Vancouver Courier March 6 2015

FRIDAY

March 06 2015

Vol. 106 No. 18

FEATURE 14

Pets of the Downtown Eastside SPRING ARTS PREVIEW 19

VSO celebrates Sinatra’s 100th SPORTS 32

Raising the Brar There’s more online at

vancourier.com WEEKEND EDITION

THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908

Homelessness goal in jeopardy Numbers at odds with street scene

Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

City manager Penny Ballem is worried this month’s homeless count in Vancouver will show people are still living on the street despite efforts of her staff and B.C. Housing to find shelter and housing for more than 500 people recorded in last March’s count.

Such bad news would be a big blow to Mayor Gregor Robertson and his goal to end so-called “street homelessness” by this year’s homeless count, which will be conducted by city officials and volunteers March 23 and 24.

“I’m concerned because I think we’re still going to have street homeless,” Ballem told the Courier by telephone as she pored over a spreadsheet of homeless numbers and available housing. “We know what we’ve opened but if there’s still 200 people on the street, the question is: Where have they come from and what is causing that?”

On paper, Ballem said, matching shelter beds, temporary housing and permanent housing to the 536 homeless people recorded in last year’s count should leave the city with a surplus of 29 beds.

“My hope would be that we’ve just about reached the goal for the mayor,” she said.

“But looking around the city, I’m worried.

It doesn’t feel like we’ve got there.”

Ballem pointed out the city has been unable to accurately track other drivers of homelessness, including the number of people who leave hospital, jail or foster care and end up on the streets. Also, she said, people on welfare are losing their homes to unaffordable rent increases, particularly in the Downtown Eastside.

“We are bringing on capacity but there’s other things that may be working against us,” she said, noting the city’s moderate climate is also attractive to homeless people from other parts of the country, Adding to Ballem’s concern is her staff’s inability to account for at least 68 people that moved out of single-roomoccupancy hotels in the Downtown Eastside undergoing renovations.

Ballem said she expects to get an answer this week from B.C. Housing, which is renovating 13 hotels, on what happened to the 68 people.

“We’re really, really trying to actually to be a bit more scientific than ‘trust us, it’s all good,’” she said, referring to previous responses from B.C. Housing.

B.C. Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay said all tenants of the hotels under renovation were relocated to other accommodations. Ramsay said tenants were given priority to move back into the hotels once they re-opened.

“Nobody has been lost or displaced,” Ramsay said. “We’ve relocated hundreds and hundreds of people — some vulnerable people — and there hasn’t been one bad news story about it because of the effort we went through to relocate folks.”

Ballem said the city also doesn’t know how many homeless people counted last March have received rent subsidies from B.C. Housing, saying “ideally we should all know that but we just don’t have that at this point.”

Though the city and B.C. Housing

have worked together to build 14 social housing sites across the city, the Visionled council has repeatedly called for the provincial government to build more housing in Vancouver.

Housing Minister Rich Coleman told the Courier in an interview in January “there’s no jurisdiction that I can find in the country that has received more in funding for supportive housing than the city of Vancouver has.”

Since the March 2014 homeless count, various B.C. Housing buildings, shelters and temporary housing have opened across the city. But some buildings have also closed, including the 100-room Bosman hotel that could re-open with 40 beds by the homeless count in two weeks.

As well, Taylor Manor, a 56-unit building at Adanac and Boundary, is expected to open before the count and be home to people with mental illness.

A 146-unit social housing building at 220 Princess Ave., which will house female-led families, is scheduled to open in April. All of the city’s shelters are full. twitter.com/Howellings

‘Most epic project ever’ Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

When Tupper Tech student Zack Robinson suggested he and his fellow students build a boat for an English 12 project based on the novel Life of Pi, their teacher laughed.

“And then I challenged them,” said Jennifer Braun, the head of the school’s English department. “Yeah, hey, if you do this, it’s going to be the most epic project ever, and you’ll make Tupper history.”

Last Friday school history was made as students christened the SS Piscine, named for the novel’s protagonist Piscine Molitor “Pi” Patel, in False Creek. It culminated weeks of work starting in December that featured cooperation between the school’s academic and technical education departments.

Seventeen-year-old project manager Maricris Evangelista recited a boat christening text and seven of the 10 boys who helped build the vessel chanted, “To the sea, to the sailors before us, to the SS Piscine.”

“She’s doing it with Starbucks coffee because we’re not allowed to have alcohol, but how much more West Coast is it than Starbucks coffee?” said Tupper Tech teacher Russ Evans of the christening. “I was sobbing at the end of it. I’ve been at weddings that were less emotional than that.”

Continued on page 7

MONSTER MASH A sand tiger shark looks even more intimidating on the inside than it does on the outside, at least in the visually stunning Sea Monsters Revealed exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium. The exhibit, which features the dissected and preserved bodies of impressive sea creatures, opened this week at the aquarium and continues until Sept. 7. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

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News

Transit tax battle includes pigs and a poodle

12TH&CAMBIE Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

Once upon a time, there was a man named Jordan Bateman who decided on a sunny Wednesday to drive from his Langley home into Vancouver.

Four dancing pigs joined him on his journey.

They came to a stop at 18th and Main, where they gazed up at a big white poodle, sitting majestically atop a pedestal. Birds flew overhead, a dog barked in the distance.

Then along came some media types to ruin what could have been the beginning of a trippy fairytale.

But hey, Bateman invited us there to explain the significance of the pigs and the poodle.

Bateman, for those not in the know, is the main combatant for the No side in the transit tax plebiscite battle.

He’s also a lead vocalist for the B.C. branch of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

Sadly, the four pigs

weren’t real but goldcoloured and the main feature on a trophy the taxpayers’ federation uses as a prop to spread the word about waste in government and other organizations.

Bateman had some big news to share: This year’s lifetime achievement award for waste went to TransLink, whose questionable spending practices, including the Compass Card debacle, an empty park-andride lot in Surrey and having two CEOs on the payroll continue to fuel debate between the No and Yes sides.

The significance of the poodle?

First of all, it is also — sadly — not real.

Apparently, TransLink contributed $30,000 to ensure the pedestal and huge aluminum-cast poodle would get a spot at Main and 18th. Why that spot and why a poodle still puzzles many, including Bateman. “It’s a weird one,” he said.

So once we got the pig-poodle connection out of the way, I did my best to find out why Bateman

Jordan Bateman of the No TransLink Tax campaign visited Vancouver Wednesday and hung out with a poodle on Main Street.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

and his No TransLink Tax campaign were telling people not to support a 0.5 per cent increase to the provincial sales tax to help pay for the mayors’ $7.5 billion transit plan — one

which includes a subway along the Broadway corridor, more buses, more SeaBus and HandyDart service, rapid transit in Surrey and a new Pattullo Bridge, among other

upgrades.

I’ve already reported that he believes municipalities could simply fund the plan by using future revenue growth as the region grows, which the mayors have dismissed as not feasible.

But the plan itself, I asked, do you support it?

He gave me several answers.

One: “There are aspects of it that I think are better than others.”

Two: “I don’t know if you can divorce the plan from the tax tool [the 0.5 per cent tax increase request]. The mayors could have done it by allocating future growth.”

Three: “The first thing is always to fix TransLink because no matter where the money comes from, you’ve got to make sure TransLink can be trusted with it.”

Four: “I don’t support TransLink. I would support the plan, if it was funded out of future growth.”

He did a lot more talking, dismissing the mayors’ message that righting the

TransLink ship is a fight for another day. He also dismissed the mayors’ promise that every dollar spent under the tax scheme would be accounted for in annual audits.

On it goes.

The battle between the No and Yes sides continued yesterday after the Courier’s deadline, with Mayor Gregor Robertson and Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner to make a “significant announcement regarding accountability,” according to a media advisory from the mayors’ council on regional transportation.

No animals —real or fake — are expected to attend.

Real voters, however, will begin to receive mail-in ballots for the plebiscite in less than two weeks and have to decide whether they believe Bateman and his group or the mayors and the Yes side coalition of businesses, unions, university presidents and environmentalist David Suzuki.

Good luck, everybody. twitter.com/Howellings

St. Patrick’s Day Concert Performance March 17th 10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Steven Lin

Ji In Kim

Join us for a special Quintet performance presented by Bridge Musicians International (BMI). Introducing the highly accomplished talents of Pianist Susan Choi, Violinists – Yun Jung, Ji In Kim, Violist – Steven Lin and Cellist Kevin Park (No Charge for Concert).

Special St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon to follow:

Kevin Park

$25.00 includes appetizer, entrée, dessert and beverage. *excluding wine & spirits

Reservation Deadline March 13Th

Yun Jung

Susan Choi

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

News

Vancouver homeowners getting tax increase

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Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

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City council approved Tuesday a $1.2 billion operating budget and a $306 million capital budget that translates to a 2.4 per cent tax hike and means a home worth $1 million will see an estimated increase of $44 per year.

The increase, however, doesn’t include the anticipated hikes in utility fees, including sewer, water and solid waste, bringing the total increase in taxes and fees for a $1 million property to about $88 per year.

The ruling Vision Vancouver council supported the 2.4 per cent hike, with Coun Geoff Meggs pointing to a $61.3 million investment in affordable and social housing, $38.4 million in transportation upgrades and $3 million for more childcare spaces.

“The [tax] increase continues to be lower than

many of our peers in the region — significantly lower in some cases — and protects all of our services while providing growth in certain areas,” Meggs said during Tuesday’s debate.

NPA Coun. George Affleck unsuccessfully attempted to have the budget vote delayed when he suggested city staff see if it could find $6 million in cuts to lower the tax hike to 1.4 per cent.

“There’s room for improvement here,” said Affleck, noting cuts could be found in funding increases to the offices of the mayor ($200,000) and city manager ($224,000). “Those are two line items that jumped out at me. If we’re going to show people of this city that we’re doing a better job at how we manage the city and how we manage our finances, those are two areas where I would have liked to see a decrease to prove that

we’re walking the walk.”

Vision councillors shot back, saying Affleck was insulting city staff which had worked for several months on balancing the budget.

“It isn’t as if staff one day rolled out of bed and said, ‘Let’s pick a number and throw a dart and we’ll just give each of the departments an allotment [of cash],’” said Vision Coun.

Raymond Louie. “I want to thank staff for their work that they’ve done to get us to this point.”

NPA Coun. Melissa De Genova defended Affleck, saying he was simply wanting staff to examine whether a tax decrease could be achieved.

“We have to exercise a certain amount of decorum because right now it feels like high school,” she said, referring to the acrimonious debate in the council chambers.

Green Party Coun.

Adriane Carr said the tax

increase was appropriate but noted the operating budget report needs more line-by-line detail to include all of the city’s expenses.

“I don’t know if we’re spending more on legal services,” she said before voting against the operating budget. “We’ve got a lot of law cases we’re pursuing but that’s not a line item that I can figure out in this budget.”

Wages and benefits are the primary drivers of cost increases, particularly for police ($12 million) and fire services ($5.4 million), which are the largest components of the city’s operating budget.

Public safety wage and benefit increases amount to the equivalent of a one per cent property tax increase. More than half of the city’s $1.2 billion operating budget will come from property taxes. twitter.com/Howellings

WHY LNG IN B.C.?

A SPECIAL SERIES ON LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS

2,000 trillion We have enough to supply local needs and help meet global demand

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cubic feet in Northeast B.C.

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In fact, enough to supply LNG export operations and domestic needs for 150 years, so it makes sense to sell some of it

Natural gas has been produced safely in B.C. for more than 60 years. It is as much a part of our resource wealth as forestry and fishing. And like forestry and fishing, the natural gas sector provides thousands of stable, well-paid jobs for British Columbians who work for gas producers in the Northeast and for suppliers and service providers throughout the province.

The industry also generates tax revenue to help pay for social services and infrastructure like salaries for nurses and teachers, and new roads, schools and hospitals. But unlike

NEW MARKETS FOR OUR NATURAL GAS... in Asia and elsewhere

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an estimated

BRITISH COLUMBIA has far more natural gas than we use

China alone expects to use 17.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas a year by 2040 – three times more than in 2012

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WE’VE GOT NATURAL GAS...

forestry and fishing, which are now mature industries, natural gas is entering what the International Energy Agency has described as The Golden Age of Gas. Demand is rising rapidly and B.C. is ideally positioned to meet some of it.

Exporting B.C.’s natural gas is nothing new; it was first transported via Vancouver to the U.S. in 1957 and the U.S. has remained our main market ever since. But with the U.S. producing more of its own gas it now makes sense to sell our surplus overseas where there’s a demand. The only difference is that the gas must be converted into a liquid so it can be shipped.

That’s why B.C. is developing a new industry to produce LNG.

The BC LNG Alliance is the voice of British Columbia’s new LNG export industry. Our mission is to foster the growth of a safe, environmentally responsible and globally competitive LNG industry in British Columbia and Canada.

Connect with us: bclnga.ca

I 778.370.1392 I

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I

in BC LNG Alliance

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News

Come ome Explore VanDusen Garde Garden

Kids are Free ffor th the Month M th of March! ch

Streetfront alternative program hikers spent this past Saturday at Grouse Mountain on their last training hike before flying to Tanzania March 5 to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The group also plans to volunteer at an orphanage in Moshi. PHOTO REBECCA BLISSETT

Students cross borders with African trip Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

Brandon Kaine’s mom was more excited than he was last Friday about his imminent school trip to Tanzania.

“Every day she’d be like, ‘You’re going to Africa!’

And I’m just like, yeah, you didn’t have to get all the shots and all the training,” the 16-year-old said.

Kaine was nervous about the 20-hour flight and spending two weeks so far from Vancouver when his furthest destination had previously been Seattle.

Kaine is one of 15 teens who left Vancouver Thursday morning to scale Mount Kilimanjaro alongside 10 adults with the Street2Peak project. The youth include seven of the 22 students enrolled in the Streetfront alternative program that focuses on physical fitness and outdoor recreation for students in grades 8 to 10 at Britannia secondary and five former Streetfront kids.

Streetfront students cope with learning disabilities, family struggles and difficulties with the law. Many are aboriginal boys from the Downtown Eastside.

But Streetfront doesn’t pity these kids who’ve dealt with the death of loved ones, the absence of father figures and living in foster care. The alternative pro-

gram pushes them to work hard and exceed their own expectations.

“We’re known for our marathon program,” said Streetfront teacher Trevor Stokes. “We don’t run small races, 5-k, we run 42-k races, right. So we want to up the ante as much as possible.”

Now Streetfront is upping the ante by expanding students’ borders.

“One time, we had nine out of 22 kids, and nine had never been to Deep Cove or North Vancouver,” Stokes said. “We can run across the bridge in 40 minutes.”

Street2Peak raised more than $100,000 for the trip.

The group will spend eight days ascending and descending Kilimanjaro, and then they’ll embark on a four-day safari in Serengeti National Park.

Stokes is most looking forward to seeing Street2Peak kids interact with Tanzanian teens.

