle thestar.com/primetime
The high
Costa living
Two Canucks rented a
Central american treehouse
and liked it so much, they
invested in the forest
S
by gary buTler
omeTimes You have to get
lost to find yourself. Or find a
unique life opportunity. Jeanne
Marsh and Paul Pidcock certainly
found both of these statements to speak
volumes, remembering a time not so long
ago when they were somewhere on the
coast of Costa Rica, southbound, but well
off their SUV’s GPS map. It was yet an-
other adventurous chapter in a unique trip
the couple had embarked on, taking the
better part of 2004 to drive from the North
Pole to its southern counterpart.
The year before, the Toronto-based boom-
ers, both then in their 50s, had quit their
jobs of three-plus industry-dedicated de-
cades each—dentistry for her, info tech for
him. “We’d decided to do something unique,
outside of the box, outside of even our
comfort zones,” Paul says. Did it feel risky?
“Of course, but we wanted to live, not just
a little but a little more, while we still had
physical and financial health.”
Show him you’re game
Venison, quail or bison? Coffee, tea or me? Treat yourselves
to a night of wild dining, and end it with a wild nightcap
L
ove can be wild—we all The point is, if you choose to believe it, “I’ve heard enough stories about game Sun, surf and shade: life’s a beach
know this to be true. game meat can be a powerful aphrodisiac. meat making people frisky,” says George in underdeveloped costa rica.
Of course, meat can be wild, (After all, aphrodisiacs are, in many cases, Crawford, manager of Cumbrae’s, one of
too. Consider the world of game a matter of belief, or placebo, over scien- Toronto’s most reputable organic butchers. They’d also intended to keep their eyes
meats, unimaginatively—and inaccurately tific fact.) Why not embrace the healthier, He laughs. “I’m not going to promise that open for healthy financial opportunities.
—known as “the other beef.” Game is sexier alternative? Head out to an organic to my customers, though!” “We had no particular investment goal,”
typically classified as a non-domesticated butcher. Or book a romantic dinner at a Crawford conservatively estimates that Jeanne says. “We were basically looking
animal hunted for food (or sport). For meat fine restaurant that thinks outside of the his store’s sales of game have increased by everywhere we went.” Looking with admit-
to be considered game, the qualifications butcher’s block. Have a wild dinner, and some 10 per cent annually over the last tedly wise eyes, though, as the couple had
vary by country. Canada’s most popular and a “wild” night to cap it off. see You're game on page 4 two years earlier passed on a friend-referred
predominant game meats are venison, buf- Central American real-estate opportunity,
falo, boar, elk, rabbit, ostrich and quail. only to see the development sell out to a
Game offers significant advantages over
beef and sometimes even chicken. It’s lean- out on the range full 100 per cent within 36 months.
About halfway through their road trip,
er (less fat), and it has fewer calories and Top Toronto restaurants that have game in their sights Alaska well behind them and Patagonia
less cholesterol. The extra cost aside, game see costa living on page 5
meats really are a win-win-win alternative. pair your taste for adventure with your ■■■ 360 [CN Tower]
And here’s a fourth advantage: they are appreciation of fine dining. The following 301 Front Street West
rumoured to boost sexuality. high-end Toronto restaurants consistently 416-362-5411, cntower.ca
Our libidos are directly related to the offer game on their menus. App: charcuterie platter ($19)
levels of our sex hormones, particularly tes- We recommend that you dine late Main: braised rabbit
tosterone. Later in life, testosterone levels and dine different, cap it off with a bourguignon ($52) Prime Time is published five times a year.
tend to decrease. This notably affects men cognac, head home and go straight to Look for the next issue Saturday, May 24.
over the age of 60 and post-menopausal bed. In other words, for one wild night, ■■■ Bodega [AGO District] For advertising queries, please call 416-869-4242.
women. Increasing testosterone levels has trust your animal instincts. 30 Baldwin Street For content information or story ideas, please
been shown to increase libido—and the note: all pricing categories are $150 416-977-1287, call 416-869-4075 or email eholland@thestar.ca.
good news is that game meats are a good to $200, for an average three-course bodegarestaurant.com We invite your feedback and look forward to
source for this. The simple explanation is meal for two people, including one App: grilled quail ($13) sharing your ideas.
related to muscle fibre: game animals have bottle of house wine (or equivalent), Main: braised rabbit leg ($27) PHoToS clockWISE from ToP: rEgAn WInTErS AS “AnnE of
grEEn gAblES Tm” TourISm PEI / JoHn SylvESTEr; courTESy
more concentrated muscle groups than not including applicable taxes or tip. see The range on page 4 JEAnnE And PAul PIdlock; PETEr corrEz/STonE/gETTy
non-game animals.

