June 2020
COMMUNITY NEWS
RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com
Norquay PAC parents adjust to school at home by Deanna Cheng
The Renfrew-Collingwood Community News reached out to the Norquay Parent Advisory Council to see what life is like for their members and, in late April, two mothers shared their lives over the phone. The Vancouver School Board suspended all in-class learning on March 17, 2020. Three days later, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation closed down all of its playgrounds. The school board has since announced a plan for students to get part-time in-class instructions, starting June 1. Students from kindergarten to Grade 5 will have school twice a week while Grades 6 and 7 will have school once per week. High school students will be contacted by their schools for further instructions. Leslie Bishko, a mother of one, said it was really hard to know and have clear direction at the time because guidelines and instructions changed every day for the first two weeks of March. She has settled in since. “I limit myself to reading one news article a day. That’s it.” She has also stopped looking at the websites tracking the number of COVID-19 cases globally. The silver lining of this situation is the opportunity for Bishko and her husband to be more involved with their 12-year-old daughter’s education. “It’s always been a little bit of a black box for us. We never really felt engaged with what was happening with her schoolwork,” Bishko said. “And now we are engaged, and I think that’s really important.”
Norquay Elementary re-opens on June 1 with a gradual entry plan for students. Photos by Julie Cheng The basketball hoops were removed from the Norquay school playground. It remains to be seen if they’ll be put up again when students return on a part-time basis in June.
Town hall on racism Page 5
And the silver lining goes both ways. Bishko said her daughter sometimes struggles with going to the teacher for help because she gets self-conscious about being singled out in front of her classmates.
Continued on page 2
Biking Still Creek to Burnaby Lake Page 6
January Wolodarsky leaves CNH Page 9
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June 2020
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS Norquay PAC: continued from page 1 With homeschooling, the daughter is more comfortable going up to her parents with questions. They try to keep the schoolwork in the morning, Bishko said, but the schedule is fairly relaxed. “Her schedule is not what it usually is during the school year so she’s staying up basically as late as we are.” She added that it’s also hard to differentiate between being online for school and being online for social when her daughter is spending a lot of time online every day. Bishko said her empathic daughter often supports friends when they’re facing mental health challenges, even before the pandemic, and they do look to her for that. “But it’s also tricky because for her to get involved in a friend’s emotional issues, it takes a big toll on her,” Bishko said. “We’ve had to talk about how she can create a boundary for herself and still be there for her friend.” With Tracey Flattes, she said her daughter had a lot of anxiety for the first three to four weeks and refused to go outside. They live in a complex with a big courtyard outside but it’s closed and none of the residents are allowed to use it. However, Flattes said they have
a little front patio where they’ve set up chairs to sit and read outside. “[Her daughter] will take a screen outside and she will do whatever it is she does on her screen,” Flattes said. “And then she gradually started to come around to the idea of going out for short walks.” Her son, on the other hand, is more laid-back. “He doesn’t worry about as much as his sister and I don’t know if it’s because he doesn’t quite grasp the importance of it. “But he’s more of the mind that even if I do get sick, I’ll be fine,” she said. “So he’s not as worried about it. He just wants a normal life for an eightyear-old boy.” Flattes said she misses going to work. “The routine, the purpose to get up and having something that I know needs to be done.” Her son misses the social aspect. “We live in a complex with a big courtyard with lots and lots of kids so he’s always always outside with his friends playing,” said Flattes. “So for him, just not having that has been huge.” Her daughter misses the social aspect too, Flattes said, but she has been keeping with friends over social media. School is also a big deal for her daughter because she’s in grade 7.
