The Georgia Straight - Smoke Signals - July 15, 2021

FREE | JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

Volume 55 | Number 2787

SMOKE SIGNAL

SHARED EQUITY

Making homes affordable

HIDDEN HISTORY Henry Tsang’s Hastings Park

With B.C. wildfires raging, experts say now is the time to make a plan to protect yourself and your family

ALEXIS FLETCHER

•

RUN N GUN

•

MISSION FOLK FEST

•

COOL RAMEN

NEWS

CONTENTS

July 15-22 / 2021

Undocumented graves found near B.C. residential school

4

COVER

Can masks offer protection against the harmful health effects of wildfire smoke?

It depends on the model, but that’s not the only option for safeguarding yourself.

by Charlie Smith

By Charlie Smith Cover photo by Daniiielc/Getty Images

7

REAL ESTATE

Shared equity is a concept that can make homes more affordable, which is why it has been embraced by the Phoenix Society.

By Carlito Pablo

13

MUSIC

Shred Kelly frontman Tim Newton finds inspiration for the folk-rock quintet’s songs and videos in both routine and explosive life events.

Students who attended the Kuper Island Industrial School were prohibited from speaking their Indigenous languages or engaging in traditional cultural practices. Photo by IRSHDC at UBC.

A

third First Nation in B.C. has revealed the existence of many buried bodies near a former Indian residential school operated by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

In a newsletter this week, the Penelakut Tribe stated that it had located more than 160 “undocumented and unmarked” graves near the former Kuper Island Industrial School.

It’s near Chemainus on Vancouver Island, and now bears the name Penelakut Island.

The website of UBC’s Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre states that the school opened in 1890 under Catholic administration. In 1969, the federal government took over operations of the school, which closed in 1975.

“Students set fire to the school in 1896 when holidays were cancelled,” the IRSHDC states. “A survey carried out in that year showed that of 264 former students 107 had died.”

A former student of the school, respected Vancouver Indigenous activist Kat Norris, described the school as a “torture chamber” in a 2007 interview with the Straight. She said at the time that she was sexually abused when she attended the school for three years in the 1960s.

The news about Kuper Island came almost seven weeks after the leadership of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc disclosed that it had located the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the now-closed Kamloops Indian Residential School. According to Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir, these were undocumented deaths, with some of the children as young as three years old.

On Thursday (July 15), the Tk’emlúps te Secwé pemc leadership will present the results of its study using ground-penetrating radar.

A third B.C. First Nation, the Lower Kootenay Band, stated on June 30 that it had located the remains of 182 people in unmarked graves. This was near the Kootenay Indian Residential School, also known as the St. Eugene Mission Residential School, near Cranbrook.

Like the Kuper Island school, the Kootenay and Kamloops schools were operated by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

In addition, this Catholic congregation operated the former Marieval Indian Residential School in southern Saskatchewan.

That’s where the Cowessess First Nation revealed last month that 751 unmarked graves had been located. g

By Steve Newton

e Online TOP 5

e Start Here 10 DANCE 8 FOOD 6 HEALTH 8 LIQUOR 12 MOVIES 2 NEWS 14 SAVAGE LOVE 11 VISUAL ARTS

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

Page 11

Vancouver’s News and Entertainment Weekly Volume 55 | Number 2787 #300 - 1375 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 0B1 T: 604.730.7000 F: 604.730.7010 E: gs.info@straight.com straight.com

CLASSIFIEDS: T: 604.730.7000 E: classads@straight.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING: T: 604.730.7064 F: 604.730.7012 E: sales@straight.com

DISTRIBUTION: 604.730.7087

SUBSCRIPTIONS: 604.730.7000

EDITOR Charlie Smith GENERAL MANAGER (ACTING) Sandra Oswald SECTION EDITORS Mike Usinger (ESports/Liquor/Music) Steve Newton SENIOR EDITOR Martin Dunphy STAFF WRITERS Carlito Pablo (Real Estate) Craig Takeuchi SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT Jeff Li ART DEPARTMENT MANAGER Janet McDonald

2

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

1 2 3 4 5

Lambda variant arrives in Canada; most B.C. cases in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Vancouver condos listed as low as $299,900 on leasehold terms.

Oxford University prof dishes up 82-tweet manifesto on masks.

City of Kelowna declares state of emergency after crane collapses.

B.C. food recalls for cakes, cupcakes, fish products, and halva. @GeorgiaStraight

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Miguel Hernandez PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Mike Correia ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Glenn Cohen, Catherine Tickle, Robyn Marsh (On-Leave), David Pearlman (On-Leave) MANAGER, BRANDED CONTENT AND MARKETING LEAD Rachel Moore CONTENT AND MARKETING SPECIALIST Alina Blackett CREDIT MANAGER Shannon Li ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR Tamara Robinson

PETER WALL’S YALETOWN 1310 Richards Street, Vancouver • 604.261.0732

OPEN HOUSE

SAT & SUN 9AM-5PM Amazing Rental Incentives!

YALETOWN’S FINEST LIVING Studio ■ 1 Bedroom ■ 2 Bedroom

NOW RENTING

Located in the heart of Yaletown, overlooking English Bay and False Creek, Peter Wall Yaletown is a rare residential leasing opportunity www.pw-yaletown.com | suites@pw-yaletown.com

PETER WALL’S SHANNON MEWS 1515 W. 57th Avenue, Vancouver • 604.261.0732

OPEN HOUSE

SAT & SUN 9AM-5PM Amazing Rental Incentives!

NOW RENTING

Studio

■

1 Bedroom

■

2 Bedroom

■

Townhouse

Stunning, historical neighbourhood with many urban amenities. Close to shopping. www.pw-shannonmews.com | suites@pw-shannonmews.com JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

3

HEALTH

Smoke signal: how B.C. wildfires affect your health

O

by Charlie Smith

n July 5, 2015, bestselling author and sustainability researcher Thomas Homer-Dixon was standing on a cliff on southern Vancouver Island overlooking the Juan de Fuca Strait. He could see the Olympic Mountains in Washington state. But then this magnificent view was suddenly marred by a dense cloud of brown wildfire smoke overhead, appearing like a “gigantic scythe”.

Homer-Dixon described this scene in his 2020 book, Commanding Hope: The Power We Have to Renew a World in Peril: “Soon, the cloud transformed the sun into a feeble orange disc, dusk fell in midafternoon, and the vivid colors of the sea and forest around me faded away.”

Six years ago, an event like this was virtually unprecedented in Greater Victoria.

Homer-Dixon was in a position to know this because his father, Doug, was born in Victoria in 1926 and had been the chief forester of the Greater Victoria Water District from 1953 to 1991.

“My dad was very ill at that point,” HomerDixon recalled in an interview with the Straight last year. “He was a few weeks from passing away but he was completely lucid. He said, ‘I haven’t seen anything like this.’ ”

4

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

Many wildfires are hundreds of kilometres from Vancouver, but if the winds change, city residents could still find themselves enveloped in smoke like in past summers. Photo by B.C. Wildfire Service.

Since then, that is no longer that unusual in southwestern British Columbia. In the summer of 2017, satellite images from NASA showed that much of the South Coast was shrouded in wildfire smoke emanating from the B.C. Interior. A similar thing happened

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

in 2018, when Metro Vancouver was under an air-quality advisory for 22 consecutive days due to dense concentrations of wildfire smoke. Then, in 2020, Metro Vancouver’s air quality was rated as worse than that of New Delhi as a result of wildfire smoke moving north from the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

This summer is shaping up as another horrific wildfire season in B.C., thanks in to record temperatures.

The scientific director in environmental health services at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Sarah Henderson, conceded in an interview with the Straight that she can’t predict what the weather over the next two months.

“We haven’t yet seen those conditions that we’ve seen in other summers where the weather and the smoke interact to hold the smoke really close to the surface of the Earth [where] there’s heavy smoke everywhere for days and weeks,” she said.

“That’s what we saw in 2017 and 2018.”

But Henderson added that B.C. could experience similar conditions again. That’s why she advises people to have a plan for how they’re going to behave when it gets smoky.

“That means understanding your own susceptibility and the susceptibility of your family and the people in your community,” she said. “It means talking to your physician if you have a chronic condition, such as asthma or COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and making sure that you have an action plan in place.”

