— 24 - Friday, December 15, 1989 - North Shore News Discover what’s new in home building THE GREATER Vancouver Home Builders ‘Association (GVHBA) and BC Hydro have joined forces to present the new series of What’s New In Home Building seminars. Presented by a group of housing experts, including housing consul- tants, architects and designers, association trainers, BC Hydro representatives and industry lead- ers, the seminars are meant to in- form the consumer on all aspects of home construction. Topics to be covered include design considerations, framing in- sulation techniques, windows and doors, heating and fireplaces, ven- tilation codes and systems, ther- mostats and controls, domestic water heaters, appliances and lighting, and there will be an open forum for questions and answers. Also included is information about the BC Hydro sponsored Quality Plus Home. Defined as a quality built home, incorporating top-of-the-line materials and tech- nology and constructed by special- ly trained builders, the Quality Plus Home features increased in- sulation, efficient heating and mechanical heat exchange and ven- Parrot tulips were abnormal THE FOLLOWING are little- known facts about bulbs and their flowers. Did you know: * That Parrot tulips, the large- flowered, highly fringed garden tulips which are now so widely available, first appeared as muta- tions on normal tulips back in the 1600s? In spite of the weak stems of the original varieties — which causes them to twist and bend under their own weight — they were highly prized as curiosities and are featured in many paintings and works of art. Today's Parrot tulips have been bred with stronger stems so they can now withstand all but the strongest winds. © Tha, by taking a few simple precautions, you can plant hardy bulbs even after the ground MARINE DRIVE Pamberton Ave. freezes? Simply cover the section of the garden where you want to plant them with a thick mulch, such as fall leaves. When you are ready to plant, move the leaves aside. You'll find the ground is still soft and easy to work. Al- though it is better to plant most bulos before the end of October (so they will have time to produce a full root system before frost), some, such as lilies, often are not available until after the ground is frozen in many areas of Canada. © That Fritillaria meleagris, the checkered iily, is one of the rare plants with checkered flowers? Many flowers have spots and Stripes, but this hardy, casy-to- grow bulb bears white flowers with almost perfectly-shaped purple squares. tilation systems. The Quality Plus Home is further guaranteed to of- fer the optimum in cost efficiency, comfort and quality. This is the fourth in the series of seminars and occurs on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, 15463-104th Ave., Surrey, B.C. The cost to attend is $40 per person or $60 per couple, and in- cludes !unch and information manuals. Pre-registration is required. Call the GVHBA office for more in- formation and registration at 584-5515. the season to give your favorite Santa the well-earned relaxation he deserves. g LIFESTYLES 4-5 person spa $2523.° (while qty. last) Monday-Friday 8am - Spm Sat. 10am - 2pm (or by appt.) 3819 Myrtle St. Burnaby 433-7322 And there’s no better way to get it started than with a J. Collins chair-that-reclines. Beneath the superbly styled exterior (you'll never want to hide it away in his workshop), lie the famous J. Collins features. Like the sturdy kiln-dried frame, and the ali-linkage mechanism—both designed to provide years of carefree comfort. Come see ail of the J. Collins chairs-that-recline. There's a style for every Santa. And for Mrs. Ciaus, too. Separate yourself from the ordinary! Opt for a leather interior. COMFORT NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD. Leather Many other leather styles to choose from “THOMASVILLE GALLERY 435-5566 t080 Maintand Street Vancouver. B.C. Main Floor Yale Town Galleria Bldg. 685-6414 4240 Manor Street, Burnaby (4 block west of Villa Sheraton Hotel) HOURS: Monday to Saturday—9 to 5 p.m. Sunday —Noon to 5 p.m.