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

POTLUCK 25th Feb

JUST A REMINDER THURSDAY
25 FEB NOON

Mourning the lost of Biagio Celio

I wish to let you all know of this very nice man. We lost him this week. He was a lovely man who was kind, generous & sweet. He would arrive at the Al Mattison Lounge often to play Italian Cards with the other men. He was a gentleman. I was rewarded one day with a bottle of homemade wine.

CELIO, Biagio Born in Palena, Abbruzzi, Italy on February 11, 1928. Passed away peacefully on Monday, February 8, at the age of 81 years at Vancouver General Hospital. Biagio is survived by his loving family: sons Amadio (Anna), Joe (Patrizia), Tony (Kim); grandchildren Anthony (Chrissy), Nadia (Dave), Nicholas, Deanna, Amanda, Michael and Mathew; brothers Domenico (Lina), Giovanni (Maria); sister Gaetanella (Domenico); sister-in-law Lucia. He was predeceased by his loving wife Maria. Biagio will also be lovingly remembered by his many other family members along with countless friends who were all blessed to know him. We would like to thank VGH for their outstanding care and support. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 12:00 noon at Out Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church 525 S. Slocan St. Vancouver, BC. Entombment to follow at the Abbey Mausoleum Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, BC. In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Walking club 06 Feb

Hello! Back on the trail again! This time we explored a few of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic venues which were noted in websites to be open this weekend. However, events of this magnitude are often more time-consuming than anticipated. Linda, Ken, Marilyn, Marisa, Emily, Susan and I were joined at the last minute by a lady known at Britannia Seniors Centre as "Little Flora".

After perusing various venue maps and newspaper clippings of the downtown area, we caught the #20 Victoria bus to Broadway, hitched a ride on the 99 B-Line heading West, and descended into the underground tunnel to ride beneath False Creek on the new Canada Line railway. We rode the rail to Roundhouse Station in Yaletown anticipating the tasty offerings promised by the Italian Pavilion only to find the bootlanders were still setting up. And none of the Italians spoke English. Fortunately, Linda's ability to speak Italian was useful in finding out that the venue called "Casa Italia" would only be open this evening for invited guests; the general public was welcome starting tomorrow, Sunday.

A quick walk around nearby David Lam Park, site of LiveCity Yaletown, showed us an impressive collection of tents and security measures which forbade our setting foot on that site, so we headed back to the underground for the Athlete's Village Station. From there, a few steps beyond took us to the temporary tent where excited locals and visitors lined up to ride the Bombardier trolley that had traveled all the way from Brussels, on loan from the country of Belgium. The Canadian leg of the trolley's journey was overnight by flatdeck truck, a very long truck that required assistance getting through the downtown to the rail line. According to last night's news coverage, the truck manoeuvered a few tight corners by mere inches.

The Bombardier was built in Quebec, so it's part in the Olympics was a much appreciated contribution to the success of the 2010 Vancouver celebrations. This train runs from the south end of Cambie Street Bridge following West 2nd Avenue to the entrance of Granville Island. There we looked for the Atlantic Canada Pavilion and its promise of a Maritime Kitchen Party, but it was still packed up in two long white trailers parked beside the Market. Further investigation towards the east end of Granville Island did not locate the Winterruption Festival or the French Quarter Market, Artists Alley and Bistro.

So we were a little hasty, a little early in our eagerness to size up the venues. However, we will be back downtown on opening weekend, Saturday February 12th with full expectations that our mission will be successful and satisfying.

Until then, get downtown and get some Olympic Spirit happ'nin'.

Oh, by the way, on our walk back along the north shore of False Creek, we met a group of five guests. I asked where they were from and what their role was in the Games; two women and three men were competing in the downhill luge races, two going single, the rest going in pairs at 150 km per hour down the run at Whistler. We wished them good luck and headed east to catch the Main Street Sky Train
The luge team were from Slovakia .

Virginia

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

New class 22 feb

Al Mattison Lounge
Computer room
New Class
22 Feb/6sessions
1p-3pm
$45.00
Instructor Michelle Zeibart


Limited availability

Sat Jan 16 Walking Club‏

Well Happy New Year!
Brit Seniors 55+ Saturday group is back in the swing of things - as much as possible with the usual unpredictable weather - with the added restriction of chain link fences marking the Winter Olympic territorial boundaries around False Creek and other areas of downtown Vancouver.

Linda, Susan, Judi, Marissa (recently back from Ottawa), and myself decided to stay south of the city core, so we walked to Broadway, took the 99 B-Line to Granville, and met Lorna on the way down to Granville Island where we stopped for lunch in the market. Two old men, brothers, were entertaining the crowds with music from the 1930's-50's; one sat playing the accordion while the other stood behind him doing his best to sing along with the music sheet. Linda was quite taken with them, especially as they played an Italian favourite.

Outside in the triangle plaza, we watched a funny man juggling fire sticks. As we made our way to the ringside, he noticed us and commented to the crowd, "Here come my dancing girls." Not one to miss a cue, I did a little hip swinging and arm waving to which he quickly retorted, "You can take off your parachute, Granny, you've landed." (he was referring to my backpack).

As the wind was coming up and the air was chilly, we decided to walk to Burrard Bridge to keep Lorna company on her way home to the West End. Our trail took a convoluted route around the waterfront, up and across busy streets until we reached the south end of the bridge. By then, we had enough exercise and stopped in front of Molson's Brewery to catch a city bus, there being a temporary bus stop sign mounted on a power pole. After 20+ minutes, a light bulb went off in Judi's head as she realized the buses we wanted actually came along Cornwall Avenue from Kits Beach so we moved to that stop barely minutes before the next bus arrived. From Burrard Skytrain Station, we rode the light rail to Commercial/Broadway where we parted ways.

Winter being the temperamental season it is, I will call walkers no later than Thursday IF THE WEATHER FORECAST IS FOR SUN OR LIGHT RAIN: no call will be made if the weather is seriously cold, raining or snowing.

Growlin old

Observations on Growing Older

~Your kids are becoming you...and you don't like them
...but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.
Coming home is better!

~When people say you look "Great"...
they add "for your age!"

~When you needed the discount you paid full price.
Now you get discounts on everything ...
movies, hotels, flights, but you're too tired to use them.

~You forget names ... but it's OK
because other people forgot
they even knew you!!!

~The 5 pounds you wanted to lose
is now 15 and you have a better chance
of losing your keys than the 15 pounds.

~You realize you're never going
to be really good at anything .... especially golf.

~Your husband is counting on you
to remember things you don't remember.

~The things you used to care to do,
you no longer care to do,
but you really do care that you
don't care to do them anymore.

~Your husband sleeps better on a lounge chair
with the TV blaring than he does in bed.
It's called his "pre-sleep".

~Remember when your mother said
"Wear clean underwear in case you GET in an accident"?
Now you bring clean underwear in case you HAVE an accident!

~You used to say,
"I hope my kids GET married ...
Now, "I hope they STAY married!"

~You miss the days when everything worked
with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..

~When GOOGLE, ipod, email, modem ...
were unheard of, and a mouse was something
that made you climb on a table.

~You used to use more 4 letter words ...
"what?"..."when?"???

~Now that you can afford
expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

~Your husband has a night out with the guys
but he's home by 9:00 P.M. ...next week it will be 8:30 P.M.

~You read 100 pages into a book before you realize you've read it.

~Notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~Now that your husband has retired ...
you'd give anything if he'd find a job!

