VANCOUVERITES: Designer Diane Espiritu All Set For New “Chinatown Night Market”

Diane Espiritu is one of many new vendors who will be showing and selling their creations at the revamped Chinatown Night Market. She studied Industrial Design at Emily Carr University of Art and Design before launching Espiritu Design Studio, a ceramics-focused studio in Chinatown. Diane attributes her creativity to growing up with a resourceful father who could not resist the challenge of finding a dual purpose for everything he came across. When the utilitarian nature of his engineered objects lacked elegance, Diane finessed a polished finish. Today, she combines the spirit of that mindful innovation with a modern design aesthetic.

What type of artist are you? What style of work do you produce? I’m an industrial designer at Espiritu Design Studio, a company we started in 2011. Initially, it was an effort to find studio space to make and market my own in house designs [but] soon I was working with a variety of clients to bring their visions to life, too. I specialize in two mediums: functional and architectural ceramics and soft product design.

Three things about Coal Harbour that make you want to live there? The seawall as it winds its way into our beloved Stanley Park, the proximity to beaches, and green spaces.

What inspires you? I draw inspiration from a number of sources. I’m very aware of my surroundings. Whether it’s the built or natural environment I like to connect with the objects living within these spaces. I’m fond of new experiences and encountering surprising elements. I look for emotional experiences. I admire thoughtful makers that make you smile when you interact with their creations. I appreciate the craftsmanship, mindfulness and sensibilities required to achieve a form that is as elegant and simple as it is intuitively functional.

You are one of the first local designers to jump on board and grab a table at the revamped Chinatown Night Market planned for this summer. What is it about the Night Market this year that has you most excited? I want to embrace the idea of being a part of something new as it emerges [...] I would love to take this opportunity to collaborate with like-minded designers on a few small scale projects.

Tell us about your studio space in Chinatown? Espiritu Design Studio is located in the Chinatown Mall. The main level contains the equipment and tools we need to execute soft product design projects. I share this space with my dear friend and design colleague Angel Dawn, who works with fibre, leather and other materials. If there is any evidence of organization in the studio it is because her skills are impeccable. The second level is where all the ceramic magic happens. The studio is my home away from home so I try to make it cozy. I place reminders of the people who have supported and inspired me along my journey over the years pinned to the studio walls.

What is your favourite creation right now? I’m really digging the potential of the pieces that I’m creating for the Chinatown Night Market. These are pulling inspiration from the distinctive elements of our neighbourhood and the idea of collaborating with other local designers and members of the Vancouver Design Bureau.

What is your favourite Chinatown indulgence? When a fruit comes into season and it’s readily available at the markets, I will consume copious amounts of it daily. My favourites are mangos and the sweet yet tart mandarins.

Where can Vancouverites find your work? Recently, I had the great opportunity to create ceramic taps for artisan sake in collaboration with designers Tlell Davidson and Craig Stanghetta for Pidgin. You can also find the ceramic coffee pour-over cones that I designed for Panoramic Coffee Roasters at The Pie Shoppe. While I begin to court local shops to carry my work, you are welcome to visit my studio in the Chinatown mall by appointment to check out what’s hot off the kiln shelf!

If you want to be a vendor at this summer’s Chinatown Night Market, click here to learn how.

 OTHER INTERESTING VANCOUVERITES

CULTURE CRAWLING: With Michael Thomas Host And Tanja Hinder Of MTH Woodworks

by Michelle Sproule | Meet Michael Thomas Host and Tanja Hinder of mth woodworks. They’ll be in their Parker Street studio during this weekend’s highly anticipated Eastside Culture Crawl (November 16, 17, 18), so be sure to drop in and check out their super-cool stuff…

What do you do? We design and build original furniture using locally salvaged trees and organic resin. Every piece is one-of-a-kind and a guaranteed conversation starter. The bloom collection is our revolutionary way to showcase the beautiful local rain forests. We are complete rain forest junkies and our designs have become an outlet for us to bring the forest into our living room.

