Asian-Canadian cultures are as vibrant as they are diverse across this country. From the first settlers of over two hundred years ago to today, our communities are enriched by the deep contributions from Asian Canadians, their cultures, languages, and experiences. May is Asian Heritage Month. To celebrate, free festivals and events are happening all month and everyone is invited!

Urban farming on the North Shore has taken off in recent years. Much of the credit for this growing movement goes to The Edible Garden Project (EGP) based within North Shore Neighbourhood House (NSNH). The Project’s vision to “grow, teach, and share” has transformed yards, parks, boulevards, rooftops and schoolyards into edible landscapes that grow fresh produce accessible to everyone in the community. 

Give yourself some credit, everyone, we made it through another tough Canadian winter - tough for more than a few reasons.

Happy spring! It is time for renewal, rejuvenation and spring cleaning! Have you heard of The Buy Nothing Project, a hyperlocal, no money exchanged, gifting economy? If you have something unused in your closets or have some time and talent to spare (or if you are in need), check out the Buy Nothing Project .

Socrates once said “Contentment is the wealth of nature.” I couldn’t agree more and feel very fortunate to live close to so many mountains, trails and parks. The well-being that comes from recreating outdoors is undeniable, and being able to access so much locally is a joyful privilege. 

Outdoor exercise and recreation yield a whole host of positive physical and psychological benefits, including natural light therapy and Vitamin D, mood elevation, lowered levels of stress, and greater feelings of revitalization.

The calendar has officially flipped to February, which means it’s time to chat about the heart – and we don’t mean the chocolate kind. It’s Heart Month in Canada, the perfect opportunity to bring some attention and awareness to the importance of heart health and what you can do to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Far too many Canadians are feeling the impacts of not moving enough, with research showing higher rates of cardiovascular events and mortality among individuals with low levels of physical activity and fitness.

The Lunar New Year is referred to by different names. In China it is Chunjie or Spring Festival, in Korea Seollal, in Vietnam Tết Nguyên Đán, in Tibet Losar. Masses of people travel from the cities to their home towns to be with family, resulting in the world’s largest annual human migration.  

When Maryam Nassaji moved to North Vancouver from Victoria two years ago she was looking forward to putting down roots and making new friends.  A pharmacist at Walmart, Maryam found an apartment in Central Lonsdale and started to get to know her new community.  Then the pandemic hit. Like so many others who live alone, Maryam experienced long days of social isolation and anxiety as she adhered to the restrictions required to flatten the COVID curve.

Editor’s Note:  NVRC is committed to doing our part to address and minimize racism and discrimination within our organization. In honour of Black History month, we asked our blogger, Michelle Perrault to consider the issue of racism and this is her personal and powerful story. 

A couple of years ago, I received a random act of kindness. A perfect stranger paid for my lunch after I placed my order at the counter and then discovered I had forgotten my wallet. The stranger’s spontaneous generosity absolutely made my day and reminded me how good people can be. It also made me realize how small acts of kindness can make us feel cared for and cared about. Compassion and kindness underpin our humanity and build a deep sense of community. Right now, that community is what every one of us is sorely missing.