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Stone Soup Festival Coming to Britannia Community Centre May 11th

6 May

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Saturday, May 11th the Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street, will be hosting the 18th Annual Stone Soup Festival.  This event is a celebration of food, art, environment and community and is very much a family oriented event.  There is something for everyone at this celebration.    On site there will be a food market as well as local artists and community groups showcasing their works, live music, tea leaf reading, free soup, children’s activities including a Children’s Seed Planting Workshop from 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. in the West Kids’ Area. Also from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Jan Nguyen will be presenting an Origami Workshop at the Britannia Site.

This event focuses on food and the sharing of resources and eating ‘local’.  Stone Soup Festival will celebrate the diversity of food within the neighbourhood and the importance of food to the culture of our community. This year there will be a special focus on Urban Agriculture. To that end, there will be workshops on a variety of topics including The Urban Food Garden (Planning Tips & Advice from Victory Gardens) from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Family Activity Room, How To Plant & Care For A Tree Workshop by David Tracey from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Al Mattison Lounge as well as a presentation by Peter Ladner on Digging Economic Sustainability into the Urban Food Movement at 3:00 p.m. in the Britannia Library. And if that isn’t enough, does your bike need a tune up? Kickstand will be hosting a Bike Tune Up Workshop which is by donation.

Live music will be at the Commercial Drive Stage. The schedule kicks it off with Katheryn Petersen at Noon. At 1:00 p.m. you will find the Carnival Band, then Tim Sars Band will be on stage at 1:30 p.m., Backspin gets going at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. Glenn Watts takes the stage and to finish things off, Rio Samaya at 4:00 p.m.  And of course free soup will be available from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Gym D compliments of Liquids and Solids Cafe & Market.  Come out and celebrate local food in your community!

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Gourmet Warehouse Customer Appreciation Day Saturday, May 4th

3 May

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There are two places in this city, I could get lost in for hours. The first would be any library or bookstore,  the second is Gourmet Warehouse. I love good food, making it, eating it, or just thinking about making or eating it. Gourmet Warehouse has pretty much everything a cook, baker or entertainer could want or need.  There is the cook ware, the bake ware, sauces, snacks, prepared foods, frozen foods, small appliances, gift ware, aprons, cookbooks, candles, every utensil you could imagine and wine glasses. And of course storage containers to help you organize your kitchen so you can find what you need when you need it! This is just the short list.

So if there is anything you want or need, this Saturday, May 4th is the day to head down to Gourmet Warehouse, 1340 East Hastings Street, for their Customer Appreciation Day.   Everything in the store is 10% off from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The first 120 customers to make a purchase will receive a free Epicurean Cutting Board.   There will also be a draw for a SodaStream machine. Like most Saturdays in the store, there will be delectable goodies for tasting. Yum!

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Keep Vancouver Spectacular – Keep Your Neighbourhood Green & Clean

2 May

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Every May, the City of Vancouver, puts on a city-wide clean up campaign called “Keep Vancouver Spectacular” from May 1st – May 31st.  This initiative began in 1996 and was a co-orindated effort between the City of Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver and Oceans Blue Foundation. It has evolved with a variety of sponsors over  the years. People get together individually or in groups to clean up their neighbourhood streets, lanes, parks and shorelines.  The City of Vancouver supplies the tools which include:

•             Garbage bags
•             Gloves, cleanup tools (thongs)
•             Free pickup of litter collected

As a past Block Captain there is satisfaction in everything looking green and clean in your neighbourhood. It is amazing how much garbage can be picked up with a small group of people.  It is rather simple if you are the one doing the organizing. You simply go online fill out the registration form. After that, the City delivers you the requested items. Enlist a few volunteers. Designate a location that everyone in your group returns the garbage to. The time commitment is what you make it, but generally 1 to 2 hours is the average.    If neighbours need a little encouragement to participate, truth be told, I have enticed a few neighbours with fresh coffee and donuts.

