Literacy foundation builds new partnership in Renfrew-Collingwood
BY JULIE CHENG
Grade 1 students Matthew and Derek (left to right) proudly display the books they chose to take home with them. “The cover is very cool,” says Matthew. “I think this book is good,” says Derek. Photos by Julie Cheng
“Thank YOU!” The heartfelt, joyous chorus of the students was music to the ears. As the grade 4/5 students filed out of the room, each clutching a book provided free by Books for Me!, Mary Ann Cummings beamed.
“It’s really wonderful to see how excited these kids are,” she said. Mary Ann is the president and a founding member of Books for Me! Literacy Foundation, a Vancouver-based charity that puts donations of new or gently used books directly in the hands of children.
Mid January, Mary Ann, Books for Me! secretary and co-founder Dana Hirst, first-time volunteer Mai Doan, along with teacher-librarian Dee Mochrie and principal Lani Morden, were on hand to deliver the first batch of books to Graham Bruce Elementary School students.
A retired lawyer, Mary Ann saw the importance of literacy first hand when she worked with prison inmates as a law student. “I became convinced literacy is the key—you need to have those skills to prosper in society,” she said.
Grade 1 student Jaylene carefully places a bookplate in her book with the help of Dana Hirst, a founding member of Books for Me!
Indeed, you could say supporting children’s literacy is one of the best investments in the future. Studies show that children who have books in their home reach a higher education level.
As of January 1, 2014, Books for Me! has placed more than 14,700 books with kids through programs at 11 locations, including Collingwood Neighbourhood School, Collingwood Neighbourhood House and Thunderbird Community Centre.
Programs such as Books for Me! encourage reading in the home. As Family Literacy Day this January 27 highlighted, it is critical for parents and caregivers to read daily with their children and to make books and reading an integral part of their family lives. Reading, even 15 minutes a day, is important to a child’s development.
Books for Me! also organizes and funds school visits by children’s book authors. “We’re so excited because author Jacqueline Pearce is coming in April,” Principal Morden said.
Danny, Tanner, Sydney and Anya check out the variety of books on display.
Books for Me! welcomes volunteers and donations of books. If you are interested in volunteering or hosting a book drive at your place of work, please contact booksformevancouver@gmail.com. You can visit www.booksformevancouver.org for more information.
Julie Cheng is the editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.
Copyright (c) 2014 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News
Tuedon Ariri’s amazing journey from Collingwood to École Nationale de Cirque
BY SOREN ELSAY
Tuedon Ariri practising contorsion straps at the Ecole. Photo by Mathieu Doyon
For most people, running away to join the circus is merely a pipe dream or an empty threat aimed at one’s parents. However, for one Collingwood resident, this fantasy has become a reality. Tuedon Ariri is currently attending École Nationale de Cirque in Montreal, one of the most prestigious circus schools in the world, where the 17 year old has just entered the first year of the Diploma of Collegial Studies in Circus Arts program.
Ariri got her start in gymnastics in the Collingwood area at a very young age. “When I was really young, about four or five [years old], my mom decided to put me in a [gymnastics] class in the Collingwood area just for fun,” Ariri recalls.
After a couple of years of participating on a recreational level with rhythmic gymnastics, Ariri was ready for a new challenge. In the years following her first competition at the age of seven, Ariri began dedicating herself to her new-found passion, training with former Olympic gold medalist Lori Fung.
“We would train 24 hours a week, every morning from six until 10, head to school and then occasionally train again after from four until eight at night,” explains Ariri. All of this hard work paid off as Ariri had success in tournaments on provincial, national and international levels all before her 16th birthday.
As part of her year-round training, Ariri would attend the École Nationale de Cirque summer camp in Montreal in the summers leading up to grades 8, 9 and 10. This is where Ariri’s life took a drastic turn.
“In my third year [the school] decided to hold auditions at the summer camp,” explains Ariri. “I decided to try out just for fun and to see what it was like in case I ever wanted to attend the school.” It turned out that Ariri passed the audition with flying colours and was offered an opportunity to finish the last three years of high school at the National Circus School on the opposite side of the country in Montreal.
