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Artisan Markets & Craft Fairs In East Van 2017

8 Nov

ChristmasBallsTis the season is upon us for artisan markets and craft fairs. Have you checked one out lately? They have evolved over the years. The artisans and makers we see today at these events have created amazing small businesses doing what they love.  We love supporting these makers at every turn. One of the many reasons is that “for every $100 spent with a BC local business, $46 is re-circulated back into our BC economy versus $18 for multi nationals. Why? Because locally owned businesses circulate more dollars in the community compared to multinational organizations.” So by supporting local, you are putting money back in our local economy.  So we encourage you to check out some of the great line of events listed below and think about supporting local when you doing your shopping this holiday season.

NOVEMBER 2017

Nov. 16: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5 pm – 10:30 pm
Nov. 17: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5 pm – 10:30 pm
Nov. 17: Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Britannia Comm. Centre 3 – 8
Nov. 18: All Handmade Sale – Grandview Cavalry, 1803 E. 1st 11 am – 5 pm
Nov. 18: Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Britannia Comm. Centre 10 – 5
Nov. 18: Christmas Craft Fair – Holy Trinity 154 East 10th Ave 10 am – 4 pm
Nov. 18: Christmas Craft Fair–Grace Memorial United, 803 E. 16th Ave 10-4
Nov. 18: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11 am – 6 pm
Nov. 19: Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Britannia Comm.Centre 10 – 5
Nov. 19: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11 am – 6 pm

Nov. 24: Italian Christmas Market – Italian Cultural Centre 5 pm – 9 pm
Nov. 24: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 4 pm – 9 pm
Nov. 25: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker Street 10 am – 5 pm
Nov. 25: Strathcona Winter Craft Fair – Strathcona Community Centre 10 – 4
Nov. 25: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 9 am – 4 pm
Nov. 25: Renfrew Park Craft Fair – Renfrew Park Community Centre 10 – 3
Nov. 26: Bling – Wearable Glass Art Show – Heritage Hall 11 am – 5 pm
Nov. 26: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 9 am – 4 pm
Nov. 26: River District Craft Fair – 8683 Kerr Street 11 am – 4 pm

Nov. 29: Got Craft? Pop Up Shop–Little Mountain Pop Up, 4385 Main St. 10–6
Nov. 30: Got Craft? Pop Up Shop–Little Mountain Pop Up, 4385 Main St. 10-6
Nov. 31: Got Craft? Pop Up Shop–Little Mountain Pop Up, 4385 Main St. 10–6

DECEMBER 2017

Dec. 1: Got Craft? Pop Up Shop – Little Mountain Pop Up, 4385 Main St. 10 – 6
Dec. 1: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1024 Main Street 6-10
Dec. 1: Toque – Western Front, 303 East 8th Avenue 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Dec. 2: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. N 11 am – 4 pm
Dec. 2: Got Craft? Pop Up Shop – Little Mountain Pop Up, 4385 Main St. 10  – 6
Dec. 2: East Van Bazaar – Kingsgate Mall 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Dec. 2: Toque – Western Front, 303 East 8th Avenue 11 am – 5 pm
Dec. 2: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1024 Main Street 11-5
Dec. 2: Kensington Holiday Craft Fair – Kensington Community Centre 10 – 4
Dec. 3: Got Craft? Pop Up Shop – Little Mountain Pop Up, 4385 Main St. 11 – 5
Dec. 3: Toque – Western Front, 303 East 8th Avenue 11 am – 5 pm
Dec. 3: River District Craft Fair – 8683 Kerr Street 11 am – 4 pm
Dec. 3: The East Side Best Side Holiday Pop Up Market – Russian Hall 11-5
Dec. 3: Pop Up Handmade – Speakeasy Salon 152 E. 8th Ave. 12 – 5
Dec. 3: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1024 Main Street 11-5

Dec. 7: Make It! – PNE Forum
Dec. 8: Make It! – PNE Forum
Dec. 9:  Make It! – PNE Forum
Dec. 9: Got Craft? – Maritime Labour Centre 10 am – 5 pm
Dec. 9: Shiny, Fuzzy, Muddy – Heritage hall 11 am – 7 pm
Dec. 9: Collingwood Artisans’ Village Market – Collingwood Neighbourhood House 11-4
Dec. 10: Shiny, Fuzzy, Muddy – Heritage Hall 10 am – 6 pm
Dec. 10: Got Craft? – Maritime Labour Centre 10 am – 5 pm
Dec. 10: River District Craft Fair – 8683 Kerr Street 11 am – 4 pm
Dec. 10: Pop Up Handmade – Speakeasy Salon 152 E. 8th Ave. 12 – 5

Dec. 15: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1024 Main Street
Dec. 16: Crafty Affaire – Croatian Cultural Centre 10 am – 5 pm
Dec. 16: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker Street 10 am – 5 pm
Dec. 16: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1024 Main Street 11-5
Dec. 16: Weirdos Holiday Market – 2244 East Hastings Street 11-7
Dec. 16: Women’s Winter Faire – Heritage Hall 11-7
Dec. 17: River District Craft Fair – 8683 Kerr Street 11 am – 4 pm
Dec. 17: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker Street 10 am – 5 pm
Dec. 17: Women’s Winter Faire – Heritage Hall 11-7
Dec. 17: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1024 Main Street 11-5
Dec. 17: Weirdos Holiday Market – 2244 East Hastings Street 11-7
Dec. 17: Pop Up Handmade – Speakeasy Salon 152 E. 8th Ave. 12 – 5

Ronnie Burkett Returns To The Cultch December 5th With The Little Dickens

7 Nov

LittleDickensThe ever popular Ronnie Burkett brings the Daisy Theatre back to The Cultch for his production The Little Dickens December 5 to 22, 2017. If you don’t know about the Daisy Theatre, you are missing a laugh your ass off good time. This is an adult puppet show performed By Ronnie Burkett.  If you think you might not be interested in seeing puppets, think again. The Daisy Theatre is unlike anything you have ever seen. Ronnie Burkett, puppeteer provocateur and his company of over 40 marionettes, will not only entertain you, but will be sure to have you riding a wave of emotion as he brings his puppets to life. The energy he brings to his puppetry is rather awe inspiring and how he seamlessly transitions between all the characters. In his new production The Little Dickens, the cast of The Daisy Theatre take on the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, in the merriest marionette mash-up ever. Faded Daisy diva, Esmé Massengill, plays the role of miserly, drunken, bitter Esmé Scrooge, in this Burkett-esque retelling of the Dickens classic. As always with an improvised Daisy show, there is no set script, and in the journey of Esmé Scrooge toward redemption, she encounters all the Daisy favourites portraying Dickens’ familiar characters. In keeping with the vaudeville show theme of The Daisy Theatre, popular Christmas songs will feature in a burlesque opening and sultry jazz solos.  Ronnie Burkett brings a sharp wit to his characters when he needs to, but he can be as soft as kitten when playing the character Schnitzel who usually begins and finishes his show. Each performance is different, daring and ridiculous.  The Georgia Straight has previously called it “one of the best shows you’ll ever see”.  Tickets start at $22 and are available online at The Cultch.  Note, due to the mature content this is a 19+ show.

What people are saying about Ronnie Burkett:

“Ronnie Burkett’s creations are remarkable feats of both manipulation and imagination” — The Guardian (UK)

 “One of the geniuses of the world…seeing his troupe every few years has just become a necessity of civilized theatre going”
— The Village Voice (NY)

Review Of Girls Like That On Now Until November 10, 2017

6 Nov

 

 

Shameless Hussy Productions tackles modern day girl on girl crime in Girls Like That at Templeton Secondary School. The 10-person cast, entirely made up of teenage girls (many of whom are Templeton students), impress the audience with their ability to grapple with the intense subject matter which frankly, many adults struggle with. No doubt, this is in part due to the school’s “Girls in Leadership” club.

