Renfrew-Collingwood Community News, October 2013

October 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS

RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com

MMAR Coalition against Repeal

Fighting the powers that be

by Paul Reid

2013 has been a turbulent year in the world of medical marijuana use here in Canada.

Yes, still more fuss over this helpful little herb. Health Canada has recently unveiled the changes that they want to instate to the current Medical Marijuana Access Regulations (MMAR). The new regulations, called the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) are in fact law now and will run concurrent with the MMAR until March 31st, 2014.

Against the changes are a growing number of medicinal marijuana patients and organizations, including Jason Wilcox and Paul Hunt, pictured left.

Paul Hunt is the president of our local Green Cross Society—our oldest local medical marijuana dispensary. Paul and the Green Cross have recently joined in with Jason, who is spearheading the fight against the proposed MMPR. To this end, Jason has founded the Coalition against Repeal—a nation-wide organization that has grown to 6,400 members since he began it 10 months ago.

Sitting downstairs at the Green Cross Society are Jason Wilcox (left) with President of the Green Cross, Paul Hunt. Jason is the founder of the MMAR Coalition against Repeal - which he formed to fight against the new regulations brought in by Health Canada concerning medical marijuana. This nation-wide coalition has already grown to 6,400 members since it began just 10 months ago and has the support of 58 groups including the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and Dana Larson’s Sensible B.C. Under the new regulations, dispensaries like the Green Cross, where thousands of patients get help and support as well as tested medicine, would be lost. “Once they take our gardens away, this place will be no better than the crack house down the street in the eyes of the law.” Photo: Paul Reid

Citylights Church invites you Page 3 Vintage photo comes to life

Page 9 Tuedon Ariri’s circus life

“I believe we are the strongest patient advocacy group going in the country because there are 58 groups working collectively. When you put their networks together, you really have a huge representation of this country.”

Page 16 Moon Fest pics

Continued on page 4

Page 16

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October 2013

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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October 2013

Citylights Church invites you to their grand opening Sunday, September 29

by Deanna Cheng A new church with a new group of enthusiastic community leaders is launching at the old church located at Boundary Road and Laurel Street, the one that used to be Boundary Road Assembly.

Citylights Church is hosting a barbecue for their grand opening on Sunday, September 29. There will be music, teaching, coffee and good company. Pastor Brett Donald will introduce the topic, “If God is real, will He accept everybody?”

The promotional postcard said Citylights Church is “a church for the spiritually curious, the not-soreligious, and Jesus-followers.”

“We encourage the spiritually curious to come and learn here,” Donald said. “You don’t have to be a Christian to join our community and to journey with us. People can come and explore.”

He claims Vancouver is one of the least “churched” cities in North America and he wants to change that. To be churched means to belong or participate in a church and doesn’t have anything to do with the physical building itself.

“Two churches closed down in this neighbourhood and now, one is reopening,” Donald said.

“We recognize many in the city may have not really heard about who Jesus really is and we want to change that. Jesus has changed

lives over centuries; He has changed my life, and we want others to know how rad Jesus is. That is a bit of our heart.”

In 2010, Donald was a pastor in Langley when he was asked to start a new church using the Boundary Road assembly facility, now called CityLights.

He said yes and built up a community of young adults.

“Many times people think of church just for religious people and, a lot of the times, it is older people. Our church is very young and energetic.”

“Often young adults aren’t part of the church in our nation but our church is full of young adults.”

Citylights Church , located at Boundary Road and Laurel Street, hosts a grand opening barbecue on Sunday, September 29. Everyone is welcome.

How did he engage this section of Vancouver? “Went out and met people. Word spread. Facebook.”

“This is a place of celebration, a place of community, a place of training,” he said. “There are two main things we offer at the moment: an opportunity to hear about Jesus and explore and an invitation for people to come into the community.”

At the grand opening, there will be fun and engaging child care where the public can meet Bryanne Folz, the kids’ director for Citylights.

“I’m hoping to get new families involved,” Folz said. “These are opportunities to connect. We welcome all walks of life and will not

turn anyone away.”

She said there was no kids’ ministry prior to August but she will be running activities such as craftmaking and singing every Sunday.

Folz is a certified elementary teacher in Coquitlam and most of her experience with children is from kindergarten to Grade 5.

The grand opening gathering will be at 3410 Boundary Road on Sunday, September 29 at 10 am. followed by a barbeque at 11:45 am.

Pastor Brett Donald welcomes you to Citylights Church.

For more information about the church or its grand opening, visit the website www.citylightschurch.ca or

Deanna Cheng is a journalism student at Langara College and a resident of Renfrew-Collingwood.

email brettd@citylightschurch.ca.

EYE CARE CENTRE

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October 2013

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

MMAR Coalition: Continued from page 1

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:Ricardo Cerna, Soren Elsay, Deanna Cheng, Loretta Houben, Ewa Jagla, Janet Lee, John Mendoza, Paul Reid, Timothy Shay, Alysha To

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.

Next submission deadline: Oct. 10

The coalition includes the support of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, Dana Larson’s Sensible B.C., several attorneys, and a long list of patients, dispensaries and everyday citizens.

Paul is one of the coalition’s steering committee members, which includes members from across Canada who are working to raise money and awareness and to collect impact statements from those who will be affected.

Jason adds, “They are saying that we (medicinal marijuana growers) are public safety threats, but why aren’t the hobby growers that are Problems with the new plan, first using the same stuff? Why is the and foremost, must be the fact that actual real threat – 30% of all fires the prices for medical marijuana in Canada are started by grease, so are predicted to quadruple. Jason why don’t we take all the grease, says, “Even by their own cost-benefit put it under federal control so that analysis, the government says that 30 nobody can use grease in their percent of medical patients will not house. That’s how asinine the be able to afford the cannabis that government is being about this.” the government is going to supply.

So they basically shot themselves in Thirdly, under the new rules, only the foot by saying that, because that’s dried marijuana can be used—not a direct barrier to access. That’s kind edibles such as brownies, cookies, of like giving us a freebie.” Half the tinctures and extracts, which are impact statements reveal that people quite often the most common and fear going back onto pharmaceuticals healthiest methods of ingesting because they won’t be able to afford the cannabis medicine. So again, their medicine. the proposed changes go against another right that was already Secondly, there are many problems determined in court. around not allowing patients

Another result of the new regulations: dispensaries like the Green Cross, where patients are able to get help and support as well as their medicine, would be lost.

“Once they take our gardens away, this place will be no better than the crack house down the street in the eyes of the law.”

The coalition has hired veteran constitutional lawyer John W. Conroy to represent them in court in these matters. While Mr. Conroy has generously donated a considerable amount of pro bono time, estimated costs are around $250,000 for this constitutional challenge. “That’s just a guesstimate, because nobody has ever restrained the federal government before. The injunction that we are going to serve the government is historic in nature as it’s never been done before.

We are basically restraining the federal government before a law is passed to prevent irreversible harm to medical patients. Where traditionally, the law gets passed, people go to jail, lives get messed up, and then, the law gets challenged. But instead of seeing a bunch of peoples’ lives get messed up, we are trying to, one, restrain them, then put them on trial for what they’ve done.”

Should the injunction not stop the government’s plans, plan B for the coalition is to sue for damages, which would be the largest class-action case by medical patients seen for over a decade.

