Vancouver Courier Friday July 24 2015

FRIDAY

July 24 2015 Vol. 106 No. 58

NEWS 3

Help for low-income hotels THEATRE 15

Frost/Nixon enthralls SPORTS 17

Little League hits keep coming There’s more online at

vancourier.com WEEKEND EDITION

THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908

Author adds muscles to body of work

FEATURE STORY Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

HEADS UP Anna Schmidt (left) and Rachelle Cashato, owner of Hastings Hattery and Granville Island Hat Shop, show off some of the more fascinating headware fashions that can be rented for special occasions, including this weekend’s Deighton Cup at Hastings Racecourse.

See story on page 6. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

City staff: Tear down those viaducts Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

After two years of studying whether the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts should remain standing or be flattened, city staff has reached a decision on the future of the structures: Knock the suckers down.

Kevin McNaney, the city’s assistant director of planning, said a report will be presented to city council in September that recommends the 1970s-era hulking overpasses that connect Chinatown to downtown should be demolished and replaced by a new road network.

“We’ve really done the detailed work and sunk our teeth into the transportation network, and it shows that it’s actually a better transportation system,” said McNaney, noting the new network would link Georgia $

2,1 98 ,00

0

Street to Pacific in a sloping grade.

With 43,000 vehicles per day using the viaducts, city staff completed what McNaney described as “extensive transportation modeling”— studying turns, signal systems and where the traffic originates — to ensure traffic chaos wouldn’t ensue without the elevated roadways.

The other factor that swayed staff to demolish the viaducts was the expensive work required to keep the structures seismically sound. McNaney said it would cost up to $65 million “just to keep them standing” in an earthquake.

“It doesn’t mean that they would be usable after, which is obviously a huge concern,” he said, noting the viaducts could topple over on top of the SkyTrain and cut off downtown from the new St. Paul’s Hospital proposed for the False Creek Flats.

“We need that post-disaster transportation system from downtown to get people to the hospital.”

As for fears Strathcona residents had early on about their neighbourhood being overrun with vehicles, McNaney said planning staff concluded traffic volumes will decrease on Prior Street. He noted staff is also looking at an alternative roadway to Prior, which could mean a new connector across the False Creek Flats, potentially on Malkin or National. Those ideas are being discussed as part of the area plan for the False Creek Flats.

Taking the viaducts down should trigger the completion of development in Northeast False Creek, including building the much-awaited Creekside Park to the north of the Telus World of Science.

Continued on page 4

Thinking oƒ SELLING your Vancouver home?

THINK OF PAUL.

She takes small steps in silver fiveand-a-half-inch heel platform shoes while rotating her pelvis to keep her hula-hoop in motion. It rotates around her tanned midriff, below her turquoise sports bra that matches the short shorts that cling to her tight tush.

Jenn Farrell, two-time winner of the Courier’s fiction contest and author of two books of short stories, has left the days agonizing over words and sentences in her pajamas firmly behind.

At least for now.

The 44-year-old writer-turned-fitness instructor, trainer and now bodybuilder is preparing for the World Beauty Fitness and Fashion show at the River Rock Casino and Resort, July 25. She’ll compete in the diva bikini model category for the chance to win a T-shirt, swag bag and the confirmation that hours of training, posing and subsistence on chicken were worth it.

But about those heels.

“Oh f***. I can run for a bus in these,” she said. “Kids today. It’s funny because some of the young girls, they’re out there in their shoes in the posing practice and they’re like, ‘Oww, oww, my feet hurt.’ I was like, ‘Did you not spend your entire 20s in shoes like this?’ I would stand in nightclub lineups in a skirt as short as these shorts and a pair of shoes and a little coat and be, like, smoking. And it’s really paid off.”

WRITING EXERCISE

Chicken breasts plunk against a plastic container lid as Farrell metes out fourounce portions that will fuel her caloriehungry body on a recent Monday.

She’s to eat four ounces with cucumber as a post-breakfast snack, four ounces for lunch with broccoli and half a cup of brown rice, and then four more ounces for a snack between lunch and dinner.

Continued on page 12 $

89 9,0 0

0

RE/MAX Select Properties

OPEN HOUSE

SUN 2-4

7338 ONTARIO ST.

2037 EAST 23RD AVE.

A2

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A3

News

SRO owners dinged with $125,000 fee Bylaw amendment aimed at protecting low-income hotel stock

Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

Owners of private singleroom-occupancy hotels in Vancouver who want to convert a room in their building to something other than low-income housing, such as an office or upscale hotel room, will now be subject to a $125,000 fee each time they upgrade the accommodation.

The fee, which used to be $15,000, is a measure city council adopted Wednesday in an effort to protect dwindling private low-income stock and prevent tenants from losing their homes.

More than 1,700 privately owned rooms have been converted or lost between 2004 and 2014, with 1,160 in the Downtown Eastside.

“Our aim is to keep people housed,” Abigail Bond, the city’s assistant director of housing policy, told reporters after Wednesday’s meeting.

The new fee comes in the form of an amendment

to the existing single room accommodation bylaw.

Another change will require owners to obtain a city permit before doing any minor repairs to a room. That’s being done to monitor the repairs and ensure the owner has found alternative accommodation for a tenant instead of booting the person out on the street.

“You can no longer use minor work as a reason to evict tenants,” said Bond in acknowledging the concern from housing advocates, who spoke to city council about the various reasons tenants get evicted from their rooms.

The new $125,000 fee, however, will not apply to an owner who renovates a room, keeps it as a singleroom-occupancy but ends up charging more for the room. Bond said staff opposed the fee because it doesn’t want the city to discourage owners from renovating single-roomoccupancy rooms and keeping that stock.

City council approved Wednesday to increase the fee charged to owners of low-income hotels who want to discontinue using rooms for low-income tenants and renovate them for other purposes to collect higher rent. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

Although many owners charge more than the $375 per month governmentissued shelter rate for tenants on income assistance, the city and councillors recognize the income for an owner isn’t always enough to pay for renovations to keep a building as a single-

room-occupancy hotel.

“We wanted money to be re-invested in the work done to the building, so to layer on an additional fee to that detracts from our main purpose,” Bond said. “We want [owners] to spend all available funds, recognizing that [they’re] constrained

and upgrading the building.”

Longtime housing advocate Wendy Pedersen urged council to have the $125,000 fee apply to owners who effectively “renovict” tenants when they make repairs to rooms. Pedersen said the average rent for a single-room-occupancy hotel is $485 per month.

“We’re losing 300 rooms a year, the city says, to that process,” Pedersen said after the meeting.

She’s not hopeful the city’s move to have owners obtain permits for minor work will halt the practise of people losing their accommodations. Pedersen said owners “don’t say we’re going to evict you for a reno, they say I’m going to evict you because you smoke, I’m going to evict you because you have noisy guests and I have video footage. So that’s the actual reality of what’s happening.”

Bond said the city plans to work with B.C. Housing to see if rent supplements can be made available

to tenants facing a rent increase as a result of an upgrade to a room. The city will work with owners to have them access low-interest loans to carry out renovation work. And the city continues to urge private owners to have reputable non-profit organizations, with experience managing hotels, to take over running the buildings.

Mohammad Valayati, who spoke to council, said he lived at the Clifton Hotel on Granville Street for twoand-a-half years. Valayati, who paid $450 per month rent, said he still has legal possession of his room but the owner has gone ahead and started renovations on a building he hopes to rent for $900 per month to international students.

The former manager and handyman at the hotel said he’s receiving unemployment insurance and living with a friend. “I’m looking for a place, but it’s very hard,” Valayati said. @Howellings

Summer Promotion on Now! Imagine new heights in retirement living where each day is designed by you.

Relax in luxurious AIR-CONDITIONED comfort this summer and save!

Move in by August 31st and receive complimentary downsizing, packing and move-in services!

Book Your Discovery Tour Today!

AIR-CONDITIONED LUXURY LIVING SUITES STARTING AT $3,950/MONTH

604.240.8550

www.legacyseniorliving.com 611 West 41st Avenue (across from Oakridge Centre)

The Leo Wertman Residence

A4

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

News

Removal would free up 10 acres of valuable land

Continued from page 1 That project has been delayed for two decades as Concord Pacific looks to develop its final pieces of properties on the former Expo 86 lands.

McNaney said negotiations continue with Concord to determine land transfers and swaps to ensure the new roadway could be built in the area that the viaducts now occupy. City staff’s plan calls for the SkyTrain track to remain.

Whatever gets done, it will be expensive.

A staff report to city council in June 2013 said it would cost up to $55 million to demolish the viaducts. The tab for such a project climbs to more than $130 million when costs are calculated to modify existing streets, parks, utilities, build more parks and conduct soil remediation on what were former industrial lands.

The same report said demolishing the viaducts would free up 10 acres of

land worth up to $110 million. Although staff’s desire is to have the land devoted for public open space, affordable housing and other public uses, the report notes some of the land could be sold for development.

NPA Coun. George Affleck said he will wait to see the final report in September before stating whether he agrees with staff’s recommendation to demolish the viaducts. Affleck said he is concerned removing the viaducts would have a negative effect on traffic flow in the area. He also has questions about the tab for the project, which he believes should be “cost-neutral.”

“It could be a design improvement for our city but I also understand how people are feeling about getting around,” Affleck said of knocking down the viaducts.

If the viaducts are demolished, Affleck said, city staff should clearly spell out that any new development

that may come about as a result of land that opens up in the area should be tied to paying for the cost of any deconstruction of the viaducts. Development cost levies and community amenity contributions should pay — or help pay — for that work, he said.

“It has to be cost-neutral and I think there’s money for the city to be made from the development opportunities in that neighbourhood,” Affleck said.

Vision Coun. Geoff Meggs, who years ago proposed the city consider demolishing the viaducts, said it’s difficult to say what the final cost-benefit figures of demolishing the viaducts will be because the two blocks the city would gain on either side of Main Street would have to be rezoned.

“Obviously, we want the direct costs to be as low as possible but I don’t think we want to tie the hands of future planning decisions

or make any assumptions how dense the surrounding area would be,” Meggs said. “We should go forward and make a decision about whether we want to take this bold step for the future, or not. And we should do that in September. After that, we can work through a whole bunch of these other issues.

It would be crazy to try to say today that we know exactly what’s going to unfold there over 20 years.”

Meggs said he’s heard from many people who want to see affordable housing built where the viaducts’ on-and-offramps are located on Main Street. And if that’s done, he said, then the value of the land “would be less, but the value to the community might be more.”

Added Meggs: “I’ve always felt the opportunity was a fantastic one for building the city, and that’s what staff have been telling council for a long time now.” @Howellings

Once a week, twice as nice.

You’ll notice we’ve had some work done but it’s more than just cosmetic.

July 30 sees a new-look Vancouver Courier move to a single edition per week.

Every Thursday you’ll be able to enjoy a bigger, brighter, neighbourhood newspaper with unrivalled reporting from our award-winning news team and more in-depth local coverage from community correspondents across the city.

Local news, local matters, only in the Vancouver Courier.

Community . Politics . Opinion . Entertainment . Sport . Travel . Real Estate

Local News, Local Matters.

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Tell Your Story

An introduction to memoir writing for seniors Tuesday, July 28, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Every life holds many stories. So why not make yours into an engaging memoir? The retirement community of Tapestry at Wesbrook Village is excited to present expert advice on turning your life experiences and family history into an engaging read.

Join us with Paula Brook on Tuesday, July 28 for a memoir writing workshop. Paula’s career has spanned three decades of magazine editing, column writing and book publishing. She now focuses on the art of memoir through sharing her experiences and hearing your stories. Whether you are a seasoned writer or have always wanted to flex your creative writing muscles, Tapestry is here to facilitate recording your legacy in your voice.

Attend this program to get motivated and have fun!

Limited seating available, please RSVP to Tapestry at Wesbrook Village at 604.225.5000.

