Westender - November 27, 2014

NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3 // 2014

EVERYTHING VANCOUVER

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@WestenderVan

NO TAX

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1807 Burrard St (@ 2nd) * 604-336-4448 2916 W. 4th Ave (@ Bayswater) * 604-336-6420 1232 Burrard St (@ Davie) * 604-428-2420 1353 E. 41st Ave (@ Knight) * 604-336-1066 Quantities and/or selection of items may be limited and may not be available in all stores. No rainchecks. No substitutions on clearance items or where quantities are advertised as limited. Advertised pricing and product selection (flavour, colour, patterns, style) may vary by store location. We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements. We are not obligated to sell items based on errors or misprints in typography or photography. Coupons must be presented and redeemed at time of purchase. Applicable taxes, deposits, or environmental surcharges are extra. No sales to retail(@ outlets.

Some items604-336-0420 may have “plus deposit and environmental whereAve applicable. ®/™ The trademarks, service marks and logos 2580 Kingsway 34th) 211charge” E. 16th (@Main) * * 604-336-5420 displayed in this flyer are trademarks of Loblaws Inc. and others. All rights reserved. © 2014 Loblaws Inc. * we match prices! Applies only to our major supermarket competitors’ flyer items. Major supermarket competitors are determined solely by us based on a number of factors which can vary by store location. We will match the competitor’s advertised price only during the effective date of the competitor’s flyer advertisement. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES (note that our major supermarket competitors may not). Due to the fact that product is ordered prior to the time of our Ad Match checks, quantities may be limited.

We match identical items (defined as same brand, size, and attributes) and in the case of fresh produce, 3450 E. Hastings St (@ Cassiar) * 604-568-4420 6657 Main St (@51st) * 604-336-7420 meat, seafood and bakery, we match a comparable item (as determined solely by us). We will not match competitors’ “multi-buys” Friday & Saturday, Nov. 28th & 29th, 2014. NO TAX - WE PAY THE PST & GST in MN, SK and BC or the HST in ON. No returns accepted or rain checks issued for taxable items during this promotion. We reserve the right to limit purchases to reasonable family requirements. Offer only valid in participating stores. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offers. Does not apply to prior purchases. EXCLUDES ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, PRESCRIPTIONS, DRY CLEANING, GAS BAR, LOTTERY, POSTAL SERVICES OR PRODUCTS FROM THIRD PARTY BUSINESSES WITHIN OUR STORES.

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Westender.com

NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 3 // 2014

EVERYTHING VANCOUVER

Westender.com

@WestenderVan

Winter Resort Guide • A-Z CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE • • COLIN COWAN DOES IT ALL ON NEW ALBUM • • LAB ART SHOW CONNECTS CREATIVE COMMUNITY • NEWS // ISSUES • STYLE // DESIGN • EAT // DRINK • MUSIC // ARTS • FILM // TV • HEALTH // SEX

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NEWS // ISSUES

@WESTENDERVAN

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

23

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 Mountain Report6 Nosh8 Follow Me Foodie8 By the Bottle9 The Growler10 A-Z Gift Guide11 What’s On18 A Good Chick to Know20 Fashion20 Music21 6 Art22 Reel People24 Movie reviews25 Whole Nourishment26 Horoscopes33 Sex with Mish Way33 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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4 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

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RANT//RAVE email: rantrave@westender.com ALL RANTS ARE THE OPINION OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF THE WESTENDER. THE EDITOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EDIT FOR CLARITY AND BREVITY, SO PLEASE KEEP IT SHORT AND (BITTER)SWEET.

EASY ON THE XMAS SPIRIT...

It’s not even December, and here we are again being bombarded by everything Christmas. Gaudy decorations, obnoxious music, ridiculous costumes, it’s too much! Every business, every store in this city is doing their best to cram Christmas down our throats in the hopes that they’ll be able to fleece us of our hard-earned money. Make no mistake, all Christmas is, is a chance for greedy corporations to line their pockets at our expense! Happy birthday Jesus indeed!

–Anonymous

BILL C-13 A TRAVESTY

Bill C-13 is being used to increase the powers of the police and federal spying agencies to spy on Canadians without a warrant.

Read that again: Without a warrant. Basically, this means that any information that they want on you, they can ask for, without judicial oversight, even about people who have done nothing wrong and who intend to do nothing wrong.

People who have information collected on them for no good reason could have this information leaked to other authorities who also have no business having it. Things like this have already happened to Canadians traveling to the US and who are denied entry for information that never should have been in police files in the first place, like a history of depression. Ask yourself, what information about you, even if you’ve never done something illegal, could damage your life and that of your family

if leaked to the press or the general public? And you wouldn’t even be able to sue the government or the provider of this information for collecting or sharing that information under this bill. And you wouldn’t know that you’d been spied upon until it causes you a problem that you have no legal recourse to fix.

C-13 is hugely unpopular: 73 per cent of Canadians oppose Bill C-13 [according to a Forum Research poll this past June], with just 15 per cent approving. There is huge opposition among all regions, age groups, genders, and income levels.

Conservatives oppose Bill C-13 by 62 per cent to 24 per cent. Why did this bill pass? Ask yourself and ask your MP. -Lynn Kruszewski

CORRECTION

Westender’s Best of the City Dining winners list (Nov. 20) contained typos. Federico’s Supper Club (FedericosSupperClub.com) was the third-place winner in the Best Commercial Drive Restaurant category, while Ten Ten Tapas (TenTenTapas.com) placed third in the Best Tapas category. Both Nat’s New York Pizzeria locations (1080 Denman and 2684 W. Broadway) placed third in the Best Pizza Category. Westender regrets the errors.

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NEWS // ISSUES

@WESTENDERVAN

YOUR CITY

Park board passes buck on anti-breeding bylaw TEREZA VERENCA twitter.com/tverenca

Local students have developed Cab Share Canada, an app that will connect taxi travellers, allowing them to share cabs. Thinkstock photo

Cab share app aims to make taxi travel cheaper, greener KRISTYN ANTHONY westender.com

Just in time for the rainy, cold West Coast winter is a free smartphone app designed to make it more affordable to grab a taxi.

Cab Share Canada is the brainchild of Douglas College students Cameron Nicol and Jack Gardner and their partner Shehan Wijeyagoonewardane of Western University in London, Ontario.

Cab Share users input their departure and arrival locations with an approximate desired time. Upon selecting a user to travel with, the automatic chat function opens in order for the details to be arranged.

If a rider has concerns about who they share their cab with, the app allows the choice to travel with your ‘same gender’ or ‘no preference’.

Nicol said the group came up with the idea after observing long lines for taxis around campus. Noticing the use of social media to advertise the desire to share fares heading to popular locations, it naturally begged the question – how could they combine the two?

“We researched the existence of similar applications currently available in Canada but discovered they were often inactive or making little progress,” Nicol explained. “Initially we started with a university campus model in both Vancouver and London, these being highly populated and condensed areas.

We’ve quickly seen growth into the rest of the city and the app is fully functional all over Canada.”

Currently available only for iOS, a version of Cab

Westender.com

Share for Android will launch in the next few months. Ten percent of their profits will go toward the World Wildlife Fund as part of their environmentally friendly approach to transportation.

Already looking toward the future, Nicol and his team plan to reach out to

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and partner with specific taxi companies.

“We’d like to become a mainstay; a way to sort of revolutionize cab use.

Our motto is simple – Stop wasting your money.

Start saving the environment.” W

It wasn’t the outcome outgoing Vision park board commissioner Sarah Blyth was hoping for. Her motion to ban the breeding of cetaceans in captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium fell short Monday night, failing by a four-to-three vote. Vision commissioners Niki Sharma and Constance Barnes were the only other commissioners in favour of passing it.

“This democracy is not being served,” Blyth said in a frustrated tone.

The issue will now be looked at by the Non-Partisan Association-dominated board, scheduled to be sworn in Dec. 1.

After months of public consultations with hundreds of residents, the bylaw received the green light in July when the five Vision commissioners unanimously favoured it. Incumbent NPA member John Coupar recused himself from the hearings because of business interests he had with the aquarium (which have since ceased). Melissa De

Genova, also with the NPA, was away on holiday and unavailable to cast a ballot.

But according to Coupar, approving the bylaw right after an election didn’t seem “procedurally correct.”

“We get reports all the time. This is just one that received a lot of attention,” he said. “The new board will analyze all the information and go from there.”

For Blyth, going back to the drawing board is unnecessary.

“I think this is an issue that we’ve gone through, really having looked at everything,” she said. “It was a good compromise. I don’t think we need to continue to breed in our parks and contribute more whales into the pools down at SeaWorld.

“We spent a lot of time listening to the public and I feel the ban reflects the views of not only our residents, but also of scientists, [primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist] Jane Goodall, the Vancouver Humane Society, and the BC SPCA.” Jeff Matthews of Sea Shepherd Vancouver, a conserva-

tion group in favour of the ban, was on hand livestreaming the event via cellphone.

When he saw the motion floundering, he admitted feelings of anger.

“We had three commissioners who believed the public consultations were done in good faith and that they came to a reasonable compromise, then we had a chair [Aaron Jasper] who thought it should be forwarded to the next board, which is nothing more than political theatre because they know the NPA will never look at it again.”

John Nightingale, the aquarium’s CEO and president, has argued the breeding program is necessary for research and the survival of species on the brink of extinction. The facility has two female belugas, two female Pacific white-sided dolphins and two harbour porpoises — Jack and Daisy, rescued one year apart as babies. Nightingale has said it would be impossible to stop the pair from breeding and separating them could cause them distress.

–Story courtesy of Vancouver Courier

Public Information Session Stanley Park Causeway Sidewalk Safety Improvements

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure invites the public and cycling community to attend an information session about Stanley Park Causeway pedestrian and cycling safety improvements.

As pedestrian and bicycle traffic increases on the Stanley Park Causeway there is a need to balance the park’s natural environment with improved safety for all causeway users. The ministry has worked with the Vancouver Park Board and the City of Vancouver to establish a cycling and pedestrian safety improvement strategy for this important route.

This drop-in information session will take place: Tuesday, December 2 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Coal Harbour Community Centre 480 Broughton Street Vancouver, B.C.

For more information please visit the project web site at www.gov.bc.ca/StanleyParkCauseway or contact Project Manager Erin Moxon at 604 527-3112 or by e-mail at Erin.Moxon@gov.bc.ca

Come to the West End on November 29th and ‘Shop the Hood’ Support vibrant commercial streets like Davie, Denman and Robson by getting out and making local purchases. Many businesses will be offering special deals.

Look out for special activities from the West End Business Improvement Association and Yellow Pages.

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 5

TRAVEL // ESCAPE

WESTENDER.COM

2014/15 MOUNTAIN REPORT

Planning a snowfari this winter? Read on! Kieran Barrett /Big White Ski Resort photo

Winter is Coming: 2014/15 Mountain Report ROBERT MANGELSDORF editor@westender.com

Winter in Vancouver can be absolutely miserable, especially if you’re one of the many transplanted Vancouverites still adjusting to the seasonal lack of Vitamin D here in your adopted home.

But when there’s rain in the streets, there’s snow on the mountains. So embrace the season and head for the hills! Here in Vancouver, we are spoiled for choice with dozens of world-class ski and snowboard destinations less than a day’s drive away.

But which resort is right for you?

Maybe you’re looking for a relaxing weekend in a chalet on a quiet hill. Maybe you get your jollies launching off kickers in the backcountry.

Or maybe you’re just looking for a mountain with a decent bar for some après-ski.

Whatever you are looking for, Westender has you covered like that one-piece snow suit your mom bought you when you were six that went zip-zop-zip-zop-zip-zop when you walked.

THE LOCALS: CYPRESS, GROUSE, AND SEYMOUR

Lets start with the obvious. While the local hills might not offer the variety of terrain or quality of snow many of the bigger mountains can boast, they are nothing if not convenient.

Just look out the window!

They’re right there.

No other major metropolitan city in the world has three ski resorts accessible by public transit. But each has a distinct personality.

Moving east to west, we start with Mt. Seymour. Run

by the Wood family since 1984, Mt. Seymour has always had a decidedly family vibe, and its gentle slopes are a great place for beginners.

While there’s tubing, tobogganing, and snowshoeing for the little ones, the precocious North Shore teens known as the “Seymour Kids” (who might as well have born with a board strapped to their feet) dominate the runs. The mountain might not have much in the way of vertical or variety, but they’ve gone all out to cater to snowboarders with four massive floodlit terrain parks featuring more than 30 park elements for all skill levels.

It’s also the most affordable of the local hills with lift tickets at $54.

Moving along, we have the venerable Grouse Mountain.

Vancouver’s oldest ski area, the first lodges on the mountain were built back in the 1920s by a group of clearly mentally ill Scandinavians who hauled planks and building materials all the way up the treacherously steep trail that would eventually become the Grouse Grind. While Grouse might strictly be for the tourists these days, it’s by no means a tourist trap.

Sure, there’s outdoor ice skating, zip lines, the Theatre in the Sky, the Eye of the Wind observation deck, a Christmas village, and sleigh rides. But on a sunny day (or a clear night), The Cut is still absolutely one of the best downhill runs anywhere in the world for its stunning views of Vancouver and beyond.

Lets be honest, though. If you want to get serious and put in a proper day on the North Shore slopes, nothing

6 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

can compete with Cypress Mountain. It has more than double the runs of either Grouse or Seymour, twice the vertical, and triple the skiable terrain.

It was no surprise the 2010 Winter Olympics chose Cypress as the local venue for its freestyle skiing and snowboarding events. The Olympics were good for Cypress too, resulting in new lifts and facilities, further setting it apart from its North Shore competition.

The Crazy Raven is a must for après ski bevvies, but as with any bar you plan on driving home from, drink responsibly. Because there WILL be a roadblock at the bottom of the hill.

CYPRESS MOUNTAIN

Runs: 53 Lifts: 9 (6 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts, 1 magic carpet) Skiable area: 242 hectares Vertical: 610 m Annual snowfall: 1,050 cm Lift ticket cost: $62 Season pass cost: $749

GROUSE MOUNTAIN

Runs: 26 Lifts: 5 (4 chairlifts, 1 magic carpet) Skiable area: 86 hectares Vertical: 365 m Annual snowfall: 970 cm Lift ticket cost:$58 Season pass cost: $825

MT. SEYMOUR

Runs: 23 Lifts: 5 (3 chairlifts, 2 magic carpets) Skiable area: 81 hectares Vertical: 330 m Annual snowfall: 1,200 cm Lift ticket cost:$54 Season pass cost: $819

THE VALLEY AND BEYOND: HEMLOCK, MT. BAKER, AND MANNING PARK

When it comes to local skiing, many Vancouverites might not realize that there are more options than just the Big Three. Head down the Trans Canada and you’ll find a trio of oft-overlooked resorts.

Just 90 minutes from Vancouver, Hemlock Valley offers a secluded winter escape with affordable chalets and apartments. And what it lacks in size, it makes up for with wide-open, empty runs, free from the throngs of tourists at other local hills.

You’ll have no problem making fresh tracks all day long.

Further east along the Hope-Princeton Highway is Manning Park Resort.

The resort has had some rough years as of late, but the future seems bright for the small, family-run ski hill.

The operation went into receivership back in 2009 and in 2013 it looked like the resort might shut for good unless a buyer was found.

Thankfully the Demers family, owners of the Sunshine Valley RV Resort just a few clicks down the highway, stepped in to purchase the resort last year.

Manning features wideopen runs, one of the longest seasons of any of the southwest BC ski resorts, and if downhill isn’t your thing, there’s more than 60 km of groomed cross-country trails, as well as 160 km of backcountry trails.

A few minutes south of the border stands the mighty Mt. Baker, an active volcano rising a full 3,300 metres above the

surrounding foothills and farmland. Located between the peaks of Mt. Baker and nearby Mt. Shuksan on the Panorama Dome, the Mt. Baker alpine resort offers challenging terrain and a whole lotta snow. Just how much snow, you ask? How about the most snow anywhere in the entire world: The 1998/99 ski season saw close to 30 metres of snow fall on Mt. Baker, setting an as-yet unbeaten world record.

After you’re done plowing through Baker’s endless powder, be sure to take the long way home and stop in for a British-style ale and a pizza at the North Fork Beer Shrine in Deming.

