Renfrew-Collingwood Community News, December 2012

December 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS Celebrating Community

www.cnh.bc.ca/rccnews Grassroots Heroes Weave the Social Fabric

by Rob Howatson They came clutching their homemade posters―men, women and children of every skin colour, from every neighbourhood of Southeast Vancouver. The families filed excitedly into the Collingwood Neighbourhood House gymnasium and taped their display boards to the walls. They had glued photos to whatever materials they could find, and beneath the images they scrawled captions to explain how they used small amounts of money from the Vancouver Foundation to host communitystrengthening events on their streets.

With all the posters hung, people mingled before the displays and shared tales of meeting people in their districts. They spoke of block parties, backyard barbeques and park picnics; and the animated conversations continued as everyone sat for dinner.

Above: Teens from Windermere high school used their Neighbourhood Small Grant to paint a bright nature scene on an earthquake preparedness container in the playground of David Oppenheimer Elementary School.

Left: A multicultural Canada Day party was just one of the celebrations that was funded by the Neighbourhood Small Grants Project.

Photos courtesy of NSGP

This was a modest buffet meal in an East Van gymnasium, certainly not the top event on the city’s social calendar, but the annual Neighbourhood Small Grants Project Celebration held at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House November 6 proved a crucial point: people still yearn for a sense of community.

This despite the fact that in recent years, there has been a growing mass of gloomy literature published about the decline of social connectedness in our world. Robert Putnam’s bombshell book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community draws upon a substantial Continued on page 2

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December 2012

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Celebrating Community: Continued from page 1

EYE CARE CENTRE

array of data that show his fellow countrymen disengaging from political and civic life over the past 40 years. He claims that the average American entertains friends at home half as often as they did in 1975. Virtually all leisure activities that involve doing something with someone else, from playing volleyball to playing chamber music, are declining. People still go bowling, but they don’t join leagues―hence the title of his book.

While it may be tempting for Canadians to dismiss Putnam’s Yankee-centric work as not applicable to our situation north of the border, a June survey by the Vancouver Foundation found that most Metro residents do not know their neighbours, nor do they participate in community activities.

a Collingwood couple whose home was burgled shortly after they moved into the area. They joined a block watch program and used NSGP money to create wooden address shingles that they distributed free to their neighbours. The shingles are hung in their back alley to help police locate homes when they respond to 911 calls in the area.

The crime-fighting couple sat at the same table as the trio of teens who decorated a boring, beige earthquake preparedness container in the playground of Fraserview’s David Oppenheimer Elementary School. The students used their grant to paint a brightly coloured nature scene on the bulky metal bin.

“Neighbourhood Small Grants recipients are forging connections in an era of growing isolation.”

In light of these disturbing findings, the informal celebration at the CNH gym assumes a noble stature, because the Neighbourhood Small Grants recipients, who posed proudly beside their event posters, are forging connections in an era of growing isolation.

As desserts began to circulate, Sheri Parke, NSGP coordinator, invited some of the grassroots heroes to share their experiences. First up: Monika Garg, a diminutive 27 year old who immigrated from India only nine months ago. Her English was shaky and her accent thick, but Monika soldiered through her summary of the kids’ talent competition she staged for 40 guests in her neighbourhood. When she finished, the audience eagerly applauded her courage.

She was followed by Che Nolan, one of the organizers of the 5th Annual MacDonald Park Block Party. He reported that 200 people from his Sunset neighbourhood contributed to the potluck meal that they enjoyed in the tiny green space that anchors their community.

Other grant recipients present that night included Miriam and Wayne,

And across the table from the artists was Nita Carvajal, an avid green thumb from Marpole who encourages her neighbours to visit her home garden where she shares seeds, teaches composting techniques and introduces people to one another.

These community builders were a small sample from one table that stood among 13. The entire gym was full of progressive individuals who saw their crudely designed posters cloaking the walls as a weaving of the social fabric in our city.

Before the evening’s entertainment took the stage, Lidia Kemeny, Vancouver Foundation’s director of grants and community initiatives, stood to address the big question: WHY? Does it really matter if we know who lives across the street or down the block?

“Research shows that when neighbours know and trust each other, streets are safer, people are healthier and happier, our children do better in school, there is less bullying and less discrimination,” explained Kemeny. “We are simply better off in many of the ways that matter.”

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

R.S.V.P An invitation to visit Collingwood uncovers local gems

by Bridget Witzerman I received an unusual invitation the other day from John, a coworker. It was an invitation to visit my own city; a small but vibrant community known for its cultural diversity and rich heritage, the Collingwood area.

He suggested I scout out the South American flavours at the local grocery stores or the understated Buddhist shop with its array of red envelopes.

Curious, I set out in my car one tempestuous fall day and headed north along Boundary in search of something new or in this case, something rediscovered. After spending some time on Google looking for the exact location, I realized that I knew the area; it has been over 20 years since I was last there.

I love fall with its tapestry of colours and leaves that carpet the ground. As I veered off the highway and zigzagged through construction I became aware that the road began to widen and trees began to appear. Memories of track meets and childhood wins at Swangard Stadium greeted me at the corner of Kingsway and Boundary. This area is where burgeoning development and heritage collide and where I chose to visit the Joyce Bakery instead of the Starbucks on the corner.

Kingsway is a major route for thru-traffic, commuters on their way to work, but as I turned left my destination was only a couple of blocks away, Purdy’s.

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December 2012

Proudly Canadian and reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, Purdy’s factory front is part store and part museum. Confronted as I was with a major decision, chocolate ogre eye balls or vampire coffins, I noticed all the vintage pieces of machinery. The most intriguing is the Guillotine, a hand-operated caramel cutter. Off with their fingers! Outside the store is a chocolate mixer turned water fountain and I couldn’t help but throw a penny and make a wish.

Armed with a bag full of milk chocolate goodies I swung the car around and headed back up the street, past the computer store my dad and I used to visit two decades earlier.

seating and wafting smells entice the adventurous gourmand. I’m not comfortable with dining alone so I jotted down a few places so I could send out a few invitations of my own.

Much to the chagrin of the driver behind me I made a sudden right hand parallel park in front of a school whose playground was miles larger than its historic building. The surrounding fencing was decorated with coloured fish and heritage photos of Carleton school’s humble beginnings. I stayed a while and looked around at the bustle of pedestrians who, despite the torrential rain, were outside, some without umbrellas.

The numerous fresh fruit and vegetable markets were brimming with signs of fall: orange pumpkins and oodles of apples.

Some of my students responded with lengthy answers about people choosing to live in a certain area because of tourist attractions, access to Tim Hortons and the feeling of a community, of having things to do. While the answers unfortunately received a zero, they did make me think that people, like John, do choose a neighbourhood because it has a feeling of community and not necessarily because of its proximity to a water source! Our city must be filled with similar small pockets where a feeling of community is evident despite the weather.

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What impressed me? The people, the movement, feeling of the past being recognized and the future leaving a distinct cultural mark on the community. I teach Social Studies at a high school in North Vancouver and we have been discussing the concept of civilization and community. On a recent test, the students were asked, “Why do people live where they do?” The text book answers included resources, water supply and climate.

Bridget Witzerman grew up in Burnaby and has fond memories of visiting Collingwood as a child.

The historic Carleton school house is one of our neighbourhood gems. Green Thumb Theatre is fixing it up, starting with the fire-damaged roof. Photo courtesy of Green Thumb Theatre

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

Between the Lines

Greetings, readers. More about this phenomenal time that we are about to pass through, according to the Maya, of December 21, 2012.

COMMUNITY NEWS The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication.

There is a lot of controversy over what this date will actually bring or what it represents. We have a full array of possibilities― negative on the one hand (earthquakes, solar flares, doom, gloom), positive on the other hand (a new dawn, a higher consciousness, something good)―and between them, a wide range of skepticism, doubt and relative ignorance.

Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator Contributors: Donna Abraham, Akberet Beyene, Deanna Cheng, Melissa Chungfat, Soren Elsay, Beth Grayer, Rob Howatson, Lisa Liang, Paul Reid, Kathy Romses, RD, Wenhuan Ren, Bridget Witzerman

We want to hear from you!

Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome.

We welcome appropriate, unsolicited editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes.

