The Georgia Straight - Green Wheels - April 16, 2020 by The Georgia Straight

FREE | APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020

Volume 54 | Number 2725

eSPORTS DISRUPTION Jimmy Iovine’s major gambit

VIRTUAL 4/20

Cannabis party goes coast to coast

Green Wheels In advance of Earth Day, check out some zero-emission vehicles; plus, energy-efficient buildings and plant-based eating

FINANCIAL ADVICE

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ISOLATION DIARIES

CONTENTS

April 16-23 / 2020

COVER

With TransLink possibly facing some brutal budget cuts, we present some sustainable transportation alternatives. By Charlie Smith Cover photo by ElectraMeccanica

REAL ESTATE

As we approach Earth Day on April 22, sustainability experts pick their favourite green buildings in Vancouver. By Carlito Pablo

EARTH DAY / FINANCE

One person cannot save our planet

by Charlie Smith

eading up to Earth Day on Wednesday (April 22), the Georgia Straight is posting interviews on its website with young environmental activists— some of whom have been inspired by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg. Harrison Johnston is a 20-yearold Langara College sociology student. The transcript below is an edited version of his remarks. Georgia Straight: How did you get interested in environmental issues?

ESPORTS

Entertainment entrepreneur Jimmy Iovine hit the nail on the head when he said that eSports is no different from hip-hop. By Mike Usinger

e Online TOP 5

e Start Here 8 ARTS 6 BEER 7 CANNABIS 11 CLASSIFIEDS 7 CONFESSIONS 2 FINANCE 6 FOOD 5 GARDENING 5 HEALTH 7 I SAW YOU 10 MOVIES 10 MUSIC 11 SAVAGE LOVE 8 URBAN LIVING 6 WINE

Here’s what people are reading this week on Straight.com.

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Re/MAX doubts that COVID-19 will burst the housing bubble. Republican seeks firing of U.S. pandemiccontrol czar. Real-estate firm says Chinese buying of local real estate plummets. Stanford prof calls out media for panicking public about COVID-19. MP says CERB shows a lack of understanding of modern workforce.

GeorgiaStraight @GeorgiaStraight @GeorgiaStraight

PUBLISHER Brian Kalish

SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT Jeff Li

FOUNDING PUBLISHER Dan McLeod

DIGITAL COORDINATOR Jon Cranny

SECTION EDITORS Janet Smith (Arts/Entertainment/Style) Brian Lynch (Books) Mike Usinger (eSports/Liquor/Music)

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Mike Correia

EDITOR Charlie Smith (Finance)

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Miguel Hernandez SALES DIRECTOR Tara Lalanne

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Glenn Cohen, Robyn Marsh, Manon Paradis, David Pearlman

SENIOR EDITOR Martin Dunphy (Online Ed.)

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gail Johnson (Food/Wine) John Lucas (Cannabis)

CONTENT AND MARKETING SPECIALIST Rachel Moore CIRCULATION MANAGER Giles Roy

STAFF WRITERS Carlito Pablo (Real Estate) Craig Takeuchi (Health)

CREDIT MANAGER Shannon Li ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR Tamara Robinson

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Langara College student Harrison Johnston is a vegetarian and doesn’t own a car.

GS: For you, what’s the most import- mate strike in the fall, but it’s still to keep your carbon footprint lower ant issue? nowhere near enough. than what it might otherwise be?

Vancouver’s News and Entertainment Weekly Volume 54 | Number 2725

ST UN

Harrison Johnston: I’ve been following politics so long and been so frustrated about it. You know, I felt I should probably do something.…I got involved helping out the Sustainabiliteens, organizing their climate strikes in the spring. It’s all kind of gone up from there.

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2 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020

HJ: It’s really been Indigenous sovereignty and all of the resources-extraction projects going through unceded territories. Especially around Wet’suwet’en. Obviously, I was spending a lot of time on that in the spring. GS: What goes through your mind when you think about the climate and what we’re doing to it? HJ: Just a lot of frustration. There is, like, so much just apathy going around in the general population about this planet that we live on— that we are dependent on for every aspect of our lives. At this point, it’s a given that our government doesn’t really care and is going to choose corporations and profits and the economy over our planet. So the people have got to wake up and do something about that. It’s just been kind of frustrating to see.... We had more than 100,000 out for the cli-

GS: What impact has Greta Thun- HJ: I take public transit everywhere. berg had on you personally? I don’t own a car and don’t plan to anytime in the near future. I’m very HJ: That’s an interesting question. She conscious of basically the only time definitely played a role in me kind of I fly now is to visit family. I think joining the movement and becoming those are the two main things. I’m a part of it. Just seeing her doing that— also a vegetarian. All these individ”Oh, I should probably be doing the ual actions, I think, are important. I same thing”—but it’s kind of evolved tend to focus most of my energy on from there now. I’ve really realized more systemic things. [that] how people have propped up Greta as, like, a leader or figurehead of GS: Is there any key point you would the movement is sort of problematic. It like to get across to our readers? allows a lot of people to [think], “Greta will save the world for us. We don’t HJ: Really, that we need them inhave to do anything.” I think it’s really volved. The way to get involved is to important to focus on the messaging join a movement. Join an organizaof, “We need everyone if this is going tion. I think it’s very much up to you to happen. We don’t just need a few what angle you want to get involved leaders, a few people, stepping up. We in. It doesn’t even have to be climate. need everyone to step up.” We aren’t We need everyone involved right going to succeed in saving the planet now in pressuring the government unless that happens.” and showing them that we care. The way to do that is through grassroots GS: Are there things you’re doing movements. g

Finance blogs help young Canadians

by Charlie Smith

ith the unemployment rate rising sharply last month, those who still have jobs might want to consider developing a second income stream if they have the financial wherewithal. That’s because when hard times hit, you can’t always rely on a steady paycheque. But where to start? Last week, the Straight featured three Canadian millennial couples and one millennial financial adviser who have all created websites or blogs explaining how they have pursued financial independence. Keep in mind that this isn’t just for the rich. One of those featured in the article, Stephanie Williams, is a 33-year-old receptionist and Vancouver tenant. Her 31-year-old partner, Cel Rince, edits online books. Their Incoming Assets blog not only reveals how they’re socially isolating in their 400-square-foot apartment but it periodically includes detailed tips on how to avoid getting hosed when you go to the grocery store. “Some people believe ridiculous things like healthy eating is expensive, vegan eating is expensive, low spending means eating shitty food, and so on,” Williams and Rince wrote in one recent post. “We feel that providing our own hard data can help counteract the excuses and lies people tell, and also help people who are newer at this stuff to learn how it all works.” This week in the Straight’s finance section, we’re highlighting two other Canadian blogs that can help young people get their financial houses in order. CANADIAN COUCH POTATO

Canadiancouchpotato.com This site is ideal for those who want to learn more about how to invest in exchange-traded funds and index mutual funds. These are lower-risk ways for novices to dip their toes into the stock market without having to do a ton of research about various companies. Written in easy-to-understand language by Toronto portfolio manager Dan Bortolotti, Canadian Couch Potato includes sections on the basics of indexing, asset classes, behavioural finance, and portfolio management. “How do you decide whether ETFs or index mutual funds are right for you? Many investors make their choice based solely on management expense ratios (MERs), ignoring all the other factors,” the blog states. “Costs are always important, but they need to be kept in perspective, especially when your portfolio is modest in size. A difference of 0.10% in fees works out to less than $1 per week on a $50,000 portfolio.” In one post, Bortolotti revealed that an Arizona State

Bloggers Stephanie Williams and Cel Rince are pursuing early financial independence without six-figure salaries.

University professor studied the returns of all publicly traded stocks in the United States between 1926 and 2016. He found that only 42.6 percent delivered returns in excess of one-month treasury bills over their lifetimes. “The lesson? If you want to enjoy long-term success in the equity market, the way to do that is not by trying to pick the winners and avoid the losers, because there are far more of the latter,” Bortolotti writes. “Instead, you can guarantee you’ll get the market’s overall return by simply buying an index fund and staying invested all the time.” YOUNG AND THRIFTY

Youngandthrifty.ca Written entirely by Canadian authors, it covers all aspects of personal finance, including tax-free savings accounts, registered retirement savings plans, and registered education savings plans. It also offers reviews of various investing platforms. Want to know the biggest mistakes Canadians make on their taxes? Or how to get out of debt on credit cards? This is the website for you. Unlike some financial blogs that rely on the wisdom of one person, Young and Thrifty has many contributors offering a diversity of views. The writing is straightforward and easy to understand. And you’re not going to be bombarded with esoteric technical analysis about how to apply Elliott wave theory to draw conclusions about the coronavirus-induced meltdown on the world’s stock markets. g

EARTH DAY

TransLink’s red ink could aid EV sector

by Charlie Smith

ransLink says it needs emergency relief funding from senior levels of governments. According to its CEO, Kevin Desmond, Metro Vancouver commuters will experience “unprecedented cuts to transit services” without help from the province and the feds. “We’ve done the best we can to keep essential services operating for those workers who need it, to get to their workplaces, but we’re losing $75 million per month on our current trajectory,” Desmond said in an April 14 news release. “We will face cash-flow issues within weeks,” the CEO continued. “It’s a dire situation which will force us to cancel entire routes and significantly reduce service levels on all transit modes, meaning far longer wait times and much more crowding for customers.” A former Vancouver director of planning, though, says it’s imperative that buses, SkyTrain, and the SeaBus continue to be a cornerstone of the region’s transportation network. In a phone interview with the Straight, Brent Toderian bluntly stated that to diminish these services is a “recipe for disaster”. “If we give up on public transit, we’re in bigger trouble than we probably understand,” Toderian said. “Our region only functions with public transit as a popular choice. Our mitigation of climate change is only possible with public transit as a possible choice.” He predicted that vehicle companies will try to take advantage of people’s fears of COVID-19 spreading on the transit system. “There will be deliberate vilifying of public transit for market advantage,” Toderian said. “People should

A cargo basket in the front and a long rear rack are characteristics of the Magnum Payload ebike (photo by Magnum Bikes); the Solo zero-emission electric vehicle has three wheels and enough room for the driver. Photo by ElectraMeccanica

be watchful for that.” He also expects to see an expansion of “micromobility”. By that, he meant electric skateboards, escooters, and ebikes. “There’s always the question about whether they are replacing car trips or if they are replacing walking trips,” Toderian explained. “If it’s the latter, it’s worse. If it’s the former, it’s better.” One of the flashier new zeroemission electric vehicles developed in Vancouver is the Solo, which appears on the cover of this week’s Straight. Manufactured in China by Vancouver-based ElectraMeccanica, it only has room for a driver and comes with a suggested retail price of US$18,500. With two front wheels a one rear wheel, it’s classified as a three-wheeled vehicle by Transport Canada. According to the company, it goes from zero to 95 kilometres per hour in approximately eight seconds.

