This is the week that many of our LynnValleyLife Network members are receiving their Project Sunflower seed packets in the mail or on their doorstep (let’s hope those late-season snow flurries won’t be visiting the Upper Lynn area any more!)
This is the week that many of our LynnValleyLife Network members are receiving their Project Sunflower seed packets in the mail or on their doorstep (let’s hope those late-season snow flurries won’t be visiting the Upper Lynn area any more!)
Last month, the The French International School of Vancouver (located in Lynn Valley’s former Fromme Elementary building) honoured the legacy of visionary Jacques-Yves Cousteau — the most celebrated French defender of marine ecology— by renaming itself The French International School Cousteau. The school has pledged to make environmental awareness a significant part of its ethos and curriculum.
The French International School Cousteau became the first French International School in the world to be granted official permission by the Cousteau Society to bear its name. An annex school, named Calypso in memory of Cousteau’s infamous ship, will also open its door in September 2013. Located in the South Granville area, this annex will offer a preschool program.
The French International School Cousteau has pledged to honor Cousteau’s passion for, and committment to, marine ecology through a partnership with the world-renowned Cousteau Society and Vancouver Aquarium, that will make marine ecology a major part of the school’s day-to-day curriculum. The French International School Cousteau will teach students the Cousteau philosophy— “To Know, To Love, To Protect.”
The Science and Environment Director of the Cousteau Society, Tarik Chekchak, was on hand as an honoured guest at the March 14 inauguration at the Lynn Valley School. For more information about the rededication of the school, read their press release. To learn more about the school, visit its website here, or attend the school’s Open House on Tuesday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.
LynnValleyLife would like to congratulate the French International School Cousteau on its rechristening. We’re glad to have you in the neighbourhood!
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.
April showers bring May flowers, and for Krista Phillips at Lynn Valley Optometry, May is the month her dreamed-about non-profit endeavour will finally blossom.
Krista is part of a team of young people who are travelling to an impoverished area of Mexico to work with small communities and help meet some of their needs. Krista is hoping people who are interested in promoting this kind of work will consider donating towards the group’s trip (donations must be collected by April 14). Read on to hear more about the project, in Krista’s words:
Tell us about the project!
For two weeks in May, I will be going to the Copper Canyon in Mexico with a team of young people from Coquitlam Alliance Church. While in the canyon, we will be spending time with the Tarahumara Indians and bringing food and supplies to them in their very small, impoverished communities. We will spend some time in the orphanage in Guacayvo, help to build a church, and be hiking into other remote areas of the canyon. We plan to bring food and clothes, and I’m hoping to bring some glasses as well.
What inspired you to get involved?
It broke my heart when I heard that the people had been collectively jumping off the cliffs as families in order to avoid dying from starvation. I really felt called to go do what I could to help, even if it’s only for a short time.
What is your biggest hope for the trip?
That’s a tough one, mostly because I really don’t know what to expect. I know it’s going to be a huge leap out of my comfort zone to be in a completely different country with different culture and way of life, but my hope is that I can make a difference to the people there.
What kind of support are you looking for? Be specific as you can.
Thoughts and prayers are a huge one. Mostly for health and safety while we’re away. I do have to raise funds for my portion of the trip as well, and donations would be immensely appreciated. We can offer tax receipts as well.
What do you do at Lynn Valley Optometry?
I get to be the one who helps people pick out a fabulous pair of frames and match the best type of lens for them to see. I love it. The patients and customers we have are the best I’ve ever worked with, and at Lynn Valley Optometry, we really are a work family, not just co-workers.
Have you been involved in community projects before?
Over the past two years, in the winter months, I’ve collected warm articles of clothing, blankets, socks, etc. for people in need in Vancouver, as well as the Coquitlam area. I am currently trying to get involved with Habitat for Humanity as well, but my schedule hasn’t co-ordinated with their orientations yet. I’d love to find other projects to get involved with though, because I am really discovering my passion for outreach!
Thank you, everyone, for your help. The support I’ve already received has been overwhelming!
Happy Spring, everyone! Snowdrops and crocuses are currently doing their annual warm-up act for the daffs and tulips that will soon be putting on a show.
But they aren’t the only ones busy doing their thing. The organizers of the annual Lynn Valley Days community celebration have already been at work getting the stage set for this popular event, so here’s a heads up of what you need to know!
From Lynn O’Malley’s typewriter:
These first sunny days of almost-spring make me realize how cabin-fevered I had become! There are still a few weeks ’til spring officially kicks in, and an even longer haul ’til we get some reliable, lasting warm weather, but in the meantime it feels like some small seasonal celebrations are in order.
