Renfrew-Collingwood Community News May 2023

Joyce Street Spring Clean Up party

by Paul Reid

Thanks to the Joyce Street Spring Clean Up party on Earth Day April 22nd, the Joyce Street area never looked better.

Now in its second year, the Joyce Street Clean-up is another great opportunity for neighbours to get together and to give back to their community. The number of participants was down a bit from last year, perhaps due to the slightly damp and grey weather; nonetheless, spirits were high and the rains held off.

Before heading out, the volunteers were signed in and orientated. This included reading through a list of safety tips; becoming familiar with the areas where each crew would focus on and to be outfitted with reusable gloves, garbage bags and litter pickers (tongs).

Families, friends; even our dear local political figures, Adrian Dix (MLA) and Don Davies (MP) set out for the next two hours to see what they could remove.

As well as bags and bags of trash, three syringes (needles) were identified and later removed. One of the safety tips is “not to pick up any hazerdous materials such as glass, barbed wire, syringes/needles, medical waste, pipes, chemicals or debris with sharp or rusted edges.” So in this case, the volunteers alerted members of the CCPO to actually retrieve these three syringes.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the Spring Clean-up party! Photos by Paul Reid

Spring Clean-up: Continued from page 1

Angela Evans, head of our Colllingwood Business Improvement Association and co-organizer of the event was there to set up; sign people in; she also MC’d the prize give-away.

Brenda Krivuzoff, Principal of St. Mary’s School, another co-organizer, was present to set-up and organize along with Angela. It was Brenda who initially brainstormed the idea for this clean-up after noticing that the area was in need of some attention.

Partap Sahota, Executive Director of the Collingwood Community Policing Centre, along with many CCPC volunteers, helped with the event as well.

Partap says “Our community clean-ups are like all our other programs. It is a way of bringing community to work together towards a common goal of improv-

So the neighbourhood gets cleaned; the volunteers get a little reward and the biggest reward, surely though, is the knowledge that they had just helped out their fellow neighbours and community in a real way. A win/ win/win.

Thank you again to the organizers (the Collingwood BIA, St. Mary’s School, Collingwood Community Policing Centre, Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Adrian Dix’s Constituency Office); those local businesses and organizations that donated the gifts and all of the volunteers.

The next clean-up that will include a larger area of Collingwood, is on Saturday May 27, 2023. Everyone is welcome to join in and there will be a BBQ afterwards. Interested?

ing the quality of life in our area.”

After the clean-up, everyone headed around the back of St. Mary’s School for a lovely BBQ and prize give away.

Email:partap@collingwoodcpc.com or Tel:604-717-2935

Behind the table: Angela Evans and Partap Sahota orientating a clean-up volunteer.

Two familiar faces: Don Davies (MP) and Adrian Dix (MLA).

About half of what was gathered.

Who are Canadians?

by Robert F. Edwards

Today I would like to share some events and people that I’ve met as true Canadians. I have had the good fortune of living in the Collingwood area for the last 50 years.

Living in a multicultural city in greater Vancouver, I’ve often wondered how I could live anywhere else and here’s why.

Last month I went to the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain Station. When the train stopped, I found the car was full – in other words, standing room only. With no hesitation, I got on board and braced myself on one of the supports available for standing passengers.

This is the first one of whom I think a Canadian is and why we are the way we are. A woman in her mid-50s of South Asian origin and her daughter were sitting in two seats. The woman asked to her daughter to get up and “give that man your seat.”

Without hesitation, the girl got up and motioned for me to take her seat. I thanked the young lady and said, “no, that’s okay.”

Her mother looked directly at me and said, “you’ve earned the seat, she hasn’t. Please sit down.”

That’s the way Canadians think and how they respect their elders.

The next one takes place on my way to the dentist. As I approached the front door of the building, a man, I think in his mid-20s, opened the door to go out. He left the door open for me but realized that

I wouldn’t make it in time for his kind offer. Instead, he whirled around with the speed of an athlete and held the door open for me.

That’s the way Canadians think of helping another person. The third instance happened at the bank. As I was standing in line with only three tellers available, the wait seemed longer than normal. One teller had a chair for the client to sit down on while the other two were standing room only.

Finally, the man in his mid-30s in front of me was next with the one teller who had the chair. Without hesitation, the man turned to me and said, “go ahead, it is yours.” I said, “no, you’ve been waiting just as long as I have, it’s your turn,” but he said, “I’m going to wait until another one comes available, that one’s yours.”