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Norquay PAC: continued from page 2 “She’s graduating this year from elementary so she’s missing all of the stuff that goes around that graduation. She knows that she’s not going to get that so that’s been big for her.” This includes a graduation camp. Flattes said, “She’d been looking forward to this since kindergarten: Grade 7 camp where it’s set up at Camp Jubilee.” Aside from these disappointments, the single mother is enjoying more quality down time with them without the usual time constraints. “We’ve certainly been playing more board games than I have ever played in my entire life.” Flattes said they have movie night every night which used to be a weekend thing. The whole family connect piece, she said, has been really good for them and she didn’t realize they weren’t getting that until this happened. She now has the time to be present and enjoy the time she has with them. When it comes to academics, Flattes has her priorities. “I don’t worry too much about what they get academically as long as we can get out of this in one piece, mentally.” As a family, Flattes said they’re pretty active and enjoys being outdoors. Living by the seawall, it’s been difficult to keep physical distancing with the crowds. “We’ve been trying to get out but you have to pick the right time. You have to pick the right routes.” When her 13-year-old daughter sees more than three or four people, the daughter gets anxious and turns to her, saying, “Can we go home? Can we go home now? Let’s go. Let’s go.” Looking to the future, Flattes wants to carve out more time during a normal schedule. Looking back, she said, they didn’t have any free time. “My kids are definitely among those kids that are overscheduled with everything. They have activities. They have after-school stuff. They have sports. “Maybe we just need to let some of those things go and just be. Just being together.” Her kids have felt the difference too. They’ll want to keep what they call “family time” going into the future, Flattes said. And her son surprised her with his request to do homeschooling instead of going back because, she said, he loves school. But Flattes believes it’s the one-on-one attention he receives from her as a home teacher. She has told him that he will be going back to school when it opens up. Bishko is currently self-employed as an Arbonne agent and she’s on sabbatical from her position as an associate professor of animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Flattes is currently unemployed but worked for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation before the pandemic.
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June 2020
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway Dear Neighbours, Happy June! June 20 is the first day of summer and I am very much looking forward to the warmer weather and the longer days of sunshine. It has not been an easy few months for community members in Renfrew-Collingwood and across the province. I hear you and I thank you again for your sacrifices to ensure that not only your family and friends are protected from COVID-19, but your neighbours, elders, and all the frontline workers in the community are safe as well. As we continue our work in phase 2 and gradually transition to phase 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan, many businesses and workplaces may require assistance in setting up safety protocols for workers and customers. For specific industry guidelines and visuals to post at your workplace, please visit WorkSafeBC’s website or call 1-888-621-7233: www. worksafebc.com/en/about-us/covid19-updates. Translated resources are available at www.gov.bc.ca/covid19. If you require any support with print material for your workplace, please let us know. There have been increased acts of racism and xenophobia specifically with hateful anti-Asian messaging that has come to light in our community in recent times. Racism has existed for a very a long time and has taken many forms. I want to reiterate that any act of racism, hate, or violence will not be tolerated in Renfrew-Collingwood or in any part of our Province. It is dangerous and these kinds of injustices and hate must be addressed immediately. Thank you to Collingwood Neighbourhood House for organizing their “Townhall on Racism During the Pandemic” to hold space for participants to share their experiences and to exchange resources. If there is immediate danger to you or someone else, report all incidences to the VPD by dialing 9-1-1 For more information on community resources including an anonymous reporting form, please visit our website at www.adrian.dix.mla. bcndpcaucus.ca/. (如遇上種族 歧視，在情况緊急下，比如你或其 他人生命受到威脅，請撥打 9-1-1 ；其他相關資訊，包括匿名舉報表 格，請遊覽我們辦公室的網頁). There have also been increased incidents of frauds and scams particularly against seniors in the community. According to Seniors First BC, the six most common COVID-19 scams targeting the public are phone calls, text messages, phishing (fraudulent) emails, door-to-door canvassing, fake charities,
