Sat 22 Aug Bustrip/Walking group

Sat Aug 22 Walking Group Last Saturday, August 15, before the group set out for the day, I reminded them that I would not be here on the 22ND, and that the regular walk could go ahead without me and they needed to report to the office as we are now officially part of the Vancouver Walking Program and as such come under the city's management and liability.

Five of our group had signed up to take the bus trip to Harrison Hot Springs on the 22ND -Susan, Judi, Linda, my friend Anna, and me Virginia. [Anna is retiring from her job at Kwantlen College in October and plans to continue with our Saturday walking group.

We clambered aboard the Sunshine Coach with 17 other seniors from Britannia, including Barbara, Ed and Bonnie. Our driver was Alan, a Britannia staffer; he took East 1st Avenue off Commercial and followed the main route to Highway One, past Burnaby and New Westminster, over the Port Mann Bridge into North Surrey. The highway passes north of Langley and Fort Langley, then south of Abbotsford. At the town of Chilliwack we took Highway 9 through the peaceful little town of Agassiz under a warm sun with mild breezes and a few clouds. It was a perfect day for an outing. Beyond Agassiz is the road to Harrison Hot Springs.

We arrived at Harrison Lake around 11:45 (a 1.5 hour ride) and were dropped off at the public indoor pool which several people took advantage of. The rest of us went our separate ways, some in pairs, some in small groups, a few on their own, to walk the beach lagoon and check out the little shops and cafes. Susan, Anna, Linda and I ate our bag lunches on a viewing platform which offered a full panorama of beach, lake, island and mountains. After shopping for a jacket for Susan, we strolled around the lagoon where a few visitors were enjoying a swim. We stopped at a motel cafe where we enjoyed coffee and ice cream and met up with Judi who told us about a little market where we could get local cherries, nectarines and cob corn.

We then walked along the western shore of the lake, past restaurants and shops, past the Hot Springs Hotel and tennis courts, into the cool shade of the forest along the beach pathway. About a half kilometer from the hotel, we came upon the original source of the mineral water that supplies five pools in the hotel complex as well as the lagoon.

The hot springs were first discovered in the winter of 1858 by a couple of gold miners on their way back from the Caribou gold fields; the story goes that one of them fell into the lake and got the shock of his life - the water was not cold as he had expected; it was pleasantly warm. So they followed the heated water along the shore until they found the source, a natural mineral hot spring. Apparently, these springs were known to the local First Nations people as "Waum Chuck", a spiritual place of magic and healing. In 1873, Joseph Armstrong investigated and negotiated the purchase of the 40 acres surrounding the springs and, with the aid of a clever engineer, was able to separate the lake water from the naturally hot spring water to create a spa. The raw spring water was recorded at 145 degrees Fahrenheit and had to be blended with the lake water to create a comfortable temperature for the spa. In 1886, the St. Alice Hotel was built at the site and the new spa was a popular tourist destination until it burned down in 1905; it was never rebuilt.

Unfortunately, I did not get any history about the development of the Harrison Hotel and village but the website http://www.harrisonlakebc.com/ is a good source for more information.
We left at 3:00 pm and enjoyed a comfortable nap on the smooth ride back to Britannia Centre. Alan was commended for the ease with which he drove the van and he received gratitude and applause from all passengers.
The next out trip is Tuesday September 1st to White Rock with a stopover at the Buddhist Temple in Richmond. Saturday August 29Th, our regular walks will continue in the Vancouver area. Until then, enjoy the garden and farm harvests that are spilling into the local markets.
Contributor Virginia

ROSSANA MIRO

Hello, my name is Rossana Miro and I'm a “nutrition consultant”. I have a Diploma as “Registered Holistic Nutritionist” from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and I’m a “Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner”, member of the International Organisation of Nutritional Consultants. I have several years experience in “food preparation”, cooking and “special diets” and a real passion for herbs and spices...

Healthy Cooking Club

Rossana Miro

Friday's

Sep-11-to Dec 11

11:00am-12:00pm

Learn about healthy foods, prepare nutritious meals and learn to select the best quality food at an affordable price!
Come cook with us.

Weekly pre-registration required.

Must sign up by the Monday beforehand

$3.50 each Friday.

Tuesday Walking Group 18 Aug

Today we decided well I decided (Laurette) to take the new Canada Line from Broadway/City hall to Marine drive & walked over the pathway designated for bikes & pedestrians under the sky train over to Richmond.

The first pic is the shortcut we took over the tracks to get to the pathway which was about 4 blocks away. The pictures following that were on the pathway crossing the river & what you saw both sides.

We walked all the way to River Rock Casino which is also the Brigeport skytrain stop in Richmond. This is where we went for a break for coffee, lunch & washroom break.

We then backtracked to the beginning & made our way home. BTW no one gambled. The nice is that three of us have never been to the casino.

Bridgeport will also be where quite a number of buses will be picking & dropping off passengers for the region of Richmond.

This is the the four of us who did it one way & then 1 person left us to continue on her own by skytrain to the airport from the Casino. I decided to go all the way to downtown Van to see what it looked like there.

The trains are airy, lots of room for people, luggage & as well section for bikes.

Therese, Violet, Laurette & Virginia

This monuement was halfway across the bridge deicated to the person who died accidently. The floweres were signed "Miss you ", Mum.

Andrew Slobodian, 22, died Jan. 21 while operating a nine-tonne crane about midway along the bridge deck that spans the Fraser River from Vancouver to Richmond. He was working on the Canada Line rapid transit expansion project in Vancouver, which includes construction over the North Arm of the Fraser River

This last one is the first skytrain station that is above ground in Vancouver at Marine Drive where we got off & back on. Aftwards it is all above ground in Richmond, Every 2nd one goes to the Airport & the other to Brighouse which is across from Richmond Centre.

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

15 Aug Walking Group

Linda arrived at Britannia Centre with a new walking companion, Emily, a petite lady who swears she is a senior but looks only 20. On today's walk, she told us she had recently completed the Grouse Grind!! Susan came in soon after, followed by Marilyn and Ken carrying their usual take-out coffees.
We walked to Broadway, caught the #9 bus to Granville, headed downhill to the path leading off to the left along the south shore of False Creek. The path wound around the shoreline between a boat-filled marina on our right and lovely condos surrounded by even lovelier gardens on our left. We followed a short detour along a brick-lined sidewalk, then sidestepped onto a plaza where a stairway led down to Vanier Park walkway. We passed a 15 foot carved wood statue of a Salish figure facing the inlet with arms outstretched in welcome greeting.
Filling Vanier Park were the striking white tents of Bard on the Beach summer theatre. Beyond the tents we passed the Science Centre and Maritime Museum. While the others rested on a bench, Emily and I took a stone pathway to a large rectangular copper coloured frame, about 10 feet square, settled on a mound of grass and surrounded by small shrubs. A plaque at the base dedicated this monument to Captain George Vancouver whose illustrious life lasted only forty years (1758-1798) - perhaps an average lifetime 200 years ago. As an officer in the Royal Navy, he was commissioned to claim the northwest coast as British territory and to find the northwest passage. Between 1792 and 1794 he charted the coastline north of the 30Th parallel as well as the perimeter of Vancouver Island. This monument was a gift of the Canadian Historic Sites & Monuments Board.
Our walk continued south to West 4Th Avenue where a street festival was in full swing; it was primarily a collector car display and, as we were running out of time and energy, we caught buses back to Britannia. I gave Emily a number of pamphlets of various city walks and maps to give her an idea of how much territory we have charted for our walking group.
Next Saturday is the bus trip to Harrison Hot Springs. Several of our group are going on this outing, so I encouraged the members who would be here that day to organize a walk. Our regular walks will continue August 29Th. Into the Fall, we plan to do a couple of walks at Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake Park.
Contributor Virginia

Rossana Miro

Rossana Miro will be doing the Friday lunch workshop starting 11 Sep 09 at the Al Mattison Lounge. Below is her introduction.

Hello, my name is Rossana Miro and I'm a “nutrition consultant”. I have a Diploma as “Registered Holistic Nutritionist” from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and I’m a “Registered Orthomolecular Health Practitioner”, member of the International Organisation of Nutritional Consultants. I have several years experience in “food preparation”, cooking and “special diets” and
a real passion for herbs and spices...
Nutrition is a very intricate subject, not only in terms of the complex way in which the human body process nutrients, but also in terms of how difficult it can be to find accurate information on the subject.
There is a strict relation between diseases, lifestyle and nutrition: there is not diet that is right for everyone, each person is unique & different and it is important to take in consideration individual needs, food preferences, genetic, psychological factors, stress levels and so on....a person health depends not only on diet, but on emotions, feelings, social & economic conditions.
All organs and body systems work together: any imbalance in one part affects all the rest, chemicals substances, nutrients, compounds interact and depend on each others. My role as “Holistic Nutritionist” is to give people information they need to enable them to choose between “good and bad quality”, “healthy and harmful”, teach to understand body' signals and personal needs...all important steps to achieve wellness
why Holistic? Holism comes from the Greek word “holos” meaning “entire”: it is the idea that a human being is more than the sum of his physical body' part but the whole of body-mind-spirit. A holistic nutritionist deals with the root cause of an imbalance and focus on client education and participation.
If you believe in “real food”, homemade/simple recipes, nutritious-fresh ingredients, local supplier, common sense, cultural traditions, sustainable farming, ethical fair workers compensation, animal welfare, biodiversity ,food security...we share the same values.

VOLUNTEER FOR PATHWAYS AT BRITANNIA!‏

BE A PATHWAYS RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTOR!
Pathways is a program implemented by the Britannia Elementary school and Britannia Recreation Dept. It's in its second year and we are excited to be able to offer this again! The program offers recreational activities for the Britannia Elememtary School children in the first week and a half of school. That's in September! School administration staff work on class registration, professional development etc., while students engage in physical and recreational activities to start off their school year!
SPORTFIT is a series of activities offered during PATHWAYS at Britannia. It gives students the chance to explore summer and winter sports and activities, and find out where their interests lie. SPORTFIT connects children and youth to the activities that are right for them through eight easy and fun physical activity stations. To learn more, check out: http://www.sportfitcanada.com/

VOLUNTEER ASSISTANTS are wanted to help out at each of these stations on Wednesday, Sept 16 and Thursday Sept 17. Volunteers will need to:
Be interested in recreational activities
Be fitness oriented and have a genuine desire to encourage activity in the lives of children
Be able to speak English in public confidently
Be available to assist at 1 of 8 activity stations from 8:30am-2:30pm (with a break from 12pm-12:45pm)

Attend training before Sept 16, provided by two recreational staff
Volunteers will receive:
A statement of hours if requested
Lunch on the day they volunteer
If you're interested in this opportunity or know anyone that does, please contact me directly. Thanks! :) Regards,
Charlene Wee 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

Walking Club 08 Aug '09

I arrived shortly after 10 am to read the training material provided and reminded the members who showed up - Judi, Susan, Linda, Marilyn and Ken - to be here at 10:15 so I have time to report to the office on who is going on the walk, where we plan to go, how we plan to get there and back.

We took the #20 bus to Broadway, transferred to the #9 going west, got off at Pine Street where we met Lorna who came out from the West End to join us. From there we walked down to 6Th Avenue and toured the three community gardens that I wrote about a few weeks ago: Cypress, Maplewood and Kitsilano gardens. For a list go to http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/comgardn.htm.

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/projects/gardenwalks.htm

From there we walked down to 2ND Avenue and stopped at Bean Around the World for a lunch break and very strong delicious coffee.

Our walk continued across the Burrard Bridge, during which time Lorna and I (Virginia) yelled at three separate cyclists who were using the sidewalk instead of the new cycling lane which is safely barricaded from vehicle traffic. One rider sarcastically remarked "Thanks! You made my day." Goody for him. Next time maybe he'll keep to the cycling lane and leave the sidewalk for pedestrians.

At the north end of Burrard, Lorna, Susan, Judi and Linda caught a bus on Burrard to return home while Marilyn, Ken and I took the stairway under the bridge and walked along the north shore of False Creek to Beatty Street where they caught the #15 community bus to Main Street to catch the skytrain to Broadway and Commercial on their way home. I caught the #15 Cambie at the nearest bus stop and transferred to the #20 Victoria at Robson & Seymour to get back to Britannia Centre.

The weather was overcast with a soft cool breeze, very comfortable for today's longer than usual walk. Ken particularly enjoyed the walk; he is a lover of gardens and dogs and we saw a lot of both today. He told me he walks dogs from the city pound two days a week, that the dogs like him and respond to his serene nature. He is a kind hearted person who says very little but appreciates the chats we have during our walks.

So, here's to dog and garden lovers everywhere. May you thrive and flourish and spread beauty and peace everywhere.

Contributor Virginia

Confirmed Bus Trip

White Rock trip postponed from the 29 July is now confirmed for Tuesday, 01 Sep. See you all onboard for a great time.

Chuckle for the day

A sweet grandmother telephoned Memorial Hospital.
She timidly asked, 'Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?
'The operator said, 'I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number?
'The grandmother in her weak, tremulous voice said, 'Norma Findlay Room 302.
'The operator replied, 'Let me place you on hold while I check with her nurse. After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, 'Oh, I have good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing very well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back as normal, and her physician, Dr. Colon, has scheduled her to be discharged on Tuesday.'
The grandmother said, 'Thank you. That's wonderful! I was so worried! God bless you for the good news.'
The operator replied, 'You're more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?'
The grandmother said, 'No, I'm Norma Findlay in 302.
No one tells me sweet shag all.
'Based on a True Story.

01Aug Walking Club

The heat spell having settled in for a few more days, I chose to take our walking group on a skytrain ride to the three malls: Brentwood, Lougheed and MetroTown. Flora joined Susan, Judi, Linda, Deborah and me (Virginia) for the bus trip to Broadway Millenium Skytrain station.


We spent a short time in Brentwood, then hopped the train to Lougheed where Judi said her goodbyes so she could concentrate on some serious shopping and Linda picked up some photo prints while the rest of us walked. We met Linda's daughter, Margaret, who works in the florist shop at Safeway where we stopped for a light lunch. Deborah didn't bring any food, thinking she could make do with breakfast. She soon disappeared into the bakery and returned with a big sweet bun covered in pecans. Denying oneself nourishing food when everyone else is enjoying just doesn't work. We joined an Aboriginal concert with a drumming instructor who demonstrated the use of a ceremonial drum and explained how a drum is made. Then two young women entertained us with a rap tune in one of the Musqueum dialects.


As we approached the Skytrain for MetroTown I called a fellow walker, Maurice, who had moved away from the Drive last year and who wanted to be included in any walks out his way near Edmunds Station. On our arrival, Linda, Flora and Deborah decided they were ready to go back to the Drive. Susan and I met Maurice just inside MetroTown off the Skytrain level and he acted as our guide through the Mall.
It's excitement of prehistoric proportions. With roaring, life-size animatronic creatures in 2 indoor atriums, dinosaurs have taken over BC's largest shopping destination. This spectacular experience is as educational as it is entertaining. Metropolis at Metrotown, located in Burnaby, is home to 450 stores, a movie theatre & a variety of restaurants.

To our surprise, as we approached the small atrium on the lower level, we noticed an archaeological display entitled "Dinosaurs Unearthed". On display were skeletons of several small dinosaurs (up to five feet tall), with information panels about their origins and ages. Later, in the main atrium, which is open from main floor to skylight roof, was a full size replica of an adult Tyrannosaurus Rex, its roar echoing loudly through the mall; a sign beneath stated "I haven't eaten in 30 million years, so stay behind the fence!"
Beneath the raised tail of the adult Rex was a baby Rex covered in its infantile feathery coat. It was electronically connected to a podium containing seven buttons; each one operated a different section of the the baby's body - the tail swung side to side, the head moved up, down and sideways, it's jaw opened to reveal a trembling tongue with throaty growls, and it's tiny front paws jiggled threateningly. Children were fascinated by the seemingly magical power of those buttons and even Susan couldn't resist trying out a few.


Our walk done, Susan caught her bus home, Maurice hopped his eastbound train and I took the westbound train to Broadway Station. As a #20 bus was at the northbound stop, I rode to Britannia Centre to sit in this sweltering computer room and write this journal entry.


WAYS TO STAY COOL IN THIS HEAT WAVE :


(advice from medical doctors): dress in light, loose clothing, preferably cottons; stay hydrated by drinking a half cup of water or cool beverage every 15 minutes (we lose vital minerals through perspiration); keep activities to a minimum to maintain our core body temperature at normal; take several cooling showers each day and sleep with fans running as moving air makes for more restful sleep.


Until next week ... Contributor Virginia

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

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22Aug Harrison Hot springs

$15.00

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Meet at the Al Mattison Lounge

9a-5p

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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