Majestic WHISTLER! - Brian Jessel BMW

Winter 2008 • Volume 4 • Issue 1 

MAGAZINE 

brianJESSEL 

Majestic WHISTLER! 

facebook: for Business? 

Reward Yourself: Loyalty pays dividends 

SPRING: CITRUS SPLASH 

BMW unveils new Masterpiece 

Brian Jessel BMW 

2311 Boundary Road 

Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 

www.brianjesselbmw.com 

The Ultimate 

Driving Experience

THREE OF A KIND 

AGASSI, GRAF AND KREISS

Last suit purchased was a: An Armani from Mark James 

Preferred Winter Beverage: Red wine. Anything from Gaja 

Favorite Sunny vacation spot: Cabo San Lucas 

Most memorable European city: I love Paris! 

Obama or Clinton? Anyone that wants peace 

in the middle east 

Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday 

I can do whatever I choose 

Preferred drive for Winter in Vancouver: 

New X5 4.8si. Special Edition M Sport 

I L O V E P A R I S ! 

BRIAN’S MESSAGE 

2007 was a very exciting year at Brian Jessel BMW. We set and beat 

recorded forecasts in many of our departments and 2008 I am sure will 

be no different. 

2007 was a very challenging year, but in the end it was possibly the 

most rewarding year I have ever had, and I hope 2008 brings us much 

of the same. BMW AG certainly provided us with the products to set 

yet another Canadian sales record! The new 1-Series gives us entry 

into a whole new segment; we will be seeing the return of the M3 with 

a new twin turbo V8 engine; the all-new X6 will give us a true, personal 

luxury sport activity vehicle; and of course we will be seeing our first 

clean diesels in the fall. 

Although I consider it a company award, in 2007 the Canadian 

Automobile Dealers Association bestowed their new national Laureate 

Award on yours truly. This is only the second year for this award, and 

only three of 3400 dealers are given this prestigious award every year. 

This honour is certainly the highlight of my career in the automobile 

industry. Being awarded a Laureate Award is truly the highest 

distinction one can receive in this business. It has been quite a journey 

for me but the part that has been most rewarding and gratifying are the 

relationships that I have been fortunate to make and keep along the 

way. There are many of you who have supported me over the last 

several years and for that I wanted to offer my sincere thanks. 

The car business is indeed not what it used to be and innovation has 

become a necessity. I would like to share my Laureate award with my 

team past and present who helped get me here today. 

As I look ahead and beyond 2008 I am delighted to know that 

whatever challenges lie ahead I know I have the people to help me get 

there. Hold on…I am confident it is going to be an exciting ride! 

Add it all up: we have a dedicated staff, an incredibly loyal clientele, we 

are enjoying a strong economy and we live in the best place on earth. 

You surely must agree, 2008 looks like it will be another recordbreaking 

year for Brian Jessel BMW. 



Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 

Driving Experience

Experience Brian Jessel BMW 

Outstanding Customer Service for over 20 years 

Extensive selection of New and Certified Pre-Owned BMWs 

Over 80 BMW Service Loaner Vehicles available 

For information on Brian Jessel BMW 

products and services, please call 

604.222.7788 



Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 

Driving Experience 

MAGAZINE 

brianJESSEL 

Publisher Brian Jessel 

Editor-in-Chief Rhoda Rizkalla 

Art Director/Design Edward Wong/Vertex 

Advertising Manager Kenneth Yu-Hao Lee 

Editorial Assistants Marianne Pearson & Beth Potter 

Lifestyle Editor Bre Hamilton 

Food Editor Andrea Stewart 

Wine Editor Jim Tobler 

Book Review Editor Nathalie Atkinson 

Advertising Design Midori Theodorakakis 

Copy Editor Bre Hamilton 

Contributors Charles Carvalho, John Cheng, Rafal Chrzanowski, 

Jennifer Croll, Joe Leary, Michael Ho, Jill Killeen, Denna Matthews, 

Jim Murray, Beth Potter 

Printing 3S Printers Inc. 

Cover Photo Jurgen Vogt 

Advertising inquiries magazine@brianjesselbmw.com 

Editorial inquiries rrizkalla@brianjesselbmw.com 


Management Staff 

President/CEO Brian Jessel 

Director of Sales Michael Ho 

Director of New Car Sales Jim Murray 

Director of Pre-Owned Operations Tim Van Dyke 

Pre-Owned Sales Manager Larry Man 

Director of Fixed Operations Charles Carvalho 

Director of Customer Relations Jim Krahn 

Service Manager Rafal Chrzanowski 

Parts Manager Charlie Risley 

Wholesale Manager/Sales Guru Bernie Jessel 

Business Manager Patrick Lee 

Business Manager Burgess Chow 

Business Manager Catherine Lai 

Controller Carol Anderson 

Office Manager Elaine Harley 

Marketing & Communications Manager Rhoda Rizkalla 

HR Manager & QMA Project Manager John Cheng 

IT Manager Denna Matthews 

Lot Manager Eric Kluth 

Spa Manager Dave Harley 



Vancouver, BC V5M 4W5 

Main Tel: 604.222.7788 

Toll Free: 1.800.665.3375 

Main Fax: 604.222.8555 

E-mail: info@brianjesselbmw.com 

Website: www.brianjesselbmw.com 

Hours of Operation 

Sales Department 

Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 8 pm 

Friday: 9 am to 6 pm 

Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm 

Sunday: 12 pm to 4 pm 

Service/Parts Departments 

Monday to Friday: 7:30 am to 6 pm 

Saturday: 8:30 am to 5 pm

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CELTIC AVE 

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GOLF COURSE 

11 

Dear Brian 

31 

Longest Lashes 

46 

Time for an Oil 

Change? 

70 

FAVORITE+THINGS 

76 

Special Reads 

18 

BMW DREAMING 

32 

Common Scents 

50 

Facebook: for 

Business? 

71 

AnotherHappy Customer 

78 

HR profiles Customer 

Relations 

24 

CADA LAUREATE 

AWARD: Business 

Innovation 

36 

Discover Hong Kong 

54 

Vodka Brands Galore 

72 

Cheese Please! 

80 

Tech Toys 

IN THIS ISSUE 

26 

SPRING Forecast 

40 

TEA: For Two or More 

58 

Discover Majestic 

Whistler 

73 

NEW Gadgets 

81 

Milestones 

30 

The Upper Hand 

44 

More than Parts 

and Service 

66 

Rewards or Not? 

74 

STELLAR CELLAR

Not once did I feel pressured or unsure 

of my decision 

I am writing to respond to Brian Jessel’s 

recent letter congratulating me on my recent 

purchase. I confirm that James Lee was my 

sales associate for this transaction and I was 

very pleased with his style, demeanour and 

manner throughout. Not once did I feel 

pressured or unsure of my decision and James’ 

low-key style helped me make the decision in 

my own time. As well, he took the time to 

follow-up and answered any queries I had. 

Please thank him once again on my behalf. 

Elizabeth Anderson 

Manager, Human Resources 

Singleton Urquhart LLP 

It was so enjoyable purchasing a 

BMW from your dealership 

I was delighted to read your Fall issue of Brian 

Jessel Magazine; my favorite articles are the 

Feng Shui and Fashion photos. I recently 

moved to Ottawa, but I’m going to miss your 

team’s professionalism and the wonderful 

fashion show events. It was so enjoyable 

purchasing a BMW from your dealership. I will 

definitely go back to your dealership when I 

return to Vancouver. I would like to thank you 

and your team have to achieve some amazing 

accomplishments in the automotive business. 

Hayde Campeau 

Ottawa, ON 

Phenomenal level of service 

and hospitality 

Thank you for taking such great care of me 

and for changing my loaner car. I really 

appreciate your phenomenal level of service 

and hospitality. 

Best, 

Daniel Frankel 

President and CEO 

Daniel Hospitality Group 

“ I was so 

impressed with the 

whole process and 

the level of service 

that I shared the 

experience with 

ALL my colleagues 

at work.” 

Had it not been for your “family” attitude 

I received the invitation for the private 

celebration to honour you for the Canadian 

Automobile Dealers Association’s Laureate 

Award for Business Innovation. 

Last year we purchased two BMWs from you 

and this would not have happened had it not 

been for your “family” attitude that you give to 

Anita and me. 

Good luck in the future and keep up the 

good work. 

Sincerely, 

Arnold Silber 

President 

Value Group of Companies 

This is a good place to do business 

I am writing to compliment you on your 

dealership, and Mr. Almeida on his 

professionalism. I am a veteran ex-car sales 

man with 20 years plus experience, and I 

must say I was most impressed. I recently 

purchased an used BMW 7 series from your 

store. On January 5th of this year, my wife 

and I came on to your lot by sheer chance and 

were immediately attracted to the car we 

ended up purchasing. 

Shortly after coming on to your lot, Mr. Almeida 

engaged us and presented us with the car’s 

excellent credentials. We were in fact in 

Vancouver shopping for a BMW 540, but were 

so impressed with the 7 series and its history 

that we accepted Mr. Almeda's information in 

good faith and purchased the vehicle. 

There after the rest of the process was so 

effortless, our BMW 525 was traded and we 

quickly agreed on an acceptable difference. 

Mr. Burgess Chow in your business office 

was equally pleasant and accommodating. 

We test drove the car on the delivery date and 

identified a mechanical issue which was 

confirmed by one of your technicians. A 

service appointment was scheduled for us 

DEAR BRIAN 

and on the appointed day Mr. Paul Testroete 

picked up our car at our place of residence 

and left me with a courtesy car. That evening 

my car was delivered to my doorstep. 

I was so impressed with the whole process 

and the level of service that I shared the 

experience with ALL my colleagues at work. 

Both my wife and I are left with the feeling 

that " this is a good place to do business"! 

Regards, 

John and Wendy Liemareff 

Abbotsford, BC 

Restored my faith in my beloved BMWs 

You and your service team, Ryan and Hossein, 

have restored my faith in my beloved BMWs. As 

I had mentioned in previous correspondence, I 

have been driving BMWs since 1980 and have 

owned 7 different cars to date. 

Thank you for all of your efforts to ensure that 

BMW Canada would cover these expensive 

repairs as a goodwill gesture. I realize that my 

car had several things going against it and 

truly appreciate that you no doubt contributed 

towards their decision to repair the vehicle. 

As I had also explained to you before, I don’t 

typically buy new vehicles nor do I usually 

service them at the dealer retail facility. 

However, in the future, because your efforts in 

the above matter I will be servicing this vehicle 

as well as future vehicles at your facility. 

Please pass along to Mr. Jessel my appreciation 

for your attention to this matter as I know that 

he places a very high importance on customer 

satisfaction and service. 

I would also like to convey to BMW and 

BMW Canada my appreciation for their 

commitment to their vehicles, regardless of 

the age or original delivery destination. 

Sincerely, 

Tim Timmer 

Inspector in Charge 

Canadian Grain Commission 

brianJESSEL WINTER 2008 11

Preferred Winter Beverage: A big fat, full bodied Red! 

Clinton or Obama? Clinton 

Last Book Read: 

DELUXE: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, by Dana Thomas 

Favorite European City: Paris! 

Favorite Flower: Fragrant Casablanca Lilies 

It’s Après Ski in Whistler; Where can we find you?: 

Horizontal at Vida Wellness Spa at 

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler 

Favorite day of the week? Sunday 

It’s 2010...your sport of choice to watch? Hockey 

EDITOR’S MESSAGE 

2007 was a spectacular year for all of 

us at Brian Jessel BMW. We set our 

goals high--very high, in fact—and I’m 

happy to say we succeeded in not only 

meeting but surpassing each one! We 

now we find ourselves settled into a 

new year and already so many good 

things have happened for us here at 

Jessel BMW. 

This is my third edition of brian jessel 

magazine—and the first of 2008— 

that I’ve had the privilege and pleasure 

to edit. I’d like to extend a warm 

welcome to our most recent crop of 

new contributors, including: 

Andrea Stewart, Food Director, WISH magazine 

Nathalie Atkinson, columnist, The National Post 

Beth Potter, freelance writer and PR diva 

Charles Carvalho, Director of Fixed Operations, Brian Jessel BMW 

Rafal Chrzanowski, Service Manager, Brian Jessel BMW 

In this issue we explore how the phenomenon of Facebook, and how it 

and other social media websites are transforming both business and 

the traditional media; and Jim Murray takes us on a breathtaking tour of 

Germany’s BMW facilities. Should you be sipping tea while reading this 

magazine, you’ll find the perfect companion piece in Beth Potter’s story 

about that historic beverage and the multitude of global tea brands 

currently lining our store shelves. 

As children, many of us are taught to give to others without expectation of 

return. But when it comes to rewards programs, consumers are 

increasingly learning that it is as good to receive as to give. Our lifestyle 

editor Bre Hamilton delves into the world of these programs (in which so 

many of us participate) and helps us learn to make the most of them as 

possible. As plans are well underway to welcome the world to 

Vancouver/Whistler in 2010, a jaunt to Whistler should definitely be on 

your agenda. Jill Killeen’s review of a weekend in Whistler should prove a 

temptation to take a weekend getaway soon! 

As we look ahead to spring here at Brian Jessel BMW, we are gearing up 

for a very fashionable evening set to take place April 4, 2008. The 3rd 

Annual Brian Jessel BMW Fashion Charity Gala is promising to be 

another sold-out and spectacular evening. We invite each of you to join us 

as we raise much-needed funds for the UBC/VGH Hospital Foundation’s 

Prostate Centre and BC Women’s Hospital Foundation Gynecological 

program. CTV’s Coleen Christie and Mike Killeen will again lead our 

evening--sponsored by HUGO BOSS and Harry Rosen--as we wine and 

dine courtesy of some of Vancouver’s finest restaurants and their chefs. 

Thank you to the entire organizing committee, the members of which 

have indeed freely given of themselves in order to help all of us give back 

in our community. Your hard work is sincerely appreciated. 

Brian Jessel BMW is also excited to formally announce an exciting 

partnership with the well-known and respected Cressey Development 

Group. Over the course of this year we will be sharing innovative and 

exclusive promotional events and opportunities for our valued Jessel 

BMW customers that will be more than worth attending and checking out. 

I wish you all the very best in this lucky year of 2008 and hope each and 

every one of yours is off to a brilliant start! 

Yours truly, 

Rhoda Rizkalla 

If you have a comment or suggestion, I would like to hear from you at 

rrizkalla@brianjesselbmw.com 


WE HAVE BEEN REPAIRING BMWS FOR BRIAN JESSEL BMW FOR 20 YEARS 

1520 West Third Avenue 

VANCOUVER, B.C. V6J 1J7 

Phone: 604.732.6584 

Fax: 604.736.7910 

12420 Vulcan Way 

RICHMOND, B.C. V6V 1J8 

Phone: 604.231.9614 

Fax: 604.231.9624 

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Phone: 360.707.5620 

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Michael Ho 

Michael Ho, Sales Director, has been with 

Brian Jessel BMW for over twelve years. 

During his tenure, he has earned the title of 

Number One BMW Sales Master in Canada 

many times over. He credits his love for the 

entire BMW product line as a major driving 

force behind his accomplishments, along with 

his clients, whom he values tremendously. 

They and his colleagues are what inspire him 

to excel, day after day and year after year. Michael is proud share all of his 

achievements with his clients, and with everyone at Brian Jessel BMW. 

Jim Murray 

Jim Murray is Director of New Car Sales, and 

has been in the automotive industry for 20 

years. Under his management, Brian Jessel 

BMW has grown from being western Canada’s 

largest BMW retailer to all of Canada’s largest 

BMW retailer for the last five consecutive 

years. Jim’s customer-focused approach to 

sales blends well with Brian’s business 

philosophies. After a decade with the 

dealership, Jim is clearly dedicated to the BMW brand, Brian Jessel BMW 

and its valued customers. 

Charles Carvalho 

Charles Carvalho is the Director of Fixed 

Operations and has been in the BMW 

family for over 25 years. For the past 14 

years, Charles has been the Manager of 

the Parts Department and accepted a 

promotion for his new position last year. He 

has maintained the position of the #1 Parts 

Retailer in the BMW Canada Dealer 

Network and is redeveloping the Service 

Department to share this achievement. His leadership and knowledge 

of the BMW product is what allowed him to excel into this new position. 

Charles enjoys every aspect of his job, especially the development of 

the new employees as well as providing the ultimate customer 

experience. He continues to make changes with the help of the 

management team and his focus is to continue to provide the highest 

level of customer service. 

Rafal Chrzanowski 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Rafal Chrzanowski joined Brian Jessel 

BMW as the Service Manager in 2007. 

Rafal has worked in the automotive industry 

for over 10 years. He has had several years 

of experience as an Automotive Service 

Manager, during which he has successfully 

developed new department procedures to 

ensure customer satisfaction. As part of his 

automotive experience, Rafal has also 

completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Automotive Engineering 

and has obtained industry related certifications and diplomas. 

Rafal is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and shares 

a passion for the BMW products with his valued customers. As a 

member of the team at Brian Jessel BMW, Rafal is looking forward to 

the continued growth of the Service Department. 

John Cheng 

John joined Brian Jessel BMW while he was 

completing his Master of Business 

Administration degree from Simon Fraser 

University in 2005. 

He started off as the Project Leader for the 

Quality Management Autohaus initiative 

from BMW Canada, which gave him the 

opportunity to learn how each department 

operates in Brian Jessel BMW. Then he 

successfully proposed and implemented change initiatives to ensure 

the Retailer met with the QMA requirement. In 2006, John took on the 

challenge of developing the HR Department to meet the increasing 

needs from our growing number of employees. 

Denna Mathews 

Denna Matthews our Information Technology 

Manager has been working in the Information 

Technology (IT) field for over 10 years and 

has enjoyed working with Brian Jessel 

BMW for the past year and a half. Her 

background includes holding many 

industry related certifications one of which 

is the Microsoft Certified Systems 

Engineer certification. Denna has taught at 

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in the Electrical and 

Computer Engineering Technology department. She holds a 

Master’s degree in Education from Simon Fraser University (SFU). 


