Our Neighbourhood News:
From the Front Porch of LynnValleyLife

Hi there neighbours, and a very warm welcome to our blog, From the Front Porch of LynnValleyLife.

Why do we call it ‘From the Front Porch’? Because that’s where the real news of a community is shared – on front porches and sidewalks, and in coffee shops and playgrounds. So sit down and stay awhile…. and check back regularly, so we can keep you in the Lynn Valley loop.

Visit here for musings on local life from our neighbourhood observer, Lynn O’Malley, and stories from our editor Peggy Trendell-Jensen. Publisher Jim Lanctot weighs in with news from the world of Lynn Valley real estate,  and we look forward to bringing you a range of guest voices from your valley neighbours.

If you have any tidbits of interest, please send them along to our neighbourhood news-gatherer, Peggy Trendell-Jensen, at [email protected]. We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to post them all, but we’ll do our best to spread the word on this blog page or on our Facebook site!

Here’s the latest news…

Lynn Valley Merchant Profiles

LynnValleyLife knows that a good neighbourhood supports its merchants, and good merchants support their neighbourhood! The profiles on this page are an introduction to some of the people behind Lynn Valley shops and services. They are not endorsements, and we ask readers to do their own due diligence when it comes to their buying decisions. If you are a merchant who would like to be profiled here, please contact us for our merchant questionnaire. If you would like to nominate your own business for a profile, please click here for our Merchant Questionnaire, or pass the word along to your favourite retailer or service provider!

Andrew Knowles
Lynn Valley Bed & Breakfast

Address: 1428 McNair Drive, North Vancouver
Tel: 604.715.4207
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lynnvalleybedandbreakfast.com

Andrew is the man behind the pan at this Bed and Breakfast – he’s an avid cook who, along with his wife, enjoys welcoming guests to their home that borders the rich mountain biking wilderness on Fromme Mountain (yes, bikers are most welcome!)

Visitors come from all over the world. They are often visiting relatives here, and say that the best part of their stay is that they are close to their family but not on top of them! Andy says people have no trouble relaxing in his B&B. His advice to others? Always be positive – it will always attract people to you. Something else he’s learned in the business is to always be prepared for any eventuality!

Andrew doesn’t plan to do much relaxing of his own for a long time – his ‘retirement’ dream is to operate a traditional-style diner. In the meantime, if you want to experience some of his home cooking, you’ll have to book a night at the Lynn Valley Bed and Breakfast!

Mark Mentiply
Go West Metal Art

Tel: 604.988.2923
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gowestmetalart.com

Sculptor Mark Mentiply of Go West Metal Art welcomes visitors to his shop by appointment at 1266 Argyle Rd., where he has created distinctive artworks since 1999.

“I like that my customers are mostly local, and the style of my work complements our surroundings,” says Mark. His love of nature, particularly our coastal salmon, is apparent in Mark’s work and his community collaborations. He’s involved with the Seymour Salmonid Society, which benefits from a portion of his art sales, and donates sculptures for fundraisers to support the SPCA, Children’s Burn Unit, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Children in Burma, Whistler Animal Shelter and other such foundations.

“This business has taught me that when you pay it forward, it helps perpetuate more business,” says Mark, whose future plans include spending more time creating larger, more iconic, sculptures.

Mark’s favourite quotation is “A picture in the mind, backed by faith, will come to pass.” To visit Mark in his shop, please contact him to make an appointment.