Renfrew-Collingwood Community News October 2020

CELEBRATING

October 2020

OVER

COMMUNITY NEWS

RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com

Coping with COVID: Go outside

by Julie Cheng Got your rain gear handy? Because even in bad weather, we still need to go outside and enjoy green spaces in order to maintain our mental and physical health during these pandemic times.

We’re lucky in Renfrew-Collingwood to have urban forests nearby like Central Park and the Renfrew Ravine. They are ideal places to forest bathe, a practice that writer Tony Wanless described in the April 2020 issue of the RCC News. People forest bathe to refresh their thinking, improve their health, treat their ills and soothe their souls, he wrote.

For me, I have been working from home since March and have replaced my bike commute with a daily walk around the neighbourhood. This energizes me for the day.

“Occasionally carry a camera. Get out in nature. Or create for fun,” is how local resident Penny Lim copes with COVID. Here she wonders why Canada geese are raising families inland at Thornton Park near the old CN train station. Photo

by Penny Lim

Along the way, I stop to admire the amazing gardens that neighbours have planted, and I dream of growing one of my own someday.

I’m looking forward to seeing those gardens through fall and winter. I’ve got my raincoat and rain boots ready.

Let us know how you cope with COVID. Email rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca.

One of the amazing gardens in the neighbourhood. Photo by Julie Cheng

BC Votes

Page 2

Eating Out in RC: Kamome Japanese Bistro

Page 5

Family visits at Three Links Page 6

Successful Moon Fest 2020 Page 12

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

B.C. election day Saturday, October 24 Advance voting October 15 to 21 It’s election time in B.C.!

For those voting in person, COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including physical distancing, capacity limits, protective barriers and hand sanitizers. Voters are encouraged to wear a mask to protect others. Check Elections BC (elections.bc.ca) for the voting place nearest you.

If you are ill or self-isolating, do not visit a voting place. Instead, request a vote-by-mail package (elections.bc.ca/safevoting) or call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683.

What to bring if voting in person

• Valid ID that shows your name and home address.

• Your Where to Vote card. Look for it in the mail from Elections BC before advance voting starts. Bringing it with you to the voting place will make voting faster and easier.

• Your own pen or pencil to mark your ballot, if you wish.

• A mask to wear in the voting place, if you wish.

Voting in person

• On General Voting Day on Saturday, October 24, 8 am to 8 pm. Voters have an assigned voting place – see your Where to Vote card. Normally it’s faster to vote at your assigned voting place, but you can vote at another voting place if it is more convenient to you.

• In advance from Thursday, October 15 to Wednesday, October 21, 8 am to 8 pm. Advance voting is an option for all voters. See a list of advance voting places at elections.bc.ca/voting/where-to-vote.

• At a district electoral office from now until 4 pm on Saturday, October 24.

Offices are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays. They are open from 8 am to 8 pm during advance voting.

District electoral offices in or around RenfrewCollingwood include: o Vancouver-Hastings: 240-2800 East 1st Avenue o Vancouver-Kensington: 4875 Victoria Drive o Vancouver-Kingsway: 3263 Kingsway

Noticed in

Renfrew-Collingwood

Vote by mail All voters can vote by mail; you don’t need a special reason. Voting by mail is a great option for voters who are not comfortable voting in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accessible voting for at-risk voters and voters with disabilities These options include curbside voting, assisted telephone voting and site-based voting.

by Karen Vanon

– Source: Elections BC

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Postcrossing.com: Send a postcard, receive a postcard

by John Mendoza Canada Post recently delivered two very different postcards to me on the same day.

A postcard from Melbourne, Australia, arrived after travelling for just over two weeks. On the front, a photo of Federation Square, an arts and culture hub in downtown Melbourne. On the reverse side, the writer reveals a perspective about Federation Square and of Melbourne’s architectural scene.

