WE Vancouver, May 01, 2014

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City pays off Olympic Village debt 5 Margaret Atwood takes on Pauline Johnson 6 May Hot Tickets 21

The trouble with Bronies Vancouver voice actor Ashleigh Ball seeks to understand the grown men obssessed with My Little Pony in A Brony Tale 19

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May 1 – 7, 2014

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the week ahead Main line: 604-742-8686 Publisher Dee Dhaliwal ddhaliwal@wevancouver.com Managing Director Gail Nugent gnugent@wevancouver.com Managing Editor Robert Mangelsdorf editor@wevancouver.com Display Advertising sales@wevancouver.com 604-742-8677 Classified Advertising 604-630-3300 classifieds@wevancouver.com Circulation 604-742-8676 circulation@wevancouver.com

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Final Talent Time of the season The last show of Talent Time’s sixth year might just be its best. At least that’s what founder and host Paul Anthony is constantly striving for.

Casting from the wellspring of egregious, exceptional and eccentric local talent (and putting the WTF in the first Wednesday of every month), Talent Time is vaudeville revivalism at its most devout. On May 7, Anthony and cohost Ryan Biel will energetically sweat up the stage ahead of the Vancouver Thunderbird Chorus, award-winning funnyman Aaron Read (The Sunday Service), national stand up treasure Charlie Demers (The Debaters) and more. Take a crack at the Cover Charge Piñata, tuck into donuts from Mollie’s Minis and then document the debauchery in the free photobooth. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9. Tickets are $10 at the door; Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward). –Kelsey Klassen

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The show opens May 1 at 8pm and runs until May 17 at the Waterfront Theatre (1412 Cartwright). For tickets ($28.75-$39.25) and full show schedule, go to Axistheatre.com. –Staff

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news

By Mike Howell

T

he City of Vancouver says it paid off the entire $630 million debt for the troubled Olympic Village project after selling 67 remaining condominium units for $91 million to the owners of the Vancouver Canucks.

Mayor Gregor Robertson told reporters Monday the Aquilini Group’s purchase of the condos ends the city’s involvement in the project that he once referred to as a $1.1-billion boondoggle.

“It’s a very good day for the City of Vancouver, in particular for city taxpayers,” said Robertson at a press conference at city hall.

“Today, I’m thrilled to announce that we at city hall here have delivered gold for the taxpayers on our Olympic Village.”

Though the mayor framed the news as an Olympic-sized achievement, a later briefing by city manager Penny Ballem revealed the original revenue projections for the $1.1-billion project fell short by $130 million.

Originally, developer Millennium Properties Ltd. agreed in a 2006 deal with the city to pay $200 million for the land. The city only received $70 million. That $200 million was to be used to help build infrastructure such as roads, walkways and amenities including parks and a community centre for the Village and two large properties on both sides of the Southeast False Creek lands.

“There’s no question, that if we had got $200 million, that would have been more money to the city to cover more extensive parts of the infrastructure,” said Ballem, who couldn’t definitively say how or who will pay for infrastructure costs associated to the Village’s neighbouring properties. “We haven’t done all the analysis yet.”

That $200 million land value projection, along with the city acquiring a $690 million loan ($60 million of which came from city coffers) and another $200 million in condo

pre-sales from Millennium added up to $1.1 billion. The city ended up getting the $200 million in pre-sales in August 2010 and later made $411 million by selling off more condos and commercial space. The city also collected $68 million from 32 various properties turned over from Millennium and, finally, sold the 67 remaining condo units for $91 million to the Aquilinis.

That added up to $770 million, which gave the city enough money to pay off the $690 million loan and put $70 million towards some of the infrastructure and amenities on and around the Village property.

“It’s really, honestly, monumental,” Ballem said of the city’s ability to pay off the debt, which the city inherited seven years ago.

The controversy around the project dates back to a 2007 in-camera meeting at city hall when the then-NPA dominated council voted in favour of a $190 million financial guarantee in a complex three-way agreement involving the City, Millennium and New York-based lender Fortress Investment Group.

Vancouver councillors, including four from Vision Vancouver, agreed to a “completion guarantee” on the loan to Fortress, effectively making the City the project’s developer and putting taxpayers on the hook for the tab.

NPA Coun. George Affleck, who also attended the mayor’s press conference, said Robertson and his Vision Vancouver party cannot take credit for the debt being paid off.

Affleck was elected in 2011 and not part of the council that agreed to bail out Millennium.

“This was done by a receiver and a real estate company,” he said, referring to Ernst and Young, which took over management of the Village in November 2010, and Rennie Marketing Systems. “We were hands off. We merely oversaw the process. So for Vision and the mayor to take credit and say we had good business sense has nothing to do with this process. It’s simply the receiver that did the good work.”

By Sandra Thomas

D

og owners fighting to preserve the off-leash area at John Hendry/ Trout Lake as unrestricted canine territory have created a Facebook page, organized a public protest and taken to the media to get their message out.

The comments section of several local newspapers and on the Dog Lovers of Trout Lake Facebook page are testament to how heated this debate has become with dog owners and other park users exchanging public barbs.

Trout Lake resident Jean Routhier said dog owners living near the park are upset because the large off-leash area was one of the main amenities that drew them to the area.

“When we moved here we bought our house because of the off-leash area,” said Routhier. “It’s like people with kids who consider catchment areas when they buy. We chose a place to enjoy dogs.”

As part of the proposed master plan for John Hendry Park, park board staff recommend reducing the size of the offleash area from 29,000 to 6,000 square metres and relocating it from the north end to a fenced area on the west side. At 6,000 square metres, the enclosed off-leash area would be twice the size of any other dog run in the city.

A staff report says 72 per cent of 700 respondents want the off-leash area better delineated through the use of fences, natural dividers and improved signs. The report noted staff heard from residents also

concerned because some sections of the lake loop trail run through the off-leash area, which make some park users uncomfortable about potential dog interactions. It’s estimated there are between 100,000 and 145,000 dogs living in a city with 36 off-leash areas.

In a press release, the Dog Lovers group argues the off-leash area at Trout Lake is the only one of its kind on the East Side and is so popular, it’s become a destination park. The group says while its members agree better delineation and signs are a good idea, none of them were aware an 80 per cent reduction was part of the plan.

“We are all completely shocked,” said Routhier in the letter. “All they talked about was increased signage and natural barriers — nothing even remotely like this. If they go ahead with this plan it would drastically change the park — and not for the better…”

Former Trout Lake resident and dog owner Corrine Moore told the Courier despite the fact she and her German shepherd/pit bull cross Floyd recently moved to Aldergrove, they regularly visit the off-leash area at Trout Lake. Moore said while more signs and enforcement might help, she’s not a fan of fencing.

“It’s important for everyone to have access to the entire park,” said Moore.

Vision Vancouver commissioner Niki Sharma said the dog owners should remember the master plan is at the consultation stage.

“The off-leash area is just part of a much larger master plan,” said Stories courtesy of Sharma. “But we’re Vancouver collecting input as we Courier move forward.”

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City sells final stake in Olympic Village

Dog park battle takes to the ‘Net

Learning today - Leading tomorrow

The City of Vancouver announced Monday morning that it has paid off the entire $630 million debt of the Olympic Village project at Southeast False Creek.

Photo Dan Toulgoet

CSC® is a registered trade-mark of CSI Global Education Inc.

WEVancouver.com

May 1 – 7, 2014

5

culture

Pauline Johnson: Atwood and arias Composer Tobin Stokes pulls back the curtain on Pauline and his famous collaborator

By Sabrina Furminger

W

hen you’re collaborating with one of the most accomplished writers on the planet, you read over your emails a few times before you hit send.

At least, that’s what veteran opera composer Tobin Stokes does whenever he’s about to email Canadian literary legend Margaret Atwood.

Atwood and Stokes are collaborators on Pauline, a new chamber opera set to premiere at the York Theatre in May. “Margaret Atwood is very interested in opera, and completely understands the collaborative process,” Stokes said in a recent phone interview from Vancouver Island, where he’s developing a score and weaving it together with Atwood’s evocative text.

Sometimes Stokes will ask Atwood to provide additional words in order to accommodate the trajectory of his score; other times,

he’ll email to suggest (gasp!) cuts to her text. In both scenarios and countless more, Atwood is a model team player, Stokes says.

“She likened a libretto to a coat hanger, and I’m sewing the coat that fits over the coat hanger,” he said.

Pauline explores the life of Pauline Johnson, the groundbreaking writer and performer who wrote poems such as “The Song my Paddle Sings” that became part of elementary school anthologies. “I don’t think her poetry is in current anthologies, so she’s slowly faded into the past, which is a real shame,” said Stokes. “Maybe this opera will change that a little bit.”

Johnson died in Vancouver in 1913 after an excruciating battle with breast cancer. The opera explores her morphineridden final days, as well as the many layers of her storied life: the tension between her English and First Nations roots, embodied in Atwood’s libretto

by Johnson’s Quaker mother (imploring her to be ladylike) and her Mohawk grandfather (beckoning her to the river); the realities of travelling back and forth across the country in an era when women simply didn’t do so; her strained relationships with relatives and suitors; the legacy of her art.

“It was unusual for a single woman to be on her own, to travel with actors and performers, and to make a living through her art,” said Stokes. “ [Johnson] was a real pioneer.”

The libretto for Pauline – which integrates text written by the titular character herself – existed for years before Stokes’ involvement, as has the interest of City Opera Vancouver, which commissioned the opera.

Several composers were attached to the project before Stokes was hired as part of a juried “audition” process in 2012.

Since then, Stokes has savoured the opportunity to work with the trailblazing Atwood, while also learning more about another trailblazing feminist from Canada’s past. “The way [Johnson] was, this iconic performer going back and forth across Canada, with one foot in each culture, is so truly Canadian,” said Stokes.

He’s been less enthused about composing for a space that is new and largely untested. “Often new theatres are tweaked later on, but from what we’ve heard, the acoustics are pretty darn good,” he says.

The world premiere production of

Are West End seniors facing a rental housing crisis?

Tobin Stokes scored the Margaret Atwoodpenned libretto Pauline, about the last days of legendary poet Pauline Johnson. Inset: An undated review of one of Johnson’s performances, from the files of SFU professor and Johnson historian Carole Gerson. Supplied photos Pauline stars dramatic mezzo Rose-Ellen Nichols and features Sarah Vardy, Ken Lavigne, John Minágro, Cathleen Gingrich, Edward Moran, Diane Speirs, and Eleonora Higginson. Theatre legend Norman Armour directs.

Pauline runs May 23-31 at the York Theatre. For ticket information, visit CityOperaVancouver.com.

• Are you aged 65 or older?

• Do you worry about how you are going to pay your rent? Are annual rent increases eating away your savings?

• Do you know another senior who has had to leave the West End because he or she could no longer afford to live in our neighbourhood?

Join the Social Planning & Research Council of BC, the West End Seniors’ Network and Gordon Neighbourhood House for the third in a series of lunch meetings for seniors like yourselves to share your stories.

Your voice will help us make a difference. Your privacy will be assured.

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Eric Kowalski at 604.669.5051 • executivedirector@wesn.ca 6

May 1 – 7, 2014

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1:56 PM

style

Top picks for city slickers

U

nfortunately, May’s flowers can’t arrive until we’ve endured April’s showers. But that doesn’t mean we can’t wait out the rain in style.

In fact, there’s no way we’re going to let a few clouds dim our spring wardrobes. –Sara Samson & Anya Georgijevic, Vitamin Daily

Crafters converge on East Village Vancouver’s largest indie craft fair, Got Craft?, returns next week to the Maritime Labour Centre.

“We’re super excited to be doing the show in one of our favourite Vancouver neighbourhoods,” says Andrea TongTucker, one half of the husband-wife production team who, having outgrown the Royal Canadian Legion, moved the show last year. “The East Village is the perfect place for Got Craft?’s longterm home.”

Got Craft? has been showcasing curated handmade goods for 15 seasons. Of the 75 vendors signed up this year, look for longstanding favourites like Make Cheese Inc. and Draw Me A Lion, plus new workshops.

Got Craft? is May 10-11 from 10am-5pm at the Maritime Labour Centre at 1880 Triumph. Admission is $3 at the door. GotCraft.com. [stu-di-o] by jeanie photo

Rain check: As far as umbrellas go, Lulu Guinness for Fulton umbrellas ($35 at the Bay) are totable pieces of art that will keep the rain off and turn a few heads on the street. TheBay.com

Fold up: Option No. 2...

Norway label SWIMS bestows its brolleys with a fast-as-lightning automatic open/close function that will have you singing in the rain. $79 at Harry Rosen

Top coat: Among our top picks in rain gear this season is one of the most reliable waterproof coats we’ve ever tried: the Clear Smock from Hunter ($195) is guaranteed to keep you dry and stylish all spring long. ca.Hunter-Boot.com

Super hero: A standout trend this season is having fun and carefree cape to throw over just about anything. Toronto-based Trout Rainwear’s “Sevan” cape ($545 at Holt Renfrew) will keep you dry and dapper many raindrops to come.

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Get the boot: Don’t forget about your feet.

These Tory Burch “Maureen” boots ($195) promise to keep you polished (and add a needed dose of sunshine to a dull day).

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The other foot: A second stylish option in the footwear department is Liberty’s limited-edition collab with French rubberboots brand Aigle. This is a seasonal special we definitely don’t recommend passing up. $185 at Gravity Pope.

