West Vancouver Beacon | January/February 2016 | Edition 14

THE No. 14

BEACON Shedding light on the communities from Lions Bay to West Bay

January 2016

We welcome Lions Bay to our Beacon community

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n September 2014, the Beacon expanded from the neighbourhoods immediately around Caulfeild, to “shed our light on the communities from West Bay to Horseshoe Bay”. With this edition we are delighted to include our neighbours in Lions Bay. Incorporated on January 2, 1971, the Village of Lions Bay gets its name from the twin peaks known as the Lions, which are a significant part of Vancouver’s spectacular backdrop.

Lions Bay had its beginnings as a small summer cottage community, accessible only by water. This changed when the railroad to Squamish was built in 1956, followed by the original highway in 1958.

“Lions Bay residents value their community as a peaceful, close-knit village, deeply connected to the natural West Coast environment.” lionsbay.ca A portion of artist Michael Tickner’s Two Points Of View which depicts Lions Bay, with the two points of Kelvin Grove and Brunswick Beach, looking up Howe Sound, with Anvill Island in the middle.

Image: Courtesy of Michael Tickner

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A word from our MLA

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Mountains to Sea

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Reaching for the stars

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Community Personality

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January 2016

opinion TEAM

Chris Stringer

Here’s to 2016 and sharing the kingdom

Publisher

chrisstringer @westvanbeacon.ca

Lindy Pfeil Editor

lindypfeil @westvanbeacon.ca

Penny Mitchell Advertising

pennymitchell @westvanbeacon.ca

Melissa Baker Creative Director

melissabaker @westvanbeacon.ca Please note that all contributing writers for The Beacon retain full rights and that the full or partial reproduction of feature articles is unauthorized without the consent of the author.

Submissions for The Beacon

The Beacon is delivered bi-monthly to 5000+ households between Lions Bay and West Bay. For submission guidelines and queries, please e-mail the Editor: lindypfeil@westvanbeacon.ca Please note that all submissions are subject to space constraints and editing.

For advertising queries, please e-mail the Director of Marketing: pennymitchell@westvanbeacon.ca For all other queries, please e-mail the Publisher: chrisstringer@westvanbeacon.ca

Lindy Pfeil

I

was the only princess in my father’s kingdom for almost five years. Sadly, I have no memories of being the centre of the universe. I only remember Life With Sister which was, to put it mildly, annoying. Sister was little and beautiful. And people loved her because she was little and beautiful. I was the “hard worker”. Weird how that happens. The lives we fall into. Who knows how it starts? A whisper here, a glance there, and bam! Spirals of self-fulfilling prophecies become us.

My mother tells me I was a strange child.

She says I put the whole family through hell when I was six. Again, I remember none of this. The nightmares. Refusing to sleep. Trying everything humanly possible to keep my parents apart. Carl Jung would no doubt diagnose Electra complex: a pretty term for the chaos caused by the subconscious childhood desire to somehow be rid of Mother, to have Father all to myself. Except, I would have had to share him with Little Sister. No wonder I hated her. Of course I jest, but only partly.

The sibling relationship is fraught with complications. And I’m pretty sure the feeling was mutual. History and literature are filled with fascinating sisterly rivalries. Genetically, Sister and I seemed to come from different planets, never mind different parents. For years I suspected I was adopted. I even made up a rather convincing story of being a Chinese princess. A close friend believed me for the longest time. And that was in high school.

For 25 years, Sister and I had nothing but the occasional roof over our heads in common. She stayed little and beautiful. I stayed self-righteous. And then I fell off my high

horse in a rather spectacular way. And something happened between us that we didn’t speak of for another quarter century. That’s a pretty long time to be thinking about something and yet never speak of it. Of course we spoke. We’re sisters after all. But we never addressed this thing - this thing, it turns out, that one or the other of us had thought about almost every day for 25 years.

But one day I was on my little Eagle Harbour deck. It was a regular sunshiny kind of summer’s day on the west coast. I don’t remember who called who. She in South Africa. Me in Canada. And all this space and time and longing between us. And I found myself unexpectedly sharing a story I had never told.

A story of failing. A question without an answer. A quandary. And in that crack, I think we call it vulnerability, we finally spoke.

My father died 25 years ago. I left South Africa six years later. Once, on a trip back

home, my sister and I convinced my mother to release my father from the stone walls of the Garden of Remembrance. We scattered most of his ashes in the Indian Ocean. But I brought some of him back to Canada with me, and that Christmas Eve I created a new kingdom for him on the shores of the Pacific. He would have loved Vancouver. Every Christmas Eve since then I have gone down to the same beach to watch the sun set. Alone. But this year my sister is visiting.

For the first time. She is still beautiful, but I’m OK with that now. Because I can finally see all the other things she is too. And my selfrighteousness has been tempered by awe and confusion. So I will take her to my beach. And we will watch the sun set. And the kingdom of my father will once again be inhabited by two princesses, the way it was always meant to be. May your 2016 be filled with siblings, sunsets and shared kingdoms.

Congratulations to our Publisher! by

Angus Stewart

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he Beacon’s publisher, Chris Stringer, was presented with a Community Award for Arts & Culture at the West Vancouver Council Chamber. Chris’ well-deserved award was for his numerous initiatives in our community including the “Wander Caulfeild” historical event in 2012, the Beacon newspaper, and his promotion of community events at Caulfeild Cove Hall - which itself is born of Chris’ inspiration and vision. Well done, Chris! It is good to know that the high esteem and appreciation that we have for Chris is reflected in the wider community.

