Victoria celebrates 150 years of Chinese Canadian History with a grand dinner and awards

Leave a reply

Chinese Canadian achievements feted at Victoria's Empress Hotel, attended by Hon. Norman Kwong, Sen. Vivienne Poy, Dr. David Lai, Dr. Wallace Chung and many others.

Photo Library - 2932 by you.

Hon. Norman Kwong, Lt. Gov. of Alberta, addressing the 150 Years in Golden Mountain dinner audience – photo Todd Wong

It was a night to recognize achievements in Chinese Canadian history, and it was best summed up by the Hon. Lt. Gov. of Alberta Norman Kwong.  He told a story about how challenging it was being the first Chinese in the Canadian Football League, and how the Calgary Stampeders had given up on him. 

“Don't ever give up,” he told the audience.  The he proudly showed his Stanley Cup ring and mentioned his four Grey Cup victories, “And I'm Chinese!” he said.

Photo Library - 2951
David
Obee and Lucinda Chodan, Editor and Editor in Chief of the Vicotoria
Times Colonist stand with Todd Wong, Victor Wong and Daniel Lee,
holding up copies of the 12 page insert titled Chinatown that
celebrated 150 years of Chinese Canadian Chinatown history – photo Deb
Martin.

Photo Library - 2956
Archival picture displays of Chinese Canadian history greeted the audience for the “150 Years in Golden Mountain” gala event – photo Todd Wong

The evening had began with a reception in the Palm Court of the Empress Hotel.  There were picture displays, music, food and mingling.  I was finally able to meet Amanada Mills, the chair of the Victoria Chinese Commerce Association, who I had communicated with for months, as well as Sinclair Mar, the chair of the 150 Years in Golden Mountain Celebrations Committee.  And I also finally got to meet Dr. David Lai, Victoria Chinatown historian, whom I have heard so much about over the years.

Photo Library - 2923
Todd Wong & Sen. Vivienne Poy – photo Deb Martin.

Senator Vivienne Poy is the patron senator of Asian Heritage Month
throughout Canada, and I first met her in Ottawa when I worked for
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society.  It's always nice to see
Vivienne, as her husband's late Aunt Cecilia had been married to my
grandmother's oldest brother Henry.

Photo Library - 2922
NDP leader Carole James & Todd Wong – photo Deb Martin

I chatted with Gabriel Yiu, news commentator, and Carole James, NDP Opposition Leader.  I asked Carole about her family ancestry, and she shared with me that her father was First Nations.  I thought it would be real cool if she became Premier, because then we would have both a Premier and Lt. Gov. of First Nations heritage!  I got to know Gabriel when we were both active on the Chinese Head Tax Redress campaign.  Unfortunately Jenny Kwan couldn't attend, as she is due with her second child in one month.

Many people traveled from Vancouver to attend this event.  I bumped into Tung Chan, executive director of SUCCESS.  We remarked that this was a great event and lamented that nothing of this scope was happening in Vancouver…. yet.

It was wonderful to see Dr. Wallace Chung and Dr. Madeline Chung of Vancouver.  They have given so much to the community in Vancouver, the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the UBC Asian Library.  They are friends of my parents, and it was Dr. Madeline who delivered me as a baby many many years ago.

Photo Library - 2952
Deb Martin, Valerie Sing Turner & Todd Wong – photo Deb Martin

Actor/Writer Valerie Sing Turner was there with her family, as her father James Sing was an award winner.  I had last seen Valerie's family at the opening of her theatrical production of Malaysia Hotel, when I helped promote it through Asian Heritage Month, and also find her some sponsorship.

Photo Library - 2930
Victoria councilor Charlene Thornton-Joe with Todd Wong – photo Deb Martin

Charlene Thornton-Joe came over to our table during the dinner to say hello.  It was the first time I had met this Victoria city councilor, after reading about her efforts to preserve Victoria's Chinese heritage.

It was nice to speak with MLA Ida Chong, who brought greetings from the
Government of British Columbia, as Premier Campbell was in Beijing for
the Olympics.  Ida Chong is one of the 6 newest invitees (along with
me) to “The Party” exhibit at the Royal BC Museum, which features
life-size photos of almost 150 of BC's most colourful and interesting
characters.  Ida is the first Canadian-born MLA of Chinese ancestry.

