4 ~ Sunday, January 8, 1989 — West Vancouver Villager Cultural coordinator enthusiastic about the West Van arts scene WEST VANCOUVERITES, enthusiastic patrons of the arts, will have more opportunities than ever to enjoy local talent in a local setting. The continuing development of ‘the North Shore Cuitural Policy is encouraging, particularly to Cathy Matheson in the recently created tole of West Vancouver’s cultural coordinator. “The cultural nolicy will pro- mote. a lot more visibility and awareness of the arts,’’ says Matheson, who has more than got- ten her feet. wet over a busy sum- mer planning the sixth annual Concerts by the Sea series that ran at Ambleside Park and Horseshoe Bay. Other special programs during “the summer included children’s storytelling, Art in the Park warkshops and demonstrations and visual art displays. Matheson was hired to: provide greater visibility to local - artists through creative programming, to enhance public. interest and understanding of the arts, to pro- vide information to the community on local cultural activities and to liaise with community groups busy supporting and developing arts and culture in West Vancouver. She has exciting plans for the new year, starting with the Chamber Music °89 series of three concerts in March and April at West Vancouver United Church. West Vancouverites can also look forward to performances by Quartet Canada, the Western Arts Trio and Artists of Tomorrow. The latter will feature outstanding UBC and University of Toronto music students, performing with well-known local artists. “We're also hoping to increase our UBC scholarship program from $100 to $250,’’ said Matheson. A major focus for Matheson is finding facilities for local artists, and she is pleased to have helped organize a juried show for the West Vancouver Sketch Club at the West Vancouver Seniors Cen- tre in March. Groups like the West Vancouver . Little Theatre, which has:been in’ existence for over 40 years, need permanent locations of their own to encourage growth — the West Vancouver Little Theatre was once one of the largest “‘little’’ theatres in the province. Another priority will be further investigation into the proposed CATHY MATHESON ... cultural coordinator for West Vanceuver. building of an outdoor theatre fa- cility at Ambleside Park. Matheson feels that there has been a lot of misinformation about wv. residents" respond to mayor’s recycling stance OPEN LETTER TO MAYOR DON LANSKAIL “*. ‘We were pleased to read i in your - Christmas message to West. Van- ‘couver residents (West Vancouver : » December 11, 1988) that -the municipality seems to be going -ahead at last. with curbside recycl- ‘ing of glass and metal. .~ However, we found your plea to ; residents: to support this project _ironic in view of the fact that when you first took office as mayor in -December 1986, you. chose to discontinue the - municipality’s Recycling Task Force, which had been in existence since 1977, was a major supporter of recycling pro- jects in. West Vancouver and had . a work in progress when you ‘took -41399 Lonsdate: “Avenue ~ North pancouesr B.C. ~V7M 2H4 Same, Editor. Barrett Fisher Maneger Bruce Methven |: ‘The West Vancouver Vitager = demeres money. ser- | trom : sen of Norn Shore Foe Press xd Crcsaetan 15.480 we wacone bane a office. - This work included discussion of curbside recycling’ of glass and metal, recycling of. telephone books, disposal of household haz- ardous wastes, ‘and municipal composting of garden debris. If is unfortunate that West Van- couver. has lagged behind Delta and certain other municipalities in curbside recycling, and that several other environmental problems are - dressed. * deadline for a report to the West not currently being ad ‘fs ie” possible that you are \ preparing to reinstate the | West Vancouver Recycling - Task Force, or better still that you would con- sider ~ establishing a. standing: municipal committee .on ; en- vironmental concerns? _ Curbside recycling i is an admirable advance, but it touches only a smal! part of the problems. — On a related environmental issue,’ it is worth noting that although the municipality answers questions on and complaints about outdoor burning by referring to an existing task force on this subject, this task. force has not met since April and is at present nearly six- teen months behind the original Vancouver Municipal Council. Can we make up for lost time in your next two years as mayor? David C. Davies Katherine Steig West Vancouver North West Opera presents - — GRAND CONCERT , The “Prince by Sigmund Romberg _ danuary 13, 15, 1989 — 8:00) PM. ~ Featuring BCs FINEST SOLOISTS with the LADIES’ CHORUS, NWO. and the WELSH MALE VOICE CHOIR " Conducted by Bruce Pullan _ a) . .. CENTENNIAL THEATRE . 2300 Lonsdale, North Vancouver Tickets available at the Vancouver Ticket Centre 280-4444 the project, and that it is smaller than mzny people think. “*We've had no complaints about the concerts in the park and other programming. It will con- tinue.: The construction planned would be a direct improvement to what is now a very uncomfortable spot in the park,’’ said Matheson. She denied that the project would hold up plans for an arts centre at the West Vancouver Rec- reation Centre. ‘It’s exciting that positive steps are being taken in the development of arts and culture in our. com- munity and the. opportunity for growth exists in this area. West Vancouver residents, with their diverse cultural backgrounds and intezests, provide a. dynamic en- vironment for such growth,’’ says Matheson. Matheson has a Bachelor of Recreation Education from the University of British Columbia and a certificate’ in Business Ac- ministration from the University of Windsor. Her previous experience includes work with the West Vancouver Seniors: Centre as thcir Special Events Courdinator, and children’s regrammer with Surrey Parks & . Pp Recreation and White Rock Parks & Recreation. Fishing pier funded YOUNG AND OLD will be able to enjoy a favorite West Vancouver pastime next sum- mer with the planned construc- tion of a fishing pier at the bot- tom of Ambleside Landing. Funding assistance has now become available for the pro- ject, which was included in the original plans for the redevelopment of Ambleside Landing in 1988. But the pier was put off because of lack of funds and commitment from the federal government. A grant has now been receiv- ed through the federal Depart- ment of Fisheries Small Craft Harbors Program that will fund 50 per cent of the construction cost of the pier to a maximum of $150,000. The design and construction of the new pier should cost a} total of $250,000, with West Vancouver District coming up i with the balance of the funding. TO HOMEOWNERS WITH, SWIMMING POOLS | Blue Water Pools wishes to bring to the attention of the - owners of swimming pools/spas with gas heaters thej{ need for regular maintenance. Without maintenance] R. combustible deposits. can accumulate on : heaters] E ‘creating a hazard. These deposits, as well as being : explosive, impede proper venting of the unit. Authorities = recommend a minimum of 1 service call per poollk heating season and up to 2 service calls for pools in ; jyear-round use. To avold costly repairs and delays in the spring call