For those who are retired

Walking Grp Sat 13 JUN

Judi, Deborah, Linda, Marilyn, Ken and Virginia caught the #20 Downtown bus to Robson and walked from Richards to Howe Street to meet Lorna, then caught the #4 UBC to Jericho Beach Park to continue our walk as far as Spanish Banks.

The weather was pleasant with a cool breeze. We passed the lake where ducks and geese were enjoying the calm water. We passed the bee condo tower I wrote about last week. We followed the paved walkway along the beach, looking beyond the tanning bodies to small boats crusing the waves and large freighters at anchor waiting to be guided into a harbour berth for unloading. One of our group mentioned that the tide was so far out one day last week that it looked as if a person could walk right across the bay into West Vancouver.

At Locarno Beach, we stopped to enjoy our packed lunches. Linda, Judi, Marilyn and Ken left the walk, so the Deborah, Lorna and I followed the beach path below North West Marine Drive. At the east border of Spanish Banks, Deborah decided she had walked far enough and returned home. Lorna and I followed the edge of Pacific Spirit Regional Park until we found one of the through the forest to Chancellor Boulevard. The path wound gently upward beneath tall trees. The trail split off in several places, but by keeping Spanish Bank Creek to our left, we reached the boulevard within 10 minutes. It was a pleasant diversion from the beach walk.We walked east along Chancellor Blvd until we reached West 4th Avenue and soon caught the bus back into town.

The #20 bus I caught headed into major traffic congestion along Hastings Street between Cambie and Main Street. As the bus edged slowly along, we could see five other buses ahead of us stalled on this side of the Main Street intersection.

A transit supervisor came by and rerouted us north along Abbott to Pender, east across Main to Gore, then back to Main Street. As we crossed Main we could see a blockade of a hundred or so people just standing in the Main & Hastings intersection and we could hear someone using a loudspeaker. Buses, delivery trucks and automobiles were backed up for several blocks on all four sides of the intersection. The blockade was the Downtown Eastside Residents Association's attempt to draw attention to the lack of housing for the homeless, treatment for mental health and addiction issues of the street people. Provincial and Municipal Governments have an agenda to alleviate the social problems in the DTES; however, according to newspaper articles, long-term plans take months and years to implement and short-term plans are only a band-aid treatment. Churches and other charitable organizations are doing all they can to provide shelter and meals. Nurses and doctors provide free health care. Social workers and street counsellors are challenged in their efforts to guide and protect the DTES residents from exploitation by slum landlords and drug dealers. Police officers maintain the peace and do whatever they can to keep trouble to a minimum.

It is unfortunate, in a country so rich in resources and opportunities for people from all walks of life, that those least able to look after themselves are left to fend for themselves in a nightmare world that most of us can't even imagine. We who are fortunate to live good lives must be able to do something to help, other than handouts of change and food. Any ideas?

Contributor Virginia

Walking Group 06 JUNE

The gals on Burrard St posing with one on the many eagles

Initially, my plan was to continue the west beach walk from Locarno to Spanish Banks but, with the heavy cloud blanket overhead, Linda and Deborah agreed that we might be wise to stay in the downtown area. We met Lorna at Howe & Robson Streets then headed north to Burrard & Hastings to get a closeup view of the old Marine Building ... unfortunately, the building was closed but we could see, through the heavy glass revolving doors, the impressive marble floors, wall and ceiling features ... the outside of the building is decorated in relief carvings of famous ships from Europe that reached the west coast during the 1500's and 1700's ... narrow copper and brass panels of various sea creatures surround the double entrance doors ... the doors are set back from the sidewalk inside a 15-20 foot high archway carved in tiered art deco designs. A plaque mounted near the archway outlines the history of the Marine Building ... at the time it was built in 1930, it was the tallest building in the British Empire ... in 1980, it underwent a complete refurbishment to restore the artwork and facade ... the Elephant & Castle Restaurant is located on the main level facing Hastings ... on the Burrard side north of the entrance is a small cafe. We walked up Burrard to Nelson Park at Thurlow street to visit Mole Hill, a heritage site restored in the past 20 years to their 1920's condition ... Mole Hill was settled by seasonal workers brought in during the mining, lumber and gold rush eras ... the West end was the first residential neighborhood of Vancouver separate from the business sector. We were fortunate that today was opening day for the West End Farm Market at Nelson Park ... vendors were selling homegrown vegetables, herbs and flowers ... baked goods, honey, bees wax candles and chocolate were among the available yummies ... I bought a chocolate with pecans and caramel as well as a slice of poppy seed cake ... my walking companions showed considerable restraint and just looked. A broad strip of the south side of Nelson Park is planted in community garden plots ... it is encouraging to see many communities setting up garden plots throughout the city ... when I was growing up in Calgary in the 1950's, everyone had small vegetable/salad gardens in their back yards ... it was a way of life, like hanging clothing on a line to dry, and mowing the lawn with a hand mower, the soft hum of the rotating blades neatly clipping the grass. Have a great week and we'll see you next Saturday.
Contributor Virginia

