Christmas spirit alive and well in Lynn Valley

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

Lynn Valley is lit up for the season of goodwill – literally and figuratively.

On December 1, in front of a huge crowd, North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton, MP Andrew Saxton and MLA Jane Thornthwaite flipped the switch to light up Lynn Valley Village, forested with over 70 decorated trees sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

Mayor Walton couldn’t stay long, however; he was soon off to Mollie Nye House’s Bright Nights celebration, where with the flip of another switch the heritage home was transformed into a must-see roadside attraction.

These events kicked off a pre-Christmas season that is becoming ever more celebratory in this neighbourhood. The “Lynn Valley Christmas” event, organized by the Lynn Valley Community Association, is now in its third year. The Lynn Valley Lions donate the trees for the Christmas Tree Walk, with money raised by tree sponsorships supporting the Lions Christmas hamper program and LVCA community events.  (People can further support this charitable work by purchasing their tree from the Lions in the Karen Magnussen parking lot!)

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

More entertainment is planned for December 21 and 22, when dance, music and children’s activities will run in Lynn Valley Village all afternoon and evening. The events will culminate in a carol sing-along with the L.V. United Church choir on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.

LVL photo

Activities abound

The weeks to come offer a plethora of seasonal events, from a traditional tea at Mollie Nye House on Sunday, Dec. 15 to a screening of Christmas movies at the library community room on Monday, Dec. 9 and Monday, Dec. 16.

People wanting to express their Christmas creativity can make a gingerbread house at Mollie Nye House on Wednesday, Dec. 11, or a holiday centerpiece on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Look for details of these events and many more at our online Events Calendar.

Good Neighbour Award launched

Another recent addition to the season of goodwill in Lynn Valley is the Good Neighbour Award, now in its second year.

LynnValleyLife invites nominations of Lynn Valley people who make the world around them a better place, in ways large or small.

Favourite stories are shared on the LynnValleyLife website and a winner is chosen by random draw to be named the Lynn Valley Good Neighbour of the year.

Nominations are welcomed up until Wednesday, Dec. 18, and the grand prize will be awarded at the Christmas in Lynn Valley event on the evening of Dec. 22. Send your “good neighbour” nominations to [email protected]!

– Peggy Trendell-Jensen

 

Book explores personal experiences of death

Bury the Dead: Stories of Death and Dying, Resistance and Discipleship has been a labour of love for the Rev. Laurel Dykstra. An experienced writer as well as recently ordained Anglican priest in North Vancouver, Laurel edited this anthology of first-hand  experiences of death, from an American hospice worker’s reflections to the memoir of a family who cared for a mother at home, taking unto themselves those tasks usually delegated to healthcare professionals and undertakers.

The B.C. launch of Bury the Dead will take place Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. at the Lynn Valley Library. The launch is the first in the Really Important Events series sponsored by the North Vancouver Anglican-Lutheran region, which will feature presentations and workshops on end-of-life issues.

People are thirsty for these conversations, it seems; a recent ‘Death Cafe’ held in North Vancouver drew an overflow crowd and a waiting list to boot. LynnValleyLife editor Peggy Trendell-Jensen spoke to Laurel about her book, and the need people have to share stories of this kind.

How did you come to edit this book on death? What is its reason for being?

This book began with a phone conversation. I was a mentor in a program for young Christian activists, and one of the young women I was mentoring, Lydia Wylie-Kellerman, was struggling to write about her mother who was diagnosed with brain cancer when Lydia was twelve and died when she was 19.

Meanwhile I was struggling after the deaths of three women I know who had died in the Downtown Eastside. Reflecting later on the conversation, I realized that the two of us were actually connected to a network of individuals and communities on the radical Christian left who had, for many years, in hospice rooms, war zones, and prison cells, been attending to the work of death and dying. I sent out an exploratory e-mail to some other likely suspects, asking, “What if we made a collection of stories about dying and community, would you write something?” The response was immediate; by next morning six people had promised to write, and three had attached sample chapters.

Did your concept of death evolve over the course of editing the book?

In starting the project I imagined that it would be cathartic. I thought I would be able to let go of some of the stories of death, particularly urban poverty-related deaths, that I had been carrying for years. But instead, contributors began sending these amazing stories of their own beloved dead, so instead of putting down my own story I found myself picking up theirs.

My feelings and ideas about death did not change over the course of editing the book, but I found a tremendous hunger for people to hear and tell these stories. Whenever I talk about the project, I am approached by people who want to talk about death. Care for the dying and the dead is outsourced to professionals and removed from our homes and families. Grief is individualized and something you are expected to “move through.” We are not encouraged to ask questions about own connections to, and culpability for, death by poverty, war and even disease.


