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Editorial Committee: Evan Alderson, Susan Wright, Sharon Yandle
Production Editor: Robyn Chan
Proofreader: Kathryn Woodward
Contributors this Issue: Sharon Yandle (Marine Mews), Kathleen MacKinnon (Regatta), Karen Hausch (Fountain Terrace), Jim Woodward (Market Hill), Kathryn Woodward (Market Hill), Susan Dehnel (666 Leg-In-Boot), Susan Wright (Henley Court)
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Making A Point Through Poetry. Or Something
ONE WAY TO TALK TO COUNCIL
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ED NOTE: Graham McGarva, chair of RePlan’s Community Planning Work Group (CPG), was among the RePlan group that met recently with some ABC city councillors (see RePlan Report in this issue). Perhaps because he is not a stranger to City Hall and is a self-declared disciple of ‘Urban Action w/Poetry”, one councillor remarked that his submission was "poetic."
Of course, 14 lines do not a sonnet make, but nor could they be confused with Concrete-Sequential thinking - the kind that mere mortals usually engage in. However, like poetry, sometimes Abstract Random (or whatever you call it) serves to make a point when ordinary prose just doesn’t cut it.
According to his notes, what Graham said was:
- Opportunity to make a new template for 21st century.
- Clear social and economic benefit of regenerative infill as opposed to replacing existing housing.
- You are dealing with tough decisions in a tough world.
- “We are a solution, we are not the problem.”
- We see the existing community as an asset in delivering substantive new affordable housing.
- We seek a better idea than asking government for funding to tear down existing family housing.
- We agree the first focus should be “catalytic action” between Cambie bridge and berm, while preparing for expanded infill along 6th avenue and future enclave regeneration.
- When the City’s Real Estate and Facilities Management plan came out in October 2021, we had issues, as did council, and not so much around ‘density’ but ‘delivery’.
- “Everyone” supports the campus of care.
- We have a “shadow plan” including campus of care to discuss with you and the community.
- This is a dynamic process; we want to engage with you in real time.
- We want collaborative early action…
- …in line with ABC’s platform points.
- We have waited 10 years. Something has to change.
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On April 3, RePlan representatives met with four ABC City Councillors (Lisa Dominato, Sarah Kirby-Yung, Peter Meiszner and Lenny Zhou) and the Mayor’s Acting Chief of Staff. RePlan requested the gathering to resume the 10-year dialogue, now with the new governing party.
RePlanners reiterated the willingness of the community (and Neighbourhood Association) to continue working with the City on a viable strategy to expand housing in False Creek South while maintaining existing and deeply affordable homes for as long as they are viable. We shared a preliminary draft plan that accomplishes that and fosters inclusion and community interaction.
We respectfully asked the ABC Caucus to support us in supporting their work to:
- Revise the co-op lease framework for False Creek South as soon as possible to ensure security of tenure for hundreds of people. By renewing co-op leases the City can show its commitment to existing housing for the lifespan of the buildings, and can negotiate lease lengths, including for non-profits on leased land, that are informed by the condition of the buildings, in keeping with Council’s October 2021 motion.
- Encourage initial development on the Intergenerational Hub by advancing community plans to the development permit level in this Council’s term for the Campus of Care – which has support from the community, Broadway Lodge, Vancouver Coastal Health, City Council and others – and to simultaneously advance workforce housing and non-market housing between the Cambie Bridge and the Bus Loop on undeveloped lands.
- Work with the City to accurately portray Census socio-economic data for leasehold-only households in False Creek South to dispel myths and accurately portray who lives here. We’ve done much of this work already and have offered to do more work with City staff to correct the Census 2016 data and accurately report the 2020 data.
- Schedule a tour for Councillors to witness life in this highly-livable mixed-income community.
- Appoint two Council liaisons as the points-of-contact for ongoing dialogue.
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Coming Soon!
