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Bollywood stylist sets down roots
A light stream of midday pedestrian traffic flows, unhurriedly, past the North Vancouver salon where Dilshad Pastakia works as a hair stylist.
20 reasons why I am not voting B.C. Liberal
The 24-hour news cycle doesn't favour long-term memory. The continuing fallout from the December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, barely registered a blip in the mainstream media by the time the U.S. Senate snuffed a tepid gun control bill in April. Similarly, the February meteorite that lit up Russian daytime skies with the energy of several Hiroshimas came and went like a firefly compared to the weeks-long gigawattage of the "Gangnam Style" video by the Korean rapper Psy. As for Fukushima, some may have to wrack their memories for a reference. Is that a brand of digital cameras or a roll of sushi?
Cultural grants kick-start key projects for 35 groups
In alphabetical order, members of nearly three dozen local arts and culture groups walked into the spotlight to accept grant money from the City of Surrey.
A blast of Bollywood arrives at the art gallery
The Times of India Film Awards made a big splash in Vancouver with enthusiastic crowds cheering their favourite Bollywood stars. It was certainly colourful and exciting. The provincial government ponied up millions of sponsorship dollars and told us it would be good for tourism. Vancouver would get mentioned in the media coverage of the event. But then someone forgot to tell the media to mention that TOIFA was in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Oops.
Dumpy motel has until June 20
The owner of Surrey's Motel Bollywood has until June 20 to tear down his "hazardous" structure at 6670 King George Blvd. At Monday night's public hearing, Surrey city council unanimously approved a corporate report that called for the demolition of the structure.
'Spectacular Sangeet' at Surrey Art Gallery
A new "larger-than-life" exhibit of Hindi music and dance will be featured at Surrey Art Gallery this spring.
Glam gala nights for Newton designer
When Davi Bains-Gill attends the Times of India Film Awards events this weekend, she'll be rubbing elbows with several people she dressed for the festivities.
Bollywood bash gives Surrey cold shoulder
The Surrey Board of Trade is upset that organizers of the Times of India Film Awards are no longer setting up a satellite event in Surrey.
Motel owner urges city to spare 'unsafe' building
The owner of Motel Bollywood on King George Boulevard is appealing city council's order to tear down his building, despite recent incidents of vandalism, break-ins and a suspicious fire.
Community Calendar
Bellevue Gallery: 2475 Bellevue Ave., West Vancouver. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5: 30 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and outside gallery hours by appointment. Info: bellevuegallery.ca.
Surrey expecting to host India Film Awards event
Vancouver may be home to the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA), but the Surrey Board of Trade is campaigning for organizers to host a satellite event in Surrey.
Dancing for fitness can be fun
Those who recoil at the very thought of running on a treadmill but still want to stay in shape might just find their soulmate workout in the form of dance-based fitness classes.
Health notes
Give Your Life New Meaning: A free introductory talk about the use of Bach Flower Remedies Monday, Feb. 4, 6: 30-7: 30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, Park Royal Village, West Vancouver. Learn about this natural support for life's challenges and stress situations, lacking confidence, fearfulness, anxiousness, burnout and bringing you back into balance. Info: linzi@feelgoodzone.com.
Film work dips in Surrey, workers look for solutions
Just three feature films were shot in Surrey in 2012 - less than half the usual number.
Two fires burn motel, office
Surrey firefighters are sifting through the ashes of a pair of two-alarm fires that happened in Newton on Saturday, looking for clues as to what caused them.
Quotes
Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore, one of director Satyajit Ray's favourites, talked about working on set with the great film director, Heart of Dankness author Mark Haskell-Smith told us about the state of global cannabis culture, Village Voice writer Vince Aletti discussed the magic of Frank Horvat's photography, Pico Iyer elaborated on his lifelong fascination with the life and work of Graham Greene, etc.
