Deep Cove Crier February 2016

PAGE 9

Pioneering pilot

The remarkable story of how Kucki Low became South Africa’s first female airline pilot.

PAGE 2

Mayor’s message

The recovery continues more than a year after the Seymour River rock slide.

February 2016

9900 Circulation East of the Seymour River

Cougar sightings prompt warning

by PAT JOHNSON

Conservation officials are urging Deep Cove residents to call them immediately if they see a cougar. There were at least seven reported cougar sightings in December and January, and officials are reminding the public how to behave in the event of an interaction.

One sleek cat made local news after a Deep Cove man shared a video recording of the cougar nonchalantly wandering in his backyard. Christine Miller, education coordinator of the North Shore Brown Bear Society, said it is impossible to say whether the multiple sightings involve a single animal or more than one. Her organization fields calls about cougars, but directs them to the Conservation Office at 1-877-952-7277.

Miller speculates that recent snow falls have pushed deer and other wildlife further down the mountains and that the cougars are following their prey.

Cougars, the largest wildcats in Canada, live throughout British Columbia but generally avoid people, said David Karn, a spokesperson for the environment ministry. “Generally people aren’t even aware that they are there,” he said. “The cougar runs off and goes somewhere else.”

The reported cougar sightings, mostly in the Indian River Drive and Woodlands area, suggest some abnormal behaviour, Sgt. Todd Hunter, a conservation officer, said in a statement released to the Deep Cove Crier.

“There is some information to suggest that there is some abnormal behaviour and we’re monitoring it very closely,” he said, adding that timely reporting of sightings is critical. “The information that we have been getting has been quite a bit late and so it is difficult to be able to apply the appropriate management decisions here with respect to the cougar. We’re being very vigilant in how and when we’re going to react.”

Hunter urges people to make their properties less attractive, with domestic animals such as dogs and cats not left unattended outdoors and pet foods kept inside. Anything that can attract rodents or raccoons can also attract cougars, in part because those smaller animals can be prey for the big cats.

“If you’re going to hike with the dog, make sure it’s leashed,” Hunter said.

“Hiking and biking in that area, make sure you’re with a partner. If you do confront a cougar on the trail, make sure you stop. Make sure you look big.

If it doesn’t run away and it doesn’t look alarmed and scared of you, look big.

Shout at the cougar.”

“If you’re going to hike with the dog, make sure it’s leashed.”

The District of North Vancouver recently engaged local residents, business owners, outdoor enthusiasts and other stakeholders to come up with a made-in-Deep-Cove plan to deal with the parking and access issues that plague the area, especially during the busy summer season. So how is it working so far? See story on Page 6. PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD

– Sgt. Todd Hunter The Ministry of the Environment’s guidelines for cougar interactions urge calm, tell parents to pick up children, and keep an eye on the cougar while backing away slowly. Ensure the animal has a clear avenue of escape. Keep the cougar in front of you at all times, never turning your back to a cougar or running, as sudden motion can trigger an attack. If a cougar follows, respond aggressively, maintaining eye contact, showing teeth and making loud noises.

Arm yourself with rocks or sticks, without crouching more than necessary to collect them. In the unlikely event that the cougar attacks, the guidelines urge people to fight back to convince the animal that you are a threat and not prey, targeting the animal’s face and eyes in particular. a

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! Mayor’s Message

Considering the rock slide at Seymour River, 14 months on by

RICHARD WALTON

Mayor for Dist District Vancouver of North Vanco

Early last December a rock slide occurred downstream from the Twin Bridges crossing of the Seymour River, partially blocking the channel and backing up the river.

A large area of the forest was flooded and many trees remain underwater.

The subsequent removal of the public footbridge was necessary because debris caught up on the submerged bridge deck and put the integrity of the structure at risk. The slide also created a permanent barrier to fish trying to migrate upstream, blocking access to salmon and steelhead. In 2015 steelhead runs were damaged by the slide in January, and the salmon runs were hindered in the fall. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Seymour Salmonid Society, and the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations operated a system of hoop nets to capture and transport fall-run salmon over the barrier into the upper river. Ongoing fish trapping and a subsequent radio-tagging program is providing insight into the movement of fish in the lower river and could be of benefit if a longer-term trapping program is pursued.

While the limited trap and haul programs were successful in terms of saving brood stock for the hatchery this past season, it is not likely that this can be successfully sustained at times when the river flows are much higher, such as after a heavy rain or during the spring freshet.

Several engineering companies were recently engaged to assess how the barrier can be made more accessible for fish. They examined various options ranging from doing nothing to completely removing the slide debris with blasting and heavy construction. The recommended option is to re-shape the rock slide with scaling, and non-explosive, low-velocity rock breaking, and using the

natural river flows to move material.

The project must work within specific fisheries windows and as such may span up to four years. This is due to two main factors: the safety of the fish and the use of natural river action to dissipate the debris. Once the required environmental approvals are obtained and funds have been raised, work will commence – which will hopefully be within the first available fisheries window.

