Westender - December 18, 2014 by Westender

DECEMBER 18-22 // 2014

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EVERYTHING VANCOUVER

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The Spirit of the Season • UNSUNG CHRISTMAS HEROES • • JENNY FROM THE BLOCK CELEBRATES 30 YEARS • • WINE WITH BREAKFAST: YES YOU CAN! • NEWS // ISSUES • STYLE // DESIGN • EAT // DRINK • MUSIC // ARTS • FILM // TV • HEALTH // SEX

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Westender.com

December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 3

NEWS // ISSUES

@WESTENDERVAN

INSIDE THIS WEEK

You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack by Tom Gauld

PUBLISHER DEE DHALIWAL DDHALIWAL@WESTENDER.COM MANAGING DIRECTOR GAIL NUGENT GNUGENT@WESTENDER.COM MANAGING EDITOR ROBERT MANGELSDORF EDITOR@WESTENDER.COM DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES@WESTENDER.COM 604-742-8678 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 604-575-5555 CLASSIFIEDS@WESTENDER.COM CIRCULATION 604-742-8676 CIRCULATION@WESTENDER.COM WESTENDER #205-1525 W. 8TH AVE., VANCOUVER, BC, V6J 1T5

News5 Cover story6 A Good Chick to Know8 Fashion8 Gift Guide9 Nosh11 The Growler12 Fresh Sheet12 Follow Me Foodie13 By the Bottle14 14 What’s On16 Music18 Arts19 Reel People20 Movie reviews20 Whole Nourishment22 Real Estate23 Out After Dark23 Drive27 20 Horoscopes29 Sex with Mish Way29 WESTENDER IS A DIVISION OF LMP PUBLICATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP. ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. THE 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 UPON REQUEST.

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PSYCHO CYCLISTS NOT WELCOME IN WEST END

knocked off their bikes! –James Fletcher

When I was a kid riding my bike I was respectful of both cars and people. Motor vehicles can still kill you and we cyclists can maim and hurt people. I live in the West End and to be as safe as possible, I cycle in the alleys. I have never had a problem with the garbage trucks or cars or shopping carts. Take your time to relax on your bike. I don’t take those chances. Those cyclists who have no respect for pedestrians should be elbowed and

I read your article with interest. I am living in the West End and am a walker. During the summer I was stopped at the sidewalk of Burrard and Pacific along with perhaps four others. We waited for the lights to change to walk and off I step, before the others onto Pacific. The next thing I know, two cyclists moving at top speed down Burrard, riding side by side, make a turn onto Pacific and almost hit me. Fortunately, they seemed to be expert riders and did an immediate swerve. As I gasped at the near-hit, I looked to the lights and at the others and one man said, “It was our time to walk.” I had, in fact, checked the traffic on Pacific to make sure all had stopped. I did not check for cyclists moving down Burrard and ignoring all of us standing

Re: Cyclists still plague West End sidewalks, Dec. 11, 2014 People should not jump out of the way but hold their ground! The dogwalker is a fool for yanking the dogs out of the way. He’s just surrendering to them! If one points out that the sidewalk is not for them, a stream of abuse always comes spewing out. –J.

at the curb. Had they hit me, I have no doubt about the injuries I would have had, given the speed of their bikes. The seawall of the West End is not as peaceful as it used to be. In the nice months, most of us would like to get away from traffic and concerns about moving vehicles. Now one has to look every which-way to make sure we aren’t going to be pummeled by a bike, rollerblades, and/or skateboards. –Marlyn MacDonald

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NEWS // ISSUES

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YOUR CITY

Janet Fraser new VSB vice-chair as Patti Bacchus bows out CHERYL ROSSI crossi@vancourier.com

Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies announced Dec. 12 that she would not seek a seventh term in office. Dan Toulgoet photo

Vancouver East MP Libby Davies to step down BOB MACKIN twitter.com/bobmackin

A fixture on the Vancouver political scene for nearly 40 years is retiring next year. Vancouver East NDP MP Libby Davies announced Dec. 12 that she would not seek a seventh term in office. The party’s deputy leader since 2007 also said she would not endorse anyone in the race to succeed her, but would remain active in the party. “It’s obviously mixed feelings, I love being member of parliament, I consider it a huge honour to be the representative for the people of East Vancouver,” said Davies. “I feel it’s time for a new voice, time for me to move on.” She said NDP Opposition leader Tom Mulcair greeted her notice with “sadness.” “We’ve worked together closely, even before he was leader, we were both deputy leaders with Jack Layton. He was very supportive and I’ll do everything I can between now and the election to keep

working hard as an MP and be part of the NDP team.” The next federal election is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2015, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives could call for a vote sooner. Davies was first elected to Vancouver park board in 1980 and made the leap to city council in 1982. She was re-elected four more times and unsuccessfully ran as COPE’s mayoral candidate in the 1993 election, won by the NPA’s Philip Owen. In 1997, she staged a comeback to run federally. “When I first got involved in politics there were very few women,” Davies said. “Darlene Marzari was on Vancouver city council, my political mentors were all men, Harry Rankin, Bruce Yorke, my partner Bruce Eriksen [who died in 1997], it’s where I learned my politics in the streets of the Downtown Eastside,” Davies said. “For women in politics there’s still barriers and things to deal with. I’ve always encouraged women to

run, I consider it an important thing to do.” She said she is most proud of lobbying for affordable housing and homelessness. “Whether it’s the drug crisis in the Downtown Eastside, or missing and murdered women, I took on issues that weren’t mainstream, and that needed to be brought forward and needed to have action. I’m proud of that work.” Davies, the first openly lesbian MP, said women make great politicians because “we’re good multitaskers, we focus on issues, we focus on getting things done, so I want to see more women in politics.” Davies said she doesn’t have any plans for retirement, but will remain active. “It’s in my blood, I’m a political animal. I’ll still be working on the issues I care about one way or another.” According to the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation, Davies is set to receive a $98,280 annual pension and could earn as much as $3,662,587 through age 90.

The Green Party of Vancouver trustee who helped make the NPA’s Christopher Richardson the new Vancouver School Board chair was named vice-chair Monday night. The Green’s Janet Fraser will be vice-chair, chair the board’s finance and legal committee and serve as District Parent Advisory Council liaison. Vision Vancouver trustees declined vice-chair and committee chair positions. “I’m disappointed,” Fraser said. “Particularly the three returning trustees had a lot of experience and expertise that would have been useful in those positions.” The newly elected board includes four trustees each from the NPA and Vision with Fraser as the lone Green. Former Vision Vancouver board chair Patti Bacchus said Richardson offered her the vice-chair position and a committee chair position, both of which she declined. “After six years in the chair, I really want to focus now on bringing Vision platform issues to the table, which I did last night, making sure that we can build support and get this board to support a strong advocacy position,” Bacchus said. “I was very pleased last night that we were able to do that on two critical funding issues with the province.” Trustees supported Bacchus’s motion for the VSB to advocate for the Ministry of Education to reverse its cuts to adult education for graduated adults who are upgrading. Starting May 1, the ministry will no longer provide funding to school districts for tuition-free upgrad-

ing courses for adults who already hold a high school diploma. Trustees also backed Bacchus’s letter urging the government to heed the recommendations for kindergarten to Grade 12 funding included in the 2015 Report of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. The NPA’s Stacy Robertson, a lawyer and enforcement counsel at the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, will chair the planning and facilities committee and represent the VSB with the BC Public School Employers’ Association. The NPA’s Penny Noble, executive director of Bike to Work Week B.C. and a former teacher and public relations and marketing veteran, will chair the education and student services committee, which deals with all matters relating to the quality and types of education provided at the elementary, secondary and adult education levels.

Incumbent NPA trustee Fraser Ballantyne will chair the personnel and staff services committee. Each committee is joined by a non-voting parent, union association representatives and members of senior management. Bacchus says the seismic upgrade at Queen Mary elementary got stuck with a half a million dollar shortfall in the tax shift from HST to PST. Trustees unanimously supported Vision trustee Allan Wong’s motion Monday night to send a letter to the Ministry of Education to fund the difference. Bacchus forwarded a motion on notice that the VSB commit to not entering into any negotiations regarding the sale of the Kingsgate Mall site without prior public consultation regarding the decision to sell. She worries discussions could begin in camera and then she wouldn’t be able to bring public attention to the matter. –Stories courtesy of Vancouver Courier

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 5

NEWS // ISSUES

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YOUR CITY

Unsung heroes share the spirit of the season Med student Isabel Chen volunteers her time to help protect sex workers in the DTES and encourage early childhood literacy KELSEY KLASSEN kelsey@westender.com

In her future work as a doctor of family medicine, Isabel Chen will be helping a diverse cross-section of people in her community, from the very young to the very old, throughout clinics, ICUs, and hospital operating rooms. So it only makes sense that her work as a social activist has been much the same. Since 2011, Chen, 26, has been a driving force behind both Keep Safe, an initiative working to create a mobile panic button for sex workers on the Downtown Eastside, and The Reading Bear Society, a children’s literacy program. And while those two concepts might seem quite far apart from each other and her life as a medical student, Chen says both ideas were born out of a singular passion she’s had since childhood. “In high school,” says Chen, speaking by phone from Portland, where she was interviewing for a medical residency, “a lot of my identity and mission, and what I derived value and purpose from in life, was from developing a voice for those who might not otherwise have the courage or the confidence or the outlet to advocate for themselves.” Initially convinced that her calling was to be a human rights lawyer, it wasn’t long into her time as an undergrad at Yale university that her professional focus shifted to medicine. “I quickly realized that

for me, one-to-one human relationships mattered a lot, and I wanted to be a part of peoples’ lived for many decades, in a healing, caring capacity.” While at Yale, Chen concentrated her efforts on improving the health of disadvantaged populations. She worked as a sexual assault and rape counsellor and in a clinic for Iraqi refugees, and completed her undergraduate thesis in cultural anthropology on refugees’ reproductive health in the United States. Similarly, during graduate school, Chen tackled racial, ethnic, and immigrant disparities in intimate partner homicide in Massachusetts for her master’s thesis, while advocating for improved student mental health, sexual assault, and harassment practices with the university administration. She also served as president of the Women’s Leadership Initiative. “I feel as happy and as confident, I guess, as the most marginalized and the most vulnerable and most disenfranchised of those I share a community with,” says Chen. “[I just feel] this really strong sense of collective responsibility for improving the wellness and outcomes of others.” It was that sense of responsibility that led Chen, upon her return to her hometown of Vancouver in 2011, to start Keep Safe – bringing together a team of eight highly-skilled volunteers from across North America to answer the call from sex workers on the

Isabel Chen helped found the Keep Safe initiative to protect sex workers is the Downtown Eastside, as well as The Reading Bear, a program that encourages early childhood education. Submitted photo DTES for a GPS-based device that would allow them to summon help to their exact location in the event of violence. It’s an ongoing initiative with Vancouver as the pilot city, and it was through that process that the idea for Reading Bear was sparked. “I was very fortunate to work with focus groups for Keep Safe,” Chen explains, “and a lot of women on the Downtown Eastside, or even just general Eastside of Vancouver, have children who lack many of the basic necessities to help them thrive in life. Not just through nurturing and education, but just trough companionship and partnership.”

Reading Bear, founded by Chen and two other local women, is a non-profit citywide early literacy initiative, focused on educating the “heart-mind.” The organization consists of parents, principals, teachers, advocates, and academics collaborating across communities to create healthier schools though peer reading visits and mentorship. More than 500 students participate in the program, the goal of which is to bring together youth and build strong cross-city relationships at a younger age. “Reading Bear was just sort of a natural extension of how individuals can create a healthier community just by

spending time, compassion, and sharing resources,” says Chen. “Education is one of the strongest gifts that we can share with each other. And it is one of the strongest gifts for individuals to take and excel in their lives.” Chen, who was recently awarded the YWCA Young Women of Distinction Award, will have to go where her residency training takes her, but says no matter where she ends up, she will carry on her work back at home. “I’m decently young,” she laughs, “and I just have a lot of time and energy and commitment that I’m willing to share. “I think Canadians are in-

herently compassionate and giving and concerned with the wellbeing of their communities. That’s especially true in Vancouver,” she continues, “but I think sometimes it’s helpful to have certain individuals who can share their spark and can communicate that passion with others, to kind of mobilize people. So if I’m able to just be the glue or the conduit or help others and enable others to do what they would hope – what they would like – to see done, that’s really the goal.” To find out how you can contribute your time, skills, or resources, go to TheReadingBear.ca and KeepSafeButton.org.

Volunteer Hazel Mackie a den mother to the kids of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice KELSEY KLASSEN kelsey@westender.com

One thousand and 70 hours of Hazel Mackie’s life have been spent in the school room of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Or, if not there, playing with the children in the sprawling garden outside, or helping them with their breakfast in the dining room, or consoling them in a quiet corner when they are most in need of hugs. Mackie is a Canuck Place family volunteer. Every other week, the retired health care worker arrives at the hospice for her shift, ready to guide a new child with a life-limiting illness through their routine. “The philosophy at Canuck Place is that children benefit from purpose in their every-

day activities. This includes school and play,” says Mackie, a slight, grandmotherly Scottish accent peeking through. “School-aged children, including patients and their siblings, attend school while at Canuck Place, and because I volunteer in the mornings, I have the privilege and joy of working in the school room with the teacher.” Located in a transformed Shaughnessy Heights heritage home, Canuck Place opened its doors in 1995 to become the first free-standing hospice for children in North America. It receives children with progressive, terminal illnesses such as cancer, muscular dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis, congenital syndromes, and metabolic diseases, with the offerings of temporary

6 W December 18 – December 22, 2014

24-hour respite care, to give families a chance for rest and renewal; transition care for children who are ready to leave the hospital, but whose homes or communities are not yet equipped to provide the necessary services; symptom management aimed at the adverse physical and emotional toll of the child’s illness or treatment; end of life care for both child and family when the child’s death is imminent; and grief support throughout the entire process for the child and their family members. Having served more than 1,500 children and families in its 20 years of service, Canuck Place is considered a world leader in pediatric palliative care. And a large part of that is due to the tens of thou-

sands of volunteer hours like Mackie’s. “I knew when I left [my career] that I was going to miss my clients,” says Mackie of why she chose the hospice. “I worked primarily with the senior population, and I was so looking forward to being a grandparent at that point, that I was looking at changing my focus from gerontology to younger people.” She learned about the opportunity at Canuck Place from friends, and started volunteering at the facility in 2003. Since then, Mackie has done everything from playing Mrs. Claus at the Christmas parties to playing ball hockey with seven-year-old boys.