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WEVancouver.com

Living the Dream: Ilana Labow

#myGGL My Guide to the Good Life

How a message in a bottle changed the course of one woman’s life

Ilana’s story is part of a five-part Living the Dream series that will run every week until the launch of our special May 22 Vancouver Craft Beer Week edition, of which VCBW host and Swollen Members frontman Prevail will guest edit.

By Martha Perkins

It also marks the continuation of our month-long contest, My Guide to the Good Life (#myGGL). Urban farming is Ilana’s idea of the Good Life; what’s yours?

O

n her 27th birthday, Ilana Labow sat on a boulder on Kits beach and cried.

Like the waves lapping against the shore, she felt caught up in an eternal push/pull. While she loved the new life she was creating in Vancouver, it meant she was far from her family in Chicago. She wanted to stay; she wanted to go. She wanted to plant new roots in this amazing city; her roots in Chicago had been planted in fertile soil.

“Can you just send me a sign,” she cried out to the universe.

That’s when she heard “clink, clink.” She looked down and saw a bottle – the shards of which she still has – being knocked against the boulder by the oncoming tide.

Her birthday, the Sabbath, a message in a bottle. Obviously, the universe was responding.

“Okay, okay, I’ll take the sign,” she said out loud. Instead of questioning, she’d accept that this is where she was supposed to be.

That night some girlfriends were hosting a birthday party for her and they decided to open the bottle. In it they found a clipping written in Hebrew. Some of the words referenced farming and plants. There was also a note “Love Ishi.” Ishi is “my man” or “my

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Enter at Apps.Facebook.com/ mygoodlife

Ilana Labow sits on the rock where she discovered an unexpected message from the universe. Rob Newell photo With his help, they applied for and rehusband” in Hebrew. ceived first prize in the VanCity Good MonHer girlfriends were ecstatic. Maybe it was ey Impact Venture Challenge. That money a sign she was about to meet her man. helped launch Fresh Roots’ initiatives that A short time later, a young American on have transformed lawns into self-sustaining a Fullbright Scholarship contacted Labow as market gardens. part of his research on the viability of urban Today, he and Labow are the non-profit’s farms. Marc Schutzbank liked what he heard directors, partners in their quest to put about Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society, vegetable greens in North America’s greenest which Labow had cofounded, and offered city. They’re now also partners in life. to volunteer. “He’d take our dreams and put T:10.25” Never ignore a message in a bottle. them into spreadsheets,” Labow says.

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WEVancouver.com

Most major vision plans accepted

May 1 – 7, 2014

9

eat & drink

The modern world of restaurant reviewing

By Anya Levykh

I

t wasn’t that many years ago that being a restaurant critic for a major newspaper meant a good salary plus a large expense account. That was when most papers still had budgets for that sort of thing, and the blogging world was just a whisper in the ether. While some major dailies in North America still cover those expenses (think LA Times or Globe and Mail), most publications have cut their budgets, word counts and salaries dramatically, thanks to dwindling advertising dollars and the growing competition from the online world.

I had the chance to speak with former Chez Panisse pastry chef and author/blogger David Lebovitz and famed food critic (The New York Post, LA Times), author and former editor for Gourmet magazine Ruth Reichl.

Both are in town this week and later this month, respectively, to promote their new books. Here are some of their thoughts on the state of restaurant reviewing today:

Why do you think many smaller newspapers no longer employ restaurant critics? Do you think this is due to the growing competition from the online world?

RR: I don’t think the reason that some newspapers don’t have restaurant critics anymore is due to bloggers. It’s expensive—very expensive—to do it well, and I think newspapers are thrilled to have any excuse not to

have critics anymore. My expense account at The New York Times was easily $150,000 per year, and that was over 15 years ago. At the LA Times, when I asked my editor what my budget was, the answer was, “We’ll let you know when you go over it.” They never did let me know.

What about objectivity? Can bloggers or even journalists with limited budgets be trusted to be objective these days?

DL: I don’t think you can be completely objective if you’re being hosted by the restaurant. I think if you don’t have the money to go out, you should go to cheaper restaurants.

[But, as a blogger,] if you have a good enough track record and a good reputation, you can sell that to the restaurant. That being said, it’s quite common in France for some of the more well-known food critics to call ahead to let restaurants know they’re coming, and the meal is usually on the house.

What do you think about the current quality of food writing, both in print and online?

RR: I think the rise of the blogging and online world has made paid writers even better in many cases, as the onus is now on them to be on a much higher level than those who are just commenting for free. We have a really incredible group of people writing professionally about food right now. I think what most bloggers do is consumer reporting; telling you how to spend your money, essentially. Real food reporting has been moving

Food writers Ruth Reichl and David Lebovitz each have new books out.

Contributed photos away from that for a long time and is becoming more about the story, giving the reader a way to experience something more richly.

So how do readers choose whom to believe?

MY PARIS KITCHEN: RECIPES AND STORIES

By David Lebovitz (Ten Speed Press, 2014)

In this memoir-cum-cookbook, Lebovitz explores 100 classic French recipes using ingredients foraged from the ethnic neighbourhoods of Paris. Interspersed with quirky stories and anecdotes about his time in Paris, the book covers everything from the difficulty in pronouncing certain words (like moelleux – “meltingly soft”) to the evolving landscape of French cuisine. $41.00 at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks.

Fresh Sheet

Local Food & Drink Happenings

By Anya Levykh

SCENE | HEARD Artisan Tea Bar has opened at Fraser and 27th, featuring cold-brewed iced teas, tea lattes and smoothies. ArtisanTeaBar.com Black Hills Estate Winery in Oliver is opening Joy Road Vineyard Kitchen in partnership with acclaimed local caterer, Joy Road Catering. It will be housed in an ecofriendly shipping container and is scheduled to open June 13. BlackHillsWinery.com | JoyRoadCatering.com Farmer’s Apprentice led the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards last week, winning for best casual restaurant and restaurant of the year, while best upscale restaurant went to Hawksworth. Chef of the year went to Pino Posteraro of Cioppino’s and pastry chef of the year was Thomas Haas. Jay Jones was finally recognized for his brilliant mixlogy, winning bartender of the year, while Richard Jaffray, owner of Cactus Club Restaurants, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

The competing chefs for the 2014 Gold Medal Plates have been announced and include Darren Brown of Fairmont Pacific Rim,

10

May 1 – 7, 2014

DL: I think you have to use your common sense. I can usually figure out pretty quickly if someone is a good writer and knows what they’re talking about.

DELICIOUS!

By Ruth Reichl (Random House, 2014) In this fiction debut, Reichl explores how food defines us through the story of Billie Breslin, a young woman who discovers letters in the archives of Delicious!, an iconic food magazine in New York, written between legendary chef James Beard and a 12-year-old girl during WWII. Meet Reichl and get a copy of the book on May 22, hosted by Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks. BooksToCooks.com – Anya Levykh

Kristian Eligh of Hawksworth and Wesley Young of Wildebeest, among others. GoldMedalPlates.com Fancy a quick trip to Paris? Beaucoup Bakery’s Jackie Kai Ellis has launched The Paris Tours, featuring local tours of Parisian patisseries and chocolatiers. TheParisTours.com

DRINK | DINE Calabash Bistro is launching a new Caribbean-themed brunch menu on May 10, just in time for Mother’s Day. Indulge in eggs benny on Johnny cakes and cocktails like the Mango Glory Mimosa. CalabashBistro.com The District Brasserie in Lonsdale is offering a special Mother’s Day brunch featuring multiple eggs benny versions, a crab cake bowl, buttermilk waffles and more. TheDistrictSocial.com Faubourg Paris is offering their High Tea for Mother’s Day at Kerrisdale and Park Royal locations. Enjoy handmade sweets and savouries for $28.55 per person. Faubourg.com Nicli Antica Pizzeria is offering all mothers a complimentary Prosecco cocktail on Mother’s Day and is accepting lunch reservations for lunch only. NicliPizzeria.ca Cibo Trattoria is offering both an a la carte brunch, as well as a $59 per person ($89 including wine pairings) four-course dinner tasting menu on Mother’s Day. Look for seared Digby Bay scallops, crab linguini and veal scallopini for dinner, with smoked sablefish and pancakes, poached eggs with prosciutto and brioche French toast for brunch. CiboTrattoria.ca

WEVancouver.com

eat & drink

Authentic Thai cuisine flavoured with Chef Grace’s own creativity.

A taste of T hailand in the heart of Yaletown 1211 Hamilton St. 604.642.0123 Dynasty Seafood’s steamed garlic Alaskan King Crab Legs won Best Seafood at the recent Chowitzer Awards. Mijune Pak photo

simplythairestaurant.com

Vancouver wins at the Chowzter Awards in London

N

ever having a bad meal for the rest international food scene. Some of my favouof your life. rite bites from the city this trip included: It’s an ambitious goal and a “champagne problem”, but it ex1) The Margherita Pizza at Story Deli ists, especially in the food-obsessed world we (restaurant has no signs) which won the #1 “Tastiest Fast Feasts on Earth” at the Chowzcurrently embrace. ter Awards last year.

It makes sense though. If there are so 2) The Sausage Roll at Ginger Pig located many talented chefs and fantastic restauat Borough Markets which was also on the rants, why eat bad food?

Chowzter Top 7 list in London.

These are just some of the questions 3) The House Black Daal simmered for Chowzter is trying to answer.

Chowzter.com is a global food community 24 hours at Dishoom, a Bombay inspired Indian restaurant with a modern and lively led by leading ambiance. food bloggers, 4) The Tandoori lamb chops at Tayyabs, a journalists and Punjabi restaurant from 1972 which attracts connoisseurs locals and tourists alike. seeking the best food on the Mijune will be exploring Afternoon Tea, planet.

Indian food, and London specialities until Ugh. I hate

by Mijune Pak May 3. Then, between May 3-8, she will be saying anything exploring the tapas and Spanish specialties is “the best” and in Barcelona. Follow Mijune’s culinary the goal sounds like a silly idea – after all adventures on her blog, and follow @ taste is personal – but we’re certainly havfollowmefoodie and #FMFinLondon and ing fun arguing for our favourites. I suggest #FMFinBarcelona on Twitter and Facebook checking out the site or using the app if for live updates. food and travel are interests.

Each major city has an appointed “Chief Chowzter” who knows the ins and outs of Find out more about Mijune at FollowMetheir city’s food scene. You can find their top Foodie.com or follow her on Twitter and Instaseven “fast feasts” in each city (meaning not gram @followmefoodie. fine dining or chains) on the website.

Unlike the Michelin Guide and World’s Best 50 Restaurant List etc., Chowzter is about finding affordable food unique to a city. Sites with a similar model often have unwanted “noise” or clutter, so this avoids that by having one trusted food enthusiast representing each city.

WE – Vancouver’s Urban Weekly, is seeking a full-time Advertising/Marketing I am honoured to be Representative to sell our print and digital products.

Vancouver’s Chief ChowzThis opportunity is for a results oriented individual. Candidates for this position ter, and I attended the 2nd will possess the ability to service existing clients and develop new business in Annual Chowzter Awards in an extensive and varied territory. Must enjoy outside sales, building relationLondon to announce the top ships with local business owners to help them with their marketing needs. seven “Tastiest Fast Feasts on If you have a proven track record in sales and customer service, thrive on Earth”. working in a fast-paced environment, are highly motivated, career oriented I was proud to accept the with strong organization and communication skills, we would like to hear award for Dynasty Seafrom you. food’s Alaskan King Crab 5 Our work environment sets industry standards for professionalism and Ways which won the “Best combines a salary/benefit package designed to attract and retain outstanding Seafood” category. Vancouemployees. ver was competing against Please send your application in confidence to: specific seafood dishes from Gail Nugent, Managing Director Barcelona, Dubai, Lima and WE Vancouver Tokyo, so it was a big win gnugent@WEVancouver.com for the city.

Besides representing Closing Date: May 15, 2014 Vancouver at the Chowzter We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Awards, I explored London’s If you are not contacted, we will keep your resume on file for future opportunities.

Follow Me Foodie

Multi-Media Marketing Professional

WEVancouver.com

A Mother’s Day to Remember

featuring the famous Dockside Grand Holiday Brunch & Dessert Buffet Seatings at 10:00am & 1:00pm $59.00 Adults* $25.00 Kids 6-12* (kids under 5 eat free) Reservations Required *Tax & gratuity extra.

Details available at www.docksidevancouver.com. For reservations call 604-685-7070.

In the Granville Island Hotel, 1253 Johnston St, Granville Island 604-685-7070

Please look for your weekly Safeway flyer inside the Westender each week, delivered every Thursday!

®

May 1 – 7, 2014

11

eat & drink

Casual Italian fare comes to South Main The Dish

by Anya Levykh

I

f you’ve been dining on and around Main Street for a few years, you would have heard of – and have likely eaten at – Habit. Long popular for casual dishes like the carrot and brie pierogies, there was a collective sound of dismay when the resto closed down early last year. Sister restaurant Cascade next door was always more watering hole than eatery, and, for a while, the blank windows gave rise to speculation that (horror) a Starbucks might take over the space.

Luckily, owners Nick Devine, Wendy Nicolay and Nigel Pike (as well as silent partners David Nicolay and Rob Edmunds of Evoke Design) are a resilient and crafty bunch. Within a handful of weeks, Little Charlie’s Italian had opened up in its place.

