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Speculation tax for 2021

For the third year, the province has sent out its Speculation and Vacancy Tax declaration forms. Our area was scheduled to have them mailed early February, so you should have received it. All homeowners must declare by their status by March 31. If you have declared before, you still have to declare again this year, even if there is no change to your information.

Money, money, money

The program shows 99.9 percent of British Columbians are exempt from the tax. In the 2019 tax year (second year of the program) $88 million of revenue was generated, with 92% of the revenue coming from foreign owners, satellite families, Canadians living outside BC and “other” non-BC resident owners. The government had originally estimated it would receive $185 million for that period.

The speculation and vacancy tax rate varies depending on the owner’s tax residency. In addition, the tax rate varies based on whether the owner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a satellite family.

For 2019 and subsequent years, the tax rate is:

  • 2% for foreign owners and satellite families
  • 0.5% for Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are not members of a satellite family

The speculation and vacancy tax applies based on ownership as of December 31 each year.

B.C. owners are eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,000 on secondary properties to offset their tax payable. The credit is limited to $2,000 per owner and $2,000 per property (in the case of multiple owners) per year.

The speculation and vacancy tax applies based on ownership as of December 31 each year.

If a residential property has multiple owners, tax is divided among each owner based on their ownership share. For example, if you and your spouse are equal owners of a residential property in a taxable region, you’ll each owe tax on 50% of the home’s assessed value.

Exemptions are based on how each person uses each residential property. If you’re the co-owner of a residential property in a taxable region and are exempt, but the other owner isn’t exempt, the other owner will have to pay tax based on their percentage ownership of the residential property as listed with the Land Title Office.

All owners on title of a property must complete the declaration in order to claim an exemption or to determine eligibility for a tax credit. Owners are exempt from the tax if it is their principal residence, they rent it at least six months of the year, they are disabled, the property was just inherited, it’s valued at less than $150,000, or a person was away and it was vacant due to medical reasons, residential care, work or spousal separation.

New exemptions

How to declare

The fastest and easiest way to declare is online. If you can’t declare online, you can declare over the phone. Call 1-833-554-2323 toll-free and they will help you complete the declaration. Translation is also available at the above number. If you have not received your letter, the province asks you to also call the number above. 

What you need

  • the speculation and vacancy tax declaration letter, which includes:
    • Your Letter ID, Declaration Code and other information you need to declare
    • A list of all the residential properties you own in the designated taxable regions
  • your social insurance number (SIN)
  • your date of birth

Ooops I forgot

If you miss the deadline or forgot to declare by March 31 you will receive a tax notice charging you the tax at the maximum tax rate. However, all is not lost! You can still complete your declaration to claim an exemption even after you’ve received a tax notice.

Timeline

Speculation and vacancy tax letters were mailed to North Vancouver Feb 4-5, 2021.

  • Jan 18, 2021 – declaration period opens
  • Mar 31, 2021 – declaration due
  • Apr-May 2021 – most tax notices mailed
  • Jul 2, 2021 – tax payment due
February 3, 2021 in Blog, Current News, Governance and Services Comments (0)

Mental wellness in the time of covid

As the Covid-19 pandemic marches on, we wanted to take a break from our usual neighbourhood boostering and take on a more direct approach to check-in and ask ‘How are you doing?’

The community has been in a state of anxiety and stress for almost a full year. It feels exhausting to be constantly on edge or without control. As we all move forward too, the team at LynnValleylife.com wanted to share some FREE, low-barrier options to support your mental health. If you are thinking of suicide or self harm call 911 or 1-833-456-4566 toll free, 24/7 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca.

More than self-care

For many people stepping back and taking a bath or a hike isn’t going to be enough to recharge your batteries and refresh your mental wellness. Figuring out what you need and how to get mental health support is another exhausting task. The first step is to have a chat with your family doctor – if you don’t have one, visit a walk-in clinic you trust and feel supported at. 

Programs to support families and kids

Parenting is hard. Teaching is hard. Working is hard, and now you are doing all three, all day – everyday. Confident Parents, Thriving Kids is a free program (referral required) that supports families. There are two streams for the program – one to help with behavioural challenges and the other to help support children and youth with anxiety. This is a program that uses online modules and one-on-one phone coaching to support parents. 

