Page 6 · Richmond Review
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
opinion the richmond
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EDITOR BHREANDÁIN CLUGSTON, 604-247-3730 editor@richmondreview.com STAFF REPORTERS MATTHEW HOEKSTRA, 604-247-3732 mhoekstra@richmondreview.com MARTIN VAN DEN HEMEL, 604-247-3733 martin@richmondreview.com SPORTS EDITOR DON FENNELL, 604-247-3731 sports@richmondreview.com
EDITORIAL: Teachers love for job shows every day
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f you have a child fortunate enough to be in a classroom led by a passionate teacher who loves his or her job, you know the job the teaching profession does is priceless in shaping our future leaders. Recent examples of great teachers doing wonderful work abound at Henry Anderson, Maple Lane and William Bridge elementaries, all of whom invited The Richmond Review in recent weeks to see their students marvelous successes. From fundraisers to exhibits, all of the stuff that was on display was undoubtedly praiseworthy. And what a great way to celebrate the accomplishments of these children than having their
works showcased in the local paper. There’s nothing to suggest that these schools called up The Review looking for positive publicity to counteract the negative stuff that’s come from the dispute between Victoria and the B.C. Teachers Federation. What’s come to pass is truly unfortunate, but as children are somehow amazingly able to do, they’ve overcome some adversities and forged ahead, learning and succeeding in spite of everything. While the remainder of the year is filled with questions about how the teachers job action will affect classrooms, and seeming differences between how districts are handling things, parents should remember that there is a difference between the teachers and the B.C. Teachers Federation.
The federation represents the interests of its members as a whole, and not all teachers are on side with the federation’s strategies to fight back against the province’s back-to-work Bill 22. Those who are in the teaching profession don’t do it for the wages. Yes, they receive a good salary and benefits. But for the vast majority of them, they love teaching, whether it’s leading sports teams or guiding grad night planning. Working long hours grading projects and tests, and volunteering for various school functions, is something many teachers willingly accept as part of the job. And it’s this steadfast dedication that needs to be remembered, not this temporary inconvenience.
A passion for sushi in Richmond
ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER ELANA GOLD, 604-247-3704 elanag@richmondreview.com SALES ROB AKIMOW, 604-247-3708 roba@richmondreview.com COLLIN NEAL, 604-247-3719 collinn@richmondreview.com LESLEY SMITH, 604-247-3705 lesley@richmondreview.com TORRIE WATTERS, 604-247-3707 torrie@richmondreview.com JAMES TENG, 604-247-3714 jamest@richmondreview.com
Life Lessons Andrea Phillpotts CIRCULATION MANAGER RACHAEL FINKELSTEIN, 604-247-3710 circulation@richmondreview.com CIRCULATION JR TUAZON, ROYA SARWARY, 604-247-3710 circulation@richmondreview.com
CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER JAANA BJORK, 604-247-3716 jaana@richmondreview.com CREATIVE DEPARTMENT GABE MUNDSTOCK, 604-247-3718 gabe@richmondreview.com PETER PALMER, 604-247-3706 peter@richmondreview.com JAMES MARSHALL, 604-247-3701 james@richmondreview.com The Richmond Review is a member of the B.C. Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the council. Write (include documentation) within 45 days to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org Published every Wednesday and Friday by Black Press Ltd.
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t’s claimed that the Inuit have a hundred words for snow. I suspect that West Coasters must have at least 50 or so different kinds of rain. With the opening of yet another sushi restaurant in Steveston, I’m going to claim that Richmond has at least 15 types of sushi as well. I love pretty much any kind of sushi but I clearly understand the myriad differences in quality and purpose. Sushi to Richmondites has become a staple meal that in most cases has long left its Japanese forbears behind for North American consumption. Here in Richmond, there are many styles of sushi. At the top, there are traditional Japanese restaurants making sushi with authentic ingredients and highly trained chefs. More expensive sit down
Sushi to Richmondites has become a staple meal that in most cases has long left its Japanese forbears behind for North American consumption.
places, the food is exquisite and you are guaranteed an authentic culinary experience. The farewell “Arigato!” is hollered out by people who actually speak Japanese. There are also touristy places with cute tatami rooms, Japanese print curtains, and a high turnover. The food is predictable with the occasional exotic item for the adventurous and the rolls are fat with rice. Similar to these tourist joints are the all-you-can-eat places. The rolls are huge here, the fish bland, and the green horseradish heavy to hide a distinctive fishy taste. When speed is in need, there are the takeout sushi
joints. Fresh fish, quick turnaround, and served on trays that you can recycle or return the next day to the owners, these are the places I patronize most frequently. Sushi you find on popular strolls tends to be heavy on the California Roll rotation. Fast and palatable, it comes in those shiny clear boxes that never stay shut. Then there is mall sushi, prepared hours before but still cheerful with their green plastic foliage and neon pink ginger. Supermarket sushi is a little older, made in some central factory before it is shipped out for a few day’s display in the refrigerated takeout section. Some would say it
doesn’t really count as sushi but it hits the spot when you’re in a rush. There are also healthy sushi places offering brown rice rolls and mayo free options and the family run places where each roll is lovingly put together by a tight staff of three or four. Fusion sushi is another Richmond favourite with innovative multicultural combinations. Similar to that is the art house place that has photogenic sushi that looks like mango caterpillars with alfalfa sprout antennae. There is the all-in-one sushi place where you can get Thai food and sushi or Japanese and bubble tea.
Then there is Korean sushi or Kimbap, a popular picnic food in Seoul. There is also Canadian sushi made in a mainstream restaurant which share a lot of fusion’s qualities. Of course, the best sushi is the homemade sushi (which is an honour to get) painstakingly made by a neighbor or friend. Sushi, a Richmond mecca. Who knew? It’s for your own good. Andrea Phillpotts is a Richmond writer and teacher. Opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of any school district, organization, or school.