COMMUNITY NEWS RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com

May 2016

Continued on page 2

Gift From Within Tour – A journey to save lives Saving mom with love,

guts and a kidney by Eileen Zheng

I was born and raised in East Vancouver and moved to the Vancouver-Kingsway neighbourhood in my teen years. I have always been very closely connected to my community, no matter where I lived.

Currently I work for the Windermere Community Schools Program as a programmer and I help to run the after-school programs in our local elementary schools for students to have a safe place where they can learn and be supported during after school hours. I was always one that benefited from these programs as a child, as my family was not able to afford much.

My mother was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is a genetically inherited disease. When I first envisioned helping my mother over eight years ago, she declined to take my kidney. She was uncertain of my future, the health risks and the changes that it may bring.

Today, a year after our transplant surgeries and doing extremely well, we realize the benefits of organ donation. It has not only improved our lives, but it has created an extraordinary bond between the two of us.

Now I am hoping to help people that are in need, but in a different sense. These are

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Eileen and her mom fully recovered. Photos courtesy of Eileen Zheng

Eileen Zheng will embark on the Gift From Within Tour in May to fundraise for the Canadian Transplant Association.

Right: Eileen visits her mom after surgery.Insert Inside

C o l l i n g w o o d D a y sM a y 2 1 - M a y 2 9

D o n ’ t M i s s

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSMay 20162

At Selmak Realty Ltd., we offer 3 months free desk fee. We also provide free training to new agents. Our monthly desk fee is $75.

We welcome you to contact Selina Mak at 604-456-0873 or email to info@selmakrealty.com for further information.

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誠意邀請房地產經紀加入本公司營業行列, 每月只須繳付 $75.00的行政費, 首三個月免繳付行政費。領有新牌無經驗者, 可享有本公司提供之免費完善培訓。

查詢詳情, 請電604-456-0873與麥太 (Selina Mak) 聯絡。

**以上優惠有條件限制及有附帶其他細則及條款**

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people that are waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

Being a living organ donor does not necessarily mean that your life stops and you have to change your lifestyle; it’s about saving or improving someone else’s life while you continue yours. It is the most meaningful gift you can give.

My goal is to share our story, increase awareness, increase organ donor registrants and fundraise for the Canadian Transplant Association for the literal lifesaving work that they do.

May 2016 I embark on an incredible journey across Canada on the Gift From Within Tour starting in Vancouver, B.C., and ending in St. John’s, Newfoundland. My fondest childhood memory was with my mother when

Gift From Within Tour Continued from page 1

she spent countless hours teaching me how to bike. Now I continue to bike for enjoyment, my health and the environment. I will cycle to events hosted by the Canadian Transplant Association across the country to tell our life-changing story.

I am asking for your contribution to my fundraiser at www.gofundme.com/ezexistence to begin the ride to help people in dire need of organ transplants. Every donation will make a difference regardless of the amount. Thank you in advance for your support.

You may follow my journey to save lives at www.giftfromwithin.ca.

Eileen Zheng donated one of her kidneys to her mother in 2015.

Eileen’s kidney donation procedure

Eileen was tested for everything health-wise the moment she went in to ask about donating a kidney to her mother.

It started with paperwork, blood work, physical exam, urine test, ultrasound, CT scans and genetics test.

She met the team (surgeon, nephrologist, anesthesiologist, social worker, psychiatrist) before the surgery; they were very thorough with making sure that she was 100% healthy and that she was not at risk of polycystic kidney disease herself in the future.

It takes four to eight weeks to recover, six months to recover fully.

Transplant donors can apply for reimbursements if you miss work, as well as for travel, living and parking costs.

3RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS May 2016

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Graham Bruce Spring Carnival, May 27 PAC fundraises to bring back stage use

Graham Bruce Elementary is having their 4th Spring Carnival on Friday, May 27 from 4 to 8 pm. Over the past three years these carnivals have been a great place to gather neighbours to enjoy some time together while helping the school. The funds raised last year was around $6,000 and with the moneys raised in the previous years gave us enough to build the new playground for the primary area.

The Vancouver School Board is facing a budget deficit of $25 million dollars – the worst deficit in over two decades. The proposed cuts will affect every family and the effects of the cuts will be felt for years to come. This is why the Graham Bruce Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) has its carnivals, to make up for what the students/teachers need yet don’t have access to. Many students in band will no longer be able to afford to do something they love. Graham Bruce has a stage in the gym that has not been opened in so many years most the teachers at the school didn’t even know it opened.

“I went to this school as a child and the stage was opened for all assemblies, plays and sporting events held at the school,” says parent Dave Lambert. “Now for it to be opened the school board must send a “crew” to open it, and charge the school $800 per time. We can’t afford that!”

The PAC would like to raise the money required to have a sliding door installed on the stage so it may be opened and used the way it was designed to be used. Donations are always welcomed and may be sent to the PAC email grahambrucepac@gmail.com or just write them if you went to Graham Bruce.

4

The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication.

Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinatorLisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinatorJulie Cheng: editorial coordinator

Contributors: Ahleck Hussin, Cari Chan, Diego Gomez, Eileen Zheng, Il Museo, Judy Hoang Photography, Loretta Houben, Matthew Wiebe, Mitchell Ng Liang An, Norman Hill, Paul Reid, Raymond Yang, Robert Edwards, Sid Kumar, T. Quan

Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome. We welcome appropriate, unsolicited editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes.

Contact the RCCNews

Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261Fax: 604-451-1191

Editorial: rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.caAdvertising: Phone Lisa Symons at 604.435.0323 email: rccnews-sales@cnh.bc.ca

Renfrew/Collingwood Community NewsCollingwood Neighbourhood House5288 Joyce StreetVancouver, BC V5R 6C9

The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).