“We looked at what the neighbourhood was missing and realized that there really weren’t any casual Italian bistros for locals until you get much farther north along Main,” explains Devine, a much-lauded and talented bartender who heads the beverage programs at all the restaurants, including El Camino’s up the street and The Union near Main and Terminal.

Devine’s cocktails are, in fact, divine. The Negroni is a stand-up shot of classicism, while the Camp Freddie, with housemade limoncello and raspberry coulis, is a fun twist.

Like The Union, Charlie’s is friendly without being over-solicitous, and the service is knowledgeable without being officious. The room had a redesign during its Habit days due to a 2008 fire, and not too much has been altered in the new space, apart from moving the bar to the front of the L-shaped room and painting a giant red-checkered mural on one wall. The deep, dark brownleather tufted banquettes and booths are still around, as are the retro orange globe lights.

And the music is equally unpretentious, a smooth mix of blues and rock that isn’t too loud for a family to enjoy some lively conversation while slurping linguine.

Charlie’s owner and executive bartender Nick Devine they saw a need for a casual Italian bistro on their block of Main.

Rob Newell photo And speaking of linguine, the menu has gone through a few changes thanks to the recent addition of Dave Thielmann as restaurant chef under EC Tim Evans.

Gone are the lacklustre Roman gnocchi and in their place are spot-on antipasti like the salt cod and potato fritter with pickled red onions and mustard aioli. Linguine carbonara is rich with Two Rivers pancetta and a slow-cooked egg, and given the right amount of bang with lots of black pepper (a bit too much in some bites). The classic spaghetti and meatballs is kept simple, with beef and pork meatballs sourced from local

farms resting over an earthy tomato sauce brightened with fresh basil.

The menu is good value for your dollar, with most mains around the $16 mark (nothing on the menu breaks $17).

All desserts are made by the Nicolays’ grandmother, Edna, and bear that wonderful, homemade stamp, like the dark chocolate flourless torte. Look for pizza in the coming week, thanks to the addition of a specialized oven (only three versions, but lots of toppings to play around with).

All ratings out of five stars.

Food: ★★★ Service: ★★★ Ambiance: ★★ Overall: ★★★

MY

GUIDE GOOD LIFE TO THE

12

May 1 – 7, 2014

Open for dinner daily at 5pm, brunch Saturday & Sunday from 10am.

Charlie’s Little Italian | 2610 Main St. | 604-877-8582 | CharliesLittleItalian.com The rating system: ★: Okay, nothing memorable. ★★: Good, shows promise. ★★★: Very good, occasionally excellent. ★★★★: Excellent, consistently above ave. ★★★★★: Awe-inspiring, practically perfect in every way.

Anya Levykh has been writing about all things ingestible for more than 10 years. Hear her every Monday on CBC Radio One’s On the Coast and find her on Twitter @foodgirlfriday and Facebook.com/FoodGirlFriday.

All this month, we’re giving away more than $4000 in prizes, including passes to Squamish Music Fest and a trip to Portland! #myGGL

Enter at apps.facebook.com/mygoodlife WEVancouver.com

Meet your ‘maker at Marquis City Cellar

by Kurtis Kolt

W

hile there are plenty of opportunities to drop a hundred bucks or more to meet winemakers and taste through some fantastic wines around town, here’s a great example that sometimes the best things in life are free.

On Wednesday, May 21 from 5 to 7pm, John Clerides’ recentlyexpanded Marquis Wine Cellars at 1034 Davie Street will be hosting Luca Currado, owner and winemaker at Italy’s Vietti winery.

It was in 1919 that patriarch Mario Vietti really got things going at the family’s eponymous Piedmont estate, turning over most of their agricultural production to grape-growing. In the mid-1950s as Alfredo Currado (daughter Luciana Vietti’s husband) took the helm of winemaking, the winery was amongst the first few wineries to export to North America and craft single-vineyard wines, now the standard in the area. Keeping things in the family, it is Luca (one of Luciana and Alfredo’s three children) who took the reins of winemaking and vineyard plantings in 1990 after stints in

Bordeaux and California.

Currado will be pouring some heavy-hitters, starting with a little Moscato d’Asti, and then moving onward to their 2012 Roero Arneis.

While the citrusy, flinty Arneis grape variety is well-known to Italian wine fans today, it was Alfredo’s diligent time spent rediscovering and understanding the variety in the late 1960s that prevented the grape from falling off of the global map, allowing us all to bask in its mineral, citrus and almond-laden goodness to this day.

As an aside, our very own Moon Curser Vineyards of Osoyoos should be releasing British Columbia’s (and Canada’s?) very first Arneis in coming months.

Figuring Chris and Beata Tolley’s excellent winery has already managed a fair bit of luck with locally-offbeat varieties like Touriga Nacional and Tannat, I’m more than a little intrigued by the potential here.

But back to Vietti and Luca Currado’s visit. After firing up your palate and thirst with those whites, he’ll be unleashing some mighty lip-smacking fare, including the family’s Barbera, Dolcetto d’Alba, Nebbiolo and, of course, a little hallmark Barolo for good measure. Even the varietallylabeled Nebbiolo, the grape Barolos are composed from, is no slouch. When other wineries

eat & drink

Master vintner Luca Currado, owner of Italy’s Vietti winery, will be at Marquis Wine Cellars on May 21. Submitted photo put the variety’s name on the label, that often means it’s a slew of fruit sourced from the broader (i.e. ‘less fancy’) Langhe appellation. This bottling comes from 100 per cent Barolo Vineyards, with some vines chiming in upwards of 40 years of age.

Global press and trade constantly laud Vietti’s dedication to craft and quality. This is a fantastic, and rare, opportunity to find out what all of the fuss is about and chat with the man himself, Luca Currado.

So do head down to Marquis Wine Cellars on Wednesday, May

21 between 5 and 7pm. Like I said, it’s all free, but do them a solid and RSVP to Jon Ellison (jonellison@ marquis-wines.com) if you plan on attending.

For more information, pop over to Marquis-Wines.com. I’ll see you there!

Waterfront Patio West Coast Tapas Live Music

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SILVER WINNER Readers’ Choice

2014

604-689-7800 TenTenTapas.com

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WEVancouver.com

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Sutton West Coast Realty | 301-1508 West Broadway

p |rresales e s a |l investments e s I a s sspecialist i g n m e n t s Over I r10eyears s aexperience l e s I working i n v eforsYou. tm presales | assignments

901-1501 presales I assignments I resales I investm e n HOWE t s sST.p– eOCEAN c i aTOWER l i s@t 888 BEACH: $4,568,000

By Stephen Smysnuik

Y

Unrivaled splendor. Vancouver’s premiere waterfront residences combining two suites and conceived over 2 years of design & construction • 270 degree views flr-ceiling views of marinas, False Crk, Granville Island & cityscapes • House size 3255 sqft complimented by a 360 degree elliptical flrplan centered around a glass wine room, 4 bdrms, 4 bathrms, 5 parking & 2 storage lckrs • Featuring: 12 piece Miele & Thermador S/S appliances, Capolavaro granite, Zebrano bookmatched cabinetry, 2 home theatre systems, surround audio thruout, marble & onyx flooring thruout, T5 wired, video security system, Lutron one touch light & shades control, all rooms are a unique design & statement, Swarovski chandeliers, 6 piece master bath with 273 spray & steam shower, air jet tub, his/hers sinks; W/I closet, a ‘pink mosaic Bisazza’ bathroom, family room, great room, formal & informal dining areas, formal living room, dual entry, two balconies, two gas f/p, nanny quarters & much more • Simply spectacular!

eah, yeah – the Lower Mainland’s housing prices outrageous. So what?

It’s still oddly thrilling to scour the real estate listings in search of the most lavish, fabulous homes on the market.

Rather than make you work for it, we’ve compiled a list of the five most expensive homes currently listed in Metro Vancouver.

The majority of these are in Vancouver and West Vancouver. Whoduh thunk it?

1. 1-3838 Cypress Street, Vancouver – $35,000,000 You’re reading that right: this Shaughnessy home can be yours for a cool $35,000,000.

Not only that, but you can be a part of Vancouver history, as this “Heritage A” mansion was once the home to a former LieutenantGovernor, though which Lieutenant-Governor has yet to be clarified.

The 12,216 square-foot residence boasts nine bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, three kitchens and no less than two wine cellars. In case you’re wondering, a 25-year mortgage with a 20 per cent down payment (read: $7 million) will set the cost at $140,175 per month.

1102-638 BEACH CRESCENT ICON I: $1,015,000

W NE TING LIS

GROUP WEST COAST REALTY

This Cypress Street residence is currently the most expensive home for sale in the Lower Mainland.

4. 13822 Marine Drive, Surrey – $14,888,000 The only home on this list outside of Vancouver or West Vancouver, this White Rock home sits on over 70,000 square feet of south facing property with a full view of the ocean.

That means lots of sun, folks – perfect for summer barbeques, baby showers and, uh, equestrian tournaments? Or whatever rich people do with excess lawn space and nice weather.

Bill Daniels, who’s known for his attention to luxurious detail, designed the home.

2807-198 AQUARIUS MEWS AQUARIUS II: $1,189,000

false creek north I yaletown I coal harbour

STUNNING UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS OF GEORGE WAINBORN PARK & FALSE CREEK – upfront and personal! • Boasting OPEN SAT. & SUN. MAY 3 & 4, 2-4PM 9’4” ceilings (only on this floor), 1098sf 2bdrm + 2bath + den, sleek & sexy European finishings, air conditioning, hardwood flrs, oversized bedrooms, master w/ walk-in closet & 5 piece ensuite, closet organizers thruout, pantry off kitchen, Silver LEED certified, gorgeous floorplan with open kitchen, views from every room & opposite bedrooms for max privacy • BBQ on covered 89sf balcony w/gas line! • 1 prkg & huge storage locker • 24/7 concierge, I/D pool, hot tub, theatre, club house & more • Like Central Park location in NYC – right at the park, seawall, aquabus & miles of recreation.

RARELY ON THE N DI !

MARKET – High OL RS above the horizon, SW S HOU 8 corner with gorgeous unobstructed False Creek & Marina views as far as you can see • Views from every room with westerly David Lam & False Creek views too • Sprawling 1264 sqft, 2 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, large den for an office, breakfast nook, S/S appliances with gas stove, luxury hardwood floors throughout, floor to ceiling windows to maximize views, sleek rollerblinds, generous bedrooms, master fits king size bed, 5 piece master ensuite bathroom with separate shower, gas fireplace, beautiful open modern floorplan, covered balcony for bbq’ing all year round.

false creek north I yaletown I coal harbour I STREET downtown 11A-199 DRAKE 2103-1438 RICHARDS STREET

2. 1416 Wesbrook Crescent, Vancouver – $19,800,000 Entertain your friends and impress your enemies with this 7,876-square-foot slice of heaven in UBC’s endowment lands. With sweeping views overlooking the Georgia Strait and onto the North Shore mountains, you can remind yourself every waking moment that life is really only worth living with millions in the bank. Also, there’s a pool.

3. Bramwell Road, West Vancouver – $17,178,000 With panoramic ocean views, 16 home seat home theatre and some of the gaudiest interior craftsmanship this side of first century Rome, this 15,960-square-foot Chartwell home is a testament to all that is opulent. We won’t play guessy-goo with who’d actually buy this house, but they undoubtedly enjoy the finer things in life.

5. 2860 Mathers Ave., West Vancouver – $14,500,000 This might be the greatest house in BC, if not on Earth… and it can be yours for more than most of us can even conceive of making in our lifetime. This thoroughly modern Altamont home features a media room, indoor swimming pool, a massive gym, wine cellar, fully integrated audio and video systems and a heated driveway. Yes, a heated driveway.

Most impressive is just how “green” this residence is, with geothermal for heating and cooling systems, rain water capture systems and solar panels for hot water. Seriously, this place is a geek’s dream-palace come true.

For more of Vancouver’s most expensive homes, visit WEVancouver.com.

MAUREEN YOUNG

5 Year Fixed 5 Year Variable

(Prime less 0.65%)

Rates subject to change without notice. O.A.C.

Contact me for all your purchase, refinance and renewal options.

Other rates and terms available.

CALL 604-805-5888

maureen@maureenyoung.ca | maureenyoung.ca Dominion Lending – Downtown Financial An Independently Owned & Operated Corporation

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LTI

Location, Location, Location – David Lam Park, seawall, False Creek, Elsie Roy School, Urban Fare, Canada Line to YVR & Yaletown all at your doorstep • Views of park, water & overlooking Yaletown, 962 sqft 2 large bdrms, 2 baths, granite counters, S/S appl, laminate floors, great floorplan – all rooms spacious, 1 parking, solid building, I/D pool, hot tub, caretaker & more! • Rent for $2300/mo. & great for families or wanting a waterfront lifestyle.

2868 SPRUCE ST – CRAFTSMAN STYLE MODERN TOWNHOME: $949,000 T JUS D – FERS! L OF O S PLE

M

GROUP WEST COAST REALTY

Brand new stunning contemporary architecture in Mackenzie Heights • The future of design and quality construction by Estata Homes • Two storey with soaring ceilings in basement • 3028 sqft 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom, double car garage, 33x130 lot.

