Vancouver Courier August 2 2013 by Glacier Digital

Bridal Row revisited

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

Vol. 104 No. 62 • Established 1908

WEEKEND EDITION

THE VOICE OF VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS

NEWS: Deighton Cup 9/ OPINION: Java indulgence 11

Emptylot transformed intogarden

Hastings Rising

HASTINGS NORTH COMMUNITY GARDEN GRAND OPENING AUG. 10

DEVELOPING STORY

with Naoibh O’Connor photo Rebecca Blissett

In the latest instalment of our Vancouver Special neighbourhood series, we proﬁle Hastings-Sunrise and its independent businesses, including East Cafe, owned by Dalyn and Zoltan Szilvassy who love the vintage vibe of the neighbourhood. See story page 19. To watch video, go to vancourier.com or scan this page with your smartphone or tablet using the Layar app.

Punjabi fun part of special PNE day BHANGRA WORKSHOPS AND LESSONS PLANNED SANDRA THOMAS Staff writer

on’t know how to dance bhangra — no problem. The performers taking to the stage as part of the ﬁrst-ever South Asian Community Day at the Paciﬁc National Exhibition later this month will ensure everyone gets a lesson in the colourful folk dance. BJ Gill, who manages E3 Elite Events and Entertainment with business partners Rik Bharmi and Sunny Kainth, said bhangra workshops and impromptu lessons will be a big

part of HYPE @ The PNE: Here’s Your Punjabi Entertainment, taking place Aug. 31 from 1 to 6 p.m. on the Chevrolet Performance Stage. “In the middle of a set the music will keep going but the performers will stop and get the crowd up and teach them how to dance bhangra,” said Gill. “It’s very interactive and a lot of fun.” Growing up Gill loved going to the PNE every summer, but it wasn’t until years later he realized it might not have been as much fun for his parents. See SOUTH on page 4

prominent22,000square-foot empty lot slated for development on the 2500 block of East Hastings Street next to London Drugs in Hastings-Sunrise is being transformed into a temporary community garden until the real estate market shows more promise. The Hastings North Temporary Community Garden grand opening is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 10. London Drugs owns the lot, which is located mid block on East Hastings between Kamloops and Penticton streets, as well as the property east of it to Penticton, which is home to a London Drugs store and a McDonald’s restaurant. London Drugs was planning to build a condomini-

um project called Alba, but the company decided in May to delay the much-anticipated development. Alba was to include three storeys of residential units above a commercial base. The street level portion of the building was to house a London Drugs and a restaurant on the corner where the McDonald’s is currently situated. There was also to have been ofﬁce space on the far west end of the development. “Back in May, the decision was made to temporarily put the project on hold because, as you know, the real estate market in Vancouver is a bit challenged to put it mildly and we’re a family-based company. Therefore we try to make very prudent and conservative decisions,” explained Donna Figueira, director of real estate for London Drugs group of companies. “So that’s what we decided — that the market is not conducive to starting a real estate project at this point in time. Right now we’re looking at about a two-year wait. As we get there, we’ll re-evaluate and see if that’s the appropriate time or if it’s time to wait a little longer.” See GARDEN on page 4

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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CHEF’S SPECIAL BY CHERYL ROSSI

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Tony and May Fung’s Master Chef Cafe on East Hastings is an unpolished gem with low prices and plenty of old-school charm.

12TH & CAMBIE: ROADIES BY MIKE HOWELL Councillors for and against the Cornwall-Point Grey corridor plan had lots to say before and after the historic vote.

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DERBY WEAR BY CHERYL ROSSI The Deighton Cup at Hastings Racecourse bills itself as a chance to dress up and add old-fashioned charm to Vancouver’s social scene.

OPINION SHIFTING MODES BY ALLEN GARR The Point Grey Road project is part of a massive shift in Vancouver’s transportation policy. But its success ultimately depends on transit.

ENTERTAINMENT GHOSTS OF HASTINGS-SUNRISE BY MICHAEL KISSINGER Defunct Vancouver band Apollo Ghosts recorded an album and song called Hastings Sunrise back when the neighbourhood was scarier.

SPORTS BALLPARK BUSINESS BY MEGAN STEWART

No Bars, No Grills! Security with a view!

Local Vancouver businesses have been sponsors of Little League for decades with major benefits to players and their communities.

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SEE MORE WITH LAYAR Additional content in this issue available through the Layar app includes: P01: EAST IS EAST HASTINGS Videographer Jason Lang visits the East Cafe in Hastings Sunrise to discover this neighbourhood-focused eatery.

P21, 22: THEN AND NOW, OPEN HOUSE Two of our most popular photo gallery features return with a look at Hastings Sunrise history and a loft on East Hastings.

P25: BRIDAL WAVE A video of the Courier’s visit to the one-block stretch of East Hastings between Boundary and Kootenay known as “Bridal Row.”

Download the free Layar app to your iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone or tablet. The Vancouver Courier, a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at vancourier. com. For all delivery problems, please call 604-942-3081. To contact the Courier’s main office, call 604-7381411.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

FROM FRONT PAGE

Gardenwillremainuntildevelopmentstarts The company turned its attention to what to do with the empty lot once the project was put on hold. Business contacts recommended Shifting Growth, a registered charity whose mission is to transform vacant, under-utilized lots into temporary community gardens. “I was so impressed with their concept, their vision, that we thought this is perfect. We looked at a number of options and this one just seemed to fit so totally into this community that we entered into serious discussions with them and now we have an opening of the gardens [Aug. 10], so we’re pretty excited about that,” Figueira said. Chris Reid, Shifting Growth’s executive director, said it has a two-year deal with a 30-day removal clause, which is common in these types of agreements. The Hastings garden, which is sponsored by London Drugs, is Shifting Growth’s third in Vancouver — one is at Dunbar and 40th another at Clark and 12th. A fourth is being planned for Commercial Drive. Reid started Shifting Growth in 2011 after noting the high demand for community gardens, which often have waiting lists, and the number of highprofile vacant lots. The Hastings North Tempo-

photo Rebecca Blissett

Shifting Growth executive director Chris Reid is preparing for the Aug. 10 grand opening of the Hastings North Temporary Community Garden. rary Community Garden will be simply designed and beds are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. “We’ll provide educational

resources, Urban Farmer is on hand, [we’ll provide] free seeds — just to get people growing and using the space,” Reid said of the grand opening.

The draft plan is for 167 community beds, two community herb beds and three fruit trees. About 30 of the beds will be accessible beds for those with

mobility issues or for children — they’ll be accessible from all sides. “The goal is to create a welcoming, accessible community garden where anybody in the community can come, get a plot and just grow food — we want to keep it really simple,” Reid said. “All the other stuff associated with managing and [ensuring] the space is kept tidy is our responsibility as property managers.” Gardeners will be allowed one to three plots — one plot is often too small for experienced gardeners and the goal is to have a mix of experienced and inexperienced gardeners so people can learn from each other. The infrastructure is mobile so when development starts, the plots can be moved to another Shifting Growth site. The grand opening will feature workshops, seed giveaways and the opportunity to sign up for garden beds if any are remaining. Beds are going quickly. As of Thursday morning, about 35 people had signed up in a two-day period. Sign-up is free for this year, but there will be a $10 renewal fee for every year afterwards. For more information see hastingsnorthgarden.com. noconnor@vancourier.com twitter.com/naoibh

SouthAsian Community Day part of PNE’s diverse programming Continued from page 1 “I always thought it was a really cool experience,” said Gill. “But then I remembered my parents being really bored just standing around watching while I was having fun.” Gill said Bharmi and Kainth shared that experience growing up so when the three of them sat down to brainstorm about creating an event even their parents would enjoy, the PNE was the ﬁrst venue that came to mind. E3 provides entertainment for weddings, corporate and private functions, parties, fundraisers and festivals. While Gill focuses strictly on management, Bharmi is a choreographer who works with bhangra dance teams and Kainth is a musician. “The PNE is so popular with the South Asian community we thought why hasn’t this been done before?” said Gill. This summer fair-goers will enjoy local South Asian singers, dancers, musicians, DJs, comedians and a breakdance team. Gill calls it an introduction to Punjabi entertainment with a goal to attract not just the Indo-Canadian community but everyone attending the PNE. “The audience might not be able to understand the photo submitted words in some of the songs,” said Gill. “But the music and Bhangra dance lessons are on tap at the PNE’s South Asian Community the dancers will help them enjoy the performances.” Day, Aug. 31 PNE chief executive ofﬁcer Michael McDaniel said the

fair has a long history of offering diverse programming and entertainment. “We’ve had other ethnic days in the past,” said McDaniel. “A lot of times we have different partners come forward who want to work with us and, as the result of the outreach we do, the fair is a little different each year.” McDaniel said hosting a South Asian community day is a great ﬁt with the PNE because the culture is focused on family and community engagement. Among the many cultures showcased at the PNE in the past are Irish, Cuban, Thai, Polynesian and Korean. “We offer a mosaic of different programs,” said McDaniel. He added with such a diverse crowd attending the fair each year, staff are trained to treat all visitors with respect. “We tell them we get all walks of life attending the fair, including people with accessibility issues or who might be mentally challenged,” said McDaniel. “With three-quarters of a million people attending each year it really is a representation of the greater community.” The Fair at the PNE runs from Aug. 17 to Sept. 2. For more information and a list of scheduled performances and special events, visit pne.ca. sthomas@vancourier.com twitter.com/sthomas10

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

news City takes long and winding road to pass bike plan 12TH & CAMBIE

It’s not an issue of “ sharing the road, it’s

with Mike Howell

id you miss Monday’s meeting at city hall? Didn’t have time to catch it on television or via your computer? Well, it’s your lucky day. I’ve dug out a few more comments from councillors on the controversial plan to upgrade the Cornwall-Point Grey corridor for cyclists and pedestrians. If you read my story earlier this week, you would know the $6 million Seaside Greenway plan was approved Monday, despite pushback from NPA councillors George Afﬂeck and Elizabeth Ball. Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr also had some issues with the plan, which I will get to in a few sentences. But let’s begin with Afﬂeck, who wanted the vote deferred until October to improve upon the plan that he said angered many residents. “Our job here is to make the city great — not just good, not just mediocre — great,” he said. “And I don’t think this report is doing that for us.” Ball said she received emails from people who have driven Point Grey Road for 40 years and were worried they no longer could take in “those beautiful views.” “We have to re-think the possibility of doing a careful look at this road and seeing what safety changes we could make before we take it away and disenfranchise the rest of Vancouver from — as one of our people called it — this sweet and scenic road,” she said. Carr voted for the overall plan but wanted more consultation on the creation of a York Avenue bikeway, which will be part of the link running from the Burrard Bridge to Jericho Beach. Carr said the plan, which will include road closures, fewer parking spots and separated bike lanes, was the biggest issue she dealt with since being elected in November 2011. “What really impressed me was that this was democracy,” she said, referring to hundreds of emails she received and more than 100 speak-

an issue of providing appropriate infrastructure for [cyclists] that doesn’t unduly interfere with transit, pedestrians or cars. —Coun. Andrea Reimer

”

ers showing up to council. “Your engagement on this issue, your bringing forward of your suggestions, your ideas, your concerns, your information — this is democracy, this is what real consultation should be about all the time.” Vision Coun. Andrea Reimer pointed out 44 per cent of people don’t drive in Vancouver. She is one of them, using transit, her bike and her feet to get around the city. “Cars have roads, pedestrians have sidewalks, bikes have nothing,” she said, arguing why sharing the Cornwall-Point Grey corridor with vehicles was not an option. “It’s not an issue of sharing the road, it’s an issue of providing appropriate infrastructure for [cyclists] that doesn’t unduly interfere with transit, pedestrians or cars. And that, in my opinion, is what this plan does.” Vision Coun. Geoff Meggs, as did many of the councillors, thanked city staff for seven months of work committed to the plan. “This has been a really remarkable effort on the part of our staff — not only in the professional design of it but the tolerance and patience with which they dealt with, frankly, some abusive conduct from time to time,” Meggs said. Council now heads into a summer break and will return in September, which will mark one year before the 2014 civic election campaign begins in earnest. mhowell@vancourier.com twitter.com/Howellings

