Vancouver Courier January 14 2015 by Vancouver Courier

WEDNESDAY

January 14 2015

Vol. 106 No. 03

OPINION 10

Rossiter remembered STATE OF THE ARTS 17

Re-Calculating disabilityy SPORTS 19

Fisky business There’s more online at

vancourier.com MIDWEEK EDITION

THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908

Student recognized for defending home Cop awarded for saving suicidal woman Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

GREAT OUTDOORS Vancouver-based Hatchicks player Tanya Durman warms up with her teammates during this past weekend’s Apex Shootout hockey tournament. The annual outdoor tourney attracts a colourful cast of characters of all abilities. See story on page 8. PHOTO REBECCA BLISSETT

Motion to extend moratorium on school closures nixed Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

Vision Vancouver trustee Mike Lombardi’s motion to extend a moratorium on school closures until December 2018 failed to pass at a school board meeting Monday evening. NPA trustees and the Green Party of Vancouver’s trustee Janet Fraser opposed the motion. The NPA said in the lead-up to the November civic election that it wouldn’t close neighbourhood schools. NPA incumbent trustee Fraser Ballantyne said last April, however, the board could have closed ﬁve schools instead of digging so deeply into its reserve fund to balance its budget.

“The parties had campaigned on that and we thought it was important to send a clear signal to the public and parents, especially, about the position of the Vancouver School Board,” Lombardi said regarding why he proposed the motion. “It was not enough to have positions of political parties. It was now time for the corporate body to make it very clear and send a signal.” The former Vision-dominated board pledged not to close schools in 2011. The board had considered closing ﬁve school sites in 2010 to the consternation of many parents. Lombardi says once parents learned in 2010 that the board would save less than $1 million by closing all ﬁve school sites, parents argued closing schools would be unacceptable.

Lombardi said the board wouldn’t have saved money on salaries for teachers and other staff, who would have been shifted elsewhere. The Vancouver School Board faces a recently revised budget shortfall of $15 million for 2015-2016. Overall enrolment in Vancouver public schools had been declining for years, although enrolment is swiftly increasing in certain parts of the city. Fraser wrote on her Facebook page that she doesn’t want to close any school to VSB student enrolment, but she also doesn’t believe a four-year moratorium is appropriate at this time of continued budget pressures. Continued on page 5

Note to would-be thieves: Don’t mess with Cory Wong. Who’s Cory Wong? He’s a 13-year-old boy, who stands five-foot-two, weighs 80 pounds and is not afraid to use the family’s home phone as a weapon to whack a thief on the head enough times to force a retreat. That’s what the Grade 8 Killarney secondary student did on the afternoon of Sept. 3, 2013 when a man got halfway into a second-floor window before Wong let him have it. He was home babysitting his nine-year-old sister at the time. “I rushed to him and just smashed him in the head many times, like right near the eye,” said Wong, pointing to his temple. Wong, who was 12 at the time, walloped the intruder with such force that batteries dropped from the phone and the man, believed to be in his early 20s, dropped to the ground and ran off. Wong had phoned his mom before the man broke into the house. Once he fended him off, he and his sister armed themselves with sticks until police arrived. He gave them a description and police were able to obtain DNA evidence from the scene. Police continue to search for the man. The articulate youngster told his story to reporters Thursday after Police Chief Jim Chu presented Wong with a Certificate of Merit for his bravery. The award was one of many given to citizens and police officers at the Vancouver Police Department’s annual ceremony held at the Roundhouse Community Centre. “I just felt like I was about to explode with happiness,” Wong said of being notified he would receive an award. “I didn’t know that what I did would get this award.” Wong’s dad, Chuck, stood by as his son fielded questions from a throng of reporters. He described that day as being dramatic and scary for a parent. Continued on page 4

DYSLEXIA DIDN’T STOP ALBERT. We don’t let dyslexia or language-related learning disabilities affect our students, either. They learn differently, and we offer them an education in a setting where they can thrive. See for yourself at the Fraser Academy Open House: Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:30-11:15am. For more info or to RSVP, visit www.fraseracademy.ca or call 604 736 5575. © Estate of Yousuf Karsh

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

“The Saturday night dance that was my turn to shine.” At Tapestry Retirement Communities, we make sure you have the freedom and support to do the things you love. Whether it’s dancing and staying fit, enjoying our great food or getting involved in the local community. Because it’s our belief that respecting your personal choices and independence will bring out the best in you. Call us today and see what kind of individualized programs we can oﬀer to help keep your body, mind and spirit healthy, vibrant and young at heart.

Dan and Sue Corcoran still dancing

www.DiscoverTapestry.com Tapestry at Wesbrook Village 3338 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC 604.225.5000 Tapestry at Arbutus Walk 2799 Yew Street, Vancouver BC 604.736.1640

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News

Main Street hub celebrated for art, policing

12TH&CAMBIE Mike Howell

mhowell@vancourier.com

It was a good day for two distinct Main Street crowds last Thursday. At an event in the morning at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Yaletown and at another in the evening at the Satellite Gallery on Seymour Street, retired cops, veterans and artists were honoured for two very different reasons: policing and art. First, the cop connection… As part of the Vancouver Police Department’s annual awards ceremony, Police Chief Jim Chu bestowed the coveted Chief Constable’s Citation — the chief’s highest award for civic duty — upon the Army Navy and Airforce Veterans Taurus Unit 298 in recognition of the members’ outstanding commitment to the community. The club contributes to housing in the Downtown Eastside for veterans and other residents. It also

The Army Navy and Airforce Veterans Taurus Unit 298 club, built in 1948 at 23rd and Main, received a special award last week from Police Chief Jim Chu for its service to the community. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

supports the George Derby Centre and Brock Fahrni Centre, which are residential facilities for veterans. Located at 23rd and Main, the social club opened in 1948 after then-VPD ofﬁcer Roy Slattery, a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, had an idea to set up a gathering spot for ofﬁcers discharged from the military after the Second World War. The required funding to

purchase the land and build the club was raised through dues paid by VPD ofﬁcers. Today, the building still serves as a meeting spot for veterans and police, with the most popular day of the year being Remembrance Day. Now, to the art… For anyone who has dropped in to the club, it’s quite evident the place attracts more visitors than cops and veterans. Heck,

TAKE BACK

OUR COAST!

even actor Seth Rogen has been there. For decades, it’s also been a hangout for some of the city’s artists, many of whom grew up in the neighbourhood and put their mark on it. Those artists include Paul Wong and Charles Rea, who belonged to a collective of like-minded locals — along with the late Kenneth Fletcher, Deborah Fong, Carol Hackett, Marlene

MacGregor, Jeannette Reinhardt and Annastacia McDonald — known as the “Mainstreeters.” (Full disclosure: McDonald is my aunt and Wong ﬁlmed me in 1983 as I got ready for my high school grad; light grey tux, white tube socks, feathered hair and an AC/DC necklace is all the detail you need to sear that unfortunate image in your brain.) Through the early 1970s and into the 1980s, my aunt and her friends lived and worked together in what was a working-class neighbourhood, where they created art on paper, in video, in photographs and through performance. Older and allegedly wiser, some of that crew showed up last Thursday to the Satellite Gallery and couldn’t help but recall those formative/wild/experimental years. That’s because they were featured in the exhibit Mainstreeters: Taking Advantage, 1972-1982, curated by Michael Turner and Allison Collins. The one piece that stood out for me was a series

櫻花牌 *3B(+3

of photographs Wong took Feb. 26, 1976. That morning, he and Reinhardt looked out their bedroom window on Watson Street to see a shirtless, 22-yearold man lying dead in the snow. He had been stabbed to death. His name was Eugene Lloyd Pelly. Captivated by the city’s fourth homicide, Wong, along with collaborator Fletcher, embarked on a project that became “Murder Research,” which includes 36 photographs and text panels, video and a voice performance by the duo. Some of the photographs show homicide investigators in trenchcoats and the old black-and-white police cars of the day. Classic stuff. The piece and more of the Mainstreeters work can be viewed at the Satellite Gallery until March 14. The club, meanwhile, is celebrating its 67th year. Sounds like a good reason to stop in for a beverage and talk art and policing. Or maybe the art of policing? Or the policing of art? Or… never mind. twitter.com/Howellings

抽油煙機

BC)0EJ@ +3@GJ E,,.

'"%%$!) E* ?E> E%:1 0L%:7!7#

E%:1 0L%:7!7# 16 4%86-% 1"% 4%2!&/% 6$ #4%:2% 67 $:72

Libby Davies, MP (Vancouver East)

Special Guest Nathan Cullen, MP (Skeena-Bulkley Valley)

+&#(&H

Don Davies, MP (Vancouver Kingsway)

Join Libby Davies, MP (Vancouver East) and Don Davies, MP (Vancouver Kingsway) and Special Guest Nathan Cullen, MP (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) for a free community forum on stopping the Enbridge pipeline. Come learn about the bill to ban oil supertankers off our North Coast.

3/16 *%7264

C71%LL!#%71 *%7264 16 2%72% 1"% I:F F6/ '66N A64% 0"6!'%2 K A64% *5%'!:L ,$$%42= ':LL 6/4 3/1"64!D%& .%:L%42M

Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 1:00pm. (at Commercial). Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings

For more information call 604 775 5800 or libby.davies@parl.gc.ca

,2":I: C71%47:1!67:L J71; C7'; III;62":I:<9';'68

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

literacy we e

SAT JAN 24 - SUN JAN 25

ily am

Citizens, officers, band recognized

Family Literacy Weekend Bring the whole family down for a weekend of literacy, learning and laughs during Decoda’s Family Literacy Weekend with Science World at TELUS World of Science. Live performances, interactive displays, free take-home materials, and prizes. We have something for all ages.