Photo: Marilyn McBeath Chris receives his award, watched by Mayor Smith.

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January 2016

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rward to I’m looking fo nt reasons. re ffe di 2016 for a few thier. I hope ant to eat heal gar-intake This year, I w and limit my su od fo nk ju t e. to cut ou ore healthy m for a much m making bath ss ne si bu d a small te ar st I , my business ar ye ow Last I hope to gr d an h uc m . y it so ity component bombs. I enjo troduce a char ity, tiv ac l na tio in 2016 and in ea a new recr y tr nce. to t da an ro w I also g or ac e cheerleadin lik , ol, w ho ne sc ng ry hi ta somet elemen of ar ye st la y on This is m start working solution is to lly fu pe ho and my final re n I ca s frequently, so my math skill hool. sc gh hi at e ad skip a math gr Caulfeild Marisa, Gr 7, Elementary

In 2016 . I’ve y zip lining tr I want to but I’m re fo e b e it kind of never don e a risk! I’m citing. k ta to g in will l ex oing to fee think it’s g I really high t u e b th e v scared h. I’ll sa ig h o to is e that 17!

But not on one for 20 s Ch’axáý , Gleneagle 5 r G , h ja Eli School Elementary

W Caulfe orking and te il aching d Elem fall of 1 at e of gettin 993, I have h ntary since th e a g d th to know the neig many o e great pleas h along th bourhood. T hat’s a f the families ure e Upp North V lso a lo living in ancouv er Levels hig hway to t of time spen er. My commu reso t drivin tin an g Getting g in my car, a lution for 201 d from my ho me in nd mor 6 is to anothe e s r p time rid car end les myself ing my s time . Thank off the road bike to is healt fully, th showe school. hy for b e scho r to acc ol oth our ommod climate ate tho district has re se of u cently an installe s with s d a sta d imilar r New Ye esoluti ar! ons! H ff Martin appy Andre w – Caulf s, Grade 6/7 eild Ele T mentar eacher y

is cided th ple, I’ve de im s a ve ar to ha eit New Ye ps cliché, alb I a 6 h r 1 and pe olution. In 20 s a e r sm ll nt importa e time for the ems it se mak plan to life. Too often bout a and g in in ts h momen our year das ur breath fe we in our li look nd ho e e tc p s a s o c e th w ith wn, ing to have w slow do journey is t stopp e withou at time we do r I resolve to th , ften h a e that o tion. enjoy w ar. So, this ye z li a e r d r a hold de asionally, an as the destin rney this yea u t cc n o jo ta d e r n o th u aro as imp to all. Enjoy r ew Yea may bring.

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ION T U L O ES

is to resolution e. I will My 2016 c n la a b lar work-life lude regu c in focus on to le u d en-free e h re y sc rate sc o rp o c create m in e at lunch nd orkouts a h as a walk outsid r the weekly w c charge fo day su re y d m n a to d in e min g things activities to clear th s on doin s and u y c a fo w t to a d – a gre king time with frien e day. Ta ding time n e p s rest of th s a joy, such family. that spark mmunity agles Co e n le G , ard Lea How upervisor Centre S Photos: Glenn Owen

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Usually resolutions are al l about ourselves.

I’ve decided this year to center my resolutions around others. I asked my best fri end, Amber, what I ca n do for her in 20 16. It took some brainstorm ing but she conc luded that she would love m e to help her with her school work. I asked my mum the same th ing. She wants me to do so mething with her: go to a movie, play gam es etc. I must co nfess I haven’t done this much, so committ ing to it should be gr eat. This year, th e only resolution I officially make to myself is to ke ep committed to all the people I love and what they ask of me.

Rebecca Lesche rt, Grade 11, Rockridge Se condary School

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January 2016

Are we addicted to love?

Psyched Out Ian Macpherson

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e would probably agree that love is a good thing, so why think of using such a negatively-charged term as addiction to describe the process of a couple forming a romantic bond? And surely long term love relationships could not be described in addictive terms, could they?

Yet the brain scan of someone in love looks a lot like that of a cocaine addict. Likewise, if you are a compulsive gambler or obsessed internet surfer - or habituated to whatever your “drug” of choice - the mechanisms in-

volving your brain chemistry are quite similar to those of the love-struck.

From the standpoint of evolution, becoming “hooked” to a potential mate has obvious benefits. Also we are designed to “come down” at least a moderate amount from the initial “high” to a level of desire and satisfaction that does not create serious withdrawal problems. And if we know how to maintain our love “habit” - if we feed our addiction to contented attachment carefully - we will not search for an unhealthy alternative.

While we know that activities like gambling and substances like alcohol or heroin are not addicting themselves, there is a continuing firm and widespread belief to the contrary. However, the vast majority of people who use drugs or engage in “addictive” pastimes do not, in fact, become ad-

dicted.

But if brain science can tell us what loving brains look like, perhaps the brain images of addicts tell us more about what these people are missing in their lives. The best evidence suggests that we are ignoring huge social-emotional factors. It is a truism that if you don’t love yourself you cannot love another - and I would add - you will not find the love you yearn for from another.

So, could it be that many of those who turn to the negative addictions have had their neurological “love pathways” hijacked because the normal healthy attachment process has been blocked by distorted or traumatic life experiences?

In spite of the massive amounts of money and resources directed for decades toward the continued criminalizing and overmedicalizing of the problem, it is telling

that among the most helpful approaches to those suffering from addictions still involve relationships with others who reach out in a supportive way. And while the accepted professional practice has been to treat addicts individually as if they were sick, it is now becoming clear that they are helped much better in the context of relationships like group and couples therapy.

Love may not be the only answer, but it is one of the strongest human drives. Understanding that the lack of love is a main cause in the addiction to unhealthy alternatives would be a good start to correcting our current focus on the habit instead of the human need.

Ian Macpherson is a psychologist who lives and practices in Caulfeild.

More at www.westvancouvertherapist.com.

Art Contest for students Win a Starbucks gift card!

Scarlet’s Art Scarlet Roth

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ello Everyone! There is another art contest this month and the theme is “Far Away Places”. You will see here an acrylic painting that I did called Home from the Market, inspired by a picture I saw in a book at my grandma’s house.

You can submit any type of visual art: painting, drawing, photography etc. The winner of the last contest is Kate Gardner, with her awesome acrylic on canvas, Blue Stallion.

Honourable mentions go to Sophie Kenny and Luke, for their photography entries.

The contest deadline is Thursday, February 4, 2016. Send me a photo of your art by direct messaging me on Instagram, @scarletart8 or email it to lindypfeil@westvanbeacon. ca. Also, I am doing a happy dance right now because Starbucks in Caulfield donates a gift card and a present to the winners, and displays their art in Starbucks for everyone to see!

Photo: Courtesy of Scarlet Roth Home from the Market, acrylic on canvas.

The winning entry, Blue Stallion, by Kate Gardner.

Photo: Submitted by Sara Gardner

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Dave Patrick: Community Activist Community Personality Chris Adshead

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n February 1941, a very young Dave Patrick raced down the stairs into an Underground Station in North London. He and his family had gone through this many times before. The Blitz (shortened from the German word Blitzkrieg or lightning war) was a terrible time for Dave and his family.

As he was greeted by his neighbours and the ARP volunteers, he calmed down. These volunteer Air Raid wardens had a major influence on young Dave. He saw how they kept up the spirits of those in the Underground stations and how they helped calm the fears of Londoners seeking refuge. Dave and his friends had no idea of the danger that was above them. Those ARP volunteers made it all seem normal. He didn’t realize it then, but this community volunteerism was to have a huge impact on his life.

Dave was born in 1931 into a not-toowell-off family who lived in a ground-floor apartment in a big Victorian building. Like most people in this part of London, family and community were of the greatest importance. Dave names his father, Steve, as the biggest influence in his life. Steve was a well-known boxer in his time in the Royal Navy, and also a football (soccer) coach.

Soccer is still one of Dave’s passions.

A diligent student, after completing high school Dave went on to article for a well known London accounting firm. He then served his two years of National Service, which was peacetime conscription for young men in the UK. Upon gaining his freedom from the RAF he entered the world of commerce as an accounting clerk with a large London publishing house. But he became bored and yearned for a change. One day on his commute to work he realized that there were

some ten million people living in Greater London, and they all seemed to be on his train!

Dave happened to watch a government publicity movie about emigrating to Canada. Once he’d seen the beautiful Vancouver mountains and beaches he was hooked! He arrived in Vancouver in 1957, and was employed by the BC Electric Company (now BC Hydro), first as a meter reader and later as an audit clerk. In 1966 he joined CIBC’s personnel department.

Dave’s dream of owning his own neighbourhood pub was realized in 1978 when he purchased the Troller Pub in Horseshoe Bay. The next 12 years were the most satisfying of his working life. In the lead up to Expo ‘86, Dave worked on the committee for the Revitalization of Horseshoe Bay, just one of the many community associations where Dave has volunteered. Since selling the pub in 1990 he has travelled extensively,

volunteering in BC, Manitoba and the UK. Community involvement is his passion, and he has sat on various boards and volunteered with many local organizations including the Seniors Centre, the Gleneagles Clubhouse Renovation Committee, Horseshoe Bay Business Association, Western Residents’ Association, BC Ferries Liaison Committee, Gleneagles Community Centre Advisory Committee and the Horseshoe Bay Wharf Committee, and he was an important team member with The Westerner.

Having left Horseshoe Bay to move into central West Vancouver the volunteerism continues as he has become a productive member of the Kiwanis Club of West

Vancouver. Thank-you Dave – you are the epitome of a “community activist” and a volunteer.

Troller Pub, 1983. Photo: Courtesy of Dave Patrick

Photo: Courtesy of Dave Patrick

Serving National Service (RAF) in 1950.

Dave in Horseshoe Bay, December 2015.

Photo: Glenn Owen

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January 2016

Schools

Mulgrave’s Big Ideas lunchtime learning lectures by

Karem Planas

D

id you know that the genetic engineering of plants has the potential to provide edible plant vaccines that could be used to enable immunization in hard-to-reach third world communities?

Or that a brief examination of Judaic, Islamic and Christian practices from the 11th Century onwards uncovered a rich history of tolerance and symbolic understanding of central religious texts?

These learnings arose from the engaging community lectures held most Mondays at 1:30 pm as part of Mulgrave’s community lunchtime lecture series. “Our goal is to bring learning outside the classroom by augmenting the questions and responses that come about when globally contentious topics are discussed,” said Craig Davis, Senior School Principal at Mulgrave School.