Continued on next page

Retired health care worker Hazel Mackie is one of the 350 volunteers at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Submitted photo

Westender.com

NEWS // ISSUES

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YOUR CITY

Need for volunteers greatest during the holidays Continued from page 6 She’s chopped vegetables in the kitchen and done crayon art with the kids (a crafting skill she quickly put to use with her own grandchildren). For four hours a day, she sings, picks flowers, cuddles, and learns, and over the nearly 10 years, feels she has become part of the Canuck Place family. “When I walk into Canuck Place any morning to do my shift,” Mackie says, “I feel like I’m walking into

my own home.” She starts each shift with a quiet moment in front of the fireplace on the main floor, where candles, cards, and photos honour the lives of the children that have recently passed. And then she heads upstairs, where the limitless bounds of childhood imagination and exuberance awaits. One day, Mackie recalls, she was standing near the back door when a grandmother drove up in a van with a little girl. The girl, who is hearing-, sight-, and mobility-impaired, was

in for sleep. “It was just obviously a space of total comfort for her,” says Mackie softly. “I’ll never forget that one.” And while Mackie often falls back on her time as an occupational therapist, health care experience is not required nor necessary to volunteer. Each one of the 350 Canuck Place volunteers, from family and peer volunteers, to kitchen, garden, and reception and more, have grown into their role. Mackie, for example, eventually discovered she has a gift for

banging on the car windows in anticipation of arrival, and Mackie approached to help. She opened the door and the girl clambered out of her seat, raced over to the elevator door and excitedly pressed the button to go up. Mackie kept pace, and when the elevator doors opened, the girl shot out onto the second floor, running straight into the arms of the nurses before making a dash for her room, where she promptly curled up into her bed, asked for the blinds to be closed, and tucked herself

connecting with non-verbal children. “I think that’s all part of the support system that we have as volunteers, from the people that we are being supported by,” she says. “ The volunteer program is second to none, because of the training program that we have, and the selection process, too.” As for why she volunteers at all, Mackie merely smiles and shrugs. “I think it’s something that you have in you. I love being involved; I’m a busy person. It just adds enrich-

ment to your life. And that’s why I love Canuck Place so much,” she adds. “I got so much pleasure out of my work, when I was working, that I just feel… you have skills. As all of the volunteers have. You have skills that are useful.” During cold and flu season, the need for able volunteers for many organizations increases. To apply for Canuck Place go to CanuckPlace. org.You can also support Canuck Place by donating to its ‘Light Up Their Lives’ campaign, running now until the end of the year. W

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12/10/14 7:53 PM December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 7

STYLE // DESIGN

WESTENDER.COM

FASHION

Jennifer MacKay, owner, The Block. Rob Newell photo

Christina Richards loves her Fairview townhome. Rob Newell photo

Jenny from The Block My Digs: Christina Richards celebrates three decades NIKI HOPE westender.com

It’s been a fashion mainstay in Gastown for 30 years and a favourite of those who appreciate quality apparel. Jennifer MacKay has owned The Block for more than half its lifespan – 16 years – after buying it from previous owner Erian Baxter in 1999. “It was such a special business,” says Baxter, who started The Block in 1984, just days before her 21st birthday. “Jennifer’s carried it on,” Baxter praises, “picking really great lines.” Baxter, who today runs a Kayak rental business in Deep Cove, offered to sell The Block to MacKay after deciding it was time to move on from the Cordova Street boutique. “She didn’t want to continue, but she didn’t want to see it not be here,” MacKay recalls. “So she approached me with the proposition of taking over, buying it, essentially, from her.” On the day we meet for an interview, Mackay wears soft coral lipstick, which pops against her long, dark hair and Jane Birkin-style fringe. She is casually put together in Nudie jeans, a plaid Steven Alan shirt, and an Anna de Courcy choker,

radiating the same unpretentious air that permeates through the spacious and bright store. When Baxter made the offer to sell, MacKay had what felt like a minute to decide whether or not to take the ownership leap. So without much time to prepare, MacKay, then just in her mid-20s, and her friend, designer Isabelle Dunlop, partnered up to buy The Block. They paid Baxter slowly over the course of a year. “The banks really wanted nothing to do with us,” MacKay says, laughing. “We started with no money, really, so it was a bit of a turn-key operation. In that way, we were able to keep the store... It’s pretty incredible, the planets were aligned with how this all happened.” There were many lean days in the beginning, though MacKay has learned the cyclical nature of the retail business over her tenure. But back in ‘99, there was one particularly rough day where she phoned her mom to tell her she had just $11 in the bank. The Block has survived, MacKay says, because she has worked hard and learned to listen to her instincts. She had a costly incident early on when she didn’t go with her

Decor eighth

gut. She was talked into buying dresses she knew weren’t right for the store, and the clothes sat until eventually she had to sell them at a loss. It was a $2,000 mistake, but a priceless lesson. MacKay bought out Dunlop in about 2007, but she hasn’t been without a partner to bounce ideas off of. Her husband, Kildare Curtis, is also in the retail business – he owns Eugene Choo on Main Street. These days, MacKay says menswear has really taken off with more men living and working in Gastown. The Block carries many, many contemporary designer lines, but some favourites are Filippa K, Filson, A.P.C., Anna de Courcy, Steven Alan, Surface to Air, and Loeffler Randall. Prices at The Block range from $13 to $1,600. W

STYLE Q&A WITH JENNIFER MACKAY

What is your no-fail outfit?: A jumpsuit! Who are your style heroes (if any)?: David Bowie Who are your favourite Vancouver designers?: Anna de Courcy, Sunja Link, Dace, Erin Templeton

Jennifer Scott A Good Chick to Know

@Jennifer_AGCTK I love when I walk into someone’s home and it is an immediate reflection of their personality. Quite honestly, that’s how design should always be, but more often than not it doesn’t turn out that way. I was super impressed when I entered the home of Christina Richards, who had worked with a close friend of mine – Rachel Harrison (a designer as well) – to style the space when she and her family moved in. Perfectly suited to the individuals within the home, the design exudes classic elegance, feminine overtones and a formal eclecticism. With thoughtful design decisions, Christina and Rachel created an ultimately chic and reflective space for the Richards to call home. What is it: A three bedroom corner townhouse at The Brownstone in Fairview. Occupant: I work in promotions and marketing management for one of the world’s leading travel companies. I’m also

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the mother of two amazing children that bring me so much joy.

Major selling feature: Location! We’re walking distance to Cambie Village, Main Street, South Granville, and Granville Island. The area is also a wonderful family-oriented community with several parks and community centres nearby. Another selling feature is the abundance of light in this home. For a townhouse, it has a ton of windows and always feels light and open, even on gloomy and dark Vancouver days. First thing I changed: When we first moved in, we didn’t change much except for paint in the bedrooms. This year, we added a cozy custom bay window bench area with storage. It’s now our favourite place to snuggle with our kids and read books. We also added custom open shelves in the kitchen to house all of our antique china, glassware and shiny things.

temporary paired with some soft and traditional elegance that connects well with the classic European features of the townhouse. The colour palette is a lot of white with greys, some soft blues, and metallics, as well as touches of marble, glass, and crystal. I love all things shiny, pretty, and light.

The story behind the art/antiques/collectibles: I love our vintage Belgian bedside tables that Rachel Harrison found for us at an antique market. The tops were replaced with beautiful white marble, making it feel new and glamourous. I love collecting antique tea cups and chinaware. They are so pretty to display. I have a beautiful set passed down to me by my grandmother that I bring out when hosting special dinners. Besides our Zöe Pawlak piece, my other favourite art comes from my three-and-a-halfyear-old daughter. She loves art and every scribble is like a masterpiece to me.

Feature I brag about: Our master bedroom with its massive curved windows and vaulted ceilings. It’s my favourite space in the house. My dear good friend, Rachel Harrison of RoomCraft Design + Renovations, in collaboration with Kaili Zevenbergen, designed this room a couple of years ago. It’s all white, bright, yet cozy, and feels ultra-glamourous with the large tufted linen custom headboard, crystal chandeliers, and special handpicked antique pieces. I have a hard time getting up in the morning.

Downsides: Although we love townhouse living and enjoy the large courtyard where all of the community kids can play safety, our own backyard would be amazing.

That one conversation piece: Our Zöe Pawlak painting that hangs above our sofa. It really is the centerpiece of the home. When my husband and I first saw it, we instantly fell head over heels. I love the bright fuchsia in the painting and every time I look at it, it just makes me feel good. It’s something we will love forever.

Compared to your last place: Our previous place was a large condo in Yaletown. We were newlyweds and at the time, the space was perfect for us. It had floor to ceiling windows everywhere that let in the most beautiful light.

The décor: Our décor is a bit of con-

Neighbourhood haunts: I’m in love with The Bird’s Nest and Heirloom on South Granville. As a family, we really enjoy Biercraft on Cambie and Rocky Mountain Flatbread on Main. Both are great for brunch and very kid friendly. Main Street is also fantastic for little coffee nooks and shopping.

Favourite apartment/house/ condo activity: Just hanging out and spending time with my husband and two children. W

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STYLE // DESIGN

@WESTENDERVAN

GIFT GUIDE

Beautiful gifts for your secret Santa list @Jennifer_AGCTK South of France Hand Wash, $6.30. Available at The Wilder Snail, 799 Keefer. Bring the beauty of France to your fingertips. Literally. This fabulous little stockingstuffer for Mom – or the gift that’s sure to please at your office gift exchange – is made with organic ingredients and natural scents like Climbing Wild Rose and Lavender Fields, combined with soothing aloe vera to keep your hands soft and touchable.

easy (and mutually beneficial) stocking stuffer for that special someone on your list.

Vancouver Candle Company has created a collection of premium soy wax and perfume-grade essential oil candles based upon the various neighbourhoods within the city, allowing Vancouverites to rep their ‘hood with a scent story. My personal fave (well, perhaps I’m biased) is Strathcona – fruity and tart with floral overtones – but other varieties include Railtown, Kitsilano, Fairview and Point Grey.

Jennifer Scott A Good Chick to Know

Vancouver Candle Company candles, $32. Available at Oliver & Lilly’s, 1575 West 6th. This is an easy and personalized gift for all the locals on your list! The

Rahua Volumizing shampoo and conditioner, $36 - $38. Available at Kiss and Makeup, 1760 Lonsdale (new Vancouver location opening soon!). As a girl born with hopelessly straight, fine, and soft hair, the prospect of Amazonian luscious locks has always seemed like more of a myth than achievable reality. However, I gifted this one to myself pre-holiday season and I must admit I’m becoming a believer! Only a few washes in, I’ve already noticed a textural difference in my mane. This is one to spoil yourself with - you and your locks won’t be disappointed!

Love Blend essential oil and massage oil, $19.95 for the 10ml essential oil, $15.95 for the massage oil. Available at Escents Aromatherapy, multiple locations. This essential-oil blend combines the romance of rose otto and the sensual qualities of jasmine to create an aroma that is designed to ignite passion, and also aid in positive mood balance. The concentrated essential oil is ideal as a natural perfume alternative, or bring the mood of love to your space by using it with a room diffuser. The massage oil is a lovely addition to a bubble bath, or passionate post-bath massage oil. An

Brown Wrap Tie Italian Leather Journal, $65. Available at Papyrus, Oakridge Centre and 765 Burrard. This is one for the writer, the dreamer, or the ultimately organized person on your list. Bound in sleek yet soft leather, this journal is a stylish housing for gathering thoughts. Perfectly sized to tuck into

your purse or carry-all, this tie-bound book is ideal for those on the go. W

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 9

STYLE // DESIGN

WESTENDER.COM

GIFT GUIDE

Pamper someone this Christmas SABRINA FURMINGER @westender.com

YOUNGBLOOD

We all benefit from a little pick-me-up, whether it’s a muscle-melting massage, some deep contemplation, or (if you are so inclined) a fresh coat of lipstick – but sometimes we need to reach a crisis point before we’re willing to make time for ourselves. Give the gift of pampering to a friend in need via my top five picks for beauty and wellness gifts.

SKOAH

Skoah is a tried-and-true skin gym where you can

Float House slip in every few weeks for a personalized facial that will defend your face against whatever stressors come your way (with a line of killer products to match). This holiday season, they’re upping the ante with a limitededition facial that marries a treatment mask, hand and arm exfoliation, and massage with rich products from their holiday collection that smell like brown sugar and vanilla. Pick up a gift certificate or pop in for some much-needed holiday me-time. At skoah locations, from $80.

FLOAT HOUSE

The world is busy and crazy and stimulates us at ev-

ery turn; it’s hard to unplug. Hell, I fall asleep with an iPhone in my hand. So I can see a lot of benefit in a session at the Float House: letting the non-stop madness of my urban life drift away as I float in the cozy, warm, silky blackness of one of their topof-the-line sensory deprivation tanks. I’ve heard the experience can disconnect you from your body, and take you to a new level of consciousness. I think we could all use some of that. At Float House, from $75 at FloatHouse.ca

Handmade Leather Artistry. Affordable Luxury.

I love mineral make-up. It’s a really great ally for your skin, especially if you’re wearing make-up all day and you don’t have time for touch-ups. It doesn’t flake off, and it can offer some of the most natural-looking cosmetic looks in the marketplace. Youngblood recently launched a fantastic starter kit for those interested in giving mineral cosmetics a try. Each kit contains natural mineral foundation, crushed mineral blush, and mineral

Youngblood rice setting powder. They come in a variety of skin tones and are paraben free. If Santa (or my husband) is reading this, I’d love the Shanghai Nights pressed mineral eyeshadow quad (in earthy shades), too. At London Drugs, from $52.

Chi Journey Asian-inspired décor and top-notch service, it’s easy to unplug and surrender to body therapies, wellness massages, and the full range of hand, feet, and facial care. The best deals can be found on the CHI Journey menu, which combines two or more treatments with an aroma spa bath or steam shower. Top of my list: The 2.5-hour Indulgence of Time journey, comprised of a CHI Balance Massage and Refresher Facial. At CHI, The Spa, from $295.

