West Vancouver Beacon | September/October 2014 | Edition 6

THE

BEACON

Shedding light on the communities from Horseshoe Bay to West Bay

No. 6

September 2014

From Bay to Sparkling Bay We at The Beacon are extremely proud to announce that on this, our first anniversary, and after just five editions, and a huge learning curve, we are expanding!

We have been invited by the Horseshoe Bay Business Association and the Western Residents Association to include our neighbours, Gleneagles and Horseshoe Bay, in our news coverage and distribution.

Their village newsletter, The Westerner, published its last edition in July, after serving the community for twelve years. Forty-four editions is no small accomplishment.

The Beacon congratulates Chris Adshead, Mary Bayes and the entire Westerner team on this achievement, and thanks them for their support and encouragement. We are honored to follow in their footsteps and privileged to be the voice for the more than 3800 households between West Bay and Horseshoe Bay. We look forward to strengthening our community connections. ď Ž View of Horseshoe Bay. Photo: Lindy Pfeil

In This Issue

Around the Bay

Page 2

Caulfeild History

Page 5

Mountains to Sea

Page 8

Schools

Around the Village

Page 10

Page 19

Landscape Design

Your Garden ...Our Pleasure

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The Beacon Team CHRIS STRINGER Publisher chrisstringer@westvanbeacon.ca

LINDY PFEIL Editor lindypfeil@westvanbeacon.ca

PENNY MITCHELL Advertising Sales pennymitchell@westvanbeacon.ca

POUL RASMUSSEN Layout & Graphic Design design@greatdanedesign.ca

www.westvanbeacon.ca

September 2014

Summertime Dinner-on-the-Dock Around the Bay Ruth Hamilton If you didn’t make it to Dinner-on-theDock at Horseshoe Bay on July 17th, you missed a fabulous evening that was sold out well in advance. The evening weather was warm and inviting for alfresco dining with a view of the BC jewel, Howe Sound.

It was an evening ‘out of the ordinary’ when diners and Horseshoe Bay Traders Association came together to have fun and to support their local Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue unit located in the Bay. Joined by local dignitaries, everyone enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and the Adam Woodall Band kept everyone dancing until the last song of the night.

Local artist Craig Yeats donated one of his paintings, “Working to Windward”, as a fundraiser. Winning bids for the fabulous Silent Auction items and ticket sales raised $10,000 for RCM-SAR Unit 1. Raffle tickets raised another $18,000.

Two special awards were also presented to longtime local business owners Gary Troll and Eric Sewell, in recognition of their contributions to the Horseshoe Bay community over many years.

The Horseshoe Bay dock is a central feature of the Bay and we hope to be back again next year for another wonderful event. Make sure you book your tickets early! 

Craig Yeats’ “Working to Windward”.

Photos: Marilyn McBeath

Deadline for the next issue of The Beacon

Oct. 13, 2014 Details about submission of articles on page 9.

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September 2014

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Rockridge gets Green Light to Offer IB MYP Schools Beverly Pausche The West Vancouver School District is proud to announce that Rockridge Secondary was authorized in June 2014, to offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP). One of just 20 schools in British Columbia offering this unique program—and among only 11 of those publicly funded—the school community has been working towards accreditation since 2010.

“Hearing that we had fulfilled the requirements of the rigorous accreditation process in June was incredibly exciting news,” said Rockridge Principal Jeannette

Laursoo. “This is a considerable accomplishment and is reflective of the active roles in which all members of the Rockridge community have implemented the fundamental concepts of the IB Middle Years Programme. We are now part of a global learning community and I want to thank the many talented staff, teachers, learners, and parents for making it possible.”

The International Baccalaureate organization is a non-profit educational foundation that offers four programs to help students develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. The West Vancouver School District offers three of the available programs through its network of 17 publicly funded schools.

The MYP curriculum has eight subject areas, including two languages, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical Education and Technology.

While each academic discipline has its own methodology, body of knowledge and nuances, students learn better when meaningful connections are made between the disciplines.

Students become increasingly aware of the connections between subject content and the real world, rather than considering subjects as isolated areas unrelated to



Rockridge visual arts teacher Carrie Berg playfully displays some beautiful masks created by Rockridge students.



At WVSD Rockridge Campus, students take a moment to relax on campus between classes in a setting inspired by nature.

Photos: WVSD

In their final year of the MYP program (Grade 10), Rockridge students carry out a year long, inquiry project, known as the “Personal Project”. The Personal Project represents a significant event in the life of both the school and the students, synthesizing the essential elements of the IB MYP program to demonstrate students’ understanding and skills and share them with the whole school community.

each other and to the world. As a result, students are expected to develop an awareness of broader, more complex global issues. (Source: www.ibo.org) For more information on the MYP program, please visit: http://www.ibo. org/myib/digitaltoolkit/files/brochures/ IBMYP_EN.pdf, Please check out our website at www.sd45.bc.ca for more details on programs and events taking place throughout the 2014-2015 school year.

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September 2014

The most Important “R” Psyched Out Ian Macpherson It’s back to school for reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic—the three Rs that represent traditional academic learning. For many parents, grades are the focus so it makes sense to see which schools do the best job.

Several reports are published annually to rate schools this way and they likely have some impact on parents’ decisions.

