Renfrew-Collingwood Community News, September 2013

September 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS

RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com

A Still Moon September

by Kaitlyn Fung While we are working hard to make the return of the salmon and the 11th Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival, happening on Saturday, September 21, into our biggest success story yet, we have plenty of other things in store to keep people busy and creative. Here’s a look at what you can do this September with Still Moon Arts Society!

For details, updates and more information about Still Moon Arts Society, visit stillmoon. org.

SALMON LANTERN WORKSHOPS Date: September 9 – 13, 2013, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Looking for a way to celebrate the return of the salmon to Still Creek? Want to have a lantern of your own ready for the Moon Festival? Join Still Moon Arts Society and local community artist Yoko Tomita in our series of Salmon Lantern workshops!

These workshops run throughout the evenings during the second week of September at the Slocan Park Fieldhouse. Learn how to make beautiful bamboo and wire-frame lanterns and decorate them with tissue paper to craft a fishy creation ready to swim right alongside the returning salmon. Cost, including GST, is $20.

HARVEST FAIR Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm With the autumn harvest season now upon us, it’s time to start thinking about entries for this year’s Harvest Fair! Held each year at Slocan Park as part of the annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival, the Harvest Fair is an opportunity for our neighbourhood’s avid gardeners to showcase the best of their summer crops. The competition will be judged by local politicians around 6:30 pm, which leaves plenty of time to check out the live entertainment, booths from local community groups and fun activities also featured at the Harvest Fair. Competition prizes will include gift cards to Uprising Breads and White Spot, tickets to the aquarium, and more.

This year’s categories are: Most sizeable sunflower Most bountiful flower bouquet Most gorgeous green bouquet Most creative fall display Tastiest homemade jam/jelly Most alluring Asian vegetable Most cumbersome cabbage Tubbiest tomato Heaviest zucchini Sexiest squash Beefiest bean Craziest carrot Please join us for the annual Harvest Fair and Moon Festival on Saturday, September 21, 2013.

Ready, set, grow!

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Our neighbourhood hero

page 11 Skytrain Rambler

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

September 2013

PACIFIC DANCEARTS Vancouver’s Premium Ballet School

604.738.8575 General program From age 3 and up

Professional Programs The Joy of Dance

From intermediate level and up

2013 - 2014 Season

www.pacificdancearts.ca 3626 East 4 th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5M 1M3

When the season fall comes in our life Art and message by Ricardo Cerna One day we were children, and the true love is strengthened by loving the unlovable.

But we need to love and help our parents with no thanks in return; caring for them who one day they care for us and they give us what we want. This was the best ways to grow our love, and the best way to influence those who do love. It’s what God does all the time.Thinking about our parents is our hobby, missing them is our concern, caring for them is our job, loving them is our duty, and being there for them is forever a pleasure.

VACFSS

VANCOUVER ABORIGINAL CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES SOCIETY

Come Join Our Circle of Caring Become a Foster Parent: (604) 216-7447

Information nights held first Tuesday of every month.

6:45pm at 3284 E. Broadway Street Our Children, Our Future, Our Responsibility

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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September 2013

The Neighbourhood through Senior’s Eyes On June 10th and 17th, 2013, the Collingwood Neighbourhood House hosted a new painting project called The Neighbourhood through Senior’s Eyes. The purpose of the project was to create a better intercultural connection between seniors and provide seniors with community presence.

The idea of the project came from my personal experience when I was in Poland five years ago.

After my mother passed away, my father felt very lonely and depressed. I was very concerned about his well-being, but I could not do much for him. We were separated by over eight thousand kilometres.

I knew that he was artistically skilled, so one day I asked him if he would be interested in painting. To my surprise, my father agreed. He began painting and month after month he began enjoying life more and spoke more about the joy of painting.

I felt relieved and during my routine Walking Club walk I shared my dad’s story with Alice, a senior herself and a walking club participant. Alice came to Canada from the Philippines three years ago, invited by her daughter.

Despite having knee problems, Alice is an active walking club member.

by Ewa Jagla

Alice shared her interest in painting with me and a story of the former Philippine president Cory Aquino, who also started to paint in her retirement. Cory Aquino did not know anything about painting and because of her busy representative life, she did not have time to do this. As it happens Cory Aquino has talent and although she did not profess to be a professional painter, she inspired many in her nation.

The very same day I went to join Siobhan, a local artist who led a group of seniors in the On the Table project. I was very touched hearing how Janet, one of the On the Table participants, started her painting voyage. Her story was analogous to my father’s story, and like with my father, the painting helped her overcome emptiness and gave her life a new sense.

I did not hesitate longer. Together with two seniors Alice and Coney, the mother of Crecien (a volunteer) and a senior’s outreach student at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House, we decided to apply for a Neighbourhood Small Grant to be able to organize the painting project for seniors.

We did not expect many participants, so when 11 seniors signed up we were very happy. We were very surprised when, on the first day of the project, 20 seniors with no painting experience showed up.

Alice Labanda and Janet Lee both made the painting project possible.

Photo by Ewa Jagla Janet and Heidi, who are seniors and artists themselves, guided participants through the first steps in painting. The project became intergenerational when Pearl and Michael from the Youth ABE high school program joined us sharing their skills and experience.

On two afternoons, the multipurpose room was crowded like never before; it became a place where seniors met, shared their experiences and respected each other. Intercultural boundaries ceased. I looked at everybody and I thought about my father and about many other seniors around the word who at the same moment discovered the joy of painting.

The project will continue in November.

This time seniors will experiment with autumn colours.

