THE TALK OF THE TOWN
/What Do We Have For You This Month?
Welcome to “The Talk of The Town” for April, 2025. Click on the following links to find:
West End News & Notes: Two elections, a new executive director at Gordon Neighbourhood House, the passing of a West End legend, new parking zones, and more.
West End Street & Lane Names: Vancouver’s streets and lanes each has their own history. Here’s the story of Stovold Lane.
West End News & Notes
ELECTION #1 - VOTE FOR TWO CITY COUNCILLORS ON APRIL 5
With the April 5 civic election just five days away from the launch of the April issue of The West End Journal, here’s your last notification to get out and vote! There are 13 candidates in the running with two City Council seats up for grabs.
Most of the council candidates showed up for the West End Community Centre’s all-candidates forum in late March (see photo below). The two ABC candidates, Ralph Kaisers and Jaime Stein, declined to attend. Also no-shows at the forum were independent candidates Roller Girl and Gerry McGuire, who did not respond to invitations.
The party policies and platforms of those candidates that were published at press time can be found here:
ABC: https://abcvancouver.ca/platform/. Basic by-election page (https://abcvancouver.ca/.../://abcvancouver.ca/byelection/
COPE – https://www.copevancouver.ca/ and https://www.votecope.ca/values
Vancouver Greens – https://www.vangreens.ca and https://www.vangreens.ca/principles
OneCity – https://www.onecityvancouver.ca/lucy_maloney, and https://www.onecityvancouver.ca/platform_2025
TEAM for a Livable Vancouver - https://www.voteteam.ca/our-positions
The candidates, from the left, at the West End Community Centre’s all-candidates forum: ANnette Reilly (Green); Sean Orr (COPE); Lucy Maloney (One City); Karen Litzcke (Ind.); Charles Ling (Ind.); Guy Dubé (Ind.); Jeanifer Decena (Ind.); Colleen Hardwick and Theodore Abbott (TEAM); and moderator, The West End Journal's editor Kevin Dale McKeown.
ELECTION #2 - YOUR CHOICES FOR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
Canadians Go To The Polls April 28
The writ was dropped and the race is on. Four candidates are running to represent Vancouver Centre in the House of Commons. The West End Journal has reached out to each campaign requesting a statement of policies and positions regarding issues of specific concern to West Enders, but had not heard back from everyone by our April launch date. We will add further information here as it comes available.
You can visit and contact their campaigns online here:
ALL-CANDIDATES MEETING: There will be an all-candidates meeting at the West End Community Centre at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧
Programs and Events at West End & Coal Harbour Community Centres
As days get longer and more blossoms start appearing, our community centres are a special part of the leap into springtime.
You’ll find excellent courses and great instructors at affordable prices. Register early, as things fill up very fast.
Download and explore explore the Spring Recreation Guide here:
View and register for programs here.
THREE NEW WEST END PERMIT PARKING ZONES
Changes Starting in May
In 2017, Vancouver City Council approved a plan to divide the West End permit parking zone into three areas, restricting permit holders to parking only in their designated zone.
Starting in May resident parking will be restricted to These three specific zones. (click image to enlarge)
The rational, as stated in a brochure available at the permit parking desk at the West End Community Centre, is that many West End area permit holders drive and park in popular locations like shopping centres, beaches, and business areas. This makes it harder for local residents to find parking near their homes, especially during busy hours.
The City hopes that dividing the West End into three zones will solve these issues.
The three zones, as outlined on this map, are Denman West, West End Plateau, and Davie-Beach. Each permit holder will receive a decal with a shape and colour unique to their zone. There are some allowances for “Legacy Permit” non-market and low income rates.
You’ll find details on the City website here.
NEWS FROM GORDON NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE
Thanh Lam Named Executive Director
Last month, Gordon Neighbourhood House announced the appointment of Thanh Lam as executive director.
Thanh Lam
The appointment is “more than a leadership role—it’s a full-circle moment,” according to the announcement. Growing up in neighbourhood houses, Lam attended a Vietnamese language school at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House (MPNH), where a passion for community work first took root.
Over the past decade, Lam’s career has been dedicated to neighbourhood houses, starting as a youth worker and growing into key leadership roles at MPNH. It was there that Lam experienced firsthand the power of mentorship, connection, and creating spaces where people feel seen and supported.
“I’m looking forward to supporting the amazing team at Gordon Neighbourhood House as we continue serving the community with compassion and purpose,” Lam said.
Gordon Neighbourhood House was founded in 1942 as a place for residents in Vancouver’s Downtown-West End neighbourhoods to drop by for a cup of coffee. Today, the organization works closely with local residents, businesses and organizations to create dozens of programs, services and initiatives that respond to the needs and dreams of the West End neighbourhood.
“From childcare to seniors programs, we walk with our community through every chapter of life,” as their website puts it.
Gordon Neighbourhood House is a charitable organization that relies on the support of public partners, donors and volunteers. To learn more about how you can help out, please click here.
Delilah Miles.
A WEST END LEGEND PASSES
Many, many West Enders have great memories of the years that Delilah’s restaurant, in the basement of Haro Street’s Buchan Hotel, was a happening place and the home of celebrated martinis. Delililah passed away on March 7. Her brother Barry Miles shares the following tribute:
”Sadly on March 7, 2025, Vancouver lost a legend… my exceptional sister Delilah Miles. Delilah was a character who lived her life to the fullest. She chose to walk her own path in life, innately blessed with a ton of charisma, and a unique sense of style.
“She will be remembered as an icon in the history of Vancouver’s vibrant restaurant scene. Delilah’s opened in 1984 in the West End and was famous for introducing cocktail martinis to Vancouver. It was at that very bar that Delilah introduced my wife and I back in 1986.
“Anyone who knew Delilah loved her zest for life, her generosity and her wicked sense of humour. She will be missed by many and always have a very special place in my heart.”
West End Street & Lane Names
West End street names were established when Lauchlan Hamilton laid out the street grid in the late 1800s, and — while some are contemporarily contentious — they have remained. In 2017 the City started naming eight of the lane ways that run east and west through the West End. Here are their stories.
STOVOLD LANE
by Lucas Pilleri
Kathleen (Kay) Stovold was a longtime West End resident and community advocate for seniors and people with disabilities.
Kay Stovold (Vancouver City Archives)
Born in England in 1911, she immigrated to Canada during World War II after she lost her first husband. She then married Len Stovold in what would become a 54-year-long marriage.
In 1979, Kay co-founded and became president of the West End Seniors Network (WESN), which operates out of a beautiful Edwardian house on Barclay Street known as the Barclay Manor.
At that time Kay was part of a small group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to offer a better life for the thousands of seniors living in the West End. Today, the WESN provides them with a broad range of programs and services, and more than 200 volunteers are contributing to the network.
Part of the organization is Kay’s Place, a drop-in space for seniors, to enjoy a cup of coffee, a daily newspaper or rest on their way home with their groceries. The centre is located in Denman Place Mall. Find out more about their current operations here.
Stovold was engaged in many boards, work groups, and conferences, among which were the St. Paul’s Hospital Advisory Committee, the City Council Special Seniors Advisory Committee, New Horizons, and the BC Seniors Medication Awareness Project.
In 1999, Vancouver’s mayor and its council honoured the social activist at city hall with ‘Kay Stovold Day’. In 2000, she received the Community Service Award from Volunteer Vancouver. A Memorial Fund was established on Stovold’s death in 2001 to honour her lifelong commitment to seniors. The fund is managed by VanCity Community Foundation and helps support Kay’s Place. You can make donations here.
SUPPORT YOUR WEST END - COAL HARBOUR COMMUNITY MEDIA
The West End Journal, including “The Talk of The Town”, is made possible by local advertising and monthly contributions from our Faithful Readers Circle. If you would like to support your community media, please visit our fundraising site here to contribute any amount from $5 a month up.
If you have a business in the West End / Coal Harbour neighbourhood, check out our advertising rates and information page here.
Thank you!
Kevin Dale McKeown
Editor & Publisher
editor@thewestendjournal.ca