DiscoverTapestry.com Tapestry at Wesbrook Village 3338 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver

604.225.5000

FIND A GREAT SELECTION OF FRIGIDAIRE APPLIANCES AT ANY OF OUR 8 LOCATIONS IN BC: VANCOUVER • RICHMOND • COQUITLAM • SURREY • LANGLEY ANNACIS CLEARANCE • KELOWNA • VICTORIA

www.trailappliances.com

A5

A6

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

News

Need a fancy hat Sandra Thomas

sthomas@vancourier.com

Boater, fedora, chapeau, topper, bonnet, pork pie, cap, hat and fascinator — no matter the name there’s a good chance all styles will be front and centre this weekend at the seventh annual Deighton Cup, an event at Hastings Racecourse that combines horse racing with “fearless fashion and masterful mixology.”

In fact, the Deighton Cup is almost as much about the over-the-top hats and fascinators that will adorn most women attending this Saturday, as it is about the horses and betting. But purchasing the right, showstopping piece does not come cheap, which is why Rachelle Cashato, owner of the Granville Island Hat Shop and Hastings Hattery, launched a hat rental service a month ago.

“I am really excited to be able to offer our hat rental program for people that have come in and are interested in our amazing fashion-forward pieces, but may not have been able to afford to own them outright,” Cashato told the Courier in an email.

The fact the Deighton Cup has doubled in size since its inception means there will be even more fabulous hats on display than usual.

View my video with

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

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

NO REFERRAL NEEDED.

www.mydentures.ca

Notice of Upcoming Closure

Highway 1 Ironworkers Memorial Bridge The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure hereby notifies the public of the planned full closure of Highway 1 at the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge on: Tuesday, July 28, from 1:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m.

Both the overhead signs that spanned the width of the bridge will be replaced during this closure, and traffic will be directed to use Lions Gate Bridge. Due to load restrictions, commercial trucks will not be permitted to use the detour and will be stopped at each end of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge until it is reopened at 5:00 a.m. Flaggers will coordinate the safe crossing of cyclists and pedestrians using the east side sidewalk during the closure.

This work is part of the safety fence installation and sidewalk widening construction for the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge project.

Motorists are encouraged to plan their routes in advance and check DriveBC for current road conditions.

To find out more about this project visit the project website at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/IronWorkers/index.htm

For more information, please contact Project Manager Jay Porter at 604 527-3105, or by e-mail at Jay.Porter@gov.bc.ca

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

for the track? Rent it

A newly-constructed viewing platform and reserved grandstand seating will accommodate an additional 1,500 concourse-level guests trackside. Proceeds of charity blackjack and roulette games set up on the casino-themed midway, and $5 from each ticket sold, will benefit Variety — The Children’s Charity.

Cashato said events such as the Deighton Cup give her clients an excuse to play dress up. And while a signature hat or fascinator can cost between $250 and $350, renting a hat for 48 hours is one-third of the retail price plus a $10 cleaning fee. Cleaning each hat is time-consuming and goes beyond steam cleaning — a toothbrush is also used for fine detailing.

“Our clients get to let their personalities shine and possibly get out of their comfort zone by wearing something they wouldn’t normally wear while not breaking their budget,” she said.

Hastings Hattery is situated at 157 West Hastings St. in the city’s original garment district in a building that

A7

Be water wise this summer Stage three lawn sprinkling regulations are now in effect until September 30, 2015.

Lawn watering is no longer permitted.

For full details on water use restrictions as outlined by Metro Vancouver, and tips on water use, please visit vancouver.ca/waterwise If you water your lawn during this restricted period you may be subject to a $250 fine.

Development Permit Board Meeting: July 27 The Development Permit Board and Advisory Panel will meet: Monday, July 27, 2015 at 3 pm Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue Town Hall Meeting Room, Ground Floor to consider the following development permit application:

Anna Schmidt tries on one of the many fascinators available for rent at the Granville Island Hat Shop and Hastings Hattery. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

neighbours what once was the city’s first courthouse and Calhoun’s Hats. It was also home to the Bank of Vancouver and, in later years, the men’s fine clothier E.A. Lee. The Flack Block was built in 1898 by Thomas Flack, one of the first prospectors to strike it rich in the Klondike Gold Rush.

Cashato’s goal is to encourage clients to add the

MER DAY O T S CU ATION EC2I6 R P P A Sunday, July Lo E A S G t s Oll proceed TonaD tion. A or Life HO nity! d by mmu nds F

final touch to a favourite look with a great hat. She believes a hat can add depth to a look and confidence to the wearer.

“Hats don’t have to be for special occasions only.

When people ask me when they would wear a hat I always say, right now.”

Which is why hats are such an integral part of the Deighton Cup, considered by many to be the most fash-

1427 Haro Street

ionable event of the summer.

A “Kentucky Derby” dress code is highly encouraged and a panel of fashion industry professionals will decide on the best dressed man and woman attending — each will win a prize of $500.

The Deighton Cup starts at noon Saturday and runs until 6 p.m. with post time at 1:45 p.m. For more information, visit deightoncup.com.

To add to, rehabilitate, designate and convert the existing Heritage “B”-listed Lightfoot Residence to provide six rental dwelling units, and to develop the rear of the site with a new four-storey multiple dwelling infill building containing five rental units.

Please contact City Hall Security (1st floor) if your vehicle may be parked at City Hall for more than two hours.

TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM: 604-873-7770 or lidia.mcleod@vancouver.ca Visit: vancouver.ca Phone: 3-1-1 TTY: 7-1-1

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

Sunday, July 26th, 2015

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

Co Frie g our portin p u S ly Proud

ONE DAY SALE

ONE DAY SALE

78

ONE DAY SALE

1

$ .78

8.77/kg

3

$ .98

/100 g

/ea

Grown in BC 1 lb

Boneless, Skinless

¢

$ .28

Fresh Blueberries

Fresh Chicken Breasts

Chunky with Egg or Red Potato with Dijon

White or Whole Grain 358 g

ONE DAY SALE

ONE DAY SALE

Arbutus Ridge Potato Salad

Fresh Baguettes

1

SALE

1 D A Y

th

/lb

ONE DAY SALE

/ea

ENTER TO WIN

a $5000 Nesters Market Gift Card OR 2 tickets to Theatre Under the Stars One to be given away per store. No purchase necessary.

O WIN T R E ENT ville Juic0e.0r0 a Breretail value $17

So Delicious Frozen Dessert Selected Varieties 500 ml

3

$ .98

x.

Appro

28TH & MAIN

/ea

Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate Selected Varieties 355 ml

1

$ .48 /ea

+ Dep. recycling fee where applicable

Prices Effective Sunday, July 26th, 2015. While Quantities Last!

WOODWARD’S FOOD FLOOR By Nesters Market

4475 Main St., Vancouver, BC, 604-709-8014

333 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, 604-688-7550

Name:

Phone Number:

Email:

YALETOWN

990 Seymour St., Vancouver, BC, 604-682-3071

Some items are subject to GST & Plus Dep., recycling fee where applicable. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not all items available at all locations. Some items may not be exactly as illustrated.

A8

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Community

Rabbi Hannah Dresner, the spiritual leader of Or Shalom synagogue, who recently arrived in Vancouver from Berkeley, Calif., says it is traditional on Tisha b’Av to read the book of Lamentations in the dark by candlelight. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

Tisha b’Av marks day of mourning and healing

Connection to the Sabbath this year will add depth to ceremony PACIFIC SPIRIT Pat Johnson

PacificSpiritPJ@gmail.com

When the sun goes down Saturday evening, an unusual psycho-spiritual process will unfold at an East Vancouver synagogue.

In the Jewish calendar, the new day begins at sundown.

Shabbat, the Sabbath, begins at sundown Friday and closes at sundown Saturday.

This week, the closing of Shabbat will usher in Tisha b’Av, the ninth day of the lunar month of Av. Rabbi Hannah Dresner, the spiritual leader of Or Shalom synagogue, recently arrived in Vancouver from Berkeley, Calif. She has a background in academia, performance and arts — and as a rabbi ordained less than two years ago, she intends to bring her broad experience to the marking of this holy day, a time when

Jews confront the accumulated grief of millennia.

“Traditionally, Tisha b’Av is a kind of historical commemoration of a whole bunch of calamities — all kinds of calamities — that have befallen the Jewish people, which, in the mythos, all happen on the same date somehow,” she explains. The foundational disasters were the destructions in Jerusalem of the First Temple, by the Babylonians in 538 BCE, and the Second Temple, by the Romans in 70 CE. In their time, the Great Temples in Jerusalem were considered the places of closest connection to the divine. Today’s Western Wall is a remnant of that spiritual centre.

Broader interpretations of the holiday overlay it with successive disasters in Jewish history, including expulsions from medieval Europe. “Some say even the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,

which could be thought to be the beginning of the unraveling of pre-Holocaust conditions for Jews in Europe,” says Dresner.

Those who join Dresner Saturday night for Tisha b’Av services will be encouraged to consider their own grief and even share lamentations, an effort to make the ancient commemoration “viscerally personal.”

The purpose, says Dresner, “[Is] to really try to locate where our pain is right now, this year. All of the Jewish holidays come alive as we consider how their themes are reflected in our lives.

What is our redemption and from what slavery, on Passover, for example. And with Tisha b’Av, what has been destroyed in us, what important ties have been severed, from what are we in exile, what do we mourn the loss of?”

Tisha b’Av does not always fall immediately after the Sabbath, but this

confluence will add depth to the ceremony.

The closing hours of Shabbat are considered a time of longing.

“It’s been Shabbat, we’ve had this special closeness with the divine and now that time is kind of seeping away, that closeness, God’s presence is being resorbed and we are going to be left in our secular week to do our work,” Dresner says.

Shabbat ends with Havdallah, the ritual that separates the Sabbath from the rest of the week.

It is a moment of transition marked by a ritual performed in the dark with candlelight and wine and spices, the spices meant to revive people from their restfulness and prepare for a productive week.

“Instead of turning the lights on when the shift has happened from Sabbath to weekday, at that hour of sundown, we’ll stay in the dark,” she says. “On Tisha b’Av it

is traditional to sit in the dark and read the book of Lamentations in the dark by candlelight. It’s also traditional not to sit on upholstery on Tisha b’Av, so we’ll sit down on the floor with candles or flashlights and begin to hear the chanting of Lamentations in Hebrew and maybe some in English, but with the traditional melody that’s kind of a haunting melody, and at some point stop and look at a set of maybe five or 10 verses from Lamentations in English, look at the poetics, and write a parallel lament that is a lament from our own experience, what each of our brokenness might mean in this moment or one aspect of loss or yearning.

After time has been given for that, we’ll see if folks would like to intersperse reading of the personal laments with the reading of the text of Lamentations, which describes the destruction of Jerusalem in a very intense way.”

When the ceremony

ends, participants will part without speaking, just keeping the mood.

Some interpretations, Dresner says, see Tisha b’Av as the start of the Days of Awe, a period of introspection and penitence most associated with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.

“In the cycle of the Jewish year,” Dresner says, “people who are kind of in the groove of it really feel this time in their bones, but I think we all need that kind of permission to sit in lament, particularly if we are engaged in some kind of healing process and, again in the Jewish calendar, the idea is that we are healing into wholeness by the end of Yom Kippur some seven weeks from now. It’s always good to have a bounded, safe framework for expressing sorrow. It’s just not something that we have that much permission for.” @Pat604Johnson

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A9

News

Lapointe gets show on Roundhouse Radio

Glen Korstrom

so much in providing us opportunities to hear and see and read about each other around the world yet, in all of that excitement, there’s still this great opportunity to discuss granular neighbourhood and district issues.”

About 80 per cent of Lapointe’s program will be a talk show with the remainder consisting of music. Lapointe was a part-time Canadian editor of Billboard Magazine in the 1980s and told Business in Vancouver that he has a passion for music.

He will keep his day job as publisher and editor-inchief of Self Counsel Press as well as his part-time gig teaching a journalism ethics course at the University of British Columbia.

Roundhouse won its bid for a license in mid-2014, when the Canadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) assessed 11 applications for Metro Van-

gkorstrom@biv.com

Former NPA mayoral candidate Kirk Lapointe and veteran broadcaster Terry David Mulligan have been hired to host radio shows later this year when Vancouver’s newest station, Roundhouse Radio 98.3 FM, launches.