or websites, and social media and online shopping. Never give out personal information such as banking information and social insurance numbers. To report fraudulent activity, please call VPD’s non-emergency line at 604-717-3321 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre.ca or 1-888-495-8501. We would be happy to support you and would like to take note of these cases in the community, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us. (針對社區長者 的不同形式的詐騙事件也有所增 加，切勿向陌生人洩露個人資料， 例如銀行戶口和社會保險號。要舉 報欺詐活動，請致電溫市警察局的 非緊急專線：604-717-3321或致 電加拿大反欺詐中心1-888-4958501). As of June 1st, K-12 students will have the option to return to school on a parttime basis with full-time classes set to resume in September. Students who decide to remain at home may continue online learning. Each school district will determine scheduling for classes and transportation arrangements. For more information and the most recent updates, please visit ww.gov.bc.ca/safeschools or the Vancouver School Board at www.vsb. bc.ca or 604-713-5000. While our office will be limiting inperson meetings as part of managing the COVID-19 virus, we will continue to provide services for constituents via phone and email. We are working on reopening our office, so please stay tuned; we greatly appreciate your patience. Please leave us a voicemail at 604-660-0314 or we are best reached at adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca, and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can. 基於抗疫措施，本辦事處暫時只提 供電郵及電話服務，如需協助請電 郵adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca或致 電 604-660-0314 留言。詳盡及最 新資訊，請遊覽辦事處網頁 www. adrian.dix.mla.bcndpcaucus. ca/. I hope you and yours are keeping safe and well. Sincerely, Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver-Kingsway
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June 2020
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Help stop invasives: Knotweed COMMUNITY NEWS The mission of this non-profit publication is to provide the residents, businesses and organizations of Renfrew/Collingwood with a medium for community communication. Paul Reid: staff writer and layout coordinator Lisa Symons: sales and distribution coordinator Julie Cheng: editorial coordinator
Contributors: Carmen Rosen, Daniel Louie, Deanna Cheng, Julie Cheng, Mik Turje, RJ Aquino
We want to hear from you! Yes, You! Send comments, community events, press releases by regular post, fax or e-mail. Suggestions for improving the paper are welcome. We welcome appropriate, unsolicited editorial submissions if accompanied by the author’s real name, address and telephone number. The author should retain the original as we cannot return submissions without prior agreement nor does submission guarantee publication. We reserve the right to make editorial changes. The Renfrew/Collingwood Community News does not necessarily support the views of its contributors.
Next submission deadline: Jun. 10
by Julie Cheng
Spring is in full bloom and with it comes the dreaded knotweed. In Renfrew-Collingwood, knotweed is found around the Renfrew Ravine. Knotweed outcompetes even the Himalayan blackberry, and it can potentially take over the entire ravine if we don’t do something about this invasive plant. Earlier this spring, Still Moon Arts Society and the Still Creek Streamkeepers hosted a free online forum to talk about knotweed and what can be done about its spread in our neighbourhood. The forum featured a panel of experts: Tasha Murray from the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver (ISCMV), Amy Hendel and Fiona Steele from Diamond Head Consulting and Krista Voth from the Vancouver Park Board. One of world’s top 100 invasive plants Knotweed is very difficult to control. Its rhizomes extend 3 metres deep and 20 metres laterally, and it can grow from portions of the stem or root as small as the size of your pinky.
If left unchecked, knotweed has the potential to take over the Renfrew Ravine. It outcompetes even the Himalayan blackberry. Photo by Julie Cheng
It’s easy to report invasive plants like knotweed through the Report-a-Weed app at reportaweedbc.ca.
The Renfrew-Collingwood Community News is an initiative of the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH).
Yo u C a n F i n d t h e RC Community News @ Libraries, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, Renfrew Park Community Centre, The Italian Cultural Centre, Collingwood Policing Office, other organizations, religious institutions, schools, laundromats, Starbucks, Rona, Superstore, Canadian Tire, Walmart, London Drugs and Safeway coffee shops, restaurants, markets, corner stores, other businesses, and coffee tables all over Renfrew-Collingwood.
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
We 've i mp le me n te d ne w s tr in g ent m eas ur es for social di st an cin g a nd s an i ta ry gu id elines det ailed by the C en te rs fo r Di se as e Co nt r ol a nd Prev ent ion.
Contact the RCCNews Phone: 604-435-0323 extension 261 Fax: 604-451-1191 Editorial: rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca Advertising: Phone Lisa Symons at 604.435.0323 email: rccnews-sales@cnh.bc.ca Renfrew/Collingwood Community News Collingwood Neighbourhood House 5288 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 6C9
Jul.