Over the course of the year, the lunchtime talks will feature a wide range of speak-

2016

By Louise Steinberg, Rockridge Secondary School

A year is just a number.

We think it will change in one night, 11:59 We are a mess.

60 seconds, We are now fixed.

We have resolutions: go to the gym, eat healthy but We don’t see the pain in others like us.

Far away, the clock doesn’t change.

Time is just a useless number, What matters is survival.

A boy sits in a meadow, surrounded by death.

A girl slowly dies from famine around her.

They are us in other lives,

ers, including academics from UBC, Simon Fraser, University of King’s College, Quest University as well as Mulgrave teachers and students. Among the lectures presented in December was ‘Paris, Charlie Hebdo, Media Distortion and Religious Literacy’, which was delivered by Anniqa Karmali and Emme Lee, G12 Mulgrave students. Their central arguments focused on the need for greater understanding or religious ‘literacy’ amongst the broad population (regardless of their own beliefs) and an equally strong awareness of the role of media in unhelpfully polarising and fuelling stereotypical views in articles, bulletins and sensationalist headlines.

Lectures resume Monday, January 25th at 1:20 pm. A full schedule can be accessed at http://bit.ly/mulgravelectures – among the upcoming topics are ‘Three problemsolving strategies for Mathematics and for Life’ and ‘What is Human Consciousness’.

Light refreshments are served and parking is available.

2016

We are lucky but we don’t see it, waiting for the next iPhone.

By Annasofie Jakobsen, Rockridge Secondary School

We know of that boy, but we do nothing.

That girl could be us, but we do nothing.

We are educated but we are dumb Our society fails in teaching compassion We act like we care but we don’t We care just for ourselves.

One minute won’t change us.

60 seconds can’t rebuild our past but we can work on our future.

The new year won’t change us, Our puzzle won’t be solved, The pieces will stay scattered lying on the floor.

60 seconds won’t change that, We can only change ourselves.

2016 is just a point in time.

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Photo: Courtesy of Mark Steffans Anniqa Karmali and Emme Lee at Mulgrave School prior to their Big Ideas Lunchtime Lecture.

in a world full of terror and scary things that make us want to be four again instead of fourteen and crawl under the bed and pretend everything’s okay the harsh truth of reality we must face the challenges given in this world in stride no matter how hard or impossible it might seem mountains we have to climb, rivers we have to cross but there’s something this new year can bring something only few of us have found in the very bottomless free fall pit we call life when 2016 rolls around, our problems won’t be solved we’ll still be as broken as we were before but with hope, we can conquer anything that stands in our path to happiness we are the change, we can change

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Into the Night

By Kate Foley, Rockridge Secondary School

Isn’t it funny how You notice small things at night?

The glide of a pen, The creak of a house Slowly settling in to place While all sleep inside.

It’s interesting As the word around you dims, All becomes focused.

Outside is darkness, But my mind is full of light And words disappear Deep into the night.

January 2016

PAGE 7

Schools

New programming launched at West Vancouver Schools by

Beverly Pausche

T

hese are exciting times, as a slate of new programming has just been approved by the West Vancouver Board of Education.

The district’s renowned Premier Academies will be expanded to include new Rugby and Field Hockey programs, open to male and female athletes entering Grade 8-12 this fall. Once only available at Sentinel Secondary, students from any of the district’s three high schools may now apply for these programs. Academies run in the afternoon block, which has been matched at each school to allow students to complete their academic courses in the morning, and take part in optional Academy programming in

the afternoon.

New this year is the addition of academies outside athletics – one in dance and the other in mechatronics robotics. Located at West Vancouver Secondary School, but open to students from all three schools, the Premier Mechatronics Robotics Academy is open to students entering Grade 9 and up this fall. To support the new Mechatronics Robotics Academy, the district has launched a new series of courses for grades 10, 11 and 12 called the Theory & Principles of Mechatronics Robotics.

Other new courses include a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course for students who would like to become certified Yoga teachers and Outdoor Connections 11 focused on preparation, safety and activity in the natural environment. Course content includes hiking, survival training, orienteer-

Thank-you Starbucks for supporting our students!

W

e at The Beacon would like to thank Caulfeild Starbucks for donating the prizes for our youth art competition, organised by Rockridge student, Scarlet Roth. The students

ing, kayaking, climbing, day outings and overnight trips. For students with an interest in performing arts, Drama Improvisation 10, 11 & 12 will be available for registration this fall. The courses are offered through West Vancouver Secondary School, with the exception of Outdoor Connections 11, which

is offered out of Rockridge Secondary.

For more information on our academies, new programming or admissions, please visit our website at: www.westvancouverschools.ca

Students reach for the stars by

Beverly Pausche

W

hen you empower learners, the sky really is the limit. Micro-gravity experiments from three elementary teams at West Vancouver schools were sent in November to the Smithsonian Institute for final selection

as part of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). The winning project will be sent to the International Space Station, where it will be carried out in zero gravity by scientists in late spring. The students on the winning team will complete their project here on earth, so that results can then be compared. The semi-final teams are from Caulfeild, École Cedardale and Westcot Elementary schools.

are loving their beautiful mugs and gift cards. And it’s wonderful to see the winning artwork displayed on the walls. See the story on page 4 for how to enter the next contest.

Photo: L. Pfeil Scarlet, Sam and Patrice at Caulfeild Starbucks.

Photo: Courtesy of WVSD The semi-final teams from Caulfeild, École Cedardale and Westcot Elementary schools, with Superintendent of Schools, Chris Kennedy.

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January 2016

Rafe Mair remembers horse buns courtesy of

Promontory Press

K

nown to most as a polarizing figure in Canadian and British Columbian politics, and an outspoken voice in print and radio, Rafe Mair shares with his readers the side to him that is entirely human, relatable, and even loving in his latest

memoir, I Remember Horse Buns. Above all, Rafe shares his love affair with Vancouver, British Columbia.

Starting his tale in 1931, Rafe tells of exciting areas for kids to explore with minimal interference from parents. It was a time when there were actually streams you could fish in. It was the time of comic books, radio shows, and Saturday afternoon at the movies.

Rafe relates the early days when he was forming thoughts on issues like the environment, free speech, and the press. He remembers the McCarthy era that started in Ottawa when a Soviet cipher clerk defected and Russia was no longer our Great Ally. He describes his love of books and writing, and he exposes Trotsky— Trotsky the bear, that is!

Tales from the Fisherman’s Market: in the time before bulk packs by

Horsebuns personalized.

Photo: Greg M

Grace and Rafe reminisce.

Photo: Greg M

Photo: Chris Stringer Grace McCarthy with Rafe Mair, best-selling author, recovering politician and renowned talk show host, at his November 18 book launch where he reminisced about Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada… and horse buns.

Geoff Austin

T

hough commercial fishing is notoriously hard work, the hours long and conditions beyond unpleasant, it isn’t all bad. Sometimes the wind disappears, the sun shines and fishing is easy. On those superb days, when we drop anchor before the sun has set over the horizon, I strip off my rain gear, grab my rod and find myself a comfortable spot on a coil of rope on the bow and cast a line.

Jigging in a deep, remote cove amongst a maze of inlets on BC’s north central coast is amazing. I have pulled in fish after fish, young black cod that have not yet left for the deep, open ocean, as well as quillback rockfish, bandits and canaries scouring the rocks for small bait fish. Big toothy lingcod lay in hiding for those rockfish to pass by. Then there are the river mouths sprouting crab grass that hides huge, thick-shelled dungy crabs.

While I fish the rest of the crew sit around the galley, nodding their approval at my catch every now and then. Though 90% of the fish are released, I bring a va-

riety of seafood back to my family. This will last all winter. When I hear all the bad press around Canadians’ meat sources, I think of where I get mine and I don’t think twice about what I serve on my family’s table.

Photo: Courtesy of Fisherman’s Market Geoff Austin with a rockfish.

January 2016

PAGE 9

mountains to sea

CBC - Christmas bird count Elspeth Bradbury

F

or thousands of Canadians, the initials CBC stand for more than a well-loved broadcasting corporation. The annual Christmas Bird Count has become a winter tradition for many participants since it started in 1900. Today it is North America’s longest running citizen science project, and the observations it gathers help ornithologists and conservation biologists to better understand the habits and status of North American birds. Bird Studies Canada, in partnership with the National Audubon Society, run the Canadian CBCs. The events take place between dawn and dusk on any one day between December 14 and January 5 and are organized in ‘count circles’ 24 kilometres (15 miles) across. Last year, BC contributed data from an impressive 100 counts. The Lower Howe Sound

circle is centered near the north of Bowen bers of birds they identify. Volunteers workIsland, and the mainland portion exing on the islands in Howe Sound add their data, then Marja compiles tends from Brunswick Beach to a master list and the obserjust past Stearman’s Beach vations are recorded on and up into Cypress Provincial Park.

Audubon’s ebird website.

For the last ten years, Volunteers identify birds by sound, sight, Marja de Jong Westflight patterns and beman, Biology Instruchaviour. One year, it tor at Capilano University, has organized was alarm calls that this local count. She alerted a group to a mob of jays and chickahas been an enthusiasdees harassing a Northern tic birder since the 1970s Saw-whet Owl taking cover when Richard and Sydney in a hedge. While small birds Cannings - then fellow students, now nationally known birders Marja de Jong Westman, climbing up trees are probably and authors - introduced her to organizer for the Lower creepers, small birds climbing Howe Sound CBC the world of birds. Every year, down headfirst are certainly Photo: Courtesy of nuthatches. Experienced birders she chooses a date for the local Elizabeth de Jong also learn to assess the number count and alerts the CBC volunWestman of individual birds in a flock. teers, who gather at her house This is no easy task when rafts of and divide into small groups, each under the guidance of an experienced surf scoters off Lighthouse Park may number birder. The groups then cover assigned areas in the thousands.

The count takes place rain or shine and, and keep checklists of the species and num-

Winter sightings of Pigeon Guillemots are uncommon in Howe Sound.

Photo: Courtesy of Robert Alexander

in a good year, the volunteers may tally a satisfying 92 species, but when conditions are poor - especially if it is windy - they may find less than half that number. Overall, however, the CBC figures provide a remarkably reliable record of our resident bird species.

Population trends, such as a dramatic drop in Pine Siskins, become apparent. When Marja started birding, the musical calls of Western Grebes were commonplace around our shorelines, but now the waters are almost silent. On the other hand, some species such as Anna’s Hummingbirds, once a rarity, are now thriving in our area. And, of course, there are always surprises. It is considered a good count when the birders can add a Rough-legged Hawk, Rhinoceros Auklet or Marbled Murrelet to their list. As Marja says, “Birding is a lovely hobby. Imagine spending time in nature just to chase down our avian dinosaur pals!”

If you would like to volunteer with next year’s CBC, email Marja at mdjw@telus.net.

To join the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society monthly bird count, check www. lpps.ca for details.

This juvenile Bald Eagle seems reluctant to join the count.

Photo: Courtesy of Robert Alexander

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January 2016

The transition to Parenthood: Part Two Cultivating a Healthy Relationship Domenica Mastromatteo

I

t’s the New Year, and you’re full of hope and resolutions for a better, healthier and happier life. For many, the excitement is intensified by a new baby. But approximately 2/3 of couples experience a significant drop in relationship quality, and a dramatic increase in conflict and hostility. This is a reality, but you don’t have to be part of these statistics. Start your new year by focusing on the following relationship saving ingredients highlighted by Dr John Gottman of the Relationship Research Institute in Seattle, Washington: Firstly, remember why you chose one another. There was a connection that brought you together in the first place.

Find it again, and keep a positive perspective when remembering your history; this will encourage a positive future.

The second ingredient involves building a solid foundation. Have a daily check-in with your partner and get to know the details of their daily life and emotional world.

We all want to feel deeply known and we want to know that our partner is interested in who we are and how we are changing.

Express daily appreciation and affection, specially during the ordinary moments. Stop looking for mistakes. Make a point of expressing fondness and admiration for one another.

Do small things often. Research shows that if you make small changes in your daily life, they will result in larger changes that increase satisfaction, build awareness, and increase communication. It is the small, everyday efforts that make extraordinary differences in the quality of a relationship.

Share power and respect for each other’s point of view and don’t be afraid to let your partner influence you.

Finally, have realistic expectations. Your life will change. Resources like a sense of humour, time to think, tolerance for brainstorming, and permission to make mistakes allow couples to experiment with

what works. Relationships that insist on the old ways (before baby) become rigid to change and tend to suffer.

“In our study, the couples that sailed through the turbulent rapids of Baby’s arrival looked for mooring, for goals and values that anchored them. In adapting to family life with its constant twists and

turns, they shifted their balance, grabbed hold of new oars, mapped out their destination, and navigated towards their new goals together. They filled their lives with purpose and meaning.” And Baby Makes Three. sensationalchildren.ca

Community seeks a vision for its future by

I rene Leschert

S

t. Monica’s Church in Horseshoe Bay will be 65 years old next year. Originally a vision of the Whytecliff Anglican Women’s Guild, services began here on January 14, 1951, in the space which is now the church hall. The purchase of more land soon followed, and a beautiful new sanctuary was completed in June, 1960. The centrepiece of the sanctuary is a stained glass window designed and built by French artist Gabriel Loire. His windows can also be seen in St. Andrew’s-Wesley Church in Vancouver.

Outside sits the Coronation Bell; it still rings on Sunday mornings. Made in England, the bell commemorates the 1952 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. There’s something else you may have noticed about the St. Monica’s site. It has a ‘For Sale’ sign prominently placed alongside the ‘Hope’ flower garden on Wellington Avenue.

It’s an arresting sight, particularly when the parking lot is full. A vibrant church community (Revolution Church) meets on Sunday, a group of women get together on Wednesday mornings, and AA has been gathering weekly for many years. The hall is licensed for a community daycare.

The land on which the church sits is zoned for Public Assembly. There is no other land with the same zoning in this area, and the community is hesitant to let it go.

A Community Conversation about the site took place on Sunday, November 22. Citizens in the area were invited to participate in dialogue about the future of the site, and its potential as a community hub. A working group was formed that day, and will meet in

St. Monica.

January. The goal of this group is to establish a vision for the use of this building, a vision solidly based on the needs of the people it will serve.

A thread of history runs through St. Monica’s. Let’s work together to ensure it continues to weave its tapestry into the future. If you have any questions about this process, or would like to get involved, please email irene@leschert.bc.ca.

Photo: Courtesy of Irene Leschert

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Integrity and craftsmanship on Vancouver’s North Shore

January 2016

PAGE 11

Community Award to Alexandra Mancini Chris Stringer

During her tenure, the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society has been recognized as a superb example of sound environmental stewardship in this community. She orlexandra Mancini became in- ganizes work parties, trains volunteers and volved with the is a hands-on leader.

Lighthouse Park We l l - k n o w n West Vancouver Preservation Society in resident and envi2005 when she received ronmental activist, a newsletter as part of a bulk mailing, subseHugh Hamilton, quently attending her wrote, “Alexandra has been a great first ivy pull in the Valdriver in all of the ley of the Giants. By causes that she has 2006 she was a director been involved in. responsible for all weed pull events, and became I particularly like vice president in 2007. In her acumen and the September 2009 she took way she thinks out problems and situover as president.

- Hugh Hamilton ations. She has been The society mandate is to protect the natural ina pillar of force and tegrity of Lighthouse Park, promote public common sense in her role as a director of awareness of its natural features, and sup- the Old Growth Conservancy Society and port the development of biological zones she is a very welcome member of the Nature House Society.” near the park boundaries. by

A

In November Mancini was recognized with the West Vancouver environmental

award. Congratulations Alexandra.

“

“Alexandra has been a great driver in all of the causes that she has been involved in.”

Photo: Courtesy of District of West Vancouver Alexandra Mancini receiving her award from Councillor Nora Gambioli.

Master Athlete of the Year again by

Lindy Pfeil

O October Ivy Pull.

Photo: Courtesy of Lighthouse Park Preservation Society

Broom Pull.

Photo: Courtesy of Lighthouse Park Preservation Society

BC Indoor Masters Championships in Kamloops in February. Christa, we are so proud of you!

n Saturday, December 5, 2015, Christa Bortignon attended the BC Athletics Awards banquet, where, for the fifth time in a row, she was honoured as the Master Athlete of the year for Track and Field. Her total medal count, since taking up track and field in 2009, has now reached 400!

In August, she participated in the World Masters Outdoor Championships in Lyon, France, and was the only Canadian to win six medals. She is now training for the 2016

docsonthebay.ca A warm, friendly, inclusive, place in Horseshoe Bay where you and your family will receive physician,counselling, physiotherapy attention and care.

Photo: Attilio Bortignon Christa competing in the 100m dash at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St.George, Utah.

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12

January 2016

St. Francis-in-the-wood

Welcoming Refugees by

Ann Frost

A

heartrending photo of a child who didn’t live to reach safety awoke the world to the desperate plight of Syrian refugees and the world has responded.

Immigration and refugee societies across Canada have been deluged with offers of support, everything from cash donations to

Join us for fun on the fourth (4th) Saturday each month.

• c ra

fts

• fo o d

e • ga m

s

• songs

• sto r ie

s

grandmothers in Quebec knitting toques for the children.

So what can people in our community do? At its Parish Council meeting in early December, St. Francis-in-the-Wood struck a small committee to address this question.

Only a few Syrian refugees are expected to arrive in BC by the year’s end and they have been sponsored by Syrian families already living here. The Legacy Committee at St. Francis has pledged $30,000 to assist a refugee family and one way to do that is to support Syrian family applications through an organization like Mosaic. They are asking the parish, and the residents of Caulfeild, to match, and hopefully surpass, that donation.

Interested individuals could also offer to support government sponsored refugees, and that sponsorship might well involve other organizations.

As well as financial support, many of us may want to offer gifts in kind, like clothing, furniture or personal support, such as helping with SIN numbers, driver’s licenses, grocery shopping, learning English or searching for employment. That support would likely require travelling to other parts of the Lower Mainland, wherever the communities of

Photo: mycause.ca

Syrian refugee

One does not ask of one who suffers: “What is your country and what is your religion?”

One merely says: “You suffer, that is enough for me.” – Louis Pasteur Syrian families begin to form.

If any of these services are of interest to you, or if you would like more information, please email stfrancis@telus.net or call the church at 604-922-3531. Financial contributions can be made to St. Francis-in-the-

Wood, marked as Contributions to the Refugee Fund.

There are many ways each of us can serve.

Please open your hearts and give where and how you can.

4772 Piccadilly Road South

Sundays We hope to see you there!

ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-WOOD CHURCH A place for families celebrating community 4772 PICCADILLY ROAD SOUTH

Wednesdays

604.922.3531 -

Services 8am 10am (with Sunday School) 10am

www.stfrancisinthewood.ca

Safeway is proud to support local farmers and producers. See our wide range of local products throughout the store.

January 2016

PAGE 13

Caulfeild Cove Hall

Busy Fall at the Hall by

Chris Stringer

O

n October 10, after a wedding and reception during the day, Caulfeild Cove Hall partygoers danced to the R&B/Motown sounds of the Souled Out band. Just one week later, children enjoyed their own party. A rapid clean-up was followed by the sold-out Music in the Woods evening with Mich McManus. Guests were treated to the gastronomic delights of a French food truck and gourmet Italian desserts. Thank you Carolyn Wray.

Goblins and ghosts invaded the Hall for a Hallowe’en costume party. The Grim Reaper, Little Red Riding Hood, The Gladiator and Marie Antoinette competed for costume awards. Thank you Susie and Wayne Moore.

A week later West Vancouver’s popular Neil Diamond impersonator, Bobby Bruce, entertained and, once again, the dance floor overflowed with revelers demanding encore after encore.

A two-day group healing workshop

brought peace and calmness in mid November. This was followed by the St Francis tradition of two people committing themselves in marriage among friends and relatives.

The extraordinary talents of artisans were displayed at the two-day Holiday Artisan Market the following week. And on December 6, 120 guests gathered to celebrate the life of a passing friend whose wish was that a good time be had by all, and it was. An RCMP Honour Guard opened the celebration.

Children took the floor again on Saturday, December 12 for a Cookie Dough workshop with chef Ann Marie from Well Fed, thanks again to Carolyn Wray.

On December 20 the St Francis-in-theWood Christmas 9 Lessons & Carols were enjoyed by a packed church that overflowed afterwards into the Hall for mulled wine and mince tarts. And the Christmas spirit was underway.

Caulfeild Cove Hall will take a much deserved rest in January with no events planned…..so far!

WEST VANCOUVER’S POPULAR DANCE BAND PLAYING YOUR 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s FAVOURITES

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‘Cookie dough chef’ Jane Elizabeth van Liempt.

Photo: Chris Stringer

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www.caulf ieldcovehall.ca

PAGE

14

January 2016

A word from our MLA by

2016 tax returns are due on Leap Day

Jordan Sturdy

W

Armchair Accountant

e are so fortunate to have stands of old growth trees close to our urban commu-

nity.

Old growth conservancies help protect the biological diversity of forests and preserve plant ecosystems, wildlife habitat and cultural values. A total of about 4.5 million hectares of old-growth forest are protected in British Columbia.

Here in West Vancouver the Old Growth Conservancy Society members have done extraordinary work in increasing public appreciation of, and protecting, the natural features and recreational assets of the West Vancouver mountainside.

I was pleased to join members on a tour in Cypress Park. We hiked into an undisturbed old growth red cedar forest with trees in the range of 900 years or older. This area is one of the few remaining untouched old growth forests in the

Rebecca van der Horst

W Photo: Courtesy of Jordan Sturdy Jordan Sturdy and members of the West Vancouver Old Growth Conservation Society.

Lower Mainland.

The Society runs tours into West Vancouver’s Old Growth Conservancy dur-

ing August and September each year and I highly recommend the experience.

Fifty years in Caulfeild – Part 5 by

Ann Frost

W

hat comes to mind when you think of Christmas? I remember helping our young children make gifts for their grandparents: a delicious, if somewhat messy, homemade version of Turtles; a pair of matchboxes painstakingly glued with brown felt and gold rickrack; a pencil holder created from a tin can covered with a crazy quilt of coloured felt.

Christmas pageants: shepherds, angels,

Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus and one year the two littlest angels, one of whom was our youngest daughter, sweetly falling asleep as they lay curled up at the foot of the pageant. Carol singers at the door, neighborhood children bundled up against the cold, carrying cardboard boxes for UNICEF pennies.

The Communion Service on Christmas Eve was a time to catch your breath: a time of quiet contemplation, and one magical night, emerging to a new snowfall, a silent white landscape, feeling that all was right with the world.

“At Amici restaurant we specialize in old world Italian cooking, where the food is plentiful and delicious! You want Italian?

We’ll give you Italian with our tradition of warm hospitality.”

Scott and Victor

On Christmas morning, only your stocking and one present could be opened before breakfast, a tradition left over from my own childhood, and then off to church for the special family service. And woe betide anyone who trifled with the old Christmas dinner standards: “Are these nuts in the dressing? Why?” Mince tarts with hard sauce melting deliciously under the lid. And carol singing after dinner – all the simple carols that I could manage on the piano. What a wonderful time of year.

ith another year behind us, one thing we know for sure is that we will soon be preparing our Individual Income Tax Return for the 2015 calendar year.

Your 2015 Notice of Assessment from CRA contains valuable information: facts, figures and carry-forwards that you may require before forging ahead and before possibly missing deadlines. Peruse your NOA carefully as soon as you receive it and again at tax planning time.

There are a few important dates to note in British Columbia: • The deadline for contributing to your RRSP will be February 29, 2016, rather than the usual March 1 deadline, as 2016 is a Leap Year.

• If you are expecting T4 information slips, the deadline for employers to issue these to their employees and to CRA is February 29, 2016. Contact CRA to see if any slips have been issued to you in any year you may be wondering about.

• The deadline for most filers to file their Individual Income Tax Return is April 30, 2016 or June 15, 2016 for self-employed filers and their spouses or common-law partners. Note: Even if you are self-employed and your ITR may not be due until June 15, 2016, all tax payable to CRA must be paid on or before April 30, 2016 to avoid penalties and interest on the amount.

Remember, nobody plans to fail - they just fail to plan. Contact your tax preparer soon.

Happy planning! officesolutions@me.com

WE MISS YOU LIONS BAY! You can find my cards, posters and paper prints at Lions Bay General Store and Sea To Sky Gondola, my paintings at the Pousette Gallery in Vancouver and all of my work online at

michaeltickner.com 1747 Marine Drive, West Vancouver | 604.913.1314

Thank you and Happy New Year!

- Michael

January 2016

PAGE 15

J Gregory Men’s Apparel Tel: 604-921-2646 Marilyn’s Boutique Tel:604-925-4110 Mega Sushi Tel:604-281-0200 Pastameli Restaurant Tel:604-922-9333 Pharmasave Tel:604-926-5331 Post Office Tel:1-800-267-1177 Safeway Tel:604-926-2550 Sa Spa On The Rocks Tel: 604-922-3636 Starbucks Tel:604-922-4955 Subway Tel: 604-922-7501 Valetor Cleaners Tel:604-925-3900 Village Pet Food Tel:604-925-3334 Windsor Meats Co. Tel:604-926-6168 Your Dollar Store Tel:778-279-1989

We thank you for your patronage in 2015 and wish you all a Happy New Year!

- from Colin and our Pastameli team

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January 2016

homeless, lost and afraid, more than 1,400 street–involved youth come to covenant house Vancouver each year to find sanctuary and a brighter future.

Ways you can help: Donate online or call 604.638.4438 | Volunteer | Host a fundraiser | Donate food or needed items To learn more or to donate visit: www.covenanthousebc.org Thank you to The Penny Mitchell Group for sponsoring this advertisement.

As a working mother of two daughters who grew up happily in our community I can fully appreciate the difficulties young people can face without the proper guidance and support. I appreciate and honour the ongoing work of Covenant House with our youth today and I hope you are able to support this amazing community organization in even a small way in 2016. Happy New Year. - Penny

the penny mitchell group