+ Volunteer Week Apr 23 - 29 -- participate in and contribute to your community!  See volunteers below.

+ Youth Week; some events in Calendar; see Youth Week at end of Calendar section.

+++  Friday, April 21st at the Kay Meek Centre (to May 6)  "Office Hours"

~ 5pm ~ NSACDI at CNV M Hall Conf Room

~ 7pm ~ FREE at FBG: Special Artist's Lecture:  BARRY COGSWELL

~ 6- 8pm ~ Lower Caulfeild Adv Cmte

and

                Neighbourhood Information Meeting

Meeting Location: WV Seniors' Activity Centre, Visual Arts Room

The applicant, Ted Murray Architect Inc., is conducting the meeting as part of a Development Application to present the proposal for public review.  A community planner from West Vancouver well be in attendance to respond to questions on policy and process.  The public will have the opportunity to submit written questions or comments on forms to be provided.

The meeting is being held by the applicant.  Council will receive a staff report regarding any issue raised at the meeting and will formally consider the proposal at a future council meeting.

The proposal is for a two-storey commercial bank building of approximately 4990 square feet, located at the north-east corner of Marine Drive and 18th Street (the old KFC site). The building is to be located adjacent to Marine Drive with 11 on-grade parking spaces located to the rear of the property, accessed from 18th Street.

There will be an informal open house from 6:00-7:00pm, with a presentation at 7:00 followed with questions and comments. Light refreshments will be served.

at 7:30pm ~ HERITAGE VANCOUVER

Location: Vancouver Museum, 1100 Chestnut Street; Admission: Non-Members $5.00; Members Free

~ 4 - 10pm ~ YPAC Family Carnival in Ambleside Park

~ 3:30 - 11pm ~ YPAC Family Carnival in Ambleside Park (Sat and Sunday)

See updates for Eagleridge BBQ

~ 9 - 11am ~ Seniors' Continental Breakfast at Srs' Ctr

~ 10am - 11pm ~ YPAC Family Carnival in Ambleside Park (and Sunday)

~ 7 - 10pm ~ Fear Factor Pool Party in Aquatic Ctr

Hatchery Symposium  Saturday - April 29th from 9 - 4pm

BCIT Campus, 3700 Willingdon at Town Square A & B; Parking is at Lot 7 off Wayburne Drive (east of Willingdon)

-----------

JOIN US IN THE WILD....  SATURDAY, APRIL 29th =2E..  NOON to 6PM  EXIT 2, EAGLERIDGE BLUFFS PARKING LOT

"You will be proud of yourself for your contributions to saving the bluffs, and your children and grandchildren will be proud and grateful of your efforts."   Betty Krawczyk

-----------------------------

~ 1 - 4pm ~ Youth Park Stewardship Event in Hay Park

DWV and Evergreen are hosting this Community Stewardship event

in

Come to 1900-block Inglewood Ave at McDonald Creek and take a 15-minute walk around Hay Park. Visit the displays of a number of volunteer Stewards and enjoy the creek walk.

Streamkeepers will have their display tent, an aquarium with fish from McDonald Creek, plant some native plants, and look at aquatic bugs from the creek.

 Join us and bring the kids for this Community event this coming Sunday

===  Monday, May 1st ~ Cmte of Whole CANCELLED; instead Youth Ccl Mtg in Ccl Chambers

~ 5 - 9pm ~ Community Open House at Ambleside Youth Centre

~ 10am - 4pm ~ Beat the Heat! Basketball Tournament at Gleneagles Cmnty Ctr

~ 7:30 - midnight ~ Battle of the Bands/Youth Fashion Showcase

~ 10am - 1pm ~ BC Special Olympics Walkathon (Ambleside)

~ 8pm ~ Pacific Baroque Orchestra at WV United Church (21st & Marine)

The Young Romantics: A Tribute to Youthful Genius; Rossini, Mendelssohn, and Giuliani with Alexander Dunn, guitar soloist.  Tickets are available at the door or by phone (604-215-0406); $28; $23 (Senior); $12 (student); 19 and under, free

~ 7:30am Chamber Breakfast with Mayor Goldsmith-Jones talking about the Winter Olympics in Turin

***  2006 Business Excellence Awards

We are asking that all of our members and all North Shore residents and businesses assist us by submitting their choice for worthy recipients for the upcoming Business Excellence Awards. The awards are open to any West Vancouver based and/or licensed businesses.

The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 25th, at the President=92s Dinner at the Capilano Golf and Country Club. This year the categories have been expanded and include:

- Corporate Business of the Year (sponsored by GTM Group of Companies)

- Service Business of the Year (sponsored by Loren & Company, CGAs)

- Retail Business of the Year

and also community awards for West Vancouver residents for the:

Nominations close Friday, May 12th. For nomination forms and complete details please call the Chamber at 926 6614.

