Spring has sprung, along with a new round of rec commission programs in the Lynn Valley Community Room in Lynn Valley Village.
Whether it’s walking, dancing, martial arts, skipping or talks on street sense and nutrition, there’s something for all interest groups.
First classes in some programs start April 11, so register soon! Check out details, here.
We were delighted here at LynnValleyLife when local writer Gail Johnson asked our sponsoring realtor Jim Lanctot to share his experience in fractional real estate ownership.
Her article was recently published in Yahoo! Canada‘s Finance section, and gives insight into the possibilities – and pitfalls – presented by the shared ownership of recreational real estate.
Here in our Lynn Valley residential market, Jim draws on his extensive experience with alternative ownership structures to find solutions that work for homeowners wanting to upsize, downsize, or trade homes.
“I enjoy finding solutions for people who have a real estate dream they think is impossible,” he says. “It’s amazing what can happen when you get different people talking together and looking for win-win solutions.”
Gail Johnson is an editor at the Georgia Straight newspaper and award-winning journalist who writes for Yahoo! Canada, the Globe and Mail, alive magazine, and other publications. She’s a mom of two young boys and loves living in Lynn Valley. We look forward to reading more of her work!
From Lynn O’Malley: There aren’t many of us who can claim our lives have had the same immediate impact as that of a little boy named Finn.
Finn Sullivan was a Lynn Valley lad – brother to Sarah and Baird, son of Patrick and Samantha – who was diagnosed with cancer at 21 months and succumbed to his illness when he was three years old. We can all imagine the hole he left behind.
But – holy smoke! – that sure wasn’t the end of his story. That was the beginning of “Team Finn’s” determination to honour his life by raising funds to help alleviate the suffering of other families experiencing pediatric cancers, and ultimately to help fund a cure.
Since his passing in October 2008, Team Finn has raised over $1,000,000 for the B.C. Cancer Foundation. Yes, you read those zeros right – that’s one million dollars, raised via ongoing charitable adventures such as the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Children’s Hospital’s ChildRun.
Coming up are two great events for local supporters who might not be up to cycling across Western Canada (as Finn’s dad, Patrick, did last year!)
A Team Finn Wine Tasting Festival at Seymour’s Pub takes place on Wednesday, April 4 from 6 to 9 p.m., where you can enjoy 19 different wins, great appies and a super silent auction. The $35 tickets must be purchased in advance, and all details are on this poster.
On Saturday, April 7, Escape Adventures will host a Team Finn Family Day and take families for a cycle tour of the Seymour Demonstration Forest. The $25 fee covers a family of four for the 90-minute expedition. Registration details are here.
“We have been incredibly fortunate to have the support of our Lynn Valley community and think these events are a wonderful opportunity to continue to support Team Finn,” says his mom, Samantha Mason.
Well, we at LynnValleyLife think our community is pretty lucky to be home to special families like this one. We look forward to hearing more about the amazing achievements of Team Finn and its many supporters.
For more information, visit www.teamfinn.com.
If you have a Lego enthusiast at home, they’ll want to know about a special Lego Camp happening at Upper Lynn Elementary this spring.
Starting April 5 and running every Thursday afternoon until May 10, the camp will have intermediate Lego crafters building new skills in construction and robotics. Details are as follows – sign up soon so you don’t miss out!
April 5 – May 10
Thursdays 3:30-5:00
for ages 8 + (six sessions); $75/child.
Upper Lynn School, 1540 Coleman St.
For questions or to register email Julie [email protected]
This Intermediate camp is for children who have some experience building with Lego Technic. Imagine the fun your child will have building complex machines and motorized mechanisms such as a dragster, a working grandfather clock, robotic animals, a power generating wind turbine, a Ferris wheel and a pneumatic claw. This camp includes an introduction to the Lego Mindstorms robotics system.
Instructor Zakary Molls has been teaching in the Coquitlam school district for the last 15 years. During that time he has taught students from grades K to 12 and he is currently teaching Digital Media, Computer Programming, and Robotics at Dr. Charles Best Secondary. Zakary also works as an instructor at Capilano University where he runs the Lego Robotics programs for the Serious Fun Summer and Spring Break camps.
Families wanting to experience movement, creativity, music and yoga with their children will have the opportunity to try a new class offered in the program room adjacent to the kids’ section in Lynn Valley Library.
Megan Johnson of One Soul Yoga is offering a six-week Yoga and Arts programs for parents and tots and/or older children. Classes begin on Saturday, March 31 and run until May 5. Details are as follows:
10:15-10:45 a.m.: Parent and Tot yoga and arts, ages 2-4 (five years permitted especially if you have two children i.e. 3 and 5).
