West Vancouver Magazine - Dec 2022

The Man Who Now is King

A look back at a few of the major events that helped shape our world in 2022, as we celebrate our 8th Anniversary Edition

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I Believe in Santa Claus

Dear Nick:

I’ve written to you a few times over the years. Since I’ve grown up, I write a little less. I hope you remember me.

I’ve met a few of your helpers over the years, mostly at the mall - but I don’t believe we’ve met in person yet. I thought I saw you one night way back on Christmas Eve 1981, but it turned out to be my dad tripping over the cat. I’ll never know why he was stumbling around in the dark that late at night.

Anyway, I’m writing to congratulate you on your recent interview with the History Channel. It was really good. Turns out, there’s a lot about you we never knew before.

For instance, I knew you were related to St. Nicholas - but I didn’t know that he was born in the year 280 in Patara (in the country of Turkey). They say he was best known for saving three poor sisters from being sold into slavery. He also gave away all his inherited wealth and travelled the countryside, tending to the sick and needy. Protecting children was his number one goal. By today’s standards, that’s totally trendy.

By the Renaissance (the 1500s), St. Nicholas’ legend was really popular all across Europe. His Dutch nickname was Sinter Klaas, but you probably already know that since you’re family.

Now I know you like to keep your age a secret (I lie about mine too - shh), but I figure your story really starts around 1809 when you travelled to New York and gave your first interview to writer Washington Irving. Apparently, you were quite the fashion plate and a bit of a ‘rascal’ who wore everything from a blue three-cornered hat to a red waistcoat and yellow stockings. Ah, to be young and adventurous.

Following in your ancestors’ footsteps, you became a ‘saint’ to all children everywhere. And like many celebrities, you travel extensively and know everyone. Being a trendsetter, you also updated your name and are now known simply as ‘Santa Claus’.

You made your first pseudo-celebrity appearance in the Macy’s Day parade in 1924. Since then, you’ve had to hire a crew and a whole bunch of peeps to help out - including 8-9 reindeer to get around. Congrats on going green!

Still, being a celebrity is tough, and the rumours abound - including that one about your evil twin brother Krampus. Unlike you, he visits bad children and scares them or punishes them for being naughty. Nobody likes him much, but I hear he’s reading people’s social media posts a lot now. I also know you also have many relatives and distant cousins who live internationally and are popular in other countries and cultures. What a great family.

Please say ‘hi’ to Mrs Claus for me. You’ve been married for a long time now. And it’s totally cool that you both have chosen the North Pole in Canada as your permanent home. Thank you for employing so many workers and for manufacturing the toys in our country (we could use the taxes). Let me know if you ever want to do a live podcast together!

I’ve always believed in you and the magic you bring into our lives. A lot of weird stuff happens at this time of year. But in a complicated world, I’ve always found comfort in the simplicity of your story and the hopefulness of your message. I would argue that you and your compatriots are citizens of the world who characterize the spirit of giving and the forgiveness and acceptance of everyone, regardless of race, gender or religion. Some may disagree, but I say you represent hope and happiness - and we all need a little more of that right now.

I know you’re a traditional guy, but since you’re also a big ‘influencer’, maybe you could help kids realize that an iPhone isn’t a replacement for playing soccer with their dad. Maybe you could help remind them that while grandma loves that new scarf, what she really wants is more hugs and a game of Scrabble with her granddaughter. For the older ones (the ones who are starting to forget about you), maybe you could introduce them to painting or sports or the gift of music. Help them channel their energy and focus into something positive and avoid seeking out risky behaviour and dangerous experimentation. It’s not that easy, obviously - but the right ‘toy’ is a good start.

As for the rest of us adults, we mostly want peace. Peace from suffering. Peace from conflict. Peace from disease, hunger and hate. Peace from paying bills. Peace from crazy politics and divisiveness. Peace and quiet. Peaceful reflection. I’ll also take a little comfort and joy too, please - if you have any left to spare.

In closing, I hope you have a great holiday. Thank you for always giving us something to believe in. You embody the spirit of the season in many positive ways, and I am a true fan. Please be sure and drop by next time you’re in town. We’ll leave the fire off, and some snacks on the table. Until then, best wishes always - and remember to keep it real.