“We’re not listening to iPods, we’re not doing any of that stuff. We’re literally out playing soccer and figuring out what it’s like to be a kid in Africa and reflect on what we’ve got, how fortunate we are,” he said.

The trip to Tanzania is meant to be the first in a 10-year Street2Peak project that will see Streetfront students tackle a different continent every two years.

The first excursion includes 10 adults to help ensure the initial trip’s success.

Britannia’s former viceprincipal, Andy Schofield, instigated the trip after his brother in South Africa suggested Schofield visit Kilimanjaro for his 50th birthday. Schofield decided it would be more rewarding to send students with severely limited opportunities.

Street2Peak kids will share their stories with elementary school students upon their return to help younger kids see what they could achieve. “[Streetfront kids] sometimes get kicked out of places where they come from,” Stokes said. “So we will go back to every single kid’s elementary school and we’ll put a presentation on and that kid will be front and centre… [We’ll] show that the kid you once judged, or maybe knew, is not the kid that is today.”

Kaine, who came to Streetfront because he was having trouble focusing and was skipping school, was worried about the lengthy journey, but looking forward to actually climbing Kilimanjaro.

“That, to me, is just a once in a lifetime thing that will happen and it’s a big goal that I’m going to be very happy to achieve,” he said. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

Bring your kids 12 years and under to experience the 55 acres at VanDusen Botanical Garden! Find your way through the hedge maze, spot local wildlife, enjoy a family picnic and discover over 7,000 different plants from around the world! Take advantage of up to 2 FREE child admissions with the purchase of a regular price adult, senior or youth admission.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

News

Park board saves trees from CP line

Naoibh O’Connor

noconnor@vancourier.com

A Vancouver Park Board employee used a tree spade to dig up a seven-to-10-yearold cherry tree planted near the tracks on Arbutus Corridor at 57th Avenue Wednesday morning.

It was the first of about 25 larger fruit trees the park board is relocating to McCleery Golf Course by the Fraser River, using heavy equipment, to save them from removal by Canadian Pacific crews.

CP resumed clearing its property along Arbutus Corridor Feb. 10, not long after the Supreme Court of B.C. dismissed a City of Vancouver application for an injunction to halt the clearing of gardens and other obstructions along the rail line.

Howard Normann, the park board’s manager of urban forestry, told reporters that staff are hand-digging and moving another 50 or 60 smaller fruit trees.

Normann estimates it will cost between $300 and $400 to move each of the larger trees using the mechanical tree spade.

“Here the soil is nice and soft, easy to move. When you get down to Sixth Avenue, it’s probably a little more challenging, so it might be a little more cost,” he said.

He anticipates it will cost about $150 to hand-dig and move the smaller trees with a shovel. They’re being donated to Treekeepers, a non-profit organization, which will find new homes for them.

Normann maintains it’s important to save the trees.

“It’s a sensitive issue for citizens that live in this area and that have community gardens in this area,” he said, adding that the city is committed to planting more trees as part of the Greenest City 2020 initiative.

The Vancouver Park Board removed a cherry tree from Arbutus Corridor near West 57th Wednesday. It’s digging up and relocating fruit trees to save them from removal by Canadian Pacific crews.

“People are passionate about the trees on this corridor, [and] again, as a park board, we do whatever we can to save trees,” he said.

Normann noted there is a huge variety of fruit trees along the corridor, including plum, apple and fig.

“Some have been planted as recently as last year. We have some trees that are 40 to 50 years old that are unfortunately too big to move,” he added.

The park board is covering costs associated with the project. Normann said it has “some flexibility” within its planting account. CP has given it until March 11 to complete the job.

But some trees have already been lost. “[CP] has taken trees down. There are trees that are in the way of their work in general, not so much here, but down on the Sixth Avenue part there are definitely quite a few trees that have come down,” Normann said.

“Some trees we just can’t save. From an economic standpoint, they are in no condition to be saved. They either have broken branches or are diseased or are too large. There are trees that

have been planted against walls. There are trees that have been planted on angles. So we’re picking the heathiest trees and there are some, unfortunately, that can’t be saved.”

He expects the ones that are being relocated will survive the move. Individuals were given the opportunity to remove their own trees, and some did.

John Coupar, chair of the Vancouver Park Board, insists it’s a worthy effort.

“The mandate of the park board is to preserve and protect trees and green space.

That’s what we do, so I think it totally aligns with the mission statement of the park board. This is a situation where we’re trying to save those trees and have them remain for the enjoyment of all citizens. I think it’s a very noble goal,” he said.

When a reporter asked if it was economically the right way to go, Coupar said yes.

“It’s not a large cost in terms of the overall operation. These trees are going to go to McCleery Golf Course and the others are going to result in donations to Treekeepers, so I think it’s a very positive story,” he said.

The people have spoken Visit vancourier.com/STARS to see the winners of the 2015 Readers’ Choice Awards!

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News Boat symbolizes faith in community

Continued from page 1 The SS Piscine seats five and students clambered in.

Robinson suggested building the boat as a joke. But the next day, Evans encouraged students to make it happen.

Robinson departed before building began to complete an electrician apprenticeship as part of the Tupper Tech program that teaches trades skills to Grade 12 students.

Evangelista swiftly hopped aboard to steer the project.

The students found plans for a lifeboat online, secured wood and fibreglass, stitched together panels, mixed and applied two-part epoxy foam and attached oar locks.

The boat-building team included five students in Braun’s English 12 class as well as seven other Tupper Tech teens.

“They were engaged because, well, they wanted it,” Evans said. “It wasn’t something that somebody had told them they had to, this was theirs.”

“Usually through high school my ideas haven’t been admired or acknowledged,” Robinson said. “This was one of the ideas that actually came to life… It feels good.”

From left to right: Tupper Tech students Tommy Tran, Danny Le, Kenny Huynh, John Tait, Hugh Perkic, Taylor Ross, Jonathan Phan, Maricris Evangelista, and honorary Tupper Tech student Patrice Borromeo, with English teacher Jennifer Braun in front.

Student Karolyn Lopez, who’s known around school for her artwork, painted a tiger on the back of the boat.

“It is the tiger from the Life of Pi, but it also represents us because we are Tupper Tigers,” Evangelista said, referring to the school’s boys basketball team that won the city championships.

Braun, who’s taught with the Vancouver School Board since 2002, and in South Africa and the U.S. before that, asked students to design projects that share their knowledge of works of

literature in engaging and creative ways.

But she never anticipated the lengths to which her students would go.

“I just want each and every one of us to be remembered,” said Evangelista, who plans to become an aircraft technician.

Evangelista, the only girl in Tupper Tech, had to learn how to gain the respect of the guys in her group and to assign tasks without annoying anyone.

“She was so dedicated,” said Danny Le. “She kept us all on task,”

agreed Kenny Huynh.

Evangelista wants other students to see they can accomplish whatever they want with a little support and a lot of teamwork.

Braun believes her students have made history with the project-based collaboration between the academic English class and tech ed.

“This is public education.

It’s East Van. With a bit of creativity and goodwill and faith… it’s amazing what you can do,” she said.

But how does building a boat demonstrate a deep understanding of Yann Martel’s novel?

“It symbolizes faith because Pi relied on the boat to survive,” Evangelista said in Tupper’s foyer, where the SS Piscine now rests. “But it also can represent a sanctuary where Richard Parker and Pi learn how to understand each other, communicate with each other, learn how to survive with each other and respect each other for how many days at sea.”

“It’s been super fun and meaningful and something that a standardized test can’t test,” Braun said. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

Opinion

The right to die is a boomer obsession

Transplant surgery is well ahead of its time

Allen Garr Columnist agarr@vancourier.com

Geoff Olson Columnist mwiseguise@yahoo.com

It has become the preoccupation of the boomer generation. Those who may have wanted to “live forever” were consumed in their youth, or at least distracted somewhat, by drugs, sex and rock and roll.

But in the shift from groovy to geezer, drugs are now less likely to be taken for pleasure and more likely consumed to reduce pain and sourced over the counter and not on a street corner.

Sex, well, that too, is often now aided

by Big Pharma. (“If your erection lasts more than four hours…” Really?)

As for rock and roll, it may be here to stay, but you are not.

The aging cohort so used to setting the cultural and political agenda has made a decided shift.

Now closer to the end than the beginning of their lives, as well as dealing with aging parents, there has been a growing demand that they be allowed to be as deliberate in their deaths as they have been in their lives.

That was certainly reflected in the Supreme Court of Canada case decided two weeks ago. The court ruled physician assisted suicide was a matter of an individual’s Charter rights.

The federal government was given a year in which to come up with legislation amending the Criminal Code to reflect that.

One essential caveat from the court holds that the person seeking this assisted relief be competent at the time they make the request.

And consider how far we have come.

That same court, although differently composed, deliberated 22 years ago in the case of Sue Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, a terminally ill 42-yearold Victoria mother with Lou Gehrig’s disease, realizing she had less than a year to live, began a crusade to strike down a portion of the Criminal Code that made physician assisted suicide illegal. The court found against her in a split 5-4 decision.

At that time it was considered by the majority that the criminal prohibition of suicide trumped individual Charter rights.

Now there is another right to die case making its way through the legal system. It is the case of Margaret

Bentley.

This week the Appeal Court of B.C. upheld a decision by the Supreme Court of British Columbia that essentially refused a request from Bentley’s family to let her die.

For those of you who have not followed this case, Bentley is an 83-yearold woman who has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for the past 16 years and is now in the final or seventh stage.

She lives in a care home in the Fraser Valley and is incapable of speaking, moving on her own or caring for her most basic personal needs.

And she is also not capable of recognizing anyone.

But while she was still able, Bentley left two documents outlining her requests that the courts found appeared to contradict each other. There was her 1991 “statement of wishes” and summarized by the court “in which she asked to be allowed to die should she suffer from an extreme disability with no expectation of recovery and that she not be provided with nourishment or liquids.”

Then there was a second document wherein Bentley asked that she be provided with “personal care.” Under B.C. legislation that includes providing nourishment but not going so far as to use a feeding tube.

In fact, that is what has been happening. The staff at the care home feed Bentley prompting her to eat by poking the side of her mouth with a spoon to get her to open it.

She may or may not comply depending, according to the staff, on whether she is full or whether she prefers what is being offered.

The trial judge considered that “consent” by Bentley.

In the appeal, the family lawyer argued poking her was actually assault.

The appeal justices disagreed.

They upheld the trial judge’s ruling all the way down the line.

You could wait to see if this case makes it to the Supreme Court of Canada. But you may be wiser to see that your wishes for an orderly exit more are clearly stated, should you end up in Bentley’s situation, by seeking legal advice and completing a Representation Agreement. twitter.com/allengarr

The week in num6ers...

4 200 25

The number of golden pig “awards” handed out recently by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation for government waste. TransLink was given one for lifetime achievement.

In thousands of dollars, the budget increase the mayor’s office will receive as part of a 2.4 per cent tax hike to homeowners.

The approximate number of fruit trees being moved by park board staff to McCleery Golf Course from the Arbutus Corridor in order to save them being destroyed by CP workers.

Head transplants should be on the way in just a few years, says an Italian neurosurgeon. The surgery will be available for those suffering from diseased or soon-to-fail bodies, claims Sergio Canavero, a member of the Turin Advanced Neuromodulation Group. He described the proposed procedure in the medical journal Surgical Neurology International.

Cephalosomatic anastomosis (CSA) is the transference of a healthy head to a surgically beheaded body under deep hypothermic conditions, and comic book villains — sorry, I mean respectable researchers — have attempted it in the past on rats, dogs and monkeys, with mostly spotty results.

According to a report in the National Post, “sharp severing of the spinal cord and the use of modern adhesives are the keys to success.” (Adhesives — of course.

Dr. Red Green isn’t the only one to have thought of this.) This involves “flushing the stump ends of the spinal cord with modern sealants such as polyethylene to accomplish what doctors attempted in 1902 with catgut.”

Whoa, National Post. You can’t just leave something like that dangling at the end of a paragraph. A Google search of “catgut,” “1902,” and “holy crap” reveals that over a century ago, a 26-yearold American woman had her spinal cord severed by a gunshot. Five attending physicians verified that the distance between the segments of the cord was three-quarters of an inch.

“The ends of the cord were then approximated with three chromicized catgut sutures passed by means of a small staphylorraphy needle... This part of the operation was attended with unusual difficulties because of … the wide interval between the fragments... [and] the catgut frequently tearing out before the ends were finally brought together,” according to a 1902 report in the Philadelphia Medical Journal.

Sixteen months later, “the patient slides out of bed into her chair by her own efforts and is able to stand with either hand on the back of a chair, thus supporting much of the weight of the body.”

Sounds like a stupendous medical breakthrough from the time of fob watches and whalebone corsets. Yet it’s still a long way off from attaching someone’s cockpit to someone else’s fu-

selage. Today, organ transplant patients are put on a lifelong regime of immune system-suppressing medication to ward organ rejection (only about 60 per cent of heart transplant patients live for 10 years or longer). In the meantime, their resistance-weakened defences can be breached by a kid’s sneeze.

So what happens when the hypothalamus votes no on a foreign body that is an entire body? (We all remember the sorrow surrounding former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney’s anus transplant, after the new anus rejected him.)

The answer: more immunosuppression through drugs.

Across the world, cryogenic labs preserve the frozen heads of those who believed they could cheat death through future techno-resurrection, among them LSD guru Timothy Leary and Boston Red Sox left fielder Ted Williams. Is their time coming?

I hope not. This cockamamie health care option belongs in the science-fiction/ horror fiction genre, not in the real world.

Sort of like my outline for a short film: after a wave of desperate test subjects are approved for the head transplant procedure, marketers target the doddering one per cent onboard the North American health care cruise line.

Fastforward to the year 2030, when a medical trend has become a lifestyle choice dominated by Genbod, a genetic engineering firm that grows headless adult bodies. (The company’s advertising floats the swimsuit edition of Surgical Neurology International, with its ghoulish, head-transplanted beach babes.)

The CEO of Genbod is Rupert Fitznoodle: an angry, old white guy with a heart condition. Hoping to deke out the Grim Reaper, Fitznoodle orders a new chassis through his health care provider.

But the stock value of Genbod has tanked, fresh bodies are in short supply, and the clock is ticking on his ticker.

After some confusion in the hospital morgue, Fitznoodle’s jowly, liver-spotted head gets screwed onto the burnished frame of some gangbanger whose luck ran out freelancing as a street-level bodysnatcher.

Fitznoodle wakes up to stunned disbelief when he pulls down the sheets and discovers his body is more burnt sienna than it is lily white.

My contact info is below, David Cronenberg. geoffolson.com

77 168 37.5

The percentage of B.C. residents who opt to be cremated after death, the highest rate in the country.

In thousands of dollars, the winning bid for a diamond necklace donated as part of a fundraiser for the Vancouver General Hospital.

The number of points senior boys AAAA Lower Mainland basketball tournament MVP Harry Brar averaged per game.