Tickets available at www.scienceworld.ca In partnership with:

Media Sponsor:

News Continued from page 1 He said he was glad his son defended himself and protected his sister, who was screaming throughout the ordeal. “I’m glad he did what he did and I would hope other people would do the same to protect their home and community,” said Chuck, who allowed his son to be absent from school to collect the award. The master of ceremonies at the event joked that Wong might be a future recruit for the department. Asked by reporters if he was interested in joining the VPD, Wong replied, “I’d be OK with that.” Brian Chernoff, 30, joined the VPD ﬁve years ago. He is a third generation member of the force, with his father and grandfather serving before him. Now a constable, Chernoff was recognized Thursday by the chief for his bravery on the early morning of March 5, 2013. He and partner, Const. Graeme Wells, saved a distraught woman from death after cutting her down from a rope that she tried to hang herself with by the lighthouse at

Cory Wong, 13, was all smiles last Thursday as he received an award for fending off an intruder in the family home. His father, Chuck, also attended the ceremony at the Roundhouse Community Centre. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

Brockton Point in Stanley Park. Chernoff said the only information he and Wells had from a police dispatcher was that a young woman had called and said she was going to kill herself somewhere in a park and she could see a bridge. The ofﬁcers rolled up to Brockton Point around 3 a.m. and noticed a car parked obscurely by the lighthouse. As Chernoff checked the licence plate number, Wells left the cruiser to search the area and almost immediately found the woman. She was hanging from a rope that

she tied to a railing. “She wasn’t relieved to see us, she was more upset to see us,” he said, noting he cut the rope while Wells held up the woman to displace her weight. The trio then slid off the slope below the seawall and into the ocean. “Fortunately, at the bottom of the seawall, there was a bit of a step and we got her over to there.” Wells established a rapport with the woman, who was in her early 20s, while waiting for help. The ofﬁcers convinced her “that she needed to live,” not to struggle with

them and to climb a fire department ladder to safety. “She was a really nice girl but she had suffered some loss in her family,” Chernoff recalled. “It was one of those things where things were building up in her life and she just made her decision.” While proud to be recognized for the work he and his partner did that early morning, Chernoff said officers at the VPD and other departments are performing similar acts, some of which gets highlighted while others don’t. “But it’s always great at the end of the day when you can go home and feel proud of what you did,” he said, noting he and his partner were classmates during training. “Our sergeant trusted us enough to go out and work with each other and work hard, and that’s what we did.” A full list of the awards can be viewed on the VPD’s website, including officers recognized for solving murders, saving lives and community work. The chief also recognized the Vancouver Police Pipe Band and citizens for helping others in distress. twitter.com/Howellings

Get your free online subscription BEAUTY | FASHION | DECOR | TRAVEL | DINING

Canada’s premiere online lifestyle magazine SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE AT VITAMINDAILY.COM

Vancouver Calgary Toronto Montreal

Moms & Kids

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News

The Vancouver Hebrew Academy operates at the former Shannon Park Annex site in Marpole and renews its lease with the Vancouver School Board annually. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

VSB considering land sales Continued from page 1 She said closing a school doesn’t mean boarding it up and selling the land for development. Fraser believes schools should be “repurposed to serve children and the local community.” Lombardi said savings from closing a school or proceeds from the sale of a site ﬂow into capital, not operational, funds. Leasing revenue from Shannon Park Annex, buildings at Carleton elementary and a few other school sites

ﬂows to operations. Lombardi says Vision trustees will continue to call on the provincial government to better fund public education in Vancouver. He said Vision trustees support leasing excess space at schools. He noted the VSB is considering selling portions of land at John Oliver secondary and Carleton elementary. None of the trustees supported selling VSB properties at a forum organized by the District

Parent Advisory Council in October. Shannon Park Annex was the last school site closed to VSB students, following a review of operations by a task force, in 2003. The board leases the annex to the Vancouver Hebrew Academy elementary school on an annual basis. The Courier was unable to reach NPA board chairperson Christopher Richardson and Fraser by its print deadline. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

Want to keep up with the Courier online? It’s easy. Follow us on Twitter at @VanCourierNews

Win...andstart theNewYear as a Multi-Millionaire

HURRY! ABSOLUTE FINAL DEADLINE to get your tickets is midnight Jan.14 th

White Rock home package worth over $3 million!

IONAIRE MILL

Thousands of tickets remain... Take advantage now!

DESIGNER HOME

MILLION$ TO WIN... DON’T MISS OUT!

LOTTERY VG

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

Choose your favourite home package or $ 2.5 million cash

Winner will choose 1 prize option; other prize options will not be awarded. OVER 3,400 PRIZES to WIN!

Plus...

50/50 Jackpot up to $ 2 million. Rules of Play / Tickets: MillionaireLottery.com WINNER TAKE S HALF

or call 604-602-5848

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+

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

NEW YEAR GET ACTIVE YOUR WAY!

NEW YOU DAYS FO 30 R

Buy a 30 day pass to get active and have fun at 21 fitness centres, 9 swimming pools and 8 arenas. Plus:

• One free month when you extend this pass • $50 off a personal training package Available January 3 to February 8 Load it on your

OneCard!

vancouver.ca | phone 3-1-1 Terms and conditions apply and are subject to change without notice.

Y NL O

News Cops seek witnesses to sexual assault on bridge

Police are looking for two men believed to be responsible for the sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman on the Burrard Street Bridge early Sunday morning. Around 2:45 a.m. Jan. 11, a woman was walking south on the east side of the Burrard Street Bridge when she heard two men calling her from the west side. The men crossed over the barricades and lanes of trafﬁc to the east sidewalk and one of the men pushed her up against the railing and groped her. She fought him off and was able to run to a nearby taxi where she called police. The men were last seen running south from the bridge in the area of Burrard Street and West First Avenue. The ﬁrst man was described as South Asian in his mid 30s, six-feet-tall, with a skinny build. He had short brown hair with brown eyes, was clean shaven and had a Punjabi accent. He was wearing dark-coloured jeans and a T-shirt. The second man was described as South Asian in his early 30s, 5’7” tall, with a thin build. He also had short brown hair, brown eyes, was clean-shaven, had a Punjabi accent, and wore similar clothes. Police are asking for any witnesses who may have seen the two men on the bridge, before or after the attack, to call police. Anyone with information about the assault is asked to call the Vancouver Police Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0602.

Perjury case to proceed from Dziekanski inquiry

An RCMP ofﬁcer who stunned Robert Dziekanski with a Taser in October 2007 at the Vancouver International Airport has lost an attempt to dismiss a perjury charge related to his testimony at a public inquiry. Const. Kwesi Millington was one of four Mounties who confronted Dziekanski during his fatal encounter with police, and all were

January Clearance Corner of East Broadway @ Kingsway 30 Shops & Services www.kingsgatemall.com

January 14 ~ January 25

later charged with perjury over their testimony given at a public inquiry two years later. The Crown, which alleges the police ofﬁcers colluded to lie to investigators and then perjure themselves at the inquiry, wrapped up its case against Millington late last year. Millington’s lawyer then made an application to throw out the charge, claiming the Crown had produced no evidence that could support a conviction. But B.C. Supreme Court Judge William Ehrcke ruled Jan. 12 that the Crown had put forward some evidence that could potentially support a guilty verdict. Const. Bill Bentley was acquitted of the same charge last year, though the Crown is appealing. Former corporal Benjamin (Monty) Robinson stood trial late last year and is awaiting a verdict. Const. Gerry Rundel is scheduled to start his trial today (Jan. 14.)

Pot shop robbed at gunpoint

Vancouver police are investigating after two men robbed Weeds Glass & Gifts on Main Street near East 51st Avenue over the weekend. Shortly before 9 p.m. Jan. 9, one man held staff hostage with a handgun and bearspray while the other removed an undisclosed quantity of marijuana. No shots were ﬁred and no one was injured during the robbery. The armed suspect was described as Asian, 25 to 30 years old, 5’6” with an average to stocky build and a thin face. He was wearing a black baseball hat, black jacket and black pants. He spoke without an accent. The second suspect was described as South Asian, six-feet-tall, with a slim build. He was wearing a balaclava, a grey hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and white runners. He was carrying a large red and black backpack. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call 604-717-3321.

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

News

DENTURISTS ARE DENTURE SPECIALISTS Need Dentures? Denture Problems? We can help you! Certified BPS Denture Centre OPEN MON-FRI 10-5 SAT: By appointment ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS EMERGENCY REPAIRS AVAILABLE

Modern tower proposed next to historic station

Free Consultation

CALL TODAY! (604)255-9433

Hastings Denture Clinic

2609 E. Hastings St. Vancouver (at Penticton St.)

“Quality work you can count on”

Ken Wong, Denturist

DEVELOPING STORY

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Naoibh O’Connor

OERITISASTOHRT

Word Scramble! The most common form of arthritis is:

noconnor@vancourier.com

Cadillac Fairview’s proposed Waterfront Tower at 555 West Cordova St., which is now a parking lot beside Waterfront Station, is capturing attention early this year for both its unique design and proposed 26-storey height. The application, submitted by B+H Architects and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, is conditional under existing zoning, so it goes before the Development Permit Board March 9. The city is accepting comments on the project until Jan. 22 to be considered as part of the application’s review. Comments will also be accepted up to the date of the decision. Brian Jackson, the city’s manager of planning and development, said the current zoning provides for an ofﬁce tower like the one being proposed to just under the view cone. The Waterfront Hub study, which was completed in 2009 and endorsed by council, envisioned an 11-storey building on the site. “[The Waterfront Hub study] was meant to be a way to unlock the ofﬁce and hotel redevelopment potential of the air space over the tracks to the north. As part of this study, which wasn’t a land use plan, but rather

Want ant to know the answer? Join us to find out!

N I A P C I N OMENT WORKSHOP R H C E G MANA

ove your orkshop is to impr t and its w EE FR is th of e iv The main object e principles of pain managemen ronic pain th understanding of ce different methods to cope with ch anagement. du tro in , ts ur own pain m treatmen an active role in yo y when you have arthritis! ke ta to w ho ow ’t appl and sh in, No Gain”doesn Pa No r:“ be em m Re 30 – 8:30pm ary 29, 2015 | 6: nu Ja , ay sd ur Th DATE/TIME: Centre dale Community om VENUE: Kerris d, Vancouver – Senior’s Craft Ro ar ev ul Bo 5851 West

A rendering of the proposed Waterfront Tower at 555 Cordova St., view from Cordova Street.

development guidelines, staff of the day thought that only an 11-storey building could be built in this location,” Jackson told the Courier. “But the staff didn’t anticipate a creative solution like that being proposed by Cadillac, which is a crystalline shape which starts out with an incredibly small base and cantilevers over the historic station. This creative solution allows us to consider a higher building which achieves our objective of incentivizing development over the tracks, respecting the view cones, and providing for jobs in the Central Business District immediately adjacent to our busiest transportation hub.” The Vancouver Heritage Commission supported the project at its December 2014 meeting, with two commissioners opposed.

The commission studied the application because of its potential impact on adjacent heritage buildings and the historic character of the area.

Open house

A proposal by Atira Women’s Resource Society to build a seven-storey residential building at 420 Hawks Ave. constructed with shipping containers is the subject of a community open house Jan. 26. The non-proﬁt society has already completed a 12unit social housing complex out of shipping containers at 502 Alexander St. Its latest project would feature 26 social housing units — 20 studio units and six two-bedroom units. The site needs to be rezoned from industrial to comprehensive develop-

YOU’RE INVITED TO A...

of Tours a & d CanaU.S. the

F ROEURE

T N PRESENTATIO

AGELESS

ADVENTURE tours

A division of Mandate Tours & Transport Transportation ation Inc.