But it’s just not that simple. Interest and conventional intelligence will get a student decent marks especially if he or she has an inspiring teacher. But good grades are no

guarantee of fulfilled dreams. In fact they very young age. For some, these qualities are not even the most important factor. are modelled and coached informally What gives one student the edge over by parents and teachers who are good another once they leave school is higher examples themselves. resilience—the fourth “R”. Resilience has For a few years now there have also been described as the been some schoolThose who scored high on ability to stay the course based resilience or bounce back when training programs a test of resilience earned confronted by obstacles. in place which have on average twice as much Underlying this trait of been proving their as those who scored as low persistence is our ability effectiveness in resilient. to regulate strong improving overall emotions and control life-skills of students impulses. It allows us to forgo immediate with the added benefit of bringing up the pleasure in order to achieve better rewards academic performance of those with lower in the future. grades.

We are partly predisposed to be resilient Probably the most interest in studies depending on our “prewired” temperament of resilience has been by businesses and there is a wide range among us in and organizations who have noted the our natural ability. But resilience can also positive impact on work relationships be learned by children beginning at a and satisfaction and productivity. There

is an increasing tendency to stress this package of personal strengths over pure achievement scores. And the fourth “R” is rewarded financially. A study comparing academically high-achieving adults in an established career showed those who scored high on a test of resilience earned on average about twice as much as those who scored as low resilient. The survey also showed that high resilient workers who had average grades tended to earn significantly more than their low resilient workmates who had earned high marks at school. 

Ian Macpherson lives and practices in Caulfeild. More information at www.westvancouvertherapist.com

when it’s back to school again!

Parenting Louise Clarke One of the lovely things about the holidays is the lack of routine and structure and the increased spontaneity—in our family we call it “Savary Time”. However, when school returns, it is necessary to re-instate

some of the limits that have gone by the wayside. And parents often need it as much as the children. I know my sanity does.

Boundaries are essential to healthy emotional and physical development and general well-being. Setting limits gives children a sense of security and comfort.

The ability to live within boundaries is a basic but essential life skill. Limits also help our children learn to delay gratification and tolerate frustration.

For limits to be effective, children need to know what they are. Having a family meeting to discuss and to set them is always a good start and it empowers children to be part of the decision making process. Limits also need to be practical and consistent, and as parents, we need to be firm yet kind when applying them.

Parents tend to set limits around things that reflect their values and what is important to them, for example bed times, sleep, device use, gaming and junk food.

As children get older and their responsibilities increase, the limits will change and perhaps naturally become less restrictive as they start to demonstrate that they can manage their own time and lives and become more mature, responsible and capable. However, they still need limits.

We all do.  If you are struggling to set limits that work, please visit our website or sign up for our weekly newsletter www. yourparentingpartner.com

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September 2014

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The Future of our Lighthouse Caulfeild History Francis Mansbridge Point Atkinson Lighthouse still soars above its magnificent surroundings amid the trees and rocks of Lighthouse Park. In 1994 it was declared a national Historic site, but this designation came with no financial endowment. While its solar powered light shines each night and remains an important functional aid to navigation, its foghorn is now silent.

The federal government still owns the lighthouse and property, although under a 1997 agreement the municipality takes care of the houses and grounds, with the West Vancouver Historical Society exerting gentle pressure on both to keep the buildings in reasonable repair. All are hoping a community based organization

will take responsibility for its maintenance and keep its history alive. Potential managers must submit a satisfactory business plan to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans by May 2015.

The Point Atkinson Light Station subcommittee (PALS) of the West Vancouver Historical Society was formed in 1998 to ensure that the site is preserved and that future generations of Canadians will not forget the importance of this lighthouse to their past. In 2012, as part of its centenary celebrations, the municipality combined with the West Vancouver Historical Society and an anonymous donor to pay for exterior repairs to the blockhouse, a small building near the tower erected in 1942 to power searchlights during WW II. While the federal government is reluctant to commit any funds, more work is continuously needed to keep the aging structures viable.

Elaine Graham, whose late husband Donald was the last lighthouse keeper, still lives in a cottage adjacent to the

lighthouse, acting as the caretaker for the grounds and ardent advocate for its history. While the rugged terrain poses problems, she hopes that it will eventually be opened to the public. Currently PALS is preparing to embark on the development of interpretive historical tours and the role of the Canadian military at Point Atkinson during WW II. In the meantime Elaine has prepared detailed historical panels that provide a deeply felt account of its history.

Perhaps no one enjoys the lighthouse more than a pair of eagles that Elaine has christened Ernie and Elizabeth. They often perch on top of the lighthouse, perhaps appreciating the foresight of the humans that picked such a fine vantage point to command the entrance to Vancouver’s harbour. May they not be disappointed. 

Note: I regret my error in the last issue of the Beacon, where I inadvertently referred to Donald Graham as Peter Graham.

Elaine Graham in front of the prism that was removed from the lighthouse.

This prism not only gave the unique light signature but magnified the 500 watt bulb to 10,000 watts.

Photo: Glenn Owen

Lighthouse Park Preservation Society Fall 2014 • Volunteer Opportunities The Lighthouse Park Preservation Society is a membership based non-profit organization formed in 1998 to protect the natural integrity of Lighthouse Park, promote public awareness of its natural features, and support development of biological zones near the park boundaries.

For the past sixteen years, volunteers

have been removing invasive plants and restoring forest habitats in Lighthouse Park and five smaller nearby parks. This fall the focus is on The Dale Park, volunteers are invited to help at the following events.

No previous experience is required.

Simply wear old clothes, sturdy shoes and work gloves. Tools and refreshments are provided at each event.

For information on the Society’s upcoming educational talks, please see www.lpps.ca For all volunteer events please wear old clothes, sturdy shoes and work gloves. 

Saturday, September 27th • 9:00 am - noon

Saturday, October 18th • 9:00 am - noon

Ivy Pull, The Dale Meet at the corner of Water Lane and The Dale

Ivy Pull, The Dale Meet at the corner of Water Lane and The Dale

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•••••

Saturday, October 4th • 9:00 am - noon

Restoration, Caulfeild Park Meet at the anchor on Pilot House Road

Saturday, November 1st • 9:00 am - noon

Restoration, The Dale Meet at the corner of Water Lane and The Dale

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September 2014

A Culinary View: Back-to-school

Inspiration from Top Chef Canada finalist Trevor Bird Home & Living Maureen Goulet After a summer of catering to kids’ tastes it might be time for some grown-up food again. If you are a Top Chef Canada fan you already that Trevor Bird placed second in season two of the show. It was during the restaurant wars segment of the show that his vision for his restaurant was born. And upon his return to Vancouver, he opened his own restaurant on West 4th Avenue, called Fable, “farm to table.”

Trevor’s food is always locally sourced, non pretentious and delicious.

Duck Cassoulet is wonderful comfort food to serve on a grey fall day. The recipe calls for duck ‘confit’, a French term which literally means ‘preserved’. The French farmers used this technique before

Why I Run Janet Van Rooyen I am fast approaching 50 and like most of the friends and family I’ve observed as they face this age of significance, I too have been reflecting on my past and what the future holds. There is the emotional upheaval of facing an empty nest and wondering what life will be like with the

refrigeration was available to preserve meat for the leaner months. Even though refrigerators are a common household item today the confit process is still alive and well. If cooking duck legs in duck fat for 6-8 hours isn’t your style, you can buy confited duck legs at many butchers.

Duck with Bean Cassoulet (Serves 4) 4 confit duck legs (can be bought at most butchers, Oyama is my favourite). Season legs with ground bay leaves and ground pepper. Cover liberally with kosher salt.

Place weighted cookie sheet on top and press legs flat. Refrigerate for 24 hours.

Rinse salt off and immerse legs in duck fat.

Cook at 200 F for 6-8 hours. The cooked duck will keep refrigerated for 2 months.

• 1 cup bacon lardoons cut into 1 inch pieces • 1 onion chopped kids out of the house. Then there is the nagging stiffness in the joints and tendons that wasn’t there a few years ago …

It was while recovering from an illness last year that I read a book with the following message: to feel younger at our next birthday we should be exercising vigorously at least six times a week. It seemed that a good place to start would be to take a walk to the beach. Walking down Burkehill Road to Steerman beach (and experiencing the long slog back up the hill) soon turned into running down to the beach. The run to Steerman soon didn’t feel long enough so I added a loop around Erwin Drive. Anyone who knows Burkehill will appreciate that I still walk back up.

• • • • •

2 cups mushrooms cut into quarters 1 tbsp flour 2 liters duck stock or chicken 2 cans white beans or mixed beans 1 bunch kale

In a large heavy bottom pan add the bacon.

Sweat down until crispy and all the fat has rendered out.

Remove most of the fat and add the onions and mushrooms.

Cook until the onions are soft.

Add the flour and cook for 2 minutes.

Add the stock and beans and cook for 30 minutes.

Shred the duck meat from the bone and add to pot.

Add the kale.

Salt and pepper to taste.

This dish is even better if made a day ahead and reheated. 

Top Chef Trevor Bird Photo: Courtesy of Trevor Bird

Maureen Goulet is the owner of Ambrosia Cooking School. To share great Chefs’ culinary secrets, visit www.ambrosiaadventures.com.

Those guys in that book were right—the more you move, the better you feel. I’m not a good runner and I’m not fast—up until now my highest achievement is the 5Km West Van Run and it wasn’t easy, although it was exhilarating in the snow and the hail on March 2nd. I often fall short of the prescribed six workouts a week, but I have a sense that to feel good at 50 and beyond I should keep on running! 

Janet bundled up against the cold at the West Van Run. Photo: Jennifer Strang Photography

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September 2014

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Feeding your Family … a Labour of love Home & Living Tisha Bryant

Photos: Tisha Bryant

We shower so much love and attention on our children, but we sometimes forget that every step a child takes depends on how well their body is nourished. The nutrition your child gets throughout the day will likely affect mood, concentration and energy levels.

We put so much focus on every other aspect of our lives, but the most important tool of all is our ability to nourish and nurture ourselves. After all, if you had a really nice car, a Lamborghini perhaps, you wouldn’t even consider putting in a low grade gas because you are aware of the consequences. However, we have become disconnected from the fact that our own bodies are miraculously dynamic machines, in which millions of activities take place each second.

As parents, we have a responsibility to set up our children with healthy habits, so they can go on to make the best choices for themselves.

• Make time to learn how to nourish and nurture yourself so you can lead by example.

• Make a meal plan/menu that will keep you going for at least 3 days. Simplify as much as possible. Double up on dinner so you have a quick lunch tomorrow or freeze a batch so you know you have

a quick, healthy meal on hand when needed.

• Make time to go shopping with a list and if possible take your children with you. Read labels. Focus on the aisles on the edge of the store where the fresh produce is located. Re-connect.

• Preparing food takes time so use tricks like doubling up and freezing. Get the whole family involved. Mealtimes and preparation should be special times.

Food should be savoured and enjoyed.

• Don’t use food as a reward, bribe or punishment. Let’s redefine the word ‘treat’ when we think about what we are going to eat.  For more tips, check out www.apinchoflovely.me.

Tom Pedriks: it’s all in the Packaging Around the Bay Dianna Carr We all know, don’t we, that books ought not to be judged by their covers, and that looks are only skin deep, and surfaces are just that. But when you’re in the business of labels, packaging and logos, surface is all, or so it seems. Which makes the case of designer Tom Pedriks, of Resonance Branding in Vancouver, that much more interesting.

Tom, who lives with wife Sue and three children in Horseshoe Bay, has created labels for many award-winning wines. If you’ve seen the striking new turquoise Matua label now glowing in liquor stores

or had a Howe Sound Brewery beverage, you’ve experienced the appeal of his work.

Tom says that a label is a “storytelling landscape” on which he designs a visual narrative that leads the reader deeper into the crafting of the product, enriching the drinking experience. (You can often find Tom at the Troller Pub in Horseshoe Bay doing a little product testing himself.)

Tom’s own personal packaging is unmistakable: big beard, ball cap and blue jeans, an intriguing contrast with the delicate type and graphics of his labels and logos. But he’s not only about surfaces and packaging. The resident of Horseshoe Bay worked with Resonance Branding on a Development Strategy for the area that has resulted in a new positioning for the village—“Mile Zero of the Sea to Sky”—as well as a co-creator of new events like

the Horseshoe Bay Craft Beer Festival and a fresh new look that graces street banners and entices visitors to explore local businesses and restaurants. Today, Resonance Branding is working with other North Shore communities as they look to the future.

Tom’s office on Royal Avenue in Horseshoe Bay doubles as a pop-up shop featuring paintings, cards, crafts and jewelry by artists from all over the North Shore, and wife Sue (an accomplished crafter) says the store is attracting attention from ferrygoers and residents alike.

Tom has always been a fan of Horseshoe Bay, coveting an opportunity to move here since he left his native Montreal a decade ago. We’re happy to have him in the Beacon’s neighbourhood! 

Tom Pedriks.

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September 2014

Cypress in Summer Mountains to Sea Elspeth Bradbury Cypress Provincial Park is well known as a destination for winter sports, but for a few months each year the mountains above West Vancouver transform themselves from winter wonderland to hiker heaven.

“At higher elevations, the snow can last well into mid-summer,” Katharine Steig explains. “But most hiking trails are open between July and October.” Katharine is a founding member and the current president of Friends of Cypress Provincial Park, a group formed in 1990 to protect the park’s natural environment and the recreational opportunities compatible with this environment.

“The park has an extensive trail system.

It ranges in difficulty from wheelchairaccessible Yew Lake Trail to the more challenging climbs up Black Mountain, Hollyburn Mountain and Mount Strachan.

The most challenging is the rugged 29 km Howe Sound Crest trail, extending from Cypress Bowl past The Lions to Highway 99 just south of Porteau Cove. As you can imagine, all these trails need to be maintained. They erode and develop mud holes, trees fall across them and bridges deteriorate. Unfortunately, restricted budgets mean that BC Parks staff find it difficult to keep up.”

In 2007, Friends of Cypress initiated a Trail Watch Program consisting of 16 volunteers who report on hazardous situations or problems such as fallen trees and missing signs. They cut back encroaching bushes, pick up litter, block illegal shortcuts, clear culverts and report on invasive plants.

They check after storms and report again at the end of the season so that BC Parks can plan for next year’s maintenance work.

Trail Watch is not the only Friends of Cypress project to benefit local hikers. Two years ago the Society published a colourful brochure, Flowering Plants in Cypress Provincial Park. This mini field guide illustrates fifty of the flowering shrubs and wildflowers that grow in the park.

Highlights include oddities such as the round-leaved sundew, a plant that feeds on insects, and the beautiful king gentian after which Blue Gentian Lake is named.

Well aware that BC Parks’ original trail map had been unavailable for many years the society decided, in 2010, to create a new one. Retired civil engineer and GPS enthusiast Mike Castle volunteered to head up this hugely ambitious project.

“The old map was out of print, and BC Parks maps are now available only on their website,” he explains. “The Province provided topographic data for the new

Trail Watch volunteer Sylvia Mather on patrol. Caulfeild resident and irrepressibly active octogenarian, Sylvia is no stranger to environmental stewardship.

Photo: Provided by Elspeth Bradbury map, but even that had some interesting inaccuracies. The drainage system around First Lake, for instance, was shown as it had been during the Nasmyth lumber operation there—almost a century ago. I remapped the creeks as they are today.”

How many hours did he spend on the project? He laughs. “I couldn’t even begin to count!”

The new map is beautifully designed and is packed with helpful information. Length of trails and elevation gain are shown clearly, along with points of interest such as record-sized trees. It even includes a brief history of the park as well as notes on its old-growth forest and its wildlife.

Funding for a print run of 10,000 came equally from Cypress Mountain ski resort,

from BC Parks Enhancement Fund and from generous Friends of Cypress donors.

In August last year, the society launched the map—literally in the form of a paper airplane tossed from the rafters of Cypress Creek Lodge. By the end of July this year it was out of print, and work proceeded on a second edition. Printing is expected this September, after which copies will again be available at Cypress Creek and Black Mountain lodges and at the information kiosks in Cypress Bowl and the Nordic area parking lot.

Congratulations and thanks are due to all our hard working Friends of Cypress.

Their untiring efforts help to ensure that our visits to the park are a pleasure at any season. 

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September 2014

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Change is the only Constant … or is it?

Opinion Lindy Pfeil Over the years I have often found myself muttering a version of Greek philosopher Heraclitus’ premise that all we can be sure of is that things will change. I use it to remind myself to appreciate the good things that regularly hit me in the face, and not simply take them for granted, or worse yet, fail to even notice them.

Heraclitus’ little hypothesis was proven true this summer. It happened on a perfectly average day, as most calamities do. I was sitting on my deck, quietly minding my own business, when the call came. You know … the call we subconsciously wait for from the moment we give birth…the one telling you that your child has been in an accident.

One minute my son was a healthy boy cycling to get fit for his upcoming hockey season. The next he was lying on the side of the road with injuries so significant that the police officers would not allow his father to see him. And just like that Heraclitus came hurtling into my mind.

And not in a good way.

There is an old Taoist tale of which I’m rather fond. It goes something like this: there was an old man who had one son and one horse. He loved both dearly. One day his horse ran away and the neighbours all proclaimed, “What bad luck”. The old man replied simply, “We shall see”. A few days later the horse came back, followed by several wild horses. “What good luck!” cried the neighbours. “We shall see,” answered the old man again. When his son was thrown from one of the wild horses, suffering many broken bones, the neighbours called out, “What bad luck”.

Predictably, the old man’s answer was, “We shall see”. Some time later, the army came through the village gathering all the young

men to send to the battlefront. The old man’s son, with his crippled leg, was left behind. He looked after his father until his death many years later.

The past month has been a whirlwind of bad luck/good luck versions of ‘the accident’, according to surgeons, friends and family. And yet, like the old man in the story, not one mention of ‘bad luck’ from my son. He has simply got on with the task at hand … getting better.

The first people on the scene told me how moved they had been by his strength and stoicism. And watching him now, he is the same boy who decided at age eight that he would some day get a hockey scholarship, and then went about doing just that— quietly and unpretentiously, despite his parents knowing absolutely nothing about the game or the process. Or about anything really. But he was surrounded by generous people who did. He was able to realize his goals because of the community in which he lived, the friends who supported him, and the goodness of strangers.

No More Secrets: Youth Mental Health and Addictions Pamela Owen It has been identified that children, adolescents and young adults on the North Shore who struggle with mental health issues, including mental illness and addictions, continue to be underserviced.

Sadly for some families the fallout has

been devastating. Many consumers and their families struggle to navigate a system which has been identified as fractured.

No More Secrets, a community forum hosted by the District of West Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health and the West Vancouver School District, provided a platform for parents and youth/families to voice their concerns and frustrations.

Caregivers, parents and adolescents are stating that in order for services to work, it is essential that those with lived

experiences are involved in creating viable solutions. Working together in collaboration, families and service providers throughout the North Shore Community have come together to tackle the onerous task of identifying where and why the system is breaking down, and how it can be improved upon.  To become involved, please contact Michelle Laird via e-mail at michellelaird604@gmail.com

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And so today I would like to thank the passers-by who gave him courage and reassurance, the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, doctors and nurses, and of course Trish. Words are utterly inadequate to express our gratitude. But I also need to thank this entire village of human beings who played a role in making him the person he is today. Who, over the years, nurtured his dreams, supported him in so many intangible ways, and showed him that character will take you places where talent alone can’t.

I have always known how privileged I am to have raised a family in this part of the world. Things will continue to change.

Heraclitus was right about that. It’s the nature of living. But the really important things? Like courage, compassion, community … these are constant. If you are lucky. 

Submissions for The Beacon The Beacon is delivered bi-monthly to 3800+ households between Horseshoe 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

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September 2014

Gleneagles Ch’axáý Brings UK Communication Skills Program to BC Schools Beverly Pausche Students at Gleneagles Ch’axáý Elementary are building confidence and a range of verbal communications skills that will last a lifetime, thanks to an innovative program launched last year. Teacher/ librarian Daniela Gielnik drew on her own education in the UK to offer a unique accreditation program to students in Grade 6, which is now being offered at the school this year for interested students in Grades 2 through 7.

Offered through Trinity College London, the Trinity Guildhall Certificate in Communications Skills is a levelled skills-based program designed to improve communication skills. The program encourages candidates to develop proficiency in oral communication— from face-to-face interpersonal skills to group discussion, presentations and public speaking. There are six ‘grades’ of achievement within the syllabus, and students earn credits towards high school graduation once they attain distinction at Trinity’s Grade 5 level. Examinations comprise a series of tasks that have direct application to communication challenges in real life, such as job interviews and negotiations.

“It really warms my heart to see how much the students are benefitting from this excellent program,” says Gielnik, who

wrote to teachers supervising the program to announce this year’s impressive examination results. “The students recognize the value of Trinity in their own learning and this came across loud and clear to the examiner.”

To reach the level of Distinction the group must receive 85 out of 100 or above. This year, 13 groups of students each achieved the level of Distinction, with no score below 90. Four of the groups are at Trinity Grade Level 5 and will receive 2 bankable credits for high school. Eight of the groups

are at Level 4, and one group is at Grade Level 3. Gielnik also coached a high school group from Rockridge, and they received distinction at Grade Level 6, giving them another two credits to add to those they received the previous year. “The examiner was effusive with her compliments on the standard of the Gleneagles candidates and made particular reference to their excellent listening skills, intelligent responses and insightful discussions.”

Trinity Guildhall is offered by teachers in more than 60 countries worldwide, and

provides clear guidelines and detailed assessment criteria. Visit Trinity Guildhall at http://www.trinitycollege.com for more information. 

Gleneagles Teacher-Librarian Daniela Gielnik prepares students for the Trinity Examiner by administering a ‘mock’ exam.

Photo: WVSD

Gleneagles students work in a group to demonstrate the Trinity Guildhall Communications Skills program in action.

Photo: Rob Newell

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September 2014

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Rajasthan by Train

An epic trip in the Steps of the Maharajahs Travel Notes Marie-Claude Arnott Children swarmed persistently and cheerfully around us under the eyes of unflappable vagrant cows. Families perched precariously on mopeds. Colossal forts, fairy-tale palaces, colourful saris amid the stench of decrepit streets, fragrant spices, blaring sounds, classical music, the Taj Mahal… the sights, smells and sounds of India jammed our senses.

At the end of the day, we welcomed our retreat on our Palace of Wheels.

Visiting Rajasthan had been on our bucket list, and this unusual tourist transportation turned out to be the easiest way to access the major cities of the Golden Triangle.

We traveled at night, in the cramped yet comfortable living space of a luxury train.

The 18-coach-long Palace on Wheels was built to replicate those of the Maharajahs.

Luxury is about convenience, not lavish accommodations (the train has recently been refurbished). After two days in the sophistication of the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi, I felt like a privileged gipsy in a décor of silk curtains and bed covers, a dedicated turbaned butler, and a private

Photo: MC Arnott.

Camel ride in the Thar Desert. lounge where our day began with an English breakfast, the only meal that was kind to my digestive system. Food, in fact, was a surprise. Dinners had little to do with VJ’s or Handi’s, and the international menu had its own twists. One day, the meat sauce appeared with our dessert.

In this land of extremes, forts that took hundred of years to build baffled us with their colossal walls rising from the barren countryside. The well-preserved palaces of the Rajput royal families appeared as humongous jewellery boxes filled with treasures. As for nature, we didn’t see any tigers, the result of poaching. But we swayed on a camel until we stopped for a memorable high tea in the desert.

At night, the train rolled under the moon watching over the Thar Desert that occupies seventy percent of the land.

With 60 million people, it is the most populated arid region in the world, and the poorest. Along the tracks, animal shadows

The Amber Palace in Jaipur.

eerily roamed the yards of isolated family compounds. En route to Jaisalmer and its mighty sandcastle-like fort, I thought I was hallucinating when the bare landscape morphed into a field of tanks. We were close to the conflicted Pakistani border.

As for shopping, there was no holding back. Indian craftsmen tempted us with luxurious textiles, dazzling jewellery, and quality mementos. Yes, I bought a sari.

What I didn’t know was that it would be un-wearable without a top. Fortunately, I could remedy this with a visit to Little India in Vancouver, where items are often tagged at a lesser price. And yet, nothing replaces the pleasure of buying locally. 

More travel stories by Marie-Claude Arnott at: www.buckettripper.com/author/ mcarnott/

Photo: MC Arnott

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September 2014

St. Francis-in-the-Wood St. Francis-in-the-Wood 4773 South Piccadilly Road West Vancouver, BC V7W 1J8 stfrancis@telus.net 604.922.3531 www.stfrancisinthewood.ca

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The Stewarts of Caulfeild Bryan Stewart grew up in the British Properties and his wife, Carolyn, in nearby Cedardale. So it was not too far for Bryan to pursue and marry her. Shortly after starting their family, Carolyn and Bryan chose Caulfeild as their home. Their children, Katie and Michael, attended

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Caulfeild Elementary and they have many fond memories of sports days and rocktag. Katie moved on to Hillside and then West Van Secondary. A few years later Rockridge was built, and that’s where Michael graduated. While growing up, the kids enjoyed many community activities with Katie participating in soccer, baseball, tennis, field hockey, and skiing. Michael followed in her sporting footsteps, starting with T-ball at Caulfeild Park with Dad as coach, before moving on to hockey and football.

In May this year, Katie married Callum McBride of the Sunshine Coast and chose to have the reception close to home at Caulfeild Cove Hall. The event was truly a family affair with everyone pitching in to decorate and personalize the venue.

Congratulations to Katie and Callum and best wishes for a happy life together. 

Katie & Callum wander through the gardens of St. Francis-in-the-Wood before their reception.

Photo: Paul Hodgson

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September 2014

The Conspiracy of Silence Christine Stuart Over the past several months Oscarwinning actress Mira Sorvino has been shooting a movie in Vancouver. She and her family chose to live in lower Caulfeild where they attended St. Francis-inthe-Wood Church, the local schools, and children’s activities offered by our community.

Mira is a remarkable woman. In addition to her Oscar accomplishment, she is a Harvard graduate, the mother of four young children, and the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations.

Her cause is human trafficking. She has travelled globally, creating awareness for an issue that she refers to as human slavery, and has made presentations to the United Nations, Congress and recently to the Pope.

In June, Mira spoke at St. Francis-inthe-Wood Church about the plight of 29,000,000 people in slavery at present across the world. More than 27% of these are young children. This exceeds the number when slavery was at its height in the 18th and 19th centuries, and goes largely unnoticed. Mira explained how events such as the World Cup were magnets for the perpetrators of human trafficking. A large number of those enslaved are bought and sold for sex; the demand for younger and younger children

for sex is driving this sickening trade.

Most governments, whilst opposed to human trafficking, provide little resources to actively seek out victims or provide rehabilitation for them if they are found.

We need to be informed. These are some resources: www.canadianwomen.org/ trafficking, www.halftheskymovement. org, www.joysmithfoundation.com, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, www.unodc.org.

Mira spoke of victims who had survived and gone on to live successful lives so there is hope, but only for about 1% of them. If you want to know more visit www.stfrancisinthewood.ca to read Mira’s speech to the Pope at the Vatican in April this year. Let us be silent no more. Let us give a voice to those who do not have one.

On June 21, 2014, Mira presented the issues of human trafficking at St. Francisin-the-Wood church, West Vancouver.

Photo: Chris Stringer

Passing of Legendary North Shore Builder It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Fred Russell on July 22, 2014. Fred was born in 1922 in Hastings East, Vancouver. Following naval service (World War II), Fred settled in West Vancouver, building his first home on Eagle Island in 1946. He commenced his real estate career in 1948 with Capilano Highlands Ltd. Projects—Edgemont, Delbrook, Silverdale in North Vancouver followed by numerous developments in West Vancouver—Spuraway, Panorama Village (Salmon House), Westmount, Bayridge, Eagleridge, Copper Cliff (Madrona Crescent) and Caulfeild Plateau. His favourite projects being Broadmead of Saanich, Vancouver Island and DeCourcy Island, BC, where he and his associates have been lauded for their preservation concepts. Fred served on many municipal committees and task forces on the North Shore—among them, Advisory Planning Commission, Advisory Design Panel and as advisory to the Parks Board the Gleneagles Golf Course, Whytecliff Park acquisitions, foreshore littoral rights to initiating the West Vancouver Seawall. Fred initiated the West Vancouver Creek Bank Preservation and Transfer of Development Rights concept later adopted by Council. Fred enjoyed his tenure on the Lions Gate Hospital Board, and prized his “Doctor of Philanthropy” designation! Gaining federal recognition for his community work, and Life Membership in the Vancouver Real Estate Board for his 35 consecutive years of volunteer service to his vocation, and Honourary Life Membership in the West Vancouver Yacht Club for his foresight as one of the founding members and his continuing interest since 1951 in his favourite sport, yachting! Fred is survived by his loving wife, Roberta, daughter, Jane, son, Greg, and granddaughters, Gillian, Sheena, and Alaina, his extended family. Celebration of Life to be announced.

Fred was introduced to our Beacon community in our opening edition of September 2013 as the Developer of Caulfeild. The article can be seen in full in www.westvanbeacon.ca , Edition 1.

“Through a lifetime there are those who enter it and leave an indelible mark. Fred is one of those in my life. A neighbour, a recent friend, I loved to sit beside him and listen for as long as he could last in his declining state. With his sharp mind and amazing memory he would hold my attention and leave me eager for more. It was clear that behind Fred’s quiet, warm, courteous, friendly manner was a strong man of drive and purpose.

I miss you, Fred, and I know I have a lot of company. Thank you for your time.” 

(Published in the Vancouver Sun/The Province on July 28, 2014)

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THE BEACON

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September 2014

A Byrd in Flight People & Profiles Chris Stringer Past West Vancouver councillor, Liz Byrd, says she is “particularly pleased with receiving the Canada 125 Medal and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal”, in recognition of a lifetime of community and political service.

Liz, and Oxford-educated husband Edward, emigrated from the UK in 1966.

Ed joined Coopers and Lybrand, and Liz’s background with J. Walter Thompson and Goodwin Ellis, combined with her passion for skiing, secured an advertising position with Grouse Mountain. Later she partnered with Mike Tweedy to set up their own agency, Tweedy Byrd, and they launched the Skyline Sports and Ski World campaigns that were so well known in the ‘70s.

In 1999, Liz, representing the mayor, receiving the award won by West Vancouver for the city in Canada with the most beautiful gardens combined with environmental responsibility.

Photo: Courtesy of Liz Byrd

Daffodil Block Party Henry Huber On Saturday, August 9th, the 2nd Annual Daffodil Block Party was held at the expansive forest hideaway of Ross and Sylvia Lauder. The Bouncy Castle entertained the children amongst the 75 people who turned up.

Music by the Larry Grant Band, as well as James Marshall and his band

and Cassandra Bangel kept the crowd entertained while Mark cooked up a storm of burgers.

Huge thanks to Alex Marshall for her organisation, and to Fresh Street Market, Starbucks, and Cobs Bakery for their donations Invaluable also were Kip and Venise Pearson, Panny and Mark Braidwood and Larry and Sandra Grant .

Raffle tickets were sold for $ 2.00, for the grand prize of a Hugo’s Restaurant gift certificate donated by owner, Bonnie Sauder.

Fun was had. The spirit of community reigned.  Photos: Henry Huber 

When children Sam and Sarah were born, Liz became an extraordinary multi-tasker, feeding and changing babies while running a company. It was also the beginning of her life in public and community service when she joined the UNICEF board.

Her introduction to politics followed soon thereafter, when she helped Mary Collins run for her seat in the 1984 federal elections. In the same year she was part of the Collingwood School founding group, where she served on the board for 8 years, founded the Parents Council and headed fund raising projects.

Liz was appointed to the Long Range Planning Task Force by the Mayor, and after being a member of the Advisory Planning Commission and Chair of the Parks Commission, ran for West Vancouver Councillor in 1996 and won.

“My primary reason for running for council was to bring the Gleneagles Community Centre to fruition.” She and Dave Patrick formed the Western Residents Association and were responsible for saving Gleneagles Hall at the golf course.

She was a member of the Library Board, the North Shore Arts Commission and chaired the Arts Awards Jury. She also chaired the Fees and Charges Task Force and helped Kay Meek to realize her dream of a West Vancouver arts centre. Liz then served on, and chaired, the board for the Kay Meek Centre for the Arts.

Liz and Ed actively protested the expansion of the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal facilities and access areas. They protested outside parliament buildings in Victoria,

in downtown Vancouver and on the Lions Gate bridge. The protestors built a camp that was occupied 24 hours a day on the construction site. On the 39th day the police removed and arrested the protestors. Liz and Ed were sentenced to 250 hours of community service and fined $2000. Liz says these were some of “the most enlightening days of my life. People of different ages, cultures and political stripes joining together to save a beautiful wilderness of West Vancouver”.

Sam and Sarah have provided Liz and Ed with three grandchildren who light up their lives and keep Liz on her toes. And there is still, unbelievably, time for hobbies: skiing, theatre, opera, gardening, travel and of course laughing. 

Liz in her beautiful garden in August.

