King's Landing Newsletter

Contest: Two tickets to Dangerous Cornner

2010-05-20T01:19:00.001-07:00

Win two tickets to Dangerous Corner at the Vancouver Playhouse. Five more performances left.

To see how to enter the contest check out the contest on reviewfromthehouse.com at http://www.reviewfromthehouse.com/theatre-seen/as-i-see-it/contest-win-two-tickets-dangerous-corner

The Greek Dinner Night

2010-04-26T08:01:00.001-07:00

Our organizers, Salim and Susan, aided and abetted by many helpers, put together a terrifically successful Greek Night in the Kings Landing Grand Room. Thanks to all that helped and all that participated. Here are some pictures.

More coming. I will create a photo abum and link to that but got to dash off right now

Ballet Kelowna feted in the Grand Room

2010-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

Kings Landing's resident Linda Aldous, a Board Member of Ballet Kelowna, hosted a reception in the Grand Room after the company performed at The Roundhouse last Saturday night.

Check out my review at Ballet Kelowna on ReviewFromTheHouse.com.

Linda and Pat graciously entertained the Artistic Director David LaHay, the six dancers, and the crew, as well as friends and supporters of the company.

Chinese New Year Banquet at Shanghai River

2010-02-19T19:21:00.000-08:00

To help bring in the Chinese New Year. Susan, our own little Chinese dynamo organized an expedition to Richmond for a banquet at the Shanghai River Restaurant.

Half of the fun was getting there - we took the Canada Line out and back with hundreds of enthusiastic Olympic supporters and partygoers.

Check out the terrific food we had on my web-site at the review of Shanghai River .

A possible Olympic opportunity

2010-02-09T18:18:00.001-08:00

Linda forwarded this to me for posting.

FOR SALE: Olympic Hockey Tickets – Vancouver for Saturday 20^th Feb. at 12:00 (noon) Norway vs Switzerland 5 Tickets at face value of $140.00 each Canadian dollars (almost at parity to Swiss Francs). Tickets are very well situated in Section 108 - Row 11 - Seats no. 3 to 7 - Category A.

Please contact my Canadian friends directly: Layne & Donna Conway at Idconway@mrcable.ca . I hope this works out for someone to see this game. Good luck! Please indicate my name when contacting them through e-mail if interested in the tickets. All the best Marilyn Deblue.

Fanoosh's Special Night

2010-02-08T16:16:00.001-08:00

Here is a collage of photos from the party for Farnoosh - Enjoy

Action in the Kings Landing Theatre

2010-02-06T15:19:00.000-08:00

By special arrangement for our sports and Olympic fans the Kings Landing Theatre will be open for residents as follows:

The KL Theatre will be open starting at noon on Sunday, February 07 for people to wander in at their leisure and watch the pre-game shows and SUPER BOWL XLIV later in the day.

The KL Theatre will be open starting Friday, February 12, and will remain open 24 hours a day for the duration of the Olympic Games, ending late evening on Sunday, February 28.

Enjoy!

Information on the Davie/Pacific Boulevard issues

2010-01-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

With thanks to Jeff Nacht who followed up with a traffic engineer with the City.
This is what Jeff found out. re problems at the Davie and Pacific intersection.

The problems were created, in part by the City Council's decision to hire a "world renowned street designer" to propose the design for Pacific, which they consider a showcase street for Vancouver. The designer specifically did not want turn lanes because he thought the look of the street without them was "cleaner". The city council is very invested in this design. He explained that they RARELY go to outside design firms for intersection or streetscape designs but spent a lot of money on this project because they considered it so important in the overall appearance of the downtown core. They are aware that when the temporary turn lanes were in place, it helped with traffic flow and congestion.

The city engineers did a "study" of traffic flow at that intersection from which they concluded that if the westbound right hand lane were free of parked or stopping vehicles, those turning right to go North on Davie would leave the westbound traffic and free up congestion with as much benefit as a left hand turn lane going South toward Urban Fare. However, the city's sign shop has been so busy with the Olympic signage, that they haven't posted the No Stopping/No Parking signs in the right hand Davie lane, so cars are using this to park, legally at the moment.

The result has been that the combination of left hand turners and right lane parkers have led to gridlock in the westbound direction.

