Senior's Aquafit Party for Wally

Britannia Pool had a luncheon & celebrated Wally's 50th birthday.  He has been a lifeguard for over 20 years.  As well other positions with Britannia.  He is a supper guy well loved by all.  Wishing him the best.
Vitoria is our new head fitness/pool coordinator holding the cake to present to Wally with Lee.

Wally & Lee

Do You Care for a Relative or Friend with Dementia?

Do You Care for a Relative or Friend with Dementia?
This free information session will help you: Understand Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias Learn tips for effective communication with a person with dementia Problem solve challenging behaviors
 Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Britannia Community Centre Meeting Room: Info. Centre's Conference Room Presenter: Kara Hay, Support and Education Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of B.C
 Register early so you won't miss out

Things happening at Britannia!!!

Hello Brit Volunteers!
If you haven't had a chance to drop by Britannia recently, please do so this weekend!
Artful Sundays takes place every Sunday between Aug 7-Sept 4 from 12pm-5pm and there are many artists featured on the weekend!

This Sunday, Aug 14, don’t' forget to catch the Knitting/Crochet Special where you can observe the intricate, delicate and amazing pieces literally developed before your eyes!
There'll be live music with Katheryn Petersen and Rio Samaya and also a first-ever, Knit Crochet Café run by your very own Britannia Volunteer Program!

That's right! Freshly baked food, freshly brewed Ethical Bean Coffee, and freshly made tea just like the way a sunny Sunday ought to be spent! :) All proceeds for the café go to the Volunteer Program.
This event relies on your participation! Come on down and check out the event and café or if you can spare some time, volunteer with us!
Volunteers are wanted to assist at the café, setting up, selling and serving coffee/tea, and striking, between 11:30-2:30pm or from 3pm-6pm. Needless to say, there'll be yum yums for volunteers!
If you're available and enthusiastic about this opportunity to get busy this Sunday, meet people, and share the sunshine with big smiles, then let us know!
Please let us know by Thursday, Aug 11, 4pm

Cheers!

Charlene Wee, CAVR

Coordinator, Volunteer Program

Britannia Community Services Centre

1661 Napier St. Vancouver BC V5L 4X4

T: 604-718-5860

Volunteers needed

JUNE 5, SUNDAY
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS: 10am-2pm or 1:30-5:30pm.
TASKS: Setting up and taking down feast equipment, tables and chairs etc. Serving food and replenishing food. Meeting and greeting the public and registering people who come to support arts initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS: Outgoing, friendly personality, confident connecting with public in the English language
BENEFITS: Support your local community and arts initiatives, engage in grassroots planning and opportunities, meet artists and community and join in our FEAST!
Statement of hours provided if requested at end of shift.

The EAST FEAST is a community meal that raises funds through ticket sales to the event which in turn directly funds an artist or artist group. The decision on the distribution of funds is given to the community through a democratic voting process. This FEAST is grassroots micro-funding at its best, relying on community engagement to be successful.
Community members will be invited to participate by attending a meal in support of local artists.
The inaugural FEAST is scheduled for Sunday June 5th and will have an “afternoon tea” theme. Those who attend will enjoy food specifically created and prepared for the event by artist-chef Michael Speier of Open Sesame Thematic Catering, entertainment and the opportunity to meet and listen to three artists who will each make a 5-7 minute presentation during the event. At the end of the FEAST meal the attendees will vote on which artist they would like to see funded. The chosen artist will receive a grant from the funds raised by the event ticket sales of up to $1000.
The EAST FEAST is a granting process targeting artists who may not be eligible for the formal methods of corporate or government funding. The application process has been made purposely simple, easily accessible and open for the artist to imagine the possibilities. This process gives the artist an unrestricted resource of funds to realize an artistic goal. The artist chosen at the FEAST to receive funding will be expected to present at the next FEAST through an oral or visual display/demonstration describing to the attendees the impact the FEAST funding had on their project.

