(Click on photos to enlarge image)

ONCE A WEEK - EVERY WEEK

Morgan, with her original pillow designs, can be found at the West End Summer Market.

FARMER'S MARKET on Comox (between Thurlow and Bute) every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stock up on fresh cherries, raspberries, and blueberries for a day at the beach. River and Sea Flowers and Warmerdam Flowers are back this year with their gorgeous bouquets of fresh cut flowers.
WEST END SUMMER ART MARKET … at Jim Deva Plaza from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. brought to you by the good folks at WE Arts. Come on out and meet your neighbours, buy some art, and mix with the artists like Morgan from "Morgan's Pillow’s, seen here! You will surely fall in love with one of these unique pillows for your home.
WEST END ORIGINALS ... Enjoy live interviews with your neighbours Saturdays through August 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Three-Quarters Full Cafe (Denman Place Mall). Sit in on the conversation with members of your community as they share their thoughts about everything from living in small spaces to dreaming big dreams. All ages welcome, and light refreshments provided. Free. Information at thechoptheatre.com.

The Wonder of Bees

Wednesday, July 4
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
West End Community Centre
$12.50 / Free for Seniors (50+)
In this joint Village Vancouver-WENFN West End Urban Garden Club workshop with Hives for Humanity, you'll learn about the culinary and home remedy uses of hive products, how to support pollinators, explore the biology, history, culture, wonder and magic of bees, and taste local honey.

There will be a community seed library present - pick up some free seeds for your garden, swap or donate seeds.

Register by calling the WECC at 604.257.8333 or in person, or through the Vancouver Recreation Bees link here.

LET'S TALK HOUSING WITH SPENCER CHANDRA HERBERT

Our MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert has spent the month of June travelling across British Columbia, listening to the challenges that renters and landlords face. He tells us that hearing people's experiences with rental homes across BC has been enlightening and inspiring.

As his travels wrap up, there is one more stop on his tour: his home and constituency, the West End/Coal Harbour, where 80 percent of residents are renters, sharing the same challenges, frustrations, and concerns.

Join Spencer at Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton) on Thursday, July 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to participate in a community meeting dedicated to the West End/Coal Harbour residents. RSVP as space is limited. This meeting will not be a typical "Town Hall", but instead an opportunity for you to join with other tenants and landlords in small groups to brainstorm possible changes to the Residential Tenancy Act to better serve everyone.

Seating is limited, so RSVP by email to s.chandraherbert.mla@leg.bc.ca or call 604.660.7307. If you can't make it out to the community meeting, you can still share your thoughts, experiences and ideas online with the Rental Housing Task Force here.

THE LIFE AND WORK OF HARRY PRIEST

An Illustrated Talk
Thursday, July 12
7 p.m.
Joe Fortes Library (870 Denman)
Free
Historian and storyteller Jolene Castillou Cumming offers an illustrated talk on the the life and photography of Harry Priest.

You may not recognize his name, but you have seen his photographs in countless B.C. history books. Through the lens of his camera this prolific photographer chronicled the events, places, and people of the Merritt area, beginning in 1908.

COMMUNITY LUNCH TIME!

Mondays through Thursdays
12 p.m.
Gordon House
Everyone is invited to lunch at Gordon Neighbourhood House. Community Lunches are an opportunity for community members to enjoy a meal together, meet new people, and catch up with friends in a casual environment.

On Mondays volunteers prepare and serve an amazing pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $2) vegan hot dish that incorporates the fresh produce from our farms.

For Tuesdays and Thursdays, Chef Peter prepares a delicious three-course menu including soup or salad, a main course, dessert and coffee/tea, all for $5.

Come out on Wednesdays for a pay-what-you-can Nourish Bowl a delicious hot meal in a bowl, typically with a layer of cooked grains on the bottom (eg. brown rice), a mix of cooked and raw seasonal vegetables, some protein (tofu, chickpeas or meat), and to top it off, a mouth watering savoury sauce.

For more information contact welcome@gordonhouse.org or 604.683.2554.

DANCE AT DUSK

Mondays and Tuesdays to August 13 and 21
Ceperley Meadow in Stanley Park
Free
Mondays the folks from Royal Scottish Country Dance and Tuesdays the Vancouver International Folk Dancers invite you to join them for an evening of lively dancing.

All ages and levels welcome, and no partner needed. Ceperley Meadow is by the old fire engine near Second Beach. And non-dancers are always welcome to come and watch … and maybe be tempted to try a turn or two!

FAMILY STORY TIME

Every Tuesday
11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Joe Fortes Library
A program for parents and caregivers with young children. Songs, rhymes and stories are shared. Suitable for pre-schooled and toddlers of all abilities to enjoy and learn together.

WEST END GAMES NIGHT

Every Other Thursday (July 12 & 26)
6 to 9 p.m.
Jim Deva Plaza
Free
Looking for a spot to play board games with friends? Or do you want to meet neighbours and learn new games? Join the fun at the West End Games Night, hosted by Young Ideas and Gordon Neighbourhood House. If you arrive solo, the friendly hosts can help form groups, and teach you new games.

ZERO WASTE REUSE & RECYCLE DROP-OFF

Saturday, July 14
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Barclay Manor parking Lot (1447 Barclay)

There's a safe way to dispose of all those things that regular recycling bins don't accept. Computers, electronics, small appliances, clean clothing and textiles and more. For a full list of accepted items visit vancouver.ca/kvs, and if you'd like to volunteer to help at this event (repeats in October) contact Brian Wong at brian.wong@vancouver.ca. And of course it's free!

BIRDS ON STILTS

It’s A Matter of Balance
Thursdays through July 12
6 to 9 p.m.
Coal Harbour Community Centre Arts & Crafts Room
Free
Learn how to walk and move on stilts. Each session includes a warmup, training and exercises intended to bring awareness to the movement habits stilts require. These workshops are for folks interested in participating in community festivals and events, including the first annual Vancouver International Bird Festival on August 20. Sessions repeat Fridays, July 13 to August 17 at the West End Community Centre Auditorium

FIRESIDE BOOK CLUB

Second & Fourth Fridays (July 6 & 20)
11 a.m. to 12 noon
Joe Fortes Library / Stanley Court Room
Free
Connect with other avid readers to talk doubt what you’ve been reading and why you love it — or didn’t! Every second and fourth Friday of the month.

July 6 is Reader’s Choice - Potpourri (as is the first meeting every month) when you can discuss whatever book you’re currently reading or recently read and share why you liked it, or didn’t. Call 604.665.3972 to inquire about the book to read for July 20's conversation.

Matilde Roedde at work in the family bookbindery. (Vancouver Archives Photo)

WOMEN OF BARCLAY STREET HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR

Sunday, July 22
1 to 3 p.m.
Meet at the corner of Barclay and Lagoon Drive
$10 cash only (sliding scale)

Another event with West End historian and storyteller Jolene Castillou Cumming (see Harry Priest talk above) will include a stroll along beautiful tree-lined Barclay Street in Vancouver’s West End and stories about the lives of more than 30 remarkable women who lived on it during the early 1900’s. Includes rare historical photographs, including Matilda Roedde, whose family originally lived in what is now the Roedde House Museum. Drop-in only, rain or shine.

SPENCER’S PRIDE BBQ FUNDRAISER

Sunday, July 22
3 to 6 p.m.
The Junction (1138 Davie)
Tickets $50 (click here)
West End NDP supporters will be kicking off their Pride celebrations with West End - Coal Harbour MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert at his BBQ fundraiser at The Junction. Enjoy an afternoon with Spencer, entertainment from talented local LGBTQ2+ performers, and a complimentary burger.