FRIDAY
January 30 2015 Vol. 106 No. 08
OPINION 9
Transparent transit tax PACIFIC SPIRIT 12
Peace and prayer ENTERTAINMENT 20
Exotic Junk Food Review There’s more online at
vancourier.com WEEKEND EDITION
THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908
Search for city’s next police chief begins Former mayor suggests a civilian could be next leader
Mike Howell
mhowell@vancourier.com
With Police Chief Jim Chu set to retire this spring, the man who had a hand in hiring him in 2007 outlined the options for the Vancouver Police Board to consider in its search for a new chief, including the possibility of hiring a non-cop to lead the department. Former mayor Sam Sullivan, who is now the Liberal MLA for Vancouver-False Creek, pointed to the RCMP’s decision in 2007 to hire career bureaucrat William Elliott as commissioner of the national force. “There’s great advantages to that and great disadvantages, as well, because you
might not get the buy-in from officers,” said Sullivan, who was mayor from 2005 to 2008 and doubled as chairperson of the police board. “So it can be done.” Elliott was hired during a time of instability and low morale, and brought in by the Harper government to shake up what critics argued was an insular organization that needed an outside look. Elliott lasted four years before being replaced by Bob Paulson, a longtime RCMP officer who also served almost seven years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Sullivan acknowledged the VPD isn’t in the same state as the RCMP, with Chu and his predecessor, Jamie Graham, bringing stability and a public profile to a department that has seen a succession of chiefs, including Bruce Chambers and Terry Blythe, whom former mayor Philip Owen
once described as “behind the scenes guys.” “The citizens want to have someone who is ultimately accountable and want the chief to have a decent public profile and to make statements and weigh in on what citizens are concerned about,” said Sullivan, who praised Chu for his leadership within the VPD and the work he did in the community, particularly in his efforts to listen to divergent groups that had issues with police. “It really is a challenging job where you’re juggling so many different interests and opinions and you’ve somehow got to bring everybody together — and Jim Chu did that. He’s been an outstanding police chief. He was one of our best hires.” At a news conference last Friday to announce his retirement, the 55-year-old Chu made it clear that he wanted his successor to come from within the depart-
ment, saying it would be a shame for “those talented senior executives” not to get an opportunity to lead the VPD. Deputy Chief Doug LePard has said he’s considering applying for the job while deputy chiefs Adam Palmer and Warren Lemcke haven’t commented on speculation they will compete for the vacancy. The VPD’s highest ranking female officer is Supt. Michelle Davey but it’s unclear whether she will enter the race. “The Vancouver police force does have some excellent people,” Sullivan said. “It’s a tribute to Jamie Graham and Jim Chu for cultivating excellence. So they don’t necessarily have to look too far.” Added Sullivan: “But there is also an advantage to hiring [an officer] from outside to bring a whole new way of looking at things. Continued on page 4
Hands-on with science
Templeton’s STEM program blends learning with practical skills Cheryl Rossi
crossi@vancourier.com
Three roving vehicles controlled through Wi-Fi and designed and constructed by senior Templeton secondary students were set to wow visitors to the new STEM program’s demonstration Thursday morning. Three teams of Grades 11 and 12 students learned drafting software, designed their MARS rovers, built chassis, created custom cases for their circuit boards, used 3D printers to make holders for their computer chips, learned the physics they need to make their vehicles work and programmed computers so they could control their webcam-mounted rovers from afar. STEM, which started for senior students at Templeton in September, blends science, technology, engineering and math. STEM teaches students practical design and fabrication skills to explore concepts and theories through hands-on, projectbased learning in the four-course program. Continued on page 7
FOOTIE FIRST Ben McKendry (left), became the first Vancouver residency player to sign a professional MLS contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Read more page 23. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
DYSLEXIA DIDN’T STOP ALBERT. We don’t let dyslexia or language-related learning disabilities affect our students, either. They learn differently, and we offer them an education in a setting where they can thrive. See for yourself at the Fraser Academy Open House: Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:30-11:15am. For more info or to RSVP, visit www.fraseracademy.ca or call 604 736 5575. © Estate of Yousuf Karsh
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Avio Fabric Sectional
Reg $1498
1365 Leather Sectional Reg $2998 Now
$1998
Now
$798
A978 Leather Sectional
$1798
Reg $2398 Now
$2498
Reg $4378
Now
$1798
Reg $4378 Now
$2198
$1998
SCANDESIGNS.COM EB
R AT
IN
38
RICHMOND 12551 Bridgeport Rd 604.273.2971
COQUITLAM 1400 United Blvd 604.524.3444
NANAIMO 1711 Bowen Rd 250.753.6361
G
Y
EA R
S
Reg $3898 Now
$2798
Now Reg $2698
A973 Leather Sectional
Reg $3398 Now
1860 Leather Sectional
625 Leather Sectional Leather Sectional J215 Fabric Sectional
CEL
A2
KELOWNA 1850 Springfield Rd 250.860.7603
LANGLEY 20429 Langley By-Pass 604.530.8248
VICTORIA 661 McCallum Rd Millstream Village 250.475.2233
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A3
News
West Van mayor wants to derail transit vote 12TH&CAMBIE Mike Howell
mhowell@vancourier.com
Hey, Vancouver, you may have heard your political neighbour to the northwest has a problem with Mayor Gregor Robertson and the majority of the region’s mayors wanting you to vote yes in the spring plebiscite to support a 0.5 per cent sales tax hike for transportation and transit upgrades. That neighbour is West Vancouver mayor Michael Smith. He made it clear at a vote in December of the mayors’ regional council on transportation that he didn’t support the plebiscite and elaborated on his reasons this week in an opinion piece he wrote for the No TransLink Tax campaign. “At the heart of my objection to this proposed tax is my belief that government does not have the right to ask citizens to pay more in taxes unless they can assure them that their money will be well spent,” Smith
wrote. “This is not the case. TransLink does not have the reputation of being a well-managed corporation delivering excellent value. This cannot be blamed entirely on management, although it is entirely reasonable to question the number of well-paid executives that run what is essentially a monopoly organization.” Before I go any further, I should remind readers that none of the region’s mayors wanted a plebiscite from the get-go. The mayors expressed that to the provincial government in June 2013. But with no choice on the matter, Robertson and the majority of mayors — minus Smith and the mayors of Burnaby and Maple Ridge —reluctantly decided to campaign for a yes vote. At stake, Robertson and company say, is the future of the region and the need for a subway along Broadway, light rail in Surrey, a new Pattullo Bridge, more buses, more frequent SeaBus and HandyDart service and upgrades to roads and cycling infrastructure. Otherwise, they say, congestion
West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith is among a minority of mayors who will vote No in a spring plebiscite on increasing taxes to pay for a transit and transportation plan. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET.
will only get worse. Smith doesn’t deny that and wants alternatives to the automobile, too. But in an interview this week, Smith said he has a real problem with the fact that mayors have no power to govern, which means there’s no guarantee any new money raised to help
pay for the mayors’ $7.5 billion, 10-year transit and transportation plan will actually be used for the plan. Also, he said, the plan relies heavily on big money coming from the province and the feds. “We could provide free busing right now [in West Vancouver] with the money
that we give to TransLink,” he said, accusing mayors of “doing a Neville Chamberlain” on pushing a yes vote, a reference to the former British leader appeasing Hitler back in 1938 by ceding parts of Czechoslovakia. “It should be clear I am not opposed to more revenue for transit but the decisions have to be made locally.” Interesting, right? But so is West Vancouver’s Official Community Plan, or OCP. And I quote: “[The plan] seeks to reduce auto dependency by developing a comprehensive transit, transportation and land use plan that incorporates convenient and workable alternatives to the singleoccupant car.” It goes on to recommend “increased transit service between major activity centres, enhanced rail connections, a comprehensive and accessible walking and cycling networks, the design of new roads….” You get the picture. So how do you get all that, if you vote against the plan?
Smith said none of West Van’s OCP recommendations are connected to the mayors’ plan, saying “a community plan is basically a wish list. You almost have somebody playing a violin while you’re writing it.” So then, how will West Van pay for any or all of its OCP recommendations? “We’ll pay as we go. We have no debt. As transportation needs arise, we’ll address them,” he said, noting the municipality will continue to apply for infrastructure funding from the feds. I thought there might be something more to Smith’s “vote no” position once I read his bio. It says he has operated his own petroleum products business for more than 30 years and once worked as a territory manager for a major oil company. His response: “How I made a living is not really relevant to the issue.” Mail-in ballots for the plebiscite are expected to begin arriving at Metro Vancouver homes in midMarch. twitter.com/Howellings
Discover the Legacy Difference Legacy is a place where seniors are inspired to stay active and involved, living creative and fulfilling lives in the vibrant community of Oakridge. Let us exceed your expectations of what retirement living can be. Drop in or call us for your Discovery Tour appointment.
604.240.8550
www.legacyseniorliving.com Complimentary Chauffeur Service provided upon request.
611 West 41st Avenue
(across from Oakridge Centre)
The Leo Wertman Residence
A4
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
News
New chief expected to be announced in spring
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE IN THE FOLLOWING ARTHRITIS MEDICATION TYPES?
Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs, Coxibs) DMARDS (Disease modifying Anti-Rheumatic-Drugs) Analgesics (pain killers) | Joint injections Biologic Response Modifiers
Do you want to know more? Join us!
IS IT R TH R A YOU MEDICATIONS &
Featuring Larry Leung, UBC Pharmacist, learn about the different types of medication for arthritis to help manage arthritis symptoms, when they are used, the benefits, risks and important things to remember when taking medication. DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 17 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm LOCATION: Italian Cultural Centre 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver – Room #5 COST: FREE, but donations gratefully accepted
CALL 604-714-5550 TO REGISTER TODAY! www.arthritis.ca
Continued from page 1 There might be a feeling at the board level that since they’ve had somebody inside for quite a while that they may want to look outside.” Mayor Gregor Robertson, who is now the chairperson of the police board, said at the news conference that a Canada-wide search will be launched to find a new chief, although he recognized there are “some incredible candidates” within the department. Robertson leads a board in which the majority of its members were appointed last year and represent a diverse range of interests and backgrounds, including a medical doctor, a former head of SUCCESS, a prominent member of the South Asian community, an expert in aboriginal relations and a cancer researcher. As with other searches, the board will likely
Sam Sullivan was mayor and chairperson of the Vancouver Police Board when Jim Chu was hired in 2007 as police chief. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
receive applications from officers working for the RCMP and at various departments in the Lower
Mainland and across the country. A successor to Chu is expected to be named in the spring,
although Chu has said he will stay on until a new chief is found. twitter.com/Howellings
“The Saturday night dance that was my turn to shine.” At Tapestry Retirement Communities, we make sure you have the freedom and support to do the things you love. Whether it’s dancing and staying fit, enjoying our great food or getting involved in the local community. Because it’s our belief that respecting your personal choices and independence will bring out the best in you. Call us today and see what kind of individualized programs we can offer to help keep your body, mind and spirit healthy, vibrant and young at heart.
Dan and Sue Corcoran still dancing
www.DiscoverTapestry.com
Tapestry at Wesbrook Village 3338 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC 604.225.5000
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A5
News
Yaletowners beat city hall in court Developer, city disappointed at ruling that cancels social housing deal
Bob Mackin
bob@bobmackin.ca
A B.C. Supreme Court judge slammed Vancouver city hall in his Jan. 27 ruling because it told the court more about a complex land swap than it did the public. The Vision Vancouver majority on city council voted in July 2013 to rezone 508 Helmcken St. for Brenhill Developments to build a 36-storey tower beside Emery Barnes Park. The rezoning was conditional on Brenhill developing a 162-unit social housing project on 1099 Richards St. to replace the city’s 1985-built Jubilee House at 508 Helmcken. Justice Mark McEwan labelled the public hearing and development permit processes “flawed,” quashed the land swap and ordered a new public hearing. In his 49-page verdict, McEwan wrote that new public hearings on the Helmcken rezoning and Richards development would
allow citizens to “address the whole project, including the essence and value of the land exchange to the city and its residents.” McEwan wrote that the city took an “unduly restrictive view of the discussion” about the costs and benefits of the project to the city and its residents. “A public hearing is not just an occasion for the public to blow off steam: it is a chance for perspectives to be heard that have not been heard as the city’s focus has narrowed during the project negotiations,” McEwan wrote. “Those perspectives, in turn, must be fairly and scrupulously considered and evaluated by council before making its final decision.” During the four-day court hearing last August, Community Association of New Yaletown (CANY) lawyer Nathalie Baker argued the city breached the Vancouver Charter for failing to give the public fair opportunity to be heard and that the city’s trade of its Helmcken property for Brenhill’s on
Justice Mark McEwan called the city’s public hearing process for a Yaletown development flawed, because it took an “unduly restrictive view of the discussion” about the costs and benefits of the project to the city and its residents. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
Richards should have gone to public tender. Brenhill proposed spending $24 million to build the $30.6 million New Jubilee House at 1099 Helmcken St., with the city contributing $6.6 million from its sale of 508 Helmcken St. Staff val-
ued the community amenity package at $25 million: $1 million cash from Brenhill to the city affordable housing fund and $24 million in-kind for the social housing. Ultimately, McEwan wrote, the public was given “a package of technical
material that was opaque, compared to the material presented in court, in limiting comment on the integrated nature of the project, and in failing to provide an intelligible (i.e. where do the numbers come from?) financial justification for it.”
Brenhill said it is “terribly disappointed” with a verdict that has halted construction of the social housing project. “It’s much easier to attack complex city development approval processes than it is to build affordable housing for those who really need it,” said a prepared statement from the company. “We’re reviewing the court’s decision before we have anything further to say.” A statement credited to planning and development services general manager Brian Jackson said: “The city is disappointed in the court’s decision and we are reviewing the decision to explore all options, including whether there are any grounds for appeal. The judge’s reasons raise complex issues concerning development projects in the City that involve rezoning applications and public hearings.” McEwan ruled that CANY was entitled to the costs of the case. twitter.com/bobmackin
St. John’s School is a JK-Grade 12 co-ed, non-denominational, independent, urban, IB World School committed to graduating confident learners who pursue their goals with passion, integrity and respect for others within the global community. To learn more about our IB Diploma Programme and Merit Scholarships, we invite you to visit our website and attend our IB Information Session.
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL
IB DIPLOMA INFORMATION SESSION February 3, 2015 at 7:00 pm RSVP to admissions@stjohns.bc.ca 2215 West 10 Avenue, Vancouver, BC 604 732 4434 | www.stjohns.bc.ca
A6
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
News SUPER FOOTBALL SUNDAY! LOAD UP FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT MEAL!
4/$600
4 INCH POT
M E A T
FRESH
CHICKEN LEGersS
$
169
Large Bag – Limit 2 $3.73/AD
AME BIG EGCIAL SP
454g
D L WIL LOCCAATCH
SOLE $ FISH FILLETS Large Bag Limited Supply $4.39/AD
Fam Pak • $6.15/AD
Boneless & Skinless
CHICKEN BREAST
49
CHICKEN WINGS
OUR OWN
AWESOME SUPER SUB $ SANDWICH US ONE POUND OF DELICIO EST HAM SMOKED OR BLACK FOR
Free Range Frozen $13.21/AD
99 /100g
THE BIG GAME SPECIAL
ea
CHICKEN $ DRUMSTICKS ....