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A11

Inbox LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Vote Yes to plebiscite question on transit funding

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

Eight killed after freighter explodes

March 6, 1945: Windows throughout the downtown core were shattered after three massive explosions rocked the city. The Second World War was still being fought and many immediately assumed it was a Japanese attack. Instead, the explosions were caused after a fire broke out aboard the S.S. Greenhill Park, a freighter docked at the Canadian Pacific Railway’s dock near what is now Waterfront Station laden with barrels of alcohol, lumber and 85 tonnes of sodium chlorate. Eight longshoremen were killed and 19 other workers injured. An inquiry commission later determined the blaze was likely started after someone dropped a lit match onto whiskey that had leaked from some of the barrels.

Blaze destroys four Point Grey stores

March 6, 2007: A fire ripped through four longtime Point Grey businesses along the north side of the 4300 block on West 10th Avenue. Lee’s Candies, the Form and Function furniture store and Residence Interiors design studio all burned to the ground while Eliane Hair and Esthetics was heavily damaged. Fire officials credited Eliane’s firewall with preventing the blaze from spreading further east and destroying more businesses, but firefighters used the hair salon to access the blaze and the salon’s interior was destroyed. It later reopened a block away.

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604.398.2901 EDITORIAL NEWSROOM

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Re: Editorial cartoon, Feb. 27.

Your editorial cartoon is on the mark.

“And if they vote No, we’ll squeeze them fer the money some other way.”

The question is: Will the other way be better or worse, more or less palatable?

Voting No won’t make TransLink go away. Voting NO won’t solve the transportation crisis. Voting NO, won’t make Christy Clark fund our Metro Vancouver transportation infrastructure.

The Mayors’ Council will be obligated to find another source of funding. They have already said they are opposed to a property tax. That pretty much leaves bridge and highway tolls and/or a mobility tax as the only options. A mobility tax would be assessed on all vehicles according to the kilometres they travel.

While it might sound like a good idea to tax motorists for their use of our TransLink roads and bridges, those who drive in from east of Langely would not be included. They would get a free ride while vehicles registered in Metro Vancouver would bear the brunt.

So lets reconsider the sales tax. Everyone buying goods in Metro Vancouver would pay towards transportation infrastructure, even people living outside of Metro Vancouver. No free ride to use our TransLink roads, bridges and transit system because you are a tourist.

As for the claim that the Congestion (reduction?) Improvement Tax is regressive and unfair to the low-income wage earners: A sales tax is based on the value of actual sales. The tax is expected to cost middle-income people 35 cents per day. So it would cost low-income people, who probably depend heavily on transit, less than half that amount.

Hardly a reason to vote No. Dale Laird, Vancouver

Vote No to plebiscite question on transit funding

Re: “Confessions of a transit plebiscite supporter,” Feb. 25.

Vote No, fellow citizens, to the transit referendum. It challenges your intelligence and your willingness to trust those who have consistently squandered your money and compromised your city.

As to the Transit Authority making wise decisions, they cannot even decide whether to dump their CEO or maybe their entire board with golden handshakes.

The costly turnstiles sit idle, waiting for somebody to get their act together, and the recently disclosed technical flaws in the rapid transit system are staggering in cost to remedy.

Barry Link

ddhaliwal@vancourier.com

blink@vancourier.com

PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Tara Lalanne

DIRECTOR SALES & MARKETING

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ONLINE COMMENTS We don’t need no education lobbyists in B.C.

Re: “Hard times loom for university lobbyists,” Feb. 27.

Christy respects lobbyists in the resources fields, not education. The proof is in her one basket (LNG) route to economic recovery and her very own abbreviated education.

Lou, via Comments section ••• Could the issue be that the Liberals don’t like to listen to views contrary to their ideology, and the institutions need consultants to help them get their message across? Perhaps if we had a fair, open and honest government, these lobbyists wouldn’t be necessary.

Big Ed, via Comments section

Opinions vary on uniforms

Re: “Women’s field hockey skirts shorts debate,” Feb. 25.

Given the amount of customization tolerated in men’s sports — high cuffs vs. pajama pants in baseball, the dozen different cuts of jerseys in football, short sleeves vs. long in any number of sports — I fail to see why it can’t be left to individual players to decide, as long as whatever shorts or skirts that are worn by members of a single team have the same colour and trim.

ACMEsalesrep, via Comments section ••• I work with, and am casual friends with, a number of lesbians.

With some of them, I have NEVER seen them in a skirt or dress. Never. I’ve never asked them about it as it’s their business, but it’s pretty obvious that some of them just aren’t comfortable in a skirt.

And hey, who cares?

Seems to me this is as much about discriminating against lesbians as anything else.

CohibaVancouver, via Reddit

have your say online...

FLYER SALES

Dee Dhaliwal

A No vote does not say we don’t need a better, bigger transit system. It says we don’t trust them to do it. Come back to us in one year’s time with a new team and a believable, comprehensive scheme that respects the city we already have and love.

City planning issues should not be controlled and driven by transit decisions and development pressures. If we proceed as we are headed, the City of Vancouver will soon look like Manhattan. The plan must be well presented and convincing.

Simply throwing more money at the current mess we face in Vancouver and the region will not solve the problem.

Hubert Culham, Vancouver

604.738.1412

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A12

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

Community

Howard Jampolsky, executive director of Schara Tzedeck Cemetery Board, the Jewish burial organization in Vancouver, says the Jewish proscription against cremation is ancient but it may have been reinforced by recent history. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

Burial or cremation a murky choice

Part 3 of “Dead of Winter,” a series on death, mourning and rituals PACIFIC SPIRIT Pat Johnson

pacificspiritpj@gmail.com

Bury or burn? When it comes to what happens after the breath has leaked out of you, the choices are limited.

Despite the huge diversity of rituals around funerals, the end almost always comes down to one of these two options.

There are rare exceptions. Among the more intriguing is the Zoroastrian funeral tradition. Because dead bodies are viewed as defiling nature, neither burial, which would pollute the earth, nor cremation, which would taint the purity of fire, which is central to Zoroastrianism, are acceptable. Therefore, bodies have traditionally been placed in a “tower of silence,” to be consumed by vultures.

For most of us, though, the choice is less exotic.

And in a society where we

tend to operate on assumptions of immortality, the choice between burial or cremation is hardly as alluring as, say, chocolate versus vanilla.

However disagreeable either option may seem as we go about our quotidian business, cultures for millennia have come down pretty hard on one side or the other. Like most things associated with funerals, the way yours plays out will most likely be determined by your religion or culture.

Riverside Funeral Home and Crematorium on the Fraser River in Delta is where a great number of funerals occur for members of Metro Vancouver’s Hindu, Sikh, Fijian and Sri Lankan communities.

It is also, says Jasbir Dhir, manager and funeral director at Riverside, where many of Vancouver’s white bodies end up when they request “basic cremation” — that is: no service, no embalming, nothing fancy, but a straightforward disposal of

the body. Dhir sees cultural differences starkly here. For all the basic cremations they do of European-descended Canadians, she has yet to see a Hindu or Sikh family opt for this unceremonious option.

In some other cultures, cremation is extremely uncommon or outright forbidden.

Until the 1960s, the Catholic church forbade cremation, on the belief that the body would be the vessel for resurrection and eternal life. Since the liberalizations of the Second Vatican Council, cremation has been permitted with caveats, notably that the ashes must still be interred in the ground or a crypt.

For Muslims and Jews, burial is the almost universal choice. The parallels between the cultures are striking, though not surprising given their shared theological and geographic proximities. Both share a haste to get the bodies

in the ground, a practical matter for desert cultures.

Howard Jampolsky, executive director of the Schara Tzedeck Cemetery Board, the Jewish burial organization in Vancouver, says the Jewish proscription against cremation is ancient, but it may have been reinforced by recent history.

“There are biblical reasons and there are more 20th-century reasons as well,” he says. “Cremation was used by the Nazis, probably specifically as an additional affront to the Jews.”

Cremation, under the circumstances, could contravene not only ancient religious principles but evoke grisly memories of a past that is still very much present in Vancouver’s Jewish community.

The Jewish tradition of burial is still very much proscribed, with a plain wooden box no matter the status of the deceased, with no metal fixtures and holes in the bottom to accelerate

the process of returning to the earth.

Ultimately, British Columbia’s high rate of cremation — 77 percent; the highest in Canada — is due in part to cremation rates among Protestants and also the tendency of some large multicultural groups to cremate. But it may have as much to do with lack of religion.

In a place like B.C., with our vast swath of “spiritual but not religious” people, cost may turn out to be as significant as religion or culture. And cremation is cheaper — by as much as 75 percent.

British Columbians who have abandoned organized religion may or may not care what happens to their remains after they die. Certainly they are not going to be swayed by promises of resurrection. At which point, perhaps, the bottom line kicks in and they choose the cheaper option.

For a few, the environmental impact of our dead

bodies may be a concern, though neither burial nor cremation is particularly palatable from this perspective. While there is a new trend toward “green” funerals (still very uncommon), conventional burial and cremation both come with some serious environmental downers.

Cremation causes a surprising amount of carbon emissions — and scary levels of mercury from old dental fillings that make their way into the atmosphere and affect child development.

But decades of “perpetual care” in a neatly mowed and watered cemetery probably negate any green advantage that option offers.

If you do not belong to a faith group or culture that determines what happens to you at the end, the choice, such as it may be, is yours. The earth won’t thank you if you choose either conventional route.

So it may come down to a pocketbook issue. twitter.com/Pat604Johnson

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A13

Opinion Scared and without work SOAPBOX

Karen Segal

karensegal@hotmail.com

I am single, middle-aged, unemployed, and living off of my savings. And I’m scared.

I’m scared for many reasons, not the least of which is that savings eventually run out, no matter how much I have squirrelled away, no matter how frugally I live.

I’m scared because the field I have worked in for the last 15 years — adult English as a second language (ESL) teaching — has been changing so dramatically that I am no longer able to find a steady job or any work other than substituting, for which I am really grateful.

I am not eligible for Employment Insurance as I haven’t worked enough hours in the last year and social assistance, which comes in at less than $650 a month, would only be available to me once I have depleted my savings.

Jobs with stability and security are few and far between and many ESL teachers are after very few positions. After teaching for so long, it’s difficult, depleting and discouraging to have to constantly scrounge for work.

The ESL bubble began to burst a few years ago due to the economic crash of 2008 and dramatic changes in immigration and international student visa rules. The great school I was working at closed in 2011. Since then I have been working contract to contract, with greater unemployed spaces in between.

I have made some poor choices along the way. I lived in denial that my job would end when rumours began to fly in 2010 that the owner of the school was either going to sell or close up shop.

But I was so convinced

that I could make it work, that my years of experience and my love of teaching would render everything OK and that I could fairly easily find more work.

Denial is a bugger.

For a few years after I was laid off, I was getting enough work contracts to make me feel, if not confident, at the very least relieved. But the work has continued to contract and for the last several months, I have worked less than I ever have.

My choices — or more specifically my lack of them —have been more than partially responsible for the situation I find myself in now.

But whatever the reasons, I am continuing to rack my brain to figure out what I can retrain in or a way to make short-term contracts, tutoring and substituting enough to live on.

I have cut my spending back to all but essentials and am looking into changing my housing situation, which at present consists of a small one-bedroom apartment with a rent of almost $1,000 a month.

I am applying for B.C. Housing but the wait list is at best several years long. It considers first, as it should, those on permanent disability, those with children, and seniors. I have read that there are 14,000 people on the waiting list.

And the city? It now considers $950/month for a bachelor suite to be affordable housing.

So, in an attempt to get help figuring out my job situation, I went to the WorkBC office in my neighbourhood.

WorkBC, provincially funded, has a series of employment centres that provide job seekers with employment finding workshops, resume help, etc. It also can aid in the process of accessing re-training funding. That

is an incredible opportunity for people who know, or discover, what they would like to retrain in.

After several career planning workshops, testing, and the like, I am frustratingly no further ahead in having any idea what I can do. Unless you have a clear new career goal, it can be extremely difficult to figure out your next step. My WorkBC case manager, hamstrung by funding limitations, has told me to come and see her only once I know what I want.

I am constantly scrambling trying to think of how I can, at almost 50 years old, put my skills to use in this job market. I network where I can, volunteer and apply for any position that has even remotely to do with my skill set.

Some people have suggested that I move — to another province or another country where there might be more work and the cost of living would be lower.

But Vancouver is my home — it is where my people are, my supports, my life. Is the only real solution to leave?

I don’t expect the government to support me indefinitely but to be cut off from any financial support at all is not just terrifying but counterintuitive. The government may well end up supporting me anyway if (or when) I deplete my savings and move on to social assistance.

A little bit of financial assistance and more clear and direct help with finding work would go a long way. Again, it is not the case manager’s fault, lest it seems I am biting the hand that has tried to help me — it is all about funding and provincial and federal government priorities.

Karen Segal is a Vancouver freelance writer who will happily form a support group with other unemployed people in the city.

KUDOS & KVETCHES blog KUDOS & KVETCHES DAILY: DAILY: the the blog

Because you shouldn’t have to wait twice a week to be

offended

vancourier

vancourier.com vancourier.com

Vote Yes in the Transportation and Transit Referendum Elections BC will soon be mailing out a voter information package, including the mail-in ballot. The voting period is March 16 – May 29, 2015.

Make sure you’re a registered voter or update your mailing address online at elections.bc.ca Learn more about how the Mayors’ Council Plan will benefit Vancouver at vancouver.ca/transitreferendum

Development Permit Board Meeting: March 9 The Development Permit Board and Advisory Panel will meet: Monday, March 9, 2015 at 3 pm Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue Ground Floor, Town Hall Meeting Room to consider this development permit application: 5099 Joyce Avenue: To renovate and expand the existing Joyce SkyTrain Station including a new expanded 875-square-metre east station house with a ticket hall, concourse, escalators, elevator, bike storage room, ancillary retail spaces and provision for future public bathrooms. Exterior surfaces will be re-clad, electrical systems replaced, and a new transit plaza on Vanness Street added, including a new pick-up and drop off area with landscape components and lighting.

Please contact City Hall Security (ground floor) if your vehicle may be parked at City Hall for more than two hours.

TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM: 604-873-7469 or lorna.harvey@vancouver.ca Visit: vancouver.ca Phone: 3-1-1 TTY: 7-1-1

A14

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A RC H 6 , 2 0 1 5

Feature

Animals help humans connect with

Peek-a-Boo the rat often hitches a ride from dog pal Princess. Sometimes the duo manage to pull off stunts such as hiding owner Dianne Brisson’s keys. PHOTO REBECCA BLISSETT

Pets rescued from abusive owners Sandra Thomas

sthomas@vancourier.com

It’s not every day you see a rat riding a dog.

And not just any dog – in this case it’s a pit bull cross, with a heavy emphasis on pit bull, nicknamed Princess.

