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Making a house a community home

The people behind Mollie Nye want the rooms and halls filled with the warmth of community and connection. With a range of intergenerational programs and a willingness to discuss more, this Lynn Valley jewel hopes you will stop by for a visit.

A community home

What is now known as the Mollie Nye house was one of the first homes built in Lynn Valley and was the lifetime home of Mollie Nye (1913-1997). The award-winning teacher was a lifelong community advocate who continues to serve long after her passing with the legacy of the Mollie Nye House. The community space remains a place to gather and connect.

Helen Murphy

“I want to fill the house as it should be,” said Helen Murphy, community engagement specialist for Lynn Valley Services Society.

The Mollie Nye House is a community resource overseen by a partnership between North Vancouver Recreation and the Lynn Valley Services Society (and also used by the Lynn Valley Community Association and the Lynn Valley Seniors Society). Its location and easy parking make it an ideal place for programming, said Murphy. 

“It is very accessible, there are good railings and grab bars – there has been a lot of care taken for access and inclusion,” she said. 

In an ideal world, the doors would be – literally – open and people would come and go from The House as a gathering space and community hub, said Murphy. This goal makes it an ideal space for rentals and to run inclusive community programming. 

Knowledge keepers and sharers

A wearer of many hats, Murphy brings her background as a community engagement specialist with past experience facilitating programming at Sunrise Senior Living, the District of West Vancouver and her work with the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. It’s shaping her vision to make The House a hub of intergenerational exchange. Programs run by the Lynn Valley Services Society aim to be affordable, keeping costs to a minimum and offering discrete financial assistance to those facing financial hardship. 

“One program I run is called Gather,” said Murphy. “And that is really the goal of Mollie Nye House to bring people together to create connections.”

Running every Wednesday through the end of the month each session is $7 and is facilitated and sweetened with tea, coffee and snacks. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds from young new immigrants to Lynn Valley old timers for an exchange of experience. 

“We have people in our community who have so much to offer,” said Murphy. “Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you are done. My work with the Tsleil-Waututh has given me an even deeper appreciation of knowledge keepers. My own [family] taught me the gift of sharing and teaching by just spending time together. I learned knitting, crochet, felting . . .”

The House is open to those who want to share a skill or experience. There are special events like Ocean Ambassadors Canada presenting a monthly Climate Cafe – a discussion of current events with an environmental lens, and a bi-monthly drumming circle. There are discussions in the works for more yoga. Plus an entire calendar filled with everything from Tai-chi to walking groups to the neighbourhood favourite Munch & Mingle. 

Mollie Nye House“There is a wonderful library in the back where people can come and borrow books,” said Murphy. 

To reach the goal of open doors and community gathering Murphy is always on the hunt for new programs to connect people of all ages.

“We don’t expect people to donate their time,” she said. “It could be singing, yoga, or something else fun. We have funding to pay people for their time and keep the programs low-cost for participants.”

Coming up

The calendar is pretty full at Mollie Nye House for the coming month. Join your neighbours at: 

  • Gather
    • Wednesdays until Oct. 30, 1-3 pm, $7/session tea, coffee and snacks, pre-register 604-987-5820
  • Drumming with Abby
    • Every second Monday, October 7 & 21,  3-4 pm. Suggested donation of sliding scale  $20
  • Climate Cafe with Ocean Ambassadors Canada 
    • Last Thursday of the month, Oct. 24, 1-2:30 pm, free, pre-register 604-987-5820. Light refreshments. Up next: Discussing carbon offsets

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.

October 3, 2024 in Blog, Getting Involved, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Lively Lynn Valley Legion

The Lynn Valley Legion has caught a fresh wind and its energy is bringing people in and pouring out into the community.

Energetic evenings

Flying under the radar, the Royal Canadian Legion Lynn Valley Branch 114 is building momentum to be the liveliest night spot in Lynn Valley. With expanded entertainment programming and more kitchen hours, young and old coming together and sharing their free time in this community institution. 

“There are lots of new faces,” said Joe Phillips, Legion president. “The crowd has changed a lot and we have almost doubled our membership.”

Popping into the Legion does not require a membership. Patrons are invited to stop by three or four times on a ‘temporary membership’ to make sure it’s worth the membership commitment before signing up – that said, memberships are half-price for the rest of the year, just $37.50 for new members. 

