Between The Bridges – April 25

Three federal election candidates running under the Green, Liberal and NDP banners participated in the well-attended April 23rd All-Candidates meeting at the False Creek Community Centre, with Robyn Chan moderating. The Conservative campaign office reported a conflict preventing their candidate from attending.

Earlier, RePlan, the planning committee of the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association, sent four questions to the major parties and received responses from the Liberals and the NDP, included here:
https://www.falsecreeksouth.org/federal-candidate-responses/

Reminder: Election day is Monday, April 28, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
False Creek South residents vote at the False Creek Community Centre.

The list of candidates running in Vancouver Granville is:

• Jerry Kroll, Green
• Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal (incumbent)
• Marie Rogers, Conservative
• Sukhi Singh Sahota, NDP

Come celebrate Mother's Day with Vancouver Cycling Without Age Society and Convivial Café & Bakery. Bring a deserving mother – someone who nurtures you and/or your community – for tea and goodies, live music, crafty activities, and a beautiful ride along the seawall.

Starting at Leg-In-Boot Square, Vancouver Cycling Without Age Pilots will take you and a special person in your life on a leisurely ride on a trishaw (a three-wheeled bicycle) along False Creek. Enjoy fresh air and good conversation, and together create connections, memories and smiles to commemorate all that mothers do! To reserve a seat, click here. 

Rides are approximately 50 minutes long, with a 10-minute meet/greet for ride preparation. All passengers are required to sign a Liability Waiver prior to the ride. Each time slot is for two people sitting side by side in a trishaw. Rides are by donation. Seniors must be able to transfer to the trishaw seat independently or with family assistance. Friends and family are encouraged to accompany the trishaw and join in the ride. All the volunteer Pilots are highly trained, insured, and excited to share the trishaw ride experience with you and your loved ones. 

Rides will take place at 1:00 pm and 2:15 pm on Sunday, May 11. (Note sign-up requirements above.) Convivial Café will serve Afternoon Tea from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, accompanied by a live performance from a local musician.

Let’s make this a great day to celebrate many mothers! Bring your biological mother, or your daughter who is also a mother, or a mother-figure who has been important to you. Or perhaps you know a mother with kids too small to plan a celebration or a grandmother too far away from her family. Bring them all!!

Upcoming City Report
In March 2024 Councillor Kirby-Yung put forward a motion linking the redevelopment of existing co-ops and development of new co-ops to community land trusts (a form of non-profit development and affordable housing management). As a response to the motion, a staff report is expected to be presented in-camera to City Council in July, identifying one to two existing co-op sites, outside of False Creek South, that will be redeveloped through the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) Community Land Trust.

While the details of the report are not yet available, City staff have said that this could set a precedent for future co-op redevelopment. RePlan has met with City staff and CHFBC staff and will continue to share details as we learn more.

False Creek South Community Housing Trust news
Work on the False Creek South Community Housing Trust (FCS CHT) has been full steam ahead. Staff and FCS CHT Board members recently met with all members of the ABC caucus, Councillor Bligh, Mayor Ken Sim’s Chief of Staff Trevor Ford and Director of Policy Mellisa Morphy.

The focus of these meetings has been to introduce Councillors to the FCS CHT, and to discuss the upcoming report back on Councillor Kirby-Yung’s 2024 motion.

For more information on the Trust’s progress, and how you can get involved, see Is A Community Housing Trust The Answer? elsewhere in this issue.

Over the years, many of us have enjoyed the rare privilege of observing majestic eagles nesting near the Coast Guard Station by Burrard Civic Marina, and more recently, by the Vanier Park Bike Skills Track – a special opportunity to witness these incredible birds of prey up close in an urban setting.

Awe-inspiring as they are, these birds are also skilled hunters. While walking my small dog, Lulu, I’ve experienced the unsettling feeling of being sized up by an eagle—one that landed near us several times in succession, clearly taking an interest in my pet, who resembles a small bunny more than a dog.

I’m reminded of a story from Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, told to me by a local fireman. He once helped an owner rescue a small dog snatched from a yard by an eagle and carried to a treetop nest. The owner rammed the tree with a small plow and used horns to scare the bird until help arrived. The firemen, relieved to find the dog alive though marked by talons, also found roughly 30 small collars—presumably from other less fortunate pets.

Just recently, I heard of yet another incident where a small dog was taken from the deck of a boat. Over the years, similar stories have surfaced again and again.

With that in mind, I was surprised to see a new eagle nest platform recently installed at Ron Basford Park, near the Granville Island Hotel and Spruce Harbour Marina, an area home to many boaters, residents, and visitors with small pets. It raises concerns about increased predatory activity so close to residential balconies and boats where small pets often roam.

I’m left wondering: Will I now need to leash my pets even when they’re on my balcony? Who is responsible for deciding the placement of these artificial nest poles in residential areas? Were any public consultations held?

It would be helpful to understand the goals behind these installations and whether safety concerns for pets and residents were taken into account.

ED. NOTE: If you can help provide any of the sought-after information in this article, please reply to *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*, and we will pass it along.

Saturday, April 26, the wonderful Granville Island bookshop, Upstart And Crow, is celebrating Canadian Independent Bookstore Day with major prize draws, including a $300 gift certificate, available with any purchase. Early arrivals will find music and may even luck out with a taste of Lee’s Donuts. Check it out at https://upstartandcrow.com/

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Sunday, April 27, Vancouver Sun Run. All morning on West 6th, you’ll see the runners - or perhaps you’ll be among them or cheering them on. But if you thought Sunday morning would be a nice time for a car ride, note that most access from False Creek will be restricted and the Burrard Bridge completely closed until noon. How about a nice walk on the seawall instead?

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However… a potentially dangerous part of the seawall around Science World has caused the closure of the aging Expo Deck, near the water. Walkers and cyclists presently detour along Ontario, Switchmen and Quebec streets, but new side-by-side gravel paths are scheduled to open in late May.

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Sunday, May 4, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm - Jane’s Walk. This annual event is named for Jane Jacobs whose ideas underpinned the development of False Creek South 50 years ago. This year, one of the walks, Charting a path towards a False Creek of the past, will begin at the Creekside Community Centre (seawall side) in Olympic Village and continue west along the seawall to Leg-In-Boot Square. Registration not required; just show up. More info at https://www.raincoast.org/event/janes-walk-vancouver-auston-chhor-charting-towards-false-creek/

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Sunday, May 11 - 1:00 to 2:15 pm - Cycling Without Age starts in Leg-in-Boot Square, but sign-ups happen before that. See Cycle and Celebrate Mother’s Day elsewhere in this issue.

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It’s not usual for stratas to contain rentable commercial space, but Heather Point does. A 1000 square foot property on the seawall at 800 Millbank is now available for rent at $2500 monthly. If interested, contact *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.

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Of potential interest to False Creek South seniors is the brainchild of Carolynne Mahood (Heather Point). Her enterprise, On Your Own Time, self-described as “a new initiative designed to help employers attract, retain, and support experienced workers,” is “actively seeking input from BC employees – active and retired  - and employers across all industries and sizes.” One of its goals is “to address ageism in the workplace and promote the value of experienced professionals”. More information is available at OnYourOwnTime.ca.

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Upcoming on Granville Island:

May 26-June 1: Mark your calendar for the 2025 Vancouver International Children’s Festival 

Enjoy spectacular performances from around the globe for kids and families of all ages. The 2025 Festival features circus arts, puppetry, theatre, dance, and music shows, plus lots of arts activities created just for children. Each show ticket includes an Activity Village wristband. With over a dozen arts activities, the Activity Village offers many ways to have fun together as a family. For more information, visit: https://www.childrensfestival.ca/

The focus of the Butterflyway Project, one of the flagship initiatives of the David Suzuki Foundation, is on community-led efforts to create butterfly-friendly spaces through establishing corridors of native plants and habitats essential for pollinators. This initiative is crucial in promoting biodiversity, supporting the ecosystem, and ensuring the survival of various pollinator species that are vital for plant life.

I am one of the Butterfly Rangers, the Foundation’s volunteers who take charge of planting and maintaining native plants that attract and nourish these important insects. Adapted to local conditions, native plants evolved to thrive in the local environment and support local wildlife. They require less water and are more resistant to pests and diseases.

Spring is an ideal time for planting native plants that serve as food and habitat for butterflies and pollinators. These plants, including milkweed and goldenrod, provide nectar for adult butterflies and foliage for caterpillars. Hummingbirds, another pollinator, are attracted to bright colored tubular flowers. 

When selecting plants for a pollinator garden, it's important to choose species that bloom at different times throughout the growing season, ensuring a continuous food supply for pollinators.

Proper planting techniques are essential for the success of your pollinator garden. Here are some tips:

• Prepare the soil: Ensure that it’s well-drained and rich in organic matter.
• Spacing: Plant flowers in clusters to increase visibility to pollinators.
• Watering: Water the plants thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture.
• Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Host plants are essential for caterpillars. By planting species that caterpillars feed on, you can support the entire lifecycle of butterflies.

Lawns offer little support for pollinators. Converting parts of a lawn to wildflower meadows or garden beds can significantly increase habitat for pollinators.

By the way, the rooftop pollinator garden and beehive at Creekview Co-op are moving along nicely. The beehive is being painted and will be installed shortly. Ready for our bees! And I have been asked to have a table again this year at the Van Dusen Pollinator Festival, May 28, 29, and 30. It’s always rewarding to interact with the kids. 

Email us or follow along on social media:
Email: *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*
Instagram: Instagram.com/butterflyway.fcs
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/butterflyway3bhc

The False Creek South Community Housing Trust (FCS CHT) is a grassroots and community-driven housing trust that seeks to protect existing and expand new co-op and affordable housing in False Creek South. 

We’ve been busy, and we have some exciting updates to share with our community.

We are inviting neighbours in False Creek South to join us and hear more about the latest developments at the FCS CHT and how you can support our community toward achieving its goals.

Wednesday, April 30th
7:00-8:30 pm

Hybrid meeting, two options available:
- in person at 711 Millyard, register here
- via Zoom, register here for the link

Seniors are uniting to support aging-in-community in False Creek South. 

Interested? The new network is inviting all to participate, however they feel able. 

The False Creek South Seniors Network wants to support local residents aging-in-community by:  

• learning and sharing information, ideas and activities within and beyond the neighbourhood
• enhancing a sense of connectedness and encouraging mutual assistance among those who wish to age in place, and
• exploring and developing events and activities for seniors.

Currently a loose collective, the network has formed three working groups: 

• The organizational group will consider long-term structural questions and connections with organizations within the community and beyond. The group will also look at funding possibilities.
• The events group will organize social and educational events. They will consider other ways to enhance social connections among seniors.
• The communications group will maintain a list of participants and work to provide information to all, regardless of how tech-savvy they are. 

The network invites all who are interested to join as part of a working group or just to hear updates. The intention is to make involvement possible and meaningful, despite the challenges of busy lives, health issues and other interests and commitments. 
 
For more information, contact Beth Dempster by email at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*, or drop by the Convivial Café for a chat.

Although the upcoming federal election is capturing voters’ interest, False Creek South residents should not lose sight of the results of the just-past Vancouver by-election.

First, the results from the 25 polling stations (27 including advance and mail votes) show that COPE and One City came in first and second in every poll but four: Dunbar, Kerrisdale, West Point Grey and Kitsilano. These went to TEAM For A Liveable Vancouver, specifically to Colleen Hardwick.

The specific results from all 27 polls are: 
ABC -  Won no polls, third in one. 
COPE/ONE CITY - Won 23 polls, third in four 
Greens - Won no polls, third in 17;
TEAM - Won 4 polls, third in another four.

Here are three interesting takeaways from the False Creek Community Centre poll:

There’s probably little doubt that Colleen Hardwick’s relatively high False Creek vote reflects her lifelong connection to the neighbourhood that her father, Walter Hardwick, helped to create almost 50 years ago. While her stated desire to retain False Creek South as a “legacy” neighbourhood is not in full accord with the community’s expressed interest in more non-profit housing on this public land, few doubt that her support is genuine.

Future candidates take note: Those who won, particularly COPE’s Sean Orr, reflected not only an extensive ground campaign to identify and pull the vote on election day but also a day-to-day involvement in issues important to neighbourhoods across the city.

For the first half of my life, I saw my family doctor mostly in my role as a mother. Had I no children, I would have seen him two or three times a year max, and those visits would invariably solve the problem that brought me there. 

All that changed after age 55 when I joined the 31% of Canadian adults who, according to 2021 stats, account for 55% of total health spending.

At that age and beyond, a visit to the family doctor (for those fortunate enough to have one) becomes but a first step to any number of specialists: endocrinologist, pulmonologist, oncologist, gastroenterologist, ophthalmologist, rheumatologist, cardiologist, radiologist - the list goes on and on. 

At one such appointment, as I was again pulling out my health card – the point of entry at any of the above - I remembered a time when I displayed another card.

I had come down with a bad strep throat in New Jersey while visiting in-laws who made an appointment for me with their family doctor. When he came into the examining room, I expected a “Hello” or “I’m Dr. so-and-so”, but instead his first words were: “How are you going to pay for this?” I replied “by Visa”. He then asked if I had my card with me; I duly produced it and the appointment continued.

Most (not all) Americans have coverage through private health insurers, and in recalling that incident, I remembered a Canadian researcher’s study into American health care. She described a hospital ward where a chart at the end of each patient’s bed listed the treatments covered by that patient’s insurance plan. The coverage determined the treatments.

Later, when the in-laws had moved to Florida, I saw a photo in the local newspaper of a man at the side of a highway holding a sign: “Kidney For Sale”. The story explained that he hoped to sell one of his kidneys to pay for life-saving surgery for his wife. It appeared in the same issue where a pediatric clinic advertised free examinations of a favourite doll that accompanied any new patient.

I often joke that I pull out my health card so often these days, I should punch a hole in it and wear it around my neck. Or perhaps I should do that not as a joke, but to keep it safe.

There’s something about an adult and a small child in a field of daisies that makes everything all right again.

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”. Signed articles reflect the views of their authors. For details go to: