2 - Sunday, June 6, 1999 - Nerth Shore News 25 YEARS OF FOLKFEST The 25th annual Folkfest kicks-off this year on June 19th with a series of high-energy multicultural performances. Each June the Folldest Committee invites hundreds of volunteers and performers to participate in this show- case of community involvement. There will be a series of free performances at the Centennial Theatre and other venues like Silver Harbour and Lonsdale Quay Plaza, as well as arts and crafts demonstrations, markets and heritage walks. For the last quarcer of a century many ethnic com- munities have been raking part in Folidest events, dancing, singing and sharing their cultural heritage and at the same time helping to break down barriers and build understanding. On the evening of June 19th, this special anniversary will be marked with a commemo- rative performance of Folkfest favourites and alumni and a reception. Proceeds from this event will benefit the newty-established Folkfest Scholarship Fund which has been created for post-secondary students in the performing arts. For information on Folkfest perfor- mance please phone 984-4484 and for information — on the gala evening or the scholarship fund please call 983-6455. Y “Bejnourdi Dance” - from North East of trar: Lever hp, = FOLKFEST You are invited to attend Folkfest performances at the Centennial Theatre from Saturday June 19 to Tuesday ‘une 22. 7:30 pm * Free admission. a Don’t miss these other great Folkfest events: BEE-AUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT NITY Carson Graham Secondary School students know all about Blue Mason Bees. By building nesting boxes for these hard-working bees, they've been participating in an environmental effort that's helping North Vancouver OUR COMMU BLOSSOMS PERFORMANCES AT NS! ‘YY Saturday June 19 & Sunday June 20 The City of North Vancouver is in full bloom. More flowers than ever are pop- ping-up as local gardeners and residents gear-up for July 23rd — that's the day ‘Communities in Bloom’ projects will be judged.‘Cornmunities in Bloom’ is an envi- ronmental awareness and municipal beauti- fication program which is championed by the ‘Communities in Bloom’ committee chaired by Steiia Jo Dean. it’s an initiative designed to involve whole communities in the challenge of improving the visual appeal of Canadian cities, cowns and villages and an opportunity to compete for provincial and national awards. Both public and pri- vate properties wili be evaluated. There's still time to get involved. For more informa- tion call 985-776! and ask for the Parks and Environment department. become a ‘Community in Bioom. Blue Mason Bees are super-pollinators and they don’t even have a sting so it hardly seems fair chat they are so often overlooked. City councillor Stella Jo Dean recently attended a workshop conducted by SFU doctoral student and crop pollination consultant Margriet Dogterom. Dogterom has just completed a study that shows that the mason bee is potentially the best pollinator of fruit for backyard gardeners. In the last few years, fruit pollination has been declining in B.C. The mason bee's flashy cousin the honey bee traditionally accounts for a large percentage of plant pollination but their population has been dwindling - it seems destructive mites have invaded their colonies. Councillor Dean says the solitary and non-aggressive mason bee can play a crucial role in enhancing the environment here on the North Shore. Blue Mason bees are native to North America and they collect pollen not neciar. In fact, these tiny bees deposit more grains of pollen in flowers than honey bees. Timing is important if you are thinking about introducing Blue Mason Bees into your garden. They are generally active from mid-March into June, at which point their lifecycle is complete. They do not excavate their own nesting cells, instead they lay their eggs in existing cells so it’s important to build nesting boxes or ‘Condos’ to make these industrious garden pollinators feel right at home. Noon-4pin in the outdoor plaza. SIL BOUR MINI- Saturday June 19 from |-3pm FOLKFEST CRAFT FAIR Sponsored by NV Community Arts Council June 19-27 at the Civic Centre Plaza. HERITAGE WALK, OF GRAND BOULEVARD Sponsored by the City of North Vancouver Heritage Commission Sunday June 27 at 2pm Meet at Sc Agnes Church CANADA DAY. PERFORMANCES Thursday July ist Waterfront Park (council Mayor Jack E. Loucks Councillor John Braithwaite Councillor Stella Jo Dean Councillor Bob Fearnley Councillor Darrell Mussatto Councillor Barbara Perrault Councillor Barbara Sharp