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!
Speculation tax for 2021
For the third year, the province has sent out its Speculation and Vacancy Tax declaration forms. Our area was scheduled to have them mailed early February, so you should have received it. All homeowners must declare by their status by March 31. If you have declared before, you still have ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Mental wellness in the time of covid
As the Covid-19 pandemic marches on, we wanted to take a break from our usual neighbourhood boostering and take on a more direct approach to check-in and ask ‘How are you doing?’ The community has been in a state of anxiety and stress for almost a full year. It feels ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Loving in Lynn Valley
There is a busy weekend coming up to celebrate all kinds of love. With back-to-back holidays of Valentine’s Day and Family Day, and ongoing requests to stay in your community, February is the perfect time to celebrate with homegrown activities, gifts and treats. Valentine's Day This is a year parents ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Planting native plants is more than good ecology
A local conservation group offers local gardeners access to native plants, education, and a chance to actively engage in a form of reconciliation. Checking out the Wild Bird Trust’s Maplewood Flats native plant nursery is an opportunity to decolonize our landscape, support biodiversity, and reflect on the original stewards of ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Community Art Day
The pandemic pivot is leading to all sorts of innovation. A local artist who took her art lessons online in 2020 is inviting Lynn Valley to join her January 29 for a community painting party. Local artist Caroline Liggett has partnered with the United Way’s Local Love campaign to provide ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
A year like no other
This time last year, we were basking in the afterglow and recovering from family holidays and adventures. Were you planning a 2020 with travel, celebrations or milestones? By the end of February, there were inklings something was happening in China and Europe. Then March came and Covid-19 was in Lynn ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Good Neighbour 2020
Every year we have the joy of recognizing a local resident and the good work they do. This has been a challenging year and many, many people have stepped up to support friends, family, neighbours and strangers. People put out the calls for help and others answered. There were huge ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Cozy up with a good book
The winter is the perfect tie to curl up with a good book. Whether you are seeking refuge from the unrelenting rain or your family has the tradition to exchange books during the holidays, we want to send some local love to Lynn Valley’s resident authors. We did some digging ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Virtual worship
This time of year community often draws together. Most years that would mean churches and meeting halls are flooded by people celebrating the season. Still an important religious time and a tradition for many families, local churches are taking their celebrations online. From month-long advent activities to candlelight Christmas Eve, ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Shopping the neighbourhood
It’s a strange year to be out driving to malls and looking for just the perfect gifts for your loved ones. It is also a year where we don’t want to rely exclusively on online shopping. We need to support our local shops and groups. Local shops are the donors ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Mollie Nye House is showing an ‘old dog’ can learn new tricks
As the covid pandemic unfolded, it was a hard day to close the doors of Mollie Nye House and an even worse day when the board had to lay off staff. The organization has used the time to reflect on the community centre’s role and how it can adapt to ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
2020 needs a Good Neighbour
This tumultuous year has given us some outstanding signs of hope. We want to recognize the volunteers who make our neighbourhood a better place. There is no doubt this is our favorite time of year here at Lynn Valley Life: The Good Neighbor Award season. Year after year this is ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Local helpers for the holidays
With most of BC is being asked to stick close this year, we have put together a group of great local suppliers to make your holiday season special. From indulgent dining to seasonal decor to having the freezer stocked and ready for anything. All three local suppliers have a common ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Docu series to showcase North Shore Rescue
When a yellow helicopter flies over Lynn Valley at first light, residents know that some of their neighbours have been spending the night in some dreadful and, likely, dangerous situations trying to help someone’s loved one. This month the volunteers that makeup North Shore Rescue are hitting the small screen ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
The Haunted Hunt
We have put together some treats and might just have a trick up our sleeves! For a bit of socially distant fun, visit take a walk or ride through Lynn Valley in the coming days and solve our scavenger hunt for a chance to win some treats of your very ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Virtual Fall Fair – Winners
We are so pleased to see all the great entries for our Virtual Fall Fair! Thank you to all who participated. And the winners are.... I grew it myself - under 13 Congratulations Jack K - 8 years old. This spring Jack and his family took part in some guerilla ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Provincial election 2020
Four candidates are vying for the North Shore-Seymour seat on Oct. 24's provincial election. The coming weeks won't see the door knocking and handshaking of previous campaigns. We reached out to all registered candidates to learn a bit more about them and their visions for Lynn Valley. Covid election 101 ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Halloween – pandemic style
There has been much discussion in the daily updates for Covid-19 about Halloween. Dr. Bonnie Henry, at this point, is adamant it can go on. There have been guidelines written by the BC Centre for Disease Control and creative minds working throughout the community. What will Halloween look like? We ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
A little Local Love
In a time of disconnection the United Way is trying to bring Lynn Valley together. The organization is offering residents a one-time grant to help build community with its Local Love campaign. Building community For the last few months Sarah Dugan has been working for the United Way as a ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Trails from the ground up
It was a busy summer on the Shore. The local trails have been inundated with users of all kinds, even with parking lots closed walkers, hikers and bikers from all over the region made their way to our trails. It means a lot of work for hundreds of volunteers that ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Growing community celebration
This has been an epic gardening season. More people than ever took to the earth and tried their hand a growing their own food. When the rest of the world was closed, the line-ups at Maple Leaf Garden Centre was well down the block. We have fought cold and wet ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
A Covid kind of Halloween
Among the many changes of Covid-19 are the loss of community events. The big one for many families this fall will be the changes to Halloween. We have been thinking about how we can help the community enjoy the annual tradition in the most safe and responsible way. What will ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
The mystery trail artist of Lynn Valley
Walking the quiet trails of Lynn Valley may have been a bit noisier in recent months. When the quiet returned two new pieces of art had appeared. Some were left wondering how they appeared, others are Ross Road passersby more familiar with the work of local ‘mystery’ carver Ben Hemara ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Masked crusader
When many young people are enjoying their last taste of summer, Lynn Valley’s Jake Musgrave is donning a mask and taking up a crusade across Canada raising money for Covid relief and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – all by bike. Doable August 28th 23-year-old Musgrave will clip into his ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Celebrating a 100 years of time and place
If you attended the fourth Lynn Valley Elementary in 1990’s through its retirement in 2004 the North Vancouver Museum and Archives is looking for your stories and those of anyone who worked or went to the school during its first century. 100 years of history The North Vancouver Museum and ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
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 ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
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 ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
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 ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
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 ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
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 ...
( ...Read More )
( ...Read More )
Q