West Vancouver Beacon | March/April 2014 | Edition 4

THE

BEACON

“Shedding light on Caulfeild and neighbouring communities”

March 2014

IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS March 20, International Day of Happiness

S The sunrise at Eagle Harbour Yacht Club. n Photo credit: Lindy Pfeil

ince the beginning of time philosophers and poets have pondered this thing called happiness. What is it, really? Where can we find it? And why are some people apparently perpetually happy, and others, well…not?

In 2012 the General Assembly of the United Nations recognized happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world, declaring March 20 International Day of Happiness, with this message from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon: "On this first International Day of Happiness, let us… renew our pledge to help others. When we contribute to the common good, we ourselves are enriched. Compassion promotes happiness and will help build the future we want."

Russian writer, Maxim Gorky, once wrote that “Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.” So, on this second International Day of Happiness, we at The Beacon wish you and your loved ones a day filled with the good stuff. n

INSIDE INSIDE THIS THIS

EDITION EDITIO EDITIO N N

SIGNS OF SPRING Landscape Design

Your Garden ...Our Pleasure

Installation

604.802.5272

Maintenance

BLOOMINGFIELDS GARDEN CARE AND DESIGN INC.

bloomingfieldsdigs.ca

PAGE 2

THE BEACON

The Beacon Team CHRIS STRINGER Publisher chrisstringer@shaw.ca

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? More on page 13...

lindypfeil@me.com

More Than Just A Smile On Your Face

PENNY MITCHELL Advertising Sales

PSYCHED OUT Ian Macpherson

penny@pennymitchell.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THE BEACON PLEASE CONTACT PENNY MITCHELL

(604) 816-7825

Ka la , 11, an d M or ris .

"There are lots of things that make me happy. I think this is because my family and I spend a lot of time talking about what we are thankful for. I've learned that when I pay attention to the good things - even small things like touching my fuzzy socks or noticing a colourful bug - that finding a happy moment is pretty easy. And in Caulfeild there's lots that I'm thankful for, like: walking my dog on the trails through the forest, the alligator lizard that lives in my yard and suntans on my driveway in the summer, the stellar jays that come for snacks on my deck…"

HAPPINESS IS...

LINDY PFEIL Editor

DAWN ROBINSON Layout & Graphics

MARCH 2014

I

n the search for true happiness many look to the east: would you believe Philadelphia? It is home to the Positive Psychology Center (PPC) directed by Prof. Martin Seligman, someone who has made the New York Times list of the most influential thinkers of our time. His passion? How you can make yourself the happiest you can be.

Everybody knows a Debbie or a Danny Downer. Even when their cup of good fortune overflows, they worry about flood damage! Unfortunately there is some truth to the seemingly natural-born tendency to pessimism - or optimism for that matter. But other influences, such as family relationships, help shape our values and attitudes towards life.

And society also has its impact. For example, for every contented Russian, there are two satisfied Germans and five happy Danes. But

don’t despair: our friendly “happiologists” insist that about 40% of our ability to maximize our bliss is in our own hands. If I think I am happy, no one can argue with me. But how would I know that my neighbor is not even happier? And a great deal of perception is illusion, so maybe I am just kidding myself.

Seligman and the PPC to the rescue!

They have turned a formerly abstract, anybody’s-guess concept into a science. They have concluded that pleasurable feelings and joyful emotion are important but only a part of what humans are really looking for in their “pursuit of happiness”. In fact, Seligman and company believe the term “happiness” is over-rated and misguides us in our quest. As a result, positive psychology now focuses on well-being as the condition we really seek.

Besides experiencing the positive emotions, there are four other elements that make up well-being: engagement, achievement, positive relationships and meaning.

Engagement refers to a single-minded commitment to a long-term pursuit that calls for our best abilities and absorbs our attention and interest. It’s the journey, not the destination, isn’t it? But it really is the destination

too. We also strive towards goals and want to bask in the glory of our accomplishments.

Interestingly, the path needs to be somewhat difficult or it will not be so rewarding. Thirdly, we humans are all “wired” to be social - to support and care for others. Without this, only die-hard hermits might believe they have achieved nirvana. Finally, meaning in our lives is key. Simply defined, it is knowing that we are a part of something important that is bigger than ourselves. It might have a religious or spiritual flavor but not necessarily so. The other elements are usually a part of this sense of meaning.

The PPC has determined that underlying these well-being elements are “signature strengths” that we all have in varying amounts. To move towards authentic happiness, we can identify and capitalize on our personal signature strengths. n

Ian Macpherson is a psychologist and psychotherapist living and practicing in Caulfeild. www.westvancouvertherapist.com

Charmaine Lang, d.i.d.

Expert renovation design-build specialist

If you are thinking about renovating your home, please call today for a renovation assessment.

Full service planning, architectural plans, interior design, budgeting, schedule and implementation.

25 years experience.

DESIGN • BUILD • FURNISH Providing Certainty Every Step of The Way

604-925-8882 • C-299 24th Street, West Vancouver Cell: 604-781-0444 • www.langdesigngroup.ca

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON I spend a lot of time in Starbucks. It’s my “writing office”, and I love the people who work there. Christine is one of them. She has, as the saying goes, a “light” that she carries with her, that makes it impossible to be unhappy when in her presence. So of course I picked her brain about happiness. This is what does it for her: “Making others feel good. Spending time with my family and close friends. Doing things that make me feel accomplished and productive.

Sharing great experiences with someone. And traveling.”

Christine

PAGE 3 Every Tuesday afternoon two sets of siblings skip happily up the stairs at St Francis-in-the –Wood Church, bringing their ‘happy energy’ with them into the gym.

So I asked them what makes them happy.

Yuna , Owen, Jin-Wo o, Sun-Ah

Four-year-old Owen is happiest when he is skiing or playing soccer. His sister, Yuna (age 6), loves singing and dancing. Sun-Ah (also age 6) says that everything from the movie Frozen makes her happy. Her four-year-old brother, Jin-Woo, answers that the castle that he is wishing for for his fifth birthday will make him so happy! Mum and dad take note.

HAPPINESS & MINDFULNESS Cultivating It In Your Kids

minutes. This is known as the 7/11 mindfulness exercise. Some schools in our district are now starting to incorporate mindfulness into their daily routines. Students at Eagle Harbour Montessori School practice an exercise similar to this one, twice a day.

In today’s busy world, many of us have lost the capacity to be mindful compared to generations past where there were fewer distractions, especially digital ones, and being mindful was just a way of being.

As parents, we need to remember to teach our children this vital life skill so that it becomes a part of who they are, and we need to take the time to practice it ourselves. n

PARENTING Louise Clarke

I

t is said that mindfulness gives us the ability to sustain happiness. So what exactly is it?

Mindfulness is about learning to direct our attention to our experience as it unfolds with an open mind, curiosity and kindness. The benefits of mindfulness help you achieve peak performance in whatever it is you do, improve physical health, improve sleep and concentration, lower stress and optimize creativity.

It is thought that our minds spend up to 50% of the time rehashing the past or projecting the future, paying little attention to the present. In developing mindfulness, we need to learn how to shift our minds from the dominant thinking mode to the sensory mode and then develop the capacity to keep the volume turned up on our senses to focus on the

!!!

3)(4+*,!/*5!!

6+0-(71)+*,!4+89!! :/;+.+10! +*!<(41)!=/>.?1+.5!!

0+*-1!@AAB!

For more information visit: Photo credit: Lisa Day & WVSD here and now. As the saying goes: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift we call the present”.

In short, we need to feel the doing and encourage our children to do this, to focus on their senses and take the time to really hear the sounds, see the sights, smell the air

!"#$"%%&'()*$$

"!#$%&!!

'()*+*,!-./00102!

+&*(,-&'$."/'$01(23$-"34.5 6422$789:;<=>;=9=?$ @(,(-$7###A-(332.0"B&C")-&,,"'(A0"C$$

and taste what they eat. Asking them questions about what they are sensing and encouraging them to express this is a good way to start.

Try this simple but powerful exercise to become more mindful: shut your eyes and breathe in deeply for your own count of 7 and then breathe out, at your natural pace, counting to about 11. Repeat this for a few

www.mindwellcanada.com

Louise Clarke, an Adlerian Parenting Facilitator, lives in Eagle Harbour with her husband and three children. www.yourparentingpartner.com

PAGE 4

THE BEACON

MARCH 2014

REJUVENATE YOUR BODY Try a delicious green smoothie today HEALTHY LIVING Tisha Bryant

Green Smoothie Recipe 2 ripe bananas 1 cup raspberries 1 cup blueberries 1 cup blackberries 2 – 3 handfuls spinach* 2.5 – 3 cups filtered water - Blend all ingredients, and enjoy! *start with less and gradually add more to suit your taste.

I

t’s that time of year again and after months of over overindulging, your body will be ready for some TLC. The best way to instigate lasting change to your diet is to add green smoothies. Just one glass daily will give you the most amazing benefits: nutrient-rich, loaded with fibre, low in fat, excellent for digestive health, and anti-aging, it reduces sugar craving, supports the immune

A CULINARY VIEW

Time For Kale

by Maureen Goulet

A

s the owner of Ambrosia Cooking School in West Vancouver, I have met some amazingly talented Chefs.

Karen Barnaby is one of them. Karen worked

at the Fish House for 17 years and is presently working in recipe development for Albion Fisheries, Intercity Meat Packers and Fresh Start Produce. And Karen’s Kale salad is one of my favourite recipes.

If you haven’t yet heard, kale it is the new super food. It ranks 100 on the nutrient food scale which means it’s just about the best thing you can do for your body! It’s an excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C and K. It is also high in calcium without any of the saturated fats or allergies associated with cow’s dairy milk. Karen recommends doing the kale massage to break down this hearty leaf, so not only does the salad taste great but you get a workout making it too! n Maureen Goulet (left, with Guest Chef Karen Barnaby) is the owner of Ambrosia Cooking School. www.ambrosiaadventures.com

system, aids weight loss, rejuvenates and results in better sleep. Research has shown that people who incorporate blended greens into their daily lives naturally begin to eat healthier, live foods. Smoothies are great for everyone. If you have kids, get them to help prepare using their favorite fruits. Ideally, the mix should be 60% fruit, 40% green.

Why don’t you try a 5 day green smoothie challenge! I guarantee that you will look and feel amazing. If you want to take your green smoothie challenge further, I recommend Victoria Boutenko’s book Green for Life. n

For more healthy tips visit Tisha at: www.apinchoflovely.me

Kale, Date, Bacon, Apple and Avocado Salad (serves 4) 1/8 tsp sea salt 1 tbsp olive oil 2 bunches of Kale

Wash, dry and remove the rib from the Kale.Tear into bite-size pieces.

6 slices of cooked bacon 1 cup chopped pitted dates ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves ½ cup chopped pecans 1 avocado, cut into bite size pieces 1 Fuji apple, cored and diced Dressing 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp maple syrup 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp light miso 1 clove minced garlic

Add the sea salt and oil to the kale and start to massage it until the kale is bright green and soft. The kale should crackle a little as you massage it.

Combine the Kale with the rest of the ingredients. Add the dressing and serve.

Enjoy!

New Ownership New Style New Menu LIVE music on Saturday nights from 6pm till close

Saturday and Sunday BRUNCH from 11 till 3 Eggs Benedict, breakfast pizza or traditional omelettes are some of our delicious new menu items!!

(604) 922-9333 www.pastameli.com

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON

PAGE 5

HELPING TURN THE TIDE BC Artists Decorate Children’s Chairs

by Margot Carter

O

n Saturday, May 10, from 1 till 5 pm, a very special event will be held in the Lily Lee Spirit Room, in the West Vancouver Community Centre. The West Van Gogos (an African word for grandmothers) will be holding an exhibition and auction of over 100 children’s chairs, beautifully decorated by very talented BC artists.

You have a chance to own one of these incredible treasures! If you would like to bid on any of these enchanting chairs before May 10, or you would like to preview them, there will be a website available from March until May 10. Keep an eye out for posters in local stores and businesses for more details about the online auction.

The West Van Gogos are grandmothers and grandothers (one of more than 240 groups across Canada), who are supporting the African grandmothers of over 14 million children orphaned by AIDS. In many Sub-Saharan countries, 40-60% of children

Magnificently painted chairs that will be available for auction on May 10, along with several more masterpieces created by talented BC artists. n Photo credit: West Vancouver Gogos.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER

604-961-6457

A healthy financial choice for your retirement...

Turn your home into Tax-free cash!

live in grandmother-headed households. Often, there are as many as 10 children in one household and these grandmothers desperately need help to provide food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, HIV prevention, grief counseling and so much more for their bereaved grandchildren. All profits from this event will go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation which funds community-based organizations in 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Field representatives from the Stephen Lewis Foundation visit these organizations regularly to ensure that there is a strong connection to the community, an ability to implement the funded programs and financial accountability.

These indomitable African grandmothers are striving courageously to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS, so that another generation will not be lost, and they greatly need and appreciate our support. You may walk away with a charming piece of BC art, as well! n

Margot Carter is a Caulfeild resident and member of the West Van Gogos. www.grandmotherscampaign.org

Located in Park Royal Village beside Caffè Artigiano.

michael.alexander@dominionlending.ca

Retirement Income Specialists

Estate Preservation & Succession Planning

Karl Krokosinski

karl@customplanfinancial.com “Largest Independent Planning Firm in the GVRD” as seen in the Business in Vancouver Newspaper

604 - 687 - 7773

Micheline Varas

michelinev@customplanfinancial.com

Tori Alexander

toria@customplanfinancial.com

www.customplanfinancial.com

PAGE 6

THE BEACON

ROCK`N`ROLL VALENTINES

Motown, R&B, Hip Hop, Country and Ballads

by Jan Volker

DJ Michael James sings for the revelers at the Rock`n`Roll night. n Photo credit: Capture The Moments Media.

W

ith a start time of 8pm, the evening of Saturday, February 15 took a while to get going due to the gale force winds and rain that descended on Caulfeild. But when revelers eventually arrived they took little time to get into the swing, rock and roll.

Beautiful Caulfeild Cove Hall, with its trademark vaulted, beamed and lit ceilings, typically lends itself to a classical concert, but once the dance floor filled, the strobe lights flashed and the familiar old numbers blasted out, it seemed the perfect venue for rock ‘n’ roll. The backdrop at the end of the dance floor - an enormous screen with rotating pictures of Rock greats performing on stage – was a huge hit. Kudos to the organizers.

DJ Michael James knew exactly how to please the crowd. The artful mix of the Beatles, Elvis, Huey Lewis and Stevie Wonder with Billy Joel and Adele, kept the partying dancers on the floor all night.

When Michael felt the crowd needed a break his lovely daughter, Brianna, won our hearts with her beautiful solo melodies that included Norah Jones’ Don’t Know Why and Billy Paul’s Me and Mrs Jones.

The evening ended with a special request from retired West Vancouver mayor, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, that was granted without hesitation.... Lady Gaga!

The overwhelming verdict from the very happy attendees? “You guys should have one of these events every month. This is great!” We hope the organizers oblige. n

Feng Shui - Ancient Wisdom, Modern Solutions for a rich and prosperous life. www.fengshuiconsulting.info 604 339 8878 - marlyna@fengshuiconsulting.info

MARCH 2014

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON

PAGE 7

WHAT`S HAPPENING...

At St. Francis-in-the-Wood?

A CLASSICAL AFTERNOON BESIDE THE COVE

by Rodney Glynn-Morris

T

he audience was treated to one of the best concerts I have ever experienced at St. Francis-in-the-Wood when Dr. Boris Konovalov, a pianist originally from Russia, performed there on the afternoon of January 26.

At age eleven, Boris won first prize at the All-Siberia piano competition, and at 21 he won the All-Russia piano competition in Kazan. Since then he has toured many countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Canada and the US. He has released several CDs and also teaches piano.

Those of us lucky enough to see him at St Francis, were privy to his flare in playing passages which require breakneck speed. Some of the highlights of the day

were Bach’s Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, and Beethoven’s Piano Sonata 21, which requires simultaneous pedal trill, high melody, and rapid left-hand runs.

Dr Konovalov played Russian composer, Rachmaninoff’s Five Preludes with wonderful authority and technical control, flair and panache. But it was his rendering of Chopin’s Funeral March, from Sonata 2, which was played at both JF Kennedy and Sir Winston Churchill’s funerals, that brought the most enthusiastic applause from the audience, some of whom were his pupils.

Boris’ concert pianist wife, Irina, will be performing at the Silk Purse in West Vancouver on Thursday, March 20. n

You’re invited to

ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-WOOD CHURCH

Messy Church

4772 Piccadilly Road South

Sundays Wednesdays

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

604.922.3531 - www.stfrancisinthewood.ca A place for families celebrating community

Planning a wedding?

St Francis-in-the-Wood has been the choice of brides for their Vancouver weddings for over 80 years. During that time little has changed in this little piece of heaven that is known as Caulfeild Cove, beside Lighthouse Park on West Vancouver’s waterfront.

