WVM2011-09
Ccl NOTES Apr 18
AGENDAs May 9
Calendar to May 20th

by Carolanne Reynolds, Editor
www.WestVan.org

Spring is sprung!
(at last! Usually our cherry blossom tree blooms Apr 9 to 16 but it's only beginning May 7th!)
MAIN ITEMS on Ccl Agendas May 9 :
SPECIAL CCL MTG at CMNTY CTR starts at 6pm MONDAY MAY 9th
The Youth Council meeting will commence at 7pm following the Special Council Meeting.
MAIN ITEMS
>  Sp Ccl Mtg 6pm: Devt Permit App (Rodgers Crk); Three readings of Annual Tax Rates (deadline for adoption is May 15 so needs another ccl mtg; sure indicates there cd hv bn a WG and more time for citizen input); Adoption of Eagle Hbr Parcel Tax Bylaw; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw; sp ccl mtg May 11; LCAC apptmts; Devt App Status to Apr 29; Correspondence/Letters: grants and finance cmtes' minutes, cmnty garden, Safeway site, salmon designation, staff response to ADRA questions re Hollyburn Mews (20th & Esquimalt), 20th St parking ban; responses by the four political parties to UBCM questions on policing/infrastructure/finance; Friends of Historical Piers, moving Coast Guard Aux to HBay, water shortage plan, DNV re DNV OCP, Hollyburn Mews (ADRA and resident), liquor licence for Larson Stn, staff response re cmnty garden
>  Youth Ccl Mtg 7pm: debate re voting age; Youth Week activities; Awards then reception.
=  Vive le Canada (KJV; Expo 86; new govt; anniversaries); from the EDITOR'S DESK (Election; Devts); UPDATES & INFO (Shoreline; LPPS; Tidings 2x/mo; Youth); POLICEWATCH
=  CALENDAR to May 20th; CULTUREWATCH (Theatre; Art; Music; Opera, Photography); NATUREWATCH (Walk and a Talk); SUBSCRIBER HEADSUP (Update between WVMs)
=  Ccl Mtg NOTES Apr 18th: NSh Cmte re Cycling Coalition; Wetmore OCP/Zoning Bylaws second/third reading; Fisherman's Cove Fuel Dock; Non-Enforcement of Noise Control for BC Ferries Wed Apr 20; 20th & Esquimalt OCP/Zoning Bylaws (consultation to date deemed sufficient) and DPA with PH May 16 (amended agenda added Uplift report giving ~$600K to go from three sgl-fam lots to nine units!); Bylaw Enforcement Amendment Bylaw intro; DPA 2430 Russet; NSEMO Report; among Corresp: Taxes, Pacific Arbour, Safeway site; RGS, UN Trip accountability, Lynum's Garden, City of WV in Centenary?
=  Ccl Mtg AGENDAs May 9th
=  ANIMALWATCH (shark-petting; Jack Russell or husband?; SPCA); INFObits (Chinese nix smoking; world popn 7B; last WW1 vet); OTTAWAWATCH (former MP); OsamaWATCH (Fisk; CPT); PEACEWATCH (Unity); VILLAGEWATCH (Amniyr); TREEWATCH (Pruning in hope); SCHOOLWATCH (Passover); CANADAWATCH (Korea; V-E Day); ROYALWATCH (Birthdays; Westminster Abbey 1066; Photos); Correspondents' Dinner (funny); HAIKUWATCH (Reading, Workshop); MAIKU; QUOTATIONS/THOUGHTS/PUNS

===  Vive le CANADA  === 
2011 May        ~~ 400th anniversary of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible (translation)
                ~~ 100th anniversary of Canada Parks
2011 May 2nd
o  the 341st birthday/anniversary of the Company of Adventurers of England, trading into Hudson's Bay, also known as The Hudson's Bay Company -- the oldest retailer in Canada, and the oldest in the world
o  the 25th anniversary of opening of Expo 86 in Vancouver
o  a new Canadian govt -- will Elizabeth May be able to get them to behave well in the sandbox?
2011 May 6th
The statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the 58th and 60th anniversaries of two historic battles of the Korean War paying tribute to the 26,791 Canadians who served in the Korean War and the 7000 who served in the theatre from the cease-fire to the end of 1955 appears below in CANADAWATCH.
2011 May 8th
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued a statement to mark the 66th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day).  It is also below in CANADAWATCH.

===  from the EDITOR'S DESK  ===
FEDERAL ELECTION
     need time for everyone to readjust their sets.
Will the Quebec NDP caucus (58/102) wag the party wherever it wants?
Will it know what it wants when you have mbrs elected: a 19-yr-old, someone who never campaigned (said today that she looks forward to visiting the riding since told it's beautiful), and so on -- young (that can be good: new ideas) and inexperienced (can be enthusiastic).
One commentator said it was not an 'NDP surge' b/c outside of Quebec they only got five or six more seats.  Another said that their rise, splitting the vote, gave more seats to the Tories.  The Tories' vote only increased 2%.
Many of course point to 60% did not vote for the Conservatives.  Hope Harper will govern for all as he said.
Is the moderate middle on its deathbed or just very sick.  In many countries the parties have been reduced to two main ones, right and left.  That's also what happened in BC, after all.  It's on the edge of it in the UK also.  And of course the US just has two main parties.
Looking forward to everyone surprising us........
As Churchill said: The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.
DEVTS in WV
Make sure you become informed and provide input to Ccl for Ambleside Revitalization and devts on 20th & Esquimalt plus 14th and Duchess.
 
===  UPDATES AND INFO  ===
+  WEST VANCOUVER SHORELINE SOCIETY
                New Residents at Lawson Creekmouth  by Adrian Rowland
Diversity is on the rise at the mouth of Lawson Creek. In 2006, the District of West Vancouver initiated a Shoreline Protection Plan to restore health and diversity to intertidal and subtidal areas. Pilot projects have been ongoing on the public shoreline between Dundarave Pier and Ambleside Park.
At Lawson Creek, newly placed rock reefs provide holdfasts to encourage growth of a productive kelp forest. Erosion loss is being reversed with the shaping of a storm- and climate change-resilient crenellated mixed beach with a wide and vegetated upper foreshore. The West Vancouver Shoreline Protection Society has welcomed the support of the Pacific Salmon Foundation and funding donated by HSBC in support of volunteers who will assess forage fish spawning success in the accreting sands and gravels of the upper foreshore.
Meanwhile, there is a noticeable increase in diversity along the shore: kelp, mussels, crabs, fish, birds, otters - and people coming to watch them!
For more information:  http://westvanshoreline.ca/
+  Lighthouse Park Preservation Society
In 1998, a group of residents formed the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society. Its stated goals are to: "work to protect the natural integrity of the park given its unique natural history and vulnerability to urban pressures; promote public awareness of the natural features of Lighthouse Park and to promote public support for its preservation; support the development of biological zones along the park boundaries and to work to prevent development encroaching on the park." The Society holds monthly meetings, occasional work parties (e.g., invasive species removal), regular lectures on matters ranging from historical slide shows on the park to natural history, and publishes a newsletter. The lectures, publicized in the park, are open to members and the public.
Guided walks, lectures, ivy & broom pulls, and native planting are some of the Society's activities.
Alexandra Mancini, President 922 1485
Lighthouse Park Preservation Society -- Newsletter #15 -- February 2011 
See: http://westvancouver.ca/uploadedFiles/Parks_and_Environment/Stewardship/Newsletter15.pdf
+  Tidings
Tidings has undergone a makeover. We are committed to providing you with timely, relevant information about West Vancouver, so Tidings has moved to the Wednesday edition of the North Shore News effective May 4. In addition. Tidings will be published every two weeks rather than once a month.
Current IssueMay 4, 2011 Tidings  (PDF, 1.3 MB)
                                                      http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=920
+ West Vancouver Recognizes Youth at Youth Council and Youth Awards
Monday May 02 -- http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=33998
...Over 100 individuals have been nominated in three categories: Youth Recognition, Youth Community Enhancement, and Youth Team Service Awards. Nominations were submitted by the West Vancouver School District, local churches, West Vancouver Police Department, the North Shore Multicultural Society, District staff, and youth themselves.
Celebrated each year alongside Youth Week in May, West Vancouver's Youth Council and Youth Appreciation Awards are a District initiative to recognize exceptional youth who exemplify community spirit.
Monday May 9: Council 6pm; Youth Council 7pm, Youth Awards 8pm and Reception to follow; WV Cmnty Ctr Atrium
Please Note:  The ccl mtg will not be available online as it is not taking place in the Ccl Chamber; however, every effort will be made to post a video in the days following.  For more info, visit www.westvancouver.ca/youth.

=== POLICEWATCH ===  from our WVPBd correspondent
West Vancouver Police Board Meeting 2001-04-28  --  Highlights:
1. First-Quarter Report. A brief summary of the operations of the Police Department.
2. First-Quarter Financial Report. Unlike Council, which refuses to provide any level of detail in its quarterly financial reports, the Police Board receives 29 pages of detailed reports from the JDE System down to the level of the $500 budgeted for Grounds Maintenance, showing the amount spent during the quarter compared both with the amount budgeted and the previous year's actual expenditure. At 25% of the year elapsed, net expenditures (corrected for annual costs paid in the first quarter and anticipated revenues) are at 24%. The largest savings coming from keeping three constable positions vacant.
3. The first public draft of the new three-year strategic plan was approved for release by the Board (the approval, inexplicably, was done in camera).
4. CompStat - The Dept's concerted efforts as part of its Crime Reduction Strategy continue to pay significant dividends with Break and Enters down more than 70% and theft of vehicles down 60% from the same period last year.
5. During Public Question Period your correspondent asked about the costs associated with the WVPD's investigation of the tasering of the eleven-year-old in Prince George, and was informed that in such cases all of the costs are borne by the requesting agency, in this case, the RCMP.

=======  CALENDAR to May 20th  =======
All mtgs are at M Hall unless indicated otherwise.  NOTE: shown are mtgs known at this date; often there are additions, changes, cancellations after WVM goes out.  Check the DWV Calendar: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Calendar.aspx  .   Notices/mtgs/changes too late for an issue or too early for the next are sent to subscribers as updates (see just above).  They then appear in the next newsletter.
>>>  PARKS MASTER PLAN WG WORKSHOPS  <<<
                complete info: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=33846
Next Step - Community Workshops: The community at large is invited to attend a workshop and provide input.
Thursday, April 28 - WV Community Centre, 2121 Marine Drive (Dance and Fitness Studio, Second Floor)
Wednesday, May 4Sentinel School, 1250 Chartwell Drive, (School Library)
Monday, May 9 - West Vancouver Community Centre, 2121 Marine Drive (Cedar Room, Third Floor)
Tuesday, May 10Gleneagles Golf Clubhouse, 6190 Marine Drive (Great Hall)
Time: Each workshop's doors open at 6:30pm and the workshop begins at 7pm
At these workshops, you will be asked questions like: 
                What do you like most about West Vancouver's parks? 
                What aspects need attention? 
                What is your vision for the future of the District's parks?
We look forward to your participation in this dialogue and would be pleased to answer your questions.
Please email us or call the Parks Dept at 925 7130 if you would like to attend. Registration at the workshops is not required, but it is preferred.
== Wednesday May 4   ~ 6:30 - 9:30pm ~ Parks Master Plan Workshop at Sentinel School
== Thursday May 5
        ~ 4:30pm ~ Design Review Cmte CANCELLED
== Monday May 9 (complicated so will put all)
        ~ 6 - 7pm ~ Special Ccl Mtg in WV Cmnty Ctr (Atrium)
        ~ 6:30 - 9:30pm ~ Parks Master Plan Workshop WV Cmnty Ctr (3rd Floor)
        ~ 7 - 8pm ~ Youth Ccl Mtg in WV Cmnty Ctr (Atrium)
== Tuesday May 10
        ~ 4:30 - 7pm ~  Public Info Mtg "Hollyburn Mews" Proposal (2031, 2047, 2063 Esq)
                5pm brief presentation; Srs' Ctr (Audio Room)
        ~ 6:30pm ~ Parks Master Plan WG Workshop at Gleneagles Golf Course
~ 7 - 9pm ~  THE CROWDSOURCED CITY at SFU Harbour Ctr
Progressive cities are harnessing the power of mass collaboration and innovation.  New technologies including cloud computing and mobile devices are allowing us to co-create our neighborhoods and improve community design.  This forum will explore how these new technologies and social media can improve the transparency of policymaking, planning, and projects.  Leading innovators in the use of crowdsourcing will demonstrate some of the new techniques and platforms available.
Lukas Biewald of Crowdflower will explain the background and trends in crowdsourcing.
Darin Dinsmore of Crowdbrite will show how an international competition led to innovation in design.
Colleen Hardwick of PlaceSpeak will demonstrate the use of pioneering software for location-based community consultation.
                Bring your laptop or pad! Reserve a seat @ www.sfu.ca/reserve
== Thursday May 12
        ~ 7pm ~ WV Streamkeeper Society AGM at St Stephen's (885 - 22nd)
             AGENDA (NB: copy and pasted; numbering fixed, no idea why not called minutes)
1.   Welcome and call to order  2.  Adoption of the agenda 
3.   Summary of the 2010 Annual General Meeting
4.   President's Report
5.   Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011
6.   Election of Directors
7.  Other business; 8.  Adjournment
== Saturday May 14
       ~ 9am - noon ~ Lighthouse Park -- Broom Pull; Meet at the upper kiosk in the parking lot.
== Sunday May 15  ~ 11am - 3pm ~ 
The BC SPCA West Vancouver Branch invites you to an animal-themed day of fun. The event, presented by Hill's Science Diet, takes place at the West Vancouver Branch, 1020 Marine Drive.
== Tuesday May 17
        ~ 7pm ~ Parks Master Plan WG
== Wednesday May 18
        ~ 7pm ~ Bd of Variance, MHall, and ~ 7pm ~ Library Bd at Library