Gardens in west end near Nole Hill

Bee wax candles & community garden

Old marine building front door & refelection in another building

Oyster mushrooms & pitcher plants

Viginia & her very sweet tooth ;)

20 JUNE Walk!!!!

Senior's Week

SENIORS WEEK JUNE 1-5, 2009
THE LIFE LONG JOURNEY “OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC ATHLETE EXPERIENCES”Mon Jun 1, 1:00-2:30 pm, RoundhouseSeniors Artist Art Display and Life long Journeys presentation.
THE ARTS, HEALTH AND SENIOR’S PROJECTTue Jun 2, 10:00 am-NoonPerformances and Art Exhibition FREE at the Roundhouse.Lunch to follow 12:00-1:30 pm. Please pre-register with the Roundhouse: 604-713-1800. Cost $5 for lunch.
CHANCE TO DANCETue Jun 2, 2:00-4:00 pm FREE at the Roundhouse - Exhibition Hall.Join us for performances by various dance groups from our community centres.
B.C. SPORTS HALL OF FAMEWed Jun 3, 10:00 am - Noon, FREEMeet at the Roundhouse Community Centre and walk to the BC Sports Hall for a guided tour of the museum.
VAUDEVILLIANS PERFORMANCEWed Jun 3, 7:00–9:00 pm $2 at the Roundhouse.Vaudeville style acting/dancing/singing with authentic customs and a cast of over 20 performers ages 55-90.
VANCOUVER OLYMPIC/PARALYMPIC CENTRE- HILLCREST PARKThu Jun 4, 10:00 am-Noon FREEGo on an energizing walk through Hillcrest Park to view the new Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, home to curling and wheelchair curling events in 2010. Please meet at 9:45am in the Lobby of Riley Park Community Centre, 50 East 30th Avenue.Complimentary Active Communities “Walking to Wellness Passports” and healthy snacks provided. Contact Riley Park for more details: 604-257-8545
PACIFIC COLISEUM-HASTINGS PARK SANCTUARYThu Jun 4, 10:00 am-Noon FREEWalk from Hastings Community Centre, across the street to Hastings Sanctuary. Over 100 species of birds home to the Italian Gardens and Japanese Garden. The Pacific Coliseum is the venue for figure skating and short track speed skating in 2010. Please meet at 9:45 am at Hastings Community Centre in the Lobby area, 3096 East Hastings Street. Contact Hastings Community Centre for more details: 604-718-6222
SEVENTH ANNUAL TEA BY THE SEA DANCEFri Jun 5, 1:00-4:00 pm at the RoundhouseArts and Recreation Centre - Exhibition HallTea Dance Tickets: $8Come & dance to Dal Richards Orchestra and enjoy Tea-by-the-Sea. Pre-register by May 27th at your local community centre or at the Roundhouse. Event always sells out.

June 02 Walking Group

Well what a great day we had. Today there was Virginia, Deborah, Violet (new) & myself. I had thought we would have done the Killarney 2010 games area & changed my mind. Today was a very warm day & it would have been warmer where we would have gone. So I changed the plans & off to the water. We bused to Waterfront centre & walked around the new convention centre. We watched them putting more finishing touches on the outside. The last pic show how they are laying the grass along the hillside to hold it there. There were men working installing the metal & gardening. As well discovered that not only can one walk around the centre but as well there will be a bike path & it will lead down to coal harbour. This centre has a grass roof as well. Very ecological friendly building.
Green Design:
The six-acre "living roof" houses thousands of indigenous plants and recovers rainwater for irrigation. Seawater heating and cooling and on-site water treatment. Fish habitat built into the building foundations.
As well along the path facing the water there are a number of placards honoring important people of the last 100 years who have made an impact & still are.
http://www.vancouverconventioncentre.com/
The first pic is the eagles that will be auctioned off next year to raise money for children's hospital. http://www.eaglesinthecity.com/. These 3 were in front of the Waterfront hotel. Then we saw the paddle boat for harbour Cruise.
We then walked along the waterfront of Coal Harbour, continuing to entrance to Stanley park & then to lost lagoon. The rhododendrons were in full bloom in the gardens & took the ladies to see the Blue Heron nest site. Thy had heard of if but didn't know exactly where. They were impressed with all the nests.
We finished at foot of Davie street, 2 ladies left & Virginia & I went for lunch.
It was a beautiful walk & fresh sea air.