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 @

“In my opinion, when Canada starts to put monetary gain ahead of our constitution, we cease to be Canadians, and it is our duty—our obligation—to oppose prohibitionary policy that affects the sick, the dying and the elderly. That is seriously how I feel and that is at the core of why I fight,” says Jason. “I am a medical patient—I’ve been terminal for 21 years. This is my last fight. I’ve put everything I have into this.”

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

Paul, a long time activist himself, predicts he too will retire after this.

“This is the last big push — a way of giving back to members.”

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

being able to grow a garden for themselves. “People who juice raw cannabis,” says Paul, “need it fresh.”

They would not be able to wait the weeks it might take to arrive by mail.” This is another barrier to access that our Constitution already provides for.

What can readers do who are interested in helping the Coalition against Repeal?

“They can visit our website; they can provide detailed impact statements that will be used to help with the trial; and they can donate (details on the website).

Fundraising is now a key objective.”

November

www.mmarcoalitionagainstrepeal.com Email: coalitionagainstrepeal@gmail.com Phone: (604) 562-7731

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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October 2013

Your family tree tips for free research

by Loretta Houben

Genealogy is a rapidly growing hobby on the internet, with many websites dedicated to assist you in locating the missing pieces in your family tree. Of course, some of the sites require a paid membership and are not cheap, but there are many which are free! Included in this article is a list of both free and paid sites.

One of my favourite free sites is FamilySearch.org which is sponsored by the LDS church, or Mormons. The church has a huge vault in Granite Mountain in Utah, where they have been documenting and saving a vast amount of records; 3.5 billion images on microfilm, microfiche and digital media. Why are they doing this, you ask? It’s part of the Mormon’s religious beliefs but also benefits those of us who wish to access the files of our ancestors.

Fortunately the Mormons provide much of this information for free at FamilySearch.org and also at various Family History Centers located around the world. The closest centre to the RenfrewCollingwood area is at 5230 Kincaid Street in Burnaby, B.C. The microfilms in the main library in Salt Lake City can be loaned to print from the computer. If you the branch centre for a nominal fee visit the library for this service, and are open to the public. remember to bring a notebook with the items that you are For example, I am researching my searching for written down in a mother’s side of the family, and list, so you don’t waste your time. discovered the 1910 passenger I’ve been guilty of not doing this! ship list online when my greatgrandparents sailed to the USA WorldVitalRecords.com is a paid from Russia, but I need to get a site that I’ve been trying out for the copy of the original microfilm on past year. It’s fairly good but not file. The Family History Center as good as Ancestry.com, which would be able to help me with this. is much more expensive. I’ve If you have any questions about learned that you get what you pay what you are searching for, it’s best for! If you don’t wish to have the to call ahead. The Burnaby Family expense of a full year membership History centre phone number on Ancestry.com, you can pay for is 604-299-8656. I haven’t had a month at a time. There is also a a chance to avail myself of this free two-week trial period that I service but hope to in the near haven’t used yet. future.

For the past year of 2013 I have Another great resource is Ancestry. been attending free monthly com, which is a paid subscription, meetings at the downtown central but many records are free at the branch of the Vancouver Public downtown Vancouver Public Library at 350 West Georgia Library Central Branch, using Street, sponsored by the BC the Ancestry library subscription Genealogical Society and hosted by on the library computers. I have Diane Rogers. The meetings are on accessed a few of the Canadian the second Tuesday of each month, censuses on the free site, and for from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. If you are only 20 cents per page you can

as one of the options. Clicking on the chart option opens a page where you can download and print a full chart which will be helpful in your first step of listing your family tree information.

Under “Resources” there is a larger drop-down, including Census Records, with links to the Canadian censuses.

Under “Special Topics” there is a link to Chinese-Canadians with a full page including different links to aid in that search.

The information I’ve included in this article is a drop in the bucket!

Hopefully it will be an inspiration to you and enable you to investigate further so your family tree branches are filled in soon. Happy hunting!

Next month the topic of storing your genealogy information in a software program will be discussed.

Loretta Houben has been pleasantly surprised at the kindness of fellow genealogy researchers in Vancouver and wishes to pass on the tips she has learned in 2013.

interested, please inquire at the central library branch or check the BCG website at www.bcgs.ca.

The meetings have been very beneficial and helpful to me, as most of the members in the group are experienced and they kindly answer all questions with patience. Did you know that on the sixth floor of the library there is a genealogy section which includes many microfilm tapes and CDs with information on cemetery transcriptions, census transcripts, church records and ships lists?

Please visit the Central Branch website at http://guides.vpl.ca/ genealogy for more links. On this link, you will see a bar at the top which says “Genealogy Home/ Basics/Resources/Special Topics/ Services at VPL. If you hover your mouse over any of these boxes, a drop down bar appears under each one, to further aid you in your search for genealogy help. For instance, under “Basic” a drop-down bar appears with Genealogy Charts

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

October 2013

Join a meeting of brilliant minds to share great ideas TedxRenfrewCollingwood

comes to Vancouver October 19

by Alysha To It wasn’t until I watched my first Tedx Talk last year that I discovered a whole new realm of knowledge and ideas of innovation that blew my mind. I became addicted to knowledge – always having a burning desire to know more and more.

Many of us specialize in an area of expertise; whether business, arts, sciences or new technology, we bring what we know to the table. Keep in mind that information is knowledge

and knowledge is power and then imagine this: a room full of 250 people all coming together from different backgrounds “From Far to Here” to extract information from 15 brilliant minds.

great ideas and sharing them with the rest of the world. The TEDxRenfrewCollingwood stage will bring unique thinkers together in a platform for sharing wisdom and experiences. It is a chance to welcome interesting people into the community and to showcase and celebrate the dynamic ideas that exist in Renfrew-Collingwood and in Vancouver.

TedxRenfrewCollingwood comes to Vancouver on Saturday, October 19, 2013, and is giving you the opportunity to be a part of this experience.

Acting as a hub of energy and inspiration, TEDxRenfrewCollingwood is a

TEDxRenfrewCollingwood is dedicated to discovering

day-long event that brings together creators, catalysts, designers and thinkers to share their ideas worth spreading on the TEDx stage. A day of listening that invites thought, discussion and play, the TEDx talks are interspersed with activities, performances, and food worth eating.

Apply online for your ticket today at http://tedxrenfrewcollingwood. com/attend.

Alysha To is a Renfrew-Collingwood resident and TEDxRC volunteer.

Renfrew / Collingwood

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North 

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Broadway

E.22nd Ave.

E.41st Ave.

Collingwood Insurance Ph: 604.438.9888

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Kingsway F

London Square Dental Centre #220 3340 Kingsway Ph: 604.435.4545

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5750 Tyne Street

Jo yc eS t.

Ru pe rt St.

Ea rle sS t.

E.33rd Ave.

2066 Kingsway

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E.29th Ave.

J

The Tipper Restaurant Ph: 604.873.1010

Renfrew St.

Nanaimo St.

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Boundary Rd.

Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street 604.434.0323

Slocan St.

Grandview Hwy.

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1st Avenue Dental Group Ph: 604.254.5040

116 - 2800 E 1st Ave.

