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Rudi Pinkowski s Tropical Paradise ^ bij Meira Thdmpim / / ave you noticed the banana palms that seem to be sprouting up all / l over the North Shore? There's that bunch at the Oasis car wash. There is a cluster on 23rd Street going west towards Westview. There is a yard full of palms and exotic ferns on Bewicke and then there is Rudi Pinkowski's backyard. Rudi's yard, half way up the mountain in Upper Lyn Valley, is carved out of the hillside. He has a trailing walkway that takes you up and down and around pools and ponds, in and amongst tree ferns, palms, and lush hostas. After years of experimenting, Rudi has found which plants will survive this altitude and cool temperatures. For his son's garden, on the water in West Vancouver, in the temperate micro-climate that at times appears very Mediterranean, Rudi has created a spectacular, magical, seaside escape. You would swear you were on the Med, but without parking problems and paparazzi. Who is Rudi? He is the c o n v i v i a l , articulate, passionate-about-his-work, and Past President of the Pacific North West Palm Society. What a mouthful, but look at those plants! "Look at what you can do in your own garden," Rudi enthuses. "When Photo by Sally Jorgensen I first arrived on the North Shore in 1968, I thought that there was a Grow Only Geraniums! bylaw." Okay, he's kidding, but the truth is, we can be intimidated by our natural setting. How do you compete with huge 100-year old cedars? Well, you don't. And why should you? Why recreate Lynn Valley in your backyard? Instead go to Lynn Valley and enjoy it. In you own space you have the freedom and the weather and now the inspiration from the local nurseries to make something of a personal oasis right outside your back door. And Rudi hopes you do. "Yeah," he says, "think of it as a painting. Your canvas is your own yard and the plants, these wonderful, plants that make me think of architecture, are your paints." To read more about the Pacific North West Palm Society and to see pictures of other tropical gardens on the North Shore, visit www.hardypalm.com. Act, sing and dance at your local StageCoach Stage Coach teaches the skills children need to act, sing and dance. Soon they w i l l begin to move freely and well, express themselves clearly and more easily, to grow in confidence and self esteem. Schools are open for 3 hours a week alongside the school term. There's no audition, all they need is enthusiasm - and to be age 4 -16. For more information about your local Principal H i l a r y S m i t h at: StageCoach school call 1 - 8 7 7 - 7 8 - S T A G E Email: northvan@stagecoachschools.ca ^ .STAGECOACH www.arts-alive.ca NovemberjD