Which is fair, most of us do not have time to really do research in ancient Mayan belief. Plus, anyone who experienced the late great Y2K scare of 1999 into 2000 knows first hand that these time-based prophecy deals do not pan out. Those of us who can remember Geraldo’s empty vault are even more jaded.

So knowing that you don’t have the time to wade through all of that internet hoop-lah, and knowing that you only trust the RCCNews when it comes to such things, I took it upon myself to do some further research into the matter, trying to distinguish what is pure fantasy from what, to the best that I and Wikipedia can determine, contains some truth.

Next submission deadline: Dec 10 The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).

Yo u C a n F i n d t h e RC Community News @ Libraries, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Renfrew Park Community Centre, The Italian Cultural Centre, Collingwood Policing Office, other organizations, religious institutions, schools, laundromats, Starbucks, Rona, Superstore, Canadian Tire, Walmart, London Drugs and Safeway coffee shops, restaurants, markets, corner stores, other businesses, and coffee tables all over Renfrew-Collingwood.

Contact the RCCNews Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261 Fax: 604-451-1191 Editorial: rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca Advertising: Phone Lisa Symons at 604.435.0323 email: rccnews-sales@cnh.bc.ca Renfrew/Collingwood Community News Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9

by Paul Reid

It is true that December 21, 2012 does mark

the passage of time of 13 baktuns.

A baktun is a Mayan unit of time equivant to 394.25 of our years. So 13 baktuns would be equivalent to 5125.25 years, starting in August 11, 3114 BCE. It is false to believe that December 21, 2012 was believed by the Maya to be the end of time, or even a “roll over” of their Long Count Calendar.

No, the Mayans would believe that we are now headed into the 14th baktun. See the chart. Not only did they allow for more baktuns, but they had names for dates far beyond 13 baktuns. Twenty baktuns equals a piktun; 20 piktuns equals a kalabtun; 20 kalubtuns equals one k’inchiltun, and 20 k’inchiltuns equals one alautun, which is equal in length to 63,081,429 of our years.

So, you see, they were prepared for us to go on. Are you with me? If not, maybe read that paragraph again.

The Mayans would have celebrated the passing from one baktun to the other, according to Sandra Noble, executive director of the Mesoamerican research organization Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI). She stated, “for the ancient Maya, it was a huge celebration to make it to the end of a whole cycle.” The classic Mayan civilization that we know flourished between the eighth and ninth baktun, so maybe on the day of that transition, they partied like it was 1999.

According to Sandra again, we are going to sweep all of the doomsday scenerios into a false pile. According to our friend Wikipedia, she considers the portrayal of December 2012 as a doomsday or cosmic-shift event to be “a complete fabrication

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

end date and a galactic alignment,” according to the U.S. space agency NASA. In all of the Long Count texts discovered, transcribed and translated, only one mentions the key date in 2012: Monument 6 at Tortuguero, a Maya site in the Mexican state of Tabasco. The text is damaged, This chart here shows the position of the planets on but what remains Dec. 21, 2012. They are apparently not out of the does not imply ordinary and definitely not aligned in one great row. the end of time. and a chance for a lot of people to What does this monument 6 cash in.” apparently say? Here are three It is true that 13 is an important, interpretations. The first is the one I quoted previously in Between sacred, number in Mayan the Lines, which says “we will then mathematics. So, being that we ‘witness the display of Bolon Yokte are passing through the 13th Ku in his full costume and regalia.’ ” baktun, the good Mayans out there would be partying it up for Another translation is: “The sure.

Thirteenth ‘Bak’tun” will be finished (on) Four Ajaw, the Third of Uniiw The meaning of the number (K’ank’in). ? will occur. (It 13, according to a website that will be) the descent(??) of the a bonafide Mayan pointed Nine Support? God(s) to the me to (Francisco), states the ?.” following about the number 13.

“13 Ascension: Thirteen assists us to go to the next higher step― Another translation is: “It will propels us to try something new be closed the 13th Bak’tun (on) 4 Ajaw 3 Kank’in. It or to try again. Thirteen energy takes us over the next mountain will happen this Balunjust to see what is there. Thirteen Yokte’-display in the great investiture.” (Investiture, carries the last success to the like regalia, can be defined as newest effort.” formal dress and adornment.)

It is false to believe that the So, this is interesting, this one planets are going to line up on mention by the Maya about December 21, 2012. The chart December 21, 2012. It does above shows the position of the planets on this day which are apparently not out of the ordinary― and definitely not aligned in one great row.

It is apparently also false to believe that there is some sort of galactic alignment.

“Real astronomy does not support any match between the Baktun-13

seem to involve God―or the god of Mayan Belief, Balun-Yokte―and perhaps his return(?). I will let each and every one of our fair readers decipher monument 6 as they like.

So whatever else you might have heard associated with the end of the Mayan calendar, such as a pole shift, the end of the world, a galactic alignment, solar flares, radiation from the centre of the galaxy, actually lacks foundation in any ancient Mayan text.

Also then apparently false is that Planet Nebiru, wherever that is, is not coming to crash into Earth. There will not be a reversal of Earth’s magnetic field and unprecedented solar storms. The sun is not being sucked into the centre of the Milky Way, dragging Earth with it. This is all, according to NASA, pseudoscientific folly.

Although, some believe NASA is in on the conspiracy, so...

In the end, who really knows? I for one am going to spend that night with my family to ring in the new Baktun.

Happy 13th Baktun!

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December 2012

Best Wishes From The Poor Italian!

Celebrating our 3rd year as your neighbourhood ristorante!

Join us this holiday season for lunch, dinner or a special gathering!

We can easily accommodate large family or business events. Visit our website to view our new set menus or call us for more information.

Thank you from all of us at The Poor Italian Open for Lunch Tuesday - Friday starting at 11:30am, and Dinner Tuesday - Sunday starting at 5pm

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Thank You Contributors, Advertisers and Distributors for Supporting the RCC News The team at the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News salutes the writers, photographers, translators, advertisers and distributors who have made our little monthly newspaper so successful this past year.

We are grateful to the many contributors who have shared their stories and added to the history and richness of our neighbourhood. And we couldn’t have shared these stories without the advertisers and distributors, who continue to support our efforts to provide residents, organizations and businesses with a means to communicate with each other and bring our community together.

Many thanks to all of you for making this paper your own.

With warm wishes for a successful new year

Contributors

Akberet Beyene Alexis Macdonald Seto Angus Chen Ann Rivard Beth Grayer Brendan Chan Bridget Witzerman Bronwyn James Carmen Rosen Christian Saint Cyr Claire Fergusson Collingwood Community Policing Office Deanne Cheng Deepika Uppal Donna Abraham Emanuela Sheena Emily Chan Francisco Domingo Grace Zhou Graham Bruce Students Isaac Lai Janet O’Leary John Mendoza John Yi-Ye Julie Cheng Kaitlyn Fung Kat Cureton Kathy Romses, RD Kevin Chan Lisa Liang Lisa Symons Loretta Houben Melissa Chungfat Michael McLenaghen Noreen Ma Paul Reid Peter Greenwell Rania Hatzioannou Ricardo Cerna Rob Howatson Robert F. Edwards Soren Elsay Stephanie Lim Susan J. Fisher Susan Wong The Other Guy Timothy Shay Vince Prasad Wenhuan Ren Yoko Tomita

Distributors

Real Canadian Superstore Rona Price Smart Foods Canadian Tire Starbucks London Drugs Safeway

―The RCC News team

Advertisers

2400 Motel 1st Avenue Dental 1st Avenue Liquor Adrian Dix, MLA Alexander Income Tax Banana Grove Bentei Sushi Beulah Gardens Bino’s Restaurant Canadian Tire Candida Dias CASI Collingwood Baptist Church Collingwood Neighbourhood House Collingwood Business Improvement Association Collingwood Days Collingwood Insurance Collingwood Law Office Collingwood Seniors Programming Dollar Store With More Don Davies, MP Far Beyond the Grape Fresh Slice Pizza G. Sodhi & Associates Greek Festival Green Thumb Theatre Groundworks Construction Supply Harvey’s Furniture Islamic Information Centre Joyce Hair Design Kingsway Tax Service Leading Edge Computer Le Soleil Montessori School London Square Dental Centre Mezbaan Restaurant Magnum Projects Max’s Restaurant Knight & Day Restaurant Nurse Next Door Oasis Tanning P & D Automotive Pacific Dance Arts Papa John’s Pizza Penang Restaurant Ren Zenker Renfrew Park Community Center Riz Sushi Bar Samosa Garden See Rite Optical Still Moon Arts Society Strictly Tattoo Sunhealth Wellness Centre Three Links Care Society Tipper Restaurant Top’s Restaurant Trocadero Restaurant Vancouver Aboriginal Child & Family Services Van Ya Restaurant Vegan Pizza House

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

Get Involved in Renfrew/Collingwood Renfrew Park Community Centre

All programs are drop-in. Children must be with caregivers.