How did you find your writers?

I began with the circles of activists I know through various peace and justice movements in North America—Occupy, Anti-War, Catholic Worker, Civil Rights – and those connections led to others.

What story or moment(s) in the book do you find especially poignant or thought-provoking?

All of them. Through the somewhat technical work of polishing and editing the book I found that as I worked on it, each contribution was my favourite. And each time I open the book now I think, “Oh, I love this piece.”

That said, there are two things I would highlight:

Several contributors engaged in hospice work talked about what they do as “reverse midwifery” or being “midwives to the dying.”  I find this particularly beautiful and I think it represents language and thinking that will become more and more common.

I am particularly impressed as well by the power of the contributions written by some of the people of colour, and the different ways that they challenge the deathliness of racism.

What are you hoping the book accomplishes?

I think of it as the first in a series of conversations with more and more diverse conversation partners.

What has reaction been from readers to date?

Quite positive—it has been reviewed in Geez magazine and an excerpt has been published in Sojourners. People are hungry for these kinds of stories and a place to tell their own.

How do you hope society changes in its attitudes or actions around death?

I hope that we talk more about it; that we ask who is dying and why, and what we can do about it. And I hope that we take back the care of our loved ones in ways that connect to our cultures and traditions, and in ways that honour the earth.

Would you call this a ‘religious’ book?

The majority of contributors identify as Christian activists, but Jewish, atheist and agnostic friends have read and loved it. The authors talk about God, Jesus, the Bible, Christian social teaching as well as diapers, protest strategies, gun violence and coffin materials. This is not a book that tells you what to believe, but it grapples honestly and painfully with questions of life, death and resurrection –  so in my opinion it is a profoundly religious book.

 

2013 Good Neighbour Nominee: Dana Dykema

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!

Busy mom makes time to care for others

I would like to nominate Dana Dykema, an Upper Lynn Valley woman, for the Good Neighbour Award. As you probably know, Chelsea Steyns [Creative Director of the North Shore Academy of Dance] passed away earlier this year from cancer, leaving behind a husband and two sets of twins.

There is a Food For the Family calendar online where you can sign up to provide meals to Chelsea’s family. At least once a month since the calendar was published online, Dana has signed up to provide meals for the Croft family. She is a busy mom with four kids under six(!), but she still finds time to be very active in the community, to volunteer her time, and to provide these meals. She’s a wonderful, understated lady who doesn’t go out of her way to be the center of attention – which is why she deserves to win the Good Neighbour Award!

– Submitted by a friend who asked to remain anonymous

Local musician is Nashville-bound

Turns out that Lynn Valley is en route between South Africa and Nashville, Tennessee. 

At least that’s what Amy Dreyer hopes. Amy wears many hats – she’s here from South Africa as an international development student at SFU and also the worship director of Oasis, Hillside Baptist’s youth worship group. But it’s her singer-songwriter persona that she hopes to take to Nashville in January in order to record a five-song album.

The 19-year-old musician is raising funds towards this goal doing at a coffeehouse concert on Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Church on Lynn Valley Road. This concert will include original songs and covers, and will also feature other musicians from the area. The $10 tickets are available at the door.

Amy’s classical background in violin and her deep-rooted love for African beats gives her music a unique rhythmic base on which the flowing melodic lines fall. Her music is inspired by artists like Ed Sheeran, John Mayer and Brooke Fraser. Learn more about Amy and listen to her songs here, and come out on November 30 for a relaxing evening for a good cause!

 

 

Nominate Lynn Valley’s Good Neighbour for 2013!

We’ve been looking forward to this all year! It’s finally time to put the call-out for nominations for this year’s Good Neighbour Award.

We loved reading the stories you sent in last year. We heard about animal lovers and faithful housesitters; charity organizers, handyman husbands, and more. The winner, chosen from amongst all these goodhearted folk by random draw, was Rosemary Postlethwaite of Lynn Valley United Church, who was given her Good Neighbour Award at the finale of the Lynn Valley Christmas in LV Village.

So please send us your story about the person in our community who has made our world a better place, in ways large or small. 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.

This year’s winner will receive a number of local treats, including a gift certificate to the Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub, four tickets to Friday Night Live, a basket of Christmas CDs from Rave-On Studio, yoga passes to Joyful Chakra Yoga, and even a personalized tour of the North Van RCMP station with our favourite press officer, Cpl. Richard De Jong! And the person who nominates the winner will get a handful of Christmas CDs, too!

