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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
Twilight Crow Roost Bike Ride
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This ride has a limited number of spots to ensure we don’t disturb the crows. Please only attend if you are registered, and cancel your ticket if your plans change so that others can attend.
Each night during the winter season, nearly 20,000 crows come to roost at Still Creek!
In February or early March each year, Still Moon Arts organizes a twilight bicycle ride along the Central Valley Greenway to quietly follow the crows on the last leg of their journey.
At this time of year, the murder of crows is the largest it will be, as they gather in preparation for the mating season.
We will arrive with the crows at their roost on the banks of Still Creek, and quietly witness them settling in for the night. After dark, we will share snacks, hot chocolate/tea, and conversation about our avian neighbours and the environment.
Bring your bike, your warm riding gear, your best crow costume, and meet other riders as we experience this spectacle together!
Summary of Logistics:
- Date: Friday, March 7, 2024
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Central Valley Greenway Bike Route. Meet at GARDEN DRIVE (one block west of Nanaimo)
- Meeting Point (on Google Maps): https://maps.app.goo.gl/UHzKn6HWrAXALLy56
- Final destination: The Keg Parking lot (4510 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby, BC V5C 0B5)
Schedule:
- 5:30 PM: Gathering ourselves, cool crow facts, stories or songs to lift our spirits, and optional photos with bird costumes.
- 5:45 PM: Ride begins along the Central Valley Greenway Bike Route. We will be riding slowly for approximately 30-45 minutes.
- 6:30 PM: Arrive at the Keg Parking lot for snacks and more crow information.Ride home with us back along Central Valley Greenway, or head up to Brentwood Town Centre and take the Skytrain. Bikes are allowed on the Skytrain after rush hour.
Details & Accessibility:
- All riders and abilities are welcome; we will have designated Ride Leaders for different paces of travel such as a kids/slow pace and an adult moderate pace, as well as sweep bringing up the rear of the ride.
- There will be snacks, herbal tea, and hot chocolate available by donation at the Crow Roost (The Keg Parking lot), which is the final destination for the ride. (Hot chocolate contains milk ingredients)
- Crow costumes, fancy black attire, and earth tones are encouraged!
- Please dress warmly, and bring gloves and rain gear in case of showers.
- Please wear comfortable layered biking attire
- Please wear a helmet, and equip yourself with a headlight and rear light for your bicycle. Safety first!
- Bring a reusable drinking mug for hot chocolate/tea
- Kids with their own bikes are welcome with adult supervision
The Route’s Accessibility: The route is 3.7km one way, and is 95% on separated bike lanes with several road crossings that will be supported. The route is level terrain which slopes very gently downwards towards the roost (homebound involves a gentle uphill).
Final destination will be the Keg parking log (near Willingdon Ave and Still Creek Ave).
The area is not well-lit. We encourage participants to bring headlamps if this is a concern.
The Skytrain is an option for your return journey, as Brentwood Station is an 8-minute ride or a 12-minute walk from the crow roost.
Weather:
- In case of extremely heavy rain or snow, the ride will be postponed
- Registered folks will be updated about the new date via email
Community Inclusion Fest
This year’s event focuses on aging within diverse populations, particularly for people with disabilities and adult caregivers. Hear from BC’s Seniors Advocate, policy and non-profit leaders, and self-advocates. There will also be activities, resource tables, prizes, and more.
This free event takes place Saturday, March 8th, 11am-2pm, at Creekside Community Centre (1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, BC)
Email Spencer@bcdisability.com if you have questions.
Budgies Burritos – 20th Birthday Celebration
Come celebrate with Budgies Burritos for their 20th anniversary! For one day only they will be offering burritos at their 2005 prices.
You can grab one of their vegetarian burritos for $6.00!
WHEN: Saturday, March 8th | 11:00AM – 10:00PM
WHERE: Budgies Burritos (44 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC)
Join the Spectrum Runners and Rollers at the Sun Run 2025
Spectrum is hosting a Sun Run Team again this year! The run takes place on Sunday, April 27th, 2025.
We will pay the registration fee for people we support and people who are supporting the runners and rollers.