There are four species of knotweed in British Columbia: Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed, Bohemian knotweed and Himalayan knotweed. Knotweed management 1. Prevention: Avoid activity near knotweed. Do not dig up, smother or mow – this promotes its spread. Even moving soil around it can stimulate its growth. 2. Control management: Herbicide is usually applied, since manual or mechanical methods on their own are not effective. Herbicide application around water such as Still Creek is restricted. 3. Restoration: Native plants are planted in place of the knotweed. 4. Education: Learn more about invasive species through iscmv.ca, bcinvasives.ca and metrovancouver.org as well as find out appropriate or alternate plants for your garden at growgreenguide.ca. 5. Monitoring: knotweed management is often a multi-year Continued on next page
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS project and monitoring is essential. It’s appropriate for citizens and volunteers to report, monitor and provide education about knotweed, but not to manage. Professional invasive plant management is necessary. Report this weed The Vancouver park board is currently studying the knotweed problem and compiling an inventory of its locations in the city. If you spot knotweed, you are encouraged to report it on ReportaWeedBC.ca, where you can download an easy-to-use app that allows you to take a picture of the knotweed and record its GPS location. The report will be saved and then
you can submit it when you have internet access.
Still Moon Arts Society has been working in the Renfrew Ravine and Still Creek for the past 18 years, on native planting, ravine clean-ups and environmental stewardship. They run the annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. stillmoonarts.ca The Still Creek Streamkeepers are a group of neighbours and citizen scientists who monitor the health of Still Creek and run activities that help improve water quality and ecosystems. Their efforts in restoring Still Creek were instrumental in the chum salmon returning after 80 years. They meet every fourth Monday of the month in the evening, usually at Slocan Community Hall (2750 East 29th Avenue). facebook.com/stillcreekstreamkeepers
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June 2020
CNH town hall on racism during the pandemic by CNH Board Members RJ Aquino and Daniel Louie
The town hall came about because of staff encountering more and more racist incidents in recent weeks. While lining up to use the credit union at Kingsway and Joyce, one of our staff at Collingwood Neighbourhood House noticed a racist sticker on the adjacent bus stop’s glass structure. The sticker said, “China Virus, Kill China”; our staff used her keys to scrape the 3-inch by 4-inch sticker RJ Aquino during the town hall on racism. off of the glass. In another incident, a man was arrested after yelling racist remarks and then manhandling a 92-year-old Chinese man out of a convenience store at 1st Avenue and Nanaimo. One of our staff heard from her friend that she was very disturbed after confronting two women at Hastings and Boundary who were speaking loudly about the need to remove Chinese people from Canada. The friend confronted the two women, who were nasty to her and obviously felt entitled to be aggressively vocal in their racist attitudes. How the town hall went On Thursday, May 14, the Collingwood Neighbourhood House hosted a Town Hall on Racism. It was well attended as there were over 70 attendees on the Zoom call and many more following along on Facebook live. We really appreciated that people were willing to share their stories and overall concerns on how racism is affecting their lives. Some shared how they feel unsafe walking around in our neighbourhood. Based on what they see on the news, there’s a heightened awareness of the threat of physical violence and it’s affecting people’s peace of mind. A general sense of unease has crept into their lives because of racist comments they hear in their day to day routines or see posted in public spaces. It was encouraging to hear from other community members on measures being taken and how direct feedback was provided on how things can be better, especially when it comes to reporting these incidents. We learned that it’s not so easy to report a racist incident and that resources online aren’t readily translated. A theme of reporting and data collection around racist incidents emerged where improving that will really help paint a clearer picture of the impact this increasing racism is having in our neighbourhood. Another theme that emerged that we wish we had more time to get into was around education and training on how to handle and cope with racism. That’s something we feel like we can build on for the next thing CNH organizes. We really appreciated political leaders stepping in and actively inviting members of the community to engage with them beyond the town hall. We had MP Don Davies, MLA Adrian Dix, Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, Trustee Jennifer Reddy and Trustee Alan Wong in attendance and they were empathetic in their engagement and recognize how important it is to work with the community on battling the racism we encounter regardless of whether it’s reported on the news or not.
Daniel Louie during the town hall on racism. A few words from Daniel Louie I was glad to have the opportunity to participate as an organizer and moderator; but most of all to enter into a posture of listening to our community discuss this important issue. I wanted to share with you four things I learned from the town hall.
