Kids learn to mind their manners Katharine Hamer Contributing Writer CAMP Etiquette, Day Three: a cluster of smail children are gath- ered around making polite conversation and fashioning “guest behaviour” posters. The kids, all between six and 12 years old, are taking part in a crash course on good manners. Today thef're learn- ing how to be charming house guests. Posters throughout the room at the North Shore Winter Club advise on table mannets, taking phone mes- sages, and how to fect a “gentlernan’s handshake.” Camp Etiquette is the brainchild of Richmond-based Patricia Whittaker of Pages Communications. Whittaker runs week-long etiquette class- es for’ children in the Vancouver region. On a recent week she was on the North Shore. All of her sessions were th Nhitraker ft conceived ¢ idea of teaching people to mind their manners when she was living in Sin; “My neighbour, who was porean, told me- she in’t come over for dinner because she didn’t know how to behave at a Western table,” Sin Geological safety If profitable, the project could remove an environ- mental mess that has deval- ued the land surrounding Britannia Beach. : From page 3 us to operate the plant (in _ the past),” said Shank. “That ares has a huge future poten- tial. There’s absolutely no future. potential right now (without the permits).” Added Shank, “When you're into this kind of thing you have to keep focused. Quar function has been to focas on the number one _ thing and that one thing is to get the permits. Out of the permits builds the financing and out of the financing flows the work we have to - "do. We can’t do that und] we a de : all of these steps,” Shank a ve pur. a lot of moncy “into it. This is an opportuni- ty to get that money back.” et) | FACTOR? FUTON VANESSA Kaluk, right, illustvates her “ Wednesday, July 14, 1999 ~ Nerth Shore News ~ shake ect behaviour” poster, white friend Georginz, ‘eft, offers some sug- ui gestions. The girls were taking part In gamp Etiquette at the North Shore Winter Ciub. says Whittaker. at told her, ‘It’s a piece of — Pil teach you.” All my Saher neighbours suggested 1 teach it to kids, and when I came back to Canada, instead of working for somcone else, thar’ = vhat I decided to do. “When I was ant, I was trying to get bough the door with a stroifer, and no one was helping me. "They were Copper Beach could begin to recoup on an invest- ment that started in 1989 when it bought ::¢ property. Britannia. Beach residents could get their town cleaned up and the province could et a clean’ mince with no nancial costs incurred on its part. With the profits from the Jandfill, Copper Beach would be able to start paying off approximately $11 million in ebt. ; "Most of that debt is from a mortgage arising out of the original land purchase. A portion of the 1,800- a Ist. an Enhance in fear lane Kon Sat 11-bpn seniay 2-5 pm SB4~4| | Mini ven — = mPa : 720 Marine Dr, North Van totally oblivious to those little things that make life more comfortable.” Topics at Camp Etiquette include children and their role in the family at meal times; cul- tivating the art of fine conversa- tion; behaviour i bur in public places, P- ¢ program, whose motto is “finesse = success,” is predi- cated not only on traditional gentility, but on the need to comprehend cultural and social differences. “Remember when you sat down to that formal dinner and weren't sure which fork to start with?” Pages’ brochure asks. “The international business deal fell through, and you're sill not sure if you committed some cultural faux-pas.” Said Whittaker, “We! re liv- issues reviewed acres purchased in 1989 was sold to the Japanese firm Tanac Land Development Corp. which developed the Furry Creek golf course site. Copper Beach is halfway through a detailed review process with the DFO, Ministry of Energy and Mincs. and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Ted Hall, regional man- ager for the Ministry of Energy and Mines, said his ministry is reviewing all tech- nical and geological safety issues relating to the mine and the landfill as well as the legal. implications for the province if the project were . to fail several years after beginning to operate. Public consultation re- view requirements are jimit- ed by government regula- tion. But public meetings have been held by the Fraser Basin Council, a non-governmen- tal organization. Purdy, regional coor- dinator for the Fraser Basin Council, said: “We've * opened up the process sub- stantially.” Copper Beach and the ministries involved expect a decision on approving the project in the next four to six weeks so that work can begin before the fall. aii CHANGE —_ 1978 bella ing in a muiccultural society. “It's more than manners. It’s about life skills. it opens so many doors other than the din- ing room dvor.” Gail Birch registered her six year old, » Varies} Kaluk, in the pro; r seeing an ad in Fhe News. “We had j just returned from a two-year stint in Houston, Texas,” she said. “I nuticed the ] Ahlers dr: H # 62-2435 Morino Dr, West Von @oek tone) EC WCy Se -3014 —-WEST VAN kids devwm there were really well-manne ‘ed. There were lot of etx,uette classes, but Vanessa was too young to go when we were there. It’s a dif ferent perspective than the eu- quette kids fearn from their parenis. The classroom setting (ef Camp Etiquette), with teachers and peers, reinforces the etiquette that’s iearned at fame. “She's enjoving it very much,” Birch said of her daughter. “Already she’s got sler elbows off the table, and she’s not interrupting.” Birch also has a teenage son, but she has no plans to send him ona similar course. “! wish they did have classes for teenagers,” she laughed. At the drawing table, Vanessa has written on her poser No Messing Up My d. No Screaming. No Picking My Garden. Next to her sits a group of cousins -— Ermaine, six, Charles, cight, and Federico, 10. Charles said he’s k