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Warm the homeless with help from first responders

Looking for some good news to warm a cold day? LynnValleyLife recently received this lovely press release from the North Vancouver RCMP, about a neighbourly initiative launched by Cst. Randy Wong and his wife, Sahar. Using money donated by Randy’s RCMP colleagues, the couple have been creating care packages for the men and women the constable encounters over the course of his days and nights on the streets of North Vancouver. The ziplock bags contain warm mitts, toques, socks, disposable rain ponchos, energy bars and other essential supplies for those whose lives are spent largely without shelter.

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December 12, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Getting Involved, Governance and Services, Notable Neighbours

Headwaters road deterioration prompts closure to vehicles

Temporary Closure to Lynn Headwaters Access Road

In the interest of public safety, the District of North Vancouver has closed its access road to Lynn Headwaters Regional Park at the top of Lynn Valley Road to vehicles, effective immediately.

The road, which cuts through steeply sloped terrain, has deteriorated to the extent that portions of the road are at risk of failure, which could result in landslide. At this time, the closure applies to vehicles only; pedestrian and bicycle access is still permitted. Pedestrians may also access the park from Lynn Valley Road via the Varley Trail.

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December 1, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors, Governance and Services

Christmas coming to Lynn Valley

The season of Advent is almost upon us, and the valley is starting to prepare for Christmas.

If you’re wanting your Christmas tree dollars to go to go to work in your community, be sure to head to the Lynn Valley Lions Christmas tree lot, opening on Saturday, Dec. 3. It’s at a new location this year – you’ll find it in the sports box adjacent to Karen Magnussen Rec Centre. Hours are Monday to Friday 2-8pm, and 9am-9pm on the weekends. The trees sold out in two weeks last year, so don’t delay!

The neighbourhood’s very own “gingerbread house” (known the rest of the year as Mollie Nye House) lights up as always on Thursday, December 1, and everyone is welcome! The 13th annual Bright Christmas is being hosted by the Lynn Valley Services Society (LVSS) at Mollie Nye House, 940 Lynn Valley Rd., from 7 – 8:30pm that evening, and those wishing to join the lantern parade from Karen Magnussen are invited to be there at 6:30 pm sharp! The countdown and light-up will take place at 7 p.m., and festive sing-alongs, gingerbread and ornament decorating, Mad Scientist demos and other activities will carry on until 8:30 pm. Santa will be there, and so should you!

Once again dozens of community organizations and businesses have sponsored trees in the Christmas Tree Walk organized by the Lynn Valley Community Association, and set to light up Lynn Valley Village for the pleasure of all. Watch for neighbourhood elves out putting the trees up on Friday, Dec. 2, and decorating them on Saturday the 3rd.

The grand light-up ceremony takes place on Sunday, December 4 at 4:30 p.m. This is definitely a neighbourhood “come one, come all” gathering, and we look forward to seeing a village square full of people!

There will be much to enjoy during the month of December, so keep your eyes on our Events Calendar to make sure you don’t miss out. We’ll update it regularly – so if you’re organizing a public event, be sure to let us know so we can spread the word! Just send your details to [email protected], and feel free to post your news directly on to our Facebook page as well!

November 26, 2016 in Blog, Community Events, Current News

Good Neighbour Award nominations open!

Every year LynnValleyLife takes pleasure in recognizing a Lynn Valley resident who goes the extra mile to make our community or the wider world a better place.

It might be someone whose quiet small acts provide ongoing comfort and motivation to the circle that surrounds them – their neighbours, colleagues, or friends. It might be someone whose work through a non-profit group or as an individual has tackled one of the various troubling issues our society is facing. It might be someone who has inspired youth or stood by our seniors.

Last year’s Good Neighbour was Cath Bates Dimmock, a volunteer coach known as a wonderful role model for the students on the Argyle gymnastics team. We need your help to find this year’s Good Neighbour!

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November 18, 2016 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Argyle school replacement subject of open house

The community has long been awaiting news of the fate of Argyle Secondary. The school district is inviting local citizens to an open house and presentation that will explain the proposal and offer the opportunity to ask questions and put forward your thoughts on several community-related aspects of the project. It’s on Thursday, November 24, and takes place in the Argyle school gymnasium.

6:30 p.m. – Doors Open
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Open House
7:15 – 8:30 p.m. – Presentation

From the School District press release:

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November 13, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Governance and Services, School News

Decorate a Christmas tree in LV Village!

The Sixth Annual Lynn Valley Village Christmas Parade of trees is approaching, and we are already looking forward to seeing Lynn Valley Village transformed into a magical forest of decorated Christmas trees.

If you want to get in on the fun, now is the time to sponsor a tree and start thinking about your decorating approaching! Says the Lynn Valley Community Association: “Sponsoring a tree is a great opportunity to promote your business or organization, while at the same time supporting families in need and helping build a strong community here in Lynn Valley.”

$50 from each $200 sponsorship supports local families with needed food and gifts and any other net proceeds support the work of LVCA in the community, including the speaker series, trail improvement projects and community events. Dry goods and canned products for the North Shore Harvest Project are also collected at the grand lighting ceremony, which takes place this year on Sunday, December 4.

The LVCA encourages sponsors to decorate their trees as creatively as they like: the public votes for their favourite and there are awards for the best trees! Trees will be decorated on Saturday, December 3.

For more information or to sponsor a tree please email [email protected]. Cheques for sponsorship should be made payable to Lynn Valley Community Association and mailed to PO Box 16080, 1199 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, V7J 3S9.

