This Saturday 05 jul'08

Planned Walks: - Sat, Jul 5, Granville Island to Kits Pool, 2.9 km
Leaving from Brit S-Centre on Brit bus 11am.
Be there or be square!
55+ Social Walking Club AML (Active Communities Vancouver) Summertime walks "Walking to Wellness" - passports and pedometers for all participants. It's social, healthy and relaxing! We meet and plan our walks together. Call Ann Wed or Thurs to reserve a spot.

Entertainment at Lion's Den

www.luna-rossa.ca for more info on Patrizia

Taken by Laurette V

Lion's Day Luncheon

Patrizia & Carolynn.

Twins are 84 1/2! Very proud ladies.

Photos by Laurette

Cycle Club

Pic was taken under the trees where they nest & entrance to Lost Lagoon on the way to Stanley Park.

We had a great day to cycle. Weather was perfect & not too hot. We left 1030am & went to Stanley park & back by 3pm. We discovered some interesting sights. As we were entering the park via Lost lagoon we discovered where the Pacific Blue Herons nest. Loads of nest in the trees & the cackling etc... Unfortunately hard to get any great pics due to the foliage of the huge trees. You would see them fly off & too fast to get the camera ready LOL.

http://www.stanleyparkecology.ca/programs/urbanWildlife/herons/monitoringReports/2007_Report.pdf

Afterwards we made our way down to S-park to cycle the circuit. We stopped at the Totem Poles for a break & afterwards our next stop was Third Beach. We locked up the bikes & walked up to the famous Hollow Tree.

Contributor & Photos by Laurette

Free Computer

Free Geek Vancouver is a nonprofit computer recycling and reuse centre, where the community can pitch in to help test, refurbish or dismantle unwanted computer equipment donated by the public. No experience is required, and volunteers receive free computers and workshops. FreeGeek supports its activities through a computer thrift store and recycling revenue.
Go to this web site for more info
http://freegeekvancouver.org/

June 14th Walking Club reports

Today seven seniors set out at 11:15 am passing Britannia Secondary School and weaving our way through the streets until we arrived at the southwest corner of McLean Park where we came upon a huge outdoor market of used household and personal effects put together by the residents of Strathcona neighbourhood ... as we passed the northeast corner of the park, we saw many families with small children on the playground equipment with the water park fountains blasting in the sunlight ...

Just beyond McLean Park near Campbell and Union Streets is Barker House, a designated Heritage Building constructed in 1893 - 115 years old and looking as good as new ... it has been beautifully refurbished and sits amongst other older houses that are in great condition considering their age ... large trees overhang the streets as we went our way past Waymur Project, one of the few remaining affordable multi-family housing complexes to be found in downtown Vancouver ... across the street behind an oriental painted gate stands the Villa Cathay Home Care center for elderly Chinese ... it was heartening to see several older homes being renovated, restoring the Strathcona area into a vibrant desirable community ...

Along the walk, we saw several Chinese cultural and senior housing developments in the neighbourhood, as well as the Vancouver Chinese Mennonite Church and the Christ Church of China ... we came upon Strathcona Community Center which is on the same property as Strathcona School ... we entered the center to find a large meeting room full of Chinese people attending a workshop ... on one wall of the hallway hangs a display called "2000 views of Strathcona", a collage of tiles imprinted with photographs of every part of the neighborhood including views of cranes along the waterfront where container ships dock for unloading ... the Seniors Center has a large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and cabinets, and a large room with mirrors on one wall and dance bars on the opposite wall ... their activity board is full, showing many styles of dance classes (line dance, folk dance, sword dance to name a few), Tai Chi, calligraphy, Peking Opera, and Karaoke ...

At Strathcona School we stopped to admire the beautiful Sacred Heart Catholic Church located across the street ... we passed the eastern end of Chinatown on our way back through Strathcona neighbourhood to Britannia Center where we enjoyed a light lunch and recorded the results of our pedometers ... the pedometers were provided by the Community Center to track our progress during walks: the number of steps, the distance in kilometers, and the calories burned ... each person's results are different depending on height, weight and speed of walking ... to Linda's 10,000+ steps, I take only 7,400; she burns 361 calories, I burn 249 ... we are not competing with each other ... our focus is on getting out into the fresh air for exercise and companionship.
Contributor
Virginia B.

