Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/207624
editor's note "Member since 1991." These words are boldly printed on my BCAA Membership card. Aside from dropping a vague hint about my age, they also tell me how long I've been receiving Westworld on my doorstep. So when the opportunity came along to serve as the magazine's new editor, I naturally jumped at the chance to join an award-winning publication that has long been a familiar friend. Still, I discovered I had plenty to learn. Until we put together our cover story ("Beyond the Road," page 30), I knew little of the lasting impact that BCAA has had on local communities. From the generous volunteer work of BCAA staff members, to programs dedi cated to ensuring road safety for all British Columbians, it was an eye-opener to learn just how committed BCAA is to good works across the province. That commitment is stronger than ever before and continues to grow. It's reassuring to know that my Membership (and yours) helps support such worthwhile causes in the community. I also had much to learn about our own backyard. In this issue, I vicariously explored our winter wonderland of a province through the eyes of our adven turous local writers. Among their B.C. travels detailed in this issue, our contribu tors viewed bald eagles while rafting in Brackendale (page 10), roamed the spirited streets of Prince George (page 12), and kayaked the waters off Haida Gwaii to witness history in the making (page 22). I hope you enjoy the read, and I look forward to your feedback and suggestions. P.S. My other new discovery: Westworld readers are a sharp-eyed lot. Our thanks to those who pointed out that the B.C. maps in our Fall 2013 cover story, "Legends of the Fall (Hikes)," showed inaccurate placement of two hike locations. Hourglass and Haystack lakes are actually near Kimberley, while Fisher Peak is located close to Cranbrook, as the story itself correctly indicated. Our apologies for the errors. Kim Mah, Editor 8 Westworld p08-09_EdsNt_Mlbg.indd 8 >> mailbag In the Zone Your article on school zone safety ("Hot Going in Circles Topics: Respect the Zone," Fall 2013) inspired one of our parents, Elaine Wardley, to write up information for our Franklin Elementary and Community Preschool newsletters. [An excerpt from the Westworld article appears in the schools' October newsletters.] Our proximity to the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, Highw ay 1, Hastings Street and Boundary Road in the northeast corner of Vancouver means that many drivers charge through our neighbour hood on their way to other destinations. Residential streets can suddenly become a driv er's back route through traffic blockages on the bigger arteries, especially during times that kids are walk ng to school. We've seen some i pretty distracted driving brought on by impatient drivers using residential streets to avoid problems on the main routes. School zones and their designations are important, but so are the feeder residential streets that kids and families walk through to get to school. Your safety tips apply also to streets outside the official school zone. Thank you for your article. Anita Zaenker, Vancouver Having lived in Europe I was delighted to see the article "Drive Smart: Rounding It Up" in the Fall 2013 issue explaining about roundabouts. I was particularly interested in the comments on traffic calming circles, because I have found them frightening and confusing to people, but I believe you have made a mistake in your explanation. Roundabouts very specifically have yield signs to override the rule that says whoever is on the right has the right of way. The yield sign ensures whoever is in the roundabout has the right of way. However, traffic calming circles don't have a yield sign and as such, the person on the right, the person entering the traffic circle, has the right of way. This can lead to the traffic circle being jammed with cars. A great example of the mess this can cause is at 37th and Willow in Vancouver every morning just before school gets in. Paul Girone, Penticton Hidden Jewel Your Fall 2013 issue had a beautiful cover photograph taken from a location where I was standing just a month ago. Sadly, your formatting blocked a very important portion of this photograph: Mount Assiniboine. It is known as the jewel of the Rockies and its shape is similar to the Matterhorn. The caption for the cover should have identified the location as in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in B.C. south of Canmore, Alberta. I was there on a glorious day and the scenes to the west and east were outstanding. Readers should know that it is truly a very special place to visit. Harvey A. Buckmaster Editor's reply: The confusion over roundabouts and traffic calming circles has generated plenty of letters from readers. To clarify the rules at traffic calming circles, we thought we'd quote the following information from the City of Vancouver website: 1. Keep to the right and travel through the intersection in a counter-clockwise direction around the island. 2. Give right of way to any vehicle already in the intersection. 3. If you enter a traffic circle at the same time as another driver, the vehicle to the right has right of way. You can find more information at vancouver.ca/ streets-transportation/traffic-circles.aspx To comment: Email us at westworld@bcaa.com or kmah@canadawide.com. Or write us at Westworld Letters, BCAA, 4567 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 4T1 (fax: 604-268-5565). Letters may be edited for length and clarity. winter 2013 13-10-25 9:52 AM T G in T y E • • • FO Pr an Pu th at no us lo in Of Ca h