THE TALK OF THE TOWN

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What Do We Have For You This Month?

Welcome to “The Talk of The Town” for August, 2022. Scroll through the following features to find (and click on images to enlarge):

Our Lead Story

The annual celebration of light gets mixed reviews by west end residents. Are there alternatives? (Click on images to enlarge)

FIREWORKS
Is There A Better Way?

 by Lucas Pilleri

Of all the criticisms raised against fireworks, noise disturbance certainly comes top. As 2022 marked the return of the half-cherished, half-hated Celebration of Light, a three-night festival of fireworks taking place at English Bay, some people have been calling out for less disturbing options.

“We do get a handful of complaints from people,” recognizes the executive producer of Honda Celebration of Light Paul Runnals. According to him, most of them are about traffic disturbance, not necessarily noise.

To be more considerate of the West End residents, the team behind the shows has reduced the number of nights of the festival from four to three since 2011. In addition, the largest bangs are now limited. “We only allow a few of them,” Paul Runnals assures.

Are drone light shows the next big thing?

Too Loud? Fireworks can emit sounds of up to 175 decibels at the point of explosion. As a comparison, a jet take-off at a 25-meter distance produces about 150 decibels. In fact, the World Health Organization states that people can safely listen to sounds as high as 100 dB for only 15 minutes a day.

Fireworks have also proved to be a considerable stressor for certain people – veterans, people living with PTSD and on the autism spectrum, as well as pets and wildlife. One study showed that 20 percent of disappearances of pets were due to the very loud sounds of fireworks or storms.

As a result, several municipalities around the world have abandoned traditional fireworks to go silent. Or, rather, quieter. The thing is, there is no such thing as silent fireworks. Some low-key displays such as comet tails can be used, but they only offer reduced noise solutions.

Water screens also produce some impressive images.

Exploring Our Options … Cities in California, Arizona and Colorado have started to use drones and lasers on July 4 instead of the traditional shells as a way to prevent wildfires. Runnals is not convinced: “Drones are an emerging technology, we’re certainly not at a place yet where they can be considered financially or technically viable.”

Water screens offer another option. With this display, images appear to float in the air above the water, looking like holograms. Sonny Wong, creative director at Hamazaki Wong Marketing Group, fully supports this technology: “You have tremendous storytelling effects. Many stories can be communicated through the magic of an aquascreen,” he says.

Wong, who was also the general manager of the Dragon Boat Festival from 1992 to 2011 and producer of First Night 2000 at Science World, has been concerned about the "disruptive nature" of fireworks and has been exploring more sustainable forms of entertainment.

“Fireworks are just for short term enjoyment,” Wong says. “With water screens, you can create hundreds or thousands of projections, keep them in archives and show them any time of the year.” In addition, “the noise effect is the natural sound of water. And water screens can be moved from one place to another.”

Could they then be implemented at the Celebration of Light? Unfortunately no, responds Runnals: “Water screens are not viable in an ocean environment. They just don’t work when there is tidal impact. It needs to be a controlled body of water.”

Sustainable Fireworks? When fireworks explode, chemicals are released, potentially harmful to air, soil and water. That said, the industry seems to have embraced an environmental shift these past few years: “We’re getting away from some chemicals impacting the environment and air quality,” says Runnals.

The executive producer adds that fireworks are “now fully compostable.” And in terms of carbon dioxide emission, he underlines that “a 25-minute show has less impact than a patio heater on for a week.”

Whether people like it or not, the Celebration of Light is set to continue, says Runnals: “They’re incredibly popular, they generate tremendous amounts of economic benefits to the West End.”

Raymond Greenwood, widely known as “Mr. Fireworks”, was the founder of what was then the Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire in 1992, precursor to the current Celebration of Light. He agrees with Runnals assessment that drone technology is still too expensive to be viable. “Drones are the coming thing,” he acknowledges, “but I think it will still be quite a few years before we see an end to the fireworks as we know them.”

In response to suggestions that the event be rotated among several Metro Vancouver locations, Greenwood says “We actually tried that at one point. We looked into having it at Canada Place but that would put it in the middle of the shipping lanes. We even looked into having it at the Abbotsford Air Show grounds, but it turns out that they have their own noise issues and that nearby chicken farms find that at a certain noise level, their chickens bunch up in fear and literally smother each other to death. English Bay is really the only ideal location.”

So love it or hate it, or simply endure it for the season, our Symphony of Fire will be with us in its current format for some years to come.

West End News & Notes

WHY SO MANY WATER FEATURES ARE DRY
City Seeks To Save Water And Staff Report Stalled

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated August 2 to include comments from Park Board Commissioner John Coupar that were not included in the originally posted piece.

The idle fountain at Bute and Haro.
(Click on images to enlarge)

by Nate Lewis
You may have noticed dry water features around the West End and Vancouver this summer.

These features fall afoul of a City of Vancouver by-law, introduced in 2017, that prohibits the use of water features and fountains, “which do not have a water recirculation device,” in an attempt to avoid a waste of water. 

As of July 2022, there are approximately 25 water features in the city without recirculation devices, almost all of which are inactive according to a Park Board spokesperson.

This situation leaves some Vancouverites, like West End resident Charlotte Tarver, high and dry through the summer months. 

Tarver frequents the water feature at the Haro and Bute mini-park, nearby her home, and observes the people, birds, and pollinators that are drawn to the fresh water when the feature is running. 

The obelisk fountain at Pacific and Beach.

“It’s the bird life and the insect population that I’m concerned about because when there’s no water where are they going to go?”, Tarver wondered.

Tarver said the feature is enjoyed by children who are disappointed when they see it turned off, and by seniors from nearby Haro Park Centre who are coming to the area less these days.

While the Park Board figure out what they’re going to do with Vancouver’s outdated water features in the long-term, Tarver has a simple request:

“Can’t we just turn the water on for now? So life can go on,” she asked.

When West End residents Judy Graves and James Oakes – an editor-at-large with The West End Journal – petitioned Mayor Kennedy Stewart, Commissioner Coupar, and General Manager of Parks Donnie Rosa to turn on three water features in the West End, they were referred to 3-1-1, the City’s contact centre. 

In response, staff at the contact centre sent a feedback form [shared by the complainant Oakes] to the Park Board GM’s office, which include a pointed message: 

“In regards to decommissioned water features throughout the City the citizen has reached out to the following people. Commissioner Coupar - No response; GM of Parks - No response. He also physically dropped off a letter at the Mayor’s office where he was directed back to 311. There is a real communication problem between the Parks and City.” 

This message received a quick response from staff at the GM of Parks office, who noted that water features which don’t recirculate water “use millions of litres of treated drinking water every year.” 

Daniel Roehr is a landscape architect and an associate professor at UBC whose research focuses on urban water systems. Roehr called the lack of recirculation devices in local water features “unacceptable” and “out of date”.

“The issue [in Metro Vancouver] is, because of climate change, the snow cap is reducing each year and we have less water in the reservoirs in most cases over the last 10 years,” explained Roehr.

The Barclay Heritage Square fountain.

“It rains in winter, but not enough in summer when we need it most… So the drinking water is too valuable often.”

Park Board’s move to shut these features off is “the right thing to do,” Roehr said, adding that they should be redesigned.

“We should not be using any drinking water for fountains. We should be using recycled water,” he said. To do that, Roehr added, each feature will need to be mapped and individually redesigned because each one will need a water reservoir nearby to clean, store, and recirculate water.

That means fixing these water features so they can operate sustainably will require surrounding infrastructure to be adapted or built new, rather than only needing the installation of a device.

At least 13 fountains, ponds, and watercourses across the city are non-functional or have fallen into a state of disrepair according to a motion from Vancouver Park Board Commissioner and mayoral candidate John Coupar.  

Commissioner’s Coupar’s motion – submitted in May 2021 – called for an inventory of water features in the Park Board system, including a timeline and cost estimates for necessary upgrades and repairs to the non-functional features. 

“When I brought in my first motion, I was assured by staff that they were working on a lot of these things,” Coupar told TWEJ. As a result, Coupar withdrew his motion to give staff time to complete that work.

More than a year later, in July 2022, an updated version of Coupar’s motion was brought before Park Board Commissioners in the penultimate meeting of their term.

“Over the time, while I know they were working on [the water features], I didn’t see – I would say – enough action… my anticipation was that it would be quicker,” he said. Coupar’s motion was defeated by a 4-3 vote and consideration of the motion was deferred until Park Board staff submit an updated and expanded version of the Park Board’s Water Conversation Action Plan, which is expected at the beginning of 2023.

“The Board voted to defer Commissioner Coupar’s motion until the report was presented to the Board, so more information will be available in due course,” a Park Board spokesperson told TWEJ when reached for comment.

Of course, the Vancouver municipal elections, including all seven elected Park Board commissioner seats, will take place beforehand in October 2022. 

“I thought there would be more work with the City to try and at least get an exemption on some of the major features,” Coupar added.

Asked why some water features that were operational as recently as last year are now turned off, Park Board indicated that last year’s extreme weather conditions – especially the heat dome – “highlighted the need for more stringent and proactive measures to conserve the region’s water supply.”

Ultimately, it’s bad news for the West Enders who hoped to get the water running this summer.

The water fountains and features that have been turned off in the West End will remain off this summer the Park Board said, as they evaluate which ones can be retrofit to use less water in the future.

Ram Dhoot at Gordon Neighbourhood House invites you to pick up a Cool Kit for yourself or a neighbour who needs one.

COOL KITS, SUMMER IN THE CITY
Supplies To Help Survive The Heat

Okay, not everyone will get The Lovin' Spoonful reference, but stay with us. The City of Vancouver and Gordon Neighbourhood House (GNH) are piloting the distribution of 150 free ‘Cool Kits’ to help individuals on the downtown peninsula who are at higher risk for heat-related illness. Each kit contains a number of simple items to help people understand the temperature inside their homes, and cool their bodies on hot days.  

Anyone can pick-up a Cool Kit. Ideally, they are trying to reach neighbours who are at higher risk for heat-related illness, are functionally able to use the kits, and who may be less likely to visit an air-conditioned space.

Your neighbours who are at higher risk for heat related illlness include: seniors, especially those living alone; anyone known to have chronic health or mental health conditions including high blood pressure, COPD, substane use disorers, schizophrenia, mood and anxiety issues, or diabetes; or folks without AC units in their home.

Recipients should have access to a freezer (for the gel packs). Participants who don’t have access to a freezer can still receive a kit, however they may wish to not take the gel packs.

The Cool Kits contents include: A plastic tote that can be used as a foot bath or as a container for sponge baths; an indoor thermometer to help people determine the temperature inside their home; two gel packs that can be frozen or chilled and applied to the body to cool off; a cooling towel that can be soaked in water and used to cool the body; a spray bottle to keep your body and cooling towel wet; a water bottle to keep hydrated; a one-page Cool Kit user guide explaining how to use the kit items (in multiple languages); and a copy of the PreparedBC Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide (multiple languages).

Cool Kits will be available at the GNH reception desk at at 1019 Broughton, while supplies last. No ID, medical, or supporting documents are required. GNH is open Monday to Friday from 10:00am-3:00pm (closed on holidays).

If you have questions about this initiative, or cannot reach GNH during operating hours, call (604) 683-2554 or email welcome@gordonhouse.org.

JOIN THE WEST END SENIORS’
NETWORK BOARD

The West End Seniors’ Network (WESN) is celebrating its’ 40th year, and now with their Annual General Meeting just around the corner, the WESN Board is looking for new people to assist, support and contribute to ongoing governance.

Being on the WESN board is a rich and rewarding experience. This is a chance to make an impact on the direction of the West End Seniors’Network, and the opportunity to delve into topics of greater interest to you and your community, including fundraising, membership, and special events.

It does require some homework and time commitment to support board activities, especially as WESN re-launches activities and programs paused during COVID. but the rewards are … well, rewarding!

For more information please reach out via: email with your C.V. or a short note as to what skills you would bring to: board@wesn.ca


Arts & Entertainment

THE EMPRESS OF VANCOUVER
Documentary Celebrates Vancouver Empress X and Davie Village Icon

It has been 40 years since Vancouver's first official Pride parade, which was led by Oliv Howe, the tenth and most unruly Empress of the Dogwood Monarchist Society. The irreverent, genre bending documentary The Empress of Vancouver follows Oliv as she prepares for the 40th anniversary of her coronation, immersing viewers in 1980  “the last great party before AIDS” - a time vibrantly brought to life through Gayblevision - Canada’s first gay broadcast network - and in stunning, never before seen photographs by Vancouver artist Oraf.

Oliv with Oraf. (Oraf Photo)

Director Dave Rodden-Shortt  of Lantern Films hopes that the film “inspires people to reflect on the value of non-conformity. The queer community has spent decades seeking equal status through the courts and public opinion, but at what cost? I really value Oliv's discussion of homo-normativity - the idea of gaining acceptance by showing how "normal" we are rather than celebrating queerness itself, without compromise. I also think the film explores the idea of history itself. What does history look like when we view it through a single person's lens?” 

The film features an original soundtrack by celebrated indie rock darling Cindy Lee. A labour of love, the director is also co-producer, co-writer, cinematographer, animator, and editor.

The Empress of Vancouver’s Vancouver premiere will be the opening gala screening at this year’s Vancouver Queer Film Festival on August 11 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. The premiere will also be accompanied by the launch of the ted north documentary film fund - a donation based fund set up through the Vancouver Foundation.

Find more information and purchase tickets here.

West End Moments

West End Street Names

The Honourable Hugh Nelson

NELSON STREET

With so many Vancouver streets named for famous British military types one might think that Nelson was so called in honour of the famed admiral Lord Nelson. Not so.

The street name is actually a tip of the hat to the Honourable Hugh Nelson (1830 - 1893) who was an Irish-born B.C. businessman and politician who made his fortune in the Cariboo gold rush. Elected in 1870 to represent New Westminster in the BC legislative council, he went on to become New Westminster’s first federal MP in 1871 after B.C. joined Confederation.

He ran the Moodyville Sawmill from 1875 to 1882, became a senator in 1879, and was B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor from 1887 to 1892.

As well as the West End street, the City of Nelson was also named in his honour.

The West End - Coal Harbour In The News

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Kevin Dale McKeown
Editor & Publisher
editor@thewestendjournal.ca