Community Events

Readers of all stripes will find something to look forward to at the 2013 North Shore Writers Festival, which is being hosted this year at Lynn Valley Library on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20.

Included in the line-up of visiting authors are Helen Humphreys, award-winning Canadian author of novels such as The Reinvention of Love and Coventry, humourist Terry Fallis, Toronto writer Tanis Rideout, and local poet Evelyn Lau. At other times in weekend,  a panel of writers will discuss the publishing process, while another will explore the delectable world of food writing.

New this year is a Friday evening Literary Trivia Night, hosted by author and CBC radio personality Grant Lawrence. Register your own team of six, or come prepared to join an impromptu team on the spot, and engage in a friendly battle with other lit lovers.

Click here for the festival website, and be sure to take advantage of having these interesting events happening right on our doorstep! All activities will take place in the Community Room adjacent to Lynn Valley Library.

Don’t let the rain and cold get you down – that’s perfect weather for book-browsing!

The Friends of the Library are having their semi-annual book sale this weekend, from Feb. 22 to 24 (see our Events Calendar for times).

Each sale nets thousands of dollars of funds for library purchases and improvements; the last go-round resulting in the new digital display and furniture in the Lynn Valley Library lobby lounge.

New books are put out each day, and on Sunday everything is half-price – or you can fill a bag for $3! Please remember to bring your own bag(s!)

Books not sold at the library events are donated to a non-profit organization called Reading Tree, which provides books to disadvantaged families, schools, and libraries.

“Joining the Friends of the Library is a great way to support North Vancouver District Public Library and to volunteer in the community,” said Meghan. Amongst their other duties, Friends members:

• advocate for library services and fundraise for library projects and resources.
• organize book-sales and other fundraisers.
• help at library events such as author talks and District Library Art Receptions.

Membership is $5 annually. Visit here to learn more about joining the Friends or pick up a Friends of the Library brochure at your local branch.

Each year, more and more Canadians are marking Remembrance Day at ceremonies and other events across the country.

North Vancouver hosts the largest cenotaph gathering in Western Canada, an annual tradition at Victoria Park. People should be in place on Sunday before 10:30 a.m. (allow time to walk a few blocks), and thereafter will follow a traditional service, fly-past, parade, music, the presentation of wreaths of remembrance, and of course a moment of silence. For information on the marching parade before and after the ceremony, visit this North Van RCMP press release.

In Lynn Valley, a small ceremony is held at Pioneer Park at the junction of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Hwy, especially to accommodate seniors and veterans for whom the crowds at Victoria Park are prohibiting. Those who wish to attend are asked to be at the cairn by 10:15 a.m., and to ensure the chairs available go to those who need them the most. Legion president Diana Saboe also notes that everyone is invited to the Lynn Valley Legion Open House following the ceremony; please leave the jeans at home and arrive in proper dress.

Many people also enjoy attending the Remembrance Day assembly at Argyle Secondary, which features thoughtful presentations and musical performances put on by the students. This year’s assembly will take place in the school gym on Friday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m.

And Lynn Valley United Church will be foregoing its usual Sunday service on Nov. 11 to offer a special performance by Antony Holland, award-winning actor and playwright. Holland will be presenting One Man in His Time, his play that tells of his experiences in Northern Africa during World War II. There, he worked as a code breaker for the British Armed Services and in his spare time mounted theatrical productions wherever he was able.

Admission is by donation at the door, with contributions of $25 or more eligible for a tax receipt. Contact the church office for more information, or look on the church website.

Lynn Valley’s Bob Rasmus is known to many of us for his ongoing community work with the Lions Club and for co-organizing the ever bigger-and-better annual Lynn Valley Day events. (Click here for a profile we wrote about Bob this spring!)

Currently Bob is zone chairman for all the North Shore Lions Clubs, so we’re happy to help him promote his causes – especially when it comes to a deal on hockey tickets!

If you order tickets to the Giants’ Jan. 30 game against the Prince Albert Raiders, you will not only save five bucks a ticket, you will be supporting the Lions Society’s Easter Seals House. The Vancouver Easter Seals House, located on Oak Street, provides low-cost accommodation for families who are in town for a child’s medical treatment. The house is professionally staffed, includes play facilities and other child-centred features, and is designed to give parents the support they need in order that they can focus on their children’s wellbeing.

To download a hockey tickets order form, click here. Remember, the tix make great Christmas presents – especially in this lock-out year!

Did you know the Lynn Valley Lions Club helps support about fifty local non-profit organizations through its fundraising? Have a look at their website to see how splendidly your Cook Shack hamburger dollars are put to work in the community!