2. | PrimeTime✽ A Toronto Star Advertising Section Saturday, April 19, 2008
Some like
it hot, but... trish Stratus
doesn’t wrestle
with yoga so
much as use it to
Try to manage your find a peaceful,
personal place.
‘sexpectations’ when
the fireworks fizzle
by Sue JohanSon
B
oTh men and women de-
velop impossible expectations of
what sex will be like when they
become active. Does any of the
following sound familiar?
Men are convinced that they'll always
have an ever-ready penis; women believe
they'll be forever slim and multi-orgasmic.
So many unrealistic “sexpectations,” and
some may indeed be true in the beginning
period of a relationship, when both part-
ners feel insatiable.
That tends to last about six months.
When reality sets in, passionate sex
settles into compassionate sex—quieter
and less rambunctious, but comfortable
and more focused on pleasure and enhanc-
ing the relationship.
That usually lasts for about a year.
Then sex may become really boring,
ritualized, every Friday night after the news,
with the lights out, in the missionary posi-
tion. The honeymoon is officially over.
Stratus faction
Reality sets in
To wit: all of those appealing little idiocyn-
cracies that seemed so attractive in the
beginning are now rubbing each lover the
wrong way. He picks his teeth; she flirts at
a party. She becomes critical, hostile and
resentful; he becomes accusatory, silent Trish Stratus brings her own brand of yoga to the gTa
S
and pouting. Both become unhappy, not to
mention unsatisfied. by marCuS Tamm
Enter the green garbage bag of pent-up
frustration and unresolved conflict. Con-
tributing factors can include in-laws, money, even-Time former World Wrestling Entertainment champion Trish Stratus
drugs/alcohol, religion, children, extra- is no longer prowling the ring in search of Certainly, enthusiasts often cite yoga’s
marital affairs—you know, the staple stuff opponents to pin to the canvas. These days, physical benefits alongside the simple fact
of Dr. Phil and Jerry Springer. Communica- she’s just north of Toronto, in Vaughan Mills, that they can practice just about anywhere,
tion skills slowly devolve into grunts, snarls pinning clients to a yoga mat. with virtually no equipment. Add to these
or silent shrugs. Women start to maintain, “Yoga is like a power nap for the mind,” obvious pluses yoga’s low- or no-impact
“He never listens to me, and he never talks says Stratus, sitting down to talk meditation, nature and that it affects a soothing influ-
to me. Meanwhile men protest, “She nev- money and mid-life career changes. This is, ence on the spirit, and it becomes a fitness,
er shuts up.” after all, the eve of the unveiling of her health, well-being and weight-loss regimen
There are many early warning signs that aptly named Stratusphere—a 5,200-square- for today’s hectic lifestyles.
there is trouble in paradise. Probably the foot complex devoted to the practice of the Stratus is quick to credit yoga with help-
biggest one is a complete lack of physical eastern art—which opens on April 26. It is ing her to be calmer, clearer and generally
contact—you don’t hug, you don’t even the big-box suburban alternative to the more focused. “This sounds cliché, but it
hold hands lest doing so be interpreted as downtown yoga cubbyhole. really does occur. People have busy, stress-
an unintended invitation. She may with- Stratusphere Yoga was designed to be ful lives and don’t know how to turn off.
hold sex and use it as reward or punish- anything but a generic, genteel gymnasium. When I began, I imagined I’d be composing
ment. So, she has a headache or implies Richmond Hill native Stratus envisions it as to-do lists in my head, but you learn to
that he is oversexed; this is her power and a community centre of sorts, catering to all finally drop it. It’s an amazing effect.” In this
control. And it works. But in the process, ages and abilities. “We are trying to make amazing effect, Stratus also saw a potential
she becomes turned off. Really, it’s almost business plan.
