Tag Archives: Vancouver

Help Vancouver’s Urban Forest And Plant A Tree

2 Apr

FlowersofAppleTreePasipHelp Vancouver’s urban forest and plant a tree. It’s that easy and Treekeepers makes it affordable as well. TreeKeepers is a non-profit partnership between Tree City and the Environmental Youth Alliance working with the City of Vancouver to grow our urban forest.  Every tree you plant provides ecological, economic and cultural benefits.  David Tracey, Executive Director of Treekeepers states in a recent Vancouver Courier article that “trees provide cleaner air and intercept rainwater so fewer stormwater infrastructures are necessary. He also said trees give us aesthetic pleasure by softening the harsh lines of infrastructure and maintain a thriving biodiversity by providing habitats for birds and insects.”    There are a variety of trees including fruit bearing (apple, plum and fig), flowering and evergreen trees available.  This April you can pick up a tree for the very reasonable price of $10 – $15, but you must pre-order your trees. To pre-order a tree visit Treekeepers.

List of upcoming tree sales in East Vancouver:

 April 11 – Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive 1:00 to 2:30 pm

 April 18 – Slocan Park, 2750 East 29th Avenue, 10:00 am to 11:30 am

 April 18 – Sunset Rink, 390 East 51st Avenue, 2:00 pm  to 3:30 pm

 April 19 – Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer Street, 10:00 to 11:30 am

 April 22 – Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, 6:00 to 7:30 pm

Do your part to help create the world’s greenest City and plant a tree.

Photo Credit (Above): Pasi Pitkanen
Photo Credit (Below): Makio Kusaharamaple-leaves-1116091-mHirektasu

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Opening Reception For Love Your Face At Studio 126 April 2nd

1 Apr

LoveYourFaceWe’ve learnt of a very cool space in Chinatown, called Studio 126 located at 126 East Pender Street. The studio has a variety of locally made goods including reclaimed furniture, handmade items by local artisans including Brand & Iron, Woodlot, Hobo Woodworks,  Say It With Sarcasm, Sue Griese Ceramics, LISSU Linen and East Van Jam.

This Thursday, April 2nd, you are invited to the Opening Reception of Love Your Face. This is a collection of 100 portraits by photographer Ian Sheh in which he reveals the wonder and beauty of our face. The reception kicks off at 7:00 pm and runs till 10:00 pm.  Admission is free. If you wish to RSVP or request further information email Studio 126 at studio126yvr@gmail.com.  If you miss the Opening Reception, the Love Your Face exhibit will run until May 3rd and can be viewed Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 pm.

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Tonight Is Earth Hour 8:30 to 9:30 pm

28 Mar

EarthHourDavidCowanTonight you can join people from around the world by participating in Earth Hour. To participate, you only need to turn off the lights for one hour between 8:30 to 9:30 pm local time. This event started in Australia in 2007 to bring awareness to environmental issues and climate change and now involves 162 countries.  This is one of those events where individually it may not seem like you are making a big difference, but collectively it does.  BC Hydro states that for Earth Hour last year the provincial electrical load was reduced by 1%.  That meant 1.4 million lights were turned off in this province alone.  It’s a great excuse to bring out the candles, turn out the lights and get cozy.

Photo Credit: David Cowan

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Apply For A Neighbourhood Small Grant To Help Build Community

11 Mar

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Would you like to make your community a better place? If yes, consider applying for a Neighbourhood Small Grant. If you have not heard about this program, it is worth looking into. Speaking from past experience this program is a great way to get to know your neighbours and build community. You can apply for grants from $50 to $1,000 for projects in your neighbourhood. The aim of the program, which is funded by the Vancouver Foundation, is to connect and engage people within the community in which they live. Neighbours can get together and make an application for a variety of events. Some examples of past events include neighbourhood block parties, clean up campaigns, ethnic cooking classes, emergency preparedness plans, community gardens and an outdoor movie night. This is not for adults only, kids are welcome to get into the act. One could do something nice for seniors in your community and it could be something simple as hosting a tea. The ideas are only limited by your imagination. Once your application is submitted, it is reviewed by a Resident Advisory Committee made up of residents in your neighbourhood. Applicants are advised in late May/early June if they receive funding and are usually asked to have their projects completed by November 30th. The program is available to anyone living in Vancouver. To apply for a grant, visit Neighbourhood Small Grant. Application deadline is Wednesday March 31, 2015.

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Say Hi To A Stranger: Second Edition February 13 – 15

9 Feb

SayHiToStranger2015We are pleased to see the return of the “Say Hi To A Stranger” Campaign which was initiated by A Cue Creative Consulting.  The first Say Hi To A Stranger Weekend occurred on November 8 – 10, 2013 after local writer Chelsea Pescitelli identified Vancouver as “anti-social” in her VancityBuzz article “Single in Vancouver: The Asocial Single Society.”  A Cue Creative Consulting responded with a video and blog post that spread online. They dared Vancouverites to say “Hi!” to strangers and tweet about their experience with the hashtag #sayhitoastranger. The Cue Creative team discovered that Vancouver could be a social and open city, but needed a push to open up and start communicating. Along with the team being featured in mainstream media, approximately 200 people gathered at the checkpoints over the weekend, and more than 5,000 people engaged with the blog and on social media online. #sayhitoastranger trended on Twitter on Thursday, November 7, 2013.