The pedestrian bridge is located within the Lower Seymour Conservation Area, which is owned and managed by Metro Vancouver. An engineering firm is working on a conceptual plan for re-establishing pedestrian access across the Seymour River and improving access from Riverside Drive. Metro Vancouver has committed to bring designs and plans to the public in April/May 2016 for input, with final detailed plans being completed within the year, and construction taking place in 2017. In 2016, they also plan to improve the Baden Powell staircase, which should facilitate the west to east connection across the Seymour River at the south end of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.

I, along with the many frequent users of this trail network, am eager to see the natural fish runs return to the Seymour River, and the Twin Bridge crossing restored. Mother Nature is a powerful force and incidents such as the slide are reminders that we cannot plan for every circumstance. However, the excellent inter-agency cooperation across different levels of government, First Nations and the Seymour Salmonid Society is a testament to our community’s resiliency and the recovery we can achieve. a

FILE PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD

Patricia Houlihan LL.B.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Shred for the Cause, a ski and snowboard charity fundraiser for a pair of Vancouver women’s shelters, takes place at Mt. Seymour every Monday until March 28.

Here’s how it works: ladies can ski or snowboard from 6 to 10 p.m. every Monday at Mt. Seymour for a minimum donation of $10, with $5 from every lift ticket going to Bloom Group, which manages Powell Place and Springhouse Women’s Shelters in Vancouver. If you want to donate more you can, and the extra money will also support the shelters. Men are welcome for Monday night skiing and snowboarding at the mountain, with a lift ticket from 6 to 10 p.m. costing $31.

“We pride ourselves in being a local mountain, and supporting local initiatives. We are very happy to support a local non-profit organization. The Bloom Group fits perfectly to Mt. Seymour,” said Eddie Wood, GM of Mt. Seymour Resort, in a statement. The mountain’s previous charity fundraiser, Shred For the Cure raised $150,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation. Info: mountseymour.com/ shred-cause-locals-edition. a

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Editorial

Email letters/comments to jbeddall@nsnews.com

! Crier Comment

! MLA Report

Kinder Morgan and small groups

Mountain Highway interchange project consultation begins

movement in favour of the project.

The Independent Contractors and Business Association of B.C. has started a campaign supporting the project, with social media posts asking: “Tired of a small group of vocal protesters hurting BC’s economy?”

It seems a stretch to imply that “a small group of vocal protesters” is standing in the way of the project. Kinder Morgan has its work cut out for it to convince British Columbians at large, as well as our government, that the project is safe, worthy and valuable. If they can leap that hurdle, good on them. But their industry allies could use a change of strategy.

West Coasters have a long history of vocal protesting. It’s almost as much a source of pride as our province’s natural beauty.

Best not attack a characteristic we take almost as part of our DNA, especially since the industry seems to have woken up to the idea that they would do well to rouse their own small group of vocal protesters. Perhaps they could also recall the old chestnut from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” a

PHOTO MARIA SPITALE-LEISK

The provincial government has withheld support for Kinder Morgan’s plan to triple the volume of bitumen being shipped through B.C. to the shores of Burrard Inlet.

It was surprising to some, perhaps, to see a government that is bullish on natural resource extraction nix this major project. Of course, the Kinder Morgan plan would not deal with B.C. resources; it would transport Alberta bitumen V`XZUb` V`^W YXZT^[fd VZ V`d ]hf^if c g^V` the possibility for land or ocean spills, the potential for either of which is at the root of opposition. \`d YXZT^[fd `he WdV ZUV iTd conditions for supporting the project.

So, this does not mean the project is dead or the province will continue to withhold support. The door has been left open for Kinder Morgan to up its game and, crucially, it is the National Energy Board that will decide whether it can proceed.

Kinder Morgan has said that ensuring success on issues like First Nations inclusion, B.C. getting its fair share and environmental protection require multiple parties to hash it out; that it is not solely its responsibility to make these happen.

Meanwhile, at least one trade group is trying to build something like a grassroots

ML for MLA North Vancouver No Se Seymour

On Jan. 19 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in North Vancouver, a public open house was held regarding the proposed Highway 1 at Mountain Highway Interchange Project. The project involves upgrading the existing Mountain Highway overpass to a full interchange.

I have been working on this major infrastructure project for more than five years and it has been the numberone issue in the riding. The Lower Lynn Corridor Improvement Project includes constructing the Fern Street and Dollarton interchanges and will improve safety, efficiency and east-west traffic flow along the stretch of Highway 1 between Mountain Highway and the Second Narrows Bridge, one of the biggest bottleneck areas in the Lower Mainland. This improvement will also include construction of a new pedestrian/ cyclist/ emergency vehicle structure over Highway 1, the Crown Street overpass.

