HIGH PROFILES Andrea Miller In her own words Whai are your memories of grow- ing up in West Vancouver? **Everyone I knew in West Van were conservers because they lived simple lives. Everyone had chickens. We had dinner on the beaches and climbed the moun- tains. We didn't need to have cars and all those things that came Jater... [-went away for 20 years and came back and saw it had changed a fot... all the little houses were coming down... there was no respect for the licritage of my past..: New people were com- ing in and making homes and gardens that were not even designed by them. It wasn’t com- ing from their hearts and souls. It started to feel very frightening to t™me.”” How did you wake up to what was going on around you? ‘lt Started with the peace movement for me... it got people together. Kids were terrified of the bomb: We thought if we could involve parents in the. movement, kids would be less afraid... That was the beginning of people getting together to talk about what they could do... Now the war is on the enviroament. Recycling was the first step." Now the message is reduce. “It’s just clicked into place. It’s like starting a new life for me... one step leads to the next... It’s like the doors open before you even get there.’’ Do you find your work ex- hausting? ‘‘I find if I’m not active I get really depressed. The world really is in serious trouble.”’ What did your ‘‘coffee talks’’ focus on in the beginning? ‘‘Basic recycling and how to get down to half a bag of garbage."’ How many talks do you think you've given since then? ‘‘I’ve given about 400 talks and travel- led across Canada.”” How do you feel about an en- vironmental centre for West Van- couver? ‘It would be just great. It would be a real rose in (West Vancouver mayor) Mark Sager’s lapel to do it." How long have you been involved in the environmental movement? “We've all (WHEN) been doing this for four years. It’s been a real passion."’ What project are you focused on now? ‘‘We’ve got a new neigh- borhood group going to preserve the character of Altamonte, to keep sidewalks out and downsize the proportion of houses to Iots."” You work a Jot with kids? ‘‘I go into the schools and do talks...1 used to tell kids if your parents say they’re too tired to do a com- post, you take their faces in your tiny hands and say, ‘If you love me Dad, you’il do it.’ ” The grass roots environmental movement makes a.difference From page 38 is proof that the grassroots en- vironmental movement is making a difference, she says, adding that it is up to these groups to con- tinue to pressure government for change. Milles, who pushed for and got . recycling and a composting park in West Vancouver, is an example of how successful grassroots ef- forts can be. Now she is working with the municipality of West Vancouver to open a community environmen- tal centre where citizens can learn how to: build environment-friendly homes. © ESTATE JEWELRY ¢ 14 Kt W.G. Diamond ; Lavalier Necklace Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am to Spm ALWAYS PURCHASING CONSIGNMENT WELCOME 1730 Marine Dr., West Vancouver 926-7710 It’s an exciting time for Miller because she’s seeing an increasing number of people come. around to her point of view. More peopie are willing to make ‘an éffort to change the way they live and eventually bring back their own golden age. “Listening to David Suzuki talk really changed my life.’’ she says. “He said listen to your elders... By the time I got home If thought, my God, they were right about everything.’” TRAVEL TO. EUROPE (First Class) ou needn’t go toa foreign country to learn how to be a Chef. British Columbia stands on its own when it comes to cuisine and we have the Chefs to prove it. Our 17 week intensive Professional Chef Training Diploma Program can put you on our way to ar. adventurous career. THE EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVE ¥) 738-3155 1-800-667-7288 DUBRULLE FRENCH CULINARY SCHOOL 1522 WEST 8TH AVE. __ VANCOUVER, B.C. V6) 4R8 NEWS photo cindy Goodman UNTIL WE make the connection between yogurt containers, the Exxon Valdez-and the iraqi War, we really haven't understced how human behavior affects the environment, says Andrea Miller. Buying glasses? Here are two \ important fhings nobody else is | geingte fell you. 2:” FAST AND CHEAP” OFTEN MEANS EXACTLY THAY. "If you’re one of the growing number of people disappointed with “fast-food” optical chains, you can trust the dependable quality of the North Shore's Independent Opticians. There is no substitute for experienced pro- fessionals and we've all been around long enough to prove it. Come see us! 3s YOUR PRESCRIPTION BELONGS TO YOU. BC Jaw states that, , when you have your eyes tested, you’re entitled to take your prescription away with you. That way, you’re not obligated to buy your glasses from just one outlet when you could get better work, wider selection and expert service with an Independent Optician. Gre NORTH SHORE INDEPENDENT EYEWEAR SPECIALISTS ANGE STV 2 C0.u PER BOUGLAS OPTICAL, 1685 MARINE DRIVE, 925- -2110/ OPTIX, 1348 MARINE DRIVE, 925~1522 HAMNO’S OPTICAL, 933 PARK ROYAL SOUTH, 926-605) SNORT Vib < hee FACE Ro HIGHLAND OPTICAL, 3104 EDGEMONT BLVD., 988-8919 / ULYRASIGHT, 1529 LONSDALE, 980-8613