These opinions are my own: 1) People are feeling more afraid and feeling more vulnerable about being targeted by racism than I had previously thought. For myself, I realize this has in some part to do with the fact that I am male. There is a notable pattern in the local incidents that it is seniors and women are most often the victims of racist attacks. This, on top of the racism, is also sickening and worrisome. 2) Reporting racist attacks and incidents is very important. By reporting the incidents, our law enforcement, government, and community groups can know how prevalent the racist incidents are and how better to mobilize resources and communication for prevention. Incidents are likely underreported when they are not an emergency. However, everyone can report via the local police non-emergency line. 3) We need to know what to do as bystanders when we are witness to racism. We need to learn what is effective and appropriate, as well as keeping yourself and others safe. We need to speak out against racism; while balancing the need for the personal safety of ourselves and others. Reporting is also speaking out. Don’t be scared into silence, but know that you should be heard. Personally, I will be looking into ways we can learn about what bystanders can and should do. 4) Our Filipino community needs to be supported and is crying out for allies. Racist bullies don’t differentiate between different kinds of Asians, and our Filipino community has been victimized as well. Also, our Filipino community is a highly represented group amongst the vulnerable front line care-workers in this pandemic. So not only are they feeling the sting of being vulnerable on the front lines of work in the pandemic, they are victimized for being Asian. I think Chinese folks (like myself) need to speak out about this and demonstrate support for our Filipino
The town hall can be viewed in its entirety here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2301555653486133
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June 2020
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Following Still Creek to Burnaby Lake by bike
by Julie Cheng
In these COVID times, many people are choosing to ride their bikes to get from point A to B while maintaining physical distancing. It’s also a great way to get some exercise, sunshine and vitamin D. If you’re looking for a safe ride, take one of the bike paths under the SkyTrain lines, which are well marked and have crossing lights at busy streets. Central Valley Greenway from Renfrew/Rupert SkyTrain station to Burnaby Lake This route gives you views of Still Creek and takes about 1.5 hours roundtrip from Renfrew Station. Looking northwest behind Dick’s Lumber to the towers of Brentwood.
1. Pick up the Central Valley Greenway from the Renfrew or the Rupert SkyTrain station. 2. Head east, safely cross busy Boundary Road at the crossing light. 3. The greenway takes you behind Home Depot. After the Home Depot parking lot, turn right at Gilmore. 4. Cross Gilmore at Still Creek Avenue, heading for Dick’s Lumber.
Pick up the trail at Gilmore and Still Creek Avenue next to Dick’s Lumber. Photos by Bryden Fergusson
5. Follow the Central Valley Greenway, past the Toyota dealership on your left, Costco across the street on your right and the Burnaby Ecocentre (recycling centre) on your left. Be careful of the trucks leaving the driveways along this industrial stretch. 6. Cross Douglas Road and turn right where you can pick up the greenway next to Still Creek. Sights along the way include the remains of a beaver dam in a small tributary that runs into Still Creek.
7. Continue past the overpass near the Sperling SkyTrain station. Burnaby Lake trails is now 5 minutes away.
Don Davies MP
The bike path continues past Douglas Road.
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A sign at one end of the bridge reminds us to keep 2 metres apart.
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
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June 2020
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June 2020
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Coronavirus fact and fiction COVID-19 myths bring out racism by Mik Turje Racism is on the rise in our neighbourhood. People of Asian descent are reporting verbal assault, being avoided or shunned, and overhearing racist remarks. Racist stickers and leaflets blaming Chinese people for the coronavirus outbreak have been seen in the neighbourhood. This rise in racism has been linked to misinformation and conspiracy theories on the internet. Social psychologists note that, in times of uncertainty, people turn
to conspiracy theories in order to feel more certain. Blaming a group of people often feels safer than accepting that things are out of our control. Unfortunately, this actually makes people feel more fearful. This racial scapegoating is related to confirmation bias – the idea that we only listen to evidence that supports our pre-existing beliefs. If people already have negative beliefs about certain groups, they are more likely to believe misinformation that blames that group. This means that the racism was already in our community and the COVID-19 crisis brought it out in the open. This combination of fear and racism is making our friends, neighbours, colleagues and family members feel even more unsafe. CORONAVIRUS MISCONCEPTIONS MYTH: COVID-19 is a human-made virus that was made in a Chinese laboratory.