150 Years in Golden Mountain Awards

My role at this dinner and awards evening  was to represent the Rev. Chan Yu Tan family along with my grand uncles Victor Wong and Daniel Lee.  We all sat at the same table, accompanied by Uncle Victor's wife Auntie Dorothy and my girlfriend Deb Martin.

Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe was the dinner Emcee, Hudson Mack of A-Channel was Emcee for the awards.

Norman Kwong, the Hon. Lt. Gov. of Alberta was invited to say a few official words of greeting, representing the Queen.  But instead he turned it into his acceptance speech for his award.  I guess there was some confusion, or else Mr. Kwong was very canny, because sadly there were no acceptance speeches allowed for the award recipients, as the program didn't allow for any on a very tight schedule.

But as each winner was escorted to the stage, there was a short video played on a large video screen with a voice-over, as pictures flashed before the audience.  It was a lovely gesture and helped to give meaning to each person's contributions to history and why they were deserving of the award.

Here's what the program said about the winner of the British Columbia Lifetime Cultural or Multicultural Award:

This award goes to recognize Revernd Chan Yu Tan who came to Canada in 1896 and ministered to the Chinese pioneers who worked on the railroad, searched for gold, and became shopkeepers and labourers in Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and eventually New Westminster where he eventually retired.  Reverend Chan taught English to the Chinese and emphasized learning Canadian ways, espeically to his extended family.  His son Jack loved golf and was the first Chinese Canadian to serve on jury duty.  His youngest son Luke became an actor in Hollywood.  The four sons of his daughters Rose and Kate enlisted in the Canadian armed forces in World War II, eventually helping Chinese-Canadians gain the right to vote and later helped organize the Chinese Canadian Veterans Associations.  His four grandchildren who served overseas in World War II were Victor Eric Wong, and brothers Howard Lee, Daniel Lee and Leonard Lee.  A great grand-daughter Rhonda Lee Larabee became First Nations Band Chief and great grandson Todd Wong created the event Gung Haggis Fat Choy, a mixture of Robbie Burns Day and Chinese New Year.

Photo Library - 2936
Picture of Rev. & Mrs. Chan Yu Tan's 60th Wedding Anniversary, surrounded by their family and descendants – photo Deb Martin.

Photo Library - 2937
Rev.
Chan descendants Todd Wong, Daniel Lee, Victor Wong, stand beside
Celebrations Chair Sinclair Mar and Awards Emcee Hudson Mack from
A-Channel – photo Deb Martinev

Rev. Chan descendants Todd Wong, Daniel Lee, Victor Wong, stand beside Celebrations Chair Sinclair Mar and Awards Emcee Hudson Mack from A-Channel – photo Deb Martin

The evening's final award, the Golden Mountain Pioneer Legacy Award, was given in recognition to the Chinese Canadian Veterans.   Both my grand-uncles Victor Wong and Daniel Lee went to accept it.

Here's an excerpt from the program about the veterans:

“…After WWII, they concentrated efforts in a lobby for the franchise and other civil rights.  Sgt. Roy Q. Mah, the founding member and President of the Ethnic Associate Press of BC, Vice-President of Ethnic Press Federation of Canada nad owner-publisher-editor of the Chinatown News, went with a contingent of Chinese Canadian Veterans to Ottawa to lobby influential politicians and Members of Parliament. Their lobby was successful, and Paliament soon passed the bill giving Chinese Canadians both the franchise and citizenship.  On January 1st, 1947, Chinese Canadian full rights as Canadian Citizens, including the right to vote, were finally recognized.”

Photo Library - 2943Daniel Lee and Victor Wong stand onstage, as a picture of Victor Wong in India during WW2 is shown on the giant screen – photo Todd Wong

Uncle Dan and Uncle Victor proudly accepted the award, and the entire audience rose to give them a standing ovation.  They represented one of the most important moments in Chinese-Canadian history.  They both saluted the audience, the the applause grew louder.  I am very proud of my uncles, because I know about all the work and devotion they have to keeping the legacy of the Chinese Canadian veterans alive. 

Photo Library - 2949
Victor Wong and Daniel Lee, cousins and grandsons of Rev. Chan Yu Tan saluted the audience after accepting the Golden Mountain Pioneer Legacy Award on behalf of their fellow Chinese Canadian veterans- photo Todd Wong

Every November, Uncle Dan is out selling poppies in the streets of Vancouver and he is now 88 years old.  He has helped organize the Armistice Ceremonies in Vancouver's Victory Square for many many years.  Uncle Victor was interviewed for the CBC documentary Generations: The Chan Legacy, as he recounted stories about not only his grandfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan, but also about being in the service, and that he had been a part of a covert force behind enemy lines that were to be assigned suicide missions.  This is the legacy of the Chinese Canadian veterans – that even though the Canadian government wouldn't let them vote in the country they were born in, they were willing to lay down their lives to defend it.

Photo Library - 2964
Giles, Amanda Mills (VCCA Chair), Serena, Sinclair Mar (Celebration Chair), Deb Martin, Todd Wong shared thoughts and company after the event at The Empress Hotel's Bengal Lounge. – photo Deb Martin

More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53803790@N00/sets/72157606697779094/

Here is a complete list of the awards:

The Golden Mountain Achievement Awards:
“…the recognize persons of distinction in the Chinese community or for being intrumental in the growth and development of Chinese culture and business…”'

Canadian Lifetime Individual Achievement Award
Dr. David See-Chia Lam

Canada Lifetime Public and Community Serivce Award
Ron Lou-Poy, Q.C.

Canada Lifetime Public and Community Service Award
Senator Vivienne Poy

Canada Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
Hon. Norman L. Kwong

Canada Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
James Alan Loo Sing

British Columbia Lifetime Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
Hok Yat Louie (post-humous), Tong Louie (post-humous), Brandt Louie, H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd, and London Drugs Ltd.

British Columbia Lifetime Public and Community Service Award
Sgt. Roy Quock Quon Mah (post-humous)

British Columbia Lifetime Cultural or Multicultural Award
Rev. Chan Yu Tan (post-humous)

Inaugural Golden Mountain Achievement Awards British Columbia:
“For recognition of persons or businesses, who are persons of Chinese descent or an organization having “Chinese” roots, who have excelled in their field of endeavor benefiting the Chinese Canadian communities or Canadian society.  These awards are to be for nominations in or related to British Columbia

BC Business and Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
H.Y. Louie Co. Ltd.

British Columbia Arts, Culture or Educational Achievement Award
Dr. Hua Lin

British Columbia Community and Public Service Award
Phillip J. Chan (post-humous)

British Columbia Online or Multi-platform Achievement Award
Mainstream Broadcasting Corporation

Inaugural Golden Mountain Roots Awards and All-Canadian Benefactor Awards:
“The 'Roots' awards are for recognition of distinguished work and dedication to preserving our heritage, culture, and or to advancing our economic impact or advancing business enterprises or projects or research, in or related to, or tied to Victoria BC and/or creating better understanding between Canadians of all backgrounds and/or advancing the entrepreneurial spirit emanating from our roots, Victoria, BC.  they are the safekeepers of our heritage and roots in Victoria, the first Chinatown in Canada.

Victoria, British Columbia Individual or Family Victoria Heritage Award
Don Yuen

Victoria, British Columbia Individual or Family Heritage Award
Dr. Yuen-Fong Woon

Victoria, British Columbia Corporate or Organizational Heritage Award
Fairway Market

Victoria “Roots” Community and Public Service Heritage Award
Dr. David Lai

Victoria “Roots” Community and Public Service Heritage Award
Lee Mong Kow Family

British Columbia All-Canadian Benefactor Award
&
Victoria “Roots” Community and Public Service Heritage Award
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Victoria “Roots” All-Canadian Benefactor Award
Victoria Chinese Presbyterian Church

Golden Mountain Pioneer Legacy Award
Chinese Canadian Veterans

150 Years in Golden Mountain
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/capital_van_isl/story.html?id=ee16c99d-5863-44a9-a0ba-09aac28a6ade

Pageant will tell tales of Golden Mountain
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=867dcebe-097b-4652-9ac6-a4c65456d34c

