Notable Neighbours

LV man promoting mountain film fest

Lynn Valley resident Steven Threndyle is PR director for the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. He’d like to invite the community to come out to the festival, which runs from Feb. 8 to 17.

Steven, tell us about your role in the festival.
I’m the PR director and social media manager (Facebook, Twitter).

And now tell us about your life here in Lynn Valley!
Our family moved to North Vancouver to be close to the mountains. It really does make a world of difference compared to living across town in the city. (I don’t consider any parts of North Van to really be a ‘city’; even if the CNV might beg to differ!) It is really quite something to look up from just about any neighbourhood and see Grouse, Lynn Peak, and Seymour right up close. And the parks and trail system is really something else.

Are you a climber? What drew you to working with the festival?
Haha, no, I’m sort of afraid of heights or ‘exposure’ as climbers call it. Climbing is not a sport to be dabbled in lightly. I’m just really interested in aspects I believe that anyone can enjoy; the quality of light in late afternoon, the visual panorama from standing atop a peak, just… being out in nature, really. I think the festival balances the ‘action porn’ aspect and maybe the more documentary subject matter very well.

Is this your day job, or do you have other professional interests?
Well, right now I’m trying to put a lot of effort into it; but I’m just a very small part of it. I think the Festival has wide ranging appeal and, if anything, is underpublicized – it’s been around for 16 years and it could be more well known. I actually write about real estate to pay the bills – mostly for the Vancouver SUN and Vancouver Observer. And I’ve done some real estate PR as well. Storytelling through social media interests me greatly as well.

What do you think Lynn Valley residents would enjoy about the film fest?
Lynn Valley residents would really enjoy the trail running night since it features several North Shore ultra runners who push the level of endurance, but who are just everyday people who have regular jobs and that sort of thing.  And they do one heck of a job exploring our back yard, too.

There are also some very good movies that are being screened at both Centennial Theatre and the Rio and Pacific Cinematheque theatres, and it all gets under way next Friday night. We’ve just reorganized our special events pages so that it’s easier to find what you’re interested in. The environment night would be worthwhile, too; Paul Colangelo is a fine photographer and we’ve just added two new movies. It’s topical, too, because it’s about the Great Bear Rainforest.

Any other thoughts you’d like to leave with our readers?
As John Muir said: “Go into the mountains and seek their glad tidings.” Or, as I like to say “Never waste a sunny day.” (Especially on the North Shore!)

February 1, 2013 in Blog, Community Events, Current News, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors, Notable Neighbours

Hear about LV runner’s Indian adventure

We recently reported that Lynn Valley’s Hilary Ewart had successfully completed a 100-mile, five-day run through India’s Himalayan range, in the company of other North Shore running friends.

Now you can come hear Hilary and three other runners talk about their Himalayan adventure, along with the Mount Everest Challenge Marathon, at Jaycee House on Friday, February 8. See details below!

January 17, 2013 in Blog, Current News, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors, Notable Neighbours

Kevin McKay creates Outhere designs

LynnValleyLife loves to profile local artists from all walks of life. If you’re a Lynn Valley musician, writer, artist, or other performer, let us know and we’ll send you our questionnaire! Here’s our latest interview, with visual artist Kevin McKay:

How long have you lived in Lynn Valley?

My wife and I have lived in Lynn Valley now for four years.

How would you describe the type of art you create? Have you always painted, or have you worked in different genres?
I always drew for fun when I was growing up. I’m a self-taught artist with a vast imagination. When I was young I mainly used shading pencils, pencil crayons, and felt. I would create cartoon characters and landscapes. I would colour them in, practice shading and bring them to life that way. I continued that from very young to about 20 years old, and I still love to colour and shade drawings in.

Then around the age of 20 I started taking the drawings I did on paper and put them onto canvases using acrylics. This made the characters and landscape pop out way more.  I’ve always had a love for graffiti.   The big colourful pieces always attracted me. I would sketch out letters and create a background then colour it all in with the acrylics.