AVOCADOES
1
1
49
/100g
99 ea
100% Parmesan 680g
.................
Potato Chips 220g Bags
ea
ea
De Cecco
Pasta Sauces
ea
............................................
...............................................
400g
Himalayan Crystal Salt 454g
$ .................................................
Roasted Red Peppers
$
ELLIOTT ST.
VICTORIA DR.
1.7L
Killarney Shopping Centre
X
49TH AVE.
KERR ST.
..........................................................................
Fresh In-Store Baked
149
ITALIAN BREAD 454g
$
ea
Freshly Baked
3 $ 3
CINNAMON $ BUNS ....................... PIE ............................
ROMA TOMATOES
49 ea
99 ea
GOUMAS
284g
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1
99 ea
99
$
ea
...........................................................................
..............................
645ml
ea
......
1.1kg
Everland
1
99 Herbal Fruit ea Teabags 20’s
599
$
...............................................................
500ml
3
599 ea
ea
79
¢
D E P A R T M E N T
KALAMATA $ FIGS
1L
$139
Mexico • $1.74/kg
1
$
.........................................................................
ea
$
POTATO CHIPS 270g Bags
Fat Choy
Egg Rolls
................
$
2
79 ea
399
$
.....................................................................
360g Box
Amoy
Light Soy Sauce
O’Tasty
Frozen Dumplings
.............
567g
Instant Noodles 85g
149 $ 99 3 $
500ml
Mr Noodles
ea
ea
............................
ea
4/$1
00
............
ea
Organic Waste Bags
1499 $ 1599 $
.........................................................................................
30’s
Dark Chocolate Acai Blueberry
850g Bag
OLD DUTCH
/lb
Bag To Earth
49
Brookside
San Remo
/lb
tCLF fJH yJGH KJMvEMBEMKE • $9.90/AD
BAKERY DEPARTMENT
/lb
Lord’s
Smart Choice
SPRING SALMON
ea ea
FANTASTIC GRILLED
CHEEK $ COLLARS (KAMA)
¢
49 Organic ea Coconut Oil
$
READY TO EA T!
BBQ $ UNAGI FISH FILLETS
sunrise • 700g pkg
Lay’s
Kettle Brand
/lb
AED Brand
/100g 660g
Newman’s Own
Kraft
Fam Pak • $6.59/AD
¢ APPLE
5 $ 1399 Pasta Sauce 2/$500 $ 99 $ 99 Original Munchie Mix 6 2 69
/lb
FRES H
GROUND $ PORK
SMOOTH TOFU
Emma
¢
................
Fam Pak • $17.61/AD
Pkg 6’s
79
G R O C E R Y
10x200 ml
49
/100g
CAPICOLA $ SAUSAGE ROLL ALL BEEF or PIZZA SALAMI ...............
ea
Mexico
Campbell’s
1
Hot
59 79
HASS
284ml
/lb
Peri Peri
¢
washington • $1.30/kg
100% FRUIT $ JUICES
/lb
799 99 2 799 49 4
Canada “AA” or Higher
PRIME RIB $ BEE F STEAK Bone-In
P R O D U C E
RED ROME APPLES
Cream Of Mushroom Soup
$
LAMB SHANKS
1 99 8
OASIS CLASSIC
$
$5.93/AD
DELI DEPARTMENT Killarney Market Own
$ SPICY PORK LOIN ROAST (Jamón del Pais)
/lb
FRESH
ea
/lb
$
$17.61/AD
/lb
Killarney Market Own
NON-MEDICATED
IALITY SPEC
1 99 1
ALL $ BEEF WIENERS
79
PORK SHOULDER $ BUTT STEAK Bone-In
/lb
Quart
2 99 769 2 99 5
D E P A R T M E N T
FRESH
1199
ea
Manitoba Harvest
Hemp Hearts
800g
.......................
ea
ea
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2015
Open 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
2611 East 49th Ave. (at Elliott St.) • Tel: 604 438-0869 SayYES to
CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
Lottery 2015
CLASS NOTES
Cheryl Rossi
crossi@vancourier.com
Mark Reid could win a million dollars for being an exceptional teacher. This director of bands and choirs at Vancouver Technical secondary school is one of three finalists in Canada, 50 in the world, for the US$1 million Varkey GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Prize. “I was in the middle of a class when the email came in. I was sitting at the piano and it popped up and I saw the first sentence [that I was one of 50 finalists] and was shocked,” Reid said while en route from teaching at Van Tech to teaching at the Saint James Music Academy, the free after-school program in the Downtown Eastside that uses music to empower children. C.J. Kumar, a music teacher at Queen Alexandra elementary and Reid’s student teacher in 2013, tweeted last summer that Reid would be a good candidate for the prize that celebrates innovative and caring teachers. Reid saw Kumar’s tweet and thought nothing of it. But when the Varkey Foundation tweeted its representatives had read about Reid and agreed, Reid applied. He goes out of his way to further a student’s interest or meet their need. Reid focuses on “giving students an opportunity to show leadership any way that they want to,” and on shared responsibility and positive peer pressure. “And knowing that there’re all kinds of awful things out there that kids could be doing, I remain pretty focused on celebrat-
Music teacher Mark Reid conducts a class at Vancouver Technical secondary school Wednesday afternoon. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
ing the good stuff and giving them an opportunity to focus on the good stuff themselves,” he said. Kumar can’t think of a better candidate for the prize. “He teaches at an inner city high school. He has students coming from all socio-economic backgrounds and different ethnic backgrounds and he teaches a lot of students… and he’s got a great relationship with each one,” Kumar said. “He is able to inspire and educate them to be not only really good musicians, but also really good people, too. It’s in every lesson that he has.” Prize recipients receive their $1 million award over 10 years. A winner isn’t required to spend the prize in a specific way but they tell the judges how they intend to spend it in their application. Reid, president of the Canadian Music Educators’ Association, says he’d deposit half a million into an interest-gener-
ating account to fund community organizations or school programs that work to break down barriers to music education for youth. He’d also “do nice things” for his family to thank them for paying for and shuttling him to years of private piano and clarinet lessons. The Global Teacher Award seeks to do for education what the Nobel Prize has done for science, literature and peace by highlighting the valuable contributions teachers make every day. The Varkey Foundation calls former U.S. president Bill Clinton its honorary chair and aims to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children. The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on March 16. Reid says he’s been told he’ll learn whether he’ll be one of the top 10 finalists chosen to attend the forum in Dubai in February. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi
GRAND OPENING WEEKEND
S. LANGLEY: 20339 2nd Ave. & S. SURREY: 1012 165th St. 11~5pm daily
BC
Van Tech teacher vying for million dollar prize
5
& VANCOUVER: 999 Seymour & RICHMOND: 10880 #5 Rd. Sat & Sun 12-4pm
Grand Prize LIFESTYLE CHOICES!
JACKPOT UP TO MILLION
Choose Your favourite Home or $2.1 MILLION cash!
$2
Winner will choose 1 prize option; other prize options will not be awarded.
Tickets/Rules of Play/Details at:
Winner takes half
bcchildren.com or call 604-692-2333
Chances are 1 in 295,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize. Chances are 1 in 481,550 (total tickets for sale) to win the 50/50 prize. Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-6111 www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca
Erin Cebula, Spokesperson
PRIMULAS
Know your limit, play within it.
BC Gaming Event Licence #71232 BC Gaming Event Licence #71231
19+
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A7
News
Program first of its kind in B.C. Continued from page 1 Students explore mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical, environmental and geotechnical/mining engineering along with computer science and programming. Mike Hengeveld, department head of science at Templeton, says good timing brought STEM, a partnership between the Vancouver School Board, BCIT and global tech giant SAP, to fruition. Hengeveld and tech teacher Jim Scoten had collaborated on projects for the students for years, and it made sense to turn such collaboration into a cohesive program. “It’s so that people in my hockey group stop bugging me,” Hengeveld said. “I play hockey with a lot of engineers and a lot of post-secondary instructors, all in the maths and sciences, and they’re
always wondering why it is… you have a kid coming in with 95 per cent, allegedly, in physics, but they don’t seem to know how a tricycle works.” As a physics teacher, he’d long tasked his students with hands-on projects. He challenged them to power a car using a falling weight or create an accurate oven thermometer and has held catapult competitions. “Kids really like it when they find that it’s not going to destroy their mark,” he said. “You do have to kind of convince them, look I’m not doing this to punish you, I’m doing this because I think it’s more valuable.” Templeton principal Aaron Davis says SAP, a global tech giant that’s based in Germany and employs 1,200 people in Yaletown, approached the VSB about working with a school. SAP employees mentor students one-on-
one. They provide assistance with projects and guidance on what field of study students should pursue. SAP designs software that handles transactions for clients that include Apple. The STEM program is the first of its kind in the province. Templeton staff collaborated with BCIT, UBC, SFU and industry partners to ensure STEM provides students the skills they need to thrive in future studies and workplaces, and to transition straight from high school to BCIT. Students are learning complex problem-solving, communication and time management skills along with technical expertise. Three of the 23 students in STEM are girls and Grade 12 student Linda Cong is one of them. She applied for the program because she
Grade 11 student Mason Liang and Grade 12 student Linda Cong work on their wireless MARS rover Thursday morning at Templeton secondary. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
enjoyed and excelled in Hengeveld’s physics class last year that included a hands-on term project. She noticed few girls seemed interested, so decided to apply. Cong plans to study engineering next year. “Last year I didn’t even know what engineering was,” 17-year-old Cong
said. “But hearing about the STEM program and just being in it really opened my eyes to what I can be capable of.” She likes that she and her classmates don’t just complete a project, receive a mark and forget about it. Instead, they revisit their work to see how it can be improved.
4
Public Open House – February 10
University Boulevard Precinct Planning
UBC is updating plans to implement the precinct vision. This is needed to respond to changes in the area and to guide new development and programming opportunities on the remaining sites. Please join us at a public open to learn more about the vision and proposed uses for the remaining sites and provide your ideas on proposed ways to achieve the vision.
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2015 Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm Place: 2nd Floor Foyer, The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall Refreshments will be served.
“I like that it gives us the opportunity to actually learn from our mistakes. It’s just a really good way to learn theory and apply it,” she said, repeating students’ STEM mantra, “Fail fast, fail often.” A Grade 8 STEM class will start at Templeton next September. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi
DAYS ONLY
........ -Feb. 2 Jan.30
DOUBLE DISCOUNT DAYS
Fabricland Sewing Club Members Receive 20% Off Regular Price Fabrics,Sewing Notions, Cut Laces, Trims, Quilt Batt, Fibre Fill, Foam, Pillow Forms, Lining, Interfacing and more everyday!
40
NOW DOUBLE YOUR DISCOUNT AND RECEIVE
Can’t attend in person? An online questionnaire will be available from February 10 – 23. This first of public consultation also includes a public workshop. Visit planning.ubc.ca to sign up for the workshop or to learn more. For additional information on the project, contact: Aviva Savelson, Senior Manager, Consultation, Campus + Community Planning at aviva.savelson@ubc.ca or 604-822-9984
This notice contains important information which may affect you. Please ask someone to translate it for you.
% OFF
REG. PRICE
REG.PRICE
FABRICS, NOTIONS, HOME DECOR & SEW MUCH MORE! All Prices here Exclusive to Fabricland Sewing Club Members MEMBERSHIP CARD MUST BE PRESENTED FOR DISCOUNTS
(exclusions apply to Promotional, Clearance, “Special Purchase”, Signature Styles & Yarn products) First in Fabric Selection, Quality & Value
VANCOUVER 1678 S.E. Marine Dr. at Argyle (604)321-1848 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10am-6pm Thurs.-Fri. 10am-9pm / Sat. 10am-6pm Sun. 11am-5pm / Holidays 12pm-5pm
Plus 6 more locations in the Lower Mainland to serve you! Join us on the Internet! webs www.fabriclandwest.com Customer Service Line
1-855-554-4840
A8
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
ValueOnLiquor.com | 6045582583
EVERYTHING IN STORE 2% BELOW GOVERNMENT PRICING
DRINK
Y RE SPONSIBL
NO C H I L LE ! CHARG
• Purchase 12 or more bottles of wine and save additional 5% • Every Tuesday is Seniors Day (60+) 5% off entire price • BC’s Longest Cooler *Excluding sale priced items
DELIVERY AVAILABLE FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY EVENINGS
JANUARY SALE! LIMITED TIME OFFER.
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST • SALE STARTS JANUARY 8TH - FEBRUARY 5TH • WHILE IN ASK ABOUT DELIVERY BEER, COOLERS & CIDER KEYSTONE LAGER 15PK CAN (SAVE $1.50) GRANVILLE ISALND MAPLE SHACK CREAM ALE 6PK BTL (SAVE $1.50) CARIBOO 6CAN (SAVE $.25) STANLEY PARK ICE BREAKER WINTER ALE 6BTL (SAVE $.75)
$19.00 $11.50 $7.75 $10.50
SPIRITS SMIRNOFF 750ML (SAVE $1.75) SMIRNOFF DOUBLE BLACK 750ML (SAVE $2.50) CROWN ROYAL 750ML (SAVE $2.00) TANQUERAY 750ML (SAVE $1.75) STOLICHNAYA 1.14L (SAVE $2.25) WISERS 1.14L (SAVE $2.50) JACK DANIELS 1.14L (SAVE $1.25) JACK DANIELS HONEY (SAVE $2.00) JIM BEAM 1.14L (SAVE $2.00) THE FAMOUS GROUSE 750ML (SAVE $2.50) KRAKEN SPICED RUM 750ML (SAVE $2.50) CANADIAN CLUB 750ML (SAVE $1.75) BACARDI OAKHEART SPICED 750ML (SAVE $3.00) SOUTHERN COMFORT 750ML (SAVE $2.00)
$23.00 $24.25 $25.00 $25.25 $36.75 $35.50 $44.75 $30.00 $36.00 $27.50 $30.50 $23.00 $25.50 $23.00
WINE PAINTED TURTLE SHIRAZ OR SAUV/BLANC 750ML (SAVE $1.25) $8.45 $14.25 WOLFBLASS YELLOW LABEL CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $2.25) WOLFBLASS YELLOW LABEL MERLOT, CAB/SAUV OR SHIRAZ 750ML (SAVE $2.50) $15.50
L OOK I NG FOR CR A F T BEER?