Babytime (0-18 months). Wednesdays, 10:15–10:45 am, December 5 Toddlertime (18 months-3 years). Wednesdays, 11:15–11:45 am, December 5 Family Storytime (2-7 years). Mondays, 3:30–4:00 pm, December 3 Saturdays, 11:15–11:45 am, December 8

Adult Programs at Renfrew Branch Tech Café at VPL. Saturdays, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, December 8 Need extra help with the computer? Join us at the Renfrew Branch to practice your basic computer skills, learn some Internet search strategies, create an email account and more. Drop in any time and stay as long as you need. No registration required. This is not a class. For more information, visit the Renfrew Branch Information Desk or call 604257-8705. Offered in English and Mandarin.

Collingwood Branch, 2985 Kingsway at Rupert St., 604-665-3953 New Program: Collingwood Kids’ Book Club Are you aged 9-12? Do you love to read? Come to this new Book Club to share reading ideas with other kids, hear about great titles from the Children’s Librarian, and do a book-related activity, and have a light snack. Kids’ Book Club meets every second Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Next meeting: December 12. Drop-in program; no registration required.

Bring a favourite book or just bring yourself!

Fri Dec 14 Chinese Senior Christmas Luncheon 55+yrs 12:00-3:30pm $15/person Tue. Dec 18 Christmas Lights Tour and Train 55+yrs A holiday tradition! Start at Canucks Place Children’s Hospice, continue to St. Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope, Bright Nights at Stanley Park which includes a ride on the Christmas Train, Lost Lagoon Fountain (Jubilee Fountain), Lights at Coal Harbour, The Elm Grove, and the Big Finish on 13th Annual Trinity Streets Lights Competition. Includes fresh Christmas Shortcake and Hot cocoa at Tim Horton’s.

4:15pm-8:30pm $49/person

Name: __________________________ Phone: _____________________ Email: __________________________ Clip this notice and drop it in the suggestion box attached to the RCC News stand at:

Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street at Euclid.

Or email your entry to rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca

New draw date December 15 for a $25 gift certificate to the Penang Delight Cafe.

SUGGESTION BOX

Children’s Programs at Renfrew Branch

Wed Dec 12 Christmas Luncheon 35+yrs This is a great time to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season with your friends. There will be entertainment, prizes and a traditional Christmas dinner with all the goodies.

12:00-2:30pm $12/person

rove the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

www.facebook.com/renfrewlibrary

dea, suggestion or story by October 1, 2012 ance to win a prize!

Renfrew Branch, 2969 E. 22nd Ave. at Renfrew, 604-257-8705

All entries will be eligible for a prize draw. Draw date: October 1.

Let us know how we can your Thank you for supporting the improve RCC News. local paper or give us a story idea: __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

how we can improve your local paper or give us a

Programs at Your Local Library

Sat. Dec 8 Children’s Christmas Party Up to 10yrs Join us for loads of craft making, face painting and of course there will be a visit from a very special guest...Santa Claus! Concession will be run by the youth Council. Space is limited, buy your ticket early.

12:30-3:00pm $5/person

____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Free of charge, enjoy access to many of Vancouver’s exciting attractions and recreation facilities like Science World, Vancouver Aquarium, VanDusen Botanical Gardens and local ice rinks and swimming pools. If you are a Vancouver resident (14 years of age or older) with a valid Vancouver Public Library card, you can borrow this two-week pass from any VPL branch to take advantage of the best of Vancouver. Sponsored by the Vancouver Park Board. http://pwp.vpl. ca/inspirationpass/

New draw date December 15 Help us improve the RCC News Name: _______________________ Phone: ___________ and get a chance to Email: _______________________ WIN A PRIZE--a $25 gift Clip this notice and drop it in the suggestion box attached to the RCC News stand at: certificate to the Penang Delight Collingwood Neighbourhood House,be 5288 announced Joyce Street at Euclid.

Cafe. Winner will Or email your inentry theto rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca January issue.

___________________ Phone: ___________ ___________________

Free Pass to Cultural and Recreation - Vancouver Inspiration Pass

Fri Dec 7 Christmas Sing-a– Long Spend an hour with Renfrew Singing Group.

11:00-12:00pm FREE

Help Us Improve the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

Let us know how we can improve your local paper or give us a story idea: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________

ice and drop it in the suggestion box attached to s stand at:

Holiday Arts and Crafts at Slocan Park Field House. Thursdays Dec. 6, 13, at Art House in the Field ( Slocan Park), 10:00 to 12:00 pm and 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Please bring your own project and materials. Handmade holiday card making, painting and more.

Enter your idea, suggestion or story by October 1, 2012 and get a chance to win a prize!

Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street at Euclid.

RCMAN art making day

Sat. Dec 1 Crystal Ball 19+yrs The will be a Live Band, Light refreshments and door prizes.

1:15-3:45pm $8/person

4:00 to 8:00 pm at Kingsway and Tyne. Music, movie, magic, Santa photos, prizes, popcorn, cookies and cocoa. More info at Collingwood Business Improvement Association 604-639-4403 or www. shopcollingwood.ca.

SUGGESTION BOX

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Help Us Improve the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

ur entry to rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca

Winter Carnival and Tree Lighting, Saturday, December 1

2929 East 22 Avenue at Renfrew Phone: 604.257.8388 ext. 3 Web page: www.renfrewcc.com

ill be eligible for a prize draw. Draw date: October 1.

11:00 am to 5:00 pm at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street. 25 local neighbourhood artisans, including woodwork, pottery, jewelry, painting, knitting, baking, and holiday decorations.

Refreshments, snacks, music, friends, fun! More info 604-435-0323 or rcmancraftfair@gmail.com.

Thank you for supporting the RCC News.

Winter Craft Fair, Saturday, December 1

Storytimes at Collingwood Babytime (0-18 months). Thursdays 10:15 am, until December 13 Toddlertime (18 months-3 years). Thursdays 11:15 am, until December 13 Preschool Storytime (3-5 years). Fridays 11:15 am, until December 14 Collingwood storytimes will be taking a break from December 15 to January 23. Have a happy holiday, and see you in the library in 2013!

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Happy Holidays Everyone All The Best for 2013 from Renfrew Park Community Centre and Renfrew Park Community Association

Thank you for supporting the RCC News.

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December 2012

The Seniors Connection

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Helping seniors live well in Renfrew-Collingwood

Newcomer Finds Family through the Seniors Program Last fall, I took a free English as a Second Language (ESL) course at the BC Federation of Labour office up the street from Collingwood Neighbourhood House. We were about 30 students, all immigrants from different parts of the world, including myself from Eritrea (in Africa) and others from Iran, Mexico and South Korea.

Our lessons were twice a week and lots of fun. The most beautiful thing about our course was getting to know each other and helping one another. Most of us were newcomers. At that time I had only been in Canada for four months. I did not know the city well and hardly had any friends. I had a hard time.

I met many friends, like Susan from South Korea, who led me to

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH). Soon I began volunteering at CNH with the Community Action for Seniors Independence (CASI) program. I’m so grateful to be part of this organization and I thank my friend Susan for the wonderful introduction. If not for her I wouldn’t know the CASI program and I wouldn’t have been able to meet Cathy, Ann and Ken, Patricia, Dolores and many others. They mean a lot to me.

I’ve been working with the CASI program as a housekeeper for over a year now. I’ve participated in training on how to work with seniors and how to best help them with housekeeping and gardening chores.

I was happy to get started to do something useful in the place I emigrated to. I believed that it would be a positive experience to help the

Affordable and Free Services for Seniors (65+) Have you heard about the Community Action for Seniors’ Independence (CASI) project?