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

Children’s Hospital has a wealth of resources for parents at the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre. From clinicians to covid support to peer compassion, there is a lot on offer here. The Parents in Residence (PiRs) offer non-judgmental, compassionate peer support to families, parents, and caregivers from anywhere in B.C. There are three PiRs who work at the Kelty Centre. They have lived experience as family members who have children and/or youth with mental health challenges, and provide support to parents and families. 

Child and Youth

The Ministry of Children and Family Development has Child and Youth Mental Health teams throughout the province. If access to private counselling is unaffordable or the waitlists are too long, you can visit (in person or virtually) an Intake Clinic. Locally, it is at 301-224 West Esplanade and does intake on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The intake interview will take about 45-90 minutes. Upon completion of this interview, you will be provided with information and details about the next steps and what to expect in the process.

Foundry

North Van has a Foundry Centre supporting youth 12-24. It provides access to access to mental health and substance use support, primary care, peer support and social services. It offers support to youth and parents virtually and in-person. To learn more about their services call The Drop-In Support Team Monday – Thursday  1 – 5 pm 604-984-5060 or email [email protected]. If you are a youth in need of urgent support the Youth Urgent Response provides urgent and short-term services to youth ages 12-19 living in North or West Vancouver who are experiencing thoughts, feelings or behaviour and/or substance use which is seriously interfering with their daily functioning. They are accessible Monday to Friday 9:30 am – 7:30 pm – 604-230-0389. 

Youth and adults

Another accessible free option is BounceBackBC. It offers support for youth 15+ and adults dealing with anxiety and depression. The program is delivered online or over the phone with a coach, you will get access to tools that will support you on your path to mental wellness. The program is now self-referral and does not require a doctor’s visit. 

Online courses

There are a number of free online courses available through CMHA Kelowna’s Discovery College. The online programs are taught live with experienced facilitators. They tackle topics from Current Events (covid) to parenting to resilience and self-regulation. There are also programs specifically supporting youth. All programs are virtual and FREE. 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

February 2, 2021 in Blog, Current News Comments (0)

Loving in Lynn Valley

There is a busy weekend coming up to celebrate all kinds of love. With back-to-back holidays of Valentine’s Day and Family Day, and ongoing requests to stay in your community, February is the perfect time to celebrate with homegrown activities, gifts and treats.

Valentine’s Day

This is a year parents might get off a bit easy. Most schools are sending notices downplaying Valentine’s events. In class treat exchanges are a no-go and it’s a class-by-class decision to paper Valentine exchanges. 

If schools are thinking outside the box, we have put together some options that go beyond chocolate to celebrate February 14th this year. 

MaxFrut

Lynn Valley’s Rizzo family is behind the local favourite frozen fruit bars MaxFrut. They are offering a special on kid-sized bars all dressed up for Valentine’s Day. The healthy, whole-fruit bars are made locally, have no artificial flavours and do not use sweeteners. They have boxes of 10 kids-size bars for $20 – they have lots of flavours on their website, plus you can try new, limited-edition flavour Chocolate & Peppermint. Order can be picked up in North Van or they offer free delivery on orders over $40. Email: [email protected] or text 778-708-3355.

Stuffies

Just down the hill from Lynn Valley, near Phibbs Exchange is the Stuffies Pastry Cafe. Based on the South Korean, filled, animal-shaped waffle-like Stuffies offers sweet and savory options. The pastries are vegan and gluten-free – our pick for Valentine’s are the sweet bears filled with jam or strawberry creme. They have many rotating flavours, plus larger treats. For a quick lunch they have options like ham and cheese and for a larger dessert, Stuffies has vegan soft serve in their fish shaped waffles. Yum. A dozen of the small treats starts at $8. 

Dessert in a box

Our newly discovered neighbourhood caterer Folia Events is offering two specials for Valentine’s – a limited-edition LOVE grazing box with a slightly pink and red theme and heart-shaped offerings, and a Valentine’s Dessert box – the perfect way to share some sweetness with your family this year. 

Can’t beat classic flowers

Twig and Plum Florists at Mountain Market have beautiful options for all kinds of Valentines. From the single rose to a beautiful bouquet from cheerful tulips to their usual stunning centerpieces. Drop by or send them an email to make a custom arrangement for your special someone. 

Family Day and Valentines – two days of love

The Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub has put together a special treat for Valentine’s Day and is inviting families in (until 9 pm) for Family Day (typical family hours are M-F 11 am-2 pm, Sat & holidays 11 am-4 pm and Sun 11 am-9 pm). For February 14th the Black Bear is offering a special of Lobster Linguini with the option of adding its Chocolate Nemesis. This feature was a major hit last Mother’s Day and it is delicious. Dinner and Dessert is $27.00 per person or  dinner alone is $22.00 per person. Of course, that is a Sunday so it is also Prime Rib night.

The District of North Vancouver Public Library is celebrating all kinds of love this month. Join its Stay Home and Read Book Club that is marking  February with the theme of Family, Friendship, and Love. This ‘club’ encourages you to settle in with a good book February 6, and connect on social media @nvdpl to show what you’re reading when you Stay Home and Read. You also find theme books featuring love and family on the book displays this month, plus a Zoom Valentine’s storytime Feb. 12 and a Family Day trivia night. 

For more Family Day Fun

For some neighbourhood family fun there is skating and swimming available at Karen Magnussen Rec Centre – but the spots do fill up fast so book NOW! 

The Ecology Centre is hosting, by donation, Nature Drawing. Learn how to draw some of the animals that live in the temperate rainforest, and hear more about them! Connect to the internet, bring paper and something to colour with (felts, crayons, pastels, or pencil crayons). Drawings will be simple and easy for the whole family to follow. Suitable for ages 4-10 but all ages welcome. While this program is free, the suggested donation is $2 to help them continue to offer these amazing programs from the Ecology Centre.

Enjoy some time family together: 

  • Trade board games or puzzles with another family or neighbour and try something new. 
  • Talk a wander through the woods looking for geocaches. 
  • Come up with a family random act of kindness plan – kids love to be sneaky – why not do it for good? Pick up some treats or coffee, write a heartfelt note and drop it off with a loved one or friend.
  • Do some green cleaning – while doing a family wander bring along a garbage bag and make the forest a bit cleaner as you go. 
  • Host a family quiz day – reach out to family or friends to create some Kahoots and take turns hosting. The site also has premade quizzes but more giggles are guaranteed from homemade ones. 
  • Online Pictionary – If you can Zoom you can play Pictionary! Set up a meeting and engage the “whiteboard” feature. Suddenly you are in the game! 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

February 2, 2021 in Blog, Current News, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Planting native plants is more than good ecology

A local conservation group offers local gardeners access to native plants, education, and a chance to actively engage in a form of reconciliation. Checking out the Wild Bird Trust’s Maplewood Flats native plant nursery is an opportunity to decolonize our landscape, support biodiversity, and reflect on the original stewards of the North Shore.  

Learning about roots

When Irwin Oostindie was a toddler he tagged along with his father, DNV’s parks manager at the time, Dirk Oostindie (a former Lynn Valley local with his own fascinating story),  to Lynn Valley Garden Club meetings. Underfoot and under his father’s care he learned the power of cultivating the earth. 

“I grew up in a Lynn Valley family that was about green spaces and gardening, so when I took on the responsibility of president of Maplewood Flats in 2016 I went about figuring out how we could up this nursery business,” said Oostindie. “We wanted to support people’s planting desires with native plants.”

The Wild Bird Trust was created in 1993 to oversee the Maplewood Flats lands. Today it remains the only nature reserve in Vancouver’s Harbour. In 2016, the board recognized some errors in management of the area. Despite being almost linked directly to Tsleil-Waututh First Nations’ land, their knowledge was never sought. 

“That was a mistake,” said Oostindie. “For the last five years, we have been repairing the relationship. The plants, the birds, and their culture are all connected. This is not a token gesture. We want to acknowledge there are other world views and approaches. The colonial world view of Lynn Valley – of North Vancouver – is broken because it required the daily alienation of the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish people. We want to decolonize this view – very publicly. You can be a part of it – with your family.” 

The shift in perspective will both be better for the community and our environment, he says.

“It’s a responsibility of settlers to think about history. We think of [Lynn Valley] as being a hundred or a 130 years old but that is such an erasure that these lands have been stewarded by the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh for millennia,” he said. “So when we use native plant materials we are repairing damage that our community has been unwittingly participating in.”

Oostindie is proud of the role the Wild Bird Trust is playing in repairing past community harms. 

“It is an opportunity to think about reconciliation in our own homes, in our own yards, or our own balconies. Think about plants and conservation as an entry point to think about First Nations issues. It’s a physical manifestation – it is something you can actually do to recognize the colonial roots of North Vancouver.