Contributor Laurette

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.

Walking Group 30May

This Saturday I arrived late amid discussions about how the group could best get to Jericho Beach ...
Linda, Deborah and Judi were joined by two newcomers, Marilyn and her brother Ken ... We caught the #20 Downtown bus to Pender & Carrall where we transferred to the #4 UBC bus to take us to West 4Th Avenue ... as we passed Victory Square and Vancouver Community College, I mentioned that the college has a cooking school where, at 11:30 Monday to Friday, baked goods, salads, entrees and pastries go on sale for very reasonable prices in the bakery-deli on the second floor ...
On West 4Th Avenue, the park starts at Alma Street ... we got off the bus one block past Alma at Wallace and crossed the lovely broad green where the annual Folk Music Festival is held ... our first stop was the Jericho Beach Cafe and beach house ... the cafe serves hot food such as burgers and hot dogs (including veggie dogs and burgers), wraps, snacks and beverages ...
We started along the pathway that borders on the beach ... a stiff breeze was up but it did not deter the sunbathers, surfers and sailing enthusiasts who dotted the waters of the bay ... large green lawns surrounded by tall Lombardy poplars, maple trees and weeping willows lay before us as the path meandered in and out of stands of young trees .. at the western border of Jericho is Locarno Beach where we passed Eco Marine Kayak, a rental outfit ...
Further along Locarno Beach, small catamarans and windsurfing boards lay along the edge of the beach ... the ground level of the two-storey building is the office for rental equipment ... lessons are available to children for sail boating and to adults for windsurfing ... the second storey of the building is the Galley Patio & Grill with a balcony dining area ... information about this operation can be accessed online at www.clublocarno.com ...
We walked the wharf at Locarno where people were pole fishing ... one Oriental man was proudly showing a large crab he had just captured ... off the wharf we returned along the pathway until we reached the lake ... we followed the lake to the foot bridge ... crossing the bridge we saw ducks and Canada geese enjoying the water and cool grass beside the tall reeds at the lake's edge ...
Beyond the lake, we came across a tall lacquered pole on which was mounted, high up, tiny flat containers with holes just big enough for bees to make hives ... the information board attached noted that a large population of our North American bees have disappeared due to habitat loss, pesticide use, disease (viruses) and mites ... in a documentary I saw on TV last year, one of the factors that contributed to this problem in the U.S. was a nicotine based pesticide used in crop dusting ... the nicotine destroyed the bees' homing instincts so they couldn't find their hives after they'd been out pollinating flowers ... the pesticide also impaired the bees' natural ability to fend off viruses and mites ...
One-third of our food crops depend on bee pollination ... in BC we have the Blue Orchard Mason bee ... the high rise hive we saw was built by Daniel Salvadore de Sousa under the auspices of the Jericho Stewardship and is one of 150 similar hives in the Vancouver area cared for by EYA (Environmental Youth Association) and community volunteers ...
Community volunteers are also removing imported plants, such as the Japanese Knotwood, Scotch Broom and English Ivy which overtake local gardens and parks ... these volunteers are replacing the imported varieties with plants native to BC ... During a rest on a park bench, Marilyn showed us a book she purchased from Chapters, entitled Namely Vancouver by Tom Snyder and Jennifer O'Rourke ... this book provides a history of names of streets and parks ...
Jericho Beach was named for Jeremiah Rogers who settled this stretch of beach in 1864 ... it was known by locals as "Jerry's Cove" from which came the shortened version: Jericho ... Our walk ended, we split up, some of the group waited for the #84 Express, others walked up to Broadway for the 99 B-Line and the rest of us caught the #4 bus to downtown where we transferred to the #20 Victoria back to Britannia Centre on Commercial Drive ...
A future walk is tentatively planned for starting at Locarno and walking west to Spanish Banks ... we haven't given up on a day trip to Steveston ... we're just waiting for our walkers who have offered to drive ... this time of year they are busy overseeing home maintenance and renovations ... their contractors take priority over leisurely adventures ...
Until next time, enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and lush greenery of our fair city ...
Contributor Virginia

