Heat Wave

Due to this heat wave the cycle & walking group for Monday & Tuesday were cancelled. This is not health & the warning is from11-3 stay indoors or in shaded areas.
This is normal weather for eastern Canada this time of year & they are having our weather.
Sorry folks but lets face it this is not comfortable or healthy.
Drink lots of water & don't over exert yourself.

Trip Postponed!!!

White Rock Trip postponed due broken bus! - We have tentatively booked the trip for Tuesday Aug 4 (next week) - we will know by Friday if it is a go! Otherwise it will be Aug 10, 11 or 17?

Walking Club 25 Jul

Today, we had a solid turn-out of ten walkers: Susan, Linda, Marilyn, Deborah, Judi, Ken, Helga, my friend Anna, 'moi' Virginia, and Lorna whom we met at Lonsdale Quay, our destination for the annual Caribbean Festival. This free event is organized by the Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society of B.C. and is held on a weekend in July at Waterfront Park just west of the Quay Market ( http://www.caribbeandays.ca/ ).

At the outset, our group split up to browse individually or in pairs and let me know whether they would be staying on or leaving early. This is standard practice so that we don't lose anyone during our outing. As it happened, we did miss Lorna at a prearranged time and place

We entered the park under a canopy containing donation barrels. Contributors received a colourful booklet containing a map of the grounds and congratulatory messages from sponsoring businesses and all levels of government. I wanted to take some of the background and cultural information from this publication but misplaced it (yes, I donated!); instead, I will tell what I saw.

The festival grounds were set up in three groupings. Past the entrance, under a small grove of trees, were canopied stalls selling silk, rayon and cotton tops, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, and shawls in brightly coloured patterns. These stalls were mobbed by overdressed festival goers. One stall sold beautiful African carvings, leather goods and large bead and carved jewellery. Other stalls sold a variety of beaded jewellery, silver chains, gemstone pendants, and rings of all types. Anna found a silk top in the open market. I didn't see the necklace I was looking for until we went into the Quay Market where I found exactly the chain and crystal pendant I wanted.

Out in the open area were the children's play area with games and face painting; refreshment vendors were selling ice cream treats, ginger beer and fresh lemonade, while dancers performed with a rousing Caribbean band on the outdoor stage. Another area contained large tents where hot food was served. Long line-ups prevented most of us from checking out the spicy menus. I thoroughly enjoyed a large glass of chilled lemonade (with real lemons) for $4.

The temperature was in the high 20's so we retreated occasionally to share the shaded lawns with dozens of other people. By 1:00 pm, most of our group had left. The seabus was packed but the skytrain was partially empty so our ride back to the Drive was pleasant.

TROUT LAKE LANTERN FESTIVAL

At 7:45 pm, after a light supper, Anna and I were preparing to go to Trout Lake Park for the Luminara Festival when the skies broke out in thunder and rain began falling. Anna went home, so my neighbour Aideen joined me. With our umbrellas open, we entered the park. Thunder and lightning roared and crackled across the sky. Long bolts of lightning hit the earth to the east. We continued with some trepidation, recalling warnings about staying away from trees and avoiding open spaces. I closed my umbrella and prayed that no lightning would strike us.

My guess is there were about 1,000 people in the park, most of whom were huddled under the huge leafy trees; many were walking about with their pointy umbrellas; and a stilt-walker, dancing to the beat of drums, was waving a baton over his head. At this point, I appealed to the gods of thunder and lightning to stay away from the lake and the festival; after all, I told them, these people were celebrating life and light and obviously enjoyed the crashing thunder as they cheered every bolt of lightning that streaked the sky. Then the skies really opened up and showed us what a downpour was, which lasted about 10 minutes.

Because of the sudden unexpected change from hot-humid to thunderstorm, the fireworks portion of this festival was cancelled and only a few lanterns were set out, but it didn't stop the drummers or the two small bands that marched through the crowds playing their celebratory music.

I would say it was a successful festival of the human spirit and nature's incredible power.

Contributor Virginia

Hot Weekend coming up

Get ready folks for a hot weekend coming up & enjoy the summer!

This says it all

21 Jul Walking Club

Today Virgina & I did our Tuesday walk from Riley Community centre. We got the info from http://vancouver.ca/parks/activecommunity/walks. This is one of the 2010 Olympic walks.
It was a very warm day as well, really hot!
We took the number 20 bus south on Commercial drive & transferred at 33rd & went west to Ontario St. We stopped in at Riley C-Centre for a washroom break & off we went around Hillcrest park which has Nat Bailey Park, etc....
We got to go into this new pool not yet open to the public & were politely told we had to leave. It will a fabulous pool.
I had not been to the Queen E. park in a long time & the view from up there was great.
The picture of V & I at the statues was a hoot, right little tourist we were, lol.
I took a pic of the back cause the male statue is cupping the females buttocks. The female statue on the right was once stolen & found.
http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/queenelizabeth/

Hillcrest and Q.E. Park
Take a walk around Vancouver’s Olympic venues. Become familiar with forthcoming Olympic sites and their surroundings. After the 2010 Winter Games, it will be converted to a new recreation complex with a community centre (replacing Riley Park), ice rink, branch library, curling club and offices
Share the beauty of our City with friends and relatives.
The walk starts at Riley Park Community Centre (50 E. 30Th Ave.). Walk south, crossing Ontario Street to enter Hillcrest Park. Turn right and proceed along the park border counter clockwise. At the Vancouver Curling Club, turn left and follow the path to the left to Clancey Loranger Way. Turn right, crossing Midlothian Ave., and enter Queen Elizabeth Park. Follow the trail up to the parkway and proceed right. Cross the road to the Duck Pond. Turn right, and follow the paved pathway to the right of the pond. Proceed along the path to the main Quarry Garden. Staying right, follow the path that circles the Garden, to the city view point in front of the Bloedel Conservatory.

I had not been to the Queen E. park in a long time & the view from up there was great.

CYCLING CLUB AT BRITANNIA

We are a small group (2 of us). We are looking for others to come & join us on Monday morning & sometimes on Wednesday weather permitting. we leave either 10 or 1030am & back by 1pm unless we do a longer ride like to Spanish Banks.

We are not racers but going for a good ride for exercise and socialize as well.

This morning Jack (80+) & I (55+) left from Commercial drive to Stanley Park. I mixed it up a bit this time by going thru Chinatown & Gastown, circling the new Convention centre & then down to Coal Harbour. We stopped at the Totem poles for a break & then continued around the park. As we got to Cambie street bridge we decided to cross it as we , well more I stopped at Maynards. Jack did as well but for a short period & continued on his own home.

I must say that JACK maybe 80+ but is in better shape than some men I know.

If any one wishes to join us call Britannia & leave a message for myself.

The best days to get a hold of me at the centre is Thursday as I do the lunch in the AML. Otherwise Monday or Wednesday with the co-ordinator at the AML.

I am Laurette, volunteer

Walking Club 18 Jul

Today, I decided to take the group to a nice big park with lots of shade trees over the walkways. Judi, Marilyn, Ken, Susan, Linda and I caught the #20 Victoria bus down the Drive to Broadway where we transferred to the Skytrain, getting off at Patterson Station near the main entrance to Central Park in Burnaby.

Susan Koh, who lives in that area and has walked through the park many times, agreed to be our guide today. She took us along the east pathway through tall Douglas firs to the first lagoon where ducks were enjoying the cool water. It was a great day to be outdoors and many people were walking, jogging, enjoying the balmy weather, including dozens of grey and black squirrels. Our walk continued around the lagoon and through more open parkland to the second lagoon where many picnic tables were scattered amongst the trees and shrubs. The pitch and putt golf course is located across the pathway from the lagoon. Linda has golfed there in the past and we talked about coming out with a five iron and a putter one day to play a round.

Beyond the golf course and through a grove of rhododendrons as tall as 20 feet, amid tall forest giants, we entered a clearing where the Central Park outdoor pool sparkled invitingly. The pool was built in 1963 as a joint effort of the Burnaby and Vancouver Parks Boards. A few young males were huddled in one corner of the pool compound while across the other side a few young females were checking out the guys from a safe distance. Judi and Marilyn stopped at the wicket to ask about fees and public swim times.

Susan invited us to the far side of the pool where a large circular platform had been created. A low curved wall about three feet high stretched around one arc of the circle and, on a high pedestal near the wall was an enormous gilded or bronzed statue of a man 10 feet tall in a running stance with arms outstretched. A plaque at the base indicated this to be an "Ambassador of Peace". Below the plaque were etchings of the Korean and Canadian flags. On the back of the pedestal were plaques dedicating this memorial in 2007 to the soldiers who gave their lives fighting the Korean War in the 1950-60's and was the inspiration of the Korean Veterans Association, financed jointly by the Korean and British Columbia governments, with donations from hundreds of private individuals.

Susan is originally from Korea and she explained the Korean inscriptions on the memorial plaques along the "Wall of Community" which commemorates not only the Koreans who fought and died in Korea but also the 26,791 Canadians who volunteered to go to Korea. Of that number, 516 gave their lives, 36 of them from British Columbia.

Continuing our walk back to the main entrance, we passed the newly rebuilt playing field of the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer stadium. Further on is a large playground being put to good use by families of young children.

We came back by skytrain, Susan getting off at 29Th Avenue to catch her bus home, Marilyn and Ken leaving at Metrotown. Judi, Linda and I rode to Commercial Station at Broadway and took the #20 bus at the Drive.

Next week, we are going to the Caribbean Festival at Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Any interested seniors are welcome to join us for great music, food, and lots of textiles and souvenirs. Meet at Britannia Seniors Centre at 10:15; we leave at 10:30 to take the skytrain to Waterfront Station where we transfer to the Seabus crossing Burrard Inlet. It should be a hot day, forecast in the high twenties with a humid index of 31, so come well protected from the sun and bring lots of water.
Until then, enjoy this very short summer.
Contributor Virginia

Tuesday Walk 14TH

My Tuesday walking partners, Laurette and Deborah begged off today's walk. I didn't want to waste the balmy overcast weather, so I set off to explore three community gardens that my friend John told me about.

At Broadway and Commercial I caught the #9 bus and got off at Granville as I wasn't sure where the garden trail started that follows the right-of-way along the old rail line. I headed north to 8Th Avenue and walked west for three blocks then headed north again as I didn't see the railway tracks. At 8th and Pine, I noticed an architecturally designed brick walkway ahead of me and followed it north past meticulously groomed formal rose gardens inside a condo compound surrounded by a brick wall 3-4 feet high.

The walkway continued across 7Th Avenue down to 6Th, where I caught sight of the green way and rail line. On the green way, I turned west (left) and followed the trail past a weather-beaten round table with three plastic lawn chairs, past a locked box and battered wooden bench outside the rabbit fencing that surrounded new gardens, past shrubs and small trees.

At Burrard I saw the sign for Cypress Community Gardens and read the citation: in August 1999, this garden was selected by the City Parks Department as the most beautiful community garden in Vancouver. I could see why: the garden extends for two long blocks along the green way and contains every vegetable and flowering plant you can imagine., including apple trees bearing fruit, blackberry and raspberry vines fat with ripening berries, pole beans, peas, broad beans, lettuces. Each garden plot is built up within low plank walls. Further along, shrubs begin to appear and more chairs set out in a sitting circle invite walkers to rest. Outside the garden fence are numerous composting barrels, flowering shrubs, flower beds lined with brick and river rock, and leading into the gardens are narrow pathways of brick, slate, large tiles and stonework.

In the centre of one garden is a circular plaza of cement blocks with a small raised garden in the middle and chairs randomly set for viewing all parts of this charming spot. Branches of fledgling fruit trees overhang the plaza creating a pleasant resting place.

I stopped to chat with an elderly lady, Diane, who told me the gardens were started 20 years ago and she has maintained a plot for the past 12 years. She loves "getting lost" amidst the greenery and perfumery as she tends her plants. Further along, I met a tall man with a pleasant smile, Eddie, who started a garden two years ago with his young daughter. He was watering his plot and proudly showed me his collection of garlic plants which he will braid into a rope this afternoon. He was delighted to show me his bay leaf tree which almost died off last winter but is growing strong again.

Beyond Cypress Gardens are the Maplewood Community Gardens. There I paused to chat with two older ladies who encouraged me to invite friends to see their gardens. Maplewood also continues for two city blocks up to Arbutus and has a waiting list of two years. Across Arbutus, is a large sunken garden between two old houses; this is the Kitsilano Community Garden and contains mostly vegetables including corn stalks, tall onion stalks balancing flowering balls on top, boysenberries and raspberries, as well as many lovely flowering shrubs.

I followed the rail line to a small community park and playground leading back to Broadway. St Augustine's Parish School nestles beneath tall green poplars and on the end brick wall is a large banner, "Participate in the Legacy; help us build our school brick by brick." Every brick on the wall contains the name of a person or family that helped build the school.

It is heartening to see community spirit thriving in every sector of our lovely Vancouver. In the gardens were bees: honeybees, bumblebees and wasps - which gave me hope that we will not lose our faithful pollinates for without them to pollinate fruit and vegetable blossoms,the plants cannot produce the fruits and vegetables that we need to survive.

