36 - Wednesday, July 29, 1992 - North Shore News Sending regrets on office stationery DEAR MISS MANNERS — Imagine my dismay when I received a reply to a personal invitation on the embossed letterhead of the respondent's legal firm. The occasion was my nephew’s graduation party, and the invita- tion was mailed to a long-time family friend with whom we have no professional bonds. While I was speculating on the etiquette of sending regrets for a social occa- sion through the channels of one's typist, my sister suggested that perhaps this is proper behavior for 2 gentleman of his profession. To assuage the current tension arising from this burst of sibling diszgreement, as welt as from the thinly disguised curl of disap- proval now distorting my fips, I would appreciate your opision. GENTLE READER — This is the kind of letter, both for its point of view and for its style, that Miss Manners is likely. to be unjustly accused of making up. Perhaps she will ask you for the name of this lawyer, in case she meeds to squelch such slander. She knows that this lawyer is on duty all the time, from his ap- parent failure to understand that THURSDAY July 30--Spiffy Sports & Other Stuff. Program for kids aged 4 & 5 yrs.; Preschool softball, sing songs, arts & crafts; 9-10 a.m., N.V. YMCA, 1735 Inglewood Ave., y; v. Info: 926-5541. July 30-Children’. 's ” pottery: kids aged 8-12 yrs.; 3:30-5 p.m.; W.V. Recre- ation Centre, 780-22nd St W.V. In- fo: 926-3266. . . voe.. daly W~Pre-register defore Aug. 20: Camping trip; Aug. 20; kids aged 8-12 yrs.; bus leaves recCentre Ron An- drews at 6 p.m. and returns at 8 a.m the following morning. Info: 987- -P . ees Jaly 30-Pre-register before Aug. 20: Sleepover trip; kids 8-12 yrs.; bus departs from recCentre Andrews at 6 p.m. & returns at 8 a.m. next morn- ing. Info: 984-4181. July 30-Ongoing. Deep Cove Parent Participation Preschool has vacancies in its program for 3 & 4-year-olds, Starting Sept. lnfo: Cinty, 929-5200. e@ee Suly 30--Ongoing to Au 13. Children's Pottery Classes; ki s aged 6-8 yrs; 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; rec- Centre W.V. Info: 926-3266. eee Suly 30-Ongeing to Aug. 30. Open Gym. Volleyball, floor hockey & badminton, basketball equipment can be signed out, free of charge, by kids under 16 yrs. & family groups. 10:30 a.m.-1 9.m. N.S. YMCA, 1735 In- glewood Ave., W.V. Info: 926-5541. eee July 30-Ongoing. Preschool storytime drop-in, 10:30 a.m. Info: Capilano District Library, 987-4471. eos Judith MISS MANNERS there is any such thing as private life. Perhaps it could be explained to him as that part of life which is unbillable. Although the misuse of office writing paper for private purposes is common among lawyers, it is inexcusable. People in other pro- fessions go in for this travesty also, but it is particularly un- pleasant to make an innocent per- son, who wants only to enjoy the company of an old friend, have that heart-stopping moment of seeing a law-firm return address in the mail and wondering who is suing now. DEAR MISS MANNERS — I have some neighbors who I feel are lacking in manners and con- sideration when they cut their grass early in the morning during the week and also on weekends. What is the proper etiquette re- garding mowing 2 lawn? GENTLE READER — Accord- ing to your neighbors, it is refraining. from mowing lawns during working hours, when they are trying to work, and evenings, when they are trying to talk to one another. Miss Manners mentions this to point out that the hours you find bothersome are not inherently less reasonable than obvious alter- natives. These people are probably just trying to avoid the midday sun by mowing early, and they mow on weekends because it is hard to run home and mow dur- ing the working week. This is not to say that you have to be botfiered; only that you may not fuel this feeling with righteous wrath. The polite and neighborly thing to do is to mention apologetically that the. hours they choose are bad for you, and to ask them very nicely if there are other times on which you could both agree. DEAR. MISS MANNERS — We invited two couples to our home for dinner. Upon finishing the meal, they stecked all of their plates, sweetly suggesting to me how much easier if would be to carry them that way — as they had seen me carrying the plates, one in each hand, into the kitch- en. I don’t want to embarrass peo- ple by informing them. they have improper etiquetie, but I don’t appreciate being thought of asa. total idiot. These people are friends of my husband’s ané we must entertain them fairly often. Though they are nice in other ways, KIDS’ STUFF July 30-Ongoing. CAYAC North Shore for Catholic teens. 