AURORA BY LISE WATIER

The Montreal-based cosmetics firm always brings its A-game: Fun packaging (sometimes including built-in lights: A lifesaver when you’re painting your nails in front of the TV); elegant colour combos; a decent price point. But they’ve got something special with their winter collection, Aurora, whose luminous and shimmering products (include the must-have eyeshadow palette) were inspired by Canada’s Northern Lights. At London Drugs, from $20. W

Aurora by Lise Watier

CHI JOURNEY

I’m a sucker for spa experiences that whisk me away from an hour or two. Located in the flash Shangri-La Hotel, CHI, The Spa is an oasis of calm and rejuvenation. Between the

ixo (Shee-sho) means well done in the Nahuatl language spoken by the Aztecs in Mexico. We are Canada’s distributor of Cuadra, a Mexican luxury brand of handmade leather goods for 22 years.

Cuadra collections include shoes, boots, jackets, handbags and accessories featuring genuine leather and exotic skins in casual, dress and western styles. Cuadra products are exclusively available at our Xixo Boutique and online at www.xixoapparel.com

VancouVer • Las Vegas • Mexico

807 Hornby Street (off Robson) | 604 620 6738 | xixoapparel.com 10 W December 18 – December 22, 2014

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EAT // DRINK

@WESTENDERVAN

DINING OUT

Mr. Red big on flavour, small on price Anya Levykh Nosh

@FoodgirlFriday MR. RED CAFÉ

2234 East Hastings St. 604-710-9515 Facebook.com/MrRedVanCity Open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner from 11am9pm, Sundays 11am-5pm. Vietnamese food is almost as common in Vancouver as sushi, but it tends to be of the more pungent, southern style. The cuisine of northern Vietnam, specifically the area around Hanoi, is lighter, cleaner and more earthy in nature, as is very well-represented in Hong and Rose Nguyen’s new 25seat café, Mr. Red. Located in the burgeoning Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood, the café boasts neighbours like Campagnolo Roma, Red Wagon, Schokolade, et al. It’s a small, bright, mom-and-pop shop that this young couple opened less than a year ago. The ingredients are fresh, and the family recipes have been perfected by the grandmothers back home, with little fuss. Almost all the dishes sit under $10, with most ranging around $4.50-$6.50. Our tea was the first indicator of something special. Made from bay thoy leaf (also called pandan or pineapple leaf), it’s fragrant, almost sweet, and expertly brewed. “My husband and I drink it every day,” explains Rose, boasting of its restorative powers. It’s also the perfect pairing to dishes like the chicken wings in honey and butter sauces. One of the few deep-fried dishes, these are lightly spiced and extra-juicy, with slightly

(From left to right) Mr. Red Café’s chef Hong Duong, owner Rose Nguyen and asstistant chef Jay Dang; Bánh cuón roi thanh tri, a northern Vietnamese rice noodle cake; Vietnamese bánh mi sandwich with paté, ham, shredded pork, dried shallots, daikon, cucumber, and cilantro. Rob Newell photos

DITERRANEAN

our own. Crab rolls with wood ear and mushrooms were so meaty they could have been a main. The phyllo layers were crispy and not overly greasy. Dip them in the chili vinegar for a light kick of heat and sour. The bun cha (the house specialty) was one of the stars of the menu. This traditional clear, aromatic broth is served with rice vermicelli, small handmade pork balls, wood ear, shredded chicken, and dried mushrooms. A side basket of bean sprouts and fresh mint and cilantro comes

crunchy exteriors. Sticky rice is laced with turmeric. It’s glutinous and addictive, and comes tightly wrapped in banana leaves. Try the assorted plate, which comes with different bundles flavoured with mung bean and pork. Green mango salad is stimulating and top-notch. The fresh, julienned fruit is firm and well-studded with carrots, fried shallots, kaffir leaves, dried mushrooms, peanuts and dried shrimp. It’s large enough for two or three to share, but we were greedy and each ordered

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Come and enjoy our healthy North African Cuisine made with grass fed meats and local organic vegetables. We are open for lunch and dinner.

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with. The large bowl can serve four, but I saw plenty of people making a meal out of solo orders. Make sure to leave room for dessert. The sticky green rice pudding with coconut cream might sound – and look – odd, but as soon as you try some, you’re hooked. Forget the almost neon hue and just dig in. It’s the perfect balance of salt and sweet, with the cream adding necessary richness to cut the salt. Service, provided by Rose, is friendly, warm, and welcoming, but when it

gets busy, things slow down quite a bit. She’s the only one on the floor most days (hubbie runs the kitchen), and another body would probably go a long way to smoothing out the one small wrinkle in an otherwise stellar operation. Bánh mi are another unique and happy find. More of the fried shallots top some truly excellent pork pâté. Slightly gamey, but silky smooth, it’s served on a toasted bun, which is a pleasant change. A few to go as you head out the door only makes sense, right? W

Anya Levykh has been wr iting about all things ingestible for more than 10 years. Hear her ever y Monday on CBC Radio One’s On the Coast and find her on Twitter @foodgirlfr iday and Facebook. com/FoodGirlFr iday. FoodGirlFr iday.com

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 11

EAT // DRINK

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BEER

This is why Vancouver loves Portland (I think) Stephen Smysnuik The Growler @StephenSmys

It was on my second day of my second visit to Portland, lying in bed at the Hotel Monaco when it dawned on me that this city’s beer culture is less about the actual beer and far more about the city’s confidence in itself. Listen: Portland’s beer culture, like any beer culture, is an indication of the health of the soul of the city. I was there on a reconnaissance trip, of sorts, for a new craft beer publication I’m launching in January, and had spent the entire day previous touring the city’s bars and breweries east of the river. Every single one had its own character and flavour. Public art adorns the most random of places – mailboxes, street corners, gas station walls. And everywhere we went, we met a multitude of exceedingly friendly people – most of them local who’d moved there from all over the US – happy to offer directions, or simply chat about the city they were clearly in love with. That’s not to say everyone we met was a beacon of civilian servitude. The bouncer outside APEX taproom refused us entry because we didn’t have our passports on us and she was a real jerk about it. But over all, I sensed a connectivity and camaraderie among the locals that simply doesn’t exist in

Portland, the land of milk stout and honey ale. Thinkstock photo my own city, and I’d argue is the most glaring difference between these two otherwise very similar cities. Travel Portland’s latest campaign boasts “Portland is happening now,” and it’s very clear that the people living there are aware they’re experiencing some kind of Golden Age for the city. It’s positively soaking in beer – 60 craft breweries within the city limits (compared to Vancouver’s 18). I wonder if Portland is like this because of the beer influence? Or, has Portland’s beer culture thrived because it’s the perfect fit for a culture that is and always has been inclusive and experimental? It’s probably some fusion of the two. Beer culture is inclusive by nature, as I’ve written before, and in Vancouver it seems to be encouraging growth in that particular department. The growth

in “neighbourhood” craft breweries would, you’d think, help foster new connections and more opportunity for inclusivity. A place like Commons Brewing in Portland (or Brassneck in Vancouver, or Steel and Oak in New Westminster) function like a neighbourhood pub, only better, because it connects certain kinds of like-minded people who are drawn not just to swilling booze, but to the creative and artisanal aspects of craft beer. Of course, a city or community would have to want that to happen in order for it to take root, but I think a city that embraces connectivity, creativity, and experimentation, and has developed an identity and economy around that, is, to me, a healthy city. So, it’s easy for myself and other like-minded Vancouverites to fawn over Portland

because Portland’s what Vancouver might be like if Vancouver knew what kind of city it was or wanted to be. Vancouver is not a city comfortable with its identity. It’s not a city with a discernible identity of any kind. You want some insight into the psychology of any given city? Look at the local travel organization’s website and advertising campaigns. Look at Vancouver’s. We have no unifying narrative, no story to tell and nothing all that radical beyond the natural beauty, a low crime rate, and a liberal attitude. We’ve only managed to sell the T ’n’ A. If Vancouver were human, she’d be the beautiful and soft-spoken teenager who found international fame and success too young (see: The Olympics) and has spent her late adolescence and early adulthood with an identity

crisis figuring out who she is, and who she wants to be, under crippling pressure from outside influences. Portland, on the other hand, has grown up depressed and isolated (and maybe drug-addicted) in the shadow of her considerably more successful siblings (Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles). But she was left to her own devices and has grown into her own, on her own. It’s a very American city, and seems to be harbouring some secret for keeping the American Dream alive. It’s not perfect – homelessness is severe, and the unemployment rate as of October is 6.1 per cent – but something’s working. Portland’s been allowed to grow up cool. Vancouver, who’s played Canada’s Seattle, LA, and San Francisco at the same time, has been shaped and manipulated into a becoming something it hasn’t seemed altogether comfortable with. Its growth hasn’t been driven with much respect to community spirit – and then visitors complain that Vancouverites are unfriendly. But this is changing and I do believe that the craft beer culture is both the harbinger and the catalyst. Portland, waiving that hipster-ized freak flag of hers, is the global example of what we’d like to become, and a version of what we could become if we could get our shit sorted out. W Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephensmys.You know you want to.

120 years of coffee Tradition!

Take time to enjoy your holiday this year...

Reserve a table today for our Christmas Day Brunch Buffet or New Year’s Eve Dinner and Party with Brickhouse

Christmas Brunch Buffet

NYE Dinner and Party

December 25 10:00am & 1:30pm seating times available $69.95 Adults* $29.95 Kids 6-12* (kids under 5 eat free)

December 31 $139.95 includes a 4 course dinner and a party in the restaurant with Brickhouse. Or join the party at 9:30pm with Brickhouse for $34.95. 19+ event.

*Space is limited – reservations are required. Note to our guests: Food and beverage prices are subject to tax and a 18% service charge will be applied to all Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve bookings.

Visit our website to check out the menu or make a reservation www.docksidevancouver.com In the Granville Island Hotel, 1253 Johnston St, Granville Island 604-685-7070

12 W December 18 – December 22, 2014

Get a

Anya Levykh Fresh Sheet

@FoodGirlFriday More than 30 restaurants are now part of StreetSmart, allowing guests to make a donation of a few dollars to their local food bank when paying their bill. Participating restaurants include Provence Marinaside, Lupo, España, The Fat Badger, Hamilton Street Grill, Chambar, and The Fish House in Stanley Park. StreetSmartCanada.org All the best restos are doing it… Miku Restaurant is expanding to Toronto. Look for the opening sometime in summer 2015. Langley’s Vista d’Oro Farms & Winery, famous for their artisanal preserves, is once again running their annual Operation Cookies for Kids. Each tin contains treats from Terra Breads, Original Cakerie, Les Amis du Fromage, Forage Restaurant, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, and others, as well as a jar of Vista d’Oro preserves. Each tin sells for a minimum donation of $50, with 100 per cent of all funds raised going to BC Children’s Hospital. VistaDoro.com During his apprenticeship, master chocolatier Wim Tas of ChocolaTas worked with Maison Wittamer, the exclusive chocolate supplier to the Belgian royal family. Now, these Royal Belgian bonbons are available during the holiday season in boxes of nine pieces for $20. Order by Dec. 18 for pickup at either the Granville Island or Abbotsford location. ChocolaTas.com W

Fairly Traded Locally roasted Sustainable

FREE* bag of Mogiana Coffee!!

Locally roasted Arabica beans of the finest quality; direct from our own, award-winning, sustainable coffee farm in Brazil. A true family business all the way to the source! Available at: Wholefoods  Stong’s  Famous Foods  Drive Organics  For other stores near you, visit our website: W W W .MOGIANACOFFEE. C O M

*To get your free bag of Mogiana Coffee, simply cut out the label and UPC Code from your purchased bag (any roast), and mail to: #5-11711 No 5 Rd . Richmond, BC, V7A 4E8 including your return address. This promotion is valid until January 31, 2015.

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EAT // DRINK

DINING OUT

Gifts for your favourite foodie Mijune Pak Follow Me Foodie

WaterfrontView FreshMenu LiveMusic West Coast Tapas

Made from Scratch

@FollowMeFoodie

Reservations Recommended It’s never too late to shop for a food-obsessed person! And even if they’re not “foodobsessed”, food is the safest bet and always the way to go. I could be slightly biased, but who doesn’t like to eat? Everyone has to eat, so it might as well be enjoyable. Here are five items I would love to see in my stocking New Town apple tarts are widely popular, but still one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets. New Town Bakery, a Chinatown landmark, is notorious for their flaky apples tarts, which are offered year-round. They are baked fresh daily and a perfect balance between sweet and tart so they appeal to many palates. These delicious pockets of joy are great for holiday parties or as a gift. NewtownBakery.ca • Rustichella d’Abruzzo Primo Grano pasta available at La Grotta del Formaggio is currently my favourite brand of pasta available to the local market. I had the pleasure of meeting the family, seeing their wheat harvest and production facilities in Abruzzo, Italy, and they are transparent and proud – as they should be – since there is no cutting corners on quality. I could be biased, but I did a blind taste test with eight other quality pastas and it came out as the favourite. I confidently stand behind it. LGDF.ca

Join with us in celebrating our

Anniversary

Call 604-689-7800 Now booking for

Holiday Parties

1010 Beach Ave.

Along the Seawall Under the Burrard Bridge Across from Granville Island

www.TenTenTapas.com Apple tarts from New Town Bakery in Chinatown. • Move over Santa, there’s a new “Boss” in town… although please stay if you’re coming down the chimney with one. Breville’s new high velocity superblender, “The Boss”, is arguably the new competitor of the beloved Vitamix. I have a Vitamix and I love it, but this “Boss” is a legit challenger and I’d be thrilled to receive either. Of course, you’re wondering the pros and cons of each, so check out comparison videos online if you’re curious. • Chocolate. A solid go-to gift, right? Perhaps expected, but not if you’re getting them from Beta5 Chocolates. Beta5 recently won five medals at the International Chocolate Awards in London, which is the most of any Canadian competitor. Awardwinning flavours included rosemary caramel, yuzu curd, carrot cake, Fisherman’s Friend (a unqiue menthol and herbal flavour profile), and sparkling praline. Beta5. myshopify.com • Last, but hopefully not least, are tickets to my first event of 2015! A little self-

promotion, but I’m extremely excited to announce the second annual 6 Course Discourse on Jan. 19. Join me as I welcome six Vancouver chefs: David Hawksworth, Pino Posteraro, Angus An, Robert Clark, Taryn Wa, and Thomas Haas to share what’s on their mind. Start with a BC VQA wine and canapé standing reception with 10 different food stations. Sustainable and local meats supplied by Two Rivers Specialty Meats and Ocean Wise seafood from Organic Ocean will be featured at the reception. The 10 stations include Café Medina, Bambudda, Chocolate Arts, No Fixed Address Catering, and of course bites from restaurants of the six guest speakers. Then, take your theatre seat for an inspired speaker presentation followed by a “Talk Back Session” and aftermath social. Tickets available at DineOutVancouver.com W Follow Mijune on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.