But the rat-on-dog cowboy routine is not a party trick owner Diane Brisson forces on the rodent for entertainment. Peek-a-Boo, a white rat marked with

splashes of black, appears to be enjoying himself. As Princess ambles around a rooftop garden of the Alexander housing complex, Peek-a-Boo makes no attempt to jump off and instead adjusts his body in time with the dog’s movements and holds on with his tiny claws.

Prior to the walkabout, Princess wriggles happily on her back in the garden while Peek-a-Boo rests close by under the shade of what’s left of a winter-weary plant.

“Peek-a-Boo is her pet,” says Brisson, with absolute sincerity. “One day I caught them watching

Pet of the Week

The Courier wants your animal companion to be featured in Pet of the Week. Please send a clear photo of your pet — humans are welcome to be in photos as well — their breed, name, age, how long you’ve been together and any special attributes or idiosyncrasies they might have to sthomas@ vancourier.com and we’ll publish as many as possible in print and online.

cartoons together. Princess was in front of the TV and Peek-a-Boo was hanging from the curtain beside her and they were both watching another rat dance.”

Life can be hard in the Downtown Eastside, famous for its open-air drug trade, substance abuse, high crime rate and notorious, though sometimes disputed, label as being the country’s poorest neighbourhood. It can be even harder when you live with a seizure disorder, something Brisson has experienced first-hand.

But when she was granted the money more than 10 years ago to have Princess trained as a certified service dog, her life changed.

“She can bring my keys to me and take laundry out of the dryer,” says Brisson.

“I’ve been getting better though so I don’t need her to do all that anymore.”

Brisson has owned Princess since Oct. 26, 2001, but Peek-a-Boo came into her life just nine months ago. She rescued

the rat from its previous owner who lives in another building.

“He was getting abused and used to hide all the time. Who does that? Who muscles a little rat?” says Brisson. “But now he has muscle on his side. When he gets nervous he heads straight for the dog.”

During a Courier interview and photo shoot, the curious rat scrambles over to meet everyone. Seeking a pat, nose and whiskers twitching, he attempts to crawl into a reporter’s coat and up her back.

Tired from the excitement of playing outside and posing for photos, Peek-a-Boo finally wanders over to Brisson who picks him up. The little rat ends the photo shoot by crawling into the hood of Brisson’s sweatshirt for a nap.

Strong bonds

Kim Monteith, manager of animal behaviour and welfare for the B.C. SPCA, volunteers her time outside of work to connect with pet

owners, including street kids, living in the Downtown Eastside and on the Granville strip. Monteith is well acquainted with Princess and Peek-a-Boo. “We helped spay Princess and did some lump removal,” says Monteith.

A monthly veterinary clinic for low-income and homeless pet owners was launched in 2007, following the creation of Charlie’s Food Bank in 2000, named after a dog starved to death by its owner.

Charlie arrived at the SPCA in critical condition and despite the best efforts of animal hospital staff passed away after three weeks of intensive care. The food bank was organized by those involved in Charlie’s case who were deeply affected by the senseless act and the dog’s struggle and agonizing death. Charlie’s Food Bank operates every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at Mission Possible, 543 Powell St. “We’ve also offered

free dog training in Oppenheimer Park, but last summer was a problem because of the tent city,” says Monteith of the protest camp and squat that took over the park last year.

Monteith says using pets to approach street people and residents of single room accommodation hotels in the Downtown Eastside is a great way to make connections.

“It’s after we build those relationships that people feel they can come to us for help,” says Monteith.

“The human-animal bond is strong and if we can help their pets be healthy, it might be a small thing to us, but to them it’s huge.”

Monteith has also been known to take her work home. She rescued one of her dogs, Kayo, from the streets after it was viciously beaten by its owner. The Doberman-pit bull cross hopped trains with his young owner as the pair travelled across Canada until settling in Vancouver when Kayo was four.

F R I DAY, M A RC H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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Feature

the community

2 1

“He was beaten by his guardian, hung on a radiator and then kicked to be revived,” says Monteith.

“He came to live with me after the beating and while we were waiting to see if charges would be accepted. He’s an SPCA ambassador and part of the downtown community.

He’s 16-years-old and he’s been downtown with me for 12 of those years.”

Happy place

Lana Fox, a maintenance worker at the Alexander housing complex on Princess Avenue, knows the important role animals can play in bringing people together, even in a neighbourhood known for its loners. Fox brings her blue heeler/border colliecross Mackie to work with her, and during a recent interview, the dog looks at home as his owner chats with the Courier in a large sunny supply room.

It’s a familiar story.

Mackie came to her three years ago after the dog was abandoned in Port Coquitlam and the landlord posted an ad on Craigslist. It was about that time Fox began working in the Downtown Eastside and taking Mackie to work with her, first to the Woodward’s Building for two years and more recently to the supportive housing complex on Princess operated by the Portland Hotel Society.

Fox says Mackie has

been instrumental in gaining the trust of the residents of the Downtown Eastside she encounters every day.

“He helps me build relationships with people,” says Fox. “It can be hard to get to know people in an area where they don’t naturally connect.”

Fox adds Mackie is a quick judge of character and acts accordingly.

“He can judge their comfort level. If they seem afraid he’ll lie on his back and show his belly. But Mackie has become so popular it’s impossible to keep a low profile,” she says laughing.

Another resident living in the same supportive housing complex is Terry Neibergall, who gently holds a black rabbit nicknamed Diamond in his arms.

Neibergall rescued Diamond last summer as he sat on the grass at Jericho Beach, an area that has unfortunately become a dumping ground for unwanted domestic rabbits.

“I was feeding her pears and she hopped right into my bag,” says Neibergall.

“She’s super smart. She has her own toys and can stack stuff. And she has her own cage but she sleeps with me sometimes.”

Neibergall has since discovered Diamond “hates” pears. The rabbit hasn’t eaten one bite of the fruit since he brought her home leading him to believe she was looking for a new home the day they connected.

“She’s good company and very friendly,” says Neibergall, petting Diamond’s head protectively.

“I love having her around.”

Just down the road from the Princess complex, De-Wane, who did not give his last name, lives on the ground floor of a single room accommodation building on East Hastings Street in a unit facing a courtyard that smells slightly of urine.

That outdoor access comes in handy when DeWane walks his Manx cat, nicknamed Teddy, on his harness. The healthy-looking cat boasts a gorgeous, charcoal grey coat and short stubby tail, a marker of the Manx breed.

“He’s super smart,” says De-Wane. “Smarter than some people and a lot of politicians.”

As with so many of the animals the Courier encountered over the weeks working on this story, Teddy was rescued from an abusive owner before finding a loving home.

“He used to bite my feet and elbows all the time and would never sit on my lap. And sometimes he’d pee on my pillow,” says De-Wane of the cat, which snuggles in his owner’s arms. “But six months and lots of love later he started warming up. Teddy brings me so much joy, but it’s not just me, he makes a lot of other people here happy, too.” twitter.com/sthomas10

3

1. Lana Fox gets a kiss from her dog Mackie during her shift as a custodian worker at the Alexander in the DTES Feb. 23rd, 2015. 2. De-Wane holds a curious Teddy in the courtyard of his DTES building Feb 17th, 2015. De-Wane and Teddy were matched through the Vancouver Orphan Rescue Kitten Association. 3. Terry Neibergall holds Diamond the rabbit. Neibergall, who calls himself an animal lover who once owned a 140 pound dog that was part wolf, owns several rabbits, and said they all have their own personalities. PHOTOS REBECCA BLISSETT

Enter pet photos to win Bosley’s basket Is your kitten the cutest, your dog absolutely adorable or your parrot most popular? Then we want proof. Like the Courier on Facebook and follow the Courier on Instagram @vancouriernews. Share your favourite photos using the hashtag #vancourierpets for an opportunity to win a gift basket from Bosley’s by Pet Valu valued at $300. We’ll share our favourite pet photos throughout the contest, with the winner announced March 13. Photos will be judged by Courier staff. Prizes must be picked up at the Courier’s office, 303 West Fifth Ave., by March 30. Remember, in order to qualify you must follow the Courier on Instagram and Facebook.

A16

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

!

MADE IN CANADA

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A17

Community

PINK PRIDE: In 2008, B.C. proclaimed Feb. 25 anti-bullying day. Since then, school kids and their supporters have sported pink attire and T-shirts in support of anti-bullying efforts. Born from two Nova Scotia high school students who decided to take a stand on behalf of a fellow classmate who was bullied for wearing a pink T-shirt to school, the pink-it-forward movement spread quickly across the country. CKNW Orphans’ Fund recently held their fourth annual Pink Shirt Day Luncheon at Blue Water Café. The party, presented by Coast Capital, attracted more than 170 women of all ages and industries, and was emceed by Fiona Forbes and Karen Khunkhun. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous Frank Pabst-designed lunch before emptying their wallets of some $45,000, an event record, to support anti-bullying programs, including initiatives led by the Boys and Girls Club, Kids Help Phone and Out in Schools.

HUDDLE UP: The 13th Man Foundation strives to enhance UBC Thunderbird’s football program in the areas of coaching, athletic awards and academic support. Businessman, philanthropist and former player David Sidoo hopes the new foundation will bolster UBC’s football fortunes and bring the Vanier Cup back to the Point Grey Campus, something the varsity team hasn’t done since 1997. Sidoo, along with newly appointed coach Blake Nill, launched the foundation at a reception held at Sidoo’s Belmont Street home. Nill has wasted little time in trying to turn the team fortunes.

Nill made a blockbuster signing recently by recruiting Michael O’Connor, one of the top sought-after quarterbacks in the NCAA, to come north of the border. Additionally, Nill signed up former B.C. Lions head coach and Grey Cup champion Steve Buratto as the program’s offensive coordinator.

A REAL SHINER: With De Beers Jewelers as a sponsor, you knew the inaugural Time to Shine Gala was going to be a sparkler. More than 400 well-dressed and well-heeled guests filed into the Fairmont Pacific Ballroom for the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation fundraiser. Led by gala chair Cecilia Tse, the blacktie affair represented the Foundation’s first Asia Pacific community event and carried the theme of East-meets-West, which included a special menu created by three renowned chefs. Buoyed by the Chinese New Year, attendees gave generously and gave often. One of many highlights of the night, an eight-carat De Beers diamond necklace fetched $168,000, contributing to the jaw-dropping $1.35 million generated, blowing well past the $1 million goal originally set.

Proceeds from the starry night will support the purchase of a much-needed CT scanner for the emergency department at Vancouver General Hospital.

email yvrflee@hotmail.com twitter @FredAboutTown

Time to Shine gala chair Cecilia Tse of Colliers International and title sponsor Aya Primbetove, VP for De Beers, were all smiles following $1.35 million generated at their inaugural VGH UBC Hospital Foundation benefit.

Suzette Hernandez modeled the Lotus Necklace, which was donated by De Beers. The necklace consisting of 1,129 diamonds totaling 8.8 carats fetched $168,000 to go towards the purchase of a new CT scanner for Vancouver General Hospital.

From left, Shelley Lyons, Jen Schaeffers and Andra Bava fronted the fourth Pink Shirt Day Luncheon at Blue Water Café. The ladies lunch raised a record $45,000 for anti-bulling programs in the Lower Mainland.

Synonymous with UBC, Vancouver and philanthropy, community leaders Robert and Lily Lee and their children were feted at the Sauder School of Business’ Family Legacy Dinner, an iconic business gala, staged at the Hotel Vancouver.

Fourth-generation Aussie family winemaker Bruce Tyrrell and Mark Anthony’s Graham Nordin introduced their critically acclaimed portfolio of Tyrrell’s wines, to oenophiles at Coast Restaurant.

At the United Way Community Spirit Awards, campaign chairs Grant McTaggart and Kathryn Young reported more than $26.5 million was raised towards helping vulnerable children, families and seniors in the Lower Mainland.

Young, along with TD’s Mauro Manzi, right, will lead the 2015/16 effort.

Showcasing the country’s culinary best, Savour Australia’s Angela Slade and Tourism Australia’s Jane Whitehead raised a glass to all 55 Australian wineries that participated at their Taste event and the 37th Vancouver International Wine Festival.

Former CFL player David Sidoo and football coach Blake Nill look to change the fortunes of UBC’s football team. Sidoo launched the 13th Man Foundation to enhance the Thunderbird’s football program.

A18

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

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A19

SPRING 2015

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

He is two parts Sinatra to one part Billy Joel, meshed NEW YORK TIMES seamlessly...

TONY DESARE, IN A SINATRA CENTENNIAL, VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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Winner of 8 ACADEMY AWARDS (including Best Picture)

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A20

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret nurtures roots in community

East Van theatre collective gets ready for its close-up

BY JENNY PENG Outside Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret’s studio, groups of strangers chitchat and exchange curious gazes before their audition with artistic director Kat Single-Dain.

None of the 15 women knows what to expect except for an online clipping in The Dusty Flowerpot Gazette announcing an upcoming production in May at the Russian Hall. In classic Dusty Flowerpot fashion, the show counts on everyone to pitch in, inviting audience members to attend the filming of the 1955 musical extravaganza The Queen of Mercy.

Single-Dain, one of the collective’s founding members, gets to work bouncing to 1930s jazz. The dancers dive into vintage footwork, tapping and swinging while SingleDain scouts for candidates with crisp coordination and a dash of playfulness.

at “dust storms” where the curating committee examines which project to endorse based on its community engagement mandate.

The sequences are a walk down memory lane for SingleDain who watched Fred Astaire musicals while her friends were busy with the Backstreet Boys.

True to the collective’s focus on community engagement, she insists everyone at the audition will have a part.

The birth of Dusty Flowerpot dates back to 2006 when a group of artists assembled in painter Jordan Bent’s Keefer Street studio to discuss putting on a show for the Ayden Gallery. But when the gallery decided to pull out of the show, the artists decided to continue and mount The Valley of Ashes about a boy on a quest to grow the flowerpot strapped to his back.

The momentum from the first show snowballed into subsequent productions such as 2011’s Hard Times Hit Parade. Set in the 1930s, the “theatrical dance marathon” was adapted from a screenplay written by SingleDain about dance marathons

In true Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret fashion, the East Vancouver theatre collectiveÕs upcoming production takes place on a movie set for a 1955 musical. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

during the Depression. With the help of designer and builder Brodie Kitchen, the Russian Hall was transformed into a 1930s dance hall with custom-built wooden bleachers lining the perimeter of the venue.

With roughly 15 core members, the cabaret swells and contracts with new and old talents. For the first few shows, rehearsal space was temporary. The

Valley of Ashes was produced entirely out of community centres, recalls Single-Dain.

The troupe settled this December at its new rehearsal theatre in Mount Pleasant under a 10-year lease with the city. Having a place to store props and costumes means more play time and “popcorning” sessions where they experiment and brainstorm. The kernels of ideas are then submitted

Audience participation has become a signature in the cabaret’s shows. For most of the core members, it’s an extension of their clown training with David MacMurray Smith at Fantastic Space Enterprise. But it’s not clowning as one would expect, explains actor Alastair Knowles. Clown school teaches students how to connect with the audience by being spontaneous and incorporating them in dialogue.