+++  WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY +++  http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/event/calendar.php
PLEASE SEE THE FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
        We invite you to look at our 2011 - 2015 Strategic Plan.
        http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/pdf/2011_2015_strategic_plan.pdf
= BOOKtopia 2011
West Vancouver's Children's Literature Festival  --  April 28 - May 15
BOOKtopia is an annual festival of children's literature intended to promote literacy, celebrate language arts, and cultivate creative thought in West Vancouver. BOOKtopia offers a series of events for preschool, elementary, and secondary school students at the Kay Meek Centre and the West Vancouver Memorial Library. Events include author visits, illustrator's workshops, poetry readings, storytelling, poetry slams, and other spoken word events. A special part of this year's festival will include a presentation to of the winners of the Member of Parliament Award for Writing 2011.
For a list of all events, visit BOOKtopia.ca
=  May is Census Month
Libraries rely heavily on Statistics Canada's census data! If you have questions about the 2011 Census please see the Information Desk.
=  English Corner ~ Fridays May 13, 20 ~ Practise English Conversation 10 - 11:30am
                  For more information please call Fariba Rocker at 604 506 6616.
= Philosophers' Cafe: Winning
~ 10:30am - noon ~  May 20 --  When is the cost of winning too high? When, in fact, does the winner lose?
Join Moderator Randall MacKinnon on the third Friday of each month (except July and August) for discussion at a Philosophers' Cafe, part of Simon Fraser University's Continuing Studies. Check out the Philosophers' Cafe website.  No registration is required. Admission is $5.

+++  WV MUSEUM  +++  http://westvancouvermuseum.ca/exhibitions/current_exhibition
Sylvia Tait: A Classical Spirit ~ Apr 13 to May 21
Abstract painter Sylvia Tait studied at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts under Arthur Lismer, Jacques de Tonnancoeur, and Eldon Grier before settling on the West Coast. Her work is influenced by abstract expressionism with colour-infused forms clustered or linked together and migrating across the surfaces of her canvases. This exhibition features a broad survey of Tait's work from the early 1960s to the present.

+++  FERRY BUILDING GALLERY  +++ http://ferrybuildinggallery.com ~ 925 7290
GRAD SHOW 2011  ~  May 3 - 15
Mixed Media exhibition of art by graduating students of Collingwood, Mulgrave, Rockridge, Sentinel, and West Vancouver Secondary.
Opening Reception: Friday May 6 from 5 - 8pm
Capilano U Grad Show 2011 - Textile Arts  ~  May 17 - 29
Opening Reception: Friday May 6 from 6 - 8pm
Artists' Talk Saturday May 21 from 2 - 3pm
+++ SILK PURSE +++   http://www.silkpurse.ca/gallery2.html
"Happiness Reigns"  May 3 - 15
Paintings by Gordon Davis "I paint for leisure and enjoyment. I use lots of colour - no clouds or dull greys, and my theme is always happiness and joy." Most of Gordon's work is pleine aire {en plein air} and verges towards expressionism, pushing a little away from reality.
Opening reception Tuesday May 3rd from 6 - 8pm
"Swans and Other People"  May 17 - 29
Artworks by Jacquie Manning  --  Popular teacher and painter Jacquie Manning exhibits her multi-media explorations and documentations of unusual encounters with animals while trekking through Europe. A departure from her abstract works.
Opening reception Tuesday May 19th from 6 - 8pm
+++ KAY MEEK CENTRE +++
Complete list of events: http://kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/events_calendar
Electronic newsletter: http://kaymeekcentre.weebly.com
Simplest way to get on email list, call 913 3634 (also for tix) or email tickets@kaymeekcentre.com
LIONS GATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SPRING GALA FEATURING...  7pm Friday May 13
VYSO CONCERTO CONCERT ... 7:30pm Saturday May 14
A NIGHT OF STORY & SONG WITH ZIBA SHIRAZI  ... 6pm Sunday May 15
COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL PRESENTS THE SOUNDS OF SPRING ... 7pm: Tues May 17, Wed May 18
RIDGEVIEW ELEMENTARY PRESENTS THE WIZARD OF OZ... 6:30pm Thursday May 19

+++ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, West Vancouver +++
Website: http://www.westvan60.com/  --  ofc: 922 3587; lounge: 922 1920
"Where Volunteers make the difference." Chartered November 17th, 1926
The Winter Issue of "The Torch" is now available
 To view the newsletter, just click the following link for direct access:
http://www.westvan60.com/Images/The%20Torch%20Newsletter%20-%20Winter%202010.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
Drop in -- This fun night is for Branch members and guests
      ...May 19, June 2, 16 & 30.  Info - call Kelvin Andrew - 921 9665.
May  --  CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saturday, May 7th Live Music!!! In the Lounge! Come on out!
Saturday, May 16th "Disco Night"
Sunday, May 15th Fun BINGO! In the Lounge - 2:30 - 4:30
(No Cash Prizes but lots of other prizes)
+++ WV CHAMBER of COMMERCE + 926 6614 + http://www.westvanchamber.com
Tuesday May 10 -- Chamber Breakfast Club  Location: Cafe TrafiQ
~ 7:30 - 8:30am ~ New members are encouraged - a great opportunity to establish new contacts. Register
May 12 - Hollyburn Country Club's Bridal Party
You're invited to this free bridal event which caters not only to brides-to-be, but also their "entourages" -- bridesmaids, mothers, mother-in-laws, and flower girls. Help put the finishing details on your wedding planning!

===  CULTUREWATCH  ===
*  THEATRE
+  BARD ON THE BEACH http://www.bardonthebeach.org/ June 2nd (previews) to Sept 24
As You Like It: June 9th; grand opening celebration in new tent (by invitation only)
The Merchant of Venice opens Saturday June 18
Henry VI, Wars of the Roses, opens Wednesday July 6 
Richard III opens Saturday July 16.
     Tix: book online or call Box Office M-F 9am to 4pm, 739 0559; reserved seating this year.
Bard on Screen is back at Vancity Theatre! 
Vancity Theatre, in conjunction with Bard on the Beach, will screen two award-winning Shakespearean films on two Mondays in May (May 30th in next WVM) in advance of Bard's 2011 season. The evenings include a brief introduction and a post-movie discussion hosted by Bard Artistic Director Christopher Gaze and other members of the Bard company. Buy your tickets today!
Monday May 16 -- SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE -- Directed by John Madden
What if William Shakespeare was embroiled in a complicated love affair at the time he was writing Romeo and Juliet? The Academy Award-winning romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love explores what might have happened - with hilarious and dramatic results. The film stars Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Colin Firth, and Judi Dench and was written by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman.
+ Arts Club (687 1644) www.artsclub.com
   -  Stanley Industrial Alliance  -- Hairspray starring Jay Brazeau May 7 to July 10
   -  Main Stage on Granville Island  -- The Graduate till May 14 (directed by Lois Anderson)
+ Vancouver Playhouse  873 3311
      MacHomer, Rick Miller's melding of Macbeth and The Simpsons; May 14 and 15
+ Performance Works 684 2787
    Macbeth, Heiner Muller's adaptation; May 20 - 29
+ Pacific Theatre  731 5518
   The Great Divorce, C S Lewis's theological masterpiece; May 20 to June 18
+ Metro Theatre 266 7191
    Haunted by Eric Chappell; May 7 to June 4
+ The Cultch  251 1363
    The You Show; mixed prog of three diff dance works, May 10 - 14
       May 19, Martin Creed, Words and Music
+ Presentation House Theatre
        Belle of Amherst, one-woman performance based on Emily Dickinson
+  Deep Cove Shaw Theatre  929 9456
     Stones in his Pockets by Marie Jones May 5 to 21   
           {G and I saw this in London; enjoyed; takes place in Ireland}
* DOXA Documentary Film Festival -- May 16 - 15, various venues: doxafestival.ca
* ART
+ VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
    Calendar of Events: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events_and_programs/calendar_of_events.html
EXHIBITIONS:
  Ken Lum; and Walking + Falling, Jim Campbell, Chris Marker, Eadweard Muybridge
~ VAG PUBLIC PROGRAMS  --  All Programs free for Members.
~  Out for Lunch -- Eine Kleine Lunch Musik  Select Fridays, 12:10 - 1pm
* MUSIC
+  Vancouver Opera  --  http://www.vancouveropera.ca/
La Traviata: April 30, May 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 (all perfs at 7:30pm)
Parisian courtesan Violetta leads a life of wild indulgence until she discovers the love of Alfredo, a true and good-hearted man. When their relationship threatens to disgrace his well-placed family, Alfredo's father privately pressures Violetta to leave, and the couple is torn apart. After bitterness and misunderstanding, they are reunited in forgiveness, but tragically it is too late: Violetta's precarious health fails and Alfredo is left alone.
Verdi's most popular opera is realized in a gorgeous new co-production deftly directed by the prodigiously talented Sir Jonathan Miller. Sumptuous parties, passionate encounters and intimate scenes of tragic tenderness, together with dramatic and vocal intensity from beginning to end, make this a wonderful opera experience.
This production of La Traviata is a co-production of Vancouver Opera and Glimmerglass Opera.
                                http://www.vancouveropera.ca/la_traviata.html
+  Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
                  Many to choose from, pls go to the VSO website: http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/ 
=  Wednesday, May 11 
8pm Orpheum Theatre:  Sensational Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster performs live with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra! A multiple Juno-award winning artist, Natalie MacMaster's passionate, electrifying performances never fail to thrill audiences wherever she goes. Join Natalie and the VSO for an exciting evening of Cape Breton style Celtic fiddling at its very best!
=  A Russian Celebration!
                Saturday May 14 Orpheum Theatre; Monday May 16 Centennial Theatre
=  Bach & Haydn: The Musical Masters
May 20 and 21 - 8 pm  --  Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC
       Bach   Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
     Haydn   Symphony No. 94, Surprise; Schumann   Symphony No. 1, Op. 38, Spring
Announcing The 2011/2012 Season!
The 2011/2012 Season Subscription Campaign has begun. Click here to check out everything that the exciting new season has in store for you. You can request a copy of the Season Brochure in the mail, or download a PDF copy of the Season Brochure, or browse the concerts online and read biographies of guest artists and conductors. You can also send an email order for your subscription package. The new VSO season has it all: great soprano Renee Fleming, pianist Lang Lang, conductor Valery Gergiev, young jazz and pop sensation Nikki Yanofsky, pianist Jon Kimura Parker - and even a return visit by the Wascally Wabbit himself - Bugs Bunny!  MORE DETAILS
PRINT YOUR TICKETS AT HOME! Bypass Will Call by ordering your tickets online and printing at home. With your Print at Home ticket in hand, you can proceed directly to the ticket takers and into the theatre without lining up to pick up your tickets: Print at Home tickets are your official tickets. Click the "Buy Now" button to get started!
+ EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER --  40th Anniversary Season --  http://www.earlymusic.bc.ca
Early Music Vancouver -- T: 732-1610  F: 732-1602  E: staff@earlymusic.bc.ca
        Summer Festival tix went on sale April 15
+  PHOTOGRAPHY --  LPPS 
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN LIGHTHOUSE PARK WITH RON LONG 9:30am - 4pm Sunday May 15
Ron Long graduated from the Photographic Arts program at Ryerson University and for thirty-six years was employed as a full-time photographer at Simon Fraser University. For fifteen of those years Ron photographed exclusively for the Biology Department and so has a great deal of biology in his background. Ron is the Vice President of the Native Plant Society of BC, is active in the Vancouver Natural History Society and is on the speakers committee of Van Dusen Gardens.
This workshop is for anyone who still has questions about digital photography regardless of their experience level or the type of equipment they use. It will begin with a presentation and question period in Sk'iwitsut Hut at the foot of Beacon Trail. Over an extended lunch break we shall have the opportunity to wander in the park and take our own photographs. Ron will then use these as a basis for discussion and a critique in the afternoon. The workshop will end around 4pm.
Please bring your own camera and camera instruction book along with a notebook and pen. The Lighthouse Park Preservation Society will provide drinks and snacks, but bring your own lunch. The workshop will take place rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the outdoors.
This event it limited to fifteen participants with registration on a first come first served basis. To register please call Elspeth at 926 9390 to make sure space is available. You will then be required to mail a cheque for $35 payable to the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society to:
       LPPS PHOTO WORKSHOP 4939 Water Lane, West Vancouver, BC V7W 1K4