Joyce Hair Design Ph: 604.451.7680

5156 Joyce St.

Papa John’s Pizza Ph: 604.310.PAPA

#300-3340 Kingsway

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Get Involved in Renfrew-Collingwood

What’s happening at your local library

Homeless Action Week 2013 - Public Forum on Public Transit Access

Els Kushner, children’s librarian at Renfrew Branch library, was on hand at the Slocan Park Harvest Fair as part of the Renfrew Ravine Harvest Moon Festival. She was excited to announce that all Vancouver libraries will open on Sundays, including our local libraries, the Renfrew Branch and Collingwood Branch.

Wednesday, October 16, 7:00–9:00 pm at Collingwood Neighbourhood House The transit system is changing this fall with Skytrain fare gates and the electronic COMPASS coming into effect. The informal method people with no money have used the system will no longer work. Now, formal access will need to be planned. The local homeless prevention committee will have a panel discussion including speakers about existing low-income access policies and programs currently working in other cities.

Please see the video here http://www. indiegogo.com/projects/520228/ emal/4401526. If you are able to assist us with their campaign it is much appreciated; there are have great Collingwood Neighbourhood House umbrellas, t-shirt and cups on offer with donations to support our campaign about low-income access to public transit.

Cantonese Workshop on Introducing Solid Foods to Your 6-12 Month Old Baby Wednesday, November 6, 1:00-2:00 pm, Collingwood Neighbourhood House A workshop on Introducing Solid Foods to Your 6 - 12 Month Old Baby will be offered in Cantonese at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House. Registration is free but it is limited to 10 to 12 participants. Free childminding is also available. Register by visiting the Neighbourhood House or by calling 604-435-0323.

For questions about the workshop, please contact Kathy Romses at 604-707-3640 or Kathy.Romses@vch.ca

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October 2013

Photo by Stephanie Lim

Collingwood Branch, 2985 Kingsway at Rupert

St., 604-665-3953

Children’s Programs Lego Block Party. Stories and play time with Lego. Lego Provided. (And Duplo for smaller hands.) 3 Tuesday evenings, 7:00 – 8:00pm Oct. 1, Nov. 12, Dec. 10 Family Board Games. Board games and puzzles for the whole family. 3 Saturday afternoons, 2:00 – 3:00pm Oct.19, Nov.16, Dec. 14 Wednesday Library Club. Books, crafts and activities for children aged 6 – 12.

3 Wednesday afternoons, 3:30 – 4:30pm Oct. 15, Nov. 13, Dec. 11 Family Storytime. Stories, rhymes and songs for the whole family. Thursday mornings at 10:30 until Oct. 17 Babytime. Songs, rhymes, lap play and books for baby. Thursday mornings at 11:30 until Oct. 17

Teen Programs The Word Factory: Weekly Creative Writing Workshops for Youth! Create poetry, prose and spoken word. Special guests include published writers, poets and Vancouver Youth Slam artists. Runs every Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 pm and.

All youth ages 14-25 from the Renfrew Collingwood school catchment are welcome.

Renfrew Branch Library, 2969 East 22nd Avenue at Nootka, 604-257-8705

Who doesn’t love a good mystery?

Wednesday, Octobre 16 and 23, 3:30-6:00 pm The Renfrew Park team of Community Centre and Library Branch will be partnering on Who Did It! Mystery, a family murder mystery event on Wednesday, October 16 and 23rd. Over these two sessions, 3:30-6:00 pm, guests will hear about Renfrew Branch, and take part in a Murder Mystery game. Come hear about how the mystery came to being, some famous detectives, and all the different parts of the library that can lead you into mysterious ways.

We’ll then carry out a Murder Mystery Game and see how well everyone does at crimesolving!

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

5288 Joyce Street at Euclid Phone: 604-435-0323 Sundays Badminton 19+, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm Mondays Seniors’ Yoga Drop-in, 9:15 - 10:15 am Seniors’ T’ai Chi (24 Form), 10:30 11:30 am Seniors’ T’ai Chi (48 Form), 11:45 am 12:45 pm Zumba, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Seniors’ Wellness Group, 1:00 - 3:00 pm (A variety of activities and trips.

Times vary.

Pick-up schedule at reception.)

Jazzercise, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Volleyball/Soccer, 8:15 - 10:00 pm Tuesdays Bellyfit, 9:30 - 10:30 am Parent & Tots, 10:00 - 11:45 am Jazzercise, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Hatha Yoga, 6:45 - 8:15 pm Zumba, 7:15 - 8:15 pm Wednesdays Chinese Classical Dance, 9:30 - 11:00 am (Adults & Seniors) Seniors’ Strength & Stretch , 11:00 am 12:00 noon 32 Form T’ai Chi Sword, 11:15 am 12:15 pm (Session 1) Zumba, 12:05 - 1:05 pm 32 Form T’ai Chi Sword, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm (Session 2) Jazzercise, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Zumba, 7:15 - 8:15 pm Thursdays Seniors’ Yoga Drop in, 9:15 - 10:15 am Parents and Tots, 10:00 - 11:45 am Seniors’ Coffee, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon Jazzercise, 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Hatha Yoga, 6:45 - 8:15 pm Drop-in Badminton (Adult), 6:45 - 8:30 pm Drop-in Soccer (Adult), 8:30 - 10:00 pm Fridays Zumba, 9:30 - 10:30 am Seniors’ T’ai Chi (24 Form), 9:30 - 10:30 am Seniors’ T’ai Chi (48 Form), 10:45 11:45 am Seniors’ Strength and Stretch, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Chinese Classical Dance (Adults & Seniors) 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm Zumba Gold, 12:40 - 1:40 pm Bellyfit, 6:00 - 7:00 pm Saturdays Jazzercise, 10:00 - 11:00 am Zumba, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Senior Drop-in Badminton, 2:30 - 4:15 pm

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My life in art

October 2013

by Janet Lee

The beginning of my life in art and how I started painting can be summed up in a couple of words: impossible miracle.

After my husband died suddenly, most friends and relatives tried to comfort me, visit or take me out for social lunches. Mary was one of those friends. One day, she invited me for afternoon tea. The afternoon seemed long because I was not in my usual social mood. There was not much conversation. Mary ran out of topics so she suggested that we go to her basement and paint.

Immediately I said, “I can’t paint!

I don’t even like art.” But Mary insisted that we try. So down to the basement we went. She set out paintbrushes and paper. She also hung up a painting from a calendar and said, “Just do what I do.” Essentially we just copied the calendar art. Mary had to help me here and there but it was not too difficult, and, before I knew it, we had spent four hours in the basement.

Mary invited me to come and paint again the following Wednesdays.

Within the first month, there were seven of us; Mary’s twin sister Margaret, sister-in-law June, plus Susan and Evelyn, so we called ourselves The Group of Seven. Each week we met for lunch then went to Mary’s to paint. Her husband would bring us lemonade as we worked.

Our meetings continued for a year and then several members of the group developed other interests so we dissolved. During that period of my life I was still working at St. Vincent’s Hospital as a nurse, on night shift. My boss was aware of

my art and gave me permission to display some of my paintings on a wall at the hospital.

One day, a group of doctors from England toured the hospital. They saw my paintings on the wall and one asked if he could buy one of them. What a surprise. A doctor from Europe! (At that time, I thought people from Europe were much more cultured than us. I would have given him the painting.)