How many years have you participated in the Eastside Culture Crawl? This is our third year. We absolutely love it.

If you were to describe the ECC to someone who had never attended, what would you say? It’s your opportunity to saunter around and check hundreds of talented and local artists. Everybody opens up their doors and welcomes you to check out their work. You’d be surprised what a pile of talent can be found under one roof.

What are you most excited to be working on right now? Our new collection piece (Style no. 13). The photo doesn’t do it justice.  The inlays are Yellow Cedar which are over 400-years old. It’s just unbelievably unique wood and we really enjoy working with it. PS: It will be showcased at the Crawl.

Why is the East Van a good place for art? The east side, especially our building (1000 Parker Street), has a strong community vibe and efficient infrastructure, but it’s not a manicured place. A little dirt can sometimes be very inspiring. Perfection is boring.

How do you get ready for the Crawl to begin? We CLEAN the shop from top to bottom, install the displays, dim the lights, and put on some tunes. Now all we need is for you to come by and check us out.

What’s the first thing that you do when the Crawl is over? Go home, put our feet up, order pizza, and chat about all the great people we met and amazing feedback we had.

OTHER INTERESTING VANCOUVERITES

VANCOUVERITES: Six Minutes With “The Jealous Curator” Founder Danielle Krysa

by Michelle Sproule | So what if she never learned to ride a skateboard. Danielle Krysa has a BFA in Visual Arts, a post-grad diploma in design, has worked as a designer and Creative Director, has created a seriously popular blog called The Jealous Curator, writes for other seriously popular blogs, curates shows, runs art workshops all over North America, and is a mother, a wife and a dog owner.

In February of 2009, after years of looking at beautiful contemporary art and thinking “Damn, I wish I thought of that”, she finally decided to say it out loud, and The Jealous Curator was born. She writes a daily post about emerging and established contemporary artists that make her jealous (in a good way, of course!).

Three things about Steveston that make you want to live there: I love a) being on the water, b) that there are a ridiculous amount of ice cream shops and fish n’chips places to choose from, and c) my favourite coffee shop (Rocanini) where I sit and write every single day. Seriously…every day. I think they might give me my own desk in the back.

Name the thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating? CHIPS! Old Dutch Au Gratin chips. Always and forever.

Default drink/cocktail of choice? A one shot soy latte, and if you want to add a bit of Bailey’s, that would be ok with me.

Best Vancouver place or event to be inspired by emerging artistic talent: Easy. The Cheaper Show. So much fun, and so much amazing art!

Last art show that really blew you away: In Vancouver: Monument(al) at East Van Studios featuring Sarah Gee/Jessica Bell/Aaron Moran. Elsewhere: Matthew Craven at Gallery Hijinks in San Francisco.

What trend have you followed that you now regret?  When I was 14 I so badly wanted to be a skater chick. I wore ‘OP’ shorts (remember ‘Ocean Pacific’?!) that were way too big for me, shaved my hair on one side and left the other side long, and carried a skateboard with me wherever I went. Yes, I said carry. I had no idea how to ride it.

The dumbest thing that you’ve ever done to your hair? See the previous answer. Oh, and Sun-In, circa 1986.

What are the three things you’d like to change about Vancouver? Well, I’d like it to be warm in May, June and July. Is that too much to ask?

If you could board a plane this afternoon, where would it be taking you? Paris. No, New York…oh, or Bali. Hmm, maybe I’ll need an around the world ticket.

Your go to, no-frills place for dinner? Gudrun in Steveston. Simple, very cool setting, and amazing food! Nothin’ like cheese fondue and a cold beer on a Friday night.

The three books that you read that made an impact on you in your formative years? Well, “Are you there God, it’s me Margaret” was pretty impactful when I was 10. The book that literally changed my life was ‘The Artist’s Way’. I only read it a few years ago. I was at a major crossroads with my own art work and with life in general, I guess. I cried so many times during the 12 weeks that I read the book/did the weekly tasks, but I came out on the other side a different person. So many people have that book on their shelf but haven’t read it. They should just pick it up and do it…tears and all.

What is the best way to get to know a neighborhood? I love sitting at cafes and people-watching. I do that when I travel too. I like to blend in and not look like a tourist. My husband and I have a long standing tradition of playing a game we invented called “director-not-a-director” – basically we stare at passers by and decide if they look like they have what it takes to be a movie director, or not.

Where was the last place you traveled to for work or pleasure? I just got back from Portland (which I absolutely loved!), and I am literally on a plane right now on my way to Minneapolis to do one of my Girl Crush art workshops. Up next, Philly in October. I guess you could put these trips under work and pleasure, but more pleasure!

What is your biggest phobia? Snakes. Oh my word…snakes. Read more

SOUNDTRACKING: Local Artist & Musician Keith Wecker Plays DJ With A Video Playlist

by Daniel Colussi | One of the most interesting groups to emerge from Vancouver’s dense cultural foliage is the V.Vecker Ensemble, a nine-odd man/woman army of bassists, drummers, guitarists, and one player of the Indian santur. They’re brought together by local artist, writer and musician Keith Wecker, the Ensemble’s composer and conductor. I first saw them play at the Anza Club two years ago and it was a sight to behold: Wecker guiding the group through the sturm und drang of free jazz frenzy and krauty grooves conjuring the atmosphere of an East Village loft party circa ’81 (not that I would know, really). They were too many to all fit on stage so they played on the floor like a punk band, and it was great. Interestingly, the group’s been invited to play in this year’s Jazz Fest, so they’ll be representing the more out there fringe of the fest. In anticipation of that date, Wecker has provided Scout with a music video playlist that ranges from the austere (Art Ensemble Of Chicago) to the crass (Odd Future), with an Obama mash-up added in for good measure. From the desk of Keith Wecker, here we go… Read more

VANCOUVERITES: With Erin Boniferro Of The Fraserhood’s Phenomenal “Collage Collage”

by Jenny Bachynski | I took a stroll down to Collage Collage at 621 Kingsway last week (at 15th + Fraser St.). When I first heard about the concept, I was really intrigued, and once I visited the website, I was instantly hooked. The inspiration behind the space was to develop a place for children and adults to design, imagine, craft, and create art.  The totally unique and inspired studio space/art store was created by Erin Boniferro. Her shelves were filled with fun art supplies and wonderfully illustrated books. I was taken aback by how beautiful and inviting it was.  It was clear that she had made a very special spot. As the children were staring excitedly at their blank canvases and Erin whipped up some artistic examples, I was left with the desire to sit down and make something myself…

Tell us a bit about yourself and how Collage Collage came to be? I’ve been carrying the idea of the store around for a very, very long time. I grew up in Ontario where my summers were spent running the arts+crafts cabin at camp, moved to Alberta as a teen, and came to BC to attend Emily Carr. While at art school, I kept ending up working for arts-based learning kinds of environments, often being hired as an artist to develop arts programs for children and families. I really enjoyed this, and set out to create something of my own that let me be inspired, maintain an art practice, and curate a collection of books and art works. All this, and I get to teach kids and adults about contemporary works. It lets my interest and education in art exist alongside my ability to teach, and I get to collect amazing books for adults and kids alike. It took me a long time to execute, but looking back, I don’t think I could have done it any other way.

Working with children in a creative environment must be pretty rewarding. What are some of your favorite aspects of the job? Kids are amazing. They’re demanding, and require a whole LOT of energy, but it’s because they’ve got it in them to share. I feel pretty lucky that I’m sharing something I love to do with them, so it’s a pretty happy environment around here. That’s the best thing ever, and I’m grateful that I can do what I like to do, and share it. Buying books and searching for interesting titles for kids and adults is another favourite aspect, because it’s always a source of inspiration that I can share with all my customers, big and small.

You carry so many beautiful and hard to find items in the store. What is your process of handpicking these items like? After teaching at different art organizations over the years, and really from way back at the arts+crafts cabin, I’ve been collecting titles and following artists, and that just has kept going to get me to the collection you see at the store. I’m always looking for something new, and going back to artists and illustrators I love to see what else they’re doing. I also draw from Vancouver’s rather amazing community of artists and designers who leave me no shortage in new works and items for the store.

How has being in Vancouver influenced the way you run your business? Leaving Vancouver and coming back to it always gives me two equal but opposing thoughts. “Why isn’t this happening in Vancouver?” and “Let’s make this happen in Vancouver”. After living in Toronto for most of life and spending some time in my teens in Calgary, I can say that I really did choose this place for it’s size. It’s a good size for trying to make a go of something unique, and you can really be a part of a community if you’d like. I also have an incredible group of peers who are also running their own businesses, and without those folks, I don’t think I could have pulled this off. Having people around you who want you to succeed is amazing, and makes you accountable for your actions. That and I like my snowfalls up on mountains, viewed from a distance.

What are some “must have” items in your store? Any print from Banquet, a neon BAGGU backpack, A Thistletown Toys plush monkey named Biggs, “Just Kids” by Patti Smith, both Blexbolex books in stock, the Heavy Metal Colouring Book, and everyone loves the party dog stickers.

When you opened Collage Collage what was the feel and atmosphere you wanted to create for your customers? I wanted everyone, adults and kids, to come in and feel inspired to make something. I wanted there to be lots of light, and a collection of books and materials that were contemporary, clever, and like nothing else in town.

In your opinion, what is the most important quality to have when working with children? Patience, a sense of humour, and a really, really strong immune system.

What are your favourite and least favourite things about running your own business? I love how great it feels to share what I’ve found with my customers, and I love minding the shop; it’s such a fun, neighborly thing to do to just be in the store engaging with people. I don’t love that I can’t just mind the shop – there’s just a whole lot to do to keep the system working – but at the end of the day the pros totally outweigh the cons.

What inspires you to create and continue to evolve your beautiful store? My family, my husband, my most incredible creative friends – and all the little folks that come in and mess up the place weekly. I haven’t even read all the books I want to in my own store, and with illustrators and designers like these, I’ve got many, many lesson plans ahead of me.

If you had to choose one word to describe how you usually feel at the end of a work day, what would it be? Grateful.

Thanks Erin! To learn more visit www.collagecollage.ca.

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Jenny Bachynski was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. In her teenage years she packed up her bags and headed to Vancouver to pursue further education in fashion design. In 2009 she started her own small business Jenny Andrews Recycled Leather Goods, as well as her blog Jenny Loves. After starting her blog, Jenny discovered that one of her greatest joys was stumbling upon beautiful and interesting things, and sharing them with anyone who would listen.

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VANCOUVERITES: Eight Minutes With Local Ceramicist Zoe Garred Of “Fleet Objects”

by Jenny Bachynski | Zoe Garred is the owner and designer behind Fleet Objects, a local design studio that heavily focuses on ceramic goods. With an elegant, fresh, and minimal look, it is hard not to appreciate Fleet’s ability to bring style to any space. Zoe has found a beautiful balance of artistry and functionality in her work. Most pieces seem to reflect the fluid, clean environment that they are surrounded by. I was very excited to meet up with her in person and discuss her best and worst moments (a fire in her last studio being one of them) and how they have allowed Fleet to evolve into the wonderful business it is today.

Tell us about yourself and how Fleet Objects came to be? I think that everyone owns objects that they connect with on a deeper level. They can have a special history, change day to day living, or just be incredibly beautiful. I aspire to make objects that could become something special to people; that they will want to cherish. I don’t know if I’ve reached that level yet, but Fleet Objects is definitely a product of making the things that I’ve wanted in my life.

