A small group of residents at Islington 2000/2010 is working at a grassroots level to make our community more connected.

The Islington Vertical Village is part of the “Naturally Occuring Retirement Community” movement that has gaining popularity in the face of our aging populations. The NORC idea is to leverage the experience, skills and wisdom of  older residents  into making buildings like ours into local hubs for all the support residents will need to thrive as they age.

Islington Vertical Village asked residents to indicate what they would like to see happening at Islington 2000/2010 going forward. This word cloud indicates what jumped out as the most important.

Next the group will meet with interested residents to get a sense of who is ready to step up and advance some of these things.  This will happen in the party room on August, 16th from 2 to 4 pm and again from 7 to 9 pm. Remember to wear a mask.

For some time our Bistro was a favorite fixture at Islington 2002/2010. It was situated in the party room, where you could go each afternoon to find a little companionship and conversation  along with some tasty single serve coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

The Bistro was forced to close in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As the pandemic went on and on, and the recreation centre stayed closed, it became necessary to return our specialty coffee machine and put all traces of our Bistro away.

When restrictions were lifted, we looked to replace our coffee machine and open our Bistro again, but we were caught up in the supply chain crisis. Finally though, a coffee machine has been located and installed in the party room again. It is a little different from the original machine, but we believe it to be pretty foolproof to use.

Our primary hours of operation at 2 pm to 4 pm though you are invited to come for a coffee any time. All drinks are $2, with proceeds going to the Daily Bread Food Bank. For the sake of the environment, and to minimize any contamination you must bring your own mug, and take it home to be washed.

Sadly we have to remind you that the pandemic is not over. Please wear a mask and follow COVID-19 mitigation protocols.

You may find this short video helpful to famiarize yourself with new machine.

Everyone is aware that renovations are happening in a number of suites this summer. We’ve heard it loud and clear.  Depending on the type of tools being used, the sound can be considerable, and unfortunately it travels.

Our condominiums have rules to balance the needs of the renovators/builders, and the nearby neighbours who fear for their sanity.

Time is set aside for noisy activities like hammering and using power tools. These jobs are limited to between 9 am and 5 pm during the week, or 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. No noisy work is allowed on Sunday.

Quiet work like painting, plastering, etc. is also allowed an extra hour on Saturday and on Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

To workers these hours may be inconvenient but to the neighbours forced to hear construction sounds, the hours go on and on. The rules are a way to compromise, since both sides have their reasons and rights.

Here’s a tip: It is a gracious goodwill gesture to warn your neighbours when you are beginning a noisy renovation. And here’s hoping for all within earshot that the work is expedited as much as possible.

Our first Canada Day party after two years of social distancing was a great success.

Thank you to the Social Committee who planned everything to run so smoothly. Thank you to the many hardworking volunteers and our wonderful supers. Thank you to our enthusiastic MC Roy, also best dressed Canadian male at the party.

And how thankful we are that the weatherman loves Canada and stopped the rain in time for our party. Happy Canada Day to all!

Friday afternoon, July 1st 2022 – Islington 2000/2010 hard at work on preparations for a highly anticipated Canada Day party around the pool deck, the first since 2019! Happy Canada Day!

In this time of pandemic we often hear reference to higher-risk individuals. These are people who have are more likely to have poor outcomes from the virus because of poor immunity, lack of vaccination or medical vulnerability. 

As it happens there are a very large number of us falling into these categories.

For instance, those over 60 are at increased risk, as are pregnant women and those with Down syndrome. People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure are all at greater risk. As are all of us who are overweight! Anyone who is not vaccinated at least twice should certainly avoid contageon.

Here is information from the Government of Canada about higher-risk.

In the meantime, it is sensible for all of us, even those not medically compromised, to do our best to avoid spreading COVID-19. Avoid crowding, get a booster, wash your hands and wear a mask while indoors.