Earlier this week the radio station revealed its lineup of hosts — a list that also includes author, professor and race relations expert Minelle Mahtani, former Z95.3 morning show co-host Janice Ungaro, voice actor and veteran broadcaster Martin Strong and music journalist Jana Lynne White.

The station will have a signal strong enough to be heard throughout the city but not much further.

“That will keep us consciously Vancouver-focused,” said Lapointe, who will host the station’s morning show, between 6 and 10 a.m.

“The Internet has done

couver radio stations and rejected nine.

The national airwaves regulator awarded the other new radio license to South Fraser Broadcasting Inc. (SFBI), which will be based in Surrey and only have a signal power-

'&%$ #" !9753 '71/+)(;:88;868: 604-679-9988

An increase of the Government of Canada’s Universal Child Care Benefit offers Canadian families:

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 ?F )'(' <?FD# .--" in B.C. since 1997

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

It doesn’t matter how much you make. Every family with children under 18 qualifies. Payments start July 20 and are retroactive to January 1, 2015.

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

***'%#!V#TR!VGFE*'DT Say YES to BC

CHILDRENS HOSPITAL

Dortetearm y L

Find out if you need to apply at Canada.ca/TaxSavings

080613

.-!! #%-,)9*

Erin Cebula, Global BC

• $720 every year for each child 6 through 17—a new $60 per month!

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<>

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

Rules of Play, Details and

• $1,920 every year for each child under 6— an increase from $100 to $160 each month

(@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 )(

('&%$##$"! =$:7#!: 41.$ ,$$" *,!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 )(

SFBI and Roundhouse each had to follow up their victories by spending more than $1 million to build radio stations, erect transmitters and hire about 30 employees each. @GlenKorstrom

#"!!

4) 2&0.,* JF?QTR (EF<UR!TQEF

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

Shafer calls the “roll of the dice” that is the CRTC application process.

Had those groups not won their bid, their investment would have been money down the drain.

Ownership groups at

MORE MONE Y FOR E VERY FAMILY WITH CHILDREN

<

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

ful enough to be heard in that city and surrounding area.

Both the group representing SFBI and the one representing Roundhouse spent more than $100,000 to participate in what Roundhouse CEO Don

PREVIEW WEEK ~ 6 Exceptional Grand Prize Choices!

DREAM LOTTERY ONLINE NOW! Choose your Dream Home or... $2.2 and win a 50/50 Jackpot up to $2.3

Million Cash Million Cash

Winner takes half

Millions to Win! Winner will choose 1 prize option; other prize options will not be awarded.

Easy Order bcchildren.com or Call 604-692-2333

Chances are 1 in 295,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize.

BC Gaming Event Licence #76242

Chances are 1 in 521,400 (total tickets for sale) to win the 50/50 grand prize

BC Gaming Event Licence #76243

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

Know your limit, play within it.

19+

A10

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Opinion Campaign finance floodgates still open

Allen Garr Columnist

agarr@vancourier.com

Nothing causes voters to raise a cynical eyebrow or hold a politician in disrepute more than the source of funding for election campaigns.

It doesn’t matter whether it is a wealthy developer like Rob Macdonald tossing $960,000 in the Non Partisan Association kitty (making it the biggest single donation in Canadian municipal political history) or the Canadian Union of Public Employees giving Vision Vancouver $185,000 to help them in their campaign as we saw in 2011.

The assumption is that the donor is expecting something in return. He’s got you in his pocket. He’s in bed with you. And politicians and their parties are regularly ridiculed for a practice suspected of being corrupt.

That was the perception played upon this past year when the Courier’s cartoonist Geoff Olson went after Vision for the steady flow of campaign funds coming from all sides.

Olson delivered what turned out to be an award-winning drawing depicting, one can only assume, Mayor Gregor Robertson in bed. We see two porky men (one labeled “Big Unions,” the other “Big Developers”) taking their leave and getting dressed as Robertson declares, “This isn’t how it looks.”

But the fact is that while all of this limitless donating, suggesting dangerous liaisons, is totally legal, none of the major political parties in the city wants this practice to continue. Yet, for one party to stop voluntarily, could place their opponent’s party at a distinct advantage.

In 2002, the first year the sum total of Vancouver’s municipal election spending exceeded $1 million, council began lobbying the provincial government to legislate against any campaign donations from unions or businesses.

There have been repeated requests ever since usually following unanimously supported council motions, all to no avail.

Meanwhile other jurisdictions in the country, including the federal government itself, have not only made these types of donations illegal, there have been caps placed on individual donations as well.

But here in British Columbia: nothing.

And, as you know, Vancouver election spending and donations are now more than five times what they were a dozen years ago and far more than anywhere else in the country.

Then last year, Christy Clark’s Liberal government struck what it called a Special Committee of Local Election Expense Limits. The committee’s final report was released at the end of June and formally introduced in the Legislature last week.

But before you get your hopes up, there was a catch. In spite of repeated requests from many municipalities in general and Vancouver in particular, the mandate of the committee did not allow it to consider the source of donations. That is to say: “The Special Committee shall limit its consideration of campaign finance topics to forming recommendations on expense limits for local elections.”

So any representations, and there were a number including at least one from Vision Vancouver, that asked for legislation to prohibit anyone but individuals from making donations were simply ignored by the Liberal majority on the committee.

Nor would there be amendments to the Vancouver Charter to allow the city to make the changes to block these types of donations on its own.

But it gets worse.

Instead, the Special Committee recommended a funding formula for local elections based on the municipal population.

On Tuesday at council, a unanimously supported motion introduced by Green Party councillor Adriane Carr once again asked the province to amend the Vancouver Charter to allow the banning of union and business donations.

The pre-amble of the motion presented an analysis of impact of the Special Committee’s proposed funding formula.

It concluded that any and all electoral organizations running a full slate of 27 candidates could spend up to $2.9 million each, making it as high if not higher than the total amount spent of $5.9 million by all parties combined in 2014.

Rather than cutting off or even slowing the flow of corporate and union donations, the province will keep the floodgates open.

It seems to matter little that cynicism among the electorate will only grow as a result. After all — and here is a point not lost on anyone — if Christy Clark changes things municipally, what will people say about her Liberal party that itself gains mightily from this unrestricted flow of funds into its own coffers when provincial elections roll around? @allengarr

Unplug from reality with New World wiring Geoff Olson Columnist mwiseguise@yahoo.com “Technology is the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.”

— Max Frisch, Homo Faber (1957) You may be reading this article in the print edition. You may be reading it online.

Either way, you should be doing several other things at once, including tweeting or posting a link to it on Facebook.

If we’re to effectively compete in the job market with robots, we meatbots will need to multitask faster, for a greater number of hours. Sleep is for newborns — and they’re going to have to pick it up, too.

In other words, don’t walk without fiddling with your mobile devices. Don’t sit with friends without texting other friends who aren’t there. Don’t be present in the stillness of nature without posting the scenery to an unknown number of viewers. Talk softly and carry a big selfie stick.

Of course, it’s possible to have a perfectly good time in the old-school land of sweat and smell. But stay wired. If you are biking, hiking, swimming, or having a Tinder-mediated hookup, be sure to wear a Fitbit or Apple watch to record the cardio workout. It’s valuable data for both you and the insurance industry.

Old medieval maps had the margins of the known world illustrated with sea dragons, captioned with “Here be Monsters.” The cartography is now in reverse.

The alphabet agencies have scrutinized every square yard of Earth like a fanboy with Asberger’s grokking a diagram of the USS Enterprise. There is no place that lies outside the gaze of the NRO, the NSA, or Google — with the possible exceptions of Atlantis, Gotham City and Whoville.

Today’s scary dragons on the world’s margins are the unconnected: social media abstainers made up of the elderly, the poor and the paranoid. (But don’t worry — CCTV cameras linked to facial recognition software with predictive behaviour modelling have flagged the asymmetric threats among them.)

For the rest of us who are wired to the gills, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Meaning we must be up to date on Taylor Swift’s latest dustup with Katy Perry or Apple Inc. — or whatever else comes down the Buzzfeed pipeline. The only thing we need to fear is the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO).

This is our glorious burden in the new millennium: to know a tiny amount about a

great variety of things. To possess knowledge that’s a mile wide but an inch deep.

The physical world is messy, painful, unpredictable, and the service is often atrocious.

Virtuality has it beaten, hands-down. Take phone calls: calling another human being can result in an unpredictably long, complicated exchange, something the called party probably dreads just as much as you. That’s why four out of five doctors recommend texting for people who can’t be troubled to talk.

Luckily, Oculus VR and other makers of virtual reality goggles are working overtime to offer you an experience indistinguishable from real life, except for when you’re riding a paisley-patterned seahorse across space into a wormhole decorated on its inside surface with cartoon characters and lolcats. (You can change the preferences at any time.)

For the rest of us who are wired to the gills, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

I get how that might not be for everyone. And it’s perfectly understandable that many overworked wage slaves want a long weekend getaway at one of our persistently physical provincial parks, sans Wi-Fi. Yet within the span of a decade, virtual reality tech may allow you and others to interact in a simulated provincial park with all the features of the real thing, including blackflies, loud rowdies and swimmer’s itch.

That’s progress, especially if the real thing has burned to a crisp in a provincewide conflagration.

One day you might even have a trip to Maui streamed through a cable in the back of your head, Matrix-style. You’ll be able to explore the world’s great destinations without leaving your microloft, as your body supplies electromagnetic energy to the grid. You can be your own runof-river project while hard-wired to the surveillance/sales panapticon, and forever inside the loop about Taylor Swift’s latest frenemy.

It will be like living inside reality TV... without the reality. @geoffolson

The week in num6ers...

55 110 125 150 0

In millions of dollars, a city staff report says it would cost to tear the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts — $130 million when you include modifying parks, streets, soil remediation, etc.

In millions of dollars, a city staff report says the 10 acres of land freed up by the demolition of the viaducts would be worth.

Fee, in thousands of dollars, hotel owners will now have to pay if they want to discontinue using rooms for low-income tenants and renovate them to collect higher rent.

Number of pounds that short story writer-turnedcompetitive bodybuilder Jenn Farrell can bench press.

The cost of admission to see 1980s rockers Platinum Blonde perform at Shorefest before the Celebration of Light fireworks competition on July 25.

1

Number of times Loverboy’s Mike Reno sang the national anthem at a Little League game last Wednesday at Memorial Park South.

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A11

Inbox LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dour over No Tower campaign

BUST A MOVE Two letter writers agreed with a Andrew Fleming’s recent online column

lamenting the lack of dancing permitted at last week’s Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

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

Monroe makes most of stop-over July 24, 1953: Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe makes her first and only visit to Vancouver. Despite the brief duration — a five-hour stopover on her way to Banff and Jasper to film Otto Preminger’s River of No Return, co-starring Robert Mitchum — Monroe managed to get a lot in. During her brief visit, Monroe toured Stanley Park, met Squamish Chief Mathias Joe Capilano and, apparently, flirted with a B.C. Lion before resting up at the Hotel Vancouver.

‘Everything I Do’ hits number one July 27, 1991: The syrupy soft rock single “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Vancouver’s Bryan Adams hits the number one spot on the Billboard charts and stays there for a record seven weeks. Co-written with Michael Kamen and Robert “Mutt” Lange, the song appeared on both the soundtrack for the Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and on Adams’ album Waking Up the Neighbours. The power ballad spent even longer at the top spot on the British charts —16 weeks — a record that still stands today. Adams, Kamen and Lange won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television at the 1992 Grammy Awards of 1992. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song but lost to “Beauty and the Beast” from the movie of the same name.

ADVERTISING

604.738.1412 CLASSIFIED

604.630.3300 DELIVERY

604.398.2901 EDITORIAL NEWSROOM

604.738.1411

Re: “Grandview-Woodland coalition battles tower proposal,” July 15.

