The ThunderBlogs

In an intimate gathering Friday evening, 14 seniors took turns performing music, spoken word and theatrical vignettes to each other within a cozy living room of the Barclay Manor. It was the West End Seniors’ Network’s first coffee house, an event that gave members the chance to showcase their creative talents and confront perceptions of themselves.

“I’m coming out as a fat woman,” said Sheila Baxter, 77. “I want people to know that fat women can be beautiful. … It’s very radical.”

The women sat tightly together in armchairs arranged to face a blue wall of the heritage building. Canes were propped up against many of the chairs  and handbags rested on the floor by their feet. The chair-less space was a  square of brown carpet that would serve as the stage.

Baxter, a published author and playwright, shared two of her poems with the small group: “Ode to a Beautiful Fat Woman” and “Someone to Wrinkle With”. Gripping a cane in one hand and an open binder in the other, she leaned her large frame in toward the audience. Her tear-filled eyes connected with theirs.

Another member, a retired lawyer, read a clever piece she had authored about a misunderstood parrot. Four musicians played and sang a mix of rousing Scottish tunes, folk songs and Gershwin hits while the group clapped and hummed along. One of these women followed her act with an impromptu round of jokes.

But most of the performances were theatrical pieces  prepared under the guidance and training of Tidal Grace, an acting coach and the originator of the Seniors’ Theatre Project.

Grace, 40, began the project as a ‘wellness through acting’ program. Every Tuesday morning he volunteers his time to lead the project’s members through theatre workshops.

“Tidal Grace is the most amazing man,” said Baxter. “He teaches people how to use your emotions, how to know your emotions, and not to be scared to share your feelings.”

One of his students, Yolande Cousineau, performed a comedic monologue about stage fright. Her character was at an audition, she was panicking. The 76-year-old Cousineau’s hands shook rapidly as she portrayed the character. As the scene neared climax she had her whole upper body convulsing. The crowd laughed and applauded her brave performance.

“I chose this piece,” said Cousineau, “because I have Parkinson’s.”

**

Coffee house events are now scheduled for the last Friday of every month.

The 65^th B.C. Oaks and Derby opened Saturday at the Hastings Racecourse to a bright blue sky and nine rounds of horseracing.

In the first day of action, attendees were spoiled with five maiden and claiming races as well as four stakes races that amounted to a combined purse of $175,000.

Regular track days at Hastings tend to be a casual affair, drawing only the most dedicated betters who arrive sporting street clothes and maybe a dose of insider knowledge. The Oaks and Derby, the largest race weekend of the year at Hastings, is a different breed entirely.

In addition to the racing, Saturday’s Oaks was a hat day, where female fans were invited to arrive in their best bonnets and donning their finest attire. Kentucky hats, church hats, flower hats and bowler hats; they were all welcome and all on parade at the Oaks.

Hat days are a wink in recognition of the storied history of track racing, and a colourful way to attract a fresh crowd.

“Any excuse to come and dress up is a fun event to attend,” said Danielle Gillis, who was adorned in a brilliant red maxi dress, heeled white oxfords and a classic white hat. It was her first experience at the races, and by race four she had already banked $2.10 in prize winnings.

Some of the men got into the spirit of the day as well.

Jim Richmond sported a dinner jacket patterned in US$100 banknotes. “It’s a once a year, summer thing,” he said, in reference to his attendance at the races. “Don’t let the jacket fool you,” he said, confessing to an unlucky day.

Unlike Richmond, Gillis felt her luck was only going to continue. Contesting for primacy in the fifth race, worth $25,000 in stakes, was Smokin (sic) Danielle, jockeyed by Isaias Cardenas. Sadly, Gillis’ namesake and proclaimed certain win lost a strong lead and placed a distant second to Wind Storm, ridden by Richard Harvey Hamel.

Sunday’s rain-or-shine B.C. Derby includes a $150,000 stakes race, and is scheduled to begin at 1:40 p.m.