If you are not an organizer, but wish to volunteer, many neighbourhoods are now looking for volunteers for their clean up campaigns such as South Hill Business Association (along Fraser Street between 41st and 50th Avenues)  South Hill BIA is holding their annual clean up this Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 a.m. – Noon. The Victoria Drive Business Improvement Association is holding their clean up campaign on Sunday, June 23, 2013 and to boot, they will be providing lunch. For more details or to volunteer, call T: 604-323-2301 or email vdbia@telus.net.

In 2012, 16,400 volunteers in 180 groups came together to fill more than 6,000 bags with litter. Now that’s spectacular!

Photo Credit: South Hill Business Association

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Vancouver International Burlesque Festival At The Rio Theatre May 2nd

1 May

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The first night of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival is coming to the Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, this Thursday, May 2nd.  Did you know that last year’s festival was one of the highest attended burlesque festivals in the world, per night?  Yes, Vancouver has a greater attendance record than the big boys, being New York, Chicago and London.

This year’s festival kicks things off with The Wet Spots. This is the husband and wife team of Cass King and John Woods who will be hosting and entertaining the crowd with their songs about sex.  The line up includes Rock and Roll Burlesque Motown style which will be performed with a live band. Think the Supremes, The Temptations and the Jackson 5. Next up is Gypsy Rose Lee at Minsky’s Burlesque then the production of Paint & Pasties which showcases the work of the VanDolls. They will take the work of famous artists and bring them to life.   Tickets are $35 and available through Northern Tickets.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m.  The festival continues on May 3rd and 4th at the Vogue Theatre for those that miss the festivities at the Rio Theatre.

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River District Farmers Market Starts Saturday, May 4th

29 Apr

RiverDistrictFarmersMarket2013 River District Farmers Market begins this Saturday May 4th at the foot of Kerr Street in SE Vancouver (8683 Kerr Street).  If unfamiliar with the area, you only need to travel one block South of SE Marine Drive along Kerr Street and you are at East Kent Avenue.  Once there, you will see Romer’s Burger Bar to your right and just beyond it a view of the Fraser River.

After an inaugural first run last year, this Farmers Market is back for another season every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. until October 26th.  There will be more vendors on hand with fresh local produce, prepared food, local artisans showcasing  handmade products as well as musical entertainment.

This is a great scenic spot to cycle or walk along the riverfront, or stop in at Romer’s Burger Bar situated right next to the market for brunch, snack or early dinner after the market. I know burgers are their specialty, but if you don’t try their Whiskey Doughnuts, you have missed something truly heavenly. I must confess I have lived along the Fraser River in SE Vancouver for many years and this is a unique and special place.  If you haven’t already checked out this secret little oasis tucked away in East Vancouver, the Farmers Market is a perfect time to make your way down.

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Got Craft? The Spring Edition Coming This Weekend To A New Venue

25 Apr

newpostcardwebGot Craft? the largest independent craft fair will be held Saturday, April 27th and Sunday, April 28th at Templeton Secondary School, 727 Templeton Drive. This event was scheduled to be held at the Maritime Labour Centre, but due to a fire at that venue, the organizers have done some fancy foot work and managed to secure a new location.

This event will be an opportunity to see first hand how much collective creative talent there is in this City.  If you want to get a true sense of all the talent in photos, I invite you to check out the Lookbook at Issuu created for this event.

If you’d like to flex some of your own creative muscle, there will be many do-it- yourself workshops.  Have you ever wanted to learn how to knit? If so, Sunday Knit Social is on hand to show you basic knitting moves.   To round things off nicely, as I’m sure all that shopping will make you hungry, there will be food carts on hand including Varinicery Pakoras, JJ’s Trucketeria and Taser Grilled Cheese.

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.  Tickets are $3.00 cash at the door. Children under 10 are free. If you are one of the first 50 guests on each of the days, you will receive a free swag bag.  Now that’s an incentive to get out early if you aren’t generally inclined to!