FACT: By analyzing the genetic information of the virus, scientists can trace how it evolved from other known, pre-existing coronaviruses through animal hosts. This has been confirmed by analyzing the molecular structure of the virus and comparing it to other coronaviruses that originated in animals. The particular animal source has not yet been confirmed, and there is speculation that the transmission was related to a bat and pangolin. We may never know with certainty where the virus first came from, but we do know that the virus is not human-made.
a fake story that appeals to western people’s ideas about Chinese cuisine as “bizarre” (confirmation bias at play).
MYTH: Wet markets are unsanitary places that sell live wild animals; Asian people eat a lot of wild animals including bats and these eating habits are what caused the pandemic.
The WHO discourages the use of regions or countries in the naming of viruses. Names like the “Chinese flu” are harmful because people then tend to blame individuals associated with those regions even though they may have nothing at all to do with the region or its government.
FACT: Wet markets are markets that sell fresh meat, fish and produce – Granville Island is a wet market. Many people around the world do their shopping at wet markets because the food is fresher and more affordable. Most meat sold at wet markets is not from wild animals, but domesticated animals like chicken and pork, or fresh fish. Wild animals only make up a small part of some wet markets. A viral video of a woman eating bat soup was not from China, but from a Pacific island. The video was from a culinary tourism blog and does not reflect a common eating practice. This video was used to create
MYTH: The COVID-19 virus is a Chinese virus and the fault of Chinese people. FACT: COVID-19 is a global issue. Because people (and thus viruses) move around the world very quickly in airplanes and cars, when a novel virus emerges anywhere, it very quickly becomes a global problem. Where a virus first emerges isn’t necessarily where it came from.
Maybe racism is like a virus, it spreads fast, makes people afraid, and it hurts and even kills people. But the solution here isn’t distancing: It’s critical thinking and saying no to stories that single out groups of people for blame. It’s taking a long hard look at our pre-existing biases. And it’s about being brave and looking out for each other. If you witness or experience racism in the neighbourhood, you can file a report at www.elimin8hate.org/fileareport or email BC_Hate_Crime_ Team@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
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June 2020
January Wolodarsky leaves CNH after 23 years of bringing community together Compiled by Julie Cheng It all started with a scraped knee at Slocan Park. Her daughter had just fallen down in the playground and, being an environmental artist, January Wolodarsky started thinking of ways to improve the safety of the park. That was in 1997. January found her way to Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) and, along with a group called the Arts Pow Wow, worked to revitalize Slocan Park, create artwork, launch festivals and bring together residents of all cultures. In 2006, January became CNH’s director of community development. Now after 23 years, she is leaving CNH for new adventures. Thank you, January, for your putting your heart, talents and vision into building this community. Here she shares what the work has meant to her. She says: What brings me the most joy from our community development work is watching people connect, build net-
January was the first person who visited me. She immediately invited me to get involved in the community. Within six months we had created the first parade and festival in Slocan Park. January has a skill of bringing Another important piece is the many people together, seeing the potential in neighbours and working for the people who have made friends with best community possible. While I’ll neighbours, artists and others in the neighbourhood. These friendships are miss her visionary approach to assetbased community development, I’m the yeast that makes the bread rise, the light that makes the water sparkle, happy to keep her as a neighbour, the medium that holds the pigment to and a very good friend as we share a passion for art, textiles and natural the canvas. dyes. I am grateful for all the people who Andrea Berneckas, CNH comhave worked so wholeheartedly together to make this neighbourhood munity connections/celebraa unique and beautiful place. When I tions coordinator: January approached her position as director walk through the neighbourhood in these days of isolation, I feel the pres- of community development as an ence and the heart of so many people opportunity to inspire people to challenge themselves ─ to be leaders and that have made marks in one way or creative change-makers in their own another. community. She always (and still Carmen Rosen, artistic director does) think outside the box, and sees of Still Moon Arts: When I moved potential for innovation and authentic community connection in ways into the community 20 years ago, works and learn more about and from each other. I’ve been happy to watch many people over the years find a place that gives them a sense of purpose and belonging. Especially youth.
that are radically new as well as a rooted in cultural richness. Yoko Tomita, Photo by Carmen Rosen CNH arts and culture coordinator: I worked with January over 17 years and she created many legacies in RenfrewCollingwood. She created the iron light poles and Duchess Walkway at Slocan Park, lead artists to take on mosaics and murals and designed the covered area in front of the Slocan Park field house. Her passion and caring for the community and beautifying our neighbourhood made a difference to us all. She wove our best of talents into projects like a social weaver to create harmony in our community. I respect her dedication and will never forget her warm heart and kindness.
Last month, with all Canadians, the Three Links Care Society recognized our amazing nursing team during the nation-wide celebrations of the annual Nursing Week. We are grateful to have such a dedicated and passionate team of nurses who stop at no lengths to deliver quality care to our residents. They are an integral part of our Three Links team, and we are exceptionally proud to have such a group of committed, hardworking, and positive individuals as our nurses. This year, we celebrated our nursing team this week in multiple ways, one of them being honouring our Long Service Award recipients. Our annual Long Service Awards recognizes those members of our team who are celebrating special anniversaries. We would like to take this time to congratulate the following 2020 Long Service Award recipients on our nursing team: • • • • • •
Antonia Figureoa (RN) – 20 years at Three Links Miranda Pon (RN) – 15 years at Three Links Vivien Oropel (RN) – 15 years at Three Links Paul Readhead (LPN) – 15 years at Three Links Joefena Carlos (RN) – 15 years at Three Links Roumiana Gatcheva (LPN) – 10 years at Three Links
Please also join us in thanking and congratulating the Director of Care - Faria Ali (RN)! She will be celebrating her 20 year Three Links anniversary next month and we look forward to further recognizing her for her endless contributions and inspiring leadership that she has exemplified over the years. On behalf of the entire Three Links team, thank you to our wonderful nurses for their strength, resilience, and devotion. You truly make Three Links such a positive environment and we appreciate you. Thank you!
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June 2020
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH)
H IGHLIG H TS
Joyce Location: 5288 Joyce St. ; Tel: 604-435-0323 / Annex Location: 3690 Vanness Ave. ; Tel: 604-428-9142 / Visit: www.cnh.bc.ca
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RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
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June 2020
June 2020 Ñ COVID 19 Updates Phase 2 Restart BC:
WorkSafeBC Covid-19 Safety Plan Work Safe BC has developed a Covid -19 Safety Plan for employers. Each step has a checklist with items they need to address prior to opening. WorkSafeBC will not be reviewing or approving the plans of individual employers, but in accordance with the order of the Provincial Heath Officer, this plan must be posted at the worksite. Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6:
Assess the risks at your. Implement protocols to reduce the risks. Develop policies Develop communication plans and training Monitor your workplace and update your plans as necessary Assess and address risks from resuming operations
For full description of each step go to www.worksafebc.com
BC Restaurant & Food Services Association Tips & Protocols The BCRFA has produced tips and protocols for the restaurant and food industry. -
Front of House Best Practices Beverage Service Best Practices Back of House Best Practices WorkSafe BC Safety Protocols Ð 50% capacity at one time; 2 metres between tables WorkSafe BC Safety Guidelines BCRFA Blueprint For Reopening
Upcoming Events Collingwood Days Festival August 18th Ð 22nd www.collingwooddays.com
WHAT YOU CAN DO: - Stay home if you are sick or not feeling well - SOCIAL DISTANCE 2 Meters apart - WASH HANDS OFTEN 20 seconds - BE PATIENT & STAY INFORMED
For full descriptions go to www.bcrfa.ca
Ñ COVID 19 Resource Links: IMPORTANT RESOURCES to keep up to date COVID-19 Economic Information
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Small Business BC
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Government of Canada Plans for Businesses and Individuals
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Government of BC Plans
Open with Care Campaign
COVID-19 Health Information
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Government of Canada - Health
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Healthlink BC
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BC Centre for Disease Control
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Self Monitoring - Self Isolation - Isolation
Room to Queue: Reminder to physically distance yourself from others while in lines or queues follow the directional signs. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
How to Reach Us: @shopcollingwoodvancouver @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood #300 Ð 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC T: 604.639.4403 E: info@shopcollingwood.ca W: shopcollingwood.ca