use it or lose it. Opportunities to use her name com-
And it’s not her fault. A monster myth ‘There are a lot of misconceptions mercially had been previously presented to
perpetrated upon women is the idea that Stratus—without success—after she retired
they should have an earth-shattering or- about yoga. Many people think you’re from wrestling in 2006. “All these interest-
gasm every time they have sex. This is not
going to happen. Most women become chanting while your body is twisted ing offers came: a clothing line, an energy
drink, facial care—all great opportunities,”
sexually aroused, lubricate, get to a cer-
tain point, then simply slide over the top
like a pretzel’ she admits, “but nothing felt real. It wasn’t
my idea or product.” Her dream of a yoga
and down the other side into the refrac- studio offered the chance to promote
tory phase. The sex was good, pleasurable, Stratusphere a comfortable place where the something she was passionate about, on
satisfying, but not orgasmic. And that experienced can come and advance their her own terms.
is normal. practice, and where someone new could Stratusphere Yoga was born of turning a
come in and find something they love. My personal interest into a personalized business.
a monster myth mom can go to the restorative class while Her partner in this venture is her friend and
Low sex drive (LSD), also known as inhib- I take the power class; then, we sit afterward certified yoga instructor, Janette Lynn. The
ited sexual desire (IHD), is the most com- and hang out.” two of them had talked of the possibility of
mon complaint that sex therapists and What everyone will find at Stratusphere a studio countless times, recalls Stratus, and
marriage counsellors have to deal with. It is a centre that houses three separate stu- she often found herself saying, “One day
is also highly resistant to effective therapy. dios, offering different classes at any given I would love to open a studio.” Finally, Stra-
Basically, LSD is unresolved conflict, built- hour. In the middle is a lounge where mem- tus decided to “make ‘one day’ today.” If
up resentment and hostility. bers can relax over a cup of tea, further the initial location proves successful, there is
Certainly, marriage counselling can be enhancing the placid vibe that Stratus is so the possibility of turning Stratusphere Yoga
effective, provided both parties are com- proud of. There’s also a yoga library for into a national chain.
mitted to making it work and staying with those practitioners seeking more in-depth Despite stereotypical expectations over
the program. Rescuing and restoring your information on the roots and schools the years that she would relocate to some
relationship involves time and effort, also of thought of this ancient philosophy. “Of other internationally glamorous city befit-
money. It is work. Don’t give up on it. One course, every single staff member in the ting her celebrity, Stratus has always lived
book I recommend is Dr. Phil McGraw’s facility, from the cashier to the instructors, in Toronto’s northern reaches. It became
Relationship Rescue. lives yoga,” says Stratus. Key to Stratus’s inevitable to introduce the studio bearing
There are a few things that you can do vision is knowledgeability of the employ- her name close to home. “Vaughan Mills is
to kick-start the process. Touch (without ees—all of them. The newly baptized in a fantastic location,” Stratus gushes of the
the expectation that it will lead to sex): particular will find themselves immersed place she knows so well. “And it’s in my
hold hands, hug, pat bums, slow-dance. and, most importantly, welcomed. stomping grounds. Of course, it’s conve-
Make non-physical contact: eye-to-eye, The studio offers classes in several disci- nient for commuting, so you can just pop
smile, laugh, giggle. Interact: turn off the plines of yoga for varying levels of clientele, into a class on the way to work….”
TV and the computer, talk to and compli- from inexperienced to expert, expectant to Will clients of Stratusphere Yoga see Trish
ment each other. Try to remember the three just plain exhausted. Yoga is for anyone, on the mat next to them taking classes or
big A’s: acceptance, approval and apprecia- Stratus says. “There are a lot of misconcep- even conducting them? (She will complete
tion. They go a long way towards peace in tions about it. Many people think you’re her instructor’s certification this summer.)
the valley. chanting while your body is twisted like a “Absolutely,” she says, to both questions.
There are so many unrealistic expecta- pretzel.” She manages to acknowledge “My husband jokes that I’m doing this just
tions built into any new relationship. Great yoga’s benefits to both body and mind with- so I have a place to practice.”
sex is only one of them, and great sex out waxing New Age rhapsodic. As it turns out, the venture has been a
doesn’t just happen. When it does, it is Stratus’s introduction to yoga came in family collaboration, too, as Stratus’s hus-
usually the result of hard work to develop 2005, after traditional physiotherapy meth- band, Ron, who’s in the construction trade,
and maintain an intimate relationship.
Reality, not unrealistic sexpectations, ap-
plies to your lovelife—mental and physical.
➘ prime Time online!
For a full QA interview with
ods failed to help a wrestling-related back
injury. What impressed her about yoga at
the time was its nearly-immediate rehabili-
built the studio. But the business element
of their partnership may have ended with
the opening of Stratusphere, as he has yet
Trish Stratus, visit us online at tative power and, subsequently, her renewed to become a yoga practitioner. “Well, we’ll
Sex educator Sue Johanson, O.C., R.N., hosts thestar.com/primetime capacity “to do more, physically, because see about that,” says Stratus with a laugh.
Talk Sex on Oxygen TV. of increased flexibility.” “That’s my next goal in life.”

3. Saturday, April 19, 2008 thestar.com/primetime
PrimeTime✽ |
Focus on laser vision
Thinking about perform the surgery for less than half of Discount surgeons can’t afford what amounts lifestyle, but it’s comforting to know that
what he charges. “Simply put, they have to free touch-ups down the way. That is, my Yorkville surgeon isn’t going anywhere.
getting laser eye lesser technology. When improvements adds Rotholz, “if they’re still in business.” With a little luck, my “cosmetic” investment
come around—every time new upgrades are For my part, my vision is still 20/15, will continue to pay off in dividends and
surgery? you’re made available—we won’t offer anything touch wood. I might not live a Yorkville I'll never need to 'see' him again.
less to our patients than the very best.”
in the right city According to my optometrist of lon-
ger than 10 years, Dr. Michael Rotholz,
by gary buTler laser surgery is “a get-what-you-pay- What optometrists look for in the eyes of any
I visionquest
for market. I do not want anyone selling laser-surgery candidate
T’s 008 and every office-supply my patients a service based on price.”
store sells laser pointers. Alas, my His advice to people thinking about
lifelong dream of slicing bread with a going under the beam is quite direct.
Star Wars light sabre doesn’t seem to “Choose only surgeons who operate Considering laser eye surgery? ❖ higher pre-op prescriptions can
be coming true. with laser as a primary area of practice. Dr. Michael Rotholz—the author’s impact any operation’s success. You
On the brighter side, I can watch the The public doesn’t realize that it’s not trusted optometrist—tells you might still need glasses despite having
DVDs with truly laser-sharp vision. I un- hard to get a laser license: it’s as simple what you need to know. a significantly improved prescription.
derwent laser eye surgery a decade ago, in as an ophthalmologist taking a course ❖ get your optometrist to refer you ❖ a“large” astigmatism can impact
the summer of 1998. I was fortunate enough and getting access to a machine. Do to a laser surgeon. Optometrists and any operation’s success. While lens
to emerge with 20/15 vision—in layman’s you want to trust your vision to a part- laser surgeons each have their own replacement can correct astigmatism,
terms, one step better than “normal.” I’d time surgeon or do you want a doctor screening tests for candidacy; you should a large astigmatism can make direct
had glasses since Grade 5. I don’t think that who does it exclusively, who researches, undergo both tests. Feel free to ask laser surgery more difficult.
the sloganized “freedom” of winning the publishes articles, is a member of the your optometrist about the reputation ❖ pupil size can impact any operation’s
lottery could have compared to the giddy right associations?” of any surgeon you become aware of success. Night-vision problems are more
joy I experienced upon re-entering a world The choice, like the surgery's end through an ad or a friend. likely for people with bigger pupils.
free of contacts and glasses. goal, is also clear. For this city, Rotholz ❖ f you are considering laser surgery
i ❖ athick cornea can impact any
At the time, Toronto was the premier points, alphabetically, to The Bochner after age 40: By this age, people start to operation’s success. In extreme cases,
North American destination for this kind of Eye Institute, Herzig Eye Institute, TLC lose reading vision (distance is typically a too-thick cornea can preclude surgery.
surgery (usually classified as cosmetic, by Laser Eye Centers (national) and Yonge compromised earlier). Depending on ❖ f you have never worn contact
i
the way). America might be home to Bill Eglinton Laser Eye + Cosmetic Centre. the dual degradation, to simultane- lenses, you will be a slightly better
Gates and George Lucas, but until five years Lasik MD Vision reportedly is the high- ously address reading- and distance- candidate for surgery, as your corneas
ago, laser eye surgery had not been approved est-volume centre. vision needs, sometimes the lenses of will be pristine, never having been
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Optometrists and laser surgeons the eyes themselves must be replaced. assaulted by foreign material. (Hard
(FDA). By leading the laser-eye-surgery wave both have their own checklists for can- This is a “refractive lens exchange,” contacts, in particular, can affect the
since 1987, Toronto developed an interna- didacy (see Visionquest sidebar). which laser surgeons also perform. curvature of the cornea.)
tional reputation that stands today. Any Rotholz adds that optometrists profit ❖ if you are considering laser surgery ❖ The post-op healing of the cornea
Torontonian considering the process should more from keeping patients in glasses after age 60: By this age, the natural is crucial to surgical success. Your
definitely stay local. and contacts. “Your optometrist is the GP lens starts to change again, and final vision will be directly tied to not
“We have always been on the leading for your eyes,” he says. “If you’re being cataracts become a concern. Intra- how quickly you heal, but how well.
edge. It’s as true today as it was when I referred as a laser prospect, it would ocular lenses (as in the laser surgery Strangely enough, expense becomes
became one of the first laser surgeons in be an absolutely unbiased referral.” referred to above, these are used in a complementary factor here because
Canada in 1991,” says Dr. Sheldon Herzig My surgeon is guilty of one bias that lens exchanging, performed by the the more expensive laser surgery
of Yorkville’s Herzig Eye Institute. Full dis- frankly pleases me greatly: though he laser surgeon) replace a deteriorating centres use lasers to not only correct
closure: he was my surgeon. Maybe I could charges the biggest bucks, as do the lens, at the same time correcting the the prescription, but also to cut the
have talked him into a discount if we’d other top names identified by Rotholz, candidate’s prescription and, in many flap in the cornea, resulting in a finer
known that I’d be writing about the experi- he offers a lifetime guarantee for his cases, can also correct astigmatism. and thinner cut. Cheaper laser surgery
ence 10 years later. His fee was over $5,000 work, as again do those others. The sole Note: OHIP covers cataract surgery centres use a mechanical blade, called
then and still is today. criterion to qualify is that each patient only at a certain level of vision impair- a microkerotome, to make these flaps,
“We don’t discount,” Herzig says, not in undergoes an annual eye exam with ment. Check with your optometrist to leading to a thicker cut that takes
answer to my daydream, but rather the core any licensed optometrist—which, in find out if you qualify. longer to heal.
question of how some centres can afford to the first place, only makes good sense.
O5054_StarPT_qrtpg_Apr19 4/4/08 9:55 AM Page 1
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4. | PrimeTime✽ A Toronto Star Advertising Section Saturday, April 19, 2008
a century of anne: gotta get to green gables
p.e.i. braces for its biggest tourism
season of all time, as Anne of Green
Gables turns 100 years young
A
ccoRding To the province’s Back to those Torontonians with visions
official motto, P.E.I. is “the gen- of green gables peaking in their heads:
tle island.” Words like peaceful, Malahoff promises that “all eyes will be on
placid and pretty come to mind, three ‘anchor events,’ all of which are suit-
and deservingly so. able for all demographics,” families and the
This year, Prince Edward Island’s most nostalgia-minded in particular.
famous daughter, Anne Shirley, a.k.a. Anne The first event occurs less than two
of Green Gables, is turning 100. That’s to months away, on June 14. (Did we mention,
say, 2008 marks the centenary of the little book now?) “ANNE-imated” takes place at
local novel that captured the great big Charlottetown’s Confederation Centre of
world’s heart. Given that summers are al- the Arts. It’s a behind-the-scenes tour and
ways Anne-driven, always busy, and 25 per performance of Anne of Green Gables—
cent more tourists are expected for this The Musical, in conjunction with the art
unique anniversary, “peaceful” and “placid”
might need to take a leave of absence.
Meanwhile, nostalgia-minded Toronto-
nian travellers who fail to advance-book
hotels and car rentals might just see their
“pretty” turn a bit ugly. clockwise from top: the cast of Anne of Green Gables — The Musical, 2006;
“I cannot emphasize strongly enough: at avonlea, anyone can dance with anne; regan Winters poses as prince
book now,” says David Malahoff, who is edward island’s favourite daughter, anne, for tourism p.e.i., 2008.
co-executive director of the three-years
convened ad hoc Anne 2008 Centennial Malahoff, a P.E.I. transplant
Committee. “In fact, I recommend arrang- via Vancouver of only a few
ing hotel accommodations and car rentals years, remains astounded
in advance every year, let alone this one.” at—not to mention tremen-
If Malahoff’s cries of near-doom sound dously proud of—the non-
a tad melodramatic, be assured it’s with stop civic passion for Anne.
good reason. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s “It’s limitless every year. We’ve
story will always be wonderful fun, but never had to beg for volun-
Anne herself will always be serious busi- teers before, either, but this
ness—in fact, always has been. Consider year, they’ve been knocking
that the original 1908 edition sold 19,000 on our doors.”
copies that year, just in Canada. To date, Arrange your trips now,
over 50 million copies have sold internation- Toronto. When there’s no
ally. This February, Penguin Canada released room at the inn, banging on
a special edition containing the original exhibition “Imagining Anne.” At population the characters of Anne’s community to life. Mr. Malahoff’s door won’t get too many
illustrations and cover. 32,000, Charlottetown’s qualifies as the Costume parades, dances, games and of you too far.
For Anne’s centenary—Anne-iversary, “big city” event. contests, concerts and films—can even a
if you will—not even Tourism P.E.I. can Thing is, the next event is easily the big- national park contain it all? Time will tell. Visit Anne2008.com or GentleIsland.ca for
accurately say how many localized celebra- gest. And in the smallest town, Cavendish, Finally, on August 17, Matthew Maril- more information about the festival and
tions will take place cross-province over the a key setting for the Anne stories—with a la’s Cuthbert Reunion is a hopefully-not- Prince Edward Island.
May–September “tourist season.” But a population of 267 that swells seasonally to barn-burning kitchen party and cookout in
conservative estimate puts what Malahoff 7,000—that’s a “normal” tourist season. the population 15,000 city of Summerside. photos clockwise from top courtesy: louise
calls “community events” at either side of (So: Book. Now.) The Anne of Green Gables (You can probably afford to wait, say, half vessey; avonlea village, cavendish, p.e.i.;
100, appropriately. Country Fair takes place July 3-6 and brings a day before booking for this one.) tourism pei/john sylvester
Continued from page 1 tively expensive if you are already willing to
Resort Style Leisure Living! You're game
buy steak.”
What about the flavour? “It’s very hard
to describe,” he says. “The perfect word
five-to-ten years. Overall, game accounts really is ‘gamey.’ For example, we say that
for less than 2 per cent of his annual sales, many other types of meat taste like chicken,
so you can imagine how small the numbers but we have no [better] description for
were just one decade ago. “We also field chicken itself. Game is also unique like that.
more and more over-the-counter questions It’s certainly a very dense meat, and it is
about [game] every year,” he says. easiest described as being a bit like beef,
The proliferation of organic supermarkets but much stronger.”
has also made a marked contribution to this And still on that reference to strength,
unprecedented level of consumer curiosity. while game might be a libido booster, it is
It’s certainly nice to see that a society that also infamous for getting its name from a
once embraced “McFood” with what decidedly unsexy image. Traditionally, hunt-
amounts to benign indifference is now not ed game meat was hung on hooks until it
just willing but actually eager to pay a little approached a state of decomposition, as
In an Adult Lifestyle Community that truly offers it all! bit more money for organic meat that is a this actually yielded the most flavour.
lot healthier. (For the record, the meat was still healthy,
CHOICE, QUALITY VALUE “Game is definitely more expensive,” however unappetizing the description.) The
• Detached semi-detached walkout homes
LEISURE SUITES Crawford says, “but not as expensive as you associated smell, though, was known as,
• Professionally landscaped bungalows From might think.” He cites the sales figures of you guessed it, gaminess.
$174,900
• Thoughtfully designed leisure suites the most popular game meats at Cumbrae’s: In describing game as “an acquired
• Spectacular golf course ravine views venison, approximately $30/lb., compared taste,” Crawford notes that there are “many
and… to steak, approximately $25/lb. At the high- subtleties” across the range of game meats.
• Low maintenance fees! er end, buffalo and ostrich run approxi- “In the meat world,” he says, “it’s compa-
mately $35/lb.—costlier, but, as Crawford rable to wine tasting.”
LUXURY HOMES says, this price is “by no means prohibi- There—that’s sexier.
