Vancouver Courier June 19 2015

dfkjalkfj

PRICE BREAK

20

GET

20

GET

%

%

CASH CREDIT

ON SELECT 2015 MODELS IN STOCK THE LONGEST*

OF MSRP

2015 SONIC

= $12,042

2015 TRAX

20

Eg: $3,899

CASH CREDIT* ON SONIC LT 5 DOOR $19,494 MSRP

2015 CRUZE

OF MSRP

CASH CREDIT ON SILVERADO CREW CAB HIGH COUNTRY 3LZ

%

Eg: $5,242

CASH CREDIT* ON TRAX LT AWD $26,210 MSRP

2015 EQUINOX

OF MSRP

CASH CREDIT

ON SELECT 2015 MODELS IN STOCK THE LONGEST *

CASH CREDIT

Eg: $4,298

Eg: $6,374

CASH CREDIT* ON CRUZE LT AIR & AUTO $21,490 MSRP

ON SELECT 2015 CHEVROLET, GMC AND BUICK MODELS IN STOCK THE LONGEST

CASH CREDIT* ON EQUINOX LT AWD $31,870 MSRP

2015 MALIBU

2015 IMPALA

2015 SILVERADO 1500

INVENTORY IS LIMITED SO VISIT YOUR DEALER TODAY.

Eg: $5,721

Eg: $6,971

CASH CREDIT* ON MALIBU LT + PCN $28,605 MSRP

ENDS JUNE 28TH

CASH CREDIT* ON 2015 IMPALA 2LT + PCP $34,855 MSRP

Eg: $12,042

CASH CREDIT* ON SILVERADO CREW CAB HIGH COUNTRY 3LZ $60,210 MSRP

INVENTORY IS LIMITED SO VISIT YOUR DEALER TODAY. ENDS JUNE 28TH.

CHEVROLET.CA

ON NOW AT YOUR BC CHEVROLET DEALERS. Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the cash purchase of a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Double Cab, Silverado 1500 Crew Cab, Cruze, Equinox, Trax, Sonic, Malibu and Impala. License, insurance, registration, administration fees, dealer fees, PPSA and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in BC Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer trade may be required. * Applies to oldest 15% of dealer inventory as of June 2, 2015. Valid June 5 to 28, 2015 on cash purchases of select vehicles from dealer inventory. Not compatible with special lease and -finance rates. Credit is tax exclusive and is calculated on vehicle MSRP, excluding any dealer-installed options. By selecting lease or -finance offers, consumers are foregoing this cash credit which will result in higher effective interest rates. Dealer may sell for less. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details.

Burnaby Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-291-2266

Coquitlam Eagle Ridge Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-464-3941

Langley Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-534-4154

North Vancouver Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-987-5231

Richmond Dueck Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-273-1311

South Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-536-7661

Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-584-7411

Vancouver Dueck Downtown Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-675-7900

Vancouver Dueck on Marine Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-324-7222

Burnaby Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-291-2266

Coquitlam Eagle Ridge Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-464-3941

Langley Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-534-4154

North Vancouver Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-987-5231

Richmond Dueck Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-273-1311

South Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-536-7661

Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-584-7411

Vancouver Dueck Downtown Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-675-7900

Vancouver Dueck on Marine Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-324-7222

dfkjalkfj

PRICE BREAK

PRICE BREAK

ON SELECT 2015 GMCs IN STOCK THE LONGEST WHILE INVENTORY LASTS—OFFER ENDS JUNE 28

20

20

% OF

MSRP CASH CREDIT*

% = $13,009 OF MSRP

ON SELECT 2015 BUICKS IN STOCK THE LONGEST WHILE INVENTORY LASTS – OFFER ENDS JUNE 28

CASH CREDIT ON GMC SIERRA CREW CAB DENALI 5SA

CASH CREDIT

2015 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB

20%

NHTSA 5-STAR OVERALL VEHICLE SCORE FOR SAFETY **

$

2015 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB DENALI 5SA SHOWN

2015 BUICK

ENCLAVE

OF MSRP

13,009 CASH CREDIT*

2015 BUICK

ENCORE

2015 GMC TERRAIN OF MSRP

6,589 CASH CREDIT*

2015 BUICK

2015 GMC TERRAIN SLE-2 AWD, $32,945 MSRP.

VERANO

ON NOW AT YOUR BC GMC DEALERS. BCGMCDealers.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. GMC is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the purchase of a new or demonstrator 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab, GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab or GMC Terrain. License, insurance, registration, PPSA and dealer administration fees and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in the BC GMC Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer trade may be required. *Applies to oldest 15% of dealer inventory as of June 2nd 2015. Valid June 5 to 28, 2015 on cash purchases of select vehicles from dealer inventory. Not compatible with special lease and finance rates. Credit is tax exclusive and is calculated on vehicle MSRP, excluding any dealer-installed options. By selecting lease or finance offers, consumers are foregoing this cash credit which will result in higher effective interest rates. Dealer may sell for less. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. See dealer for details. **U.S. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).

Langley Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-534-4154

North Vancouver Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-987-5231

2015 ENCLAVE 1SL AWD, $51,060 MSRP

NHTSA 5-STAR OVERALL VEHICLE SCORE FOR SAFETY**

OF = $ CREDIT 5,579 CASH 20 MSRP %

*

2015 ENCORE 1SA FWD, $27,895 MSRP

NHTSA 5-STAR OVERALL VEHICLE SCORE FOR SAFETY**

OF = $ CREDIT 20 MSRP 4,894 CASH %

*

2015 VERANO 1SD, $24,470 MSRP

NHTSA 5-STAR OVERALL VEHICLE SCORE FOR SAFETY**

2015 BUICK VERANO 1SG SHOWN

2015 GMC TERRAIN SLE-1 FWD SHOWN

Coquitlam Eagle Ridge Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-464-3941

*

2015 BUICK ENCORE 1SD AWD SHOWN

$

Burnaby Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-291-2266

%

2015 BUICK ENCLAVE 1SL AWD SHOWN

2015 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB DENALI 5SA $65,045 MSRP.

20%

OF = $ CREDIT 20 MSRP 10,212 CASH

Richmond Dueck Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-273-1311

South Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-536-7661

Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-584-7411

Vancouver Dueck Downtown Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-675-7900

Vancouver Dueck on Marine Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-324-7222

On now at your BC Buick Dealers. Buick.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Buick is a brand of General Motors of Canada. Offers apply to the purchase of a new or demonstrator 2015 Buick Verano, Encore or Enclave. License, insurance, registration, administration fees, PPSA and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Offers apply to quailed retail customers in BC Buick Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer trade may be required. *Applies to oldest 15% of dealer inventory as of June 2nd 2015. Valid June 5 to 28, 2015 on cash purchases of select vehicles from dealer inventory. Not compatible with special lease and finance rates. Credit is tax exclusive and is calculated on vehicle MSRP, excluding any dealerinstalled options. By selecting lease or finance offers, consumers are foregoing this cash credit which will result in higher effective interest rates. Dealer may sell for less. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. See dealer for details. **U.S. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).

Burnaby Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-291-2266

Coquitlam Eagle Ridge Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-464-3941

Langley Preston Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-534-4154

North Vancouver Carter Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-987-5231

Richmond Dueck Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-273-1311

South Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-536-7661

Surrey Barnes Wheaton Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-584-7411

Vancouver Dueck Downtown Chevrolet Buick GMC 604-675-7900

Vancouver Dueck on Marine Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac 604-324-7222

PACIFIC SPIRIT 8

FRIDAY

June 19 2015

Providing safe harbour

Vol. 106 No. 48

SWEET SPOT 16

All hail the Cannoli King SPORTS 19

Soccer sisters meet icons There’s more online at

vancourier.com WEEKEND EDITION

THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908

No convictions in pot shop raids

VPD targeted seven dispensaries in 18 months Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

The business of investigating and prosecuting illegal marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver has yet to result in the successful prosecution of any suspects whom police arrested over an 18-month span while executing nine search warrants at city pot shops.

In examining court records and conducting interviews with Vancouver police and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, the Courier learned that only three people were charged in connection with raids on two pot shops.

In the other investigations, prosecutors are reviewing whether to approve charges in three busts and police are waiting for analysis of evidence in another three cases before recommending charges to the federal Crown office.

Police executed the nine warrants between October 2013 and April 2015. Three of the warrants were associated to the Real Compassion Society at 151 East Hastings, which continued to operate this week. Police were there in October 2013, December 2013 and August 2014.

Warrants were not immediately available for the Courier to view and believed to be sealed. However, the VPD issued a news release Oct. 25, 2013 saying “drug investigators do not believe that the operators of

this dispensary were intent on providing any type of medical service but, instead, were allegedly trafficking in significant amounts of marijuana for financial gain.”

Even with that observation almost two years ago, it wasn’t until April of this year that prosecutors approved two counts of trafficking against David Luke Bauman. No date has been set for trial. Prosecutors also approved charges in April against Joseph William Fortt and Dayna Christiansen in connection with a warrant served June 23, 2014 at Weeds Glass and Gifts, 2580 Kingsway. They’re also awaiting trial.

Though it appears the wheels of justice are moving slowly in the investigations, both police and the prosecution service say the cases are complex, time-consuming, require a lot of paper work and involve sending evidence for analysis to Health Canada.

“It takes the time it takes,” said Dan Brien, director of communications for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, which is the federal office responsible for prosecuting drug cases on behalf of the Government of Canada.

“Before charges are approved, there might be some back and forth between police and Crown while we assess a file to make sure that there’s sufficient evidence.”

Brien declined to discuss the specifics of each case but said prosecutors will only approve a charge if the evidence supports the prospect of a conviction.

Continued on page 5

Dunbar flips for money

City’s hottest “flip” market Frank O’Brien fobrien@biv.com

Approximately 20 per cent of Vancouver detached-housing sales can be defined as flips — the buying and selling of a property in less than 12 months — and Dunbar is the city’s hottest flipping market.

Dunbar, an established West Side neighbourhood where the typical price of a house is now $2.27 million, accounted for

30 of the 328 detached-house flips in the city during 2014 and the first five months of this year, based on exclusive research done for Business in Vancouver by New Westminster’s Landcor Data Corp.

Dunbar average house prices rose 9.1 per cent in the past year, which would equate to a theoretical return of approximately $200,000 for someone who had bought and sold a typical house in that period.

But the Landcor data suggests some savvy investors did much better than that.

Continued on page 7

SKIM DEEP Skim boarders like Radek Hewson were having a great day at Spanish Banks on Wednesday thanks to beautiful West Coast weather. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

Thinking oƒ SELLING your Vancouver area home?

THINK OF PAUL.

$

1,2 49 ,00

0

OPEN HOUSE SAT/SUN 2-4 156 WEST 1ST AVE.

A2

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Sleep Over!

Isola Chair

A3

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News

New deputy chief inspired by father

12TH&CAMBIE Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

Steve Rai could have talked about himself when he was introduced this week as the Vancouver Police Department’s new deputy chief.

After all, he’s been on the job for 25 years.

And he’s got quite an extensive resume — patrol officer, assignments in the jail, recruiting, seconded to the Coordinated Law Enforcement Unit, managed the Davie Street community police office, worked 10 years as an emergency response team hostage negotiator, spent six years with the VPD’s critical incident stress management team, a policing district supervisor, an inspector in human resources… it goes on.

But when it came Rai’s turn to speak at the microphone, he turned his thoughts to his father, who moved the fam-

ily from India in the late 1960s to Vancouver. Rai, whose Punjabi skills have complemented his work and developed connections in the South Asian community, was born in Punjab, India but raised in the city.

“I just grew up down the street from here,” said Rai at a news conference Tuesday at the Cambie Street precinct, where Chief Adam Palmer announced the Kitsilano secondary graduate has joined deputy chiefs Doug LePard and Warren Lemcke on the department’s executive.

When the family arrived from India, Rai’s father took on a series of jobs before he was hired as a building service worker at the VPD, where he worked in the jail.

“And he’d come home and tell stories about police officers and how neat and how respected they were and how much he loved working around them,” recalled Rai, noting some of those officers continue

Police Chief Adam Palmer (right) announced this week that Steve Rai is the VPD’s new deputy chief. Rai joins deputy chiefs Doug LePard and Warren Lemcke on the department’s executive team.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

to work at the department.

“I’m proud for my father because he was another unsung hero. As an immigrant, he encouraged his kids to stay on the right path. And 25 years later,

I’m standing here.”

His father’s influence also extended to Rai’s brother, Roger, who is an officer assigned to the Downtown Eastside. Rai also credited the influence

of school liaison officers for his career choice, which has gone beyond his first thoughts of the job.

“I just wanted to come out and catch criminals and put them in jail and have fun and do all the exciting stuff that you think about as a young person applying for a career in policing,” he said.

“Never in my mind, did I think 25 years later that I’d be standing here as the deputy chief.”

Palmer said there were four applicants for the vacant deputy chief’s job, which was left open after Palmer was promoted to chief when Jim Chu retired. Palmer said he, LePard and a member of the police board were on the selection committee.

Palmer also used this week’s news conference to announce that Laurence Rankin was promoted from inspector to superintendent. Rankin’s name may be familiar to those who followed the Stanley Cup riot investigation; Rankin led the department’s inves-

tigation team.

The 27-year veteran of the VPD is also known locally and nationally for his work with polygraph examinations, both as someone who conducts polygraphs and trains officers on how to do them. Most recently, he was the inspector in charge of the department’s major crime section.

And in case some of you are wondering when a woman will be promoted to deputy chief, I was wondering the same thing.