We are also looking for sponsors for each award. Currently, the Retail Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards are still available. Please contact Kathleen at 604 926-6614 if you are interested in a sponsorship. We offer a full year program of Chamber-based promotion to our sponsors for supporting this event.

***  Wednesday, May 10th Breakfast

Sponsored by: The Whistler Mountaineer

Join us and our guest speaker, Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, as she relates her experiences, observations, and memories of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. She will also provide her insight and offer some advice as to what we might want to consider when developing our own 2010 Olympic offerings for West Vancouver.

Time: 7:30 to 9am. Cost $20 for members and $30 for non-members (GST included).  [Reserve by noon Monday 8th]

***  Volunteer Week April 23 to April 29

This week we are pleased to recognize the many volunteers who make our community a great place to live, work and play. In particular we would like to acknowledge our appreciation to the WVCC Volunteer Board of Directors, Committee members and our office/event volunteers who give their time, expertise, and energy. All of these individuals make a significant contribution and truly make a difference in sustaining and developing the WVCC.

Our volunteer Board includes Sean Allan, Dina Zeitler, Bill Chapman, Michael Evison, Nicole Garton, Gabrielle Loren, Rick Amantea, Doug Foot, Lynn Jest, Bill McKitrick, Mary Molson, John Moonen, Gary Mussatto, Heidi Schmidt, Luis Sopena, and Linda Stewart.

2010/Tourism Committee volunteer members include Catherine Barr, Linda Stewart, Sean Allan, and Heidi Schmidt.

The Community Affairs volunteer members include Craig Turner, Sean Allan, Bill Chapman, Jacci McTavish, Gary Mussatto, Luis Sopena, Holly Kemp, Megan Sewell, Kevin O=92Sullivan, John Cave, and Dina Zeitler.

Membership Committee members include Linda Stewart, Brenda Ballogh, Sean Allan.

Revenue Committee members include Doug Foot, Gabrielle Loren, and Sean Allan.

Advocacy Committee members include John Moonen, and Nicole Garton.

Special Events Committee members include Mary Molson, Dina Zeitler, and Gary Mussatto.

Education Committee volunteers include Lynn Jest, Rick Amantea, and Bill McKitrick.

Our office and event volunteers include : Lou Liggett, Mary Pat Ferguson, Ruth Halliday, May MacDonald, Elizabeth Soden, Linda Metcalfe, Anne Russell, and Candace Chapman.

If we have omitted any names in error or oversight, we apologize.

Thursday, April 27th - 3:30 to 10pm;  Friday, April 28th - 3:30 to 11pm

Saturday, April 29th - 10am to 11pm;  Sunday, April 30th - 10am to 5pm

From our WVM reporter and ADRA rep observer:

- Detective Tim Kravjanski gave an excellent overview to the Board of the various threats posed by the different types of "Cyber Crime". A board member suggested that he give a fuller version of his talk at the Library {which we heartily endorse}.

- Speed Watch volunteers worked 36 hours in March clocking 7,389 vehicles. Unfortunately 60% of private vehicles were travelling above the speed limit (as compared to 22% of commercial vehicles). Slow down!

- Some members of the Student Work Experience Team (SWET) were introduced to the board and spoke briefly of their involvement in the program. In March, six SWET members with two WV Constables visited 33 WV businesses to alert them to the important issue of common household products that can be used in the manufacture of crystal meth and to request that they participate in the Meth Watch Program.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWS FROM THE BLUFFS  --  DAY 9

 Thanks to everyone who has supported the tent city occupation during the last 9 days! We are grateful to all campers, visitors, support crew and to the hundreds of people from all over B.C. who attended our Earth Day celebration last Saturday.

 We're thrilled that so many of you came out and experienced the magic of the bluffs, the wetlands and the old growth forests at our Earth Day Celebration. We invite you all again this Saturday April 29th to join us at Eagleridge Bluffs. Bring your family, friends and picnics. Join biologists, naturalists  and "birders" on guided hikes through the unique arbutus ecosystem, and along the Baden Powell Trail to the Wetlands and the old growth forest.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

The Coalition to Save Eagleridge Bluffs

www.eagleridgebluffs.ca

=  Delegations from Unique Minds (presented Calendar) and Westport residents (thanks to Ccl)

=  Great Youth Week events described [See Calendar for more details]

=  Dilemma about a permit for a structure already built at 8935 Lawrence Way but variance wd have been recommended by staff; approved (will check who opposed)

=  Devt Permit for 1204 Keith Road duplex with variances; approved (think VV opposed)

=  DVP for 6619 Nelson passed unanimously

=  8:03 - 9:34 = Dundarave Landing Interim Parking Plan - Traffic and Parking Study had 20 speakers signed up; after an hour, moved Council direct staff to implement the additional measures described in this report and report back on their effectiveness within six months of their implementation.