If the community activists putting their time and money into the “No Tower” campaign had used their considerable resources to support the Kettle’s efforts to find funding for supportive housing and expanded services in our neighbourhood, they would have done a real service for this community. But funding hundreds of “No Tower” lawn signs and manning tables for a petition drive does nothing to help provide support and housing for our marginalized neighbours in Grandview-Woodland.

The protestors’ facile assertion that the Kettle does not need to partner with a developer because it could have obtained funding from the city, province or federal government, a statement often used to justify their opposition, is simply not true. As a long-time supporter of the Kettle, I have been aware of this organization’s efforts to obtain government funding for a new building since 2007.

No stone has been left unturned in the pursuit of funding for a low-rise building accommodating an expansion of services and 30 supportive housing units. Only after all these efforts had been unsuccessful did the Kettle turn to a partnership with a developer to achieve its goal.

Willful blindness might accurately characterize the “No Tower” campaign’s persistent failure to acknowledge that a 12-storey tower has existed directly across Commercial Drive from the north end of the proposed Kettle site for the past 38 years. At the time it was developed, local residents and the city recognized the need for subsidized housing for low-income and disabled seniors in Grandview-Woodland. The solution they supported, Adanac Tower, has met this need since 1977.

If the “No Tower” coalition devoted a fraction of their activism to a campaign for housing and expanded services for their less advantaged neighbours who rely on the Kettle, they would not be perceived as a one-issue protest group.

Eileen Mosca, Vancouver

Rage against the machines

Re: Inbox, “Complaint cycle continues over road rules column,” July 17.

Mike Tropp seems upset that some cyclists ride with a different sense of the rules of the road — rules that were always designed for the privilege and free movement of the motorist. The “safety” of other citizens isn’t about their limited rights to trespass on highly valuable public space but about avoiding

Dee Dhaliwal

Michael Kissinger mkissinger@vancourier.com

PUBLISHER

CITY 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.

ONLINE COMMENTS Dancing with myself

Re: “Dancing around an issue at Vancouver Folk Festival,” online only.

This is my live music pet peeve for Vancouver. Why go to a concert if you’re just going to sit there and then expect everyone else around you to also sit? I’ve been asked to sit down at classic rock shows because my need to dance to one of the greatest songs ever (according to me) upsets those behind me. People forget that they are at a rock show and not in front of their TVs. Boring people — please stay home.

Ginger Gosnell-Myers , via Facebook

•••

This is pretty much the biggest reason I no longer go to shows: I get yelled at for dancing. Yeesh. @charenton_, via Twitter

Not tiring of TransLink firings

Re: “Two TransLink firings amount to bupkis,” July 17.

The overpriced and unimplemented Compass system, which is nothing more than a bill of goods placed on the taxpayer, which has yet to be implemented anywhere that it has been proposed is the albatross that is killing the system. It should have the people rising up in fits. This is Kevin Falcon’s Fast Ferries and is reason enough to look at doing some more firing further up the chain.

PointofOrder, via Comments Section

have your say online...

FLYER SALES

ddhaliwal@vancourier.com

the traffic jams that result from another body squashed on the pavement. It’s not surprising that pedestrians and cyclists bend the rules that treat them as secondclass citizens.

Yet motorists do the same and at much higher risk to those who are banished to narrow sidewalks or forced to play by the rules designed to move multi-ton vehicles as quickly as possible though our cities. Motorists speed, roll through stop signs and signals, circumvent traffic calming barriers, drive in bike or bus lanes, use handheld devices, drink and drive, carry improperly secured loads and/or have malfunctioning lights.

While cyclists can occasionally be annoying, similar actions by motorists can be deadly. Ninety-three per cent of car-bike collisions [based on 3,000 ICBC collisions between 2007 and 2012] are the fault of the motorist yet some want further crackdowns on cyclists.

It’s pretty clear that, for many, car ownership is as much about selfentitled power-tripping as it is about transportation.

Ron van der Eerden, Vancouver

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 LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Feature

Page turner: Writer puts down pen for

Writer-turned-competitive bodybuilder Jenn Farrell works out with her trainer Yelena Yermolenko. Yermolenko believes every woman who exercises should compete to provide the extra motivation to see what she can achieve. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

Acclaimed author Jenn Farrell is adding a new chapter to her life, one as a competitive bodybuilder

Continued from page 1 She fills her cooler bag with a post-workout smoothie and intra-workout water laced with amino acids. She sorts her multiple supplements and later downs a bar that will raise her body temperature and an immune system booster that tastes like sour milk.

Before she leaves for the gym it’s breakfast time: a mixture of six egg whites, oats and blueberries, which the nutritionist who emails her weekly meal-plans permits her to eat with one teaspoon of peanut butter.

“I’m definitely not supposed to have what happens next,” Farrell says and then drizzles what she judges to be 15 calories worth of maple syrup on her “oven puff pancake.”

The breakfast of this wannabe bodybuilding champion also includes coffee with coconut creamer.

“If they took coffee away from me, even if it was like four days before the competition, I’d be like, ‘I’m out. I’m out,’” she says.

This, despite having spent $385 to register for the competition, and a couple of hundred dollars each on a bathing suit, evening gown and matching shoes, not to mention a small fortune on nutritional supplements.

Four years ago, Farrell’s life was all about writing.

But her third book of short stories wasn’t going well. The former editor and creative writing instructor felt like she had nothing to write about, nothing to say. When she was productive, solitary work felt fine. But when her creative juices weren’t flowing, her happiness shrivelled.

At her 40th birthday lunch, she asked her friends for advice.

Hearing fitness classes brought her the most joy, they suggested she become a life coach or fitness trainer. Farrell is great at building people up, says her friend, poet Elizabeth Bachinsky.

So Farrell, who quit gymnastics and figure skating by age 10 and was always more of a reader, enrolled in fitness training and swore off writing.

She taught one cardio class and then her teaching career exploded. She’s been known to get gym members shaking their rumps with wild abandon to a song that repeats “sexy bum” and to orchestrate “crunk offs.”

She teaches classes in the West End, at the Jewish Community Centre and in New Westminster, her favourite one being the class that accommodates all genders, shapes and abilities at Hillcrest Com-

munity Centre.

Life took another turn last August when her father fell ill and then died.

Farrell, an only child, travelled to Ontario before Christmas to clear out her childhood home.

But before she left Vancouver, she met trainer Yelena Yermolenko.

Mimicking Yermolenko’s Russian accent, Farrell says Yermolenko took her aside and told her, “‘In spring I am training girls for bodybuilding competition. You will do it. It will be easy.’”

Yermolenko says Farrell confided she wanted to get in better shape but was too busy training others.

“It’s very difficult to say no to Russians,” Farrell says.

But there are moments when she wonders whether training for bodybuilding competitions was the right choice.

“I’m like this maybe

wasn’t the best way to process grief, by restricting your food intake and stuff,” she says.

But she also didn’t feel like entering therapy as she had done after her mother died in 2006.

Yermolenko believes every woman who exercises should compete to provide the extra motivation to see what she can achieve. She believes learning to control your body gives you more control over your mind.

Farrell is ultimately glad she gave into Yermolenko because bodybuilding has given her a focus and a sense of control.

“It’s good to reacquaint yourself as an adult with some of the stuff that we’re supposed to be teaching our kids about, like selfdiscipline and delayed gratification and consistency and hard work is its own reward,” she says.

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A13

Feature

barbells, bikinis and Lucite heels

To prepare for the B.C. Amateur BodyBuilding Association’s Western Canadian Body Building and Fitness Show in Kelowna, in May, Farrell trained six to 12 hours a week, on top of teaching up to six cardio classes. She slashed her intake of sugar, white flour, dairy, carbs and her beloved diet Pepsi, bought a pink lamé bikini and Lucite heels, frequented a tanning salon, got spray tanned and hunted down makeup, including a powder foundation created for women of colour, that would work with her darker complexion.

Bachinsky, who helped style Farrell to emulate a late’90s Pamela Anderson, feels inspired by her friend who’s so adept at writing stories about gritty young women and now flexes her muscles in bedazzled lamé.

“I’m particularly interested in strength and power,” Bachinsky says. “A lot of people have a misconception about body building, that it’s all about how you look, and that’s a big part of it, too, but it’s also pretty amazing when you can see this, like, 120-pound gal doing a dead lift, [lifting] their body weight or more.”

Farrell placed ninth out of 13 in her master’s age class for women aged 35 to 44 in Kelowna. She was disappointed until she met a woman who told her she’d competed in 18 shows in 10 years and it was the first time she’d placed in the top five.

Farrell took two weeks off and then started training for the July 25 event.

OUT ON A LIMB

If she wasn’t talking to the Courier while warming up with the hula hoop and breaking in her bikini contest shoes, Farrell would be listening to Mötley Crüe.

She casts the hoop aside and demonstrates what she’s learned in posing practice.

Farrell tenses the bulk of the muscles in her body, arches her back, pushes her bust forward, her butt back, pulls her shoulders down and back, her ribs up and back, stretches her torso long, all while balancing on heels with her legs spread far apart, smiling and attempting to look natural.

She explains the importance of shifting her legs before she swivels so they’ll get the message that it’s time to turn on competition day. She’ll drink seven litres of water until 4 p.m. the day y before the show and then stop so her skin will cling tightly to her muscles.

Having written two short story collections about gritty young women who don’t find redemption, Jenn Farrell now flexes her muscles in bedazzled lamé.

BIKINI PHOTO COURTESY OF BAM STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY. AUTHOR PHOTO COURTESY OF WENDY D PHOTOGRAPHY

Leg cramps caused by dehydration are a definite possibility.

Yesterday’s workout targeted legs. Today’s her “rest” day and she’s focusing on arms and abs. The toughest workout is the one she does with Yermolenko, the one where she bench presses up to 150 lbs.

Before she leaves the gym, Farrell performs split squats.

She balances a 40-lb barbell across her shoulders, legs bent in a lunge, and then bends one knee to the floor.

An hour workout in, she skips off to a pole-dancing class with her 21-year-old daughter.

SPANDEX AND SPARKLES

Farrell and her husband, Rob Hughes, share a rare dinner together that evening.

They eat halibut topped with salsa with a side of yellow pepper, instead of the

usual chicken. Hughes eats rice and Farrell a mix of kale, spinach and arugula.

Hughes usually fends for himself and conceals dessert.

“Once I bought brownies, and that was, like, the worst,” says Hughes, who wears a plaid shirt and has salt and pepper hair.

He hid the treats from his wife for three days.

“And then I actually had to eat one at the same time she was in the apartment with me and I was like, ‘You cannot come in here,’ but she smelled them,” he says.

The pair met at a professional writing program in 2000, got together in 2001 and married in 2007.

Hughes had high hopes for his wife’s two collections of short fiction: The Devil You Know, published

by Anvil Press in 2010, and Sugar Bush and Other Stories (2006).

But he says Farrell is

happiest when she’s in front of people.

She’s more fulfilled now, but it’s not all spandex and sparkles.

Well-meaning friends have suggested Hughes must be proud of her, the subtext being he must be proud to have a wife who’s in such great shape.

“I’ve always been proud of Jenn with whatever she’s been doing, with her time and with her life, so it’s not like thank God she finally has great abs,” he says.

Farrell puts it this way on her Witness the Fitness, or WTF, personal training blog: “And as anyone who’s ever lived with a fitness competitor knows, there’s the crankiness, fatigue, and perhaps the two least-sexy words in the English language: protein farts. Yikes.”

Then there are her questions.

“When I’m asked for my opinion on something I’ll

give it to her, but, honestly, I don’t know how high her heels should be, or what kind of straps her bikini requires or how dense the bedazzling should be,” says Hughes, who works as technical writer.

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Farrell dumped her first live-in boyfriend at age 20 after he suggested she could lose a few pounds. She says she’s always had a positive body image.

But judges reward an hourglass figure in the bikini category and that’s just not how she’s shaped. If Farrell continues in that class, she might consider plastic surgery.