She also said that there’s “early evidence” of slightly reduced birth weights for infants who were in utero during big smoke events. Henderson explained that infants, and particularly newborns, have sensitive lungs. And she said that a study of monkeys in California concluded that for these primates, early exposure can have

“lifelong health implications”.

“What we don’t know very much about at this point is preterm births and other adverse birth outcomes like that,” Henderson noted.

Michael Brauer, a UBC professor of occupational and environmental health, coauthored a paper last year examining the links between ambulance dispatches in B.C. and exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter during wildfire seasons. Brauer and the other researchers reported that just an hour of exposure was associated with greater hospitalizations for some respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

Brauer told the Straight by phone that this included “a worsening of asthma or a worsening of COPD”. In addition, there were more hospitalizations for those with diabetic conditions 24 hours after exposure to increased particulate matter in wildfire season.

When it comes to those who have partially recovered from COVID-19, Brauer said there’s no direct evidence that such people are more sensitive to the effects of wildfire smoke. “But I would expect they are, especially people who are still suffering symptoms like heavy breathing,” Brauer said.

A 2020 study published in Science of the Total Environment estimated that there were 54 to 240 annual premature mortalities “attributable to short-term exposure” from wildfire smoke in Canada and another 570 to 2,500 annually “attributable to long-term exposure”.

Another paper published in the peerreviewed journal Nature in March highlighted how bad wildfire smoke can be to the human body. It cited recent studies suggesting that particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter from wildfires may be more toxic than equal doses of ambient particulate matter of the same size. In some cases, particulate matter from wildfires was up to 10 times more harmful.

According to the paper in Nature, one study showed that certain toxic substances, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were present in far higher concentrations in wildfire smoke than in ambient particulate matter. Another study found that wildfire smoke contributed to “higher cell degeneration and potential programmed cell death”.

As a result, it “may be inaccurate” to assume that all particles of a given size have the same toxicity, the paper stated. This has implications for organizations such as Metro Vancouver, which regulate air quality.

Meanwhile, ultrafine particles smaller than 0.1 micron in diameter can actually pass through lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, according to the American Lung Association. If these particles are highly toxic, that creates more health concerns.

At the BCCDC, Henderson has been see next page

following the scientific literature on wildfire smoke. She pointed out that researchers in labs are looking at the toxicological profile of smoke from various trees—including pines, eucalyptuses, and oaks—as well as how the smoke differs from higherversus lower-temperature fires.

She said she’s glad that this research is being done, characterizing it as “academically interesting”.

But she said that when you zoom out to the level of it being a smoky day in this region and 2.5 million people are affected, it doesn’t really matter because such findings can’t be applied to the situation.

“From a practical perspective, there’s nothing I can really take from that literature to change the way I’m going to communicate as a public-health professional about wildfire smoke,” Henderson said. “I think the same is likely true with what happens to particles once they get into your body.”

That’s not to say that nothing can be done—far from it. The first thing people should think about is keeping windows closed to prevent wildfire smoke from entering the home.

In addition, parents concerned about their babies and children can take steps to purify the air in one or more rooms in the home. If people can’t find any air purifiers in stores during a major smoke event, they can create a homemade device using a 20-inch X 20-inch box fan and attaching a furnace filter on the back of it.

“We’ve put instructions on how to do that

Something about inhaling toxins… terrifies people.

– author Thomas Homer-Dixon

Michael Brauer, a UBC professor of occupational and environmental health, coauthored a paper that concluded that just an hour of wildfire smoke increased hospitalizations. Photo by UBC.

on the BCCDC website,” Henderson said.

She’s actually tested these devices with one of her research colleagues who has an air-pollution exposure chamber used to test human subjects. “We found out that they worked quite well.”

However, Henderson strongly recommended keeping an eye on these homemade air purifiers because there could be a fire risk.

“It puts an extra burden on the motor because it has to pull air through that filter,” Henderson said. “So you’re using an electrical device for something it’s not designed to do.”

It can get complicated if a wildfiresmoke event coincides with extreme heat.

In this instance, Henderson said that the health risk from overheating is usually greater than the risk from wildfire smoke.

So if it makes sense to open the windows, then that should be done.

Then there’s the issue of masks—something the public is much more used to wearing nowadays. According to Henderson, the most effective for wildfire-smoke protection are particle respirators—i.e., masks with a letter and a number, like N95 or KN95.

“If they are well fitted to your face— meaning the air is going through the material of the mask and not around it—they can be quite effective for reducing the fine-particle exposure, but the gases are

still going to get through there,” she said.

Brauer pointed out that respirator masks can be uncomfortable, so it might be wise to wear them when smoke concentrations are at their greatest. According to him, that can occur in the morning and the evening.

For his part, Thomas Homer-Dixon sees great symbolism in wearing masks to respond to wildfire smoke. And he wonders if it might help turn the tide toward taking bolder action to address the climate crisis.

“Something about inhaling toxins, pathogens, into our bodies terrifies people,” Homer-Dixon told the Straight last year.

Moreover, he said, masks are associated with poison gas, which is something humanity has decided is completely unacceptable.

“We know a million ways to kill people in warfare that are just as bad or worse than poison gas,” Homer-Dixon acknowledged, “yet poison gas is something we’ve decided is a damnalogical wrong.” g

WILD CAUGHT FRESH PACIFIC

SOCKEYE SALMON $100 LIMIT PER PERSON • WHILE QUANTITIES LAST

.

Fii l lee ts amazing 2 Day Sale Sat, july 17 & sun, july 18

scan here to catch more fresh savings

VANCOUVER HOUSE 1423 CONTINENTAL ST

/100g 0

Whole

headless sss

/100g

LOCAL HAND-PICKED BERRIES

WEATHER PERMITTING • WHILE QUANTITIES LAST

R asp p berriess B lacc k bee rries

1�PINT 1�PINT

4.9 99 ea 4..99 ea

Blueberrr iee s Strawbee r riess

BULK

6.59/kg

BULK

13.21/kg

2.99/lb 5.99 9/lb

OUR FAMOUS SALMON BURGER IS BACK MAKE IT FRESH AT HOME!

SALMON BURGER KIT $14.99 ea

KIT INCLUDES 2 SALMON PATTIES, 2 BRIOCHE BUNS, 2 WATER BOTTLES ONLY WHILE QUANTITIES LAST • SORRY, NO RAINCHECKS • VALID FOR IN-STORE SHOPPING ONLY

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

5

HEALTH / REAL ESTATE

After survival, comfort is key during a heat wave

W

by Martin Dunphy

ith the summer’s first serious heat wave come and gone, there was no lack of people offering essential medical advice about dehydration, heat stroke, and the need to avoid lengthy exposure to the sun.

This is important information, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable segments of our population: seniors, the very young, all pets and other animals, and anyone incapable of fully looking after themselves. Too many B.C. seniors fell victim to the heat during the recent extreme heat wave.

Other than drinking plenty of water, taking cooling baths or showers, and staying out of the sun, are there any other practical steps you can take to keep chill?

Statistics Canada says that 60 percent of all Canadian households had some type of air conditioning in 2017.

Of those with air conditioning, 70 percent (42 percent of total homes) had central air conditioning. Those with “stand-alone” air conditioning (presumably, fans or window units) made up the other 30 percent of homes “with” (18 percent of total homes).

West Coast households (including the Pacific Northwest in the U.S.) tend to have fewer air-conditioning units because of less seasonal variation in temperatures, a generally cooler climate, and less humidity.

So, if you live in one of the many households without air conditioning, are there ways that people have, historically, kept their cool that can be used today, maybe in conjunction with some simple modern mechanical/electrical means?

So glad you asked.

1. Fans will not cool down rooms, but they are good at cooling down people who sit in their air-movement path. A very old trick is

Fans are good things to have during extreme heat, especially when used with cold, wet cloths or a big bowl of ice. Also, don’t knock frozen face cloths. Photo by Delaney Van/Unsplash.

to put some ice in a pan or bowl in front of the fan. It really works (until the ice melts).

2. You can also place pans of water on windowsills if there is any breeze, especially at night.

3. A common complaint is being unable to sleep. Definitely have a fan running, to start. But also use sheets and pajamas (if you’re not already a night commando) made of natural, breathable fibres, i.e., cotton, to stay cooler and comfortable. Damp sheets work, too. Spritz with cold water just before sleep. Also, many people swear by putting sheets in the freezer prior to retiring for the night. (Another tip is to put a damp facecloth in the freezer after fashioning it in a “U” shape; after it becomes frozen, put it on the back of your neck.)