=  9:34 Commercial Dog Walking Amendments deferred

David Adams made some good points.To start, he held up a brochure still available in Finance (2005 Budget Report) wanting to remind five cclrs still there what was said in 2005 budget report, quoting: be assured you Ccl remains committed to managing to equal or below the rate of inflation

that suggests 1.5% rather than 4.2% [then gave examples of deptal budgets up by 7%, 10%, 11%]

Mayor: running late

Katherine Steig: also commented hard to see background but hoped completion of biodiversity study and Cypress Creek watershed plan as well as work on shoreline and other environmental matters.

CR: Cdn't get notes from Apr 5 and 12 budget sessions b/c DWV website was down; RL kindly sent Apr 5th's by email but today still down so haven't seen 12th.  Have asked for more budget info and it will be sent, I understand.

How much is it costing in this transition period (rec ctr demolished, renting facilities), had heard $20K per month?  [Ans: they'll look into it]

CR: Will we see it before signed?

Ans: yes, it will come to Ccl

After my comments RD wondered about the May 1st mtg; turns out item shdn't hv bn there and they'd already passed having a Budget Input mtg at 5pm Monday May 1st before the Youth Ccl mtg at 7pm.

At the motion to receive the summaries and the motion for staff to prepare the Budget and Tax Rate bylaws for the May 8th regular ccl mtg, the CAO gave the Terms of Reference for setting up a special Budget cmte composed of cclrs, staff, residents (hope to have the TofRef for next newsletter).

Now to listen to Mike:

MS: guess my frustration is demonstrated...

spent time on singsong, heritage, culture,....

never any action plan as where to pay for these plans

Cclr Sop said we built a seawall 40 years ago -- we've only managed to bld two blocks since

really frustrated by lack of budget discussion on Ccl

ploughing through looked at admin, fire, etc

no info, no discussion, subsidize gallery behind us for [x] dollars, Ferry Bldg, etc, western rec ctr, srs' ctr, ...

CAO: approved previously, carried forward

INTERRUPTION B/C 10pm AND UNANIMOUS VOTE REQUIRED TO CONTINUE MTG

MS: guess if I'm talking I'll have to vote for it

CARRIED

Sop: always good to go back; thought we've been efficient

look at growth, culture, heritage, waterfront, it's going to cost us

always prided ourselves that this cmnty is safe and was protected

requires dollars b/c manpower seven days a week

can pinch away and that goes through budget

we have 140+ parks, mtn full of trails to look at

rec renewal, needed and now at final one, cmnty crtre, and did it all keeping budget reasonable; seen growth in areas ...

not going to find it by picking away at 1% but we'll do that

each year look at how we can keep that budget...

what will be like if we keep shaving off; and if we dare attack Fire and Police

we're meeting more times over the budget; long term; not an easy task

SSch: include in motions??

PASSED

Mayor: see you May 1st

Ccl has committed mtgs, time set aside going into June; Amb revit

pretty aggressive workload, glad everyone prepared to pitch in

=  10:08 Federal Commitment to $1.6 billion in Affordable Housing Funding

DEBATE  thought 5.8 had been done (no need to)

=  10:11   NOTICES OF MOTION

Mayor: reminds us why we need updated procedures

JC: during the most recent election, this issue came up on a number of occasions and in the past as a good idea, whereas wd remove presumption of retention, ensure renewal

possibly restrict

Mayor: is this going to be coming to a future ccl for discussion?

SSch: to allow it to be considered this evening.

MS: table it

Mayor: b/c going to UBCM

RB: past deadline; have extended deadline so there's an emergency if want to this week

MS: won't second it; at 8:15 but not at 10:15

Sop: I think this needs more than ten-minute discussion; others may bring it

don't want to say no but defer

Mayor: ccl needs to do it this week; if no seconder, it dies

MS: send in fall?

RB: yes but spring is for UBCM conference in fall.......

Mayor; no seconder

10:15  {Well, it failed but no doubt the timelines for UBCM mtgs are well-known so wonder why this so late.}

Liz Byrd: thought public comment

Mayor to Ccl: consent or move to public?

to PQP

first on list, Sheryl Leski (sp?): re prop 1426 Inglewood slated for mtg May 15

{tried to get public info mtg moved up; denied b/c notices have to be sent out}

Liz Byrd: re Eagleridge/tents

Mayor: did you arrive late?  I read out the notice

LB: yes I was

Mayor, for her: read again press release, said arrived at through a consensus of all ccl and staff and team

Liz: gosh, gosh

We would firstly like to thank Council and Staff for all their help and support over these past three long years.  We appreciate the efforts made on our behalf in Court and we now understand that it is necessary for you to distance yourselves from us.

You know that we are not going to go away.

We are determined to continue with our blockade of Eagleridge Bluffs.

We know that there are other ways to get to Whistler and we would like to see either a [four-lane two-way] tunnel, or an update of the existing road in the manner which is presently being implemented on the entire Sea-to-Sky corridor.

The support we are receiving from around  the world is overwhelming.  Our website has 1000 unique visits every day, the press is giving us great attention, and the community of West Vancouver is supporting us financially and supplying our needs, food, water, firewood, and constantly dropping in to encourage us to keep up our vigil.

Last night from 4-6pm for a full two hours as the mass of traffic from Whistler and the Ferries flooded back into the city people constantly honked their horns in support of our efforts.

The people of Eagleridge Bluffs have extraordinary talent, extraordinary energy, and extraordinary determination.  People have joined us from all over the province, it is a great privilege and extremely humbling to be amongst people who have been living in a tree in Cathedral Grove for two years, people who founded Greenpeace, people whose mothers stopped the complete destruction of Lower Manhattan, the building of the Spadina Freeway in Toronto, and people who saved Clayoquot Sound.  All these people who are prepared to be arrested with us in our quest to save the Bluffs.

Eagleridge Bluffs are 416 million years old, they are the guardian sentinel to the Vancouver Harbour settled by the First nations, observed by Captain Vancouver and the early immigrants and today seen by cruise ships as they sail into Vancouver.  They are a treasure not to be tampered with, an ecological gem in the heart of a large city.

The Bluffs are unique, sensitive, and accessible.

The Bluffs are a breathing living classroom for the young and old

The Overland route is unnecessary, it is morally and esthetically disastrous.

Cosmetic mitigation is completely unacceptable

We are going to our utmost to prevent the province from making such a terrible irreversible mistake.  We ask each of you to look into your hearts and search for solutions to someone, somewhere in either the federal or provincial government who can and would be willing to come to the table to save Eagleridge Bluffs.

went to REPORTS at 10:27 but none since so late!

MS: wd point out this is legislation by exhaustion; been here since 5 o'clock! -- ADJOURNMENT!

Afghanistan's economy is growing like gangbusters. Problem is, more than a quarter century of war and an attempt by the Taliban to isolate the country from modern influences has left the economy in ruins.  A United Nations report in February 2005, concluded that Afghanistan remains one of the world's least developed countries. It ranked 173rd out of 178 countries surveyed - beating five states in sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN report points to positive developments as well. It notes that the October 2004 election won by President Hamid Karzai showed Afghanistan's political progress. It was an election that forces loyal to the former Taliban government had vowed to disrupt.  The election went off relatively smoothly. Still, Karzai has been referred to as the President of Kabul, as the government continues to have difficulty exercising its influence in the rugged and fiercely independent countryside.

Capital: Kabul; Area: 647,500 km sq. (same size as Manitoba); Population: 28,513,000 (2004); Head of State: Hamid Karzai

Unemployment: 78%; GDP (2003): $20 billion US (est.); Exports to Canada (2003): $618,889; Imports from Canada (2003): $9 million

Median Age:  17.5; Life expectancy at birth: 42.46

Experience makes us see an enormous difference between piety and goodness.

                -- Blaise Pascal, philosopher and mathematician (1623-1662)

Armand Carrel (1800 - 1836)

was born in Rouen.  His father was a wealthy merchant, and he received a liberal education, afterwards attending the military school at St Cyr.  Under his direction the journal Nation became the foremost political organ in Paris. His judgement was unusually clear, his principles solid and well founded, his sincerity and honesty beyond question; and to these qualities he united an admirable style, lucid, precise and well balanced.   As the defender of democracy he had to face serious dangers.  Before his last fatal encounter he was twice involved in duels with editors of rival papers. The dispute which led to the duel with =C9mile de Girardin was minor, and might have been amicably settled had it not been for Carrel's own obstinacy. The meeting took place on the morning of July 22 1836. De Girardin was wounded in the thigh, Carrel in the groin. The wound was at once seen to be dangerous, and Carrel was conveyed to the house of a friend, where he died after two days.

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

                        -- Friedrich Nietzsche, philosopher (1844-1900)

Too many parents make life hard for their children by trying, too zealously, to make it easy for them.                                                                         

        -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, poet, dramatist, novelist, and philosopher (1749-1832)

To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god.

                        -- Jorge Luis Borges, writer (1899-1986)

Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

                        -- Arthur Koestler, novelist and journalist (1905-1983)

was an influential British philosopher, logician, and mathematician, working mostly in the 20th century.  Bertrand Russell, a prolific writer, was also a populariser of philosophy and a commentator on a large variety of topics, ranging from very serious issues to the mundane.  He continued a family tradition in political affairs, and was a prominent liberal as well as a socialist and anti-war activist for most of his long life...