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NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER & DANCE DEC. 31, 8PM-1AM Live DJ & Belly Dancer! Includes Dinner, party favours & 1 drink

Call to reserve your seat before it sells out.

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Draft beer pints $3.95 Draft beer pitchers $9.95

805 W. Broadway @ Willow • 604.874.5800 3 blocks west of the Canada Line Cambie Station Free parking weekends & after 6 pm weeknights

December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 13

EAT // DRINK

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WINE

Wine for breakfast Michaela Morris By the Bottle @MichaelaWine

Yes, I drink wine for breakfast and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Not every day. My indulgence is sporadic enough that it’s still a treat rather than a habit, but often enough that I can fess up truthfully. I don’t recommend it if you’ll be operating heavy machinery or have to roll into work at some point. However, during the lazy, leisurely holidays when eating and afternoon naps are the only to-dos on the agenda, consider trying it out. Of course this means feasting on something fancier than cornflakes or yoghurt. Bacon and eggs are definitely deserving of wine. And if someone is ambitious enough to make eggs Benedict, it’s an absolute must. Sparkling wine is always a good palate cleanser with runny yolks. And I love a Chardonnay with backbone (aka lots of acidity) to go with hollandaise sauce. Sweeter fare like French toast, waffles, and pancakes merit an equally sweet tipple.

My overriding strategy at breakfast is to drink wines that are lower in alcohol. A 15 per cent, Amarone at 11am is simply over the top, even for me. Besides, it would obliterate eggs. I tend to stick to wines at 12 per cent alcohol or much less. And in the morning, I have a preference for white, whether it’s sparkling or still. Though I can easily be tempted by a rosé. However, if red is your colour of choice, opt for lighter fruitier examples like Beaujolais and pair with a mushroom frittata or sausages. If you are really lucky, someone will serve you breakfast in bed. Now that’s what I really want for Christmas. Fresita, Sparkling Wine infused with Strawberries • Chile • $16.99, BC Liquor Stores Infused with real, handpicked strawberries from Patagonia, Fresita exudes pure, fresh fruit that you won’t taste in those over-priced, out-of-season berries currently available. And 8 per cent is still a fairly gentle way to wake up. Relish with French toast or waffles topped with a berry compote. 2011 Château de la Gravelle • Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine sur

Anya Levykh Fresh Sheet

@FoodGirlFriday

lie AOC, France • $17.99, BC Liquor Stores An understated beauty light on its feet with modest alcohol (12 per cent) and thirst-quenching acidity. Citrus and apple blossom are complemented by a salty tang. Whip up a simple omelette. Hand-peeled shrimp is an optional filling. 2012 Dr. Pauly Bergweiler, Riesling • Mosel, Germany • $18.99, BC Liquor Stores Smoke and wet stone meet Granny Smith apple and lemon zest. Bright

acid will stir you from your slumber and refresh your palate between bites. This 10 per cent, off-dry Riesling is a treat with bacon, eggs, and onion jam. Or try with sausages. 2013 Massolino • Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Italy • $27.95, BC Liquor Stores This sweet and lovely Moscato weighs in at five per cent, so you’ll hardly feel it. Light, frothy, and bursting with orange rind and flowers, it’s delightful with fruit salad and orange sponge cake.

Yes you can have cake for breakfast too!

Hawksworth Restaurant is offering a special four-course Christmas menu that includes yellow fin tartare with kaffir-coconut sorbet, butter-poached lobster and potato gnocchi with wild mushroom, Alberta ribeye, and baconwrapped pheasant terrine, caramelized parsnip and more. Available Dec. 23-30 for $100 per person. For New Year’s Eve, its sixcourse menu runs for $150 per person and also includes an amuse of smoked sturgeon and Northern Divine caviar. HawksworthRestaurant.com

Jansz Premium Cuvée • Tasmania, Australia • $29.95, BC Liquor Stores I may be 0.5 per cent over my limit here but I am willing to make an exception for this high-quality sparkler from Australia’s cool Tasmania region. Think nuts, lemon, and red currants. A great contender for eggs Benny but I’d also drink it with my personal favourite brekkie of smoked salmon and cream cheese on a toasted bagel. W

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar is offering two seatings for NYE dinner. The first at 5pm is three courses for $99 per person; second seating begins at 8pm and is $179 for four courses. Menu includes roasted sablefish, grilled ribeye, and caramelized sea scallops. Boulevard will also be offering its weekend brunch menu for a special service on Thursday, Jan. 1. BoulevardVancouver.com W

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14 W December 18 – December 22, 2014

Star of the Season Program runs until December 24 Your donation of only $2 supports the growth of healthy communities. Now in its 13th year, Choices’ Star of the Season Program enriches the lives of families all across Metro Vancouver and the Okanagan. Kindly donated by Calabar printers, Choices’ Holiday Stars may be purchased until December 24th for a donation of $2.00. All proceeds are donated to the following neighbourhood houses: Little Mountain Neighbourhood House • West Side Family Place Gordon Neighbourhood House • Marpole Oakridge Family Place Fraserside Community Services • Semiahmoo Family Place Westender.com

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 15

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WHAT’S ON Th/18

Fr/19

Sa/20

Su/21

MUSIC

THE LOWER 48 Portland’s “slice of perfect pop” bring their energetic ‘60s psychedelic garage rock to the stage with guests Catlow and Combine the Victorious. 8pm at The Hindenburg.

OUT FOR LUNCH Imran Amarshi directs the renowned Synchronous Handbell Choir on the OFL concert series ringing out festive songs of the holiday season. 12pm at Vancouver Art Gallery. Tickets at VanArtGallery.BC.ca

JAMES BUDDY ROGERS Junonominated Vancouver based blues man brings his inventive and penetrating sound. 7pm at Vancouver FanClub. Tickets $10 at TicketZone.com

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Find the true meaning of the holiday season with live actors, jazz duo Michael Creber and Jodi Proznick and a special guest appearance by the Vancouver Youth Choir. 3-5pm at Ryerson United Church. Tickets at Ticketmaster.ca

THE STRUGGLERS Not Yer Buddy presents beloved Vancouver punks with special guests Soulsucker and Warrborn and RD Cane. 8:30pm at Railway Club. Tickets $10 at the door only.

THE WPP Legendary spazz-core reunites, with Dead Quiet and special guests. 7pm at the Cobalt. Tickets $10 at the door.

Ladyhawk, Dec. 18 LADYHAWK The Biltmore turns seven with the local indie rockers and guests Needles//Pins. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $16 at Red Cat, Zulu or TicketWeb.ca RIPPLE ILLUSION KICK OFF PARTY East Van’s Mike Turner, of Damn Fools presents his new outfit of funk, rock, folk and motown in a unique retro style with guests Laura Reznek and EHM Sky Patrol. 8pm at Media Club. Tickets $10 at Tickets. NorthernTickets.com or $13 at the door.

COMEDY BEN MCGINNIS & KEVIN BANNER Vancouver’s “funniest comic with a day job” coheadlines with the “big and brazen” Banner. 8:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $20 at TheComedyMix.com

THEATRE/DANCE AVENUE Q Part felt, part flesh. Watch what happens when a recent college graduate arrives in the Big Apple looking for love, work and a purpose in life. 8pm at Granville Island Stage. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Jan. 3.

CHEAP & FUN VOGUE CHRISTMAS MOVIE SERIES Catch a showing of Elf to help collect for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society with drinks, snacks and film trivia. All ages welcome. Admission by donation of a nonperishable food item. 6:30pm at Vogue Theatre.

VAN DJANGO Vancouver’s premier gypsy-jazz ensemble brings their holiday variety show to Rogue Folk Club with a mix of nostalgic favourites, jazz standards, and sing-alongs. 8pm at St. James Hall. Tickets $20 at Rufus Guitar Shop, Highlife, Prussin Music Inc., Red Cat and Arts-People.com KEITHMAS V Nine local bands, an incredibly large bottle of Jack Daniels and a lot of volume – it’s the unholy confluence of Keith Richard’s birthday and Christmas. featuring The Jolts, Rich Hope & his Evil Doers, The Highway Kind, Spoon River, La Chinga, Elliot C. Way, and The Wild North. 8pm at Electric Owl. Tickets $10 at Red Cat, Neptoon, Zulu, Highlife and TicketWeb.com THE MODELOS Vancouver’s favourite Western cowboy surf band hosts a Food Bank fundraiser. 9pm at the Fairview Pub. Tickets $10 at the door with a donation of a nonperishible food item. A DYLAN THOMAS CHRISTMAS The signature performance of A Child’s Christmas in Wales with Russell Roberts and Jon Washburn conducting the Vancouver Chamber Choir. 8pm at Ryerson United Church. Tickets at Ticketmaster.ca VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS Concertmaster and violinist Dale Barltrop leads the VSO in a performance of Mozart, Vask, Handel and Vivaldi. 8pm at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets at VancouverSymphony.ca

COMEDY DAMONDE TSCHRITTER The first Canadian winner of the Seattle Int’l Comedy Competition, the Globe & Mail hailed him ‘comedy’s new superhero’. 8pm at Yuk Yuk’s. Tickets $20 at YukYuks.com BEN MCGINNIS & KEVIN BANNER Vancouver’s “funniest comic with a day job” co-headlines with the

The Jolts, Dec. 19 “big and brazen” Banner. 8:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $20 at TheComedyMix.com

THEATRE/DANCE CHELSEA HOTEL: THE SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN Cohen’s powerful and inspirational music is the heartbeat of this cabaret-style production with extraordinary new arrangements in a tribute to the iconic legend. 4pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at FirehallArtsCentre.com ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 Chor Leoni and a stage of professional actors tell the true story of Christmas in the words and songs of the men who lived it. 8pm at Vancouver Playhouse. Tickets at TicketsTonight. ca. Runs until Dec. 21. LOST GIRLS BURLESQUE From the sexiest depths of darkness, six deadly babes have risen to destroy the night in this new burlesque monthly. 8pm at Fox Cabaret. Tickets at FoxCabaret.com SHOWGURLZ: A VERY FAMOUS CHRISTMAS Peter Breeze hosts this monthly drag extravaganza with costume contests, live performances and Cosplay Superstars. 8pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets at RioTheatreTickets.ca

CHEAP & FUN Alicia Tobin’s Come Draw With Me Get a patented comedic critique of your five minute drawings, then stay for her stand up with special guest Erica Sigurdson. 8pm at Hot Art Wet City. Tickets at the door with proceeds to benefit the Vancouver Foodbank Society.

ANTICHRISTMASS XIII Have a very metal Xmas with bastardized seasonal songs by Spookhaus, Obsidian, Pest Synapse, and Assimilation. 8pm at Funky Winker Beans. Tickets $10 at the door. REIGN CITY UNPLUGGED V Acoustic fundraiser featuring Groceries Jones, The Ivory Sleep, Bryan & The Toques, Alleyway Saints, and Dante Hadden. All ages, admission free with a donation of nonperishible food or clothing. 6pm at Heartwood Community Café, 317 E. Broadway. SHINE Celebrate a gospel Christmas with the Marcus Mosely Chorale. 730pm at the Ryerson United Church, 2195 West 45th, Vancouver. Tickets $25 for adults, $20 for seniors/students. Tickets at 604-770-1770, or online at TheMarcusMoselyChorale.ca

COMEDY DAMONDE TSCHRITTER The first Canadian winner of the Seattle Int’l Comedy Competition, the Globe & Mail hailed him ‘comedy’s new superhero’. 8pm at Yuk Yuk’s. Tickets $20 at YukYuks.com BEN MCGINNIS & KEVIN BANNER Vancouver’s ‘funniest comic with a day job’ co-headlines with the ‘big & brazen’ Banner. 8:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $20 at TheComedyMix.com

James Buddy Rogers, Dec. 20

BACH CHRISTMAS ORATORIO A 28-piece orchestra with vocal accompaniment from Early Music Vancouver, Krisztina Szabo, Teresa Wakim, Zachary Finkelstein and Sumner Thompson. 3pm at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Tickets at Ticketmaster.ca

HANSEL AND GRETEL A delicious fairytale opera with gorgeous music and hilarious stage antics, a magical new production of a Christmas classic. 9pm at Marpole United Church. Tickets at OperaMariposa.com

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 Chor Leoni and a stage of professional actors tell the true story of Christmas in the words and songs of the men who lived it. 3pm, 5pm, 8pm at Vancouver Playhouse. Tickets at TicketsTonight.ca.

CINDERELLA: AN EAST VAN PANTO A “way beyond Disney” retelling of sweet little Cinderella from the trio of Charles Demers, Veda Hille and Amiel Gladstone. 7pm at York Theatre. Tickets at Tickets.TheCultch.com

THEATRE/DANCE

CHEAP & FUN

DYLAN THOMAS: RETURN JOURNEY Hailed as a ‘lyrical tour-deforce’ Bob Kingdom gives an electrifying performance as Dylan Thomas en route to the White Horse Tavern. 8pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at Tickets.TheCultch. com. Final performance.

SHORTEST DAY SHORT FILM CELEBRATION A three-day celebration of 27 funny and family-friendly Canadian short films on the shortest day(s) of the year. At The Cinematheque. Runs until Dec. 21.

BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY The mechanical engineer, author, children’s television show host and science advocate. 8pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets at UnionEvents.com

21ST ANNUAL WOMEN’S WINTER FAIRE Featuring over 50 talented women artisans offering a wide variety of handmade goods set in a social and vibrant village atmosphere complete with indoor café. 11am-5pm at Heritage Hall. Admission by donation.