Catherine (Cat) Barr catbarr@turnernewsmedia.com

Join ‘Page Six’ online at westvancouver.com/pagesix

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SPLASH GALA FOR ARTS UMBRELLA

Arts Umbrella, Canada’s leading non-profit organization for youth arts education, marked the 40th anniversary of its Splash Art Auction by hosting its most successful event to date. Held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and presented by Nicola Wealth, the flagship fundraiser raised $1.75+ million, supporting bursaries and equitable access to arts education for young people across Metro Vancouver.

Marc Niefer and wife Jana

The Killeen family - from left: Mike, Jill, Maja and Ryan

Arts Umbrella co-founder and honorary chair Carol Henriquez

Tom Ferries and MC Glora Macarenko

Gary Zlotnik, artist Jolinda Linden

Gala co-chair Christie Garofalo and husband David

Hy’s restaurant’s Neil Aisenstat, left, with artist Athena Bax and Ken Fitzgerald

Tracey Cambridge and Don DeCotiis

Tassan and David Sung, Nicola Wealth president and Arts Umbrella Foundation chair

Actor Chris Williams and Heidi Kadlecova

Splash gala co-chair Bruce Munro Wright, left, with artist/writer Douglas Coupland

A Look Back at The Year 2022

- By Catherine (Cat) Barr catbarr@turnernewsmedia.com

If you had told me 20 years ago that, one day, I was going to have the kind of job that would allow me to go backstage with rock stars like Aerosmith, Billy Idol and Alice Cooper, I would have said ‘cool’.

If you had told me 10 years ago that, one night, I would be at a gala dinner with actress Bo Derek, singer Reba McEntire, superstar Oprah Winfrey and former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, all at the same time, I would have said ‘no way’.

And three years ago, if you had told me that we would have to spend the next two Christmases locked down in our own homes, isolated and unable to hug our loved ones due to a worldwide pandemic, I would have said ‘impossible’.

But ‘impossible’ seems to be happening more and more these days. Sometimes it’s bad - as in the Covid virus or the invasion of Ukraine. But sometimes, impossible happens in a good way and at a time you least expected.

Such was the case for us eight short years ago when we went from publishing only online, to publishing two new magazine titles in print. It was an impossible feat and an epic challenge. But today, WestVancouver.com and NorthVancouver.com are two of the most successful entertainment and ‘people’ magazines in town. And even as social media continues to devastate the news industry, we are focused on success, and have survived where many others have failed. This is due, in part, to the incredible support from the people who live in these two amazing communities. Thank you to you all.

Photo Credits: Allan Warren, White House Photo by Shealah Craighead, Library and Archives Canada, Catherine Barr

<- Photos: Top - Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingom with husband King Charles III at Winfield House in London in 2019. 2nd Down - Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh with daughter Princess Anne and son Prince Charles in 1957. 3rd Down - The name’s Charles . . King Charles. A movie star look for an official photo taken in 1972 of HRH The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, London. Bottom - A young King Charles meets with American President Nixon in the Oval Office in 1970.

Now, as we enter our ninth year, the impossible happened again with the introduction of a third print title - Turner Magazine. Designed for distribution to an even wider audience (150,000+), we are breaking boundaries and growing. Things just keep getting better and better. So as we celebrate our 8th Anniversary, it’s time to take a look back at the year 2022 as we salute the faces and events that made headlines on our pages - and around the world.

A Royal Tribute

We’ve followed the Royal Family for years. In print, it started with our ‘Remembering Diana’ cover story in Sep 2017 to honour the 20th anniversary of the death of ‘The Peoples’ Princess’. Then there was our March 2020 cover called ‘Who are Harry and Meghan’ as the then royal couple were temporarily living here in Vancouver.

This summer was a happy one with the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee. There was the Gold State Carriage, led by The Sovereign’s Escort, which embraced the latest in digital technology with a hologram of her majesty waving to crowds, replaying her journey to be crowned 70 years ago. Then there was the live concert by none other than the band ‘Queen’. Her majesty even shared an afternoon cucumber sandwich with Paddington the Bear.