How has Vancouver inspired you as an artist? I’m deeply inspired by the ocean. Almost everything I make has something to do with it.

Do you remember the moment when you realized that you wanted ceramics to become a job or a business? I started making ceramics when I was a little kid but left it behind to pursue painting. I did a ceramic piece for my industrial design grad project and fell in love with the medium again. It’s such an interesting mix of art and science. I get a rush every time I open the kiln to see what my lump of clay has become. I think I always knew that I wanted to start my own business but it wasn’t until a fire destroyed my studio a few years ago that I had to make a decision about how serious I was about making that leap or letting my ceramics become a hobby.

Working with ceramics seems like such a technically challenging skill. How do you deal with off days or creative blocks? It’s definitely very technical. Most ceramicists I meet describe it as a love hate relationship. There are incredible highs when you pull an amazing piece out of the kiln but there are also a million things that can go wrong that you could never predict. It takes a lot of focus to try and replicate the same result over and over again. That being said I think that repetition and frustration helps me stay creative. I think most creative people need something to fight against.

If someone in Vancouver wanted to learn how to work with ceramics, how would they go about doing that? There are lots of ceramic courses at local art centers to help you get started. You can also learn on your own from books and online tutorials too. You just really need to have a space that you can dedicate to getting messy and find access to a kiln.

A lot of your work has multiple purposes. Is that something that was important to you in the designing process, or was it something that happened naturally? It’s definitely something I’m interested in. I live in a small space and rarely let anything stay in my house that I’m not in love with or is essential. So if I can make objects that can be used for multiple purposes or that are more efficient I think all the better.

Who is another artist that you look to for inspiration? I love the work of Eva Zeisel. I am very inspired by the fluid, organic forms she creates. I’m also really inspired by the Bouroullec brothers who seem to create effortless objects that you can’t imagine not having existed. I’m also really inspired by the way Jamie Haydon shows off materials in a dreamlike way.

What has been your proudest career moment so far? Pretty much any time I hear back about my work I think is incredible. It’s hard for me to imagine that all of those little pieces of ceramics that have left my studio are living their own lives now. I still can hardly believe it when people tell me that they know my work.

What are some exciting things happening in 2012 for Fleet? I just launched some new lighting and jewelry that I’m really excited about. They’re all inspired by fishing floats. If you’ve ever been in a fishing store I dare you not to want to fall in love with the awesome bright painted balsa wood or the giant crab fishing floats and nets.

If you were not running Fleet, what would you be doing? Still obsessing about making something. I can’t shake it. Maybe textiles?

Thanks Zoe! Find out more about Fleet Objects at www.fleetobjects.com.

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Jenny Bachynski was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. In her teenage years she packed up her bags and headed to Vancouver to pursue further education in fashion design. In 2009 she started her own small business Jenny Andrews Recycled Leather Goods, as well as her blog Jenny Loves. After starting her blog, Jenny discovered that one of her greatest joys was stumbling upon beautiful and interesting things, and sharing them with anyone who would listen.

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VANCOUVERITES: Ken Lum Surrounded By New Jersey Toughs & Being Scared By Bats

The good folks at Pecha Kucha always throw down with a solid line-up of people, but this month they present the best of the best. February 29th will be 20th installment of the popular 20 images x 20 seconds presentation format. To mark the auspicious day, organizers at Cause + Affect asked PKN enthusiasts to choose their very favourite of 226 past presenters. The result is the All-Stars Special Edition. Vancouver artist Ken Lum was one of the chosen (full list of presenters here), so we caught up with him to ask a few questions…

Three things about your neighbourhood that make you want to live there? The civic election card says Fairview but I live equally close to Mount Pleasant.  There are very few people living in the area where I live and that’s one reason why I like it so much–it remains largely undiscovered and yet so central. Another reason for living there is proximity to Michael St Clair Cleaners–they’re open Saturdays and Sundays and pretty much every day of the year.

Name the thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating?  I don’t eat anything that I know is bad for me that I can’t stop eating.

Default drink/cocktail of choice? Tomato juice or red wine.

The Vancouverite that you admire most and why? I greatly admire Bill and Jack Wong of Modernize Tailors.  I first met them when I was about 5 years old, 50 years ago. Their lives teach us a lot about the history of Vancouver.

One sure-fire way to snap out of a malaise?  I tend to wallow in my malaises.

The historical personalities, both good and bad, that fascinate you the most?  Albert Einstein, Lu Xun, Aung San Suu Kyi, Friedrich Nietzsche, Sigmund Freud, the Soong Sisters, Rainer Werner Fassbinder come to mind, but there are many others I could name.

What are the three things you’d like to change about Vancouver? Introduce a Ward Electoral System, greatly densify all arterial roads throughout Vancouver, more even distribution of public assisted operations (from senior’s housing to halfway homes) throughout the city, close down the aquarium or at the very least move it out of Stanley Park.

What does art do for community? I am not sure.

Your go to, no-frills place for dinner? The buffet bar at Whole Foods on Cambie.

If you could board a plane this afternoon, where would it be taking you? Though I have been to Peru, I did not have the chance to visit Manchu Picchu. I was not long ago in Hong Kong and can’t wait to go there again. I get my suits made there from W.W. Chan tailors.

The one place that you have the least interest in ever visiting? Pyongyang I would say is near the top of my list of places I have no interest in visiting. There are places I have been to such as Vilnius, Lithuania, Invercargill, New Zealand, Thunder Bay, Ontario and Columbus, Ohio that I have no interest in revisiting.

The strangest place you’ve ever been to? I found Dubai and Moscow both strange.

The three books that you read that made an impact on you in your formative years? When I was a young boy, I was quite affected by The Story of My Life, by Helen Keller, The Way of the Buddha, and Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heilein.

What is the best way to get to know a neighbourhood? Through the variety and quality of the ‘ethnic’ restaurants.

Where was the last place you traveled to for work or pleasure? Presently, I am writing from Banff, Alberta but I was in Tokyo just prior to coming here.

The strangest talent that you possess? I have a keen sense of direction no matter where I happen to be.

Shoe of choice? I have several pairs of D. H. Pollak shoes of Austria.

Your ancestry? Cantonese Chinese.

Your three favourite films? Pather Panchali (Satyajit Ray), Sunrise (F. W. Murnau) and The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums (Mizoguchi Kenji) come to mind, but I have a lot of favorites.

Architectural style that you most identify with? early International Style.

Your major character flaw? I internalize too much.

The character flaw in others that you can’t abide? Gossip mongers.

What are you the most proud of? I am most proud of my son, Linus.

What is the best thing about your work? The opportunity to really see the world, warts and all.

What is the worst thing about your work? The art world can often be as enervating as any other world.

What are you listening to as you answer these questions?  My wife is humming a tune and I am trying to figure out the tune.

What musical instrument do you secretly long to play? I really wanted to learn how to play the piano when I was little.

What is the game that you’re best at?  Badminton.

What is the one animal that scares you the most?  Probably a bat.

If you had a motto, what would it be? Suffer the small stuff in silence. Read more

SCOUT INTERVIEW: Five Minutes With Artist And BOOOOOOOM! Creator Jeff Hamada

Jeff Hamada is a Japanese Canadian artist living and working in Vancouver. He has created things for Native Shoes, Oakley, Converse, Electronic Arts, and many others. In 2008 he launched Booooooom.com, which has since become one of the highest-traffic art blogs on the internet. Say hello…

The first three things that you do every morning? Hit the snooze button, check my email, eat lunch.

The three things about Mount Pleasant that make you want to live there: Budgies, Congee Noodle House, and the luxury of being able to walk to both trains.

