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DNV sets library land sale record straight

Mairi Welman, communications manager with North Vancouver District, contacted LynnValleyLife with concerns regarding the circulation of an email containing false allegations of North Vancouver District wrongdoing in the sale of the former library property at 27th and Mountain Highway to the Bosa Development Corporation.

Marie emphasizes that these claims (including, we note from reading the email in question, that council “decided to give away a prime piece of real estate for free”) are “absolutely not true,” and that “all relevant policies, laws and regulations were followed.” She asks us to pass along the following information to Lynn Valley residents:

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February 23, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Governance and Services

Valentine’s contest entries heartwarming to read

Our 2016 Valentine’s Day Contest was the cause of passionate conversation during a LynnValleyLife meeting in January. We’d had a great response in the past to our “What Do You Love About Lynn Valley?” and “What’s Your Nickname for Your Loved One?” contests and we wanted to tap into our community heart yet again.

We know that Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the dreamy-eyed, star-struck lovers amongst us.  As any parent who has helped a child painstakingly craft 30 Valentine’s cards for their school chums knows, there are all sorts of friendships and affections to be celebrated on February 14.

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February 12, 2016 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours

New highway interchanges will affect Lynn Valley traffic flow

By Sue Ronson, Contributing Writer

There are big plans for the multitude of entrances and exits at the north end of the Iron Workers Memorial/Second Narrows Bridge. And let’s just say up front that it’s not going to be easy getting through all this construction, but in the end we think Lynn Valleyites will agree that it’s all been worth it.

This is a $150 million project. And it’s going to take five years. It’s also going to happen in stages:

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February 3, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Governance and Services, Guest Voices

Enter our Parent-Child Valentine’s Day dinner contest!

Valentine’s Day isn’t just red roses and romance – it’s a chance to celebrate wonderful relationships of all sorts, whether it’s with friends, neighbours, or even co-workers (you know, the ones who bring in pink Rice Krispie squares or Purdy’s for all on February 14… we love them!)

So in honour of St. Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 14, we’re going to send a Daddy and Daughter, or a Mother and Son, to Browns Socialhouse for a sit-down dinner and some quality time together.

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January 31, 2016 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Uncategorized

No need to let loneliness take root in Lynn Valley

It’s no secret that social isolation is a huge problem in Metro Vancouver, especially since the Vancouver Foundation published its June 2012 “Connections and Engagement” report quantifying the extent of the issue. And although Vancouver has a reputation for being a place in which it can be difficult to make new friends, the problem isn’t just local. British coppers made headlines last year for having a cup of tea with a senior who had been driven by loneliness to make a call to the 999 emergency line.

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January 27, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Getting Involved, O'Malley's Musings

Lynn Valley churches welcome refugee family

After weeks of waiting and planning, a group of North Vancouver residents celebrated the arrival of their sponsored refugee family at Vancouver International Airport on Friday, January 15.

The Syrian family of five was met by representatives of their large sponsorship group. REST (the Regional Ecumenical Sponsorship Team) is composed of people from North Vancouver Anglican and Lutheran Churches (including St. Clement’s Anglican and Mt. Olivet Lutheran in Lynn Valley) and from the Sutherland Secondary School community.

IMG_6532As you can see from the faces in the photo, the first meeting was a joyous one despite the hardships the family has endured in recent months. “They are lovely people who are extremely grateful to be here,” said Shannon Muir, one of REST’s coordinators. “They even asked to talk to the media today so they could say how grateful they are to Canada.”

Arrangements have been made for the family to live in the Blueridge area, at a rent generously reduced by the homeowner. Under the terms of the blended sponsorship agreement, REST will pay the family’s living expenses for one year, with the federal government contributing six months’ of social assistance-level funding.

REST is also awaiting the arrival of a vision-impaired young adult from Somalia, who will live with one of the team members in the Grand Boulevard area, and a 20-year-old Iraqui man who will be rejoining his family here. Anyone wishing to donate to the REST refugee efforts is invited to make a donation to the refugee fund of any of the sponsoring churches: St. Clement’s, St. Agnes, St. Catherine’s, St. Martin’s, or St. John’s Anglican Churches, or Mt. Olivet and Gloria Dei Lutheran Churches.

January 17, 2016 in Blog, Current News, Getting Involved, Notable Neighbours

LynnValleyLife Good Neighbour for 2015 announced!

If you’ve been around these parts for a while, you’ll know that we at LynnValleyLife love collecting stories of the good citizens in our midst, and drawing from amongst them to name the recipient of our annual Good Neighbour Award. (Have a look in the Notable Neighbours section of our Front Porch blog for past winners and nominees, and pop by our office for a look at the Good Neighbour award plaque!)

We’re delighted to announce that this year’s representative of all of Lynn Valley’s good neighbours is Cath Bates Dimmock of Hoskins Road. Cath was nominated by her daughter, Carly, for whom she is obviously a huge inspiration. Thanks, Cath, for all you do for the young ladies and lads in the Argyle gymnastics program, and thanks, Carly for letting us know about it! Your mom will receive her own Good Neighbour Award plaque and a $50 gift certificate, courtesy of the Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub!

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December 23, 2015 in Blog, Contests, Current News, Notable Neighbours, School News

Gifts for shelter residents welcome indeed

Whatever “the Christmas spirit” is, it is decidedly not embodied by the horrible task of spending time and money searching out gifts you’re pretty sure the recipient doesn’t need and may not even want.

It’s a wonderful feeling to find something you know is just right for a friend or loved one. But when you’re stuck trying to find something for the “person who has everything,” why not consider gifting someone else in their name instead?

You’ve heard of buying goats, chickens, or school books for families in developing countries. But one close-to-home opportunity that warms the heart of giver and givee alike is offered by the seasonal Homeless Partners website.

