Local News – Front Porch Blog

Our Neighbourhood News: From the Front Porch of LynnValleyLife

Hi there neighbours, and a very warm welcome to our blog, From the Front Porch of LynnValleyLife.

Why do we call it ‘From the Front Porch’? Because that’s where the real news of a community is shared – on front porches and sidewalks, and in coffee shops and playgrounds. So sit down and stay awhile…. and check back regularly, so we can keep you in the Lynn Valley loop.

Visit here for musings on local life from our neighbourhood observer, Lynn O’Malley, and stories from our editor Peggy Trendell-Jensen. Publisher Jim Lanctot weighs in with news from the world of Lynn Valley real estate, and we look forward to bringing you a range of guest voices from your valley neighbours.

If you have any tidbits of interest, please send them along to our neighbourhood news-gatherer, Robin, at [email protected].  We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to post them all, but we’ll do our best to spread the word on this blog page or on our Facebook site!

How to make your home unattractive (to criminals)

How to make your home unattractive (to criminals)

With increasing notifications from social media, it can feel like our neighbourhoods aren’t the idyllic places they were “back in my day.” The reality is: North Vancouver experiences 39% less crime than the national average and you can participate in one key pillar of that safety: Blockwatch.  BC's second biggest ...
( ...Read More )
Pancakes, performances and a parade

Pancakes, performances and a parade

The grand tent will be coming back to Lynn Valley Park and the parade will hit the streets as Lynn Valley Days return June 23 & 24. With the community stage booked to capacity and volunteers stepping up, the Lynn Valley Lions are excited to be drawing the community together.  ...
( ...Read More )
Pineapples growing on our North Shore

Pineapples growing on our North Shore

There is a sunny window on the North Shore that is brimming with pineapples, plumeria and bougainvillea. Perhaps more typically found in Hawaii, the mini garden is finally bearing fruit in Lynn Valley.  Mini-farm LynnValleyLife.com’s own Robin Thorneycroft has been growing pineapple plants in Lynn Valley for nine years.   “It ...
( ...Read More )
Music for the community

Music for the community

The Lynn Valley Library won’t be so quiet this month when the North Vancouver Community Band brings its music for an evening concert on May 31. A place for all that love to play For two decades musicians have been gathering together for their love of music. The group aims ...
( ...Read More )
Argyle gymnastics team at risk

Argyle gymnastics team at risk

It’s a stressful week for the provincial champion gymnasts at Argyle Secondary as BC School Sports considers the future of the sport. There is a push from other regions of BC to drop the sport from the high school roster - but Argyle and the North Shore are fighting to ...
( ...Read More )
Pulling a bike off the shelf

Pulling a bike off the shelf

This summer you could possibly check out a pair of wheels from the North Vancouver District Public Library. Inspired by Lynn Valley’s Duncan Wilcox and his passion to help others embrace active transportation, DNV councillor Jordan Back helped pass a unanimous motion at council Monday bringing a Bike Library one ...
( ...Read More )
A home run for dinner

A home run for dinner

The smell of grilled onions slowly drifts over Upper Lynn. The sounds of kids playing and bats cracking aren't the only sensations coming from Kilmer Park these days. If there is baseball in the field, there are likely volunteers behind the concession. The Lynn Valley Little League tradition of fundraising ...
( ...Read More )
Great Lynn Valley Neighbourhood Garage - and Parking Lot Sale

Great Lynn Valley Neighbourhood Garage – and Parking Lot Sale

The annual Great Neighbourhood Garage Sale is back! Join Lynn Valley for two days of bargain hunting May 27 & 28 - and a garage is not necessary to participate! The map! Click the square in the upper left with the arrow to open the legend and address list of ...
( ...Read More )
North Shore solution to take on bike theft

North Shore solution to take on bike theft

A local mountain biker is aiming to disrupt the rampant bike theft market tormenting Vancouver, and anywhere bikes are ridden, with hidden GPS technology and some mentoring from a Dragon, Fraser Vaage has launched Snik. Reaction to inaction When the pandemic slowed the job market North Vancouver’s Fraser Vaage saw ...
( ...Read More )
Making a mortgage work for you, not the banks

Making a mortgage work for you, not the banks

Returning to his roots Dave Bruynesteyn is back in Lynn Valley offering mortgage clients options to meet their financial and life goals. Slotting in the final piece of the puzzle in Lynn Valley’s one-stop shop, MortgageDave now shares offices with LynnValleyLife.com’s real estate services, David Fiteni’s insurance offerings and Kay ...
( ...Read More )
RNB expanding to meet demand

RNB expanding to meet demand

With one lease ending soon, the RNB Dance and Theatre Arts Society is planning on doubling its studio space in Lynn Valley. The community-based not-for-profit is hoping the community will lend a hand to help it grow. Local arts booming A plan is afoot for RNB Dance to take over ...
( ...Read More )
Spring Break family adventures

Spring Break family adventures

Spring Break is looming on the horizon and there are plenty of activities happening in Lynn Valley to help keep kids busy, try something new and perhaps learn something disguised as fun. The return of in-person Wildlife Weeks The Ecology Centre hoping families stop by over spring break for drop-in ...
( ...Read More )
An artists' look at rewilding

An artists’ look at rewilding

This March local painter Marisa Mary Myrah will be revealing the forgotten spaces of one of Lynn Valley’s most contentious pieces of land.   From greenspace to gallery Living in a rainforest is a constant source of inspiration for local landscape artist Marisa Mary Myrah. Day to day she walks the ...
( ...Read More )
Screen time