SAVE SAVE
11
$ 50 $ 50
BUDWEISER BUDWEISER 24PK CAN 24PK CAN
SAVE SAVE
33
$ $5050
ABSOLUT ABSOLUT 1.75L 1.75L 5050
$55 $55
SAVE SAVE
55
$ $0000
4$475
$
75
STEAM STEAM WHISTLE WHISTLE 12BTL
12BTL
$2550
$25
50
SAVE SAVE
3$00 300
$
JOSE JOSE CUERVO CUERVO GOLD
GOLD
750ML
750ML00
00
750ML 750ML
00 00 $17 $17
00 $35 $3500
SAVE SAVE
MISSION HILL MISSION HILL RESERVE RESERVE CHARDONNAY CHARDONNAY
SAVE SAVE
8$800
$
00
MICHELLE MICHELLE BRUT OR BRUTROSE OR BRUT
BRUT ROSE
750ML
750ML 00 $20 00
$20
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $2.50) $17.50 $15.25 APOTHIC RED 750ML (SAVE $1.75) $18.50 LAMARCA PROSECCO 750ML (SAVE $1.50) $13.50 CUPCAKE CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $1.50) $24.50 SONOMA CUTRER CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $3.50) $10.50 YELLOWTAIL SHIRAZ 750ML (SAVE $2.50) $27.50 COPPER MOON PINOT GRIGIO, MALBEC OR SHIRAZ 3L (SAVE $3.50) $14.99 HENKELL TROCKEN DRY SEC OR ROSE 750ML (SAVE $1.00) $10.75 LINDEMANS SAUV/BLANC OR PINOT GRIGIO 750ML (SAVE $1.25) $11.50 LINDEMANS SHIRAZ 750ML (SAVE 1.50) $12.00 SKINNY GIRL RED 750ML (SAVE $2.00) ARCANUM TOSCANA CABERNET “SUPER TUSCAN” 96 PTS 750ML (SAVE $12.00) $93.00 $110.00 MOUNT BRAVE CAB/SAUV “NAPA CAB” 93 PTS 750ML (SAVE $15.00)
We h ave one of Va nc ou ve r ’s l a r g e s t s e le c t ion s!
PLUS OV E R 2500 W I N E S!
(Prices do not include deposit)
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
Transparency key for transit tax SOAPBOX
Mike Klassen
mike@mikeklassen.net
Twenty-two years ago last fall I began a young political campaigner’s dream job, working in the B.C. war room for the “yes” forces in support of the Charlottetown Accord. For the first and only time in Canadian history, all the major political parties — Progressive Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats — worked side-by-side to convince voters to support constitutional change in Canada. Political observers have lately been comparing the 1992 referendum vote to bring Quebec into Canada’s constitutional fold with the 2015 plebiscite on the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax. A vote is taking place by mailin ballot beginning in March to decide whether to raise the sales tax by 0.5 per cent. Today, as it was back then, the “yes” side has a broad coalition comprised of business and labour interests, but a public that is unclear on how they will benefit by voting yes. And we have an articulate “no” vote proponent skilled at communicating to large audiences. In 1992 that was broadcaster Rafe Mair; in 2015 it is taxpayer advocate Jordan Bateman.
Are we really experiencing déjà vu, and will there be another resounding “no” as with Accord or a different outcome this time? Back in ’92 Mair was able to leverage Canadians’ growing antipathy toward Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and their exhaustion with constitutional politics to undermine support for the Accord. The radio host’s message then, like Bateman’s today, was simple, sharp and consistent: send a message to the politicians by voting no.
side’s biggest challenge was its inability to prove how it would benefit average Canadians. The unshakeable impression of voters — rightly or wrongly — was that the Yes side only represented the interests of the elites. Mayors, business groups, labour organizers and others touting the transit tax might do well then to humble themselves when talking with voters. That means a different style of campaign that focuses on informing the public on all aspects of the plan.
Just as any family has to save for a rainy day, I believe we must invest in our transportation system. The Yes side’s muted campaign since announcing the tax in December, if deliberate, feels like a tactical error. Add it to a list of missteps by the Mayors’ Council that includes debating the funding options behind closed-doors and failing to put the congestion tax on the ballot during November’s municipal elections. A recent poll suggests the Yes side has a slight majority if the vote was held today. Not surprisingly, however, momentum is with the No side that has campaigned actively for weeks. During the Charlottetown Accord campaign the Yes
The cynical view touted by the No campaign is the tax collected will be poured down the proverbial rabbit hole of government waste. The Taxpayers Federation wants you to believe the money will not be spent on projects that will relieve congestion. The Yes campaign’s job therefore is simple: assure voters that the taxes collected will be used where they are needed most. The mayors’ key to winning is to be completely transparent about how they intend to spend the public’s money. What the Yes side has in its favour is a broad agree-
ment that our prosperity depends upon our ability to move people and goods efficiently. Our region is growing and the high cost of housing is either pushing people to choose the suburbs, or to live in denser communities surrounding transit hubs. The mayors assert that we need new revenue sources through taxation to improve our transportation choices. Critics argue local governments and specifically TransLink are wasteful and more funding could compound those issues. Both viewpoints have merit but annual spending audits — which the Mayors’ Council commits to in writing right on the ballot — will help to protect taxpayers from abuse. Just as any family has to save for a rainy day, I believe we must invest in our transportation system. Though I am personally wary of raising the sales tax, it is hard to see how the mayors could agree on another option intended to hit drivers harder. The Mayors’ Council could break from past unsuccessful referenda by getting a yes vote this spring. But they have to get to work now and most importantly, use openness to earn the voters’ trust. Mike Klassen is a public affairs and government relations professional.
2010
COOKS COOKS UPHOLSTERY UPHOLSTERY, CUSTOM DRAPERIES AND EXPERT FURNITURE REFINISHING 980 W. 15th @ Oak Street, Vancouver Email: cooksupholstery@shaw.ca
604-733-3610
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL GREAT SELECTION OF LEATHER HIDES
'&%$ #" !9753 '71/-
#"!! 4) 2&0.,* <
JF?QTR (EF<UR!TQEF
+)(;:88;868: 604-679-9988
Expertise Science-Based 2BP#&Q<# in ?F WD?#FD#A)T<#9 3T!U&TR 8#TR!V Natural Health(T&# Care N?D#F<#9 3T!U&EPT!V?D Licensed Naturpathic 1VG<?D?TF Physician )'(' <?FD# in?FB.C. since.--" 1997
/-1 +)(%9); :158; 6/
6%$4-20%$&)8 #&37)8)%9
'&%$ #%"!9$7 5%3111 ('&%$##$"! =$:7#!: 41.$ ,$$" *,!1)"$C A=*? A*##*<)"9 6=30)<1")-: "1!7=*+1!4)% 1C.)%$333 ?E 4$1#!4 41: )?+=*.$C !=$?$"C*7:#E D :!=*"9#E =$%*??$"C$C3B CEBTFF# A )(
S @E>#F=<+ ;#F=< : (V?R9&#F=< 8#TR!V S 7EE9 6RR#&%G )REE9 5#<QF% S ;#<E!V#&TPG O N?PE9?<<ERM# LE& (#RRUR?!# : W!UKKE&F 7T! S J'I' I?!T>?F : (V#RTQEF 5V#&TPG S @#?%V! HT?FONE<<+ 4?TK#!#< S 5VG&E?9 4?<E&9#&<+ 8T?& NE<<+ 6REP#D?T S 6U!E?>>UF# 9?<E&9#&<+ @#T, J>>UF?!G+ (63(2C S 6RR#&%?#<+ 6<!V>T+ ;?%&T?F#< S ;#FEPTU<#+ 1;W+ JFL#&QR?!G
(@4$" > 41C ?E :!*?1%4 =$?*.$C ;.$ ?*"!4: 19* A*= %1"%$=8 > <1: 7"1,#$ !* $1!8 C)9$:! 1"E A**C +=*+$=#E 1"C > <1: 1 !*!1# <=$%53 241"5: !* E*7 A*= C$.$#*+)"9 1 !=$1!?$"! +#1" > 1? "*< A=$$ *A 1"E :E?+!*?: 1"C 41.$ "$.$= A$#! ,$/$=FB (T&R+ $" A )(
S (U<!E>?0#9 : JF9?M?9UTR?0#9 5&#T!>#F!< S 6FB?#!G+ 4#P&#<<?EF+ WR##P P&EKR#><+ 7TQ%U# S 2D0#>T+ 1<E&?T<?<+ 8?M#<+ 6DF# S 8#T&!KU&F+ JF9?%#<QEF+ (EF<QPTQEF S (ER?Q<+ (#R?TD 4?<#T<# S /<!#ET&!V&?Q<+ CV#U>T!E?9 6&!V&?Q<+ HEU! S 8#T&! 4?<#T<#+ 8?%V )REE9 1&#<<U&#O(VER#<!#&ER S 6484+ 6UQ<>
.-!! #%-,)9*
)('&&%#!$".-, +",*
***'%#!V#TR!VGFE*'DT
Helping you find balance.
"Always something new to learn and discover"
February 13,14,15,2015 Vancouver Convention Centre,East Building Exhibit Hall B & C
Exhibits,Seminars,Cooking Demos,Prizes,Plus Lots More Cutting-edge presentations on today’s most pressing health and wellness issues. Some of Canada’s top chefs and cookbook authors will host healthy cooking demonstrations. Fitness gurus will show us the latest trends on getting fit,staying well and more than 250 exhibitors will be displaying products and information related to traditional,complementary, alternative and spiritual health,fitness,nutrition, and recreation.
www.thewellnessshow.com event information 604-983-2794
Organic Market Section Sponsored by:
Celebrity Cooking Stage Sponsored by:
Cheese Seminars Sponsored by:
Media Sponsors:
080613
Opinion
Manufacturers of Fine Furniture Since 1916
A9
A10
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Opinion Chu put a human face Canadian economy has on Vancouver policing a Target on its back Allen Garr Columnist agarr@vancourier.com It is hard to appreciate just how much policing has changed for the better in Vancouver during Chief Jim Chu’s tenure unless you realize where we started. Just under eight years ago his predecessor Jamie Graham vacated the office after his request to extend his five-year contract so he could be there for the 2010 Olympics was turned down by the police board. His troops may have thought he was a great leader, but he had few fans elsewhere. In his opening days Graham had to deal with the occupation by Downtown Eastside residents of the long-vacant Woodwards building. They were demanding the space be developed for social housing. What ensued would set the tone for Graham’s reign. Pivot Legal Society director lawyer John Richardson, who represented the protesters, was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice for failing to consent to a strip search. Graham dismissed Pivot storefront lawyers as nothing more than a “protest group.” Journalists covering the occupation were threatened with arrest if they didn’t leave the scene. To Graham all journalists were “predatory media.” He was dismissive of the growing number of complaints against the police, setting himself up as the sole arbiter and only occasionally disciplining an officer. When the Police Complaints Commissioner Dirk Ryneveld weighed in to investigate issues raised by Pivot, Graham would accuse him of being “manipulated” by the “protest group.” When the RCMP investigated complaints against the VPD and found almost a dozen were valid, Graham sat on the results and conducted his own $200,000 internal investigation, which exonerated his department. An exasperated Ryneveld noted the “outright resistance” by Graham and his officers to any external investigation, including the one conducted by the RCMP. Ryneveld would find Graham guilty of “discreditable conduct.” In the end, Graham’s difficult relationship with Vancouver’s city manager Judy Rogers and mayor Sam Sullivan, who was also chair of the police board, became even more strained; Graham left a target of a human profile shot full of
holes on Rogers’ desk that totally freaked Rogers out. She saw it as a threat and went scurrying down to Sullivan’s office to complain. All in all, the refusal to extend his contract came as no surprise. Hiring then Deputy Chief Jim Chu to replace him was greeted with some relief. The first non-white person to ever hold the position, a Chinese guy who emigrated with his parents from Shanghai when he was just a kid and grew up on Vancouver’s East Side, seemed like a great fit from day one. But he had his work cut out for him. Chu’s tenure began in the shadow of the fallout from the massive police failure surrounding the missing and murdered women on the Downtown Eastside. One of his first moves was to have breakfast with former Pivot leaders John Richardson and David Eby. He apologized for the cops’ conduct that led to dozens of complaints. Chu’s way of dealing with protesters at the 2010 Olympics was in stark contrast to the way baton-swinging Toronto cops handled the G20 Summit there. Of course, there was the Stanley Cup Riot where Chu apologized (something Graham would never do) for underestimating the crowds and being slow to act. Some 300 charges were eventually laid. There were no complaints against the cops for their conduct. While Ottawa has been advancing its hard line on crime agenda, Vancouver cops under Chu have chosen a more moderate path. They are basically ignoring Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which critics say puts the lives of sex trade workers at greater risk. Instead Chu and his cops are working with sex trade worker advocates at the Wish Drop-In Centre. They set up Sisterwatch to combat violence against women on the Downtown East Side. Busting marijuana dispensers is not a priority unless they serve minors; nor is busting addicts in possession of illegal drugs on their way to InSite to shoot up. All is not perfect but advocacy groups previously ignored or disparaged, from the mentally ill to First Nations to addicts, will tell you during the time Jim Chu has been chief they have been more engaged. And that is why, when Jim Chu steps down in the next few months, he will be missed. twitter.com/allengarr
The week in num6ers...
26 49
In storeys, the height of a proposed “origami” shaped tower near Waterfront Station whose design was rejected by the Urban Design Panel Wednesday night.
The number of pages in a ruling by a B.C. Supreme Court judge slamming city hall for not adequately consulting citizens before approving a Yaletown rezoning application.
8
The number of specially curated feature films screening at Vancity Theatre in February as part of Black History Month.
Geoff Olson Columnist mwiseguise@yahoo.com Target, noun: A person, object, or place selected as the aim of an attack. — Oxford American Dictionary One hundred thirty three stores. Twenty million square feet. One thousand six hundred employees, whose 16-week severance pay adds up to less than the $61 million package reportedly given to former CEO Gregg Steinhafel to walk away last May. There’s nothing comic about Target’s implosion in Canada, but you’ll be excused any bitter laughter over an American firm that inexplicably chose to enter a big-box market already dominated by U.S. behemoth Wal-Mart. Yet mockery is better placed on a succession of Canadian leaders, from both the Liberal and Conservative parties, who waltzed us into a branch-plant economy in the first place. A brief history lesson: In January 2005, American billionaire Jerry Zucker purchased Hudson’s Bay Company and its subsidiary Canadian properties, including Zellers. Shortly after, Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal purchased Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, which includes Chateau Laurier, Royal York and Banff Springs, for $4.5 billion. The buy-ups were big news at the time. In 2011, Target acquired 222 Zellers stores from Hudson’s Bay Company for a cool $1.8 billion. Ottawa puts few restrictions on the repatriation of capital or profit by foreign investors. As a result, Canada attracts a high level of foreign investment, and the global business press pitches our nation as a great low-tax berth for big money. When I interviewed Mel Hurtig in a Vancouver coffee shop in 2008, the former publisher and nationalist was well into his second decade of warning Canadians of the sell-off of their retail operations, industry, resources and culture. No other developed country in the world would dream of allowing the degree of foreign ownership and foreign control that we have, he told me. “There are 36 different sectors of the Canadian economy that are majority foreign owned and controlled. How many of them are there in the United States?” “Zero?” I hesitantly replied. “Zero. Did you think the Americans would ever allow their chemical industry, their rubber industry, their computer industry, their petroleum industry, etc. to be majority foreign owned? I mean what a laugh!”
1
In millions of dollars, the amount of money Queen Alexandra elementary music teacher Mark Reid could win as a finalist for an international award for excellence.
Bitter laughter, needless to say. Hurtig was among a few high profile but unheralded Canadians who saw the writing on the wall back in the early ‘90s. These Cassandras insisted an alphabet soup of cooked transnational trade agreements would wreak havoc with national sovereignty. In 2005 alone, more than $22.3 billion of foreign-controlled corporate profits left the country. Hurtig relayed this figure and other troubling information in his most recent book The Truth About Canada. In his research, he did something quite novel by citing a reliable source that our business press seemed loathe to consult: Statistics Canada. (Ironically, the federal bureau was itself not immune to the dynamic outlined by the author. In 2011, Statistics Canada contracted out census hardware and software applications to the Canadian subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, a major U.S. defense contractor.) When Brian Mulroney came to office in 1985, the Tories drastically reduced the mandate of the Foreign Federal Investment Review Agency and tellingly renamed it Investment Canada. Between that date and my interview with Hurtig, more than 13,000 Canadian companies had been taken over by foreign buyers. Only two takeovers had been blocked, said the author. Most of the takeovers in Canada were signed, sealed and delivered with our own money by Canadian bankers. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) — globalization’s Arc of the Covenant — was signed off by Mulroney and U.S. president Ronald Reagan in 1988. It came into force in 1994, and Jean Chrétien stopped making noises about renegotiating NAFTA once the Liberal leader got into office. Throughout this period of time, the federal Near Death Party was holding seances with the identity politics crowd, instead of spooking the electorate about dirty deals done dirt cheap. This all explains, in part, why Canada is a now place where a retail vacuum can be created, entered, and left at will by foreign investors. And now the most invasive trade agreement to date, The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is ready for “fast tracking” by the leaders of member nations. This document is engineered to further ensure that investment trumps sovereignty and capital trumps labour, the world over. Target, indeed. geoffolson.com
61 313
In millions of dollars, the severance package handed to former Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel despite the company’s failed venture into Canada.
In thousands of dollars, retiring Vancouver police chief Jim Chu’s annual salary. The VPD is currently looking for a new top cop.
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A11
Inbox Pros and cons of plebiscite question
CO U R I E R A R C H I V E S T H I S W E E K I N H I S T O R Y
Naslund sets new Canucks record
Jan. 28, 2002: In a 5-1 win over the Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund recorded his second hat trick of the season and became the first player in the team’s history to lead the league in scoring after Jan. 1. The left winger’s third goal came after a pass from Todd Bertuzzi on the team’s newly minted top line created after coach Marc Crawford replaced Andrew Cassels with Brendan Morrison earlier in the month. The trio was soon dubbed the “West Coast Express” after the local commuter train, and Naslund went on to record eight goals and 21 points over 14 games in January to earn NHL Player of the Month honours.
The Clash debut in North America
Jan. 31, 1979: British punk rock band the Clash launch a tour of North America with a gig at the Commodore Ballroom. Victoria’s all-female band The Dishrags opened to a good reception from the crowd but the second opening act, blues legend Bo Diddley, less so. The story goes that when Diddley rhetorically asked the crowd who they loved in his hit song “Who Do You Love?” — they loudly answered “The Clash!” He was eventually booed offstage. “The Only Band That Matters” also played soccer against some fans earlier in the day at a near-frozen field at Fourth and Blenheim and checked out local band the Rabid play at the old Quadra Club on Seymour Street before hitting the stage at the Commodore. ADVERTISING
604.738.1412 CLASSIFIED
604.630.3300 DELIVERY
604.942.3081 EDITORIAL NEWSROOM
604.738.1411
To the editor: Re: “Changed wording dims TransLink hopes,” Jan. 23. One more reason to say NO. TransLink employees whose standard work schedule includes Sundays, receive a wage of 150 per cent of their standard wage for working Sunday. I find this situation another example of TransLink’s inappropriate use of taxpayer money. People who work in the healthcare, travel, law enforcement, food service, taxi services, etc. industries do not receive an extra 50 per cent in wages for working Sunday. Furthermore, the majority of TransLink positions are not high-skilled positions. TransLink needs to make some reductions in their expenditures before they deserve one more penny (sorry one more nickel) of my money. By saying no, we are saying the people of Metro Vancouver will not tolerate inefficient use of our money any longer. Judy Greening, via email ••• An excellent, well-researched and well thought-out column from Allen Garr as I have come to expect from him. I am unhappy (to say the least) about the change in the referendum question, as well as its demotion from the status of referendum to that of plebiscite, and thus from the level of a binding vote to that of a very expensive public opinion poll. That said I cannot vote No on the basis of my unhappiness about the revisions to the question and what it may portend for transit improvements for Vancouver. I am voting Yes. Fred Irvine, via Comments section
Mining for some gratitude from mayor
To the editor: This past week, the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) held its annual “Roundup” conference in downtown Vancouver, just as it has done for the past eleven years. There are more than 3,000 participants in town from every part of the province and from around the world. This is a major event. But where, oh where, is Mayor Gregor Robertson? He has never bothered to show his face at this conference and nor has he ever stopped by to welcome the participants to the city. Shame! Gregor Robertson seems oblivious to the fact that Vancouver is a global center for mineral exploration expertise and innova-
Barry Link
ddhaliwal@vancourier.com
blink@vancourier.com
PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Tara Lalanne
DIRECTOR SALES & MARKETING
tlalanne@vancourier.com
TheVancouverCourierisadivisionofLMPPublicationLimitedPartnership. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40025215. All material in the Vancouver Courier is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of the publisher. This newspaper reserves the right to reject any advertising which it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at vancourier.com.
‘Barbaric’ term is tasteless To the editor:
Re: “‘Barbaric practices’ legislation called racist,” Jan. 21. Thank you for devoting a full page of your newspaper to the question of “Barbaric practices legislation.” It is a helpful reminder of the ongoing and necessary conversation we need and will always need in this country regarding questions of rights, values and Canadian identity in a globalized polycultural society. There is no doubt that some cultural practices are completely incompatible with the Canada we continue to try to forge. It is important that those wishing to live in our country be made aware of the consequences of breaking the laws which protect these rights and values. However, why the choice of the words “Barbaric practices” over “Unacceptable practices?” Words have a life of their own in people’s imaginations. For your columnist Pat Johnson, “barbaric” is “almost Victorian in its certainty of what constitutes barbarity.” For me, the word Victorian conjures up images and associations with the height of colonialism and the “White Man’s burden” to bring “civilization” (there’s another loaded one) to the dark- skinned races of the world. The Greeks created the word “barbarian” to describe anyone who was not Greek. They echoed the unintelligible speech of foreigners with the sound “barbar-bar” much as someone might mimic the sound of a foreign language with the sound “blah-blah-blah.” So the Greeks came up with Bar-bar-ian to describe anyone who was not like them. Later historical images associated with barbaric are those of invading hordes, bent on destroying civilization. So I think Ms. Kang from MOSAIC is on to something when she raises the concern that the title of this legislation is divisive and that it creates a sense of “us and them.” Can’t we stand on our principles without fostering division? Giuseppe Ferrara, via email
have your say online...
FLYER SALES
Dee Dhaliwal
tion. There are more than 1,200 mineral exploration companies in B.C. and the majority are located in office building space in downtown Vancouver. Collectively, these companies — and the engineering, legal, financial, environmental and geoscience companies that service the exploration sector — make up a major portion of Vancouver’s commercial tax base. Does Robertson not know this? Does he not appreciate the tax revenue? It’s time for Gregor Robertson to show a little respect for the mineral exploration community and offer some overdue thanks. Mike Taylor, via email
604.738.1412
vancourier.com FACEBOOK TheVancouverCourierNewspaper TWITTER @vancouriernews WEB
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters may be edited by the Courier for reasons of legality, taste, brevity and clarity. Send to: 303 West Fifth Ave., Vancouver V5Y-1J6 or email letters@vancourier.com
A12
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Community
Revived church focuses on peace Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace build on history to ask questions PACIFIC SPIRIT Pat Johnson
pacificspiritpj@gmail.com
For years, when driving past 16th and Burrard, I have enjoyed the thoughtful, sometimes provocative, words on the sign outside Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace. “God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?” it once asked. “Reality is our God, evidence is our scripture, integrity is our religion.” “The real miracle is not to walk on water, but to walk on earth.” “One must care about a world one will never see.” The little sign frequently provokes big questions. But a simple question I’ve carried for some time is about the origin of the grandiose name of the place. It turns out it’s a story that expresses decades of changing views in Canadian society about faith as well as perceptions of history, war and peace. After the First World War, a military chaplain, Rev. George Fallis, returned home to Vancouver determined to honor the young men he had buried overseas. His vision was to create a monumental church that would represent the unity of Canada — remember, the First World War was one of this young country’s most profound comings of age — and which would stand in tribute to the lives lost. Fallis travelled the country, raising funds, which paid for a series of remarkable stained glass windows. The church opened in 1928, with a stained glass window for every province (except Newfoundland, which didn’t join confederation until 1949) and Yukon. There is also a window commemorating the nurses of the First World War, created through funds they contributed. “They are stunning,” says Rev. Beth Hayward, who has been minister here for three years. “The focus is biblical stories, but then at the bottom there is a story from each of the
“The way we talk about God is different than the way you would think would happen in church,” says Rev. Beth Hayward, who has been minister at Canadian Memorial United Church for three years. “This is not your grandma’s church anymore.” PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
provinces that lifts up a significant moment from their colonial history.” Time marches on, though. And the United Church of Canada – at once the country’s largest Protestant denomination and a wellspring of much of this country’s liberal fervor — prides itself on moving with public opinion (if not leading it). Services at Canadian Memorial, Hayward says, defy what most people would expect from church. “It’s so open-minded,” she says. “The way we talk about God is different than the way you would think would happen in church. This is not your grandma’s church anymore.” Though she hastens to add that there are plenty of grandmas, some of whom dance dur-
ing services to lively and engaging gospel and other inspirational music. She describes the church’s theology as more questioning and curious than some Christians might expect. “We are not certain about a lot of things and we’re proud of that,” she says, laughing. “If we come across to people as having all the answers, that makes us nervous.” As the church has become increasingly involved, across the decades, in peace and antiwar work, it seems there was some discomfort at the origins of this congregation, with its history so deeply embedded in the war that was to end all wars. In the 1990s, as mainline Christian churches across North America
were suffering decline, Canadian Memorial faced expensive renovations on Memorial Hall, the large building smack on the corner of 16th and Burrard that predates the church by five years and served as a community centre. There was a pool in the basement where, Hayward says, generations of Vancouver kids learned to swim. At perhaps the lowest membership ebb of the church’s history, the congregation sold the building and it was transformed into condos. Canadian Memorial used the funds to construct a new facility, just to the west, on 16th. The new building was envisioned as a place not exclusively for Christians, but also for “mission partners,” people of any orientation whose projects
align with those of the church. So there are programs in the centre that are church-sponsored and others initiated by mission partners. There is tai chi, meditation, grassroots organizing groups, as well as small discussions that meet to explore books, sermons and people’s individual spiritual journeys. The move revived the congregation. Hayward says her church is a magnet for people from throughout the city and is thriving, while many other congregations still struggle. When it came time to name the new building and bestow on it a sense of mission, congregants settled on the Centre for Peace. “We quite deliberately chose the name Centre for Peace,” Hayward says,
noting this was long before her time. “Our old historic building honours the sacrifice of people in war and yet we want to lift up the history that, in truth, the Christian faith is really about love and peace … The church has been complicit in war, in colonialism. People of faith have been part of instances of war and violence and yet our underlying message is about peace.” The way I think I will imagine it, as I continue decades of driving past this familiar corner, is that the church is a commemoration to the soldiers of the past, while the centre is a monument to the hope that such horrors as they experienced will not be visited upon future generations. twitter.com/Pat604Johnson
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A13
News Get
Happy Design panel rejects Origami tower Feet DEVELOPING STORY Naoibh O’Connor
noconnor@vancourier.com
Vancouver’s Urban Design Panel rejected the Waterfront “origami” Tower proposal at its meeting Wednesday. Had the UDP supported the project, it would have gone before the Development Permit Board (DPB) in March. That meeting will be rescheduled when the tower is redesigned, head planner Brian Jackson told the Courier. Before the revised tower goes to the DPB, it will go back to the Gastown Heritage Advisory Committee and the Vancouver Heritage Commission. “Timing is entirely in the applicant’s hands in terms of the need to redesign in accordance with the UDP’s comments,” Jackson said. The 26-storey glass tower is envisioned for next to Waterfront Station. It would overhang part of the station. The Landing heritage building is on the other side. The small footprint of the site, which is owned by Cadillac Fairview, coupled with city planning and design guidelines, means a creative solution is required. Urban Design Panel members raised concerns including the tower’s location on the site and its
proximity to the historic Waterfront Station and that not enough sustainability measures were featured. They questioned the relationship between the property’s private realm and the public realm. The tower was designed by Gordon Gill and Adrian Smith Architecture, an international firm based out of Chicago. B+H Architects is the local collaborating firm. Gill called the UDP comments “insightful.” The project generated significant criticism based on the tower’s appearance, as well as its relationship to the heritage buildings. “I don’t see [the criticism] as a personal affront. Correctly there’s a lot of concern about heritage buildings. I think that’s fair. I think that’s right,” Gill told reporters. “We are also concerned, as you see, which is why we positioned the building originally farther to the east. The comments tonight were very constructive and very helpful — not just to us, but hopefully [to] the city and to everyone who’s working on the project.” UDP chairperson Ryan Bragg from Perkins and Will Architects noted concerns about landscaping and the public realm as it relates to the existing and future context of the site. “The perception of the public is this is a public
space, but it’s not. It’s a private space. So, as one of the panelists suggested, this is going to change the landscape of the city forever, which is the right of the owner, and as a result you tried to respond in a manner that accepts that but is cognizant of the role of the public realm,” he said. Bragg said the relationship of the building to transit is important, as is the relationship to the adjacent heritage buildings. “Some suggestions as well [were] that perhaps the ground floor could be seen as an extension to the overall public realm and perhaps there’s more porosity than less porosity and as a result the perception of the site and what would be private space is in fact much more public,” he said. Some panelists suggested the building should be moved away from the station, others were concerned that would then create concerns about its proximity to The Landing. Gill is not sure how a revamped proposal might look. “That’s a matter of how we assess that with our client as to exactly what will be the next steps,” he said. When a reporter noted Gill didn’t seem to be taking the rejection too badly, Gill said they are often at the other side of the table. “It is a very important job
Proposed Heritage Property Tax Exemption – 9 West Cordova
and we really have a lot of respect for the panel and the comments. We understand the process of architecture, especially when it’s complex. You have to allow that process to happen and typically the buildings get better because of it,” he said. twitter.com/naoibh
DR. HEATHER BUI DR. IAN YU
BOARD CERTIFIED IN FOOT SURGERY
Westside Podiatry Clinic
3311 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver 604 336 2816
Where the science of foot care and the art of surgery meet CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT • NO REFERRAL REQUIRED • COVERED BY MOST INSURANCE PROVIDERS
View my video with
Friedrich H.G. Brumm, D.D., B.A. Denturist 27yrs exp
All our Dentures and Services are TAX FREE! NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
NO REFERRAL NEEDED.
www.mydentures.ca
New Dentures or a
Natural Smile? Cosmetic Precision Denture System™
Vancouver City Council intends to consider a heritage property tax exemption by-law for 9 West Cordova Street pursuant to its authority under section 396A of the Vancouver Charter. The development permit application was processed through the Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program to restore the designated heritage building in exchange for incentives, including a property tax exemption. The legal description of the property is: PID: 009-354-492: Lot B Block 2 Old Granville Townsite Plan 10753. The proposed exemption would be for a value of $358,680 or a period of 10 years, whichever comes first. If the City issues the occupancy permit before October 31 in any given year, the exemption will begin January 1 of the following year. But, if it is issued after October 31, it will begin January 1 of the year after the following year. Council may adopt the by-law 30 days after the notice is published unless more than 1/20 of the electors petition Council to obtain the assent of the electors to the by-law. The draft by-law can be viewed starting January 28, 2015 at Vancouver City Hall, City Clerk’s Department, 453 West 12th Avenue, Third floor, Vancouver, BC. DEADLINE FOR PETITIONS: Electors may submit petitions until February 27, 2015 at 4:30 pm to Zlatan Jankovic, Heritage Planner, City of Vancouver, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4 or by email to zlatan.jankovic@vancouver.ca Visit: vancouver.ca Phone: 3-1-1 TTY: 7-1-1
The Art and Advantages of Cosmetic Precision Dentures:
Guaranteed for 5 years against breakage
Alex Hupka, RD, RDT
Registered Denturist, Registered Dental Technician (1 block from Richmond Centre) www.bcdenturist.ca
A14
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
“FORGET WHATEVER NEGATIVE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE TOLD YOU.”
