Renfrew-Collingwood Community News September 2022

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COMMUNITY NEWS

RenfrewCollingwoodCommunityNews.com

Celebrate Mid-Autumn at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival

by Still Moon Arts Society

Throughout September, witness extravagant performances, local music and lanterns lighting up the forest in beautiful outdoor locations.

Numerous free events and low-cost workshops interweave diverse cultural traditions and focus on arts within the natural world.

Co-produced with Renfrew Park Community Association, the Moon Festival showcases the talents of the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood and Vancouver’s local artists, as well as the natural beauty of Still Creek and the Renfrew Ravine.

Join in free public events that celebrate the full moon, harvest abundance and diverse cultural traditions. This year marks two decades with the theme of Resurfacing.

Come to the Harvest Fair on Saturday, September 10, from 4–8:30 pm Enjoy diverse music by local artists, attend eco-arts workshops, play games, interact with community booths and enjoy a bowl of harvest soup at Slocan Park. Celebrate the neighbourhood’s best homegrown produce at the vegetable competition.

Feature performance Consciousness of Streams is a moving intergenerational dance, stilt and acrobatic performance choreographed by Isabelle Kiruoac, set to an original music score. At twilight, it merges with the Continued on page 2

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September 2022

Moonfest - continued from page 1 Lost Streams Lantern Parade with mystical characters led by Indigenous group, the Coastal Wolfpack, who will lead you along the routes of Lost Streams to Collingwood Park for the finale performance (7:30–8:30 pm).

Come to the Streamside Lantern Installation on Saturday, September 17, from sunset to 9:30 pm The magical heart of the Moon Festival, Streamside Lantern Installation, 2021. Photo by Alger Ji-Liang this evening spectacle welcomes you to walk through a beautifully transformed RenThere is still time to get involved—the festival frew Community Park, filled with giant would not be possible without community lanterns and illuminated art—accompavolunteers who allow the festival to come to nied by enchanting live music and set life. Visit stillmoon.ca to learn about exciting against a magnificent backdrop of towerroles for both youth and adults and sign-up. ing trees.

For any questions about this year’s festival, Feature performance Still Suite by Treesong will emerge from the trees playing hand-carved wooden horns while illuminated dancers move in and amongst the forested space.

Please note that parking is limited around the parks where the main festivals take place. Transit, cycling, walking or carpooling is recommended to avoid traffic.

Smaller events include mooncake workshops, lantern workshops, drop spindling and environmental stewardship. Visit the website at stillmoon.ca for more details and a full list of events.

A-SLAM performs at Surrey Fusion Fest Local musician A-SLAM performs songs off his brand new album 4 U at this year’s Fusion Festival in Surrey late July. It was his first time performing with a full live band.

Watch the full set on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hussein_dj_a_slam/ . Photo by Devin Olfrey

email karen@stillmoonarts.ca.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you this September!

Still Moon Arts Society (SMAS) mobilizes community and creates positive change through eco-arts and environmental stewardship programming, and produces the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival annually. SMAS is a non-profit registered charity whose mission is to inspire vibrant and connected communities by creating artistic experiences and nurturing a passion for nature. For the last 19 years SMAS has been guided by a vision in which the neighbours of Renfrew-Collingwood live as a part of a healthy ecosystem and participate in a community where arts thrive.

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Read On!

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September 2022

A news section for RenfrewCollingwood learners

The following is a paid advertisement by Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver/Kingsway

CELEBRATING THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL

Dear Community members,

by Sophia Han

We are continuing our work to ensure that our communities are safe from COVID-19, and the strongest line of defence is to get vaccinated. Please continue to encourage everyone you know to register online at www.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated, over the phone 1-833-838-2323, or in person through outreach and clinics managed by the Health Authorities as well as participating pharmacies to get vaccinated.

Mid-Autumn Festival

I hope you had a wonderful summer, enjoying the warm weather and taking some time off.