"Pasta Memories" with Maria Buono

"Pasta Memories" with Maria Buono
Maria Buono has been in Canada for much of her life, after emigrating from Italy. Still, her memories of Italy are strong, particularly of food and its association with family. We get a sense from Maria's story that food has alwarys been a very important part of her life. In this school cooking group, we prepared a simple but much loved recipe of tomato sauce and pasta.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt9yAa1kQt4
this video was put on this food blog
http://buenprovechoproject.blogspot.com/

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.

Relay for Life Plaque

Well, yesterday at Britannia was quite a celebration for "Team Flaming Britannia Bruins"! We received from the head of (Beth Cairns) "Relay for Life" an official award from "The Cancer Society" in recognition of our team's fundraising & participation. What an honour & what an awesome speech!!Lee

Vera, Anne & Lee

LEE'S FLAMING BRITANNIA BRUINS

Survey to Help Britannia

Britannia is taking steps to revitalize the site and our facilities, your opinions are valuble to us. Please respond the following survey. This will help us identify the priorites and vision of our members, residents and community members.

Reminder to distribute far and wide!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/somethingishappening

Yoga for Seniors

This is Graham Smythe, our instructor,Certified Yoga Teacher . He is 57yrs old & just started teaching summer of '09. You are never too old to change careers or learn something new. He started Yoga in '03, went on to get his credentials. As well he is a massage therapist, etc...
http://yogarockstandtall.com/
He has 2 classes a week on Mondays & Wednesdays 1p-2:15p
Please contact Britannia for more info & costs
My personal opinion is that it is nice to have a person over 55 teaching us. Who knows about the aging process & working with us on issues of either knee, leg, back or other problems we get as we age

LEE'S FLAMING BRITANNIA’S BRUINS

"RELAY FOR LIFE"

THIS IS A NON-ATHLETIC EVENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH. THERE IS NO COMPETITION OR PRESSURE.
YOU WALK A FEW 1/2 HOUR LAPS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, AT YOUR OWN PACE. YOU CAN RUN OR STROLL THE ROUTE, UP TO YOU.
THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL AGE GROUPS & CAPABILITIES. IT USUALLY TAKES PLACE TOWARDS THE END OF MAY. EXACT LOCATION & TIME IS TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
IF YOU REGISTER BEFORE JAN 31/09 THE FEE IS ONLY $10.00. AFTERWARD IT INCREASES TO $40.00. MINIMUM FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT IS $100.00 & YOU WILL HAVE 5 MONTH'S TO COLLECT THIS.
GO TO WWW.RELAY FOR LIFE.CA FOR DETAILED INFORMATION.
GO TO THE ABOVE LINK - CHOOSE BC - THEN VANCOUVER - THEN CLICK ON "JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM".
JOIN MY TEAM:
"LEE'S FLAMING BRITANNIA’S BRUINS"

IS MY TEAM NAME. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A SERIOUS EVENT WE DO HAVE FUN SO COME & JOIN US!!!! LAST YEAR THIS EVENT WAS HELD IN THE MIDDLE OF HASTINGS HORSE RACING TRACK! HOW NEAT IS THAT!

PLEASE JOIN ME IN FIGHTING CANCER.

THANK YOU,
Lee

MY NAME IS LEE TURNER & I AM A MEMBER OF BRITANNIA & A SENIOR WHO SWIMS & W/O HERE.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENING

It was held at the Cultch on Thursday 12 Nov. We had entertainment on stage & food for all. Gifts were given out that were donated by the merchants on the drive.

As well there was a 12 minute video of different volunteers, their views & took a few pics as you will see below.

Lisa below now only on one crutch,

Vera & Carol

Laurette in the kitchen at the AML

Virginia

Trudy & Coco

Entertainment below

Britanna Registration

Every season you are required to register for walks, cycling, knitting etc.. They are a free programs but they need to know who is going or interested in the activities. This is to help them continue the programs & get a idea of whether they are worth running and getting volunteers to help.

One of our Senior Artists

I went to the courtyard in front of the Centre today "Artful Sundays" to see her work on display.