“Folks come in and it’s comfortable. It’s like a rec room of yesteryear – with two big 85-inch televisions,” said Phillips. “Plus a 45-inch TV on the patio with three heaters. It’s a great place to be on a cool night. We have great music and beverages that, we think, are at a reasonable price.” 

Leading the charge for new guests are trivia nights on Wednesdays. Teams test their knowledge with alternating weeks of music and general trivia. Thursday nights are a burger and beer special and live music – frequently Rufu Muse. Fridays bring the 50/50 and Legion classic Meat Draw. Saturdays are sometimes reserved for private events and, when open, the member’s favourite Meat Bingo takes centre stage. Since the season kicked off, Monday night has football on the big screens. Children are welcome each night until 8 pm.

Community givings

With roots dating back to 1925 the Royal Canadian Legion was founded to centralize support for WWI veterans. With a Lynn Valley presence since 1930, the Legion today contributes more than $150,000 dollars through grants and fundraising to veterans, first responders and local community groups. The Poppy Campaign alone received $76,000 in donations last year.

“We have a very active executive working for what’s best for the community and above all veterans [and first responders],” said Phillips. “Our goal is $100,000 and we won’t be able to do that without the community and members that volunteer at the poppy tagging platforms.”

It’s a simple process to give a couple of hours. Each of the eight or so locations across the District of North Vancouver has two-hour shifts. It’s a simple way to dip your toe into community service, said Phillips. This year’s campaign will kick off on October 27 and run through Nov. 11. To join the volunteers contact the legion or give Phillips a call at 604-315-1951 to take on a shift. 

The public platform is just one aspect of the poppy campaign with others being more than 200 donation boxes throughout the District and a partnership with School District 44.

“We want everyone to get a poppy,” said Phillips. “The young elementary students each get a sticker and the older students a poppy. That is over 12,000 poppies for all the schools on the North Shore.”

Funds supporting veterans and first responders go to a variety of projects from upgrading equipment at nursing homes to offering retraining and skill upgrades for young veterans. Other fundraising and grants support Lynn Valley community groups. These essential funds are distributed to everyone from sports teams to school PACs to community groups like Girl Guides. 

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.

October 3, 2024 in Blog, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Provincial priorities – Election 2024

With the provincial election mere weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about our community and the direction we want it to go. LynnValleyLife.com reached out to a number of organizations and individuals who are community leaders to get their two cents on the upcoming election.

Community engagement

Provincial voter turnout is down almost 25 percent from 20 years ago. Families have never been busier and local news has never been harder to keep up with. City council meetings and provincial debates don’t fit into the schedules of young people working two jobs. Seniors navigating the over-burdened healthcare system don’t have time to hold elected officials to account. Failed municipal, regional, and provincial projects are making people feel helpless.

We pride ourselves on being connected to the community. LynnValleyLife.com does its best to pay attention, ask tough questions, and leverage issues affecting Lynn Valley and the North Shore. Residents often seem surprised by decisions made on their behalf. Making a thoughtful intentional vote electing leaders that reflects your vision for the future is the simplest step to take.

Now is the time with an upcoming provincial election – the potential for a federal election – to dig in and participate in our democracy. Invest time and careful consideration in your vote and participate in guiding our future.

The goal of this thought gathering was to give a platform to those more engaged in the world of politics than the average citizen. We weren’t looking for them to endorse a particular candidate but instead to share which issues they think are the most pressing for the people of Lynn Valley and the greater North Shore. Some of these issues are bound to be universal like health care and housing, but there are distinct points of view unique to this community that candidates should have a position to support. Given the end of summer, we had fewer responses by deadline than hoped (that is we asked a diverse range of people/groups) and we appreciate those who took the time to share thoughts. 

North Vancouver Chamber

Patrick Stafford-Smith

The North Vancouver business community is diverse and strong – with many small- and medium-sized businesses, and several long-term larger employers.

The Top 3 concerns that dominate the business community are Transportation, Housing and Finding Staff. The challenges are all linked – good employees may often live outside of North Vancouver – due to a lack of affordable housing or any number of other personal reasons.  So, they take a long commute by car or if they are lucky, public transit. But, if the commute is too challenging, they may simply choose to find work closer to where they live.

This is not sustainable for local employers – so we are calling for provincial and federal investment to support the Mayors’ Council north shore public transit priorities. We are also looking for more housing options to help provide better options for people who work in the business and non-profit sector of our community.

