Hiking Eagle Bluff
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
Vol. 104 No. 63 • Established 1908
24
MIDWEEK EDITION
THE VOICE OF VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS
NEWS: Container life 6/ OPINION: Skills shortage 10
Secondpanel rejectsAvalon proposal URBAN DESIGN PANEL UNANIMOUSLY VOTES AGAINST PLAN NAOIBH O’CONNOR Staff writer
T
photo Rebecca Blissett
Yogi Omar (left), organizer of the Global Kiss-In Protest, kisses friend Ryan Clayton outside the Russian consulate on Howe Street last Friday afternoon to protest recently passed anti-gay laws in Russia. Clayton made the trip from Victoria to support his long-time friend’s Kiss-In. Scan page with the Layar app to see a photo gallery from the Pride Parade.
To Russia with love and kisses KISS-IN PART OF MOVEMENT AGAINST RUSSIA’S ANTI-GAY LAWS SANDRA THOMAS Staff writer
W
hat began as a gesture of protest by a solitary bar on Davie Street against the brutal treatment of gays in Russia has grown into a movement prompting even the mayor’s office to release an official statement. Two weeks ago, Fountainhead Pub general manager Andrew Watling packed up the Russian vodka sold at the bar, including fan-favourite Stolichnaya (Stoli) Vodka, and took it back to the liquor store. “We were able to trade it in for
Absolut Vodka,” said Watling. “They were already a sponsor for Pride so it wasn’t like a publicity stunt on their part. They were already involved.” In June, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a bill classifying “homosexual propaganda” as pornography. The new bill criminalizes public discussion of homosexuality, especially with foreigners. As a result, Russian members of the LGBT community took to the streets in peaceful protest and, thanks to social media, photos of the bloody clashes with police that followed were seen around the world. See BARS on page 4
he city is asking the developer of the former Avalon Dairy property at 5805 Wales St. to rethink its rezoning application after two city advisory groups rejected its proposal. On July 31, the Urban Design Panel (UDP) voted unanimously against the rezoning application, according to Brian Jackson, the City of Vancouver’s manager of planning and development. Many reasons were cited, Jackson said referring to city staff notes from the meeting, including too much density, the need for more space in front of the house for urban agriculture, concern about shadow impacts on the open space, and that the buildings are too close together and not family friendly. Two days earlier, on July 29, the Vancouver Heritage Commission also voted against the application. Commission chair Richard Keate told the Courier at the time that there was support among members for the density and number of units, but more work needed to be done on the location and size of the infill buildings to allow for greater open space and greater visibility of the farmhouse. Members were worried no one would see the farmhouse from Wales Street, as well as about plans to divide it into three suites. Avalonna Homes bought the property for $6 million in 2011. The property is zoned single-family residential, so the owner could subdivide it into 10 or 11 lots and knock down the Craftsman-style 1900s-era farmhouse, which isn’t protected by legislation or heritage designation. The city was willing to consider extra density in order to preserve it. Hywel Jones Architect Ltd. submitted the rezoning application on behalf of the developer. It proposed to restore the heritage farmhouse and add eight multi-family buildings, which would reach up to three-storeys and contain a total of 68 units. The application also proposed underground parking, completing the greenway along 43rd Avenue and adding community gardens. See APPLICANT on page 4
E2
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
a c Lo
! t s e f t i u r lf
EACH P , Y R R E H C , Y R R E B E U BL L A th us! C i w N O O L S A e E S t INE R bra A e T l C e E c &N Come cipes e R s e z i r P & s e m a h G t re ! o M d n A les p m a S e e Fr
0 1 g u A
m p 3 o t m 10 a
Prices effective: August 7th to 11th, 2013 *While Quantities Last
LOCAL GARLIC AND MANY LOCAL ITEMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Fresh New Crop
Sweet & Flavourful
99¢/lb
5/$2.00
Fresh & Crisp
Healthy & Nutritious
Peaches
Locally Grown
Romaine, Green Leaf & Red Leaf Lettuce
2/$1.00
Sweet & Tasty (340g bags)
Corn
Cherry Tomatoes
Locally Grown
Locally Grown
Green Kale
99¢/bunch
2/$3.00
Sweet & Flavourful (1lb clamshell)
Jumbo Black Mission & Brown Turkey Figs
Locally Grown
California Grown
Locally Grown
Davie Street
Between Bute St. & Thurlow St. 604.687.8081 OPEN 10am to 9pm everyday
Champlain Square
Kerr St. & 54th Ave. 604.451.1329 OPEN 9am to 8pm everyday
$4.99/box
West 10th
Oakridge 4516 West 10th Ave. Centre
604.221.1330 OPEN 9am to 8pm everyday
Beside Public Library 604.264.6800 Check website for store hours
City Square
Across from Starbucks 604.873.6491 *1 HR PARKING VALIDATION*
OPEN 9am to 8pm everyday
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
IN THIS ISSUE
NEWS
Amica VITALIS™ Assisted Living Suites and Services with a Hospitality-Plus Attitude!
photo Rebecca Blissett
Former park board commissioner Anita Romaniuk was among those disappointed last week as the PNE retained control of Hastings Park.
12TH & CAMBIE: TRACK RECORD BY MIKE HOWELL In the wake of the Lac-Megantic, Que. rail disaster, the mayor wants city staff to update safety protocols for rail traffic in Vancouver.
CADETS NEED SPACE BY JENNIFER THUNCHER A group of East Side air cadets forming a Vancouver-based squadron need a place to call their own.
OPINION WHEEL ABOUT BY BOB GROENEVELD Despite too many cyclists breaking traffic laws, the more of them we get on the roads, the safer cycling will become.
When daily living activities such as bathing or dressing take a little more energy or agility than you once had, or if you would enjoy life a little easier knowing that a friendly face and helping hand is just outside your door, then it's time to consider the VITALIS™ way of life. Our VITALIS™ Assisted Living Suites are pleased to offer customized care throughout each day for assistance with activities of daily living. Call or visit today to learn more about our Independent Rental Retirement Living and our VITALIS™ Assisted Living Suites & Services. ~ Open House Week ~ Wednesday, August 7th to Tuesday, August 13th, 2013 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily Call today for your personal tour and stay for lunch, compliments of our Chef de Cuisine Robert!
Amica at Arbutus Manor A Wellness & Vitality™ Residence 2125 Eddington Drive Vancouver, BC V6L 3A9 604.736.8936 • www.amica.ca
ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN GRAB BY JO LEDINGHAM The Farnsworth Invention’s account of TV’s creation is a brainy play about brainy people that crackles with nastiness and intrigue.
SPORTS POST GRAD BY MEGAN STEWART
15
Churchill basketball phenom Mindy Minhas has signed up to play for UBC, even before his final year of high school begins.
HEALTHWISE
SEE MORE WITH LAYAR Additional content in this issue available through the Layar app includes: P01: PRIDE PARADE PHOTO GALLERY Reporter Sandra Thomas was at the annual Pride Parade to record the festivities with photos.
P14: PHOTO GALLERY FOR CITY LIVING Courier photographer Rebecca Blissett covered the other major Pride event on the weekend, the annual Dyke March on Commercial Drive.
P19: PICKS OF THE WEEK VIDEOS
SUMMER RUNWAY OPERATIONS AT YVR NORTH RUNWAY DEPARTURES
Summer 2013, beginning June 1 7:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Limited north runway departures will occur during the summer months to help reduce delays and congestion during the peak travel period. North runway departures will primarily occur between 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
SOUTH RUNWAY MAINTENANCE
July 7– August 30, 2013 9:00 p.m.– 7:00 a.m.
The north runway will be used for departures and arrivals nightly while Vancouver Airport Authority conducts its annual runway maintenance and repairs on the south runway.
Ping Pong Club Night at the Biltmore Cabaret and Amanda Wood’s acoustic cover of Sade’s “By Your Side.
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.
We appreciate your support as we continue to maintain the highest safety standards at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). For more information on summer runway operations, visit www.yvr.ca, email community_relations@yvr.ca or phone 604.207.7097.
yvr.ca
13-1028
07 05 08 11 22 23
CENTRAL PARK: BY SANDRA THOMAS
A3
newsfront A4
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
FROM FRONT PAGE
ApplicantplanstorefineAvalonproposal “We’re asking the developer to reconsider. Given the comments were unanimous in both [decisions] — the Heritage [commission] and the UDP, I think it’s an unusual situation. So we’ll be taking that advice very seriously and thinking of that in terms of staff recommendations,” Jackson said Thursday, while acknowledging conflicting advice from the two advisory groups. “That’s what we have to spend the next few weeks figuring out because there is a difference between the advice that we’ve gotten from the two groups, so we’re going to have to sit down with the applicant and we have not at this point formulated a position.” Jackson said the city is worried about the fate of the farmhouse since it’s not protected from demolition should the developer opt to subdivide the 1.26 acre site into single-family properties. “Yes, that is a concern and we will lose the house as a result, so we have to take that into consideration as well,” he said. “That’s why we need to take a breath. This only happened [Wednesday] night when we had the refusal at the UDP. So we have to take into account the overall desire to save the house together with the proposal we had before for townhouses and see if there’s a different way to achieve the objectives for the city and the developer and the interest groups, being the heritage people and the urban design panel, as well as the community. So this is one of those classic cases of us having to provide advice, which is probably not going to satisfy everybody.” When asked if the property’s neighbours should be concerned about the prospect of a proposal that includes six-storey buildings, Jackson said he couldn’t say. “That certainly comes from the heritage group. The heritage group is not typically the group that we tend to rely on for advice on density. We rely more on the urban design panel for that,” he said. Staff had hoped to bring the rezoning application before council in the fall, but the latest developments may affect the timeline.
Photo Rebecca Blissett
According to city staff notes taken at a meeting, the Urban Design Panel rejected the Avalon proposal for too much density, a lack of space in front of the house for urban agriculture, concerns about shadow impacts on the open space, and that the buildings are too close together and not family-friendly. “We are hoping to keep moving forward on this because again we don’t want to trigger the decision to just move forward with a single-family subdivision and so we are going to be working as quickly as we can with the applicant to try and come up with solutions that address some of the concerns, most of the concerns, all of the concerns raised by the two groups that have been consulted so far, together with the public,” Jackson said. Hywel Jones, principal at Hywel Jones Archi-
tect Ltd., told the Courier Friday he’d met with the city about the project and that it just requires refinement. “It’s just basically a refinement of the scheme that we have — not a change in concept,” Jones said, adding the UDP advice included simplifying the landscape plan, providing more variety of outdoor space and creating more separation between buildings. “We will refine the scheme, but as an overall concept, this is the one… we’re not going to change the approach.”