===  NATUREWATCH  === A Walk and a Talk by David Cook, 924 0147
+  Tuesday May 17
Title: Geology of Point Grey/Burrard Inlet
An interpretive walk for Salmonberry Days of Dunbar Residents' Association.
Meeting time: 11am
Meeting place: Volunteer Park, Pt Grey Road between MacDonald and Bayswater Streets.
Description of event: The tide will be low and geologist David Cook will lead a two-hour walk along the shore between Kitsilano and Jericho beaches looking at the rocks and land features of Burrard Inlet. You will see coal-bearing sandstones laid down in 50-million year old river deltas, the roots of 32-million-year-old volcanoes and how the unceasing action of the waves is slowly eating away the beach frontage. Looking around Burrard Inlet, we will observe rocks and land forms that were created over the last 100 million years by plate tectonics, sea-level changes and ice movement. The beach is rocky and may be slippery in places so wear appropriate footwear.  A free public event. No registration required.
+  Thursday May 19
Title: The Australian Star Mountains Expedition (1965)
A public lecture for the Langley Field Naturalists.
Website is:  http://www.langleyfieldnaturalists.org/index.html
Meeting time: 7:15pm
Meeting place: Langley Music School, 4899 207 St., Langley.
Description of event: An account of discovery, adventure, and strife during the 85-day Australian Star Mountains Expedition in 1965. The Star Mountains, a bleak and perpetually cloud-covered range sitting on a limestone plateau of far western Papua New Guinea, reach an elevation of 3900 metres. Explorer David Cook accompanied by four fellow Europeans and 12 indigenous carriers carried out the first exploration of this sparsely inhabited area; the last large unexplored area in Papua New Guinea. While the talk focuses on the natural history, geology, and ethnobotany of the region, it is also a tale of survival in hostile and unknown territory.
                A free public event. No registration required.

===  SUBSCRIBER HEADSUP
=  SUBSCRIBERS WERE SENT THE MAY 9 AGENDAS EARLY ON MAY 7
=  AN EARLIER HEADSUP   .....   Still dealing with new laptop....
... in haste and lacking sleep -- Friday, Saturday, Sunday -- have a great weekend!
+++  FRIDAY
Kate must have kissed him on Save the Frogs Day* Friday Apr 29.
The Royal Wedding -- what a great celebration -- continuity, cmnty -- William the Conqueror was crowned in the Abbey in 1066.......  such history...  what organization! -- planned to the second and went off smoothly......
----- A subscriber sent me this with a comment "Right conclusion; wrong reason":
http://www.theprovince.com/travel/wedding+changed+unsentimental+curmudgeon+into+monarchist/4701294/story.html
-----
He was glad it's over and went well?:
Funny Cartwheeling Vicar/Verger/Priest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFG5sDcv7bo
+++  SATURDAY
Sat has the Art Greenway Opening in Ambleside just below, and a talk by the Friends of Cypress in the Library underneath.
+  AMBLESIDE  Art Greenway Opening!  11am Saturday April 30
You are cordially invited to join us for the opening of Grosvenor's Temporary Art Greenway on the 1300 Block of Marine Drive.
What a difference a few weeks makes! While hosting a series of "Ideas Fairs" on the future of the 1300 Block, Grosvenor has also been busy implementing plans to use temporary art and placemaking to improve the block and better connect Ambleside Village to the waterfront.
We have planned a small event to celebrate the completion of the Art Greenway and hope you can join us for a brief presentation, refreshments and conversation.
What    Temporary Art Greenway Opening
When    Saturday April 30th
Presentation at 11am Refreshments 10:30am to 12:30pm
Where   14th & Bellevue (NE corner)
Please join Grosvenor, architect James Cheng, landscape architect Chris Phillips, Vancouver Biennale Director Barrie Mowatt, District Mayor and Council, and neighbouring business owners.
Artist Credits:
Blue Trees by Konstantin Dimopoulis (Australia) Overflow IV Sculpture by Jaume Plensa (Spain)
These art installations are made possible through a partnership between Grosvenor, the Buschlen Mowatt Fine Arts Ltd. Foundation, and the Vancouver Biennale.
2 - 4pm SATURDAY, APRIL 30th  --  FRIENDS OF CYPRESS PARK
"Cypress Through the Seasons"
Cypress Provincial Park, located in the mountains above West Vancouver, contains an exceptional number of beautiful sub-alpine flowering plants. Photographs by Rosemary Taylor and others show the development of these plants through the seasons and bring attention to the park's rich biological di,versity. This presentation will be introduced by Friends of Cypress Provincial Park president, Katharine Steig and narrated by well-known Vancouver naturalist Terry Taylor.
*  GOING BACKWARDS -- FROGS FRIDAY 29th [sorry, late]
Today is Save The Frogs Day, the largest day of amphibian education and conservation action in the planet's history, with over 115 events in 19 countries. SAVE THE FROGS! has a budget 1,000 times smaller than Greenpeace, WWF, or the Nature Conservancy. Our success and strength is a testimonial to our members ongoing support!
Please help SAVE THE FROGS! by becoming an Official Member today:
www.savethefrogs.com/members
Thanks, and happy Save The Frogs Day!
Dr. Kerry Kriger
SAVE THE FROGS!   Founder, Executive Director, Ecologist
Save The Frogs is America's first and only public charity dedicated to amphibian conservation. Our mission is to protect amphibian populations and to promote a society that respects and appreciates nature and wildlife.
THEN on SUNDAY May 1st
What do you do when the party you support does things you cannot approve of or condone?
The Liberals deserved being tossed for the sponsorship scandal and now the Tories cannot be allowed to exhibit contempt of Parliament with impunity (and there are many examples I'm sure wd never have occurred under previous leaders/MPs).
What a dreadful precedent -- I don't want any party to think it can act that way without consequences -- and it's embarrassing to explain to newcomers here for better govt.
I've attended many political events, mtgs, over the years but the amt of control exercised now is unprecedented from my experience and, frankly, frightening.  I thought rejecting a Guelph U student b/c she had a photo of herself with Iggy (but her father is a Tory), was bizarre as was not allowing a veteran in.  Taking only five questions if at all seemed unusual.  I can't imagine John Reynolds ever barring someone or refusing questions.  Super salesman and people person.  Mtgs open in hopes of getting more supporters -- as the WV Chamber of Commerce says, for mbrs and future mbrs.
Wish we cd pick and choose policies from each party.....
Here is an example of the control under Harper that shocked me:
Subject: Event with Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:04:39 -0400 From: HereForCanada@conservative.ca
You are invited to a special event hosted by the Conservative Party of Canada.
Our special guest for the event will be Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper!
The event is taking place on Sunday May 1st at the Cascade Aerospace Facility.
It will begin at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm). 
The Cascade Aerospace Facility is located at 1337 Townline Road, Abbotsford.
There is no cost for this event, but to attend you must pre-register by Saturday at 8pm.
To register, please contact 604-534-1160 and leave a message with your name, civic address and telephone number and a volunteer will return your call.  
You can also register online:  www.conservativeevent.ca/abbotsford
Please note photo identification will be required at the door.
We hope to see you on Sunday, May 1st!
--------
So.
we have a minority that acts in contempt (won't give costs of F35 jets, misleads about changing a signed document, kicks a minister out of caucus with no reasons given but hires a convicted criminal, etc); takes a surplus and turns it into a large deficit -- where's the fiscal prudence and accountability we voted for?
Can the local voter or MPs have any influence on the leader?
Others/Parties can put the brakes on a minority govt.
A coalition demands compromise and consensus likely to avoid extreme or unacceptable decisions.....but
how can a reckless majority be curbed?

