Secret climbing tree

There’s a big tree in Vancouver. The tree has many branches. Some people climb this tree. Up high, they can see downtown. They can see the mountains, too. The tree is a giant sequoia. Giant sequoias are very wide. They live for hundreds of years. Where is this tree? That’s a secret! Only local people…

Make a bird feeder

  Birds have trouble finding food in the winter. You can help birds by making a bird feeder. Pine cones fall from pine trees in the fall and winter. You can use a pine cone to make a bird feeder. What you need:   pine cone string – 8 to 10 inches long peanut butter…

Albert Jackson remembered

Albert Jackson was a letter carrier in Toronto. He is thought to be the first Black letter carrier in Canada. Jackson was not a letter carrier at first. In 1882, Jackson got a job as a letter carrier. But Jackson’s co-workers would not train him. He was given a lower job as a hall porter….

Become a Library Champion

The Library Champions Project is a volunteer program in many public libraries in B.C. It is for people who are new to Canada. It is three months long. What do volunteers learn? Library Champions go to four training sessions. They learn about library, settlement and community services. They also work on communication, presentation and outreach…

Top word of 2022

Merriam-Webster.com is an online dictionary. Every year, the dictionary chooses a top word of the year. Gaslighting was the top word of 2022. The number of times a word is looked up in the dictionary helps decide the word of the year. Searches for ’gaslighting’ increased 1,740 per cent in 2022. What is gaslighting? Gaslighting…

Difficult returns

December is a busy time for shoppers. Some people like to buy gifts for their friends. Others like to take advantage of the many sales. But, sometimes, people buy things and regret it later. If a person doesn’t want a purchase anymore, they might try to return it. Some returns can be difficult Stores have…

Prevent kitchen fires

Many people like to cook during the holidays. Fires in the kitchen often start when people leave the kitchen while cooking. Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says, “We know cooking fires can be prevented.” Here is how to stay safe in the kitchen: Stay in the…

George Chow remembered

Remembrance Day reminds us of those who served for Canada. When the Second World War started, Chinese Canadians did not have the right to vote. Their contribution to Canada’s war efforts helped them gain the right to vote in 1947. George Chow was one of about 600 Chinese Canadians who served in the Second World…

Regrow vegetables from scraps

When summer ends you can still grow food. Many vegetables can easily be regrown indoors. Common regrown vegetables are green onions, celery and greens like bok choy. The easiest vegetables to regrow are green onions. Here is what you do: 1. Buy some green onions with roots. 2. Cut off the green tops of the…

ShakeOut – Drop, Cover and Hold On

International ShakeOut Day is on October 20. On this day, millions of people around the world practise how to stay safe during an earthquake. In B.C., the Great British Columbia ShakeOut will take place at 10:20 a.m. People from across the province will take part in a “Drop, Cover and Hold On” drill. To join,…

Egg and vegetable scramble

Start your day with a healthy breakfast. A balanced breakfast includes items from the main food groups. This egg and veggie scramble is quick and tasty. It can make four servings. What you need:  6 eggs ¼ cup skim milk (optional) ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon oil 1 ½ cups chopped mixed vegetables…

Swimmer finds ring

On August 18, a man was swimming in the Penticton Channel.   He found a ring. It was a man’s wedding ring. There was writing on the ring: “Noel loves Stephanie.” The man gave the ring to the police. The police asked for the owner to claim it.   Noel claimed the ring. He had…

September is Literacy Month

In B.C., we celebrate Literacy Month. Literacy is important to everyone. This year’s theme is “Literacy connects us!” Get involved! Enter the Literacy Connects Us Contest: Fill in the cloud with words or pictures that describe how literacy connects you at home, at work or in the community. Send your entry to contest@decoda.ca or post…

PNE and Playland

What is the PNE? The PNE is a fair. It is held at Hastings Park in Vancouver. Prime Minister Laurier opened the first PNE fair in 1910. The fair is open 17 days a year. It starts the third week in August and ends on Labour Day. Every summer, more than 900,000 people go to…

B.C. Day in August

B.C. Day is the first Monday in August. On this public holiday, people celebrate living in British Columbia.  Many people use the long weekend to travel, enjoy nature or relax with family and friends. According to the United Nations, “B.C. is the best place in the world to learn, live and play.” A few facts…

What to do in a heat wave

A heat wave is a period of very hot weather that lasts for two or more days. To be called a heat wave, the temperatures must be above the historical averages for an area. Staying in the heat for a long time can be dangerous. It can cause heat-related illnesses like heat stroke. What to…

Rattlesnake gets a ride in sports car

In June, employees at a car dealership in Vancouver got a surprise. They found a snake in a Ferrari. The dealership called the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C. Support Centre Helpline. “To our surprise, a photo determined it wasn’t a local Garter snake, but a Northern Pacific Rattlesnake,” Wildlife Rescue posted on Facebook. Employees had…

Start running

Summer is a good time to do things outdoors. Running is a fun outdoor thing to do. Running can help improve your health. It is good for your body and mind. Running is free. You can run anywhere. It is also an easy sport to learn. You only need a pair of running shoes! Set…

What is paddle boarding?

