Do you feel you have something to contribute to West Vancouver’s Parks? Mayor Pam and her gang of taxmen are seeking volunteers to contribute to the districts Parks Master Plan. As a volunteer member of the Parks Master Plan Working Group you would help to set immediate and long term direction for the management and enhancement of our parks, trails and open spaces. If you feel you have something to contribute visit the West Vancouver District web site for more information including a downloadable application form.
Ciao,
Tags: West Vancouver;
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
North Shore Black Bears
Well it is about that time of the year when again we will see our friendly trash seeking North Shore bears return from their winter slumber. West Vancouver residents, and those particularly above the highway, are reminded every spring of the fact that bears share our community. While black bears are typically just a nuisance on rare occasions that neighbourhood bear can turn dangerous.
Foraging on garbage, picking through bird feeders, damaging property and licking those bits of steak off your unclean barbecue are all things that lead to our annoyance.
Bears that become accustomed to human surroundings often find themselves in a dead end confrontation with a Conversation Officer.
Black bears are not typically dangerous to an adult human. Panic calls to 911 or the Provincial ORR line are typically not warranted for a black bear that is just passing through or even taking a rest on your lawn. When you do believe a black bear is a potential treat then these resources can be called upon. I suggest your first call be to the North Shore Black Bear Network as these guys deal with local bear issues every day.
We all love to see and then talk about these lovely wild animals. So the North Shore Black Bear Network website offers some of these tips for limiting negative interactions with black bears.
- Put your garbage out on the day of pick-up only, never overnight. Store your garbage bins in a secure garage or in a bear-proof container (wooden and garden sheds or bin enclosures are easily damaged by bears)
- Clean your garbage bins on a regular basis with ammonia or vinegar. Clean and dry the bins so as to not create a chemical hazard for your trash man.
- Double bag smelly garbage like diapers and if necessary freeze it until pickup day
- Pick fruit from trees before it falls.
- Take down bird feeders during bear season; there is plenty of natural food for birds throughout the year and you can attract birds by providing a flower garden, bird bath or nesting boxes.
- Add lime to your compost and do not compose: Meat and fish scraps, Fruit or other sweet remains, including Cooked or seasoned food.
- Remember to clean your barbecue after each use.
Ciao,
Tags: West Vancouver;
Foraging on garbage, picking through bird feeders, damaging property and licking those bits of steak off your unclean barbecue are all things that lead to our annoyance.
Bears that become accustomed to human surroundings often find themselves in a dead end confrontation with a Conversation Officer.
Black bears are not typically dangerous to an adult human. Panic calls to 911 or the Provincial ORR line are typically not warranted for a black bear that is just passing through or even taking a rest on your lawn. When you do believe a black bear is a potential treat then these resources can be called upon. I suggest your first call be to the North Shore Black Bear Network as these guys deal with local bear issues every day.
We all love to see and then talk about these lovely wild animals. So the North Shore Black Bear Network website offers some of these tips for limiting negative interactions with black bears.
- Put your garbage out on the day of pick-up only, never overnight. Store your garbage bins in a secure garage or in a bear-proof container (wooden and garden sheds or bin enclosures are easily damaged by bears)
- Clean your garbage bins on a regular basis with ammonia or vinegar. Clean and dry the bins so as to not create a chemical hazard for your trash man.
- Double bag smelly garbage like diapers and if necessary freeze it until pickup day
- Pick fruit from trees before it falls.
- Take down bird feeders during bear season; there is plenty of natural food for birds throughout the year and you can attract birds by providing a flower garden, bird bath or nesting boxes.
- Add lime to your compost and do not compose: Meat and fish scraps, Fruit or other sweet remains, including Cooked or seasoned food.
- Remember to clean your barbecue after each use.
Ciao,
Tags: West Vancouver;
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sailing at Ambleside
Funny want you can find on the Internet. Even funnier when what you find is yourself. A lady has a blog about her travels. A post includes her trip to Ambleside Park for the Sarah McLachlan, Neil Young and Sheryl Crow concert in September 2009. She took some pictures including the one below. The pretty robin’s egg blue E2050 sail is our Enterprise dinghy. The crew and I were staging prior to the first heat of the Glenfidich Cup.
Just at the start of the race we picked up a huge piece of kelp in the rudder, cleared it and soon after discovered the lower hinge, it is called a pintal, had broken. With no rudder control the race day was over and we scored a stellar Did Not Finish, followed by four Did Not Starts (DNF, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS) in the five races for the cup.
Not such a bad day as you can see there was plenty of sun and a nice breeze. After limping back the beach the crew resorted to tanning. After the races we had BBQ and met a lot of older Hollyburn Sailing Club (HSC) members.
When the day was done, I remember asking the crew if they had enjoyed themselves. The answer: “alot of old people Dad.” It was a fair comment. It is interesting to me that HSC each summer trains hundreds of youths in sailing. Over the years thousands have been through the CYA White Sail program at HSC. I suspect many of these young sailors are the children of HSC members. Yet on a sunny late summer afternoon you will find a few older professionals tending their boats, with very few accompanying sons or daughters at the club.
In my opinion this is quite a shame for three reasons:
1) Dinghy sailing is an excellent way to teach young adults a sense of responsibility, judgement and decision making. This is even more so when racing is involved. Plus a little competive spirt never hurt anyone. Did it?
2) The HSC has a fleet of coop and training boats that are often not used outside of the training program. Graduates of the training program should be encouraged to make use of these boats on a modest fee for use basis. Greater numbers of young people active in the club would give it a refresh.
3) As Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones and her gang of taxmen have unanimously decided that the Ambleside public boat ramp is no longer in their interests and a new fish taco stand is, a significant resource supporting salmon sport fishing off the Capilano River by West Vancouver residents is to be closed this year. One would think increased use of the HSC facilities by a new West Van generation is essential to the longevity of the club.
Thank you for taking time to read my blog.
Ciao,
Tags: West vancouver;
Just at the start of the race we picked up a huge piece of kelp in the rudder, cleared it and soon after discovered the lower hinge, it is called a pintal, had broken. With no rudder control the race day was over and we scored a stellar Did Not Finish, followed by four Did Not Starts (DNF, DNS, DNS, DNS, DNS) in the five races for the cup.
Not such a bad day as you can see there was plenty of sun and a nice breeze. After limping back the beach the crew resorted to tanning. After the races we had BBQ and met a lot of older Hollyburn Sailing Club (HSC) members.
When the day was done, I remember asking the crew if they had enjoyed themselves. The answer: “alot of old people Dad.” It was a fair comment. It is interesting to me that HSC each summer trains hundreds of youths in sailing. Over the years thousands have been through the CYA White Sail program at HSC. I suspect many of these young sailors are the children of HSC members. Yet on a sunny late summer afternoon you will find a few older professionals tending their boats, with very few accompanying sons or daughters at the club.
In my opinion this is quite a shame for three reasons:
1) Dinghy sailing is an excellent way to teach young adults a sense of responsibility, judgement and decision making. This is even more so when racing is involved. Plus a little competive spirt never hurt anyone. Did it?
2) The HSC has a fleet of coop and training boats that are often not used outside of the training program. Graduates of the training program should be encouraged to make use of these boats on a modest fee for use basis. Greater numbers of young people active in the club would give it a refresh.
3) As Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones and her gang of taxmen have unanimously decided that the Ambleside public boat ramp is no longer in their interests and a new fish taco stand is, a significant resource supporting salmon sport fishing off the Capilano River by West Vancouver residents is to be closed this year. One would think increased use of the HSC facilities by a new West Van generation is essential to the longevity of the club.
Thank you for taking time to read my blog.
Ciao,
Tags: West vancouver;
Monday, April 19, 2010
Changes at Gleneagles Golf Course
Gleneagles Golf Course, located in West Vancouver, has introduced a new online booking service for the 2010 season. Tee times for up to four golfers can be reserved up to 30 days in advance. There is a requirement to register for the service that can also be completed in a few seconds online at the district’s www site.
For online tee reservations at Gleneagles click here
Online reservations are not the only thing new at Gleneagles. Opening 2-May-2010, Gleneagles will feature a new bistro style restaurant. The first day of business will be 2-May-2010. The bistro, which is privately operated, will open early to accommodate early morning tee times. The location is off the sixth fairway facing the ocean with a sweeping view of Larson Bay. The restaurant has 738 square feet of space allocated plus additional patio seating.
Gleneagles Golf Course is located at 6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C., V7W 2S3 Telephone: 604-921-7353 | Fax: 604-921-8721.
Ciao,
Tags: West Vancouver;
For online tee reservations at Gleneagles click here
Online reservations are not the only thing new at Gleneagles. Opening 2-May-2010, Gleneagles will feature a new bistro style restaurant. The first day of business will be 2-May-2010. The bistro, which is privately operated, will open early to accommodate early morning tee times. The location is off the sixth fairway facing the ocean with a sweeping view of Larson Bay. The restaurant has 738 square feet of space allocated plus additional patio seating.
Gleneagles Golf Course is located at 6190 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C., V7W 2S3 Telephone: 604-921-7353 | Fax: 604-921-8721.
Ciao,
Tags: West Vancouver;
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Dinghy Race at Hollyburn Sailing Club
Hollyburn Sailing Club will be hosting a long distance dinghy sailing race from their club house at Ambelside Beach in West Vancouver to Starboat Cove at Lighthouse Park. The race is scheduled for 11:00AM on Sunday 25-Apr-2010.
Check out Hollyburn Saling Club's other sailing events on their newly formated web pages Click this link
Ciao,
Tags: Hollyburn Sailing Club; Ambelside Beach; West Vancouver;
Check out Hollyburn Saling Club's other sailing events on their newly formated web pages Click this link
Ciao,
Tags: Hollyburn Sailing Club; Ambelside Beach; West Vancouver;
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