For information: www.stfrancisinthewood.ca/ministries/weddings

ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-WOOD CHURCH 4th Saturday of the month from 4-6pm March 22



April 26



May 24



June 28

Crafts, Songs, Drama & Dinner!

Fun for all ages!

We hope to see you there!

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

PAGE 8

THE BEACON

MARCH 2014

FINE ARTS EXCELLENCE

School District Continues Building On Tradition

by Carolyn Warner

W

est Vancouver School District continues to build on its tradition of Fine Arts excellence through a variety of new and well-established programs offered in all 17 of our public schools.

This year our Performing and Creative Arts showcase – Lighthouse Festival 2014 – will once again celebrate the outstanding work of students and staff in the “premier place for learning.”

In partnership with Park Royal and the North Shore News, an exciting line-up of visual art displays as well as choral, theatre, dance, and band performances will take centre stage at Park Royal South from April 8-17.

“We look forward to celebrating the exceptional talents of our students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Many students have spent years honing their skills under the

direction of the inspiring Fine Arts teachers in our district,” says West Vancouver School District Director of Instruction, Lynne Tomlinson.

A perfect example of enriched learning and strong leadership in the Fine Arts is the recently launched District Honour Choir. This high calibre program challenges and extends the learning of the district’s finest choral singers from Grades 7-12. Led by choir director Suzanne Fulton, the program includes both a co-ed and women’s-only choir.

New this year is Art West 45, a full-day Visual Arts program for students in grades 10-12 with a passion for art. This course is being offered at West Vancouver Secondary School and is open to all students in the district who may be planning to work or study in the field beyond Grade 12. n

West Vancouver School District Honour Choir students demonstrate their passion for singing during one of many performances held in the community this year.

Students currently in Grades 6-11 interested in auditioning for next year’s Co-ed and Women’s Choir need to apply by March 12. n Photo credit: West Vancouver School District

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Presented by the North Shore Restorative Justice Socie

A

For Youth On The North Shore

re you between the ages of 12 and 20? Do you live on the North Shore? Then you are eligible to enter a photo contest on IDENTITY running for the month of March. Go out into your community and take photos that represent what makes you who you are, issues that are important to you, photos that depict what life is like for youth living on the North Shore.

The contest closes on April 1st. Photos can be taken with digital cameras or smart phones. Email original photos to speakoutseries@ gmail.com . This contest is being run by the North Shore Restorative Justice Society. Once you have emailed your photos, they will be posted on NSRJ’s Instagram account (northshorerj). The photo with the most “likes” on northshorerj at the end of every week will win a prize. Prizes will be awarded at a public event on Thursday April 10th. At this time a giant mural of the photos will be created, which is why original photos need to be emailed. Images from Facebook, Instagram, or other online sources do not have high enough resolution for printing.

Restorative Justice is a philosophy that looks at conflict as a breakdown between people and relationships. It is deeply committed to giving North Shore Youth a voice.

For more information visit their website at www.nsrj.ca or email info@nsrj.ca

Bank with us.

As a member of the Caulfeild community for over 25 years, we understand you’re looking for a bank you can trust, with a wide range of financial products and services to meet your unique needs.

If you are looking for banking, borrowing, investing or wealth management solutions, you can count on BMO Bank of Montreal® to help you with your financial goals.

Registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal.

®

Visit us today.

Caulfeild Village Branch, 5303 Headland Dr. 604-921-2982

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON

THE SMALL STUFF Taking It One Day At A Time OPINION Lindy Pfeil

I

am a dance teacher. I spend my days in tights and wings, sprinkling fairy dust on imaginary forest creatures. My life is filled with small stuff. Like tambourines and glitter. But it’s also filled with the most incredible children. Children like Alice.* Alice was the first special needs child I ever taught. She flinched if you touched her, and covered her ears if the music was too loud. Her skin was hypersensitive to the smallest irritation so she wouldn’t wear tights or ballet shoes. I wanted desperately to help Alice. I wanted her to love to dance, to be happy, to have friends…all things she struggled with. But I am a ballet teacher, and if you have first-hand experience of ballet teachers, you will know that we’re a picky lot. And when it comes to recital time, well, ‘obsessive’ is the word that comes to mind.

I have learnt over the years that for little girls (and us bigger ones too) it’s all about the outfit. The lure of a beautiful tutu will enlist prima donna cooperation far more readily than most anything else on earth. I had beautiful costumes planned for Alice’s class. Alice was as excited as the other fairies-to-be. But actually wearing this gorgeous tulle contraption was going to be tricky for

Photo credit: Lindy Pfeil her. I gave Alice’s mother her costume weeks before the recital. That way she could try it on a few times, get used to the texture, the smell, the newness. It worked! I was thrilled.

But tights and ballet shoes would be a nogo. I put on a brave face and reassured her mother that I would survive should Alice go onstage with naked legs and feet. I told Alice that no-one would notice, that I wanted her to feel comfortable, to have fun, to experience the magic of being in the spotlight. I lied.

What I really wanted was twenty pristine fairies all identically clad. All wearing pink tights and ballet shoes. But I was supposedly the adult here, so I grudgingly came to terms with my flawed fairies. I knew that Alice’s needs were infinitely more important than

my unrealistic desire for perfection. Ballet teachers accept, on some cerebral level, that perfection doesn’t exist, but it doesn’t stop us from desiring it. Desperately.

And so recital day dawned. I hoped that the three hundred people in the auditorium would be so focused on the flouncy tutus that they wouldn’t see the nineteen-plus-one pairs of unmatching feet. But I just knew that that would be the first thing they would notice. What I didn’t know was that Alice’s mother had bought her ballet shoes…just in case. She had tried, in vain, to get her to wear them at home. Alice couldn’t bear the scratchiness. But she had brought them with her to the theatre anyway.