Jones said the owner has no plans to subdivide the property. “No, I don’t think that’s in the cards. I think this is the sort of direction the public is looking for. We’re close and we just need to do a bit more work. So, no, the owner is not thinking of changing course here. It’s a long process and he doesn’t particularly like the length of time, but he’s committed to doing this kind of infill.” noconnor@vancourier.com twitter.com/naoibh
Bars, clubs across city joining boycott of Russian products CONTINUED from page 1 Watling said photos on Facebook of the protests prompted him to ban Russian vodka from the bar. “Those pictures were horrific,” said Watling. “And that’s what got us started.” Other clubs and pubs on Davie Street also boycotting Russian-made vodka include Celebrities, the Junction and the Oasis and it wasn’t long before several other bars across the city, including the Cobalt on Main Street, joined in to support the boycott. With the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games just around the corner, a growing number of straight and gay groups and individuals are asking for a complete boycott of the event. Last week Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko warned that athletes and visitors to the Sochi Olympics will be subject to laws against promoting homosexuality. Despite assurances from the International Olympic Committee to the contrary,
in an interview with sports magazine R-Sport, Mutko said, “No one is forbidding an athlete with non-traditional sexual orientation from coming to Sochi, but if he goes onto the street and starts propagandizing it, then of course he will be held accountable.” In response, on Aug. 2, the “Vancouver Kiss-In” was held outside the Russian consulate on Howe Street to protest the new law. More than 50 peaceful protesters puckered up to show their support for gays and lesbians in Russia. The event was billed as a small sampling of what’s to come in October when similar events will be held worldwide. The Vancouver Pride Society has called upon Vancouver business leaders to boycott exports from Russian in protest of the “horrible acts of government-sanctioned homophobia and transphobia.” Just days before the annual Vancouver Pride Parade, the society’s general manager Ray Lam released a statement that read in part: “As hundreds of thousand LGBTQ people and allies fill the streets of our
beautiful city, we need to remember that 50 brave people holding rainbow flags were savagely beaten in St. Petersburg attempting to hold their own Pride Parade this year.” Mayor Gregor Robertson called upon Russia to “end its violent crackdown on the human rights and free expression of the LGBTQ community ahead of hosting the world in Sochi.” He continued in a release issued July 26: “As host mayor of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, I have been alarmed to learn of further discriminatory legislation and violent actions targeting the LGBTQ community in Russia ahead of the upcoming 2014 Games in Sochi… It is clear to me that the Russian parliament’s homophobic assault on the fundamental human rights of the LGBTQ community will prevent many of these individuals from safely and openly participating in Sochi.” sthomas@vancourier.com twitter.com/sthomas10
news
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
Mayor wants safety on track
W
hat does the terrible train tragedy in LacMegantic, Que. have to do with Vancouver city
council? Two things, according to Mayor Gregor Robertson, who mentioned the train disaster at one of the last council meetings of the summer. First, he got council’s approval to write a letter on council’s behalf to formally express his deepest sympathies to the people of Lac-Megantic. Second, he wants city staff to provide an update to council on “safety protocols in place” for the shipment of dangerous goods by rail in Vancouver. In doing that, the mayor wants staff to provide any recommendations for enhancing protocols that would “ensure the highest protection for citizens.” “We have a lot of rail traffic in our city and around our region,” he said from his desk in the council chambers. Robertson noted he and councillors have received correspondence from
agg ch_ dbff_e cea`_ On a lighter and musical note, many readers will know the mayor has a thing for music and his tastes include David Byrne and Rush.
DOWNLOAD
The Vancouver Courier news app
The Voice of Vancouver Neighbourhoods
www.vancourier.com
Live your own Legacy We’re building a vibrant new community, created with you in mind. Experience gracious living spaces, exceptional dining, and lasting friendships, all in the heart of Vancouver’s Oakridge neighbourhood.
To find out more, call today at
604.240.8550 or visit us at:
www.legacyseniorliving.com OPENING SUMMER 2014 611 West 41st Avenue CAMBIE
with Mike Howell
Yes, Rush. But Kim Mitchell? Let me explain. At the same meeting last week, Robertson finally got to talk patios and successfully introduce a motion to extend patio hours and increase space “for establishments with a track record of good behaviour.” City staff will now develop a report on policy changes that will include relaxing fencing restrictions and improving the efficiency of getting a patio permit. Apparently, there were 317 large patio permits and 260 permits for smaller ones in the city last year. The larger patios are typically licensed and open until 11 p.m. “We did increase the hours of operation during the Olympics and that was very well received, as well,” said Robertson, noting the provincial government also plans to update liquor laws in B.C. “So there’s an opportunity to start going a little later and giving the people an opportunity — particularly in the summertime — to be outside enjoying the patios and making more of those possible.” Which, of course, means more patio lanterns. Get it? Patio lanterns? A song by Kim Mitchell? Oh, never mind. mhowell@vancourier.com twitter.com/Howellings
OAK
l|vz t oqwpyn
citizens worried about dangerous cargo transported through the city. “If there are any urgent concerns, we would expect to hear immediately from staff as to actions that we might need to take to ensure that the people of Vancouver have the highest protection from the movement of dangerous goods on our rails,” the mayor said. “This is proactive in some sense but certainly the terrible disaster in Quebec is more than reason to take some urgent action to ensure we’ve identified any risk and we’ve addressed that in our city.” Vision Coun. Raymond Louie, who represents council on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, noted the national organization has put together a rail safety working group. “There’s work underway across this nation because it is a federal issue and of great importance for all of our municipalities across our country,” said Louie, adding the goal is to meet with the federal transportation minister to discuss concerns raised my municipal politicians.
THE VOICE OF VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE
41ST AVE OAKRIDGE CENTRE
The Leo Wertman Residence
Vancouver, BC V5Z 2M8
A5
A6
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
news More shipping container social housing coming MIKE HOWELL Staff writer
A FAMILY FUN * Bobs & Lolo * Will Stroet & The Backyard Band * Sports demos and games
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT * Arkells * Born Ruffians * We are the City
CULTURE, HISTORY AND ECOLOGY * Coast Salish cultural activities & performances * Historical talks, tours and displays * Stanley Park Ecology Society’s BioBlitz and nature tours
Bring your friends and family to “Celebrate! Stanley Park” on August 24th & 25th! This exciting free weekend festival celebrating Stanley Park's 125th anniversary will feature 5 festival zones throughout the Park, great food and a premium licensed area presented by Stanley Park Brewery. 12pm to 8pm daily—free daytime entertainment 8pm to 10pm daily—evening performances (Boca del Lupo free outdoor theatre spectacular “Fall Away Home”; Theatre Under the Stars ticketed “Grease” sing-along) For more information, please visit stanleypark125.ca LEBRATING CE
12 5
Government Partners
Y EAR S
Presenting Sponsor
Event Partners
Connecting people with nature since 1988
Musqueam Nation
Squamish Nation
Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Media Sponsors
successful experiment to build social housing in the Downtown Eastside out of recycled shipping containers has prompted the non-profit organization behind the project to begin work on another much larger development. With the 12-unit complex now complete at 502 Alexander St., Atira Women’s Resource Society wants to build a seven-storey building at Hawks and East Hastings that could potentially include 42 units. “Our assumptions are that the next one will be a bit easier,” said Janice Abbott, Atira’s CEO, as she stood outside the Alexander Street project Thursday morning. A bit easier in the sense that the Alexander Street development is the first multihome recycled shipping container housing project in Canada. Getting it built meant acquiring the containers, creating a workable design, meeting building codes, working on a tight 25-foot wide site and raising the money to fund the development. As project manager James Weldon of JTW Consulting explained, nothing about the development conformed to standard construction, including cutting out doorways. “It was a little bit of an art getting everything to finish and fit,” Weldon said. “This is breaking new ground. It’s like inventing the wheel and this is the wheel of container housing. So the next one should be a heck of a lot less challenging.” The proposal for Hawks Street is in the development stage and still needs to be rezoned. But Vision Coun. Kerry Jang, who visited the Alexander Street complex Thursday, said he supports more housing of this type. “You look at them now and you see a home,” said Jang, recalling a rainy November day when a large crane put the containers in place. “We said very clearly at council that they had to be livable. And after walking in [one of them], it’s livable. It’s got character, it’s got a nice homey feel.” From the street, the Alexander Street complex does not appear to be built from shipping containers. A closer look reveals the 12 units are split evenly into two separate housing pods. One of the pods is at the front of the 120-foot long lot and the other is at the back and separated by a courtyard garden. Both pods are three containers in height but there is no elevator. The box-shaped units are an average of 290 square feet and come with a small kitchen, full bathroom, a living room that doubles as a bedroom and an eating area. All the units have in-suite laundry. Each unit cost $82,500 to build, which is considerably less than apartments at a newer Atira development at 525 Abbott,
photo Mike Howell
A new 12-unit complex built from shipping containers is now complete at 502 Alexander St.
where each 320-square-foot unit cost $220,000. “It’s not quite [comparing] apples to apples,” said Abbott but acknowledged the cost savings. Six of the units will go to renters who will pay 30 per cent of their gross annual income to a maximum of market rent. The other six will be home to older women who have been homeless or at risk of homelessness and rent for $375 a month. “The real kind of joy in this is when we move in the women and they actually get to see where they’ll be living,” said Abbott, who anticipates all tenants to be moved in by early September. The complex is located on the same property where Atira bought and renovated a building — now called Imouto — to house young women at risk of family violence. Some of the new residents of the shipping container housing will be chosen to serve as mentors to the young women at Imouto as part of an Atira program. Both buildings, including land and construction cost, totalled $3.3 million. Contributors included Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Streetohome Foundation, the City of Vancouver, B.C. Hydro, Central City Foundation, the Real Estate Foundation of B.C., the Golf for Good Charitable golf tournament, Ken Shannon and David Cottrell. In-kind contributors were Eagle Crane Services, Tri-R Transport Ltd. and Frank Lo of MC Quarters Corporation, which prepared the containers for construction. Lo also donated one of the containers. mhowell@vancourier.com twitter.com/Howellings
news
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
E7
PNE to run Hastings Park CENTRAL PARK
with Sandra Thomas
T
he park board will not take control of Hastings Park — much to the disappointment of residents and community groups with a vested interest in the 51 hectare property. At a special meeting Thursday afternoon, the Vision Vancouver-dominated city council voted eight to two to leave governance of the park with the Pacific Nation Exhibition’s board of directors. NPA Coun. Elizabeth Ball and Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr voted against the recommendation. Hastings Park is undergoing a massive $310.5 million redevelopment, so the question of who should manage the park was under debate. While city staff and independent auditor KPMG recommended governance remain with the PNE, some residents and community groups were pushing for the park board to take control. In May, the park board went on the record requesting governance of the park. A third option was to have a city department, such as engineering, manage the property. Many residents of the area contacted me prior to the vote suggesting it was a conflict of interest to allow Vision Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie to vote on the issue since he’s chair of the PNE board. They argued it would be in his best interest to vote in favour of main-
taining the status quo. But Louie has insisted to me in the past there is no conflict due to the fact he’s appointed to represent the city on the board. Council did vote in favour of making some changes to the board before 2014 when a new group of directors will be named. In an interview Friday, Louie said exactly what that new board will look like has yet to be confirmed, but added it will be “skills based.” According to the city’s website, the board has the power to enact bylaws for the regulation and management of the PNE, “which govern and protect the business, borrowing, and issuing of securities, as well as the conduct and remuneration of directors and committees of the organization.” Board meetings are closed to the public. Louie says he doubts the park board was fully aware of what taking over Hastings Park would entail. The park board manages Empire Field at the park, while Hastings Racecourse is operated by the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. “What the park board failed to realize is there’s a race track and even an emergency EComm building on the site,” said Louie. “And they just don’t have the expertise to handle that. This is much more complex than just running a park.” Louie noted the recommendation to leave the PNE board in charge of Hastings Park came from an independent auditor. “It’s a complex issue so an external consultant was brought in,” said Louie. sthomas@vancourier.com twitter.com/sthomas10
Looking for SUMMER FUN for the kids? VANCOUVER PHOENIX GYMNASTICS SUMMER CAMPS Half Day Camps still available at the St. James Jungle Gym location
3214 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver. For ages 3-10.