“If I do continue to compete, it will be a consideration, which is something I never thought I’d say out loud,” she says. “When I was fatter, I had great boobs. I miss my boobs. I still have the bags they came in…”

The alternative would be moving to the figure category, a better fit for her shape, but she’d need to achieve a new level of “jackedness,” something she would do without steroids, which she believes are commonly used by bodybuilders at the professional level.

“Natural body building is very important to me,” says Farrell, who has written about her bodybuilding experiences on her WTF blog and has recently done a “teensy” bit of fiction writing. She’s frequently written about young women who can identify, but still make, the wrong choice, preferring characters who don’t find redemption, “the muddlers.” As for bodybuilding, Farrell looks forward to becoming the baby of the grandmaster category when she turns 45 next year. She’s got her eye on top 5 placing, not the page. @Cheryl_Rossi

A14

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Arts&Entertainment

GOT ARTS? 604.738.1411 or events@vancourier.com

1 July 24 to 30, 2015 1. The insanely awesome, 1980s-inspired 30-minute viral video Kung Fury joins forces with the equally radical Manborg at the Rio Theatre as part of its late night Friday film series, July 24, 11:30 p.m. Details at riotheatre.ca.

2. Boise, Idaho’s grizzled, long-serving indie rockers Built to Spill are back with a new album called Untethered Moon, full of tasteful guitar wankery and catchy, soaring melodies that leader Doug Martsch and co. have earned a living from since the early ’90s. Not much has changed except the rhythm section and Martsch’s bald spot.

And is that such a bad thing when you’re as great at Built to Spill? They’ll be rocking the Commodore July 25. Tickets at Red Cat, Zulu and ticketmaster.ca.

3. Teen Shakespeare sounds like a band name, but it’s also a summer theatre program hosted by Carousel Theatre for Young People. To mark its 25th anniversary season, the program will stage its first history play Henry V… you know the one with that rousing speech that your former editor quotes when things aren’t looking so good. Anyway… see what the kids have been up to when Henry V runs July 24 to Aug. 8 at Performance Works outdoor stage on Granville Island. Tickets at tickets. carouseltheatre.ca or 604-685-6217.

2

4. Get your lute fix when Early Music Vancouver presents the English opera Dido and Aeneas, July 30, 7:30 p.m. at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts.

It’s all part of EMV’s Summer Festival, which runs July 26 to Aug. 7. Details at earlymusic.bc.ca.

5. Twenty-five years ago if you were to say to us that Platinum Blonde would be headlining a free show preceding a fireworks competition at something called Shorefest on English Bay July 25, 8:30 p.m., we’d be like, “Yeah, no kidding.

Have you heard ‘It Doesn’t Really Matter’ and ‘Standing in the Dark’? They’re wicked and they’re never going to break up or stop playing music, duh.” If for some reason the re-heated ’80s rockers are not enough for you, the evening also features the younger, hipper sounds of Bend Sinister. For details and the full lineup of acts, go to hondacelebrationoflight.com.

3

4

5

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment Frost/Nixon offers respite from theatre’s ‘silly season’ THEATRE REVIEW

Jo Ledingham joled@telus.net

“What phone call?” With those three words from former American president Richard Nixon, British talk show host David Frost was pretty certain he had Nixon on the ropes. And with a damning memo from the president in hand — uncovered by Jim Reston, one of Frost’s investigative team — it was game, set and match. Frost had what he wanted: a televised admission from Nixon that he was guilty of a cover-up in the Watergate scandal.

In America alone, 45 million viewers finally heard the truth. Tricky Dick staunchly maintained, however, that while he “made mistakes” — considered criminal by the rest of us — “it’s not a crime when the President does it.”

Frost, known as a partyer, womanizer and playboy,

appeared to embark on the three-part interview as something of a lark. He knew that 400 million viewers worldwide had watched Nixon resign live on TV and that was enough to persuade

Summer is the silly season on Vancouver stages, but Frost/Nixon is definitely not silly. his friend and his talk show producer John Birt to take a chance. Frost was not known for biting or insightful interviewing so he took on an investigative team and they had fire in their bellies

A15

www.wizardscreens.com

604-299-8878 /WIZARDSCREENS

Industries Inc.

— especially Reston who desperately wanted to see Nixon shot down in flames.

Frost’s interviewing style, however, allowed Nixon to meander and go on personal tangents driving his team — Reston, Bob Zelnick and Birt — frantic. Nixon had been paid $600,000 for the interview and not all the sponsors had been secured. What they had in the first two of three interviews was bland, even boring. Losing their shirts — and probably their shorts, too — was a real threat.

Then, well into his cups, Nixon called Frost late at night from his hotel room. What transpired in that conversation was totally forgotten (or completely denied) by Nixon the next morning.

Summer is the silly season on Vancouver stages but Frost/Nixon is definitely not silly. Written by Peter Morgan, Frost/Nixon premiered in London in 2006, on Broadway in 2007 and released as a film the following year.

Continued on page 16

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

Keep dry!

DIY Installation

No Bars, No Grills!

Security with a view!

Motorized Vista ViewScreens Screens

2012 PNE Prize Homewhile not in use!

Disappears Experience the Magic!

Pergola Canopies

2012 PNE Prize Home

Large openings! Cover Over 23 Feet

Go where WiFi can’t get you.

THE 2015 GLA 250 4MATIC™.

TOTAL PRICE* STARTS AT: $40,260* Lease APR

Lease Payment

Includes

3.9% $378 $2,000 1

45 Months

1

$7,1301 Down

in Delivery Credits2

FEATURES INCLUDE: » Turbocharged engine with 208 Horsepower, 258 lb-ft of Torque » 7-speed dual clutch transmission » 4MATIC™ permanent all-wheel drive system » ATTENTION ASSIST » Hill Start Assist with ADAPTIVE BRAKE » COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST

Ask us about Prepaid Maintenance.

Mercedes-Benz.ca/PPM

** Fees and taxes extra.

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

1-855-554-9088 | vancouver.mercedes-benz.ca

©2015 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. Shown above is the 2015 GLA 250 4MATICTM with optional Premium and Premium Plus package for a total price of $46,260. MSRP of advertised 2015 GLA 250 4MATIC is $37,200. Total price of $40,260 includes freight/ PDI of $2,295, dealer admin fee of $595, air-conditioning levy of $100, PPSA up to $45.48 and a $25.00 fee covering EHF tires, filters and batteries. Vehicle options, fees and taxes extra. Vehicle license, insurance, and registration are extra. 1 Lease example based on $378 (excluding taxes) per month for 45 months (STK#1569452), due on delivery includes down payment or equivalent trade of $7,130, plus first month lease payment, security deposit, and applicable fees and taxes. Lease APR of 3.9% applies. Total cost of borrowing is $4,188. Total obligation is $27,037. 12,000/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). 2 Please note a delivery credit of $2,000 has been applied/included in the calculation of the monthly lease payment on the 2015 GLA 250 4MATICTM. It is a one-time credit for deals closed before July 31, 2015. See in-store for full details. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Vancouver dealer for details or call the Mercedes-Benz Vancouver Customer Care at 1-855-554-9088. Offer ends July 31, 2015.

A16

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

“A HUGE HIT”

EVERY FROM SHOW $39!

—Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier

all-inclusive

Arts&Entertainment

NOW PLAYING! ARTSCLUB.COM 604.687.1644 playing at

GROUPS SAVE MORE! an arts club theatre company production a musical by alain boublil and claude-michel schÖnberg

Tariq Leslie (as David Frost) and Michael Robinson (Richard Nixon) face off under the bright lights of the television cameras in ETC’s production of Frost/Nixon.

VA N C O U V E R

Play full of verbal sparring

CH I NATOWN

F E S T I V A L 2 0 15 MULTICULTURAL

This year’s theme:

FLAIR FOR

STAGE PERFORMANCES

EXCITING GAMES

FASHION

CHINATOWN HERITAGE & FOOD TASTING TOUR

TD YOUTH TALENT

Celebrating

SHOWDOWN FINALS

Individuality & Fashion

YOUNG STAR

AUG 8 &9

CHINATOWN

CHALLENGE FINALS

12pm-6pm

STREETFEST

(AUG 8, 6PM - 10PM)

V9702

AND MUCH MORE!

@Chinatownfest ORGANIZER

www.vancouver-chinatown.com

TD Vancouver Chinatown Festival

MAJOR SUPPORTER

TITLE SPONSOR

MAJOR SPONSOR

@ Keefer & Columbia St.

ELITE SPONSOR

604 632 3808 SUPREME SPONSORS

温哥华市政府

PREMIUM MEDIA SPONSORS

DIAMOND SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

PROSPERO MAIN & PENDER

MEDIA SUPPORTERS

VENUE SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Canada Safeway Dollar Food Group Kiu Shun Trading Co. Ltd Pacific Crown Investment Corp

Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver Chinese Cultural Center Dr. Sun Yat- Sen Classical Chinese Garden

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association Vancouver Chinatown Lions Club

Continued from page 15 Directed by Ian Farthing, there’s no swordplay, no singing or dancing, no lavish costumes. But there’s humour of the ironic variety and verbal sparring to match any duel on the Bard on the Beach stage.

Rebecca Burks’ set design is sparse: two armchairs on a revolve in an “in-the-square” setting.

While Tariq Leslie (as Frost) and Michael Robinson (Nixon) face off under the bright lights of the television cameras, lighting designer Scott Zechner keeps Adam Beauchesne (Reston), Matthew Kennedy (Zelnick) and Farthing (Birt) slightly offside in shadows. While the cameras are rolling we see them almost tearing their hair as Frost allows Nixon to blither on. Also in the shadows are Joel Gar-

ner (Col. Jack Brennan, Frost’s loyal henchman and advisor) and Kazz Leskard (Swifty Lazar, the American dealmaker).

Robinson has clearly watched many hours of Nixon’s speeches and he channels the president extraordinarily well: the clipped vocal style, the wooden physicality, the attempts at humour that fall flat. As Frost, Leslie is not particularly likeable; talk show hosts are, perhaps, more indulged or feared than liked. Together, Leslie and Robinson make a very strong team and even when Nixon is rambling, it’s riveting — because in that self-indulgent reminiscing, Nixon is looking like the victor, not the victim, and there’s so much at stake. President Gerald Ford had already pardoned Nixon and without

an admission of guilt, the whitewashing would have been complete.

Very fine work here by young Beauchesne, arguably (as Reston) the most committed to nailing Nixon.

Frost/Nixon is a terrific play, this is an excellent production and — although summer is the only season that can be forgiven for being silly — it’s a welcome, serious addition to the local offerings.

ETC is also mounting The Children’s Hour and ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore in repertory until Aug. 8. Respite from the ridiculous.

For more reviews, go to joledingham.ca.

Frost/Nixon is at Jericho Arts Centre until Aug. 7.

Tickets at ensembletheatrecompany.ca.

AIRSHOW AIRSH SHOW ABBOTSFORD INTERNA INTERNATIONAL August ugust 7 • 8 • 9, 2015

@VanCouri erNews @VanCourierNews www.abbotsfordairshow.com .com

all you need to know in 140 characters!

A17

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Sports&Recreation

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

1

2

1. Little Mountain’s Sawyer “Soy Sauce” Henstridge (No. 12) makes the play on White Rock’s starting pitcher Matthew “Tug Boat” Wilkinson (No. 15) at second base for the out. White Rock won 8-0 in the round-robin game July 22 at Memorial Park South. 2. White Rock baserunner Nathan “Natty Boy” Kirkpatrick (No. 2) and Little Mountain’s second baseman Keegan Lott (No. 33) watch the play at the plate.

PHOTOS DAN TOULGOET

‘Iron Pony’ now at bat, next up ‘Sharpie’

Colourful nicknames, passionate volunteers part of Little League charm LITTLE LEAGUE Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

If you head to the Joan and Phil Lake Diamond on West 41st Avenue at Memorial Park South this week, you’ll have the chance to cheer for kids named “Sharpie,” “Gunslinger,” “Iron Pony” and “The Not-so-hefty Lefty.”

The nicknames of many Little League players are listed on team rosters and you can decide if White Rocks’ “Big D” Darius Opdam Bak lives up to his sizeable name.