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

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coalition of community groups is threatening city council with legal action if the governance of Hastings Park is returned to the PNE. A special meeting of council was scheduled for Aug. 1, after the Courier’s press deadline. In a last-ditch effort to sway the powers that be at city hall, a press conference was held Wednesday morning at Hastings Park to put pressure on council to choose the park board as the new governing body of the property. The press conference was organized to demonstrate what the community groups call a compelling legal argument for park board governance of Hastings Park. Hastings Park is governed by the nonproﬁt PNE’s board of directors, but is undergoing a massive $310.5 million redevelopment, so the question of just who should manage the park is on the table. While city staff and an independent auditor have recommended governance remain with the PNE, some residents and community groups want the park board to take control. A third option is to have a city department, such as engineering, manage the property. In an email to the Courier earlier this week, Sherry Breshears of the Hastings Community Association wrote: “The Vancouver Charter requires park board governance of all Vancouver parks. City council would need to decommission Hastings Park and violate its trust agreement if they want the PNE to be permanently in charge.” Breshears added: “Until now, the city has relied on provincial legislation that enables the PNE and other businesses to operate within the public park. The legislation only speaks to land use, it does not change the status of Hastings Park as a public park. Clearly,

council had not considered their obligations under the Charter of Vancouver regarding park board governance. If they adopt the recommendation for PNE governance, we will have to consider legal action.” Several residents as well as members of community groups including Hastings Community Association, Hastings Park Conservancy, Nature Vancouver, Confratellanza, Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver and West Coast Christian School attended the press conference at Il Giardino (the Italian Gardens) at Hastings Park. In May, Vision Vancouver park board vicechair Aaron Jasper brought forward a motion, passed unanimously, recommending the board lobby for control of Hastings Park. This is not the ﬁrst time the park board has sought control of Hastings Park. In 1994, the board also unanimously passed a motion seeking governance of the 120-acre park. NPA commissioner Melissa De Genova released a statement Wednesday that reads in part: “The Vancouver Charter states in section 4.88, ‘The board shall have exclusive possession of, and exclusive jurisdiction and control of all areas designated as permanent public parks of the city.’ Hastings Park is our ‘Stanley Park of the East’ and under park board governance it could reach its full potential by providing greater access to green space, create new recreational and revenue opportunities and continue to support the PNE.” NDP MP for Vancouver-East Libby Davies and NDP MLA for Vancouver-Hastings Shane Simpson released a joint statement Wednesday on the governance that read in part: “The PNE is very good at its core purposes, facilities and event management, and the annual fair, they have grown less than adequate on more traditional parks and recreation initiatives. It has become clear that PNE decisions regarding the site have consistently been made through the lens ‘what is best for the PNE and its operations…’ It has also meant that there have been essentially no investments in programming for community use in Hastings Park.” sthomas@vancourier.com twitter.com/sthomas10

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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pposition to a planned 45,000-square-foot mental health centre at 2750 East Hastings St. was vociferous in 2007. But it appears the counselling and outreach facility hasn’t had the corrosive effects on the community that were anticipated. Residents concerned about the impact the large Vancouver Coastal Health facility would have on their neighbourhood formed a group called Advocates for Hastings-Sunrise that collected hundreds of names on a petition and protested outside city hall. They questioned the wisdom of offering multiple services in one building instead of distributing them throughout the city. A group called Neighbours for Mental Health subsequently formed to support the centre. In November 2007, after a seven-hour development permit board meeting at-

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“But what they maybe didn’t realize fully was that actually there are a lot of children who come here for services.” A Shoppers Drug Mart occupies the ground floor of the three-storey brick building at 2750 East Hastings near Kaslo. The centre offers an early psychosis intervention and eating disorders programs for 13- to 30-year-olds, multiple services for children and youth, mental health services for adults who live in the area and outreach assistance for people with mental illness to find and retain housing. It does not offer services specific to addictions, as some neighbours worried it would down the road. “I don’t think anyone notices us,” Hansen said. “We’re just sort of that office building over there.” Hansen is pleased to support those in need in the centre that includes skylights, inviting meeting rooms and a play therapy room for children. Barry Sharbo, a spokesperson for the Advocates for Hastings-Sunrise, did not return the Courier’s calls. The Vancouver Police Department wouldn’t provide statistics regarding the number of calls to the building, which media spokesperson Const. Brian Montague said would include missing persons and routine alarm calls. crossi@vancourier.com twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

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FACILITY WAS WIDELY OPPOSED WHEN PROPOSED IN 2007

tended by 150 people, the centre was approved. Dave Renz, a part-time manager at Hastings Liquor Store across the street from the facility, hasn’t noticed any problems since the facility opened in December 2009. “I don’t think there’s a problem with that sort of thing,” he said. “I think more facilities are a good thing.” Liakat Jiwa, pharmacy manager and pharmacist at Hastings Pharmacy at 2724 East Hastings, also reports no problems. “Some of our patients go there,” he said. “It’s actually quite convenient for them.” Patricia Barnes, executive director of the Hastings North Business Improvement Association, said she heard concerns from residents and business owners when the facility was planned, but the BIA supported the centre’s development. “[We] have not had any concerns raised to us at all since they’ve moved in,” she said. Laura Hansen, manager of mental health and addictions for Vancouver Coastal Health, was disheartened by the fears she heard expressed at the development permit board meeting in 2007. “There [are] a couple of schools in the neighbourhood and [parents] were worried about their children,” Hansen said.

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HASTINGS-SUNRISE

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

HASTINGS-SUNRISE

Vancouver activist knits past with family life MIKE HOWELL Staff writer

ow bad is Anna Hunter? Well, she’s so bad that she actually named her store Baaad Anna’s. No, that’s not a typographical error. Yes, three A’s in bad. Now say it again — baaad. Kind of sounds like a bleating sheep, right? And when you discover Hunter operates a yarn store along a busy strip in the HastingsSunrise neighbourhood, the name makes sense. It’s kind of funny, too. Except, Hunter will tell you, there’s a double meaning to it. Anna Hunter is the same Anna Hunter who once led the Anti-Poverty Committee in protests, sit-ins and actions that had her arrested several times in the run-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics. She was the one with a megaphone, rallying members of the committee to question why Vancouver needed to host an expensive international event when so many people were homeless. Hunter and friends also took their ﬁght to then-mayor Sam Sullivan and his so-called project civil city plan to reduce homelessness, the open drug market and public disorder by 2010. They called his plan a war on the poor. One of the members even doused Sullivan with a full pitcher of Coke during an NPA may-

photo Rebecca Blissett

Baaad Anna’s owner Anna Hunter has put protesting on hold while she raises two young boys, but she hasn’t softened her beliefs on social housing, poverty and gentriﬁcation. oral nomination meeting at a downtown hotel. So, yes — bad. But that was then. Hunter, who has a degree in international development and is the daughter of former Olympian ski racer “Jungle” Jim Hunter, is now 34 and married with two young boys. She rents the main ﬂoor of a house close to her store, which she opened four years ago this month with her carpenter husband. It’s an inviting space, with big comfortable

chairs up front and toys on the ﬂoor for children of parents who participate in knitting classes. It’s the only yarn store in Hastings-Sunrise. But as it says on the store’s awning, which features images of two pirate-like sheep, it’s “not your mama’s yarn store.” “I wanted a store that was edgy and maybe doing things a little bit differently and also reﬂective of who I am as a person and my politics,” said Hunter from her store in the 2600-

block of East Hastings. “It’s a great name and the logo is great but spelling Baaad Anna’s out on the phone though is a total pain in the ass.” Hunter understands why people might get a laugh out of the activist-turned-knitter tale, but she has a couple of things to say about that. First, she learned how to knit when she was a live-in nanny many years ago in Switzerland. Second, she’s been knitting ever since, even in the courtroom while she watched a friend get sentenced for dousing Sullivan with Coke. Her days with the Anti-Poverty Committee, she said, were one part of her life and she doesn’t want to be defined solely by that period. But if you think she’s softened on the issues of housing and poverty, you would be wrong. Gentrification, the city’s proposed Grandview-Woodland community plan, housing affordability and keeping small businesses alive are all on her radar. “I don’t have the same opportunity or privilege to fight against cops to defend a building for homeless people,” she said, referring to raising her boys, aged one and three. “But meeting with my neighbours and with other business owners and with other moms and other parents — that’s more of what it looks like for me right now.” Added Hunter: “I guess the thought of sitting in jail when my kids need me at home — that doesn’t make sense for me right now. Two years from now, it might be a totally different story.” mhowell@vancourier.com twitter.com/Howellings

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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HASTINGS-SUNRISE

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Erin Cebula (r) won the style award at last year’s Thoroughbred event with her fascinator that featured pink roses, black feathers and a coyote skull.

Deighton Cup just dandy 5TH ANNUAL HORSE RACE FEATURES FANCY DUDS, JULEPS, CIGARS, LIVE JAZZ CHERYL ROSSI Staff writer

he Deighton Cup at Hastings Racecourse is Erin Cebula’s favourite summer event. “I love any excuse to put on a costume and play it up a little bit,” said Cebula, a TV personality, host, reporter and producer. “That’s something that Vancouver has been lacking over the years is events where you can dress up, and it’s not just about wearing the most expensive clothes, it’s about being creative and showing off that flamboyant, fun side of yourself. And I like the fact that everybody was into the theme.” Cebula won the style award at last year’s Thoroughbred event with her fascinator that featured pink roses, black feathers and a coyote skull. “I was calling it the honey badger,” Cebula said, “which was quite a hit.” She insists designer Dominique Hanke of the Vancouver-based Hive Mind Millinery is responsible for her win. Jordan Kallman, a partner at The Social Concierge, which co-produces the Deighton Cup, says for this year’s fifth annual event, Aug. 9 to 11, organizers have added The Julep mixology competition that’s geared to hospitality and nightlife workers. Ten bartenders will compete to concoct the best version of the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, the century old U.S. event which lent inspiration to the Deighton Cup. “We were a little tired of attending, you know, boat cruises and your standard night-

life events and we just thought there could be something more that allowed for a little bit more progressive summer fashion and something that’s a little cooler with a little bit more culture,” Kallman said. “So we decided to come up with an old-fashioned day at the races. In that first year we had about 450 people get fully dressed up… It was an instant hit.” The weekend kicks off with the Big Smoke on Fridaynight,whichincludesacigarlounge,craft beer, Scotch, bourbon and whiskey tasting, a pig roast dinner, live jazz and trackside gaming. Thoroughbred on Saturday is the anchor event with craft cocktails, canapés, derby racing, bocce, jazz tunes and the bestdressed competition that Cebula won last year, meaning her name was engraved on the Deighton Cup. This year’s best dressed will be awarded by the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday. “I always think that it starts with the hat,” Kallman said. “That’s critical… The fancier the better. The more outlandish the better.” Photos from last year’s Thoroughbred reveal women in wide-brimmed hats, feathery fascinators and flowery sundresses, and men in straw hats, bowties and suspenders. “Since about the third year, we’ve had ladies go as far as London in the U.K. to the fancy milliners and hat shops to select at hat specifically for this event,” Kallman said. Kallman noted that Mallory Hagan, Miss America 2013, will attend the Friday night and Saturday festivities wearing clothes created by Joseph Ribkoff, a Montreal-based designer. For those who want to frolic after the daytime Thoroughbred event, there’s an After Track soiree Saturday night. Cocktails and Canapes catering and blueprint events co-produced the weekend with The Social Concierge. For more information, see deightoncup.com. crossi@vancourier.com twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

THE VANCOUVER COURIER

1574 West Sixth Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1R2 604-738-1411 Twitter: @vancouriernews vancourier.com