The Mountain Highway Interchange is Phase 1 and is undergoing detailed design. Phase 2, Lillooet Road Interchange, is in a functional design stage, while Phase 3, Dollarton Highway, is in preliminary stakeholder discussions. The total project cost is $150 million.

The Highway 1 at Mountain Interchange Project includes: Four ramps; a new, wider structure

by MEGHAN CROWE

Getting creative at Parkgate library

What does it mean to be creative?

For some, being creative is a much easier process. For those who don’t self-identify with being the “creative type,” it may be harder to tap into the imagination. Well, Parkgate Library and the NVDPL want to help District of North Vancouver residents explore their creative spirit, starting this February.

Unlock your creativity at a free 12-week course with Yas Azarpajouh, a Martha Beck Life Coach. The workshop, titled Accessing Your Creative Silent Voice: A Course on Unblocking Creativity, aims to get local residents thinking outside the box. Azarpajouh believes that

JANE J T THORNTHWAITE

with signalized intersections; and realignment of Mountain Highway to Brooksbank Avenue at Keith Road.

Here are some of the benefits of the new interchanges: a Improved municipal connections making it faster and easier for drivers to reach their communities. a Less merging and weaving, improving traffic flow and reducing traffic incidents. a Cycling and walking facilities on Mountain Highway and Keith Road will be improved to promote alternate modes of transportation. a Environmental and drainage enhancements will improve fish and wildlife habitat in the area. a Better access to Phibbs Exchange.

Project status: a Functional design - complete a Detailed design - in progress a Construction starting - summer 2016 a Scheduled completion - March 2018 You can provide your feedback until Feb. 5 at lowerlynn@gov. bc.ca, or visit the website: gov.bc.ca/ lowerlynninterchanges.

These improvements are part of the province’s On the Move Initiative, a new 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. Learn more about what is happening in our riding of North Vancouver-Seymour by subscribing to my monthly MLA report at janethornthwaitemla.bc.ca/subscribe.

Contact me at jane.thornthwaite.mla@ leg.bc.ca, 604-983-9852, on Facebook at facebook.com/jane.thornthwaite, on Twitter at @jthornthwaite, or stop by my constituency office. a

everyone has a creative silent voice within them: “a voice that over the years has whispered to us to write, paint, sing, play an instrument, take acting lessons, direct a short film, try ice dancing, perform on stage, build something with our hands, or start a business.”

She argues that over time, this voice is muted by our fear. Throughout this weekly course, participants are encouraged find their inner creativity and think uninhibitedly.

If you enjoy the creative process, but don’t want to delve into it for yourself, then join author and artist Lex Alfred Hedley at Parkgate Library on Feb. 24 for a multimedia presentation of

PUBLISHER

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EDITOR

iKML_Q Hbcco]] jbeddall@nsnews.com 604-998-3530

his watercolours and discussion of his books.

The NVDPL has a jam-packed event line up this February, and if getting creative is what you’re looking for there’s a lot more to enjoy. Teens can take a Comic Book Making Workshop at Lynn Valley Library with a local graphic designer, children can listen to a Valentine’s Day story and work on a craft with talented author Sara Gillingham at Capilano Library, and there’s even a live musical performance from the North Vancouver Community Band at Lynn Valley Library. Not to mention, as an added bonus, Lynn Valley Library will be open on Family Day from noon to 5 p.m., so you can

SALES

foN^ jPPc mhood@nsnews.com 604-998-3508

PHOTO SUPPLIED

! At Your Library

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celebrate your family and get creative with your literature choices!

Need more info? Visit nvdpl.ca for registration and event details.

DELIVERY

distribution@nsnews.com 604-998-3527

© 2016 Deep Cove Crier is published once a month by the North Shore News, a division of Glacier Media. All rights reserved.

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5 DEEP COVE CRIER FEBRUARY 2016

6 DEEP COVE CRIER FEBRUARY 2016

A made-in-Deep-Cove parking solution

by JUSTIN BEDDALL

summertime when the Cove is clogged with traffic and parking is scarce, many locals get ticked.

That simmering frustration led to a District of North Vancouver staff report that noted: “Deep Cove’s scenic beauty and immense popularity with tourists,

A’hoy, an independent Gallant Avenue shop, sells some cool Deep Covebranded merchandise.

A popular new favourite (which is now sold out, by the way) is a T-shirt that reads: “Welcome to Deep Cove, Now Please Leave.”

It’s tongue in cheek, of course, but come

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hikers, arts aficionados and boaters has created a steadily increasing demand for access. The district has heard from the community and has quantified the issues of limited parking spaces, pedestrian and driver safety issues, concern about emergency vehicle access, and, at the height of the summer season, frayed tempers and inappropriate behaviour.”

To fix the problem, the district came up with a unique made-in-Deep-Cove parking and access plan should make it easier to find a place to park during the busy summer season.

Back in February 2015, the district teamed up with SFU’s Centre for Dialogue to co-host a “deliberative dialogue session.” Around 100 stakeholders, who ranged from longtime local residents and business owners to outdoor enthusiasts, boaters and First Nations members, participated in the all-day session and together they came up with collaborative solutions to tackle access and parking problems in the area. From that a plan was drafted.