3. He was even more concerned about traffic on Pacific (either direction) turning North up Davie. He explained that the section of Davie south of Pacific (Urban Fare to the water) is "mature". Nothing further will be built there. However, the city has plans to allow the development of "several more residential towers" up Davie to the North, over the next several years which will increase traffic in this direction considerably. This means that to the city engineers, a left hand turn lane for Eastbound traffic on Pacific is even more of a priority to them than the westbound mess. Money is also an issue. Each intersection change cost between 3 and 6 million dollars, based on the cost of adding all the left hand turn lanes on Knight street that were recently built.

Jeff also brought up the fact that cars are forever darting out of the Westbound left lane to avoid vehicles in front of them, awaiting a left hand turn, that ICBC will likely spend more to repair these vehicles after accidents caused by this behaviour, than the intersection left hand turn lane is worth. He was also aware that ICBC would prefer a turn lane for this reason, but they are not "in his department" and can only make that request to City Council and the Provincial Government.

There is a POSSIBLE and quite likely solution which is connected to the new experimental street car line from Granville Island to the Olympic Village, believe it or not! The city engineers have a long term plan in place to add a street car line to the downtown core as follows:
Granville Island to and through the Olympic Village on 1st Avenue. They left a broad paved median along 1st avenue (with NO SERVICES) beneath it to accommodate the line, which is intended to go down the median strip. It would then go around Science world, the re-enter traffic as it travels up Expo Blvd, turn back to Yaletown and meet up with Pacific at Smithe, travel down Pacific in the LEFT LANE WESTBOUND, to Drake Street, then turn North up Drake to Granville, turn North on Granville down to the waterfront, then back through Gastown to the Olympic Village, and return to Granville Island in a loop.

They are confident that the cost of returning the streetcars to Brussels is so high, that the City Council will opt for buying the cars and starting the rest of this project, if the Federal and Provincial Gov'ts agree to share the funding.
This explains Bob Price-Wright's question of why the sidewalk was placed down the median strip on Pacific. It was left to allow for stops along Pacific for passengers to board the streetcar from the median, like they do in San Francisco for the cable cars.

THIS would solve the left turn lane for westbound Pacific traffic. The engineers determined that : If the streetcar shares the Westbound left land on Pacific with car traffic, a left turn lane south toward Urban Fare would be essential to avoid holding up streetcar and auto traffic.

They expect a decision about going ahead with the Streetcar loop plans by City Council this year, some time soon after the Olympics are over.

City Council has the final say, and often over-rides what the City Engineering Dept. recommends. We should all of us make our concerns and wishes known to City Council by sending them emails and letters in support of the turn lanes.

Ladies Dance Fit to Latin Beats is back

2010-01-19T18:50:00.000-08:00

The first Ladies Dance Fit to Latin music was held in the gym on this past Saturday and the next session is planned for this coming Saturday.

Here three of our Very Fit Ladies are seen in mid-dance - sort of .

Join us on Saturday - let's chachacha, samba and jive away the effect of Christmas and New Year celebrations

10 am in the gym and the music is booming!

Calling all Poker Playing Men at KL

2010-01-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

Here is an announcement from Gordon R.

MEN’S POKER

I have talked with Gord Alteman about organizing men’s poker and have taken on the responsibility. We have only had four guys showing interest but know, if need be, that we could get outside friends involved. Please get back to me at gcr@genconcapital.ca if you are interested and we will meet to determine the guidelines for the poker games i.e. where, when, limits, games, etc. To have seven players on any evening, we would probably need at least ten interested guys.

Gord Reid

The AGM and important announcement

2010-01-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

The Kings Landing AGM was held last night. The Strata Council welcomes two new members, Jonathan Lai and Bob Prince-Wright, and thanks Terry Fay and Hamid Shams for their hard work over the past year.

The Council will be chaired by Deb Trehearne; Gord Alteman is Vice-president, Doug Martin is treasurer, Jonathan represents building maintenance, I (Gillian) represent social and communications and Gord Reid and Bob are members at large.

During the meeting, a consensus was reached regarding the use of our Amenity suites during the Olympic time period. The rooms may be rented as usual by KL owners for the use of family and friends only. There is no re-renting allowed. The rate will be 200 a night. The reservation may be a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 5 nights. Michael will take reservations starting tomorrow on a first come basis.