The other postcard is an illustration of a running dog. Flip the postcard over, and the divine is in the detail: a neat line of German stamps; one in particular commemorating Sesamstrasse, with Elmo and Cookie Monster smiling back at me.

What do these two postcards have in common? Postcrossing.com, an online project that allows members to send and receive postcards from all over the world.

Postcrossing’s premise is straightforward – send a postcard, receive a postcard. Upon registering as a member at

the Postcrossing. com website, the member then can request a randomly selected mailing address of a fellow member.

The member then writes and sends off a postcard with a special identification number identifying that specific card. When the postcard arrives, the recipient then registers the postcard’s identification number.

In turn, the sender’s address is released to another random member of Postcrossing, and the sender will then receive a postcard in return.

“For the patient, persistent participant, Postcrossing. com opens up the world.”

In town for a concert, weekend getaway or sports event?

Our nostalgic neighbourhood 2400 Motel offers great budget accommodation.

The 2400 Motel on Kingsway is a Vancouver classic, a drive-in motor court offering units with kitchens or cozy motel style rooms.

We are pet-friendly and have nice lawns and open areas to walk your pet.

Featuring: • Free Wireless Internet • Free Parking • On major transit route and near Skytrain

• 10 minutes from Metrotown • 15 minutes to Downtown Vancouver • Long term stay rates available

Call and Reserve Today!

2400 – Kingsway

Vancouver BC V5R 5G9 www.2400motel.com

Postcrossing is not without its cautions. While membership is free, the cost of acquiring postcards and stamps will be incurred by the user.

For those wanting to maintain their privacy, prospective members should consider using a post office box or, if possible, consider using a work address.

Most importantly, users should be aware that it can be a slowmoving pastime. Postcards and other physical mail is at the mercy of the postal system.

Tel: 604-434-2464

Toll-Free: 1-888-833-2400 reservations@2400motel.com

For an audience weaned on instant electronic communication, it is quite the contrast. But for the patient, persistent participant, Postcrossing.com opens up the world.

Postcards reflect the diversity of its users, from conventional images of cityscapes and landmarks, to more specialized subjects.

Furthermore, the postcard messages reflect a variety of perspectives but are unified in their desire to foster human connections over vast distances in time and space using this simple medium.

At a time where social distancing and staying physically safe at home can lead to emotional isolation, the act of sending and receiving postcards affirms the value of community and our personal role within it.

John Mendoza is a Renfrew-Collingwood resident and long-time contributor to the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

Now offering Contactless Delivery.

Order and Pay Online.

Order Delivery Or Carry Out

Phone: 604-437-1717

Website: www.papajohns.ca #300-3320 Kingsway, Vancouver Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11AM-10:45PM Friday-Saturday: 11AM - 11:45PM

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

The tax-free savings account demystified 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: Amber Webber, Ann Wong,

Bryden Fergusson, Jenny Shen, John Mendoza, Julie Cheng, Karen Vanon, Madelyn Read, MariaJosé Araujo, Paul Reid, Penny Lim, Shannon Miller, Sophia Han

We want to hear from you!

Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail.

Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

by Ann Wong You’re probably familiar with the registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), one of the best tax deferral programs. The other common investment you may have heard of is the taxfree savings account, better known as the TFSA. In 2019, 57% of Canadians reported having a TFSA, of which 40% stated they use it as simple savings accounts. Yet the TFSA has the potential to be much more than a savings account. With the magic of compound interest growth, TFSAs allow you to build your wealth tax free!

The TFSA was first introduced in 2009 and does exactly what the name suggests. If you are over age 18 (age 19 in B.C. as that is the age of majority) with a valid social insurance number, you can deposit an amount up to the annual limit. It differs from an RRSP where TFSA deposits are not tax deductible and gains grow tax free. TFSAs are also not dependent on income like the RRSP. TFSA yearly limits are indexed to inflation, then rounded to the nearest $500. The 2020 annual limit is $6,000.