4. Keep doors and windows open to catch any kind of breeze and to get a “draft” going through a structure (if you are lucky enough to live somewhere you are able to do so, and

keeping in mind personal security). But keep windows closed during the heat of the day if the outside is hotter than the inside and there is no breeze. Keep your shades down or curtains closed on very hot days, especially sun-facing windows (open a tiny bit at the bottom for some circulation of air).

5. Stay in the coolest part of a house or apartment, and don’t cook meals that require being over a hot stove or using the oven. Also, other appliances, especially large ones, generate heat. Keep washer and dryer use to a minimum, and even turn off lightbulbs and lamps if not needed. They all contribute to the heat load.

6. Eat leafy greens and melon. They are easy to digest and are more than 90 percent water, besides being good for you.

Cool salads, cold cuts, and cheeses are the way to go, and no very salty foods. (Paradoxically, eating very cold things like ice cream, though temporarily refreshing,

causes your body to protectively increase its internal temperature to compensate for what it detects as a sudden cooling. Fat and protein also cause warming during digestion.) Also, though a cold beer feels cooling, alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you if too much is consumed. To a lesser degree, the same goes for coffee and tea, though frequent sips of hot tea can induce sweating, which is the body’s natural way to keep cool via evaporation. Ask the Tuaregs and Bedouins; they’ve been doing it for many centuries.

7. Fill your hot-water bottle with cold water or freeze it, then place wherever needed most. And wear a bathing suit indoors.

8. Going back to the first two items, you can drape a face cloth or small towel that has been wrung out with cold water over your fan covering to distribute cool air around a room, and hanging a wet sheet in a doorway and in front of an open window, especially with any breeze, can help cool down a room (otherwise known as the Egyptian method).

9. If you have a ceiling fan and can set it to rotate counterclockwise, do so. It will force air down toward you, not suck it upward.

Similarly, exhaust fans in your bathroom and over the stove will help draw hot air out of living quarters (and the heat generated by the small motors is expelled as well).

10. If you have a basement with a comfortable area in which to relax, do so. Hot air rises, as anyone with an attic can testify.

Bring your mattress down there, if possible.

Of course, you can also take frequent cold soaks in a bathtub during the day, go somewhere (supermarket, movie theatre, or shopping mall) with air conditioning, or swim in the ocean or a cool river (being very careful around currents, especially with children). Also, always remember to regularly check on seniors living alone. g

Underground Yaletown parking spot sells for $38K

Y

by Carlito Pablo

es, folks, they sell anything with square footage in Vancouver, from homes to storage lockers to parking stalls. And as the Straight reported at the start of this year, the least pricey deals made in 2020 did not involve houses but storage spaces and parking spots.

In fact, one car stall in Yaletown was recently sold for $38,250.

Parking spot number 33 at 1233 Pacific Boulevard got sold on June 8, 2021, after spending 29 days on the market.

This may be an indication that there is demand for parking spots downtown.

However, the final selling price of $38,250 was below both the asking price, $39,500, 6

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

and the stall’s 2021 assessed value of $45,900.

The 124-square-foot spot is good for a small car. The adjacent parking stall, number 34, previously sold on April 30 this year.

Slightly bigger at 146 square feet, the space went for $41,500.

The selling price was below the asking price of $43,000 and the 2021 assessed value of $45,900. Parking stall number 34 spent only four days in the market before a purchaser picked it up.

The 1233 Pacific Boulevard strata does not require buyers to live in the building. However, they are required to pay a monthly maintenance fee of $47.20.

Real-estate information site Zealty.ca tracked the two transactions. g

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

A parking spot measuring 124 square feet—good for a small vehicle—was recently purchased at 1233 Pacific Boulevard for about $7,000 lower than the 2021 assessed value of $45,900.

REAL ESTATE

Shared equity can make homes more affordable

by Carlito Pablo

A formula limits the selling price at Phoenix Society’s Rising Sun Villas housing project so as to make it easier for new buyers to jump into the market, according to CEO Keir Macdonald.

H

omeownership creates wealth.

With rising prices, property owners can pretty much sit back and watch their equity grow.

It’s a system that produces winners but leaves others behind.

As Keir Macdonald observes, “The property market today has just become an absolute windfall for people fortunate enough to be in it.”

Macdonald is the CEO of the Phoenix Society, a charitable organization that helps low-income people dealing with addictions. Founded as a nonprofit in 1989, the organization provides a range of services, from recovery programs to transitional housing and homeownership.

When Macdonald spoke to the Straight by phone, he said that Phoenix Society was arranging the sale of one of its condo units.

The single-occupancy property is one of 23 affordable-homeownership units at the group’s 72-unit Rising Sun Villas development in Surrey.

“We’re in the process of a sale right now of $120,000, which is unheard of,” Macdonald said.

If an equivalent unit were bought elsewhere in today’s market, the CEO said, it would easily fetch between $300,000 and $400,000.

Macdonald said that a $120,000 price is possible because of the shared-equity model that was adopted in the project.

Rising Sun is a six-storey development, with its two upper floors devoted to homeownership units. The lower floors are used for transitional and supportive housing.

Under the shared-equity model, a purchaser who eventually sells walks away with only a percentage of the increase in market value of the property.

“We’re largely preserving the affordability for the next in line,” Macdonald said.

How it works is that the buyer and Phoenix Society share the title. A resale framework limits the maximum resale price. The organization buys the unit or arranges the purchase by a qualified individual.

At Rising Sun, the resale price is the sum of the original purchase price plus 25

percent of the value appreciation (which goes to the seller) and a one percent fee.

A background paper prepared by Phoenix Society shows the math for a unit with an original purchase price of $117,000.

The paper assumes that at the time of the purchase, the fair market value of the same property was $128,000. At the time it was resold, the market value has increased to $162,000.

The difference between the current and previous market values is $34,000. This means that the seller’s share, 25 percent, of the appreciation is $8,500.

Put together $117,000 and $8,500, and this comes to $125,500. Next, add the one percent fee by Phoenix Society, or $1,255.

This results in a maximum selling price of $126,755, which is not far from the original price of $117,000.

Macdonald said that such an “exit formula” has to be in place, otherwise it would become “impossible for people to buy in affordable levels thereafter”.

Without this resale framework that preserves gains in the units, affordability is limited only as a “one-time benefit”.

Macdonald, who became the Phoenix Society CEO in 2018, credited the founders of the organization, Michael and Ann Wilson, for their vision.

He also said that affordable homeownership became a reality because of partnerships with Vancity credit union, the City of Surrey, B.C. Housing, and the federal government.

Online, Vancity describes the affordable-homeownership component of Rising Sun as the first shared-equity development in the province.

“In many ways, it was a social-policy experiment,” Macdonald said.

Macdonald said Phoenix Society wanted to prove that homeownership was “possible for marginalized populations or people no one thought had the opportunity or the ability to own their own homes”.

He said most of the original purchasers are still at Rising Sun, and only a few have moved on.

The person who recently sold was in a

relationship. “They wanted to buy something bigger that’s suited to their needs,” Macdonald said.

For the residents, the executive noted that their monthly mortgage payment plus maintenance fees come to only about $800 a month. “They’re really paying, in some cases, half of what you’d pay for rent for a one-bedroom, for instance, in Surrey,” Macdonald said.

In June this year, Statistics Canada reported that the average selling price of a home increased by 87 percent during the past decade. This has resulted in a similar increase in the average minimum down payment.

In the same report, the federal agency

noted that because of rising home prices, Canadians who owned their homes collectively added more than $730 billion to their net worth in the first quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, renters saw their net worth increase by only about $43 billion.

“On a per household basis, the average owner-occupied household increased their net worth by approximately $73,000, while the average renter household’s net worth rose by about $8,000,” Statistics Canada reported.

Macdonald said that Phoenix Society’s experiment can be replicated.

He said the key lies in retaining most of the equity in the home in order to sustain affordability in the long run. g

Take what you want when you want it

Talk To Capital Direct About Our

Flexi Line Call Us at 1-800-639-2274 “CAPITAL DIRECT” & “FLEXI LINE” are trademarks of Capital Direct Lending JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

7

FOOD / LIQUOR

Where to find cool summer ramen to chill out with

F

By Craig Takeuchi

or those accustomed to downing hot broth and noodles during sweltering summer months, heading out for ramen is a no-brainer.

But introducing people to steaming bowls of ramen in the summertime instead of winter? It’s pretty much a lost cause.

If, however, you’re itching for ramen and have to bring along others in the latter camp, consider finding an eatery that offers seasonal selections. Year-round, many ramen joints offer either dipping noodles, like tsukemen, or warm but brothless options like mazesoba. But there are also several shops that serve specials during the summer. Here are some examples to check out—and chill out with—in Vancouver proper. (For even more examples, see the full article at straight. com/food/.)

BENKEI RAMEN One of our faves, the signature cold ramen ($14.95) of Benkei Ramen (545 West Broadway) is like a salad consisting of ramen noodles with ingredients such as sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes, ham, tamago (omelet), seaweed, and ginger all arranged on top. With your choice of an original or sesame special blend sauce, mix it all together or eat it the way it’s presented—both are indelibly satisfying.

MOTOMACHI SHOKUDO This cozy spot at 740 Denman Street also offers Japanese citrus-flavoured cold ramen. This version features spinach and flour noodles accompanied by sweet and salty sliced beef, green onion, white sesame, nori (dried seaweed),

noodles, pork chashu, and more, with either sweet soy sauce or sesame sauce. For those seeking plant-based options, there’s vegan mazemen ($16.80), with no broth and thick noodles in vegan umami sauce, served with sautéed curried cauliflower, soy-meat soboro (ground meat), bamboo shoots, corn, green onion, red onion, sesame seeds, and nori.

Some like it hot but some ramen shops serve summer specials, like tsukemen at East Van’s Kokoro Ramen or the brothless chilled noodles at Benkei Ramen in Fairview (photos by Craig Takeuchi).

naruto (fish cake), tenkasu (tempura bits), wasabi, and a poached egg. It’s available for $14.90, with extra noodles added for $1.75.

HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA During the summer, the 1690 Robson Street location offers toroniku hayashi (dinein only). This cold ramen is served on a plate with toroniku (simmered pork jowl), cucumber, shredded egg crepes, kikurage (wood ear mushroom), spinach, and ginger, all on a side plate. Whether regular ($15.35) or kara-hiyashi, the spicy version ($15.90), only 10 servings are available each day.

TORIZO RAMEN BAR This relative newcomer that opened last October (during pandemic restrictions, no less) at 1265 Granville Street serves cold yuzu

shio ramen with clear chicken broth and chicken chashu, as well as red onion, Japanese leek, bamboo shoots, honey, yuzu, tomato, and arugula for $14 (or $15.75 with egg). And stay tuned—more options may be coming soon.

MENYA RAIZO In Fairview (401 West Broadway), Torizo’s sibling shop also serves cold shio ramen ($13.80). But this one has honey, yuzu, radish sprouts, and green onions. Hiyashi chuka ($11.80) is also on hand, with egg-crepe strips, cucumber, tomato, pickled ginger, ham, and sesame, with housemade soy sauce and all atop cold noodles.

JINYA RAMEN BAR In the downtown core at 541 Robson Street, this ramen spot offers cold hiyashi ramen ($15.80) with thick

KINTON RAMEN Over at 102–6111 University Boulevard at UBC, Kinton Ramen offers three summery options (all $14.95 each). First up, there’s the new Yuzu Boost Bowl ($14.95, available until August 31): brothless cold ramen noodles in sesame oil, served with chicken breast, onsen tamago, arugula, edamame, corn, seaweed, pickled red ginger, yuzu dressing, and Japanese mustard. Next up, there’s Amaze Mazemen, or brothless ramen: seasoned thick noodles in sesame oil and garlic with pork, corn, onsen tamago, bonito flakes, chili, mayonnaise, and more. Plus, there’s chilled tsukemen, featuring cold noodles in sesame oil with pork, seasoned egg, nori, and a house dipping sauce in a separate bowl.

KOKORO RAMEN No relation to Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba, this independent East Vancouver spot (5695 Victoria Drive) presents three summer tsukemen options ($16.50 each): yuzu tsukemen with egg and chintan-style (or clear) broth; spicy tonkotsu (pork broth) tsukemen; and for the hardcore ramen otaku—niboshi tsukemen with pork and dried sardine broth as well as egg. g

Havana Club gets boldly Smoky with Islay’s help

A

by Mike Usinger

brother of Añejo 7, which is a heads up you’re getting an amber rum with 7’s smoothness but with considerably more drama. Expect layers of Santiago bougainvillea honey, Baracoa cocoa, and lightly charred dried mamey and cherimoya.

But the true game-changer here for Havana Club is—as advertised on the bottle—the smoky complexity normally associated with higher-end scotch whiskies. For that, you can thank aging of Cuban Smoky in Islay whisky barrels.

s a valuable public service, we crack open spirits from B.C. to Bahrain and beyond, then give you a highly opinionated, pocket-flask-sized review.

TODAY’S FREE POUR

Havana Club Cuban Smoky TASTING NOTES

Let’s be honest about something: to those that live there, Havana is a bit of a gong-show at the moment, that reality driven home by the daily protests we see on the news each night. As photogenic as the city’s vintage cars and crumbling buildings might be to outsiders, it can’t be easy living in a city where decades of communist rule have led to chronic shortages of, well, almost everything. It’s a place that’s as gritty as it is magical, where you set out to flag a taxi, then end up riding in the back of a 1944 Packard where the floor boards have partially rusted out. Because the locals you’re crammed into the car with don’t seem to mind, the exhaust fumes only add to the trippiness of it all.

A major part of the Cuban experience is Havana rum.

Tasting strongly of green sugar cane, Havana Club Añejo 3 is 8

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

COCKTAIL TIME

Havana Club Cuban Smoky might be the next best thing to an evening at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, cigars totally optional.

the backbone of the great Mojitos at La Bodeguita del Medio and potent Daiquiris at El Floridita. Because Ernest Hemingway was a regular at both spots, don’t forget to bring a copy of The Old Man and the Sea when settling in for an afternoon at the bar. Havana Club Añejo 7, meanwhile, is for sipping neat while kicking back on the lawn of the Hotel Nacional de Cuba and watching the ’57 Chevys roll by.

Havana Club is billing Cuban Smoky as the more intense

As per above, all you really need to get the most of Havana Club Cuban Smoky is a cigar and a glass. But if you insist on introducing your inner cocktail nerd to Havana Club Cuban Swhip the following drink.

SMOKY PINEAPPLE

1.5 ounces Havana Club Cuban Smoky .5 ounces pineapple juice Soda In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine Cuban Smoky and pineapple juice and shake until chilled. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice, top with 3 to 4 ounces of soda, and garnish with a pineapple wedge. g

REFRESHINGLY PERFECT

THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRÓN IS RESPONSIBLY | PATRÓN, ITS TRADE DRESS AND THE BEE LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

9

ARTS

Fletcher discovers joy of Tuning in a small group

T

by Charlie Smith

here are two possible interpretations for the title of a new dance duet called Tuning.

According to dancer Alexis Fletcher, who commissioned the work, it can be taken literally because she and fellow dancer Ted Littlemore sing and make sounds with vocorders and a looping machine in the production. But Fletcher, who spent 14 years with Ballet BC, really sees the title as reflecting how two dancers are tuning into one another. The choreography is by Vanessa Goodman, in collaboration with Fletcher and Littlemore.

“It almost feels to me like when you bring two magnets together—and you can start to feel either the drawn-in or the repelling forces,” Fletcher told the Straight by phone.

“Like you can feel that little field between the magnets. There’s something about the piece that feels that way to me between him and I.” Fletcher said that a 30-minute excerpt of Tuning will premiere at this year’s Dancing on the Edge festival, with a full-length production to be presented next February. For Fletcher—who is used to performing in large productions with many dancers, as well as choreographing her own solo production, called assemble, during the pan-

Alexis Fletcher (above) commissioned Vanessa Goodman to choreograph Tuning because of her ability to layer ideas with humanity and the philosophy of movement. Photo by Sylvain Senez.

demic—it has been refreshing to be part of a small group “building this little world”.

Working with Goodman and Littlemore has also enabled Fletcher to pursue her passion for exploring how “the movement potential of the human body becomes a way of accessing the inner landscapes of our spirits and psyches”.

“Ted and I have been able to build a really beautiful connection over the course of these working weeks,” she said. “He brings a beautiful lightness to the room.”

Fletcher described Goodman as a “very compassionate, generous person”.

In addition, Fletcher has long admired Goodman’s knack for coming up with “conceptual or intellectual starting points”.

But along with that, Fletcher added, Goodman also keeps her work “really grounded in the body and in the physicality”. That’s what attracted Fletcher to working with Goodman: this layering of ideas with the philosophy of movement and the humanity that can

be created through dance.

“That’s such a challenge,” Fletcher said.

She, Goodman, and Littlemore all come from very different backgrounds in dance. As such, they did not share the same physical esthetics, sensibilities about improvisational choices, and form—something that Fletcher has really enjoyed.

Goodman, a veteran of contemporary dance, integrated vocorders and a looping machine into her last major production, Graveyards and Gardens, which was commissioned by Music On Main as a partner with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. Littlemore is a drag performer and accomplished musician and singer as well as a founding member of CAMP, an avant-garde Vancouver dance troupe.

“So all of the sound that the audience shares is completely generated in real time by Ted and myself throughout the piece,” Fletcher said. “And that’s been such a cool thing to work on and really highlights Ted’s skill as a singer.” g Dancing on the Edge will present Tuning at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (July 16 and 17) at the Firehall Arts Centre.

Vote for your favourites from Vancouver’s thriving culinary scene.

Complete our online ballot and be entered to win a GIFT CARD RD PRIZE PACK to some of Vancouver’s favourite eateries.

Thank you to our sponsors, Brix & Mortar restaurant, Chambar, Mink Chocolate, Cazba, a, Secret Garden Tea Company, OEB Breakfast Co., Water Street Café, Terra Breads, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, Les Faux Bourgeois, LaSalle College Vancouver, SPUD.CA, Calabash up Bakery Bistro, Cactus Club, La Belle Patate, Chickpea, Burrowing Owl Wine, Beaucoup

Visit STRAIGHT.COM for details.

10

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

VOTE NOW! #GOLDENPLATES 2021

ARTS

Artist peels back hidden history of Hastings Park

by Charlie Smith

Hastings Park is being shown until August 28 in partnership with the Powell Street Festival and the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre along with artist Cindy Mochizuki’s Autumn Strawberry exhibition. It features hand-painted and digital animation depicting Japanese Canadian farm life prior to the Second World War. Tsang, an associate professor at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, also created the 360 Riot Walk, which is part of the Powell Street Festival. It evolved out of a 2018 project called Riot Food Here, in which people could sit at tables and eat different types of cuisine along the route walked by members of the Asiatic Exclusion League when they attacked Chinese and Japanese Vancouver residents

in 1907. There are upcoming guided tours in Japanese, Cantonese, Punjabi, and English, but it can also be experienced online through 360riotwalk.ca.

“I hope it opens up a way of questioning how we see the world around us and how we consider the place where we live,” Tsang said. “Through the lens of hindsight, we have the benefit of saying, ‘Those people, they did things that were wrong.’ Well, what are we doing now that’s wrong? How will we be judged in the future?” g On Saturday (July 17) at 7 p.m., artists Henry Tsang and Cindy Mochizuki will speak about their exhibitions on the Surrey Art Gallery’s Facebook and YouTube channels.

Henry Tsang used an infrared camera, relying on pigment ink on metallic paper and an aluminum panel, to capture an image of the entrance to the PNE’s Livestock Building. Photo by Henry Tsang.

M

ost people don’t give much thought to the Pacific National Exhibition Livestock Building when they’re passing through Hastings Park. But for Vancouver artist Henry Tsang, the 100,000-square-foot structure retains a special fascination—and not only because he spent a great deal of time at the PNE as a child, gobbling minidonuts and watching baby-pig races.

It wasn’t until Tsang became an adult that he learned about the building’s sinister history as the site where Japanese Canadians were detained in 1942. This was before they were shipped to overcrowded internment camps in the B.C. Interior or to work on sugar-beet farms in Alberta and Manitoba.

The following year, the government liquidated their assets.

“The Livestock Building is such an odd structure,” Tsang recently told the Straight by phone. “It’s like Janus—the Roman god’s name—it’s literally two-faced.

“From the south side, which is what most people are used to, it looks like these ramshackle, cobbled-together different buildings,” he continued. “It’s red on that side with all the wood. Then the other side is this neoclassical, somewhat imposing structure stretched out with tall stone columns with steps going up to it, which is the main entrance.”

Back in 1942, celebrated local photographer Leonard Frank was commissioned by the B.C. Security Commission to document the warehousing of Japanese Canadians at Hastings Park. This led Tsang to take a series of his own images a few years ago of four remaining PNE buildings from 1942 at Hastings Park.

It’s like Janus—the Roman god’s name—it’s literally two-faced.

27th Annual Wreck Beach Butoh Performances Saturday, July 24th at 12:00pm Sunday, July 25th at 12:45pm

– artist Henry Tsang

“Basically, my series are in conversation with his,” Tsang revealed. “I wasn’t trying to emulate his images.”

In fact, they’re radically different in that Tsang used a construction-industry infrared camera, which could also take video.

The image of the Livestock Building was displayed on the CBC Wall in 2018. Currently, 11 images and video are part of an installation called Hastings Park at the Surrey Art Gallery.

“I thought, ‘What is it that I can’t see on the surface?’ ” Tsang said. The results aim to peel back the hidden history of what took place in the four buildings.

According to Tsang, he shot a video as if there were four surveillance cameras at 90-degree angles from one another, capturing a quadrant. Then the images are projected onto a screen in the gallery, but people cannot see them with the naked eye.

At the other end of the exhibition, however, there’s a large TV set. Because this monitor is connected to the cameras, people will see themselves as they approach it, creating a sense that they’re being watched.

“It’s as if it was a camera sweeping the grounds and checking to see if people are breaking curfew or trying to escape,” Tsang explained.

By donation Clothing optional beach Foot of the #4 Trail below the UBC Museum of Anthropology No photography/video allowed

Photo by Peter Eastwood

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

11

MOVIES

Mosleh’s “Breakthrough” takes a startling turn

V

by Charlie Smith

ancouver filmmaker and producer Panta Mosleh decided to create a movie in 48 hours for a simple reason: she wanted to add a thriller to her directing reel.

The Run N Gun 2021 48-hour film competition was accepting submissions earlier this year. So Mosleh and some of her long-time collaborators, including cinematographer Jay Kamal, decided to go for it.

They created a short film, “Breakthrough”, which opens with a harrowing scene augmented by sinister music, sharp editing, and close-ups that convey the agony of two people being held captive.

Moments later, these prisoners are seen laying flat on a descending open platform, yelling for their lives at their captors. As this unfolds, a woman in charge casually walks down a staircase observing them.

“We found an excellent studio in Langley, thanks to our production designer Shawn Major,” Mosleh told the Straight by phone on July 9. “As we walked in the location, I saw that staircase and the lift [platform] and I fell in love with it.”

The men are thrown into prison cells and locked to the wall.

“Breakthrough” was one of the five finalists for best film in the Run N Gun competition, which was won by “Shit Sponge”. The three other finalists were “Netmare”, “Rule of Nine”, and “The Better Forever”, which won the audience-choice award.

“Breakthrough” is not a run-of-the-mill thriller, not by any means. That’s because under the rules of the 48-hour competition, each filmmaker had to incorporate certain elements in their production, which could not last longer than four minutes. These prompts were delivered at the start of filming.

Ali (Mostafa Shaker) doesn’t know what will happen when he enters a cell with Dominiq (Donia Kash) in “Breakthrough”.

I like to throw in little suprises for people when I direct films.

– director Panta Mosleh

“We didn’t know what the script was going to be,” Mosleh conceded. “The prompts might have even ruined our premise idea.”

One of them required the use of tape, whether it was a cassette, adhesive tape, police tape, etcetera. That worked

for a hostage drama. But Mosleh described another prompt as a “curveball” because it required that the film address the theme of the “greater good”.

“We were [saying], ‘How is a hostage situation going to work for the greater good?’ ” Mosleh recalled.

Fortunately for Mosleh, one of the executive producers, David Aboussafy, is a psychologist with a PhD. A quote from a study he had written about BDSM came in extremely handy.

“It’s a nice little surprise,” Mosleh said. “I like to throw in little surprises for people when I direct films... It was lovely how it worked out.”

Mosleh credited the sponsors, including Sim Camera Vancouver, which provided hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of camera gear for free. MBS Equipment Co. donated the use of technical gear that she said were worth tens of thousands of dollars. She also thanked Caveman Café, Circus Technologies Inc., and Canada Wide Communications for their support.

Mosleh, an LGBT+ Persian Canadian director-writeractor-producer, ensures there’s as much diversity behind the camera as there is on-screen in her films, and “Breakthrough” is no exception.

Vancouver actor Mostafa Shaker, who stars as Ali, was also an executive producer and cocreated the story with Mosleh and Ian Frayne.

Amira Anderson, a Black actor, plays Taylor, the woman in charge. She received a credit for cowriting the script with Carolyn Woolner. Major, the production designer, was cast as the hostage named Jay. Two other actors, Donia Kash and Moheb Jindran, play captors in “Breakthrough”.

So is it possible that “Breakthrough” could one day be expanded into a feature or a series? “It could be an interesting topic to explore,” Mosleh replied. g

“Shit Sponge” cleans up at Run N Gun competition

A

by Charlie Smith

short film about a female rapper with a history of substance abuse took three top honours in Vancouver’s Run N Gun film competition on July 10.

The judges declared “Shit Sponge” the best film at a raucous awards ceremony at the Rio Theatre.

Brianne Nord-Stewart won best director for her depiction of a hotel desk clerk’s visit to the room of a burned-out star, played by Arghavan Jenati (“Faryad”, “Running Behind”, Arrow). Jenati won for best solo performance.

Run N Gun’s awards ceremony is more profane and outrageous—and low budget—than what people are used to at other entertainment-awards events.

After some people complained on the YouTube livestream about the sound disappearing for a short while, Run N Gun’s Joel McCarthy jokingly directed a stream of expletives at them. And after the best film was announced, McCarthy gave director Nord-Stewart a cannabis plant. That was in addition to her other prizes, which included a $1,000 cash award for best film

12

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

Arghavan Jenati won the Run N Gun award for best solo performance in Vancouver’s 48-hour film contest for playing a burned-out rapper in director Brianne Nord-Stewart’s “Shit Sponge”.

and $200 for best director.

“Is it legal to give out a pot plant as an award?” McCarthy asked. “I don’t fucking know.”

Nord-Stewart confessed that she’s never owned a pot plant before. She also volunteered that making “Shit Sponge” was the best weekend that she’s had in the past 18 months.

The audience choice for best film was

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

“The Better Forever”, with second place going to “Untouched” and third place to “Netmare”.

The audience-choice award was named in honour of film, TV, and voice actor Bruce Blain. A previous winner of the audience-choice award for “Mad Santa”, Blain died on May 15.

As he talked about Blain, McCarthy expressed real remorse and sadness, marking

a departure from his outrageous banter from the stage with cohost Sasha Duncan, who threw a few F-bombs herself.

This year, there was a record 100 entries in Run N Gun, which requires filmmakers to create their short (four minutes or less) movies within a 48-hour period while following specific rules.

Every filmmaker had to include tape (and it could be a cassette) and a specific line, plus it had to have a theme to “serve the greater good”.

In addition, they were prohibited from mentioning COVID, vaccines, quarantining, or unoriginal jokes about 5G. Directors received these prompts at the start of filming.

Other winners at this year’s Run N Gun included Belen Garcia (“Marsha’s Knitting Club”) for best cinematography, Robert Phaneuf (“Netmare”) for best sound design, “Rule of Nine” for best ensemble and best writing, “Departed 2” for best editing, Alexander J. Baxter (“Untouched”) for best production design, “Marsha’s Knitting Club” for best makeup, and “Gig-Nickle” for best student film. g

MUSIC

Shred Kelly helps put Fernie on the musical map

Y

by Steve Newton

ou can learn a lot about Shred Kelly from the band’s music videos.

A good starting point is the clip for “Take Me Home”, an upbeat track off the band’s latest album, Like a Rising Sun. It’s set entirely on the front porch of frontman Tim Newton’s home in the small ski town of Fernie, B.C., and timelapse photography depicts him hanging out and jamming with band members—including his wife, Shred Kelly singer-keyboardist Sage McBride, with whom he’s shown dancing and romancing in the dark.

The days and months pass, and before long their wee daughter, Mercy, shows up.

She was actually born right when Shred Kelly started recording the album.

“We put this record out during the pandemic,” Newton says on the line from that clip’s cozy-looking abode, “so we decided to shoot kind of a simple video that didn’t require a big crew and all that. We came up with the concept of a time-lapse ‘life is racing by’ kinda thing, like the lyrics suggest.

I’m the main character, with my wife, Sage, and we’re sort of in and out of all these daily life situations.”

One thing you definitely pick up from Shred Kelly’s videos is that the members don’t take themselves too seriously. That’s abundantly clear by the wacky clip for another new track, “Roman Candle Eyes”, which sees them running around Fernie in all manner of crazy costumes, with all types of nutty props.

“The song is, literally, about the moment my daughter was born,” Newton says, “and looking into her eyes for the

Tim Newton (second from right) finds inspiration for Shred Kelly’s music videos in the day-today happenings of his life in Fernie with his wife, Sage McBride (centre). Photo by Matt Kuhn.

first time and having this explosive revelation of what life is and the love for this child. So I went, ‘Why don’t we start the video off like that?’ I’m in the delivery room and I faint and I’m cast into this crazy dream world that is really fun.”

Making Shred Kelly music videos isn’t all fun ’n’ games and goofiness, though. It can require a lot of time and work, too, as seen in the older clip for “Sing to the Night”. Filmed at the Fernie Alpine Resort, it starts off with Newton strolling along a snowy path with his ski boots on before stepping into a pair of skis and setting off down a hill, where he’s joined by other skiers soaring off ramps and

…on this record I had all kinds of explosive life events happen to me all at once.

– Tim Newton

various limber folks twirling hula hoops and performing cartwheels.

All the nifty videos in the world wouldn’t amount to much if there wasn’t some worthy

music involved as well, and Shred Kelly has that covered. Their energetic, banjo-driven folk rock has has taken them to Europe and Australia. Like a Rising Sun is the band’s fifth album in its 12-year existence.

“Normally, I’ve been writing songs sort of inspired by different things around my life here in Fernie, but on this record I had all kinds of explosive life events happen to me all at once,” Newton explains. “My daughter was born in March and then my father passed away in April, so within a month that all happened, right when we starting the writing process of this record.

“So this is probably the most honest songwriting that I’ve ever done, and I just mean honest in that I had a clear direction of what my emotions were and what I needed to write about.”

Shred Kelly includes guitarist Ty West, bassist Ric Behan, and drummer Ryan Mildenberger, and the quintet’s music brings to mind Spirit of the West, though perhaps a little less Celtic and a lot more poppy.

“That’s a compliment,” Newton says, “thank you. And it’s funny you say that, because Spirit of the West were honoured at the BreakOut West [music festival and conference] a couple of years ago, and we were invited to actually cover ‘Home for a Rest’ at the award ceremony. So we got to play that very iconic song in front of the band, and I didn’t even know the band was gonna be there. It was one of my career highlights, for sure.” g Shred Kelly performs as part of the Mission Folk Music Festival, which runs online from July 23 to 25.

Shaevitz brings necessary voices to Mission fest

A

by Steve Newton

rtistic director Michelle Demers Shaevitz goes way back with the Mission Folk Music Festival. She actually started volunteering for the annual event in 1991, the year she graduated from high school.

“I started handing out volunteer tags that first year,” she says by phone while on a family trip in Washington state.

“And after that, they let me drive the performer van.”

When artistic director Francis Xavier Edwards retired in 2016, she stepped into a general-manager role before being named artistic director in 2017. She says that she learned a thing or two working under Edwards.

“He really went out into the world and sought out interesting and innovative voices,” Shaevitz says. “So bringing in groups like Mariza, the [Portuguese] fado singer, and someone like Thomas Mapfuno—I mean, he really shaped my musical education and imparted my love of world music.

“But he also modelled deep respect for the artists,” she adds, “so that’s one of the reasons that in my programming I always make sure to include artists that are part of our Canadian canon, artists that maybe aren’t top of the charts but have depth and breadth and are necessary voices.”

Artistic director Michelle Demers Shaevitz seeks out talent that is part of the Canadian canon. Photo by Malory Larson.

The Mission Folk Music Festival is normally held at Fraser River Heritage Park, but, as was the case in 2020, this year’s event is an online production. Performances by 15 acts—from blues to bluegrass and indie folk to Afro-flamenco—will be streamed from July 23 to 25. When asked which of the artists she has booked she is most psyched about see-

ing, Shaevitz equates it to a mother being asked to pick her favourite kid. But she comes up with some choices anyway.

“I’ve been really wanting to program [Indigenous singersongwriter] Leela Gilday over the last three or four years,” she points out. “I think that the perspective that she brings to her work and the depth to her songwriting really transports the audience to a particular place and time, and I really like that.

“And Talisk, from Scotland, I had the privilege of seeing them at Celtic Colours [music festival] in Cape Breton, and they are these young, dynamic, innovative players. They have a fiddler, guitarist, and concertina player, and together they play trad music, but they do so in a way that is really exciting.”

Another festival event Shaevitz is thrilled about is the Sunday night “Fathers and Sons” show, which will see Canadian folk- and roots-rock veteran Barney Bentall performing with his son Dustin Bentall, and Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy performing with his kids Devin Cuddy and Sam Polley.

“That’s a project that has been my secret bucket-list project for about five years now,” she reveals. g All virtual programming for the 2021 Mission Folk Music Festival is free of charge.

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

13

SAVAGE LOVE

Brutal honesty is a euphemism for gratuitous cruelty

by Dan Savage

b I’M A 19-YEAR-OLD girl who was dumped few months ago. My partner found out he didn’t like my body when we were having sex for the first time and he told me right after.

We were actually still in bed naked when he told me. He kept cuddling me to make me feel a bit better but it still hurt to hear.

Other than slight doubts about genitals and my face (I have Asian features and having my face and living in a western country isn’t always easy), I didn’t go into that experience expecting to be rejected. We had talked about all the sexual stuff we wanted to do and he had previously told me I was attractive and paid me other compliments. Undressing for someone and then being rejected was devastating, and I don’t have other experiences to weigh this one against and take reassurance from. My self-esteem dropped.

I know his tastes and preferences shouldn’t be a problem for me now, since we are no longer together, but I can’t stop thinking about them. I’ve known him for five years. He means a lot to me and we want to continue to be friends. I wish someone had told me that having sex with someone isn’t a guarantee that everything will always work out. (Having sex with them, being sexually open and generous, and having nice tits too!) I started therapy but I also wanted some advice from you.

- Babe Only Desires Intuitive Emotional Support

“People who are brutally honest generally enjoy the brutality more than the honesty.”

The late Canadian humourist and newspaper columnist Richard Needham wasn’t talking about your ex–whatever-he-was when he made that observation, BODIES, but he could’ve been. Yeah, yeah: sometimes we only realize we aren’t as attracted to someone as we thought until after we’ve slept with that person. That is, sadly, the case

Rejection sucks, Dan says, but it’s not proof that you’re flawed. Photo by Vino Li/Unsplash.

sometimes. But your ex-whatever’s comments were so gratuitously cruel, BODIES, that it’s hard to avoid concluding (if I may borrow a phrase) that cruelty was the point.

He could have and should have given you a million other reasons why he didn’t want to sleep with you again—this may be one of those rare instances where ghosting would’ve been kinder. At the very least, he should have given you a chance to get dressed before he let you know he wasn’t interested in having sex with you again.

That your very first sex partner chose to brutalize you like this—that he didn’t make the slightest effort to spare your feelings—is an almost unforgivable betrayal. Unless this boy is somewhere on the spectrum and has difficultly anticipating how a direct statement might hurt another person’s feelings, BODIES, there’s no excuse for what he did. Sticking around to cuddle after saying that shit isn’t proof he’s a good person. The arsonist who sticks around to piss on your house after setting it on fire isn’t being kind, BODIES, he’s warming his dick by the fire and enjoying the blaze.

Please know that being rejected by someone doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong

with your body, BODIES, or with your genitals or your face or your race or your features. Swiping right on someone who didn’t swipe right on you or sleeping with someone who doesn’t want to sleep with you again isn’t proof you’re flawed or unattractive.

It just means you’re not right for that particular person, BODIES, and for reasons particular to that person. Rejection sucks, and it always hurts, and for that reason we should strive to be as considerate as possible when we have to reject someone. Considerate but clear, considerate but unambiguous, but always considerate. And what this guy did to you—not even letting you get dressed first—was as inconsiderate as possible and you have every right to be angry with him.

If you had to get a therapist after sleeping with someone, it’s a good indication that person should have no place in your life going forward. Keep seeing your shrink, BODIES, and stop talking to this asshole.

I love her. I know people often get caught— even with a hall pass—and I don’t want to lose her because of this. How do I do that?

- Hesitant About Lying Lest Partner’s Anger Sabotages Situation

You can make all the peace you want with be-

ing monogamous, HALLPASS, but that won’t make being monogamous any easier for you.

Zooming out for a second: your desire to have sex with more than one person might have something to do with the trauma you suffered in childhood… Or it might not. And yet we’re told that monogamy is always easy for people who are emotionally healthy—which is a lie—and then we waste time digging through our childhood histories for something that might explain why this thing that’s supposed to be easy—monogamy—is so hard for us.

(Spoiler: it’s hard for almost everyone.)

So what do you do about your girlfriend?

How about you maybe talk to her?

Your new girlfriend has been perfectly b I’VE GONE THROUGH many variations of clear—she doesn’t care if you cheat so long relationships, from monogamous to open. as you use protection and she doesn’t find out My new partner is incredibly smart, open- about it—but you need additional clarity. If minded, loving, GGG—all the things, right? you were to sleep with someone else and she So I find myself a bit perplexed and troubled found out about it despite your best efforts to by a statement she made. She was in a rela- prevent her from finding out about it—what tionship prior to the one with me and the then? If finding out you used the hall pass she person she was with wanted to be free to do gave you is something she couldn’t forgive, as he wished, sexually. She told him that was HALLPASS, then you obviously can’t use “fine” so long as he used protection and she it without risking the relationship. (You’re right: people get caught.) Additionally, if didn’t know about it.

That worked so well for her that she made that’s really how she feels, then your girlme the same offer after we decided to become friend shouldn’t be handing out hall passes sexually exclusive: she told me to use protec- in the first place. But if cheating is something tion if I should ever cheat and not to tell her she could tolerate so long as protection was about it. At first I was like, “Cool, but I’m not used and some consideration was shown for least attempted to going to cheat,” but now I find myself thinking her feelings—i.e., you atMassage Careers be discreet/keep it from her—then you don’t about it. And if I do cheat, I will use protection have to hand in that hall pass. g and keep it to myself, per her request.

Employment EMPLOYMENT HERITAGE DRYWALL LTD.

is looking for Drywall Installers and Finishers, Greater Vancouver, BC. Perm, F/T Wage - $ 28 per hour Requirements: Experience 2-3 years, good English, high school. Main duties: Preparation of the drywall sheets for installation;Installation of drywall sheets; Securing of drywall sheets in studs or joists; Filling joints, holes and cracks with joint compound; Applying successive coats of compound, sand seams and joints.

Company’s business address: 20448 – 90 Crescent, Langley BC V1M 1A7 Please apply by e-mail: heritagewall@gmail.com

MDI CONCRETE LTD.

is looking for Concrete Finishers, Greater Vancouver area, BC. Wage - $ 30/hour, Perm, F/T. Education: High school. Skills Requirements: Good English, Experience 2-3 years. Main duties: Set formworks, prepare and inspect surfaces; Direct the casting; Safely use a power vibrator to compress concrete; Level the top surface of freshly poured concrete; Install fixtures; Smooth, grind and polish surfaces; Apply sealing, concrete coatings, waterproof and hardening components; Restore, repair or replace damaged sections.

Company’s business address: #9-20071 113B Ave, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0Z2 Please apply by e-mail: employment.mdiconcrete@gmail.com

GEORGIA STRAIGHT JUNE 25JULY – JULY 2020 2 14 THETHE GEORGIA STR AIGHT 152–/22 / 2021

RIO GARAGE DOOR LTD.

is looking for a Supervisor, Garage Door Installers, Greater Vancouver area, BC. Perm, F/T, Shifts, Weekends, 40 h/w Wage - $ 35 /hour. Requirements: Good English, several years of experience in garage door installation, high school.

Main duties and responsibilities: Supervise and co-ordinate the activities of garage door installers; Prepare work schedules; Resolve work problems and customer complaints; Prepare work progress reports; Hire and train of new employees; Order garage doors parts and supplies; Maintain records of stock. Company’s business address: 35 W 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 2Z4 Please apply by E-mail: riogaragedoor@gmail.com

Ukrainian Bakery Corporation

o/a COBS Bread Marine Way is looking for a Baker (35 hrs/w). Perm, F/T, Shifts, Weekends Salary: $16.80/h. Benefits: Company-paid Extended Health Benefits. Requirements: Completion of a program for bakers, or 1-2 years of experience. On-the-job training will be provided. English is required. Education: High school. Main duties: Mix ingredients and prepare dough and batter; Bake breads and pastries; Operate baking equipment; Ensure quality of products; Frost and decorate pastries; Maintain production schedule.

Company’s business address and job location: 160-7515 Market Crossing, Burnaby, BC V5J 0A3 Please apply by e-mail: employment.cobsbread@gmail.com

Hospitality/Food Service

Calabash Bistro

HIRING Part-Time Front of House Staff.

Seeking Bartenders, Servers, Hosts. Gastown. karmen@calabashbistro.com

CHAMBAR RESTAURANT

is HIRING BOH Staff. 20 - 40 hours per week Line Cook - Full-time or Part-time, great if you're working through your apprenticeship. 1-2 years line cooking experience required. info@chambar.com

Professional EMPLOYMENT Services Photo & Video

Experienced Pro Photographer Looking for Couples or Trios to Photograph (Safely). Please do check out my work at sexnotporn.com (NSFW) and contact me if interested in finding out more.

CHAMBAR RESTAURANT

is HIRING SERVERS. Downtown - Vancouver 20 - 40 hours per week. Part-time or Full-time.

Wine knowledge is a major asset. 2 years of fine dining experience is a requirement. info@chambar.com

STAY CONNECTED @GeorgiaStraight

Dating Services

Lonely? Don't Give up!

Date Local Russian & Ukrainian Ladies 604-805-1342

Mind EMPLOYMENT Body & Soul Support Groups 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 & location of support groups or call 604-873-0103 for info.

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

Sex Addicts Anonymous

12-step fellowship of men & women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from their sexual addiction.Membership is open to all who desire to stop addictive sexual behaviour. For a meeting list as well as email & phone contacts go to our website. www.saavancouver.org

Exotic Mature Filipino/ E/Indian Massage!

Burnaby/Coquitlam

WAVAW - Rape Crisis Centre has a 24-hour crisis line, counselling, public education, & volunteer opportunities for women.

All services are free & confidential.

Please call for info: Business Line: 604-255-6228 24-Hour Crisis Line: 604-255-6344 Women Survivors of Incest Anonymous A 12 Step based peer support program.

Wed @ 7pm @ Avalon Women's Centre 5957 West Blvd 604-263-7177 also www.siawso.org

Gay EMPLOYMENT Personals Massage

604-566-5544

Mina 604-512-3243 No Text!

^hDD Z ^W / > BODY SCRUB

NEW MANAGEMENT!

Reg 130

$

NOW

80

$180 / 7 HRS (Only $25/HR) $67 (Tip inc.) 2 for 1 Free

3272 W. Broadway (& Blenheim)

$10 Off!

(Incl. 45 min. Hot oil massage)

75 MIN

$

COMFY WELLNESS SPA WWW.

COMFYSPA.CA

Welcoming Old & New Clients!

VOTE NOW!

604.568.5255 3-3003 KINGSWAY @ RUPERT Companion

Vote for your local favourites by July 22 and be entered to win prizes!

Complete your ballot online at STRAIGHT.COM # G O L D E N P L AT E S 2 0 2 1

BBW

From Oct 1st to 14th, I'm seeing my favorite BBW. Both of us will have had 2 vaccinations. If you're interested in seeing her in a 5 star hotel, either with both of us, or her alone, please contact me. She also does GB,s. The only request I have is proof of a full STI check including HEP A, B and C. My name is Leif and you can text me at 250-591-4078.

Massage

$28 / 50mins (FREE HOT STONE)

Massage

604-568-6601

MANSION one

Spa

HOT & NEW ASIAN & CAUCASIAN GIRLS!!

Blue Ocean

Nikki Giovanni

8642 Granville & 71 Ave., Van. 10AM MIDNIGHT

TOKYO Body

FREE

BIRTHDAY MASSAGE

W E L L N E SS S PA

Onlyfans.com/Nikkislifeblog @nikkislifeblog Send me a message on onlyfans saying that you saw my ad in the Straight and receive a

30% discount Phone Services

ING! GRAND OPEN

604

438-8979

NOW

HIRING

101-5623, Imperial St. BBY (Across Macpherson Ave)

GRAND OPENING WEST SIDE ◆ Luxury Rooms ◆ Best Massage ◆ Best Service $80/30 mins

115-511 West 7th Ave.Van. 604.423.5880

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER.

X

ĂŶĂĚƵ

EAST VANCOUVER

5281 VICTORIA DR.

spa

10am m - 10pm

BEST BES S RELAXATION

604.998.4885

Chinese Meridian Massage Relaxation Massage Body Scrubbing Reflexology Cupping Pedicure • Manicure Facial Waxing Eyebrow Tinting Eyelash Tinting

#201 – 1789 Davie St. | 604-423-5828

NOW HIRING

I SPA THE REAL RELAXATION PLACE ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ SWEET YOUNG INTERNATIONAL GIRLS (100% 19+)

EMPLOYMENT Personals

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 10AM - 10 PM

Absolutely wonderful, joyful, healing, nurturing, Tantra massage.

Zara 604-222-4178

Totally Renovated!

Services

MAN TO MAN BODYWORK with Jim. Vaccinated! www.Handsomehands.ca

Tantra

emax ax MA MASS MASSAGE S AGE E

with this ad

604-558-1608

SEXAHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Vancouver, BC For those desiring their own sexual sobriety, please go to www.sa.org for meetings times and places.

We are here to help you from being overwhelmed.

Newcomers are gratefully welcomed.

Van Society for Sexuality, Gender & Culture Educational group with monthly meetings are planned for: 1st Tuesday of each month, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM Vancouver Public Library - Firehall Branch 1455 W 10th Ave (by Granville St next to the Firehall) All are welcome, and we are looking for BoardMembers from the Health, Counseling, Education, and Business Professions Info: Michael or Darren: VSSGC@yahoogroups.ca

Burnaby. No text. Incall only

In/Out calls & all Hotels.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) Do you have a problem with sex and love relationships. You are not alone. SLAA is a 12 Step 12 Tradition oriented fellowship for those who suffer from sex and love addiction. Leave a message on our phone line and somebody will call you back for meeting time and locations. slaavan@telus.net

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Burnaby TCF is a grief support group for parents who have experienced the loss of a child, at any age.

Meet the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

For location call Grace: 778-222-0446 "We Need Not Walk Alone" compassionatecircle@hotmail.com Burnaby@TCFCanada.net www.tcfcanada.net

Jessica Relaxation Massage

✄

Milano Dating Services

Bodywork

604.568.9238

(HIRING) / AIR-CONDITIONED

#3-3490 Kingsway

NEAR TYNE ST. NEXT DOOR TO SUBWAY

604.436.3131 w w w.greatpharaoh.com

5-3490 Kingsway, Van. NEWLY RENOVATED! E S T A B L I S H E D 19 9 3 HIRING: 778.893.4439

THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT 15 3 JULYJUNE 15 –25 22–/JULY 20212 / 2020 THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

16

THE GEORGIA STR AIGHT

JULY 15 – 22 / 2021