The majors Little League B.C. Championship continues this week at the

7

The number of wins the Canadians have strung together in the past eight games, concluding with four consecutive wins over the Eugene Emeralds at Nat Bailey Stadium. Vancouver (15-19) went 7-1 after losing nine games in a row, a franchise low, in July.

ball park named for South Vancouver Little League’s past president, Joan Lake, and her late husband, the committed groundskeeper, Phil Lake. From top to bottom, with the exception of one administerial staffer at the national office, Little League operates entirely on volunteer power. Managers, coaches, vice-presidents, score keepers, raffle sellers and that guy who waters the infield, give their time and energy to make the league run, as is the case across amateur sport. The umpires are paid. When the outfield fence blew over in a gust of wind, spectators cooperated to put it upright.

The diamond last saw provincial action in 1985, when Trail won the title

over a team from Coquitlam. A player from that 30-year-old championship team has returned to Memorial South this week to watch his son compete, also for Trail.

On Wednesday afternoon White Rock shut out Little Mountain 8-0.

(The two teams are widely anticipated to be the ones that will meet in the championship final.)

White Rock was allowed to enlist with 11 players, not the required 12, and features a pitcher who opted for Little League after competing in B.C. minor baseball.

White Rock sits atop the round-robin standings with four wins and no losses. Little Mountain

follows (3-1) and New Westminster is next (3-2) as of July 22.

The top four teams advance to the semi-finals at 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25. The championship is 2 p.m. July 26. The winner earns a sport at the national championship in Ottawa and the chance to represent Canada at the Little League World Series next month.

Before each evening game, which start daily at 6 p.m., South Vancouver has been reeling in top musical talent to sing the Canadian anthem. Today, July 24, Sarah Johns of Dr. Strangelove will perform. Saturday, July 25, it’s jazz vocalist Steve Maddock.

On Sunday, before the Challenger baseball game

at 10 a.m., a grandfather of one of the South Vancouver players will light up the mic. That’s Bill Henderson, the singer and songwriter of

Challenger game on!

Little Mountain and Trout Lake will meet for a baseball game Sunday that will give spectators a special opportunity to get on their feet and cheer.

Challenger baseball is for players with developmental and cognitive impairments.

There are teams at various Vancouver Little Leagues, some which have expanded dugouts and base paths to accommodate wheelchairs.

“We are really proud of it at Trout Lake,” said the

: Working for the weekend

1

The first place finishers in the duathlon (5km run, 20km cycle, 5km run — no swim) during the Point Grey Triathlon at UBC Sunday will qualify for the 2016 ITU World Duathlon World Championships in Spain.

50

The number of qualifying spots available at Ironman Canada, held Sunday in Whistler, for the 2015 Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Chilliwack.

He and his daughters will sing the anthem before the championship game. Attendance is free.

“Turn ’em loose, boys!”

— Mike Reno, lead rocker from Loverboy, gave the Little League players a boost after he sang the Canadian anthem with Catherine St Germain before Trail played B.C. Championship hosts South Vancouver at Memorial Park South July 22.

league’s president Dave Smyth. “It’s a really special thing for those kids.”

At the 2014 World Series, the Little Mountain challenger team played an exhibition game and, for the past five years, B.C. Challenger Baseball has worked to provide the players with a chance to experience the thrill of playing sport, being part of a team and developing physical and social skills.

The game is 10 a.m. July 26 at Memorial Park South.

88

In thousands, the number of cans of Curiosity Lager yoga retailer Lululemon Athletica will produce with Stanley Park Brewing for the Sea Wheeze Half-Marathon Aug. 15.

It circles Stanley Park.

A18

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Sports&Recreation Readers pummel word choice Three race walkers selected for national youth championships

JOCK & JILL Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

Our coverage of Little League evidently has parents of nine- and 10-year-olds talking. They’re discussing a headline we ran July 22: “Highlands pummels Hastings in U10 BC final.”

I love hearing from readers, so keep the calls and messages coming. I heard from several parents this week.

Two fathers of players at Hastings Little League were put out by our word choice.

These two dads seemed to be reading from the same script. “I would love to show this article to my son, but am unable to because it is completely off.” That’s a quote from a caller. You can read a similar message in a letter on our op-ed page next week.

One said our headline was “disturbed.” I don’t agree with that, but will keep in mind these players are young and a loss like this will be memorable

because of the stage, but also because of the disparity between runs.

The verb is admittedly aggressive, and both parents made good points. Other options are dispatched, defeated, deflated and even that unimaginative stalwart, beat. The online headline reads “batters,” which is not a reference to a batter but a baseball pun. And, in a 12-1 championship final where the winners mercied the losers by the fourth inning, you could also accurately say crushed, ham-

Summer Camps are filling up fast!

Choose from:

mered, trounced, thrashed, smashed, walloped, whipped… The metaphors are extreme and exciting, just how many like their sports. And this is something nine- and 10-year-old players will come to learn.

Teams lose. Sometimes they lose badly, even if they played well.

••• But another point from that story: I wrote that one team “sailed through the round-robin undefeated” and also reported all teams won at least one game.

These facts are obviously in contradiction and it’s an error. The tournament winners, Highlands, lost two games before winning the provincial title. The error is mine.

Returning to Montreal B.C. Athletics announced the athletes selected to represent the province at the Canadian Youth Championships in Montreal, Aug. 7 to 9.

The Vancouverites include race walkers Kyra Donald-

Sprinter Anastas Eliopoulos, seen here racing for Vancouver College at the B.C. high school championships, and five more Vancouver track and field athletes were selected to Team B.C. for the Canadian Youth Championships next month in Montreal.

PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER

son and Philip Ngo as well as pentathlete Julie Kawai Herdman, who sprang into the spotlight as a Grade 8 athlete running against senior sprinters. Those three are on the U16 team.

The U18 team of Grade 10 and 11 athletes includes javelin thrower Brendan Artley, sprint hurdler Anastas Eliopoulos and a third race walker, Alger Liang. @MHStewart

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

New Dentures or a

Natural Smile?

Cosmetic Denture System ™ CosmeticPrecision Precision Denture System™ Premium quality Cosmetic Precision Dentures instill confidence and provide optimum function while eating, speaking and laughing.

Sophisticated instrumentation records facial and anatomical information to recreate your natural smile and the youthful facial contours of your lips and cheeks. Our premium quality teeth duplicate natural characteristics and colors found in natural teeth. The contours of our premium teeth are designed to match your skeletal type with feminine and masculine characteristics to accentuate your appeal.

The Art and Advantages of Cosmetic Precision Dentures:

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

604-279-9151 Guaranteed for 5 years against

Guaranteed for 5 years against breakage 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 LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A19

SEPT 13

Jericho Beach, Vancouver

REGISTER NOW! START NOTHING: 2:14 am to 5:24 am Sun., 6:37 am to 11:47 am Tues., 11:50 am to 2:40 pm Thurs., and 3:02 pm to 3:36 pm Sat.

Romance, love, creative surges and risk-taking urges, beauty, poetic moments and charming kids – these fill the weeks ahead. You’ll be riding a winning streak! (About 8 weeks a year, you are favoured in gambling situations – 4 of them lie ahead. But that’s only 8 of 52 – one reason gamblers seldom prosper.) You’re still experiencing friction on the home front (2 more weeks) but your work place has grown pleasant, even affectionate (this week only).

The weeks ahead bring optimism, bright plans for the future,, social joys, popularity, friendly romance, entertainment and general happiness. This zone has been luckily starred since July of last year, and hopefully you joined a new group or two, for new circles you enter(ed) will tend to benefit you for years to come. It’s not too late – but the main thrust of this luck wilts a bit by August 11, so you’ll need to get busy soon if you want to jump on this horse.

The weeks ahead lull you into a snoozy, nappy rest. Certain conditions will end, and certain people will exit your life. But new conditions and people will enter and grow – which can lead to great things, great luck, great love, creative surges, gambling urges, scholastic success (especially in research) and just a lot of pleasure, over the 13 months ahead. But for now, you’re still in the “ending” stage.

A zone that has been lucky all year, intensifies during the few weeks ahead – but the strongest luck will end August 11, so the earlier you push the better. This zone encompasses career (especially in a money way) prestige relations, reputation, dealings with authorities. For example, if you have to face a judge in court, he/she will be much more on your side than most years. (But strictly avoid lawsuits until August 9 onward.)

The weeks ahead emphasize everything you like to do: errands, communications, reports, daily business, paperwork, short travel, news. Be curious, ask questions, read and write. You’re still making and/or (more likely) spending gobs of money – this will end in two weeks. (Then, August 8 to late September, be very careful what you say or write, and avoid buying a new car, telephone, etc. See the Preamble comment on Gemini Trump.)

The weeks ahead emphasize higher learning, expansion of your viewpoint, compassion, gentle love, social and cultural rituals, far travel, law, religion, and a mellow mood. These have been lucky for the past 12 months, but continue so strongly to August 11, then more softly to late August. So if you want to buy travel tickets, or apply for school, etc., do it soon for the best results.

CanuckPlaceAdventureRace.ca Help raise funds in support of

Fitness Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Grander Together

The emphasis, now to late August, is on mysteries, secrets, research and investigation, health diagnoses, lifestyle changes, commitment and consequences. This influence brings your subconscious closer to the surface, so your intuition improves, and your basic “species” desires grow stronger. Food is a personal desire, but sex/lust is a species desire. This influence usually benefits you in finances and investments.

Your energy, charisma, clout, effectiveness and sense of timing triumph now! You’re noticed!

(If you act or otherwise entertain – and what Leo doesn’t? – your star rises quickly now – but act quickly, too, for a long year of heightened personal “presence,” of lucky “emoting,” is almost over.) Start significant projects (especially monetary ones, August 11 onward). Get out, see and be seen, ask favours.

The weeks ahead emphasize relationships, relocation, dealings with the public, negotiations, litigation, opposition and co-operation, new horizons and opportunities, challenges and competition. Realize that others hold most of the aces – it will benefit you far more to jump on their bandwagon, than to try to haul your own wagon around by yourself.

The weeks ahead place you in a background position. Seek quietude, watch and listen, examine where you are in life, and plan where you go from here. Seek your spiritual centre, be charitable, forgive others. Deal with civil servants, institutions and large corporations. You might be invited to closed-door meetings. In all this, you might end an association, or find some new secure “base.” You’re going to enter a very lucky year soon.

The whole past year (since July/14) has tended to increase your work load. Well, you have one more month of this, then it’s on to freedom, fresh air and new horizons! But not quite yet. There is, of course, one benefit of working more: increased income. Your efforts now could bring you a longterm pay raise, a bigger stable of clients, could put you in line for a future promotion, could even “set the stage” for two major opportunities to come in the 13 months ahead.

Monday: Maya Rudolph (43). Tuesday: Sally Struthers (68). Wednesday: Geddy Lee (62).

Thursday: Kate Bush (57). Friday: J.K. Rowling (50). Saturday: Joe Elliott (56).

Sunday: Kevin Smith (45).

2

†Terms & Conditions apply. Minimum $25,000 deposit required. Rates are subject to change without notice.

18 -MONTH TERM DEPOSIT

LIMITED TIME OFFER

The weeks ahead emphasize money, income, buying/selling, possessions, your memory and sensual attractions. (Usually when I say sensual attractions, I mean easy sexual liaisons that lead eventually to boring relations. You can easily fall into one of these now, as Mars in your sign – until August 8 – makes you burn hot, and dissolves your diffidence.)

†

BURNABY 1801 Willingdon Ave. 604.298.3344 NEW WESTMINSTER 25B-800 McBride Blvd.

604.525.1414 SURREY 125-15280 101 Ave. 604.584.4434 VANCOUVER 115-370 E. Broadway 604.875.8590

A20

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Hayes Team Today’shomes 604-467-0811 Consider going coastal The

Independently owned and operated

• Matthew Hayes • Paul Hayes • Peter Hayes

www.thehayesteam.ca

Frank O’Brien biv.com

MLS# V1089902 19822 McNeil, Pitt Meadows $ 2,600,000 • Large custom built 2 storey home on 5.5 acres, on Alouette river • Views of natural settings, mountains, mature landscape • 1 bedroom guest suite with full kitchen and insuite laundry

MLS# V1129739

13395 235A, Maple Ridge $759,500 • 2 storey with basement • 2 car garage, facing park • Open floor plan with large kitchen, great room and eating area • 3 bedrooms upstairs with Laundry room • Large master bedroom, walk in closet and ensuite • Close to local park and camp grounds

• Come to Maple Ridge • Estate lots start at $380,000 • Build your custom home today!

• Enjoy incredible sunsets and views into Vancouver and the Golden Ears Mountains Visit us at: www.granthillestates.com granthillestates@gmail.com 604-467-0811

For the average price of a Vancouver bungalow — $1.7 million, according to Sotheby’s International — buyers could purchase prime waterfront property fairly close to the city. For the price of a larger house on Vancouver’s West Side or West Vancouver, entire Gulf Islands are within reach, according to a survey

by Western Investor.

While average detached house prices for areas served by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver have risen 64 per cent since the 2008 financial crisis, and more than doubled in Vancouver, they have barely budged in the rest of the province. Coastal real estate prices outside of the Lower Mainland are now the same or, in many cases, lower than seven years ago, according to the B.C. Real Estate Association and local realtors.

Western Investor’s survey turned up some waterfront listings that may tempt homeowners to cash out of Vancouver.

Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast: Considered one of the prime neighbourhoods in this resort community a 35-minute B.C. Ferries ride from West Vancouver, Roberts Creek offers relatively low-priced waterfront easily accessible from the city. An example is a two-storey, fourbedroom waterfront house on Beach Avenue. The West Coast-style home sits on a 15,960-square-foot oceanfront lot with level access to a sandy beach and southwest views to Vancouver Island.

The asking price is $1.59 million, listed by Brynelsen O’Reilly Group of Sechelt.

Powell River: Located on the northern Sunshine Coast and accessible by ferry from both Vancouver and Vancouver Island, the forestry town has both oceanfront and lakefront properties. Western Investor’s pick here is a twobedroom house of 1,466 square feet on 0.75-acres of landscaped, level oceanfront. The listed price is $499,900, through Powell River realtor Warren Behan.

Gulf Islands: Prices have come down from the peak

of eight years ago, said Janet Moore, a Royal LePage agent in Nanaimo. Moore, a specialist in waterfront property, provided two examples from ferry-accessible Thetis Island: a 2.7-acre, west-facing waterfront parcel with a 1,100-square foot house listed at $675,000; and a 1.6-acre level waterfront property with a high-end, 1,800-square-foot house for $1.25 million.

On Sidney Island, at the southern end of Vancouver Island, 1.8-acre oceanfront lots are available from as low as $179,000, according to realtor Richard Osborne of LandQuest Realty Corp.

There is also a newer house on nearly six acres of Sidney Island oceanfront for $605,000.

For less than $5 million, there are entire islands for sale in the Gulf, listed by Jones Lang Lasalle Specialized Assets of Vancouver.

An example is 66-acre South Secretary Island in the southern Gulf Islands.

It includes several sandy beaches and a number of areas to construct a dock.

It’s priced at $4.95 million.

Customer BBQ favourite!

GARLIC SHRIMP 9-12 PIECES 340 g/12 oz

BACON WRAPPED BEEF FILET MIGNONS 4 OZ 6 STEAKS x 113 g/4 oz

13 $ save 4 save 3 save $5 99

$

$

6 OZ 4 STEAKS x 170 g/6 oz

LIMIT OF 3 PER CUSTOMER

4

ONLY PER STEAK

6

$

ONLY PER STEAK

YOUR CHOICE

2399

BARBECUE VARIETY V PACK

12 PORTIONS 1.72 kg/3.79 lb • 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts x 142 g/5 oz • 4 Angus Beef Burgers x 142 g/5 oz • 4 Pork Cutlettes x 116 g/4.1 oz • 2 Pouches of Barbecue Sauce 60 g/2.1 oz each ONLY

19 save 6 1 99

ALL PRICES IN EFFECT FRIDAY, JULY 24 TO THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

$

$ 67

PER PORTION

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 LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

THE LEGACY CONTINUES WITH YOUR FAMILY ONE TO FOUR BEDROOM HOMES FROM $529,900 Live in the present. Stay for the future. Surrounded by Vancouver’s top public schools and within minutes of BC’s 6 highest ranked private schools, Shannon Wall Centre Kerrisdale is an investment for now and generations to come. Enjoy spectacular gardens and exclusive access to the Mansion and amenities, available only to you. Residing in this luxurious family-style estate provides privileged access to Vancouver’s best educational facilities. Now is the time to begin this legacy.

VANCOUVER’S LAST GREAT FAMILY ESTATE RETURNS PHASE 2 NOW SELLING · 50 HOMES SOLD IN 50 DAYS PRESENTATION CENTRE 1538 W. 54TH AVENUE OPEN DAILY 12-5, EXCEPT FRIDAYS OR BY APPOINTMENT

ShannonWallCentre.com 604.267.8882

MANAGED BY

MARKETED BY

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

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

A21

today’sdrive 20 Cadillac 15

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A25

Your journey starts here.

SRX

Sharp Styling and Intelligent Tech

BY DAVID CHAO

In recent years, Cadillac has raised its profile with edgy styling and surprisingly good performance. The sporty 2015 SRX enhances that appeal.

Despite not seeing significant changes since this generation’s debut back in 2010, the SRX still matches up well against the best in the luxury crossoverSUV segment. Its main

competitors are the Lexus RX, the BMW X3, and the Audi Q5 — which are all important rivals.

The minor additions GM made this year include new colours and the 4G-LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot capability on the OnStar system.

Design

Chiselled and athletic are the best words to describe the distinctive SRX. The

angular lines give it a masculine feel. Even though the SRX is one of the most “dated” vehicles in Cadillac’s lineup, its styling holds up well and the car still looks fresh and exciting.

The SRX’s look is epitomized by Cadillac’s wide shield grille, flanked by the now iconic vertical headlights. The wheels are pushed to the corners, resulting in a wide stance and short overhangs.

Looking at the SRX from the side, your eye is drawn to the fender vents and prominent crease rising from the top of the front wheel to just below the rear window. The high beltline and rear slanted roof continue the aggressive look, but does limit outward visibility.

Vertical taillights compliment the front and the twin tailpipes round out the package. A power lift-

gate is standard on all but the base model.

The SRX’s cabin is still up-to-date and luxurious; It should please any young executive, though the newer competitors are perhaps a bit more modern.

Available in four trim levels, the SRX is offered with Luxury, Performance and Premium Collections.

Performance

All SRX models are

powered by a directinjected 3.6-litre V6 rated at 308 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Lightweight materials were used to reduce overall weight for greater efficiency and a better front-to-rear balance.

It is mated to a HydraMatic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission, which features an ECO mode the alters the shift points to improve fuel economy.

Continued on page 26

2015 CIVIC CLEAROUT IS ON NOW!

LAST CHANCE FOR OUR 2015 CIVICS

THE ON OT SP NCE FINA OVAL APPR

ATTN: HONDA OWNERS BE READY FOR SUMMER ROAD TRIPS SPRING SERVICE SPECIAL • ONLY AT KINGSWAY HONDA Includes a Multi-Point Inspection with a Genuine Honda Oil & Filter change! Our Factory-trained technicians will inspect your Honda from top to bottom and give you a full report on its condition!

This is a great way to get your Honda ready for Summer. the Spring.

K IN WAL VE DRI Y AWA

2015 CIVIC DX LEASE FROM

39

$

FOR ONLY

*

0.99 APR $0 down %

#

‡

Weekly on a 60 month term with 260 payments.

MSRP $17,245** includes freight and PDI.

Standard features include: • ECON mode button and Eco-Assist™ system • Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™ • Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with Traction Control • Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ next generation body structure • Driver's seat with 6-way manual adjustment

Honda

• Engine Oil & Filter Change • Tire Inspection With A Tire Rotation and Adjust Pressure • Comprehensive Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection • Battery Performance Test • Brake Inspection, A/C Performance Test, Cooling System Check • Complete Suspension Inspection

$

Model shown: Civic EX FB2E5FJX

13

$

FOR ONLY MORE,

19

$

MORE,

step up to a CIVIC LX

step up to a CIVIC EX

Adds to or replaces DX features:

Adds to or replaces LX features:

• Air conditioning

• 16" alloy wheels

• HandsFreeLink™ Bilingual Bluetooth® Wireless Mobile Phone Interface

• 7" Display Audio System with HondaLink™ Next Generation

• Multi-angle rearview camera

• Power moonroof with tilt feature

• Intelligent Multi-information display (i-MID) with TFT display

• Proximity key entry system and pushbutton start

• Heated front seats

• Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display

LEASE FROM $52

*

MSRP $20,045** includes freight and PDI.

Plus 15th,2015.

2015.

Plus tax tax and and recycling recycling charge. charge. Expires ExpiresAugust June 15th,

88

88

Oil & Filter Change and Multi-Point Inspection Regular Price: $108.88 (5W20 Synthetic Motor Oil) $47.88 Without Oil & Filter Change.

FREE Service Shuttle (Downtown Core) and Courtesy Car Wash for all Service Guests.

LEASE FROM $58

*

MSRP $22,445** includes freight and PDI.

PLUS, FOR A LIMITED TIME, GET A $1,000 LEASE BONUS ON ANY CIVIC £

JULY 25, 29, AUG 1

KingswayHonda.ca $1,000 Lease Dollars available on lease transactions from Honda Finance Services (“HFS”), on approved credit only, on all 2015 Civic models. All bonuses are deducted from the negotiated selling price after taxes. *Limited time weekly lease offer and all other offers are from Honda Canada Finance Inc., on approved credit. #The weekly lease offer applies to a new 2015 Civic DX model FB2E2FEX/Civic LX model FB2E4FEX/Civic EX model FB2E5FJX for a 60-month period, for a total of 260 payments of $38.94/$51.69/$58.33 leased at 0.99% APR based on applying $1,100/$0/$0 “lease dollars” (which are deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes). ‡In order to achieve $0 down payment, dealer will cover the cost of tire/battery tax, air conditioning tax (where applicable), environmental fees and levies on the 2015 Civic DX only on customer’s behalf. Down payment of $0.00, first weekly payment and $0 security deposit due at lease inception. Total lease obligation is $10,124.40/$13,439.40/$15,165.80 . Taxes, license, insurance and registration are extra. 120,000 kilometre allowance; charge of $0.12/km for excess kilometres. **MSRP is $17,245/$20,045/$22,445 including freight and PDI of $1,495. License, insurance, registration and taxes are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. */#/**Prices and/or payments shown do not include a PPSA lien registration fee of $30.31 and lien registering agent's fee of $5.25, which are both due at time of delivery and covered by the dealer on behalf of the customer. Offers valid from July 1st through 31st, 2015 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.

£

Dealer #D8508

12th and Kingsway, Vancouver KingswayHonda.ca

AllAll offers are effective until June 15,August 2015. Not applicable to tire sales. Taxes Environment levies extra.Environment Not to be combined with other offers are effective until 15, 2015. Not applicable tonot tireincluded. sales. Taxes not included. levies extra. offers. consult Kingsway more details. at Kingsway HondaHonda only. Limit perdetails. person. Coupon does not apply Honda to prior purchase.

Not Please to be combined withHonda otherfor offers.

PleaseValid consult Kingsway for one more Valid at Kingsway only.

Limit one per person. Coupon does not apply to prior purchase.

Sales: 604.873.3676 Service: 604.874.6632

A26

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

today’sdrive

The SRX has dated well, with great styling and surprisingly good steering feel.

M{zd{’s

Summer Drive Event IT’S THE SEASON FOR LONG DAYS AND LONGER DRIVES. THE FIRST-EVER 2016 CX-3 GX

$

BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM ** % at APR with

131 3.99

$

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

0

DOWN

GT model shown

Continued from page 25 All-wheel drive is available to every model except the base model.

The system incorporates an electronic limited-slip differential that increases traction in slippery conditions, while also providing side-to-side torque transfer across the rear axle to enhance control during hard cornering.

Further aiding handling is the variable-effort, speed-sensitive steering system. It is tuned with a sport-sedan style bias and gives good feedback without feeling too heavy.

In fact, thanks to the traditional hydraulic steering mechanism, the SRX provides a sportier feel than many of its competitors, which have incorporated electric steering system.

The SRX is also available with Cadillac’s advanced safety systems.

The most sophisticated of those features is frontal automatic braking. Using radar, camera and ultrasound technology, this system helps prevent lowspeed collisions with alerts and the ability to brake completely, if necessary.

Environment

GT models shown

GT model shown

2016 CX-5 GX BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM

139 2.49%

$

**

at

APR with

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

INCLUDING $

$

0

2015 M{zd{3 GX DOWN

$

300 CONQUEST BONUS♦

BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM

91 2.49 **

at

$ APR with

%

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

0

DOWN

2016 M{zd{6 GX BI-WEEKLY LEASE OFFER FROM

146 1.99%

$

**

at

APR with

for 60 months. Taxes extra.

INCLUDING $

$

0

DOWN

300 CONQUEST BONUS♦

CANADA’S BEST NEW-VEHICLE WARRANTY 3-YEAR

NEW VEHICLE UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY

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. ·$300 Conquest Bonus is available on retail cash purchase/finance/lease of select new, in-stock 2016 CX-5/Mazda6 models from July 2 – Aug 31, 2015. 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.**Lease offers available on approved credit for new 2015 Mazda3 GX (D4XK65AA00)/2016 CX-5 GX (NVXK66AA00)/2016 Mazda6 (G4LX66AA00)/2016 CX-3 GX (HVXK86AA00) with a lease APR of 2.49%/2.49%/1.99%/3.99% and bi-weekly payments of $91/$139/$146/$131 for 60 months, the total lease obligation is $11,876/$18,053/$18,939/$17,075 including down payment of $0 and Conquest Bonus of $0/$300/$300/$0. $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)/2016 Mazda6 GT (G4TL66AA00)/2016 CX-3 GT (HXTK86AA00) is $28 115/$37,215/$35,015/$31,315.

All prices include $25 new tire charge, $100 a/c tax where applicable, freight & PDI of $1,695/$1,895 for Mazda3, Mazda6/CX-3, CX-5. 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 July 2 – August 31, 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

The SRX’s cabin is a blend of luxury and technology. The materials are rich, the wood accent trim feels authentic, and the overall look and feel is comfortable and contemporary.

The front seats are well bolstered, yet roomy.

However, the three-passenger rear seat can be a little tight for taller adults, partly due to the SRX’s low roof. The UltraView power sunroof goes a long way to making the cabin feel bright and airy.

The 844-litre volume should be plenty for

regular shopping trips, but the cargo space behind the folding and reclining rear seats is somewhat less than its rivals The foundation of the SRX’s interior is its infotainment system. The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) is complimented

by Bluetooth audio streaming, and USB and SD connection.

You interact with the system through a touchsensitive eight-inch display. The large easyto-target buttons and Haptic feedback create a comfortable experience, although it is not the most user-friendly unfortunately (like most touch controls lately).

To make the driving experience more enjoyable, the SRX offers active noise cancellation. Using microphones to monitor ambient noise, a computer plays counteracting frequencies through the audio system to quiet the cabin.

Features

The 2015 SRX ranges in price from $42,930 to $58,205.

Standard equipment includes heated front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry system, leatherwrapped steering wheel, and Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity.

Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning, front and rear park assist, rearview camera, autodimming mirrors, auto windshield wipers, and remote start.

The Cadillac User Experience (CUE) is complimented by Bluetooth audio streaming, and USB and SD connection.

Fuel efficiency numbers (L/100km) for front-wheel drive models are 14.2 city, 9.6 highway, and 12.3 combined. All-wheel drive models return 14.8 city, 10.4 highway, and 12.8 combined.

Thumbs Up

The SRX has dated well, with great styling and surprisingly good steering feel.

Thumbs Down

The car is beginning to feel outdated against other vehicles in this class. Also, several rivals offer diesel or hybrid powertrains that are more fuel efficient.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a five-passenger luxury crossover with bold styling and high-tech infotainment, be sure to check out the Cadillac SRX.

Competitors

Lexus RX In the luxury crossover segment, the Lexus RX is the benchmark in terms of reliability, versatility and comfort. On top of this, the RX stands out for its intelligent use of space and cargo capacity.

The base model RX 350 starts at $50,600, while the sporty F SPORT model starts at $58,900. The fuel efficient RX 450h can be had for $62,650. An all new model is coming soon this fall.

BMW X3 The X3 stands out for its dynamic driving nature and feels more like a sport sedan than an SUV. BMW offers several engine options, including a fuel efficient diesel.

The BMW X3 ranges in price from $43,600 to $49,200.

Audi Q5 The Q5 is a well rounded compact luxury SUV with a focus on comfort, style and performance.

Being an Audi, all-wheel drive is excellent and the overall road feel is one of the best.

The Audi Q5 starts at $42,600 and is available in two different models suited to individual buyers.

Competitor BMW X3

PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT: Offers valid until July 31, 2015. See toyota.ca for complete details on all cash back offers. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between Toyota prices, rates and/or other information contained on www.getyourtoyota.ca and that contained on toyota.ca, the latter shall prevail. Errors and omissions excepted. *Lease example: 2015 Corolla CE 6M BURCEM-A - MSRP $17,580 includes freight/PDI. Lease at $75 semi-monthly based on 0.99% over 60 months with $1,395 down payment equals 120 semi-monthly payments of $75 with a total lease obligation of $10,451. Lease 60 mos. based on 100,000 km, excess km charge is $.07. Up to $2,000 Non-stackable Cash Back available on select 2015 Corolla models. ††Finance example: 0% finance for 36 months, upon credit approval. Applicable taxes are extra. **Lease example: 2015 Yaris Hatchback 3 Door CE Manual JTUD3M-A with a vehicle price of $16,155, includes $1,560 freight/PDI leased at 0.99% over 60 months with $1,675 down payment equals 120 semi-monthly payments of $72 with a total lease obligation of $10,360. Lease 60 mos. based on 100,000 km, excess km charge is $.07. ††Finance example: 0.00% finance for 36 months, upon credit approval, available on 2015 Yaris Hatchback 3 Door CE Manual JTUD3M(A). Applicable taxes are extra. Up to $1,000 Non-stackable Cash Back available on select 2015 Yaris models. Lease rates 0% for 36 months available upon credit approval. ***Lease example: 2015 Camry LE Automatic BF1FLT-A with a vehicle price of $25,885, includes $1,785 freight/PDI leased at 1.99% over 60 months with $2,825 down payment equals 120 semi-monthly payments of $115 with a total lease obligation of $16,657. Lease 60 mos. based on 100,000 km, excess km charge is $.10. Up to $2,500 Non-stackable Cash Back available on select 2015 Camry models. ††Finance example: 0.0% finance for 36 months, upon credit approval, available on 2015 Camry LE Automatic BF1FLT-A. Applicable taxes are extra. Lease rates 0% for 36 months available upon credit approval. ‡‡Non-stackable Cash back offers valid until July 31, 2015 on select 2015 models and may not be combined with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) lease or finance rates. If you would like to lease or finance at standard TFS rates (not the above special rates), then you may by July 31, 2015. Cash incentives include taxes and are applied after taxes have been charged on the full amount of the negotiated price. See toyota.ca for complete details on all cash back offers. ‡‡‡Semi-monthly lease offer available through Toyota Financial Services on approved credit to qualified retail customers on most 24, 36, 48 and 60 month leases of new and demonstrator Toyota vehicles. First semi-monthly payment due at lease inception and next monthly payment due approximately 15 days later and semi-monthly thereafter throughout the term. Toyota Financial Services will waive the final payment. Semi-monthly lease offer can be combined with most other offers excluding the First Payment Free and Encore offers. First Payment Free offer is valid for eligible TFS Lease Renewal customers only. Toyota semi-monthly lease program based on 24 payments per year, on a 48-month lease, equals 96 payments, with the final 96th payment waived by Toyota Financial Services. Not open to employees of Toyota Canada, Toyota Financial Services or TMMC/TMMC Vehicle Purchase Plan. Visit your Toyota Dealer or www.getyourtoyota.ca for more details. Some conditions apply; offers are time limited and may change without notice. Dealer may lease/sell for less.

F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Yaris Hatchback SE model shown

LEASE AND FINANCE FROM **

0.0% 36 mos.

$

LEASE FROM *

75

JIM PATTISON TOYOTA DOWNTOWN 1395 West Broadway (604) 682-8881

30692

GRANVILLE TOYOTA VANCOUVER 8265 Fraser Street (604) 263-2711

6978

OR

semi-monthly/60 mos.

JIM PATTISON TOYOTA NORTH SHORE 849 Auto Mall Drive (604) 985-0591

18732

JIM PATTISON TOYOTA SURREY 15389 Guildford Drive (604) 495-4100

6701

$

LANGLEY TOYOTATOWN LANGLEY 20622 Langley Bypass (604) 530-3156

9497

OPENROAD TOYOTA PORT MOODY 3166 St. John’s Street (604) 461-3656

7826

LEASE AND FINANCE FROM ***

2015 YARIS OR

Yaris HB 3 Door CE Manual $16,155 MSRP includes F+PDI

36 mos.

statement s ta .

OPENROAD TOYOTA RICHMOND Richmond Auto Mall (604) 273-3766

7825

DESTINATION TOYOTA BURNABY 4278 Lougheed Highway (604) 571-4350

PEACE ARCH TOYOTA SOUTH SURREY 3174 King George Highway (604) 531-2916

9374

30377

SUNRISE TOYOTA ABBOTSFORD Fraser Valley Auto Mall (604) 857-2657

REGENCY TOYOTA VANCOUVER 401 Kingsway (604) 879-8411

5736

8507

WEST COAST TOYOTA PITT MEADOWS 19950 Lougheed Highway (866) 910-9543

VALLEY TOYOTA CHILLIWACK 8750 Young Road (604) 792-1167

7662

8176

WESTMINSTER TOYOTA NEW WESTMINSTER 210 - 12th Street (604) 520-3333

31003

8531

A27

today’sdrive

The foundation of the SRX’s interior is its infotainment system.

Chiselled and athletic are the best words to describe the distinctive SRX.

2015 CAMRY

CAMRY XLE model shown

Camry LE Automatic $25,885 MSRP includes F+PDI

0.0% 2,500

GET UP TO ***

$

GET UP TO **

CASHBACK

OR $

CASHBACK

1,000

make a

“A very practical car.

Superbly reliable.”

- JEREMY CHIU / RICHMOND, BC

#OwnerApproved

2015 COROLLA

Corolla S Model shown

Corolla CE 6M MSRP $17,580 MSRP includes F+PDI

CASHBACK

2,000

GET UP TO *

G e t Y - u r T o y o /a . c .

SQUAMISH TOYOTA SQUAMISH 39150 Queens Way (604) 567-8888

A28

THE VANCOUVER COURIER F R I DAY, J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 5

Mayfair

Reg $3378

$2198

Vegas

Reg $3898

$2598

Kensington Reg

$3508

$2298

SAVE OVER

$1000 Discontinued Colour Sale See Store For Details

Sunrise Lrg Reg

$3118

$1998

Sunrise Med Reg

$3768

$1968 NANAIMO 1711 Bowen Rd 250.753.6361

SCANDESIGNS.COM

SCANDESIGNS.COM

VICTORIA 661 McCallum Rd Millstream Village 250.475.2233

EB

R AT

39

Y

EA R

S

LANGLEY 20429 Langley By-Pass 604.530.8248

CEL

KELOWNA 1850 Springfield Rd 250.860.7603

G

COQUITLAM 1400 United Blvd 604.524.3444

IN

RICHMOND 12551 Bridgeport Rd 604.273.2971