Patrick Stafford-Smith   CEO –  North Vancouver Chamber

Board of Education Trustees

Linda Munro

Education matters to all of us. North Vancouver School District (NVSD) works hard to deliver learning opportunities that inspire student success. B.C.’s boards of education have identified three focus areas for the 2024 provincial election: inclusive education and student success; capital and deferred maintenance funding; and recruitment and retention of staff.

Locally, funding for inclusive education and core student learning remains an ongoing priority. Also, NVSD experienced record levels of new student enrolment in 2023-2024 and felt the impact of capacity pressure at some schools. Significant enrolment increases make capital funding for additional space a relevant local issue for the provincial election.  Key to our work at NVSD schools is community building and creating a sense of belonging.

Linda Munro, Chair – Board of Education, North Vancouver School District

Jordan Back

Jordan Back

I believe funding for infrastructure to be one of the key issues that we should be pressing candidates on, in the lead-up to this provincial election. The costs of all capital projects are skyrocketing, driven by factors such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising labour costs. Despite these challenges, local governments still have only a few avenues to fund these essential projects. Whether it’s active transportation improvements, turf fields, or new recreation facilities, these types of facilities are crucial for maintaining and improving the quality of life, as our community grows but we cannot get them built without a strong partner in the provincial government. 

Jordan Back, Lynn Valley resident, Councillor – District of North Vancouver

LynnValleyLife.com

Day in and day out we hear the challenges of housing in Lynn Valley. The North Shore is a highly desirable place to live. Growing populations throughout Metro Vancouver have only one solution: more supply. Policies are needed to support this at all levels of government, and the District of North Vancouver and the Province need to stop dragging their heels and work together to make it happen.

Families want their children to have the option to remain in the community where they grew up – bonus: deep roots translate to community involvement. Small business owners see the exhaustion of their employees with 90+ minute commutes – bonus: less traffic on the roads. Homes with easy options for aging in place and a return to multigenerational living – bonus: reducing the pressure on institutional spaces like daycares and seniors’ homes. Thriving communities evolve and an election is the time to look for leaders that support your vision for the future.

The team at LynnValleyLife.com

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.

September 5, 2024 in Blog, Governance and Services Comments (0)

Youth creating a 2SLGBTQIA+ community

Entering its third school year, Queerly Quilled has expanded beyond its original literary roots to be a growing community for queer youth. Kicking off its 24/25 season on Sept. 11 at the Lynn Valley branch of NVDPL, the founders hope to see new faces join.

Build it and they will come

(courtesy Queerly Quilled)

Argyle Secondary grade 11 students London Clark and Aria Iliakis have always felt welcome at the library. It was a place to spend time, hang out and connect with others that wasn’t home or school. Both cared enough to want to give back by volunteering for the NVDPL’s Teen Advisory Group. The supportive and open space inspired the pair to kickstart the first youth-led program at the NVDPL. In that time between now and then it has evolved from the initial book club to an inclusive youth activity club – that sometimes involves books. 

“It’s a really good community for queer teens,” said Clark. “It’s a chance to meet people from other schools.”

The founders hope to offer connection, understanding and community to youth who might not experience that in all aspects of their lives. 

“A challenge a lot of teens have is that a lot of my friends are straight,” said Iliakis. “They are great but they don’t understand what its like to be queer –”

“They don’t get ‘it’,” adds Clark. 

The humble roots of Queerly Quilled (follow them on Instagram for club info) focused on queer books with a handful of people coming to the first meetings. Over the last 18 months momentum has grown and the group has had its own metamorphosis into a fun community that allows teens to be teens without the restraints of their school or home lives.

“Sometimes teens don’t have parents who are accepting or they don’t feel comfortable being trans at school. Here they can be who they are,” said Iliakis. “We have some homeschooled kids who don’t have as many opportunities to meet other queer teens.”

Everyone has a first day

The founders credit the empowering staff at the NVDPL to support and help them hone in on their vision and help them expand the club beyond its original book club vision. 

“Jessie [Hawkes, former teen engagement librarian] was amazing to help us get on our feet,” said Clark of the NVDPL staffer who helped get the ball rolling. “Sara [Oremland] has been so supportive and helpful.”

The program was born out of the ongoing youth consultation from the Library’s Teen Advisory Group. 

“We want to both support and empower teens in our community, so to have teen-created and teen-run library program like Queerly Quilled is the epitome of our service philosophy,” said Sara Oremland, youth engagement librarian. “Youth-led programs like Queerly Quilled give teens the chance to shape their community and take ownership of their experiences at the library.”

From ideas to space and snacks, the founders say the Lynn Valley staff are excellent mentors to keep them on track. 

“We’re always open to supporting teens in running programs they devise, so we encourage them to bring their ideas to the table and let us know what programs they might be interested in creating and running. Our teen leaders for Queerly Quilled have demonstrated impressive leadership skills,” Oremland. “Our youth department has something in the works for a program that would be partially youth-led, hopefully for next year.”

 New members of Queerly Quilled will experience a welcoming space, games and opportunity to connect with others. They have cleverly incentivized participation to encourage participants to speak up and get involved. 

“I want to meet new people and I remember not knowing anyone but London,” said Iilakis acknowledging it’s brave to try a new thing. “We have a lot of ice breakers and by focusing on activities we have a chance to get to know other people.”

“No one is shy once a game of Uno gets going,” said Clark. “We created opportunities for people to win these gold beads – we call them doubloons – and when we have advance reading copies of books we hold auctions with the winnings.”

Meetings days bring an abundance of energy to the library, says Oremland. 

“Queerly Quilled is our most exuberant group, and the feeling of joy, inclusion, and belonging is palpable during every meeting of queer youth and queer allies,” she said. “Our library believes in being a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone in our community, and this is also a core tenet of our philosophy for teen services. Public libraries are one of the few public spaces that are actively welcoming to teens, so we want to show that they are welcomed and respected, through our programming like Queerly Quilled, and also in the materials we offer and the spaces we create for them.”

When the doors open on Sept. 11 at 4 pm Clark and Iliakis are hoping to see a bunch of new faces. 

“Come meet new people, have fun and join a community of people like you, your own age,” said Clark.

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.

September 5, 2024 in Blog, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

Fall for culture

An abundance of creative art and culture events are returning to Lynn Valley and the North Shore in late September/early October. The national celebration of arts and culture – Culture Days – begins Sept. 20 – Oct. 13. Nestled right in the middle is North Van’s annual event the North Shore Art Crawl from October 4 – 6.

Culture Days Sept. 20 – Oct. 13

With offerings that vary year to year from history walks to art exhibits to interactive programs Culture Days has a number of opportunities to engage with the local arts community. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities.

This year, only one event in the Lynn Valley area but there are a handful of others nearby that might be worth checking out. A full schedule of North Van events can be found here. 

Sept. 23, 6-7 pm – Bollywood Dance Class, Lynn Valley Village 

Enjoy some Bollywood dancing with your family with expert Bollywood Dance Instructor Rohan D’Silva. “Bollywood in the Park” a free dance program for all ages, out in the open air. No dance experience is necessary. So come one, come all and enjoy this high energy, fun class and learn some exciting Bollywood moves to the latest Bollywood dance hits – registration required.

Sept 28, 2 – 5 pm – Explore Backstage at Hendry Hall

The North Vancouver Community Players want you to experience the magic of live theatre.  Members of our theatre club will take you backstage at Hendry Hall in North Vancouer to discover and explore community theatre.  Learn a bit about the activities at Hendry Hall and its long history as a landmark in North Vancouver from 1942. Take a tour of the theatre – view creative set building and decorating, costumes and props, possibly try a reading.  An opportunity to talk to directors, actors, backstage hands, set designers and others who work to create our live productions.  Hear some of the hysterical goings on of live theatre and dare-we-say “occasional” bloopers.  Ever wondered if you have what it takes to participate in live theatre – come and find out. Registration is required. 

Oct. 8, 11 am & Oct. 10, 3 pm – Centennial Theatre Backstage Tour

Participants at the backstage tour of the Centennial Theatre will have the opportunity to go where the audience doesn’t. They will see the fly floor, backstage, the dressing rooms, and the audio and lighting  control booths, where they will see first-hand how we make the magic happen. Registration is required.

North Shore Art Crawl Oct. 4 – 6

Every year local artists and artisans invite the public into their studios or do join the at pop up galleries throughout the North Shore. The event takes place over three days in early October and gives the public to take in or participate in local art. Organizers of the the North Shore Art Crawl put it together by zones, making it easy to access a variety of events Oct. 4 – 6. 

Lynn Valley locations

Annette Arndt – visual artist – 954 Wellington Drive – Saturday & Sunday, 1 – 2 pm

@annettearndtartist 

Taking cues from nature, with either stark high-contrast realism or ethereal woods, oceans and mountains. Using traditional techniques and airbrush shifting between art and design. 

David Pirrie – visual artist – 1210 Arborlynn Drive Friday 7 – 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

davidpirrie.com • @davidpirrie 

An avid climber and ski mountaineer, North Vancouver-based David Pirrie creates mountain portraits that are multi dimensional and conceptually layered.

Dominique Walker – oils – 1780 Langworthy Street – Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 2 pm

dominiquewalker.com • @gallerydominique 

Dominique is a figurative and landscape painter who captures the spirit of the west coast in light-filled oil paintings. 

Group Show Mollie Nye House 940 Lynn Valley Road – Friday 7 – 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Caroline Liggett – acrylic 

carolineliggett.com • @carolineliggett 

Caroline, a North Vancouver native, finds inspiration in local landscapes. She teaches painting, sharing the joy and healing she found after her sister’s loss. 

Helen Murphy – textiles/fibre  

@craftnaturally 

Helen is an Irish Fine Arts Graduate with a love of fibres. She creates both functional and artistic pieces from sheep’s wool. Her love of life is evident in her colourful works of art.

Group Show Blueshore Financial Lynn Valley Branch 149 – 1199 Lynn Valley Road Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Emma Fish

Emma Fish – acrylic • mixed media • watercolour 

aworldoffishcreations.com • @aworldoffishcreations 

Emma paints landscapes in a vibrant light. She is committed to breaking down barriers to fine art by creating unique pieces of wearable art. 

Roberta Heaven – mixed media • soap • textiles/fibre 

@healinggardenartsstudio 

Roberta believes that art is a way to explore healing and growth. Her art studio focuses on the beauty of her garden and is reflected in her scarves, soaps and paintings

Group Show – 2651 Library Lane Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Carrie Hull

Carrie Hull – mixed media • oil 

carriehull.ca • @carriejhull 

Carrie Hull loves to paint interiors but also paints landscapes, still life, flowers and street scenes in oils and mixed media. 

Lynda Fownes – acrylic painting • mixed media 

lyndafownes.com • @lyndafownesartist

 As a North Shore artist, Lynda is a longtime Artists’ Guild member and was awarded AFCA status (2022) by the Federation of Canadian Artists. 

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.

September 5, 2024 in Artistic Endeavours, Blog, Community Events Comments (0)

A new watershed moment

Last month a community education and resource space was returned to the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR). A brand new Seymour Watershed Centre opened its doors to host future education and school groups.

Education to foster respect

The new Seymour Watershed Centre is a dual space housing some LSCR/Water treatment administration as well as acting as the home base for Metro Vancouver’s educational programming in the LSCR. Building on the legacy of the past Learning Lodge, Metro Vancouver is hoping public education brings a deeper understanding of our protected public lands. 

Heidi Walsh
(courtesy Metro Vancouver)

“We really want people in the region to understand where their drinking water comes from and the relationship between a closed protected land and source water quality,” said Heidi Walsh, director of watersheds and environment, reflecting on the building’s unique position between the mountains and the filtration plant. “It’s easy to make the connection between the rain falling in the mountains then going through the filtration process and out to our taps.” 

The new facility was created with an intentional educational design. Architects Local Practice aimed to nestle the building into the landscape while incorporating practical and educational features like cisterns.

“The way we have built it is to have a lot of the interpretive features outside the building,” said Walsh. “The map, the cisterns, and we have tried to incorporate some pipe into the seating. It is partially an outdoor classroom, so any member of the public passing by can learn about the watershed.”

Local Practice’s website explains the intention behind the design. 

“The building is an educational tool for visitors to understand the relationship between our water source and water use. Rainwater is collected off the north side of the roof into the educational cistern, which overflows into channels for visitors to engage and play in the educational area. The rainwater from the south side of the roof is collected into the greywater cistern and it is used for toilet flushing to directly reduce the water consumption of the building. Any overflow water from either cistern travels through the bioswales and is returned to the natural hydrological cycle in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve.” 

Ripple effects

Every year more than 6000 people come through Metro Vancouver’s education programs at Capilano, Coquitlam and Seymour watersheds. 

“It’s about a 50/50 split between student classes and public watershed tours,” said Walsh. 

(courtesy Metro Vancouver)

One of Metro Vancouver’s key education goals, says Walsh, is to foster respect and understanding of its ‘closed’ watersheds. 