PotLuck Lunch & meeting after 28 May

Walking Group 23 May

23 May walk Trout Lake
On a brilliantly sunny day, six of us did this shortish walk, including newcomer Susan, group regular, Linda, and the four who did last week's walk: Deborah, Maria, Marilyn and Ken.
Again we departed on foot, southbound on Commercial, then going east on Grant to Salisbury and down Salisbury to Gravely, passing Linda's former home on the way. With Marilyn as our guide we took Gravely east to Victoria Dr, then went straight south on Victoria, admiring Figaro's nursery on the way. At E13th we turned left, then right into the first alley (behind Boat Day Care), passed a cute little tree house at the end of the block, and entered the park. We circled Trout Lake once, detouring to the lake edge on boardwalks and stopping on a sandy beach to take photos and admire the view. The Trout Lake Farmers' Market was in full swing, and the group poked about there sampling almond nougat and generally admiring wares. Maria left us at this point. The rest walked out to Clark Park on Commercial then north to Commercial Station and the #20 bus. A short but pleasant walk that suited the mood of the day and wrapped up about 12:30.
Contributor Deborah

Farmers Market at Trout lake hel every Saturday

Walking group 16 May

On May 16 the walk got off to a different and late start but turned out to be very satisfying as we visited Chinatown and three highly interesting parks
The group was a small one: Deborah, Maria, and brother-and-sister newcomers Marilyn and Ken. Maria led us on foot out the back of the Britannia Centre and up to Union Street. We followed this quiet, mostly residential street straight through to Main St then walked north to Keefer and the heart of Chinatown. At Keefer and Columbia we entered Dr. Sun Yat Sen Park, which along with the private classical garden was hosting an Asian festival. As we admired the flowering bushes, vines and trees -- only one of which we could name (wisteria) -- the sound of a flute wafted from the garden.
We then walked back to Main and up to its north end, went over the overpass and down into Crab Park, a new destination for some of us. This little gem is right on Burrard inlet and has gorgeous views in all directions. First from a log on a sandy beach and then from a new wooden pier we watched the Seabus approach from the North Shore and observed operations at the container port. Canada Place and a cruise ship were to our left. This park contains several memorials and markers of historic events and sites. Mosaics mark the site of the North Shore Ferry and remember the Komagata Maru incident. Plaques provide First Nations information and tell of Vancouver's sister ship with Yokahama and Yokahama's gifts to our city. A large granite stone stands as a memorial to the women murdered on the downtown east side. A stylized First Nations mural of raven, crab and dolphins appears in two places in the park. Next we hit the Sunrise Market at Powell and Gore where Deborah bought a little produce and Maria bought a lot. So while Maria took her heavy load home by bus, Deborah, Marilyn and Ken continued to Oppenheimer Park, a gritty but history-packed park bordered by Powell, Cordova, Dunlevy and Jackson streets. The objective was a large totem pole carved as a memorial to people who died too young on the downtown eastside, and to those who survive. The roughly etched plaque which accompanies the pole is poignant. In the SE corner of the park we noted a sign in a tree designating that corner "Seniors Corner." This park, known in the past as Powell Ground was in the heart of Japan town. It was the home of the Asahi baseball team, and appears in Wayson Choy's novel Jade Peony as the park where, during WWII kids from Chinatown came to watch the Asahi team play, and sometimes got into territorial fights with the locals. A mosaic in the sidewalk at the southeast corner commemorates the March to Ottawa, another at the NW corner, Powell Ground, and a history of the Asahi is attached to a utility pole on Powell Street near the NW corner. From here we walked two blocks south to Hastings and caught the #20 bus to Commercial Drive.

Cycling Club

Today Jack & I cycled all the way to Spanish Banks. At 12:49 the tide was at the lowest as you can see. People were able to walk out for quite a ways. As you see I zoomed into the buoy for the large boats & that is 15feet high where by 8pm tonight the tide would be back to proper level.

This group below are at the False Creek Community centre. This a senior group who go Dragon Boating. Good on them.