So what’s a person to do in Lynn Valley, when the crocuses are crowning and the breezes are beckoning? Well, here’s a list to start with:
John Gilmour’s name and face are familiar to anyone who has followed Lynn Valley issues and politics over the past few years – because if there’s one thing John likes, it’s meeting the people in the neighbourhood.
His self-confessed passion for networking started early. He never confined himself to one group of friends in high school, he told LynnValleyLife during a recent chat over a green tea at Waves; instead, he circulated among many different groups.
It’s a skill that’s stood him in good stead over his many years as a community volunteer. One of his first leadership posts, in fact, was way back in 1987, when as a recent BCIT marketing grad John became president of the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce.
But community work soon had to take second place to home life. In 1992, he and his wife Susan started a family; Daniel is now 20, and Jenny is a 16-year-old Argyle student, but when they were younger four hands helped keep everything running smoothly when the kids were growing up.
Things changed in 2006. John was itchy to get involved in the community again, and was referred to the Lynn Valley Community Association. They welcomed him on to the board, and since then he’s held roles from membership director to president.
While still an avid member of the LVCA, John has recently stepped off the board and is looking forward to serving the wider neighbourhood in a variety of other ways. Later this year, in tandem with other involved members of the community, he will be launching a blog called North Shore Futures. John points out that its acronym, ‘NSF’, is also a nod to NSF’s alternate association – ‘Non-Sufficient Funds.’
The blog intends to offer information and commentary about decisions being made in the local municipality, and their ultimate affordability. “There’s not enough money not to pay attention,” he said, noting that North Van District’s cash reserves are not especially high.
John says he does a great deal of background research before offering his opinion on local issues. “Sometimes the best solution might not be the most realistic solution,” he says wryly. His day job as vice-president of marketing and development at Magusta Development, a company that builds affordable multi-family housing complexes, has helped him learn how to stretch a dollar to best meet the needs of the surrounding community. “We really do try to think about how it’s going to be for people living there in advance. We don’t just slap up a building. We give it a lot of thought.”
Along with neighbourhood issues and urban design initiatives, John is also president of the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum and Archives Society and is looking forward to seeing the construction of a 15,000 square-foot museum on the Lower Lonsdale waterfront in front of the Pinnacle Hotel. He’s always finding other ways of getting involved locally – when he spoke with LynnValleyLife, he and Susan had just hosted a Cool Neighbourhood evening to discuss reducing the eco-impact of the households in their neighbourhood around Ross Road Elementary.
But even though John’s fingers are never far from the calendar and contacts on his Blackberry, this busy volunteer still schedules time to just enjoy Lynn Valley living.
He says a perfect Sunday would start with a morning at Valley Church, where he enjoys meeting up with the 500+ regular attenders. That might be followed by eggs and pancakes at home, then watching some football or doing some flower and veggie gardening. His favourite home-cooked dinner is barbecued salmon on their large deck – (“We hardly ever eat indoors”) – and he might cap off the day reading Bernard Cornwell’s latest historical fiction, or watching a PVR’d Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
There are still mountains left to conquer – he’s started ballroom dance lessons with his wife, for one! – and though John is contemplating a 10-year retirement plan, he expects he’ll be one of those people who is even busier once the post-retirement years hit.
Whatever road John takes, we just hope it isn’t one that leads out of Lynn Valley – he’s far too valuable here! We’re sure his mom Sheila, the first executive director of the Capilano Community Services Society and a key player in many other local organizations, is pleased to see her son follow in her volunteering footsteps. Thanks, John – we hope many others follow your example!
– Peggy Trendell-Jensen, LynnValleyLife editor.
It’s time to think about September school entry, Moms and Dads! The North Vancouver School District Registration deadlines are here.
You have until March 8 to ensure your child has priority for placement in their school of choice for September 2013. Look sharp – not long til the school bell rings!
(P.S. The bell shown was rung five times daily for 43 years at Lynn Valley Elementary. It’s now in the school lobby, along with an account of its interesting history!)
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:
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.
Breaking news! Consider this: if Vancouver is ranked amongst the Top 3 livable cities in the world, and Lynn Valley has just been picked as the North Shore’s best neighbourhood, does that mean we just might live in what may be the best community on earth?!? We think so!
Lots of people feel that way about their hometown, as they should. But we’re proud to point out that Lynn Valley came out on top in the North Shore News annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which were announced in that newspaper today.
This year over 4,000 North Shore residents cast their votes in the Readers’ Choice Award categories, via print and online ballots. We’d like to send our congratulations to the many Lynn Valley winners and finalists, and our thanks to our readers. Your support meant that LynnValleyLife.com was voted the North Shore’s Best Website!
Here is the list of local luminaries, who work hard to make our neighbourhood #1:
If you haven’t tried out the above merchants or attractions, maybe now’s the time – your neighbours know what they’re talking about!