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 September, 2022. Scroll through the following features to find (and click on images to enlarge):

Our Lead Story

OUR TREES ARE DYING
And It’s Only Getting Worse

In many areas, Stanley Park now looks like a dying, brown forest.

by Lucas Pilleri

Hot, dry weather and insects are taking out our local flora

While walking around the West End or Stanley Park recently, you may have noticed a lot of trees turning brown – or simply dying. And if you’ve walked underneath these beloved shade providers, a few caterpillars may have landed on you.

“These are looper moths,” explains Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Dave Demers. “They considerably weaken the trees that were already stressed with the drought we’ve been having these past few years.”

Looper larvae, now turning into butterflies, feed on the needles of conifers. Their favourite food: hemlocks, Douglas firs, and red cedars. The defoliation they provoke, coupled with the lack of rain, can kill the tree in about a year.

Although small, the insect has a big impact. “It’s a relatively known pathogen in forestry,” says Demers. “It works in cycles of seven to ten years. We won’t have them for a few years, then they come back. And they spread like wildfire.”

Other sources state that the moths typically last for four years and come back every 11 to 15 years. The exact timing may vary by region.

Looper moths lay their eggs in early autumn on trunks and lower branches. In May and June the eggs hatch and young larvae crawl towards the upper tree crowns to feed on fresh buds and foliage.

Defoliated trees in Stanley Park.

Once older, the larvae launch their descent in the summer time along those silken threads you may have encountered, in order to feed voraciously on lower foliage. The adult moths then fly from August to October, dying after having laid their eggs.

SAVING OUR TREES … West End street trees are also having a hard time lately. Many residents have noticed broken branches as well as the trunks of fallen or cut trees. Some trees have been cut for safety reasons, such as those nearby Lord Roberts Elementary School on Comox Street.

“The life of a street tree isn’t easy,” says Demers, mostly because of the conditions under which they were planted. “They’re stuck between the street and the buildings, with a very small soil volume and limited water access. The materials used around them are waterproof and with the drought and heat we’ve had these past years the conditions are catastrophic.”

What to do with dead or dying trees? Demers explains that the situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis: “Each tree is visited about every seven years. But if a tree is deemed dangerous, people can call the City.” To request tree maintenance residents are encouraged to reach out to the City here.

“Nature is not tidy,” reminds Nina Shoroplova, author of the 2020 book Legacy of Trees: Purposeful Wandering in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. “Follow nature’s example, do not tidy up, let the branches fall and stay on the ground, because their moisture and organic material are needed,” she says.

A West End resident, Shoroplova believes trees should be everybody’s responsibility, not just the City’s. “There is so much to do. Drive less, walk more. Stay on the trails. Go water the trees that are unhappy on your street!” she suggests.

Demers agrees we shouldn’t act on dead trees in Stanley Park. “The idea is to let nature take its course. Dead trees are profitable to a large number of park residents. When they fall, they help regenerate the soil, and other trees and plants will grow on top. It’s part of the nature’s cycle.”

A downed catalpa.

After some street and other trees were removed lately, people expressed their discontent online, which can make it harder for the Park Board to take action. “People get attached,” recognizes Demers. “But we need to keep the big picture in mind. When we need to remove a few trees to build a biking lane, we may not have the choice. As long as we replant and take care of our canopy, it’s fine.”

BETTER PLANTING … With climate change intensifying, the way we develop our urban green spaces needs to evolve. “Our native ecosystem dries out very quickly,” underlines Lorien Nesbitt, assistant professor in Urban Forestry and Environmental Justice at the UBC Department of Forest Resources Management.

Red cedars, maples, and spurs are particularly vulnerable to dry weather. As a result, we need to plant more and differently, argues the scholar: “Whenever a tree is removed, we should replant two. And a wider variety of trees,” she says.

The UBC Professor strongly supports a change of paradigm: “Trees are not given enough room, they have poor soil quality and limited access to water. They’re usually planted in an environment after all the grey infrastructure has already gone in. We need to create more space for trees in our city, and to prioritize protecting them.”