If you have ever put on a recital with eighty ballerinas under the age of eight, you will know that there isn’t much time to

PAGE 9 breathe. My four-year-old clowns got stuck onstage. They had suddenly spotted their parents in the audience and decided to stick around to wave to them, effectively blocking the fairies’ entrance. From where I was standing, sweating profusely, it was not funny. And the laughter from the audience only prolonged the agony. It was only halfway through the fairy dance that I noticed…all of them were wearing ballet shoes! I panicked.

Where was Alice? Damn! I should have been there to help her. How could I face her mother knowing she’d got stuck backstage? What kind of teacher was I anyway? But then I saw her beaming face onstage. And her feet. In the chaos, Alice had decided to put on her new ballet shoes.

I don’t recall much after that really. When she came off stage she grabbed me with both arms. I collapsed onto my knees and hugged her hard. This child who had flinched when I’d touched her just months before. We stood in the wings and her smile lit up the darkness. She whispered into my cheek “This was the best day ever”. And I felt my heart pounding in my throat.

It was Alice who was responsible for my journey that continues to this day, one that has taken me through the most fascinating places, places that have included autism, dyslexia, ADHD, Brain Gym, BrainDance, sensory integration... and one that has introduced me to the most courageous children in the universe. Children who step bravely into their fear every day. They walk into my life with their candor and they give me their trust.

And we dance. Together. They have shown me how dance taps into something primal and universal… otherworldly… and how miracles can happen in an instant. Yes, my life is filled with small stuff - the same stuff that very big dreams are made of. n

FREE DANCE CLASS FOR PRESCHOOLERS To celebrate International Dance Day on Tuesday, April 29, Karma in Motion and St Francis-in-the-Wood Church invite you to a preschool dance class from 12:30-1:15. Participation is free but registration is required as space is limited.

Please email karmainvancouver@gmail.com to register.

PAGE 10

THE BEACON

MARCH 2014

CAULFEILD’S OWN CRAIG YEATS All About The Talented, Homegrown Artist

PEOPLE & PROFILES Chris Stringer

Yeats Studio and Gallery is in West Vancouver BC; he is also represented by the following art consultants and galleries: • Bezanson Art Consulting Vancouver, BC • Brights Gallery Collingwood, ON

C

raig Yeats is, without a doubt, one of Vancouver’s most exciting artists. His career spans more than thirty years, beginning when a local gallery, Alderson’s Fine Arts, carried his small water colours while he was still at school.

Craig later studied art at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, earning the Lauren Wilford Scholarship in 1973 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting in 1974. He went on to obtain a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro in 1977.

Craig grew up in Caulfeild, attending Caulfeild Elementary and then Hillside. It was during these years that he could be found painting on the rocks in Caulfeild Park, Caulfeild Cove and in Lighthouse Park.

It was here that Craig developed his love and devotion for art and knew that his life would be devoted to it.

An avid sailor as a boy, Craig raced at the West Vancouver Yacht Club. This was where he learned to depict the dramatic changes in the natural elements of the sea and sky on his canvasses. His skill has evolved into powerful renditions of natural landscapes, BC coastlines, Vancouver Cityscapes and yachting-related themes, for which he is now renowned. Equally, his distinctive style creates impressive and arresting still life and floral works.

Twenty-five years ago Craig opened his small art gallery on Marine Drive in West Bay. It was not only his gallery but also his studio, so art-lovers could watch him

• Gainsborough Galleries Calgary, AB • Rendezvous Art Gallery Vancouver, BC

Craig Yeats hard at work in his studio in Dundarave. n Photo credit: Chris Stringer

in action. Countless paintings adorn homes in West Vancouver.

Five years ago The Yeats Studio and Gallery opened in Dundarave on 24th and Marine where Craig can be observed as he works on his current painting. Last year he expanded his gallery next door allowing more space for displaying paintings. In the combined space he also displays the works of Shirley Thompson and Karen Bagayawa.

Craig’s works are in great demand, and can be found in private and corporate collections locally and internationally. Corporate collections include Bull Housser Tupper, Teck Corporation, The Insurance Institute of British Columbia, Odlum Brown, Campbell Learn Zenk, Clark Wilson and Pinton Forrest & Madden. n

$200 off bespoke & couture grad outfits or 15% off grad alterations. *expires May 15th, 2014

604.985.9222 101-118 2nd St East North Vancouver "Tailoring with quality craftsmanship, service and impeccable style"

www.minichiello.ca

Evening Race Reflections (12 x 24) - Craig Yeats

Joanne Thomas, Mortgage Specialist joanne@joannethomas.ca 604-318-8868

“My husband, David, & I have resided in this area for 20 years. We have raised our children here and are proud to be a part of this community.

I am pleased to support this newspaper, and wish its publishers and editorial team success in their efforts to keep our community informed and connected.”

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES www.thomasfinancial.ca - www.mortgagesforseniors.ca

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON

PAGE 11

FLYING JEWELS MOUNTAINS TO SEA Elspeth Bradbury

I

t’s easy to ignore a sparrow or to scorn a crow but it’s hard to hate a humming bird.

These tiny birds glitter with emerald and ruby iridescence. They hover and whiz like darts powered by nervous energy. They are feisty and friendly and they feed on flowers.

What could be more lovable?

Suann Hosie has been a passionate birder for more than 35 years and in that time she has learned a great deal about these flying jewels. She was born in Saskatchewan, but her career as a veterinarian took her to California and it was there, after volunteering to rescue oil-coated seabirds, that her interest in ornithology began. In 1978, when she returned to Canada and settled in Lower Caulfeild, she started to keep detailed records of the birds she was seeing and hearing from her townhouse. Her list of species (yard list in birding parlance) has reached 109.

“That total is unlikely to increase,” Suann explains as she thumbs through her notebooks, “but my records of arrival and departure dates for migrating birds will keep growing, especially for the engaging little Rufous Hummingbird. The Rufous hummers usually leave BC in September but on December 6, 1997, I photographed one that stayed around my feeder for a couple of weeks. That was very unusual. They normally reappear after the middle of March, when salmonberry and red-flowering currant start to bloom, but I noted an early arrival on March 6, 2004.”

“It always seems like a miracle,” Suann marvels. “They weigh only a few grams - less than a nickel - and yet they fly all the way from Mexico or California. Every year it’s a thrill to see them. Ruby-throated

hummers cross the Gulf of Mexico nonstop, and because this seems impossible, people used to think they hitched rides on the back of geese.”

The Rufous is not the only hummingbird species to appear in the notebooks.

The slightly larger Anna’s Hummingbird also features. Suann explains: “West Vancouver has played a special role in the Anna’s history. In the past, they very rarely wintered in BC, but in the 1970s the population seems to have shifted slightly northward. A few people around Caulfeild Park and Rose Crescent began to feed them regularly. As more birds survived the winter, more feeders appeared and now the Anna’s have become common residents. Our area may still support the densest winter population in the Lower Mainland.”

Are we harming them with artificial feeding? “It doesn’t seem so, but although we have a few plants that flower in winter, the birds do depend on us. Through the night, in frosty weather, they perch in a sheltered spot, fluff up their feathers - perfect insulators – and tuck in their feet. Their heart rate and body temperature drop and they survive in this torpid state until daybreak when they urgently need to refuel. Frozen sugar water must be replaced or thawed out by dawn.

Some people rig up heaters.”

Feeders, of course, have to be kept clean and filled. Suann prefers the shallow flying saucer types, which are easy to sterilise and allow the birds to perch as they lap up sugar water. She makes up a mix with one cup of sugar to three and one half cups of boiling water.

Both Rufous and Anna’s humming birds have dramatic mating displays. “The male Anna’s climbs until he’s a mere speck in the sky and then swoops suddenly, producing an explosive squeak that’s made by vibrating the outer tail feathers. Only a bird plummeting at improbable speed can do it. While this dare-devil performance goes on, the female sits quietly on a twig in judgment.”

Definitely lovable! n

Biancardi Law Corporation Real Estate, Wills & Estate, Business 213-1455 Bellevue Avenue West Vancouver

778 893 6433

simon@biancardilaw.com

TARGETED, RELEVANT, COST EFFECTIVE

Suann Hosie changes the sugar water in her hummingbird feeder. n Photo credit: Chris Stringer

Male Anna’s hummingbird, taken in the summertime. n Photo credit: Tony Marple

A Female Anna’s hummingbird makes a pit stop at Suann’s hummingbird feeder during a snowy day in late February. n Photo credit: Suann Hosie

PAGE 12

THE BEACON

MARCH 2014

EXPLORING DOWN UNDER

Their Natural Treasures, Unique Wildlife & Convivial Culture TRAVEL NOTES Marie-Claude Arnott

Befriending a kangaroo with food at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania. n Photo credit: Marie-Claude Arnott

Kangaroos cavorting on the fairway at a golf course in Brisbane. n Photo credit: Marie-Claude Arnott

I

t was the only cruise ship that sailed to Australia in March. We soon understood why: it’s the low season and the end of summertime in the South Hemisphere. Hot and dry, rainy and wet, it might all happen at the same time depending on the region.

Our introduction to Down Under was rather unusual. Upon our morning arrival in New Zealand, we took the suggestion of our Auckland hotel concierge and ended up at a wine festival. It turned into a convivial gathering with friends we didn’t know we had. New Zealand’s crisp Sauvignon Blanc revived our senses after our long, long flight.

On this pleasantly warm afternoon, surrounded by empty bottles, everyone was in a mingling mood. The next day, we boarded the Sapphire Princess on its second sailing for our voyage along New Zealand’s Southern Island, Tasmania and Australia.

In New Zealand, we were educated in Maori culture and the traditional kapa haka dance: foot stamping, protruding tongue, body slapping, and an inner rage that reddened the face as if it were about to burst.

Anyone interested in rugby is familiar with the All Blacks’ pre-game demonstration. The tradition, however, also includes women’s chanting and dancing. Dating back millennia, kapa was meant to mentally prepare the warriors for battle, and to intimidate, or seduce, the enemy.

After Dunedin, we spent an entire day cruising through Fiordland National Park (in the southwest corner of New Zealand South Island). The ship meandered in a labyrinth of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls

tumbling down sheer cliffs, pristine landscapes, and the intense aquamarine blue of calm waters. We crossed the Tasmanian Sea at night, only to be awakened as surging and heaving lifted us off our bed: nothing to do but let go and ride the motion, fully awake.

In Hobart, we couldn’t get enough of Bonorong, a wildlife sanctuary and veterinarian clinic. There, endemic animals are rehabilitated after injury or illness. They are also bred to save endangered species, some being already extinct in the wild. And while the “Tassie Devil” is not, at first sight, terribly cute, caretakers are fond of this misunderstood marsupial. We fed playful kangaroos, observed nocturnal wombats and hungry koalas, marveled at flamboyant birds and learnt about animals unfamiliar to us.

Lunch was served at a sheep farm that doubled as a winery. We witnessed the herding skills of shepherd dogs, and shearers showed us how to strip a sheep of its wool in just a few minutes. We pondered the fact that the sheep farmer is also a winemaker: a

bottle of wine is more profitable than a pound of wool.

Touring downtown Melbourne was cancelled due to preparations for the Grand Prix. But the arrival in Sydney was unforgettable, as if the Opera House had opened its sails to welcome us. (Canada Place came to mind).

