Vancouver Courier December 24 2014

WEDNESDAY

December 24 2014 Vol. 105 No. 103

CITY LIVING 14

Best of 2014 THEATRE 23

The year on stage SPORTS 24

Photos of the year There’s more online at

vancourier.com MIDWEEK EDITION

THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908

W2

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

NO KMS GRAND CARAVAN

2015 RAM DIESEL

2015 CHALLENGER

BLOWOUT PRICE $ $

18,999 – 1 ONLY! $ 63/wk

BLOWOUT PRICE $ Was $32,185

$

$

BLOWOUT PRICE $ $

Was $29,985

45,210 145/wk

Was 52,710

0 DOWN

0 DOWN

$

31,685 103/wk

$

Stk 58f0590

Stk17f1328

2014 JOURNEY SXT

BRAND NEW 2015 CHEROKEE TRAILHAWK 4X4 & LOADED!

BLOWOUT PRICE $ $

BLOWOUT PRICE $ $

0 DOWN

Stk Bs7111

23,999 $ 79/wk

Was 52,710

0 DOWN

$

Stk br7157

LOADED TOWN AND COUNTRY LIMITED ALL OPTIONS!! $13,700 OFF!!

BLOWOUT PRICE $ $

41,500 $ 134/wk

Was 55,205

0 DOWN

Was 32,185

0%

AVAILABLE

0 DOWN

$

Stk 60f9482

2015 WRANGLER UNLIMITED 4 DOOR 4X4 A/C, POWER GROUP, HARD TOP $ Was $36,440

33,440 108/wk

$ $

$

42,910 $ 135/wk

0 DOWN

2015 FIAT 500 POP BLOWOUT PRICE $

Stk 68f0712

Stk 70e6403

13,999

Was $17,690

$47/wk

BRAND NEW FIAT 500 SPORT AUTO

0 DOWN

$

BLOWOUT PRICE $

19,880

Stk F1F0484

Was $23,380 $

64/wk

$0 DOWN Stk f1e3220

SPECIAL DEALS Fiat 500 Abarth -10 to choose from $6500 Below MSRP From $19,988

2012 Grand Carvavan

2012 Fiat 500 Sport

2014 Grand Caravan SXT

Sunroof, Bose stk BS7020A was $12,999.............................. Now

$10,999

Sunroof, No Kms stk BS7119 was $22,290 - rebate $6,000 .. Now

$16,290

Similar Savings on 16 Fiat 500’s

$23,668

Ultimate Family Van over $14,000 below MSRP stk BS7067 ........... $25,500

2014 Promaster Van stk BR7148

2014 Fiat 500L Pop 41 kms, stk BS6943 was $19,999 ........................................ Now

$18,999

2005 Altima was $10,499 .....................................................

Full Stow n’ Go stk BS7062 was $25,505 ............................ Now

2014 Grand Caravan DVD

2014 Fiat 500 Sport

stk F1E9925A

43,629 kms, rear Stow n’ Go stk 43F2901A ..................................... $15,999

Now $8765

2013 Focus Titanium Loaded! stk F1E6692A ................................................................... $16,875

Holiday Hours

Dec 25 Closed • Dec 26 11am - 5pm • Dec 27 9am - 6pm Dec 28 11am - 5pm • Dec 29,30 9am - 9pm • Dec 31 9am - ?

starting at ................................... $29,998 14 to Choose From!

2010 Ranger

4x4, Mudder tires, Level kit stk 58E2271A ..................................... $15,999

2013 Tacoma SR5

4x4, auto, back up camera,Touch screen, bluetooth stk 55E0042A .... $29,999

2009 Yaris

Auto, 4 dr, hatch back stk 68F0872A ................................................. $9,999

2010 Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle 14,000 kms $9,985

FINANCING OAC. ALL REBATES AND INCENTIVES HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO PAYMENTS AND PRICING. PRICE AND PAYMENTS PLUS FEES ($495) AND TAXES. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. 96 MO LEASE ‘14 GRAND CARAVAN. 4.24% TP $26,548; 2015 FIAT 3.99% TP$19,746; 2015 RAM 3.99% TP $60,635; 2014 JOURNEY 4.24% TP $33,162; 2015 CHALLENGER3.99% TP $42,916; 2015 CHEROKEE3.49% TP $56,529; 2015 TOWN AND COUNTRY3.99% TP $55,775; 2015 WRANGLER 3.99% TP $45,216; FIAT SPORT 3.49% TP $26,929

Chrysler • Dodge • Jeep • Ram

marinechrysler.com • 450 SE Marine Dr., Vancouver • 1-866-308-4595

Fiat of Vancouver #1 selling fiat dealer in canada

FIAT-OF-VANCOUVER.COM • 1620 Main St., Vancouver • 1-866-844-3398

WEDNESDAY

December 24 2014 Vol. 105 No. 103

CITY LIVING 14

Best of 2014 THEATRE 23

The year on stage SPORTS 24

Photos of the year There’s more online at

vancourier.com MIDWEEK EDITION

THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908

Merry Christmas 2.0 High-tech gadgets have been a Christmas feature for decades See page 12

A2

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

BOXING WEEK Prices Effective December 25 to December 31, 2014.

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

100% BC Owned and Operated PRODUCE

MEAT

rs inge n w us Z Citr e your o s ak rage m e bev fruit 99

15. oz

Limes

California Grown Lemons

28

Canadian Prime Rib Roast

3/.99

product of Mexico

product of USA

Stuffer White Mushrooms

Choices’ Own Black Forest Breakfast Slices

Organic

Blackberries

3.48lb/ 7.67kg

170g product of Mexico

product of BC

Siwin Dumplings or Pot Stickers

12.99lb/ 28.64kg

2/5.00

assorted sizes

5.59 each

GROCERY

HEALTHCARE

Maple Hill Organic Free Range Large Eggs

Canadian Heritage Organic Maple Syrup

5.49

SAVE FROM

33%

1 dozen product of Canada

Coco Libre Organic Coconut Water regular or with pineapple

SAVE 2/4.00

23%

7.99lb/ 17.61kg

15.99lb/ 35.25kg

2/.98

Organic

Primrose Pork Tender Loins

Coconut Bliss Organic Frozen Dessert assorted varieties

SAVE

32%

SAVE

30%

SAVE

34%

473ml product of USA

3.99

.49 singles 12.99 30 pack

Sara’s Frozen Ice Cream Cakes assorted varieties

SAVE 9.99

37%

each 1.4L product of Canada

BULK Assorted Chocolate Covered Nuts

San Pellegrino Mineral Water or Perrier Sparkling Water

20% off regular retail price

assorted varieties

2/7.00

Ener-C Vitamin C Effervescent Drink Mix

600g • product of Canada

2/7.00

assorted varieties

assorted varieties

31% 4.49

473ml • product of USA

assorted varieties

Vega Proteins & Greens

29.99 586-681g

made with organic ingredients, assorted varieties

SAVE

assorted varieties

Dofino Havarti Cheese

3/6.00

100g product of China

Pearl’s Frozen Perogies

142g • product of USA

Angie’s Holidrizzle Kettle Corn

3/4.98

750ml - 1L +deposit +eco fee • product of Italy/France

200g • product of Canada

128g • product of USA

35%

2/5.00

Mrs. Renfro’s Salsa

5.99

SAVE

370-430g • product of BC

assorted varieties

12.99 10ml 16.99 15ml 24.99 30ml 32.99 90 capsule

500g - 710ml product of Canada

assorted varieties

6.49-8.99

Boulder Canyon Gluten Free Potato Chips

• Fights off colds, flus and their symptoms.

• Premium quality, proven performance.

• Get a copy of “Your Guide to Oil of Oregano” with any size.

Hot Kid Rice Crisps

assorted varieties

28%

+deposit +eco fee product of USA

3.99-4.49

FROM

27%

product of Quebec

SAVE

330ml

assorted varieties

SAVE

9.99 500ml 19.99 1L

Rocky Mountain Artisan Flatbread Frozen Pizzas

Joy of the Mountain Oil of Oregano

Greek Gods Yogurt or Kefir

assorted varieties

xxx

DELI

GLUTEN FREE

BAKERY

xxx • product of xxx

Organic Country French Bread

Tartine Savory Tarts

white or 60% wholewheat

assorted varieties

9.99

4.49 480-530g Choices’ Own Hot Soup

Choices’ Own 7 Layer Dip

2.49 8 oz 4.49 16 oz 7.99 32 oz

4.99 small 6.99 large

www.choicesmarkets.com

Seedsational Brown Rice or Regular Brown Rice Bread

Apple or Date Oat Squares or Muesli Bars

assorted sizes

3.99-4.99

4.99

package of 3

/ChoicesMarkets

@ChoicesMarkets

Kitsilano

Cambie

Kerrisdale

Yaletown

Gluten Free Bakery

South Surrey

Burnaby Crest

Kelowna

Floral Shop

2627 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3493 Cambie St. Vancouver

1888 W. 57th Ave. Vancouver

1202 Richards St. Vancouver

2595 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3248 King George Blvd.

South Surrey

8683 10th Ave. Burnaby

1937 Harvey Ave. Kelowna

2615 W. 16th Vancouver

Best Organic Produce

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A3

News

Transit referendum set for March

Provincial government amends ballot question Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced Thursday that the provincial government has accepted a request from the region’s mayors to increase the seven per cent sales tax by 0.5 per cent as a funding tool to help pay for a $7.5-billion transit and transportation plan.

Now it’s up to Metro Vancouver residents to mail in a ballot in a referendum vote in the spring and decide whether they support what the government is calling the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax. The finalized question, which was refined from the mayors’ original draft: Do you support a new 0.5 per cent Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement

Tax to be dedicated to the mayors’ transportation and transit plan?

If the referendum passes, the estimated cost per household would be $50 to $125 per year, depending on how much a person spends. The tax would only apply to the majority of goods and services subject to the PST that are sold or delivered within Metro Vancouver, which stretches from West Vancouver to Langley.

The voting period will run between March 16 and May 29, and the question will only pass if 50 per cent plus one of voters agrees to the new tax. The tax increase would raise $250 million a year to help pay for the 10-year plan that relies heavily on contributions from senior levels of government.

In a letter Thursday to North Vancouver District mayor Richard Walton, who doubles as chairperson of the mayors’ council on regional transportation, Stone said the mayors’ original question was re-

Metro Vancouver voters will decide in the spring whether they want to support a 0.5 per cent hike to the provincial sales tax to help pay for a $7.5-billion transit and transportation plan proposed by the region’s mayors. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

fined to “reflect input from Elections B.C. in order to meet their ballot fairness requirements.”

The mayors’ wording of the recommended question was whether voters would support the tax increase “with independent

audits and public reporting.” In reaction to Stone’s announcement, Walton didn’t comment on the change to the wording of the question but said in a release “this is a significant milestone in our proposal to keep this region mov-

ing as we accommodate a million more people in the next 30 years. We simply can’t afford to do nothing.”

Mayor Gregor Robertson echoed Walton’s points in a statement his office released Thursday, saying “the alternative is crippling traffic congestion, more air pollution, cuts to transit and lost economic opportunity. The future of our region’s economy and environment is at stake in this transit referendum.”

The mayors’ plan calls for $1.9 billion to build a 5.1-kilometre subway line from the Vancouver Community College-Clark SkyTrain station to Arbutus Street.

Annual operating costs are estimated at $22.3 million.

Other investments in the plan for Vancouver include new B-line buses from downtown to Southeast Marine Drive, downtown to Simon Fraser University’s main campus in Burnaby and from Joyce-Collingwood to UBC. Total capital cost is estimated at $21.9 million and an operating cost of $11.1 million.

More frequent bus, SeaBus and HandyDart service is called for, as are continued investments in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and road maintenance.

The subway would be built in the six to 10-year range of the plan — the same timeframe for a $2.1-billion light-rail project in Surrey.

A new four-lane Pattullo Bridge for New Westminster at $980 million is the other big expense outlined in the plan and calls for tolls once it is built.

The provincial government will pay for the referendum but will not contribute money to the yes or no campaigns expected to ramp up in January. The vote will go ahead despite the mayors’ council having earlier rejected the referendum, saying the government didn’t need approval from voters to build the new Port Mann Bridge or widen the TransCanada Highway. The government said the referendum was necessary when a new funding tool is proposed. twitter.com/Howellings

BOXING DAY SALE Doors open 9:30am December 26th

70 50% OFF %

ALL FALLITEMS ITEMS FALL

ALL REMAINING ITEMS AND ITEMS, SELECT WINTER SHOES AND BOOTS BOOTS AND SELECT SHOES,

Excludesaccessories Simpli accessories and jewellery Excludes and jewellery

OFF

SALE CONTINUES ALL WEEK

...and ...and MORE! MORE!

BJ’s West BJ’s Van

2463 Marine Marine Drive, West Vancouver 604-926-0712 2463 Drive, West Vancouver 604-926-0712 4440 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver 604-222-1028 4440 west 10th Avenue, Vancouver 604-222-1028

A4

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

STAR OF THE SEASON PROGRAM Your donation of only $2 supports the growth of healthy communities.

Now in its 13th year, Choices’ Star of the Season Program enriches the lives of families all across Metro Vancouver and the Okanagan. Kindly donated by Calabar printers, Choices’ Holiday Stars may be purchased until December 24th for a donation of $2.00.

All proceeds are donated to the following neighbourhood houses: • Little Mountain Neighbourhood House •West Side Family Place • Gordon Neighbourhood House • Marpole Oakridge Family Place • Fraserside Community Services • Semiahmoo Family Place

Cityframe

www.BCBOTTLEDEPOT.com

FROSTY RECEPTION A miniature caroler stands beneath a tree near Ontario and 21st Avenue. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

New Year’s Eve Dinner & Masquerade Party December 31st – 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm Join us for an elegant evening of dining, dancing and celebration as we toast in the New Year!

