|
|
Editorial Committee: Evan Alderson, Susan Wright, Sharon Yandle
Production Editor: Robyn Chan
Proofreader: Kathryn Woodward
Contributors this Issue: Jim Woodward and Kathryn Woodward (Market Hill), Roxanne Brooks (Spruce Village), Yael Stav (Spruce Village), Susan Wright (Henley Court), Roxanne Borisov (Twin Rainbows Co-op)
|
|
| Caroling And Hot Chocolate
WINTERFEST CONTINUES A LONG TRADITION |
|
It was a little cold but dry enough. In Leg-In-Boot Square volunteers strung lights, put up canopies and set out chairs. Beth and Magdalena baked goodies and brewed hot chocolate.
Jon Dron began to sing and the crowd began to gather. Then the kids showed up along with their families from False Creek Elementary School. It got noisy and the line for hot chocolate grew. The three actors from Mountain Lion Productions told their sweet Christmas story. Then PAC Chair David Shaub gathered his somewhat shy carolers to sing familiar words to familiar tunes, before reassembling them to grace the wider neighbourhood with holiday spirit, as has been done in the Creek for dozens of years.
A fest indeed! It was great! Many thanks to Beth and her team and to Susan Dehnel and the other organizers for putting it all together. |
|
False Creek South Community Housing Trust
WHAT IS A CHT? AND WHAT DOES IT HOPE TO DO?
Jim Woodward and Kathryn Woodward, Market Hill |
|
In the first quarter of 2023, City Planning staff will deliver a Report to Council to begin the process of revising our FCS Community Plan. Details of how we as a neighbourhood, along with other city stakeholders, can make contributions have yet to be finalized, but preparations here in FCS are forging ahead.
One example is the FCS Community Housing Trust (CHT). |
|
In a report on housing affordability, the City defined a housing trust as a “non-profit corporation created to acquire and hold land over the long term for the benefit of a community and provide secure affordable access to land and housing for community residents.” This seemed a good fit for our community of both mixed incomes and mixed housing tenures, including co-ops, stratas, non-profit and for-profit rentals. For more than 10 years the Neighbourhood Association’s RePlan Committee has sought how best to approach the City for both lease renewal and what constitutes the neighbourhood’s future. Front and centre is the fact that two-thirds of the neighbourhood is on City-owned land. This presents an opportunity to develop additional housing that is more affordable and more easily targeted to specific residents than housing on market-driven land. RePlan studied a number of options for providing affordability. In the end it focused on the worldwide achievements of community housing trusts. Could a Community Housing Trust here partner with the City to produce affordable housing on neighbourhood vacant land that would serve city-wide and community needs and help maintain the neighbourhood’s character of inclusiveness? The Neighbourhood Association thought so. The City had already made available a number of parcels of its land for affordable housing development by the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC’s housing trust. Therefore, in 2020, FCSNA delegates voted to have the Association act as the incorporating sponsor of a trust, a community-founded, community-based organization to deliver and sustain affordable housing and non-profit facilities to enhance the neighbourhood and benefit residents of the City. Since its incorporation, the FCS CHT established a 5-member Board of Directors and generated a Value Proposition, in which it identifies as a “mission-driven non-profit housing developer.” Its Board is currently concentrating on selecting an appropriate option and partners for a first proposal on a parcel of the neighbourhood’s undeveloped “edge” lands to present to the City in the upcoming planning process. |
|
False Creek Elementary
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING - AND VOLLEYBALL
Roxanne Brooks, Spruce Village |
|
False Creek Elementary accepted donations from our school families for our Christmas Bazaar which allowed students to purchase new/used items for $1-$2, have the gifts wrapped by our grades 6 and 7 and then give the gifts to their families and loved ones. We’ve found in the past that the kids love this event and enjoy the “shopping” and giving, independently.
Plus, what mom doesn’t love a hockey board game or remote control monster truck?!
Our volleyball teams had their playoffs on November 30th and December 1st. No official score at this time and it’s not even clear we will get one. The teams had an absolute blast though!
Students had their final day of school on December 16th and are off on their winter break until January 3rd. |
|
Bike Theft Department.
LIGHTNING DOESN’T STRIKE TWICE? READ ON
Yael Stav, Spruce Village |
|
Last month on November 3rd, an E-bike and a cargo bike were stolen from Spruce Village parkade. One of those was ours. From what we know, the people who stole them broke (or sneaked) into our parkade, cut three high-quality locks in the middle of the day, and got away with the bicycles without being noticed.
To recall some history: the day after we moved to Vancouver more than 8 years ago, we purchased a good cargo bicycle with a long rack seat to be able to move around the city with a kid or two sitting at the back. The kids turned into teenagers, we became a bit lazy, and last year retrofitted the bike to be battery-assisted for easier rides uphill. That improvement might have made the bike more attractive than we planned.
A couple of days after the theft I reported the stolen bike to the police, Project529, and to the Stolen Bikes Vancouver Facebook group. I immediately started receiving messages of sympathy and tips from the group. I learned that there are wonderful community volunteers out there on the lookout for stolen bikes, especially in “primary suspect” areas in the city. Many bike thieves try to “butcher” the bike to sell as parts or modify them enough to make them unrecognizable, and then sell them. |
|
 | | Found bike at police station with police tag still attached. |
|
With some luck (having a unique frame was helpful) one of the volunteers noticed the bike and sent me information about their location. My partner, Gordon, went there and asked a police officer in the area for help. The police were efficient and respectful; the next day we were able to release the bike from its Property Office.
Unfortunately, within that short time frame, the thieves had removed the basket, covered the wheel shield with satanist graffiti, disconnected the display and damaged a wheel, so the bike had to be repaired before getting back into the parkade on December 1st.
Sadly, our good cargo bike was probably too tempting. On December 3rd we realized that it had been stolen again!
Here are some tips to bicycle owners: Register on Project529, keep your receipt and a few good pictures, join the Facebook Stolen Bikes Vancouver group and follow their detailed instructions.
I was overwhelmed by the power of community to help in this situation and I’m hopeful that our bike will be retrieved again. |
|
ElderShare
HAVE YOU FALLEN LATELY?
Susan Wright, Henley Court |
|
Did you know one in three adults over the age of 65 falls once a year? I’m one of them.
I recently visited the Falls Prevention Clinic on 10th Avenue just east of VGH Emergency. I’d had a fall a year ago and was referred to the clinic for an assessment to prevent future falls or to minimize their consequences.
The visit lasted almost three hours and consisted of numerous assessments, both written and physical, testing my balance, reaction time, cognitive functioning, falls history, and much more. The geriatricians were friendly and helpful. There are many reasons why older adults fall, and I came away with a much better idea of why, and with a program to decrease my risk. |
|
The Falls Prevention Clinic has been monitoring the experience of older adults 65+ for over 15 years. They began by collecting data about older adults who had fallen and gone to Emergency for help. The results, showing that there was little follow up and that the risk of future falls increased, led to an evidence-based program to prevent falls and support seniors’ independent living. The two-year research program I am participating in improves balance, strength and steadiness through home-based exercises with routine support and evaluation by geriatricians and physical therapists. The Clinic’s Director, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, says fear of falling can prevent older adults from taking part in exercise programs – but exercises are so important to prevent falls. In fact, exercising can reduce the risk of future falls by 35% to 50%. In addition to this program, the Clinic is currently involved in a second research study to better understand how to prevent future falls in those who have fallen and sustained a hip fracture. (Falls cause 95% of all hip fractures in older adults.) You can learn more about the Falls Prevention Clinic and their research studies at fallsclinic.ca or contact them at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*. |
|
AN UPDATE ON ALICE
Roxanne Borisov, Twin Rainbows Coop |
|
A year has passed since we started a fundraiser to help pay for a specialized treatment opportunity for our then 4-year old daughter who was born with a rare CASK disorder.
Thank you to everyone who gave a donation, spread the word about her GoFundme fundraiser, participated in a Walkathon and Return-It Express Bottle Drive, and offered words of support and encouragement. We feel truly humbled by our local community's generosity!
The funds allowed us to create a unique home-based neurorehabilitation program, enrolling Alice in a distant US-based therapy program. During online treatment sessions, therapists demonstrated exercises and taught us techniques which we then implemented on our own and with local therapists. |
|
This approach has been working wonders for Alice! She started crawling longer distances, exploring her environment, pulling up to stand without support, standing independently for longer periods of time and walking longer distances in her walker.
Some of the most remarkable achievements were made in communication. Currently, Alice is able to make choices of activities and daily routines on her communication system and correctly identify objects, shapes, colours and body parts. Her ability to use her hands for sign language and self-feeding also improved significantly. She continues making progress that was not expected by her doctors.
This year Alice is busy with therapy sessions, as well as community art classes, therapeutic horseback riding, swimming and ballet sessions. You can follow Alice’s progress on her Facebook page Alice’s World of Wonders.
With deep gratitude and wishing you and your loved ones all the best this Holiday Season from Roxanne, Alexander and Alice Borisov. |
|
Want to get involved?
CITY LOOKING FOR ADVISORS |
|
False Creek South Neighbourhood Association President Wendy Herdin sent along an invitation to anyone interested in becoming part of one of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Civic Agencies. Applications will open in January.
According to its manager Kevin Burris, these Civic Agencies are “an essential part of the City’s public engagement work, and help to convey community concerns to Council and staff while advising on City priorities, projects, and initiatives.”
Agency meetings are normally held monthly, usually in-person, with meals provided. Successful applicants may also receive some expense reimbursements related to attendance. |
|
More information on Civic Agencies is available at: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/advisory-boards-and-committees.aspx
The specific Agencies with vacancies are as follows:
· 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee
· Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
· Children, Youth, and Families Advisory Committee
· Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee
· Civic Asset Naming Committee
· First Shaughnessy Advisory Design Panel
· Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee
· Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee
· Racial and Ethno-Cultural Equity Advisory Committee
· Renters Advisory Committee
· Seniors’ Advisory Committee
· Transportation Advisory Committee
· Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee
· Vancouver Food Policy Council
· Women’s Advisory Committee
Applications will open in January and can be submitted online via the link above. |
|
False Creek Co-op Helping Out
UPDATE ON UKRAINE |
|
Viktor Aleshchenko, (False Creek Co-op) remains in touch with Ukrainian volunteers, soldiers’ families and his own relatives in central Ukraine, reporting that “we are worried that in winter the situation in Ukraine may get worse.
“The volunteers from our home city of Cherkasy still travel to areas most affected by war. Alexander Polishchuk recently went to Kherson area which suffers from shortages of everything.
“The main problem in Ukraine now is rocket strikes and blackouts. Large items like diesel generators and small items like power banks, flashlights, batteries are in high demand. Also winter clothing.”
Viktor adds that most of the $8,000 received since March has gone to Alexander Polishchuk’s team of volunteers in Cherkasy who delivered humanitarian aid to the areas most affected by war and also provided transport for refugees. |
|
“We recently had a swap event at False Creek Co-op where we picked up winter clothing and sent it to Ukraine. People were very friendly and brought good items.”
Although sending winter clothing, boots, etc. is not usually practical – the best shipping rate is $4.50 per kilogram and delivery now takes more than 2 months – “the items I sent in October were good winter boots and jackets from the swap event that would justify the shipping cost.”
ED NOTE: To help Alexander Polishchuk and his team of volunteers, email Viktor at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*. Your money will deliver humanitarian aid to war zones and buy winter supplies for Ukranian soldiers and their families. |
|
At Convivial
EVENTS TO CLOSE OUT THE YEAR |
|
GOOD NEWS: CONVIVIAL CHRISTMAS DINNER!
Don’t forget Christmas Dinner at Convivial - Sunday, December 25, 5 pm. Turkey and all the trimmings for a festive meal. You can bundle up for an eat-outside sit-down dinner in the Square if the weather gods permit. Or, good weather or bad, you can always do take-away.
Price is $35 but Convivial Cafe's Beth Dempster stresses that everyone is welcome as usual. Pay-what-you-can. Even $5 is fine. Reservations are appreciated: Call or text 604-675-9885 or email *email is hidden, JavaScript is required* or just drop in and reserve in person.
* AFTERNOON TEA AND SOCIAL IN THE SQUARE
Thursdays (until Dec 29), 3pm
Afternoon Tea continues to (almost) year end and everyone is welcome at this FREE informal but fancy tea - white tablecloths, fine-china teacups, sweet and savoury goodies.
* CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
Help is always sought to set up canopies, lights and chairs on the day of the events and then to take them down afterward. There is also some prep work that could be done at any time: cutting foam for cushions, putting lights on the umbrellas… Please let Beth know if you would be interested and available to help!
* BUT HERE’S THE BAD NEWS: CONVIVIAL CLOSED FOR JANUARY
The cafe will be open regular hours through December (Wed-Sat 8:30-5:30, Sun 10-5:30, Mon-Tue closed). The only exception will be Christmas Day when it will be open for Christmas Dinner only. Last day will be Sunday, January 1st, then closed for the rest of January!
But Beth is welcoming bulk orders so you can stockpile your freezer with your favorite goodies. Then, as she says, you won’t have to go through withdrawal.
Watch for more tables and new additions to the menu when Convivial re-opens in February! |
|
Re: the new city government, Arthur Corber (The Wellington) writes:
I can see now that the Sim group was all about development. I will only leave my unit in False Creek when I' m dead!!
Re: Aging Well, Margaret King (Creek Village) writes:
For me this means being in touch with younger and lively minds and ideas, and learning about subjects new to me, like science.
Fortunately I am able to share my home with family members. Multi-generational living is a great solution to aging, and hopefully more homes will be built with granny suites. |
|
Earlier this month, Capri Doyle (Alder Bay Co-op) photographed this critter on the seawall near Birch Walk. But the coyote didn’t stay put. Several others reported further sightings also on the seawall - not the usual habitat. Meanwhile, one of Facebook’s Fairview groups posted about quite a bit of coyote activity in Charleson Park: all good reasons to keep your little doggy on leash and your kitty inside. |
|
| 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/ |
|
| | | |
|