Please send your story (just a paragraph or two will do, doesn’t have to be fancy) to [email protected] as soon as you can so we can start sharing them. All entries are due by Wednesday, December 18. Please include your name and contact information, as well as that of the person you are nominating. To help us spread the word, please download this poster to stick up at your local school or shop – we’d love to read as many heartwarming stories as possible!

The announcement will be made, and the prize awarded, at this year’s finale of a Lynn Valley Christmas on Sunday, December 22. Our 2012 winner, Rosemary, is shown below with LynnValleyLife sponsor Jim Lanctôt, his daughter Katie, and the Rev. Blair Odney of Lynn Valley United Church. Who will win this year’s award, we wonder…?

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

Blow your own horn: Join the LV Black Bear Band!

It all started as a group of adults who dusted off their high school band instruments and used their Monday evening practices to escape the world of mortgages, day jobs and fractious toddlers.

Thus the Lynn Valley Black Bear Band was born, and quickly grew to an ever-more enthusiastic group of 40 to 50 musicians of all backgrounds and skill levels. The first years were spent under the direction of longtime Argyle music teacher, Ken Osterreicher, and many of the players were recent or long-ago alumni of our neighbourhood secondary school.

Today, nearly 10 years on, the Black Bear Band is conducted by Rob McLeod, Sutherland high school’s VP, and the musicians are a varied bunch. The band has never required auditions, and potential players are invited to come out for a few practices to suss out for themselves whether they are a good fit.

“We have a real range of abilities in the band, from people who haven’t played for years to people who are semi-pro,” says president Stacey Seddon. “It works well – people can cover for each other when necessary, and everyone finds their skills getting better over time. Put us all together and we sound really good!”

The band has developed a faithful following through its regular appearances at Lynn Valley Day, Remembrance Day and other community events. It also has a popular Winter Concert at Kay Meek Centre, a by-donation event that includes seasonal and not-so-seasonal tunes, and apres-show goodies as well. This year’s Winter Concert takes place Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Monday evening practices are followed up by an optional get-together at the Black Bear pub, which feeds its namesake community band complimentary wings and pop. It’s an evening in the week that has become a musical and social highlight for many of the members, but don’t take our word for it; LynnValleyLife was sent the following testimonials from BBB longtimers:

  • “My life has been made better by being part of the BBB. The music,  friendships and essence of community shared within our ensemble is uplifting. I feel privileged to work with a fabulous musical director, to create music with enthusiastic musical colleagues, and to have made some amazing friends by being part of the BBB. No matter what topsy-turvy turns my life takes, I always know Monday night band rehearsal will lift my spirits – both through music, and through the friendships and community which occur there.”  –    Andrea, trumpet

  • “At the end of a long day there is nothing better than coming to a place where you can make music among friends.  I find it nearly impossible to be hung up on the stresses of the day and play music at the same time, being a part of the BBB has given me a place where I can leave my worries at the door and be a part of something truly fantastic.  We have a great group of people in the BBB it is an environment where everyone supports and inspires the people around them, a place where each individual contributes and has value.”   –   Stacey, bass clarinet

  • “I had stopped playing a few years after high school and in the 10 years that went by before joining the BBB, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the feeling of making music. Since joining the BBB, I have regained that joy and Monday nights are what I look forward to the most. Being part of an ensemble, performing for an audience and playing a variety of musical styles keeps me engaged and even causes me to do something I rarely did in school – practice! –   Jeff, trombone

The band is actively recruiting new members, so don’t be shy! Contact [email protected], or just show up for a Monday practice in the Argyle band room at 7:30 p.m. (aim for 7:15 to get set up). More info is available on the band website. Make 2014 the year you put some more music in your life!

 

Catch FNL fever before fall season wraps up!

Growing audiences have been delighted with this season’s line-up of guest performers at the weekly musical improv night held at Lynn Valley United Church.

Friday Night Live has welcomed wellknown Vancouver performers, such as Bard on the Beach’s Andrew Wheeler and Phantom of the Opera’s Jeff Hyslop, along with upcoming talent that’s included magicians, singers, composers and more.

The evening is always a remarkable blend of hilarity and talent; the show is anchored each night by Ad Libretto, improv performers who blend brilliant off-the-cuff acting with Matt Grinke’s equally brilliant off-the-cuff piano accompaniment, with amazing results.

You can enjoy a few snacks in the lobby before the 7:30 start time, buy a glass of wine to take into the show with you, and relax and enjoy the performance. Given our dark, fall-weathery evenings, staying close to home for an evening’s entertainment is even more appreciated!

The fall season will wrap up with a final performance on December 6, so be sure to catch an evening or two or three before then. Click here for the guest line-up; this Friday (the 15th) come out and see composer and performer Simon Kendall, formerly of Doug and the Slugs. (Click here to listen to some gorgeous clips from Simon’s new solo piano CD and his other releases.)

A special ‘gallery night’ is being held the following Friday, November 22, when the work of Millenium Ink tattoo artists will be featured. Doors open at 6:30 so you have the chance to see a range of work on a “human gallery” and enjoy light refreshments; the theme of tattoos as means of expressing human rights and other meaningful causes will be discussed during the show.

New this season is support from community sponsors who believe in having quality, family-friendly entertainment in our neighbourhood. Thanks to title sponsors Royal Bank and Grossman and Stanley, business lawyers, and to Zazou Salon and Spa, Save-on-Foods, Westlynn Meats and Seafoods, Len Grinke Photography, Waves Coffee House (for their complimentary beverages!) and of course, to Lynn Valley United Church, whose brainchild this was.

Tickets are $10 at the door. Books of tickets are available for $100, which includes 10 tickets and two complementary tickets (what a great Christmas gift!)  Family rate is $25, and people under 12 are free.  Get tickets in advance if you’d like, by calling 604 987-2114 or emailing [email protected].

 


North Pole coming to Lynn Valley!

Well, it seems that all the debate regarding high-rises, mall redevelopment and the like was really just a smokescreen. While petitions circulated and activists rallied, a secret development was taking place in the emptied Zellers building,  unbeknownst to all.

But we don’t expect a huge neighbourhood outcry. After all, how often does Santa set up shop right under one’s nose?

LynnValleyLife was  allowed behind the blue curtain this week, into the Zellers space that is in the process of being transformed into the North Pole by North Pole BC. Company owner Martin Miller showed us around the winterland village that will soon be bustling with traditional Christmas characters.

There will still be a free mall Santa, located in a ‘woodland’ just inside the old Zellers entrance. Those who wish to book tickets to the North Pole ($13.95 and up) step into a world of twinkling lights and fun activities.

Kids can decorate gingerbread cookies in the elves’ kitchen, read stories with Mrs. Claus, help the elves make toys in their workshop, visit with a snow princess, make their own gift wrap, write letters to Santa, and more.

Those who opt for a personalized visit with Santa get some scheduled one-on-one time with a Santa who knows just the right thing to say to each child (thanks to getting some info in advance from Mom and Dad), and go home with a small gift.

This is the fifth year that the company has offered the North Pole tours; last year it was at Maplewood Farm. Martin says he is delighted to bring the village indoors, where the weather can’t play havoc with the experience. He expects that once again the North Pole will attract visitors from all over the Lower Mainland and beyond.

Tours begin with the arrival of Santa to Lynn Valley Centre on November 23 (there will be free entertainment from 10:55 a.m. to 12:15 in the mall food court). North Pole excursions will primarily take place on weekends, but become more regular in the weeks leading up to Christmas. To assure availability, families should pre-book in advance, but impromptu visitors are welcome to inquire at the door to see if space is available. Group visits are common and special pricing starts at 10 people.

 

 

Green Coast Rubbish cleans up at awards night

Many congratulations to Lynn Valley’s Green Coast Rubbish, a local company that doesn’t just haul your ‘junk’ away … it finds good homes and uses for as much of it as possible. That dedication to waste reduction was recently recognized when the company was given the 2013 Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award in the Green Business category. Green Coast Rubbish joins other well-known  previous award recipients that include the David Suzuki Foundation.

It isn’t the first honour the company has received, as you’ll see if you read their LynnValleyLife Merchant Profile. But it’s great to hear they certainly aren’t slowing down any in their efforts to find ever more ways to divert waste from the landfill and incinerator.

These are some of the impressive stats from Green Coast Rubbish’s recent blog entry: “Whenever possible, we divert and donate materials to local non-profit organizations that can put them to good use (over 9 tonnes of goods & material in total, this past year alone). Since 2010, we’ve kept over 522 tons of waste materials away from our local landfills by recycling or diverting them (a 76% diversion rate), with our ultimate goal being a 100% diversion by 2020. And while our business is built upon helping clients effectively manage their waste, we also believe in consciously working toward bettering our own environmental footprint on a daily basis. In 2012, we managed to reduce our personal greenhouse gas emissions by 7.73%.”

Many congratulations again GCR, and remember, Lynn Valleyites, this company is happy to come to your home or business, so if you’re wanting a simple way to keep your own waste disposal as green as possible, keep Green Coast Rubbish in mind!