Dress to Impress Wear Your Favorite Masquerade Mask (mask is optional) 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm Chef’s Style Tasting Menu (wine pairing flights available) 7:30 pm to 8:59 pm Music & Dancing with the “Just Jazz Trio”

A New Year’s Invitation

8:59 pm Countdown to Midnight with a glass of sparkling wine NY Times Square (Eastern Time) $50.00 Inc. Tax Per Guest Limited Seating! Please RSVP By December 23 28

Tel: 604.240.8550 www.legacyseniorliving.com

611 West 41st Avenue (across from Oakridge Centre)

The Leo Wertman Residence

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A5

News Fare hike blamed for drop in transit users for 2014

TransLink is blaming its decision to hike fares in 2013 for what it says is an unexpected drop in ridership this year.

On buses alone, the transit company had expected year-to-date ridership to grow by more than nine million to 188 million boardings compared with the same period last year. Instead, ridership has dropped to 178 million boardings.

Total system-wide transit fares were down almost one per cent, or $3.2 million, this year compared with last. The corporation had expected growth of $11 million.

“Ongoing analysis into the decline of ridership suggests that the 2013 far increase had a longer lasting effect on ridership than expected,” TransLink said in its third-quarter financial and performance report.

On Jan. 1, TransLink

hiked its fares by 25 cents per trip for one- and twozone trips and by 50 cents per three-zone trip. It also eliminated its workplace program that provided a 15 per cent discount to employees of companies that signed up.

The Crown corporation is also blaming a day of free travel — Aug. 4 — for a drop in total fare revenue, although this does not account for the decrease in ridership. TransLink also points to the three-week delay of the 2014/15 school year as a possible cause for lower ridership numbers.

Masters Games coming to town

The City of Vancouver, in partnership with the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association, Tourism Vancouver, PavCo, UBC and Sport BC, announced Dec. 17 that it will host the Americas Masters Games in the summer of 2016. The

Games, which will welcome more than 7,500 amateur athletes from around the world aged 35 to 100 and beyond, is one of the fastest growing areas of sports participation. The athletes have varying levels of abilities with some having competed at Olympic games and Paralympics. “With nine days of sports and cultural events, the Americas Masters Games will be a boost not just for our sports community, but for our tourism industry as well,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a release. “I look forward to welcoming the participants and their friends and family to Vancouver in 2016.”

Cash for heritage

City council approved Dec. 17 an investment of $1.16 million into upgrades for historic heritage buildings in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside. The funds will go to 17 Chinese family clan and benevolent

@VanCourierNews all you need to know @VanCourierNews in 140 characters!

Illuminations at Heritage Christmas

It is said that parents unknowingly teach their kids habits when it comes to money matters. It’s not uncommon that the more successful you become, the less time you have for that which matters most, like family. Searching for that special something for Christmas? How about a gift that can provide benefits for a lifetime. Consider giving your kids the gift of financial literacy.

I recently met a dentist who was appalled at the money choices his grandkids were making. Seems the financial knowledge he had hoped to pass on to his kids had not managed to make it’s way down to his grandkids. In an effort to shape their money habits, he made a deal with his young grandchildren. He said while I believe some of the money we make should go to buying things, I also think some of it should be saved for the future and some of it should be given to charity. He offered to match their monthly allowances IF they provided him with receipts of the things they were spending their money on. He was pleasantly

Free FamilY Fun!

It’s a spectacular display of lights!

Open daily 1-9pm until Jan 2, 2015 Closed December 24 & 25

Thanks to our partners:

6501 Deer Lake Avenue | 604-297-4565 | burnabyvillagemuseum.ca

aligns with the direction of the city’s new Chinatown neighbourhood plan and economic revitalization strategy.

Holiday openings

If you’re looking for something to do on Christmas or New Year’s Day, the Vancouver Park Board has some options. Several recreation facilities will be open, including city golf courses.

All community centres, fitness centres, pools, rinks and golf courses will be open throughout the holiday season, while a few are open Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Those open Dec. 25 include Fraserview, Langara and McCleery golf courses, along with Hillcrest, Kitsilano, Trout Lake, Vancouver Aquatic Centre, and

West End fitness centres.

Trout Lake Community Centre is open as are Hillcrest and Vancouver aquatic centres and Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, Trout Lake, and West End rinks.

Facilities that are open Jan. 1 include Fraserview, Langara, and McCleery golf courses. Britannia, Dunbar, Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, Killarney, Kitsilano, MarpoleOakridge, Mount Pleasant, Trout Lake, Vancouver Aquatic Centre, and West End fitness centres are open, as are Kerrisdale, Killarney, Mount Pleasant, and Trout Lake community centres.

Hillcrest, Killarney, Sunset, Trout Lake, and West End rinks are also open, as are Britannia, Hillcrest, Kerrisdale, Killarney pools, and Vancouver Aquatic Centre.

Helping young adults gain a financial foothold with the gift of financial literacy

By Jim Doyle, Senior Financial Consultant CFP,CLU,CDFA,TEP,CIWM

BEST BUY - CORRECTION NOTICE

NEWSPAPER RETRACTION FOR THE BEST BUY DECEMBER 19 CORPORATE FLYER In the December 19 flyer, page 13, the Retrak Bluetooth® Selfie Stick and Timer Selfie Stick (Web Code: 10341774/ 10347157) will not be in stock due to inventory delays.

Customers may take rainchecks for the duration of the flyer period. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.

societies to upgrade their buildings so as to preserve their historic character, cultural identity and heritage.

“This investment by council will help preserve Chinatown’s historic character and protect vital affordable housing,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson in a news release. “It’s important that as we add new housing throughout our city, we deliver community benefits that strengthen our neighbourhoods.”

The funding comes through a community amenity contribution from last year’s rezoning of 633 Main St., part of the mayor and council’s commitment to ensure that new development benefits and strengthens historic neighbourhoods in Vancouver. The funding

surprised after several weeks, the kids were making some amazing choices; less impulse buying, a balance in a savings account and funds given to a local charity. Simply creating an expectation around choices and priorities produced results beyond his hopes.

Credit cards at 16; kids between 24 and 34 still living at home with no move-out date on the horizon; parents still paying cell phone bills or their car insurance; huge student debt combined with a modest income - what’s a parent to do? Have parents become their kids’ ATM? There’s lots of reasons kids are still living at home, but a great question might be: In this challenging economic environment, can we help our children build their financial independence?

Most habits have been taught to us through a set of circumstances, and when it comes to money, too often the response to this question is silence.While parents may wrestle with fiscal responsibility for their kids, they’re hopeful things will improve in the future, unfortunately, putting essential discussions off – indefinitely.

There’s no doubt that it’s Choosing financial becomingyour increasingly advisor can mean theto difficult well for young adults difference betweenfooting. someone gain their financial understanding your In the meantime, aresituation they developing theappropriate necessary and providing skills for-becoming financially options and not having the

Jim Doyle

independent? Setting a budget and living within it is often a challenging concept for a number of Canadians. Understanding the impact of choice when it comes to needs and wants, or mastering the task of using debt responsibly are character-developing skills.

With a high percentage of baby boomer parents admitting they have never spoken to their kids about money, consider making 2015 the year to change that. If we expect things to change, won’t we need to do something differently? If you’re not sure where to start, ask how we might help.

I invite you to listen to our monthly show on CISL 650 “Boomer Life” Tuesday, December 30th from 6- 7pm hosted by Joanne Sutton where we’ll be discussing key steps to make 2015 the year you find clarity, comfort and confidence in your financial future!

Jim Doyle (jim.doyle@ investorsgroup.com) is a Senior Financial Consultant with Investors Group Financial Services Inc. and is a graduate of the UBC Sauder School of Business Family Enterprise Advisor Program.This is a general or financial planner who can source of information only. youintended get the answers Ithelp is not to provide personalized tax, legal or you’re seeking. investment advice and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase *Source: 2014securities.

SunLife Canadian Health Index

CFP, CLU, CDFA, TEP, CIWM Senior Financial Consultant, Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

604.682.5431 EXT 4213 • jim.doyle@investorsgroup.com Jim Investors Group Group Financial FinancialServices Services JimDoyle Doyle(jim.doyle@investorsgroup.com) (jim.doyle@investorsgroup.com) is a Senior Financial Consultant with Investors Jim Doyle is a Senior Financial Consultant with Investors Group Financial Services Inc. and is a graduate of the UBC Sauder Inc. Advisor Program.

Program.This This isisaageneral general Inc.and andisisaagraduate graduate of of the the UBC UBC Sauder School of Business Family Enterprise Advisor School of Business Family Enterprise Advisor Program. This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to source information only.

ItIt is intended to provide personalized investment advice andisisnot not sourceof of information only. is not not tax, legal or investment advice and provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. intended intendedas asaa solicitation solicitation to to purchase purchase securities.

A6

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

THE FLYING PIG FL

E C N A R A E L C L E D O OOR M !

S G N I V A S E D STOREWI

STARTS BOXING DAY

OPEN 10-7.

HOME AND OFFICE FURNITURE WITH AN ATTITUDE FREE COVERED PARKING AVAILABLE 1275 WEST 6th AVE. VANCOUVER, B.C. V6H 1A6 | T: 604 730 1275

MON-WED & FRI 10 - 7 | THURS 10 - 9 | SAT 10 - 6 | SUN 11 - 6

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve CLOSED Dec. 25 Christmas Day CLOSED www.inspirationfurniture.ca

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A7

News Dunbar retailers grapple with neighbourhood change

Vivian Chui

vchui@biv.com

As pockets of Dunbar are redeveloped and services replace small retailers, the neighbourhood’s longtime merchants hope the change will be good for business.

Olinda’s, a clothing manufacturer and retailer on Dunbar, is located next to the 4200-block, where a new four-storey mixed complex will replace existing businesses, including a bookstore and clothing retailer.

Olinda’s has operated at the site for 34 years, but the location has been home to neighbourhood businesses since the 1940s. It was once a drugstore, then a fabric retailer, said owner Olinda Vriend.

“A number of different higher-storeyed buildings have [gradually] gone up and smaller retail businesses have been leaving the area,” Vriend said.

“Some of the elderly people have sold their homes,

Despite new developments that have changed the area’s character, Dunbar clothing retailer Olinda Vriend says she is committed to keeping her business in the neighbourhood. PHOTO DOMINIC SCHAEFER

since the value is so high.

A lot of them have left the area and bought a condo in White Rock.”

Vriend is confident that her store will remain. For one thing, her landlord

has never expressed any interest in selling the family-owned building; for another, she likes the location.

“What I always found charming about Dun-

PRICES IN EFFECT

DEC. 26-31, 2014

BOXING DAY SALE

CHRISTMAS FABRICS Select Christmas Tabling, Christmas Flannelette Prints, Quiltland Christmas Prints

CHRISTMAS NOTIONS All stock

65

% OFF REG. PRICE

◆ FAUX FUR - by metre or piece ◆ FELT - by metre

All Stock

60 50 % OFF REG. PRICE

CHRISTMAS RIBBON based on regular price get SPOOLS- 2 of equal or lesser value

BUY 1 GET 2

OFF REG. PRICE

FREE

3. m 50 $ 3. m

CHRISTMAS ORGANZA FOIL $ PRINTS - Regular $8.00/m HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS TABLING - Regular $12.00/m

%

00

(some exclusions may apply, this includes Promotional Clearance, "Special Purchase" , Signature Styles & Yarn) First in Fabric Selection, Quality & Value

VANCOUVER 1678 S.E. Marine Dr. at Argyle (604)321-1848 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10am-6pm Thurs.-Fri. 10am-9pm / Sat. 10am-6pm Sun. 11am-5pm / Holidays 12pm-5pm

Plus 6 more locations in the Lower Mainland to serve you!

Join us on the Internet! webs www.fabriclandwest.com Customer Service Line

1-855-554-4840

bar is that it’s got quite a variety of businesses,” said Vriend. “The quaint charm still remains to some degree.”

Vriend said foot traffic has decreased slightly since construction began, but

she expects to see more pedestrians when Stong’s Market moves into the new complex. In business since 1931 and currently at 4560 Dunbar St., Stong’s will move into its new location when construction finishes in March 2016, its president Cori Bonina said in a release.

Eric Niit, owner of Enmark Jewellers on 4315 Dunbar St., said recent years have brought “a lot more restaurants, serviceoriented stores, a lot more hairdressers, and less retail” to the area. But he’s resigned to the changes.

“Neighbourhoods are always changing in character, especially [in] a big place like Vancouver, where things are always changing,” said Nitt, whose family has been in business on Dunbar for over 42 years. “There’s fewer older people, more younger people.”

Karen Wyder, president of the Dunbar Village Business Association, said change in the area shouldn’t be feared.

“New businesses infuse

T H A N K

the community with new life and ideas,” Wyder said, citing recent developers that have contributed to the installation of new flower baskets along the Dunbar streetscape.

“Developers are seeing the area as the place to come. In time there will be more retail.”

Wyder added that, while rents will rise when new people move in, “that’s inevitable [and] not specific to Dunbar.”

Anita Molaro, the City of Vancouver’s assistant director of planning in urban design, said recent development along Dunbar hasn’t hinged on zoning changes.

“The arterial shopping area of Dunbar has been zoned C-2 for 30-plus years. The area hasn’t capitalized on its zoning capacities that are in place already.”

