Even grooms set stuck in the snow AMONG THE organiza- tions engaged this month in mortal combat with Mother Nature, the British Colum- bia Automobile Association has been coughing up an additional $100,000 a day processing an avalanche of distress calls, Bennis Barkman, the full-time president of the organization, told me this story: “One chap, rather frantic, phoned to tell us that his marriage was about to take place in two hours, that he was stuck and to ask if we could help him out? ““We gave his call the highest priority and | am happy to report that he is now married.”’ Dennis Barkman is a rarity among Canadian broadcasters. Junkies abandon heroin more eas- ily than radio and television peo- ple transfer to another line of work. But Barkman was the president of Fraser Valley Broadcasters, a mini-empire of stations, including the one that survives my daily outburst: STAR-FM 105. Although still a shareholder of the radio group, he settled in West Vancouver almost two years ago, when he assumed his new assign- ment. ene The BCAA is a phenomenal success story. Few — if any — auto clubs have signed up as high a percentage of potential members. Members who might have grumbled about emergency service delays amid the snowstorms, might consider what it could have been like if there was no one to phone. As Barkman told me of BCAA growth and its international net- work of affiliated auto clubs, I was reminded of an occasion some years ago when a recent transplant from England told me the BCAA was nowhere near as good as the Royal Automobile Club. He explained that the RAC has its splendid building in Pall Mall, with swimming pool, squash courts, gymnasium, elegant dining rooms and library. There is also the 36-hole golf centre at Epsom, and similar luxuries elsewhere in the United Kingdom. I countered that your arteries could harden while you wait for RAC road service and, because of this, the yellow cars of the much larger and rival ‘AA’? — the Automobile Association — domi- nate the motorways. My friend replied: ‘CRAC members, with new cars — Rolls, Bentleys, Rovers and Jaguars — don’t need road service.” And that prompts a story from Jack Barclay Motors in London. The celebrated Rolls Royce dealership, forced in recent years into the tawdry commercialism of selling Jaguars and lesser makes, was visited by two obviously rich Texans. They were admiring the finer points of the penultimate luxury vehicle when they came to the back of the car. As they opened the boot, one said to the earnest young salesman: ‘'That’s a mighty small trunk for a $200,000 car!"’ Without a pause, looking down his nose at the nouveau riche visitors, the salesman said: ‘*Peo- ple who can afford « Rolls have their bags sent ahead by coach.’” eos - Driving through a momentous Vancouver snowstorm — known as a modest sprinkling elsewhere in Canada — is a unique experi- ence, somewhat akin to the two inches that fell in Phoenix some Gary Bannerman OPEN LINES years ago, a dusting that para- lyzed roads and killed many peo- ple. Easterners delight in their first macho Vancouver winter, laughing uproariously at the fuss we make about it all. My first winter on the west coast was an education. When the introductory event took place, I walked around the Vancouver Province newsroom ridiculing everyone for treating it like Ar- mageddon. A desk editor, noting this, saw an opportunity for a lesson. I was dispatched to Kitsilano, assigned to report everything I saw at a police roadblock. It was truly astonishing. Car after car — helpless despite a police flagman — jammed on the brakes, and that propelled it into an uncontrolled skid. A parade of vehicles hurtied down a hill crashing like a demolition derby adjacent to Pt. Grey Road. It was the first of many lessons leading to the conclusion that no highway experience in this country is as dangerous as Vancouver in the snow. There are many reasons: © Our temperature is invariably hovering near the freezing mark, creating an unpredictable mix of ice, snow, slush, and floods. © The storms can be accom- panied by fog, wind, whiteouts or all three. © We have the highest percent- age of inexperienced winter drivers and the lowest percentage of snow tires, © For the few days involved each year, our municipalities have wisely avoided massive invest- ments in snow equipment. © Our drainage system and storm sewers were not designed for flash runoffs of large snow buildups. And I could go on. eee How does a young Vancouver - driver gain experience in snow and ice? No amount of education will instill backwards thinking. If you try to steer on ice, the steering wheel is the enemy. Turning into the slide seems like blocking a left hook with your chin. If you want to stop, the brakes will push you forward. If you want to gain trac- Won, ease up on the accelerator. It’s a feel. Hats off to the many private and public works officials, firemen, police officers, am- bulance drivers and others who have done such an admirable job here on the North Shore. | was out there with you every day. Vancouver in the snow is richly entertaining. [t’s rather like wat- ching the ballet company trying its hand at rugby. ) Sunday. January 13, 1991 - North Shore News - 9 NORTH VANCOUVER District Mayor Murray Dykeman and district centennial photo Cindy Goodman committee members Marilyn Baker (centre) and Kay Staley show the new banner that will be displayed throughout the municipality during its 1991 centennial year. NV District plunges into centennial celebrations WHILE MANY North Shore businesses and resi- dents have been = slowed down by the’ unusually heavy local snowfall, preparations for the North Vancouver District Centen- nial (1891-1991) celebrations are going full speed ahead. By Peggy Trendell-Whittaker News Reporter The year in which the district will commemorate its 100th birth- day was launched with a splash at the chilly Jan. 1 Penguin Plunge in Deep Cove. **Tom Lucas of the Mt. Seymour Lions and Lucas Ander- son Construction was instrumental in organizing the event,’ said former district mayor Marilyn Baker, who is chairman of the Centennial Committee. ‘tHe had his construction equipment out clearing the snow from the paths the night before.’ Eighty people braved the cold waters in the plunge, while many more watched from the shore and enjoyed free hot dogs and hot chocolate provided by the Lions Club. Centennial banners depicting the Celebration 100 logo are beginning to appear throughout the district. They feature a render- ing of the clipper ship Ther- mopylae, a much-loved and ad- mired vessel that sailed local waters as part of the shipping trade. The ship rivalled the Cutty Sark for speed and efficiency. The Centennial Committee, composed of community volun- CANADIAN CLOSET BA Free home estimates i 986-4263 1385 Crown St., NVan. A Place To Go When You're Pregnant And Need Support: GiRTHRIGHT | all 987-7313 « Free Pregnancy Test « 8 229 Lonsdale In Vancouver Call North Vancouver 687-7223 teers who are coordinated by Kay Staley, is encouraging residents from all over the North Shore to join the celebrations. Originally, North Vancouver District encompassed both North Vancouver City and West Van- couver District. For 16 years after the district Events set THE NORTH Vancouver District Centennial Committee is busy planning the following events to celebrate the district’s 100th bir- thday: e March 35: i.ions Easter Egg Hunt — Kirkstone Park © April 7: Seymour Mountain Centennial Treasure Hunt © May 22-26: B.C. Festival of the Arts ® June 5; Lynn Valley Days © June 8: Edgemont Village Days © June 15: King Neptune Carnival © July 1: Canada Day © July 31: Pioneers’ Garden Party © Aug. § to 11: Centennial Week Celebrations © Aug. 10: Centennial Family Day Birthday Party on Grouse Moun- tain © Aug. 11: Centennial Week Fina- le — Vancouver Symphony Or- chestra plays at Deep Cove © Sept. 2: Deep Cove Days e Sept. 7: Bavarian Fest, Edge- mont Village e Nov. tl: Remembrance Day Service ® Dec. 2: Festival of Lights, Municipal Hall © Dec. 14: Christmas Carol Ships ¢ slip and fall ® matrimonial ¢ real estate / mortgages «wills and estates Call 985-8000 Lynn Valley Centre was incorporated on Aug. 10, 1891, the boundaries reached from Howe Sound to Indian Arm, in- cluding all of the North Shore ex- cept Moodyville — a smail area where the grain elevators are located today. North Vancouver City was es- tablished in May 1907, while West Vancouver was born in March 1912. ” Events celebrating the Centen- nial are scheduled to take place throughout 1991. Highlights will be the B.C. Festival of the Arts, May 22 to 26, which will see the district flooded with close to 2,000 musicians from the rest of the province, and various Centennial Week celebrations that will hap- pen from Aug. 5 to 1}. Volunteers for all events, especially the Festival of the Arts, are needed, and interested can- didates are asked to call North Vancouver District at 987-7131. Volunteers are also being sought for a video crew to record the celebrations for posterity. The Centennial Committee is currently planning for Heritage Week, which begins on Feb. 18. During that time, the committee will launch Reflections -— 100 Years, an anecdotal photo/history coffee table book that was written by local historian Chuck Davis and tells the story of North Van- couver from its inception to the present day. The book, including both black and white and color photos, will be available in book stores and is expected to retail for $24.95. “Anyone who lives on the North Shore will find it interesting and informative,’’ promises Marilyn Baker. ‘‘it has a lot of good anecdotes.”’ ® general civil litigation ® wrongful dismissal * motor vehicle injury claim