RECENT SALES

ATTENTION Home Owners I have BUYERS for:

1203-918 COOPERAGE WAY MARINER: $1,150,000

9E-139 DRAKE STREET CONCORDIA II: $659,000

Azura II: 1495 Richards ‘05’ Unit 198 Aquarius Mews ‘08’ Unit

I ULT

A collection of 5 gorgeous boutique townhomes in the heart of Fairview – 3 storey 1574 sqft modern luxury complete with 3 supersize bdrms, 2.5 baths, 2 outdoor decks, 2 parking & storage • Eric Hamber Secondary, Carr Elementary & L’Ecole Bilingue Catchment • Steps to VGH/UBC Medical district, Granville/Cambie Village, mins. to Downtown & Canada Line • 9’ ceilings, oak hardwood flrs, open gourmet kitchen, S/S appls., granite counters, gas f/p, separate dining • Quiet SE corner – plenty of natural light, huge main flr deck for bbqs • Exclusive master suite on 2nd level w/ walk-in closet, office nook, private deck & ensuite bath w/ Nuheat flrs • Top floor has two supersized bdrms & 4pc. bath • Perfect for families of all sizes/ages! • Show suite quality.

T J U S L D! SO

1603-189 DAVIE STREET AQUARIUS III: $608,000

503-1018 CAMBIE STREET

YALETOWN LTD EDITION: $419,000

1209-1783 MANITOBA STREET RESIDENCES AT WEST: $490,900

202-1190 WEST 6TH AVENUE ALDER CROSSING: $759,900

Please contact me if you are looking to sell.

3103-1438 RICHARDS STREET AZURA I: $999,000

Not intended to solicit for properties currently listed for sale or individuals currently under contract with a brokerage.

124 E. CORDOVA STREET LEASED

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A Sophisticated Approach to Lifestyle Attainment.

Professional Advisement and Marketing of Fine Vancouver Properties.

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Spectacular 180 degree views of unobstructed water, park & as far as you can see in a luxury waterfront Masterplanned community • Steps to the seawall, million $ parks, Granville Island aquabus, seaside restaurants & marinas • SW Corner 1138 sqft 2bdrm+2bath+real den • Features hardwood flrs throughout, S/S appliances, gas stove, granite countertops, flrceiling windows, lots of natural light and views from every room!

• TWO PARKING STALLS & storage locker • Mint condition and show suite quality • Resort amenities: Club Viva pool, hottub, concierge, squash courts, theatre, gym, guest suite & more.

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3 Year Fixed

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AZURA I: $969,000

CONCORDIA I @DAVID LAM PARK $609,000

Number One Realtor in Office 2012 & 2013 WEST END

CURRENT LISTINGS:

NEW LISTING! WEST END

OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4PM

JUST SOLD!

704-1250 Burnaby Street, $238,000, “The Horizon” • Sub Penthouse 839sq.ft. 1 Bed • High-End Principal Residence (Could be 2 Bed) Designer Reno!

• Concrete 6-Storey Boutique Strata • NW Facing with Huge 138sf Deck • 430sq.ft. Studio Leasehold • Best Leasehold Bldg in • Quiet,Tree-Lined Street in Davie Village West End • Pets and Rentals Allowed • Investor Alert! Short-Term • Exercise Room, Saunas, Large Rentals Allowed!

Storage Locker • Sold With or Without • In-Suite Laundry Hookups, Best Furniture Parking Stall • Clean, Move-in Ready or Reno.

• Call For More Details 504-1133 Harwood Street, $448,000, “Harwood Manor”

Welcome Home!

Crest Westside Ltd.

Prepare to be MOVED™.

MOUNT PLEASANT

NEW LISTING!

OPEN SAT & SUN 2-4PM

703-288 East 8th Avenue, $348,800, “Metrovista”

• Upper S/W View 1 Bed & Den • Landmark Boutique Concrete in Heart of SOMA! • Great Floorplan and Fresh Enviro Paint!

• Doggies, Pets & Rentals OK! • Right Across From Mount Pleasant Community CEntre • Solid Building, 1 Parking, 1 Storage, Gym & Workshop!

• Welcome Home

YALETOWN

More on My Website at: www.MichaelDowling.ca

JUST SOLD OVER ASKING! 802-1238 Seymour Street, $458,000 “The Space Lofts” • Large 1 Bdrm & Den Loft (856sq.ft.) in Sought After “Space Tower” • 16th Floor Equivalent - 2 levels each floor • Designer Kitchen - Sleek White Lacquer Cabinets & S/S Appliances • 16’ High Ceilings, Master Bedroom Upstairs • Inspiring City Views • One Parking, Insuite Storage & Laundry • Pets (Dogs) & Rentals Welcome!

• Full Size Gym, Party Room & Building Manager • Fantastic Location Near Skytrain, Restaurants, Parks

SHAUGHNESSY

WEST END

JUST SOLD!

BY APPOINTMENT

301-1250 Burnaby Street, $228,000, Furniture Included, “ The Horizon” • Gorgeous Reno’d Jr. 1 Bdrm • Best Leasehold Building in West End • Designer Finishings • Investor Alert! Short-Term Rentals Allowed!

• Sold Fully Furnished or Empty • Vacant - Immediate Possession Available!

• Call For More Details

4489 Oak Street – South Facing 120’ Laneway BUILDING LOT, $1,598,000 • Shaugnessy “2” Building Lot • 120’ South-Facing Frontage • 4500sq.ft. Home and 900sq.ft. Laneway House • Rented 4 Bed, 2 Bath Bungalow Currently • Best Schools and Amenities in Catchment • Call For More Details

Call Us Today for a Confidential Needs Assessment and Market Analysis

604-787-5568

www.MichaelDowling.ca May 1 – 7, 2014

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real estate

DEXTER ASSOCIATES REALTY 604-689-8226 604-263-1144

Kevin Skipworth Managing Broker

Layla Bamford

Nicole Cannon

Erik Carlson

Christopher Dohm

www.dexterrealty.com

Sandi Fratino

Gaetan Kill

Megan King

Travis Mako

Bob Moore

Kris Pope

Mike Rooney

Michael Shaw

Sheila Sontz

Gurdeep Stephens

Candice Elliott 604-263-1144 info@candiceelliott.com www.candiceelliott.com

Su-Marie Baird 604-263-1144

104 – 1010 CHILCO ST

Esther Twerdochlib

Barb Vogel

Michael Webster

Laurel Wood

Magaret Zheng

Reid Dewson 604-263-1144 www.loftsvancouver.com

$595,000 102 – 1655 NELSON ST

OPEN SAT/SUN 2 - 4PM

Larry Traverence

NEW PRICE

$308,000 309 – 680 W.7TH AVE.

NEW PRICE

$528,800

Fantastic opportunity to live or invest in a spacious 1 bedroom city home.

Quiet southfacing garden suite with many upgrades. Situated in a well-maintained building w/ a proactive LIBERTE P/H APARTMENT. Fully renovated Penthouse strata. Recent building upgrades include a new roof (2013), piping apartment 1 Bed and den, great city views. F/P, 2 parking and (2008), hot water tanks, elevator, common area upgrades & money storage. for a new boiler. 1 parking and 1 storage locker included. Rentals and pets allowed! All this in the heart of the West End, just steps to the seawall, English Bay, shopping and all the great amenities downtown has to offer. www.candiceelliott.com Ed Gramauskas 604-618-9727 www.loftsvancouver.com

Bob Moore 604-506-8965 www.robertmoore.ca

211– 22 E. CORDOVA ST.

$485,000

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.

Details & Photos of all lofts for sale in Vancouver

Ed Gramauskas Cell: 604-618-9727

STEPHEN BURKE

HIGH STYLE TROPHY SUITE

SUTTON GROUP - WEST COAST REALTY 301-1508 W BROADWAY

W NE

604-714-1700

www.stephenburke.com

604-551-4190

W.E. TOWNHOUSE

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EN OP

N SU

1-3

Sturdy concrete 1155 sf 2 level 2 BR Maple, granite, stainless st. kitchen DR w/maple flrs opens to sunny patio 21x14 LR w/wet bar & real WB FP Reno main bath Pet ok Great community

1279 NICOLA EN OP

T SA

BEST BUY 2 BR

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EN OP

May 1 – 7, 2014

W.E. HIDEAWAY

• • • • •

2300 sf indoor space +800 sf outdoor 3 bedroom (or 2+den plan) 3 1/2 baths Granite & Stainless S. gas kitch w/ bar King MBR, 3 ensuite baths+main powder concierge, health club, pool, 2 parking

• • • • •

784 sq.ft. 1 + office area + 2 balcs Soaring 14’ ceilings in LR/DR & BR Oak, granite & stainless st open kitch Oak floors throughout, cozy gas FP 1 parking, pet friendly. Gorgeous!

$469,900

Close to Beach & Park-Parkwood Manor Completely Reno’d S. Steel Kitchen Bath upgrade, HW floors, Wall bed Plantation style shutters, huge walk-in No pets/rentals 1 INDOOR PARKING

• • • • • •

Acclaimed designers reimagined parkside home Approx. 800 sf with spectacular 270o views Stanley Park, Mountains, city & English Bay Honed marble, stainless st. Samsung appliances Open greatroom concept captures views Huge 20’x13’ living room w/wraparound windows

$1,998,000 1975 PENDRELL $259,900 2055 PENDRELL

VGH PENTHOUSE • • • • •

G TIN LIS

-3 T1 SA

Reno’d 2 BR central West End strata Huge private concrete patio for BBQ Quartz & stainless steel custom kitchen Updated bath w/deep dish soaker tub 1 parking 1 storage. Pet & rental ok

876 W 14TH 16

BEACHTOWNHOUSE

$589,000 1234 PENDRELL $434,900 595 BEACH

2-4

RENOVATED STUDIO LOFT. VAN HORNE. Renovated studio loft with hardwood floors, granite countertops and new fridge & stove.

PERFECT PACKAGE! I’ve got it all. Choice views, excellent floor plan, like new or better condition.

660 sq.ft., one bedroom & den. Just looking for the perfect owner!

loftsvancouver.com

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

$269,900

OPEN SAT 2 - 4PM

2910 – 928 BEATTY ST. LOCATION, LOCATION!! West of Denman garden level suite with a private entrance, your pooch will love it. Well laid out 1,048 sq.ft. 2 bdrm, 2 bath with some updating, waiting for your personal touch. Includes gas f/p, laundry, parking & storage in this well-managed bldg. Pets & rentals welcome. 1 blk to Stanley Park & 2 blks to English Bay.

NEW PRICE

A LVA R • • • • •

Pristine 1 bedroom + den 721 sq ft Teak floors, stainless steel gas kitch Bright with windows in 3 directions 9’ ceilings, Air-con, 1 park, 1 storage Across fromAquatic Cntre, Sunset Beach

1005 BEACH

$518,800

• • • • • •

Gallery-like wall space to showcase your art Elegant W Hotel style bath with quartz counter Engineered walnut flrs throughout, lami glass doors Adjacent to Stanley Park at prestigious Panorama Pl 1 cat allowed. Sorry No dogs or rentals Indoor pool and amazing sunny roof top deck

• • • • •

1023 sq. ft. 2 BR 2 Bath 2 parking New roof, rainscreen, new windows Renovated baths new SS kitchen 190 sq. ft. corner deck, small pets ok 2 great parking SxS + 1 storage loocker

$595,000

CRYSTALLIS

SOL

1020 HARWOOD

D

$769,000

WEVancouver.com

real estate

Rob Joyce & Sales Associate Roger Ross West End Specialists Nobody knows knows the the West West End End better! better!

Nobody

Sales Associate Associate Roger Roger Ross Ross Sales

West End End Specialist Specialist Rob Rob Joyce Joyce West

MLS Diamond Diamond Master Master Medallion Medallion Award Award 2013 2013 MLS

-3

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T. 2 SA

OPEN: SAT. SAT. 2:00 2:00 -- 3:00 3:00 1236 1236 Bidwell Bidwell #802 #802 Rarely Rarely available available SW SW corner corner Spectacular Spectacular views views to to English English Bay Bay at at Alexander Alexander Park, Park, aa prestigious prestigious pet pet friendly friendly OPEN: strata just just steps steps to to the the beach. beach. Breathtaking Breathtaking views views as as photographed photographed above, above, two two levels, levels, two two parking parking and and 1492 1492 sf sf of of living living space. space. Call Call Rob Rob today! today! $998,000. $998,000. strata

SO 1330Harwood Harwood#1206 #1206Sunset SunsetBeach BeachViews!

Views!Rarely Rarely 1330 available studio studio with with probably probably the the best best English English Bay Bay available views you you could could hope hope for. for. Stunning Stunning unobstructed unobstructed views waterviews views++secured securedparking. parking.Hurry!

Hurry!$258,000. $258,000. water

WESTCOAST COAST WEST

NewListing Listing1879 1879Barclay Barclay#201 #201West Westof ofDenman Denman New Stanley Park Park sunny sunny South South West West corner corner with with Stanley magnificentheritage heritagedetail detail&&refinished refinishedred redoak oakfloors floors magnificent at Ralston Ralston Court.

Court. 665 665 sf. sf. Won’t Won’t last! last! $298,000. $298,000. at

604.623.5433

LD

1330Harwood Harwood#2004 #2004Sunset SunsetBeach BeachViews!