Living in Vancouver? Looking for Work? We can help. All our services are free:
• Job search resources • Personal employment planning • Workshops and training • Career exploration • Financial Support When Shehbaz Ahmad and his wife came to Canada from Dubai, they came with a lot of optimism and positivity. Despite the fact that both their families were based all over the world, they chose Canada because they felt it was a very liberal and welcoming country for immigrants. “It was not a well planned move,” he admits. “I think you can never prepare enough for immigration. We had some savings, but no job, and no family or friends in the new city. There was no option to go back either.” He and wife were no strangers to international moves. They moved from their native Pakistan to Dubai. That move was much easier: he already had a job – he’s an accountant - and his new employer helped with the relocation. In Vancouver, Shehbaz first registered with an immigrant settlement service and began taking courses to help his job search. His wife focused on improving her English skills and began volunteering. But as time went on, he found his biggest challenge was not the tasks associated with finding a job or even financial pressures – he became overwhelmed with the many negative messages he was receiving. “It’s going to be very difficult to survive in Vancouver. The economy is not growing. There are 500+ applicants for a single job. You don’t even have a Canadian education or experience.” Someone suggested he get a job in a grocery store. “I became lost in the advice,” he says. “My mind kind of got frozen. I couldn’t even apply for a single job.”
And that was when what he calls his first miracle in Vancouver happened. He was walking on Davie Street and saw a sign board that said, ‘are you looking for work?’ He walked upstairs to the Vancouver City Centre, WorkBC Employment Services Centre run by Family Services of Greater Vancouver, and “could instantly feel the warmth and a feeling of care in the air.” He registered for a job information session and was assigned a case manager. “She did not talk about the things that people usually talk about – your degree, your qualifications, and your skills. She immediately understood what I needed: “What I needed was motivation, to clear my mind, and to gain confidence. That was quite the turning point for me.” Shehbaz definitely appreciated his case manager’s strengths-based approach. “She listened without any rush and then said to me what I still remember: “Forget whatever negative things people have told you.” “She reminded me of what skills I already have and how many years of international, professional experience I came to Canada with. She put things into perspective and made me believe that there’s no need to feel panicked if I couldn’t find a job in just two months after landing.” Careful not to duplicate the job search courses he had already taken, Shehbaz enrolled in the ESC’s Workplace Culture and Social Media workshops. He also updated his LinkedIn profile, a move that would prove fruitful. A few days later he received
a message from a large recruitment firm interested in talking to him about a contract position with one of the “Big 4” accounting firms. He happened to be with his case manager when he received the phone call. She encouraged him to take that call and coached him through it. She also helped prepare him for the interview process and contract negotiation with success; with the help of the recruitment firm he set up his own business and had his first consulting contract. “I still haven’t applied for a job yet,” he says smiling. The contract is coming to a close but Shehbaz isn’t worried. The contract allowed him to work with a wide variety of clients and gave him a taste of different corporate cultures and future possibilities. He’s networking with other professionals, and is exploring further education opportunities. For now, Shehbaz and his wife are settling into their new life in Canada. They are enjoying the diversity of their West End neighbourhood and they’re even taking Italian language lessons. “I am so happy I read that sign that day and walked upstairs to the WorkBC ESC Vancouver City Centre office - that was the best thing I did in Vancouver. They proved to be angels in the new country for me. In fact, the staff does not seem that they are doing a job-it’s their life. They are doing a great service, with a human touch.”
WE HAVE MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION
Vancouver City Vancouver City Centre Centre #900 1200 Burrard Street, Vancouver 200-1033 Davie Street (Near TD Canada Trust Bank) Tel 604.434.0367 Tel 604.434.0367
Vancouver Northeast 312-2555 Commercial Drive Tel 604.708.9300
Vancouver Downtown Eastside 112 West Hastings Street Tel 604.872.0770
Vancouver Midtown 110 East 3rd Avenue Tel 604.829.2300
Are you between 16 and 30 years old and looking for work? We can help. Vancouver Westside 300-2150 West Broadway Tel 604.688.4666
Visit one of our YOUTH Employment Centres for free: • Job search tools • Personal employment planning • Employment workshops • Financial support • Career exploration
Vancouver Downtown Eastside 112 West Hastings Street Tel 604.872.0770 Vancouver Midtown 110 East 3rd Avenue Tel 604.829.2300
Career Zone 1256 Granville Street (2nd Tel 604.605.4666
Serving Vancouver City Centre, Vancouver South and Vancouver West.
VancouverNortheast Northeast-Drive Vancouver Drive Youth Youth Employment EmploymentServices Services 2106 Commercial Drive Tel 604.253.9675 North Shore Youth Employment Services Centre 318-260 West Esplanade Avenue Tel 604.988.3766
Vancouver South Ground Floor 7575 Cambie Street Tel 604.263.5005
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A15
Travel Fiji provides feast for the senses
Village visit one of many highlights of tropical trip TRAVEL Sandra Thomas
sthomas@vancourier.com
church construction, school supplies and financial donations. Speaking of donations, we were also tasked to choose an “elder” from our group to present the chief of the village with some kava leaves as a gift of thanks. During a welcome ceremony, the chief used the kava to make a tea infamous for its sedative and anaesthetic properties. And while some members of our tour refused the drink, I decided the opportunity to visit a remote village in Fiji, only attainable by boat, and drinking a cup of kava offered up by a village chief might only come along once in a lifetime. Let’s just say, what happens in Koronisagana stays in Koronisagana. Truth be told, besides feeling a sudden urge to nap, kava can’t exactly be described as a party drink. So as not to burden each village, Sigatoka River Safari visits a different location each day of the week with villages hosting once a week for six months. They visit six villages during the dry
season from May to October and another six from November to April. The tour company has been recognized for its efforts by winning numerous tourism and conservation awards. Our trip began earlier in the day when our mini bus picked us up from our resort, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji, through which our excursion was planned. Once we reached the start point of the tour, we were each handed a lifejacket, to keep us safe, and a sarong, to wear as a sign of respect to the villagers. Under a brilliant blue sky our group boarded custom-made jet boats for the spectacular trip along the Sigatoka River, which winds through a valley of the same name. Along the way we waved to fishermen relaxing along the river’s banks, spotted numerous types of water fowl and took in the gorgeous landscape often referred to as the “salad bowl of Fiji” because of its lush vegetation. During our tour of the vil-
lage, the chief blessed each of us by marking our faces with white powder. That powder, combined with the sweat we all suffered under the hot Fijian sun, left us looking more than a lot bedraggled by the time we headed back to the river for our return trip. But, as our tour guide mysteriously assured us, it was a look that wasn’t to last long. Once settled back onto our boat, the driver hit the throttle and we sped down river, the wind cooling our faces and tangling our hair. It was then our driver spontaneously yelled, “Hold on,” and turned the jet boat into what can only be described as a floating wheelie. And sure enough, as a huge wave of water splashed over us the remains of the white powder and grime that had previously caked our faces was washed away. The fact we were each now a sopping mess was lost in the shrieks of surprised laughter we all enjoyed as the boat completed its turn. twitter.com/sthomas10
iteracy w ee ily l am
f
Children peek out of a doorway to check out at group touring their village of Koronisagana in rural Fiji. See photo gallery at vancourier.com. PHOTO SANDRA THOMAS
k
It was a lunch I’ll never forget. Taking part in a culinary and cultural tour of Fiji with a group of travel writers, we had so far been treated to many memorable dishes created by the best chefs on the island. But it was the simple lunch of chicken, fish, bread, corn, papaya and Kool-Aid served on the floor of the tiny community centre in the village of Koronisagana I treasure most. During lunch we sat cross-legged on the floor and ate with our hands while the men of the village played guitar and sang. Clearly curious, dozens of wide-eyed children peered up at us as they wriggled politely in place, just waiting for the sign from an elder that would allow them the freedom to get back outside to play in the morning sun. Those same children had followed us or peeked out at us from behind doorways when we toured the village earlier. Despite the obvious poverty, it’s apparent these children are happy and much loved. The economic plight of not only Koronisagana, but most rural villages in Fiji, is in vast contrast to the luxury resorts that dot the Coral Coast. That’s something local tour company owner Jay Whyte is working to change. We visited Koronisagana as part of a Sigatoka River Safari tour, through which Whyte has partnered with 12 rural villages to assist with much-needed tourism development. To that end, partial proceeds of each tour go directly to these villages for various projects and initiatives, including scholarships, clothing, footpaths,
Family literacy is a fun and easy way to develop your child’s language, literacy and numeracy skills. Only 15 minutes a day can benefit both you and your child.
Download your FREE family resources @ decoda.ca
puzzles
get caught in in our web… …get caught …get caught …get caught our web
vancourier vancourier vancourier.com
A16
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Community
PUSHING ON: The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival celebrates its 11th year of bringing out-of-the-box works to the city. The festival, which runs until Feb. 8, began as a fledgling initiative between Touchstone and Rumble Theatre to bring innovative works to Vanhattan and has grown to become one of the city’s premiere arts celebrations. A recognized broker of international partnerships, a meeting-place for creative minds, a showcase of Canada’s best and an incubator of brilliant new work, the festival, led by founding artistic director Norman Armour, embarks on a second decade with a new home and bolder attitude. Their headquarters, which shares space with three other arts organizations at the CBC studios on Hamilton Street, is a game-changer declared Armour. Brokered by the city of Vancouver, PuSh will share rehearsal space, administrative offices and public resources with DOXA, Music on Main and Touchstone Theatre. MULTIPLYING POTENTIAL: Believing everyone can master math, playwright, author and mathematician John Mighton designed Jump Math, a numeracy program dedicated to enhancing student and educators potential of understanding and loving math. His efforts have led to accelerated success amongst those employing the Jump Math program. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation even charged Mighton to develop a tablet version of his program. Hoping to see the program available in more Canadian classrooms, Mighton founded Jump Math as a charity in 2001. Mighton was the keynote at a benefit held at Patti and Sam Gudewill’s Kitsilano home. The math mash-up added up $40,000 to support outreach efforts and resource materials for teachers and students. Jump Math is currently used by 10 per cent of B.C. students in Grades 1 to 8 and 130,000 students across Canada. CHILD CARE: For the past 20 years, members of the Chinese-Canadian community have come together to take part in the For Children We Care gala in support of B.C. Children’s Hospital. Marking two decades of caring, nearly 800 guests filed into the Convention Centre for an evening of fine dining and fundraising in support of priority equipment needs. A major gift of $50,000 from realtor Patsy Hui got the party started. Other donations followed contributing to an impressive $600,000 generated to support the purchase of two new ultrasound machines. Among the attendees were party founders David Choi, Irene and Patrick Wang and past gala chairs Shirley Gaw, Sylvia Chen and Peter and Nancy Chieng.
email yvrflee@hotmail.com twitter @FredAboutTown
City councillor Andrea Reimer and PuSh artistic director Norman Armour were all smiles at the festival’s opening party. PuSh marked its second decade with new downtown digs brokered by the City of Vancouver. The cultural precinct will house PuSh and three long-standing arts organizations.
Jump Math creator John Mighton and his charity’s chief fundraiser Sue Daugulis hope to see more of the innovative program implemented in B.C. schools. Mighton’s Jump Math has also caught the attention of Bill and Melinda Gates.
Seven Fingers Tim Lightburn, left, and Theatre la Seizieme’s Craig Holzschuh brought Sequence 8, Quebec’s renowned cirque dance troupe, to Vancouver to kick off managing director Roxanne Duncan’s PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
From Tofino must-stop to Gastown hotspot, Jason Sussman and Ryan Spong’s Tacofino restaurant, an 80-seat restaurant and grab-andgo burrito bar, is the city’s newest jewel offering inspired Mexican fare.
Singing Jump Math’s praises were B.C. outreach coordinator Liz Barrett and Vancouver teacher Elisha Bonnis. The innovative approach to learning is based on the premise that virtually everyone can learn math.
From left, past gala chairs Shirley Gaw, Nancy Chieng and Sylvia Chen have contributed to the success of the For Children We Care event. Since its inception, nearly $14 million has been raised to help sick children in B.C.
For Children We Care gala co-founder Peter Choi and 20th anniversary chair Angel Chan. The inaugural event in 1995 at Victoria Chinese Restaurant raised $190,000. Last week’s fundraiser generated over $600,000.
When Patrick and Irene Wang first conceived of the For Children We Care gala at their kitchen table two decades ago, they never imagined how successful the fundraiser would become.
A17
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
Arts&Entertainment
GOT ARTS? 604.738.1411 or events@vancourier.com
11
Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2015 1. Every Monday throughout February, Vancity Theatre marks Black History Month with a series of curated films including Through a Lens Darkly. Exploring how African American communities have used the camera as a tool for social change, Thomas Allen Harris’s documentary screens Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. Details at viff.org. 2. The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival and Vancouver Art Gallery team up for FUSE, Jan. 30, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. to transform the art gallery into a hub of interdisciplinary art, experimental performance and cutting edge music, including Sonic Elder, where six Vancouver music legends come together to form a band and share their greatest hits and deepest heartbreaks. Details at vanartgallery.bc.ca.
2
3
3. In his new outfit Operators, Wolf Parade and Divine Fits alumnus Dan Boeckner fully embraces the synth-driven, Euro-trashy grooves his former band Handsome Furs began to explore. Expect a full-on dance party when Operators take over the Fox Cabaret for two nights, Jan. 30 and 31. Gang Signs and Black Magique open Friday’s gig, while Sur Une Plage and Moths & Locusts open on Saturday. Tickets at Red Cat, Zulu and bplive.ca. 4. We’ve lost track of the number of times Joe Keithley and his band D.O.A. have claimed to play their last gig. D.O.A.’s back again and taking the show on the road as part of their No Oil Pipelines in B.C. Tour, benefitting Kinder Morgan protestors At least it’s for a good cause. The punk protest comes to the Biltmore Jan. 31. Tickets at Neptoon, Red Cat, Zulu, Scrape, Highlife, Dandelion, Beat Street and northerntickets.com.
