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Editorial Committee: Susan Wright, Sharon Yandle
Production Editor: Robyn Chan
Proofreader: Kathryn Woodward
Contributors this Issue: Roxanne Brooks (Spruce Village), Susan Dehnel (666 Leg-In-Boot), Nancy Kirkpatrick (Pacific Cove), Beth Dempster (Convivial Cafe)
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| Mark The Date: August 27
GRILL ‘N’ CHILL IS BACK! |
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The False Creek South Neighbourhood Association’s Grill ‘n’ Chill On Nine Tree Hill - our annual barbecue and picnic – is happening at the western edge of Charleson Park, next to the seawall, on Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. |
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 | | A local ukelele band at a previous Grill ‘n’ Chill is the largest musical group to perform at our annual picnic and barbecue. |
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All False Creek South residents are invited to take part and enjoy. Come connect with your neighbours, listen to music, play games, and get your face painted! We'll have hot dogs, hamburgers, and other snacks.
We also need volunteers to help with set-up beginning 9 am and take down from 3:30 to 5 pm., and during the event itself. To get in touch please email FCSNA vice-president Vincent Pierce at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*. |
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At False Creek Elementary
BRING ON SUMMER!
Roxanne Brooks, Spruce Village |
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Things were hopping at False Creek Elementary as the school year came to a close.
June 13th was Sports Day, Grades 6 and 7 students attended Playland on June 16, and families brought in homemade dishes and snacks for a Teacher Appreciation Lunch this week. All this led up to the Grade 7 Leaving Ceremony on June 23rd, a bittersweet occasion for students, teachers and parents alike. |
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What a wonderful day it was!
We had a Photo Booth and the kids loved it! |
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| | School Leaving Ceremony for "the big kids"
Photo: Yael Stav |
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At the Ceremony itself, after student, teacher, principal and parent speeches, all the kids received their ‘diplomas.’ Then we made our way over to the False Creek Co-op meeting space for food and a slide show where families mingled and enjoyed ourselves, celebrating the big kids we love so much. |
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Keeping Us Connected
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS START JULY 6
Susan Dehnel, 666 Leg-In-Boot Square |
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False Creek South Neighbourhood Association delegates are launching a series of FREE one hour-long friendly, informative discussions of relevance to life in the Creek – and you’re invited to come along. Learn, imagine and create together with local residents presenting and encouraging conversation on diverse topics ranging from A(architecture) to Z(zoology). |
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On Thursday, July 6 from 2-3 pm in the Plaza at Leg-in-Boot Square, Dolores Bzdel will lead the first Conversation about how a group of pollinator friends is looking to nurture a butterflyway and pollinator habitat corridor in False Creek South. If you love pollinators and their favourite plants, love to garden, and/or want to learn more and be part of a cool group of nature enthusiasts – please come. More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/butterflyway3bc/
Dates, times and location of future Conversations are still TBA but stay tuned. Events will be posted on the window at Convivial Café and distributed by email, and can also be found on the calendar at www.leginboot.ca and on the False Creek South Community Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/368392819933437/.
If you have a topic you’d like to suggest, or would like to be added to the Leg-in-Boot mailing list, please contact Susan at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
Susan Dehnel is Chair of the FCSNA’s Community Engagement Committee |
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No Action So Far On Seawall Safety
COMPLAINTS SHOW SAME CONCERNS SINCE 2017
Nancy Kirkpatrick, Pacific Cove |
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Between The Bridges readers will know that in March the FCSNA’s Seawall Safety Working Group submitted a report to the City summarizing the findings of a residents’ survey from last fall. We then held a virtual meeting with three senior members of the City's Transportation Division to discuss our findings, highlight key safety issues on the seawall, and suggest practical, economic safety enhancements that could be undertaken before the busy summer season.
In May we received a response to a City of Vancouver Freedom of Information (FOI) request seeking "information on identified safety issues, and statistics on accidents and injuries" on the Seawall between the Cambie and Burrard Bridges for the years 2017 through 2022. We were told that Police Department records cannot be accessed through the City's FOI process, and that departmental record holders had indicated no statistics on accidents and injuries. |
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| | | Both FOI complainants and survey respondents frequently mentioned the foot of the stairs to Cambie Bridge as a safety hazard due to potential conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. |
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However, the City did send records of citizen complaints about seawall safety received via phone or online since 2017. Those concerns parallel the findings of our March report. The major issues noted were cyclist speeds, potential conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians in several areas--especially those highlighted in our report (foot of Cambie Bridge stairs and Anderson Street crossing at the entrance of Granville Island)--and the need for better lane markings and signage.