That’s the way Canadians show who we are and where we are in this world.

These people I’ve never met before my life, and they’ve come from all walks of life as well as different parts of the world. However, they have one common thing that nobody can ever take away from them, which is their Canadian-ness. When you think like these people you are Canadian no matter where you are. I am so very grateful to be one of the Canadians.

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: Alger Ji-Liang, Julia Di Schiavi, Karen La, Karen Vanon, Masa Kateb, Paul Reid, Robert F. Edwards, Sophia Han, Zhaozhong Zheng

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).

You Can Find the RC Community News @

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Contact

Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261 Fax: 604-451-1191

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Renfrew/Collingwood Community News

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9

2023 Moon Festival: Call for artists and performers

by Karen La and Masa Kateb

Still Moon Arts Society is seeking creative folks, like yourself, to join the 21st Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. They are recruiting performers of all kinds for the Harvest Fair and diverse artists for the Streamside Lantern Installation. Both events take place on the first full day of autumn, Saturday, September 23, 2023.

The festival features live music, dance, shadow puppets, ecological arts, workshops, youth performances and more. It’s an annual community arts and sustainability festival with free events that span the month of September. It celebrates the full moon, harvest abundance, diverse cultural traditions, the natural environment of Renfrew-Collingwood, and its communities.

Over two decades, the Moon Festival has engaged over 100,000 people by providing arts-related jobs, visibility for artists and opportunities for local businesses and residents to experience art in the presence of a caredfor Ravine.

• 2023 Moon Festival Theme:

Water’s Wisdom

• Application deadline: Sunday, May 21st, 2023 at 11:59 PM (PST)

• Selected applicants will receive a fee and opportunities to connect

We honour, reflect and ask:

• What is your relationship to water?

• What is your relationship to wisdom?

Visit www.StillMoonArts and apply to be part of the festival’s 2023 edition.

The Harvest Fair is a familyfriendly event at Slocan Park (2750 East 29th Ave) where attendees can make crafts, play games and enjoy acts by local musicians and performers. It also features the popular vegetable competition, which celebrates the neighbourhood’s best homegrown produce. Performers

can be musicians, dance groups, stilt walkers, clowns, balloon artists, puppeteers, storytellers and any other performance artists.

The Streamside Lantern Installation is the magical heart of the Moon Festival. This evening spectacle is set against a magnificent backdrop of towering trees, welcoming walking guests through a transformed Renfrew Community Park (2929 East 22nd Ave), decorated with giant lanterns and diverse illuminated art, and accompanied by enchanting live music and the running sound of water. Artists can be those who make illuminated art suitable for the outdoors. Like lanterns, electronic-art, eco-art, land art, or any other art that shines in the dark.

If you are a performer, artist or a creative community member, Still Moon Arts would love to hear about your practice and how your artistic expression could embody the theme of Water’s Wisdom.

For more details and to apply, visit www.StillMoonArts.ca. For questions and support with the application, contact amanda@ stillmoonarts.ca.

Calpulli Cemanahuac Aztec Dance Group at the 2022 Harvest Fair. Photo by Alger Ji-Liang

Community members at the Streamside Lantern Installation of the 18th Moon Festival. Photo by Zhaozhong Zheng

Read On! A news section for Renfrew-Collingwood learners

CELEBRATING MOTHERS

by Sophia Han

The tradition of breakfast in bed  Sunday, May 14 is Mother’s Day. It has a long tradition in the United States where it was first celebrated in 1914. In Canada, sons and daughters show their appreciation with small gifts of flowers and cards. The tradition of serving mom breakfast in bed started in the 1930s.

Favourite breakfast meals on Mother’s Day include French toast and pancakes because they are easy and fun for children to make. A fresh fruit salad is a healthier option that is also easy to prepare (and clean up afterwards). Serve the meal with a small bouquet of carnations, the traditional flower of Mother’s Day.

A brunch tradition 

Not everyone enjoys breakfast in bed. Since the 1940s, restaurants have advertised Mother’s Day brunch specials. Brunch is a British tradition invented in the late 19th century. It combines a social gathering with both breakfast and lunch. Taking mom out to brunch at a restaurant also saves her the work of cleaning up afterwards.

Besides breakfast or brunch, there are many other ways to recognize the work that mothers do. A simple phone call is a meaningful way to show appreciation and a more recent trend is to enjoy an outdoor activity together such as a hike or a stroll in a park.

Favourite local brunch spots include Liberte Cafe & Restaurant at 3670 Vanness Avenue and Canffle at 3581 Kingsway. Liberte Cafe specializes in desserts and waffles made from ube, a purple yam with a sweet, nutty flavour.

Or for something different, try treating mom to dim sum. There are many excellent restaurants in Vancouver but a hidden gem is Wang’s Shanghai Cuisine at 3328 Kingway.

What is your favourite place to take mom for Mother’s Day? Let us know – just email rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca.

VOCABULARY

appreciation – when you feel thankful for something serving

giving food to someone healthier – better for your health afterwards – after an event bouquet – a bunch of flowers

since + present perfect – use since before have and the past tense of a verb to describe a continuous action that began in the past: Since the 1930s, mothers have enjoyed breakfast in bed.

specials – meals available for special occasions social gathering – gathering of friends and families besides – in addition recognize

to show appreciation for someone’s work meaningful

important or special trend

something that is popular stroll

walk

specialize – use specialize to talk about the food a restaurant makes well hidden gem – a special place that is not well known

Who doesn’t love waffles for breakfast on Mother’s Day? Photo by Sophia Han

Suffering from an abusive relationship? Find help at Westcoast Family Centres

by Julia Di Schiavi

Kristy knew that she had to get out of her unhealthy marriage.

During an eye-opening visit with a counsellor, Kristy soon realized that her relationship with her wife had reached a breaking point. As she went through a list of toxic and unhealthy patterns with her counsellor, the discovery that she was in an abusive relationship felt like an utter shock. To her surprise, many of the red flags that she was experiencing were patterns of emotional and psychological abuse.

Her marriage wasn’t always this way. At the start, Kristy’s relationship

had a tolerable beginning and the moments she shared with her wife were not out of the ordinary.

As time went on, her relationship began to feel like a rollercoaster.

The first escalation began with criticism. Kristy’s wife would put her interests down and criticize her for spending money on the simplest things that brought her joy. Later, Kristy found herself being monitored for all her spending and even restricted from seeing her friends and family. At times, when Kristy would voice concern for her partner’s notable changes in behaviour, her reality would be manipulated through her partner’s defensiveness and denial of their actions. As a result, Kristy began to question her own sanity – a common expe-

rience in conflictual relationships called gaslighting.

Kristy’s relationship with her partner made it hard to hold onto truth. As the relationship continued, she found herself stuck in a cycle of abusive patterns, keeping her anxiety at an all-time high that continued long after their child was born.

Although she was never physically abused, the emotional and heartwrenching pain she endured made it much harder for Kristy to comprehend the psychological damage her relationship was causing. At one point, being yelled at in public led Kristy to feel smaller than ever, fueling feelings of sadness, shame and even defeat. Yet, it was also the catalyst that helped her make the decision to leave.

Noticed in Vancouver

Today, Kristy is in a safe spot and flourishing. As a family counsellor at Westcoast Family Centres, her experiences are the biggest inspiration behind the development of Westcoast’s Safety & Wellness in Conflictual Relationships program, used to aid and guide individuals experiencing violence, control and/or abuse in their relationships.

Many survivors of domestic violence have had their life paths altered by controlling and abusive circumstances. With the trust of a supportive environment and countless resources, survivors can be guided away from challenges, presenting them with an opportunity to start a new chapter of their life.

Available in two formats, the program is designed with online resources and materials as sources of education, as well as six free one-on-one support sessions with culturally sensitive and experienced counsellors. Individuals at risk also have the option between private support and free self-paced resources, and PDFs are available in nine different languages, including English, Spanish, Tag Log, Ukranian, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Farsi and Cantonese.

Westcoast Family Centres recognizes that every individual faces different and unique needs. Most importantly, there is no expectation for people to leave a relationship by participating in the program. Through their services, the main goal is to offer individuals a safety plan and support people where they’re currently at.

If any part of Kristy’s story resonates with you, or you think that you’re in an unsafe relationship, visit the Safety & Wellness in Conflictual Relationships webpage anytime to receive a free consultation chat and support based on your current circumstances.

Website: https://www.westcoastfamily. org/safety-wellness-in-conflictual-relationships

Julia Di Schiavi is the communications and development coordinator at Westcoast Family Centres. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in communication and sociology from Simon Fraser University. Julia is passionate to use her knack for storytelling to create lasting change, aiming to provide individuals, families and children with a voice to meet their individual needs.

Karen Vanon

“The ground was moving beneath me and the things I knew to be true were falling.”

RENFREW PARK COMMUNITY COMPLEX

AsÊtheÊsayingÊgoes, “AprilÊShowersÊbringÊMayÊFlowers”!

WeÊmayÊnotÊbeÊdoneÊwithÊrainÊhereÊinÊVancouver,Ê butÊit’sÊ�meÊtoÊadmireÊourÊMayÊflowers!

Menu:ÊLasagna,ÊgreenÊsaladÊandÊ�ramisu

55+Êyrs

JoinÊusÊonÊtheÊfirstÊdayÊofÊSummer!

Menu:ÊRoastÊbeef,ÊmashedÊ potatoesÊandÊgravy,Ê vegetablesÊandÊcarrotÊcake.Ê

55yrs

JuneÊ7,Ê2023 12:00pm-2:30pm

442976 $13.33/personÊ

Registra�onÊforÊallÊourÊsummerÊrecrea�onÊprogramsÊopensÊonlineÊandÊin-personÊonÊMayÊ28th,Ê2023Êstar�ngÊatÊ9:00am.ÊProgramsÊfillÊupÊ fast especiallyÊforÊourÊday-campsÊandÊleadershipÊac�vi�es!ÊÊPhoneÊregistra�onÊopensÊMayÊ29Ê@Ê10:00am

LookingÊforÊthingsÊtoÊdo?ÊÊRenfrewÊParkÊhasÊmanyÊgreatÊopportuni�esÊforÊyouthÊallÊyear.ÊÊFromÊcomingÊ inÊandÊvolunteeringÊtoÊusingÊourÊgymÊandÊgamesÊroomÊonÊFridayÊnights.ÊÊAllÊthisÊisÊfreeÊwithÊaÊOnecard.Ê

· UpcomingÊSummerÊFun LeadershipÊCampÊ$125/week

· FridayÊNightÊOut-Trips Ê$20/nightÊ

· VolunteerÊorienta�onÊJuneÊ29,Ê5:00pm 7:00pm

· Playgrounds/WadingÊpools openingÊearlyÊJuly

IÊacknowledgeÊthatÊweÊareÊonÊtheÊuncededÊterritoriesÊofÊtheÊCoastÊSalishÊNa�on,ÊtheÊxʷməθkʷəyəmÊ(Musqueam),Êsḵwxwú7meshÊ(Squamish)ÊandÊ selílwitulhÊ(Tsleil-Waututh),ÊwhereÊweÊlive,ÊworkÊandÊplay.Ê

What’s happening at your local library

Collingwood Branch

2985 Kingsway at Rupert 604-665-3953

EARLY YEARS PROGRAMS (Drop-in)

Toddler Box Party

Wednesday, May 10

11 am–12 pm

A special box party just for toddlers. The library provides crayons, music and cardboard boxes, you provide the toddlers! There are also games constructed out of boxes for them as well. For ages 1–3.

GET INVOLVED

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS (Drop-in)

KidsZone: Communication Station

Wednesday, May 24

3:30–4:30 pm

Explore some of the ways we communicate with each other. From postcards to texting to secret messages, we’ll use art, crafts and games to build connection. For Grades K–7. For complete listings visit www.vpl.ca/events

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS

(Registration required)

Get Messy in the Garden

Wednesday, May 3

3:30-4:30 pm

Experience the science and magic of gardening. Join in fun gardening activities like seed identification and learning to pot your own plant. Clothing that you can get messy in and gardening gloves are encouraged. Grades 4–8.

English as Additional Language book club for older adults

Bi-weekly on Wednesdays | 10:30 am to 12:00 noon

Next sessions: May 3, 17 and 31

Registration: For adults and older adults, no experience needed. Sign up by emailing literacyRC@cnh.bc.ca or calling 604-445-1773.

Are you an older adult who loves to read? Then this book club is for you. Improve English language skills, meet new people and discuss different topics. This book club is led by volunteers with the support of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House literacy program. The club aims to read one book a month. Past books have included Betty by Tiffany McDaniel and Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens. For more information, visit https://www.cnh. bc.ca/event/esl-book-club/.

Food hub seeks artists and musicians

Calling all artists and musicians of all ages. The local Food Hub is looking folks to perform or showcase their work from June 2 to September 15 at the front lawn of Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street) while the Community Care Harvest Box is running. Set lengths are flexible. No previous experience is required, and a small honorarium will be provided for artists and musicians. For questions and to apply, email foodhub@cnh.bc.ca.

Dear Neighbours,

I would like to thank all the volunteers who came out on a lovely Saturday morning to help make our community shine a little bit brighter as part of the Joyce Street Clean Up Party. It was great seeing new and old faces at such a meaningful Earth Day event.

Thank you to St. Mary’s School for hosting and to the Collingwood Business Improvement Association, the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, and Collingwood Community Policing Centre for organizing the cleanup and BBQ.

B.C. renter’s tax credit

Budget 2023 proposes an annual incometested renter’s tax credit that will give $400 to low- and moderate-income renter households with an adjusted income of $60,000 or less. Those with an income that is more than $60,000 and less than $80,000 may receive a reduced amount. You can start claiming the renter’s tax credit on the 2023 T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return when you file your income taxes in spring 2024.

Minimum Wage Increase on June 1

Effective June 1, 2023, the general minimum wage will increase to $16.75 an hour. This is a 6.9% increase, which was B.C.’s average annual inflation rate in 2022. Global inflation is making life more expensive around the world, and people across the province are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Tying the minimum wage to inflation is a key step to prevent the lowest paid workers from falling further behind.

My community office, at 5022 Joyce St. Vancouver, is open to provide services for constituents in person with appointments and via phone and email. Please give us a call at 604-660-0314 or email us at adrian. dix.mla@leg.bc.ca, and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can. 聯絡本辦事 處請電郵 adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca 或 致電

Thank you very much for all that you’re doing and take care.

Sincerely,

Adrian Dix MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway

604-660-0314. 如欲親臨敬請預 約。

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

The local Food Hub is looking for artists and musicians to entertain shoppers during their summer vegetable market on the front lawn of Collingwood Neighbourhood House on Joyce Street at Euclid. Photo courtesy of Collingwood Neighbourhood House

“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.”

– Malorie Blackman

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

Celebrating 15 and 20 year milestones at CNH

By Collingwood Neighbourhood House

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. At the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM), CNH staff and contractors who have reached the milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service to the neighbourhood house were thanked by the Board of Directors.

This year, we recognize and celebrate Yoko Tomita and Tanya Findlater for their 20 years of service, and Rosanna Costantini for her 15 years of service.

Here’s what Emily Rees, Director of Community Development, had to say about Yoko:

“Congratulations Yoko Tomita, Arts and Culture Manager. Yoko came to CNH as a Community member, volunteer, and mural art contractor. Over the past 20 years, Yoko has contributed to and led projects to create murals, banners, mosaics, and shared her visual art skills with the community.

“Renfrew-Collingwood neighbours and CNH staff have become extended family to her, and that is why she loves working here. Yoko expressed, that it has always felt like a privilege to work at CNH and she has learned so much about serving community in order to create a better place to live. In fact, it is CNH’s privilege to have Yoko as part of the community and we have all learned so much from her.

“Yoko would like to thank January Wolodarsky, Andrea Berneckas, Paula Carr, Jennifer Gray-Grant and everyone in the Community Development Department, past and present for the endless support, friendship, and learnings. Thank you, Yoko for all you have shared and taught us!”

Here’s what Sanjeev Karwal, Director of Youth Services, had to say about Tanya:

“Tanya moved to Vancouver from St. Catherine’s, Ontario in 2002. She started her work at CNH as the summer program leader for the Youth with A Purpose program. From there, Tanya started working at the Youth Centre on Friday and Saturday evenings, where she still spends the majority of her time.

“Over the last 20 years, Tanya has had many roles at CNH, such as running the buddy program for newcomer youth at the local schools, leading adult recreation drop-ins, and working with the kids at the Families Branching Out program.

“Two of Tanya’s greatest assets are, one, how well she connects to and supports the youth, and two, her unlimited supply of energy.

“Over her span of work at CNH, Tanya has appreciated working, learning and unlearning from a diverse group of youth and staff, the upwards mobility in her positions and the opportunity to address the needs and gaps for youth in the community. Some of Tanya’s favorite memories include: Handing out hot chocolate and candies in front of CNH on Halloweens, the boys and girls sleep over events, competitive floor hockey games, and when former participants come back to visit as adults. Thank you, Tanya!”

Here’s what Sabrina Bantog, Child Care HR Manager, had to say about Rosanna:

“Rosanna currently is a Grenfell School Age Childcare worker and she does Parents & Tots Gym time with our Recreation department.

“Rosanna has been a participant, a volunteer and currently a staff. It all started over 20 years ago when she used to bring her children to Parents & Tots Gym Time and she participated in Family Place.

“Rosanna has volunteered being an MC at many of CNH’s events, she has done senior’s friendly phone calls, volunteered & had a position in the Families Branching Out Program, and she facilitated the Mama & Papa Goose Program.

“Rosanna’s supervisor, Donna says that Rosanna enjoys implementing a variety of activities with the children including cooking, art, music/dancing and playing tag. The children love her willingness to play along side them. She thinks Rosanna has stayed with CNH so long because she genuinely loves working with children, encouraging their individual growth and development.

“Donna’s favourite work-related memory involving Rosanna was when she made a pinata for Spring Break a couple of years ago. The children all took turns trying to break it open and… nothing. It was like the pinata had been made of concrete and not paper mache. So, Rosanna tried to break it, and ended up breaking the pinata stick in half, and the pinata remained unscathed. The running joke with her now is that she should explore a career of making houses with her paper mache mixture as they would stand up to almost anything and not fall apart!

“When Rosanna was asked why she is still around, she said “It’s because I want to give back to our community, to families and children, to impact their lives… to put smiles on their faces, to lend them an ear when needed and also give them my heart but most of all to have them realize they are special, welcomed and that they belong and that they matter. We all have an important part to play in making changes and improving our society and the world and I can do this with my everyday interactions with the people who walk through the doors of CNH. Congratulations and thank you, Rosanna!”

Yoko Tomita

Tanya Findlater

Rosanna Costantini

May 2023

Joyce Street Spring Clean Up – April 22, 2023

Thank you to all that joined us for the Joyce Street Spring Clean Up party on Earth Day April 22nd. Joyce Street never looked better. Thank you to St. Mary’s School for hosting the event and providing the space, tables and chairs and the BBQ.

This community event is brought to by the Collingwood BIA, St. Mary’s School, Collingwood Community Policing Centre, Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Adrian Dix’s Constituency Office.

Calendar of Events

April 30 – May 3

BIABC Annual Conference

Victoria,BC

May 5

Cinco de Mayo

May 14

Mother’s Day

May 22

Victoria Day

SAVE the DATE

Safety Survey 2023

A report will be going out to all Collingwood BIA Members. We appreciate your time to fill out the Safety Survey. We have many resources in our community. First, if it is an emergency and occurring at the time call 9-1-1. If the incident has already happened call non-emergency 604.717.3321. You can also report a crime online at www.vpd.ca. The Collingwood Community Policing Centre is a located at 5160 Joyce Street, they can be reached at 604.717.2935. Reporting is important for the Vancouver Police Department to have accurate data of our neighbourhood.

We are very fortunate to be in one of the lowest crime areas in the City. Thank you to our Collingwood Guardians who patrol the BIA several times per week. If you see the Guardians in their red jackets, don’t hesitate to speak with them to share any concerns you have. To learn about the Guardians go to www.collingwoodcpc.com

Jr. BIA and Scholarships

The Collingwood BIA Scholarship application will be available March 12–May 31, 2023. If you are a Grade 12 student attending Windermere Secondary School, contact info@shopcollingwood.ca There are two $500.00 scholarships available.

Save the Date – Collingwood Days – 20th Anniversary July 14-22

Collingwood Days is back again and in full force. Events and activities will be programed over the week of Celebrations. The festival turns 20 years old! July 22nd will be the Big Festival Day at Gaston Park. See ad in this issue to learn how you can participate as a vendor, food truck, volunteer or sponsor. Go to www.collingwoodday.com

Shop Collingwood! It’s good for business

Collingwood Days 2023

July 14 – 22

(see ad in this issue for more information)

How to Reach Us: @shopcollingwoodvancouver @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood

Office:

#300 – 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2

T: 604.639.4403

E: info@shopcollingwood.ca

Thank you for coming out