Views!Sunny Sunny 1330 NE corner corner with with magnificent magnificent high high end end renovations, renovations, NE anopen openconcept concept&&forever foreverviews viewsto tocity, city,mountain mountain&& an water. 620 620 sf. sf. Building Building has has roof roof deck. deck. $335,000. $335,000. water.

www.robjoyce.ca

SO

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1665Nelson Nelson#210 #210OFFER OFFERPENDING PENDINGPost Post&&beam beam 1665 construction, gorgeous gorgeous renovations, renovations, 687 687 sf, sf, 99 ft. ft. construction, ceilings, new new kitchen kitchen and and bath bath and and much much more more at at ceilings, HempsteadManor Manoroff offDenman DenmanSt. St.$318,000. $318,000.

Hempstead

robjoyce@telus.net

2% OF ALL SALES PROCEEDS BENEFIT BCSPCA & WWF

LIANAY@TELUS.NET

Sutton Group - West Coast Realty

604.729.2126

W W W . L I A N A S H O W C A S E . C O M NEW LISTING EXECUTIVE, CUSTOM BUILT TREEHOME $1,178,000 1977 RIVERGROVE

• One of a kind, custom built, extensively renovated executive home surrounded by greenbelt & mature landscaping in a prime Seymour cul-de-sac location • Tranquillity at its very finest with all the luxuries & pampering of modern, sophisticated living • Centrally situated just 5 mins to easy highway access! • This 3 bdrm+den, 3 bath home is surrounded by almost 1100sf of outdoor wrap around sundecks • Loads of storage, 5-car parking, extensive landscaping & outdoor gardens • A RARE GEM!

PARK 360, $348,000 2005-7088 18TH AVE, BURNABY

• This 1 bdrm plus den is Cressey built with all the premium finishing including 9’ ceilings, open plan kitchen w/ SS appl., granite counters, engineered h/w floors, custom built-ins & more • Enjoy the large balcony for BBQs & gardening, the unit has terrific easterly views • Building amenities incl. fully equipped exercise room, sauna, steam room, swirl pool, lounge & recreation room w/ billiards table • Great access to transit, be downtown in minutes • Shopping is convenient with Metrotown, High Gate Mall and Big Bend strip mall on Marine Way.

LONDON PLACE, $363,500 306-1177 HORNBY

Completely renoed designer 1 bdrm & den @ London Place • Fantastic open concept + light thruout • Warm & bright designer colors, brand new kitchen w/quartz countertops, new s/s backsplash tiles & appls., gooseneck faucet & double undermount sink • Brand new coffee laminate h/w flrs thruout... Tinted wall to wall windows, commercial grade construction converted to condos in 1994 (built to last Proactive Complex) • Low strata fees incl heat + hot water + free laundry + rooftop patio with views + 2 storage lockers, parking, gym, sauna, hot tub • Pets allowed, rentals with restrictions • Unbelievable central location close to everything!!!

THE OLIVE $428,800 406-3225 TUPPER ST • Great 1 BR + den w/ gourmet kitchen w/ granite counters, quality cabinetry, KitchenAid s/s appl. • Fabulous north views & a balcony ideal for BBQs • Unit has a cozy living room with wide plank h/w flooring & fireplace • Great lifestyle unit in South Cambie steps to transit, shopping, cafes & restaurants • Pets & rentals welcome

THE 501, $349,900 510-501 PACIFIC

TAYLOR TOWNHOME, $428,800 253-35 KEEFER PL

CUSTOM YALETOWN SKYHOME $628,800 2305-501 PACIFIC

DWELLINGS ON 3RD, $1,178,800 204-1750 W. 3RD AVE.

SOLD! SOLD! SOLD! SOLRD E OV ASKING!

RECENT SALES PH!-125 COLUMBIA ST 2305-501 PACIFIC 204-1750 W. 3RD AVE 1753 E. 2ND AVE 2101-125 COLUMBIA ST 2203-608 BELMONT ST 2809-501 PACIFIC ST 410-2828 MAIN STREET 2915 ARGO PLACE, BBY 201-66 W CORDOVA ST 901-188 KEEFER ST

OPEN THURS, MAY 1, 10-12PM SAT MAY 3, 2-4PM

WEVancouver.com

4487 EPPS AVE D1-1100 W 6TH AVE

May 1 – 7, 2014

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real estate

Real Estate Opens WEST END 1102-638 Beach Crescent, 2 bdrm, $1,015,000, Sat/Sun 2-4 504-1133 Harwood, 1 bdrm, $448,000, Sat/Sun 2-4 1236 Bidwell #802, 2 bdrm+den, $998,000, Sat 2-3 1279 Nicola, 2 bdrm, $589,000, Sun 1-3

1234 Pendrell, 2 bdrm, $434,900, Sat 1-3 104-1010 Chilco St, 2 bdrm, $595,000, Sat/Sun 2-4

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DOWNTOWN

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1605-1155 Seymour St, 1 bdrm, $438,000, Sun 2-4

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YALETOWN

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11A-199 Drake St, 2 bdrm, $609,000, Sat/Sun 2-4

Paul Bale

Marketing Luxury Downtown Lifestyles

cell 604-512-5544

paulbale@adventvancouver.ca paulbale.com • adventvancouver.ca FREE MARKET EVALUATION

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GASTOWN 211-22 E. Cordova St, Studio loft, $269,900, Sat 2-4

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18 Athlete’s Way, 1 bdrm, $512,500, Sat 2-4 703-288 E. 8th Ave,1 bdrm+den, $348,800, Sat & Sun 2-4

real estate solutions

710 sq.ft. Townhouse 1 bdrm, 1 601 sq.ft., 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 13 foot ceilings, bright open bathroom, den/office, large view concept. MLS #V1037684 balcony. MLS #V1054194

OPEN HOUSE Saturday, May 3, 2-4pm

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, May 4, 2-4pm

tom davis P E R S O N A L R E A L E S TAT E C O R P O R AT I O N

TAYLOR: $398,000 2403-550 Taylor 567 sq.ft. 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, den/office, balcony with incredible views forever. MLS #V1054205

6 04.787.1456 tom@tomdavishomes.ca www.tomdavishomes.ca

Laguna parkside

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1977 Rivergrove, 3 bdrm+den, $1,178,000, Thurs 10-12, Sat 2-4 2030 Mackay, 2-3 bdrm, $1,549,000, Sun 2-4

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CARNEY’S CORNER

VAN CITY URBAN LIVING

MAY DAY SpECiAl Awesome views from upper floor corner suite overlooking English Bay. Spacious no waste space one bedroom has been opened up to maximize view & light; perfect for entertaining. Great rental with good storage, secured parking & insuite laundry. You know you’re in Vancouver surrounded by mountains, city lights, convenient shops & services, Stanley Park & bird’s eye view of the annual fireworks! By appointment. $287,000 MAY DAY! MAY DAY! Calling all sellers! Almost sold out.

Buyers and other agents begging for listings. Call now to take advantage of the spring market driven by sharp interest rates. If you’ve been waiting for the right time now is the time to MOVE!

!

LD O S

BRAVA: $438,000 1605-1155 Seymour Street

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MOUNT PLEASANT 15

876 W. 14th,1 bdrm+office area, $469,900, Sat 2-4

NORTH VANCOUVER

THE VILLAGE

The Village Downtown Chinatown

KAYAK: $512,500 18 Athlete’s Way

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West End Neighbours

Important updates, please see website. If you are not receiving your newsletter please email or check in to website: www.westendneighbours.ca

TAlK TO liZ CARNEY 604 685-5951/603-3095

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

in Town Realty

Carl Parker

OffiCe 604-925-2911 • Cell 604-619-1281

www.carl-parker.com Certified Seniors Specialist

OPEN SUN 2 - 4

1801-1925 Alberni Street Floor plan 1,582 sq ft Offered at $2,498,000 spectacular unobstructed 180° wraparound VieWs from english Bay, north shore Mountains to stanley park, Yacht Club and Marina. gourmet island kitchen, granite counters and built-in Thermador stainless appliance package.

Open plan living/dining area features gas fireplace & 2 large balconies. Ocean and mountain view master with spa-like 5pc ensuite featuring steam shower & soaker tub.

Quality concrete building, 24hr concierge, hot tub, indoor pool & billiard lounge.

Walk out the front door to stanley park trails, West end shops & public Transit. 2 secure underground parking stalls. enjoy Coal Harbour prestige with the serenity of a West end location. www.tomdavishomes.ca/309 for pics and floor plan

RAORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE

PriVatE ENtErtaiNiNg hidEaway!

Designers own brand new one-level home in Pemberton Heights.

2-3 bedrooms and a flex room, 2 ½ Baths with radiant heat, 3 Fire Places, open plan, light and bright with many windows and doors taking in the surrounding nature. Separate office or guest room with en-suite. Suited separate division for guests, or family or live-in “assistance”. All custom finishes with hardwood flooring, and wool carpets. Gourmet kitchen with the very best high end appliances. Special lighting & speakers throughout. Outside, seating areas, fire pit and gas lines for BBQ and heaters. Total privacy looking out over Mackay Creek and the many walking trails below. In-ground sprinklers, water features, hot tub and covered patios all create a perfect ambience for entertaining. Great little corner store which is a 2 minute walk, were neighbours enjoy the convenience store & restaurant with daily fresh baking soups & salads etc. For a fun Sunday brunch, Egg Benny is their specialty. Easy access to the highway, Marine Drive, Buses and the Sea Bus for trips to downtown.

2030 Mackay, North Vancouver

Price $1,549,000

Certified Zoomer Real Estate Specialist Visit: www.seniorsrealestate.com

orthshore.

Royal 2407LePage Marine Northshore.

Drive, West2407 Vancouver, Marine BC Drive, V7V West 1L3.

Vancouver, This communication BC V7V 1L3. is not Thisintended communication to cause is ornot induce intended a breach to cause of anor existing induceagency a breach agreement. of an existing agency agreement.

An independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates, Inc. Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are trademarks of The Prudential Insurance Company of America, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used herein under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.

18

May 1 – 7, 2014

WEVancouver.com

cover

Vancouver voice actor Ashleigh Ball seeks to understand the grown men who love My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Reel People

A

Between May 2 and 11, the 2014 DOXA Documentary Film Festival will screen 90 nonfiction films from all over the globe. Sabrina Furminger lays out her top three festival picks.

by Sabrina Furminger

grown man tells you he’s obsessed with a cartoon intended for little girls. What’s your first reaction? Do you raise your eyebrows, cross your arms in front of you, and say, “What the eff?”

The year is 1929. A German couple arrives on Floreana, an uninhabited island in That was essentially Ashleigh Ball’s reaction when she first learned about the Galapagos. All they want is to be left alone. To their horror, they’re soon joined Bronies, the adolescent and adult male fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. by a handful of other society-shirking Germans, including a bawdy Baroness who To many Vancouverites, Ball, 31, is the lead singer of indie alt rock band Hey threatens Floreana’s status quo with her plans to build a hotel. Within five years, Ocean!. To TV watchers around the world, she’s the voice artist behind dozens of half of Floreana’s adult inhabitants are missing or dead under mysterious circharacters on cartoons like Littlest Pet Shop, Care Bears, and Strawberry Shortcake. cumstances. The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came To Eden plants haunting questions But it’s her ongoing gig providing the voices of Applejack and Rainbow Dash for about the true price of paradise. May 6, Rio. the mega-hit My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic that’s garnered Ball a global legion of teen and adult male fans (so-named “Bronies”).

When she first heard about Bronies back in 2012, she was disturbed, and not For baby boomers and sci-fi fans, George Takei will always be Hikaru Sulu, simply because she was receiving fan emails from grown men (although that did helmsmen of the original USS Enterprise. For millennials, he’s Uncle George, factor in). hip and savvy social media guru and founder of the “Oh, Myyy” move“You’re made out to be a superstar in these people’s eyes, and I’m just ment. But Takei, 77, is also a survivor of a World War II internment doing my job,” says Ball on the phone from New York City, where she’s camp, a gay rights activist, a resonant voice on The Howard Stern attending the world premiere of A Brony Tale, a documentary about Show, and husband to non-showbiz type Brad Altman. To Be Takei Brony culture from Vancouver filmmaker Brent Hodge. “It’s a fun rounds out our understanding of the trailblazing – and endurjob and I’m grateful that I get to do it as much as I do, but it’s ing – icon. May 8, Playhouse. people idolizing you. That blows me away still.”

A Brony Tale – which closes out the 2014 DOXA Documentary Film Festival on May 11 – follows Ball on her journey into the fandom (culminating with an appearThe American hippies of the 1960s weren’t the first ance at BronyCon 2012 in NYC) while introducing to grow long beards and sing about love and audiences to an array of individual Bronies. peace. They can actually trace their beginnings The documentary is the first feature for Hodge, 28, to German cultural radicals who established who met Ball in 2012 when he approached her to apcommunes throughout Europe in the late 19th pear on a CBC Radio music series he was producing. and early 20th centuries. Freak Out is the story of It was during a casual conversation over drinks that Ball one such commune established on a Swiss first told Hodge about the emails she was receiving from mountaintop in 1900. They dance nude, love freely, grown men about her My Little Pony day job. “I asked to grow their hair long, and eat only what they grow. Alas, see these emails, and they were really weird,” says Hodge the influence of the outside world is not to be avoided, and on the line from New York. “I thought, ‘This is so fascinating, we the idyllic commune and its founders fall prey to a variety of have to start filming this.’” grim fates. May 5, The Cinematheque; May 10, Vancity Theatre.