EVENTS

CHEAP & FUN REINBEERS: TOY DRIVE & CASK TASTING Just Call Her Heather hosts the return of this event where an unwrapped toy or cash donation gets you in the door and $3 puts a 10oz glass of delicious cask brew in your hand. Special guest performances. 6pm at The Cobalt.

THEATRE/DANCE DYLAN THOMAS: RETURN JOURNEY Hailed as a ‘lyrical tourde-force’ Bob Kingdom gives an electrifying performance as Dylan Thomas en route to the White Horse Tavern. 8pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at Tickets. TheCultch.com.

Cinderella: An East Van Panto, runs until Dec. 28

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MUSIC

THE B3 KINGS Eagerly anticipated holiday edition of funky, festive jazz quartet. 7:30pm at Federico’s Supper Club. Reservations/tickets at FedericosSupperClub.com

KAREN LEE BATTEN BC Country Music’s female vocalist of the year takes the stage with special guest Danielle Marie. 8pm at Railway Club. Tickets $12 at BrownPaperTickets.com

SACRED CHRISTMAS EVE Join violinist and virtuoso soloist Andrew Beer and soprano Sarah Templeton for a family service and candlelight communion. 7pm at Canadian Memorial United Church.

COMEDY THE LAUGH GALLERY WITH GRAHAM CLARK Legendary weekly stand up show of East Vancouver’s biggest and brightest comics. 9pm at Havana Theatre. Tickets $5 at Eventbrite.ca

CHEAP & FUN VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET Kick off the holiday season with Vancouver’s annual festive market with delicious treats, kids activities and live music. 11am9pm at Queen Elizabeth Plaza. Runs until Dec. 24 YOUTH POETRY SLAM All poetic styles welcome with featured performer, Elysia Glover of Victoria. 8pm at Café Deux Soleils. Admission $6 at the door. DANCE LOVER WORKSHOP Take a break from the holiday madness and explore this unique workshop with DANCEPL3Y, ballet, jazz, contemporary and floor barre classes to finish off the year on the right foot. 5-7pm. FirstDanceVancouver.com

THEATRE/DANCE CINDERELLA: AN EAST VAN PANTO A ‘way beyond Disney’ retelling of sweet little Cinderella from the trio of Charles Demers, Veda Hille and Amiel Gladstone. 7pm at York Theatre. Tickets at Tickets.TheCultch.com A TWISTED CHRISTMAS CAROL Using Dickens’ holiday classic and some audience suggestions, a group of talented, nutty and inspired actors will improvise to create a new comedy every night. 7:30pm at the Revue Stage on Granville Island. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 27.

CHEAP & FUN ROCKAOKE LIVE: AC/DCEMBER EDITION Vancouver’s pre-eminent live karaoke band, The Naturals get ready to make Angus Young proud. 8pm at Vancouver FanClub. Free. Festival of Lights Van Dusen Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland with over a million twinkling lights on display. Tickets at TicketsTonight.TicketForce.com. Nightly until Jan. 4.

THEATRE/DANCE A TWISTED CHRISTMAS CAROL Using Dickens’ holiday classic and some audience suggestions, a group of talented, nutty and inspired actors will improvise to create a new comedy every night. 7:30pm at the Revue Stage on Granville Island. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 27. CHELSEA HOTEL: THE SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN Cohen’s powerful and inspirational music is the heartbeat of this cabaret-style production with extraordinary new arrangements in a tribute to the iconic legend. 4pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at FirehallArtsCentre.com

CHEAP & FUN IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE A classic film presentation of an angel who helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing him a life where he never existed. 12:30pm at Cineplex Theatres.

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KESIA MEI & EMILE SCOTT Vancouver poet, songwriter and story teller takes the stage with partner Emile Scott. 8pm at Skinny Fat Jack’s. Admission by donation.

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE Get into the Christmas spirit with Pacific Theatre’s favourite musicians and actors as they share songs and stories for the holiday season. 8pm at Pacific Theatre. Tickets at Tickets. PacificTheatre.org

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Th/25 EVENTS FROZEN CHANUKAH ON ICE Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad East Van, the Vancouver Jewish Community and Queen Elsa, Olaf and Anna. 3-5pm at Hillcrest Community Centre. VANCOUVER AQUARIUM One of the best things to do on Christmas Day with regular hours, shows and exhibits all open. 10am-5pm at Stanley Park. ROBSON SQUARE ICE SKATING Lace up in the heart of downtown at Vancouver’s free, outdoor (but covered) ice rink. 12pm-5pm at Robson Square. Skate rentals $4.

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 17

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The WPP reunite LOUISE BURNS music@westender.com

Music is nostalgia, and nostalgia is youth. When you’re in your early 20s, you’re invincible. Nothing else matters to a young musician but your band, your jam space, and getting really good. But as you get older, priorities change. People have kids, careers, and other passions that overrule their once carefree existence. The WPP, Vancouver’s spazziest speed funk unit, know the value of their formative years, so now, after a decade of separation, they are getting the band back together. Because hell, why not? “I guess it’s a coincidence that it is 10 years,” says Al Boyle, the second and final drummer of The WPP, from a South Granville café. “Everyone is busy doing their own thing in their own lives – and that’s the other reason we wanna make it fun. We were a pretty heavy-touring, working band, so we just wanna see A, if we can do it, and B, to have a show and play. Very simple. And if offers come in? Cool! But [for now] it’s just for fun.” Earlier this fall, speculation began to swirl around a possible WPP reunion after a Facebook page was launched in September. The WPP (nee The Witness Protection Program) ended their shortcircuit speed funk assault in 2005 after relentless touring and a militant Greg-GinnBlack-Flag-style work ethic. “We would play shows and come home, set up, and jam more.” says Boyle. “You read about these bands and

you want to follow in their footsteps: Get a house, record there, create your own scene and crew of people. We’re all suburban kids, too, so that kinda says something as well.” Naturally, disbandment did not mean the end of music. All four musicians in The WPP’s reunion lineup went on to play in heavily influential local bands. Al Boyle (You Say Party!, Hard Feelings, Charm), Steve Matheson (Ghost House, Fun 100), Brad Mey (High Seas, Cripple Creek), and founding member Ryan Walter Wagner (Too High Crew, Tight Solid) have a combined musical resume that could fill this entire page. Despite the mystique surrounding their reunion, there are no plans to release new music or play additional shows. The point being more to honour the original chaos rather than to recreate it. “You should be changing every couple years or it becomes not fun. The band imploded because of all the work we put into it, and you can only do that in a certain age in your life,” says Boyle. “What WPP has taught me is that work ethic – pushing yourself and going harder – because that’s what separates you from other bands. You gotta work at your stuff. It’s fun to not worry about recreating it 100 per cent – this is the WPP as older dudes, so let’s just have fun and play.” W The WPP play The Cobalt on Dec. 19 with Dead Quiet and special guests. Doors at 7pm, $10 at the door. Early show.

REVIEWS // YO LA TENGO

Extra Painful (Matador) Painful, Yo La Tengo’s essential 1993 album, was a seminal moment in the band’s 30-year career. Despite being their sixth studio release, it marked the beginning of two defining decades of lilting, tender fuzz that would canonize them as one of the indie rock greats. Extra Painful is a very generous reissue of said

record: Your choice of a double LP, CD, or download including extensive liner notes, a 7-inch, and 15 bonus tracks made up of demos, instrumentals, and previously unre-

18 W December 18 – December 22, 2014

Ladyhawk help celebrate Biltmore’s 7th birthday LOUISE BURNS music@westender.com

Vancouver’s beloved and somewhat elusive Ladyhawk have been putting out records of beer-soaked, scrappy existential rock since 2004. The dawn of 2014 marked their 10-year anniversary and ascension to cult leader status; the kind of fellowship you’d hope to be there for when you finally “grow up” and the end is nigh. While the days of hardcore touring has lightened and other musical endeavours have dominated, Darcy Hancock (Hard Feelings, High Ends), Sean Hawryluk (Baptists), Ryan Peters (Sports, Nicholas Krgovich) and Duffy Driediger (Duffy and the Doubters), will grace us with their influential (omni) presence this Thursday at The Biltmore for a longoverdue homecoming show. Westender caught up with lead vocalist Driediger at a Naramata Winery in the Okanagan, his home since 2012, to chat long-distance band relationships, tarot cards, and the future of this legendary band. Where are you right now? At this moment I’m in the

leased material. Doing a compare-and-contrast of Painful’s “From A Motel 6” to Extra’s acoustic demo is worth it alone. It’s no surprise that Painful has stood the test of time, and Extra offers a glimpse into the blueprint, or skeleton of what it takes to make a classic. All puns aside, Extra couldn’t be further from painful. A must-have for any Yo La Tengo die-hard fan. – Louise Burns Rating: ★★★★★

cellar of a winery in Naramata, camped out beside a giant filtration machine for the next 10 hours. It sounds like a thousand grindcore bands blasting away at full volume simultaneously.

ing them, adding elements or whatever. I like performing as well, but touring is more of a grind for me. It can bring out unhealthy aspects of my personality and I’m not super into that.

How have things changed for Ladyhawk since you relocated to the Okanagan, and has it affected the creative process? I’m obviously not around so we don’t get together very often, just to practice for shows or whatever. It hasn’t really affected things either way. We’ve never been a very fast moving or prolific band. That’s mostly on me.

“I’m growing softer all the time, getting high out of my mind”. I love this lyric. What is “You Read My Mind” about? It’s about a neighbour I used to have. I used to just hate him. I didn’t really have a good reason to feel that way; he was just a mirror, I was projecting my own unhappiness on him. It’s about drug abuse, mental illness, all that fun stuff...

How on Earth does one manage to keep the same line-up for 11 years? That’s an entire century in band-years. All I can really say is that if anyone had left at any point the band would have ended. We just kept going.

I read in an interview with Exclaim earlier this year that you have written a few new songs influenced by ‘90s janglers The La’s. Will there be a new Ladyhawk album, and if so, when, and what can we expect from it? I’ve been working on stuff. It’s hard to say at this point when anything would happen with it. To me the songs feel different than what I’ve written in the past, but who knows. A bit more subdued, maybe? Less Crazy Horse, more crazy person.

Where would you rather be: The studio or the road? I’m definitely more of a studio guy. I really enjoy the recording process and that environment. I like creating a document of the songs, working on them and chang-

SKINNY KIDS

Strangers (Kingfisher Bluez) Let it be known that this delightful EP came out in October of this year. But as luck has it, it has only just fallen into our hands. Skinny Kids are the kind of band that make you want to start your own. Strangers has that coolerthan-thou vibe full of psychedelia, reverb, and curledlip delivery reminiscent of an undeniable influence, The Velvet Underground. Working with the master

of garage, Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, the trio has perfectly captured all the right influences at all the right moments, making a record that pays heavy dues to the past without sounding

I know firsthand that some of you are synth pop fans: Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, etc... is that just Darcy? Would this ever trickle into your music? I’ve always loved that kind of music. I love dance music. I think it has worked its way into our songs in some ways, mostly in the kinds of melodies and guitar lines that Darcy writes. I would love to make synth-based music, but I can’t really see that happening in the context of Ladyhawk. Then again, maybe we’ll pump out a string of euro-disco hits in 2015, the sky’s the limit! Finally, a voodoo priestess is reading Ladyhawk’s tarot cards. What does she say about your future? She says a bunch of stuff about the hermit, the hanged man, the devil, some cups, some pentacles... Then she asks for $150. W Ladyhawk play The Biltmore Cabaret’s 7th Bday Party on Thursday Dec. 18 with special guests NEEDLES//PINS. Tickets $16 in advance.

gimmicky or unoriginal. Take the lilting surf rock swing of “Real Lost”, a track that could easily stand alone amongst their neopsych contemporaries like Tame Impala or Foxygen. “Around Your Mind” is textured with woody acoustics, keeping the music grounded. My only complaint? There are only four songs. Look out for these lithe-bodied children of the sun in 2015... – Louise Burns Rating: ★★★★★

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A counter-cliché Christmas KELSEY KLASSEN kelsey@westender.com

Choirs and Christmas go together like popcorn and string – they’re both completely biodegradable, and evoke simpler times, when cellphones and thoughts of work were happily turned off for time with family. Those few hours, spent in an acoustically-blessed arena like a church or concert hall, letting the power of the human spirit wash over you, are arguably the best gift you can give yourself as the rest of the world goes Christmas ham. But all anyone has these days is a few hours, so if you’re only going to see one choral performance this season, which should it be? Well, if there’s one singular piece of holiday music that resonates in communities around the world, it’s Handel’s Messiah. From the sleek black halls of Reykjavik’s opera house upwards into the gilded dome of Vancouver’s Orpheum this Christmas masterpiece rings out. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! You should experience it at least once in your life, at least to know what the rest of the two-hour oratorio sounds like. But if you, like me, are of the mindset that maybe once is enough, and that maybe it’s time for something a little less cliché, then these three upcoming shows are for you:

J.S. BACH’S CHRISTMAS ORATORIO

You might know Bach from your days minueting your way up and down the piano, but this guy was actually busy becoming famous for the

cantatas (vocal compositions) he wrote as a cantor in Leipzig, Germany, in the 1700s. In the beginning of his churchly duties, Bach wrote a staggering new composition a week. “If there was ever an argument for our potential as humans, it is embodied most perfectly in J.S. Bach’s cantatas,” writes Early Music Vancouver artistic director Michael White. “These works are a never-ending source of inspiration and happiness.” Only 209 survive, but among them is Bach’s transcendent six-part Christmas Oratorio, and Early Music Vancouver has chosen three of its most festive cantatas to perform. And, to make this a regional affair, EMV has invited Stephen Stubbs, co-artistic director of Boston’s Early Music Festival and seasoned conductor based out of Seattle, to take the reins. “One of the reasons that makes our presentation special is the fact that the Christmas Oratorio is rarely done. Secondly, it’s never done like this,” says Stubbs, “with a totally professional crew of baroque musicians and singers who really know what they’re doing.” Featuring acclaimed soloists Teresa Wakim, Krisztina Szabo (who holds the distinction of having once brought me to tears with her high note), Zachary Finkelstein, and Sumner Thompson, a 28-piece orchestra, and the all-professional EMV vocal ensemble, expect a sense of the sublime. J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio - Cantatas 1, 3, 6 takes place Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3pm at the Chan Centre.Tickets from $36, available at ChanCentre.com.