This gave me much encouragement.

I thought maybe I do have some talent … maybe I should try to do more studying. So I started to look for a teacher.

I found Mr. Lee Mo and his wife Young Win. Both were graduates of Beijing University and were well-known for their art. I made an appointment for a Saturday afternoon and went to meet them, carrying my equipment with me.

After our meeting Mr. Lee Mo said that he could not teach me because I was too old, and it takes too long for one to learn art. It felt like ice-cold water had just been poured on my head.

Then he said, “As long as you are here you might just as well stay and paint something so that your trip is not wasted.” So, I poured my heart and soul into this painting even though I was just copying another piece of work. At the end of the session Mr. Lee said “You’re in” and “Come again next week.” He had liked the way I used colour, how bright and daring it was.

In the normal study of art one usually starts with a basic general approach. I chose to work with oils which are one of the most difficult

On the Table storytelling project From February to May 2013, a diverse group of seniors and artists gathered to celebrate similarities and differences and share their culture and history.

Local artists Carmen Rosen, Yoko Tomita, Siobhan Barker and Stephanie Lim lead seniors in workshops to design original tablecloths drawn from personal memorabilia and stories.

The tablecloths the groups created will be used at special occasions at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

mediums to begin working in. I admire the Impressionists so that was the way Mr. Lee tried to help me. Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, Degas, Matisse and Georgia OKeefe, especially Van Gogh and Monet were my favourites. I love Van Gogh’s style and bright tones.

His paintings are so alive. He became my mentor. I practised copying all of the listed artist’s paintings. I believe I copied most of their well-known paintings and all the resultant paintings were sold or gifted.

Alice Labanda and Janet Lee made Learning the basics is very a seniors’ art project, called the important for an art student and Neighbourhood through Senior’s Eyes, I was no different. Since I did possible this past spring. not learn at a young age I had to Photo by Ewa Jagla get over this stumbling block. I had to start from the beginning. production was usually three Working on techniques was a killer paintings. I liked and loved every for me, but I tried and tried again, painting. Each brush stroke was sometimes working long hours until my fingers became numb from applied with my deepest inner feelings and energy. I express my holding the brush. passion for and my love of nature on every canvas, with colour, in order My dream was to become a good to show the greatness of creation. artist. I tried to enter any art competitions I could. It was the Entering competitions is not always best way to expose one’s work. smooth sailing. There are always If an artist wants to join an art many rejections. This is part of life club or organization, activity in and I believe one must not lose competitions is important. It faith. The name of the game is try, is also important to begin with try, again. Eventually someone will group shows then do solo shows. like your paintings or be willing to All shows involve much effort take a chance on you. and many considerations from the theme, the preparation of Painting helped me a great deal new paintings, frames, titles, during that time in my life. Not pricing, arrangements, advertising, only did it help emotionally during promotions, receptions, my mourning but I learned to refreshments, length, invitations. appreciate nature’s beauty more Finally an international competition deeply and learn the art of painting.

The side benefits of my involvement came to Vancouver and after my acceptance I submitted one piece of with art included having more opportunities to meet and make work. On opening day my painting friends in the art circle and at was sold! What a joy that was. conferences, as well as learning the At that time, my weekly painting ins and outs of the artist’s life. After my Group of Seven dissolved I got together with another group from the churches. We met every Tuesday for lunch and then we’d study reference books and critique each other’s paintings, trying to help one another. One of the girls became my best friend. Unfortunately I lost her to cancer a few years ago.

I love art. I love the beauty of the world. For me the ability to put some of that beauty on canvas was a great privilege. I thank God for this gift and its strength that upholds me to this day.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

9

October 2013

The Value of Heritage: A Vintage Photograph Comes to Life

by J. Mendoza On the last full day of a vacation in Chicago, Illinois, I found myself at a vintage market, browsing a goods sourced from all over the American Midwest. The merchandise mix was so vast, I spent over an hour wandering from booth to booth.

Amid the countless booths, I spied a gentleman selling vintage photos.

There I spotted the following item: an old black-and-white photograph of a male athlete. It had caught my eye; I thought the subject matter of the photo was distinctive and charismatic. The photo also reminded me the work of fashion photographers Bruce Weber and Herb Ritts. Upon its purchase, this photo would ignite a historical exercise—who is the subject in the photo?

The dealer had given me some initial clues. The photo might have been taken in the 1940s or early 1950s, and it was a portrait of a basketball player. Overall, there aren’t many identifying details to it, but the back revealed something interesting. In the upper left, there is a small sticker that says “Jorgensen Art Shop,” followed by “Fine Picture Framing”

on the middle line, and then on the bottom, it says “Neenah, Wisconsin.”

In a previous age, this background information concerning a vintage photo would have remained unknown. But thanks to the internet, finding out such information has been made a bit easier. For me, the desire to know the background story would make this purchase even more distinctive and the subject of the photo would finally have an identity. It is everybody’s hope to be remembered, and so the subject or the subject’s family might be pleased to learn that a simple portrait has found its way from the American Midwest to Western Canada.

That Jorgensen Art Shop sticker was enough of a clue to start the research. A quick internet search revealed the existence of Neenah, Wisconsin (population 25,501 in 2010) and the existence of the Neenah Public Library and the Neenah Historical Society. I sent a quick email to both places for help in identifying the figure and even attached to my message images of the photo in question.

Imagine my surprise when from those emails, I received a reply the very next day from Ms. Jane Lang, the executive director of the Neenah Historical Society.

Thanks to her persistent research, information concerning the photo started to gradually come in. According to a city directory, the Jorgensen Art Shop existed in Neenah, Wisconsin, from 1940 to 1948, and was owned

by Alfred Jorgensen.

Coincidentally, the name Photo of the young men’s basketball team of the basketball coach at from Neenah High School yearbook for 1938the Neenah High School 1939. The individual in the photo may be of was Ole Jorgensen.

Mr. Harland Hesselman, whose photo can Through the use of high be found in the bottom right corner. Photo school yearbook photos, courtesy of the Neenah Historical Society, Ms. Lang confirmed that Neenah, Wisconsin, USA the subject in the photo

was indeed a basketball athlete.

The figure in the photograph is identified as Mr. Harlan Hesselman, the captain elect of the 1938-1939 Neenah High School basketball team. She states that “basketball has always been ‘big’ in Neenah,” and it was a very successful team, with 13 wins and three losses in 1939.

A further internet search Discovered in a vintage market in Chicago, revealed that Mr. Hesselman later Illinois in July 2013, the photo is actually from attended what is now Neenah, Wisconsin, about 300 km north of Chicago. The subject of the photo is thought to the University of be Mr. Harland Hesselman, basketball athlete.

Wisconsin at Stout, as seen in a yearbook Photo by J. Mendoza from 1943, and that very nature of memory. How will he continued to play basketball into we be remembered and what will his university years. As for whether be our legacy to the future? In this or not he is still alive, an obituary instance, if an individual’s athletic concerning his family member from talents can be remembered, there 2006 hints that he may be still alive is the potential for all of us to after all these years, happily married do something that will be worth somewhere in Wisconsin. remembering and celebrating.

