The neighbourhood crow - friend or foe?

Yes, the crows are back - and pecking hard at patches of damaged grass around Steveston.

Initially I had considered them to be the main offenders responsible for digging and scattering clumps of soil all over the lawn.

Instead I learned that, if anything, crows, raccoons, and skunks act as agents of pest control. They feed on larvae of European chafers that feed on grass roots - thus preventing them from reproducing and wreaking further destruction. 

Of course this doesn't help homeowners' effort to keep their lawns healthy and their properties attractive. And it is so disheartening to wake up in the morning and find that the area of damage in front of your house has grown overnight.

Fortunately there are things they can do. Here's a Vancouver Sun article that explains this infestation and what can be done about it. The City of Richmond also publishes a page on the European Chafer beetles on their website that provides helpful tips on keeping them under control.

 So next time you see a couple of crows tossing clumps of grass with their beaks, don't be so hard on them. Although it might not look that way, they are really on your side.

 Traffic pattern in Steveston

As you may know, last August, traffic pattern in the Steveston village was temporarily changed. The expansion of sidewalks on Moncton and Bayview street was implemented to allow pedestrians and cyclists more space and safeguard everyone's health and safety.

Traffic flow on Bayview Street was converted into one-way westbound while that on Moncton Street was changed to one-way eastbound.

As of September 7, both streets have reverted back to the old two-way traffic pattern with planters and guides lining Bayview Street to provide visual guides that separate cyclists and pedestrians. 

Frankly, I have always thought the original traffic flow was just fine and didn't quite see the point of tampering with something that wasn't broken. But then, what do I know? I only live here.

 Smoke gets in your eyes

Since September 8, smoke from wildfires in Washington and Oregon has blanketed Metro Vancouver, including Steveston.

Although air quality has improved since then, the smoke remains. It shrouds the sun, dimming its intensity and smudging its edges like an Impressionist painting. Everything is cast in a yellow glow, making our village look surreal.

 Summer blush

No it's not about the latest make up palette of a cosmetic company. Or the color that will dominate Paris/Milan/New York catwalks.

It's just the lovely muted shades of humble neighborhood flowers. But they hold this power to uplift our spirits and heal our hurts.