Similar to the RRSP, contribution limits can be accumulated, meaning that if you have not maximized your contributions in previous years, any remaining balance can be accrued for future years.

If you have never contributed to the TFSA, you now have room for $69,500.

Special attention should be paid when making withdrawals and when you make subsequent deposits. For example, if you deposited $6,000 on February 3 then withdrew $4,000 on June 8 for renovations, and later got a work bonus for $3,000 on August 10 and deposited it to your TFSA, you have actually over-contributed in the year 2020.

Withdrawing the $4,000 does not reduce the $6,000 contribution. You have now made a $3,000 over-contribution where there is a 1% penalty that will be applied per month. (It does not have a $2,000 grace over-contribution for an RRSP.) The $4,000 room will become available in 2021, which means you can contribute $4,000 plus the prevailing 2021 maximum amount of $6,000 for a total of $10,000.

Aside from your principal residence, the TFSA is the next best taxsheltered investment. Account values and withdrawals do not affect government benefits like the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). To find out your current TFSA contribution room, log on to your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account.

If you don’t have one, it’s easy to set it up, although you will have to have a little patience to wait for CRA to send you the access by mail.

Take this time to review your registered and non-registered investments. Do you have multiple accounts? If so, why and what is the purpose for having multiple RRSPs and TFSAs? Simplify your finances. Talk to a certified financial planner (CFP), coordinate with a certified professional accountant (CPA), and make your life and your finances a little easier to manage. For more information email hello@awsmgroup.com.

THANK YOU!

to all who advertise with the RCCNews For over 20 years you have been providing the Renfrew-Collingwood community with a voice!

To advertise: Contact Lisa at 604-435-0323 or email: rccnews-sales@ cnh.bc.ca

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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October 2020

The most dangerous festival in the world and Eating Out: Kamome Japanese Bistro

by Paul Reid Greetings RC. Did you manage to read my story in the September issue about festivals in Japan? I hope so, but if not, of course you can check it out at renfrewcollingwoodcommunitynews.com, along with all the other fine stories – in colour may I add.

If I may keep with the Japanese festival theme for a while longer, I would love to tell you about another festival experience that I was fortunate to attend. Very lucky indeed since it only occurs once every six years and the location was less than an hour’s drive from where I was living.

The festival is called Onbashira and it is considered to be possibly the most dangerous festival event in the world! Perhaps you have seen clips of it on TV – where Japanese men (and perhaps women) slide down a very steep hill on giant logs. That’s the exciting part of it anyhow — there is a lot more to this festival which lasts several months.

I arrived with my Japanese friends and family around 7 am, which, in Japan, is time to start drinking. I remember walking with open beer can in hand that early morning when I spotted some police officers, so I instinctively hid my beer inside my jacket.

Then I remembered that we were allowed to be drinking – good old Japan!

We passed by the steep hill (the picture top right) and then found a spot by the side of the road, further up, to sit down with our drinks and snacks. For about two or three hours we had a fine time waiting and then watching as each of the 16 logs were dragged past us. After all had passed, we followed the colourful and noisy procession down the road to the bottom of the hill to find a good spot to view the action to come.

had died in this run. I guess the end of the bouncing log had made a direct hit on this poor soul. I told you it was dangerous!

So the question is, what kind of awesome, cool and potentially life-threatening event could this community come up with? Okay, maybe not life-threatening, but how about waiver-signing. A soapbox derby / go-kart race perhaps? If so, Where would be a good hill or street to run down? We would want to have it so a large number of spectators could congregate. What about Falaise Park?

Or down Renfrew street, south towards Grandview? We might have to block off a street or two which is easier to arrange if they are not too busy. Hmm.

Look how steep that hill is!

Photo by Paul Reid (1992)

Let’s mull that one over while COVID is keeping us apart so we’ll be ready when we can congregate once again.

While we are dreaming about Japanese festivals; go karts, log riding and the like, we can treat ourselves to the real Japanese food deal right here in Renfrew-Collingwood:

Kamome Japanese Bistro 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC 604-428-5228 Kamome has been with us here in RC for over four years now, with owner/chef Mika Walker still treating us to the best of Japanese cuisine. We are talking real Japanese soul food, the kind my Japanese home-stay mama might have ordered in.

The Kamome menu offers a wide selection of seafood, meat and vegetable onigiri (a rice ball wrapped in seaweed with various ingredients in the middle); donburi, which One by one, the 16 logs were ridden down is a Japanese rice bowl dish with various the steep slope. First they would raise the toppings and sauces. The Chicken Teri Don front end way up in the air before dropping (chicken with teriyaki sauce); Ikura Don it down the hillside. The first bunch of runs (salted salmon roe); Ebi Ten Don (prawn were quite amazing, but I think they sent the tempura with tempura sauce) range from smaller ones down first, all of which went $4-$6 for a small and $7-$12 for the larger fairly straight before eventually stopping. bowls.

Hundreds would then run in from the sides to touch or jump onto the log (maybe to get a On my last visit to Kamome, which was photo as if they had just braved the ride). take-out, we had a couple Ja-paninis. This is Mika’s very own invention, which is a Then came this one log that was truly giant, grilled rice sandwich that comes in many like maybe 6 feet in diameter! The riders’ delicious varieties like chicken, beef, prawn, feet were far from the ground. This was the salmon or unagi (fresh-water eel) with varilog that, instead of sliding straight, started ous vegetables and sauces. These carefully turning sideways and bouncing. All of the crafted combinations are wrapped with rice riders fell off this time and we found out and seaweed and then grilled with a later from the TV news that one of the riders panini press.

What festival tradition could we do in RC to match this?

Photo courtesy of go-nagano.net Along with your main course you might like some Hiya Yakko (cold tofu); Edamame (boiled green soybeans); Ikura Oroshi (salmon roe and radish) or potato soup. For dessert, try the red bean muffin and green tea ice cream or one of Kamome’s ice cream shakes.

Yum!

Let’s remember not to forget Kamome and all of our other dear favourite local restaurants during these strange times. They are still there and waiting for us to phone in our orders for pick-up or delivery. It’s easy and delicious. Bon appetit.

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Three Links Care Centre implementing B.C. policy for family visits in long-term care

by Amber Webber With recent policy changes announced

by B.C.’s health minister, the Hon. Adrian Dix, and public health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Three Links Care Centre has been implementing a safety plan to facilitate social visits for loved ones. Since the provincial orders were released in July 2020, 135 of these extra-special reunions have occurred.

prepared in consultation with frontline staff, residents and Three Links’s dedicated Family Advisory Committee.

It builds on the essential family visitor program that the care centre established at the start of the pandemic.

For loved ones who are not able to visit, Three Links has continued with the Facetime and Patio Visit programs that were previously established.

In addition to being guided by the orders, the Three Links safety plan was

Minister of Health Adrian Dix congratulates Three Links Care Aides for their hard work. Photo by Shannon Miller

NEW - AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY APPLY TODAY

Odd Fellows Low Rental Housing Society is pleased to announce the availability of 44 affordable housing units in the newly built development at 3595 Kingsway

• 44 units are available to qualified applicants 55+ years of age or older • 9 1-bedroom and 35 bachelor suites available • Hot water and heating included • Walking distance to Joyce & Patterson SkyTrain stations • Nearby parks and trails

MOVE IN JULY 1, 2020 Register now at oflrhs.com or call 604-568-6895

FOR MORE ABOUT THE AVAILABLE SUITES VISIT WWW.ROUTE65.CA

More information is available at www. threelinks.com but here is a summary of highlights: 1. One adult is designated for social visits for each resident. A screening interview and orientation are required.

2. Three Links will provide all personal protective equipment (PPE) on-site to ensure appropriate equipment is used.

3. Visits will take place at four designated locations on the care centre’s ground floor that will respect social-distancing requirements.

4. Social visits to the resident’s room will be scheduled in special circumstances and with the prior approval of the director of care.

5. One-hour visits take place in four meeting blocks daily for designated visitors.

6. Loved ones must arrive 15 minutes prior to the designated meeting time for screening and preparation of PPE. If they expect to be late, they need to provide as much notice as possible.

7. Designated visitors will not visit other residents or invite other residents to join their visit.

8. Three Links has established a dedicated phone number and email account for families to schedule visits. The care centre will also maintain evening reception hours established during the pandemic and establish a “concierge” to oversee all elements of the visit – from the moment the designated loved one arrives to the time they leave.

9. Three Links’s leadership team will continue to hold regular meetings with the Family Advisory Committee to review the implementation of the policy and host regular Zoom calls for all families to ask questions.

“The policy has made a big difference to the quality of life of the residents we serve,” said Faria Ali, the director of care.

“The staff have also been reassured by the fact that we are involving them in the development of the policy and taking proactive steps to protect their health and safety.”

October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

5055 Joyce public hearing Vancouver city council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 6 pm, to be convened by electronic means.

There is a plan for a development of a new tower at 5055 Joyce Street at the northwest corner of Joyce and Vanness.

Right now, there’s a Tim Horton’s, CNIB and the YMCA administrative offices in the building to be demolished to make way for the new tower.

The new plan calls for construction of a 30-storey rental tower at 5050 Joyce.

Proposed 30-storey tower for 5055 Joyce Street

The proposal is for 360 units: 15 studio units, 217 one-bedroom units, 93 twobedroom units, 35 three-bedroom units. 10 of those units are to be “affordable” as defined by the city.

To participate in the public hearing process, register to speak in person or by telephone beginning on September 25 until 5 pm on October 6.

Online: vancouver.ca/councilmeetings Call: 604-829-4238 Or send your comments to city council: Online: vancouver.ca/public-hearing-comments Mail: City of Vancouver, City Clerk’s Office, 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Behind the mask

We’re all Canadian Fighting against Don Davies MP racism in Canada Vancouver Kingsway

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

The Seniors Connection Keeping connected, staying apart — Seniors Wellness Program’s re-opening at CNH

by Jenny Shen The Seniors’ Wellness Program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House has resumed services, providing social and wellness programming to seniors in the Renfrew-Collingwood community in a safe manner. Since July, CNH has been increasing its seniors programming, with a focus on gathering feedback as to what fun and engaging activities seniors hope to enjoy, while maintaining physical distancing.

Since the re-opening, staff have successfully implemented programs such as the Coffee Social, World Café on Zoom and outdoor Walking Club in a COVID-safe way.

A recent yoga-picnic gathering at Gaston Park was a huge success,

attracting around 30 participants. Led by yoga instructor Vicky Kenny, attendees moved their bodies and stretched through chair yoga. The chairs were arranged in the shade at least two metres apart to provide safety and comfort.

Empower Me then led a brief energy-saving at-home workshop and surprised everyone with an LED night light to bring home. During the picnic, participants comfortably sat on their own blankets and consumed their own food and drink

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED. Collingwood Neighbourhood House's COVID-19 response team is looking for volunteer drivers to deliver groceries and food hampers to seniors and families in need.

Deliveries take place on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons between 112pm. Mileage will be paid.

Email dsingh@cnh.bc.ca

while chatting and enjoying the company of others.

many of us have turned to online options of social interaction, using applications such as Zoom to comAn optional Seniors Advisory municate. For any seniors who Meeting where seniors could would like help with the set-up provide valuable, immediate and usage of these systems on any feedback on the event followed of their devices, CNH’s friendly the picnic. The feedback revealed volunteer specialists are happy to that the seniors most enjoyed re- provide easy-to-follow step-byconnecting with each other dur- step instructions over the phone. ing this outing, as loneliness and isolation have been the unfortu- If you or someone you know nate consequence of social diswould like to find out more intancing. For some of the seniors, formation or sign up for any of the picnic was their first social CNH’s senior’s activities, please interaction since the beginning contact Jenny Shen at 604-435of the pandemic. In the future, 0323 extension 227. A shuttle staff plan to implement many of service to all events is available for the activities that were suggested seniors with mobility considerat the meeting, including online ations. sing-alongs, BINGO and more chair yoga.

October 1 is National Seniors Day! We are so grateful for all of time Another new service staff are and contributions from senior proud to offer at the CNH Seresidents of Collingwood. Thanks niors Wellness Program is onefor being such an important part on-one tech support. With the of the neighbourhood house and increasing need to stay home, we look forward to working with you and enjoying programs with you, in a slightly different fashion, for the rest of the year! We celebrate you for the month of October and all year round!

Jenny Shen coordinates the Seniors Wellness Program at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Read On!

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

A news section for Renfrew-Collingwood learners

Vancouver Mural Festival:

Making neighbourhoods beautiful with art

by Sophia Han

Read On!

has a web page. You can:

 Read the articles http://renfrewcollingwood communitynews.com/category/ read-on/

A mural is a work of art on a wall 

Reading levels on this page

Right now, you can see 60 new murals in Vancouver neighbourhoods like Mount Pleasant, Strathcona and in Gastown.

They were created as part of the Vancouver Mural Festival this summer. Since 2016, hundreds of artists have participated in the festival. This year, the festival showed artwork by indigenous artists.

Level 1

Level 2

 

Level 3



Murals are important because they help to make our neighbourhoods beautiful. Murals are usually colourful and they make streets and buildings stand out. While the murals will not last forever, many of these murals will last for years.

Murals also attract people to a community, bringing new customers to local businesses. They often show the culture and history of the neighbourhoods. While some artists come from all over the world, about 70% of the festival artists are local, and the festival pays the artists for their work.

What is the difference between graffiti and murals?  Graffiti are words and symbols that are drawn or painted on a sidewalk or wall of a building without permission.

Artists who paint murals have permission from the owners of the building. This year, many Vancouver businesses asked organizers of the festival to decorate their walls with murals.

Do a walking tour



A walking tour of murals is a good way to enjoy the outdoors with a small group of friends. If you would like to visit the murals with a guide, you can buy a ticket until the end of October. Each ticket costs $20.

Visit the festival website to learn about the artists.

Website: https://vanmuralfest.ca/festival Map: https://vanmuralfest.ca/map Tickets: https://vanmuralfest.ca/mural-tours

VOCABULARY

neighbourhoods: parts of a city where people live festival: a special event participate: to join in an activity with other people indigenous: people who originally lived in a place usually: often stand out (phrase): when something stands out, it attracts attention

forever: for all time attract: to bring closer community: all the people who live in a particular area or place culture: how people live or think permission: something or someone that allows you to do something at your own pace: if you do something at your own pace, you do it at a speed that is comfortable for you decorate: to make attractive by adding something to it walking tour: when you visit tourist places on foot guide: someone who gives you information when you visit places

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)

H IGHLIG H TS

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

Celebrating over 30 years at CNH with Satinder Kaur Singh

By Collingwood Neighbourhood House

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) proudly recognizes its long-serving staff members. This year, we recognize and celebrate Satinder Kaur Singh, Family Services Coordinator, for over 30 years of service.

Satinder has been a permanent fixture in the history of Family Place and is the longestserving staff member at CNH. After arriving in Canada in the summer of 1990, Satinder came to CNH looking for childcare for her school-aged children. She ended up volunteering at reception then got hired to train as a facilitator for the Nobody’s Perfect parenting program and was amongst the first batch of trainees. She then became hired for the Family Place program and assistant teacher

at the LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) program and organized a babysitting co-op, in addition to community dinners.