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The 15th day of the 8th lunar month is the start of the Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival. It is an important tradition in East and Southeast Asian cultures, and can last three to seven days. This year, the festival starts on September 10th, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest during the harvest season.

In China, South Korea and Taiwan, the first day of the festival is a public holiday. Friends and families visit each other, bringing gifts of mooncakes. The tradition of making and eating mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival dates back thousands of years in China, when people offered food to the moon goddess, Chang’e.

Mooncakes: a seasonal treat

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Around September, decorative boxes of mooncakes can be seen in Asian supermarkets, and you may be surprised at the high price they fetch. This is because the delicacies are only sold during the Mid-Autumn Festival when they are given as gifts. The high cost is due to the packaging as well as the ingredients.

Cut mooncakes into four pieces or in thin slices before serving with tea.

Photo by Sophia Han

Read On! has a web page. You can:

Similar to a pie, mooncakes can have different fillings made from lotus seed, red bean or mixed nuts. The yolk of a salted duck egg is also a popular ingredient because it symbolizes the fullness of the moon. The combination of sweet and salty flavours can be an acquired taste.

 Read the articles

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival, pick up some mooncakes and watch the lantern parade at this year’s Harvest Moon festival.

This annual celebration is organized by the Still Moon Arts Society and celebrates the full moon and different cultural traditions.

Reading levels on this page

Harvest Moon Festival September 10th at Slocan Park Lantern parade at twilight

VOCABULARY lunar month — a month in a calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon fullest — when nothing seems to be missing; complete harvest season — the time of year when foods that are grown in a region are gathered mooncakes — a baked treat similar to a pie; it has a thin crust and a filling dates back — when something dates back to a time, it began or started at that time seasonal — taking place at one particular time during the year fetch — when something fetches a high price, it means that the item costs a lot to purchase due to — because of packaging — the box or wrapping around something that is sold acquired taste — a new taste that you may not like at first but which you may enjoy later pick up — to collect, gather or buy something

http://renfrewcollingwood communitynews.com/category/ read-on/

UPPER INTERMEDIATE  LOWER INTERMEDIATE  BEGINNER 

Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes

The fall season is near, BC is making plans to offer everyone 12 years and older the option of getting a booster or fall booster shot for the best protection in the fall and winter, when we are all spending more time inside and respiratory illness is passed around our communities.

You will receive an email or text message approximately 6 months after your second or booster dose, to schedule your next dose at a location that works for you. This booster maintains and extends the strong protection provided by the COVID-19 vaccine against the virus.

A COVID-19 vaccine is now available for kids 6 months to 4 years old. Register your kid(s) now and book an appointment. For more information, please visit: gov.bc.ca/under5vaccines If you need resources like Senior Guides; Household, Condos, Apartments and Townhouses Preparedness Guides; Tenant Survival Guides and much more, please email or call us to arrange to pick up a hard copy today.

As always, my community office, at 5022 Joyce St. Vancouver, is open to provide services for constituents in person with appointments and via phone and email. Please give us a call at 604-660-0314 or email us at adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca, and we will get in touch with you as soon as we can. 聯絡本辦 事處請電郵adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca或致電 604660-0314. 如欲親臨敬請預約。 Thank you very much for all that you’re doing and take care.

Sincerely, Adrian Dix, MLA Vancouver-Kingsway

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September 2022

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

What’s happening at your local library COMMUNITY NEWS

Collingwood Branch

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: Andrea Galbraith, Bryden

Fergusson, Alger Ji-Liang, Devin Olfrey, Emily Tam, Karen Vanon, Paul Reid, Ramos sisters, Shelby Miller, Sophia Han, Still Moon Arts

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: Sep. 10 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.

2985 Kingsway and Rupert 604-665-3953

by Shelby Miller, Children’s Librarian

Renfrew Branch

2969 East 22nd Avenue and Renfrew 604-257-8705

by Andrea Galbraith, Community Librarian

TRUTH AND RECONCILATION

STORYTIMES (DROP-IN) Babytime (0-18 months) Weekly on Thursdays 10:30 – 11:00 am Family Storytime (all ages) Weekly on Fridays 10:30 – 11:00 am

Leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (on September 30), Renfrew Public Library is hosting an Indigenous Cultural Support Worker who will speak about their experiences in residential school. All are welcome to this free event.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAMS (DROP-IN)

Wednesday, September 21, 10 am Free covered parking under the library building

Tween Manga Meetup (Please contact the branch to register) Wednesdays, September 14, 21 and 28 4:00 – 5:00pm Share your love of manga and anime, make cool crafts and connect with other kids. For Grades 4-7.

For complete listings visit vpl.ca/events

LEGO Block Party Weekly on Saturdays 2:30 – 3:30pm Drop in for some LEGO® building fun at this block party!

Connect with other kids and break out the bricks for a building bonanza at the library. For Grades K-7.

Noticed in Vancouver

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

by Karen Vanon

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Together We Can

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September 2022

Where recovery is possible for everyone

by Paul Reid I caught up with Steven Hall who is the Community Relations Team Leader for Together We Can (TWC) Addiction Recovery and Education Society. In addition to giving me a tour of the Together We Can centre here in Renfrew-Collingwood, Steven shared with me his personal story of how he first came to TWC.

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Phone: 604-437-1717

Website: www.papajohns.ca #300-3320 Kingsway, Vancouver Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 11AM-10:45PM Friday-Saturday: 11AM - 11:45PM

“So I actually came to Vancouver to be a client here, from West Kootenays; I came in 2018 in July and I did my treatment and then I started volunteering here as a support worker and now I work in community relations. Of the 100 staff members here, I believe about 90% of us went through the program and are in recovery.

So are you considered forever in recovery or is there a point where you are considered, okay?

“No, you should always maintain your recovery. Like they say, it’s the disease you’ll forget you have, so it’s a daily maintenance that I have to do to make sure that I’m staying honest and just trying to be a better person. Like a lot of people that deal with addictions, we don’t have the ability to cope with emotions and that rational thinking is kind of gone. For some people it was never really there – we didn’t how to deal with stressful situations or extreme emotions, trauma, things like that. Addiction in itself can be traumatic though and so it just builds and builds and builds until a point.

I can tell you my story: I started using substances by the time I was 13. I was on cocaine and I was drinking all the time using hard drugs; what it did is it just numbed everything. I didn’t have to think about my family life; I didn’t have to think about the things that happened in my childhood - things like that.

I was having fun you know; it was a release of pressure all those things, right.

Well, what that taught me over a number of years is that if I’m feeling bad or I don’t want to think about something, use: you can go and get drunk, you can go and use cocaine; you can go and use whatever you’re using right.

But eventually I became addicted to those substances and it turned into – I have to use; it’s just a part of my daily life now.

Steven Hall is the Community Relations Team Leader forTogether We Can Addiction Recovery and Education Society. Photo by Paul Reid So by what age were you having trouble?

“By 19, I was a daily user. In my teenage years, I partied pretty hard, right, but when I step back and think about it, by 19, that’s when I really became a daily user – and I had to in order to feel normal. That’s what my normal was - to be drunk or intoxicated so that I could talk to people I could live my life and be around people and all that type of stuff and so I didn’t get into recovery until I was 28 years old.

So from 19 to 28, what were you doing?

“Well you know, I was one of the lucky ones because I was able to keep it together - I was able to keep a job. I was never homeless; things like that. So that’s not the story for everybody and I was able to function until I wasn’t.

So by the time I came to TWC it’s because I was going to lose my job; I was living at my mom’s house in her basement; she was kicking me out; I had no money; I owed drug dealers money; I couldn’t get up in the morning. There would be seven day stretches where I wouldn’t sleep, so if I got up in the morning I’d have to have booze and I’d have to have cocaine.

That was the only way that I could get out of bed; to stop the shaking and for

my head not to be exploding with anxiety, depression and guilt and shame and all those things. And like I said, I taught myself; that’s how I had been dealing with that since I was 13 years old and then when I’m 28 - that’s still how I’m coping with it. It was a coping mechanism. So what it took for me was to come out of the area I was living in, geographically removed.

Treatment centers don’t cure addictions - that’s not what we’re here to do. What we’re here to do is to help people get into a safe space so that they can obviously stop using substances and get access to counseling and connected to a group of people that, first off, understand what addiction is and they can understand what it’s like to stay awake for seven days and the pain and the suffering and all of that that goes with it.”

Thank you Steven, for the tour and for sharing your story. I wish there was more room here to share our entire amazing discussion and all of the good work that Together We Can is doing.

You can find out more at: twcrecoverylife.org; phone: 604-451-9854 or email: info@twcrecoverylife.org

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September 2022

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Metro Coffee Bar and Billiards — Vancouver gem for over 50 years Special tribute to our dad by the Ramos sisters Our dad Peter Ramos owns this nostalgic gem in the Renfrew-Collingwood community, and it still operates as a pool hall – over all the years he has owned it. We are talking 50 years later – as he bought the business in the early 1970s.

Are there any other single mom-and-pop businesses along Kingsway in the RenfrewCollingwood neighbourhood that has been in business for 50 years? Metro Coffee Bar and Billiards deserves to be recognized for its outstanding longevity, the open doors thanks in part to our dad.

Although its environment boasts a Portuguese flair, all people are welcome to enjoy the great atmosphere for watching soccer matches while still having the option to take in a game of pool.

Offering European-style food and coffees, including some alcoholic beverages, Metro Coffee Bar and Billiards is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. We suggest stopping by to savour an espresso or to try an authentic Portuguese dish for a personal experience.

Today you can find Peter on a golf course where he spends the majority of his days, rain or shine. After 30-plus years with BC Ferries, he’s living a carefree retirement life on Van-

couver Island. Happily married in 1978 to the love of his life, Sabrina, together they raised three daughters who live in the Lower Mainland.

We hope this little piece puts a face behind the history of a quaint neighbourhood spot, as surely it will always remind us of our dad. It is with great pride to keep this legacy going for another 50 years.

Photo of the Month Fall is just around the corner This pumpkin sits happily on its own whimsical pedestal in the middle of a wonderful Renfrew-Collingwood garden.

Do you have an amazing photo to show your neighbours?

Please send in a high resolution photo along with a caption and the name of the photographer to rccnewseditorial@cnh.bc.ca.

The Ramos sisters are Julie, Lorie and Robyn. You can find Metro Coffee Bar and Billiards on Facebook and tagged in photos on Instagram.

Photo by Bryden Fergusson

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September 2022

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Collingwood Neighbourhood House

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

Meet the 2022 Community Vision Award Winner This past June, Poonam Basra was awarded Collingwood Neighbourhood House’s 2022 Community Vision Award during her high school graduation.

The award is given annually to a Grade 12 student from Windermere Secondary School with a connection to CNH and/or who has volunteered in the neighbourhood. It aims to support a graduating student entering a diploma program in early childhood education, community service, or community development.

“I am beyond grateful and appreciate being given the Community Vision Award to help fulfill my goals. I will take that on as part of my purpose as well as to make this award even more powerful in the community,” she says.

Poonam has had a lifelong connection with the Renfrew-Collingwood neighbourhood, which started just before pre-school.

“I was in the Strong Start program. And then growing up, I also volunteered for Strong Start, then I [also] started playing basketball here [at CNH], joining Night Hoops and everything,” Poonam said.

Poonam, who has always aspired to be a police officer, will begin her Law Enforcement studies at the Justice Institute of British Columbia this fall.

“I volunteered at the Collingwood Community Policing Centre, so that also helped me to be exposed to different kinds of policing. I’m also at the VPD Connect program, which allows me to see policing in another way,” she adds.

She sees volunteering as a chance to make a difference in the community and in doing so, provide a positive environment to whoever she’s working with. Poonam advises young folks to be more involved in the community.

“It allows you to connect with people of all ages, which is definitely rewarding. And beyond volunteering, just make more connections,” she says.

This page is sponsored by Collingwood Neighbourhood House

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

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September 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022

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Collingwood BIA Expansion Stage 1 – There is still time to complete the survey.

The Collingwood BIA has officially begun the process of surveying the businesses and property owners.

You can also answer the survey here: Collingwood BIA Expansion Survey link:

Coming Events September 5 Labour Day September 6 Back to School

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:4da3 216e-43ca-49a8-8d47-8b89f46ab110 Annual General Meeting Collingwood BIA’s AGM will be September 28th, 2022, at 5:30 – 7:00p.m. at Mosaic BC 5575 Boundary Road, Vancouver.

September 28

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Networking (light refreshments)

Annual General Meeting

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. AGM AGM packages will be delivered this month. The AGM is open to all businesses and commercial property owners in the Collingwood BIA and along Joyce Street.

Information will also be on our website www.shopcollingwood.ca

September 30 Join the Board of Directors September has been the month for new beginnings. A new year of school, end of summer activities, and preparation for the Fall season. Collingwood will be making some visible changes along Kingsway. New banners will be installed, decorative lighting and an updated webpage are in our future. We are always looking for new directors to join our board and committees.

National Truth & Reconciliation Day

Committees available are: Safety Marketing Street Beatification & Enhancements Advocacy Criteria: Owner or operator of a business in the Collingwood BIA boundary. All businesses and properties along Kingsway between Boundary Road and Rupert Street.

Be a part of building a healthy, vibrant and safe commercial area.

National Truth & Reconciliation Day September 30th Wear an orange shirt to show your support and bringing awareness that Every Child Matters. Let us know how you will be acknowledging this very special day, via social media.

Shop Collingwood! It’s good for Business!

How to Reach Us: @shopcollingwoodvancouver @shopcollingwood @shopcollingwood Office: #300 – 3665 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2 T: 604.639.4403 E: info@shopcollingwood.ca W: shopcollingwood.ca --------------------------------------------------------------

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Email info@shopcollingwood.ca

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September 2022

RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS

Eating Out in RC: Canffle

by Emily Tam

3581 Kingsway 604-255-8508 https://www.canffle.com/ Canffle opened their doors just over a year ago, in August 2021. They offer

croffles (croissant waffles) and have become my favourite brunch spot in RC. Though I’d prefer to eat my croffles fresh, they are also available for delivery on UberEats and SkipTheDishes.

Canffle’s croffles are offered both savoury and sweet, but I have only tried the savoury ones so far. One day I will go back to check out their sweet croffles as an afternoon snack since they close at around 3 to 4 pm daily.

My go-to order is the croffle club sandwich, which comes with poached chicken breast, pea meal bacon, red onion, tomato and egg inside the croffle. It comes with two croffle sandwiches in one order, so I strongly recommend bringing a full stomach or to share this entree with a friend.

I have also tried their salmon benny, which comes with your choice of waffle: Brussels, croffle or mochi. I prefer to stick with the club sandwich or opt for the bacon benny because the pea meal bacon is really good. As for drinks, I’ve only had their latte as it’s simple with milk and you can’t go wrong with a classic.

This successful small business captivated their market through these unique croffles – bite-sized insatiable goodness. The light, airy, flakiness of a croissant combined with the crunch of a perfectly crispy waffle, further paired with a choice of your sweet or savoury comfort food.

Check out Canffle on Kingsway and let me know which croffle to try next!

Find more of Emily Tam’s food reviews on her Instagram page, @hungrygirl_emily.

Croffle club sandwich, salmon benny and latte. Photo by Emily Tam

Don Davies MP

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LINC Program: Free English classes funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. LINC classes improve your English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, while providing you with information on your local community, Canadian culture, and job search support.

Happy Labour Day! Community Office 2951 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5R 5J4 604-775-6263 | Don.Davies@parl.gc.ca

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