After all, the City of Vancouver has established a goal of increasing the urban canopy by 22 percent by 2050. With harsher and harsher climate, planners and urbanists will need to change their ways if this target is to be reached.

West End News & Notes

WECCA ‘s new executive director Ekaterina Ungvitskaya.

NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE LEADERSHIP An Executive Director Takes The Reins

The West End Community Centre Association (WECCA), which operates the Denman Street West End Community Centre, the Coal Harbour Community Centre on Broughton, and Barclay Manor, has announced the appointment of Ekaterina Ungvitskaya as the organization’s new executive director.

Ekaterina, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Social Sciences and a post-baccalaureate Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences from SFU, comes to WECCA with ten years experience working in the non-profit sector.

Her previous positions have included program director, service delviery and operations with Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, program development manager with the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, and settlement case manager with the Immigrant Services Society of BC.

Bob Williams enjoys a relaxing moment at his favorite West End coffee shop.

A POLITICAL MEMOIR
Longtime West Ender Tells His Story

Eighty-nine-year-old Bob Williams is a frequent sight at his favorite West End neighborhood coffee shop, but only a few of his fellow habitues are aware that they are in the presence of a legendary British Columbian mover and shaker.

They’d be well advised to pick up a copy of his newly released memoir Using Power Well (Nightwood Editions), written with Ben Isitt and Thomas Bevan and learn more about their genial neighbour.

First elected to public office as a Vancouver City Councillor, Williams was considered the most powerful cabinet minister in B.C.’s first NDP government in the 1970s, where he played a key role in establishing the Agricultural Land Reserve and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the creation of Robson Square, B.C. Housing, and the Sea Bus, to mention just a few of his initiatives.

After politics he went on to chair ICBC, sit on the board of VanCity Credit Union, and own and operate the Railway Club bar.

Using Power Well is replete with tales of his working class childhood, political inside stories, backroom wheeling and dealing, his betrayal by then premier Dave Barrett, and his final resignation from the government in the face of threats of being outed as gay.

There’s much more to be said and shared about this remarkable man. For starters, read Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer’s coverage of the book here.

A new art installation at Davie and Cardero will complement the color of English Bay sunsets.

LIGHT UP THE STREET!
Public Art Illuminates Davie

A fair sized crowd gathered at Robson and Cardero the evening of August 9 to listen to live music, enjoy a free buffet, and take in the unveiling of Zephyr, a new public art installation by artist Neil Campbell.

The installation, commissioned by Westbank and Crombie REIT, the developers of the mixed-use retail and residential building also called Zephyr, is meant to enliven the streetscape at the corner dominated by the new Safeway by means of a series of large light boxes.

Campbell's creation generates a colorful and rhythmic display that, according to the creator, "can be seen as both an echo and a celebration of the neighbourhood’s vibrant character.”

Zephyr is designed to respond to its changing environment, illuminating at sunset according to the time of day and season. The colours of the display will also evolve over time.

The artist, who lives and works in Vancouver, studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Vancouver School of Art, and Concordia University in Montreal. His work has been the subject of major international exhibitions, most recently at Esker Foundation, Calgary; Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver and Palazzo Fortuny, Venice.

Danial Market is open for business. (Kim Peters Photo)

BELOVED CORNER STORE IS BACK!
Danial Market Reopens

They’re back and open for business. The long-awaited return of Danial Market, under the beloved and classic old sign "Barclay Grocery" has reopened after being closed nearly two years for renovations.

Tony is happy to be welcoming old customers and new to the newly renovated Danial Market. (James Oakes Photo)

The building had major structural problems, including parts of the building that were sinking. The floor was unstable and consequently, the store had to close in November 2020.

What made things trickier is that the building hosting the grocery store is on the Vancouver Heritage Register.

The place was built in the early 1900s by Ontario-born Albert Blain who took advantage of the waterline along Nicola and the proximity of the streetcar line on Robson.