“Slut, skank, scuzz – you deserve everything coming to you.”

The play follows a tightly knit group of girls from childhood through high school, jumping back and forth in time and showcasing the judging and shaming that takes place at every age of a girl’s life. However, in the same vein as the 2004 film Mean Girls, the play turns your attention not to the way women are oppressed by men, but to the crimes girls commit against each other.

The main storyline is interwoven with explosive musical ensembles and monologues from women of different generations throughout. The cast dances in sync to songs heavy in their message of girl power like Beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” and Little Mix’s “Wings,” drawing a stark contrast with the way the girls gang up on and slut-shame their “friend” in the story. Moreover, the comedic monologues from a flapper girl, a World War II air pilot, a hippie and a Melanie Griffith-style working girl serve to demonstrate the adversity women have faced through the ages and the way women have had to stick together to overcome oppression. This again points a disappointed finger at the way girls treat each other in the present.

The play’s main objective is clear, to blatantly show the way sexism and misogyny are indoctrinated by the girls themselves and how this is all aided by modern technology. It’s not that bullying has never existed and girls have never been mean to each other, but the game has changed. It is so easy to anonymously harass someone from behind a screen or to like and share gossip with the tap of a button. What’s easier is to blindly accept discourse like “she was asking for it” and “boys will be boys.” It’s hard to challenge authority, to go against the mob, but these young women, mature beyond their years, display the dramatic consequences of not doing so.

For tickets to this impressive and important production at Templeton Secondary School on now until November 10th visit Eventbrite.

Review by Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic

Photos Credit: Tim Matheson

What’s On East Van: November 3, 2017

3 Nov

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Lots happening in East Van this next week.  Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out cool events for the upcoming week. Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and futures events for the month and beyond.

Girls Like That – Templeton Secondary School – November 2 – 10, 2017

Growing up a girl is frought with pitfalls, in the digital age they have become land mines.  Girls Like That showcases what it’s like growing up a girl in this technological age, but there are many other messages hidden in this production for everyone.  If you are a woman, any age, you should see this. Tickets are a very reasonable $10 and available through Eventbrite. The cast features high school students from the Lower Mainland including several from Templeton Secondary School. This is about as real as it gets. See it.

Icons Vintage Market – 1024 Main Street – November 3, 2017

Love vintage? Head over to ICONS Vintage Market this Friday, November 3rd at the Eastside Flea, 1024 Main Street. The event features vintage clothing, vinyl records, housewares, music, unique finds, food and drink specials along with pinball and a DJ.  Doors open at 6:00 pm. Admission is $3. This is an all ages event.

Square Dance – Wise Hall – November 3, 2017

If you always wanted to learn how to square dance, now’s your chance.  Professor Bango, Paul Silveria, is hosting an evening at the Wise Hall this Friday. This is a beginner friendly event. Tickets are $15 online or $20 at the door. 

Take Flight – Arts Factory – November 4, 2017 

You are invited to come celebrate 21 years of art creation at Eastside Culture Crawl’s 2017 launch party and benefit this Saturday. The first part of the evening is a reception with cocktails and appetizers and the first to get your hands on our 2017 program guide. At 8:30 pm, they open the doors to the public opening of the LIT Preview Exhibit  featuring 2017 Culture Crawl artists. 

East Van Opry – Rio Theatre – November 4, 2017 

Lots of local talent packed into the East Van Opry happening Saturday night at the Rio Theatre.  This event now in its 5th features country music and much more. Tickets are $24 in advance or $28 at the door.

Winter Farmers Market – November 4 & 5, 2017

Vancouver Farmer Markets kick off their winter markets this weekend.  Saturday’s market is at Nat Bailey Stadium from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Sunday’s market at Hastings Park on the PNE centregrounds also from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Come out and support your local growers and makers

Big Top Tuesday – Libra Room – November 7, 2017

Starting Tuesday, November 7th, Big Top returns to their famed weekly residency at The Libra Room. Music kicks off at 8:00 pm and winds down at 11:00 pm. 