MT. BAKER

Runs: 31 Lifts: 10 (8 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts) Skiable area: 400 hectares Vertical: 484 m Annual snowfall: 1,600 cm Lift ticket cost: $57 USD Season pass cost: $790 USD

HEMLOCK VALLEY

Runs: 35 Lifts: 4 (3 chairlifts, 1 surface lift) Skiable area: 121 hectares Vertical: 396 m Annual snowfall: 920 cm Cost of lift ticket: $50 Cost of season pass: $599

MANNING PARK

Runs: 34 Lifts: 4 (2 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts) Skiable area: 57 hectares Vertical: 432 m Annual snowfall: 546 cm Lift ticket cost: $52 Season pass cost: $599

THE INTERIOR: APEX, BIG WHITE, SILVER STAR, AND SUN PEAKS

It’s all about the snow, man. And while the coast might have the market cornered on quantity, for quality, nothing can compare with the Interior.

The dry champagne powder of the Thompson Okanagan is softer and lighter than the wet, heavy stuff typically found on the coast. That means boarders won’t be getting stuck on the flats and the two-plankers won’t lose their skis when they drop into the deep stuff.

Starting from the south and working north, we have Apex Mountain Resort, a hidden, high-mountain gem 30 minutes west of Penticton. With just a pair of chairlifts servicing 450 hectares of terrain, Apex often gets overlooked for its big Okanagan brothers; Big White and Silver Star. But the mountain is worth a visit. It features some challenging terrain, uncrowded runs, and is home to the best ski bar in BC (or anywhere else, for that matter), the legendary Gunbarrel Saloon.

If Kelowna’s Big White Ski Resort and Vernon’s Silver Star Mountain Resort seem similar, the two resorts come by it honestly. Australian Desmond Schumann bought Big White back in 1985 before purchasing Silver Star in 2001, turning both into world-class family-focused alpine destinations.

Schumann died in 2012, but the business stayed in the family with his son Peter taking the reins at Big White, and his daughter Jane Cann staying on to run Silver Star.

Westender.com

TRAVEL // ESCAPE

@WESTENDERVAN

2014/15 MOUNTAIN REPORT Located just 120 km apart, Big White and Silver Star are almost identical in size, with comparable skiable terrain, vertical, and number of runs. Both offer a wide variety of family-friendly activities, so if you’re not interested in hitting the slopes, you won’t be left out in the cold.

Of course, there are differences. Big White has a decidedly European feel with its Bavarian-style architecture, whereas Silver Star’s colourful clapboard buildings are reminiscent of a historic frontier town.

Big White also sits almost half a kilometre higher than Silver Star, giving it a wide variety of terrain above the treeline.

But if there’s a knock against Big White, it’s this: The mountain can be a victim of its own popularity.

Often, on weekends, many of the runs can resemble a Vancouver traffic jam, especially near the village. You’ll definitely find fewer crowds up at Silver Star.

Moving further north lies the constantly growing Sun Peaks resort, just 45 minutes past Kamloops.

With more than 1,700 hectares of terrain, the mountain (well, three actually: Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain, and Mt. Morrisey) is the second largest ski resort in Canada, behind only Whistler Blackcomb (obviously). While Sun Peaks tries to market itself as a four-season resort, it’s

APEX MOUNTAIN

Runs: 67 Lifts: 4 (2 chairlifts, 2 surface lifts) Skiable area: 450 hectares Vertical: 610 m Annual snowfall: 600 cm Lift ticket cost: $71 Season pass cost: $945

BIG WHITE

Runs: 118 Lifts: 16 (1 gondola, 10 chairlifts, 1 surface lift, 2 magic carpets) Skiable area: 1,147 hectares Vertical: 777 m Annual snowfall: 750 cm Lift ticket cost: $84 Season pass cost: $1,139

SILVER STAR

Runs: 115 Lifts: 12 (6 chairlifts, 1 surface lift, 3 magic carpets, 2 tube lifts) Skiable area: 1,240 hectares Vertical: 760 m Annual snowfall: 700 cm Lift ticket cost: $81 Season pass cost: $1,149

SUN PEAKS

Runs: 133 Lifts: 11 (6 chairlifts, 5 surface lifts) Skiable area: 1,728 hectares Vertical: 882 m Annual snowfall: 600 m Lift ticket cost: $84 Season pass cost: $1,139

Westender.com

that dry champagne powder and crystal clear blue skies that pay the bills. Sun Peaks doesn’t have a ton of beginner terrain, but it’s perfect for intermediate skiers and riders thanks to its dozens of gladed areas and bowls.

Advanced powder hogs will love the out-of-the-way hike-in areas, like Gil’s on Tod Mountain.

THE UNDISCOVERED GEMS: REVELSTOKE AND MT. WASHINGTON

With the closure of Mt. Arrowsmith and Forbidden Plateau, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is pretty much the only game in town if you want to hit the slopes on Vancouver Island (as nice as Mt. Cain’s powder is, lets be honest, you’re not going to drive 350 km up island for a couple of T-bars).

But while Mt. Washington is the first hill of choice for most Islanders, few Mainlanders have ever had the pleasure. And with a dozen daily flights connecting Calgary and Edmonton to the Comox Valley, you’re more likely to run into vacationing Albertans on the slopes than fellow Vancouverites.

But here’s the thing, Mt. Washington is pretty amazing. The mountain gets an insane amount of snow (almost 12 metres annually!), offers great views and an easy-going vibe, and is a lot closer than you think (only a 90-minute drive from Nanaimo or a 50-minute seaplane trip from Downtown Vancouver).

Last year Mt. Washington was forced to close early due to a lack of snow, but don’t let that put you off.

The mountain is normally home to some of the largest snow falls of any resort in North America. Back in 2010, the mountain had the opposite issue, when 500 cm of snow fell in December alone, almost burying the chairlifts.

This year Mt. Washington features an all-new terrain park, and remains one of the few winter resorts where you can hit the slopes and the links in the same day.

Don’t forget to stop off at The Waverley Hotel Pub in historic Cumberland for some gourmet pub grub and the best live music north of Victoria.

Heading in the opposite direction, a six-hour drive east from Vancouver is the reborn and revamped Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The site on Mount Mackenzie was formerly the home of the Powder Springs Resort, and was a popular heliskiing and SnoCat destination. In 2005, construction began on the first phase of the billiondollar development, and, when finally completed,

Above: If the slopes aren’t your style Silver Star’s Brewers Pond is a popular spot to strap on some skates and have a game of shinny. Tim Fitzgerald/Silver Star photo On left: Fresh tracks and deep powder await at Big White Ski Resort, located just outside of Kelowna.

Kieran Barrett /Big White Ski Resort photo Revelstoke is expected to be the biggest winter resort in North America, with more than 2,000 hectares of skiable terrain serviced by 21 lifts.

But Revy ain’t there yet.

The first phase of the resort was completed in 2007, and in 2008, with the extension of the Revelation Gondola to the lower village, Revelstoke claimed title of most vertical in North America,

REVELSTOKE

Runs: 65 Lifts: 5 (1 gondola, 2 chairlifts, 2 magic carpets) Skiable area: 1,263 hectares Vertical: 1,713 m Annual snowfall: 1,200 cm Lift ticket cost: $84 Season pass cost: $1,129

MT. WASHINGTON

Runs: 81 Lifts: 8 (5 chairlifts, 3 surface lifts) Skiable area: 690 hectares Vertical: 505 m Annual snowfall: 1,150 cm Lift ticket cost: $78 Season pass cost: $1,270

stealing it away from Whistler Blackcomb.

Revelstoke has a lot going for it: Huge, consistent snowpacks; ridiculous vertical drop; easy access via the TransCanada Highway and Revelstoke’s nearby airport; and a convenient location a few minutes from the Revelstoke townsite.

The terrain is varied and challenging, and since the secret’s not out yet, the runs are blissfully empty.

But don’t expect Revelstoke to stay a secret for long.

THE JUGGERNAUT: WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

Last but certainly not least is the king of the hills, the peak of perfection, the most massive of massifs: Whistler Blackcomb.

If there is one word to describe Whistler Blackcomb (and there isn’t) it’s this: Overwhelming.

The sheer scale of this mountain (well, two mountains, technically) is staggering. At just shy of 2,000 hectares of skiable terrain, Whistler Blackcomb is the

largest downhill resort in North America: Roughly 25 times the size of Mt. Seymour for comparison. You could hit this behemoth every day for an entire season and still find surprises.

So if you are planning a Whistler trip, know that one day is not nearly enough to even begin to scratch the surface of all it has to offer.

Due to its immense size and large vertical drop, conditions vary throughout the mountain. Raining in the village? Well, it’s snowing mid-mountain. But maybe the visibility is low. Keep heading up the mountain until you’re above the clouds and into the sunshine at the Symphony Bowl. Too many tourists? Take the Peak 2 Peak gondola over to Blackcomb and make fresh tracks down the Horstman Glacier.

Of course, no day on Whistler Blackcomb is complete without a leg-burning peak-to-village run to finish things off. Thankfully Whistler Village boasts close to 100 restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and nightclubs, so

your après options are limitless. Whatever you are into, you’ll find it in Whistler.

Given everything it has to offer, it should come as no surprise that Whistler Blackcomb is arguably the most expensive ski resort in the province. Thankfully there are a ton of deals available for Vancouverites, like the discount EDGE Card, available only to Canadian and Washington State residents.

Quoted lift ticket and season pass prices are based on listed full price for adult alpine. Sales tax and fees may be applicable.

Many resorts offer discounts, so be sure to check their website for the latest offers. W

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

Runs: 200+ Lifts: 39 (5 gondolas, 18 chairlifts, 16 surface lifts) Skiable area: 1,925 hectares Vertical: 1,565 m Annual snowfall: 1,022 cm Lift ticket cost: $119 Season pass cost: $1,999

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 7

EAT // DRINK

WESTENDER.COM

DINING OUT

Fabrika brings pizza to the West End’s “working class” Anya Levykh Nosh

@FoodGirlFriday PIZZA FABRIKA

1680 Robson 604-559-1680 pizzafabrika.ca Open 5pm – late

It sounded great on paper.

Former La Brasserie owners (and brothers) Stephen and Michael Wiese opened a pizza joint in the West End a few months ago. It’s called Pizza Fabrika (fabrika is the Russian word for “factory”) and “dough for the people” is the slogan. The working-class ethos is carried over into the raised fist in the logo. I’m not sure how “working class” th e West End is these days, but everyone wants to be “of the people,” right?

The room is compact and minimalist, with the ubiquitous cans of San Marzano tomatoes piled high in corners and on shelves, along with lots of kosher salt (oh, those Trotskyites). It’s a nice room,

Pizza Fabrika uses yeast-leavened sourdough for its pies. Rob Newell photo. in fact, light and spacious, despite its size, with a banquette facing a couple rows of communal high tops. Service is friendly and attentive, without being intrusive, and the happy hour specials (available before 6pm and after 11pm) are ridiculously good.

A glass of the house white (a solid Italian Pinot Grigio) is $6 regular price and there’s a

nice selection of craft beers in the $5-$7 range – and that’s before the specials.

Before you start chanting “Viva Napoli,” however, know that this is not the popular Neapolitan pizza of Nicli Antica and Via Tevere fame. The dough here is a yeast-leavened sourdough that comes out slightly thicker and much crispier

that a typical Napoletana.

It’s great for take-out or delivery (which is available), but I found the edges too tough to gnaw, and ended up with a pile of crusts on my plate. The tomato sauce is San Marzano-based, yes, but the cheese is Canadian mozzarella (full-fat) mixed with Danish fontina, and there’s more than the usual light

sprinkling on most pies. If you like a more cheesy-gooey experience, you’re set.

The Margherita ($15) does actually use fior di latte and fresh basil, but subs in yellow tomatoes.

The topping-cheese combo is rather good and it’s a cheerful-looking plate for a cold, rainy night. The “flamkuchen” ($16) has a crème fraîche base topped with double-smoked bacon, pancetta, caramelized onions, and chives. It’s a little bland, as if the pancetta and bacon were milked of their salt before cooking.

The five-cheese ($16) of house blend, Gorgonzola, ricotta, and honey is awful.

First off, I only counted four cheeses, so what was the fifth? (Do I even want to know?) As for the taste, globs of the blue with oddly salty ricotta made for a mouthpuckering experience that needed to be washed down with much water and wine.

The special one night of beer-braised beef with spinach and mushrooms ($12) was much better, a savoury,

earthy combo that balanced out nicely.

A few sides round out the menu. Beer bison meatballs ($8) are good, slightly firm but moist and well-seasoned.

House-marinated olives ($4) are also a good pick. Desserts ($5), all in jars, aren’t memorable. Lemon cheesecake has an off-tasting cookie base that interferes with the too-mild citrus flavours. Chocolate mousse with kirsch cherries is better; a nice, dark, slightly bitter concoction that balances out the sweetness of the cherries fairly well.

Like communism, Pizza Fabrika sounds great on paper, but could use some tweaking in real life. Maybe a five-year plan?

Find Anya Levykh on Twitter @foodgirlfriday and Facebook.com/FoodGirlFriday. FoodGirlFriday.com W Food: ★★★★★ Service: ★★★★★ Ambiance: ★★★★★ Value: ★★★★★ Overall: ★★★★★

Where are all the Middle Eastern restaurants?

Mijune Pak Follow Me Foodie

@FollowMeFoodie In North Vancouver? West Vancouver? Or are those mainly Persian restaurants? Does falafel count?

Or shwarma? Hummus?

Kebabs?

C’mon Vancouver! For a supposedly world-class multicultural city, we can do better than that, can’t we? Are the only options for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine hole-in-the-wall restaurants with under $10 menu options that are open until the sun comes up?

It’s kind of embarrassing

because Middle Eastern food is so much more than that.

I just spent a week in Israel exploring everything from nature to culture, history to religion – and, of course, food – and I was reminded of how few options we have for Middle Eastern cuisine here in Vancouver.

I had several requests to find the best falafel and hummus while I was there, and even with the little knowledge I had of their cuisine, I felt like I was being asked to find the best sweet and sour chicken in China.

By the way, sweet and sour chicken does exist in China, but it’s not the florescent orange stuff seen abundantly throughout North America, and no, it does not tradition-

ORIGINAL HOME OF

ULTIMATE

ECIAL P S R TE T A L P

ally come with pineapples.

Anyway, falafel and hummus are both delicious and popular in Israel, but more or less street food. They are not on every menu, nor are they eaten daily. Those dishes seemed to be stereotypically “the food of Israel” to some Vancouverites, but surely there was more to be discovered. I didn’t even know where to start because I didn’t know what Israeli food was.

Israeli food is a hodgepodge of various Middle Eastern and European cuisines, such that – much like Canadian food – there really isn’t such a thing as “Israeli food”.

We have local ingredients and some Canadian creations, but much of the food in Canada was created by im-

migrants or from Aboriginal peoples. Likewise, being ruled and dominated by Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Persians, and several other cultures and states, Israeli food is inevitably influenced by all of them.

It actually bothers me to call it “Middle Eastern” food too, because that term is very broad. It’s jamming a bunch of different cuisines and cultures with perhaps some similarities under one big umbrella. However, when discussing Israeli food, it is somewhat appropriate, since Israeli food is such an eclectic mixture of many Middle Eastern cultures.

The Middle East is a region, but it is treated like a country when it comes to its food scene in Vancouver.

Vancouver’s favourite breakfast destination for over 10 years.

There are some Persian restaurants, a couple Turkish and Lebanese, but little distinction is ever made, or understood between them all.

Perhaps there is a lack of demand for it, or we are afraid to try things we don’t understand? Or are we just under-populated with Middle Eastern immigrants and people?

It’s hard to argue that a strong ethnic food scene usually comes with a strong representation of a particular ethnic group. In Vancouver, Chinese are the largest visible minority and with that comes an incredible Chinese food scene. It’s something to be proud of, but how about everything else? Like Middle Eastern food.

For the next week I’m going to explore Middle Eastern cuisine in Vancouver and make some distinctions along the way. I’m not going to cancel out the fast-food options, after all I have nothing against street food, but I won’t be limited to cheap eats. The purpose is not to show how little Middle Eastern options we have in the city, but to highlight a food scene that far too often left in the dark.

To suggest Middle Eastern restaurants tweet Mijune at @ followmefoodie. Also, follow Mijune’s culinary exploration of Los Cabos Dec. 3-6 #FMFinLosCabos. Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie. com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie. W

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EAT // DRINK

WINE

ANNIVERSARY

SALE N O B

Beyond Nouveau Michaela Morris By the Bottle @MichaelaWine

This year’s release of Beaujolais Nouveau arrived last Thursday, and as wine is often taken far too seriously, I’m all for this lighthearted celebration.You can turn your nose up at it, but take it for what it is: Merely a toast to the most recent harvest (and, yes, a way for producers in Beaujolais to make a quick buck).

Just do me a favour and don’t mistake Nouveau as a representation of the region of Beaujolais. In order to get bottles on the shelf less than three months after the grapes were picked, Nouveau relies on specific vinification techniques to make it immediately approachable.

