All Hallow’s Eve tips, tricks and treats!

We know there are lots of plans being hatched in the neighbourhood for Halloween block parties, costume extravaganzas and scary movie nights.

HalloweenParty-300x209If you’re looking for some community get-togetherness, Friday Night Live is hosting a Neighbourhood Halloween Party for all comers. Doors open at 6:30 for games (think pin the hat on the witch, eat a donut off the string, etc.!), a children’s art project, close-up magician, treats and a “s’mores-gasbord” (chocolate fountain with mini marshmallows and Graham crackers!) Admission is by donation.

At 7:30 p.m., a Halloween-themed Friday Night Live improv comedy show will kick off  – tix are $10, $5 for those in costume, and kids under 12 are free! And as a special Halloween treat, the show will be followed by a DJ and dancing for all!

Heard of any other community happenings in the works? Send them our way for publication!

Need a reminder on some of the Halloween bylaws and safety tips? Here’s some recent information sent our way by the North Van RCMP:

Firecrackers:

All firecrackers are prohibited in both the City and District of North Vancouver. Fines for setting off firecrackers in the City range from $500 in the City and $200 in the District.

Fireworks:

  • City of North Vancouver prohibits the purchase, possession or discharge of fireworks within the City limits. Fines for contraventions range from $100 – $600.
  • In the District of North Vancouver, you may purchase, possess and discharge fireworks under the following conditions:
  • You must obtain a permit from the vendor or District. [Note: you can do this online right here.]
  • You must be at least 18 years old
  • You may not discharge fireworks on public property

diamond_sparklerThe North Vancouver RCMP will have extra patrol officers on the streets throughout the Halloween evening. The following safety tips will help keep youngsters safe this Halloween.

Children:

  • Never let children trick-or-treat alone. Always have them walk with an adult or a group of friends.
  • Make sure they can be seen. Dress them in reflective, bright color costumes, or fasten reflective tape to their costume or bag. Avoid masks that restrict their vision.
  • Don’t allow them into a house for treats, always wait outside.
  • Don’t let them eat any treats an adult has not inspected.
  • Ensure safe crossings of roads and intersections

Motorists:

  • Halloween night means there will be more children on the streets. Drivers need to use extra caution. With the excitement Halloween brings, children may forget basic pedestrian safety rules.
  • Drive slowly in residential areas where children are more likely to be trick-or-treating. Reduce your speed and stay alert.

History Centre showcases diverse stories

 

A press release from the North Vancouver Museum & Archives:

North Vancouver has undergone many changes in recent years. We see this in changing skylines, advertisements about new businesses and festivals, and in the diversity of people now residing within our community.

It is important to recognise and document the multicultural history of our dynamic community. This is being done through the Diversifying History Project, a North Vancouver Museum & Archives’ oral history initiative which documents the arrival stories of new Canadians.

(more…)

Pumpkin patches to spring up in Lynn Valley

The mist will soon descend and the magic will happen… and Lynn Valley families will wake up to find that two pumpkin patches have taken root right in the heart of this mountain village!

Whether your kids are young or old, they will have a great time at these two side-by-side patches. Lynn Valley Parent Participation Preschool is hosting the Great Pumpkin Patch, aimed at younger children, while neighbouring Lynn Valley Elementary will be entertaining older kids and their families.

Both events take place on Saturday, October 18. See times and other details on the posters below, and please come out to take part in some down-home Halloween fun! We’re proud to be sponsoring the pumpkins at the preschool and the bouncy castle at the elementary school, so between the two events we hope to have the chance to say ‘hi’ to lots of our friends and neighbours!

Pumkin Patch 2014LV Elementary Pumpkin Patch

It’s time to find this year’s Good Neighbour!

If you’re tired of reading bad news in the headlines, you’ll love our third annual Good Neighbour Award!

Each year we put out the call for nominations, and every year you send us wonderful stories of the people around you who help the world in ways large and small. We hear about casserole-makers and cookie-bakers; charity organizers and cheerful helpers; faithful housesitters, handyman husbands, animal lovers and more. There is, of course, no way to choose from amongst all these marvellous folks to pick just ONE Good Neighbour of the Year, so we draw one name to represent ALL the good neighbours of Lynn Valley.

Last year, we were proud to present the LynnValleyLife Good Neighbour plaque and a basket of local prizes to Gord Trousdell, who inspired many people on his street with his kindness to all. The year previous, our Good Neighbour award went to Rosemary Postlethwaite of Lynn Valley United Church. Now who will be the LynnValleyLife Good Neighbour for 2014? We’re looking forward to finding out!

Please send us your story about the person in our community who you would love to see recognized for their good-heartedness (it doesn’t have to be one of your next-door neighbours, but it does have to be a Lynn Valley resident!) In the weeks before Christmas, we will share our favourite stories on the website and draw from amongst them the recipient of the 2014 Good Neighbour Award.

While quantities last, everyone who takes the time to nominate a good citizen of Lynn Valley will receive a copy of Wintertide, a collection of stories, memories, recipes and photos celebrating Christmas on the North Shore. It makes for lovely holiday reading – and a great gift!

As always the winner will receive a special plaque and a gift basket of local treats. We always find something to reward the person who nominated them, too!

Please send your story (just a paragraph or two will do, doesn’t have to be fancy) to [email protected]. (Don’t wait too long, either – we hate to say it, but Christmas will be here before you know it!) All entries are due by Friday, December 19. Please include your name and contact information, as well as that of the person you are nominating.

The announcement will be made at a community event in the weeks just preceding Christmas. We look forward to reading your stories over the weeks to come, and learning more about our neighbourhood angels-in-action!

Make good in the ‘hood – join the LV Services Society!

Last time LynnValleyLife put out the call for board members for the LV Services Society, we’re glad to say that at least one of our readers stepped up to add their voice and vision to shaping our neighbourhood. The LVSS has asked us to spread the word again, so if you missed the boat last time, here’s your chance! Here are the details, as provided by the LVSS:

LV Services Society logoThe Lynn Valley Services Society (LVSS) is looking for additional board members.   The LVSS provides social and recreational programming to the community of Lynn Valley and beyond.  It also has a mandate for facility management in Lynn Valley.  Their primary facility is Mollie Nye House, a heritage community building managed for the District of North Vancouver.  LVSS has determined that they will expand their target group, area and range of services within the next two years.

We are looking for board members who:

  • Are enthusiastic and collaborative, with experience in the non-profit sector.
  • Have experience in Multicultural and Diversity concerns, Management, Executive, IT, Finance/Bookkeeping, HR Grant Writing, Volunteer management, Program coordination, Youth Counselling, ESL, social media or website building/maintenance.
  • Can diversify the representation on our board.  We encourage participation from minority groups who are seeking services in Lynn Valley.

Time Commitment: monthly board meeting of 2-3 hours; an additional 6 hours per month following through on action items or working with specific committees of the Board.

Position Term:  Two years

For more information or to apply, please send an email briefly summarising your interest to [email protected]  before Friday, October 17th, 2014. Be sure to include a phone number where we can contact you during the evening and one of our current board members will be in touch.