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Clockwork Universe – A Steampunk Art Happening At Havana Gallery April 28th

24 Apr

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Avenue for/des Arts is a Vancouver not-for-profit visual arts group that is presenting  Clockwork Universe – A Steampunk Art Happening on Sunday, April 28th at the Havana Gallery, 1212 Commercial Drive. What is Steampunk you might ask?  Wikipedia describes it as:

“… any of the artistic styles, clothing fashions, or subcultures, that have developed from the aesthetics of steampunk fiction, Victorian-era fiction, and films from the mid-20th century.Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical “steampunk” style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk.”

Think science fiction and futuristic then throw in some Victorian dress, fantasy and maybe a little technofantasy imagery.  This weekend’s opening show will explore Steampunk ideas and icons. The show will also feature 14 pieces of Steampunk-influenced art as well as  local musicians and performers. To round out the experience, Vancouver Alternative Fashion will be presenting a Steampunk Fashion Parade of local designers.   Everyone is encouraged to participate and come dressed in their Steampunk finery. The art show runs from April 26th to May 7th. The opening and cabaret happens this Sunday, April 28th from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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Second Time Around, Eastside Flea – Saturday April 20th

14 Apr

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If you missed the first Eastside Flea in March, well you are in luck. The Flea will be back this Saturday, April 20th at the Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street.  The rafters will be filled with vintage items once again, but as before there well be new items available including handmade leather goods by Hannah Newton and  Dominic Tweed.  New vendors on board this time around include Eastside Re-Rides with leather goods and Jordan River Soap Works with handmade products. The Flea runs from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Organizers lucked out with a perfect sunny day the first go around in March, here’s hoping for the same the second time around.

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Wine Seminars at Vancouver Urban Winery Starting Sunday April 14th

10 Apr

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Have you wanted to learn about wine and wine pairing in a fun, informative environment? If the answer is yes, you are in luck. Vancouver Urban Winery is offering their version of Sunday School. A series of four ‘informal and irreverent wine seminars’ which will be hosted by Sommeliers David Stansfield and Lisa Cook. Both sommeliers have extensive experience with wine. The aim of these seminars is to demystify wine and make it a fun and engaging evening for everyone.

There will be a series of 4 seminars starting this Sunday, April 14th. The initial seminar is titled #101 – A World Tour of Wine. The second seminar held on April 28th is titled #102 – BC vs. The World which will be an interactive evening with brown-bag, blind tasting. The third seminar being held on May 12th is #103 – Better Know A BC Winery – Joie Farms which will include back vintages and barrel samples presented by winemaker and owner, Heidi Noble.  And if you are going to know a BC winery, this is one to know.  This award winning winery just cleaned up at the 2013  Great Northwest Wine Competition in Washington state where it was awarded thirteen medals. The last seminar in this series is being held on May 26th  is titled #104 – How To Buy Wine and Influence People. The view of this seminar is to assist people in deciphering wine labels and understanding wine scores.  All four seminars will be held at Vancouver Urban Winery, 55 Dunlevy Avenue. The cost is $35 per class or $120 for all 4 classes. Tickets can be purchased through the winery or by visiting www.vuw.eventbrite.com.  Classes run from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., but doors open at 6:00 p.m.  Everyone is encouraged to come early and meet their hosts and tour the winery. Cheers!

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Vaisakhi Parade and Celebration April 13th

8 Apr

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Vaisakhi is  a festival celebrated every April by millions of Sikhs around the world. It is a day that marks the New Year and is also the anniversary of one of the most important events in Sikhisim, that being Khalsa.  It also marks the beginning of the Harvest Season. This Saturday, April 13th, come celebrate Vaisakhi. A parade will start its procession at 11:00 a.m. from the Ross Street Temple, 8000 Ross Street (at 64th Avenue) in SE Vancouver and will travel south on Ross Street to SE Marine Drive, then west on Main Street, North to 49th Avenue and east to Fraser Street, south to 57th Avenue, east to Ross Street before returning to the Ross Street Temple. In addition to the parade, there will be Nagar Kirtan hymns, floats, live music, rides and free food prepared by local residents and businesses. The event runs until 4:00 p.m.

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