We’re losing $75 million per month on our current trajectory – TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond

The company has showrooms in Vancouver and Los Angeles and 64 prototypes have been built as of March 15, but it’s still not possible to buy the Solo. ElectraMeccanica posted a loss of $30.6 million last year as it tries to find a foothold in the rapidly growing EV market.

“To sell our vehicles as envisioned, we will need to enter into certain additional agreements and arrangements that are not currently in place,” the company states in a filing to securities regulators. If you want to try a zero-emission hydrogen-powered car, however, that is possible in Vancouver. Modo has two Hyundai NEXO fuel-cell electric vehicles in its fleet, becoming the first car-sharing company in North America to offer this to its members. Another unusual electric vehicle, which also appears on this week’s cover of the Straight, is the Passion Motorbike Factory’s Scoobic Light. With an ability to carry 400 kilograms, this three-wheeled electricpowered moped reaches 45 kilometres per hour and has a range of 100 kilometres. It’s manufactured in Spain and is being marketed locally by Motorino Electric.

The company’s Vancouver owner, Steve Miloshev, told the Straight by phone that the Scoobic Light is ideal for courier companies and for short deliveries of products from warehouses. “This is a very efficient vehicle,” he said. “It’s a fraction of the weight of a car, so you’re not wasting that much energy.” For transit users who might be spooked by the pandemic, there’s no shortage of electric-assist bikes on the market. But before putting your money down, it’s best to check the ICBC website for the rules of the road. The Crown insurer defines ebikes as “a two- or three-wheeled cycle with a seat, pedals and an electric motor (up to 500 watts)”. “Gas-powered cycles and electric cycles without attached pedals do not qualify as an electric motor-assisted cycle and will not pass a provincial motor vehicle inspection that would enable them to meet registration, licensing and insurance requirements for on-road use,” ICBC cautions. One of the more intriguing ebikes is the Magnum Payload. Described as “Your Cargo Buddy” by the Vancouver retailer Cit-E-Cycles, the Magnum Payload has a long rear rack and a front cargo basket, ideal for transporting everything from groceries to small pieces of furniture. For those living in small spaces, the Tern ebike is easy to ride and it’s shorter than regular bikes. It can be folded into a flat package in 15 seconds and is available at several ebike retailers. One of the most informative ebike primers can be found on the Reckless Bike Stores website. If you don’t know the difference between a hub motor ebike and a mid-drive motor ebike, you’ll find out at reckless.ca/going-electricheres-our-ebike-primer/. g

APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT 3

REAL ESTATE

Green buildings can be beautiful too

by Carlito Pablo

hazal Ebrahimi says there’s a typical misconception about green buildings. It’s that environmentally friendly buildings are boring and look like shoeboxes. She recalled that during the time she worked as an architect, she would tell clients that green buildings can be pleasing to the senses. “I always had to explain that a green building doesn’t need to be boring,” Ebrahimi told the Straight in a phone interview. “It actually can be beautiful.” Ebrahimi is a Vancouver-based senior analyst with the buildings and urban-solutions program of the Pembina Institute, a think tank focused on energy. Because of her background in architecture, Ebrahimi puts the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre at the top of her list of favourite green buildings in Vancouver. “From the perspective of someone who looks at a building and wants to see something beautiful, I think the design team there has done a great work, and I can personally connect to that,” Ebrahimi said. Designed by architecture firm Perkins and Will, the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre has an orchid petal–inspired green roof and a host of renewable-energy features. The centre produces its own energy by using geothermal boreholes, solar photovoltaics, and solar hot-water tubes. Heating and cooling in the building is done by a solar chimney, which also assists in natural ventilation. Vancouver architect Marianne Amodio also cited the visitor centre at VanDusen as her favourite, describing its design as an “intersection of art, science, and nature”. “When visiting it, it almost feels like you’re inhabiting this unusual

Above, left: the Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (photo by Matt Law); top: the Vancouver Convention Centre West (photo by Greg Baker/Wikimedia); the CIRS building at UBC (photo by Xicotencatl/Wikimedia).

middle ground between building and nature, which only serves to strengthen its importance as a green building,” Amodio told the Straight. Vancouver is regarded as a global centre for excellence in green and environmentally sustainable buildings. According to Pembina’s Ebrahimi, the city reinforced its leadership role in April 2019 when council approved a Climate Emergency Response program. One of the program’s “six big moves” was lower-carbon construction. This entailed decreasing “embodied” carbon emissions from new buildings and construction by 40 percent by 2030 compared to a 2018 baseline. Embodied carbon represents the greenhouse gases associated with the production of materials used in construction, like steel and cement. According to a staff report to council, lowering this would involve using

“mass timber” (tall wood buildings). When Brock Commons Tallwood House opened at UBC in July 2017, the 18-storey student residence was described as the world’s tallest masstimber development. It’s also a favourite of Pembina’s Ebrahimi, and of Patrick Stewart, an architect of Nisga’a ancestry. Stewart also cited the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability at UBC as a personal choice. It has a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, which is the most widely used greenbuilding ranking in the world. “The building water is 100-percent supplied by rainwater,” Stewart said. Stewart and Ebrahimi also share a liking for the Vancouver Convention Centre. According to Stewart, the centre’s West Building has the “largest living roof in Canada”. “It uses seawater for heating and

cooling, with on-site water treatment and fish habitat built into the foundation,” Stewart explained to the Straight. Speaking of fish, Theresa Fresco of the Fraser Basin Council cited the MEC head office in Vancouver as her pick of green buildings. Fresco noted that the MEC building is the first “salmon-safe” certified urban site in B.C. She told the Straight that salmonsafe features are aimed at better water use. These include a green roof that captures rainwater, which is stored in a 7,700-gallon underground cistern and used for flushing toilets and irrigating the rooftop garden. Fresco said that the MEC facility also has geothermal heating and cooling and features mass-timber construction. Meanwhile, the Wilson School of Design at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Richmond has LEED

energy-saving features that have impressed B.C. Hydro. According to the utility company, these features include radiant slab heating and cooling as well as heat pumps. Mark Goodman of the commercial real state company Goodman Commercial Inc. cited the Wilson School of Design as a favourite green building when asked by the Straight. Former City of Vancouver chief planner Brent Toderian picked the B.C. Cancer Research Centre as his choice. The research facility features natural ventilation in its laboratories and offices. It also has a heat-recovery system. Yuri Artibise, executive director of the Vancouver City Planning Commission, picked the First Avenue Athletes Village Housing Co-operative as his favourite green building. It is also where he lives. Artibise told the Straight that the housing co-op has a green roof with a stormwater catchment for gardens, water features, and toilet use. Multifamily housing buildings, including co-ops, are the favourite of Vancouver city councillor Christine Boyle. According to Boyle, such buildings “allow residents to produce fewer greenhouse-gas emissions because of building features like shared walls and smaller footprints”. “Of course, many of these buildings would benefit from energy retrofits, and it’s important that those retrofits happen in ways that don’t displace existing residents or result in less-affordable rents,” Boyle told the Straight. Vancouver architect David Wong cited a home in the Point Grey neighbourhood that he designed. “The orientation and placement of the home had its south and west faces optimized, so roof areas were planned for efficient solar-panel exposure,” Wong told the Straight. g

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HEALTH Gardening

Our well-being is rooted in Earth

TIP SHEET

by Gail Johnson

hat’s good for your self is good for the planet: it doesn’t need to get any more complicated than that. As we celebrate Earth Day, here are a few ways you can take care of your own health while benefiting the glorious planet we call home.