But celebration turned to sadness, and a hush fell over the world as the trusted monarch passed away suddenly on Sep 8, 2022 in Scotland at age 96. Now, as a generation still mourns the loss of the “grandmother they always loved”, it is time for ‘God Save the King’. The coronation event is scheduled for May 6, 2023 when Charles III and his wife, Camilla, will sit upon the throne as King and Queen of the “United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms”. It’s a cover story you won’t want to miss.

Elon Musk

He plays with real cars and real rockets for a living. He digs tunnels with massive machines, launches satellites into space, and now he wants to build a kind of ‘mind computer ’ that will meld with our own human consciousness. He does all thisbecause he can.

Elon Musk is the world’s richest man, for now. And after challenging the online social media world for its apparent lack of free speech, and partaking in some silliness with memes and themes, Elon decided enough

was enough. Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in Oct 2022 and has set off an even bigger firestorm by ‘unbanning’ several media accounts he says were unfairly targeted by censorship.

Born to a Canadian mother and South African father, Musk and his powerful online pals, like Zuckerberg (Facebook/ Meta) and Bezos (Amazon), potentially have master command over critical infrastructures, communications, transportation, information and monetary systems (including cryptocurrency). They may even be able to affect the outcome of military invasions and global conflicts. What was once strictly controlled, monitored and regulated by governments and international organizations now runs free. It’s an interesting yet dangerous concept that begs the question - are we in safe hands?

Television and Movies

Glitter and glam may have been on hold for the past two years, but it seems like it is time again for a little lights, camera and action.

The Canadian Screen Awards were back again this year honouring the best in Canadian film and television - as were the UBCP/ACTRA awards and Leo Awards here in Vancouver.

A special visit and exclusive podcast interview with Wheel of Fortune star Vanna White helped make our November cover extra special as we chatted about life in Hollywood and all the secrets behind the scenes. Turns out, the best way to have a long and successful career, according to Vanna, is to just be ‘true to yourself’.

Meanwhile, the fall film festival season kicked off with a special interview with Vancouver International Film Festival executive director Kyle Fostner who shared his picks for the season. And, never one to be shy about having greatness thrust upon him, there was our fabulous live podcast interview with the incomparable Christopher Gaze, founder of one of the best Shakespeare festivals in the world, Bard on the Beach.

Let the Music Play

Live music tops our list when it comes to cover stories, and never more so than after the long Covid hiatus and the return to fun festivals and cool summer beats.

Beating a path back to Ambleside 2022, local West Vancouver businessman Graham Lee gave us the behind-the-scenes goods as he revived his concert series weekend with the newly branded Ambleside Music

Colin James

We knew Elon Musk was out to change the world, even before he wanted by buy Twitter - Mar 2022

James

Festival. Featuring past names like Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Chesney and more, this year’s 2022 lineup included more local and up-and-coming names, as well as featured headliners The Offspring and Marianas Trench With promises of 2023 already in the works, be sure to check in with us in early spring to hear what’s in store.

Meantime, we were thrilled to have the always lovely and lyrical Bif Naked grace the first-ever print edition of our new Turner Magazine. With grit and grace, our podcast interview with the Juno-award-winning singer/songwriter reminded us that even a hectic life on stage needs to be grounded in peace and love.

And speaking of love, one of our all-time favourite performers wasn’t singing the blues as he took home a 2022 Juno for his latest album. Colin James stopped by for a live podcast interview to share how it feels to be recognized yet again for his talents. Performing with Jim Byrnes for the Odd Square anniversary gala, this superstar is still thrilling audiences across Canada.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

As 2022 draws to a close, we again want to thank those of you who, like us, realize that the journey is just as important as the destination.

We have the privilege of telling the stories that shape our lives - and we’ve chosen to celebrate the good. It is an honour we think about every day, on every page, with every word and syllable.

No matter what the future holds, remember that nothing is impossible. And whether it be good times or bad, it has never been more important to realize that you don’t need to wait for Christmas to show kindness or give back.

May your holiday season be the best ever, and may you celebrate with those you love and remember always. From both of us, to all of you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you soon in 2023.

Vanna in Vancouver

Happy Birthday

Captain Kirk

As if turning 90 years old wasn’t good enough, actor William Shatner also went to space to mark this historic year - Apr 2021

They don’t come much bigger than TV star Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune fame whose podcast was one of our most entertaining - Nov 2022

Social Seen

CRYSTAL BALL FOR BC CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

“The support that we received from donors at this year’s Crystal Ball was absolutely incredible,” said Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, who was on hand as guests gave their best to raise a whopping $4.5 million at the 36th annual event. Glamorous gowns and tuxedos were back in vogue, along with some spectacular auction items and featured artwork. Thanks to evenings like this, today, over 80 per cent of kids in BC diagnosed with cancer will survive - but more work still needs to be done. Please give generously this season.

Barry and Laurie Cavanaugh

Doing it for the kids - Dr. Rod Rassekh, from left, Dr. Rebecca Deyell and Dr. Steven Miller

Darren Bell and wife Deb join North Van City Councillor and dad Don Bell

Nicole and Vern Milani, of Milani Plumbing and Heating fame

Global BC news anchor and gala MC Chris Gailus and Jane Carrigan

Malcolm Berry, President & CEO, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, left, with gala co-chairs Helen Rivero and Timothy Cuffe

Sponsors and supporters Courtney and Jason Nicola

Gala gorgeous committee members Jillian Dixon, left, and Sherry Doman

Chelsea Cavanaugh with grandmother Maureen Ilich

BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon, left, joins community builder and philanthropist Lorne Segal

Sharing champagne during the reception are Bernadette and Mike Dunnigan

Cat’s Meow - December 2022

By Catherine (Cat) Barr

CatherineBarr.com

Enjoying a girls’ lunch at the Pacific Autism event are Natalie Moser, Connie Spiers and Monica Soprovich

Seen at the Fifteen Fifteen x Off-White fashion show and show suite event are Vanessa Bandali, developer Lorne Segal and businessman Hussein Shivji

Will & Grace star Eric McCormack was one of many talented names taking home an award at the recent UBCP/ACTRA gala which was back for its first in person show in three years. More red carpet photos to follow next month so stay tuned.

Joanna Dlin, left, and Sandy Hu take a tour throught the show suite at Fifteen Fifteen x Off White fashion show event in Vancouver.

BC Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, left, joins West Van police chief John Lo and MC Sophie Lui at the Pacific Autism gala luncheon.

Brian Scudamore, CEO of O2E Brands, helps host the LIVERight gala night alongside Global TV’s Anne Drewa The night also honoured Brian’s father, reknown liver specialist Dr. Charles Scudamore.

Welcoming VIP guests to the show suite and fashion show event at Fifteen Fifteen x Off White are sales team members Jerry Liu and Dominique Mutual of Bosa Properties & Kingswood Properties.

Honourees at the LIVERight gala for the Canadian Liver Foundation included businessman Don DeCotiis and liver specialist Dr. Charles Scudamore (right) - joined here by Dr. Julia Flint, left, and event organizer Monica Chiu

It was a banner grand opening occasion with new West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager cutting the red ribbon of the new Avenue cannabis retail store in Ambleside alongside VIPs Linda Watt, from left, Bill Soprovich, owners Shannon Walker, Chuck Walker, and Tim Webb, with Peter Lambur, Scott Snider and Sharon Thompson

Gabrielle Loren, from left, Alexis Dodd, Leslie Meredith, Burnaby Hospital Foundation CEO Kristy James, Lisa Hoglund, Danielle Sleiman and Pat Rekert help support success at the Pacific Autism luncheon.

Liberal MLA Shirley Bond, left, former premiere Christy Clark, and Science World CEO Tracy Redies come out to support the Pacific Autism Family Network.

Lugaro Jewellers owner Clara Agopian, left, generously donates a stunning OMEGA watch for the raffle at Wendy Lisogar Cocchia’s Pacific Autism Family Network gala luncheon.

PR pro Marnie Wilson takes a trip through the tombs at the amazing Beyond King Tut exhibit. The National Geographic multi-sensory experience is on now through January 8, 2023 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Social Seen

LGH COMMUNITY CARES GALA

The 5th Annual LGH Community Cares Gala, hosted by LGH Foundation’s Asian Advisory Committee, was an night to celebrate. This elegant evening brought together 200 businesses, influential community leaders and supporters to raise much-needed funds to purchase life-saving medical equipment and technology for Lions Gate Hospital. Wearing fabulous fringe and lots of sparkle, the Roaring 20’s-themed event included a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, live entertainment, fabulous live and silent auctions, a 50/50 Draw and much more. Congrats to all involved.

