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Editorial Committee: Evan Alderson, Susan Wright, Sharon Yandle
Production Editor: Robyn Chan
Proofreader: Kathryn Woodward
Contributors this Issue: Nancy Kirkpatrick (Pacific Cove), Kathleen MacKinnon (Regatta), Roxanne Brooks (Spruce Village), Evan Kligman (Marine Mews), Nancy Hannum (Alder Bay Co-op), Beth Dempster (Convivial Cafe)
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SEAWALL SAFETY UPDATE
Nancy Kirkpatrick, Pacific Cove; Kathleen MacKinnon, Regatta
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The Seawall is designated as an AAA (All-Ages-and-Abilities) shared pathway.
In several places—particularly in older, narrow, undivided sections of the path—safety problems occur when people with a wide range of ages, abilities, speeds, and vehicle types use the path concurrently and for different trip purposes (e.g. recreation versus commuting). The path is very congested at times and all users must take care to ensure everyone travels safely.
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Cambie Bridge/seawall access: Not for the faint of heart
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In the November issue of Between the Bridges, we asked for input on ways to improve safety on the Seawall. Thank you to all who replied. Our Seawall Safety Working Group received 29 written responses – many of them detailed and thoughtful, all of them welcome.
We have reviewed your survey responses. You identified several particularly dangerous places along the Seawall and we are developing recommendations to improve safety in these areas.
Overall, the number one concern of respondents was speed. People felt unsafe due to significant speed differences between the wide variety of pathway users and by cyclists travelling faster than the official speed limit of 15 km/hr. Other findings included poor signage, uneven pavement, faded lane markings, congested areas, inattention by both pedestrians and cyclists, and lack of enforcement of rules of the road.
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More than one problem in this tight corner west of Granville Island.
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Having compiled key findings, we are now developing a series of workable ways to enhance safety on the Seawall. We have shared preliminary ideas with FCSNA delegates and are in the process of setting up informal meetings to let the City’s Transportation department and other stakeholders know about this initiative and to seek their feedback. In the coming weeks, we will present recommendations to the FCSNA, ask for its endorsement and approval to submit an official report with recommendations to the City.
Nancy Kirkpatrick and Kathleen MacKinnon are, respectively, chair and member of the Seawall Safety Working Group, False Creek South Neighbourhood Association
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Neighbourhood Cleanup Is Back
SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 15
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FCSNA NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEANUP PARTY
APRIL 15, 2023 10 am - 12 noon
Refreshments from Convivial Cafe
How to participate? More information coming soon.
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False Creek Elementary
FEBRUARY SCHOOL NEWS
Roxanne Brooks, Spruce Village
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The girls’ and boys’ basketball teams finished their second week of the season and are doing very well!
Off the court, lots of clubs are meeting weekly. There are knitting, art, chess and climate clubs on the go.
And with Valentine’s Day this month, there were chocolate sales and other fundraising events in support of the Grade 7 students’ leaving ceremony and a fun end-of-year field trip.
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ElderShare
WHAT’S APP? AGE AND HEALTH FRIENDLY PODCASTS
Evan Kligman, Marine Mews
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Body Of Wonder podcast hosts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes
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Readers interested in aging well might find a welcome resource in the world of podcasts. There are literally thousands of podcasts free to use online (some with advertising), covering almost every conceivable topic.
The most often used app on my iPhone or iPad is for podcasts (although I limit the time I hold either device to reduce risk from their electromagnetic fields).
Out of personal and professional interest I regularly visit podcasts that focus on the health and wellbeing of aging well. Most of these are hosted by well-informed founders who discuss specific issues with guest experts, and most maintain past episodes that are easy to peruse for particular age-friendly or health-friendly topics.
You can find five of my favourites here. (You can bookmark and save this list for future reference).
I encourage our BTB readers to send me a brief email of your favorite podcasts in this genre (*email is hidden, JavaScript is required*). I will include them along with more recommendations of my own in a future issue.
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Strata Property Act Changes
WILL OPENING THE DOOR TO RENTERS HELP OR HURT?
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Recent changes to the Strata Property Act prohibiting restrictions on rentals of individually-owned units have raised the ire of many stratas province-wide.
One reason is the fear that renters may come and go more frequently than owner-occupiers, threatening the culture of established connected neighbours.
A greater fear is that absentee owners may balk at the costs of maintaining their buildings or even their own units. With a 75% majority required for major maintenance, a disinterested minority could vote down necessary assessments again and again.
A corollary of that is the fear that developers whose interest is only in the land may buy up a sufficient minority of units to block maintenance, use that clout to convince more owners to sell with the aim of eventually erecting a more profitable building, renting out existing units in the meantime to defray costs. Some see that as a recognizable playbook.
Should strata owners in False Creek South be worried?
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Photo credit: Nate Yandle
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Freehold stratas here, as elsewhere, are certainly vulnerable to pressure from developers. Do the SPA changes make them more so?
Leasehold stratas, on the other hand, may not experience developers buying up units because developer interest is in the land and the City owns the land. It will likely be some time before leasehold strata land is freed up to allow new development.
While almost all stratas in the Creek had some form of rental restrictions, at least one banned rentals entirely. More commonly, restrictions limited either the number of and/or the length of time that units that could be rented.
One strata, Marine Mews, appears to be alone in having no restrictions at all. Notwithstanding, historically very few units are rented out.
Strata Council member Lauri Riddle, calls the absence of rental restrictions “very beneficial”.
She adds that “while I have never rented out my place, I appreciate knowing that if I need or want to relocate temporarily, it won't be vacant in my absence. This allows me some freedom and financial assistance if need be.
“I know some of our neighbors already do this and it has never caused me any problems or concern.
“When re-selling, the ability to rent is absolutely a feature that buyers may look for, adding value to our properties.”
ED NOTE: If you live in a strata, or are a renter, or just have an opinion, what do you think of the elimination of rental restrictions? And why? Let us know!
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The False Creek South Neighbourhood Association has now become a formal “Community Partner” of the Plaza at Leg-In-Boot Square.
Over the past two years the City of Vancouver, through its Street Activities’ Plaza Program, has provided and maintained furniture, umbrellas, planters, storage equipment and regular cleanup services to Leg-In-Boot, greatly facilitating its blossoming as a welcoming hub for community activities.
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But the City program relies on Community Partners for regular upkeep and oversight services. In return, it provides them with favourable treatment in booking events at the location.
In fulfilling these obligations, founding partner Beth Dempster of Convivial Café, leading a remarkable revitalization of the Square, manages the organization of volunteer activities.
Wendy Herdin, President of the FCSNA, an informal Community Partner from the beginning, has now signed a formal Letter of Agreement on the Association’s behalf. Delegate Susan Dehnel, in agreeing to act as regular liaison to the partnership, extends her many volunteer contributions to the Plaza’s program of events.
With this agreement, the Association must share in the responsibilities of regular upkeep and oversight, largely through volunteer contributions and, hopefully, imagining new ways to use the Square to support our community.
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Book Review: The Land Our Community Llives On
CONVERSATIONS WITH KHAHTSAHLANO 1932-1954
Nancy Hannum, Alder Bay Co-op
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This unique book provides typed transcripts from 22 years of conversations between August Jack Khahtsahlano and Vancouver’s first Archivist, Major J.S. Matthews.
Khatsahlano’s recorded stories, detailed cultural history, and memories from as far back as 1881, are complemented by numerous drawings and maps, many by Khatsahlano, as well as photos from the Vancouver Archives.
It also includes interviews and memories from several other prominent leaders at the time, including Andrew Paull, a Squamish leader and spokesperson involved with the Allied Tribes and Native Brotherhood.
This book, long since out of print, was first published in 1955 with copies for Khahtsahlano’s family and Vancouver Archives. Thanks to a request from Linda Daniels of the Squamish Nation, Massey Bookstore and Talon Books have re-printed it in the original form. It also includes Khahtsalahlano and other family genealogies, village and place names.
August Jack Khahtsahlano was born at Snauq, False Creek Indian Reserve, circa 1877, near the site of the current Burrard Bridge. Today the area is known as Senak’w. Khahtsahlano recalls this memory of Granville Island and False Creek:
When Haataalahnough (his grandfather Chief Khahtsahlanogh) went to Snauq – he lived at Chaythoos (near pipeline road, Prospect Point in Stanley Park) – it was probably to catch fish on the big sand bar on which Granville Island in False Creek now stands. The big bar was twenty or more acres in extent, dry at low tide, and the Indians had from time immemorial had a fish corral there; two converging fences of brush in the water made from hurdles of twisted vine maple fastened to sharpened stakes driven in the mud to guide the flounders and smelts into the narrow part (Alder Bay) where they were trapped.” (p. 12)
Major Matthews also includes a reminiscence:
In 1902 or 1903 I used to cross from the old cannery about the foot of Burrard St. Burrard Street was just a stream rutted trail down to the shore – by Indian canoe to the Indian Reserve, and my children would play with the Indian children…... (p. 399)
The book is alive with the people and the texture and practices of their lives as well as a sense of respect and long friendship between the two men holding these conversations.
Indeed, a most welcome experience to see and read.
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About our January 21 issue:
Re: A New Home For An Old Streetcar, Kathryn Husser (False Creek Co-op) comments:
I happened to be there the morning a crew was hauling that thing away. We waited on the stairs to get a signal to go ahead and cross the line. Walking by I asked a chap if he had any details about the move. He smiled, shrugged, said nope. It was a bright, dry, sunny COLD day and I had two bags of groceries. Hadn’t thought about it since. Thanks for the story.
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Re: Twin Rainbows Wildlife, Sara (7th Avenue) writes
Hello, I just wanted to mention that it is 'Barred Owl' and not 'Barre Owl'. I loved the section about the two birds seen in False Creek. There is quite a lot of wildlife in the False Creek area. I have seen many different mammals and birds over the years.
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From Nancy Frosst (Spruce Harbour Marina)
I very much appreciate this newsletter and thank you to all that contribute and create this for our local neighbourhood!
I wanted to provide a slight correction to the owl that was seen. It is a Barred Owl, not a Barre Owl. Likely someone just forgot the ‘d’, but wanted to ensure the spelling was corrected to its proper name.
Thanks so much!
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Re; in response to our Photo Finish of the December king tide flooding the seawall at Leg-In-Boot Square, David McCann (Creekhouse, Granville Island) sent in two photos of his own and writes:
“It won’t take much of a sea level rise or a storm connected to a king tide for the underground utilities to be impacted by seawater- it’s scary.”
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It’s not every day that someone receives their Hydro bill and shouts “Hallelujah!” Or words to that effect.
But to hear Charlie Richmond (Henley Court), the bill was akin to a late Christmas present.
“Our heating costs have dropped 56% over last year as a result of installing a heat pump!
“Our average usage the previous winter was $2.33/day – and this winter was $1.13/day.”
They acquired a single unit that replaces the main electric baseboard heaters in their front room, “the only room we tend to heat at all, so replacing the other heaters was not necessary.”
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Another heat pump, this one installed at a home in The Regatta.
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However, at present there are rebates for those who would replace all of their baseboard heaters.
As to its placement, “the unit is mounted high on the wall and its fan gently circulates the air in the room, making it much more comfortable and evenly heated than the previous baseboard heater did.
“Also, it has the capacity to heat up the room very quickly if necessary, but normally just runs at a steady low, inaudible level to keep the temperature absolutely steady and constant.
“Finally, it is also an air conditioner in the summer and keeps us extremely comfortable during heat domes!!”
Installation can be done in a day and requires a City permit.
And, Charlie adds, “lest anyone think we don't cook or bake at home, we have had an induction range for over 10 years, which uses far less electricity than a regular one.”
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PHOTO FINISH
Beth Dempster, Convivial Cafe
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Can you identify something that doesn't belong in this photo I took at the corner of Moberly and Commodore?
Not a bad idea if you are a cat trying to get away from a dog or coyote. Not a good idea if you want to get back down again!
Many thanks to Elvis and Rick and their ladder. And to the fellow who was tall enough to grab the cat (yes, mine) by the scruff of the neck to bring him down...
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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/
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