While there’s nothing wrong with this, the wine is more an expression of its winemaking methods than the grape or the region it comes from.

Think banana, bubble gum, and cinnamon hearts.

If you truly want to discover Beaujolais (and I highly suggest you do), pick up some other bottles from this region.

All red Beaujolais is crafted from the Gamay grape, which charms with an exuberance of pure summer berries. Light bodied with juicy acidity and low tannin, it’s similar to Pinot Noir. Basic Beaujolais is

on this with cheese and charcuterie.

usually simple and quaffable.

Though still sprightly, wines labeled Beaujolais-Villages display a step up in terms of concentration and depth. At the top end of Beaujolais’ hierarchy, 10 communes stand out for their superior quality and distinct personality. Referred to as Crus, they can offer beautiful floral and mineral notes along with all of those red berries. The romantic sounding names of Brouilly, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Moulinà-Vent, or St. Amour are what you will see on the label. These Crus often don’t even reference the region of Beaujolais anywhere on the bottle.

By all means pick up a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau but add a BeaujolaisVillage or Cru Beaujolais to your shopping basket then organize a comparative feast with friends. I drink Beaujolais with roasted chicken, pork, salmon, tuna, take-out Chinese food, cheese, and charcuterie or simply on its own. As a final tip, give your Beaujolais a very slight chill to keep it extra refreshing and allow the purity of the fruit to shine.

2011 Georges Duboeuf, Jean Ernest Descombes • Morgon AOC, France • $21.99, BC Liquor Stores A fine-boned but structured Cru Beaujolais. All red currants and granite with a hint of clove, it’s perfect for digesting a hearty meal of grilled sausages.

2010 Domaine des Nugues • Fleurie AOC, France • $24.99, BC Liquor Stores While bright and crunchy, this Cru Beaujolais shows slightly darker fruit with a noticeable grip of tannin.

Take it seriously and serve with pork.

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November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 9

EAT // DRINK

BEER BEST...

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THANK YOU!

Breweries to visit on your BC ski adventure Stephen Smysnuik The Growler @StephenSmys

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The snow season is mercifully upon us and thank gawd! Because I, like so many others, have been filled with the sort of nervous tension and anxiety that beer can suppress, but only snowboarding/skiing can truly alleviate.

Ah. Welcome to winter, everyone.

Because I’ve now grown accustomed to writing beer lists, and because Westender is publishing its annual mountain report this week, I figured it best to share with you, urban beer drinkers, some of the finer beers brewed ski regions across BC. Fact: I have tried some of these beers.

Fact: I have not tried all of these beers.

Can you guess which I’ve tried and which I’ve not?

Let’s play a game.*

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604.685.7770

860 Burrard St. Vancouver • Across from Sutton Place Hotel info@donfrancesco.ca • www.donfrancesco.ca

Cannery Brewing Pentincton’s Cannery Brewing has earned a solid reputation across BC, but their beers are unfortunately difficult to find in and around Vancouver. So if you’re taking a trip up to Apex, a visit to the brewery might be worth it to try their excellent Anarchist Amber Ale or Naramata Nut Brown Ale. Or, if you’re not really into Okanagan winters, you can wait until the summer when their brand new, 12,000-square-foot brewery in downtown Penticton should be complete. They broke ground in October, and once complete the new facility will include a much

larger tasting room with an expanded menu, growler fill station, and gift shop.

BIG WHITE

REVELSTOKE

Tree Brewing It’s tough to verify, but legend has it that when Kelowna’s Tree Brewing created the Hop Head IPA, it sparked the Hops Arms Race, an escalating (friendly) battle between BC brewers to out-hop one another, which resulted in some truly amazing BC beers and helped fashion the province’s craft beer scene to what it is today.

And yet, Tree’s never reached the pantheon of great BC breweries, which isn’t really fair. Their Madcap Belgian White IPA is delicious and ideal for summer drinking, and their Groove Session Ale is ideal for weaning pedestrian beer drinkers off Kokanee or Canadian.

HEMLOCK

but if they’re scoring major awards like this, they must be doing something right, hmm?

Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. I have to say, Revelstoke’s Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. has some of the weakest label art this side of a Coors can, but, in the end, that’s the only shade I can throw their way. The Begbie Cream Ale is fruity and refreshing, and though I avoid cream ales, it’s been a standard in my fridge since the summer. I realize now I should have made a list of most refreshing après beers (and it’s too late for that!), because this one probably would have topped it.

SILVER STAR

Old Yale Brewing Co. The problem with this list, I realize now, is that the breweries I’m writing about are located nowhere close to most of the ski resorts. Some of them are in the general vicinity, but if you’re looking for an easy après session with some quality, locally brewed draft beer, you’re basically S.O.L. And yet, if you can hack it, it might be worth making the hour-and-20-minute drive down Hemlock to Old Yale Brewery, just outside Chilliwack. In July, their Sasquatch Stout was named Canada’s Beer of the Year by the Canadian Beer Awards, and people were packed around Old Yale’s tent at the Whistler Village Beer Festival two months later. I’ll admit, I haven’t tried any of their beers,

Crannog Ales OK, this brewery is nowhere close to Silver Star, or even all that close to Kamloops, but the area is devoid of craft breweries at present. Still, if you have the time, it’s worth taking the two-hour trip to Crannog Ales, located above Shushwap Lake, halfway between Kamloops and Salmon Arm. Canada’s first and only certified organic brewery, most of the materials used in the beers are grown on the farm, including the hops. All spent grains are fed to the pigs. It’s easily the most unique brewery in BC, and any beer fan should check it out if they have the opportunity. If your ski schedule won’t allow for it, then just grab a 650ml bottle of the Back Hand of God Stout on your way back to the hotel and thank me later. *Tweet me your answers, or just follow me, @stephensmys.

Let’s chat.

THANK YOU

for voting us Best Patio and Best Granville Island Restaurant!

Visit us for delicious West Coast cuisine with panoramic views of False Creek. A superb wine list and delicious house-brewed craft beers compliment every meal.

Dockside Lounge open at 5pm Tuesday –Saturday

WaterfrontView FreshMenu LiveMusic West Coast Tapas

Made from Scratch Reservations Recommended

Call 604-689-7800 Now booking for

Holiday Parties 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

10 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

www.TenTenTapas.com

1010 Beach Ave.

Along the Seawall Under the Burrard Bridge Across from Granville Island

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HOLIDAYS //

@WESTENDERVAN

A-Z GIFT GUIDE

A

s we turn to the final page of the calendar year and the countdown to Christmas begins... What to get, what to prep, where to start? We’ve done the hard work for you.

With local gift ideas for every letter of the alphabet, there’s something here for everyone on your list, making the holidays as easy as ABC.

A

A

rmando’s Finest Quality Meats founded by Armando Bacani has been in business for over 30 years. Since its humble beginnings in downtown Vancouver, it is now established in the Granville Island Public Market and positioned as the city’s go-to retailer for high quality fresh meat services and expertise.

With a strong focus on free range products, Armando’s extensive product line ranges from the common selection of beef, pork, and poultry to specialty meats such as lamb, veal, bison, and venison to name a few.

What Armando’s is known for is Canada Prime grade beef. Aged at least 35 days before selling, Canada Prime grade beef represents the most marbled 2% of graded youthful carcasses produced in Canada. In 2004-2005, access to beef of such quality was mostly limited to high class steak houses and not common in the retail market. At that time, Armando introduced and established Canada Prime grade beef into the local market and the demand for it grew considerably since then.

Today, Armando’s Canada Prime grade beef has been sought after internationally and continues to gain popularity among the most discerning food critics and chefs alike.

Find us in the Granville Island Market 604-685-0359 www.armandosmeats.com

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B

Your one stop bottle shop for all your holiday needs

Between our extensive CRAFT BEER selection, PREMIUM WINES from all over the world and the most EXCLUSIVE SPIRIT offerings… we have it all right here. And you only have to park once!

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Open 11-11 every day 14th & Main • 604-872-3373 FREE PARKING AROUND BACK www.brewerycreekliquorstore.com November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 11

HOLIDAYS //

WESTENDER.COM

A-Z GIFT GUIDE

C

D

J

ust arrived from Paris: the “Statement Necklace” and “Angela Caputi” pieces from Florence.

Come to “The Estate Shop and Carriage House,” located in fashionable South Granville, for one-of-a-kind vintage jewellery from Florence and Paris.

S

ince 1993, Dream Apparel and Articles for People has been stocking the diverse collections of Vancouver and area designer fashion. From casual wear to avant-garde one of a kind designs. Dream maintains a vision of a comprehensive venue for locally designed and made garments, jewellery and accessories. Come visit us at one of our two Vancouver locations.

Our consignment home furnishings keep Vancouver interior designers popping in weekly.

Please take the time to view our new website.

THE

CARRIAGE HOUSE

The Carriage House 1533 West 7th Avenue Phone: 604-215-0187 Email: carriagehouse@telus.net www.carriagehouseconsign.com

E

Hours of operation Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:00pm Sat 11:00am - 5:00pm

Holiday Trilogy Three seasonal chocolate bars, available individually ($7.50) or as a 3-pack ($20)

E

ast Van Roasters is a 16-Seat specialty cafe producing organic bean-to-bar chocolate and coffee, roasted and prepared on site daily.

We are a social enterprise designed to provide pre-employment training and work opportunities for the women residents of the Rainier Hotel in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.

Molisana Balsamic Vinegar $26 for 500 ml Fresh Bar Box

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Dress $194 Coat $295 Necklace $50 Cowl $78

GASTOWN 332 Water Street, Lower Level 604.683.7326 GRANVILLE ISLAND The Net Loft #130-1666 Johnston Street 604.683.6930 www.dreamvancouver.com

F

Our three seasonal fresh bars, all boxed up.

Aloha Crunch, Fruitcake and Voyageur $13.50

12 Days of Christmas Lunch

Eggnog at the Espresso Bar We’ll be serving our regular selection of espresso drinks with eggnog around Christmas time. Prices vary.

Holiday Gift Card Special Purchase a $100 Gift Card and receive a complimentary $25 Gift Certificate. T&Cs apply.

Spiced Eggnog Drinking Chocolate Single origin drinking chocolate made with eggnog and spiked with Bittered Sling Malagasy Chocolate Bitters. Yum! $5.

319 Carrall Street 604-629-7562 www.eastvanroasters.com OPEN Tue-Sat 10am-5pm

12 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

Assorted nature-inspired necklaces $70-$170

Join us for our 3 course lunch special to celebrate the holidays. Available Monday-Friday, from December 8 to December 23. $29 per person

Booking a Holiday Party?

With three distinct dining rooms and a heritage wine cellar we have fantastic group options and custom menus to suit every budget! Contact our dedicated event coordinator to check availability!

8901 Stanley Park Drive 604-681-7275 fishhousestanleypark.com

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hether you are spending this holiday season single and looking to dress to impress for every celebration filling up your social calendar...

A-Z GIFT GUIDE

HOLIDAY SALE

20-50% off

Or planning a more subdued season as a family man, focused on casual comfort and sophistication for family affairs and friendly gettogethers...

The style professionals at Giorgio’s are always ready to listen to your needs and help you find the perfect fashion for your personal holiday plans.

Wee are your local one stop shop for gifts for your sister, mum, daughter, best friend….and of course yourself!

Giorgio’s carries the best men’s fashion brands and selection in the city for 25 years.

Beautiful clothes – locally made Friendly guiding service See you soon on fabulous Main Street!

Maternity and Women 4280 Main Street at 26th 604-730-8689 www.hazelhipmoms.com

at the Hyatt Hotel/Royal Center Mall 1055 West Georgia Street • www.giorgiosformen.com • 604-682-2228

I I

gnite, a smoke shop with a modern twist, offers a large selection of

quality smoking accessories in

Pax by Ploom Portable Vaporizer $269.99

a friendly, fun and inviting atmosphere. One-of-a-kind glass pipes, vaporizers, vapor pens, e-cigs, hookahs and more, Perfect for on the go, the Pax Vaporizer is an extremely slim and light-weight personal portable vaporizer. It features an appealing, modern design and 3 stage temperature control.

This user-friendly unit offers style, functionality and a 10 year warranty.

Westender.com

GNITE GNITE

SmokeShop Shop Smoke Light it up Light it up

109 W. Cordova St. (Abbott x Cordova) www.ignitesmokeshop.ca 778-786-2977

oieFarm Winery is owned and operated

by Michael Dinn and Heidi Noble and is located on the beautiful Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. “Joie” means joy in French and it expresses the pleasure that food and wine have brought to their lives both personally and professionally. JoieFarm Winery is interested exclusively in the grape varieties of Alsace and Burgundy which excel in the cool climate desert of the Okanagan Valley. They feel that these varieties are the most appropriate for not only the climate but also for the Asian-influenced West coast cuisine of Vancouver.

JoieFarm wines can be found at the BCLDB and better private liquor stores throughout British Columbia or you can order online from www.JoieFarm.com.

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 13

HOLIDAYS //

WESTENDER.COM

A-Z GIFT GUIDE

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With work from artists like Negar Khatami, with her “Future Heirlooms”, and Karin Jones, who was recently commissioned for an installation at the Royal Ontario Museum, alongside yet undiscovered local talent, you are bound to find something that you connect with at Katami Designs.

Offering handcrafted Chocolates and Confections, in addition to classic Christmas cake and cookies, Lemonade Bakery is the perfect way to sweeten the season.

10 local artists, 1 place!

Give the gift of gluten-free indulgence this Holiday.

Katami Designs Katami Designs 138 East Broadway (@ Main) 604-559-3872 OPEN Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm or by appointment katamidesigns.com

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Katami Designs

F

rom the beginning, Miz

Katami Designs Inc. Mooz has been committed

to the principle that fashion and comfort can happily coexist, and we refuse to sacrifice form for function. With this sensibility it’s easy to spot a Miz Mooz shoe, just look for our vintage styling, hand finished leather, and unique and unexpected detailing.

Katami Designs Inc.

Katami Designs Inc.

3385 Cambie Street • 604.873.9993 • lemonadebakery.ca Open Tuesday through Sunday

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At Neverland we believe in celebrating life’s moments, reclaiming real connections and slowing the pace just enough to truly savour your very own adventure, one sip at a time.

This busy holiday season enjoy our high tea experience while we help you take care of your Christmas list.

Miz Mooz Boutique 2177 West 4th Avenue 604 739 7430

• over 60 handpicked loose leaf teas • beautiful tea tins for a gift in a gift • fun, classic and elegant tea accessories • gift certificates for Neverland’s High Tea • Neverland’s own tea towels and aprons • teapots, cups and our irresistible reindeer spoons

@mizmoozboutique MizMoozBoutique www.mizmooz.ca

3066 West Broadway • 604.428.3066 www.neverlandtea.com

14 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

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ecognized as “BC’s Western Boot Headquarters,” the OK Boot Corral is owned and operated by Everett McGowin.

Everett has been in the footwear and boot biz since 1959 and has amassed a lifetime of contacts, ensuring the boots he features are the best available worldwide. The OK Boot Corral sells boots, belts, buckles hats and apparel and, as the saying goes, if you are looking for high quality products and service, you bet your boots you’ll get it here.

A-Z GIFT GUIDE

BLACK FRIDAY Store-Wide Sale % 20-50 OFF

everything in the store!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 ONLY!

O K b o o t co r r a l

205 Carrall Street (at Water), Gastown • 604.684.2668 www.OKBootCorral.com • HOURS 10-6 Sun-Thu, 10-8 Fri-Sat

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P

ink Elephant Thai is located in one of the trendiest culinary hotspots in the city.

We offer an innovative Thai menu using authentic ingredients and techniques in new ways. The dishes are designed to be enjoyed tapas-style and paired with Pink Elephant’s signature cocktails.

The 80-seat restaurant has an intimate bar with seating for 10, plus there’s a chef’s table for larger groups.

The décor is ultra sleek with gleaming whites and polished blacks, offset by plush banquette booth seating, and punches of silver and the restaurant’s signature pink.

Come and try our Holiday Feast 4 Course Menu for only $20.

Limited time with over 11 items to choose from.

1152 Alberni Street 604-646-8899 pinkelephantthai.com

R An East Van institution, Rio Friendly Meats is one of the most popular meat shops in the Vancouver East Village.

Q

uick Nickel is a West End institution that has been in business for over 25 years.

Budget savvy shoppers find ontrend labels for less. We have a huge selection of accessories: gloves, hats, jewelry, socks, and more!

Shop for him and her all year round!

Offering quality meats such as house-made gluten-free sausages, corned beef and whole stuffed chicken breasts as well as the ever popular double-smoked bacon, pork chops and prime rib roasts, our diverse selection is hard to beat.