Name the thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating? The battered baja fish taco at Chronic Tacos.

Default drink/cocktail of choice? Crown and Ginger.

The Vancouverite that you admire most and why? Garret Louie is a huge inspiration to me. He is a humble guy who works hard. He’s also very generous. The first time we met he bought me a Sponge Bob ice cream bar.

Your role models? In terms of my career: Jim Henson. For everything else: my father.

Where is your favourite local patio? Barbecuing on my parent’s deck. Read more

Interview: Eighteen Minutes With “citizen brand” Principal Todd Falkowsky

For this week’s interview, we’ve zeroed in on Todd Falkowsky, a local branding consultant and curator. He has just launched a new branding agency called citizen brand, which is geared toward small and mid-sized businesses. Todd will be speaking at the next Pecha Kucha night (together with our very own Sean Orr on October 20th). He’s toiled in the United States, Netherlands, Italy, France and Canada, working on projects with Unilever, General Electric, McDonald’s, Ferrari and IKEA. As a designer and curator, he has produced exhibits/research projects including the Canadian Design Resource, Cabin, Cut,Copy,Paste, and PennySmash. He has collaborated with SFMoMA, The Royal Ontario Museum, Design Within Reach, Felissimo, the Harbourfront Centre, and Platform 21, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Globe and Mail, Wallpaper, Dwell, The Walrus, Azure, and Core77. Say hello, then, to Todd Falkowsky… Read more

Smoke Break #799: Seven Minutes And Thirty Four Seconds With Shepard Fairey

10 Minutes With Local Musician And Ex-League Bowler Zaac Pick

Zaac Pick and his band played at Pecha Kucha last month. It was one of those situations where you just knew that someone very cool knew someone else very cool and somehow they got together to get Zaac up on the stage to perform prior to the main event and you were lucky enough to have landed a seat in the audience.  I whipped out my phone after his first song to bookmark his Myspace page. Check him out… Read more

An Afternoon Well Spent With Tofino Fisherman Lutz Zilliken

photo | Derek Cruikshank

by Bobby Lax | In this interview I sit down with Lutz Zilliken, owner of Tofino’s West Pacific Seafood and the Fish Store (because he smokes a beautiful fish and has a great big grin on as he does it).

Born and raised: Born in Weilburg Germany, moved to Canada when I was 13.

Education: Bailed after grade 11.

What brought you to Tofino? Salmon fishing and commercial diving for geoduck and sea cucumbers.

What keeps you here? In the short term my store needs fish cut. In the long term I love the summers.

The person in town you most respect and why? Spencer Vaird. I have never heard him say a single bad word about anybody.

The best place to go in the area that not many people know about? Cannery Bay. There is this dock with a slide. You got to go there to understand.

The number of times that you have moved away from Tofino and then moved back? Zero, been here since 1993.

Your favourite local artist? Can’t pick one so I would say Mark Hobson for his underwater paintings, Paul Sam for his jewellery and Keith Plummley for his beautiful wooden plates.

First place you take friends who are visiting? Out on the ocean.

Best drink in town? SoBo’s hand squeezed key lime Margaritas.

Best job you have ever had? Cod Jigger. You just had to reel them up nice and slow.

Read more

Eleven Minutes With Alexa Loo, Olympic Snowboarding Veteran

Alexa Loo is a veteran local snowboarder who will be competing against the world’s best in the 2010 Olympics held here on her own mountain (how sweet is that?). Just a few weeks ago, she won a bronze medal in the Parallel Giant Slalom at Copper Mountain, Colorado’s Race to the Cup, so we’re stoked for her chances this winter. Do us even prouder, Alexa. Freakin’ giv’er.

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Scout Q&A

The thing that you eat that is bad for you that you will never stop eating: Beef jerky.

Default drink: Beer.

Drink you’ll never have again: Rum and coke.

Best thing about the B.C. in the Winter: Skiing/snowboarding in fresh snow.

Best thing about the BC in the Summer: Patios after golfing or mountain biking.

Best hotel room, ever: Mandarin Oriental in Munich.

Top two mountains in the world: Whistler, Blackcomb.

Best post ride indulgence: Ice cream while sitting in a hot bath.

Book you’re reading: Bhagavad Gita. I am intrigued by the Hindu religion/philosophy.

Last place traveled: Soelden, Austria. Or do you mean a vacation travel spot? In that case it is NYC…love it there!

Biggest fear: Being hungry and alone.

Pre-competition superstitions: None.

If you could rename yourself: I wouldn’t, although I probably will change my last name when I get married.

Your ancestry: Dad is Chinese and Mom is French and English. Mixed race kids are the cutest (that is not just my opinion!!).

Under what circumstances would you join the army: If the uniform were pink. No, seriously, if Canada went to war, then I would consider signing up.

Your paternal grandfather’s personal story: He came to Canada from China around 1908 or so as an apprentice in order to avoid the head tax. When he arrived in Vancouver he took an English name: Charlie. He had a Chinese/Canadian restaurant in Flin Flon, Manitoba and then he moved on to a corner store in Vancouver. My grandfather had a stroke when I was 4 and couldn’t really speak. I was not able to speak with him very well or get to know him. He died when I was 8.

What are you proud of: My work ethic that was instrumental in helping me become an Olympian.

The thing that makes you the angriest: When people who cannot fight for themselves are taken advantage of or mistreated, particularly children.

The view from your favourite window: Grouse Mountain with snow on it.

Favourite ice cream flavour: Chocolate.

Most beautiful body of water: Strait of Georgia.

Talent you wish you possessed: I would love to be able to sing Opera.

The trend you wish you never followed, but did: Overalls.

Musical instrument you long to master: Cello.

If you couldn’t snowboard which would you pick up first, a skateboard, skis, or a surfboard? Skis.

Who were you mentors in Snowboarding? Mark Fawcett, Jasey-Jay Anderson.

The game you’re best at: Marco Polo, or pretty much any game played in the pool against my snowboard teammates.

Mac or PC: Don’t care, but I have a Mac currently.

The number of fist fights you’ve been in: 0.

The scariest situation you’ve ever been in: First on scene at a fatal bus crash.

Local person you admire most: Tamara Taggart.

The thing you’re most ashamed of: Being jealous.

Best concert experience ever: Il Trovatore at the Met in NYC last year.

Your first board: Gnu Antigravity.

Describe your tattoos: A thunderbird with a wave coming over it and the sun coming up in the background. I swam and rowed for UBC in and on the water at the crack of dawn.

The dish you’re proud of: Roast lamb.

The thing that makes you the most nervous: People who don’t believe that we should be teaching our kids competition or physical education in school, especially if those people are teachers [helping the students] to prepare for the world after grade school.

Town you were born in: Vancouver.

Old television shows you can tolerate re-runs of: MASH and Little Mosque on the Prairie.

First memory: Playing with play-doh in the kitchen.

What are you listening to as you answer these questions? My stomach growl.

Album that first made you love music: INXS, Kick.

Default junk food: Granola bars.

The career path you considered but never followed: Hotel management. I love hotels!

Two things you miss most about home when you’re on the road: Quiet. My own room.

Two websites you visit every day: Hotmail. Facebook.

The first three things you do every morning: Wash face, brush teeth, eat breakfast.

The thing you’re addicted to: Lip balm. Vaseline Intensive Care.

Biggest hope: World Peace – or at least for kids to grow up playing sports and loving life.

Luckiest moment of your life: When Mark Fawcett agreed to coach the National team.

Favourite book as a child: Encyclopedia Brown.

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This was the 65th interview of what will eventually amount to 500 profiles of people who have made life in BC that much more interesting. At the rate we’re going it’ll take three years, at which time we’ll probably just start shooting for 1,000.

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OTHER COOL PEOPLE

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