Photo courtesy Ron Tucker

Growing South
Christmas, 1889. Five young people, all in their teens or early 20s, are travelling home by sleigh along River Road (modern Marine Drive) after a dance hosted by the Rowling family. One of the passengers spots a tree on the side of the road and notes its lower trunk had been set on fire-a technique settlers commonly used to fell trees and clear land.
 

Good news, bad news for the real estate rich
Increased assessed market values for Vancouver properties may sound like good news, but it could mean higher property taxes for homeowners.
 

On the record: Boom times for book lending business
The Vancouver Public Library had a record-breaking year in 2006 for the number of books and other holdings borrowed from its 21 branches. Circulation almost broke the 10 million mark.
 

Gong show continues
Falun Gong protesters remain defiant nine months after Mayor Sam Sullivan told the group to pack up their shack and signs in front of the Chinese consulate on Granville Street.
 

Appeal court justice says huge drug lab not worth six years
A 55-year-old Vancouver man sentenced to six years in prison for his role in operating a multimillion dollar drug lab has been given a chance to reduce his sentence.
 

Have chainsaw will travel
With parks crews working to clean up the windstorm damage in Stanley Park, Vancouver's resident wood salvager is offering his services to the city.
 

Help stock a kitchen with basics
Vancouverites who received slicers, dicers, shiny new pots and mixers at Christmas but don't want to see their kitchen counters and cupboards crammed with the old and new can capitalize on a new giving option.
 

Indie gamers make influential top 10 list
Unless you spend too much time on your computer, you've probably never heard of Grubby Games or Klei Entertainment.
 

Trip to Grammies old hat for sax-playing teen
A local teenage saxophone star heads south next month for the Grammy Awards.