So what can be learned from this exercise in researching an old blackand-white photo? One would think that this story has little relevance to a Vancouver audience, but there’s some lessons here to be learned.

Internet Links

Our historical societies, museums, libraries and archives are valuable resources for chronicling and preserving the histories of our communities. In a city as young as Vancouver, it’s very important that we make an effort to preserve and recognize our collective histories.

Whether it’s Vancouver, BC, or Neenah, Wisconsin, our histories can offer insight and inspiration to future audiences.

An arbitrary souvenir from the American Midwest suddenly becomes more meaningful, imbued by a story of its subject and his community. The photo itself brings into question the

Neenah Historical Society: The aim of the Neenah Historical Society is “to collect, preserve and share the history and stories of our community.” Of notable interest was the media attention garnered from their recent display of artifacts excavated from a fallout shelter constructed at a private residence in Neenah, Wisconsin in 1960. http:// www.focol.org/neenahhistorical/ City of Vancouver Archives: One interesting component of the City of Vancouver Archives is the ability to research your home’s history, from its date of construction to its prior owners. http://vancouver.ca/ your-government/city-of-vancouverarchives.aspx

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October 2013

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Literacy through stories, conversations, reading, field trips and food Update on local literacy projects by Timothy Shay, Literacy Outreach Coordinator This issue of the RenfrewCollingwood News features another of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House Literacy Outreach Legacy interviews. In this installment on page 11, active CNH member Nasib Singh shares her life story.

The Towers Conversation Group meets every Thursday at 10:00 am in the Games Room at Collingwood Towers. Once a month the group holds a potluck and invites neighbours to participate thus the group has grown substantially with a current attendance of 12 to 14 individuals. Each week we practice useful phrases in English. Janet Lee voluntarily provides English/ Mandarin/Cantonese translation services for the group.

The Collingwood Reading Circle also meets weekly, on Friday mornings at 10:30 am, in the childminding room at the CNH. We are reading author Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club out loud, and working with pronunciation and comprehension.

This group numbers 10 to 12 and translation services are voluntarily provided by Christina Chen.

On August 29, 14 participants from the Towers Conversation and Reading Circle groups went on a field trip to the Capilano Fish Hatchery. Members of the two groups had not met each other so connecting with other members of the immediate community was appreciated by all. The Towers group members have subsequently decided their next potluck will be “salmon” themed.

The Word Factory youth writing workshop started during September in partnership with the Collingwood Branch of the Vancouver Public Library. Held once a week on Thursday’s at 4:00 pm at the Collingwood Branch these workshops focus on writing poetry and prose from prompts and learning spoken word techniques. Guest writers will occasionally present seminars.

The Literacy Cook Book project is gaining momentum with several recipes collected or dropped off at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House front desk addressed to Timothy Shay, LOC. During October, children from the Collingwood School catchment Buddy program will participate in the project by writing foodthemed haiku (a short form of Japanese poetry), for inclusion in the book. One recipe received is included in the Nasib Singh Legacy interview and another recipe from S. Barker details an interesting Trinidadian salt fish salad recipe:

Saltfish Buljol

Local literacy groups go to the Capilano Fish Hatchery.

Don Davies, MP Vancouver Kingsway Celebrating the bounty of our land and giving thanks for our blessings....

1/2lb salt fish (cod) 2 medium-sized onions 2 red and green sweet peppers Avocado, tomato, greens to garnish A small piece of hot pepper 1 tbsp lemon juice 1/ cup salad oil Wash and soak fish overnight. Strip into pieces. Several hours later wash and then squeeze out water. Repeat to remove excess salt. Squeeze dry and shred with fork. Add finely chopped onions and peppers.

Add lemon juice and oil. Toss to blend until oil is absorbed. Place in the centre of dish. Garnish with vegetables and serve.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best wishes for a happy and safe Thanksgiving celebration.

2951 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J4 Tel: 604-775-6263 Email: Don.Davies@parl.gc.ca

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

The Seniors Connection Nasib Singh: A cup of chai on rainy days Nasib Singh was born during the summer of 1939 on the Fiji Islands.

She is a devout Sikh. (In Fiji 38% of the population is Indo-Fijian. Just 0.3% of the total population are Sikh.)

She faced the fear and shock of a new family and much more hard work, often being responsible for all the extended family’s household dishes, which were washed outside in a bucket.

She was raised without electricity or other amenities on a farm as the eldest of five sisters and eight brothers. Her childhood was divided between the hard work of caring for the needs of her younger siblings and working on the family farm cutting and raking grass.

She experienced the pressures of jealousy and marginalization within the family. After a year she moved away with her husband and had their first child, a daughter, Premica. She then became pregnant with her eldest son. Just 13 days after the birth of her son, her husband died.

Much of her childhood memory is of how hot the houses were in Fiji and her frustrated personal desire to attend school. Her happiest memories are of playing with her brothers and sisters.

At 16, in 1956, Nasib was married in a traditional arranged marriage and moved in with her husband’s family.

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October 2013

Helping seniors live well in Renfrew-Collingwood

by Timothy Shay

She made sure her daughter Premica attended school and got the education that eluded Nasib in her own life. Premica married and came to Canada in the 1970s and sponsored Nasib’s immigration. Premica’s protection and resourcefulness continue to be a central strength in Nasib’s life.

In 1977 Nasib successfully completed a BC Department of Education Room Maid Course and worked for over a decade with the Delta Hotel chain. During her tenure as As was the tradition, her husband’s an employee with the hotel, brother came from India and Nasib received numerous married her. Soon she was pregnant written recommendations with her third child, a son. Five from clients for her kindness months into her pregnancy her and consideration and for marriage ended and Nasib returned extending herself beyond the to her father’s house and worked as requirements of her employment. a domestic and house girl.

She often took on extra work, including meeting patron’s needs for laundry and similar services on her own time.

Nasib Singh has faced a life of labour, disappointment and betrayal with grace and goodness.

As she says, “I have had a big tough life.” When asked for what got her through and the key to her personal resilience she mentions her daughter and her joy in her eight grandchildren.

She advises that she always “looks forward not back,” and when life has delivered hard knocks she says, “I get up and shake the dust off my skirts and keep going.”

Renfrew Collingwood Better at Home is currently seeking experienced housekeepers who speak Cantonese. Please phone 604-435-0375 for more information.

Her need for social context and communication led her to participate at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House where she participates in water exercises at the Hillcrest Pool and Chair Yoga at the centre.

Having never given up on her dream of reading, Nasib is an enthusiastic participant in the Towers English Conversation group and the CNH Literacy Reading Circle. She is articulate in spoken English. Between attending the twice weekly literacy groups and accessing the Raise-

a-Reader Book Kiosk for basic materials, she is learning to read for her first time in any language.

Timothy Shay is the literacy outreach coordinator based out of Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Indian Donuts or Gulgulas Nasib is the first Collingwood resident to answer the call and submit a recipe to the CNH Recipe Book Project. Enjoy these Indian donuts, called gulgulas, with a cup of chai. Great for rainy days.

1 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoon raisins Milk Oil or ghee Mix/work all these ingredients thoroughly. Add milk to the mixture until the flour turns into a runny batter.

Heat some oil / ghee in a pan and add the mixture into the oil with a tablespoon one scoop at a time.

Fill the pan leaving space for each gulgula to cook freely. Make sure the temperature is turned down to ensure these have a chance to cook all the way inside. When the gulgulas turn brown, take them out.

Let them cool and enjoy with a cup of chai.

It was Patrick’s wife, actress Leslie Jones, who read about the plight of the school house from a copy of the RenfrewCollingwood Community News.

She said, “Patrick, I think I’ve found a home for Green Thumb.”

Patrick McDonald is the artistic director of Green Thumb Theatre, now celebrating over 30 years of theatre for youth. In that time, Green Thumb has performed more than 15,000 times to four million people in every province and two territories in Canada, 36 states in the U.S., Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

“For readers of the newspaper, it’s interesting to note that a student from Carleton Elementary could walk over to Studio A and watch a run-through of a show that, a year later, kids in Australia are seeing at the Sidney Opera House. But it came from your community—so from Collingwood to Sidney Opera House.”

Green Thumb is settling nicely into their newly renovated home on Carleton School Grounds—taking over the nearly demolished historic Carleton Schoolhouse that suffered a fire. It was Patrick’s wife, actress Leslie Jones, who read about the plight of the school house from a copy of the RenfrewCollingwood Community News. She said, “Patrick, I think I’ve found a home for Green Thumb.”

Green Thumb Theatre explores contemporary issues with an emphasis on entertainment, enlightenment and education; issues such as: bullying, illiteracy, immigration, family relationships, substance abuse, self-esteem, environment, AIDS awareness, racism, mental health, native culture and problem gambling. “We don’t tell the kids how to live their lives. What we can do is show them bullying patterns in a different light and they have to figure out the answers on their own.”

Born in Edmonton, Patrick lived in Ottawa throughout his teen years and graduated from Carleton University with a political science degree. “I fell into

theatre immediately thereafter, spent a number of years acting and then from 1981 to 1988, I was the artistic director of Great Canadian Theatre Company. Then I moved here in May of 1988 to take over the artistic directorship of Green Thumb.”

“As artistic director, I am responsible for the selection of all the plays and the selection of the artistic talent. I seek out writers who we want to commission or look out for plays that have already been produced and once we’ve picked a season of plays. Then I’ll hire the directors and design teams for each one, and then doing auditions and finding actors.”

Patrick has directed numerous productions and has won numerous awards including a special Jessie Richardson Award in 1998 for “Continued excellence in vision in the field of theatre for young audiences” and the 2008-09 GVPTA Jessie Richardson Award for Career Achievement.

Patrick and the staff at Green Thumb are getting to know the Collingwood area and they love it. You can phone them if you ever want to see a play at one of the schools.

“We have been apart of Collingwood Days these last three years and we will do something a little bigger this year now that our buildings are open. We are just getting to know the community and we are thrilled to be a part of it.”

Congratulations Patrick and Green Thumb Theatre, for all of your successes, and thank you for rescuing our beloved historic Carleton Schoolhouse.

CBIA UPDATES l The Collingwood BIA held our 12th Annual General Meeting on September 19th, 2013 at the newly renovated Green Thumb Theatre.

We wish to thank our directors who have stepped down from the board, Gary Palmiere, Stephen Lau and Phil Dela Merced. We would like to welcome two new board members Philip Heming from Central Park Business Centre and Beth Hernandez.

2013-2014 Board of Directors Brad Colwell, President Stephen Hill, Vice President Angela Lam Nav Dardi Monita Chan

Shelley Craig Sirkander Visram Philip Heming Beth Hernandez A strategic planning session with the new board will take place in the next month. Stay tuned for the recommendations Save the DATE: Winter Carnival and Community Tree Lighting Ceremony: Saturady, November 30th, 2013, 4:00 – 8:00pm. Location Safeway parking lot at the corner of Tyne and Kingsway.

l

l

What are you doing in Collingwood? Tweet us! @shopcollingwood

*This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Business Improvement Association

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Introducing intercultural connectors to get the community physically active Renfrew-Collingwood INTERactive—formerly known as the Renfrew-Collingwood Intercultural, Health, and Physical Activity Initiative— has recruited a team of 10 individuals who will be serving as intercultural connectors in the neighborhood. They will be working within their own spheres of influence to promote community building through physical activity. Here we share the stories of half of the group, while the next half will be profiled in November.

Jolene Jolene is a member of the Gitskan and Wet’suwet’en nations and is a Family Circle facilitator in the Families Branching Out program.

Jolene likes Since Jolene to help has also people create been actively friendships working with with each other the canoe through physical program for many activity. years and is involved within the local Aboriginal community, she was asked to be a part of RenfrewCollingwood INTERactive.

Jolene enjoys being an intercultural connector because she liked to help different people create friendships with each other through physical activity. According to Jolene, her experience with RC INTERactive has been eyeopening and has challenged her to be more open and outgoing.

Jolene’s favourite form of exercise is canoeing, since this helps her be more in tune with her spirituality. The activity that she wishes would be able to develop more in RenfrewCollingwood, though, is the dancing. Moving to the beat of the music, according to Jolene, “seems fun!”

13

October 2013

Karla Karla is a stayat-home mom and an active volunteer with the Parents and Tots program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. She immigrated Karla loves from Mexico eight years ago, talking with and is mom the parents to six-yearinvolved with old Max and Family Place at the Collingwood three-yearNeighbourhood old Danika.

Karla loves House. talking with the parents involved with Family Place. Her sociability caught the eye of her teacher, Marie, who encouraged Karla to become an intercultural connector.

Karla’s enthusiastic about RC INTERactive because she’s become motivated to lead by example and has discovered the joys of exercising. Her favourite exercise at the moment is walking. She walks with her children to school each day. She would like to see a moms and tots program develop in the neighbourhood, where moms could push strollers, stop, and do yoga together.

Jessica Jess is a kinesiology student from the University of B.C. who provides support to the INTERactive Connectors Circle. After taking a few classes with Jess is an avid Dr. Wendy long-distance Frisby on runner interculturalism and health, Jess became inspired to apply her academic knowledge in a practical setting. She reached out to Dr. Frisby, who invited her to join this community initiative. When Jess gets active, her favourite physical activity is long-distance running. It “gives you a chance to unwind” and “can

be done almost anywhere.”

She wishes that there were more “learn to run” programs in Renfrew-Collingwood that prepares individuals for longer races (5-10 km). It’s more fun to train with a community!

Jess hopes that, through her involvement with RC INTERactive, she can gain a better knowledge of the physical activity environments and health resources in the RenfrewCollingwood neighbourhood and help to empower the connectors to be effective in their roles.

Nasib Nasib is an active participant in various senior programs at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. She never misses a yoga class and takes every opportunity to learn in CNH’s Literacy Group. Currently she has started volunteering at CNH and is excited to start her own walking group. One of her most favourite physical activities is Kundalini yoga, which uses sensory awareness and intuition to raise the level of individual consciousness. She would love to see more people learning Indian dance in the RenfrewCollingwood area.

Nancy and Axel Nancy and Axel are the mother-and-son team on the INTERactive project. Nancy loves to go to Zumba classes and Axel is very keen to play soccer.

They both believe “physical activity nourishes our body and mind. Therefore, with this project we’d like to encourage people to start doing physical activity and cheer on those who’re already exercising. We also hope to motivate them to get involved in an interesting variety of cultures to which we all belong.”

The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway Dear Neighbors, Seeking Nominations for the BC Community Achievement Awards!

Do you know someone who has made a significant contribution to your community through a unique achievement or outstanding service – either as a volunteer or in the course of their work?

Nominate them for a BC Community Achievement Awards!

Awards will be presented for significant service in any area that provides a benefit to the community, such as sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, multiculturalism, environment, healthcare, education, civic duty, business innovation, community volunteerism, and youth or seniors’ leadership.

If you’d like to nominate a member of our community, please visit the Constituency Office at 5022 Joyce St, and pick up a form! Nominations close on November 15th.

BC’s 85th Youth Parliament Seeking Applications Interested in learning more about the parliamentary process? Apply to be a member of the Youth Parliament! Each year 95 youth are “elected” to the BCYP as representatives of their communities.

The BC Young Parliament begins with the Parliamentary Session from December 27 to 31 in the Legislative Chambers. This one year commitment, and open to young people aged 16 to 21. Visit www. bcyp.org/joinus.html for more information, as well as an application form. All forms must be received by October 23rd.

New Office Open Hours – Now Open Late on Mondays!

My community office is now open from 12pm to 7pm on Monday evenings to increase constituent accessibility. From Tuesday to Thursday regular hours will remain, opening from 9am to 4pm. Fridays will continue to be closed except to appointments.

Free Public Access Computer A reminder to those seeking computer access for social assistance applications, BC Housing files, resume creation or housing and job searches: I have set up a public computer in my constituency office with quick links to Ministry websites, government services, and community resources. All constituents are welcome to drop by during our office hours (Monday, from 12pm to 7pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm, and on Friday by appointment). My Constituency Assistants are happy to help with any difficulty.

Are you on twitter?

Follow the news, community events, fun facts, and workshops offered across Vancouver-Kingsway on my twitter page: @vkingsway.

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

October 2013

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

HIGHLIG H TS

Parents and children love Family Place Family Place is a program for parents and caregivers of young children from newborn to five years old. The program gives adults time to meet others while enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation.

Meanwhile, the children get to enjoy arts and crafts, story time, circle time and many fun toys!

Family Place is located at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street in Vancouver. It’s just a couple of blocks south of the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain Station and there’s free parking below the building. Family Place runs from 10 am to 12 noon on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and from 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm on Thursdays.

Participants can choose to pre-register or just drop-in.

Registration fees are $13 per month for one session per week for one child; fees for a second (or more) child are just $7 each.

Drop-in fees are: under six months, free; over six months $3.25 with just $1.75 for an additional child; over three children, $5.

COMMUNITY LUNCH Collingwood Neighbourhood House invites you to lunch every Tuesday and Thursday. Please note that seniors are served at 12 noon; others are served at 12:10 pm.

Full meal prices are $6.25 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students and $3.25 for children under 12. Items can be purchased a la carte or “to go.”

Tue. 1 Oct. Roasted vegetable soup, Pepperoni or vegetarian pizza, Salad, Chocolate cup cake Thur. 3 Oct. Macaroni and cheese, Mint lamb kebab, Salad, Banana pudding

Family Place participants enjoy a happy story from leader Satinder Singh during an outing to a local park.

Thur. 10 Oct. Turkey shepherd’s pie with cranberry sauce (veggie option), Salad, Egg tart

For more information please call Satinder at 604-435-0323.

Please help welcome our new neighbours Later this fall we will be welcoming about 123 new neighbours to RenfrewCollingwood. We hope you can help welcome them to their new home.

Last year the City of Vancouver purchased the Ramada Hotel located at the corner of Kingsway and Tyne Street. Now called the Kingsway Continental the City plans to open the building as affordable housing for singles this November or December.

The City says the new residents will be people who, like at the Old Continental, are typically men over 45, primarily on welfare or receiving a pension. Many tenants at the Old Continental are living with mental health or addictions issues or other

medical conditions.

To welcome the new residents local youth are putting together gift bags. They would welcome donations of: - Personal hygiene supplies such as soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shaving cream, razors and deodorant.

- Small items of clothing such as socks, toques, gloves, underwear and scarves.

- Cans of food or coupons for food.

- Cash donations to buy items for the welcoming gift bags.

Tue. 8 Oct. Miso soup, Teriyaki chicken or vegetable sub sandwich, Salad, Mango pudding

Tue. 15 Oct. Borscht (beet soup), Sockeye salmon sandwich, Salad, Honey donut Thur. 17 Oct. Sweet and sour pork and vegetables on rice, Salad, Chocolate pudding Tue. 22 Oct. French onion soup, Beef or vegetable samosa, Salad Sweet turmeric cake Thur. 24 Oct. Pasta primavera with white fish fillet, Salad, Fruit cake

Donations may be left at reception at the Collingwood Community Policing Centre at 5160 Joyce Street or CNH at 5288 Joyce Street. Please call CNH at 604-435-0323 for more information.

SPACE

Tue. 29 Oct. Chick pea soup, Onion tart with bacon (veggie option), Salad, Vanilla cake Thur. 31 Oct. Chicken cacciatore on rice, Salad, Pumpkin pie

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

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

We are conveniently located within your neighbourhood near the JoyceCollingwood SkyTrain station.

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

For more more information, please call Teresa Ha at 604.435.0323

For quotes on our affordable prices for room rentals (with or without

a leader) please call Teresa at 604-435-0323 This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Neighbourhood House

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

15

October 2013

Windermere Leadership students hike the Canadian Rockies On September 3rd, as students of all ages made their way back to class, seven grade 12 leadership students from Windermere Secondary School took off on an adventure to Yoho National Park, in the Canadian Rockies. By the end of the trip, they had hiked about 50km, and seen some of the most spectacular sights this country has to offer.

This trip, which is now in it’s seventh year of running, is one of the major highlights of Windermere’s Leadership program. It is a physically and mentally challenging experience, giving students the opportunity to push themselves beyond their expectations, and grow in ways that cannot be accomplished in a regular school setting. It is so important to spend time with nature, as these students have come to understand. It gives you a completely different perspective on life when you take a moment to appreciate what the natural world really is, and how vital it is to our existence.

One of the many highlights of the trip was hiking the 13km Iceline Trail, home to some very old and sadly receding glaciers. The sheer enormity of the world was apparent the entire way. There were many glacial lakes and rivers to be seen, and lots of unique wildlife. As well, students got to visit to the Burgess Shale, which is one of the most renowned fossil sites in the world, and is home to some very well preserved specimens.

It takes a lot of effort to make a trip like this happen every year.

The students would like to extend a huge thank you to Parks Canada, who once again provided them with a free guided tour to the Burgess Shale, as well as helping with the overall organization. It could not have happened without them, or the efforts of the teachers involved.

Windermere Leadership students took in the amazing sights during their adventure to the Canadian Rockies. Photo by Vagner Castilho

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GENERAL PROGRAMS

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Little Crafters (4-6yrs)

Pool 1:00pm-5:00pm Fitness Centre 1:00pm-5:00pm Centre Area CLOSED (includes the gymnasium, meeting rooms & games area.)