With only four days to make a decision, Ariri faced a huge decision, on whether to give up rhythmic gymnastics and the life she knew in favour of joining the Circus. “It was a hard decision but in the end I decided to go because it was such a good opportunity and it’s also something that you could have a career in.”
Tuedon Ariri typically spends 12 hours a day training at the impressive facilities at the École Nationale de Cirque, including this three-storey gym seen in the background complete with cables and counterweights hanging from the ceiling and a trampoline built into the floor. Photo by Julie Cheng
Once enrolled at the school, Ariri’s high school experience became anything but normal. “It [consisted] of four hours of training a day, then five hours of regular school activities,” says Ariri.
After graduating from high school last spring, Ariri is now enrolled in the three-year post-graduate program offered by the school. She has chosen to specialize in contortion straps, where her gymnast background gives her a definite boost. Although her upper body strength is still improving, the creativity and freedom of it are what really drew Ariri to the contortion straps in the first place.
On a typical weekday, Ariri puts in about 12 hours of work. “On Wednesdays I start at 8:30 am but arrive around 8:00 to warm up and stretch, then an hour of hula-hoop class, an hour of straps which is my specialty, an hour of dance, an hour of acrobatics, after lunch I have an hour of juggling, then an hour of physical preparation (gym, weights ), two hours of acting, a break for dinner, and then two hours of English class,” Ariri explains.
Like most of the students, after graduation Ariri plans on pursuing a career in the circus. “There are many other circuses in Montreal that are very high quality and many over in Europe, but I would love to work for Cirque du Soleil personally.”
It is fair to say that Tuedon Ariri is not living your typical teenage life. While it may be a lot of long days full of hard work, Ariri is achieving a long-lost fantasy for many people, running off to join the circus, and loving every moment of it.
Soren Elsay is a second year student at the University of B.C. and an aspiring writer.
Copyright (c) 2013 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News
Julie Cheng’s purchases from a recent trip to Trout Lake Market include a crisp kohlrabi, which her kids love to eat raw.
September is an especially good time to take advantage of the summer harvest. For great taste and nutrition, there’s nothing better than just-picked fruits and veggies from the farm. In Renfrew-Collingwood, we’re lucky we can hop on the Skytrain and find ourselves at a local farmers market within 15 minutes on various days of the week.
My kids love it when I pick up a fresh kohlrabi from the market. They eat it raw, sliced thin. For them it’s a refreshing, yummy treat; for me it’s a good source of vitamin C (which helps your body absorb iron) and B vitamins (good for the nerves and brain), potassium and calcium.
Let’s hop aboard and meet at the market!
Skytrain stop: Nanaimo
Zone 1; 5 minutes from Renfrew-Collingwood stations
On the way to Trout Lake Market, check out this innovative space-saving strawberry planter at the community garden. Photo by Julie Cheng
From Joyce-Collingwood or 29th Avenue stations, take the Expo or Millennium line, heading to Waterfront station.
Exit Nanaimo station. Cross Nanaimo Street heading east and walk down the Skytrain path, stopping by the community gardens along the way.
Head north (towards the mountains) til you reach Trout Lake, also known as John Hendry Park.
If leaving from Rupert station, stop at Renfrew station and walk east along Grandview Highway (12th Avenue) for about 10 minutes. You’ll hit the north end of Trout Lake.
Head to the far north parking lot.
Andy and Dad entertain shoppers at Trout Lake Market. Photo by Julie Cheng
Trout Lake Market (every Saturday until October 19 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm). One of the longest-running and most popular markets in Vancouver, Trout Lake Market is always jam-packed. There are often lineups for the food trucks such as Vij’s Railway Express.
It’s not all about food. The scene is colourful and festive with musicians playing and face-painting for kids and kids at heart. In addition to the fresh produce, from apples and peaches to beets and turnips, you can pick up fresh-baked bread and pies, meat and cheese, salmon and oysters, and lots more. If it’s organic, even better!