DOOR PRIZES & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS (Call to RSVP)

(604) 542-5566 • mandatetours.com

of our 2015 AGELESS ADVENTURE TOURS

Thursday, January 22 2:00 - 3:30 pm Jewish Community Centre 513-650 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver

ment to allow for the project, which is being considered under the Downtown Eastside Local Area Plan. The open house is from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 26 at The Rice Block, 404 Hawks Ave. twitter.com/naoibh

CALL 604-257-8100 TO REGISTER TODAY! www.arthritis.ca

BANANA GROVE 2705 E. 22nd Ave. (at Slocan)

604.435.0646

Market & Deli

MANY MORE IN STORE SPECIALS Prices Valid Jan 14th – Jan 20th, 2015

Schneider’s

fff==

NO A PRESERRTIFICIAL VATIVES

$ 49

/100g

$ 49/100g Emma

Schneider’s

DELI BEST PASTRAMI

$ 19/100g

EXTRA OLD WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE

$ 59

/100g

PRODUCE Fresh B.C. Grown

RED PEPPERS

/lb

U.S. Grown

LONG ENGLISH CUCUMBERS

Back Attached In Bag

¢ /ea

$ 79 SS ELE BON

PORK SPARERIBS

SIRLOIN TIP ROAST

/lb

ZEN FRO

PORK TENDERLOIN END CHOPS

Basa

FISH FILLETS

$ 99

LARGE ORANGES

89¢

/lb

/lb - $4.39/kg

GROCERY

Krinos

KALAMATA OLIVES

Emma

PASATTA

$ 29

U.S. Grown

$ 99 /lb - $6.59/kg

$ 49 /lb - $12.10/kg

GALA APPLES

/lb - $14.31/kg

ILY FAM = fffP=ACK “Sweet & Sour” Cut

$ 99 /lb - $6.59kg

Fresh B.C. Grown

$ 49

/lb - $3.95/kg

Canada Gr “AA” or Higher Beef

ILY FAMACK P

fffPF=AAMILY

C= K Canada Gr “AAA” or Higher CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF, TOP SIRLOIN STEAKS

CHICKEN LEGS

Maple Leaf Natural Selections

FAT FREE OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST CHICKEN BREAST

MEATS

= fff= SH FRE

DELI

www.bananagrovemarket.com

/ea 700ml

Milano

GIANT LADY FINGERS

69¢

$ 99

/ea 150g

/ea

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Community

1. A combination of exercise and alcohol keeps a body warm, as most regulars of the Apex hockey tournaments have learned over the years. 2. The Vancouver-based Hatchicks start the game against the South Okanagan Ice Dragons with one of their creative cheers. It’s the Hatchicks’ fourth time at the tournament. 3. Vancouver-based Hatchicks goalie Keira Gunn makes a save during her team’s 6-2 loss to the Ice Dragons. 4. Saturday’s snow kept the referees busy. See photo gallery online at vancourier.com. PHOTOS REBECCA BLISSETT

Keep your stick on the ice and watch out for those Cheetos in the corner

Outdoor hockey tourney attracts colourful cast of characters CITY LIVING Rebecca Blissett

rvblissett@gmail.com

If playing hockey on outdoor ice wasn’t enough of a reminder not to take a game too seriously, then skating over Cheetos in the corner that the referee spilled out of his leather jacket was. Novelty outweighed competitiveness in other ways, too, at this past weekend’s Apex Shootout tournament. Slap shots weren’t allowed and there were no offsides or face-offs. In addition, the ice surface became so snowy Saturday morning players sometimes ended up shooting an accumulated ball of snow off their sticks while leaving the puck in front of them.

The refs — when not snacking — almost always had a beer in one hand, whistle in the other. They kept the games clean, but the hard work was shoveling snow from the ice during periods. The National Hockey League-sized rink, which once belonged to the Vancouver Voodoo roller hockey team, sits at the bottom of a ski run on the mountain located just outside Penticton. This means that if you’re from temperate Vancouver, it is the best time and place to play the first game of ice hockey in your life. Colleen Griffin is in her mid-40s and decided she wanted to play. She started skating a few months ago for the first time in years and joined this writer’s women’s hockey team, the Vancouver-

based Ice-O-Topes, for the weekend. Even though the tournament is fun to the point hardly anybody but organizer Marc Tougas keeps track of scores, it’s still an effort to get used to some aspects of the game — like being yelled at. “It’s my first time playing on a team, really. And it’s my first tournament experience, too,” Griffin said while watching one of the men’s afternoon games. “It’s been fun and, luckily, they’re supportive girls. I think one of the hardest things is that, for me, I take things personally. It’s been a real lesson to leave things on the ice, not let it stick to you.” Next on the ice was a women’s match-up between the Vancouver-based Hatchicks and the South

Okanagan Ice Dragons. A good indication of which team to lay the bets on came by way of Hatchicks goalie Keira Gunn, who appeared over the snowbank wearing a T-shirt in zero degree weather with a bottle of Fireball whiskey tucked into her hockey pants. The Hatchicks had played earlier at the 9 a.m. game time dreaded by anybody who was at the mountain’s bar. They were beaten 8-0 by a team called Moonshine, Gunn relayed with a big grin. “That green team is really good! They killed us! We had ﬁve shots all game!” The rest of the Hatchicks poured out of an enormous truck from their nearby cabin, gear ready. Organizer Wendy Denis said she got

lucky with the team as the women came from different places with different skill levels, and everybody just happened to fit together. “To play on a hockey team, you’ve got to be with people you really want to spend time with, to laugh with,” added Hatchick teammate Tanya Durman. “The whole team is made up of all these diverse people that we’d never ever normally hang out with, or go dancing with — ever,” said Denis. The range of people can be identified by profession — everybody from students to teachers, to a doctor to a chemist. Most of the women agree their weekend experience might be a bit different from that of the men’s teams. Griffin, part of team conver-

sations that ranged from such light topics as vasectomies to mental illness, noticed: “Women get to the guts pretty quickly.” While Denis pointed out: “I don’t think any of the guys would come running down the hill to ask if anybody has an emergency tampon!” However, as hockey players — regardless of gender — they all say it’s the experience of skating on ice in the great outdoors. “I mean the ice isn’t great. It’s one step up from shinny, right? Nobody’s coming here for the quality of the hockey,” said Durman. “It’s the Canadian experience. We have our whole hockey team coming to the games in one truck, we’re like little kids.” twitter.com/rebeccablissett

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Cityframe

FINAL FRONTIER A sign of the times, Frontier Cloth House is one of many businesses in Sunset neighbourhood’s once-thriving Little India that has relocated to Surrey. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET

PUBLIC NOTICE Lower Mainland intermediate pipeline system upgrade On December 19, 2014, FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) applied to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), pursuant to sections 45 and 46 of the Utilities Commission Act, to replace two intermediate pressure (IP) pipeline segments in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia with an estimated construction cost of $264 million. FEI proposes to begin construction activities in the spring of 2018 and complete the in-service date before the end of 2018. Final restoration would complete in the summer of 2019. The larger of the two replacement segments consists of replacing approximately 20 km of an existing 20” pipeline operating at 1200 kPa between Coquitlam Gate Station and East 2nd & Woodland Station that is showing evidence of nearing the end of its useful life with a new 30” pipeline operating at 2070 kPa. The second replacement consists of replacing a short 0.5 km section of 30” pipeline operating at 1200 kPa with equivalent size and operating pressure between Fraser Gate Station and East Kent Avenue & Elliott Street in Vancouver to upgrade this segment to meet FEI’s seismic criteria for critical facilities with the majority of FEI’s 210,000 customers in the Metro Vancouver communities of Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver served through the Fraser Gate Station. HOW TO GET INVOLVED Persons wishing to actively participate in the proceeding must register as an intervener through the Commission’s website at www.bcuc.com or in writing by January 26, 2015. In their registration, interveners must identify the issues they intend to pursue and indicate the extent of their anticipated involvement in the review process. Interveners will each receive a copy of all non-confidential correspondence and filed documentation, and must provide an email address if available. Persons not expecting to actively participate, but who have an interest in the proceeding, should register as an interested party through the Commission’s website or in writing, by January 26, 2015, identifying their interest in the proceeding. Interested parties receive a copy of the Decision when it is released. Letters of comment on the Application will also be accepted. All submissions and/or correspondence received relating to the Application are provided to the Panel and all participants in the proceeding. Submissions are placed on the public record and

posted to the Commission’s website. By participating and/or providing comment on the Application, you agree that all submissions will be placed on the public record and posted on the Commission’s website. If you wish to attend the Workshop or the Procedural Conference please register with the Commission Secretary using the contact information provided at the end of this notice. Tuesday Feb. 3, 2015 9:00 a.m.

Workshop FortisBC Energy Inc. will explain the Application and answer questions.

Procedural Conference Tuesday Feb. 10, 2015 The Commission will consider the process to review the Application. 9:00 a.m.

Location: Commission Hearing Room 12th Floor, 1125 Howe Street Vancouver, B.C.

VIEW THE APPLICATION The Application and all supporting documentation are available on the Commission’s website under “Current Applications.” If you would like to review the material in hard copy, it is available to be viewed at the locations below: British Columbia Utilities Commission Sixth Floor, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2N3 Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com Phone: 604-660-4700 Toll Free: 1-800-663-1385

FortisBC Energy Inc. 16705 Fraser Highway Surrey, BC V4N 0E8

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER For more information or to register please contact Ms. Erica Hamilton, Commission Secretary, using the contact information above.