Pt. Grey decision about mode shift

riving west along Point Grey Road from Macdonald to Alma the other morning, I swear I could hear the sound of property values going up. If nothing else is certain about the impact of council’s decision earlier this week to shut that stretch of road to through traffic by automobiles, it is that. It is also most likely that cyclists who now pedal precariously between moving and parked cars as they make their way down that road will have more space to operate and will be less likely to take to the sidewalks. After all, we were told repeatedly during the hearing by council into this matter that this dramatic change was all about safety — even though ICBC statistics these past few years indicate there has not been one accident, let alone a fatality, on those seven blocks of roadway involving a cyclist and a car. More than safety, this whole $6 million project that includes changes from the south end of the Burrard Bridge to Jericho Beach is about what in polite company is referred to as “mode shift.” More bluntly put, it is about “getting even.” As Vision Vancouver Coun. Andrea Reimer declared in the closing moments of the debate on the issue, after first pointing out that — except for one occasion last year — she is among the 44 per cent of the city’s population who do not drive: “Cars have roads. Pedestrians have sidewalks. And bikes have nothing.” Really? Talk to the folks on Hornby or Dunsmuir, among others. But she is right when she says that this issue about what to do on Point Grey Road isn’t new. It has been a stress point dividing neighbours for the past 40 years. And while successive councils have backed away from dealing with the matter, traffic has only worsened. What has also changed is the cultural acceptance of mode shift, in other words the desirability of moving people out of cars and into “active transportation,” which is to say, walking, cycling and using public transit. It is at the heart of the city’s 2040 Transportation plan. It is what Vision campaigned for while their opponents ridiculed them. Now it’s what they are doing. And they are doing it with more care and attention to public concerns in this particular instance than the clumsy bit of bait and switch they attempted to impose on, among others, the poor folks of Grandview-Woodland in their community plan. It will likely take years before this full plan is in effect. Changing traffic patterns at the foot of the Burrard Bridge to push more cars south and make it easier for cyclists to make their way up to York and the cycle route planned for that street will be the first challenge. I’m betting cyclists will continue to use Cornwall, making it more difficult for both cars and public transit on that route, to say nothing of pedestrians when the occasional idiot on a bike chooses to use the sidewalk. By the way, when I recently asked Tanya Paz, the chair of the city’s Active Transportation Policy Council, why her group wasn’t going after sidewalk cyclists, she chose instead to complain about cars. There will be enough to complain about on that score once Point Grey is closed and thousands of commuters are directed south on Macdonald. But as complex as this project is and regardless of the care taken, making more space for cyclists and even pedestrians is nothing more than a rounding error in the scheme of things. The major mode shift incentive for most people in the city still means improving public transit. And the possibility of any significant change there is well beyond the control of city council. It depends, as it has always, on the will of senior levels of government and the province in particular, which is insisting on the ludicrous notion that transit funding should be approved by public referendum. As for the controversial decision on Cornwall and Point Grey Road, I suspect the cause for the protests will be forgotten soon enough. People opposed now may even come to think of it as good idea. Others may simply believe it was that way all along. agarr@vancourier.com

ALLEN GARR

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letters

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

WE WANT YOUR OPINION

Hate it or love it? We want to know... really, we do! Reach us by email: editor@vancourier.com

Coffee the real indulgence

s you may have heard, the Vatican recently offered indulgences for Twitter and Facebook users along with other “virtual” participants of last month’s World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Indulgences are a historical tradition in which the church grants the faithful remission from sins and relief from penitence. In an effort to get hip to the times, the Holy See launched a smartphone application and Facebook page, and then rebranded indulgences for fans of social networking. But there was a catch. “You can’t obtain indulgences like getting a coffee from a vending machine,” Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the pontifical council for social communication, explained in an Italian daily. The flock had to tweet and blog about World Youth Day with pious intent. The Catholic scholar Paolo Padrini, known as the iPriest for his frequent online presence, insisted that “your click will have come from the heart” if you expected any papally endorsed payoffs. In other words, no LULZ. You couldn’t expect a slashed sentence in purgatory for reposting that jpeg of a pimped-out Benedict XVI with a clutch of cardinals carrying the train of his gown, and bearing the caption: “The Pope Emeritus, wearing a fabulous vintage chiffon-lined Dior gold lame gown over a silk Vera Wang empire waist tulle cocktail dress, accessorized with a three-foot House of Whoville hat and the ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in the Wizard of Oz, on his way to tell us it’s Wrong to be Gay.” I understand the need for any organization to keep up with the times, especially one that took 359 years to formally apologize for the “Galileo Case” — you know, the one involving the persecution of a stubborn astronomer for his insistence that the earth revolves around the sun, in defiance of scripture. But the papacy has been burned before by trafficking in indulgences. Why play with fire all over again? In 1476, Pope Sixtus IV proclaimed that indulgences applied to souls suffering in purgatory. “This celestial confidence trick was an immediate success … peasants starved their families and themselves to buy relief for departed relatives,” observed historian William Manchester in his 1992 book, A World Lit Only By Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance. In 1517, Pope Leo X announced a “special” sale of indulgences. As an inducement, donors would receive, not only “complete absolution and remission of all sins,” but also “preferential treatment for their future sins.” This otherworldy protection racket, along with the buffoonery of an indulgence-flogging Dominican who denounced Wittenberg professor Martin Luther, led directly to the holy wars of the Reformation. Back to the present day. As if the Vatican’s public relations backfire with digital indulgences wasn’t enough, Catholic Church leaders in Brazil chopped down 334 centuries-old trees at the edge of Serra da Tiririca State Park to prepare grounds for Pope Francis’s appearance at World Youth Day, according to a report in The Daily Mail. (An ironic greeting for a pontiff who chose his papal name Francis in honour of the nature-loving St. Francis of Assisi.) Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Freudianism, communism, capitalism, materialism, libertarianism, and almost every other ism and have all had their belief-begging moments, courtesy of ideologically blinkered leaders and followers. As the self-described “stand-up philosopher” Robert Anton Wilson once observed, the abbreviation for “belief system” is “BS.” The words of Vatican social media maven Maria Celli, that indulgences can’t be dispensed like coffee from a vending machine, brought to mind some alternative BS from Wilson. In his essay collection, Coincidance, the late author highlighted the “Javacrucians,” a possibly apocryphal sect who have selected caffeine as their sacrament. “Javacrucianism also has the simplest theology in history, teaching one thing only is necessary for salvation, the American Coffee Ceremony — a variation on the Japanese Tea Ceremony. This is performed at dawn, and you must face towards the rising sun, as you raise the cup to your lips. When you take the first sip, you must cry out with intense fervour, ‘GOD, I needed that!’ If this is performed religiously every morning, Javacrucians say, you will face all life’s challenges with a clear mind and a tranquil spirit,” Wilson enthused. Sounds like the kind of BS tailor-made for caffeine-addled, sun-worshipping Vancouverites. Coffee is the one indulgence most of us can’t go without, and as an added bonus, there’s no threat of excommunication for ordering decaf. www.geoffolson.com

GEOFF OLSON

BIKE PATH DECISION APPLAUDED

To the editor: Re: “Council OKs Point Grey bike lane,” July 31. I applaud the City for “walking the talk” to become the world’s greenest city in 2020. The proposed Seaside Greenway and York Bikeway will increase transportation resiliency, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and improve safety for all road users. The current road conditions are dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists and change is direly needed. My fellow Kitsilano residents see the city’s proposal as a net negative for them, however, as a car-owning resident, who chooses to commute by bike, I see this improvement as a step towards providing more transportation options through infrastructure improvements, literally helping people to get out of their cars and onto alternative modes of transportation. The cost of inaction (continued escalation of conﬂicts between road users) signiﬁcantly outweighs the cost of the action (loss of underutilized parking and a diffuse increase in vehicle volumes) taken by the city. And what will be the cost? A few minutes more added to a car driver’s trip? Holly Foxcroft, Vancouver

BIKE PATH DECISION APPALLS

To the editor: Re: “Council OKs Point Grey bike lane,” July 31. I am appalled at city council’s vote to severely restrict car trafﬁc on Point Grey Road as the best option for the Seaside Greenway. This is an extreme decision

that ignores the obvious, which, strangely, was overlooked in the consultation process. A continuous strip of 12 feet of city land, 24 feet in total, borders the sidewalks along each side of Point Grey Road. This land, currently used by property owners as extensions of their front yards, legally belongs to the city as part of a road allowance. In residential areas, sidewalks are constructed within 3 feet, not 12 feet, of the property line. So here we have an additional 9 feet of city land on each side, which provide sufﬁcient width for the construction of bicycle lanes. Point Grey Road can continue to be used for cars, pedestrians can still have sidewalks, property owners can still have vegetation buffers, AND cyclists will have bicycle lanes. Why is council dismissing this logic? Use existing public land to beneﬁt the public. David Wilson, Vancouver

MARPOLE MATTERS To the editor: Re: “Marpole group seeks sixmonth extension for community plan,” July 18. As a resident and homeowner in Marpole for over 50 years, I was upset to ﬁnd that the Marpole Community Plan Questionnaire omitted the Housing Boards 15 and 16 along with any place to voice our opinions. When I ﬁnally found the boards on the city website, the three and four-storey townhouses and other buildings proposed are so crowded together they make the future Marpole a rabbit warren considering the current increase in density taking place now. Come and visit our construction

A11

cranes! Our beloved, historic, peaceful, spacious Marpole is being wiped out! The deletion of the Housing Boards appears to be a grossly deceptive omission and gives us the feeling that this information was deliberately withheld from the citizens of Marpole. The whole initiative is misleading and dubious and should be scrapped. How can we trust Mayor Gregor Robertson and his Vision (or Blind) Council when they try to pull the wool over our eyes so blatantly. Time to go Gregor! Historic Marpole can grow very nicely at its own pace without destroying the character of its neighbourhoods. Lyle Geary, Vancouver

BACHELOR UNIT AVAILABLE

To the editor: Re: “Foreskin activist cut loose from Pride,” July 19. Once again I am dogged by the anonymous, foreskin-bereft wags of Kudos and Kvetches! Alas, in their gleeful rush to whip out that Shar-Pei photo yet again (for the record, my intact penis uncaninely resembles a pedigree English Pointer), they cocked up when they described me as a “confirmed bachelor.” As my foreskin’s Twitter profile attests, it is my foreskin that is the confirmed bachelor — my own bachelorhood remains unconfirmed. But let me assure your tightly cut staff that bachelorhood is much more enjoyable when one still has his bachelor hood. Glen Callendar, Founder, Canadian Foreskin Awareness Project

SOCIAL MEDIA

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters may be edited by the Courier for reasons of legality, taste, brevity and clarity. To be considered for publication, they must be typed, signed and include the writer’s full name (no initials), home address, and telephone number (neither of which will be published), so authorship may be veriﬁed. Send to: 1574 West Sixth Ave., Vancouver V6J 1R2 or email editor@vancourier.com

COURIER STORY: “Council OKs Point Grey bike lane,” July 31. Nursebetty @drkayotic: Sad day, lack of taxpayer money accountability, multimillions misspent while infrastructure crumbling. #vanpoli Michael Boulton @MichaelBoulton9: Vision is out next election. COURIER STORY: “Vancouver Heritage Commission opposes Avalon Dairy proposal,” July 31. Allison Argy-Burgess @Argthemuse: Great that #VancouverHeritage is concerned about site-lines, #yeg Whyte Ave lost views of old Train Stn. KUDOS & KVETCHES: “Visioning process,” July 31. Mike Klassen @MikeKlassen: A classic @ KudosKvetches: The Stevenson translator, Puil spinning platters, and CATS!

A12

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

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community

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A13

All colours of the rainbow on display at Pride Parade COMMUNITY CALENDAR

with Sandra Thomas

WEST END The 35th annual Pride Parade takes place this Sunday, Aug. 4, with a twist. And no, I’m not talking about the Foreskin Pride dude, who will not be taking part in this year’s popular event. Instead, the parade, which was recently designated an ofﬁcial civic event, will be hosted by a team including Angus Praught, Miss M and Barb Snelgrove for a special taping of the event for OUTtv, Canada’s ﬁrst LGBT-themed network. Snelgrove says while a script will be provided, she warns that between the three hosts, the collective insider knowledge of most of the groups or individuals taking part in the parade should provide for interesting ad-libbing. So parade-goers along Beach near the Olympic inukshuk could be in for titillating tidbits.