Register now: 604-737-7693 www.phoenixgymnastics.com
BANANA GROVE Market & Deli
May Family Farms
COOKED CHICKEN BREAST
1
$ 29
/100g
Casa Italia
ROSEMARY HAM
1
$ 19
/100g
Casa Italia
HOT LEAN CAPOCOLLO
1
$ 19
/100g
Danesborg
HAVARTI CHEESE
1
$ 49
/100g
MEATS
1
First in Fabric Selection, Quality & Value
VANCOUVER
1678 S.E. Marine Dr. at Argyle (604)321-1848
Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10am-6pm / Thurs.-Fri. 10am-9pm / Sat. 10am-6pm Sun. 11am-5pm / Holidays 12pm-5pm
Plus 6 more locations in the Lower Mainland to serve you! Join us on the Internet! webs www.fabriclandwest.com Fabricland Sewing Club Members Value Hotline 1-866-R-FABRIC 1-866-732-2742
/lb $3.95kg
B.C. Grown
B.C. Grown
GREEN LEAF LETTUCE two for
1
$ 29
1
STRIPLOIN NEW YORK STEAKS
5
$ 99
FAMILY PACK
/lb.-13.21/kg
$ 79
/lb $3.95kg
U.S. Grown
CANTALOUPES
49¢
/lb $1.08kg
Canada Grade “AAA” Sterling Silver Beef
TOP SIRLOIN STEAKS Fresh
3
$ 69 S
/lb.- 8.13kg
PORK BUTT STEAKS
1
2
$ 49
FAMILY PACK
/lb.- 5.49kg
Marinated
Fresh
FAMILY PACK
/lb.- 11.00kg
PORK SPARE RIBS
INSIDE ROUND ROAST BONELES
4
$ 99
FAMILY PACK
Canada Grade “AA” or Higher Beef
$ 79
SEEDLESS SWEET GREEN GRAPES BLUEBERRIES
$ 79
604.435.0646
Fresh
PRODUCE U.S. Grown
(at Slocan)
www.bananagrovemarket.com
MANY MORE IN STORE SPECIALS Prices Valid Aug 7 - 13, 2013
DELI
2705 E. 22nd Ave.
CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
(3 Pepper/Teriyaki/ or Maui)
1
$ 99
/lb. -3.95kg
/lb. -4.39kg
GROCERIES
Emma
Emma
ARBORIO RICE
2
ANCHOVY FILLETS
99¢
$ 49 750g
50g
Balocco
CRISPY WAFERS
99¢
175g
A8
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
news East Side Cadets searching for space FLEDGLING SQUADRON TEMPORARILY HOUSED AT GRANDVIEW LEGION JENNIFER THUNCHER Contributing writer
A
group of East Side air cadets is hoping for a squadron and a home of their own. It all started with an increasing number of East Side Vancouver kids attending North Burnaby’s 759 Falcon Squadron of Royal Canadian Air Cadets. There are now enough Vancouver cadets to branch off and begin a group of their own. So far, 18 cadets have signed up for the new group, but more members are needed in order to apply for a charter and officially be their own squadron. “We need to develop good roots in the community around Commercial Drive and get enough interest from the youth in the area,” said Lt. Sarra Lyford who will be the new squad’s commanding officer. To start the application process for the charter, a group needs between at least 25 and 30 cadets, according to Terri Slater, spokeswoman for the B.C. Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada, the organization that grants squadron status. Slater said both have and havenot youth benefit from cadets. She said she sees kids who feel like they don’t fit in, often around the time they are in Grade 8, join cadets and begin to feel part of their community. “They feel like they belong,” she said. Come September, the new
Members of the Vancouver cadets participated in a recent Hats Off Day parade in Burnaby. group, officially called East Vancouver Flight of 759 until they receive their charter status as a squadron, will temporarily gather at the Grandview Legion on Commercial Drive. “[They were] gracious enough to give us a home in the upstairs hall at their Legion and have given us a good start,” said Lyford via
email. When the group has more than 50 cadets they will have to move to a home of their own. According to Lyford, most squadrons in the Vancouver area are home to between 60 to 160 cadets. To achieve their goal of a home of their own, the East Van cadets will be fundraising in the
photo submitted
community. “Cadets is a free program, and while funding from DND [Department of National Defence] covers our administration and Wednesday night training costs, we need to fundraise to cover the costs of our optional activities and for any supplies that we need to run the program,” said Lyford.
Specializing in
Next Market
HALIBUT, BLACK COD & WILD SALMON
Sunday, Aug. 11
RAIN OR SHINE
17TH YEAR
Halibut Portion
$7.99/lb
Black Cod Steak
$12.99/lb
Sockeye Salmon Fillet
$8.99/lb 6252 Fraser St, Vancouver
604.218.5526
www.fraserseafood.com
Depending on the community, squadrons find homes in schools, which sometimes, such as in Richmond, supply free space, or they rent space in halls. The Vancouver School Board does not offer free space to cadets. The Air Cadet program organizes various activities for youth aged 12 to 18 including a drill team, marching band, first-aid team, effective speaking classes and other sports teams such as biathlon and Sun Run teams. “It is an amazing program that we hope will get enough support from the community in East Vancouver to grow roots and create a well-established air cadet squadron that will be in the community for the next 50 plus years,” said Lyford. For now though Lyford is focused on the immediate future. “First we have to prove that we are here to stay and that we are a positive influence in the East Vancouver community,” she said. According to the Air Cadet League of Canada website, half a million Canadians are involved in air cadets. There are currently 57 squadrons in B.C. The cadet program started in Canada during the Second World War as a way to train pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Today there is no requirement to go on to the Armed Forces. For more information on the cadets go to aircadetleague.com thuncher@shaw.ca twitter.com/thuncher
• Farm fresh produce • Fabric, Jewellery & Beauty • Plants, Garden Art & Accessories • Wood, Canvas & Glass Creations • 50 Food Artisans
on 48th Avenue Sundays 10am - 4pm August 11 and 25 September 8
150 Artisans
Live Music • 10am - 4pm 10 - 1 • La Tonga 1 - 4 • Rumba Calzada
www.ladnervillagemarket.com
Join thousands at this great family event!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
community correspondent
The Friendliest Dealers and Best Deals in Town
A kinder, gentler density in Kerrisdale
I
recently read, with a bit of astonishment, the opinion of a columnist at one of Vancouver’s daily newspapers. In a rather pontificating way he scolded the backward thinking of Vancouver neighbourhoods east of Main and south of Broadway (and beyond). It seems that we are all living in a make believe world. We outliers from the newly envisioned core of Vancouver have yet to see the light and are selfishly clinging to a past way of living that values gardens, trees, shrubs and other plants around single family houses. Not only that, cars are still part and parcel of our daily lives. While petty disagreements erupt down on Point Grey Road (cars give way to bike path), those of us living outside the “green zone” are rejecting densification because we can’t accept change, or so he proffered. Nothing could be further from the truth in Kerrisdale. I have now lived in this neighbourhood for over 40 years and before and during that tenure our robust little community, established in 1905, has been at the leading edge of progressive development. Kerrisdale Village’s core lies along West 41st avenues (formerly Wilson Road) between Maple and Larch Streets and along West Boulevard between West 37th and 49th Avenue. By the time of my arrival much of the existing zoning had been established allowing eight to 10 story apartment buildings for three to four blocks to the south and north of the main thoroughfare. As I recall it, the city’s planning department actually conducted comprehensive community consultation with not only the local resident associations of the day, but with the
TERRI CLARK Kerrisdale Merchants Association (now Kerrisdale Business Association). They agreed to a stepped-back approach where the one- and two-storey buildings flanking West 41st would give way to higher structures as they went north and south of that location. This consideration of “the look” of Kerrisdale Village allowed a stature that would have been lost had the adjacent highrises dwarfed the business district. All of this was accomplished through the give and take of meaningful dialogue between city staff and residents/business leaders who, if they had hidden agendas, never acted upon them. In addition, when McDonalds decided to develop a prime corner location in Kerrisdale, the Kerrisdale Business Association conducted numerous meetings with city staff and the architect/developer to ensure that the resulting building façade would blend into the area. LondonDrugssoonfollowed with the city’s new concept of retail on the ground level and three to four stories above. All this densification was seamless because all parties worked openly together and compromise was a key component of success. Back to cars in the hinterlands of Kerrisdale. Please note the abandoned tracks that run straight through our district. It
was once known as “The Sockeye Express” as it went all the way to Steveston. As of 1912 Kerrisdale was connected to Dunbar via rail along West 41st and that was extended to Granville Street in 1920. Safe to say we could get used to rail transport again and have given our two cents worth to city staffers about the fact that this corridor is not identified for any mode of transportation in the City’s 2040 Transportation Plan. People will continue to use cars if no other viable and easy to use system is not in place. Think about it — wouldn’t the Arbutus right-of-way make a brilliant bike path/ light rail? Why on earth would that not be considered in the 2040 Plan? Perhaps CPR’s earlier proposalofthinhousesontheir abandoned property (rejected several years ago by residents of the area) will receive more favourable consideration under the new wave at city hall. In summation, Kerrisdale for one is a neighbourhood that has been forward looking and flexible with its zoning and hence, densification. But there is a nuanced difference. When Kerrisdale went down this road several years ago it did so with a kinder, gentler administration at city hall who did not strive to divide Vancouver neighbourhoods, but to build a better future together. Rather than casting aspersions about how “out of touch” we all are, the city should actually try negotiating in good faith while taking into account our values not just theirs. The last time I looked, sustainability did not equal unchained growth. Terri Clark is a Kerrisdale resident and former communications staffer with the Vancouver park board.
Attention: Unrepresented ICBC Injury Claimants NO LEGAL FEE - unless we increase your compensation Have friends, family or a health professional urged you to see a lawyer before accepting an offer from ICBC? Call us for a free consultation. We have spoken to many people just like you. We have learned that ICBC does not base its settlement offers on how well an injury victim feels. ICBC offers money based on what the victim will be able to prove in court.
August 3 - September 27
CLS 550 4MATIC COUPE
GR RAND PRIZE
CAR DRAW
September 27 ! 10pm
FREE 3 BO
BALL NUS OTS
Valid u at Gu ntil Augu s est S ervic t 8 es
1,000
CHOOSE YOUR DREAM MERCEDES
$
CASH DRAW 3'(/& 5/7*0& " %24 . #24
ML 550 4MATIC
$
SLK 350 ROADSTER
CASH DRAW 6)$)-, +! " 1!24
E550 4MATIC SEDAN
OR R CASH OPT TIO ON
One Car awarded. Car not exactly as shown.
INCOGNITO
featuring Nadine States with opening act Taylor James
SHOW: 8PM
TICKETS: $10 AVAILABLE AT EDGEWATER CASINO GUEST SERVICES
We are so confident that we can increase your compensation that we guarantee you will pay no fee unless you receive more than ICBC is offering when you hire us to be your lawyers. At Cobbett & Cotton we are proudly committed to making a real difference for our injured clients.
A9
2%@$== !@$' 1? <)(%" . 036 <(%98% 1$,)"+(@# 7-/ 5(&%$,+"@ . "#>"*(;"@%(=9&$-%(
JOHN HAMILTON
Injury Lawyer - 16 yrs.
