North Shore News December 13 2015 by North Shore News Features

SUNDAY December

13 2015

FOCUS 3

On the beach in Lesvos BRIGHT LIGHTS 12

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2016 assessments going up - way up

Thousands warned of sharp spike in home property assessments JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

Homeowners on the North Shore be warned: higher property assessments are coming. In some cases, much higher. This week, B.C. Assessment sent early

notices to more than 2,130 property owners on the North Shore, warning that their assessments will be up signiﬁcantly more than the average for their area. And that’s considering increases of 15 to 25 per cent will be “typical” among many single-family homes in the Lower

Mainland, said area assessor Jason Grant. “If you went back to 1980 there would be only two or three other times when the single-family market across the North Shore has moved as quickly and by as much as it has in the last year,” said Grant. “The increases for single-family homes across the North Shore are the largest they’ve been in

about 10 years.” The assessment authority sends out early warning notices every year to some homeowners. But this year, there are more letters going out than ever before. “The real estate market is moving very quickly,” said Grant. “The (number) of letters this year is the most I can recall.” The assessment

authority sends the early warning letters to homeowners whose properties increased in value more than 15 per cent above the average increase for the area. That means if house values are up an average of 20 per cent in West Vancouver, only owners whose assessments are up by at least 35 per cent over last year will get the letter. Those owners are likely

to have sticker shock come property tax time. “Properties that go up dramatically more than the average will see a tax increase,” said Grant. On the North Shore, 1,087 property owners in West Vancouver were sent early warning letters. An additional 963 owners in the City of North Vancouver were

See Lynn page 5

Rescue volunteer ‘grateful, honoured’ for support BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com

The campaign to help a North Shore Rescue volunteer’s family as he goes through cancer treatment has met its $60,000 fundraising goal and then some, all in less than week. “It’s mind boggling. We’re ﬂoored,” said Jay Piggot, searching for words. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected the community and complete strangers to come out and support me like this.” The 10-year veteran volunteer with North Shore Rescue and paramedic was diagnosed last week with a rare and difﬁcult to treat form of cancer. Given his part-time status with B.C. Ambulance Service, he is See Anonymous page 5

AN EXTRA HELPING Newcomers to St. David’s United Church prepare food from their home countries for a lunch benefiting Syrian refugees. The luncheon contributed to the $35,000 raised to date towards the sponsorship by seven North Shore United churches of a refugee family of seven. Turn to page 3 to read more about North Shore residents’ efforts to aid Syrian refugees. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN

A2 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A3

FOCUS

Left photo: Laurie Cooper (left), Hannah Dubois, Erian Baxter (back right) and other volunteers with a family of three Syrian refugees and a friend whose ferry tickets from Lesvos to Athens were bought with money raised locally. The family had been stranded at the Moria refugee camp without any money to continue their journey. Right photo: On the beach at Lesvos, a wreck of one of the boats used by smugglers to bring up to 300 people per vessel across the Aegean. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

North Van women journey to Greek island to offer help to Syrian refugees

JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com

On the beach in Lesvos

It was in the harbour of Molyvos, where refugees are taken when they’re rescued by the Greek coast guard, that Laurie Cooper noticed the young Afghani woman, standing with her two young daughters. The family were among the lucky ones. The coast guard got to them before the boat they were on sunk into the Aegean. “She was very pretty but her skin was just grey,” said Cooper. “I looked closer and I realized she was pregnant.” Rather than make them walk across town to the bus that would take them on to the camp, Cooper offered the family a ride in her rental car, one that she’d been using to help shuttle refugees during her two weeks on the Greek island of Lesvos. The woman sunk into the car, exhausted. Nearby there was a roadside fruit vendor, selling apples and oranges. “You’re not supposed to stop, but I just wanted to give them something,” said Cooper. “She just looked so frail.” When they got to the bus stop, Cooper remembered that she still had one warm blanket left in her car trunk from the stack she’d been handed to take by her physiotherapist

SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS in North Vancouver. “I ran over to the woman and I wrapped her in the blanket and hugged her,” she said. “It felt like hugging a bird. “I don’t know what happened to her. Her face just haunts me.” Each of the four North Vancouver women who recently returned from two weeks of volunteering on Lesvos – Cooper, her friends Ellen Fulton and Erian Baxter, and Baxter’s 19-year-old daughter Hannah Dubois – have those moments that stay with them: the refugees who were injured or those who showed them pictures of their homes, now in rubble. There’s also the host of practical details they learned can make a difference – touching someone’s ankle to see if they’re still wet, why sweatpants are the best clothing donation because they can ﬁt so many different people. How to make a lot of sandwiches – really, really fast. “I was told I was the

Ellen Fulton (left), Hannah Dubois and Erian Baxter look over photos of their two weeks volunteering on Lesvos at Cafe Orso in Deep Cove. PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD fastest sandwich maker they’d ever seen,” said Cooper. Not many people who hear about a humanitarian crisis halfway around the world get on a plane to go and help. “There’s a lot of situations where you’re better off to send money. They don’t really need you,” said Fulton. But after doing some research on the Lesvos refugee crisis and making contact with The Starﬁsh Foundation, a small local aid agency on the island, they decided to make the journey. In mid-November,

they arrived on Lesvos, the Greek island that has rapidly become Ground Zero of the Syrian refugee crisis. It’s here that many refugees land, when they make the 10-kilometre ocean crossing from Turkey with the hopes of entering Europe. “Turkey is closer than Vancouver Island,” said Cooper. “Some days you can see the boats coming.” Since January, almost 467,000 refugees have landed on Lesvos. During November and December, an average of 2,000 people have arrived on the island every day.

Restaurants, hotels and churches lining the harbour in Molyvos put out sleeping bags for the refugees they know will likely arrive in the night with nowhere to go. On the beach facing Turkey in the distance, spotters with night vision goggles keep watch over a six-kilometre stretch of coastline where the refugees land. The wrecks of wooden boats litter the shore. “They often ﬁt up to 300 people. It’s absolutely terrifying,” said Fulton. With that many people, if the boat starts sinking, “The coast guard can’t ﬁt

everyone on to their boat. They have to leave people in the water and go back for them.” There have been numerous fatalities – both before and after the photo of three-year-old Alan Kurdi shocked the world. A lot of them have been children. The orange of discarded lifejackets is everywhere. In the centre of the island, there’s a massive orange pile “of thousands and thousands and thousands of lifejackets,” said Baxter. “They don’t know what to do with them.” Volunteers on the beach – including lifeguards who’ve come from countries like Spain, Portugal and Denmark – help refugees get out of the boats. Others offer them dry clothes. The parking lot of a former nightclub nearby – now covered in large tents – has become a makeshift ﬁrst stop for refugees where basic medical care, food and water are dispensed, along with clothes for the rest of the journey. Volunteers tried to give those arriving as much dignity as possible – even if that was just holding up two pairs of pants and letting them choose one. Said Cooper, “These are people who have lost control of their lives.” See A Warm page 8

A4 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A5

Lynn Valley, Pemberton Hts, Ambleside see sharpest spike From page 1

sent letters, along with 83 homeowners in the District of North Vancouver. A total of about 37,000 early warning notices have been sent out provincewide – two-thirds of those within the Lower Mainland. As one example of what to expect when assessments are mailed to all homeowners at the beginning of January, a 1971 single-family home in Lynn Valley valued at $993,000 last year will be

valued at $1.126 million this year, an increase of 13 per cent, said Grant. Increases at the high end of the market are likely to be even higher. A 1967 waterfront singlefamily home in West Vancouver valued at $3.54 million last year would be worth $4.38 million this year – an increase of 24 per cent. Commercial and industrial properties will also see increases of between 10 to 25 per cent in assessed value. And the rise of

housing values into the stratosphere isn’t expected to stop there. Assessments that get mailed out the ﬁrst week of January are based on what properties were worth in July of 2015, said Grant – but house values have continued to head up in the past six months. Grant said anyone who receives a notice and wants to appeal should get in touch with the assessment ofﬁce early. Last year only about one per cent of property owners appealed their assessments.

“Most owners do understand what their properties are worth,” he said. Last year, singlefamily homes in North Vancouver rose between six and seven per cent in value while single-family homes in West Vancouver rose about nine per cent. Areas including Lynn Valley, Pemberton Heights and the Ambleside waterfront saw among the highest increases. The value of condos is rising at a much more modest rate, said Grant.

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not eligible for sick pay. His North Shore Rescue teammates quickly pulled together a press conference on Sunday asking for donations to help support Piggot’s family while he goes through treatment. By Friday afternoon, that had reached more than $83,000 from online donations plus another $9,000 donated to a trust set up by BlueShore Financial. While friends and family have contributed, most of the donations have come from complete strangers.

And a great deal of them have been anonymous, so Piggot does not even know who to thank. Piggot has received messages from folks saying he’s an inspiration for them, which he said has been the best thing he could hear in the situation. That said, the inspiration is mutual and the donations mean the Piggot family won’t have to worry about money while he goes through treatment. “Just having the support from the community and North Shore Rescue has really allowed me to have an uplifting attitude and

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a positive chance in all of this,” he said. “I just want to focus on the task at hand right now, which is beating this so I can get back out into the ﬁeld and start doing my thing again.” More than setting up the fundraising campaign, Piggot said his North Shore Rescue teammates have been helping with everything else at such a difﬁcult time, from taking care of the kids to walking the dog. “The team – these guys have full-time jobs, they’re doing their regular duties at North Shore Rescue

but they’re also helping my family out,” he said, adding how grateful he is for the support. Piggot just finished his first day of chemotherapy treatment on Friday, something he expects to weather over the next five months, now that he has some solid footing. “So far, so good,” he said. “My wife is pretty optimistic now and obviously so am I. The kids are getting better every day.” Donations can be made at rescuetherescuer. ca or through BlueShore Financial.

