Archive | January, 2022

In Honour of Betty White’s 100th Birthday

17 Jan

As most people know, Betty White was an American actress and comedian who passed away on December 31, 2021. She passed just weeks before her 100th birthday which would be today, January 17, 2022. Betty White was a pioneer of early television with an amazing career spanning over 8 decades. Add to that she was also one of the first women to work both in front of and behind the camera. But what we admired most about Betty was her tireless advocacy for animals and speaking for those that couldn’t speak for themselves. In honour of what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, people around the world are participating in the #BettyWhiteChallenge. This is simply donating $5 to an animal charity that is near and dear to them. We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to honour someone who has given so much of herself to animal advocacy.

There are so many organizations locally that are worthy to donate to, we couldn’t possibly list them all. If you are in position to donate $5, we’ve set out some of our favourite animal rescue organizations that we think are worthy of consideration. Every $1 helps.

Vancouver BC SPCA

Wildlife Rescue Association

VOKRA – Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue

SAINTS Rescue

Happy Herd Sanctuary

Thank Dog I’m Out

Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary

OWL (Orphaned Wildlife) Rehabilitation Society

Critter Care Wildlife Society

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World Premiere Of Do You Mind If I Sit Here? At The Russian Hall January 26-29

14 Jan

Theatre Replacement announces the world premiere of their latest work: Do you mind if I sit here? which will be performed at the Russian Hall January 26 – 29, 2022.  This production is part of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. Do you mind if I sit here? is about 3 social planners that visit the Russian Hall 30 years from now. They intend to repurpose the space for common use, but discover a squatter that has been living there through decades of an environmental catastrophe. The performance is eclectic in style with a metaphorical narrative. They will dare you to imagine the future in terms of our most important hopes, fears and beliefs. This is an in person event with Covid-safety protocols in place which include 50% seating capacity. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.

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The Firehall Arts Centre Opens Their 2022 Season With John January 12 – 15

8 Jan

The Firehall Arts Centre opens their 2022 season with Helen Walkley’s powerful dance/theatre piece, John. The production takes place from Wednesday, January 12 to Saturday, January 15, 2022.

“John is a memoir of my oldest brother who disappeared from Vancouver in May of 1969, never to be heard from again. I sourced from an archive of family letters dating from 1959–2010, which document the years leading up to his disappearance, his medical history, and the subsequent tracking my parents did of his disappearance. He was twenty-three at the time and I was thirteen.” – Helen Walkley.

“John is such a powerful, intimate piece that you are left feeling like you know this mysterious person,” says Artistic Producer Donna Spencer. “The performers, Josh Martin and Billy Marchenski, work together and apart in a manner that captures the inner feelings and outer conflicts of this young man. The work takes you on a journey of hope and loss with gentleness and frustration – it is a wonderful and memorable night of dance theatre.” – Helen Walkley

The production is choreographed by Helen Walkley and performed by Josh Martin and Billy Marchenski, John premiered and wowed audiences during its sold-out run at the 2019 Dancing on the Edge Festival.

Performances at the Firehall Arts Centre are continuing live at 50% capacity, masks and proof of vaccination will be required. To purchase tickets for the live performance, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

Photo Credit: Chris Randle

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New Year New You? We’ve Got Something Better

6 Jan

We have never been one for making resolutions going into the New Year. Self-improvement is a year round activity in our minds. The phrase New Year New You has been touted around, but after a turbulent 2 years instead of focusing on you, how about doing something to help others this year?  

Heading into the New Year, we thought we’d highlight a few places where, if you have some time on your hand, you can help out. It could be volunteering on an ongoing basis, or as your time permits.  We are going to start with an easy one, Vancouver Food Runners. This is a Vancouver non-profit that was launched in March of 2020. Since its inception they have redistributed over 800,000 pounds of food which would otherwise have gone to waste.   To make things really easy to volunteer, Vancouver Food Runners has a simple app. All you need to do is download the app, sign up and you will receive alerts in your area about food that needs to be delivered to a community partner, usually only a short distance from your location.   You can sign up by the time of day that’s best for you ie. days, afternoons, evenings, weekdays or evenings. It’s that easy. Their app allows you to sign up for regular weekly pick ups or, as you have time.

Vancouver Food Runners is currently operating in the Vancouver only at this time, but they hope to expand to other areas soon. In order to do that, they need more community partners to donate food and available volunteers to rescue/pick up food and deliver it. Want to learn more?  Visit Vancouver Food Runners, download the app, or give them a follow on Facebook.

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Bring Your Own Bag Now In Effect In Vancouver

2 Jan

In case you missed the memo, a ban on plastic and compostable plastic shopping bags went into effect January 1, 2022. With this also comes fees on paper and new reusable shopping bags, a minimum of $0.15 for paper bags and $1.00 for reusable bags. These fees are scheduled to increase in 2023 to $0.25 for paper bags and $2.00 per reusable shopping bag.  

Why the ban? In case you hadn’t heard waste from plastic bags pose a serious environmental danger to human and animal health.   Did you know in 2018, 89 million plastic shopping bags and 4 million paper shopping bags were thrown away in the garbage in Vancouver. According to the Great Canadian Shore Cleanup, plastics bags with the 6th most common type of litter found on the shorelines in 2019.

For more information on the City’s new by-laws and some exemptions that apply to facilities such as hospitals, pharmacies and community care facilities, visit the City of Vancouver.

If you need to stock up on some styling reusable sturdy totes, visit ILiveInEastVan online for a selection of canvas and nylon totes.

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