Celebrating a milestone

Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn
Published Jan. 19, 2005


Burnaby resident Andrew Braker celebrated his 100th birthday last month with a quiet birthday party attended by his two sons, two grandchildren and friends.

Braker was born in the small town of Parnu, Estonia on Dec. 11, 1904. When he was only 17 years old, he stowed away on a ship in the hopes of finding a better life.

As a man without a passport, he worked as a deckhand on freighters that travelled around the world visiting England, Belgium, the U.S.A. and Japan before jumping ship in Vancouver and making his way into Alberta where he worked on a farm.

By the early 1930s, he found his way back into British Columbia, where he worked as a logger and, after several years of steady employment, he was awarded a passport and made a Canadian citizen.

After settling in the Lower Mainland, Braker met his wife, Martha, at a dance hall on Hastings Street and then worked alternatively as a gardener for the Van Dusen family and at the MacMillan Bloedel plywood plant until his retirement.

"His favourite times are his logging and sailing days," said his son Clayne Conings. "He was sailing in ships before they switched over to steam, and so, whenever he reminiscences, he talks about sailing."

TSUNAMI AID

Efforts to aid the victims of the Southeast Asian tsunamis are going full bore in Burnaby.

One of the more artistic endeavours in support of the tsunami victims is a 'spontaneous photography show' featuring the works of 2004 Burnaby Local Hero award recipient Hakam Bhaloo.

Bhaloo was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania and has travelled extensively in the areas hit hardest by the giant Boxing Day tidal waves. Many of the photos on display were taken in Sri Lanka. Some of the works include his photos of a snake charmer and a tiger lapping up water from a river, but his single most treasured piece of work is a portrait of High Highness, the Aga Khan.

The exhibit is on until Jan. 29 at the Burnaby Arts Council gallery, and proceeds of all sales will go to the Southeast Asian relief effort. An opening reception will take place Saturday, Jan. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the gallery, located at 6584 Deer Lake Ave. Gallery admission is free.

GIVING BACK

The Balanced Healing clinic and studio in North Burnaby will be hosting a massage and bodywork benefit to aid the victims of the tsunamis in Thailand. The unique event will offer Thai massage, acupuncture, massage therapy, reflexology, chair massage, shiatsu and more done by donation to the Canadian Red Cross.

The benefit will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Balanced Healing clinic and studio, 290 Howard Ave. For information, contact Paul Butte at the clinic, 604-298-0600.