After a few days in Sydney, spent browsing The Rocks (the Old Town), cruising the Harbor, not climbing its famous bridge, discovering Bronte Beach and its in-

triguing eroded rocks, we bid the city goodbye. We flew to Uluru in the hot Red Centre, then to Cairns for a wet sailing to the Great Barrier Reef. We continued our trip to the tropical Brisbane area where hundred of boisterous cockatoos woke us early morning as they left the huge eucalyptus tree outside our bedroom. On our last day, we played golf trying to avoid the “roos” cavorting on the fairway. And the ibis birds that roamed roads and parks behaved just like Canada geese. n

Battiston Homes Ltd.

Project management and construction

Creating luxury homes in West Vancouver since 1997 ¥ New Homes

¥ Custom Renovations

Tel. 604-922-2122 inquiries@battistonhomes.com

¥ Interior Design

www.battistonhomes.com

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON

FIGHTING FIRES

PAGE 13 continued from page 2

West Vancouver Firefighting History CAULFEILD HISTORY Francis Mansbridge

F

ire fighting equipment in the early days of Caulfeild consisted of one handhauled hose reel stored in a shed at the junction of South Piccadilly and The Highway. Captain Kettle was the first Caulfeild volunteer. One fire truck and one paid firefighter, based in Ambleside, were responsible for all of West Vancouver.

The Midwest Ratepayers’ Association wanted better service. A meeting in the fall of 1949 formed a committee consisting of John Redden, Phil Farmer (the first fire chief) and Glen McPherson to lobby the Municipality for a fire truck and a fire hall. The Municipality passed on their old 1929 GMC La France truck to Caulfeild. It was stored in Chappel’s gas station at the intersection of The Dale and Marine Drive, and dealt with any fires between West Bay and Fisherman’s Cove, although its lack of power and modern equipment limited its effectiveness.

The Municipality purchased land from Francis Caulfeild’s grandson Toby, and the volunteer brigade erected No. 3 Fire Hall with help from Norman Hullah, who provided pre-fabricated material, and Evans Coleman, who provided cement.

Volunteers received $2 each for a total of up to nine firefighters attending each fire. They donated this payment to the Midwest Ratepayers’ Fireman’s Ball, which became a popular community event. Stan Chester, who served as a volunteer during the 1970s and 1980s, has great memories of the dedication and camaraderie that bound the firefighters together.

Spectacular fires included “the Hul-

Henry

Caulfeild volunteer fire fighters standing in front of fire truck #33 at No. 3 Fire Hall in Caulfeild. The truck is a 1949 Ford. n Photo credit: West Vancouver Archives

lah fire at Kew Beach which took everyone out in the middle of a summer night and was undoubtedly one of the most difficult and disastrous fires fought in the area. Hoses had to be slung down 500 feet of cliff. The brigade were unable to save the main house, but did manage to control the fire from spreading to the garage and boathouse”.

Ron Defieux remembers “driving the 1951 Ford to a fire on Eagle Island, which was memorable, because when we got there we had to steal a rowboat and cross fifty feet of water armed with nothing but a portable Extinguisher. I heard later that one of the cops was a little ticked off because he had a hard time keeping up with the Caulfeild Fire Truck. Being engaged to Inspector Colpitt’s daughter may have helped me keep my license”.

RICK MERCER RANT & RAIsE ANNUAL FUNDRAIsING GALA

Libby “These are the things that make me happy: going on adventures, making other people happy, and finding new things.”

Show & Reception: $179 VIP: $199

Friday June 6 | 7PM Rick’s one-man show chronicles, satirizes, and ultimately celebrates all that is great and irreverent about Canada. Mercer, known as “Canada’s Unofficial Opposition,” is our most popular comic, a political satirist who knows exactly what matters to regular Canadians and what makes them laugh.

Mercer’s unrivalled genius is his ability to make you laugh at, question, think about, and—most of all—appreciate this glorious country we all share.

(604) 981-6335

When further equipment was needed, the firefighters donned their gear and went to work; in one day of community canvassing they collected all the funds required. But in 1968 the volunteers began to give way to a permanent firefighting force; a new fire hall was built in 1982 at a cost of $700,000.

While the volunteer firefighters are no more, the spirit of volunteerism lives on.

The Fire Fighting Fire Services Museum and Archives on Cross Creek Road is a home away from home for many retired firefighters who work on the restoration of fire trucks and the preservation of artefacts, photographs and memorabilia that will ensure the survival of this important part of our community memory. n

Henry explains that over the past ten years his tide has come in, bringing with it an understanding and acceptance of fear, in all its forms. This has resulted in the freedom to finally be himself. “Happy,” says Henry, “is a state of being but also a series of moments that we cherish and (that make us) feel blessed.”

kaymeekcentre.com

A tax receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket price.

presenting sponsor

THE BEACON

wy .

Sk yH to Se

a

Co nto ur ot

Fo

Need Your Voice

C

By Upper Lands Working Group

ap il

District of North Vancouver

The Beacon is delivered bi-monthly to 3000+ households between Eagle Harbour and West Bay.

THE UPPER LANDS 00

BEACON SUBMISSIONS

MARCH 2014

12

PAGE 14

an o La ke

Cypress Provincial Park

Horseshoe Bay

We are always seeking quality submissions at The Beacon.

For submission guidelines and queries email the Editor: lindypfeil@me.com.

Whyte Lake

Eagle Lake

Please note that ALL submissions are subject to space constraints, and editing.

School District Works Yard

Quarry View

BC Hydro (Cypress Substation)

Hi-View Lookout (Barrett's View)

Hwy. Levels Upper

Deadline for the May 2014 publication is April 14.

Orthographic Image (2011) DRAFT Legend

For advertising queries email the Director of Marketing: penny@pennymitchell.com For all other queries email the Publisher: chrisstringer@shaw.ca

The Power of Silence

by Frank Jarman “Silence is the perfectest herald of joy.”

(William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing 2.1.260) Is silence no more than absence of sound When its power to speak is undoubted?