4
A18
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
PHOTO BY: RICH WHEATER | DESIGN BY: ANNA SOBIENIAK
Arts&Entertainment KUDOS & KVETCHES Trademark it off
We have never hid our love for Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off.” It is a poppropelled earworm that’s burrowed into our jaded heart like a deer tick filled with joy instead of Lyme disease. In short, it is a great song. The best thing we heard all year besides the words “We mistakenly gave you two orders of yam fries, but we won’t charge you.” So we were intrigued to learn that Swift has trademarked the lyric “this sick beat” from the song. She’s also trademarked other phrases found on her album: “party like it’s 1989,” “cause we never go out of style,” “could show you incredible things” and “nice to meet you, where you been?” Like most things Taylor Swift-related, these trademarks seem innocuous but will ultimately encroach upon our daily lives. For instance, her trademark means we can no longer open our much planned vegetable rehabilitation centre called, you guessed it, This Sick Beet. “Party like it’s 1989” is
not as much of an issue for us since we actually have partied in 1989 and it usually involved drinking too much Rock-a-Berry Cooler and throwing up in the back seat of a Honda Civic. And partying like it’s 1989 for the 25-year-old singer means drinking breast milk, wearing a diaper and nonstop crying, which probably isn’t much different than how she parties in 2015. Oh snap. “Cause we never go out of style” is something we say when we stare into our closet at the 14 plaid shirts we own and wear on a daily basis, so we’ll have to come up with a new phrase. Perhaps “Yeah, I’m stuck in a fashion rut, so what?” or “sigh” will do. “Man, we’ve really got to branch out and start wearing stripes” could be another one. On the other hand, we would never say the words “could show you incredible things” or “nice to meet you, where you been?” since we don’t have a lot of incredible thing to show people, unless you include our 14 plaid shirts, and “nice to meet you, where you been?” is grammatically incorrect and we are so not down with that.
Chu the right thing
Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu’s announcement last week that he plans to retire this spring sent K&K into a panic. Next to former VPD superintendent Kash Heed, Chief Chu has one of the most pun-friendly headline names around. And in his seven-and-a-half years as chief, we’ve only scratched the surface with such gems as “Big league Chu” and “Something to Chu on.” So before his reign is over, we’d like to offer up the following Chu-related headlines to anyone in need of one. You’re welcome. • If Chu don’t know me by now • Through a Chu lens • Aww Chu • What Chu do to my body • Chu back, ahhh • Chu detective • Frankie says: Chu’s life • Chu-y goodness • Chu never know • Sock it Chu to me • In Chu the out door • That thing you Chu • Chu the right thing • Yabba-dabba-Chu • Chu that to me one more time • Chu romance • Rebel without a Chu • Chu believer.
THE LITTLE
Bringing together small businesses in one heartfelt event
FEBRUARY 13TH - 21ST 2015
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22ND 2015 11:30AM - 4:00PM
THE HERITAGE HALL 3102 MAIN ST VANCOUVER BC
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE: $12 EACH OR TWO FOR $20 AT THE DOOR: $15 EACH (CASH ONLY) *ONLINE TICKET SALES END AT 11:59PM FEBRUARY 21
justaddloveshow.com I info@justaddloveshow.com
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A19
Arts&Entertainment
A Most Violent Year simmers to a boil Taut, understated screenplay complemented by superb acting MOVIE REVIEW Julie Crawford
jcrawfordfilm@gmail.com
New York City in 1981 was a dangerous place. Times Square was the city’s epicentre of prostitution, not tourism, and the city logged a record number of rapes and murders. White flight from a city in economic decline made room for corruption, but also created space for immigrants pursuing the American Dream. In A Most Violent Year, writerdirector J.C. Chandor (Margin Call, All is Lost) gets his hands dirty with the story of one man’s struggle to stay straight in a culture determined to break his moral compass. Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) runs a heating and fuel business. His wife Anna (Jessica Chastain) does the
books. Abel bought the business from his father-inlaw and is determined to run it as a businessman, not as a gangster. It’s not easy: a small cluster of families has had a cutthroat monopoly for years, fiercely guarding their territories and finding ways to cheat the system. It’s a free-for-all business environment rife with corruption. Abel has dreams of expanding, of owning a longdormant fuel-storage facility right on the water. “I like to own the things I use.” Accompanied by his lawyer (Albert Brooks), Abel ponies up two suitcases full of cash for a shot at owning what the owner refers to as “a polluted, dirty piece of earth.” (Today’s viewer can’t help but chuckle: with Lower Manhattan visible right across the water, the property is worth millions today.) Abel has 30 days to find the rest of the money and
close the deal but the next month proves to be a challenge: 110,000 gallons of his fuel have been stolen in six months, and his drivers are being picked off one by one. The union is threatening to shut things down, and thanks to an ambitious District Attorney (David Oyelowo) a corruption case is being mounted against him. “When it feels scary to jump, that is when you jump. Otherwise you end up staying in the same place your whole life,” is Abel’s steadfast philosophy. After an intruder nearly breaks into their new home and one of their young daughters finds a loaded gun in the yard, Anna — who comes from a family of thugs — runs out of patience. “You’re not gonna like what’ll happen once I get involved,” she threatens Abel. She calls him names. And when their car hits a deer, Abel can’t put it out
of its misery; it’s Anna who does the deed. But Abel is determined to stay the honest-man’s course, lecturing his competitors (Alessandro Nivola among them) about integrity and schooling his protégé (Elyes Gabel, excellent) on the merits of patience and hard work. Emotions simmer, things escalate, and the audience
is never quite sure when things will boil over. If Anna is a firecracker, Abel is a quietly-ticking time bomb. Tellingly, when violence does enter the picture, Abel stops the oil draining from one of his tanks before he stanches the wound of a bleeding body. Chandor’s screenplay is taut and understated, complemented by superb
“Officially the funniest show on the planet”
acting, and creates and immersive experience of time and place. “I have always taken the path that is most right,” Abel says, summing up his ethics. And in pursuing capitalism and the American Dream, perhaps, suggests Chandor, that’s the best anyone can do. A Most Violent Year opens Friday at Fifth Avenue.
—The Daily Mail
Now Playing! THE BLISSFULLY FUNNY CELEBRATION OF BRITISH MISCHIEF By Richard Bean
ARTSCLUB.COM 604.687.1644 playing at
GROUPS SAVE MORE! celine stubel, andrew mcnee, and martin happer. photo by emily cooper
BALLET BC PRESENTS
Balanchine AN EVENING FEATURING
SERENADE MUSIC
Tchaikovsky
SYMPHONY IN THREE MOVEMENTS MUSIC
Stravinsky
BALLO DELLA REGINA MUSIC
Verdi
Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac pursue the American Dream at all costs in A Most Violent Year.
NEW ON DVD Lucy
According to Lucy’s special features, it took director Luc Besson 10 years to wrap his head around the fact that humans may only use 10 per cent of our brain power, and it took almost as long to figure out how to make a film that would examine what happened if we were amped up to 100 per cent, without it sounding like a college anatomy lesson. No danger of falling asleep, though: playing Lucy is Scarlett Johansson in her second kick-butt, bodymorphing role of 2014 (after
Under The Skin). Lucy is an American student living in Taiwan who gets duped into delivering a package to a Korean businessman, who ends up using her as a drug mule. A brutal beating results in the experimental drugs cascading through her system; Lucy is accessing more of her brain by the minute, unlocking powers humans have only dreamed of, but her time may be running out.
Fury
One of the underrated films of 2014 was David Ayer’s Fury, a stark, unrelentingly grim take on war from the perspective
of a Sherman tank crew. Sgt. Don “Wardaddy” Collier (Brad Pitt) and his crew are dismally outmanned and outgunned as the German army makes their last, desperate stand at the end of the Second World War. Adding insult to injury is the arrival of a green recruit (Logan Lerman) who might put them all at risk. (Shia LaBeouf, Michael Pena, Jon Bernthal co-star.) Ayer studies friendships forged in fire and coming-of-age in the toughest of circumstances, all set in the grit and gore of a war that claimed 60 million lives. —Julie Crawford
“See the music, hear the dance” —GEORGE BALANCHINE
FEBRUARY 19-21, 2015
FEBRUARY 19/20/21 – 8 PM • FEBRUARY 21 – 2 PM QUEEN ELIZABETH THEATRE | TICKETMASTER.CA | BALLETBC.COM PLATINUM SEASON AND OFFICIAL HOTEL SPONSOR
GOLD SEASON SPONSORS
PERFORMANCE SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSORS
MIAMI CITY BALLET DANCERS IN SERENADE, CHOREOGRAPHY BY GEORGE BALANCHINE © THE GEORGE BALANCHINE TRUST. PHOTO © DANIEL AZOULAY.
SUPPORT FOR BALLET BC HAS BEEN GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY
JOIN THE BALLET BC E-LIST:
balletbc.com
A20
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Arts&Entertainment
Athletic pandas lack pizzazz Mmm mmm, biscuits made by a Japanese pharmaceutical company
EXOTIC JUNK FOOD REVIEW Michael Kissinger
mkissinger@vancourier.com
Hello Panda
$1.35 at No Frills Country of origin: Japan What is it: Launched in 1979 by pharmaceutical company Meiji Seika, these dog kibble-sized biscuits have two things going for them: They’re filled with either chocolate, strawberry or “milk cream,” and the light-weight, hollow shortbread capsules are adorned with cartoon pandas participating in a variety of sporting activities such as archery, fencing, canoeing, soccer, tennis, golf and skateboarding. Sadly there were no depictions of breakdancing or Crossfit to be found. The bad news is that the actual cartoons printed on the cookies’ baked exterior are so faded they look like a cross between prison tattoos of
Big in Japan, but gathering dust on the shelves of No Frills, Hello Panda is not nearly as refreshing as the sport-loving bears that appear on its packaging.
Calvin and Hobbes and a homemade birthday card created on a dot-matrix printer. Verdict: Poor visuals aside (although a co-worker did comment, “People
are supposed to eat these things?”), Hello Panda is not exactly packed with flavour. The faint cookieness quickly gives way to notes of dust and cardboard, similar to how gum
Presenting Sponsor:
from packs of hockey cards immediately lose its flavour leaving a bland, papery aftertaste. Or maybe that’s how athletic pandas are supposed to taste. twitter.com/MidlifeMan1
POSTER OF THE WEEK
Event: Fundraiser concert for Kickstand community bike shop featuring Kingsgate Chorus, Casual Luxury, Medium, Freestyle Focus Group, Buzy B and Neighbor, Jan. 31. Poster artist: Fred Milgodie is the designer behind this easybreezy, retro-bike inspired flyer. Send high-res jpegs or pdfs for Poster of the Week consideration to mkissinger@vancourier.com.
! Y A D O T R E T S I G E R 1 ENDS JANUARY 3 EARLY BIRD
GVHBA'S21stAnnual NEW HOME BUYERS' SEMINAR
CANADA’S JOIN LARGEST 10K RUN
If you’re thinking of buying a home, don’t miss this free seminar! This event fills quickly and seating is limited.
Tuesday,February10
Surrey City Hall, Surrey •13450 104 Ave., Surrey 6 to 9 pm
Thursday,February12
SUNRUN
SFU, Harbour Centre • 515 West Hasting St., Vancouver 6 to 9 pm Sponsors
APRIL 19 2015
Patron Sponsor
PRESENTED BY
Rea l Estate W eekly
Although the seminar is free, attendees are asked to bring a food item for the Food Bank.
Register now at www.gvhba.org or call 778-565-4288
Open to all runners and walkers of all levels. Register by January 31st and SAVE!
REGISTER NOW AT VANCOUVERSUNRUN.COM
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
rd earn ... , 3 y r a u r b e F , y da s e u T s i Th
10 off %
20x
Shop Safeway during our Customer Appreciation Day this Tuesday, February 3rd and choose either 10% off or 20x your base AIR MILES® reward miles on a minimum $35 grocery purchase!*
®
OR
✝ ! hase purc ery groc $35 mum mini a on s YourbaseAIRMILES reward mile
®
*Offer valid Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015 at your Safeway Stores. Minimum grocery purchase of $35 required. Offer earn 10% off your eligible grocery purchase or earn 20 AIR MILES® reward miles for every $20 spent on eligible grocery purchase. Limit of one offer per household. Some conditions and exclusions apply. See your Safeway store for complete list of exclusions. ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Co. and Safeway.
HURRY AND REDEEM YOUR STAMPS FOR YOUR FREE KNIVES BEFORE MARCH 1 !
®
ST
678
345678
0123
.123
4567
8
0123.12345678
$0.001*
01
345 23.12
0 1 2 3 .1 2
$0.001*
345678
$0.001*
0 1 2 3 .1 2
1* $0.00
$0.001*
1* $0.00
REMEMBER, YOU CAN ONLY EARN STAMPS TOWARDS YOUR FREE ZWILLING J.A. HENCKELS FIVE STAR KNIVES UNTIL FEBRUARY 12TH.
0123.12345678
* Please see Customer Service for Terms & Conditions or visit us online at www.Safeway.ca
A21
A22
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Canada’s Online Lifestyle Magazine
CUBA LIBRE By Sarah Bancroft
Cruise Cuba before it’s too late. We circumnavigated the country—and discovered uncharted waters—aboard the Canadian-owned Louis Cristal. Read more on www.vitamindaily.com
START NOTHING: 5:37 a.m. Sunday to 9:41 a.m. Monday, 9:31 p.m. Tuesday to 9:46 p.m. Wednesday, and 2:09 p.m. Friday to 10:44 a.m. Saturday. PREAMBLE: When I wrote that Hillary Clinton should not run for president, I didn’t mean that she would fail in her goal but that she is getting old. Once you’re dead, a hundred libraries raised in your name are not as real and sweet as a moment on the back porch. She’s actually quite favoured to win the primary if it’s held July 25, but if it’s a two-day affair, someone else might surge up July 26. People with high intelligence have trouble setting priorities: everything is as important as everything else.
THE SARAH FILE
HOT SHOPS: THE WORKSHOP
Deflation, if it comes and I suspect it will, will last about four years. I’m trying to think of a stock or industry to invest in but can’t. One company that survived the Depression, when deflation was much more dramatic than today, was Wrigley’s (the chewing gum company). So food, candy and cheap luxuries might be good investments.
By Adrienne Matei
If you’re looking for something stylish and different, consider The Workshop—it’s two of a kind. Read more on www.vitmaindaily.com
FASHION & SHOPPING
SWEET SURRENDER By Kate LeGresley
Vancouver’s Cocos Pure uses a rare variety of single-source coconuts to produce some of the best-tasting coconut water, ever. Read more on www.vitamindaily.com
HEALTH & WELLNESS
WIN! A $250 VALENTINE’S DATE AT CAFÉ MEDINA Only in the VIP Room
Become a Vitamin VIP member now for a chance to win a five-course dinner at Café Medina—a $250 value, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Join our VIP program for this exclusive content at www.vitamindaily.com/vip-room
VIP ROOM
Your free daily dose of beauty, fashion, culture and cuisine vitamin.daily
@VanVitaminDaily
@VitaminDaily
VitaminDaily
The main accent is on wish fulfillment — of an old wish. Your popularity rides a wave, and entertainment, flirtation, friendly romance, social delights and a bright future all lift your spirits this month. Remember, start no projects nor new relationships before Feb. 11. Meanwhile, many former friends, groups and lovers return for a second dance.
