Page 4

May 2021

Collingwood Corner:

3595 Kingsway, Collingwood Autoworkers circa 1942

by Loretta Houben

255-3135 438-3373 559-9155

336-9866

Bill Steffensen shared these two photos on the Nostalgic/ Sentimental Vancouver Facebook group and gave permission to share them with RCC News readers.

His great-grandmother and his mother (the little girl) are standing on the sidewalk at 3595 Kingsway, which is the shop just behind them on the left. In the distance is the intersection of Kingsway and Boundary. On the right you can see a tall brick building, which is the BC Telephone Dexter Exchange. The white building next to it is the Central Park Funeral Home, later the Technocracy Building and now a Buddhist temple.

Bill’s grandfather, Lesley Trotter, owned the Collingwood Autoworkers shop, and his grandmother ran a beauty salon in the same building. His great-uncle Hilton Trotter is in the second photo. He was in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the time. Bill’s mother, Doreen Trotter, is

1942, Bill Steffensen’s great grandmother and his mother, standing at 3595 Kingsway. Photos courtesy of Bill Steffenson

the little girl in both photos.

Just past the autoworkers shop is the Central Park Sash and Door, and near the corner is Robertson’s Bakeries at 3665 Kingsway. These photos are nearly 80 years old, and it’s interesting to see how the area has changed in that time.

Businesses in 1942 located near Kingsway and Boundary, from the B.C. directories. Image courtesy of Loretta Houben

Now offering Contactless Delivery. Order and Pay Online.

Order Delivery Or Carry Out Phone: 604-437-1717

Website: www.papajohns.ca

#300-3320 Kingsway, Vancouver

Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11AM-10:45PM Friday-Saturday: 11AM - 11:45PM

May 2021

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: Bill Steffenson, Bryden Fergusson, Carmen Rosen, Jessie Yeung, Julie Cheng, Karen Vanon, Lindy Johnston, Loretta Houben, Paul Reid, Penny Lim, Sophia Han

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: May 10

The Renfrew-Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).

Eco-art sculptures: Beaver Pond(er)ing Lodging

by Lindy Johnston, Carmen Rosen and Jessie Yeung

Still Moon Arts Society has an exciting year ahead of them. With a new eco-arts program manager and a number of grants approved, the organization is getting ready to put into action several projects, including Beaver Pond(er)ing Lodging.

Beaver Pond(er)ing Lodging interweaves the ancient tradition of willow basketry, communityled riparian (stream bank) stewardship and innovative mycelial (mushroom) sculpture techniques. This eco-art project aims to connect stories of human displacement and habitat loss through the creation of a beaver and recreational vehicle (RV) woven from living willow plant material filled with myco-remediative Turkey Tail mushroom mycelium (as shown in the photo).

Why a beaver and RV?

Local seniors and Indigenous knowledge keepers tell us stories of a time when the area held natural bogs and many streams flowed throughout the watershed. Beavers had engineered ponds all along lower Still Creek, creating abundant wetlands that slowed and stored rainwater and nurtured a diverse ecosystem.

In the Coast Salish worldview, the beaver symbolizes social responsibility and diligent collaboration. The beaver has also become a national symbol for Canada. This came through the exploitation and trading of beavers for their pelts that were used to make hats for the aristocrats of Europe, where beavers had already been trapped to near-extinction.

By honouring and encouraging beavers as ecosystem builders, the artists strive to embody the traditional values of Beaver, while working towards ecosystem health. The RV respectfully acknowledges the residents who find refuge in the outskirts of our unaffordable city.

Still Moon hopes the collaborative process can inspire a sense of belonging and a culture of stewardship in the human community of the watershed.

Eco-restoration

This project coincides with Still Moon’s larger stewardship initiative Shedding Light on Still Creek, aimed towards long-term ecosystem-based restoration: replacing invasive species with native species, improving water quality of local creeks and increasing biodiversity through community participation. The exact location of this project is currently pending permit approval.

A beaver climbs up the stream bank, curiously noticing an RV that is parked on the lawn. Photo by Carmen Rosen

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Renfrew/Collingwood Community News

Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

May 2021

loughby Arevalo will be leading artists on this project. This project is made possible with funding from Canada Council for the Arts.

For more information on Beaver Pond(er) ing Lodging and Shedding Light on Still Creek, follow Still Moon @stillmoonarts on Instagram, Facebook @Still Moon Arts Society or sign up for their monthly newsletter at www.stillmoonarts.ca.

Still Moon Arts Society is a non-profit organization based in Renfrew-Collingwood in Vancouver and founded in 2004 by artistic director Carmen Rosen. Since inception, Still Moon has used art to raise environmental awareness and connect the community within the Renfrew Ravine and Still Creek. Still Moon is known for its annual festival, the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

Willoughby Arevalo is passionate about the ecology of fungi, the ways they shape our world and the ways we shape theirs. His lifelong friendship with fungi has led him down a mycelial pathway – from a start in field identification and mushroom hunting, branching into cuisine, DIY cultivation, farming, education, writing and eco-arts. He has more than 30 years of lived experience with fungi and, in the last decade, has prioritized sharing mycology with communities. See his work at mycelialconnections.net, artandfungi.org and walkingthemycelialweb.org.

Noticed in Vancouver

by Karen Vanon

Although the vaccine news gives hope that the pandemic will be over soon, Dr. Bonnie Henry has stressed the importance of not becoming complacent, particularly as cases remain relatively high. Therefore, we must continue to remain within our own region of B.C., avoiding non-essential travel.

Here in Renfrew-Collingwood, we are fortunate to be part of Vancouver, our diverse, vibrant and intriguing city. As we all stay close to home, my Noticed... art feature will sometimes zoom out to showcase not just our neighbourhood, but our city too.

RENFREW PARK COMMUNITY COMPLEX

2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5M 2Y3 Complex Office: 604 257-8388 ext 1 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.

Fitness Centre Hours of Operation

Starting Saturday, April 10th

The fitness centre will have additional times available on Saturdays! 9:15am-10:15am 10:30am-11:30am 11:45am-12:45pm (65+yrs) 1:30pm-2:30pm

Victoria Day Weekend

Sat, May 22-Mon, May 24 Swimming Fitness Pool Centre Centre Area

Saturday May 22 Sunday May 23 Monday May 24

6:30am2:00pm 6:30am- 2:00pm 6:30am- 2:00pm

9:15am- 2:30pm

Closed

7:30am- 2:00pm

9:00am- 4:30pm 9:00am- 4:30pm

Closed

Renfrew Licensed Preschool On-Line Registration Apr 6-Jun 24

Spring Highlights

Craft Time (10-17yrs) Starla Bayley Come and join the Community Youth Worker and complete some fantastic crafts! Could be anything from inspirational rocks to building bird houses- every week will be a new craft that has you hanging out with your friends in a safe distanced environment. 326286 Fri May 7-28 3:30-5:00pm 326288 Sat May 8-29 2:30-4:00pm Free Free Badminton Lessons (6-18yrs) Richard Le Participants will focus on their movement and coordination required for Badminton. This will help improve their clearing, net drop shot, serve techniques, while introducing smashing. Rules on how to play half court single game will be reviewed. Please note participants are encouraged to bring their own Badminton racquet. Shared supplies such as birdies designated for use between specific participants each session. They will be sanitized between classes.

Shuttle I

320745 Sun May 23-Jun 20 9:30-10:25am $85/5 sess

Shuttle I/II

320747 Sun May 23-Jun 20 10:40-11:35am $85/5 sess 320749 Tue May 18-Jun 22 3:50-4:45pm $102/6 sess

Shuttle II/III/IV

320751 Sun May 23-Jun 20 11:50am-12:45pm $85/5 sess 320753 Tue May 18-Jun 22 5:00-5:55pm $102/6 sess Spring Highlights continued

Osteofit (55+yrs) Berdjis Bahrami This class focuses on improving strength, posture, balance and agility through the use of functional exercises, agility activities, resistance training and appropriate stretches. 319200 Tue May 18-Jun 22 10:30-11:25am $34.50/6 sess Foot Care Clinic (55+yrs) Nancy KF Lee Have your toe nails cleaned and cut safely by a registered and certified foot care nurse. Manage your callus, corns, diabetic feet, fungal and ingrown nails. Please bring a large towel. Please request a receipt from the foot care nurse. Registration must be one day prior to the appointment date. Mon May 10 12:30-4:20pm $42/30 min sess

Summer Registration Start Dates for Centre Programs

In Person/On-Line .... Saturday, May 22nd at 9:00am By Phone ................ Saturday, May 22nd at 10:00am