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Editorial Committee: Susan Wright, Sharon Yandle
Production Editor: Robyn Chan
Proofreader: Kathryn Woodward
Contributors this Issue: Wendy Herdin (False Creek South Neighbourhood Association), Graham McGarva (Alder Bay Co-op), Ciara Breslin (False Creek Community Association), Zenon Samila (Heather Point), Dolores Bzdel (Creekview Co-op), Silvia Morena-Garcia (False Creek Co-op), Zaida Schneider (False Creek Friends), Yash Mehta (UBC Sustainability), Debby Meyer (Creekview Co-op)
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Editorial Note
A SUMMER OF SUNSHINE - AND A SHADOW
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Much of this issue of Between The Bridges is devoted to the many happenings in False Creek South over this just-past summer. All of them speak to the vibrancy of an involved, informed community that continues to live out the vision of true liveability that brought False Creek South into being almost half a century ago. Stories of rejuvenating the Creek’s waters and restoring the land through native plants and pollinators mingle with accounts of the socials, music, poetry, art, teas, speakers, wellness guidance, parties, sales and fairs that filled our public spaces.
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While we celebrate what has been achieved, we also confirm our core belief that many more people of all circumstances can and should also find truly affordable homes in this income-integrated neighbourhood. This is so even while we struggle with the shadow of grief cast by the very recent, unexpected death of a community leader, Nathan Edelson, news imparted by FCSNA President Wendy Herdin elsewhere in this issue.
That grief is so deep for those who knew Nathan that the celebratory tone of this issue may seem out of synch. Yet in his life Nathan himself regularly sought and found cause for celebration. For him False Creek South is living proof that the haves and have-nots in large urban centres can live meaningful lives together, that community is at the heart of human needs, and that what has been demonstrated here can be continued here and also replicated elsewhere in the city; maybe even everywhere. He was never known to waver in that belief. And neither will we.
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(Click the picture above to enlarge)
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REPLAN REPORT
Wendy Herdin, President, False Creek South Neighbourhood Association
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With his family at his side, Nathan Edelson, our mentor and friend at RePlan since its inception, passed away at VGH on Sunday, September 3, a week after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.
Nathan's love for his family and friends and his drive to make and keep Vancouver a livable city was immeasurable. As Project Manager for RePlan, the Neighbourhood Association’s planning committee, his leadership, guidance, vision and values - and his great sense of humour - became part of our lives and our work to ensure that False Creek South continues to build a community in which people of all ages and incomes can live together and thrive.
He will be dearly missed.
ED NOTE: To learn more about Nathan’s life and legacy, go to https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/nathan-edelson-obituary-1.6956674 |
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SUMMER - AND BEYOND - IN THE SQUARE
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If a picture is worth a thousand words, this collage from Susan Dehnel (666 Leg-In-Boot) is worth far more in recounting this summer in Leg-In-Boot Square. Thanks to Beth and the volunteers for their tireless, transformative work.
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While activities continue through September, here’s an advance notice of a particularly important happening on September 30 sent in by Beth Dempster (Convivial Café) who writes:
We are foregoing our regular Saturday Afternoon Music schedule to create a space for silence and reflection, sharing information and exchanging ideas. We do this
- to honour the children who never got a chance to go home
- to reflect on the truth of colonialism and intergenerational trauma
- to consider ways for meaningful reconciliation individually and through community
- to celebrate the strength, knowledge and perseverance of First Nations ancestors and their living descendents.
September 30. Come join us.
Reconciliation begins with you. Create and grow a way of life for yourself and others, starting today. - Chief Dr. Robert Joseph
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At False Creek Community Centre
OUTDOOR PRE-SCHOOL VANCOUVER’S FIRST
Ciara Breslin, False Creek Community Association
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False Creek Community Centre is proud to have Vancouver’s first licensed outdoor preschool in addition to our more traditional morning program. Swamp Willow Preschool has been running for 40 years but with this addition, the children are outside the whole class except in severe weather conditions.
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Being outside during all our classes results in deeper relationships with the nature around us. The children notice when the trees are changing and how the gardens transition throughout the seasons. We have affectionately named a large cedar “the umbrella tree” that we use for shelter during the rain when we eat snacks. The children and teachers alike have found ways to stay warm during the January rains, running from tree to tree across the field as well as warming our hands with heated water in shallow tubs with toys.
The program, for children 3-5 years old, runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:45pm-2:45pm. To register please email *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
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At The Community Centre
WAIT, THERE’S MORE: MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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I. For the Elder Set:
Senior Socials - Registration Required
October 19, 11 am-12:30 pm: Seniors’ Safety: speaker, Collingwood Policing Centre
November 16, 11 am-12;30 pm: Library resources for seniors; speaker, VPL
December 14, 12:00-1:30 pm: Holiday Luncheon; entertainment, St. Mary’s Elementary
II. And for everyone:
Book Lovers’ Reading Circle - FREE!
Thursdays, 2:30-4:30 on September 14, October 12, November 9, Chinook Room
A chance to discuss your favourite books with like-minded neighbours and learn about other books you haven’t read yet.
Drop-ins welcome.
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UNLEASHED DOGS ATTACK NEIGHBOUR
Zenon Samila, Heather Point
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Chow Chow, generic image
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Just to alert you to a recent dog attack:
Last month on August 8 at 2 pm, a Heather Point resident was attacked and bitten by two dogs on the sidewalk beside the Busy Bee Dry Cleaners (the 7-11 mini mall at 6th and Heather). Since this is a route that many of us take every day, we thought we should keep you informed.
The dogs were chows. The owners-- a man and a woman--ran from the scene. They had four unleashed chows with them. Police and the animal control officers have been notified.
Hopefully this will be the last we see of these attack dogs in the neighbourhood.
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BUTTERFLYWAY TAKES ROOT IN FALSE CREEK SOUTH
Dolores Bzdel, Creekview Co-op
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The Butterflyway Project, a David Suzuki Foundation initiative, is steadily gaining momentum.
We are a group of passionate people looking to establish a native pollinator habitat corridor of 12 pollinator gardens in False Creek South. And we are excited to invite you into this amazing project.
During the last few months we’ve been planning and organizing for fall plantings; preparing our gardens for the winter and spring seasons; collecting seeds from this year’s plants; arranging workshops and connecting with False Creek residents and various outside groups who will provide educational support and resources for our project.
We were encouraged by the interest and excitement from our fellow False Creek neighbours at our Leg–In–Boot Square presentation in July. Our many types of gardens in the works include both private balcony and patio containers, and common area gardens in co-ops and stratas. Working in partnership with the Vancouver Park Board Environmental team, we have been approved to plant two gardens (spots yet to be decided upon) on Park Board land this year.
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There are now three Butterflyway gardens at Creekview Co-op, one of which is a Kids’ Berry Patch, and preparations made for a rooftop pollinator garden and beehive. As well, False Creek Community Gardens in Charleson Park is registering with the David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway this month and is already growing an amazing native plant garden. We are also taking steps to have False Creek South certified as a Bat Friendly Community.
We are partnered with Coast Salish Nursery at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver, and any False Creek South resident can purchase native plants from them with our 15% discount – just ask for the discount.
On August 22 the Native Bees of BC Society presented a workshop open to all FCS residents o at Creekview Co-op. Christine Thuring gave an informative presentation. We are working on presenting a full-day workshop on identifying bees (there are over 600 species of native bees in BC), and about how to build the proper habitats for them. This workshop will likely be in October; stay tuned!!
If you’d like to be involved in building native plant gardens or just want to learn more about the importance of creating biodiverse ecosystems for pollinators and bats, follow us on Facebook (Pollinator Butterflyway – False Creek South#3BHC) or email us *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
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THE RETURN OF THE FOUNTAIN DOG
Silvia Moreno-Garcia, False Creek Co-op
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A few months ago the beloved dog statue at the fountain near the Laurel Land Bridge suddenly disappeared. Posters quickly went up demanding the return of the dog.
Now, an anonymous artist has created a new dog to replace the lost canine. The statue bears the motto "In Dog We Trust" and has a blocky, art-deco style. Head to Laurel and Seventh Avenue to get a close look at man's best stone friend.
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The Watery Part Of The Creek
THE CREEK: AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSON?
Zaida Schneider, False Creek Friends; Yash Mehta, UBC Sustainability
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Last month the stewards of the Plaza in Leg-In-Boot Square and the FCSNA invited representatives of conservation-minded organizations to participate in a Community Conversation in the Square. Also attending were noted oceanographer Professor Joe Valencic and engineer David Grigg, among others.
These organizations – Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Swim Drink Fish & Fraser Riverkeepers, Squamish Streamkeepers, False Creek Watershed Society and False Creek Friends – do amazing work monitoring the health of the watery part of the Creek and engaging the public in its restoration.
With common visions for the future of False Creek, we discussed Environmental Personhood, a radical idea based on the concept of Rights of Nature. Rivers in Quebec, New Zealand and Bolivia, a mountain in Hawaii; even the Fraser River Estuary are being proposed as persons with legal rights. So - why not False Creek? |
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Participants in the Square hear and share a wealth of expert marine knowledge
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To get there, we need to grow a community-led council of “trustees” to provide crucial information and a coherent administrative framework to the decision-makers, politicians, government agents and their advisors.
While this kind of trusteeship exists in many other jurisdictions, what happened in the Cowichan Valley in 2009 is deeply inspiring. Formed by ordinary citizens, it has morphed into an effective program of environmental restoration and reconciliation.
That can happen here too. We are exploring the creation of a “False Creek Conservation Council” composed of organizations and individuals deeply involved in caring for the Creek.
We are imagining:
- Water so clean that kids can jump off any old boat or platform for a swim, and so pure that Pacific Ocean sealife can be harvested and consumed along its shoreline.
- Clam gardens sprouting up, following the ancient wisdom of First Nations, with elementary school kids in rubber boots learning the wonders of marine life.
- Pristine facilities with music, shopping, showers, food and drink.
- Guided historical tours via the devices in everyone’s pocket, or from docents who paddle while they storytell.
- Public artworks in every direction, water buskers drifting and singing, dancing lights at night.
- Sea events galore - dragon boat races, maritime lantern processions, floating fire exhibits, weddings, concerts, martial arts, barbecues, yoga.
Imagine a watery space cluttered with joy and full of surprises. Imagine this slender sliver of the magnificent Salish Sea, cluttered with joy and full of surprises, recognized as a more-than-human entity deserving respect and care.
And imagine having this entity as a friend...and neighbour.
Want to learn more? Go to *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
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ART DAY IN THE GARDEN
Debby Meyer, Creekview Co-op
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Residents big and small enjoy Art Day at Creekview
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Co-operative living in False Creek brings all age groups together!
Several people met up at a recent Creative Gathering in Creekview Co-op's garden to enjoy the colours of summer together:
Watercolouring together creates community!
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This cute little bunny just off the seawall has another bunny friend. And bunnies with friends multiply like..well..like rabbits.
Coyotes love bunnies, and not for a petting zoo.
Already neighbours report coyotes creeping closer to home (that is, our homes) for a more or less perpetual feast.
Bunnies today. Cats, dogs, toddlers tomorrow.
Be vigilant. Dogs and outdoor cats on leash, children close at hand.
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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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