In the future, the senior’s artwork will be displayed in the Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

If someone would ask me how the seniors see the neighbourhood, I would have to answer, “very admirable and flowery.”

On the first day of the project, 20 seniors with no painting experience showed up.

Photo by Ewa Jagla

Ewa Jagla leads the Walking Club at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

Making 20 new friends

by Janet Lee To be truthful I myself have not been painting for many years and have never taught art before. I was a little worried to take on such an endeavour. However, with many able hands, the project turned out to be a surprise for me.

For myself, this project was something I thought was impossible. I would never be able to handle it but since the opportunity opened I thought I better give it a try. The participants were so talented, they were able to create their own master piece with only some guidance. This shows that nothing is impossible you just need to believe and give a try. This encouraged me, and although I am a senior, I may still be able to give what I can in a small way, just like those 20 participants, they were not afraid to try and they succeeded. I just made 20 new friends.

EYE CARE CENTRE

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September 2013

Why I refused to dance 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: Kitty and Neli, Crecien Bencio, Ricardo Cerna, Brendan Chan, Emily Chan, Julie Cheng, Kaitlyn Fung, Loretta Houben, Ewa Jagla, Janet Lee, Kathy Romses, Richard Yee

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: Sept. 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

We always see the worst in ourselves. At least I did, when I stood in a gym wearing a t-shirt that was loose enough to hide my stomach, blue track shorts that I borrowed from my sister and a pair sensible shoes. I never liked dancing.

I avoided the situation in all possible manners. I spent family parties glued to chairs and school dance functions leaning against walls.

Given the offer to do the Electric Slide I hesitated, declining with a smile.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

by Crecien Bencio

And as ridiculous as it sounds (yet very common in many people), I was scared of what others would think of me. It was paralyzing. I found it easier to believe that I couldn’t dance than to take the risk to try. And yet there I was, quiet with folded arms, in a gymnasium with 40 other women, their heels bouncing off the ground, their smiles radiating.

was my own self-worth. I wanted to be happy with myself. I wanted to tell myself that I didn’t have to spend the rest of my life patiently sitting down by myself at parties. So after a lot of fretful hesitation, I signed up for a dance class.

The class at Collingwood Neighbourhood House was a token to my bravery. And frankly, I danced like I had the cramps. I was convinced people I was there for a few reasons. I got were watching me. Observing my tired of telling myself I couldn’t dance. mistakes. Snickering behind my back.

I didn’t want to l be imprisoned by judgement. And I realized the one thing They weren’t. I came in a room full that was stopping me from being healthy of people and never felt so incredibly alone, and yet after 60 minutes of flailing my arms around, I was smiling, laughing even. It was like magic.

Now, I spend more of my free time in recreational dance classes than I do in my own house. I stopped being embarrassed of what others thought of me. And I dance at every opportunity that I get (which frankly doesn’t happen very often but when it does I dance till I burn holes in my shoes).

If you don’t dance, maybe you should try it. You might even surprise yourself.

Interculturalism: embracing diversity, fostering awareness, connecting people, creating something new.

Renfrew Park Community Centre and Collingwood Neighbourhood House both offer various kinds of intercultural dance and other fitness classes. Crecien Bencio recommends the Bellyfit class at CNH on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am and on Fridays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. He also recommends the Zumba classes at Renfrew Park Community Centre. For more information you can contact CNH at 604435-0323 and Renfrew Park Community Centre at 604-257-8388 ext 3.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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September 2013

Your family tree Begin at the beginning! by Loretta Houben

The majority of us are the descendants of immigrants. Not too far in our distant past, either our parents, grandparents or great-grandparents relocated to this wonderful country of Canada, and somehow wound up in the Collingwood-Renfrew area.

expertise, they were able to save up money and purchase acreage in Amity, Oregon. Through a series of events, my parents met and wound up in the city of Vancouver, far removed from their farm roots. It’s fascinating how the dots connect and if you know how to research you can connect them even further While growing up here I was aware back, and discover clues as to how that my Mother’s side of the and why your ancestors chose family lived in Oregon and my Canada or the USA to move to.

Father’s side of the family lived in the lower mainland. While The word genealogy means “a researching my Dad’s past in 2011, record or account of the ancestry I became obsessed with the “how’s and descent of a person, family, and why’s” of their move from the group; the study of ancestries and prairies where they previously histories; and the descent from lived. an original form or progenitor; lineage; ancestry.” Everyone’s My Dad was born in Spalding, genealogy will of course be Saskatchewan, but his parents different and unique, which is why both came from Wales. His father genealogy is now so popular, came alone to Canada in 1910, and especially with the TV show series his mother arrived in 1927 as a “Who do You Think You Are” in young woman of 19, along with her Britain and the USA. parents and siblings.

Thanks in large part to digitized Although my Grandpa was born documentation being uploaded to in North Wales, and my Grandma the internet by various in South Wales, they met on the organizations, a search into the prairies and eventually wound up past is now convenient and fairly here on the West Coast. easy, although when I began my journey of genealogy research I My Mom’s family are German and never knew how addictive it would moved to Texas, USA in 1910 to become! If you have patience and escape political and religious your family information is intact, turmoil in the land of Russia. They you will be rewarded as you search. got out just before the Russian Revolution and WWI erupted close The first thing to be done is to fill to their farm. Due to their farming in a family tree. Begin with

yourself and your birth date and place of birth. Add your parent’s names and their birth dates and place of birth. If your parents are living, ask them for the names of their parents and dates/places of birth. Hopefully you will have this much to begin with. I keep my paper copies in binders, inserted into clear plastic sheets. I found some lovely binders at Daiso Dollar Store in Aberdeen Mall in Richmond, which already have the clear sheets inside. They are a reasonable cost of $2.00 each and have 40 pages. Also keep a copy of everything on your computer, and remember to do weekly backups.

