=  MAIN ITEMS Feb 2nd: Strategic and Financial Planning (Item 5); Item 7 withdrawn -- wonder if an update on Hugo Ray Park; Cmnty Ctr Update; NSh Waterfront Liaison Cmte; then lots of Correspondence

=  The Mum Song (priceless); Vive le Canada (Immigration); ANIMALWATCH (trucking duck; spider); from the EDITOR'S DESK (Summary of DWV Projects); HERITAGE WEEK Update Jan 30; UPDATES (Cmnty Ctrs Services Director; Trees; WV Shoreline)

=  CALENDAR to Feb 19th-- AFAIK (Heritage Week Feb 16 - 22 listed separately)

=  CULTUREWATCH (Opera; Four Hands, One Guitar); WEBWATCH (Iraqi Sculpture; Charlie Rose interviews Prez Carter on PBS)

=  Ccl Mtg NOTES Jan 19th: 856 Anderson Cr; DVPs for 1350 Ottaburn and 610 11th St; Sponsorship/Partnership Policy Amendment; Cmnty Ctr Qtrly Update; $6M Loan from MFA for installation of water meters; Apptmts (WGs, Library); NSh Substance Abuse WG Report; Correspondence discussion on Library

=  Ccl Mtg AGENDA Feb 2nd

=  NEWSWATCH (Oysters; Info Age Hero; Three Faiths; UN Probe; Zimbabwe); MORE HERITAGE WEEK INFO; BOOKWATCH (Handwriting); WORDWATCH/FOODWATCH (Rumbledethumps); LANGUAGEWATCH (Globish; Apostrophe Catastrophe; Ouch); Maiku (More on Ageing and Death); Quotations

but first:

THE MUM SONG!   Priceless.  All the things Mums say, sung to the William Tell Overture.

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6P2w5GkXmU  It's so fast you'll have to read the captions.

[for the linguistically curious who notice details, Americans write Mom.]

===  Vive le Canada  ===  Immigration

        NBC news report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFhYgK4DkpE&feature=related

*  A duck in a truck; a trucking duck

        http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/weird/Trucking_Duck_All__National_.html

This is too realistic.  Poke and prod the spider with your mouse, also 'grab' one of its legs with your mouse and drag it around the screen -- tell me it's not alive!  Also anywhere on the map hit the Space Bar and it leaves little bugs, watch the spider go after them, this is totally crazy and creepy too!  Also notice the shadow is very real.  Click here:  http://WWW.onemotion.Com/flash/spider/

===  HERITAGE WEEK FEB 16 to 22 UPDATE  === (confirmed as of Jan 30)

        Heritage Week across Canada always starts with the third Monday in February.

Planning has started; here's what we have so far; subject to change (of course); as well more to be confirmed

***  There will be an evening of recognition and remarks from a panel of WV authors who've written books on WV on Tuesday Feb 17th at 7pm in the Marine Room at the Srs' Ctr followed by a reception.

***  Talks at Museum Saturday (1pm and 3:30pm) -- Donald Grant, Archivist of the Hollyburn Heritage Society, on "Diamond Head Chalet, A Family's Journey"

***  Heritage Fayre is 2 - 4pm Sunday Feb 22nd at Park Royal (N), displays by cmnty groups

***  ONGOING EVENTS and details near end of this newsletter; flyer will have all the info

from the Heritage Society of BC:

HERITAGE WEEK 2009 -- February 16 - 22; A Legacy of Learning - the Heritage of Education

The 2009 Heritage Week poster features Ridgeway Elementary School in the City of North Vancouver.

In 2005, Ridgeway was at risk of demolition because of costs for seismic upgrading.  To save their historic school, residents mobilized and formed the Ridgeway Heritage Society.  The City and School District #44 worked willingly with the Society to find a solution. In 2008, Ridgeway School was protected as part of a zoning bylaw amendment that involved other school sites, bonus building density, and density transfers.

The Ridgeway Elementary story is now an inspiration for other B.C. communities to protect and keep their irreplaceable heritage schools.

The list of past recipients is on the 'Heritage Achievement Awards' page:

               http://www.westvancouver.ca/Residents/Level3.aspx?id=1136

Heritage Week 2008: http://www.heritage.westvan.org/hw2008.html

Here's something new on the DWV website and is an excellent summary of what's going on in the District.  Highly recommended!

        Visit: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=13450

For the whole story, see: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=13506

     North Shore tree lovers should be aware of the Tribute Trees program operated by the KIWANIS CLUB of CAPILANO.  This has been running since 2004 and donors apply for a specific tree in West Vancouver parks to be dedicated to a relative or friend as a tribute to that person.  A bronze plate with a suitable inscription is secured to a rock at the foot of the tree by West Van Parks staff who maintain the tree for a minimum of ten years.

     The donation of $1500 is equally divided between the Parks Department for the above work, and the Kiwanis Club who disperse their funds to deserving charities throughout the North Shore, such as Children with Disabilities, NSh Search and Rescue, children's camps, etc.

     To date 117 trees have been planted in our parks, as can be seen at the Capilano Cemetery, in Memorial Park, at new Civic Community site , and other locations.

     For a brochure check the Municipal Hall, the Seniors' Centre, or the WV Library.  Anyone interested in donating a tree shd contact Stan Ward 922 9152 or email stanw_ca@yahoo.com.

= Thurs Feb 5th ~ 5:15pm ~ Measuring Up WG

= Sat Feb 7th ~ 9am ~ Lighthouse Park Preservation Society Ivy and Broom Pull at Caulfeild Park

=  Sat Feb 14th ~ 10am - 4pm ~ St. Monica's Church and the Western Residents' Association are pleased to announce the opening of the Nifty Thrifty Shop at St. Monica's Church Hall, 6404 Wellington, Horseshoe Bay (at the roundabout).  We need your help in donating saleable items which can be dropped off at St. Monica's 5 to 7pm Tuesday evenings. Owing to lack of space, we cannot accept items such as television sets, computers, or large household appliances.  A great place to meet friends and enjoy a cup of coffee.  For more info, phone Karen at 921 1956.

=  Thurs Feb 19th       ~ 8:30am ~ Cmnty Engagement Cmte

                ~ 4:30pm ~ Design Review Cmte

                ~ 5:15pm ~ Measuring Up WG

> BC & Canadian Genealogy  ~~  Tuesday, Feb. 10th: 10:15 - noon

Find out about new and existing resources available for BC & Canadian genealogy, followed by "Bring and Brag".  Share some of your successes and show us the results of your research! Find out more... 

> Astronomy Talk  ~~  Thursday, February 19th: 7 - 8 pm

Four hundred years ago Galileo's use of a telescope to look to the stars changed the way we think of our place in the Universe.  Join us for an illustrated discussion of some of astronomy's biggest discoveries and the major questions astronomers are studying today with HR MacMillan Space Centre's Astronomer, Raminder Samra.  This Event is FREE and everyone is welcome.  Find out more...

Fridays Feb 6, 13, 20: English Corner 10 - 11:30am practise English conversation

=== January 20 - February 4 ~~ What the Camera Sees: Colour and Black & White Photography

=== February 6 - 22 ~~ JANE CLARK - Drawn to the Unknown

Royall works with images from the visible world transformed through the action of imagination on colour and form, to create autonomous paintings on canvas that offer their discovery to viewers.*

+++ SILK PURSE +++  www.silkpurse.ca   --  February 3 - 15

        The Prints of Alistair Bell  Exhibition ends February 7

To see a list of events: http://kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/events_calendar

To see the electronic newsletter, the address is http://kaymeekcentre.weebly.com.  Getting onto the mail list: the simplest method is to call the box office (604 913 3634) or email tickets@kaymeekcentre.com

 http://www.westvan60.com/Images/The%20Torch%20Newsletter%20-%20Winter%202008.pdf

The newsletter is available to any non-member who is interested.  To sign up, please fill in the form at the bottom of the webpage, http://www.westvan60.com/newsletter.html  Please email thetorch60@telus.net, if you would like to submit an article, or if you have any questions or comments.

Vancouver Opera's CARMEN uneven but still v enjoyable; see haiku at end inspired and written in the first few minutes; you still can see it Tu/Th Feb 3rd and 5th next week; the Saturdays were sold out.  See http://vancouveropera.blogspot.com/2008/12/carmen.html

   Website: http://www.vancouveropera.ca/ and tix 683 0222.