Please call 604-435-0375 for more information and register as a new client. Seniors or their family members are invited to call or email casi@gmail.com.

You can also visit our website: http://casirenfrewcollingwood.wordpress.com

We offer the following services:

Transportation: For a donation, our van will pick you up from home and drive you to and from local appointments, for example, doctors’ appointments, prescription pick up, the hairdresser, grocery store, or library.

Light Housekeeping: Trained housekeepers to help with light housekeeping such as mopping, dusting, cleaning the kitchen and bathroom and simple yardwork or gardening. Seniors are charged on a sliding scale and a $5 travel fee. Please phone to begin the application process.

Walking Clubs: Our free walking clubs bring local residents together for a weekly walk with leaders trained by CASI. Meet at the CNH lobby on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and join the group afterwards for coffee and snacks.

Information and Referral: The Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors’ Guide has arrived! Contact CASI to find out where to pick up your handbook. A small donation for each book is greatly appreciated.

Community Action for Seniors’ Independence is looking for people who are available on an on-call basis to do work around the home, specifically for yardwork such as raking leaves and lawnmowing. Housekeepers are paid on a sliding scale starting at minimum wage.

Applicants must have valid First Aid. Please call 604-435-0375 or email casicnh@gmail. com. More info: http://casirenfrewcollingwood.wordpress.com CASI is a pilot project funded by the United Way of Lower Mainland and the Government of BC. CASI is administered by Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

by Akberet S. Beyene

elderly. After all it is like helping my parents whom I left behind to save my life.

My very first job, assigned to me by CASI co-coordinator Melissa Chungfat, was with Ms. Catherine Folkard.

She is a very sweet and loving mother, blessed to be alive at 94 years of age.

I have been visiting Cathy once a week for almost a year. I don’t have enough words to describe her generosity and her love. Each week I cannot wait to step through her door and see her. Every visit starts with a hot coffee and cookies waiting for me on her small table near her sofa, accompanied by her big smile and her sweet words, “Good morning love!” She is an amazing woman and I love her very much.

Before I start my job we spend some time having a conversation, as she wants to make sure that I’m alright, how my week was. It feels as if she is my mom here in Canada.

this wonderful woman. Just thinking about her fills my heart with joy.

At the beginning of my journey for this service, who would have thought that I would meet so many nice people. Ann and Ken are also part of CASI. I visit this family once a week as well.

They are very nice people, kind and always smiling. I have created a good relationship with them and always feel welcome.

“It feels as if she is my mom here in Canada.”

Not only that, I feel part of her family. I have an excellent connection with her family, they care about me and help me as much as they can. One unforgettable moment of happiness was the day that her daughter Marnie took us to Horseshoe Bay to celebrate my good news from my immigration hearing, after 18 months of waiting for a decision on my refugee status.

Ms. Folkard is a special woman. She is love. I’m pleased to know her and her family. I can tell that they are all the result of a big-hearted and caring mother. I can say much more about

Other members of CASI include Patricia and Dolores. They both supported me in the times when I was worried about my hearing and my settlement in my new country Canada. I feel overly blessed to be part of program.

I am also very grateful for the warm and affectionate welcome I received from our humble CASI co-coordinators, Kat Cureton and Melissa Chungfat.

Akberet S. Beyene is a housekeeper with the CASI program for seniors.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Seniors Discover Local Businesses Late October, 33 seniors, six community policing volunteers, two students and two staff participated in the Community Business Walk.

We thought the pouring rain would decrease the number of participants, but it definitely did not!

The walk was organized through Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s literacy outreach work with a focus to bring seniors and new immigrants together to learn about the neighbourhood’s programs and services. Through the Community Business Walk participants learn about the businesses and meet the owners.

Frances, a Chinese-speaking facilitator from the Community Action for Seniors Independence Walking Club joined the walk to translate for the Chinese seniors, who made up half the group.

We also had Pearl, the teaching assistant for the Adult Basic Education class at Collingwood, and her two students participate in the walk, take pictures and help guide the seniors.

by Melissa Chungfat

Pit stop #2: Burnaby Hospital Thrift Shop, 3185 Kingsway Host: Gary The next stop was the Burnaby Hospital Thrift Shop, which many participants have never stopped in.

Most of the items at the thrift shop cost $5 or less.

Gary, the manager, has been at the Thrift Shop for over 10 years and told the seniors about how the Thrift store began.

Ann, a long-time resident of Collingwood, said, “I’ve lived across the street for so many years and I have never been to this shop.” She bought a nice-looking plate and has used the plate to hold her delicious baked goods at the Conversation Group at Collingwood Towers.

Pit stop #3: Joyce Bakery 3281 Kingsway Host: Grace

Some seniors won prizes, including vests and lights to keep themselves visible. Heather and her colleagues were also kind enough to supply everyone with donuts!

Grace said, “The beautiful thing for me was that people were so open and receptive. They were open to trying and learning more about things they were not familiar with.”

DVD Palace was the last business stop of the morning. We learned that the shop provides more than Bollywood DVDs and audio/video conversion. The owner Karim said that he also provides wire transfer to people overseas.

Pit stop #1: Collingwood Community Policing Centre, 5160 Joyce Street Host: Heather

Half the people had never been to the policing centre and some seniors learned how to use the non-emergency number and had their questions answered by police.

Several people bought items during the walk, including rum cakes. Grace mentioned that one man has come in several times to buy patties because his wife sends him.

Pamela, one of the participants said, “I tried the cupcakes and I asked my daughter to go and buy it for me.”

Pit stop #4: DVD Palace 3223 Kingsway Host: Karim

Angela Evans from the Business Improvement Association and Constable Heather Brown from the Collingwood Community Policing Centre helped organize the walk.

At the Community Policing Centre, Constable Heather Brown and her colleagues kindly hosted us to give an important safety talk on how to cross the streets safely, how to make ourselves visible and what other services the organization provides.

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December 2012

Next, we were spoiled with delicious treats with the newest owner of Joyce Bakery, Grace.

She has integrated her Jamaican roots in her food. She was so generous and gave all the participants a sample of her cupcakes (red velvet and coffee rum raisin), Jamaican patty, coco bread and Jamaican rum fruit cake made with real rum.

The seniors enjoyed looking at the DVDs and snacks that were on display at the store. Seniors asked Karim the most questions of all of the places we visited and most of them had never been to the store before the walk.

Pit stop #5: Lunch at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street The group ended the walk and had lunch and coffee. Seniors love their coffee! The Community Policing Centre volunteers were able to join us for some refreshments as well.

Some of the walking club participants were so kind and brought noodles, salad, baked goods and bread to share with everyone. One participant said, “If I had known there was a potluck, I would have brought something too.”

When we asked Grace why she agreed to be a pit stop, she said, “Having just taken over Joyce Bakery, I wanted to introduce myself to members of the community and let them know that the bakery is once again a vibrant place for meeting, greeting, sharing and buying great baked products.”

With the help of Frances, we got feedback from participants that they really enjoyed the walk.

Several of them learned something new about traffic safety and how to use non-emergency 9-1-1. Many people of course enjoyed baked goods and getting new items from the Burnaby Hospital Thrift Shop.

Angela Evans from the Collingwood Business Improvement Association stopped by Joyce Bakery to thank participants for coming out on the business walk and gave them more information about the association.

The participants are interested in more community business walks to learn more about their neighbourhood.

Melissa Chungfat is the co-coordinator of the Community Action for Seniors Independence project at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

Diamond Jubilee Medal Recognizes Residents’ Community Service Mid-November, 30 citizens gathered with Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The award honours their lifetime of outstanding service to their fellow citizens and community.

The Diamond Jubilee Medal also marks a historic occasion: the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.

Congratulations to these award recipients who have been active in the RenfrewCollingwood community: Terry Tayler, Bill McMichael, Inderjeet Hundal, Paul Caune, Mei Leung, Amber Bhangoo, Nguyen Hanh (Winnie) Cao, Emily Chan, Carmen Rosen and Rania Hatzioannou.

Thirty citizens beam proudly after receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal from Vancouver Kingsway MP Don Davies. Photo by David Fok

Local MLA Adrian Dix also selected four exceptional individuals to receive the medal: Kate Perkins, Ann Wong, Yee Ching Hoo and Bobbi Senft.