Holiday Turkey Special We offer: FREE RANGE LOCAL TURKEY for $4.39/lb and Grade A local birds for $3.49/lb

Call or come in to pre-order your holiday turkey before December 22nd.

RIOmeats Quality Meats for Quality People, Since 1987

friendly

1778 Davie St 604-689-8910 www.quicknickel.ca Westender.com

2477 East Hastings

604.253.0345

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 15

HOLIDAYS //

WESTENDER.COM

A-Z GIFT GUIDE

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F

ind a special gift in a convenient location that will have your friends & family toasting (clinking glasses) to this festive time of year...

Your holiday baking is ready.

Give the gift of artisan with our unique, freshly-baked Stollen and buttery soft Panettone, available in Chocolate Cherry or Fruit.

Check out our selection of coolers, import, local and craft beers, local and imported wines, spirits and more.

Delicious baked goods and gift cards make the perfect stocking stuffer!

ST. REGIS FINE WINES + SPIRITS Conveniently located in the Granville Skytrain Station.

Available in store and to pre-order December 5th.

Terra Breads

Open 10am-11pm daily.

30-678 Dunsmuir Street 604-662-3177 www.stregisfinewines.com

st regis l hote

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Fifth Ave Bakery + Cafe | 53 5th Ave West The Village on False Creek Cafe | 1605 Manitoba St Kitsilano Bakery + Cafe | 2380 W 4th Ave Granville Island Bakery | The Public Market, 1661 Duranleau St

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Naturally Nordic

Urbanity brings you clothes and accessories designed and made in northern Europe from natural and sustainable fabrics.

We have a wonderful variety of accessories from scarves to wristwarmers.

Find gifts that will delight. Do something special for yourself. Visit Urbanity and brighten your day!

Find us on Granville Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

Verandah Antiques, Rugs & Decor: Reindeer Sleigh Ride Bouquet 3 sizes starting at $73 This holiday fruit bouquet features our new reindeer-shaped pineapple dipped in semisweet chocolate, and is filled with a variety of fresh fruit favorites. It’s all artfully arranged in a keepsake, ceramic sleigh container.

16 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

VERANDAH

Antiques, Rugs & Décor

URBANITY 2412 Granville Street 604.801.6262 www.urbanity.ca

Purveyors of fine hardwood antique furniture and exquisite hand knotted new and old rugs since 2007. Our selection is unique. Our quality is without compromise.

We would rather make friends than have quick sales so come on in and add value and liven up your home with character. Conversation pieces of distinction and craftsmanship make all the difference in making a house a home.

UNRIVALLED FURNITURE & FINE RUGS

2779 Arbutus Street 604-733-8894 www.ediblearrangements.ca

Since 2007

2410 Granville Street (Located between Broadway & 8th Ave) 604-563-6499 www.verandahantiques.com

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uality, integrity, and amazing service are the trademarks of Womyns’ Ware, Vancouver’s longtime favourite sexuality store. Carrying top brands such as We-Vibe, Lelo, and nJoy, Womyns’ Ware’s classy and friendly environment is the place to do your sexy gift shopping! And yes, we do gift certificates!

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Handmade Leather Artistry. Affordable Luxury.

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

Womyn’s Ware 896 Commercial Drive 604.254.2543 www.womynsware.com

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Don’t Drink and Drive this Holiday Season.

With a fleet of 249 taxi cabs, available 24 hours per day, Yellow Cab features 37 Wheelchair Accessible Taxis, and more than 200 hybrid vehicles, including the all-new Prius V – offering comfort with extra leg room and plenty of space for luggage or all that Christmas shopping that you need to get home and wrapped.

Call Yellow Cab for your gift certificates now. Whether you need them for your staff Christmas party, bringing mom to your house safely for dinner, making sure your children arrive home safely, or simply for safe transportation any time, you can rely on Yellow Cab.

Avoid the phone wait and download the Yellow Cab APP or go to yellowcabonline.com. mobile booker - yellow cab.indd 1

943 Seymour Street (between Nelson and Smithe) • 604.620.6738 Visit our new location from December 6 at 807 Hornby Street (off Robson)

Z Z

ennkai Salon is always proud to Offer Ethical Pricing Guaranteed lowest prices in the lower mainland should you find it elsewhere we will match it and beat it by a dollar!

BLACK FRIDAY

20

% OFF ALL RETAIL INCLUDING HOLIDAY PACKS!!!

On Friday, November 28 & Saturday November 29

Zennkai can help check off all the names on your holiday list this year with jolliest savings of the season.

From the Loma Hair Care Holiday packs with a FREE Loma nourishing oil treatment ($30.95-$38.95) to the Pureology Holiday packs at an amazing price of $48.95.

These specially priced holiday packs are HOT, and believe us, you don’t want to be left out in the cold!

Brightest Stickers.

Best Pricing.

11/21/2013 9:41:49 AM

HOT Holiday Savings!

West 4th • 2131 West Fourth Avenue • 604.737.7791

604-681-1111 • www.yellowcabonline.com Westender.com

zennkai.com

Granville • 722 Granville Street • 604.687.2150

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 17

ARTS // CULTURE

WESTENDER.COM

WHAT’S ON Th/27

Fr/28

Sa/29

Su/30

Mo/1

MUSIC

MUSIC

MUSIC

MUSIC

MUSIC

MOON BOOTS Chicago DJ-producer (aka Pete Dougherty) displays his R&B- and disco-tinged house beats with Henry Krinkle and guests. 9pm at Electric Owl. Tickets $15 at TicketWeb.ca

RED MOON ROAD Winnipeg folk trio bring to the stage their fresh, lively take on modern roots with exquisite harmonies in support of their new EP Tales from the Whiteshell. 8pm at Rogue Folk Club, St. James Community Hall. Tickets $20 at Highlife, Prussin Music Inc., Red Cat or RogueFolk.bc.ca

THE TREWS Canadian hard rock band from Nova Scotia tour with special guests The Glorious Sons.

8pm at Commodore Ballroom.

Tickets $29.50 at LiveNation.com or Ticketmaster.ca

EAST VAN OPRY Back for a second year, the country music show with a little East Van style features local roots and country artists.

8pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets $16 at Neptoon, Zulu, Red Cat, Highlife, or RioTheatreTickets.com or $20 at the door.

PHILIPPE QUINT Grammy-nominated Russian-American violinist in his anticipated VSO debut, playing Mozart’s audience-favourite Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major.

8pm at The Orpheum. Tickets at VancouverSymphony.ca

IF WE ARE MACHINES Indie, classic psych-rock band bring their multi-layered, progressive sound to the stage with Things Change and Bryan & The Toques.

8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $7 at the door only.

JOHN NOLAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE Live weekly jazz show with the best dance floor in town for swing, latin and jazz. 7-10pm at Fairview Pub. Tickets $3 at the door.

PETER KREJCAR Award winning Alberta pianist presents a recital of Classical and Modern Music with a program including works of Chopin, Liszt and McIntyre.

Admission by donation.

COMEDY MARK FORWARD Canadian Comedy award winner and Mr. D funnyman from Oakville, Ontario shortlisted for the Phil Hartman Award. 8:30pm at Comedy Mix. Tickets at TheComedyMix.com

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. 8pm at the Revue Stage on Granville Island. Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Dec. 27.

EVENTS PECHA KUCHA Originating in Tokyo, this event for young designers, musicians and artists to share their work is an evening of inspiration, images and community. 6:30pm at Vogue Theatre.

Tickets at VogueTheatre.com

AWAITING CHRISTMAS: SACRED MUSIC FOR ADVENT Organist Denis Bédard accompanies the Cathedral Choir and Vocal Quartet with the Holy Rosary Women’s Choir, t he Contemporary Choir and the Spanish Mass Choir. 8pm at Holy Rosary Church. Info at 604-682-6774.

POMO & SAINT PEPSI Vancouver native Pomo (aka David Pimentel) co-headlines with Saint Pepsi (aka Ryan DeRobertis) with Cherchez La Femme. 9pm at Fortune Sound Club. Tickets $10 at TicketWeb.ca JOHNNY O’NEAL TRIO New York City based legendary jazz figure known for his appearance in Ray brings bassist Paul Sikivie and drummer Charles Goold for a rare Vancouver appearance. 7:30pm at Pyatt Hall (VSO School of Music). Tickets $30 at CellarJazzSociety.com/events HOME #8 FEAT. TRUTH New Zealand dubstep duo tours in support of latest release Hollow World with guests Dubconscious.

10:30pm at Electric Owl. Tickets at $15 TicketWeb.ca

COMEDY JEFF MCENERY Ontario native, graduate of VFS and winner of the Tim Sims Encouragement Award. 7pm & 9:30pm at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club. Tickets $20 at YukYuks.com MARK FORWARD Award-winning comedian and writer/performer on The Jon Dore Television Show and Mr. D. 8pm & 10:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $20 at TheComedyMix.com

THEATRE/DANCE

Red Moon Road, Nov. 28

STAR WARS: REVEAL OF THE JEDI The Vegas-style spectacular combining striptease, comedy, dance and abiding love for geeky classics returns after the success of two sold out October performances.

8pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets $20 in advance RioTheatreTickets.ca or $25 at the door.Runs until Nov. 29.

CHEZ NOUS: CHRISTMAS WITH ELEKTRA The Elektra Women’s Choir launches the festive season in style with traditional melodies in a program featuring Winter’s Grace, a work honouring the memory of the late Diane Loomer. 7:30pm at Ryerson United Church. Tickets at TicketsTonight.TicketForce.com

Urinetown runs until Nov. 29

CHIC GAMINE Juno award winning Winnipeg outfit with motown souls, French pop spirits and rock and roll hearts appear as part of the Vinyle Café Christmas Tour.

7pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Tickets at SongKick.com

URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL Multi Jessie Award winning hit musical spoof is back with an all new production by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann. Firehall Arts Centre.

Tickets at FirehallArtsCentre.ca.

Final performance.

THE MINT RECORDS RIDICULOUSLY EARLY XMAS PARTY This annual Vancouver tradition features Jay Arner, Energy Slime, Duotang (from Winnipeg), Tough Age, Supermoon, Fake Tears, Hag Face (from Calgary), Renny Wilson (from Edmonton/Montreal), DJ Duncan McHugh, and more.

7:30pm at Electric Owl. Tickets are $13 at Red Cat and Zulu Records.

THE GOLDEN AGE Vancouver artist, designer and musician Chris Dahl will exhibit paintings reflecting his interest in music, popular culture, and the world around us. At Harrison Galleries (901 Homer St.) until Nov. 29.

COMEDY JEFF MCENERY Ontario native, graduate of VFS and winner of the Tim Sims Encouragement Award.

7pm & 9:30pm at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club. Tickets $20 at YukYuks.com MARK FORWARD Award-winning comedian and writer/performer on The Jon Dore Television Show and Mr. D. 8pm & 10:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $20 at TheComedyMix.com

THEATRE/DANCE MAN UP: ONE HIT WONDERS Ponyboy hosts this legendary drag king show featuring the finest from Vancouver’s thriving gender performance community. 11pm at The Cobalt. Tickets $13 at the door.

GOOD PEOPLE Single mom Margie Walsh looks up an old flame hoping for a fresh start in this humourfilled drama by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire. 8pm at Studio 1398 on Granville Island.

Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com.

Final performance.

ART

EVENTS AN EVENING WITH VANCOUVER’S FAVOURITE QUEER WRITERS Amber Dawn hosts this energizing evening of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry as well as the largest queer free-writing group exercise ever. Tweet your poem to @PlentitudeMag and it’ll be read on stage. 8:30pm at Café Deux Soleils. Admission $10 at the door.

MOVEMBER GALA PARTÉ Costume extravaganza marking the end of Movember for Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to showcase their hairy achievements. Prizes for Ultimate Mo, Lame Mo, and tons of others. 9pm at The Imperial.

Tickets $20 at movember.com/ ca/events 4TH ANNUAL STRATHCONA WINTER CRAFT FAIR Vancouver’s vibrant Strathcona neighbourhood presents 50 local and non-profit vendors selling their wares from handmade jewellery to knitwear, cards, ceramics, toys, and more.

10am-4pm at Strathcona Community Centre.

ARNALDO COHEN The Vancouver Chopin Society presents the Brazilian born pianist. 3pm at Vancouver Playhouse. Tickets $40 at TicketsTonight.ca BROADWAY BULLIES Vancouverbased rock band known for their unique brand of urban influenced neo classic rock ‘n’ roll appear in support of Shake My Bones with guests Terrace, Rushden and Diamonds.

THE COMPOSER IS DEAD Investigate the instruments of orchestra through children’s author Lemony Snicket’s delightful whodunit.

2pm at The Orpheum. Tickets at VancouverSymphony.ca

THEATRE/DANCE LATE COMPANY One year after a tragedy, two couples sit down to dinner. Far from the closure they seek, the dinner strips bare their good intentions to reveal layers of parental, sexual and political hypocrisy. 8pm at Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Tickets at Tickets.

TheCultch.com. Final performance.

ART ECUAD STUDENT ART SALE The university’s legendary art sale features work by up-and-coming student artists and designers with a wide variety of original works; painting, sculpture, print, ceramic, photography, handmade books and zines, and more. 12-5pm at Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

HARD ROCK MINERS SINGALONG Join the Hard Rock Miners and their dozens of cohorts to belt out an eclectic mix of new wave hits and groovy oldies in shambolic folk-punk style. 7pm at Railway Club. Tickets $7 at the door.

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

ART PIGAPICHA! Originally conceived and presented in Nairobi in 2009, this North American premiere of the exhibition features a photographic portrayal of societal transformation in Kenya from the 1910s to the present. 10am-5pm at the Museum of Anthropology.

Runs until April 5.

EVENTS VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS MARKET Kick off the holiday season with Vancouver’s annual festive market with delicious treats, kids activities, and live music. 11am-9pm at Queen Elizabeth Plaza. Runs until Dec. 24.

EAR MUFFS KARAOKE Drew Waldorf of Cheap Thrills hosts this weekly edition – come sing your heart out or watch other brave souls for your amusement. 9pm at the Cobalt. No cover.

The Trews, Nov. 29

“You haven’t really lived until you’ve seen Helen Keller as the Ghost of Christmas Past” —The Georgia Straight

EVERY FROM SHOW $29!

the cast. photo by david cooper

all-inclusive

A TWISTED CHRISTMAS CAROL

ARTSCLUB.COM 604.687.1644 playing at

THE HOLIDAY ANTI-CLASSIC Originally produced and written by Rock Paper Scissors Based on the novel A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

NOW PLAYING!

18 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

GROUPS SAVE MORE!

Westender.com

ARTS // CULTURE

WHAT’S ON Tu/2

We/3

Th/4

MUSIC

MUSIC

MUSIC

THE TENORS Canadian popopera quartet performs a family friendly show in support of their latest release Lead With Your Heart. 8pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets at LiveNation. com

ALVVAYS Toronto based indie pop band on tour to support their debut album Alvvays with special guests Absolutely Free.

8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $15 at Red Cat, Zulu, Neptoon or TicketWeb.ca

LISA LEBLANC Folk-trash chanteuse brings some Maritime grit to the stage in support of her EP Highways, Heartaches and Time Well Wasted. 8pm at Fox Cabaret.

Tickets $13 at Red Cat, Zulu and Tickets.NorthernTickets.com

THE ATARIS Indiana alternative rockers on a cross Canada tour for the first time in a decade with guests Teenage Kicks. 8pm at Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets $16 at TicketWeb.ca

LILY KERSHAW LA singersongwriter takes the stage with guests Kieran Mercer and Joshua Hyslop. 8pm at Media Club.

Tickets $15 at TicketWeb.ca

ASHANTI The Princess of hip hop and R&B tours in support of BraveHeart with special guests Janelle States and Doron Bell.

8pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $70 at Tickets.NorthernTickets.com

GEORGE WATSKY American althip-hop artist appears in support of his latest release All You Can Do. 8pm at Vogue Theatre. Tickets $22.50 at LiveNation.com

FRAZEY FORD Canadian roots singer-songwriter and member of the Be Good Tanya appears in support of Indian Ocean with guests Nothingness. 8pm at Rogue Folk Club. SOLD OUT.

FRAZEY FORD Canadian roots singer-songwriter and member of the Be Good Tanya appears in support of Indian Ocean with guests Nothingness. 8pm at Rogue Folk Club. Tickets $24 at Prussin Music.

THEATRE/DANCE

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.

THINGS NEAR AND FAR An evening of new dance that engages the collaboration of eight Canadian artists spanning three generations of creative experimentation in movement, sound and light. 8pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at Tickets.

FirehallArtsCentre.ca. Runs until Dec. 6.

DEAFHEAVEN San Fran black metal band play Vancouver for the first time to support their critically acclaimed 2013 album Sunbather with guests Sumac.

8pm at Rickshaw Theatre.

Tickets $17 at Red Cat, Scrape, Neptoon, Zulu and TicketWeb.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

RON VAUDRY A ‘comic’s comic’ with a unique perspective, mastering his field of hard hitting social and political satire. A favourite at Just For Laughs and The Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

8:30pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets $15 at TheComedyMix.com

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. 2 & 8pm at Granville Island Stage.

Tickets at ArtsClub.com. Runs until Jan. 3.

ART

ART

DWELLINGS: FROM SEABEDS TO CITYSCAPES An exhibition of young people’s art exploring how where we live shapes our experiences, our culture and even who we are. 10am-5pm at The ArtStarts Gallery. Runs until March 28.

SNAG Live painting with a rotating roster of local artists and a piece raffled off every week at night’s end. 9pm at The Cobalt.

Free admission.

EVENTS THE FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL One of a kind event showcasing VHS videos found at garage sales, in thrift stores, warehouses and dumpsters throughout North America. 7:30pm at Rio Theatre. Tickets $13 at RioTheatreTickets.ca or $15 at the door.

COMEDY

THEATRE/DANCE CHRISTMAS QUEEN The Vancouver TheatreSports League presents an improvised story about a villain who is out to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk.

7:30pm at The Improv Centre.

Tickets at Tickets.vtsl.com. Runs until Dec. 21.

November 22 to December 24 Open daily 11am–9pm*. (*Closes at 6pm on Dec 24)

The Plaza @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre West Georgia St & Hamilton St Our Official Sponsors

UNRESERVED GOVERNMENT & FLEET AUTO AUCTION SATURDAY NOV. 29TH - 10:00AM

EVENTS LETTER WRITING CLUB The Regional Assembly of Text hosts an evening of letter writing complete with all supplies, typewriters, stationary and a quiet room to write in. 7pm at The Regional Assembly of Text. Free.

Ashanti, Dec. 4

DON’T MISS our upcoming

Celebrate

300+ VEHICLES

gift guide next week

Wanna Yuk?

Amateur Night Wed at 8:00 Top Talent showcase Thur at 8:00 and

Headliner Shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 and 9:30 Vancouver’s best stand up comedy, every Wed. thru Sat. Check us out at:

yukyuks.com 2837 Cambie (at 12th) 604-696-9857 Westender.com

17th Annual

GOLD WINNER Readers’ Choice

2014

3 Lanes of Auction Action ADESARichmond.ca 604.233.7333 16179 Blundell Rd Richmond, BC

NYSE:KAR November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 19

STYLE // DESIGN

WESTENDER.COM

FASHION

WANT Apothecary’s luxury retail therapy NIKI HOPE nikihope@shaw.ca

The concept store opened in August, but general manager Grace Baiano says they already know regulars by their first name – along with birthdays and anniversaries, too.

It’s all part of creating what she calls “a curated customer experience” for everyone who walks through the door.

The recently opened WANT Apothecary, designed to resemble a 19th-century pharmacy, is proving to be a perfect prescription in South Granville’s upscale shopping district.

Decor eighth

25% off

classic style chairs in 7 colours $119 NOW $89!

20% off

“An apothecary is something you are going to find in a small neighbourhood,” Baiano explains. “You step out of your home, you go the bakery in the morning, you go to the barbershop, then you step into your favourite boutique, you get your sweater for the day.”

The unisex clothing and skincare boutique is the brainchild of Canadian twins Dexter and Byron Peart, who co-own the company along with Mark Wiltzer and Jacqueline Gelber.

The Montreal-based designers launched their fashion business in 2007 with WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie, a line of luxury leather accessories.

The house brand of bags is designed for modern travel, equipped to fit every type of mobile device in existence.

“The bags are essentialsbased,” Baiano says. “There’s nothing more, nothing less that

goes into the bag than necessary and the line itself. No details are overlooked. Essentially, I’d say it’s a really, really clean and specific marriage between style and quality.”

The leather bags are made from buttery Italian leather with an eye for engineering and fine detailing, including two-sided zippers – one side is gold, one silver, “because [the designers’] couldn’t decide between luxury and practicality,” Baiano explains.

The line is expanding for spring. For now it includes totes, briefcases, pouches, wallets, gloves, belts and more.

WANT Apothecary also carries Nudie Jeans, Swedish fashion giant Acne Studios; Scandinavia’s contemporary favourite Filippa K; heritage-inspired casual-wear line Steven Alan; music-andfashion-merged cosmopolitan hotshot Maison Kitsuné (my

personal favourite piece in the store was a darling wool sweater with a devilishly cute knitted fox face, though at $559 it likely won’t find a spot in my closet).

WANT Apothecary is a luxury retailer – that woman Baiano talked about, who can pop in for a sweater after a visit to the baker and the coffee shop will either have the means to snag a quality Europeanmade gem on a whim, or she’s an investment buyer who values quality over quantity.

Along with clothes and leather goods, WANT Apothecary also carries perfume houses Byredo and Astier De Villatte, and skin care by Aesop, Ursa Major, and Susanne Kaufmann.

To learn more about these upscale fashion remedies, visit WantApothecary.com. W Email Vancouver fashion news and ideas to nikihope@shaw.ca.

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There is a wide variety of clients who are still looking for their story: From those who are moving into a new space, to those who have been there for years and never advanced past the “we just moved in” look. One of my first questions for clients is, “Are you comfortable with vintage pieces?” Some people are already in-the-know about the cool factor of vintage, while others are hesitant.

From an environmental standpoint, opting for vintage items is awesome because it keeps pieces out of our landfills, while also reducing consumer demand for new production. From a design perspective, I find it important to bring in vintage for the variety it provides. When you are looking to create a style story, what better place to start than with pieces that have a story of their own?

Vancouver is a hot-spot for vintage finds. There are so many fabulous spots to scour for something unique for your home, whether it be large or small. I have a few favourites that I have worked with for years, and lean on when I’m in need of super cool items to pull a project together.

Continued on page 26

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WANT Apothecary manager Grace Baiano features the store’s house line of hand bags, “Les Essentials de la Vie”. Rob Newell photo.

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Mint Records roster teams up for Xmas LOUISE BURNS music@westender.com

Love it or hate it, winter is coming, and with the changing of the seasons brings the inevitable infestation of festivities: Christmas will soon be everywhere and there’s nothing you can do about it.

So if you can’t beat ‘em, how, fair Grinch, can you join ‘em?

Lucky for us, The Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party is here as a gateway party to warm you up for the holidays, even if you’d rather gouge your eyes out with charcoal candy canes. Offering a plethora of local talent from the Mint Records roster, this year we will be graced with the likes of Jay Arner, Tough Age, Duotang, Hag Face, Supermoon, and Fake Tears to name a few, as well as a healthy dose of secular tunes to even out the holiday cheer (they’ve got your back, el Grinchos). We spoke with Shena Yoshida of Mint Records about this years festivities and some of their most legendary nights.

Q: My first Mint Records Xmas Party experience was legendary. 2006: Franz Ferdinand

Energy Slime is one of the many Mint bands performing at this year’s Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party.

joining The Evaporators on stage, chaos ensued. One of my best Vancouver memories.

What are some of the most memorable years?

SY: I think that was my first Mint Xmas Party too. It’s definitely the year that everyone talks about. In addition to the surprise Franz Ferdinand appearance I believe that was also The Organ’s last Vancouver show. Our party in 2011,

which doubled as our 20th anniversary show, was one of the most memorable, mostly because we had two stages and 13 bands playing. A few of the early Mint bands, who hadn’t played in years reunited for the night. We also ordered a giant cake! It was very ambitious. The hall shows are also generally really special, mostly because people don’t always get out to The Ukrainian or

The Cambrian Hall as often as they would pop by The Biltmore or The Owl. Q: What makes the Mint Records Ridiculously Early Christmas Party such an integral part of Vancouver’s music scene?

SY: Randy [Iwata, Mint Records owner] always puts a ton of thought and effort into gathering door prizes. Last year we made custom Team

Mint toques and Chris Martell, who plays in Tough Age and works at Lush, managed to get us a giant box of bath bombs. This year we have cassette compilations and canvas tote bags. It’s also probably the only Vancouver event that has an ongoing Pocky sponsorship! We definitely have the best snacks. There is also a real sense of community at these shows. It’s really special to see so many of the bands play together.

Q: What I like about this party, aside from the obvious good times/music/drinking, is that bands don’t necessarily play Christmas songs. There’s something in it for everyone. What’s the standard ratio of Christmas music to regular music?

SY: Duncan McHugh, who has a show called Duncan’s Donuts on CiTR, is our party DJ this year. I know he is capable of piecing together a solid holiday playlist but he typically mixes it up. I always feel bad for people who work in those Christmas stores that are open year-round. Hearing “Rudolph” four times every hour would probably make me crazy! We wouldn’t want

to put anyone through that at our party.

Q: Word on the street is that Duotang are reuniting for this show. Are there any other surprises you can let us in on?

SY: Jarrett and Penny from Tough Age recently moved to Toronto. They [were] in town to play the Mudhoney show... and are sticking around for our party too. I’m hoping to see Nardwuar there too.

Q: Is Nardwuar the indie rock Santa Claus?

SY: It’s possible, he’s also made of magic. Nardwuar always wears red plaid, if we could get him to attach a few jingle bells to his outfit, he could be an elf maybe?

The Mint Records Ridiculously Early Xmas Party will be taking place at The Electric Owl on Saturday, Nov. 29 with Supermoon,Tough Age, Fake Tears, Hag Face, Jay Arner, Energy Slime, Duotang, Renny Wilson, DJ Duncan McHugh and more.Tickets are $13 at Red Cat and Zulu Records. Mint will be matching door cash and donating it to SAINTS Animal Rescue. W

‘Eye of Winter’ brings an emotional exorcism for Colin Cowan LOUISE BURNS music@westender.com

Colin Cowan is a very busy man. Formerly Dan Mangan’s touring bassist, he is a jazz aficionado who rubs elbows with the likes of local heavyweights Jesse Zubot and JP Carter, manager of The China Cloud (one of Vancouver’s finest independent cultural spaces), a member of Dada Plan (and 11 other bands), yet still finds time to release his own music at a prolific rate.

Cowan’s latest, Eye of Winter, is the second vernal installment to his four-piece album series inspired by the “emotional exorcism” each season can bring upon us sensitive earthlings.

Q: You’re known in the folk, jazz, punk, rock and even comedy scene. Can you summarize your musical background?

CC: I do bluegrass, gypsy jazz, folk, I guess psych…

Q: You played every instrument on the album. How did you manage to capture the sound of a full band?

CC: The live band is Jenn Bojm (bass), Chris Kelly (keys), and Dan Gaucher (drums) [Ben Brown also played on the album]. Jenn laughs at me when I’m teaching her this new stuff from the album… I’ve made this mistake now multiple times where I say, “when he plays this”- like I’m talking about a [different] bass player. I forget that it’s me

REVIEWS // COLIN COWAN & THE ELASTIC STARS

Eye of Winter (Independent) The latest edition to Vancouver’s freak-pop renaissance is in the form of Cowan’s Eye of Winter: A woody, warm, and wonderful record featuring nine tracks of odd-folk psychedelia.

It is the second of a fourseason-themed series for Cowan, who moonlights as a member of Dada Plan, Dan Mangan’s band, and Woodpigeon (to name a few). Opener “Whispers To

Westender.com

Rockefeller” has an earthy swing to it, and Cowan, along with backup vocalist Jenn Bojm, begin in spooky unison, followed by Cowan’s quivering whispervoice, opening up to the occasional growl. “Livid In A Cave” has a slap-back

sometimes. I’m pretty good at leaving things now. I’ll obsessively listen, but I’m good at just leaving things and enjoying it and saying “I’m done.” It’s all live tape, so the self-consciousness that would normally haunt me goes away.

Q: Where did you record it?

CC: Bottega Studios [in the Okanagan]. Last year I did it, then two months later it was Dada Plan, then a month later Johnny de Courcy. We were all hanging out there a lot.

Q: Tell me about this “Seasonal Concept” album series.

CC: It’s not necessarily about the standard comprehension of winter I guess. grit that would easily sound at home on John Lennon’s Mind Games, while “I’d Rather Not Follow” mashes up rock and roll, blues, and a beautifully utilized omnichord, keepin’ it weird.

While at times his whisper retreats too far into the forest, at his best he’s a starchild, calling all freaks to the movable feast.

Rating: ★★★★★

ARIEL PINK

pom pom (4AD) “Sex King on a velvet swing, waiting for my Alice

It’s about your “eye of winter.” Your state of mind in winter. That’s sort of what all of these albums are about.

After touring for a couple years... I’d written the song “Fall Paths” [from Cowan’s autumn-inspired album of the same name] about my nephew- it was about him growing up and me not being there. So I started writing these tunes on the road... and I’d do these little pockets of demoing on the road…

But I didn’t know what it was yet that I was doing.

Q: What is the state of mind for you in winter?

CC: Fall Paths was nostalgia and all that. I felt like I dispersed all of my nostalgia and memories and regrets. in Wonderland” croons Ariel Pink on “Sexual Athletics”, one of the ditties on his latest, pom pom, a bizarre, lengthy collection of charcoal and fuchsia LA-pop jams for fans of Ariel Pink, and probably no one else.

Having recently sparked a thousand thought-pieces after calling Madonna washed up and getting into a twitter-fight with Grimes, you can’t help but notice how conveniently timed it was with this release. A classic pop star PR move, intentional or not.

There are times where pom pom sounds like

Multi-instrumentalist Colin Cowan. Yvonna Chew photo I feel like fall is a pinnacle time of year for creativity, so when I finally did that [Fall Paths] I felt like my mind moved on. And I felt like I was in this hibernation state where I was coming to terms with the darkness…

It’s a classic subject matter for art. Coming to terms

the soundtrack to 1980’s children’s cartoon Punky Brewster, all phat snare and synth bass with wacky, weird lyrics like, “white freckles... she got them at the tanning salon” (“White Freckles”). Then there’s the frog croaking mixed into a

with the classic darknesses of everything found in politics, art, society, everything. The lack of communication that goes on... People who are liars… who are dishonest…

It wasn’t meant to be a “slam album” but it accidentally became one. But in everything I point at, I include myself in it. It’s conceptually just about hibernation and connecting with the things that are frustrating you rather than trying to “press on” everyday. I feel like you’re allowed to do that as a musician – your job allows you to do that.

Colin Cowan & The Elastic Stars Eye Of Winter Record Release Party is happening at The Lido on Nov. 28. Free show. W song of lament and yearning (“Exile On Frog Street”) and somehow sounding right at home.

While it makes sense to file pom pom under the category of “Absurdist Pop”, much credit should be given to the man for being a master of his craft. Just when you think he’s gone too far, he’ll steer you back on track with a song so pretty it’ll wash your slate clean (“Dayzed Inn Daydreams”).

Ariel PInk is not for everyone, but for those who dig, go deep friend. Go deep.

Rating: ★★★★★

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 21

ARTS // CULTURE

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Enter the Lab Immersive art event returns for fifth edition SABRINA FURMINGER westender.com

Imagine stepping into a space where a transformative artistic encounter awaits you at every turn.

Music plays. You’ve got a drink in your hand. As you drift from room to room, you experience some new cocktail of aural, audio and visual stimulation: Evocative and provocative work by body painters, sculptors, painters, dancers, deejays, and more.

You’re mingling with artists and art lovers. You’re in a place where art is alive, and where seeds for new art are being planted and nurtured.

Now stop imagining, because this event actually occurs right here in Van City.

The event in question is the bi-yearly celebration of creativity, art, and community known as Lab Art Show – and its fifth edition is going down this week.

Lab Art Show is the brainchild of Gloria and Etelbina Bernal, a pair of artists from Mexico. “They saw how much inspiration and art there was in Vancouver and not a lot of places for networking and showcasing various styles of art,” says Shay Hickling, marketing coordinator for Lab Art Show. “They were inspired by the people around them, and the art of Vancouver, and they wanted to bring it all together.”

The event has changed venues a few times over the years, but the goals at its core – to build community among artists; to bring art to art-lovers; to make both endeavors fun – have remain unchanged.

“The beginning was trying to get the community together, and connected, rather than just having a bunch of different artists signing up and making a big show,” says Hickling. “Now we have a lot of repeating artists and very loyal people who have a lot to do with the show.”

Highlights for the fifth edition of Lab Art Show include:

“Subscra”, a dance piece inspired by traditional Balinese and Indonesian movements, fused with classical ballet and modern dance; “Lamondance”, a contemporary dance piece with a fusion of Brazilian and Canadian choreographers; live body painting

by Kyle Stephenson; live canvas painting by Yves Decary; a fashion show by Wendy Ohlendorf from Portland; and visual art at every turn.

