Interview with writer Ruth Kozak

Ruth-Kozak-Jack-Kerouac

Ruth dressed as favourite author Jack Kerouac at a theme party

This is an abridged version of the interview. To read the full version, check the link at the end of this article.

I met Ruth Kozak at the Vancouver Greek Summer Fest, in July. We met at the bus stop, nodded politely and, before I knew it, she was telling me about her life in Greece, Alexander the Great, being a travel journalist and teaching ESL in rich Athenian families. Since the bus ride took only so long, I asked her to grant me an interview for The Westcoast Reader. Continue reading

www.TheWestcoastReader.com©2012 The Official Westcoast Reader

Links related to the September 2012 print issue

Shallow waters YouTube by 10-year-old Ta’Kaiya Blaney (video)

Images for Japanese-Canadian internment
A Degree of Justice (30-minute video)
Apology from Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (video)

NASA reacts to Mars rover (Curiosity) landing
Animation depiction of rover (Curiosity) key events to Mars (video)

Bullying Canada
BC Government programs on keeping kids safe (translation available)
ERASE program B.C.
Roots of Empathy Program in B.C.
Focus on bullying: a prevention program for elementary school communities

 

www.TheWestcoastReader.com©2012 The Official Westcoast Reader

Toy of the Century

lego-duplo-child-playing

Lego Duplo – Child playing with large Lego bricks
Photo courtesy of Lego

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun

Level 2

They are small plastic bricks. They are different colours.
And they have studs on them. Some have six studs.
Others have four or eight studs. Millions of kids play with the bricks.
They call these bricks “Lego”.

Read the PDF. Try the exercise.

Continue reading

www.TheWestcoastReader.com©2012 The Official Westcoast Reader

Turning bamboo into a bicycle

bamboo-bicycles-grass-frames

Bamboo bicycles are all the rage. Here, a bike made by Grass Frames
Photo by Melissa Dex Guzman

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun

Level 2

Would you ride a bicycle made out of grass? Many people do.
People are buying these bikes. People are riding them.
The bike frames are made of bamboo.

Read the PDF. Try the exercise.

Continue reading

www.TheWestcoastReader.com©2012 The Official Westcoast Reader

Together anything is possible

Rick-Hansen-Man-in-Motion

Rick Hansen with a copy of the $5 coin, at the 25th anniversary of the Man in Motion Tour
Photo – Wayne Leidenfrost/The Vancouver Sun

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun

Level 2

Rick Hansen plans a trip.  It is 25 years ago.  Hansen is in a wheelchair.
He begins his “Man in Motion Tour”.
He pushes his wheelchair for miles and miles.
In two years, he visits 34 countries.

Read the PDF. Try the exercise.

Continue reading

www.TheWestcoastReader.com©2012 The Official Westcoast Reader

Tiny newcomers help with plants

honey-bees-in-pipe

Photo: Mark Van Manen/The Vancouver Sun
Jeff Lee and wife Amanda shake honey bees into a hive from a pipe

Adapted from The Vancouver Sun

Level 1

They are very small.
In April, 15 million of them ride on a plane for 13 hours.
They share pipes with 10,000 others.

Read the PDF. Try the exercise.

Continue reading

www.TheWestcoastReader.com©2012 The Official Westcoast Reader