A touch may transcend even eloquent words And a glance reveal innermost thoughts.

A sound may give hope to the loneliest soul But listening to silence when silence is speaking Should relax and inspire bring comfort and ease When those listening have trust and respect.

Silence is much more than absence of sound It heralds with joy such beauty and peace By creating the time on ethereal planes For their relationship with truth.

Upper Lands Study Area Boundary 1200 Foot Contour

E

Legal Lot Lines 2011 Orthographic Image by McElhanney 0

125

250

500

750

1,000

Metres

1:7500

Date Saved: 2/27/2013

T

he forest-carpeted slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver exemplify our beautiful coastal mountain landscape and natural ecosystems. This area, known as the Upper Lands, plays an important role in defining our community. It is our backdrop, our forest playground, and our environmental repository. It will also be home to future neighbourhoods of West Vancouver residents.

The Upper Lands encompass a large area, spanning 6,265 acres (2,535 hectares) of undeveloped land above the Upper Levels Highway and south of Cypress Provincial Park. Some undeveloped areas included in the 2001 Upper Lands Report have been developed since 2001, including a portion of Rodgers Creek and parts of Whitby Estates.

This newly developed area includes single family houses, multi-family units, cluster homes, townhomes, stacked townhomes and a small commercial area. A multi-use trail runs east-west through the developed area and the creek (riparian) areas between neighbourhoods. Other forms of development in the Upper Lands include the Sea to Sky Highway, private cabins, a hydro substation and major power line, Cypress Bowl Road,

Photo credit: District of West Vancouver

trails within the Old Growth Conservancy and elsewhere, and forestry operations.

In October 2012, the District of West Vancouver appointed a dedicated group of residents interested in contributing to the future of the Upper Lands. Those residents, known collectively as the Upper Lands Working Group (Working Group), have been tasked with reviewing bylaws, policies, and programs outlined in the 2001 Upper Lands Study and the District’s Official Community Plan to determine if the goals and policies of those documents still meet the District’s vision for the Upper Lands. The review will help to determine what lands should be protected, what lands can be developed, uses of public land and appropriate forms of development. The Working Group is also committed to connecting with West Vancouver residents to find out their perspectives and aspirations for the Upper Lands.

Based on the analysis and input received, the Working Group will make recommendations for possible amendments to the bylaws, policies, and programs related to the Upper Lands. These will be presented to Mayor and Council for consideration. n

MARCH 2014

THE BEACON

PAGE 15

AROUND THE VILLAGE

by Chris Stringer

L

W

alk through the Village and you are bound to hear someone shout “Hi Kent!” or “How are you doing Kent?” and the reply, with a smile and thumbs up is always “Awesome!”.

Even though walking is difficult for him, Kent will travel long distances each day in his duty to retrieve Safeway carts from the parking lot in rain or sunshine.

Kent’s father, David Collard, tells the story of the errant car that veered across the road several years ago, hitting Kent’s car head on. What followed was over four months in a coma and then years of rehab as he learned to regain mobility, to eat, speak and function in society. Thanks to Safeway’s extraordinary programs that assist young people who would typically have difficulty finding work, Kent has been an employee at our Caulfeild Safeway for fourteen years.

When asked about Kent, Ron, Safeway’s Manager, responds “Kent is the most positive and upbeat person I know. He is amazing.”

Chat with Kent and you will think he wrote a Chapter of Dale Carnegie’s Power of Positive Thinking. He says things are awesome because “I have a job, I’m outside and I get to meet some terrific people.” n

Kent Collard hard at work rounding up the shopping carts in the parking lot. n Photo credit: Chris Stringer

Rolf Hannemann of the Caulfeild Village BC Liquor Store. n Photo credit: Chris Stringer

olin and his Pastameli team have been part of the Caulfeild Village family for just over a year now, and during this time they have captured the hearts and bellies of the community. You can watch the hockey game at the bar with beer 'n wings or relax in a comfortable booth over a delicious three course dinner.

Sundays is now Prime Rib night, slow roasted prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables and Yorkshire with gravy to top, all for $24. Or come in for Champagne and Buck a Shuck Oysters on special Fridays nights, perfect for an end to the work week. Tuesdays are the usual $10 pasta nights if you prefer the comfort feel, And now Mondays they have reserved

C

Pastameli owners Colin (5th from left) and Kim (far left) quickly pose with their team on a busy Friday Night. n Photo credit: Chris Stringer

ooking for advice on a good bottle of wine for your salmon dinner tonight?

Then you need to talk with Rolf.

How about barbecued ribs? Rolf's your man.

Chicken cordon bleu? Yup, Rolf.

Rolf wasn't always a go-to wine guy. As a boy growing up in Kitsilano he had a passion for music. Right after graduation from Prince of Wales High School he knocked at the doors of well-known Mushroom Studios. "I was prepared to do anything to work there. Clean the floors, run messages.

I just wanted to be where music was being played and produced." Just seven years later Rolf was studio manager and chief engineer.

And then, after thirty years in an industry that was constantly changing, he found himself, ironically, in a young man's world. He had to move on.

Seven years ago the liquor board was hiring. Rolf has always enjoyed helping people, and learning a new field was an exciting challenge. “I decided to make wines and beers my knowledge niche and I do enjoy being the go-to guy".

Look for Rolf at our local Village Shopping Centre liquor store. n

specials for the ladies, come in with your girlfriends for a nice evening of good conversation with martini specials, and the chef’s daily creations made to suit the feminine taste. They also have brunch on the weekends from 11-3pm as well as live local music Saturdays nights 6pm till late..

Reserve your table now for whatever night may suit your taste!!! n

In a curious case of gremlins and NewYear's madness, we gave Cindy two names in our last edition. Our apologies Cindy!

And we'll check in with you in a month or so regarding your resolution for 2014. n