COMMUNITY NEWS

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Libraries, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Renfrew Park Community Centre, The Italian Cultural Centre, Collingwood Policing Office, other organizations, religious institutions, schools, laundromats, Starbucks, Rona, Superstore, Canadian Tire, Walmart, London Drugs and Safeway coffee shops, restaurants, markets, corner stores, other businesses, and coffee tables all over Renfrew-Collingwood.

Next submission deadline: May 10

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSMay 2016

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New Il Museo exhibit traces family lines and lesbian family heraldryOn April 12, a new exhibition opening at the Italian Cultural Centre Museum. This exhibition examines the history of family identity through heraldry and seeks to incorporate same sex-marriages into this traditional iconography.

Artist Shelley Stefan’s work has always referenced the past. However, her perspective is split into polarities and her historical lens possesses two filters. One filter acknowledges that historians are guilty of sins of omission, the other sees the past as it should be.

Stefan, in her new exhibit Family Lines: Lesbian Family Heraldry, An Achievement

of Arms, sees aspects of the past that have been edited out of the public consciousness; a history often dictated by the dominant mainstream perspective.

But history can also be defined by the experiences of the dispossessed, who reside in the margins of the dominant, subsisting under the social radar, yet finding ways to survive, thrive and find fulfilment.

Il Museo itself is divided into two parts to represent Stefan’s dispossessed. First, the medieval part of the gallery, focusing on heraldry and the achievement of arms of the Stefan household, rectifies history’s sins of omissions regarding queer history and same-sex families. Second, the other half of the gallery demonstrates how queer culture has thrived and has been able to celebrate itself despite the necessity of concealment and subversion.

The medieval arms area of the gallery evokes medieval knights, battle armour and family arms—the world of the fortress or castle where the military triumphs, medieval

5RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSRENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS May 2016

April 12 – June 30, 2016

Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BCwww.italianculturalcentre.caTel: (604) 430-3337

Lesbian Family Heraldry:An Achievement of Arms

Shelley Stefan

Opening: Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 – 10:00PM

Hours:Tuesday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Family Lines Collingwood Ad-10/03/16

banquets and family identity become one and the same. Here also medieval knights embarked on dangerous quests to preserve social order against threatening influences, guided by the Christian virtues of the court and kingdom. Their function was to save their kingdom from the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride. Stefan’s female warriors, or effigies, are destroyers of an alternate set of vices that threaten to destabilize the harmony of her kingdom. In Stefan’s estimation there are six, not seven, vices: despotism, greed, malevolence, infantile behaviour, monoheroism and entitlement. According to Stefan, the true vices corrupting humanity are acts of injustice against our fellow human beings.

In Stefan’s view a courtly society must devote itself first to harmony between ourselves, our world and the rights of our neighbours. To achieve this we must first cultivate respect for others within our own homes. It is home and family which must stalwartly preserve these core values.

Stefan imparts these values in the motto she imprints on her family crest: Perfect love, Perfect trust. She chooses the armadillo as a personal emblem to connote that, for all families, especially non-traditional ones, this state of harmony requires an unusually thick skin, an armour to protect against the dissenting opinions of those who carelessly hurl insults, leaving the family unit under siege.

The second part of the gallery conveys the secret history of queer life. On the picture walls of the gallery hang Stefan’s Masked series. This portion of the gallery depicts masked revelers, an iconographic reference to Venetian culture in Baroque Italy. In Venice masks enabled men and women to walk through the streets and conduct business in public without revealing their identity. As well, masks alluded to the subversion of the social order, especially during the celebrations of the carnival. A

prince could assume the persona of a pauper and the pauper could dress in the guise of a king. Through the mask, the social order and established roles could be reversed. For Shelley Stefan the mask conceals both her personal identity but also that of her family. While she celebrates with her family in a carnival-like atmosphere, she is also protecting their identity. Her revels must be contained within the safe walls of the castle. The walls protect her family from the outside forces that can threaten the survival of her family in the guise of non-acceptance. The final series in the Family Lines exhibition is the ephemeral and elusive Figurations. Depicted in black and white, the Figurations are an exact embodiment of chiaroscuro; shaded enough to be hidden, but light enough to be exposed for those who care to look.

The Figurations are emblematic of the hidden history of queer life, fundamentally obscured from plain sight but able to be found by those who know what to look for. Il Museo, the Italian Cultural Centre Museum, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 6 pm.

Shelley Stefan’s family crest (left) and the family heirloom belt buckles with the image of the armadillo. Photos courtesy of Il Museo

6Renfrew Park Community Centre 2929 E,22nd Ave. 604.257.8388

May 2016

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Happy Mother’s DayFrom the Pre-teen Creative Writing Class at Collingwood Neighbourhood House, led by instructor Rania Hatzioannou. My Mom is amazing because whenever I ask for a slurpee, she always says yes.– Sid Kumar, age 9, grade 4, Graham Bruce Elementary My Mom is the best! I am proud of how hard my Mom works for my school supplies and for my food and shelter.– Ahleck Hussin, age 9, grade 4, Graham Bruce Elementary. I love my my Mom because she always lets me watch the Canucks even when the games end at 10 pm.– Raymond Yang, age 9, grade 4, Grenfell Elementary My Mom is awesome! Thanks Mom for everything!– Diego Gomez, age 11, grade 5, Carleton Elementary

7RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS May 2016

Papa John’s Pizza #300-3340 Kingsway Ph: 604.310.PAPA

Get InvolvedNeighbourhood Spring Flea MarketSunday, May 1, 201611 am – 4 pmCrafters and vendors welcomeElks Lodge5454 Fraser Street (38th and Fraser)Admission by donation to the Poppy Fund Net proceeds go to services assisting Veterans and their families and Collingwood Legion #48

Celebrate Neighbourhood House Week May 9-16During Neighbourhood House Week, neighbourhood houses across Vancouver open their doors to welcome the community with tours, celebrations and other events to showcase their work in the community.

