February - Dunbar Residents Association News and Events

Spring 2007
’
Contents
Dunbar Residents' Association ............................................. NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
• 00 Dunbar Residents' Association
Annual General Meeting ............................................................... • June Binkert: A Great Loss to Dunbar
and the Wider Community ........................................................... • The Deal with Cheapskates .......................................................... • Transportation and Traffic Issues in Dunbar .......................... • Congratulations to Stong's .......................................................... FOR YOUR INFORMATION
• Join the DRA Interactive Mail List .............................................. • DeCarmo Legacy to the DRA: How should it be used? ...... • Making your voice heard on the City's Supportive
Housing Strategy ............................................................................. • Dunbar Community Patrol Needs a Backup
Scheduling Person .......................................................................... • The HOB Celebrates a Successful First Year
in the Neighbourhood ................................................................... • Bereavement Walking Program .................................................. • Trees Down in Pacific Spirit Park ................................................ • Storm Damaged Trees on Your Property ................................. • Garden Tours Need You ................................................................. • Community Garden in Dunbar? ................................................. • Come to a DRA Meeting on Community Gardens,
March ..................................................................................................
• Dunbar Little League's 0th Season ......................................... • Dunbar Lawn Bowling Club ......................................................... • Dunbar Community Centre ......................................................... • Artists in Our Midst: April 1-1 .............................................. 10
• Blenheim Street...The Work Begins! ....................................... 10
• GMO Forum .................................................................................... 10
• Promoting Social Skills in Young Children ........................... 11
• Mid-Life Cat Crisis ......................................................................... 1
• Sonia's Notes .................................................................................. 1
The Dunbar
Residents’
Association:
Who We Are
and
What We Do
The Dunbar Residents’ Association seeks to strengthen
a sense of community, inform residents about issues affecting the neighbourhood, share information of interest
and ensure the views of Dunbar residents are heard at City
Hall.
The DRA supports a number of active committees and
initiatives, including:
 Salmonberry Days, the month-long festival in May
celebrating Dunbar’s natural environment;
 the History Project, culminating this spring in the
production of a book on the history of Dunbar;
 the Community Patrol;
 the Dunbar Tree Committee;
 the Dunbar Newsletter, published three times a year
and distributed to all households in Dunbar;
 the DRA website (www.dunbar-vancouver.org); and
 the interactive e-mail list.
The DRA Executive holds meetings once a month at St.
Philips Church, West th Avenue. If you wish to become involved in DRA activities or bring an issue to the attention of the Executive, please contact the Association at
0--.
Dunbar Residents' Association
DUNBAR RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
The Dunbar Residents' Association (DRA) publishes this newsletter. The DRA is a registered non-profit society formed in 1989
as a forum for the concerns of the Dunbar community. Volunteers deliver over 5,000 copies of the newsletter three times each
year (February, June, and October) plus the Salmonberry Days
calendar (April) to every house in Dunbar.
To contribute an article, email [email protected].
To advertise in the Newsletter, call the DRA phone line, 604222-9824.
To help deliver newsletters and improve your karma, call the
DRA phone line, 604-222-9824.
TREASURER: Sonia Wicken
SECRETARY: Caroline Astell
MEMBERS: Gerard Charlton, Ellen Hockin,
Ellen Oerzen, Walter Wells
WEB LIAISON: Caroline Astell
PAST PRESIDENT: Linda MacAdam
Newsletter Committee
DRA Membership and Meetings
Editor: Raymond Nakamura
Advertising: Sonia Wicken
Layout: Sharon Krowchuk
2006-2007 Board of Directors
CO-PRESIDENTS: Susan Chapman and George Pinch
VICE-PRESIDENT: Catherine Evans
NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
2006 Dunbar Residents’ Association Annual
General Meeting
The DRA Annual General Meeting was held on Monday, November 20, 2006 at St. Philip’s Church, with approximately 400
people in attendance. At the conclusion of the regular business
meeting, an open house allowed residents to ask questions of local politicians — MLA Colin Hansen, Vancouver City Councillor Suzanne Anton and Vancouver Park Commissioner Ian Robertson. Robin Elliot chaired the meeting. Part of the time was
devoted to questions attendees submitted in writing, and part to
questions from the floor, to give as many as possible the opportunity to have their questions heard.
Many questions were asked – relating to park safety, dogs in
parks, affordable health care for seniors, neighbourhood safety
in general, and, of course, the big issue: the use of the Cityowned property at 16th and Dunbar to provide residential accommodation to those who have had addictions. While this latter topic is clearly a major concern for many residents, the Board
was pleased the audience was respectful of others’ opinions and
of the answers politicians provided. We have to congratulate the
politicians as they clearly had taken the time in advance to learn
Committees
Dunbar Community Patrol: Linda MacAdam
History Project: Helen Spiegelman & Pam Chambers
Salmonberry Days: Helen Spiegelman & Sonia Wicken
Membership in the DRA is $20/household/year ($10 if a household member is 65 or over) and runs from October to September. Monthly DRA meetings take place the first Tuesday of the
month in the Totem Room at St. Philip's Church. You can also
see our website for the schedule (dunbar-vancouver.org). To be
put on the agenda, call the DRA phone line, 604-222-9824.
about the issues of concern, and all three answered the questions
directly. Many attendees were somewhat reassured when Councillor Anton told the group that there is no definite plan yet for
the site and noted that the City is still studying what form of
social housing would be best for the site. Many of the questions
submitted in advance were signed with the enquirer’s name and
address. A number expressed cautious agreement with the need
for a facility on the west side for those with addiction problems;
however, there were concerns about the large number of clients
to be housed in one place, the apparently minimal supervision
and, of course, safety, particularly for children in the neighbourhood.
The Board came away feeling the politicians were listening to
the neighbourhood, but, in the end, as Councillor Anton clearly
stated, the City will make the final decision on how the property will be used. Although Councillor Anton said the City had
no final plan, Rob Whitlock, Senior Housing Planner, City of
Vancouver Community Services Group, informed the Board in
September 2005, that chances were very good the site would be
part of a plan to meet the needs of people with drug and alcohol
addiction problems, and that what was being considered was a
residential facility for those who had been “dry” for at least 60
days (see DRA Newsletter, Fall 2005).
One point that did not come up during the question period was
that the Board has learned that several tenants in the building at
16th and Dunbar have been offered lease renewals of 2-3 years,
Dunbar Residents' Association
indicating that the City does not anticipate proceeding with any
development of this site for at least that length of time. This is
somewhat reassuring as, by then, the facility at 41st and Fraser
will have been functioning for 1-2 years, and some information
on the impact of this type of facility on the local neighbourhood
will be available.
June Binkert: A Great Loss to Dunbar and the
Wider Community
— by Pam Chambers
Dedicated community worker June Binkert died peacefully at
her home after a long illness on Monday, January 22, 2007. A native of England, after serving with the Women’s Royal Naval Service in World War II, June moved to Vancouver where she soon
joined the staff of UBC as a highly skilled executive secretary. After a time with the Registrar and with the School of Architecture,
she moved to the Department of Fine Arts in 1955 to work for
many years with its first director, acclaimed artist B.C. Binning.
In addition, she became Executive Secretary for ten years to the
Western Canada Art Association, an organization arranging exhibitions from Winnipeg to Victoria. Her meticulous catalogues
were donated to the university archives in 1983. According to
long-time colleagues, she also initiated and prepared the inventory of UBC’s art collection. Her last major project in the arts
was to prepare the chronology of Binning’s life for the authors of
his recently published biography. In 1991, she was recognized at
the university with the President’s Service Award for Excellence.
Characteristically, when she retired from the university, her
wish was for a tree to be planted on the campus rather than for
a personal gift. Dedicated to a sustainable environment, she was
well known as a campaigner at City Hall and other realms of officialdom. As president of Save Our Parkland Association, she
worked since the early 60s with her colleagues for the preservation of Burns Bog, against Delta port expansion, and excessive
airport noise. In 1984, with the West Southlands Ratepayers Association, which she helped to found, she also worked to prevent
the development of a subdivision on the Musqueam wetland,
after which, the restored pond was named “June’s Pond.” Active
in the Fraser River Coalition and the Fraser River Council, she
helped spark a major conference in 2002 on the changing face of
the river and how to assure a sustainable future for all.
June was predeceased by her husband Paul, a sculptor and
well-known outdoorsman, and by her beloved twin brother in
England. She will be missed by her many friends and colleagues
who had the pleasure of working with her in so many community causes. A memorial gathering, probably at June’s Pond, will
be announced at a later date.
The Deal with Cheapskates
If you live in Vancouver, you must have heard the uproar created by the application to Cheapskates of a bylaw aimed at making
the disposal of stolen goods more difficult. Cheapskates is a local
sporting goods store (actually three stores) near 18th and Dunbar that has been an invaluable source of affordable sports equipment for many families for almost 20 years. The bylaw required
used goods to be kept for 35 days before being sold, a requirement Cheapskates found too onerous; the bylaw also required
the store owner to take personal information, such as eye and
hair colour and race, another requirement that would pose difficulties for this local operation. The result was that Cheapskates
was being compelled to close, a result that distressed many (and
not just those in Dunbar). A posting on the DRA interactive email contributed to an avalanche of letters and e-mails, both to
City Council and to the media.
