Living

LANDSCAPERS and gardeners are working hard to beautify the gardens they are charged with designing, building and maintaining. We ask a lot of the green thumbs who work in our gardens and rightfully so for the amount we pay for horticultural services.

Young artist of the week: Pardis Chehrazi, 12 School: Queen Mary elementary Art teachers: Todd Clark and Ieke Giesey Favourite art: drawing Favourite artist: Pablo Picasso Her teacher writes: Pardis is inspired by portraiture.

YOU'VE probably seen one at some point driving around town. They're big, colourful cement mixer trucks, some with giant asparagus painted on them, some with a smiling sun.

Grape Juice Wine Auction: A fundraiser for Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland Thursday, April 26, 5: 30-8: 30 p.m. at Ferrari Maserati of Vancouver, 1860 Burrard St., Vancouver.

- Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz, Holt (unpaged) $17 KAREN Katz is the author of many books for babies and most parents find her signature bright pastel coloured illustrations and adorable roundheaded infants instantly recognizable.

HARD to believe, but it's barely 20 months since former BCWI director Christine Coletta and husband Steve Lornie - along with an extended family of industry heavy hitters - unveiled their Haywire Winery.

DURING volatile times, a financial advisor can be invaluable. Unfortunately, many investors seem to share a few common frustrations with the service they receive.

FRANKIE Hester returned to the North Shore to begin her new life. Retired from a career in health care, she was free to focus on family, art and her vocation as a palliative care and hospice volunteer. She was born Frances Mulcahy in 1943.

WHENEVER I walk up to the doors of my local animal shelter to make a food donation, tears begin welling up in my eyes and a big lump forms in my throat.

- North Shore MS Walk: A two or five-kilometre walk open to people of all levels of ability (wheelchairs, scooters and strollers welcome) in support of the MS Society of Canada, Sunday, April 29, at West Vancouver's Ambleside Park.