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A6 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

VIEWPOINT PUBLISHED BY NORTH SHORE NEWS A DIVISION OF LMP PUBLICATION LTD. PARTNERSHIP, 100-126 EAST 15TH ST., NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. V7L 2P9. PETER KVARNSTROM, PUBLISHER. CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES PRODUCT AGREEMENT NO. 40010186.

Assess this B C Assessment mailed out a record number of early warnings this week to property owners whose assessments have risen so much beyond the average, they want homeowners to have advanced notice. Remember, municipalities set their tax rates based on the total assessed value of the properties in their jurisdiction, not the other way around. But invariably, it’s those enjoying the biggest boost in property value who end up paying a disproportionate amount of any tax increase. Seeing the obviously overheated market for what it is, the feds announced new rules this week forcing property buyers to put down at least 10 per cent. This likely won’t make a difference in the high end of the market where buyers clobber each other with burlap sacks full of cash to win

MAILBOX

bidding wars. But is there a knock-on effect down the housing spectrum? We suspect so. What used to be middle-class neighbourhoods like Lynn Valley are now thoroughly in the $1-million club, and the City of North Vancouver has more of these early notices coming than the district does. We wonder if those getting walloped with a larger tax bill will start to question how much hotter they want this already stratospheric market to get. It is highly suspected that foreign capital is at play here, but there’s been a severe case of institutional lethargy to do anything about it. Hopefully that may be changing. The new federal government has promised to look into the effects of foreign investment as a part of their national housing strategy in 2016. It won’t be a moment too soon.

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THEY SAID IT

Coach houses not the affordable answer

Dear Editor: Re: West Van Aims to ‘Incentivize’ Coach Houses, Dec. 9 news story. The whole concept of coach houses as a viable alternative to basement rental suites or “adding different housing choices and affordability in the district” is little more than smoke and mirrors. The cost to build a coach house is well into the six-ﬁgure mark. No potential landlord

would opt to spend two, three, four hundred thousand dollars on a rental suite with any hope of recouping the costs to build it for at least a decade, if ever. Once built, the rent on a brand new coach house in West Vancouver would not be considered “affordable” by any standards. Coach houses are not cost-effective to build or maintain, evidenced by the fact that in over two years since council approved coach houses, only

seven people have applied to build them. If council is sincerely interested in addressing the crisis of supply level of rental units on the North Shore or housing affordability, scrap the coach house idea entirely and focus on “incentivizing” the construction of new attached rental units and the maintenance of current rental stock. Caroline Chambers, North Vancouver

Lack of support for child-care expenses Group extends thanks Dear Editor: now in its 16th year under ‘blown out of proportion’ by media On behalf of the board the artistic leadership of

Dear Editor: In your (Dec. 4) editorial titled Nannygate you asked how working parents should be supported by the public when it comes to their legitimate childcare expenses. All working couples and single parents are entitled to claim childcare expenses, subject to certain restrictions, as a tax deduction against their net

income. Eligible expenses include nannies, daycare centres and boarding school, among others. Trudeau made no reference to this in his campaign speeches. As I recall, he talked about the $2,000 Family Tax Cut which, in my personal experience, mainly beneﬁts couples with six-ﬁgure incomes where one spouse has little or no

CONTACTUS

income. He also mentioned the Universal Child Care Beneﬁt, which is paid to all parents regardless of income. He said he wanted to replace these with a child tax beneﬁt based on income. In my view, this issue has been blown out of all proportion based on inaccurate reporting. Gloria Richardson West Vancouver

of directors of the North Shore Celtic Ensemble, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the community for supporting our recent sold-out show, Carousel at Centennial Theatre. Playing to such an enthusiastic home crowd brings an incredible amount of joy to our musicians. The ensemble,

Claude Giguère and Jay Knutson, is committed to inspiring young people to use music to make a difference in the world. Whether it’s playing at a seniors home, the hospice or a fundraiser for Nepal, the ensemble is committed to bringing joy through music to the North Shore. Ian Koenigsfest president, NSCE

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“You’ve got to look the grim reaper in the eye and say: ‘Not today, baby!’” Ailing North Shore Rescue member Jay Piggot talks optimistically about his battle with cancer (from a Dec. 9 news story). “The kids are jumping up and down.” Canyon Heights resident Hisham Wattar discusses the arrival of extended family members from Syria expected here next week (from a Dec. 11 news story). “It’s not the type of pattern that’s the best for skiers.” Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern talks about El Nino and warmer weather arriving this winter (from a Dec. 11 news story).

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A7

VIEWPOINT

Laughter is always the Trump card

The recent disturbing proclamations of American presidential hopeful Donald Trump have many onlookers asking the same question: What would he look like if he were forced to wear a little moustache drawn on his face in dog poo? No wait, that’s not the question (but for what it’s worth, I think he’d look better – it’d keep people from looking at the hair). No, the question being asked is: Are we allowed to laugh anymore? For months now he’s been running his campaign for the Republican party nomination as if he’s just ﬁnished reading Facism for Dummies. This week his open-air bigotry saw him call for a temporary ban that would prevent any Muslim, even American citizens living abroad, from entering the United States. The mind boggles. Obviously the stereotyping and the extrapolation from a small group of extremist ﬁghters to a massive, diverse population numbering more than 1.5 billion worldwide is disgusting and dangerous fear-mongering. On top of that, how would this plan work? Professor Trump said that everyone entering the United States could potentially be asked a simple yes or no question:

Andy Prest

Laugh All YouWant Are you a Muslim? Supposedly if you say “no,” you’re in, “yes” you’re out. Is that really a code that would be too difﬁcult for ISIS to crack? Trump has always been a curiously popular wealthy racist but he’s been given a new platform since joining the race to be elected president, his incendiary remarks getting worse and worse since the Republican nomination debates began in early August. Thank goodness the campaigns are ﬁnally coming to an end with the presidential election scheduled for … Nov. 8, 2016!? And we thought our latest Canadian election campaign was long. Imagine if we had to watch Stephen Harper pretend to smile for 15 months. With a guy like Trump you could always just blow him off – or better by far, laugh at him – when

he was just some clown on a TV show who was spending his dad’s money. But the presidential race gives him a wider audience and more clout. And ever since he’s joined the race there has been an ever growing chorus of people claiming that this whole Trump thing is “not funny anymore.” I completely disagree. We need to laugh at him now more than ever. He’s still hilarious. The thing that isn’t funny is all the people who are lining up to follow him. It’s not all that surprising, however. We’ve seen time and time again that preying on people’s fears and pointing out an outsider for an “us-versus-them” confrontation is a way to garner support from people who are easily scared by shadowy foes. Look at Rob Ford. A legacy baby from a wealthy family who passed himself off as the common man, ﬁghting the good ﬁght against the stuffy old system. Sound familiar? Ford whipped up support

by opposing the gay rights movement, and was caught using racial slurs on camera so many times he’s now ofﬁcially listed on IMDB as a Quinton Tarantino character. He also loved crack. Like, really loved it, which is a little scary given the position he held, but also hilarious given the position he held. If he had built his own Trump Tower it just would have been a giant, Toronto waterfront crack pipe. Look at Stephen Harper. He tried to whip up support by turning a non-story – a few women who chose to wear a niqab during the citizenship ceremony – into his No. 1 rallying cry during the election. Scary, given the wedge he was trying to force between Canadians, but also hilarious because Canadians laughed him off the stage. But is it OK to enjoy the existence of these men who peddle in fear for their own gain, simply because we love to laugh at them?

I may be biased because I was raised by a trio who were always looking for the laughter in life – my father, my mother and Homer Simpson – but I say most deﬁnitely yes, it’s OK to laugh. In fact, it is our duty to laugh at these people. Remember Sarah Palin? You probably don’t really remember her, you remember Tina Fey pretending to be Sarah Palin. Remember Saddam Hussein? Probably. He’s much worse than the rest of these jokers. But did you know that there’s a whole new generation that knows him predominantly “THE AMBLESIDE”

as Satan’s sass-mouth lover in The South Park Movie? What a perfect fate for an awful man. Nobody is laughing with Donald Trump. That much was obvious during his painfully unfunny Saturday Night Live appearance last month. But then again, nobody was ever laughing with Donald Trump. But they were laughing, and they need to keep laughing. If you’re having trouble conjuring a laugh, just think of that pretend moustache. It helps explain why the things coming out of his mouth are so foul. aprest@nsnews.com

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A tent at the temporary Oxy transit camp, a first stop for many refugees. PHOTO SUPPLIED LAURIE COOPER

One woman Baxter encountered while volunteering at the transit camp was travelling alone with seven children. Another said her husband had been shot. There was the woman whose arm had been blown off, who hadn’t had proper medical care. One day, Dubois escorted a group of young men who had been travelling for 22 days from the beach to the camp. Many hadn’t eaten for several days as they hid from Turkish police in the forest, waiting for their

chance to cross, she said. They were the same age that she was. The journey across the Aegean might take an hour if a boat is functional. But often it isn’t, said Fulton. The boats are often boarded at gunpoint. One man had a gun pointed to his head while he was told he was the captain. Fulton remembers a young family with two-yearold twins, one of whom had cerebral palsy, who were brought into the harbour by the coast guard. The smuggler who took them out put on a wet suit not far from the Turkish shore and jumped off the boat. Then the engine cut out in the dark. “They thought they were going to die,” she said. “You imagine if it was you and your kids.” There are three ofﬁcial refugee processing camps on the island – one for Syrians, one for those from other countries like Afghanistan and Iraq and one for the disabled, unaccompanied children or those with other special needs. The camps are run by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, but sometimes those who arrive have to wait up to three days to get inside. On “Afghan Hill,” a grove of olive trees outside the Moria camp, “It’s wet,” said Dubois. “People are sleeping on the ground.” Ofﬁcial funding doesn’t extend to those waiting outside the razor wire that runs the perimeter of the camp. “There’s not really funding supporting any of that process,” said Baxter.

