So here I am back at Dave’s.  Starting to think that it might actually be the centre of the universe.  Let’s see… last time it was all about men’s facial hair.  This time it is a big gang of people with interesting businesses. URBA.

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I met only a few of them, alas.  But there’s another party like this next month!!

I met Janet from Pros Writing and Editing (I should hire her to write and edit this blog!) – she can write and edit anything.  http://www.proswritinngandediting.com and a terrific artist names Leanne http://www.leannaspanza.com who paints bright, bold acrylics (which I want to buy for my house).

A new business owner, Gail, who has reno’ed a space in her home to do mani and pedis.  Quite fabulous – she also does men’s nailcare, she assures me. (no, I’m not a man but I am forever curious) .  You can make appointments with her at pamperedbygail@shaw.ca.

In the space vacated by a florist and a hairstylist on Rutland Road will come Shawanda: Holistic Wellness Center.  Turns out, the building that they are renovating for their center used to be one large house that built out toward the road a line of storefronts.  So the inside feels homey and restful.  That’s that building down by the new John Howard residence which shares the old storefront-buildout with  T.I.E.R.S.  If you want to investigate you could email Holly -ShawandaRocks@hotmail.ca.

I shall not forget (ever) meeting Ono.  He tints windows (mainly for commercial buildings).  Give him a call if the glare is getting to you.  www.acetrim.com

Then there was Brian.  Easily the gentlest financial broker I have ever met.  I think that he would be perfect if you are completely freaked out by the current financial situation and you wanted to talk to someone calm.  To calm your rattled money-nerves look up http://www.BrianMcCallion.ca

After a glass of wine and some lovely appies, meeting a slew of new people, each busting with entrepreneurial spirit, in walks Santa.  Santa Tom Kliner that is.  I tried photographing him from across the room but he really needed to be the star of the show.  So I came closer, unprepared for the light-reflecting properites of a beard that white… So when you watch the slideshow, you’ll see a very reflective beard and Ono, the window tint guy, checking it out. Santa and his magnificent man fur are available for all kinds of Christmassy things and you can find him at this website:  Santa Tom

At the corner table was Dr. James Hull and his lovely wife.  He has specialized in the history of science and technology and teaches history at UBC.  When he told me this I was suitably impressed and tried to think of something related to either science or technology  but I quickly realized that I don’t know anything about that stuff.  So I made my, “you are smart and I like you” face and took their photo.

It was time to rush home and get my daughter off to ballet.  So I found my husband Rob (who sells houses) Rob McAlpine with Royal Lepage chatting with Kel Good of Custom Software Development .  Kel will make you some software that doesn’t suck – also if you can’t find software that actually fits your needs, he is the guy you need to be talking to.  He and Rob were talking houses and different ways to buy and sell them but I must confess that I missed some of that because I was trying to remember where I put my camera bag. (It was behind Mr.Dr.UBC)

On the way out, I met Aron  from Valleyview Funeral Home.  I had photographed his car for the Uptown Rutland Christmas lightup event.  The big car had brought Santa to the Light Up.  Tonight he had his  wife with him and they were standing chatting with Cyril.  Cyril was my last photo of the night.  He is the Pastor for Community Ministries for the Salvation Army.  This is a busy time of year for Salvation Army as we approach Christmas and it is a terrific time of year for the business leaders in our community to support each other and lend a hand.

See you all next year!!  (Where is the URBA meeting for January?  I can’t wait!!)