Paddle boarding is a popular water sport. You stand up on a board that is like a surfboard. The shape of the board helps you to keep your balance. You use a paddle to steer and move through the water. Paddle boarding is a good workout. It helps build muscles in your arms, shoulders, stomach…

New language added to B.C. Newcomers’ Guide

B.C. is welcoming people from Ukraine to communities across the province. The B.C. Newcomers’ Guide is now available in Ukrainian. The guide has information to help newcomers settle in B.C. They can learn about how to: find a place to live drive in B.C. find a doctor and other medical services get a B.C. Services…

Biking in B.C.

Biking is one of the best ways to see B.C. You can see mountains, rivers and wildlife. You can stop for a picnic in a park or go for a swim at a beach. Here are some places to see by bike. Stanley Park Seawall Stanley Park is in Vancouver. Ride along the seawall. You…

Plant a herb garden

Do you like to use fresh herbs in your cooking? Plant a herb garden in a container. You can put it in a sunny window. Or, you can put it on your deck or patio.  Enjoy fresh herbs all summer!  What you need:  pot with holes in the bottom  potting soil  herbs  trowel  water  What…

HealthLink BC 8-1-1

Do you need to talk to someone about a health problem? 8-1-1 is a phone line that is available 24 hours a day. Anyone in B.C. can get free health information and advice over the phone. It is operated by HealthLink BC, a part of the B.C. Ministry of Health. What do I do? Call…

How to use a nutrition facts table

Nutrition facts tables show the calories and important nutrients in foods. This information can help you compare foods.   Adapted from Canada.ca • Photo: Jade Chan

The little yellow house

This house is famous. It’s called Leslie House. It was built in 1888. The house is in downtown Vancouver. Mr. Leslie was the first owner. He was a carpenter. His family lived there for 60 years. Then, the house was used for business. It was a restaurant for many years. Leslie House is for sale….

Winter blues

Cold dark days can make you feel sad, sleep too much and overeat. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) says about 15 per cent of people in Canada get the “winter blues.” There are many ways to feel better in the winter: Get light Go outside during the day. Keep your curtains open and spend…

Build a snow person

Build a snow person this winter for outdoor family fun! What you need: mittens or gloves snow, not too wet or too dry outdoor space buttons or stones, sticks, a carrot What you do:     Make a large snowball. Roll it on the ground to pick up more snow. Pack snow around the bottom of…

The Westcoast Reader is 40 years old

Joan Acosta was the editor of The Westcoast Reader for 27 years. She was the only employee of the newspaper during that time. She wrote all the stories and did the layout. Joan retired in 2009. After she retired, she created a website called Best of The Reader. The website has 15 ebooks with stories…

Mulled cider

Many people like to drink mulled cider in the winter. What you need: pot stove 2 litres apple cider 1 orange, sliced 10 whole cloves 10 whole allspice berries 3 cinnamon sticks What you do: Add orange slices, cloves, allspice berries and cinnamon sticks to the pot. Pour the apple cider into the pot. Mix…

Park has a new name

Belcarra Regional Park is in Metro Vancouver. It has a new name. It is called təmtəm.xʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park. There was a ceremony on October 8. Members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Metro Vancouver officials attended. Why was the name changed? The name was changed to recognize the park as part of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. It…

National Truth and Reconciliation Day

In June 2021, the Government of Canada created a new statutory holiday.  The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30.  Why is there a new holiday?  From 1880 to 1996, Canada sent Indigenous children to residential schools.  The children were taken away from their families. Many were treated badly. Many died.  The…

How to Vote

The first thing you need to do is check to see if you are registered to vote. You can check at elections.ca/register. You can also check to make sure your address is correct. How do I register to vote? You can register online, by mail or by calling 1-800-463-6868. You will receive a voter information…

Canada votes in September

Canada is holding a general election. The election is on September 20. What are we voting for? Voters elect 338 Members of Parliament (MPs). Most MPs belong to a political party. The party with 170 or more elected MPs forms the government. The leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister.   Why should I vote?…