Going into the week, I hope you will enjoy the bounty of summer crops and sunshine.
Virginia

11 Jul walking club report

Today I came early to the Seniors Centre to meet up with Deborah. She had volunteered to interview our walking group as part of a video montage being prepared by Britannia Community Centre covering several of the more popular programs offered.
During the 10-minute interview we stumbled through a few clumsy out-takes but eventually I was able to produce the desired responses to her questions about why I became a volunteer, what I get out of it, and how my involvement contributes to the community at large.
By 10:30, Helga, Linda, Susan, Marilyn and Ken arrived for the final segment which involved the group sitting around a table with pamphlets and newspaper clippings listing events and activities going on in our neighbourhood. While we discussed where to go and what we wanted to see, Deborah walked around in the background shooting the final scene.
As it was nearing 30 degrees outside, we decided to walk to Trout Lake where the air is cooler with soft breezes off the lake and where the oak and willow trees offered spots of shade along the pathway surrounding the lake. We stopped at a picnic gazebo for a light lunch, then Helga, Marilyn and Ken left.
I invited Linda and Susan to see my apartment at Chelsea Park, a seniors residence facing Trout Lake. We walked the short distance to Commercial Drive and caught the bus to Broadway where we met Helga at McDonald's and enjoyed light refreshments. Helga and Susan went their separate ways, while Linda and I caught the #20 bus to Britannia Centre where a cooking class was underway and the beat of base speakers engulfed the building. At Linda's request, the boys were kind enough to drop the volume a bit so we could hear ourselves think while we opened up the computers to read e-mails, explore the web and play solitaire.
On Saturday, July 25, we are planning to go to North Vancouver for the Caribbean Festival.
Until then, soak up the sun, it doesn't stay around here for long.
Contributor Virginia

Bus Trip Reminder

55plus only

BUS TRIP!!! 29 Jul White Rock

& Richmond Buddist Temple

$10.00

***************************

22Aug Harrison Hot springs

$15.00

****************************

Meet at the Al Mattison Lounge

9a-5p

*****************************

Pack a lunch or bring some money along

wear comfortable walking shoes

don't forget bring along water

& sun protection/hat

RSVP

LIMITED SEATS

Walking Club Saturday 04 JUL

Flora don't eat the daisies

Virginia was away this Saturday, and had phoned and asked me (Deborah) to lead the group on the same walk as we had taken this Tuesday with Laurette -- Hastings Park. This I was happy to do as I enjoy places as rich in sights and contrasts as this one. So at 10:30 Saturday morning Flora, Lorna, Judi, Linda, Marilyn, Helga and myself left the Senior' Centre at Britannia, straggled up Commercial Drive to Hastings, and caught the #10 bus to the stop across from the park sanctuary entrance. This is one stop east of the Hastings and Renfrew stop.

Laurette provides details of the route in her report of the most recent Tuesday walk, so here I will omit much of that information, other than to say that, again, we followed the City of Vancouver's Hastings Park Walk brochure, Step Out series. While at the Children's Piazza, featuring the braille wall with poem Rain and a statue of a recumbent cow, we noticed that the surrounding trees bore a small green fruit. None of us recognized tree or fruit. Photo attached here. This tree is found along the walk to the Italian Garden as well. The brochure tells us that Il Giardano Italiano features mimosa and pear trees, and since the trees in question definitely are not mimosa, I thought they might be a type of pear or near relative. But we found out it is a Handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata) also called a dove tree.

Here is a wikipedia link with more information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidia

Finding a restroom proved more difficult on a Saturday than a week day, but we did find one. Here's how to find it: When you emerge from the sanctuary, which is pond, rushes, trees and paths, onto blacktop, you face, to the north, a line of red-painted brick buildings. Go right here and follow the blacktop to the Playland fence. The restrooms are a narrow blue building along the fence by a Ferris wheel.
We had fun posing for photos by the fountains, in the Opera Walk (Please don't eat the daisies, Flora.) and a tribute statue to Christopher Columbus, which Flora seemed particularly fond of.
Near the end of the walk, after visiting the Momiji (Japanese) Garden, we revisited the sanctuary pond, where our arrival caused all the ducks, which had been across pond, to make beelines for us, in the hope of being fed. Some did get bits of apple.
Our final stop in Hastings Park was a Gitksan totem pole among the trees near the entrance at Hastings and Renfrew.
The group broke up at this point, with Deborah, Judi and Linda catching the #10 bus west on Hastings, and Helga, Marilyn, Flora and Lorna walking the same route with a small street festival in the lot behind London Drugs on Hastings (at Slocan??) as their destination. Deborah decided to visit this festival, too, so got off the bus there. Linda and Judi continued on the bus and had a mini-adventure of their own when the bus was in collision with a car. No one was hurt, but the car lost a fender, and Judi reported later that the driver seemed calm, as he retrieved his fender, as if this sort of thing might be a regular occurrence.
Meanwhile, I popped in to read the menu in a Mexican restaurant, and ran into Laurette and her friend Bruce, who had just done the Hastings Park walk, too. So it can be said with confidence that this walk is a winner, if two out of three Tuesday Walkers chose to redo it four days later.
Contributor Deborah