Grandview’s Parks and the Future

This month’s GWAC meeting is on Monday 9th July in the Learning Resources Centre, under Britannia Library. The meeting begins at 7:00pm.

The main topic this month: Green Spaces and Plazas—Their Importance to Livability and Community-Creation in Grandview Woodland.

As you probably know, our neighbourhood has far less green space per resident than most other parts of Vancouver. The most recent Community Plan does nothing to address that issue, suggesting, rather, that plazas (presumably open concrete spaces) will be introduced as a substitute for the real thing.

The value of green space to a community is a very worthwhile conversation to have and I hope that many of you will attend and speak your mind.

 

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Impromptu Cabaret

Starting tonight, the 2nd Annual Impromptu Cabaret Festival begins at the Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive.

This is a series of 10 one-hour solo cabaret shows by local performers, from blues to rock to all sorts in between.  The first show, tonight, features accordionist Jenny Anderson.

Shows start at 6:00pm.  Tickets are $15 per show, or $100 for a festival pass.

 

HIV Testing On The Drive

National HIV Testing Day is tomorrow, Wednesday 27th June.  According to the Straight:

“While approximately 75,000 Canadians are living with HIV, one in five HIV–positive Canadians aren’t aware of their status. New HIV infections in Canada increased in 2016 by 11.6 percent (or 2,344 new cases) from the previous year.”

As part of a national campaign to improve awareness, REACH Medical Centre at 1145 Commercial Drive will be offering free HIV testing between 4:-00 pm and 8:00pm tomorrow.

Block Party Season! 900 Salsbury

On Saturday 16th June from 3:00pm to 9:00pm one of the nicest blocks in the entire city — 900 block Salsbury — is hosting a major block party!

At least five bands have agreed to play during the event, including the Drive Street Band, Whitbridge Brothers, Step Out Sister, so there will be great music all afternoon and evening.

There will be art and fun and games for the kids, and there will be food and drinks (bring finger food to share, why don’t you!) and a sit-down street pot-luck dinner from about 6:00pm.

Should be great fun.  See you there!

Goodbye MacDonald, Hello Xpey’

Sir William MacDonald Elementary School began in temporary buildings at Victoria and Pender streets in 1905, and was named Cedar Cove Elementary because most of the growing population pressure was coming from residences north of Hastings Street. As Grandview grew around, the school was replaced with a permanent structure one year later and re-named after Sir William Macdonald, a tobacco merchant and educational philanthropist.  Additional extensions and buildings appeared over the decades.

Now, change has brought the future to the School which has been officially known as Xpey’ Elementary since last summer, but which has this week formally undergone a name-changing ceremony.  “For us, this is a legal name change,” said Musqueam Nation member James Kew.

Xpey’ means cedar  and evokes the huge stands of cedar trees that used to fringe the Inlet.

Clark & East First Avenue Proposal

Back in February, I reported on a major new development project happening on the City-owned and barely used block on the north-east corner of Clark Drive & First Avenue.  When it was first announced I stated my support for the concept. Since then, we have seen some preliminary signs and renderings.

It is by any measure a large scale project.  However, for once I think the Planning Department has chosen an excellent spot for such a large building, at or near the lowest point in Grandview, allowing the building to flow sensibly uphill.  With the additional information to hand, I continue to be a supporter and hope that it gets built.  (My only concerns are noise and pollution mitigation at a very busy intersection).

Needless to say, that is not the opinion of a lot of people in Grandview that I know and trust. But this time, I believe they are wrong and making the wrong complaints about the wrong building. I am dismayed to learn, just last night, that even the GWAC Board has taken a position opposing the scale — though interestingly not the concept nor the location — of the affordable housing/detox centre at First & Clark.

GWAC’s regular monthly meeting on Monday June 4th at 7:00pm in the LTC under Britannia Library will primarily concentrate on this development, with a panel discussion comprised of Vancouver Coastal Health, BC Housing, City of Vancouver, and the project architects.  That will be worth hearing.

The City will be holding an Open House about the same proposal on Monday June 11, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in Room 1236, Building B at VCC 1155 E. Broadway (access of E. 7th Avenue).

The Impromptu Rock Choir: Tonight!

Tonight is Van Morrison night for the no-rehearsal, no-experience-required, all-abilities Impromptu Rock Choir which meets and sings every Tuesday night at the WISE Hall on Adanac.

Tonight from 7:30pm they will be rocking out to “Brown Eyed Girl” and other favourites.

They meet here every Tuesday and they have a website.  Come along and join in just for the fun of it!