Celebration Pageant
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/capital_van_isl/story.html?id=ee16c99d-5863-44a9-a0ba-09aac28a6ade

North West Junior Pipe Band plays on Freeway, gets Glasgow Rain

Leave a reply
Pipe Band plays on Freeway, gets Glasgow rain, makes adjustments
Yesterday at 8:15pm

NWJPB arrived at Seatac airport at 4:30 AM Tuesday morning, to
learn that Houston was having flight delays as well as Chicago the
night before.  The Continental staff really had their hands full, but
ended up getting us checked in on time after a few hours of hurrying up
to wait for them to “just get through it”.

The band arrived in Newark, New Jersey expecting a 3.5 hour layover and ended up with approximately 5 hours and one gate change.

The flight crew into Glasgow commented to several of the parents and
other travelers that our kids were one of the best groups of kids
they’ve ever had on the airplane.  They were respectful and friendly
and generally great on the flight to Scotland.  One of the flight crew
told several different adults in our party how great the kids were. 

But we arrived in Scotland at approximately 9:00 am Wednesday
morning, got checked into our rooms and met for our first practice to
make sure the instruments still work correctly after all that time on
an airplane.  We practiced under the “M-8″ expressway to stay out of
the rain, about 4 blocks down hill from our lodging.   While we were
practicing under the M-8 Wednesday, a reporter drove by, who then
contacted the National Piping Centre
thinking it might be an interesting story for a Glasgow News magazine
he works for.  The Piping Centre emailed us and we’re hoping their
reporter shows up to our practice Friday morning.  Here’s a
camera-phone picture of us at practice under the bridge, right next to
the offramp from the M-8 to the Great Western Road (A82):

NWJPB practicing out of the rain, under the M-8 freeway in Glasgow

The rain is coming down here occasionally, a lot like spring in
Seattle was this year; gray overcast, mist, light showers and
occasional heavy rains all day long Wednesday.   We’re all exhausted
after the travels, but got up for 10:00 AM practice Thursday morning
(9:00 for Snare Drummers).  The rain held off for the most part
Thursday.  We’ve found a place only three blocks away that will let us
do morning practices indoors while we’re here, it acts as a bar only on
Fridays and Saturdays and hosts performances with the Glasgow School of
Art students.  It’s a nice change from the Freeway overpass when we get
to use it for our morning practices.  Picture below.  Thanks to the
very kind people at the Glasgow School of Art, Margaret MacDonald House for
helping us get in at this unique space and to Colin and his co-workers
at “The Vic” for scheduling it for us and letting us in when we arrive
and ring the bell. 

NWJPB in our morning practice space at “The Vic”

Our first competition is Saturday August 9th, beginning at 10:00 AM in North Berwick (2:00
AM Pacific), which means a 6:00 am wake-up call for the band and
scrambling out to the coaches to load up and head out.  The bagpipes
are still adjusting to the change in humidity and temperature, and have
caused practices to be interrupted repeatedly to re-set reeds and tape
and try to get the good tone we had this summer in the Northwest back. 
Heavy rains are in the forecast.  We learned recently that we may not
have the coaches actually at the games to keep us dry, they’re parked
about a mile away.  We’ll hope for good weather, but may call the
coaches to come and get us for a couple hours in the afternoon before
closing ceremonies and the parade through North Berwick if possible,
and if we can’t escape the rain in other ways.

Perth on Sunday August 10th has a 20% chance of rain, mostly
cloudy.  They’ve moved the Perth games to a race track rather than the
traditional location because it was rained out last year and they
didn’t want to repeat the problem of last year.  Hopefully the friends
of NWJPB who said they’d be coming to some of our competitions will be
aware of the change.  The venue change posted in the news on the RSPBA website as well as Pipes|Drums, although the Perth Games website seems to be down while writing this Blog entry.

On Monday, August 12th, NWJPB will be one of the first acts to
perform “Piping Live!” and ”opening” the week of bagpiping and drumming
related festivities, performing at George Square at 11:00 AM. 
Information about Piping Live! is available on their website www.pipinglive.com
and their schedule is so full, we almost don’t know where to start. 
It’ll be a very full week for many of us, but every day is a new
experience and a memory we won’t forget.