The last time I checked, the VPD had seven female inspectors and one superintendent, with more than 300 female officers working in the city. The VPD has never had a female chief, although Carolyn Daley came close when she retired about a decade ago as deputy chief.

So I asked Palmer whether there will come a day during his tenure when a woman will be promoted to deputy chief.

His response: “It’s quite possible.” @Howellings Plu

ON

s1

%

LY U

ra te re du

NT IL on JU on N se E lec 2 tm 1

cti

od

Actual model may not be as shown.

els

*

Actual model may not be as shown.

Class

Executive Certified Demonstrator

Year

Stock #

Total Price

Sale Price

Class

Executive Certified Demonstrator

Year

Stock #

Total Price

Sale Price

C-Class

C300 4MATIC™ Sedan

2015

R1535246

$53,050.00

$49,550.00

GLK-Class

GLK250 4MATIC™

2015

N1521360

$53,225.00

SOLD

C-Class

C300 4MATIC™ Sedan

2015

R1529823

$63,240.00

SOLD

GLK-Class

GLK250 4MATIC™

2015

R1519034

$53,650.00

$45,650.00

C-Class

C400 4MATIC™ Sedan

2015

V1530955

$61,050.00

$54,550.00

GLK-Class

GLK250 4MATIC™

2015

R1523723

$54,150.00

$46,150.00

C-Class

C400 4MATIC™ Sedan

2015

V1527493

$61,660.00

$55,660.00

GLK-Class

GLK350 4MATIC™

2015

R1553052

$53,760.00

$49,260.00

Class

Certified Pre-Owned

Year

Stock #

Kilometres

Sale Price

Class

Certified Pre-Owned

Year

Stock #

Kilometres

Sale Price

C-Class

C250 4MATIC™ Sedan

2012

M838051

45,408KM

$27,483.00

GLK-Class

GLK350 4MATIC™

2012

M815214

64,461KM

$33,595.00

C-Class

C250 4MATIC™ Sedan

2012

M885010

49,233KM

$29,483.00

GLK-Class

GLK350 4MATIC™

2012

B793498

38,493KM

SOLD

C-Class

C300 4MATIC™ Sedan

2011

M875578

60,286KM

$26,483.00

GLK-Class

GLK350 4MATIC™

2012

M815104

49,740KM

$35,595.00

C-Class

C300 4MATIC™ Sedan

2011

B880085A

46,700KM

$28,483.00

GLK-Class

GLK350 4MATIC™

2012

M821233

33,974KM

$36,595.00

Executive Certified Event. ◼

Save up to $20,000† on select Executive Certified Models.

◼

Certified Pre-Owned Models include a stringent 150 point inspection, plus an additional 2 year warranty.

AMG Performance Centre Vancouver | 550 Terminal Avenue | Open Sunday: 12pm – 5pm | D#6276

1-855-544-9088 | executivecertified.ca

© 2015 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. Total price of the listed 2015 Executive Certified Demonstrator vehicles include Freight/PDI of $2,295(C/GLK)/$2,395(E/ML), Dealer Admin Fee of $595, A/C Levy of $100, PPSA up to $45.48 and a $25 fee covering EHF tires, filters and batteries. Additional options, fees, and taxes are extra. Vehicle license, insurance, and registration are extra. † Based on a 2014 CLS550 4MATIC (Stock# 1421262). *1% lease and finance rate reduction on select new and demo models (minimum rates: Lease 0.03%, Finance 0.00%). Available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit. Eligible vehicles: C-Class (excludes C63 AMG Sedan), GLA (excludes AMG), GLK and ML Class. Offer ends June 21, 2015. Vehicle license, documentation fee, insurance, registration and sales taxes are extra. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offer may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for details. Offer may change without notice. See your Mercedes-Benz Vancouver Retail Dealer or book a test drive at Mercedes-Benz Customer Care Centre at 1-855-544-9088. Offer valid until June 21, 2015.

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

News

View my video with

Smaller is beautiful

Citizens’ Assembly releases report DEVELOPING STORY

Friedrich H.G. Brumm, D.D., B.A. Denturist 27yrs exp

Naoibh O’Connor

All our Dentures and Services are TAX FREE! NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

noconnor@vancourier.com

NO REFERRAL NEEDED.

www.mydentures.ca

The Grandview-Woodland Citizens’ Assembly recommends mainly midand low-rise buildings — not towers — to accommodate growth around the Broadway-Commercial Drive SkyTrain station.

Two years ago, residents balked at the prospect of a 36-storey tower on the Safeway site, which was among numerous controversial “emerging directions” for the neighbourhood’s community plan that also identified several sites for highrises of between 22 and 28 storeys in other locations in the surrounding area.

City council formed the 48-member Citizens’ Assembly to address the backlash against those proposals and many others within the initial draft policy directions. The assembly,

which has been meeting since September, released its final report online last Friday. It contains almost 270 recommendations on themes including housing, transportation, local economy, arts and culture, public realm, community well-being and health, heritage and energy and climate change. There are neighbourhood-wide, as well as recommendations for the seven districts within Grandview-Woodland.

The recommendations are not binding on city council.

Rachel Magnusson, the assembly’s chair, said members recommend one 12-storey building by the Broadway and Commercial SkyTrain station.

“In general, the idea was to move to low and midrise for the area and try to get your transit-oriented density that way,” she said.

“Certainly, my understanding is they’ve planned for less people than was in the original emerging directions for that area. But you

can still get a substantial increase by going with low and mid-rise form.”

Meanwhile, the assembly is calling for some higher buildings along Hastings Street than were initially proposed in the 2013 emerging directions.

The report proposes heights of up to 15 storeys, with opportunities for 20 storeys, on the north side of Hastings between Clark and McLean drives. Between McLean and Commercial, it recommends up to 15 storeys on the north side and 12 on the south side. Proposed heights decline heading eastward towards Nanaimo — the recommendation is for heights up to eight storeys between Commercial and Templeton and then up to six storeys between Templeton and Nanaimo.

Two years ago, some business owners were concerned their rents would skyrocket due to development and drive them out.

Continued on page 6

GIVE GRILL-MASTER DAD

SOMETHING SPECIAL

NORTH ATLANTIC LOBSTER TAIL 142 g/5 oz Sold Individually

8

ONLY

$

save 1

STUFFED POTATOES

3 VARIETIES 6 PORTIONS 930 g/2.1 lb

899

CANADIAN COLD WATER LOBSTER WITH A SWEET, DENSE MEAT

Gourmet each

$ 99

6 OZ TOP SIRLOIN STEAK 170 g/6 oz Sold Individually

AGED 21-28 DAYS AND CUT FROM CANADA AAA BEEF

5

save 3

each

$ 49

STEAK & LOBSTER ONLY

$

ONLY

A4

13

$

per person

SALT & PEPPER ONION RINGS 700 g/1.54 lb

6

JUST LAUNCHED

99

9PM - LATE

EARLS FIR STREET EARLS ROBSON STREET

YOU’VE GOTTA TRY THIS BURGER!

CHUCK BEEF BURGERS 6 BURGERS x 170 g/6 oz OUR LARGEST AT OVER 1/3 LB

save $3

1399 EARLS TEST KITCHEN EARLS YALETOWN

earls.ca

ALL PRICES IN EFFECT FRIDAY, JUNE 19 TO THURSDAY, JUNE 25 2015 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

mmmeatshops.com

Prices of products that feature the MAX special logo are exclusive to registered M&M MAX customers.

Simply present your MAX card, or sign up for a FREE MAX membership in-store or online, to take advantage of these MAX discounts.

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News

‘We defend the law as it is’

Continued from page 1 Then the Crown decides whether it’s in the public’s interest to proceed with a prosecution, he said.

Asked whether the everchanging laws related to marijuana are considered when proceeding with charges, Brien said “decisions of the Supreme Court are always taken into consideration but I can’t speak to specifics.” Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that prohibition of edible marijuana goods such as pot-infused cookies violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Added Brien: “We prosecute the cases that are brought before us. We defend the law as it is.”

Const. Brian Montague, a VPD media liaison officer, said a great deal of time and resources are involved in busting a dispensary.

Montague said there’s a perception “that we can just walk into a store that’s selling illegal products, take everything, arrest the individual behind the counter and board up the business.

Clearly, that’s not the case.”

Police have to first gather evidence to obtain a search warrant before conducting a raid, he said, adding that can involve informants, undercover operators and observations made about operators and customers.

“There’s a whole host of tactics that we have to use to make sure the investigation is done properly, so when it does go to court, we don’t set bad case law and search warrants tossed out,” said Montague, noting exhibits in drug cases are sent to Health Canada for analysis.

“That takes a great deal of time, too. And until we get those reports back, we don’t forward a report to Crown and, of course, Crown can’t take it to court without an analysis certificate.”

That said, the VPD is on record of saying investigating pot shops is not a top priority for the department’s drug unit. In March 2014, the VPD issued a public statement saying it “has taken and will continue to take, in the face of amended marijuana laws, a priority based approach to the enforcement of those laws.”

The VPD’s drug unit says its priorities include targeting violent street and mid-level drug dealers, violent gang members involved in the drug trade, dealers who prey on vulnerable people and dealers who sell heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

“For the most part,” the VPD’s statement said, “medical marijuana dispensaries operating today in Vancouver do not meet these criteria.”

The Courier’s review of the nine search warrants comes as city council considers a staff proposal to regulate Vancouver’s pot shops. It’s an unprecedented move by a Canadian municipality, with the city calling for a ban on edibles, a $30,000 annual licensing fee, criminal record checks and pot shops restricted from operating within 300 metres of a school or community centre.

Health Minister Rona Ambrose criticized the city for proposing the regulations and pointed the finger at the VPD for not shutting down the 90-plus dispensaries.

None of the dispensaries are

licensed by Health Canada, endorsed by a medical body or associated to any legitimate health service provider.

The public hearing on the city’s proposal to regulate pot shops resumes June 22 at 6 p.m.

(A longer version of this story, which includes comment from a pot shop operator, can be viewed at vancourier.com) @Howellings

5645 Cambie Street, Vancouver • 604-266-9121

We are pleased to welcome Francis Bonamis as the newest member of our Murrick ‘Oakridge’ Insurance team! Francis has been helping his clients with their auto and home insurance for over 17 years, and would be pleased to help you with any of your insurance needs as well.

Francis welcomes your calls at (cell) 778-389-1922

Francis Bonamis

www.wizardscreens.com

604-299-8878 /WIZARDSCREENS

Industries Inc.

Our Products are Custom Made & Professionally Installed

“Experience the Magic”

Security Screens

Retractable Awnings

Retractable Screens

Expand Your Living Space

Overhead Awnings

Disappears while not in use!

Experience the Magic!

Motorized Screens

No Bars, No Grills!

Security with a view!

Keep dry!

DIY Installation

Motorized Vista ViewScreens Screens

2012 PNE Prize Home

Large openings! Cover Over 23 Feet

2012 PNE Prize Homewhile not in use!

Disappears Experience the Magic!

Pergola Canopies

A5

A6

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

News Report goes to council

Continued from page 4 “On Hastings, they’ve recommended some taller buildings. The aim there was to try and get social amenities in that area of the neighbourhood in particular,” Magnusson explained.

“There’s lots of interest in a public plaza and spaces where youth could congregate. So, thinking of heights as a tool to get the money for those kinds of social needs, social housing and things

like that. That was the focus along Hastings.”

One assembly member interviewed about 60 business owners in the district to assess their opinions, according to Magnusson.

The assembly also recommends against the development of townhouses along Nanaimo Street, the eastern boundary of GrandviewWoodland, over concerns about truck traffic. Instead, it proposes the gradual develop-

ment of mixed-use buildings.

It supports a separated bike lane one Commercial Drive from East 14th to Graveley

Society to expand its space on Venables. The full report can be found on the Citizens’ Assembly website.

“This isn’t the end of a process, it’s re-kickstarting the beginning of the process.” — Brian Jackson Street, while the group didn’t come to a conclusion about a development proposal that would allow the Kettle

Brian Jackson, the city’s head planner, calls the Citizens’ Assembly report “an incredibly comprehensive look

at their own community.”

The report goes before committee June 24. Jackson said staff will ask council to receive it and refer it back to staff for review in the context of moving forward with the community plan. The final plan likely won’t go back to council before next spring.

“This isn’t the end of a process,” Jackson said. “It’s re-kickstarting the beginning of the process.” @naoibh

“By accessing world markets for Canadian oil, we’ll enjoy increased tax dollars and years of employment.”

- Deborah Cahill, President, Electrical Contractors Association of B.C.

Coastal access for Canadian oil means an increase of at least $5 per barrel. By getting full value for our oil, everyone will benefit. Workers will gain from the $5.4 billion project. Oil producers will earn more revenue for their product. And Government will collect more tax revenue from oil producers to spend on programs such as health care, education and other services that benefit all British Columbians.

Plus, we can invest in new training programs and create new jobs for our youth.

For more information, go to TransMountain.com/benefit Email: info@transmountain.com · Phone: 1-866-514-6700

Committed to safety since 1953.

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A7

News

Flipping sometimes flops Continued from page 1 For instance, a 1950-era house at 4086 West 30th Ave. was bought, held for 217 days and sold last June for $2.95 million, generating a $400,000 profit.

A house built in 1930 at 3464 West 38th Ave. was bought and sold in 107 days. The selling price, at just over $2 million, netted the investor $305,000.

And the owner of an 80-year-old house on West 19th Avenue pocketed a profit of $340,000 after holding the house for 171 days and selling it for $2.34 million.