Susan Haid, assistant director of planning for Vancouver South, said the city still broadly follows the Dunbar Community Vision Plan, which was completed in 1998.

Y O U

To our newspaper carriers and drivers Best wishes for a happy holiday season.

Our sincere and heart-felt thanks for your hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Happy Holidays!

From the staff at Vancouver Courier

A8

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Loveliest plants prefer humid conditions Christmas cactus loves humid, cool atmosphere

Anne Marrison

amarrison@shaw.ca

When time gets short for shopping, a gift plant is a happy way of saying Merry Christmas though for the most lasting pleasure, it will be a plant that survives its new home.

Many people don’t know that some of the loveliest plants prefer cool, humid temperatures to the warm dry atmosphere that most of us live in. Some show this more quickly than others: the fastest to have a leaf-dropping flower-falling tantrum are the gorgeous Christmas azaleas.

My first Christmas azalea did this and though I misted it daily and kept the soil moist, it got more and more sickly. By February I’d had enough and tossed it into the compost — where in gentle spring rains and

African violets fit into narrow spaces and usually bloom in bursts depending on the amount of light they get.

humid air, the leaves grew back and it started to root.

For an outside porch, a greenhouse or a gardener with a cool, airy home and time for frequent misting, these azaleas are magnificent. The leaves can be lovely all year. My father

had one in an outside verandah for ages. It flowered every year and grew to be three feet (one metre) across.

Another lover of humidity and a cool atmosphere is the Christmas cactus.

People who take one home

Best date night spot in Vancouver?

YOU TELL US

Voting for Stars of Vancouver Readers’ Choice Awards open opens December 27

vancourier.com/STARS

and find the new buds drop need to mist twice a day and make sure it doesn’t sit in water. Oddly enough, these plants survive with little misting and watering once flowering season is over.

Like other plants with many forked branches, the larger ones make a good framework for the hanging of dangling Christmas type ornaments.

Cyclamen also like cool climates, humidity and

moist soil in the growing season, but don’t show distress as quickly as azaleas and Christmas cactus.

But in warm atmospheres, leaves start yellowing and buds drying out. It helps if you put them in a cool place at night.

They can be recycled if you let them dry out naturally, water just enough to stop the tuber from shriveling and put them outside in a shady spot for summer.

Other Christmas plants

On Now at The Brick!

For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

adapt easily to indoor conditions. One type is the kalanchoe with its bright red, yellow, orange or pink flowers and succulent leaves. It’s a sunlover that’s small enough for narrow windowsills and can handle dim light and dryness for a few weeks.

African violets also fit into narrow spaces and usually bloom in bursts depending on the amount of light they get. They prefer gently bright light but summer sun can burn and sicken them.

The muted light of an east window is perfect for them.

Another easy house guest is the chysanthemum. This likes to be misted but can live without it. It does need moist soil but can handle shade as well as bright light. These plants can stay in good shape and bloom for weeks.

One of the most spectacular plant gifts is an amaryllis. The ones already potted up and in full bloom are best bought very close to the time they will be given.

Earlier than that and the best choice is an amaryllis where the bud is emerging but is several days away from opening.

Anne Marrison is happy to answer garden questions. Send them to her via amarrison@ shaw.ca. It helps me if you add the name of your city or region.

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

BOXING WEEK SAVE 30 - 50

%

ON ALL CLEARANCE ITEMS!

Custom Sofas • Sofabeds • Sofas To Go

604 • 879 • 4878

12-4 10-6 12-5

ALBERTA

7TH YUKON

CAMBIE

Open: Friday, December 26 Saturday, December 27 Sunday, December 28

8TH BROADWAY

2331 ALBERTA ST.

A9

A10

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Opinion Clark bets $8.7B on B.C. Making plans for new with OK for Site C dam Christmas traditions Les Leyne Columnist lleyne@timescolonist.com Premier Christy Clark’s government placed an $8.7-billion bet on the future of B.C. last week — and it will take a generation or more to see if it pays off.

What Energy Minister Bill Bennett described as the last big dam that will ever be built in B.C. got the green light, and work could begin on the Peace River next summer, aiming for a 2024 completion date.

Amid all the applause, criticism, dejection and jubilation over the historic decision, keep one thing in mind. No one knows if it’s the right call.

All the major factors that will shape the eventual verdict on whether building the Site C dam is a sound idea are volatile.

The electricity market can swing from calm to turbulent on a moment’s notice. Alternative generation always seems to be on the cusp of a breakthrough that could make big dams relics.

The North American economy almost collapsed in the space of a month six years ago.

There’s no compelling evidence it could never happen again. B.C.’s debthandling capabilities seem to be edging into the warning zone.

If New York money decides it’s too high, borrowing costs could skew upward. Ask Ontario, California or various other jurisdictions what happens when key factors in the electricity world all swing negatively at the same time.

And all those worries are about the economics once the turbines start turning. Just getting it built involves a whole other set of complexities.

One of them is the First Nations in the Peace country, none of whom have signed any agreements after years of cajoling by B.C. Hydro.

In the horde of validators on hand, the absence of any First Nations leaders was obvious.

That’s partly why they’ve delayed the construction start six months, to next summer, at considerable cost.

The local First Nations were part of a historic treaty and aren’t in the same position as the Tsilhqot’in.

But that epic court decision of the same name is in the background of any development decision anywhere in B.C.

All the major factors that will shape the eventual verdict on whether building the Site C dam is a sounds idea are volatile

The Site C dam will determine how powerful First Nations’ positions are when they are opposed to the direction a government takes.

B.C. Hydro has six months to bring them on side, or is one injunction away from having to add millions more to its cost estimates.

The decision also marks a course change.

After a decade of preference for independent power production on smallerscale, mostly run-of-river projects, the government is going back to the old way of doing things.

B.C. Hydro’s last big dam was in 1985.

One of the overriding factors is that hydroelectric power is generally the most efficient power.

The cheapest electricity bills are always in places that rely on hydroelectricity.

With some fancy cost-shuffling between government and the utility, Bennett was able to promise rates much lower than would have resulted from going all-in on independent power production.

And of the other options, natural gas is too dirty, and geothermal is unproven.

The one downside to hydroelectric power is the immense footprint, but Site C’s geography minimizes that, since most of the water is in the reservoir behind the original Bennett Dam. B.C. won’t start paying for the dam until 2025 and even after, it will take years to see if it’s worth it.

Looking at all the mostly middleaged people on hand for the big reveal, it was striking to realize that it is our children and grandchildren who will be living with the impact of the decision. twitter.com/leyneles

Michael Geller Columnist

michaelarthurgeller@gmail.com

Christmas is a time for traditions and holiday greetings “Tradition is the prison where change is detained.”— Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” — Gustav Mahler For nearly all of us, Christmas is a time for traditions. While some can be a millstone around the neck, others bring great joy and satisfaction.

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is keeping in touch with long-lost friends and colleagues by sending out holiday greeting cards and messages.

The first commercial Christmas cards were produced in England in the 1840s shortly after the introduction of the Penny Black, the world’s first postage stamp.

Since then many of us have spent endless hours signing and mailing cards.

More recently, email letters and digital messages have replaced many of those cards. Instead of “return to sender” envelopes we get Mail Delivery Subsystem notifications.

After working in offices where I was asked to sign my name on thousands of anonymous cards featuring a snowy scene I did not particularly like, I vowed to one day design more personal holiday cards.

My 1989 greeting card was inspired by my company’s Spetifore Lands proposal that failed after 26 nights of public hearings.

The design featured a Christmas tree with branches created from newspaper headlines leading up to the project’s defeat.

Subsequent cards proclaimed approval of the Furry Creek community and golf course (Hole, Hole, Hole); a rezoning application to convert Vancouver city hall into a large children’s toy shop and reindeer stables; and celebration of the 1993 Arafat/Begin peace deal.

In 1996, I asked Santa for an end to all the pink stucco houses being built in Vancouver, a larger foyer for the recently completed Ford Theatre and an expanded Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. (I was provincial project manager at the time.)

In 2007, following an around-theworld sabbatical, I wished for a year of health, happiness and global cooling.

My 2008 greeting card featured photos from my failed municipal election bid

The week in num6ers...

0.5 125 8.7 150

The proposed percentage to hike the seven per cent provincial sales tax by in order to pay for a $7.5 billion transit and transportation plan.

In dollars, the estimated annual cost to the average Metro Vancouver-area household if the tax hike is approved by voters.

In billions of dollars, the estimated cost of building the controversial Site C dam on the Peace River.

The total number of plays indefatigable Courier theatre critic Jo Ledingham watched in 2014.

with the inside message “No, I won’t do it again!”

In 2009, I asked Santa to help Mayor Robertson make Vancouver the Greenest City in the World by, amongst other things, saving the Bloedel Conservatory and giving us better electric car designs.

Both wishes were granted.

Some 2009 wishes did not come true.

The design of the West 49th and Cambie SkyTrain station was not improved, bike theft did not end, and Vancouverites continued to discard cigarette butts and chewing gum on the streets.

This year I designed an electronic greeting card offering 12 gift ideas for Vancouver for the 12 days of Christmas, based on recent travels.

These included more floating home communities like those found in Amsterdam and a world-class city museum or Urbanarium like that in Singapore.

It allows residents to see a model of the overall city plan and what could be built next to their building.

In light of the forthcoming transit referendum, I thought an improved public transit system like that in London would be a nice gift, as well as more colourful buildings such as those found in Montpellier.

Having experienced Palm Springs Modernism Week last February, I though Vancouver should hold an annual festival celebrating Pacific Northwest architecture.

Other gift ideas included replacing weeds growing in many street medians with landscaped planters and flowers like Chicago, and more pedestrian-only streets like Madrid.

On the eighth day of Christmas, I suggested we learn from Kiev and promote civic pride by better protecting our architectural heritage.

Other gift ideas included more beautiful transit stations such as those in Moscow, more fee-simple row housing like Toronto, and turning electrical boxes and other ordinary items into art as they do in Santiago.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, I thought we could get rid of our no-fun city moniker by organizing events like Odessa’s city-wide comedy festival held every April 1.

On this Christmas Eve, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and a year of health, happiness and lots of good humour.

If interested, you can find my greeting cards at gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com. twitter.com/michaelgeller

1

The number of shopping days remaining before Christmas.

2

The number of Golden Globe nominations for the new Tim Burton film Big Eyes, which opens Christmas day and was partly filmed in Vancouver.

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A11

Mailbox Courier wailed on over yearend whale story

To the editor: Re: “Whale of a tale,” Dec 12.

My faith in the Vancouver Courier is being tested. While I don’t live in Vancouver, I do travel into the city frequently and, whenever possible, I try to find a Courier because, in my opinion, the paper is less mainstream than most papers, more independent, less politically biased and more objective.

That said, I couldn’t believe the absolute drivel I read the article under “Newsmaker of the Year” entitled “Whale of a tale.” I’ve never seen so many inaccuracies and outright falsehoods in such a short (just 110 words) piece. It was, indeed, a whale of a tale.

The tone of the article is very condescending, making reference to those (clearly implied “radical,” “fanatical,” “militant”) animal rights activists who sort of had a good idea but, in the end, common sense and the status quo prevailed.

The Vancouver Park Board was NOT divided on the breeding ban last summer: The five commissioners present last summer voted unanimously in favour. Gutless and cowardly former VPB chair Aaron

Jasper only became “divided” at the last minute, when his puppet-masters at the Vision Vancouver executive started pulling his strings.

And despite the NPA’s Melissa De Genova’s denials, the public consultation on this matter last summer was extremely thorough. I don’t recall Kirk LaPointe participating in that process!

And finally, how dare anyone “presume” that, as a result of Aaron Jasper’s last minute betrayal — of himself, his kids, his party, the citizens of Vancouver and, most importantly, the whales, dolphins and porpoises — “the aquarium’s water-borne mammals...breathed a little easier.”

They will only breathe a little easier if/ when they’re no longer imprisoned in small cement tanks and forced to learn stupid circus tricks for dead fish, all for the entertainment of us supposedly-moreintelligent human beings!

Don’t assume that the NPA now controls the VPB because of their position on the cetacean breeding ban or cetaceans in captivity; they won the VPB exclusively on the community centres issue.

As I’ve alluded to throughout this letter, if there’s money to be made, animal abuse is not merely acceptable, it’s actually condoned.

Errol E. Povah, Delta

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

Send to: 1574 West Sixth Ave., Vancouver V6J 1R2 or email letters@vancourier.com

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

Denman Arena opens in West End

Dec. 20, 1911:The 10,500-seat Denman Arena, at the time the second largest venue in North America after Madison Square Garden, opens on West Georgia Street at the corner of Denman. Financed by lumber baron Joe Patrick, the rink was to support the new Pacific Coast Hockey Association league, to be run by his sons Frank and Lester, who were both professional players. Featuring Canada’s first artificial ice surface, the rink was home to the Vancouver Millionaires, who won the Stanley Cup inside the rink in 1915. The wooden arena was destroyed by a fire in 1936.

‘Prince of Pot’ inhales for the first time

Dec 21, 1980: In a 2005 interview with the Courier, marijuana activist Marc Emery said this was the date he smoked his first joint while at a former girlfriend’s house at the age of 22 before having sex. The experience changed his life and he went on to make it his mission to get cannabis legalized in Canada. Emery was jailed in 2009 for selling marijuana seeds to Americans via mail from his Vancouver store and served a five-year sentence in a U.S. federal prison. He was released in August.

Emery has vowed to seek political revenge against the Conservative federal government for its role in allowing his extradition.