A10

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Opinion

Sprinkler ruling Writer built a legacy douses parents’ hopes covering Vancouver Les Leyne Columnist lleyne@timescolonist.com The $48,630 bill handed to a Nanaimo student’s parents last week sounds a bit steep. It arises from a Supreme Court judgment that they are legally responsible for the damage that flowed from their son’s foolishness. Even the judge who delivered the verdict remarked on how unfortunate the result is, noting it could be unfortunate for others in the future. But the law is the law and Justice Shelley Fitzpatrick worked through a number of precedents before concluding the parents have to pay the bill, plus interest and assorted costs. The consequences from the silly stunt are obviously more dire than were intended, she said. As reported Friday, the 14-year-old jumped up and hooked a classmate’s padlock to a sprinkler head as a prank three years ago. The sprinkler and many others activated and there was widespread damage to Wellington Secondary School. The law that came into play was the School Act. Specifically, the section reading: “If property of a board … is destroyed, damaged, lost … by the intentional or negligent act of a student…, that student and that student’s parents are jointly and severally liable to the board … in respect of the act of that student.” The judge noted: “If there is to be any change to this provision of the School Act, that is a matter for the legislature, not the courts.” The government said no changes are planned. It’s been in force since the 1950s, but the judge said it’s received scant attention from the courts over the years. “No court has yet wrestled with the interpretation issue that arises in this case.” Seeing the effect probably startled a lot of parents this week. “It is agreed by the parties that he had no intention to activate the sprinkler head and that his sole intention was to lock the padlock to the metal ring surrounding the sprinkler head,” said the judge. The boy immediately confessed during the subsequent evacuation of the school about what he’d done. Steven Rae, the new chairman of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school board, said

Friday it was the district’s insurance company that pursued the case. Although the district is listed as the plaintiff and referred to as such throughout the judgment, he said it was the insurance company that prompted the action, after paying out the school district’s claim for damages. The family might also be insured, depending on their coverage. Rae said he wasn’t aware of the case or the decision until the afternoon it was released. Just as startling as the bill is the idea an insurance company can apparently force the issue. The judge agreed the section appears to be “draconian,” for the disastrous financial effect it could have on a family. She cited an earlier judgment in a different case that said the section can inflict “a harsh and perhaps unjust burden of potentially ruinous dimensions” on parents quite irrespective of fault. The Nanaimo case revolved around what “intentional act” means and the legal interpretation of negligence. The family’s legal argument was that an intentional act must be accompanied by an intention to cause damage, which wasn’t present in the case. The judge rejected that argument and noted negligence can come about from circumstances beyond a purely intentional act and may arise from an act or a failure to act. The boy knew he couldn’t attach the lock anywhere he wanted and it was reasonably foreseeable that if he acted inappropriately, he could cause damage, she found. She also ruled out all arguments that the school district was negligent by not protecting the sprinklers better, or supervising the boy more closely. So the family is on the hook for a considerable bill, based on the first real legal test of a section of the School Act. It’s reminiscent of a Langford case in 2011, when the municipality pursued the parents after a case of outright vandalism by their child. It won a judgment in what was considered a groundbreaking case. A full apology and some restitution might have satisfied many in the Nanaimo case. But the School Act allows for a lot more than that if the board — or its insurance company — wants payback. twitter.com/leyneles

The week in num6ers...

36 134

In kilos, the weight of a 12-yearold boy who fought off a burglar with his phone in 2013, an action that earned him a Certificate of Merit for bravery from the Vancouver police.

In kilos, the weight of 6’3” defensive end and Vancouver College product Christian Covington, who is expected to be picked high at the 2015 NFL Draft.

The birthday being celebrated Jan. 15 by the new Biltmore Cabaret. The Mount Pleasant hotspot will mark the occasion Thursday night with a show by indie rockers Yukon Blonde.

Michael Geller Columnist michaelarthurgeller@gmail.com “The pen is mightier than the sword.” So wrote English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1839 play Richelieu: Or the Conspiracy, although seventh century BC Assyrian sage Ahigar is reported to have written “The word is mightier than the sword.” I have been thinking about these quotations over the past week as a result of the tragic Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris and other related events. I cannot help but admire the bravery of the journalists who were murdered and the phenomenal response by people around the world. On Sunday, the sight of world leaders marching arm in arm in front of more than a million people through the streets of Paris is something I will never forget. We can only hope that this tragedy will lead to a better understanding of the concerns of Muslims, Christians and Jews in France and greater world harmony. However, I am not overly optimistic that this will happen in my lifetime. Last week we lost another great journalist. Vancouver writer Sean Rossiter died after a decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease. As repeatedly noted in other obituaries, Sean was universally regarded as a great writer, but more importantly, a true gentleman. He authored 26 books on various topics but was best known to many of us in the architectural, planning and development community as the author of the “Twelfth and Cambie” column, which appeared monthly in Vancouver Magazine from summer 1975 until fall 1991. In one of his last columns in June 1991, “City Hall Wins One For The Bureaucrats,” he wrote about the Bayshore project and my failed attempt to get permission to develop a residential tower on piers in the marina in return for extending a public pier at the end of Denman Street, linking it to the shoreline with an Amsterdam bridge. As he wrote, “One reason the planner gave for turning thumbs-down on the tower-in-the-water was that there aren’t a lot of examples of towers on waterfront in Vancouver. No wonder! It is noteworthy that the only alderman who voted for it was the only newcomer to

civic politics, the only truly open-mind on council, Tung Chan.” Twenty four years later, I still think it is a shame Vancouver does not have a lively public pier and more places to gather along the waterfront. During the ’70s and ’80s, Sean was the only Vancouver journalist regularly writing about architecture and urban issues. Each month, architects around the city would eagerly await the next issue of Vancouver Magazine to see what topic he was tackling. He often wrote about the importance of protecting older buildings while saluting visionary architects and planners. In 2007, in one of his last books, Sean collaborated with Mike Harcourt and Ken Cameron on City Making in Paradise: Nine Decisions that Saved Vancouver. For those who have not yet read it, the book describes, amongst other things, the efforts to save Strathcona, the creation of the Agricultural Land Reserve, Expo ’86 and the remaking of False Creek, and the important role played by the GVRD and Regional Planning. Sean was one of the founding directors of Vancouver’s Urbanarium Society, along with former chief planner Ray Spaxman, architects Richard Henriquez and Frank Musson, landscape architect Jane Durante and others. The goal of the society was to create a special museum similar to those found in Singapore and Shanghai, housing a large model of the city and other displays. It would be a place where one could discuss future projects and plans and important urban topics. With Sean’s help, the Urbanarium Society launched the Builders of Vancouver series, which proﬁled architects, engineers and other personalities who helped create our city. Today, former Urbanarium directors, along with Leslie Van Duzer, head of the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, are continuing to explore the feasibility of creating an Urbanarium for Vancouver. I hope they succeed so we can one day wander through the Sean Rossiter Gallery. Sean Rossiter leaves behind his wife, Terri Wershler, and other family members. A memorial service is being held tomorrow (Jan. 15) at 4:30 p.m. at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden. Rest in peace, Sean. twitter.com/michaelgeller

49 50 30

In thousands of dollars, the amount a Nanaimo family is being forced to pay after a judge ruled they are liable for accidental vandalism caused by their teen son.

The percentage of profits several hair salons across the city will donate Jan. 18 to the Vancouver Friends for Life Society in honour of the late Virginia Leeming.

The number of years since Bryan Adams released his hit album Reckless, which the former Vancouver resident will be performing in its entirety tonight at Rogers Arena.

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

A11

Mailbox Burnaby mayor calls out columnist

To the editor: Re: “Taxpayers Federation tax their credibility,” Jan. 9. As usual, Allen Garr makes up for a lack of thoughtful analysis by calling people names. He sits on a board himself and I imagine he always votes with the majority out of fear that he will be called a curmudgeon or a contrarian for taking a different view. I opposed the referendum because I believe that it is a fundamentally bad way to make public policy. It got Premier Clark off the hook on transit issues during the election campaign, because so-called journalists were dazzled by the avoidance maneuver. In addition, the

$7.5 billion vision is not a plan. It is a wish list of projects that can’t be funded by the tax. Garr should know this. Finally, I have steadfastly opposed the governance structure of TransLink and I have made this clear dozens of times. I won’t ask people for more money when I have no control over how it will be spent. This is particularly true given the TransLink history of mismanagement. As far as being contrary, Burnaby has become one of the most successful cities in Canada during my terms on council and, as chair of regional Planning for Metro Vancouver, I was responsible for attaining unanimous approval of the regional growth strategy. Get off your high horse, Garr, and try talking about the issues, instead of calling people names and impugning their motives. Mayor Derek Corrigan, Burnaby

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters may be edited by the Courier for reasons of legality, taste, brevity and clarity. Send to: 303 West Fifth Ave., Vancouver V5Y-1J6 or email letters@vancourier.com

have your say online...

vancourier.com FACEBOOK TheVancouverCourierNewspaper TWITTER @vancouriernews WEB

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

Rock star takes on the CRTC, wins

Jan. 13, 1991: Bryan Adams opens the North American leg of a world tour in Sydney, N.S. by calling for the abolishment of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) after they ruled songs from his latest album, Waking Up the Neighbours, could only be played by radio stations a maximum of 18 times a week under its CanCon rules due to his writing partner, Robert “Mutt” Lange, being British. Instead, the regulating body eventually opted to change its rules so that a Canadian artist who writes 50 per cent of a song’s music or lyrics is now credited with a full point under its grading system.

‘The Beast of B.C.’ sentenced to life

Jan. 14., 1982: Clifford Olson, a 42-year-old construction worker, is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of three boys and eight girls, aged between 9 and 18, across the Metro Vancouver area, to be served in the Kingston Penitentiary. Olson, to the surprise of his lawyers, had recanted his original plea of not guilty and, in an infamous “cash for bodies” deal with the RCMP and attorney general Allan Williams, agreed to provide the location of 10 of his victims’ bodies in exchange for $10,000 each paid into a trust for his wife, Joan, and then-infant son. He died of cancer on Sept. 30, 2011, at the age of 71, after being transferred to the supermaximum security Special Handling Unit in Sainte-Anne-des- Plaines, PQ. 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

COURIER COLUMN: “Taxpayers Federation tax their credibility,” Jan. 9. Ken Ohrn: Big Oil --> Koch Brothers --> Fraser Institute --> CTF -- > defeat transit referendum -- > more cars -- > Big Oil. Karin Litzcke: I look forward to a similar article about “who is the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives” tracking their political connections. It is nice to put some faces and stories to the people inside these influential think tanks. If you could do the Council of Canadians too, that would be great. Mel: It’s curious that the first characteristic of the CTF’s board that Allen Garr notes is that they are white. He then notes that they are predominantly male. Are we to reject the public policy positions of the CTF due to the skin colour of its board members? Based on his byline photo, Mr. Garr appears to be a white male. Are his views similarly suspect? Are there any other racial groups whose political views we should discount on the basis of their ethnicity? Or does Mr. Garr just want to silence those who have different political views from him and thinks pointing out their racial characteristics is a good way to do that? ACMEsalesrep: No, we are not to reject the positions of the CTF on the grounds that its board members are all white and overwhelmingly male. We are to reject them on the grounds that they don’t reflect the interests of Canada beyond wealthy, conservative whites, and wealthy, conservative white males in particular. There is a subtle, but important, difference between that and your reflexive defensiveness. (And I write this as a white male myself.) COURIER STORY: “Full school leaves Dickens annex kids in limbo,” Jan. 9. Andrea Shilling ton: I’m friends with a some of the parents whose children will be affected by this and it will be very disruptive for their kids because they love the school. Unfortunately, this displacement is happening at a very formative time in these children’s lives. Children are our future, but it seems that the B.C. government doesn’t think so. COURIER STORY: “Hopes for Vancouver heritage schools shaky,” Jan. 9. Christopher Pryde @XphrP: Bummer. We need them to deconstruct the school system not the school. Andrew Ferris @andyferris: I hope you’re not suggesting kids learn in earthquake deathtraps. Baaaah @_Sheepster_: Get real. Kids need an education in best/tech advanced schools NOT old barns that pull at boomer heartstrings. KUDOS & KVETCHES: “Hey, Girl Scouts,” Jan. 9. richmondite01: Uh, yeah — you know that the “Girl Scouts” (from the U.S.) and “Girl Guides” (Canada) are completely separate organizations, with completely different cookie campaigns, right? COURIER STORY: “Taxing March expected for taxpayers,” Jan. 7. Tara Sundberg: It’s absurd that the provincial government is insisting on a plebiscite for transit expansion. It is obviously needed. What happens in the case of a “no” vote? Sy Bor Wong: Maybe Vision should have had more vision to save money and invest in public transportation instead of wasting it on all the stupid bike lanes. Shabnam Jessa: Wow. I guess they think we don’t pay enough taxes.