Ken Hsieh, from left, Qing Yin, Burnaby

councillor James Wang and Lily

LGH Foundation super volunteer Mehri Parsi

LGH director Yang Wang, left, Lawrence Wang

Linda Xiang, left, and Vicky Rong

West Vancouver’s Tayler Theaker and wife Priscilla

West Van Police Chief John Lo and wife Melissa

LGH Foundation CEO and president Judy Savage and Darlene MacKinnon, vice president Coastal Community Care

LGH Foundation vice president Louise Campbell, left, joins title sponsor Dr. Kit Cheun Yip and Stephanie Io, Asian community relations director

Sharon Chan, left, with sponsor and LGH director Edith Chan and Wendy Law

The Speakeasy Sweeties took to the stage to entertain in keeping with the flapper style theme

Lawrence Leung, left, with translator D’Arcy Han and Dr. Allan Burgmann

Happy Holidays

Silver and Gold

Fendi Baguette Purse fendi.com

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1000 Gram Gold Bar livepriceofgold.com

Forget Crypto. Gold, the real genuine article - will always be a winner. Some say coins are the best bet, but pure bars are in favour today. Always a safe investment in turmoil market swings, gold possession is an investment to cherish.

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Golden Reindeer homedepot.ca

Stand back Rudolph. Brighten up your yard with this magical and glittering pre-lit reindeer. Made with sturdy wire construction and covered with high quality material for a colourful and festive display.

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Tiffany Olive Leaf Bypass Ring tiffany.ca

From the Paloma Picasso collection, a beautiful tribute to the olive branch, a symbol of peace and abundance. Handcrafted in 18K yellow gold. Timeless simplicity.

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Jewel Badgley Mischka Pump nordstrom.ca

Glistening rhinestone embellishments lend statement-making glamour to a luxe d’Orsay pump framed by a pointy toe and tapered heel.

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Collaboration Versace Men’s Sunglasses sunglasshut.com

Versace is distinguished by its strength of character, innovative use of new, unexpected materials and varying styles of inspiration and performance. This year’s sunglass collection is an elegantly designed line of distinctive eyewear that gets you noticed.

$320

All prices are in CDN dollars and are approximate. May sell for lower or higher. Want to recommend a product to feature on this page, email news@westvancouver.com

Stardust is a top coat polish complete with gold and silver glitter stars. Inspired by our golden JC emblem, the shimmering polish is poured into an elegant glass bottle that references our red carpet heritage and captures light to enhance the colour further.

$60

Diamond Paperclip Earrings lugaro.com

18K white and yellow gold diamond paperclip earrings featuring twenty four round brilliant cut diamonds. Perfect for this year’s Christmas parties.

$1,050

montblanc-boutique-montreal.com

This classic writing instrument is engraved with a three-dimensional geometric pattern displaying an optical effect in a sophisticated champagne tone. Perfect for handwriting those important Christmas cards or your personal year-end bonus cheque.

$1,440

Don Julio “Real” Tequila

donjulio.com

Smooth and rich, this tequila deserves to be sipped neat and at room temperature, as you would a fine scotch or cognac. It has notes of chocolate and vanilla, light spice and sweetness. A perfect bottle to share over the holidays and New Year. Becoming rare.

$530

Golden Lighted Wreath wayfair.ca

Bring a whole new dimension to your holiday decorating with this evergreen wreath featuring sparkling metallic branch tips. This glittering piece is pre-strung with 50 battery-operated warm white LED lights

$310

Dolce Gabbana Alligator-print Suit dolcegabbana.com

Always on the edge, Italy’s Dolce Gabbana shines again with this foiled technical fabric casual suit. Sure to be the talk of any affair, it looks best with the matching sneakers, sold separately.

$8,580

Mont Blanc Meisterstück Solitaire Pen

Jimmy Choo Nail Glitter jimmychoo.com

The Arts Club Dishes Up a Favourite Thing

- By Bill Allman bill@famousartists.ca

How did The Sound of Music become a Christmas classic?

You can drill down and discuss “snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes” but, at day’s end, The Sound of Music has become inextricably linked with Christmas because it’s about the warmth, comfort, and bond of family and yes… it’s about our favourite things.