Then about five months ago I was flipping through YouTube videos of graffiti artists when I saw this other style of painting using spray paint. People were creating planets and detailed landscapes using paint, magazines for texture, lids off of jars that act as a stencil for the planets, sponges, pallet knife. Mainly everything you can find in your own home.

This style really intrigued me, so I went down to Opus and picked up some spray paint. The first one I tried was a simple space scene. It came out so cool. From that first canvas I was hooked. From there I have progressed from simple space scenes to advanced nature scenes, with mountain ranges, waterfalls, trees, bushes. The spray paint changed my style from very cartoony landscapes and characters to more detailed, true landscape pieces.

I’m an aspiring artist who works landscaping during the day and paints it by night.


Do you work alone, or take part in some sort of artists’ community?
I mainly work alone. I have done one demonstration before at Opus Art Supplies. It was a two-hour demo on different techniques. I am open to more demos for sure!  I also do custom orders. Each piece I do for someone, I film and edit the painting as it comes to life. I recently took part in the Anonymous Art Show down at Cityscape. I sold two pieces there in the first hour of the opening night.  My main focus on art is progression and to be able to inspire people as I go along!

What inspires you to create works of art?
Nature is a huge inspiration! I have spent many years in Lynn Canyon, cliff jumping and hiking around the entire park. The river and waterfalls through there are a big inspiration as well.

What do you do with your finished pieces?
Currently I have a lot of them on my wall. I will be taking some canvases and other art pieces down to a Gallery called “Art Addiction” at 138 Pender Street. It is a gallery that is starting up and already has beautiful collection of art.

Can you tell us about one or two of your favourite pieces?
My first favourite piece would have to be the snowboard I painted.  The board was unusable so I turned it into a piece of art, I call it “Mystic Forest” I like it because the greens pop out so nicely and I just think it all flows nicely.

The second one would have to be one I recently did of Twin Falls. It was my first try at it, and was from memory. I like this because it has opened a new set of paintings. I am going to be doing one of 90-foot pool, focusing on the jump known as “gateway”.

What are some of your other hobbies or accomplishments?
I have many other hobbies.  Some are cliff jumping in the canyon in the summer, and soaking up the sunny weather on the rocks at Thirty Foot.  I’ve made a movie of a summer in Lynn Canyon. It’s on YouTube under “lynn canyon locals.”

Can you tell us a bit about your ‘day job’?When I’m not there I can usually be found riding my BMX around various North Van and downtown spots. I love hiking, kayaking, and basically anything outside.


How can people see or learn more about your work?I work for “Sequoia Landscaping.”  We do driveways, patios, pathways, and retaining walls.  My favourite thing to work with is paving stones. I love doing big driveways, there is definitely an art to all of it – that’s why I enjoy it so much, I guess!

Currently I have a Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outhere-designs/437828496265306

I’m in the middle of getting a website up and running so stay tuned!

Kevin McKay
Outhere designs
604-839-6182 Email: [email protected]

 

 

January 9, 2013 in Blog, Notable Neighbours

Good Neighbour announced at LV Christmas finale

Wow! Lynn Valley, you’ve got what it takes!

Last night’s grand finale of the 12 Days of Christmas in Lynn Valley Village was a labour of love by so many, most particularly the hard-working valley folk in the Lynn Valley Community Association, the Lynn Valley Lions and the fine musicians and actors of Lynn Valley United Church.

The two-hour production featured the young adult and adult community choirs of the church, the church’s Friday Night Live improv team, the singing of valley favourite Bobbi Smith, and a storyline that wove throughout the music to bring the message of Christmas home.

 

One definite highlight of the evening was an unscripted marriage proposal, ring and all, sung on stage with harmonic back-up from the FNL crew! Many congratulations to the happy couple, and thanks for sharing your Big Moment with all of us!

 

That was a tough act to follow, but Bobbi Smith managed it just fine, and after a few songs gave a tribute to Lynn Valley’s community values, giving LynnValleyLife the perfect  opportunity to announce the winner of this year’s Good Neighbour Award.

Lynn Valley United Church parishioners in the crowd went wild when they heard that one of their own had won the honour, which was awarded to the person who won the draw of all our top Good Neighbour nominees.

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

We were delighted to give the Good Neighbour Award 2012 plaque and prize package to Rosemary Postlethwaite, a church elder who has spent a decade collecting bottles and cans to help fund the church’s program that makes sandwiches for the homeless. You can read more about Rosemary here, in the nomination that was submitted by Kelly Jenner (who won a gift certificate to the Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub for having nominated the award winner!)

The Good Neighbour Award, launched this year, gave us a very welcome opportunity to share stories about many of the people here in Lynn Valley who reach out to help others in quiet ways, large ways, public ways and private ways. We know there are a lot more fine folks out there, so we hope you keep our Good Neighbour Award in mind over the year to come, so you’ll have someoneto nominate when we launch the award again in November 2013.

In the meantime, we would like to take this year-end opportunity to thank all those community volunteers, especially those people in the groups mentioned above, for putting so much time and effort into the Christmas Tree Walk, the 12 Days of Christmas entertainment, and the first-ever Christmas tree at the corner of Mountain Highway and Lynn Valley Road.

We know it will be a busy year ahead with Lynn Valley Day and other community celebrations, so please consider becoming an active member of one of these organizations, or looking for different ways to support them. Check out their websites, above, and look here for information about joining the community choir that was featured last night.

Wouldn’t that make a great New Year’s resolution?

Merry Christmas, Lynn Valley!

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

December 24, 2012 in Blog, Community Events, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Good Neighbour Award nominee: Travis Spencer!

We are collecting nominations for Lynn Valley’s Good Neighbour Award until Dec. 19, 2012. We’d love to hear, and share, stories about good-hearted folks who have gone out of their way to help you or their community, in ways large or small.  Nominees don’t have to be your ‘next-door’ neighbour, just a fellow citizen of the Valley.

This contest isn’t about deciding who’s ‘best’ – it’s about celebrating all those kindnesses that we know happen in our neighbourhood every day of the year. The winner of this year’s Good Neighbour prize package will be drawn at random, and announced on Dec. 23. Please send your submissions to [email protected].

ADRIENNE COUSINS NOMINATES TRAVIS SPENCER:

“So, my friend is the best neighbor and boyfriend I’ve known … I’ll tell you why he’s the best neighbor I’ve known..  I suffer from anxiety and SAD (seasonal affective disorder). So  since the winter months began,  and last year as well, he made it a point of  his to invite me up to Lynn Valley square for a tea or a latte at Delany’s to take in the beautiful Christmas trees, shops,  and people… and lift my spirits, even while tackling his busy school and youth volunteer schedule.

He is a child at heart with an old soul if that were possible.  A perfect combination. Thanks for considering him for the award.”

 

December 20, 2012 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Good Neighbour Award nominee: Paige Larson

We are collecting nominations for Lynn Valley’s Good Neighbour Award until Dec. 19, 2012. We’d love to hear, and share, stories about good-hearted folks who have gone out of their way to help you or their community, in ways large or small.  Nominees don’t have to be your ‘next-door’ neighbour, just a fellow citizen of the Valley.

This contest isn’t about deciding who’s ‘best’ – it’s about celebrating all those kindnesses that we know happen in our neighbourhood every day of the year. The winner of this year’s Good Neighbour prize package will be drawn at random, and announced on Dec. 23. Please send your submissions to [email protected].

SOHAIL KAMAL NOMINATES PAIGE LARSON:

“Here is my nomination for Paige Larson, who just won a Western Canada Women Entrepreneur Award, but missed by a whisker to winning the National Award for the HKMB HUB Impact Award.  The award goes to the woman entrepreneur who has had a significant positive impact on the community (Lynn Valley and the North Shore) and there were 3,500 women nominated for the six awards. I think she would be a glowing recipient of this award for Lynn Valley!”

Paige, who lives near Ross Road School, is the owner of North Shore Sports Medicine and received the award for contributing to her community prosperity and job creation. She owns three clinics with 20 beds, and employs 13 health care providers. She received her award at a Toronto gala on Nov. 28th.