“With our combined history we should be able to provide some pretty colourful background,” says Snelgrove, who will be inducted into the Canadian Queer Hall of Fame in Toronto this fall in a ceremony that will also posthumously honour author Jane Rule and former NDP leader Jack Layton. Snelgrove was recently awarded the 2013 TELUS Pride Legacy “Community Superstar” award, while Praught has actively promoted Vancouver and Canada as gay-friendly travel destinations to the world since 1996 and launched Gayvan.com Travel Marketing in 2003. Meanwhile “Miss M” has donated time and performances to many causes through her involvement with the Dogwood Monarchist Society, which bestowed her the title of Imperial Crown Princess in 2007. Snelgrove says her biggest concern is the fact the special is being ﬁlmed in high deﬁnition. “No close ups please,” she adds. Also playing hosts along the parade route will be Joan-E, Connie Smudge and drag king Ponyboy. The grand marshals for this year’s

photo Rebecca Blissett

Angus Praught (l), Miss M (Mark Vossberg) and Barb Snelgrove stroll across the new and permanent rainbow crosswalk in the West End. parade include the moms of PFLAG Vancouver honoured for their 10plus years in supporting fellow allies in the LGBTQ community, Brandon Timmerman, a young advocate who founded the ﬁrst Pride group in Brockville, Ont., and Zdravko Cimbaljevic, who founded the LGBT Forum Progress years after he was

deemed the “ﬁrst out gay man” by media in Montenegro in southeastern Europe. Members of the Canadian Olympic team will march in the parade to, as they say, set an example of friendship, respect and excellence. The athletes’ message is clear: “The practice of sport is a human right and

everyone should be able to play and compete free from discrimination of any kind.” On that note, I predict solidarity with the LGBT communities of Russia will become the unofficia theme of much of the parade. And of course no Pride Parade in Vancouver would be complete without Dykes on Bikes, who start the party every year accompanied by members of the Vancouver Police Department motorcycle unit. The parade begins at noon on Robson Street at Thurlow before heading west to Denman and then following Pacific and Beach to the Sunset Beach Festival, which wil be hosted by David C. Jones and Symone Says and featuring performances by Deborah Cox and more. New to the festival is the installation of a high-resolution LED screen where the parade will be broadcast from start to finish in the beer garden. On tap will be Vancouver Pride G’Ale beer produced in conjunction with the Vancouver Pride Society and R&B Brewing. sthomas@vancourier.com twitter.com/sthomas10

! N i W d n a E ViEW, VoT The deadline for entries has closed in our Vancouver Minute Video Contest—thanks to all those who entered. Now the voting begins—view the top ten submissions at contest.vancourier.com, cast a vote for your favourite video and you could win a $250 gift coupon for London Drugs!

your home in sixty seconds For voting rules and regulations go to contest.vancourier.com

A14

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

Our Beautiful Place… B.C. BY HELEN PETERSON

s you celebrate this BC Day long weekend with friends and family, sit back and appreciate how incredible this province really is. From the multi-cultural activities to the multi-variant wildlife and natural surroundings, it’s a mecca we like to call home. As you travel the province, you can see are a number of symbols of British Columbia. These include the Steller’s Jay (bird), the Pacific Dogwood (flower), jade (mineral), and the Western Red Cedar (tree). Enjoy this sampling of reader’ photos from around the Lower Mainland which capture the magical essence of BC. The five winning entrants will also receive tickets to BC Lions, TUTS or the Canadians. Now that’s something to celebrate! Top Left: Rice Lake, North Vancouver By Shirley Cho Above: White Rock Pier at Sunset By Earl Mayuga Right: Lake at Sunshine Coast Hotel By Susie Sziklai

Chapel at Minoru Park, Richmond By Man-kay Koon

Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal By Joey Poliquin

WE WISH YOU A SAFE and HAPPY B.C. DAY!

Andrew Wilkinson

VANCOUVER-QUILCHENA andrew.wilkinson.mla@leg.bc.ca 604.664.0748

Suzanne Anton

VANCOUVER-FRASERVIEW suzanne.anton.mla@leg.bc.ca 604-660-2035

Moira Stilwell

VANCOUVER-LANGARA moira.stilwell.mla@leg.bc.ca 604.660.8380

Sam Sullivan

VANCOUVER-FALSE CREEK sam.sullivan.mla@leg.bc.ca 604.775.2601

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

ADVERTORIAL

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he weather may have been bizarrely dry and hot so far this summer, but activities in the city are anything but – they’re cool! Check out the events below and go to vancourier.com regularly, for more up-tothe-minute suggestions.

The Stylin’ Long Weekend

The Celebration of Light brings people to the shores of English Bay to watch the spectacle in the sky. Just down the way, on Aug. 3 and 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Portobello West will host its action-packed market on Granville and Robson as part of Viva Vancouver. It’s a great opportunity for ﬁrework watchers to get themselves all decked out for the festivities. With products from blueberry macaroons (left) to hoodies, Portbello West at Viva Vancouver will help you make the most fashionable impression as Thailand lights up the sky. For more information visit portobellowest.com. Contributed by Sarah Murray.

More great stuff…

Nothing says summer like seeing a theatrical production with the beach as a backdrop. Bard on the Beach is just that and runs nightly now ‘til Sept. 14. This year on the BMO Mainstage experience Twelfth Night taken into the early 20th century and Hamlet set in contemporary Denmark. Measure for Measure takes you to 1900’s New Orleans on the Studio Stage, which will also house Elizabeth Rex by Timothy Findley. Visit bardonthebeach.org for tickets and show times, or call the box office at 604-739-0559. Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) runs to Aug. 18. This year TUTS presents Broadway’s reinterpretation of the hit film Legally Blonde, as well as Frank Loesser’s musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Or take in the first annual Sing-ALong Under the Stars featuring the hit movie musical Grease! It features a costume parade, show and shine car display, hand-jive training, and more! Tickets are $25 / $20 and include a goodie bag. For reserved seats, go to www.tuts.ca. Aug. 24 and 25 is the Stanley Park 125th Anniversary celebration, and it’s going to be a special weekend of outdoor events in honour of the worldrenowned park. The weekend consists of live music and brews, family events, historical tours, cricket, rugby and traditional Coast Salish Slahal games, and nature and art displays. Five different areas will hold activities, including Live at Second Beach, Family Fun at the Arch, Memory Lane at the Gardens, Brockton Sportsapalooza, and Lost Lagoon’s Ecoharmony.

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Celebrate the Holiday at BC’s Biggest Patio Party

t’s time for a good old fashioned day at the races. Cap off the BC Day long weekend watching all the excitement of the BC CUP at Hastings Racecourse (Monday, August 5th, starting 12:50pm). Celebrity guest Robin Reichman will be kicking off the event with her singing of the national anthem. Also, come watch Kentucky Derby Winner Mario Gutierrez as he returns to Vancouver to ride in front of all his fans. A total of 6 stakes races are on the program – with over $350,000 in prize money. Need a hand understanding the ins and outs of how to bet? No problem, the ‘Learn to Wager Ambassadors’ will help you understand the program, learn the lingo, place bets and understand the tote board. Wander around the track to watch the action or set-up in front of the giant jumbo screen. Admission is FREE, so bring the kids and enjoy a free pony ride at the family zone (open from 12-5pm) or enjoy lunch at one of many of Vancouver’s famous food trucks, and take in the live music of Dr. Strangelove. Mingle with friends and family at this great event – you won’t want to miss out.

your

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family

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

urban parents’ guide

A warm and loving environment with an enriched and stimulating program for children 3-5 years old. QUALIFIED ECE TEACHER

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BC Children’s Hospital dream lottery: IT’S MUCH MORE THAN CHILD’S PLAY

COMPILED BY HELEN PETERSON

t’s every parent’s nightmare — that their child may have to go to the hospital as a result of an accident, an illness or a lifethreatening disease. Fortunately, BC Children’s features some of the very best doctors and nurses in the country when it comes to treating children and healing them, not to mention making them feel comfortable during this scary time of their lives. BC Children’s Hospital does a great job – but they also need your help. It’s very costly to keep this level of care up for the growing population. This is where you, as a parent, can really contribute… and possibly come out ahead as well! Here are some helpful stats on the hospital and its outcomes:

DID YOU KNOW THAT, AT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL:

• Last year, more than 8,500 children in BC required surgery for potentially life threatening illness and injury. • The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit cares for over 1,100 children every year. • The Hospital receives more than 44,000 children in its Emergency Room each year. • More than 225 open-heart surgeries are performed every year.

THE NUMBERS ADD UP… AT BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL:

• 52% of the 228 open-heart surgeries performed are on patients younger than one year old. • The Hospital provides expert care for more than 81,000 children every year. • An average of 722 sick and injured children receive care every day. • More than 840 youngsters receive active treatment for cancer every year. • 4,500 families are seen every year by the medical genetics team.

INSIDE SCOOP ABOUT THE DREAM LOTTERY:

This year, Grand Prize homes include a $2.5 million home package in High Point Estates, South Langley and a $2.3 million home package at Oak Bay Private Residences, Victoria. For urban types, there is a $2.2 million prize home package at Paciﬁc Point, Yaletown, and a great suburban $2.2 million family home package in Ocean Park, South Surrey.

The Grand Prize winner can take any of these four sensational homes or select $2 million cash to enjoy any lifestyle they choose. (Winner will choose one prize option; other options will not be awarded.) Note: Early ticket buyers are eligible to win in a number of exciting categories. The Dream Lottery features fabulous Early Bird prize options, and the popular 50/50 Draw returns with a jackpot that can grow to $2 million dollars with winner taking half. Don’t forget, Dream Lottery generates signiﬁcant revenue for BC Children’s Hospital, helping kids from all across British Columbia! All Grand Prize Homes are now open for viewing.Tickets may be purchased by calling 604-692-2333, ordered online at bcchildren.com or bought in person at retail sellers (see website for locations).

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We’ll publish your birthday for FREE plus you’re entered into the monthly prize draw sponsored by H.R. MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE Email us your name, phone number, and the name & birth date of the child celebrating the birthday. If you choose to add a photo, email that too! (you will be charged $9.95 + tax for photo publication.) Email: jstafford@vancourier.com (deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 31st). Next Birthday Club publishes on Friday, Sept. 6th.

From cute baby animals and massive Clydesdales to bee beard shows and more! Shop for honey and berry products or watch the classic pig races and bottle feed a baby calf. We’ve got it all at Safeway Farm Country at the Fair at the PNE!

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

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at the traditional Italian way and you just might improve your health and have a positive impact on the environment, too.

“SURVEY SAYS!” You can join the live, on-stage version of the classic TV show to battle competitors for the chance to win prizes!

The Food and Environment Double Pyramid model (below) is a tool created by The Barilla Centre for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) and it compares the nutritional aspect of foods with their ability to be sustainable. The pyramids illustrate that grainbased foods (such as pasta) also have a low environmental impact, which means you can eat and live well simultaneously. The Mediterranean way of eating is now considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world for preventing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes – and as it turns out, it is healthy for the planet too. For those new to the cuisine, the Mediterranean way is rich in plantbased foods (grains, pasta, bread), as well as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, plus small portions of ﬁsh, seafood, lean meat, cheese and wine. “Those who choose to adopt this cuisine can feel good about its environmental and nutritional

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benefits,” says Andrea Holwegner, a registered dietitian. “Although this style of eating dates back centuries, many are still unfamiliar with its benefits for both our health and for sustaining our planet.” According to Holwegner “this diet is easy to adopt as it consists of foods we already enjoy, like pasta, especially when it is served with colourful vegetables, and just enough lean protein and olive oil to add flavour. And choosing multi-grain varieties of pasta is especially smart because it’s a source of protein, omega-3 and fibre.” Article courtesy www.newscanada.com.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

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Donations of clean used, good quality clothing, household goods and furniture, jewellery and books can be dropped off at the shop during business hours. To arrange pick up of donations or to volunteer at the shop call

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POWER LINE TREE PRUNING AND HAZARD TREE REMOVALS VANCOUVER Time: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When: July 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013 Trees are a signiﬁcant cause of power interruptions. Contact between trees and power lines can also create a severe danger. Over the next few months we will be pruning and removing trees in the V6H and V6J Postal Code areas of Vancouver.

For more information about this work, please call Ernie Turra at 604 528 3297. For more information on our vegetation management practices, please visit bchydro.com/trees.

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Trees are pruned using the best arboriculture (tree care) practices. Skilled workers employed by BC Hydro are trained in both electrical safety and tree care. Only correct and proper techniques are used to eliminate any safety hazards.

Regarding the acquittal of George Zimmerman and race relations in America, I wonder if any AfricanAmericans have tried to launch a class action suit against a bevy of defendants: the feds, state governments, companies, individuals, etc., for reparations for slavery, then segregation, hate crimes, unequal educational and employment opportunities, etc. The barrier of statutes of limitation might crumble before the vastness and ubiquity of the crime(s) and the effect of the crimes themselves, which prevented blacks from suing at the time of the crime. In Canada, First Nations have used the courts to gain massive concessions and land “grants” (more correctly, “land returns”). Both nations have similar legal structures. I’m probably fantasizing, but you never know. Blacks are on the rise worldwide. My only hope is that they do not simply swing the pendulum the other way, but – as I suspect a vast majority of blacks are doing – that they seek an equilibrium, a thoughtful approach. Let’s end it here, let’s watch the blacks ascend to more power with grace and nobility – as Obama has done. Let them be free and innocent of revenge, and therefore loved by God and Karma.

You’re riding a winning streak! Romance, selfexpression, creativity, love of/teaching children, sports, games, speculation, pleasure and beauty visit you, and welcome you, especially Tues. Still, with Mars in your home sector, all is not smooth – you might argue with your spouse, be impatient with children, or throw rocks at your neighbour. Be patient, soothe your own temper all month.

A period of wish fulﬁllment, social delights, light romance, entertainment and popularity continues. You’ll be happy! Your ambitions meet luck Sunday – you could run into someone who holds an opportunity for you – or it could be something you read. If you’re underemployed, scan the ads: at the very least, a new idea comes that can lead to more successful job hunting.

Pay attention to domestic matters: family, nutrition, home, landscaping, maintenance, etc., especially Mon./ Tues., when a new project might begin in this zone. (Start it Tues., not Mon., when others don’t cooperate.) You’re very busy, lots of short travel, but take time to sink into deep rest, also – your performance in coming months depends on your restfulness now. If vacationing, seek nature. Love has its say, but it doesn’t rule.

Sunday brings a mellow mood, wisdom, gentle love and dreams of far travel. It’s a good day for any of these and for applying to school or fulﬁlling application requirements. The general accent remains on ambition, prestige relations, career and your public reputation, esp. Mon. to Wed. Work hard; you’ll be rewarded. But avoid pushing your agenda Mon. – higher-ups will think you’re too serious and cautious.

Life’s busy! Short trips, errands, notes, emails, calls, visits, reports, application forms, casual friends – these ﬁll your days. Be curious and friendly. (Some Geminis will notice that new friends are seeping in, after a decade-long drought.) Money ﬂows swiftly – bank it, reject spending and those who push you toward it. Your home remains affectionate, a sweet refuge. Chase money Sunday – you could make a new friend.

Sunday’s for mysteries, investigation, investments, high ﬁnance, intimacy, lifestyle choices and health diagnosis – pick one or two, and pursue, for luck rides with you, particularly in the morning. However, this whole week pits these pursuits against the simple act of earning money – and some of you will choose the last. In love and sex, stick with old faithful for now.

The emphasis lies on money, earnings, buying/selling, possessions, memory, rote learning, and sensual (but not long-lived) attractions. Until the 27th, you possess more fire, determination, and sexual magnetism than usual, so you easily attract (potential) lovers, but this same influence can make you impatient with lovers and children – gently does it. Same influence deepens and aids your ambitions, career.

The general accent lies on secrets, detective work, high ﬁnance, the occult, subconscious urgings, and the desire for intimacy, especially Mon. to Wed. Act Tues. for best results. Investigate any health concern. This week brings a relationship choice to a peak (Sunday thru Wed.): do you join/chase, or withdraw into a vast reservoir of privacy? Not only love is at stake – so is money, but in a way you can’t see yet.

Lie low, rest Sunday: all’s well. You might have a spiritual or emotional epiphany. This night, it will be easy to talk or write about it. Your energy and charisma bounces back Mon. to Wed. Monday isn’t easy; you might have to overcome a domestic or security restriction. But Tues. sings with luck. This whole ﬁrst half of the week, a choice might arise in your duties, work, or health arenas.

Sunday’s a perfect time to tackle and complete chores – a neighbour, friend or loved one might even jump in to help. (Try the Tom Sawyer trick.) The general emphasis remains on relationships, especially Mon. to Wed. But only Tues. is a true “go ahead” day in this – domestic or career factors could interfere with a bond Mon. (and it’s a bad day to seek any opportunity) and Wed. is weak because most of the excitement ebbs.

Continue to rest and contemplate the everyday world, the divine, and yourself, esp. Mon. to Wed. How have you gotten here, where are you going? Are there connections and clues you’ve ignored? (There’s a good substitute for self-examination: charity.) Overall, you’re at peace – good. Sunday’s happy, social; you experience a lingering desire to change your social life, perhaps, if you’re single, to “seed” it with more adventurous types.

Plunge into chores, Pisces, get them done. A new work project might begin Tuesday – good. Eat and dress sensibly. Protect your health. Sunday brings passion, creative urges and romantic notions. Those chores accumulate swiftly Mon. to Wed. Relationships face you Thurs./Fri. in a lovely way – you can further love, gain co-operation in business (especially by giving some co-operation) and spy fresh new horizons.

Monday: Barack Obama (51), Billy Bob Thornton (57). Tuesday: Pat Smear (53). Wednesday: Geri Halliwell (40). Thursday: Charlize Theron (37). Friday: The Edge (51). Saturday: Rod Brind’Amour (42). Sunday: Bret Hedican (42).

MORE AT ASTRALREFLECTIONS.COM

feature

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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HASTINGS-SUNRISE a journey through our city’s neighbourhoods Vancouver Special is a year-long journey through each of Vancouver’s unique neighbourhoods. Join us every two weeks in our weekend issue for another look at a different community in our city.

Mom and pop shops still a staple in Hastings-Sunrise

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AT A GLANCE The formerly working-class neighbourhood of HastingsSunrise — which stretches from Nanaimo Street east to Boundary Road, and Burrard Inlet south to East Broadway — has been considered one to watch for at least five years. En Route magazine listed the area as one of “Canada’s next great neighbourhoods” last year, although all of the highlighted businesses rest on the Grandview-Woodland side of Nanaimo. Last year the Hastings North Business Improvement Association controversially rebranded the commercial area, between Renfrew and Commercial Drive, East Village. Laughing Bean Coffee at East Hastings and Slocan has long been a local favourite while newer restaurants on the edge of Hastings-Sunrise that include The Red Wagon and Tacofino Commissary draw diners to the vicinity. The beloved but now defunct Nanaimo/Vancouver band Apollo Ghosts, even released an album called Hastings Sunrise in 2008. Hastings-Sunrise was once home to a popular resort that attracted loggers, mill workers and vacationers. The settlement, named Hastings Townsite in 1869 in honour of visiting Admiral G.F. Hastings, remained a leisure destination through the turn of the century with visitors enjoying the hotel and racetrack in Hastings Park, according to the BIA’s website. A new subdivision called Sunrise Ridge near First Avenue prompted the Hastings-Sunrise name in the 1940s, according to historian John Atkin. He believes the city adopted the name in the 1960s. The Pacific National Exhibition tradeshow for dairy farmers, logging and horticultural demonstrations started in 1910. Hastings-Sunrise, an ethnically diverse and primarily a residential area, is home to larger numbers of Cantonese, Vietnamese and Italian speakers than other Vancouver neighbourhoods. A handful of businesses that are more than 40 years old operate in Hastings-Sunrise. Italian delis, grocery shops and a large T&T Asian supermarket, which reflects the shift in immigrant settlement in the vicinity, also operate in the area. While traffic thunders down East Hastings, Nanaimo and Dundas streets, residential roads and lanes burst with colourful and plentiful gardens.

The sun shines brightly at East Café at the corner of Nanaimo and Hastings. CHERYL ROSSI Staff writer

s a boy, Zoltan Szilvassy used to cycle from Port Coquitlam to the Downtown Eastside, crawl into boarded-up buildings and unearth more treasures than he could pedal home. A rusty saw he found when he was 12 (and on foot) now hangs on the wall at East Café, which he and his wife Dayln opened three months ago at the corner of East Hastings and Nanaimo. A lamp he stumbled upon is now suspended above the condiments. Zoltan, who’s worked as a vintage scooter mechanic and espresso machine repairer, previoulsy owned much of the cafe’s memorabilia — the weathered time card

holder from Dayton Boots, a Viewmaster slide of Vancouver images, and The Young Canadians and D.O.A. gig posters. Inside the coffee shop, which used to be a Mr. Donair shop, they’ve also mounted photos that pay tribute to stevedores, nurses and grain elevator workers but Zoltan says archival shots of the formerly working-class area were scant because the vicinity was previously considered unimportant. Zoltan’s love of history also stopped him from painting over a kitschy Mediterranean mural, put there by his friend’s family, which ran a restaurant in the spot in the 1960s. But he has covered it with a white sheet. A splintered wooden sign that he recovered from the defunct Brave Bull’s House of Steaks now rests in front of the hid-

Shane Simpson, MLA

VA N C O U V E R - H A S T I N G S 2365 E. Hastings, Vancouver, BC V5L 1V6 604.775.2277 | www.shanesimpson.ca

photo Rebecca Blissett

den mural with other paraphernalia and the couple’s vintage bikes. The pair shares a passion for community and all things vintage. His family used to visit Hungary, where Zoltan discovered his love of history. “I just liked old stuff,” he says. Dalyn researched every business that occupied 2401 East Hastings St. before them. “We were a confectionary in 1914,” Zoltan notes. The couple has lived all over Vancouver and say their current neighbourhood is their favourite. “Just the diversity,” explains Dalyn. “You can walk out the door and get lots of different stuff.” They take the Courier to one of their favourite lunch spots, Master Chef Café, just up the block. Continued on next page

Follow Shanesimpson.ca on twitter.com/ShaneLSimpson www.facebook.com/shane. simpson.94

Proud to be part of the community!

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

HASTINGS-SUNRISE

Café owner hopes independent shops won’t be taken over by chains

photo Rebecca Blissett

East Cafe keeps track of its regular customers’ orders with espresso cards.

Continued from previous page Its wood panelling, red vinyl booths and stools that line a long lunch counter make it feel like a step back in time. Tony Fung takes orders for diner-style and Chinese food while his wife, May, cooks them up. The Chinese-Canadian pair are in their 80s. Zoltan orders a cheeseburger deluxe (made from beef bought at the neighbouring Rio Friendly Meats) and an order of “May’s world famous freshly cut fries” according to the yellowed paper menu for a total cost of $4. Dalyn says a couple of Portuguese men typically occupy a table and chat with Fung. “I like something talk, talk, talk, talk to the friendship,” Fung interjects. Roundel Café, just down the street, previously looked at lot like Master Chef, says Zoltan. “And same with Red Wagon,” Dalyn adds, referring to the nearby restaurant that was featured on TV show Diners, Driveins and Dives and sees line-ups out the door every weekend. After lunch, Zoltan returns to the coffee shop and Dalyn heads to Rio Friendly Meats. Owner Eddy Musto wants to know what Dalyn is making when she orders a pound of bacon. Then he wants to know if she’ll bring him a slice of the “fatty” she’s preparing; sausages, jalapenos, cilantro and macaroni and cheese smoked within woven slices of bacon. On the way to Donald’s Market, Dalyn points to some of their other favourite eateries —Nanaimo Sushi, Seto Café that slings all-day breakfast alongside Chinese food and Felicia’s Italian restaurant with its plentiful art, photos, foliage and an Elvis clock. “That’s the hub of this neighbourhood, absolutely,” she says of

Donald’s, an independent grocery shop. The second Dalyn steps through Donald’s doors she’s greeted with a warm “Hello” from the cashier who has memorized at least 7,000 customers’ names. Back at East Café, customers ﬂow in. “Iced coffee?” Zoltan says when a mustachioed man in a burgundy smock comes in. “How did you know?” asks Joe Commisso of Sorrento Barbers and Hair Stylists. Commisso, a longtime resident of the area, says over the last two decades Chinese-Canadian residents have taken to the neighbourhood much like European-Canadians did decades ago. He likes the mix. “To have a good minestrone you put a lot of stuff… one choice it’s no good,” Commisso says. Zoltan, who used to co-own the departed Lugz coffee shop on Main Street near Broadway before Tim Horton’s occupied the corner, doesn’t want affordable, independently owned businesses in Hastings-Sunrise to be replaced by chains. “[But] I know by doing these kinds of articles and having our cafe we increase the popularity of the area,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong with what happened to Broadway and Main, but we don’t want to lose why we’re here.” Dalyn opposes rezoning that would allow mid-rise buildings along the Grandview-Woodland stretches of Nanaimo and East Hastings. “If that goes through, it’ll all be gone because the property taxes will skyrocket,” Dalyn says. “Our landlord’s down at city hall trying to ﬁght for that all the time.” crossi@vancourier.com twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

Welcome

to the

East Village (our business district)

The retail strip serving the community acts as a main thoroughfare connecting the city centre and regions surrounding Vancouver. The neighbourhood’s working class character, cultural diversity, social values, and comparatively reasonable cost, make it an attractive destination to live, work or visit. Businesses in The East Village range from the essential to the exotic. The stores, services and eateries - many independently-owned - serve the daily needs of local residents and visitors and also have unique treasures and mementos.

The Hastings North Business Improvement Association is proud to serve the East Village commercial district that resides in the historically rich East Vancouver neigbourhoods of Hastings Sunrise and Grandview-Woodland.Drop by to explore these culturally diverse neighbourhoods.

A Vintage Neighbourhood with a Progressive Attitude

Hastings North BIA

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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L’Atelier was constructed in the 1920s and transformed into live/work lofts in 1995.

OPEN HOUSE

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Property: L’Atelier building at 2556 East Hastings Street. The building looks unimpressive with its collection of shops with lit signs at ground level. But the interior of the 1920s building that was transformed into live/work lofts in 1995 by Merrick Architecture is a revelation. Diane King bought a second-floor loft in the building as an investment property in 2006. “I’d heard about this building on East Hastings and like most Vancouverites — I was born and raised in Vancouver — it was like East Hastings, oh my gosh,” said the opera singer and head of the voice department at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music. “But when I actually saw the building, it was just so amazing,” she said. “The hallways are really, really wide and they have glass block floors and ceilings and so it’s like a solarium outside my door. I have hibiscus and bougainvillea and cacti and succulents. People are growing tomatoes and things in their hallways… plus there’s a big rooftop deck.” King has become a booster for the area with its Italian delis, an array of restaurants and Donald’s Market just steps from her door. “It’s really a spillover now from Commercial Drive in terms of attracting your hipster population and then lots of young families with kids,” King said. “It’s just a really, really vibrant, wonderful neighbourhood, much more interesting than Kits, which is a terrible thing to say.” She bought a third-floor loft in 2008 from a painter and a potter, and now she and her husband are selling it to buy a house. “The day of the hippie-artist-painter-potter is dying, unfortunately or fortunately,” she said. “That’s life in Vancouver, isn’t it.”

neighbourhood numbers

79 2 7-8 81 3.25 18 8

The age of Olympia Tailors, a family-run business at 2425 East Hastings St. The number of mini doughnuts sold, in millions, over the 17 days of the Paciﬁc National Exhibition. The number of vehicles in the thousands that travel per day on Dundas Street between Nanaimo and Renfrew streets. The percentage of people who prefer the name Hastings-Sunrise for the business area between Commercial Drive and Renfrew Street, as opposed to the controversial East Village moniker adopted by the North Hastings Business Improvement Association last year. The cost, in dollars, of the lowest priced ticket to see the Beatles at Empire Stadium in 1964. The higher priced tickets cost $4.25 and $5.25. The number of men who died in June 1958 when the Second Narrows, now the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, collapsed. The number of wedding stores, if you include a tuxedo shop, on East Hastings between Skeena Street and Boundary Road.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

feature

Then and now...

HASTINGS-SUNRISE

Top: The view of Hastings and Slocan streets looking north east in 1939 and how it looks in 2013 (left). Then photo: Vancouver Public Library, Leonard Frank, 16390.

Above: The Paciﬁc National Exhibition prize home in the 1950s. At right: The 2013 PNE prize home Then photo: Vancouver Public Library, 41011. Now photo: Rebecca Blissett.

Now photo: Rebecca Blissett.

For more photos, scan this page with your smartphone or tablet using the Layar app. See more Then and Now photos at vancourier.com

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@VanCourierNews all you need to know in 140 characters!

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

GOT ARTS? 604-738-1411 | arts@vancourier.com

A23

OUR 2

PICKS AUG. 2 - 6 For video and web content, scan page with

The largest Japanese Canadian festival in the country and the longest running community celebration in Vancouver happens Aug. 3 and 4 in and around Oppenheimer Park, 400 Powell St. Highlights of the 37th annual POWELL STREET FESTIVAL include taiko drumming, sumo wrestling, martial arts, bonsai and ikebana, folk and modern dance, arts, crafts, a reading by Governor General shortlisted author Mariko Tamaki and a sure-to-be mind-expanding performance by YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN, a psychedelic “noh-wave” opera group that fuses noise, metal, pop and folk music. We like their earlier stuff better…. before they sold out. More info at powellstreetfestival.com. Do you like the nightlife? Do you like to boogie? Vancity Theatre screens Jamie Kastner’s glitter ball-friendly documentary THE SECRET DISCO REVOLUTION Aug. 2 to 5. The ﬁlm takes a revisionist look at the disco era, which is often dismissed for its hedonistic excess and questionable fashions, but was also an important time of protest, liberating gays, blacks and women. For more info and show times, call 604-683-FILM (3456) or go to viff.org.

3 4

From the smouldering embers of local acts Korean Gut, Apollo Ghosts and Witch Baby comes TOUGH AGE. The newest addition to Mint Records’ illustrious roster brings its poppy, punky, surfy tones to Pat’s Pub Aug. 3, 10 p.m. along with Hag Face, the Drearies and Failings. Have a listen at tough-age.bandcamp.com. Sure he looks like the core demographic of VICE magazine. But KING TUFF doesn’t care. All he cares about is rock and roll. And maybe getting stoned and listening to the stereo with headphones on. He’ll be at Electric Owl Aug. 6 with War Baby. Tickets at Red Cat, Zulu Records and ticketweb.ca.

A24

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

FUTURE SHOP - CORRECTION NOTICE NEWSPAPER RETRACTION FOR THE FUTURE SHOP AUGUST 2 CORPORATE FLYER

HASTINGS-SUNRISE

In the August 2 ﬂyer on Pop-up page 1, the Virgin Mobile terms associated with the Sony Xperia J, BlackBerry Curve 9320,Samsung Galaxy Ace II x (Web Codes:10243906, 10206349, 10228313, 10228314) were advertised incorrectly. Please be advised that the CORRECT promotion is $149.99 on a $150 Virgin SuperTab, NOT $49.99 on a 2-year plan. This error also appears on page 20 of the ﬂyer, relating to an LG Nexus 4 16GB (Web Code: 10240516). We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.

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$29!

Master Chef serves up cheap food with side of Chinese poetry CHERYL ROSSI

MORE SHOWS JUST ADDED! NOW PLAYING UNTIL AUG 31

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY ROBERT LOPEZ AND JEFF MARX. BOOK BY JEFF WHITTY

“What a show. The guy beside me almost fell out of his seat laughing”

Staff writer

hen a trio slides into a red vinyl booth at Master Chef Cafe for a late lunch on a sweltering July afternoon, Tony Fung brings icy water to the table in a reused plastic juice container. When he delivers to the table a $1.75 plate of “May’s world famous freshly cut fries,” according to the worn paper menu, he jabs his ﬁnger at them and proclaims, “Cooked by order.” Tony and May Fung, a Chinese-Canadian couple, own and operate Master Chef at 2481 East Hastings St. Tony serves and May cooks. Both are in their 80s. When the Courier initially asks Tony a question, he replies: “English? Sorry.” But when he realizes he’s talking writer to writer, Tony pulls out the honorary credential he received last year, a plaque for World Chinese Art Leadership from the China Artists Association in Beijing. When he’s not taking orders, chatting with friends or reading his mail with a magnifying glass, Fung is writing classical Chinese poetry in his truly old-school diner where

—Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier PHOTOS BY EMILY COOPER

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1660 East Broadway (604) 879-FILM STREET DEMON VIDEO PREMIERE: Fri 7:00, 19+ only with bar service ONLY GOD FORGIVES: Sat 7:30 Mon 7:30, 9:30, 19+ only with bar service CHRISTCORE DOCUMENTARY: Tues, Thurs 7:00 CHARLES BRADLEY: SOUL OF AMERICA: Tues, Thurs 9:00 Fri 7:00, 19+ only with bar service

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May and Tony Fung took over Master Chef Cafe on East Hastings from a friend in 1993. The no-frills diner is a favourite among locals with low prices and plenty of charm. red vinyl stools line a long lunch counter and wood panelling covers the walls. He says he writes about the economy, culture and politics. His work, photo and biographical information have been published in China. But it’s not something he talks about much with the Chinese community in Vancouver. Instead he focuses on the day-to-day. “I am a good worker and hard worker and good for the social people,” he says. Tony hails from Canton, China, where he taught elementary school teachers. Sick of the politics, he moved to Hong Kong. He and May married in 1950

and in 1966 they immigrated to Canada with the ﬁrst three of their four children. Tony says he only studied English for one year in 1967, two hours a day in a church in Chinatown. He speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, a Chinese dialect and Spanish. He and May owned a restaurant in Edgemont Village in North Vancouver from 1970 to 1990, when their landlord reclaimed the space. “I retired for two years and then my wife wanted to work,” he says of his May, who sometimes wears a white cook’s cap that’s so tattered you can see tufts of black hair on top.

They took over Master Chef Cafe from a friend in 1993. “I still want to work because I like to make the friendship,” Tony says. He’s proud their prices are affordable to everyone, that he doesn’t discriminate based on class and that he makes regulars feel important by anticipating their orders. “I’m doing my good job and taking the life resources,” he says. “I don’t care the people get rich.” Tea and toast costs $2, a cheeseburger deluxe and fries $4 and a roast turkey dinner with cranberry sauce $9.50. Tony feels fortunate for his family, his health, his ability to make a living and his friendships. One of his sons has a master’s of business administration and works in the ﬁnancial world in Hong Kong. His other son is a mechanic in the United States. One daughter received her teaching degree from Simon Fraser University and his other daughter works in an automotive body shop. Portuguese, Italian and Croatian men visit the diner and chat with Tony every day. “I get a life no trouble,” Tony says. “All the people no ﬁght, all the friendship, how good, how excellent.” crossi@vancourier.com twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A25

HASTINGS-SUNRISE

Song paints darker picture of Hastings-Sunrise MICHAEL KISSINGER Staff writer

hen Adrian Teacher moved to Hastings-Sunrise in 2003 it was a much different place than it is today. The musician and, yes, elementary school teacher had come from such a far off lands as Nanaimo, UBC, Kitsilano and the exotic climes of Commercial Drive before settling in Hastings-Sunrise with his girlfriend in an attempt to get a way from it all, pay cheaper rent and feed his anti-social tendencies. “I liked the dichotomy and the wackiness of it,” Teacher says. “I loved the strip of shops along Hastings between Nanaimo and Slocan. All these wicked little shops like the cake and eyeglass store and the Master Chef Cafe where you can get a meal for $1.50, the owner who writes Chinese poetry. And you can walk to Wall Street, which is on the ocean but also industrial… I just fell in love with it.” So much so that Teacher and his band Apollo Ghosts named their 2008 album and one of its songs Hastings Sunrise. The song’s lyrics, however, paint a far less rosy picture of the eclectic neighbourhood: “This street is different at night/it seems to be unfriendly when there isn’t any light … These streets are different at night/I carry my keys in my knuckles in case I have to ﬁght.” Teacher says the inspiration for the song came about when he was walking home down Nanaimo Street late one night. “And this guy started chasing me for no reason saying, ‘I’m going to kill you, I’m going to kill you,’ before veering off down an alley. It’s noticeably a lot safer in the last few years. It used to be a lot rougher.” Since then, many of Teacher’s musician friends have moved into the neighbourhood

To listen to the song “Hastings Sunrise,” go to vancourier.com/entertainment or scan this page with your smartphone or tablet using the Layar app. and Teacher and his girlfriend bought a condo in the area a few years ago after they were “reno-victed” from their previous apartment. “Families and hipsters have moved in and I’m no doubt part of the gentrification of the neighbourhood,” he says. This past spring, Apollo Ghosts called it a day, playing their final show at the Rickshaw Theatre, not too far Hastings-Sunrise. Despite the title, Teacher says most of the songs on the album have nothing to do with the neighbourhood and were primarily inspired by his time as an ESL teacher in Asia and his reflections on home. “I originally wanted to call the album Chinese Royal Jelly,” Teacher says. “I was thinking about China and the idea of colony collapse in bees…. But [producer] Dave Carswell said it was a bad name and that we should call it Hastings Sunrise. So we did, and he was right.” mkissinger@vancourier.com twitter.com/MidlifeMan1

Fifth Avenue Cinemas NOW PLAYING

photo Rebecca Blissett

BRIDAL WAVE: On a particularly unspectacular stretch of East Hastings between

Boundary and Kootenay there are nine bridal and wedding-related businesses, explaining the block’s nickname “Bridal Row.” Who owns these shops? Why are there so many? What’s the largest wedding party they’ve outﬁtted? Do bridezillas really exist? The Courier spent an afternoon on Bridal Row seeking answers to these eternal questions. To watch the video of the Courier’s adventures, go to vancourier.com/entertainment or scan this page using the Layar app.

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A26

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

FRED

EMAIL: yvrﬂee@hotmail.com TWITTER: @FredAboutTown

UNLEESHED

LA DOLCE VITA: Yours truly joined trendsetters and le beau monde for the tastemaker’s third annual Terrazza di Peroni summer soiree. A stylish set gathered at Gastown’s Secret Location to enjoy some refreshing Peroni Nastro Azzurro — Italy’s No. 1 premium beer — and take in the unveiling of the LIVE La Dolce Vita series featuring artwork inspired by Italian memories from eight Canadian luminaries, including Olympian Ashleigh McIvor and Juno Award winner K-OS, reimagined by Canadian artists.

SUCCESS-FUL-DO: S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’s annual Walk with the Dragon drew thousands to Stanley Park. Under clear, sunny skies, more than 13,000 people attended the seven-kilometre walk along the city’s scenic seawall. Premier Christy Clark and Mayor Gregor Robertson joined foundation chair Maggie Ip and throngs of walkers for the 28th edition. Led by a 100-foot long dragon, individuals and corporate teams helped raise just over $400,000 for S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’s many social services and programs. DINNER THEATRE: Chef Sean Murray from YEW seafood + bar took on grilling duties at the Arts Club Theatre Company’s Celebrity Chef fundraising dinner. Board of director Jamie Corbett and his wife, Margaret, once again served up their posh West Vancouver waterfront abode, a popular venue for weddings and engagement parties, for the eighth annual affair fronted by outgoing director and cooking class founder Lisa Seed.

At the Loden’s Pride powwow, Telus’s Kenn Hamlin and Vancouver Symphony’s Jennifer Polci helped raise $25,000 for the Dr. Peter Centre.

Soon-to-wed Jay DeMerit and Ashleigh McIvor were the muses for Danielle Hession’s art celebrating La Dolce Vita.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation chair Maggie Ip and board chair Christine Brodie were all smiles after the Walk with the Dragon event in Stanley Park raised $405,000.

Foodies Tanya Oliva, Dr. Heather Stewart and Sandra Porter demonstrated their cooking prowess at Arts Club Theatre’s Celebrity Chef fundraising dinner.

Joe Average’s self portraits are part of curator Paul Wong’s Queer Arts Festival exhibit at the Roundhouse until Aug. 9.

Kevin Mazzone, Ryan McKinley and Gary Serra hosted a Pride party at Lilliana De Cotiis’ Loden Hotel beneﬁtting the Dr. Peter Centre.

Style mavens Malania Dela Cruz, Trudi Egerton Ball and Sophie Lui were among the urban sophisticates in attendance at the Peroni party.

Belle Ancell’s Primal HeART photo series at the Queer art show invited artists to choose words that evoked their artistic expression.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A27

GOT SPORTS? 604-738-1411 | sportsandrec@vancourier.com

SPORT SHORTS URBAN ABORIGINAL ATHLETES RECRUITED FOR FASTBALL TOURNEY The 2013 Canadian Native Fastball Championships begin Friday night in Grande Prairie, Alta. For those involved, the event is about more than just playing ball. The national championship started in 1974 and has blossomed into one of the most prestigious events in First Nations athletics, said Alex Moore, a member of the event’s executive and also a Vancouverite and player. The tournament attracts up to 1,800 athletes from 80 teams, with approximately 5,000 more onlookers who ﬁll the stands. Team categories include senior men’s and women’s teams and a masters level for players over 40. More than glory is at stake for winning teams. The top senior teams can grab $10,000 in prize money, while master teams can take home $5,000. “The calibre is really high,” said Moore, who is Cree and played baseball growing up in Manitoba and continued even after his wife brought him out West. “Softball is one of the main national games for aboriginals — that and hockey.” The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation hosts this weekend in northern Alberta. Last year, the championships were held in Cranbrook. The senior women’s division champions were the Red Nation Jets, a team comprised of 11 players from six different provinces including B.C. The Invermere A’s of B.C. topped the senior men’s ﬁeld. The A’s are back to defend their title and are “always a threat,” according to Moore, who plays for Manitoba Sapotawayak Cree from his home province. There are some differences between the game played in this tournament and traditional fastball. In the Canadian Native Fastball tourney, only one foot is required on the rubber when pitching, rather than the traditional two. Other differences are allowed because the organizers wouldn’t want teams to stay home because they couldn’t afford to meet certain expectations, like matching team socks. “We don’t require full uniforms and things like that,” said Moore, noting teams from some communities just can’t afford it. But he said the games remain tough and competitive. “This is wide-open fastball,” he said. Also joining Moore at the championship is Craig Pidcock, a Vancouverite who plays for Kelowna’s Westbank Cardinals. For those who make the trip, the family-friendly event is about more than just playing ball. There are socials each evening, draws, food booths and a beer garden. The games are also “Elder friendly,” meaning older people are given priority seating and provided with assistance to get around the stadium. Moore, who has been an alcohol counsellor for 20 years, said he opposed having a beer garden but added, “I am only one voice.” He noted the beer garden brings in a lot of revenue and on-site security is a priority. Opening ceremonies start Friday with a closing ceremony celebration Sunday night. For a full team lineup and schedule, visit nativefastball.ca. — Jennifer Thuncher

The Canucks pro shop, looking in from Hastings Street.

photo Rebecca Blissett

Priceless:Yourteam’ssweatstains DREW MCLACHLAN

Contributing writer

or the annual playoff bandwagon jumper, a visit to one of Gastown or Chinatown’s tacky tourist traps can nab you a little blue flag to hang off your car antenna — to then discard and forget about by next May. For the serious fan, there’s Hastings-Sunrise’s Canucks Pro Shop. Situated on the corner of Hastings and Renfrew, across from Playland and Hastings Park, the red-brick boutique is properly wrapped in blue and green, and carries enough merchandise to alienate every single one of your friends who don’t share your passion for Canada’s pastime. The shop’s selection includes the basics (player jerseys, T-shirts, action figures and foam hands), the eccentric (barbecue aprons and utensils, inflatable Stanley Cups, baby pyjamas and cellphone cases) and the more personal (autographed photographs and the sticks, pads and skates sweated in by your favourite Canuck). It also includes a few bizarre pieces,

like the gnome coin bank, stuffed lions and monkeys sporting orca attire and “Canucks Water,” collectible plastic water bottles featuring a Canucks player, with a new featured player every two months (Henrik Sedin currently holds the honour.) While you browse the wares, you’re encouraged by the smiling faces of various cardboard cut-out players. While the interior is filled with overwhelming shades of blue and green, some love for the classic flying C of yellow, red and black can still be seen. Vintage Canucks merchandise, and even Vancouver Millionaires clothing, is kept in stock. The back corner is a perpetual sale of “other team merchandise,” however this does not include the aforementioned inflatable Stanley Cup. Game-worn jerseys are also available to order through the pro shop, but scoring a star player can prove to be costly. A No. 1 Luongo from last season goes for $2,000, as does any jersey worn by Kesler or either of the Sedins. A cool $1,000 will get you an original Bieksa, Garrison, Booth, Burrows, Edler or

Schneider jersey, with the rest of the team priced between $400 and $550. Most famously, the used goalie pads of Cory Schneider (no longer a Canuck netminder, of course) are now used by Britannia’s Cory Oskam, a transgendered teen who took Schneider’s first name when he identified as a boy. Game-worn jerseys are each tagged with a tracking number, located inside on the fight strap, which lists the dates the jersey was worn. Jerseys are not signed by players, although the hockey club occasionally hosts signing events. A cheaper alternative is pre-used equipment. Players’ sticks, skates, and goalie pads are available, assuming you don’t mind a few scratches or sweat stains. The sale of equipment is what gives the Hastings-Sunrise store the distinction of being called a pro shop. The Robson and Rogers Arena stores both carry only merchandise and memorabilia, leaving them with the label of team stores. No one from the store was authorized to comment. Drew_McLachlan@hotmail.com twitter.com/LachedAndLoaded

A28

THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

sports&recreation Little League powered by businesses MEGAN STEWART Staff writer

or the past seven years, Kathy Wyder listened with delight as the reedy voices of young baseball players mixed with the louder shouts of their parents to cheer, “Go Secret Garden! Go!” The co-owner of a high tea-styled café on West Boulevard that bakes pastries and promises “tea is an experience,” Wyder sponsored a sports team in 2006, when her son signed up to play T-ball with the Kerrisdale Little League. It cost her $350. She has risen in the ranks and now as a Majors sponsor this season, contributed $550 and also gave $450 more for Minor B. “Our team has a teapot as a logo,” said Wyder, laughing at the contrast between baseball and English Breakfast. The money is well spent, she said. Wyder has since joined the volunteer executive and coordinates its 58 sponsors. She gets satisfaction from giving back and although her motivation is not exposure, increased awareness of her business is a positive consequence. The profile of her storefront has grown. “It contributes more to that sense of community for me because all the people who are sponsors also believe in Little League,” said Wyder, noting Kerrisdale Lumber was an original sponsor when the Little League launched 55 years ago and Hill’s of Kerrisdale has been around for almost as long. “The nice thing is that you start to feel that all the people in the Little League are part of your giant family.” Wyder occasionally brought baked treats from the Secret Garden to spoil the players on its namesake team. “People who already knew about it would say, ‘I’ve got to go in and get those scones.’” Little League International enforces strict catchment areas for players and Little Leaguers around the world compete at neighbourhood ballparks. Even in a city of 600,000, players represent teams named for businesses down the street. Across Vancouver at ball diamonds in Hastings, Memorial South, Elm, John Hendry and Carnarvon parks, some 1,500 children aged three to 12 play Little League from April to July. Without the sponsorship or in-kind donations from businesses big and small, players’ families would have to shoulder hefty registration fees. Little Leagues have substantial annual budgets and each year replenish uniforms, catcher’s equipment and bats. They invest in infield grooming, batting cage repairs, umpires, team photos and trophies. All-star teams cannot have a specific sponsor but making this select roster often means a player receives personalized gear and travels more. Little Leagues must also purchase insurance.

photo Rebecca Blissett

Secret Garden Tea co-owner Kathy Wyder (centre) sponsors two Little League teams. Her son Carter Gunning, 12, and nephew Steel Wyder, 5, both play. “That’s the reality,” said Neil Cusati, a board member with Hastings Little League. “At the end of the day, the biggest impact our sponsors have is to essentially keep the annual league fees as low as we can and keep it affordable for a lot of families.” At Hastings Little League, the cost to run the league is $55,000 each year. At Dunbar, it’s nearly double at $100,000. All Little Leagues are non-proﬁt clubs run by volunteers. “The sponsorship money goes to contribute to operations,” said Dunbar Little League president David Berrington. For its diamond at Memorial Park on Dunbar Street, the league pays a premium to ship in dirt from Kamloops. Known as “red gold,” the dirt doesn’t get too dusty and soaks up water better than the dirt provided by the park board, which maintains basic elements of a ball park, such as fencing, but doesn’t offer the sport expertise needed to shape a batter’s mound or manicure the inﬁeld. As with Kerrisdale, Dunbar Little League links business with one of its 50 teams. Loyalty is rewarded. Until this year, the six Majors teams had the same six sponsors dating back 14 years. Regent Heating ended its 41-year tenure because the owner retired. He was presented with a framed jersey and the door opened for a new sponsor, McDermott’s Body Shop, to move up from the minor to major division. “I think it’s part of doing business,” said McDermott’s manager Terry Hartree. “What goes around comes around.” Neither Hartree nor owner Tony Ciccozzi lives in the neighbourhood, but the business has strong ties to Dunbar. “My son plays in

