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 robin@lynnvalleylife.com. 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!
Working hard for their money
There are still some kids around willing to get their hands dirty to make a few dollars around Lynn Valley. Other young people are getting creative with their hustle to overcome the demise of many typical student jobs this summer. We have tracked down a few local options and if ...
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More than books – how the NVDPL managed Covid-19
With a mandate well beyond books, the North Vancouver District Public Library, was a local leader in providing innovative programming and access to its materials and services. The move to take traditional paper and pivot to virtual services was quick and provided a much needed escape and community connection in ...
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Camp options in a covid world
There has been a lot of innovation going on behind the scenes of local small businesses and organizations offering kids summer camps. Most options were tossed out the window with Covid-19 safety concerns but a few have pushed through and adapted. We have a list of Lynn Valley activities still ...
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Ode to the corner store
Covid-19 attacked our community, economy and health care system. It highlighted supply chain challenges and as something unknown moved through, there was uncertainty around the safety of basic tasks like grocery shopping. The important role small grocers and corner stores has been showcased in the last few months. In Lynn ...
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Great Neighbourhood Garage Sale
As we look to the fall and this new normal, we also see a great pile of stuff we have decluttered and cleared out during a little (or a lot) of freetime during the pandemic. So what do you think, are you up for a Great Neighbourhood Garage Sale? How ...
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Father’s Day 2020
June is here and it’s been a warm spring so far. We're crossing our fingers that we'll get all the rain out of our system this week and catch a sunny weekend to celebrate Dad. However, Father's Day may look a little different this year so we have some local ...
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Grads of 2020 pivot for the pandemic
When the world stopped mid-March it was the middle of Spring Break. Students had left school on Friday expecting to return after a warm vacation or some skiing on local hills. They didn’t expect they’d never walk the halls or play on sports teams again. As this year’s Argyle Secondary ...
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Dropping a line near End of the Line
With the rushing waters of the Capilano, the wharf at Cate’s Park and the tranquil quiet of Rice Lake, the North Shore is an angler’s dream. As a quiet, close to home summer sits on the horizon, fishing might be something new to get the family outside. Getting started “You ...
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Living on the edge
We live in a special place. Nestled between two mountains on the edge of one of the world’s best cities, it is a unique situation shared by few other places. Where else in the world can you live a 20 minute drive from downtown but also be a 20 minute ...
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Hitting local trails with kids
With Dr. Bonnie Henry’s call to stay close to home, to stay active and get outdoors, a new book is aiming to support local outdoor adventures with your kids. Local teen Harrison Crerar’s second book, was published by Rocky Mountain Books just last month. Foster a love of the outdoors ...
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Isolation adventures in Upper Lynn
In the weeks prior to the covid-19 pandemic call to stay home and stay safe, Lynn Valley’s Paul Dixon was putting many kilometres on his car, traversing the Lower Mainland photographing whatever piqued his interest. That all stopped March 20. Stay close to home Retired almost two decades from his ...
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Kindness rocks
There are bright spots popping up all over Lynn Valley - and we aren’t talking flowers. Never have there ever been so many painted rocks brightening gardens. Sparking joy and taking care of Mother Earth The painted rocks are bringing smiles to many people. There are local painted rock Facebook ...
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Giving back to community builders
Supporting our community's local businesses throughout the COVID-19 outbreak is very important, how can you help? Time to think and act local Many small businesses in Lynn Valley are suffering during these difficult times, and it is time to look out and support the members of our community. You may ...
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Pollinator power
Garden centres are buzzing with homeowners with free time, excellent weather and nowhere to go. Now is the time to think about what kind of garden you'd like and who you want visiting this summer. Creating pollinator habitats is a creative way the community can do something together while we ...
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Finding HOPE in Lynn Valley
Walking down the street you might find some hope on Wellington Drive. Family tradition There is a house mid-way down the block that is always decked out for holidays. For decades the Tindales have been celebrating Christmas and Halloween with home and yard displays, but in the last few years, ...
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Special Delivery for Lynn Valley Care Centre
We have launched Project Special Delivery, a community-wide effort to share heartfelt good wishes for everyone in the LVCC.We have heard from many of our readers who are searching for a way to show their support for the residents of Lynn Valley Care Centre and all who are working so ...
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Celebrating Easter in New Ways
With Easter coming up on April 12th, we've had to put some thought into how to honor this annual celebration in new ways. Here are a few creative community building and celebratory ideas we've come up with to keep the Easter spirit going (since the Easter Bunny is a good ...
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Facebook fun boosts RCMP profile
Have you been wondering about the face behind the North Vancouver RCMP’s Facebook page? We have! The force’s Facebook and Twitter posts have become ever more winsome and chuckle-worthy over the past months, and we finally decided we had to meet the clever keyboard copper behind them. RCMP social ...
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Lynn Valley electrified
If you are still driving in Lynn Valley and managing to avoid road closures, construction delays and the chaos of the Lynn Valley Centre parking lot, you may have noticed a smaller project underway at the corner of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway. Petro Canada has selected Lynn Valley ...
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Year two of the speculation tax
For the second year in a row the province has sent out its Speculation and Vacancy Tax declaration forms. All homeowners must declare by their status by March 31. If you have declared before, you still have to declare again this year, even if there is no change to your ...
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Loving Lynn Valley this Valentine’s
There is so much love in Lynn Valley! We love the environment, the neighbours, the small unique businesses, the rain (sometimes)! We have our picks for celebrating love this Valentine’s Day! Nothing but the best Flowers: Picking up flowers for your love for Valentine’s Day or just because – we ...
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Lynn Valley on two wheels
Lynn Valley is heading out of some significant road construction as the 29th St. bike lane nears completion and another bike lane project scheduled to come up for summer 2020 on Lynn Valley Road. Without a doubt, cycling is part of the culture of North Vancouver. The District OCP goals ...
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Feeling philosophical?
Sometimes there is nothing like a good discussion – peeling away the layers of ideas and learning something new. The Philosophers’ Cafe series does just that about once a month at the Lynn Valley branch of the North Vancouver District Library. Next up Feb. 10. A new discourse tradition The ...
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Ready for Spring Break?
Despite all the snow - Spring break is creeping up on us. There are a number of activities to keep kids and tweens busy over the school holiday. Lynn Valley will be bustling with everything from film making to Lego to pollinators. The Ecology Centre is also back with its ...
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Two more for One World
A new speaker series at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre is running and continues through February. One Earth. Learning at the Ecology Centre The One Earth series celebrates this special planet we call home. Explore its incredible diversity! See it through the eyes of scientists, naturalists, and photographers as they share their inspirational stories and knowledge ...
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The best of 2019
When we reflect on the year that’s gone by, we are so glad we make our life where we do. What a year from Pigeon-gate to water main bursts, from local authors and businesses to annual celebrations. Here are some favourites from 2019. Biggest heart We loved sharing the Project ...
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Project read for Project Samuel
Last year, the Pearmain family from Lynn Valley travelled for the second time to Zambia - suitcases stuffed with donated local soccer jerseys and reading supplies. It proved to be a powerful catalyst for Argyle student Hope Pearmain, who will embark on a four-month internship to teach literacy after graduating ...
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Holiday roundup 2019
There are plenty of activities happening throughout Lynn Valley and the North Shore during the holiday season. Check out some of our picks. Ecology Centre The Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre is open during the construction in the park's parking lot and the upgrades to the suspension bridge. The centre has ...
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Good Neighbour 2019 – Matina Spiropoulos
We say it over and over. We love Lynn Valley. Sure, the trees are great and the trails fantastic but what makes Lynn Valley our home is the community of people. We are so proud to shine the light on the good work that happens throughout the year. This year ...
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(from the archives) The End of the Line: From family dream to neighbourhood gem
It began as a mom’s big idea. Connie Fay saw a chance to create a business that would matter - and with her son Jamie graduating high school she had the perfect business partner to do it with. In 2005 they bought the rundown corner store at Lynn Valley Road ...
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