Between The Bridges – November 21

The Strata Residents Group is a small but gradually expanding group of exactly that--residents of both leasehold and freehold stratas. Formed as a committee of the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association, we have been meeting since April 2024. Our purpose is to ensure that RePlan has a strata voice and support when engaging with the City of Vancouver on the future of the False Creek South community--our community.

Next year will be a crucial year. The City has engaged an international consultant called Arup to study FCS sea level rising, soil, infrastructure, and social development. Arup will use the information they’re gathering to draft a development framework. If approved by Council, the framework will then go to the planning department to complete the community plan. RePlan has met with Arup to discuss FCS priorities, data, and outcomes.

The focus of our Strata Residents Group has sharpened to engaging directly with strata councils to encourage them to restore their original financial commitment to RePlan. So far, our group has members from six strata enclaves. We are looking for representatives from all the others. Please come to our next meeting and find out more. For information, contact our chair, Susan Webber (Creek Village) at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.

This is an update of my earlier submission to Between the Bridges in 2024 regarding pedestrian safety at the Anderson Street crossing near Granville Island.

I stopped using this crossing several months ago due to unpredictable driver behaviour. Recently, I tried to use it again and saw at least one driver speeding through the area, which reminded me to contact the City of Vancouver for an update. 

Below is their latest response:

“Currently, there is no set timeline for a new signal at Anderson & Island Park. The location is on our list of potential candidates to be considered under future signal program years.  Thanks for following up.”

In August of 2024, in response to a similar enquiry, the City wrote:

“We are working on a website in the future to have key information for locations where safety improvements that have been approved and have an installation timeline are happening.” 

So far, nothing has happened. 

Bill Cooper and Margaret Bell of Kingston, Ontario, long-time renters in False Creek South, write:
 
We so enjoy feeling connected to False Creek through Between The Bridges. Thanks for starting it and keeping it going. For over a decade, we have rented for a month in Spruce Village and Marine Mews, most often in the spring. 

Here is Bill’s reflection:

Kayakers dig in their paddles at sunrise
A neighbour settles on his morning perch
A lone unicyclist heads to work in the market
The elderly posse out for their daily morning walk
Children bicycling to elementary school on their own
The endless antics of the small dogs in Charleson Park
An enthusiastic wave from the short, blue-coated runner
A cheese, bacon, and tomato scone at the Convivial Café
The voices of children at play in the back garden at lunchtime
An elderly couple sitting on a bench holding hands
Watching the ferries slide by in the late afternoon
Sitting at the window, watching the circus below
Picking up the papers at Dean’s Grocery
A pair of geese sunning on the seawall
Children bicycling home from school
A murder of crows heading due east
The coxed sixteens dig in at dusk

I’ve been mystified (if not actually annoyed) that there are so many ways to order espresso-with-steamed-milk: espresso macchiato, cortado, cappuccino, flat white, latte… Yet if you want espresso-with-hot-water, the only choice is an Americano.  

Once I had control of my own coffee menu, I decided to fix this problem: We serve an Americano (two shots, 12 oz cup), a Canadiano, which is smaller and stronger (two shots, 8oz cup), and a Bethspresso, which is even stronger (2 shots, 4oz). You can also go the other way and get the appropriately named, Why Bother? (single shot, 12 oz cup). (Because, really, why bother?) But this is all history: They have been on our menu for a few years. 

So, where does the politics come in? Think back to early this year, with Trump’s shenanigans, and the almost visceral Canadian response. Every Canadian wanted - and every Canadian coffee shop started serving - a Canadiano. At Convivial, we had to make explanations to avoid surprisingly strong coffee for those who just wanted to make a political statement. We offered a Canadiano Lite to those who just could not bring themselves to order an Americano – and there were quite a few. 

But here’s the thing: There don’t seem to be so many these days. Not so many people ordering Canadianos, that is. Maybe everyone knows we make it strong, and few people want it that way. Maybe we have fewer customers in general now that fall is here. Maybe people have decided a cup of coffee is not the best way to express their feelings – they have moved on to more significant action. But it also just seems that not as many people are interested. 
 
Have we become complacent? Or resigned? Do we not care anymore? We got used to the rhetoric and can’t be bothered to express ourselves through coffee anymore? 
 
But just this morning someone was “all over that” when he learned about the Canadiano. I’m pretty sure he was happy with “smaller and stronger” for his coffee, but fully behind it as a political statement.
 
The shenanigans continue. So should the rebellion! 

ED. NOTE: Bae Side operates on the site of the former Monk McQueen’s.
 
Below is an excerpt from the Notice that the proprietors of Bae Side in the Moberly cul de sac at 601 Stamp’s Landing, posted in their parking lot as part of their application to extend their hours of operation from 9 am to 2 am seven days a week. 

Bae Side’s current hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 1 am, and 9 am to midnight on Sunday. The city has already approved a maximum of 840 patrons. 

With the current hours, residents on Moberly Road and in the cul-de-sac have been kept awake and woken by motorcycle traffic and the roar of vehicles dropping off and picking up patrons to and from Bae Side. (On-site parking is limited.) The cul-de-sac has been blocked by Bae Side traffic, leaving no access for emergency vehicles. Residents, including seniors and those with young families, contend with the noise of rowdy patrons who have been drinking, partying both in the cul-de-sac and on Moberly Road during Bae Side hours, and after closing.

Bae Side seeks to extend this.

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD?

Our daughter, Ava, took this photo at 8:40 p.m., the evening of Tuesday, November 4th – a Barred Owl visiting our neighbourhood.  We have seen this owl in the area before, but never this close.

665A Market Hill at Leg-In-Boot Square

Tuesday, November 25, 7-8:30 pm
Short Getaways You May Never Have Thought of Right Here in Western Canada
Michael Nagel

Are you ready to update your travel plans or start a brand new bucket list? Join Michael as he shares ideas from his “local” travels, introducing fresh ideas for memorable short vacations right here in Western Canada, The slide presentation will include:

• Affordable, cheerful weekend or week-long escapes
• Adventurous new destinations
• Unique options beyond the usual spots

Respond to Michael at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.

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Wednesday, November 26th, 4-5 pm
Singing Your Soul Alive
Carol MacKinnon and Nancy Hinds

This is an invitation to join a gentle circle of singers or those who want to hum along, learning some easy songs and chants with words provided, interwoven with periods of silence, poetry, and perhaps writing. All VOICES welcome!
Respond to Carol at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.

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November 28, 5 pm and November 29 All day
Family Constellation Workshop
Andrea Woodhouse

Explore the unseen dynamics within your family system in this gentle yet powerful healing experience. In a supportive circle, we’ll bring awareness to inherited patterns, emotional entanglements, and generational influences that may be shaping your life. Through this embodied process, space opens for release, insight, and reconnection with your own inner strength and clarity. No prior experience is needed. Just a willingness to show up with curiosity and heart. 
Respond to Andrea at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*. 

At our next book club meeting, we'll be reading Tiná7 Cht Ti Temíxw / We Come From This Land: A Walk Through the History of the Squamish People by The Squamish Nation.

We have some hard copies to lend out. Please send an email to *email is hidden, JavaScript is required* if you'd like to borrow one. 

And as always, an RSVP is greatly appreciated so that we can plan the right seating and refreshments. 

Nathan's Book Club
Sunday, November 30th at 2:00pm
Twin Rainbows 5th floor lounge
1415 Lamey's Mill Road - east building