Well, the summer season is now upon us and we haven't yet seen any safety enhancements on the seawall. Still, our working group will continue to monitor seawall safety issues. We look forward to the promised opportunity to accompany City staff on a seawall safety walkabout and a follow-up meeting in September to review progress. |
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Neighbour Profile
RADIATING JOY THROUGH YOGA
Susan Dehnel, 666 Leg-In-Boot Square |
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The first thing you notice is how comfortable you feel in Sylvia Smallman’s presence. When she smiles, she radiates joy that wraps around and includes you in it. No surprise that she’s a long time Yoga practitioner and teacher – and now is sharing her skills with the community through free Chair Yoga classes this summer on Thursday mornings in the Square.
Sylvia has lived in False Creek South (Alder Bay Co-op) for over 35 years. Her interest in yoga began in the ‘70s; in 2003 she took yoga teacher training at Kripalu Centre in Massachusetts – a gentle yoga practice that suits Sylvia to a tee. On return to Vancouver, she started teaching right away.
“You learn so much from your students”, she said, and “as time went on I knew that I wanted to study yoga therapy.” She enrolled in a 3-year intensive yoga therapy course with Leila Stuart in White Rock, a discipline where participants can learn more about the body, how it works and about different pathologies, all combined with yogic philosophy. “It’s about so much more than just the body." |
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Sylvia is passionate about the benefits of Therapeutic Yoga. She tries to encourage her students by setting up situations where they’re slowing down and not pushing - listening to the wisdom of their bodies.
Physical or intellectual challenges present no barrier in yoga. Having developed a “dropped foot” from neuropathy in her right leg has been an advantage, she believes, as students can relate to her; “I don’t have a perfect body."
“I would say that anybody who is going to a Therapeutic Yoga teacher is going to a safe place where they can be themselves and feel safe to try things out, or to sit things out if they need.”
About Yoga In The Chair In The Square, Sylvia says, “I love teaching chair yoga and I’ve evolved my classes over the years into something that’s really fun and that people enjoy… And it’s my community! I’ve lived here for so long. I can ride my bike down, outdoors, no money, no expectations of any kind.”
If you’ve got a walker, or a wheelchair, you’re welcome too – roll on in for Chair Yoga.
Yoga in the Chair in the Square – 10:30-11am every Thursday in July and August |
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About our June 3 issue, Mary Anne Moore (Marine Mews) writes:
As always interesting, great articles …very informative. Disappointing, but not surprising, news about development proposals.
I was walking with a couple of friends yesterday. We all feel the goose is a beautiful bird but these ‘droppings’ are not. Have forwarded them that article.
* From Beth Dempster (Convivial Café):
I was so happy to see the short First Nations history a few issues ago. (Did You Know?, May 13/23). It reminded me of discussion at an FCSNA meeting that recognized the awkwardness of welcoming a ‘new neighbour’ - Sen̓áḵw development - to the neighbourhood their ancestors had been displaced from many years ago. Further discussion acknowledged that 'they' might justifiably be tired of educating 'us' about their history/culture/circumstances; that it might behoove us to educate ourselves instead. Thank-you for taking a step in this direction.
(I would gladly host a series at Convivial/Leg in Boot if someone wanted to provide/lead/discuss more of this kind of content...) |
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Creative Writing Workshop
FINDING WORDS FOR WHAT IS MEANINGFUL |
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This summer, local writer and editor Daniela Elza (False Creek Co-op) will once again offer four writing workshops on Intimacy and Poetry of Place. This project, supported by Neighbourhood Small Grants, “is dedicated to community building within and across neighbourhoods.” Like Daniela’s successful shared writing events last September, these workshops will take place in Leg-In-Boot Square. Dates and times are: June 30: 4-5:30pm July 20: 4-5:30pm August 10: 4-5:30pm August 25: 4-5:30pm Daniela describes the workshop format as “thinking and writing about the places we find meaningful in our communities and how they inform our uncertain future”, and asks participants to bring “your inspiration, your senses and insights, your creativity, and cheer” — as well as “a book to write in, and something you love to write with.” “There will be time to share in a group or small groups depending on numbers. Dress for the weather; this event will take place outdoors.” Interested? RSVP to Daniela at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*, with your preferred workshop date.  |
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The Watery Part Of The Creek
WHEN THE CREEK’S NOT POLLUTED, THAT’S NEWS |
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To Arts Club employee Nick Luca, the water in False Creek around Granville Island looked and smelled enough like pollution to report it to The Daily Hive (June 3/23).
But, according to DH writer Sarah Anderson, quoting staff of the City’s environment team, it was more likely sea foam resulting from “dissolved organic matter, including dead algae particulates” on the shoreline, “a common occurrence in False Creek”. And decomposing material can result in quite a stench. |
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| | | Photo: Nick Luca |
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Sea foam or not, False Creek is no place for swimmers. The water is tested regularly for E.coli because, as reported in Between The Bridges, (April /23), underground streams facilitate daily sewage outflows into the Creek. However, The Daily Hive continued, “on the morning of June 1, the water at three different testing sites near Granville Island registered either 10 or less than 10 E.coli MPN/100ml. For comparison, it was 96 E.coli MPN/100ml at Third Beach, which was open for swimming”. Water quality health advisories aren’t issued unless the guidelines “exceed a geometric mean of 200 E.coli/100ml or a single sample is less than 400 E.coli/100ml”. (For the full article go to https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/water-quality-granville-island.) ED NOTE: Thanks to Deborah Brakeley (Marine Mews) for alerting us to this concern. |
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Volunteering at Leg-In-Boot
THE PLAZA IN THE SQUARE NEEDS YOU!
Beth Dempster, Convivial Café |
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Did you know that volunteering decreases the likelihood of high blood pressure by 40%? And U.S. statistics show that people who volunteer over 100 hours a year are some of the healthiest people? Not to mention making friends and making your community a better place. Now that you know, we have the perfect opportunity for you. We need more volunteers (regular or occasional) to keep events and activities going at Leg-In-Boot Square.
Come early for Afternoon Tea or Music events; just three or four people to help set up canopies, lay out power cords, or assist musicians – then enjoy the music (and encourage someone else to pack it all up!)
Breathe in fresh air and watch the sunset as you lock up tables and chairs. There are usually a few interesting people or dogs to talk to. They might even help!
Perhaps you have gardening expertise or could help apply to the City's Green Streets program to keep our planters alive and beautiful. |
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| | | Angela, with 6-month old daughter Hazel, helping to set up Thursday Afternooon Tea in the Square. |
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You have a crazy schedule? Some things can be done whenever you have time: a bit of weeding, picking up garbage – and who doesn’t like playing with the spray-gun on a water hose?
Want to help from the comfort of home? Be a point-person for calling-in volunteers on short-notice. Expand your community connections by coordinating people from your computer. Post announcements in your building.
Perhaps you can help in other ways: There’s not enough room at Convivial, so we need a place to dry the heavy-duty wet-weather canopies. Or…
Finally, activities would not happen without financial support. We are grateful for personal donations (big and small), as well as support from Neighbourhood Small Grants, False Creek South Neighbourhood Association (FCSNA), and the City of Vancouver. Donations can be made through the FCSNA by cheque or by etransfer to *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*.
If you are interested in any volunteer options, please contact the Leg-In-Boot Working Group at *email is hidden, JavaScript is required* or talk to me at the Convivial Café. Thanks!! |
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| LEG-IN-BOOT SUMMER SCHEDULE |
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Saturday Afternoon Music – 2-4pm every Saturday through September
Live music featuring a variety of musicians and types of music
Irish Day - 12-5pm on Saturday July 8
Experience a taste of Ireland! Enjoy performances from Irish Dancers and Irish Musicians, while sipping on some cold drinks in the sunshine. Convivial Café will be serving homemade soda bread with a selection of jams and marmalades - a traditional Irish delicacy!
Afternoon Tea – 3pm every Thursday until…?
White tablecloth, tea and goodies with occasional light entertainment
Community Conversations - 2-3pm Thursday July 6 future sessions tba
(see article in this issue)
Art and Craft Fair – 12-4 pm August 12
Featuring local False Creek South artists and artisans selling their wares
Free facepainting from 11:30 – 1:30
Yoga in the Chair in the Square – 10:30-11am every Thursday in July and August
(see article in this issue)
Intimacy and the Poetry of Place (Writing Workshop) – 4-5:30 on June 30, July 20, August 10 and August 25
(see article in this issue)
False Creek is Alive – 10-4pm July 2, August 13, September 3
Inspiring awareness of issues facing our local urban marine environment (presented by False Creek Friends and Raincoast Conservation Foundation)
Check out the calendar at leginboot.ca for additional information and updates on events |
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When Will It End?
FIRST BOOTS, THEN POETRY |
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As if stealing Boots the Dog wasn’t bad enough.
Three months ago, Boots – the concrete dog once centered on the now dry and dog-less fountain at the 7th and Laurel Land Bridge – became the victim of an apparent theft.
Despite notices posted around the site (“Bring Back Our Dog!”, and pleas for its return with the warning, “Do Not Chase”), Boots became, at best, a stray. Since then, an anonymous neighbour created and installed (bolted!) a new sculpture of dogs at play on the fountain rim, attaching a piece of twine to several rain-protected cards that quoted poems celebrating dogs. The new sculpture remains, but someone has cut that twine and the cards have disappeared, Boots-like, into the void. |
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Sometimes the words of writers are appropriated without permission (okay, stolen), but the theft of these poems takes plagiarism to new and dizzying heights. Sadly, as we went to press (which we would do if we had a press) no leads have come in on the fate of either Boots or the poems. Send tips to *email is hidden, JavaScript is required*. No questions asked. |
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| | | Guerilla Art Strikes Again |
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At Alder Crossing on Lamey’s Mill: Another soul waits for the #50 bus on a Sunday evening |
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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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