For the Dunbar area, the typical house flip generated a 23 per cent annual return, or an average of $1,360 per

day that the house was held.

“A well-backed investor leveraging 20 per cent down financing [around $400,000] would yield over 100 per cent [on their cash investment],” said Derek Tinney, Landcor Data operations manager.

Vancouver realtor Ken Leong, who admits to a brief — and heady — history of flipping condominiums for himself and clients, said it takes more nerve and cash to speculate on Vancouver’s detachedhouse market than during the exuberant days of condo flips a decade ago.

Leong said that if house price increases go soft — as in the current condo market — investors could find

themselves financially under water fast.

That was the experience of at least one East Vancouver speculator, who lost $61,000 in 57 days last fall flipping a $905,000 detached house on East 29th Avenue.

Leong is not surprised there’s not more flipping going on, despite the 10 per cent increase in average Vancouver house prices over the past year. He suspects some of what might be seen as speculation is people forced to sell quickly for other reasons, such as changing family or employment situations.

Speculation, he said, is not a guarantee of hefty profits. As Leong explained,

if an investor bought a house for $1 million and flipped it a few months later for $1.1 million, he or she would have to pay $18,000 in B.C.’s property purchase tax. Realtor commissions to sell the house would total around $33,500. The capital gains tax, likely at the highest tax bracket, would be roughly $30,000.

“So now your $100,000 gain is down to less than $20,000, and you still have to add in the carrying costs of financing of around $4,000 per month while the house is for sale,” he said.

“It would be hard to make a big profit on such a flip,” Leong said. “Actually the government would make more than the investor.”

OPEN HOUSE: New Park at Smithe and Richards Streets The Vancouver Park Board is developing a new park in the downtown core. The 0.8-acre park will be located at the intersection of Smithe and Richards Streets and will provide recreation, culture and tranquility.

The public is invited to an open house to learn more and provide input: Saturday, June 27, 2015, 11 am – 5 pm (drop in anytime) Library Square, south plaza of the VPL Central Branch, 350 West Georgia Street TAKE THE ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE AFTER JUNE 28: vancouver.ca/SmitheRichards FOR MORE INFORMATION: SmitheRichards@vancouver.ca or phone 3-1-1

@VanCourierNews all you need to know in 140 characters!

Visit: vancouver.ca Phone: 3-1-1 TTY: 7-1-1

A8

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Community/Opinion

Sailors find safe harbour of help Mission to Seafarers assists thousands of cargo ship sailors entering Vancouver waters PACIFIC SPIRIT Pat Johnson

PacificSpiritPJ@gmail.com

Last year, 3,157 foreign vessels docked at Port Metro Vancouver.

In addition to the more than 139 million tonnes of cargo, those ships carried tens of thousands of crew, doing sometimes dangerous work, most of them far from home, many in need of assistance material and spiritual.

With the exception of cruise ships, it is a rare vessel that sails into Burrard Inlet (or Roberts Bank) that does not receive a visit from a clergyperson or volunteer associated with Vancouver’s Mission to Seafarers.

More than 150 years ago, priests in the Church of England recognized that sailors had a particular need for pastoral care, says Rev. Nick Parker, an Anglican priest and Mission to Seafarers’ senior port chaplain in Vancouver. The church founded what was then called Mission to Seamen “in about 1857, give or take,” Parker says, and a Vancouver chapter emerged out of St. James Anglican Church on East Cordova at the end of the 19th century, officially joining the international group in 1903.

Since then, the Anglicans have opened the door to share the task of reaching out to crew members with representatives of the Roman Catholic and Christian Reformed churches, mostly because those two denominations already had active seafaring ministries. But the two locations out of which the mission operates are Anglican facilities and the

Rev. Nick Parker, an Anglican priest and Mission to Seafarers’ senior port chaplain in Vancouver, says the service helps foreign sailors with all kinds of needs: “It can range from sports and weather to where to find things, to spiritual, pastoral matters to administrative things like banking, doing money transfers.” PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

president of the organization is always the bishop of the local Anglican diocese.

Despite its overtly religious underpinnings, many, if not most, of the interactions the mission has are not related to religion at all.

“It can range from sports and weather to where to find things, to spiritual, pastoral matters to administrative things like banking, doing money transfers,” says Parker. “It’s just really a friendly chat. We welcome them, we give them directions, let them know what services are provided for

them or what they can access … We are often, other than maybe the longshoremen, one of the first group of people that they meet.”

Canadians might be willing to wait months for a doctor’s appointment, he notes, but a sailor might have a window of four hours to get a medical condition checked out.

Parker is perfectly happy to help out and to serve as Vancouver’s concierge to the seafaring world.

“I think it was Francis of Assisi who said, ‘Preach the gospel always and, if you

must, use words.’ I think it’s by our caring action, our willingness to be present for them, that is the hallmark of the mission,” he says.

Caring for the people who bring foreign goods to our shores is part of Parker’s effort to recognize the work of those who are critical to our everyday life in Canada.

“Most people never realize that the clothes they wear on their back came in a container from some country somewhere and that there are real people who are helping in the transportation of

those goods, carrying 90odd per cent of the goods back and forth across the oceans of this world in this global economy,” he says.

“The mission is one of the best kept secrets. We have a very quiet ministry that for about 112, 113 years, we’ve been quietly working on the waterfront, generation after generation, looking after the needs of the seafarers, whatever they may be.”

That goes for people of all religions (or none), too, he says.

“Our raison d’être for

being is because we are a Christian mission, but that being said … if someone were to come here and say I need an imam or if someone wanted a Buddhist priest, we would find one,” says Parker. “In that sense, we engage all faiths, all cultures, sexual orientations, you name it. We are here for them. If they have a specific need from either their cultural or their religious stance or language for that matter, we will attempt to meet that need.”

Parker’s Catholic colleague Father John Eason operates out of Holy Rosary Cathedral and has been greeting sailors for 17 years.

“I board the vessels, go up the gangway, visit the men, whoever is available, and give them reading material like National Geographic magazines, give them a spiritual bouquet of a rosary, Miraculous Medal [a medallion of St. Mary], a picture of Jesus and Mary, a confession guide so they can have an examination of conscience and some spiritual material they can keep in their room,” says Eason.

He gets a crew list and especially targets names that sound Polish or Croatian, because they are highly likely to be Catholic. But, like Parker, he’s open to all.

“It’s interesting with the Hindus,” he says. “They have all these gods and goddesses. Another God? Sure, why not? More protection.

The more powers above me to look after me, fine, that’s all the better for me.

“How could you go against that thinking?” he says laughing. “It’s great thinking.” @Pat604Johnson

B.C. Liberals had a bridge to try to sell OPINION

Geoff Olson Columnist mwiseguise@yahoo.com

B.C.’s spacey politics doesn’t get much better than “Om the Bridge,” a public relations stunt which stretched from peculiar to Planet Claire in the space of a week.

Responding to public criticism of government involvement in a scheme to shut down the Burrard

Bridge on International Yoga Day (June 21), and the threat of a First Nations “flash mob” coopting the event, Premier Christy Clark turned to social media last Thursday. She tweeted a photo of herself standing in front of the Taoist Thai Chi outlet in Parksville, accompanied with the caption, “Hey Yoga Haters — bet you can’t wait for international Tai Chi day.”

Online confusion fol-

lowed. Had the premier’s account been hacked? Or had one of her handlers replaced her morning mufffin with a melt-yourface compassion club edible? (A plan to apply a yoga mat tourniquet to a main traffic artery is not what you called a halfbaked idea. More like fully-baked.) #Shunthebridge backlashers piled on after the premier’s Yoga Haters comment, with children’s entertainer Raffi tweet-

ing that she owed B.C. an apology. At a later press conference, Clark defended the tweet as an attempt at “self-deprecating humour,” asking reporters: “Did you get it?”

The next day the premier fluttered, moth-like, back into the white-hot filament of social media.

“Yoga Day is a great opportunity to celebrate peace and harmony — it’s not about politics. I don’t intend to partici-

pate,” she tweeted.

The government was out. Co-sponsors and B.C. Liberal donors Lululemon Athletica and Altagas promptly followed suit.

June 21 is the first National Aboriginal Day after the release of the Truth and Reconciliation report. Yet the government championed a traffic-stopping spectacle for Vancouver’s stretchware demographic, co-sponsored by a gas

company of all things.

The optics were worthy of Mr. Magoo.

The planned event was wrong on so many levels, why would the government agree to host it — particularly when there was already other Yoga Day events in the works locally? There is an unknown risk for big bureaucracies to do anything original and inventive, versus zero risk to do nothing.

Continued on page 13

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A9

A10

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Opinion City stretched credibility City hall’s red tape to allow yoga on bridge inflating housing prices Allen Garr Columnist

agarr@vancourier.com

(This is the second in an occasional series regarding the goofy goings on related to the governance of Premier Christy Clark.)

I may not be able to tell you the difference between a downward facing dog and a salutation to the sun. I can however tell you when something on the political landscape is totally whacky.

But before I get to the once-on, nowoff yoga thingy on the Burrard Bridge and the city’s involvement in all of this, let me update you on a matter raised in the first of this series.

It dealt primarily with the goofy election campaign whim by our Premier Clark insisting that, if we wanted more money for regional transportation infrastructure, we first had to have a regional transit plebiscite to raise taxes.

While the plebiscite vote ended almost three weeks ago, we are still awaiting the results. Meanwhile the mayors’ council has reported they spent just shy of $6 million on the Vote Yes campaign.

Since then our whimsical premier has said that, no matter the result of the plebiscite, money would have to be invested in transit infrastructure anyway, which makes you wonder why we went through this costly divisive exercise in the first place.

Clark’s most recent moment of whimsy was her plan to shut down the Burrard Bridge for seven hours this coming Sunday morning. She would have hosted a massive 60 minute “yoga class” in celebration of International Yoga Day. And I bet you thought it was a joke.

On June 12, along with the bridge closure, she also announced the event sponsors: they included two of her party’s political supporters Lululemon and Altagas, an LNG outfit that was going to throw $10,000 into the pot.

Taxpayers would pick up the other $150,000 this little bit of stretching and deep breathing would cost.

Of course, all of that has been well canvassed elsewhere. But what has not been explained is this: How did Clark get the authority to completely close down a bridge in Vancouver?

So here’s how it happened. Here’s how the city and Mayor Gregor Rob-

ertson’s council buddies helped Clark out. Namaste.

The formal application for the event was filed with the city’s FEST committee on behalf of the premier by Norman Stowe’s Pace Communications.

The committee is usually the same bunch of faceless bureaucrats, including engineering, police and fire folks, who would approve everything from a block party to a fan zone.

In this case though, deputy city manager Sadhu Johnston was put in charge of the file.

To help grease the wheels on the application, the premier had one of her senior staffers call the mayor’s chief of staff Mike Magee to make it clear this was a high priority.

In fairness to Johnston and Magee, they tried to wave off the proposal by suggesting less disruptive and less politically sensitive venues than the Burrard Bridge. After all, the city had just announced it was planning to permanently eliminate another traffic lane on the bridge and turn it over to (Yikes!) cyclists. No luck.

Vision councillors were apprised of the request before the decision was made. In a word, they thought the plan was nuts. This is not just because of the disruption to traffic this extraordinary shut down would cause.

The premier made a big deal of this event “building on the province’s priority of strengthening economic and cultural ties with India.” Checking their own calendars, councillors quickly realized Christy was endorsing the wrong Indians. The day she chose was also National Aboriginal Day, and besides, we had just received the stirring report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Councillors were well aware there would be serious blowback from the citizenry and First Nations (one native leader called the idea “flakey” and “political opportunism.”)

Nonetheless, Vision council and the mayor chose not to block the event while making sure that Robertson distanced himself from it by saying he was going to honour the other Indians.

Of course the premier would bail out, too, claiming her intent to “celebrate peace and harmony” had “drifted towards politics.”

Really. @allengarr

The week in num6ers...

3

The number of people who’ve been charged with offences after police raided nine pot dispensaries over an 18-month period.

23

The percentage of annual return generated by houses flipped in the Dunbar area, or an average of $1,360 per day that the house was held.

Mike Klassen Columnist mike@mikeklassen.net You have to give realtor Keith Roy points for originality. Knowing a thing or two about marketing and self-promotion in today’s sizzling Vancouver real estate market is how you will break into the tiny circle of top-sellers of detached homes.

Roy’s latest brainchild may have just raised the bar among his peers. It is a website called buildinginvancouver.com, a blog diary of building a new home on a typical East Vancouver lot just off Main Street.

One of his stated objectives is to know “how much the new 2015 City of Vancouver building bylaw really costs.”

What readers will discover, however, is how frustrating, stressful and incredibly costly it is for a citizen to keep with the demands of Vancouver city hall.

At times Roy’s experiences sound positively Kafkaesque — like, for example, when he describes in his blog figuring out the city’s requirement for a shower installation on his new home’s main floor: “[The clerk] walked about three desks away and starting chatting with another guy. After about a minute, the two of them got up and walked over to a third guy. Now, Clerk, Code Guy and Third Guy are standing around my plans making marks and debating the shower requirements.”

Confounded by the delays, Roy writes he called over to them. “Am I the first person to build a house in the City of Vancouver this year?”

Vancouver’s new bylaws surrounding tree removals take red tape to even more bizarre levels, according to Roy’s blog.

“It is going to cost me between $561 to $650 to get permission to remove a stump and a dead pear tree from the land that I own. This is not the cost of removing the trees. That is a separate bill. This is just the permission to remove the trees.”

At this point most of us will be ambivalent about Roy’s experiences. It costs money to build a house and navigating the city’s requirements goes with the territory, after all.

However, should we ask how these kinds of experiences affect the rest of us who rent, renovate our property, or do business in Vancouver?

Thanks to the persistence of some advocacy groups and the political leaders who listen to them, some of Canada’s

governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels are attempting to streamline regulations, while putting more onus on good customer service.

The City of Vancouver seems to signal that this is not a political or organizational priority. An aide in the Mayor’s office often uses his Twitter account to mock calls for cutting municipal red tape, although it is not clear if his boss is similarly hostile to the idea.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget, in its 2014 Information Collection Budget of the U.S. Government, estimates that in 2013 it took citizens 9.453 billion hours to complete the paperwork requirements of a selection of government agencies. That amounts to more than 13,000 average human lifetimes!

In Canada, regulatory burden is estimated to be even greater on a per capita basis.

Reducing red tape is neither a right nor a left wing hobbyhorse. The evidence shows the issue transcends politics, though the ideas on how to resolve it are split.

Some call for more private sector involvement, others call for more training and incentives to help public servants.

Either way, at least there is an admission of a problem elsewhere, if not in Vancouver itself.

But you know the issue of red tape is critical at Vancouver city hall when the manager in charge of it loses her $137,000 annual salary position after doing minor renovations on her home without a building permit. Carli Edwards, whose job was to uphold Vancouver’s building bylaw, resigned under a cloud last December.

Her boss, city manager Penny Ballem, sent a strong signal to staff that bending the rules would not stand. Instead, it should have been an aha! moment that reforms are desperately needed.

For whatever reason, a January 2012 motion passed unanimously by city council to “Improve the Efficiency of the Permit Process at City Hall,” has never been fully acted upon.

Even the Mayor’s 2012 Housing Affordability Task Force report paid lip service to the need to streamline decisionmaking at city hall.

Perhaps a realtor’s humble blog will be the catalyst for city hall reforms that will go a long way to make Vancouver housing more affordable. @MikeKlassen

10 270 3.2

The percentage by which the price of the average Vancouver house has gone up in the past year.

The number of recommendations made by the Grandview-Woodland Citizens’ Assembly for the neighbourhood’s community plan.

In thousands, the approximate number of foreign vessels that docked at Port Metro Vancouver last year, carrying a total of 139 million tonnes of cargo.

0

In dollars, the cost to attend many of the live performances across the city that are part of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A11

Inbox LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Teach your children well

RECON MISSION First Nations people and their supporters prepare to head through downtown Vancouver as part of the 2013 Truth and Reconciliation Walk. Letter writer Marguerite Ford, a former city councillor, says supporting early childhood development would help address the disproportionate number of aboriginal children in government care. PHOTO REBECCA BLISSETT

CO U R I E R A R C H I V E S T H I S D A Y I N H I S T O R Y

Canada’s first indoor stadium opens

June 19, 1983: The world’s largest air-supported domed stadium opens beside False Creek. Built in advance of Expo 86 at a cost of $126 million (roughly $267 million in today’s dollars), B.C. Place is able to seat 60,000 people. Covering 10 acres in total, with a circumference of 760 metres (2,500 feet), the roof was held aloft by air pumped by 16 giant fans.

The venue was the brainchild of Erwin Swangard, president of the Pacific National Exhibition, who proposed an open-air multiplex in 1978 to succeed Empire Stadium, the aging legacy of the 1954 British Empire Games. Premier Bill Bennett had another idea after hearing recommendations for a downtown site near the Cambie Street Bridge, and plans for “Bennett’s Bubble” were unveiled in early 1980. The provincial government bought the site from Canadian Pacific Railway’s Marathon Realty for $60 million and went to work on the concrete donut that was eventually topped by a puffy white roof when it was first inflated in November 1982.

B.C. Place opened on-time with a televised pageant. Bennett presided at the 11 a.m. opening ceremony and paid special tribute to Alvin Narod, the project’s master builder, who had died earlier that year.

The Vancouver Whitecaps played the first sporting event in the province’s biggest venue the following day, defeating the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in a North American Soccer League game.

ADVERTISING

604.738.1412 CLASSIFIED

604.630.3300 DELIVERY

604.398.2901

Re: “Paige’s story highlights government inaction,” May 20.

One of the results of the residential schools is said to be a loss of parenting skills in the aboriginal population. It may go a long way toward explaining the disproportion of aboriginal children in care.

There are many problems with this as documented by Mary Ellen TurpelLafond, but the answer is not only to improve the government service but to prevent children being taken into care in the first place.

A great deal of money is spent to support the aboriginal community, but it is not improving things. Much of the money goes to the people who are themselves suffering and unable to cope.

A program to attack the fundamental problem is needed.

Research has shown the importance of early childhood development in raising people who are able to cope, and this is an area that should be addressed. Support for families on parenting, and to keep children safe and healthy in their own homes, would go a long way to overcoming the dire effects of the residential school system. Done properly, it could create a new beginning.

Marguerite Ford, Vancouver

River District development story was underdeveloped

Re: “Instant town seeks a centre,” June 10.

This article is about the ongoing development at Boundary Road and Marine Way. When I started reading it, I thought this was going to be some hard-hitting journalism about problems with this area. For example: • as part of preparation for this development, hundreds, if not thousands, of trees were removed, in seeming contradiction to everything “green” that Vancouver city hall stands for.

• the area is built on alluvial land, so if there is an earthquake or resulting tidal wave, people living this area can kiss their homes, if not their lives, goodbye.

• public transportation is available only on the east side and to the north, and is very limited, especially for a proposed community of 17,000 people The article does talk about how commercial merchants seem hesitant so far to set up shop in this area, but this is in contradiction to various birds-eye views of the development that you can find by Googling, which suggest there originally were lots of stores and other facilities going to be part of the “plan.”

Overall, this article (and the accompa-

nying one about Marpole) are just puff pieces. Next time if you want to print such drivel, why don’t you put the word “Advertisement”at the top?

Mike Quigley, Vancouver

ONLINE COMMENTS Public education should be a government priority

Re: “Closing schools bad form, says mom,” June 12.

The Vancouver School Board has to make cuts somewhere. No one wants their children or their school impacted.

I get that, but something has to give or B.C. has to show up en masse in the next election to get rid of Christy Clark and elect a government willing to put more money into public education.

Nadia, via Comments section

•••

Given that the same number of people would still be required to educate the same number of students affected in a closed school and — as with any venture — the bulk of the costs are in human beings, the net savings for closing a facility are pretty darned minimal. Seems to me that the province is pushing the VSB to actually shed these schools, not just shutter them.

Gonzo Henson, via Comments section

Good locks are the key to preventing bike theft

Re: “Bike theft denies us more than our property,” June 5.

Hey Chris: Please buy a better lock because I’d like to never read another whiny note like this again.

I’ve been riding bikes for over 30 years, pretty much daily, locking them up at many different locations. Never had one stolen. Should police do more?

I’d rather they spend more time enforcing drug laws than tracking down the theft of a bike someone bought for $200 off Craigslist and then locked carelessly.

Mark Notfler, via Comments section

•••

Rampant property crime in Vancouver, including bike theft, seem to be just conveniently ignored.

Don Mäncha, via Facebook

The six million dollar plan

Re: “Yes campaign finance report shy on details,” online only.

Six million vs. $40,000 — going to be pretty sad if Yes side loses — and a lot of finger-pointing. @Jason_E_King via Twitter

•••

A sleazy, dishonest campaign benefiting insiders with OUR money. In simpler times, a lynch mob would be forming.

WaskesiuT, via Comments section

EDITORIAL NEWSROOM

604.738.1411

have your say online...

FLYER SALES

Dee Dhaliwal

Barry Link

ddhaliwal@vancourier.com

blink@vancourier.com

PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Tara Lalanne

DIRECTOR SALES & MARKETING

tlalanne@vancourier.com

TheVancouverCourierisadivisionofLMPPublicationLimitedPartnership.

Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40025215. All material in the Vancouver Courier is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of the publisher. This newspaper reserves the right to reject any advertising which it considers to contain false or misleading information or involves unfair or unethical practices. The advertiser agrees the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of error in any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available at vancourier.com.

604.738.1412

vancourier.com FACEBOOK TheVancouverCourierNewspaper TWITTER @vancouriernews WEB

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters may be edited by the Courier for reasons of legality, taste, brevity and clarity.

Send to: 303 West Fifth Ave., Vancouver V5Y-1J6 or email letters@vancourier.com

A12

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Community

HOUSE OF LOVE: Canuck Place Children’s Hospice hosted a Magical Garden Party to mark two decades of providing medical care to newborns, children and teens with life-threatening illnesses. CEO Margaret McNeil welcomed guests to the outdoor festivities that celebrated the hospice founders, donors, staff, volunteers and community who have supported the 12-bed Matthews Street facility through the years. Today, more than 600 children receive care from Canuck Place through outreach programs and two provincial hospice locations — Vancouver and Abbotsford. Marking the occasion, McNeil unveiled a new painting by Tiko Kerr.

Attendees joined in the fun by lighting giant sparklers. Adding more shine, the Robert L. Conconi Foundation pledged to match up to $200,000 of donations received by July 31 to support the hospice’s 20th anniversary fundraising campaign.

HIGH ART: The Vancouver Art Gallery celebrated its major summer exhibition in glamour and style. Staged at the Four Seasons Hotel, the Of Heaven and Earth Gala honoured the 500 years of Italian painting from the late 14th century to the late 19th century, showcasing works by artists who helped achieve international acclaim for Italian art, including Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Bellini, Titian and other masters. Fronted by Pamela Richardson and Catherine Guadagnuolo, the sold-out back tie affair featured a sumptuous four-course dinner created by celebrity chef Umberto Menghi, an art auction and reprisal of Max Mara’s 2015 fall/winter Milan runway show. A painting donated by distinguished Vancouver artist Gordon Smith headlined the live auction. Fetching nearly $100,000, the work of art contributed to a reported $700,000 to support the gallery’s programming efforts.

HAPPY FACE: Jacqui Cohen’s Face the World gala has always attracted A-listers, society darlings and the city’s who’s who. The toniest ticket on the gala circuit at $1,500-perperson, the party still had no problems selling out. Big things were expected for her 25th edition, and the philanthropist and Army and Navy CEO did not disappoint. Under brilliant sunny skies, Cohen, along with her daughter Kasondra and mother, Marlene, greeted guests at Jacqui’s posh Point Grey Road waterfront home where Veuve Clicquot flowed all night long, as well as the money on coveted silent and live auction items. Among the most desired: a sleek BMW i8 hybrid and luxe stay at Langara Island Lodge. By evening’s end, Cohen was all smiles as $1 million was raised, bringing the total to more than $16 million raised for local charities supporting women, children and the city’s most vulnerable.

email yvrflee@hotmail.com twitter @FredAboutTown

The Robert L Conconi Foundation’s Sanja Simic, left, and Victoria Conconi pledged to match up to $200,000 of donations received by July 31 to support the hospice’s 20th anniversary fundraising efforts.

Gala chairs Pamela Richardson and Catherine Guadagnuolo, founder and president of Vestis Fashion Group, fronted the Of Heaven and Earth Gala held at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice CEO Margaret McNeil unveiled Tiko Kerr’s painting of the palliative care residence to commemorate the home’s 20th anniversary.

Ann Sacks president Ted Chappell welcomed East India Carpets’ Ravi Sidhoo to the opening of the high-end tile and stone company’s first Canadian showroom, located in the Armoury design district.

Vancouver Art Gallery’s senior management team Kathleen Bartels and Paul Larocque welcomed art enthusiasts to an evening of glamour and style, inspired by the centuries old paintings

by Italian masters.

UBC was one of 17 teams that participated in the UPS Plane Pull for United Way. Teams competed to see who could pull the 128,000-pound plane fastest 20 feet down the YVR tarmac. In all, more than $35,000 was raised for the social service agency.

Jacqui Cohen and her daughter Kasondra welcomed the city’s most affluent to their Point Grey Road family home for a night of philanthropy. Over $1 million was raised to support local charities helping women, children and the city’s most vulnerable.

Television host Fiona Forbes kibitzed with the udderly talented Milk at the Face the World fete. The celebrity drag queen headlined the foundation’s silver anniversary celebrations.

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Opinion Event had many in a twist Continued from page 8 Considering the scandals dropping on Clark and her minions like cartoon anvils, this downward-facing demagoguery seemed like a magic trick of misdirection.

“Om the Bridge” went sideways rather than samadhi, but even that was better than renewed focus on the culture of neglect at the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development, denied FOI requests for government documents that turned out to exist, allegations of deleted government emails involving B.C.’s Highway of Tears, and the long-running Agatha Christie play involving a supposed RCMP investigation into fired health ministry employees that never occurred.

It’s the latter mystery is looking like the biggest headache for the Libs.

The RCMP was blind-

sided by Victoria’s 2012 claim that police were involved in an investigation into the seven fired health ministry employees, yet information on wrongdoing had never reached RCMP offices.

PhD student Roderick MacIsaac was one of the seven terminated. His study of an anti-smoking program had “uncovered evidence that the two pharmaceutical drugs covered by the provincial smoking cessation program, launched in 2011, can cause severe adverse reactions in patients, including death,” noted a report in the Vancouver Sun. MacIsaac’s research went down the memory hole, and he committed suicide in the months that followed (the government has since apologized for its “very heavy-handed” approach in firing MacIsaac).

The provincial govern-

ment also cancelled the contract of health economist William Warburton in 2012. This March he told the Tyee that data from his research indicates that approximately 60,000 people prescribed on anti-psychotic drugs will die prematurely, due to side effects. Two years ago, Warburton launched a lawsuit alleging that the Province of British Columbia halted drug safety research to protect donors to the B.C. Liberal Party.

According to drug-policy researcher Alan Cassels, pharmaceutical companies collectively gave more than $546,000 to the Liberals from 2005 to 2012.

But why meditate on social policy buzzkills?

Certain parties would much prefer you and me sit in the lotus position, shut our eyes, and go ommmmmm. @geoffolson

CHECK O EXTREM UR VALUE P ELY R MEAT IT ICED EMS Alaska Wild Catch

Sublime BBQ

Range fed

Fresh

PORK SHOULDER STEAKS

3

$ 29

Fam Pak • 7.25kg

Rotisserie Ready

/lb

Boneless

Sabra

SALSAS

Corner of Georgia and Cambie Street The City of Vancouver and FIFA invite you to the FREE Fan Zone for the Women’s World Cup. Enjoy soccer matches on the big screen, live music acts, exhibition soccer, interactive games, delicious food and more!

FAN ZONE SCHEDULE SUN JUN 21

12-8 PM

WED JUL 1

12-8 PM

TUE JUN 23

3-10 PM

SAT JUL 4

12-8 PM

SAT JUN 27

12-8 PM

SUN JUL 5

12-8 PM

FREE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

PLAYER APPEARANCES INTERACTIVE GAMES LIVE MUSIC STREET SOCCER FOOD TRUCKS

For detailed schedule visit vancouver.ca/fanzone | #VanFanZone

Healthy Choice

Southwestern - Homestyle -Peach

397/454g Nothing is Better

4

$ 49

1

ea

Killarney Market Own South West Style

$ 99

Kaserei German

$ 99

QUINOA SALAD...........

CAMBOZOLA CHEESE..................

1

/100g

/100g

A13

A14

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Community

Car Free days and World Cup options CALENDAR Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

June 20

The West End’s Car Free Day runs along Denman Street from Davie to Robson from noon to 6 p.m. with acoustic music, a kids zone, art and artisans.

The 6th Annual Draw Down day will see more than 30 drawing workshops of all varieties in Vancouver community centres, galleries, shops and on the street. Visitors can try mural drawing, comic jamming, still life techniques, blindfolded drawing and more.

The workshops are designed and led by local professional artists and all sessions are open, inclusive and free. Organizations hosting workshops include the Vancouver Art Gallery, Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver Opera and Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood

A band plays at a recent Car Free Day on Main Street. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

House. For more information, see vancouverdrawdown.com.

June 20 and 21

Car Free Day Vancouver neighbourhood block parties by residents and neighbours run in Kitsilano both Saturday and Sunday.

The Gathering Fes-

tival in Emery Barnes Park on June 20 will see Jim Byrnes performing at 2 p.m. and the Tom Lavin and the Legendary Powder Blues celebrating their 37th anniversary with two sets beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Carnegie Jazz Band, Jack Garton’s Demon Squadron, Tishomingo String Band

and Katari Taiko will also perform.

The Gathering Festival celebrates Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, in Emery Barnes Park, June 21 with performances by musicians that include Orkestar Slivovica, Gamelon Bike, Tambai Marimba and Zeelia.

Music performances and

Ivana Kupala wreath making will begin in the park at Seymour and Davie streets at 6 p.m., with a procession to False Creek at 8 p.m. Participants will celebrate the setting sun with the wreaths and special performances by Zeelia.

All events are free and open to the public.

This is the final Gathering Festival event after four weeks of workshops and special events, including art activities for at-risk street youth, textile art for seniors, heritage tour training, adapted music for physically disabled people and aboriginal art.

The Gathering Place Community Centre offers free and low-cost programs and services to marginalized and vulnerable people on low and fixed incomes, people with disabilities, the homeless, seniors, LGBTQ, at-risk youth and other disadvantaged people.

For more information, see gatheringfestival.wordpress.com.

June 21

Car Free Day on Commercial Drive runs from Venables to Grandview with roller disco, parading drummers, healing gardens and DJs spinning beats from noon to 7 p.m.

Car Free Day on Main Street will see mini festivals, multiple bands and kids zones, artisan markets, roller derby, skateboarding and parkour from Broadway to East 30th Avenue, noon to 7 p.m.

The Vancouver FIFA Fan Zone will celebrate National Aboriginal Day with a First Nations welcome and performances by the Eagle Song Dancers and Is’kwe, starting at 12:30 p.m. The Fan Zone will host original 1995 World Cup Team members including Charmaine Hooper, Andrea Neil and Helen Stoumbos.

B.C. Place will host its first Round of 16’s match at 4:30 p.m. which will also air on the Fan Zone big screens at Cambie and Georgia streets.

For more information, see vancouver.ca/fanzone. @Cheryl_Rossi

New Dentures or a

Natural Smile?

Cosmetic Precision Denture System™

A KETTLE

A KETTLE TO AN ARTHRITIS SUFFERER

We understand that living with arthritis pain is a painful way to live.

That’s why a London Drugs pharmacist can help ease your discomfort, by finding the right medication to relieve your most painful symptoms.

From oral pain killers to topical pain relief and joint wraps, we’re home to what your symptoms need. Just ask.

FIND RELIEF AT LONDONDRUGS.COM/ARTHRITIS

Premium quality Cosmetic your lips and cheeks.

Precision Dentures instill Our premium quality teeth confidence and provide optimum duplicate natural characteristics function while eating, speaking and colors found in natural teeth. and laughing. Sophisticated The contours of our premium instrumentation records facial teeth are designed to match and anatomical information to your skeletal type with feminine recreate your natural smile and and masculine characteristics to The and Advantages of Cosmetic Precision Dentures: the Art youthful facial contours of accentuate your appeal.

COME & SEE US AT OUR NEW OFFICE at TERRA NOVA SHOPPING CENTRE! OPENED JUNE 1st!

604-279-9151

Guaranteed for 5 years against Guaranteed breakage for 5 years against breakage

Esthetics DentureRD, Studio Inc. Alex Hupka, RDT

Alex Hupka, RD, RDT

Registered Denturist, Registered Dental Technician (1 block from Richmond Centre) www.bcdenturist.ca www.bcdenturist.ca #240 – 3671 Westminster Hwy., Richmond BC V7C 5V2

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

A15

GOT ARTS? 604.738.1411 or events@vancourier.com

1

June 19 to 23, 2015 1. The poorest high school student in Taipei devises a seemingly fool-proof plan to steal an abandoned Dr. Sun Yat-Sen statue and sell it for scrap metal in Yee Chihyen’s madcap comedy Meeting Dr. Sun. It’s one of seven films and documentaries screening at the Vancouver Taiwanese Film Festival June 19 to 21 at Vancity.

Details at viff.org.

2

2. First Nations DJ crew from Ottawa A Tribe Called Red brings its hypnotic blend of hip hop, reggae and dubstep to Malkin Bowl, June 20. Blondtron + Waspy, Git Hayetsk Dancers and Klash Akt round out the bill. Tickets at ticketmaster.ca.

3. Centro Flamenco Rosario celebrates its 25th anniversary with a new show, La Cosecha. The evening of live singers, musicians and flamenco dancers heats up the Vancouver Playhouse June 20, 8 p.m.

Details at centroflamenco.com.

3 4

4. Grammy-nominated Cuban-Canadian singer Adonis Puentes and the Voice of Cuba Orchestra deliver a soulful tribute to the legendary travadore, María Teresa Vera, June 23, 7 p.m. at Performance Works as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Details at coastaljazz.ca.

5. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, the Rio Theatre hosts a 40th anniversary screening of Steven Spielberg’s original summer blockbuster Jaws. The feeding frenzy begins 6:30 p.m. on June 23. Details at riotheatre.ca.

5

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Arts&Entertainment

Vancouver’s Cannoli

Italia Bakery still trucking after 30 years

SWEET SPOT Eagranie Yuh

thewelltemperedchocolatier.com

Last Sunday, the sixth annual Italian Day saw Commercial Drive transformed into a sea of people clustered around food: saltcured sardines, Nonna’s meatballs, wood-fired pizza — and, of course, cannoli.

“There’s not much to cannoli,” says Sam Pero, owner of Italia Bakery (2828 Hastings St.) and the Cannoli King food truck.

In some ways, he’s right.

Cannoli is little more than a hollow tube with a ricotta filling. But that simplicity belies all the details that separate a good cannoli from a soggy, bland disappointment.

At Italia Bakery, the cannoli shells are made from scratch daily. They’re perfectly deep-fried, never greasy. The ricotta cream is rich and sweet, and

Italia Bakery’s Sam Pero feeds the salivating masses from his Cannoli King food truck at Italian Day on Commercial Drive.

See more photos at vancourier.com. PHOTOS REBECCA BLISSETT

flecked with miniature chocolate chips. Best of all, they are filled to order, ensuring the optimal contrast between crisp shell and creamy filling.

If anyone should know a good cannoli, Pero should.

His dad, Francesco, was born in Sicily, where cannoli originates. The family’s baking roots run from Italy to Montreal and finally to Vancouver, where they’ve run a number of bakeries — including Italia Bakery, founded in 1985.

Then and now, the

majority of Italia Bakery’s products are made in-house, from scratch. One notable exception is the sfogliatelle, a shell-shaped, flaky pastry filled with cinnamon-spiced custard. Pero’s father still makes them by hand, but can’t keep up with the bakery’s demands, so the son imports them from Italy.

“Sfoglia means… to unravel. Like you have a loose thread and you pull it and it keeps coming,” says Pero.

“There are so many layers you can unravel it.”

Continued next page

$47.99

$25 48% OFF

GET

A16

A L L - D A Y

P A S S E S

for an All-Day Pass for Two People to Splashdown Park - Combine Multiple Vouchers for Large Groups

T h i s D e a l i s Av a i l a b l e O n l i n e E x c l u s i v e l y a t :

.com/vancouver SocialShopper Contact Info:

Phone: 1 (800) 493-3307

Email: info@socialshopper.com

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A17

Arts&Entertainment

King reigns supreme

Continued from page 16 All those layers register as noisy flakiness, but in a distinctly Italian way.

Whereas a good French croissant flakes into buttery crumbs, there’s an al dente quality to sfogliatelle — a resistance that lends backbone to all that flake.

If that doesn’t suit you, there’s plenty more to choose from at Italia Bakery. There are beautiful breads, petite babas (rumsoaked cakes that come plain-faced or garnished with cream and fruit) and

cookies galore. Chief among them are amaretti, teeny almond cookies that come in all shapes and sizes. The standout is the pinched amaretti, its glassy surface giving way to a squidgy heart of soft almond dough.

But in the end, it’s really about the cannoli. There are fancy flavours that riff on the traditional, plain ricotta version, including pistachio and raspberry — the latter an invention of Pero’s, based on the raspberry and ricotta sandwiches his grandmother used to make him. Because

FREE! EMERY BARNES PARK

l

the ricotta cream contains nuts, there are also nut-free, pastry-cream-filled cannoli, in vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut.

(Note: the flavoured cannoli are filled in the morning and displayed in the pastry case. They’re fine if eaten the same day, but not quite the same as the plain, filled-to-order version.)

In 2012, Pero started the Cannoli King food truck and has since exhibited at Italian Day and the PNE. At last year’s PNE, many of his customers tried cannoli for the first time. “I basically told them, save your money.

Don’t go to Italy. Buy a cannoli for $5 and you’ll save $3,000 on the ticket,” he says.

You’ll know the Cannoli King truck by the four-foot long cannoli on top, topped with a crown. More than likely, it’ll be Pero in the window, urging you to try one.

“It’s actually quite funny.

Wherever I go, people recognize me. I’m at Home Depot and this guy comes up to me and says, ‘You’re the cannoli king,’” says Sam. “That’s pretty weird.” @eagranieyuh

Bill, devoted father & PARC resident

Life’s better here “I have access to the things I love best.”

Being near the things you love. Don’t we all want that? Bill, a PARC resident, has all he needs: “My daughters live nearby, and I have views to the North Shore Mountains.” He also lives a vibrant life: staying socially involved, musically engaged and taking PARC FIT classes three times a week.

But that’s how it is at PARC Retirement Living communities.

Residents get involved. They stay active. And pursue passions.

They eat healthier and laugh more. Life’s just better here.

This Father’s Day weekend, show Dad how much you care: book a tour and complimentary lunch!

Cedar Springs PARC | North Vancouver | 604.986.3633 Summerhill PARC | North Vancouver | 604.980.6525 Westerleigh PARC | West Vancouver | 604.922.9888 Mulberry PARC | Burnaby | 604.526.2248 Produced by the Gathering Place Community Centre (609 Helmcken St.) and The Downtown South Gathering Place Community Centre Association (DSGPCCA)

This event is made possible through the generous support of:

parcliving.ca/ilivehere

A18

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

WESTERN PRESENTS

GOLD THEATRE

ORT F M O C ES G A T T CO -

WHAT S GOING ON? WRITTEN BY

JANE CLAYTON & JUDY GINN WALCHUK DIRECTED BY ANNA HAGAN JUNE 19 - 21, 2015 FRI - SUN 7:30 PM S AT - S U N 2 : 0 0 P M BOX OFFICE (604) 363-5734 COMFORT.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM PAL STUDIO THEATRE 581 CARDERO ST (COAL HARBOUR) WESTERNGOLDTHEATRE.ORG ERN ST WE OLD G TRE A E TH

Presenting Sponsor

Shanna Fromson

Design by Joseph Emms

Arts&Entertainment Author explores Chinese immigration experience in Italy STATE OF THE ARTS

Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

In her new book, Meet Me in Venice, Vancouver-based author Suzanne Ma examines the Chinese immigration experience through the eyes of a teenaged girl who travels to Italy in search of fortune, adventure and her mother.

Ma’s own journey started in 2007 when the writer left her reporting job at the Ottawa Citizen to improve her Mandarin in Beijing.

There, the Toronto-born woman encountered a plethora of second-generation Chinese students like herself. They hailed from the U.S., Australia, Britain, France, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.

“We all came from different corners of the world but we all had a similar narrative. Our parents had sent us to Chinese school as children. We rebelled and didn’t pay attention or some didn’t even go, some refused to get out of bed on Saturday morning,” Ma said. “And then in our 20s, we regretted that.”

The “nosy journalist” quizzed one of her Dutch

Suzanne Ma’s book Meet Me in Venice shines an intimate spotlight on Chinese migration to the West.

classmates about why so many Chinese people had migrated to his small country.

A few years later, after she was awarded the Pulitzer Travelling Fellowship as one of the top five students from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Ma set out to answer this question herself.

The journalist was inspired by Peter Hessler and Leslie Chang, who’ve written about China for the New Yorker and National Geographic, following people in real time, over years.

“The time and effort invested in that is a lot, but the reward is amazing,” Ma said.

She expected her research would take two or three years. But the first-time author spent closer to five

on Meet Me in Venice.

Ma lived in Qingtian, near Wenzhou in China, the ancestral hometown of the Dutch student who became her husband, and learned the town has a 300-year history of migration.

That’s where she met Ye Pei, a teenaged girl who followed her mother, who’d left five years earlier, to Italy.

Pei expected to reunite with her mother in Venice, only to learn she worked on a farm hours from the city. Ma visited Pei and Europe over the course of three years, documenting Pei’s struggles with work, her determination and devotion to her family and exploring why people immigrate to nations where they endure hardship, suspicion, manual labour and

EVERY SHOW

Want totokeep Want keepup upwith with Courieronline? online? thethe Courier It’s easy.Follow Followus us on on Twitter Twitter It’s easy. @VanCourierNews at at @VanCourierNews

2 . er $ 2

US L P

Can

n! li lio M

NOW PLAYING!

jennifer copping and aubrey joy maddock. photo by david cooper

Music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Book by John-Michael T Tebelak

WIN a lake view Morgan Creek home: 15936 39A

Avenue, South Surrey.

Open daily 11am to 5pm

playing at

GROUPS SAVE MORE! season sponsors

for EARLY BIRD worth over $120,000 D N KE EE W ST LA HURRY! 100,000

$ Classic wheels or Ultimate getaways or take

ov rg ow

ARTSCLUB.COM 604.687.1644

familial separation.

May says the main point of her book is to humanize the migrant experience.

“When you hear about refugees washing up in southern Italy, escaping Africa or the Middle East, they just become numbers and headlines and you forget that these are people, they’re daughters or mothers or sisters,” she said.”

Ma reveals that a garment that’s “made in Italy” may mean it designed by an Italian fashion house but constructed in a Chineserun factory where migrants live and work. She visits Flanders Fields in France and learns Chinese labourers dug trenches there during the First World War. Ma reports children born to Chinese immigrants in Italy can only apply to become Italian citizens once they turn 18, despite being born and raised on Italian soil.

“Migrants are so misunderstood... The first thing that happens when there’s an economic crisis is that the newcomers are blamed for all the problems, so there’s very little empathy,” Ma said.

She believes reading about intolerance and problems elsewhere allows one to more freely reflect on the state of affairs in one’s backyard, where Chinese investors are routinely blamed for the high cost of housing.

Although her book focuses on the Chinese immigration experience in Italy, Ma says the story is a universal one.

“There are lessons to be learned. We see history repeating itself and the more voice and spotlight that we give to untold migrant stories, the more understanding there is in all societies,” she said.

Ma will visit Italy to launch the Italian version of her book in the fall. @Cheryl_Rossi

6 Grand Prize Options

including

$1.8

tax free cash... CUT OFF MIDNIGHT Million Cash! JUNE 25

HeroesLottery.com 604-648-4376

Get your tickets today: 3 for only $60

Buy more, Save more!

Winner will choose 1 prize option; other prize options will not be awarded. Details/Rules of Play: HeroesLottery.com

BC PROFESSIONAL FI REFIGHTERS’ BURN FUND

HOM ETOWN

OES HER T TER LO

Y

L VGH & UB C HOSPITA FOUNDATION

Chances are 1 in 442,200 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize.

BC Gaming Event Licence #73695

Chances are 1 in 566,100 (total tickets for sale) to win the 50/50 grand prize

BC Gaming Event Licence #73696

Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-6111 www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

Know your limit, play within it.

19+

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

GOT GAME? Contact sports editor Megan Stewart at mstewart@vancourier.com or 604-630-3549

A19

Sports&Recreation

Lending a hand to aspiring players

FIFA youth program sparks girls’ ambition WORLD CUP Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

Before Japan beat Cameroon 2-1 to take an early lead in Group C, the 2011 FIFA female player of the year said she’d score a goal for the nine-year-old girl holding her hand.

Homare Sawa, making her sixth World Cup appearance as the captain of the defending champions from Japan, asked Gabriela MacFarlane if the U11 player was nervous for the walk to centre field at B.C. Place before the June 12 match.

“She’s my favourite player,” said MacFarlane, who told the veteran she was excited to be one of the thousands of children around the world chosen as a FIFA youth ambassador. “Then she asked, ‘Do you want me to score a goal for you?’”

Including MacFarlane, 22 girls from the Vancouver Athletics Football Club

Kyra Heaps, centre, Lisa Terry and Seraphina Crema Black are part of the Vancouver Athletics FC U11 team selected by FIFA to escort players into B.C. Place during the World Cup. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

were player escorts for the World Cup double-header, which started with the Swiss trouncing Ecuador 10-1.

On other days, players from the North Shore, Port Moody, Penticton, Burnaby and West Vancouver soccer clubs took on the job. Across Canada, players aged six to 17 from 50 youth leagues es-

+)(;:88;868: 604-679-9988

Expertise Science-Based 2BP#&Q<# in ?F WD?#FD#A)T<#9 3T!U&TR 8#TR!V Natural Health(T&# Care N?D#F<#9 3T!U&EPT!V?D Licensed Naturpathic 1VG<?D?TF Physician )'(' <?FD# in?FB.C. since.--" 1997 (@4$" > 41C ?E :!*?1%4 =$?*.$C ;.$ ?*"!4: 19* A*= %1"%$=8 > <1: 7"1,#$ !* $1!8 C)9$:! 1"E A**C +=*+$=#E 1"C > <1: 1 !*!1# <=$%53 241"5: !* E*7 A*= C$.$#*+)"9 1 !=$1!?$"! +#1" > 1? "*< A=$$ *A 1"E :E?+!*?: 1"C 41.$ "$.$= A$#! ,$/$=FB (T&R+ $" A )(

S (U<!E>?0#9 : JF9?M?9UTR?0#9 5&#T!>#F!< S 6FB?#!G+ 4#P&#<<?EF+ WR##P P&EKR#><+ 7TQ%U# S 2D0#>T+ 1<E&?T<?<+ 8?M#<+ 6DF# S 8#T&!KU&F+ JF9?%#<QEF+ (EF<QPTQEF S (ER?Q<+ (#R?TD 4?<#T<# S /<!#ET&!V&?Q<+ CV#U>T!E?9 6&!V&?Q<+ HEU! S 8#T&! 4?<#T<#+ 8?%V )REE9 1&#<<U&#O(VER#<!#&ER S 6484+ 6UQ<>

.-!! #%-,)9*

)('&&%#!$".-, +",*

***'%#!V#TR!VGFE*'DT

080613

S @E>#F=<+ ;#F=< : (V?R9&#F=< 8#TR!V S 7EE9 6RR#&%G )REE9 5#<QF% S ;#<E!V#&TPG O N?PE9?<<ERM# LE& (#RRUR?!# : W!UKKE&F 7T! S J'I' I?!T>?F : (V#RTQEF 5V#&TPG S @#?%V! HT?FONE<<+ 4?TK#!#< S 5VG&E?9 4?<E&9#&<+ 8T?& NE<<+ 6REP#D?T S 6U!E?>>UF# 9?<E&9#&<+ @#T, J>>UF?!G+ (63(2C S 6RR#&%?#<+ 6<!V>T+ ;?%&T?F#< S ;#FEPTU<#+ 1;W+ JFL#&QR?!G

Sunset Denture Clinic

Formerly Kingsway Denture Clinic

3817 Sunset Street, Burnaby Mon. to Fri. 9:00am - 5:00pm & Saturday by appointment www.kingswaydentures.com

Call us for a FREE Consultation

A BPS Certified Center • We accept most dental plans

JF?QTR (EF<UR!TQEF

('&%$##$"! =$:7#!: 41.$ ,$$" *,!1)"$C A=*? A*##*<)"9 6=30)<1")-: "1!7=*+1!4)% 1C.)%$333 ?E 4$1#!4 41: )?+=*.$C !=$?$"C*7:#E D :!=*"9#E =$%*??$"C$C3B CEBTFF# A )(

Dentures That Fit Your Lifestyle

• Now Accepting New Patients • No Referral Necessary • Emergency care available

<

'&%$ #%"!9$7 5%3111

really good and we think we can just be the best.”

The club’s head coach and technical director, Steve Weston, said children continue to play sports as long as it remains fun, especially as the levels of competition and skill increase.

“You’ve got to want to come to practice, you’ve got to want to come out for the game,” said Weston. “If you work on basic skills at an early age and continue to reinforce them and progress, they keep a fun an element and they will always come and they will progress and they will enjoy it.”

Continued on page 20

604.874.6671

#"!!

4) 2&0.,*

/-1 +)(%9); :158; 6/

Since both of them spoke French, Heaps talked to the international footballer in her own language.

The girls were outfitted with FIFA soccer kits and have been wearing the red Adidas shorts and yellow jerseys to their first practices as a newly formed gold team.

Vancouver Athletics FC runs assessments for nine- and 10-year-old players as they reach the U11 age group and will be separated for the first time into competitive tiers with gold at the top.

“We don’t have a name yet. We want to be called the soccer machines,” said MacFarlane. “Our team is

Gerry Lee-Kwen, RD

'&%$ #" !9753 '71/-

6%$4-20%$&)8 #&37)8)%9

corted players, joined the ball crew and also carried team flags at the world’s largest women’s sporting event.

FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil said the goal to involve young local players “underscores the importance FIFA places on enabling children to connect with football, from an early age

and regardless of gender.”

The FIFA youth program as it’s called, started in 1998 for the men’s World Cup held in France, and more than 10,000 children have since participated. The escorts are especially visible, their tiny hands cupped in the fingers of the sport’s superstars, their faces flashed on global television screens before kick-off.

“My cheeks hurt from so much smiling,” said Seraphina Crema Black.

“It’s really, really exciting and your mouth hurts because they tell you to smile for 30 minutes straight, you’re just smiling and listening to unknown anthems but it was so fun,” said Kyra Heaps. “If you try not to smile, it’s kind of hard because you’re so excited, anxious, nervous, and you’re happy so you kind of have to smile.”

Heaps was paired with Cameroon’s Gaelle Enganamouit, the 23-year-old striker who scored her team’s goal against Japan.

A20

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Sports&Recreation

GROUP canada CAN

Girls see themselves in icons

Continued from page 19 Part of enjoying the game is knowing there are meaningful opportunities to advance. Holding Sawa’s hand at the World Cup is more than smiling for the cameras — it can cement a girl’s ambition.

“The hardest thing when it comes to soccer, compared to hockey in Canada, is that players don’t necessarily have heroes,” said Weston, pointing to the MLS and Vancouver Whitecaps as inspiration for boys.

Girls have individual idols to admire, but that doesn’t always leave them with a full sense of the opportunities or a road map to reaching their goals. And they don’t see themselves in Whitecaps uniforms, not since the Spartan women’s league folded four years ago.

They must look elsewhere to find their role models or forge new paths and become the example.

Christine Sinclair is a celebrated and deserving Canadian icon, but young players need opportunities

Mia Antonia, left, and Gabriela “Lulie” MacFarlane chase the ball at a Vancouver Athletics FC U11 soccer practice at Douglas Park on June 17. They’re wearing soccer kit provided by FIFA.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

and examples that extend beyond Team Canada, said Leanne Nicolle, a board member of the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport (CAAWS).

“Girls play sports for different reasons than boys, and they have a unique sports culture all

their own,” she said in April to promote a government initiative called Fuelling Women Champions, which seeks to understand what holds girls and women back from playing sports.

Girls drop out of sports at six times the rate of boys and only 19 per cent

of adult Canadian women play sports, according to research cited by CAAWS. “[Girls] place greater emphasis on the social aspect of sports and their aspirations are not about making it to the big leagues, because often, they don’t exist.

As a result, more women play purely for the love of sport,” said Nicolle.

MacFarlane, the pre-teen player on the still-unnamed U11 gold team, was inspired by the Japanese captain when she saw her score a goal in a televised game. She aspires to play the same forward position as Sawa.

“I’ve learned from other strikers that a pass is a good key to getting goals and to just go all in and try your hardest,” said MacFarlane.

“I want to have role models because I want to be a professional soccer player like them. I want to play for the Team Canada.”

If not that team, her next choice: “I’ll play for Japan.” @MHStewart FRIDAY, JUNE 19 TO TUESDAY, JUNE 23

HOME OUTFITTERS

STORE CLOSING! THIS LOCATION ONLY!

SAVE

70% All patio sets, patio furniture & outdoor décor

thailand THA ivory coast CIV

GROUP japan JPN Cameroon CMR switzerland SUI

ecuador ECU

GROUP usa USA australia AUS sweden SWE nigeria NGA

GROUPS & FIXTURES Updated at noon, Thursday June 18

C GROUP 9 brazil BRA 6 south korea KOR 3 costa rica CRC 0 spain ESP

E 9 4 2 1

d GROUP 7 france FRA 4 england ENG 3 colombia COL 1 mexico MEX

F 6 6 4 1

80%

All bedding coordinates, window panels & table linens

SAVE

70%

All tableware, glassware, flatware, barware, kitchen gadgets & bakeware

netherlands Switzerland france Sweden thailand costa rica

2

1

VANCOUVER BC Place

3

EDMONTON Commonwealth Stadium

4

CAPACITY: 54,000 2

6

3

1

4

WINNIPEG Winnipeg Stadium

5

OTTAWA Lansdowne Stadium

6

CAPACITY: 33,000

CAPACITY: 56,000

GROUP MATCHES DATE GROUP

5

MONTREAL Olympic Stadium

CAPACITY: 61,000

CAPACITY: 24,000

VENUE

4 (0) 3 (7) 3 (-1) 3 (0) 3 (-7) -1 (2)

MONCTON Moncton Stadium

CAPACITY: 10,000

SECOND STAGE ROUND of 16 DATE GAME

VENUE

20.6 1pm 1 GER

v

SWE 4

07.6 10am B NOR 4 v 0 THA 4

4.30 2 CHN

v

CMR 2

1pm B GER 10 v 0 CIV 4

21.6 10am 3 BRA

v

AUS 6

08.6 1pm D SWE 3 v 3 NGA 3

1pm 4 FRA

v

KOR 5

4pm C CMR 6 v 0 ECU 1

4.30 5 CAN

v

SUI 11

4.30 D USA 3 v 1 AUS 3

22.6 2pm 6 NOR

v

ENG 4

7pm C JPN 1 v 0 SUI 11

5pm 7 USA

v

COL 2

09.6 10am F FRA 1 v 0 ENG 6

23.6 7pm 8 JPN

v

NED 11

w4 5

6pm A NZL 0 v 1 NED 2

4pm E BRA 2 v 0 KOR 5

FINAL DAYS!

SAVE

Third Place Teams BEST FOUR ADVANCE TO 2nd STAGE

11.6 1pm B GER 1 v 1 NOR 4 3pm A CHN 1 v 0 NED 2 4pm B CIV 2 v 3 THA 4 6pm A CAN 0 v 0 NZL 2 12.6 2pm D AUS 2 v 0 NGA 3 4pm C SUI 10 v 1 ECU 11 5pm D USA 0 v 0 SWE 3

THE LOWEST TICKETED PRICE*

All cookware sets, open stock cookware & skillets

norway NOR

1pm F COL 1 v 1 MEX 6

80% OFF

80%

B 7 7 3 0

GROUP germany GER

1pm E ESP 1 v 1 CRC 5

M E T R O T O W N , 1 1 8 - 4 8 0 0 K I N G S W A Y, B U R N A B Y

SAVE

netherlands NED new zealand NZL

06.6 3pm A CAN 1 v 0 CHN 2

METROTOWN

UP TO

china CHN

A 5 4 4 2

7pm C JPN 2 v 1 CMR 11 13.6 10am F FRA 0 v 2 COL 6

SAVE

70%

All lamps, art, mirrors, cushions, throws, accent furniture & rugs

SAVE

70%

All towels, bath coordinates & personal care electrics

STORE FIXTURES BLOWOUT SAVE 90%

See Manager for details

Store Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 am - 9 pm | Sat. 10 am - 9 pm | Sun. 11 am - 7 pm ■ 5.3 *Some exclusions apply. We accept Hudson’s Bay MasterCard, Hudson’s Bay Credit Cards, major credit cards, debit cards, cash. No cheques. All sales final. No returns, exchanges or price adjustments to prior purchases on any items. No rainchecks and no other discounts apply. Selection may vary. While quantities last. Some exclusions will apply. See in-store for details.

1pm E BRA 1 v 0 ESP 5 1pm F ENG 2 v 1 MEX 6 4pm E KOR 2 v 2 CRC 5 15.6 1pm B THA 0 v 4 GER 3

QUARTER FINALS

1pm B CIV 1 v 3 NOR 6

26.6 1pm 1 w3

v

4.30 A NED 1 v 1 CAN 5

4.30 2 w1

v

w2 4

4.30 A CHN 2 v 2 NZL 3

27.6 1pm 3 w5

v

w6 2

4.30 4 w7

v

w8 11

16.6 2pm C ECU

v

JPN 3

2pm C SUI

v

CMR 2

SEMI FINALS

5pm D NGA

v

USA 11

30.6 4pm 1 w1

v

w2 5

5pm D AUS

v

SWE 2

01.7 4pm 2 w3

v

w4 2

17.6 1pm F MEX

v

FRA 4

THIRD/FOURTH PLAY-OFF

1pm F ENG

v

COL 5

04.7 1pm

4pm E CRC

v

BRA 6

WORLD CUP FINAL

4pm E KOR

v

ESP 4

05.7 4pm

L1

w1

v

L2 2

v

w2 11

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A21

The Courier presents Vancouver’s Elite Graduating Athletes of 2015

PAST

ROYAL VANCOUVER YACHT CLUB

PRESENT

ENGLISH BAY

FUTURE

NCAA DIV. 1 STANFORD CARDINALS

W

levels fall off or spike, Lyall immediately loses his edge. He’s tired, he makes poor decisions, his eyesight blurs.

“My coaches will see it right away,” he said.

“If I wasn’t able to respond fast enough, you get really low and it’s never happened to me, but you can pass out.”

Lyall was diagnosed two days before his seventh birthday and didn’t stop skiing or sailing.

His mom is also a doctor and together the family learned he didn’t need to hold himself back.

“I’ve learned to feel a lot more comfortable over time,” he said, acknowledging he’s not typical for pursuing physically demanding sports that often have him battling the elements.

Before he was 16, Lyall competed for Canada in the optimist class as a solo sailor.

He started racing the 29er class in 2012 and has since finished second at the Canadian Youth Sailing Championships and the Canada Summer Games. He and Moreno won the 29er North American Championships in Kingston, Ont. last summer.

Lyall will study at Stanford University next year, keeping him close to the Pacific so he can race with the Cardinals if he chooses. But the West Point Grey Academy graduate isn’t committed to a full competitive sailing schedule because he also intends to represent the university in debate. Lyall is one of five Canadians selected to represent the country at the World Schools Debating Championships in Singapore.

Sailing and debate, he said, “are probably the two most wildly opposite things you could get involved in. They could not be more different.”

What they have in common is Lyall.

— Megan Stewart

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

Lloyd Lyall

hen he’s sailing English Bay in his 15-and-a-half-foot dinghy, Lloyd Lyall always wears a flotation jacket and has a towline tucked in a compartment. The required pieces of safety equipment aren’t the only life-preserving tools the 18-year-old has on board. He also packs a bottle of highly concentrated sugar water, usually Gatorade.

It’s a lot better than drinking rancid orange juice that’s been spoiled in the heat. And he risks disqualification if he carries any liquid in a backpack.

Lyall, the defending 29er national champion and back-to-back national high school debate winner, has type 1 diabetes, a disease he must manage every day on and off the water. He wears an insulin pump in case his blood sugar level is too high. If it’s too low out on the water, he has Gatorade.

But doing either of those things during competition is an arduous and one-of-a-kind challenge that, if mistimed or mishandled, can evaporate any advantage the team has earned. “We’ve been working for a while to figure out a solution without stopping to pull out of a race,” he said.

In addition to reading weather conditions, picking their line, tacking and jibing, Lyall and his sailing partner Andrew Moreno have trained for the hand-off.

“While we’re sailing, he can hand me the bottle and I can drink it,” said Lyall. The best solution was also the simplest. But that doesn’t mean it’s not complicated when the wind whips up and the rain slashes their faces.

If they don’t pull it off and his blood sugar

A22

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

Summer Camps are filling up fast!

Choose from:

PROSPECTS CAMPS SKILLS CAMPS Presented by Bell FANTASY MATCH CAMPS Presented by

ell

Camps start in July, register today whitecapsfc.com/camps Toll free: 1.855.932.1932

START NOTHING: 9:09 am to 9:59 am Sun., 10:12 pm to 10:41 pm Tues., and 4:22 pm Thurs. to 10:57 am Fri..

PREAMBLE: Canada’s Bill C-51 (now law) is somewhat a copy of America’s Patriot Act. I am not deeply familiar with C-51, so some of what I say here might be incorrect in fact. The problem with this incredible law is not the stripping of individual citizens of their rights, not that it eliminates habeas corpus, nor that it transgresses Canada’s Charter of Rights, nor even that it opens the door to dictatorship. The worst thing about this law is not its injustice nor its cruelty nor the huge power it gives the police, not that it establishes a “secret police” mentality, not that it establishes secret courts, not that it’s a naked power grab by our politicians, nor even, finally, the oppression it fosters. We don’t see that oppression yet, but this opens the door to it. When you have secret police, you have oppression.

Sunday starts a month of down-home issues, Aries — real estate, family, gardening, Mother Nature, nutrition, security, retirement. You’ll feel sluggish, so it’s a great time for a vacation, especially in nature.

Nap often. Your romantic life remains sweet and favoured until October. If you meet someone before Aug. 11 — and this goes back to late July, 2014 — a wedding and conjugal bliss can result.

The weeks ahead emphasize career, ambition, prestige relations, worldly status, and dealings with parents, bosses, VIPs and authorities. This won’t be the easiest time, Libra, because Mars sits atop your career zone from this Wednesday to Aug. 8. During this time, bosses can be impatient, temperamental — partly because their own ambition gets a strong injection of energy.

A moneyed month (whether you were paying or gathering) begins to end but watch spending until Wednesday. Some money matters will continue to early July — little things you have to do, perhaps to “clean up” early June’s wee mess. The weeks ahead emphasize short travel, media, news, errands, paperwork and details, communications, siblings and casual friends.

The main emphasis, now to late July, lies on higher mind — intellectual pursuits, higher education, publishing, media, advertising, far travel, import-export, international affairs, law, culture and social rituals, and love. In all these, you’ll feel a new invigoration, a new determination and assertiveness — tone this down, if you want success.

Your energy remains high but the focus shifts, now through the weeks ahead, to practical matters: money, income-outgo, possessions, (rote) learning, buying/selling, and sensual attractions. Chase new clients, ask for a pay raise, etc. This isn’t the best year for employment or money matters, but the month ahead is the best so far.

Until late July, the emphasis lies on mysteries, life’s depths, subconscious promptings, large finances, sexual desires, health diagnoses, lifestyle changes, commitment and consequence.

This zone will intensify Wednesday onward to early August. You could bond with someone sexually, financially or in a project. One relationship might end, another start.

Your energy, clout, effectiveness, charisma and sense of timing rise now, to stay high for weeks.

In addition, Mars enters your sign Wednesday to bring seven weeks of heightened determination, ambitions and sex appeal. You’re ready to go!

Sunday to Tuesday brings errands, friends, communications, travel, curiosity, paperwork and details.

The month ahead features relationships, relocation ideas, negotiation, litigation, contracts and interfacing with the public. Be diplomatic, cooperative, and to win, emphasize another person’s ideas/desires/needs as others hold the aces now.

This interactive month can cut both ways: it might make you very passionate about someone or it might nudge you into ending a fairly major link.

You’ve been enjoying a lot of “good hair days” and popularity, social joys, optimism, etc. But that all (almost all) changes now, as life shunts you into a quiet background role for a few weeks. I said “almost all” because 1) your good hair days (i.e., physical charms) last right into early October, and 2) your luck continues (until early August) in romantic, creative and speculative zones.

The weeks ahead feature work, health, dependents and machinery — in other words, drudgery!

Ah, well, just plod along until it’s done (late July). There’s one twist: work now will tend to be intense and heated. So take care with safety, hot implements, electricity, etc. In general, it’s not the best time to buy machinery or tools, so purchase only what’s necessary.

The focus, for the weeks ahead, lies on popularity, social delights, optimism and wish fulfilment, flirtations and friendly romance, and group membership/activities. Your career will continue to grab your attention with announcements, plans, meetings, etc. until early July. But the heat, the impatience and temperament that bosses and parents have shown toward you since mid-May, will end Wednesday (for two years).

The weeks ahead will please you. They hold passion, creativity, speculation, beauty, pleasure, charming kids and romance. You might, if single, meet someone with whom you’ll become much more serious this autumn into late 2016. One thing: you might find love relationships develop very quickly, and, perhaps, have a money angle. If this money tempts you, or if you charge impulsively into an affair, the results could disappoint.

Monday: Meryl Streep (66). Tuesday: Frances McDormand (58). Wednesday: Jeff Beck (71). Thursday: Ricky Gervais (54). Friday: Chris Isaak (59). Saturday: JJ Abrams (49). Sunday: Kathy Bates (67).

A26

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

today’sdrive 20 Nissan 15 Murano

A great result from Nissan's craftspeople

KINGSWAY HONDA

NIGHT MARKET SALES EVENT WITH A NEW CAR PURCHASE, YOU COULD WIN 1 of 5 FLIGHT TICKETS* SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH – OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT Kingsway Honda is bringing the summer night market experience to their dealership!

Come shop for a new vehicle and enjoy our food trucks, prizes, photo booth & more.

Hunt for amazing Honda deals such as • 0.99% Financing or Leases Available on all 2015 Models • $1,500 Cash Savings + limited time $750 Bonus on 2015 Civic • Up to $5,000 Cash Savings available on select models

Brendan McAleer

brendanmcaleer@gmail.com

A half-dozen islets joined to Venice by an umbilical cord made of bridges, the region of Murano is best-known for narrow streets and expert glass-makers. It’s a place of brittle beauty, a gathering of craftsmen who are expert in creating crystalline excellence.

In other words: a bit of an odd place to name a mainstream crossover after. But perhaps said vehicle isn’t so middle-ofthe-road.

Meet the new Nissan Murano, totally redesigned for the 2015 model year. Yes, it has a workaday V6 and underpinnings shared with the seven-seater Pathfinder, a Continuously Variable Transmission. No, it isn’t all that ordinary.

I mean, just look at it!

Design

Every manufacturer has its own design language, and Nissan’s current efforts could well be called “Say What Now?” Never mind the plump little dumpling that bowed in 2003 with a chrome-laden grin, this new one’s all edges and angles, sharp details and creased surfaces. It looks like somebody pressed Pause halfway through the previous generation transforming it into a space-robot.

The front end is dominated by a huge V-shaped grille bearing the Nissan badge. On either side of this, the L-shaped headlights appear to be smearing down the sides of the vehicle with eye-watering speed.

The front and rear haunches are hunched and muscular, and the roof appears to be floating in space out back thanks to a blacked-out C-pillar.

Walking around to the back is a surprise, simply because it’s so conventional by comparison: LED-ringed taillights, but otherwise reserved.

If you’re looking for a dollop of style for your everyday driver, the Murano gives you twoscoops of Japanese gelato and then smothers that in walnut fudge sauce. It’s nutty, and I like it.

Environment 368 Kingsway • Vancouver • 604.873.3676 • Kingswayhonda.ca *Travel voucher valued at $1200. One voucher will be drawn for every five new vehicles sold on June 20th before midnight.

Inside, my Platinumtrim tester seemed to beg the question, “So why exactly would you consider an Infiniti?” The Murano

has always felt like its toplevel editions overlapped heavily with Nissan’s luxury car wing, and this one is no different.

Designed for five passengers only — and the better for it — the Murano provides a comfortable place to be for all passengers. Usually, nattering on about collaborations with NASA and the like can be strictly marketing mumbo-jumbo, but the so-called “zero-gravity” seats are actually quite excellent. Mind you, the older versions of the car were similarly cushy.

The central screen is 20 centimetres in diameter, and most touchscreen duties are backed up by buttons. Acura could take note here at how relatively unfussy Nissan has managed to make their control layout. A quite large information display between the gauges supplements the dash display.

Cargo room is very good, slightly ahead of the Ford Edge and Toyota Venza. Naturally, the seats all fold flat, so if this is your antiquing transportation, there’s more than enough room for that colossal armoire.

(Full confession: I’m not really sure what an armoire actually is.)

Performance

The Murano is available in both front- and all-wheel-drive versions, with the basic model front-drive only, and the top two trims all-wheel only. Power comes from a familiar 3.5L V6 making 260hp at 6000rpm and 240lb/ft at 4400rpm.

The only available transmission is Nissan’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), something the first Murano championed as a unique feature for both smoothing out the ride and improving fuel-economy. These days the only Nissan with a non-CVT transmission is either going to be a sportscar or a truck, and other manufacturers like Subaru have also adopted the technology range wide.

The main impression of the Murano’s V6-andCVT combination is no impression at all. This is a very unobtrusive setup, with noise and vibration well damped down. It’s not as noiseless as an all-electric Leaf or anything, but this crossover is certainly among the quietest machines in Nissan’s range.

F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A27

today’sdrive The steering is light and effortless, and even though this Platinum version comes with large, 20” alloys, the suspension was quite composed. Very rough pavement might unsettle things a little, but for day-to-day driving, the Murano makes for a good wafter.

It’s not particularly sporty but instead competent and polished.

All-wheel-drive versions of this comfy crossover would make the ideal vehicle for apres-ski: simply lower your aching quads into the seat, dial up the active cruise-control and slide on down the Seato-Sky highway without effort. A note: if you do intend to participate in winter sports with your Murano, 18” wheels will clear the brakes and make for a less-expensive set of snow tires.

four seating positions are heated and the fronts are cooled as well, daytime running lights are LEDs, you get Nissan’s excellent 360-degree camera system, and there’s a sonorous BOSE audio system with eleven speakers and dual subwoofers.

Official ratings for all-wheel-drive models are very good and 11.2L/100kms city and 8.3L/100kms highway.

Front-wheel-drive saves nearly nothing (just 0.2L/100kms on the highway), so it’s worth springing for the AWD version for better traction and resale down the line.

Features

Styling can be polarizing; not much sporting performance; some interior plastics don’t match overall upscale feel.

Everything that might be expected is standard on the Murano, from Bluetooth to heated seats.

Less expected, perhaps, is the inclusion of standard satellite navigation on the basic front-wheel-drive S model.

So why should you move up the range? Well, the Platinum spec is crammed full of tech. All

Green Light

Comfortable seats; smooth ride; featurepacked base model; hightech top models.

Stop Sign

The Checkered Flag

The Nissan Murano is beautiful without being brittle, comfortable without being uninteresting, high-tech without being confusing.

Cross over to M{zd{ INTRODUCING THE FIRST-EVER 2016 CX-3 GX BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM ** % at APR with

134 4.49

$

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

$

0

DOWN

AVAILABLE NOW!

Beautiful without being brittle, comfortable without being uninteresting, high-tech without being confusing. A great result from Nissan’s craftspeople.

0

GT model shown

+

% PURCHASE

FINANCING

†

GET UP TO A

1,000

$

ON SELECT MODELS

GT models shown

GT model shown

2015 M{zd{3 GX

2016 CX-5 GX

BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM

BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM

$

CONQUEST BONUS♦

91 2.49 at

$ APR with

%

**

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

INCLUDING $

0

139 2.99

$

DOWN

**

at

$ APR with

%

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

500 CONQUEST BONUS♦

INCLUDING $

0

2015 CX-9 GS DOWN

500 CONQUEST BONUS♦

BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM

204 0%

$

**

at

APR with

$

for 48 months. Taxes extra.

0

DOWN

INCLUDING $1,000 CONQUEST BONUS♦

CANADA’S BEST NEW-VEHICLE WARRANTY 3-YEAR

NEW VEHICLE UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY

The Nissan Murano features comfortable seats, a smooth ride; feature-packed base model and high-tech top models.

3-YEAR

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE UNLIMITED MILEAGE

5-YEAR

POWERTRAIN UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY

7-YEAR

ANTI-PERFORATION UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY

Visit NEWMAZDA.CA today to browse our NEW & USED inventory.

RESERVE YOUR MAZDA TEST-DRIVE EXPERIENCE TODAY!

ZOO}-ZOO}

*To learn more about the Mazda Unlimited Warranty, go to mazdaunlimited.ca. Ð$500 Conquest Bonus is available on retail cash purchase/finance/lease of select new, in-stock 2014/2015 Mazda models from June 2 – June 30, 2015.

Bonus amounts vary by model. Maximum $1,000 Conquest Bonus only available on 2015 CX-9. Conquest Bonus does not apply to 2014 Mazda3/MX-5, 2015 MX-5 Anniversary Edition, 2016 CX-3. Maximum bonus will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. Bonus is available to customers who trade-in or currently own a competitive vehicle. Offer only applies to the owner/lessor of the competitive model and is not transferable. Offer cannot be combined with Loyalty offer. See dealer for complete details. †0% APR purchase financing is available on all new 2015 Mazda vehicles. Other terms available and vary by model. Based on a representative agreement using offered pricing of $17,715 for the 2015 Mazda3 GX (D4XK65AA00) with a financed amount of $18,000, the cost of borrowing for a 36-month term is $0, monthly payment is $500, total finance obligation is $18,000. **Lease offers available on approved credit for new 2015 Mazda3 GX (D4XK65AA00)/2016 CX-5 GX (NVXK66AA00)/2015 CX-9 GS (QVSB85AA00)/2016 CX-3 GX (HVXK86AA00) with a lease APR of 2.49%/2.99%/0%/4.49% and bi-weekly payments of $91/$139/$204/$134 for 60/60/48/60 months, the total lease obligation is $11,876/$18,035/$21,252/$17,475 including down payment of $0. $76.77/$76.77/$64.10/$76.77 PPSA and first monthly payment due at lease inception. 20,000 km lease allowance per year, if exceeded, additional 8¢/km applies (12¢/km for CX-9). 24,000 km leases available. Offered leasing available to retail customers only. Taxes extra. As shown, price for 2015 Mazda3 GT (D4TL65AA00)/2016 CX-5 GT (NXTL86AA00)/2015 CX-9 GT (QXTB85AA00)/2016 CX-3 GT (HXTK86AA00) is $27,815/$37,215/$48,015/$31,015. All prices include $25 new tire charge, $100 a/c tax where applicable, freight & PDI of $1,695/$1,895 for Mazda3/CX-3, CX-5, CX-9. PPSA, licence, insurance, taxes, down payment (or equivalent trade-in) are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Lease and Finance on approved credit for qualified customers only. Offers valid June 2 – June 30, 2015, while supplies last. Prices and rates subject to change without notice. Visit mazda.ca or see your dealer for complete details.

Vancouver’s Only Mazda Dealer

1595 Boundary Road, Vancouver CALL 604-294-4299 | Service 604-291-9666 www.newmazda.ca /DestinationMazdaVancouver

Your journey begins here.

@Destinationmzd

Dealer #31160

A28

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 5

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY Prices Effective June 18 to June 24, 2015.

100% BC Owned and Operated PRODUCE

MEAT Organic California Whole Cantaloupe Melons

Organic Sweet Black Seedless Grapes

2.98lb/ 6.57kg BC Red and Green Leaf Lettuce from Myers Organic Farm

Organic Chicken Wings

3.99lb/ 8.80kg

California Bicolour Corn on the Cob

Barbecue Turkey Sausages

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

value pack

5.99lb/ 13.21kg

7.99lb/ 15.61kg

4/3.00

GROCERY

DELI

Olympic Krema Organic Yogurt

Rogers Granola

assorted varieties

700-750g • product of BC

assorted varieties

500g • product of BC

SAVE

Choices’ Own Coastal Coleslaw or Classic Potato Salad

Maple Hill Organic Free Range Extra Large Eggs

4.59

SAVE

27%

product of Canada

3.99

5.49

Hardbite Gluten Free Potato Chips assorted varieties

SAVE

150g • product of BC

27%

2.19

Summer Fresh Dips

SAVE

38%

470ml • product of USA

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

28-144g • product of Israel/Peru

303ml • product of USA

FROM

29%

2/5.98

1.994.99

SAVE

50%

Sunpic Mayonnaise and Sauces

Faith Farms Cheese

McVitie's Cookies

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

400g • product of Canada

200-400g • product of UK

SAVE

450ml • product of Canada

SAVE

31%

Progressive VegEsssentials All in One Vegan Protein Shake assorted varieties 840g

59.99

Progressive WheyEssentials All in One Protein Shake assorted varieties 840g

64.99

Ascenta NutraSea Omega-3 Fish Oils select varieties 200ml or 60 soft gels

19.99

Inno-Vite Red Yeast Rice with Ubiquinol and vitamin D3 Inno-Vite Magnesium Citrate 250mg

Father’s Day or Canada Day Cupcakes or Maple Syrup Shortbread

2/4.98

package of 4

3.99

BAKERY xxx

xxx • product of xxx

Choices’ Own 9” Pies

SAVE

1.792.99

5.49

WELLNESS

GLUTEN FREE

32%

21%

2/6.48

3.99

2.99-3.29

Simply Natural Organic Barbecue Sauces

SAVE

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

Let's Do Organics Ice Cream Cones

product of Canada

( product may not be exactly as shown )

Simply Natural Organic Salsa

Old Dutch Restaurante Tortilla Chips 300-384g

1.49/ 100g

1 dozen

23%

While quantities last. Not all items available at all stores. We reserve the right to correct printing errors.

6.99lb/ 15.41kg

value pack, previously frozen

2/4.00

2/4.00

Pork Tenderloins

assorted varieties

9.99 ( product may not be exactly as shown )

27.99

Are You Hungry for Knowledge?

Look to Choices’ Nutrition Team

14.99 100 capsules 26.99 200 capsules

Whatever your health goal, Choices’ team of Dietitians and Holistic Nutritionists can make it happen.

60 capsules

Bach Flower Remedies assorted varieties, 20ml - 50g excludes Rescue Remedy

25% off

regular retail price

www.choicesmarkets.com

• Find solutions for specialized diets.

• Get ideas for fast and simple home cooked meals.

• Learn how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your everyday meals.

To find out more about how we can help you, ask Customer Service, email nutrition@choicesmarkets.com or visit us online at choicesmarkets.com.

/ChoicesMarkets

@ChoicesMarkets