There’s also an installation by mixed media sculptor C3 (see sidebar), in which the versatile artist (and previous Lab Art Show participant) uses past issues of this very newspaper to create folded paper sculptures that will be affixed onto a model during the show.

“We’ve noticed a huge community growing around Lab Art Show over the years,” says Hickling. “It’s really inspirational to see how many people believe in it.” W Lab Art Show takes place Nov. 28 at Studio East. For tickets, visit Glitz-Entertainment. com/get-tickets.html.

THE ARTIST SPEAKS: Q&A WITH C3 Vancouver conceptual artist C3 is interested in the microscopic universes all around. Take a long, hard look at her intricate sculptures and you’re likely to gain a deeper understanding of fractals, insect anatomy, plant cells, and crystals. At Lab Art Show on Nov. 28, C3 will invite art lovers to experience the beauty of things unseen via an installation in which she’ll affix tiny paper sculptures – created using Westender newspapers – onto a human model.

Vancouver artist C3 will create wearable sculpture using folded newspaper and a live model at Lab Art Show Nov. 28.

Supplied photos

Q: Describe your work.

C3: I’m a Vancouver based artist. I studied fine arts in the 1990s, and I went into interior design after.

The last three years, I’ve tapped back into my art, and got back into my sculptures, and with my studies in fine arts and interior design, I’ve fused them together and mainly just do sculptures.

They’re mainly instigated by nature. I really want to have the audience get back into observing all the little things that make our world beautiful. I’ve always been into layers, and layering everything, and lighting it all up.

When you layer it, and you light it, you actually see all of the depths of everything from the inside. That’s how I got into the traditional Japanese paper-folding technique, because their concept is always about layering.

Q: What inspires you?

C3: The majority of my shapes, I call them fractals.

Q: So what are you doing for this week’s Lab Art Show?

C3: I’m working with the

Monthly Events December 2014

Let us not forget the significance of World Aids Day on December 1st. AIDS Vancouver will be marking that day by hosting an open house and Holiday Grocery Drive to help support their over 800 clients.

FeStIVAL OF treeS

It may be December but it’s not to early to be planning for Vancouver Pride 2015. Get your applications accepted this month and benefit from “early bird” pricing.

LOUD Business (formerly the GLBA) is a not-forprofit association founded on our three pillars: Networking, Community and Philanthropy.

Check us out at www.

LOUDbusiness.com, join us at one of our events – or come out to one of these great community events in December.

Supports BC Children’s Hospital

All December (Open until 11pm daily) 791 West Georgia Street tinyurl.com/kvvr9pn

“MAkIng SpIrItS BrIgHt” Vancouver Men’s Chorus

Various dates in December (See website) St. Paul’s Anglican Church 1130 Jervis Street tinyurl.com/n3xw76v A twISteD cHrIStMAS cArOL

Arts Club Theatre Company

Various dates in December (see website) Revue Stage 1601 Johnston Street artsclub.com wHIStLer FILM FeStIVAL December 3rd-7th Various Venues Whistler, BC whistlerfilmfestival.com

Come out and be LOUD!

22 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

HOLIDAy SHOwtUneS nIgHt At 1181 Friday, December 5, 6pm 1181 Davie Street tinyurl.com/n4c646f rOgerS SAntA cLAUS pArADe Sunday, December 7, 1pm Downtown rogerssantaclausparade.com LOUD BUSIneSS BreAkFASt netwOrkIng wednesday, December 10, 7:15-8:30am The Edge Social Grill & Lounge 1100 Granville Street www.loudbusiness.com

Contact us for details

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receive best prices if application approved by December 31st vancouverpride.ca

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@KANDUCANNAMEDS

JOE RAMIREZ MCP, CAC, CCC

LGBT Country Social Dance

Early Bird Application Deadline

604-742-8681

mlambert@westender.com

DOCTOR ON SITE

tIMBerLIne DAnce

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• Flowers • Edibles • Pre Rolls • Topicals • Tinctures • Concentrates

BURRARD

AIDS VAncOUVer Open HOUSe December 1st Cash or non-perishable food donations accepted.

1107 Seymour Street tinyurl.com/mhcbu73

Q: What do you say to people who haven’t been to a Lab Art Show before?

C3: Come with an open mind. This art show isn’t all about painting. You’ll see musicians, fashion shows, facial painting, DJs. It’s all aspects of art and design, and all aspects of your senses being blown away. W

To advertise here please contact

Vancouver Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary

HORNBY

The holiday season will soon be in full swing with parades and concerts and Dickensian theatrical events. You’ll find a selection in our events listings.

newspaper. It’s going to be all layers, on a model, which is very exciting. I’m doing all of the intricate paper folds here in my studio, and at the show, I’ll be doing the construction and showing everyone the process.

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Can you take my picture?

MOA explores 100 years of portrait photography from East Africa KELSEY KLASSEN kelsey@westender.com

“Wherever people went, they took cameras.”

That statement, spoken by the Museum of Anthropology’s Nuno Porto, could be describing the smartphone generation.

Instead, he is explaining the history of photography, how it spread around the world more than 100 years ago, and how it ended up in Nairobi, Kenya.

Starting this week, the museum examines Kenya’s popular culture through studio photography – from its beginnings in the 1910s, to its peak during Kenyan independence in the ‘60s, and onward to present day – in the North American premiere of Piga Picha! 100 Years of Studio Photography in Nairobi.

The Swahili term for “take my picture!”, Piga Picha! includes more than 180 images, ranging from carefully staged artistic prints, to snapshots from the streets of Nairobi.

Curator and professional photographer Katharina Greven, formerly of the Goethe-Institut in Kenya, partnered with more than 30 photography studios in Nairobi and consulted with photographers, studio operators, artists, bloggers, journalists, and cultural scientists to curate this diverse

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VancouVer Welsh Men’s choir

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT CAROLS In Kenya, the original selfies weren’t carefully curated mobile snaps, but highly personalized studio portraits, like these from the Museum of Anthropology’s new exhibition, Piga Picha!.

Top left and right: Peter Irungu ‘Willy’ photos (yes, that couple is sitting in a lily). Above: Nduka Photo Studio (1990s) photo

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS:

adult $27, senior $24, student $10.

Online from vwmc.ca (no fees) or call 604-878-1190 From any choir member or at the door

liaison for the exhibition, of the quirky style that emerged, “and the use of photography not so much to portray reality – the Western tradition of photography being linked with truth – but a way of creating an image of an idealized self.”

Piga Picha! is on now until April 5 at the Museum of Anthropology. For more info, go to MOA.UBC.ca W

collection of portraits.

From the fine arts to the humourously sincere, Greven’s selections illuminate how portrait photography – a highly-regarded art form in Nairobi – was used to tell stories, share social status, and transform everyday life.

“I would call it a candid appropriation of photography,” says Porto, curatorial

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ENTER TO WIN

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FILM & TV

...a pair of tickets to see Mary Poppins at the Arts Club, running December 5 - January 4.

Beyond Bollywood

Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival continues to break stereotypes Sabrina Furminger Reel People

To enter, go to westender.com and click on contests.

Contest closes at 9am on Thursday, December 5.

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Bollywood might be the largest film industry in the world, but its big-budget musical melodramas aren’t the only films being produced in India.

Indian filmmakers are a multifaceted lot, and they churn out movies in every genre imaginable.

The same can be said for Indo-Canadian filmmakers, actors, and actresses, whether they’re recent arrivals or the offspring of immigrants. It’s not all Bollywood, all the time.

Vancouver’s South Asian filmmaking community (in all its nuanced glory) will be out in force at this weekend’s Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF).

When Agam Darshi – a busy actress (Sanctuary; Played) and filmmaker who splits her time between Vancouver and Los Angeles – founded VISAFF with fellow actress Patricia Isaac a few years back, the goal was to break South Asian stereotypes

VISAFF co-founders Agam Darshi and Patricia Isaac. and bridge the gap between the community’s filmmakers and mainstream audiences.

This year’s one-day VISAFF will build upon on these founding goals, says Darshi in a recent phone chat.

“Over the last few years,

we’ve talked a lot about breaking boundaries and stereotypes, and we feel like we’ve exhausted that conversation,” says Darshi. “Now it’s more about, ‘Let’s create a network, let’s create a community, and actually bring

people together.’”

The jam-packed schedule for VISAFF features an hour of short films, including Coconut by Nimisha Mukerji, Served Cold by Mandeep Sandhu, Coffee Cup by Sonny Sran, Shame by Summer Pervez, and the Vancouver premiere of Darshi’s directorial debut, Fade Out. There’s also a workshop about what it takes to survive as an actor in Vancouver; a class in Meisner Technique; an industry panel featuring Judy Lee (casting director), Paul Dhillon (writer/director), Mandeep Sandhu (filmmaker, Sand Dune Entertainment), Paul Armstrong (producer), and other showbiz insiders; and ample opportunities networking.

“Hopefully people will come wanting to discuss their ideas and move on them,” says Darshi, who produces and stars in the web series LaLaLand in Real Time. “Let’s get our stories out there.”

The Fourth Annual Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival takes place Nov. 30 in the World Art Centre at SFU Woodwards.

For schedule information, visit VISAFF2014.com. W

Vancouver comedies rock Whistler Film Festival Sabrina Furminger lays out her top picks for the destination winter film fest

deliciously awkward moments, and features scene-stealing comedic performances by some of BC’s best actors, including Aleks Paunovic, Emilie Ullerup, Nicholas Carella, Michael Ecklund, Jill Morrison, Lochlyn Munro, and Benjamin Ayres.

Sabrina Furminger Reel People @Sabrinarmf

Ticket Prices (includes TAX) $11 Adult (18-64) Senior (65+) $8 $8 Child/Youth (3-17) Free Children 2 and under Matinee train (all ages) $6

NOV 27 - DEC 18 MON - THURS 3pm-10pm FRI - SUN 10am-11pm

DEC 19 - DEC 26 EVERYDAY 10am-11pm *Closed Christmas Day

Advance tickets at Ticketleader.ca 604-252-3700

24 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

DEC 27 - JAN 4 EVERYDAY 10am-10pm

The 2014 Whistler Film Festival packs a ton of cinema into five days: 41 features and 46 shorts, including 22 world premieres, eight Canadian premieres, 33 Western Canadian premieres, and 11 BC premieres.

Festival-goers can screen films on the fast track to the Oscars, like The Imitation Game and Still Alice, or check out obscure pieces they’re unlikely to see anywhere else, like a trio of newly discovered shorts featuring Peter Sellers, two of which were written by Mordecai Richler before he penned The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.

Me? Well, you know me.

I’m a champion for BC film, and so naturally my top three picks for WFF were all produced right here in the 604. They’re also all comedies, which might say something about where we are at as a city and an industry (or maybe it just says something about me).

Bad City BAD CITY: In the opening moments of Bad City, a senior cinephile tells viewers all about canuxploitation: Canadian B-movies that were created during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s to take advantage of tax credits. In this TCM-esque prologue, the expert explains that, in these films, Canadian filmmakers emulated the blaxploitation films of the same era, despite the fact there weren’t many black actors in Canada at the time. Thus Bad City – written

by Aaron Brooks and Dustin Milligan, who also star – is presented as an authentic example of this faux genre, and director Carl Bessai (who

took on the detective genre with last year’s No Clue) has cleverly employed all of the tropes we’ve come to associate with blaxploitation films. It’s fun times in the bad city.

WHAT AN IDIOT: What an Idiot stars Peter Benson as Nick, an affable but unluckyin-love single dude who fakes being gay to in order to get close to his new boss, Jackie (portrayed by Julia Benson).

He does this because, 1) Jackie’s social circle is comprised entirely of gay men, and 2) he’s an idiot. The Bensons (married in real-life) developed the story together, and Peter directed. It’s full of

AFTER FILM SCHOOL: A documentary crew follows recent film school graduates as they make a tasteless feature entitled High School Shooting: The Musical. Anyone familiar with film school will recognize the character types in Joel McCarthy’s mockumentary: Earnest, narcissistic, and fearless early 20-something storytellers before they’ve been humbled by the system.

It’s rough around the edges, but charming and hilarious.

Bonus: if you can’t make it to Whistler, you’ll be able to catch After Film School immediately after its premiere; thanks to the forward-thinking folks at First Weekend Club, After Film School will be available for streaming for two weeks as part of a VOD pilot project. W The Whistler Film Festival runs Dec. 3-7. Info at WhistlerFilmFestival.com.

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ARTS // CULTURE

MOVIE REVIEWS Channing Tatum and an unrecognizable Steve Carell star in Foxcatcher.

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MONDAY TO SATURDAY HORRIBLE BOSSES 2

FOXCATCHER

Starring Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day Directed by Sean Anders

Starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo Directed by Bennett Miller

Our first glimpse of Charlie Day in Horrible Bosses 2 finds him stewing in his own flop sweat. While ostensibly conveying his tightly wound character’s rampant anxiety, there’s nevertheless something eerily genuine about his agitation. And as director Sean Anders scrapes the bottom of a barrel labelled “Caution: Noxious Humour” (and then has Jennifer Aniston suggestively lick the spoon), it becomes plainly evident that any misgivings on the actor’s part are wellfounded. He and his fellow cast members have some heavy lifting ahead of them.

Having liberated themselves from their oppressive supervisors in the considerably sturdier first instalment, Dale (Day), Nick (Jason Bateman), and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) have now been gripped by the entrepreneurial spirit. While this seems a prime opportunity to explore how these former grunts might find themselves corrupted by authority, Andres and his Sex Drive co-writer John Morris unsurprisingly opt for the path of least resistance. Consequently, the partners are preyed upon by a conniving investor (Christoph Waltz, cashing an easy paycheque) and are left with no other recourse than kidnapping the villain’s 30-something brat (Chris Pine) for ransom.

Through the misadventures that inevitably (and ineptly) ensue, Andres and Morris repeatedly try to assure us that nothing is funnier than a straight dude being mistaken for gay (although the dalliances of nymphomaniacs – represented

by Aniston’s one-gag/no-gagreflex “character” – come a close second). In the wake of the Cosby scandal, some will deem their decision to play the sexual assault of an anesthetized victim for laughs “unfortunate.” But, as they say in business circles, “You make your own luck.” And this dreck doesn’t earn any breaks.

–Curtis Woloschuk

The have/have-not dynamic cuts both ways in this menacing, tragic psychodrama from Bennett Miller (Capote).

Our introduction to worldclass wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum, assuming a brooding simian bearing to great effect) also acquaints us with the unglamorous realities of amateur athletics. After collecting a $20 appearance fee, he retreats to a grungy gymnasium to spar with his more accomplished brother Dave (Mark Ruffalo).

Consequently, when he’s helicoptered to the Pennsylvania estate of reclusive patron John du Pont (Steve Carell), the decadence on display is staggering. In turn, du Pont – his spirit seemingly atrophied by privilege – covets Mark’s vitality and potential. And while he recognizes that Dave must be enlisted in order to get Mark into the 1988 Olympics, the elder sibling’s innate leadership and easygoing demeanour leave the emasculated, insecure billionaire rankled.

Indeed, resentment rages through the veins of both Mark and John, corroding their psyches and warping their world views. Physically transformed by added pounds and prosthetics, Carell plays du Pont as a loner akin to The Office’s Michael Scott, albeit one inclined to surrender to the darkness that plagues him.

As he forces out congenial banter and feigns avuncular affection, Carell offers a deeply unsettling portrait of a man whose affluence and isolation have left him disconnected from reality.

Fittingly, the power struggle that unfolds between du Pont and the Schultz brothers is adroitly conveyed through the actors’ physicality; with tensed shoulders or an indignantly upturned chin standing in for the words these taciturn, damaged men can’t muster. As they grapple

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with their demons and one another, they become locked in death spiral that attains a captivating velocity.

–Curtis Woloschuk

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 1

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Julianne Moore Directed by Francis Lawrence The games may be over but the stakes are much higher in the third installment as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 dispenses with frantic chases through foliage in favour of some Wag the Dogstyle political themes.

We initially find Katniss (Lawrence) untrusting and disorientated about her current surroundings after being dramatically airlifted out of the jungle at the end of Catching Fire. She soon settles into her role as symbol of the rebellion under the keen eye of Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), then teams up with a film director (Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer) and her crew to shoot propaganda pieces to drum up support for the rebel cause and take down the nation’s capital.

The ideas explored in this area of the film are intriguing and thought-provoking as the franchise stretches its sociopolitical ideas even further.

Unfortunately, it also marks a dialogue-heavy penultimate chapter that is relatively free of truly gripping action, something the series has embraced strongly so far.

The move to deliberately split the final book into two movies has been done before in the Harry Potter and Twilight universes and they make for satisfying finales but at the expense of part one in each case. Director Francis Lawrence possesses a strong grasp of what works in the series but something is still missing. For all its strong execution, confident acting and complex ideas, Mockingjay – Part 1 still feels oddly like a bridge rather than a powerful standalone film. –Thor Diakow W

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DON’T MISS our upcoming

Celebrate gift giving issue DECEMBER 4

Congratulations to the winners of our Best of the City Dining draw GRAND PRIZE ($500 in dining certificates) Shizuka Kai Runner-Up Prizes ($200 in dining certificates) Maia Anstey • Rowena Veylan • Shelby Denison Emily Beemster • Tina Richardson

Thanks to everyone who voted!

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 25

LIFESTYLES //

WESTENDER.COM

HEALTH

Tips for healthy holiday eating Patty Javier Gomez Whole Nourishment

Continued from page 20 SPACE LAB

@WholeNourishBC With the holidays just around the corner, it is a good idea to keep your health in mind. Here are some tips to keep you on the right track!

• Watch your portions: Avoid stuffing yourself, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. This will help avoid those unwanted “holiday pounds.”

• Eat until you feel satisfied, not full: Avoid stuffing yourself! Be aware of what you are eating and how you feel. Take smaller bites of food and remember to chew chew chew!

• Don’t skip meals: This is very important. If you don’t have the time to eat a full meal, have a snack at the very least. Try to always have a fresh piece of fruit or a granola snack in your bag for when hunger hits. This will help avoid stuffing yourself at holiday parties, and will help keep your sugar levels balanced, which can otherwise lead to crankiness and added stress.

• Be comfortable at meals: The state that you’re in when you are eating will affect how you digest your food. Try not to eat on the run or in front of the televi-

Vancouver’s vintage hot spots

Healthy eating habits will help you avoid the unwanted holiday pounds.

Thinkstock photo sion. Make your meal times a comfortable and enjoyable event by sitting at the table.

Enjoy the experience of the meal, not just the food you’re eating.

• Limit your alcohol intake: A lot of us tend to overdo holiday cocktails and wine during this busy season.

Alcohol itself is high in calories and might weaken your resolve to not overindulge.

Remember that moderation is key!

• Snack before a holiday party: It’s tempting to not eat when going to a party to make room for all those great gourmet goodies, but this is a good way to gain unwanted holiday pounds and end the evening feeling awful and tired.

• Pack your plate with veggies: Make sure that you fill your plate with lots of veggies when serving yourself. It’s okay to try a little bit of everything, but try to keep your meal nutritious by adding a variety of delicious veggies to your plate.

• Listen to your body: Are you hungry or just thirsty?

This is a good question to ask yourself when hunger strikes a little too often.

When you find yourself feeling hungry, have a glass of water and see if this satisfies you. You may be surprised by the results.

• Try an organic turkey: Splurge and support local farmers by investing in a local, free-range, organic turkey for your holiday feast.

Free-range organic turkeys are fresh, free of chemicals and treated humanely, which makes the extra cost worth it. Read the labeling – not all free-range is necessarily allnatural. Make sure that the label says “all-natural and organic”. Cruelty-free meat just tastes better.

• Make time for exercise: Getting outside and going for a walk for 10-15 minutes a day is all it takes. During exercise, several different chemicals are released into the brain with a broad range of positive effects. These chemicals are powerful mood- and mind-boosting substances which will help alleviate the added stress that comes with the holidays. W

Located at 230 East Pender, Space Lab has a more industrial take on vintage. This incredible house of curiosities offers many found items, antique art and artifacts, as well as an in-house design studio for custom lighting, woodwork, and furniture. Owner Clint Moroz has recently partnered with Draft Dodger Designs and Bootleg Barbers to create The Longwalk Lodge at the East Pender shop. Together with these allies, Space Lab is bringing a heavy dose of creativity and community to Chinatown.

REFIND HOME FURNISHINGS

A long-running Main Street staple for the mid-century market (4609 Main to be exact), ReFind brings high level nostalgia and charm to

all who enter. Specializing in high-quality décor from the ‘50s and ‘60s, owner Bart Taylor offers his clientele everything you can remember or even imagine from the mid-century period; from teak furniture to mod lamps to kitschy oddities, ReFind is a stellar source for whatever you’re hunting for.

ATTIC TREASURES

Owner Lillian Reimer was bang-on when choosing her shop’s name – this Commercial Drive destination (944 Commercial) is a sure-win for those on a vintage decor treasure hunt. Featuring designer pieces from the ‘30s to the ‘70s, Attic Treasures is a fun spot to spend time perusing through mid-century housewares, jewelry, lighting, and furniture. If you’re cruising the Drive, keep a lookout for the shop’s signature vibrant orange exterior trim, beckoning locals and visitors since 1988. W

Attic Treasures on Commercial. Rob newell photo

Winter fun for the whole family on and off the slopes Natalie Langston Fitness on the Run @LangstonNatalie The slopes have opened on the nearby mountains and now is the time to gear up and plan for your winter getaway. Winter can be great fun both on and off the slopes and Big White is a fantastic option.

The resort is Canada’s largest ski-in, ski-out resort village and offers a wide variety of winter-themed fun for the whole family.

And if you’re not into skiing or boarding, there’s still plenty of things to do on the mountain that will get your heart rate up.

Big White offers snowshoeing for all skill levels, which can make a great low impact workout that can burn up to 700 calories in an hour just by walking at a steady pace. It engages your lower body, really working your legs, glutes, and lower abdominals.

Ice climbing is another challenging winter sport to

try. Expertly trained staff are there to help climbers of all skill levels reach new heights. The impressive 60-foot ice tower is situated in Happy Valley Adventure Park and is a fun option for all ages. Ice climbing works the upper body, which includes the forearms, biceps, lats, shoulders and also

engages the abdominals.

If heights aren’t your thing, the Mega Snow Coaster Tube Park provides five specially groomed lanes that allow thrill seekers of all ages to enjoy a highspeed ride down the slopes.

Once the thrill of the sliding is over, families can take a break, strap on those

One Hour Hot Yoga

skates, and take a spin on the Olympic-sized outdoor ice rink.

And to help parents who need some alone time after a long day shredding the slopes, the little snow bunnies can head over to the Kids Center After Dark, which offers supervised tubing, skating, snowshoe-

ing, Mini Z snowmobiles, and wall climbing.

If you are tired from all of the activities of the day, I recommend gliding down the mountain on the SnoLimo: A gravity-powered, chauffeur-driven sled ride that lets even non-skiers and boarders experience the thrill of flying down the

slopes. If you need to relax and are seeking a quite evening, sleigh rides create that touch of winter romance, all while snuggling under the cozy blanket as you are toured through the forest trails under a star-filled night sky. W

West End Veterinary Clinic Now offering FULL SERVICE SURGERY AND DENTAL CARE. To celebrate, we’re offering significant discounts on all surgical and dental procedures. Call us today to take advantage of this special offer.

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26 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

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Our updated equipment, highly trained staff and our loving attitude to pets and their people will ensure a safe and successful visit. See you soon!

FIND US AT West End Veterinary Clinic 773 Denman Street • 604.685.4535 www.carepetwellness.com

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LIFESTYLES //

EVENTS

Out after dark OUT AFTER DARK is a weekly feature highlighting social and cultural events around Vancouver.

Got an upcoming event? Email us at OutAfterDark@Westender.com

As far as red carpet events go, the UBCP/ACTRA Awards is one of the most festive and boisterous on the Vancouver calendar.

This year’s awards took place on Nov. 22 at the Vancouver Playhouse.

After the obligatory red carpet photos and boozy pre-show mingling, the 650 attendees filed into the theatre for the main event.

1 Tom Cavanagh – the former Ed star who is currently playing the mysterious baddie on The CW’s locally shot superhero series The Flash – brought some sparkle and pop to the awards show as its more than capable host. Stargate and Elysium actress 2 Ona Grauer was also on the red carpet. W

1

JOURNEYS WITH HEART PRESENTS

SOCIETY ISLAND &FEBRUARY TUAMOTUS JOURNEYS WITH HEART presents4 - 14,

Hosted by acclaimed Vancouver restauranteur JOHN BISHOP of Bishop’s Restaurant

per pe FEBRUARY 4-14, 2015 from $5,222$5,222 USD per USD person/double

SOCIETY ISLANDS & TUAMOTUS

Hosted by Acclaimed Vancouver alo Oceanographer & Environm Restaurateur JOHN BISHOP of Visit the gracious Society Islands and the Tuamotu archipelago aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin. Bishop’s Designed specifically to sail the lagoons of French Polynesia, Cousteau on board the luxurio Restaurant The Gauguin visits small ports that larger vessels can’t reach. With just 332 guests

Join Chef John Bishop along with famous Oceanographer & Environmentalist, Join Chef John Bishop Jean-Michel Cousteau on board the luxurious m/s Paul Gauguin.

your package includes round-trip air from Los Angeles, all on board meals, Visitselect thewine gracious Society Isla 24-hour room service, beverages including and spirits, gratuities, lectures hosted by Chef Johnarchipelago Bishop and private aboard motu picnic. the m/s Pa For more details please contact specifically to sail the Jenny Karmali at 604 926-8511 or jenny@trvlconcepts.com

lagoons The Gauguin visits small ports t reach. With just 332 guests yo roundtrip air from Los Angele 24-hour room service, beverage spirits, gratuities, lec FEBRUARY 2015 from DON’T MISS 4 - 14, and Chef John Bishop and priv our$5,222 upcoming USD per person/double Fundraising tour for The Vancouver Aquarium

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Forwith more details pl Join Chef John Bishop along famous gift giving issue Jenny Karmali at 604 Oceanographer & Environmentalist, Jean-Michel DECEMBER 4 Cousteau on board the luxurious m/s Paul Gauguin. jenny@trvlconc

Fundraising for The Va Visit the gracious Society Islands and thetour Tuamotu archipelago aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin. Designed specifically to sail the lagoons of French Polynesia, The Gauguin visits small ports that larger vessels can’t reach. With just 332 guests your package includes roundtrip air from Los Angeles, all onboard meals, 24-hour room service, beverages including select wine and spirits, gratuities, lectures hosted by Chef John Bishop and private motu picnic.

Eleven years ago, Matthew dreaded halls like this because of bullies.

today, matthew walked down the hall.

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It’s easydetails to take for grantedcontact the For more please ordinary things our lives.

But for or Jenny Karmali at in 604 926-8511 many children, something as ordinary jenny@trvlconcepts.com as feeling safe at school is impossible.

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Help kids be all they can be.

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November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 27

28 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

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REAL ESTATE //

@WESTENDERVAN

Rob Joyce & Sales Associate Roger Ross

West End Specialists Nobody knows the West End better!

MLS Diamond Master Medallion Award 2013

New New Listing Listing 1855 1855 Nelson Nelson #301 #301 West West of of Denman Denman Stanley Stanley Park Park one one ++ den den ++ two two patios. patios. Den Den can can be be 2nd 2nd bedroom. bedroom. Hardwood Hardwood floors, floors, unique unique floor floor plan plan in in pet pet friendly friendly strata. strata. Faces Faces three three sides. sides. $444,000. $444,000.

Heritage Heritage Studio Studio 1055 1055 Harwood Harwood #309 #309 Top Top floor floor bachelor bachelor suite suite near near Sunset Sunset Beach Beach and and just just blocks blocks to to the the heart heart of of downtown. downtown. Large Large kitchen kitchen with with eat-in eat-in area, area, refinished refinished red red oak oak floors. floors. 400 400 sq. sq. ft. ft. $173,000. $173,000.

ing end P er Off

Penthouse Penthouse 22 1855 1855 Nelson Nelson West West of of Denman Denman Truly Truly amazing amazing 18’ 18’ xx 16’ 16’ patio patio 22 bdrm bdrm ++ den den ++ loft. loft. A A very very rare rare offering offering with with 20 20 ‘‘ cathedral cathedral ceilings, ceilings, 1219 1219 sf. sf. and and 33 patio patio decks. decks. Pet Pet friendly friendly strata. strata. $669,900. $669,900.

ing end P er Off Water Water Views Views 1740 1740 Comox Comox #1903 #1903 Unobstructed Unobstructed English English Bay Bay ocean, ocean, city city and and mountain mountain views views at at The The Sandpiper.

Sandpiper. NW NW corner corner one one bedroom bedroom & & enclosed enclosed solarium. solarium. Pet Pet friendly. friendly. 640 640 sf. sf. $414,000. $414,000.

OFFER OFFER PENDING PENDING 1720 1720 Barclay Barclay #102 #102 Awaiting Awaiting probate. probate. Glorious Glorious redesigned redesigned two two bedroom bedroom at at Lancaster Lancaster Gate.

Gate. $324,900. $324,900.

604.623.5433

WEST WEST COAST COAST WEST WEST COAST COAST

Sales Associate Roger Ross

West End Specialist Rob Joyce

OFFER OFFER PENDING PENDING 1879 1879 Barclay Barclay #201 #201 Awaiting Awaiting Board Board approval. approval. Top Top floor floor SW SW character character suite suite West West of of Denman.

Denman. $284,900. $284,900.

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SOLD SOLD 1816 1816 Haro Haro #302 #302 West West of of Denman Denman magnificient magnificient suite suite with with high high end end renovations renovations and and aa city city view. view. Solid Solid concrete. concrete. $329,900. $329,900.

robjoyce@telus.net CARNEY’S CORNER GREAT OPPORTUNITY! Hold, renovate, develop, invest or simply move in to one side of legal duplex on 72 x 122 foot lot and collect rent for the other. Three levels on each side each with full basement for over 4200 of living space. Massive yard, garden, sundecks, storage shed, studio, two driveways, four fireplaces and more. North Burnaby, few blocks to Parkcrest Elementary and close to all the Brentwood development. Easy access to Lougheed Mall, Metrotown, Kensington village and Burnaby Heights shopping. This is rare! $1,200,000 OFFER PENDING – CALL RE OPEN HOUSE SUPER FLOOR PLAN, CONVENIENT LOCATION Central downtown steps to West End, St Paul’s Hospital rapid transit, shops, services, sports,& entertainment venues, Granville Island ferry, English Bay seawall, Stanley Park & more! Pet & rental friendly one bedroom & den perfect for first time buyer, investor, retiree, corporate or vacation suite. Immaculate condition. Kitchen with full size appliances. passthrough, front loading laundry, custom window treatments & more. Parking & locker included. Guest parking, live in caretaker, gym, sauna & more. $335,000 OPEN SUNDAY 2-4, 811 HELMCKEN

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Check out the website for community information: www.westendneighbours.ca West End Neighbours

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

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In Town Realty

November 27 – December 3, 2014 W 29

LIFESTYLES //

WESTENDER.COM

REAL ESTATE OPENS

REAL ESTATE

Downtown Kitsilano 1403-1050 Smithe St, 1 bdrm + den, $445,000, 30 Sat/Sun 2-4 811 Helmcken, 1 bdrm + den, $335,000, 29 Sun 2-4

109-2255 W. 5th Ave, 1 bdrm, $309,000, Sat/Sun 2-4

30

Vancouver housing market at “low risk” of overvaluation: CMHC TYLER ORTON torton@biv.com

Despite having the most expensive average home prices in the nation, the Metro Vancouver housing market is at “low risk” of being overvalued, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

In its House Price Analysis and Assessment (HPAA) released November 24, the CMHC observed a “modest” amount of overvaluation in the national housing market.

Thinking of selling your home?

Call any of the agents in the Westender Real Estate section and your home could appear here.

there were at $564,000, was at a moderate risk of overvaluation “due to steady price growth that has not quite been matched by growth in personal disposable income.”

The HPAA also examined the census metropolitan areas (CMA) of Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.

It found Montreal and Quebec City – where average home prices are at $324,000 and $264,000, respectively – were the only other regions at moderate risk of overvaluation due

Using data culled from the Canada Real Estate Association, the CMHC calculated Metro Vancouver had price growth of 6.3 per cent from January to September 2014, while average prices were at $812,000.

“The level of home prices in Vancouver is supported by local growth in personal disposable income and long-term population growth,” the HPAA said.

But the HPAA determined Toronto, which experienced 8.1 per cent growth during that same period while average prices

to the slower growth in the pool of first-time buyers.

“Across the (eight) CMAs examined, there is no overheating or acceleration,” CHMS chief economist Bob Dugan said in a statement.

“There is however a cautionary note with respect to overbuilding in Toronto and Montreal. The number of units under construction is elevated in these centres.

This could develop into overbuilding if these units are completed but not sold.”