Hodge says he didn’t have time to fundraise or apply for grants. The • Full schedule and tickets at DOXAFestival.ca Brony community was building up in real-time, and if he wanted to tell its story, he had to act, fast.

Rolfing is But self-financing afforded him the freedom to set his own schedule, Manual and spend time getting to know his interview subjects.

Therapy What Hodge learned as he travelled across the United States in search which of Bronies is that there isn’t just one type of Brony. They’re body-builders.

They’re war veterans. They’re college students. They’re deejays. “A lot of strengthens people would say, ‘Oh, they might be brain smart but they’re not socially the body’s A Brony Tale screens at the intelligent,’’ says Hodge. “But these guys are culturally very intelligent.” structural Vancity Theatre and the PlayWhat connects them isn’t simply a passion for the animated ponies, integrity and house on May 11. For tickets, according to Hodge. Like those ponies, Bronies recognize that friendship functional visit DOXAFestival.ca. is magic – and they want to make friends. resources.

This is something that Ball witnessed firsthand at BronyCon Rolfing can 2012, as documented in A Brony Tale’s final moments. help you We watch as an apprehensive Ball (who Hodge calls a “filmOPEN M-F ■ 9AM- 4PM ■ APPOINTMENT PREFERRED move again. maker’s dream; she has her heart on her sleeve and she says what she means”) enters a New York City convention centre packed with men and boys in pony costumes. They want her OFFERING TREATMENT FOR: autograph. They want to give her gifts. They want to hear • Scoliosis and Sciatica • Pain relief and management • Stress reduction • More efficient movement Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

• Better balance Dr. Peter J. Marr “It’s something you can’t really prepare yourself for,” recalls Family Physician + Associates Ball. “The energy is insane, and a lot of them have only been Ask me how I can help you friends online and all of the sudden they’re meeting in real life. achieve your optimal health.

F AMILIES It’s this chaotic, crazy, magical energy.” Now, as in the film, Ball is clearly blown away by all the love.

CHILDREN “[Bronies] are caring, kind, loving people that just needed Advanced Certified Rolfer a place, and they found a place for themselves,” she says.

Registered Massage Practitioner “There’s so much hate in the world, and people are going to MEN hate on these guys because it’s not normal, but they’re not doing anything wrong. They’re just celebrating friendship.”

WOMEN A Brony Tale is finding an audience outside of the Brony comNEW PATIENTS WELCOME munity. Last week, it was a critical hit of New York’s prestigious SENIORS + Tribeca Film Festival (and the top pick of festival co-founder Robert De Niro). It’s been picked up for distribution by Morgan #730-1285 W. Broadway PRE-NATAL 604-738-1012 Spurlock (of Supersize Me infamy) and will soon play in more integrative.ca / stepheninaba.com than twenty theatres across North America.

The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came To Eden

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May 1 – 7, 2014

19

film & tv

A film fest of one’s own Canada’s first web series festival launches in Vancouver this weekend

Reel People

V

by Sabrina Furminger

Fine acting anchors war drama THE RAILWAY MAN

Wrestler Chris Jericho is star of the web series But I’m Chris Jericho, which will be appearing at Vancouver Web Fest, May 2 to 4.

ancouver web series have been feted at dedicated festivals around the world, and for the first time in our nation’s history, they’re getting that same chance right here at home. Vancouver Web Fest – which runs May 2 to 4 at The Imperial (319 Main)– is Canada’s first web series festival.

Locally shot web series account for some of the most popular and critically acclaimed content on the ‘net (i.e. the first episode of Convos with my 2-year-old has logged more than 10 million YouTube views since it premiered last year), so an international web series festival fits right into our ecology, according to festival founder Suzette Lacqua.

“There are amazing web series being created across Canada and the United States, around the world, and right here in Vancouver,” says Lacqua, a writer, casting director, editor, and producer. “We’re excited to screen as many of them as possible.”

The jam-packed schedule features dozens of web series from numerous genres and countries, as well as panels, pitch sessions, industry parties, and an awards ceremony.

Out-of-town series scheduled to screen include The Stafford Project, the brainchild of exsoap opera vixen Michelle Stafford; But I’m Chris Jericho from the pro-wrestler turned web series star; and Australian offering Dick Dribble: Pro-Baller/ Private Eye. Local offerings include The Actress Diaries, Fools For Hire, Hitman 101, The Last Fall of Ashes, The Runner, Under The HUD, and The True Heroines (the stars of which will perform a live cabaret show on Saturday night). Blocks of episodes – hosted by local screen personalities – will run from sun-up to sundown; early-risers can enjoy free donuts and coffee with their 9:00am screenings. VancouverWebFest.com.

WESt END BEttEr at HomE Program

Seniors’ Grocery Shuttle From the West End to Quest Food Exchange and No Frills (You may stop at one or both locations)

Starring Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman Directed by Jonathan Teplitzky

Harrowing and heartbreaking, the true story of WWII soldier Eric Lomax weaves a tale of redemption and the price of forgiveness. Based on the British officer’s bestselling autobiography, The Railway Man depicts the veteran (Firth) still haunted by his past in 1980, and recounts the horrific details of his capture by Japanese fighters and imprisonment in a POW camp through a series of flashbacks where he is played, with great effect, by War Horse star Jeremy Irvine.

Lomax is still clearly traumatized by his war days and is often very distant to his wife Patti (Kidman) but he soon discovers the individual responsible for the majority of the

atrocities against him is still alive, thus galvanizing the man on a road to vengeance. The film suffers from narrative issues as the deliberate pace of Firth’s story doesn’t always mesh with the shock value of his earlier ordeal.

The Railway Man also loses points for being overly sentimental as David Hirschfelder’s melodramatic score swells once too often.

Thankfully, the film manages to hold its ground as a multi-faceted cast anchors the story convincingly. Firth Thor and Kidman are in top form, Diakow while Stellan Skarsgård brings a quiet desperation that displays he is still much more than the quirky scientist in the Marvel movies.

However, the film’s most enthralling moments are between Lomax and his captor (an excellent Hiroyuki Sanada) when they eventually reunite; the power in these scenes lingers in the eyes of two men reconnecting in a profound and disturbing way.

Lovers a sincere take on vampire genre ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE

Starring Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston Directed by Jim Jarmusch Not since David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve in 1983’s The Hunger has there been an undead couple as supernaturally seductive as Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston.

In Jim Jarmusch’s darkly comic yet surprisingly sincere take on the vampire genre, the ethereal pair complement each other uncannily as soul mates who’ve abandoned swagger in favour of simply being comfortable in their own pale skins.

As the film opens, Hiddleston’s Adam is a Detroit-based shut-in who collects vintage (by our standards) guitars and records ominous, droning music. Why exactly? “I needed a reflection.” The notion that a creature of the

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night might need to express himself creatively is but one of the inspired twists that Jarmusch puts on familiar tropes. Given that Adam once ran with Byron (who, along with Shelley, formed the original Glimmer Twins), rock ‘n’ roll seems a natural outlet for his existential angst.

Meanwhile, his vampire lover Eve (Swinton) is “more of a Stax girl” who can appreciates old 45s but is inclined to seek out new fascinations. In turn, she’s more permissive, opening their door to her wayward sister (Mia Wasikowska) who’s a bloodbath waiting to happen. And while Wasikowska infuses the story with some comic chaos, it’s Hiddleston and Swinton who lend it such a compelling rhythm by punctuating it with cutting remarks and astute asides.

As they tour Detroit, we’re reminded that, while empires tend to fall, great art often endures. Vibrant and affirming despite its dour trappings, Only Lovers Left Alive certifies that, while not as prolific as he once was, Jarmusch remains one for the ages.

–Curtis Woloschuk

Helping Hands!

Friendly volunteers will be on board to assist seniors with getting around and to help carry and put away groceries.

Door-to-Door Drop Off! Seniors will be dropped off at their homes after each trip.

Shuttle rate is by donation.

Contact Dora (604.669.5051 or betterathome@wesn.ca) for information about date, time and pick up locations.

Volunteer drivers are also available to drive seniors to medical appointments. Please call Dora for more information.

Volunteers needed! Please contact dora to sign uP! Please contact Dora Ng at 604.669.5051 or betterathome@wesn.ca 20

May 1 – 7, 2014

Joe offers redemption for Green, Cage JOE

Starring Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan Directed by David Gordon Green A bruising tale of redemption, Joe also serves to restore the reputations of its maligned creators. After his foray into lowbrow comedy reached its nadir with 2011’s The Sitter, David Gordon Green returns to the small-scale dramatic storytelling that initially earned him acclaim. And the film’s grimy authenticity and aching pathos is all the more impressive given the presence of Nicolas Cage, who routinely approaches acting as performance art.

However, playing a troubled man constantly at war with his instincts seems a natural fit for Cage. Green’s script (adapted from Larry Brown’s “grit lit” novel) leaves the volatile Joe constantly teetering at the brink of unhinged rage, generating a persistent sense of dread that’s every bit as anxiety-inducing as buzzing feedback. Attempting to curb his violent impulses, Joe self-medicates with

hard labour, liquor, and whores. However, the abuse inflicted on Gary (Tye Sheridan) – a teenager who’s just joined his tree-clearing crew – and the return of an old antagonist tests his resolve.

Having recently navigated similarly treacherous ground in the outstanding outlaw fable Mud, Sheridan delivers another convincing portrayal of a teenager principled beyond his years. Just as Gary’s decency and earnestness makes him an unlikely role model for Joe, Sheridan’s open, affecting performance seems to encourage Cage to take more subtle risks. Physically imposing but emotionally broken, Joe wields a knife with an artist’s grace but can bungle even the simplest of human interactions. In turns ferocious and quietly devastating, it’s a phenomenal performance that illustrates why filmmakers are always willing to give Cage another chance. On this occasion, he’s made the most of it.

–Curtis Woloschuk

WEVancouver.com

may hot tickets EVENTS

$35 at BriefEncounters.ca.

WITHOUT MASKS: CONTEMPORARY AFRO-CUBAN ART: Exhibit explores the ties that link the histories and cultures of Cuba and Africa. From May 2 at Museum of Anthropology (6393 N.W. Marine, UBC).

WINE FOR WAVES: Enjoy appetizers and the spring release wines of Naramata Beach in support of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program. May 2 at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver (791 West Georgia). $95 at VanAqua.org.

VANCOUVER WEB FEST: Inaugural edition of Canada’s first web series festival.

May 2-4 at The Imperial (319 Main). $10$35 at VancouverWestFest.com.

2014 DOXA DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL: Annual celebration of nonfiction films from around the world. $10-$15 at DoxaFestival.com.

VCBW returns May 30 Vancouver Craft Beer Week kicks off May 30, and the fifth installment of this annual institution promises to be the biggest and best yet.

A lot has changed in the local craft brewing scene in the past year – breweries gambled, tasting rooms were opened, and as a result, craft beer is more popular than ever in our fair city. VCBW Version 5.0 features more than 20 events, and some epic week-long specials you won’t soon forget, culminating in the biggest and baddest craft beer festival this city has ever seen. More than 60 local breweries are taking part. Get your tickets at VancouverCraftBeerWeek.com

LAB ART SHOW: A multidisciplinary evening featuring the work of more than 100 artists. Includes short films, music, audiovisuals, paintings, sculptures, acting, contemporary dance, animation, and a fashion show. May 3 at W& Studios & VPWS (14th West 7th). $20-$25 at Glitz-Entertainment.com.

NEITHER HERE NOR THERE: Performances, visual arts, and interdisciplinary works by SFU’s MFA students and established artists.

May 7-11 at Goldcorp Centre for the Performing Arts (149 West Hastings). $5-$15 at SFU.ca/SCA/Events.

SAUDADE: Photographs of Iceland, China, Vietnam, Bali and Brazil by David Burdeny. May 22-June 29 at Kostuik Gallery (1070 Homer).

THEATRE KIM’S CONVENIENCE: Mr. Kim grapples with a changing neighbourhood and conflict with his second-generation offspring. Until May 24 at Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston). From $29 at Artsclub.com.

SPRING AWAKENING: Tony Awardwinning coming of age musical performed by Vancouver’s Fighting Chance Productions. Until May 17 at Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery). $20-$30 at TicketsTonight.ca.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT: A new musical based on the cult classic British film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. May 8-June 29 at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (2750 Granville). From $29 at ArtsClub.com.

SAIL AWAY: Noel Coward’s tourde-farce musical set aboard a British cruise ship. May 8-10 at CBC Studio 700 (700 Hamilton). $15-$25 at BrownPaperTickets.com.

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS 21: Interdisciplinary mash-up series returns with ten artists in five pairings. May 8-10 at Guilt & Co (1 Alexander). Tickets $20-

“It will help you look on the ‘Bright Side of Life’”

BC BUDS SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL: More than 30 music, theatre, dance, and interdisciplinary artists perform in inventive and innovative site-specific performances. May 9-11 at Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova). Entry by donation.

WHITE HOT: Ben Ratner directs Canadian premiere of Tommy Smith’s darkly comedic psycho-drama about a love triangle gone sideways. May 8-17

at The Shop Theatre (125 East 2nd). $21-$23 at KindredEntertainment.com.