A12

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Staying connected Upcoming community events

Sandra Thomas

sthomas@vancourier.com

Oakridge

Various Locations

The ﬁrst annual Beauty for Life event takes place this Sunday, Jan. 18, at participating salons across the city. This new fundraising initiative was organized in honour of Virginia Leeming, former fashion editor at the Vancouver Sun, who died in 2012 at age 70. Leeming is fondly remembered as an inspirational friend, loving mother, respected journalist, mentor and dedicated supporter of community charities. For one day only, participating hair salons, spas and beauty service businesses will come together to raise funds in support of Vancouver Friends for Life Society,

refreshments will be served. This event is free. For more information and a complete list of VPL events, visit vpl. ca/events or call 604-2578705.

Riley Park which offers services to clients living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses. Friends for Life is a registered charity operating the Diamond Centre for Living, where volunteers provide complementary therapies, nutritious meals and social support services. Book a haircut, manicure or massage at a participating salon and at least 50 per cent of the cost will be donated to

Friends for Life. To put that into perspective, that $150 spent on a cut and colour translates into meals for 25 clients struggling with serious illness. For a list of participating salons, visit beautycouncil.ca.

Renfrew

The Vancouver Public Library is offering an opportunity to improve your conversational English in a fun and casual setting. The ESL Conversation Club meets Jan. 31 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Renfrew Branch, 2969 East 22nd Ave. Suitable for intermediate and advanced levels. Light

Vinyl Café regular Reid Jamieson doesn’t want your Valentine’s weekend to “suck,” which is why he’ll be singing the bitter and the sweet at a special afternoon show, Afternoon Delight, Feb. 15 at the Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main St. at 4 p.m. with doors open at 3 p.m. Jamieson speciﬁcally booked an early afternoon show the day after Valentine’s Day to ensure as many music lovers as possible can attend, including employees in the service industry. The event is in support of the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter. Couples, singles and sad sacks are welcome, with chocolate for everyone. Tickets are $10 at reidjamieson.com.

formed in theatre spaces across the globe, from the New York Public Library to Broadway to Carnegie Hall and back again. This limited Valentine’s engagement includes appearances by real couples of the Vancouver theatre scene. To that end, Andrew and Melissa’s story will be told by a different couple every night. Love Letters runs Feb. 11 to 14 at The Shop, 125 East Second Ave. For more information, visit staircasetheatre.com.

The second session of this season’s Jewish Seniors Alliance Snider Empowerment Series takes place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21, at the JCC Wosk Auditorium on West 41st Ave. This year’s theme, A Smile on Your Face, a Song in Your Heart, will continue with a session dubbed Stories that Sing. Shoshana Litman, Canada’s ﬁrst ordained Maggidah (Jewish inspirational speaker, storyteller, teacher and preacher), will share transformative personal narratives, engaging folk tales and inspirational songs that invite audience participation. Light refreshments will

Mount Pleasant

Staircase Theatre presents Love Letters, the story of a 50-year correspondence between Melissa Gardner and her childhood-friendturned-loveinterest, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. This Pulitzer Prize ﬁnalist has been per-

“I’m worried about Mom.”

Fairview

Singles Travel Club has organized an information dinner/meeting Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. at Cactus Club, 1530 West Broadway. Meet new friends, enjoy the security of traveling in a group and avoid the costly single supplement. RSVP to Val at 604-669-6607 extension 304. Visit singlestravelclub.ca.

be served, but a bag lunch is suggested. Parking is free at the Wosk Auditorium, 940 West 41st Ave. For more information call 604-732-1555.

Oakridge

The Jewish Seniors Alliance has also organized a support group dedicated to helping anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. While grief is a difﬁcult and

We Take Care Of Your Mom Just Like You Do! SHYLO, your local home health care company has been helping people just like your mom since 1980. We help seniors stay in their homes and we’ll take care of your mom just like you would. 3 Housecleaning

3 Medication

3 Shopping

3 Appointments

3 Personal Care

3 Palliative Care

When you can’t be there for mom, call us for a FREE IN-HOME ASSESSMENT. 604-985-6881

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

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

an emotional journey of pain, loneliness and isolation, sharing these feelings with others in a caring and nurturing environment can help the bereaved ﬁnd a way to cope. The stages of mourning and grief are universal and are experienced by people from all walks of life, whether it’s in response to their own terminal illness, the loss of a close relative, or due to the death of a loved one or pet. The group, facilitated by Rita Akselrod and Ruth Wolochow, meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. These sessions take place at the Jewish Seniors Alliance, 949 West 49th Ave. Call 604-732-1555 for more information.

Killarney

Champlain Heights Community Centre, 3350 Maquinna Dr., hosts a Robbie Burns-themed dinner party Jan. 29 from 3:30 to 5:50 p.m. The afternoon will include entertainment and Robbie Burns trivia followed by an early dinner consisting of shepherd’s pie, salad and dessert. Come dressed in tartan or plaid to celebrate the beloved Scottish poet. Tickets are $12. The Killarney Community Centre hosts an event organized to promote heart health. The Happy Healthy Hearts High Tea was organized to show older adults how lifestyle choices can have a major impact on heart health. Join Bonnie McCoy as she demonstrates how to have a happy, healthy heart. A selection of delicious afternoon tea delights will also accompany this fun and informative session Feb. 5, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the centre, 6260 Killarney. Tickets are $15.

Citywide

For a limited time, the Vancouver Art Gallery has partnered with TransLink to create a unique offer to visitors. Between Jan. 12 and Feb. 13, anyone taking TransLink to see exhibitions at the gallery will receive special discounts on admission. Show your validated TransLink ticket, including single fare transfers, FareSaver or monthly FareCard, as well as West Coast Express tickets and passes, at the gallery admission desk and the cost of that fare will be discounted from the price of admission. In addition, visitors who travel by TransLink will receive a limited edition Emily Carr print when purchasing a gallery admission. That works out to a savings of $2.75 for a regular one-zone ticket, $4 for two zones and $5.50 for three zones or day pass. Monthly pass and West Coast Express ticket holders will receive a discount of $3 off admission. The discount will only be applied to tickets purchased the day of the visit. Two dynamic exhibitions will be on view at the Vancouver Art Gallery during this promotional period, including Unscrolled: Reframing Tradition in Chinese Contemporary Art; and Emily Carr and Landon Mackenzie: Wood Chopper and the Monkey. Unscrolled highlights the work of ten contemporary Chinese artists who examine the inﬂuence

of traditional aesthetics on visual culture in presentday China. Wood Chopper and the Monkey is an inter-generational dialogue between the work of iconic B.C. artist Emily Carr and acclaimed Vancouver painter Landon Mackenzie, featuring ﬁfty artworks that collectively span more than one hundred years. twitter.com/sthomas10

South Side of Broadway skytrain station

604-874-1221 • www.dryoshida.com

• Take the Millennium Line or the Expo Line to Granville Station Bus.

• Take the # 4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 16, 50, 240, 241, 242, 246, 247, 250, 253, 254, or the 257 to the bus stop at Howe and Georgia.

For information on gallery hours and exhibitions, visit vanartgallery.bc.ca.

Svetlana Lopareva R.D.BPS

• Home visits available • Precision Cosmetic Dentures, Standard Dentures , Partials, Relines and Emergencies • Financing Available - OAC 116 West Broadway

604.677.0061

3983 Kingsway

604.336.4155 Emergencies 778.389.5072

w w w. l o p a r e v a d e n t u r e c l i n i c . c o m

Dentures That Fit Your Lifestyle

Sunset Denture Clinic

Formerly Kingsway Denture Clinic

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

Call us for a FREE Consultation

Gerry Lee-Kwen, RD

604.874.6671

• Now Accepting New Patients • No Referral Necessary • Emergency care available A BPS Certified Center • We accept most dental plans

Westside W P Podiatry Clinic

Come see us for a free consultation.

207-1750 East 10th Ave, Vancouver

• Take the Canada Line to Vancouver City Centre Station.

(Biofunctional Prosthetic System) Certiﬁed Denturist

Missing teeth? Loose Dentures?

Implant Dentistry Certificates: Columbia University ICOI, Diplomate and Fellowship Designation

How to get to the Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street:

Dentures, Comfortably Fit - Guaranteed

QUESTIONS ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS? Dr.Vincent Yoshida, DMD

A13

Grand Opening! and O “Where the science of foot care and the art of surgery meet”

Call for an appointment. No referral required.

Dr. Heather Bui Dr. Ian Yu*

*Board Certified in Foot Surgery

Tel: 604 336 2816

3311 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

Experience the Warmth of Our Welcome Full Service Retirement Community in the Heart of Vancouver

604.637.1207

ME O UR HO FROM Y S TO OUR UR S OF O DETAIL AL R R E REF AM ON R PROG EBSITE OUR W

www.cavellgardens.com info@cavellgardens.com 2835 Sophia Street at 12th Ave. Vancouver V5T 4V2

A14

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Top five seniors stories in 2014 Tom Carney

order, for the top ﬁve news stories for seniors in 2014.

Time ﬂies! Before we get too far into the New Year, here are my picks, in inverse

The treatment of Canada’s Veterans

tomcarney@telus.net

The nod for the most

Peter MacDonald

INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. Your South Vancouver Insurance Centre Celebrating Over 35 Years in Business • • •

Mature Discount for Over 50 Home • Business • Travel • Medical A family owned business putting you first • • •

5606 Victoria Dr. at 40th Avenue

GLORY EWEN Notar y Public IS NOW LOCATED IN

The Peter MacDonald Insurance Building 5606 Victoria Drive at 40th

604-327-3399

puzzling story of 2014 is our government’s mistreatment of veterans. The Veterans Affairs Department is under constant cuts and clawbacks. Many vets wait months or years to access mental health disability beneﬁts. The former Minister of Veterans Affairs, Julian Fantino, was constantly in trouble. Why? What is the government’s strategy here? Veterans are well respected in Canada. Politicians less so. Canadians aren’t stupid. When a government picks a ﬁght with veterans, they lose. Always.

The appointment of a Seniors Advocate

Last March, the B.C. Government appointed Isobel Mackenzie as Canada’s ﬁrst Seniors Advocate. The ofﬁce of the advocate will not investigate the individual circumstances of B.C.’s seniors. Instead it will work to identify systemic issues that affect seniors and make recommendations to government. Here’s the challenge for Mackenzie: The cases the public are most likely to care about are the tragic individual cases, like seniors with dementia wandering away

View my video with

Has loose Dentures? Cannot enjoy a meal? Has a sore mouth? Has stopped smiling? All of the above Friedrich H.G. Brumm, D.D., B.A. Denturist 27yrs exp

All our Dentures and Services are TAX FREE! “You’ll love your BPS Dentures “Being of service to denture wearers over the that feature the latest technology last 27 years, I have learned to bring care and compassion to my work in order to make a available today — a product of difference in the quality of their lives.” highest quality, superior fit and a most natural appearance.” Friedrich H.G. Brumm, B.A., Denturist NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

NO REFERRAL NEEDED.

election will be held this year. When the party candidates come knocking on your door, ask them why not.

Saying our final goodbyes

Seniors had a lot to consider in 2014.

from their homes, being found malnourished in hotels, or choking to death while being fed by a caregiver. For the most part we know what the problems are and how to ﬁx them. As an example, only approximately 10 per cent of the 176 recommendations made in 2012 by the B.C. Ombudsperson to the health ministry to improve seniors care in the province have been acted upon. We need more action, not more studies.

Pension Tension

Comprehensive pension reform had been a bit of a bust. That changed in 2014 with the introduction of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, a deﬁned beneﬁt, mandatory contribution plan to supplement the CPP. It’s not perfect but it might act as a stimulus for other provinces to

act. Meanwhile some of the most thoughtful ideas on pension reform, like encouraging more saving for personal use and loosening the RRSP regulations, are coming from seniors groups, not from government, the ﬁnancial industry or the so-called think tanks.

Does anyone care?

Almost a year ago, a ﬁre at a seniors residence in Quebec killed 32 residents and severely injured 12 others. Even after a ﬁre last April at a seniors home in Langley, which left one resident dead and 12 others hospitalized, B.C. has yet to require that care homes lacking sprinklers install them. Our National Fire Code isn’t much help — it has no provision requiring sprinklers in seniors homes either. A federal

There are few arguments as divisive as to whether or not people should have the right to die when they choose. In 2014, we saw Gillian Bennett from Bowen Island and others choose to end their own life in a very public way partly to protest the current laws around having one’s wishes heard at the end of life. Still, others are seeking relief from the Supreme Court. Two senators, one Conservative and the other Liberal, are introducing a bill on physician-assisted suicide in the upper chamber after it stalled in the House of Commons. Quebec’s Bill 52, which allows people to request assisted death from a physician if they meet a number of requirements, will take effect shortly. At least Canada’s doctors have decided that it’s better to get out in front of this issue rather than to hide behind it, and Canadians seem much more willing to have a conversation about endof-life issues than their elected ofﬁcials. Who exactly is in charge of the life and death ﬁle? Apparently, no one. Do we have the right to die? Not yet. Tom Carney is the former executive director of the Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Society.

JANUARY SPECIALS

HOME MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SALES, RENTALS & FINANCING

EVERYDAY LOW PRICES

• Walkers • Wheelchairs • Tens Machines • lifT chairs • BaTh safeTy • Bed rails and More

LIFT CHAIRS FROM $1199

WALKERS

2 WHEEL from $69.99 3 WHEEL from $149.99

www.mydentures.ca

4 WHEEL from $199.99 WHEELCHAIRS from $199.00

2136 East Hastings, Vancouver 604.336.0622 email: info@lifesupply.com • www.lifesupply.com

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

A15

GOT ARTS? 604.738.1411 or events@vancourier.com

1 Jan. 14 to 16, 2015 1. Grizzled road warriors and potential beer flavour Yukon Blonde bring their vintage pop stylings to the Biltmore Jan. 15 for an all-too-rare hometown show to help the venerable Mount Pleasant music venue celebrate its seventh anniversary. Expect to hear the band road test a few new tunes considering they’ve been holed-up in the studio as of late and their last album, Tiger Talk, was released way back in 2011. Did the Internet even exist back then? Fountain opens. Tickets at Red Cat, Zulu and ticketweb.ca. 2. Considered one of the greatest films about film ever made, Federico Fellini’s 8½ (Otto e mezzo) “turns one man’s artistic crisis into a grand epic of the cinema.” The 1963 film, starring Marcello Mastroianni in glorious black and white, screens Jan. 14, 8:15 p.m. at Vancity Theatre as part of the Italian Film Festival. Details at viff.org. 3. Paul Anthony’s Talent Time kicks off the new year with a Get Fit! themed edition of the monthly live variety show, Jan. 15, 8 p.m. at the Rio Theatre. In addition to onsite fitness machines, highlights include 11-year-old dance sensation Dante Arias, comedians Kevin Banner and David MacLean, 15-piece youth choir Teen Angels singing music by the Smiths, an excerpt from CR Avery’s new rock opera Some Birds Walk For The Hell Of It, co-host Ryan Beil, a live house band and prizes for audience participation. Details at riotheatre.ca. 4. When Tennis first made a splash in 2011, they were primarily known as the Boulder, Colo. indie pop band consisting of husband and wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley who sailed the eastern U.S. and Caribbean for nearly a year and wrote a sunny, ’60s pop-tinged album about it. Their latest, Ritual in Repeat, continues the band’s enjoyable evolution towards ’70s West Coast pop and ’80s grooves, in a good way. Hear for yourself when Tennis and guests the Shilohs and Himalayan Bear play Fortune Sound Club Jan. 15. Tickets at Zulu, Red Cat and bplive.ca.

A16

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Arts&Entertainment

Ready Set VOTE!

Cast your votes in our Stars of Vancouver Readers’ Choice Awards and be in to win a ‘Best of Vancouver’ prize pack valued at over $2,000! VOTING ENDS JANUARY 23, 2015

vancourier.com/STARS

Reliving Reckless SKOOKUM CITY Andrew Fleming

aﬂeming@vancourier.com

It’s worth remembering that long before Bryan Adams began writing terrible love songs for the soundtracks of a bunch of equally bad Hollywood movies, he put out one of the catchiest albums of the ’80s. Reckless, the fourth studio album by the raspy-voiced singer, came out 30 years ago and quickly turned the acne-scarred, 24-year-old former dishwasher into a huge international star. Recorded here in Vancouver at Little Mountain Studios and co-produced by Bob Clearmountain, Reckless not only went straight to the top of the Billboard record charts but also boasts the distinction of having six singles crack the top 15, a feat previously accomplished only by Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. In light of Adams’ concert tonight at Rogers Arena where he’ll play his breakthrough album in its entirety, here’s a look back at some of the hits that ﬁrst brought our boy Bryan to the world’s attention. 1. Run to You The ﬁrst single from the album, this arena rawk anthem was originally written by Adams and writing partner Jim Vallance for

Blue Öyster Cult but the hard rock band turned them down, possibly because they already had a hit song called “Burnin’ for You” and didn’t want to confuse people. Instead, Adams’ heartfelt, hook-filled ode to infidelity became his then-biggest hit. Adams’ Canadian roots are also admirably on full display in the video, where he spends much of the time rocking out in a snowstorm. Or at least in a sound stage full of fake snow. And just who is this lucky girl in the video Bryan Adams wants to run to all night when the feeling is right? Turns out it’s British actress Lysette Anthony, best remembered today for playing Princess Lyssa in the fantasy flick Krull. 2. Somebody The second single is not only an enduring singalong classic with a killer chorus, but the music video was also shot here at home. Our hero strolls the street and alleys of Vancouver singing about his need to find somebody before making his way to B.C. Place, where he wanders onto an empty playing field in front of a huge crowd while being beamed onto the Jumbotron. However, it turns out he isn’t just looking for any somebody but rather a particular one. Lysette Anthony, to be precise, who is among the crowd 3. Heaven This power ballad was Adams’ first number one

hit. Recorded at the Power Station in New York City, it’s the only track on Reckless not recorded in Vancouver although the video was shot here and, as you might expect, featured a guest appearance by none other than British actress Lysette Anthony. 4. Summer of ‘69 Bryan Adams was only nine-years-old back in the summer of 1969 and it seems unlikely he would’ve been in a band with some guys from school. It’s almost as if he might be waxing nostalgic about something else entirely. The lyric “Me and my baby in a 69” offers a hint. And the woman playing his girlfriend in the video? That would be Lysette Anthony. Obviously. 5. One Night Love Affair One thing immediately jumps out when watching the video for the ﬁfth single from Reckless: the glaring, inexplicable absence of Lysette Anthony. 6. It’s Only Love The ﬁnal single from Reckless is a duet with the great Tina Turner, and Lysette Anthony is once again nowhere to be found, although Adams and Turner seem to have some serious chemistry together in the video for the Grammy-nominated song. Did Adams dump his former paramour in favour of a woman 20 years his senior? If so, there is only one word to describe the decision. Reckless.

Thank you to everyone in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Sooke, Port Alberni and Osoyoos for making the Festival of Trees an incredible success. Tree sponsors and festival donors raised

$308,337

in support of BC Children’s Hospital.

VENUE SPONSORS

VANCOUVER

VICTORIA

NANAIMO

SOOKE

$147,629 $129,294 $6,525 PORT ALBERNI

$13,000 MEDIA SPONSORS

$1,655 OSOYOOS

$10,234

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Arts&Entertainment

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

Edgewater Casino’s

WIN YOUR SHARE OF $22,000

WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

PICK A LUCKY ENVELOPE FROM THE MONEY TREE TO WIN

Don’t miss out on your chance to WIN!

FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

OVER

$75,000 IN CASH PRIZES AVAILABLE!

WEEKLY BONUS DRAWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 11AM** RECEIVE ONE FREE BONUS BALLOT EVERY DAY FROM GUEST SERVICES

Management reserves the right to cancel, amend or change promotion at any time without notice. *While quantities last. **Winner does not have to be present to win. Winners will be contacted immediately and will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

Wednesdays AT EDGEWATER CASINO

2 CASH WINNERS EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 8 PM Step into the

WIND TUNNEL

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN UP TO

1,000 CASH!

Give it a Whirl and Win! Management reserves the right to change, amend or cancel promotion at any time without notice.