GREEN UP YOUR SEX LIFE

Even if you can’t spell it, you’ve probably heard of phthalates, chemical substances that are used to make plastics flexible. There are several different forms, and they can be found in everything from food and beverage containers to vinyl floors, shower curtains, and cosmetics. Turns out they’re also found in many sex toys. The problem? Phthalates contaminate the environment during product use and storage through leaching and other means. Their presence has been detected in air, drinking water, rivers, sewage, and soil. One phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), is an endocrine disruptor and can cause cancer, according to the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health. Certain types may adversely affect human and animal reproduction. It is believed that dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is responsible for a steady decrease in the number of reptile species worldwide, according to a study published in Ecological Chemistry and Engineering. Some countries, including Canada, have restrictions in place around the use of certain phthalates in children’s toys. But the same doesn’t go for adult toys. A German study of jelly-rubber sex toys found extremely high concentrations of phthalates due to off-gassing (releasing trapped or absorbed volatile organic compounds in the form of gas). Womyns’ Ware prides itself in

Lesley McHale and Ann Boone of Womyn’s Ware focus on health-friendly products.

eliminating phthalate-leaching products from its inventory. A perennial favourite in the Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver awards, the Commercial Drive shop only carries toys made of silicone, hypoallergenic elastomer, and food-grade vinyl. Among the brands it promotes is Sweden’s Lelo, which includes “fair labour practices, employee health and safety requirements, and environmental accountability” in its code of conduct. The good news is you can still have fun in the bedroom while protecting the planet with some dildo due diligence. EAT OCEAN-FRIENDLY FISH

Our dietary choices have enormous ramifications for the environment. (See this week’s food story for more.) Fish deserves its own mention. We know it’s one of the healthiest foods out there: it’s lean and a terrific source of protein and vitamin D; fish is also abundant in brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies suggest that eating fish might improve sleep and even prevent depression.

However, our oceans and its inhabitants face dire threats due to pollution and overfishing. Some fish stocks are being dangerously depleted. Other species are contaminated with pollutants such as mercury or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), both of which are highly toxic. Although Canada stopped the import, manufacturing, and release of PCBs into the environment decades ago, the industrial organic compounds still enter the environment from certain hazardous-waste sites, fires, leaks, and spills. The substances do not readily break down and can remain in air, water, and soil for extremely long periods of time. Small ocean organisms and fish (and other animals that eat them) can take them up, accumulating PCBs to hazardous effect. PCBs have probable negative effects on immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems, and are probable causers of cancer in humans. Birth defects have been linked to mothers who have been exposed to PCBs. Not very appetizing.

With C Restaurant as its founding restaurant partner, the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program released its first dining guide on Earth EDIBLE LANDSCAPES are Day 15 years ago. It consisted of 16 a thing—especially in these participating businesses; now the uncertain times, when we’re program has more than 750 restaueager to use every pot or square rants promoting sustainable seafood of turf that we have to grow food across Canada. in. Here are three plants that The program defines sustainable taste as good as they look. seafood as “species that are caught or farmed in a way that ensures the long- c CHIVES These cool-season, easy-care perennial members term health and stability of that speof the onion family sprout cies, as well as the greater marine ecobeautiful purple flowers—that system”. This includes limiting bycatch you can also eat—in late May of endangered species and using haror early June. You should plant vesting methods that minimize damthese small bulbs early in the age to marine and aquatic habitats. spring, so try to find starter plants now. They thrive in patio Examples of Ocean Wise–recomcontainers too. The light-onion mended sustainable seafood include flavour livens up green salads, Arctic char, Pacific cod, Alaska and soups, or baked potatoes. B.C. sablefish (black cod), Pacific halibut, and albacore tuna (B.C. and c CELEBRATION SWISS CHARD Brightening up containers or Atlantic). bed borders, this chard provides You can download a free, printable a rainbow of red, yellow, rose, guide from the Ocean Wise website. gold, and white stems, and crinkly leaves in burgundy and dark green. Sautée them with lemon and parmesan, or throw immature leaves into a salad. West Coast Seeds had it in stock at last check; they take about 60 days to mature, so you should be sowing them now.

MOVE MORE

It’s a no-brainer that using cars less means fewer CO2 emissions. If there’s one sliver of a silver lining that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, it’s a global reduction in greenhousegas emissions and an improvement in air quality, with travel of many forms c PURPLE-LEAF BASIL Basil coming to a halt. Now that we’re staycomes in a variety of aromatic ing closer to home and not driving to purple hues, perfect for a work, opportunities to walk, run, and sunny, warm spot on your ride our bikes are way up. We know deck. Check out dark opal that cardiovascular exercise is crucial basil, or Thai basil, which has shiny green leaves with pretty to our well-being: it reduces blood purple stems and flowers, from pressure, cholesterol, and stress; it Canada’s Incredible Seed Co.; improves circulation and energy; and we also like Purple Ruffles from it diminishes the risk of diseases like West Coast Seeds. Start them cancer and Type 2 diabetes, to name on a window sill now, before just a few of its benefits. Using your putting them out; they take own power to get around town helps about 60 days to grow. g the Earth itself breathe. g

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FOOD & DRINK

Eating green helps out our blue planet by Gail Johnson

Return to Food CEO Sherry Strong’s spring soup and green rice are dishes with small carbon footprints. Photos by Sherry Strong

ou’ve heard of keto, paleo, and low-carb diets. The “planetary health diet” is one with staying power, with a dual goal of bettering human health and reducing environmental harm. Developed by the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health, this flexitarian diet prioritizes plants while limiting the intake of animalbased foods and processed products. Although many people turn to vegetarian or vegan diets for ethical reasons, there’s increasing awareness around the powerful case for adopting those approaches when it comes to the planet’s health. In fact, avoiding meat and dairy products is the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Science that purports to be one of the most comprehensive analyses of the damage farming does to the planet. The study’s authors found that

while meat and dairy provide 18 percent of calories and 37 percent of protein in a typical diet, they also use 83 percent of the world’s farmland and produce 60 percent of agriculture’s greenhouse-gas emissions. Beef results in up to 105 kilograms of greenhouse gases per 100 grams of protein, while tofu produces less than 3.5 kilograms. Vancouver’s Sherry Strong, founder and CEO of Return to Food and a self-described food philosopher, says that she follows a plant-based diet but will have small amounts of certain animal products from clean sources under ethical conditions. She didn’t always eat this way. “I grew up as a processed-food omnivore in what I call the culinary equivalent of a gastronomic black hole made up of lots of processed food and badly cooked meat and vegetables,” Strong tells the Straight. “I don’t think it is humane to eat animals in concentration camps, and I don’t think it is

healthy to eat animals eating an unnatural diet. You eat what you eat eats, and most animals are fed unnatural diets and lots of fear. “Compassion aside, I have come to see that what’s good for the planet is good for people, and what is good for people is good for the planet, without exception,” says Strong, a chef and nutritionist. “Factory farming is toxic to the planet and to us humans.” Strong says that self-compassion is an important element when it comes to making the transition from an omnivorous diet to one with few or no animal products, a switch that can be challenging for people who are accustomed to processed food and who have developed “emotional dependencies” on them. There isn’t a single correct way to eat, she says, adding that biodiversity relies on people eating SLOW: seasonal, local, organic, and whole. “Eating this way will not only go a long way to human health but a sustainable planet providing food

for many generations to come,” Strong says. Sarah Kim is the founder of OwnGrown, which provides vegan workshops, catering, cooking coaching, and personal-chef services. She’s vegetarian; she cooks and bakes vegan at home and occasionally has eggs or cheese when she eats out. “Growing up, I used to pretend I was allergic to vegetables ’cause I disliked them,” Kim tells the Straight. “I was raised by a single working mom, and even though she loved to cook, she wouldn’t have the time or energy, and so we ate a lot of processed foods. “I didn’t learn to cook with wholefood ingredients until I moved in with friends who were vegan 18 years ago,” she adds. “I learned so much about vegan cooking and baking from them and kept with it. I never learned to cook meat growing up and wasn’t eating much of it by my early 20s, so following a vegan diet seemed a good path for me. Plus, learning and researching animal welfare and environmental and health benefits made me decide to eliminate animal products as much as possible.” Kim is passionate about teaching people how to cook and bake using strictly plant-based ingredients. As coordinator of Vancouver Neighbourhood Food Networks (a group of community organizations that promote food security in neighbourhoods throughout the city), she realizes that because of monetary, geographical, cultural, or other reasons, not everyone can shift to a vegan diet. “I love trying out new recipes and making things from scratch, like vegan sausage, ribs, and cheese, and showing people that it’s not as hard as it may seem and tastes delicious,”

Kim says. “My work in food security has allowed me to understand that there are so many factors that determine how and why people eat or don’t eat what they do. “I prefer to put my energy into supporting folks who are interested in learning more about a vegan diet over shaming folks who eat animal products,” she says. “I think it’s important to listen to your body’s needs and not be ashamed by what you eat and the means you have to access food. Our society needs to do more to endorse this.” g

S plash OF WINE

Blue Grouse Estate Winery’s 2019 Ortega

TECH SHEET: The signature

grape of Vancouver Island, Ortega, is a cross between Siegerrebe and Müller-Thurgau, the latter being a RieslingMadeleine Royale cross. Made of organically farmed grapes, the vegan wine ($24) from the Duncan winery has aromas of a Garry Oak grove after some rain.