Entertainment, Comedy + Live Theatre 

This Friday, Rio Theatre is hosting Fairytale Burlesque.  If you looking for a movie to check out to say indoors, the Rio is showing V For Vendetta with Natalie Portman this Sunday at 6:00 pm. Fets Whiskey Kitchen on the Drive is hosting a Whiskey Dinner this Sunday. To see more of what’s on, check our Events Listing.

Image Credit: June Hunter

Portuguese Festa! With Dinner, Music & Show At Casa Verde – December 1, 2017

1 Nov

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If you missed out on the rather funny 2016 Vancouver Fringe Festival Show Festa!, you are in luck it’s back for one night only Friday, December 1, 2017.   This show was created by two Portuguese ladies, Maria J. Cruz and Sandra Medeiros. Maria and Sandra grew up in East Van and met at Charles Tupper Secondary School. They have fond memories of growing up in East Van, but felt there was a bit of stigma living in East Van, which made them tough, scrappy and resourceful. We think this applies to many of us that grew up in East Van. We once asked Maria and Sandra what they loved most about growing up in a Portuguese family. “The food was always amazing! We have the ability to laugh and joke around, even when you don’t have much. Knowing that your family is fiercely protective and will always have your back. Portuguese families are tight knit and loving, even while driving you crazy!”  Now getting back to the food, like many cultures, this is a big part of theirs and experiencing the food is part of the Portuguese Festa happening December 1st. The dinner and show takes place at Casa Verde located at 3532 Commercial Street just off the Victoria Diversion and steps away from the Commercial Street Café. The evening includes a 3 course dinner, an entertaining show and live music. Tickets are $50 and available through Eventbrite.

Winter Farmer Markets Are Back At Nat Bailey Stadium & Hastings Park

31 Oct

ProduceEricUrquhartVancouver Farmers Market hosts two winter farmer markets this year. Both kick off this weekend. Nat Bailey Stadium kicks off this Saturday, November 4th and Hastings Park happens Sunday, November 5th. These markets happen rain or shine and continue into April.  So if they can be out there in all the elements, so can we to support our local growers and makers.

Nat Bailey Stadium – November 4 to April 21 / 10 – 2

The biggest Winter Farmers Market is at Nat Bailey Stadium, 4601 Ontario Street on Saturday November 4th and runs each Saturday until April 22nd, 2018 save for December 30th.  The market runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Hastings Park – November 5 to April 29 / 10 – 2

If you prefer heading to the farmers market on a Sunday, then be sure to check out the now popular market at Hastings Park.  This farmers market will run every Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm until April 30, 2018 save for December 24th and December 31st.  The market is located on the Centregrounds.

Photo Credit: Eric Urquhart

East Van Panto – Snow White & The Seven Dwarves At The York Theatre

30 Oct

SnowWhiteEastVanPantoWe were going to wait until after Halloween to tell you about this upcoming holiday tradition, but we just can’t wait. The East Van Panto is a favourite event we look forward to every year and this show never ceases to disappoint. Celebrating its 5th year, the East Van Panto is back with an outrageous take on Snow White. In this East Van tale, our hero flees the Queen of North Vancouver across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and lands straight into the madness of the PNE, where she dances with SuperDogs, hops a ride on the Wooden Roller Coaster, and befriends washed-up ‘80s rock stars “The Seven Dwarves”. Pure Panto hilarity ensues as they do everything they can to escape the Queen’s wicked clutches.

It is really hard to believe that we are doing the East Van Panto for a fifth year!”, says The Cultch’s Executive Director, Heather Redfern. “So many people tell me that it’s a holiday tradition for their family and friends, and that just warms my heart because the Panto is all about celebrating local artists, local places, and local families. This year, we are presenting Snow White & the Seven Dwarves – who just happen to have landed at the PNE! I mean what could be more fun to sing and dance about than that?! The East Van Panto is for everybody and it’s made here especially for us.”

There is amazing cast of talent behind this production.  The East Van Panto is open to all ages 5 and up. Tickets start at $22, family packs are available which include 4 tickets for $135.  Note, all seats for ages 18 and under are $22.  Tickets are available at The Cultch either in person, by phone or online. The shows previews November 29th and November 30th and continues until January 6, 2018. For those looking for a matinee, there are many 2:00 pm shows. For more information on tickets, visit The Cultch. See you there!

Photo Credit: Tim Matheson

Night For All Souls At Mountain View Cemetery Saturday October 28th

25 Oct

AllSoulsNightYou are invited to the 13th Annual All Souls Night Saturday, October 28th  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street.  This event is curated by artist Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto and was created to provide opportunities for the public to commemorate their dead with a family-oriented community art event. The Celebration Hall will be open from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for tea and personal memorial making. Artists and community members will come together to create a sanctuary for remembrance and reflection. You are encouraged to bring a lantern and candles as well as photos if you wish to create a memorial for a loved one in a gentle atmosphere of contemplative beauty. The event takes place rain or shine.  To learn more about All Souls Night and events that continue to November 1st visit a Night For All Souls.  All schedule of all the events around this date are set out below, or you can visit Night For All Souls.

 The departed they visit us in dreams. They glide across our memories like shadows over streams.

Inscription on a headstone at Mountain View Cemetery.

  • Saturday, October 28th 6:00 – 10:00pm Opening Night
  • Sunday, October 29th 3:00 – 5:00 pm Mourners Tea
  • Sunday, October 29th 7:00 and 8:30 pm Performances of “Songs for a Lost Pod”
  • Monday, October 30th 8:00 pm Documentary Screening “For Dear Life”
  • Tuesday, October 31st 7:30pm Harpist Janelle Nadeau
  • Wednesday, November 1st 8:00 pm Closing Night Procession

All events are free, but donations are welcome.

Halloween Events In East Vancouver

24 Oct

HalloweenPumpkin&LanternIf you are looking for something to do for Halloween, there are no lack of events this year. We have set out a sampling of some of the events happening in East Van.  If you plan on staying in this Halloween and catching up on a scary flick or two,  we recommend stopping into Black Dog Video on Commercial Drive to stock up.   If you want to go out and play, here’s What’s On: 

Parade of Lost Souls. This popular East Van tradition is back on Saturday, October 28th. This year’s theme is Alter Ego. The exact location of the event will be announced at midnight on October 28th on the Dusty Flowerpot website. As in past years, you can expect a parade of wild costumes, giant puppets, live music by East Van’s own Carnival Band among others, a Thriller Flash Mob and performance art created by local community members. The event features the Parade of Lost Souls which takes place near the ‘to be announced location in East Vancouver from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. This event is free and for all ages. Costumes are encouraged. For those wishing to carry on after the parade, there is an After Party at The Legion on Commercial Drive from 9:30 pm until 2:00 am.

Fright Nights. Playland is hosting 8 haunted houses including a new Keepers Doll Factory, 20 rides (5 more than last year we hear).  Fright Nights is on October 6th to October 31st (enter E. Hastings & Windermere). Tickets are available online at FrightNights.ca and can be purchased for a specific night.

Rio Theatre. The Rio has you covered leading up to Halloween. They kick things off on Friday night with Beetlejuice followed by Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Rocky Horror Picture Show rounding out the evening.   They’ve got you covered all weekend long two more showings of The Horror Picture Show on the Saturday and Sunday nights.  Plus Sunday a showing of Poltergeist and The Ghostbusters.

Halloween-Drive In Movie: Wesgroup Property and Fresh Air Cinemas brings you double feature drive-in movies to SE Vancouver along the Fraser River (Boundary Road and SE Marine Drive). Saturday, October 28th they will be starting off the evening with a showing of Casper followed by The Shining.  There will be a second round of movies Sunday, October 29th (rescheduled for the rained out event October 21st) with starts off with ET and is followed by Friday the 13th.  Perfect shows for Halloween weekend.  Cost if $20 per carload for 1 movie, $30 per carload for double feature.

80s Halloween  Party – Federico’s Supper Club is hosting an 80s Halloween Party on Friday, October 27th. The evening includes a 3 course dinner with a live music show by Mark Olexson and The A-Deez which sets the night up for dancing to great 80s music.

COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR THE WEE ONES

Trout Lake Community Centre: Halloween Celebration – Saturday, October 28th 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  You are invited to come jump in the bouncy castle, play Halloween games, and make some pumpkin crafts. Lots more surprises planned for the wee ones. There is a cost of $4.00 per child.

Hastings Sunrise Pumpkin Patch:  On Saturday, October 28th Hastings Elementary School is hosting their 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival. Grab a pumpkin, a bite and enjoy some live music from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission by donation.

Spook-Tacular Science World On The Road: River District is hosting some Halloween down along the Fraser River Saturday, October 28th from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm with a live science show happening from 1:00 – 1:30 pm after which they’ll have ‘science on the spot’ demo stations for everyone to experience.

Halloween On The Drive: Commercial Drive Business Improvement Society is hosting some family friendly events throughout the day on Saturday, October 28th with many local businesses participating and handing out Halloween candy. From 6:00 to 7:30 pm in Grandview Park, the Commercial Drive Business Society is hosting free family fun including face painting, balloon twisting, caricatures and photo booths for those that want pics on their costume. The night will be topped off with fireworks from 7:30 to 8:00 pm in Grandview Park.Halloween-SpiderWebs

 

A Side Glance By Al Tee ‘Voting’ Was It Worth The Cost?

23 Oct

VancouverVotesOn Tuesday October 10th while heading to see the new Blade Runner – half hour too long not noir-sh enough but one really good scene – I tried to do my civic duty and vote early at City Hall. But there was a line-up and I was not going to wait. After the movie, I tried again and there was still a line-up. Really? Donʼt by-elections usually have low voter turnout? How could this interference with my plans be happening? Turns out there ended up being only 11% participation by eligible voters.

This leads me to the question of why exactly was this expensive democratic exercise necessary? Okay, I know Councillor Geoff Meggs went off to Victoria to take an easy cash gig. But rather than spend the million plus the City dropped to elect a replacement, why didnʼt they just go down the list? Think about it. Meggs came in 10th in 2014, making him the last one on board council. Why not just give the job to the person who came in next. In 2014, Ian Robertson of the NPA was the 11th. Given that the winner of this election was Hector Bremner of the NPA, would it have made a difference? Tell me there is a difference between Bremner and Robertson? If Robertson werenʼt available, the next four closest were also NPA candidates. So in essence Meggs should have just saved us the money and trouble and picked somebody from the NPA to replace himself. The same goes with the School Board. They were fired, so just rehire them. Their term was only one more year. We are doing all this again in 2018. The money spent on the by-election could have been used for something more purposeful rather than reminding us that nobody gets elected without money. The kind of money that only comes from hitching a ride from a name brand political party. So, sorry Judy Graves and Jean Swanson. The last independent to win a council seat was Carole Taylor 30 years ago, and she was heavily connected and financed. Same thing goes to you Mary Jean Watermelon and thanks for the Robo-call. Are those really effective for getting the votes?

This by-election also has me pondering how come, with all our enlightenment and gender neutral washrooms, we have still yet to elect a transperson? Specifically how come the money parties wonʼt offer a ride to Jamie Lee Hamilton? This gal has been running forever. She deserves to be elected just for her persistence. Sadly this by-election is also a reminder that COPE the once mighty vanguards of Vancouverʼs progressive politics are on the verge of extinction. Twas self-destructive infighting that caused their decline.

But there are some positives in all this. One City, a neophyte progressive party, managed to best the money parties and steal a seat from them. Plus more Green Party seats. Keep the City green. Seriously, can we put something green in the school curriculum?  Because the school annex a block over from my place, those kids need to learn to recycle. They are our future.

By Contributing Writer Al Tee

Photo: City of Vancouver