Satinder’s favourite memory of CNH is the ground laying ceremony of our present building at 5288 Joyce Street. She says she was very excited about the brand new building where her programs would have a permanent space under one roof as prior to that, the Family Place was running in the basement of Carleton Elementary school and the other programs were spread out in the community.

Over her 30 years in the program, Satinder

This page is sponsored by Collingwood Neighbourhood House

has been a part of thousands of children and families’ lives. Multi-generations of families have returned to the program because of her. Her kind, warm and welcoming approach has ensured that the experiences families have at the Family Place at CNH are always fondly remembered and we know there are many, many families who hold Satinder dearly in their hearts.

What an amazing accomplishment to devote your career to providing quality care and programming to families from every walk of life.

Thank you, Satinder, and many congratulations on this milestone!

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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October 2020

October 2020

Upcoming Events October 12 Ð Thanksgiving October 24 Ð Provincial Election Day October 31 - Halloween

November 28, 4:00 Ð 5:30 pm

WhoÕs New in Collingwood We have been very fortunate during the pandemic to not loss many of our businesses and we have even seen many new faces along Kingsway. WeÕd like to welcome all of our new businesses and we say a sad farewell the ones who have left. Collingwood has been extremely resilient during Covid and many businesses adapted to the new Public Health Orders and made quick changes. Thank you to all our members and to our neighbourhood for shopping local and supporting our small businesses.

Community Tree Lighting at the corner of Tyne and Kingsway. Come out and join us with The Silver Belles, singing along with the holiday classic carols.

Hot chocolate, cookies for everyone.

December Holiday Merchant Promotions

Now Open in Collingwood: - The Potato Corner #2 Ð 3544 Kingsway Hours: 2p.m. Ð 8p.m. The worldÕs Best Flavored French Fries since October 1992

Covid 19 Ð We all need to work together.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Annual General Meeting:

- Stay home if you are sick

Thank you for attending our first virtual AGM on September 23rd. The board and staff look forward to making Collingwood a great place to do business.

or not feeling well - SOCIAL DISTANCE 2 Meters apart - Wear masks when required

Board Members and Committees We are always looking for new board members to join and share their ideas and help shape the Collingwood business area. If you have a business or own commercial property along Kingsway between Boundary Rd and Rupert Street, contact our office.

We have committees: marketing, street enhancement and safety.

- WASH HANDS OFTEN 20 seconds - BE PATIENT & STAY INFORMED

How to Reach Us: @shopcollingwoodvancouver

Help keep our streets clean.

During the fall and winter months we will need our members to help keep the sidewalks clear of leaves, ice and snow. The BIA has a street clean team out two to three times per week but we need your help too. If you have any areas where youÕd like some help please contact the BIA office.

Shop Collingwood. ItÕs good for business!

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

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October 2020

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Moon Festival 2020 successfully reinvented during COVID

by Madelyn Read

The Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival this year consisted of 11 different events over the course of September.

The events were centred on the themes of constellations and transformation in response to how communities have stayed connected and resilient while maintaining physical distance in these changing times.

Above: The Equinox Labyrinth Walk on September 22 invited participants to reflect on the changing seasons with a walk through the Renfrew Ravine Labyrinth (constructed in 2002). The walk was lit by beeswax candles and accompanied by the haunting melodies of Vi An Diep on the Asian long-plucked zither. Photo by Maria-JosĂŠ Arauj Left: Despite COVID, Still Moon Arts Society found safe ways to bring neighbours together in the 18th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival through such events as the Moon Music in the Dye Garden on September 9.

Photo by Bryden Fergusson

The Harvest Gathering on September 12 brought community members together to learn how to make healing salves, weave baskets with ivy and save seeds of local plants. Here Still Moon Arts youth program manager Sierra Megas teaches ivy basket weaving. Photo by Maria-JosĂŠ Araujo