FIRST SIP: Medium-bodied with a smidge of caramelly sweetness, this vintage brings to mind an afternoon spring fling. It’s fun and flirty but not ditzy. #Respect. NEXT LEVEL: Oysters, pan-

seared halibut, or winemaker Bailey Williamson’s favourite: spot prawns. by Gail Johnson

Craft brewers cope with creativity

by Mike Usinger

ooking back at a chaotic past few weeks, the craziest things about the COVID-19 pandemic was how quickly things seemed to go from mild concern to full-blown panic. One minute, Vancouver craft-beer fans were sitting on patios and lounging in tasting rooms, ready to ring in the spring while the rest of Canada was still shovelling snow-covered walkways. The next, everything went FUBAR. Think about it: on March 11, COVID-19 had yet to truly roar across North America, and West Coasters were still optimistically packing their suitcases for spring break. Six days later, the entire city was on lockdown, with social isolation and working from home a new reality. That lightning-quick shift hit Vancouver’s booming craft-beer community hard. Andrés Amaya of East Van’s Andina Brewing Company notes that his industrial-funky spot was theoretically well-positioned to make the best of the shutdown. Andina has used SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats to get innovative offerings like its Jalea Guava Saison and Pálida Hazy Pale Ale to customers. That’s been augmented by its online store, where there’s a 10-percent discount for pickups. Still, Amaya acknowledges that running a business where people go to congregate and socialize is a challenge when public gatherings are off the table. “We have lost approximately 80 to 85 percent of our business since we had to close our doors on March 17,” he tells the Straight. “It has been very difficult for all of us, but harder for the staff, which we had to lay off due to the closure.” That’s echoed by other craft breweries in town. Nigel Pike of Main Street Brewing notes that a federal-government COVID-19 wage subsidy has allowed him to bring back staff that initially had been laid off. Still, even with delivery via SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats, as well as a curbside delivery option at the brewery, sales are down dramatically, despite strong demand for best-sellers like Naked Fox IPA, Blackberry Sour Fruit Bomb, and Peach Fruit Bomb. “We have lost approximately 75 percent of our sales—this is mostly made up of our tasting room and draught accounts,” Pike says. “This also includes our own restaurants that

Andina’s Jalea Guava Saison remains popular with craft beer fans, but that’s not enough to make up for the fact the brewery’s tasting room sits empty.

help support the brewery. We were forced to lay off 24 staff, in order to make sure our business survived. In the first three weeks, that left us with two salaried staff on payroll.” Stanley Park Brewing had to figure out a quick way to pivot its operation once Vancouver was directed to stay at home. It’s now delivering favourites like Wandering Rye Pilsner, Hollow Tree Lager, and Captain Hazy IPA to those living in the West End. Others looking to escape the condo or apartment for a half-hour per day can also pick up orders in person. “We did everything we could to get home delivery up and running as quickly as possible, and we are now doing a reasonable, steady business from our brewpub,” says Stanley Park Brewing general manager Doug Devlin. “We saw home delivery as a positive way to help our neighbours follow the guidelines from health authorities on social distancing and the need to stay home. That’s why we launched it as quickly as we did.” Red Truck Beer vice-president of operations Jim Dodds notes that he was getting ready to go on vacation when COVID-19 suddenly changed everything. Even before the government stepped in with strong recommendations about self-isolating, Red Truck made the

6 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020

decision to close its Truck Stop Diner, which serves as both a tasting room and a Brewery Creek neighbourhood dining spot. “Looking at our people and thinking of everybody’s well-being was first and foremost,” Dodds says. A food truck on the edge of the brewery’s parking lot remains open, as does the on-site store where people can pop in for offerings like Red Truck’s Baja Bound Mexican Lager and Seas the Day Pineapple Hefeweizen. Still, Red Truck is facing challenges, just like others in Vancouver. “When it comes to the on-premise side of the business, all of our customers are shut down, and that means there’s been a big hit to our revenues,” Dodds says. “Taking that out of the mix has been really tough. But we have seen a big increase in package sales in private and B.C. liquor stores. But we do have to look at the volume that we’re selling and the revenues we have coming in. We obviously need to make sure that we’re paying our bills, and we’re not sure where that’s all going to fall out at this particular time.” And despite what lies ahead for Red Truck, he suggests that now is the time not only to

think local, but to be supportive of everyone connected to the beer industry. “My heart goes out to all the employees in all the establishments,” Dodds says. “Not just where we do business and not just in Vancouver, but in the entire province of British Columbia and everywhere else around the world. A lot of people are out of work, and it’s a very, very trying situation for everyone. It’s important to think of everyone’s well-being, and to hope that everything will be okay for them.” Back at Andina, Andrés Amaya gratefully notes that, just as he’s thinking of his patrons stuck at home, those patrons are also thinking of Andina. “We have had much support from customers and friends making large purchases of beer and food, but the lack of cash flow certainly is very worrisome,” he says. “We were lucky that we already had SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats, and the online store up and running, so we just had to advertise more on social media to spread the word out to the community. Like I said before, the community has been very supportive, and, of course, we want to make sure we have beer ready for our regular customers. Both are equally important.” g

ESPORTS / CANNABIS

FaZe Clan raises its lifestyle game

The Georgia Straight Confessions, an outlet for submitting revelations about your private lives—or for the voyeurs among us who want to read what other people have disclosed.

by Mike Usinger

he past week has been a gamechanging one for FaZe Clan, the pioneering eSports company that’s been no stranger to the game of pop-culture disruption. On April 10, the Los Angeles gaming and lifestyle conglomerate announced a major cash infusion from iconic entertainment entrepreneur Jimmy Iovine and a partnership with the e-commerce platform NTWRK. Iovine’s blue-chip successes include everything from the founding of Interscope Records to the launch of Beats Electronics with Dr. Dre. NTWRK is known for working with multinational brands such as Nike and Adidas, as well as for helping megastars like Billie Eilish get limitededition merch to fans. The deal sees NTWRK—which was cofounded by Iovine’s son James in 2018—secure direct-to-consumer rights for FaZe products, streetwear being the big one. FaZe is the first eSports operation to team up with NTWRK. In a release announcing the deal, Jimmy Iovine said: “We’re at the birth of a new disruptive entertainment genre. FaZe Clan is a very powerful pipeline into gaming culture and their cultural impact reminds me of the early days of ’90s hip hop. The combined reach of FaZe Clan and NTWRK is going to be very powerful.” The reference to ’90s hip-hop is worth noting. Right from the moment it first took root on the streets of New York, hip-hop was about a lifestyle as much as music. If you were all-in on hip-hop early on, Run-DMC was the reason that you sprang for that pair of white Adidas, the Beastie Boys were responsible for your oversized and illegally obtained VW necklace, and N.W.A was the sole reason you never left the house without your Los Angeles Raiders baseball cap. Flash forward a few decades, and today hip-hop is not only the most consumed music genre in the music, but it’s also a way of life that’s deeply entwined with fashion (LRG, Gucci, BAPE), liquor (Cîroc, Armand de Brignac), electronics (SMS Audio, Beats), and cannabis (Eaze, Bhang). And that’s just the high-wattage side of things. Hip-hop is so pervasive, it even has its tentacles in the pet-food market. The next time you pick up a bag of Dog for Dog food, tell them Calvin Broadus sent you. Paving the way for upstart empires like 100 Thieves, FaZe Clan realized early on that you need more than gamers under your umbrella. The organization started out with a small group of players on the Call of Duty battlefield, and today maintains

Scan to confess Low Self-Esteem or Daddy Issues?

Savvy eSports companies cash in on merchandise. Photo by Chongkian/Wikimedia

its roots in gaming, co-owning the Atlanta FaZe, which plays in Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty League. It also manages over 85 player-influencers in leagues such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, FIFA, and Fortnite Battle Royale. Today, FaZe Clan remains YouTube’s most followed gaming organization, with a reach on its social-media channels (215 million fans and counting) outstripping that of NFL teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers combined. It pulls in a staggering 500 million views per month. Translated, that means a lot of people are paying attention. And when people are paying attention to someone they admire—whether it’s Drake, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, or Taylor Swift—they often want to model their behaviour on them. Those in the FaZe Clan family go by their gamer tag, preceded by FaZe. FaZe Clan’s FaZe Banks has 2.5 million followers on Twitter. FaZe Adapt has 2.6 million followers. FaZe brethren use their online clout for everything from pushing their favourite musicians to fundraising for children’s hospitals and COVID-19 relief. Most importantly, they also use their social-media leverage to sell a brand. The FaZe Clan brand. Odds are that you’re not going to be securing your own room in the FaZe mansion in the Hollywood Hills, where gamers, designers, and vloggers not only live and inspire each other, but have valuable team bonding time in the property’s billiards room, spa, home theatre, and library. But you can feel like you’re part of the FaZe Clan dream world by springing for branded T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants.

Last year, FaZe Clan pulled in US$135 million, 35 percent of which was from merchandise sales, according to industry analysts. Look for those figures to rise in a big way in the months to come. The appeal of the FaZe Clan life doesn’t stop with the idea of getting paid obscenely well to spend your time immersed in gaming. There’s something liberating about knowing that antiquated generations don’t understand why anyone would want to watch gaming on Twitch or YouTube—the irony being that those generations see nothing strange about spending hours watching baseball on NBC or the NFL on Fox. To pull on apparel by 100 Thieves or FaZe Clan is to your fellow human beings know that you’re part of a culture-jamming, game-changing world. And spreading the word about that new world is where the deal with NTWRK comes in. “NTWRK brings a wealth of product experience to the table,” FaZe Clan CEO Lee Trink told the Wrap. “They do the manufacturing and all of the back-end process of the merch. We very much continue to be brand stewards ourselves; we haven’t abdicated that role, and we have all approval rights on creative aspects. It’s important that we retain control of what the brand looks like. But they’ve got a team that helps us with the design, manufacturing and a lot of the strategy around merchandising. And they also bring relationships. Jimmy’s Rolodex is second-to-none. He brings more than just capital.” Like the FaZe Clan team, Iovine understands that sometimes audiences want to be more than passive consumers. Sometimes they want to dive headfirst into the deep end of a lifestyle. g