Skytrain stop: Main Street
Zone 1; 10 minutes from Renfrew-Collingwood stations
Take the Expo or Millennium line, heading to Waterfront station. Stop at Main Street station. The market is located at Main and Terminal, at Thornton Park and across from the VIA Rail Station.
Main Street Market (every Wednesday until October 2nd from 3:00 to 7:00 pm). This market is perfect for commuters heading home. Why not stop and pick up some dinner here? While here, check out the beaux-arts style VIA Rail Station, which was completed in 1919.
Skytrain stop: Yaletown-Roundhouse
Zone 1; 15 minutes from Renfrew-Collingwood stations
Take the Expo or Millennium line, heading to Waterfront station. Stop at Granville Station and transfer to the Canada Line heading to Richmond. Stop at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station.
Yaletown Market (every Thursday until September 26 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm). Located in historic Yaletown just outside the Yaletown-Roundhouse Skytrain station, this is a new market for 2013. It’s on Mainland Street between Helmcken and Davie. Stay awhile to browse the neighbourhood boutiques afterwards or stop for a coffee or ice cream in a nearby café.
Find more info on the above farmers markets at EatLocal.org.
(R to L) Fresh Roots’ Marc Schutzbank, intern Damaris Galvez, Van Tech grade 12 student Karen Wasdeb and customer Sara Ross. Photo by Julie Cheng
Skytrain stop: Renfrew
There’s a new urban farm in our neighbourhood, and it’s run by local students with the help of the Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society.
Zone 1. From the Renfrew station, walk east to Slocan Street and up the hill. The farm is sandwiched between the soccer field and the tennis courts.
VanTech Schoolyard Market (every Wednesday until November from 3:30 to 6:30 pm and every second and fourth Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm). Stop by for some of the best prices in town for fresh, local produce. This is Fresh Roots’ first season growing at Vancouver Technical Secondary. It is a first-of-its-kind schoolyard market garden where the food is grown and sold back to the community and to the Van Tech café starting September.
Fresh Roots is working to make the urban farm sustainable. “Healthy, local food should be accessible, and it should work,” says Marc Schutzbank of Fresh Roots. More info and photos at freshroots.ca and facebook.com/freshrootsurbanfarm.
Skytrain stop: 29th Avenue Harvest Fair (Saturday, September 21, 4:00 to 7:00 pm). For a change of pace, stop by the Harvest Fair held annually at Slocan Park as part of the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Here neighbours showcase their summer harvest, from beefiest bean to largest sunflower to tubbiest tomato.
Walk with the lantern parade that starts at 7:00 pm along the ravine down to the Renfrew Park Community Centre, where more entertainment awaits alongside the magical lantern-lit stream.
If you’re feeling hungry, stop for a slice of pizza from Ragazzi’s, at 22nd Avenue and Nootka (across from Renfrew Library). Don’t miss their Caprese Salad, made with tomatoes and baby bocconcini cheese—so simple yet so delicious.
Julie Cheng loves to eat healthy but is a bad cook, so she appreciates simple recipes. She is the editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.
Marc’s Market Salad
While at Van Tech I purchased ingredients—picked just that morning—for a colourful, flavourful salad. It included purslane, which Marc Schutzbank of Fresh Roots says is a source of the hard-to-find omega-3 essential fatty acid that’s such good brain food. Purslane adds a robust taste and crisp crunch to the salad. I did indeed serve this with salmon and the meal was amazing. Thanks Marc!
Fresh salad ingredients from the Van Tech urban farmschool. Photo by Julie Cheng
For salad:
Van Tech salad mix
Purslane leaves
Bunch onion tops, sliced thin
Nasturtium flowers
For dressing:
Place 2 parts olive oil, 1 part white wine vinegar, 1 tsp good mustard in a jar and shake it all up.
To serve:
Place salad veggies in a large bowl and drizzle with dressing. Optional: add a half cup of sesame seeds for crunch and carmelized leeks for sweetness.
Serve with grilled salmon. Enjoy!
—JC
Copyright (c) 2013 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News
Renfrew-Collingwood Community News 