===  Ccl Mtg NOTES Apr 18th  ===
6pm in M HALL MFCR; 7pm in COUNCIL CHAMBER
Note: At 6pm the reg Ccl Mtg commenced in open session (in the MFCR), immediately followed by a motion to exclude the public in order to hold a closed session...  At 7pm the open session reconvened (in the Ccl Ch).
6:00 PM
RECOMMENDED:  THAT in the public interest, members of the public be excluded from part of the April 18 regular Council Meeting on the basis of matters to be considered under the following section of the Community Charter:
90. (1) A part of a ccl mtg may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(a)  personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee, or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality; and
(e) the acquisition, disposition, or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
3.  ADJOURNED TO CLOSED SESSION
7:00 PM
4.  RECONVENED OPEN SESSION
5.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA for Apr 18
ML: recommend amended by adding Item 12 memo add'l info assessment of Uplift re 20th & Esq rezoning, and add'l info re 20th Esq current and proposed zoning, and to Other Items, Corresp items 15.1 and 15.2
{fyi, the staff memo says that the Uplift from the upzoning from three sgl-fam lots to nine units is ~$600K.}
6.  ADOPTED MINUTES April 4, 2011 Reg Ccl Mtg; and April 4, 2011 Public Hearing/Public Mtg.
DELEGATIONS
7. P. Scholefield regarding North Shore Committee of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (File:  0055-01)
PS gave background: had been part of Transportation Cmte; then we re-formed as Coalition; thx for providing mtg space for us in the Library.
We have a chair and a vice-chair; Jay Anderson is chair
email distribution list, 109 subscribers; we meet every month; have a Wiki website
aims consistent with the Strategic Transp plan
been doing in past year, a lot of consulting, including with our own District on Spirit Trail including on plan/improvements to Welch St
mtg with NV, made presentation wrt Lower Level Rd
also consulted with MoT on improvements in assn with the new, off Capilano River, putting in bike paths, separated path across the new bridge and a ramp down onto 16th; excited about that; plsd following through
...Spirit Trail eastward meeting paved in NV...
turn over to Bart
Bart Copeland: been mbr of Strategic Transp Cmte as well as WG for the Spirit Trail
long term visions and short term suggestions
budget said look at cycling network.....
once review done with VACC, when received and adopt b/c that will provide leadership and direct city engrs need to promote alternative transportation in WV.  That's item 1.
Second suggestion make between 11th and 13th on Marine more bike-friendly, much appreciated
needs of a recreation cyclist different from a commuter; only connection (NV) is Spirit Trail or MDr
Third, to create more awareness in WV for biking, look at 25th to 31st on Marine, adequate space for both cars and bike lanes in both directions
fourth suggestion, with completion of enhancements on the north end of LGB, make it more bike-friendly from Spirit Trail along the Capilano-Pacific Trail up to the new bridge by Clyde and 6th St
those four short-term suggestions, beauty not expensive
PS: deficiencies -- one is bike lane between WV and NV; LGB, crossing Capilano River
bike lanes 11th to 13th, to 25th, to 31st; visionary drawings as plans
village bike loop, a seven-km route between Amb and Dund, past five schools, parks, etc
Taylor Way and Clyde up to Keith, a bike-lift
PS: app working with you and your staff; enhance reputation as a global green city; not just adopt but implement; as mentioned in strategic transp plan, urgent to get into cycling; Marine Dr to 25th
Mayor: hope you will provide these to our staff
Sop: embarked on a transp hierarchy, cycling being second on the list behind pedestrian
seems greater effort on your and our behalf
ICBC considers a bicycle as a vehicle
campaign for 'share the road' needs a lot of motorists don't like what they see.....
education has to come from both sides
from my observation, stop sign, vehicles stop, but many cyclists don't
Number 1, embark on education
Spirit Trail will see recreational cycling in a safe side; must look at commuter side
Mayor: was that a question?
Sop: yeah well I wanted him to answer--
[good-natured laughter]
Mayor: did you hear it in there?
PS {unintelligible; still some laughter}: begs the question
VACC training courses; Diane has taken it; stopping at stop signs emphasized
perhaps can offer here in WV
ML: idea how many commuter cyclists leave WV ev morning?
PS: VACC involved in Bike to Week exercises, a recent one, first, November, coming from both N and WV, in the hour and a half something like 260, in winter to LGB
another one in June
ML: representative of whole year?
PS: yes
ML: Great.
Maybe you cd remind ppl on the rationale of using Marine Dr rather than Bellevue between 13th and 25th as articulated in the STP
PS: MDr has been designated as a bike route; cyclists prefer to go on MDr
Bellevue unsafe, I use it myself, a bit dangerous b/c has these bulges
25th to 31st there is existing space (to have bike lanes on M Dr)
SW: doing anything to engage high school students?
PS: intention social networking
Bart: remember one of the mbrs of the cmte was a high school student
PS: wd be helpful b/c goes by PJ, [names schools]; some schools have bike racks
Ev: commend you on the thoroughness of your plan; what is a bike lift?
PS: can show you: [SLIDE] -- first installed in Norway
ideal with Ev Dr and Taylor Wood completed
Sop moved thanks: referral and for staff to report back
Mayor: xxx  ...  when we did our hearings; someone came and sang
waving at cars at election and a cyclist nearly ran me over and he said, you've lost my vote
the thanks you get!
REPORTS [7:22]
8. Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 4360, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 4676, 2011 (for land, at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and 22nd Street, known as the Wetmore site, located at 2203 Marine Drive and 787, 793 and 815 22nd Street) (File:  1610-20-4676)
This bylaw received first reading at the March 7 Ccl Mtg and was the subject of a Public Hearing/Public Meeting that was held and closed on April 4. Council is not permitted to receive any further submissions on this bylaw.
ML moved: be read a second and a third time.
plsd to see where it is this evening
Sop: process good; devprs went out of their way; the bldg will serve well in the future
MS: think this is the right proj, meets cmnty need 130 of units
good devpr {???? didn't quite hear this part}
right financial package; a $14.5M upfront; get a park.......
add the package up, Ccl proud
Ev: imp for me not simply to vote for this but to echo
excellent process; public was engaged
gratifying, rewarding, where on occasion some differences Pacific Arbour went way out of their way
some came round and were for it
Mayor: a couple of comments
Nov 2004 when received first report; usually serves WV quite well
"I've been on the waiting list at Hollyburn House for two years
Another "real addn to our nbrhd"
former mayor Ron Wood
reason we
woman said, "this is close to what I'm familiar with"
ML: move read a third time
PASSED [7:27]
9. Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 4677, 2011 (for land, at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and 22nd Street, known as the Wetmore site, located at 2203 Marine Drive and 787, 793 and 815 22nd Street) (File:  1610 20-4677)
This bylaw received first reading at the March 7 Council Meeting and was the subject of a Public Hearing/Public Meeting that was held and closed on April 4. Council is not permitted to receive any further submissions on this bylaw.
RECOMMENDED
SW moved: read a second and a third time.
PASSED
10. Fisherman's Cove Fuel Dock - Release Document - Imperial Oil Ltd. (File: 2105-06)
Mayor: Cclr Smith?
MS: staff report first?
Sokol gave background re clean up, paperwork: finished on Apr 1st; ready to process application
MS moved: THAT the report dated Apr 11 from the Land and Property Agent be rec'd for information.
Mayor: recommend we forward to commodore and ...... and Min Falcon
friendly amendment?
MS: always
CARRIED  [7:30]
11. BC Ferries Request for Order of Non-Enforcement of Noise Control Bylaw (Night Time Bridge Hoist After-hours)  (File:  0055-20- BCFS2/1605-15)
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1. The report dated April 11 from the Mgr of Bylaw/Licensing Srvcs be received for information; and
2. Council approve the request: Wednesday, April 20 starting at 11pm for approx two hours, in order to have two pedestrian overpass walkway bridges hoisted into position from a crane parked in the BC Ferry Exit Lanes.
TP: how is the nbrhd alerted to this?
Sokol: maildrop tomorrow morning
CARRIED  [7:32]
12. Official Community Plan Amendment for Block Bounded by Esquimalt Avenue, 20th Street, Fulton Avenue and 21st Street; and Rezoning of 2031, 2047 and 2063 Esquimalt Avenue (Development Permit Application No. 08 041) (File:  1010-20-08-041/1610-20-4619/4678)
{This devt is referred to as "Hollyburn Mews".}
SMik gave background: the applicant, Michael Geller is here this evening
this wd provide for future infill housing in the block
this has been before Ccl; rationale on pp 10 and 11 of staff report
Staff was directed to take further consultation; enhanced consultation June thru Sept 2010 -- SLIDE
~35 in June, cmnty remained split 18 xxx
Sept over 100,  xxxx
eight expressed desire re their prop, interest in infill housing
nbrhd character statement is in Attachment E
[7:36] staff further xxx, ..., report
all areas subject to Devt Permit
three props on Esquimalt -- SLIDES, drawings
Sop: on p 78 description of FAR
first section, permitted use, 6 - 7 [?] in metres, on proposed in metres and sq ft
assuming missed or not convenient to put [feet]
FAR exclusion, all exceed the recommendation by quite a distance so that means prop line to prop line
is this the way we'll look at this and others in the future?
SMik: project profile both metric and imperial; since bylaw hasn't been amended, only has metric
relates to bldg as proposed
Sop: in reference to your public mtg Sept 2010
questionnaires filled out by 55, 35 expressed approval -- from around the devt?  bit of a conflict
based on 55 questionnaires does not give a true
SMik: there were 100 ppl and 55 completed questionnaires
directed by Ccl to make sure they understood intent; large turnout
Mayor: questions for now?
Sop: yes, thx, for now
Mayor: hear from the applicant first then three mbrs of public wish to speak
Michael Geller: introduce Joel Slone who started this, as well as...... thanks to xxx..... etc
also like to thank those who don't yet support this project; some of the suggestions you've made.....
my wife here to make sure I don't talk too loud or too long
xxx I was in a forum in May 2010; what I heard and read were a number of ideas
heard ppl say lived here long and our house is too big -- young ppl wdn't understand
don't want to go into an apt, want a little house and near things so don't have to get into a car; found it appealing; this is a special nbrhd
I'm not from WV but beginning to understand why so many like ... [7:44]
at that workshop a year ago, ppl came up to me and said this is what I'd like
housing choices to allow ppl to remain in this cmnty
immediately adjacent to cmnty ctr, church, etc -- don't think a better location
did see concerns and I've attempted to address; fitting in with the nbrhd
laneway, coach houses, a little too large
parking and off-street parking; intended for ppl who don't want two or three cars; imp to recognize they'll still want to have cars and ppl with cars come to visit
heard little too tight; liked the gardens
move here and never have to move again
here's the plan, know it's hard to read -- SLIDE
have added porches, in the back and the rear; they help add to livability
one reason for setting back parking arrangements so when daughter or son come
parking from ten spaces to 13 for the nine units
SLIDES -- houses built in WV over the last 99 years
porches, wood siding, board and batten shakes, little touches oftentimes diff between enjoying and feeling don't fit in
SLIDE of drawing; adding windows to the garages and flower boxes added
standing in Susan Anderson's backyard, this is what you see.........
make homes echo the past, make them energy-efficient, water and resource efficient,
ways to accommodate the future like plug-in cars...
incorporate futures that allow us to age in place
35 years ago worked with a gentleman who'd in the audience, designing housing for sr citizens; many things I learned
and that's me now, a sr citizen
I can't see as well as I used to so I want a home they put lights in the bedrooms and closets, in kitchens with pantries, little details, but I think these are the things ppl in WV wd be looking for in this location
for those who wonder if approp to move into a two-storey house, I say yes
to some degree, your house is your exercise bike but when day comes, can have stairmaster, when climbing stairs difficult, wider stairs so can install lift
housing choices and houses that fit in with the nbrhd
hope this will address the concerns and aspirations
if approved, although a small scale, how a new... can fit in
Sop: see nine spots for cars; the lane is 9ft, plus a little bit, wide
anticipate movement in those lanes?
covenant if you own more than one car you don't apply? -- tongue-in-cheek
MG: someone asked me what about if I have two cars --  I said, then you wdn't buy/move here
lane 20ft wide; you'll note set back the garages to facilitate movement in and out of the garages
think there's ample room to move in and out
Sop: don't want to get into details of price; alternate housing "to be affordable", I don't see in this
where formula so we can say it's great, it's working?
MG: [worked formerly] for CMHC
'with straight face $1M', recognize....
ideally we don't want to pay more than 75% than what we get for our house; buy, then put 25% in bank to live on
with cost of construction and land; the price wd be higher than we'd think of as affordable but the av price of a home in WV is $1.5M and these are about $1M
pent-up demand; these houses may sell for more than I thought
hope amenity contribution; not in way that wd increase price of the housing
Lyn (sp?) Broman: thank you for this opp, second time I've spoken
delighted with the presentation by Mr Geller
lived 1200blk of Haywood since mid 1960s
when downsize hoped to stay in WV; difficult b/c choices diff: another sgl-fam house or a highrise, but neither [suits] our needs
and nothing close to our needs
18 residents [??? 7:59] not well served
most support townhomes, xxxxx
maintaining a vibrant cmnty, diverse housing
the Amb and Lower Dund special b/c close to services and transportation
over half of these homes are over 40 years old
many owned by ageing residents
without change of policy, will see older homes being sold, demolished, then sgl-fam homes, with max space
2/3 of residents' homes in their nbrhds too large
distinct want to keep nbrhd character but doing nothing will not ... keep ... they cherish
take steps for parents and chn to stay in cmnty ...
Time to ... allow  ...
time to, not strong enough, encourage small ..... rather than large ...
at this time of rapid and demographic change; urge Ccl approve
Barbara Pettit: when this proj started, mbr of Cmnty Dialogue [WG]
you'll recall won an award from xxx
impresses me about Hollyburn Mews, xxx
resonates with
weaves
respects nature; third, housing types that meet needs
relatively affordable for young fams and seniors who want to age in place
xxx and 1200 sq ft
so seniors can garden with ease
this proj goes beyond what's nec
sev 100 years
study across Canada, as I have
built in 1800
elite areas remain close to downtown and transp that devpd early
houses here are the right size; size of homes in 1800s that became duplexes
xxx became elite nbrhds
common design language; enough small details, identity, and keep eye engaged
finally, three v large houses cd hv bn built on this prop
halfway houses, funeral parlours, and old folks' homes
Tish Davis: my husb and I, one of the prop owners in that block; 2678 Ottawa lived there for over 40 yrs, brought up four chn
bought our prop in that block 20 years ago
a young couple from Alberta gave up and came here, bought a little coffee shop called Bean Around the World
in paper this week their 20th anniversary so we said, migosh we've owned that for 20 years
when first Stephen Mikicich called us to a mtg except for two owners, one not interested and one lives offshore; most of us don't live there and hadn't met before
quite amazing ... when ppl can sit down, what can and cannot do
voice their fears of what is going to happen
a constructive conversation; at end of two hours, feeling here is... all can voice our fears and have them resolved
create a lane we can all use; what can we do for ppl who live across the lane
a unique experience for all; everyone there was totally in favour
Sop: may I ask a question?
Mayor: you may [and TD to come back]
Sop: thank you for your comments; probably helped lot, those mtgs
wd you and your husb apply to have three units (zoning) on your lot stratified?
TD: we actually own two lots there
strange arrangement there; I think there are five long lots and at end of block the piece left over was divided in half; horizontally
bought 20 years b/c wanted to move there, near amenities; purchased the second one two and a half years ago
if big house went up on the corner we'd be in the shade
put your pennies together to ensure your future
triplex -- ev has image square box but it's three 1800sf cottages
we're proposing the three families the three cottages
Gordon Ward Hall: first, thank Mr Mikicich for his comprehensive reply to our letter
[TEXT SUPPLIED]
First many thanks to Mr. Sokol for his comprehensive reply to ADRA's letter and questions.
I would like to comment further as follows.
Two years ago West Vancouver's Planning Department and Council established a philosophy for introducing alternate housing to West Vancouver: namely that alternate housing forms should be introduced gradually with the approval of the residents in the immediate neighbourhood.
This resulted in a pilot program to gauge the acceptance of lane and carriage houses in the different neighbourhoods.   Only one of the many that were considered is still alive in the program.
The present proposal for 20th. and Esquimalt is a complete reversal of this philosophy.  Planning Department is proposing that the full block be designated a Development Permit Area for future infill housing and that three properties be rezoned to allow the construction of nine independent strata units (six duplex units and three lane houses).  This is certainly not a gradual introduction of multi-family units and lane housing into a single-family neighbourhood.
The nine-unit development (then ten) was turned down by Council four years ago because it did not meet the OCP "Site Specific" zoning requirements   It has only been reintroduced now because it has been tied to the full block Development Permit Area of future infill housing (which is really questionable in light of the Council's proclaimed philosophy).
It should be noted that Kiwanis is proposing to replace their present 55 units for seniors with 140 units in two towers just two blocks from this proposed development.  The Kiwanis units will be affordable.
ADRA considers that Council should abide by the philosophy that they adopted two years ago and that multi-family units and lane housing should only be introduced into a single-family neighbourhood on a gradual one-by-one basis with full acceptance by the neighbourhood. On this basis alone the present proposal of the nine units and the full block Development Permit Area should not be approved.
ADRA is also concerned that approval of this ful- block Development Permit Area will set a precedent for other similar proposals for full block development in both the immediate area and other neighbourhoods where the block has similar surroundings to the present proposal.
Gordon Ward Hall ,  President of ADRA
Gary Hiscox: our family came to live in BC in 1979 and all decided wanted to live in Vanc b/c urban envmt, akin to where we lived prev
here at Gordon and 16th -- close, provides amenities, school
never been in the position of having to drive my kid to school
come to cherish the leafy feel of our street; the gardens planted up to the road line, even like the little gully water runs down that I have to mow
also cherish kids walk down the road; no sidewalk, no one's ever been hurt, all b/c we respect the place in wch we live
app your struggle wrt housing
feel b/c ppl like the place
app your .... densification and alternative housing
these changes provide.... to be able to live
house at grade, car, place for bicycle; nearby, no need to live in an apt with all the problems associated with that form of accommodation and the tyranny of the strata ccl
strongly support the policies of the cmnty plan, though tentative
more mixed form of accommodation
aware of your efforts to bring about this change
saddened by the attitudes of some in cmnty who fear your goal
purpose of this is to strongly support Hollyburn Mews, my letter has been given to you
semi-attached dwellings and a coach house on each lot; from .35 to .60 FAR, not humongous
in my working career, I worked as a planner and architect for CMHC in ofcs across the country/Canada, managed Granville Island on behalf of the Corp from 1985 to 1994; subsequently project mgr for redvt of veterans' housing in Kits and New Westminster
known Michael Geller since 1971 when he was the CMHC travelling scholar
later we worked on a host of projects across country
many embraced v ideas before you
ev confidence Mr Geller will do a good job, not for sole purpose of profit but for the desire to provide good housing ideas that fit in the cmnty in the form of a demonstration project
must say, sometimes though do wonder why, given the effort required
such a demo proj is wanted by you as a guardian of our and my envmt wch reflect qualities cherished by my family in all the years living here
am sure some in cmnty for whom the idea of the lane cottage wd not fit in WV and ask for lower density, maybe just the semi-detached housing alone
wd result in the same bulk as a sgl-fam housing zoning bylaw and wd not further your efforts for housing choices for an ageing popn stated in our cmnty plan
the thought these lots may be used for those typical overbuilt nasty sgl-fam homes permitted by the current sgl-fam home zoning bylaw, frankly appals me
Seize the day and approve the project
Mayor: now we have various motions; let's stay on topic
Ev moved: first THAT the opportunities for consultation as outlined in the report from the Sr Cmnty Planner dated April 7, be endorsed as sufficient consultation...
this goes back
ev had opp; for that reason comfortable with this as it stands
Mayor: --
Sop: I can add a bit
TP: talk about how consultation presented to us, a xxx stmt
we've achieved that outcome and needs to be pointed out
Mayor: Cclr Sop, if it's all right with you
Sop: see some of the folks here from the WG
thought parents, grandparents can live there....
Mayor: is this we shd be discussing at second reading?
Sop: it's about process
struck me, the whole block: three units going to nine -- their expectations; if ppl want to make money, that's fine
I don't think 100?? sufficient as public consultation
I'm going to do my own door-knocking up a few blocks to see what
don't think enough ppl at that mtg for entire WV
ML: a bit concerned we have the process a bit backwards
to PH -- thought our role as Ccl was seek public xxx process till complete
think we shd move to fourth
let's hear
sit here big bucks
{yeah, right; v funny cuz cclrs' salaries are so low esp compared with staff sitting around the horseshoe, making about four to five times more (and some even more than that, about ten).}
there is a process and we need it to proceed; until process is appropriate; point in time
SW: ask Mr Sokol for clarification on that
don't want to see this held up yet again; think the process has been going on far too long
housing dialogue...   all for proper process .....   it's time
excellent project; evolved over past three years
if it doesn't go through can be three big ugly houses
we can regulate the housing xxx
wd like to see it go to PH and then we can debate
Mayor: in order to take to PH, have we enough?
call question
passes unanimously
Ev moved: THAT Amendment Bylaw 4619, 2011 be read a first time.
PASSED
Ev moved: THAT Amendment Bylaw No. 4619, 2011 has been considered
{yet again confusing/incorrect tense: recommended will have been considered???
if it has been done, no need for a recommendation for Ccl to approve!}
in conjunction with the District's most recent Financial Plan and the Regional Waste Management Plan.
ML: is this really nec?
Mayor: yes
who moved: THAT Zoning Amendment Bylaw be read a first time.
Mayor:
MS: read report thoroughly about rezoning the whole block
Mayor: not whole block
Sokol: no
MS: refer to p 10, "whole block zoning amendment"
my reason for pointing it out now, wd like to see a clearer report
why including south xxx ?
south of lane, south side of Fulton; if I were living on north side and my nbrhd was sgl-fam
change
I cd be living across the
wd like a staff report as why not using the lane as the boundary
Mayor: now we're on the zoning
MS: then I'll backdate my comments to the last motion
Mayor: we'll have a full at the PH, for sure
CARRIED
Ev moved: THAT the MClerk be directed to give statutory notice that a Public Hearing (re OCP and Zoning) is scheduled for Monday, May 16 at 7pm in the M Hall Ccl Chamber.
CARRIED
Ev moved: THAT proposed Devt Permit Applic be considered concurrently with Zoning Bylaw
CARRIED with Sop opposed
Ev moved: THAT the public be given an opportunity to provide comment on proposed Devt Permit at a Public Meeting held concurrently with the Public Hearing
ML: so we have clarity
at the PH 16th of May we'll be mtg re OCP as well as this specific zoning amendment
Sokol: right
ML: cd be a long mtg
CARRIED  [8:33]
               {UPDATE: there's a public info mtg Tues May 10}
13. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4368, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 4681, 2011 (File: 1610-20-4681)
Mayor: this is a correction b/c this applies to old bylaw, so updates
ML moved: be read a first, second, and third time.
[8:35]
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
14. Consent Agenda Items APPROVED
[Sop listed these]
Mayor: we'll get to Correspondence later
14.1. Development Permit Application No. 10-056 (2430 Russet Place) (File:  1010 20-10-056)
M Clerk to give notice that the DPA for 2430 Russet Place, to allow a new two-storey dwelling with basement within 15 metres of top of watercourse bank and with Zoning Bylaw variances to reduce the east side yard and increase building height, will be considered on Monday May 16.
14.2. 2010 North Shore Emergency Management Office (NSEMO) Annual Report (File:  0180-16)
                the report dated February 17 from the Director, NSEMO received for information.
Mayor: experiences in NZ, congrats re NSEMO
14.3. Correspondence List (see link on electronic agenda)
      the correspondence list received for information.
Council Correspondence up to April 1, 2011 (up to 12:00 Noon)
Referred for Action
1)   N. Bowman, Mar 28, re Iranian New Year Celebration: Complaint of Noise
          (Referred to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for consideration and response)
Received for Information
2)   [Five] submissions regarding Pacific Arbour Development dated March 28 to March 31, 2011
          (Referred to Public Hearing/Public Meeting on April 4, 2011)
3)  Hon. I. Chong, Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Devt, March 30, re Strategic Community Investment Fund Letter
Council Correspondence up to April 8, 2011 (up to 12:00 Noon)
Referred for Action
1)  April 1, 2011, regarding Squamish Nation Lands
          (Referred to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for consideration and response)
2)  M. Carter, April 6, 2011, regarding Taxes
          (Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
Mayor: letter from Mr Carter wrt construction in his nbrhd.  Mr McRadu, CAO re Mr Carter; update
Sop: that's the one I wanted [pulled].  Any others?
Mayor: right there on agenda.  Start with 15.1
CAO: concern shared with a number of ppl in the cmnty; number of houses under construction or renovations
met with Dir/Planning and asked him to meet with Mgrs of Bylaw Enforcement as well as Inspections
to take a look at setting up some type of construction bond, dealing with parking and, I guess, the area around -- to make sure kept clean, trucks in there, storage units are kept clean as well
once looked at come forward with report to Ccl
Sop: that was my intention to bring forth that on sev occasions over the years on some streets
deemed to be public prop; went with Steve Jenkins, and we'd look at a site; ground water running into a stream full of mud and we didn't have any bylaws to counteract it; today we do and I think contractors do due diligence, but they don't own the blvd, we can bring in a policy for contractor to keep trucks or vehicles prevent blvd from getting full of debris and other things, to keep vehicles parked evenly along the road
many cases this has gone on for days and days, year
if you have someone beside you, gets really bad
ask staff to look at more seriously; not just Mr Carter; not first, had many phone calls on this, same frustration
acknowledge we hear it and will try to do something about it; blvds are not their ownership, but they may have to as an owner look after it
if you go see them, Mr McRadu, they're full of debris
Mayor: he is already taking action; we expect a report back
Sop: just want to emphasize
Mayor: already for you
the other is 15.2
Received for Information
3)  13 submissions regarding Pacific Arbour Development dated March 30 to April 8, 2011
          (Previously received at April 4, 2011 Public Hearing/Public Meeting)
4)  Undated Petition with 13 Signatures regarding Safeway Site Redevelopment
5)  [Two] submissions dated April 2 and 4 regarding Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary - Station 1
6)  [Two] submissions dated April 6 and 7, re MetroV Regional Growth Strategy
7)  April 4, 2011, regarding United Nations Trip Accountability
8)  Canadian Cancer Society, April 1, re Appreciation for Support of Daffodil Day - April 27, 2011
9)  [Two] Submissions dated April 6 and 8, Union of BC Municipalities, re 2011 West Nile Virus Risk Reduction Initiative and Strategic Wildfire Prevention Initiative
Council Correspondence up to April 12, 2011 (up to 4:30 pm)
Referred for Action
1)  April 12, 2011, regarding Godfrey Lynum's Garden - 1528 Argyle Avenue
          (Referred to Director of Parks and Community Services for consideration and response)
2)  G. Pajari, April 12, 2011, regarding City of West Vancouver Anyone?
          (Referred to Mayor and Council for response).
        {Ev brought this up; numbered 15.2}
15.  OTHER ITEMS --  No items. [amended; 15.1 above (re Carter letter)]
15.2
Ev: letter considering WV a city {next year, our centenary}
in England a city only a city if had a cathedral
Mayor: depends on what you think is a cathedral!
Ev: .....  we have a centennial coming up next year; some merit; we have ten months
expect some remarks from staff
see eyebrows raised and some frowns
Mayor: CEC about to put together a cmte/WG for planning
....  premature to make any direction
perhaps refer this to the WG
[yes/thank you]
16.  Reports from Mayor/Cclrs
Ev: represented you and Ccl at Rotary Duck Splash
successful unfortunately weather.....  successful fund-raising
secondly, attended the Sports Award held at PkR; myself and two mayors welcomed the attendees
presentation -- rewarding and gratifying
ppl recognized for active life on NSh
make a point of saying the DWV reeied [revived or relived?] the spirit of 2010
DWV vision to become venue of Olympics; vision in supporting and xxx the Games; great venue city
awarded to WV -- and I have it over here -- give it to you
Mayor: tyvm; bring it back when we honour the leadership team
TP: report on our trip to UN; honour to be there
global green ctr aware; lots to discuss and xxx
Mayor and I will be doing a more ... sooner
realizing the governance model -- saw it again tonight with these WGs
xxx  ...   hv bn there to speak about our child care policies
ppl inspire with the model, politicians with citizens and staff
foreshore, pilot projs, protecting our forests into the future
don't know if you want to comment
Mayor: I will at end
ML: re RGS, I attended mayors' mtg in your absence; Coq voted against, so on hold
next step is if binding or nonbinding arbitration
MetroV feels going to binding, they feel they've gone through the process and no point doing it again so felt Min shd bring in binding
don't know if expected shortly or post prov election
aware, at this point RGS has not been accepted or endorsed
Sop: wanted to report on Ansell Place and SeaScapes
when we had conversation re tunnel, somehow these ppl got overlooked re ..... noise
finished
north and Eagleridge
all received mitigation re noise, re pavement or whatever; these not
last fall you asked I
our staff did discover mitigation was needed
MoT said... see where needed; was to come back in Dec; still not
one not able to sleep, new windows, wants to install a wall $15K, coming to Ccl
waiting and waiting; they wonder why when four months ago
Mayor: shd be Min of xxx
know staff testing re noise levels and know excessive
bring back findings of report, or?
CAO: we had xxx with Min of Transp last week; been told they'll meet with residents before end of month
cost, v expensive and there's no biz case
will have mtg with Min of Transp and bring report back
MS: was our MLA in attendance with residents?
Sop: wrote to MLA and nothing  --  what can they expect?
Mayor: Cclr Sm has floor
MS: but he's answered
may be a point -- put bomb under our MLA
Sop: from 4am [noise]; this is all documented
Mayor: let's have...  until all in front of us
Sop: where will we go?
Mayor: I don't know but with report
Ev: cd you include in your report one of the major probs, motorbikes, noise from their speeding through intolerable
appears our policing doesn't happen v often or at all
one of the serious issues
Mayor [continuing Reports]: last week spoke at UDI, then at...
to hear about Amb
quite involved in TransLink consultation process; interesting to go around and see
cost....  diff opinions
forms we can generate revenue
wasn't looking forward but now xxx
Grosvenor many been...  tomorrow at Pauline Johnson ... I'm going to WVHi [?]
apologize for my cold but two important issues on agenda tonight
17.  PQP/Comments [none]  18.  Adjournment  [8:54]

===  COUNCIL MTG AGENDAs May 9th  ===
~ 6pm ~ SPECIAL CCL MTG at Cmnty Ctr
The Youth Council meeting will commence at 7pm following the Special Council Meeting.
6:00 PM
1. Call to order
2. Approval of May 9, 2011 Special Council Meeting Agenda
3. Adoption of Minutes -- April 18, 2011 Regular Council Meeting.
REPORTS
4. Development Permit Application No. 10-050 for Lot 12 on Highgrove Place (in Area 1 of Rodgers Creek) (File:  1010-20-10-050)
At the April 4, 2011 regular meeting Council received the report dated March 24, 2011 from the Community Planner regarding Development Permit Application No. 10-050 for Lot 12 on Highgrove Place (in Area 1 of Rodgers Creek) {DPA} and set the date for consideration for May 9, 2011.
Reports received up to May 5, 2011:
NAME: / DATE: / FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
DPA  /  March 24, 2011  /  April 4, 2011 and May 9, 2011
DPA  /  April 27, 2011  /  May 9, 2011
Written Submissions received up to May 5, 2011:
NAME:  /  DATE:  /  FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:  No items received to date.
PRESENTATION BY APPLICANT
CALL FOR PUBLIC INPUT
        RECOMMENDED rec'd for information
If Council wishes a further staff report, then:
RECOMMENDED: staff report back to Ccl re submissions rec'd to allow Ccl to make a determination
OR
RECOMMENDED:  THAT subject to additional comments or concerns being raised on the project at the public meeting, staff recommends that the updated proposed DPA attached to the report from the Manager, Community Planning dated April 27 be approved.
5. 2011 Annual Tax Rates Bylaw No. 4683, 2011 (File:  1610-20-4683)
        RECOMMENDED: be read a first, second, and third time.
{hm; sorta makes a mockery of some calls to speed up budget so no WG, etc when left to the last moment anyway (deadline for adoption of tax rates is May 15; this is three readings so need another ccl mtg -- Wed?}
6. 2011 Specified Area and Local Area Service Tax Bylaw - Parcel Tax (Eagle Harbour) Bylaw No. 4684, 2011 (File:  1610-20-4684)
        RECOMMENDED: be read a first, second, and third time.
7. 1300 Block Marine Drive - Ideas Fairs (File: 0500-01)  Presentation to be provided.
[RECOMMENDED:] THAT the presentation from Grosvenor Americas regarding 1300 Block Marine Drive - Ideas Fairs be received for information.
BYLAW FOR ADOPTION
     Bylaws are passed by a simple majority affirmative vote unless otherwise noted.
8. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4368, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 4681, 2011 (File:  1610-20-4681)
       This bylaw received three readings at the April 18 Council Meeting. RECOMMENDED: be adopted.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
9. Consent Agenda Items
The following Consent Agenda items may be considered separately or in one recommendation.
RECOMMENDED: THAT the Consent Agenda items as follows be approved:
9.1. Change to Council Meeting Schedule (File: 0120-01)
   RECOMMENDED: Schedule be amended by scheduling a special Ccl mtg 9am Wed May 11 [at M Hall]
9.2. Appointment to E-Comm Board of Directors for 2011/2012 (File: 2715-07/0115-01)
the appointment of Mayor Goldsmith-Jones as the North Shore representative on the E-Comm Board of Directors for the 2011/2012 year confirmed.
9.3. Appointments to Lower Caulfeild Advisory Committee  (File:  0115-20-LCAC1)
          for the term ending Jan 31, 2012: Leslie Gilbert; Jim Carter; and Alexandra Hejduk.
9.4. Development Applications Status Report to April 29, 2011 (File:  1010-01)
        received for information.
9.5. Correspondence List (see link on electronic agenda)
        RECOMMENDED:  THAT the correspondence list be received for information.
Council Correspondence up to April 15, 2011 (up to 12:00 noon)
Referred for Action
(1) F. Farrell, April 5, 2011, regarding Parking Ticket on Esquimalt Avenue
        (Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
Received for Information
(2) Committee and Board Meeting Minutes - Cmnty Grants Committee - February 18, 2011
(3) C. Baxter, April 5, 2011, regarding Community Garden
(4) S. Riddell, April 13, 2011, regarding Invitation to Community Forum (April 19, 2011)
(5) April 14, 2011, regarding Taxes
(6) April 15, 2011, regarding Community Consultation on 1650 Marine Drive (Existing Safeway Site)
Council Correspondence up to April 21, 2011 (up to 12:00 noon)
Referred for Action
(1) J. Sikes, April 20, regarding Status of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority Property at 990 22nd St
        (Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for consideration and response)
Received for Information
(2) Committee and Board Meeting Minutes - Finance Committee - March 14, 2011
(3) North Shore Committee - Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (NS-VACC), April 19, 2011, regarding NS-VACC Presentation to West Vancouver Council on April 18, 2011
(4) Two Submissions dated April 18 and 19, 2011, Union of British Columbia Municipalities, regarding Election Engagement and 2011/2012 (Spring) Regional Community to Community Forum Program
(5) North Shore Community Resources, April 14, 2011, regarding 2011 North Shore Community Volunteer Spirit Award Recipient
(6) April 18, regarding Warning About Engaging West Van Dog Lobby Group for Parks Master Plan
(7) Hon. T. Lake, Minister of Environment, March 30, 2011, regarding Designation of Pacific Salmon as Provincial Fish
(8) Two submissions dated April 18 and 20, 2011, regarding Hollyburn Mews Proposed Development (2031, 2047, and 2063 Esquimalt Avenue)
Responses to Correspondence
(9) B. Sokol, Director of Planning, Lands, and Permits, April 15, 2011, response to Ambleside Dundarave Ratepayers' Association regarding 20th Street and Esquimalt Avenue
Council Correspondence up to April 29, 2011 (up to 12:00 noon)
Referred for Action
(1) D. Robertson, April 20, 2011, regarding 20th Street Parking Ban
        (Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
(2) Child Find British Columbia, April 15, 2011, regarding Request for Proclamation of National Missing Children's Month and Missing Children's Day
        (Referred to Municipal Clerk for response)
Received for Information
(3) Committee and Board Meeting Minutes -
        Board of Variance, March 16, 2011; West Vancouver Memorial Library Board, March 16, 2011
(4) Union of BC Municipalities, April 28, 2011, regarding Federal Party Survey Results
 {has graph of responses from the four political parties on several policy questions posed; surprisingly no responses from the Tories; take a look!
http://www.westvancouver.ca/uploadedFiles/Your_Government/Council_Correspondence/2011/April/11apr29%20-%20Severed.pdf }
(5) Hon. P. Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, April 18, 2011, regarding Competition for "Most Small Business Friendly Community Award"
(6) Two submissions dated April 20, 2011 regarding Friends of Historical Piers League Petition
(7) P. and H. Scholefield, April 21, re Support for Moving the Coast Guard Auxiliary to Horseshoe Bay
(8) D. Petitpierre, April 21, 2011, regarding Reducing Expenditures
(9) L. Stuart, March 22, 2011, regarding Safeway Site
(10) Metro Vancouver, April 15, 2011, regarding Revised Water Shortage Response Plan
(11) District of North Vancouver, April 26, 2011, regarding Proposed District of North Vancouver Official Community Plan Bylaw 7900, 2011
(12) Nine Submissions dated April 15-18, 2011 regarding Hollyburn Mews Proposed Development (2031, 2047, and 2063 Esquimalt Avenue)
(13) Eight submissions dated April 20-28, 2011, regarding Gleneagles Golf Course (Larson Station) Liquor Licence Application
Council Correspondence up to May 3, 2011 (up to 4:30 pm)
Responses to Correspondence
(1) I. Haras, Manager of Parks Operations, April 28, response to C. Baxter, re Community Garden.
10.  OTHER ITEMS  --  No items.
11. Reports from Mayor/Cclrs  12. Public Comments/Questions  13.  Adjournment

YOUTH COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER [7pm]
2. INTRODUCTION OF THE 2011 YOUTH COUNCIL
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. DEBATE TOPIC: The Voting Age in Canada - Too High or Just Right?
5. REPORTS FROM YOUTH MAYOR AND YOUTH COUNCILLORS
        Youth Mayor and Youth Councillors will report on activities and events of Youth Week.
        RECOMMENDED: the oral reports from the Youth Mayor and Youth Councillors be received.
6. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
THE YOUTH APPRECIATION AWARDS PRESENTATION WILL COMMENCE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE YOUTH COUNCIL MEETING
RECEPTION TO FOLLOW IN THE ATRIUM
===  ANIMALWATCH  ===
> LATINO SHARKS
Sent to me with this note but I do agree v brave lady!:
   ...incredible, especially the end of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=WK2LpUoqX6A&vq=medium
> Jesse the Jack Russell Does More Housework than Most Maids (or Husbands)
By Ruth Wilson on April 23, 2011
You have heard the phrase working like a dog but one Hollywood, California pooch really does. Jesse, a Jack Russell can help his human Mom with a myriad of tasks around the house, including putting his own dirty dog bowl in the dishwasher.
Owner Heather Brook has even taught Jesse the proper way to pamper his owner, by teaching him to untie her shoes laces and remove her socks before putting them in the wash. He can also give a good shoulder massage, make the bed and start the coffee maker off in the morning. No wonder Heather is happy to be single right now!
Watch Jesse in action in the video below.
http://apexnewsnetwork.com/28128/video-jesse-the-jack-russell-does-more-housework-than-most-maids-or-husbands/
You're invited to the BC SPCA Annual Open House
The BC SPCA invites you to an animal-themed day of fun in May.  Open House events, presented by Hill's Science Diet, take place at 30 locations throughout the province on May 7, May 14, or May 15.  In addition to featuring pets looking for loving homes, activities at BC SPCA Open House events will include shelter tours, education booths, games for kids, refreshments, and more.
The Open House series is part of Be Kind to Animals Month in May.
More...  http://www.spca.bc.ca/news-and-events/news/youre-invited-to-the-bc.html

===  INFObits  === from The Economist 
=BB May Day marked the beginning of one of China's more ambitious projects: to ban smoking in public places. On buses, in restaurants, bars, and hospitals - the Chinese were told to stop smoking in public. With 350m smokers, China burns through a third of the world's cigarettes every day. Around 8% of the state's revenue comes from tobacco.
=BB The United Nations forecast that the world's population would reach 7 billion on October 31st, a bit earlier than predicted, and could reach 10 billion by 2100.
=BB The last living combat veteran of the first world war died at the age of 110. Claude Choules, who lived in Australia, joined the Royal Navy as a young man and witnessed the surrender of the German fleet in 1918.
=== OTTAWAWATCH  ===
Some observations on govt from Dr Keith Martin, former MP:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/decision-canada/What+happened+political+integrity+respect+Parliament/4661218/story.html
=== OsamaWATCH  === (my bolding)
Many thought he should have been captured, taken to the international court in The Hague and tried.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-was-he-betrayed-of-course-pakistan-knew-bin-ladens-hiding-place-all-along-2278028.html
The death of Bin Laden
Robert Fisk: Was he betrayed?
        Of course. Pakistan knew Bin Laden's hiding place all along
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
A middle-aged nonentity, a political failure outstripped by history -- by the millions of Arabs demanding freedom and democracy in the Middle East -- died in Pakistan yesterday. And then the world went mad. ...
...Not only was Abbottabad the home of the country's military college - the town was founded by Major James Abbott of the British Army in 1853 -- but it is headquarters of Pakistan's Northern Army Corps' 2nd Division. Scarcely a year ago, I sought an interview with another "most wanted man" -- the leader of the group believed responsible for the Mumbai massacres. I found him in the Pakistani city of Lahore - guarded by uniformed Pakistani policemen holding machine guns.
Of course, there is one more obvious question unanswered: couldn't they have captured Bin Laden? Didn't the CIA or the Navy Seals or the US Special Forces or whatever American outfit killed him have the means to throw a net over the tiger? "Justice," Barack Obama called his death. In the old days, of course, "justice" meant due process, a court, a hearing, a defence, a trial. Like the sons of Saddam, Bin Laden was gunned down. Sure, he never wanted to be taken alive -- and there were buckets of blood in the room in which he died.
But a court would have worried more people than Bin Laden. After all, he might have talked about his contacts with the CIA during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, or about his cosy meetings in Islamabad with Prince Turki, Saudi Arabia's head of intelligence. Just as Saddam -- who was tried for the murder of a mere 153 people rather than thousands of gassed Kurds -- was hanged before he had the chance to tell us about the gas components that came from America, his friendship with Donald Rumsfeld, the US military assistance he received when he invaded Iran in 1980. ...
... His relations with other Muslims were mysterious; when I met him in Afghanistan, he initially feared the Taliban, refusing to let me travel to Jalalabad at night from his training camp -- he handed me over to his al-Qa'ida lieutenants to protect me on the journey next day. His followers hated all Shia Muslims as heretics and all dictators as infidels -- though he was prepared to cooperate with Iraq's ex-Baathists against the country's American occupiers, and said so in an audiotape which the CIA typically ignored. He never praised Hamas and was scarcely worthy of their "holy warrior" definition yesterday which played -- as usual -- straight into Israel's hands. ...
Yet Bin Laden's own obsessions blighted even his family. One wife left him, two more appeared to have been killed in Sunday's American attack. I met one of his sons, Omar, in Afghanistan with his father in 1994. He was a handsome little boy and I asked him if he was happy. He said "yes" in English. But last year, he published a book called Living Bin Laden and -- recalling how his father killed his beloved dogs in a chemical warfare experiment -- described him as an "evil man". In his book, he too remembered our meeting; and concluded that he should have told me that no, he was not a happy child.
+  AND NOW FROM A CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKER TEAM MBR
AL-KHALIL/HEBRON: The day after Bin Laden died.
5 May 2011  by Kathleen Kern
I was in Hebron on September 11, 2001.  I remember old men approaching me on the street, eyes full of tears, telling me that God would help me and my fellow citizens.  Other Palestinian friends called us, sobbing, as they described what they were watching on TV.  The catastrophe happened at the end of a summer of egregious Israeli settler violence on the street, and we knew we had to prepare ourselves for the worldwide racist backlash against Arabs and Muslims.  I think both of these factors and my grief for the victims contributed to a sense that my head and heart were creating a reaction I had not felt before, and for which I had no name.
Almost ten years later, I felt something similar when I entered our main apartment at 6:30am on May 2, and one of my team members told me that he had been listening to President Obama's speech on the killing of Osama Bin Laden.  The reactions of people on the street sort of flowed over me, and I examined them with interest, and with that nameless feeling. 
Two of my colleagues walking back from monitoring a checkpoint that morning heard an Israeli settler telling a soldier, "It's great that Bin Laden was killed; CPTers should be next."  A friendly Israeli border policeman at the mosque checkpoint, who assumed we would be celebrating, told another CPTer and me, "Saddam Hussein is gone; Bin Laden is gone.  When we kill Nasrallah [the Secretary General of Hezbollah], Israel and the U.S . will have peace."  I told him, "There will be others to take their places."  "Then we will kill them too!" he said cheerfully.
I asked a Hebronite friend what most Palestinians in Hebron were saying about Bin Laden's death.  Most, he said, do not care.  A small minority were upset about the killing.  A much larger minority, himself included, thought Bin Laden deserved his fate. The Quran forbids the killing of civilians, he said, and it has an absolute prohibition on Muslims killing other Muslims.  Bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Muslims in the U.S., Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Jordan.  "I just wish it had been a Muslim who killed him," he said.
For years, a Martin Luther King quotation has been taped on the wall of our apartment in Hebron.  Although I am still waiting to understand my feelings, the poster brings me some comfort.
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.  Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.  Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie nor establish truth.  Through violence, you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate.  In fact, violence merely increases hate.  Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.  Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