“I think there should be far more Jubilee Awards,” wrote recipient Bill McMichael in an email. “The one I have belongs to all of us at Collingwood who have made it our practice to give as good as we get, to care for our community, to remember that because none of us is an island unto itself, we are all involved in humankind.”

Bill McMichael receives the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from MP Don Davies.

Right: “I feel very honoured and humbled to be included with such amazing recipients. I’m sure all 400 nominations received by the MP for this award were just as deserving, so I feel very grateful to be chosen. Renfrew-Collingwood is very fortunate to have so many wonderful community-minded people. “ - Terry Tayler, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

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Michelle Bambilla is happy to be a BMO “lifer.”

BMO Financial Group opened its doors in Collingwood approximately three years ago. Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group served as Canada’s central bank until 1935. Today, BMO Financial Group continues as one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, with a growing presence in United States and world markets. Here in Collingwood, branch manager Michelle Bambilla is happy to be a BMO “lifer.”

“BMO’s vision is to be the bank that defines great customer experience,” says Michelle. “We are very customer focused and accommodating to people of all walks of life.” Of Canada’s chartered banks, a recent independent survey by Forum Research put BMO at the top for services, online banking and overall satisfaction. Enabling this remarkable achievement are the BMO workforce values: Taking Pride; Keeping Your Word; Embracing Diversity; Doing the Right Thing; Having the Courage to Win. With BMO, you can open a new bank account, apply for a new credit card, buy your first home, plan for your retirement, save for your child’s education, borrow to buy a car, get a home renovation loan or learn about investing. In addition to personal day-to-day banking, BMO helps small businesses, corporations, organizations and institutions. “We had a very busy summer thanks to our 2.99% mortgage promotion. With a shortened amortization period of 25 years, this was a very popular product that our competitors were unable to match.” BMO’s fall investment campaign is for progressive GIC’s (guaranteed investment certificates).

“These are safe investments that offer higher returns of playing the stock market with the capital investment remaining secure.”

Other BMO services include their mobile mortgage specialists―mortgage experts who will meet with you in the comfort of your home or office at your convenience to discuss your mortgage needs. Also popular is the BMO smart phone app, which allows you to access online banking and information from the Blue Room, a wealth of investment information.

BMO is also very active in the community. They recently had three classes from Carleton Elementary come through for Halloween games, arts and crafts, and candy. This year, the BMO Boolathon (a bowling fundraiser at Halloween) helped to raise one million dollars for Kids Help Phone. BMO also contributes to United Way, BC Children’s Hospital and the Whitecaps FC. Michelle has been with the company for 11 years and is loving it. She began with BMO Financial Group before she even finished high school, starting as a student intern in Grade 12. “BMO is an excellent employer to work for. They are very supportive of people who do their part and actively try to help all employees to accomplish more. I love how they support everyone.”

Born in the Philippines, near San Pablo City in Tiaong, Michelle came to Canada when she was 14 with her parents. In her free time, Michelle loves watching sports.

Not only is she a big Canucks fan, Michelle enjoys watching football and baseball and is a New York Giants and San Francisco Giants fan respectively. She also loves travelling, reading and Dragon Boat racing, which she began with the BMO team.

Currently Michelle has been very busy, both working and going to school full time at Capilano University. She is working towards her business administration degree with an advanced diploma in human resources and integrated management.

CBIA UPDATES l Fall Promotions – Win What you LIKE in Collingwood - Winner is JOHN MENDOZA. Thank you to everyone for liking us and posting what you LIKE in Collingwood. Look for more Facebook contest in the New Year. l Winter Carnival & Community Christmas Tree Lighting December 1, 2012, 4 – 8pm Join us under the tent in the Safeway parking lot at the corner of Tyne and Kingsway.

Music, magic by Matthew Johnson, movie provided by the Collingwood Community Policing Centre and Santa will be there to light the tree. We will be collecting food for the Vancouver Food Bank and helping fulfil a child’s wish with the Children’s Wish Foundation. There will be hot cocoa, cookies, face painting, balloon twisting; Virgin Radio’s Flight Crew will be on site. Get your photos with Santa and avoid the Mall line ups. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Wish Foundation. (see add in this paper for more information) l Window Decorating Contest Merchants in Collingwood are participating in the first Window Decorating Contest in Collingwood. Walk around the stores and you can vote for your favourite window and win come prizes. Ballot boxes will be located in the participating stores. Check on our website for a list of participating merchants. www.shopcollingwood.ca

l Christmas Cards designed by Carleton Elementary students The JR. BIA members along with The UPS Store in Collingwood have partnered with Carleton Elementary school to design Christmas Cards to purchase. Cards will be available at The UPS Store 3345 Kingsway.

Proceeds will go to a local charity. Contact Phil Dela Merced at 604.566.9105 l NEW BUSINESS: Welcome COLLINGWOOD CINEMA’S. We are proud to announce the Denman Cinemas has been moved into the Raja Cinema 3215 Kingsway. l HELP THE CHILDREN: The Jr. BIA along with the UPS Store have partnered with Carleton Elementary students to design Christmas cards to sell in local businesses and all proceeds will go to the Children’s Wish Foundation to help fulfill a local child’s wish.

THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING LOCAL THE COLLINGWOOD BIA WISHES EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON HAPPY NEW YEAR!

*This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Business Improvement Association

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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December 2012

Renfrew-Collingwood Community Consultation

A Salmon Miracle

by Deanna Cheng

After more than 50 years, salmon have returned to Still Creek.

Residents have their say on the Renfrew Ravine

At the beginning of November, members of the community spotted a major run of chum salmon spawning on the Vancouver side of Still Creek, below the Canadian Tire on Grandview Highway.

Community members and organizations who have worked tirelessly to restore the stream and bring back the salmon include the Rivers Institute at BCIT, Burnaby and Vancouver Streamkeepers and Still Moon Arts Society.

The city of Vancouver worked with local residents last month on developing a master plan to improve the Renfrew Ravine and the community park.

On November 15, about 30 people showed up to the open house and workshop at Firehall No. 15. They reviewed panels that stated the goal of the master plan is to increase recreational opportunities while preserving and enhancing wildlife habitat.

A few suggestions were to update the playground, create a community garden and more gathering/event spaces, and improve trail connections and accessibility to those trails.

The workshop was designed to gather community feedback and to figure out which amenities to put in and which ones to remove, said Ben Mulhall, landscape designer at Catherine Berris Associates.

The Park Board was pleased with the number of community members who attended and participated in the workshop.

“The community around Renfrew Ravine and Renfrew Ravine Park has been very positive and supportive over the years during open houses and events,” Tiina Mack, manager of park development, wrote in an email.

“The participants on November 15th were equally as enthusiastic about enhancing the ecology of Still Creek, and it appears ecosystem restoration continues to be a strong commitment in this neighbourhood.”

Carmen Rosen, artistic director of Still Moon Arts Society, said the riparian area (between the land and the stream) has been compromised from logging 100 years ago, but community groups have worked to restore that area, making it possible for salmon to live in the water.

Catherine Berris, landscape architect and planner, lead the workshop and engaged the audience, which had little problem speaking up and voicing their ideas.

A couple youths sat among the attentive crowd. Alex Leung and Jordon Lui, members of the Windermere Secondary School Leadership program, are in charge of their school’s Renfrew Ravine Cleanup program.

Leung found the workshop informative and helpful in learning what people think and what needs to be done.

The three needs that kept coming up were safety, nature education and removal of invasive plants.

People wanted to maintain the integrity of the Renfrew Ravine but develop better trails to get to the water. They also wanted signage to educate the public about the species in the area.

On the community park side, people wanted a picnic area or a band shell. Someone suggested taking the fence by the creek down to get closer to the water.

Still Creek flows through the Renfrew Ravine and Renfrew Community Park. It winds north to emerge at Grandview Highway then east through Burnaby where it empties into Burnaby Lake as part of the Brunette watershed.

Photo courtesy of Still Moon Arts Society Renfrew resident Alex Chisholm appreciated the chance to give his opinion, but did have some skepticism. “Will [the city of Vancouver] take this meeting seriously?”

In a video called Salmon Return to Still Creek, Mark Angelo, from BCIT’s Rivers Institute, says, “Knowing how bad a shape this creek was in in years past, if we can turn things around here then potentially we can turn things around anywhere.”