Thanks for letting us know about this impressive neighbour, Sohail. Good luck to you both in the draw!

December 19, 2012 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Good Neighbour Award nominees: Rosemary Postlethwaite and Darla at Waves!

We are collecting nominations for Lynn Valley’s Good Neighbour Award until Dec. 19, 2012. We’d love to hear, and share, stories about good-hearted folks who have gone out of their way to help you or their community, in ways large or small.  Nominees don’t have to be your ‘next-door’ neighbour, just a fellow citizen of the Valley.

This contest isn’t about deciding who’s ‘best’ – it’s about celebrating all those kindnesses that we know happen in our neighbourhood every day of the year. The winner of this year’s Good Neighbour prize package will be drawn at random, and announced on Dec. 23. Please send your submissions to [email protected].

KELLY JENNER NOMINATES ROSEMARY POSTLEWAITE
AND DARLA AT WAVES:

“We have some amazing folks in this community and I would like to nominate two people who have made a difference to how we are able to serve the neighbourhood….

The first person I would like to nominate is Darla at Waves Lynn Valley.  I know she donates to many groups/ organizations, but her generosity with Lynn Valley United Church is awe inspiring.  She has provided coffee for every Friday Night Live performance since its inception a year and a half ago.  She also contributes coffee to the congregation for Sunday fellowship once a month.

Plus, she donates coffee for special musical and social events, from the monthly drumming circle to the recent “Sounds Like Christmas” community concert.  All given with a smile and the request to just ask if more is needed.  I am not sure how a business can succeed with that kind of generous spirit, but Darla is doing her best to make it work that way.

The second nomination is for Rosemary Postlethwaite.  This shy and unassuming elder in the LVUC community has spent the past 10 years collecting bottles from neighbours for her “sandwich filling fund.”  This fund is used to buy meat, bags, condiments and other supplies for the 500 sandwiches that this congregation makes every month.

The sandwiches are shared out to the homeless through a network of social workers with the North Shore branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, ensuring the people in this community are nourished by this community.

Rosemary has had some major health scares this year, and after spending 54 years in a little house on Westover has moved into “Branches”- but has insisted that she be allowed to continue supplying fillings and such for the sandwiches for as long as she is able.   Rosemary bears a strong pioneer spirit in the most quiet and gentle person you’ll ever meet.  And she is the foundation of a project that feeds hundreds every month.  Simply put, she is amazing.

That’s it from me right now, I could go on about lots of the folks I know who make a difference… the truth is that Lynn Valley is an amazing community because there are so many amazing people.  (Jim and Peggy- you are in there, too!)

Thanks for giving me this opportunity to do this “shout out”

Kelly
Kelly Jenner- Office Manager
Lynn Valley United Church

Thanks, Kelly, you’re an amazing mover-and-shaker yourself! Thanks for adding so much to our community.

December 16, 2012 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Lynn Valley crafter does wonders with wool

Our LynnValleyLife editor discovered Holly Choi’s felted creatures through the international website, etsy.com, and was happy to find their creator lived right here in Lynn Valley. She was even more delighted that Holly was able to make her a customized felt ornament that very evening! Here’s a bit more about one of our local craftspeople:

How long have you lived in Lynn Valley?

Since August 2012, but I’ve always been a North Shore girl. I grew up in Canyon Heights and recently moved back to North Vancouver after living in Richmond with my husband Chris for the past two years. We’ve fallen head over heels for Lynn Valley and never want to leave!

How would describe the type of art you create?

Needle felting. Needle felting doesn’t require anything but a needle and wool. I like the art because of its simplicity and its lack of waste – every single fiber can be used so you’re not creating a ton of scrap when you felt.

What’s your ‘artistic journey’ been to date?

I’ve always been a DIY kind of girl. I recently got married – in September 2012 – and my invitations, décor and favors were all handmade. A friend of mine actually got me a few needle-felted figures when she went to visit her family in Oregon and I thought to myself, I could probably do this! So I decided to give it a try, and so far so good!

What do you do with your finished pieces?

Many of them go to friends and family, and the rest I put up on Etsy – an e-commerce website with a huge community of artists.

I recently made a creation for the DAVIDsTEA shop I frequent in Edgemont Village – they loved it so much they sent it along to HQ and had it published in the corporate newsletter!

Can you tell us a bit about your ‘day job’?

I actually work for a medical software company as a software trainer. When I come home from work I love to break out the wool and create something.

How can people see or learn more about your work?

I post all my work online at www.etsy.com/shop/raincityfelt and I’ve also started a Facebook page, where I post photos of my work along with discounts! www.facebook.com/raincityfelt . I can be contacted through either page.

December 14, 2012 in Blog, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Good Neighbour Award nominee: Jim Wright!

We are collecting nominations for Lynn Valley’s Good Neighbour Award until Dec. 19, 2012. We’d love to hear, and share, stories about good-hearted folks who have gone out of their way to help you or their community, in ways large or small.  Nominees don’t have to be your ‘next-door’ neighbour, just a fellow citizen of the Valley.

This contest isn’t about deciding who’s ‘best’ – it’s about celebrating all those kindnesses that we know happen in our neighbourhood every day of the year. The winner of this year’s Good Neighbour prize package will be drawn at random, and announced on Dec. 23. Please send your submissions to [email protected].

CHRIS TRENDELL NOMINATES JIM WRIGHT:

“He was one of the very early settlers in Lynn Valley; one of World War II’s returning vets. It was a time when there was no shopping mall, just a few scattered shops and a goose farm not far from where he still lives on Coleman Street.

Although he asked for little help from those around him, he gave abundantly to anyone who came to his door. (And, after we built our own home across the street in 1965, we knocked on that door often! He was always there to lend a hand, or invite us in to watch the football game, election returns, or moon landing with him on the TV by the fireplace.)

James, Jimmy, Chick or Mr. Wrightman as he was called, depending on your relationship with him, is gifted with the ability to “fix it.” His workshop was a mystery to all who entered. The tools were cleaned, polished and in place. Although the tools looked new, they had by and large been passed on to him by his father who had brought them from England.  

During the winter, he would be seen and heard on his small Sears ride-on tractor, clearing the sidewalks of snow in front of Upper Lynn School and for many blocks around.

You don’t see Mr. Wright around much at public events or large gatherings, but I think he is well-known by many people for his repeated acts of kindness over his many decades in Lynn Valley.”

December 14, 2012 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Good Neighbour Award nominee: Gillian Konst!

We are collecting nominations for Lynn Valley’s Good Neighbour Award until Dec. 19, 2012. We’d love to hear, and share, stories about good-hearted folks who have gone out of their way to help you or their community, in ways large or small.  Nominees don’t have to be your ‘next-door’ neighbour, just a fellow citizen of the Valley.

This contest isn’t about deciding who’s ‘best’ – it’s about celebrating all those kindnesses that we know happen in our neighbourhood every day of the year. The winner of this year’s Good Neighbour prize package will be drawn at random, and announced on Dec. 23. Please send your submissions to [email protected].

ANDREA WINTERBOTTOM NOMINATES GILLIAN KONST:

“Thank you for organizing the first Good Neighbour Award. I would like to nominate my neighbour, Gillian Konst.

On many occasions, Gillian has been a lender of cups of sugar, onions and over-the-fence cuttings of her favourite plants/flowers from her garden. She has invited me inside her home on the spot for a cup of tea or glass of wine, but it’s the greater good that she demonstrates in the community that makes her a Good Neighbour: no matter what committee chair she sits on, her enthusiasm, determination and helping hand is always appreciated.

Gillian recently helped me to establish a Laughter Yoga group at Mollie Nye House and accommodated my newly formed “Write Away” writing group at Mollie Nye House as a great outreach to the Lynn Valley writing community. Gillian and I go way back when we were both parents active at the Eastview Elementary School council spearheading various committees. I would be happy to tell you more about  Gillian’s selfless, supportive, neighbourly ways!”

Gillian Konst and Eric Muira represented the Lynn Valley Community Association at last year’s Canada Day festivities in LV Village:

 

December 12, 2012 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours