About MapleLine Magazine

A conversation about change and growth in Sooke.

MapleLine is a quarterly magazine about the Sooke community

MapleLine Magazine is a quarterly news issues magazine that provides an opportunity for community conversation about the activities, growth and development of Sooke, BC (population 10,000). MapleLine serves a readership of Sooke, the western communities of Greater Victoria, and in general southern Vancouver Island. MapleLine aims to contribute to the production of meaningful and insightful news coverage within the journalism profession.

MapleLine was launched in 2008 by Brookeline Publishing House Inc., a company that has written, edited, produced and managed print and online publications for clients in the southern Vancouver Island region since 1993.

Underwritten by Brookeline Publishing House Inc., MapleLine has launched its Journalism Career Mentoring Program, providing news-writing training to adults, with a career training focus for adults ages 17+.  Sponsored in part by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, Village Food Markets, and Sooke Harbour House. Corporate sponsors welcome for 2010-2011; please inquire to editor@maplelinemagazine.com .

The Brookeline/MapleLine office is in the MapleLine Business Centre at 6707 West Coast Road in Sooke town center (across from Peoples Drug Mart), where print and web services are available to the public. Since opening the office in February 2010, our staff have met hundreds of Sooke residents as well as tourists. Nice to meet you all!

On July 19, 2010 MapleLine was awarded a Communities in Bloom recognition decal for storefront beautification of our office at 6707 West Coast Road. Mayor Janet Evans said upon awarding the decal, "Congratulations, Mary, it's looking lovely."

Brookeline is a member of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce; on behalf of MapleLine Magazine, Mary Brooke volunteered with the Chamber's Sooke Spirit Festival Committee (Dec.5, 2009 event). In 2010 Mary Brooke is a director with the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce; she serves as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and sits on the Education Committee.

As of June 2010, MapleLine has been invited to report a regular Sooke Police Beat.

Your Community News Team: 