11 a.m.- noon: Family Yoga, ages (5)6-12.
1-2 p.m.: Family Yoga and Arts, ages (5) 6-12.
Pre-registration suggested to ensure a spot.
Cost is $75 for parent and tot, $100 for parent and older child. Drop-in tots are $15; a drop-in family is $20. $5 extra per class for each additional child.
For questions or to register, contact [email protected].
Lynn Valley United Church is thrilled to announce a special one-night performance of the critically acclaimed play by Mitch Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher, “Tuesdays with Morrie,” on Tuesday, April 3, at 7 p.m.
Featuring the multi award-winning actor Antony Holland and local rising talent Joel Grinke, this story speaks of connection, loss and renewal, and is offered as part of the church’s “real stories of Easter” Holy Week experience.
Tickets are $20 ($5 discount for students), and are available at the church office or at the door on the night of the performance. Proceeds from the performance will go towards repaying the government resettlement fees of the refugee family the church has been helping to support over the past 11 months.
Tuesdays with Morrie is based on the true story about the relationship between a sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz (played by Antony Holland), and his student, Mitch Albom (played by Joel Grinke). The two bond through mentorship, with Mitch graduating and promising to keep in touch…a promise he forgets almost immediately.
Mitch abandons his creative passions and chooses a fast-paced career as a sports columnist that makes him extremely successful, but also a workoholic. Morrie, on the other hand, has since been diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and forced to retire. News of Morrie reaches busy Mitch, who hops on a plane in hopes of clearing his conscience.
With that one visit, and Morrie’s playful manipulation, sixteen years are erased and Mitch finds himself, once again, Morrie’s student; only this time, the lessons are far more important.
For information or to reserve tickets, call the church at 604-987-2114; their website is www.lynnvalleychurch.com.
Lynn Valley artist Ishrat Khan has experienced a rich life, including immigrating to Canada from his native India in 1965. Yet another highlight will be the exhibition of his work in the District Foyer of North Vancouver District Hall, beginning with a reception on April 4 and continuing through to May 29.
We wanted to learn more about this artistic Lynn Valley resident, so asked Ishrat a few questions about his craft, and his life since moving to this community in 1996.
How would describe the type of art you create?
Contemporary; semi-abstract.
What’s your ‘artistic journey’ been to date? Have you always painted, or have you worked in different genres?
It’s been great to be able to express feelings through painting; I have been painting since my high school years. It’s a wonderful pastime; it’s very fulfilling and keeps me out of trouble.
Do you work alone, or take part in some sort of artists’ community?
As far as painting goes, I have always worked alone, except for shows where I have displayed works with others.
What inspires you to create works of art?
Inspiration comes from people, surroundings in Canada and through my travels in Asia. Vancouver’s West End and Stanley Park have always inspired me to paint.
What do you do with your finished pieces?
Usually sell them.
Can you tell us about one or two of your favourite pieces?
The Kayakers, Mountain Highway, Brick Crushers Bangladesh.
What are some of your other hobbies?
Mostly tennis – I play on the Boulevard and at the Grant Connell Tennis Center in North Van, and at the Stanley Park Tennis Courts.
Can you tell us a bit about your ‘day job’?
Looking after the cat!
How can people see or learn more about your work?
The best way is to visit my website: www.ishratkhan.com
If you answered Joseph, father of Jesus and husband to Mary, you’re right. Here at LynnValleyLife, we discovered that today (March 19) is the traditional feast day of Joseph so thought we should mark the occasion with some interesting information (which may even help you sell your home!)
Though it isn’t officially sanctioned by the Catholic church, many people have adopted the long-standing habit of burying a small statue of St. Joseph in the yard of the home they are trying to sell. The practice has become so widespread that it is now catered to by retailers who stock purpose-made plastic statues for realtors and homeowners. (Fortunately, a more eco-friendly alternative made of clay is now available as well!)
An article on this curious practice was written by Ontario realtor Brian Madigan, who notes:
Prudent realtors also recommend the following advice in addition to burying Joe: “For this practice to be fully effective, the seller must, of course, first do such practical yet all important chores as completing all necessary fix-up, properly staging the home and finally, adjusting the price so as to exactly reflect market value.”
We would concur – and, of course, recommend the services of good real estate agents who are willing and able to put in a great deal of earthly toil to make your heavenly homeowner dreams come true!
BY ANDREA WINTERBOTTOM, Vancouver Coastal Health: For over 20 years the Congregate Meals Program, or “The Diners’ Club,” has been serving nutritious, affordable evening meals to seniors at four North Vancouver locations.
Starting on Wednesday, April 11, this Vancouver Coastal Health program is expanding by offering lunches at Mollie Nye House. To celebrate the launch, North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton will be taking part in the inaugural lunch, which begins at noon.
As Mollie Nye House is a hub for Lynn Valley seniors, it felt natural to approach that facility for space to serve lunches. Gillian Konst, Mollie Nye House program coordinator, views this lunch program as a welcome addition to services for seniors in Lynn Valley.
The food (soup and sandwiches) is prepared by the North Shore Culinary School, which operates under Chef Don Guthro on the North Shore. The program offers youth and transitional adults the opportunity to learn skills that will pave the way for them to be meaningfully employed and re-engaged in their community.
The cost of the lunch, including tea or coffee, is $4.00. To reserve your space, please call Andrea at 604-904-6483.
The Congregate Meals Program is looking forward to welcoming you to munch and mingle at Mollie Nye House, which is located at 940 Lynn Valley Rd.
When you munch and mingle
your taste buds tingle
and your brain cells can bloom
when you’re in the room
with many like-minded folk
taking part in conversations that evoke
a pleasant feeling, a community connection that contributes to your overall health and satisfaction.
Your belly is pleased, your mind’s stimulated and eased;
you mingle and munch and you care a whole bunch for all those around you including yourself.
You pay attention to your good health and realize how good you feel when you share a splendid meal.
– Andrea Winterbottom is the Congregate Meals Program Coordinator for Vancouver Coastal Health.
FROM LYNN O’MALLEY: As of the first week of May, we Lynn Valleyites have the chance to step up and really prove ourselves. That’s when the North Shore Recycling Program is extending its weekly yard waste pick-up service to include food scraps.
This is exciting news for the majority of locals who have, over the past decade, become more and more conscious of the amount of garbage they generate. As they’ve reduced and reused, and been given increased recycling options such as those discussed in this recent post, many people been able to reduce their household waste a significant amount.
Amanda Vantol of the NSRP demonstrate a stainless steel under-sink bin she likes to use to collect her kitchen waste.
However, food scraps and food-stained paper products that aren’t appropriate for backyard composting have continued to pose a problem. Bones, meat, dairy, grains, used paper towels …. all have ended up in the garbage can.
But these are just some of the items now eligible to be added to our yard waste collection bin (as of your first garbage day in May). The question is, will we bother?
Jenn Meilleur of the North Shore Recycling Program says that people in some municipalities in Metro Vancouver, where food scraps collection has already been introduced, have been a bit slow on the uptake – “but participation is increasing over time,” she notes.
Sure, separating out our food scraps will require a change in habit, but that doesn’t mean it’s an onerous task. That’s why I’m telling you now, so you can start planning ahead and be waiting eagerly at the curbside with your food scraps can when the truck rolls up in May.
This isn’t just an investment in our environmental health, but in our municipal budget as well. According to the NSRP website, the 23,000 households on the North Shore who are already backyard composting are estimated to be saving our municipalities about $800,000 in tipping fees. Think of all the worthwhile neighbourhood causes that can be addressed with that saved cash!
Backyard composting remains the best option for organic waste, requiring no pick up or processing, but as this new food scraps program allows for an added number of items to be diverted from the waste stream, it will help reduce our waste tonnage even further.
The NSRP has an excellent FAQ section on its website, and will be sending out an info kit and Green Can decals to all households in mid-April.
The gist of the new program is this:
– food scraps and food-stained paper products can be added to your existing yard waste pick up, but…
– food scraps may NOT be put out at the curb in paper yard-waste bags.
– suggested containers include a basic 77-litre can; good ones are available at hardware stores for about $15. Stick a Green Can decal on it, and use the can for both food and yard waste.
– start thinking about kitchen systems that will help make this an easy habit to adopt. Hardware and garden shops carry a number of under-sink compost collection bins, or you can repurpose a lidded ice cream bucket.
– You can line your kitchen bin with a sheet of newspaper to make dumping and clean-up easier. Please note that plastic bags, even those marketed as compostable, are not accepted in the food scraps collection as they can hinder the processor’s machinery.
– By taking advantage of the various recycling options offered in and around Lynn Valley, you may find that your ‘main’ kitchen garbage can becomes somewhat redundant. Downsize it to save some space!
Let’s get cracking on our kitchen organization now and adopt this program with open arms. We can make Lynn Valley the top Green Can neighbourhood in MetroVan!