Renfrew-Collingwood Community News February 2019

February 2019

COMMUNITY NEWS From a red cedar to a totem pole

RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com

by Shadia Serrano The Renfrew-Collingwood neighbours who circulated in front of Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s new annex on January 12, 2019, were surprised to see the raising of a totem pole, the Ancient Cedar’s Journey Home by Salish carver Gerry Sheena. The carving project that started in the spring of 2018 is finally standing strong and solid as a guardian and emblem of our CNH family.

In July 2018, after Gerry presented his design proposal, this red cedar was ready to become a totem pole. Weeks later, Musqueam community members performed a ceremony of gratitude and respect in honour of the tree that allowed Gerry and his apprentices, Roxanne Charles, Yvette Muskego, Veronica Rose Waechter Dane, Nathaniel Frank-Piché and Mathew Sheena, to put their hands on it and to work five days a week for more than three months to create a piece of art that we can enjoy every time that we pass through the Annex Plaza (located at Boundary at Vanness).

Totem pole raising ceremony The event started at 10:30 am at the CNH Joyce location, where community members were ready to join the parade that was bringing the totem pole to its new home, travelling along Euclid Avenue towards Ormidale Street to arrive in the Annex Plaza.

Right: The carving team (left to right): Gerry Sheena, Roxanne Charles, Yvette Muskego (and her two children), Nathaniel Frank-Piche, Matthew Sheena and Veronica Rose Waechter Danes. Photos by Mark Evans

Family Tree Tips: Ancestry Library Edition Page 4

Continued on page 2

Eating Out in RC: The Deli by Continental Sausage

Page 6

Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneurs Club Page 10

Anti-Racism Arts Festival Page 13

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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From left to right: City councillors Christine Boyle and Pete Fry, MLA Adrian Dix, Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart and MP Don Davies. Photos by Mark Evans

Tsatsu Stalqayu (also known as Coastal Wolf Pack) performed a Musqueam welcome at the beginning to open the totem pole raising.

As is traditional in this kind of ceremony, the carver (Sheena) and the carving team led the procession, which was escorted by the Vancouver Police Department. Once there, the Tsatsu Stalqayu (also known as Coastal Wolf Pack) performed and local elder Jewel Thomas offered a Musqueam welcome as an official opening of the totem pole raising.

The ceremony took place also in the presence of Vancouver mayor Kennedy Stewart, MP Don Davies, MLA

Adrian Dix, city councillors Christine Boyle and Pete Fry, CNH executive director Jennifer Gray-Grant and CNH board members.

Ancient Cedar’s Journey Home (artists’ statement) Eagle sits perched, watching from the highest point of the carving.

Eagle represents both home and journey. She is always soaring and finding new places to rest along her way. Eagle is nesting Eaglet in her - Continued on page 14

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2019

Insert cool heading here

by Paul Reid Dear readers, welcome to another fine issue of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

We are definitely now into our 20th year here as RC’s community newspaper; several more than that if you count our newslettery inception.

Looking back over the past issues, it was interesting to re-read some of the very first ones. One of our early mastheads, after switching to newsprint in the year 2000, was this beauty:

Of course, we have here “Collingwood” presented in the same manner as the iconic “Hollywood” sign up in those Hollywood hills. As the designer, I can tell you it was inspired by the notion that, in the same manner that we look to Hollywood, we can also look inward to our own community; to our local stars. And that is basically what we have been doing for these past 20 years: focusing the media on us local residents. What other publication are you likely to find stories and photos by and about people you know. Maybe yourself!

is that rather self explanatory? How about a movie review - see any good ones lately?

Did anyone see Roma on the big screen?

How about sharing your thoughts on the last book you just read, aka a book review.

I picked up a nice one in the CNH lobby for 25 cents - Earth Time by David Suzuki.

Not bad. Are you a specialist in some area that you could maybe enlighten us fellow residents with a few interesting facts?

How about an anecdote (a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person)? Do you perhaps have an interesting idea, invention or insight to share?

Observations? A joke. A complaint? What is it with you? How about a recipe. You might review a local restaurant (although I know a fellow who is doing a fine job in that area). Concerts; Sports: I recently saw an excellent rivalry between our Vancouver Warriors lacrosse team and the Colorado Mammoth. Not only is lacrosse just as exciting as hockey (if not more), for merely $20 you get admission, a hotdog, chips and pop! We’re talking affordable fun for the whole family folks. So there’s a nice tip.

Do you have tips for your community?

So dear readers, please don’t forget that you also possess the potential to be writers. Just send your communicables to rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca and Julie Cheng, our fine editor, will gently ensure that your story is in presentable shape.

Voila, we go to Need some ideas? I don’t know. Does anyone print and you’re have anything to say about this Trump fellow, or a contributor.

Anyhow, I just wanted to mention that. As your RCC News staff writer, I also will continue to remind and encourage you (primarily with my personal lack of writing skills) that you, yes YOU!, no matter what your age, background or writing ability, are qualified to contribute to this here communications device. Why? Because as Madonna continues to urge us - we ought to express ourselves. No matter what it is. It doesn’t have to be a story about a place or event in this community. Those are great, and we have a plenty of that here each month, but we also want to hear what YOU, the local residents and those who work in this community, think and feel.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR

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February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Family Tree Tips: Using Ancestry Library Edition 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.

Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator

Contributors: Ann Wong, Cecila Federizon, Geoffrey Wong, Loretta Houben, Koyali Burman, Mark Evans, Olga Stachova, Paul Reid, Shadia Serrano, Tony Wanless

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.

The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News does not necessarily support the views of its contributors.

Next submission deadline: Feb. 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 Loretta Houben The avid family tree researcher knows about ancestry.com or ancestry.ca. This is a powerful database with billions of genealogy documents stored online, accessible through an expensive membership unless purchased on sale. But are you aware that the ancestry site can be researched at your local library?

I attended a class to learn how to do this at the Collingwood Library in December 2018. Deanna from the Central Branch taught the hour and a half session. There were nine spots available, but only three people showed up that evening. We each were provided with a laptop to work with, and this made it easy to follow along as Deanna projected what she was doing onto a large screen.

Anyone with a library card can sign in to the computers available at the library. The Central Branch in downtown Vancouver has several computers with blue tags on top that can directly log into the Ancestry Library edition.

First you sign into Firefox, then add your library number and pin. Click the accept button, and then click on Digital Library, then choose Online Resources. Enter Ancestry Library Edition, then click on Find, then Access Now.

helpful printouts on tips for searching the Library Edition.

Deanna helped us navigate through some of the search pages by using the name John Smith. The class learned how to narrow down the different fields. For example, we explored the 1921 census for Canada. A map was shown under the search button, and we could click on it and narrow the search to a specific province.

When you discover a document you’d like to save, you can send the document home by email or add the information to a USB stick. I tried emailing and it was very easy to do.

Tips and tricks The tips I learned were that if you do a broad or Navigating Ancestry Library Edition narrow search on names you will get a better result.

You will be able to search the census, vitals, military, immigration and quick links with member trees, birth, mar- Sometimes it’s difficult to find your ancestor’s name riage and death records. Ancestry Library Edition includes on a census, as the census takers often made up the most of the information found in a paid membership site, surnames! but the content is not exactly the same and some docuAnother neat trick I learned was that the hammer mentation might require paid membership to access. and wrench tool on the side of an image means that If you would like to know what databases are not included, if you click on it, you can print, download, rotate the image right or left, or flip horizontally! the Central Branch has a printout for this, and other Part of the database for the Ancestry Library Edition includes the 1851 to 1921 Census of Canada, US Border crossings from the US to Canada from 1908 to 1935, Canada City and Area Directories from 1819 to 1906, Canada Obituary Collection 1898 to 2015, Canada Ocean Arrivals 1919 to 1924 and Canadian Passenger Lists 1865 to 1935. To see the full list, pick up a printout at the Central Branch. The United Kingdom, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Europe and the USA are also included.

To find out when the next Ancestry Library Edition class will be offered, search events on Vancouver Public Library online. Find the next workshop at https://www.vpl.ca/program/genealogy-workshops I highly recommend taking a class. It will be like opening Pandora’s Box, and you will be surprised and delighted. You may also disappear down a rabbit hole or two for a few hours. Best of all, it’s free!

Loretta Houben is the author of the Family Tree Tips series published in the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2019

The Seniors Connection Local seniors’ care home receives provincial funding for new equipment East Vancouver’s Royal Ascot Care Centre is one of 88 care homes across British Columbia to receive funding to purchase new safety equipment, as part of the Seniors Safety and Quality Improvement Program (or SSQIP, pronounced “SKWIP”) initiative.

of life for residents. Approved applicants may receive up to $500 for each publicly-funded resident.

Royal Ascot Care Centre will receive $39,000 of the total $2.6 million in provincial funding previously announced by Minister of Health Adrian Dix during an August 10 event in Vancouver.

“Our government is proud to invest in this program, which will go towards purchasing a fire alarm panel and monitoring station to help improve safety for MLA Shane Simpson presenting a cheque to care home staff and residents at the those living in Royal Ascot (2455 East Broadway) on December 14, 2018. Photo courtesy of the BC Care residential care Providers Association homes,” said Shane Simpson, tubs, mobility equipment (such as floor and ceiling MLA for Vancouver-Hastings. “It’s great to see lifts), lighting and visual aids, sensory rooms, music that Royal Ascot Care Centre and seniors in therapy and ergonomic furniture. Preventive and Vancouver will benefit from new equipment.” urgent response systems are also funded to promote both resident and employee safety.

In addition to bed and mattress purchases, care homes are investing in new shower chairs,

“All seniors, including seniors in residential care, deserve safe, comfortable environments,” said Adrian Dix. “Updating equipment in residential care homes throughout our province is one of the actions government is taking to support the health, safety and well-being of seniors and their care teams throughout B.C.” SSQIP is managed by BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), who process applications from all residential care homes that receive public funding for new equipment intended to improve safety and quality

Andy’s story: Volunteering with Seniors on the Move

by Geoffrey Wong Andy Vogel is a volunteer driver for the Seniors on the Move (SOTM) program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. He is a passionate volunteer who is eager to get out and lend a helping hand to people who need a little support.

He is always looking for chances to contribute towards great causes. For Andy finding the right fit is a critical aspect of volunteering. He has been volunteering with HUB where he bikes with immigrants to show them around and improve their English.

SOTM is a great fit for Andy. It gives him an opportunity to get out of the house and he feels appreciated and inspired by the people he meets. It is flexible, and he gets to socialize with everyone.