This year, Collingwood Neighbourhood House invites youth ages 10-18 from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds to join in a free event on Friday, May 13 from 5-8 pm. There will be live performances from youth, light refreshments, games and many other activities. There will also be an unveiling of the Community Mural, a collaborative art piece between Renfrew-Collingwood Youth and artists Aly De La Cruz and Kim Villigante.

Community Conversation CaféTuesday, May 17, 7 pmCommunity Conversation Cafe are held the third Tuesday of every month at Collingwood Library. Free event. Join in conversations about community, belonging and much more.

Kickstart Disability Arts call for visual artistsKickstart Disability Arts & Culture is seeking BC visual artists who live with a disability for the possible inclusion in three upcoming exhibitions.

Kickstart’s year is being called Every Day in Every Way. The theme is open to multiple interpretations and can be viewed as having layers of political and social meaning, particularly for people with disabilities. The hope is to bring awareness to the contributions made by artists with disabilities, to our cultural community, every day and in every way.

These three curated group exhibitions will be at:The Gallery at The Cultch, August 2016Unitarian Church of Vancouver, September 2016

Vancouver Island (location TBA), February 2017

All mediums will be considered and it’s FREE to apply. How to applyPlease submit the following:1. All your personal information including you name, mailing address, phone number, email address.2. A written statement about yourself, your work, exhibition/artistic history, and anything else you would like us to know about you and your work.3. Up to 8 images of your work. We will be looking at these images to gain a visual understanding of your work. We will not specifically be selecting works from these images. 4. An image description list, which should include title, size and medium for each image you are sending us.

Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2016

Email your completed application to us at: kickstartdirector@gmail.com*please put “Every Day in Every Way” in the subject line.

Artists will be notified by July 1, 2016.

Have any questions? Email kickstartdirector@gmail.com

Your letters

Disappointed in Eating Out review

I was disappointed to read this racist comment in the Eating Out in RC column of your April 2016 edition: “Unlike most Japanese restaurants in Vancouver these days (which at last count was over 600), Kamone is not your-run-of-the-mill, Chinese-run, sushi restaurant.”

Can you not see how disparaging this is to Chinese people? If you don’t get it, imagine substituting “black-run” for “Chinese-run.” You wouldn’t publish it now, would you?

Or imagine a Chinatown where Chinese people run several Western-style restaurants. Then a Caucasian opens one up and promotes the business by saying, “We’re not your run-of-the-mill, Chinese-run, Western restaurant. No siree! We’re run by white guys (and therefore better)!”

So ironic that you would put down Chinese people when we are such a big part of Renfrew-Collingwood. You can do better.

T. Quan

Note from Paul Reid: To T. Quan and anyone else who was offended by my writing in the April edition featuring Kamome Japanese Bistro – my apologies. I was trying to convey how the menu at Kamome is exceptionally authentic, including that owner/chef Mika Walker is Japanese. This is apparently quite rare. In a 2014 article in the Vancouver Sun, Douglas Todd wrote: “And since only one per cent of Metro’s population has Japanese roots, restaurant industry specialists say most of the city’s sushi outlets are run by ethnic Koreans or Chinese...” I also went on to point out that Kamome Japanese Bistro does not even sell sushi.

Sincerely, it was not my intent to put down Chinese people or anyone else, only to point out how unique and authentic Kamome Japanese Bistro is. I probably could have worded it better though; so again, my apologies especially to my Chinese friends who do run Japanese restaurants.

Update on Bino’s

In the April issue of the RCC News, reader B. Baker wondered what happened to the wonderful owners and staff at the Bino’s (Joyce and Kingsway), which closed down in September 2015. Angela Evans of the Collingwood Business Association let us know that they posted news about the closure on their Facebook page with a message from former owners Dick and Ina. Their message, posted on Judy Hoang Photography’s Facebook page, generated more than 100 comments from their long-time customers.

Local author shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story PrizeLocal author Don McLellan’s short story, “Children of the Zocalo,” has been shortlisted for the 2016 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. His story was inspired by a homeless shoeshine boy he met while hitchhiking through Mexico in the 1970s.

The 2016 Commonwealth Short Story Prize attracted nearly 4,000 entries from 47 countries. Twenty-six stories by writers from 11 countries make up the shortlist.

McLellan documented some of his experiences growing up in Renfrew-Collingwood’s Diaper Hill in a short-story collection In the Quiet After Slaughter, which was a 2009 ReLit Award finalist. In 2015 he released his second collection, Brunch with the Jackals.

This could be history pics and history committee

May 21 - 29, 2016

FREE FUNfor everyone

collingwood days

Pancake Breakfast 9 a m - 1 1 a m

Saturday May 28, 11 am - 4 pm

at Carleton Elementary school , 3250 Kingsway, Vancouver

neighbourhood wide celebrations

International Marketplace Artisans’ Village Heritage Exhibits Dance Food Vendors Games BMX Prizes & Raffles Cultural Performances Dog Show Music History Collector Cards Joyces on Joyce Characters

Collingwood Days recognizes and honours that the celebrations take place on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish People.

info@shopcollingwood.ca www.collingwooddays.com www.facebook.com/collingwooddays

COmmunity Festival day

Festival Week Events May 21 to May 29 Saturday May 21 !10a.m. - 12 p.m.!Social Culture Club - Collingwood Nieghbourhood House (CNH)!!2:00 - 3:30 p.m.!Bionetting in Renfrew Ravine!!Sunday May 22!2:00 - 4:00 p.m.!Neighbourhood Garden Walk!!Tuesday May 24!12:00 - 1:30 p.m.!Community Luncheon & Entertainment - CNH!7:00 - 8:30 p.m.!Il Museo - Italian Cultural Centre!!Wednesday May 25!12:00 - 2:30 p.m.!Renfrew May Day Luncheon - Renfrew Community Centre!5:00 - 7:00 p.m.!Roof Top Garden Open House - CNH!7:00 - 9:00p.m.!WomenÕs Circle Storytelling - Slocan Field House!!Thursday May 26!2:00 - 7:00 p.m.!Spice Road Tea House - CNH!!

