Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - North Shore News - A19
I N S I D E !
A nativi ty displa y ! Wrap ping alte rnatives ! Holid ay happ enings Y O U R
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Plenty of scenes to be seen ROSALIND DUANE rduane@nsnews.com
IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
Christmas lights are up and lamp standards are decorated like candy canes in Edgemont Village for the holiday season. The annual display was put up at the end of November. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH
From a distance it looks like a standard nativity scene until you lean in a little closer. Lounging just outside the stable is something you don’t expect to see in the traditional Christian display: a collie. The card beside the scene explains why it’s there: “This nativity set belonged to Ed’s mom. It was featured in the living room on top of the television set. One year the boys found an angelic pomeranian Christmas ornament and added it to the nativity set much to Nana’s dismay. Each time they passed it they would move the little dog to a new place in the scene. This caused Nana no end
of concern, especially when a sheltie fridge magnet also joined the animals there to honour baby Jesus.” It is a charming description of a simple set that sits among more than 200 scenes on display at Highlands United Church in Edgemont this past weekend as part of its annual nativity exhibit and craft fair. “Some are handmade, some are very precious and have been passed down in the family, some of them are really quirky and unusual, we had a S’mores nativity scene last year,” notes Sandi Parker, co-ordinating minister at the church. While some are “lovely and ornate,” says Parker, there are also rubber ducks and Lego versions among the offerings, and often kids
Christmas in the neighbourhood
who view the exhibit one year return the next with their own handmade piece to add to the collection. The nativity scene, also known as the manger scene or crèche, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus in Christian religions. The Christian bible tells the story of how Jesus was born in a manger in a stable and the story also includes a bright star,
See Display page 23
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A20 - North Shore News - Wednesday, December 2, 2015
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VIP VISITOR Mrs. Claus is scheduled to make an appearance at The Shipyards Christmas Festival, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m. The event will feature free family activities, music, and a tree lighting by the mayor at 6 p.m. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH
Holiday happenings EDGEMONT VILLAGE NIGHT MARKET Select merchants in Edgemont Village will participate in a Christmas Night Market Wednesday, Dec. 2 until 8 p.m. There will be music, special savings, samples, festive treats and samplings.
Artists for Kids phone 604.903.3798 email afkinfo@sd44.ca
YULETIDE BY THE SEASIDE Vocalist Jacqueline Allan, guitarist Ron Thompson and pianist Miles Black will perform at The Silk Purse Arts Centre, Thursday, Dec. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Open seating, tickets: $15 silkpurse.ca CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG at John Braithwaite Community Centre, Friday, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. All ages welcome to this free event. Featuring Christmas carol favourites, songbooks, and eggnog. CREATIVE GIFT AND POTTERY SALE at Delbrook recreation centre, Friday, Dec. 4, 5–7 p.m., and Dec. 5-6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free event will feature gifts, pottery, coffee, and dessert.
Sat Dec 5 & Sun Dec 6
TINSEL, TREES AND TREASURES A free community event on Friday, Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m., at Parkgate Community Centre, 3625 Banff Crt., North
Vancouver. The event will feature a tree lighting, sing-along, hot chocolate, photos with Santa (by donation), children’s crafts and gingerbread decorating, crafts, a hot dog or chilli dinner ($2 per person) and more. Please bring a donation of nonperishable food for the Harvest Project. myparkgate.com KIDS CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES AND SANTA PHOTOS Santa Claus comes to Lonsdale Quay Saturday, Dec. 5 and 12, 1-5 p.m. There will be a holiday storytime at noon both dates and a Christmas Dance show by Perform Art Studios, Dec. 12 at 12:30 p.m. on the Retail level bridge. Email photos with Santa, minimum suggested donation of $2 for Aunt Leah’s Place. NORTH SHORE CHORUS and Carousel Chorus present In The Mood For Christmas, an evening of jazz music, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., at Mount Seymour United Church, 1200 Parkgate Ave. Tickets: $20/$15/$5. info@nschorus.com, 604-985-2559 HOLIDAY ARTISAN FAIR at Gleneagles Community Centre, Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with more than 30 vendors, at 6262 Marine Dr., West Vancouver. 604-921-2100
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Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - North Shore News - A21
OUR CHRISTMAS CHOO-CHOO
Wrapping alternatives
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According to the Recycling Council of B.C., wrapping paper is a huge part of holiday waste. The council is encouraging everyone to be mindful of more eco-friendly ideas this holiday season and offers the following alternatives to wrapping paper. ! Cloth Bags: Hand-sewn or store-bought can make a present look festive and can be reused as errand or lunch bags after the holidays. ! Book or Magazines: Add a personal touch by using pages from a favourite story. ! Newspaper: Excellent for larger gifts. Use cartoon or sport sections for colour. ! Drawings or paintings: Seasonal pictures on paper bags make great gift wrap. ! Maps: Add a sense of adventure to your gifts!. ! Gifts: Make the wrapping part of the gift. Use backpacks, scarves, even clothing. ! Natural items: Pinecones or pressed flowers jazz up gifts more than ribbons. And go tape-free by using yarn or twine instead. ! Packing material: Use unsalted peanuts in the shell, popcorn, or fabric to secure gifts in boxes. Avoid bubble wrap or foam chips which are hard to recycle. Before placing your wrapping paper in a curbside or community recycling bin, make sure that it is 100 per cent paper. Unlike office paper, some gift wraps contain heavy inks, glitter, and foil that can’t be recycled. Tissue paper is also not accepted for recycling.
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CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Sophie McNeight and Kari Dignum display some of the items that will be on sale at the St. Christopher’s Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The church is located at 1068 Inglewood Ave., West Vancouver. The event will feature a sale, lunch, and musical entertainment. PHOTO KEVIN HILL
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A22 - North Shore News - Wednesday, December 2, 2015
F
CHRISTMAS FAIR Honor Livingstone looks over traditional wooden toys for sale at the Waldorf School children’s christmas fair and open house on Nov. 21. The event at the Edgemont-area school featured a craft market, music, food, and puppets. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH
Holiday happenings HOLIDAY ARTISAN FAIR at Gleneagles Community Centre, Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with more than 30 vendors, at 6262 Marine Dr., West Vancouver. 604-9212100 PET PHOTOS WITH
SANTA at Korna Natural Pet Supplies on Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 1174 Marine Dr., North Vancouver. Minimum $10 donation. Proceeds will support local rescue groups. HOLIDAY CRAFT & BAKE SALE Bring the whole family for a fun
visit to the SPCA and shop for unique crafts and baked goods created by volunteers, at the West Vancouver BC SPCA shelter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. WEST VANCOUVER YOUTH BAND is hosting its annual Christmas concert at Mulgrave School theatre on Dec. 6, 3 p.m. Admission is by donation.
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Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - North Shore News - A23
Display features a wide variety
From page 19
angels, and three kings, also known as wise men or Magi. Many Christians display a version of the nativity scene throughout the Christmas holidays. Nativity scenes can be simple, ornate, or abstract, and become cherished pieces of art and family tradition. “Whether people take the story literally, figuratively, or metaphorically, however they interpret the story, I think there’s something kind of mystical, appealing about the story of a birth. The images of stars and angels kind of speak to our need for a little bit of mystery and light,” says Parker. “I think the story of love and birth is kind of a universal theme, and I think the themes of Advent, which tend to be in most churches peace and hope and love, are really powerful themes. And so I think the (nativity) story picks that up.” The annual nativity scene exhibit is open to anyone and the weekend includes other
activities, such as a craft fair and kids activities, as well as free mulled cider and cookies for visitors. Donations are accepted for the church’s various outreach programs, including a sponsored Syrian refugee family this year, but there is no cost to attend. “For us it’s just a way to invite the community into the real spirit of hope and love and generosity and community, and we just hope people will come and enjoy spending time with one another and enjoy the scenes that are there,” says Parker. The exhibit started at the church in 2009 and the first year they had about 100 nativity scenes donated for the event. Last year they had 225. Scenes are loaned to the church for the weekend from families in the congregation, and each scene is accompanied by a card with information about the scene’s history. Some are from different parts of the world, picked up by families during their travels and those scenes often have figures that look different than the traditional North American scenes. Different cultures also represent the story in different ways, says Parker. “It speaks to people’s imagination too and lets people know that sometimes the images that we associate with Christmas and the nativity can actually be interpreted in many different ways,” she notes.
The photos above and at left show some of the details from about 200 nativity scenes on display at the annual Highlands United Church exhibit this past weekend. Nativity scenes are loaned to the exhibit from church members. PHOTOS ROSALIND DUANE
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