SPECIAL EVENTS October Fest Luncheon (55+yrs) We

12:00-3:00pm

Oct 9

Cranberry Festival at the Fort (55+yrs) Sa

9:30am-3:00pm Oct 12

Fall Foliage Tour (55+yrs) Mo

9:00am-4:30pm Oct 14

Children’s Halloween Party (up to 10yrs) Sa

12:30-3:00pm

Oct 26

Community Diwali Celebration (All Ages) Sa

Craft Fair Sa

10:30am-1:00pm Nov 2

10:00am-3:00pm Nov 30

$9/person

Baking Buddies (6-8yrs)

Join us every week and bake some yummy snacks. There will be enough to take home so you can share these delicious snacks with others.

Mo 4:15-5:30pm Nov 4-Dec 9 $20/5 sess

Free

$28/table

$3/drop in, $1/sibling

Fri Sep 20-Dec 13 Friends, Snacks, Games, Sports, Tournaments, Computers, Movies, it’s a great place to spend your Friday nights! (FREE with YP registration.)

Gymnasium 10-13yrs 6:00-7:15pm 14-18yrs 7:15-8:45pm Games Area 10-18yrs 3:30-9:00pm Youth Social 10-18yrs 4:00-9:00pm  Hisae McMichael

Beginner I—No session Oct 31

$89/person $5/person

Friday Youth Night (10-18yrs)

Hatha Yoga (19+yrs)

$20/person

Family Gym Time (walking-5yrs)

NEW ADDITION DAY! No session Oct 14, Nov 11 Mo Fr 10:30am-12:00pm Sep 16-Dec 16

Allow the little ones to explore their creative minds with crafts.

We will create new craft projects every week and some might be great holiday gifts!

Su 12:00-1:00pm Nov 3-Dec 8 $10/6 sess

Drum Private Lessons (8-13yrs)

Prices reflect 30 minutes. Learning material included. No session Nov 11.

Mo 6:00-7:30pm Oct 28-Dec 9 $50/6 sess We 4:30-6:30pm Nov 6-Dec 11 $50/6 sess

Violin Group Lessons (7-10yrs)

$9/drop-in if space Th 8:30-9:30pm Oct 24-Dec 12 $52.50/7 sess Beginner II—No session Oct 31 $11/drop-in if space $64.75/7 sess Th 7:00-8:15pm Oct 24-Dec 12 Sa 9:15-10:30am Nov 2-Dec 14 $64.75/7 sess

Instruments will be available for the lessons or bring your own instrument. Lesson material will be provided.

Fr 4:30-5:25pm Nov 8-Dec 13 $40/6 sess Fr 5:30-6:25pm Nov 8-Dec 13 $40/6 sess

Pilates - Matwork - All Levels (19+yrs)

$15/drop-in if space (with permission from instructor) No session Nov 11 Mo 7:10-8:10pm Oct 28-Dec 2 $62.50/5 sess

Tracey Clark

Art Adventures (8-12yrs)

Yogalates (19+yrs)

Celeste Lyon

Art Adventures is a youth driven program for youth that fosters the passion for visual arts and is a place where creativity and the development of personal style are encouraged. Try out new things and have some fun with art! No program Nov 10.

Sun 3:00-4:30pm Oct 20-Dec 1 $15/6 sessions

No experience necessary.

Tu 6:00-7:00pm

Hatha Flow Yoga (19+yrs)

All levels are welcome.

We 5:50-6:50pm

$9.50/drop-in if space Oct 29-Dec 10 $56/7 sess $9.50/drop-in if space.

Oct 30-Dec 11 $56/7 sess

16

October 2013

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

The girl who ran away to join the circus … And stayed

Tuedon Ariri’s amazing journey from Collingwood to École Nationale de Cirque

by Soren Elsay For most people, running away to join the circus is merely a pipe dream or an empty threat aimed at one’s parents. However, for one Collingwood resident, this fantasy has become a reality. Tuedon Ariri is currently attending École Nationale de Cirque in Montreal, one of the most prestigious circus schools in the world, where the 17 year old has just entered the first year of the Diploma of Collegial Studies in Circus Arts program.

Ariri got her start in gymnastics in the Collingwood area at a very young age. “When I was really young, about four or five [years old], my mom decided to put me in a [gymnastics] class in the Collingwood area just for fun,” Ariri recalls.

After a couple of years of participating on a recreational level with rhythmic gymnastics, Ariri was ready for a new challenge.

In the years following her first competition at the age of seven, Ariri began dedicating herself to her new-found passion, training with former Olympic gold medalist Lori Fung’s Club Elite Rhythmics.

With only four days to make a decision, Ariri faced a huge decision, on whether to give up rhythmic gymnastics and the life she knew in favour of joining the Circus. “It was a hard decision but in the end I decided to go because it was such a good opportunity and it’s also something that you could have a career in.”

“We would train 24 hours a week, every morning from six until 10, head to school and then occasionally train again after from four until eight at night,” explains Ariri. All of this hard work paid off as Ariri had success in tournaments on provincial, national and international levels all before her 16th birthday.

Once enrolled at the school, Ariri’s high school experience became anything but normal. “It [consisted] of four hours of training a day, then five hours of regular school activities,” says Ariri.

As part of her year-round training, Ariri would attend the École Nationale de Cirque summer camp in Montreal in the summers leading up to grades 8, 9 and 10.

This is where Ariri’s life took a drastic turn.

Tuedon Ariri practising her contorsion straps at the Ecole.

Photo by Mathieu Doyon

“In my third year [the school] decided to hold auditions at the summer camp,” explains Ariri. “I decided to try out just for fun and to see what it was like in case I ever wanted to attend the school.”

It turned out that Ariri passed the audition with flying colours and was offered an opportunity to finish the last three years of high school at the National Circus School on the opposite side of the country in Montreal.

After graduating from high school last spring, Ariri is now enrolled in the three-year post-graduate program offered by the school.

She has chosen to specialize in contortion straps, where her gymnast background gives her a definite boost. Although her upper body strength is still improving, the creativity and freedom of it are what really drew Ariri to the contortion straps in the first place.

On a typical weekday, Ariri will put in about 12 hours of work. “On Wednesdays I start at 8:30 am but arrive around 8:00 to warm up and stretch, then an hour of hula-hoop class, an hour of straps which is my specialty, an hour of dance, an hour of acrobatics, after lunch I have an hour of juggling, then an hour of physical preparation (gym, weights ), two hours of acting, a break for dinner, and then two hours of

Tuedon Ariri spends much of her time training in the impressive facilities at the École Nationale de Cirque, including this three-storey gym seen in the background.

Photo by Julie Cheng English class,” Ariri explains.

Like most of the students, after graduation Ariri plans on pursuing a career in the circus. “There are many other circuses in Montreal that are very high quality and many over in Europe, but I would love to work for Cirque du Soleil personally.”

It is fair to say that Tuedon Ariri is not living your typical teenage life.

While it may be a lot of long days full of hard work, Ariri is achieving a long-lost fantasy for many people, running off to join the circus, and loving every moment of it.

Soren Elsay is a second year student at the University of B.C. and an aspiring journalist.

11th annual Moon Festival, September 21, celebrated the return of the salmon.

“The best ever!” Photos by Julie Cheng and Bryden Fergusson