MUSIC  --  Two guys, one guitar:

   http://www.yourdailymedia.com/media/1198769046/2_Guys_Play_Classical_Piece_On_One_Guitar

>  IRAQI SCULPTURE -- January 29, 2009 -- Updated 0117 GMT (0917 HKT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- For the war-beaten orphans of the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit, this big old shoe fits.  A huge sculpture of the footwear hurled at President Bush in December during a trip to Iraq has been unveiled in a ceremony at the Tikrit Orphanage complex. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/29/iraq.shoe.monument/index.html

>  PBS's Charlie Rose interviews Prez Jimmy Carter: http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10027

You can watch or click on 'transcript' to read. (I can forward a better copy of the transcript if you like.)

1.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

SW: Amended by adding to Item 5, add'l info report regarding cmnty grants, cmte Terms of Ref; adding new item, 5.1 re apptmt to LMTAC; adding Item 6, add'l info report re fees and charges.

2.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES -- None

3.  A. Van Eden, Chair, North Shore Family Court and Youth Justice Committee, regarding 2007 Annual Report (File: 0115-20-NSFC1)

Andrew Van Eden: tyvm; I'm 2008 Chair of the cmte, usually present each year mid year, this time a bit late

adv body to all three Ms; link with justice system; assist developing progs, monitor, provide opinions to Attorney General (where apptmt comes from).

majority of statistics; coordinator re domestic violence and day-in-court sessions

In 2007, some administrative changes; been under guidance of CNV, now moving to DNV where we'll be for three years after wch we'll be coming to DWV for three years.

Increased scope of reporting statistics

In 2007, focused on cybernet safety, bullying hot topic; session at Centennial to educate public about these social networking, about 600 attended.

we put together a task force on the legislation, about the Act itself

great participation from justice cmnty

will continue 2008 and 2009

of concern number of aboriginal youth in court

cmnty support for young ppl

part of that concern we surmise, particularly in NV is that there are no victim services in NV

we are aware there ar some funding available and hoping for progs like WV in NV

Youth statistics, generally trend decrease in number of files

We believe, general consensus, not that decrease but merely number of charges has decreased

Youth Criminal Justice Act allows range discretion for police officers to use and we believe they're using it so being charged in court, alternatives, extra-judicial sanctions being one of them.

had both Chief Const Heed and [RCMP] Insp Kennedy attend our mtgs; right now not aware how to get those statistics but believe they're there somewhere

Somehow make contact with family, b/c if come in contact with Police, some concern, hope to head off before ever is a charge

This model cd be of benefit to the NShore; exploring that

Justice is moving quickly

moving from 2008 to 2009, we are asking for a slight budget increase, and hope to do further strategic planning and to cmnty engagement

exciting coming in 2009 and look forward to coming back with report for 2008.  Tyvm

Sop: congratulations

notice in your reports, you have dom abuse and internet use, have you consideration about drug use in 2009?

major increase, seems to be a concern in WV; wonder if realize cd lead to increase work for your cmte

Ans: considerable conversation about drugs and alcohol; feel true; is there a better way to track

ME: I've been appointed to sit on this cmte, had first mtg last week; understand much better

looking forward to working with them.

Thank delegation

4. Comments on the Lions Bay Official Community Plan Bylaw (File: 0190-04)

Sokol: they're completing their OCP, distributed for our comments; staff has reviewed plan and it calls for relatively modest growth, 500 add'l residents between 2006 and 2041

strong policy re preservation of natural amenities

our comments relatively minor re Fire Dept and occasionally Police Dept called out

tell prov, they have to increase police numbers to meet emergency services as corridor grows, either they or Metro Vancouver?

major concern is that on way to LBay, small enclaves of citizens not in jeopardy b/c our Fire Dept goes beyond call, but still left in limbo for a number of years; in limbo or is boundary ever going to disappear?

Sop: why?  why after all these years not solved this problem?