“A closed watershed is protected from pollution, development, from wildfire – which is a really big risk to the integrity of our watershed system,” said Walsh. “There are lots of people who think other water comes from wells or somewhere else. 

“Our treatment design is based on the source water it gets. This design and infrastructure needs to treat water in our closed system. It is different from the infrastructure needed to treat water from a river or water that was open and people were boating, has cabins and septic fields. Protecting the land helps to simplify the process of our treatment.”

There are numerous reasons that Metro Vancouver developed the drinking water system using a closed system. Education is important to help residents understand the reasons there are substantial pieces of land set aside and protected. Top of mind this season is wildfires. 

“There is a 65/45 split of lightning versus human-caused fires. If we lost the trees in one of the watersheds it would be devastating to the system,” said Walsh. “Our plants wouldn’t be able to keep up with ash and it would have to go offline and put pressure on the system that is designed to have all three watersheds functioning. 

“We can keep that under really tight control when we can control who is coming in and what kind of activities are taking place. When our wildfire risk goes up, our activity level goes down.”

Walsh said she hopes that tours and facilities like the new Watershed Education Centre provide more people with understanding and respect for the reasons the areas are closed to the public. 

The new Watershed Centre can be found adjacent to the bathrooms at the Rice Lake parking lot in the LSCR. Tours and education program listings can be found here. Walsh says there is hope the snowpack will allow for the return of snowshoe tours this winter.

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.

September 5, 2024 in Blog, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors Comments (0)

Blooming business

The new owners of the iconic local landmark Mountain Market are seeing their business blossom in a new way. Earlier this summer Steve and Natasha Shim launched a website for online orders hoping to make their floral sales more accessible to those wanting to send flowers to those they care about in Lynn Valley and across the north shore. Plus we got their tips for the summer’s best flowers.

Working from home

The Shim’s took over Mountain Market last year when Mary and Steve retired, bringing Natasha’s expertise as a florist and their joint success running Denman Market & Flowers since 2007. 

“We have lived on the North Shore since 2010,” explained Steve Shim about their move to work in the community where they live. “We have two children and a dog named Winter. We enjoy exploring different parts of the area. We love travelling and hiking with our kids and Winter. It’s great to be here.”

As they learned the quirks of Mountain Market’s market they noticed that its reputation was far-reaching and that they were filling orders from throughout the world 

“We’ve been receiving many delivery orders for the Lynn Valley and north shore neighbourhoods from overseas, including Europe and the US,” he said. “To accommodate this, we’re providing photos and descriptions online to help customers place orders and see which flowers will be delivered. Additionally, our local neighbours and regular customers in the north shore can now easily contact us for special orders such as wedding flowers, anniversary bouquets, or urgent requests for funerals, celebrations of life and other occasions.”

Business is blooming

A new idea began to bud for the Shims as they considered this expansion to their business.

“We also launched ‘Atelier Floral Design’ at Mountain Market, where you can explore our florist brand in person or online. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for the latest updates and floral inspiration! “

This new dimension to their business is a way of trying to offer the same experience as wandering through their floral aisles at the neighbourhood (almost) corner store. 

“While visiting our store in person is a great way to see our full range of cut flowers and plants, we strive to deliver the same quality in every order. Whether ordered online or picked up in-store, there’s no difference in the quality of bouquets or arrangement,” said Shim. “Online orders do incur a small delivery fee, but you can also choose to pick up your order. Our priority is to maintain the freshness of our flowers and offer reasonable prices, as each order is meant for loved ones. We value customer reviews and feedback greatly, as they help us ensure satisfaction.”

Regulars can fear not – custom or your ‘usual’ can also be ordered online.

“Regular customers can also request their usual orders online. We’re now accepting all types of orders — regular or special — via our store, phone, and website. We’re here to brighten your loved ones’ special occasions,” said Shim suggesting the form on the ‘contact us’ page as the best place for unique or regular orders. “Custom orders can be placed online. We’ve recently handled wedding flower orders, including bridal bouquets, corsages, and boutonnières, as well as ‘celebration of life’ arrangements.”

Making love last

The team of four behind the Mountain Market and Atelier Floral Design have some suggestions for enjoying cut flowers through the heat of August. 

“While most cut flowers struggle in the heat, they do well if kept in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

To help flowers last longer, change the water in the vase or jar daily, or use a flower preservative if you have one,” said Shim. “When changing the water, trim the stems slightly—about an inch—and use cold or ice-cold water. Keeping the water clean is crucial. Cold water and ice are especially helpful in hot weather.”

August is a great time for local flowers with many colorful options available. 

“In summer, sunflowers and dahlias are popular choices,” said Shim. “Sunflowers are long-lasting, affordable, and large, making them perfect for gifts or to brighten up your space. Both sunflowers and dahlias are seasonal, but roses, chrysanthemums, lilies, gerbera daisies and alstroemerias are available year-round in BC. We source most of our flowers from the BC Flower Growers Co-op auction, where you can find a wide variety of blooms from local farmers and around the world. “

Check out the flowers at Mountain Market at 3620 Mountain Hwy and send along their website to anyone you want to send you flowers: www.mtnmarketflower.com.

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.

August 6, 2024 in Blog, Merchant Mentions Comments (0)

Live entertainment through August

Live and Local events are returning in full swing to Lynn Valley Village with a full slate of performers and family fun throughout the summer presented by the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission. A downloadable calendar can be found here.

Live and Local

Each week new, emerging and accomplished performers will take to Lynn Valley Plaza for an array of entertainment to delight the young and old. Bring your chairs and settle in for some community fun from 6 – 8 pm.

The last two concerts feature Serengeti and R&B Conspiracy.

Serengeti offers an unforgettable musical odyssey.  The Vancouver-based afro-soul band features a fusion of a wide range of influences from Marvin Gaye to Fela Kuti. When you listen to Serengeti you will hear elements of funk, latin, soul, R&B, afro beat, and more! The extraordinary trio is the phenomenal Kaitie Sly on bass, the soul-stirring vocalist Sade Awele, and the virtuosic guitarist Amine Said. Serengeti’s music is a testament to their boundless creativity and emotional depth that redefines the contemporary music landscape, leaving an indelible impression on all who dare to listen. Serengeti’s music transcends the role of passive observer; it’s an immersive experience where the audience becomes an active participant, swaying to infectious beats and poignant melodies. The captivating essence of Serengeti resonates long after the last note, leaving an insatiable yearning for more, making every encounter with their music a transformative and enriching experience.

  • Friday, August 16 – Serengeti
  • Friday, August 30 – R&B Conspiracy

Artist Sessions

Take a mid-day break and chill with local artists at Lynn Valley Village with smaller concerts each week throughout the summer from 12 – 1 pm.

There might be chances to throw out requests on August 13th when Jana Seale takes to the stage.

Mesmerizing audiences from all over the world with her unique and gentle style, West Coast Canadian Jana Seale has travelled the world playing music. Now making her home in Chilliwack, she can be found performing throughout the SW of the province. Seales evocative delivery returns to the roots of the solo performer, reminiscent of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and the coffeehouses of times gone by. She performs with warm, understated fingerstyle guitar but it’s her multifaceted voice that captivates her audience night after night. With a songlist of around 500 songs including acoustic singer/songwriters from the 60’s to today, and a variety of Pop, Soft Rock, Country, Celtic and Jazz there may be a chance she plays your favourite.

  • Tuesday, August 6 – Pool and Craib
  • Tuesday, August 13 – Jana Seale
  • Tuesday, August 20 – Colin Sankey
  • Tuesday, August 27 – Alex Ritchie

Plaza fun and games

The family favourite big games and activities return twice a week – weather dependent – on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 am – 4 pm. Bring your family and play giant Jenga, Twister, scoop ball, charades, or even giant tic-tac-toe!

  • Thursday, August 8
  • Monday, August 12
  • Thursday, August 15
  • Monday, August 19
  • Thursday, August 22
  • Monday, August 26
  • Thursday, August 29

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.

August 4, 2024 in Blog, Community Events Comments (0)

Lynn Valley’s HopeU supports antiracist youth

We are pleased to partner with Argyle Secondary School’s journalism class for another student article from Austen Eidnani.

Since 2020 Charles Tetteh-Lartey has been educating the young about racism through his non-profit organization based in Lynn Valley, HopeU. Tetteh-Lartey is the Youth Pastor at Valley Church with a passion for working with youth. 

Hoping for the future

“There is no way that change can happen without conversation”, said Tetteh-Lartey from his office.

It is a cozy space with dim lighting, filled with books, and photos of friends and family. He is sharing his belief that communication is necessary for change, this ties into what HopeU is as an organization, and its message of anti-hatred.

“HopeU is not about the normal fight against racism,” said Tetteh-Lartey. “It is about equipping the next generation with tools that reveal their own biases and a fight for unity instead of hatred.”

“There is no way that change can happen without conversation” is one of the main pillars of HopeU as an organization. This belief is why Tetteh-Lartey does what he does in the community: communicating with young people in highschool, elementary school, and youth programs through workshops, seminars, and personal conversation.  

The spark

Following the George Floyd incident in 2020, Tetteh-Lartey found that people close to him were often arguing about it. Should this person be celebrated? Is it right? Is it wrong?

“I think people just need to hear stories of how this can affect people close to them and how we can focus on being better in the future,” reflects Tetteh-Lartey. “I did a video on my Instagram – when I had my Instagram public – and it got a few thousand views of people just listening to me sharing my thoughts, and that’s kind of how HopeU started.”

Tetteh-Lartey was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, one of the prominent leaders of the civil rights movement during the 1950’s – 1980’s. He was also inspired by Daryl Davis, a blues musician who converted dozens of former Ku Klux Klan members through communication and empathy. 

Change is never easy

After the noise from the George Floyd incident and the Black Lives Matter movement died down, many people believed the conversation was over. This has been a struggle for Tetteh-Lartey because the conversation is not over, and people still need to be educated on the matters of racism. Running an organization mostly by yourself is extremely difficult and stressful, especially when you are neurodivergent, said Tetteh-Lartey.

“For my type of learning disabilities, it’s hard to take in information standardly,” he said. “For school, or corporate jobs usually people take in information by meetings or lectures, and it is hard for me to take in information that way and regurgitate that information.

”What I see right in front of me is the most important, so I can not do something that is in the back of my head and bring it to the front, that is especially why running a business like HopeU on the side is hard.”

Never stop hoping

HopeU offers “table talks” and workshops for children and youth. Its programs have been used in conjunction with schools. Its website offers more information on its services and videos explaining his motivation for HopeU. Tetteh-Lartey hopes that in the future if – or once – the issue of social injustice is resolved that he can transform HopeU into fundraising help for students hoping to attend or attending university or college. 

 For more information visit https://hopeu.ca.

Written by Austen Eidnani, Argyle Secondary student

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.

August 4, 2024 in Blog, Guest Voices, Notable Neighbours Comments (0)

New tech programs offered by NVDPL

There are a number of innovative programs coming up in August at the Lynn Valley branch of the NVDPL. From creative technology advisors leading StoryLab workshops to hands-on opportunities for kids and tweens, we have picked a few to check out this month.

Innovative education and fun

The new and innovative programs coming out of the North Vancouver District Public Library StoryLab and children’s programming will open the doors to new skills, idea and even food. From boba tea to podcasting there are interesting options for all ages.

Kids and tweens

What’s better than Boba Tea? Making your own on Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 2-3 pm. Learn how to make your own bubble tea. You’ll start by learning how to roll your own pearls. Then, you will create a simple drink recipe to enjoy during the workshop. Experience the magic of cooking while practicing your culinary science skills! This program is for children eight-12. An adult guardian must be in the library during this workshop. Pre-register.

Make a video game

Every Wednesday in August you can head to the StoryLab from 2-4 pm to make a video game. Come learn the basics of using GB Studio to produce your very own retro video games! Craft your own interactive story while developing skills with the tools and techniques of video game programming. No coding experience is required! A creative technology advisor from StoryLab will walk you through programming a short game with plenty of room to add your personal touch. All equipment is provided, but it is suggested to bring a USB drive to take your game files home after the program. No age requirement is mentioned in the listing but a confidence with laptops is required. Pre-register.

Intro to Canva: posters

Learn how to use Canva’s graphic design tools by making a poster – August 8, 6-8 pm. You can promote your small business, find your lost pet, celebrate your favourite fandom, design your album cover and much more by learning the basics of Canva’s graphic design tools. Canva is a graphic design website that provides easy-to-use tools and resources. Anyone can make a free account and easily create and customize resumes, flyers, posters, collages, social media posts, and more.

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of using Canva by digitally creating at least one practice poster. Registration and details.

Podcasting 101

Join the StoryLab team Sept. 3 from 4-5 pm for an introduction to podcasting, how to make one, and how to use the StoryLab to record and edit. It will be a one-time information session via PowerPoint presentation with printed pamphlets for registrants to take home. For ages 13 and up. Registration.

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.

August 4, 2024 in Blog, Neighbourhood News Comments (0)