Still Moon Arts Society Carmen Rosen is amazed at the salmon’s resilience. “We haven’t been doing them any favours … there’s so much going against them and yet they’re still fighting back,” says Carmen. “I could start crying.”

If you missed the open house but would like to provide input, go to the online survey that’s available until November 30: www.placespeak. com/topic/600/renfrew-park-and-renfrewravine-park-master-plan/.

The next open house is planned for February 2013. The exact date and location is to be determined. Check the city of Vancouver’s website to remain updated: http://vancouver. ca/parks-recreation-culture/improvingrenfrew-ravine-and-renfrew-community-parks. aspx.

Deanna Cheng is a resident of RenfrewCollingwood and a journalism student at Langara College.

Check out the awesome video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7XWH4us7M8w

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

HIGHLIG H TS

WWWow! Visit CNH’s new website

COMMUNITY LUNCH

Will you click with us?

Collingwood Neighbourhood House invites you to lunch every Tuesday and Thursday. Please note that seniors are served at 12 noon; others are served at 12:10 pm. Full meal prices are $4.85 for seniors, $6 for adults and $3.25 for students. Items can be purchased a la carte or “to go.”

By visiting www.cnh.bc.ca users will now be able to click through to a great view of all that we do at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) and within Renfrew-Collingwood and see if there’s something for them at CNH.

Tue. 4 Dec Carrot soup, hot chicken and crisp eggplant sandwich with chipotle mayonnaise, salad, pumpkin cupcakes

Our new website has been in the works for a long time. We wanted to have a site that clearly presented all of the programs, services and initiatives people can access through CNH. The website includes everything from child and family services, youth programming, seniors’ services and opportunities to the myriad of ways people living in Renfrew-Collingwood can get involved in their neighbourhood, volunteer, join a committee or club or meet a friend with similar interests.

A special thanks to CA Design Group Inc (especially Angela Bains) who worked closely with CNH and our Communications Committee to design the new site. A huge round of applause to Chris Chu our VCN intern who dedicated himself to helping us get the site launched. A tip of the hat to Melissa Chungfat for her efforts to help train staff

CNH Holiday Hours

Thur. 6 Dec Tandoori grilled white fish on rice, salad almond and apricot biscotti Tue. 11 Dec Lentil soup, beef and cheddar pastry pie (OR roasted butternut squash and mushroom pie), salad, chocolate chip cookies

in updating their sections of the new site. And thanks to all CNH staff who worked diligently to ensure that their pages reflect their programs or services.

We hope you take a few moments to visit the site and learn something new about CNH and your neighbourhood. You visit may even inspire you to get involved through CNH. Please check us out at www.cnh.bc.ca

Collingwood Neighbourhood House will be open for reduced hours during the holidays.

All other CNH programs will be closed during the holidays. The neighbourhood house is open or closed as indicated below with reception services only, to provide community information.

Our childcare programs will remain open for those parents who confirm they need to access care.

From all of us at CNH we wish you a happy and relaxing holiday season.

Holiday Schedule

Thur. 13 Dec Festive Feast!

Turkey or vegetarian entree with fixings snacks, live entertainment and prizes Advance tickets required (purchase from CNH Front Desk) $8 Adults $7 Seniors $5 Students

SPACE FOR RENT Hosting a party, meeting, dance class or sports event?

Collingwood Neighbourhood House offers affordable mulit-purpose rooms, a gym and a kichen to cater for 10 to 300 people.

We are conveniently located within your neighbourhood near the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain station.

For more information, please call Teresa Ha at 604.435.0323

Party Time Looking for a place to hold your child’s birthday party?

Want to spent time with your child and have somebody else run the party?

Collingwood Neighbourhood House offers rooms (room, gym, kitchen) to rent for children’s birthday parties. Our experienced birthday party leaders will run the party, lead games and a craft, and make your birthday child feel special.

For quotes on our affordable prices for room rentals (with or without This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Neighbourhood House

a leader) please call Teresa at 604-435-0323

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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For our full listing of programs check out our website or drop by and pick up a brochure.

Register now for Winter programs.

Fees are prorated for programs that have already started. HST included.

Registration has already started.

Register in person with cash, cheque,

  Saturday, December 8th 12:30-3:00pm $5/child

Join us for loads of craft making, face painting and of course there will be a visit from a very special guest...Santa Claus!

Concession will be run by Youth Council.

Most suitable for children 10 years & younger.

Space is limited so register early.

Register by phone 604 257-8388 ext 3 with Visa or MasterCard

Friday, December 14th 12:00-3:30pm $13/person

  

 



Hours of Operation Pool Centre Area

Dec 17-Jan 6 (Interm Schedule) Closed (Dec 22-Jan 1, 2013)

Floor Maintenance Fitness Centre Gymnasium

Closed-Dec 10-Jan 6 Closed-Jan 7-13

蠕虫是人类的朋友

Wednesday, December 12th 12:00-2:30pm $15/person

This is a great time to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season with your friends. There will be entertainment, prizes and a traditional Christmas dinner with all the goodies. Buy your ticket early to make sure you have seat for this luncheon.

Tuesday, December 18 9:00am-5:00pm $49/person

A holiday tradition! Start at Canucks Place Children's Hospice, continue to St. Paul's Hospital Lights of Hope, Bright Nights at Stanley Park which includes a ride on the Christmas Train, Lost Lagoon Fountain (Jubilee Fountain), Lights at Coal Harbour, The Elm Grove, and the Big Finish on 13th Annual Trinity Streets Lights Competition. Includes fresh Christmas Shortcake and Hot cocoa at Tim Hortons.

肥料堆就是他们的家

译者：任文焕 我的孩子们在看到蚯蚓的 时候，从来都不会发出“ 呃！”的声音，因为他们知道 蠕虫是我们人类的朋友，它们 可以促进植物的生长。 在蠕虫们赖以生存的田间和花 园里，它们以落叶和草屑这 样的有机材料为食，它们也吃 细菌霉菌等微生物。这些东西 经蠕虫的消化代谢出来成为我们 常说的蠕虫便便。 这些代谢物可以为土壤带来更多的养份，帮助植物茁壮成长。另外，蠕虫在土壤 中的蠕动也起到了松土的作用，让植物的根部得以更好的生长。 我们可以从园艺店里买到被称为“黑金”的这种蠕虫便便，但其实我们也可以通 过在屋子后院添置一个堆肥机，或者买一个相对较小的蠕虫堆肥机来制造这种 叫蠕虫便便的肥料。 后院堆肥机 温哥华市最近有一项鼓励市民回收自家厨房和庭院废料的举措。2013年春天开始， 市政府打算每周回收一次市民的庭院废料以及厨余，然后在隔周收日常垃 圾。通过这一政策，市民日常生活垃圾中40%的厨余和可被用于堆肥的废料可 以得到合理的利用，而不是被浪费在堆填区里。 堆肥箱，也叫堆肥机，可以将厨余（比如蛋壳、咖啡渣和蔬果皮）变成肥 料。市政府现在出售可以放在住屋后院的堆肥机，只需25元一个。这个价钱差 不多是商店里零售价的一半，因为另一半已由市政府补贴。 你可以在位于377 West Kent Avenue North的温哥华南中转站(Vancouver South Transfer Station)购买这种堆肥机。更多详情请关注网页: vancouver.ca/ home-property-development/garden-composters.aspx

蠕虫堆肥机 如果你的家里没有后院或者你住在公寓里面，你也可以用同样的价钱购买一个蠕 虫堆肥机。这种堆肥机是带有盖子和托盘的小箱子，在这里可以生存大约500个 对土壤有益的蠕虫。 如果你是温哥华的居民，可以参加一个约一小时长的说明会。在温哥华的City Farmer（城市农户，一个推进城市里种植农作的机构）出售这种蠕虫堆肥机。他 们的联系地址是2150 Maple Street, Vancouver，联系电话604-736-2250。更多详 情请关注网页: http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/apartmentworm-composters.aspx 教你如何堆肥的视频 由City Farmer（城市农户）下属的温哥华堆肥展示园以及温哥华市政府联合制作 的教你如何在后院里堆肥的视频，支持多种不同语言。 如何堆肥（广东话版） http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5awCEfyyzk 如何堆肥（国语版） http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=RoWyNueAuG0 如何堆肥（印度边遮普语版） http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ tNZ8O3y5Y 在你后院的一角安放个堆肥箱吧。 This article, Worms Are Our Friends, was first published in English in the November 2012 issue of the RCC News.

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December 2012

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

MP Don Davies’ View on Homelessness and Mental Illness

by Lisa Liang and Donna Abraham For our Law 12 assignment on homelessness and mental illness, we were fortunate to get in touch with one of the politicians, Don Davies. Don is from the NDP party and is a Member of Parliament representing VancouverKingsway.

Lisa: Over the past years, homelessness in the Downtown East side has been increasing. Do you think the government should look into this situation?

Don: Absolutely, I think the government should look into this. I think it requires absolute concerted effort by all three levels of government: the city, the provinces and the federal government. I think the problem is that all three levels of government have not been cooperating in a meaningful way to tackle the problems of homelessness but also housing generally. The most extreme examples of housing prices is homelessness, people that are actually living on the street. About 40 percent of the people living around the Lower Mainland are precariously housed; so they have housing right now, but they don’t have a real secure housing situation. And so all three levels of government should be putting a lot more effort to deal with housing.

Donna: What are some laws that correspond nationally concerning mental illness?

Don: The health sector, which includes mental health, falls under the jurisdiction of the provinces. But the federal government can play a leadership role in many ways: One way is that they can make sure that the funding of the federal government is targeted to provinces who will put it into areas of mental health. Direct role: Statistics show that 80 percent of prisoners in the federal prison have some type of mental illness.

Federal government can play its role by making sure the prisoners are appropriately diagnosed, treated, rehabilitation and long term planning.

Donna: What do you think is the relation between homelessness and mental illness?

Don: That’s a great question! There are a lot of reasons for mental illness.

One is that it’s an environmental cause. From family units, the experiences that occurred to them

that don’t happen to normal folks. There could be a biological and genetic aspect to it. Like, why do some of us have diabetes and others don’t?

Or, why do some have cancer and others don’t?

It’s not the fault of their own. It happens through circumstances that they can’t control.

Not all homeless people are mentally ill, but a lot are. I think that there is a vicious cycle. When you start having mental issues, often your difficulty can affect your school or job, when you lose the job, you lose the income, resulting in the loss of your house.

You can have problems with your family, because you have difficulty relating. And so often you see people whose only difficulty is that they suffer from the mental illness, will be homeless. Sometimes they might not be able to pay for their medications. So I think the number one cause of homelessness is mental illness, which by the way includes addiction. Addiction is not a character defect; it is recognized in the medical literature as a mental illness.

Lisa: As a parliament member representing Vancouver-Kingsway, do you intend to look into this topic or to pass new bills or funding for homeless people?

Don: You may have heard about Libby Davies next door here (MP for Vancouver East), she drafted a private members bill, Bill C-304, called International Housing Strategy. That was because Canada was the ONLY country of the G8 countries that did not have a national housing strategy with the federal government. The national government actually has a plan for how we can ensure that every citizen in the country have affordable, secure, safe, decent housing. And so my colleague Libby Davies drafted that bill in which I support 100 percent. I think that our party, the NDP, will continue pushing for the national housing strategy.

Donna: I read that Bill C-304 suggests giving affordable housing

to the homeless. How does this bill represent a fundamental shift to Canada’s culture?

Don: It has a very fundamental shift. Right now, the federal government doesn’t really contribute any money to housing. If you talk to MLAs or city councilors, they will complain bitterly, that they can’t deal with these themselves, they need the federal government. I think 60 cents out of every dollar is collected by the federal government, and the city only gets seven cents.

It would be a remarkable shift. We haven’t had a helping hand from the federal government in creating affordable housing since 1992.

“It’s our responsibility as a society to care.”

Donna: What do you suggest for teenagers, in aiding people who have mental illness and are homeless?

Don: Teenagers can look for good volunteer opportunities in organizations that focus on those areas. Neighbourhood houses do very good things for homeless people. For example, their Morning Star program holds homeless counts. So contact your neighbourhood houses and they can find you something to do to help your community.

Lisa: Why we, as a society, should have a conscience about homeless people?

Don: It’s not that homeless people

are lazy, or has done something wrong. I would guess that 99 percent of the time these people have been in situations outside of their control that caused them to be homeless, which most of us haven’t. So, it’s our responsibility as a society to care.

You know, if you ask me what kind of Canada I want to live in, I want to live in a place where everyone, leaving out no one, has enough food to eat, a place they can call home, clothed and has a chance to be a productive member of society.

Donna: Do you have any memories that are close to your heart, about interacting with the homeless?

Don: My first memory that comes to my mind is when I was 14 years old. I was with my older sister. She is the most compassionate and quiet person I know. We were going to a movie. It was October, so it was very cold. I was yapping away beside her.

Then I noticed that she wasn’t there.

I saw that she was half a block back, she had those sort of lumberjack jacket (she was hippier than I was).

She took it off and put it over a man who was on the floor shivering. Then she walked right past me without saying a word.

This memory is always with me, because that jacket meant nothing to her, but meant everything to that man. I think that everybody should have an act of concern towards those who have nothing, because often, we tend to look the other way.

Lisa Liang and Donna Abraham are taking Law 12 at Windermere Secondary School.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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December 2012

Go Out and Play Focus on fun and basic skills the key to staying active Less time exercising thumbs, more time running around: that’s what today’s youth need, according to Michael McLenaghen.

With a successful professional soccer career, including eight international games for the Canadian Men’s National team behind him, McLenaghen is now the director of community services at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House where he oversees numerous sports-related activities for the children of the area.

“Young people are spending way too much time online, watching television and staying inside,” states McLenaghen.

His claims are not without reason.

A recent Health Canada study showed that more than 30 percent of Canadian kids ages five to 17 were overweight, nearly double the average 30 years ago. Much of this has to do with kids not being physically active enough. Statistics Canada research shows that children spend on average almost nine hours a day being inactive, which equates to about 62 percent of their waking hours.

A shift in the way we present and promote physical activity, particularly sport, is desperately needed. The man with a vision for this change is Mike McLenaghen.

For McLenaghen, the problem starts when kids are first enrolled into sports and recreation by their parents, usually around age five or six. He believes that kids should not be placed in teams and pitted against each other until age nine at least; instead we should be focusing on fun and the basics like developing ball skills.

“I think that young people need to be channelled into recreation and sporting activities where they learn basic movement skills,” says McLenaghen.

to structured, organized recreation and sport activity all the time, and I think it’s a huge problem as well. We are structuring kids to death, and they get fed up with it.”

With new technology seemingly coming out daily, staying inside and playing with new gadgets is as tempting Mike McLenaghen believes kids need free time to play. as ever. For Photo by Soren Elsay McLenaghen’s vision to become the emphasis needs to be on their a reality, parents, community relation with the ball, the stick leaders and children themselves and puck or whatever it may be,” must be proactive (see box).

McLenaghen explains.

With a bit of help, McLenaghen When we get away from fun and hopes that youth will want to get basics and incorporate competition up and, as every mom used to say, and a lot of structure too early, or “Go out and play.” as McLenaghen put it, “channeling kids into adult models of sport,” we start running into the problem of kids quitting. McLenaghen points out that 60 percent of boys and girls who started playing sports at age five or six have quit by the time they are 14 years old.

by Soren Elsay

Mike’s Tips for Parents to Get Their Kids Active 1. Do research: Finding the right situation and people is crucial. “Make the effort to go out and find not just good coaches in sport, but good leaders and good teachers.”

2. Set limits: Parents should closely monitor how much time their children are spending online. “TV, iPhones, iPads, computers, all of it.

[Parents] need to be tough, set clear boundaries for the kids.”

3. After-school programs: 3:00 to 5:00 pm is a key time for keeping kids active because this is the time usually that kids are getting off school but parents are still at work. “[The children] go home, they are [roughly] 12 years old, and they do whatever, play video games and those kinds of things. It’s not that you have to have all of the [children’s] time structured, but at times like after school they need some support, and it needs to be quality support.”

4. Check out local programs that provide a safe place for kids to be active: “Collingwood Neighbourhood House provides great gymnastics and dance programs for children right down from two years old all the way up to 12 years old. As well as a number of sport activities like soccer, basketball, floor hockey.”