Thursday May 26!7:30 p.m.!thirstDays - VIVO Media Arts 2625 Kaslo!!Friday May 27!3:30 - 5:30 p.m.!Family Film Afternoon- Carleton Elementary !4:00 - 8:00 p.m.!4th Annual Graham Bruce Carnival!5:00 - 8:00 p.m.!Food Security Celeberation - CNH!!Saturday May 28!9:00 - 11:00 a.m.!Pancake Breakfast - Carleton Elementary!10:30 a.m.!Parade begins (Joyce Skytrain Station)!11:00 - 4:00 p.m.!Collingwood Days Festival - Carleton Elem.!2:00 - 11:00 p.m.!Poetry & Jazz - Bamboo Cafe!!Sunday May 29!10:00 - 12:00 p.m.!3rd Annual Historical Walking Tour - Swangard Stadium (registration required)!

9 - 11a.m. Pancake Breakfast (By Donation)!!Main Stage: Music and Dance all day !!!!! !Opening Blessing! Windermere Choir ! ! Go Taiko Drummers! Clara Fiddleheads & much more! !11 - 4p.m.!International Marketplace!Collingwood Heritage Pavilion!Kids Zone Activities !Food Cout!Artisan Village!BIA Rafße !Face Painting !Balloon Creations by Bent Air!Gymsense Demos!!SPECIAL SHOW TIMES!BMX Airshow !! 12:30pm - 1:30pm - 2:30pm!!Watermelon Eating Contest 1:00p.m.!!Paws Squad - Dog Agility Show!

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10 RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSMay 2016

                                                                                             

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES 日间娱乐活动   Collingwood Neighbourhood House May 2016 

 We are located on 5288 Joyce St. in Vancouver. Please call us at 604­435­0323 if you have any questions or want to find out more about our many seniors recreation and social programs. 

 MONDAY FUN­ DAY GROUP 

 星期一健康组织  Join the Monday group at Collingwood Neighbourhood House for fun activities, informative talks 

and a focus on wellbeing and interculturalism for seniors. Open to everyone, new comers welcomed! 

 Monday May 2nd 1:15­3pm: Birthday Cake + Bingo –Join us for FREE cake for everyone and a celebration of May birthdays then stay for Bingo! Tell us if your Birthday is in May. Coffee and cake will be served. There is no cost for this program, but please bring a small prize or $2.00 for bingo. Everyone gets a chance to win!  Monday May 9th: 1.15­ 3pm: FILM SCREENING ‘The Price of Reunion or Lessons in Happiness’ and Akberet Beyene. The film examines the challenges and triumphs of senior immigrants who come through family reunification program. Are the senior immigrants a burden on society, or do they have the potential to contribute to it? This question is explored through the stories of some remarkable senior immigrant women, experts' opinions and street interviews. Afterwards, Akberet Beyene will be giving a talk about her experiences as a refugee who came to Canada 6 years ago. Coffee and snacks are provided. $2.50.  Monday May 16th:1.15 – 3pm: Games Day! Bring your friends along and let’s play some games! We’ll be setting up different games stations for lots of choice…or why not bring your own to share with the group? Cards, Dominoes, puzzles, music and more. Coffee and snacks provided. Cost is $2.50  Monday May 23rd: CLOSED VICTORIA DAY  Monday May 30th 10am­ 2pm: TRIP TO REIFEL BIRD SANCTUARY, DELTA. The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary consists of nearly 850 acres of managed wetlands, natural marshes and low dykes and is home to millions of birds seeking feeding and resting .Cost $5 plus $3 entry fee. Registration and payment required at CNH reception. 14 spaces only; unfortunately the bus is not wheelchair accessible.  Renfrew Collingwood Better at Home Program:  The Better at Home Senior’s Shuttle operates on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am‐ 4pm. The shuttle can provide transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, social activities and more! Fees are charged on a sliding scale according to income and volunteer support can be arranged if requested. Call 604 435 0375 to register today! The Better at Home Walking Club leaves CNH each Monday and Wednesday at 10.30am. You can register and walk on the same day. New members are always welcome! Pick up a copy of the monthly seniors bulletin at reception to find out the schedule or call 604 435 0375 for more information.  

The Other Guy’s Opinion: On Air TravelThe other day I read an article about the Concorde, which has been out of service for the better part of 20 years. This remarkable airplane did twice the speed of sound and was able to travel over 1,310 miles an hour at an altitude of 55,000 feet. It allowed passengers the chance to travel from New York to London or vice versa in approximately 3 ½ hours. Today, we’re fortunate if we can make it in 5 ½ hours by the most modern airplane equipment in this year.

At that same time the Concorde was travelling at twice the speed of sound, our airports gave us the service in the checkouts and the holding areas that was a sheer delight compared to what they’re offering today. Furthermore, at the same time the Concorde was making records, the airports provided service second to none. The airlines had plenty of staff checking in your luggage and provided you with a seat of your preference. As well, there were

three options: first class, business and regular class.

Today it’s somewhat different. You have to check in two to three hours ahead of time in order to clear security. But before you even attempt to get to that stage of your flight, you have to check in through an automatic system where you need to enter all the information before an automatic boarding pass is printed out. It’s always a middle seat now, regardless if you’re in business or regular class. The window and the aisle seats can be obtained for an extra charge.

After you make these decisions, you go to the counter and a staff member will check if you were competent enough to fill out your ticket and if your luggage is overweight or unacceptable. The next challenge is to pass through security and the long lines, regardless if your flight’s leaving in half an hour or half a day; you still have to queue up and do a semi-

undressing of your shoes, your belt, your jacket, empty all pockets and any other thing that might be offensive to a machine.

Once you’ve obtained a seat on a plane that is going in the direction that you want, there’s always another roadblock—and that is you don’t fly direct unless you just might be lucky enough if it’s a trans-Atlantic flight. Otherwise, the plane is quite similar to the bus that you take to work; it drops down and picks up new passengers along the way. What used to take hours now takes half a day. For the long flights, well, the plane might hold more passengers but it sure never goes half as fast as the Concorde.

And if you want something to eat or drink an alcoholic beverage, you have to pay for it. At one time, the free food and free beverages were equal to any quality restaurant.

Today, the fast food restaurants are gourmet compared to what is being served in the air.

Today, the only thing that you’re not doing is getting up and serving yourself after you pay for the meal that you wouldn’t buy anywhere else except in the air.

I can’t help but feel that the airline industry (regardless of what airline or what country they represent) is continually going backwards; especially the lack of space between the seats that forces you to endure an upright position regardless of how many hours it takes.

Air travel now becomes a necessity, not an enjoyment. Gone are the days of the hope of progress when the Concorde made its debut. There’s even a rumour that there are now short-haul flights where you sit in a saddle-type seat holding on to a strap. Airships of today are

nothing more than the passengers’ cargo ships.

I’m sincerely grateful that I lived in a time and did travel extensively when air travel was an enjoyable experience. Now I realize it’s gone forever, other than in memories.

The Other Guy is also known as Robert F. Edwards.

Do you agree with The Other Guy’s opinion? You are welcome to send us your opinions. Please email: rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca

50% Discount SpecialsTuesday - Pizza

Wednesday - Select WinesThursday - Pasta

Hasco, former owner of Roman Ristorante on Kingsway, invites all his old friends to visit him in Kitsilano

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS 11RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS May 2016

The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway

Dear Neighbours,

The arrival of spring has truly stirred action in our Vancouver-Kingsway neighbourhood! I was thrilled to welcome over 400 people to our 10th annual Seniors’ Wellness Fair in April. Every year, staff, volunteers, and exhibitors put this event together to connect seniors in our community with resources, services, and important health and wellness information. I would like thank our volunteers from the community office: Christina, Lucila, Bill, and Bianca, as well as Cheryl Palidda and her team of hardworking volunteers, and the very dedicated Gabriel Yiu, who has offered his time and expertise to the fair for many years. This month, Eveline, Lucinda and I heard from the Vancouver School Board about the future of our schools at the community consultation at Renfrew Park Community Centre. I met many parents from the neighbourhood who share our concerns about what potential closures will mean for schools in our community. As grave news about school closures ring across the province, we’ve launched the “Support our Schools” section on our website to keep community members like you up-to-date with news and action about our local public schools.

Sign up to Support Our Schools!

In 2010, Vancouver Kingsway residents came together to successfully oppose the closure of elementary schools in our neighbourhood. Now, due to actions taken by the BC government, the issue is back before us and the Vancouver School Board. A failure to provide adequate and stable funding is at the heart of the issue – BC schools are being forced to make $54 million in cuts to pay for the government’s latest funding decision, and linking school closures to needed seismic upgrades is just not right.

Our schools are at the centre of our neighbourhoods and communities! As your MLA, I am committed to supporting:

Our local public schools - Norquay, Cunningham, Carleton, Bruce, Collingwood, Grenfell, Renfrew, Beaconsfield, Nootka, Gladstone, and Windermere. Our schools should not be closed.

The Vancouver School Board in its fight to secure sufficient resources for classroom education.To stay updated about the future of our schools, sign up for our email list at adriandixmla.ca and download our Support Our Schools petition!

Collingwood Days Festival May 28th 11am to 4 pmCarleton Elementary 3250 Kingsway

Collingwood Days Festival takes place this month from May 21st to the 29th. It’s a free community event and everyone, pets included, are invited to enjoy a week of family-friendly fun including: multi-cultural food and shops, a dog show, world class BMX bicycle demonstrations, local entertainment, and much more! Come visit us at our community booth Saturday May 28th after the parade.

The Seniors Connection

Memories of Expo 86 by Loretta Houben

The 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, or simply “Expo 86,” opened 30 years ago this month on May 2, 1986, and ended on October 13, 1986. The motto for Vancouver’s world fair was “World in Motion, World in Touch” and I believe its purpose was accomplished as we’ve been whirling in the aftermath ever since! Although it cost millions more than budgeted, it was a grand success with 22, 111, 578 visitors. The fair was the last to be held in North America in the last century, and the first time at which the Soviet Union, China and the United States exhibited together in North America. Expo 86’s legacy is still here: the Skytrain line, BC Place Stadium, Canada Place and Telus World of Science. It coincided with Vancouver’s 100th birthday. Personally I thought it would be boring, so I only bought three-day passes. I quickly changed my mind and wished I’d bought a full six-month pass. My memories of Expo are getting rather fuzzy after the passing of 30 years, but I recall my love of people watching began at this fascinating place filled with sound, movement and colour. Me and my family, including my sister Marie wearing her sheep jersey, met Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the lobby of the Pan Pacific Hotel as they were leaving for an event after opening Expo earlier that day. Princess Diana spoke a few words with us and we were fascinated. Everything seemed magical and glittering after that episode, and each day I visited Expo (after purchasing another three-day pass) seemed more delightful than the day before. There were coloured zones, in which everything matched that colour including the flower beds, and there were 54

pavilions which each had a special stamp for Expo passports. The architecture, exhibitions, music, colours, food, people with different languages and accents all contributed to a fantastic experience. The pavilions were interesting and had restaurants with ethnic food to match. Do you remember McDonald’s floating pavilion? One of my favourite memories was watching the fireworks show every evening, held on the water, with the theme song “Something’s happening here!” Out of all the pavilions I looked at and enjoyed, I remember British Columbia’s the best, with “Hello Zargon!” in the middle of the movie we watched, and in between the scenes of beautiful images of BC, there was an older man replacing light bulbs. I didn’t realize what he was doing, until the BC Parliament buildings in Victoria were lit up with not one bulb missing, at the end of the movie. It was the beginning of great change for Vancouver and we’ll never be the same again.

Do you have favourite memories of Expo 86? Please let us know! Email rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca.

Loretta Houben stays dry under the rain umbrella! October 1986.

The colours of Expo. May 1986 Photos courtesy of Loretta Houben

View from Main Street Station. May 1986

12 RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSMay 2016

Read On! A news section for Renfrew-Collingwood learners

Read On! has a web page. You can:

Read the articles

Print worksheets

http://renfrewcollingwood communitynews.com/category/ read-on/

Reading levels on this page

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Translink is the name of the public transportation system in and around Vancouver. Starting April 4, Translink closed the old ticket gates at SkyTrain stations. Now you need a Compass Card or Compass Ticket to ride the SkyTrain. All of the rules and fares (prices) can be confusing. Here are some points that I hope will help you understand the new system:

l You need a Compass Card or Compass Ticket to ride the SkyTrain, SeaBus or West Coast Express.l You can buy the Compass Card at stations, London Drugs or online.l You can still use cash and Faresaver tickets on buses, or use a Compass Card.l There are still three zones when riding the SkyTrain. All of Vancouver is Zone 1. Burnaby, Richmond, New West, North Vancouver and West Vancouver are Zone 2. All outside areas are Zone 3. You need to pay more if you are going through zones two and three.l Buses do not use zones. The cost is the same for all areas in and around the Vancouver area. l After 6:30 pm you only need to pay for one zone when using the SkyTrain, no matter where you are going. Saturday, Sunday and holidays are also the cost of only one zone. l If you ride the bus and/or SkyTrain a lot, you can save money by buying a monthly pass. You need a Compass Card to buy a monthly pass.l Children age four and under ride for free.Do you like the new Compass Card system? Do you find public transportation easy to use in Vancouver?

 

 

Transportation

Z Z W G O T C S F F V Y Y J P K M I I E L T Z I C E C G S I S G I K W A B M B M W A D V P S R C E T A G V B E G K S N A T I E I L I T M E T I S I P P T R O A R R I V E S Z K W K G F N A E V R G A C Y O Y N T L L A O N S U B A E S N T S S G C P R N S Q S S Q C E R G R J L I W E E L C V C L T A Y B Y I U L S N F I X Q K Y I R P Z A B U B S N K N L E T N Y O U Y L Q E U Z M V K X N S I E K T R A N S P O R T A T I O N K O T C C G K U X S Y Q B C C I

ARRIVE COST FARE GATE PUBLIC SEABUS SEAT SKYTRAIN STATION SYSTEM TICKET TRANSLINK TRANSPORTATION ZONE

 

 

 

Photo by Mitchell Ng Liang An

Photo by Matthew Wiebe

When Do You Say This? Here are some things you might hear while using public transportation. For each sentence, think of a time when you might say this.

“May I sit here?”“Stroller getting off at the next stop, please.”“Here, have my seat.”“Which bus do I take to get to Metrotown?”“What time is the next bus coming?”“What stop do I take to get to the library?”“Does this bus go to Joyce Street?”“Excuse me.”“What time does the next SeaBus arrive?”“Can you please move back?”“I’m getting off at the next stop.”

Transportation

Do you use public transportation? Public means people and transportation means a way of moving from one place to another, for instance, bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus. If you do, you have probably noticed some changes over the past year to the Translink system.

Getting Around on Public

13RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS May 2016RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

RENFREW PARK COMMUNITY COMPLEX 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5M 2Y3

604 257-8388 Fax: 604 257-8392 Website: www.vancouver.ca/renfrewrec

Jointly operated by Renfrew Park Community Association and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation.

Special Event HighlightsGlow in the Dark Bowling @ Grandview Lanes (10-13yrs)Fri May 20 9:00am-03:00pm $15/person

May Day Luncheon (55+yrs)Wed May 25 12:00pm-2:30pm $8.57/person

Spring Program Highlights Family Gym Time (Crawling-5yrs)All family members are welcome. Adult participation required. No session May 23, June 10. Mon, Fri Apr 4-Jun 17 10:30am-12:00pm $3.35/drop-in, $1.25/sibling

Little Chefs (5-7yrs) Renee LinLearn how to make delicious and healthy snacks and lunches in our kitchen and eat your creations. Sun May 22-Jun 26 11:00am-12:00pm $60/12 sess

Circus - Intro to Circus Arts (7-12yrs) Circus WestJoin us for an introduction to CircusWest's ever popular circus program. Youth will learn introductory to intermediate circus skills with a focus on fun, fitness and fundamentals. Students will learn basics in acrobatics, partner acrobalance, unicycle, and juggling. As well, students focus on group act development, clowning skills and basic theatre/presentation skills. Join the Circus! Tue May 24-31 5:00pm-6:15pm $44/2 sess

Magician's Club (7-10yrs)Tue May 3-31 3:45pm-4:45pm $5/5 sess

Badminton Lessons (6-19yrs) Richard LeSat May 14-Jun 11 $65/5 sess Shuttle I - 1:15pm-2:00pm Shuttle II - 2:00pm-2:45pmShuttle III/IV - 2:45pm-3:30pm Wibit Inflatable Day in the pool

Saturday, May 21st from 2:00pm–4:00pm Come and join in the fun! *Regular admission rates apply

Spring Registration is ongoing, register early so you don’t miss out. For our full listing of programs check out our website or drop by and pick up a brochure. GST excluded. Registration has now started. Register early so you don’t miss out.

Yogalates (19+yrs) Espirito Santo MauricioWed May 18-Jun 15 6:00pm-7:00pm $38.75/5 sess

Hatha Yoga (19+yrs) Hisae McMichael$10.48+tax/Adults, $9.52+tax/Seniors drop-in if space, with per-mission of instructor. No session Jun 4. Sat May 21-Jun 25 9:15am-10:30am $43.75/5 sess Thu May 26-Jun 30 7:15pm-8:30pm $52.5/6 sess

Renfrew Licensed Preschool Registra�on Fri, May 6th from 6am‐11:30am Priority registration is given to siblings and those currently in the program. Forms will be handed out on the day of registration at 6:00am. For more information call 604 257-8391.

Special Hours of Operation Victoria Day Weekend

Pool Fitness Ctr Centre Area Sat May 21 8:30am-4pm 9:30am-4pm 9am-5pm Sun May 22 1pm-5pm 1pm-5pm 10:30am-5:30pm Mon May 23 1pm-5pm 1pm-5pm Closed

2016 Summer Centre Programs For our full listing of programs check out our website or

drop by and pick up a brochure. GST to be added. Registration Starts On-line and in person Registration Tue, May 24 Register by phone (604 257-8388) Wed, May 25

To create a new account, go to recreation.vancouver.ca

2016 Summer Swim Lessons Registration Starts On-line and in person Registration Mon, May 16

CNH Board calls for nominations Collingwood Neighbourhood House is accepting nominations for its Board of Directors.

Applicants should live and/or work in Renfrew-Collingwood, have a broad understanding of the neighbourhood and feel committed to becoming engaged in improving all aspects of our neighbourhood. We are interested in hearing from people from all backgrounds and ages but are especially interested in applicants who are between the ages of 21-29 or are 55-plus. This year we have a particular need for those with experience in fundraising, financial management, legal work and the small business or corporate sector. We are also particularly interested in applicants from Indigenous, Indo-Canadian, Latino and Chinese-Canadian communities.

Applicants should be able to spend 8-10 hours per month on Board-related work and be able to commit to a two-year term, starting this October. The deadline for applications is June 1. If you are interested, please contact Jennifer Gray-Grant at 604-412-3835 or jgray-grant@cnh.bc.ca.

14

This page is sponsored by the Collingwood Neighbourhood House

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)H I G H L I G H T S

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSMay 2016

CNH’s Green Team takes action on sustainability by Norman Hill

COMMUNITY LUNCH Collingwood Neighbourhood House invites you to lunch every Tuesday and Thursday. Full meal prices are $6.25 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for students and $3.25 for children under 12. Items can be purchased a la carte or “to go.”

May lunch menu

Tuesday, May 3Tomato soupEgg salad sandwich Chocolate mousse

Thursday, May 5Sweet and sour pork with noodles /veggie stir fry Salad; Sweet sesame cookies Tuesday, May 10Tortilla soupChicken /veggie StromboliSalad; Bran muffin

Thursday, May 12Shepherd’s pie meat /vegetarian Salad; Walnut cookies Tuesday, May 17Chick pea and lentil soupLamb/falafel shawarmaSalad; Almond cookies Thursday, May 19Moroccan chicken with couscous /veggie tagine Salad; Orange cake Tuesday, May 24Cream of cauliflower soupSalmon salad sandwich Salad; Strawberry pudding Thursday, May 26Salisbury steak /veggie option Mashed potatoesSalad; Cream cheese brownie Tuesday, May 31Squash and thyme soupMeat /veggie burgerSalad; Raspberry almond cake

For the past five years, CNH has been working hard to improve its environmental sustainability.

These efforts have been led by our ‘Green Team’, a staff-driven group including Teresita Nidua, Elise Barber, Sally Phung-Ip, Kulwant Kaur, Qasim Ahmadi, Najia Elacel, Zeena Chopra, Suzanne Liddle and Karen Caguioa.

Since 2011, CNH has worked with Climate Smart (https://climatesmartbusiness.com/) to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all 11 CNH sites. Climate Smart is a local social enterprise that helps organizations measure their carbon emissions and plan emission reductions.

Each year, CNH measures our organization’s greenhouse gas emissions. Sources of emissions include electricity, heat, vehicle use, staff commuting, paper consumption and garbage disposal.

Since 2011, CNH has successfully reduced major sources of CNH’s greenhouse gas emissions, such as electricity-related emissions (down by almost 14% since 2011) and natural gas-related emissions (down by 14.4% since 2011).

What’s encouraging is that while our number of facilities, programs and staff grew between 2013 and 2015 overall emissions were reduced significantly, from 210 metric tonnes of CO2 to 184 tonnes, a decrease of over 12%!

CNH’s energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions have been achieved through changes to CNH’s buildings and equipment and changes in behaviour by staff and CNH participants. These changes have included:

• reducing lighting in the Joyce Street location parkade by disconnecting half the light fixtures

• switching to high efficiency fluorescent lights and LED exit signs at the Joyce Street location, Sarah House and Duke Street• installing occupancy sensors in some of the washrooms and the photocopier room to save energy when the rooms are empty• displaying Power Smart BC energy stickers on computer monitors and electrical switches to encourage staff to turn off monitors and lights they are not using • turning off the heat at the end of operations every day• installing a bike rack in the Joyce Street location’s parkade to encourage bicycle commuting• replacing conventional shower heads in the Joyce Street location with high-efficiency units• programming photocopiers for double-sided copying, to cut paper consumption• switching to electronic invoicing and paystubs to save paper• completing a refrigerator audit and reducing the number of refrigerators

Several years ago, CNH started an electronic newsletter called the ‘CNH Green E-newsletter’ to keep staff up-to-date on CNH’s sustainability initiatives. Recent editions have included advice on saving water, a request for suggestions on a battery recycling program, information

about a BC Hydro/Fortis BC information session on home energy saving options, and data on CNH’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Recently, CNH has set up waste stations with separate bins for recyclables, compost and garbage. A City of Vancouver video on composting was played in the CNH lobby to educate staff and participants on proper waste disposal. Staff have been encouraged to maximize the use of CNH’s own compost bins, which produce valuable fertilizer for CNH’s rooftop garden.

In 2015, CNH was one of 72 Vancouver-based organizations that were collectively awarded a City of Vancouver Greenest City Leadership Award for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This year, the Green Team has been active in organizing around Earth Day. It hosted an Earth Day Celebration, which included a climate-conscious vegetarian potluck meal, earth-friendly crafts, and a screening of the environmental video ‘The Story of Stuff’, which shows how our society is based on the unsustainable consumption of goods, or ‘stuff’.

Note: Registration for CNH’s July-August summer recreation camps for youth will open in mid-May. Details will be available soon - call 604-435-0323.

Green Team members demonstrating use of CNH’s waste stations

15RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS May 2016

CBIA UPDATESl COLLINGWOOD DAYS MAY 21-29th, 2016!- Check out www.collingwooddays.com for updated schedule of events and see insert in this issue. Festival Day May 28th 11:00 am - 4:00 pmIf you’d like to participate in Collingwood Days as a vendor in the International Marketplace,Food Court or volunteer go to the website for application forms.

Pancake Breakfast, Dog Agility Shows, Kid Zone, Art and Crafts, Main Stage and Demonstration performances.

Be a part of Collingwood Days 2016 the Biggest Little Festival in Vancouver. We’d like to thank our sponsors to date: Heritage Canada, City of Vancouver, Mosaic BC, Westbank Development, Vancity, Safeway, London Drugs and Starbucks.

The Collignwood BIA has been part of the Collingwood Days Steering Committee for the past 10 years. It’s been a pleasure working with the Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Collingwood Community Policing Centre over the years to help build Collingwood Days to the vibrant family, multicultural community event today.Join us in Celebrating Collingwood and the community. Kid Zone, BMX Shows, Dog AgilityShows, Main Stage performances, Food Court, Heritage Pavilion and much much more.

Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)H I G H L I G H T S

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

l SPRING IN COLLINGWOOD The planter boxes are looking beautiful and we would like to remind our businesses whohave graciously adpoted the box in front of their business to add water to the planters atleast once a week. When the weather warms up more it may need it watered twice. Theplanters are self watering but need your help too.

If your business would like to adopt a planter box please contact our office, 604.639.4403.

l Jr. BIA The CBIA would like to thank the 2016 - 2017 Jr. BIA students at Windermere Secondary School for another year of success. All the best to the graduating students and we hope you stay in touch. Many past Jr. BIA members have stayed connected to the BIA and have worked as summer students. Have a great summer and we’ll see you in September with some new members.

This year the Collingwood BIA has set up a bursary to help a graduating student at Windermere. l Follow us on Facebook Twitter Instagram

Almost everyone has heard about MOSAIC and their work with immigrants and refugees, but did you know that their WorkBC program is for everyone in B.C.? Maria Aleli Poe is a community engagement and employer relations specialist with our local Vancouver Northeast WorkBC Employment Services Centre, serving the neighhourhoods of Renfrew-Collingwood, Hastings-Sunrise and Victoria Drive.

Some of the services available through the Vancouver Northeast Employment Services Centre can help you set career goals, analyze skills gaps and understand current labour-market information and trends. Free assessment tools are available to identify your skills, abilities and interests as well as help you identify the right job opportunity. They can help you write a resume, sharpen your job search skills, prepare for an interview and, if eligible, get funding for training.

A graduate of Simon Fraser University’s Career Practitioner Program, Maria has worked with MOSAIC for the past five years. “I try to find collaborative opportunities within the community, aligning people and their skills, interests and passions—with employers and jobs.” She also looks for mentors. “Meaningful relationships with neighbouring communities and individuals, including those keen on volunteering for MOSAIC’s various programs, have come out of these collaborative opportunities.”

The Vancouver Northeast Community Partnership includes Access, Back in Motion, BC Centre for Ability, Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, Kiwassa Neighbourhood House, NewStart and Vancouver East Side Educational Enrichment Society (VEEES). Together, these organizations have helped thousands of job seekers find work, including young people, persons with disabilities, newcomers and Canadian-born Citizens, and they’ve worked with hundreds of employers to meet their recruiting needs.

Most recently they have been busy working with the Syrian refugees as part of a brand-new program. “It’s only been a month and a half in, but we already have some amazing success stories, and many people are calling in to offer employment. “I work with an amazing team here,” says Maria. “We treat people as individuals, not as numbers.”

When not working, Maria enjoys getting out into nature. Her family and her have done their share of hiking and camping throughout the province. She also loves to cook and to read and is an active volunteer in her community of Fleetwood.

MOSAIC is one of the Bronze sponsors of Collingwood Days. Look for them there with their new interactive area. In 2017, MOSAIC will be moving their headquarters to the Wall Centre Central Park building near Boundary and Kingsway, currently under construction.

Maria Aleli Poe

Note: Registration for CNH’s July-August summer recreation camps for youth will open in mid-May. Details will be available soon - call 604-435-0323.

16 RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWSMay 2016

• Bulk Grains, Flour, Beans, Herbs, Spices & More!

• One Stop for Baking Ingredients

• Gluten Free Options

• Organic, Non-Medicated & Grass Fed Meats

• Fresh Produce with Organic Choices

• Natural Health and Beauty Section

• In Store Deli & a Huge Selectionof Cheese

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Food Store

1595 Kingsway,Vancouver, B.C. • 604-872-3019OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8am-9pmwww.famousfoods.ca

BigEnough to Serve You – Small Enough to Know You

Collingwood Branch #48’s Spring Flea Market

Sunday, May 1, 2016; 11 am – 4 pm

Elks Lodge5454 Fraser Street (38th and Fraser)

Admission by donation to the Poppy Fund Net proceeds go to services assisting Veterans and their families