The focus remains on romance, adventure, beauty, pleasure, creative and speculative urges, self-expression and children. Remember, start no projects nor relationships before Feb. 11. An old flame might appear and might have marriage in mind. Otherwise, remain loyal to those around you — this is the worst time to end a link, as you might later wish you hadn’t.
The main accent remains on ambition, career, prestige relations and status in your community. Remember, start nothing before Feb. 11. Until then, protect ongoing projects, and/or reprise one from the past, especially in career zones. But DO NOT start a stand-alone business, even if it’s a “past idea,” and don’t work on written tomes or try to re-do a painting or other art.
The domestic accent continues. You remain favoured in career, romance and pleasure pursuits. Don’t start any projects or relationships before Feb. 11. Neglected repairs, old landscaping, might need attention. You could visit old haunts or see that a house you always wanted is for sale. Tackling these things from the past is okay, be realistic. (E.g., that house might still be overpriced or eaten by termites.)
Love is still an element. Some of you might be developing a mild crush or someone sweet might be developing a major crush on you. If this is someone you already know (met before Jan. 21) or someone from the past, good. If someone new, it might not last, or become indecisively frustrating. The same “calendar” applies to far travel, international dealings, intellectual pursuits, religion, statistics, publishing and advertising.
Errands, trips, visits, calls, paperwork and casual acquaintances fill your days. Take care with these, as addresses, figures and meetings can go awry, directions be mistaken, facts lost, etc. Don’t start anything new and significant before Feb. 11. Sunday’s mysterious yet sweetly dreamy — enjoy it and do nothing. A gentle, understanding mood flows over you Monday to Wed.
Emotionally (and in most other ways) all’s well all week — you get an easy ride. The general accent remains on mysteries, subconscious promptings, sexual intimacy, investments, debt and mutual finances, health diagnoses, and research in any area. You will hear a lot of “noise” around these themes, but all you have to remember is this: if it has NOT returned to you from the past or is NOT an ongoing project or relationship then you should reject it.
Chase money all week without starting anything new. Collect on old bills (and pay your own) work hard, earn overtime, sell unwanted items, contact someone who offered a reasonable deal or job in the recent past. You’re lucky in investments to August, but wait until after Feb. 11 to jump. (Or try this Tuesday, though you might change your mind later.)
Relationships, marriage, divorce, romance, adventure, new horizons, relocation ideas, dealings with the public, negotiations, litigation (AVOID THIS ONE) agreements and contracts — these fill the few weeks ahead, and luckily so! Don’t relocate to a foreign country – both yield negative, costly results if you enter before mid-November this year.
Your energy and charisma remain high. Your money luck is high and growing. Opportunities glow. But don’t start any new ventures nor relationships before Feb. 11, or that glow will become an amber warning light. Use your extra energy to handle ongoing projects, and/or to reprise an opportunity from the past. Sunday’s dreamy, with few results — tackle routine chores and meditate/contemplate.
The general accent lies on work, health, dependants, service personnel – an arena that you’re very comfortable in. Still, don’t start any new projects or large tasks (or relationships) before Feb. 11. Instead, protect ongoing situations/chores from supply shortages, wrong calibrations, mistaken directions, etc. Your hopes and popularity rise briefly Sunday — enjoy, but if you’re expending effort, stick to routine. A former work role, boss or chore might return from the past.
Continue to rest, lie low, research, contemplate and to clean up your life, to gather up all loose ends, complete chores, to clear your desk. This is important because you’re going to tackle major projects and start major ventures. Live up to all obligations now but don’t volunteer for anything more. Do your duty, attend policy meetings, be charitable, spiritual. Sunday’s romantic, dreamy, but has little of substance.
Monday: Tom Smothers (78). Tuesday: Warwick Davis (45). Wednesday: Alice Cooper (67). Thursday: Laura Linney (51). Friday: Axl Rose (53). Saturday: Chris Rock (50). Sunday: Mary Steenburgen (62).
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A23
Sports&Recreation
GOT SPORTS? 604.630.3549 or mstewart@vancourier.com
By Megan Stewart
B.C. basketball rankings
In senior boys AAAA basketball, Vancouver College surged from No. 3 to No. 1 at the top of the table on a seven-game winning streak that culminated last week with a 75-51 win over rival West Side private school St. George’s, an honourable mention outside the top 10. Poco’s Terry Fox Ravens and Port Moody’s Heritage Woods Kodiaks are tied for second while Victoria’s Oak Bay is in sole possession of the fourth spot. Churchill, fifth last week, now shares the No. 5 spot in a tie with the Burnaby South Rebels. The Yale Lions, Mt. Boucherie Bears, Kelowna Owls and Walnut Grove Gators round out the top 10. Kitsilano slid out of the top 10 from seventh to an honourable mention. In AAA, the Abbotsford Panthers cling to No. 1 for a second week while the Tupper Tigers slipped two spots from No. 2 to No. 4. They were bumped by the STM Knights, and Fleetwood Park Dragons remain at No. 3. With the best name anywhere on the charts, Prince Rupert’s Charles Hays Rainmakers hold tight at fifth while Richmond rivals McMath and McNair Marlins duke it out at sixth. Vernon’s VSS Panthers are No. 8, Bateman Timberwolves No. 9 and South Kamloops Titans No. 10. In the hot contest that is single-A, St. Patrick’s sits tall at No. 1 for the second week, followed by Kelowna’s Immaculata Mustangs and the Maple Ridge Christian Hornets who flew up from No. 6. The Richmond Christian Eagles are fourth, and the St. John’s Eagles slipped from third to fifth this week. Duncan’s Christian Chargers are at No. 6, Langley’s Credo Christian Kodiaks No. 7 and two Vancouver teams are tied at No. 8 — the King David Lions and West Point Grey Academy Wolves, both up from honourable mention last week. Two are also tied at No. 10, the Osoyoos Rattlers (this name also gets a nod because it makes me think of desert climes where snakes live) and Chilliwack’s’ Highroad Academy Knights. No Vancouver teams were ranked in boys AA or in girls AAA or single-A. No girls AA rankings were issued this week.
‘Toughest’ men gather for Super Bowl
To unite against domestic violence, 10 of B.C.’s most notable “tough guys” — including professional football and hockey players, an Olympic wrestler and entrepreneurs — will show that being a manly man means being a good one, not an abusive one. The pack will gather Sunday to watch Super Bowl XLIX in a partnership with Chimo Community Services to improve public understanding and awareness of domestic violence as well as raise $100,000 for to build second-stage housing for women and children fleeing violent homes. According to Chimo, “In order to address the problem of domestic violence against women, there ultimately needs to be a change in how society sees men. In 2014, spousal homicides hit a five-year high in B.C.” The men supporting Chimo’s efforts include B.C. Lions Paul McCallum and Solomon Elimimian, Olympic wrestler Arjan Bhullar, strongman Chris Davies, retired NHLer Ryan Walter, fitness trainer Tommy Europe, businessman Jeremy Wong, and self-described “regular guy,” Munqith Al Samarrai. The event is hosted by Hosted by TSN’s David Pratt and Glen Suitor at the Steel Toad Brewpub (97 East Second). Doors open at 12:30 p.m., campaign begins 2:45 p.m. and Super Bowl XLIX between the hometown favourite Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots kicks off at 3:30 p.m.
Solomon Elimimian
“I’ll come to training every day, work hard and when my opportunity comes, I’m going to take it,” says Ben McKendry.
PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
’Caps sign homegrown talent
Raised here, trained here, Ben McKendry signs to play here Megan Stewart
mstewart@vancourier.com
Except for a flashy pair of fuchsia boots, you could hardly pick out Ben McKendry from a pack of top-flight first team players at a Vancouver Whitecaps practice Wednesday morning at UBC Thunderbird Stadium. The 21-year-old homegrown talent fit right in. If he stood out, it was when he closed on the ball, stripping a defender to break at net. Or when, in the midfield, he disrupted a game of keep-away to gain possession. “Coming in full-time to this environment now, he’s fitting in great,” said assistant coach Gordon Forrest. “We are very proud to have him back.” McKendry, this week,
became the first homegrown Vancouverite to sign an MLS contract with the Whitecaps. He joins six other active players on the ‘Caps roster who were developed in the club’s respected residency program, including starting midfielder Russell Teibert from Ontario and Richmond’s Caleb Clarke. With South African Ethen Sampson who played for the U23 team, the Whitecaps’ eight homegrown players (HGP) are the most in the MLS today. Only Dallas has signed more overall — 13 HGPs to Vancouver’s 12 — since the league’s homegrown player initiative was formed in 2007, four seasons before the Whitecaps entered the MLS. McKendry, who went to Templeton secondary
before graduating from Burnaby Central because of his residency training, grew up watching the Whitecaps play in various leagues at Swangard Stadium. He was a ball boy. Now he’ll wear No. 30 for Vancouver. “It’s huge. I’ve seen the evolution of the club over 10 years since I was a kid. I was involved with the club in the youth system, I went away to college and now I’m back. It’s a pretty great story and it means a lot to me to be back home,” he said. McKendry put his education on hold at the University of New Mexico when the ’Caps called. That was his ambition all along. He was in class when he got a called from Vancouver and the message was that the club wanted to bring him
home. “I’d just gone out to class, it was in the evening time and my mom called to say they wanted to offer me an MLS contract,” said the third-year business student. “My first reaction was, I knew I shouldn’t have gone to class today. I was excited.” The majority of McKendry’s minutes will likely come from games played in the USL Pro league, which the ’Caps join for the first season and presents a high calibre of play. Home games will be at Thunderbird Stadium. But the hometown recruit aspires to earn his sport among the best. “I’ll come to training every day, work hard and when my opportunity comes, I’m going to take it,” he said.
A24
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Sports&Recreation
Parking shortage puts brakes on cyclists
Solution lies with private enterprise and public responsibility Chris Bruntlett
chris@modacitylife.com
If you walked past a café, restaurant or craft brewery this summer, you would have seen the familiar sight of bicycles locked to fences, railings, trees, signposts, and parking meters. Basically anywhere but to a secure bike parking structure. On one hand, these overflowing racks are a sign of progress. A side effect of Vancouver’s move toward a more bike-friendly city where pedalling to your destination is a safe, attractive and normal part of everyday life. On the other hand, they are the most visible sign of a bike parking shortage. Despite infrastructure investments and increases in ridership, city bike parking policy remains reactive — rather than proactive — and has failed to keep pace with this modal shift. The availability of dependable, convenient bike parking has repercussions on where and when people will stop to spend their money. I’ve lost count of the number of times our family of four has pedalled up to a shop, found there is nowhere we felt comfortable locking up, and decided to take our business to another location down the street. Commuting makes up 20 per cent of bike trips.
Since 2010, the number of locations where new bike racks were installed
543
A bike corral on Commercial Drive accommodates more than 20 bicycles in a space once used to park two cars. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
Before 2010, there were bike racks at 675 locations
197 138
148
2013
2014
52
2010
2011
2012
GRAPH BY MEGAN STEWART. DATA SOURCE: CITY OF VANCOUVER
The rest — for shopping, dining, banking, and so on — gets overlooked. But without a secure place to lock up, the bike is more likely to get left at home.
It’s impossible to discuss a lack of bike parking without mentioning its effect on bike theft. Last year, a friend’s bike was stolen after he was resigned to locking it to a
tree. When he returned, his bike was gone and the tree sawn in two. A small number — seven per cent according to a McGill University study released in May — of these victims
don’t replace their stolen bike and revert to other, less active forms of transport. Others are hesitant to invest in a bike that suits their needs, choosing to ride around on an inexpensive, uncomfortable and ill-fitted machine. To its credit, the city installs bike racks for free and has done so roughly 1,100 times since 2010. But these are far from ideal racks since they provide room for two to four bicycles on an often narrow, overcrowded sidewalk.
It is increasingly clear that a bold reallocation of road space and funding must be matched with an equally bold plan for bike parking. The most simple, cost-effective way to address this inadequacy is with a bike corral, one of which was built outside the J.J. Bean coffee shop on Commercial Drive in 2010. Owner John Neate swapped two on-street car parking spaces for room to park 20 bikes. At the time he called it a “godsend” and intends to install more at other locations. There really is no reason why corrals can’t be placed outside popular hotspots such as the Alibi Room, Brassneck Brewery, Main Street Brewing and St. Augustine’s. Since 2004, Portland has converted 120 on-street parking spots to make room for more than 2,400 bikes. Businesses now sign up to a two-year-long waitlist. A solution lies somewhere between private enterprise and public responsibility. The former must recognize the impact to their bottom line, and the latter must provide the tools to address it. Until then, our cycling family will continue spending our money where we are made to feel welcome. If Vancouver is serious about becoming a great cycling city, we can’t ignore our bike parking problem. Chris Bruntlett is the cofounder of Modacity and is inspired to live a happy life of urban mobility. Find him at twitter.com/modacitylife
Earlybird offer: Save $10 + 2 FREE WFC2 tickets Price:$139 | Deadline: Feb. 1st
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Blastball,T-Ball and Baseball 2015 Season begins April 11th! Beginners Welcome Boys & Girls aged 3-12
Deadlines: All Majors divisions: February 7th All Minors divisions: February 21st T-Ball & Blastball: February 28th Space is limited so please register early. For more information and to register, go to www.jerichobaseball.com
Work with ‘Caps coaching staff, meet Spike, hang out with a Whitecaps FC player and get a camp t-shirt. All skill levels U6 - U13 boys and girls. VANCOUVER March 16 -20, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Point Grey High School Hosted by: Vancouver Athletic Club Register now, space is limited | whitecapsfc.com/camps
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
Sports&Recreation
IN THE PONG OF YOUR HAND Churchill Bulldog Ben Gao reached for a drop shot in a table tennis match against the Tupper Tigers Jan. 28 at Churchill secondary. Gao and doubles partner Matthew Nguyen defeated Tupperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bill Zhu and Apollo Li 3-1 as the Bulldogs took the 4-1 team win. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
The Vancouver Giants are proud to support minor hockey!
Offer hope in times of tragedy or hardship.
Purchase your tickets as the Giants host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday February 11th. Partial proceeds go towards supporting South Delta Minor Hockey. Tickets $16. Order by phone at: 604-417-3185 or by email at: vp_girls@southdeltahockey.com
FundAid.ca can help you start a crowdfunding campaign to raise money now.