While there is tremendous support for the police and their efforts to cut down on the traffic in stolen merchandise, this bylaw
was just too broad and hampered local, legitimate businesses. We
in Dunbar are grateful Council has found a way to narrow the
scope of its application. Second-hand dealers who accept goods
on consignment, with no cash transactions and payment sent
only by mail will have to comply with a modified set of requirements, such as the provision of certain information to the police
and the storage of goods with a value exceeding $100 for seven
days. In these circumstances, Cheapskates, a business that promotes fitness, recycling and lower costs can afford to stay open.
Transportation and Traffic Issues in Dunbar
If you are interested in transportation and traffic issues in Dunbar, Jess Metter of the Dunbar Vision Implementation Committee is forming a subcommittee to deal with such issues. If you
would like to be on the subcommittee, please contact her at [email protected].
Dunbar Residents' Association
Congratulations to Stong’s
— By Catherine Evans
Stong's Grocers earned itself an impressive array of awards
for its achievement as a successful Canadian business over the
course of 2006. Among them was the National Gold Master Merchandiser Award given by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, the Westside Business of the Year Award from the
Kitsilano Chamber of Commerce, and the Stars of Vancouver
Award for best grocery store — a "people's choice" award given
by the Vancouver Courier.
In addition to operating an award winning grocery store,
Stong's gives a great deal back to the community. It sponsors a
half a dozen or more teams playing in the Dunbar Little League,
Dunbar Soccer and Thunderbirds Minor Hockey. Many local
schools benefit from its gift card program and it provides donations to a variety of neighbourhood churches as well as breakfast
and lunch programs.
So, the next time you are thinking about using a lot of gas to
save a few bucks at a big box store, think again. We have wonderful stores right here in our midst, stores that give back to the
community in many important ways.
Dunbar Residents' Association
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Join the DRA Interactive Mail List
— By Catherine Evans, with files from Tom Grant
If you have e-mail, you can become a member of the Dunbar
Residents’ Association Interactive Mail List. The list is a way of
linking neighbours through e-mail messages containing news
and information about our community. Mail list members receive notices about upcoming events and important issues in a
timely and paper-less fashion.
Because mail lists can be a target for spam (unwanted advertising), the DRA has put safeguards in place to make sure all messages to the DRA Mail List are legitimate. The main safeguard is
that all Mail List users must subscribe to the Mail List. You become a subscriber by sending an e-mail to Neighbours-request@
dunbar-vancouver.org with the title “Subscribe” in the subject
line. To unsubscribe, use the same e-mail address, but put “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.
Once you have subscribed, you can send an e-mail to the list
using the address [email protected]. Note that
if you have multiple e-mail addresses, your message will be rejected if it is not sent from a subscribed address. Only messages
from subscribed e-mail addresses will be accepted.
A second safeguard is that the DRA Mail List will not accept
messages that are part of a larger mailing. To reach the DRA Mail
List your e-mail must be addressed exclusively to Neighbours@
dunbar-vancouver.org; you cannot add or cc anyone else.
Occasionally, an issue will arise that generates an unusual
amount of e-mail traffic. To keep from overwhelming subscribers with unnecessary text, we have a number of suggestions to
keep the Mail List working smoothly.
Do not "forward" email from another source. Cut & paste
only the pertinent text and send an original message (citing the
source if you like).
If you wish to direct people to a website, send just the link.
St. Philip’s Anglican Church
If you wish to reply to the entire Mail List instead of just the
original sender, do not quote the entire original message. Cut &
paste only as much of the original as is needed to let the Mail List
know the reference. Message sizes are limited to 100 k and will
be rejected if larger.
Finally, even though you are a subscriber, don’t feel you have
to read everything that comes from the Mail List. If you aren’t
interested in a topic or feel you have heard enough, use your delete key.
The DRA Mail List is a wonderful communications tool for
our community. Respectful and considerate use of this tool
keeps us connected, informed and involved. If you aren’t already
a subscriber, we encourage you to give it a try.
DeCarmo Legacy to the DRA: How should it be
used?
If you were at the DRA AGM in November, you would have
heard our out-going President, Linda MacAdam, announce the
generous legacy of $5,000 made to the DRA by Gerald DeCarmo,
in honour of his wife and in appreciation of the work the DRA
has done over the years for the community. Gerald, who passed
away last year, and his wife, Rose, were long-time residents of
Dunbar. The DRA board and, we are sure, the community, are
very appreciative of the legacy. Preliminary discussions about
how to use the money have led to suggestions such as additional benches along Dunbar; planting shrubs and bulbs along the
street, possibly around shade trees; and the placement of street
banners on Dunbar in the three main shopping areas between
16th and 41st. The Board would like to hear suggestions from
residents or their opinion of the ideas proposed. Send an e-mail
to the DRA, using the website (www.dunbar-vancouver.org) response form with your opinions. In the subject box, use the word
“Legacy.” If you do not have computer access, you can leave a
voicemail at 604 222-9824. The Board hopes to make a decision
sometime this year.
