Contests

Bring some colour to our life, kids!

To celebrate the season (and our new LynnValleyLife office at 3171 Mountain Highway!) we’re offering our first-ever Christmas Colouring Contest.

We look forward to displaying all the neighbourhood entries at our office, so pop in if you’re walking by, and enjoy a treat while you peruse the growing gallery.

Art from all ages is welcome (come on, parents, sit down with your kids and enjoy a colouring break!) Prizes, however, will be offered in three age categories: Pre-Kindergarten; Kindergarten-Grade 3; and Grades 4 to 7.

Regardless of your age, you can pick whichever drawing you like from our choices below. You’ll see there’s even a scene from the Lynn Valley Christmas Tree Walk, drawn by Lynn Valley’s own Shula Klinger!

Please enter your art to our office by Monday, December 22 at 5 p.m. in order to be entered into our prize draws – the more the merrier, because for each entry we get, we will donate $1 to the North Shore Youth Safe House.  One person in each category will win a special Christmas prize – their choice of a $20 gift certificate from Black Bond Books, Creative Kidstuff Toys, or Subway sandwich shop!

Click and download your favourite picture for colouring. Please remember to write your name, grade and contact details on the back of your art before dropping it off at our office!

Lynn Valley’s Christmas Tree Walk

Santa at LV Library

An intricate candle

Candle

A simple stocking

Stocking

A manger scene

Image 2
A Lynn Valley signpost  (Jim’s favourite)

Frozen signpost blues

November 30, 2014 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Getting Involved, School News

Lynn Valley, LynnValleyLife top reader poll once again

Coming to you from the blowing-one’s-own-horn desk is the happy news that LynnValleyLife.com was once again voted the North Shore’s Best Website in the North Shore News Readers’ Choice Awards for 2014. As you can imagine, we are immensely grateful for this show of support from our website followers.

Lynn Valley Best Neighbourhood Even better, though, we are delighted to note that Lynn Valley was voted the North Shore’s Best Neighbourhood! We know how many local people work to make this community the friendly, neighbourly place it is, so this recognition is a big tip of the hat to all of them! And a big shout-out, too, to the Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub, which has won top place in its category every year since it opened its doors in 1997!

Other Lynn Valley businesses and landmarks showed strongly in this year’s Reader’s Choice Award, which consisted of votes from a record-breaking 5,000 North Shore residents. Many congratulations to them all. We have listed them below, along with the links to their Merchant Profile on LynnValleyLife. This is  a good chance to remind our readers that our profiles are a fun way for local residents to get to know our retailers better, so if you know one who isn’t represented on our site, do encourage them to contact us to take advantage of this free opportunity!

Winners

Neighbourhood – Lynn Valley!
North Shore website – LynnValleyLife.com
Tanning Studio – Beach Tanning Studio
Alternative Health/Therapy Facility – Lynn Valley Orthopedic Sports Physiotherapy
Yoga Studio – North Shore Elements YYoga
Dance Studio – RNB Dance and Theatre Arts
Business Lunch – Browns Socialhouse, Lynn Valley
Neighbourhood Pub – Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub
Hiking Trail – Baden Powell (we’ll take credit for the Lynn Valley Portion of it!)
Produce Store – Kin’s Farm Market, Lynn Valley
North Shore Tourist Attraction – Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Ecology Centre
Biking Trail – Seymour Demonstration Forest

Finalists

Seniors Service – Hear at Home
North Shore Annual Festival – Lynn Valley Day
Community Fitness Facility – Karen Magnussen Rec Centre
Gift Store – Red Tulip Gift Gallery
Caterer – Tommy’s Catering
Breakfast Restaurant – Tommy’s Cafe
Bakery – Westlynn Bakery
Place for Cocktails – Browns Socialhouse
Private Liquor Store – North Shore Liquor Shop
Hiking Trail – Lynn Loop
Health Food Store – Country Health
Dog Walker – Off Leash Adventures
Veterinarian – Lynn Valley Veterinary Clinic
Place to Walk the Dog – Lynn Canyon
Garden Centre – Maple Leaf Garden Centre
Florist – Posy
Best-Dressed Window – Posy
Drug Store – Shoppers Drug Mart, Lynn Valley
Optical Store – Lynn Valley Optometry
Travel Agency – Expedia Cruiseshipcentres
Bike Store – Lynn Valley Bikes
Seafood – Westlynn Meat and Seafood
Butcher – Westlynn Meat and Seafood
Hair Salon – Zazou

LynnValleyLife Best Website

February 20, 2014 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Merchant Mentions

Lynn Valley home to Pookies, Pinkys and Snookums

After LVL-sponsoring realtor Jim Lanctôt mentioned that his wife Cindy was his “Cinderelly,” he and Kelly Gardiner decided that other Lynn Valleyites should  have to confess their beloveds’ nicknames if they wanted an entry into our draw for a Valentine’s evening out. We put out the call, and we weren’t disappointed!