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet ....
2 of which you will never wear.

~~~But old is good in some things:
old songs
old movies

And best of all OLD FRIENDS!!

Falls, Eagles & Trains

On Tuesday 12 Jan we went on a Bus Trip to Brackendale BC. We left a little after 9am & in the way we stopped for a break at Shannon Falls. Great, as no snow & a number of us were able to walk up to the falls. What a view & noisy rushing water. With all the rain we have been having it sure was heavy flowing. When we left Vancouver it was raining & continued till after we got to Brackendale. After that we had cloudy skies with a bit of sun. Not too many eagles were there but we had a guide, Bruce J Matthews who was a volunteer waiting for us on the dyke with binoculars & was very informative. www.naturesquamish.ca Afterward we went to the village of Squamish for lunch wherever our group wanted with free time. Then our driver took us to the Westcoast Railway Heritage Park. www.wcra.org That sure made up for the lack of eagles. Most of us had not been & were very impressed. Nathan our guide was really super with us & we lucked out with being able to see all, ride the mini train & as well the man who takes care of the miniature outdoor train was there. All these people are volunteers. We then head off back to Vancouver with great memories & great friends.

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.

Bus Trip!!

Seats still available, limited!!!

Tuesday 12 Jan 2010

Brackendale to view the Eagles

Sqaumish to visit West Coast Railway Museum

Olympic Torch at Party 17 Dec

Lee Turner who was a Torch Bearer on the first day from Victoria, BC brought her torch to the PotLuck Xmas Party 17 Dec. She is very proud of this & let everyone enjoy the moment with her.
The following people are Vera, Michelle, Norman, Patricia & Lynn.

Potluck Xmas Dinner 17 Dec

Great time we all had. Great food, music & bingo to end the evening with some draws for gifties

the last pic is the dessert Buffet & half gone but what a spread we had tonight.

Burnaby Village Museum

Please be sure to play the video of the carousel!!!

Volunteer positions

Volunteer Opportunities
December 14, Monday 3-5pm

Youth Mentorship Carving Project

Blessing Event Videographer

Aaron Nelson Moody was engaged by Britannia to work in collaboration with local youth to design and execute First Nations themed house posts and ridge beam entrance way for the Britannia Ice Arena. This entranceway is now completed and installed on its permanent home attached to the Britannia Arena. Witnesses are invited to this blessing event to participate in a ceremony which will include singing, drumming, blessing of the posts and beam either through smudging or perhaps water and cedar boughs. Witnesses at this event are there to remember the event and to pass it on as validators of the event.



A volunteer videographer is wanted to record the entire ceremony on a digital video camera so that we can archive this event and present it to members of the community on Dec 16! Volunteer should have an eye for composition or set-up so you know what to record and how and must be comfortable using digital video equipment. Access to your own equipment is an asset, but not necessary. Refreshments available. Entire ceremony is expected to take about 1 hour.



December 18, Friday 8:30am-10:30am and/or 1-2pm

Pre-School Winter Party Assistants

It’s the end of year party for the Pre-School at Britannia and pre-school families are invited to come celebrate! Volunteers are wanted to help make this event happen – main activities are setting up, making coffee etc, and taking down of the event



December 20, Sunday (10am- 4pm) and 21, Monday (4-8 or 5-8:30 or 7:30-11pm)

Winter Solstice Lantern Festival Operatives

It’s that wonderful time of year when we celebrate the longest night of the year and a return to light! Come join other community residents to celebrate this One Festival in Five Neighbourhoods!

Volunteers wanted in various areas

– Dec 20 is set-up day when we build the labyrinth of light (600 over candles used!) and prepare the performance rooms

- Dec 21 is the day of the event: Performance Hosts, hot chocolate sellers and labyrinth guides needed



December 15-March 1, 2010

Britannia Aquaponic Project Assistant Coordinator (BAPAC)

