Senior Texting Codes

Since more and more Seniors are texting and tweeting, there appears to be a need for a STC (Senior Texting Code).
ATD: At The Doctor's
BFF: Best Friend Farted
BTW: Bring The Wheelchair
BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth
CBM: Covered By Medicare
CUATSC: See You At The Senior Center
DWI: Driving While Incontinent
FWB: Friend With Beta Blockers
FWIW: Forgot Where I Was
FYI: Found Your Insulin
GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!
GHA: Got Heartburn Again
HGBM: Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out
LOL: Living On Lipitor
LWO: Lawrence Welk's On
OMMR: On My Massage Recliner
OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas.
ROFL... CGU: Rolling On The Floor Laughing... And Can't Get Up
SGGP: Sorry, Gotta Go Poop
TTYL: Talk To You Louder
WAITT: Who Am I Talking To?
WTFA: Wet The Furniture Again
WTP: Where's The Prunes?
WWNO: Walker Wheels Need Oil

Al Mattison Potluck Xmas Party





 











Lynn



Volunteers needed

Why wait for that New Year’s Resolution when you can start making a difference now?

One more month to go and then it’s 2011 and don’t you want to say you did some amazing things in 2010? That’s right, come out and volunteer before it’s too late!

WINTER Solstice festival


Positions: Labyrinth Builders Dec 21st 10am-4pm, Festival Builders Dec 21st 12-3pm, Workshop Hosts/Procession Guides Dec 21st 4-8pm, Performance Hosts Dec 21st 4-8pm or 7:30-11:30pm, Hot Chocolate Gurus Dec 21st 4-8pm or 7:30pm-11:30pm, Mystic Labyrinth Guides Dec 21st 4-8pm or 7:30-11:30pm or special *11pm-3am! Hospitality Specialists/Donation Greeters Dec 21st 4-8pm or 7:30-11:30pm

If interested, email charlene.wee@vancouver.ca  or
 call 604-718-5860 with your full name, phone number, and choice of position and shift.
PERKS: Orientation, training, refreshments, statement of hours, fun and festivities!
Orientation is a must for all new Solstice volunteers on Dec 17, 5pm at Britannia.
Recycling assistants
Do you thrive on sustainable living practices? Do you love to inspire recycling and reduction of materials? This is the position for you!
Once a month, our Green Team runs Beyond the Blue Box, a recycling program which allows community folks to recycle many plastics and items not accepted by the city. We could use your help to make this happen!
Assist our program by sorting and separating recyclables, moving bags of recyclables, handling payment, and general operations (including set-up/strike). You must be able to be mobile for 2-3 hours, have some manual dexterity and be comfortable working in the outdoors.
This is a once-a-month commitment on Saturday mornings from 9:30am-12:30pm. Training is provided by an experienced volunteer.
PERKS: you get to recycle up to 2 bags for free! For more information, contact charlene.wee@vancouver.ca  

Walking Group 27 Nov

On November 27, 3 of us ( Odette, Marilyn, Ken) walked Eastside crawl . We walked and saw some of the Local Art . It was 2and Half walk and we enjoyed the Local Art.
http://www.eastsideculturecrawl.com/
The Crawl
November 26 + 27 + 28, 2010
In its 14th year, the Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual FREE 3-day visual arts phenomenon. This event involves more than 10,000 people visiting artists in their studios in the area bounded by Main Street to Victoria Drive and from First Avenue north to the waterfront of Vancouver, Canada.
The Eastside Culture Crawl Society provides opportunities for the public to engage with member artists through the ongoing creation of events and programming that support the growth of east side artists

walked lead by Marilyn

Italian Lunch 15 November

Linda & Maria
"The Chefs"

Patrize



Congo anyone!!



Walking Grp 13 Nov

On Nov 13, 2010 we took the #20 bus downtown and caught the

Canada line to Oakridge Mall. We ate our lunch, had a coffee

and then walked to 49TH & Cambie to Langara Golf Course next to Langara College.  The golf course is run by Vancouver Parks Board. We walked around the course which is beautiful setting and there is a Lagoon with a sanctuary for birds ( the Flicker, Downy Woodpecker and Hawks).

 Langara is the oldest City-owned course, and anticipates designation as a certified Audubon sanctuary as it is a significant habitat for birds in an urban setting.

Afterwards we walked back to 49th/Langara Canada line station.