7 p.m. every Thurs. at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Info: 980-4450. eae July 30-Ongoing. Shotokan Karate for ages 7 & older. Co-ed program aimed at developing fitness, — self- discipline, confidence & self defence. Info: N.S. YMCA 926-5541 or 986- 0388. . . eee , July 30-Ongoing. N..Van Youth Band practice, for 9-13- yr. old., N...Shore music students. 6-7:30. p.m. on Tues./Thurs. at Highlands Com. School. FRIDAY July 31--Youth Coffeehouse, a place for N.S. youth to spend time & meet new friends; local bands, art talent & more; 7 p.m.-I a.m.; recCentre Lons- dale “South Wall.’ " ‘Info: 983-6428. July. 31~Ongoing, * super Reacers;’” program for keen readers, grades 4-7. Info: Lynn Valley District Library, 984-0286. ‘ July ~3i--Ongoing. Mini tennis for children 6-9 yrs. 3:30-4:15 p.m. Info: _ recCentre Lonsdale, 988-6166. eee Suly 31--Ongoing each Wed. & Fri, Storytime for toddlers aged 2 & 3 yrs., 10 & 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Info: N.V. City , Library, 980-4424. eee July 31-Ongoing. Exchange program with European students and N.S. stu- dents. Info: 921-6296. —- SATURDAY Aug. t-Arts in Action — Pirate FA-S-T COLLISION REPAIRS CALL THE PROFESSIONALS AT fAY_ORMGT IVE 1959 LTD. FREE RENTAL COURTESY CARS 6.C.A.A. APPROVED — A.R.A. CERTIFIED © 1¢.B.C. VENDOR FOR ALL MAKES AYLOAMOTIV: NORTH VAN. QUALITY WORKMANSHIP TRUSTWORTHY SERVICE 174 PEMBERTON AVE. consuttation OR APPOINTMENTS 985-7455 ‘a.m, 24, Adventures. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. John Lawson Park, ft of 18th St. & Argyle Ave., W.V. in the event of rain, activ- ities will move to Silk Purse at 1570 Argyle Ave. Info; 925-3605. een Aug. 1--Ongoing. Papier mache Dinosaurs. Program for kids aged 6- 10 yrs., 1-3 p.m. Info: recCentre. ‘Lynn Valley, 987-PLAY. eee Aug. 1~Ongoing. Saturday Storytime. Stories & fun for kids 4-8 yrs., 10:30 Aug. 1-Ongoing. - Cycle Right Safety Program. 1-3 p.m.‘ recCentre ‘Lons- dale. 10-13 yr. olds. Info: 988-6166. SUNDAY. Aug. 2-Ongoing. Visit farm animals & FEATURES THE Jenn-Air Frost-Free Side-By-Side Refrigerator 920-22 or 24 cubic feet *Black panel kits available *Lighted Convenience Centre with through-the-door ice and Chilled water on some models *Adjustable cantilever glass shelves SEE THEM NOW AT COLONY! _ HOME FURNISHINGS 1075 Roosevelt Crescent North Vancouver (2 blocks behind the Avaton Hotel) OPEN DAILY: Fil. 9-9; Sun. 12-4 Info: N.V. City Morar. 980- . birds at Maplewood Farm, Seymour River Place; !0 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, except non-holiday Mondays; milking demo at i:15 p.m.; bring lunch & have a picnic. Info: 929-5610. eee Aug. 2--Ongoing to Aug. 30. Futurekids Motivational Learning Camps. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1-4:30 p.m. Holy Trinity School, N.¥V.; St. David's Church, W.V.; St. John’s Church, Vancouver. info: Irene, 929-3759 cr 686-3301. _ : “MONDAY Aug. 3~—Ongoing to Aug. 30. All-Star Basketball! Camp & All-Star Volleyball Camp; weekly sessions,for grades 5- 12; several N.S. locations. girls entering grades 2, I almost. 405 of Faces” Also: Pee-Wee Plus Sports Camps; boys yom 4; weekly: sessions at Sentinel Secondary School‘ dread having them to dinner, knowing they will stack their plates in an effort to ‘‘help’’ me. fs there any polite way I can put an end to this dreadful prac- tice? What should I have said ia response to their suggestion? GENTLE READER — “Sit down.’ Make that *‘Oh, please sit down — I prefer to do it myself, my own way.’ As you can_ imagine, Miss. Manners thoroughly shares your aversion to stacked dinner plates, and to the idea that efficiency is the only consideration in such. an. esthetically pleasing ritual as a dinner party ought to be. . She would: also- share your dislike of being instructed’ in how to clear a table, especially by peo- ple whose knowledge of that art art seems to be primitive. ~ But she recognizes that good help is hard to get. When one ac- cepts the assistance of . one’s guests, one cannot. instruct them in propriety,. even’ if; as’ in this case, they seera to be asking: for | it.. The solution. is. to. thank. them for their kind offer of help and their ili-thought-out offer of ad- vice, but to accept neither. . - ‘& Holy. Trinity Elementary. School. ‘Info: Irene, 925-3759. eee Aug. 3--Ongoing to Aug. 20.. Free. Horseshoe Bay Christian Center. sum- mer vacation program; kids eged 3-5 yrs., Tues/Thurs, 9:30- a.m.-noon; kids gr. 1-6, Mon/Wed/Fri, -.9:30 . a.m.-noon. Info: 921-9715. or. 921- 9978: , eee ° ‘Aug. 3~-Ongoing to Sept. 4. ‘A World Day camp; kids ; page of Classifieds. For arts. ai entertainment listings see th THE "MAZE GAME’ _ Park Royal Shopping Centre It will’ be A-MAZ-ING if you find our store! !f you do, bring this ad ‘and receive. 1S Hof any singie purchase you make before August 3ist. Enter THE MAZE at Taylor Way to rooftop parking. ‘The Other Place” Specialists in table linens and table-top accessories.