STAY ACTIVE
From
$264,900
• 45 regulation holes of golf
• Recreational skating hockey leagues Continued from page 1 416-504-3463, nocerestaurant.com
• Health fitness centre with indoor pool Main: Oven-roasted quails ($24)
• Indoor tennis racquet sports The range
• Spa services, hair beauty salon ■■■ perigee [Distillery District]
• Fine dining more… ■■■ canoe [Financial District] 55 Mill Street
54th Floor, Toronto Dominion 416-364-1397, perigeerestaurant.com
Bank Tower App: Offal plate ($24)
66 Wellington Street West Main: Spiced venison rack ($52)
416-364-0054, canoerestaurant.com
Main: bison strip loin ($45) ■■■ richlee’S [Wilson]
LEASE 1959 Avenue Road
E IN NEW PHASE RE ■■■ chiado [Little Portugal] 416-483-9818, richlees.com
READY TO MOV Two New Models
Now Open 864 College Street App: roast quail ($12)
Courtyard View
s! cupancy
~ Summer 2008 Oc
se ~ 416-538-1910, chiadorestaurant.ca
Ravine, Golf Cour
pancy Available ~ teriors App: grilled quail ($15) ■■■ thuet [King West]
~ Immediate Occu ral Features
Stone Stucco Ex
Main: roasted pheasant ($38) 609 King Street West
Superior Architectu
Pass for Two* 416-603-2777, thuet.ca
FREE 1 Year Golf
Fitness Season
$10,000
BONUS!
ails. ■■■ north 44 [Eglinton] App: farm pigeon confit ($14)
s apply, inquire for det
condition
*Limited time offers.
Some
in Bonus 2537 Yonge Street Main: organic red deer medallion ($25)
6 piece Extras* 416-487-4897, north44restaurant.com
appliance
upgrades* App: braised rabbit ($22) ■■■ tundra [Financial District]
Barrie Main: pan-seared venison ($46) 145 Richmond Street West
Sales Gallery Model Homes Alliston
Cookstown
89
N 416-860-6800, tundra.sites.toronto.com
400 ■■■ opuS [Yorkville] App: charcuterie plate ($14)
Open Daily: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm 9
Newmarket
37 Prince Arthur Avenue Main: venison loin ($39)
Located just 45 minutes north of Toronto, 407
27 11 404
416-921-3105, opusrestaurant.com
adjacent to the Nottawasaga Inn Resort. 401
App: bacon-wrapped rabbit loin ($22) ■■■ trapper’S [Lawrence]
TORONTO
Illustrations are Artist’s Concept. Main: red deer loin ($40) 3479 Yonge Street
416-482-6211, trappersrestaurant.ca
6015 Highway 89, Alliston, Ontario, L9R 1A4 www.BriarHill.on.ca ■■■ noce [Queen West] Main: charcoal broiled venison loin ($28)
Call us today for your personal tour: (705) 435-5503 or (416) 364-5068 875 Queen Street West Main: charcoal broiled venison rack ($38)

5. Saturday, April 19, 2008 thestar.com/primetime
PrimeTime✽ |
Continued from page 1
Costa living
far ahead, a four-month holdover had been
planned for Costa Rica, a country Jeanne
and Paul had both previously very much
enjoyed visiting, and a country they be-
lieved might afford “a financial—or life—
opportunity.” No stop on the trip would be
as long, but what this one nonetheless had
in common with most of their other trips
was that accommodation had to be booked
on the fly. “We planned the trip for three
whole months before leaving,” Jeanne says,
“but when you’re on the road for almost
a year, patience and adaptability become
the rules of the road.”
In fact, they’re virtues when that road—
a rough dirt track—ends abruptly, suggest-
ing no recourse but to turn around. That
was day one in Costa Rica—an auspicious
arrival. Which was the same day Jeanne
and Paul literally stumbled into an Ameri-
can expat on an ATV. Who owned a local
treehouse, literally. Who was happy to rent
to them during their stay—and, later, sell.
eco-vacation heaven
“We had the distinct advantage of living
for almost four months in our amazing
‘treehome’ before investing,” Paul says,
explaining what led them to making a com-
mitment in Costa Rica.
The pros: A safe and demo-
cratic country (with no army).
Excellent healthcare. Earnestly
friendly people and simpler life-
styles. A mountainside two-acre
lot within a 250-acre eco-forest.
A Pacific Ocean view. Proximity
to an international airport (one-
hour drive). Low cost of living
backed by a relatively strong Ca-
nadian dollar (up by 30 per cent,
at 85 cents, at the time).
By the way, the remote view
versus ocean-side factor was a
plus in Jeanne and Paul’s book.