It was a nice day cloudy and it did not rain.

there were 4 ( Linda, Julianna, Ken, Marilyn)

Remembrance Day

 Afterwards we went to the Legion on Commercial Drive & toasted to the departed.



She is going to be 97 this week & oldest legion member of Local 179





Britannia Square



Walking Group 06 Nov

On Nov 6 2010, we walked from Britannia through Strathcona to Chinatown, it was a beautiful day till the rain started at 2:30 PM. We were just finishing or walk..

There was7 persons ( Odette, Linda,Mimi, Susan, Julianna, Ken, Marilyn)

walked lead by Marilyn

Walking Club

http://research.rem.sfu.ca/pdf/sfu_campus_map.pdf  for more details

On October 30, 2010, we walked down Commercial Drive to catch the 135 SFU bus to SFU Campus and we walked around the campus and had lunch . It was a beautiful day.
There was 7 ( Mimi, Linda, Odette, Susan, Julianna, Ken, Marilyn)


Walk lead by Marilyn

Pot Luck Thursday

The last Thursday of the month is Potluck Thursday.  Today we celebrated Anne's birthday.  She is the coordinator for the 55+ lounge.  Great food was brought & we all had extra cake & were on a sugar high afterward. ;o)

This is when you know it is time to retire

Walking Club 23 Oct

October 23,2010 we went on the #20 bus to Hastings/ Richards and walked over to Jack Poole Plaza to see the cauldron which was ignited from Friday for the weekend.  It was beautiful to see and it was not raining and quite pleasant. We had our lunch in the food fair at the Waterfront and walked down through Gastown , It was fun and we all enjoyed it.

VANCOUVER — Jack Poole plaza was dedicated Friday 22Oct. by Premier Gordon Campbell and Poole's wife Darlene Poole.
The plaza is the site where the Olympic cauldron sits on the Vancouver waterfront.
The flame will burn until midnight, Saturday, Oct. 23.
Jack Poole was chairman of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He died of pancreatic cancer on Oct. 23, 2009, just a few months before the Games.

There were 7 people ( Mimi, Linda, Odette, Susan, Juliana, Ken , Marilyn)


Walked lead by Marilyn

Walking Club

On Oct l6 we went to apple festival in the afternoon at the UBC botanical gardens.  We took the C20 to gardens from the UBC bus loop after taking the 99.

We saw the gardens and display of the different varieties of apples

and some of us bought bag of apples for $6 a bag.

Every year, between 11,500 and 13,500 kilograms (25,000 and 30,000 lbs) of apples are sold to a hungry public. Over 60 varieties of heritage, new and "tried and true" varieties are available, grown both conventionally and organically. These include the heritage apple 'Grimes Golden' and 'Ambrosia', recently discovered in Cawston, British Columbia.

Also available for sale are many varieties of apple trees (2010 List of Apple Tree Cultivars for Sale) grafted onto dwarfing root stock, perfect for the home garden or patio.
One of the most popular activities at the Apple Festival is apple tasting. For $3.00, curious eventgoers can taste up to 60 varieties of new and heritage apples grown in British Columbia. Learn the history of those varieties from the Friends of the Garden's "published in-house" Apple Booklet.
The Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association mounts a display of the nearly 200 apple varieties still grown in British Columbia. Members of the association are on-hand to give demonstrations of grafting and cider-pressing. Try to stump them with apple varieties from your garden, as they are also available to identify apples (hint: bring along six apples from your unidentified tree). Nearby, Master Gardeners discuss apple-related diseases and pest management. Or, at any time of the year, you can visit UBC Botanical Garden's online Fruit Trees discussion forum!

There was 8 on the walk ( Jean, Odette, Mimi, Linda, Susan, Juliana, Marilyn , Ken)

walked lead by Marilyn

Flu Shots

Flu Clinic is Tuesday November 2nd
- Vietnamese Seniors 10-11am
- Open Clinic 11-12pm for the rest of the seniors 

Walking Group 09 Oct/Thanksgiving weekend

On Oct 9 2010, Jean, Linda, Odette, Ken, Marilyn walked up the drive to Grant/Salisbury/Gravely to Victoria drive.  We walked up to Central Valley Greenway at Victoria and Broadway. We walked along the Greenway to Renfrew Station where we then caught the skytrain to Gilmore Station and then walked along Henning towards Boundary. We went to ABC Restaurant, http://www.abccountry.ca/menu/lunch#senior_menu where we had Turkey Dinner and Pumpkin pie, then we caught the #9 Boundary Bus back to Commercial Station. It did not rain until we were walking to the bus loop at Boundary/Lougheed.


