Hollyhock Retreat
Hollyhock Retreat is a holiday, retreat, and/or lifelong learning institute[1] based on Cortes Island, British Columbia, with a satellite campus in Vancouver. Its main Cortes Island location is situated on the sunniest southeastern beach[2] of the island, and offers a range of personal, spiritual, and professional development programs[3] on topics including relationship building, cooking,[4] creative writing,[4], nonviolent communication,[5], kayaking, Buddhism, yoga, holistic health[6], integrative medicine,[6] business and community leadership,[3] and social ventures.[6] It was created in 1982 on the grounds of the former Cold Mountain Institute.[6] As a large employer at its campus on a small remote island approximately 100 km from Vancouver, Hollyhock is both appreciated and sometimes held in question by its local community.
Political links
The CEO is Dana Bass Solomon,[2][7] and the current volunteer president is her husband, Joel Solomon,[6] who has close ties to Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.[8] Several holders of political positions, including several Vancouver City Hall staffers, have attended Hollyhock programs in the past.[9] The spectrum of attendees typically includes a wide range of people, from civic leaders and environmental activists to business executives.[4]
References
- ^ "Hollyhocks mark the spot for peace and serenity"
- ^ a b "Hollyhock retreat: 'Paradise with purpose'", Surrey Now, May 26, 2009.
- ^ a b "Short Trips: Holistic programs work on body and soul", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 21, 2007.
- ^ a b c "What the world needs now... is more of Hollyhock on Cortes Island", Getaway BC, July 13, 2010.
- ^ "Spiritual retreats on Vancouver Island respond to life's challenges", Canadian Press, May 12, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Charlie Smith, "Building Hollyhock’s legacy", Georgia Straight, April 26, 2007.
- ^ "Hollyhock retreat offers tool for change, hope and optimism", Canwest News Service, June 26, 2009.
- ^ "Joined at the hip: The mutually beneficial relationship of a mayor and his closest adviser", Globe and Mail, December 12, 2008.
- ^ How big money drives social change Green philanthropists are striving to turn Metro Vancouver into a sustainable nirvana, Vancouver Sun, August 8, 2010.