“The treehouse is 2 kilometres
from the coast,” notes Jeanne,
“which means we don’t have to deal with placed ads in Toronto newspapers. For the
the debilitating effects of salt air.” Vehicles, high season of November–April, they can
computers and household appliances are now claim 85 per cent occupancy.
all at risk by the water. As well, no one can Not surprisingly, area property values
own the beach, only property by its edge. have increased since the couple's purchase;
The longer the couple stayed, the fewer there is no doubt that this investment will
cons they discovered. “It’s a bit like the Wild prove profitable down the way. At the time
West, though,” Paul admits. “Real-estate of writing, the local main roads are already
licenses are not required by law. So we had being improved and paved. And just half
to learn about the area by talking to people, an hour north of the treehouse, several
learning their stories, gradually figuring out high-end resorts are either under construc-
a fair price per square metre for land.” tion or completed, including a Marriott and
clockwise from top: the treehouse, defined by glass and forest-green steel beams;
Homeowners, lawyers, architects, builders, a Four Seasons.
the view from the living room; Jeanne Marsh and paul pidcock, at home, away from home.
business owners—Jeanne and Paul talked Now is still a good time to invest, Paul
to everyone. “That’s who we are,” Jeanne and Jeanne point out. That said, the early
says, “we’re both open, with positive out- adoption stage—also known as the honey- their finances to one particular market. anywhere in the world throughout the year.
looks on life. [We’re] active, thankfully moon stage—is officially over. Variety of options remains key—in any It should go without saying, they have already
healthy, and interested in meeting new So what’s down the road for this open- investment portfolio, at any time of life. taken advantage of their new options.
people whenever and wherever we can.” minded and open-eyed couple? Getting lost “Informed diversity,” says Paul. As conservative investments go, then,
New business is just a bonus, in this light. yet again in order to find another hole-in- Then again, who knows? Certainly not this one seems pretty much limitless.
Perhaps light itself became the biggest the-jungle luxury opportunity elsewhere? Jeanne and Paul themselves, whose inter-
selling point of the treehouse. “Jeanne and
I had never seen a place quite like it,” Paul
remembers. Photos do the building a great
“We have enough eggs in one basket down
in Costa Rica right now, that’s for sure,”
Jeanne says.
national adventures have only just begun.
They recently registered the treehouse with
an Internet-based exchange network for
➘ prime Time online!
For a ‘local’ tour of Jeanne and
deal of justice, but to hear the couple de- But although they diversified with a global homeowners—Vacation Rental by Paul’s treehouse paradise, visit
scribe this treehouse is to be privy to an fairly unique real-estate investment, they Owner (vrbo.com)—which gives them the junglavista.com/photos
unprecedented vision of eco-vacation heaven: emphasize that they also would never tie added benefit of visiting and staying almost
a unique structure defined by glass and
forest-green steel beams with a teak central
staircase, floors and ceilings; an open-con-
cept, multilevel suspended building with Solutions to Crossword and Sodoku
no outer walls except in the bedrooms,
from page 3
which have ceiling-to-floor glass windows,
plus a top-floor yoga/meditation deck. And comfort, sophistication and
surrounded by jungle.
“The Pacific Ocean's blue water and a bloor-yorkville address
white surf are easily seen in the distance,”
Jeanne says. “So bright, so beautiful. It’s a
stunning structure.”
second home
While it’s an understatement to call their
story bold, Paul and Jeanne describe them-
selves as “somewhat conservative inves-
tors.” Accurately so, though, considering
that while they did invest in Costa Rican
property, they did not, in fact, start with
the treehouse.
“Only two days before our departure
from Costa Rica for Panama,” Paul recalls,
“we were still weighing a property pur- The 51 storey residence at 44 Charles West offers
chase.” Their ultimate decision was to in- unmatched style in the heart of the city.
vest in an undeveloped two-acre lot in the
same development (32 lots in total were
available, including that of the treehouse). Concierge Services ❖ 24 Hr. Security ❖ Guest Suites
Almost a year later, back in Toronto but Fitness Room ❖ Roof Garden ❖ Spectacular Views
having revisited Central America on a new
Underground Access to Subway Parking Garage
speculation run, they finally committed to
the treehouse.
“Our original objective in purchasing
was simply to have a second home in a
beautiful location,” Paul says. Still, the tree-
house naturally—and immediately—tran-
sitioned into a rental opportunity, due to
the simple physics dictating that one cou-
Bachelor, 1, 2 3 bedroom suites available
ple cannot live in two residences simulta-
starting at $1,350. For rental information, visit
neously. So why waste one?
manulifecentre.com or call 416.961.4998.
Paul focused his computing savvy on a
dynamic website (junglavista.com, mean-
ing “jungle view”) starting in 2005. He also