SPRING CARNIVAL AT THE SCHOOL
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False Creek Elementary is hosting a Spring Carnival on May 11th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm both in the school and in Charleson Park. There will be opportunities to play, eat, create and enjoy for students, families and the community.
You can also contribute to the PAC fundraising by buying a “Jolly Jar”, kids’ art or vying for great prizes in the silent auction.
See you there!
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“I Really Have No Plans”
COMMUNITY LEADER MOVING ON
Sharon Yandle, Marine Mews
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I once asked a former workmate who had recently retired how he was enjoying his new life.
“Retirement”, he said, “is like being 12 years oid again. Your mother can’t really boss you around anymore, but you’re not seriously expected to take on any responsibilities”.
Although Evan Alderson (Regatta), retired some time ago from the SFU faculty, he seemed not entirely clear on the concept. Fueled by a passion to make things better, he let responsibilities creep up on him until this past week when he decided that enough is enough.
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Evan irresponsibly enjoying life
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And what a lot of things comprise that “enough”. For starters:
As a Neighbourhood Association delegate, Evan initiated and chaired its Community Engagement Committee and began a continuing process of community building. Between The Bridges (including its name) was his brainchild. From its first printing four years ago, Evan remained one of four editors, ending his participation with this, our 62nd issue.
Evan also undertook another initiative, toward an Age-Friendly Community. The idea of an ElderShare column was his, as was a particular focus on the envisioned Campus Of Care and its promise of a community-wide integration of services to meet the evolving needs of all of us at any age.
But wait: there’s more. Evan participated in the weekly meetings of the Association’s RePlan Committee which, as with all its members, recruited him to ensure the inclusion of all False Creek South tenure groups and projects. A strata owner-resident on freehold land, Evan brought to RePlan an always- informed perspective valued by everyone.
As to What’s Next, Evan reports “I really have no plans, no big travel ambitions, no nothing”.
Those words remind me of a character in Catch-22, a farmer who, thanks to government subsidies that replaced his need to work, “sprang out of bed at the crack of noon every day just to make certain that the chores would not be done.”
In asserting that he has “no plans, nothing” Evan added “beyond reading, reflecting and avoiding responsibility”. Seems that with this retirement, he finally got it right.
Be a 12 year old, Evan. You earned it.
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Workshop Coming Up
WRITE FOR US: HERE’S HOW
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Between The Bridges exists for the sole purpose of helping to build community in False Creek South - but our editors don’t do it alone.
We rely on another community: our contributors, neighbours who write about whatever in or around or about the Creek interests them and may interest others.
To support our existing contributors and, hopefully, provide a boost to others interested in becoming contributors themselves, one of our editors (Sharon Yandle, the bossy one) is planning a “How-To” and hopefully fun workshop on some of the basics involved in writing for a publication like Between The Bridges: organizing ideas, writing clearly, self-editing - that sort of thing. Definitely no math.
Now we’re testing for interest. Whether you’re a regular or occasional contributor or have never sent in a word before now, if you’d like to be part of a casual two-hour evening or weekend workshop, drop us a line with your contact info – *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
It takes a community to build a community. We really want to hear from you.
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CLEAN UP IS NOT JUST CLEANING UP
Kathleen MacKinnon, Regatta and Karen Hausch, Fountain Terrace
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A neighbourhood cleanup party is more than just picking up litter. At our first Neighbourhood Clean Up Party (formerly known as Keep Vancouver Spectacular) since the pandemic, we gathered to socialize, work together and show pride in our community.
On April 15 at 10 in the morning, 35 volunteers from 16 enclaves met at either Leg-in-Boot Square or False Creek Community Centre. We grabbed garbage bags, pickers and gloves, all provided by the City of Vancouver, and set off, mostly in pairs, to collect litter along the seawall and the streets of our neighbourhood.
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Three volunteers in the Clean-Up brigade.
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The day before we worried that we would never fill the bags provided by the City because the neighbourhood looked so clean. Ha! Organizers had to run home for more bags from their personal supply.