November 4, 2016 in Blog, Community Events, Current News, Getting Involved

Bad weather calls for good driving (and walking)

Lynn Valley’s record-breaking rain in October and evenings rendered even darker by the November 6 time change are two big reminders to walk, cycle and drive safely during the upcoming fall and winter months.

The North Van RCMP recently sent out a press release urging pedestrians to step up and ensure that they can be seen on dark streets. They partnered up with ICBC to give out personal safety reflectors at the Seabus on the morning of November 2, but if you missed that, a variety of low-cost reflective armbands, tags, and other items are available at stores like MEC and Canadian Tire.

Pedestrians are also strongly cautioned against texting or other cell phone use when walking through intersections or on roadways. (Distracted walking isn’t yet against the law, but the majority of Canadians think it should be!)

Drivers are reminded to be extra careful when turning right or left across a pedestrian crosswalk. Left turns are usually the most tricky, with drivers watching for oncoming traffic and not always being as attentive as necessary to pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road they are turning into.

However, there is a particularly bad right-hand turn in Lynn Valley, and that’s for cars turning right off of Mountain Highway on to Lynn Valley Road, by the Petro-Can gas station. Given the angle of the streets, drivers are often very slow to notice pedestrians about to step into the crosswalk, and we’ve often seen cars turning right and nearly hitting people who are crossing with the walk sign.

When it comes to crosswalks, pedestrians have to use common courtesies, too, and one of those is realizing that the flashing ‘count-down’ stop signals are not an invitation to take off from the curb to see if you can “beat the clock.” As soon as the walk signal changes to a flashing orange hand (with or without a countdown), pedestrians are to stay on the sidewalk and wait for their next opportunity to cross. Failure to do so can put them in harm’s way, as well as deny drivers any opportunity to turn on their green light.

The North Van RCMP recently launched a three-month campaign to increase awareness of, and adherence to, pedestrian regulations. They’ll be handing out educational pamphlets at first – but that could change to $109 infraction tickets.

There are more tips to be had, including these from ICBC. A few minutes spent paying attention now could make a huge difference to you or someone else in the dark days ahead.

November 2, 2016 in Blog, Current News

Church offers to help remember Lynn Valley departed

While October 31 focusses on trick-or-treating and fireworks, that costumed caper is only the beginning of a three-day “Hallowtide” festival that has evolved over the past thousand years.

All-Souls-Day-Lighting-Candles-Picture

The following two days, All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2, predate Halloween traditions (“hallow” means “saint,” and “All Hallow’s Eve” has become “Halloween”). All Saints began as a fourth-century feast to commemorate the Christian martyrs, while All Souls was added in the early 11th century to give people an opportunity to honour those members of their families or communities who had died.

St. Clement’s Anglican Church will be holding its annual All Souls service a little ahead of time – on Sunday, October 30 at 4 p.m. During a contemplative time of candlelight and prayer, the names of the departed are read aloud. Every year, St. Clement’s parishioner and Argyle grad John Stowe puts the word out to Argyle alumni and others and invites them to submit names of people from the school community who have passed (you can reach him at [email protected]), while the Rev. Elizabeth Mathers, deacon at the church, encourages Lynn Valleyites to send her the names of anyone they would like remembered ([email protected]).

Elizabeth describes the service as very “user-friendly” and one that is often attended by people who wouldn’t otherwise describe themselves as church-goers. If you would like to spend a few quiet moments remembering a beloved family member or companion, you are warmly welcome. If you would simply like to know that their names are being read and remembered for All Souls, please send them to Elizabeth or John.

St. Clement’s is located at 3400 Institute Rd. More information is here. (And a recipe for traditional Souls’ Day cookies – the original Halloween treat – is here.)

October 19, 2016 in Blog, Community Events, Current News

Lynn Valley a hotbed for Culture Days offerings

Discover a new hobby, explore a new interest, or just have some out-of-the-ordinary fun at this year’s Culture Days that run from Friday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 2.

Culture Days kicked off in 2009 with the goal of making a broad variety of free pastimes available to the masses. People can sample all sorts of activities, and perhaps discover a pursuit they would like to explore further.

There are many events planned on the North Shore, as listed on the North Shore Arts Office website, and the following are being offered right in our own neighbourhood:

Friday, September 30

FAMILY RECORDS WORKSHOP – Get tips from the NVMA Archivist on how to organize family records, photos and treasures. Preregister: 604 990-3700 x.8016

WHERE: NVMA Community History Centre, 3203 Institute Rd

WHEN: Friday, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE – A magical blend of improvised music and comedy with special guest, singer, songwriter and storyteller Ross Douglas.

WHERE: Lynn Valley Library Community Room, 1277 Lynn Valley Rd.

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday, October 1

SHAKETOWN WALK – A guided walk with NVMA Curator Karen Dearlove with history and anecdotes about Lynn Valley formerly called Shaketown. Pre-Register 604 990-3700 x.8016

WHERE: NVMA Community History Centre, 3203 Institute Rd

WHEN: Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE ARCHIVES – A close-up look at how the NVMA archives cares for, and stores photographs, documents and precious items in the community’s collection.

WHERE: NVMA Community History Centre, 3203 Institute Rd.

WHEN: Saturday, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

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READING: DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER: A COMMUNITY OF COMMUNITIES – Noted author and historian Daniel Francis tells stories about North Van’s growth, unique neighbourhoods and the transformation from milltown to metropolis. Pre-Register 604 990-3700 x.8016

WHERE: NVMA Community History Centre, 3203 Institute Rd.

WHEN: Saturday, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

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Sunday, October 2

FAIRFIELD MUSIC DEMOS & LESSONS AT THE LIBRARY– Fairfield Music offers instruments demos, mini lessons and a fun instrument making workshop for all ages.