===  PEACEWATCH  === lending hope... the Arab Spring uprising had started here too
To view the on-line version click here.
http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2011/03/23/hebron-palestinian-demonstration-marks-"unity-day"-hebron
CPTnet  23 March 2011
HEBRON: Palestinian Demonstration Marks "Unity Day" for Hebron
Large numbers of young people gathered on 15 March 2011 across the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, to show their desire for peace and a united Palestine.  The young people, with zeal and determination, have joined forces to put an end to years of disagreement and conflict, primarily among the Fatah and Hamas leadership.
In Hebron, CPTers joined a crowd of about 800 Palestinians, around Manara Circle and Ebni Rushd. The slogans echoed: "Yes to a united Palestine", "Down with political disagreements", "Yes to national elections", "No to the Oslo Agreement", and "No to occupation".  Many speakers gave their presentations and scores of Palestinian flags fluttered among the crowd.  Palestinian police and security personnel oversaw the whole thing and directed traffic to other streets.  Everything about the demonstration was calm and dignified.  A young Palestinian excitedly said to CPTer Inger Styrbj=F6rn: "Ever since my father died when I was five, I've had a bad life.  Now we young people want to have a change!"
After more than an hour, the large mass of people moved down the street to another square where they intended to set up tents for those wishing to sleep out in the street overnight.
For more pictures of the demonstration see http://cpt.org/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=22424
CPT's MISSION: What would happen if Christians devoted the same discipline and sacrifice to nonviolent peacemaking that armies devote to war? Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) seeks to enlist the whole church in organized, nonviolent alternatives to war and places teams of trained peacemakers in regions of lethal conflict.
===  VILLAGEWATCH ===  AMNIYR  To view the on-line version click here.
CPTnet -- 29 March 2011
SOUTH HEBRON HILLS: Israeli military demolishes village of Amniyr for second time in five weeks
The Israeli military demolished the village of Amniyr early on March 28 for the second time, destroying seven tent dwellings and a sheep pen.  (Read account of previous demolition.)
The military attempted to confiscate a tractor as well, but villagers surrounded it and refused to leave.  According to villagers, six people required hospitalization after soldiers tried forcefully to remove them from the tractor before giving up and leaving the tractor in the village.
Israel does not deny that the demolished homes are on private land owned by the village's Palestinian residents.  However, Israel has declared the land to be "agricultural", and prohibits the residents from constructing dwellings, cisterns, or structures of any kind, essentially making it illegal for these villagers to live on their land.
Immediately after soldiers finished the demolitions, villagers began to reconstruct what they could from the rubble.  As residents started gathering stones from a demolished sheep pen, an Israeli bulldozer could be seen across the valley excavating new construction for the Israeli settlement of Susiya.
Additional photos are available here.
Operation Dove and Christian Peacemaker Teams have maintained an international presence in At-Tuwani and South Hebron Hills since 2004.
[According to the Geneva Conventions, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and numerous United Nations resolutions, all Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal. Most settlement outposts are considered illegal under Israeli law.]
=== TREEWATCH  ===  Olive Trees -- PRUNING in hope
To view the on-line version click here.
CPTnet  --  25 April 2011
SOUTH HEBRON HILLS: Palestinians prune trees as act of resistance in Susiya
On the morning of 23 April, Palestinians from the village of Susiya pruned olive trees on their land in an act of protest against land confiscation and violence by residents from the nearby Israeli settlement, also named Susiya.  Six days earlier, Israeli settlers had attacked and injured a local Palestinian in the area near these olive trees.
The Palestinians, accompanied by Israeli and international peace activists, began working on their trees at approximately 10am Almost immediately, Israeli soldiers appeared and stood above the orchards.  They did not interfere with the pruning.
At approximately 11am, four Israeli settlers arrived, then four more.  The soldiers, now re-enforced by Israeli police, did not allow them to approach the Palestinians pruning the olive trees.  After talking with the settlers, the soldiers insisted that all Israelis and internationals leave the area.  The Palestinian families were able to remain and continue working.  As the Israeli and international activists slowly departed, the soldiers moved the settlers away also.  By noon, the villagers had successfully completed their pruning of the olive trees.
Six days before the Saturday pruning action, on Sunday, 17 April, approximately fifty Israeli settlers came from Susiya settlement as Yousef Mor, a Palestinian from the area, was grazing his sheep.  According to Nasser Nawaja, a resident of the nearby Palestinian village, two of the settlers attacked Mor, striking him with stones and injuring his head and his right hand.
The settlers ran back to the settlement before Israeli military and police arrived.  Palestinians in the area managed to film the settlers running back to the settlement.  An ambulance took Mor to Alia hospital in Hebron, where doctors gave him stitches and released him the same evening.
===  SCHOOLWATCH  === and PASSOVER
To view the on-line version click here.
CPTnet     21 April 2011
HEBRON: "Let them walk three miles"; Passover brings further restrictions on Palestinians
   The Jewish Passover/Pesach holiday has imposed further restrictions on the residents of Hebron. All of the gates allowing entrance to and exit from the Old City souq on its east side were locked or barred shut to Palestinian residents and non-Jewish international visitors.
   The closure caused significant difficulties for teachers and pupils.  A woman-widely known as the "ladder lady"- whose house is on Shuhada Street, along which the Jewish worshippers walk, allowed Palestinians to use her house for getting in and out of the souq (market).  In the morning, they rang her bell, and walked through her house and down the stairway into Shuhada Street.  The Israeli police on duty in the morning allowed the children and teachers then to cross Shuhada Street on their way to school.
   However, when school ended for the day and the children and teachers tried to make the return trip, Israeli soldiers and police initially refused to allow them to cross Shuhada Street, saying that the Old City souq was closed.  Teachers, a local community leader, and CPTers asked the police to let the children cross.  They pointed out to a senior Israeli policeman that if he did not allow the children to cross Shuhada Street they would have to take a detour of at least three miles.  'Let them walk three miles,' he responded.  An Israeli peace activist contacted the Israeli DCO (District Coordinating Office) to ask them to intervene.  For whatever reason, after a delay, the soldiers and police allowed the children and teachers to cross Shuhada Street, and the ladder lady allowed them to go through her house on their way home.
   However, a gate to the Old City was open to some visitors. Dring the morning, Israeli soldiers accompanied several groups of settler-led Jewish groups through the Palestinian souq.
   Passover continues through next Tuesday.
===  23 April 2011  ===
A long walk home from school
On 20 and 21 April 2011, during the Jewish Passover holiday, the Israeli military closed all of the gates on the east side of the Old City souq in Al Khalil/Hebron. This severely restricted the movement of Palestinian residents in that area. One of those affected was Yusuf.
Yusuf is five years old. He attends the kindergarten just across the landing from the CPT women's apartment. He's a bright little boy, who interprets in sign language for his mother, who is deaf. He has congenital physical difficulties: he has no left arm and one leg is significantly shorter than the other.
On 20 April two CPTers happened to meet up with Yusuf and his kindergarten teacher as she took him home after class. The teacher took him first to one gate. It was locked. A soldier refused to open it and directed her to another locked gate. She walked there with Yusuf, and knocked at the gate. A soldier at that gate also refused to let them come through.
Yusuf's teacher then went with him to the home of a Palestinian woman whose house has doors both into the souq and onto Shuhada Street. She kindly allows children and teachers to pass through her house when the military lock the gates. Through that circuitous route the teacher was finally able to take Yusuf to his home.
To see video of Yusuf's journey home click here,
===  20 April 2011 ===
Passover brings further restrictions on Palestinians
The beginning of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach) today saw an exacerbation of the restrictions on movement suffered daily by the residents of the Palestinian city of Hebron.
The Ibrahimi Mosque lies to the east of the Old City of Hebron. The fourth holiest site in Islam, today the mosque was open only to Jewish worshippers. All of the gates allowing entrance to and exit from the Old City souq on its east side were locked or barred shut to Palestinian residents and non-Jewish international visitors.
This caused significant difficulties for teachers and pupils. A lady whose house is on Shuhada Street, the street along which the Jewish worshippers walk, allowed Palestinians to use her house for getting in and out of the souq; she is widely known as 'the ladder lady'. In the morning they rang her bell, and walked through her house and down the stairway into Shuhada Street. The Israeli police on duty in the morning allowed the children and teachers then to cross Shuhada Street on their way to school.
However, when school ended for the day and the children and teachers tried to make the return trip, Israeli soldiers and police initially refused to allow them to cross Shuhada Street, saying that the Old City souq was closed. Teachers, a local community leader, and CPTers asked the police to let the children cross. They pointed out to a senior Israeli policeman that if he did not allow the children to cross Shuhada Street they would have to take a detour of at least three miles. 'Let them walk three miles,' he responded. An Israeli peace activist contacted the Israeli DCO (District Coordinating Office) to ask them to intercede. For whatever reason, after a delay, the soldiers and police allowed the children and teachers to cross Shuhada Street, and the ladder lady allowed them to go through her house on their way home.
However, a gate to the Old City was open to some visitors. During the morning Israeli soldiers accompanied several groups of settler-led Jewish groups through the Palestinian souq.
Passover continues tomorrow.
===  More Schoolwatch ===  CPT
On Tuesday, 12 April, the governor of Hebron, Kamel Hamaid, and the director of the Hebron district Ministry of Education, Fawzi Abu Hlayel, visited the At-Tuwani school.  Then the two Palestinian Authority representatives walked with school children to the place where they usually meet the Israeli military escort intended to protect the children on their journey home to the villages of Tuba and Maghayir al Abeed.  The escort accompanies the children on the road that runs between the Israeli settlement of Ma'on and settlement outpost of Havat Ma'on because the children have suffered many threats, aggressions and attacks from settlers along this route.  The visiting governmental officials, together with the local school headmaster, the mayor, and representatives from the local council observed the military escort arrive on time and accompany the children without incident-unlike the two previous afternoons.  Palestinian TV was also present, documenting the visit and escort.
The preceding days, 10 and 11 April, the children waited nearly two hours each day for the escorting soldiers to arrive.  On 10 April, the escort failed to arrive at all, and after waiting from 1:30 until 3:20, the children had to take a much longer route home.  The next day, the children again waited over 90 minutes and then, as they began to walk the longer route, a passing army jeep stopped and accompanied the children back to and along the usual, shorter path.  Both days the children arrived in Tuba around 4:00.  On 12 April, in contrast, the children reached the village before 1:30.
The visit of  Hamaid and Abu Hlayel, following the visit made two weeks ago by Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, is considered by the Local Council and the Popular Committee for the Nonviolent Resistance a sign of the increased attention of the Palestine Authority for the South Hebron Hills area.  The Popular Committee and the Local Council are committed to advancing living conditions and access to resources for the Palestinian residents of the South Hebron Hills.

=== CANADAWATCH  === from the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)
 2011 May 6th ~~ Korea
"May 3rd, 2011 marked the 58th anniversary of the battle for Hill 187 during the Korean War. I would like to acknowledge the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment who fought on Hill 187 and did not give up despite the odds. Brigadier Jean Allard, who commanded the 25th Infantry Brigade, considered this battle a victory for the enemy and a loss for the newly arrived Royals.
"This week, as we enjoy the freedom they fought so hard to ensure, we remember the brave Royals who fought on Hill 187 in May 1953. We remember those who survived and those who died to defend Korea.
"The Korean War, like all wars, was marked by both losses and triumphs. One most notable achievement, particularly for Canadians, was the Battle of Kapyong on Hill 677. April 24th, 2011 marked the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong, a battle in which the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry defended the front line against enemy forces that greatly outnumbered the Canadians. The Battle of Kapyong in April 1951 earned the brave Canadians a United States Presidential Citation for their undeniable valour.
"Senator Yonah Martin participated in the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong Commemoration here in Ottawa on April 15, 2011 as well as at the Kapyong Commemoration in the Republic of Korea on April 24th 2011. Nearly 50 Canadian heroes of the Korean War, including 18 Kapyong veterans with Honour Guards and 35 current serving officers of PPCLI stood at the foot of Hill 677 to pay respects, during a week-long 60th Anniversary Revisit Program organized by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the ROK.
"The tragedy of the Battle of Hill 187 and the incredible victory of the Battle of Kapyong - two of the unforgettable battles of the Korean War - had not been properly reported in Canadian newspapers then. Today on behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to honour the Canadian veterans of the Korean War and acknowledge these important days for Canada.
"I encourage all Canadians to remember these historic days in hopes that the Korean War will never be 'forgotten'."
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
2011 May 8th  ~~  V-E Day
"Today we honour our brave Canadian soldiers who fought to achieve the Allied victory in Europe during the Second World War against a fascist regime rooted in racism and hatred that scarred the world with the Holocaust.
"Sixty-six years ago today, Allied nations accepted the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.
"Leading up to that historic day, hundreds of thousands of Canadians left behind their families, friends and hometowns for the battlefields of Europe to defend the fundamental values that all Canadians cherish dearly - freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Hundreds of thousands of other Canadians laboured tirelessly on the home front to produce the war material needed by our soldiers in uniform as well as by our allies.
"These Canadian heroes put the welfare of our great country, and all future generations, ahead of their own. They continue to represent the best of what it means to be Canadian - courage, self-sacrifice, standing up for what is right, and protecting those who cannot protect themselves. More than forty thousand of these selfless Canadians never returned home. For this, we owe our veterans and their families our deepest respect and gratitude. Their actions make us all proud to be Canadian.
"As we remember the triumph of May 8, 1945, we also pay tribute to our brave men and women in uniform as they continue this important tradition today - in Afghanistan, Haiti, Sudan, and other regions of the world where Canadians are truly making a difference.
"Lest we forget."

=== ROYALWATCH  ===
*  HM Queen Elizabeth turned 85 on April 21; the first monarch to celebrate 60th wedding anniversary.
Turning 90!  Prince Philip was born Prince of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921.
*  Monarchs have been crowned in Westminster Abbey from 1066 with William the Conqueror
*  100 WEDDING PHOTOS!: http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/royal-wedding-recap-kate-will-110429/index_.html
*   Prince William and Kate to visit California after Canadian tour -- St James's Palace have confirmed.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/prince-william/8495061/Prince-William-and-Kate-to-visit-California-after-Canadian-tour.html

===  CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER 2011, Washington, DC  ===
President Obama address (satire):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mzJhvC-8E
Seth Meyers's remarks:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YGITlxfT6s&feature=relmfu

===   HAIKUWATCH  ===  Michael Dylan Welch (mbr of Pacifikana and HSA) VISIT 
~ 5 - 7pm ~ Saturday May 14 at SFU Hbr Ctr  --  readings at the Cross-Border Pollination Reading Series: Bridging American and Canadian Writers.  http://cbprs.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/may-14th-reading/
~ 1:30 - 5:30pm ~ Sunday May 15 at Kogawa House in Vancouver
Michael will also be presenting a workshop, Writing Haiku - Myths and Realities. For more info:
http://cbprs.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/workshops-by-jericho-brown-and-michael-dylan-welch/
       
===  MAIKU  ===      
keep the past in mind  *  plan for the future  *  and enjoy every moment!

===  QUOTATIONS / THOUGHTS / PUNS  ===
The indifference, cowardice, and opportunism of their citizens kill off democracies even more than tyrants and dictators.
-- Luigi Tosti, Italian Benedictine historian (1811 - 1897)
History never looks like history when you are living through it.  -- John W. Gardner, quoted by Bill Moyers
More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying them.  -- Harold J. Smith
Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., American physician, professor, author (1809 - 1894)
I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.  -- Winston Churchill
When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stone-cutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it would split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before together.
 -- Jacob A. Riis, third of 15 chn, Danish-American journalist, photographer, social reformer (1849 - 1914)
No one is ever warmed by wool pulled over his eyes.  -- Marcelene Cox
In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences.
            -- Robert Green Ingersoll, Civil War veteran, lawyer, American political leader (1833 - 1899)
Reality is an illusion  caused by alcohol deficiency.   -- Anonymous                                                                           
Those who throw dirt are sure to lose ground.
My haematologist said my outlook is good since I'm a B Positive type.
It was an emotional wedding. Even the cake was in tiers.
Every time I drink red wine I end up getting a cab.