Another heritage value of the building is the vintage neon sign that reads “Barclay Grocery”. The sign was taken down during the renovations, but has been rebuilt and returned to the corner as part of the project.

At first, tenants Danial and Tony Shah, who have been operating the place since 2001, thought that the repairs would be an easy job. But the work needed was significant. and now it’s done.

The neighbours are delighted!

YOUR FALL RECREATION GUIDE

The quarterly guide for all things recreational at the West End Community Centre, Coal Harbour Community Centre, and Barclay Manor is now available, and program registration is up and running online, by phone, and in-person.

This is your complete guide to all the events, activities, and services available at these three West End - Coal Harbour community hubs. Sports, fitness, health and wellness, games, clubs, dance, drama, and much, much more for adults, children, families, and seniors.

Find more information and links to view and download the Guide here.

Mark Your Calendar

THE EMPRESS OF VANCOUVER … This documentary on the life and times of Oliv Howe, the 10th Empress of the Vancouver Dogwood Monarchist Society, was the opening gala screening at his year’s Vancouver Queer Film Festival and will now have a six-day run at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Hear stories of Vancouver’s drag subculture back in the before times, and of the deep-seated ignorance, suspicion and homophobia faced by the queer community as a whole and the pivotal moment in civic politics that opened the door to change. (Take a bow, Mike Harcourt.) This is fascinating social history, but it’s also a celebration of lives lived out loud and proud. Information and tickets here.

90 DAYS - A World Premier … In commemoration of 50th anniversary of the forced exodus of Asians from Uganda, many of whom landed on Canadian shores and have built a life here Western Gold Theatre presents “90 Days”, the world premiere of a powerful piece of theatre by local playwright Salim Rahemtulla. Based on Rahemtulla's own experiences, 90 Days brings one of the largest expulsions of the 20th century to life through the lens of a modest Ismaili family tearing themselves away from what they thought was home. At PAL Studio Theatre (581 Cardero) September 8 to 25. Information and tickets here.

SO … September 23 to October 8 at Mole Gallery (1157 Pendrell / Enter from the rear on Jepson-Yng Lane). A longtime resident of the West End’s Mole Hill community, Robert J Carter has had several exhibitions at Mole Gallery prior to the COVID pandemic. Read more about the artist and his work in The West End Journal’s “Artists Among Us” feature from September of last year here.

WESN AGM … The West End Seniors’ Network holds its 2022 AGM on Friday, September 23 at Barclay Manor, for 1 to 4 p.m. Meet the board and WESN staff members, vote on new board members, learn about future plans, and stay for lunch and enjoy the Backspin Bluegrass band. Get or renew your membership here.

West End Moments

West End Street Names

NICOLA STREET

A memorial to Chief N’Kwala unveiled in 1960.

While most of the streets in the West End are named for Europeans, Nicola Street is a noteworthy exception. One of the most important chiefs in the Shuswap area in the mid-1800s was, according to some recrods, called Nicolas (or Nikwalas), sometimes translated as “Victorious Among Men” and in other reports as “Walking Grizzly Bear”. Born between 1780 and 1785, he was one of four children to Chief Rolls-Over-The-Earth, the third chief in the lineage of Okanagan chiefs.

Digging a little deeper, The West End Journal contacted several interior museums and archives. Gwyneth Evans, the research coordinator at the Museum & Archives of Vernon was able to tell us that the currently acknowledged rendition of the chief’s name is N’Kwala, and that as he died in 1859, before photography was commonly in use, they have been unable to source any verifiable images. However, she did share the artistic rendering of his profile that was unveiled on a monument/headstone erected in his memory in a cemetery on Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) land in 1960.

The name was first applied to an inland waterway by French speaking fur traders, who pronounced it Nicola. Grand Chief N’Kwala was an influential figure from the time of the first fur-trading fort went up in 1811 until his death in 1859. He encouraged trade, sharing local knowledge with the Europeans, and often accompanied them on their trips.

The West End - Coal Harbour In The News

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Thank you!
Kevin Dale McKeown
Editor & Publisher
editor@thewestendjournal.ca