As those that follow us regularly know, we are big supporters of the BC SPCA and the work they do. We regularly feature pets waiting for adoption and often they are ones that are a bit harder to place. In today’s Foto Friday we are featuring a collage of pets that have been patiently waiting for some time in foster for their forever home. We have learnt that the Vancouver BC SPCA currently has a record number of canines in foster care. Since they are not in the shelter, they are not as visible to those looking for a pet, but of course just as deserving of that forever home. As of today’s writing, each of one of the dogs pictured is still waiting. So today we’d like to give them some virtual love to help them find what they so need and deserve. If you would like more information about any one of these dogs, you can find more information on their website at Vancouver BC SPCA, 1205 East 7th Avenue. You can also reach them by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca. They will be more than happy to arrange a visit for you. As always, we welcome any shares.
Foto Friday – Record Number of Dogs In Foster With Vancouver BC SPCA
13 May
Roving Food Tour – Tasting Plates Returns To The East Village May 18th
12 May
Richard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing back his Tasting Plates event to the Hastings Sunrise area affectionately named East Village. What is Tasting Plates? It is basically a culinary roving tour that takes place at different food and/or beverage establishments. You register for the event at the designated spot in this case, The Tiki Bar at the Waldorf Hotel which is where you will show your printed or digital ticket(s) and pick up your Tasting Plates Cards. From there, you wander whether by bike, foot, car or transit to the various venues and nibble away to your hearts content. Each location will have specific menu items on offer for the Tasting Plates. Now the East Village is an area which has much to offer the food lover. The spots Richard will be featuring on this tour include Nonna’s Table Café & Pizzeria located in the historic Waldorf Hotel. This is an Italian restaurant with a retro Polynesian/Tiki feel to it. Another stop includes Windsor Meats at 2276 East Hastings Street. This is a great meat shop and as an added bonus, the butchers have a great sense of humor which we hope would be on display during the tour. Next up is the Italia Bakery, 2828 East Hastings Street and oh what a sweet spot this in. The cakes, the pastries and oh the biscotti, bellissimo! Cannoli King food truck will be on hand with what else, of course, homemade cannoli. Also, on the tasting tour is a stop at Di Oliva Tasting Bar, 2632 E. Hastings Street. We love this spot! An amazing selection of over 50 kinds of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars with some truly amazing flavours. Some of their items are currently stocked in our pantry. Lastly on this tour, is a stop at The Brighton, 2471 E. Hastings Street, this is a great pub-style restaurant with some unique offerings and when you get the chance, check it out the great little patio tucked in the back. There is lots to enjoy on this foodie tour including meeting other like minded food lovers. You can purchase advance tickets for $40 through Eventbrite, otherwise if you wait prices are $55 per person as of May 15th. The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and goes till 10:00 pm.
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Knifewear Pop Up Shop May 1 – July 31 At 845 East Hastings Street
11 May
If you love to cook, or know someone that does, then we suggest you make your way down to the Knifewear Pop Up Shop at 845 East Hastings Street. This pop up shop is now on until July 31st in the great space next to les amis du fromage in Strathcona. We recently popped in as they were getting set up on their first day and the place was packed! What’s in store is an amazing selection of handmade Japanese knives which are yes, ‘scary sharp’ and oh so beautiful to boot. Everyone working in the store is an ex-chef, so they can answer a whole host of questions and provide some advice on what knives work best for your personal needs. There are some other items on hand in store such as beautiful cutting boards made of Larch wood. If you need knives sharpened, bring them down and watch it first hand. Of course, if stop in at Knifewear, we do recommend you also stop in next door at les amis du fromage and check out the amazing selection of cheeses. Outside of their cheese selection, they also have a delicious selection of gourmet frozen foods, giftware, cutting boards, crackers, olive oils and much more. And if the idea hasn’t already crossed your mind, you could easily pop in and throw together just about everything you need for a picnic. If you wish to learn more about Knifewear and what makes their knives so you unique, we invite you to check out their website or pop by their Pop Up Shop on till July 31st.