Council approved the plan and many of the “quick start” actions items identified were implemented for the summer season. It was the first time the district has used a deliberative dialogue session and the results were so positive that it’s using the same collaborative engagement process to devise a plan for the Delbrook lands.

“In essence, people that have a stake are in the same room and they hear that it can’t be everything to everybody and they come forward with ways to resolve it themselves,” explained DNV’s Gavin Joyce, manager of

Parking plan suggestions from local feedback include park ranger, better signage and overflow parking areas, which should help keep traffic in check this summer. PHOTOS JUSTIN BEDDALL

engineering, parks and facilities.

So far, there have already been many initial parking solution victories during the initial phase of the parking plan, including a parking-permit system on Panorama Drive and deployment of a park ranger. “The park ranger was fantastic. She was able to work with both the businesses and the community and provide information for the whole Deep Cove area,” said Joyce.

Overflow parking at Myrtle Park and School

District 44 schools also helped mitigate the parking chaos. The DNV also added a dozen new parking spots and added bike parking in the area.

“And we added a lot of what I will call way-finding or information signs and event management. So those things went really well,” added Joyce.

In the coming months, Joyce said the DNV will look at continued funding for the park ranger and work with District 44 to renew agreements to use school parking lots for overflow parking for weekends. “And we’d like to incrementally look at more bike racks and signage for communication.”

Future and longerrange plans, which will require deeper dialogue with council, local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, include the potential for pay parking in the area and exploring the feasibility of a new parking lot for the steady inflow of Quarry Rock and Baden Powell trail hikers.

So far, Joyce said the feedback has been positive, but it doesn’t mean that parking is no longer an issue. “I mean that’s not to say we don’t have our challenges. It’s a very busy area which doesn’t have a lot of ingress and egress out; it’s basically at the dead end of a long culde-sac so it’s a challenge and there’s no additional capacity so it really is all around the management,” said Joyce, noting that they are also working with the DNV’s film coordinator to better manage local summer events.

“So with all of those things without a doubt the key actions were very well received, especially the park ranger who was able to co-ordinate a lot of different activities so we’re very happy with the past summer and hope for a repeat this summer,” he said noting that the lower Loonie should attract even more visitors. “We expect to see another very, very busy summer in Deep Cove and up the road.” a

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Gallery and gift shop open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 604-924-1378, seymourartgallery.com; info@ seymourartgallery.com { ¯ ¢ | ¡ ¢ £¯ | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; ever-changing original arts and crafts by local artists at unbelievable prices. { t ¢¢ ¯ ¢ ¢¢£¢£ ¢ ¢ gallery and gift shop during theatre ¢ ¡ ¯ ¤¢ ¢ n t ¢¢ see the show for free.

DEEP COVE SHAW THEATRE The two resident theatre groups are Deep Cove Stage Society 604-929-3200, deepcovestage.com and First Impressions Theatre 604-929-9456 pNML_RONbMM_PQML`boLNbmdPR I w ®| ¯ p £ ¢¤ ¢£ ®| ¢®® ¡ ¢ u ¢¯ ¢n Winner of the 2010 Tony Award.

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DEEP COVE HERITAGE SOCIETY

604-929-5744 or 604-929-9456; deepcoveheritage.com; deepcoveheritage@shawcable.com I Deep Cove Heritage Society is teaming up with the Seymour Art Gallery to present a wonderful double show with photos representing along with Wendy Bullen Stephenson’s multimedia show .

The shows will fill both the gallery and meeting room from Feb. 3 to March 5.

The opening ceremony will be Sun, Feb 7 afternoon. { ¤ ¢ ¤ ¢ ¢ r¤ ¢ ¢ index online) covers history of Seymour ¢ ­§ªm ¤ ¢ ¤ v¢| looks at changes from ’50s to present.

Both are available from office and Seymour Art Gallery. As well, Ralph Drew’s two Belcarra history books, Forests & Fjords and Ferries & Fjords are available from the heritage office, $49.95 each plus $2.50 tax, cash or cheques. { y ¢ u ¢ £¯| ¯ £ u £¯| ­m a.m.–4 p.m.; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Call to confirm office will be open before visiting.

biggest commission in the history of modern art. Rothko and his new young ¯ ¯ p ¢ r ¢ £z¯ } qp ¯ ¢ hard at work on the project. Runs Feb. 25 to March 12. Call 604-929-9456 or go online to %.,*&$!.),,&"#,*')+*.)(-"$. { w¢ ¯ ¢ | v ¢¯ ¦ ¢£| ®| ¯ |¤ ® £ ¢¤ ¢£ ®| ¢ ¯ ¡ Deep Cove Stage Society. This will be a North Shore Zone Theatre BC Festival entry April 1 to 16, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets and info online or call 604-929-3200. { }¯| nnn x¯ | ¢p ¤¯ ®| u¢£ Swindley, directed by Claude A. Giroux ¡ ¢ u ¢¯ ¢ ¯| ª 21, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets and info online or call 604-929-9456. { ¯ ¢ u} p ¤ ¢£| ®| ~¢ v p cirected by Amy Starkey for Deep Cove v ¯ ¢ v ¤ ¢ | ¢ ­m ¬ªp s¢£ ¢ £¯| through Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets and info online or call 604-929-3200.