We at IliveInEastVan.com were one of the many that participated in this initial campaign as we love the premise of encouraging social interaction on the streets of Vancouver. Although some of the social interaction was via social media, what is being encouraging is face to face interaction saying hello and smiling to people on the street.  This year, the Say Hi To A Stranger Campaigns is being held February 13 – 15 to coincide with Valentine’s Day. According to Psychology Today, Valentine’s Day can add to the feelings of sadness and anxiety felt by adults who are single. Kaare Long, CEO of A Cue Creative Consulting and Project Manager for the campaign says “Vancouver is accused of being a cold city for meeting people, especially for singles looking for ‘love.’ Let’s change that perception. It’s not just a singles’ issue. If everybody gets on board, things will change, even if it’s just for one weekend. We want to encourage the dialogue — as long as there is dialogue, there is potential for change. We’re putting you to the challenge, Vancouver. Let’s warm this city up and make some connections!”

We’ve all heard the research about how important social connections are to our well being.  By social connections, we do not mean social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc), but face to face interactions.  Having said this, if social media interactions, bring you face to face, go for it!  But this weekend, it is about saying hi to a stranger face to face.  Even if you only receive a smile, scientific research supports that a smile alone will put you in a better mood states Dr. Michael Lewis, psychologist at Cardiff University. Who doesn’t want to be in a better mood? How great that you could so easily put someone else in a better mood.

During the ucpoming weekend, Vancouver businesses will create socially interactive environments and encourage residents to use the hashtag #sayhitoastranger on social media or use the code phrase “say hi to a stranger” in person in exchange for free food, drinks, gifts or other promotions. If you wish to participate in this weekend’s campaign, why not visit some local businesses participating in East Vancouver which include Bird On A Wire, 2535 Main Street, Mystic Masala, 1723 Grant Street, Home on the Range Organics, 235 East Broadway, Y’s Books, 4307 Main Street and Second Nature at 1827 Victoria Diversion.  Will you say hi to a stranger this weekend?

Dr.SuessSometimes

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Pints For Paws July 24, 2014 Fundraiser for Vancouver SPCA

2 Jul

PintsforPawsSPCAJuly24

The BC SPCA Vancouver Shelter presents Pints for Paws on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the Roxy Burger, 910 Granville Street. Although the event is out of East Van, it is to help raise funds for housing and medical needs for all animals at the Vancouver Shelter.  100% of the proceeds raised at this fundraiser go back to the Vancouver Shelter.  Your $25 ticket gets you a burger and a beer (vegetarian, tuna and salmon available as well as gluten free options).  You can purchase tickets in person at the Vancouver SPCA, 1205 East 7th Avenue, or by calling them at T: 604.709.4699 by email at Vancouver@spca.bc.ca. The event kicks off at 5:00 pm and goes till 10:00 pm.

 

 

 

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Dancing On The Edge Festival Firehall Arts Centre July 3 – 12

26 Jun

DancingEdgeSlowAwkward

The Firehall Arts Centre presents the 2014 Dancing on the Edge Festival July 3rd – July 12th. The festival presents innovative art in unexpected places with six site-specific, by donation performances around Vancouver during the 10-day contemporary dance festival. Whether it’s following performers and musicians around the waterfront Portside Park at dusk, getting entangled in a giant interactive dance machine, Japanese Butoh at Wreck Beach, a moveable feast in the Firehall Arts Centre Courtyard or dance in the outdoor SFU Woodward’s Atrium, the festival is challenging audiences to think outside the black box.

“It’s about taking dance off the stage and showing it can happen anywhere. I believe it adds a level of excitement to experience live performance in a non-traditional setting where wouldn’t expect it and for the artists, it allows them to test how a piece works in a different environment,” says Festival Director Donna Spencer.

New to Dancing on the Edge this year is a ‘Dance Passport’, which allows you to participate in a live performance ‘scavenger hunt’ to the five site-specific shows downtown and collect stamps along the way. Once you have three stamps, you are eligible for a free ticket to a show at the festival.

SITE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCES BY DONATION

DUSK DANCES: July 4 – 6, 7pm | Portside Park
A magical evening with live music featuring a Japanese Butoh-inspired work by Denise Fujiwara, the hilarious synchronized mini pool swimming champs, an ode to the West Coast rain forest and a fusion of contemporary dance and traditional Cree dance from Compaigni V’ni Dansi.

DANCE MACHINE: July 8 – 12 | The Hopbopshop (Maclean & Powell)
Come out and play! Explore the giant interactive dance machine created by Lee Su-Feh, Justine Chambers & Jesse Garlick. FREE, drop-in.