A home photo copier/scanner unit is a marvelous asset in your Family Tree hobby. A clear concise way of keeping track of the information you will be adding is a definite must in genealogy research. You need to make files and update them regularly. Each person has their own system.

There is no right or wrong way to do this. Part of the hobby of genealogy is gathering information which is turned into charts but the fun part is the stories that come to light!

Included are two charts so you can begin as soon as possible. The best goal in your family tree research is not to put off to tomorrow what can be done today! And

who knows, maybe you have someone famous or well known in the branches of that tree.

In the next installment, popular genealogy websites will be discussed, as well as a local British Columbia genealogical society who host free monthly meetings at the Vancouver library central branch.

Loretta Houben is deeply involved in researching the mysteries in her paternal family tree and has been quite successful in 2013.

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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

September 2013

Grow food, grow community. Volunteer with the Rooftop Garden

by Brendan Chan Once again, Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute (RCFSI) was pleased to offer a seven-week garden apprenticeship program for community members of all ages on our Rooftop Garden at Collingwood Neighbourhood House. The garden was completed in 2008 and is used as a space for workshops, education, and leadership development.

Growing food for the many community programs and cooking initiatives that happen at and around the neighbourhood house, the garden is a sustainability hub.

When I first created the apprenticeship program (last year as a summer student), my goal was to

develop community leadership and ownership for the garden as well as to build relationships across cultures and ages. The program was a bridge that led to conversations about ourselves, each other, sustainability and our passions—all while growing organic food for community programs such as CNH’s Community Kitchen and Community Lunch.

theoretical learning.

As a group, we accomplished many things to be proud of, and have built on the success of last year’s pilot program. With around 15 participants, we planted a pollinator garden full of lavender, echinacea, lupins, and foxgloves at the Norquay Community Orchard (2732 Horley St.), made our very own terrariums, designed a hydroponics system, and built herb bookshelves/spirals!

It was a great year, and I hope it continues to grow and flourish!

This year, participants designed and created their own project to benefit the Rooftop Garden. This type of hands-on learning and personalization was very important to making this program successful.

With a variety of topics ranging from soil to orchard care to aquaponics, participants learnt to garden holistically through practical and

Want to join our team of dedicated

volunteers? We meet between March and October from 5:00-7:00 pm every Wednesday (5288 Joyce Street)! Your help would be mulch appreciated!

Renfrew / Collingwood

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North 

Broadway

E.22nd Ave.

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E.41st Ave.

Collingwood Insurance Ph: 604.438.9888

5750 Tyne Street

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Jo yc eS t.

Ru pe rt St.

Ea rle sS t.

E.33rd Ave.

2066 Kingsway

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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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Kingsway F

London Square Dental Centre #220 3340 Kingsway Ph: 604.435.4545

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P & D Automotive Ltd Ph: 604.438.5519

2895 E.22nd Ave.

Joyce Hair Design St.

5156 Joyce

Papa John’s Pizza Ph: 604.310.PAPA

#300-3340 Kingsway

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Local girl fights zombies at the Vancouver Fringe Renfrew-Collingwood actress Jodie Nichols plays Brenda in a onewoman play, ZOMG, about kicking undead butt while taking care of four little girls.

Born and raised on a farm in northern Alberta with three older brothers, Nichols has always loved acting. She enrolled in drama at the Renfrew-Collingwood’s University of Calgary.

Jodie Nichols plays Brenda At the same time, in a one-woman play at the she formed a magic/ Vancouver Fringe Festival. entertainment company Photo by Richard Yee with a friend, in which she performed as a dueling magician.

With the acting dream and a BFA degree in drama under her belt, Nichols moved to Vancouver in 2011.

Nichols has learned to make her own work in the form of short films and sketch comedy for YouTube. And now a play at the Vancouver Fringe Festival!

The idea for ZOMG came to Nichols a few years ago on a drive to Leader, Saskatchewan, to perform magic.

“My mind was pinballing as it so wants to do.” she recalls. I wonder how hard it is to hot-wire a truck.

Might be necessary in a zombie apocalypse! Mmm, I really want some Girl Guide cookies. Hah, I wonder what would happen if Girl Guides were caught in the zombie apocalypse? I bet they’d do awesome!

Nichols infected her brother Brent with these ideas during a walk in Stanley Park about a year and a half ago. Shortly after returning home to Calgary, her brother wrote the one-woman play and emailed the first script to Nichols. She loved it and wanted to take it to the Vancouver Fringe and, as they say, the rest is history.

Jodie and Brent have chosen to participate in the Vancouver Fringe partner program with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, with three percent of the play profits donated to the food bank. The play debuts on the first night of the Fringe.

ZOMG (a zombie play) at the 2013 Vancouver Fringe Festival!

Playwright: Brent Nichols Performed by: Jodie Nichols Thurdays, September 5, 6:45 pm (1/2 price) Saturday, September 7, 8:05 pm Wednesday, September 11, 5:30 pm Thursday, September 12, 9:40 pm Friday, September 13, 6:45 pm Saturday, September 14, 3:55 pm The Revue Stage, Granville Island steampunch.com/zomg|www.facebook.com/ zomgtheplay

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September 2013

Collingwood Branch,

2985 Kingsway at Rupert St., 604-665-3953 Children’s Programs Drop in and welcome our new Children’s Librarian, Nona Avren to the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood!

Storytimes Drop-in on Thursdays at 10:30 am for Toddler Time (18 months- 3 years) or 11:30 am for Babytime (newborn-18 months). September 12 to October 18.