When meeting someone Andy always contacts them in advance to understand their situation and needs, have a chat, and arrange time and location of pickup/drop-off.

Andy loves to stay in shape; he does cardio every day and yoga often. You don’t need to be in amazing shape to help the seniors physically, he explained. They know their limits and his number-one rule is to always ask if seniors need help before he acts.

Andy recognizes that language is the most difficult barrier. He explains that he slows down his speech to be clear and easy to understand. He’s not afraid to repeat himself to avoid misunderstandings. He recalled a story when he took somebody to Service Canada. He took on a larger role in collaboration with the settlement team, to help guide her through the process. Andy stayed calm and became a bridge for information despite language and time.

Ron is someone whom Andy has been driving consistently. Ron has cerebral palsy and uses SOTM because it improves his quality of life. He believes that the service is beneficial, saving time and money, and giving him an opportunity to be independent. Ron appreciates Andy because he feels it’s not an easy job and he never complains and is

Ron with Andy Vogel. Photo by Geoffrey Wong always on time. The two have a great connection and energy about them.

Andy is motivated because sometimes we are forced to be dispassionate; he sees that it could be anyone in that difficult position. He is happy to contribute towards services which help people in unfortunate situations. He wishes he could do more. He loves helping people and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

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February 2019

Eating Out in RC: The Deli by Continental Sausage

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway

by Paul Reid

Dear Neighbours,

THE DELI

Happy Lunar New Year – 2019 Year of the Boar Gung Hey Fat Choy! Chuc Mung Nam Moi! Happy Lunar New Year! I hope that the Year of the Boar will bring you great health, happiness, and prosperity.

BY CONTINENTAL SAUSAGE 2406 Nanaimo Street Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Greetings food fans. I want to inform you now of a hidden little gem, tucked away in the northwest corner of our community, just north of Nanaimo and Broadway. It’s called The Deli,

by Continental Sausage. This is Continental Sausage’s one and only outlet store, full of excellent deals on sausages, deli meats and more.

I thought I would try their sandwich combo. First, you choose your meat from their entire selection. Kristine, my lovely server, piled it on. Next, you get to choose your cheese from their fine assortment. Hmm, German These are monster-size sandwiches, folks. Photo by Paul Reid edam or smoked havarti? Next, the vegetables selection: their pendently owned delicatessens, lettuce, onions, pickles and tomabutcher shops and restaurants. toes are fresh and delicious. Then, They see their relatively small you get to choose from a variety of size as a positive: more persontheir high quality sauces, including able, accessible and exclusive; that Dijon mustard. Mmm. Then listening to customer’s feedback pick your chips and a pop. Quick, while adapting to the changes affordable, healthy and filling. Yes, and trends of the market place. these are monster-size sandwiches, folks.

Continental Sausage’s products are produced more frequently In addition to these awesome in small batches for quality and sandwiches, you will find quality freshness, They purchase their German meat and cheese products, pork and beef from local Fraser as well as an assortment of condiValley farmers within a 100-mile ments and specialty items from radius. Their European Sausage Germany, Hungary and Eastern Meister takes these choice cuts Europe at reasonable prices. Douof hand-trimmed meats to make ble smoked bacon, heritage ham, a broad range of delicious sauGerman salami, pate, head cheese sages, salamis, hams and roasts (which is a meat jelly often made in European tradition. with flesh from the head of a calf or pig), smokies (supplier to Mr. Tube In addition to my awesome mega Steak); smoked gouda cheese, Irish sandwich with chips and pop, I ham, beer sausage, salami bites, picked up some Canadian back cocktail wieners, ham and bacon bacon and some chorizo sauloaf and ajvar - a condiment made sage, all of which I will be back from red bell peppers and oil. for more. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you Continental Sausage is a small investigate The Deli, by Contifamily-run business of about nental Sausage, for yourself.

30 employees. Created in 1960, Continental Sausage sells to indeKeep on eatin’.

Lunar New Year Gathering Come celebrate with us on Saturday, February 16th as we welcome the Lion Dancers to our office. Special thanks to the Collingwood BIA and the Hon Sing Athletic Club for their enthusiasm putting on this fantastic performance.

Refreshments and snacks will be served.

Location: MLA Adrian Dix Community Office (5022 Joyce St.) Time: Saturday February 16th 1pm-2pm (Lion Dancers arrive at 1:30pm) Spring Legislative Session The spring session of the BC Legislature will begin on February 12th. I am always happy to hear your thoughts and ideas for legislation and would welcome any suggestions you may have.

We’d Love to be of service to Our Community!

When you contact our community office, my staff and I will do our best to assist. Visit during our walk-in hours (Monday to Thursday, 9am-4pm), or book an appointment by contacting us at 604-6600314 or adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca.

Here’s a list of some of the free services our office offers: Advocacy – We will work hard to assist you with any issues you have that involve the provincial government departments, services, or ministries.

Information & Referral – Our office can find the right government contact or program. We can help you understand how program changes will affect you, your family, and your community. We also know the services available in our community and are happy to refer you to them.

Getting Connected – Free fax and internet access for government and community-related matters.

Arts and Culture Grant If you are planning an arts or cultural event promoting community growth and connection, take a look at the Community Resilience Through Arts and Culture grant. The BC government launched the program to help fund events, programs, celebrations and initiatives that use arts and culture to build and strengthen the community.