First Peoples’ map of BC

There is a new map on the internet. It is called the First Peoples’ Map of BC. It is the first of its kind in Canada. How does the map work? The map is interactive.  You can zoom in on a place and click to learn about local languages, arts and culture. On the map,…

Good and bad omens

Some people believe in omens. An omen is an event that predicts the future. It is a sign that something good or something bad is about to happen. Here are some good omens: A butterfly flying into your home brings good news or an important guest. A bird pooping on you is good luck. Itchy…

How to pack a picnic

One of the best ways to enjoy the summer is to eat outdoors. You can go on a picnic with your family and friends. You can picnic at a park, a beach, a campground or by a lake. What to bring on a picnic: a blanket a picnic table cover a picnic basket or tote…

Lighthouse keepers

A lighthouse has a bright light to warn boats not to get too close to a rocky shore. The lightkeeper is the person who maintains the lighthouse. Norbie Brant is a BC coastal lightkeeper. He usually works seven days a week. What do lightkeepers do? “Being a lightkeeper is kind of like being a farmer,”…

Take a “forest bath”

Some parks in BC offer “forest baths.” You can book a walk in the woods with a guide. The guide teaches you how to relax by enjoying nature. You use your senses to: feel the leaves smell the trees listen to sounds in nature A “forest bath” is meant to reduce stress and improve your…

Staycation vacation

This summer, take a staycation. A staycation is a stay-at-home vacation. You can do fun things in your own town or city. You don’t have to spend money on travel, airfare or hotels. What to do: Go on walking tours. Learn about history, architecture and art from a local expert. Many guided tours are free…

Frances likes to walk

Frances likes to go on long walks. She walks an average of 12 kilometres per day. We asked Frances why she likes walking. When did you take up walking?  When I was young, I worked on a farm.  I walked between the dairy farm and the sheep farm. It was 10 kilometres a day. Sometimes, I did it twice in a day. Why do you…

Pita pizza

What you need: pita bread shredded cheese 2-3 tablespoons pasta sauce pepperoni red pepper onion mushrooms What you do: Submitted by Ho Mei Cha • Photos: Felisha Chuter

Haiku poems

The LINC 6 class from MOSAIC English Language Centre learned about the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. They celebrated what they learned by writing haiku poems. A haiku is a Japanese poem. It has a special number of syllables in each line. The first and last lines have five syllables. The middle line has seven syllables….

The Marine Detective

Jackie Hildering lives in Port McNeill on Northern Vancouver Island. She is the co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS). She calls herself “The Marine Detective” because the ocean is full of mystery. Jackie taught biology in the Netherlands. Then, she did a whale watching trip at Telegraph Cove, BC. “It changed my…

Still time to complete Census 2021

It is census time in Canada. Statistics Canada collects data on Canada’s population.  The information helps make decisions about programs like employment, education and health care. The census happens every five years. Count every person. You must complete a census form.  It is the law. The deadline to complete the online census form was May…

Tick season

Spring is tick season. Ticks are small bugs that suck blood. They live in many places in BC. Ticks can spread disease to people and animals. Getting bitten by a tick can make you sick. WildSafe BC has tips on how to avoid ticks and tick bites: Avoid areas where there are ticks. Walk on…

Poems by students

Amanda Gorman is an African American poet. She wrote a poem called “The Hill We Climb.” The LINC 7/8 class at the Cowichan Intercultural Society in Duncan, BC wanted to celebrate Black History Month in February and National Poetry Month in April. Seven students wrote poems with the title “The Hill We Climb.” Here are…

Make a mason bee house

You can make a simple mason bee house. Use things you have around the house. What you need: Empty milk carton  Paper bags Tape measure or ruler Scissors Pencil What you do: Cut the top off the milk carton. Cut at an angle to make a roof for your house. Cut the paper bag into…

Maureen is a hero!

Maureen lives in Yale, BC. One day she looked out the window. She saw smoke. The smoke came from a window at the Gold Nugget Motel. Maureen called 911. She ran to the hotel. She knocked on doors. Two people came out. They didn’t know the hotel was on fire. Maureen said, “Move your cars!”…

Bobcat rescued

A bobcat was on a railway track near Trail, BC. It was eating a duck. It was cold out. The bobcat’s back paws stuck to the frozen rail. Train workers saw the bobcat. The workers came to help. They tried to cover the bobcat with a coat. But it hissed and growled. It tried to…

Nietzsche the cat

Nietzsche was a famous cat. He lived in a bookstore in Chilliwack, BC. He died on February 22. He was 18 years old. Nietzsche was a stray. He was brought to a shelter. The shelter named him Peppin. He was adopted three different times. But each time, he was brought back. In 2008, he was…