All Is Calm creators Peter Rothstein and Erick Lichte. William Ting photo

A CHRISTMAS STORY

Fans of Vinyl Café and anyone with a holiday story they call their own will appreciate A Christmas Story – Musica Intima’s coalescence of sung music and shared moments. Throughout the year, the Juno-nominated vocal ensemble solicited friends and fans on social media to get involved. “We asked our audience to submit their favourite stories, whether they be personal stories or text, poems – anything Christmas related that has meaning to them and tradition for them,” explains artistic manager Joanna Dundas. Among the chosen include the poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” and a personal story written by a man for his grandchildren. Vancouver actress Rebecca DeBoer will serve as narrator, sending the words out amongst traditional Yuletide music and contemporary holiday marvels. “We’re okay with it being a Christmas concert,” says Dundas of the song selection, “We try to focus on creating a place of space and sound that allows people to be present in the moment, and turn off the worries of the modern world, so to speak.” In addition to respite, Musica Intima also offers the opportunity to discover sounds from our aural history, sung like they were freshly written, that might never be heard by you again. That’s particularly true of one seasonal selection – a lullaby by Vancouver composer Craig Galbraith. “It’s an incredible sound” gushes Dundas, “Very usual, and yet really pleasing to the ear. It’s so surprising, and

beautiful in how he writes, and his chord changes. So it’s a piece that I think people will not expect, but also be really happy to hear, because it’s something unusual, something they won’t hear anywhere else. Certainly not if they’re attending Christmas carol concerts,” she finishes with a smile. Musica Intima’s A Christmas Story takes place Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:30pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church.Tickets from $30, available at MusicaIntima.org.

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

It’s a story we’ve all heard tale of: The atmospheric motif of German and British soldiers singing “Silent Night” to each other from across No Man’s Land during the first Christmas of the First World War. To mark the centenary of this miraculous event, Chor Leoni brings the legend to life in its first fully-staged musical,

featuring professional actors and the men’s choir belting out the actual songs sung by the soldiers in the trenches, backed by the words they wrote about their historic truce. “The more we stay true to the story,” enthuses co-creator and Chor Leoni artistic director Erick Lichte, “the more miraculous and fantastical it seems to be.” From jingoistic ditties like “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” and “Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag” to the holiday satisfaction of “O Holy Night” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” this a cappella musical, Chor Leoni’s most sought after engagement ever, tells the story of how common soldiers defied authorities on both sides and shared Christmas together. “The history of war tends to be about generals and strategy and this sorts of things,” says Lichte, “and the people that

you hear from in this show are none of those. They would never have a place in history otherwise, and we felt it was really important to name those names and put a human face on this war.” In fact, it was the very human ability to be moved by music that Lichte credits with the truce taking place at all. “I think all of us – believers, non-believers – we all sort of hope for some sort of transformation at Christmas,” he explains. “All of the good stories have that – Ebenezer Scrooge, the Grinch, you name it. That’s what happened in real life with these men. They were soldiers, and they put down their weapons to share Christmas with one another for those couple days.” All Is Calm:The Christmas Truce of 1914 runs Dec. 19-21; times vary.Tickets start at $27, available at ChorLeoni.org. W

Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the holiday season, recycle your live, cut Christmas tree. Remove all the decorations and tinsel from the tree and use one of the following options:

Lions Club Chipping Events: Saturday, January 3 and Sunday, January 4, between 10 am - 4 pm at these locations: • Kerrisdale Community Ice Rink parking lot 5670 East Boulevard north of 41st Avenue • Kitsilano Beach parking lot Cornwall Avenue and Arbutus Street • Sunset Beach upper parking lot Beach Avenue and Broughton Street

Black

CMYK

• Rona Home & Garden Grandview Store 2727 East 12th Avenue – overflow parking lot north of Grandview Highway, south of 12th Avenue

Donations of cash and non-perishable food items will be accepted and distributed to local charities.

Residential Collection: You may set out your live cut Christmas tree before 7 am on your Green Bin collection day until January 31. Trees should be set out on their own, 1 metre clear of your Green Bin(s) and laid on their sides. Do not place your tree inside your bin or bag or bundle it.

Drop-Off Depots: You may drop off your tree at no charge until January 31 at the Vancouver South Transfer Station, 377 Kent Avenue North, or Vancouver Landfill, 5400 72nd Street, Delta. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Phone: 3-1-1 TTY 7-1-1 vancouver.ca/christmastree

Pantone

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 19

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FILM & TV

Above: Peter Capaldi and Michelle Gomez on the set of British cult sci-fi series Doctor Who. Top right: Doctor Who director Rachel Talalay. Bottom right: Talalay and director of photography Rory Taylor plan a shot.

Embrace the dark side Contest urges women to make horror, fantasy, and sci-fi films Sabrina Furminger Reel People @Sabrinarmf

Women are geeking hard for genre entertainment. For decades, the genre sphere – which includes horror, science fiction, fantasy, action, and any combination thereof – was considered the domain of dudes, just as tearjerkers and rom-coms were breezily dismissed as “chick flicks.” But stroll around Fan Expo each April and you’ll see women arguing about DC vs. Marvel, and cosplaying as characters from Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. Outdated gender roles be damned; genre fandom is for everyone. The same can be said about the people making

REVIEWS // THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

Starring Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom Directed by Peter Jackson After more than a decade, billions of dollars in global box office receipts, and thousands of dead orcs, Peter Jackson’s often rousing journey to Middle

genre entertainment. It’s not exclusively a boys club anymore. The biggest genre hit of 2014 – Guardians of the Galaxy – was co-written by a woman. On television, Orphan Black, Continuum, and Strange Empire are all driven by multi-faceted female protagonists (and FYI, they’re all filmed in Canada). While women are increasingly asserting themselves as genre writers, directors, producers, and stars, gaps remain. Industry-wide, statistics show that women constitute only four per cent of featurefilm directors, 11 per cent of writers, and 13 per cent of editors. Women in Film & Television Vancouver (WIFTV) has been determined to build up those numbers for years – and with its latest competition, they’re zeroing in on genre films. WIFTV – along with Super Channel, Telefilm Canada, and Creative BC – is spearheading From Our Dark Side, a national English-language contest seeking Earth is presumably over. Despite an action packed third and final entry in The Hobbit films, boasting one of the longest skirmishes in the series, The Battle of the Five Armies goes out with a bang but carries none of the emotional resonance of the previous Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story picks up immediately following the conclusion of The Desolation of Smaug, as the diabolical

20 W December 18 – December 22, 2014

the best ideas for Canadian female-driven thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Ten projects will be shortlisted and juried by top genre creators; the winning five projects will receive a mentorship package designed to help them get their projects to the screen. The mentors include some of Canada’s most prominent genre players: Celebrated sci-fi actress and director Amanda Tapping (Sanctuary); writer-director Karen Lam (Evangeline); director Rupert Harvey (The Blob); digital marketing specialist Annelise Larson; and Rachel Talalay, the veteran writer, producer, production manager, and director whose credits include Tank Girl and six A Nightmare on Elm Street films. Talalay’s fascination with genre began in her youth, watching Star Trek, early Doctor Who, and Twilight Zone. “My starting place was that I was very interested in fantasy, but horror itself terrified me,” says Talalay, who teaches in the UBC film production department. “I

always say that that’s what made me better at it was that, once I learned to love it, then I had so much to call on from my childhood.” Fast-forward to earlier this year, when Talalay was tapped to direct two of the most highly anticipated television episodes on the planet: The penultimate and ultimate episodes of the eighth season of the Doctor Who reboot. Her hiring meant that she became the seventh woman in Doctor Who’s 51 years to direct for the show. “There’s the question of, ‘Did you get hired on Doctor Who because they were under such pressure that they hadn’t had any women directors for so long, or did you get hired on Doctor Who because you were the right director?’” says Talalay. “But I was saying to one of the very active Whovian feminist bloggers that, while I would believe that I was hired for who I am and I certainly can prove it in my work – and that’s what [Doctor Who showrunner] Steven Moffatt said to me, ‘look at your work,’ – it certainly didn’t hurt to have

Luke Evans and Orlando Bloom in the Hobbit.

dragon is laying waste to the residents of Laketown. The sequence wraps up rather quickly and the winged

wonder is soon a distant memory as the company of dwarves reclaim their homeland in the Lonely

them out there pushing. They certainly helped the cause, saying ‘It’s embarrassing that there haven’t been any women, let’s make a big deal.’” While there’s no guaranteed formula for success in the contest, Talalay advises against pursuing an idea you don’t believe in simply to please some hypothetical audience. “It has to be a project that comes from you, that’s completely original,” says Talalay. “Occasionally people say to me, ‘Oh, horror’s really easy, you just chop some stuff up.’ Mountain while their fearless leader Thorin Oakenshield’s (Richard Armitage) lust for newfound gold finds him battling a nasty case of “dragon sickness.” As the plot elements unfold, it becomes clear that hordes of vicious villains are coming for a piece of the treasure and alliances between men and elves will be tested to the max. It all gets convoluted as Jackson and his

But that’s not what’s scary at all. What’s scary is something that’s psychologically deeply embedded inside of you. And the competition isn’t just horror. It’s genre, and so much can be considered genre. “I think that it’s really important for women to feel comfortable embracing genre, and to feel that our future is not limited to women’s pieces,” she adds. Female writers are invited to submit their three- to fivepage outlines by Jan. 15. For full contest information, visit WomenInFilm.ca W writing team’s excessive padding of a relatively tiny novel begins to reveal pointless subplots and a plethora of visual effects-driven fights. The Battle of the Five Armies has the shortest runtime of the six movies (at 144 minutes) but still feels like a slog as it drags to an inexorable conclusion. Sadly, the Hobbit trilogy will always simply remain good enough. –Thor Diakow W

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MOVIE REVIEWS — Advertorial —

ACTORS STUDIO

A different kind of acting school

Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game

THE IMITATION GAME

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley Directed by Morten Tyldum

Enlisted by British intelligence in 1939, mathematician/cryptanalyst Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) is charged with a clear objective: Crack the Nazi’s Enigma code and turn the tide of World War II. Regrettably, the film that hinges on this seemingly insurmountable challenge isn’t nearly as clear in its aims, resulting in a narrative muddle that aspires to tragedy but barely qualifies as serviceable entertainment. On the heels of his 2011 Norwegian caper drama, Headhunters, director Morten Tyldum seems inclined to play

TOP FIVE

Starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson Directed by Chris Rock With David Cronenberg’s Maps to the Stars and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman having already taken aim at Hollywood’s rampant egotism and inherent absurdity, Chris Rock now takes his turn biting the hand that feeds. Or, in his case, the hand that’s thrown him the odd scrap but otherwise has proven incapable of offering roles that befit an incendiary performer who delights in pushing buttons. Given this, it’s unsurprising that Rock’s third directorial effort casts him as Andre Allen, an actor approaching 50 who’s amassed more demons than accolades.Yearning for legitimacy, the recovering alcoholic has bankrolled a prestige picture in which he plays

this as another fleet thriller, with Turing and his rag-tag code breakers racing against the clock. However, Graham Moore’s screenplay also has some finger-wagging to do, condemning the homophobia that proliferated in British society and drove the closeted Turing to find an exceedingly fetching beard in the form of colleague Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley). Struggling mightily to balance these disparate ambitions, Tyldum is further encumbered by an ungainly structure that jarringly shifts between three distinct time periods. Given these hindrances, it’s unsurprising that he’s rarely able to find his footing, much less hit his stride. As Turing (or this interpre-

tation of him), Cumberbatch is asked to do little more than keep his Sherlock persona warm until the fourth season starts shooting. Still, there’s considerable fun in early scenes that see this condescending prick fail to grasp the concept of humour (likely on the account of undiagnosed autism) while making grand professions about being “agnostic about violence.” Alas, there’s little else to this rudimentary sketch of the enigmatic Turing, as his desires are so repressed that they barely register. Despite the fact we’re implored repeatedly to “pay attention,” there’s nothing sufficiently revelatory that follows. –Curtis Woloschuk

a Haitian revolutionary. However, the film’s rank awfulness (which, admittedly, would’ve been considerably funnier if played more subtly) and Andre’s impending televised nuptials to a reality show diva (Gabrielle Union) threaten to reduce him to a pop culture punchline. Consequently, he’s in a reflective mood when an intrepid reporter (Rosario Dawson) engages him in an extended interview. As the pair drift through New York City, calling on Andre’s old acquaintances, revisiting seminal moments and embarking on conversational tangents (including some cutting remarks regarding the fate that might have awaited Tupac had he lived longer), Top Five occasionally recalls Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy. Over the course of their odyssey, Rock proves himself a rather dextrous director, counterpointing boisterous comic

set pieces with insights into the peculiarities of celebrity marriage, precariousness of sobriety and the intense frustration of a comedian who just doesn’t feel funny anymore. Conversely, Rock has rarely been this in-form in a feature, proving that there is life after Grown Ups 2. W –Curtis Woloschuk

Christopher Waltz, James Gandolfini, Jessica Lange, Diane Keaton and Robert Duvall –these are just a few actors trained in the long legacy of Sanford Meisner’s Technique. The Meisner Technique is designed to get actors out of their heads and working instinctively from their authentic self. Derived from the teachings of Constantine Stanislavski who developed the concept of “authentic performance”, the Meisner Technique is deeply-rooted in truthful human behaviour and emotion, with the emphasis on the actor living the part. This aesthetic is the hallmark of many great film and stage actors. Here in Vancouver, actors seeking to develop the skills to find this authentic performance style turn to Rogues West Actors Studio. Rogues West was founded in 1993 by seasoned working professionals, Christiane Hirt and Joe-Norman Shaw, who shared a desire to establish a creative home where actors could explore their craft in an environment devoted to the highest and most

demanding artistic principles. Through Sanford Meisners’ Technique and the teachings of Uta Hagen, Rogues West trains actors to apply this authentic performance style to both theatre and film. “It is our belief that a well-trained actor can work in all mediums if their work is grounded in the truth of human behaviour and emotion,” says Hirt. “This is what separates us from other actor training programs.” Rogues West offers training in all aspects of the craft, including voice, movement, scene study, and Shakespeare, as well as in-depth classes in the Meisner Technique and Acting for Film and Television. For more information, visit RoguesWest.ca

400-1026 Davie Street www.rogueswest.ca 604.699.1744 Rogues West @RoguesWest

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Foods with essential fatty acids – like avocados, salmon, flax seed, and walnuts – can help reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease. Thinkstock photo

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Everyone is scared of fat, but why? Because we have been brainwashed for many years with the unrealistic idea that the “perfect” woman or man is supposed to be skinny. We need to come to terms that we are are different shapes and sizes and it’s truly a beautiful thing. In fact, soft bellies and curves on a woman were actually signs of beauty and wealth for a really, really long time. At some point we got fed a horribly toxic idea that we are supposed to be stick thin and that fat is our most horrible nemesis when it comes to image and health. Removal of fats from our diets has lead to an increase of low fat products and carbohydrates being consumed contributing to more obesity and more diabetes. Refined carbs and sugar are the real enemies. There are so many misunderstandings about fat. The mere sound of the word makes most people cringe. The truth is that we need fat, it is one of the macronutrients that is needed in human nutrition making up an important component of our diets. Fat is good for you for so many reasons, as our own physiology tells us. Our brains are 60 per cent fat, fats are required to transport nutrients such as Vitamin A, D, E, and K , and some fats actually lower cholesterol. And the list goes on. This is biology folks, and not some crazy holistic diva

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telling you what’s what. Well, maybe a little, but in the best way possible. Fat is in! Embrace it, for your overall health’s sake. Now like most things there are good fats and bad fats and knowing how to siphon through labels and information may save your life.

gas is allowed to bubble up into the oil. This does a few things: It lowers the quality of oil, but more horrifyingly, it converts unsaturated fatty acids into trans fats that increase cholesterol and other nasty health problems.