A25
A26
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
Today’shomes Three reasons city is more affordable than you think Joannah Connolly jconnolly@rew.ca
It’s always a hot topic on these pages and in the media generally, but these past few weeks the issue of Vancouver’s lack of affordability has been more discussed than ever. First, a few weeks ago, the price of a typical Greater Vancouver single-family home surpassed $1 million for the first time. On Jan. 13, Workopolis published a survey that got picked up by media outlets outlining what you need to earn to buy an average house in Canada’s cities. Needless to say, Vancouver came out worst, at $147,023 a year. Then, on Jan. 19, an annual survey by Demographia asserted that Vancouver was the world’s second-least affordable metropolitan region, after Hong Kong. But is it really as bad as the headlines make it seem? After all, the real estate market is hotter than ever, with home sales in 2014 up 16 per cent compared with 2013. So if Vancouver
real estate is so very unaffordable, how are all those buyers affording it? And we’re not talking about overseas investors, who make up about third of the luxury market and a much smaller fraction of the market overall. We’re talking about regular folk with their average incomes, buying typical homes. Here’s how. There are three major, often-overlooked reasons why families and individuals continue to be able to afford real estate in a supposedly unaffordable market. 1) Most People Have Existing Equity Around 70 per cent of all real-estate purchases are made by non-first-time buyers. That is, people who are selling a home to buy the next, and therefore already have equity to offset against the cost of their new mortgage. A typical family buying that typical million-dollar single-family home has probably been in the market for around 10 or 15 years: first buying a condo as a couple, then moving to a
REW editor Joannah Connolly argues Vancouver isn’t prohibitively expensive to buy a home. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
townhome or duplex when the kids are small, and then finding their “forever” home to grow into. It’s not as though they are taking out a full million-dollar mortgage and having to pay that off with their average household income. This family has been able to take full advantage of the rising house prices in selling their previous homes, so the sharp rise in prices has worked as much for them as it has against them. This means that the income-to-mortgage ratios
of surveys like those by Demographia and Workopolis simply do not apply in the real world, especially when you factor in reason #2 below. And what about first-time buyers who do not have any equity? They need to follow the same process as our family above, like everybody else. And if they want to live in downtown Vancouver but can’t even afford a one-bedroom condo, then why not build up equity by buying in an up-andcoming outlying area, rent
it out and carry on renting downtown? Or just live in it and work your way up the ladder back to your desired area. 2) Income-to-Price Ratio Skewed There is a fundamental flaw in the methodology of comparing average household incomes with average house prices in Vancouver. Let’s take the Demographia survey as an example. It cited a median price (mid-point of all sales prices) of $704,800 and a median household income of $66,400. This median price factors in all those super-luxury homes generally bought by rich overseas investors, as well as the regular homes more generally bought by locals. But if you are factoring in homes bought by the super-rich from overseas, then you need to factor their income into the average household income of the “buying public” – not just Vancouver residents. Either that, or strip the super-luxury market from the equation entirely – bringing the median price
down considerably. But don’t compare apples with oranges. 3) Interest Rates at Historic Lows On Jan. 22, at the Urban Development Institute 2015 Luncheon, Neil Chrystal of Polygon Homes made a crucial point. He observed that because of the current historically low interest rates, the mortgage payments on a typical home in 2014 were only slightly higher than those made on a home in the late 80s and early 90s. Allowing for the increase in average annual income in that time, and it is now probably cheaper to pay a mortgage on a typical home than it was back then. Of course, Chrystal is in the business of getting people to buy homes, but his point is nevertheless valid. Now that interest rates have just dropped even further, this is truer than ever. Of course, all home buyers must be careful to allow for future rate increases, but we are extremely unlikely to see the highs of the early 90s any time soon. twitter.com/JoannahConnolly
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A27
Today’shomes Cambie Star rises above the Canada Line
C
ambie Village might be one of
This is where Cambie Star is rising
the smallest of Vancouver’s
from. This stunning boutique collection
neighbourhoods but its got
of 59 elegant homes, ranging from 530
panache! Since the Canada Line went
to 1427 square feet, is conveniently
in, this former sleepy enclave burst
located above the Canada Line King
onto the scene as a cultural melting
Edward Station.
pot waiting to be discovered. It boasts
“Your commute from your front door
a variety of upscale, boutiques,
is weatherproof,” says Stephen Kwok,
bakeries, bars, specialty stores and
sales manager at Anson Realty. “You
variety of restaurants.
can get to downtown, Richmond, the
airport and all points in between
up to the private rooftop deck or your
on the Canada Line without getting
own balcony and take in the stunning
rained on.”
Vancouver cityscapes.
Inside, luxury and beauty abound
Cambie Star will be built to LEED Gold
in these sophisticated residences
Standard by well-respected Yuanheng,
– gorgeous wide plank engineered
a developer committed to sustainable
hardwood, central air conditioning,
communities of exceptional quality.
a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows
The Cambie Star sales centre is
and open-concept gourmet kitchens
open daily from noon to 5 p.m. or by
resplendent with quartz countertops,
appointment (closed Fridays) at 3246
stainless steel appliances and
Cambie St., Vancouver. Completion
generous eating bars.
date is slated for September 2016.
“We have a couple of penthouses
For more information,
left and they boast great views of
call 604-708-8867,
downtown, Shaughnessy, the Queen
email anson@anson-realty.com
Elizabeth Park and beyond.”
or visit www.cambiestar.com.
adds Kwok. On those balmy summer nights, grab a bottle of wine and food and head
A28
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
TM
RIVER GREEN COMMUNITY PRESENTS THEIR LATEST COLLECTION OF EXCLUSIVE RESIDENCES
Canada’s most luxurious
WATERFRONT COMMUNITY Coming soon. A rare and exclusive opportunity to be a part of Richmond’s most sought after private residences at the renowned River Green Community. Presenting 2 River Green, an unparalleled luxury living experience along Richmond’s signature waterfront.
PRIORITY REGISTRATION www.rivergreen.com This advertisement is not an offering for sale. Such an offering can only be made by a disclosure statement. E. & O. E.
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
The
I VY
On Dunbar at 27th
Distinguished Homes in the Heart of Dunbar Village 1, 2, 3 B E DROOM R E S IDE NC E S
Coming Early Spring 2015
Register Now 路 604 -566 -5888
IVYDUNBAR .C O M This is not an offering for sale. Any such offering can only be made by way of a disclosure statement. The developer reserves the right to make changes and modifications to the information contained herein without prior notice. E&EO.
A29
A30
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
V A N C O U V E R
NO W
SE
LL IN
R I V E R S I D E Rhythm by Polygon brings the energy of Vancouver living to a picturesque waterfront community. With a boutique collection of one and two-bedroom residences, Rhythm offers residents a central location where you can walk to beautiful trails, shop for groceries, dine at restaurants and enjoy a private clubhouse â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all without leaving the neighbourhood. Two-bedroom homes priced from $389,900
3202 Riverwalk Avenue, Vancouver Open Noon to 5pm daily (except Friday) 604.437.5315 rhythm@polyhomes.com
G
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A31
A32
T H E VA N C O U V E R C O U R I E R F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
7 20,000
PR SA EVIE TU W RD S S AY TA FEB RT 14
YEARS OF PLANNING
21
4
SF PRIVATE BACKYARD AMENITY
STOREYS OF VIEWS
WAYS TO COMMUTE: SKYTRAIN, BIKE, BUS OR WALK
25,000
33 $
HIPSTER NEIGHBOURS
DIFFERENT FLOORPLANS
299K
1
PRICED FROM
OPPORTUNITY TO OWN
THE FIRST BUILDING OF ITS KIND IN THE HOTTEST NEIGHBOURHOOD IN VANCOUVER
PRESENTATION CENTRE LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF MAIN & BROADWAY
INDEPENDENTatMAIN.COM The Developer reserves the right to make changes and modifications to the information contained herein without prior notice. This is not an offering for sale, any such offering may only be made by way of a Disclosure Statement. E&OE.
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A33
VE I N T OD
ES M HO MAIN RE
2 2
LY N O
1101 1616 COLUMBIA ST 801 77 WALTER HARDWICK 2 Bed + Flex + EB Living - 1,539 SF Deck - 588 SF $1,428,000
1202 1661 ONTARIO ST 2 Bed + Fam + Den + Flex Living - 1875 SF Deck - 183 SF $1,649,900
603 1661 ONTARIO ST 2 Bed + Flex Living - 1,099 SF Deck - 195 SF $766,000
JUST SOLD
209 181 WEST 1ST AVE 1 Bed + Flex Living - 772 SF Deck - 65 SF $482,500
602 151 ATHLETES WAY
811 181 WEST 1ST AVE 1 Bed + Flex Living - 771 SF Deck - 65 SF $537,900 104 181 WEST 1ST AVE 2 Bed + Flex Living - 1,070 SF Deck - 90 SF $816,900
JUST SOLD
205 181 WEST 1ST AVE 2 Bed + EB + Flex Living - 1,118 SF Deck - 75 SF $853,500
This is not an offering for sale. Any such offering can only be made by way of a disclosure statement. The developer reserves the right to make changes and modifications to the information contained herein without prior notice. E.&.O.E.
THEVILLAGEONFALSECREEK.COM · 604.733.2010
VISIT OUR POP-UP SALES OFFICE & 8 DISPLAY SUITES TODAY · 197 WALTER HARDWICK AVE OPEN DAILY12–5PM, CLOSED FRIDAYS OR BY APPOINTMENT
401 1661 ONTARIO ST 2 Bed + Flex Living - 1,114 SF Deck - 201 SF $735,000
307 181 WEST 1ST 2 Bed + EB + Flex Living - 1,118 SF Deck - 75 SF $863,500
301 118 ATHLETES WAY
JUST SOLD
VISIT OUR POP-UP SALES OFFICE AT 197 WALTER HARDWICK AVE!
FINAL RELEASE!
DON’T MISS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO OWN IN VANCOUVER’S BEST WATERFRONT COMMUNITY
709 1661 ONTARIO ST
JUST SOLD
711 181 WEST 1ST AVE 1 Bed + Flex Living - 771 SF Deck - 65 SF $532,900
902 181 WEST 1ST AVE 1 Bed + Flex Living - 712 SF Deck - 62 SF $507,900
% · 9 7 S OL D
!
· 9 7 % S OL ! D! AY
·
MO
! AY
OVE I N T OD · M
903 1633 ONTARIO ST
904 181 WEST 1ST AVE 2 Bed Living - 816 SF Deck - 58 SF $668,900
204 181 WEST 1ST AVE 1 Bed + EB + Flex Living - 756 SF Deck - 75 SF $583,900
202 128 ATHLETES WAY 3 Bed + Fam + Den + Flex + 2 EB Living - 2,165 SF Deck - 221 SF $1,948,500
JUST SOLD
311 1633 ONTARIO ST
JUST SOLD 304 1616 COLUMBIA ST 3 Bed + EB + Flex Living - 1,429 SF Deck - 315 SF $1,325,900
A34 THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER
A35
.com
0% -5
-5
2%
U -7 P T 1% O
Get exclusive access to the best offers in the city
Worth of Award-Winning Classic Italian Cuisine at La Piazza Dario, Valid for Lunch OR Dinner
Admission to 5-D Real-Life Escape Room Experience Game and Membership for 2, 4 or 6 People
Two-Night Stay for 2 People in a One-Bedroom Luxury Suite at The Parkside Hotel & Spa
La Piazza Dario
Locked Canada
The Parkside Hotel & Spa
Vancouver, BC
From
$12 $25
and up
From
Vancouver, BC
$30 $70
$249 $498
Victoria, BC
Get these and other exclusive offers at SocialShopper.com Visit us online
Find an offer you like
Buy it
Enjoy it!
A40
THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, JA N UA RY 3 0 , 2 0 1 5
WEEKLY SPECIALS Prices Effective January 29 to February 4, 2015.
While quantities last. Not all items available at all stores. We reserve the right to correct printing errors.
100% BC Owned and Operated PRODUCE
MEAT Organic Table Carrots from Fountainview Farm, BC, Canada
Organic Fair
Trade Hass Avocados from Pragor Co-op in Mexico
value pack
value pack
5.99lb/ 13.21kg
2.98
2/3.00
Aspen Ridge Beef Stewing Meat
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
7.99lb/ 17.61kg
907g/2lb bag
Organic
Mini Roma Tomatoes on the Vine
3.98
Organic
Limes
Ocean Wise Sockeye Salmon Fillets
2.98
value pack, previously frozen
454g/1lb
11.99lb/ 26.43kg
product of California, USA
340g
product of Mexico
GROCERY assorted varieties
assorted varieties
SAVE FROM
28%
3.99-8.99
33%
170 - 425g product of USA
10.99 568g
WELLNESS Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Juice
assorted varieties
3.79
SAVE
chicken or beef
Kettle Foods Potato Chips
Tre Stelle Shredded Cheese
Amy's Kitchen Organic Frozen Pizza
Life Choices Frozen Burgers
SAVE
170-200g product of Canada
36%
2/5.00
regular or preserveative free
10.99
200-220g product of USA
946ml
All Natural Factors Supplements Stahlbush Island Farms Frozen Vegetables
Liberté Méditerranée Yogurt
assorted varieties
assorted varieties
2/6.00
SAVE
37%
SAVE
500g product of Canada
44%
assorted varieties
34%
product of China
40%
Wolfgang Puck Organic Soup
398ml product of USA
454g product of BC
Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry Detergent
Bothwell Cheese assorted varieties
assorted varieties
11.99
7.49
regular retail price
GLUTEN FREE
Organic Sourdough Bread
Brown Rice Bread
sliced or unsliced
regular or sandwich size
530g
4.99
350g
Cookies
Specialty Chicken Wings or Drumsticks
ou r Top y h wit pizza ell w Both ! Cheese
assorted varieties
4.99-5.99
1.99/100g
www.choicesmarkets.com
bins and bags
7.99-13.99
or Bothwell Squeek’rs Choices’ Own Large Pizza
Select Bulk Mixes
1.47-2.95L • product of USA
4.49
2.99/100g
120 soft gels
20% off
xxx • product of xxx
Entertaining? Visit our Deli Department for our delicious cocktail sized ideas!
60 soft gels
BULK
assorted varieties
xxx BAKERY
DELI
16.99 28.99
3/6.99
500g – 4 pack product of Canada
739ml product of USA
EPA 660, DHA 330
assorted varieties
3.69-4.29
SAVE 2/7.00
New Roots Herbal Wild Omega-3 Fish Oil
product of Canada
assorted varieties
assorted varieties
regular retail price
+deposit +eco fee
Danone Oikos or Activia Yogurt
Simply Natural Organic Pasta Sauce
20% off
900ml
6.49 SAVE
100g
assorted sizes and varieties, some exclusions may apply
2/7.00
3/4.98
2 varieties
1.99
36%
assorted varieties
284-400g product of USA
The Granola King Granola
Hot Kids Rice Crisp
SAVE
Happy Planet Fresh Fruit Smoothies
package of 12
/ChoicesMarkets
@ChoicesMarkets
Kitsilano
Cambie
Kerrisdale
Yaletown
Gluten Free Bakery
South Surrey
Burnaby Crest
Kelowna
Floral Shop
2627 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver
3493 Cambie St. Vancouver
1888 W. 57th Ave. Vancouver
1202 Richards St. Vancouver
2595 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver
3248 King George Blvd. South Surrey
8683 10th Ave. Burnaby
1937 Harvey Ave. Kelowna
2615 W. 16th Vancouver
Best Organic Produce