The organization has collected stories and gift requests from residents of shelters in North Vancouver and other areas around metro Vancouver. Here’s a typical story, from Morris:

Morris is in his sixties. He was born in Courtenay, B.C., but has been in the Vancouver area since 1972 for work. Morris worked in sheet metal. His biggest challenge right now is maintaining personal security. It is his family that helps him feel most encouraged.

Morris’s request is for running shoes or jeans. A donor can pledge one or both of these gifts, and drop them off at the housing shelter with a card for Morris (drop-off instructions are provided). There are dozens of other stories on the site, with more added as the month progresses.

So, rather than struggling to find gifts for the “have it all” people in your lives, bring some peace and cheer to your shopping by pledging a gift that you know will be well-used, and much appreciated.

Here’s what one shelter resident said about the experience of receiving a gift through this initiative:

The most encouraging thing is knowing that people care. I find it really encouraging that total strangers could care so much about someone they don’t even know.

If that sounds like the kind of Christmas spirit you’d like to share, visit the Homeless Partners website soon!

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December 6, 2015 in Blog, Current News, Getting Involved

Christmas coming alive in Lynn Valley!

The Christmas season is officially arriving at Lynn Valley in the days ahead, and we can’t wait! (And remember, a great way to celebrate the season is to let us know about the people who have made our community a better place in the last 12 months, in ways large or small. Nominate them for the LynnValleyLife Good Neighbour Award now!)

Do you have a Christmas event you’d like us to promote? Drop us a line at [email protected] and we’ll make sure it gets on our Events Calendar and/or Facebook page. 

Mollie Nye lights the sky

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, Mollie Nye House hosts its traditional Bright Christmas from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the community’s heritage home at 940 Lynn Valley Rd. A lantern parade will gather at Karen Magnussen Rec Centre at 6:30 p.m. and process to Mollie Nye House,  where everything from gingerbread and ornament making to science experiments to carol singing will accompany your hot chocolate and cider. Santa will count down to the grand light-up at 7 p.m. sharp! Sponsored by the Lynn Valley Services Society.

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LV Village trees a’ twinkling

Lynn Valley Village will come alive with the lights of dozens of Christmas trees, with a special “Lynn Valley Christmas” light-up ceremony happening on Sunday, December 6 at 4:30 p.m. You can look forward to crafts, carols, face painting and balloons and a visit from a very special guest! This great community forest of twinkling trees is sponsored by the LV Community Association, the LV Lions (who provide the trees), the LV Legion and NV District. Attendees to the light-up event are encouraged to bring a gift for the LV Legion’s Toy Drive (speaking of which, read on….)

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Legion hosts ‘drive n’ drop’ gift drive!

The Lynn Valley Legion members hold a Christmas gift drive to support the work of the Salvation Army every year, but this year they’re inviting everyone to join the fun!

Wednesday, December 9 is “Drive up ‘n Drop off” day from  7:30 – 11;30 am. You can “drive thru” with your gift and receive a complimentary muffin and coffee in return, or you’re warmly invited to park your car and come on in for a pancake breakfast!

This is great way to involve your kids in some Christmas giving – they probably know better than you do what gifts would be most appreciated under the tree! Gifts for newborns through young adults are very welcome. If you don’t have a resident expert to advise you, the Legion has published the following wish list:

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LV Lions have a tree just for you!

Put your Christmas spending dollars to work in your community by supporting the Lynn Valley Lions’ annual Christmas Tree Sale.

The Lions will open their tree lot on Saturday, December 5, in Karen Magnusson Rec Centre’s upper parking lot.  The lot is open every day until all the trees are gone – and no one knows exactly when that will be, so make sure you get yours early!

(Psst – Looking for boughs to decorate your home or office? Why not make a donation and haul off some of the branches that pile up over the course of a day at the tree lot?)

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Carols and concerts galore

We love to help spread the word about special services and carol events – let us know, so people can go!

One wonderful concert is happening on Saturday, December 5 at 7 p.m. – it’s the annual One Voice concert at St. Clement’s Church. Under leadership of music director Lynley Lewis, youth as well as adult Ismaeli choirs will be performing alongside choirs from St. Clement’s Anglican and Lynn Valley United Church’s community choir, Bring Your Own Voice.

Part proceeds raised by ticket sales will go to support the Regional Ecumenical Sponsorship of Refugees (REST), a group representing North Vancouver Anglican and Lutheran churches who are awaiting two soon-to-arrive refugee groups.

St. Clement’s is located at 3400 Institute Road (the church with the anchor in the front yard). Tickets are $12 in advance; $15  at the door. Children under 3 are free. Ticket sales: [email protected]/778-882-5858.

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November 28, 2015 in Blog, Community Events, Current News

Lynn Valley organizations gather to swap ideas

From the desk of Peggy Trendell-Jensen, LVLife editor

It’s no accident that Lynn Valley has become one of the North Shore’s most family-friendly places to live – the fact is due in large part to the efforts of our neighbourhood groups, schools and other volunteer organizations who put community building at the top of their agenda.

So it was with great anticipation that LynnValleyLife helped convene a gathering of community representatives at a wine, cheese and visioning event that took place last Wednesday in the cosy wood-cabin lodge within the Laura Lynn townhouse development. The aim of the event’s steering committee (which also included Alecia Greenfield from St. Clement’s Anglican Church, and Shauna Grinke, Blair Odney and Sophia Ducey from Lynn Valley United) was to get in one room a cross-section of Lynn Valley people whose vocation – whether paid or voluntary – is to make this neighbourhood happier and healthier.

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November 22, 2015 in Blog, Current News, Governance and Services, Notable Neighbours, School News