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! Seniors Connection by SHELLEY HARRISON RAE Happy Valentine’s Day. Charles M. Schulz, best known for his Peanuts comic strip said, “All you need is love.

But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Enjoy!

Parkgate Seniors’ Programs: Parkgate seniors enjoy some of the lowest-cost programming and services on the North Shore. Registration and information for programs and drop-in games please call: Parkgate front desk 604-983-6350 and quote the barcode (#) number, or visit myparkgate.com.

Parkgate Seniors Centre Membership: $30 annual membership entitles you to discounts on all seniors programming, special events and lunches at Parkgate Com-munity Centre. Membership fees go directly to seniors’ programming. To volunteer at the Seniors Centre call Alison Caldwell Johnson, volunteer co-ordinator at 604983-6385 or ajohnson@myparkgate.com.

Free Programs: Monday, 10 a.m. singa-long, Tuesday 1-3 p.m. craft circle, and Friday afternoon movies with popcorn and tea and coffee.

Fabulous First Fridays: Feb. 5., 7-9 p.m., featuring the Fabulous First Friday Band. Coffee, tea and snack included, other refreshments available for purchase. Member $7/non-member $9. Call 604-983-6350 or register at Parkgate.

Keep Well Tuesdays: From 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mild exercises followed by blood pressure checks. Sign-in 9:15-9:30 a.m.

Drop-in $2.

Heart & Stroke Walking Group: Monday and Thursday An hour’s walk

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around the community then stay for coffee. Meet at Parkgate at 1 p.m. $10 annual fee. Call Janet Kemper, coordinator at 604-983-9976.

Chair Yoga 55+: Mild yoga for those who cannot fold themselves into a pretzel on the floor. Gain flexibility and strength and relieve stress through active breathing Friday 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Drop-in of $10. iPad Level 1: Feb. 2 to March 8, Tuesday 10 a.m.-noon. Member $66/nonmember $78. Registration #351829.

Mayor Richard Walton Open House: Feb. 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. An informal opportunity to engage with the Mayor at Parkgate Community Centre.

The Parkgate Community Kitchen: Lunch. Monday/Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $6/$8 non-member.

Purchase passes at Parkgate front desk.

You can purchase your lunch earlier in the day before your workout, keep your receipt, and redeem it for lunch. Many meal options to choose from.

Diners’ Club: Enjoy a hot meal in the warmth and companionship of others. The Diners’ Congregate Meal Program is served by volunteers, and local transportation is available. Cost is only $6. Take-home dinners may also be ordered. Be sure to request transportation when you make your reservation; pick-ups are at 4:30 p.m. at the Atrium, Lions Manor, and Roche Point Towers. Tuesday 5-6 p.m. You must book in advance. Contact Andrea at 604-904-6483.

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MARK RASMUSSEN Personal Real Estate Corporation 604.618.9270

Dollarton Village Shopping Centre 409 Dollarton Highway EastOfSeymourHomes.com

those interested in the latest trends and tastes. Thursday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit some local microbrewers and head to “Bestie’s” in East Vancouver for bratwurst (meal extra). Member $15/ non-member $20.

Vancouver Aquarium: Thursday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Member $12/non-member $16. Discounted tickets purchased at the door are extra.

Registration #351800.

CBC Newsroom Tour: Thursday, March 14, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy the tour, then have lunch (extra) at the Spaghetti Factory. Member $12/nonmember $16. Registration #351798.

Seymour Access Bus: Open to all seniors. Every second Friday, leaving Banff Court at 11 a.m. and stopping at designated bus stops East of Seymour River and heading to Lynn Valley Mall with trained volunteers to provide assistance and resource information. To register call Renee Matthee at 604-9836373 or email rmatthee@myparkgate. com. Members one trip $8/six trips $42.

Non-members one trip $12/six trips $70.

My Parkgate Break: For those caring for someone with early to moderate dementias living at home with a family caregiver. Priority is given to East of Seymour residents. Tuesday and Thursday (half-day) programs with mild fitness, social and leisure activities.

Program leaders and trained volunteers care for participants while the family caregiver has a few hours of respite time. Transportation, meals and snacks are provided. Contact Renee Matthee at 604-983-6373 or email rmatthee@ myparkgate.com.