ADVERTISING

604.738.1412 CLASSIFIED

604.630.3300 DELIVERY

604.942.3081 EDITORIAL NEWSROOM

604.738.1411 FLYER SALES

Dee Dhaliwal

Barry Link

ddhaliwal@vancourier.com

blink@vancourier.com

PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Tara Lalanne

DIRECTOR SALES & MARKETING

tlalanne@vancourier.com

TheVancouverCourierisadivisionofLMPPublicationLimitedPartnership.

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

604.738.1412

have your say online...

vancourier.com FACEBOOK TheVancouverCourierNewspaper TWITTER @vancouriernews WEB

COURIER STORY: “Seniors angry after free parking yanked,” Dec. 17.

Midtoad: One of the best ways for seniors on a limited income to save money is to get rid of the cash-sucking car. And since they have no trouble strolling on the beach, why not add a short little walk from their house to that same beach?

JP Berger: Sorry. No sympathy for these folks. If people have mobility issues, even temporarily, they are eligible for a disabled parking permit and they should apply for one from SPARC BC. While people of all ages live in poverty, as a whole seniors are the single wealthiest cohort in this country by a long shot. Businesses and service providers do not offer seniors discounts out of the kindness of their hearts, they do it because they want to maximize use or occupancy, and retired people can attend events etc. at times when working people cannot. This does not make sense for parking spaces because parking is never free: it costs taxpayers a significant amount to maintain, even without counting the considerable social and environmental cost associated with automobiles.

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and motorists of all ages need to pay their fair share.

Slider29: My goodness what a bunch of arrogant responses here. It does not cost a significant amount of money to maintain those types of parking lots — they make money.

Pretty lame to assume that these individuals and all seniors are wealthy because baby boomers have the most disposable incomes. On top of that, when the city makes a policy change they should inform people of that change. Other parking lots, even the police at times, issue warnings to give the public time to adjust. It’s all in Barber’s quote: “we don’t have to.” It’s not about having to, it’s about they should. Another example of Vision Vancouver’s poor ability to communicate with the public.

COURIER COLUMN: “HST history bodes ill for TransLink,” Dec. 17.

T Hopps: There are some things that don’t need to make a profit: medical care, policing and transit. Self-sufficiency is a dream when it comes to transit. It’s not an unnecessary luxury. We all need an efficient and strong transit system. Overpaid, car-driving TransLink executives are a luxury that should be tossed out with their personal assistants and assorted minions. What we need is a strong TransLink leader who isn’t a total careerist. yup09: Christy Clark has eight billion for a new dam so why do we need a tax increase for a few hundred million a year for transit?

COURIER ARCHIVES: “Babe dies watching Canucks game,” Dec. 17.

Cilo59: I remember Babe Pratt coming to speak at our elementary school in Delta when I was a kid. He packed the gym and the dads were as excited as the kids. Babe had honest charisma and was really nice. Pretty sure Tracy made the team, in no small measure, due to his father’s rep.

A12

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Feature

A gadget Christmas

Portable television sets were the “must have” Christmas present in the 1960s. PROVINCE NEWSPAPER PHOTO, VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 40870.

In 70 years Vancouverites have gone from vacuum tube radios to touchscreen smartphones at Christmas

Lisa Smedman In an age of instant communication, Wi-Fi connectivity to the world, and electronic entertainment in every room, it’s hard to imagine life without cellphones, gaming consoles and gadgets.

This Christmas, Santa’s sack will be brimming with touchscreen cellphones, digital cameras, 3DS gaming devices, tablet computers, wireless headsets, gaming consoles like the Xbox One or PS4, and (my personal favourite for weird tech gizmos) the $300 “brain sensing headband” that measures brainwaves so you can “train your brain” to destress.

Flash back 70 years ago, to Christmas 1944. A time when “land lines” were more likely to be party lines, and if you weren’t home to answer your phone, you’d miss the call.

The Second World War was still raging, and it was a time of shortages; the mass consumerism of modern Boxing Week sales would

have been unthinkable. In an era of the icebox and coal-fired furnace, electric appliances were just starting to make inroads.

“The home of tomorrow will be an electrical home,” Westinghouse boasted in its ad for electric fridges, stoves and washing machines — the latter, an upright-drum style washer with a hand-fed wringer on top.

Television had been invented prior to 1944 but TV sets wouldn’t become popular for another decade.

Vancouverites relied upon their radios for news of the day. A popular Christmas present “for the young lad” (in this era when girls were still expected to become homemakers, despite the influx of women into the wartime workforce) was the crystal set, a build-it-yourself radio. Selling for $3.25, it could pick up local radio stations within a 20-mile range. Headphones and an aerial were extras, at $3.85 and $1.15 respectively.

Despite winter temperatures, Vancouverites were being urged to “save one shovelful in five.” A free

government booklet offered 33 tips on how to save coal, including taking delivery when the coal dealer was in the area (thus saving gasoline needed for the war effort) and accepting “whatever kind of useable fuel the dealer can supply.”

By Christmas 1954, many homes had TV sets. Television had become popular the year before, when many people purchased their first TVs to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Televisions back then were housed in wooden cabinets and required an aerial atop the set or on the rooftop. They were strictly black and white.

The Admiral full console, at $259, promised “whiter whites, and blacker blacks, plus the range of in between shades.”

The Roberts Majestic Super M television (its futuristic logo featuring atoms circling a globe) featured receivers built with “Ferroxcube — the wonderful, super-magnetic material... [that] cuts out annoying interference.” The picture, the ad

boasted, was “So real you can almost reach out and touch the performers on the screen!”

Popular Christmas presents for mom included electric mix masters, irons, toasters and blendettes (blenders). Or, for those wanting to splurge on a $49.50 Empire sewing machine, Pfaff Sewing Centre offered a “lay-away” plan with pick-up on Christmas Eve. Popular in the days before credit cards, a lay-away plan let shoppers pay by installment for a product they could pick up from the store once payment was complete.

For dad, popular gifts included a wrist watch (a rarity these days, when people check the time on their cellphones) or a Sunbeam Shavemaster for $17.95. Those on a tight budget could buy the electric shaver for $2 down, and $2 per month.

Families could capture the events of Christmas Day with a Kodak 8mm movie camera ($45.75) and projector ($78.50) that was “plenty big enough for

living-room shows.”

Christmas 1964 saw the realization of the prediction made two decades earlier: that every home would be filled with electric gadgets.

The Broxodent electric toothbrush, at $15.75, was billed as “the most modern method of achieving better dental health.” Advertisements urged shoppers to “Reward your family with cleaner teeth and healthfully refreshed gums.”

The Broxodent had to be plugged into an electric socket; in comparison, the rival Canadian General Electric toothbrush was a cordless, rechargeable model. Ads promised it “has proved to be much more effective than hand brushing.”

An ad for Sunbeam appliances urged men to “Be the love of her busy life with time-saving Sunbeam gifts” such as an automatic mix master, waffle baker, travel hair dryer in a round hatbox-style carry case, or coffee percolator that “speed brews up to 12 cups of coffee in a few minutes.”

(Espresso wouldn’t become popular until decades later.)

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A13

Feature

Left: The 1940s were an era when most people got their news and entertainment via the radio. Even Santa relied on radio to get his messages across, as in this 1945 “Man on the Street” CKMO Radio broadcast, done live in front of the Orpheum Theatre. PHOTO JACK LINDSAY, CITY OF VANCOUVER ARCHIVES CVA 1184-2229.

Right: No “rec room” of the 1950s was complete without a record player. Records continued to be a popular Christmas present through the decades that followed, and 33 RPM albums were a big part of the Boxing Day sales held by stores like A&B Sound and Kelly’s Stereo Marts in the 1970s. PHOTO ART JONES, VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 83334C.

‘The home of tomorrow will be the electrical home’

Another Christmas option for mom was an electric dishwasher, which Canadian General Electric calculated would save “300 hours per year of precious time” mom would otherwise spend handwashing dishes.

For the man in your life, how about an Electrohome Titan 19-inch portable TV set for $269.50. “Please him with his own personal portable TV to tote everywhere!” (“Portable,” back then, meant a TV that could easily be picked up and moved via a handle on the top. Truly portable television viewing wouldn’t arrive on the scene until the maturation of the cellphone as a hand-held entertainment device.)

Home entertainment options ranged from the $52.88 Marconi portable record player with automatic four-speed changer that played “all types of monaural records” to the $439 Philips stereo hi-fi in a “finely crafted solid wood cabinet” that housed a turntable and speakers.

For students or secretaries, the perfect gift was a Smith-Corona electric typewriter, at $159.50. “A wonderful gift for student or careerist who depends on a good typewriter!” a Woodwards ad boasted.

Christmas, 1974 was a time when Boxing Day sales had yet to evolve into Boxing Week sales. That year, A&B Sound aimed its annual sale at the younger generation.

A $199.95 package deal

that included a receiver, FM stereo tuner, turntable and speakers was billed as a stereo system that anybody could afford. “When you’re young, your ears are sharp, your wallet is flat and you can hear every decibel of difference between what you can afford and what you’d like to have.”

Music, back then, came on records (either 33 RPM albums or 45 RPM singles) or cassette tape. If you wanted the latest album, you had to head on down to stores like A&B Sound or Kelly’s Stereo Marts to buy it in person; records at those stores were $3.69 and $3.78 respectively. (Music videos and MTV wouldn’t arrive on the scene until the 1980s.)

New releases to be found under the Christmas tree in 1974 included the Beach Boys’ Endless Summer, Deep Purple’s Stormbringer, The Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock & Roll, Stevie Wonder’s Fulfillingness’ First Finale, Elton John’s Caribou and local band Bachman Turner Overdrive’s Not Fragile.

Vancouver Sight & Sound offered JVC stereo cassette tape decks with auto reverse for $328, allowing both sides of a cassette tape to play in one sitting. Many tape decks featured the ability to record from one cassette to another, allowing people to make their own mix tapes — this, in an era long before you could assemble a library

of thousands of songs on your cellphone.

Reel-to-reel tape recorders were a must-have for the serious sound recording buff. An Akai reel-to-reel, at $399, featured a fourtrack, two-channel stereo or monaural recording and playback system, and could be converted into a public address system.

Colour TVs were the norm by the 1970s rather than the exception (although the monster flat screens of today were a distant dream). A 14inch Candle TV sold for $379.95, while a 17inch Sony KV-1710 was $569.95.

By Christmas 1984, personal computers and gaming consoles were exploding onto the scene.

So were video recorders that freed people from having to watch TV shows only at the time they were aired.

A Panasonic VHS Video Recorder, at $449.99, featured a wireless remote that allowed viewers to “control all major functions plus change channels from your armchair” and could be set to record TV shows over a two-week period.

The first game consoles had appeared a decade earlier, but video gaming at home became a really popular pastime in the 1980s. High-tech Christmas gifts for kids included the $119.95 ColecoVision, bundled with the popular arcade game Donkey Kong,

the Atari 5200 and the Intellivision.

An add-on for the latter was the $19.95 Intellivoice, a plug-in that allowed players to enjoy games that featured synthesized voices in an era when “bleep-bleep” sound effects were the norm. Electronic devices that speak to us might seem nothing special today, when we talk to Siri on our cell phones, but they were cutting edge in the 1980s, after becoming popular in the decade previously in electronic toys like the Speak & Spell.

Another peripheral, the $19.95 Atari Changer, allowed gamers to play Atari 2600 games on their ColecoVisions.

Intellivision games advertised for $9.95 that Christmas included Space Battle, Space Armada, Bump ‘n Jump, Star Strike, Sharp Shot, Astrosmash, Frog Bog, Vectron, and Maze-a-tron — all obscure titles today.

By the 1980s, cordless phones and answering machines were the norm, as was the microwave oven, the video camera and the Sony Walkman, which allowed music buffs to listen to their favourite album on cassette tape as they jogged. Personal computers, however, were just starting to become a hot Christmas gift.

An IBM PC Jr. with 128 KB of memory and two disk drives for 5 1/8-inch “floppies” sold for $1,469 at Future Shop. A colour monitor with 13-inch screen

that “displays text and graphics in as many as 16 vivid colors” was extra, and sold for $634.99.

At the low end, the Commodore 64, billed as “the world’s best-selling name computer on the market today” was just $284.99.

The Apple Macintosh, with its graphical user interface and mouse, had been released earlier in 1984, but most computer buffs still interfaced with their computers via the typed-in commands of DOS. Apple had yet to become the household word it is today. This was the year I bought my first computer; I remember being puzzled by the icons on the Macintosh’s screen.

I opted for the TRS-80 personal computer instead — a mistake, in hindsight.

“Every computer system needs a printer!” one 1984 ad noted. Back then, printers were either dot matrix or daisy wheel, required special perforated, tractorfeed paper, and cost $399.99 to $599.99 Christmas of 1994 marked the dawning of an era of connectivity. A Motorola flip-phone (a device that was the stuff of science fiction shows like Star Trek just three decades earlier) sold for $99. Cellphones, however, were still being given a run for their money by pagers — which at $9.95 per month had service plans that were a fraction of the $49.95 per month cellphone plans cost.

Other must-have electronics for under the tree included the Sharp electronic organizer, a flip-open electronic device about the size of a daytimer — which was what it was meant to replace. First prototyped in 1986, the electronic organizer became popular in the 1990s, at a time when cellphones didn’t have the functionality they do today.

The lower-end organizer packed “eight major functions” into a single device: telephone directory, expense tracking, calendar, schedule, memo, anniversary, clock and calendar, for just $39.99.

The more expensive model, at $124, featured a 128 KB memory and could display four lines of text that were 20 characters wide.

Today, we look back at many of the “high tech” gadgets and devices of previous decades and shake our heads at how primitive many of them seem.

Likewise, modern virtual reality gaming consoles like the Omni and 3-D printers — cutting-edge technologies today — may seem laughably primitive to our grandchildren.

The past 70 years has seen technology evolve from vacuum-tube radios to touch screen cellphones that pack the functionality of a roomful of electronic devices of decades gone by.

Seventy years hence, in Christmas 2084, what science-fictional wonders will we find under the tree?

A14

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Community 1

2

1. Athena Kyriakides, left, and Sarah Batko brought their flowers and pastries to the Eastside Flea held at the WISE Hall. 2. Many people spent an August afternoon on the grounds of the Southlands Riding Club in Vancouver. Fancy dress, picnics, and (leashed) dogs were welcome to the sidelines of Vancouver’s first polo game in 15 years. See more photos at vancourier.com. PHOTOS REBECCA BLISSETT

Animals and innovators top the year

CITY LIVING Rebecca Blissett

rvblissett@gmail.com

Armed with notepad and camera, we ventured into various city neighbourhoods every weekend this past year and barged into people’s houses, stores and goingson to pester them with questions and to take their photographs.

The results were published in this weekly City Living photo column and now, as we wind up the year and look back, we find it a near impossible task to pick our favourites because all you people are just so darn interesting.

So we decided to select some of the top stories based on those that fit into two popular categories: First-timers or Animals.

First-timers

Ganga Jolicoeur and Walter Le Daca rang in 2014 by opening a coffee shop in the West End. They called

it The Greenhorn in tribute to three Englishmen who bought most of the land in the area during the 1860s with the idea to make bricks out of the area’s clay. Locals mocked them back then but they sure changed their tune some one hundred odd years later! The Greenhorn Espresso Bar was so packed at the start, it prompted a disbelieving neighbour to tell Le Daca that he must know all these people. Le Daca stood up in his busy café and called out, “Who here is my friend?” Nobody answered, which is a bit sad but proved his point.

Eastside Flea celebrated its first birthday this year.

Friends and business partners Linda Ounapuu and Jill Whitford decided to start the market the Sunday after the Waldorf Hotel ceased to exist as one of Vancouver’s most popular creative spaces last year, proving that the will to be creative can be as resilient as climbing ivy.

“We were sitting there, in my living room and said, let’s

do something ourselves,” said Ounapuu. “We felt that if we don’t get on this, somebody else is going to.”

Like The Greenhorn, Eastside Flea is still going strong.

Another 2014 birth announcement goes to Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre’s Il Mercato, the first Italian farmer’s market in the city.

“My mandate is to take the legacy of the centre, which is a 37-year-old organization, with the idea to reflect the past, engage the present and build a legacy for the Italian community in Vancouver,” said the centre’s executive director Mauro Vescera. The plan is a lively one. In addition to the market, which will be a regular part of the centre’s programing from here on in, Vescera said there are plans to add a free outdoor movie screening during the summer market days as well as broaden the centre’s culinary programming.

Vancouver held its first circus festival in November.

Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil

lists Vancouver as one of the cities that sells out the quickest in terms of ticket sales for its shows, which proves artistic director Jay Nunn’s point that there is a local appetite for the circus arts. “We need to raise our voice as a circus community and that’s why we’re doing the festival,” said Nunns.

“We have a distinct voice on the West Coast and we want to let people know we are viable, competitive, and we do quality work.”

Animals

The most popular event of the City of Vancouver’s Bird Week in May was Crow Night. The Alice McKay Room at the Vancouver Central Library was packed with crow lovers, most of whom adhered to the dress code of wearing black, including one woman who had attached a homemade beak to her head and wore a cape of wings (incidentally, there were no sightings all week of a human dressed as a black-capped chickadee, the

winner of the Vancouver’s bird election). Filmmaker Mike McKinlay presented his 15-minute Crows documentary to the crowd.

“I had a really crappy job and to compensate for this crappy job every night I went out and followed crows,” he said. “They were so unbelievably aware of the camera. They know you’re there and they will wait until you’re completely set up with your exposure set, and your aperture, you’re ready to go — and then they fly away.”

Yes, there was a Running of the Bulls in Yaletown in August. As soon as Hippo’s owners Samantha Scigliano and Jamie Smyth heard about the dog race, they started training Hippo the bulldog. They duplicated the race’s quick-burst format, sometimes incorporating resistance training by attaching a five-pound weight to Hippo which, surprisingly, drew some attention.

“People probably thought we were crazy,” admitted Smyth. “But we had a lot of fans, too,” added Scigliano.

HURRY! Christmas Eve Deadline...

EARLY BIRD PRIZE worth over $200,000!

Vacations for life or BMW i8 or $150,000 cash! Cut off midnight Dec. 24 BMW i8

Plus...

5

Incredible Grand Prize Options including $ 2.5 million cash

Winner will choose 1 prize option; other prize options will not be awarded.

50/50 Jackpot up to $ 2 million. Rules of Play / Tickets: MillionaireLottery.com W I N N E R TA K E S H A L F

“When we were out training people would ask what was happening so we let them know he had a race. He has a lot of fans here today.”

Hippo won his heat but lost the championship by a hair to a fellow named Carter.

First-timers AND Animals

The Southlands Cup came to Vancouver in August, marking the first time organized polo was played in Vancouver since 1999.

“No, I didn’t expect to see it here again, that’s why it’s so wonderful,” said spectator and former player Patrick Oswald, now 78. “I have a lot of memories, and they’re all very special.” He remembered the camaraderie of visiting teams, the aftermatch parties, and exercising his horses every morning.

He also remembers how tough a sport it is; his front false teeth are evidence as they were knocked out by a swinging mallet on the Southlands field years ago. twitter.com/rebeccablissett

IONAIRE MILL DESIGNER HOME

LOTTERY VG

N H & IO D AT UB C H O S P I TA L F O U N

Or call 604-602-5848 Buy also at VGH and OVER 3,400 PRIZES!

Chances are 1 in 117,000 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize.

BC Gaming Event Licence #68327

Chances are 1 in 482,600 (total tickets for sale) to win the 50/50 prize.

BC Gaming Event Licence #68326

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

Know your limit, play within it.

19+

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

urbansenior

A15

Just in case you missed the Christmas Eve celebration...

Immanuel Baptist Church would like to invite you for A German Christmas Celebration

(in the German language) Special music provided by Julie Lowe, Pianist (Vancouver Academy of Music) Michelle Klimchuk, Harpist

December 25, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

109 East 40th Ave. Vancouver 604-327-4010

Tee times will have to be scheduled around work as more seniors are postponing retirement.

DENTURES THAT FIT

GUARANTEED!

More seniors passing on retirement

Tom Carney

tomcarney@telus.net

I have a friend who just retired. He’s 56.

He wants to make the golf course his second home. But what we know about early retirees suggests he’ll have to schedule his tee times when he’s off the clock. An analysis from Statistics Canada shows that more than half of the workers in Canada aged 55 and older return to the workforce within a decade.

The question is: Are retirees going back to work because they want to or because they have to?

CARP, a large national advocacy group for seniors and their American counterpart, AARP, both think it’s the latter. I’m not so sure about that. An analysis

by StatsCanada found that older workers with employer sponsored pension plans

— particularly in the public sector — were less likely to seek post retirement employment and that those who were laid off from their career jobs were more likely to be re-employed. That makes sense. If you have a good pension you can probably retire. If you don’t, it’s more of a challenge.

Here’s the wild card.

There is a growing cadre of retirees who have both a socalled gold plated pension plan and high earnings over their career who are choosing to go back to work. The Municipal Retirees Organization of Ontario recently polled their members and found that 28 per cent continue to work after retirement, even though all of the respondents were receiving a defined-benefit pension plan and were in a position to retire.

Why do some retirees go back to work when there

is no financial necessity for them to do so? It appears we may have dramatically underestimated the desire of older Canadians to continue to work later in life. Some people may choose to work longer to keep active and stay alert, but there is more to it than that. People who are very work oriented and love their jobs don’t want to give that up — especially if they’re healthy.

The notion that as we get older we need to slow down, take it easy, stop working and retire may be doing us more harm than good. There is some evidence to suggest that those who work the hardest live the longest — especially if they are dedicated to things and people beyond themselves. The trend for well-to-do retirees to choose work over leisure turns our view of what it means to be older and to be retired on

its head. I’ll give you that, but let’s put this in perspective. There are still lots of people, like my friend, who are enjoying their retirement or who can’t wait to retire.

They may even be the majority. If you’re in that group, or about to be, it’s the first couple of years after retirement that you have to watch out for. Statistics tell us that those who are reemployed after retirement tend to return to the workforce rather quickly. The trick to retiring and then staying retired is to retire later and stay out of the workforce for one, or better yet, two years.

After that the probability of being re-employed falls sharply. And if you do want to go back to work, know that you are not alone.

Tom Carney is the former executive director of the Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society. Ideas for future columns are welcome.

All our Dentures and Services are TAX FREE! Friedrich H.G. Brumm D.D. B.A. Denturist - 27 yrs exp

For your free consultation please call 604-325-1914 www.mydentures.ca

View my video with

Now Accepting New Patients No Referral Needed VICTORIA DRIVE DENTURE CLINIC 5477 Victoria Drive (at 39th) “EUROPEAN QUALITY AT CANADIAN PRICES”

Join our

growing network! facebook.com/TheVancouverCourierNewspaper

Our pr promise. Your our peace of mind.

With our extended network of funeral homes throughout Canada, we remain an affordable, professional service provider. First Memorial Funeral Services offers low service fees, transferable arrangements and free planning information.

All with the high level of service you’ve come to expect.

As always, we continue to serve our community.

You’ll continue to receive the excellent service First Memorial provides today, tomorrow and always.

To request a free consultation or a Personal Planning Guide, please call the First Memorial Funeral Services location below.

FIRST MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICES

602 Kingsway | Vancouver, BC V5T 3K4 | 604-876-5585

A16

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Sponsored by HUMN Pharmaceuticals

Humn Pharmaceuticals makes Lidocaine available as a Topical Pain Relieving Cream By Haidita Celestine Many people may be suffering in

People liked it because it acted quickly

compared to the amide type local

Relief,” says Hamilton. “As a medicated

pain needlessly according to Rowan Hamilton, Research Director of Humn Pharmaceuticals of Winnipeg. “Despite the fact that lidocaine is on the World

and didn’t last too long; they also noticed the feeling of euphoria that went with cocaine use and many dentists developed a dependence on the substance. In the

anesthetic.”

In the search for ever-improving pain relievers, though, the benefits of lidocaine

cream, it goes where it is needed, when it is needed. It is applied on the skin, at the point where pain is felt, that way it doesn’t go through the stomach, or the liver or the

Health Organization’s list of Essential

early 1900s, Procaine / Novocaine was

seem to have been largely forgotten. The

kidneys, where many drugs leave a trail of

Medicines [a list of the most important medications needed in a basic healthcare system] most people are unaware of how well it relieves a wide range of pain conditions,” says Hamilton.

introduced with all the desired benefits of cocaine but without its addictive and heart racing side effects. Lidocaine, however, became the dentist drug of choice when it was made commercially available in the

medical marketplace for pain treatment since lidocaine’s creation has been dominated by pills delivering NonSteroidal Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and Opiates. Consumers, however, are

damage.”

late 1940s.

increasingly concerned and aware of the

recognized the value of Lidocaine. In

For those who know Hamilton, a herbalist, wholistic dermatologist, student of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a graduate of the School of Herbal Medicine

Lidocaine was first synthesized under the name xylocaine by Swedish chemist Nils Löfgren in 1943. A major difference

dangers and limitations of these drugs.

As Hamilton puts it, “All that, is a long way of saying that lidocaine works very well to locally prevent pain signals not only

their 2009 Clinical Practice Guideline, they strongly recommended that “all patients with localized neuropathic pain are candidates for topical lidocaine.”

in England, it may come as a bit of a surprise to hear him speaking of the

between lidocaine and earlier local anesthetics was its stability in water. In

from travelling to the brain, but from being initiated at all. And it does that without

“I’m very happy to be associated with

benefits of a synthetic drug. Hamilton notes, however, that while some people almost always prefer ‘natural’ alternatives, the only naturally occurring Local

practical terms this meant that lidocaine, unlike procaine, did not need to be prepared freshly before each injection.

Further, lidocaine was the first amino

addiction, fewer unwanted side effects and much fewer allergic reactions.”

Anesthetic is cocaine.

In the late 1880s cocaine was in fact the

amide-type local anesthetic; until its discovery local anesthetics were all “esters”. Amide-type anesthetics have a

isn’t always better when it comes to pain medication. They have chosen to reintroduce lidocaine to the consumer in a

very first local anesthetic used in dentistry and an improvement on the previous

major patient care advantage Hamilton says. “Ester type anesthetics are much

topical cream formulation along with other complementary ingredients including

approach: copious amounts of alcohol.

more likely to cause allergic reaction

menthol. “TPR stands for Topical Pain

Humn Pharmaceuticals believes that new

The American Geriatrics Society Panel on the Pharmacological Management of Persistent Pain in Older Persons has also

Humn Pharmaceuticals,” says Hamilton.

“Humn created TPR20 topical lidocaine cream to ensure people have access to this proven, safe and effective pain reliever. Go Humn!”

On these shoulders balanced a home and family.

It’s only human to look back, remembering the good times.

Before the shoulders had enough, and pain moved in.

Available at: .humnpharmaceuticals.com www.humnpharmaceu DIN #02309076

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A17

urbansenior

Learn Facebook in the new year Sandra Thomas

sthomas@vancourier.com

Downtown

With the New Year comes new opportunities, such as a workshop dubbed Getting to Know Facebook for Seniors, with sessions scheduled for Jan. 7, 20 and 26 at the Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia St. Learn the basics of Facebook and stay connected with friends and family.

Also on offer at the Central Library downtown are free classes designed to teach seniors computer basics. Learn to use the mouse and computer keyboard — and get an overview of basic computer functions, Jan. 5 or 22, 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Part two is for learners who have some experience using a computer keyboard and computer mouse.

Learn about computer files and how to move them from the computer to a portable storage device, Jan. 12 or 29, 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Finally, learn how to use that new ebook in sessions created to show users how to find, check out and download the electronic readers from the VPL’s To Go collection. As well, in Ebook Basics, participants will learn how to use a computer to transfer titles and download directly to an ebook or mobile device. The workshops take place Jan. 6, 17 and 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Jan. 21 and 31 from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. All of the above workshops are free, but registration is required by calling 604-331-3603.

Mount Pleasant

The annual tree chipping event in benefit of kids takes place at Kingsgate Mall, 370 East Broadway, Jan. 4 from

“I need help while I recover.”

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lower eastside parking lot Tree Chipping for Kids at Kingsgate Mall is an annual fundraising effort in support of the Mount Pleasant Elementary School Community Playground. The event is organized by the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association with assistance from Arbutus Tree Service.

All trees are chipped and recycled by donation with 100 per cent of proceeds dedicated to the construction of a community playground.

Even better, free cookies and hot chocolate will be served during the event to all who donate. Last year’s event recycled 357 trees and raised $3,067 for the project.

Fairview

A New Year’s Eve party at the Ukrainian Hall has a Back to the Future theme, so get out the poodle skirts, cowboy hats, space gear or ’80s best for a night of music, dancing and photos in front of a Clock Tower replica.

Enjoy three live bands, an eighties-inspired DJ, photo booth and photographers. As well, each ticket holder will receive a bag filled with Back to the Future souvenirs. A donation of $2 from each ticket goes to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.

Sponsored by craft brewery Parallel 49 Brewing Co., this party takes off on the city’s largest dance floor.

The hall, located at 3150 Ash St., is easily accessible by transit or offers free parking. Note: the party includes a cash bar and there is no ATM on the property. For more information, visit savetheclocktower.info.

Richmond

Vancouver’s King of

Learn the basics of Facebook at VPL, and stay connected with friends and family.

Swing, Dal Richards, will once again be leading his orchestra during the annual New Year’s Eve bash at River Rock Casino Resort.

The party includes a premium buffet, dance floor, party favours and champagne toast. Visit ticketmaster.ca or riverrock.com for tickets.

Renfrew/ Collingwood

The Italian Cultural Centre is hosting a New Year’s Eve Gala in the Grand Ballroom during a party featuring hors d’oeuvres, dinner (including wine and soft drinks), live music, party favours and a champagne toast at midnight. The centre is located at 3075 Slocan St. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 604-4303337 or visit italianculturalcentre.ca for more information. twitter.com/sthomas10

EVERYONE’S EARS ARE DIFFERENT.

THAT’S WHY EVERYONE NEEDS A DIFFERENT HEARING AID WIDHH is different too. Your hearing is assessed by a trusted clinician *. And we offer a wide range of hearing aids, not just one brand.

We’re different because your hearing is different.

VANCOUVER - BROADWAY LOCATION #514 -2525 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC 778.329.0870

VANCOUVER - KITSILANO LOCATION 2125 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver, BC 604.736.7391

Call today an appointment.

Call usus today for anfor appointment.

www.widhh.ca www.widhh.ca

TRI-CITIES - POCO LOCATION #260 - 2755 lougheed Hwy. Port Coquitlam, BC 604-942-7397

* Registered Audiologists and UBC * Registered Audiologists and UBCClinical ClinicalInstructors Instructors

After Surgery We Can Help You!

SHYLO Brings The Care To Your Home.

When you are challenged by a recent surgery, stroke or hospital stay and need help in your home, Shylo Professional Care can support you with: 3 recovery, rehabilitation and phsyio services 3 medication management 3 meal preparation 3 nursing support and wound care

For a FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT call

604-985-6881

Check us out online: www.ShyloNursing.ca www.VancouverSeniorHealth.BlogSpot.com

A18

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Feature Being human...

I’ve been looking for strangers to pose for a photo and answer a few personal questions once a week since August. Some days this is easier than others.

Vancouverites are busy.

Unless they’re already seated, they don’t have time to gaze into a lens and chat.

I’ve been surprised by how many of the people I’ve met were born in a country other than Canada. They’ve come from China, the Philippines, Romania, Austria and more. This experience has underscored the multicultural nature of our growing city. Of course, the people with imperfect English worry the most about being quoted. But everyone’s had something interesting and insightful to say, no matter what they look like or where they’re from.

Thank you to the people who’ve been Humans of Vancouver so far. I hope to meet the rest of you on the street. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi It’s a bit of a balancing act but you only get one of these babies but careers come and go. It’s getting better in the fact that you’ve got a lot more fathers taking time off so, for instance, I’m splitting it 50/50 with my partner this time around, and so the burden isn’t so much on the mother always, any more. Especially not in Vancouver. You see lots of dads walking around during the day with baby carriages, so it’s getting better and companies are getting more aware of the fact that they’re not going to shy away from hiring a woman because she’s around 30 and just got married and might have kids some day. The tide is turning, slowly. And I don’t feel like as a whole my career has been held back by it, but there’s definitely been opportunities that I’ve missed out on.

Every Sunday I go to church to God to say something. The other time you have to [talk with] the people, [and then] the heart is very nice. I’m from China. I came to Vancouver about seven years ago. In China, my parents and only myself. Sometimes I felt lonely. Driving the trailer and cooking is a job but it’s not business, it’s heart-to-heartcommunication.

I’m a musician so I really enjoy the darker times because I don’t feel as guilty staying in and being creative. I think the rain helps [artists] in a way, as much as we hate it. It also helps when you get depressed, you kind of have a reason to write… My birthday is in October so I always like fall. It makes me feel like it’s my time… The full moons are bigger and stronger and it just feels a lot more powerful in the evening. It just gets witchy. I love it.

Mating wise, the actual sex part of it, I swear they actually enjoy it. Because most birds, you blink, you miss it. These guys, he actually wraps his wings around her belly — just like regular birds, they get it on from behind — and the female will turn her head 180 degrees and they’ll kiss the whole time they’re having sex. It’s funny because it’s almost like a spectator sport to the other birds.

They’ll actually sit back and watch it like, “what’s this?” Especially younger males are like, “what’s going on here?” They seem to do it and actually enjoy it… I think sex should be passionate and they show lots of passion

My mom passing away in 2007 was the saddest moment in my life. Then it also was a realization that it’s just the circle of life, you know. I would tell others to go through the grieving process and don’t try to rush anything. Whatever emotions run through your mind, just go with it. It’s normal. It’s not abnormal.

A19

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

GOT ARTS? 604.738.1411 or events@vancourier.com

11

2 Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 1. Despite the continued cinematic output of Adam Sandler and a neverending stream of movies set in ancient times with shirtless guys yelling stuff like “They will bathe in the blood of our vengeance!,” 2014 was a good year for film. For evidence of this, look no further than Vancity Theatre as it screens the Best of 2014 Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Films include The Grand Budapest Hotel, Under the Skin, We are the Best!, Force Majeure, The Immigrant, Ida, The Ovenighters, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Boyhood and Mommy.

Details and show times at viff.org.

2. Shake off that holiday hangover as Toronto-by-way-of-Vancouver outfit Bend Sinister brings its keyboard-propelled prog-pop stylings to the Imperial Dec. 27, 8 p.m. Need more reason to escape the inlaws? The Gay Nineties and the Tourist Company open. Tickets at Red Cat, Zulu, Highlife and ticketweb.ca.

3. Having already dazzled audiences with its productions of Waiting for Godot and Uncle Vanya, Blackbird Theatre takes on Samuel Beckett’s All that Fall. Written as a 75-minute radio play in 1956 for the BBC, All that Fall is essentially the story of a woman who goes to meet her husband, mixing Beckett’s penchant for bawdiness, comedy and tragedy. According to the play’s press release, “After its broadcast in 1957, several prominent theatre producers, including Laurence Olivier, tried to obtain the rights to produce it as a stage play, but Beckett refused all requests.” Beckett’s estate finally relented in 2012 and the play opened in London and New York to rave reviews. The Canadian premiere of All that Fall runs Dec. 30 to Jan. 24 at the Cultch. Tickets and details at thecultch.com.

3

A20

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Open 9am-11pm Everyday Christmas Day, December 25, 12-8pm January 1st, 12pm-8pm 1450 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver ValueOnLiquor.com | 6045582583

Corner of SW Marine Drive & Granville Street

EVERYTHING IN STORE 2% BELOW GOVERNMENT PRICING

DRINK

Y RE SP ONSIBL

NO C H I L LE !

CHARG

• Purchase 12 or more bottles of wine and save additional 5% • Every Tuesday is Seniors Day (60+) 5% off entire price • BC’s Longest Cooler *Excluding sale priced items

DELIVERY AVAILABLE FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY EVENINGS

DECEMBER SALE! LIMITED TIME OFFER. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST • SALE STARTS DECEMBER 4TH - JANUARY 1ST • ASK ABOUT DELIVERY

BEER, COOLERS & CIDER

$23.00 $22.50 $7.75 $19.50 $10.50 $19.50 $19.50

HEINEKEN 12BTL (SAVE $2.00) STELLA ARTOIS 12BTL (SAVE $2.50) CARIBOO 6CAN (SAVE $.25) STANLEY PARK WINTER MIXER 12BTL (SAVE $2.50) STANLEY PARK ICE BREAKER WINTER ALE 6BTL (SAVE $.75) OKANAGAN VARIETY 12PK BTL (SAVE $3.50) SLEEMAN SELECTION 12PK BTL (SAVE $3.50)

SPIRITS

SMIRNOFF 750ML (SAVE $1.75) CROWN ROYAL 750ML (SAVE $2.00) BAILEYS 750ML (SAVE $2.50) TANQUERAY 750ML (SAVE $1.75) STOLICHNAYA 1.14L (SAVE $2.25) BACARDI 750ML (SAVE $1.00) WISERS 1.14L (SAVE $2.50) JACK DANIELS 1.14L (SAVE $1.25) JACK DANIELS HONEY (SAVE $2.00) JIM BEAM 1.14L (SAVE $2.00) THE FAMOUS GROUSE 750ML (SAVE $2.50) THE BLACK GROUSE 750ML (SAVE $2.50) KRAKEN SPICED RUM 750ML (SAVE $2.50)

$23.00 $25.00 $26.50 $25.25 $36.75 $23.00 $35.50 $44.75 $30.00 $36.00 $27.50 $33.45 $30.50

WINE

ARCANUM TOSCANA CABERNET “SUPER TUSCAN” 96 PTS 750ML (SAVE $12.00) MOUNT BRAVE CAB/SAUV “NAPA CAB” 93 PTS 750ML (SAVE $15.00) MISSION HILL RESERVE MERLOT 750ML (SAVE $5.00) MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $5.00)

L O OK I NG F OR C R A F T BE E R?

$93.00 $110.00 $22.00 $17.00

SAVE

5

$ 00

STANLEY PARK AMBER 12BTL

SAVE

3

$ 50

ABSOLUT 1.75L

$5550

SAVE

5

$ 40

MISSION HILL RESERVE CAB/SAUV 750ML

$2100

$2200

SAVE

4

$ 75

STEAM WHISTLE 12BTL

$2550

SAVE

3

$ 00

JOSE CUERVO GOLD

SAVE

8

$ 00

MICHELLE BRUT OR BRUT ROSE 750ML

$28

00

WOLFBLASS GOLD CAB/SAUV 750ML (SAVE $2.50) WOLFBLASS YELLOW LABEL CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $2.25) WOLFBLASS YELLOW LABEL MERLOT, CAB/SAUV OR SHIRAZ 750ML (SAVE $2.50) OYSTER BAY SAUV/BLANC OR CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $2.50) APOTHIC RED 750ML (SAVE $1.75) APOTHIC DARK OR WHITE 750ML (SAVE $1.00) LAMARCA PROSECCO 750ML (SAVE $1.50) CUPCAKE RED VELVET OR CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $1.50) CUPCAKE PROSECCO 750ML (SAVE $1.50) SONOMA CUTRER CHARDONNAY 750ML (SAVE $3.50) YELLOWTAIL SHIRAZ 750ML (SAVE $2.50) YELLOWTAIL MERLOT OR SWEET RED ROO 750ML (SAVE $1.50) YELLOWTAIL BIG BOLD RED 750ML (SAVE $2.50) COPPER MOON PINOT GRIGIO, MALBEC OR SHIRAZ 3L (SAVE $3.50) LANG GEWURTZRAMINER 750ML (SAVE $6.70)

We h a v e o n e o f Va n c o u v e r ’s l a r g e s t s e l e c t i o n s!

PLU S OV E R 2 50 0 W I N E S!

(Prices do not include deposit)

$20 00 $24.50 $14.25 $15.50 $17.50 $15.25 $16.00 $18.50 $13.50 $17.50 $24.50 $10.50 $11.50 $12.50 $27.50 $16.00

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

Where to ring in 2015 STATE OF THE ARTS Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

If you’re longing to see people and lights this New Year’s Eve and yearn to get your groove on in public, here’s a non-exhaustive list of festivities around town.