I encourage you to submit your application by February 15, 2019. For more information, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sportsculture/arts-culture/arts-and-culture-initiatives/ community-resilience.

Family Day – Monday, February 18th Our community office will be closed for Family Day on Monday, February 18th. We will re-open Tuesday, February 19th, and look forward to serving our constituents with matters surrounding provincial services. We wish you and your loved ones a great Valentine’s Day and Family Day! Sincerely, Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver-Kingsway

Read On! Take a walk!

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February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

A news section for Renfrew-Collingwood learners Read On!



has a web page. You can:

by Tony Wanless

 Read the articles

By now many of those new year resolutions are probably starting to fade.

http://renfrewcollingwood communitynews.com/category/ read-on/

The gym membership you meant to take was never taken. Same with other exercise methods.

They cost too much. They were too crowded. And so on.

Reading levels on this page Level 1

But there is an exercise that is free, easy for almost everyone and can be done anywhere.

Level 2

 

Level 3

Walk.



Walking for 15 minutes daily will extend your life as much as three years. It builds better bones, vitalizes the brain, reduces depression, strengthens the heart and helps prevent several common diseases.

Walk once a day or, if possible, twice. If it is difficult because of mobility issues or age, find a way to mimic the motions of walking.

Because it moves most of the muscles, walking has the same benefits as running and most other more energetic exercises.

It might not build your muscles like a gym, or slim you down as fast as running, but 30 minutes a day will eventually provide as many health benefits as those more-difficult exercises.

Not only is walking good for the body, it is good for the mind.

Walking relieves stress, delivers oxygen to the brain and generates an overall happy feeling in walkers.

It is also much easier to start. It costs nothing – except, perhaps, for the purchase of a sturdy pair of shoes – and in Vancouver, a good rain coat.

You can do it almost anywhere and any time.

If you are not in very good shape, start small. Go for half a block or a block. Add on as you become more comfortable with it.

Walk to work, or part way; walk to the store, walk around the block a couple of times each day, walk in a park or forest (like Central Park or the Renfrew Ravine).

While you are doing it, breathe in and enjoy life.

resolutions fade gym membership methods

Definitions:

crowded extend vitalizes strengthen prevent

mobility benefits relieves stress oxygen

mimic: imitate (someone or their actions or words), especially in order to entertain or ridicule. generate: cause (something, especially an emotion or situation) to arise or come about sturdy: strongly and solidly built

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February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE THREE LINKS MANOR

FRIDAY, MARCH 1ST 2019 11:30 AM 1:00 PM 2898 EAST 22ND AVE, VANCOUVER

Are you or your aging loved ones longing to feel more connection to your community?

Eager to learn what seniors’ programs are available in the Collingwood Renfrew area?

Want to educate yourself about seniors’ care options to help ease the transition when the time comes?

Join us for a community conversation about seniors’ care!

GUEST SPEAKERS

This event is FREE please call 778.828.6235 to RSVP

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2019

Free MOSAIC community programs Homework Club for Grades 8-12 Immigrant students from Grade 8-12 can get help with their homework. Canadian University Youth Mentors can help with: • English and French • Math and pre-calculus • Science • Social studies • Presentations • Research papers

Free Income Tax Clinic

The Homework Club is held at MOSAIC’s head office at 5575 Boundary Road on alternate Tuesdays in the afternoon.

Need a hand to prepare your income tax return? MOSAIC offers a free income tax clinic by appointment only. Must be a Permanent Resident on low income and be filing for 2018 only.

Phone line opens on Monday, February 18. Please call 604-254-9626 to book an appointment (9:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday).

January 29, February 12 & 26, March 12 — Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:00 pm at 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver Contact: Angel: atse@mosaicbc.org or Sonia : sblanco@mosaicbc.org Phone: 604-254-9626 Text: 778-321-5406 Registration: Please have your permanent resident card ready

Location: MOSAIC Head Office, 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver Tax Clinic Times: Start Monday, March 4 to Monday, April 15.

Mondays: 3:00 – 8:00 pm Wednesdays and Fridays: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturdays: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

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Renfrew / Collingwood

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North 

Broadway

Renfrew St.

Nanaimo St. E.33rd Ave.

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The Tipper Restaurant Ph: 604.873.1010

2066 Kingsway

E.41st Ave.

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Kingsway K

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Collingwood Insurance Ph: 604.438.9888

Help support your RCC News

Contact Lisa at 604-435-0323

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5750 Tyne Street

Inquire about our Map Slide Ads

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Joyce Hair Design Ph: 604.451.7680

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Papa John’s Pizza Ph: 604.310.PAPA

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February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

The Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneurs Club: From idea to action

by Koyali Burman

Renfrew-Collingwood is a large multicultural community with pockets of high socioeconomic needs.

Financial security is one of the highest concerns in the community because residents’ capacity to earn income affects all other basic needs, especially housing and food.

Many people have skills that could generate income. Some residents have barriers that make it difficult to be employed in the mainstream workforce. Improved access to income through a self-generated business is a fulfilling way for people to improve their personal economic situations.

The Collingwood Neighbourhood House has a long history of successfully implementing community development initiatives in partnership with other organizations. The ground-breaking small business learning initiative called the Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneurs Club was started in the RenfrewCollingwood area in partnership with Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Vancity.