Wet clothing taken off by refugees once they reach Lesvos drying on a line. PHOTO SUPPLIED HANNAH DUBOIS The women spent their two weeks sorting and handing out clothes, including local donations of socks and emergency blankets they’d brought with them, making food, shuttling groups who needed extra help to get to the refugee camps. One sunny day Cooper found herself driving a group of refugee women with small children in her rental car. “I had my window down and it was warm and I had the radio on. We could have been

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it was an easy decision to take off her own sneakers and hand them to the woman. “I had two pairs of shoes,” she said. The other woman had none. Fulton said on the journey home, she was struck watching a preschooler carrying a kids’ backpack full of toys, and comparing that to the Syrian family with twin girls she’d met. “They had a backpack that size for everything they own.” The women pause when they consider if their

journey made a difference to the larger refugee crisis. “Did us going or not going make a huge difference? No,” said Fulton. “I do think we helped some families feel happy and secure.” They hope to keep making a larger difference by talking about what they saw, and raising money to help refugees, like the fundraiser at The Raven pub Dec. 5 which brought in close to $4,000. The women are also joining forces with a group in Deep Cove who are hoping to sponsor a family

of refugees. “These people are not terrorists,” said Cooper. “They are running from terrorists. They are just like us. They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers. They are looking for a place to be safe and to raise their families. And they’re humans.” They are people whose lives she crossed brieﬂy and whose stories stay with her, “every day, all the time.” To ﬁnd out more about how to help or get involved, go to canadacaring.ca or email erianbaxter@gmail. com.

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A12 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

BRIGHT LIGHTS

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Aroeste Fine Art’s Miriam Aroeste and House of Bohn’s Amber Johnson

Lindsay Thudin, of Houzz, with Reisa Pollard, founder of Beyond Beige Interior Design The Living Lab Furniture Co. and Beyond Beige Interior Design hosted Houzz’s 5th anniversary celebration in their North Shore showroom Nov. 24. The website’s milestone was marked with a red carpet affair that saw more than 200 industry professionals, including interior designers, builders and suppliers in attendance. A DJ offered entertainment and guests were treated to food and refreshments. Houzz.com is a platform for home remodelling and design and works to bring homeowners and home professionals together in a uniquely visual community.

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Beyond Beige Interior Design’s Molly Sprague, recipient of Lindsay Levin and Sarah Antonich the good space design group with The Move Man’s Jesse Reid award, and Fraser Westselos

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Chelsea Schneider and Casandra Werner of LQ Furniture

Houzz’s Liza Hausman and Jessica Shambora

Please direct requests for event coverage to: emcphee@nsnews.com. For more Bright Lights photos, go to: nsnews.com/community/bright-lights.

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YOUR NORTH SHORE GUIDE to ACTIVE LIVING

North Van family takes off

YVR autism accessibility tour enabling local family to embark on Disney dream vacation BEN BENGTSON reporter@nsnews.com

SINGLE LAUNCH AND FUNDRAISER NV singer-songwriter Mike Bertini and band to perform tonight at Two Lions Public House in support of the Lookout Emergency Aid Society. page 14 HEALTH NOTES page 16

The Milones always wanted to go to Disneyland as a family but the fear their sevenyear-old son, Mateo, who has autism, would have difﬁculty with airport travel held them back. “We have been doing a lot of road trips historically for vacation time and such,” said Sandy Milone, Mateo’s mother. “Living with autism, everything is a little bit of an extra challenge.” A recent program for families living with autism, however, may have helped solve the challenge of air travel for the family of four from North Vancouver. The Canucks Autism Network, in partnership with Vancouver International Airport, recently hosted the YVR Accessibility: Autism Tour. The tour allowed individuals with the developmental disorder, including Mateo, to get a ﬁrsthand look at what airport travel was like in a controlled environment. For many of the more than 11,000 children with autism in B.C., introducing something stressful and

unpredictable, such as going to the airport, can be challenging. “We need to sort of use a transition process with new things and new activities,” Milone said about her son. “He sort of needs to see things ﬁrst. He’s a child that needs to understand and be exposed to things in chunks, if you will. And it’s a gradual process for him and we have to do a lot of prep work with a lot of different, new ideas.” According to Milone, the accessibility tour attempted to make airport travel look structured and stimulating, not difﬁcult. “He actually went through it really well. He was very curious about what was going on and that’s where it helps for us, to make sure to keep him curious instead of getting stressed and upset,” she said. The 43 families that participated in the accessibility tour, who are all members of the network, were guided through the entire airport in “mock” fashion. This included checking-in, waiting in line at security, and even boarding the plane. YVR also provided a

Sandy and Rick Milone and their children Sophia and Mateo participate in a recent Canucks Autism Network accessibility tour at Vancouver International Airport designed to help ease anxiety associated with air travel for families affected by autism. PHOTO SUPPLIED step-by-step toolkit for the travellers with autism to make the experience more active and routine. “The toolkit consists of a step-by-step storybook that outlines the airport routine, an interactive checklist that allows travellers with autism

to check off each step as it is completed, an airport road map for families to follow on their journey, and helpful tips for travel. A comprehensive video series has also been created to help families prepare their child in advance of air travel,”

said CAN spokeswoman Lindsay Petrie, in an email response. Petrie said that families living with autism can download the complimentary resource See Disneyland page 16

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A14 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

LIVE

Musician shedding light on homelessness Launching new single ‘Joe’ tonight at Lookout Society fundraiser

ERIN MCPHEE emcphee@nsnews.com

For his new song, “Joe,” North Vancouver singer-songwriter Mike

Bertini set out to tell an alternative story of homelessness. “I looked at it from a different perspective as a young boy and a story about

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his life and how he ended up on the street (and) why he was there. It’s open to imagination. It’s a story about a boy who ﬁnds his home,” says the 21-year-old Windsor secondary grad. Bertini, who also works as a sound engineer, was inspired to write “Joe” in light of the homeless problem in Vancouver and beyond. The burgeoning alternative rock artist and his band will celebrate its release on iTunes with a performance tonight, Sunday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. at Two Lions Public House in North Vancouver. Partial event proceeds will support the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, which runs the North Shore shelter. “We’re excited that Mike and his band have chosen to fundraise for the Lookout Society at their single release party,” said Shayne Williams, executive director of the society. “The party and Mike’s single, ‘Joe,’ also raise awareness about homelessness, which beneﬁts the North Shore’s most vulnerable residents.” The show is being supported by the North Shore Homelessness Task Force, which is helping to spread the word. “One of the task force goals is community awareness and engagement related to North Shore homelessness. This is a great example of this in action. Mike’s song is very meaningful and we are delighted he is connecting

North Vancouver singer-songwriter Mike Bertini will play a benefit show tonight with his band at Westview’s Two Lions Public House. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH with the Lookout Shelter to raise funds,” says Lynne Henshaw, task force coordinator. In addition to fundraising, Bertini has worked to forge personal connections with members of the North Shore’s

homeless community. He’s befriended a number of men and is pleased to have them appear in the music video for “Joe,” which will be released in the coming months. “It’s not really about the money for me, it’s about helping people. It’s about

music and sharing emotion through music and sharing the story of this boy through music and trying to create awareness for the homeless,” he says. “Joe” is the second single on Bertini’s pending ﬁve-song EP debut, already recorded and set to be released in the new year. The ﬁrst single on the EP was “Those Nights,” released along with a video this summer. “I started at a young age and my parents saw that I had the talent and could hear music differently than other people so they pushed me toward it. Eventually it started to just become part of me and I started writing songs when I was around 14. And then I got signed to an artist development deal, over two years now, to Darcy D Music Group, and that’s when I really started to decide that’s what I wanted to do,” he says. Joining Bertini for tonight’s performance is his backing band, Chad Galpin, bass, Cesar Madrigal, guitar, and Juan Encinales, drums (all members of the Capilano University Jazz Studies Program). “I’m really excited for the event and I really appreciate everyone that’s coming and I thank the local businesses that donated,” he says. Tickets are $25 (includes a burger and beer). Info: facebook.com/ events/1232765736748839 or mikebertinimusic.com.

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LIVE Health Notes ARM YOURSELF AGAINST THE FLU All ages are welcome to drop in to a ﬂu shot clinic Monday, Dec. 14, 2-4 p.m. at West Vancouver Community Health Care Centre, 2121 Marine Dr. 604-983-6700 YOGA AT THE HOPE CENTRE Mondays and Wednesdays until Dec. 31 from 11 a.m. to noon in the centre’s atrium space in front of Blenz Coffee.

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Calling all adventurers

The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival and Mountain Equipment Coop have announced a new grant intended to enable local explorers and adventurers to undertake their dream expeditions. The MEC Adventure Grant is seeking to award

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Disneyland trip set for spring

From page 13

toolkits online at yvr.ca or pick one up at all presecurity YVR information counters. Milone said that getting information out there, like the toolkit, was essential to make travelling easier for families living with autism. “The more a family is

equipped with the tools to help successfully guide their child through processes such as these, the better it is for everybody,” she said. The network hopes the accessibility tour can occur annually, though Petrie said “next year’s date has yet to be solidiﬁed.” Milone said that concerns the family had about how

Mateo would handle airport travel have been resolved. “Thanks to this program and being able to, for lack of a better term, dress rehearse our way through the process of going to the airport, we now do have plans.” The family is currently planning a trip to Disneyland over spring break.

BUSINESS LICENCES Renew your Business Licence

Skate with Santa

by January 31

2016 The District of West Vancouver reminds all business owners of the T deadline to renew business licences. A District of West Vancouver business licence is required for businesses, professions, home-based businesses and trades operating in the District.

Business licence renewal invoices are mailed in early December 2015. Licence renewal fees are due on or before January 31, 2016. The 2016 business licences will be mailed upon receipt of payment.

T H E O P T I O N S F O R PAY M E N T I N C L U D E : online: westvancouver.ca/payonline

in person: West Vancouver Municipal Hall 750 17th Street, on the second floor Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Monday–Friday

Holiday music, colorful lights, a dash of holiday cheer and Santa. Fun for the whole family Saturday December 19, 1:15 – 2:45pm Harry Jerome No registration required, regular admission

Upcoming Skates Club Skate January 30 Harry Jerome Valentines Ball Skate February 13 Harry Jerome

nvrc.ca/skating

by mail: send a cheque, including your business information and current licence number, to Bylaw & Licensing Services 750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3

Please notify Bylaw & Licensing Services if you haven’t received your invoice or if your mailing address has changed. For more information about business licences and payment options, visit westvancouver.ca or call 604-925-7152.

A $50 late fee will apply to all business licence accounts if not renewed on or before January 31, 2016.

Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A17

Community Bulletin Board GOT CRAFT? Craft fair featuring more than 80 crafters, hands-on workshops, food carts and more, Sunday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Pipe Shop building, 115 Victory Way, North Vancouver. gotcraft.com COMMUNITY CALL OUT Help shape the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission website. NVRC is seeking community input Tuesday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

and Wednesday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Delbrook Community Centre, 600 West Queens Rd. Call to book a 20-30 minute time slot. 604-9877529 nvrc.ca SPIRIT’S CALL CHOIR Join in an evening of song, fun and friendship with the Spirit’s Call Choir Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. at Canyon Heights Church, 4840 Capilano Rd., North Vancouver. This beneﬁt concert will support The Syrian Refugee Project. spiritscallchoir.ca

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RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. The only time during the year we accept reservations during Brunch. Book your special table today!

Help Santa by bringing an unwrapped gift for ages 12 - 16 for Family Services of North Shore Christmas Bureau. For each donated gift MarinaSide Grill will give a $5.00 off coupon per gift to the donor.

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER OPEN FROM 8 AM DAILY

CITYFIX

The City’s Issue Reporting App

Contact your local 106 – 980 West 1st Street North Vancouver (Behind Capilano Mall in the Capilano Business Park) Tel 604.988.3766 The Employment Program of British Columbia is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

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PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD

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CITY COLLECT

Laurie Khol from North Shore Family Services, and City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto pose with a giant gingerbread house that Schmidt created. The edible artwork is on display inside the North Vancouver City Hall atrium and is being raffled off. Tickets are $5 each and proceeds go to the the North Shore Family Services Christmas Bureau. The winner will be drawn Dec. 18.

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The fast and easy way to report issues you see outdoors in the City. CityFix helps you to help us fix things faster. cnv.org/CityFix

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A18 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

Hollyburn Lodge construction delayed CHRISTINE LYON clyon@nsnews.com

Builders were preparing to put a new roof on Hollyburn Lodge last month, but Mother Nature had other plans.

An early dump of snow was good news for skiers, but bad news for construction. Instead of installing rooﬁng, workers ended up shovelling 10 inches of the white stuff off the ﬂoor of the lodge.

Due to the turn in weather, a plywood roof and weather-prooﬁng materials have been put in place to protect the structure over the winter and construction is on hold until spring. The restored

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ski lodge in Cypress Mountain’s Nordic area is now slated to open its doors next summer. “We were really hoping for a December 25 opening and racing to that date,” says Jackie Swanson, president of the Hollyburn Ridge Association. “We’re all disappointed that it couldn’t open Christmas day, but it was a real hefty hope.” The 90-year-old onestorey lodge has been undergoing much-needed structural upgrades since September. Once complete, heritage elements salvaged from the building, including some ﬂoor boards, windows and historical memorabilia, will be put back in place.

“All of those exciting things, they’ll all be incorporated by the time it opens on July 1,” Swanson says, noting that, thanks to a new sewer hookup, next year will mark the ﬁrst time the lodge has been open to summer hikers. Of the $1.1 million required to rebuild Hollyburn Lodge, $500,000 is coming from Cypress Mountain’s ownership group, CNL Lifestyle Properties, while the District of West Vancouver is pitching in $200,000 and B.C. Parks is contributing $100,000 from its Olympic Legacy Fund. The Hollyburn Ridge Association and the Hollyburn Heritage Society

have been busy collecting corporate and public donations to make up the rest. As of Dec. 10, funds stood at $1,053,965.45 and Swanson hopes to close the gap by Feb. 29, 2016. A tribute board with the names of donors will be permanently installed outside the lodge by First Lake. “It’s such an important thing and it’s touched so many people’s hearts since the 1920s,” Swanson says of the lodge. “It’s been giving for 90 years, and the way we’re constructing it, it’ll be giving for another 100 years.” Visit fundaid.ca/ hollyburnlodge to make a donation.

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Construction work at Hollyburn Lodge has been put on hold for the winter and will resume next spring. The restored building is expected to open July 1. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A19

Community Bulletin Board From page 17 POP-UP Locally produced various art mediums will be on display Wednesday, Dec. 16, 3-8 p.m. at 195 Pemberton Ave., North Vancouver. 604-612-6070

ELDERCOLLEGE OPEN HOUSE North Shore ElderCollege Society is hosting an open house Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, 9-11 a.m. Seniors can learn about classes ElderCollege offers. nseldercollege.org

MULGRAVE SCHOOL LECTURE SERIES What is Human Consciousness? A ﬁeld review of Dr. Sam Parnia, Tom Shroder and Robert Lanza will be presented Monday, Jan. 25, 1:20 p.m.

2330 Cypress Bowl Lane, West Vancouver. LET’S TALK AT THE TOP 2016 The fourth annual Talk at the Top, a youth inspired, youth led and youth directed mental

health summit will be held Jan. 23 and 24 at Grouse Mountain. Open to youth across the North Shore in grades 8-12, meals, activities and gondola rides are included in this free event. talkatthetop@gmail.com

Compiled by Debbie Caldwell Email information for your non-proﬁt, by donation or nominal fee event to listings@ nsnews.com. To post online, go to nsnews.com, scroll to Community Events and click on Add Your Event.

TREKKING IN SIKKIM AND BHUTAN Charity Reddington will give a free illustrated talk on her trek to the foothills of the third highest mountain range in the world (13,000 feet) of Mount Kanchenjunga in Sikkim, India Wednesday, Dec. 16, noon at St. Stephens Anglican Church, 885 22nd St., West Vancouver. Reddington will also talk about visiting the world famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan. Tea, coffee and cookies will be provided. 604-926-4381. ANONYMOUS ART SHOW Hundreds of artworks will be sold for $100 each during the annual North Vancouver Arts Council fundraiser held at the CityScape Community Art Space, until Dec. 19 at 335 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver. Hours are noon-5 p.m. nvartscouncil.ca LEGION TOY DRIVE The Royal Canadian Legion branch at 123 West 15th St., North Vancouver, invites people to drop off unwrapped toys for donation to the Salvation Army. Gifts will be accepted until Dec. 20. COAT DRIVE Mountain Health and Performance is collecting new and gently used jackets to be donated to the Lookout Emergency Aid Society and the Spectrum Mothers Support Society. Coats can be dropped off at 100-223 Mountain Hwy., North Vancouver until Dec. 21. 604-984-0014 FAMILY FIRST NIGHT Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Mt. Seymour Thursday, Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. The event will include winter activities, live entertainment, hot apple cider, s’mores and an early countdown at 9 p.m. with ﬁreworks. $20/$15. mountseymour.com/familyﬁrst-night CHRISTMAS TREE CHIP-UP Montroyal elementary Grade 7 students are holding a Christmas tree chipping event at the school, 5310 Sonora Dr., North Vancouver, on Sunday Jan. 3, 2016, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost is by donation.

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A20 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

TASTE

Online service offering wines for delivery

LUNCHTIME GATHERING Kieran Lanktree and Julien Cochlin, of Thrifty Foods on Marine Drive, pose with Mary-Sue Atkinson, from St. David’s United Church, and some of the 20 turkeys that are being donated by the store for an annual Christmas day lunch that feeds about 350 people at the First United Church on the Downtown Eastside. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN

“I can walk to school and everyone is super nice. The City’s a wonderful place to grow up.” – April & Rheanne

cnv.org/ILoveMyCity

Ten years ago, if I had suggested that sometime in the not-too-distant future you’d be able to buy your wine online, you would probably have had a quick chuckle. However, these days, within B.C., at least, thanks mainly to the proliferation of winery clubs and progressive private retailers, you can buy and organize shipping online in a number of diverse ways. The latest option yields an interesting twist. New District is the ﬁrst service that offers you a chance to combine bottles from a number of different B.C. producers. And in many cases they’re wines that you might not necessarily be aware of or have easy access to. There’s a bunch of interesting folks behind this venture, who have connections to success stories such as Seattle’s Best Coffee and SPUD (the organic and locally focused grocery delivery service which) and is now the second-largest online grocer in North America. New District’s notso-secret weapon is the presence of wine educator extraordinaire and overall guru DJ Kearney, who has come on board as director of wine. Kearney is well known in wine circles for her unbridled enthusiasm in supporting the underdog, uncovering the unorthodox, or sharing new regions, though always with an eye on quality. Kearney is a huge B.C. supporter and the perfect choice to head up such an initiative. New District offered me the chance to try out their service, to the tune of $40, which allowed me the chance to see how things might work. As I perused the brief but growing selection of wines on offer and also checked out their fun and informative blog, with topics such as “Party hosting tips from Ancient Greece” or tips

Tim Pawsey

Notable Potables on pairing wine with durian. It didn’t take me long to settle on my choice: a bottle of CC Jentsch Cellars 2013 Syrah, the wine that came out on top in the recent Judgement of B.C. tasting, with Britain’s Steven Spurrier in attendance. My bottle was delivered promptly and personally within 48 hours, as promised, and smartly wrapped in tissue paper. The local delivery charge of $15 means it makes more sense to buy multiple bottles rather than just one. New District makes it easy with some convenient, six-pack groupings, which combine some worthwhile drops from the likes of Stag’s Hollow, Eau Vivre, Moraine, Orofino, Montakarn and others. If you’re purely motivated by budget, you won’t find a whole bunch of deals here. But the service works well and the packaging is smart. And for last-minute shopping for that wine lover in your life, New District could be just the ticket. ••• My pick of the week: Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. It can be tough to make serious Cabernet in the Okanagan but few do it better than Burrowing Owl, especially in a good year. Look for rich red and black fruit on top, with hints of cassis and olive, followed by a vibrant, mouth-filling palate with layers of vanilla, spice and chocolate, balanced tannins and taught viscosity, underpinned by structured acidity. You can easily drink it now but also be well rewarded in five to 10 years ($35-$40, 92 points). info@hiredbelly.com

DJ Kearney is director of wine at New District, an online wine service. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A21

WORK

Plan for the inevitable today

Today’s topic is estate planning. I have a few exciting things you need to consider … well maybe they’re not that exciting! I know the last thing anyone wants to think about is their own death and how to plan for it … I know I don’t. However, the unfortunate truth is that one day, we will all face that reality. The responsible thing to do is put your feelings (or fear) of death aside for a minute and consider a checklist of things to review for your estate. So let’s start with perhaps the most obvious: having a will. Do you have one? If you don’t and you’re thinking you don’t need one, then let me convince you otherwise. If you pass away today without a will, your assets will be divided according to B.C. law and the cost to administer your estate will be much higher than if you had one. Plus, it will take double the time and effort for the appointed executor

Lori Pinkowski

Making Cents

to ﬁnalize all the details of your estate. You can save them time and a headache by having a will. If you have children, then you shouldn’t wait to get a will, otherwise you will lose the right to appoint a guardian for them, unless you’re okay with Lady Tremaine (Cinderella’s stepmother) being appointed as guardian! Now, even if you have a will, it’s important to revise it periodically when material changes happen in your life. For

example: getting married or divorced, having children, or acquiring new assets that were excluded from the last will. Creating or updating a will is not always expensive, especially if your situation is straightforward. Notaries are often qualified to take care of estate planning needs and can be less expensive than lawyers, for specialized wills and complex situations, consider seeing an estate lawyer. If you are in the process of getting a will, then you might also consider getting a power of attorney document as well. This legal document gives a person the authority to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. There are two main types of powers of attorney, but the one I often talk to clients about is an enduring power of attorney. This is the person (i.e. your attorney) who manages your finances when you become mentally incapable of doing it

LESS WINTER. MORE WONDERLAND. COURTESY OF LEXUS

yourself. Surviving a major illness or dementia can often leave you mentally incapable of managing your finances and assets. I often tell my clients in retirement that they should already have this document in place, no ifs, ands, or buts! If you have a spouse, then you should have legal POA over each other. Let’s move on to the next item on our estate checklist – your registered assets. It’s a short checklist today and we’re almost done, so sit tight! If you have an RRSP or TFSA, you have the option of leaving your assets to a beneficiary or to your estate (i.e. your will). If you want to simplify your estate, name beneficiaries on all your registered accounts. You’ll save on probate fees. Contingent beneficiaries are also a good idea to have. For example, if you and your spouse are each other’s beneficiary on all your registered assets, having your children as

secondary beneﬁciaries is a good idea. While it’s unlikely that you and your spouse will pass away at the exact same time, it’s still possible, and planning for it is never a bad idea. Estate planning is usually far more complicated than this short checklist. However, the information presented above provides you with a few items that might need to be considered to prepare you for the inevitable.

Lori Pinkowski is a senior portfolio manager and senior vice-president, Private Client Group, at Raymond James Ltd., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. This is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily reﬂect the opinions of Raymond James. Lori can answer any questions at 604-915LORI or lori.pinkowski@ raymondjames.ca. You can also listen to her every Monday morning on CKNW at 8:40 a.m.

Business Briefcase Language training

The provincial government is providing $76,916 for English language training on the North Shore to support newcomers looking for work. The province has teamed with MOSAIC and its partner, the North Shore Multicultural Society, to provide the training. Funding is provided by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training through a partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

New grads

Melanie Grisse and Sharon Martin from North Vancouver were two of the top 10 graduating students from the certiﬁed general accountant program. Grisse, Martin, and 32 other students graduated from the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s CPA convocation ceremony on Nov. 21 in Vancouver.

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A22 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A23 ADVERTISEMENT

New Museum at The Shipyards – It’s Yours, It’s Real, It’s Time T

he current transformation of the North Vancouver waterfront is an exciting development for everyone on the North Shore. And when the New Museum at the Shipyards is opened on the site of the historic Pipe Shop building it will be so much more than just a place to look at artifacts and archives in glass cases. With $2.2 million from the Federal government, and enthusiastic support from the community, the New Museum is planned to be an integral part of that rebirth. It will be an exciting people place which will add to the attractiveness and success of a new gateway to our community. When the Federal government support was announced former North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton said the project would result in a new museum that has an improved ability to collect and interpret display pieces, as well as “triple the exhibition and programming areas while maintaining the integrity of the Pipe Shop which was built in 1940.” The business plan for the New Museum shows annual attendance is projected to be over 60,000. And a recent professional economic impact assessment showed the New Museum would deliver signiﬁcant and positive economic impact for the community. The City of North Vancouver has supported the project through a matching gift commitment of $5 million. So your contribution – large or small – will be matched dollar for dollar by the City. So this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to show, in a very real way, how much you care about your community.

“When it opens in 2017, the New Museum at the Shipyards will be a new-concept place where historical experiences and stories are presented and experienced in unique ways,” said Museum Campaign Chair, Don Evans. With the generous support of the Federal government, the City and many corporate and individual donors, the campaign is now well on the way to its $10 million goal. A fundraising deadline of December 31, 2015 has been set by the City of North Vancouver and so increased community support is needed now in order for this exciting project to go ahead. In acknowledging the current and future support, NVMA Director Nancy Kirkpatrick said, “This community support will help create an innovative, new heritage facility in the heart of where we live. With the opening of the New Museum at the Shipyards in 2017 – Canada’s 150th anniversary – history will ﬁnd a new and nurturing home on North Vancouver’s vibrant waterfront.” Don Evans, Museum Campaign Chair

Built with hands on, leading edge technology, Kirkpatrick said it will set a new standard for exploring our history. “The new Museum will generate economic

benefit for the entire community and encourage audiences of all ages to visit again and again”. There is little doubt that parents and teachers will take full advantage of the new cultural gem in our midst and make sure children and youth from all across the North Shore and beyond are given the opportunity to learn about the history of their community as it comes alive for them within the walls of the New Museum at the Shipyards. And rather than being confined to the walls of just the Shipyards site, exhibits will be designed to be shared in public buildings across the North Shore. Frequently refreshed, they will expand the reach of the New Museum. With special galleries where children can learn and play, the New Museum will be a place where visitors young and old can see, understand and contribute to the ongoing history of one of the most significant communities in British Columbia. One enthusiastic North Shore supporter is keenly aware of that significance. After immigrating to Canada, he spent much of his working life toiling in the still thriving Shipyards. “As I learned from those days, the New Museum is not just about the history of the Shipyards, it’s about the whole history of the North Shore, from the indigenous First Nations to us living here today,” he said. And it’s not just about the past. As Kirkpatrick added, “Museums are places where history connects to people’s present-day interests and experiences. The result will be a cultural attraction that showcases who we are as a community, blending the best of the old and new with hands on, interactive exhibits and signature artifacts.” If you would like to know how you can help open the door to this exciting New Museum at the Shipyards, you can do so through its website at www.nvma.ca or you can contact Don Evans or Nancy Kirkpatrick (contact info to the right).

“The New Museum at the Shipyards is yours! You can make history by giving it a new home.”

Visit nvma.ca and DONATE NOW!

3203 Institute Road North Vancouver B.C. V7K 3E5 604-990-3700 nvmac@dnv.org www.nvma.ca

A24 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

I N S I D E !

A Christ mas stor y ! Fitnes s gift ide a s ! Holid ay happ enings Y O U R

G U I D E

T O

T H E

H O L I D A Y

S E A S O N

O N

T H E

N O R T H

S H O R E

Pondering giving pets as gifts MARIA SPITALE-LEISK mspitale-leisk@nsnews.com

SITTING KITTY Seven-year-old Kadin Roxburgh and his cat Sedin visit with Santa at Korna Pet Supplies on Dec. 6. The Marine Drive store was hosting an event featuring pet photos with Santa with proceeds going to Small Animal Rescue Society. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN

Christmas A cuddly kitten or puppy seemingly makes for a in the perfect Christmas present, but parents and gift-givers should always be sure the recipient is prepared for the neighbourhood responsibility of owning a pet, says the SPCA. “We always say the holidays can be a wonderful time to bring in a new pet,” says Dragana Hajdukovic, BC SPCA West Vancouver branch manager. “It’s a lifelong responsibility and every (pet) guardian needs to make that decision for themselves.” So instead of surprising a family member or friend with a pet as a present, Hajdukovic recommends that everyone involved do their research. Be sure the person is ready to take on all that owning a pet involves including feeding, cleaning, walking, and just being home to spend time with them. There can also be a signiﬁcant cost in owning a pet, including food and supplies (such as cat litter), and some may also need boarding or walking services. While the SPCA is an obvious place to adopt from, says Hajdukovic, there are private pet rescues and societies that would-be pet owners can also explore. “Always ask questions and make sure you are comfortable with whomever you are dealing with,” advises Hajdukovic. Parents can still surprise their kids with a new pet by bringing the kids down to the shelter under the guise of making a donation or visiting with the animals. See Be page 28

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A25

Crossed wires leads to Christmas coincidence MARY ELLEN KENNY MA Contributing Co writer

Christmas eve 40 years ago Ch my husband Howard and I prepared for an unusual, possibly depressing, po Christmas holiday because Ch my stepfather, Jim, had terminal cancer. At the time, as newlyweds living in Duncan on Vancouver Island, we had to take the ferry to reach my parents’ home in West Vancouver. A torrential downpour greeted us on the North Shore, the weather thus matching our moods. As we pulled up to my childhood home, its Christmas lights transﬁxed me, transporting me back in time to when my sister was still alive and my brother home, versus half a world away in Australia. I entered the house through the back door into the kitchen where Jim’s well-stocked “pharmacy” stood as the ammunition in his war against pain and illness. A heaviness hung in the air as if the spirit of Christmas had yet to make an appearance, or had refused to board the ferry with us, preferring instead to remain behind on the Island with all of our friends and neighbours. So we decided to make an early

night of it and all went to bed. I was the ﬁrst to awaken on Christmas morning. Everyone else in the household was still peacefully asleep so even though it was only 7 a.m., I decided to call my best friend Rita back on Vancouver Island. After all, her giggling children would have awakened her hours earlier. “Hello,” she answered in a weak, crackly voice. “Rita, are you all right?” I asked. “Who is this?” a total stranger replied. Uh-oh! Apparently the busy holiday phone lines had crossed resulting in awakening an elderly woman. I apologized for waking her, but she said, “Not to worry. It is nice to have someone to talk to, as I don’t have anything to do today, nor anyone to talk to.” No one is a stranger to me, so we began chatting. I was curious where this woman lived. “Burnaby,” she said. About 10 miles away. I used to be a PBX switchboard operator and know that when many phones were in use back then the “wires” could get crossed. But how could this be? She only lived a few miles away and her phone number and area code

weren’t even close to Rita’s. She said that her name was Faith and that she was an 80-year-old widow. Her deceased husband, Dick, and she did not have any children. She continued that she had no reason to get up, as she had no one to share Christmas with. She was glad I phoned: “A bit of a Christmas gift.” She was all alone, while we at least had each other. Yet, she considered this call to be a gift! Faith and I talked for an hour. My mother Ellen awakened in the meantime so I asked her if Faith could share Christmas dinner with us and she said “Yes.” Faith hung up the phone, got dressed, and caught a bus for her visit. Little did the bus driver or us know that he would really be delivering a Christmas miracle. Excitedly anticipating the arrival of our guest, our home’s atmosphere was transformed from doom and gloom into joy. I met the “gift” of Faith at the bus stop; we smiled at each other. After dinner, Faith and I donned our coats in preparation to drive her home but we were sidetracked by a miracle so extraordinary that we are still in awe of it after all of these years.

Mary Ellen Kenny and her mother Ellen Holden had an interesting experience on Christmas day 40 years ago. PHOTO SUPPLIED Faith and my mother were saying their last goodbyes when my mother realized that we had not shared last names. “What is your last name?” my mother asked her, to which Faith replied, “Holden.” “No,” my mother said. “That’s our last name. What is your last name?” We all experienced the shock of our lives when Faith, looking confused, repeated, “That is my last name. Holden. H-o-l-de-n.” I had never told Faith our last name, and this was years

Christmas Magic

before the Internet, so she could not have looked us up. What are the odds? The same last name, Holden, spelled the exact same way! How had we been divinely put together with someone with the same family name? What a miraculous, divine coincidence! Still in shock (and our coats), we sat down on the living room couch beside the ticking grandfather clock, unprepared for even more as-yet-to-berevealed surprises as Faith shared the story of her life. See Families’ page 29

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Holiday happenings CHRISTMAS CRAWL Seasonal music with members of the North Shore Celtic Ensemble Sunday, Dec. 13, 1-3 p.m. at End of the Line General Store, 4193 Lynn Valley Rd., North Vancouver. Participation by donation with all proceeds going to the North Shore Harvest Project. CHRISTMAS WITH VIVALDI featuring Laudate Singers and instrumentalists, including an 11-piece Baroque orchestra, on Sunday, Dec. 13, 3-5 p.m., at St. Andrews United Church, 1044 St. Georges Ave., North Vancouver. Cost: $35/$30/$15, free for kids under 12. laudate-singers.com

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Jams, jellies, art, jewelry, candles, paintings, and plenty of Christmas crafts were on sale at the Craft Market held at West Vancouver Community Centre and Seniors Centre Nov. 14-15. Margaret Ryding of Silk Threads and Wendy Reid of So Crazy Creations were just two of the many contributors. PHOTOS PAUL MCGRATH

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AUNT LEAH’S CHRISTMAS TREE LOT Lonsdale Quay Market is partnering with Aunt Leah’s Place, a support group for mothers with newborn children, and will be selling Christmas trees at their East lot, now until Dec. 22 while supplies last. Monday-Thursday 1-8 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. now until Dec. 22.

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MRS. CLAUS’S KITCHEN Presentation House Theatre presents Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen, a holiday musical, until Dec. 20, at 333 Chesterﬁeld Ave., North Vancouver. Suitable for ages seven and older. Box ofﬁce: 604-990-3474 phtheatre.org

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COOL YULE Mount Seymour United Church is hosting A Swingin’ Yuletide Show on Saturday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. This event will feature the swing jazz quartet Van Django, harmonica by Keith Bennett and vocals by LJ Mounteney. Tickets: $24 (adults), $20 (seniors) at eventbrite.ca or at the door.

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NORTH SHORE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA presents an afternoon of light classical music for string orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2-3:30 p.m., at Lynn Valley Centre’s Community Room. Free treats and warm apple cider during the intermission. The show will close with a Christmas carol sing-along. Fee: Adults $15, seniors $10, free for kids under 10. nschamberorchestra.org

CHRISTMAS WITH CHARLES DICKENS Join in for a morning of festive theatre and music starring Don Mowatt, Carolyn Finlay and Cameron Cathcart, Thursday, Dec. 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at The Silk Purse Arts Centre, tickets: $15 silkpurse.ca

LYNN VALLEY BLACK BEAR BAND WINTER CONCERT on Sunday, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m., at Kay Meek Centre. Refreshments in the lobby after the show. Tickets: adults/seniors: $12; students: $6; free for children under 13. Tickets at KayMeekCentre.com.

NORTH SHORE SCOUTS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE FUNDRAISING SALE on now until Dec. 23 at Taylor Way and Clyde Avenue, West Vancouver. Hours: Monday-Wednesday, noon-7 p.m., Thursday and Friday, noon to 9 and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. All proceeds beneﬁt various scout programs. SCOUTS CHRISTMAS TREE FUNDRAISER Seymour Scouts will be selling Christmas trees until Dec. 23 while supplies last at Parkgate Village, North Vancouver. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Chip-up event: Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, at Parkgate Village, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A27

Gift ideas fit for the workout-minded SHAUN KARP Contributing writer

Have a ﬁtness junkie to shop for? How about someone who is new to exercise and looking for the latest gadgets? Here are some suggestions for holiday gifts. ! PowerBlock ($150$200): Get more value for your money with this convenient dumbbell set. PowerBlock’s innovative free weights stack on top of each other to create a convenient,

HANUKKAH CELEBRATION Sasha Kaye sings traditional songs in the photo at top, and North Shore Hebrew School students Daniel Epstein and Ella Stoch (above) also sing as part of a choir at the annual lighting of the public menorah event at West Vancouver Community Centre on Dec. 8. PHOTOS CINDY GOODMAN

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or for a set of up to six. Sold in varying heights to match every fitness level. ! Workout Gloves ($20- $50): An awesome stocking stuffer, workout gloves prevent calluses and improve grip. Plus, they keep your workouts more sanitary by blocking bacteria transfer. ! Knee Support Bands ($25): Knee bands are the perfect companion for leg workouts. Made of flexible neoprene, these formfitting cuffs can be used to

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A28 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

Be aware of pet safety over the holiday season From page 24

“We have tricked kids before,” says Hajdukovic. As for whether the shelter sees an influx of unwanted animals after Christmas, Hajdukovic says they don’t tend to see more people surrender their animals if they are being given as gifts The holidays can be overwhelming for pets, let alone their owners, so it’s important to pay attention to your pet’s behaviour when there’s a large crowd gathered in the house. Perhaps put your pet in a different room with a toy, a bone or some food, advises Hajdukovic, adding “never force the pet to interact with people.” It’s pretty standard when it comes to pet safety at Christmas, according to the SPCA. “We always caution against wrapping up chocolates and edible items and putting them under the tree,” says Hajdukovic. “Chocolate can be toxic to dogs. Also some plants like poinsettias can be dangerous.” If you think your pet has ingested something it shouldn’t have, contact a veterinarian right away. If travel is part of your holiday plans, consider letting your pets relax and make friends at the West Vancouver SPCA, which offers boarding for dogs. Spots fill up quickly, so dog owners should book well in advance. Christmas is a time for charitable giving and the SPCA gratefully accepts monetary and in-kind donations to help them sustain their operations. “We depend on donations, so we will happily accept donations in kind, things like specific cat food, leashes, toys,” says Hajdukovic. “We suggest people check in with us because we do have a wish list.” One festive way to support the West Vancouver SPCA is to stop by the branch at 1020 Marine Dr., and dedicate an ornament (by donation) to your pet. The transparent ornaments, which can contain a photo of your Fido or Fluffy, are then hung on the shelter’s Christmas tree.

SPCA volunteer Sheri O’Neill and Abby check out some of the items for sale at the West Vancouver SPCA holiday craft and bake sale on Dec. 6. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN BC SPCA holiday safety tips for pets: ! No bones: Avoid giving bones to your dogs or cats, particularly turkey bones. Poultry bones easily splinter and can cause serious injury, while bone fragments

can cause intestinal blockages or lacerations. ! Healthy treats: Chocolate and other sweets should not be given to animals. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be deadly to cats and dogs, though not

harmful to humans. The best thing you can do for your pets over the holidays is to keep them on their regular diet. ! Poisonous plants: Many popular holiday plants are poisonous to animals including mistletoe, holly,

ornamental pepper and Christmas rose. Remember to keep these plants out of reach of pets, especially birds. Some pets that have a sensitivity to the latex contained in poinsettias may get diarrhea or even vomit if they consume a poinsettia. ! Avoid tinsel: Make sure your Christmas tree is well secured. Try to place decorations above paw height and use string to hang the bulbs instead of hooks, which are easily dislodged. If possible, use nonbreakable ornaments. Avoid using tinsel or angel hair. Cats and dogs will ingest both, which can cause intestinal problems. Cords for lights should be made inaccessible to pets. Some chemicals added to the water reservoir of a Christmas tree can be toxic to animals, so keep the reservoir covered. ! Watch toys: Avoid purchasing pet toys with small or soft pieces that can be chewed and swallowed. Nylon bones tend to splinter less than plastic ones. Be sure to inspect pet toys regularly and discard deteriorating ones. spca.bc.ca

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Families’ life stories share similar details From page 25

Her husband was from England, as was my stepfather, Jim, with both families migrating to Winnipeg. Both Dick and Jim were the second of four children, with the same combination of brothers and sisters in the same birth order. Faith and my mother had attended the same high school. An amazing list of coincidences, as if the two women were reading from identical books of life, reiterating one similar experience after another. How was it possible to dial a long distance number on Christmas morning, and end up connecting with a “local” person who needed us as much as we needed her? It is a Christmas and a miracle we will never forget. And the clincher: Faith revealed that her phone number was unlisted. So even if we had wanted to locate her, we could not have, adding even more mystery to this Christmas morning miracle!

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The Holdens stayed friends until Faith passed away a few years after their meeting. Mary Ellen graduated from Handsworth secondary in 1969, and is the author of the books Expect Miracles and A Christmas Filled with Miracles (under the name Mary Ellen AngelScribe). Although she now lives in Oregon, she has been on the North Shore for the past year helping to take care of her 92-year-old mother Ellen who is currently in Lions Gate Hospital.

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colours and styles for added personalization. ! Chin-up Bands ($30$50): Another wonderful stocking stuffer idea, these bands are usually placed under your feet to gently lift you up as you perform the classic back-sculpting chin-up. They are perfect for novices or for those who lack the upper body strength to perform this movement independently. Plus they can be used by most people,

Shaun Karp is a certiﬁed personal trainer in North Vancouver. His regular columns appear in the Live section of the North Shore News. karpﬁtness.com

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A30 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

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NORTH SHORE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE BUS TRIP View the city at night all dressed up in holiday lights Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m. Meet at 225 East Second St., North Vancouver. Cost: $10.

THE DEEP COVE OLD TIME JAZZ BAND needs senior musicians to ﬁll in for their performances when regular players are on vacation. Practices take place on Mondays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Lions Court, 936 Bowron Court, North Vancouver. Wilf Fawcett, 604-929-6191

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DUNDARAVE PLAYERS Musicians, competent in reading music and playing piano, accordion, harmonica, violin or another musical instrument are invited to make some noise every Friday, 9-10:30 a.m. at the West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre, 695 21st St. 604-925-7280 Compiled by Debbie Caldwell

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A31

SENIORS

Screening tests unfair to older drivers If I want to know what is on my readers’ minds I just have to look in my inbox. On the subject of older seniors renewing their driver’s licence, I regularly hear from two groups: Those who feel they have been treated unfairly because of their age; and those who breathe a huge sigh of relief when their partner or elderly parent has had their licence revoked. Here’s an excerpt from a recent email. “My husband has gone through the (driver’s licence) review this year and there were surprises. I think there has to be more awareness of the actual process so that other 80 year olds know what to expect.” Let’s see if we can help with that. According to ICBC, there were 93,000 drivers 80 years of age or older in B.C. in 2013. RoadSafetyBC, the provincial body responsible for road safety in B.C., takes the position that with the population aging, screening tools are needed by health professionals and licensing personnel that can accurately identify medically at-risk drivers. So, in B.C. all driver’s licence holders over the age of 80 must have a Driver’s Medical Examination Report (DMER) completed every two years if they wish to renew their driver’s licence. Senior drivers

Tom Carney

Older andWiser may also be required to undergo further medical or functional assessments such as a road test, a DriveABLE assessment or a SIMARDMD test. DriveABLE is a functional tool using a touchscreen and SIMARDMD (an acronym for Screen for the Identification of Cognitively Impaired Medically At-Risk Drivers, a Modification of the DemTect) is a screening tool used to identify cognitively impaired drivers. Most of the seniors I hear from are fine with having a medical exam and they’re not opposed to screening tests if those tests are accurate and fair. The evidence suggests they’re not. It’s not just those tests. Researchers at McMaster University have concluded that, “there is no single cognitive screening test that can solely determine with absolute certainty whether an older person is fit to drive.”

In a web page designed for medical professionals, the B.C. Ministry of Justice poses the question: “Why does RoadSafetyBC require a DMER when a driver turns 80.” Their answer: drivers aged 80 and older are involved in more crashes per kilometre driven than almost any age group, and are also much more likely to die in those crashes. That’s true. But seniors don’t have the highest crash rates, teenage drivers do. We don’t say they can’t drive. I’m in favour of screening older drivers and clearly we need to adequately assess when there are potential problems that might place people at risk when they are driving. I think we are making two errors here. First we are using screening tests that are unproven, at best, to determine driver competency. And somehow, inexplicably, we’ve made the road test the last test to determine the competency of older drivers. Most older senior drivers are competent and many have never been in an accident. Let’s get them out of the doctor’s ofﬁce, away from the computer screens and tests with alphabet soup names, and back on the road where they belong. If there’s reason to think an older senior shouldn’t be behind the wheel, schedule

them for a road test with a trained examiner. We’ll have a result in less than an hour at considerably less cost than administering the DriveABLE and SIMARD

-MD tests. That would help the taxpayer, meet the requirement for fairness and help ensure the roads are safer for everyone.