Love ValleyWe now know our neighbours even better than we did before (and have learned to be careful what you wish for!) We are aware that Lynn Valley is heaving with Punkins, Snookums, Snuggle Bugs, Boo Boos, Dolls, Cuties, Pinkys and Puddin’s. There is a Sneep, a Winner, a Buddy Burger and a Big Ben. There is a good smattering of names that have their origins in different countries, such as a Filipino “Pre” (“my buddy”) and our winners in the draw, “Pippe” (doll) and “Pecas” (freckles).

And along with the endearments came some pretty endearing stories. Here are some of our favourites, anonymized as originally promised!

  • “Thank you for sponsoring this interesting contest. It made me sit down and think. T. and I have been married for four decades and I used to have a special name for him. But I forgot. Actually, familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. It breeds forgetfulness. Luckily, we are still deliriously happy  because we forget what it was that used to bother us about each other!”
  • “My husband of 16 years and partner for 22 years (as of February 5th) have called each other “tokfeh”. It always seamed so sweet, cute kind of. Until we went to visit his family three years ago in Slovakia……they giggled for days, perhaps still today as we have been calling each other “turkey” for all this time. We have not let it go but do giggle about it once in a while….”
  • “So normally the nicknames we use for each other (this is so weird) is “dude”.  So like the everyday stuff like “Dude, what do you want for dinner?” or “Dude, did you take the garbage out?”  It’s not very romantic but we could never get on board with words like baby, hun or honey.  But when we really want something from the other, like a late-night food run, ice cream, etc., we pull out the “Sweeeeetie punkin” or “Sugar muffin” and it works every time!”
  • “I call her “the red headed banshee that must be obeyed.” Or just “yes dear.”

And our sentimental favourite…

  • “I lovingly call my partner R. ” My Blunt Instrument of Love.” Her warm, kindness and ease of loving smack me across the side of the head ( i.e. Like a blunt instrument). Everyday I wake up to her wonderful presence.”

Thank you to everyone for giving us a peek inside your love life! We hope each and every one of you enjoy a happy day.

 

February 14, 2014 in Blog, Contests, Current News

“Pippe” and “Pecas” win “Love in Lynn Valley” Valentine’s contest!

We’ve been feeling warm fuzzies all week here at LVL headquarters, as our neighbours’ nicknames and endearments have been fluttering into our inbox on little Cupid wings.

Love Valley 615 290We’re pretty sure that only a top-class enticement – like a Valentine’s evening out – could motivate the sharing of some of these private monikers. We’ve heard about Stinky, Snookum, and Sneep. And Punkin’ Butt, Pinky, and Pookie Bear.

Fortunately, we didn’t have to choose our very favourite, because there were far too many of those (look forward to a special Valentine’s Day post featuring some silly and sweet neighbourhood endearments!) By random draw, however, we chose from amongst the pool of lovebirds to pick “Pecas” and “Pippe” (a.k.a. Kirkstone Road’s Ingrid Gossler and her husband Mauricio Trigos) as winners of the “Love in Lynn Valley” contest.

Ingrid tells us that Pippe is German for “doll,” while Pecas means “freckles.” (Actually, thanks to a typo in Ingrid’s first email, we were originally under the impression that her nickname meant “freakles,” which we kind of like, too!)

IMG_2584

The happy couple will have a $50 gift certificate to spend on dinner at the Black Bear Pub; management has promised to have their most romantic table ready and waiting. Following that, two tickets will be waiting at the door of Friday Night Live, which is putting on a special evening o’ love in honour of the occasion. Joining the usual troupe of amazing improv performers will be jazz musicians The Sharp Five, and dancing is on the menu following the performance for those interested in tripping the light fantastic. Also featured are some special refreshments – a chocolate fountain was mentioned – and wine, along with the usual complimentary treats and coffee, the latter of which is provided by Waves Coffee House.

Fortunately for the rest of us, Pippe and Pecas don’t get to corner the market on V-Day fun. (Though we WILL let them have their romantic table to themselves.) The Bear has a special Valentine’s Menu on for all to enjoy, and the love-themed Friday Night Live, hosted at Lynn Valley United Church, is definitely singles- and family-friendly; no significant other required to make this a fun evening! So even if you didn’t win the contest this time, we hope you still enjoy some “Love in Lynn Valley!”