Phone - 250-642-7729

	Publisher/Editor Mary P. Brooke	Mary P. Brooke, B.Sc., Cert.PR is the creator and publisher-editor of MapleLine Magazine, a publication she launched in 2008. Mary has a "nose for news" plus a knack for drawing together talent to produce creative results about a diversity of topics and interests.  Mary has over 25 years experience in writing, editing, page design, publication production, online services, print management, advertising and marketing, book and magazine publishing, and adult education.  In 2009 she launched the MapleLine Journalism Program in Sooke. MapleLine/Brookeline was recognized by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce in their Service Industry Business Excellence award category (Nov.2009). Mary is a 2010 director of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and maintains membership in the Sooke Community Arts Council. She is a member of the Editors' Association of Canada and will be a panellist at the Canadian Authors Association conference in June 2010. Mary holds a B.Sc. in nutrition science with a second major in sociology and has a Certificate in Public Relations. She holds a McGeachy Prize in Journalism from the University of Saskatchewan. Mary opened the new MapleLine Business Centre in February 2010. She lives a busy life in beautiful Sooke.
	Office Support, NewsWriter / Web Contributor Karen Laharty	Karen Laharty helps run the MapleLine Business Centre office and is one of the first graduates from the MapleLine Journalism Program. Her stories began appearing in our website pages in November 2009, then in our bi-weekly enews, and now in the print issues starting Winter-Spring 2010. Karen juggles work, kids, and many volunteer activities in Sooke. She is a director on the board of the Sooke Family Resources Society. She loves camping. She has cats and dogs galore!
	Graphic Designer Robert Kabwe	Robert Kabwe is an award-winning digital graphics specialist who polishes up our fabulous MapleLine Magazine covers after all the images and titles are chosen. He designed this MapleLineMagazine.com website. Robert has worked with Brookeline Publishing House Inc. (publisher of MapleLine Magazine) on various projects since 2004. He lives in Montreal and is but a mouse-click away for input to our high-end design jobs for regional and national clients.
	Assistant Editor Catherine Brooke	Catherine Erin Brooke has assisted with writing, editing and proofreading for MapleLine Magazine since January 2009. She is very artistic and contributes ideas to layout aspects of MapleLine Magazine. A pre-nursing student at Camosun College, Catherine has a keen sense for what makes people tick. She lives in Victoria.
	Production Support Donald C. Mills	Donald C. Mills contributes to MapleLine with photography, proofreading and distribution support. Don is the author of the widely known Giant Cedars White Sands Juan de Fuca Marine Trail Guidebook. As a boating and fishing enthusiast, he loves living in seaside Sooke. He manages the outdoor landscaping, outdoor premises and signage at the new MapleLine Business Centre.
	NewsWriter / Web Contributor Mackenzie Fisher	Mackenzie Fisher was one of the MapleLine Journalism Program participants in the program's first year. Her stories began appearing in our website pages in November 2009. She is focussing on building our Fashion and Beauty stories. As she travels, Mack will be sending in her stories from across Canada.
	NewsWriter / Web Contributor Samantha MacLean	Samantha MacLean was one of the MapleLine Journalism Program participants during her Grade 12 year at EMCS, 2009-2010. Her stories began appearing in our website pages in November 2009. She helped build our database for ArtsinSooke.com and has helped out with some research projects at the MapleLine Business Centre. This fall she is off to college in the BC Interior to take creative writing.
	Server-Side Management Les Oberg	Les Oberg of Ivandafish Computing Services manages the Brookeline/MapleLine web-server on a highspeed line in Victoria and maintains the computer systems for our office. Les has done a top-notch tech job for Brookeline since 2000. He lives in Victoria.
	Web Programmer Brendan Clement	Brendan Clement is a server-side programmer in Victoria who contributes his creative digital skills to MapleLine website projects.
	Computer Tech Support James Twigg	James Twigg is a 3rd-year computer science student at UVic. He assists with various hardware, software and networking decisions and installations at MapleLine/Brookeline.

Meet the Writers/Contributors

As the publication grows, more contributors are welcomed to our ranks. Our writers work to condense ideas into tight, readable articles that inform with a spark or two of insight. Here is our list of contributors:

STORY & PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS (Vol.2 - 2009-2010 ~ Issues 5 through 8):
Catherine Brooke (assistant editor); Jennifer Brooke (crossword puzzles); Mary Brooke (news & features); Rebecca Brooke (science); Debbie Clarkston (history); Devavati Cunningham (Cosmic); Mackenzie Fisher (local feature stories); Darren Fisk (financial); Marcie Gauntlett (food & travel); Kurtis Gramchuk (sports); George Holmes (coast guard & boating); John Horgan, MLA (community / politics); Vienna Kappell (legal); Karen Laharty (local news and feature stories / assistant editor); Gerard LeBlanc (community development); Stephanie Lumley (schools); Samantha MacLean (local news and feature stories); Donald C. Mills (gardening); Russ Nicks (whales); Elida Peers (history); Pam Portal (children, sport, community; Farmers Daughter v2n2); Kim Restall (local news and feature stories); Laurie Savoie (pets); Cheryl Vavra (legal); Dela Wilkins (health). 

Guest contributors (Holiday season issue Nov.2009): Sooke Mayor Janet Evans; Sooke Historian, Elida Peers; Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce president, Gwen Fisher; Coast Guard Auxiliary Station 37 Station Leader (outgoing), George Holmes. Guest contributors (Winter-Spring 2010): Sooke District CAO, Evan Parliament; Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce President, Todd Olynyk; Sooke Harbour House co-owner, Frederique Philip; Kathryn Kusyszyn, for Sooke Food CHI.  Guest contributors (Summer 2010): Sooke Councillors David Bennett and Sheila Beech; Sooke Regional Tourism Association Chair Neil Flynn.

STORY & PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS (Vol.1 - 2008-2009 ~ First four issues):
Ken Allard (boating); Laura Allard (networking, boating); Ross Amos (photographer); Marlene Barry (wellness); Maria P. Boorman, ND (naturopathy); Jennifer Brooke (crossword puzzles); Rebecca Brooke (science); Cathy Dierk (medieval festival); Andrei Federov (photography); Janine Fraser, ND (natural remedies); Judithe Ann Gatto (Canada Day); Kurtis Gramchuk (sports); George Holmes (coast guard); Gerhard Jacob (cosmic); Bonnie Keleher (education); Vicky Korkoras (fashion); Kathryn Kusyszyn (food sustainability, yoga); Jorg Langewitz (housing); Karen Longland (gardening); Stephanie Lumley (schools); John Luton (cycling); Judy MacNeill (wellness); Liana Maloney (pets); Elizabeth Miles (people); Terrie Moore (EPCOR); Louise Morin, optometrist (eye care); Marcella Obdrzalek (cycling); Elizabeth Olsen (aquatics); Wendy Palynchuk (employment); John Twigg (political analysis).

PRINT COVER DESIGN & WEBSITE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT:
Mary P. Brooke; Robert Kabwe. (cover graphics, web design)

WEB/COMPUTER SUPPORT:
Brendan Clement; Les Oberg; Ryan Proctor; James Twigg.

Contests:

Visit the CONTESTS page for the names of current contest winners.

Testimonials

GREAT READING:  "I read it from cover to cover." Candace Linde, Sooke, BC  [Aug.16, 2010]

GREAT HEALTH WRITING:  "It was very interesting talking to you and I wanted to tell you I enjoyed your magazine and the article on Knitting to relieve stress. I was on your website and noticed you have a mentorship program, such a worthwhile endeavour. It must be very rewarding. I will be subscribing to your mag to support this program plus to support your Sooke community spirit. Health information out there is confusing, especially on the internet. It is so difficult to tell the difference between purely objective, informed writing, such as the articles in your magazine, and a marketing, infomercial promoting something. Keep them coming. I wish you all the best with your business." S.Taylor, Sooke, BC  [Aug.13, 2010]

GREAT NEWS SERVICE:  "Thanks for the summary of what's happening in Sooke (e-bulletin NEWS ABOUT SOOKE). What a great service." Lee Hindrichs, Sooke, BC  [July 31, 2010]

GREAT NEWS SERVICE:  "Thanks for the summary of what's happening in Sooke (e-bulletin NEWS ABOUT SOOKE). What a great service." Lee Hindrichs, Sooke, BC  [July 31, 2010]

GOOD LITERATURE:  "Here at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, if people inquire about good literature to read, I've been giving them a copy of MapleLine." Dave Bennett, Sooke, BC  [July 30, 2010]

GREAT READING:  "It's delightful. All the articles are a pleasure to read. All local. It's easy breezy airy delightful. There's nothing else like it. It's typical of a beautiful day like today. Fun to read." Judy Lerch, Sooke, BC  [May 11, 2010]

JOURNALISM EXCELLENCE:  "First class. Keep up the good work. Your publication is well researched, well balanced, and full of very interesting articles." Evan Parliament, CAO, District of Sooke, Sooke, BC  [May.2010]

HURRAY for PRINT, SUBSCRIBE ME ONLINE:  "Please add me to the list for e-news. I enjoy the printed issues and re-read them twice in case I missed something."  Carmen Neumann, Sooke, BC  [May.2010]

COVER EXCELLENCE:  "Your last two covers (Winter-Spring 2010, and Summer 2010) get an A+."  Laurie Savoie, Sooke, BC  [May.2010]

GREAT NEWS SOURCE:  "Congrats on your Mapleline E-News. I count on cbc.ca for most of my news and now can check www.maplelinemagazine.com/breakingnews.htm for local news. We are looking forward to the Summer Edition of the Mapleline. Thanks for your positive contributions to our community!"  David Mallett, Sooke, BC  [Mar.2010]

EASY TO READ:  "It's the best magazine ever! It's informative, local, well written, easy to read ~ a cover-to-cover book!"  Lorna Danylchuk, Sooke, BC  [Mar.2010]

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:  "I read it from cover to cover. It's a little bit different from the weekly newspaper!"  Comment by a local reader at the annual Women's Wellness Show, Mar.6/10, Sooke, BC  [Mar.2010]

READERSHIP SERVICE:  "I love that little magazine from Sooke. It makes me wish I lived there."  Lynn S., a reader in Surrey, BC  [Feb.2010]

READABILITY:  I read the entire issue! Ron, Fast Signs, Victoria, BC [Feb.2010][

READABILITY:  Usually I skim through magazines, but I found myself reading MapleLine cover to cover. It's a well-produced little magazine. Sue Truman, Cabin Creations, Sooke, BC [Jan.2010][

DELIVERY TO COMMUNITY:  I think it's great to find MapleLine in so many locations around Sooke. Carmen Neuman, Sooke, BC [Nov.2009][

FORMAT:  I like the size of MapleLine -- it's easy to put in my pocket and it looks great with other magazines in the reading areas of our home. Sema Phair, Sooke, BC [Sept.2009][

DISTRIBUTION:  Thank you for continuing to make MapleLine available through The Stick! Our customers truly appreciate the variety and depth of information inside every issue. David Evans, Stick in the Mud Coffee House, Sooke, BC [Aug.2009][

CONTENT EXCELLENCE:  All-encompassing of the Sooke area. I read it cover to cover.  Judy Lerch, Sooke  [Jul.2009]

WRITING STYLE:  Your writing style is clear. You don't use cliches. John Zaremba, Executive Director, Sooke Harbour Chamber of Commerce, Sooke, BC [Jul.2009]

NEWS INSIGHT:  All of your content is really timely and interesting. You seem to have a good sense of interesting stories going on in Sooke.  Jessica Boquist, Sooke Garden Project  [Jul.2009]

INFORMING NEW RESIDENTS:  As new residents it has helped us get to know Sooke.  Angela Dorsey, Sooke  [Jul.2009]

SERVICE TO ADVERTISERS:  I'm advertising with you because I want my company to be part of your high-profile presence in Sooke.  Alan Zielonka, Sooke Electric, Sooke  [Jun.2009]

MEDIA EXCELLENCE:  I find the approach you have taken in creating this magazine is refreshing and insightful. More media voices in the Sooke area and along the west coast are always welcome. I encourage you to continue to provide options for readers and advertisers alike.  John Horgan, MLA for Juan de Fuca [[May.2009][

COMMUNITY IMPACT:  I just read MapleLine cover to cover. You are really doing some good worth there in creating a palpable sense of community. Pam Portal, Victoria, BC [[Mar.2009][

COMMUNITY SERVICE:  We definitely need better health care here. <snip> This has been a concern of mine for quite some time, and I appreciate the opportunity to voice my opinion (in response to a MapleLine survey about the minimal provision of health are services in the Sooke area). Nancy Most, Sooke, BC F[Feb.2009]eb.2009]009]

IMPACT:  I appreciate your enthusiasm for this article (on coffee shops), my shop, MapleLine and Sooke. You are exactly what Sooke needs and you're the kind of person I was hoping would wander into The Stick. David Evans, The Stick in the Mud Coffee House, Sooke, BC [Feb.2009][Dec.2008]

CONTEST FEEDBACK:  Your contest (to win books) is great and it helps to know local writers. Letissia Polonia, Sooke, BC [[Nov.2008]Dec.2008]

LAUNCH:  MapleLine is a great addition to the community. Congratulations, it's very well done! Mayor Janet Evans, Sooke, BC [Nov.2008][N v.2008]

DEVELOPMENT:  I think MapleLine is a great idea. I'm impressed with how quickly you've adopted Sooke as your new home and have immersed yourself into the community. Stuart Price, Realtor, Victoria, BC [Nov.2008]

Sooke Road driving safety ad:

The back cover of the Winter 2009 issue presented a community support advertisement reminding everyone to drive safely on Highway 14 (Sooke Road). In time, most of us hope to see signage and/or structural changes to Highway #14 to help make the drive safer.

 

Mission Statement

MapleLine seeks to inform, educate, and promote open conversation about economic, social, educational and health care issues in Sooke, and to foster Sooke's role as a vibrant community within the Greater Victoria area, the Sooke to Port Renfrew west shore tourism footprint, and the southern Vancouver Island region.

The print magazine seeks to facilitate the resolution of contentious issues by providing information and insight. We aim to think outside the box. Our quarterly schedule allows us to dig deeper, toward fostering a greater understanding of interesting and stubborn issues.

Our online web-content mission is to be a "living-Web", an expansion of the themes established by the print version each issue. Online articles and features are updated regularly, with links and content that serve our readers and support our advertisers. The blog provides an opportunity for reader input.

MapleLine supports the community. Wear a Tshirt or hoodie to share the news! Order logo apparel (ours or yours).

The MapleLine name is based on the maple leaf image that represents a peaceful unified community, and this supports MapleLine's goal to be a unifying community influence for the Sooke area and west shore readership. In Canada, the maple leaf is red on our national flag. Maple trees provide sap which nourishes the tree (also sweet and tasty for human cuisine). In India, the maple leaf is frequently seen as a motif in carved furniture. Many people find the maple leaf to be an uplifting symbol. In 2009 we learned that Senator Edward Kennedy (who championed the goals of a healthy national community) was buried under the shade of two maple trees at Arlington National Cemetery. 

What's inside the magazine

MapleLine Magazine brings insightful articles and custom ads to a readership of 8,000+ (distribution of 4,000 x 2 readers per copy) in Sooke and southern Vancouver Island.

Sooke area (including west shore) news.

Guest editorials from community and business leaders.

Social, health and educational issues.

Political and economic issues.

Arts & culture, tourism, fitness & sport.

History of the local area.

Contests, surveys, crossword puzzles.

Letters to the editor.

 

Publishing and Distribution

Current print publishing schedule 2010-2011: quarterly (release date Aug.25).

Starting in November 2010 we will publish bi-monthly (6 times a year):, Nov.2010, Jan.2011, Mar.2011, May 2011, July 2011, Sept. 2011, etc.

Distribution each issue: 4,000 copies (approximate readership 8,000+)

Format: handy-size 5.25" x 7.25", glossy, full colour

ISSN: 1918-3992

Subscriptions: 6 issues per year starting with the Nov.2010 issue. $15.95 (includes 5% HST) for subscribers within Canada, or $25.00-Cdn for subscribers located outside Canada. International subscribers should pay $25.00-USD (by credit card, or by cheque or money order payable to Brookeline Publishing House Inc.)

 

Print Magazine Schedule

v2n4 - FALL 2010: Aug.-Oct. 2010 Back to School release date Wed.Aug.25.

v3n1 - HOLIDAY SEASON 2010 Nov.-Dec.2010 issue comes out Wed.Nov.3. Editorial deadline:  Sept. 30/10. Advertising deadline: Oct. 8/10.

v3n12 - WINTER SEASON 2011 Jan.-Feb.2011. issue comes out Wed.Jan.12. Editorial deadline:  Nov. 30/10. Advertising deadline: Dec. 8/10.(r the Aug.-Oct./09); October 8/09 (for the Nov.090).

Online E-Bulletin Deadlines

Two days prior to the bi-weekly release dates. Issue dates are usually twice monthly, as news bulletins warrant.  See the ENEWS main page.

 

Payment

Advertisement and subscription payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, debit, corporate cheque, or cash.