Sop: all right; I'll leave it there for future

TP: in the next 20 years, the corridor is expected to double and will have effect on all cmnties including WV

recognize LBay addressing thoughtful

sense of place and future

encourage the public to look at the Sea-to-Sky Greenbelt Initiative and SmartGrowth; growth of cmnties

in light of growth in future, worth looking at

Sop: is the prov aware that held in limbo, there's responsibility?

make sure they know we are providing services, Fire and joint District and between; nec to supply the monies, wch they wd do anyway; all comes down to this msg

unheard of in this modern day and age

CAO: certainly we put that msg to the prov, however discussions over last few years, my understanding is that they've been refusing to compensate M for what we believe is the accurate costs

we're having ongoing discussions wrt Olympics; they're aware of it

CAO: sure we'd be happy to, and with any of our nbrs

hourly basis, nowhere near the cost of training our staff and our firetruck; believe was some discussion during firefighters' review; has been an ongoing discussion for many years; can bring back

Mayor: long way to Lions Bay; NV has to back up WV; in general might make sense but wdn't want to look at in isolation.

5. WV Community Grants Committee Terms of Reference (File: 0920-07-02) for approval

ME: observations; firstly, we're stating that the 2008 cmnty grants

before and while meeting

in social services we did open the door, found right here with providers, the small amts extremely important; did look at bigger picture, what they provide, a story for another day

set amts cmte works to

Mayor: those recommendations come to Ccl wch we ratify in May 2009

ME: re the three-year grants prog, is there a mechanism for review?

CARRIES [7:29]

ADDED ITEM:  5.1 --  LMTAC: Cclr Evison appointed as liaison

6. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4414, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 4589, 2009 (File:  1610-20-4589)

ML: info recently received by Ccl; some questions around how to approach for 2009

my feeling a wee bit cart before the horse so I wd recommend this be deferred to the March 2nd

Several: Feb 2nd

ME: fully support, have many questions of my own, certainly wd be easier to review some of these items with staff

CARRIED [7:31]

Mayor: remove for discussion?

Sop: 7 / ML: alt / ME: capers / reports 8, 9; corresp 5, 7

8. Development Permit Application No. 08-042 for 2490-2496 Marine Drive (former Capers Food Store site) (File: 1010-20-08-042)

Mayor: about entrance front and back; decision tonight considering

Sop: rather strange; it says "recommended that"

we're setting a date for a mtg; but consideration, shd be information provided

3 under guise of xxxx

consideration re lane -- when we make a statement on 16th; shd be discussed, not predetermined, that's what's explained to us on the 16th

I object to call

Mayor: I'm not entirely clear that it's not consideration; we have no idea if [will pass]

Sop: so all we need is No 1

motion is on floor; perhaps have a cclr move the recommendation

[SW did, TP seconded]

Sop: did we discuss safety factor along 25th b/c pedestrian...

size of sidewalk, refurbishing along westerly side of bldg, a major concern

Mayor: to consider all of this on 16th

Sop: my point -- doesn't have to be in motion

we're predetermining this -- all this detail

we're having the mtg on the 16th, that's it

ME: agree with Cclr Sop's earlier comment; this is one of many, why singled out?

Sokol: b/c proposal did not include entrance from rear, staff's recommendation is that it be added in

going out to public want ppl to comment on

Mayor: as opposed to just application

MS: concern; every merchant in Dund has pleaded with

desperately need an anchor, point one

obligation to fast-track this application through

Mayor: came out of Design Review

ME: I'm not confused; item no 3 simply adds to original...

9. Alteration Permit Application No. 08-047 for 4768 and 4772 The Highway, Lower Caulfeild (File: 1010-20-08-047)

ML: two lots there now, one house on the larger lot?

Sokol: there are two lots and two houses, this will be adjusting the line between the two lots

b/c in Lower Caulfeild area requires come to Ccl

CORRESPONDENCE LIST FOR CONSENT AGENDA  [full list was in last issue]

10. Correspondence List (File:  0120 24)

ME: concerns some residents re snow storm

wd appreciate some of the resolutions staff have come up with ad promoting

worthwhile to convey clearly to public not only that we have reviewed the many issues but that staff have come up with v constructive proposals

mitigate; may experience

Mayor: Mr McRadu, a summary?