“150 Years in Golden Mountain” – Gala dinner and awards in Victoria on August 8/08

Leave a reply

August 3-10 is Chinese Canadian Heritage Days, in honour of 150 years of Chinese Canadian achievements – throughout many municipalities on Vancouver Island.

http://www.150goldenmountain.ca/EN/main/18.html

Victoria Chinese Commerce Association is hosting two events Friday August 8, and Saturday August 9th to celebrate 150 years of
achievement of Chinese Canadians in Canada.  August 8th is a gala dinner and awards event celebrating the achievements of individuals and organizations.  August 9th is a theatrical “pageant” celebrating 150 years of historical events.

Victoria, British Columbia,
(which the Chinese call 'Dai Fau' or Big Port) is where the early
Chinese created the first Chinatown. Historically, Chinatowns were the
focal points of the early Chinese communities, each being a “haven” and
a base from which new immigrants could begin their new lives.

My grandmother's granfather Rev. Chan Yu Tan arrived in Victoria in 1896, following his elder brother Rev. Chan Sing Kai, who had come to Canada in 1888 at the invitation of the Methodist Church of Canada, to help found the Chinese Methodist Church of Canada.  Many of Canada's pioneer Chinese all came through Victoria, as they traveled to Nanaimo, Vancouver, New Westminster, Barkerville, and throughout Canada to mine the Caribou goldfields, build the railway, or find other work.

The awards nominees represent some of the best, brightest and most creative Chinese Canadians ever.  They are:

ANA vets
Pacific Unit #280, Philip Chan, Chinese Canadian Veterans, Denise
Chong, Wayson Choy, CHMB AM 1320, Hon. Ida Chong, Derek Chow, John
Chew, Adrienne Clarkson, Mel Cooper, Won Alexander Cumyow, Fairchild
Group, Chow Dong Hoy, Shouying (Sue) Jiang, Douglas Jung, Lee Mong Kow
Family, Larry Kwong, Hon. Norman Kwong,
Cynthia Lam, Dr. David Lai,
Dr. David Lam, Dorothy
Lam, Howe Lee, Jack Lee, Dr. Hua Lin, Dr. Victor Ling, Ronald Lou-Poy,
Q.C., Frank Low, Alan Lowe, Alexina Louie, H.Y. Louie Company Limited,
Hok Yat Louie, Tong Louie & Brandt Louie, H.Y. Louie Company Ltd
& London Drugs, Willis Louie, Sgt. Roy Quock Quon Mah,
Tak Wah Mak, Gary Mar, Hon. Inky Mark, Fairway Market, Wayne Ngan, Senator Vivienne Poy, Gordon Quan, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, James Sing,
Rev. Chan Yu Tan, Jack Tang, Victoria
Chinese Presbyterian Church, Victoria Chinese Public School, Milton
Wong, Sheung Wong, Dr. Yuen-Fong Woon, Don Yuen, & Jim Yu.

I am attending as a descendant of Rev. Chan Yu Tan, who was earlier announced as a Community Achievement winner.  My grandmother's brother –  Daniel Lee is representing Army/Navy/Airforce veterans Unit #280.  My grandmother's cousin Victor Wong is representing Chinese Canadian Veterans of Victoria.

Today I talked with Amanda Mills, co-chair for the event.  Amanda said that she is really pleased that everything is unfolding for a grand event that will be very special. 

She told me that some of the “celebrity” Chinese Canadians attending on Saturday include: Hon. Norman Kwong, now the Lt. Gov. of Alberta – the famous “China Clipper” Edmonton Eskimos football player who not only won the Grey Cup, but also the Stanley Cup as an owner of the Calgary Flames.

Sen. Vivienne Poy, the patron senator of Asian Heritage Month in Canada is attending, from her home in Ontario.

MLA Ida Chong will be representing the BC Govermnent.  Ida was also recently invited to “The Party” at the Royal BC Museum.  She is the first Canadian-born BC MLA of Chinese ancestry.

MLA Jenny Kwan is also attending.  Jenny was the first Chinese-Canadian MLA and cabinet minister.  MLA Carole James, leader of the Opposition, is also attending.

It's going to be a star-studded night in Chinese-Canadian history.

Hmmm…. Should I go as Todd Wong, great-great-grandson of Rev. Chan Yu Tan, or as Toddish McWong and wear my kilt?

Amanda says she is looking forward to finally meeting me, after many phone and e-mail conversations.  She is hoping I will wear my kilt.

Barb Waldern July Report from South Korea: dragon boat experience comes in handy on rubber rafts

Leave a reply

Barb Waldern is a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team member who has now been in South Korea teaching English since June last year.

Barb is sending correspondence back to us describing her intercultural experiences in South Korea.

Hello, all.

Another month has passed. How was July?

There's
me at a company event at a youth camp at a seashore facility posing
with co-workers. Super co-workers. We're wearing company t-shirts. We
were bored–very little planned activity for us so we just sat around
watching, mostly. Kids bored a lot of the time too, about 500 being
confined to a big auditorium when not left hanging around the muddy
beach.

We did get to experience rubber rafts, though. The
dragon boat training came in handy because the camp leaders got us into
a raft and left us, an assortment of teachers with little paddling
experience, to drift, sink or swim. A guide was waiting in a motor boat
and he pulled us part of the way. I was the only foreigner on the raft
and I didn't understand his tour guide presentation except something
about that being an ancient place of traditional fishing.

Had a
couple of trips to Seoul. Met some Filipino migrant workers. Went to a
rally–see photo of me and Chinese teacher at huge (1/2 million) vigil
against US beef imports, Pres. Lee and undemocratic governance,
privatization, free trade, US military, and more (in that order of
priority). We two also visited an historic park and posed in 19th to
early 20th century garb. (See photo of “princess”). It's mind boggling
to see photos of people wearing that stuff and living a completely
different life barely 100 years ago. And a lot of people wear
traditional clothes, the fancy or everyday wear, still. You can see
elders carrying things on their head, too.

My
second trip to Seoul followed the camp thing in a week of vacation
time. Didn't do much, enjoyed hiding away undisturbed to sleep a lot or
watch movies most of the time. (I've been getting the oddest phonecalls
at the oddest hours and out of the blue since my name's been circulated
as a teachers' advocate.) These days I lock my phone away in another
room when I want to sleep!)

Did visit Seoul Tower
at and after sunset. A window  posted distance between Seoul and other cities. Seoul-Vancouver: 7,124 km.

On
my first vacation day in Seoul, however, I attended a meeting of a
progressive peace coalition as a special guest. That was cool. The
chairperson welcomed me by name. There's a photo of me tying
multicolored ribbons of unity strong enough to pull in genuine and
lasting peace.

I really wish I could get to the Nagasaki peace
ceremony. But I can't make it by 11:00a.m. on Saturday. I hope to visit
the city another time. There are probably memorials in Korean cities.

On
the last part of my vacation week, I went to a couple of beaches to
catch the annual Sea Festival in Busan. Lots of free outdoor
entertainment during the Fest. I met friends at a free rock concert on
one of the beaches. Nice location and the music was mostly good.

I
continue to plan for the winter return to Vancouver. Keep in mind my
appeal for temporary cheap lodgings Nov-Feb. Don't want to blow my wad
on living expenses. (Done that before!) Besides, Revenue Canada is
competing for it. They were thoughtful enough to send me a letter,
yeah–demanding more money when I'm supposed to be tax exempt for half
of 2007! You know me. I'm protesting of course.

I
like to get calls from afar. Just remember the time difference: 16 hrs
the next day. So best to call between 4pm and 9pm your time in BC
(except Weds & Thurs in BC time–I'm on summer schedule and start
work earlier two days a week). Thanks to those who've called so far,
but I won't answer between midnight and 7a.m.!

Have fun in what sun you can get over there this August. Talk to you later.

Barb

Gung Haggis dragon boat team cancels practice due to coliform count in False Creek, rescheduled for Thursday

Leave a reply

The most recent coliform count in False Creek is playing havoc with dragon boat team practices. 

On Tuesday, GVRD team had to cancel early in the day due to low turnout.  Gung Haggis team only had 5 team members show up.  Eye of the Dragon also decided to cancel practice due to low turnout, and water contamination.

We are going to join Gayle’s G-Force dragon boat team for a practice on Thursday meet 5:40pm  – boat leaves at 6pm.  Call if you have to be late.

Tuesday’s practice had to be canceled because of low paddler turnout.  We only had Gayle, Stuart, Tony, Dave & myself turn up.  We understand that people are concerned about the coliform count in the water… but if we don’t go on the water – we will do other team activities.

We also had 3 guest paddlers from South Carolina visiting with their grandparents in Vancouver – They are competitive rowers and really really want to try dragon boat paddling. 

Alas 8 paddlers minus a steers person does not meet the safety  standards to take out a dragon boat.so Gayle invited everybody to come back on THURSDAY for a 5:40pm practice.

According to Coastal Health, the water will be swimmable by the end of this week.  Paddling should be fine. Yesterday I  talked with Mr. Losito at Coastal Health.  He says that False Creek water is presently 5 times above permisable levels for swimming.

He recommends checking the website: http://www.vch.ca/environmental/docs/water/recreationalwaterquality_falsecr.pdf

The million+ tons of sewage came through the Terminal sewage outflow, due to changes from Burrard system.  They are re-routing some of the sewage because of Columbia St. construction for Olympic Village.

He says that the two incidents this summer are very unusual.

He says regular sewage overflow after a rainstorm is usually heavily diluted with rainwater
He says infections from virus such as Hepatitis would be unlikely, because virus have short life span in salt water. He says that the only health implications would be gastro-instestinal.

He says East Basin of False Creek is a pollution problem because of the lack of water flow – mostly due to the blockage caused by the Cambie Bridge. The “Island” also contributes to flow blockage. 

Vancouver Coastal Health is working on a better alert system for when pollution issues occur within the False Creek area.  Here is a link to the CBC article –
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/08/06/bc-false-creek-water.html.

Celebrating BC Day Weekend in the Okanagan on Kalamalka Lake

Leave a reply

The best way to celebrate BC's 150th birthday is to do what BC does best…. Be in supernatural BC's nature!  This weekend I am at Kalamalka Provincial Park.


Todd jumping into Kalamalka Lake to test his PFD – photo Deb Martin 2008

My buddy Craig and I left Vancouver just after 7:30am, Saturday morning.  We drove up the Coquihalla Hwy, and had lunch at Merritt.  Then we headed on the Connector in time for bumper to bumper traffic through Kelowna.  I thought the new 5 lane Bill Bennett Bridge was supposed to make traffic go smoother and faster, but we were backed way up the hill.

Before you reach Vernon, you drive along Kalamalka Lake, also known as the “Lake of Many Colours.”  The Highway starts off at lake level, as you pass through the town of Oyama, then it rises in elevation, allowing a great view down and across the lake.  We checked the odometer, and it was about 9 miles long.  We looked across the lake, and we could see our destination.  One of the last houses on the point, beside Kalamalka Park – my girlfriend's parents' lakeside home.  We arrived just after 1pm.

We are soon at their private dock, swimming in the lake.  It is refreshing after the long drive.  Kalamalka Lake is beautifully clean and clear tourquoise water.  The high desert hills rise around it.  There are micro-climates all around, evident by the dry barren Western shore, and the Ponderosa Pine laden Eastern Shore.

Lots of water skiers and wake boarders are riding behind power boats.  Personal water craft are noisy Sea-doos.  Quiet kayakers paddle past the dock, moving much faster than the relaxed canoe paddlers who all wave to us.  It's definitely a busy holiday weekend on the lake. 

We sun bathe, sip our cool drinks, read books, admire the scenery, and go for another swim.  We watch bald eagles flying over head calling in staccato burtsts,  “A-a-a-a-a-a-aaaaaa. A-a-a-a-a-a-a-aaaaaa…..”
– photo Deb Martin 2007

Sunday morning we are up around 9am.  My friend Craig is having a hearty breakfast with lots of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.  We feed him bacon, smokies and pan-fried mashed potatoes.  He is going over to Okanagan Lake for a 42km outrigger canoe races with changes.  This means that every 20 minutes, an accompanying power boat will drop off 3 paddlers into the water.  These 3 paddlers will climb into the boat, as 3 other paddlers climb out, while 3 remaining paddlers keep the boat moving.  It's an annual race organized by the Vernon Racing Canoe Club.  He heads over at 10am, to meet his team of paddlers from Penticton.  Their Mixed Race starts at 12 noon.

Meanwhile at 11:00 am, I hop into a cedar strip canoe with my girlfriend Deb and her friend Zsuzsanna.  We paddle past Jade and Juniper Bays, and around Turtle Head Point.  There are some cliffs here that people jump off into the deep water, but nobody is jumping today.  Lots of power boats are driving by, on their way to Cousins Beach, and the waves rock our canoe.  Zsuzsanna does a good job steering a canoe for the first time in 8 years.  I am sitting in the middle relaxing with Tess, the little border collie, while my girlfriend paddles in the front.  I drink my water and pass them drinks.

We paddle all the way into Cousins Bay, to the beach where I count 11 power boats pulled up to shore.  We are the only canoe I see.  Lots of mountain bikers and hikers have also made their way to the beach.  I play in the water with Tess.  She loves chasing the water splashes I send in her direction.

– photo Deb Martin 2007

On the way back, I paddle in the front of the canoe.  Zsuzsanna remarks how fast the boat is moving, and it's great having a dragon boater paddle the canoe.  Deb explains how important it is that 20 dragon boaters all paddle in time together.  When I speed up, Deb tells me to slow down and relax, remarking “You're not in a race.”

Back at the house, we head up for a quick lunch, then back to the dock for more swimming, reading and sun bathing.  We watch an osprey flying over the lake, then swoop down to pick up a fish.  Unfortunately a sea-doo buzzes nearby with a boat towing a water skier, and the osprey flies away over the lake.  It suddenly appears over our dock.  It's white speckled body, a marvelous wonder to see, with its long dark  pointed wings flapping overhead.

– photo Deb Martin 2008

I go swimming, wearing with my personal floatation device.  I discover it's a great and easy way to float.  I don't have to tread water.  My girlfriend always teases me that I have so little body fat, I sink easily making it such an effort for me to swim.  I have such fun floating and swimming with ease, I decide to swim over to Jade Beach in Kalamalka Park.  Over at the park, there are lots of people swimming and having picnics.  Two power boats are anchored just outside the swim area.  Meanwhile, there are other power boats on the other side of Jade Bay.  Lots of Sea-doos are racing around in mad circles.  Some of them come dangerously fast close to the swimming area.  It would be a tragedy if somebody lost control doing a fast turn and the machine careened into the swim area.  Unfortunately such accidents always happen somewhere in the summer.  Thankfully no accidents occur.  But I find it noisy, and decide to swim back to our dock, where I play water splashing with Tess the border collie.


Todd bobbing in the water – photo Deb Martin

A small flotilla of kayaks and canoes paddle by, and I swim out to greet them, bobbing in the wake of yet another power boater or jet-skier.  It's a BC Day long weekend, and a popular BC lake is BC crowded.

150 Ways to Love BC from Victoria Times Colonist

Leave a reply

150 Ways to Love BC.  Happy Birthday British Columbia!

150 Years ago a colony was named British Columbia, in 1858.  It wasn't until 1871, that British Columbia joined Canada and became a province.

Ian Haysom writes 150 reasons to love British Columbia

One reason for each of its years to love BC
Times Colonist – Victoria,British Columbia,Canada
… Joy Kogawa

Special notes

13. Great writers: Carol Shields, Joy Kogawa, Susan Musgrave.

14. The Okanagan, our desert. Blisteringly hot.  (I am enjoying the weekend at Kalamalka Lake just south of Vernon)

34. Terry Fox. Would have been 50 this week.

48. Wineries: Okanagan and Island.  (I visited 3 wineries last week – now to visit Summerhill and Sumac Ridge tomorrow)

84. The Royal B.C. Museum. (especially because “The Party” exhibit includes “Toddish McWong”)

117. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens. (first and only music video was shot of The Paperboys for CBC “Gung Haggis Fat Choy” TV performance special)