At the intersection of Main and Powell streets stands the busiest firehouse in Vancouver, Fire Hall 2, distinguishable by the wall-sized mural on the building beside its parking lot that depicts different fire engines since Vancouver was incorporated in 1886. Today this station, which straddles Vancouver’s downtown, its desperate Downtown Eastside and its port, answers more medical calls and calls overall than any of the other 21 firehouses in the city.

The junior firefighter at the firehouse is Chris Wingert, a thick-armed fellow with hair just thicker than crew-cut. On a recent Saturday he said that his time in the downtown hall has dulled his normal notions of excitement.

“I’m pretty desensitized to everything,” he said.

Going out on multiple overdose calls for the same person on the same night wears on the responders, he said. The worst night in his stint there came on the last night of summer fireworks, when the station responded to some 30 calls – mostly medical – during the 14-hour overnight shift.

Calls to the port, while rare, require the trucks to pass through the same security inspection that a civilian vehicle would face. Most of the contact with the port, Wingert said, comes when tourists unpack some cruise ship and stop in for directions after wandering near and through some of Vancouver’s roughest neighborhoods. “That happens all the time,” Wingert said.

On a quiet afternoon, the firehouse’s three vehicles stand shoulder-to-shoulder: the engine, the rescue truck (which has only enough water in it to put out a Dumpster fire or similar), and the quint, which carries a ladder and a massive jaws of life in its rear, replete with its jackhammer-sized cutter and spreader.

In the rear of the house, behind the trucks, the firefighters’ work-worn turnout gear hung from a rack of low hooks along the wall: helmets, jackets, boots, gloves, balaclavas. On the adjacent window sill sat three kettlebells, and on the floor before them stood a ping-pong table with two swaths of duct tape running horizontally to serve as a net.

Wingert said he’d never played ping-pong in more than a year at the firehouse. “Everyone sees stuff on TV,” he said. “It’s not like that. We’re not just sitting around waiting for something to happen.”

The Fraser Street Market extends from 41^st Avenue to 51^st Avenue along the Fraser Street. No matter whether it’s a weekday or weekend, the market looks equally vibrant. Most, but not exclusively, the shopkeepers and customers here are Asian immigrants.

On a September Saturday evening, the market was busy as usual. Most of the shops were open as only a few were closed for the weekend. The shoppers, customers and workers were engaged in their own tasks. The Punjabi Market that extends from 48^th Avenue to 51^st Avenue on the Main Street was, however, not as busy as the Fraser Market in terms of people’s presence.

With no immediate end in sight to the controversy surrounding the HST in British Columbia, merchants on Fraser Street and Main Street said the HST had no immediate impact on businesses but it would harm the economy if the uncertainty prevailed.

Many shopkeepers were busy handling their customers and they would not talk to you if they knew that you were there not to purchase goods/services.

But there were also people who were willing to talk. Dinesh Sharma who owns a grocery said HST has no impact to his business. He said it could have affected big property dealings as the uncertainty over the tax hangs but there was no impact on existing businesses.

Naresh Shukla, a businessman since 1974 at the Punjabi Market, said HST had no negative impact on existing businesses. But he is not happy with the way the B.C. government handled the issue.

He said HST was not in the agendas of Premier Gordon Campbell before the 2009 elections. “They think citizens are idiots, and announced the tax immediately after winning the elections.”

With referendum called next September on HST, the uncertainty over the controversial tax is here to stay. Shukla said this uncertainty will slacken the economy as people won’t spend money until the controversy ends.

“Had the government had guts, it should have called referendum on the issue within three months,” Shukla said.

Another businessman Madan Dhingri also said HST has made no much difference to existing businesses. On the fate of HST, Dhingri is confident that people will reject it in referendum. “If any tax is taken to people for decision, it will fail. Period,” he said.

Dhingri said the Liberal party utterly failed in handling the HST issue and calling referendum a year later has created uncertainties and kept things in limbo for a year. “This (referendum) is a waste of money. Premier Campbell is trying to buy time. But he is done. He will never win how hard he may try.”

A camper van with barber shop candy stripes was parked Saturday outside the Temple of the Modern Girl Boutique on Main Street. In front of the van, a sign read, “Trim ya locks fo whatever ya gots.”

The Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association was hosting a street party on Main Street between Broadway and 12th Avenue. Young families bought vintage purses, sampled artisan bread and perused the stands set up by local businesses and community organizations. Free valet bike parking was available.

A crowd gathered to watch Tom Farmer cut hair in exchange for food, clothing, beer or just about anything. One customer traded for a pair of cowboy boots. Farmer said that it’s weird having everyone watch you while you work, and that it can be exhausting always being the centre of attention. Still, the business relies on an element of performance.

Business has been good, Farmer said, and things have just snowballed since he set out on this adventure about five months ago. It took 34 cans of red and white spray paint to convert the van into a mobile barber shop. Farmer wears a nozzle from one of the cans as a pendant around his neck.

Farmer previously worked four years as a graphic designer in Melbourne, Australia, before losing his job in the economic downturn. A friend convinced him to come to Canada to help start the haircuts for trade business, Farmer said.

The mobile barber shop was not an official participant in the business improvement association’s Autumn Shift Festival. Simon Conway from the association said that they were none the less welcome to be there and offer their services.

Their presence has not always been so welcome. About six weeks ago, the team was cutting hair at Main and Broadway. Farmer said it was great, everyone loved them and they payed $7 a day in rent. However, they were asked to leave by the City of Vancouver. Farmer said he thinks that a local barber shop called to complain.

Conway said it would be fair for a regular tax-paying business to be upset, although it’s not nice to think of someone calling up city officials to complain.

Looking back, Farmer said that being forced to move on was for the best. They drove north to Nelson, where Farmer said his best memories of Canada were made. Near Kelowna, they made just enough money picking grapes to pay for fuel and food to get back to Vancouver. Farmer said he dreams of heading south to the United States, where it’s warmer.

False Creek Community Centre’s subsidized youth programs create access for youth with diverse economic circumstances, said youth worker Nathan Pope on Friday night.

“There’s like a horseshoe of BC Housing around Granville Island and you know there’s also multi-million dollar units in the same area, so having kids next door to each other with different economic status is challenging,” said Pope, who wore a brimmed cap and black-rimmed glasses.

Tension would possibly exist if the youth programs were not subsidized by the non-profit centre from profit made through areas such as the gym, and sometimes government grants, said the 25-year-old.

“You might see discrimination based on the cost of the program,” said Pope. He said there wouldn’t be many kids from low-income families in a costly program if this was the case.

“So thankfully for the subsidization we’re able to mingle both groups together so there is no distinction,” said Pope

A free youth open house took place in the games room next to the office where Pope sat. Loud voices and music played like a steady soundtrack in the office.

Pope said the centre’s focus on social and active recreation is difficult because of the neighbourhood diversity.

In the games room, one boy concentrated on the task that was literally in front of him‒ playing the drums for the video game Rock Band. Other boys assembled on the couch behind him. A video game guitar player sat off to one side.

 A projection of Wii Fit, a physical activity video game, covered a section of a wall in the room. A group of kids huddled around a foosball table at the back of the room. Around ten boys and girls and a few adults stood outside by the BBQ area.

According to the centre’s website, youth can use the games room Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.The centre offers various youth programs including a popular Friday night program that takes youth off the island, said Pope. The website shows the Friday events range from being free to $29.

Travis Hayes, a youth worker at the centre, said most kids come from False Creek Elementary School and Henry Hudson Elementary School.

Pope said when there’s conflict it’s usually because of something that happened at one school during the day.

Hayes said if a kid is banned from the centre, there’s always a chance they can come back. However, Hayes said the kids are proud of the centre and don’t want to have to leave.

“The kids want their relationship with the community centre to be a good one,” said Hayes.

Jack (the Bear) Latek seated himself at his spot along the boardwalk beneath the glowing red Granville Island sign. His left hand clutched a stack of white pamphlets that detailed his efforts as a social worker to turn discarded pins, watches and jewellery into construction projects for the city’s disadvantaged.

“I collect things that people throw out to help the poor people in society,” Latek said.

It’s a long way from the life he had 22 years ago: a GI security guard who stopped photographers from taking pictures of a suicide victim, saved turtles straying across from the nearby pond from becoming roadkill and chased away potential boat thieves. He also competed at Simon Fraser University as a varsity javelin thrower and wrestler.

“Tourist! Here-tell everyone that you met a champion Canadian wrestler,” he said as he forced a pamphlet into the hand of an elderly tourist.

His faded New York Giants cap hid an explosion of greying hair from view. A wheeled suitcase, McDonald’s coffee cup, and scattering of re-sealable plastic bags bracketed him on either side.

He fished a blue coil of wire wrapped into a circle out of the pile of plastic freezer bags bundled to his left.

“This will relax you. It’s not a needle you stick yourself with, it’s not smoke that poisons your lungs, this is one hundred per cent natural,” he said as he stroked the circular wire back and forth along the length of a tourist’s outstretched index finger.

“I teach people life skills through making things,” he said after winding a yellow and black sprig of plastic wire around the zipper of a passerby’s backpack.

“That’ll help you find your bag at the airport,” Latek said as he slouched into his black folding chair and crossed his ankles.

Most passersby ignored his outstretched arm. Those who stopped and talked quickly began shuffling their feet and sneaking glances towards the public market ahead in the midst of his lengthy spiel.

He spoke with a rumble in his voice that overcame the noise from the trucks downshifting along Anderson Street.

“Come back any time and if they ask what you’re doing here, tell them you’re just keeping Jack’s office warm – they know me around here.”

Golfers quietly retracted balls from dispensing machines at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy. Minimum interaction among visitors was visible, and only a few women chatted in the cafeteria area.  A lack of community foundation was blatant in this club. However, one charismatic foreign-born player assistant at the club challenged my perception on a Thursday afternoon.

With the vitality of a teenager, 73-years-old Christian Penafiel loudly greeted and waved at players as they passed by. In his heavy accent, Christian complimented and recommended  clubs and strategies to players in each hole.  He picked up every ball he found on the ground, and eagerly returned them to the owners once they had finished playing. “I know she loves that ball. Every time she comes to play and loses it, I try to find it,” said Penafiel.

Native of Spain, Penafiel arrived to Canada 40 years ago looking for new job opportunities.  Without any formal academic training, he embarked a career in the hospitality business as a room service manager for the Four Seasons hotel chain, which lasted 27 years.  His background in customer-service prepared him well for his current job.

He retired at the age of 65, and soon after became a full-time volunteer player assistant at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy “I have been working here for 3 years, and I love my job. I help people play faster so they don’t stop other players behind, “said Panafiel. His main responsibilities are to coordinate group activities – such as championships- and to guarantee a fast-pace flow of players around the course’s 18 holes. Nevertheless, he assumed as part of his job requirements the responsibility of creating a friendlier environment around the golf course. “I want people to feel welcome here,” said Panafiel.

The Musqueam Golf and Learning Academy is a public executive golf course. This 18-holes course suits the needs of beginner players and less passionate golfers with only 333 yards in length. “People don’t come here to make friends, they want to play fast,” said Panafiel.

Although the academy’s nature limits interaction among players, Christian’s work has impacted the place. Women and men alike affectingly greeted him upon arrival, and people seemed enthusiastic to rely on his advices on the golf course.

“I will help you in a minute dear,” said Penafiel to a teenage player as she happily dragged her golf bag onto the course that day.

Rhizome Café filled all its seats, while others sat on the floor in celebration of the café’s fourth year of uniting practically all of Vancouver’s progressive organizations, ranging from social injustice, migrant workers, colored youth and queer community groups.

Doors opened at 7, but there was already a line up of around twenty people in front of Rhizome’s homely wooden doors before they even opened.  Homely is the best description for the interior too, as soft lighting, a plush couch, chalkboards with a handwritten menu and a mixture of cushiony and hardwood chairs create a cozy, almost grandma-like welcoming ambience.

Adriana Paz, a member of Justicia, an organization for the rights of Latin temporary farm workers,  greets everyone with a big smile and a hug, and everyone reciprocates.  People flocked to the bistro bar, where Three Sisters Stew, made with black beans, squash and corn and topped with sour cream for non-vegans, is served for dinner by donation.

A light, upbeat harmony of reggae infused with latin undertones whizzes through the air and induces a few to shake their shoulders.  MCs Andrea Canales and Hari Alluri, who wore brown t-shirts with red, yellow and orange rhizome graphics excited everyone for the 60 second performances.

Very diverse attendees, such as women with cropped, salt and pepper hair, cross dressers tattooed wrist to shoulder,  dark and light skinned latinos and students with tattered hoodies and messy rain boots clapped delightfully for all the performers.  Cease Wyss, a first nations filmmaker, opened the night with a compelling aboriginal sacred welcoming song.

The lyrics of some songs spoke volumes of how everyone appreciates that there is a central place where everyone can feel welcome.  “Yea, yea, I’m feeling so gay, I love, love, my Rhizome Café,” chanted two women dressed in cabaret outfits.

Members of No One is Illegal chuckled when they said “grow wings on our rebel doves”, when they recited their collectively composed piece.  But the biggest crowd pleaser was performed by the staff, as six women blew into beer bottles and created flute sounds to the effect of Irene Cara’s 1984 hit What a Feeling.  The women left the stage running backwards and mentioned that their group is called “B.O.”,  for Rhizome Staff Bottle Orchestra.

“I grew up in a smaller town, I’m just trying to open up my mind and it feels right to be here,” said benefits insurance administrator Desmond Wellesley, who’s originally from Kitchener, Ontario.  Wellesley volunteered to handle the sales from Rhizome t-shirts and the 38 items donated for the silent auction.

Sarah Meli left her room early on Friday morning and walked to one of the common kitchens in her graduate residence to start cooking for the birthday party.

She had sent an email three weeks earlier to inform over 150 residents of St John’s College that she was organizing a party for those born in September.

Meli had turned 24 years old the previous Tuesday.

She was carrying a notebook in which her mother had written recipes from Meli’s country, Malta.

“In Malta, you host, you pay, you cook, you feed,” she said.
“The potluck doesn’t happen in Malta- it never did, it never will. When you host it’s the thing you do, you cook for people and they eat.”

As she spread out the ingredients on the large wooden table, Ian McIvor rolled into the kitchen with his skateboard. His birthday was on Sept. 11 and he was volunteering to mix the dough and cake batter.

A French-Canadian student plopped himself into an armchair and talked about the Quebec beer he was bringing to the party- one of Meli’s emails had said people should bring their own alcohol.

At around 6 p.m. Meli and some other residents were rearranging the furniture in the ground floor social lounge where the party was held. She was wearing a white dress with a red pattern, a red scarf around her neck and a red shrug.  Her curly thick black hair was pulled up and a red flower rested over her left ear.

“Being away from my home I wanted to do something special, so I thought it would be a better idea to do something collective for all of us,” said Meli.

Residents from around the globe walked into the lounge carrying bottles of wine, beer and snacks.

Music started playing, ranging from Arabic to Spanish to Lady Gaga.  Ziaul Hasan, a student from India, danced the salsa with a resident from Ecuador.  Canadian student Samantha Meade was showing off some belly-dancing moves she learned last year.

Hanna Galal, another birthday celebrator, was standing with her friend Taylor Hatrick who was visiting from Victoria for the party. They met during their undergraduate studies in Germany, where Galal is from.

Meli stood at the other corner and watched her recently made friends dance and eat some of the pizzas she worked on almost all day. “This is one of the most special birthdays ever,” she said. “The fact that so many people came just to say happy birthday, the way they say it and what they do for you- you really feel the care.”