A volunteer is wanted to help with the sourcing of material and building of a self-contained food producing system utilizing fish to produce fertilizer for plant food! (how cool is that? :P) Volunteer will report to the Project Coordinator with the Grandview Woodland Food Connection & work closely with Britannia students to help monitor and maintain the system during this time period. Experience and interest with public education and outreach (creation of press releases, posters etc.) are assets but not necessary. The ideal candidate would be resourceful in finding materials, have a keen interest in sustainability and sciences (biology, agriculture, etc.), have some knowledge of fish and gardening and access to a vehicle for transporting materials. The volunteer will gain some training on this amazing system and build your knowledge of aquaponics! There are also opportunities for potential spin-off projects after the successful completion of this in March. Bus tickets and/or gas will be reimbursed for transportation incurred.



If you’re interested in any of these positions, call or email me directly! Thanks and have a wonderful winter season!

Charlene

Coordinator, Volunteer Program

Britannia Community Services Centre

604-718-5860 or charlene.wee@vancouver.ca

Winter Solstice 21 Dec Bitannia

Available volunteer opportunities:
December 20, Sunday
Labyrinth Build-- Find out how we construct the 700-candle labyrinth and the history behind it! Transform Gym D into a whole new space! 10am-4pm
* Light refreshments provided at lunch-time
December 21, Monday
"Solstice Operatives" Wanted!
In The House Workshops/Performance Hosts - 3pm-6:45pm (positions take place in houses off-site, must be able to help set-up tables and chairs)
Labyrinth Guide - 5pm-8:30pm or 8pm-11:00pm (striking required)
Performance Host - 5:30pm-9:30pm (setting up and striking performance spaces and welcoming guests into spaces)
Hot Chocolate Guru - 4:00pm - 8:00pm or 7:30pm-10:30pm (must be comfortable handling hot liquids, selling cookies, handling cash etc.)
Hospitality Specialist - 4pm-8pm or 7:30pm-11pm (welcome volunteers and performers to green rooms and maintain a hospitable environment for guests during the evening!)

The times are all very specific, so please make your selection carefully! Email me with your choice of position and shift. Please note that the positions are all very popular, so don't wait until the last minute to sign-up, do it now! Make it a fun-filled family event or volunteer with friends!

Orientation for this event takes place on December 17, Thursday - 4:30pm-5:30pm. All volunteers are expected to attend.
For more information, contact me directly by phone or email. Thanks!

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

Reminders

Potluck Lunch

Thurs. 23 November

noon

last one of the year

*********

Tree Trimming Tea

Mon. 30 November

1pm
**************************

Bus Trip

Tues. 15 Dec

Burnaby Museum for Xmas

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

Xmas Dinner Potluck

Thurs 17 Dec

5-830p

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

Britannia Pool staff with Lee

Lee brought in her torch & let them hold it as well other patrons at the pool at the time. Very Nice Lee

Italian Card Players

Well winter is arriving when we start seeing this men daily in the centre, well nearly daily. During the warmer months they are in the local park enjoying the Sun & also playing boccie ball as well as cards. At least they are keeping their minds occupied & getting out of the house. We figure the wives are pleased to see them out & not under their feet. LOL
Scopa is an Italian trick-taking card game, and one of the two major national card games in Italy.[1] It is played with a standard Italian 40-card deck, mostly between two players or four in two partnerships, but it can also be played by 3, 5, or 6 players. The name is an Italian verb meaning "to sweep", since taking a scopa means "to sweep" all the cards from the pool. Watching a game of scopa can be highly entertaining an activity, since maintaining that lively and colorful, and somewhat strong-worded, banter in between hands is a vital part of the game.However, skill and chance are more than the outcome of the game. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopa

Tale of an Olympic Torchbearer

Pic 1 is the route, 2nd is her supporters, 3rd is Lee way in the back & her finishing!!!!

TOUCHED BY THE FLAME & CARRIED BY 147 PAIRS OF HANDS ON DAY 1 IN VICTORIA

The Torch is on its’ way & I was fortunate to be a part of this incredible event. I was the 61st runner to carry the flame, the sacred symbol of the Olympics. The spirit of the Torchbearer Relay & all it represents was overwhelming & a day to always remember filled with joy & love, reflecting the hope of the future.

From the moment we drove off the ferry in Victoria, the skies cleared & the rain stopped. I had planned on changing into my Torchbearer uniform & bionic knee brace at the hotel. Well, we had a lot of problems getting there as there were so many roads barricaded due to the Torchbearer route. As we were running out of time, I jumped out of our mini-van & asked the assistance of police. They kindly unbarricaded the roads for us & directed us to the hotel, which was downtown & overlooking the Inner Harbour. Then a mad dash for the hotel & getting ready. Then we had to find our way out of Victoria again.

Now to the Relay. All Torchbearers on my route (12) met at Butchart Gardens for final briefing. We learned how to do the kiss (light the next Torch) & how to hug without setting the Torchbearer on fire. Also, exactly what would happen when the escort convoy arrived at our starting point. This included 2 big Coke Trucks & Royal Bank Trunk (major sponsors), complete with dancers/singers, motorcycle cops/RCMP cars/ police on bicycles + so many other security & Olympic officials. I also had an escort runner + an assistant Torchbearer ready to assist me if need be. I really felt well protected. By the way the sun had come out & the sky was a beautiful blue & no rain clouds in sight.

The Relay was behind approximately 1 hour as the plane bringing the Torch ran into weather related problems. Apparently, the headwinds over Iceland were horrific. So, we had to wait on the Torchbearer shuttle bus. I was having problems sitting so long with my bionic brace on so asked to get off the bus & walk a bit. Well, as soon as I got off here come the kids & parents wanting pictures & to talk to me. Talk about feeling like a celebrity! This went on forever & I was having a ball. We were told not to take our hands off the Torch & I honoured their request at this time. I always had my hands on the Torch when allowing others to touch it. The host then got off the bus & said I had better get back on & laughingly said “hey, the party has not started yet”. Gosh, I thought it had!!!

Soon, we were told we must rev this bus load. up As each one of us in turn were soon to start our segment of the Relay. On goes the upbeat, loud, rock music & we are singing & swaying & me dancing at the back of the bus. I looked back through the window & an RCMP car was right on our tail. 2 RCMP females were laughing their heads off at my antics. Heck, I was warming up!

Well, soon my turn came & as everyone had done before as each left the bus, loud, loud, cheering, high 5’s, you go girl! I got off at my start position & here comes the fans! Man, oh man how exciting! This time, I did let go of my Torch & let all that wanted to hold it, with me posing with them for pictures. An Olympic official came & activated my Torch. He said get ready, your Torchbearer will be here in just a minute or so. Move into the middle of the road & prepare to do the kiss (accept the flame).

Goodness, I was so overjoyed & oh so ready to do this! Here came Victoria & we did it perfectly. I started out at a fast power-walk. I guess a little too fast as my escort runner said “SLOW DOWN, YOU ARE ABOUT TO OVERTAKE THE CONVOY” Gosh, I was not even running yet. I finished 1 block like this & looked at him & asked if I could go for it? He said “lets go” & I did only to see a hill in front of me. Not to worry I thought “bionic brace” will get me up it & it did!! Crowds of smiling, cheering, happy people everywhere just had me so ecstatic. Part of our final briefing was to make sure we acknowledged the crowd & boy did I ever. I was almost hoarse hollering out,” welcome, thanks for coming, nice to see you, go Olympics go”! Just on & on & me running all the time yelling this out!

Then my escort runner said” you are getting close”. Well, me so overjoyed & probably a runners high by now, ran right past my fellow Torchbearer who was waiting for me! He yelled out, come back here & light my Torch! I had not gone very far so turned around & ran back & preceded to give Ron the biggest hug (without setting him on fire) & then we did the kiss!

I wished him good luck & away he went.

I never saw any of my friends or my partner standing by the road snapping pictures when I came running in. All I recall seeing as I came up the hill was my golden-haired beautiful sister with her camera. I wanted to cross the street & greet her & my other friends but here comes the shuttle bus & they got me on it in one heck of a hurry. No time for anything really as we had to pick up the next Torchbearer.

What an awesome experience & such an honour & privilege to be part of this amazing event. It is hard to beat the power of the flame given to us by the sun in the temple of Hera in Greece. I will fondly remember this all the days of my life.

Lee Turner
2010 Olympic Torchbearer # 061

Saturday 31 Oct Walking Club

The weather forecast was for clouds and rain, so Linda was the only hardy soul to show up for Saturday's walk in the West End. It turned out to be one of the most pleasant, sunny days we have enjoyed lately. We met Lorna at Robson & Denman, following the City of Vancouver pamphlet entitled "Public Art Walk." Today's outing picks up from last Saturday's art walk between Canada Place and the Westin Bayshore hotel complex.

We followed the dotted line to 845 Chilco to stare up the "undulating concrete relief panels" attached to the front of this (my guess) 15 storey apartment building overlooking Lost Lagoon. This was shaping up to be an architectural experience.

Along the eastern border of Stanley Park we admired The Presidio, another tall eloquent condominium at 2080 Barclay Street. The architect, Richard Henriquez, designed this structure from "stretches, cuts, flips" and layered building parts "according to the fictional narratives he writes as his conceptual guide." In other words: he made it up as he went along! One rounded corner is topped by a turret-like cap; the front looks like it was intended for another project that didn't take flight, so he stuck the rectangular glass and steel panel onto that part of the more sedate white concrete building.

We passed David Oppenheimer's bust at the foot of Beach Avenue, on the lawn overlooking English Bay. He was Vancouver's Mayor 1888-1891; prior to that, he lobbied behind the scenes for Coal Harbour Peninsula to be designated as a park. His efforts - and Lord Stanley's generosity - gave Vancouver the stunningly situated and heavily forested Stanley Park, a lasting legacy to city citizens and visitors.

At 1919 Beach Avenue is The Eugenia high-rise, with an oak tree growing on the roof at the front of the building above the entrance. The shape of the front of the building between the rooftop tree and the ground floor doorway is shaped like a hypodermic needle; there is a reason for that, I'm told. The owner/developer had a son/brother (not sure of details) who was a drug addict and died of an overdose. This feature of the high-rise was a memorial to that the unfortunate young man.

Everyone knows the Sylvia Hotel at 1154 Gilford Street; "sheets of ivy cover brick and terracotta detailing on this former apartment building converted after the Depression to a hotel. In the 1980's it was expanded to include a restaurant and condominium tower." What more can anyone say other than it is a charming reminder of the "good old days."

We also passed by the George Cunningham Memorial Sundial erected in 1967 to commemorate three men who bought land on English Bay "so far from the city centre." The write-up doesn't say how long ago they purchased the land, but in the 1800's the city centre was Gas Town. The sundial honours their shrewdness and foresight - which I suspect was more likely due to the availability of cheap land away from the pollution and overcrowding of the downtown area of the time!

A more endearing and deserved memorial is the fountain in Alexander Park, just east of Davie Street along Pacific Boulevard. The "granite water fountain...is dedicated to the memory of Joe Fortes, long time lifeguard at English Bay Beach." It was dedicated in 1927 and includes an etching of Joe, who was a favourite of the children while enjoying their time swimming and sunning under his watchful eye.

Our walk continued along Beach Avenue above the seawall walkway and past the Inukshuk constructed by Alvin Kanak in 1986 for the Northwest Territories Pavilion at Expo '86. In April this year, an article in the daily papers said this grand structure had to be taken down due to some problem with the supporting landfill - an April Fool's joke that went unappreciated. Inukshuk figures are an Inuit tradition set on shore as a "symbol of safe harbour and landmark to help people find their way."

Just west of the Burrard Bridge, across the inlet from Granville Market, is the Aquatic Centre on Beach Avenue where Lorna found The Swimmer, "an abstract steel sculpture" which "mimics the action of a swimmer cutting through water." Designed by George Norris and erected in 1977 at the entrance to the pool on Pacific Boulevard.

I have quoted short passages from the city's walk pamphlet because they are appropriately descriptive and brief and I am lazy today.

From here, we parted ways, with Linda and I taking the harbour ferry to Granville Island. The day was mild and sunny, perfect for outings. After a brief walk-about, we caught the #50 bus to Broadway and Cambie and transferred to the 99 B-Line west to Commercial Drive, where we said our good-byes.

Next weekend, we start at Burrard Bridge and walk east along the north shore of False Creek to continue our treasure hunt for public art.

Contributor Virginia