The registration link is here: https://event.vansunrun.com/168575/register/?urlcattype=t&zsecure=vsr34213
Our team name is the Spectrum Runners and Rollers.
The code for getting your registration completed is YDCAKO
Let us know if you have any questions!
VIFF – Accessibility
VIFF is committed to making our events and screenings accessible to as many people as we can, and we strive to remove barriers to access whenever possible. For more information, please email accessibility@viff.org
Click here to review VIFF’s Accessibility Page
Ticketing
For ticketing assistance, you can reach us at on the VIFF Infoline 604-683-3456 or feedback@viff.org
Wheelchair Positions: We encourage patrons requiring wheelchair positions to call ahead to reserve. The adjacent companion seat is also available to reserve.
Support Companions: Support persons who accompany patrons with disabilities are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket. Contact the Infoline to book ahead or book in-person at the Box Office.
Accessible Tickets: We offer a limited number of discounted tickets to each film for folks who face financial barriers and may not be able otherwise to attend a film. Discounted tickets are available on our website or at the Box Office while quantities last.
Accessible Screenings
Captioned Screenings: Our Wednesday matinee Captioned Screenings welcome Deaf and hard of hearing audiences, along with anyone who benefits from captions.
Relaxed Screenings: Our monthly Relaxed Screenings are open to anyone who could benefit from a more casual, supportive and laid-back experience.
SHOWING: The Way, My Way (Hearing Assistance)
The Camino de Santiago has been a path of pilgrimage for centuries (the first guide book is dated 1140 AD); the most popular route begins in France, and winds some 800 km through Spain and Portugal to the cathedral Santiago de Compostela. In recent times pilgrims have flocked from every corner of the world, representing all stripes of spirituality. One such is Bill, an obstreperous Australian filmmaker several decades beyond his prime, who’s determined to do the Camino with minimal prep, a dickey leg, and no firm idea of what he’s doing there. This is his story…
Not a documentary, but a serio-comic dramatic recreation of Bill Bennett’s memoir of the same name, The Way, My Way was shot with a small crew and with the actual pilgrims Bill had walked with ten years earlier playing themselves (actor Chris Haywood plays Bill). The result is a strange duck, but charming and authentic and true. The Camino, his way.
WHEN: Saturday, March 8th | 6:00 PM
WHERE: VIFF Centre – Lochmaddy Studio Theatre (1181 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC)
What is happening in Vancouver in March?
Click on the link below to see what’s happening:
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events/
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch Menu for March
Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for an affordable three-course meal at our Multipurpose Room (5288 Joyce Street) for only $7-$8 from 12:15-1:30pm.
Buy your tickets at Collingwood Neighbourhood House reception!
For questions, email Susanna Chu at schu@cnh.bc.ca or call 604-435-0375.
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025: Mushroom and bok choy congee, salad, chicken or veggie wrap, and ginger cookie
- Thursday, March 6, 2025: Butter chicken or eggplant with rice, salad, and apple crumble
- Tuesday, March 11: Roasted carrot soup, salad, tuna or chickpea salad sandwich, and chocolate brownie
- Thursday, March 13: Pork or tofu in black bean sauce with noodles, salad, and orange cake
- Tuesday, March 18: Cream of leek and potato soup, salad, beef or veggie quesadilla, and lemon muffin
- Thursday, March 20: Beef or mushroom stew, salad, and peanut butter cookie
- Tuesday, March 25: Borscht, salad, turkey or veggie sandwich, and date square
- Thursday, March 27: Baked chicken or tofu with couscous, salad, and coconut muffin
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Vancouver Community Fridge Project
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The Vancouver Community Fridge Project is a decentralized food distribution network and mutual aid initiative created to provide healthy, free food and essential supplies to our communities across lower mainland.
Our mission is to combat food insecurity by encouraging our communities to take part in laterally-directed mutual aid, starting with providing free, safe, non-policed, accessible and nutritious foods through community fridges and pantries.
All fridges and pantries that are apart of the VCFP network will be operating on a strict no policing, no-shame policy. This means, the VCFP does not condone patrolling how fridge users engage with the fridge, gatekeeping, or any exclusionary or harmful behaviours. The fridges should be accessible, welcoming places based on trust and communication of needs, established by and for the community.
FINANCIAL UPDATES
Disability Alliance BC – MY DTC
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a tax benefit from the Government of Canada. It is meant to help people with disabilities and their families reduce the amount of income tax they have to pay. Benefits like the Registered Disability Saving Plan and the new Canada Disability Benefit coming in July 2025 can be accessed when you have the Disability Tax Credit.
My DTC is a free online guide to the Disability Tax Credit created by Disability Alliance BC. It has information on benefits, eligibility and the overall process, as well as tools to help with applying. Please note, My DTC does not allow people to apply for the DTC directly. This is done through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Visit My DTC here to explore the guide.
BC Hydro – Customer Crisis Fund
If you’re a residential customer experiencing a temporary financial crisis, such as a loss of employment or benefit income, unanticipated medical expenses, or a death in the family and you’ve fallen behind on your BC Hydro bill, you may be eligible for a grant payment to avoid disconnection of your service.
Eligibility for a grant
To receive a grant from the Customer Crisis Fund, you need to meet a few criteria:
- Be a residential account holder.
- Be applying for a grant for your primary residence account.
- Your account must have payments overdue by at least 21 days or be facing disconnection. You can apply as early as when you have a balance owing on your account, but your application will be on hold until your payment is 21 days overdue or your account is facing disconnection.
- You must have experienced a life event, within the last 12 months, that caused a temporary financial crisis.
- Have an outstanding balance of $1,000 or less, and have demonstrated some attempt to make payments towards your bill.
You may receive one grant per account holder annually (one per year). If a grant application is denied and your circumstances change, you can apply again in the same year.
Click here for more information and how to apply!
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Inclusion BC Provincial Budget Alert 2024-2025
Spectrum is a member of Inclusion BC and supports their provincial advocacy on behalf of individuals and families with developmental disabilities.
Click here for their report on the provincial budget announced for 2024-2025.
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Plan Institute Webinars
The Plan Institute has FREE upcoming regular webinars on the topics of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and Wills, Trusts and Estates Planning.
RDSP
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a Canada-wide registered matched savings plan for those with disabilities to better financially plan for their futures. The Level 1 webinar is meant for those who want to learn about what the RDSP is, who qualifies, and how to apply. The Level 2 webinar is for those who already have a RDSP, or have already taken Level 1.
Next Level 1 Webinar: Thursday, March 13th | 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Next Level 2 Webinar: Wednesday, March 26th | 10:00AM – 11:45AM
Click here to register and for more information
Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (BC Only)
This webinar is meant for those who want to become better informed on the process of wills, trusts and estate planning to better secure the future of your relative or loved one with a disability. There is a limit of 60 participants so early registration is encouraged!
Next Webinar: Thursday, March 20th | 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Click here to register and for more information
Community Support for Spectrum
Spectrum is a registered charitable organization that fundraises to provide the extra things that aren’t covered by government funding. We appreciate the support our community provides in these ways:
Donations: We receive donations through our monthly giving program from both community members and our employees.
Different ways you can donate to Spectrum Society
- You can make a donation online through CanadaHelps.org on our secure donation page here.
- You can complete this Donation Form and send a cheque to our office.
- You can join our monthly giving club and provide us with permission to make a monthly deduction from your bank account. Complete this Donation Form and email it to donations@spectrumsociety.org or mail it to our office.
- As an employee, you can give us permission to make a deduction from your payroll each pay period. Complete this Donation Form and email it to donations@spectrumsociety.org.
- Remember Spectrum Society for Community Living when you are preparing your Will. We have an Endowment Fund that provides us with regular income to assist in providing supports to people with disabilities in the Community. Please call if you have any questions about this.
Click here for more information!
REFERRAL PROGRAM
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Is there anyone you know that is looking for meaningful work?
If you have a friend, family member or meet someone in the community that is interested in joining the team and you refer them to Spectrum, you could be eligible for a referral bonus!
If the person referred is hired and maintains at least 6 months of consistent employment with Spectrum, we will award a $250 Referral Bonus.
*for more information on the program, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org
We thank you for bringing us quality applicants/employees!