CRUMBLING: July 11, 8:15pm | Firehall Arts Centre Courtyard
A Butoh piece choreographed by Vancouver’s Barbara Bourget (Kokoro Dance) for Mathew Romantini.

FEAST: July 12, 8:15pm | Firehall Arts Centre Courtyard
A visceral, dream-like moveable feast of performance by Katie Devries starring 10 of Vancouver’s finest dancers.

VERITAS. TRUTH: July 9 – 11, 12.15pm + 1pm | SFU Woodward’s Atrium
Developed with Modus Operandi dancers, this piece looks at the human desire to seek out unity & order.

WRECK BEACH BUTOH: July 12, 11:45am | Wreck Beach #4 Trailhead
What better place for Butoh then on the beach?! A clothing option performance for audiences.

For more information about the festival and the artists, visit Dancing On The Edge.

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DancingEdgeRuminate DancingEdgeDuskDances DancingEdgePools

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FREE BC Buds Spring Arts Festival Firehall Arts Centre May 7 – 11, 2014

7 May

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The Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street, presents the 10th annual BC Buds Spring Arts Festival from May 7 th – 11th.   This festival explodes with distinctly Canadian new works by BC performance artists that explore the theme of Myth, Magic & Mystery. Over the course of the 5 days, you will find 30 different types of music, theatre, dance and interdisciplinary artists that will literally take over every conceivable nook and cranny of the Firehall Arts Centre.  It will be one giant arts factory with inventive and innovative site-specific performance.  The festival is free-to-the-public and runs May 7th from 8:00 – 10:00 pm,  May 8th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, May 9th from 7:00 – 10:00 pm  and May 11th from 1:00 – 6:00 pm.  For  a full rundown of all the events happening over the course of the festival, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

Rain Collector - Caitlin Brown, photographer Annika Hagen 3

Meghan Goodman, photo Body Narratives Collective Glory by Tracey Power TJ Dawe, image Diane Smithers 9

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Keep Vancouver Spectacular Clean Up Campaign May 2014

21 Apr

KVSSouthHill#1Every Spring, the City of Vancouver, puts on a city-wide clean up campaign called “Keep Vancouver Spectacular” during the month of May.  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 (tongs)
• 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 City will pick up the collected garbage from that designated spot. 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 baked goodies. This event is a great way to build community and get to know your neighbours and of course everything looks so green and clean afterwards.

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.

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

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Will You Say Hi To A Stranger? #sayhitoastranger

8 Nov

Dr.SuessSometimes

How often do you engage a stranger in conversation? Are you at the ready to offer visitors directions when you see them trying to read a map? I come from a background where small talk was encouraged and as such, have met some amazing people whether in this City or in my travels.

In case you hadn’t heard, and you’d be living under a rock if you didn’t, Vancouver doesn’t always receive the best reviews on being friendly. Particularly, as it relates to singles. One sex blames the other, but really there is no winner in that game.  

Let me ask, do you say hi to that person you don’t know, but pass regularly when say you are out walking your dog or just pass by on the street?  It seems these days, many individuals tend not to see what’s in front of them if it’s not a glowing screen. Unless they accidently bump into you, even then, they often don’t look up. 

I was at times a shy child that came to be less so as a teenager and later became fairly outgoing as an adult.  So I do think confidence and practice are part of talking to people you don’t know and putting yourself outside of your comfort zone just a little.   Having a dog, as I do, puts you face to face and in conversations with people you may not normally interact with.  So we are back to practice.  I have met many wonderful people in this City which are now friends through my pets, much like many parents have done with their children. But for those that are alone, whether young, senior or in between, or new to the City, it might not be that easy to talk to someone they don’t know. There is no shared common ground in many instances to initiate conversation.

We’ve all heard the research about how important social connections are to our well being.  By social connections, I do not mean social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc), but face to face interactions.  Having said this, if social media interactions, bring you face to face, go for it!  But this weekend, it is about saying hi to a stranger face to face.  Even if you only receive a smile, scientific research supports that a smile alone will put you in a better mood states Dr. Michael Lewis, psychologist at Cardiff University. Who doesn’t want to be in a better mood? How great that you could so easily put someone else in a better mood.

After some research, local company, a Cue Creative Consulting, has taken the idea of saying hi to a stranger out of the box.  This weekend they are directing a social media campaign “#sayhitoastranger” from November 8 – 10th.  They would like to see Vancouver break out of its social stigma and encourage Vancouver residents to be friendly, open, have fun and be part of larger movement to create a stronger community in Vancouver.  Some local businesses are participating in this campaign and offering incentives to those that do participate.  You can visit a Cue Creative Consulting’s website for a full rundown. If you would like to meet the team behind the #sayhitoastranger Campaign, they will be at The Portside Pub on Sunday November 10th 6:00 pm. So East Van, are you up for the challenge?    Say Hi To A Stranger, you could make someone’s day!

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