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RESCUE ME: Lenny 4 Year Old Tabby Looking For His Forever Home
10 May
Welcome to the next installment of Rescue Me in which we feature pets waiting for adoption at the Vancouver SPCA. Today we would like to introduce you to a lovely boy named Lenny. Lenny is a 4 year old male tabby that came to the Vancouver BC SPCA as a stray through the Maple Ridge branch. Although he had permanent ID and they were able to track his owner, he had been missing for a whole year!! Due to this length of time missing, his previous owners felt it was best that Lenny stay with the BC SPCA so they could find him a more suitable home. No one is really sure what or where he was for that year, but when found, he had FAD (flea allergy dermatitis) which they’ve treated and his hair is growing in nicely. Lenny, as you can see from the pic, is a rather handsome boy. As for diet, he does need to remain on a Hypoallergenic diet. Lenny is extremely head shy and does appreciate a safe distance while getting to know people. He does startle easy on hearing loud noises as well as sudden movements, so a home with no children is important. The BC SPCA is working on desensitizing him to touch and creating positive experiences with him, but he will need a dedicated and cat savvy guardian to continue this with him. Lenny had spent some time at the recent satellite adoption center “Catfe” but he found it to be too stressful, so his friends at the BC SPCA say he should be the only cat in the home. Lenny is very playful, loves to chase his toys and loves to play with water. Thus, turn on a tap, he will keep you amused for a long time! If you think you could give this handsome boy a forever home, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter would love to hear from you. You can find him at 1205 East 7th Avenue or by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca
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The 3rd Annual Great Grandview Garage Sale Is Back June 18
9 May
All bargain and vintage hunters it’s time to mark your calendars OR alternatively to get organized to participate. The Great Grandview Garage Sale is back for a third year on Saturday, June 18th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. This is a multi-family garage sale that takes place all throughout the Grandview-Woodlands area of East Vancouver. Specifically from Broadway to the Burrard Inlet and from Clark Drive to Nanaimo Street. If you live in the area, you are invited to participate and it is FREE to sign up. Whether you live in a home, walk up apartment building, co-operative housing, no matter, everyone is welcome to participate. If you are the one looking for those bargains or vintage finds, think of it as one big treasure hunt. Who knows what you might come across in your travels. The Great Grandview Garage Sale will go ahead rain or shine. To sign up to participate, or see a map of the current locations, visit Great Grandview Garage Sale. Remember, the old adage “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure”. And for the wee ones or teens, there will be many thirsty shoppers in the area, so a lemonade stand or something similar, certainly wouldn’t be out of place. If you have a budding entrepreneur in your home, time to get them organized. Look forward to seeing on what we expect will be a fun treasure hunt.
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Foto Friday – Spring Time In East Van
6 May
Spring is officially arrived on March 20th and with it came the sunshine, Spring flowers and gosslings and ducklings. We recently enjoyed a perfect sunny Sunday wandering around East Van. Starting off at June Hunter’s Studio Sale, we managed to capture a pic of some stunning tulips in her idyllic backyard which is where her studio is located. After that a trip to Strathcona brought us to the Wilder Snail with a wander by MacLean Park which was bustling with people enjoying the sunshine and green space. Which inspired a walk over to Strathcona Community Gardens which we found on last year’s East Van Garden Tour. To top off the day, it was a stop at La Casa Gelato for ice cream in the sunshine. We managed to capture some cool pics of our wander in and around East Vancouver. Thought we’d share them with you. Photo Credit: Mel Woo
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Crystal Shawanda Is Coming To The Waldorf Hotel May 13th
5 May
East Van if you love the blues, you are in for a real treat. Canadian Juno award winning recording artist, Crystal Shawanda, is coming to The Waldorf Hotel on Friday, May 13th. Crystal Shawanda released her first single in Canada in 2008 “You Can Let Go”. It was the fastest climbing single on the Canadian Country Singles Chart since Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s “Georgia” in 2000. Crystal has performed at a Presidential inauguration in Washington, DC, won a Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year in 2013 and is now singing the blues. She has just released a new album the Whole World’s Got The Blues and will be performing some of her new songs. Crystal has an amazing rawness and soul reminiscent of Etta James, Janis Joplin and Lucinda Williams. We had the immense pleasure of seeing her perform at the York Theatre shortly after it opened and what treat. Crystal is one dynamic performer. We recommend you take in this show which is an unbelievable deal at $10. Show gets under way at 10:00 pm at the Hideaway in the Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings Street. Tickets are available online from Ticket Zone.
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Take A Bow At The Cultch May 6 & 7 Celebrating Life & Music of David Bowie
4 May
It has truly been a year for losing music legends, so we were pleased to see this event coming to The Cultch this weekend. Avant Dance Co. presents Take A Bow which celebrates the life and music of David Bowie. David Robert Jones known by most as David Bowie was an English, singer, songwriter and record producer and like Prince, he danced to his own beat. David Bowie was a true innovator and had a career spanning five decades before he passed on January 10th of this year. This weekend, the Avant Dance Co. will explore the different faces of Bowie’s music through a variety of dance styles which will include ballet, hip hop and contemporary. This presentation is for two nights only Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th at 8:00 pm at The Cultch. Adult tickets are $25, student/senior $20 and children 12 and under $15. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office.
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SFU’s Philosphers’ Café Comes To Commercial Street Café Starting May 4th
3 May
SFU’s Philosophers’ Café is coming to the Commercial Street Café starting Wednesday, May 4th. The Philosophers’ Café is a series of informal public discussions throughout the City on a variety of topics. Founded in 1998 by Yosef Wosk, these discussions are aimed at creating cutting-edge, safe and stimulating environment for public conversation. More than 70,000 people have attended Philosophers’ Cafés at 90 different venues across B.C. So whether you are a student, senior, scholar, philosopher, community minded, or just plain curious, you are encouraged to attend and share your ideas. The events are free to attend and no registration is required. We have set out below the discussions that will be taking place at the Commercial Street Café. This is a great gem of a cafe located at 3599 Commercial Street at East 20th Avenue.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 6:30 pm
Mobility and Urban Densification: Do we need rapid transit?
Moderator: Peter Holt
Monday, May 23, 2016 6:30 pm
Wealth Is Associated With Money & Assets: But What Makes You Feel Rich?
Moderator: Peter Holt
Thursday, June 23, 2016 6:30 pm
The Sharing Economy: Is This The End of Ownership?
Moderator: Peter Holt
“Thinking the unthinkable, imagining the impossible, and discussing
the improbable”
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Help Keep Vancouver Spectacular – Organize A Clean Up Campaign
2 May
Now that Spring is officially here, it also means the return of the City’s annual clean up campaign called “Keep Vancouver Spectacular”. This initiative began in 1996 and was then a co-ordinated effort between the City of Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver and Oceans Blue Foundation. It has evolved with a variety of sponsors over the years. Generally, 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 (tongs)
• Free pickup of litter collected
As a past Block Captain, there is satisfaction in seeing everything looking green and clean in your neighbourhood. We are big supporters of this campaign. We can all grumble about the litter we see strewn here, there and everywhere, but you have the power to change that and the City gives you the tools to do it. From past experience, it is amazing how much garbage can be picked up with a small group of people. Added bonus, it is also pretty easy to organize. You simply go online fill out the registration form. After that, the City delivers you the requested items. Enlist a few volunteers and it could be a handful, or it can be a dozen or more, depends on size of the area you wish to tackle. Designate a location that everyone in your group returns the garbage to, the City usually provides signage for that purpose. The City will pick up the collected garbage from your designated spot. The time commitment is whatever you want to make it, but generally 1 to 2 hours is the average if doing a larger area, but it can be as little 45 minutes covering 1 or 2 city blocks. If neighbours need a little encouragement to participate, truth be told, I have enticed a few neighbours with fresh coffee and baked goodies. Outside of the clean up being great for the urban wildlife and visually more appealing, it is a great way to get to know your neighbours and build some pride within one’s community.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a Block Captain, the City of Vancouver provides a Block Captain Manual which is fairly straightforward and available to download online.
Also this year in conjunction with Keep Vancouver Spectacular, ElectroRecycle and Encorp, are offering you the opportunity to recycle your electronics, small appliances and power tools for free. Household battery drop-off will also be available at this event which takes place Saturday, May 7th. Drop off location is the Sunrise Square Parking Lot at 2500 Franklin Street near East Hastings Street and Nanaimo. The times for drop off are 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Did you know, in 2012, 16,400 volunteers in 180 groups came together to fill more than 6,000 bags with litter. Remember though if at any time you see items illegally dumped, you can contact the City at 311 or email them to request the item(s) be picked up. Will you help keep the City looking spectacular?
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