Biltmore Cabaret Ice Cream Social DJs present the Winter Social, their seventh annual New Year’s Eve party. They’ll spin ’50s, ’60s, pop, rock, psych and dance hits not only in the Biltmore club, but also in the Biltmore Ballroom, a 360-degree mirrored room, upstairs. 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Tickets at the Biltmore, record stores and ticketweb.ca.

Dockside Restaurant The waterside restaurant at the Granville Island Hotel is offering a four-course dinner with live music in two rooms. Guests can reserve a 5:30 or a 7 p.m. seating or purchase tickets to join the party after 9 p.m. Wes Mackey will blend jazz and

blues in the lounge from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and then Brickhouse will rock the restaurant with their award-winning R&B from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Champagne and party favours provided at midnight. Tickets for the dinner and party are $139.95 and available at 604-685-7070.

“Join the party” tickets, $34.95 at docksidevancouver.com. The hotel is also offering special rates for non-drivers.

Fox Cabaret A brand new projection room will make this dance and performance party a multi-space event. Comedy will include the Sunday Service, Rapp Battlez and Dino Archie from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. There’ll be Weird Al Karaoke and a 15-piece youth choir singing songs of the Smiths, from 10:30 to 11 p.m. DJs will spin Brit pop, the Strokes, the Pixies and more from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets start at $35, foxcabaret.com.

Frankie’s Italian Kitchen and Bar Slide back in time to a Chicago-style speakeasy or

supper club with live jazz and blues. Chef Karl Gregg and his team are creating multi-course menus. Cory Weeds will play in a jazz combo on the restaurant side during dinner and then sink into blues with Paul Pigat and Daily Special in the bar. Reserve a 5:30 or 8 p.m. dinner. The second seating includes the midnight celebration and Prosecco toast. A four-course menu is $45 and a more extensive meal $75. Party-only tickets $20. Reservations 604-688-6368. Frankie’s is at 765 Beatty St. Hotel Vancouver Six pop-up nightclubs take over the historic Hotel Vancouver. DJs include DJ Rod Skimmins spinning Motown hits, Cherchez La Femme, and DJ Yurie.

Vancouver Opera will preview Die Fledermaus, there’ll be theatrical striptease, country and western music performed live by Mac Pontiac and a video installation by Paul Wong.

Tickets start at $89 at hotelvancouvernye.com.

Continued next page

Your guide to HOLIDAY GIFTING, HOSTING & TOASTING!

Canada’s best online style supplement, free to your inbox daily.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE AT VITAMINDAILY.COM

Vancouver Calgary Toronto Montreal Moms & Kids

A21

A22

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Arts&Entertainment

26

Fe IRON RO

Improv, punk on NYE menu

55.845

COOKWARE COO

STOVETOP TO OVEN TO TABLE Every kitchen needs at least one piece of iron cookware.

Staub enameled cast iron Cocotte French oven features an iconic flat lid design with self-basting spikes. The iron retains and redistributes heat evenly, and can reach high temperatures, quickly sealing food, preserving vitamins and nutrients. It is excellent for slow cooking, roasting, braising, casseroles, soups or stews. Each piece is adorned with a nickel brass metal knob, and a black matte interior. The enameled finish makes for easier clean-up, while adding a splash of colour to your table.

4QT Round Cocotte

Large Ceramic Bowl

Various colours.

Made in France $290.00

Cherry, Blue, White, Basil $26.00 $14.99

$14499

SAVE UP TO

50%

DEC 27 TO JAN 10

HUGE BOXING WEEK SAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE STORE!

Continued from page 21 The Imperial Mother Mother, Said the Whale, Yukon Blonde and more will perform at the Imperial on New Year’s Eve. There’s a VIP reception that includes a chance to rub shoulders with the performers at 8 p.m. with the party for everyone starting at 9 p.m. Advanced tickets start at $50 from hipcity.ca The Improv Centre Laugh away the headlines of 2014 at the Year in Review presented by the Vancouver TheatreSports League. Improvisers will craft short-form scenes with their own pop culture knowledge and suggestions from the audience. The New Year’s show starts at 11:15 p.m. and includes a champagne toast and party favours. There’s a show at 9:30, as well. 1502 Duranleau St, Granville Island.

Tickets vtsl.com.

The Railway Club Big John Bates, internationally acclaimed musical cabaret extravaganza Reverend Heathen StrangeFellow and the VaudeVille Vagabonds, and Devil in the Wood Shack perform at the Railway. Doors 7 p.m., show 9 p.m. Advanced tickets $15 at the Railway Club, Zulu, Highlife, Red Cat Records and northerntick-

There’s no shortage of options this New Year’s eve, from cabaret extravaganzas and movie screenings, to live bands and improv.

ets.com; $20 at the door.

The Rickshaw Theatre The movie Strange Days will play on the silver screen while DJs Tim Green, Kevin Shiu and Siavash spin in the festivities organized by the You Plus One team.

The party will include a red carpet, midnight confetti, ball drop and retro limos.

Tickets $45 at ticketzone. com (where you can see a greater selection of New Year’s Eve events.)

WISE Hall Celebrate a punk New Year’s at the WISE Hall and Lounge with bands the Rebel Spell, Invasives, the Binz, the Gagged, and Jeff Andrew. There’ll be food by Jackalope’s Neighbourhood Dive and band All Star Amphibians backing Punkaoke.

Tickets $20 advance. Available at the WISE, Red Cat Records, Highlife Records and brownpapertickets. com.

7 PERFORMANCES ADDED! MUST CLOSE JAN 10 EVERY SHOW

NOW PLAYING!

003/15827-000 $115.00

$49.99

Zwilling Plus Multi-Use Roaster

SAVE 50%

003/40993-000 $200.00 $99.99

Émile Henry Bread Baker

Made in France Red 016/91609108 Black 016/91719108 $159.99 $119.99

Made in Germany 051/4067-10 $89.99 $33.99

Rabbit Flipper Pour/Stopper for Wine

Wüsthof Gourmet 2pc Carving Set with Gift Box

Made in Germany 051/9704GB $165.00 $72.99

While supplies last. No rain checks.

All items or colours may not be available in all locations.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Hendrix Vancouver

1995 Boundary Rd Tel: 778-588-6510 www.hendrixequip.com

Wüsthof 3pc Paring Knife Set Multi-coloured 051/9352-5C $48.00 $19.49

SAVE big on

d all-cla

ARTSCLUB.COM 604.687.1644

003/11578-003 $50.00 $18.99

394/MK6122 $8.00 $4.99

Wüsthof Kitchen Surfer 4" Paring Knife

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY ROBERT LOPEZ AND JEFF MARX BOOK BY JEFF WHITTY

Kitchen Elements 3pc Cutting Board Set

Wüsthof Gourmet Serrated 5" Utility Knife Made in Germany 051/4107 $69.99 $22.99

All-Clad Lasagna Pan 054A/59946W195 $159.99 $64.99

playing at

photos by emily cooper

Henckels International Fine Edge Pro 6pc Block Set

GROUPS SAVE MORE! season sponsors

Armadillo Boutique Ladies’ Designer Discount

First Time Ever in 35 Years!

OPEN BOXING DAY 10:30 TO 5:30 Items starting at $20 & up compared to $100 & up.

All stock reduced to ridiculous prices.

7912 Granville St. 604-261-0840

Open 10:30-5:30 Tues-Sat Closed Sun & Mon

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

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

#"!!

4) 2&0.,*

Year in theatre full of thrills

<

JF?QTR (EF<UR!TQEF

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

THEATRE

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

It was big on “Q” this year in Vancouver theatres: quantity and quality. Reviewers were lacing up their Nikes just trying to keep up, and I considered setting up a tent at the Cultch. My short list of favourites — out of 150 plays and selected for a variety of reasons — began with 30 that finally got pared down to 15. In no particular order and for reasons as various as the venues, here are some of the shows that stuck with me.

Since You Left Us: Colleen Wheeler kept us laughing in Susinn McFarlen’s very funny, very poignant first play. At the Stanley, director Kim Collier and actor Meg Roe wowed us with a beautifully balanced St. Joan; George Bernard Shaw would say they got it right. It was a very good year for Bard on the Beach: Equivocation imagined a tricky situation for Shakespeare: stay true to his values or lose his head. Actor Anton Lipovetsky shone in several roles — especially as a very fey King James I. Director Dean Paul Gibson’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was remounted at Bard and although we thought it wasn’t possible, it was even better the second time around.

Way across town in the Italian Cultural Centre parking lot was Killer Joe staged in a shabby, litter-strewn trailer. While the play has few redeeming qualities, the staging by Chelsea Haberlin was fantastic. Matching Killer Joe’s violence but in a side-splittingly funny way was Hunter Gatherers, directed by Ryan Gladstone at Havana Theatre. Definitely not recommended for vegetarians.

Good theatre happened in the Downtown Eastside when Marisa Smith directed Alley Theatre’s production of Mrs. Warren’s Profession. The old Rickshaw Theatre — its

'&%$ #%"!9$7 5%3111 ('&%$##$"! =$:7#!: 41.$ ,$$" *,!1)"$C A=*? A*##*<)"9 6=30)<1")-: "1!7=*+1!4)% 1C.)%$333 ?E 4$1#!4 41: )?+=*.$C !=$?$"C*7:#E D :!=*"9#E =$%*??$"C$C3B CEBTFF# A )(

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

(@4$" > 41C ?E :!*?1%4 =$?*.$C ;.$ ?*"!4: 19* A*= %1"%$=8 > <1: 7"1,#$ !* $1!8 C)9$:! 1"E A**C +=*+$=#E 1"C > <1: 1 !*!1# <=$%53 241"5: !* E*7 A*= C$.$#*+)"9 1 !=$1!?$"! +#1" > 1? "*< A=$$ *A 1"E :E?+!*?: 1"C 41.$ "$.$= A$#! ,$/$=FB (T&R+ $" A )(

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

.-!! #%-,)9*

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

Studio 58 brought the house down with the swinging Soviet shenanigans of Kosmic Mambo.

stage, aisles and balcony — were imaginatively used. Still in the downtown area was This Stays In the Room, directed by Mindy Parfitt in Gallery Gachet. It was all about confession being good for the soul and actor Allan Morgan had us close to tears.

At the Cultch a Capetown University production of Mies Julie added race to what keeps Mies Julie and black houseboy John apart.

Almost dance, it was hot and sexy.

Dance is what Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg does and directed by Marcus Youssef, the strangely titled Porno Death Cult was mysterious and, at times, unbearably beautiful. Friedenberg has the courage to go — and to take us with her — into very dark corners. Tiny Music, written and composed by Noah Drew and produced as part of the Chutzpah!

Festival, also went into some dark places with autistic Ezra (Anton Lipovetsky again) who, through music, found himself.

Theatre went to church in 2014, too. Bob Frazer’s Osimous Theatre moved into the First Christian Reformed Church to present Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, staged informally in the church hall with a collection of sofas and comfortable chairs. Actors moved freely before, during and

after the performance, giving everyone the feeling that this was a communal affair.

Back at the Cultch, Late Company raised all sorts of questions about relationships, parenting, loss and forgiveness. The Culture Lab, with set design by Pam Johnson, has never looked so classy and Kerry Sandomirsky, as a mother whose teenaged son has been murdered by another boy, was absolutely fearless in the role. Terrific direction by Touchstone Theatre’s Katrina Dunn.

Unforgettable: bighearted Beverley Elliott in …didn’t see that coming.

All the high-tech wizardry in Helen Lawrence. Andrew Wheeler and his Stephen Harper wig in Proud. The edgy dialogue and terrific performances in Mitch and Murray’s Speed-the-Plow, directed by David Mackay.

Susinn McFarlen as a cougar in Dirty Old Woman.

Judith Thompson’s return to the stage in her solo show Watching Glory Die. Shizuka Kai’s fabulous interior/ exterior space ship set and the exuberant, boisterous, rowdy Kosmic Mambo finale: no one brings a curtain down as enthusiastically as the students at Studio 58.

And that brings the curtain down on 2014. Happy New Year. joledingham.ca

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

080613

Jo Ledingham

2BP#&Q<# ?F WD?#FD#A)T<#9 3T!U&TR 8#TR!V (T&# N?D#F<#9 3T!U&EPT!V?D 1VG<?D?TF ?F )'(' <?FD# .--"

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

joled@telus.net

A23

VANCOUVER / NORTH SHORE / BURNABY / RICH RICHMOND / DELTA / SURREY / WHITE ROCK / NEW WEST MINSTER / COQUITLAM / MAPLE RIDGE / LANGLEY / VANCOUVER NORTH SHORE / BURNABY / RICHMOND / DELTA / SURREY / WHITE ROCK / NEW WESTMIN STER / COQUITLAM / MAPLE RIDGE / LANGLEY / VAN COUVER / NORTH SHORE / BURNABY / RICHMOND / DELTA / SURREY / WHITE ROCK / NEW WESTMINSTER / COQUITLAM / MAPLE RIDGE / LANGLEY / VANCOU VER NORTH SHORE / BURNABY / RICHMOND / DELTA / SURREY / WHITE ROCK / NEW WESTMINSTER / CO QUITLAM / MAPLE RIDGE / LANGLEY

FREEAPP FREE APP

INTHEKNOW—ONTHEGO! Newsfrom10leadingcommunitynewspapersinyourpocket!

Just visit theAPP store now to download or visit www.mylowermainland.com

DAVID BERNER

The tough questions - asked & answered!

Shaw Community TV Channel 4

Sundays 7:30pm • Tuesdays 12:30pm • Wednesdays 4:30am • Thursdays 8:00am • Fridays 4:00pm

POLITICS HEALTH CARE LAW & ORDER TAXATION ADDICTIONS SENIORS CITY PLANNING EDUCATION

A24

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Sports&Recreation 1

2

3

In a singular moment, the best sports photography can capture years of dedicated, honed athleticism or the determined, intense character of a competitor. Frozen by the click of a shutter at second base, above the net or driving the lane, sometimes it’s as if the best action shot can tell the entire story of a game. Also, captured moments between coach and athlete, a sideline pause or celebratory outburst tell the human moments of winning and losing and what it takes to get there.

These are some of the Courier’s best sports photographs of 2014. The photographers are by Rebecca Blissett and Dan Toulgoet. — Sports Editor, Megan Stewart

SPORTS PICS of the YEAR 4

5

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A25

2014 Sports Pics of the Year 6

9

1 . Bear hug Britannia Bruin captain Naomi Morcilla drives the ball past a Prince George opponent in the first round of the B.C. AA senior girls provincial championship in March. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET 2. Collision course Magee Lion captain Sean Hase (left) collides with Kitsilano’s Ryan Lu in the senior boys city rugby semifinal at Camosun Park in April. Magee won 17-15 but lost to Lord Byng in the championship final.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

3. Acing it Vancouver Canadians pitcher Miguel Castro warms up before a game in June.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET 4. One to watch

Trout Lake Little League infielder Tyler Carros, 6, makes a play to first base for the senior rookie Blue Jays at Campbell Field in June. The Jays beat the Mariners 6-4.

7

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET 5. Tough love

Churchill Bulldogs head coach Rick Lopez focuses his team during the Lower Mainland championship in February. The Bulldogs won the AAAA senior boys basketball B.C. championship. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

10

6. Smash Hit Prince of Wales Walesman Hannah Peck celebrates the senior girls volleyball city championship over tournament hosts David Thompson in November.

PHOTO REBECCA BLISSETT

7. Win, Ruse or draw York Tigers volleyball head coach Chris Ruse talks intently to senior middle hitter Kaleigh Matheson during a private school league playoff game in November. The AA Tigers finished the season fourth in the province.

8

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

8. Hanging out

11

St. Patrick’s Celtics hitter Beatrice Soberano makes a play at the net in a quarterfinal win over the Notre Dame Jugglers in the B.C. Catholics championship in October. The AA Celtics finished 11th in the province.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET 9. Our prospect

Mindy Minhas holds the rim of a lowered basketball hoop at the Langara YMCA for a portrait shot in July.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

10. Future of the game NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas runs a basketball clinic at Notre Dame secondary in October.

PHOTO REBECCA BLISSETT

11. Whiplash Van Tech Talisman Lauren Fuerderer fires the ball past a wincing competitor from Charles Best during the senior girls soccer provincial championship in May. Van Tech lost 5 – 0 and finished 15th in the province.

PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

A26

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

HOLIDAY HOURS

EVERY SAT & SUN 10AM-6PM

ALL CHECKOUT

Dec 24 7 am - 7 pm Dec 25 Closed Dec 26 7 am - 8 pm

LANES

OPEN GUARANTEED† unless we are unable due to unforseen technical difficulties

†

THE BOXING WEEK BIG EVENT IS HERE DOOR CRASHERS! 10,000 32"

149

$

Limited quantities. ntities. While qu q quantities antities last last. No rainchecks.

5,000

+ FREE

$50 PC® gift card with in-store coupon

• Android 4.4 • Dual Core • 8GB Storage

*

limit 1, after limit $248

$50

RTth A T S . 26

720p, HDMI x 2, PC Input

18 kg

up to $26.99 value

130 139

TERA GEARTM 48,000 BTU ALL STAINLESS STEEL PROPANE BBQ

00

after savings, 20700025 025

55

each, 20809003/20809745/20835860

PS4 500GB BUNDLE

449

• Includes Case and Keyboard • case available in black, pink or blue

$

7

$

Includes Standard Console, DS4 Controller, NHL 15' and Little Big Planet 3 each, 20852036

FULL WEEK OFFERS 47"

598

87

39

$

15 24

each, 20739059

48"

67

• LCD Display • Includes 1 free water filter • 1.8 L removable water tank

Limited quantities, while supplies last each, 20838570

10,000

SONY 48" SMART LED TV

W600B WiFi Connectivity, USB Input for movie playback

after savings, 20762305/20762302

save $

$ 97 30 39 save $ 59 CALL OF DUTY: 10 ADVANCED WARFARE $

97

after savings, 20837391/20837347

50"

limit 1, after limit $598

79

$

HITACHI 50" LED TV LE50H508

Full HD 1080p, 120Hz limited quantities, while quantities last

KEURIG K40 BREWER

each, 20329349

each, 20819763

toppables 454 g

1 44 7

KITCHEN AID CLASSIC STAND MIXER

2.97

Kraft peanut butter with plush bear

ea

LIMIT 4

AFTER LIMIT

14.99

SELECTED GAMES

NHL 15', FIFA 15', Dragon Age Inquistion, Assassin's Creed Rogue, Far Cry 4

after savings, 20818844/20815549/20839499

That’s $5† in rewards!

**For every $39 spent on video games and/or video game accessories (excludes video games consoles, console bundles, and toys) before applicable taxes and after all other coupons or discounts are deducted, in a single transaction at any participating store location you will earn the points indicated. Product availability may vary by store.

We are not obligated to award points based on errors or misprints. Offer valid Friday December 26, 2014 - Thursday, January 1, 2015. †minimum redemption 20,000 points

40% OFF

OR

3.98

ALL MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SLEEP SETS

EACH

Gain laundry detergent

Royale ea facial tissue 8 pk

20809348

liquid or powder, selected varieties, 96-120 washloads 20432714

ea

LIMIT 6

AFTER LIMIT

10.98

SELECT S ELE TO TOYS OYS

UP TO

32

Airwick Holiday 4 pk candles 20810846

$

for every $39 spent on video games and video game accessories**

• ALL JOE FRESH BEAUTY GIFT SETS • ALL COSMETICS AND FRAGRANCE GIFT SETS • ALL JEWELRY GIFT SETS • SELECT BATH GIFT SETS

13 44 98 92 4 4 9 4/

ea

LIMIT 4

AFTER LIMIT

20832605

PS4 and XboxONE only

after savings, 20838811/20838510

• ARTIFICIAL TREES, WREATHS, GARLANDS. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIGHTS, STOCKINGS, ORNAMENTS AND MORE! • HOLIDAY DECOR AND ACCESSORIES • HOLIDAY SERVEWARE AND DINNERWARE • HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP AND BOXED CARDS

97

after savings, 20013278

20757368

97 49 20

at least $

50% OFF 50% OFF 25%-50% OFF

100 199 $

6X330 mL

selected varieties

500 g

save

$

ASSASSIN'S CREED UNITY

San Pellegrino sparkling clementina beverage

Christies crackers

100-225 g or

67

20838991/20830570

save

5,000

all platforms, limited quantities, while quantities last

20300089005

for PS4 and XboxONE after savings,

$

limit 1, after limit $728

97

PS3 and XB360 for $19.97, save $10 PS3 and XB360 versions for $29.97, Save At least $20

TASSIMO T65 BREWER

428

20 34

at least $ $

MIDDLE EARTH: SHADOW OF MORDOR OR LEGO BATMAN 3

THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEO GAME

XBOX ONE WIRELESS CONTROLLER

save

97

$

special buy!

each, 20833880

Every week, we actively check our major competitors’ flyers and match the price on hundreds of items*.

ssave $

97

limit 1, after limit $59.99

5,000

Full HD 1080p, Built-in WiFi, Netflix connectivity, limited quantiites, while quantities last

*

each, 20838976

posal surcharges surcharg are extra xtra and varyy by by province. p e. See store re for for details. deta de tails *Applicable electronics disposal

each, 20834816

LG 47" SMART LED TV LB5830

each, 20779365

SANDISK 32GB MEMORY STICK

after savings, 20375597/20056116001

Prices and coupons effective Friday, December 26th, 2014 to Thursday, January 1st, 2015 unless otherwise stated.

KEURIG 2.0 K300 BREWER

598

limit 2, after limit $24.99

new!

88

$

limit 1, after limit $698

with limited edition plush bear

ENERGIZER DENSE PACK BATTERIES AA20/AAA12

77

10,000

*

*

997

$

over 50% off

PROSCAN 7" ANDROID TABLET

$

able Spend $250 or more before applicable taxes in a single transaction at anyy of an our BC Lower Mainland Real Canadian ore Superstore locations (see flyer for store ag of locations) and receive a free 18 kg bag chase T&T® Thai jasmine rice. Excludes purchase of tobacco, alcohol products, prescriptions, ptions, gift cards, phone cards, lottery tickets, all third party operations (post office, gas bars, dry cleaners, etc.) and any other products which are provincially regulated. The retail value of up to $26.99 will be deducted from the total amount of your purchase before sales taxes are applied. Limit one coupon per family and/or customer account. No cash value. No copies.

Coupon must be presented to the cashier at time of purchase.

Valid from Friday, December 26th, 2014 until closing Thursday, January 1st, 2015. Cannot be combined with any other coupons or promotional offers. No substitutions, refunds or exchanges on free item.

20847939 4 10000 05580 9 !

$

$

each, 20621000

limit 1, after limit $99.99

$

FREE

!

T&T® Thai jasmine rice

$

$

Spend $250 and receive

Dec

save

RCA 32" LED TV

ES

• 3 main Burners + 1 side burner • 490in2 of total cooking area • push and turn ignition system

3 DAYS ONLY

Friday, Dec. 26th to Sunday, Dec. 28th

IC PR

ea

NOW $9.94 - $14.94 REG. $19 - $25

LIMIT 2

AFTER LIMIT

15.47

Quantities and/or selection of items may be limited and may not be available in all stores. No rainchecks. No substitutions on clearance items or where quantities are advertised as limited. Advertised pricing and product selection (flavour, colour, patterns, style) may vary by store location. We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements. We are not obligated to sell items based on errors or misprints in typography or photography. Coupons must be presented and redeemed at time of purchase. Applicable taxes, deposits, or environmental surcharges are extra. No sales to retail outlets. Some items may have “plus deposit and environmental charge” where applicable. ®/™ The trademarks, service marks and logos displayed in this flyer are trademarks of Loblaws Inc. and others. All rights reserved. © 2014 Loblaws Inc. * we match prices! Applies only to our major supermarket competitors’ flyer items. Major supermarket competitors are determined solely by us based on a number of factors which can vary by store location. We will match the competitor’s advertised price only during the effective date of the competitor’s flyer advertisement. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES (note that our major supermarket competitors may not).

Due to the fact that product is ordered prior to the time of our Ad Match checks, quantities may be limited. We match identical items (defined as same brand, size, and attributes) and in the case of fresh produce, meat, seafood and bakery, we match a comparable item (as determined solely by us). We will not match competitors’ “multi-buys” (eg. 2 for $4), “spend x get x”, “Free”, “clearance”, discounts obtained through loyalty programs, or offers related to our third party operations (post office, gas bars, dry cleaners etc.). We reserve the right to cancel or change the terms of this program at any time.

Customer Relations: 1-866-999-9890.

VANCOUVER, BC

Value $12.00

$6

and up

Ice-Skating Package for 2 OR 4 People, Including Skate & Helmet Rental, Public Skate Passes & Dining Credit at Canlan Ice Sports BURNABY, BC

Value $37.98

$19

andup up and

Visit www.socialshopper.com for more local daily deals.

O FF

50 UP T % O

FF O

54 UP T % O

O FF

55 UP T % O

Admission to the Annual My Dream Wedding Show at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel OR Ramada Plaza Abbotsford Hotel & Conference Centre

2 Tickets to the Vancouver Gluten Free Expo OR the Vancouver Non-GMO Show VANCOUVER, BC

Value $30.00

$15 and up

A30

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 4

Your our Original

Food Store

Fresh

Certified Organic

Rack of Lamb

Green Curly Kale

California Grown

New Zealand

$

Non-Medicat ed

2

Fresh Bonel ess Skinless &

Chicken Breast

33 $ 19 $ 25

16 Organic

Bone-In Blade Roasts

/lb $35.99/kg

Organic

Boneless Rib Steaks & Striploin Steaks

7

/bunch

t Non-Medicated

Angus Top Sirloin Steaks

Angus

/lb $15.98/kg

Grass Fed

Lean Ground Beef

Lean Ground Beef

/lb $15.41/kg

/lb $10.98/kg

/lb $10.98/kg

Certified Organic

Certified Organic

Ocean Spray

California Garnet Red Yams #1

Cranberries

$498 $1133 $699 $498 $498 /lb $10.98/kg

/lb $24.98/kg

Organic

From The Deli

Frozen Pork Back Ribs

Cervelat Salami

California Bunch Broccoli

$498 $239 $229 /lb $10.98/kg

California

Premium Celery

88

¢

/lb 1.94/kg

/lb $5.05/kg

/100 g

Washington Grown

Russet Potatoes

48

¢

/lb $1.06/kg

Herbal Republic

Tea Kits

Assorted

$299

60 gr/30 filters

$

99 1 4.39/kg

$

98 1

ea 340gr

Simply Natural

Non- Organic

Assorted

Golden Raisins

Organic Salsa

$299 470 ml

$349 1 kg

The staff of Famous Foods wishes everyone a wonderful holiday season CLOSED DEC. 25, DEC 26 & JAN 1, 2015 OPEN DEC. 24 & 31 8AM - 5PM

CHECK US OUT WITH

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8 am-9 pm

Sale Dates: Wednesday, December 24, 2014 – Tuesday, December 30, 2014

www.famousfoods.ca

s