Virtual 4/20 promotes weed freedom

by Charlie Smith

ormally at this time of year, the media would be covering the bickering that invariably occurs between weed activists and the Vancouver park board leading up to the 4/20 festival and protest at Sunset Beach. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual free-for-all in the West End has been cancelled, leaving cannabis lovers to rely on the Internet to maintain the tradition, albeit with social distancing. According to 4/20 Vancouver organizer Dana Larsen, there will be a daylong livestream on the group’s Twitter and Facebook feeds on April 20. The fun begins before noon (Pacific Daylight Time) to ensure that people in Newfoundland can participate. “We will follow it across the country and be in Vancouver for 4:20,” Larsen told the Straight by phone. “There will be some music, some talking heads, some weed smoking, and some weed giveaways—and other entertaining things we can do to celebrate 4/20, even if we’re all isolated.” The term 4/20 is slang for smoking pot at 4:20 p.m.—and the annual festival began in Vancouver on April 20, 1995, at Victory Square. In 1997, it

Pot lovers won’t gather at Sunset Beach on April 20. Photo by Amanda Siebert

moved to the Vancouver Art Gallery grounds, where it remained until 2015. The move to Sunset Beach in 2016 coincided with the festival attracting a great deal more controversy. “Despite the festive atmosphere, 4/20 is first and foremost a political protest against the stigmatization and criminalization of cannabis users, growers and sellers, which persists despite the quasi-legalization passed in Canada,” the organization states on its website. Larsen said this theme will also be advanced during the 4/20 livestream. “We know that for some people, can-

nabis is a substitute for opioids,” he stated. “And for other people, cannabis is just good medicine.” The Medical Cannabis Dispensary, which Larsen manages, has been shut down, but he said that the mailorder business has “exploded”. In the meantime, every day at 4:20 p.m. in April, Larsen is hosting contests on Twitter and Facebook, offering two grams of cannabis and copies of his books to two winners on each platform. “We give away thousands of joints at 4/20,” Larsen said. “We’re not able to do that, but I still want to share by making cannabis available to those who need it.” Besides, he thinks people need to look forward to some fun while they’re going stir-crazy at home during the pandemic. g

MORE CANNABIS ONLINE AT CANNCENTRAL.COM

I (20’s) have been with my boyfriend (40’s) for 2 years. The last 6 months of which have been the hardest LDR. I knew this relationship wouldn’t last, but I didn’t expect it to last 2 years and to fall in love either. I, for some reason, thought we could have a life together but we’re obviously both not ready. Now it’s come to the point where I need to respect myself and leave. But it’s so hard when you love someone and built that connection for so long. I feel like I’m just hurting myself by initiating it. But it’s needed to grow. Probably not the healthiest thing to do in a quarantine. I feel like such a dumb naive girl. 2020 is shit.

Money Mindsets I have devoted the last year of my life to learning to trade stocks. Yeah, laugh away. I understand most people fail, I realize I may be one of them. I assure you this is a learnable skill like any other. I’m not making money yet, but the more I learn the more I am convinced I can do it. But everyone mocks me or jokes about yachts and suits, or trys to tell me give up and get a real job. I just wish I had more supportive encouraging voices telling me I can do it instead of why I shouldn’t do it.

Been there, done that. I must confess a little bit of amusement at the people who think life is terrible because they have to stay home for a few months. I am disabled and have been housebound for most of my life. I get out once or twice a year to visit a relative, or several times a year to go see a doctor. Other than that I am mostly indoors. So stop your whining and find something productive to do with your time while you have the chance. Things could be a whole lot worse.

Visit

to post a Confession

> Go on-line to read hundreds of I Saw You posts or to respond to a message < GREEN ZX6R STUNT BIKE

DARK BEAUTY AT PHARMASY LINE

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: APRIL 10, 2020 WHERE: International Motorsports - Vancouver You came by the shop to see if your ZX6R was my old bike. I forgot to ask for your name! I have a bunch of parts in storage if you need anything. If you want to wrench or ride sometime (2 metres apart of course), you know where to find me. Ride safe!

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: MARCH 22, 2020 WHERE: In front of epicurean bakery I know you from my previous work in a busy cafe, you always were so kind and I always was somehow attracted by your aura. You stopped coming, I stopped working but yesterday I bumped into you randomly (you were coming back home from work), I was secretely dancing and jumping in my head, so happy to see you again! we chatted, you said my dog was cute but I kept my distance because of this f***ing coronavirus. I d love to know you better...in those difficult dark times I understand we should avoid to meet but maybe we can start with texts. If you feel the same, respond to this by telling me what drink you used to have and where I m from. Talk to you soon I hope‚ : )

DON'T PUT ME IN THE CORNER!

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: APRIL 6, 2020 WHERE:

I met you a few years ago when I was on vacation with my parents. You were a handsome dance instructor and you took my breath away. If you saw me carrying that watermelon to that underground dance party, tell me what I was wearing so I know it is really you.

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: MARCH 18, 2020 WHERE: LD Pharmacy, E Hastings

You had dark hair and dark eyes, I suppose skin as well. Short hair. I was in rush to get out of those lights. You deserve a compliment, at least, you looked lovely. I was tall with similar hair/eye color.

LIQUOR STORE GUY

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: MARCH 18, 2020 WHERE: Marpole Liquore Store on Oak Saw you in a liquor store in Marpole and it seemed like you were checking me out, and then ended up in the line behind me. If you remember the girl in the orange sweater (I was stocking up on a lot of booze) and want to grab a beer sometime after this whole virus thing blows over let me know!

FLAMINGO SOCK WEARING BLOOD DONOR

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: FEBRUARY 22, 2020 WHERE: Oak St Donor Clinic We chatted during and after our blood donations about sock deliveries, my future halloween costume and the book I can only assume you’re reading right now: American War. I should have given you my number so you could tell me how much you’re loving it!

CHOCOLATE CAFE GUY

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: MARCH 13, 2020 WHERE: Thomas Haas, Kitsilano

I saw you at a particular chocolate cafe today. I was unble to say hi as I was meeting with some people to sign paperwork. You: looks like Dave Grohl, rocking an amazing pair of headphones and sitting alone. You looked at me a few times and I’m hoping it’s mutual. Would love to grab a hot chocolate with you some time!

I SAW YOU TWICE. ROUND THREE, POST-DISTANCING?

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: MARCH 17, 2020 WHERE: CanWest Vets

I first saw you when I brought my dog in. You'd just left the desk as I walked up, taking my breath with you. Who are you?! Scrubs, stethoscope, blonde, those eyes, total babe. I was too distracted with my bestie's predic to investigate further, and once she was sorted you didn't make another appearance. I saw you again a week later when you brought her meds out to the lot for me. You were all masked up, but those eyes do most of the work. Be still my beating heart. I would normally have chat you up, but Covid-19 destroyer of flirtation, was already upon us. Maybe I'll see you again.

GIRL ON BIKE WHO APPROVED MY BEER CHOICE.

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: MARCH 17, 2020 WHERE: Kitsilano Beach. I was walking along Kits Beach (From the Tennis lot area) when I saw you ride up to me on your bike. I had a blue toque on and was carrying a 6 pack of Steam Whistle IPA. You briefly slowed down and said “That’s a good beer choice” Before continuing to ride off, then you sort of slowed down again, looked back at me, and then kept riding. I wish I was faster on my feet and actually replied to you or came up with an excuse to get you to talk to me, but sadly I was a little tongue tied. Would love to meet you again.... you’re welcome to one of my beers.

YOU PUNCHED ME, THEN SMOOCHED ME

I SAW A: I AM A: WHEN: OCTOBER 7, 2018 WHERE: The Rickshaw At the Ty Segall concert. in the pit, you accidentally punched me and then picked me up, kissed me and said sorry. best night of my life.

Visit straight.com to post your FREE I Saw You _ APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT 7

ARTS / URBAN LIVING

Art projects capture COVID-19 limbo by Janet Smith

At left, Power of Portrait’s crowd-sourced plan to collage the faces of social isolation together; right, Adad Hannah’s Social Distancing Portrait 15 and Social Distancing Portrait 18 (courtesy the artist and Equinox Gallery).

hree college-age roommates in track pants stand under the fluorescent glow of a gas-station sign, one of them clutching three bags of chips. A girl in a black protective mask wields her skateboard. And a kid in soccer cleats poses with two soccer balls alone on an empty sports field. In Adad Hannah’s short-video portraits, shot with a long lens, something feels slightly amiss— even when the subjects are smiling. Put together, his “Social Distancing Portraits” series captures the strange sense of limbo we find ourselves in— the mix of resilience, reflection, and isolation that define this unprecedented time in urban history. Photo and video art is emerging from the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with two major local projects—including Hannah’s— growing out of the theme of social distancing. One of them, called Power of Portrait, is a new crowd-sourced public-art initiative to collect close-up portraits during quarantine and post them along the depressing spread of boarded-up storefronts on Robson Street and elsewhere. The other, led by the Burnaby-based Hannah, appears on his website, Vimeo, and Instagram, as well as in a virtual exhibit for the Capture Photography Festival. It depicts people going about their lives in isolation—stretching in the park, watching the world go by on lawn chairs. With different approaches, both take a deeply human look at the experience of isolation—staring it right in the eyes. And both promise to provide a lasting visual journal of these strange times. “POWER OF PORTRAIT: We are all in this together, Vancouver” is the full name of a volunteer art project that started when local clinical counsellor Andrea McLaren worried about the psychological impact of social distancing.

“From a trauma-informed perspective, when we can share our experience, the better we do,” she explains to the Straight, adding: “Art transforms the world and I think a positive portrayal of people can have an impact and can give a voice to people on the edges.” When she started seeing businesses being boarded up downtown, she reached out to digital-media artist Jai Djwa for help in building an art project that might beautify the closures as well as connect people through a website. She saw the boarding-up causing further negative feelings. “For me, it felt like we were preparing for looting, which was just a negative headspace,” she says. “And from a social-justice standpoint it also reminds me of the disparity between the rich and the poor.” Power of Portrait invites Vancouverites to submit photos—either selfies or shots of people they’re isolating with, preferably taken inside the home. The photos will be shared on the project’s Facebook page (@powerofportraits) and website (powerofportrait.com/). The Robson Street Business Association has funded the printing of 50 of these shots in black-and-white, to be grouped in a gridlike pattern and pasted onto the boarded-up storefronts. The deadline for photo submissions is Wednesday (April 15), though the team is looking at ways to expand the project and enliven other parts of the city. McLaren and Djwa were inspired by French photo artist JR and his Inside Out Project, a global participatory-art initiative involving large-format street pastings of multiple portraits. Like JR’s project, Power of Portrait asks for photos that are in black-and-white. “That kind of levels the playing field and gives us all a sense of who we are as people,” Djwa says. One of the team’s guidelines asks portrait-

takers to consider the idea of “We are all in this together” and how they might express that with their face. The format also allows people to offer a small writeup of their experiences. “One arrived this morning and it just warmed my heart. I felt a smile coming over my whole being,” McLaren relates. “It was just so powerful.…If this is the only submission we get, it’s already worth it.” HANNAH’S PROJECT STARTED on March 14, when he found himself, like everyone else, facing the prospect of being holed up at home. “It was not knowing what’s going to happen, feeling listless and trapped, and I said, ‘Let’s get out of here,’ ” he tells the Straight. “I was going out everyday and shooting people from a distance. For the first couple, I didn’t know it was going to be a series. And now I’m posting everyday.” Hannah has shot his short video portraits using a long lens from a distance of at least five metres—a method that holds its challenges. “Yesterday, I had to back into a bush to be able to shoot them,” he says with a laugh. About 20 seconds in length and set to sometimes haunting, sometimes meditative music by Montreal-based composer and multiinstrumentalist Brigitte Dajczer, the works hover between still and moving images, catching the sense of suspension these times present. With one recent image of a couple having impromptu drinks with lawn chairs and blankets in their alley, you might not even realize it’s a video until you notice them blinking. “When I went out the first day, I didn’t know what it would turn into, but I think it works to capture this moment: everybody’s still, but they’re still passing through time,” Hannah explains. “You don’t know what’s next. In a way

nothing is happening, but your psychological time is still happening. So you see people caught in time. You can’t help but imagine what they’re thinking, somehow.” Hannah has now collected a month’s worth of intimate portraits, one or two a day—of parents pushing strollers, of teens lazing listlessly in the park, of family restaurants bagging takeout for window pickup. At last check, he had more than 55 posted to Instagram and his Vimeo channel, each allowing him to add the subject’s comments or thoughts (which he acquires in quick interviews while shooting). Over that array, he’s noticed an evolution—no doubt one that will shift more as the weeks wear on. As one subject who poses with his bicycle relates in Social Distancing Video Portrait 44, “For the first week I was relaxed, but I have kids, I need to work, I need to pay rent.” “At first, people I met thought it would last a couple weeks,” Hannah observes. “For all of us, it’s an emotional roller coaster, even within a day. But I get an emotional arc—not that there’s a collective mood. It’s more complex. Some people have more work, some people have less work, for instance.” Over the weeks, the artist has had a lot of time to reflect on the effects of social distancing. And you get the distinct impression that the project has helped him get through the isolation, too. “I’m surprised at people’s openness to it,” he says, “and that’s been nice for me, having conversations with people. “I think humans are always as resilient as they are fragile,” he adds. “It’s been a tough time for people, but some optimism shines through, even though there’s some awkwardness too. But overall, they’re taking care of each other and looking out for each other.” g

The Isolation Diaries: Cellist Marina Hasselberg by Janet Smith

COMFORT FOOD “Apple pie with vanilla ice cream and condensed milk, Mexican-style hot chocolate, melting stroopwafels, and peanut-butter chocolate… I am telling myself all is fair for now! I’ve also been obsessed with the idea of salted caramel, which I don’t have in the house, but as I learned today it takes only 15 minutes to make, so that will be my next little culinary project.”

Marina Hasselberg has found the will to perform again. Photo by Morgan Burke

QUARANTINE SOUNDTRACK “My friend Giorgio Magnanensi’s daily enchanting piano-music miniatures on Instagram have been a wonderful and inspiring soundtrack of the past few weeks. I also literally just heard Portuguese fadista Mariza sing in a video, and at this time of confusion and reflection on the role of live music, this performance arrived as a punch, with its striking beauty and intense rapport between audience and musicians. It might take one or perhaps even two years until we can do it, but I am 100-percent looking forward to both performing and attending concerts again.”

ith theatres, galleries, stores, and restaurants shuttered to flatten the COVID-19 curve, the Isolation Diaries reach out to Vancouver’s creative sector to find out what they’re watching, how they’re coping, and where they’re finding inspiration.

to a roster that includes Vancouver New Music, Early Music Vancouver, Sound of Dragon Ensemble, Turning Point Ensemble, Redshift Music Society, the Okanagan and Kamloops symphonies, and rock names like Father John Misty and Rod Stewart.”

THE ARTIST Portuguese-born cellist Marina Hasselberg has become a standout presence on Vancouver’s music scene, featuring in everything from baroque concerts to cutting-edge contemporary premieres. She has brought the rich sound of strings

NO. 1 THING THAT’S GETTING YOU THROUGH “My big window connecting me with the outside world and the sense of freedom and opportunity for change that this pandemic is bringing—a CREATIVE OR LEARNING OUTLET treasure within the chaos that I hope “Sto imparando l’italiano! I am back we can at least all take advantage of.” at learning Italian, which is always a

8 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020

hilarious adventure. “My relation with my cello and my creative drive have been pretty impacted by the pandemic. For the first three weeks of isolation I did not play a single note. When I finally did, it was to work on a project I think highly of (the Little Chamber Music Series That Could’s [online] Isolation Commissions), and once I started, the musical connection was immediate—as if a little light bulb suddenly went on and I (in a quite emotional

way) realized how much I had been missing making music. I’ve been since feeling more and more drawn to creating music again on a regular basis and will have my first solo livestream performance very soon. (See it live-stream Sunday [April 19] at 3 p.m. on the Vancouver Improvised Arts Society Facebook page.) “I have also been writing a lot, and that’s for me a great way to cope, to check in with myself, and to explore my thoughts and feelings.” g

S neaker HEADS

in white, twilight blue, and retro goldenrod-yellow ($140). They still feel pillowy more than four decades on, with arch support that was well ahead of its time. Grab a pair of tube socks and you’re good to go.

OUR WEEKLY PICKS from the world of kicks.

c THE DEETS: Nothing says 1970s sneaker style like the Finnish Karhu brand. These new unisex renditions of the ChampionAir—the height of air-cushioned running technology in 1977—really kick into spring

c RANDOMNESS: The brand’s signature M represents mestari, the Finnish word for “champion”. c STOCKISTS: Gravitypope.com/. c SOUNDTRACK: KC & the Sunshine Band’s 1977 hit “I’m Your Boogie Man”. by Janet Smith

APRIL 16 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 23 / 2020 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT 9

FILM / MUSIC

NFB treasures range from silly to sober

by Norman Wilner

ell, it’s been four weeks and we’re all still inside. (Thanks for nothing, COVID-19.) And just in case you were worried you’d run out of stuff to watch—if you’ve exhausted Gem and Disney+ and Kanopy and Hoopla and Tubi and all the other streaming services—may we interest you in the NFB? The National Film Board of Canada maintains an archive of, literally, thousands of documentaries and shorts as well as the odd feature film at its website. (There are also apps for iOS and Android devices and a number of smart TVs.) Not everything is available on the free tier, which can be frustrating. Still, there are thousands of titles streaming for free. We’ve taken the liberty of finding a dozen or so that feel essential.

FEATURE FILMS

The NFB’s focus on documentary production means it has only made a handful of feature dramas, including Nobody Waved Good-Bye, a Rebel Without A Cause knockoff that now plays like a neorealist drama. You might also check out Owen’s counterculture follow-up, The Ernie Game, or Cynthia Scott’s 1990 drama, The Company Of Strangers, which a generation of Canadians remembers vaguely as “the one with the old ladies on the bus”. It’s a little richer than that. ANIMATION

Meditation Park) looks at the 1969 student occupation of a computer lab at Montreal’s Sir George Williams University, when a discrimination complaint brought by six West Indian students against their biology professor led to a sit-in. After two weeks, it escalated into a terrifying confrontation between students and riot police. Rather than a straight recounting of the incident, Shum probes the emotional states of the people involved decades after the fact—creating a powerfully intimate examination of a disastrous pressure cooker.

Sarah Polley’s masterful debut documentary, Stories We Tell, explores her tangled family history. Photo courtesy of NFB

Brittain’s filmography is varied and fascinating, and the NFB has most of it, including 1965’s essential Ladies And Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen, which he codirected with Owen, and 1976’s Oscar-nominated Volcano: An Inquiry Into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry, which he made with John Kramer. But I had no idea he and Canning had made this profile of Ferguson Jenkins, the Chatham-born pitcher regarded as one of Canada’s greatest baseball players. Shot in 1972 and 1973, as Jenkins’s tenure with the Chicago Cubs was coming to an end, it’s an unexpected charmer.

There are hundreds and hundreds of animated shorts streaming on the NFB’s site, representing every discipline and perspective you can imagine: the old-school silliness of Cordell Barker, the new-school melancholy of Torill Kove, the digital psychedelia of Chris Landreth—whose own Oscar-winning short “Ryan” was a loving tribute to NFB animator Ryan Larkin—and the barbed sensibility of Alexandra Lemay. It’s a near-endless field of welcome surprises.

Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives (Lynne Fernie, Aerlyn Weissman, 1992) One of the last documentaries produced by the NFB’s Studio D—a women’s unit that operated from 1974 to 1996—Fernie and Weissman’s look at the lesbian pulp fiction of the ’40s and ’50s and its impact on the lives of women figuring out their own queerness was the first NFB production to tackle a LGBTQ topic head-on. It was also the first to incorporate fictionalized material, as Fernie and WeissDOCUMENTARIES man included their own version of King of the Hill (Donald Brittain, author Ann Bannon’s seduction storWilliam Canning, 1974) ies. Almost 30 years after its release, it

represents a key moment in the NFB’s Project Grizzly (Peter Lynch, 1996) storytelling evolution. A festival favourite, Lynch’s ridealong with North Bay inventor Troy The Art of the Possible (Peter Ray- Hurtubise—a self-styled outdoorsmont, 1978) man obsessed with facing down a Part of a political trilogy that also grizzly bear and who has spent a great includes Flora: Scenes From a deal of time and money building a Leadership Convention and History homemade suit that he’s sure will proon the Run: The Media and the ’79 tect him if he ever does—now plays as Election, Raymont’s fly-on-the-wall the polar opposite of Werner Herzog’s doc follows Ontario premier Bill Grizzly Man. Where that film, proDavis as he and his Big Blue Ma- duced a decade later, is suffused with chine meet, strategize, and make dread and horror, Lynch’s is a deadpolicy. It’s a fascinating look at the pan delight, indulging Hurtubise as way things used to work at Queen’s he refines his personal mythology as Park as well as a reminder of how often as he rethinks his suit design. homogeneous Ontario’s politics used to be. Younger viewers—and Stories We Tell (Sarah Polley, 2012) some older ones too, I’ll bet—may Polley’s first documentary—which be shocked at how civil everyone is. feels like it has evolved out of the themes she dealt with in her previEarth to Mouth (Yung Chang, 2002) ous features Away From Her and If you missed the retrospective Take This Waltz—is a stunning acscreening at Reel Asian in Toronto complishment, an exploration of her last fall, now is a fine time to catch tangled family history that expands up to Chang’s look at the Wing Fong into a thoroughly fascinating inquiry Farm outside Newcastle, Ontario, into the nature of truth and memory. which grows Asian produce for Chi- Late last year, I called it one of the nese supermarkets and restaurants. best movies of the past decade. And if In just 40 minutes, Chang captures you’ve been meaning to catch up to it, the process of farming while also you now have all the time in the world. giving viewers a sense of the people who do it, profiling owner Lau King- Ninth Floor (Mina Shum, 2015) Fai and the Mexican migrant work- A rare documentary from feature ers she employs. director Shum (Double Happiness,

We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (Alanis Obomsawin, 2016) Obomsawin has worked with the NFB for most of her career, producing and directing dozens of documentaries exploring the ragged divide between Canada’s Indigenous support system and the people it is meant to serve. Incident at Restigouche and Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance are essential studies of cultural f lashpoints, but this verité doc may be her masterpiece. Using a court case as a lever to explore the structural nightmare that is the system that supports Canada’s First Nations, Obomsawin simply lets the facts pile up in front of her, painting a picture of decades of sanctioned neglect that is shattering in its detail and scope. Yes, it’s long. But it’s necessary. Unarmed Verses (Charles Officer, 2017) Developed as a way of responding to the racial tensions exposed by the shooting death of Trayvon Martin— and George Zimmerman’s subsequent acquittal—Officer’s look at a program aimed at pairing kids from Toronto Community Housing’s Villaways development with musical mentors is an elegant argument that black lives matter. At a point in time when we’re actively avoiding one another, it’s nice to be reminded of how well Toronto can function as a community—even though this movie ends with the dissolution of this specific one. g

What’s in Your Fridge: Caitlin Goulet

by Mike Usinger

hat’s in Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

Caitlin Goulet

deal for me. I found out last-minute, so I just went alone. Everything about her performance was amazing: vocals, choreography, attitude. She made it obvious that she loves what she does and adores and appreciates her fans. Her band was bad-ass too—every musician on that stage was a woman, which was pretty uncommon at the time. Her generosity of spirit and connection to her fans really struck me that day, and that is something I strive to bring to my performances.

WHO ARE YOU

TOP THREE RECORDS

ON THE GRILL

I’m a singer-songwriter, daydreamer, and recovering nice girl. I create alt-pop/alternative R&B music. If you find life and love to be messy and confusing, you’ll probably relate to my songs. A lot of the subject matter is about figuring out what I want and don’t want in life, and how I’m trying to find and achieve those things. Discovering and accepting that I’m kinda messed up, and learning how to empower myself, move forward, and drop the dead weight. The songs are built on dreamy synths and lush vocal harmonies, bad choices and the lessons learned, and a dash of weirdness. Or more. My single “Dive Deep” is out on all platforms, and the video is out on YouTube. New singles and an EP are coming out this spring. FIRST CONCERT

In summer 2001, my friend Emily and I spent a lot of time at the Calgary Stampede. We would hang out in front of the Coca-Cola stage for hours before the concerts so we could have a spot in the front row. To this day I think one reason was so that we could hold on to the barricades for dear life and not get swept up by the mosh pit. See, Em is barely five feet tall on a good day. People always thought she was my little sister, which kinda pissed her off. But security always kept an extra eye out for us ’cause they worried

Caitlin Goulet says Janet Jackson filled her younger days with impromptu dance parties and sing-alongs.

she’d get crushed, so we never lost our spot. The most memorable of these concerts was the Tea Party. I was fascinated by the band’s talent, specifically Jeff Martin’s vocals, guitar playing, and the other cool instruments he played. I had never seen a dobro before and watching him play kinda blew my mind. Their unique style and great songwriting were unlike anything I’d ever heard before. I became a huge fan of the band that day. That opened me up to a bunch of other influences. When my stepdad heard me playing their stuff, he said Jeff reminded him of Jim Morrison, and he introduced me to the Doors, which I became obsessed with. This was a gateway to psychedelic rock and blues. LIFE-CHANGING CONCERT

Beyoncé performed a free concert at Yonge-Dundas Square in 2006. At the time, I was a broke student going to performing-arts school in Toronto, so getting to see an artist of her calibre was a huge

10 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020

Might help me get my life together. Jeff Buckley Grace This album spoke to my angst and my weirdness on so many levels, and carried me through some of my darkest times. I could nerd out about his guitar and vocal chops, stunning chord choices, and poetic lyrics too. Jeff Buckley’s emotive, magical singing and his tendency to break the rules of song structure played a huge influence on me when I first started writing. Out of control, but in control. He turned pain into something beautiful. A truly brilliant artist.

This was so hard! I better send this now before I change my mind. I feel like I’m betraying ALL-TIME FAVOURITE VIDEO Janet Jackson and Busta Rhymes “What’s It all my other favourites. Gonna Be?” First of all, the song was a banger. Janet Jackson Velvet Rope Janet was one of my Second, I wanted to be Janet Jackson when I idols growing up. Music was a big part of my grew up. She looked like a bad-ass space queen in bond with my mama and sister, and this was one this video. I still want a replica of that costume! of the albums we listened to together. We would Busta looked pretty cool too. Overall, just a meshave ridiculous dance parties in the living room, merizing video that you can’t stop watching. and sing at the top of our lungs in the car. There were a lot of fun jams on this album, and others WHAT’S IN YOUR FRIDGE? Zevia Ginger Beer Great with rum! Or not, hawith more deeply emotional lyrical content. ha. I usually stop or cut back on drinking when I Ms. Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn have important events coming up, so this is a nice Hill I was obsessed with “Doo Wop (That nonalcoholic option on its own or with bitters. Thing)” when it came out—the production, that “Real Thai” Coconut Milk The creamiest, tastisticky piano line, Ms. Lauryn Hill’s rich voice est coconut milk you can find. My friend Charlene and wisdom in her lyrics. This was back when introduced me to it. I love coconut milk, but it has you’d invest in an entire album, hoping it would to be creamy and thick like this one. Only place I be as good as the first single. It was an HMV gift can find it is London Drugs. I like to blend it into certificate well spent! To me, every track stands my coffee, mix it with oatmeal or cold cereal, and on its own, and it’s an album I can easily listen use it for cooking and baking. Or just drinking a to from start to finish, repeatedly. Her songs in- little on its own when no one’s watching. spire me to be a better, wiser person, and I am Avocado One of my favourite foods. Perfect really thankful her music was around when I with breakfast or a salad, or wrapped in turkey was a 13-year-old girl. We need more music like or ham slices. Or just on its own. This includes this to cultivate our minds and hearts. I should guac. I almost always have avocado before a probably go listen to her right now, actually. show, usually with banana. g

SAVAGE LOVE

When monogamy is just not enough by Dan Savage

b I AM A super queer–presenting female who recently accepted that I have desires for men. My partner of two years is bisexual and understands the desires but has personally dealt with those desires via masturbation, while my desires include acting. Her perspective is that the grass is greener where you water it and that my desire to act is immature, selfish, and has an unrealistic endgame. What gives when you don’t feel fulfilled sexually in a monogamous relationship? - Open Or Over? Something definitely gives when a person doesn’t feel fulfilled in a monogamous relationship—sometimes it’s an ultimatum that’s given; sometimes it’s a one-time-only hall pass that’s given; sometimes it’s an agreement to open the relationship that’s given. But the relationship sometimes gives: e.g., the relationship collapses under the weight of competing and mutually exclusive needs and desires. If you want to open things up (if allowed) and she wants to keep things closed (no allowance), OOO, it’s ultimately your willpower—your commitment to honouring the commitment you’ve made—that’s likely to give.

b I HAVE A close friend who’s cheating on her girlfriend. It has been going on for over a year. At first, I actually supported the exploration because my friend has a really unsupportive girlfriend who has done really crappy things to her over the course of their relationship. I kept pushing for her to make a decision and use this affair as a way for her to free herself,

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DOOR AID SOLUTIONS INC. is HIRING a Supervisor, garage door installers. Greater Vancouver area, BC. Perm, F/T (36 hrs/w) Wage - $ 35.00 per h Requirements: Good English,several years of experience in garage door installation, high school education. Main duties: Supervise and co-ordinate the activities of garage door installers;Create and monitor work schedules; Hire and train of new employees; Estimate and order necessary garage doors parts and supplies; Resolve work problems and customer complaints; Prepare and maintain work progress reports; Maintain records of stock for inventory control. Company’s business address: 810-180 Switchmen St, Vancouver, BC V6A 0C7 Please apply by E-mail: dooraidhr@gmail.com

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but she is just coasting along with her girlfriend and her lover. She’s under a lot of stress and she’s turned into a major liar and it’s creeping me out. I’m considering either telling her girlfriend myself (though I promised my friend I wouldn’t) or maybe I just need to end this friendship. My friend’s double life upsets me. It’s just been going on too long. - Is My Friend An Asshole? If your friend—the

one leading the double life—is asking you to run interference for her, if she’s asking you to lie to her girlfriend or if she’s asked you to compromise your integrity in some way, she’s an asshole and you’re a sap. Tell your friend you’re done covering for her and that you won’t be able to see her again until the deceit or the pandemic is over, whichever comes first. If your friend expects you to ooze sympathy while she goes on and on about the mess she’s made of her life, IMFAA, simply refuse to discuss with her the mess that is her love life. Remind her that she already knows what you think she needs to do—she needs to break the fuck up with her shitty girlfriend—and then change the subject.

b I’M A CIS het woman who loves men and loves dicks. I love dicks so much that I fantasize about having one. Nothing brings me to orgasm more quickly or reliably than closing my eyes and imagining my own dick, or imagining myself as my partner, and what they’re feeling through their dick. I love being a woman, and I’m afraid to bring this up with any partner(s) of mine. Is this super

Construction company Turon-Business LTD is looking for Carpenters, Lower Mainland area, BC. Perm, F/T. Wage: $ 27.20 /h Main duties: Read and interpret blueprints, prepare layouts; Measure, cut, assemble, and join lumber and wood materials;Build wooden construction structures;Inspect, repair damaged framework;Install different trim items; Operate and maintain carpentry tools; Follow safety rules and regulations; Supervise helpers. Requirements: Experience 3-4 years, Good English; Education: High school. Company’s business address: 35-5648 Promontory Rd, Chilliwack BC V2R 0E5 Please apply by e-mail: hrturonbusiness@gmail.com

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Kitchen Manager Permanent and full time. $16 to $20 per hour. 3 to 5 year experience. Specific Skills: Supervise and co-ordinate activities of staff who prepare and portion food, Estimate and order ingredients and supplies, Ensure food service and quality control, Maintain records of stock, repairs, sales and wastage, Prepare and submit reports, Prepare food order summaries for chef, Supervise and check assembly of trays, Supervise and check delivery of food trolleys, Establish work schedules How to apply: By email infopapparoti@gmail.com Vancouver, BC

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weird? Am I secretly trans somehow? the “victim” isn’t restrained in some Am I overthinking this? way. But it’s not painful—it’s like be- Perfect Minus Penis ing tickled; indeed, the victim usually reacts with desperate laughter and It’s not that weird; some people are gasping pleas for it to stop. (Don’t ask trans and you could be one of them me how I know.) (but fantasizing about having a dick ≠ That all-over feeling of euphoria being a male), and you’re overthink- you experienced when your apple ing what you should be enjoying. got polished was most likely a wave Buy a strap-on; tell your partners of endorphins—like a runner who about your fantasies; and enjoy hav- pushes herself past her physical liming the dick you can have. its and experiences a full-body “runner’s high”, you were pushed past b I WONDER IF you might be able to your physical limits, WHOA, and put a label on this sex act: it has to do experienced the same sort of high. with overstimulation, in this case of a penis (mine). After receiving a won- b I’M A 35-YEAR-OLD straight guy. I derful hand job, the giver kept strok- recently started seeing an amazing ing me purposefully. My penis was 34-year-old girl. We love being around in a heightened, supersensitive state. each other, but during sex, neither of It was almost like being tickled, if us can come. It’s infuriating, to say you’re ticklish. I was being forcefully the least. She has no trouble when she held down (consensually), and just as masturbates, and I know I have no I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, I trouble when I masturbate, so why had a second amazing orgasm. I didn’t can’t we come together? - Can’t Understand Matter ejaculate again, it was more of a body orgasm. It came in waves and everything was warm. It was mind-blow- If you can come when you masturbate ing, spiritual, galactic, unique, and and she can come when she masturvery similar to how I’ve heard women bates, CUM, masturbate together describe their orgasms. Ever hear of and you’ll be coming together. Muanything like this? Is this some sort of tual masturbation isn’t a sad consolation prize—mutual masturbation is Japanese underground kink thing? - Witty Hilarious Overzealous Amateur sex and it can be great sex. And the more often you come The act you’re describing already has together through mutual masturbaa name, WHOA, and an entry on tion, CUM, the likelier it gets that Urban Dictionary: apple-polishing. you’ll be able to come together while Most men find the sensation of hav- enjoying other things. ing the head of their cock worked so overwhelming that their bodies b I HAVE A weird and terrible probinvoluntarily recoil, which makes it lem. I’ve been seeing someone new, difficult to polish someone’s apple if and have just discovered that I get

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SV Business Group Inc. o/a SV Yachts & Boats is seeking a Marine Mechanic. F/T 40h/w, Perm, wage $34.00 /h Main duties: Review work tasks with the Manager; Check and identify mechanical and electrical problems with heavy duty equipment, marine engines and systems, tools and machinery;Test, adjust, repair or replace parts and components; Clean, lubricate and perform other routine maintenance work;Install of new and add-on equipment and machinery on marine vessels; Report to the Manager in regards to work performed and prepare documentation. Requirements: High school, 4+ years of experience or apprenticeship program, good English Business address and job location: 5908 Marine Dr. West Vancouver, BC V7W 2S2 Please apply by e-mail: hr.svbg@gmail.com

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AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Does someone else's drinking bother you? Al-Anon can help. We are a support group for those who have been affected by another's drinking problem. For more information please call: 604-688-1716 Anorexics & Bulimics Anonymous 12 Step based peer support program which addresses the mental, emotional, & spiritual aspects of disordered eating Tuesdays @ 7 pm @ Avalon Women's Centre 5957 West Blvd - 604-263-7177 Support, Education & Action Group for Women that have experienced male violence. Call Vancouver Rape Relief 604-872-8212

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A MDABC peer-led support group is a safe place to share your story, your struggles and accomplishments, and to listen to others as they share similar concerns. Please Note: Support groups are not intended to providecounselling/therapy. ? Please visit www.mdabc.net for a list and location of support groups or call 604-873-0103 for info. A MDABC peer-led support group is a safe place to share your story, your struggles and accomplishments, and to listen to others as they share similar concerns. Please Note: Support groups are not intended to provide counselling/therapy. ? Please visit www.mdabc.net for a list and location of support groups or call 604-873-0103 for info.

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diarrhea every time I swallow his come—like debilitating pee poops an hour after, every time. I know the solution to the problem would be to stop swallowing, but I was wondering if you had ever heard of this before or knew why this was. - My Sad Asshole I have heard of this before, MSA, and superstar Savage Love guest expert Dr. Debby Herbenick unpacked the cause for another reader a few years back: “Prostaglandins are substances made by the body and that the body is sensitive to. Semen contains prostaglandins—and prostaglandins can have a laxative effect on people. Related: if you’ve ever felt a little loosey-goosey right before getting your period, that’s also thanks to prostaglandins (which spike just before your period because the prostaglandins get the uterine muscles to contract, which then helps to shed the lining of the uterus, resulting in a menstrual period). So why don’t more semen swallowers find themselves running to the bathroom post-blowjob? I don’t know why most people aren’t extra-sensitive to prostaglandins, but, fortunately, most of us aren’t, or there would probably be a lot less swallowing in the world.” So, MSA, you’ll have to stop swallowing your boyfriend’s come or only swallow when you have immediate access to a toilet in a restroom with a powerful fan. g Listen to the Savage Lovecast—this week with Erin Gibson: www.savagelovecast.com. Email: mail@savagelove.net. Follow Dan on Twitter: @FakeDanSavage.

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APRIL 16 – 23 / 2020 THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT 11

• Best Natural Pharmacy • Best Supplement Store

PHARMACY & NATURAL NATUR HEALTH LTH CENTRE

SPRING SALE! Sale Dates: April 1st - April 30th

APRIL STORE HOURS: 15% OFF *select products

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