Cycle Club

We officially started cycle club Mon, 26 May. I took the group (3 of us) from the S-centre to Kits Beach with stop at Granville Island. After that we made our way to Chinatown & had lunch in the food court of Tinseltown Mall. While in Chinatown I took them to Shanghai Alley which was very interesting as it has on display in a small courtyard the history of Chinatown & the immigrants.

On Wed., 28 May we went out again to do the circuit around Stanley Park. Mona was a bit concerned that it might be too far but I assured her that we would stop for breaks & it was flat. We stopped at the Totem poles for a lunch we packed. It was an easy ride & everyone survived as I took it easy.

Jack's comment "More fun to cycle with others". We all agree on that & as well it is a buddy system for safety & security.

We are now waiting for better weather & Vera to join us. Others are welcome, Never to late.

Contributed by Laurette

Ode to A Boob

Written by Lee Turner who will be going for surgery on Tuesday 17 june. Our thoughts are with her. This is one strong lady!!!!

Walking Club updates

The Britannia Walking Group

is made up of 9 or 10 earnest walkers who meet at the Seniors Center at 11:00 am every Saturday to enjoy short jaunts around the Britannia High School oval during inclement weather, as well as more challenging outings when the weather is more agreeable ... we have been fortunate that most days have produced weather suitable for walking -- not too hot and not cold ... one very chill Saturday, we watched the driving rain from the windows of the computer room while we worked on photo projects, checked emails or enjoyed a game of solitaire ... bleak weather doesn't dampen the spirits of this hardy group ... the coffee pot is always on to brace us before our walks and perk us up after ... sometimes we are treated to a sample of home baking before parting for the day ...

We have been around Trout Lake, walked the tree-lined streets to Chinatown and to the PNE ... these trips have passed through neighbourhoods of well kept older houses and gardens ... at the PNE we passed through the formal gardens to Playland then accepted a welcome invitation from Tina and George for lunch at their home just a few blocks away ... that days walk was recorded at just over 7 km round trip ...

contributed by Virginia B.

Thursday Lunches

Weather is a deciding factor!!!

Cool weather - Hot Homemade Soup & bun

Warm weather - Salad & half sandwich

Noonish

Pot Luck Lunches the Last Thursday of the Month..just bring a little something to share with old friends & new ones.

Britannia Seniors Committee plan events and programs for those 55+ in our community and are always open to new ideas and new members. Meetings take place on the last Thursday of the month following a potluck lunch at noon

SPECIAL POEM FOR OLDER FOLKS

A row of bottles on my shelf

Caused me to analyse myself.

One yellow pill I have to pop

Goes to my heart so it won't stop.

A little white one that I take

Goes to my hands so they won't shake.

The blue ones that I use a lot

Tell me I'm happy when I'm not.

The purple pill goes to my brain

And tells me that I have no pain.

The capsules tell me not to wheeze

Or cough or choke or even sneeze.

The red ones, smallest of them all

Go to my blood so I won't fall.

The orange ones, very big and bright

Prevent my leg cramps in the night.

Such an array of brilliant pills

Helping to cure all kinds of ills.

But what I'd really like to know...........

Is what tells each one where to go!
There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it.
For example:
I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt...

15 June '08

Car-Free Commercial Drive Festival
Noon to 6 pm
Venables to First Avenue
It's time again for the Mother of All Street Parties, the one that started it all!
In 2007, the Car-Free Commercial Drive Festival gave around 35,000 people a glimpse of urban paradise --TWICE! Even in the pouring rain, people came out to dance in the streets, at this glorious free-for- all street party thrown BY the people of East Van, FOR the people of East Van. This year we will only be doing one Fest, on Car-Free Vancouver Day (June 15) -- but it's going to be a goodie.
This landmark grass-roots phenomenon features roving artists and performers of all flavours, the Healing Garden, Commercial Drive Merchant Market, organization info tables, Special Kidzone, the Cooperative Way, street hockey, tons of babies and dogs, more crazy bikes than you can shake a stick at, and general merry mayhem. Three perfomance stages include the Grandview Live Stage boasting an eclectic mix of local performers; Tribal Harmonix dj dance stage, chill zone by Burn BC (local Burning Man afficionados), Libra Room live stage; and a spokenword stage dishing up spokenword, storytelling, slam poetry and audience activation.
Please come out and help us party like only East Van can! E-mail: drivefest@carfreevancouver.org
Volunteers please contact Amy at drivefestvols@carfreevancouver.org.

Seniors Swim 55+Britannia Swimming Pool

Mon to Fri 9:30 - 10:30 am

Senior Aquafit Tues & Thurs 9:30 - 10:30 am

Seniors Swim Lessons

Call 604-718-5831 for more information.

Instructor & Lifeguards

OUTSPOKEN!!!!

As a straight woman I attended this performance described below in support of friends. Even though it was an amatuer show it made you aware of things, of their lives & frustrations. It brought a tear to my eye a few times. I applaud them to be able to stand up there & bear their souls. It took guts.

OUT SPOKEN
A performance of Words and Images by Quirk-e (Arts Health and Seniors Project). Quirk-e breaks the silence with a provocative grace that will have you questioning everything you know about getting old(er). They 'speak out' about age, sexuality, community, frustrations and achievements with a frank honesty that will leave jaws dropped, tear stained faces and sides in stitches. If you've ever loved, lusted, laughed or lost this is a show you won't want to miss. Quirk-e "The Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders" (PG-13) Admission by donation. Brit Auditorium Fri, 7:00pm Jun 6

SENIORS WEEK - JUNE 2nd to 6th, 2008

A Vancouver Park Board City Wide Special Event at Roundhouse Arts & Recreation

Centre181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie @ Pacific)604-713-1800Photos of Seniors in Multicultural Canada Exhibition and Viewing Featuring the Best of Kitsilano Seniors Digital Photography Class 2007-08. Live music and refreshments will be served. Please pre-register.Mon, Jun 2 Free

The Arts, Health and Seniors Project Performances and Art Exhibition

This project is a partnership between the public health sector, community associations and professional artists working creatively with seniors. This is a three year project that is looking at the ways in which seniors' health and well being are influenced by participating in the arts. Please come and join us in viewing this years exhibition of the seniors work in visual arts, the written word, shadow puppetry, multidisciplinary performance and storytelling.For more info please contact the Arts & Culture office 604-713-1861 or artsinfo@vancouver.caPlease pre-register. Tues, 10:00am-12:30pm Jun 3 Free Active Communities

Walk of Art

Join our 3rd annual Active Communities Walk of Art. Active Communities incentive is to get 20% of B.C. citizens more active by 2010. Our Walk of Art showcases the Parks Board Arts & Culture's public art. Walk along the seawall with other walkers and tour the public art exhibition and viewing. Bring your walking shoes and water bottle, wear comfortable clothes. Please pre-register. Wed, 10:00am-12:00pm Jun 4 Free

Go on an Urban Nature Walk

Through Hastings Park Sanctuary at Hastings Park for a chance to see over 100 species of birds in this urban wilderness. Please meet in the lobby of Hastings Community Centre, 3096 E Hastings at 9:45am. Bring your camera and binoculars.Please pre-register.Wed, 10:00am-12:00pm Jun 4 Free

Chance to Dance

Join us for dance performances by various dance groups from our city's community centres. Please pre-register.Thurs, 7:00-9:00pm Jun 5 Free

JCC Showtimes

Performers from ages 42-87 will perform in full costume. Enjoy song, dance and sketches from the 'Good Old Days'. Reception after performance. Please pre-register.Wed, 7:00-9:00pm Jun 4 Tickets $2

6Th Annual Tea Dance

Dance to Stardust Orchestra and enjoy Tea-by-the-Sea. This event brought to you by your local Community Centre Associations. Purchase tickets at the pool cashier.Fri, 1:00-4:00pm Tickets $5 Jun 6