DAVID LAMB 604.868.3414

North Shore Family Caregiver Support Programs: Free program for (unpaid) family members or friends caring for an adult friend or family member. Educational sessions, network groups, information, and consultation related to the emotional and practical aspects of care giving. North Shore Community Resources Capilano Mall, #203-935 Marine Dr. North Van. For information 604-982-3320 or email karyn.davies@nscr.bc.ca.

Caregiver Network Groups: Meet other caregivers who are having similar experiences. First Thursday of the month, 7-9 p.m. or second Wednesday of the month from 10:30 a.m.. #203, Capilano Mall, 935 Marine Dr., North Vancouver.

Dementia Dialogue: Loss & Grief: Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The dementia journey requires ongoing adjustment to many changes that occur throughout the early, middle, and late stages of the disease. Grief is the natural and necessary process to all of these changes that involve loss. This workshop is an opportunity to explore the loss and grief issues of the dementia care giving experience. There will be time for participants to consider some suggestions for weathering these losses.

Dementia Dialogue: Coping With Guilt: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to noon. Caregiver guilt is often fuelled by the demands of the role. This is an interactive learning opportunity to connect with other caregivers while exploring your own emotions and consider: How you can let go of unrealistic expectations.

ERIC RASMUSSEN 604.726.2306

TREE CLELAND 604.418.2172

9 DEEP COVE CRIER FEBRUARY 2016

South Africa’s first female pilot is one smart ‘Kucki’

by EILEEN SMITH

I did not know that the first female South African airline pilot has been residing in Deep Cove since 1979.

Kucki Low was born in Austria, and moved with her family when she was seven years old to South West Africa, now called Namibia.

By the time Kucki (pronounced “cook-ee”) was 19 she had suffered two personal tragedies, the sudden death of her mother and her father’s death two years later.

When she was 15 due to her father’s illness, she had to leave school to help run their photography business.

Her mother passed away when she was 17 and within two years of that her father passed away, having had his second heart attack.

Suddenly she was on her own. At that point in her life she never even considered flying as a possible career.

But that all changed when, by chance, she had the opportunity to shoot a late-afternoon coastal sunset from the passenger seat of a small Piper 140 aircraft which ignited her passion for flying.

She was hooked and determined to learn to fly.

Once she had her private pilot licence she decided to go for her commercial licence so she could get paid for what she loved to do — to fly.

She took a whole year of home study and had no trouble passing the practical, but was devastated when she failed the written exam for the commercial licence. At that time friends suggested she not worry about that failure, because she was, after all, a photographer.

But she persevered, rewrote the exam and was thrilled to pass and get her commercial pilot’s licence. She felt that joy and used the memory of it in everything she has accomplished since.

In 1970 she became South Africa’s first female flight instructor. In 1973 after working as a flight instructor for three years, see Longtime page 10

www.DeepCoveHeritage.com

You got multiple offers-but did you get the highest possible price?

Recently I was asked why it seems that, even though almost all listings are getting multiple offers, some seem to be going a lot higher than they should be based on selling prices for similar houses. The person asking the question was referring to a very crazy price we had recently negotiated on an older home, in need of renovations, on a busy street, with only 2 bedrooms up. The assumption was that if one receives multiple offers, they will automatically get the best possible price. In my experience, that is not necessarily true.

Multiple offers are great for sellers-they usually guarantee a seller will get slightly more than one would think the market value of the home should be. However multiple offers do not guarantee the absolute maximum price will be obtained. In order to squeeze the most money out of a house sale, significant preparation, extensive marketing AND, most importantly, excellent negotiation skills are required. Unfortunately, most realtors never receive training in negotiation-something that I think needs to be addressed. Even with some negotiation skills, most people have a hard time effectively participating in a negotiation. I have been fortunate to have had extensive negotiation training in the over 2 decades that I practiced law. Effective negotiation requires skill/training and a certain type of personality as well as a very client centered approach to selling homes. The results of effective negotiation can be amazing.

When we get multiple offers, we spend time and effort (and skill) to push the prices up as far beyond what the initial offers are as we possibly can. Often we negotiate the offers for a couple of days in the background prior to sitting with sellers and making final attempts to push buyers higher on their offers. On listings in the $1 million dollar range, in the time leading up to offer acceptance, through negotiation we have been able to take offers on a price at under $1 million and negotiate some of them up to a selling price of $1.25 million....on a house that no one would have thought could go anywhere near that high. Even prior to the recent market craziness, we have been able to negotiate record breaking prices (including the highest sale price ever in North Vancouver*).

Last year some realtors were shocked that we were able to obtain higher than asking price on several homes for which we received only one offer. We of course told the buyers and their realtors that they were the only offer we had received on each of those homes. Despite making it very clear that there were no competing offers, I was still able to push the prices up over asking using a strong negotiation strategy and skilled negotiation.

So what does this all mean: Multiple offers get sellers good prices; when combined with skilled negotiation, multiple offers can get sellers the HIGHEST POSSIBLE PRICE!!!

If you would like to know what your home is worth in this market or how I can assist you in ensuring the highest possible sale price for your home, please contact me.