The goal of the initiative is to create space for aspiring and current entrepreneurs to make connections and gain strength through knowl-

Many of the participants of the Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneurs Club were in the seed and or start-up stages of their business. Photo by Koyali Burman edge and sharing resources.

The project focused on giving tools to the participants to get their business or idea to the starting line – and beyond. The learning sessions were delivered by Vancity small business development staff, small business owners and professionals as guest speakers.

said one participant. “I was looking for a place where I can learn the business nitty gritty details and still feel a sense of belonging.”

The warm atmosphere of the sessions created a safe place for the participants to share personal stories of their struggle around selfemployment and get advice from peers and professionals. One of the Some of the topics were marketing/ participants said, “Rating my confidence in the business knowledge branding, cost of your craft, online presence, business canvas and before I started the session was about 50%, but after I joined the advising. session my confidence increased to 85%.”

“I am an artist and passionate about my craft, but have less underThe participants received focused standing about the business part,” mentoring support from the professional and business owners to gain perspective on their small business and its ever-changing landscape. The peer support helped them to network among themselves by buying products among peers and referring to their own network and Collingwood Neighbourhood House as well.

The Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneurs Club was funded by Vancity. Pictured left to right are January Wolodarsky of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Koyali Burman, project lead/strategist for the Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneurs Club, and Jas Parmar of the Vancity Collingwood-Kingsway community branch.

The participants were mostly in the seed and or start-up stages of their business. Apart from the service-based businesses that participants had, many were from the creative area. The creative participants would like to apply their distinctive skills and capacities to create unique and needed products, but their lack of business skills serves as a barrier, holding them back from fully realizing their economic potential.

One of the participants said that she could “connect with other participants at the session and made business transactions with other participants at the session. … [It] gave me much confidence to continue with my plans.”

A big thank you to January Wolodarsky, the director of community development at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, and community partner Jas Parmar, the manager of the Vancity Collingwood-Kingsway community branch, for their contribution to the project. This community economic development initiative has generated a legacy above and beyond its immediate impact for participating individuals and community partners.

Collingwood Neighbourhood House and the Vancity CollingwoodKingsway branch continue to work collaboratively to expand the Neighbourhood Creative Entrepreneur’s Club in 2019 and to build a vibrant community through local economic development.

Koyali Burman is a community economic development strategist who works with non-profit organizations, financial institutions, businesses and associations to improve local economic opportunities and increase capacity for market access and expansion of cultural products. In 2018 she received the Pan Asian Recognition Award for her leadership supporting cross-cultural exchange of Pan Asian culture.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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February 2019

Google Translate — Are we using it responsibly?

by Olga Stachova Omar Cruz-Zamora was pulled over by police in 2017 while driving in Kansas City. The police officer used Google Translate to ask if he could search the car. Cruz-Zamora said yes, the officer found drugs, and Cruz-Zamora was arrested.

This police officer is just one example of the more than half a billion people in the world that use Google every day to translate more than 143 billion words into more than 100 languages.

It’s no wonder Google Translate is everywhere. It’s fast, free and easy to use.

But is it being used appropriately?

MOSAIC thinks it may not be and we’re not alone.

MOSAIC has provided award-winning translation and interpretation services in the Metro Vancouver area for more than 30 years as part of its suite of services supporting newcomers as they build their new lives in Canada. We have noted the growing popularity of Google Translate. Some are predicting the end of the professions of human translator and interpreter.

These are staggering numbers. So many people have used Google Translate as a quick solution – for travel, for business, for shopping, for communicating with friends and relatives – you name it. In fact, it But not the judge in the Kansas was so popular at the 2018 premier City case. He relied on the testimosoccer event that it Ad_Princesses was called the+ Monsters Renfrew-Collingwood 11/12/18 3:44 PM Page 1 ny of two professional interpreters Google Translate World Cup!

to conclude that Cruz-Zamora was confused about what the police officer was asking. They called it a literal translation that didn’t make sense in the particular context in which it was used. In his ruling, the judge suppressed the evidence found in the car stating that it was not reasonable to rely on Google Translate to obtain consent for what would otherwise be an illegal search.

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Thursday, January17 • 7:00–9:00PM

HOURS: Tuesday–Saturday 10:00AM–5:00PM

3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver,BC www.italianculturalcentre.ca Tel: (604) 430-3337

GENDERED VOICES SERIES

January 17–March 30, 2019

Perhaps it is obvious that Google Translate should not be used for legal matters, but what about when healthcare professionals are communicating with non-English speaking newcomers, or teachers or day-care workers are talking with newcomer parents about their children or employers are providing safety or on-thejob training?

In many cases, using Google Translate will suffice. Its accuracy has been improving, but as with many new technologies, there are limits to whenGoogle Translate should be used.

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria has a lot of experience using Google Translate. It has partnered with Google Translate on a project called We Speak Translate through which more than 2,300 commu-

nity members have been trained to use the tool to communicate with newcomer refugees in low-stakes situations and not where accuracy and clarity are critical.

Google Translate itself acknowledges limitations to its use. The engineering director at Google Translate, Macduff Hughes, was quoted recently by the BBC as saying, “You should use it when you need to communicate and understand and you have reasonable tolerance for mistakes.”

An academic expert, Joss Moorkens goes further. The assistant professor at the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies at Dublin City University says machine translation is best used “in informal, low-risk situations, where errors can hopefully be laughed off.”

The barriers that newcomers face when they are settling in Canada are no laughing matter. Poor translations and interpretations of critical content only make the process harder. It is incumbent on all of us to set limits as to how we use machine translation and think twice before we “Google it.”

Olga Stachova is the chief executive officer of MOSAIC (Multi-lingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant Communities). MOSAIC provides employment services, family services, language instruction, legal information, settlement services, and victim and family violence services from multiple sites in Metro Vancouver. MOSAIC also operates the WorkBC Centre for Vancouver Northeast catchment area, as well as MOSAIC Translations and Interpretations Services. Their head office is located at 5575 Boundary Road in Vancouver. 604 254 9626, www. mosaicbc.org

12

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

February 2019

Stay ahead of March money madness

by Ann Wong March is just around the corner and the magic date next month is March 1 as the deadline for making your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) contribution for the 2018 calendar year. Like any well thought-out plan, you don’t want to procrastinate until the eleventh hour. Book an appoint-

ment to speak to a financial professional to see how you can pay yourself more and less to the tax man, also known as the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Retirement and tax planning go hand in hand because the less tax you pay, the more you will have for today and in your retirement. The government encourages you to save for your own retirement by setting up the RRSP program. It was first introduced in 1957 to encourage working folks to save money for themselves and rely less on the government.

Note, there is a maximum RRSP amount that you can contribute: 18% of your 2018 earned income to a maximum of $26,230. You may also have more room if you have not made full use of the allotment from previous years.

There are other considerations

when it comes to RRSPs. Do you have a spouse who makes substantially more or substantially less than you? Are you self-employed? Are you nearing age 71?

What is the right investment selection for your stage in life?

Should you pay down the mortgage or contribute to a tax free savings account (TFSA) or RRSP? These are all valid questions. Each person will have their own unique set of circumstances and needs.

Seeking the advice from an accredited financial professional is the first step in clearing up the

March money madness and making sense of what matters most to you.

Ann Wong has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. She holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations and is also a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI). Email her if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation on ways to save taxes and invest in your future. wongann8@ gmail.com

Welcome the Year of the Pig at Lunar New Year Celebrations Big

now You gh to K u o Eno n E mall ugh to Serve You – S

iginal r O s ’ r e Vancouv ore Food St

ore! , Spic es & M bs r e H , s n a Be iin s , Flour, edients • Bul k Gra Stop for Bakin g Ingr • On e e e Option s ats • Glute n Fr as s Fe d Me r G & d te a No n -Medic nic Choic es a g r O • Organic , h it w duc e on • Fres h Pro eaut y Secti B d n a h lt es e He a tio n of Che c • Natura l le e S e g u eli & a H • In Store D

1595 Kingsway, Vancouver, B.C. • 604-872-3019 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8am - 9pm www.famousfoods.ca

Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration

The Year of the Pig in the Chinese Lunar calendar will begin on Monday, February 4 in 2019.

The 46th Vancouver Chinatown Spring Festival Parade celebrates the Year of the Pig on Sunday, February 10. The parade starts a 11 am and takes about 2.5 hours to complete.

The 1.3-km long route starts at the Millennium Gate on Pender Street (between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street).

More info at www.cbavancouver.ca/

Happy Valentine’s and Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration Thursday, February 15, 2019 1 – 3 pm Collingwood Neighbourhood House Enjoy organic Chinese tea, take part in

Chinese calligraphy and watch Red Sunset Classical Dancing at 1:30 pm.

Chinese New Year Lion Dance on Kingsway

Saturday, February 16 11:30 am – 1 pm Two lion dance teams bring good fortune for the Year of the Pig along Kingsway.

One lion starts at Boundary Road and the second lion starts at Rupert Street before meeting up and heading down Joyce Street.

Presented by the Collingwood BIA.

13

February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Take part in Perspectives: An Anti-Racism Arts Festival starting February 15

by Cecilia Federizon Perspectives: an Anti-Racism Arts Festival begins its multi-day festival from Friday, February 15 to Sunday, February 17, Tuesday, February 19 and Friday, March 22. Co-hosted by Collingwood Neighborhood House (CNH) and Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation (CCMF), the festival aims to inspire, teach and feature local artists to use creativity as a catalyst for change.

On Friday, February 15, teams who signed up to participate in the 48-Hour Film Challenge come together for a kick-off event at 4 pm. The 48-Hour Film Challenge will continue throughout the weekend until Sunday, February 17 evening. Participants create and produce short films while working with experienced filmmakers. Team applications are accepted until Monday, February 10, 2019.

The Poetry Jam also takes place on Friday, February 15, beginning at 6 pm. Attendees can expect a night filled with performances by local spoken word artists on themes of anti-racism and resiliency.

On Sunday, February 17, Dumplings+ participants learn how to make Chinese dumplings and the significance of food and culture. To participate please register by contacting foodsecurity@cnh. bc.ca or by calling CNH at 604-435-0323. Limited spots are available.

Tea & Stories with Cease Wyss is held on Tuesday February 19. This tea-blending workshop includes local dried herbs, small packages to carry their teas home and Indigenous teachings about the medicines we blend together. To participate please register by contacting foodsecurity@cnh.bc.ca or by calling CNH at 604-435-0323.

Limited spots are available.

The festival will conclude with the Film Screening on Friday, March 22 to recognize the International Day the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The screening features the short films created by the teams who participated in the 48-Hour Film Challenge.

The Anti-Racism Arts Festival has been an annual event run by CCMF

since 2015 and has moved across the country. This year, CNH is excited to co-host the 2019 Perspectives: An Anti-Racism Arts Festival with CCMF. All are welcome to attend the festival. All the events are held at CNH Annex (3690 Vanness Avenue at Boundary). For more information, go to www.canadianculturalmosaicfoundation.com/2019anti-racism-arts-festival.html or contact Crecien Bencio at cbencio@ cnh.bc.ca or 604-412-3702.

RENFREW PARK COMMUNITY COMPLEX 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5M 2Y3

604 257-8388 Centre: ext 1 Pool: ext 2 Fax: 604 257-8392 Website: www.vancouver.ca/renfrewrec or www.renfrewcc.com

Jointly operated by Renfrew Park Community Association and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

Family Day Weekend Hours of Operation Sat Feb 16

Pool Fitness Ctr 8:30am-4pm 9:30am-4pm

Centre Area 9am-5pm

Sun Feb 17

1-5pm

1-5pm

Closed

Mon Feb 18

1-5pm

1-5pm

Closed

Workshops NEPP-Earthquake Preparedness (18+yr) City of Vancouver

We all witnessed the earthquakes in Nepal, New Zealand and Chile and saw the devastation caused. Living in Vancouver, we too could be faced with an earthquake - yet few of us take the steps to ensure we are prepared. This session covers what is required to develop your family emergency plan, how to conduct a "Home Hazard" Hunt and what to do when an earthquake strikes.

192651 Tue Feb 12 7:00-8:30pm Free

Fermented Beverages: Ginger Beer (19+yrs) Jennifer Lee

Traditional ginger beer is a naturally sweetened and carbonated non-alcoholic beverage. It is produced by the natural fermentation of prepared ginger spice, yeast and sugar. Join this exciting and educational session and make some delicious ginger beer! Bring a jar (500ml size) to take your ginger beer home!

190539 Wed Feb 27 7:00-8:30pm $20/person

Wibit Inflatable Day in the pool

Saturday, February 16th from 2:00pm–4:00pm

Come and join in the fun! *Regular admission rates apply

Program Highlights LEGO WEDO 1.0 Robotics (6-12yrs) Tomorrow's Playground

Exciting and Fun introduction to Robotics with LEGO Education WEDO coding Software. Students will be able to build and program from a variety of Robots, featuring working motors and sensors, including a roaring lion, drumming monkey, alligator and many more, while exploring a series of cross-curricular theme based activities. Teamwork is encouraged in this STEM based program, as students develop their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Repeat students are welcome and will go on to build new projects! No session Feb 18.

195106 Mon Feb 11-Mar 11 3:45-5:15pm $100/4 sess

Whistler Ski or Snowboard Day-Trip (13-17yrs)

Come and enjoy a day of downhill skiing or snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb. Not only will you have fun in the snow, you will also get a chance to meet youth from other community centres. Price includes transportation, mandatory lessons, rental (if needed), and a lift pass. All participants must complete and return the consent and waiver package 14 days before the trip.

197902 Sun Feb 24 6:00am-6:30pm $125/person

Tai Chi Chuan (19+yrs)

Arsenio Chua Tai Chi Chuan is an internal Chinese martial art, practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. Though originally conceived as a martial art, it is also typically practiced for a variety of reasons and is especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movements. $8.10+tax/drop-in if space.

200192 Sat 2:00-3:30pm Feb 2-Mar 23 $56/8 sess

Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program (19+yrs)

Special Events

The Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program is a free sixsession workshop. This workshop helps people with chronic health conditions and their caregivers to better manage symptoms and activities of daily life. Participants receive the “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions” companion book. Participants should attend all six sessions to get the maximum benefit.

For more information, contact Self-Management BC at 604-9401273 or selfmgmt@uvic.ca, or visit www.selfmanagementbc.ca.

196425 Tue 6:00-8:30pm Feb 5-Mar 12 Free/6 sess

Family Day (All Ages)

Flow Yoga (19+yrs)

Celebrate BC Family Day. Come Join us for an afternoon of family fun. We'll have games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals and a bouncy castle. This is a free event but please register as space is limited. All children under the age of 8yrs must be accompanied by and adult.

193405 Sat

Feb 16

12:00-3:00pm

Free

Sara Baghbannezhad Shishvan Flow yoga is the synchronization of movement with breath. Movements are cued with inhalation or exhalation of breath. It incorporates energetic movement through a series of yoga postures with a sense of fluid physical motion. $6.19+tax/drop-in if space.

190533 Mon Feb 25-Mar 25 5:30-6:30pm $27.50/5 sess 190535 Thu Feb 21-Mar 28 11:30am-12:30pm $33/6 sess

14

February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)

H IGHLIG H TS

Joyce Location: 5288 Joyce St. ; Tel: 604-435-0323 / New Annex Location: 3690 Vanness Ave. ; Tel: 604-428-9142 / Visit: www.cnh.bc.ca

From a red cedar to a totem pole

COMMUNITY LUNCH Collingwood Neighbourhood House invites you to lunch every Tuesday and Thursday. Full meal prices are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students and $3.25 for children under 12. Items can be purchased a la carte or “to go.” *Joyce location

by Shadia Serrano continued from page 2

lap to say that although Eagle travels widely, she is rooted in her home and family.