Vancouver’s Arts Club Theatre Company under the artistic direction of Ashlie Corcoran (who also directs) serves up a reliable take on a wonderful piece.

Rodgers and Hammerstein were masters of the musical theatre genre, capable of delivering work that expertly plucks the heartstrings of the audience all the while staying true to the collaborators’ sense of justice and humanity. Put a solid work like this into the talented hands of a world-class cast and creative team and you’ll find a winner every time – no mean feat when you’re presenting it 63 years after the story and songs debuted on Broadway.

When Mary Martin first bowed as Maria in 1959, the evil of Nazi Germany was still hanging heavy in the air. Decades later, Corcoran made sure that the menace remained strong, though ultimately frustrated by the strength of the family.

Both the diverse casting and the overall presentation factor into bringing The Sound of Music into the 21st Century without requiring that it be artistically butchered or presented in the style of Mad Max or any such nonsense. No, this ‘Sound of Music’ is a classic and it’s classically presented to afford patrons the ultimate experience in both comfort and joy.

Not a note is out of place, every song is memorable, the live band is exquisite, and I just don’t have enough word count to rattle off every cast member. They’re all deserving! Chelsea Rose as Maria is a powerhouse. And you have a cold, cold heart if you don’t sniffle even a little when you hear the two tiniest Von Trapps, Marta and Gretl, (beautifully played by Siggi Kaldestad and Nora Cowan) intone “So Long, Farewell”. Likewise, if you can watch Andrew Cownden’s Uncle Max without laughing, you have no sense of humour and I can’t help you.

The Arts Club expertly delivers an emotionally satisfying, even elevating night in the theatre. It leads us to connect with the cast and with fellow audience members. On opening night, a six yearold girl in the row ahead of me shot to the edge of

The Sound of Music

her seat on the downbeat of each song and started clapping before the number was even over. Her joy was palpable and contagious!

What I found was a show and a production that (to badly paraphrase the movie Scrooged), allows us as an audience to be the people that we always hoped we would be.

I’ll be unabashedly sentimental. The Arts Club’s presentation of The Sound of Music is, theatrically, a hug wrapped in a blanket, held in place by a candy cane. Anyone who thinks that they`re too “cool” to enjoy that, can have a lump of coal.

President of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, Bill Allman is a “recovering lawyer” who has been a venue manager (the Vogue),

the Stars, a concert promoter, a television writer/producer, a theatre producer, and an adjunct professor of law at UBC. He currently owns Famous Artists Ltd., taking the company name with founder Hugh Pickett’s blessing, and produces plays, musicals, and concerts. He is no longer willing to move your piano.

president of Theatre Under

Above: Chelsea Rose and Damien Atkins. Left: Cast of The Sound of Music. Set and costume design by Drew Facey; lighting design by Itai Erdal. Photos: Moonrider Productions and Emily Cooper.

is at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until Dec 24, 2022

What to Watch for in 2023

Another year, another blank slate. There won’t be an Olympics or major U.S. election. Maybe the B.C. Lions will advance further in the CFL playoffs. Maybe the Canucks will get back to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Maybe the Whitecaps will do something with their Canadian Championship title. One thing is certain: Royal fans will delight in May, when the new King, Charles III, finally gets outfitted with his crown.

01 WATCH THE FEDERAL LIBERALS AND B.C. NDP

Are elections nearing? It should’ve been a federal election year in 2023, but Justin Trudeau reset the calendar when he called a snap election in 2021 and clung to power. There are legitimate reasons to wonder if he will finish 2023 as party leader after winning three times and losing vote share along the way. That is because, on the other side of the aisle, a resurgent Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre is scouting for candidates in winnable Metro Vancouver and Greater Toronto ridings.

Provincially, NDP Premier David Eby inherited John Horgan’s 2020 majority and the next election is scheduled for 2024. There are many reasons to stick to the schedule, especially after Vancouver voters turned to the right with Ken Sim over Eby-ally Kennedy Stewart. But if Eby sees an opportunity, watch him go early against North Vancouver-residing, Vancouver-Quilchenarepresenting Kevin Falcon and his BC Liberals.

02 WATCH YOUR WALLET

Inflation, interest rates and the ongoing Ukraine war are causing turmoil everywhere. B.C.’s inflation rate hit a 40-year high of 8.1% in May 2022. Just when it looked like the pandemic was easing and shoppers began to return to bricks and mortar stores. How will it affect tourism in the first quarter of 2023, when the North Shore’s three ski and snowboard resorts are normally buzzing?

03 WATCH THE GLOBE

The North Shore has thriving communities of immigrants from Iran and China and those countries will be worth watching in 2023. The mid-September death of Mahsa Amini sparked worldwide protests calling for the end of the Islamic fundamentalist regime in Tehran, including a human chain protest on the Lions Gate Bridge on Oct. 29. China continues to struggle with the pandemic that began in Wuhan. Rolling lockdowns in major cities are causing economic ripples around the world.

04 WATCH MAYOR SAGER 2.0

West Vancouver district council is under the mayor on a comeback, Mark Sager. Sager first occupied the office from 1990 to 1996. More than a quarter-century later, he’s back in the saddle after defeating incumbent Mary Ann Booth in October’s election. He already raised some eyebrows after swearing-in when he axed the verbal acknowledgment of West Vancouver as Squamish Nation territory (it remains on the printed version of council meeting agendas). Sager will have to roll up his sleeves and get over that in order to ensure West Vancouver has a seat at the table in the group of three municipalities and two First Nations lobbying Victoria for rapid transit on the North Shore.

- By Bob Mackin bob@thebreaker.news

05 WATCH THE WEATHER

It’s been an adventure, what with 2021’s heat dome and pineapple expresses (aka atmospheric rivers); even the remnants of that UBC Golf Course tornado made their way to the North Shore. In 2022, snow and rain and then a summertime drought. There was a small forest fire near Cypress Provincial Park and a rockslide happened, too. While traffic congestion and housing dominate day-to-day discourse, can’t ignore the chaotic climate.

Will the pier pressure increase? The Jan. 7, 2022 king tide and windstorm combo battered the West Vancouver coastline. The Ambleside and Dundarave piers have been behind fences since then, cutting access to users of the popular bookends for Centennial Seawall walkers and joggers.

Bob Mackin is a North Vancouver journalist who specializes in politics, business and sports coverage. He publishes theBreaker.news and hosts theBreaker.news Podcast online.

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Events Calendar

CAPILANO CANYON LIGHTS

November 19 - January 22

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Ready, set, glow! Jump-start the festive season, bundle up the family and prepare to be amazed.

Canyon Lights returns to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park with even more lights. This event supports the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, always a great cause.

capbridge.com

CHRISTMAS GLOW LANGLEY

December 1 -31

216th Street, Langley

Experience a family-friendly outdoor Christmas festival with towering light gardens, magical landscapes and more than a million lights. Attractions include a kid’s scavenger hunt, food trucks, a holiday train ride, pictures with Santa, a princess meet and greet and a giant warmed tent space with live performances. glowgardens.com

VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET

December 1 - 24

Jack Poole Plaza

The Market has something for everyone. Experience the family carousel rides and treasured moments amongst friends at this Vancouver classic. Beyond the unique gifts ideas, savour gourmet food, authentic German drinks and seasonal sweets that will keep you warm and happy.

vancouverchristmasmarket.com

THE DUNDARAVE FESTIVAL

November 26 - January 2

Dundarave Beach

Enjoy four Saturdays of music and merriment in the ultimate Canadian Christmas setting. Marvel at the decorated trees at Dundarave Beach, Millennium Park and the Ambleside Galleria. This is the one winter event that allows West Vancouver to shine for everyone.

dundaravefestival.com

BRIGHT LIGHTS IN STANLEY PARK

December 1 - January 1

Stanley Park

On our 25th anniversary, things will look a little different with the absence of our vintage trains, but it is still certain to be an event to remember. Expect twinkly lights, family fun and holiday cheer. Members of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund are ready to greet you to kick off the holidays.

vancouver.ca

GET HAPPY! CELEBRATING JUDY GARLAND

January 24

Kay Meek Arts Centre

Legendary Hollywood movie star and musical performer Judy Garland is the focus of a wonderful show celebrating all the joy of Judy, on what would have been her 100th birthday. Classic film historian Michael van den Bos presents an over-the-rainbow event, sure to sell out.

kaymeek.com