Soren Elsay is a Langara student and an aspiring journalist.

Don Davies, MP Vancouver Kingsway

“There is too much pressure, too much emphasis on competition, uniforms, trophies. Not enough emphasis on kids having fun, being creative and developing skills,” says McLenaghen.

“Because if kids feel like they are going from [one level of skill to the next], and they keep progressing and getting better, they’re not going to quit. Kids don’t quit things that they get better at.”

McLenaghen also points out that some of the most beneficial These basic skills include hand-eye activities that kids participate in are not organized by adults at all. coordination, jumping, kicking For example, impromptu games and rolling, and, according to of tag or pick-up basketball with McLenaghen, are best developed friends allow them to use their through a range of activities own initiative and creativity as anywhere from gymnastics and dance to simple games such as kick well as stay active. the can and tag.

“The value of unstructured play, I can’t over-emphasize that “From there you can channel enough,” states McLeneghan. kids into various sports such as hockey, soccer, baseball, but again “It doesn’t need to come down

You are warmly invited to our

Holiday Open House Friday, Dec. 14th 4:00 - 7:00pm at 2951 Kingsway ( just west of Rupert)

Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the food bank 2951 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver BC V5R 5J4 604-775-6263 don.davies@parl.gc.ca www.DonDavies.ca

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Sharing Food for the Holidays The holiday season is often a time for gathering together and sharing food. The Mix It Up Granola recipe can be put in containers to give as gifts or to enjoy with your family. If your family or friends have allergies, these ingredients can be left out and substituted with different or more of some of the other ingredients.

Mix It Up Granola Preheat oven to 275º F (140º C) 4 cups 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/4 cup 2 tbsp 1/3 cup 1/3 cup 1/2 cup

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

December 2012

1 L large flake, rolled oats 125 ml unsalted sunflower seeds 125 ml unsalted pumpkin seeds 125 ml unsalted almonds, sliced or whole 50 ml wheat germ 50 ml oat bran 30 ml flax seed 75 ml liquid honey 75 ml oil 125 ml chopped, dried fruit

by Kathy Romses, RD

Yogurt Parfaits

In a large bowl, combine oats, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, wheat germ, oat bran and flax seed. Mix well. In a measuring cup, combine honey and oil and stir into dry ingredients in bowl. Spread mixture evenly on two baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes and then stir. Bake for 15 more minutes or until lightly browned. Stir in the chopped, dried fruit after baking. Let cool before storing.

For a fun breakfast during the holidays, let your family and guests create their own yogurt parfait.

Place a variety of bowls filled with cut-up fruit, granola or dried cereal and different types of yogurt on the table. Provide tall, clear glasses or bowls for everyone to layer the ingredients to create a beautiful, tasty yogurt parfait.

For more kid-friendly recipes and stories and tips around eating together, visit the Better Together BC website www.bettertogetherbc.ca.

Tips: • Substitute other ingredients to “mix it up,” like different nuts, different types of dried fruit or try adding 1 tsp or 5 ml cinnamon • Keep the granola in an airtight container for up to one month • Serve on top of yogurt or serve with milk

Kathy Romses is a registered dietitian working with the Infant, Child and Youth Program at the Evergreen Community Health Centre. She has a master’s degree in adult education from the University of BC. Kathy is passionate about supporting people to make healthy eating choices to help them enjoy a happy, healthy life.

Renfrew-Collingwood North  Community

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Broadway

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E.41st Ave.

Collingwood Insurance Ph: 604.438.9888

5750 Tyne Street

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Jo yc eS t.

Ru pe rt St.

Ea rle sS t.

E.33rd Ave.

2066 Kingsway

E.22nd Ave.

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E.29th Ave.

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The Tipper Restaurant Ph: 604.873.1010

Renfrew St.

Nanaimo St.

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Boundary Rd.

Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street.

Ph: 604.435.0323

Slocan St.

Grandview Hwy.

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Kingsway F

London Square Dental Centre #220 3340 Kingsway Ph: 604.435.4545

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F E

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P & D Automotive Ltd Ph: 604.438.5519

2895 E.22nd Ave.

Papa John’s Pizza Ph: 604.310.PAPA

#300-3340 Kingsway

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Read On!

December 2012

A news page for Renfrew-Collingwood learners

The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway Dear Neighbours:

Winter Transportation

Holiday Open House – Sunday December 9, 11:30 - 3pm

Seniors on foot 

Happy Holidays!

A few years ago, my mom fell and broke her foot. She is a senior.

It took her a long time to heal.

She needed a lot of help at home.

Now, my mom is scared of falling again, but she still takes long walks. I asked her for advice for other seniors. She suggested: - Use two walking or ski poles - Wear boots with a thick non-slip sole on the bottom - When it’s icy, use ice-grips on your shoes so you don’t slip - Relax! If you’re tense, you’re more likely to fall

Beth Grayer teaches in the ELSA program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Read On! has a web page. You can:  Read the articles Listen to the articles

Rolling in the rain  I like to ride my bike to work, but I have to be careful in the winter. When it’s raining hard, my brakes don’t work very well and it takes me a long time to stop. Here are some tips to stay safe: - Get your brakes checked regularly or check them yourself - Use thick tires with good treads - Wear a raincoat, rain pants, gloves and waterproof shoes so you don’t catch a cold

 Print worksheets www.cnh.bc.ca/ rccnews/readOn.html Reading levels on this page

When it’s really cold, there is black (invisible) ice on the roads. Sometimes I look out the window, see icy roads and grab my bus tickets instead!

Level 1

Hydroplaning 

Level 2

Vancouver doesn’t get much snow in the winter, but our weather has its own hazards. “Hydroplaning” is when your car tires lose contact with the road and float on a film of water. You lose control of steering and braking. It can happen in the rain or in a puddle. You have a greater risk of hydroplaning if you are going fast. Some ways to avoid hydroplaning are to: - Look ahead for puddles - Slow down in heavy rain or when going through puddles - If hydroplaning happens, don’t brake. Take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want to go (the same advice applies for black ice)

 

Level 3



Free ELSA English Classes!

CNH has level 3 and 4 classes in the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood. Classes are Monday to Friday, 9-12 or 12:303. There is free childminding for children 18 months to 5 years old.

Classes are free for all permanent residents, convention refugees and people with some work and study permits.

To register or for more information, call 604-451-8321 and leave a message.

I am pleased to invite you to my Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 9th from 11:30 -3pm. No RSVP is necessary – feel free to stop by 5022 Joyce St at any point through the day to say hello and meet your neighbors.

We will have many festive snacks and refreshments to share. I look forward to seeing you here!

Mandarin and Cantonese Caseworker 中文服務 本人辦公室，提供廣東話及國語服務。 能 為閣下提供以下服務： 醫療事項、房屋事項、入息支助事項、確認 文件正本、免費影印及傳真 、轉介其他社 區資源等等 。 12月9日辦事處開放日，上午11:30分至下午 3時，歡迎光臨，敬備輕膳! 狄德安 京士威區省議員 溫哥華Joyce街5022號 V5R 4G6 電話：604-660-0314 www.adriandixmla.ca Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal I was honoured to be asked to select four outstanding individuals to receive the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing them for service to our community.

Congratulations to Kate Perkins, the President of and advocate for the Trout Lake Community Centre, Ann Wong, an active parent with and vocal advocate for the successful Save Our Schools Campaign, Yee Ching Hoo, a dedicated volunteer at the Collingwood Neighborhood House and Bobbi Senft, a woman whose family has lived in our community for three generations, whose volunteer contributions have helped preserve our knowledge and appreciation for its heritage.

Welcome back Que Tran Hoang!

Good News! My Constituency Assistant, Que Tran Hoang, has returned from maternity leave and our office can once again provide casework assistance in Vietnamese. Que Tran is happy to assist in communicating with provincial government ministries, WorksafeBC, ICBC, BC Housing, the Residential Tenancy Branch, the Employment Standards Branch, the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program, and the Provincial Ombudsman. She can also connect you with mental health advocates, legal aid resources, employment and housing resources, and community opportunities.

Holiday Office Closure During the holidays, our Community Office will be closed from December 24st until January 4th.

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December 2012

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS