Pista sa Nayon Night!

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Front row:
Luz Cavalo, Shirley Francisco, Zosima Iligan, Efigenia Sityar, Joanna Zuo
Back row:
Jose Mendoza, Shonee Mendoza, Sally Dacquel, Linda Santos, Jose Suganob, Cynthia Ziranovic, Angela Paiyisi, Fleur Domingo, Zeny Talusan, Violy Calobong, (unidentified)

'Pista sa Nayon' Night, (May 13, 2009) in Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood House, above were some of the volunteers, coordinated by Jose Mendoza and Angela.

New Vancouver Convention Center

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4/04/09
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center:
Some facts about the new Vancouver Convention Center:

• Six acre grass and wildflower roof has been cultivated to be the perfect nesting ground for song birds and is home to four beehives.
• With 40% of the convention building suspended over the harbor, its foundation has been specially designed to recreate a natural shoreline and acts as a marine habitat for sea urchins, starfish and sea lettuce, just to name a few.
• Vancouver Convention Center's unique seawater heating and cooling system makes it one of the most energy efficient building in Vancouver.
• The unique lumber stacked interior walls are built from sustainable BC Hemlock and were assembled by a robot named "Victoria" in Saanich, Vancouver Island.
• Look up. There's 45 km. of sustainable BC fir Glulam beams above your head.
• Everything is better when it's made from scratch, so that's how Convention chefs do things; in one of the country's largest banquet kitchens. And because everything's made from scratch, there's a lot less packaging to throw out, reducing the carbon footprint.

4 levels of astounding view of North Shore mountains.
Experience a sampling of trade shows - supersized. Helicopters, fire trucks, flower gardens and more, a real - life sample of exhibition and tradeshows on 220,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space.

Grand Reunion Preparation

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(3/15/09) I told Frank that I will be at the second meeting, rain or shine. I didn't expected it to be snowing. It's good the snow didn't stick to the ground.
More people attended and Frank's place was buzzin,' Attending were Mario Suratos, Romeo Samson, Joe Suganob, Lito & Eunice Blancaflor, Arnold & Dory Aquino, Robert & Helen Montes, Frank & Sony Tomelden, Orlando & Elen Faytone, Mrs. Risma, Ben & Celia Lachica.

The BC Chapter ladies cooked so many Pinoy dishes and with Frank's pan de sal and Lito's puto and Dory's suman, and some wine, ayos na naman ang buto-buto!!!!

Riverfront Park, (near Fraser River) Vancouver, BC is the location of this year reunion and the date is Saturday, July 25, 2009.

Don't underestimate the work involved!!! And...
Everybody is willing to offer their help and share the work.
There are many details and arrangements that have to be taken care of.

Committees that are active and well organized will be positioned for success
Meeting adjourned about 6pm.

Follow-up Meeting: June 21, 2009
Frank's place at the same time, 2pm

2010 Winter Games - Olympic Vancouver Village

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Seven hectares of the 32-hectares Southeast False Creek Development site will be transformed into the Olympic Village during the next year 2010 Olympic Winter Games!



The Olympic Village, after housing the athletes for the 2010 Winter Games, is to be converted into 850 market-priced homes and 250 units of social housing.

Reunion 2009 Preparation

Is it just me or does everyone seems busier these days? Running grandkids to practice after school, work, etc. Seems like there is hardly enough time to get the basics done, much less take on a new project like organizing a reunion.
Every reunion needs a take charge/ type A / angel to take the helm but that task can be quite intimidating for even the most organized.
Grand Reunions are special events that connect former Subic Bay employees, especially those in their Golden Years.

Twelve enthuasiastic people from BC Chapter of USNBEA: (Arnold & Dory Aquino, Lito & Eunice Blancaflor, Orly & Elen Faytone, Frank & Sony Tomelden, Bob & Helen Montes, Mario Suratos, & Joe Suganob) met at Boston Pizza (near MetroTown, Burnaby, BC) last February 15, 2009 at 2pm to prepare the reunion.
With three (3) large pizza and coffee, we tackled the first problem, that is, when? After second slice of pizza, we decided that the Grand Reunion 2009 will be Saturday, July 25, 2009.
Planning our Grand Reunion was hard but after consuming two bottle of Two Oceans Red Wine from South Africa, our thirst were quenched and, at the same time, reunion planning were becoming manageable. Isa pa nga! (joke only)
Our creative energy, spirit and enthuasiasm was contagious!
Meeting was adjourned about 4:30ish pm.

Next meeting, March 15, 2009 at Frank's place, the same time, 2pm. See you there!
Tentative agenda:
Where? Form sub committees, Brainstorm additional activities set date(s)

Snowy Vancouver

After an unusually warm fall, Vancouverites were talking about the possibility of a mild winter. So, it was a surprise when the snow came in Dec. 13, just 11 days before Christmas. Snow in Christmas time is always a bonus, a White Christmas..... But the snow just kept on coming, even when the weatherman predicted rain.
Many Christmas events and celebrations were cancelled due to the snow. Car accidents, personal injuries from falls, heart attacks from strenuous snow shoveling, senior citizens shut-ins, these are some of the many inconveniences caused by the snow.

Here are some of the snow advisory:

1. Use the proper snow shoveling tool which is shaped to scoop snow.

2. Get some Sifto ice salt for salting your driveway. If your budget is tight, draw out a pathway from your door to the road and salt that pathway. This is especially important for seniors who are in frail health. Ice salt is available from Canadian Tire or your local hardware store. Always stock some for the winter. Stores can easily run out of ice salt just when you need them.

3. Wear proper shoes. Snow boots are ideal as they have the right soles that make it easy to walk on snow. They are also waterproof and well insulated. They keep your feet warm and dry. WalMart is a good place to shop for inexpensive snow boots.

4. If there is a forecast for heavy snowfall, start shoveling as soon as the snow starts. Do not wait for the snow to pile up, as the snow will become too heavy, and snow shoveling becomes strenuous work.

Most importantly, NEVER, NEVER pour hot boiling water on your driveway. It does not replace snow shoveling. What you end up with is ice on your driveway, and that is worst than having snow. It means that your driveway has just become a skating rink.

New Year 2009!

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2008 was an awesome year. It was because of people; contributors and readers (of our newsletter) alike, whom I call virtual friends. Many Thanks!
Soon we'll be used to writing "2009" on checks, the snow will be gone (I hope) and we'll be consumed with new problems and challenges.
My New Year's wish for you all is that you don't find yourself in the same place you are now as you stare 2010 in the face.
With a little effort and a little luck, you can make sure 2009 is your best year ever.

Joe Suganob, Vancouver, BC, Canada
SRF (Shop 31) Apprentice Batch '73