February lunch menu

Bear is a protector, supporting Eagle and Eaglet from below with strength and great wisdom. Bear is the guardian of the forests and streams. Bear holds Salmon out front. The artist holds great respect for Salmon because Salmon feeds everything in the forest. Salmon always returns home to begin the cycle of Life. Salmon appears in all of Gerry’s work.

Tues 05 Hot and sour soup Baked Chinese Bun Salad Mango pudding

The carving was made of a 600-year-old Red Cedar Tree. This Ancient Tree’s journey is profound, now intricately intertwined with our community’s journey. Red Cedar found its way to us to support

Thurs 07 Chicken chow mien Salad Sesame seed cookies

pause, to feel rooted in our places together, here, in this beautiful land, to honour all of the stories of there to here that led us to this place we call home.

About the artist: Sheena has had a professional partnership with the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood in Vancouver since 2000. He had led many carving projects in the community including the 29th Avenue Skytrain Station and Slocan Park (Guardian of the Park), Collingwood Neighbourhood House (Multicultural Gateway), Renfrew Park Community Centre (Eagle totem),

Tues 12 Pepper pot soup Quinoa wrap with roasted beef Salad Banana chocolate cake Thurs 14 Sausage and perigee Salad Almond cookies Tues 19 Cream of mushroom soup Chicken or falafel sandwich Salad Baklava

our Carver and the Apprentices in their journey to reveal the spirit of this ancient being for all of our community. Red Cedar has found a new home, standing solidly and firmly with us at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex as a guardian and emblem of all of our journeys. Red Cedar’s solid constant presence will prompt us to stop and

Thurs 21 Hamburger or veggie burger Salad Brown sugar and cranberry tart

Synala Co-op, Windermere Secondary School and now the CNH Annex (Ancient Cedar’s Journey Home) Sheena is a member of the Interior Salish Nation and an established carver and artist whose work crosses multiple disciplines. His work, which he describes as Contemporary Coastal Salish, has been exhibited throughout British Columbia in galleries such as Hill Native Art, Doug Reynolds Gallery, Leona Lattimer Gallery and Eagle Spirit Gallery.

This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Neighbourhood House

Tues 26 Vegetarian chilli soup Tacos Salad Carrot bran muffin Thurs 28 Spaghetti meatballs / Primavera Salad Chocolate zucchini cake

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

15

February 2019

February 2019

Upcoming Events

Ñ Chinese New Year Celebrations in Collingwood Ð Saturday, February 16th, 11:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join us in our annual Chinese New Year Lion Dance Celebration! We are very fortunate to have two lions dancing along Kingsway and Joyce Street. One starts at Boundary Road in front of Boundary Plaza and the second begins at Rupert Street and then they travel along Joyce Street to end their Collingwood journey. There usually a dual of the lions in front of TD Canada Trust. We invite everyone to join in and celebrate in the festivities.

FEBRUARY 16 Chinese New Year Lion Dance 11:30 a.m. Ð 1:30 p.m.

APRIL 29 Ð MAY 1 BIABC Conference in Surrey MAY 25 Collingwood Days Festival www.collingwooddays.com

For your business to participate in the annual Chinese New Year Lion Dance email angela@shopollingwood.ca or call the Collingwood BIA office to sign up.

Ñ Tips to lower your business utility costs Ð BC Hydro Power Smart

#shopcollingwood Make Collingwood part of your everyday shopping experience.

1.

Turn off the lights & equipment Ð set your monitors on sleep mode or off

2.

Make the switch to LED lighting

3.

Regularly clean air filters Ð they work better and use less energy

4.

Apply for Business Energy Savings Incentives bchydro.com/businessincentives

@shopcollingwoodvancouver

5.

Look of ENERGY STAR label

@shopcollingwood

Looking for more help contact a Business Energy Advisor 1.866.522.4713

Help us keep Collingwood safe and clean.

Contact us when you see areas that need attention.

Thank you.

@shopcollingwood #300 Ð 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC T: 604.639.4403 E: info@shopcollingwood.ca

16

February 2019

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Don Davies MP Vancouver Kingsway

年年有餘 歲歲平安 Chúc MØng Næm M§i

Collingwood

Happy Lunar New Year!

Wishing you a Prosperous & Healthy Year of the Pig

LION DANCE CELEBRATION SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16TH

BOUNDARY TO RUPERT ON KINGSWAY l JOYCE ST.

11:30 AM TO 1:30PM Call the Collingwood BIA to have your business participate 604.639.4403 or email angela@shopcollingwood.ca

Community Office 2951 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J4 604-775-6263 | Don.Davies@parl.gc.ca

sodhi & associates

DonDavies.ca

A Trusted Name In Our Community For Over 35 Years

3 trusted services / 1 location Sepy Kopahi and Mony Sodhi

INCOME TAX PREPARATION (BASIC RATE $59.95) ACCOUNTING, BOOKKEEPING PAYROLL, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, WCB; GST & PST FILING

EMAIL: hmtax@shaw.ca WEBSITE: www.hmtax.com

PHONE: 604-438-3611

IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS MEMBER OF ICCRC

EMAIL: gsodhi@shaw.ca

FAX: 604-438-3611 ADDRESS: 3321 KINGSWAY, VANCOUVER

We speak: English, Punjabi, Farsi, Hindi, Mandarin, Cantonese, Urdu and Bengali