White Rock. It’s nice to get the feedback when you get customers and their kids on one of the teams.” The majority of Dunbar sponsors have addresses listed on Dunbar Street. If not, they’re in the neighbourhood with only ﬁve exceptions, including Abbie’s Sports Store, a Main Street institution since 1963 that sponsors almost all of Vancouver’s little leagues. Stong’s sponsors two Majors teams: Stong’s Meats and Stong’s Grocers. “Typically the sought-after teams are older because they play more and they get more exposure through that,” said Berrington. “Kids talk about the business in terms of being the name of the team, so Cool Air plays versus RBC Dominion. They use the names and it means nothing more than a team name to them, but it’s still name brand recognition.” It costs $400 to sponsor a Dunbar Majors team and $150 to $175 to sponsor a blast ball team and its four-year-old prospects. “What kind of exposure do you get? Ten kids running around with a long T-shirt on,” said Berrington. “Little League is always in the same place through the spring and you can come out any night and watch a ball game and let your kids run around the playground, walk with our dog, have a hot dog, have an ice cream and it really is a true community feel. I let my kid — he’s eight — roam free. He’s safe, knows the area and he knows 40 parents.” Hastings, South Vancouver and Trout Lake little leagues don’t link sponsors with speciﬁc teams. Hastings will host the 2016 national championship and relies on corporate heavyweights like McDonald’s to help offset costs.

Their players compete as the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees and even the Expos while sponsors are recognized in the season’s programs and their logos placed along the fence line. South Vancouver has different tiers and the highest, platinum, recognizes sponsors who donate $1,200 or more. A bronze sponsor gives $350 and a booster $50. Many sponsors are drawn from Fraser Street although the league boundary stretches into Burnaby and includes Metrotown. The changing cultural makeup of the large neighbourhood meant sponsor turnover was high but has since stabilized, said the league’s vice president Andrew von Rosen. Numerous service groups have sponsored since the league’s founding in 1957. Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Club units 100 and 26, the Legion branch 16, and Elks Lodge 55 “are groups that have been around for decades and have always donated,” he said. Their home park, Memorial Park South, centres around a cenotaph. “I love it when people come out to watch the game. That’s really our goal: to get the community involved,” said von Rosen, whose company Town Hall, donates $5 to the Vancouver Canadians Foundation each time a C’s batter knocks a ball out of Nat Bailey Stadium. South Van is the only little league in Vancouver without a dedicated ballpark. Their diamond becomes a soccer ﬁeld in winter and because of this, the league must dismantle their scoreboard each year. Purchased by VanCity, the $10,000 piece of equipment receives power through an extension cord. “We did not raise our fees last year so sponsorship becomes very, very important, said von Rosen. “We don’t draw from the highest incomes in Vancouver and we want to make it affordable to kids.” At John Hendry Park, Trout Lake Little League recognizes their sponsors in the same way as South Van: with banners, links to their websites and the encouragement that families visit their business. “We look at some of the things we need as we approach a business,” said fundraising coordinator Laura Larson. Trail Appliances gave Trout Lake a dishwasher, which means parents have an easier afternoon when they volunteer to run the food shack. “It’s about perception,” added Larson. “Wouldn’t you rather support a business that you know supports your community?” In turn, Little League sponsors set an example for young athletes who grow to value their neighbours. “We’re always looking to reinforce our relationship within the community because it’s really important to us,” said Larson. “Beyond baseball, we’re really helping out player become good citizen within our own community.” mstewart@vancourier.com

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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Habitat for Humanity project finishes MICHELLE HOPKINS Contributing writer

isa Fedorak is shaking with excitement, as she accepts the small wooden box. It holds a house key that she and her family have been looking forward to for nearly six years. It holds the promise of a better future, one that includes home ownership. And that’s something she and her husband, Frank, never thought would happen. Flanked by their young daughters, Scarlett, 7, and Greta, 4, Lisa and Frank open the door to their new home and Lisa immediately bursts into tears. “I can’t believe this day has come,” says Fedorak. “I couldn’t sleep last night and I’ve had butterﬂies in my stomach all day.” Thanks to Habitat for Humanity and hundreds of corporate and individual sponsorships and volunteer workers, six families, including 14 children, now have a home they can call their own. This is the last phase of H4H’s 27-unit townhome project in Burnaby. The Fedorak family enters their new habitat for humanity home.To Fedorak, this new 1,300square-foot home means freedom for her family. Scarlett has a rare genetic disease that took the life of her sister Chloe before her second birthday. For the last ﬁve years, the family has lived in a 750-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment. “We couldn’t even get her wheelchair or walkerthroughthenarrowdoorways,”shesays.“She couldn’t even go up and down the stairs.” Their new home is fully wheelchair accessible, with wide doorways and halls, a ramp out

front and a wheelchair-accessible bathroom for Scarlett. And the family can sleep easy now with an interest-free mortgage and payments that will never be more than 30 per cent of their household income. Their down payment was the 500 hoursofsweatequitytheyputinwithHabitatfor Humanity. (In order for families to be eligible for a home, they must prove ﬁnancial hardship.) “Scarlett spent a year in hospital and I had to quit my job for a few years to be with her,” says Lisa. “We were spending beyond our means, but Scarlett’s life… well she was the most important thing in our lives.” Stephanie Baker is also moved to tears as she watches the families check out their new homes. She and her husband, Mitch Baker, own Karnak Pro Builders. “Three months ago, Mitch received a phone call from his sister, who happens to be in fund development at Habitat for Humanity, and she told him they needed help with the framing of the 10 homes and to take the project to the end,” says Baker. “We sat down together, and honestly, it dawned on us that this was the perfect ﬁt for our company. We spoke to our staff and everyone was on board.” Baker has only thanks for the long hours and weekends the staff spent volunteering at the site to ensure the families could move in by late June. “Our site foreman, Chris Smallridge, did an incredible job… The pride we felt was infectious and it was a nice feeling to know we were building homes for wonderful and deserving families.” Also on hand at the dedication ceremony was

B.C. GOVERNMENT BACKS DOWN ON SMART METERS Victoria has backed down on its longtime position that B.C. Hydro install smart meters for all customers. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett announced in July that B.C. Hydro will allow customers who do not want smart meters to keep their analog meters if they pay monthly fees. Opponents of smart meters argue that the meters infringe on their privacy and may have negative health impacts due to radiation emissions. B.C. Hydro counters that the meters are part of an upgrade that will help better manage the electrical system. They also decrease costs, reduce theft, encourage conservation

and automatically detect outages. “Government is responding to public concerns by providing opt-out options with the costs borne by those customers and not subsidized by the majority, who have a standard B.C. Hydro smart meter,” Bennett said. The three options for customers who do not currently have a smart meter are to choose the standard smart meter at no cost, accept a digital meter with the radio off, and keep the old analog meter, which will be subject to a monthly fee that will include both the extra cost of reading the meter and the cost of instituting duplicate systems. — Glen Korstrom

Jabin Saggu, Vancouver store manager at Home Depot of Canada. Across the country, under its Home Depot Canada Foundation, employees have logged in a whopping 60,000 volunteer hours. Since 1996, the national foundation has contributed more than $4 million in cash and product donations for Habitat for Humanity. Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) — also contributes to Habitat for Humanity, both at the local and national level. They provide expertise and access to sources of funding in the early stages of project development. CMHC employees raise funds for Habitat through charitable activities, and a team of 12 CMHC B.C. Region staff helped get the Government Street Build

ready for its grand opening. Nothing is possible without the support of community partners, donors and volunteers, says Tim Clark, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver. “Our families’ voices, like the story Lisa shared with us, capture what is possible when we all come together,” he says. This isn’t just talk. A CMHC survey of 326 Habitat for Humanity households found that over two-thirds of the families saw their kids become more conﬁdent and do better in school. Families also reported that everyone’s health improved once they moved into their new homes.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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dashboard New XJ has all the moves like Jaguar Potentially, the most exciting change for the 2013 XJ is the addition of Jaguar’s Instinctive AllWheel Drive system, standard on V6 models. This enhances all-season traction while keeping the sporty agility and steering feel of a rearwheel drive car. In dry conditions, it has a rear bias, but the system can transfer 50 per cent of the torque to the front wheels if need be.

DAVID CHAO

Contributing writer

he Jaguar XJ has been around since the late sixties. For most of that time, it featured a very definitive three-box look. Even as the other areas of the XJ saw significant changes, the model could always be distinguished by its traditional appearance. As a result, Jaguar — and specifically the XJ — developed a stigma of being a bit old-fashioned, but that all changed with the current generation of styling. The fresh exterior is progressive and the sweeping lines are certainly a departure from the past models. For 2013, the base model receives a more fuel efficient V6 and a new, intelligent all-wheel drive system. An eight-speed transmission is mated to all engines in the range and a start/stop system is standard on most models.

ENVIRONMENT submitted photo

The 2013 Jaguar XJ ranges in price from $89,000 to $128,500. almost four-door coupe appearance. The panoramic glass moonroof provides a pleasing element both inside and out. This is also the area where you will ﬁnd the car’s most polarizing aesthetic feature: its blacked-out C-pillars. These are meant to visually give the impression the windows seamlessly wrap all the way around the car. However, it may be what you can’t see about the body which has the most interesting news; Jaguar utilizes aluminium body panels to make the XJ one the lightest cars in this class.

DESIGN This mid-cycle refresh has not affected the exterior at all - Jaguar felt the current, bold styling was popular enough with buyers. The XJ’s body is dominated by its rearward sloping roof, giving it an

PERFORMANCE

The most notable change with this mid-cycle overhaul is the loss of the naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 from the base model. It has been replaced by a more fuel efﬁcient supercharged V6, which will also power the new F-Type sports car. The 3.0-litre engine produces 340-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque while achieving combined fuel economy of 10.8L/100km. Even though horsepower is down 45-hp, the architecture is based on Jaguar’s acclaimed V8’s to provide a reﬁned and smooth power delivery.

The cabin is fresh and an enjoyable place to spend time, ever after a long drive. Gorgeous leather and wood treatments adorn most surfaces, even the inside of the glove box and centre storage. While previous XJ’s appeared large on the outside, interior space was in fact limited compared to its rivals. This is not an issue for the current XJ, especially with the long-wheelbase models. Rear leg and headroom is ample and there’s plenty of space upfront for even the tallest drivers. The central touch-screen display is good, but the XJ’s German rivals boast better units. Also, some trim pieces, the air vents for example, aren’t up to the same quality as its competitors. The updated navigation system and Meridian stereo are welcome improvements.

Another weakness of previous XJ’s, trunk volume, has been corrected with the current generation; at 520-litres, its trunk size is more than the BMW 7-Series’ offering.

FEATURES The 2013 Jaguar XJ ranges in price from $89,000 to $128,500. Standard equipment includes a 8” full colour HD touchscreen display, voice activated controls, front and rear parking aid with touch-screen visual indicator, rearview camera, blind spot monitor, dual-zone climate control, power operated trunk, Sirius satellite radio, navigation system with HDD mapping, keyless entry and keyless start Additional features, available as options or as part of packages, include 20x20 adjustable front seats with massage, adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control, heated windshield, and extensive upholstery and trim choices. Fuel efﬁciency numbers for the XJ AWD and the XJL Portfolio are 13.0L/100km city, 8.1L/100km highway and 10.8L/100km combined. The numbers for XJ/XJL Supercharged and XJ/XJL Supersport are 14.2L/100km city, 8.6L/100km highway, and 11.7L/100km combined. david.chao@leansensei.com

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013

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