News

One of the first school-related stories the Courier published in January 2012 highlighted a difficult problem the Vancouver School Board faces -the poor graduation rate of aboriginal students. The rate had improved slightly, but remained low.

State of the art

for dec. 28-jan. 1

Obstacle courses and novelty races gained massive popularity this year

You could wear the sweat-soaked hockey jersey, gloves and helmet of Canadian juniors like Jonathan Huberdeau, Malcolm Subban or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Finding a nice frozen pond in the city to learn how to skate doesn't look promising. But don't let that stop you from becoming the next Patrick Chan or Joannie Rochette. The city has several sheets of indoor ice available to youngsters and adults.

T hrough winter, flowers get battered down by winter storms and berries fall or are eaten by wildlife. But brightly coloured stems and contorted twigs resist anything nature hurls at them.

Unleeshed

04 THE YEAR IN PARK BOARD BY SANDRA THOMAS Why are these statues laughing? Could it be the ongoing spectacle of the park board versus the city's community centre volunteers? NEWS 05 THE YEAR IN PROVINCIAL POLITICS BY BOB MACKIN A rocky start in early

Kick off the New Year with a dose of European sophistication and old school charm. Salute to Vienna returns to the Orpheum Theatre Jan. 1, 2: 30 p.m.