Screen time

On these long rainy days, there is no better time to tuck in and watch a movie and when it comes to choosing, finding something filmed in Lynn Valley has never been easier. With film production thriving on the North Shore, our parks and streets are filling the screen more ...
( ...Read More )
Adapting local homes to aging

Adapting local homes to aging

Aging is never easy. Fraught with loss and challenges, a new local business is hoping to ease the burdens on the elderly and their families with a plan to age in place and adapt homes to make them functional for later life. Tom and Melody Grant bring their expertise as ...
( ...Read More )
New real estate changes for 2023

New real estate changes for 2023

We wanted to keep you informed that the rollover into 2023 has also brought with it some new and noteworthy real estate regulations for buyers, sellers, and renters. BC homebuyer rescession period As of January 3, 2023, BC home buyers now have a three-day period in which they can decide ...
( ...Read More )
Back in the saddle 2022

Back in the saddle 2022

Looking back at 2022, it was a slow build-back from the height of the pandemic. There were groups and organizations offering more in-person events, and people were taking on challenges and adventures again. Still, it was not quite like before times, when Lynn Valley was bustling with outdoor concerts and ...
( ...Read More )
Ready and willing to help

Ready and willing to help

There is a new option for notary services in our neighbourhood and we are so proud to welcome Kay Manabe Senju Notary as a new officemate. Manabe is expanding her business to serve Lynn Valley with her typical knowledge and warmth. Help where it is needed With the departure of ...
( ...Read More )
Gillian Konst - Good Neighbour 2022

Gillian Konst – Good Neighbour 2022

We are so pleased to announce our Good Neighbour 2022 is Gillian Konst! As we mark our 11th annual community contributor, she joins the ranks of Lynn Valley greats like Bob McCormack, Tim Green, Matina Spiropoulos, Linda Munro, Gord Trousdell, and others. Decades of giving back Not one but two ...
( ...Read More )
Mental wellness resources

Mental wellness resources

We want to make the community aware of resources available to support mental health. There are services online, on the phone and locally - some are FREE, low-barrier options to support your mental health. If you are thinking of suicide or self-harm call 911 or 1-833-456-4566 toll free, 24/7, text ...
( ...Read More )
Looking for our Good Neighbour 2022

Looking for our Good Neighbour 2022

It is our favourite time of year: for a decade we have been shining a light on those that make Lynn Valley better! We want to celebrate the community members that share their time and skills to make our neighbourhood better. We are once again looking for nominations for our ...
( ...Read More )
History never recorded

History never recorded

There is no need to travel abroad for archaeological wonders, instead taking a walk through the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve with a careful eye can reveal a phenomenal past - one Capilano University professor and writer Bob Muckle shares in his latest book Forgotten Things: The Story of the Seymour ...
( ...Read More )
Garden delights

Garden delights

There is a fanciful garden blooming upstairs at the Lynn Valley Branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. Fabric artist Kirsten Chursinoff’s exhibit Garden Escape is now on until Dec. 6, 2022. From craft to art The fabric and thread creations are a colourful burst of energy in the ...
( ...Read More )
Lynn Valley leads local elections

Lynn Valley leads local elections

As British Columbians consider their choices for local government this fall, LynnValleyLife wants to amplify our local voice on municipal government. Voting on October 15 is a chance to have your say.  Lynn Valley leads candidates There are 13 residents hoping to get a seat on council for the next ...
( ...Read More )
CBC broadcaster shares joy of Lynn Valley

CBC broadcaster shares joy of Lynn Valley

A childhood dream was realized when a pandemic move brought CBC’s Johanna Wagstaffe to Lynn Valley. The well-known face of Canadian weather has been showing off our neighbourhood ever since.  Early roots Over the last year and a half, Lynn Valley has been playing a background role in some CBC ...
( ...Read More )
Events ahead of local elections

Events ahead of local elections

It’s that time again - four years have passed - and we have October municipal and school board elections. There are a number of opportunities to get to know our candidates. The year of Lynn Valley There are 13 North Vancouver residents vying for spots on District Council with six ...
( ...Read More )
New neighbours buzzing about Argyle

New neighbours buzzing about Argyle

If you live near Argyle Secondary you may have noticed a bit of buzz around the school this summer. More than 20,000 new neighbours have moved onto the campus - and they are bringing a sweet educational opportunity for students.  Pollinator power A new bee hive was established at Argyle ...
( ...Read More )
LVCA Family Fun Fair

LVCA Family Fun Fair

Kirkstone Park will be buzzing with free family fun this weekend. The Lynn Valley Community Association is launching their Family Fun Fair Saturday, September 10 from 10 am - 2 pm.  Celebrating community The Lynn Valley Community Association is bringing together local businesses and community groups for what it hopes ...
( ...Read More )
Women helping women

Women helping women

A new counselling group in Lynn Valley hopes to support women and combat isolation. Come together Registered clinical counsellor Marion Gargiulo is hoping to launch a new group Thursday evenings at Mollie Nye House. Group therapy can be both more affordable than one-on-one therapy and can be less intimidating for ...
( ...Read More )
Trees to be cleared at Rice Lake

Trees to be cleared at Rice Lake

Dam maintenance on Rice Lake will clear 200 trees and significantly change the shoreline of the lake. Metro Vancouver is currently engaging in public consultation about the project. In 2023 the north and south dams on the lake will undergo significant maintenance. The public has a chance to review and ...
( ...Read More )

Q