Custom Design, Finish & Upholstery Period Furniture 

1655A United Blvd. Coquitlam 

604.525.0188 www.houseofchippendale.com 

Nathalie Atkinson 

Nathalie Atkinson is the National Post's 

resident style columnist and the Weekend 

Post's contributing fashion editor. She has 

been writing about matters cultural and 

sartorial for the Post since 2000. For her first 

feature, Nathalie posed as a contestant on the 

dating show Cooking For Love and she has 

since interviewed everyone from Hilary Duff, 

Olivia Newton-John and Elle MacPherson to 

Dean and Dan Caten, Tim Gunn and Marc Jacobs. She is also a regular 

contributor to magazines such as ELLE Canada, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, 

House & Home and Spacing. 

Jennifer Croll 

Jennifer is a writer and editor with an 

appreciation for culture, both from Vancouver 

and further afield. As Assistant Editor for The 

Block magazine, she keeps abreast of the best 

and brightest in design and arts, and also 

contributes regularly to SharedVision 

magazine, where she writes about sustainable 

chachkas and brilliant innovators. When she’s 

not manipulating words, Jennifer preaches 

what she practices as a teaching assistant for Simon Fraser University’s 

undergraduate magazine publishing classes. 

Bre Hamilton 

When it comes to home, food, design and 

entertaining, Bre Hamilton loves bringing you 

the latest innovations to make your lifestyle 

easier and more chic. From furniture to 

fashion, canapes to cocktails, her philosophy 

is straightforward: simplicity can be gorgeous. 

She has been a freelance writer for six years 

and her work has appeared in various 

publications, including Canadian House and 

Home and Chocolat magazines. A Vancouver native, she is currently 

based in Toronto where she is a Production Executive at Home and 

Garden Television. 

Jill Killeen 

Jill Killeen is a Vancouver-based communications 

specialistwith a background in radio broadcasting 

and public relations. She has traveled the 

world and been the passenger, not the driver, 

in many luxury vehicles, so she jumped at the 

opportunity to take the wheel of a BMW and 

head to Whistler. She says she fell in love with 

the X5. "I've always thought of cars as masculine 

and this one responded to my every command. 

A very good man indeed." 

Joe Leary 

Joe Leary is a broadcaster and contributing 

writer in Vancouver. In addition to hosting a 

weekday afternoon radio talk show on CFUN 

(1410AM), Joe contributes to a number of 

publications including TV WEEK, 24HRS 

newspaper and the Vancouver Canucks 

Magazine. His passions are music, sports 

and BMW’s. 

Beth Potter 

Always on the search for the chance to 

connect with a friend, and time to get 

perspective, tea represents the perfect 

excuse to do both. No wonder its popularity 

has stood the test of time. A pr executive 

that likes to keep a foot in the writing world, I 

enjoy investigating the small things that 

make living in this big world a little healthier 

and happier. 

Andrea Stewart 

Andrea Stewart has been food editor at Wish 

Magazine since its launch in 2004 and is a coauthor 

of its first cookbook Market to Table. A 

veteran of the food industry, Andrea also 

consults on current trends for large food 

corporations providing insights and 

marketplace concepts. Stewart pursued her 

craft in New York City, working at The Sony 

Executive Dining Room, Savann Est and 

Martha Stewart Magazine. In Toronto, she has been sous-chef at Mildred 

Pierce Restaurant and chef of retail operations at ACE Bakery. She 

attended Stratford Chefs School and also graduated with honors from the 

Ecole de Gastronomie, Ritz Escoffier in Paris, France. 

Jim Tobler 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Jim Tobler is Executive Editor of Wine Access 

magazine, Canada's wine and food authority. He 

is also Editor of The Block Magazine, a highcirculation, 

lifestyle magazine available 

throughout the Lower Mainland. Previously 

Editor of NUVO, Jim travels extensively, and 

brings something of an international perspective 

to our great local wine scene. 


BMW DREAMING

BMW DREAMING 

By Jim Murray 

Director of New Car Sales 

As some of you might know, I am coming up on ten 

years with Brian Jessel BMW, so I’m obviously 

committed to our BMW brand; but even I had my 

eyes opened this past fall as to what BMW culture 

is really all about. 

I was fortunate enough to have been invited to Spartanburg, South 

Carolina, where I toured the BMW plant and got to test drive the 

upcoming M3 at the BMW Performance Centre. Then I was off to 

Munich, Germany, where I visited the BMW headquarters, the BMW 

Research & Development Centre (known as BMW FIZ, for Forschungs 

und Innovations Zentrum) and dropped in on BMW’s largest factory in 

world: the Dingolfing plant, just 100km east of Munich, and the 

incredible BMW Welt delivery centre. What at trip it was! 

Let’s start with the factory tour in Spartanburg. It sprawls over 2.4 

million sq/ft and produces 600 new BMW vehicles per day on an inline 

sequence product line. The plant currently builds all the world’s 

X5 and Z4s but will soon be producing the new upcoming X6. 

BMW invested $3.3 billion in this plant, which is the first automotive 

plant in North America to use methane gas from local landfills to meet 

its energy needs. This methane, which is piped in from over nine miles 

away, actually provides the plant with 63% of its energy needs. It also 

has the first “green” paint shop. It truly is a world class BMW plant and 

is very much worth visiting if you ever find yourself in South Carolina. 

Next, I visited the BMW Performance Centre just around the corner 

from the plant—this is where the serious fun began! After receiving 

some instruction from the professional drivers at the Performance 

Centre we were paired in groups of two and allowed to do a series of 

track test drives. 

First up were 335i sedans, one of my favorite powertrains from BMW. 

They were incredibly responsive on the course; just ask my colleague 

from BMW Canada, as he hung on to his seat as I raced my first lap. 

Taking the upcoming M3 for a track spin 

and exclusive tours at BMW Munich

The Centre also has an off-road track designed show how agile and 

able the X3 and X5 can be. As I drove on the track there were moments 

it seemed the X5 should be tipping over, due the incredibly steep 

angles. Luckily most of our customers will never find themselves in this 

kind of a position, but it’s nice to know that if they are, the X3 and X5 

can do the job! 

The best, of course, was saved for last. I was allowed to take the New 

2008 M3 Coupe (which won’t be released until spring 2008) for a spin. 

Believe me, I took full advantage of the 400hp V8 engine. It’s 

unbelieveable how quickly this car moves, cornering rails and sounding— 

well, like a V8, This baby roars! This was undoubtedly the most fun I have 

every had in any car; it truly is the driving car of driving cars. 

Finally, we took hot laps with a BMW Performance Driver in the M5. 

Just when you think you know how to drive! These guys really knew 

how to put the M5 through its paces at full speed, with no DCS—they 

really showcase just what a 500 hp full-sized sedan can do. 

Once I recovered from this amazing experience I was off to Munich 

Germany, the home of BMW. This was my second trip there and I just 

love the city. My first day of meetings I went to the BMW FIZ, the 

BMW’s research & development centre; I was amazed at how big this 

division of BMW actually is. The sprawling glass centre houses 

engineers, designers and marketing managers. Every aspect of 

producing and testing a new BMW begins here. 

Then, I was off to BMW fantasyland, the new 250 million euro BMW 

Welt delivery centre. This is the most unbelievable BMW customer 

experience anyone could every dream of. 

First, the sheer architectural experience of the Welt is overwhelming, 

but that’s just the beginning. BMW Welt encompasses everything 

from restaurants to interactive technology simulators, as well as a 

delivery centre for customers who want to take delivery of their new 

BMW at the vehicle’s birthplace, Munich. 

My insider’s tour even included a peek at the amazing technology 

behind the storage of the BMWs for customer delivery. First, the cars 

are driven into a room with a closed door in front of it; the driver then 

exists the vehicle and leaves the room. He or she enters a code into a 

panel, the door opens automatically, and the car is moved on its 

platform into a large warehouse several stories high and parked into its 

spot, like a CD into a rack. Even the oxygen is reduced in the storage 

space, so as not to pose any fire risk. It was like witnessing something 

out of science fiction! 

22 brianJESSEL WINTER 2008 

Next, I visited Premium Lounge, where customers are welcomed as 

they check in to take delivery of their vehicles. The Lounge is a modern 

and stunning space, but if you feel you need privacy you can, (for a 

modest charge) rest in a private lounge equipped with a large plasma 

TV and sound system. 

After checking in and taking some refreshments, customers then visit 

the Product Information Centre. There they are introduced to all the 

features of their new vehicle, complete with an image of the exact car 

they ordered. The keyless, touch-screen table and overhead image 

projection make the whole experience seamless and very high-tech. 

Finally, customers walk downstairs to an open area where the vehicles 

are waiting for them. There, in full view of the public side of the Welt, 

the delivery specialist trains a spotlight on the customer’s own vehicle, 

which is revolving on a pedestal. If you are ever in Munich or would like 

the experience of a lifetime, I absolutely encourage you to visit BMW 

Welt. Better yet, arrange through Brian Jessel BMW to take delivery of 

your new vehicle at BMW Welt, and turn it into a spectacular and 

unforgettable holiday. 

My final day in Germany was fantastic. I left the hotel in Munich and 

hopped into a 335D sedan with an M sport package and drove 

approximately 100 km to the BMW Dingolfing plant. 

The 335D engine is a delight; not only does it have an incredible 

amount of low end torque, it can easily top the scale at speeds of 

250km. This engine will make its debut in Canada next fall in the 335D 

sedan and X5 Diesel. The European markets have enjoyed the diesel 

technology for years and now we will, too. 

The plant tour at BMW Dingolfing is really something to see. It is the 

largest BMW plant in the world and produces all 5 Series, 6 Series and 

7 Series worldwide. BMW invested 46 million euro in it; it has some 

23,000 employees, most whom are bussed in daily. It is hard to 

describe the enormous size of this factory; it produces a new BMW 

every 40 seconds, or 1250 per day. It also has a full production plant 

with the world’s largest transfer press, with up to 9500 tonnes of 

pressing capacity; it can turn out up to 13 components per minute, 

moulding steel and aluminum panels up to nine square meters in size. 

After returning home after my life-changing trips to Spartanburg and 

Munich, I couldn’t help but have a renewed appreciation for what a 

premium brand BMW really is, the enormous size of the company, and 

the work and dedication involved in bringing that beautiful BMW to 

your driveway. 

BMW Dingolfing Plant www.bmw-plant-dingolfing.com 

1967 BMW AG, Munich, takes over Hans Glas GmbH, a medium-sized carmaker in Dingolfing 

(the company which built the Goggomobil). 

1968 Just one year later, BMW starts to move parts of Production (including chassis and 

suspension components) to the small town in Lower Bavaria. Production of Glas cars in 

Dingolfing is phased out step-by-step. 

1970 BMW decides to build an all-new production plant in Dingolfing "from a clean sheet of 

paper". The ground is broken for Plant 2.4 by Dr. Alfons Goppel, at the time the Minister 

President of Bavaria. 

1973 The first BMW built in Dingolfing comes off the assembly line at the new Plant. It is a new 

5 Series. 

1974 Production quickly increases to 100 cars a day, the number of associates rocketing up 

to 6,300. 

1975 The BMW Dingolfing Plant completes its 100,000th car. 

1976 Daily production increases to 360 units. The first extensions of capacity are required in 

Assembly and the Bodyshop. 

1977 Time for the first expansion of the production range in Dingolfing: Following the 5 Series, 

Dingolfing, now BMW’s largest production plant, also builds the 6 and 7 Series. 

1979 BMW celebrates the first half-million BMW cars built in Dingolfing. 

1980 Dingolfing also starts building BMW’s "small" 3 Series. 

1981 Start of production of the second-generation BMW 5 Series (with 566,070 units of the 

former model built at the Dingolfing Plant). 

1982 Production in Dingolfing exceeds the magic one-million mark. 

1983 Another breakthrough: BMW"s very first diesel, the 524td, comes off the production line 

in Dingolfing. 

1985 Production in Dingolfing increases to 1.5 million units. 

1987 The new BMW 7 Series for the first time features a 12-cylinder power unit. Total production 

in Dingolfing increases to two million units, only five years after the first million. 

1988 The third-generation 5 Series replaces the former model. The number of associates 

increases to approximately 20,000. 

1990 Dingolfing builds the 200,000th 7 Series. 

1991 Production by BMW Dingolfing increases to a total of 3 million units. 

1992 A big anniversary: The region and the Company celebrate 25 years of BMW Dingolfing. 

Plant 2.1 in Dingolfing where the Engine and Chassis Division builds front and rear axles for all 

BMW cars worldwide is voted "Factory of the Year" among 400 contestants. 

1993 The number of current 5 Series built in Dingolfing increases to one million units. 

1994 Introduction of the new BMW 7 Series - the third generation of BMW’s luxury performance 

model. 

1996 BMW Dingolfing builds its fourth-million car. 

1998 Supreme prize: The Dingolfing Plant receives the J.D. Power Platinum Plant Award as the 

best car production plant in the world. 

1999 Once again, J. D. Power acknowledges Dingolfing as the best car production plant in 

Europe for its outstanding supply quality, presenting BMW with the Golden Plant Award. 

2000 The next dimension: In February the five-millionth BMW comes off the production line in 

Dingolfing. The new Initial and FurtherTraining Centre at the Plant starts operation in September. 

2001 The fourth-generation BMW 7 Series enters production. 

2002 The BMW 5 Series celebrates the 30th anniversary. 

2003 The new BMW 5 Series enters production, followed shortly thereafter by the comeback 

of the BMW 6 Series Coupé. Dingolfing celebrates 30 years of BMW car production as well as 

the six-millionth BMW built in Dingolfing. 

2004 Start of production of the new 5 Series Touring. More than 300,000 vehicles marks the 

highest annual production output in history. 

2005 In May 6.5 million cars were produced in Dingolfing since the start of production in 1973. 

2007 Anniversary in January: 40 years of BMW in Lower Bavaria. Until March seven million cars 

have been produced at BMW Dingolfing Plant. 


CONGRATULATIONS, BRIAN! 

On January 23 several friends and associates attended a special 

reception in honour of Brian Jessel, Recipient of a 2007 Laureate 

Award for Business Innovation presented by the Canadian Automobile 

Dealers Association. Frank Palmer emceed the celebration and Brian 

was toasted by the likes of Mike Rogers, Arthur Griffiths and Dr. Paul 

Devlin. Many thanks to our Event Sponsor Business In Vancouver for 

such a special evening. 

1 

4 5 6 

7 

8 9 

2 3 

1 Ron Pampu, Maggie Chandler 

& Brian Jessel 

2 Mike Rogers, Jim Murray, 

Frank Palmer, Marika Palmer, 

Lesley Rogers 

3 Brian Jessel & Nick Hiam of 

Business in Vancouver 

4 Brian Jessel & Moray Keith 

5 Shalene Trester, Dr. Randall 

Trester & Rhoda Rizkalla 

6 Drew Vida, Karen Baker- 

McGrotty and Dave McGrotty 

7 Amber Webster, Kevin Chase, 

Brian Jessel and Christy King 

8 Michael Ho, John Cheng & 

Larry Man 

9 Brian Jessel, Greg Keith & 

Glen Ringdahl 

10 Arthur Griffiths and Jim Murray 

11 Denna Mathews & Kenneth Lee 

10 11 

, Open By Appointment

T A N G E R I N E 

CITRUS BLUE FRESH SPRING 

Designers Dive into Color for Spring 

Refreshing splashes of invigorating brights punctuate classic, versatile 

neutrals as designers offer a playful spring palette for endless 

exploration and creative combinations. Variations on popular colors 

such as energizing red, cool, waterborne blue and eco-friendly greens 

also play a key role this season. 

“The spring ‘08 color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the 

season,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone 

Color Institute ®. “Stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter 

colors to create unique, distinctive looks are the basis for a great spring 

and summer wardrobe.” 


7 

6 

5 

4 

Brighter reds such as provocative Rococco Red are also in favor this 

spring, and the deep pink undertones of flowery Spring Crocus make 

it among the prettiest, most wearable purples. Against neutrals, 

luscious Cantaloupe proves warm and nurturing...& a great addition to 

any wardrobe, especially when paired with delicious chocolate browns. 

Glitzy Sliver Gray has a sheen reminiscent of the popular metallics that 

add a touch of excitement to any outfit. With its beautiful undertones, 

Croissant is a delicious base for spring's more exciting accents. Transseasonal 

Golden Olive is another distinctive & tasteful addition to 

2008's newest shades. 

3 

2 

1 

1 PRADA Deer Skin Bag $1700.00 LEONE 

2 Culti Home Fragrance Bath Salts $45.00 Vetrina 

3 Giuseppe Zanotti Sandals $820.00 Vetrina 

4 Clarins Self Tanning Cream $40.00 Holt Renfrew 

5 Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick $26.00 Holt Renfrew 

6 NARS: The Multiple $46.00 Holt Renfrew 

7 Kate’s Paperie Journal $35.00 katespaperie.com 

10 

8 

11 

Oprah chose 

these pj’s for 

the cover of 

her “O” 

Magazine! 

