The public has an opportunity to vote for the theme of the 2013 Klahowya Village display in Stanley Park.
According to the park board, the story of the Spirit Bear is in the lead followed closely by the Legend of the Thunderbird. "Wolves" and the Legend of the Orca are tied for third place. My personal favourite is the Legend of Luongo, but we'll just have to wait and see how that one plays out. The chosen theme will be used to create a new story for the Spirit Catcher Train ride and will be highlighted throughout the village.
Everyone who participates will be entered into a draw to win a $200 gift certificate to the I Love Cheryl's Trading Post online store to purchase authentic aboriginal artwork. Votes must be received be-fore midnight Jan. 10 to be eligible to win. To vote go to facebook.com/KlahowyaVil-lage and download the mobile-friendly app.
LIFE GUARD HIGH
The park board's annual lifeguard school begins this week at the Vancouver Aquatic Centre in the West End.
The program, in its 77th year, provides lifeguard certification, recertification and comprehensive training for prospective and returning lifeguards interested in summer employment at the city's nine beaches and all indoor and outdoor pools.
The school is open to those with their Lifesaving Society's Bronze Medallion, as well as qualified lifeguards. Lifeguard School graduates get priority consideration for jobs at the city's swimming pools and beaches. The training also qualifies participants to be a lifeguard anywhere in Canada.
FELLED BY A DOG
I received an email from a reader who was recently bowled over by an off-leash dog that sent her falling. According to this reader, she suffered scrapes and bruises to her elbow, hand, knee and hip, as well as a serious ankle injury. She says, adding insult to injury, the owner didn't bother to see if she was OK. The injured woman was "half-carried" to a bench, where an off-duty paramedic came to her aid, as well as several other strangers walking by.
I mention this because I was out with a friend recently and she had her large dog on a leash not only because it was a designated leash area, but also due to concerns it hadn't been playing well with others.
But as soon as we arrived at the park, a very large off-leash dog ran over and that's when the trouble started. Despite my friend's request to the owner to leash her dog, she insisted, "He's friendly," and let the problem escalate to the point we were forced to leave.
So let this be a gentle reminder to some dog owners that a leash law is in effect and maybe a good New Year's resolution would be to follow it. On the other hand, fines for letting a dog run at large in the city start at $250 for a first time offence.
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