Brent Leigh: we all looked... at the instance

multidisciplinary approach we will be striking in the future; looked at more resources; able to mobilize that

Raymond Fung also mobilized one of the DOC

at the end, certainly some add'l measures we can bring to bear in future

ME: recognize that but anxious to bring it to public's attention

Mayor: certainly can respond to her, and beyond that?

ME: to the gen public

Mayor: will there be a report to Ccl?

CAO: At debriefing last week we had not anticipated a report

but will come forward with a number of recommendations dealing with snow, emergencies; staff report; notify not only general public, biz and nbrhd assns; can explain how we'll get this info out

Mayor: thank; so accept 5, with action item, report

11. REPORTS from MAYOR/CCLRS -- none

Jay Brownlee with Firefighters' Union: missed my opp to segue into Electoral Area A re Lions' Bay

will take to Fire Chief ... ongoing issue, immense amt of stress particularly b/c mandated not to go beyond boundary; will follow up with Chief Cook

13. ADJOURNMENT  7:48

2.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES

3. North Shore Emergency Management Office (NSEMO) (File:  0180-16)

RECOMMENDED: THAT Council thank D. Mason, Director

4. Status Report on Remedial Action for Excavation at 856 Anderson Crescent (File: 1605-05)

RECOMMENDED: THAT Council receive for information the January 21, 2009 report by the Acting Manager of Permits, Inspections and Bylaws

5. Strategic and Financial Planning (File:  0005-01)

RECOMMENDED: THAT Council create a long term strategic vision and plan to guide District of West Vancouver policy and budget decisions.

6. Community Centre Quarterly Update - Volume X - January 23, 2009 (File: 3002-04/0592-02)

RECOMMENDED: THAT the report from the Director of Olympic Services & Projects be received for information.

8. Fisherman's Cove Marine Fuelling Facility (File: 1147-20-5908)

RECOMMENDED: THAT Council receive for information the January 23, 2009 report from the Director of Planning, Lands and Permits

9. North Shore Waterfront Liaison Committee Initiation (File: 0115-01)

RECOMMENDED: THAT the report from the Deputy CAO be received for information.

10. Amendment to Council Meeting Schedule (File: 0120-01)

RECOMMENDED: THAT the Council Meeting scheduled for March 16 be cancelled and that a Council Meeting be scheduled for March 23 at 7pm

12. Re-appointment to the North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (ACDI) (File: 0180-18)

RECOMMENDED: THAT the re-appointment of Rosamund Van Leeuwen and Brigitte Vogelsang for the term January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, be approved.

13. Appointments to Design Review Committee (File:  0116-20-DRC)

RECOMMENDED: THAT the following reappointments and new appointments be made to the Design Review Committee for the term ending January 31, 2010:

Reappointments: Alexandra Bennett, Eric Lees, Jennifer Marshall, Karl Ray

New Appointments: Duane Siegrist, Tom Bunting, Michael Richardson, Donal O'Callahan.

14. Dundarave Physiotherapist Corporation - Physiotherapist Clinic Lease at the Aquatic Centre (File: 1145-02)

RECOMMENDED: THAT the report dated January 23, 2009 be received for information.

15. Development Applications Status List (File: 1010-01) --  received for information.

16. Correspondence List (File:  0120 24)

Requests for Delegation  --  No items presented.

(1) P. Nicolson and C. Currie, North Shore Female Ice Hockey Association, January 9, 2009, regarding 2009 British Columbia Female Pee Wee Hockey Championships

(2) January 13, 2009, regarding Completion Date for the West Vancouver Community Centre

(3) L. Sundquist, Ministry of Environment, January 7, 2009, regarding Invitation to North Shore Bear Working Group Strategic Planning Session

(4) C. Fair, BC Assessment, January 5, 2009, regarding 2009 Property Assessment Roll

(5) P. Simpson, Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association, January 13, 2009, regarding Ottawa Citizen Newspaper Column

(6) A. Spencer-Chubey, Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association, January 14, 2009, regarding Report on the Housing Market

Responses to Correspondence  --  No items presented.

Responses to Questions in Question Period  --  No items presented.

Requests for Delegation  --  No items presented.