QUICK SERVICE
H A R D W A R E
Welcome
to our Sunday services
8.00am, 9.30am, 11.15am
3737 West 27th Ave.
Phone 604 224 3238
www.stphilipsdunbar.com
5620 DUNBAR STREET
VANCOUVER, B.C. V6N 1W7
(604) 261-0144
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KNIVES & GARDEN TOOLS SHARPENED
GLASS & KEYS CUT
LOCKS RE-KEYED
HARDWARE & HOUSEWARES
LICENCED PESTICIDE DISPENSER
PAINTS
GARDEN SUPPLIES AND TOOLS
GRANT & MIKE FRAME
Dunbar Residents' Association
Making Your Voice Heard on the City’s
Supportive Housing Strategy
The public process to discuss the City’s draft Supportive Housing Strategy will begin soon. The draft strategy results from the
recommendation of the Homeless Action Plan, which was for
the City to work with Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing to develop a plan to locate supportive housing throughout
the city. Council should have received the resulting draft strategy (see http://vancouver.ca/housing/supportivehousingstrategy and follow the links) on January 30th for information and
referral for public discussion. Eight meetings, involving the City,
Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Housing, are expected to be
held across the city in the next couple of months to share information and facilitate neighbourhood discussions, particularly
on how supportive housing can be successfully integrated into
neighbourhoods. A report on public comments will be given
to Council in late spring, at which time the public can make
representations directly to Council. For more information on
the draft strategy or the public process, contact Jill Davidson,
Homeless Policy Coordinator (604-873-7670 or jill.davidson@
vancouver.ca) or Peter Greenwell (604-871-6484).
Dunbar Community Patrol Needs a Backup
Scheduling Person
— By Linda MacAdam
We’ve had a wonderful volunteer step forward to schedule our
patrollers. We now need a backup scheduling person who can
help out when the regular scheduler is ill or on vacation. This is
a volunteer position that would occasionally take about four to
five hours a month and requires the use of email and Microsoft
Excel. This is a great opportunity to work with some very nice
people, and to get some recent experience on your resume.
The HOB Celebrates
a Successful First
Year in the Neighbourhood
The Hospice Opportunity Boutique, The HOB, hosted a oneyear anniversary celebration on Saturday, February 3rd. Many
shoppers delighted in the fun of finding that special item of
women’s clothing, shoes, boots, purses, bags, belts, hats, scarves
and jewellery. Coffee, tea and cake contributed to the celebratory
mood!
The success of the initial year at 3352 Dunbar Street is due to
the personal commitment of The HOB's more than 75 volunteers
and the support of all who donate gently used items from their
closets and drawers! Participating in the energy and enthusiasm
of this first year has been truly rewarding for everyone.
The Vancouver Hospice Society established The HOB as a
central part of its vision to support end-of-life hospice/palliative
care as well as caregiver and bereavement support in Vancouver.
The HOB has no paid staff at all, so all proceeds from sales, as
well as from the annual Hike for Hospice being held on May 6th
this year, contribute to the Society's existing programs and its
long-term goal of a free-standing hospice.
Readers are warmly invited to join the vision and the fun! Vancouver Hospice Society membership brochures are available at
the store, and you may 'drop in' to shop and 'drop off ' gently used
clothing and accessory donations anytime during our recently
extended hours of operation! The HOB is now open Monday to
Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 604733-1412.
Elliot Drobner
Cell: 604-618-0843
Real Estate
Email: [email protected]
www.elliotdrobner.com
Prudential - United Realty
#201 - 2107 West 40th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6M 1W4
Bus (604) 263-8800 Fax (604) 263-4348
Buying out of town? Call me!
This communication is not intended to cause or induce breach of an existing listing agreement.
An independently owned and operated broker member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
A Subsidiary of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
Dunbar Residents' Association
Bereavement Walking Program
For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, the Vancouver Hospice Society offers a Bereavement Walking Program.
The group gathers at the planetarium on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. For more information, please phone Sue Wong at
604-731-7805.
If anyone in the community wishes to support the society
please drop in to the HOB, our thrift shop at 17th and Dunbar,
specializing in ladies lightly used clothing and accessories, to either buy or donate (See the article earlier in this newsletter). Our
vision is to establish a freestanding hospice.
Trees Down in Pacific Spirit Park
— Report by the Pacific Spirit Park Society
The operations staff in Pacific Spirit Regional Park are still
hard at work clearing trails after the storms of the past few weeks.
West Area Parks Manager Mitch Sokalski estimates the clean up
will last well into the summer.
Staff have counted over nine hundred downed trees, just across
the trails and along the park perimeter. Helicopter surveys carried out during the second week of January in several regional
parks, including Pacific Spirit, confirmed no further damage.