9 

8 Hermès $6150.00 Hermès Boutique Vancouver 

Paris Bombay Leather Tote 

9 Christine Silk Pajamas $330.00 Christine Vancouver 

10 PRADA $199.00 Holt Renfrew 

Leather Belt 

11 Christine Vancouver $240.00 Christine Vancouver 

Cami & Boxer Set 


13 

14 


12 

15 

16 

12 Christine Vancouver $90.00 Christine Vancouver 

13 Yves Rocher Fragrance $25.00 www.yves-rocher.ca 

Pur Desir De Fleur D’orange 

14 Yves Rocher $19.50 www.yves-rocher.ca 

Soothing Bath Oil 

15 Stella McCartney $1525 Holt Renfrew 

Shiny Canvas Pack Bag 

16 Michael Kors $175.00 Holt Renfrew 

Leather Wallet 

17 Stila $22.00 Holt Renfrew 

Lip Pot: Manderine 

18 CARGO $25.00 Kiss and Make Up 

Lip Gloss Quad 

17 

18 

19 

21 

20 

22 

32 

23 

19 Stila $32.00 Holt Renfrew 

Sun Compact 

20 Escents $12.95 Escents 

Rejuvenating Bath Melt Bar Aromatherapy 

21 Pedro Garcia $375.00 Holt Renfrew 

Ballet Flat 

22 Yves Saint Laurent $36.00 Holt Renfrew 

Eye Colour Touch 

23 OPI $12.00 Vida Wellness Spa 

24 Armani 

High Color Lipstick $34.00 Holt Renfrew 

25 Yves Saint Laurent $24.00 Holt Renfrew 

Long Lasting Nail Lacquer 

28 

24 

25 

26 

29 

27 

31 

30 

26 Lippman $19.00 Holt Renfrew 

Nail Lacquer, 0126 Fever 

27 Daisy Tea Light Holder $2.00 Torre & Tagus Designs 

28 Balmshell $25.00 Holt Renfrew 

Lip Gloss, Confessions of a Call Girl 

29 Stila $28.00 Shoppers Drug Mart 

Lip Glaze: Peach 

30 Prada 

Nylon Camera Bag $595.00 Holt Renfrew 

31 Prada $1625.00 Holt Renfrew 

Woven Shopper Bag 

32 Miu Mui $470.00 Holt Renfrew 

Patent Pumps 

33 

34 

39 

38 

37 

40 

35 

36 

33 Wild Sweets arÔme $7.00 www.dcduby.com 

Artisan Chocolate Praline Bar 

Orange Lime Almond 

34 Wild Sweets teXtuRe $7.00 www.dcduby.com 

Artisan Chocolate Praline Bar 

Cocoa Nib Pistachio Chili 

35 Baileys $28.45 BC Liquor Stores 

The Original 

Irish Cream Liquor 

36 Guerlain L’OR $75.00 Shoppers Drug Mart 

Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold 

Make-Up Base 

37 Cover Girl $9.50 Shoppers Drug Mart 

LashBlast Mascara 

38 shu uemura $25.00 Holt Renfrew 

Sweet Lip Gloss 

Peach 

39 Upper Canada Kitchen $10.00 www.uppercanadasoap.com 

Antibacterial Hand Wash 

Clementine with Candied Ginger 

40 Torre & Tagus $98.00 www.torretagus.com 

Urban Pet Cube Lounge 


The Upper Hand 

Enjoy some of the most luxurious products 

available to quench winter parched hands. 

BRAND PRICE AVAILABILITY 

BURT’S BEES 

Thoroughly Therapeutic 

Honey & Grapeseed Oil 

Hand Cream 

$13.00 Shoppers Drug Mart 

DARPHIN 

Aromatic Hand Crème 

Treatment with Vitamin C 

$35.00 Holt Renfrew 

SHISEIDO 

Advanced Essential Energy 

Hand Nourishing Cream 

$27.00 The Bay 

CLARINS 

Hand and Nail 

Treatment Cream 


ELIZABETH ARDEN 

Eight Hour Cream 

$25.00 The Bay 

Intensive Moisture Hand Treatment 


BRAND PRICE AVAILABILITY 

DERMALOGICA 

Multivitamin 

Hand and Nail Treatment 

$36.00 www.dermalogica.ca 

PRINCIPESSA 

cattiva diva, Silky Hand Cream 

$18.00 Kiss & Make Up 

KIEHL’S 

Ultimate Strength, Hand Salve 


JO MALONE 

Vitamin E 

Nourishing Hand Cream 


CHANEL 

Precision 

Nourishing and Rejuvenating 

Hand Cream 


Did you know? 

The first mascara product was invented by Eugene Rimmel in the 19th 

century. The word "rimmel" still means "mascara" in several languages, 

including Portuguese (rímel), Turkish (rimel), Romanian (rimel) etc. 

The word mascara derives from the Italian maschera, which means 

"mask"[1]from Middle Latin masca or Arabic Maskhara or from Old 

Occitan masco [2]. Modern mascara was created in 1913 by a chemist 

named T. L. Williams for his sister, Mabel. This early mascara was made 

from coal dust mixed with Vaseline petroleum jelly. The product was a 

success with Mabel, and Williams began to sell his new product through 

the mail. His company Maybelline, a combination of his sister's name 

and Vaseline, eventually became a leading cosmetics company. 

Mascara is used to darken and thicken lashes, and was composed of 

colorants and carnauba wax. Users wet a brush and rubbed it over the 

cake, then applied it to the eyes. The modern tube and wand applicator 

did not appear until 1957, when it was introduced by and founded by 

Helena Rubinstein. The modern tube and wand applicator was more 

appealing to the market than the old "cake" mascara. 

Modern mascaras can be divided in two groups: water resistant 

mascaras (often labeled waterproof) and non-water resistant mascaras. 

Waterproof mascaras are similar to oil-based or solvent-based paints. 

Non water-resistant mascaras behave like water based paints. 

TIP: Mascara that contains nylon fibers can give lashes a fuller and 

longer appearance because it clings to the lashes like mini extensions. 

Provitamin B5 in mascara acts as a conditioner for lashes, giving them 

a softer and more natural feel. For safety and health issues, mascaras 

should be discarded 3 months after opened. 

Longest Lashes 

MASCARA From left to right in the picture. 

BRAND 

Shiseido 

PRICE AVAILABILITY 

Extra Length Mascara 

NARS 

$27.00 Sears 

Bamboo Waterproof 

CARGO 

$25.00 Sephora 

Texas Lash 

Chanel 

$20.00 Beauty Mark 

Inimitable #10 

Clé de peau 


Lengthening Mascara #1 

Calvin Klein 


True Lustre Lengthening #101 $21.00 The Bay 

shu uemura 

fiberXtension $29.00 Sephora 

Clinique 

#01 Lash Power $18.00 Holt Renfrew 

Elizabeth Arden 

Ceramide Lash Extending $28.00 The Bay 

Sweet Leilani 

Mud Shark 

Clarins 

$14.00 Pharmasave 

Double Fix $27.00 Clarins Counters 


Common Scents 

Frédéric Malle takes perfumes 

back to basics. 

By Jennifer Croll 

“In the old days, it was very simple,” says Frédéric 

Malle, his voice rising with emotion. “Perfume 

was seen as an art, as something creative.” Malle 

is the founder of Editions de Parfums Frédéric 

Malle, the eponymous Parisian boutique 

perfumerie whose old-fashioned approach has 

revolutionized the world of fragrances. 

Malle’s passion for fragrances is hardly 

surprising, as he was born into the industry and 

primed from a young age to appreciate the 

complexity of scent. Malle’s grandfather created 

the perfume line for Christian Dior, and later, 

his mother was Dior’s art director. Perhaps his 

strong ties to perfume’s history are the reason 

why Malle, when working as a consultant for 

several large perfumers such as Hermes, grew 

dissatisfied with changes he was seeing in the 

perfume industry. “I realized that all the big 

guys, the people with money, were 

concentrating more and more on doing these 

mass-market fragrances,” says Malle. The reality 

of modern perfume-making, he observed, was 

more focused on marketing than on the product 

itself. “If you make a fragrance now, it’s a global 

business, and you have to appeal to absolutely 

everyone worldwide. Basically what counts is 

the brand more than anything. The fragrance 

has to be as bland as possible.” 

The kinds of perfumes that succeeded in this 

marketing-heavy atmosphere were ones that 

immediately appealed to the consumer, rather 

than the ones that grew on them. Most scents 

relied on the same 25 ingredients, in varying 

proportions, so as not to put off rushed shoppers 

most likely to favour something with a scent of 

familiarity. But instant gratification isn’t always 

best in the long run. “Mass fragrances are created 

to make a splash, to impress when sprayed on a 

card. They aren’t made to be worn,” confirms 

Malle. “They don’t last, or their character goes, 

because everything is invested in the first ten 

minutes. When you think of old-fashioned 

fragrances, they were not very good for ten 

minutes. You had wear them before they took off, 

and then they were delicious for the whole day.” 


Frederic Malle $189 Holt Renfrew 

Musc Ravageur 

Maurice Roucel 

100ml 

Frederic Malle $209 Holt Renfrew 

Editions de Parfums 

Bois D’Orage 

100ml 

This tension between homogenous, modern fragrances and older, more complex scents became clear 

to Malle one day as he sat with a group of accomplished, tasteful women: actresses, playwrights, and 

doctors, all discussing perfumes. “I remember it vividly,” he says. “They talked of how they had to 

choose between smelling like everybody, or smelling like their mothers. They had a choice between 

contemporary, mass-market fragrances, or great classics, but from another era.” 

Malle’s realization prompted him to create an alternative: a perfume house focusing on the fragrance 

itself, allowing the perfumer full creative license to concoct a truly amazing scent. “It’s just going back 

to what fragrances were about years ago,” he suggests. “But the idea was to create thoroughly modern 

fragrances, using old-fashioned practices. Make authentic scents, and get specialists to sell them.” 

Editions de Parfums, created in 2000, enlisted nine famous perfumers to create their own scents, to 

their own specifications. Malle draws a comparison between the way his perfumery creates perfumes, 

and the way a book publisher creates books: it’s all about the author. In Malle’s perfume shop, “instead 

of having a display of pretty bottles and a wall of boxes, we have a different framed picture of each 

perfumer with their name on it.” Each of the 9 Editions de Parfums scents is contained in an elegant, 

but simple bottle, the main difference being the name of which perfumer is displayed on the label. 

“It’s putting more focus on the content of the bottle rather than the container, which only bears the 

fragrance name, and the name of the perfumer.” 

Malle’s return to tradition has been very successful. “We had this sort of rebellion, and our rebellion 

has taken us quite far,” he comments. And that success has not gone unnoticed. “I find it extremely 

exciting that recently, most of the major houses have started to do some things very much in the spirit 

of my company. Now the market has really divided into two. You have mass fragrances, and then you 

have prestige fragrances. It’s become a real market.” The irony that traditional, quality perfume has had 

to work to establish itself in the marketplace is not lost on Malle. “My main effort is to make something 

that smells delicious when worn. It sounds like common sense, but it’s not what people do anymore.” 

Of course, that is all changing. What was old is becoming new again. “We’re going further, and 

creating fragrances that we never thought were possible anymore,” says Malle. “People are going back 

to old habits. We are giving so much reason to people to find the fragrance that they really want.” 

Spring Scents 

18 Karat $130 18 Karat Home Store 

Fragrance Spray Gift Box 

6x50ml 

Tom Ford $160 Holt Renfrew 

Black Orchid 

100ml 

Joe Malone $118 Holt Renfrew 

White Jasmine & Mint Cologne 

100ml 

Narciso Rodriguez $89 Holt Renfrew 

For Her 

Eau de Toilette 

50ml 

Chanel $89 Holt Renfrew 

ALLURE 

Sensuelle 


50ml 

Intimately Beckham $69 Holt Renfrew 

Intimately Night for Her 


75ml 

Intimately Beckham $65 Holt Renfrew 

Intimately Night for Him 


75ml 

Narciso Rodriguez $74 Holt Renfrew 

For Him 


50ml 

Jean Paul Gaultier $87 Holt Renfrew 

Classique 


50ml 


Ladies’ Track Jacket. Trendy lifestyle jacket, 

white with dark blue cuffs. Standard fit. 

White. $117.50 

White 

Out 

Cap with BMW Logo. Classic baseball 

cap with BMW logo embroidery on 

centre front. White. 21.50. 


Ladies’ T-Shirt. Crewneck T-shirt. 

Standard fit. White. $32.50 

Titleist Pro V1 Golf Ball. The number one on the 

US PGA Tour. Low compression, thin, soft urethane 

elastomer cover and high-speed core for precise 

long shots. White, pack of 3. $12.65 



Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 


Men’s T-Shirt. Crewneck T-shirt. 

Standard fit. White. $32.50 

Golf Tees. Five golf tees, white, 

100% birch wood. $1.55 

To purchase any of these items, please 

call our BMW Lifestyle Specialists: 

Kristen or Jennifer at 604.222.8807 

Experience Brian Jessel BMW’s Auto Spa 




Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 




Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 



By Michael Ho 

Director of Sales 

Shopping, living and eating in the Pearl of the Orient 

I’m often asked where I come from and I’m very proud of the 

answer. Although my original home is geographically small, it is 

home to over seven million people and is one of the world’s most 

vibrant, modern cities: I’m talking about the Pearl of the Orient, 

Hong Kong. 

In this and future issues of Brian Jessel magazine, I’m going to give 

you my take on how Hong Kong locals eat and shop, and share 

what I think are the best places to do both—because Hong Kong 

natives are passionate about gourmet food, the latest fashions, 

luxurious cars and living with style! 

Shopping 

Two famous Chinese expressions capture perfectly the Hong Kong view 

of personal style: and . The first means that 

appearance counts for so much, you’re likely to be judged by your outfit 

before your personality; the second is kind of like the English expression 

“the clothes make the man”—how you dress is hugely important in 

determining the impression you make on others. 

This emphasis on style and image might account for the fondness many 

Hong Kongers have for global luxury brands. Louis Vuitton, Chloe, 

Prada and MiuMiu bags can be found on the arms of many of the city’s 

style-conscious women, although the Hermes Birkin bag (which can cost 

up to $30,000 CDN for a crocodile or ostrich leather version) is among 

the most coveted. When limited-edition Birkins are on offer, Hong 

Kong’s Hermes stores will sell out of them immediately. 

Should luxury goods be on your agenda when you visit Hong Kong, the 

Central and Admiralty areas offer the motherlode of flagship retailers, 

from Armani to Zegna. Many of these stores have been dramatically 

Hong Kong 

reinvented in recent years, the latest of which is the Gucci flagship store 

next to the Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel. 

The Chater House building contains several options if Armani is what 

you’re after: Armani Casa, Fiori and Dolci are three separate venues 

offering the brand’s signature take on fabulously expensive home 

furnishings, glorious flower arrangements and even luxury food products. 

Across Pedder Street and facing the Landmark Mandarin Oriental is the 

gracefully aging Pedder Building, in which you’ll find an array of clothing 

outlets and chic niche boutiques. Spread over the first two floors is the 

landmark Hong Kong retailer Shanghai Tang; opened in 1994, it offers 

brilliantly hued silks for all occasions, from gowns and figure-hugging 

cheongsams to jackets and pajamas. It’s hard to walk in the store without 

picking something up—never mind the wallet!


Nearby on Queen’s Road Central, a recent addition is a brand new, fivestory 

Harvey Nichols. This venerable British retailer offers a huge range of 

luxury brands, competing with the famous Joyce Boutique across the road. 

One of Hong Kong’s most popular malls, Pacific Place, can be found in 

the Admiralty area. It is accessible, busy and well-stocked with more 

designer labels than you can shake a stick at. There is also a large Lane 

Crawford store and a Seibu department store. 

Dining 

Hong Kong is a city of enormous energy and activity, particularly when 

it comes to dining. A very popular Hong Kong expression is ; 

it literally means Chinese people will make eating their first priority, above 

everything else! 

Some of my favourite Hong Kong specialties include pan-fried bird’s nest 

in scrambled eggs; double boiled shark’s fin with bamboo piths; and 

braised whole Ouma abalone with oyster sauce. 

Bird’s nest is a traditional dish; rich in protein, it has nourishing and 

regenerative qualities and is said to be particularly beneficial for women. 

Good quality bird’s nest has fine, translucent strands and a delicate flavour 

with a hint of egg white. It absorbs flavour very well and is excellent 

cooked in Kim Wa ham stock or in desserts. 

Shark’s fin is one of four dishes—including abalone, sea cucumber and 

fish maw— that symbolize prestige and luxury and can always be found 

at a traditional Chinese banquet. 

High quality shark’s fin is made up of needle-like fibres which ought to be thick, long, golden and 

translucent, with a smooth, soft texture that exhibits slight resistance when you bite into it. The 

preparation of shark’s fin involves hours of intense labor as it is soaked and cleaned in several 

cycles before being boiled, double boiled and then braised in Kim Wa ham, chicken and pork 

stock. Shark’s fin is not only rich in protein and collagen but is said to help maintain blood 

pressure, benefit the internal organs and most of all, preserve youth. For centuries Chinese 

women, including the Empress Dowager, have eaten shark’s fin in order to maintain their 

beautiful complexions. 

Though shark’s fin is a nourishing food, it is very difficult to prepare. In Chinese cooking, four 

different shark fins are often used – the dorsal fin (considered the best quality); two side fins 

(medium quality); the bottom fin (lower quality); and the tail fin (good quality). The fin itself 

does not have any flavor and needs to be simmered in chicken, duck, dried scallop or pig foot 

broth and seasoned with scallions, ginger, salt and rice wine for between five to seven hours. 

Two of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong are Fook Lam Moon and Fu Lam; the chefs at the 

former are particularly good at creating dishes featuring shark’s fin, including shark’s fin soup. This 

soup is always kept hot at the table with an open-flame heater; if allowed to cool, its flavours 

diminish. But when it’s cooked just right, shark’s fin soup is incredibly tender, savoury and delicious. 

Finally, abalone: one of the most expensive dried ingredients in Chinese cuisine. High quality 

abalone should have an intensely unique taste and be chewy at its core. The most popular method 

of cooking abalone is to braise it in its own rich sauce, accompanied by braised fish maw or sea 

cucumber. Abalone is also said to have and youth-maintaining effects, and can also balance the 

blood pressure and brighten the eyes. 

In our next issue I’ll be sure to share more exotic dishes I’ve enjoyed in Hong Kong and touch on 

a subject most women can’t get enough of: diamonds! 


By Beth Potter 

Cozy Up to Tea and 

Steep the Benefits 

The image of being wrapped in a warm blanket, hands cupped around a 

steaming mug of tea is definitely one of the comforting images of our long 

Canadian winter. Its no wonder Canadians alone drink more than seven billion 

cups of tea each year. 

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world. And that’s great news on 

the health front. The latest research confirms tea’s benefits for cancer prevention 

as well as healthy teeth, a healthy heart and keeping an active mind. 

All teas come from the same plant, camellia sinensis. Teas are then classified in 

four major categories – white, green, Oolong or black. The color of tea is the 

result of the chemical changes that take place when the leaves are given time to 

oxidize before drying. The exception of course, being herbal and flower teas 

that are simply dried herbs. 

The world boasts more than 3,000 teas. Some of the most unique and 

sought-after teas include Gyokuro, a delicate green tea (grown in shade in 

just three regions of Japan) that may be the most expensive tea in the world, 

selling for up to $1,000 a pound. Pu-erh is a black tea from China’s Yunan 

province; its double-fermented leaves are pressed into balls or bricks, then 

aged in caves (sometimes for years) to achieve a musty, earthy flavor. Silverneedle 

jasmine, a prized white tea from China's Fujian province, consists of 

silvery, down-covered tea buds (picked over a few days in spring) to which 

jasmine blossoms are added for scent. 

Become a Brew Master 

Tea brewing is not a complex craft to master but does require some attention to detail. Tea should 

never taste bitter or lack flavor. Follow these tips to ensure the perfect cup: 

1. Use filtered water. Always put fresh water in your kettle. 

2. Warm your pot. While the kettle water is heating, fill your teapot with hot tap water to preheat it. 

This helps the brewed tea maintain the proper temperature. Discard the water once kettle has boiled. 

3. As soon as the water comes to a boil, remove it from the heat. Scientifically speaking, overheating 

reduces the oxygen content and causes the tea to taste flat. 

4. Measure your tea. For loose tea, place approximately one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup into the 

pot or into an infuser placed in the pot. (The amount depends on the type of tea and personal 

preference.) If you don't have loose tea, use one tea bag per 1-2 cups, depending on the size of the 

bag and again, use your personal preference. 

5. Steep your tea. Small leaves brew more quickly and are usually ready in two to three minutes; 

medium leaves in three to five minutes; large leaves in six. Tea bags will steep faster than loose leaves. 

6. Keep your tea hot. Use a tea cozy to keep the tea at the proper temperature. There are two types 

of cozies: an "over the top" cozy sits over the pot and must be removed to pour tea; and a serving 

cozy wraps around the pot, leaving the handle and spout exposed for pouring. Both work equally 

well. Just don’t cozy up a tea pot that still has leaves in it or the tea will taste bitter. 

7. Add lemon, sugar, or milk. Add the sugar first, since the citric acid from the lemon will prevent 

the sugar from dissolving. There is a debate over whether to add milk to the cup before or after the 

tea; according to the British Standards Institute, milk should be placed in the cup first. Experts 

recommend not using cream, as it interferes with the taste of the tea. 

“ 

The latest research confirms tea’s 

benefits for cancer prevention as well 

as healthy teeth, a healthy heart and 

keeping an active mind. 

” 

40 brianJESSEL WINTER 2008 brianJESSEL WINTER 2008 41

The Finer Details: 

Black Tea 

How to Brew: Bring the water to a rolling boil. Steep one teaspoon or 

bag per cup for three to five minutes. 

Green Tea 

How to Brew: To avoid bitterness, heat the water to just below the boil 

(when a few bubbles start to rise), or let it boil, then set it aside for 10 

minutes. Steep one teaspoon or bag per cup for one to two minutes. 

Oolong Tea 

How to Brew: Follow the directions for Green Tea. 

White Tea 

How to Brew: Heat the water as you would for green tea, then steep one 

teaspoon per cup for 3 to 10 minutes. 

Match a Tea 

How to Brew: Add 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of Matcha to 2-3 ounces 

of fresh water just below boiling. Add more water to desired taste. Stir or 

whisk until frothy. Refrigeration of Matcha is recommended. 

Herbal Tea 

How to Brew: Heat the water as you would for green tea, then steep for 

7 minutes. 

Tea Necessities 

The two crucial functions of teaware include bringing the water to the 

right temperature and steeping the tea to the right intensity. 

Reading Tea Leaves 

If you’re having a tea party, why not give your 

guests an added incentive: learning a little 

something about their future with a tea reading. 

Here’s how to prepare: 

To make the tea, place about a teaspoon of tea 

in each cup and then fill with boiling water. As 

the tea steeps the leaves will settle to the bottom 

of the cup. As you drink the tea, make a wish or 

think of a question. After drinking the tea, leave 

about one teaspoon of the tea on the bottom of 

the cup, and with your left hand, swirl the tea 

three times to spread the leaves around the sides 

of the cup. Gently turn the cup upside down 

onto the saucer to drain out the leftover tea. 

Turn the cup right side up again and look for a 

picture pattern. The first picture you see is the 

answer to your wish or question you thought of 

while drinking the tea. 


The Stovetop Kettle 

Stainless steel reigns. It lasts longer than glass, and it doesn’t taint the 

flavor of the water the way copper can. 

The Cup 

When it comes to the cup, you want something that will keep your tea 

warm right to the bottom. Look for a cup that is narrow and made of 

glass. There’s something to be said about drinking tea from fine bone 

china, but if you’re looking for cozy, stick with glass. 

The Strainer 

If your teapot doesn’t have an infuser, you’ll need a strainer that sits atop 

your cup to avoid drinking a mouthful of leaves. Be sure it’s stainless steel, 

which won’t rust or alter your brew’s flavor. 

The Teapot 

Ceramic is your number one bet for heat retention, with glass coming a 

close second. If you prefer to note the color of your tea or if you’re 

brewing some of the hot new flower teas, you’ll want to go with glass. 

The novelist Alice Walker wrote, "Tea to the English is really a picnic 

indoors." And with the best of winter still ahead of us, what a perfect image. 

Canadian tea websites worth perusing: 

www.theteaemporium.com 

www.florahealth.com 

www.muzitea.com 

www.mightyleaf.ca 

www.namasthe.ca 

www.bodum.com 

Here are some interpretations of the 

pictures you see. 

Anchor - success in business 

Angel - good news 

Arch - a journey 

Arrow - bad news 

Axe - difficulties overcome 

Bear - anticipated danger through stupidity 

Birds - good news or travel by air 

Bouquet - luckiest symbol, fulfillment of desires 

Butterfly - anticipated pleasure 

Cat - treachery if in the bottom of the cup 

Circle - wedding - trust and love 

Crescent Moon - changes 

Dog - good and faithful friends 

Eagle - strength, overcoming adversity 

Egg - increase 

Eye - understanding 

Fish - very good fortune 

Fork - a change in directions 

Frog - romantic conquest 

Fruits - if in season, contentment 

Heart - love 

Horseshoe - good luck, prosperity 

Kite - long journey 

Knife - arguments 

Ladder - advancement 

Lion - powerful 

Lines - advancement, long life 

Moon - romantic involvement 

Mushroom - separation, business or personal 

Mouth - listen carefully 

Pig - faithful lover, envious friends 

Rabbit - an absent friend needs help 

Rainbow - good luck to come 

Ring - marriage 

Scissors - separation 

Square - comfort 

Sun - Warmth and happiness 

Tree - wishes will come true 

Triangle - unforeseen legacy 

Vulture - theft 

Leaves on the bottom of the cup foretell the 

distant future. Leave the sides foretell of events 

in the not too distant future, and leaves on the 

rim area tell the present. The pictures or 

symbols that you see very clearly have more 

weight than those that are unclear. 

http://www.estatetea.com/readingtea.htm 

by Andrea Stewart 

Now that people are increasingly looking for more profound food experiences, it's 

hardly a surprise that tea-tasting parties are all the rage. Tastings allow guests to 

develop their tea palates and experiment with the taste and textures of tea on its 

own, or paired with and incorporated into a variety of sweet and savoury foods. 

(Plus, it's a fantastically simple and original way to entertain.) For inspiration, read 

Dina Cheney's Tasting Club (Dorling Kindersely, 2006, $30). 

Some tips: 

Keep your guest list to no fewer than six and no more than twelve people–this allows 

for conversation to flow and won't require that you purchase extra dishes or teaware. 

Suggest ahead of time that guests not wear perfume, as this can interfere with the 

tasting experience. Provide guests with paper and pencils for tasting notes, and offer 

hors d'oeuvres to accompany the tea and water to cleanse the palate between tastings.

The Parts and Service Departments: 

By Charles Carvalho 

Director of Fixed Operations 


Not “back-end” but the backbone 

of our operations 

Here at Brian Jessel BMW, we always provide our customers with the 

highest level of service and continue to make the appropriate changes 

needed to exceed their expectations. This philosophy originates with 

Brian Jessel himself, and is passed on by each and every employee. 

Brian’s goal—our goal—is to always look after our customers and 

ensure they receive the best service possible. 

As Director of Fixed Operations, I have seen many changes in our business over the past 15 

years. As the number of our employees in our Parts and Service Departments has grown, we 

have spent many hours helping them understand the importance of being committed to and 

delivering on our outstanding service philosophy. We are currently restructuring our Service 

Department to allow for our continuing growth. This is not an easy task. However, we have made 

many steps towards the development of this department. 

We created four new Service Consultant positions, bringing our total to ten. This will allow our 

customers to spend more time one-on-one with each consultant and not feel pressured or 

rushed when they come in to see us. We realize that some of our customers may require more 

technical advice, and due to this demand we hired Chris Kehoe as our Technical Service 

Consultant. Chris comes to us with 30 years of BMW experience and has a very good 

understanding of our vehicles and, most importantly, our customers. 

We expanded our BMW Express Service and increased the number of our Appointment 

Coordinators. These positions are an essential addition in order to address the high demand of 

our customers. As a result, we also created several new Supervisor positions, to assist with 

training all new employees. 

In August of this year we hired a new Service Manager, Rafal Chrzanowski. During the interview 

process we realized he would be the future star of our Service Department. Rafal has a degree in 

automotive engineering and has over 10 years experience in the automotive industry. He is a 

great addition to the Brian Jessel management team and has accepted the challenge to 

reorganize and increase the level of service we offer our customers. 

Due to our ever-growing volume of customers, we also needed to add more experience in our 

repair shop. During our recruiting process, we found the customary approach to recruit new 

technicians was not as effective as we anticipated. We decided to try something new and held 

an open house at our dealership. Our objective was to invite potential employees to visit our 

facility and allow us to show them what Brian Jessel BMW could offer them. We had an amazing 

turnout and were able to complete 32 interviews. From this, we hired five new technicians and 

welcomed them to join our team. We currently have 38 technicians in our Service Department 

and will continue to add more as required. 

We then discovered we had a new obstacle to overcome. With all the new employees we added 

to our team, we needed to find an effective way to train everyone. We promoted one of our more 

experience technicians to this newly created position as our Technical Trainer. We are currently 

experimenting with a new Technical Department. Our objective is to 

create an enhanced training program for all of our new technicians. 

This will allow us to educate and train each new member of our team 

with the least amount of disruption. With the assistance of the training 

tools provided by BMW Group Canada, our new technicians will fully 

understand the complexity of our product and learn how to better 

service our vehicles and our customers. 

Another project that is currently in process is the expansion of our 

service repair shop. We are increasing the number of service bays from 

19 to 24. This will assist the Service Department by increasing the 

capacity to allow for the increase in volume and demand. 

As we continue to grow we also need to consider the extra services we 

provide in our Service Department. We are currently the only BMW 

dealership to provide 65 BMW courtesy cars and have two on-site rental 

car companies. In the event all of our courtesy cars are occupied, we 

also provide alternate transportation. With our very popular Valet Service, 

we go right to our customer’s home or office and pick up their BMW. If 

necessary we will provide alternate transportation if required. We also 

offer a shuttle service for those that live or work near our dealership and 

do not require a vehicle for the day. These services help us our reach our 

goals of providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction. 

Our Parts Department has also made a few changes. Charley Risley has 

been with BMW for 19 years as a very experienced parts consultant and 

Assistant Parts Manager; his dedication and knowledge has led him to 

his promotion as our new Parts Manager. Charley has a great 

understanding of the BMW product and the diversity of the Parts 

Department. He has taken on this new role and will not only manage the 

employees, but also a parts inventory of over one million dollars. We are 

currently the number one Parts Department in Canada and will make 

every effort to maintain and achieve this status. 

As we continue to develop our Fixed Operations, we have created a 

new strategy team to assist with the rebuilding of our departments. We 

are focused and committed to providing our customers with the level 

of service they have come to expect. Our strategy team meets 

biweekly to discuss both customer and employee concerns. This team 

consists of employees from both the Parts and Service Departments. 

They brings input from every aspect of the Fixed Operations and 

permit the two departments to move in the same direction and achieve 

the same goals. 

Our objective, as always, is to please all of our customers and provide 

a great working environment for our employees. We believe in 

empowering our employees to make decisions and assist with the 

development of our dealership. Everyone’s opinion and suggestion is 

important to us and we encourage our employees to become more 

involved with their respective departments. 

We would like to thank all of our valued customers for their continued 

support. As we continue to implement changes to increase our 

customer service, we need to know how we are doing. Please feel free 

to offer any suggestions as we would love to hear from you! 


He’s got the answers: 

By Rafal Chrzanowski 

Service Manager 


Our new Service Manager tackles your key oil 

service questions 

Why are regular oil changes important? 

Changing the oil keeps your vehicle in top operating form and ensures engine longevity—it’s a 

key part of good automotive maintenance. 

Oil performs several important protective functions in your engine. It provides a lubricating 

barrier between moving parts in the engine, preventing excessive friction on metal components 

and thus reducing heat and wear, rust and corrosion. It also suspends and carries dirt and other 

harmful particles, such as carbon and silica, to the oil filter to be trapped. These harmful particles 

would otherwise accumulate in the engine and after a period of time would likely lead to engine 

damage or failure. 

Acids that may be damaging to polished metal surfaces are neutralized by the additives in the 

oil. Furthermore, oil is able to retain its fluid consistency during extreme cold and hot 

temperatures and therefore will maintain its protective functions in severe weather conditions. 

It is important to change oil regularly since it has a limited life. After a certain point, the oil will 

break down and its protective capabilities will diminish. Failure to change the oil at recommended 

intervals may lead to engine problems or failure. 

What about my oil filter? 

In combination with your oil, your oil filter is very important as it traps harmful particles and other 

impurities from the engine. Your oil filter should be replaced at the same time as your oil change. 

Over time, when the oil filter becomes clogged it can no longer effectively filter the oil and thus 

creates the potential for engine failure. A saturated filter can also increase oil pressure, which 

can result in poor fuel economy and emissions. 

How often should I change my oil and oil filter? 

Oil and oil filter changes should be performed as often as recommended 

by the manufacturer. The manufacturer bases their recommendations 

on many different factors such as: engine size, year, model, mileage 

and driving habits. 

BMW currently uses three different warning systems to indicate when 

the vehicle requires the oil service; the type of warning system in a 

BMW depends on the production year of the vehicle. 

BMW models prior to 1999 use a system consisting of a series of five 

green lights followed by one yellow light and one red light with the 

inscriptions “Oil Service” and “Inspection” displayed on the 

instrument panel. Over time, the green lights will turn off one by one. 

When the last green light turns off, the yellow light will illuminate with 

the words “Oil Service” or “Inspection.” This indicates that your next oil 

service is due. If you fail to complete the oil service in a timely manner, 

both the yellow and right light will appear together with the words “Oil 

Service” or “Inspection.” When this occurs the vehicle may be unsafe 

to drive, and you should avoid driving your BMW and have the vehicle 

serviced without further delay. 

BMW vehicles produced in 1999 until late 2002 use a mileage 

countdown warning system to determine the next oil service. The oil 

service should be scheduled when the mileage countdown shows 

approximately 200km. 

In late 2002, BMW introduced a new feature, the Condition Based 

Servicing (CBS). It was first introduced into the 7 series and now is 

available on most BMW models. The system uses sensors that 

continuously monitor parts subjected to wear, thus calculating the 

extent to which servicing is necessary. The vehicle analyzes this 

information and stores it on the remote control key. At any given time 

the information can be downloaded and an accurate analysis can be 

provided. This means that the vehicle determines when the service or 

maintenance is required by the way the vehicle is driven. Each vehicle 

is equipped with a BMW service indicator that will notify you when the 

next service is required. 

Why should I check my oil level regularly? 

It is very important to check your oil level on a regular basis, especially 

before going on long trips. Over time, the engine can consume some 

oil as it lubricates internal components. The rate of oil consumption is 

strongly influenced by driving habits and operating conditions. 

Between your regular oil service intervals, the engine may use up 1L 

of oil for every 1200km. A warning indicator will also illuminate if your 

oil is low and needs topping up. 

To determine how to check the oil level on your vehicle, refer to your 

owner’s manual or contact your BMW Service Department. 

Where should I go to for oil service? 

Contact Brian Jessel BMW and one of our appointment coordinators 

would be happy to provide you with an appointment for your next 

scheduled express oil service. Remember, it is very important to get 

regular oil maintenance for your vehicle. By following proper oil service 

recommendations you can avoid engine problems in the future. 

Repair of Alloy Wheels 

COMING SOON 

Minor Wheel 

Straightening 

Available every weekday 

• Maintain your ‘new car’ look 

• Repairs to gouges, scratches, scrapes 

and some bends 

• Colour-matching to manufacturer’s 

standards for all alloy wheels 

• All work 100% guaranteed 

For an appointment call Brian Jessel BMW 

service department 604.222.8806 


BMW Lifestyle 

All-Weather Jacket. Unisex. 

All-weather 2-in-1 jacket, with 

concealed hood in collar and 

detachable fleece vest. Wind and 

waterproof, sealed seams. Loose fit. 

Dark Blue/Olive lining. $405.50 

Men’s Fleece Jacket. Sporty fleece 

jacket with colour-matched accents 

on the collar and sleeves. Wind and 

water-repellent. Slim fit. Olive. 

$100.50 



Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 


Ladies’ Fleece Jacket. Sporty 

fleece jacket with colour-coordinated 

inserts on the collar and sleeves. 

Wind and water-repellent. Slim fit. 

Arctic Blue/White lining, Dark 

Blue/Wasabi Green lining. $87.50 

Men’s Fleece Jacket. Stylish fleece 

jacket. Wind and water-repellent. 

Standard fit. Dark Blue. $100.50 

To purchase any of these items, please call our BMW Lifestyle Specialists: 


Ladies’ Fleece Jacket. 

Functional, stylish ladies’ jacket 

with tall stand-up collar and belt. 

Wind and water-repellent. 

Standard fit. Dark Blue/Wasabi 

Green lining. $126.50 

M Collection Men’s Jacket. Sporty 

leisure jacket with typical M colour trim 

inside. Win and water-repellent. Slim fit. 

Balck. $135.50 

PRESENTED BY 

Join CTV personalities, Coleen Christie and 

Mike Killeen at Brian Jessel BMW for a 

fashionable evening of elegance and allure 

featuring HUGO BOSS for men and women. 

The evening will include cuisine from some of 

Vancouver’s top restaurants, a complimentary 

wine and martini bar and a silent auction 

featuring a variety of unique items and works. 

For tickets call 604.222.7788 or visit 

www.brianjesselbmw.com/cabriolet 

Net proceeds to benefit: 

Join us for 

Cabriolet 

CHARITY FASHION GALA 

Brian Jessel 

Supporting Sponsor 

X6 Sponsor 

7 Series Sponsor 




Restaurant Sponsor 

Media Sponsor 

Friday, April 4th, 2008 

Festivities begin @ 7:00 pm 

Gala Ticket $125 each 

Co-Chairs 


Rhoda Rizkalla 

Committee Members 

Candice Alderson 

Sybil Climo 

Cale Dougans 

Muge Erel 

Debra Gallie 

Heidi Gremaud 

Allison Hegedus 

Doug Holt 

Jill Killeen 

Lori Kliman 

Kenneth Yu-Hao Lee 

Elodie Liger 

Susan Lloyd 

Annabel Clarke MacKay 

Elizabeth McQueen 

Marianne Pearson 

Saleema Sunderji Remtula 

Susan Seminew 

Lynn Wigen


By Joe Leary 

When a Harvard University student named Mark 

Zuckerberg launched the social networking site then 

known as “The Facebook” back in 2004, the site’s 

membership was limited to his fellow Harvard 

students. Within weeks word of the site spread, 

interest in it grew, and the site’s network quickly 

expanded to include students from several other Ivy 

League institutions. 

As the months and years passed, the number of 

Facebook users soared and its network expanded 

beyond colleges and universities. Today, Facebook 

has not only transcended its original parameters, it 

is one of the world’s pre-eminent social networking 

websites and a key driver of the online zeitgeist. 

In just over three years—and in an arena where new 

players rise, grow and fall with equal rapidity— 

Facebook has surpassed even the wildest 

expectations of its founder, among others. 

Facebook currently has over 59 million active users 

worldwide and is growing daily. Just over a year ago 

the site was ranked the 60th most popular Web site 

in the United States; this year, it’s ranked seventh. 

“Facebook is a great 

way to find real people 

talking about 

popular subjects” 

When it comes to reach, the country most saturated with 

Facebook users is Canada (over 22% of our population 

are members) followed by Norway and the UK. In the 

US, Facebook in now the number one Web site for photo 

uploads, with over 60 million uploaded each week. With 

new users averaging roughly 250,000 per day, and the site 

earning 65 billion page views per month, the success of 

Facebook (and the ensuing social phenomenon it has 

created) is staggering. Even its name has entered the 

everyday lexicon as a verb—how often have you (or 

someone you know) had to “go Facebook,” or spent the 

morning “Facebooking”? 

And if you are a Facebook user, research shows you’re 

spending approximately 19 minutes every day using it to 

connect or reconnect with others, to market yourself, 

your activities or your interests, or to simply 

communicate with others through a myriad of userdeveloped 

Facebook tools. Whether you’re seeking to 

reacquaint yourself with childhood and school friends, 

find a long-lost love or family members or reach out to 

someone new, Facebook has established itself as the place 

on the Web where you’re most likely to do it. 

If you’re not already using Facebook, here’s how it works. 

Originally created as an online version of a university 

“facebook” (a directory of students and faculty, featuring 

pictures and mini-biographies, distributed internally 

throughout most US colleges every year), Facebook is free 

to join (its revenues come from advertising, which are 

said to roll in at the rate of $2 million USD per week). 

You then use a simple interface to create an online profile 

containing as much (or as little) personal information as 

they’d like, including photos, personal preferences, 

hobbies and interests. You then begin connecting with 



others, who then become part of part of your 

circle of Facebook “friends.” Facebook’s 

messaging, status update and other informationfeeding 

features make it easy—easier than email, 

and with much less formality—to send and 

receive information about your friends (and for 

them to receive information about you). 

As the network of Facebook users has grown, 

the site’s usefulness has also grown. As a 

member of the Global National’s television 

health correspondent Jennifer Tryon is quick to 

sing the site’s praise; for her, Facebook is a vital 

work tool. 

“Facebook is a great way to find real people 

talking about popular subjects,” enthuses 

Tryon. “As a health journalist, it’s often hard 

for me to find patients willing to talk about 

their conditions. Facebook, on the other hand, 

is full of groups dedicated to particular health 

issues. People seem to be more comfortable 

posting and otherwise speaking out on 

Facebook; they’re also more accessible, which 

is great for a journalist like me, always working 

on a tight deadline.” 

Josh Abel, on the other hand, is the lead singer 

and keyboardist for the emerging rock band 

The Sessions; he feels his and the band’s 

presence on Facebook has helped them draw 

bigger audiences. While Facebook’s socialnetworking 

competitor MySpace has been 

widely hailed as the site for showcasing and 

marketing recording artists, more and more 

musicians seem to be turning to Facebook as 

well. For Abel, it’s all about increasing the band’s 

accessibility to as many fans as possible. 

“You could have a pile of gold that you want to 

give away, but if you leave it under a blanket and 

don’t tell anyone about it, it will be a while 

before anyone discovers what you’ve got for 

them,” says Abel. “It’s the same scenario with 

good music; that’s why Web sites like Facebook 

and MySpace are so great for artists. They allow 

us to maintain a presence in our fans’ lives, so 

we can chat with them and keep them in the 

know about our upcoming shows. They make 

us accessible and in turn, make our fans 

accessible to us.” 

“Employers are also increasingly using 

Facebook to track their employee’s 

personal histories and habits” 

Vancouver morning show radio personality Kid Carson of The Beat 94.5 FM credits the 

site for part of his show’s ratings growth. “I felt the need to go to the listener and earn 

them one at a time,” he says. “Facebook literally intertwines my social circle with my 

audience. I feel like everyone there is a friend.” 

Facebook is also playing a significant role as a campaign tool in this year’s in this year’s US 

Presidential race. The site gives the candidates have the ability to get their message to the 

masses—and lets the masses communicate directly with them—by allowing them to build 

vast networks of friends and colleagues. 

But for every story with an upside you’re likely to find a downside, and Facebook is no 

exception. The site has drawn serious criticism for several clauses within its privacy policy, 

one of which reserves the right to sell users’ data—including personal information and all 

uploaded photos, videos and other information—to private companies; another of which 

allows Facebook to “use information about you that we collect from other sources, including but 

not limited to newspapers and Internet sources such as blogs, instant messaging services and other 

users of Facebook, to supplement your profile.” 

As frequently as users are unaware of Facebook’s own privacy agreement, they are just as 

often unaware of how to use their profile’s privacy settings, or are less than cautious when 

revealing personal information to friends online—all of which can make them vulnerable 

to data miners and identity thieves. 

Employers are also increasingly using Facebook to track their employee’s personal histories and 

habits; universities and high schools are using the site to investigate underage drinking and 

other on-campus infractions; and law enforcement departments are using Facebook and other 

social networking sites to apprehend criminals only too willing to share their exploits online. 

But for every gang member busted through his online profile, there will always be those 

who want to subvert the conversion of Facebook into a useful tool for “Big Brother” and 

instead use the site to tweak authority. Take the George Washington University students 

who recently posted news of a “cake party”; when school administrators, fearing “cake” was 

a metaphor for some kind of illicit activity, called the police to raid the party, all the police 

officers found were students… and cake. 

All of which serves to remind us that in the case of Facebook, it’s easy for the lines between 

the personal and the public can easily become blurred. While we may think that we’re only 

sharing our personal information with those of our choosing, there are any number of 

ways, when it comes to Facebook, that our information can leak into—or be grabbed by— 

the hands of others. That said, Facebook has in only a few short years reinvented and 

transformed how we communicate with one another. Let’s see if we’re all still “friends” 

with Facebook five years from now. 

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By Bre Hamilton 

Crystal clear 

and no 

two alike 

Navigating the 

ice-cold world of 

super-premium vodka 

From James Bond to Carrie Bradshaw to the Saturday-night crowds at 

the latest chic lounge: everyone, it seems, is in love with vodka. Rarely 

consumed outside Europe until the 1950s, vodka is now the world’s 

most popular distilled beverage, easily outselling other hard liquors 

including rum, gin, whiskey, bourbon and tequila. 

This once-humble tipple, created by the distillation and filtration of a 

fermented substance such as grain, potatoes, beets or molasses, dates 

back to the early Middle Ages and has its origins in the “vodka belt” 

countries of central, eastern and northern Europe. While those countries 

continue to consume more vodka per capita than elsewhere in the world, 

the United States is the epicentre of a new global market trend: the 

consumption of premium and super-premium vodkas. 

Were he to walk into Manhattan’s Waverly Inn this evening and order a 

cocktail, it would surely not be enough for James Bond to ask that his 

vodka martini be “shaken, not stirred”; he would be expected to request 

a super-premium vodka brand. While we don’t know Bond’s choice (for 

now, at least; product placement being what it is, the next film 

installment might reveal all) today’s discerning consumer has a full range 

of premium and super-premium vodkas from which to choose.

Vincent Van Gogh Espresso $42.99, 750 ml 

Twice-distilled in Holland from wheat, corn and barley and has a sharp, 

bold taste. Made with the martini in mind, it is designed to eliminate the 

need for sweet liqueurs. 


The question is, how to choose? Vodka is a neutral spirit which under US 

and European law must have no distinctive aroma, character, colour or 

flavour. In theory, therefore, all vodkas should taste the same. Yet the 

variety of ways in which vodka can be distilled, the materials through 

which it can be filtered, the plant matter from which it is produced and 

even the water used in the distillation process may account for each brand’s 

distinctive smell, flavour, mouth-feel and aftertaste. 

But that’s just the clear vodkas. While most vodkas are unflavoured, 

flavoured vodkas also enjoy a long tradition, either to improve their taste 

or for medicinal purposes. While red pepper, ginger, cinnamon and St. 

John’s Wort-flavoured vodkas date back centuries, today’s vanilla, 

pomegranate, espresso and other flavours account for most of the 

innovation in vodka production and the real source of growth and 

differentiation among consumers. 

So in the quest for the perfect drink, is merely choosing any premium or 

super-premium vodka, rather than a lower-priced brand, the answer? 

“Premium” and “super-premium” are not regulated categories; any vodka 

producer may use either designation. As Nick Passmore reminds us in 

Forbes.com, “Despite all the hype and promotional gush about [superpremium 

brands] using estate-grown potatoes and water from glacier-fed 

mountain streams, making vodka is ridiculously easy.” 

And highly profitable. Unlike whiskey or cognac production, vodka is 

simple, inexpensive and quick to make, requiring no oak barrels or long 

aging. The costs are low, the margins high, the brands elite: this perhaps 

might explain the sudden influx of such celebrity entries to the superpremium 

market (recently estimated at $1.3 billion USD per year) as 

Donald Trump, Roberto Cavalli and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. 

What’s really responsible for the boom in premium and super-premium 

vodka, is, according to Passmore, is not what’s in the bottle but the bottle 

itself. Etched glass, edgy designs, eye-catching shapes and even celebrity 

designers (such as Frank Gehry for Wyborowa) are all called upon in the 

enormous—and yes, this part is costly—effort to position a brand as a 

status symbol in a gorgeous glass container. 

Interestingly, the luxurious images and high price points set by the major 

distillers have paved the way for the next wave in high-end vodka: artisanal 

vodkas, hand-crafted by an ever-growing number of micro-distilleries. 

With consumers now willing to pay upwards of $50 for a bottle of superpremium 

vodka by a major producer, tiny distillers such as Vermont Spirits 

(which distills a vodka from maple sap and was recently acquired by the 

behemoth Anheuser-Busch) and Washington State’s Dry Fly Distilling 

have been able to gain a cult following among the same in-the-know 

connoisseurs who previously brought Napa Valley wines, microbrewed 

lagers, and organic and artisanal food products into the mainstream. 

The answer, it seems, when it comes to choosing a super-premium vodka, 

is to look beyond the bottle—and the hype—and to simply taste, taste and 

taste again. While the general rule is that super-premium vodkas tend to 

be smooth and full-tasting and are drunk straight or on the rocks, while 

premiums are suitable only for mixed drinks, only your palate can tell you 

which vodka distinguishes itself as your personal super-premium brand. 

Consider hosting an evening vodka-tasting party: purchase several brands 

of vodka, set out chilled shot glasses and platters of zakuski—the pickles, 

blini, smoked fish, black bread, caviar and other Russian small-dishes 

which traditionally accompany sips of ice cold vodka—then taste the 

vodkas blind. This way, the next time you find yourself at the bar of the 

Waverly Inn, shaken or stirred will prove your only difficult choice. 

Did you know? 

Time is considered one of our most valuable assets. 

The keeping of time goes all the way back to the beginning of civilization. Both historians 

and archeologists believe that stationary and portable sun-dials were probably developed 

in Egypt or Mesopotamia. The oldest extant sun-dial can be found in Egypt and dates back 

to 1500 BCE. We know that the early Egyptians used the pyramids as well as the obelisks 

as a forerunner to the sundial. 

It is said that one of the first watches was created in Italy around 1524 CE. The main problem 

for portable time keeping was the lack of driving power. Timepieces of that era were typically 

driven by weights making it very difficult for portable use. The timepieces were also very 

inaccurate and most watches only had one hand that had to be wound at least twice a day. 

It was not until 1675 CE that the implementation of a spiral balance spring changed 

timekeeping forever by taking timekeeping accuracy from fractions of an hour to fractions of 

a minute. It was then a second hand was added to the watch. At this time Roman numerals 

were added to mark the minutes. Eventually, due to rapid development, a watch would only 

have to be wound once a day instead of every twelve hours. 

Quartz Chrono 

with leather strap. 

$295.50 

Classic Ladies’ 

Watch. 

$206.50 

To purchase any of these items, please call our BMW Lifestyle Specialists: Kristen or Jennifer at 604.222.8807 

prime 

time 

Quartz Chrono 

with metal bracelet. 

$368.50 

Classic Men’s 

Watch. 

$221.50 



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The Ultimate 


M Watch. $265.50 

The BMW Watches come in 

an elegant, real-leather 

storage case. 


The Road to Whistler: 

A couple takes on the Sea-to-Sky Highway 

to attend Cornucopia, calling it a 

“smooth ride” in an X5 

By Jill Killeen 

I like my vehicles like my men: solid. Call the X5, 

then, the BMW of my dreams. Given the current 

work-in-progress state of the Sea-to-Sky 

Highway, solid and confident on the road is 

exactly what you want. The road construction is, 

as we all know, for the greater good, but in a 

vehicle of lesser pedigree the road to Whistler 

could feel like a perilous drive. 

My husband Mike and I set out on our “journey of BMW discovery” by 

heading to Whistler to attend the annual Cornucopia Food & Wine 

(emphasis on wine) Festival. We began with a tug-of-war to see who 

would get to drive the first leg: I won, of course. As we made our way 

from Vancouver to Squamish, we made a “her thought, his thought” 

comparison of the X5. While I concentrated on the driving features, my 

“solid” man sat and actually played with the control panel, determined to 

figure out this piece of advanced technological wizardry (which our 14year-old 

could no doubt have mastered in mere minutes). 

The X5 is the perfect height off the road: a little above the action but not 

toweringly so. We both loved the visibility and clear view the huge 

windows offered, and to say the sunroof is large would be an 

understatement: on a sunny day I could get a full body tan (with my 

Dermalogica SPF 20 sunblock on, of course). 

From the full-size accelerator pedal to the steering wheel, everything felt 

solid to the touch. (You’ll have to pardon my use of the word “solid” over 

and over again to describe the X5, but every aspect of the vehicle brings 

it to mind. I have never felt safer on the road—bring on the big trucks!) 

Now, until I got my hands on the X5, I had actually never contemplated 

steering wheels. This one made a power statement. Later, Mike 

discovered that it was heated. Warm hands, warm heart—indeed. 

The X5 was also incredibly roomy, both front and back. I could easily 

see loading in the two kids, their hockey equipment and the dog 

comfortably. But this trip was supposed to be my sip and spa adventure; 

smelly hockey bags could wait. 

Despite the bumps and grooves of the road, the ride was smooth. But I 

was anxious to put my foot down and “open her up,” as my Dad used to 

say. My first real chance came just outside of Squamish. My husband, 

who was eyeball-deep in the LED control panel, looked up when I 

pressed the accelerator and shouted, “Oh yes!” The power and pick-up 

of the X5 were instant; but so was my braking when I checked the 

spedometer and realized I might be tempted to push the speed limit. 


Arriving in Whistler, we reluctantly gave the X5 up to the valet team at 

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Mind you, in comparison to other 

vehicles I have occasionally placed in their care, this is a vehicle I delivered 

with pride. Like us, the valets appeared rather eager to get their hands on 

it, so imagine my delight when I had to show the 20-something male valet 

how to start the X5 and put it into gear. Let’s just say he didn’t get to take 

it far: vehicles with showability of the X5 get to stay out front, adding to 

the decorativeness of the Chateau, a showpiece itself. 

So while the valet took the vehicle for an all-too-brief spin around the 

driveway, we headed into the hotel. While Whistler has been blessed 

with many great hotels—the Four Seasons, Westin, Pan Pacific, Adara, 

Hilton and Marriott among them—I still consider The Chateau, nestled 

at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, the destination’s definitive 

mountain resort. The moment you walk into the lobby it delivers the 

full-on Whistler punch: a massive ceiling, wooden beams, roaring 

fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer up a full view—and the 

promise—of the outdoor mountain activities you’ll soon be enjoying. 

Our suite was on the 6th floor facing the mountain and overlooking 

three steaming outdoor hot tubs, perfect for those in need of a post-ski, 

golf, or mountain bike soak. (It also works well for those who take part 

in the strenuous sport of of wine glass curls while at Cornucopia.) 

However, for those in need of more serious body work, the Vida Wellness 

Spa discreetly located off the Chateau’s lobby is required therapy: a must. 

For the record, I am not a spa-goer and tend to approach such experiences 

with a bit of impatience. If I am giving up an hour or two of my time, I 


want to see and feel results: a gentle massage is simply not my thing. So 

I booked in for an Ayurvedic Swedana treatment, a traditional Indian 

detoxification treatment and one upon which Vida built its reputation 

some ten years ago. My treatment provider was Colleen Fraser, one of the 

the spa’s founders. (Clearly, she has remained very “hands on,” if you’ll 

pardon the awful pun.) 

However, before I was put into her care I had to briefly offer my own 

perspective on my own physical, emotional and mental characteristics. 

This was to determine my “dosha,” or body constitution, which would 

in turn determine a personal blend of herbs which would be ground and 

added to the steam. It turns out I am a near-equal mix of Vata and 

Pitta doshas. Now, Vata types are multi-taskers, have a tendency to be 

intense and are prone to increased stress. Bingo. Pitta people, on the 

other hand, can be good leaders and speakers when in balance. (I 

need balance.) 

Doshas established, the oiling began—very slowly, from head to toe. This 

was not a timid application but rather a full-on pour of rich, warm seed 

oil (which has an affinity to nerve tissue, allowing it to hydrate and 

nourish the body). 

Then came the massage. Colleen, whom I would describe as slight, 

had—thankfully—hands of steel. I could feel my muscle tension easing 

away as she offered gentle answers to my questions. She explained the 

cause and effect of muscle tension, and how the incredible range of 

motion and movement I was enjoying was due to the oil. Colleen’s 

understanding of the body and its functions was impressive. 

Apparently, the Ayurvedic Swedana treatment is a favourite of both men 

and women: women tend to like its ability to “settle the busy mind,” 

while men particularly enjoy the massage followed by the steam 

component. 

Which was the phase I was about to experience. Into the steamer I went, 

where my own special blend of herbs created an incredibly appealing 

scent. I can also be a bit claustrophobic but the box—a West-Coast style 

steamer—provided ample room and my head protruded comfortably at 

one end. I gave into the relaxation, the steam and the Middle Eastern 

music. I awoke when I heard a soft snore: it was my own. 

After the steam I returned to the table, where I was covered with a liberal 

amount of super fine flour, which was then dry-brushed off. Again, 

Colleen’s firm hands went to work. The hour and a half literally flew by. 

By the time I got back to my room I was in a happy haze; it was 1:00 pm 

and I hadn’t even begun the day’s round of Cornucopia activities. I was 

on a definite body high and could easily have melted into my bed, a 

happy, relaxed lump. 

Now, Whistler is my winter wonderland. I love snow, so was thrilled to 

awake on our second morning to giant flakes coming down. In the 

competitive global business of skiing, the mountain that snows first has 

bragging rights for the year. Whistler has been particularly blessed the 

past few years, and with last year’s snow drought in Europe, Whistler is 

again a hot snow spot. On average, Whistler receives 914 cm (30 feet) of 

white gold every year, and the snow drums began beating around the 

world in October, whispering “Head to Whistler, head to Whistler…” 

While we were not there to ski on this occasion, I do tend to think 

Cornucopia as a giant après-ski event. It’s all about sipping, spa-ing and 

soaking in the hot tub. Or you can just soak in the scenery, because 

Cornucopia is definite show-and-tell event. All of the hotels host 

sophisticated winemaker’s dinners, with impressive pairings of food and 

wine, but for many Cornucopia-goers the event is all about finding the 

best parties. 

One legendary party, which shall remain nameless, chose not to host its usual 

body-baring bacchanal this year, but other parties, such as the Bond-themed 

party, Casino Royal at Ric’s Grill and the UltraLounge & Burlesquerave 

hosted by the Mountain Club, stepped in to ensure ongoing revelry. 

Besides the parties, there were several new events in innovative locations at 

this year’s Cornucopia, among them a nibble and wine event prepared by 

Don Letendre, Executive Chef from Opus Hotel’s Elixir Bistro Moderne 

and Opus Catering, held at Fitzsimmons Walk, the newest chalet 

development to hit Whistler. Howard Bingham Hill, architect of both the 

Westin and Pan Pacific in Whistler has designed a pedestrian-focused 

resort community of 41 attached chalets. I could have moved into the 

show home, particularly the bathroom complete with double sided 

fireplace. Interest in this project is high among those who don’t yet have 

their slice of Whistler. ‘Cheers’ was in order to this development with 

Mionetto’s sparkling Prosecco, which was the afternoon bubble of choice. 

Mission Hill Family Estate, just named Canada’s “Winery of the Year 2007” 

by Wine Access Magazine, hosted their own event at the Solarice Wellness 

Spa, located off the beaten track in the Lower Village, close to the Tourism 


Centre. Mini-treatments were the order of the day on this occasion, but my therapist Erin, prompted by 

me, waxed poetic about their signature Paprika facial--which sounds like a great fix for winter-weary skin. 

The true focus, however, was Mission Hill Reserve wines (the Pinot Gris was a favourite) a real treat for 

fans of this made-in-BC brand. There is no question that the reputation and success of the Okanagan wine 

region is growing, thanks to the efforts and talent of many talented winemakers, marketers and brands; but 

Mission Hill has been certainly at the forefront. Founder Anthony von Mandl set down roots in the 

Okanagan when it was still unknown, and he and his team, led by wine master John Simes, have built an 

impressive portfolio of award-winning wines and an estate that is the showpiece of the valley. 

Without a doubt, one of the classiest acts in Whistler remains Araxi, a restaurant that has stood in the 

heart of the village for more than 20 years. Owned by the quietly dynamic Jack Evrensel, the restaurant 

is named after his beautiful wife. Araxi and its top-calibre chefs have got it together. They have hosted 

Hollywood and international ski royalty; staged events at New York’s famed Beard House; their annual 

Bubbles event during Cornucopia is all about the sophisticated sipping of champagne; and they continue 

to be at the forefront of BC dining. Whenever you’re in Whistler, Araxi needs to be at the top of your list. 

Of course, with all this food, wine and wine, my body was screaming for fresh air and that meant actually 

moving beyond the hot tubs. As I tend toward adrenalin-inducing activities, I jumped, literally, at the 

chance to go ziplining with Zip Trek Eco Tours. 

One of Whistler’s newer sports, participants are strapped into a harness and then “zip” themselves out 

on thick, thick cables strung high over gorges and rivers. I was among the less timid in our group of 

kids and corporate suits, and did a few upside-down flips as I flung myself along the lines. Ziplining is 

a great lesson in conservation, too, as each landing station has been set up with information on the local 

ecosystem, which our guide walked us through. Even I am a bit timid when it comes to heights, but 

this felt like flying. Skyline Eco Tours on Cougar Mountain offers another option if once is not enough. 

In October Whistler was just gearing up for its countless winter activities, and skiing is just the tip of 

the mountain, so to speak. In the past I loved the mountain sleigh rides, a calming journey on a snowy, 

moonlit night with gentle giant Percheron horses pulling your sleigh over rolling meadows. 

It’s a must to follow this up with a warm beverage in my favourite nesting spot, the Mallard Lounge at The 

Fairmont Chateau Whistler. While there’s no a bad seat in the house, my choice is to curl up on a sofa close 

to the fire, facing the windows that offer up a view of Blackcomb and the roaring outdoor fire pits. 

This year I will also be trying dog sledding, as I’m keen to see the Alaskan racing dogs with the captivating 

icy blue eyes I’ve heard so much about. I may even try ice climbing if I’m truly in need of that adrenalin 

rush; but then it will be back to Vida to ensure I stay in balance. What can I say—call me a spa convert. 

Whistler is truly the backyard playground of us lucky British Columbians; on the drive home Mike and 

I vowed to spend more time there. Best of all, it’s only a BMW drive away—any excuse to get “solid” 

on the road. Call us BMW converts, too. 



Call today for your standing 

Spa appointment 





Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 




Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 



BMW AUTO SPA 

Three Levels of BMW Auto Spa Services: 

Ultimate BMW Auto Spa Package: $350.00 (SAV) / $325.00 (Car) 

Exterior: Interior: 

Hand Wash Vacuum 

Chamois Exterior Seats Stain Removal 

2-Step Full Exterior Polish Carpet Stain Removal 

Pressure Wash Underside Fabric Guard Upholstery 

Paint Contaminent Remover Clean/Dress Leatherette 

Ultimate Exterior Paint Polish Leather Cleaner 

Tire Clean/Dress Clean Windows/Mirrors/Seatbelts 

Wheel Clean Detail Door Jams 

Bug and Tar Removal Detail Vents/Dash/Consoles 

Bumper Polish Trunk Clean-up 

Clean Outside Windows Clean Headliner and Visors 

Rock Chip/Minor Touch-Up Sanitize Ashtrays 

Particle Fall-out Removal Engine Shampoo/Detail 

Deluxe BMW Auto Spa Package: $199.95 


Hand Wash/Wax Vacuum 

Chamois Exterior Clean Leather/Leatherette 

Tire Clean/Dress Clean Windows/Mirrors 

Wheel Clean Detail Vents/Door Jams 

Bug and Tar Removal Detail Console 

Clean Outside Windows Ashtrays 

Particle Fall-out Removal Floor mats 

Executive BMW Auto Spa Package: $59.95 


Hand Wash Vacuum Interior/Trunk 

Tire/Wheel Clean Clean Leatherette 

Clean Outside Windows Clean Windows/Mirrors 

Chamois Exterior Clean Door Jams 

We Also Offer: 

Cosmetic Wheel Conditioning to repair scuffs, scratches and general damage 

Dent Removal 

Leather/Leatherette Repair 

Convertible Top Treatment 

Cut Polish Upon Request, with spa package purchased (Cost: $150.00) 

Feel free to bring your vehicle in for an estimate on any of these services. 


Membership has its rewards– 

or does it? 



Rewards programs are ubiquitous these days, but 

are they worth it? Here’s how to make the most out 

of all those points Canadians just love to collect. 

Have a peek in your wallet. If you dare, ask a friend to open theirs. What are you most likely to see 

inside both? Not the subtle gleam of platinum cards, receipts from expense account dinners or 

ticket stubs from last week’s evening at the opera—although of course you’ll find those too. No, 

your wallets are most likely to contain up to six rewards program cards—each. 

That astonishing number reflects the fact that 86% of Canadians today participate in rewards 

programs—that’s far more than our American counterparts, who participate at half the rate we do. 

In fact, the average Canadian belongs to an average of 2.5 retail programs, 2 financial programs 

and 1.5 travel programs. 

So if you saw an Air Miles card in both those wallets, don’t be surprised. Air Miles is a big part of 

the reason why Canadians are such passionate point-collectors: it’s the largest loyalty program in 

the country, with a penetration rate of nearly 70% of the nation’s households. And who participates 

most in programs like Air Miles? People like you: the affluent. Your demographic is nearly 

saturated, as far as the reward marketers are concerned: nearly 96% of our nation’s wealthy 

participate in at least one rewards program. 

Why are rewards programs so popular? For participating companies, 

rewards programs have proven a highly effective customer retention 

strategy, enticing customers to do business with them over and over again. 

Perhaps more importantly, rewards programs give companies access to a 

virtual gold mine of information about their customers’ buying 

behaviour. As one advertising agency who worked on the Air Miles 

program in the Netherlands put it, “Companies need customer insight on 

a constant basis… Point systems are built to reveal the value of each and 

every individual customer.” 

And for the rewards programs themselves, the enticement is the potential 

of huge profits—according to the Globe & Mail, airline reward programs 

are now among the most valuable assets in the world, with more than 

$850 billion worth of points in circulation. 

Take Aeroplan as an example. It (like its competitor Air Miles) is a 

coalition program, with many participating companies from the airline, 

retail, consumer product, financial services and other sectors. Each time 

an Aeroplan member earns an reward mile by staying at a participating 

hotel or flying with a participating airline, those companies buy miles 

from Aeroplan—their cost to belong to this popular program—and 

Aeroplan credits the member with their miles. According to CBC 

News, in 2005 Aeroplan earned more than $701 million in revenue 

from its participating companies. 

When an Aeroplan member decides to cash in their miles (say, on a flight 

with partner company Air Canada) Aeroplan uses its revenue to buy the 

seat at a discounted price. Aeroplan makes its money on the spread between 

the rate at which it sells its points and what the rewards it buys cost. It also 

turns a profit from what is known in the trade as “breakage”—the 

approximately 17 percent of Aeroplan miles that will never be redeemed. 

But what about the consumer—do consumers benefit from rewards 

programs as the programs themselves and their participating companies 

evidently do? The answer is yes—you can benefit from rewards programs, 

if you due your due diligence before joining. As Razor Suleman, founder 

of iloverewards.com, told the Toronto Star, it’s easy for people to “get 

caught up in programs where they will never be able to use the reward 

points. Many people don’t due their homework; the lure of free stuff 

trumps reality.” 

So before you sign up for yet another points program, here are a few tips 

to consider: 

Learn how the rewards programs work. Most rewards programs offer 

the same reward. Whether the reward is called a mile, a point, a discount 

or even cash back, each point or mile is generally worth one percent of 

each dollar purchased: one cent. If a reward program is offering points of 

a higher value, be sure to ask if there is a limit on the amount of miles or 

points you can accumulate at that rate. 

Choose the right rewards program for you. The rewards program you 

choose should reflect your spending habits and include companies with 

whom you already do business. If you spend only $1000 a month on a 

travel rewards credit card, it could take you years to earn a trip overseas. 

Take the time to do the math: calculate what you would realistically 

spend annually with that rewards card and you’ll find out exactly how 

much money you would earn in actual benefits. 

As rewardscanada.com founder Patrick Sojka reminds us, “If it’s travel 

you’re interested in, you do have options besides Air Miles and Aeroplan. 

There are over 40 different air and hotel plans that currently offer points 

programs, some of which require fewer points in order to earn trips. Do 

your research and find the best plan for you.” 

Factor in interest and fees. Unless you pay off your balance of a rewards 

credit card every month, you’ll end up paying more in interest than you 

earn in rewards. Never let a rewards system tempt you to overspend and don’t 

forget to factor in how long it will take you to “earn out” a card’s annual fee. 

Seek real rewards. Not all rewards programs fit all people. If luggage sets 

and crock pots aren’t rewards for you, seek out programs that offer either 

rewards targeted to your area of interest (like the Scotiabank/Cineplex 

Scene card, in which program members earn movie tickets) or offer a 

range of rewards from which you can choose: RBC and other Canadian 

banks now allow clients to apply their rewards points to their RSP, for 

example, as well as to travel and products. 

Do some good. Now you can go beyond donating air travel points to a 

friend or relative. Taking a cue from Europe and the US, where many 

such rewards programs already exist, the MBNA Canada Bank recently 

launched the Eco-Logique credit card, which donates $.50 to carbon 

offset programs for every $100 spent. Many rewards programs also 

include charitable organizations as particpants, allowing you to donate 

rather than cash in your points. 

Learn to swap. If you’ve collected “orphan” points with a program 

you’re unlikely to use again, Points.com is a Canadian company that 

allows you to trade in points you’re unlikely to use for points in a 

program you actually particpate in. Be aware, however, that the rate of 

exchange between points programs is rarely one-to-one; you might find 

that those 12,000 Iceland Air points your earned flying to Reykjavik last 

year might translate to much fewer points when swapped to your 

Aeroplan account. 

Protect your privacy. Remember, the reason companies participate in 

points programs is to collect your consumer data. Take a hard look at 

the rewards programs in which you’re currently participating and ask 

yourself whether they are serving you—providing you with tangible 

rewards on a regular basis—or just providing information about your 

spending habits to that company. Clear your wallet of the rewards point 

cards that don’t benefit you and be judicious about sharing your 

personal information with any rewards company; as Canada’s privacy 

commissioner reported last year, stores frequently share the consumer’s 

information without their consent when they join a rewards program. 


A Frequent Flyer 

Suitcase. Black/Charcoal Grey $324.50 

Business Case. Black/Burnt 

Sienna/Charcoal Grey $318.50 

Boardcase. Black/Grey 

$149.50 

Sports Bag. Black/Grey $109.50 

Garment Bag. Black/Grey $190.50 



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Trolley Bag. Black/Grey $203.50 

On Board Case. Black/Charcoal Grey $239.50 

Travel Bag with 

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Black/Grey $136.50 

Golf Travel Cover. Black/Grey $155.50 

✈ 

To purchase any of these items, please call our BMW Lifestyle Specialists: Kristen or Jennifer at 604.222.8807 


You Got Game 

Golf Bag. 9-inch bag with generous interior dimensions and 

numerous storage compartment for scorecards, golf balls etc. 

as well as weatherproof, lined compartment for valuables. Multiple 

compartment and soft padded edge to keep your golf clubs safe. 

Optimum comfort thanks to double backpack carrying straps. 

Patented, ergonomic three-point plastic handle. Handy ball 

dispenser (three balls). Reg $304.50. Now $268.50 

BMW Golfsport Collection 

Golf Sport Bag. 

With compartment for moibile phone, 

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example, plus two ventilated shoe 

compartments (up to size 45) 

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tee compartment with three 

tees, pencil, karabiner and 

scorecard compartment. $24.50 

To purchase any of these items, please call our BMW Lifestyle Specialists: 


Golf Umbrella. Polyester with 

water-repellent Teflon coating and 

UV reflective technology. Original 

Birdiepal Windflex frame, fiberglass 

construction. Approx. 120 cm, 

height: 98 cm. $96.50 



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Club Cloth. Three layers, black, 

100% cotton. With metal hook for 

attachment to golf bag. 

$18.15 

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Oleana Blankets from Norway 

Large blankets (2m x 1.5m) are $340 and 

small (1 m x 1.35m) are $180. 

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LaCie Golden Disk 

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Wild Sweets Chocolate Book, $32.00 

LR07-ARÔME Limited Release Collection Boxed Chocolates, 24 pieces, $53.25 

arÔme and teXtuRe artisan chocolate praline bars ($7 ea) 

These luxurious chocolate bars are aimed for the discerning chocolate connoisseur! 

DC DUBY Wild Sweets - www.dcduby.com 


FAVORITE+THINGS 

Custom Calling Cards 

$90 for 160 cards 

www.thepaperqueen.com 

Tiffany Signature Tie Bar in 

Sterling Silver $160.00 

Tiffany Signature Cuff Links 

in Sterling Silver $265.00 

Photo credit: Richard Pierce 

Little Blue Book $45 

www.tiffany.com 

Created by Tiffany designer Paloma Picasso, Paloma’s 

Groove is a collection of elegant essentials that makes 

a clean, graphic statement of well-defined grooves and 

smooth polished surfaces. Among the collection’s striking 

designs is a wine holder in gleaming sterling silver. 

Paloma Picasso Groove Wine Holder $935.00 

Fine Enamel Bracelets $495 ea 

Hermès Boutique Vancouver: 

604.681.9965 

Another Happy Customer: Don Enns 


Cantest Ltd. CEO Don Enns talks service, 

reliability and the joys of a big 528xi 

According to Don Enns, President and CEO of Cantest Ltd. (one of 

Canada’s leading analytical laboratories) and a long-time BMW owner, “it 

didn’t take much arm-twisting” to get him to agree to be profiled in this 

issue of Brian Jessel magazine. Don’s clearly an aficionado of the BMW 

brand—he has owned and driven BMWs for about nine years now—but 

he’s also been a Brian Jessel BMW customer for seven of those years, 

and he kindly agreed to sit down and share his thoughts on why he 

chooses to do business with Brian Jessel BMW. 

What BMW are you driving at the moment? 

Currently, I own a 2008 528xi with xDrive all-wheel drive. I’ve always driven 

a 5 series—530s, 528s—but I traded in my last vehicle purposely to get 

one with all-wheel drive. There was never anything lacking in the 5 series 

before, but I felt it was entirely appropriate when BMW rounded out their 

offering with all-wheel drive; I just had to get it. Even if I might only use it a 

few times a year, heading up to our place in the Interior or to Whistler, I 

value the traction and control the xDrive gives me. 

What do you enjoy most about driving your 528xi? 

I love that nothing ever goes wrong. The weight distribution is excellent, it 

handles beautifully, it’s safe; but fundamentally I just love how everything 

works. When I get in I don’t have to worry about anything, from the 

Bluetooth technology to the integration of my iPod. From the mechanical 

to the digital to the electrical, I have full confidence in the vehicle. 

Plus, it’s extremely comfortable. Put it this way, I’m not a small guy: I’m 6’3 or 

6’4. I love the style ofthe 3 series and 6 series coupés but I need something 

I feel I can stretch out in, and the 528xi fits me perfectly. 

A+ 

You had been a BMW driverfor about three years before you came 

to Brian Jessel BMW—what drew you to the dealership? 

Seven years ago Brian was in his old location and it was convenient for me. 

But I soon came to value the guys down there; the service guys, Don 

Koerner and the others. I liked my discussions with them, I developed 

good relationships with them and my affinity for the brand and for the 

dealership grew stronger. 

And you’ve stayed a Brian Jessel BMW customer ever since? 

Yes, absolutely. Brian’s people epitomize what I believe he wants to stand 

for, and that matches what I too stand for. Brian has managed to develop 

this culture where every employee, no matter what their role, is just 

incredibly proud of what they do. And it shows. 

I remember one time I had taken my car in for servicing; for whatever 

reason, a tire I needed wasn’t in stock, it would have to be ordered and 

would be in later in the day. So I went home. At seven o’clock that evening 

my doorbell rang: it was one of the service guys from Brian Jessel, with 

my tire. I assumed that my house was on the way to his, but it wasn’t—this 

fellow had driven 45 minutes out of his way, in rush hour, after his work day 

was over, to deliver my tire to me. At Jessel they really will do anything in 

their power to satisfy the customer. That’s a rare thing. 

It sounds as if the service ethic at Brian Jessel dovetails with some 

of your own values as a businessperson, is that the case? 

At the corporate and at the individual level, we’re all looking for something a 

little different, a way to differentiate ourselves and our businesses, that 

competitive advantage. BMW is like that: it’s entirely functional, stable and 

reliable. It’s consistent with what I stand for and what my company stands for. 

And Brian, he’s built an absolutely first-class facility down there, developed 

an outstanding culture of service and grown his company in a healthy 

and sustainable way. I like the fact that he’s taken some real risks to do so 

and now he’s reaping the rewards. His organization and his building are 

testament to all he’s accomplished. His business accomplishments are 

a great story, and one, particularly within the Canadian context, that is of 

value to share. 


1 Blue: Tiger Blue 

Sharp and complex, made in the style of Stilton 

Pair with: Ice Wine, Late Harvest Riesling, Sauternes or Port 

2 Bloomy: White Moon 

Buttery and rich – milder than camembert, stronger than brie, with 

an edible rind 

Pair with: Fruity Sparkling Wine 

3 Hard: Farm House Cheddar 

Friendly almost floral sharpness with a touch of creaminess. Aged 

from 6 months to 2 years. 

Pair with: Beaujolais or Beer 

4 Washed Rind: Belle Ann 

Goats milk cheese washed in Cherry Point Blackberry port. 

Pair with: Hard Cider or Riesling 

5 Semi Soft: Salt Spring Island-Juliette-Handmade goat cheese 

Earthy, creamy and soft – hints of mushroom. 

Pair with: Pinot Noir or Chardonnay 


5 

4 

CHEESE PLEASE 

Discover the amazing tastes and aromas of local BC cheeses. 

We’ve categorized by the 7 key types to help you navigate 

your next cheese experience. 

6 

2 

6 Firm: Aged Gort’s Gouda 

Sharp, dense, creamy and rich 

Pair with: Dark Beers or Cabernet Sauvignon 

Fresh: Mozzarella di Bufala 

Hand made, tender and delicate. 

Pair with: Sancerre, Muscadet or Light Reds 

Cheese plate pointers: 

• always serve your cheese at room temperature 

• arrange cheeses from mildest to strongest, clockwise 

• allow 1 ounce per person, per cheese 

• dried fruits, nuts and quince or fig compotes are 

perfect pairings on the cheese plate 

3 

1 

Cheese courtesy of 

By Andrea Stewart 

Foodie File 

cool kitchen gadgets on our radar right now 

Patrick Jouin and chef Alain Ducasse designed this pot for Alessi to cook 

pasta like risotto. Simply add pasta and water, and the pasta cooks by 

absorbing the liquid. No more pre-boiling or straining. Alessi pasta pot, 

$315 (with spoon, lid and trivet) through Zidea Design. 

Low: 

Your daily fix just got better 

This little gadget makes some of the best espresso style 

coffee I have tasted. It is easy to use (very similar to the 

workings of a French press), easy to clean, and takes up 

virtually no counter space. The total brewing time of only 

30 seconds reduces acidity in the grounds and results in an 

exceptionally smooth robust taste. Pack this little gizmo 

when you travel or head to the cottage and you’ll never taste 

a bad cup of coffee again. AeroPress Coffee System $39.95 

Medium: 

Food tunes 

This colourful rubber-cased radio is splash-proof, iPodcompatible, 

portable, and produces high-fidelity sound! It 

has a built-in kitchen timer (or an alarm clock) and can be 

hung up to save valuable space in the kitchen. With a wide 

range of colours to suit any kitchen décor this is a sure fire 

way to let music inspire while you cook. SongBook, $200, 

Tivoli Audio. 

High: 

Kitchen innovation 

Say goodbye to cluttered countertops and hello to the Sharp Insight Pro 

Microwave Drawer. I have never owned a microwave but am considering 

this one for my kitchen – it is ultra sleek, powerful and takes up no 

counterspace as it has been reinvented to fit under the counter. Perfect for 

small spaces, a grand home theatre or the foodie who just has to have the 

latest and greatest. Available in 24inch and 30inch Sharp Insight Pro 

Microwave Drawer $999.95 


STELLAR CELLAR 

By Jim Tobler 


From the Old World to the new; from Australia to the United States; 

and from the wine producing regions of California to Washington 

State: when it comes to wine, we’re always talking about studies in 

contrast. In this issue I’m going to offer a taste from each of these 

viticultural hotspots, ending finally with a special wine from our own 

British Columbia—this is one to age for a while. 

But first, to Australia. A glance through our government liquor stores 

shows just how much Australian shiraz is available in this market; it’s 

a neat reflection of that country’s rise to wine dominance over the past 

decade or so. Will the trend continue? Some suggest not: after all, for 

sheer variety—always important when it comes to wine—Argentina, 

Chile, Spain and Italy tend to earn higher marks. Still, Australia offers 

reliable, indeed fairly exciting fruit-dominated wines that are great 

value for the money. 

Rolling Shiraz ($18) is a great example of this. It has strong structure, isn’t too complex and has 

some finish to accompany all that front-loaded fruit. Jim Barry’s venture in Coonwara, called The 

Cover Drive ($28) is made from grapes planted on a former cricket pitch, has a fine structure and 

shows typical Coonwara fruit: minty, with eucalyptus and chocolate notes. 

Back in North America, Oregon’s Columbia Crest Merlot ($17) demonstrates why this winery is 

still near the top of any bestseller list. For the price it delivers a good, if simple, expression of the 

variety, with ample fruit and a plummy, jammy flavour. Or try the winery’s Grand Estate ($22) for 

another step up in intensity and finish. 

Heading south to California, Arnold Palmer has joined forces with Luna Winery in the Napa 

Valley; together they are producing some approchable, very likeable wines for around $25. Both the 

chardonnay and the cabernet sauvignon are worth considering: they’re fairly soft in style but with 

generous fruit and a good finish. 

Mark West, where pinot noir has ruled the roost for many years, has made a nice comeback into 

this market with a pinot that scores high for value at $22 while still delivering all the generously 

fruity, extracted style California is known for. 

For a decided contrast, head to France to try the Perrin brothers’ Vacqueyras Les Christins ($20), full of 

smoky licorice and game meat notes and impressive structure at the price. This wine, while reasonably 

typical of the Mediterranean climate’s offerings, offers something rarely found in any New World bottle. 

Villa Antinori’s Toscana ($18) is a classic sangiovese, a great food wine. It too is unique to its origins, 

full of spicy fruit with complex plum and cassis notes. For a splurge, go ahead and try the famous Banfi 

Estate Brunello di Montalcino ($65). The 2002 shows the results of some of the warmer temperatures 

that region is experiencing: while long on structure and depth it is still very approachable. 

Finally, from our own wine country destination, the Okanagan, comes Prospect Winery pinot noir 

($19). A surprisingly complex offering at this price, it features some earth tones to accompany its 

nicely structured berry flavours. And Mission Hill’s Reserve Sauvignon Blanc ($22) has a crisp, 

delicate style that speaks wonders for what can be done with this grape in the right hands (see sidebar). 

A 

MUST 

HAVE 

The right hands, in this case, belong to 

Mission Hill’s master winemaker, John 

Symes. Step by step and year by year, 

Symes is perfecting the areas from which 

he harvests fruit in order to craft each 

vintage of Oculus ($70), Mission Hill’s 

flagship wine. It’s a fine example of the 

fact that the sky now seems to be the 

limit in terms of the quality (especially 

for red varietals) emerging from the 

south Okanagan and its desert microclimates. 

Do try to resist temptation and 

lay the latest Oculus down for about 

three to five years, more if you can. You 

will be glad you did. And besides, there 

are plenty of worthy wines on our list 

this time to drink in the meantime. 


Special Reads 

By Nathalie Atkinson 


Starlet Fever 

It takes one to know one, and Hollywood 

daddy’s girls Emma Goldberg, daughter of 

studio executive (and Aaron Spelling acolyte) 

Leonard Goldberg and Ruthanna Hopper, 

daughter of Easy Rider Dennis Hopper, serve up 

a satirical scoop of studio intrigue in 

Celebutantes (St. Martin’s Press, $29.95). Set 

during awards show season, with starlets going 

commando and leading men behaving badly, 

our heroine Lola is an uncanny amalgam of the Coppola and Spelling 

heiresses and works as an aspiring but hapless stylist. A fun and fizzy 

insider peek behind the velvet ropes. 

Dressed: A Costume History 

Costumes in movies can be characters as much 

as the actors are, and the lavish Dressed 

(Collins, $88) is a yearbook of the most 

memorable fashion moments in film of the past 

century, from Fred & Ginger to Butch Cassidy 

& The Sundance Kid and Brokeback 

Mountain. Wardrobe designers share the subtle 

tricks that made the costumes so crucial and 

little-known facts and amusing anecdotes: 

Marilyn Monroe’s bubblegum-pink gown in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 

wasn’t sewn, only folded, into shape and backed in green billiard-table 

felt; Carrie Fisher wasn’t allowed to wear a bra under her Princess Leia 

jersey; Boris Karloff’ makeup and costume as Frankenstein weighed 

67lbs; and when Clark Gable appeared bare-chested in It Happened One 

Night, there was an immediate 30% drop in sales of men’s undershirts. 

Lives of Girls & Women 

Appearances can be deceiving, especially when it 

comes to PTA perfect mothers. Reminiscent of 

the hi-jinx on Wisteria Lane (with a helping of 

Cashmere Mafia’s overachieving vixens for good 

measure), Wendy Walker looks beneath the 

surface at the intertwined lives of four troubled 

suburban wives and mothers in Four Wives (St. 

Martin’s, $27.95). 

Hot Tox 

Stars and boldface regularly shell out fourfigures 

for a week of detox and rejuvenation at 

Madeleine Marentette’s posh Ontario wellness 

resort, Grail Springs. You can get the results at 

home by following her instructions in the Grail 

Springs Holistic Detox (McArthur & Co., 

$29.95). There’s sensible and inspiring how-to’s 

on seasonal and 3 to 7-day detox cleanses as well 

as more ambitious 7-day juice fasts, 

information on how a Ph-balanced diet and acid and alkaline foods 

affect the system and an especially useful chapter outlines the obvious -but 

often forgotten--reasons and key role that ingredients like sleep, 

baths, fitness, colon health, organic seaweed, massage and salt can play 

in a healthy lifestyle. One secret detox tool? A skipping rope. 

The Personal is Political 

Novelist Russell Banks (The Sweet Hereafter, 

Cloudsplitter) is back with another sprawling 

but intimate story, this time a love story and 

murder mystery. The Reserve (Knopf, $32) 

opens one evening in 1936, on the remote 

Adirondack estate of a wealthy family whose 

wild-child daughter falls for a lefty local artist. 

From there, the story goes off to Spain and 

Germany and becomes a suspenseful story of 

politics, romance and class among the have and have-nots on the eve of 

the Second World War. 

The Smell of Success 

In The Perfect Scent (Henry Holt, $28), 

Chandler Burr offers up a whiff of the highstakes 

world of celebrity and designer scents and 

the competitive, exotic world of raw ingredients, 

multi-national perfume companies and eccentric 

‘noses’ as he concurrently follows the creative 

process of Jean-Claude Ellena, the in-house nose 

at Hermès (Un Jardin Sur Le Nil) and that of 

actress Sarah Jessica Parker as she and the 

phalanx of perfumers at Coty, Inc. create her bestselling Lovely. During 

his year-long journey Burr, the scent critic for The New York Times, was 

given complete and unprecedented access, from concept and marketing 

brief to finished product, the book is a must-read for fragrance junkies, 

with plenty of scent lore, designer dish celeb gossip along the way. 

Gods & Monsters 

There would be no Power Rangers without 

Tsuburaya. Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters 

(Chronicle, $44) is the only English-language 

biography of the man responsible for the 

golden age of Japanese science fiction, like 

Ultraman and Godzilla. The book delves into 

Tsuburaya’s world of prosthetics, technically 

innovative sets and monster creations for the 

first time. Written by film critic and scholar August Ragone and 

illustrated with hundreds of pictures and film stills of the master’s work 

alongside interviews with colleagues and protégés, it’s an essential coffee 

table tome for pop culture devotees. 

Love Story 

There’s a romantic in all of us – especially 

around Valentine’s Day -- and Pulitzer-winning 

Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex) has chosen a 

selection of love stories to coax it out. Tales of 

heartache, unrequited love, love lost and love 

found abound in the anthology My Mistress's 

Sparrow Is Dead (HarperCollins, $26.96) 

include stories by Anton Chekhov, Eileen 

Chang and Alice Munro. 

Take A Letter 

Texting, MSN and email – or old-fashioned 

snail mail, epistolary lovers will relish the Four 

Letter Word (Knopf, $29.95), edited by 

Rosalind Porter and Joshua Knelman. Authors 

such as Leonard Cohen, Miriam Toews, 

Jonathan Lethem, Douglas Coupland and Neil 

Gaiman all contribute faux love letters of a 

kind, and may even inspire some billets doux of 

your own. 

One To Watch 

Every year the publishing powers-that-be 

anoint a few new talents as the New Face of 

Fiction. This year’s breakthrough literary novel 

is tipped to belong to Nicolas Dickner. His 

début novel Nikolski (Knopf, $29.95) was an 

award-winning and popular sensation in 

Quebec when it was first published there two 

years ago, and it does not disappoint. It’s a 

joyride that begins in the Montreal of 1989, 

with short chapters and digressions pop 

culture, archeology and myth. 

Food For Thought 

Last year, everybody was reading – and 

debating – Michael Pollan's bestselling 

investigation of Big Agriculture and the food 

chain, The Omnivore’s Dilemma. To lure 

skeptics back to the table, Pollan offers up In 

Defense of Food (The Penguin Press, $26.50), 

to help understand how the Western diet of 

processed and empty foods is ruining our 

health, and how to begin to eat real food again. 

His manifesto, sure to be the hot topic at dinner parties everywhere, can 

be distilled to this simple, seven-word mantra: Eat food, not too much, 

mostly plants. Hallelujah! 


Keeping customers happy is our business 

By John Cheng 

QMA Project Manager/ 

HR Manager 


What does “Customer Relations” mean? To some, it 

might mean addressing customers’ concerns in a timely 

fashion, but at Brian Jessel BMW, Customer Relations 

means acknowledging and acting upon customer 

feedback, exceeding expectations and building longterm 

relationships. That way, we can assist each of our 

customers with every aspect of our their motoring needs. 

Brian Jessel BMW’s Customer Relations department was established more than 10 years ago as 

a result of Brian’s determined vision to give our customers the best care in the business. Today, 

the department has grown to four full-time staff: Jim Krahn, Customer Relations Manager; Jack 

Lai, Senior Customer Relations Assistant; and Pagan Wong and Jorge Su, Customer Relations 

Assistants. Together they have 47 combined years of customer service experience, and are 

carrying out Brian’s vision of exceeding customers’ expectations on a daily basis. 

As a result Brian Jessel BMW has a well established and dedicated Customer Relations 

department to look after our customers. We realize that many customers may have had poor 

customer care in the past, and as such our new customers may not be aware that we have a 

department strictly dedicated to improving the quality of their experience with us, and that this 

department is available to address their concerns and feedback. 

At Brian Jessel BMW we understand that in order to maintain high customer satisfaction we 

must always have this as our first priority. 

In order to maintain our priority of quality customer care, Customer Relations is embedded into 

the operations of our organization. For example, Jim Krahn and his Department are in charge 

of managing the Retail Balance Score Card (RBSC) scores for the entire dealership. RBSC is 

an overall performance measuring system that was put in place to rate every Authorized BMW 

Retailer in Canada. Developed and maintained by BMW Canada, RBSC measures a set of 

categories: Monthly vehicle deliveries, monthly sales and service customers’ satisfaction index, 

QMA initiatives, and parts accessories sales, just to mention a few. In order to achieve good 

scores, the CR Department continually monitors the RBSC scores and address concerns 

where applicable. 

OUR TEAM 

Jim Krahn, Director of Customer Relations 

With more than 10 years of experience with BMW Canada as a Parts and Warranty Manager, 

Jim was already an expert on BMW vehicles before joining Brian Jessel BMW. Jim successfully 

built his department on three fundamentals: up-to-date product knowledge, outstanding 

customer service skills, and understanding of the internal processes of the dealership. 

More often than not, customers have trouble using the state-of-the-art technologies found on BMW 

vehicles—and guess which department they usually go to first? That’s why the Customer Relations 

team is usually one of the first to receive information on new technologies, so they can deliver 

product information via their outstanding customer service skills. 

Jim also believes in taking care of our customers even before they step 

into our store for the first time. How does he do this? Jim and his team 

monitor the processes and procedures from every aspect of the 

dealership to ensure customers receive the best vehicle purchasing and 

servicing experience with Brian Jessel BMW. If they find a process results 

in repeated similar customers’ concerns, they will improve the process to 

ensure we achieve and exceed customers’ expectations. Therefore, with 

such experience “readied” for our customers, we are taking care of them 

even before they have purchased a vehicle and or require servicing! 

Jim once provided his insight on hiring to me; he said he always looks 

for someone who cares about the people and the business. When 

asked what is his vision for the department in the next five years, he 

stressed the need to expand on the number of employees in the 

department to match the growth from all departments. 

Jim also shared his decision to delegate some of his usual day-to-day 

duties in order to dedicate more time to analyzing repeat concerns and 

strategizing steps to prevent them. 

Jim also stated that he wants to help embed a culture of customer 

satisfaction and work-life balance throughout our organization. 

Needless to say, his response demonstrates his caring for the dealership, 

our employees, and our customers. With such caring, I can assure all 

Brian Jessel BMW customers that we are going to each experience to 

the next level! 

If you ever have any concern or question about your BMW vehicle, our 

Customer Relations department is here to help you at any time; you’ll 

find Jim Krahn’s office conveniently located between the Sales and 

the Service Department. 

Jack Lai, Customer Relations Assistant 

Jack, who is also bilingual in English and Mandarin, is the most senior 

staff member in the Customer Relations Department. He possesses 

a great amount of hands-on knowledge of the dealership and has 

experience in both the Sales and Service departments. 

With his skills and knowledge, Jack can step into a wide-range of 

positions to help a customer; for instance, when we were in need of a 

Workshop Dispatcher to organize all the Repair Orders for our 

Technicians, Jack offered his expertise and acted as an interim- 

Dispatcher—for more than two months—until we found a permanent 

“Jim also stated that he wants to 

help embed a culture of customer 

satisfaction and work-life balance 

throughout our organization.” 

successor. Although this job description might seem easy on paper, far 

from it. The Dispatcher must record the required repair and align the 

work to the skills and knowledge of every Technician and Apprentice, 

and then prioritize the Repair Orders according to types of appointments. 

Jack also acts as a Service Advisor or a Vehicle Delivery Specialist 

whenever the dealership and customers need his assistance. 

Needless to say, his skills and knowledge are very valuable to the 

operation of the dealership, and to our customers. 

Jorge Su, Customer Relations Assistant 

Jorge Su, who is fluent in English, Cantonese and Spanish, was 

promoted to the Customer Relations Department in 2006 from our 

SPA Detailing Department. Although Jorge is the newest addition to 

the team, his experience as a vehicle Detailer and an automotive 

Apprentice not only provides him knowledge of the internal functions 

of a dealership, but also provides him experience in handling 

customers’ inquiries on a first-hand basis. 

Jorge can answer some technical and paint/scratch related questions, 

and like his colleagues Jorge also handles and follow-ups on daily 

customer feedback in both the Sales and Service Departments; he 

can also provide assistance with detailed explanation to deliver Brian 

Jessel BMWs to customers when needed. 

Pagan Wong, Customer Relations Assistant 

Since the Customer Relations covers a wide range of tasks and duties, 

our staff hold similar titles but their job descriptions vary from one 

person to another. Pagan, for example, is fluent in English, Cantonese 

and Mandarin and provides assistance mostly to the Sales Department. 

Pagan is stationed beside our 15-vehicle Delivery Centre, in order to 

assist each customer taking delivery of their new Brian Jessel BMW. 

She explains in detail which services we provide and address any 

question customers may have. She also ensures every customer has 

received a copy of the Delivery Checklist, so customers can have 

peace of mind knowing that in the fact that their vehicle has been 

prepared to perfect condition by our Lot Department. 

Pagan then follows up with customers after seven days to answer any 

questions, receive feedback and ensure the customer is enjoying his 

or her ultimate Brian Jessel BMW! 


More Goodies and Gadgets 

Don’t let your vinyl die a slow and lonely 

death moldering in your basement for years. 

Liberate it digitally with the Ion USB 

Turntable. It is the first USB turntable that lets 

you convert your old vinyl collection directly to 

CD or MP3. Simply connect using the Ipod 

dock station you can directly transfer all those 

classics to carry with you everywhere. $259.00 

www.thesourcecc.com 

Take control over what 

you hear and when you 

hear it using the Apple 

ipod Touch. Then 

combine the iTouch 

with the iDrive interface 

and the sound quality 

you’ll get from your 

BMW’s audio system is 

outstanding. Using the 

iDrive controller you can 

customize your playlists, 

easily access your entire music library, shuffle 

songs, skip tracks and adjust volume. You’ll 

even be able to scroll through songs and 

adjust the volume from your steering wheel. 

Inside the glove box, you’ll find the interface 

cable for your iPod. Your BMW glove box 

protects and keeps your iPod out of view. The 

cable provides power to the iPod while 

connected and when your vehicle is operating. 

** 16 GB $449.99 www.bestbuy.ca 

Want to have those 

memories with you all the time, 

simply store them on your 

USB Memory Watch. This 

DiskGO USB Watch 

Drive Steel Dress Style is 

the perfect flash drive 

solution for the professional 

business traveler. More than a 

sharp-looking watch, the 

DiskGO USB Watch Drive is a 

fully functioning USB flash drive, 

plugging directly into your computer’s 


USB port and appearing as a hard drive on 

your desktop. The DiskGO USB Watch Drive 

allows for easy transfer and storage of digital 

photos, songs, and all other important files via 

USB port, to any modern PC or Mac! This cool 

device is surprisingly sleek, hard to lose, and 

more convenient than a standard USB flash 

drive! Your Price: $72.99 www.costco.ca 

Practically four cameras in one, the Xacti E1 

allows you to shoot both photos and video at 

a park, birthday party or virtually anywhere else 

on dry land. And, when the opportunity 

presents itself, also shoot both photos and 

video while snorkeling or while just playing 

around in a swimming pool. This powerful little 

camcorder easily records both full 640x480 

resolution video at 30 frames-per-second and 

high-resolution 6-megapixel digital still images, 

all of which are handily stored to a standard SD 

or SDHC flash memory card (sold separately). 

It shoots standard definition H.264 MPEG-4 

video onto an SD or 

SDHC memory card, 

and compresses it 

so efficiently that it 

can fit 10 hours a 

640x480 video at 30 

frames per second on an 

8GB card. It can also take 

6-megapixel JPEG stills, 

and can even capture those 

pics at the same time you’re 

shooting video. $599.99 

www.bestbuy.ca 

Apple ® unveiled MacBook ® Air, the world’s 

thinnest notebook. MacBook Air measures 

unprecedented 0.16-inches at its thinnest 

point, while its maximum height of 0.76inches 

is less than the thinnest point on 

competing notebooks. MacBook Air has a 

stunning 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen 

display, a full-size backlit keyboard, a built-in 

video camera. MacBook Air is powered by a 

1.6 GHz or 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 

and includes 2GB of memory, an 80GB hard 

drive, and the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi technology 

and Bluetooth 2.1. MacBook Air delivers up to 

By Denna Mathews 

five hours of battery life for wireless 

productivity. Air users can buy the companion 

MacBook Air SuperDrive, a compact external 

drive designed for MacBook Air, for just $99. 

However, many MacBook Air users will not 

find a need for an optical drive now that they 

can wirelessly rent movies from the iTunes ® 

Store, wirelessly backup files with Time 

Capsule and access the optical drives on 

remote PCs or Macs to wirelessly install 

software applications. Air.MacBook Air includes 

USB 2.0 for plugging in peripherals or charging 

an iTouch ®. The new MacBook Air also comes 

with the latest OS Leopard. Starting from 

$1,899. www.apple.ca. 

Use your high-definition camcorder to record 

your own HD video and watch it at full 

resolution on your Sony KDL70XBR3 70” 

BRAVIA XBR ® Widescreen Full HD 

Flat-Panel LCD TV with Piano Black Finish 

& Built-in ATSC Digital Tuner. The 70” KDL- 

70XBR3 is the largest screen size in the 

BRAVIA LCD line and pushes the limits of 

display technology with Full HD 1920x1080 

resolution and amazing features such as 10bit 

panel and picture processing. Designed 

for maximum versatility, Sony’s BRAVIA XBR 

is equipped with a comprehensive range of 

input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition 

Multimedia Interface) is the first industrysupported, 

uncompressed, all-digital audio/ 

video interface. HDMI technology supports 

enhanced or high-definition video, together 

with multi-channel digital audio to provide 

matchless image and sound reproduction. 

BRAVIA XBR3 Series TVs include (3) HDMI 

true1080/60p along with YPbPr & PC inputs (1) 

to accommodate a variety of High Definition 

video sources such 

as a PlayStation ® 3 

gaming system or a 

HD capable PC. 

Price $34,999.99. 

(Yes! $35k!) 

www.sonystyle.ca 

MILESTONES 

Cafe 

We are pleased to announce that M Café is now operated by 

QUINCE. QUINCE has opened its 2nd dine-in location at Brian 

Jessel BMW. Many of you may have already enjoyed Chef 

Andrea Jefferson’s cuisine from her 3rd and Burrard location. All 

bread, muffins, pastries and savory items are made by Andrea 

and her team. The emphasis is on fresh, flavorful food. Andrea 

taught professional and serious amateur cooking at Dubrulle 

Culinary Institute for 6 years. Prior to teaching she was the souschef 

at The Metropolitan Hotel. If you are in for service, 

discussing the purchase of your new vehicle or just in the 

neighborhood please stop by and share a meal with us. M Café 

by QUINCE is open Monday-Saturday from 8 am-3pm. 

CONGRATULATIONS! 

Charlie Risley 

Parts Manager 

New Hires at Brian Jessel BMW 

Thank you to our incredible Valet Team 

at Brian Jessel BMW! With more than 

80 loaner vehicles, we have an 

incredible team out on the road each 

and every day picking up vehicles from 

your home or designated location for 

service. Please feel free to contact us 

and arrange Valet Service! Just 

recently, we have added Rental Car 

Rental Counters at Brian Jessel BMW 

so that you are never without a 

replacement vehicle while your vehicle 

is in for service. The rental counter 

operated by Mr. Rent a Car & Budget 

Car Rentals is open 7 am to 6 pm and 

are on-call to assist with any off duty 

emergencies. This past January we 

added 5 new Service Bays at Brian 

Jessel BMW to accommodate your 

service needs. Please feel to contact 

us to coordinate a convenient service 

appointment. It would be our pleasure! 

Todd Storry 

Assistant Parts Manager 

Bahram Marashi, Journeyman Technician, December 10 

Clayton Stevenson, Drive Thru Staff, November 5 

Elaine Chan, Service Reception, February 5 

Elodie Liger, Marketing Assistant, January 10 

Heather Compston, Appointment Coordinator, November 1 

Lulu Mao, Sales Assistant, November 13 

Ross Crockett, Drive Thru Staff, November 13 

Samuel Rai, Service Wash Staff, November 26 

Steve Armstrong, Service Advisor, February 11 

Thi Soe, Service Wash Staff, January 10 

Tina Shaw, Service Reception, January 2 


SOURCE DIRECTORY 


Alloy Wheel Repair 

604.222.8806 

AllWest Insurance 

www.allwestins.com 

General Insurance Vancouver 604.731.6696 

Autoplan Vancouver 604.736.1969 

Autoplan North Vancouver 604.987.9356 

BMW Financial Services 

www.bmwfinance.ca 

1.800.567.2691 

Campbell, Saunders & Co. 

604.681.5500 

Christine Vancouver 

www.christinevancouver.com 

604.922.0350 

Cressey Development Group 

www.cressey.com 

604.683.1256 

Fitzsimmons Walk 

www.fitzsimmonswalk.com 

604.932.4114 

DC DUBY Hospitality Services Inc. 

6020 Steveston Hwy 

PO Box 63115 

Richmond BC 

www.dcduby.com 

Grosvenor 

www.grosvenor.com 

604.683.1141 

5955 Balsam 

www.kerrisdaleliving.com 

604.264.5955 

Hermès Boutique Vancouver 

755 Burrard Street 

Vancouver 

604.681.9965 

Holt Renfrew 

737 Dunsmuir St 

Vancouver BC 

604.681.3121 

House of Chippendale Furniture 

www.houseofchippendale.com 

604.525.0188 

Kate’s Paperie 

katespaperie.com 

LEONE 

757 W Hastings Street 

Vancouver BC 

604.683.1133 

les amis du FROMAGE 

Vancouver 

1752 West 2nd Avenue 

604.732.4218 

West Vancouver 

#518 Park Royal South (Behind the Keg) 

604.925.4218 

Macdonald Realty - Ian Watt 

www.ianwatt.ca 

604.999.9426 

No. 1 Collision 

www.no1collision.com 

Richmond 604.231.9614 

Vancouver 604.732.6584 

Paramount Furniture 

www.paramountfurniture.net 

604.273.0155 

Progressive Construction Ltd. 

– Southlands Shores 

www.southlandsshores.ca 

604.263.1144 

Redl Kitchen Studio 

www.redlkitchenstudio.com 

604.681.4457 

The Paperqueen 

www.thepaperqueen.com 

604.926.6606 

Thomson & Page 

www.thomsonandpage.com 

604.738.5144 

TIFFANY & Co. 

www.tiffany.com 

604.630.1300 

Urbanity 

207 Abbott Street 

Vancouver BC 

www.urbanity.ca 

604.801.6262 

Vetrina 

525 W. Georgia Street 

Vancouver BC 

604.632.0132 



Vancouver, BC 

604.222.7788 


The Ultimate 


BMW offers 

peace of mind 

24 hours 

365 days 

with the most extensive roadside assistance program in Canada. 

Ask your Brian Jessel BMW Service Advisor for full details. 

© 2008 BMW Canada Inc. “BMW,” the BMW logo and all BMW model designations 

are registered trademarks of BMW AG, used under license. Printed in Canada, 2008.

These days everyone is short on time. Especially when it 

comes to arranging things like home and car insurance. Buying 

online is certainly convenient, but unfortunately there’s no one 

around to answer questions or offer advice. That’s why we offer the 

best of all possible worlds. We come to you. Wherever you are. 

Whenever you want. From a simple renewal to a more detailed 

consultation, we work to your schedule. When it comes to insurance, 

we come to you. It’s one more way AllWest is always there. 

We come to you. 

Wherever you are. 

We’re all about you. 

allwestins.com

Majestic WHISTLER! - Brian Jessel BMW

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