(7)  January 18, 2009, regarding Neighbourhood Electric Vehicles in West Vancouver

(8)  January 21, 2009, regarding West Vancouver Community [Centre]

(9)  January 18, 2009, regarding Opposition Members of Parliament

(10) January 19, 2009, regarding British Columbia Ferry Commissioner's Office

(11)  Hon. G. Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), January 8, 2009, regarding 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

(12)  S. Clark, UBCM, January 16, regarding Community Tourism Program - Marketing for 2010 Olympics

(13)  L. Jackson, Metro Vancouver, Jan 9, regarding Nominations for Metro Vancouver Agricultural Adv Cmte

(14)  H. Schoemaker, Metro Vancouver, Jan 15, regarding FCM Call for Infrastructure Projects

(15)  S. Dowey, City of North Vancouver, Jan 22, regarding North Shore Waterfront Liaison Cmte

Responses to Correspondence  --  No items presented.

Responses to Questions in Question Period  --  No items presented.

17. REPORTS from MAYOR/CCLRS  18. Public Questions/Comments  19. ADJOURNMENT

A long article, weaves history, politics, nations but with a theme and central idea

As for the bishop smiling, my interpretation might be instead that he expected it and got the desired result.

     For the rest:  http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12795573&fsrc=nwlptwfree

        Dec 18th 2008  From The Economist print edition

      For the rest:  http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12792603&fsrc=nwlptwfree

>>>  IN MORE OPTIMISTIC DAYS (Middle East)  Tuesday, December 9

1 = This interview is in NY Review of Books (http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22112):

Israeli Acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert described, Sunday, settler's violence in Hebron as "pogrom" a word mostly used to describe attacks against Jews in Europe.

        http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/081209/2008120910.html

2 = Let's hope:  Honour killings and gender abuse denounced

Eight United Nations agencies have co-sponsored the first Palestinian 'festival' to combat violence against women, driving home the message that so-called "honour killings" have nothing to do with honour and seeking to break the conspiracy of silence surrounding domestic abuse.

        http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/081209/2008120910.html

3 = a good start:  Three faiths find common cause in Israel

A predominantly Muslim group of 26 people participated in the first-ever trip to Israel organized by the UK-based Three Faiths Forum, the Israeli Ministry Of Foreign Affairs reported.                                                                        

        http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/081209/2008120910.html

        For the rest: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009129232237121901.html

The Save Zimbabwe Now campaign is coordinating the hunger strike:                                                      

                    http://www.savezimbabwenow.com

"Save Zimbabwe activists begin hunger strike" - The Times, 1/25/09                     

                    http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=924433

"A Growing Chorus In S. Africa Urges Action on Mugabe" - Washington Post, 1/25/09

                   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/25/AR2009012501896.html

"Police fire rubber bullets to break protest at SADC meeting" - ZimOnline, 1/26/09     

                    http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=4158

"Special Report: Crisis in Zimbabwe" - The Times, last update 27 Jan 2009                      

                    http://www.thetimes.co.za/specialreports/Zimbabwe/Default.aspx?id=363615

MDC denies Zimbabwe deal claims - BBC - Jan 27, 2009

                    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7852978.stm

The Ferry Building Gallery is participating in the Spirit of BC with Jane Adams, West Van artist. Her exhibition of paintings, drawings, stories, and poems is on the history of BC, 1800s to present. It focuses on nature.  The launch of her book, same title as the exhibit, is on Feb 6.

>  SILK PURSE:  February 17 - March 1

Celebrating BC's heritage and history, the Silk Purse Gallery (1570 Argyle) presents Vern Montgomery a well-known Vancouver artist. He is partial to capturing scenes from the past such as old streets of Vancouver that have long since gone. His paintings show his strong desire to communicate and tell stories of what he sees around him as well as some local history. He has a positive outlook on life, and enjoys making people smile with his art.

Enjoy an informative snowshoe trek through the snowy mountain forests and meadows on Hollyburn Ridge at Cypress Mountain's Nordic Area.  Included in the tour will be a stop at historic Hollyburn Lodge for a BBQ.

Pre booking is required.  Please call the Snowshoe Coordinator at 604.913.2573 to reserve your place.  Spaces are limited and will be booked on a first come first served basis.

The tour is free, though a credit card number will be taken to secure the booking.

We require 24 hours' notice for cancellation -- late cancellations are subject to a $15 fee per person.