Story courtesy of Business in Vancouver W

DEXTER ASSOCIATES REALTY 604-689-8226 604-263-1144 Kevin Skipworth Managing Broker

Layla Bamford

Nicole Cannon

Jennifer Devlin

Christopher Dohm

Sandi Fratino

Erica Fremeau

www.dexterrealty.com

Jeff Holmes

Megan King

Kavi Lehdar

Su-Marie Baird 604-263-1144 sumarieb@hotmail.com www.sumariebaird.com

109-2255 WEST 5TH AVE.

Johan Leung

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Bob Moore

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Mike Rooney

Gloria Chamberlain 604-263-1144

NEW LISTING

$309,000 713-1333 HORNBY ST.

Michael Shaw

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NEW LISTING

$249,900 1403-1050 SMITHE ST.

NEW LISTING

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OPEN SAT/SUN 2 - 4PM

OPEN SAT/SUN 2 - 4PM

Older Kits one bedroom suite. This 584 sq ft suite has an efficient layout, is freshly painted and has a large patio.

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Modern design home. Spacious 671 sq. ft. High end finishings.

Check out our website, www.dexterrealty.com for current market condition updates.

30 W November 27 – December 3, 2014

VIEWS TO ENGLISH BAY. Bright SouthWest top floor unit.

Completely updated with re-designed kitchen & full-sized appliances. Breakfast bar, sleeping nook & easy care finishes.

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Great investment property.

loftsvancouver.com

Details & Photos of all lofts for sale in Vancouver

Ed Gramauskas Cell: 604-618-9727

IMMACULATE 1 bedroom, den + balcony in the STERLING with all the amenities of Downtown at your doorstep! North facing unit with a super functional layout, tons of natural light & an unobstructed view of the city and mountains. Original owners, very well maintained unit features an open concept kitchen with full size SS appliances, granite counters, maple cabinets, 9’ ceilings, a limestone gas fireplace, den/storage, open balcony & 1 parking space. 662 sq ft. STERLING is a quality, concrete bldg. w/a gym, concierge, hot tub & sauna.

Commercial Real Estate Needs? Dexter Associates Realty’s

commercial team will answer all of your questions and will help with all your commercial needs. Whether you need office space, somewhere to set up your business or retail store, or are looking to buy an investment property we can help you. Call us at 604-689-8226 today.

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LIFESTYLES //

@WESTENDERVAN

AUTO

Today’s Drive: 2015 Honda Fit

Like almost every other modern Honda, there’s a lot going on here design-wise. The Fit’s clever interior has been around long enough that you have to wonder why more manufacturers don’t copy it.

You forget you’re driving in a very small car BRENDAN MCALEER westender.com

Fit: One syllable, two meanings. On one hand you’ve got a connotation indicating a good heart rate, a lack of love handles, and a BMI that doesn’t make your family doc furrow her brow while flicking through your chart. On the other hand, it also means being the right size.

As a moniker to slap on the back of a subcompact, a company could hardly do better, and with previous Fits, you could say much the same thing about Honda. Particularly in the first generation to arrive in North America, the Fit was quick, cute, capable, and fun to fling around. It was the most Honda-ish car in Honda’s lineup.

However, here’s the third generation and both width and power are up. The demands of safety ratings and comfort levels are ever-present and this car is no longer the little flighty Fit that we knew and loved. It’s all grown up.

So, has the littlest Honda

rior has been around long enough that you have to wonder why more manufacturers don’t copy it.

Whatever the case, the Fit is fabulous on the inside.

The easiest way to demonstrate how great the Fit is at packing stuff in is to unload another car into it, as I did.

The supplies for a week-long road trip (including toddler, and accompanying accessories) were ferried from a packed-to-the-gills Subaru Impreza hatchback into the Fit, and when the transfer was completed, the Honda still had space aplenty. The seats fold flat, the loading height is low, you can flip the rear seat bottoms up for more clearance, or the whole thing turns into a sort of couch when you’re in line at the ferry.

Up front, Honda’s futurism is slightly more of a mixed bag. At the top end of the scale, the centre console is devoid of knobs. Actually, when powered down, it’s completely blanked out.

Fire it up and there’s quite a lot of tech on display, and the satellite navigation responds to pinch-and-swipe commands. It’s all fairly straightforward to use, but it

gone from Fit to Fat, or is it still survival of the Fittest?

DESIGN

Like almost every other modern Honda, there’s a lot going on here design-wise.

You’ve got your multilayered grille, your faux air-vents out back – it’s less cutesy than the first-gen Fit, and a tad more aggressive than the previous model.

I quite like it. It’s very Japanese-looking, full of angular creases and a scrunched-up profile, but the new Fit manages to look fresh without overdoing it. The rear nonfunctional bumper-vents are a bit much, but other than that, it’s a sharp-looking little pod. Hey little Honda, do you work out?

Base cars come with a 15” steel-wheel and the top-level EX-L trim comes with a 16” alloy. For those who are buying a subcompact to keep the costs down, that means your next set of winter tires isn’t going to break the bank even if you jump up to the all-the-bells-and-whistles model. There’s more good news inside too.

ENVIRONMENT

The Fit’s clever inte-

sure would be handy to have an old-fashioned volume knob. Happily, you get one on the base model.

You also have to wonder why there’s an HDMI input but no auxiliary jack. Still, with dual USB ports so that everyone’s got enough to charge all their devices, and a number of interior cubbies, it’s a useful, comfortable, well-fitting place to be.

PERFORMANCE

Even though this year’s Fit is slightly smaller than last year’s model, Honda’s managed to cram more power under hood. The engine is now a 1.5L four-cylinder making 130hp at 6600rpm and 114lb/ft of torque at 4600rpm. If you look at the torque figure, you’ll note that it’s a little on the light side, so winding up that little four-pot is required for passing or merging.

With the CVT automatic, doing so might be simply noisy. With the six-speed manual, it’s just like driving a Honda of old. Rev it right up into the stratosphere and the Fit scurries down the on-ramp with aplomb. It’s not exactly fast, but it’s as quick as you could want, even when loaded

down with a small family and their luggage.

Pitch it into a corner, and some of that old Honda charm is not quite what it used to be. This car is tuned for a smoother ride, and isn’t quite as nimble as the first-gen Fit, or the old Civic hatchbacks were. Still, it’s no slouch and if you keep the revs up can still be an entertaining drive.

On longer roads at higher speeds, the Fit’s subcompact roots do show through. At highway speeds the tachometer reads above 3000rpm, so there’s plenty of engine noise to go with the wind noise. I suppose it’s more a comment on the sheer amount of space and nicely-appointed interior that you forget you’re driving in a very small car: for its class, it’s perfectly acceptable.

Clever interior use; good feature availability; strong fuel economy; willing performance.

FEATURES

STOP SIGN

All Fits come with a standard backup camera and touchscreen, power door locks, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a whole host of other features. Stepping up a level gets you those USB connectors and heated front seats, and the top-spec EX-L comes with some

pretty unique stuff.

Take Honda’s camerabased lane-watch system.

Put on your indicator and it shows you your right-side blind-spot displayed in the centre console. It’s not the only thing to look at, but an extra check that might help you spot a cyclist or similar.

Fuel economy ratings are decent, as you’d expect for a subcompact, rated at 7.3L/100kms City and 6.1L/100kms Highway for the CVT, and 8.1L/100kms City and 6.4L/100kms Highway for the manual. Observed consumption in the manual on the highway was slightly higher than rated.

GREEN LIGHT

Loud on the highway; lack of tactile controls; manual geared on the low side.

THE CHECKERED FLAG

The best interior in the segment and still solid in every other category. Would Fit right in to your family. W

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LIFESTYLES //

@WESTENDERVAN

SEX

Free Will Astrology

By Rob Brezsny What exactly do you believe in, Aries? What’s your philosophy of life? Do you think that most people are basically good and that you can make a meaningful life for yourself if you just work hard and act kind? Do you believe that evil, shapeshifting, kitten-eating extraterrestrials have taken on human form and are impersonating political leaders who control our society? Are you like the character Crash Davis in the film Bull Durham, who believed in “high fiber, good scotch, the sweet spot, and long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days”?

Now would be an excellent time for you to get very clear about the fundamental principles that guide your behavior. Re-commit yourself to your root beliefs – and jettison the beliefs that no longer work for you.

I have two encyclopedias of dreams, and they disagree on the symbolic meaning of mud. One book says that when you dream of mud, you may be facing a murky moral dilemma in your waking life, or are perhaps dealing with a messy temptation that threatens to compromise your integrity. The other encyclopedia suggests that when you dream of mud, it means you have received an untidy but fertile opportunity that will incite growth and creativity. I suspect that you have been dreaming of mud lately, Taurus, and that both meanings apply to you.

Are there certain influences you would love to bring into your life, but you can’t figure out how?

Do you fantasize about getting access to new resources that would make everything better for you, but they seem to be forever out of reach? If you answered “yes,” it’s time to stop moping. I’m happy to report that you have more power than usual to reel in those desirable influences and resources. To fully capitalize on this power, be confident that you can attract what you need.

Should you cut back and retrench? Definitely.

Should you lop off and bastardize? Definitely not.

Do I recommend that you spend time editing and purifying? Yes, please. Does this mean you should censor and repress? No, thank you. Here’s my third pair of questions: Will you be wise enough to shed some of your defense mechanisms and strip away one of your lame excuses? I hope so. Should you therefore dispense with all of your psychic protections and leave yourself vulnerable to being abused? I hope not.

I know you’re beautiful and you know you’re beautiful. But I think you could be even more beautiful than you already are. What do you think? Have you reached the limits of how beautiful you can be? Or will you consider the possibility that there is even more beauty lying dormant within you, ready to be groomed and expressed? I encourage you to ruminate on these questions: 1. Are you hiding a complicated part of your beauty because it would be hard work to liberate it? 2. Are you afraid of some aspect of your beauty because revealing it would force you to acknowledge truths about yourself that are at odds with your self-image? 3. Are you worried that expressing your full beauty would intimidate other people?

Helsinki, Finland is growing downwards. By cutting out space in the bedrock below the city’s surface, farseeing leaders have made room to build shops, a data center, a hockey rink, a church, and a swimming pool. There are also projects underway to construct 200 other underground structures.

I’d like to see you start working along those lines, Virgo – at least metaphorically. Now would be an excellent time to renovate your foundations so as to accommodate your future growth.

The Pantone Color Matching System presents a structured approach to identifying colors. It’s used as a standard in the printing industry. According to its system of classification, there are 104 various shades of grey.

I suspect you will benefit from being equally discerning in the coming weeks. It just won’t be possible to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys.

You’ll misunderstand situations that you try to simplify, and you’ll be brilliant if you assume there’s always more nuance and complexity to uncover. Don’t just grudgingly tolerate ambiguity, Libra. Appreciate it. Learn from it.

I am not necessarily predicting that you will acquire a shiny new asset in time for the solstice. Nor am I glibly optimistic that you will get a raise in pay or an unexpected bonus. And I can offer only a 65 per cent certainty that you will snag a new perk or catch a financial break or stumble upon a treasure. In general, though, I am pretty confident that your net worth will rise in the next four weeks. Your luck will be unusually practical. To take maximum advantage of the cosmic tendencies, focus your efforts on the one or two most promising prospects.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician who is sometimes called “the father of modern science.” He expressed his innovative ideas so vigorously that he offended the Catholic Church, which convicted him of heresy. For us today, he symbolizes the magnificence of rational thought. And yet Galileo also had a weird streak. For example, he gave lectures on the “Shape, Location, and Size of Dante’s Inferno,” analyzing the poet’s depiction of hell. In the course of these meticulous discourses, Galileo concluded that Satan was more than four-fifths of a mile tall. In this spirit, Sagittarius, and in accordance with current astrological omens, you are temporarily authorized to de-emphasize the constraints of reason and logic so that you may gleefully and unapologetically pursue your quirky proclivities.

While in his early twenties, actor Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the films Less Than Zero and Weird Science. That got him semi-typecast as a member of Hollywood’s Brat Pack, a group of popular young actors and actresses who starred in coming-of-age films in the 1980s. Eager to be free of that pigeonhole, Downey performed a ritual in 1991: He dug a hole in his backyard and buried the clothes he had worn in Less Than Zero. I recommend that you carry out a comparable ceremony to help you graduate from the parts of your past that are holding you back.

8 things I learned about sex and love in my 20s Sex with Mish Way

@MyszkaWay Your twenties are for discovering yourself. It’s for making all the mistakes and trying to pick up and the pieces in this game we call life. When it comes to sex and relationships, I have come to a few conclusions from personal experience.

1. Get tested more often than you think you should (it’s free in Canada, you asshole) I’ve been living in America on and off for a year now, and guess what? The healthcare system sucks here. In a way, us Canadians are a lot less crafty when it comes to home remedies because we have always been able to go to the doctor. In America, people get a lot tougher, having Krazy Glued their cuts instead of going to the ER. However, when it comes to your sexual health, there’s only so many things you can really fix at home.

Take advantage of the system and get tested more than you think you should. Being sexually active is an awesome responsibility and you have to protect yourself as well as your partners (even if they do turn out to be total jerks).

2. Their house, not yours Let’s say you take some random home from the bar.

You wake up and do the whole “Coyote Ugly” thing and realize you want them

out, like, now.You can make up plenty of great excuses (“I have to work in an hour”, “I have a dentist appointment in 15 minutes”, “Oh my god! My building is on fire!”), but some of us are really crappy liars. For those of us who can’t lie our way out of a one-night-standmistake, always go to their house.You can slink out at any time without guilt. A simple, “Well, I’ll see you around!” will usually suffice as you fumble with the door.

3. It’s okay to say no It is perfectly okay to say no to anything anyone asks of you.

This extends beyond just the sexual realm, but is especially important when it comes to sex. As teenagers, there’s so much pressure to progress at the speed of your peers and that really blows. As an adult, this shit does not matter anymore.You can say “no” to whatever the hell you want at either age; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

wine or two helps break the ice that is your anxiety-ridden self-consciousness. I’m not condoning getting obliterated and blacking out to solve your sexual fears because that’s never a great idea, but there is nothing wrong with needing a little liquid courage.

6. Everything is embarrassing so nothing really matters Sex is inherently embarrassing because we have made it that way. We have encircled it with shame and rules and body-consciousness instead of accepting it for what it is: The one thing we can all do and love to do. My rule is, if you “trust” someone enough to play genital chess with them, then you should be able to talk to them about the game. It’s not easy, but once you break the ice, you’ll feel better.

4. First dates without alcohol will never get you laid If someone asks me out for coffee I know I’m not getting laid. Who wants their first date with someone they are interested to be a coffee date? Coffee makes for bad breath and bad breath is not for kissing.

7. Jealousy is ugly on everyone In my early twenties I really did some insane ex-girlfriend things. For example, I threw rocks at my ex-boyfriend’s window and ruined the sex he was having with another girl (yes, I know, I am psycho of the year).

But you know what I learned?

Jealousy is ugly on everyone.

You can’t control anyone, ever.

Once you accept this, your inner demons will drain from you like water from a bath tub.

5. There’s nothing wrong with liquid courage now and again In that same vein, I don’t think there is anything wrong with a little liquid encouragement. Sometimes a glass or

8. The dykes are hotter in Paris I once woke up at a lesbian bar in Paris with a table of gorgeous Parisian dykes smiling at me. I am convinced this is what heaven is like. W

In her book Revolution from Within, Gloria Steinem offers a challenge: “Think of the times you have said: ‘I can’t write,’ ‘I can’t paint,’ ‘I can’t run,’ ‘I can’t shout,’ ‘I can’t dance,’ ‘I can’t sing.’” That’s your first assignment, Aquarius: Think of those times. Your second assignment is to write down other “I can’t” statements you have made over the years. Assignment three is to objectively evaluate whether any of these “I can’t” statements are literally true. If you find that some of them are not literally true, your fourth assignment is to actually do them. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to transform “I can’t” into “I can.”

“Dogs don’t know where they begin and end,” writes Ursula K. Le Guin in her book The Wave in the Mind. They “don’t notice when they put their paws in the quiche.”

Cats are different, LeGuin continues. They “know exactly where they begin and end. When they walk slowly out the door that you are holding open for them, and pause, leaving their tail just an inch or two inside the door, they know it. They know you have to keep holding the door open...

It’s a cat’s way of maintaining relationship.” Whether you are more of a dog person or a cat person, Pisces, it is very important that you be more like a cat than a dog in the coming weeks. You must keep uppermost in your mind exactly where you begin and where you end.

Nov. 27: Jimi Hendrix (72) Nov. 28: Jon Stewart (52). Nov. 29: Anna Farris (38). Nov. 30: Ben Stiller (49). Dec. 1: Sarah Silverman (44). Dec. 2: Britney Spears (33). Dec. 3: Ozzie Osbourne (66)

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