ESPRESSO: Three fiery women find humour and grace in the aftermath of a car crash that threatens to take from them the one man they all love.

May 16-June 14 at Pacific Theatre (1440 West 12th). $19.99-$29.99 at PacificTheatre.org.

OPERA DON CARLO: A magnificent drama of a king’s brutal power and a son’s brash rebellion; considered one of Verdi’s most impressive works. May 3-11 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton). Tickets from $35.

VancouverOpera.ca.

PAULINE: New chamber opera based on the life and final days of Canadian writer, poet, and actress Pauline Johnson. By Tobin Stokes and Margaret Atwood. May 23-31 at York Theatre (639 Commercial).

CityOperaVancouver.com.

MUSIC VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ORPHEUM THEATRE (601 SMITHE) (unless otherwise noted) $21-$88 (unless otherwise noted) VANCOUVERSYMPHONY.CA -CARMINA BURANA: Carl Orff’s sensational representation of drama, power, humour and beauty. May 3 & 5.

-AGE OF ANXIETY: Pieces by Gershwin, Copland, Barber, and Bernstein are performed in a concert spotlighting American classical repertoire. May 10-12.

EVERY SHOW FROM

—The Telegraph

$29!

STARTS MAY 8!

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May 1 – 7, 2014

21

may hot tickets MOSCOW ON THE FRASER

The world reknown Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra & Maestro Vladimir Spivakov are coming to the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (6265 Crescent Road) on Tuesday, May 6 at 8pm.

The ensemble of top-ranking soloists, under the direction of internationally renowned conductor and violinist Spivakov, arrive as part of a global tour commemorating their 35th Anniversary.

Saturday, May 10 th , 2014 • 7:30 pm

-AMADEUS! THE MUSIC OF MOZART: Overtures from The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, The Abduction from the Seraglio and Don Giovanni, and more. May 15.

-FAIRY TALES AND WATER MUSIC: Horn prodigy James Sommerville conducts and performs. May 30 & 31 at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (6265 Crescent, UBC).

-CURTIS STIGERS: LET’S FALL IN LOVE: Jazz vocalist and saxophone player Curtis Stigers presents a program of love songs.

May 16-17.

HYPERENSEMBLE: Turning Point Ensemble experiments with computers in groundbreaking concert. May 2 & 4 at Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings). $10-$35 at TurningPointEnsemble.ca.

-LET’S HAVE A PLAYDATE: Concert for the kids showcases the music of Johannes Brahms.

May 16 at Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton).

-MOTHER GOOSE: Enter the fascinating world of Mother Goose as she tells the enchanting stories of her childhood. May 18.

-MAHLER’S NINTH: Landmark performance marks the crowning achievement of Bramwell Tovey’s Mahler cycle with the VSO. May 24 & 26.

in the

art city

VOICES OF VANCOUVER: Choral works by emerging and established Vancouver composers.

May 3 at Orpheum Annex (823 Seymour, 2nd Street). $25-$30 at VancouverCantataSingers.com.

THE MOSCOW VIRTUOSI AND VLADIMIR SPIKAKOV: Top-ranking soloists from the great orchestras of Russia come together to perform works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Piazzolla. May 6

at Chan Shun Concert Hall (6265 Crescent, UBC).

CHRISTIAN TETZLAFF: Violist performs in Vancouver Recital Society concert. May 9 at Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton). $29.75-$74.75 at TicketMaster.ca.

TOWER OF SONG: Tribute to the music of Leonard Cohen from celebrated BC singersongwriters Oliver Swain and Glenna Garramone. May 9 at St. James Hall (3214 West 10th). $24 at RogueFolk.bc.ca.

SOUND OF DRAGON MUSICAL FESTIVAL: First local festival devoted to Chinese music.

Includes folk and classical repertoire, contemporary compositions, jazz, world, fusion, and avant-garde improvisation.

May 9-11 at Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews). $20-$70 at SoundOfDragon.com.

friday, may 2, 2014 (opening gala) 7-9pm saturday, may 3, 2014 10am-5pm sunday, may 4, 2014 11am-4pm

9th annual visual art show & sale

ICE 1/2 PR AY D K WEE NEES I T A M

free admission

Art in the City gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our sponsor:

WEST END COMMUNITY CENTRE

870 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC 604.257.8333 www.westendcc.ca

Operated by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the West End Community Centre Association

22

May 1 – 7, 2014

WEVancouver.com

may hot tickets HOW THE BLOSSOMS ARE FALLING: Elektra Women’s Choir closes its season with concert celebrating life’s passages and relationships. May 10 at Ryerson United Church (2195 West 45th). $22-$28 at TicketsTonight.ca.

BELA FLECK AND ABIGAIL WASHBURN: Traditional and original compositions are performed by two of America’s finest banjo players. May 10 at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (6265 Crescent, UBC). $40.75-$76.75 at Ticketmaster.ca.

NEUTERHEAD ACE OF SPAYS: Local surf rock legends resurface in star-studded charity metal show. May 10 at Rickshaw Theatre (254 East Hastings). $9-$13 at EventBrite.ca.

IDAN RAICHEL PROJECT: 10-person ensemble performs unique blend of Middle Eastern, African, Indian, and Latin American music. May 12 at Vogue Theatre (918 Granville). $42 at ChutzpahFestival.com.

IMPULSE: Ethos and Nu:BC Collective perform works by Steve Reich, Graham Fitkin, Ava Grayson, Jordan Nobles, and Anthony Genge. May 15 at Orpheum Annex (823 Seymour). $15-$25 at EthosMusic.ca.

DANCE CUADRO FLAMENCO: An evening of Flamenco dance, Spanish music, wine, tapas and silent auction. May 10 at St. James Hall (3214 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver). $20-$25 at FlamencoRosario.org.

MOTHER TONGUE: Poets Lorna Crozier and Erin Mouré lend their work to choreographer and director Conrad Alexandrowicz. May 14-18 at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie).

DVOTE: LUST, MADNESS, AND MAYHEM: Noam Gagnon and Nova Bhattacharya investigate devotion and submission, the profound and the profane, and sexuality and spirituality.

May 27-31 at The Cultch (1895 Venables). $17-14-$47.62 at TheCultch.com.

THE ART OF STEALING: Dancers are both victims and thieves in Amber Funk Barton’s new high-energy work based on the action of stealing. May 28-31 at Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova). $20-$30 at FirehallArtsCentre.ca.

DISCOVER DANCE!: Lunchtime performance by Flamenco Rosario & Mandala Arts and Culture. May 29 at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie). $10-$12 at TicketsTonight.ca.

VANCOUVER MEN’S CHORUS HITS! THE STAGE The Vancouver Men’s Chorus is staging its upcoming cabaret, #1 HITS! at Performance Works on Granville Island next month.

Casting its nets wide, the Chorus captures the most acclaimed songs of this year and yesteryear, diving deep into the tributes of music aficionados worldwide to surface triumphantly with an array of the greatest songs, artists, and trends of our time.

Pop chart songs emerge shoulder to shoulder with the established giants of Bollywood, opera, and art in this fast-paced, eclectic program. Show runs June 5 to 14. For tickets VancouverMensChorus.ca

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VO-DC WE 1-3 page May 1 colour.indd 1

May 1 – 7, 14-04-28 2014

23

11:37 AM

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@wevancouver.com.

horoscopes

Free Will Astrology

by Rob Brezsny • Week of May 1

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Dear Astrologer: We Aries people have an intense fire burning inside us. It’s an honor and a privilege. We’re lucky to be animated with such a generous share of the big energy that gives life to all of nature. But sometimes the fire gets too wild and strong for us. We can’t manage it. It gets out of our control. That’s how I’m feeling lately. These beloved flames that normally move me and excite me are now the very thing that’s making me crazy. What to do? –Aries.” Dear Aries: Learn from what firefighters do to fight forest fires. They use digging tools to create wide strips of dirt around the fire, removing all the flammable brush and wood debris. When the fire reaches this path, it’s deprived of fuel. Close your eyes and visualize that scene.

1

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “My personal philosophy is not to undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.” So said Taurus-born Edwin Land, the man who invented the Polaroid camera. I have a feeling these might be useful words for you to live by between your birthday in 2014 and your birthday in 2015. In the coming 12 months, you will have the potential of homing in on a dream that will fuel your passions for years. It may seem to be nearly impossible, but that’s exactly what will excite you about it so much – and keep you going for as long as it takes to actually accomplish.

2 1 Choreographers Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Emily

Molnar, Gioconda Barbuto and Cayetano Soto are all smiles April 24 after Ballet BC’s three world premieres received standing ovations to close the 2013/2014 season. Syx and Taryn Photography 2 American expats Laura Carney and Jazz Fritz attend FUSE at the Vancouver Art Gallery on April 25.

vancouver.ca

West End Residents: Parking Permit Renewal Current West End residential parking permits will expire on Saturday, May 31, 2014. To make purchasing your annual parking permit as quick and easy as possible, we now offer three ways to do it starting Thursday, May 1, 2014.

• Online (24 hours a day, seven days a week) at vancouver.ca/parkingpermits • Phone 3-1-1 (seven days a week) • In person, during business hours at City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue (8:30 am - 5 pm in the Revenue Services Department) and at the West End Community Centre (WECC), 870 Denman Street THE WECC’S PARKING PERMIT DESK WILL HAVE EXTENDED HOURS ON THESE DATES: • Saturday, May 24, 9 am - 2 pm • Thursday, May 29, 9 am - 7:30 pm • Friday, May 30, 9 am - 7:30 pm • Saturday, May 31, 9 am - 2 pm REGULAR HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 1 pm and 2 – 5 pm year round (except holidays) To pay online or by phone, you must: live in the permit parking zone and have valid car insurance registered in your name and address, a credit card (American Express, MasterCard or Visa), and a valid email address. You may pay by cash, cheque or credit or debit card if you pay in person.

If you are not the registered owner or lease holder of the vehicle, you must purchase your permit in person and bring in the required supporting residential and vehicle documents.

Your new permit will be mailed to the residential address provided within 10 business days of purchase.

The permit fee is $73.40 and payment options are: cash, cheque, American Express, MasterCard, Visa or debit card.

FOR INFORMATION: vancouver.ca/parkingpermits or phone 3-1-1

24

May 1 – 7, 2014

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I wish there was a way you could play around with construction equipment for a few hours. I’d love it if you could get behind the wheel of a bulldozer and flatten a small hill. It would be good for you to use an excavator to destroy a decrepit old shed or clear some land of stumps and dead trees. Metaphorically speaking, that’s the kind of work you need to do in your inner landscape: move around big, heavy stuff; demolish outworn structures; reshape the real estate to make way for new building projects.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the Transformers movies, Optimus Prime is a giant extraterrestrial warrior robot. His body contains an array of weapons that he uses for righteous causes, like protecting Earth’s creatures. His character is voiced by actor Peter Cullen. Cullen has also worked extensively for another entertainment franchise, Winnie the Pooh. He does the City of Vancouver Print Ad vocals for Eeyore, a gloomy donkey who writes poetry and has A14-039 a pink ribbon tied in a bow on his tail. Let’s make Cullen your role model for now. I’m hoping this will inspire you to get the Size of ad:to work together with the OpEeyore side of your personality timus Prime part of 2 columns you. What’s that you say? You don’t have (3.33 inches x 7 inches) an Optimus Prime part of you? Well, that’s what Eeyore might say, but I say different.

Westender Contact: Nugent LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do youGail finally understand that you don’t have to imitate the stress-addled workaholics and Insertion Dates: self-wounding overachievers in order to be as proficient as they are? Are you coming to seeMay that 1if you want to fix, heal, Thursday, and change the world around you, you Thursday, May 8 have to fix, heal, and change yourself? Is it becoming May clear 22 that if you hope to gain Thursday, more power to shape the institutions you’re part of, you’ve got to strengthen your power over yourself? Are you ready to see that if you’d like to Thursday, reach the next level success, you must May 29of will be running dissolve some of your fears of success? the same ad, and the same size, but

with one of the dates taken out of VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Beauty is the purgation of superthe ad copy. That will be separate fluities,” said Michelangelo. Do you agree? Could you make artwork.

It willupbe called: your life more marvelous by giving some of your trivial .pdf pursuits? Would you14-039 becomewestendparking-wemore attractive if you got rid of one of your unimportant desires? Is it possible you’d experience more lyrical grace if you sloughed off your irrelevant Cost $298.76 plus tax worries? I suggest you meditate on questions like these, Virgo.

According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, PO number: 4700000486 experiencing beauty is not a luxury right now, but rather a necessity. For the sake of your mental, physical, and spiritual Account Number: 31200/531030 health, you need to be in its presence as much as possible.

Send invoice to: City of Vancouver APCentral@vancouver.ca

B

rant/rave or

Accounts Payable email: rantrave@wevancouver.com

PO Box 7757 349 West Georgia Vancouver, BC V6B 0L5 phone: 604.673.8355 Wi-Fi?

All rants are the opinion of the individual and do not reflect the opinions of WE. The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity and brevity, so please keep it short and (bitter)sweet.

Why

I read the article proposing free Wi-Fi in city parks with disappointment.Ad designer: First, we are not Taipei or New York.

