Tag Archives: World Clean Up Day

What’s On East Van: September 20th Edition

20 Sep

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Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming weekend.  Beyond the weekend, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

Kiwassa Community Food Market – Kiwassa Neighbourhood House – September 20

Kiwassa Neighbourhood Food Market is back this Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. If you are looking for fresh, low cost produce, stop by.  There will also be some local artisan on hand. We see Perching Clay Jewelllery is back and Cambridge Bees will be on hand.  There will also be a free climate change film along with a children’s concert. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

Taste Vancouver Food Tour – Commercial Drive – September 21

Did you know every Saturday that Taste Vancouver Food Tours hosts tours for those that wish to experience the food and some history of The Drive?  Tours run from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Cost is $79 per person.  For more information, visit Taste Vancouver Food Tours.

World Clean Up Day – Anywhere In East Van – September 21

This Saturday is World Clean Up Day. What can you do? Anything really.  Pick up garbage on your street or in your laneway at a nearby bus stop.  Clean a storm drain of garbage/debris near your home. Pick up those cigarette butts you see under a park bench, or other garbage left behind in your local park.  Use the City’s Van Connect app to report blocked storm drains or illegally dumped items.  15 Minutes. Can you take out 15 minutes of your day on World Clean Up Day. If you did? Send us a pic or tell us about it. We’d love to know.

Free Screening ‘Plant This Movie’ – VPL Kensington Branch- September 21

If you are interested in urban farming, the VPL Kensington Branch is show a free screening of “Plant This Movie”. It’s an exploration of urban agriculture across the globe and in large US cities. It looks at the connection of urban agriculture to community, politics and sustainability.  Movie begins at 10:30 am. It is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

21st Century Flea Market – Croatian Cultural Centre – September 22

If you love 50s kitsch, collectibles and memorabilia, you will want to stop by the Croatian Cultural Centre this Sunday to check out the 185 tables of items at the 21st Century Flea Market from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

10 Things I Blank About You – Havana Theatre – September 22

What happened when Harry met Sally? What is that something about Mary? And why are so many people okay with reading poor Bridget Jones’ diary?! We may be clueless now, but on September 22nd, you just might find out. This Sunday at Havana Theatre you are invited to check out the improvised romantic comedy presented by Instant Theatre 10 Things I Blank About You.  Show gets under way at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $12 and available through Showpass.

Fall Equinox Coffee House – Britannia Community Centre – September 22

Britannia Community Centre plays host to a Fall Equinox Coffee House this Sunday from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.  Come participate in Typewriter Tales, a community story writing project.  The evening is free to attend. Everyone is welcome.

Sunday Night Movie Series – Bells & Whistles – September 22

Bells & Whistles, 3296 Fraser Street, is hosting another Sunday night movie. This week they are showing The Blues Brothers on their big screen at 9 pm. They will also have some good deals on eats and drinks.

Tacofino & Strange Fellows Brewing – All Weekend

Have a craving for beer and tacos?  Tacofino will be hanging out at Strange Fellows Brewing this weekend, Friday and Saturday 5:00 to 9:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

Comedy, Music & Entertainment & More 

Do you love cartoons? Miss those Saturday morning cartoons you used to watch as a kid. Do you know Storm Crow Tavern offers cartoons Saturday morning from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm whilst you enjoy breakfast/brunch?

Also 7 days a week, you will find live music at the Libra Room on The Drive. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights  from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, no cover.

Looking to shop and support local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 pm. To see more of What’s On in East Vancouver,  check our Event Listing.  We also have a separate listing of Free Events for those on a budget and in Vancouver, who isn’t.

Image Credit: June Hunter

World Clean Up Day September 21, 2019

18 Sep

world_cleanup_day_2019_27836This Saturday, September 21st is World Clean Up Day and honestly, this planet could use a little help.  Did you know that last year’s World Clean Up Day brought out 17 million people spanning 158 countries? Many people have seen videos or photos of the volumes of plastics and micro plastics floating in our oceans. We are all connected by these waters and as a City that is surrounded by water, the little things we do or don’t do every day have an impact on our environment. We are regularly surprised, amazed and disappointed how much litter is tossed in our local waterways, streets, sidewalks and parks.  Living along the Fraser River in SE Vancouver, we regularly see the total lack of any thought for the urban wildlife that is home to this area.  This area regularly sees visits from hummingbirds, chickadees, sparrows, eagles, hawks, crows, ducks, seagulls, Canadian geese, mink, beavers and most recently a deer along with the odd sea otter sightings.

Seeing the wildlife on a daily basis, residents in this area of Vancouver are passionate about regularly picking up broken glass, garbage, plastics, bottles, cans, fishing line, fishing hooks, straws and much more. There are of course garbage bins around, but for some reason, it’s too much effort for some to carry their own items a few feet to a bin.  Many of us were brought up with Don’t Be A Litterbug, but the more recent generations have had a much stronger focus in school on recycling and protecting the environment. There is a disconnect. We don’t know quite know how that happened as it’s there, we see it daily.  But what IF every resident took 15 – 20 minutes in their own neighbourhood and did bit of a clean up. The City would look a look better. Wildlife would thank you. We would thank you.

You can do something to help make the world a better place on World Clean Up Day, or every day.  Start a new habit, make a commitment to do something different. Donate clothing to a charity or thrift shop. Repurpose something. Fix something instead of throwing it away.  It can be small, small steps is where we all start.  If you are up for tackling something bigger like a neighbourhood clean up, the City of Vancouver has you covered.  To learn more about organizing a clean up or participating in one that’s already organized, visit Clean Up Party.

If you decide to tackle some clean up in your East Van neighbourhood, send us a photo, comment or email, we’d love to hear what you did.