We collected cigarette butts, drink cups, lids, crushed plastic containers, tissues, masks, used doggie bags, a bicycle wheel, a broken lawn chair, an empty mechanic’s tool kit, a jewelry box, a sawed-off bike lock and lots and lots of random litter. By noon we had a surprisingly large pile for the city workers to collect.
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Tineke Hellwig (Fountain Terrace) points the way to this Clean-Up crew.
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On Spyglass Place several of us met a man who opened his car trunk to reveal a variety of items he distributes to construction workers, including work gloves. The gloves the City provided us “are like wearing Saran Wrap on your hands”, he said. He insisted on giving us enough industrial- strength gloves for all participants.
We were encouraged and thanked by passers-by and rewarded at the end with hot chocolate, coffee and yummy pony cakes and cookies prepared by Beth at Convivial Cafe, courtesy of the False Creek South Neighbourhood Association.
Volunteers went home wearing False Creek South Clean Up Superhero stickers, satisfied that we had made our neighbourhood a little better, and maybe met a new friend.
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Coyotes And Geese:
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
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Last issue we sent out a warning about the transmission of avian flu from birds (like geese) that can carry that virus to mammals. This issue we may need to warn the geese. About mammals. At least some of them.
While the Park Board announced controls on the goose population by sleuthing out nests and addling the eggs, some neighbours believe there’s actually a reduced number of geese in these parts. There used to be many more at this time of year, they say, especially around the pond. They also report evidence of expired geese that clearly did not go gently. Au contraire. Not a pretty sight.
Is it coyotes at work? They are reportedly even more aggressive than usual in denning season – that would be now – and sometimes Nature has a funny way of working things out.
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Fast-Tracking Housing For The Homeless
WHAT’S GOING ON AT MARGARET MITCHELL PLACE?
Jim Woodward and Kathryn Woodward, Market Hill
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New construction work for an addition is underway on the south side of Margaret Mitchell Place, the Temporary Modular building at Ash and West 6th.
Reflecting last December’s announcement by Premier David Eby and Vancouver mayor, Ken Sim, two "bridge-to-housing" projects at 1500 Main and 2132 Ash are intended to provide more stable accommodations for those experiencing homelessness, primarily in the Downtown Eastside.
According to the CBC, priority will be given to those now living in shelters. The projects are being fast tracked with input from BC Housing and the City of Vancouver.
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Location of new temporary housing at Margaret Mitchell Place
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As reported in The Daily Hive (14 December/22) Mayor Sim said that this “is not a permanent solution, but these projects will deliver much-needed housing quickly, freeing up additional capacity and shelters around the city.”
The addition on 6th and Ash will look different from the current muti-storey building. All 30 units will all be on one level – side-by-side construction trailers resembling housing for workers in remote locations. A new configuration for Vancouver, this type of housing for the homeless exists in other places in BC, including Surrey, and can be built more quickly than stacked housing.
Residents of Margaret Mitchell Place live in small bachelor-type suites, complete with a kitchenette and bathroom, but the new addition will provide each resident with only their own room and a shared bathroom, with access to amenities, including a kitchen.
The provincial government expects this additional housing to remain on site for at least three years as temporary accommodation until its residents can be moved to more permanent units currently under development in the city.
The one-time cost of site preparation and acquiring and assembling the modular structures is $6.9 million, with the City providing the land. The provincial government will also provide an annual operating subsidy to the non-profit housing operator.
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A Terrific Summer Ahead
PLAZA PLANS IN THE WORKS
Susan Dehnel, 666 Leg-In-Boot
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Last week 16 neighbours met at Convivial Café to review last year’s Plaza In Leg-In-Boot Square, brainstorm ideas and plan the coming season.
Along with an enthusiastic “Yes!” to continuing the Music In The Square summer series, Irish Day, Craft Sale, and Bring/Buy/Gift, were ideas to make these events even better: more diversity in music offerings, more home-made crafts and perhaps a recycling component.
Overwhelmingly, community members want to revive Afternoon Tea - a free program very dependent on donations. With a generous offer of support from one member, Beth and I are working on obtaining grants and other funding. (If anyone would like to donate to Afternoon Tea, please contact *email is hidden, JavaScript is required* or drop off your contribution at Convivial Café).
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Volunteers making streamers for the celebration in the Square of last September’s Truth And Reconciliation Day.
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Thanks to a neighbourhood volunteer, a new program with weekly sessions, Chair Yoga, is already in the works.
Among new suggestions grabbing the group’s imagination: a much-requested Fiesta (similar to Irish Day), as well as writing workshops, plays, “art in the park”, poetry slam, dance performances and support groups. All depend, of course, on volunteers coordinating each event.
High on the request list is Greening of the Square, an opportunity for people to get their hands in the dirt and revel in the joy of gardening while creating a more beautiful space for all to enjoy. Hopefully, this is the year to find an avid gardener ready to spearhead a green revival and expansion of Leg-In-Boot planters.
Because they are key to the success of the Plaza In The Square, it was gratifying to see familiar faces up for another season as well as so many newcomers. But more volunteers are needed! If you would like to be involved in any way, please send an email to *email is hidden, JavaScript is required* or pop-in to talk to Beth at Convivial Café.
To keep up to date with what’s going, see the Calendar of Events on the website at: www.leginboot.ca and on the wall at Convivial Café.
See you in the Square!
Susan Dehnel writes on behalf of the Plaza In The Square Working Group.
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Sole Food Street Farm
EAT WELL AND DO GOOD
Susan Wright, Henley Court
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This past Wednesday Yael Stav (Spruce Village), Chair of the FCSNA Sustainability/Resilience Working Group, invited residents to tour the site of the Sole Food Street Farm at 299 West 1st Avenue. About 12 people gathered to learn about how the farm works and its connection to the community it serves.
Heather Farmer, the Sole Food’s Director of Programs and Administration, told us that the farm, with more than 3,000 garden boxes on almost three acres of city land, employs 30 people full and part time March through November.
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Before planting….
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Sole Food trains and employs residents from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside who are facing complex barriers to employment. Individuals are given the opportunity to work with living soil, grow fresh food, develop new skills, and spend their days in an environment that supports the healing of body, mind, and soul.
As Propagation Lead Alain Guy, our co-host and an employee since 2009, said, “We do really good work here but mostly it helps others. I love to come to work and I’m not the only one who feels that way.”
Founded in 2009, Sole Food Street Farms is a Vancouver based social enterprise that transforms parking lots and urban land into productive agricultural landscapes. It is internationally recognized as one of North America’s largest urban farms, producing up to thirty tons of fresh food annually that is sold to the public and donated to community partners. About half of their funding is raised through donations; the other half is from sales of produce to restaurants, at local farmers markets and through a community-supported agriculture program. Heather says, “We give about one-third of our produce back to the Downtown Eastside.”
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…And after!
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Sole Food Street Farms models the economic and social possibilities for urban agriculture and demonstrates the vital connections between farming, land stewardship, and community well-being. Find out more about their vision here: Sole Food Street Farms.
You can sign up to share their community supported agriculture (CSA) program and receive their weekly box of hyper-fresh vegetables and herbs for twenty weeks beginning May 22nd for $35/week at https://solefoodfarms.com/csa/.
Delicious!!
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Where o where has our little dog gone?
We’ve grown (unfortunately) familiar with the disappearance of barbecues, bikes, toys, furniture, and pretty well everything else not nailed down on our patios and balconies. But this one is a mystery.
A few weeks ago the statue of a dog - the centrepiece of the fountain at the south end of the Land Bridge (aka the Laurel crossing over West 6th) – apparently slipped its leash. And though we’d like to think it was a voluntary jailbreak by a pup anxious to join the pack in the Charleson dog park, the rational mind says - Nope!
If you know how and why our favourite dog became a stray, please let us know: *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
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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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