WALK LEAD BY MARILYN

Lose something??? Happy Thanksgiving

One of our 55+ Ladies in the "Run for a Cure"

Walking Club

On October 2, 2010 we walked down Commercial Drive to Powell Street and caught the No.4  Bus to Jericho Beach. We walked along the beach to Locarno Beach.  There we saw a tree stump
which looked like a wolf so Linda took a picture with Ken next to it.  We came back to Tim's on the Drive and had a social time.
There were 7, Linda, Jean, Odette, Susan, Julianna (Susan's friend), Ken, Marilyn.

WALK LEAD BY MARILYN

What's in a name?

Volunteers required!!!

Hello Britannia Volunteers!

Here are some open positions for volunteers.

If you're interested, please let me know!

LUNCH PROGRAM - Cook and Cook's Assistants
The Al Mattison Lounge Seniors' Lunch Program takles place on Thursday afternoons. It's a very popular program which provides social and interactive opportunities while emphasizing healthy meals in and affordable way. It takes place at 12pm and volunteer cooks and assistants need to be available from 10am-2pm. If you like doing grocery shopping, doing food prep, cooking, or serving food… these are the positions for you! Come on down and meet some fine people over yummy food and fun.

Don't forget that this position qualifies for the Courtesy Pass which entitles volunteers to unlimited use of the Fitness Centre, Pool and Rink for up to 6 months!

55+ Centre Drop-In Hosts
You know how spaces seem so lonely and uninviting when no one's there to greet you? Well, guess what? If you like saying HELLO! WELCOME… and making new friends, this position is for you~

Our AML 55+ Centre is open 7 days a week for drop-in sessions and we're looking for that smiley, friendly greeter who will make that warm difference to users.

On Saturdays from 11am-3pm, it's coffee-time… so duties would include preparing coffee, greeting new people, and tidying up the centre where necessary.

This position also qualifies for the Courtesy Pass and unlimited access to the Fitness Centre, Pool and Rink.

BAKE/SALE
Yahoo! It's time to bake, sniff, and consume freshly baked goodies again!~ My favourite time of the month! October will mark our 3rd bake and sale at Beyond the Blue Box.

We're looking for bakers, sniffers (yes, you'll get to get a whiff of the stuff you bake!), sellers and biters… well of course you get to eat some of what you bake! :)

Bakers: Oct 15, Friday 3-5:30pm at the AML kitchen
Sellers: Oct 16, Saturday 9am-12pm at the Britannia Secondary School Parking Lot, beside the Recycling folks
Up on the menu… macadamia chocolate chunk cookies (yum…), banana bread… and your own recipe!
Please let me know if and how you'd like to be involved. Sale crew leaders wanted too!



More fun and exciting opportunities coming up in the next little while…
Charlene Wee, CAVR
Coordinator, Volunteer Program
Britannia Community Services Centre
1661 Napier St. Vancouver BC V5L 4X4
Tel: 604-718-5860
Fax: 604-718-5858
Email: charlene.wee@vancouver.ca
Web: www.britanniacentre.org (see our website for information and to download an application form)
Please do not print this email unless absolutely necessary.

Lion'sDen Friday 24 Luncheon

Saturday 25th Walking Group



Burnaby Lake Pavillon

 On Saturday, September 25, 2010, we took the #20 bus to Broadway Station and caught the Millennium to Burnaby Lake/ Sperling Station. We walked from the station to Burnaby Lake Pavilion where they have rowing on the lake. We ate lunch and enjoyed the views, then we walked back to Station where Linda and Mimi left to go home. The rest of us walked on to Central Valley Bike/Pedestrian trail walk from Burnaby Lake/Sperling Station to Holdom Station where we went to Starbucks and socialized with coffee and snack.
The plaza is between the Holdom Station and Legacy high-rise , there was a neat piece of art work of a steam engine with its face down and underside of train was on 2 or 3 planters.
We were 7 on the walk, Linda, Mimi, Jean, Ken, Marilyn, Odette and Odette's friend Lise who is visiting from Ottawa.

WALK LEAD BY MARILYN

Walking Group 11 Sept

On September 12, 2010 we took the 20 Victoria bus to Richards/Hastings and walked to the New Convention Centre to see Mexico Fest at Thurlow Plaza Olympic Cauldron.
It was really exciting, there were lots of exhibits, food, entertainment ( ethnic Mexican costumes, dancing, singing groups, contests on stage ( 6 People had to sing a Mexican song after drinking a glass of water with their back, and another contest 6 People had to blow balloon without holding on to it and the winner was biggest blown balloon.
We also walked through the new convention centre , It is really something.
There were 7 on the walk, ( Linda, Odette, Mimi, Susan, Ken, Marilyn, and we welcomed Julianna (Korean friend of Susan)
WALK LEAD BY MARILYN

Movie Fans!!!

Movie Fans, this Fall's Academy Award Winning line up, on our 'legacy' screen, is not to be missed!
FREE with a Britannia membership (popcorn and company included) Thursday Nights

Sept 16 - "Crazy Heart" changed to September 23

Oct 21 - "Precious"

Nov 18 - "The Cove"

Moved to 'after lunch time' 1pm *** September 16th changed to September 23rd due to Volunteer Dinner

Walking club 04 Sep

We took the 20 bus to Victoria/Harrison Loop (SE Marine).
We walked down to Fraser river ( Gladstone Park starts at Victoria Drive and river park near Kerr road)
There is a quay to walk with residences but no shops and it continues to a river forest walk along the river.
We walked from Victoria Drive to Kerr road and then up Kerr road to Champlain Square Mall .
It is nice quiet and relaxing area to walk, cycle, or dog walk.
There was only 3 people ( Jean, Ken, Marilyn) we ended up at Starbucks at Champlain and
came back on 26 bus to 29th Street Station.

The Riverfront walk is located south of South East Marine Drive along the Fraser River between Kerr Street and Argyle Street. Parking is available at the foot of Kerr Street, or in a public lot off of Kent Avenue SE. This walking route spans two parks: Riverfront and Gladstone and crosses through the Victoria – Fraserview and Killarney neighbourhoods. The linear route is 2.4 km in one direction, 1.5 miles or approximately 4,752 steps.

Walking along the north shore of the mighty Fraser River is a wonderful experience. The bulrush reeds and long grass at the edge of the riverbank provide an excellent habitat for water fowl, and spawning salmon. Often you will see people on the beach or at the end of the pier relaxing with a fishing rod. The Fraser River is a commuting corridor for hard working tugs, leisure boats and fishing vessels. Boat traffic is constant, travelling up and down the river, passing by the numerous anchored log booms.

The walking route starts beside the pier at the foot of Kerr Street. It continues west along Riverfront Park, and then past Gladstone Park. From this point along the walk there are fascinating views of Mitchell Island and the Knight Street Bridge. The path then turns away from the River to join the Kent Avenue cycling route between Beatrice Street and Argyle Street. This is the turn around point for the walk. The Riverfront route is also a segment of the City of Vancouver’s proposed Fraser River Trail Greenway plan.

The divided pathway bends with the River, and offers both walkers and cyclists an opportunity to enjoy the area. The walkway has a variety of surfaces including smooth cement, and intricate brick work. There is a delightful aromatic rose lined boardwalk, and gravel path studded with poplar trees and ornate lampposts. Benches line the way, and the two parks offer several amenities.

The walk was lead by Marilyn

Walking Club 28 Aug

We took the 20 bus to Broadway station and caught the #9 Broadway to Broadway/Maple street.
We saw the African Market at Maple and Broadway which had food, merchandise made in African
( Kenya , Uganda) to purchase, and music. From there we walked to 6th Avenue down Maple street
to Kitsilano Community Gardens, Maple Community gardens, and Cypress Community Gardens.
We walked from 6th and Maple street along the three Gardens to Burrard and Broadway.
The gardens are really lovely and really nice to enjoy and it is accessable by bus.

There were 6 on walk ( Jean, Odette, Linda, Susan, Ken, Marilyn)
walked lead by Marilyn

We Joined CNIS for their annual African market
When: Saturday August 28, 2010
Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Where: 1985 West Broadway @ Maple
http://www.cnis.ca/what-we-do/public-engagement-in-canada/african-market/

BOOK CLUB

Al Mattison Lounge

First Meeting of the Book Club

Sep 15th 2pm

Please pick up the book from Anne Jackson Co-ordinator prior

The book to discuss is "Still Alice"

Still Alice is a compelling debut novel about a 50-year-old woman's sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease, written by first-time author Lisa Genova, who holds a Ph. D in neuroscience from Harvard University.
Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children and a house on the Cape, is a celebrated Harvard professor at the height of her career when she notices a forgetfulness creeping into her life. As confusion starts to cloud her thinking and her memory begins to fail her, she receives a devastating diagnosis: early onset Alzheimer's disease. Fiercely independent, Alice struggles to maintain her lifestyle and live in the moment, even as her sense of self is being stripped away. In turns heartbreaking, inspiring and terrifying, Still Alice captures in remarkable detail what's it's like to literally lose your mind...

Reminiscent of A Beautiful Mind, Ordinary People and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Still Alice packs a powerful emotional punch and marks the arrival of a strong new voice in fiction.

Walking group 21 Aug

On Saturday we went on 20 bus to Richards/Dunsmuir to see Brazil Fest on 700 Granville Street in front of Sears, there was Brazilian music, food. We walked from there west down Granville Street to Hemleken Street to the the Gathering community centre art gallery to see a display of Brazil Art by Beth Maic, It had realy nice paintings ( oils and charcoal). We also discovered a Neighbour park at Seymour/Richards and Davie with 2 fountains and little canal running between them with running water from l fountain to other. this park has no name yet but it was created by Rotary International. We walked from there up Davie to Howe Street and walked down Howe to Robson back to Brazil fest.

there was 6 on the walk ( Jean, Susan, Linda, Odette, Ken, Marilyn)
walked lead by Marilyn

Volunteers needed!!!!

1) BAKERS WANTED!


When: Aug 20, Friday

Time: 3-5:30pm
Location: AML, Senior’s Centre, across from Brit Info Centre
Why: Because it’s fun, yummy, and for a great cause!
Our last bake day/sale was so much fun that we’re hoping to launch this activity once a month, to accompany the Beyond the Blue Box program each 3rd Saturday of the month! No experience necessary! Come bake on the Friday or sell on the Saturday 9am-12pm. Sign up now! All proceeds go to the Britannia Volunteer Program. Please let us know if you have recipes, baking supplies or a Food Safe Certificate! J

Email charlene.wee@vancouver.ca or call 604-718-5860
*************************************************

2) BUILD A PLAYGROUND in a day!


Volunteer to help build a new playground for Britannia Elementary School!
Build date: Saturday, September 11, 2010
Time: 8 am to 4 pm - Rain or shine!
Location: Playground site below Britannia Elementary
Join us as we team up with Foresters, a not-for-profit life insurance provider, and KaBOOM! to build a new adventure playground for Britannia Elementary students and other neighbourhood kids.

We are seeking 150 volunteers. No special skills required - we will have a job for everyone. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must pre-register by providing the information below.
To register/volunteer, please email the following information to britanniaplayground@gmail.com:
- name
- phone number
- email address
- list of names and ages of any kids who will need childcare
Please also indicate whether you would like to sign up for general construction on site (no experience needed), registration team (to help sign in volunteers), green team, or children's activities.
********************************************
3) SATURDAY UNLIMITED
You’ve heard it before! Saturday Unlimited is one of our most popular programs! Why?
You get to meet new people, make some meaningful life-long friendships, and build work-related skills all at the same time!
Come and volunteer with our experienced staff team once a week and assist our youth participants 13-19 with disabilities to have the best time possible with camp activities! Kayaking, swimming, movies and more… fun times with fun people!
When: Saturdays, Sept 18-Nov 6
Time: 9:45am-2:15pm
Where: At Britannia or off-site (transportation and admission to local places of interest provided by Britannia)
What: Day camp activities for youth 13-19 with disabilities.
Orientation/Training: Provided by Saturday Unlimited staff
Email: charlene.wee@vancouver.ca or call 604-718-5860

Walking Club 14 Aug

August 14, 20l0 we walked from Britannia through Strathcona to Chinatown. There was a Chinatown Festival at Columbia/Keefer. We saw lots of exhibits, martial arts demonstration, and saw the new mascot for Chinatown the Panda. We also walked through Sun Yet-Sun Garden, (http://www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/ ) and then we went to Tinseltown centre.

There were 8 ( Linda, Jean, Odette, Susan, Ken, Marilyn and we also enjoyed meeting Odette's brother Robert and sister-in-law M.C. visiting from out east.

walked leaded by Marilyn

Victoria Bus Trip 11 August