760 Pacific Boulevard S., Vancouver Across from BC Place | edgewatercasino.ca

Edgewater Casino, Vancouver @CasinoEdgewater

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

EVERY HAND PAID JACKPOT WINNER RECEIVES AN ADDITIONAL CASH PRIZE OF UP TO $1,000!*

WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

Management reserves the right to change, amend or cancel promotion at any time without notice.

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

When quadriplegic drummer Dave Symington was asked to play a quadriplegic character in an intimate one-person play, his initial response was “no f***ing way.” “Not a chance,” said Symington, who was more comfortable as a background performer. “Not a chance. But I really knew that I wanted to be able to say yes.” So he memorized a paragraph from his longtime friend’s play. “The then-director said, ‘I think I see something,’” which was enough for Symington to commit. It was a disability awareness play written by awardwinning playwright, poet and performer Lucas Foss, which was performed for students, faculty and staff at post-secondary institutions around the province. The award-winning Realwheels Theatre, which creates and produces performances that deepen audiences’ understanding of the disability experience, caught a show in early 2014 and moved to further develop the work. Now Symington will perform the play, Re-Calculating, at CBC Studio 700, Jan. 22 to 24. Re-calculating takes audiences on character Jonathan Bishop’s personal journey as he wrestles with identity and relationships, his drum kit his constant companion.

a Velcro glove to hold his sticks. Symington played in the poppy ’80s-style synth band Spinal Cord, which featured future mayor Sam Sullivan, and drums around town with other musicians, including Rolf Kempf, who wrote a song that Alice Cooper covered. Symington hopes ReCalculating will prompt audience members to reconsider stale beliefs. Before he was quadriplegic, Symington thought he’d rather be dead than live with such a disability. “You have these extreme opinions about things, but you realize it’s got no possible bearing on the quality of your life,” Symington said. “I’ve had just as many struggles before I had a disability as I did after... There’re still these core issues we deal with as humans and so sometimes these kinds of stories help to awaken some other deeper understanding.” But Re-Calculating, directed by Jeffrey Renn, interim co-artistic director of Realwheels, is no therapy session. Music helps tell the story, and for all its probing, ReCalculating is a comedy. “You get the message but you’re entertained,” said Lafferty. Re-Calculating has become a reason for Symington to get out of bed in the morning. He’s pondering what challenge he’ll undertake next. “Like memorizing famous poetry or something,” he said. “Learn a second language.” Details at realwheels.ca. twitter.com/Cheryl_Rossi

DRAWS EVERY FRIDAY starting January 9 2 LUCKY WINNERS at both 8pm and 9pm PLUS 1 winner of $2,000 at 10pm

WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

Cheryl Rossi

crossi@vancourier.com

Dramaturge Liesl Lafferty (Canary, A Town Called Hockey), who co-wrote this rendering of Re-Calculating with Foss, says the story is anchored on the death of Jonathan’s father. “It’s basically just your standard coming to terms with who you are,” she said. “To a lesser extent, in this particular production, the injury is very important in that he didn’t use to have a disability and he has grown to be a different person with that, as well as just growing up.” Jonathan’s various struggles resonated with Symington. Symington’s mother had recently died when Foss asked him to tackle the role of Jonathan. The loss of his mother had provoked an identity crisis, panic attacks and intensiﬁed friction within his family. “What I relate to is the journey, parts of his experience with disability and his awareness of, gee, you know, I’ve got a disability and I don’t treat other people with disabilities the way I want to be treated,” Symington said. Like Symington, Jonathan is nearing age 50. But Jonathan was injured at 35, whereas Symington became quadriplegic as the result of a diving accident at age 19. Symington is a longtime disability advocate and co-founded VAMS, the Vancouver Adapted Music Society, which supports and promotes musicians with physical disabilities in Metro Vancouver. He plays electronic drums and designed

$750 50 R$$1000 $500 00 R$7 $250 50OR$5 O O

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

STATE OF THE ARTS

January 1-30

WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

The beat goes on

EDGEWATERCASINO.CA

Dave Symington stars in the one-person play about a quadriplegic drummer, Re-Calculating.

WHERE EXCITEMENT LIVES

A17

A18

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Arts&Entertainment

It’s a wander-filled life

THE ULTIMATE $10,000 FISHING EXCURSION OF YOUR LIFE!

THEATRE REVIEW

An all-inclusive 5 day/4 night guided fishing & eco-trip for two, including flights, accommodations & meals. To enter email your name, email address and phone number to: contest@vancourier.com (Subject Line: BOAT SHOW)

Jo Ledingham

joled@telus.net

Contest Deadline Sunday January 25 PRESENTED BY

JAN 21-25

BC PLACE & GR GRANVILLE ISLAND VancouverBoatShow.ca

Imagine a range of storytellers from lanky, slowly drawling Stuart McLean on one end to lanky, hectic Nathan Schmidt on the other. Frenzy — or joy — is where playwright Glen Berger attempts to take us in this Rosebud Theatre production of Underneath the Lintel in which obsessive-compulsive disorder is taken to an extreme that is sometimes funny, often quirky and for those who, like director Paul F. Muir, think that we are “either running toward God or railing against Him,” possibly inspirational. Schmidt, referred to in the play as “Librarian,” portrays a fussy, Dutch library worker from Hoofddorp whose job it is to check books back in. Appalled at the audacity of a borrower who would return a book — Baedeker’s Travel Guide — 113 years overdue (and, worse, dumping it in the overnight bin even when the library was open), the Li-

Nathan Schmidt is the Librarian.

brarian is determined to ﬁnd the culprit and collect what will be a sizeable ﬁne. The book, he discovers in the little pocket in the back (remember those?), was checked out by “A” but A took the book to London, as evidenced by a receipt issued by a Chinese laundry for the cleaning of a pair of trousers. Off he goes to London where the Librarian discovers the trousers, too tattered to withstand laundering, have never been claimed. Back to the Baedeker’s Travel Guide: in its pages is a 1912 tram ticket issued in Bonn, Germany. You guessed it: He’s off again and in Sherlock Holmesian fashion, he discovers in the transit records for March 1912 an incident report on a tram regarding a “smelly, dirty Jew and a

SMALL BUSINESS BC AWA R D S C E R E M O N Y Join the celebration at the SBBC Awards Ceremony, an evening to recognize the amazing entrepreneurs in our province! Enjoy drinks, appetizers and networking with BC’s top business owners, industry leaders and government officials as we announce the winners of the 12th Annual Small Business BC Awards. The Contest:

The Ceremony:

• • • •

460+ nominations 70+ communities 10 award winners 45 expert judges

mangy dog named Sabrina.” The journey continues — China, New York, Australia, England again, Jerusalem, sort of. The Librarian puts the pieces together and out pops the story of the Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) or, if not the houseplant, then Ahasuerus (A?), the mythological Wandering Jew, forever doomed to travel the world. Leaping lizards have nothing on this Librarian’s ability to leap from one scrap of “evidence” to another. These carefully labelled and duly stored “evidences” are waved in our faces as he pursues the miscreant. Underneath the Lintel is rich in offbeat ideas, my favourite being the “stamper” that the Librarian, in a ﬁt of bravado, steals from the library upon his “forced retirement” from the library. The stamper is of the old-fashioned kind with the revolving numbers that contains not only all the dates there ever were or will be (by simply revolving the gears) but also, as the Librarian points out, the birthdates of everyone in the theatre. And the dates of our

death. Now there’s something to ponder: the stamper as The Grim Reaper. Schmidt addresses all of us as if this were a one-night, slide-illustrated lecture by the Librarian — no doubt to raise funds for all that travelling. Schmidt is indefatigable, and, as the Librarian closes in on the mystery, his agitation reaches dizzying heights. What began as a strange, funny story about a strange, funny Librarian makes an abrupt turn and strives to go deep as the character comes to believe that if the Wandering Jew exists — and is still amongst us — then so does God and he is still amongst us. For believers, his discovery is a given; for non-believers, it’s just odd. The play may not be the thing here but the performance, direction and production can’t be faulted. I came close to envying the Librarian’s eventual, excited, optimistic, “I am here.” For more reviews, go to joledingham.ca. Underneath the Lintel runs until Jan. 31 at Paciﬁc Theatre. For details, call 604-7315518 or go to paciﬁctheatre.org.

February 26, 2015

at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Buy your tickets today!

PRESENTED BY:

500+ Attendees BC’s Top Businesses Local Inudstry Leaders Door Prizes, Drinks, & Canapes

AWARD SPONSORS:

About Small Busines BC: No matter what stage of business you’re at, you probably have questions. And our team has answers. Small Business BC can assist with everything from business registration to marketing strategy. We offer guided support, one-on-one consulting services, business plan reviews and dozens of free resources designed to save you time and money.

Stop by. Suite 54-601 West Cordova Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 1G1 Say hello. Toll-Free: 1-800-667-2272 General Inquiries: askus@smallbusinessbc.ca

W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5 THE VANCOUVER COURIER

Sports&Recreation

GOT SPORTS? 604.630.3549 or mstewart@vancourier.com

By Megan Stewart

Langara rebounds

The Langara Falcons men’s basketball team picked up its first league win of 2015 after losing three in a row before the Christmas break. The Falcons beat Douglas College 77-67 Jan. 8 and also dropped North West Indian College 95-57 in a Jan. 4 exhibition game. Langara had an admittedly rough finish to the year and lost three games, including a 73-69 defeat at the hands of the Quest Kermodes who came back from a 16-point halftime deficit. The team also travelled to Oregon and lost twice to the NAIA’s Oregon Tech Owls. “Playing great competition like we did in Oregon will only help us get better as we gear up for the second half of league play,” said head coach Paul Eberhardt. The Falcons are third in the PacWest and host their first home game Friday against the No. 1 Canadian college team from Vancouver Island University. Tipoff is 8 p.m.

Carter Popoff has 17 goals for the Vancouver Giants

Giants pick up two new faces

The Giants acquired two new players over the weekend, including Zane Jones from the Lethbridge Hurricanes in exchange for prospect forward Johnny Wesley and Parker Smyth from the Saskatoon Blades in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. Jones, 20, has 18 goals and 12 assists in 36 games with the Hurricanes this season. Giants general manager Scott Bonner said, “He’s a top level goal scorer who brings size as well, and we think he’ll be a great ﬁt with our current group.” Smyth, the nephew of NHL veteran Ryan Smyth, has six goals and six assists in 22 games in the Alberta Midget Hockey League. Carter Popoff scored the winning goal on a penalty kill early in the second period as the Vancouver Giants halted a two-game losing skid with a 5-3 win over the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers at the Paciﬁc Coliseum Jan. 9. Vancouver also got goals from Dalton Sward, Matt Bellerive, Jesse Roach and Mason Geertsen. Saturday night, the Giants were back on lam after a 5-3 loss to the Portland Winterhawks at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Tyler Benson had two goals while newcomer Jones found the back of the net as well.

Someone like Luuuuu...

Thank you for an unforgettable night Vancouver!!

— Tweeting as @Strombone1, Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo saluted Canucks faithful after a 3-1 Panthers win Jan. 8 at Rogers Arena. Luongo drew the biggest cheers of the night and rewarded fans with a sentimental touch to his heart.

A19

Fisk’s ‘gol’ scoring talent not lost in translation ‘El canadiense’ goes with the ﬂow in Spain

SOCCER Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

In a brief, online assessment, the Second Division ‘B’ Spanish football club Coruxo describes Vancouver’s Ben Fisk as “desborde y gol.” For Anglophones in Fisk’s home town, the meaning of “gol” should be obvious. It’s also literal and applicable to a natural goal-scorer like the 21-year-old winger who came of age in the Whitecaps Residency Program and signed his first professional contract with Coruxo FC last summer. “Desborde,” on the other hand, slides into the language of sport metaphor. It describes a river bursting its banks, overflowing and uncontainable. For a playmaking shooter, it’s one who overwhelms the back line to push ahead. “I would love to score so many goals that they were overflowing,” said Fisk, who netted his one goal for the club in a 1-0 Federation Cup win in September to advance to the Galician final. Known as “el canadiense” and the only English speaker on a team of Spaniards and an Argentinian, Fisk is taking Spanish lessons and, at first, wasn’t certain how his scouting report translated. He consulted a teammate and said, “It would be similar to saying, ‘He burst past his defender.’” The rest of the concise write-up describes the quick-footed Fisk as having explosive power suited to the wings. But the young international is slightly put out that he hasn’t burst the banks of his potential, not yet anyway. “I’m just trying to work hard in training and earn more playing time, then when I do get my chances I have to perform,” he said Monday over the phone from Vigo, a city in the northeastern region of Galicia that he said has beautiful beaches, good transportation and an attractive downtown. “I’ve been playing primarily as a winger and I set up a few more goals than I score but should be

Vancouverite Ben Fisk, right, plays for Coruxo FC, a Galician soccer club in the third division of the Spanish league. PHOTO CORUXO FC

able to put in a few more this season,” he said. In a few more than three words, the Coruxo club president said in a newspaper interview with the Voice of Galicia that they see Fisk as “a player who has to power to make things happen.” He praised Fisk’s strength and versatility on attack plus his ability to work his skills in tight spaces. Fisk appreciates the master tacticians of Spanish tiki-taka since he’s recognized for his skilled footwork and visionary passing. “A lot of people regard Spain as one of the best countries in the world for young players to develop. I think I’ll come out a better player,” he said. “Here the game is a lot more tactical. I’ve always been a player who plays on instinct, and playing here, I’ve had to ﬁt into the tactics more than I was used to. To go along with that, in training, a lot of the work we do is tactical. That’s been a big learning curve for me and one that will beneﬁt me.” Coruxo, a “small club with a big heart,” according

to Fisk, that seats roughly 2,500 at Campo do Vao, started the season on a tear but has since lost four of its last five games and tied the fifth, dropping them to 11th out of 20 teams with a record of 7-6-7. “We had a great start to the season and were up near the top for quite a few weeks and since then, we’ve lost form a little bit. We’re trying to get out of the slump and pick up our game a little bit,” said Fisk, who lives with two teammates in a large flat in the coastal city of nearly 300,000. The goal he scored to advance Coruxo to the next round of the Federation Cup, a consolation trophy for teams eliminated from the Copa del Rey, developed out of nothing. At least, Fisk made something out of nothing by stripping a defender of the ball and breaking through for an unerring shot. “It did feel really good,” he said about the game’s lone goal. Goal-scoring in Spain is a career highlight for Fisk. On his first international tour with the Whitecaps

residency team in 2009, the then-16-year-old midfielder slotted in both goals for a 2-0 win against the U18 side from Spanish and European champion Real Madrid. The scoring spree still ranks as Fisk’s most memorable. “The last time I was here, I played pretty well. They’re very fond memories for me and definitely gave me a nice feeling when I was coming to Spain,” he said, noting the Whitecaps Residency Program still holds the lead on other MLS clubs and runs more like the European clubs he’s becoming familiar with. Players he faced off against nearly five years ago are now also competing in La Liga, in the same or higher divisions than Fisk. Knowing he’s keeping pace suggests a football giant like Real Madrid could be part of his future. “That’s a pretty cool thing to see and know I might have the level to play there one day.” If so, it would have started by busting though to overflow the net. twitter.com/MHStewart

A20

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Sports&Recreation Covington declares for NFL draft

Vancouver College graduate a top prospect FOOTBALL Megan Stewart

mstewart@vancourier.com

More than 86,600 Texas A&M football fans saw Christian Covington crush Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel in an Aug. 2013 meeting. On the road with Rice University at Kyle Field in Station College, Texas, the Vancouver College product and six-foot-three, 295-pound sophomore defensive end sacked the polarizing passer known as Johnny Football for a loss of seven yards. It was one of only 19 sacks allowed on Manziel that season. On Friday, Covington an-

On Now at The Brick! For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

Rice University defensive end Christian Covington sacked Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the third quarter of a NCAA college football game in August, 2013. Rice lost 52-31. PHOTO ANTHONY VASSER/RICE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

nounced he would forgo his senior season with Rice to instead declare his eligibility for the 2015 NFL Draft, which will be held in Chicago April 30 and May 1. “The decision for me to leave was not an easy one, but through a lot of prayer and the help of my family, my decision to declare became clear,” Covington said in an announcement released by the university Jan. 9. Playing in the Conference

USA of the NCAA Div. 1, Rice hasn’t produced a top-40 pick since 1989, according to a scouting report online at CBSSports.com. Covington, wrote a senior analyst at the outset of the season, “is a quick, upfield penetrator who stays light on his feet with the fluid hips, natural flexibility and easy movement skills to attack gaps and disrupt the backfield.” A downside was his habit of lowering his gaze,

which risks losing sight of the ball, continued the analysis. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if Covington earns top-40 grades from NFL scouts,” meaning he could be called in the first few rounds of the draft. Covington’s younger sister and Little Flower Academy alumna, Asianna, competes for Div. 1 University of Georgia as a discus thrower. They grew up in Surrey and their father, Grover Covington, is in the CFL Hall of Fame. The younger, pious Covington thanked the entire Rice coaching staff and his teammates. “You truly impacted my life,” he said. The same year he took down Manziel, Covington anchored a Rice defense that helped the Owls win their first conference title in 56 years. He finished his university career with 119 tackles, including 23 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks while forcing four fumbles, breaking up four passes and blocking two kicks. He is slated to graduate in May. twitter.com/MHStewart

Über Buffet P: Eric Berger

Featuring Prime Rib, Fresh Fish & Chicken

Short, sweet and sensational. A GREAT DEAL ON A QUICK GETAWAY January is a great time to come visit Whistler providing the kind of conditions that make Whistler Blackcomb the number one rated resort in North America. Averaging 2.1 meters (6.9 ft) of snow falling on 8,100 acres of powder-filled bowls, ancient glades and mile-long cruisers. In the valley you’ll find a pedestrian friendly village with over 200 retail shops, award winning restaurants, legendary nightlife, and an endless collection of activities. So come on up - packages with 3 nights lodging and 2 day of skiing from just $128* CAD per person, per night - we’re ready for you!

3 NIGHT 2 DAY SKI & STAY PACKAGE from

128*

per person per night

On arrivals between January 4 - 31, 2015

PRICE BEAT PROMISE

*Starting from package rate is per person per night based on 2 people in a studio, valid January 4 - 31, 2015. Package includes 3 nights accommodations and a 2 day lift ticket per person. Must be booked a minimum of 3 days in advance. Taxes and fees are extra. Restriction may apply. Other packages available for dates throughout the winter season, please inquire for details. Please check online or call for full details.

The Weekend Dinner Buffet is Back! $29.99, January 16 - March 8

Join us every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the Westward Ho! for a meal prepared by our talented chef that’s more than prime. Our Prime Rib, Fresh Fish & Chicken Über Buffet comes with all the ﬁxin’s including Yorkshire pudding and assorted salads to round out the awesomeness of this outstanding meal. And make sure you leave room for dessert because that’s included too! For kids 6-12 the buffet will be half price plus taxes.The kids lunch and dinner menu will be available as an alternative to the buffet. Visit universitygolf.com for more details. Reservations are recommended. Please call 604-225-2315.

1.866.387.8492 whistlerblackcomb.com/getaway

University Golf Club, 5185 University Boulevard @universitygolf University Golf Club universitygolf.com

Give Hope Every year, hundreds of vendors like Stephen sell Hope in Shadows. They earn an income while showcasing their community. This year, buy a calendar and help create job opportunities for low-income people.

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!

HOPEINSHADOWS.COM HOPE HO PEIN INSH SHAD ADOW OWS. S.CO COM M

Suppor Sup Supported ported by by:

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

A24

THE VANCOUVER COURIER W E DN E SDAY, JA N UA RY 1 4 , 2 0 1 5

Your Original

Food Store Mexican Grown

Non-Medicated

Non-Medica

Long English Boneless s t Cucumbers s a o R e d a l B

Non-Medicated

Chicken Drumsticks

/lb $13.21/kg

Non-Medicated

Chicken Thighs

Pork Back Ribs

/lb $6.59/kg

Grass Fed

From the Deli

$599

$169

Certified Organic Minneola Tangelos

Certified Organic Red or Green Leaf Lettuce

Extra Lean Ground Beef /lb $13.21/kg

California

$199 /lb $ 4.39/kg

Smoked Pastrami /100g

Mexican Grown

/lb $10.98/kg

B.C. Grown

White Nugget Potatoes

/lb $1.72/kg

Organic

Ridgway Tea Earl Grey & Black

$249 $499 each

40 bags

Whole Fr yer Chickens

each

$249 $299 $498 /lb $5.49/kg

Heritage

¢ $

Fresh Lean

ted

Fresh

Pork Riblets

$136 /lb $2.99/kg

U.S.A. or Mexican

Concerto Tomatoes

99 /lb $6.59/kg

Triple A

Prime Rib Steaks Bone In

$816 /lb $17.98/kg

Chilean

Certified Organic Blueberries

$298 $499 1 pint clamshell

Organic

Indigo Coconut Milk

$149 400 ml

Non-Organic

Cashews Roasted & Salted

6 oz clamshell

Fair Trade

Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Assorted

$1299

+tax 944ml

Non-Organic

Morni Indian Basmati Rice

$999 $899 455 grams

CHECK US OUT WITH

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8 am-9 pm

Sale Dates: Wednesday, January 14, 2014 – Tuesday, January 20, 2014

www.famousfoods.ca

8 lbs