Summer Reading Club Have you been reading all summer long? Have you finished your 50 days? Drop in to with your green reading calendar until the end of September to pick up your medal and certificate!

Book Awards We are putting out a truck of brand new books that have been nominated for three different awards: Red Cedar Award, Stellar Award and Young Reader’s Choice Away. Come by to check one out and vote for your favourites in the spring.

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 Starts September 19 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm and will run every Thursday. All youth ages 14 to 25 from the Renfrew-Collingwood school catchment are welcome.

Adult Programs And we have a winner!

Congratulations to Raymond Chu, our Adult Summer Reading Club winner.

Raymond participated in our six week program and also attended our adult reading circle in July. Collingwood Branch is happy to give Raymond a brand new Kobo Mini eReader!

Ebooks can be downloaded for free from our website at: http://guides.vpl.ca/ebooks_audiobooks

Renfrew Branch Library,

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

Time to get mysterious

Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Mystery novels are one of the highest read titles in many public libraries. Murder mystery games are games where one of the party is secretly, and unknowingly, playing a murderer, and the other people attending must determine who among them is the criminal. Who? What? Where?

Why? fill the game, and people work with real and misleading information to win the game.

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 crime-solving!

Renfrew Park Community Centre

2929 East 22 Avenue at Renfrew Phone: 604.257.8388 ext. 3 Web page: www.renfrewcc.com

Fri. Sep 07 Mature Driver Assessment Procedures 55+yrs 11:00am-12:00pm Free 55804.401RF Mon. Sept 9 Ice Moon Cake Making - In Chinese 55+yrs 10:00am-12:00pm $1/session 52614.401RF Wed. Sept 11 Fall Breeze Luncheon 55+yrs 12:00-3:00pm $9/person 55615.401RF Fri. Sept 13 Hearing Information 11:00am-12:00pm Free 54803.401RF Hearing Clinic Screening .

1:00-3:00pm Free 54803.402RF Tue. Sept 17 Dill Cucumber Workshop pre-registration required 1:00-3:00pm Free 42617.401RF Mon. Sept 16 Guided Mantra Meditation and Talk 19+yrs 7:00-9:00pm Free 44809.401RF Tue. Sept 17-Nov 26 Mahjong 55+yrs 10:00am-1:00pm Free, preregistration required 55903.401RF Fri. Sept 20 Wildlife Habits & Habitats 55+yrs 11:00am-12:00pm Free 55804.403RF Thur. Sept 26 Acupuncture and Chinese Massage Th 7:00-8:00pm Sep 26 44812.401RF Free Fri. Sep 27 Better Meals Presentation 55+yrs 11:00am-12:00pm Free 52620.401RF

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September 2013

The Seniors Connection

Helping seniors live well in Renfrew-Collingwood

Diane Crowder: Our Neighbourhood Hero

by Crecien Bencio “The one thing I love most about driving the shuttle is all the seniors I have spoken with on a weekly basis and hearing about their lives and their families,” says Diane Crowder as she pulls up to a home in Renfrew Heights with climbing rose bushes and trailing ivy.

Diane is here to pick up her passenger, Caterina.

Caterina slowly pulls herself up the stairs of the shuttle. She timidly sits on the side; her hands look tense. I introduce myself and she smiles. She recognizes me, we share a laugh. I ask where she is going and she frowns. “Not a good place,” she says.

Today, Caterina is going to Saint Paul’s Hospital to visit someone who is ill. As Diane starts the engine she tells us some sad/good news: this fall, she will be leaving her position at Better at Home to start her new job as a school bus driver.

For the past three years, Diane has driven the RenfrewCollingwood Seniors Shuttle, a neighbourhood shuttle service that helps seniors go where they need to in the community. She tells me the shuttle is making a real difference in the lives of seniors in the community. “They’re able to get out grocery shopping or see their doctors and don’t have to wait for someone to find time to take them,” she says. “Instead of feeling like a burden on their family and friends they become more independent.”

As we arrive at the hospital, Diane confirms the pick-up time and location and says

reassuring words to comfort Caterina for her visit. Caterina waves to us from the window and flashes us a smile. I can hardly imagine how many individuals Diane has helped in RenfrewCollingwood through her small gestures of kindness.

Thank you, Diane Crowder, for making this neighbourhood a better place. You will be missed by all.

The Seniors Shuttle is provided

by Renfrew-Collingwood Better at Home (a program formerly known as CASI), which also provides housekeeping, yard work service and a walking club. It operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. The shuttle fee is based on annual income. The cost of a round-trip ride would range from a donation of what you can afford to $10.

Over the past three years as the seniors shuttle driver, Diane Crowder has helped many seniors in Renfrew-Collingwood with her kind gestures. Photo by Crecien Bencio.

To register for the shuttle service please call Renfrew-Collingwood Better at Home at 604-435-0375.

Crecien Bencio is the current seniors outreach worker at Collingwood Neighbourhood House.

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

Nikole Strybosch grew up in Collingwood and has been with Abantu for 13 years.

Nikole Strybosch is manager at Abantu Beauty Products Ltd. Established in 1993, Abantu (which means ‘people’) is proud of it’s reputation as one of the largest retailers of wigs, hair extensions and hair pieces in B.C. with solutions for everyone. This is their sixth year located at 3596 Kingsway.

This family-run business was started by the Okoth family, who came to Vancouver from Uganda. The family started the store because they realized that they could not get the products that they were used to getting in Uganda.

They have since been one of the frontrunners of hair products businesses here in Vancouver and now have customers worldwide, including many large film production companies and celebrities.

Abantu has an impressive selection of quality hair extensions and a well stocked inventory of over 50 colors. “We offer a broad range of quality wigs, both in human and synthetic hair, in styles and a budget suitable for everyone. We also carry ponytails and hairpieces to conceal thinning areas in the crown.”

“Wigs and extensions are popular for holidays – especially humid places – your hair can look great every night. They are also a great way to change your look quickly and easily. Also, with wigs, you avoid hair damage. This is not your grandma’s wig. Wig technology has come a long way, resulting in

high quality, yet affordable wigs. “The new synthetic fibres can be heat styled so you can curl and flat iron as many times as you like.”

“We really take the time to source good, high quality products, says Nikole, ‘and we also test them with our staff. There is a wide range when it comes to hair products and their quality. We try to get the best quality products because we know that women want to invest in looking and feeling their best. We are proud of our product knowledge. All staff have as much info as possible and we like to teach customers about the products.

Abantu has wigs and hairpieces for men as well. “Lots of options for men. Most toupees and wigs are unisex now and you can style them how you like. Abantu is also well known in the Drag Queen/ Transgender community.”

Nikole is a local girl – growing up on Collingwood’s Spencer street and attending Carleton Elementary and Gladstone. She has been with Abantu now for 13 years of their 20 year existence. Nikole lives and breathes Abantu. – watching trends, checking magazines, seeing what’s next. When she can, Nikole does love to go camping.

CBIA UPDATES CBIA Annual General Meeting - September 19th, 2013 from 5:30 – 7:00pm. Packages have been delivered to all CBIA members. If you haven’t received yours please contact the office.

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Interested in becoming a board member! We would encourage you to call us 604.639.403. l Speakers Series resumes this fall. Come and join us for lunch and and learn about LegalShield and how it can help you and your business. Free to members to register call 604.639.4403 or email info@shopcollingwood.ca space is limited.

Coming soon! Collingwood BIA Raffle Draw. Win a “Collingwood Experience” more information next month or check out the website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter - @ shopcollingwood

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*This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Business Improvement Association

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Read On!

A news page for Renfrew-Collingwood learners

ELSA life

Read On! has a web page. You can:

by Kitty and Neli

 Read the articles

We are students from ELSA (English Language Services for Adult). This ELSA is for new immigrants of Canada to develop and upgrade their English language. During class in July 2013 we did a lot of activities such as group competitions for culinary and hospitality like Top l to r: Tina, Neli, Kitty, Clarissa. Bottom restaurant services. l to r: Thanh, Li Qin and son Ethan, Connie

 Print worksheets

and teacher Dionne.

We had a beach party at Kitsilano Beach at the end of along the beach. Some of us were July. All of the students and taking pictures for memories. This families were so excited because activity can make all students feel for almost all of us, it was the first that we have a new family in this time to that beach. The children new country. were playing in the sand, and the other students were walking The reason that we do outside

Visit: RenfrewCollingwood CommunityNews.com

activities is because we need to know what the Canadian people are doing during their spare time and from this activity we can try to like and know further about Canada.

Youth educate in Renfrew-Collingwood TEAM (Teen Educating Against Misuse) is a six-week long summer program that focuses on learning about a prevention topic that is then presented at local day camps. Throughout the summer, we also play a wide variety of games and activities, while going on out-trips every week.

education program that works with youth on topics that include drug and alcohol misuse, sexual exploitation and media influence.

Peer Educators from elementary schools work with Peer Facilitators from Windermere high school on a weekly basis to prepare a presentation on their chosen issue, which the This year, we were very fortunate elementary students perform at to have an extraordinary the annual Prevention Fair held group of 11 mature, innovative at Collingwood Neighbourhood and intelligent grade 6 and House/Windermere Secondary TEAM participants for the 2013 7 students in the program.

School to grade 6 and 7 students summer. Photo by Emily Chan These youth chose the topic from the seven feeder elementary of “self-harm,” which we later schools. broadened to include self-care at www.cnhpreventioneducation. and the importance of healthy For more information on this wordpress.com or contact Vive Wong messages. While the topic program, please visit the website at vwong@cnh.bc.ca. was sensitive, it was also an amazing experience to witness their growth, knowledge, and maturity around this topic. The presentation consisted of two interactive activities and a video following the story of two girls who had experienced self-harm for different reasons.

TEAM is the summer portion of the Prevention Education “I Can Choose, We Can Choose” program that runs from January to May every year. This program is a peer-preventative

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September 2013 The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway Dear Neighbors, Welcome to a new school year!

Kidstart Community Day – September 14th

I am looking forward to The KidStart Community Day, coming up on September 14th at Trout Lake Park. There will be BBQ treats, a stationary bike racer challenge, face painting, a pedal power music maker, breakdance lesssons, a kids treasure hunt, an interactive workshop on juggling, tightwire walking, and trampoline tricks from the Vancouver Circus School.

There will also be great prizes and a raffle for a new bike! Go to www.kidstart.ca for more information.

Hope to see you there!

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival: September 29th On Saturday, September 21st the 11th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival will take place. The festivities start at 4 pm at Slocan Park, next to the 29th Avenue SkyTrain Station with a Harvest Fair. I am delighted to be participating as a judge again this year. At 7pm a lantern procession will wind through Renfrew Ravine to the evening’s festivities at Renfrew Park to the north.

The Moon Festival is a wonderful combination of Asian and western harvest celebrations, and also an excellent opportunity to reflect on the Renfrew Ravine’s place in our environment. Our office will have a table up for the duration. Stop by! I look forward to seeing you! For more information, visit www.stillmoon.org.

New Office Open Hours – Now Open Late on Mondays!

Responding to the diversity of employment schedules in Vancouver-Kingsway, my community office will now be open from 12pm to 7pm on Monday evenings, beginning September 9th. 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.

14

September 2013

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

HIGHLIG H TS

Women’s personal safety seminar offered at CNH this fall for free Women are invited to attend a personal safety seminar the Vancouver Police Department’s Community Policing Services unit is offering for free.

The event will take place from 6-8 pm on October 3 at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, 5288 Joyce Street.

Seminar participants will learn about: • Understanding the importance of situational awareness and how it relates to personal safety; • Prevention;

• Understanding concepts of what is required in a violent encounter.

This presentation will involve classroom instruction to discuss personal safety and prevention strategies. It will also include practical training to practice physical moves that can provide an opportunity to escape effectively.

This seminar is open to women over the age of 18. Participants will be required to sign a waiver. Waivers will be available prior to the seminar

so participants should arrive early to fill one out. Participants should wear comfortable fitness attire.

Because of the low student-to-instructor ratio the class will be limited to 40 women. Participants must register to attend. Registrations, which are due by September 27, should be sent to chris@ collingwoodcpc.com with “Women’s Personal Safety Seminar” in the subject line.

For more information please contact the CCPC at 604-717-2935.

Register now for fall recreation programs Collingwood Neighborhood House offers a range of affordable, local, fun recreation programs and activities for all ages. Activities include music, sports, dance and the arts, as well as other physical and social activities.

We strive to provide a good balance of activities for people of all ages, ability levels and interests.

Here are a few examples of some of our programs: Preschool: • Clay Adventure for 2.5-5-year-olds allows children to explore clay through various techniques such as coiling, stamping and texturing.

• Pre-Ballet and Creative Dance for ages 2.5-3.5 years, along with parents, allows boys and girls to explore the elements of dance using a wide variety of music along with props and rhythm instruments.

• Pre-Ballet and Creative Dance for ages 4-5 years is a playful and fun way for young boys and girls to develop ageappropriate physical movement skills, stimulate their imagination and creativity and strengthen their cognitive, social and emotional skills.

Children: • Chinese Classical Dance for ages 6-14 years provides excellent exercise while expanding children’s knowledge of Chinese culture and the arts.

• Children’s Floor Hockey (equipment provided) for ages 6-9 offers Canada’s favourite game in a friendly, safe environment.

• Fun With Math for Grades 2, 4 and 5 gives students hands-on methods to

learn and practice elementary math concepts.

Adults: • Adults may be interested in purchasing a fitness activity pass for $51.50, good for 12 sessions.

The pass can be used for Bellyfit, Jazzercise, Hatha Yoga and Zumba. A single drop-in fee for these activities is $5.25 so you save $11.50 by purchasing one pass.

For drop-in Soccer, Volleyball and Badminton the pass is available at a cost of $48.50 for 12 sessions.

Math With Fun for children in Grades 2, 4 A single drop-in fee for these and 5 is just one of the many recreation activities is $4.50 so participants save $5.50 by purchasing one and leisure programs offered for prepass. schoolers, children, teens, adults and • Hatha Yoga encourages seniors at Collingwood Neighbourhood participants to slow their life House. Please see our Fall Recreation down and enjoy a relaxing yoga class offering increased strength, Guide on pages 8-10 in this edition of the balance, stamina and body Renfrew-Collingwood Community News. awareness.

• Bellyfit offers a full-body cardio workout in a safe and effective group fitness format.

• Men’s and Women’s Drop-In Volleyball (pre-registration required) offers a social game of volleyball where players can bump, set and spike to their heart’s content.

Seniors: • Seniors Drop-In Badminton is for seniors who can bring their own racket and get playing as there is no instruction.

• Gentle Chair yoga offers safe, slow-moving exercises for increased joint range of motion, relaxation and improved stamina and muscular

This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Neighbourhood House

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. 3 Sept.

Seafood chowder, Roasted vegetable panini, Salad, Coconut rice pudding Thur. 5 Sept.

Chicken schnitzel (breaded cutlets) and fries, Salad, Brownies Tue. 10 Sept.

Potato leek soup, Beef or vegetable tacos, Salad, Cheesecake Thur. 12 Sept.

Curried prawns on rice, Salad, Oatmeal cookie Tue. 17 Sept.

Tortilla soup, Chicken melt sandwich/grilled cheese sandwich, Salad, Shortbread cookie Thur. 19 Sept.

Aboriginal celebration lunch, Chocolate cake, (Guest chefs: The Collingwood CREW) Tue. 24 Sept.

Butternut squash soup, Tuna sandwich, Salad, Almond cookie Thur. 26 Sept.

Salmon or veggie burger, Salad, Pumpkin spice cake

strength. It is suitable for people with all forms of arthritis and various levels of ability.

• Seniors’ Coffee and Craft Social is a weekly event offering coffee, snacks and conversation.

Seniors are invited to bring along a craft project such as knitting, crochet or jewellery-making.

For more information about these and other recreation and leisure programs at CNH for all ages please see pages 8 to 10 in this edition of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

15

September 2013

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Fun and tasty lunch and snack ideas for all ages

Fresh Tomato Salsa

by Kathy Romses, RD As children start back to school, the job of packing lunches begins for many families. Keep lunches fun and tasty by including foods that allow family members to personalize their choices. Use reusable containers and let family members choose the items they want to pack in their lunch.

Children will be more likely to eat the lunches they have packed for themselves.

• Salsa and Chips – try the recipes shown below for Fresh Tomato Salsa with Tortilla Chips • Build Your Own Tacos – soft whole wheat tortillas, shredded cooked chicken or refried beans, thinly sliced red or yellow pepper, salsa • Rolling Wraps – whole wheat tortilla, shredded lettuce, grated cheese, chopped roasted vegetables, hummus or cooked meat or cooked chicken, mustard or mayonnaise • Pita Pockets – cut whole wheat pita pockets in half and offer a variety of fillings • Tomato and Pasta Salad – halved

cherry tomatoes, cooked pasta, cubes of cheese, canned tuna or salmon and your favourite dressing • Salad Rolls – Dip rice paper wrappers in warm water to soften and fill with rice noodles, grated carrot, chopped cucumber, cooked meat or poultry or shrimp, and chopped basil or cilantro • Granola, Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits – pack granola, chopped fruit and yogurt in separate containers and combine just before eating • Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip – variety of chopped fruits, e.g., melon balls, grapes (cut in half for small children to prevent choking), berries • Veggie Dippers – sliced, raw vegetables or pita for with hummus for dipping

• Prepare foods on a clean surface with clean utensils • Wash fruits and vegetables • Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot • Keep cold foods in the fridge until you leave home • Use an insulated lunch bag with a small ice pack or frozen container of water for foods that need to stay cold • Pack hot foods in a thermos, fill with boiling water and let it stand for a few minutes before filling • Do not reuse foods that can cause food illness (e.g., meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk products) that are not eaten from a packed lunch Kathy Romses is a registered dietitian at Evergreen Community Health Centre.

Keeping Lunches and Snacks Safe to Eat • Wash your hands before preparing or eating food

3 tomatoes, deseeded and chopped 3 1 roasted red pepper, skinned and chopped 1 75 ml finely chopped, red onion 1/3 cup 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped 1 60 ml chopped, fresh cilantro 1/4 cup 10 ml lime or lemon juice 2 tsp 1 clove garlic, minced 1 In a medium bowl, stir together tomatoes, roasted pepper, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and lime or lemon juice. Chill for one hour in the refrigerator before serving to let the flavours combine.

Tortilla Chips 10

25-cm (10-inch) tortilla Canola oil or melted butter Seasoning to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Brush one side of each tortilla with canola oil or melted butter. Sprinkle tortillas with your favourite seasoning e.g., chipotle chilli pepper.

Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes.

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  Pool 1:00pm-5:00pm Fitness Centre 1:00pm-5:00pm Centre Area CLOSED (includes the gymnasium, meeting rooms & games area.)

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Pool & Fitness Centre 6:00am-3:00pm due to staff training Centre 9:00-3:00pm due to staff training

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For our full listing of programs check out our website or drop by and pick up a brochure. Register now for Fall programs. Fees are prorated for programs that have already started. GST included.

Lantern Making Workshops (All Ages)

Create beautiful lanterns under the guidance of experienced local artist Yoko Tomita. Workshops take place at Slocan Park Fieldhouse (next to the 29th Ave. Skytrain station). Please pay cash onsite for the lantern making workshops.

Bamboo Lantern: Instruction provided Sep 9-13 $20/lantern Mo-Fr 4:00-8:00pm Sep 9-13 Globe Lantern: Instruction provided Sep 16-19 Mo-Fr 4:00-8:00pm Sep 16-19 $15/lantern

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Zumba Party (16+yrs)

Come and join 4 amazing Zumba instructors for a Zumba Party! Pre-registration is required, and some light refreshments will be provided!

We 6:00-7:55pm Sep 4 $10/person 

All-U-Can-Eat Crab Feast Cruise (55+yrs) We

9:15am-4:30pm

Sep 4

BellyFit - Free Trial Class (16+yrs) Th

11:00-11:55am

Sep 5

$139/person Alicia Meek 



Fall Breeze Luncheon (55+yrs) We

12:00-3:00pm

Sep 11

$9/person

It’s All About M.E. (Mobile Education) Collingwood Community Policing (55+yrs)

Learn about personal safety while you travel downtown. Registration is required, lunch included.

Th 9:00am-4:30pm Sep 12 Free

Belly Dance (19+yrs)

*FREE TRIAL CLASS, preregistration is required* We 7:30-8:45pm Sep 25 

Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze (55+yrs) Th

9:30am-3:00pm

Sep 26

Youth Pro-D Day Activities (10-18yrs)

Lisa Jordan Free $20/person

Come and spend your Professional Development day with your friends at Renfrew! Call Suzy for more info (604) 257-8156 Swimming @ Killarney Pool Fr 12:00-6:00pm Sep 27 $10/person

Youth Pass (YP)

Register for your FREE Youth Pass!

Please ensure that you fill out an Emergency Contact Form.

This entitles you to a FREE membership.

Valid until Aug 30, 2014

Youth Organized Volunteer Opportunities—YOVO (13-18yrs)

Youth will learn necessary skills and practical experience by volunteering in programs at the Community Centre. Once these skills are developed, the youth will be guided and supported to run their own programs and deliver services to the community.

This is a great opportunity for the youth to develop skills, gain work experience and to make a difference in their community.

Please call Suzy for more info (604) 257-8156 or Email renfrew.volunteers@vancouver.ca for more information.

We 5:45-7:00pm Sep 4-Dec 11 Free with YP registration

Youth Council (13-18yrs)

Join us to help shape the vision of youth involvement in the community. Please call Suzy for more info (604) 257-8156 We 4:45-5:45pm Sep 11-Dec 4 Free with YP registration

TAG—Teen Advisory Group (13-18yrs)

Come and join the teens in the community and work on special projects with the Renfrew Library.

We 4:00-5:00pm Sep 4, Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4 Free

16

September 2013

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Skytrain Rambler: Get fresh at farmers markets September is an especially good time to take advantage of the summer harvest. For great taste and nutrition, there’s nothing better than just-picked fruits and veggies from the farm. In RenfrewCollingwood, we’re lucky we can hop on the Skytrain and find ourselves at a local farmers market within 15 minutes on various days of the week.

In addition to the fresh produce, from apples and peaches to beets and turnips, you can pick up freshbaked bread and pies, meat and cheese, salmon and oysters, and lots more. If it’s organic, even better!

Find more info on the above farmers markets at EatLocal.org: http://eatlocal.org/.

Skytrain stop: Renfrew There’s a new urban farm in our neighbourhood, and it’s run by local students with the help of the Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society.

My kids love it when I pick up a fresh kohlrabi from the market.

They eat it raw, sliced thin. For them it’s a refreshing, yummy treat; for me it’s a good source of vitamin C (which helps your body absorb iron) and B vitamins (good for the nerves and brain), potassium and calcium.

Let’s hop aboard and meet at the market to get your own dose of goodness!

Skytrain stop: Nanaimo Zone 1; 5 minutes from RenfrewCollingwood stations From Joyce-Collingwood or 29th Avenue stations, take the Expo or Millennium line, heading to Waterfront station.

Exit Nanaimo station. Cross Nanaimo Street heading east and walk down the Skytrain path, stopping by the community gardens along the way. Head north (towards the mountains) til you reach Trout Lake, also known as John Hendry Park.

If leaving from Rupert station, stop at Renfrew station and walk east along Grandview Highway (12th Avenue) for about 10 minutes.

You’ll hit the north end of Trout Lake.

Head to the far north parking lot.

Trout Lake Market (every Saturday until October 19 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm). One of the longest-running and most popular markets in Vancouver, Trout Lake Market is always jam-packed.

There are often lineups for the food trucks such as Vij’s Railway Express.

It’s not all about food. The scene is colourful and festive with musicians playing and facepainting for kids and kids at heart.

market for 2013. It’s on Mainland Street between Helmcken and Davie. Stay awhile to browse the neighbourhood boutiques afterwards or stop for a coffee or ice cream in a nearby café.

Zone 1. From the Renfrew station, walk east to Slocan Street and up the hill. The farm is sandwiched between the soccer field and the tennis courts.

Julie Cheng’s purchases from a recent trip to Trout Lake Market include a crisp kohlrabi, which her kids love to eat raw.

VanTech Schoolyard Market (every Wednesday until November from 3:30 to 6:30 pm and every second and fourth Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm). Stop by for some of the best prices in town Skytrain stop: Main Street for fresh, local produce. This is Zone 1; 10 minutes from RenfrewFresh Roots’ first season growing Collingwood stations at Vancouver Technical Secondary.

It is a first-of-its-kind schoolyard Take the Expo or Millennium line, heading to Waterfront station. Stop market garden where the food at Main Street station. The market is grown and sold back to the is located at Main and Terminal, at community and to the Van Tech Thornton Park and across from the café starting September.

VIA Rail Station.

Fresh Roots is working to make the urban farm sustainable. “Healthy, Main Street Market (every Wednesday until October 2nd from local food should be accessible, and it should work,” says Marc 3:00 to 7:00 pm). This market is Schutzbank of Fresh Roots. More perfect for commuters heading info and photos at www. freshroots. home. Why not stop and pick up ca and www.facebook.com/ some dinner here? While here, freshrootsurbanfarm. check out the beaux-arts style VIA Rail Station, which was completed in 1919.

Skytrain stop: YaletownRoundhouse Zone 1; 15 minutes from RenfrewCollingwood stations

Harvest Fair (Saturday, September 21, 4:00 to 7:00 pm).

For a change of pace, stop by the Harvest Fair held annually at Slocan Park as part of the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

Here neighbours showcase their summer harvest, from beefiest bean to largest sunflower to tubbiest tomato.

Walk with the lantern parade that starts at 7:00 pm along the ravine down to the Renfrew Park Community Centre, where more entertainment awaits alongside the magical lantern-lit stream.

Julie Cheng loves to eat healthy but is a bad cook, so she appreciates simple recipes. She is the editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

Marc’s Market Salad

While at Van Tech I purchased ingredients—picked just that morning— for a colourful, flavourful salad. It included purslane, which Marc Schutzbank of Fresh Roots says is a source of the hard-to-find omega-3 essential fatty acid that’s such good brain food. Purslane adds a robust taste and crisp crunch to the salad. I did indeed serve this will salmon and the meal was amazing. Thanks Marc!

For salad: Van Tech salad mix Purslane leaves Bunch onion tops, sliced thin Nasturtium flowers For dressing: Place 2 parts olive oil, 1 part white wine vinegar, 1 tsp good mustard in a jar and shake it all up.

Take the Expo or Millennium line, heading to Waterfront station. Stop at Granville Station and transfer to the Canada Line heading to Richmond. Stop at the YaletownRoundhouse Station.

Yaletown Market (every Thursday until September 26 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm). Located in historic Yaletown just outside the Yaletown-Roundhouse Skytrain station, this is a new

Skytrain stop: 29th Avenue

Fresh Roots’ Marc Schutzbank, intern Damaris Galvez, Van Tech grade 12 student Karen Wasdeb and happy customer Sara Ross, who rides by weekly to get her fresh produce.

To serve: Place salad veggies in a large bowl and drizzle with dressing. Optional: add a half cup of sesame seeds for crunch and carmelized leeks for sweetness.

Serve with grilled salmon. Enjoy!

—JC