GWAC Tonight: Schools of the Future

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89374158835?

GWAC: Schools of the Future

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89374158835?

Farewell to Santa Barbara Market!

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Today was the last day of business for the hugely popular Santa Barbara Market at 1320 Commercial Drive. The current owners are retiring, and the business closes after 42 years of wonderful service.

A couple of hundred fans, organized by Penny Street and supported by much of the Carnival Band, held a thank you celebration outside the store at lunch time today. It was an emotional affair, with songs written for the occasion, lots of dancing, flowers for the staff, a quick history lesson from me, and memories galore.

Santa Barbara has been an integral part of the Drive experience for so long, and the community came out to show just how important that has been.

We understand that new owners will be taking over the business, probably with a new name. However, I know that for me, like many others, it will be very strange walking that block tomorrow without Santa Barbara Market being there.

Commercial Drive as a Pedestrian-First Street?

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The next meeting of the Grandview Woodland Area Council — tonight — should be of great interest to everyone:

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This will be an important debate on the future of our favourite street — the very heart of our neighbourhood. Join us on ZOOM to add your voice to this vital discussion.

Commercial Drive as a Pedestrian-First Street?

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The next meeting of the Grandview Woodland Area Council should be of great interest to everyone:

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This will be an important debate on the future of our favourite street — the very heart of our neighbourhood. Join us on ZOOM to add your voice to this vital discussion.

Gilles Hebert Sculpture

Readers may recall that Gilles Hebert was assaulted and killed in Grandview Park two years ago. A long-time resident of the Drive, Gilles was also an artist and I am glad to see his work on exhibition at Britannia.

GWAC: School and Park Board

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Council Candidates’ Forum

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Car Free Day on The Drive

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Not quite as packed as events prior to covid, but it was still great to see so many people enjoying the Drive today.

It was also good to see Sean Nardi, James Buckshom, and Tricia Barker dealing with the crowds at the TEAM tent.

Car Free Day 2022

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After a two-year break due to covid, the annual Car Free Day on the Drive is back this Saturday! It takes place from noon until 7pm.

In the same way that Italian Day this year was restricted in scope to Grandview Park, Car Free Day is limited this year from Grandview Highway north to 1st Avenue.

Along with all the usual fun, games, local businesses, music, and food, there will be an interesting exhibit on the history of local transit by the Transit Museum.

I look forward to seeing the usual crowds!

Italian Day 2022

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With the last two years’ festivities cancelled due to covid, it was great to celebrate Italian Day once again on Commercial Drive.

This year’s event did not close the street as usual, and everything was confined to Grandview Park. It was not quite the same, but enjoyable nonetheless — and the weather was perfect. The music was great, the food was great, and the crowds came out.

Well done to the organizers!

Mayoral Debate in Grandview

A Mainstreeting Event for TEAM for a Livable Vancouver

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Colleen Hardwick’s TEAM campaign will be mainstreeting on Commercial Drive tomorrow (Thursday 18th).

They will be meeting at the Entre Nous Femmes housing complex on Adanac & Commercial at 4pm and then proceeding south on Commercial Drive until about 5:30pm.

Come down and meet the next (and first female) Mayor of Vancouver and her TEAM!

Dykes On The Drive 2022

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It was great to catch the Dykes on the Drive March this afternoon! The parade was several blocks long, and scores more folks followed on afterwards. Pride was in evidence everywhere.

OneCity Meet & Greet

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The OneCity campaign will be holding a meet and greet session tonight at Pandora Park, 2325 Franklin, from 6pm to 8pm. This will be a chance for community members to meet each other, learn more about OneCity, and talk about how you can help elect OneCity candidates in October.

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Note that this notice is in no way an endorsement of the OneCity campaign, just a PSA. I will be happy to post notices of any events from any other party if I am notified in advance.

Barbecue With The NPA

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Want to talk politics? For those that may be interested the NPA campaign is holding a barbecue this coming Thursday (21st) at 2365 Kitchener (corner of Kitchener & Nanaimo) at 4:30 – 6:30pm.

Note that this notice is in no way an endorsement of the NPA campaign, just a PSA. I will be happy to post notices of any events from any other party if I am notified in advance.

Car Free Days Are Back!

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It was way back in 2019 that we last enjoyed the Car Free Day on Commercial Drive. I am therefore really glad to be able to report that we will be doing it all again this year — on September 10th!

There will be similar festivals this year in the West End (August 20) and on Main Street (August 27).

I’ll post more details about the Drive event as I get them.

Grandview Garage Sale

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The great Grandview Neighbourhood Garage Sale is back again this month. It takes place between 10am and 2pm on Saturday June 18th.

After a covid disruption, this used-to-be annual event is being organized rather less formally this year, and I have been unable to find any online link for more information. So, best to walk or cycle the neighbourhood with wallet in hand that day and you are sure to find something of interest.

GWAC and CoV’s Head of Planning

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A New Socialist Party

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On May Day, at Grandview Park at 12:30pm, yet another civic political party makes its entry onto the stage. This time it is a new party with an old name, Socialists.

Everyone is invited to their founding launch.