Its rootedness in community is what distinguishes Dusty Flowerpot from the Vancouver theatre scene said Knowles.

“I don’t see the Dusty Flowerpot engaging in the theatre dialogue as much as we engage in the community outreach and community theatre things. The festivals we produce are very theatrical and they involve the community in a very large extent.”

Despite the consensus on audience participation, the genres and aesthetics of the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret’s past performances are as eclectic as the ensemble that makes up the collective. Every show is a blend of the artists’ skills and vision, from storytelling and pantomime, to live music, videos, dance and puppetry.

“It’s an anarchist process,” said actor and writer Amber McIntyre-Byatt. “It’s as big as a Broadway show in a way but it’s not perfect in that there can never be a mistake. That’s way more thrilling.”

Whether it’s a dance marathon or a movie set, Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret is open to using any medium that makes sense for the production and creates an immersive world for the audience says Single-Dain, who compares the bygone quality of their shows to George Lucas’s Star Wars films.

“It’s in a future time but you feel like it’s in the past because there’s a sense of history.”

For details, go to dustyflowerpotcabaret.com.

age

s 3+

A Magical Introduction to the Bard s Greatest Hits

A Midsummer Night s Dream, The Tempest, and Romeo and Juliet

Choral Mosaic

The Joy of Song

8 pm | Friday, March 20, 2015 Ryerson United Church (Kerrisdale) Vancouver Chamber Choir | Pacifica Singers, Kevin Zakresky, conductor Jon Washburn, conductor Choral Mosaic is a star-studded programme of a cappella masterworks, with great variety and many moods. Featured is Jon Washburn and the Vancouver Chamber Choir – with special guests Kevin Zakresky and the Pacifica Singers – in music of Britten, Brahms, Allegri, Whitacre, Berkey, Vaughan Williams, Washburn and Chatman!

www.vancouverchamberchoir.com

1-855-985-ARTS (2787)

Feb 28 to Mar 29 The Waterfront Theatre

1412 Cartwright Street (on Granville Island)

Buy tickets online at www.carouseltheatre.ca or call 604.685.6217

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

SPRING 2015

A21

Graham Percy in Farewell, My Lovely

THE CULTCH 1895 Venables St., 604-251-1363, thecultch.com.

Obaaberima March 24-April 4 The Duchess a.k.a.

Wallis Simpson April 7-18 Foreign Radical: a game of secrets April 16-25 Stationary: a recessionera musical April 21-May 2 The Sensationalist May 12-16 rEvolver Theatre Festival May 20-31 YORK THEATRE 639 Commercial Dr., 604-251-1363, thecultch.com Famous Puppet Death Scenes March 31-April 19 ARTS CLUB THEATRE 604-687-1644, artsclub.com Sister Judy until March 21 at Revue Stage on Granville Island The Mountaintop until March 14 at the Granville Island Stage

Farewell, My Lovely April 2-May 2 at the Granville Island Stage In the Heights April 30-June 7 at the Stanley Alliance Industrial Stage CHUTZPAH! FESTIVAL chutzpahfestival.com What YouÕre Missing March 10-15, Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre PI THEATRE Granville Island Performance Works, pitheatre.com Blasted April 10-25 JAMES & JAMESEY Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St., jerichoartscentre.com High Tea May 18-24 ITSAZOO PRODUCTIONS Renegade Studio’s Shop Theatre 125 East 2nd Ave., itsazoo.org The Competition is Fierce until March 22 PACIFIC THEATRE 1440 West 12th Ave., 604-731-5518, pacifictheatre.org The Whipping Man until March 21

PHOTO BENJAMIN LAIRD

Cultivation March 25-28.

FreudÕs Last Session April 24-May 30 FIREHALL ARTS CENTRE 280 East Cordova St., 604-689-0926, firehallartscentre.ca Ribcage: This Wide Passage until March 8 Proud April 7-25 BC Buds Festival May 6-10 God & The Indian May 20-30 GATEWAY THEATRE 6500 Gilbert Rd., Richmond, 604-270-1812, gatewaytheatre.com Miss Caledonia until March 14 Rodgers and Hammerstein: Out of a Dream April 9-25 METRO THEATRE 1370 Southwest Marine Dr., 604-266-7191, metrotheatre.com Pride and Prejudice until March 7 Go Back for Murder March 21-April 18 THEATRE FOR LIVING Firehall Arts Centre Maladjusted March 21

Wester n Gold T heatr e pr esents

J.B. Priestley’s

Laburnum Grove an “immoral” comedy

Edward Albee’s starring

Three Tall Women Kayla Deor ksen Ta n j a D i x o n - Wa r r e n Ron Halder Brett Harris Susan Hogan Keith Mar tin Gordey Brendan McClar ty D i r e c t e d b y Te r e n c e K e l l y John Prowse Vic Ustare starring: A n n a H a g a n B e a t r i c e Ze i l i n g e r b ya tAt nRe n az nH ea kg a n M e a g h a n C h eD ni roesckt ey d M

Global Dance Connections series

O c t 2 3 t o NMo va r9 ,2 20 0-1 42 2 , 2 0 1 5 Tu e - S a t 7 : 3 0 p m /F Sr ia t- - SSaut n7 2: 3p0mp m ( Pa y w h a t y o u c a Sn aotn -Tu eSsudna y2s ): 0 0 p m

Serge Bennathan Les Productions Figlio March 26-28

O df fii oc eT h( 6e a0 t4r)e 3 6 3 - 5 7 3 4 PABLo Sx t u 58 1 C a rd e ro S t ( C o a l H a r b o u r )

Presented with Chutzpah!PLUS

labur num.BrownPaperTickets.com

t h r e e . B r o w n Pa p e r Ti c k e t s . c o m Res e r v a t i o n s ( 6 04 ) 3 6P3A- 5L 7 T3 h4e a t r e 581 Cardero St W e s t e r n G o l d T h e a t rCeo. aolr gH a r b o u r

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Presenting Sponsors Keith Martin Gordey Tory Ross

Photo: Tim Matheson / Poster: Joseph Emms Design by Joseph Emms

Discover Dance! series

Photo credit: Les Productions Figlio photo by Michael Slobodian

LIVE THEATRE

JC Dance Co March 12 Arts Umbrella Dance Company April 23 Aché Brasil May 14

International Dance Day April 29 12 Minutes Max June 12

thedancecentre.ca MEDIA SPONSORS Discover Dance!

Global Dance Connections

PRESENTATION PARTNER

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

Bodytraffic

DANCE

OPERA

BALLET BC balletbc.com, ticketmaster.ca Trace March 26-28 Rite May 7-9 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre

SEVEN TYRANTS THEATRE Jericho Arts Centre, 1675 Discovery St., ticketstonight.ca Mozart & Salieri until March 14

CHUTZPAH! chutzpahfestival.com Serge Bennanthan/ Les Productions Figlio March 26-28 at Scotiabank Dance Centre Bodytraffic until March 8 Namgis TÕsasala Cultural Group March 8 Diwan Saz March 15 at Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL 604-662-4966, vidf.ca Dairakudakan, Par B.L.eux and more March 8-28 KAHA:WI DANCE THEATRE The Cultch, 1895 Venables St., thecultch.com TransMigration March 17-21

UBC OPERA ENSEMBLE music.ubc.ca, 604-822-6725 UBC Opera Ball Chan Centre March 19-20 Opera Tea in the Garden UBC Botanical Garden April 12 VANCOUVER OPERA Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 604-683-0222, vancouveropera.ca Sweeney Todd April 25, 26, 30, May 1-3.

EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER earlymusic.bc.ca, 604-822-2697 Beethoven: The Complete Works for Cello and Keyboard at the Vancouver Playhouse March 13, 14, 15 La Reveuse: Songs of an English Cavalier Orpheum Annex, March 27 PACIFIC BAROQUE ORCHESTRA 843 Seymour St., pacificbaroque.com Wassermusik April 18

CLASSICAL ROEDDE HOUSE MUSEUM 1415 Barclay, 604-684-7074, roeddehouse.org Romancing the Cello March 8

SCOTIABANK DANCE CENTRE 677 Davie St., 604-684-2787, thedancecentre.ca International Dance Day Events April 29 Discover Dance!

Series: Ache Brasil May 14 DANCE HOUSE Vancouver Playhouse, 601 Hamilton St., dancehouse.ca Compagnie Kafig April 11

Ballet BC Dancer Kirsten Wicklund

Karen Flamenco

PHOTO MICHAEL SLOBODIAN

Arts Umbrella

PHOTO MICHAEL SLOBODIAN

THE NEXT STEP DANCERS Queen Elizabeth Theatre, livenation.com, March 14 KAREN FLAMENCO karenflamenco.com Alice in Wonderland July 4-5 at Vancouver Playhouse CO.ERASGA DANCE SOCIETY companyerasgadance.ca PARADIS-Paradise May 5-9, Havana Theatre WESTERN GOLD THEATRE westerngoldtheatre.org Laburnum Grove March 20-22, PAL Theatre

Kafig Brasil 07

PHOTO MICHEL CAVALCA

SPRING 2015 VANCOUVER RECITAL SOCIETY Vancouver Playhouse, vanrecital.com, 604-602-0363 Steven Isserlis, cello Robert Levin fortepiano March 13, 14, 15 Yun-Chin Zhou, piano March 22 Joseph Moog, piano April 12 Ian Bostridge, tenor and Wenwen Du, piano April 15 Paul Lewis, piano May 3

Classical Traditions: Beethoven, Shostakovich, Haydn; Jeffrey Kahane, leader/piano April 24, 25 Prokofiev, Mendelssohn, Strauss; Karen Gomyo, violin May 29, 30 (all at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts)

VETTA CHAMBER MUSIC West Point Grey United Church, 4595 West Eighth Ave., vettamusic.com Concert Four: Hayden, Schumann, Beethoven March 26-27 Concert Five: Rossini, Moszkowski, Sarasate, Schubert May 21-22

SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL Ryerson United Church, 2195 West 45th Ave., March 10, March 25, May 20

“DURANG SHOWS US JUST HOW FUNNY UNHAPPINESS CAN BE” —The San Francisco Examiner

VANCOUVER BACH CHOIR The Orpheum, 601 Smithe St, vancouverbachchoir.com MendelssohnÕs Elijah March 28

STARTS MARCH 19! the rollicking winner of the 2013 tony award for best play

By Christopher Durang

VANCOUVER RECITAL SOCIETY Vancouver Playhouse, vanrecital.com, 604-602-0363 Paul Lewis, piano May 3

EVERY SHOW

ARTSCLUB.COM 604.687.1644 playing at

WEDNESDAY MAR 11 7:30PM

Ballet BC Dancer Darren Devaney PHOTO MICHAEL SLOBODIAN

— Every second Wednesday —

Alice MacKay Room

VPL CENTRAL LIBRARY

CHORAL ELEKTRA WOMENÕS CHOIR Ryerson United Church, 2205 West 45th Ave., 604-329-1034, elektra.ca Impulse March 14 Tapestry International Celebration of WomenÕs Choirs May 1 at Ryerson United Church, 2195 West 45th Ave., May 2 at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1012 Nelson St.

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FREE!

REGISTER AT WRITERSFEST.BC.CA CHOR LEONI MENÕS CHOIR 604-684-2787, chorleoni.org The Dream We Carry April 18 at St. Andrew’sWesley United Church VOC SWEET SOUL GOSPEL CHOIR St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1012 Nelson St., tickets at the door.

Motown for MotherÕs Day May 9

ILLUSTRATION + DESIGN: COPILOT DESIGN

VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 604-876-3434, vancouversymphony.ca Masterworks Gold: Marcus Goddard, Sibelius, Beethoven; Ray Chen, violin May 2, 4 Bernstein; Tracy Dohl, soprano June 6, 8 Masterworks Diamond: Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Ravel; Yevgeny Sudbin, piano March 21, 23 Marquez, Da Falla, Ravel; Angela Hewitt, piano May 9, 11 Musically Speaking: Wagner, Prokofiev, Bruch, Schumann; Timothy Chooi, violin March 7 Alexina Louie, Ravel, Schubert; Janina Fialkowska, piano May 23 Pops Series May 15-16 (all at the Orpheum Theatre).

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

KIM ECHLIN

Fred Stenson (Who By Fire), Kim Echlin (Under the Visible Life) and Chelsea Rooney (Pedal).

Vancouver Public Library www.vpl.ca

FELIX MENDELSSOHN’S

AN EPIC MASTERWORK OF FIERY MAGNITUDE & RADIANT SOUND

MAR 28 2015 at 8 pm ORPHEUM THEATRE

MUSIC DIRECTOR: Leslie Dala Featuring Soprano: Eve-Lyn de la Haye, Mezzo-soprano: Krisztina Szabó, Tenor: Adam Fisher, and Baritone: Giles Tomkins with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

vancouverbachchoir.com 604 696 4290 MEDIA SPONSOR:

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

VANCOUVER WELSH MENÕS CHOIR Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St., tickets at celticfestvancouver.com CelticFest March 13

VANCOUVER CHAMBER CHOIR vancouverchamberchoir.com CHORAL MOSAIC The Joy of Song March 20, Ryerson United Church

FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St., friendsofchambermusic.ca Octagon March 24 Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center April 14

MUSIC ON MAIN musiconmain.ca Jennifer Koh March 12, Heritage Hall, Black Angels April 8, Secret Location An American Tune April 14, The Fox Cabaret, Raging Against the Machine April 30, The Fox Cabaret Marc DestrubŽ & Jaron Freeman-Fox May 5, The Fox Cabaret MUSICA INTIMA musicaintima.org masque April 24-25, The Chan Centre

CHUTZPAH Ester Rada

VANCOUVER CHOPIN SOCIETY chopinsociety.org Nelson Goerner March 13, Magee Theatre Nikolay Khozyainov May 8, Vancouver Playhouse MUSIC IN THE MORNING musicinthemorning.org Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano & Serouj Kradjian, piano March 18-20, Vancouver Academy of Music Weiss Kaplan Newman Trio April 22-24, Vancouver Academy of Music

CONCERTS THE ROGUE FOLK CLUB St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Ave., 604-736-3022, roguefolk.bc.ca Matuto March 8

The Arrogant Worms March 13 The Sweet Lowdown March 20 April in Paris: Gypsy Jazz Festival April 24-26 CHAN CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS 604-822-6297, chancentre.com Zakir HussainÕs Celtic Connections March 21 Gilberto Gil April 12 Lila Downs April 26 VivaldiÕs The Four Seasons May 1 Wu Man and the Shanghai Quartet May 9 PACIFIC BLUEGRASS & HERITAGE SOCIETY Anza Club, 604-617-9645 or tickets at the door.

The Foggy Hogtown Boys in Concert March 16 FRASER MACPHERSON JAZZ FUND H.R. Macmillan Planetarium 1100 Chestnut St., eventbrite.ca Fraser MacPherson ÒLive at the PlanetariumÓ March 20

THE ELECTRIC OWL 928 Main. St., 604-558-0928 White Noise featuring Figgy March 13 Shred Kelly March 14 Hurray for Riff Raff March 21 Quantic March 27 THE RICKSHAW THEATRE 254 East Hastings St., rickshawtheatre.ca FlaminÕ Groovies, Bum, Rich Hope and His Evil Doers March 14 The Cave Singers, Kathryn Calder March 20 The Real McKenzies April 11 Reverend Horton Heat May 22 THE BILTMORE CABARET 2755 Prince Edward St., biltmorecabaret.com The Twilight Sad March 8 The White Buffalo March 24 Mac Demarco April 25 Waxahatchee May 2 Howard Jones May 8

Impulse Morna Edmundson, Artistic Director

with Percussionist Beverley Johnston

Saturday, March 14, 2015 7:30pm Ryerson United Church

2205 West 45th Avenue and Yew Street, Vancouver Tickets: $28 Regular | $22 Senior | $15 Student (with valid ID)

1-877-840-0457 ticketstonight.ca elektra.ca|604-739-1255 Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation This concert generously supported by

CELTICFEST April Verch Band

VETTA CHAMBER MUSIC 2014 - 2015 29th Season Joan Blackman Artistic Director

Fri Mar 27th at 8pm Thu Mar 26th at 2pm

Benjamin Butterfield tenor Sarah Hagen piano

Joan Blackman violin

RebeccaWenham cello

Performing music of

Haydn, Schumann & Beethoven

West Point Grey United Church

4595West 8th Avenue (atTolmie)

Tickets 1.866.863.6250 or at the door

FriTickets $28/$23/$12 ThuTickets $15 Cash & cheques only General Seating Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance

vettamusic.com

Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

SPRING 2015 CELTICFEST Daniel Kahn and the Painted Bird

VENUE 881 Granville St., venuelive.ca Anti-Flag March 13 Anvil March 22 Ting Tings March 28 Guster March 29 Mark Kozelek April 11 ROGERS ARENA rogersarena.com Bob Seger March 7 Nickelback March 15 Maroon 5 March 29 Fleetwood Mac April 4 Ariana Grande April 16

VOGUE THEATRE 918 Granville St., voguetheatre. com, 604-569-1144 Big Sugar March 7 Dan Mangan and Blacksmith March 13-14 Amanda Palmer and Friends from TED March 18.

Shane Koyczan March 28 Belle and Sebastian April 8 Neko Case April 15 Mac DeMarco April 24 The Jesus and Mary Chain May 13 The War on Drugs May 24 Mariachi Festival May 30 MALKIN BOWL Stanley Park, malkinbowl.com Spoon with Future Islands May 24

THE COMMODORE BALLROOM 868 Granville St., commodoreballroom.com Spirit of the West March 14 The Gaslight Anthem March 19 OK Go March 25 Motown Meltdown March 28 The Cat Empire April 3-4 Kaiser Chiefs April 21 Sleater-Kinney May 6 Jungle May 21 Father John Misty May 24 THE IMPERIAL 319 Main St. Twin Shadow April 24 Jose Gonzalez April 25 Real Estate and Woods May 22

Def Leppard April 18 New Kids on the Block May 5 Neil Diamond May 7 U2 May 14-15 CARAVAN WORLD RHYTHMS caravanbc.com GHAZAL Kayhan Kalhor & Shujaat Khan March 13, Kay Meek Centre VIEUX FARKA TOURƒ April 18, Fortune Sound Club

THE FOX CABARET 2321 Main St., foxcabaret.com Naomi Punk and PC Worship March 7 Twerps with the Shilohs April 3 Pete Rock and Slum Village April 3 Lemon Bucket Orkestra April 11

SPECIAL/ OTHER VANCOUVER UKULELE FESTIVAL The Croatian Cultural Centre, eventbrite.ca Ukulele Bootcamp, Songwriting Ukulele style, Left Hand Embellishments and more March 6-8 RICKSHAW THEATRE 245 E. Hastings, 604-681-8915 rickshawtheatre.com Music Heals Benefit March 7 VANCOUVER CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL vcbf.ca, 604-257-8120 Sakura Night, Cherry Jam Downtown Concert, Sakura Illumination, Kite Dance and more April 2-29.

CELTICFEST VANCOUVER celticfestvancouver.com, 604-736-4939 The Weir, CelticFest Chilideh and more March 6-17

FORTUNE SOUND CLUB 147 East Pender, fortunesoundclub.com The Dodos March 12.

The Tourist Company March 27 Yelle April 25 CELTICFEST Alan Doyle

VANCOUVER WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL Imperial 319 Main St., ticketweb.ca Kutapira, Haram, Locarno and Tambura Rosa April 3

Fauré Requiem

The Good Friday Concert

8 pm | Friday, April 3, 2015 Orpheum Theatre

Vancouver Chamber Choir | Pacifica Singers | Vancouver Youth Choir Vancouver Chamber Orchestra | Jon Washburn, conductor Our annual Good Friday concert highlights the Romantic masterpiece Fauré Requiem and two very special Baroque works – the touching Seven Last Words of Heinrich Schütz and the tragic Jephtha’s Daughter by Italian master Giacomo Carissimi.

Tweet us your ideas on how we can humanize the mental health system for a chance to win a pair of free tickets!

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www.vancouverchamberchoir.com 1-855-985-ARTS (2787)

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

VANCOUVER POLICE MUSEUM 240 East Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-665-3346, vancouverpolicemuseum.ca Movie in the Morgue recurring monthly on the Second Tuesday Forensic Science under the Microscope recurring weekly on Thursdays VANCOUVER MARITIME MUSEUM 1905 Ogden Ave., 604-257-8300, vancouvermaritimemuseum.com Ships and the Sea until April 5 Creature Comforts: the Royal Canadian Navy on Our Coast THE CINEMATIQUE 200-1131 Howe St., 604-688-8202, thecinematique.ca The Image Before Us: A History of Film in British Columbia until April 30 DOXA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL doxafestival.ca April 30-May 10

Gotta Sing!

Gotta Dance!

COMEDY/ IMPROV

RAILWAY CLUB 578 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-1625, sinpeaks.ca Game of Sin March 18

JUST FOR LAUGHS PRESENTS MARC MARON Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St., voguetheatre.com, 604-569-1144 May 9

CHILDREN/ FAMILY SCIENCE WORLD 1455 Quebec St., 604-443-7440, scienceworld.ca Animation until April 26 CAROUSEL THEATRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 604-685-6217, carousaltheatre.ca Shakespearean Rhapsody until March 29 at the Waterfront Theatre CIRQUE DU SOLEIL cirquedusoleil.com/varekai Varekai May 20-24 at Pacific Coliseum PLAYDOME BC Place, 777 Pacific Blvd.

March 14-22

VANCOUVER AQUARIUM MARINE SCIENCE CENTRE 845 Avison Way, 604-659-3474 Sea Monsters Revealed until Sept. 7 VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Orpheum Theatre, 604-876-3434, vancouversymphony.ca Kids Concert: Inspector Tovey Meets Mozart April 19 Classical Kids: Beethoven Lives Upstairs May 17 BEAUMONT STUDIOS 315 West Fifth Ave., 604-733-3783, beaumontstudios.com Kids Spring Break March 9-20 GOTTA SING! GOTTA DANCE! jccgv.com July 7-30 August 4-27, Jewish Community Centre

THE COMEDY MIX Century Plaza Hotel on Burrard, 604-684-5050, thecomedymix.com Phil Hanley March 12-14 Jamie Lee March 26-28 Darcy Michael April 2-4 Tom Rhodes April 9-11

LUX LOUNGE 1180 Howe St., 604-559-5533, luxlounge.ca The Most Amazing Comedy Competition Ever two Wednesdays of every month until May 28

LOCAL/ FINE ARTS VAN DUSEBLODEL CONSERVATORY 4600 Cambie St., eventbrite.ca Photography at Blodel March 7

NICK OFFERMAN & MEGAN MULLALLY Queen Elizabeth Theatre, livenation.com May 29 YUK YUKÕS 2837 Cambie St., 604-696-9857, yukyuks.com Emo Phillips March 7 Allyson Smith March 13-14 VANCOUVER THEATRESPORTS LEAGUE The Improv Centre, 1502 Duranleau St., 604-738-7013, vtsl.com Improv Test Kitchen Wednesdays until April 1 Late Night Laughs Fridays and Saturdays until April 4

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY 750 Hornby St., 604-662-4700, vanartgallery.bc.ca Material Future: The Architecture of Herzog & de Meuron March 27–Oct. 4 Unscrolled: Reframing Tradition in Chinese Contemporary Art until April 6 UBC MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY 6393 Northwest Marine Dr., 604-822-5087, moa.ubc.ca , the city before the city until January 2016

DISCOVER THE BEST OF CALIFORNIA WINES

CALIFORNIA

WINE FAIR

CENTRE A 229 East Georgia St., 604-683-8326 centrea.org transgression/cantosphere until March 28 VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY Central Branch, 604-331-3603 Dead Poets Reading Series March 8 Incite March 11 Great Canadian Authors Book Club April 13, May 11 SFU WOODWARDÕS CULTURAL PROGRAMS 149 West Hastings, 778-7829102, sfu.ca/sfuwoodwards Noh Dance and Chant Workshop March 8-12 Carnival March 13-14 MUSEUM OF VANCOUVER 1100 Chestnut St., museumofvancouver.ca From Rationing to Ravishing until March 8 Stefan Sagmeister: The Happy Show April 23-Sept. 7 PLEIN-AIR BLOSSOM PAINTING VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5151 Oak St., vcbf.ca April 12, 18, 19

The Best is Yet to Come:

A SINATRA CENTENNIAL

2015 CANADIAN TOUR

APRIL 27 2015 | 7 PM VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE EAST FOR TICKETS AND DETAILS: ARTSCLUB.COM | 604.687.1644

CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY 555 Nelson St., 604-681-2700, contemporaryartgallery.ca Jeremy Shaw: MediumBased Time until April 19

MONDAY, MARCH 30, 8PM

Orpheum Theatre

Steven Reineke conductor Tony DeSare vocalist/piano Ed Decker guitar Steve Doyle bass Michael Klopp drums The VSO, conductor Steven Reineke, and vocalist Tony DeSare celebrate the 100th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s birth, performing some of the legend’s greatest hits including New York, New York, My Way, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, One for My Baby, and much more!

CONCERT SPONSOR

TONY DESARE MEDIA SPONSOR

PRESENTED BY

SPONSORED BY

A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR

TICKETS ONLINE

vancouversymphony.ca

@VSOrchestra #VSOSinatra

OR CALL 604.876.3434

F R I DAY, M A RC H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

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GOT ARTS? 604.738.1411 or events@vancourier.com

1 March 4 to 10, 2015 1. Ukulele sensation — yes there is such a thing — Victoria Vox strums her stuff as part of the sixth annual Vancouver Ukulele Festival. Billed as the largest ukulele event held in B.C. the festival runs March 6 to 8 at St. James Hall and the Croatian Cultural Centre, and includes workshops for beginners and aficionados as well as performances by Alabama’s Sarah Maisel, Hawaiian uke superstar Craig Chee, Aaron and Nicole Keim, Daphne Roubini and Andrew Smith of Ruby & Smith and ukulele king Ralph Shaw among others. Details at rubysukes.ca.

2. Don’t forget to stretch. The 15th annual Vancouver International Dance Festival brings the many wonders of contemporary dance to the less coordinated masses March 8 to 28. Highlights include Benjamin Kamino’s Nudity.Desire (he had us at nudity), Japan’s Dairakudakan, Vancouver’s Out Innerspace/605 Collective and Hungary’s Ferenc Fehér among others.

Details at vidf.ca.

3. Be prepared for jigs, reels and shillelaghs coming out of the wazoo over the next few weeks as CelticFest covers this city like an enormous tartan kilt March 6 to 17.

Celebrating all things Celtic, the wideranging festival includes whisky tastings, theatre, a St. Patrick’s Day parade, musical tributes and performances by Alan Doyle, the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir, the Paperboys, Delhi2Dublin, April Verch and Fasta, among others. Details at celticfestvancouver.com.

4. Expect an evening of sweet melodies, jangly guitars and the occasional nod to Big Star when local power pop act China Syndrome haul their gear up the Railway Club’s imposing staircase March 7. The occasion? The band’s third full length release, The Usual Angst. Danny Echo, Black Red and Blonde, and the Spheres open. Hear a preview at chinasyndromeband.com.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

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Disappointingly, this picture from the 1974 film Towering Inferno did not make it into either the Vancouver Sun or Province’s coverage of Wednesday’s chemical fire at the Port of Vancouver.

KUDOS & KVETCHES Where’s the fire?

We have to say we’re a little disappointed in Vancouver’s two major daily newspapers, the Vancouver Sun and the Province — even more disappointed than we normally are.

Wednesday afternoon’s chemical fire at the Port of Vancouver seemed like a perfect fit for both papers’ “If it burns/bleeds trichloroisocyanuric acid, it leads” mantra. To say nothing of the four-alarm fire’s picturesque billows of smoke, evacuation notices, warnings for residents to stay indoors, haz-mat crews and fire trucks — the equivalent of Viagra for a daily newspaper.

Sadly, the Sun relegated the blaze to a few meagre paragraphs on its front page and spilled it onto page 7, kitty corner to an ad for bras. Sure the headline read “Health fallout feared after smoke billows from chemical fire,” but a story on transit

ridership got more play on the front page, and to the best of our knowledge transit riders aren’t very flammable.

Even more dismaying, the Province went with a picture of hot house tomatoes on its cover. Hot house tomatoes!

Unless those tomatoes will give us cancer because they were potentially infected with noxious fumes from Wednesday’s chemical fire, they have no business being on the cover of the Province in our humble opinion.

And let’s not forget all the potential headlines that both papers ignored: “Smoke on the water,” “Chemical reaction,” “Port land blazers,” “Cloudy with a chance of death.” Just shameful.

Road to swellness

On Wednesday, city council voted unanimously in favour of renaming a section of Abbott Street alongside Rogers Arena to Pat Quinn Way, in honour of the former Canuck player, coach, general manager and president, who died in November. Incidentally,

the street on the other side of Rogers Arena was named Griffiths Way in 1994 in honour of late Canucks owner Frank. A. Griffiths.

We’re all for honouring significant figures in the Canucks organization after their deaths, but we’d like to make a bold suggestion.

How about renaming the section of Expo Boulevard behind Rogers Arena and in front of Costco in honour of a living Canuck, past and present. Here are a few of the dozens of proposed names we’ve come with.

• Sergio Momesso’s Treasure Trail.

• Harold Snepsts Moustache Ride (because the road curves like a moustache… get your head out of the gutter).

• Luongo’s Swampy Back Alley.

• Zack Kassian’s Lonely 10-Minute Walk to Costco for His Third Hot Dog of the Day. • Cloutier’s Folly.

• Boulevard de Garth Butcher. twitter.com/KudosKvetches

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

Hotel sequel worth booking Old and new faces return to popular British comedy franchise MOVIE REVIEW Julie Crawford

jcrawfordfilm@gmail.com

You know it wasn’t the money that originally attracted the British stars of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: shot on a skimpy $10-million budget, the 2012 release hauled in almost $138 million at the box office worldwide.

Not bad for a bunch of old codgers.

A loyal return crowd is almost a certainty with the next instalment, and that confidence shows in the title. Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel? A gutsy title, given our predilection to throw stones at sequels.

Thankfully, with John Madden (Shakespeare In Love) back at the helm, Ol Parker once again penning the pages, all our actors back in the mix, and a few new faces to spice things up, the Marigold is just as charming the second time around.

With our ex-pats happily ensconced at the Marigold, co-managers Sonny (Dev Patel) and Muriel (Maggie Smith) start thinking about expansion plans. That requires the aid of an American agency (and David Strathairn) and a visit from an undercover inspector, whose arrival leads to some very Fawlty Towers-esque mishaps.

The inspector could be hunky American writer Guy Chambers (Richard Gere, who just squeaks into the senior set at age 65) or pretty Lavinia Beech (Tamsin Greig), who claims to be looking for a suitable home for her

Poster of the week SHOW: Gastown Riot, March 7 at Falconetti’s.

POSTER ARTIST:

Gastown Riot keyboardist and graphic designer Brock Ellis channels his band’s old time rock and roll vibe in this hipshaking, juvenile-delinquentfriendly poster. The photo is a promo shot of the McCormick Skiffle Group, circa 1957.

Send high-res jpegs and PDFs to mkissinger@vancourier. com for Poster of the Week consideration.

The gang’s all back in the enjoyable romp The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

mother. Sonny’s desperate and comical attempts to discover the inspector’s identity means that he starts to seriously neglect plans for his impending wedding to Sunaina (Tina Desai).

The plan was to retire in peace, but our pensioners are busier than ever. Douglas (Bill Nighy) offers tours of Jaipur and engages in a slow-as-treacle courtship with Evelyn (Judi Dench), who is busy in the textile business. Madge (Celia Imrie) is still tirelessly looking for romance and tending bar with Norman (Ronald Pickup), who is having a go at monogamy with Carol (Diana Hardcastle, Tom Wilkinson’s real-life spouse).

Meanwhile Sonny’s mother, Mrs. Kapoor (Lillete Dubey), seems to be Guy’s new muse, much to her son’s mortification. There’s a rival for Sunaina’s affections (Shazad Latif), and of course, a big Bollywood

number doesn’t disappoint.

There were some big themes at work in the original — elder care and lack thereof, closeted homosexuality, love and sex after middle age and death, of course. But all were approached with such generous doses of humour that there was no time to be maudlin about it all. There are plenty of bittersweet moments in the sequel, too.

As in Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith gets the best zingers. Muriel may have sweetened her hip replacement in the first movie, but there’s still some vinegar left in her. Smith takes centre stage this time around, and her performance makes the film.

Patel excels at the eternally optimistic, high-strung physical comedy; Imrie is best when she’s bawdry.

There’s something for everyone. And with three Oscars, four Emmys and

21 BAFTAs between them, the high-calibre ensemble is hard to resist, even when the story gets a little doddering.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opens Friday at the Park and International Village.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

START NOTHING: 6:24 p.m. Sunday to 6:10 a.m. Monday, 12:46 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, and 4:11 p.m. to 11:40 p.m. Friday.

PREAMBLE: Angela Merkel et. al. seem determined to destroy the Greek economy. There is a sort of nastiness to it, the kind of petty vengeance that envy produces. (And who can blame the Europeans? The Greeks had set themselves up to be lazy, state-supported idlers with plush pensions, 75 per cent of their working income, by the age of 50.) If Europe really does destroy Greece’s economy, it will have created decades of bitterness – and perhaps of poverty.

This is the surest way to push Greece even further left, and it will be a shocking, symbolic and demoralizing event should Greece start dancing with the Russian Bear. The very birthplace of democracy, warming itself at the other camp’s fires. This would have a slow but deep and lasting psychic shock. There comes a point where you show charity to a relative. Let them forgive Greece’s debt but throw out the early pensions, make people work to 65 (in Canada soon it will be 67) and reduce those pensions to 50 per cent of working income. Is that so bad?

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Continue to seek sweet solitude, rest, contemplate and plan. Tackle neglected chores, interface with civil servants, institutions, charities and head office.

You might be asked to join a select circle, perhaps a committee. Say yes. Realize you can face a battle of wills with a higher-up all week, but especially Wednesday. My advice: give in, as this person has the power and the luck to defeat you right now.

Two more weeks of work, drudgery and niggling health concerns, Libra. Just plod along and get it done but realize there’s actually an advantage to work this Monday/Tuesday in that it can make you a bit richer. All week you can be attracted to someone but be careful if you’re single. How much do you really know about this person? Ask questions before committing. DON’T be led along by your private marriage fantasies.

Your popularity remains high but you might be puzzled, if single, that the opposite sex (same sex if gay) seems very friendly yet isn’t up for amour.

That’s because the romantic planets are in your sector of privacy and weariness. So have fun without trying to put a romantic or sensual stamp on it.

Tackle chores Sunday. You get lots done unless you get into a talk-a-thon with someone you like.

Two more weeks of romance, joy, pleasure, beauty, sweet creative urges and adventurous speculation, charming kids, the happiness of the moment. Don’t look far ahead now; instead, dive into what faces you.

This especially applies in romance, where prudence, and hesitation don’t belong. God invented this rule, so don’t blame the other person. Work calls you, but answer only begrudgingly, do only what you must.

Strive to get ahead now. Higher-ups are open to your ideas and proposals, you can speak masterfully, and your eagerness is showing. Display your knowledge of broader worlds than just your workplace. Your popularity is rising among the opposite sex (yes, same for gays) so witticisms, flirtations can lighten your workday. But be careful — trying to steer flirty friendships into sexual intimacy might cause refusals and bad feelings.

The accent remains on home, family, real estate, security, retirement planning, gardening, nutrition, etc. for two more weeks. This is a good time to decide who/what remains fresh and growing in your life and who/what has grown stale. Your attention can be drawn from your domestic situation by a romantic option, perhaps by an Aries.

A mellow mood continues to flow through you. This is a great week to travel afar, join a college or university or a study group of any kind, to attend religious ceremonies, to further or begin any intellectual project, including publishing or writing. Until late 2017, your employment scene and your tasks, will be serious, long and hard. But this month bosses, parents, and authorities favour you, though with a mixture of affection and impatience.

The accent continues on busy, everyday activities.

Besides this, two things are highlighted: 1) your domestic situation, land ownership, retirement, family, etc. and 2) investments, power plays, lifestyle, health and intimacy. Of these, 1) attracts and lures, and could be quicksand; 2) is lucky. So, for instance, do invest, but not in real estate; do have your health examined, but don’t let it keep you at home and away from work.

Mysteries and bargains, Leo. This week and next continue to “awaken” your subconscious so it nudges you with desires and hunches. These in turn can lead to profitable action. Your intuition in investments, debt scenarios, power plays, intimacy and sexual yearning and in lifestyle choices is high. Listen to that quiet little nudge. It only comes when you’re calm and it can lead to fortune — even to vast fortunes.

Aquarius, last July until this August forms one of your best years for married love. This marriage influence takes three forms: if you’re married and happy, this period will bring adventure, family outings/travel, a newly upbeat, optimistic spouse, and a potentially very lucky action or event. The two of you, for instance, might relocate for work, lifestyle or retirement.

Relationships fill this week and next. Spend an hour or a whole day with someone you value Monday. You can talk out problems and reach buoyant, optimistic plans for the future. For the past three years I’ve kept saying you’ll now meet (to 2025) fascinating but puzzling people who represent your true mates, true love, etc. Well, what you experience Monday is a good clue to this type of relationship, its benefits and, well, how to understand it/him/her.

Your charisma and energy remain at a yearly high, Pisces. Start important projects, see and be seen, make an impression. You’re in charge. Take care with money: luck and favour reside there but you might also make some long-term commitments about money (e.g., buying on credit) which will hold you back in future. Sunday holds mysteries and answers, attractions and responses. Be a detective. A mellow, wise mood flows over you Monday to Wed. afternoon.

Monday: Robin Trower (70). Tuesday: John Hamm (44). Wednesday: Alex Kingston (52).

Thursday: Liza Minelli (69). Friday: William H. Macy (65). Saturday: Quincy Jones (82). Sunday: Fabio (56).

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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Sports&Recreation

GOT SPORTS? 604.630.3549 or mstewart@vancourier.com

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By Megan Stewart

Davis Cup: What you need to know Canada hosts Japan in the first round of the Davis Cup, beginning today at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at UBC. When Vancouver hosted in 2013, Canadian fans made it one of the best live spectator events of the year. Tennis, Davis D’Arge of Vancouver’s Rackets and Runners wrote me to tell me, is “a unique sport full of quirky rules and strange customs.” Cheering is charged with etiquette, he said, and the Davis Cup “has its own set of unique traditions and is set up for drama.”

Take it from the expert — here’s what D’Arge has to say about attending a Davis Cup tie.

“

Things are a little different at the Davis Cup, which sets it apart from your normal tennis tournament. The elegant language of tennis becomes slightly altered. “Game,” “set,” and “love” still figure, but the tournament round is called a “tie” and each match during the tie is a “rubber.” The first team to win three matches wins the tie. If a team has already won three by the final day on Sunday, the fourth and fifth matches are called “dead rubbers.” This stuff just writes itself.

“

The home country selects the surface, ball and venue that plays to their team strengths (or the weaknesses of the opponent). Ironically, Canada has chosen a Japanese-made ball, Yonex Tour, because its speed benefits our big servers such as Milos Raonic. During the semi-final in 2013, Serbia hosted Canada at Belgrade’s imposing Kombank Arena on a clay surface.

“

At your typical tennis match, the crowd cheers when it is acceptable to do so, in between points or during changeovers. The roar dies down to silence with only occasional outbursts and murmurs of appreciation occurring during play. At Davis Cup, you have a rowdy group of a few thousand partisan fans waving signs and flags, faces painted, making as much noise as possible (more cowbell!), cheering not only for the players but for their country.

“

Cheering can become a little too exuberant during the match (the rubber) and take too long to die down, prompting a polite, “Quiet please,” from the chair umpire. If the hubbub continues, the official will issue a warning to the crowd, then award points, then games, and if the fans stay unruly, the umpire can force the offending side to default the rubber. According to official Davis Cup rules, opposing players can’t be “unreasonably” provoked or intimidated. There’s some wiggle room there. Players are prohibited from using obscene language or gestures, or abuse their racket or balls. As with cautions to unruly fans, the penalties escalate: warning, point, game, default, unless the infraction is particularly egregious.

“

Like a Grand Slam, there are no tie-breakers in the final set during a match… so you can get very long matches lasting four to five hours. The second longest tennis match ever played was during a 2013 first-round Davis Cup tie between the Swiss and the Czechs. It lasted more than seven hours.

“

The best time to grab some refreshment is during ball changes or between matches. You won’t be allowed back to your seat during play.”

For a complete schedule, visit daviscup.com.

Anything is Pospisil…

I know that I can beat top-10 players.

— Vasek Pospisil, who represents Canada in the first round of the Davis Cup through the weekend at UBC. The 24-year-old Vancouverite and doubles Wimbledon champion is ranked No. 62 in the world on the singles circuit, a decline from his career high No. 25 in January 2014. On Tuesday, the park board installed a plaque in his honour at Kitsilano Beach Park, where Pospisil trained on the public tennis courts as a teenager.

1. Juggler Lauren Bondi (No. 4) goes hard to the hoop. 2. Notre Dame’s Jolene Robinson (No. 10) cuts past a defender in a 65-46 win over the Princess Margaret Mustangs in the opening game of the B.C. Championships on March 4. 3. Little Flower Academy’s Alessia Risi (No. 14) fights for position. 4. Five-foot-three Angel Dyniel Rabang (No. 3 in white) drives to the hoop against a six-foot defender in a 74-61 win over the Vernon Panthers in their opening game of the B.C. Championships on March 4. PHOTOS RON HOLE

Angels, Jugglers take flight

Senior girls AA championship on now in Langley BASKETBALL Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

After a nine-year drought, the Little Flower Academy Angels are back at the senior girls AA B.C. Championships.

The Angels last appeared at the senior show in 2006 but, as juniors, this season’s stand-out roster went to provincials in back-toback years, finishing ninth in 2012 and ’13. Both times, LFA lost their opening game, but went on to three consecutive victories

to win the consolation side of the bracket.

With one game behind them at the 2015 senior provincials — a 74-61 win over the Vernon Panthers — these Angels will finish eighth or higher and have lit a spark at the private girls school off King Edward Avenue.

“It’s super exciting to be part of the mix,” said Roland St. Cyr, a viceprincipal and assistant coach at LFA. “We’ve gone through a dry run but it’s nice to be back.”

This weekend, the Grade 8 girls are also competing at provincials in Pitt Meadows.

In the win over the Panthers, Jessica Hanson scored 35 points and Alessia Risi added 15. They played St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday (after the Courier’s print deadline) and were gunning for a semi-final meeting against No. 1 Duchess Park on Friday at the Langley Events Centre.

The Angels have beat STA three times, including by 24 points in January and most recently by 19 points in the Lower Mainland tournament.

A win Thursday would set them up to meet Prince George’s Duchess Park secondary for the

first time this season.

“They’re an unknown,” said St. Cyr, who said the team reviews all the film they can. “We prepare through watching film and checking out what they run. That’s a big part of the preparation process.”

Duchess Park must beat Vancouver’s Notre Dame Jugglers to reach Friday’s semi-finals. On Wednesday, the Jugglers beat Princess Margaret 65-46 to advance. (Their Thursday meeting was after the Courier’s print deadline.)

The semi-final is at 4:15 p.m., March 6 at the Langley Events Centre.

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THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

Sports&Recreation

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The Vancouver Giants are proud to support minor hockey!

Purchase your tickets as the Giants host the Everett Silvertips on Saturday March 7th.

Partial proceeds go towards supporting North Delta Minor Hockey.

Tickets $16.

Purchase at: info@ndhockey.com

Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

You don’t knock off three of B.C.’s best teams by accident, Harry Brar wants you to know.

The six-foot-two forward was named MVP of the senior boys AAAA Lower Mainland championship as the overlooked Thompson Trojans deepened their post-season run all the way to provincials, on next week in Langley. Upset or otherwise, multiple wins are no one-off, said Brar.

“I don’t know if you can fluke making the provincials,” he said. “Since the playoffs started, we’ve taken out three topranked teams. You can’t fluke that.”

In a densely competitive region, the unranked Trojans started by beating Kitsilano to reach the city championship final, they advanced past St. George’s early in the Lower Mainland tourney, and to keep their season alive, eliminated Windermere and No. 1 Vancouver College.

“Considering that was potentially our last game of our high school career, it was one of our most memorable wins ever, especially over a really great team,” said Brar, who had 43 points in the 74-63 win over the Fighting Irish. (He also scored 58 against St. George’s, not 54 as previously reported.)

To say no one expected the Trojans’ season to continue into March is an understatement. Coach Jimmy Choi planned his honeymoon for the same week and several players committed to a school trip to the Dominican Republic. Choi rescheduled the trip with his bride, and at least one player will return early to play.

“No matter how much you tell yourself you’re not going to,” said Choi, “the day the team is playing on that floor, you’re going to be thinking — what’s the score? Win or lose, you made the show.

You’re there. You had to accomplish some big things to get there.”

Brar, who graduates this year and has gotten interest from two postsecondary programs, said the Trojans can take each game as it comes, which keeps the competition fun.

“We just want to continue to play,” he said.

“We know nobody has counted on us to win anything this year, so from here on out, there is no expectation. The pressure is going to be on the other team. It’s always fun to do that and catch a team by surprise. If we get up, teams will start to look around and wonder what’s happening.”

The answer is that Brar is what’s happening. In a must-win game against Windermere, he scored 35 and came up even bigger against Vancouver College. He averaged 37.5 points on his way to tournament MVP, an accolade typically awarded to a player on the championship team.

“What really set Harry apart in this year’s Lower Mainlands was the fact that he had such huge games at the most important times,” said Paul Eberhardt, the director for the regional tournament and the head coach of the Langara Falcons.

“He definitely has the potential to be a strong player at a post-secondary level.”

Brar, who was always one of the tallest kids in his class, picked up a basketball in Grade 9 during drop-in gym sessions at the school and took summer camps with Choi. He left soccer for the hardwood, following

Good hearing, poor comprehension?

The number of people who can hear well, but can’t understand what’s being said, is increasing. This is most evident in conversations and watching television.

A newly-developed hearing chip is designed to restore speech comprehension without being noticeable in the ear.

A lot of people have poor comprehension, though they actually still hear well. It becomes noticeable in conversation, watching television and asking family to repeat what’s been said.

A potential cause can be undetected loss in the high-frequency range.

This means the sensory cells in the cochlea that hear high-range sounds are damaged as a result of circulatory disorders, diabetes, sudden hearing loss or workplace noise. Hearing loss in the high-frequency range makes speech sound muffled and unclear. The person with hearing loss mixes up, or can no longer hear, consonants like s, f, t, k, h and g. Speech comprehension is particularly impaired when there is background noise or when television programs have background music. The dilemma is that people with hearing loss in the high-frequency range do not consider themselves to have a

Ginette van Wijngaarden, at Connect Hearing, advises people with hearing loss on the new hearing chip, together with her colleagues.

hearing problem. They can hear deep tones with no issue, and often put difficulty understanding speech down to unclear pronunciation. However, the time soon comes when problems with comprehension become annoying.

A new hearing chip has been developed.

Swiss audiologists have developed a new hearing chip that restores speech comprehension, particularly with hearing loss in the high-frequency range. People can test the new Audéo V system by Phonak simply by calling now to do so. First, a hearing test and speech comprehension analysis is

done. Where inner-ear damage is present, a software program analyzes the difference relative to normal hearing. These values are then input into the new Venture hearing chip in the Audéo V, which precisely takes into account and balances the frequency range of the person being tested. The test phase in particular is designed to clarify how speech comprehension can be improved in various situations and what role a new technology called “Autosense OS” plays. The chip recognizes where the person being spoken to is located and amplifies only his or her voice, while ambient noise is lowered and the optimum hearing programs are seamlessly adjusted. Thanks to several synchronous microphones, the hearing system can detect sound in all directions and select the direction that speech is coming from within milliseconds. According to Swiss researchers, this significantly augments speech comprehension, especially in conversation.

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F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

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Wakey Wakey

as Trojan horse

The Westward Ho! will be open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week starting March 9th At the Westward Ho! we’re saying hello to longer days with longer hours. And to fill these longer hours, our weekday breakfast menu is back and brunch will still be served on weekends.

Not to be outdone by breakfast is our 3 HOUR LONG happy hour from 3pm to 6pm, seven days a week!

Thompson Trojan Harry Brar averaged 37.5 points, delivered in do-or-die elimination games, and was named MVP of the senior boys AAAA Lower Mainland tournament. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

the example of his older brother Sunny.

He lives near David Thompson secondary but works downtown on weekends at an upscale grocery store. He also

briefly played club basketball with Drive.

Choi said Brar is a level-headed player mature beyond his 17 years.

“He’s very quiet and very reserved,” said the coach.

“If the situation is tough, he keeps his cool. He doesn’t panic at all.”

Cool and clutch, that’s how Brar has raised the standard. twitter.com/MHStewart

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Today’shomes The roofing biz is on fire after depreciation reports Frank O’Brien

wieditor@biv.com

Metro Vancouver roofing contractors are crediting B.C.’s new depreciation reports for a boom in roof replacements.

“We are booked through to the end of August if we work six days a week,” said Josh Gibson, co-owner of Benchmark Roofing Ltd. “On my desk right now I have three multi-family projects that came in this week and they are all very large.”

As Gibson spoke, Benchmark crews were ripping 60,000 square feet of cedar shakes off a Richmond condominium complex and replacing them with a 24-guage metal roof. Gibson said depreciation reports are helping to drive the work.

A fairly recent provincial Strata Property Act amendment requires strata corporations document future maintenance and assure sufficient funds are put aside to cover the work. The resulting depreciation reports are meant to inform consumers of

A typical roof lasts 20 to 25 years, roughly the age of the first buildings that kicked off a Metro Vancouver condominium boom.

what repairs are required for any strata building.

Since depreciation reports were mandated 14 months ago, about 30 per cent of the 30,000 strata corporations in B.C. have completed a report, according to Jeremy Bramwell of Vancouver-

based Bramwell & Associates Realty Advisors Inc., which operates one of the largest depreciation report departments in the province.

Strata corporations can opt out of the requirement with a 75 per cent vote among members. As well,

smaller condo buildings of five or less units are exempt from the legislation.

About two-thirds of all B.C. strata corporations are Metro Vancouver condominium buildings, and Bramwell said the “larger and more sophisticated” stratas were the first to

complete depreciation reports. Many of them are now moving forward with renovations.

“Roofs are the No. 1 project,” Bramwell said.

He said companies such as Benchmark are preferred because, as members of the Roofing Contrac-

tors Association of B.C. (RCABC), all its work is covered by the RoofStar warranty, which is unique in the industry and exclusive to RCABC members.

The cost of replacing a multi-family roof runs from $12 to $15 per square foot.

A typical roof lasts 20 to 25 years, roughly the age of the first buildings that kicked off a Metro Vancouver condominium boom that has apparently never quit.

Currently, construction of homes in Metro Vancouver — dominated by multifamily buildings — is worth more than all the resource, manufacturing and industrial construction in the province combined, according to a recent survey done by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies.

For contractors such as Benchmark, which specializes in roof replacement, the thousands of older condominium buildings represent a long and bright horizon. “If they don’t replace the roof this year, they will have to do it next year,” Gibson said.

You made incredible things happen!

Community schools are the heart of many neighbourhoods. They provide safe places where children and youth can join after-school programs and where families can find the support they need.

Margaret arrived in Canada as a refugee when she was six years old. She has benefitted from community schools all her life and now she is paying it forward. She graduates from high school this year and the sky’s the limit. “I believe that everyone is a hero and can save the world.”

United Way funds community school initiatives in Burnaby, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Surrey and Vancouver. They were featured at this year’s Scotiabank & United Way Community Spirit Awards.

Margaret, student and Winnie Leong, Scotiabank

You help make our work possible. Thank you.

2015 United Way Community Schools Initiative video was proudly presented by Scotiabank

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UNTOUCHED PHOTOGRAPH

Emily Carr University Granville Island

Olympic Village Station

Charleson Park 6TH AVE

W BROADWAY

Whole Foods B'way-City Hall Station

CAMBIE ST

False Creek

WILLOW ST

A36

SUITE

TYPE

SF

778 W 6th

2B+D

1,436 $899,900

776 W 6th

2 B + D + F 1,424 $949,900

772 W 6th

2 B + D + F 1,424 $949,900

2232 Willow 4 B

PRICE*

1,728 $1,389,900

760 W 6th

2 B + D + F 1,454 $949,900

762 W 6th

2 B + D + F 1,424 $949,900

758 W 6th

2 B + D + F 1,514 $999,900

MOVE IN TODAY

sixthandsteel.com 604 336 2800 Open 12 - 5PM daily, closed Fridays or by appointment

*Pricing and availability subject to change. The developer reserves the right to make changes to the information contained herein without notice. E.&.O.E.

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

PH SO ASE ON 2

VANCOUVER’S LAST GREAT FAMILY ESTATE RETURNS

In the tradition of the sold out Churchill House and Cartier House, Wall Financial brings you the next opportunity to own on Vancouver's coveted West Side - Shannon Wall Centre Kerrisdale. Offering luxury residences, including grand townhomes and suites on a prestigious ten-acre family estate with an unparalleled blend of heritage and new residences, Shannon Wall Centre Kerrisdale is surrounded by Vancouver's best amenities. From the same group that brought you Wall Centre False Creek and One Wall Centre, now is the time to own a truly unique luxury residence within a legacy estate.

REGISTER TODAY · PHASE 1 SOLD OUT · PHASE 2 SOON PRESENTATION CENTRE 1538 W. 54TH AVENUE · BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

ShannonWallCentre.com · 604.267.8882

MANAGED BY

MARKETED BY

WALL FINANCIAL C O R P O R AT I O N

Renderings are representational only. Prices subject to change without notice. The developer reserves the right to make changes to the information contained herein. E.&O.E.

A37

A38

T H E VA N C O U V E R C O U R I E R F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

7 20,000

NO W

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 OPEN DAILY 12-5PM, CLOSED FRIDAYS OR BY APPOINTMENT | 604 879 8850

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.

SE LLI NG

F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

VANCOUVER’S

LAST

WATERFRONT

NEIGHBOURHOOD

IT STARTS WITH VISION. REMEMBER YALETOWN’S TRANSFORMATION? When Yaletown began it was just a few residential towers. Imagine if Urban Fare and Starbucks were there from the start. River District Town Centre will launch as a complete neighbourhood, with retail, restaurant, residences, parks and playgrounds.

Now is your chance to become part of this new neighbourhood—built from the ground up on the last section of Vancouver’s waterfront.

YALETOWN THEN

YALETOWN NOW

YVR

RICHMOND

MARINE AND CAMBIE

FRASER RIVER

TOWN CENTRE HOMES COMING SPRING 2015 INCLUDING GROCERY, BANK, CAFE AND RESTAURANT

REGISTER TODAY

BOUNDARY AND MARINE

This is not an offering for sale. One can only be made by way of a disclosure statement. E.&O.E.

A39

A40

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

A44

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, M A R C H 6 , 2 0 1 5

WEEKLY SPECIALS Prices Effective March 5 to March 11, 2015.

100% BC Owned and Operated PRODUCE

MEAT Organic Blueberries

Choices’ Own Exclusive Full Circle Top Soil

Boneless Pork Butt Steaks

170g package

value pack

product of Chile

20L • product of Canada

3.99lb/ 8.80kg

2/6.00

4/16.00 Organic Bunch Cilantro

Whole Organic Chickens

Liquids and Solids Soup

Hot House Peppers Red, Yellow and Orange 1.98lb/4.37kg • Imported

product of USA

Boneless Lamb Stewing Meat

assorted varieties

1.98lb/ 4.37kg

4/5.00

4.99lb/ 11.00kg

700ml

9.99lb/ 22.02kg

1.00 off

regular retail price

GROCERY

DELI

Doi Chaang Organic Fair Trade Coffee assorted varieties

Jordans Morning Crisp Granola and Muesli

Olympic Yogurt

assorted varieties

340-454g or 12 pack • product of Canada

500g • product of UK

4.99

SAVE

34%

Roasted Specialty Chickens

assorted varieties 650g • product of BC

2/5.00

SAVE

11.99 each

36%

Choices’ Own Kale & Wheatberry Salad or Yam & Potato Salad Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil or Spray

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

125-150g • product of Australia

170g – 857ml • product of USA

SAVE FROM

40%

7.99-12.99

Echoclean 2X HE Liquid Laundry Detergent

Old Dutch Cheese Pleesers, Twists or Baked Potato Chips assorted varieties 175-285g • product of USA/Canada

2.49-3.59 Maple Hill Farm Organic Free Range Large Eggs 1 dozen • product of Canada While quantities last. Not all items available at all stores. We reserve the right to correct printing errors.

4.4912.49

40%

Marinelli Pasta Sauce assorted varieties

78.99 each

BAKERY xxx

xxx • product of xxx

740ml • product of Canada

SAVE 3.99

Organic Sourdough Bread

37%

21.99 300g 38.99 600g 17.99 150 capsules Savteo up 0 $16.0

2.99-4.99

3/4.98

assorted varieties, including chocolate

Regular or Berry

Sav.e00 $20

200-275g

Dairyland Organic Milk

Dr. Gifford-Jones Medi C Plus Vitamin C and L-Lysine Formula

Inno-Vite Yeast Buster Kit

SAVE

24%

WELLNESS

60 capsules

Carrot Cake or Double Chocolate Delight Slice

Perrier Sparkling Water 1L • +dep+eco fee product of France

5.49

25.99

GLUTEN FREE

assorted varieties

4.99

Sav0e0 $5.

27%

1.5L • product of BC

SAVE 5.99

1.491.79/100g

SAVE 2.39

assorted varieties

2L • product of Canada

Inno-Vite Red Yeast Rice with Ubiquinol and Vitamin D3

Real Foods Corn Thins

MegaFood Balanced B Complex

25.99 30 tablets 37.99 60 tablets 47.99 90 tablets

www.choicesmarkets.com

assorted varieties 400-530g

3.49-4.49

Spring Break Cooking Camp!

Kids in the Kitchen With Project Chef March 9 to 13 | for Kids Aged 8 to 14 / Choices Annex | 604-736-0009 This spring break, keep your kids busy in the kitchen at an interactive cooking camp run

by Project CHEF (Cook Healthy Edible Food). It’s the chance for your young ones to learn about healthy food: where it comes from, what it tastes like, how to prepare it and how to enjoy sharing it around a table. The chefs at Project CHEF work to reconnect children with the food they eat, helping them discover the process of and pleasure in cooking and sharing food together.

Camp runs March 9 – 13, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. Cost is $325 plus GST. Fee includes instruction, lunch and snacks and recipe book. To register and prepay for this spring camp, visit choicesmarkets.com or call the number listed above.

To learn more about Project CHEF visit projectchef.ca. Proceeds from this camp will benefit Project CHEF.

/ChoicesMarkets

@ChoicesMarkets