Tom Carney is the former executive director of the Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. Ideas for future columns are welcome. tomcarney@telus.net

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Ho! Ho! Ho! goodies & Prizes to be won.

FOR THE ANIMALS Lisa Brasso, Adam Ashurst, Laurie Lerner and Micki Ashurst, with canine friends Violet and Perry, are collecting donations for the 11th annual Dog Handlers’ Christmas Pet Food and Supplies Drive. Items can be dropped off at Village Pet Food and Supply, 5323 Headland Dr., West Vancouver. They will be distributed to needy animals through Pacific Animal Foundation, Dogwood Rescue Society and Cross Our Paws. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN

Avoid puppies as presents After almost 20 years of writing this column, I have learned many things. One is that what I write about seems to be open to interpretation by those who like to read what they want to read instead of what it is I am actually saying. As an example, I could write, “The sky was blue today,” and I might get an email from a reader who comments, “So you are a dog trainer and a meteorologist?” I’ve also learned that I can’t write enough about the importance of responsibility and leadership. As I stated above, people’s minds are selective. They read and see what they want, which means sometimes they don’t think responsibility and leadership applies to them, their dog or a particular situation. When you are chronically irresponsible, you don’t know you are irresponsible because you have never been responsible enough to understand you are being irresponsible. The status quo has always been irresponsibility. This means that I sound like a broken record at times. So, to maintain my sanity, I try to adopt a more positive approach by advising “if you are going to do this irresponsible thing, then try to at least follow these guidelines to help it turn out for the best.”

Joan Klucha

Canine Connection This reverse and sometimes derisive logic applies perfectly to bringing home a puppy for Christmas. I, and many other trainers, shelters, rescues, veterinarians and breeders advise against bringing home a puppy for Christmas because it is probably the worst time of year to establish healthy leadership, boundaries, socialization and house training routines. Here is my advice for those who won’t listen. Just in case you didn’t know, your puppy does not come housebroken. Peeing and pooping outside is not an automatic behaviour, like breathing. There is not a light above a puppy’s head that starts blinking to indicate it needs to do its business. From the moment the little tyke enters your home, you need to establish a

house training routine and be aware of your puppy’s whereabouts 24/7. When the puppy wakes up in the morning, it needs to be taken out to do its business. Forget opening Christmas presents, eating pancake breakfasts or lounging by the ﬁre with hot cocoa. Your puppy needs to poop and it does not care if you have guests or are still in your pyjamas. Throughout the day it needs to go out to do its business: after it wakes from a nap, plays, eats or drinks water. If it hasn’t been out for an hour and has done none of the above, it still needs to go out. House training is a 24-hour-a-day job for at least two weeks, or up to two months or more! The more mistakes a puppy has in the house, the longer the house training will take. Remember, it’s not the puppy’s fault it had to go while you were doing eggnog shooters. Socialization is another full-time job. If you think a puppy can be shut away in the crate, laundry room or basement while you are entertaining, you are confusing it with a stuffed animal. The behaviour and personality of your puppy is directly related to the amount of quality time you spend with it. Puppies

need to bond with their new family the moment they come into their new home. If not, they will likely suffer conﬁdence and social interaction issues such as resource guarding, lack of impulse control and territorial aggression. All of these issues usually end tragically with the puppy being given up for adoption, or worse, euthanized, all because you preferred to attend drunken Santa parties than attend to your puppy. When puppies are not pooping in the house or shredding your throw carpet, they are a lot of fun. But in 10-12 years they will become arthritic, develop unsightly lumps, get slow and grumpy on walks. You are ethically and morally required to love and care for your dog for its entire life, which could be 15-plus years! If you are the type of person inclined to toss the senior dog aside for a newer model, I’d suggest you stick with that stuffed animal I mentioned earlier. Put the phone down and think responsibly about bringing a puppy into your home over the holidays. Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.

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Sunday, December 13, 2015 - North Shore News - A33

YOUR NORTH SHORE GUIDE to THE GAMES PEOPLE PLAY

Members of the Handsworth senior girls volleyball team celebrate together during the AAAA provincial championships held last weekend in Nanaimo. The Royals claimed the title with a 3-0 win over Earl Marriott in the final. PHOTO SUPPLIED MARY KESSENICH/VANCOUVER SPORTS PICTURES

Long road leads to gold Handsworth takes top spot at volleyball provincials ANDY PREST aprest@nsnews.com

A shared journey that began way back in Grade 6 for several members of the Handsworth Royals senior girls volleyball team ended in gold last weekend at the provincial AAAA championships held in Nanaimo.

The Royals, featuring a core of Grade 12 players that first united at Cleveland elementary, knocked off Surrey’s Earl Marriott secondary 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 2519) in the championship final at Vancouver Island University. The win was the first provincial title for the powerhouse program

since the Royals won three straight from 2008 to 2010, and follows fourth-place ﬁnishes in the past two championships. It was quite a way to end a journey that for several players began more than half a decade ago. “There were a lot of tears, that’s for sure,” said head coach Alan Ahac, who has followed the team all the way up the ladder. “It was a nice ﬁnish to a long, tough journey.” The Royals came into

the tournament ranked No. 1 but got a scare right off the bat when the South Delta Sun Devils – a program that won provincial titles at the AAAA level in 2012 and 2013 before claiming the AAA crown last year – took the opening set of the first match. “We were scared that first match,” said Ahac, citing first-game jitters and South Delta’s reputation as reasons for the trepidation. The Royals, however,

fought back and claimed a 2-1 win. “We were very relieved to make it through that match with a victory.” From then on it was fairly smooth sailing for Handsworth as they dropped just one more set while cruising into the semiﬁnals where they faced Port Coquitlam’s Riverside secondary. “That was probably the toughest match we had of the tournament,” Ahac said See Team’s page 34

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A34 - North Shore News - Sunday, December 13, 2015

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Team’s core formed in Gr. 6 From page 33

to the tournament’s ﬁrst all-star team. The Grade 10 student is the third Oxland to earn all-star status for Handsworth, following MVP older sisters Emily and Rebecca. “She’s living up to the family’s reputation, that’s for sure,” said Ahac. “My only regret is that the Oxlands have no more kids.” Having both Ros and Oxland on the ﬂoor at the same time is a luxury that few high school teams can come close to matching. “That was a real key for us. Strong setting, and both of them also strong attackers,” said Ahac. “In essence everyone on our team can attack when they’re in the front row. And we have a lot of balance because of that. … It’s very rare that you have that kind of balance. Most high school teams will have two or three good attackers.

We really had six.” Some of the other big boppers included left side Danika Ahac and middle Danielle Corrigan, both named to the tournament’s second all-star team. “Danielle Corrigan certainly showed herself to be one of the top middle blockers in the tournament,” said Ahac. “Early on in the ﬁnal she had a number of big blocks and big hits which really gave us tremendous momentum. She’s been doing that all season.” Danika Ahac, meanwhile, was strong offensively and defensively. “She played extremely well,” said her proud papa. “She made a lot of good defensive digs for us, as well as being one of those six good attackers.” Alan Ahac also noted that there were several other players on the deep Royals roster who could have been all-stars – one of the all-star selectors admitted to him that it was tough limiting the Royals to just ﬁve. Regardless of the accolades, Ahac said he’ll always remember this as a team

Handsworth’s Nicola Ros was named MVP at provincials. PHOTO SUPPLIED MARY KESSENICH/VANCOUVER SPORTS PICTURES

that grew tighter and tighter over the years and topped it all off with a championship. “The result is nice, but the journey was the highlight,” he said. “The sequence of

the commitment, the dedication, the time, the trials and tribulations – in many respects, the highlight was the journey and the result was kind of like the icing on the cake.”

P: Tourism Whistler / Mike Crane

of Handsworth’s 3-1 win over Riverside, who went on to win bronze. In the final the Royals faced the Mariners for the second time in the tournament after beating them 2-0 during pool play. “They’re very young, extremely well-coached,” Ahac said of the Earl Marriott squad. “It’s one of those teams you always worry about because you know their coaching is really good, their skills and fundamentals are strong, they’re going to have good tactics, their coach knows how to win in those circumstances.” In the end, however, Handsworth had more experience and firepower, and ran away with a decisive victory to claim the title. “We came out and set the tone. We were confident

and patient,” said Ahac. “While Marriott played very well, we were pretty patient in sustaining long rallies. We maintained our composure and kept coming at them, and that’s where they couldn’t sustain it. … Our experience showed through in the end. That’s really the key, I think.” Handsworth’s Nicola Ros, Maya Bennett and Danika Ahac – Alan’s daughter – were all taking part in their third provincial championship tournament since joining the senior team in Grade 10. Ros was named MVP of this year’s tournament. “She certainly deserved that,” said Alan Ahac. “She was easily the best setter in the tournament. She attacked really well as well.” The second-best setter may very well have been another Handsworth player as Kayla Oxland was named

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