February 12, 2014 in Blog, Contests, Current News

Enter the “Love in Lynn Valley” contest

Love in Valley for BearWin a romantic evening for two!
Celebrate a fun Valentine’s night on the town, close to hearth and home! Start by enjoying a $50 dinner for two at the Black Bear Pub (they’ve promised their most romantic candlelit table!), then carry on to Friday Night Live’s “Love to Laugh” show, featuring dance music from The Sharp Five jazz band, hilarious improv from Ad Libretto, and refreshments – including a chocolate fountain!
All you have to do for your chance to win this great evening (beside being 19+, of course) is to send us the nickname or term of endearment you use for your sweetie (or best buddy, we won’t discriminate against singletons!) by Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. We’ll make the draw that night – so good luck, everyone! (And yes, we’ll be publishing a post about LV’s goofiest endearments – anonymously, of course!)
P.S. Psst! FYI, the prize must be accepted as awarded – all the fun to take place on the evening of February 14, 2014!

 

February 6, 2014 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Getting Involved, O'Malley's Musings

LV Christmas wraps up with carol sing, prize announcements

A big tent kept merry-makers dry and bales of hay provided the seating at the wrap up of the Lynn Valley Christmas event in Lynn Valley Village.

Those who braved the evening weather were treated with holiday barbershop tunes from the Afterglow Quartet, kids’ activities in the community room, and even the chance to chat with Santa about last-minute wishes.

The big tent was full to overflowing by 7 p.m., when event organizer Dave Bruynesteyn took to the stage to announce the winner of the Best Decorated Christmas Tree, a people’s choice award tallied from votes taken from the big red mailbox in the village square.

This year’s winner, by a landslide, said Dave, was Team Finn, the ongoing Lynn Valley-based team that has raised over one million dollars for the B.C. Cancer Foundation since three-year-old Finn Sullivan succumbed to the illness in October 2008. (To learn more about their amazing efforts, have a look at this previous post.) A good number of Team Finn’ers were on hand to accept the engraved plaque, which had been removed for the occasion from its usual location on display in Delany’s.

Next it was LynnValleyLife’s turn to announce the winner of the Good Neighbour Award for 2013. It gave us a huge amount of pleasure to recognize Gord Trousdell of Burrill Road, and to read out this nomination sent in by an admiring neighbour. Gord had been invited to the event by his friend, so was on hand to accept the surprise honour. He received a plaque from LynnValleyLife’s Kelly Gardiner and Jim Lanctot, and a gift basket that included a Black Bear Pub gift certificate, a card, scarf and four tickets to Friday Night Live from Lynn Valley United Church, yoga passes to Laughing Chakra yoga, Christmas CDs from Rave On Studio, and a personalized tour of the RCMP detachment from press liaison officer Cpl. Richard De Jong.

Gord was touched by the recognition, as was his family – from his young kids all the way up to his mom – who were on hand to watch him receive the well-deserved honour. We hope you keep an eye out for other wonderful friends of the community in the days and weeks to come – we will be starting to ask you for nominations for the 2014 award in just a few months!

The neighbourly evening wrapped up with a carol sing with the BYOV (Bring Your Own Voice) choir out of Lynn Valley United Church, a community choir that anyone is welcome to join. Director Mary Yan invited people in the crowd to consider coming out to join the group – all you need is a love of singing.

Once again, our thanks to Dave Bruynesteyn, Gillian Konst and other hardworking helpers in the Lynn Valley Community Association and the Lynn Valley Lions who turned Lynn Valley Village into a Christmas wonderland for the holiday. If you’d like to give your neighbourhood the gift that keeps on giving, please consider joining your community associations so that there is enough people-power to keep these and other great events going strong into the future.

From all of us on the LynnValleyLife team, we wish each of our readers, clients and friends the blessings of joy and peace at Christmastime and in the year to come.

LVL publisher Jim Lanctot and editor Peggy Trendell-Jensen call up Gord Trousdell, winner of the Good Neighbour Award for 2013

December 23, 2013 in Blog, Community Events, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

2013 Good Neighbour Award nominee: Megan McAloney

Do you know someone in Lynn Valley who would make a good candidate for this year’s Good Neighbour Award? Please send us your story about the person in our community who has made our world a better place, in ways large or small (whether they live next door to you or not!) Over the upcoming season of peace and goodwill, we will share our favourites on the website and draw from amongst them the recipient of the 2013 Good Neighbour Award and prize package. Details are here; deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 18. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Neighbour is best friend to all – including dog

Megan is a very kind and caring person. Apart from looking after her husband and two daughters, she also cares for her grandparents who live in her basement suite, with a lot of patience and understanding.

She is always one of the first people in the street to welcome new residents. Every summer she organizes a block party for all the neighbours. The last couple of years she has successfully applied for a grant from North Shore Neighbourhood House to host the block party.

We asked Megan once to feed our dog, as we were only getting home late. There was a thunderstorm and Megan was concerned that our dog would be frightened. She took the dog to her house where they cuddled her until the thunderstorm had passed. She left a lovely note to let us know that they loved having our dog over and love caring for her.

Megan always has a friendly greeting for all the neighbours. We are so lucky to have her as our neighbour!

– submitted by Lise Pitt

December 17, 2013 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

2013 Good Neighbour Award nominee: Lynn Valley Lions

Do you know someone in Lynn Valley who would make a good candidate for this year’s Good Neighbour Award? Please send us your story about the person in our community who has made our world a better place, in ways large or small (whether they live next door to you or not!) Over the upcoming season of peace and goodwill, we will share our favourites on the website and draw from amongst them the recipient of the 2013 Good Neighbour Award and prize package. Details are here; deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 18. We look forward to hearing from you!

Principal says Lions deserve recognition for support

I would like to nominate the Lynn Valley Lions for their considerable donations of time and support to our school….  they really go the extra mile to support community events and fundraising for our students.

Thank you to each and every Lynn Valley Lion!

– submitted by Deborah Wanner, Lynn Valley Elementary School principal

December 14, 2013 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

2013 Good Neighbour Award nominee: LV United Church

Do you know someone in Lynn Valley who would make a good candidate for this year’s Good Neighbour Award? Please send us your story about the person in our community who has made our world a better place, in ways large or small (whether they live next door to you or not!) Over the upcoming season of peace and goodwill, we will share our favourites on the website and draw from amongst them the recipient of the 2013 Good Neighbour Award and prize package. Details are here; deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 18. We look forward to hearing from you!

Church welcomed neighbourhood newcomer

When I was new in the community, Lynn Valley United Church welcomed me with open hearts and friendly smiles.  The church also opened up the choir to the community (which I heartily joined, as Mary the director is fun and I loved the music) as well as a monthly drum circle facilitated by the talented and fearless leader, Lyle Povah (which I also participated in).  It is indeed a musical environment extraordinaire with the likes of soaring singers such as Reverend Blair Odney, and a finger-twinkling accompanist/pianist named Matt who will blow you away!

In fact, there are numerous wondrous activities year-round for neighbourhood folks of all kinds, including (and not limited to):  the fabulous funny and talented Friday Night Live shows (a different version of laughter therapy); the famous, frolicking Fall Fair (truly!); Lynn Valley Days where we were literally “Singing in the Rain!”; the lovely Lynn Valley Festival of Trees – I’m a tree lover and hugger!; and the annual, cozy Christmas neighbourhood party with secular and spiritual music, carols, cookies, and crafts.  A taste of community…there’s something for everyone!

– submitted by Elly Stornebrink

December 12, 2013 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

2013 Good Neighbour Award nominee: Gord Trousdell

Do you know someone in Lynn Valley who would make a good candidate for this year’s Good Neighbour Award? Please send us your story about the person in our community who has made our world a better place, in ways large or small (whether they live next door to you or not!) Over the upcoming season of peace and goodwill, we will share our favourites on the website and draw from amongst them the recipient of the 2013 Good Neighbour Award and prize package. Details are here; deadline for entry is Wednesday, December 18. We look forward to hearing from you!

From tapping syrup to shovelling snow, Gord is there to help

I’d like to nominate our neighbour, Gord Trousdell, for the good neighbour award. Besides always being a cheerful encounter with interesting conversation, Gord is always willing to help out.

One of our first experiences of Gord’s kindness was during the snow of 2006 when our car got stuck; hearing the whirling tires Gord came running up the street with shovel in hand reading to dig and push until the car was free. To this day, I imagine him wearing a cape while running to rescue us.

Little did we know that this was one of many times Gord would be there to lend a helping hand. Throughout the years, Gord delivered kettle corn to our children’s birthday party (made by his equally fabulous wife, Lil), helped make our deck, helped shovel snow off our roof, babysit our kids; the list is endless.

Not only is he generous with his time, but he is also generous with his stuff. Gord likes to share. We trade tools, lawn mowers, etc. Gord truly has a community spirit which includes sharing goods within our community so that we may all benefit and have access to things that we may not own.

Gord also has an incredible wealth of knowledge that he is always willing to humbly share. He’s given us guidance on household maintenance, bee keeping, food harvesting…again the list goes on.

To top it off, we really enjoy the Trousdell family; they are lovely and interesting people with which to spend time. Simply walking down our street can be an enjoyable social outing. I truly believe that the Trousdell family help make our street an inviting community in which I have developed many true friendships.

Just yesterday, Gord was over to tap our maple trees with my children so that we can share the syrup. We feel truly blessed to have a neighbour like Gord. He makes our street a better place to live and significantly contributes to the genuine community feel of our street and the sense that Lynn Valley is our home.

December 8, 2013 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours