This long-weekend Monday was spectacular weather-wise — the afternoon was pure sunshine. My partner, Penny, and I spent the entire afternoon on our back deck, and I enjoyed a very delicious, very cold Lonetree Apple-Peach Cider, straight from our freezer. Sipping my cider, I wondered what sort of a world we are now moving into…
Category: Vancouver
Here’s to community groups growing stronger than ever!
The COVID-19 pandemic has had many negative consequences, but perhaps one of the least recognized ones is its impact on the many groups and associations vital to our communities. Think of the very active residents’ associations, like the ones in Kitsilano, False Creek and Strathcona; Girl Guides and Scouts; the chess clubs, dance groups and…
COVID-19: The neighbourhood catastrophe waiting to happen
For weeks, the coronavirus pandemic has been totally transforming our lives and devastating economies worldwide, right down to our own local neighbourhoods. COVID-19 is a neighbourhood catastrophe waiting to happen in the DTES. Its first confirmed case appeared yesterday. It’s very difficult, if not impossible, for most of the residents there to keep a safe…
Coronavirus: Being careful? You’re caring!
It seems like nothing but COVID-19 is in the news today. At the top of every newscast we get another update and, more often than not, at least half of the news segment features more coronavirus developments. Finally, the World Health Organization has declared it’s a pandemic. The WHO also says it’s seeing “alarming levels…
Let’s build a city that’s ours
Did you know that the City of Vancouver has no comprehensive city plan? Virtually every other major city in Canada has one — a city-wide plan that stipulates what can be built where throughout the city. To their credit, our city councillors elected in 2018 have initiated steps to create Vancouver’s comprehensive new city plan,…
Cleaning up campaign donations
Those of you familiar with my blog will recall how pleased I was when the provincial government introduced regulations governing the funding of municipal election campaigns in 2018. These new restrictions prohibited donations from unions and corporations — including developers. They also limited donations from individuals to a maximum of $1,200. However, even during the 2018…
The Sen̓áḵw project: Both exciting and concerning
On Tuesday, December 10, members of the Squamish Nation approved the development of their land at the south end of Burrard Bridge. Called Sen̓áḵw, for the name of an ancient village that was originally on this site until about 20 Squamish families were forced off and moved to North Vancouver in 1913, this development will…