north shore ReWS Wednesday, April 21, 1999 — North Shore News - 3S ‘PARENTAL GUIDANCE Beach pebbles A father and son enjoyed a bit of rock-tossing fun at Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver on Sunday. together before your marriage NOW that we're into springtime we're start- ing to see a ton of information in maga- zines about weddings. The media love to advise readers about every aspect of weddings, from how to select - Hloral displays to how co get the most from your brides- maids’ dresses. Personally [ think big, expensive wed- dings are ridiculous, made all the more so by the fact that almost one third of the mar- tiages in our province fail. I think rhe media should be spending more time advis- ing readers on how to deter- mine if the mate you have selected is the right one. To.that end, [ offer some personal advice: forget the pre-marriage counsellors; . they'll either scare you to death or bore you to tears. As far as I’m concerned, a round or two of golf with a prospective romantic interest provides about as good’a test as any for vour prospective mate's suitability as a mar- riage partner. This is-especial- ly true if you’re a woman. Time and time again you hear from disgruntled wives that they learned things about their husbands on the golf course thar they never imagined could possibly be true abour them in their other lives. Women who thought they married gentle- men are horrified to wateh their partners hurt golf clubs and shout out obscenities. Kind and theughtfui partners turn into scheming, win-at- all-costs commandos on the course, sometimes when they're playing against you for heaven's sake. You see, a golfer experi- ences a wide range of emo- tions during a round of golf, and is put toa fairly phenom- enal rest of character in the process. Most golfers feel intense personal frustration as a result of bad luck, bad timing, bad weather, or a bad golf swing during a round. The ensuing ievlings of self-doubt, exas- peration, and inadequacy, preceded by personal loss (if there is a wager involved) are a considerable test for any- one, but especialiy when the full complement of these fecl- ings is experienced in a four- hour time frame. If you are contemplating making a serious commit- ment to someone, I strongiy recommend you go out onto the golf course with the per- son. Here are just a tew hints you may get on the golf course that your playing part- ner may not be the most suit- able canitidate for a life long mate: Cheats: Any player who cheats at golt puts his integri- ty into question. If you can- not trust a player to be hon- est about his or her score or what happens to his or her ball during the round, then You cannot trust this g golfer to be faithful to you, or to tell you the truth, A cheater is the worst pos- sible potential mate. Unless, of course, vou understand how fruscrating it is to expe- rience a golfer’ s bad lack day and how important it is to win, even jf vou have to shave a couple of strokes off your score by kicking your ball to a playable lie when no one is looking. Throws Temper Tantrums: If your potential mate cannot handle the disappointment he must face during a round of golf, then how will he react when you crack up the car, or better yet, beat him at his own game. Throwing a temper tantrum indicates retarded emotional development. Then again, if you’ve ever had a case of the shanks and there’s no one close enough to be hit by your flying golf club .. Doesn’t pay off bets: The guy might be cheap, or just plain dishonest. If you win a wager on the golf course and this player fails to pay off his or her losses, you might want to check into his credit rat- ing. Or his criminal record. Walks off the course before the round is over: This is another sign that your poten- tial mate may not be emo- tionally mature enough to handle the inevitable stresses and strains everyday life puts ona marriage. He or she may be the kind thac will simply walk out the door at the first sign of trouble. Of course, there's always the possibility that he or she just has te go to the bathroom really badly, per- haps to throw up after a par- ticularly ugly shot. Does not replace divots, fix ball marks, or rake traps: Neglect in the area of general clean up after a shot during a golf round indicates that the player is rade (doesn’t care abour other players on the course) and will, in all likelihood, be a slob at home too, Forgets that you have to tee off too: If your prospee- tive mate continues to forget that vou, in fact, have to tee off too, he is probably so totally engrossed in himself’ that he may not be a very invoived partner in your lite later on. (Depending on vou, this can be either a good or a bad ching. You make the call.) I'm serious. If youre con- sidering marriage, take your Partner out to play golt, You'll learn more than enough about him to make that all-important decision. Au mpers@lc.syinpatico.ca RODE De E20 Ra WEDNESDAYS Red Cedar Nomince: North Van City Library pre- sents Joseph Romain author of Wagner Whacker on Wednesday, May 19, at 1:36 p.m. For Grades 6 and 7. To pre-register call 980- 4424. Toddler Storytime: Drop in fun for ages 2-3 years at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., North Van City Library. For infor- mation call 980-4424. Drop-in Storytime Fun: Ages 3-5 years at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ar West Van Memorial Library. For information call 925-7408. North Vancouver Rangerettes; Ages 3-16, North Van location. For more information call 929- SK ADL. BIZ os KUED Tee KIDZ BIZ. 307 KIDZ HAZ © KIDZ: BIZ ‘teh IO7- Denim & navy © ' Brine this Cc Op OFF ENTIRESTOCK 0 OSH KOSH bra) | OFF ENTIRE STOCK BATHING SUITS Aa CHAMPION T-sHiets (sizes sis 1 BABYBJORN BABY CARRIER (coupon price) Junior Stamp Club: For ages 7-12 on May 12 at 3:30 p.m, North Van City Library. For intormation call 980-4424, THURSDAYS Local Authors: Roy Forster, former curator of VanDusen Boranical Gardens and Alex Downie, present curator of Bloedel Conservatory co-authors of The Woodland Garden: Planting in harmony with nature, will present a slide shew on Saturday, May 13, 7-8:45 p.m., at the North Van City Library. For infor- mation call 980-4424, Babes Storytime: Drop in for ages 0-24 months, at 10:30 a.m., North Van City Library. For information cal] 980-4424. Babytime: West Van Memorial Library, 10:30 am. For 6-24 months accompanied by a parent or caregiver. To pre-register call 925-7408. Tales for Twos: West Van Memorial Library, 10:30 a.m. Must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. A half hour of stories, songs, puppetry and more. Pre- register for May: 925-7408. International Fairytales upon to » Kidz Biz te to receive and Craft: For 6-9 year olds, April 29, 3:30 p.m, North Van City Library. The Plains Indians are fea- tured. To pre-register call 980-4424. International Fairytales and Craft: For 6-9 year See more page 36 7a 7d eqtee $qq0 { 9 AG ZO 7 He ce ce ee ee ce ee me eee cas ore mm oe in es ed 17 Children’s Clothing Co. Lynn Valley Centre 988-7466 Easy access, take the Lynn Valley Rd. (North) Exit off Upper Levels Hwy. Se KIDZ BIZ WZ BIZ y ‘ptr Ly " BIZ cunts