Clyde capture

I had serious misgivings that Clyde, the Eastern Rosella parrot that escaped from the Bloedel Conservatory almost five days ago, could survive even one night in the cold. But survive he did.

Clyde, used to the tropical climes of the conservatory based in Queen Elizabeth Park, made his escape through a hole in the Plexiglas dome made by vandals.

According to the Bloedel Conservatory blog, worried staff and Friends of Bloedel volunteers searched day and night throughout the park. Their hopes were lifted when they heard Clyde's calls and finally the escapee was spotted in the antennae structure atop the dome.

The problem then became a matter of how to get the colourful bird down from the top of the 70-foot dome. But, coincidently, a team from Spectrum Skyworks was on hand to repair the damaged Plexiglas bubble and quickly came to the rescue.

According to the blog, the team's high-level rope access training and specialized safety equipment allowed them to perform the rescue safely by coaxing the Eastern Rosella into a transport carrier and getting him to the ground.

According to Friends of Bloedel, Clyde was smart to find his way into the antenna structure where he was protected inside the metal and grated structure from the outside elements and predatory eagles, while the rising heat from the dome kept him warm through chilly nights.

Apparently Clyde is no stranger to adventure. Friends of Bloedel note he flew into the open doors of a fire hall more than 12 years ago and was taken in by Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary before arriving at the conservatory. Clyde is doing well after his big adventure and is expected to make a full recovery.

For pictures of Clyde's rescue, visit bloedel.wordpress.com.

City-run Bowling?

So the city thinks it's a great idea to put bowling alleys in community centres as long as the cash-strapped park board handles it.

The city has dumped the problem on the park board presumably as a way to quell residents' protests against the impending demolition of the Varsity Ridge bowling alley at 16th Avenue and Arbutus.

Now, at least three park board commissioners are taking the challenge seriously. NPA commissioner John Coupar brought forward a motion this week asking staff to look for options to provide a bowling facility to serve Vancouver residents.

Coupar said he hopes the park board can store and eventually recycle the bowling equipment from the Varsity at a future park-board managed alley.

"We've supported lawn bowling for more than 100 years," says Coupar. "So it seems like a natural progression. It's also a social game for seniors and kids and that's important."

Meanwhile, Vision Vancouver commissioners Constance Barnes and Aaron Jasper also created a similar motion, which will go to the board Nov. 26.

Barnes says she and Jasper worked on the motion together. She says the protest drove home the message about the importance of bowling to the health and well being of thousands of Vancouverites.

"So now Aaron and I are asking that bowling be included in the 2013-2014 recreational review," says Barnes.

sthomas@vancourier.com

Twitter: @sthomas10