Editorial Committee: Evan Alderson, Susan Wright, Sharon Yandle
Production Editor: Robyn Chan
Contributors this Issue: M. Nagel (Regatta), Wes Knapp (Regatta), Kathleen Mackinnon (Regatta)
|
|
|
On Wednesday of last week, if you were lucky enough to be around Husain Rahim Plaza at the north end of Spyglass, you would have caught some nice jazz wafting through the evening air.
The 4-member combo had performed there in the past, as have others who sometimes show up unannounced and play for their own enjoyment. Sharing in that joy were about 40 people in the audience who remained for the full show while many passers-by stopped to hear a number or two before moving on.
If you can name the group or individuals in this photo, let us know. Always good to give credit where credit’s due.
|
|
BETWEEN THE BRIDGES LAYOUT VOLUNTEER NEEDED
Between The Bridges Bulletin production editor and RePlan Community Planning Assistant, Robyn Chan, is off on maternity leave in a few weeks, leaving a gap in the team! We are looking for a volunteer to take over layout responsibilities on a temporary basis.
|
|
Dates: for the May 21 and June 4 Bulletins
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours coordinating with the editorial team during the week, plus another 2-3 for Bulletin layout and finalization
Skills (or willingness to learn): We use Mailchimp and Google Drive
If you are interested in helping out, please contact:
*email is hidden, JavaScript is required* AND *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*
with your contact details and any relevant experience.
A time will be arranged before May 7 for a virtual training session with Robyn.
|
|
This week, RePlan had a productive meeting with City Councillors De Genova, Dominato, Hardwick and Kirby-Yung – and, as a result of our conversation, we are refining some areas of our work. As you know, all of RePlan’s initiatives support the objectives of restoring housing security for everyone in the community by way of long-term leases, and of adding new non-market housing.
ICYMI: In “False Creek South under fire,” the Globe & Mail highlights two significant and timely issues:
- A lack of transparency in discussions that are happening at City Hall
- The City’s problematic “fact sheet” for the neighbourhood. It contains demographic information for freehold strata condos to the east and the west of the community, and the acreages figures include public parks, water and roads. Read the article here.
|
|
Birds Of The Creek
BEHOLD THE WOOD DUCK
M. Nagel, Regatta
What an odd name for a duck! But actually very appropriate, as it has a habit of nesting in tree cavities, using old woodpeckers’ holes or artificial nest boxes.
The male Wood Duck is one of the most ornately plumaged waterfowl in the world. Its elegant plumage is a sight to behold and luckily can be spotted in our Charleson Pond right now.
From February on, female wood ducks (hens) will set out in search of a nest. Nests are built in March or April, with ducklings hatching in May and June. They do not gather nest material but just use the loose wood debris inside the hole or the wood shaving provided in boxes.
|
|
Usually, a hen lays 12 to 14 eggs, although some broods can exceed 15. This usually indicates a “dump nest" where another hen - often a young female that has not yet found her own nest site - has deposited the extra eggs.
Twenty-four hours after the ducklings hatch, the mother will call them away from the nest. With little peeping calls they make their way to the very edge of the tree cavity, pause for a moment, and then dive, plummeting to the ground!
Mothers prefer nest trees over water to make the landing a little easier for the ducklings. But even over land they emerge unhurt, and the hen will immediately lead them to water to begin swimming lessons.
Another feature of note: the wood duck is a “dabbler.” To dabble while on the water is to tip its head under in search for food, (such as plant life, algae, etc.) while sticking its backside up in the air for all to behold.
|
|
A DIFFERENT KIND OF ROCK FACE
|
|
One day resident Anna Simard noticed a significant change in the demeanor of a local rock.
Apparently, the rock was pretty satisfied with life in the Before Times. Maybe it even took it for granite because it definitely put on a Happy Face. Or maybe it was just a little bit stoned.
You might have expected a Sad Face for the Covid times that followed, but it seems that little boulder is made of sterner stuff. No rolling stone, this rock-hard fan of Dr. Henry has the grit to stay right here, an essential worker holding up the seawall.
|
|
A GROVE, TWO HILLS AND A POND
Wes Knapp, Regatta
The warmer weather entices us to seek outdoor places, put down blankets and lawn chairs and meet with friends and family. Our neighbourhood is blessed with so many wonderful spots where we can still distance ourselves and keep our gatherings small.
My favourite locations:
1. Cultural Harmony Grove
Not well known, this charming little site close to the Burrard Bridge on the Creek shoreline, has two monkey trees and a cozy sense of isolation about it. Look for the Coast Salish “Welcoming Figure” with its outstretched arms. If you invite your friends to meet at a place named Harmony Grove, how could they not show up?
|
|
2. Ron Basford Park
This “mountainous” green space on Granville Island is reached via a shoreline boardwalk with no hint that there’s a park at the end; a magical discovery. Sitting there with friends on a sunny afternoon is a delightful experience with so many choices where to plunk yourself down. This is the usual site of Canada Day celebrations, and you might even catch an impromptu performance at other times. Named for Ron Basford, this longtime Canadian Cabinet member was known as “Mr. Granville Island” for his support of the Granville Island redevelopment project.
3. Nine Tree Hill
Another favourite, Nine Tree Hill, named by residents in recognition of the lovely trees on this little hill (and just a slight nod to a former TV series!), is home to the False Creek South’s Grill ‘N’ Chill annual barbecue “normally” held in August. It’s located just west of the new children’s playground with its pirate ship and captivating equipment - a “must visit” for the children in your life. Sitting atop Nine Tree Hill you witness very active components of False Creek: walkers, cyclists, ferries, boats, paddle boarders, kayakers and, of course, people with their dogs.
|
|
4. Charleson Pond
Two spectacular willow trees grace the east side of this magnificent little pond, providing wonderful shade for a picnic. With a few large boulders most often occupied by seagulls resting and preening, the pond is also a magnet for mallards and an occasional blue heron. Mesmerizing to watch, the heron moves gently but deliberately along the shoreline, suddenly reaching out to snag something in the water.
Before leaving this park, take the short walk up the hill, recently cleared of brambles, to enjoy the spectacular view of the city and mountain and the much appreciated City’s creation of new spaces to enjoy False Creek South.
All of the little parks along the shoreline owe their charm to the False Creek waterway. The shoreline around the Creek could have been left flat and undeveloped, but instead was turned into a contoured landscape, enhanced by the material removed from the Creek some 50 years ago. This deepening and widening of the Creek itself provided the soil upon which we now play, walk and enjoy life in False Creek.
|
|
Daniela Elza writes:
I live in False Creek Coop and recently joined the Land Lease Renewal Committee. After, I sent letters to Council and City including my own survey in response to their survey. Lovely to see that highlighted in a recent Between The Bridges newsletter.
I love what Between The Bridges is doing. I enjoyed the piece on Laurel Street Bridge and the star shaped marina. I walk by there all the time and never knew it was in a star shape.
|
|
STAMPS LANDING, THEN AND NOW
|
|
If you haven’t seen this very early photo of Stamps Landing, it’s because Calgary photographer Bob Blakey just unearthed it from his 1976 Vancouver file. Compare it to Stamps today.
|
|
REMEMBERING OUR REFUGEE PROJECT
|
|
Almost six years ago, Regatta residents Kathleen Mackinnon and Wes Knapp conceived an initiative that drew this community together and continues to benefit our neighbourhood. After two years of preparatory efforts, the family of Azad Mohammad, Helwa Alamad and their daughters arrived in Vancouver as privately sponsored refugees from Syria, under the aegis of the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association.
Both the preparatory period and the project’s success marked an important moment, with continuing impact, in our neighbourhood history. It created exceptional collective goodwill through the direct participation of an extraordinary number of local residents and their donations of time, goods and money. For many of us it led to a lasting recognition of the benefits of living in a community infused with a spirit of generosity. Most importantly, it created new opportunities for enduring friendships and connections within our wonderful community.
Kathleen tells the story here.
|
|
CONTRIBUTOR GUIDELINES: ARTICLES AND PHOTOS
Between The Bridges welcomes readers’ contributions of story ideas, events of interest, original photographs, and completed articles relevant to the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association’s goal to “promote an economically, social and culturally diverse neighbourhood with a friendly, positive and vibrant sense of community”. For details go to:
http://www.falsecreeksouth.org/2021/01/between-the-bridges-contributor-guidelines/
|
|
|
|
|