“Every time you plant a plant you can plant annuals or you can plant a plant that supports the original biodiversity of the area. It’s a step toward land repair and bio-diversity repair. It’s not something we need someone else to do, it is something we can do in our own lives.”

The Coast Salish nursery

Nestled east of the Iron Worker’s Memorial Bridge the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area is home to five kilometres of wheelchair-accessible walking trails. More than 250 bird species and 40 animal species have been observed within the area. The Wild Bird Trust operates a nature house and its nursery on the site. 

The Coast Salish Plant Nursery carries a variety of plants native to the North Shore. All purchases help support habitat restoration and educational programming on Coast Salish culture and ecology. October to March the nursery is open by appointment with the spring and summer offering regular sales on Saturdays. It’s a consumer choice that is about more than just buying a plant, said Oostindie. 

“We all love the tall trees, but biodiversity is also the shrubs, the insects,” he said. “There is traditional knowledge in huckleberries growing under cedar trees, and if we think about decolonizing our gardening techniques we open to the millennia of knowledge of the Coast Salish people who were masterful stewards of this environment.  

“Think about Lynn Valley being here for thousands of years, not 150 years. Through our plant sales and education programs we help people connect to place.” 

The Wild Bird Trust continues to offer education programming throughout the pandemic – online. Details can be found on Facebook or Eventbrite. 

“We are pretty bold with our online programming talking about decolonization, conservation,” said Oostindie. “We do programs twice a week – Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. There is always something for people to turn on that is high-quality outdoor education, and that is about 50 percent is with and by Coast Salish people.” 

Another pandemic pivot the Trust is proud of is being able to open its nature house to the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation outdoor school.

“One of my goals is that Tsleil-Waututh children know this is their land and that being on it is just normal to them. Ironically a silver lining of covid, has brought them here,” said Oostindie. “We hope they have a connection to this place that their parents were alienated from.” 

In May the Wild Bird Trust is hosting a Chief Dan George exhibit the public will be able to visit with covid-safe booking protocols. More information will be available soon. Keep an eye on their webpage and social accounts for details. To learn more about the plant nursery or for details on how to book a buying appointment visit this page. 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

January 8, 2021 in Blog, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors Comments (0)

Community Art Day

The pandemic pivot is leading to all sorts of innovation. A local artist who took her art lessons online in 2020 is inviting Lynn Valley to join her January 29 for a community painting party. Local artist Caroline Liggett has partnered with the United Way’s Local Love campaign to provide materials and instruction for an online class at the end of the month.

A real artist

Liggett’s journey to becoming an artist is echoed by the experience of many enduring the Covid-19 pandemic: she was dealing with grief. The busy working mom was rattled by the unexpected death of her sister in 2009. 

“A friend of mine suggested I journal,” said Liggett. “But I didn’t want to see the words of grief, I didn’t want to be reminded. I had taken a few painting lessons in the past and picked up my brush to see if I could channel all those feelings of anxiety, the pain of grief, into something beautiful.”

She connected with North Van’s Dene Croft as an instructor and mentor and began to paint. Years in she is prolific and is a teacher herself. From youth classes to adults she has been guiding individuals and groups through ongoing lessons and one-off painting parties.

“I hear from people all the time ‘I can’t paint’ or ‘I am not an artist,” she said. “I think to be a real artist all you need is a desire to create art – the rest is just learning. I think people are surprised by what they can do when they complete a painting.”

One stroke at a time

The desire to help others fall in love with painting did not end when the pandemic hit last spring. For some students, Liggett moved outside during the summer. For others, especially for her students with special needs, she worked with families to create learning spaces that allow for physical distance and masks. But for the majority, she turned – like most of us – to Zoom. She has even taught classes for a high school in Nanaimo all from the comfort of her studio. 

“I started with some groups I know, and then offered more classes in November,” said Liggett. “I think people wondered what they could create guided by a video but it was interesting, I had a former colleague of mine doing a class one Wednesday with her kids and her husband was wandering in and out of the kitchen. Then in my Friday class – for adults – there he was wanting to give it a try!”

Each week Liggett offers two classes, one to suit children (but any age is welcome) on Wednesday afternoons and an adult class on Friday evenings. Participants are provided with a finished image of the class painting to help inspire them, an accessible supply list and a link to the class. For a flat fee of $10 (kids classes) or $15 (adult class) anyone in the household can participate. 

“These classes are for the very beginner,” she said. “All you need is a yearning to paint. You don’t need 40 different colours. I have created a very limited palette of colours that you can find at Opus or Micheals. Depending on the painting I might paint along, but I have found that by breaking it down into four or five steps and being able to offer immediate feedback tends to work best. 

“And by the end of the two hours,” she laughs, “you have a masterpiece.”

She also puts together private events. Over the holidays Liggett worked with several families to lead a family event together while all in their own homes. She also has some dedicated clients who take a more social approach – more of cocktail and create – all of which can be done on Zoom, she said. 

Community Paint Party

Last fall the Greater Vancouver United Way launched a Local Love Campaign to foster connection within Lynn Valley during the pandemic. Residents could submit proposals for small grants to create an impactful project. Liggett was awarded a grant for a community-wide paint party to put together 30 supply packages for Lynn Valley residents. 

“I am thinking it will be birch trees,” she said of the design. “People could then ‘carve’ a name or some initials, a heart or something into the bark that was impactful to them during this time. I would really like some seniors to participate.”

To sign up or learn more about the Jan. 29th Community Paint (Online) Party visit Liggett’s Facebook page or email her.

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

January 8, 2021 in Artistic Endeavours, Blog, Community Events, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

A year like no other

This time last year, we were basking in the afterglow and recovering from family holidays and adventures. Were you planning a 2020 with travel, celebrations or milestones? By the end of February, there were inklings something was happening in China and Europe. Then March came and Covid-19 was in Lynn Valley but 2020 continued on. 

An unprecedented year

Lynn Valley has the heartbreaking distinction of having the first Covid-related deaths in Canada. This was the defining moment of the year. Having such a definative moment also saw rise to some community building. As we adapted and grieved for those that have been lost and how all our lives have been altered, our communities got a bit smaller. Health orders asked us to stick closer to home and people got creative on how to come together.

Artists embrace life close to home

Anna’s Hummingbird male

When we spoke to photographer and writer Paul Dixon he had stopped his usual daily trips throughout the Lower Mainland to feed his passion for nature photography. What Dixon did instead was focus on his backyard and the abundant life right on his doorstep. 

Another delight for neighbours in the Draycott area. A few mysterious sculptures appeared on dead wood on local trails. We tracked down the artist and had a lovely chat with chainsaw artist Ben Hamara. Now working as Untamed Wood Sculptures, more public art is on hold for now but he is thriving with his other pieces. 

Showing the love

LynnValleyLife was so proud to be a part of Project Special Delivery. We had so many submissions of art, well wishes and letters we were able to put together an entire book for delivery to the Lynn Valley Care Centre during its initial lockdown. We even made the Vancouver Sun. 

There were others showing hope in their own ways, like Jennifer Tindale. Her community-pleasing holiday displays on Wellington have been an important part of celebrations for years. At the end of March a poignant and heartfelt piece of art appeared on the lawn. 

Ch-ch-changes

As the daily closures mounted and re-openings were slimmer there was a major pivot to support local businesses and families adapted to a new stay-at-home life. While it was hard for adults to manage, those on a cusp of change – the 2020 graduates – their lives were completely turned upside down. We spoke with Argyle’s valedictorian Jake Rubin for his thoughts on the grad year like no other.

Good Neighbour 2020

The Walkstars began with a friendship to encourage each other to be healthy and has grown to be a North Shore wide community of caring for many. In a society where lasting social connections can be hard to foster, the simple act of gathering and putting one step in front of the other, has formed a web of support for its members and at the centre is Dawn Moore.

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

January 8, 2021 in Blog, Neighbourhood News Comments (0)

Good Neighbour 2020

Every year we have the joy of recognizing a local resident and the good work they do. This has been a challenging year and many, many people have stepped up to support friends, family, neighbours and strangers. People put out the calls for help and others answered. There were huge undertakings like the North Vancouver Cares Foundation which evolved early in the pandemic. This organization is an outstanding accomplishment but this year we also wanted to highlight that the decision to do good can be small and slowly ripple out to deeply impact Lynn Valley, North Vancouver and beyond.

Walkstar

Almost six years ago Dawn Moore and her friend Ann decided they wanted to get moving, be more active and try to be a bit healthier. 

“We thought if we made a commitment to each other we would stick to it,” said Moore. “Pretty soon there were five or six of us and it grew from there.”

Today that promise to a friend has snowballed into a group approaching 1000 that gets together every week to walk and connect. The Walkstars has about 200 semi-regulars who drop in now and again and a core group of 40-50 who join the Sunday walks as much as they possibly can. Dawn and her husband Paddy coordinate routes, the sign-up (which in a covid world means contact tracing), and an optional donation.

“Over the years we have offered a lot of support to Covenant House,” said Moore. “People share a loonie or a toonie and I save them up until there is a donation matching opportunity. We just donated $700 for part of this year.”

Impact

Not all people have close extended family, they don’t belong to faith groups and as the years go on, some have lost their partners leading to more solitary lives.  The Walkstars have created a network of support for its participants.

“We have a lot of people who live alone or don’t feel comfortable walking alone, or are newcomers to the North Shore,” said participant Fiona Lewis. “This is really important to their social connection.”

A sentiment echoed by fellow walker John Kennedy.

“It’s been a lifesaver,” he said. “My wife died seven and a half years ago. I live alone, if I get a little bit down, being able to go for that Sunday walk is really important. It is written in ink on my calendar.I look forward to every single time and I miss it like nobody’s business when I can’t.”

He added that some reading he has been doing lately shared the fact the chief indicator of long life is the ability to socialize. For Moore the thriving group has changed much of her social life – adding so many she would never have met if it weren’t for weekly walking. 

“North Vancouver is very diverse, but sometimes we don’t have the chance to really get to know others,” said Moore. “Going for a walk has allowed me to meet people I would have never had a real conversation with, and now we are friends.”

Some are even more than friends, Moore laughed. 

“It changed my life,” said Lewis. “I lost my husband five years ago and this man who is now my partner. It is so important to our lives.”

Over the years Moore has gathered about 40 different routes the Walkstars rotate through. 

“We live in a car society,” said Kennedy. “There are places on the North Shore I would not have discovered if it hadn’t been for the walks.”

Each week the group aims to walk for two hours then share a social coffee at a local shop. They vary the routes aiming for easy and medium terrain. The walks are guided by a leader and have a sweeper at the end – valuable volunteers, said Moore. 

“It’s not always the same group but there is a core group that is usually there,” said Lewis. “So you are connecting with people you know and meeting new people each time.”

Covid

The pandemic brought on a short term hiatus, that was felt deeply, said Kennedy. However, Moore pushed through offering virtual options and then establishing smaller walks with covid distance protocols, said Lewis.

“She created an online walk across Canada and invited Walkstars members to log in and record their individual steps walked,” said Lewis. “This was a great way for us to stay connected and be motivated to keep walking.  We finally reached Newfoundland virtually by August!”

Initially a bit skeptical about the virtual events, Kennedy said the group deepened its connection as they met around zoom each week and virtually explored where they “were” in Canada, sharing stories and photos of past trips through the areas. 

“It brought back wonderful memories for us,” he said. “It turned out to be a marvelous way to share stories with each other.”

Moore spent many hours pouring over the changing covid protocols and making plans for a return to in-person Walkstars. 

“We reduced the number of participants, and broke into two groups,” she said. “We wanted to make sure everyone felt comfortable and safe and we didn’t want to disrupt other trail users by having a large group.”

“Dawn is kind and compassionate, but it is worth saying she is tough,” said Kennedy. “She was excellent at instilling discipline into a group – “of a certain age” – that all have habits we don’t like to change and tends not to pay attention. Well, we all pay attention to Dawn.”

Currently on hiatus to respect the current Provincial Health Officer orders, they hope to be out soon – regardless of weather, said Moore.

Creating community

The Walkstars began with a friendship to encourage each other to be healthy and has grown to be a North Shore wide community of caring for many. In a society where lasting social connections can be hard to foster, the simple act of gathering and putting one step in front of the other, has formed a web of support for its members and at the centre is Moore. 

“People always say she is very sweet – and she is,” said Lewis. “A very kind person. She is concerned about the people around her. She is intelligent and thinks of others before herself”

Kennedy agrees.

“I generally don’t walk around with a frown on my face,” he said. “But if you’re down, Dawn will notice. She is sensitive to others and will ask if she feels you’re just a bit off. 

“Dawn and Paddy are intelligent people so they know they are doing something good, but I don’t know if they understand on an emotional level how deeply I feel about what they are doing. I am not sure they really know how big the impact is on the community.” 

The future

For any community group in a pandemic, there is a lot of uncertainty. While in-person walks are not an option at the moment, Moore plans to start another virtual walk and zoom coffee soon. She hopes to plan future Walkstar travel adventures which in the past have taken the group to Mexico and she is figuring out the future of Walkstars beyond the pandemic. To learn more about Walkstars visit them on Meetup. 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

December 2, 2020 in Blog, Current News, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Cozy up with a good book

The winter is the perfect tie to curl up with a good book. Whether you are seeking refuge from the unrelenting rain or your family has the tradition to exchange books during the holidays, we want to send some local love to Lynn Valley’s resident authors. We did some digging and think all these authors live in the area – we may be off but they all have ties to the North Shore. Special thanks to the North Vancouver District Public Library staff who helped with this post.

Local literary picks

Garet Anderson

Set on the west coast Killer Gold tells the story of Bedard, who is hired by Queen Victoria to track down and deal with criminals preying on those working in the Lower Fraser River gold rush on Canada’s west coast in 1858. At the library here.

 Jenn Ashton

Check out her latest book People Like Frank – And Other Stories from the Edge of Normal. Inside you will find a young woman in a group home investigating a mysterious piece of knitting.  An obsessed bag boy does grim battle with a squirrel. A woman, an asparagus bag and a garbageman have a tumultuous short-term relationship. Otherwise unremarkable achievements become epic on the edge of normal. Ashton also has two children’s books.

Evelyn Cohoon Dreiling 

Dreiling has penned three books featuring the fictitious Tracey family and their journey from Scotland to a newly colonized Canada. The novels span multiple generations from Scotland to Montreal to Saskatchewan. Check them out.  

Megan Clendenan

Clendenan has written both fiction and non-fiction. She debuted her young adult fiction book Offbeat last year and is looking forward to her forthcoming non-fiction book. Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet will help kids answer their questions about the 

Michele Fogal

Fogal has always felt a sense of kinship with quirky and diverse people. As a bisexual author, writing love stories that explore the rainbow of human experience is both a pleasure and a calling. Her work celebrates the divine nature of diversity and the sacred, messy work of intimacy. She has two books, King of Snowflakes and King of Rain, available at the NVDPL.  

Daniel Francis

Francis is the author of 30 books, principally about Canadian, BC, and local history. Where Mountains Meet the Sea describes how the community of North Vancouver originated as the sawmill town of Moodyville, then evolved into a residential suburb of Vancouver until following World War Two it emerged as a bustling urban centre in its own right. The book documents the district’s major industries — shipbuilding, forestry and deep water shipping — as well as the rich legacy of outdoor recreation for which it is still known.

Eve Lazarus

Passionate about history and writing, Lazarus has published numerous books chronicling Vancouver’s past. More than a writer she also has podcasts on her website. The library has an excellent selection of her books.  

Fernando Lessa 

As a professional nature photographer, Lessa travelled all over the world. He didn’t have to look far for his 2019 book Urban Salmon: A Photographic Journey into the Metro Vancouver Watershed. The project chronicles two years in the Vancouver area. 

Steve Galliford

Based on his adventures and bedtime stories for his children, Galliford released his first book a few years ago. The House at the Edge of Space, a children’s novel follows a boy as he discovers incredibly weird secrets near an abandoned house on the outskirts of town.

Vihba Sisodraker

For those wanting to take their book to the kitchen check out this new cookbook from a local family. Perfect for cool nights: The Flavourful Indian – Recipes from My Kitchen.

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

December 1, 2020 in Artistic Endeavours, Blog, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Virtual worship

This time of year community often draws together. Most years that would mean churches and meeting halls are flooded by people celebrating the season. Still an important religious time and a tradition for many families, local churches are taking their celebrations online. From month-long advent activities to candlelight Christmas Eve, the community can come together virtually.

Local church information

Many worship communities are wrestling with the changing covid-19 restrictions. Plans laid months ago are being adapted. We have done our best to track down what is happening but for the most up-to-date information visit each church’s website closer to Christmas.

St. Clement’s Anglican Church

This year, St. Clement’s Anglican Church has invited the community to join in celebrating the universal themes of Advent – Hope, Peace, Joy and Love – through online and outdoor activities, including a photo challenge and a virtual Lynn Valley Advent Calendar.
Online celebrations in the lead up to Christmas will include a virtual nativity pageant – including a retrospective of the last dozen years of the church’s originally written pageants  – and a traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols that will include carols and scripture readings from all of North Vancouver’s Anglican and Lutheran churches.
A live-streamed service will take place in the early evening of Christmas Eve, and be available for viewing throughout the night and onwards. A recorded Christmas Eucharist and message will be posted on Christmas morning.
Further details will be posted over the weeks to come on the St. Clement’s website.

Mount Olivet Luthern Church

Mount Olivet Luthern Church will be having its usual Christmas Eve candlelight service via Zoom this year, with wonderful Christmas carols to sing along to, pre-recorded with a brass ensemble by its music team.  The service will begin at 7pm on Christmas Eve.  Folks who want to join are most welcome and are asked to RSVP to Sheila at the church office ([email protected]) to get the Zoom call-in info. For more information on Mount Olivet Luthern Church visit its website.
Hillside Baptist Church
Hillside Baptist Church has both live-stream and recorded sermons on its website.
Lynn Valley United Church

The Lynn Valley United Church has been offering virtual services via Facebook. They have weekly options for connections.

Mondays offer Spiritual Practices via Zoom and Saturday morning coffee and questions via Zoom. December 24 they will have family services at 3pm, 5pm and 7pm and more extensive service at 9pm.  at To learn more visit its website.
St. Stephen’s Catholic Parish
St. Stephen’s Catholic Parish has a list of available virtual masses on its website. There is a mass scheduled at 10:30am December 25.
Valley Chruch
The Valley Church has been offering virtual services via Facebook Dec. 24 at 4 and 6 pm. To learn more visit its website.
Westlynn Baptist Church
The Westlynn Baptist Church has been offering virtual services via its website Dec. 24 they have a service at 6pm. To learn more visit its page.

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

December 1, 2020 in Blog, Current News, Neighbourhood News, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Shopping the neighbourhood

It’s a strange year to be out driving to malls and looking for just the perfect gifts for your loved ones. It is also a year where we don’t want to rely exclusively on online shopping. We need to support our local shops and groups. Local shops are the donors to our sports teams and schools. They give to our causes year after year and we need to keep them here as part of our community.

Christmas Trees

There are two fantastic Christmas tree suppliers that have adapted to be covid-safe. Many local Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers are supported by Scout Christmas Trees. In the past you may have picked up at their Park Royal tree lot, instead this year the Scouts will deliver right to your door!  Order here.  

The Lynn Valley Lions Club has moved their lot to Moodyville to accommodate its new drive-thru lot. You don’t even need to leave your car – volunteers will strap the tree to your roof. Details on how to sign up for your time slot can be found here. 

If you don’t want to miss out on wandering through the rain to pick the perfect tree – check out the ones at Maple Leaf Garden Centre.

Gifts for that special someone

We love the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre. It is generally a calm oasis in the trees, and what better place to find something that represents Lynn Valley. From nature-themed books to stuffed animals of local animals to eco-goods, there are delightful stocking stuffers and treasured gifts. 

If you want to support small businesses and local makers, creators, and authors – visit End of the Line General Store. Always packed with a beautifully curated collection, End of the Line pulls out all the stops for the holidays. Choosing something from this neighbourhood shop also supports so many other local artists. The shop is featuring KylesKiosk this season – malas made by Kyle as part of his journey with CHARGE syndrome. 

Did you know there are many sweet treats at Nourish especially brought in to stuff all those stockings? The curated collection offers quality sweets and treats that will be a bit better for your body and come from companies whose business practices are a bit better for the earth. 

Filling the house

Half the fun of the holidays is decorating and participating in all the traditions that make it special. 

We always love the creations at Mountain Market – and remember their generosity this year donating a flower to every Argyle grad? From wreaths to centerpieces to perfect bouquets. 

The Holiday Shop is now live at Local Flora – order some stunning floral decor. Our pick is the magnolia wreath – wow! She is also offering a floral subscription service for 2021.

Virtual love

We cannot all be together this year – but we can still share a bite. Folia Events is offering grazing boxes you order for delivery to family and friends, crack open a bottle of wine and launch a virtual celebration. 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

December 1, 2020 in Blog, Merchant Mentions, Neighbourhood News Comments (0)