PICTURE YOURSELF relaxing on a floating plat- form, paintbrush and pal- ette in hand, surrounded by calm, sparkling lue water. By Evelyn Jacob News Reporter On an empty canvas, in forest greens and ivory, you begin creating an outline of the old growth rainforest and beach of smooth white sand before you. in the distance, a Humpback whale glides to the surface and dips back down again. There is no 44 Weve targeting the professsional whe wants a getaway workshop rather than a night school course over three days. $F telephone, no television to break the spell. Sound nice? It’s a mental image that resort owners Pat and George Ardley are busy promoting to weary executives looking to get away from it all. The West Vancouver couple have operated a four-star fly-in fishing resort at Rivers Inlet for 17 years, and now they’ve decided to fulfil a life’s dream by offering art workshops this summer as part of their holiday packages. As worn-out professionals put increasing value on their leisure time, Ardley, a draughtsman and architectural designer, just may have hit on something big. “I think more and more people are wanting to get back to the forest and sea and sit on top cf a rock or in a boat,’’ says Ardiey, who grew up in Cowichan Lake. “We're targeting the profes- sional who wants a getaway workshop rather than a night school course over three days. “I believe there’s an awful lot of people out there who were in- terested in art at some point but AN INNOVATIVE SPLASH IN THE POOL COMMUNITY The art of leisure Rivers Lodge offers summer art workshops in secluded setting NAME: George Ardley BORN: Mission, B.C. RESIDENCE: West Vancouver/ Rivers Inlet OCCUPATION: Lodge FAMILY: Married; two children HOBBIES: Skiing Owner, Rivers didn’t want to do it as a career. These are the people I want to reach.”’ One of the main attractions of Rivers Lodge, tucked away in a sheltered cove at Rivers Inlet — two hours by air from Vancouver — is its quiet seclusion. Accessible only by air, it’s an ideal setting where artists can work in spec- tacular, unspoiled wilderness. And, he says, it allows spouses who aren’t interested in fishing to holiday with their angling-inclined partners. Ardley has invited six: B.C. ar- tists to conduct the first water- color, oi! on canvas and acrylic workshops beginning in June. “Most of the teachers are very charismatic and entertaining. I wanted the workshops to be fun, so I’ve chosen artists who don’t take themselves too seriously.” Still, it’s a bit of a risk for the Ardleys, who built Rivers Lodge from the ground up. In 1975, after working as lightkeepers on Vancouver Island, they bought three giant floats supporting old cabins at Rivers Inlet and began fixing them up, cutting the lumber and splitting the shakes themselves, Today Rivers Lodge is a thriv- ing destination resort with 24 beds, 10 full-time staff and a full slate of services. Holidaying fish- ermen ree! in between 70- and 80-pound trophy chinook each summer. So why mess with some- thing that works? Ardley concedes the workshops may not take off instantly. “I'm confident they will suc- ceed, but maybe not in the first week. Within three years J figure our holidays will sell out. It will take time to get it all worked out.”” The fact that Rivers Lodge will be the only resort in the area to offer the informal classes will no doubt help. Mind you, at $1,695 per person, which includes air fare from Port Hardy, accommodation and_in- struction, the holidays don’t come cheap — but the resulting peace of mind may be worth it. For more information on the art workshops, phone 685-2127. Barbacoa's Specialized Maintenance Programs are designed to meet individual needs by providing more reliable, efficiont and warranted service. Fully qualified to handle all aspects of your swimming pcol and equipment. For this busy pool season... Call Barbacoa. " 246 E. 4th St. North van. v7 1H @836=2166 | NEWS phots Cindy ‘Geodme: nm RESORT OWNERS George and Pat Ardiey have begun offering ari workshops. at River Intet, a secluded fishing haven and perfect getaway for weary city folk. . Refresh driving skills in program STATISTICS show that wher driving records are based on actual kilometres driven, older drivers are in- volved in more collisions than middle aged motorists. The B.C. Safety Council, in cooperation with North Shore Continuing Education, will offer driver refresher couses this month designed especially for mature @rivers. The 55 Alive Program will be held on Saturday, April 25 and Saturday, May 2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Lucas Centre, 2132 Hamilton St., North Van- couver, The program recognizes that the physical changes in adults who are 35 years and older do not have to compromise safe driving patterns. Cominon accidents among older adults caused by failure to yield the right-of-way, improper turn- ing, incorrect lane changing, pass- ing, and entering and exiting freeways, can be avoided with proper education. FOR LESS Stop in at Shortstop Brake & Muffler. With our Highest Quality at the Lowest Price Guarantee (and this $25.00 off coupon), you're sure to get rid of your car’s pesky “Squeeks’’ and “‘Bangs" for less bucks! BRAKE & MUFFLER © NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTION A second and complementary program to the 55 Alive Program is the two-session Defensive Driv- ing class, which will be held at the Lucas Centre on Saturday, May 23 and Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m, to 12:30 p.m. In this class participants will learn the principles of defensive driving and collision avoidance. In addition to information about six adverse driving condi- tions, participants will learn the time-interval formula, the habitu- al eye-lead-time technique and the pre-trip mental inventory tech- nique. This practical course will give older adults some ‘‘refresher’’ knowledge that will help them to drive with confidence. Both of the classes include lec- tures, slide presentations and group discussions. They do not include actual road driving. For more information and to pre-register, call 986-8888. LAWRENCE B. O/NEILL LAWYER Personal Injury and Motor Vehizle Law 4729 E. Hastings St., Vancouver 2667 Kingsway 437-4307 North Vancouver 894 Marine Dr. 980-9801 11 Years Experience (Free initial cansultation) 294-9311 Burnaby BRAKE OR MUFFLER yy’ Vancouver 2105 East 12th Ave. 872-6047 Delta/Tsawwassen 1617 - 56th St. 943-6065