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e ona Beiks, e d i t o r Well, was that an Invincible summer or what? Mine certainly was. I honestly can't understand why people go elsewhere for a summer vacation when everything you could want is right here. Mountains, ocean, rivers, sun-infused days, star-gazing nights and creative ventures and spirits that Inspire. Right here, literally, In my own back yard. I almost feel like I'm writing the ubiquitous "What I did on my summer vacation" essay upon returning to school, but I can't help it. I attended more concerts, art shows and outdoor "happenings" than I have in a long long time. And I had more pure fun than I have had In a long long time. The North Shore could really be called Festival Central. I kicked off the summer festivities at the annual North Vancouver Art Council's Garden Tour, where art and music and people mingled and danced in gardens that have me now standing on the top of my stairs, overlooking the garden with sketch pad in hand, wondering and pondering where to place a sculpture, a carving, a multi-dimensional photographic piece I've been mulling over for years. And the Under The Volcano Festival\n Cates Park was truly a blast. Billed as a Festival of Art and Social Change, I couldn't think of a better place to hold it - Cates Park, the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and onetime home of writer Malcolm Lowry. I left the festival with a slight reggae hip-hop gait and wearing an Alarm Clocks Kill Dreams button. Speaking of clocks, nature's clock Is right on time and contrary to man-made ones, nature's clock Ignites dreams. The season Is turning, the leaf and leaves are changing; there's something reassuring about the unchanging nature of change. A whole new palette of colours, sights and sounds are before us. Diminishing daylight hours and falling temperatures Induce trees to prepare for winter. This is the blessing of living in this Northern clime - the shedding of leaves preceded by a spectacular colour show. Green leaves turning to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Now that it's fall, turn a leaf. Fall into that colourful book you uncover at the local library during "Celebrate Library Week" or make your way down to the Writers & Readers Festival on Granville Island where local writers Trevor Carolan and Douglas Coupland mix It up with the best of the best. Turn a leaf. Captivating Kids Crafts Capilano Mall and Lewiscraft are pleased to offer F R E E Kids Crafts. Your little ones will be captivated by the artistic adventures and our great projects are sure to keep them busy! Join us for great craft fun... always on the first Saturday of e a c h m o n t h ! 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver / Customer Service: 604-980-8561 C a p u a n o --* Mall 2 September | October