*Based on Multiple Listing Service records for detached homes in North Vancouver

AGM & Presentation:

AGM will be followed by presentation by Wendy Bullen Stephenson in co-operation with the Seymour Art Gallery double shows featuring Heritage photos of Deep Cove Then and Now and Wendy’s multimedia historical exhibition Growing Up in Deep Cove from the Mid 1940s to the Mid 1960s.

Thurs, Feb 4 at 10am in the meeting room

Heritage in the Gallery

Exhibitions will be in the Seymour Art Gallery and Meeting Room.

Opening reception Sun, Feb 7, (show dates Feb 3 to Mar 5)

Heritage Chat Group:

Our Chat Group has started up again. It will be held in the Seymour Art Gallery during our combined shows at Deep Cove Cultural Centre Thursdays from 11:30am to 1pm

39 JOHNSON BAY NORTH VANCOUVER

5241 INDIAN RIVER DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER

5085 INDIAN RIVER DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER

PARADISE... FOUND... $1,248,000

RARE OPPORTUNITY ABSOLUTELY AMAZING PROPERTY!!! $2,980,000

This beautiful home is just around the corner from Deep Cove Marina-so close you can almost swim there....3 minutes by boat or a short hike; but you cannot currently drive there-boat access only.

Perfect for families: 3 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms and views from almost every room in the house! Open plan with lovely finishings; dock; outdoor shower and detached workshop. Everything you need to live the life that people dream of....

Property next door also for sale to create large estate.

Almost 1,200 ft. of waterfrontage; almost 5 acres of land and large flat west facing sundrenched outdoor living areas.

Approximately 2,500 sq. ft. home with suite, guest cottage and workshop. Self-sufficient off grid living with micro hydro (from own dam), solar and wind generators. Private dock; short boat ride to Cove… amazing family estate!!

This is your chance to own almost an acre with 125 feet of water frontage on a flat lot with easy access, tons of parking AND no neighbours on one side. This bright five bedroom family waterfront home has great potential or rebuilds your dream home on one of the easiest building lots in the area. Less than 10 minutes to Parkgate Mall and less than 1/2 an hour to downtown. Drop the crab trap off your dock in the morning, go to work and come home to a gourmet feast in the sun!

More than an Agent, an Ally.

Published books: Echoes Across the Inlet covers the Seymour area prior to 1950; Echoes Across Seymour looks at the area from 1950 to present day.

Ongoing fund-raiser: Personalized commemorative bricks in the Heritage Garden

DEEP COVE HERITAGE SOCIETY

4360 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver. BC V7G 1V5 > 604-929-5744 or 604-929-9456 E-mail DeepCoveHeritage@shawcable.com

Website: www.DeepCoveHeritage.com

Registered charity #89734 3513 RR0001

New Hours! Open Tues to Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm–4pm, closed Mondays

2012 & 2014 This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing agency agreement. Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty

10 DEEP COVE CRIER FEBRUARY 2016

! Spiritually Speaking

Longtime resident of Deep Cove is sought-after inspirational speaker

The unforgettable Charles Dickens

by REV. DR. ED HIRD

Christmas. His last book The Life of Our Lord was published posthumously 85 years later, after the death of his last child. Written for his 10 children, it shows his love for both Jesus and one’s neighbours.

Despite his high ideals, Dickens was often tempted to be a Scrooge. The financial pressure was enormous and unrelenting. With little initial profit from A Christmas Carol, Dickens wrote: “I shall be ruined beyond all mortal hope of redemption.” Fortunately for Dickens, Americans turned A Christmas Carol into a bestseller. Dickens visited the United States twice, both times being treated like a superstar. Marrying on the rebound, Dickens chose a wife to whom he was not romantically attracted.

Catherine Hogarth Dickens did not live up to his fictional ideals of women. While she loved being at home looking after her large family, he always wanted to be on the go, particularly abroad.

In the midst of his rejecting his wife, many friendships were cut off, publishers fired, theatricals ended, and family vacations ceased. In the last part of his life, Dickens was as sick as his secrets, exhausted by his coverups. But his unforgettable vision for a better society still speaks to us now. My prayer for the Seymour-Deep Cove community is that we will learn to integrate our ideals and our reality in loving our neighbours as ourselves.

Rev. Ed Hird is Rector at St. Simon’s Church, North Vancouver, Anglican Mission in Canada, stsimonschurch.ca.

PHOTO MARIA SPITALE-LEISK

At a recent birthday party at Cates Park, I had the joy of meeting a fellow UBC alumni whom I had not seen since our 1976 graduation. As we renewed our friendship, he gave me a Charles Dickens biography as a Christmas present. This sent me to Parkgate library to borrow numerous Dickens books, biographies and movies. Dickens was perhaps the first true celebrity in the modern sense. While many love the beauty of Shakespeare, Dickens remains more accessible to most English-speaking people.