As you know from past Heritage Weeks there are some displays/activities that are ongoing as well as special events. We hope again there'll be week-long exhibitions plus not just the usual events but  also new ones.  The panel of WV writers who've published books about WV is an addition I'm particularly looking forward to.  Confirmed so far are Peter Hall, Francis Mansbridge, and Tom Taylor.  Elspeth Bradbury wd be there but she'll be in Scotland during Heritage Week.

Reserve a table (will be supplied) for the Fayre -- a great time meeting and mixing other community groups and showcasing your group to the public -- so setup can be planned.

We appreciate Park Royal's accommodation undercover for this time of year especially.

===  BOOKWATCH  ===  Book Review: Handwriting

Here's a book review sent to me that caught my attention.  In particular the making of quill pens and wch wing determines for right- or left-handed.

               Penmanship skills are being slowly erased in a typing and texting age

WSJ, JANUARY 24, 2009  <http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-books-best-sellers.html>   

Thx to Michael Quinion of World Wide Words:

Following recent discussion about this dialect term of cookery, Cara De Silva posted a question to the discussion list of the Association for the Study of Food and Society, a wonderfully eclectic-sounding group. As a result, she was able to tell me about a special sense of "rumble", to stir or agitate violently, to mash potatoes or scramble eggs (the Oxford English Dictionary entry has

a nineteenth-century citation that refers to "rumbled eggs", what we would now call scrambled eggs). So rumbledethumps need not refer to especially heavy treatment of the raw materials. For a revised version of the piece, go via http://wwwords.org?RBDT.

fyi, I copyedit/proofread A Word A Day (it goes out to 600,000 Mon-Fri, with a selection of subscribers' msgs on the week's words sent out on the weekend).  One link that went out this weekend was on Globish (from France) and the second was on the apostrophe (and others had already sent it to me knowing I'd plead the poor abused apostrophe's case).

1:  New Lingua Franca Upsets French: BBC News

       See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7844192.stm

2:  Its a Catastrophe for the Apostrophe in Britain  Associated Press

       See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090130/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_no_apostrophe

        (also see these apostrophe words in AWAD from last year and readers' comments)

On the third hand (to quote Larry Niven) sometimes names exist for things that don't exist and never did. The BBC published an article on its Web site on Wednesday (a nod of appreciation to Neill Hicks for submitting it) about the nasty-sounding complaint "cello scrotum". A letter about it appeared in the British Medical Journal on 11 May 1974. It has since been mentioned in several works as an occupational disease, including Advanced Dermatologic Diagnosis, The Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine, The Oxford Companion to Medicine and the Textbook of Performing Arts Medicine. The problem is that it doesn't exist and - as was pointed out by one doctor at the time - couldn't possibly exist. It turns out that it was a spoof by Dr Elaine Murphy, now the highly respected and

respectable Baroness Murphy, formerly a professor at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital in London. She created it after reading reports about guitar nipple, which she thought was a hoax. She has come

clean because the term resurfaced in the 2008 Christmas edition of the Journal.

        Here's the website: http://www.worldwidewords.org

Sorry, thoughts reacting to ageing and death, faced with in new year....

2009 January 18 -- while listening to Eugene Skovorodnikov, pianist, at St Francis in the Wood (WV)

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2009 January 29 -- Vancouver Opera: CARMEN, written in the first five minutes:

 ===  QUOTATIONS  ===

The artist brings something into the world that didn't exist before, and he does it without destroying something else.

                -- John Updike, American writer (1932 - 2009)

Material power that is not counterbalanced by adequate spiritual power, that is, by love and wisdom, is a curse.

                        -- Arnold J. Toynbee, British historian (1889 - 1975)

Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power.

                        -- George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright (1856 - 1950)

The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.

                -- Ayn Rand, Russian-American novelist and playwright (1905 - 1982)

                -- Matthew Paris, English Clergyman (1200 - 1259)

You can only be young once but you can be immature forever.

                -- Dave Barry, American writer (1947 - )

Good ol' Rumpole of the Bailey, Sir John Mortimer, RIP (1923 - 2009):

When you get to my age, life seems little more than one long march to and from the lavatory.

[for serious remarks by his Penguin editor:

http://www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000023047,00.html?sym=MIS ]