BAD FATS

• Saturated fats. Yes, butter, ghee, and coconut oil are all good for you. The USDA for years had been advising to reduce or eliminate saturated fats and replace with bastardized counterparts that doesn’t even resemble real food (like margarine, etc) but a new meta-analysis published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and some common sense (because humans have been eating saturated fats for thousands of years) have been turning eating habits to the way our ancestors ate with good old fashion healthy delicious saturated fats!

• Low fat and fat-free. Fatfree foods are high in sugar, salts, refined carbohydrates, and other terrible crap including artificial preservatives that can actually make you gain weight and cause all sorts of health problems. Please don’t eat this. Don’t give in to the dark side. • Trans fats. Although they taste delicious, don’t be tempted by this toxic mistress, not only do they increase your bad cholesterol but they also lower your good cholesterol that protects you against heart disease. Trans fats also increase inflammation in your body, causing a plethora of health problems. Avoid anything fried or battered, French fries, margarine, and shortening (please, in the name of all that is holy, do not eat shortening). • Hydrogenated anything. Hydrogen gas is positioned below a vat of oil and the

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GOOD FATS TO CHOOSE FROM

• Monounsaturated fats. Olive oil and avocado oil (as long as it’s not heated) are the best and healthiest form to use. Great for you heart and arteries, this double bond oil is liquid at room temperature and can also help reduce cholesterol levels. • Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). Essential means

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that we need to get it from outside source. EFAs, especially Omega 3 fatty acids, benefit our overall health in many ways: They improve our cell’s response to insulin, reduce inflammation in the body, and protect against heart disease. Sources include flax seed, walnuts, and fatty fish like salmon. W

RECIPE // “PIMP MY SALMON” RECIPE Marinade: 1 scallion, minced 2 tbsp Tamari sauce 1 tbsp Apple Cider vinegar 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp minced fresh ginger Juice of one lemon 3 cloves garlic Preparation: 1. Whisk ingredients in a medium bowl until the honey is dissolved. Place salmon in a sealable plastic bag, or glass container add 3-4 tablespoons of the sauce and refrigerate; let marinate anywhere form 15 minutes to an hour. Reserve the remaining sauce. 2. Broil the salmon 4 to 6 inches from the heat source until cooked through, 6 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with the reserved sauce and garnish with 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds. To toast sesame seeds, heat a small dry skillet over low heat. Add seeds and stir constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. Serving suggestions: Serve over a bed of whole grains suck as brown rice or quinoa; add some broth to water when cooking grains for added flavour. Serve on top of a salad loads with greens and veggies Add some roasted veggies to your meal. In a pan throw together peppers, zucchini, yams, carrots fresh rosemary, and extra virgin olive oil, bake until veggies are soft!

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REAL ESTATE

Vancouver rental vacancy rates slide Looking for an apartment seems to be getting even more difficult EMMA CRAWFORD HAMPEL ecrawford@biv.com

In a city with notoriously low vacancy rates, looking for an apartment in Vancouver seems to be getting even more difficult. The apartment vacancy rate in the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) fell to one per cent in October, down from 1.7 per cent a year before, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced Dec. 16. Canada-wide, the average vacancy rate was more than

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two-and-a-half times higher, at 2.7 per cent. CMHC senior market analyst Robyn Adamache said there are many reasons for the decline in Vancouver vacancies. “Employment and population growth, together with higher post-secondary student enrolment, added to demand for rental housing,” Adamache said. “Also, the rising cost of home ownership may have encouraged some people to stay in rental housing rather than buy.” As vacancy rates drop, apartment rents are on the rise. The average apartment rented for almost three per cent more in 2014 - $1,099 – than it did in 2013 ($1,067). The University Endow-

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ment Lands had the lowest vacancy rate in the Vancouver CMA at 0.2 per cent, followed by the West End and the District of North Vancouver (both 0.3 per cent). The highest vacancy was found in Delta (3.6 per cent).

VANCOUVER HOME SALES, PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

Home sales across Greater Vancouver are continuing to climb, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) announced Dec. 12. A total of $2.06 billion in residential sales was recorded in November – an increase of 11 per cent compared with November 2013. A total of 2,567 units were

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12.1 per cent compared with the same period last year. The number of units sold increased 8.8 per cent to 5,972 across the province. Only three regions saw a drop in sales – northern BC (down 6.8 per cent), Kamloops (down 5.2 per cent)

sold in the month – up 7.4 per cent from 2,390 units in November 2013. The average home sold for $801,450 in November – up 3.4 per cent from $774,932 in the same period last year. Total dollar sales provincewide were $3.4 billion, up

and Kootenay (down 1.1 per cent). “BC home sales were robust in November,” said BCREA chief economist Cameron Muir. “Improving economic conditions, strong consumer confidence and persistently low mortgage interest rates are providing a solid foundation for elevated consumer demand. “Market conditions have improved province-wide, with most regional markets now in the mid to high range of a balanced market,” added Muir. The number of units sold in Victoria and the Fraser Valley jumped year-overyear, 14.4 per cent and 14.5 per cent, respectively. W –Stories courtesy of Business in Vancouver

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West End Specialist Rob Joyce

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wish you a Merry Christmas! WEST COAST

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robjoyce@telus.net CARNEY’S CORNER

o CHRISTmaS TRee Lovely place to decorate if home and entertaining for the holidays. Wraparound windows for those twinkling Christmas lights and the tree would look lovely in the living/dining area or den. This home is in immaculate condition and ready for quick possession. Featuring partially open kitchen it is an easy job to create island. Full size appliances included, newer front loading washer/dryer, king size master, den perfect for office or occasional guest and super smart floorplan maximizing square footage. Centrally located to all Downtown/Yaletown/West End shops & services, transport, hospital, park, seawall, beach & Granville Island ferry. Perfect for first time buyer, investor, student, retiree or professional couple. Pet & rental friendly, parking & locker included, gym, sauna, caretaker& guest parking onsite. $335,000

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TALK TO LIZ CARNEY 604 685-5951/603-3095

liz.carney@century21.ca • www.vancouvercondo.com Century 21 In Town Realty • 421 Pacific • 1030 Denman

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 25

26 W December 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 22, 2014

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2015 Toyota Yaris BRENDAN MCALEER westender.com

“It’s a car!” That was the old tag-line for the Yaris commercials. Lest you think they protest a bit too much, the idea was pretty simple: Here’s a little car with everything you need, and not much more than that. Personally, that’s my kind of machine. Just the facts, ma’am, no need for 18-way seats and body-roll-controlling hydraulics, and on-board infotainment systems that can scan your brainwaves to find the best radio station. Nope, sometimes it’s better if a car is just a car. Toyota’s put a fresh new face on their smallest offering, and by “fresh,” I of course mean “scary.” Yikes, that’s one aggressive looking little eco-pod! So, is the machine behind the fright mask still packing the essentials, or is there something more sinister going on here? No one could accuse Toyota’s design department of being afraid to take a risk or two. What once was a tad on the bland side now looks like a cross between a Tiki mask and a Mexican wrestler. It’s all just for show, so don’t worry – the Yaris isn’t going to bite. In fact, take a brief walkaround to peek at its other four angles, and the car remains as it was before, an inoffensive and handsome lit-

tle economy car. If it weren’t for the mean-mugging front, you’d call it cute. The inside is much the same – not costly, but not bargain basement either. Toyota has fitted the LE which pretty much everything you need in an entrylevel car. There are standard power door locks and windows, cruise control, and even a touchscreen interface. It’s quite roomy in here, especially for such a diminutive little car. Toyota ditched the centre-mounted instrument cluster some time ago, and now has massaged the dash with a bit more soft-touch material and a few extra cubbies. But for some reason, Toyota weighs passenger space more heavily than cargo area, so while the Yaris has usefully-sized rear seats, the trunk space is a little on the small side. The seats fold down, but there’s none of the cleverness of Honda’s magic seat system here. Under the hood, the Yaris has a 1.5L four-cylinder engine making a modest 106hp at 6000rpm and 103lb/ft of peak torque at 4000rpm. The standard transmission offering is still a five-speed manual, but the only available automatic is a four-speed. Fuel economy is very good, as you’d expect, with official 2015 five-cycle figures set at 7.8L/100kms in the city and 6.6L/100kms on the highway. The Yaris weighs about as much as a first-generation Miata, and that makes it relatively fun to drive. It

PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT: Offers valid until January 2, 2015. See toyota.ca for complete details on all cash back offers. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between Toyota prices, rates and/or other information contained on toyotabc.ca and that contained on toyota.ca, the latter shall prevail. Errors and omissions excepted. 2015 Corolla CE 6M Manual BURCEM-A MSRP is $17,540 and includes $1,545 freight and pre-delivery inspection and tire levy. *Lease example: 2015 Corolla CE 6M with a vehicle price of $17,540, includes $1,545 freight/PDI leased at 0.99% over 40 months with $1,350 down payment equals 80 semi-monthly payments of $88 with a total lease obligation of $8,366. Lease 40 mos. based on 60,000 km, excess km charge is $.07. **Finance example: 0.99% finance for 48 months, upon credit approval, available on 2015 Corolla CE 6M Manual BURCEM-A. Applicable taxes are extra. 2015 Tacoma Double Cab V6 5A SR5 Power Package 4x4 Automatic MU4FNA-A MSRP is $33,485 and includes $1,815 freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy and air conditioning federal excise tax. †Lease example: 2015 Tacoma Double Cab V6 5A SR5 Standard Package 4x4 Automatic MU4FNA-A with a vehicle price of $33,485 includes $1,815 freight/PDI leased at 2.99% over 40 months with $3,475 down payment equals 80 semi-monthly payments of $168 with a total lease obligation of $16,915. Lease 40 mos. based on 60,000 km, excess km charge is $.10. ††Finance example: 0.99% finance for 36 months, upon credit approval, available on 2015 Tacoma Double Cab V6 5A Power Package 4x4 Automatic MU4FNA-A. Applicable taxes are extra. 2015 RAV4 FWD LE Automatic ZFREVT-A MSRP is $25,820 and includes $1,815 freight and pre-delivery inspection, tire levy and air conditioning charge. ‡Lease example: 2015 RAV4 FWD LE Automatic ZFREVT-A with a vehicle price of $25,820 includes $1,815 freight/PDI leased at 0.99% over 40 months with $1,495 down payment equals 80 semi-monthly payments of $135 with a total lease obligation of $12,288. Lease 40 mos. based on 60,000 km, excess km charge is $.10. ‡‡Finance example: 0.99% finance for 36 months, upon credit approval, available on 2015 RAV4 FWD LE Automatic ZFREVT-A. Applicable taxes are extra. ¥NOTE: Limited availability on 2014 models and suffixes, see dealer for details. Applicable taxes are extra. Down payment, first semi-monthly payment and security deposit plus GST and PST on first payment and full down payment are due at lease inception. A security deposit is not required on approval of credit. Non-stackable Cash Back offers may not be combined with Toyota Financial Services (TFS) lease or finance rates. If you would like to lease or finance at standard TFS rates (not the above special rates), then you may be January 2, 2015. Cash incentives include taxes and are applied after taxes have been charged on the full amount of the negotiated price. See toyota.ca for complete details on all cash back offers. ¥¥“The Freedom 40 Lease delivers a lower monthly payment by extending standard terms by four months without a rate increase and without a corresponding reduction in Lease-end Value”. As an example, standard term of 36 months can be stretched to 40 months. Freedom 40 Lease offer is valid until January 2, 2015. ¥¥¥Semi-monthly lease offer available through Toyota Financial Services on approved credit to qualified retail customers on most 24, 28, 36, 40, 48, 52, 60 and 64 month leases of new and demonstrator Toyota vehicles. First semi-monthly payment due at lease inception and next monthly payment due approximately 15 days later and semi-monthly thereafter throughout the term. Toyota Financial Services will waive the final payment. Semi-monthly lease offer can be combined with most other offers excluding the First Payment Free and Encore offers. First Payment Free offer is valid for eligible TFS Lease Renewal customers only. Toyota semi-monthly lease program based on 24 payments per year, on a 40-month lease, equals 80 payments, with the final 80th payment waived by Toyota Financial Services. Not open to employees of Toyota Canada, Toyota Financial Services or TMMC/TMMC Vehicle Purchase Plan. Some conditions apply. See your Toyota dealer for complete details. Visit your Toyota BC Dealer or www.toyotabc.ca for more details. Some conditions apply; offers are time limited and may change without notice. Dealer may lease/sell for less.

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006287_6.8125x9.64_VAT_wk2

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leaf

about to do battling around a racetrack, the move has firmed up the feel of the car. It feels very composed despite the small power output, and more than up to the task as a commuter. W

weight, that you can just pogo the car off down the road without difficulty. Behind the scenes, Toyota’s put a few extra welds into the structure of the Yaris, and while it’s not

not quick-shifting or extracting power, and the smalldisplacement four-banger doesn’t have much power to give anyway. However, there’s so little inertial resistance from the Yaris’ curb-

bounces over imperfections in the pavement without too much fuss and hurtles around the corners with gusto. The four-speed transmission is tuned for efficiency,

Direct: 604.714.2485 production@elevatorstrategy.com

Creation Date: 07/08/10

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December 18 – December 22, 2014 W 27

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL. BUT THE TRACTION IN HERE IS DELIGHTFUL. ◆

2015 IMPREZA STANDARD FEATURES: • Symmetrical full-time all-wheel drive • 2.0L DOHC, 4-cylinder BOXER engine with 148h • 5-speed Manual Transmission with Hill Holder System • Bluetooth® mobile phone connectivity • Power door locks and windows • Heated front seats • Power-adjustable heated door mirrors • Air Conditioning • And more AVAILABLE WITH SUBARU EYESIGHT® ADVANCED DRIVER-ASSIST SAFETY TECHNOLOGY.

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28WE_Subaru_1214_Final.indd W December 18 –1 December 22, 2014

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LIFESTYLES //

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SEX

Free Will Astrology By Rob Brezsny “Too much happiness can make you unhappy,” reported journalist Marta Zaraska in the Washington Post. Citing research by psychologists, she concluded that being super-extra cheerful can make you selfish, gullible, and more prone to stereotyped thinking. On the other hand, she said, maintaining merely moderate levels of happiness is pretty damn good for your mental and physical health. So here’s the takeaway, Aries: The astrological omens suggest you’re due for a surge of joy and pleasure. Just be careful it doesn’t spill over into rash, delirious excess. Here’s your watchword: Well-grounded delight.

In the 19th century, the Grimm brothers gathered over 200 old fairy tales from a variety of sources and published them in an unprecedented collection. Many of their stories are still popular, including “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “Rapunzel.” Around the same time they did their work, a storyteller named Franz Xaver von Schönwerth assembled his own compendium of fantastic myths, fables, and folklore. Unlike the Grimm brothers’ book, his work faded into obscurity. But it was rediscovered in 2011, and 500 lost fairy tales are now finding their way into newly published books. I foresee a comparable phenomenon happening for you in 2015, Taurus. Forgotten stories will return. Raw material from the depths will resurface. Interesting news from the past will come flowing into the present.

Your first task is to ascertain the half-truth, the whole half-truth, and nothing but the whole half-truth. Only then will you be able to find the other half of the truth. I realize it may be frustrating to use this approach. You’d probably prefer to avoid wrangling with the deceptions and misdirections. But I think it’s the only way to jostle loose the hidden or missing information. For best results, be a cunning and unsentimental detective who’s eager to solve the mystery. Don’t focus on finding fault or assigning blame.

One of the ingredients that makes yoga mats so soft and springy is the chemical azodicarbonamide. The same stuff is added to the soles of shoes. There’s a third place where it’s used, too: in the burger buns sold by McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and other fast food joints. I’m not suggesting that you order a big supply of azodicarbonamide and ingest it. But I do hope you will consider the metaphorical equivalent: doing whatever’s necessary to make yourself bouncy and fluffy and pliable and supple and resilient.

When I started writing horoscopes many years ago, I was a good astrologer but an unexceptional writer. Eventually, the practice of composing 12 packets of pithy prose every week allowed me to improve my authorial skills. The stuff I composed in the early years wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t want to present it as my work any more. So should I feel guilty that I got paid and appreciated for those old efforts even though I was less than perfect? Did I get away with something I shouldn’t have gotten away with? I don’t think so. I was doing the best I could at the time. And even my unpolished astrological musings were helpful to many people. Now, Libra, I invite you to apply these meditations to you own unfolding destiny.

You may already know what I’m about to tell you. It’s a core principle at the root of your Scorpio heritage. But I want to focus your attention on it. In the coming months, you’ll be wise to keep it at the forefront of your conscious awareness. Here it is, courtesy of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: “You have it in your power to invest everything you have lived through – your experiments, false starts, errors, delusions, passions, your love and your hope – into your goal, with nothing left over.”

“A savage desire for strong emotions and sensations burns inside me: a rage against this soft-tinted, shallow, standardized and sterilized life.” So says Harry Haller, the protagonist of Herman Hesse’s novel Steppenwolf. His declaration could serve as an interesting point of reference for you in the coming months, Sagittarius – not as a mood for everyday use, but as a poetic inspiration that you periodically call on to invigorate your lust for life. My invitation has a caveat, however. I advise you not to adopt the rest of Harry Haller’s rant, in which he says that he also has “a mad craving to smash something up, a department store, or a cathedral, or myself.”

I have lived near an open space preserve for five years. Up until the last two months, it has been a peaceful, quite place. But then the coyotes moved in. Just after dusk every evening, a pack of them start yipping and yowling in the distance. At first I found the racket to be eerie and unsettling. It activated some primal unease in me. And yet the coyotes have never actually been a problem. They don’t roam into my neighborhood and try to bite people or prey on pets. So now I’ve come to relish the situation: The wild things are close and exciting, but not dangerous. I’m guessing this has a metaphorical resemblance to what your life will be like in the next six months, Capricorn.

“There are two kinds of light,” said author James Thurber, “the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.” Lately you have been an abundant source of that first kind of light, Leo. The fire in your heart and the gleam in your eyes have not only brightened the mood wherever you’ve gone. They have also clarified confusing situations, warmed chilly attitudes, and healed dispirited allies. Thank you! In the coming weeks, I’d love to see you continue on your hot streak. To help ensure that you do, keep your ego under control. Don’t let it pretend that it owns the light you’re emitting. With a little introspection, you will continue to generate illumination, not glare.

Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, are really a single town that straddles the border between the US and Canada. Many of the people who live there have dual citizenship, but they’re still supposed to carry their passports with them at all times. I suspect you may experience a metaphorical version of this split in the coming months, Aquarius. You will be in a situation that has a split down the middle or a seemingly unnatural division. Whether it turns out to be a problem or an opportunity will depend on your adaptability and flexibility.

Studies suggest that 57 per cent of all people with access to the Internet have engaged in the practice known as ego-surfing. This modern art form consists of searching Google for mentions of one’s own name. This is a suspiciously low figure unless we factor in the data uncovered by my own research – which is that a disproportionately small amount of Virgos go ego-surfing: only 21 per cent. If you are one of the 79 per cent of your tribe who does not indulge, I invite you to remedy the situation. It’s an excellent time to risk exploring the potential benefits of increased selfinterest and self-regard.

When a dead tree topples over in the woods, its withered branches may get entangled with the branches of a living tree that’s standing nearby. As years go by, the living tree must grow the best it can with the decaying wood trapped in its midst. Has something like that ever happened to you? Are you still carrying the rot that other people have burdened you with? If so, the coming months will be an excellent time to get disentangled. A tree isn’t capable of freeing itself from the dead weight of the past, but you are – especially in the first half of 2015.

The male birth control tease Sex with Mish Way

@MyszkaWay Any young woman who has decided she wants to be with men (and some that later changed their minds and wised up to their sexual preferences, whatever that may be) remembers the moment when she went on birth control for the first time. I’m lucky that I had so many options available to me. I’m lucky that my mother was open-minded and realistic about sex. She never judged me or shook her head at my questions. She was supportive without being nosey. She patted me on the back for having the foresight to get on the pill and make sure I didn’t end up with an unwanted pregnancy. I will always be grateful for this. So many girls don’t get it this good. Remember that episode of Teen Mom when Farah puts herself on the Nuva Ring to prevent another pregnancy? Her parents find out and ban her from using it. Look what happened there. If you are like me, it took almost a year of trying different methods, dealing with weight gain, nausea, more zits, hormonal outburst of total stereotypical bitch-rage and four months of constant yeast infections that continued through my body like that fictional human centipede. I remember sitting on the floor of my first apartment in Victoria reading through the tiny scripted manual of the latest pill I was on trying to figure out why the hell my body was trying to kick my ass into Lucifer’s mouth. Birth

control sucked at the beginning, but it was what I had to do if I wanted to have sex freely. I had to protect myself against that crazy, wild sperm. I had to protect my big, sitting duck of an egg because she wasn’t going to fight that war herself. I’ve been waiting forever to laugh in the faces of my boyfriend, “Ha! How’s that pill? How you like it?” I’ve been waiting for the male birth control pill to be approved by the government and forced into the vernacular about male sexual health. For pregnancy to be something men too have to be responsible for even if they are not in a committed relationship with the woman they are having sex with.Yes, men have to worry about pregnancy, but they do not have to carry the burden the same way women do. They don’t ever have to worry about physically having an abortion, a miscarriage, or a pregnancy. Men don’t have to freak out about cold, medical tools invading the depths of their bodies to rid a child. Their fear is different. When it comes to the physicalities of sex, it can appear that women have the short end of the stick. (I guess this is the price we pay for being totally gorgeous by nature.) It feels like every six months, some scientific information is released into the public talking about how close they are to mastering a real male birth control. We get a taste, and then it’s gone, back into the internet hole where it came from. This week was no different. According to Good, researchers in Indonesia may have discovered an alternative

to the pill and it’s one that men can take daily. This new pill for men weakens enzymes in sperm that allow them to swim to the egg. Basically, the pill is Tonya Harding’s hit man and the sperm is Nancy Kerrigan’s knee. But get this: The male birth control seems not that bad of a deal for dudes. “Overall researchers haven’t seen anything that remotely rivals zits, nausea, sporadic bleeding, and other effects many women endure on hormone-based birth control pills,” noted Bambang Prajogo, the study’s lead scientist. The only “side-affects” were slight weight gain and an increased sex drive. I hate exclamation points, but if I didn’t I would have typed about 50 right there. Really, I shouldn’t be reveling in the idea of a male birth control pill that turns men’s bodies into walking disasters like the pill does for most of us girls. What’s the point? If a male birth control gets approved by Health Canada and introduced into the public conversation about sexual health, then that’s fabulous. Unfortunately, I find it hard to believe that having a male birth control pill will make men take it when they know that most women are already all over that responsibility. So, I ask you straight men. If there was a male birth control, would you enroll yourself without being asked? W

EMAIL MISH Send Mish your own sex questions and queries at sex@westender.com

Dec. 18: Sia (39) Dec. 19: Jake Gyllenhaal (34) Dec. 20: Jonah Hill (31) Dec. 21: Frank Zappa (74) Dec. 22: Vanessa Paradis (42) Dec. 23: Eddie Vedder (50) Dec. 24: Lemmy Kilmister (69)

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Five-Visit Punch Card for Any Cold-Pressed Juices or Smoothies

Value $60.00

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% 52 Manicure & Pedicure with Foot Scrub and Massage

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$20 for $40 Worth of Health Products, Vitamins & Supplements at Active Body Nutrition

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IT’S CHRISTMAS Prices Effective December 18 to December 24, 2014.

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

100% BC Owned and Operated PRODUCE

MEAT BC Grown Russet Potatoes

Organic

California Grown Broccoli

JD Farms Specialty Grade A Turkey

2.98

1.98lb/ 4.37kg

Turducken Roasts:

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boneless turkey, duck & chicken and your choice of stuffing made in house

3.99lb/ 8.80kg

4.54kg/10lb bag product of Canada

product of USA

9.99lb/ 22.02kg

Organic

Mandarin Oranges

Baby Greens from Earthbound Farm

5.98

assorted varieties

Johnston Smoked Bone in Whole Leg of Ham

Purchase one package for 4.98 and receive the second one for 5 cents.

2.27kg/5lb box product of Korea

Whole Bone In Leg Of Lamb Roast Centre Cut

2.99lb/ 6.59kg

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Tofurky Holiday Vegetarian Feast

Stahlbush Island Farms Frozen Vegetables

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TruJoy Sweets Gluten Free Organic Candy Canes

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4.49 141g

4.49-5.49

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2/7.00 397g • product of USA

Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate Bars

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2/7.00

32%

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Island Farms Ice Cream

product of Canada

43%

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Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics

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7.99-8.99

Earth’s Choice Organic Salsa

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organic & non-organic, assorted varieties

32% 4.99-6.49

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Olympic Natural Yogurt

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150-170g

assorted varieties

2/6.00

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San Pellegrino Mineral Water or Perrie Sparkling Water

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2/3.00 3/4.98

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750ml San Pellegrino

1L Perrier +deposit +eco fee • product of USA

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SAVE

43% 3.99

1.6kg

2.19

product of Canada

Better Than Bouillon Base

orange brandy or shiraz

SAVE

assorted varieties

12-24%

300-400g • product of USA

Funky Gourmet Cranberry Sauce

19.99

Lesley Stowes Raincoast Crisps

SAVE

SAVE 3/4.98 %

SAVE

One With Nature Soaps

Dairyland Sour Cream

assorted varieties

GLUTEN FREE

BAKERY

xxx • product of xxx

Holiday Grab and Go Meals!

Dinner Buns 85% organic, white or wholewheat

Let us help save you some time this Holiday Season, visit our Deli Department for these delicious seasonal dishes:

2.99 210g 6” Pumpkin Pies regular or no added egg or dairy

Choices’ Own Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Stuffing, Specialty Turkey Gravy or Vegan Miso Gravy, Stuffed Specialty Turkey Breast, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Winter Root Vegetables.

6.99

9” Fruit Pies assorted varieties

8” Pumpkin Pies

9.99

www.choicesmarkets.com

9.99

/ChoicesMarkets

@ChoicesMarkets

Kitsilano

Cambie

Kerrisdale

Yaletown

Gluten Free Bakery

South Surrey

Burnaby Crest

Kelowna

Floral Shop

2627 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3493 Cambie St. Vancouver

1888 W. 57th Ave. Vancouver

1202 Richards St. Vancouver

2595 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3248 King George Blvd. South Surrey

8683 10th Ave. Burnaby

1937 Harvey Ave. Kelowna

2615 W. 16th Vancouver

Best Organic Produce