18 - Wednesday, February 3, 1999 — North Shore News NEWS photo Paul McGrath Ross Merrifield shows off one of his miniatures in his shop, Ross’ Treasure House. His North Vancouver retail store and wholesale business is a big hit among doll house hobbyists, architects and movie production companies. THE FOLLOWING is a selection of volunteer opportunities available through North Shore Community Services (NSCS): Canvassers are needed tor our annual campaign drive throughout the province in the month of March, Several volunteers acc required to cover all of the North Shore — adoor-to-door campaign. Drivers are needed to take seniors to medical appoint- ments or programs. These seniors are unable to use pub- lic transit or Handy Dart and often have no family or trends able ro take them. Instructors are needed by a seniors’ recreational facility to give day-time classes to active seniors in the tollowing areas: creative writing, book of the month and fitness. Volunteer Income Tax Preparers are needed to com: plete income tax returns: for low-income North Shore resi- dents — starting — mid- February until the end of April. English Conversation Group Leaders are needed to assist ina program for new immigrants. The emphasis is on small group conversation in English and helping partici- Pants integrate into Canadian society. [f' vou are interested in volunte ting, call 985-7138. NSCS is a member agency’ of the Cnited Way - WINTER: TUNE-UP. PACKAGE. 1 Includes: Labor & installation of Tune-up § Parts. Inspect air & fuel tilter, inspect 1 distributor rotor & cap, adjst timing, jeneres $00 98" t brakes. Inspect steering and suspension. gf: \ Lubricate focks & hinges. Check and adjust ' tire pressures. Top up ali fluid levels. Test 1 engine coolant. 37 pt. inspection. Test ' change oil & filter. Inspect rear and front ' battery. PARTS EXTRA.” limited time offer eel COOLING SYSTEM. SERVICE This service includes: ‘Drain cooling system Replace coctantantifreeze “Inspect radiator Ho hey, | shrunk the Danica Riley Contributing Writer ROSS Merrifield brings new meaning to small business. That's because Merrifield, a North Vancouver wholesaler and retailer, maintains one of the largest miniature invento- ries in North America. He has 29,000 miniature replicas of everyday life available at any given time. Within Ross’ Treasure Howse are miniature homes, gazebos and greenhouses that you can fill with litle dogs, . people, books, ganies, and even tiny china tea pots. His miniatures ase sold to doll house hobbyists, architects and film productions across the globe. His miniature pianos were used during underwater scenes for the movie The Piano star- ring Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel. The Bank of Montreal and Smirnoff have used his model homes for their advertise- nients. “The funniest one was when a movie crew came run- - ning in here needing miniature coffins, OF course we didn’t have such a strange item in stack and had to make them,” said Merrifield. Merrifield became fascinat- ed by miniatures when he opened an antique business in West Vancouver 32 years ago. Eventually he decided to spe- cialize in miniatures. “We just shrunk every- thing,” ie said. : Merrifield’s interest in antiques is reflected in his miniature inventory. Many of his tiny pieces of furniture are of particular period genres. That helps his customers get exactly what they want. “Say you grew up in your grandmother's house and the house may be gone but you want to build a replica. You take old pictures and go trom memory to make a replica,” said Merrifield. Merrifield — manufactures scale model house kits which require specialty equipment. He said it doesn’t take too much skill to put one together, just a littke common sense. A beginner can build a doll house for just under $40 but the more extravagant: homes easily’ approach $2,000. Merrifield exports his pre- fabricated miniature homes to Japan, Britain and Australia. Japan has been a promising market over the past few years as it seems miniature homes are all the rage there. But on the North Shore doll house hobbyists took for- ward to a visit to Ross’ Treasure House. Evelyn DeCotiis, a West Vancouver resident, has had the doll house her grandfather built for her since she was 10- years-old. Her oldest daughter, Dorothy, now has a fully fur- nished doll house and together they are getting her 7-year-old daughter started on her first doll house. “We've been coming here for years and years. We're doll house collectors. [ like all the details like the keys and door- knows,” said DeCotiis. Gordon Kauhausen, a resi- dent of Richmond, drove all See Doll page 20 & P UVATE INSURANCE | gauge reading “Check radiator and AC condenser *Pressure-test system “Check 1 . - ty cap and hases *Check thermostavtemperature ! * E t | 1 ‘ ' t water pump for noise, loose pulley and condition of belt "Test coolant protection ievel S: A iL E PRICE! ewe ne we ee meee san ween wned : TIMING, BELT REPLACEMENT: i] ! ! with any service or 1 oil change stomer must Present pCusto Present ' i] 5 37 POINT ! INSPECTION } i] t coupon & tecevea 4 FREE Mutti-Point 4 Inspection trom Brakes ¢ t to Bulbs i _-. Avoid expensive engine ! repairs. Timing belts must be replaced 96,000 i km or every 5 years. =! ' Pants & Lagour 1 open your hood, to stra ; ger: be'presented prior. to. se ‘vi Ad pnees are plus taxes & applicable environmental tevies. Offer vald untd Feb 15, 1999 Not valid with any other offer, promopan or chscount. 725 Marine Br. North Van. §387-4618 SERVICE DIRECT website. wie pocific-bosds, Com PACIFIC | Form Query Diasee WINNER Burtt Without COMPROMISE. fa}