#300 - 410 Carleton Ave. (at Hastings), Burnaby
604-299-6251
Evening & Saturday Appointments Available – Free Parking
:#>"*(;"@ ?(=9&$/ 5(&%$,+"@
4?(=9&$:#>"*(;"@
A10
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
THE VANCOUVER COURIER
1574 West Sixth Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1R2 604-738-1411 Twitter: @vancouriernews vancourier.com
B.C. needs skills to pay the bills
T
he cornerstone of the B.C. Liberal government’s long-term economic strategy is an expanded liquefied natural gas industry, but a new study underscores how shaky some of the assumptions embedded in that strategy are. The study, commissioned by the B.C. Natural Gas Workforce Strategy Committee, estimates that an eye-popping 75,000 skilled workers will be needed once five LNG plants are operational. As well, a further 60,000 workers will be needed in the construction phase. This represents an enormous amount of skilled workers. Of course, the study is optimistic that all five LNG plants will come in line within a few years, which is by no means guaranteed. But if even two or three plants become reality, a large number of skilled workers will be needed. And this potential development underscores the urgency of the need for government action and funding to address the looming skills shortage that will soon confront British Columbia. I’ve written before how our changing demographics are working against us when it comes to skilled trade workers. Recent Statistics Canada data shows about two thirds of those workers in B.C. are over the age of 45, which means many of them will soon be approaching retirement. Compounding the problem is that those retirees will take with them their years of experience. This means foremen and other managers will start leaving the trades at a disproportionately higher rate than those trained but inexperienced workers who enter the profession. The government, in its recent Throne Speech, promised a “comprehensive 10-year skills training plan” that presumably will deal with this looming crisis. So far, however, we have yet to see any details of that plan. And the government doesn’t seem to have a lot of room to move on this front any time soon. It is desperately trying to balance its budget, and the three-year fiscal plan shows that funding for advanced education — which funds skills training — is actually set to decline by more than $40 million over the next two years. The fact the government appears locked in a fiscal box for a few years suggests it may want more say in how universities, colleges and institutes spend the dollars it allocates to them. For example, given that there is a surplus of teachers in B.C., is it wise to continue to fund as many people to become teachers? Or should some of that money be redirected into training people for professions that will provide well-paying jobs for years to come? Post-secondary institutions jealously guard their independence, but I have to wonder whether the government that funds them will start providing that funding with some strings attached. If a strong liquefied natural gas industry is indeed the key to B.C.’s economic future (and many, such as Green Party MLA Andrew Weaver, are very skeptical about that claim) and if it does require thousands of newly trained workers, the B.C. Liberals better get moving fast on that file. Hopefully, we’ll have some idea what that 10-year plan for improving skills training will look like in the fall. If I was a university president, I might be a bit nervous about some of the things that may be part of it. Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global B.C. Keith.Baldrey@globalnews.ca. (Allen Garr is on vacation.)
KEITH BALDREY
“
Hopefully, we’ll have some idea of what the 10-year plan for improving skills training will look like in the fall.
”
WEB POLL NATION
Do you support a boycott of Russian goods and next year’s Olympics over the country’s anti-gay legislation? Go to www.vancourier.com to vote
Last week’s poll question: Should a local shipyard get the contract to build new ferries for B.C. Ferries? YES – 80 per cent NO – 20 per cent This is not a scientific poll.
ADVERTISING
604.738.1412 CLASSIFIED
604.630.3300 DELIVERY
604.942.3081 EDITORIAL NEWSROOM
604.738.1411 FLYER SALES
604.738.1412 PUBLISHER
Dee Dhaliwal
ddhaliwal@vancourier.com
EDITOR
CLASSIFIED MANAGER
blink@vancourier.com
tagrios@van.net
Barry Link
Trixi Agrios
The Vancouver Courier is a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40025215. All material in the Vancouver Courier is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of the publisher. This newspaper reserves the right to reject any advertising which it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement.
letters
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 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
Add cycling to cycle of learning
P
ractically every day I see cyclists pedalling along the highways and byways that take me from home to work and back. Practically every day I see them breaking the rules of the road — in fact, it’s rare that I don’t have a cyclist in my line of sight for more than 20 or 30 seconds without witnessing the shattering of one traffic law or another. Practically every day I see stupid motorists nearly fulfilling a cyclist’s apparent ambition to see tomorrow from a hospital bed — or not see tomorrow at all. And I think to myself... “More people should ride bicycles.” In fact, I wish more people would spend more time riding bikes before ever getting behind the wheel of a car, as opposed to under one — which happens far too often, as things currently stand. I’m not a sadist, and I’m not hoping I can snap a gory photo of a mangled cyclist to fill a corner of the newspaper. And it has nothing to do with my basic belief that the world would be a better place with fewer people in it (provided, of course, that I’m one of those “fewer people”). On the contrary, I believe that if there were more people riding bicycles to and fro, there would be less carnage in the long run. Potential motor vehicle drivers should be required to spend a couple hundred hours on a bicycle before applying for a learner’s licence. And it shouldn’t be just some recreational riding around a quiet neighbourhood, around the local park a few times, or mountain biking along some backwoods trails. More cyclists rolling along with traffic (not against traffic, like pedestrians, which they are not — probably the most common Motor Vehicle Act transgression perpetrated by cyclists) would create a “safety in numbers” scenario. Motorists would be more aware of cyclists in their midst, because there would be more cyclists to remind them to pay attention. Motorists would also gain from the experience of having ridden a bicycle amongst idiot drivers who eat, drink, comb their hair, fix their makeup, and otherwise occupy themselves with endangering the lives of the people around them. You cannot truly understand the concept of “defensive driving” until you’ve ridden a bicycle alongside the stupidest, most oblivious creatures populating the face of the earth: the texting driver (followed closely by the cellphone-addicted driver — and don’t give me that “hands-free” nonsense, as studies clearly show that hands-free cellphone use, while not illegal, is equally as dangerous as using handheld devices). And having had the benefit of experiencing the stupidity of the average steel-enclosed motorist first-hand from the panoramic vantage point of a bicycle seat, the newly licensed driver is less likely to want to become one of those average idiots. Understanding would also flow both ways, as more and more cyclists become motorists — and they begin to teach their children how to ride safely, instead of actually teaching them dangerous behaviour. It is disconcerting in the extreme to see young cyclists follow their ignorant parents straight through stop signs and red lights, and passing lines of slow traffic on the right, sneaking up on the unsuspecting guy who doesn’t realize it has suddenly become dangerous to make his right turn. Parents on bicycles lead their kids along sidewalks, putting pedestrians at risk and creating the danger of uncertainty in the minds of motorists who, faced with such unruly behaviour, can’t know what the next move will be. They lead their kids against traffic lights through crosswalks where they have no business being. And when they get hit... stupid motorists! Bob Groeneveld is the editor of the Langley Advance. He can be reached at bgroeneveld@langleyadvance.com.
BOB GROENEVELD
ONECARD WON’T BE ACCEPTED EVERYWHERE
To the editor: Re: “Commissioner responds to OneCard critic, July 25. It’s important for community centre users to understand that the park board’s OneCard will not be accepted at all community centre facilities on Sept. 1, despite park board advertising and recent public statements from commissioner Niki Sharma to the contrary. The fact is several communities across the city voted not to accept it until the larger issues relating to the Joint Operating Agreement are rectified through fair and transparent negotiations. Based on the information presented to communities, OneCard appears to be part of the Park Board’s continued attempt to centralize money and decisionmaking. To minimize the role of local non-profit community centre societies and our ability to respond to local community needs; all in an attempt to create “cookie cutter” recreation centres. This most recent development doesn’t change anything for individuals and families of all income levels. Community association operated programs will still be available to all — just as they always have been — at a price that all families can afford. Since July 1, the park board has continually misled the public, saying that its rebranded flexipass (OneCard) will be used to access all facilities and programs this fall. Staff are also misleading patrons at community centres by telling people they must surrender their current passes in favour of the OneCard. Neither is true. This is an important time for community centre programming. Fall schedules are coming out and families across the city will be looking to sign kids up for after
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
school programs and classes; the majority of which are funded and operated by local non-profit community associations. Make sure you have the right information. Contact your local community association so you know for sure that the pass you buy will work at your community centre or to inquire about assistance programs for those with lower incomes.
Robert Lockhart. Kerrisdale Community Centre
‘DRIVE’ SIGNS A HAPPY MISTAKE
To the editor: Re: “Grandview-Woodland signage hits overdrive,” July 31. It’s a mystery to me as to why people would be upset that they have been included in a newly created neighbourhood. From Clark Drive eastwards to Garden we have a number of north/south thoroughfares classified as “Drives” rather than “Streets” so accidental installation of the signage is a happy mistake. Think of “The Village” in Manhattan or “Soho” or “Tribeca.” They all conjure up images of interesting neighbourhoods so why not start a new one for our own city. “The Drive” sure beats the heck out of “Grandview-Woodland” or “East Van.” I was personally delighted when I saw the signs go up on our street, although in my snobby way I would have preferred “Trout Lake Crescent.”
William Corden, Vancouver
CELL COLUMN INFORMS To the editor: Re: “Pressure needed to reduce solitary cell time,” July 26. Thank you for a most interesting piece on solitary confinement. I had no idea it was used to such
A11
excess. Time out away from society is one thing, but being treated as a rabid dog is quite another. I hope you followup on this issue and if ever there is a demonstration or public meeting to bring the issue to the public’s attention, I will do my best to attend. The fact that there are 600 more adults (men) confined to solitary now since 2010 is disgusting, but typical of the right-wing politics of this federal government.
Kathryn Ayres, Vancouver
VISION ACCUSED OF ‘ASTOUNDING ARROGANCE ‘ To the editor: Re: “Council OKs Point Grey bike lane,” July 31. Why would any citizen want to “engage” with city staff or elected officials when they clearly think they know what is best for us and have no compunction about imposing this on us whether we like it or not? Although the obvious majority strongly opposes the closure of Point Grey Road and came out in droves to tell council so, it went ahead anyway, with Vision councillors, as ever, voting en bloc. To say that the Visiondominated council makes a mockery of democracy would not be overstating it. I have family members living in three different parts of this city — Kitsilano, Strathcona, and Grandview Woodland. All three branches of our family have spent a good part of our summer “fighting city hall” — fighting a council that we helped elect. There is something very wrong with this picture. And this “something wrong” includes astounding arrogance, incredibly bad judgment, and a willingness to dance to the tune of big money.
Linda Light, Vancouver
SOCIAL MEDIA COURIER STORY: “Yaletown gets farmers market,” July 30 Rachel Sanders @_RachelSanders: Yesssssss. Sweet On Veg @SweetOnVeg: Delicious news! COURIER POLL: Should a local shipyard get the contract to build new ferries for B.C. Ferries? Deborah Brady @OneDeborah: Yes .. build ships here. Michael @MichaelBoulton9: Yes, of course Dennis LeBlanc @dleblanc333: Only if they are cost efficient and truly have the talent, which I believe they have. Elevator Music @empromo: Yes but we don’t need another Fast Ferry fiasco Follow us on Facebook: The VancouverCourierNewspaper and Twitter: @VanCourierNews
A12
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
DAY
3
®
SALE
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
10
9
AUGUST
AUGUST
SUNDAY
11
AUGUST
N. U S . T A FRI.-S
49
3
SpongeTowels Ultra 6 Roll.
NLY 3 DAYSICEO
Fresh Blackberries
!
Product of U.S.A. 160 g.
CLUB PR
5
NLY! 3 DAPYRSICEO
Pampers Mega Pack Diapers
Fresh. Boneless. Skinless.
Or Easy Ups, Under Jams or New Born Jumbos. Assorted sizes. 21 to 84’s. LIMIT FOUR Combined varieties.
12
NLY 3 DAYS O
2fo
CLUB
Chicken Breast
$
$r
$
2for
ea.
25
NLY! 3 DAPYRSICEO
!
CLUB
Buy 3 Earn 30 BONUS AIR MILES® reward miles
Piazza’s Fire Baked Pizza
Assorted varieties. 592 to 725 g. Try the Potato Bacon Pizza available for a limited time only.
®
RN 30 BUAIRYMIL3ESEA reward miles
4
99 ®
ea.
CLUB PRICE
Bakery Counter Blueberry Muffins
Package of 9.
$
5
NLY! 3 DAYS EO C
Artisan Select Quarter Cheesecake Sampler
Or Chocolate Sampler. 340 g.
LUB PRIC
Prices effective at all British Columbia Safeway stores Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11, 2013 only. We reserve the right to limit sales to retail quantities. Some items may not be available at all stores. All items while stocks last. Actual items may vary slig htly from illustrations. Some illustrations are serving suggestions only. Advertised prices do not include GST. ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Canada Safeway Limited. Extreme Specials are prices that are so low they are limited to a one time purchase to Safeway Club Card Members within a household. Each household can purchase the limited items one time during the effective dates. A household is defined by all Safeway Club Cards that are linked by the same address and phone number. Each household can purchase the EXTREME SPECIALS during the specified advertisement dates. For purchases over the household limits, regular pricing applies to overlimit purchases. On BUY ONE GET ONE FREE items, both items must be purchased. Lowest priced item is then free. Online and in-store prices, discounts, and offers may differ.
99
3
NLY! 3 DAPYRSICEO CLUB
AUGUST 9 10 11
FRI
SAT SUN
Prices in this ad good until Aug. 11th.
community
CelebratesportsatKitsFest COMMUNITY CALENDAR
with Sandra Thomas
SOUTH GRANVILLE AND MARPOLE
The Westside Mobile Market I wrote about two weeks ago will continue now through Sept. 26, not Sept. 6 as I had written. I have no idea what happened to that “2” between the time I wrote it and it went to press, but nevertheless it disappeared. The market was developed to help low-income seniors living on the West Side and in Marpole to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at low prices through a joint initiative between the South Granville Seniors Centre and Westside Food Collaborative. Inexpensive produce is purchased at the Greater Vancouver Foodbank and then sold at two locations, including at the seniors centre, 1420 West 12th Ave., every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at Marpole Place Neighbourhood House, 1305 West 70th Ave., from 2 to 4 p.m.
A13
FUTURE SHOP - CORRECTION NOTICE NEWSPAPER RETRACTION FOR THE FUTURE SHOP AUGUST 2 CORPORATE FLYER In the August 2 flyer, on page 10, a $100 gift card was offered with the purchase of an iPhone 4 8GB (WebCode:101218264, 10218265). Please be advised that this product is NOT eligible for a gift card. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers. FUTURE SHOP - CORRECTION NOTICE NEWSPAPER RETRACTION FOR THE FUTURE SHOP AUGUST 2 CORPORATE FLYER In the August 2 flyer, on page 23, the Sony 55-200mm F4-5.6 Telephoto Lens and the Sony 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 E Mount Zoom Lens (WebCode: 10133295, 10212720) were advertised at a standalone price of $169.99 and $269.99 respectively. Please note that these prices are only applicable with the purchase of a Sony DSLR camera (WebCodes: 10244288 and 1024396/10148727 respectively). We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.
Tune into our
KITS BEACH You’ve grooved your way through the jazz fest, hula hooped through the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and flung beads during Pride Week — so what’s next? How about tennis, basketball or volleyball during KitsFest, taking place at various locations at Kits Beach Aug. 9 to 11. This is the fifth anniversary of KitsFest, a festival celebrating sports and healthy living so you can expect the “sexiest beach in Canada” (according to Forbes magazine) to be in full swing next weekend. But it’s not just fast-paced action taking place next weekend. To that end BYOM (bring your own mat) to SeaWheez, which will see crowds flock to Kits Beach for a sunset yoga session Aug. 9 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Aug. 9. Of course, what would any Vancouver festival be without offerings for foodies. The Baseline Bistro, featuring 1970s Motown music, will offer up classic Kits food and beverage from the Boathouse, Chronic Taco and more, while Smooth Grooves Productions has booked some of the hottest DJs in the city. Kids have not been excluded from the festival and activities for the little ones will include face painting, obstacle courses and fitness programs dedicated to family fun. For a complete schedule visit kitsfest.com.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
WEEKLY NEWS RECAP WOWtv and the VANCOUVER COURIER bring you 15 minutes of local community news, lifestyle, culture and entertainment. Thursdays 10am–10.30am, reruns Saturdays 10am–10.30am Telus TV Channel 2828 and YouTube @wow1tv
vancouver.ca
Development Permit Board Meeting: August 12 photo submitted
Basketball games and other healthy activities are part of KitsFest, which takes place this weekend at Kits Beach.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
Choices Markets has partnered with Autism Speaks Canada to raise funds during a campaign through which customers can purchase puzzle pieces instore at the checkout for $1. All proceeds from the campaign will benefit the sixth annual Vancouver Walk Now for Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event, which takes place Sept. 29 in Stanley Park. To raise additional funds, Choices Markets has teamed up with Happy Water to host a series of barbeques Saturday Aug. 10th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit walknowforautismspeaks. ca or contact 604-629-9298.
CHINATOWN The Chinatown Night Market is celebrating the classic bite-sized morsel with the Dumpling Cook Off, sponsored by Bao Bei Chinese Brasserie, Aug. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot beside the Keefer Bar, 135 Keefer St. Nine of the city’s top chefs will go
head-to-head to be named King of the Dumpling. I might have made that part up, but I did hear the competition will be fierce. Each contestant will make 300 dumplings for a cook-off total of 2,700, which will then be available to sample through the purchase of the $12 Dumpling Passport. While the creations will be officially judged by a panel of discerning dumpling connoisseurs, the Dumpling Passport will allow those sampling to decide for themselves. All proceeds go to the Chinatown Night Market towards continued programming. Consider yourself a die-hard dumpling fan? Sign up for the Dumpling Derby and eat as many as possible in two minutes. Participating restaurants include Chambar, La Mezcalaria, Wild Rice, Wildebeest, Fable, Cibo, Sea Monster Sushi, Harvest, and The Parker. For more information visit ancouverchinatownnightmarket.com. sthomas@vancourier.com twitter.com/sthomas10
The Development Permit Board and Advisory Panel will meet: Monday, August 12 at 3 pm City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue First Floor, Town Hall Meeting Room to consider these development permit applications: 1099 Richards Street: To develop the site with a 13-storey, multiple dwelling building with two and a half levels of underground parking accessed from the lane. The building will contain 162 social housing units, a portion of which meet the definition of low-cost housing as defined in the Downtown District Official Development Plan (DDODP). 475 Howe Street: Interior and exterior alterations to restore, retain, and designate the existing 11-storey office building (Old Stock Exchange) as Heritage “A” and construct a 31-storey addition, thereby creating a 31-storey mixed-use commercial building containing general office and retail store uses and seven levels of underground parking accessed from the lane north of West Pender Street, subject to Council’s enactment of the CD-1 By-Law and approval of Form of Development. Please contact City Hall Security (1st floor) if your vehicle may be parked at City Hall for more than two hours. TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM: 604-873-7469 or lorna.harvey@vancouver.ca
A14
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
CITY LIVING
GOT AN EVENT WE CAN SHOOT? LET US KNOW! 604-738-1411 | events@vancourier.com
1
photos Rebecca Blissett
EAST SIDE PRIDE
2
Commercial Drive was the scene of the 10th annual Dyke March this past Saturday with well over 1,000 women, men, and children joining in for the afternoon’s march and festivities at Grandview Park. Unlike many other dyke marches in other cities, Vancouver’s organizers decided to include a festival so the community had somewhere to celebrate its visibility. Bands, DJs, comedy troupes, roller derby demos provided some of the entertainment and festivalgoers could also visit a wide range of tables set up that ranged from ‘Mobilization Against War and Occupation’ to salon High Fidelity’s on-site hair cuts. The Dyke March and Festival made for a packed Pride weekend with the Trans and Genderqueer Liberation and Celebration March held this past Friday evening in East Vancouver and Sunday afternoon’s Pride Parade in the West End.
3
1 . No Vancouver Dyke March is complete without the Dykes on Bikes. Joan Belford made the trip on her Honda sport bike to Vancouver from Vernon. 2 . The Vancouver Dyke March celebrated its 10th anniversary this past Saturday with a march from McSpadden Park down Commercial Drive. 3 . Women march up the Drive. 4 . The band Queer As Funk had the music and the bodies going as Saturday’s march dispersed into Grandview Park 5 . Festival president Michelle Fortin participated in the first Vancouver Dyke March 10 years ago, pushing one of her nieces in a stroller.
Scan this page with your smartphone or tablet using the free Layar app to view more photos.
4
5
Go to vancourier.com for the City Living online gallery
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A15
SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE
Patiently
waiting
Website offers wealth of data on local hospitals’ surgical queue COMPILED BY HELEN PETERSON
If you or a loved one are contemplating, upon your doctor or specialist’s advice, having a surgery done to enhance your quality of life or relieve chronic pain, there are now more high-tech ways of finding out where you stand.
Wait times are calculated on the basis of the previous three months of completed cases, and categorized by facility and by surgeon name.
In Canada there are no “front of the line” privileges based on a healthy wallet; many other factors determine the efficiency of getting in for a surgical procedure. Now, rather than a vague date for surgery, or having to call and check constantly, you can be more assured of when your surgeon is ready to commence with your procedure.
The data for Open Heart Surgeries and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts has recently been updated to make it consistent with how cardiac wait times data is reported nationally. The completeness of the data for Hip Fracture Fixations varies by facility. Not all facilities have reported data as of the date indicated. Data for each fiscal year being reported will be finalized in August.
A relatively new website – Surgical Wait Times – is designed to offer you more information about wait times for elective surgical procedures in British Columbia, for both adult and paediatric patients. In British Columbia, more than 500,000 hospital-based surgeries and treatments are performed each year. This site reports on wait times for adult and paediatric elective surgeries done in publicly-funded facilities (ex: Vancouver Coastal Health). However, more than half of all surgeries are emergency or unplanned procedures and never appear on a waitlist.
How the data is collected:
To protect patient privacy, procedures with volumes less than five cases are not shown. Information in the Surgical Patient Registry comes directly from facilities throughout BC. The accuracy of the registry is entirely dependent on the data submitted by the facilities. Note: The Ministry of Health Services assumes no liability for the hospital information. Go to health.gov.bc.ca/swt/ for the official website.
Joint Pain Management The OsteoArthritis Service Integration System (OASIS) at VGH is an assessment and referral program that helps people with osteoarthritis self-manage their condition and access support services at any stage of the disease, including the lead-up time to replacement surgery. Join OASIS on Wed. Aug. 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for a two-hour education session called Understanding
11077330
Care home visits available
Emergency Number 778-868-6776 201-2152 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver www.kerrisdaledentureclinic.com
kit scc .co m
educ
Giao Le B.Sc., R.D.
BPS dentures are precision dentures that use high Over 5 years old? standard materials to restore form and function while Loose, cracked or stained? providing exceptional fit and a beautiful, natural smile. Making your mouth sore? Our BPS dentures also come with a 5 year warranty. Keeping you from enjoying food? If you’ve answered YES to any of these Please ask us about our Geneva 2000 dentures. questions... WE CAN HELP!!! Payment Plans + All Insurance Coverage Call now for your Complimentary Consultation
604.263.7478
g cooking gardenin
community kitchens tive arts martial arts dog obedience crea ation development
FA LL 2013 ide Recreation Gu
Are your dentures...
Now accepting new patients
K it s il a n o y C o m m u n it C e n tr e
ge 3 G ARNIN OL - See pa O TO LE DIG IN GY PRESCH AT TIG
LEARN SELF DEFEN SE SKILLS See pages 9 &14
STAY ACTIVE AT KITS CC
- LOOK INSIDE! B.C. V6K 4K9 eet, Vancouver, 96 2690 Larch Str : 604.257.69 Fax 76 .69 57 Centre Association Kitsilano Community Phone: 604.2 and Recreation and of Parks
Looking for the
FALL RECREATION GUIDE for Kitsilano Community Centre?
You can find our guide and all of our Fall program offerings at the community centre or at www.kitscc.com Registration begins Mon Aug 12 online, or Thurs Aug 15 in person/phone The Guide is also available at: IGA 2286 West Broadway
0,. /%+2%$-#" !3-#(& ) 1
ing dancing theatre sing seniors’ programs preschool programs
Jointly Operated by
gymnastics
Vancouver Board
learn a language rips music lessons youth programs out-t
We look forward to achieving the best possible results, while providing the highest professional standards.
whirlpool sauna ing fitness centre a pilates ice skat performing arts yog
recreation workshops social
Kerrisdale Denture Clinic
Our team of Denturists are BPS Denture certified to provide you with the latest technology available. Our clinic’s associates have experience ranging from new graduates to 30 years, so you will benefit from our knowledge and our fresh outlook.
Location: Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) – Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, 2775 Laurel St., Suite 439. Call 604-875-4544 to pre-register.
computer training
DENTURES
Guaranteed Comfortable Fit!
Osteoarthritis, led by an Occupational Therapist who will answer questions like: What can I do to self-manage my osteoarthritis? How can I protect my joints? How can using helping aids reduce my pain?
2733 West Broadway
A16
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
From Basic to Beauty WE DO IT ALL!
• “Invisalign” Invisible Orthodontics • Digital Imaging • Dental Implants • One Appointment Porcelain Crowns • Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Y. Vincent Yoshida, Inc. Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Accepting New Patients
207-1750 East 10th Avenue, Vancouver Phone: 604-874-1221 or www.dryoshida.com
DENTURES THAT FIT
GUARANTEED! All our Dentures and Services are TAX FREE! Friedrich H.G. Brumm D.D. B.A. Denturist - 26 yrs exp View my video with
For your free consultation please call 604-325-1914 www.mydentures.ca
Now Accepting New Patients No Referral Needed VICTORIA DRIVE DENTURE CLINIC 5477 Victoria Drive (at 39th) “EUROPEAN QUALITY AT CANADIAN PRICES”
In the mood
For some middle-aged men, low desire may be physiological A man experiencing decreased sexual desire, loss of energy, mood depression, weakness, irritability and decreased motivation may fall into a catch-all of “not in the mood.” In fact, these are all symptoms of a medical condition known as testosterone deficiency (low-T). Low-T affects approximately 25 per cent of Canadian men between the ages of 40-62 years. “Low-T is an under-recognized condition and less than 10 per cent of those affected receive the proper treatment,” says Dr. Serge Carrier, Urologist, McGill University. “Not feeling like themselves, both in and outside the bedroom, tends to be the most common complaint by my male patients. It is important for men to recognize the symptoms of low-T and talk to their doctor about treatment options that may help.”
Not many men want to admit to experiencing symptoms of decreased sexual desire, loss of energy, mood depression, weakness, irritability and decreased motivation.
According to the survey, 66 per cent of men agree that low-T can affect a man’s self esteem and confidence – no wonder it has the potential to stifle the sizzle. A new prescription treatment option that is applied to the underarm area, similarly to deodorant, is now available in Canada to help improve symptoms of low-T in men. It’s a treatment that fits discretely and conveniently within a man’s daily grooming routine. Women may be more in-tune with their male partner than he is himself and can often motivate him to talk to his doctor if he hasn’t been feeling like himself.
While some men may choose to ignore these symptoms, their partners are frequently better able to recognize symptoms and suggest they seek some medical advice.
So, if you are a partner who has noticed a change in your male partner’s behavior both in and outside the bedroom, encourage him to talk to his doctor about low-T. Info. courtesy www.newscanada.com.
Dentures, Comfortably Fit - Guaranteed Svetlana Lopareva R.D.BPS
(Biofunctional Prosthetic System) Certified Denturist
• Home visits available • Precision Cosmetic Dentures, Standard Dentures , Partials, Relines and Emergencies • Financing Available - OAC 116 West Broadway
604.677.0061
3983 Kingsway
604.336.4155 Emergencies 778.389.5072
w w w. l o p a r e v a d e n t u r e c l i n i c . c o m
healthy living Courie readers aree committed to living a Courier healthy healthy, proactive lifestyle. We’d like to help by offering you information on new, exciting health initiatives in your community, a wealth of fitness and nutrition tips, plus advice on a positive mental outlook. Watch for – your guide to good health, publishing first and third Wed.’s of each month.
To advertise in this feature, call
604-738-1411
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A17
Scan this article for advice
Addressing hormonal imbalance promotes weight loss BY MICKI COWAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For people working towards weight loss, stubborn areas like the belly can be one of the trickiest spots to get results.
different hormones that are released from body fat,” said Maherali. “Hormones are basically chemicals that engage in dialogue with other organs.”
Extra girth around the belly is particularly common amongst women of childbearing age and also menopausal women and can contribute to disease propensity. Pills and yo-yo diets promise fast results for women looking to drop the weight, but can put her health at risk.
Hormonal imbalances are corrected in naturopathic therapy using a combination of diet, nutrition and lifestyle. Part of the treatment is learning how to measure body sugars and eating a certain way, according to Maherali.
Naturopathic doctor Asifa Maherali (pictured, above top) focuses on helping women get rid of body fat and particularly belly fat, using nontoxic therapies for sustained results. She operates out of the Kitsilano Naturopathic Clinic, based at 2902 West Broadway in Kits. Maherali explained that a woman’s weight is not what’s important, but rather her body composition of muscle relative to body fat. “Muscle is the number one biomarker for the aging process, meaning a decline in muscle indicates that her body appears older.” One of the most important things when dealing with body fat is to make sure that muscle isn’t lost, which Maherali explains would be an unhealthy weight loss. At her clinic, staff measure a woman’s composition and then work to reduce the amount of fat relative to muscle. Maherali said within two weeks of treatment, women can see a two per cent decline in body fat through correcting hormonal imbalances, and will notice their pants are fitting looser even sooner than that. “In regards to body fat, experts have identified over 300
“You’ll be eating a certain way and the body fat is coming down. Patients aren’t hungry at all. They’re eating the most food they’ve ever eaten but they’re losing fat.” She emphasized that patients might not see a shift in the scale right away, as their muscle weight is actually increasing. However, with an increase in muscle comes an increase in metabolism and ability for sustained weight loss. As for exercise, Maherali emphasizes simple movement to start. “You’ll enjoy increased energy, then clients will automatically get into an exercise endeavour.” Using naturopathic medicine to address belly fat is something someone of any age can do, from young teens to 90-year-olds, but Maherali she makes sure the patient’s body is ready first. “I wouldn’t start fat loss on a constipated patient. I would make sure their plumbing is up to par before we even embark on fat loss.“ Maherali has a BSc in Dietetics from UBC and studied naturopathic medicine in the U.S. For more information visit kitsnaturalhealth.com.
Caribbean Cool Experience the Rhythm and Culture of the Caribbean
Thursday, August 15, 2pm - 4pm If you can’t be on an island in the sun, Tapestry Retirement M`bbLaO[OS\ JOcc X]OaQ `aS [` I`Le KaN`I Ya YWS]a``a dccST with the rhythm and culture of the Caribbean brought to you by Tapestry at Wesbrook Village. Listen to the smooth sounds of the steel drums by entertainer Kenrick Headley. Keep cool with a tropical inspired beverage. And taste Chef’s Caribbean food creations. Stay for the YWS]a``a [` RSSc [PS \La `a I`L] RYUS YaT Y JY]b X]SSHS Oa I`L] PYO] `a ZY^S\[]I_\ XSYL[ORLccI cYaT\UY^ST ]``W`^ ^Y[O`V Experience the freedom of the Tapestry lifestyle and keep Caribbean cool at this can’t miss event! This is a free event open to seniors and their families.
RSVP to 604.225.5000 by Monday, August 12 to ensure your spot!
DiscoverTapestry.com Tapestry at Wesbrook Village 3338 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver
604.225.5000
A18
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
:GO$? !E =AG 7GG% /,3%04&./%* -6!$
)!6 5 $(#(=GI =(#G !#%*(
0HD ZGC 0'N
DB. V66
J 3!;Z? !E TG?(IG"=(O$ <$GO"("C SGZ9(KG? EZ!# @Z=(?O <$GO"("C Q +!;Z 3!#G
0HD
1U RV
D).
O"I ;[
V66
ZGC 0'N
J R(K%G=? =! @TT2/@Y* =AG VE5K(O$ @>>@ RZ(M;=G >O"I VT :T8@XS* RAG 1$=(#O=G RZ(M;=G =! 6$GG=7!!I XOK* U$;? 0LN <O?("! S$!= <ZGI(= Q WG7 -G?=#("?=GZ
&F. V66
0&& ;[ =! 0L*BDN L +GOZ !E 1"$(#(=GI YO?GZ 3O(Z TG#!9O$ !" J >!I4 UOZ=? O= @9O"=G YO?GZ , @G?=AG=(K? Q >;Z"OM4
3V"! >1+
'/2 533/44 2! 5%% 2+/4/ /,3%04&./ 1/5%4 5#1 $!6/ 52"
PK!#
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A19
GOT ARTS? 604-738-1411 | arts@vancourier.com
2
1
3
photo Rebecca Blissett
OUR
PICKS AUG. 7 - 9
For video and web content, scan page with
1 2 3
738-1959.
Dust off your ironic headband as the Biltmore Cabaret serves up another PING PONG CLUB NIGHT Aug. 7, 8 p.m. Michael “the Hunger” Unger hosts and Dustin Bromley DJs the Roundthe-World style dance floor elimination tournament. Paddles are provided and all skill levels are encouraged. Admission $3. More details at biltmorecabaret.com Things get soulful, sophisticated and sultry as the AMANDA WOOD QUINTET gets cuddly at Cory Weeds Cellar Jazz Club Aug. 8, 8 p.m. The show promises a mix of jazz standards, new spins on contemporary songs by such artists as Adele, Sade and Coldplay as well as and tracks from Wood’s latest solo album. For reservations and more details, go to cellarjazz.com or call 604-
Artisan weavers! The Industrial Revolution! Conflict and tough choices! Tina Teeninga’s play WOLF AT THE DOOR has it all. Kerris Norris directs this “gripping, rebellious and deeply personal” tale set in Yorkshire, England at the beginning of the Industrial Age, Aug. 7 to 17 at Pacific Theatre. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com. More details at otherwiseproductions.ca.
A20
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
arts&entertainment
Sign of the Gypsy Queen KUDOS& KVETCHES
T
he other day we found ourselves wandering around the PNE grounds. The reason is not important and has nothing to do with our unhealthy obsession with the upcoming Superdogs show at the Agrodome. But during our sweaty travels we stopped by Hastings Skatepark to watch skateboarders barely out of primary school pull off deathdefying tricks. We reflected upon our own wasted youth in which the most coordinated thing we ever achieved in our adolescent years was pleasuring ourselves while listening to The Joshua Tree. Anyway. Besides the awe-inspiring display of skateboarding skills, we were impressed by the music selection blasting out of a nearby portable music player. At first we thought April Wine’s “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” would not be a particularly skateboard-friendly song. But on a hot summer day in July, with an abundance of mustaches and tank tops on hand, not to mention plenty of pot leaf and Pabst Blue Ribbon logo graffiti, it was perfect. If only we had been wearing a ratty pair of cut-off jean
shorts and knee-high tube socks, our inner Tony Alva would have emerged and made us feel whole again, instead of a broken, constantly tired adult with a bum knee and susceptibility to sun burns. Listening to the song, we realized it wasn’t called “Night of the Gypsy Queen” or “Flight of the Gypsy Queen,” as we had previously thought. We then went down a rabbit hole of introspection, wondering what exactly is “the sign” of the gypsy queen, or what is a gypsy queen, for that matter. We’re still searching for the answers. Next on the playlist was the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” and it was all we could do not to take off our perspirationsoaked shirt and shotgun the can of coconut water lurking in the bottom of our fashionable messenger bag like the urban beast that we are. What followed was a bit blurry. Could it have been Ram Jam’s “Black Betty” or Crowbar’s “Oh What a Feeling” or something by NWA? We have no idea what was playing, but we do know it was good. Not only that, it gave us hope to live in a world where April Wine and the Stooges can share the same playlist without anyone batting an eye or judging your musical tastes. Then we walked to a nearby corner store, ate a freezer-burnt Fudgsicle and took a stinky bus home. The circle was completed. twitter.com/KudosKvetches
$ ' ) * ' $ ! ! # ! N i % W $ d n " a ( E )! iE&W, VoT
V
Critic’s Choice
“Gastown Rap” Joel McCarthy
The deadline for entries has closed in our Vancouver Viewer’s Choice to all those who entered. Minute Video Contest—thanks 1st “Vancouver Minute” by Zachary Starko
2nd “Gastown Rap”the bytop Joel Now the voting begins—view tenMcCarthy submissions at contest.vancourier.com, cast a vote for Right... your favourite 3rd “My City, My Life, That’s video and you could win $250 gift coupon Vancouver” by a Hoffman Wong for London Drugs!
Thanks to all that entered and voted. Until next time…
your home in sixty seconds For voting rules and regulations go to contest.vancourier.com
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
E21
arts&entertainment
Riverview High updates classic love triangle CHRISTINE LYON Contributing writer
A
s any good girl will tell you, sometimes it’s fun to be bad. Over the years, self-described “girl-next-door” Ranae Miller has accumulated a collection of Archie comic books numbering in the hundreds and, while she has always considered herself a true Betty at heart, she is nonetheless intrigued by Betty’s saucy rival Veronica. “When I was little I used to act out the Veronica parts with myself,” says 23-year-old Miller. “She was always the fun one to play because she’s a mean girl.” Now, the graduate of Capilano University’s Musical Theatre Program has a chance to assume the rich-bitch attitude in front of a real live audience. She’s not playing Riverdale High student Veronica Lodge, though, but instead is taking on the role of Riverview High student Erica Snodge — who bears an uncanny likeness to the former with her long brunette hair and fondness for miniskirts. Set in 1996, Riverview High: The Musical is loosely based on the antics of Archie and the gang, though Miller says the show is also inspired by a mix of ‘90s teen pop culture such as TV’s Saved by the Bell and the movie Clueless. With music and lyrics by Stewart Yu, book by Angela Wong and lyrics by Mike Mackenzie, Riverview High was voted Pick of the
Fringe fave Riverview High: The Musical is at the Firehall Arts Centre until Aug. 24. To watch a video from the musical, scan this page using the Layar app. Fringe after its initial run at the 2012 Vancouver Fringe Festival and won the 2013 Ovation Award for Outstanding Production (Small Theatre). It makes another run at Vancouver’s Firehall Arts Centre Aug. 7 to 24. The story revolves around redheaded Alex, who has accidentally invited both sexy, stylish Erica and sweet-natured Cathy to the prom. “Trouble ensues and he has to make a decision by graduation day,” Miller says, explaining both Erica and Cathy have suitors of their own, which puts the pressure on Alex to choose. So, he enlists the help of his hot-dog-lov-
ing best friend Parker to help him weigh his options. But girl-hating Parker has problems of his own as his not-so-secret admirer Esther just can’t seem to take a hint. Miller caught the acting bug at age 11 when she enrolled at Gateway Theatre’s Academy for the Performing Arts. She participated in high school plays and was a member of the ensemble during the Fringe showing of Riverview High. Stepping into Erica’s high-heeled pumps will give her the long-awaited chance to demonstrate her acting range. “I’m usually typecast as the girl-next-door
ingénue kind of character, so I’m really excited this time around to actually get to play the mean girl,” she says. “Stewart Yu has written some great stuff for Erica and it’s just so much fun to sing, and just so fun to be a little bit mean.” Fellow Musical Theatre Program alumnus Alex Gullason plays Cathy, Erica’s former best friend and competitor for Alex’s affection. “It’s just fun to play the girl next door that everybody loves,” says Gullason, 21, who sports a perky blonde ponytail and sugarsweet sundresses for the part. Riverview High is a bit zany, yes, and there’s no shortage of upbeat singing and dancing, but Gullason says the show also has heart. “It’s more than just a big campy musical. It’s got a lot of deeper moments in it as well,” she says. So, why was the Fringe run of Riverview High a sold-out success, and why has the gang returned for an encore performance? Perhaps for the same reason Archie comics are still on the newsstand after 70 years. “No matter what age, everyone has grown up with the classic love triangle story,” Miller says. “There’s something for everyone, whether you’re the guy who doesn’t know which girl to pick, or you’re the guy who’s trying to vie for someone’s attention. Everyone can connect to something in this story.”
RIVERVIEW HIGH: THE MUSICAL
At the Firehall Arts Centre until Aug. 24 firehallartscentre.ca, 604-689-0926
It’s time to get inspired
Sing, dance, paint and act your way into an inspiring year ahead!
Programs start this fall in visual, media & performing arts for ages 2–19.
Enroll. Donate. Participate. Arts Umbrella supporters include: Westcoast Reduction / Diamond Foundation Ashia Mode Clothing, Buschlen Mowatt Foundation, Hastings Racecourse, Margaret & Gordon Davis, Salvador Ferreras, Barry & E. Anne Macdonald, Pitblado Foundation
artsumbrella.com Print advertising sponsor: VIEW THIS AD WITH
Print advertising sponsor :
A22
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
arts&entertainment
Invention of television plays out on the stage FARNSWORTH SHOW AT JERICHO ARTS CENTRE WORTH TUNING IN THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION
At the Jericho Arts Centre until Aug. 9 Tickets: ticketstonight.ca
P
resented by Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC), this is a brainy play about brainy people and it crackles with nastiness and intrigue. If you don’t know how your TV works, you won’t know much more when the curtain falls on The Farnsworth Invention. But you will know about the struggle Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television, went through to maintain control of his discovery. Snapping at his heels was David Sarnoff of Radio Corporation of America (RCA), who offered Farnsworth $100,000 in 1931 for his early TV. Farnsworth rejected the offer and Sarnoff, according to playwright Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Newsroom), then planted Vladimir Zworykin in Farnsworth’s lab to spy on him. What ensued, in real life, was lawsuit after lawsuit as both Zworykin and Farnsworth tried to secure the patent. Hard to believe that young Farnsworth, a Mormon farmboy from Idaho, got the idea for television while plowing the family’s fields: all that back and forth motion used to prepare the ground. But just before his fifteenth birthday Farnsworth presented drawings of his first “image dissector” to his high school
chemistry teacher and by the age of twenty-one he demonstrated his first working prototype. But the field-plowing idea makes for an interesting intro to the play, and director Matthew Bissett makes the most of it with his players marching back and forth in straight lines like a marching band but without the trumpets and drums. Bissett’s direction throughout is very creative with Sarnoff (Yurij Kis) and Farnsworth (Michael Smith) often picked out in bright spots on either side of the stage; a kind of “in this corner, wearing the beige suit” approach to the fight for recognition that consumed them. The playwright confesses that the play isn’t completely true to life: Farnsworth initially won the lawsuit over the patent because of those early drawings that, wisely, his high school teacher had saved. But it is true that Farnsworth suffered from depression, lost his business and became an alcoholic. Sorkin simply collapses time. Kis and Smith are extremely well matched to go toe-to-toe. Kis, as Sarnoff, is the embodiment of the capitalist credo: it’s not about how you play the game, it’s about who wins. With his head shaved and always looking sharp in a business suit and tie, Kis looks primed for corporate battle. It’s lines like, “I burned his house down so he wouldn’t burn my house first,” that define Sarnoff’s “all’s fair in love and business” attitude. Smith, on the other hand, always has his sleeves rolled up and his
20%
reduction in the price of Fair Gate admission & parking!
hair unruly. The farmboy that was Farnsworth is still there. And Smith exudes a kind of boyish excitement, a real desire to, for example, get the Dempsey/Carpentier fight on television so hundreds of thousands could see it. For Farnsworth it was less about the money, more about the thrill of invention. By his side, through thick, thin and the death of their son Kenny, was Farnsworth’s wife Pem, portrayed by Rebecca Walters who exudes, despite her youth, motherly warmth and caring. It’s a cast of a dozen playing more than two dozen roles. Bissett keeps them all the time on stage — a simple set designed by John Bessette: an upstage wooden wall hung with hooks for costumes and chairs for players to sit on when not in the scene. It’s a Brechtian approach that’s appropriate to a play that doesn’t engage on an emotional level. The playwright lays it all out but, while you hope Farnsworth doesn’t get completely screwed, you wouldn’t really lose sleep over it if he did. Fast-paced and with playwright Sorkin’s brisk and snappy dialogue, The Farnsworth Invention may make you think twice when the many screens you now own — cellphone, iPod, iPad, computer and all those other electronic gadgets that glow in the dark, in addition to your TV — light up. —reviewed by Jo Ledingham For more reviews go to joledingham.ca
Michael Smith plays Philo T. Farnsworth — a young Mormon farmboy from Idaho who invented the television — in The Farnsworth Invention. To see a video about Farnsworth, scan this page with your smartphone or tablet using the Layar app.
H S F Ifor R E E F
ENTER
ULTIMATE
FISHING PACKAGE
Safeway Farm Country
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!
TO WIN AN
FOR 4 $1000
VALUED AT
SPONSORED BY:
11am-10pm Daily during the Fair at the PNE PNE _ PLAYLAND
PNECLIPS
SAVE ON PASSES AT
TO ENTER GO TO :
F I SH F OR F R EE . C A / VA NCOU V ER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A23
GOT SPORTS? 604-738-1411 | sportsandrec@vancourier.com
MinhascommitstoUBCbeforeGrade12 begins MEGAN STEWART
Staff writer
M
onths before his graduating year tips off at Churchill secondary this fall, the explosive small forward Mindy Minhas has committed to one of Canada’s top university basketball programs for the 2014-15 season. Minhas, six-foot-four, will play for the UBC Thunderbirds. “UBC is close to home and it was a good opportunity for me and I really like the coaches there,” said Minhas Friday afternoon from inside the Richmond Olympic Oval where he was talking to media during a Drive Basketball summer camp. “It felt like the right thing to do.” Minhas, 17, is close to his family and said he values the proximity between the leafy campus and his parents’ home. A prodigal player since elementary school, Minhas has turned heads for his inventive, relentless scoring abilities and sky-high numbers. His summertime commitment means his final year of high school will be dedicated to two things, he said. “Now all I have to focus on is basketball and academics. I wanted to get this thing off my mind — where I’m going to go next year and thinking about colleges. Now that’s off my mind.” In his Grade 11 year with Churchill secondary, Minhas led the Bulldogs to 13th place at the AAA senior boys B.C. championship and was named the tournament’s Most Inspirational Player after averaging 22.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals in five games. Churchill was named the Most Inspirational School and its coach, Rick Lopez, the senior high school boys coach of the year. A product of Drive Basketball, a sports academy co-founded by UBC alum Pasha Bains, Minhas will play for the T-birds alongside Luka Zaharijevic, a Kitsilano rival and Drive teammate, who begins his rookie season at UBC this September. Zaharijevic said he is extremely excited to see Minhas as a Tbird. The two joined Drive in elementary school at the same time, playing half-court basketball together. “We would stay after practice and play one-on-one for a couple of hours while blasting
file photo Dan Toulgoet
Mindy Minhas, seen here playing for Churchill this winter, committed to the UBC Thunderbirds for the 2014-15 season.
some old-school Tupac songs. That is when we formed a brotherly friendship and great chemistry.” Minhas almost certainly could have entertained other offers, but the 17-year-old said Bains played an influential role in his decision to compete for the T-birds. “I trust Pasha with a lot of things and I asked him for guidance and advice and he told me it was the right thing to do. Since Pasha played for Kevin, I think he knows what I’m going into.” A pivotal mentor in Minhas’s basketball development, Bains
said UBC coaches Kevin Hanson and Vern Knoop were paying close attention to the prospect for several years, especially this most recent season. “They had a fondness for his game right away and they’ve watched him play extensively throughout the summer. They knew of him when he start in Grade 6. They were very, very thrilled when Mindy decided to give his commitment,” said Bains. “They watched Mindy a lot his junior year and every time they were watching him, they were texting me to praise him and compare him to this player, that player and say he’s better than this guy or that guy was at the same age.” They made one comparison to Navi Sekhon, a 1993 graduate of Delta secondary and the Pacer’s all-time leading scorer who put up record numbers at the AAA provincials when he netted an astounding 64 points in one game. “He was a scoring legend at Langara,” Bains said of Sekhon, who was later recruited by the University of Calgary Dinos. “That is really high praise.” Hanson described Minhas as a “true scorer.” “He’s got height, he’s got length and he’s got the ability to rebound,” said the T-birds coach in a news release. “Mindy passes the ball very well for someone who’s a scorer. He’s a local guy we’re very excited about. “We know what he can do. We are very confident he’s coming in here to be an impact player at UBC so we’re thrilled to have him join our family.” “We’re really proud of the guy,” added Bains. “As far as the Drive community, the Churchill community and the Indian community, he represents a lot of different people. Especially how he plays, he shows so much heart and determination. He’s got a lot of kids who look up to him and for him to stay close to home, hopefully it might get other kids to want to try to do the same thing.” Minhas had one more thing to say. “I want to thank Mr. Lopez, Mr. Dykstra, Pasha, Karn and Chad for getting me to where I am.” Karn Shadra is a Drive coach and Chad Clifford the program’s co-founder and co-director. Simon Dykstra coaches the boys junior program at Churchill secondary. mstewart@vancourier.com
Be wary of cyclists who wear headphones RACER’S EDGE
with Kristina Bangma
I
n Quebec, it’s illegal to ride a bicycle while listening to headphones. Although few cyclists will agree with me, I wish the law would change in B.C. as well. As a coach and avid cyclist, I am more than ecstatic to have more people riding, but more bikes on the road mean new risks. When I ride in traffic, I try to anticipate what a car will do and act accordingly. But when I ride up behind a cyclist wearing headphones, I am always wary. Listening to music can transport people to another world, which is one allure of headphones, but also a nuisance and danger to everyone else. Of course, these riders also put themselves at risk. Just like everything in life, there are exceptions to every rule and I know of a few
competent riders who become hyper-aware of their surroundings because they’re hard of hearing, however I’m critical of the cyclists who listen to music to “check out.” Think about it. You are a very small, fragile person on a very small, fragile bike. You have no way of communicating to other vehicles, meaning you don’t have a horn and your voice only carries so far. You have only two ways to protect yourself from the vehicles chasing each other to work each day: your sight and your hearing. Wearing ear buds takes away half of your senses, making you more vulnerable to being hit and a hazard to cyclists you can’t hear. The most difficult part of this problem are the cyclists who don’t realize the danger they cause because they simply aren’t aware. I pass a cyclist wearing headphones the same way I pass small children on bikes: with extreme caution. I never know what they are going to do next because they rarely realize I’m beside them. Six years ago in Grimsby, Ont., a train ran over and killed a teen because he was walking on the tracks and failed to respond to the train’s repeated whistles because his
photo Rebecca Blissett
Quebec is the only Canadian jurisdiction that prohibits cyclists from wearing headphones.
earphones drowned out the warnings. In 2008, a 23-year-old man was killed in Cranbrook, B.C. when a helicopter crashlanded directly on top of him. Think about it. If one couldn’t hear a helicop-
ter directly above him and another was deaf to train whistles directly behind him, how can you be sure you’ll hear voices or car horns? Since most people need to be plugged in 16 hours a day, I know I’m not going to win the war on headphones. But for your own safety as well as mine, we could compromise with a few common sense practices. 1. Always ride on the far right-hand side of the road, leaving room for traffic to pass and expecting cars and cyclists to pass. 2. Look behind you frequently so you are aware of your surroundings and know when other cyclists are riding behind you or attempting to pass. 3. Act predictably. Signal when stopping and turning and follow the rules of the road. 4. Look behind you to ensure it is clear and safe before moving further onto the road or making a turn. 5. If you really can’t leave home without your music, wear only one earbud so you can hear what is happening around you. Kristina Bangma is a coach, personal trainer and writer with a love of riding and racing. Email questions to kristina@kitsenergy.com.
A24
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
sports&recreation
Eagle Bluff offers bird’s eye view of the city
Natural gas prices
ow C r. Cabin Lake
L if
Tra il
Ch
a ir
Black Mountain
t
Sam Lake
Owen Lake
Cougar Lakes
L if
Cypress Bowl Road
t
br
ke
Lif
is
en P owe ll Tr ail
D
North Peak Viewpoint
La
a ir
Ye w
Yew Lake
Ch
Cypress Provincial Park
t
Black Mountain/Eagle Bluff
air
A
little mud on your boots and plenty of sweating in the first 30 to 40 minutes of this hike will be worth it for the chance to stand on top of two mountain peaks, gaze at (or swim in) gorgeous alpine lakes, and eventually reach the North Shore’s most spectacular viewpoint — Eagle Bluff. But for many people the hardest part of this hike will be packing up and leaving the bluffs for the return home. A few words of caution: this is a backcountry alpine hike, strenuous and steep in many places, so be prepared with proper clothing, sturdy shoes or boots (boots recommended), food and extra water. Weather conditions can change quickly in the alpine. Sunscreen and bug repellant are also handy. Like Mt. Seymour, this is a popular snowshoeing trek from November to May and in many ways is even more enjoyable in winter/spring. (Hint: fewer bugs) Bring the map provided with this article. A new “official” Cypress area hiking map will be available starting Aug. 10 and is long overdue for such a popular hiking area. But my rule of thumb when doing this hike is always: “When in doubt, follow the Baden Powell trail markers.” You’ll need a vehicle as there is no transit up Cypress Bowl Road. Park as close to the ski resort buildings as you can.
Bad
with Mike Hanafin
Ch
TAKE A HIKE
shine Coast and Howe Sound spread out as you enjoy lunch on your rocky perch. Keep your eyes peeled for aggressive ravens and grey jays trying to steal your food! For the reluctant return trip, stay on the Baden Powell all the way, visiting Theagill and Sam Lakes, then skirting around the south peak. Turn right at the junction with the trail to the knee-knackering switchbacks down to the parking lot. Yet another satisfying part of this hike is looking back when it’s long over. When you return to Vancouver, take a look at the western end of the North Shore Mountains. See that extremely steep slope reaching the point where it joins a plateau? That’s where you had your lunch! Mike Hanafin is an avid backcountry hiker who can see the forest and the trees. Reach him at mhanafin@shaw.ca.
Th e La agi ke ll
The actual trailhead is well marked on the north side of the base of the Black Mountain (Eagle Chair) ski lift. The Baden Powell trail quickly turns left and heads up switchbacks parallel to the ski run. While you’re sweating up a storm (and drinking plenty of water), remind yourself how great I’ve told you it is at the top. Eventually the trail levels out as you pass a junction and stay right until you reach tranquil Cabin Lake. Some people bring a swimsuit along for a quick dip to cool off. Black Mountain actually has two peaks — south and north — each accessible via short but steep hikes and each with much different views. The north peak has a perfect look at The Lions, while the south peak overlooks the Cypress Bowl to Mt. Strachan and Hollyburn Peak to the east, along with Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast to the west. But better views are still to come! Heading south, the descent from the peak quickly re-enters the dense forest and the trail (with occasional boardwalks through muddier, marshy sections) offers glimpses of small alpine lakes before rejoining the Baden Powell Trail at the tip of Owen Lake. Turn right at the junction and follow the BP trail markers as they hug the lake’s edge. A few minutes later, you pass through the Cougar Lakes. From here, it’s “follow the BP markers” over the rolling forest plateau as the anticipation builds for the final destination. There’s a tiny opening in the trees which gives a hint of the views, then you suddenly burst out into the open air of the bluffs. I dare you to not be spellbound by the vista below. From west to east, Mt. Baker, Metro Vancouver, Point Roberts, Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island, Vancouver Island, the Sun-
n il de ra Ba ell T w Po
Eagle Bluff
map Nancy Teichgraf
To see photos from Eagel Bluff trail, scan this page using the Layar app.
When it comes to buying natural gas, it’s nice to have a choice. Compare your options: fixed rates and terms offered by independent gas marketers or a variable rate offered by FortisBC. Customer Choice: it’s yours to make. Gas marketer
Residential fixed rates (per GJ)*
Contact info
Access Gas Services Inc.
1-877-519-0862 accessgas.com
Just Energy
1-877-865-9724 justenergy.com
Planet Energy
1-888-755-9559 planetenergyhome.ca
Summitt Energy BC LP
1-877-222-9520 summittenergy.ca
Superior Energy Management
1-877-784-4262 superiorenergy.ca
Local natural gas utility
Contact info
FortisBC
fortisbc.com/contactus
1 yr term
2 yr term
3 yr term
4 yr term
5 yr term
$4.89
$5.89
$5.89
$6.39
$6.39
$5.60
$5.60 $4.99
$4.69
$6.49 $3.95
$6.49
$4.17
Residential variable rate (per GJ)** $3.913
For more information, visit fortisbc.com/choice. *Chart shows gas marketers’ rates for a range of fixed terms, valid as of August 1, 2013. Marketers typically offer a variety of rates and options. Check gas marketers’ websites or call to confirm current rates. **Residential variable rate valid as of July 1, 2013. FortisBC’s rates are reviewed quarterly by the British Columbia Utilities Commission. A gigajoule (GJ) is a measurement of energy used for establishing rates, sales and billing. One gigajoule is equal to one billion joules (J) or 948,213 British thermal units (Btu). The Customer Choice name and logo is used under license from FortisBC Energy Inc. This advertisement is produced on behalf of the British Columbia Utilities Commission.
13-053.5
On Now at The Brick! For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.
E28
THE VANCOUVER COURIER WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2013
Your Original
Food Store
Non-Medicated
Certified Organic
Whole Pork Tenderloin
Familky Pac
5
Boneless & Skinless
Chicken Breasts
$725
/lb $15.98/kg
From The Deli
Pepper Ham
$149 100g
Certified Organic California Grown
Cantaloupe
99
¢
/lb $2.18/kg
Lean Ground Beef
BC Grown Apricots
7
4
$ 99 $ 99
9 9 $ Non-Medicated
Familky Pac
Grass Fed
/lb $13.21/kg
Organic
Inside Round Steaks
$680
/lb $14.98/kg
Mexican Grown
Baby Seedless Watermelon
$249 each
Bragg
All Purpose
Liquid Soy Seasoning
$699 946ml
/pkg 2lb clam shell
Frozen
Buffalo Patties
Organic
Bone-In Rib Steaks
/lb $10.98/kg
Fresh
Lamb Chorizo Sausages
$816 $1360 $699 /lb $17.99/kg
/lb $29.99/kg
/lb $15.41/kg
BC Grown
BC Grown
Certified Organic
Green Onions
Cherry Mesh Tomatoes
Blueberries
49
¢
/bunch
Organic
Santa Cruz Spritzers
$399
+ dep + eco 4x311ml
BC Grown
$199 $2749 each 5lb box
340g pkg
Exotic Glo
100% Pure Blend Juices
Organic
Quinoa Flour
$199 $1699 Mango & Guava 1L
+ dep + eco 1L
Non-Organic
Raw Almonds
2kg
Organic Oats
Steel Cut or Whole Oats
$2399 $359 1.5kg
1595 Kingsway 604-872-3019 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8 am-9 pm
Sale Dates: Wednesday, Aug 7, 2013 – Tuesday, Aug 13, 2013
CHECK US OUT WITH
www.famousfoods.ca
1kg
2 0 1 3