She is standing in front of just a small part of her work. This is her Irish roots she says.

For more info on her go to www.theresemilisart.com

Again this summer Britannia Community Centre will host an outdoor, mixed media, visual arts market in Napier Square (Napier at Commercial Drive, Noon - 5:00 pm) featuring the work of local artists, live music, artist workshops, demonstrations and more! For more information contact Coordinator Katherine Polgrain at: courage@vcn.bc.ca or leave a message at 604-718-5800.Info Poster and Artist List.5 Sundays 12:00-5:00 pm Aug 9-Sep 6

Contributor Laurette

JUNE 20 Waling special day

This day was designated as the inaugural for the City Walking Program at Britannia Community Centre. Besides the regular Saturday seniors walking group, about twenty other people joined in, including a young mother with her toddler in a stroller, a couple pulling a wagon with their six-year old daughter, and several people who had previously moved out of the area but came back because they enjoy being here.
The walk was previously designed at Britannia Centre and published in a pamphlet entitled "Britannia Community Arts Walking Tour" mapped out as the South Grandview Woodlands Walk. The walk is about 3.5 km and starts at Napier Street heading south on Commercial Drive to Graveley, where a bright mural adorns the side of Norman's Market.
The walk continues south along Victoria Drive to the art tiles on the outside wall at Victoria Elementary School. The tile project, headed by Blake Williams, was completed by students in May 1998 as a City of Vancouver Community Art Project . The remainder of the long south wall contains an undersea mural in dark blue featuring sea creatures and corals, also painted by the students.
At East 6Th Avenue, we turned west to enjoy the well-maintained older homes and gardens. My favourite feature was the "hairy" trees. These are huge trees that grow over the street creating a canopy and the lower trunks are covered in short fine-leafed branches down to the ground. The gardens along the boulevard spill over onto the sidewalk in colourful blooms amid a variety of leafy shrubs.
Across Commercial Drive, we headed to Woodlands Elementary School to admire the First Nations open pavilion inspired by the Musqueam traditional longhouse, decorated in relief designs of various animal and bird symbols. The side wall of the school is painted in a moving ocean motif with large sea mammals. A large map of North America is painted on the open cement area.
We followed Woodlands Street to McLean & Charles where a small park is decorated in commemorative bricks and tile pictures in the shape of a creek running down the slight grade. Over 500 people worked on the intricate tile designs. The park was dedicated to the "mosaic of volunteers and residents whose vision, initiative and energy has created this beautiful place" - a celebration of the variety of ethnic citizens living in the area.
On our return to Napier Plaza, we were entertained by a 3-piece band playing reggae music. Fresh apples, oranges and bananas were available to refresh our palates. Ian, who works at Britannia as a food security employee, was making fruit smoothies with yogurt for the thirsty walkers. Draws for monthly passes were made: Linda and Lorna were among the lucky winners. Invitations to join walking groups were available at two tables and many participants signed pledges to increase their activities and healthy eating.
In spite of a few moments of rain splatters, the weather was calm and pleasant for this very successful day.
Contributor Virginia

Volunteer Photo Journalist

VOLUNTEER PHOTO/VIDEO JOURNALIST POSITION
General Duties and Responsibilities: The volunteers in this project will work as a team (older adults and youth) to document and archive volunteer related activities of Britannia Community Services Centre from June 15, 2009 – October 30, 2009. Documentation and archival methods will include digital photography/videography as well as some written information through interviews with volunteers/staff. Volunteers will then produce a video montage or similar multimedia presentation made of archived footage and information which will then be premiered at the Volunteer Appreciation Event in late October/early November 2009. Volunteers will be guided by project throughout this process with final edits to the video to be done a month prior to screening.
Photo or Video Archiving
Using a digital camera (one will be provided if you do not have your own) to document volunteer activities in regulated programs or at special events throughout Britannia Community Services Centre
Using a digital still or digital video camera to video footage of volunteers facilitating programs or events
Using digital still or digital video camera to film volunteers during short interviews
Video Production
Using digital archives and other types of media to produce a short video presentation of volunteer activities at Britannia Community Services Centre
Using computers and software provided by Britannia to produce this short video
Using computers and projectors to display this video at the event in October/November
Required qualifications:
Genuine desire to work as a team with youth and seniors to produce this collaborative multimedia piece
Previous experience working with others of varying ages and cultural backgrounds
Comfortable and confident speaking with volunteers about their responsibilities and personal stories
Demonstrated experience in taking quick, concise, accurate notes
Interest in practicing digital photography and learning how to use movie-maker in PC
Desire to learn more about volunteer activities at Britannia, connect with others and improve photography or video-production skills
Excellent communication skills
Previous experience and demonstrated skills using PC Moviemaker or digital photography will be assets
Commitment: Approximately 4 hours per week on average, with an extra 10-15 hours for editing the month before the Appreciation event – likely from mid Sept to mid October. These positions are supervised by the Senior’s Programmer, L.A. Youth Project Worker, and Volunteer Program Coordinator at Britannia.
Benefits (will be issued upon completion of project): A Courtesy Pass for unlimited pool, rink, and fitness centre use for 6 monthsA small honorarium will be provided- amount to be confirmed Recognition at the Volunteer Appreciation of video production
If interested: Please write a brief introduction about yourself and indicate why you think you would be suited for this position. All applications to be submitted to the Charlene Wee, Volunteer Program Coordinator, by June 10, 2009.

Family Services at Britiannia

This is Shirlean, cook for family programs (child care, etc...) who does lunches & snacks for the little ones. She is one groovy chick.
She had just emptied this bag of flour & I was teasing her about not to sneeze or inhale etc...
Very hard worker as well.
The history of the building is that it used to be a public cafeteria for the centre but we have too many patrons now to even do this idea any more.

Fighting City Hall!!!

Monday night a bunch of us went to City Hall to fight for more money allocation to our centre as in the new Capital Plan they have excluded us. What was once proposed has been shelved & we are not happy. So a group of staff & volunteers & as well neighbors of our community went to reason with them & explain why we are in need of it. http://vancouver.ca/corpsvcs/financial/capital/index.htm for those who wish to read abut the plan.
I learnt some history of Britannia that was interesting. This centre was a pilot project that took off well. We are the only community centre with school (100 yrs old) & library as well. We are unique.
Opened in 1976, Britannia Community Services Centre is part of a larger neighbourhood complex located at Commercial Drive and Napier Street which includes a library, elementary and secondary schools along with a preschool and out of school daycare. On the recreation side, this facility is the hub for social and physical pursuits and offers an indoor swimming pool, skating rink, fitness centre, seniors, youth and adult learning centres.
Britannia Community Services Centre is operated by the Board of Management of the independent Britannia Community Services Society and has agreements with the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver School Board and Vancouver Public Library


This small group instead of a speech sung their hearts out & as well made their point in a light hearted way. I have advised them not to give up their day jobs to pursue a singing career. LOL

This song below to the tune of "MONDAY, MONDAY" old Mamas & Papas

One thing that was brought to my attention after we left that one council member (Mr Ladner) instead of listening, his attention was to his computer. I think that was rude of him. I wished I had seen that as I had my trusty camera with a Zooom of 10X & could have captured what he found so interesting. Not a good thing.

Monday Evenings at the Brit

The Anyone Marching Band

This band plays modern pop songs as well as funky versions of traditional marches and conceptual songs that will contain interaction and improvisation. Some music reading ability is helpful (high school level is sufficient), but open-mindedness is crucial. Portable instruments are encouraged (so we can march!). Led by Jazz bassist Sean Cronon, and regularly joined by other professional musicians, this will be a great opportunity for amateur musicians to grow and make crazy, fun music!

They meet every Monday either in the courtyard or in AML lounge

Senior's Aquafit Classes

This is every Tuesday & Thursday from 945am-1030am. Great low impact on one's knees. Opened to all. This day was Karen who is a great instructor with great attitude. Normally a lot more people but being a holiday week??