Please be considerate of your fellow owners and do not book the rooms "on spec".

POOL PARTY! ALL FAMILIES WELCOME!

2009-11-01T19:58:00.000-08:00

Here is an invitation from Mokah

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2009 3:30-6:00PM
POOL PARTY!
ALL FAMILIES WELCOME!

PLEASE EMAIL ME AT: MOKAHS@KIDLET.CA
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ATTEND OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO JOIN US!
MY SON AND I ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU!
MOKAH SHMIGELSKY
701, 426 BEACH

LOCATION
KINGS LANDING SWIMMING POOL
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2009 3:30-6:00PM

ALL ARE WELCOME
WE WANT TO MEET SOME FAMILIES IN OUR BUILDING! COME AND INVITE ALL WHO MAY BE INTERESTED. WE'LL BRING POOL TOYS, FEEL FREE TO BRING YOUR OWN!

Halloween Haunts Kings Landing

2009-10-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to some devilishly determined efforts by Marilyn and Fritz, aided and abetted by Susan and other helpers, some strange and wonderful creatures haunted the 3rd floor of Club Soleil.

Your intrepid reporter was so scared she skulked around looking inconspicuous in her flaming red dress and feather boa, got her pictures and ran.

Here are some of the mysterious creatures.

Do you recognize any?

Check this out- From Terry Fay

2009-10-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
STAGE 4 BLUES BENEFIT
BLUES BANDS GET FIRED UP FOR SKIN CANCER
VANCOUVER, BC –Blues bands Hot Lucy, Incognito and The Daily
Blues will be bringing up the heat at The Yale on Thursday, October 29
during Stage 4 Blues Benefit in aid of the Save Your Skin Foundation
(SYSF).

SYSF (www.saveyourskin.ca) was founded in 2003 by Kathleen Barnard
after she was diagnosed with stage 3 malignant melanoma. SYSF’s
objectives are to increase public awareness, provide funding for research
and support to individuals and their families affected by the disease.
“The objectives of SYSF could not be met without the participation of
our local community, so we are very excited to be a part of this exciting
evening of live music and dance,” says Barnard.

Hot Lucy (www.hotlucy.ca) is Vancouver’s newest high-energy group. The band will be playing high octane traditional and modern blues with their signature “blues done dirty” sound that’s sure to set the dance floor on fire.

Incognito (www.incognitoband.com) has been rocking the West Coast for more than 20 years, earning its reputation in the upper echelon of Vancouver’s sizzling R&B scene. With four CD’s and countless miles of touring on the clock, this skin-tight blues machine just keeps gathering steam. Their current FOUR release, finds the band stretching in new directions, adding elements of classic soul and funk to their blues stew.

The Daily Blues (www.myspace.com/thedailyblues) are a soulful improvisation of classic and modern blues. The band is fronted by Steve Daily, a veteran of the L.A. music scene who brings a wide variety of musical influences to his interpretation of the blues.
Tickets to Stage 4 Blues Benefit are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Price of admission includes a silent auction, raffles items and door prizes. Proceeds from this event go to SYSF.

Doors open at 8pm.
Show begins at 9pm. For more information on this and other upcoming Yale events, call 604-681-9253
or visit www.theyale.ca. The Yale is located at 1300 Granville St. in downtown Vancouver.
-30-
Media Contact
Stella Panagiotidis, Marketing Manager
The Yale Hotel
Tel: 604-681-9253, ext #3
Fax: 604-681-9353
E-mail: stella@theyale.ca
Web: www.theyale.ca

The KL Strata Council hosts barbecue

2009-08-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the roof-top barbecue held on Saturday night.

As usual everyone brought copious quantities of food and as the wine flowed freely so did the conversation.

A series of Movable Feasts are being planned for the fall - late September onwards. They will be country-themed and I hope that those of you who have not participated previously will consider joining in to the fun.

Remember Strata Barbecue this Saturday

2009-08-21T07:52:00.001-07:00

All KL residents are invited to join us for a roof top barbecue on Saturday, 22nd August, 2009 on the roof top 6:30 onwards.
Bring your barbecue food of choice , your favorite wine and if you wish, an appetizer, salad or dessert to share.

If it rains, the party will be held in the Grand Room

New Restaurant and Theatre Reviews

2009-08-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all

Check out the latest theatre and restaurant reviews at ReviewFromThe House.com

You can click on the links in the boxes to the right of these postings. I would love to hear if any of you have comments on the plays or the restaurants. Just had an absolutely awesome meal with the Chef's Table selection at Goldfish.

Also check out my latest travelblogues from Chicago, and the food and wine weekend on Vancouver Island is coming shortly.

notes from Gerri

2009-08-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

For those wishing to talk to Mary McNeil about the new harmonized sales tax, Gerri sends along her email.

mary.mcneil.mla@leg.bc.ca

As well, if you are interested in getting your condo cleaned on a Sat or Sunday for 12 dollars an hour (a real deal), let Gerri know at

ger.london@yahoo.ca

Strata Council Barbecue coming up

2009-08-06T09:47:00.001-07:00

Another lost animal!

2009-06-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

Subject: lost dog

Could you send this out to everyone. A rather distraught lady handed it to me on the street today. She heard that her dog was found in our parking garage by a resident who picked the dog up but it squirmed away and ran out. It is small enough to fit between the bars on the gate. This was on Monday.

Gord

Marnie and Pat have lost their cat. Have you seen him?

2009-06-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sent at request of Marnie and Patrick

Patrick and I lost our beloved cat, Lounger. He has been missing since late Wednesday. Lounger is a big brown/black mainecoon (?) cat. He has been declawed by his previous owners so we are very worried for him. IF you have any information please call us.

Thank you.
Marnie Campbell and Patrick Greenfield
604-609-0911/ 604-328-5877

Kl celebrates spring, new barbecue and new friends

2009-05-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Another sunny day in Vancouver, and not even a brisk breeze could dampen the enthusiasm of our Kl barbecue fans as we got together on the roof deck to christen (so to speak) our new barbecue, generously donated by Heidi and Gordon.

Hamid and Farnoosh, and Moe and Fay decided that they would organize the inaugural barbecue by providing some Persian dishes - beef and chicken shish kebabs, and accompaniments.

Their invitation read BYOB, but of course as well as wine, everyone brought a dish, whether salads, rice, vegetables or dessert. So as usual we had a feast. And of course, as usual it was a great opportunity for some newcomers to the building to meet and greet.

Above are shown Farnoosh, Moe and Fay with Susan, and the barbecue kings at work. At left is a picture of our hosts Hamid, Gordon and Moe are shown with Fritz, bridge organizer extraordinaire. I missed getting a photo of our other host Heidi - yoga teacher extraordinaire! Maybe at the next class?

And I could not resist a picture of Hilary's icecream dessert with sugar cones and caramel topping

Palace of the End - Another Must See Play

2009-05-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

My next pick for "do not miss":
Palace of the End is on till June 6 at the PAL theatre on Cardero

This controversial play consists of three brilliantly written and superbly performed monologues about three real people connected one way or another to Iraq. I think this is some of the best acting I have seen recently and I have seen a lot of really good shows.

Also saw Les Miserables and I think this production is great.

BTW someone asked me about the cost for our Dance-Fit-to-Latin- Music in the gym on Sunday mornings- and of course there is no cost. it is just a group of us, getting a great workout to some terrific music. No dance skill required - just shoes with leather soles and a readiness to have fun. Two left feet quite acceptable

Theatre and Dance Alert:: 36 Views - Don't miss it

2009-05-20T23:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all

I have just seen a delightful play at the Jericho Arts Centre called 36 Views. I think there are only another three performances so if you get a chance this Friday or Saturday, think about seeing it. Have not completed my review yet but I wanted to get this out. Call 604-224-8007 ext 3 for tickets.

Also just seen Les Miserables at the Stanley and it is excellent. Have three more plays coming up this week and will report back through reviewfromthehouse.com

DanceFit Alert:

Latin Dance Fit will resume in the gym this Sunday at 10 for anyone who wants to try it. See you there

Reminder Special General Meeting on Thursday

2009-05-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

This is a reminder that the Special General Meeting will be held this Thursday at 6:30 in the Grand Room. Please attend or else drop off your proxy.

Also it is important to remember to shut off your gas fireplace for the summer to keep our gas bills down. If you are not comfortable doing this arrange for help through the concierge desk.

I am back from my dance cruise - great shot ofentering our beautiful harbour!

Please send me any items you have for the newsletter.