Elaine Ayres Secondly, we should distinguish our city by promoting Communications people to enjoyCorporate our beautiful parks and be physically phone: 604-871-6292 fax: 604-873-7884

Ad contact for

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I’m pretty sure God wants you to be rich. Or at least richer. And I know for a fact that I want you to be richer. What about you? Do you want to be wealthier?

Or at least a bit more flush? Or would you rather dodge the spiritual tests you’d have to face if you became a money magnet? Would you prefer to go about your daily affairs without having to deal with the increased responsibilities and obligations that would come with a bigger income? I suspect you will soon receive fresh evidence about these matters. How you respond will determine whether or not you’ll be able to take advantage of new financial opportunities that are becoming available.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The U.S. military budget this year is $633 billion. In comparison, the United Nations’ peacekeeping budget is $7.8 billion. So my country will spend 81 times more to wage war than the U.N. will spend to make peace.

I would prefer it if the ratio were reversed, but my opinion carries no weight. It’s possible, though, that I might be able to convince you Scorpios, at least in the short run, to place a greater emphasis on cultivating cooperation and harmony than on being swept up in aggression and conflict. You might be tempted to get riled up over and over again in the coming weeks, but I think that would lead you astray from living the good life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Actor Matthew McConaughey prides himself on his willingness to learn from his mistakes and failures. A few years ago he collected and read all the negative reviews that critics had ever written about his work in films. It was “an interesting kind of experiment,” he told Yahoo News. “There was some really good constructive criticism.” According to my reading of the astrological omens, Sagittarius, now would be an excellent time for you to try an experiment comparable to McConaughey’s. Be brave!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Dear Oracle: I might be hallucinating, but recently I swear my pet iguana has been getting turned on whenever I disrobe in front of it. My naked body seems to incite it to strut around and make guttural hissing sounds and basically act like it’s doing a mating dance. Is it me, or is the planets? I think my iguana is a Capricorn like me. –Captivating Capricorn.” Dear Capricorn: Only on rare occasions have I seen you Capricorns exude such high levels of animal magnetism as you are now. Be careful where you point that stuff! I won’t be shocked if a wide variety of creatures finds you extra alluring.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Eat like you love yourself,” advises author Tara Stiles. “Move like you love yourself. Speak like you love yourself. Act like you love yourself.” Those four prescriptions should be top priorities for you, Aquarius. Right now, you can’t afford to treat your beautiful organism with even a hint of carelessness. You need to upgrade the respect and compassion and reverence you give yourself. So please breathe like you love yourself. Sleep and dream like you love yourself. Think like you love yourself. Make love like you love yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If blindfolded, most people can’t tell the difference between Pepsi and Coca-Cola. But I bet you could, at least this week. Odds are good that you will also be adept at distinguishing between genuine promises and fakes ones. And you will always know when people are fooling themselves. No one will be able to trick you into believing in hype, lies, or nonsense. Why? Because these days you are unusually perceptive and sensitive and discerning. This might on occasion be a problem, of course, since you won’t be able to enjoy the comfort and consolation that illusions can offer. But mostly it will be an asset, providing you with a huge tactical advantage and lots of good material for jokes.

Homework: Think of the last person you cursed, if only with a hateful thought if not an actual spell. Now send them a free-hearted blessing.

active. The last thing we need is to be connected to Wi-Fi 24/7.

W. Bryce Cabott

Your mind online Comment on wevancouver.com Vancouver’s cathedral thinker retires, April 23 Gail Heezen: [Rick Antonson was] the most amazing man to work for. We all who worked for him will never forget him. Even 20 years later his name brings a smile to my face. This is sad for Vancouver but great for Rick.

WEVancouver.com

today’sdrive 20 Porche 14

Your journey starts here.

911Turbo When it comes to blistering on-ramp acceleration, the 911 Turbo is completely nuts

BY BRENDAN McALEER

brendanmcaleer@gmail.com

•

Tweet: @brendan_mcaleer

Once upon a time, the Porsche 911 was a dangerous, tail-happy hooligan that was difficult to keep in check. Like a high-strung thoroughbred, it felt like it was always looking for a way to buck its rider (or driver) clean out of the seat.

Over the intervening four decades, Porsche’s forced-induction rocketship has grown kinder and gentler with every iteration. This most-recent 911 variant is dubbed the 991, and in other formats, the critics have spurned it as being a bit too much of a grand tourer.

With this newest 911 Turbo, have Porsche’s efforts to tame their turbocharged beast driven the spirit out of their range-topping car?

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S model shown

the gauges so prominently feature a scripted “turbo” and vehicle silhouette when you fire the thing up.

However, that’s a good thing. The seating position of the 911 is just about perfect, nice and low, with a bit more space inside for the taller driver than there has been in the past. The rear seats are also larger, and while adults will not be happy back there, this marks the first generation where there are approved child-seats that fit. The US market always had them, but Canadian kid seats were tough to find.

Sightlines are good, and Porsche’s infotainment system is easy to use. Central to the dash is a 7-inch touchscreen and in a nice throwback touch, you can even tune the radio with the rightmost knob.

speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is a better fit for this titan of technology than a clutch and stick would be.

Moreover, I don’t think most folks’ legs could keep up with the speed.

Harnessing all the sturm und drang is a very clever all-wheel-drive system capable of shunting power for and aft via an electrically controlled central differential, as well as from side to side when cornering. There’s also PDCC: a hydraulically-actuated suspension system that reduces body roll and controls camber in the curves.

Together, it all works like a bionic extension of the driver, while at the same time slightly isolating the driver from the rawer elements of travelling very quickly.

Porsches have always had something of a spartan feel to them, but the turbo is more like a two-seater Panamera than anything else. The fit and finish is exemplary, the seats are grippy, yet comfortable, and were not this tester swathed in Carrera-red leather, you could almost say it was quite reserved in here.

If you want a more driver-focused 911, that’s probably the GT3. The 911 Turbo is more of a renaissance car – capable of blitzing a track, picking up the kids from piano practice, and then driving to Los Angeles overnight. It’s the do-everything promise of the 959 supercar brought to modern life.

Performance:

Features:

When it comes to blistering on-ramp acceleration, the 911 Turbo is completely nuts. Its twin-turbo 3.8L flat-six is pumping out 520hp, or more than twice what the original 911 Turbo made. That’s an insane amount of power for a smallish sportscar like this.

While navigation and other amenities are standard on this $169,200 car – and so they should be – the sky is the limit as to what else you can option. The $4000 Burmeister premium audio makes for a lovely travel companion, for instance.

Apart from the brief sloshing of your internal organs as they struggle to keep up with the g-forces, there’s not a lot of drama here. Over the years, driving a 911 Turbo has gone from catching a tiger by the tail to stroking a pussycat. It’s blisteringly fast, but it doesn’t put a wheel wrong – you can hardly believe the speed with which the numbers on the dash climb.

Park assist is a more-reasonable $440, and then there are the options which are more requirement than indulgence: the $4670 Sport Chrono and the $3610 PDCC. Even without the rider “... for a 500hp+ supercar,” the 911 Turbo is actually pretty good on gas. In city fuel economy is an achievable 12.2L/100kms, and highway is an excellent 8.1L/100kms.

There’s absolutely no reason why you couldn’t live with this car on a day-to-day basis, as far as the interior is concerned. At least, that’s assuming you got the options list right.

There’s also launch control, just in case you wanted to pop over to the dragstrip. Simply press the button marked “Sport Plus”, and stand on first the brake and then accelerator. Now let off the brake.

Green Light:

The keyless entry used to get into this tester, for instance?

That’d be optional, to the tune of $1250.

0-100km/h comes in just 3.2 seconds, and beyond that – well, that’s for you to find out on the track. Stupendous stuff, but delivered all in a safe, almost clinical manner.

Design:

Porsche launched this latest generation of their halfcentury old sporting 2+2 to a mixture of ooohs and hmms. There’s no doubt that the new car was a modern take on that classic rear-engined shape, but it was also a bit too long from some angles, and perhaps not quite as pretty as the outgoing 997.

Count me among those who didn’t love the 991 at first, but also count me among the converted. In Turbo form, the 991 looks like it was always supposed to – the extra width of the rear haunches balances out the length of the car, and the raised tail gives the profile heft to match the otherwise-gigantic 20” multi-spoke alloys.

Yes, it’s not that wildly different from other 911s, but that’s part of the Turbo’s charm. It is the highest-performance spec, but it doesn’t have the ostentation of a Ferrari or Lamborghini, or the visual brutality of a Nissan GT-R.

Environment:

Leaving aside how much customization Porsche allows – and charges for – the cabin of the 911 turbo is not much different from the standard 911. Perhaps that’s why

You can no longer buy a 911 Turbo with a manual transmission, but that’s a good thing, frankly. The seven-

Astounding acceleration; all-weather capabilities; everyday usability

Stop Sign:

Expensive options; limited trunk space; pure speed rather than thrills

The Checkered Flag:

The most refined application of the turbo 911 ethos yet.

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW 2014 NISSAN

ROGUE

®

AT THE INTERSECTION OF STYLE AND VERSATILITY. • All-New Design • Available 3rd Row Seating • Intuitive All Wheel Drive

WEVancouver.com

216 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC Sales: 604.257.8900 www.downtownnissan.ca May 1 – 7, 2014

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May 1 – 7, 2014

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May 1 – 7, 2014

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FAIR TRADE Prices Effective May 1 to May 7, 2014.

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

100% BC Owned and Operated PRODUCE

MEAT Organic Fair Trade Hass Avocados from Pragor Co-operative, Mexico

1.98

454g package product of Canada

Organic Beef Cross Rib Roasts

value pack

9.99lb/ 22.02kg

5.99lb/ 13.21kg

2/5.00

4/5.00 B.C. Grown Campari Tomatoes on the Vine

Rodear Grass Fed Forage Finished Lean Ground Beef

Organic Fair Trade Whole Cantaloupe from Heaven’s Best, Mexico

Steelhead Fillets

Organic Fair Trade Field Cucumbers from Heaven’s Best, Mexico

Boneless Turkey Thigh Roasts

.98lb/ 2.16kg

5.99lb/ 13.21kg

GROCERY Astro Yogurt or Greek Yogurt Drinks assorted varieties

1.49-3.99 SAVE 200ml – 750g

select varieties

13%

Ceres Fruit Juice

SAVE

3/6.99

42%

Northern Choice Tortilla Chips

SAVE

SAVE

from 2/5.00

18%

100g • product of E.U.

Amy’s Kitchen Frozen Entrees

SAVE

assorted varieties

FROM

36%

SAVE 4.49 FROM

29%

assorted varieties

227-269g product of USA

24.99

227-340g

Level Ground Organic and Natural Direct Fair Trade Dried Fruit assorted varieties

SAVE

4.49

31%

Maison Orphee Organic and Natural Cooking Oils

SAVE

35%

assorted varieties

Helps to metabolize carbohydrates,fats and proteins, development of bones and teeth,maintain proper muscle function and prevent magnesium deficiency.

1.89L product of USA

Natural Tides Mediterranean Sea Salt

750ml

500g • product of Spain

Nuts to You Fair Trade Organic Sesame Tahini

Kicking Horse Organic Fair Trade Coffee assorted varieties

assorted varieties

6.99

11.99-12.99

454g • product of Canada

5.99

275-336g • product of Canada

xxx BAKERY

DELI

Banana Bread

!

New

made with organic fair trade bananas

4.99

1.19/100g Roasted Specialty Chickens

Happy Days Organic Cow Feta Cheese

whole

2.00 off

2.99/ 100g

half

1.00 off

www.choicesmarkets.com

226g

BULK Organic Hard Red Spring Wheat Kernels

20% off regular retail price

GLUTEN FREE

xxx • product of xxx

Classic Potato Salad or Coastal Coleslaw

24.99

assorted varieties

1.89

Cocoa Camino Organic Fair Trade Hot Chocolate

500g • product of Canada

2/6.00

Natural Calm Magnesium Citrate Powder

3.99

37%

Gomacro is family owned and based in a small rural community, our wholesome food maintains goodness on all levels !

52-71g

assorted varieties

SAVE

205g product of Canada

30 packs

Gomacro Macro Bars

150g product of Columbia

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almond Beverages

3.29

8.99

2/6.98

42%

1L +deposit +eco fee

Ultima Replenisher™ is a hydration formula with zero sugar, and no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.

assorted varieties

SAVE

product of Canada

assorted varieties

Ultima Energy Drink

One Degree Organic Sprouted Grain Cereal

FROM

30%

11.99lb/ 26.43kg

HEALTHCARE

Green & Black’s Fair Trade Organic Chocolate Bars

FROM

skin on, pin bone removed, value pack

Cookies assorted varieties

3.99

6 pack

454g

Organic Country French Bread white or 60% whole wheat

3.99

Carrot Cake

4.99

480-530g

/ChoicesMarkets

Kitsilano

Cambie

Kerrisdale

Yaletown

Gluten Free Bakery

South Surrey

2627 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3493 Cambie St. Vancouver

1888 W. 57th Ave. Vancouver

1202 Richards St. Vancouver

2595 W. 16th Ave. Vancouver

3248 King George Blvd.

South Surrey

@ChoicesMarkets

Burnaby Crest

Kelowna

Floral Shop

8683 10th Ave. Burnaby

1937 Harvey Ave. Kelowna

2615 W. 16th Vancouver

Best Organic Produce

275g