However, heavier damage was discovered at Lynn Headwaters,
Capilano River and Belcarra parks.
Offers have poured in from members of the public eager to
help clean up and restore Pacific Spirit Park. In response, the Pacific Spirit Park Society is working with park staff to organize
work parties for volunteers. If you are interested in pitching in,
contact the Park Centre at 604 224-5739 or email the PSPS Coordinator of Volunteers, Gisele da Silva, at [email protected].
The Pacific Parklands Foundation has set up a process for receiving financial donations that will go directly towards storm
cleanup in all of GVRD regional park sites. For more information, visit their website at www.PacificParklands.ca.
Dr. Daisy Tang, DENTIST
~ 4210 Dunbar St. ~ 604 733 ~1616
For your oral health & wellness we provide:
o
o
o
o
o
Preventative dentistry
Restorative (non-mercury) fillings
Cosmetic laser bleaching and whitening, veneers
Crowns & bridges
Orthodontic
New Patients Welcome
Late Weekday & Saturday Hours
What will happen to all the downed trees? While the area has
not seen storm damage like this since Typhoon Frieda in 1963,
GVRD Parks policy is that except in situations where there might
be a fire hazard due to fuel loading, all woody debris is cut into
manageable lengths and moved away from the trails, with some
material left to decompose naturally, adding nutrients to the forest floor.
GVRD Parks is considering alternative measures for extracting wood from park sites where vehicle access is not possible.
Parks staff will be reporting on recent storm damage to the February meeting of GVRD Parks Committee. The schedule for
2007 Parks Committee meetings will be posted on the GVRD
website: www.gvrd.bc.ca/.
Storm Damaged Trees on Your Property
— By Catherine Evans, for the DRA Tree Committee
This winter has been hard on trees. Few have escaped completely unscathed from the wind and snow and many have been
badly damaged, even destroyed.
Dunbar is home to many fine trees. Most are on private property and the sole responsibility of property owners. Boulevard or
“street trees” are owned by the City and are a shared responsibility between the City and property owners.
The City keeps track of the trees on park property and regularly inspects street trees, but property owners should report any
problems with street trees if a more urgent response is needed.
For example, if you have a street tree still showing signs of winter
storm damage, call the Vancouver Park Board Street Tree Line
at 604-257-8600 or use the on-line reporting form. An inspector
will visit within a few days and arrange for a crew to repair the
damage. For more information about street trees in Vancouver,
visit http://vancouver.ca/parks/trees/index.htm.
If a tree in your yard is damaged, arrange for a certified arborist to advise you on repairs. Tree removal may seem like an easy
option, but it is not necessarily the best. Mature trees add both
beauty and value to your home and take years to develop.
MARINEVIEW CHAPEL
Dunbar’s Community Church
4000 W 41st Ave. (at Crown)
604.261.1444
www.marineview.org
Mom’s Discussion Group - Wed am
Parents & Tots PlayGroup - Fri am
Teens (13-17) - Thu Eve
PreTeens (11-13) - Fri Eve
Sunday Service at 10 am
Marineview Preschool 604.261.2613
Dunbar Residents' Association
Community Garden in Dunbar?
Garden Tours Need You!
— By David Rotsztain
Many of you have probably never seen it. Cut off from the city,
accessible only from alleyways, lies a beautiful corner of Dunbar at 18th and Collingwood. The generous view of the city and
mountains and trees below in Kitsilano is beyond spectacular. A
triangular patch of open grass welcomes walkers and their dogs;
perhaps the occasional kite flyer or sunrise-watcher.
Mostly though, Quadra Park is empty. And yet, a leafy stalk
of bamboo lodged into a park sign hints at some as-yet untapped
potential for the space...
A group of community members are excited by the possibility of creating a community gardening space and environmental
education centre on this site.
We envision a small orchard of fruit and nut trees, producing
— By Sharon Slack
"There is such a variety of interesting gardens to see on the
Dunbar-in-Bloom garden tour — we had a great day!" Comments like this are sweet to the ears of the Dunbar gardeners
willing to open their gardens in May for Salmonberry Days. But
in February, when we are searching for gardeners willing to open
their gardens, too often we hear "Oh! I haven't had a chance to
get out into my garden this year — it's a bit of a mess!" We know
that this is not true, as gardeners are modest people who tend to
see the faults in their own gardens, rather than the pleasure they
bring to the onlooker.
So which garden path is the preamble leading to? Yours, we
hope! Because 2007 will be the 10th anniversary of Dunbar-inBloom, we want it to be blooming gorgeous. For this to happen,
we need gardeners to come forward and offer to have their garden open on one or two days in May.
If you live south of West 16th Ave., west of Mackenzie St., and
north of SW Marine Drive, you are in our area. We are particularly looking for gardens that are eco-friendly, include vegetables
or fruit, have a water feature, or show just how much can be
achieved in a small space.
If bringing pleasure to the hundred and fifty or so people you
may see in your garden is not enough, we are trying our hand at
bringing more planting into Dunbar St. With the money we have
collected from the sale of our maps we have greened the two blue
planters at the Dunbar Theatre. We would like to do a planter in
another location next year.
If you enjoy your garden, please allow others to do so as well.
To be part of Dunbar-in-Bloom call (as soon as possible), Sharon
Slack (604-224-5730) or Barbara Edgington (604-263-4878)
Shari
Bender
P
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101 - 3309 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC V6S 2B9
Telephone 604.221.9053
M.A.Sc., R. Psych.
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. therapeutic work with children from toddlers to preteens
.
parent consultation and family support
.
therapeutic work with adults
CPBC#839
Dunbar Residents' Association
fruit for the Vancouver Food Bank, weekly work parties tending
a communal garden, and regular gardening seminars and demonstrations on organic growing methods.
Do the rest of the citizens of Dunbar support using this space
for growing? Are there neighbours nearby whose green thumbs
and green minds are itching for exercise outside their backyards?
If you have any comments of concerns, please email [email protected].
In the meantime, come take a look and see the potential for
yourself.
Come to a DRA Meeting on Community Gardens,
March 7
The DRA invites you and your neighbours to come to a public
meeting to learn more about community gardens and share your
ideas about possible community garden plots in your neighbourhood. Garden plots can be developed in a variety of places, which
we will learn about at the meeting.
DRA co-chair George Pinch remembers the "Victory Gardens" that allowed citizens at home to support the war effort by
growing food in their backyards or in community plots. Today,
George still gardens a community plot in Kerrisdale.
Community gardens can also be an Olympic legacy. Last
May 30, Councillor Peter Ladner challenged Vancouver to create 2,010 new garden plots in the city by January 1, 2010, as an
Olympic legacy.
Here are some of the reasons the city is encouraging the formation of community gardens:
• they become neighbourhood gathering places
• they promote sustainability
• they increase neighbourhood livability
• they are a form of urban greening
• they assist in community building
• they are often an intergenerational activity
• they assist in crime reduction
• they provide exercise
• they produce locally-grown food
The DRA public meeting on community gardens will be held
Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 9:30 pm, in room 212 at the Dunbar
Community Centre. Let's see how many gardens we can contribute to the Olympic legacy.
We may have used
too much fertilizer.
Dunbar Little League's
50th Season
— By Michelle Lim, President,
Dunbar Little League
Fifty years old, looking good and in great shape. Now just to
clarify, I am referring to our baseball league and not myself. The
2007 season here at Dunbar Little League (DLL), is our 50th, and
as such it promises to be a special one. I am proud to serve as
the DLL President in this very significant year, and hope that the
season is rewarding and fun for both the children and families
of Dunbar.
With nearly 600 registered players between the ages of 4-12,
DLL seems to have become a focal point of our neighbourhood
every spring. As we have been awarded the right to host the BC
Majors’ Tournament from July 20-29 at Memorial Park West, I
am also expecting that focal point to extend into the summer.
Although much work has to be done for the tournament, there is
also much fun to be had, with many opportunities to meet others
from our wonderful community and be a part of a very special
event. If you are keen to help out, please e-mail me at: the_lims@
shaw.ca and we’ll find you a task suited to your talents.
I am looking forward to Saturday, April 21st when we open
our 50th season here at DLL. Registration is still open in most divisions — please visit the DLL site at www.etaemz.com/dunbarll
for more details. Let’s hope that we have another great season
here at DLL, and host a BC tournament that we are all proud of.
Dunbar Lawn Bowling Club
— By John Anderson
Have you ever thought of taking up lawn bowling? Come and
join us at our open house at the start of the season and we will introduce you to this excellent way to enjoy our fabulous summer
weather. Our greens are located at the intersection of 31st Ave
and Highbury St in the Park, just west of the tennis courts. You
will need a pair of shoes with a minimum amount of heel and
preferably flat sole and heel, as we play on a well-manicured grass
surface. A flat shoe minimizes damage to the green. We supply
the bowls and some basic introductory instruction. For further
information, please call Geraldine (Gerry) Bagot 604.733.4412.
Dunbar Community Centre
— By Chris Podlecki
Hi! I am Chris, the “new” Seniors Worker at the Dunbar Community Centre and I thought I would take this opportunity to
introduce myself and let you know a little of what’s on at the
Centre. I grew up the son of a poor sharecropper... no, wait, that’s
10
from a movie I just saw. In fact I grew up just down the street,
in Dunbar, and have been working at the Community Centre
for the last six years in a number of different capacities, recently
becoming the Seniors Worker. The Dunbar Community Centre
offers a wide variety of Seniors programs. Our Computer Lab
has something for everyone, from single sessions on how to buy
a computer to courses for the complete beginner to higher level
courses covering topics such as Windows XP and Internet, Email
& Online Security. Thinking of an active activity? Look no further! We have a walking group that gets out in the neighbourhood rain or shine, Chi Kung classes and three levels of Tai Chi.
For the linguistically inclined, we offer Spanish, French and Italian or come out and discuss a wide variety of topics at our Current Events Forum. Singing and dancing more your thing? For
the singers, we have everything from an informal Karaoke group
to a Sing-a-Long night to a fantastic choir. For the dancers, we
have Texas Line Dancing and Ballroom. Art classes include Chinese painting and Watercolour. We are always looking for new
members for our Energizers Social Group, which meets Tuesday
mornings for Workshops and Armchair Travel presentations and
for new “lads” for our senior men’s cooking group, which meets
Fridays to make lunch together. So come on out and say hi, and
see for yourself what the Community Centre can do for you. I
can be reached at 604-222-6053. See you soon!
Artists in Our Midst: April 13-15
The West Side’s own cultural crawl returns this April with the
15th annual Artists in Our Midst. Visit your neighborhood artists’ studios and see paintings, pottery, carvings, photos, and all
kinds of art in the making.
The opening preview for the Dunbar/Kerrisdale group takes
place on Friday, April 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican
Church, 2490 West 37th Avenue (at 37th & Larch). Come and
see samples of all the artists’ work, enjoy refreshments and music, and get maps of the studios.
Visit the artists’ studios on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday,
April 15 from 12 to 6 p.m.
The West Point Grey and Kitsilano weekends follow on April
20-22 and April 27-29.
See the Artists in our Midst website at www.artistsinourmidst.
com for more information.
Dunbar Residents' Association
Blenheim Street ... The Work Begins!
City crews began work in early January on the long awaited
improvements to Blenheim Street. The first phase involves water
and sewer upgrades, replacing the 50+-year-old sewer line running along the west side of the street from 16th to SW Marine.
The utility work is expected to take four to five months to complete. Road reconstruction and paving will begin in the spring
with completion expected by August. In the interim, motorists
are asked to drive cautiously and obey the flag persons. Traffic
lanes may be partially closed where work is ongoing. For additional information and updates, see the City's website: www.
roadahead.ca.
11
Dunbar Residents' Association
GMO Forum
— By Marlene Karnouk
An estimated seven out of ten foods on our grocery shelves
contain Genetically Engineered products. Advocates of Genetically Engineered products will tell us there is no proof GMOs are
harmful to our health, our environment or our economy.
Yet, the Royal Society of Canada’s Expert Panel on the Future
of Food Biotechnology prepared a Report for the Government of
Canada in 2001, which made 53 recommendations to Government to limit the risks posed by biotechnology products. The 14
expert scientists recommended that we use a “precautionary” approach to Food Biotechnology. The guidelines that were recommended by the Expert Panel were never implemented.
The University Women’s Club has invited two distinguished
speakers to help us understand this controversy. The event is
open to the public and takes place on March 6th, 2007 at 7 P.M.
at 1489 McRae Avenue.
Our first speaker, Dr. Brian Ellis, was a member of the Expert
Panel in 2001. He was the Head of Department of Plant Science
at the University of British Columbia and is presently a Professor
and Associate Director at the Michael Smith Laboratories.
Our second speaker is Dr. Pat Howard who is an Associate
Professor in Communications at Simon Fraser University. Dr.
Howard will be addressing issues of Public Policy regarding Biotechnology.
Admission is by donation. To register, please contact Rosie
On at 604-731-4661 or e-mail her at [email protected] by
March 2nd, 2007.
Promoting Social Skills in Young Children
— By Beth Allen, Community Health Nurse,
Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre
These days parents of young children feel a lot of pressure to
maximize their child’s intellectual capacity with specially designed computer programs, books, and focused activities. Health
professionals working with young children, however, know that
those who do well in social situations are the ones who are successful in school and in life. These are the children who have
learned self-control and who are empathetic of others.
Young children develop these skills during supervised play.
They learn how to get along with their peers, communicate their
feelings and understand those of others. These children enjoy interactive play with same aged children, they know how to problem solve when conflicts arise, and they have the confidence to
get help when a problem is too big.
A variety of social experiences is very beneficial to a young
child’s development. For example, attending a preschool program or a daycare gives a child a wonderful opportunity to in-
teract with a group of children. And a play date at home with
another child helps to create friendship and gives a possibility for
creative skills in a one to one situation.
The following are some strategies for parents to support social
skills in young children.
Help foster friendships: Young children, especially cautious
or aggressive ones, may need a little help making friends. Here
are some ideas.
Can you play? Set up some play dates. Plan who and when
with your child. Have toys on hand, activities in mind.
Set ground rules. At your house, tell your children and their
friends what is acceptable and what is not. Kids need to know
your boundaries.
Keep play dates short at first. About one hour is plenty. Leave
them wanting more.
Avoid threesomes. With younger children, two children tend
to leave the third out of their playing, especially if the third is a
little shy or quiet.
12
Branch out. Encourage your child to have more than one
friend, in case a particular friend can’t play or the two are having
temporary problems getting along.
Be a good play coach. Know when to step in and when to let
your child work out problems on his or her own.
Watch the game. Don’t interfere unless you have to. Kids learn
a lot working out problems with each other.
Referee. When one child is getting hurt feelings or hurt physically step in and state clearly what you expect of the other child.
“It’s okay to feel angry but it’s not okay to hit.” Intervene before
a crisis.
Praise, praise, praise. When your child does something wonderful, such as sharing a favourite toy or playing well with another child, tell him. “You are being such a good friend today! I
am so proud of the way you are playing”.
Dunbar Residents' Association
Mid-Life Cat Crisis
Shelagh and Cas Lindsey, who have lived in Dunbar on West
36th Avenue for 26 years are “downsizing” and moving to independent living for seniors. Shelagh is a member of the Documenting Dunbar group and has been since its inception in
1998. Their family: two loveable, older, indoor - outdoor female,
spayed cats are urgently seeking adoption: intelligent, affectionate, clean and in good health. They would prefer a quiet home
where they can be together. They know about raccoons, squirrels
with which they grew up, bird watching and the defense of their
home and garden territory from home invasions. POIPU (as in
Poipu Beach) is Tuxedo black with white spats and bib. Her gorgeous sister FUJIT is Tortie and white (calico).
Please be in touch with Shelagh at 604-873-3141 to arrange a
home visit. You won’t regret seeing these fine felines.
2 column x 6 inches
GET LIFE INSURANCE FROM
SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY
KNOWS ABOUT YOUR LIFE.
!
!" ! " !"!!""
!" ! """#
Visit www.mydunbarhome.com
A real estate & community website
exclusive to the Dunbar neighborhood!
•View all of Dunbar’s Current Listings, Sales, and Statistics!
!!!#"
!"
• A one stop website for parks, schools, and community events!
!
"! • Call for a complimentary home market evaluation
City/Town
IR Name, Phone
City/Town
Vancouver, BC
IR Name, Phone
City/Town
IR Name, Phone
Jackie Read, 604-731-6117
City/Town
IR Name, Phone
!!!!
Insurance and annuities are offered by Edward
Jones Insurance Agency (except in Quebec). In
Quebec, insurance and annuities are offered by
Edward Jones Insurance Agency (Quebec) Inc.
• Buying or selling, call Ryan Taylor with Re/max Masters Realty
• Living & Working in Dunbar!
Dunbar Residents' Association
13
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14
Sonia’s Notes
Dunbar Residents' Association
— By Sonia Wicken
I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and wish everyone a healthy and happy 2007. What a winter the West Coast
has had, what with all the wind and rain. But spring cannot be too
far off, as the snowdrops are already starting to bloom. If spring is
in the air, then planning for Salmonberry Days has started. This
is its 10th anniversary and the theme will be more historical to
coordinate with the Dunbar History book FINALLY being completed (it is at the printers as I'm writing). CONGRATULATIONS
are certainly due to the committee who persevered to finish Peggy
Schofield’s dream of a history of our Dunbar neighbourhood. The
official launch of the book will be held at the Dunbar Community
Centre on May 1 between 7-9 p.m. The Salmonberry Calendar,
which will be delivered mid-April, will have complete details. In
the meantime, the book can be preordered on the form inserted in
this newsletter.
Lord Kitchener School is producing a Musical Theater Program
called, "It All Started with a Pumpkin" March 6-8. For more details,
phone the school at 604-713-5454.
DRA MEMBERSHIP FORM www.dunbar-vancouver.org
YEAR
(All information is held in confidence and is neither sold nor given to a third party.) (Memberships run from October 1 to September 30.)
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New / Lapsed Member
 Renewal
 Donation (optional)
 Household (member age 65+) $10
Please print clearly
Name
Address
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
Already on list.
— receive and send information relevant to my neighbours about crime alerts, developments, events, etc.
I am interested in neighbourhood issues ():
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Thank you for contributing to our neighbourhood. More info at 604-222-9824 or [email protected]
Please make your cheque payable to “Dunbar Residents’ Association”
Mail to: Dunbar Residents’ Association
Box 45572, Westside R.P.O.
Vancouver, BC
V6S 2N5
OR Drop it off at:
• Dunbar Greetings - 3456 Dunbar St (19th-18th)
• Pinks - 4235 Dunbar (27th-26th)