Photo: Glenn Owen

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THE BEACON

September 2014

James Slaney

17

Mr Thomas Goes to Ottawa

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA NEWS RELEASE June 20, 2014 - Ottawa, ON - Department of Justice Canada The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of David Thomas, B.A., LL.B., as Chair of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT).

Mr. Thomas received his Bachelor of Arts at the American College of Switzerland after studying at the University of British Columbia, and his Bachelor of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1989. As a successful lawyer in the field of immigration and administrative law for more than twenty years, Mr. Thomas has already been a part-time member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal and brings an understanding of employment law, human rights law, Aboriginal issues, and experience in managing human and financial resources. He has been featured as a speaker at numerous Canadian Bar Association conferences; at continuing legal education programs; and at events organized by immigrant societies. He has also founded businesses and social enterprises that aim to help developing countries.

An active member of the Vancouver community for more than two decades, Mr. Thomas has served as Director and Executive Member of the Sovereign Order of St. John; as Director of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce; and is currently director of the Canada-Korea Business Association. Previously, he was active in the creation and upkeep of local recreation facilities through the West Vancouver Parks and Recreation Commission; the West Vancouver Select Committee for Recreation Facilities Master Plan; and as a Member of the West Vancouver Council Standing Committee for Recreation Facilities. He has also had several roles working with children as a leader in Scouts Canada; as a basketball coach for youth through the Steve Nash Basketball Program (formerly known as the Junior Grizzlies Basketball Program); and as a “Big Brother” in Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.

The CHRT was established in 1977 as an independent agency. Along with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the CHRT administers the Canadian Human Rights Act according to procedures specified by law and without interference from the government.

This appointment is effective on September 2, 2014.

David and his family.

Photo courtesy of the Thomas family.

A Community Family David and Joanne met at Osgoode Hall Law school, fell in love, and married at St. Francis-in-the-Wood church. They have raised their family in our community in a home they built in Eagle Harbour. Evan, and twins Stephanie and Sarah, attended Eagle Harbour and Rockridge schools, participating in sports and all aspects of school life. The family has always been active as parishioners in St. Francis-inthe-Wood church, David having served as warden and on parish council and Joanne as Sunday School teacher. The children

were active in the youth groups as they grew up. Evan played drums in the youth band, and the girls did ballet with Miss Lindy in the church hall. With David now in Ottawa, Evan is not far away in Montreal where he begins his first year at McGill University. Good luck, David and Evan, from your community, as you both begin new chapters in your lives. And thank you to the Thomas family for your positive contributions to our community life. 

For further information on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, visit www.chrttcdp.gc.ca.

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September 2014

Glenn’s Gallery Glenn Owen Glenn Owen, a born and raised Vancouverite, who lives in Caulfeild loves taking photographs of his gorgeous community. The Beacon is grateful that Glenn is our photographer. When he is not working on family genealogy, enjoying his two new grandchildren or taking photographs for the Beacon Glenn enjoys a lager with a friend and with Colin at Pastameli’s.

In the last edition of the Beacon, Glenn started what is going to be a regular feature called “Can You Guess this Spot?”

The answer: Pilot Beach, located just east of Caulfeild Park 

—Our Community through Glenn’s Lens Can you guess this spot? 

Public art in not so public place.

Here is the spot for you to guess for this edition. Enjoy!

Cypress Park Falls.

Arbutus over Queen Charlotte Channel & Passage Isle.

Sunrise from West Vista Court.

Cruise Ship Races.

September 2014

Chris Stringer

THE BEACON

Around the Village

Surgery A Dashing Haberdasher for Scott in October Bill Van Unen.

Photos: Courtesy of Bill Van Unen

In the May edition of the Beacon we introduced you to Scott Campbell, the manager of Windsor Meats, with the dry sense of humour. In that edition Scott graciously shared a snippet of his blog, www.itwasatumor.wordpress.com, a sometimes humorous, always honest account of his journey navigating the ups and downs of living with a brain tumour.

Scott is scheduled for surgery in October.

Pop in to Windsor Meats to provide some pre-surgery moral support, share a laugh, or simply say hi. Because that’s what neighbours do. 

Just 66 years ago, Bill Van Unen’s family immigrated from Holland and settled in Keremeos, BC. Home was a fruit orchard. After a few years, they moved to Vancouver where Bill, the oldest of 4 boys, decided to launch out on his own.

He found work wherever he could. When he turned 19, Woodward’s department store hired him to work in the men’s department, thus beginning his life in the fashion industry.

It was at Woodward’s that he met his wife, Loretta, who worked in the cosmetics department. They soon married. Three sons ensued and the busy family was kept on the go by Bill’s quest to get ahead in the company as they moved to Prince George, back to Vancouver, then on to Edmonton.

In 1987 Woodward’s bought the rights to Abercrombie and Fitch, and Bill was put in charge of the Canadian expansion.

This experience influenced his decision

to start his own store at 375 Water Street, and in 1995 Bill opened J. Gregory in the Caulfeild Village Shopping Centre.

Bill credits Frank “Robbie” Robertson from Woodward’s for being most influential in his career: “He gave me my master’s degree in retailing and was my mentor for 27 years.”

At age 60, Bill bought his first motorcycle and joined a group of good friends touring Canada and the US. Six years later, as they returned from Montana, Bill crashed, suffering serious injuries. Recovery took many months, and cycling became part of his therapy. It has since turned into a passion with rides to UBC or Steveston being common occurrences.

Bill appreciates what life has brought him: “a home in Caulfeild with my beautiful wife of 49 years. Many of my customers are my best friends. I consider myself the luckiest man in the world.” 

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