Then there must have been that moment when you thought it would be exciting to create that magical room that comes alive with glowing moons and stars, windmills, mobiles, hanging letters, artwork or kid clocks.

The Journey

While wandering the miles of ailes at the recent Home and Interior Design Show at B.C Place I stumbled into a Beetling.

Their brochure describes the creation of a ‘Journey through Time.’ Stepping into the booth, my journey started with a gentle greeting from Kristy Ilic. You could tell from her smile that creating Beetlings was her journey in life. Kristy was kind in allowing me to enjoy a few moments of my youth as I gazed upon, touched and photographed her creations. Her enthusiam for creating spaces for children’s imagination was unbounded. I was sad to leave this imaginary place wishing my kids were young again.

Beetlings

Beetlings are 3D Wall sculptures. Created by Kristy, Beetling Design’s Founder, the sculptures come in every imaginable form including trees, grass, Giraffes, Zebra’s, Dinosaurs, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Planets, Astronauts and more.

Imagine

Want to design and create a room that is truly different? If it’s a room where your child will be happy and full of imagination then a Beetling 3D Wall sculpture is a must have.

Your Backyard

You won’t have to go to Los Angles, Seattle or New York to find the Beetling family. They and Kristy are local. The showroom is in Coquitlam at 105 – 2131 Hartley Ave.

*Disclaimer: YatterMatters provides this review for interest purpose only.

YatterMatters – Flickr

A side bar to the main event known as Inman Connect, is meeting people whose ancillary skill sets develop to such an extent that they become recognized in multi-dimensions.

One such person is Teresa Boardman. Teresa is a kind soul who if asked, graciously shares her photography ‘tips and tricks’. As a photography guide, she has been influential in my learning to see things from a different perspective.

Ms. T

‘T’ as she is known by those who become friends, has inspired many with her superb skills as a photographer. Rooted in her keen interest of St. Paul homes and architecture, ‘T’ has developed her talent with a keen eye that may one day eclipse her status as a St. Paul Realtor.

Teresa’s ability to find photographic truth and beauty in the ‘every-day’, is her trademark. Her keen eyes see those things that we take for granted as we rush head down in our daily struggles.

Eye Candy

You can find her work on her St.Paul Real Estate blog. Look on the lower right hand side to find a list of her photo albums. You will also find more of her photos on a number of sites including Flickr.

©2009 Tris Hussey – with permission

A benefit of being a Vancouver Realtor is meeting many interesting people with diverse interests.

Vancouver’s Photo Spotlight is an extension of that benefit.

There are a number of Vancouver photographers who do exceptional work with their cameras in capturing life’s moments. Tris Hussey is one of them.

About Tris

He is a long-time blogger and social media expert, who got his start in tech running laboratories and doing tech support. After years of launching websites for the pharmaceutical industry, Tris jumped into blogging on a whim and hasn’t stopped. One of Canada’s first professional bloggers, he is recognized as a leading expert in both social media and business blogging.

Tris continues to charge ahead pushing the edges of social media with whatever new technology catches his eye. His talents and skills are sought by many as a guest blogger on leading blogs including ZDNet. Already busy, Tris is also writing an introduction to blogging book due out in mid-2009.

A photographer for 30 years, he began taking pictures with a Polaroid. His camera of choice today is a DSLR.

Time Stop

Tris captured this moment aboard a Tall Ship. This photo of a line laid out, is beautiful in it’s purposeful simplicity. Quick service demands use without the impediment of knots. Laying it in this manner ensures the purpose.

No Knots

If you are thinking of selling visualize this photo. The reference within matches the purpose of a marketing plan for the sale of your Vancouver home. As with the layout of the line, a plan, ensures your selling experience will be ready quick, and knot free.

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I’m always happy to answer your Vancouver Real Estate question. Call or send me an email Twitter or Skype me at YatterMatters.

Larry

*** Find more of Tris’work at Smugshot.***

Photo Courtesy Veterans Affairs, Remembrance Day Poster 1989

Private Jack Bernard, The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) (RCAC) saying goodbye to his wife, Bernice, and his five-year old son, Warren. New Westminster, B.C. 1940

Photo Credit: Claud Detloff (Courtesy Mrs. Kenneth M. Mac Pherson).National Archives of Canada .

Of Family, Friends and War

Tomorrow, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, it is our time to remember the men and women who past and present, go into harms way.

My father in law, Phillip Frederick Connell, DFM, deceased, was a mid-upper gunner on the Lancaster bombers during WWII. Knowing him as I did, it was difficult to imagine that at the age of 19 he was flying dangerous “night runs” over Germany.

To Phil, life after the war was joy. He reveled each day, knowing that the price paid, made a difference for his family and countless others.

Phil, we Remember and we Thank You.

Take a moment to visit the Veteran’s Affairs site and view their massive collection of records and collections.

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I admit, I passed this man many, many times thinking right – just another street person. Somewhat more tidy than most but, still – a street person.

Richard – the paper guy

Richard is there to serve rain or shine politely asking if you would like to buy his “street paper.” Richard makes the exchange pleasant with his music player beside him. He always has good jazz to greet you. I think of Joni Mitchell’s song “Plays Real Good for Free” when I pass buy.

Entrepreneur

Richard is a nice man who is ready to engage in conversation about all things street. Take the time to say hello you will be rewarded.

In reality, Richard is an entrepreneur. The paper Richard sells is called Street Corner. Richard buys the papers in advance for 50 cents and then hopes that you will purchase one from him at a slight profit. Any money you give, goes to Richard. He is trying to make a living like you and me. Unlike some Kitsilano characters, Richard offers a value exchange – information from the other side. The paper is topical in addressing issues faced by street people. My issue included poems by Allen Pritchard and Danel Zomparelli. It was a good read.

The Paper

The mission statement of the Street Corner

is to build livelihoods for socially excluded citizens and to break down stereotypes by empowering individuals and informing community.

It is published locally by Horizon Publications.

If you live in Kitsilano, reading Richard’s paper makes you appreciate the sunshine you have.

Got a Vancouver Real Estate question? I’ll do my best to answer it. Call or send me an email.

Larry

I stopped in to visit this shop while strolling down Main Street. Little did I know just how much history I was entering.

When Olaf Birkeland and his brother Mike arrived in Vancouver from Norway in 1939 and set up their wool processing business on Main Street, they never imagined that the company would be going strong 68 years later as the result of the energy of three generations of Birkelands.

Norm’s grandfather in Norway was the head carder and dyer in a wool plant who taught his sons the wool trade. Two decades and some new Birkelands later, Norm began working under his father Olaf in the 1950s and became the head wool carder in the family business. Norm is now teaching the business and the skills of wool carding to his daughter, 30-something, Cara who is the 4th generation Birkeland to run the carding machine!

The Birkeland business originally emphasized wool processing and batting with the one ton, 100 year old belt-driven carding machine. The carding machine almost didn t make it to Main street when a dispute over import duties irritated Olaf. Canada Customs wanted him to pay duty on the machine and, ever the negotiator, he told Customs to dump it into the ocean, he wasn t going to pay. Eventually, Customs backed down and the machine has been supporting the family for more than six decades!

The business now stocks a wide variety of yarns for knitters and crocheters as well as supplies for spinners, weavers and felters. In 1999, Birkeland Bros. Wool jumped into the 21st century by becoming the first BC wool store to go online with a website, email and international ordering and shipping!

Working closely with her father on the retail side, Cara likes to say that she has been working at Birkeland Bros. Wool since before her birth and that wool is in her genes!

Ever wonder how they get wool into bats. Here is Cara explaining the process in a Living in Vancouver film vignette.

With all their history and knowledge of wool I wonder if they can answer a Vancouver question meant to pull the wool over your eyes.

Why don’t sheep shrink when it rains?

Do you know?

Got a Vancouver Real Estate question? I’ll do my best to answer it. Call or send me an email.

Larry

In Vancouver there are a few blocks on Broadway from MacDonald to Blenhiem, that exudes a certain cache that reflects the surrounding neighbourhood.

How Yah Doin?

You know you are there when you amble down the street and the shop keepers call your name, ask you how you’re doing and when asked, take the time to tell you how they are fairing. These few blocks of Broadway are sunny, busy and vibrant.It’s alive! It’s a part of the neighbourhood where when you utter to passers-by “Good Morning, howsit goin”, you’ll often be greeted with a smile and a “fine Thanks”.

Home

There are other sections of Broadway that are interesting as well, but, somehow this part feels like home.It could be any day, sunny days being the best, when this part of the street is packed with neighbourhood characters.They are the trademarks who have established their patch on this little strip of home.

The Man

One of my favourites is Jimmy.He’s the head sales guy at Finn’s, a gentleman’s clothing store.I like Jimmy! He always has a ready smile, takes life as it comes, loves his Mac computer and sells some pretty good clothes.

Keen Eye

An enduring vision of Jimmy is of the happy smiling Bhudda – the one whose tummy you rub and get good fortune in return. Jimmy and I get along just fine. He has a keen eye and his cloth know how tells him that nothing on his rack of suits and jackets will ever fit a body like mine. Take a moment to visualize short, square box. If you too are blessed with this characteristic, rest assured that Italian designers will never invite you to lunch. However, with Jimmy’s help the chances increase.

Nip and Tuck

Jimmy skills have succeeded a number of times. The ladies from Wyoming will tell you that “he cleaned me up real good!” For that I and the ladies thank him.Jimmy’s talents with alterations, you know kind – the nip here the tuck there, made me pretty! He’s kind of a cloth surgeon.

Upon Your Arrival

If you are in this part of our neighbourhood take a stroll down this part of Broadway. You can find Jimmy standing at the front door to the shop. He’ll be there taking in life, observing and greeting people as they pass or more often stop and talk.

Keepin Kitsilano

Jimmy is what’s happening. He is happy to share his view on life, golf, hockey, gadgets and those things make our Kitsilano neighbourhood interesting.

Foundations

Jimmy is one of the sticks with which our community is built. His presence brightens our community making this little bit of concrete and asphalt interesting and vibrant.

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I’m always happy to answer your Vancouver Real Estate question? Call or send me an email Twitter or Skype me at YatterMatters.

Larry

*Disclaimer: Statistics Courtesy REBGV. While believed to be accurate they are not guaranteed.
**Numbers provided may vary as they are dynamically posted by the REBGV.