Why have Dickens’ books continued to speak to us 150 later? Perhaps it is because of Dickens’ suffering in his painful childhood. His parents moved more than 20 times in 18 years. Since his father was sent to debtors’ prison and Charles Dickens to a blacking factory, he was able to tell compelling stories of degradation and abuse. The average Londoner in the 1840s died by age 27, with almost half of the deaths being children under age 10. Dickens was deeply disturbed by the poverty, hunger, and ignorance, as well as by the indifference of the rich and powerful to the widespread suffering.

The ideals of family life and generosity to the poor in Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol continue to strike a chord today. Dickens, like many, was at his best at Christmas, resting from his frenetic writing, and enjoying the warmth of family and good food. Dickens had a very deep faith in the Christ of

from page 9

she was offered a job as a pilot with Namaqualand Airways, an airline operating out of Cape Town, South Africa, with the condition that they could run a survey on their schedule for three months to see what the response of passengers would be to a female pilot.

Things were different in the 1970s. Passengers were asked to fill out a questionnaire when they checked in for the schedule of the day. The questionnaire enquired: If you were booking in, and your pilot for the flight was a female, would you: 1. Be happy assuming that if the company had hired her, she was as qualified and competent as any of the male pilots?

2. Be nervous and would have preferred a male pilot?

3. Refuse to fly?

4. Other comments Of all the questionnaires that were returned, all except one indicated that the passenger would be OK with a female pilot. The one exception was a man who said: “I would never fly with a woman.

A woman’s job is in the kitchen.”

For Kucki this positive outcome was a defining moment. Namaqualand Airways concluded that the risk of employing her was small compared with the possible upside and publicity, and she was hired.

She flew for nine years before leaving to move to Canada with her husband and son. She overcame

KUCKI LOW the odds and refused to give up, she persevered when she didn’t at first succeed and now she is encouraging everyone to do the same.

She firmly believes: “You are never given a dream without also having

the ability to achieve it.”

In spite of minimal education and English not being her first language, and after her son’s urging, Kucki wrote a book that will lift anyone’s spirits.

In writing her book she relived all her tragedies and triumphs and was able to look back to see how each moment led her to where she is today.

Kucki is now a soughtafter inspirational speaker, with her program, Finding Your Flight Path: Living Your Life with Passion and Purpose and author of her biography This is Kucki Your Pilot Speaking.

You can learn more about her on kuckilow. com.

at your service THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE PIZZAS.

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$14 Grilled Veggie + Goat Cheese MED $14 The Big Cheese / Primo Capicollo MED $15 Beef Mediterranean / Pesto Chicken MED ORDER ONLINE PANAGO.COM

229 Seymour River Place NORTH VANCOUVER

Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Childcare and Early Education

EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF DANCE

When only the best will do...

■

Montessori Preschool

■

Kindercare & Daycare

■

Before/After School Care

Dance classes for preschool to adult.

Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern Also offering Capoeira.

808 Lytt?@ R?ad, n?rth Va@c?uver 1890 Deep Cove Road, North Vancouver

604-929-4123 www.mylittleschool.org

www.northvancouverpreschool.ca

Seymour Dance

Located near Ron Andrews Rec Centre

604-929-6060

www.seymourdance.com • REGISTER ONLINE BALLET • JAZZ • LYRICAL • HIp Hop TAp • ConTEmpoRARY

11 DEEP COVE CRIER FEBRUARY 2016

Seycove Auction & Gala March 5th, 2016

A L O H A!

BEACH PARTY SEYCOVEAUCTION.ORG

Tickets $50 www.seycoveauction.org

Michelle A. Hunter

Financial Planning & Wealth Management

Supporting our public schools Cove Cliff Elementary • Dorothy Lynas Elementary • Sherwood Park Elementary • Seycove Secondary At Fawcett Insurance it is our aim to Make Sure … because what’s important to you is important to us. We have combined experience of over 100 years, so you know that you will receive honest and reliable advice on all of your insurance needs.

We Make Sure ....

Family Owned on the North Shore since 1932 • Autoplan • Personal Property Packages • Commercial Property and Liability • Marine • Life • Disability

Call us anytime for a quote.

We look forward to hearing from you!

604.929.3494

FawcettInsurance.com

106-1169 Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1W6 Fax: 604-929-3174 / Toll Free 1-800-934-3494 / Email: info@fawcettinsurance.com

JEFF FAWCETT

Open Monday - Friday 9-6 / Saturday 10-5 / Sunday 10-2

12 DEEP COVE CRIER FEBRUARY 2016

Recent Sales 2714 Sechelt Drive North Vancouver

$1,299,000

1321 Emerson Way North Vancouver

$1,198,000 #405-3825 Cates Landing Way

4454 Cove Cliff Road North Vancouver

$899,000

North Vancouver

$750’s Coming Soon:

Executive style family home in Indian River

Great family home with suite in Windsor Park

Need a townhome with some sort of yard for Fido

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