SPRING 55+ BBQ

AL MATTISON LOUNGE

Join us for a chicken or veggie burger, salad, chips, drink, and ice-cream!

Date: Thursday, June 18th

Time 6:30-8:30

COST $8.00

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Community Days at Britannia! May 26
(yes, that's tomorrow!) Tuesday 9am-3pm Volunteers wanted to assist with sorting computer accessories and with distribution of computers to families Reporting to BOB with Reboot at the Pre-Teen Centre at 9am. Please RSVP through me. Thanks! Light refreshments will be provided around 12pm. ***********************************************************************************
Community Playground Build-Day June 6, Saturday 8am-11am or 11am-2pm
Event hosted by MOBY (My Own Backyard), CoV, Whole Foods, MOSAIC, Kensington Cedar Cottage & Kool Aid My Own Backyard Association (MOBY) is a registered non-profit society, representing the collective voice of residents, businesses and community activists in the Broadway and Commercial Drive area of East Vancouver intent on cultivating and sustaining healthy community interaction. MOBY works to improve the safety and self-reliance of its neighborhood through its membership, public education activities, and community interactions.
On Saturday June 6, 2009 a community-designed and community-built playground will be constructed at 11th Avenue East and Commercial Drive in Vancouver. The project has been initiated to provide a much needed free play space for residents and to beautify an undesirable property that has been a litter-filled magnet for crime. Completion of the project will result in a community-designed play space that enhances the existing green space and provides an opportunity for residents to play and interact with each other. The increased foot traffic and sense of ownership over the space will also increase neighborhood safety
Volunteer builders wanted. If you have landscaping or welding/construction skills, please let the organizers know. To volunteer please contact MOBY and the city directly at moby_lize@yahoo.ca, call 604-251-0900 or sign-up online at www.moby.ltbk.ca or call Beverly Chew, Vancouver Planning Committee at 604-871-6683.
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Disability Awareness Training Day (Training for Summer Unlimited Summer Camps for youth with disabilities) June 6, Saturday 9am-3pm, Dunbar Community Centre Event
hosted by Vancouver Park Board and Integrated Programs This is a training day for volunteers who are interested in assisting with Summer Unlimited Camps this year. If you aren't sure just yet, you can still attend this training and sign up as a volunteer afterwards. *Refreshments and certification provided.One-to-one volunteer buddies are wanted to assist with these youth programs in the summer. You'll get to interact with youth, go to local attractions and places of interest and learn more about how youth communicate in our community.
Minimum commitment for camps: One week, Mon-Fri 10am-3pm. Police Record Checks will be required, along with 2 references.Admission to local attractions and transportation to and from Britannia is included.To attend or volunteer: Contact Charlene Wee
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Community Walking Program June 20, Saturday 9am-2pm
The Walking Program promotes healthy and active living, with maps that guide walkers through particular neighbourhoods in the city. The program will be launched on June 20 with a community walk. Exhibits, entertainment, and refreshments will be available throughout. This is a family event suitable for children and adults to participate in.
Volunteers are wanted to help with set-up and take-down and to walk with the larger group (approximately 2.7km) in the neighbourhood. To volunteer, contact Charlene Wee.
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SUMMER UNLIMITED & FUNSEEKERS CAMPS
July 6-August 28 10am-3pm June 29 - September 5 8:30am-3:30pm Summer Unlimited is a camp for youth, 13-19, with disabilities. Volunteers are wanted to assist as one-to-one buddies in the summer. Training is provided and volunteers get to interact with camp participants through activities like museum visits etc.
Minimum commitment: One week, Mon-Fri 10am-3pm (Free admission to place of interest and transportation)Volunteers provide their own packed lunch and bathing suits for visits to the pool etc.
Fun seekers is a camp for 6-12 year old. Volunteers are wanted to assist as camp assistants, organizing games and activities, interacting with children and childminding. Training is provided (over 3 days, June 13, 26 and TBC) and the minimum commitment is 3 weeks, Mon-Friday, 8:30am-3:30pm. Admission to places of interest is provided along with transportation. Volunteers interested in experience working with children, education, or recreational activities are encouraged to apply.
Police record checks and 2 references are required for both camps.To volunteer, contact Charlene Wee. *****************************************************************************************************
Artful SundaysAugust 9, 16, 23, 30, and Sept. 6 (Sundays)
9am-11am and 4pm-6pm Remember Stone Soup? Well, these weekend festivities are similar, but instead of delivering messages about food security and food, volunteers will get to meet and learn more about local artists, their work, and the way they produce their amazing pieces. Volunteers wanted to assist with set-up in the morning and with take-down in the evenings. Refreshments provided and the chance to enjoy the outdoors, schmoozing with very friendly artists, vendors, and community visitors.
To volunteer, contact Charlene Wee.
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I hope to see many of you at these upcoming community events and programs. Get active, be involved in your community and make a difference today!
Charlene Coordinator, Volunteer Program Britannia Community Services Centre 1661 Napier St. Vancouver BC V5L 4X4 Tel: 604-718-5860 Fax: 604-718-5858

BBQ 18 JUNE

B.B.Q.
18 JUNE
6PM-9PM
AL MATTISON LOUNGE
CHICKEN OR VEGGIE BURGER
With salad, chips &
softdrink
$8.00
afterwards games & bingo
book asap
please advise Michele for Veggie burger

June 12 Show

This is the LGTB senior group cabaret for 55 plus. They do this once a year & it is non profit but for people of a different lifestyle to express themselves & bring to light what their lifestyle is about.
I went to it last year & found it not only entertaining but educational.
So straight or gay, regardless of your lifestyle this is for all.
Keep an open mind to others, their problems, loves, fights, rejections and acceptance.

Stone Soup Festival at Britannia

THE 14th ANNUAL STONE SOUP FESTIVAL - Saturday, May 9, 2009
This East Vancouver tradition marks the beginning of Spring and gives opportunity for the local community to celebrate together. This is our 14th year of bringing community together in celebration of spring, food, the environment and community itself. More than ever people are aware of the issues of food security, the benefits of sharing resources and eating ‘local’. Stone Soup will celebrate the global diversity of food, the environment and its importance to the ‘culture’ of our community. Stone Soup brings the community together in a quest to sample, explore, create, and experience with features such as: Latin American Foods Feast; Global Food Forum and Artist Talks; Food Workshops; Artist and Musicians; Farmer's Market; Food Film Festival; Crafts and of course FREE SOUP!

Senior's Week 1 - 5 JUNE '09

SENIORS WEEK JUNE 1-5, 2009

THE LIFE LONG JOURNEY

“OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC ATHLETE EXPERIENCES”

Mon Jun 1, 1:00-2:30 pm, Roundhouse Seniors Artist Art Display and Life long Journeys presentation.

THE ARTS, HEALTH AND SENIOR’S PROJECT

Tue Jun 2, 10:00 am-Noon Performances and Art Exhibition FREE at the Roundhouse.Lunch to follow 12:00-1:30 pm. Please pre-register with the Roundhouse: 604-713-1800.

Cost $5 for lunch.

CHANCE TO DANCE

Tue Jun 2, 2:00-4:00 pm FREE at the Roundhouse - Exhibition Hall.Join us for performances by various dance groups from our community centres.

B.C. SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Wed Jun 3, 10:00 am - Noon, FREE Meet at the Roundhouse Community Centre and walk to the BC Sports Hall for a guided tour of the museum.

VAUDEVILLIANS PERFORMANCE

Wed Jun 3, 7:00–9:00 pm $2 at the Roundhouse.Vaudeville style acting/dancing/singing with authentic customs and a cast of over 20 performers ages 55-90.

VANCOUVER OLYMPIC/PARALYMPIC CENTRE- HILLCREST PARK

Thu Jun 4, 10:00 am-Noon FREE Go on an energizing walk through Hillcrest Park to view the new Vancouver Olympic/Paralympic Centre, home to curling and wheelchair curling events in 2010. Please meet at 9:45am in the Lobby of Riley Park Community Centre, 50 East 30Th Avenue.Complimentary Active Communities “Walking to Wellness Passports” and healthy snacks provided. Contact Riley Park for more details: 604-257-8545

PACIFIC COLISEUM-HASTINGS PARK SANCTUARY

Thu Jun 4, 10:00 am-Noon FREE Walk from Hastings Community Centre, across the street to Hastings Sanctuary. Over 100 species of birds home to the Italian Gardens and Japanese Garden. The Pacific Coliseum is the venue for figure skating and short track speed skating in 2010. Please meet at 9:45 am at Hastings Community Centre in the Lobby area, 3096 East Hastings Street. Contact Hastings Community Centre for more details: 604-718-6222

SEVENTH ANNUAL TEA BY THE SEA DANCE

Fri Jun 5, 1:00-4:00 pm at the Roundhouse Arts and Recreation Centre - Exhibition Hall Tea Dance Tickets: $8Come & dance to Dal Richards Orchestra and enjoy Tea-by-the-Sea.

Pre-register by May 27Th at your local community centre or at the Roundhouse.

Event always sells out.

Change of date on Social evening

The social evening we were having on Thursday 07 May has been postponed to the 21 May due to not enough time to promote & people to register for it.
Whoever has bought tickets for it will be able to use it for 21 May.
Hoping to see you all there & enjoy our evening.

Saturday 02 May walk

Today's weather forecast was for sunny skies with cloudy periods into the early afternoon, followed by rain ... well, the sun came out at 5:30 am and disappeared soon after ... now here it is 2:27 pm and no rain ... guess the weatherman isn't perfect ...
Today's gathering wasn't perfect either ... two of our group had previous engagements, one couldn't be reached by phone, one didn't show and we missed connecting with the other ... so we were back to the "three musketerettes" - Flora, Linda and Virginia (me) ...
We caught the #20 bus to Richards and transferred to the #6 Davie bus which dropped us off at Davie and Denman, our scheduled meeting place at English Bay ... Flora and Linda brought cameras and took several photos of us at the three triangular tulip beds there ... these tulips were large, brilliantly crimson, bordered by diminutive, lavender alysum blossoms ... in the centre of each bed stood a single tall dark purple tulip ... Our walk continued along the beachfront to the edge of Stanley Park where we followed a narrow pathway between highrise apartments and gardens of just blossoming rhododendrens ... the path took us to the end of Nelson Street where we found a small plot of ground filled with tall rhododendren shrubs, some in bloom, others just budding ... across the street at the pitch and putt golf course were more clusters of rhodo bushes as well as the hollow stumps of very old trees ... more photos and the walk continued around the tennis courts to the tea house where we made a pit stop ...
Returning to English Bay Beach we passed a man with a very entertaining dog carrying a large piece of driftwood ... the man had recently moved from Maple Ridge and his dog was having a heyday romping at this great beach with the breakers, floating flotsam, soft sand and expansive lawns to run in ... further along we met a tanned fellow with long gray hair tied at the back of his neck ... he was on a park bench taking a break from his job in a Denman Street gallery ... beside him on the bench were two carvings in progress: one was an orca in gray-white Italian soapstone; the other was a skull in white alabaster that he was carving for a biker ...
The bus ride home was temporarily delayed on Seymour Street while two huge metal cages were being removed from a building under demolition ... the cages were lowered by a 30 foot narrow crane, then laid on their sides on the long deck of a low-boy tractor trailer in the middle of the street ... so much demolition and construction doing on downtown ...
Vancouver is literally being transformed into a glittering array of reflective glass towers ... I wonder what the citizens of 1909 Vancouver would think of the city now ...
Have a great week and until next time, keep your stick on the ice - if for no other reason than to cheer our Canucks as they win the Stanley Cup !!
Contributor Virginia

Tuesday Walking Club

Step Out Walks in VancouverVancouver Street Trees - Walk
The “Walking Tour of Vancouver Street Trees” is a 3.3 km route that starts at Almond Park (12th and Dunbar). This route provides an opportunity to exercise while enjoying a sampling of some of Vancouver’s mature street trees. Starts at 12th in Almond Park at 12th and Dunbar.
Today it was only Virginia & I but we still went & really enjoyed this. Off the internet I was able to get printed the 5 page leaflet with description of all the trees in the neighborhood. I can imagine how full they will be in a month or two.
http://vancouver.ca/parks/activecommunity/walks.htm

This newly built house has a really intersting shingled roof as it is in waves.While we were finishing our walk we could hear this little woodpecker & zoomed into him & got this pic as he blends into the tree very well LOL

Senior Discounts

Please when you are shopping in most major stores do not hesitate to ask if they give senior discounts & if not that day on what days if they do. Some stores will give you if you are 55 plus, some you must be 64 plus. It cost nothing to ask & you may gain by it.

If you get a coffee at McDonald's, Burger King & any other fast food ask for Senior's coffee.

You will pay from .50 to .90!!! Depending on the eatery.