Live on The Drive

Commercial Drive banners gain second life as bags

2009-01-19T11:26:00.001-08:00

In an age when showing up at the grocery store without a reusable bag is akin to showing up at a dinner party without your pants, the type of bag you carry can say a lot about you.

One bag -- it's been so popular the first two runs are almost sold out -- is allowing people to make a statement about shopping locally, shopping green, and community pride with an easy swing of two straps over the shoulder.

The highly coveted Commercial Drive banner bag is made with the bright, bold nylon of retired street banners that once decorated the shopping and dining strip in East Vancouver.

"They tend to sell out within four or five days of us receiving them," said Jen Wittich, manager of Dream Designs, one of 15 retailers selling the bags.

"People tend to really appreciate the story. They like the fact it's keeping waste out of landfills. And I find people in the Commercial Drive area tend to shop very locally. They love to shop within their own neighbourhood."

A local designer who sits on the Commercial Drive Business Improvement Association came up with the idea of turning the banners into bags, and a limited number of umbrellas, out of a frustration that the banners had nowhere to go but the landfill.

To further sweeten the concept, it was decided that all profits from the sale of the items would go to creating new green spaces in the Commercial Drive area.

It proved to be a popular idea.

The story of the banner bag was picked up by dozens of websites and translated into at least six languages. Ian McSorely, the banner designer who came up with the concept, said the City of Vancouver is planning to make bags from its Olympic banners, and there have been inquiries about the program from municipalities all over North America.

"It's had a great response," he said. To show buyers the extent of the environmental impact of the bag, McSorely also conducted an "eco-audit" on the bag. The audit showed that by using recycled fabric to make the bags, 5.3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were kept from the skies, 192 kilograms of nylon were kept from the landfill, and enough energy was saved to provide electricity to an average Vancouver home for more than 15 months.

Nearly 500 bags were made and, so far, the profits from the project have earned more than $4,000, said Michelle Barile, executive director of the business improvement association. (Twenty-five umbrellas were made and are being sold exclusively through the association.)

Only a handful of bags are left among five of the 15 retailers who have been selling them. But a new line of small makeup bags -- made with the scraps left over from the banner bags -- will be hitting stores soon, Barile said. The makeup bags have been made by members of the SEED Employment Program at the Kettle Friendship Centre.

North Vancouver has also jumped on the bandwagon, hiring Dream Designs to manufacture bags from its banners, which Wittich said the store will be selling soon.

Barile says she has no problem with other municipalities and neighbourhoods imitating the concept.

"If what we started here is now going to cause other banners to be recycled, that would be awesome."

Source: The Vancouver Sun

Out Of Space - What's It All About?

2009-01-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Putting a face to the space where art is made, the Out of Space series of events opens up opportunities for artists, stake-holders and the public to join together, bring awareness to, and offer solutions towards the shrinking number of artist studio spaces in Vancouver.

Exhibition

January 9th-25th

Opening night, January 9th, from 7pm-10pm

Out of Space is a multi-disciplinary exhibition featuring the work of 6 photographers and 30 artists. The show pairs photographs documenting artists in their studio space along with artwork created by them. The exhibition opens up the discussions around the need to secure permanent, safe and lasting solutions for studio space for the creative workers of Vancouver.

Sunday Coffee

January 11th, 18th, 25th, from 1-4pm

For 3 Sundays during the exhibition, the Chapel Arts will be open to the public extending the conversation and providing more opportunities to experience the photos and artwork. We invite you to come by and join in the discussion about the space challenges unique to artists working in Vancouver and help find positive workable solutions. In addition, some of the ECCS board members and artists will be in attendance to discuss the exhibition.

Vancouver's available density supply outpaces development

2008-12-31T09:29:00.000-08:00

Think of 10 high-rises, each with 22 storeys and every floor measuring about 6,500 square feet. That’s the equivalent of what developers could put up in Vancouver with the available density supply—that is, if they’re building at all in this economic climate.

Vancouver has so much unused density that city staff have expressed concern about awarding more of it to developers in return for saving heritage buildings. Developers can either use the density they’ve earned or sell it to other builders.

This matter came to the fore at a December 18 deliberation by council on a proposal to restore the former York Theatre on Commercial Drive. Proponents had suggested a 100-percent density transfer, meaning that developer Bruno Wall would get a density bonus valued between $10 million and $11 million—the cost of rehabilitating the theatre—which he could in turn use on another project.

Staff disagreed, recommending instead that the city shoulder only a third of the restoration costs—and grant Wall density worth only a third of the $10 million to $11 million required to rescue the theatre. Staff argued that the federal and provincial governments should pick up the other two-thirds of the cost. However, council rejected this recommendation, and unanimously voted to “support in principle” a 100-percent city contribution to cover the cost of rehabilitating the York. The city would pay for this through a combination of property-tax forgiveness, a capital grant, and a density transfer—the details of which would be worked out later.

According to city planning director Brent Toderian, there are 1.4 million square feet of space in the city’s so-called density bank, which is basically a pool of the available density supply in the market.

“The bank is at a size that has led to concerns by staff, and we’re advising council on the implication of that,” Toderian told the Georgia Straight. “If there’s a down market and if people aren’t proceeding with projects, they have no reason to buy density.”

According to Toderian, the current value of density is $65 per square foot. Although there hasn’t been much trading activity, he said that prices haven’t deteriorated. Yet he noted that, based on past practice, the density bank’s volume is normally kept at about 500,000 square feet.

“When the bank got over a million square feet, staff began reporting the status of the bank to council,” Toderian recalled. “Recently, about a year or so ago, staff recommended to council to turn down the tap on additions to the bank.”

While it’s not the responsibility of the city to guarantee buyers for densities being held by developers, Toderian stressed, it is the city’s job to manage the bank properly.

To explain clearly what’s going on, real-estate and development consultant Michael Geller used air-mile credits as an analogy.

“There are literally millions of unused airline points, but there aren’t enough airplane flights to use up all the points,” Geller told the Straight. “In the case of the airlines, one could say it doesn’t matter. But in the case of the city, eventually one [developers] has to start using up all this density.”

And the big question, according to Geller, is this: where is all the density going to go?

“There’s nowhere to put it,” Geller said. “There aren’t many developments taking place that can use the density.” That’s because real-estate development has slowed in the city.

Lone Non-Partisan Association councillor Suzanne Anton noted that developers who want to dispose of their acquired densities but can’t get the right price will be in serious financial trouble.

The least the city can do, according to Anton, is to prevent the density bank from growing.

“We actually have to be responsible, because if we want developers to take up this density, we have to create the conditions for them to use it again,” Anton told the Straight. “It’s a two-way street. If all we do is keep adding to the bank without letting the bank be used up in any way, I think we’re letting down our side of the relationship as a city.”

Staff will be reporting to council in the first quarter of 2009 about the status of the city’s density bank. A review of how much more density downtown Vancouver can absorb will likely be completed by the end of 2009.

Source: Carlito Pablo, The Georgia Straight

Phones for Fearless! Donate your old phones to change lives

2008-12-23T18:21:00.001-08:00

Donate your old mobile phones to help DTES artists share stories, and tap into life, jobs & family

How can you help?

Your used mobile phones - preferably with video, camera, wi-fi
Cash donations (* tax deductible) or new phone donations
Conversation - tell your friends on your blog, twitter, etc. - post a badge

Action Plan:
First, Gather phones!

Collect all the unused mobile phones at your office and home - dig into your boxes of stuff, ask you friends! Digital cameras gratefully accepted too.

Next, Arrange Pick-up:

Let us know via Twitter: Fearless City, email: info (at) fearlessmedia (dot) ca, Phone/SMS: 604.64..., Voice mail: 604.68... xt 8320
We'll come by on purple Yahoo bikes on Tues. Dec. 23rd & 30th to collect your devices
We'll take your photo, bring treats, and thank you publicly with a link

Or, Drop-off (after Tuesday, 23rd) at:

Roundhouse Community Centre - 181 Roundhouse Mews
Pathways - 390 Main Street (kitty corner from the Canegie)
Raincity Studios - 1 Alexander St. @ Water st.

Want to be a drop-off point? Let us know.

Even send by Postal Mail to:

Fearless City
c/o DTES CAN
PO Box 88023
418 Main St
Vancouver, BC V6A 4A4

Notes:

Remove your chip, and clear your contacts before donating (all phones will be completely cleared before released).
Please include chargers and accessories - used digital cameras also welcome
Unusable phones will be donated to FreeGeek for reuse and recycling

Who is Fearless?

Fearless is a Vancouver Non-Profit group providing tools, resources, and cultural outreach to artists and residents in the improverished Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. Fearless is a project of the DTES Community Arts Network (CAN)

More:

About Fearless City

Plow crews working 24/7, more snow expected

2008-12-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

Drivers in Vancouver can expect side streets and alleys to stay slick and thick with snow as plows concentrate on keeping arterials and hills clear.

Another dump of snow is expected on Christmas Eve, and the city is already nearing its snow-clearing budget of about $750,000.

“I’ve been doing this for a very long time,” said Murray Wightman, Vancouver’s manager of street operations. “At no time has city hall ever said, ‘Stop, pull back.’ We do what it takes to get it done.”

Plow crews have been running 24 hours a day, concentrating their efforts on major streets and bus routes first and steep residential streets that feed onto arterials second.

“The regular city side streets will not be treated by us … we have to draw a line here and keep the majors and bus routes free.”

But the snowy side streets are fine with some commuters, including Pascal Wehr, 30, who cross-country skied yesterday from his home in Kits to his work on Main Street.

“It’s awesome,” Wehr said. “It’s such an experience. The roads were snow covered and I figured that the easiest way of getting to work — as I do as much as possible — is self-propelled.”

Metro News

York Theater saved in deal with Vancouver developer

2008-12-19T16:56:00.000-08:00

After years of failed fund-raising efforts, and on the brink of demolition, Vancouver developer Peter Wall and the city struck a deal to save the historic York Theater in Commercial Drive.

Mr. Wall will spend $12 million to purchase, restore and hand ownership of the York Theater back to the City of Vancouver, in exchange for development rights to build a 20-story building in an yet-undetermined area.

For more details, please see the Vancouver Province.

Smell like a Whopper, Just don't look like one

2008-12-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

Burger King has launched a new men's body spray called ''Flame,'' which it describes as ''the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat.''

The fast food chain is marketing the product through a Web site featuring a photo of its King character reclining fireside and naked, except for an animal fur strategically placed to not offend.

The marketing ploy is the latest in a string of virile ad campaigns by the company.

Burger King is also in the midst of its Whopper Virgins campaign that features an taste test with fast-food ''virgins'' pitting the Whopper against McDonald's Big Mac.

"Flame" can be purchased online for $3.99 USD.

New York Times

'Fire Meets Desire,' promo website

Fate of York Theater to be determined tonight

2008-12-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

Members of the arts community are being urged to attend a city council meeting Thursday (December 18), where newly sworn-in councillors will vote on a staff recommendation to support a partial density transfer to retain the York Theatre at 639 Commercial Drive.

Heather Redfern, executive director of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, which hopes to operate the venue if it is saved from demolition, says the recommendation would effectively kill restoration plans for the theatre.

Redfern has been working with a developer who is prepared to buy the theatre from its current owner—EDG Homes, which purchased the property in October 2007 as Vintage Development Corp.—in exchange for a 100 percent density transfer for the site, worth $10 to 11 million.

“Our proposition to the city was that they look at a density transfer for this not-to-be-named developer in exchange for him purchasing the property and paying for the restoration,” said Redfern. “There’s no city cash or money involved. It simply means transferring the density to another site....If council agrees to the 100 percent [density transfer] or sends staff back with the direction to make that work, that’s how this will work. Otherwise it’s done.”

Marco d’Agostini, senior heritage planner for the city, told the Straight there is no precedent for a 100-percent density transfer, and he is recommending a one-third transfer instead.

“In policy, we haven’t ever done anything like that,” he said. “A parallel example would be something like the Stanley Theatre, where it was a similar one-third model, where the city did a one-third contribution and the provincial and federal governments and fundraising contributed the other two-thirds. That’s the model that’s happened before and it’s been successful....An investment of that value [$10 million] into one site [the York Theatre], as far as staff’s concerned, is more appropriate at a one-third level.”

Redfern said the Cultch is in no position to attain additional funds from the provincial or federal governments. The provincial government already contributed $9 million to the Cultch’s renovation last year, and the relevant federal government funding program is due to sunset in March 2010, “and you can’t apply to that program unless you can show that your project will be completed by March 2010,” she noted. “We have made it clear right from the beginning that we are still fundraising for this project [the Cultch renovation], and we are not in a position to take on any fundraising at all for the York Theatre.”

Staff are also recommending that the current property owner be requested to hold off on demolishing the York Theatre until he is ready to begin construction, but Redfern said that was unlikely. In September, the city issued an emergency 120-day temporary protection order for the site, following an incident in late August in which materials were removed from the building’s interior, causing the city to issue a stop-work order.

“He has made it clear to us that his intention is to tear the building down as soon as possible,” said Redfern.

She called on members of the arts community to show their support for the theatre.

“What I’d really like is for people to show up at the council meeting, if they possibly can, and speak if they have something to add, like they would be a user of the theatre or they have a business on Commercial Drive that would benefit from the theatre being reopened, that kind of thing.”

Georgia Straight

New study finds real estate market downturn helping home affordability in B.C.

2008-12-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

B.C.'s real estate market correction is improving home affordability in the province, according to a new RBC Economics study.

The proportion of pre-tax household income needed to service the costs of owning a home has fallen for all housing types in the third quarter. According to the study, owning a standard two-storey home requires 77.7% of a household's income. That's down from 80.9% in the second quarter.

Costs of owning a detached bungalow fell to 69.7% from 73%; the costs for a standard townhouse fell to 53.8% of household income from 55.8%; and the cost for owning a standard condo fell to 38.7% from 40.8% of household income.

But housing in Vancouver remains among Canada's most expensive. In the third quarter, prices are roughly double the national average for most housing types. Home ownership income requirements are still high. A minimum qualifying income of $150,000 is needed to own a two-storey home; $135,000 is required for a detached bungalow.

Given these high requirements, the study said most families in Vancouver are effectively shut out from owning a home and must instead look to the condominium market.

Source: Business In Vancouver

Bank of Canada Cuts Rate to 1.5%

2008-12-09T15:02:00.001-08:00

The Bank of Canada has reduced it's over night lending rate three-quarters of a point to 1.5%, the lowest level in half a century. Commercial banks, such as TD Bank, the first to take action, and CIBC have responded by reducing it's prime lending rate to only 3.5%.

The Bank of Canada's next scheduled date for announcing the over night rate target is January 20, 2009.

Bank of Canada
The Canadian Press

Police dogs and bike patrol added to Skytrain station to enhance transit security

2008-12-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

Translink will be adding police dogs and more bike patrols to Skytrain stations in order to beef up visible security and ease transit rider fears.

Translink has already increased the number of Skytrain attendants as well as transit police presence at major Skytrain stations perceived to be the least safe: Broadway, Main Street, Metrotown, New West and Surrey Central.

Additionally, in a partnership with municipalities and the federal government, Translink will be making improvements to some neighborhood streets creating "Transit Villages" in areas around Broadway and Surrey Central. Improvements will include better lighting, sight lines and amenities that promote safe walking and bicycling.

For more details see Translink and Vancouver Sun.

Uniformed police officers to be redeployed at SkyTrain stations

2008-12-02T15:28:00.000-08:00

TransLink says it will address longstanding security concerns by redeploying uniformed staff and police officers at key SkyTrain stations.

The move is meant to give a more visible staffing presence at four stations that were perceived to be the most dangerous in a series of public opinion surveys and focus groups. TransLink says there will now be a round-the-clock presence at Surrey Central, New Westminster, Broadway and Main Street stations. Staff will also be hovering during the evenings at Metrotown.

“This is what I could call reassurance policy,” said Transit Police Chief Officer Ward Clapham. “[It’s] reassuring the public that they are safe.”

Transit Police have already trained 11 officers to patrol using bicycles and hope to add 10 more in 2009, with the belief being that officers on bike can cover more ground than regular officers on foot.

Other safety measures, some of which are already underway, include improving lighting at stations, opening more shops at key hubs and looking into whether using police dogs could improve safety.

Vancouver Kingsway NDP MLA Adrian Dix, a frequent critic of SkyTrain safety policy, said the move is a good step, but wondered how effective it will be without an overall increase in resources.

“If you have the same number of person hours and you’re redeploying them, some places are going to have less of a presence,” Dix said, pointing to Nanaimo and 29th Avenue stations, both stations in his riding that have seen high-profile assaults happen in the surrounding areas in recent years.

“Those are stations where you can go an entire evening without seeing any staff person or police,” he said.

The Transit Police have 154 sworn officers.

Source: 24 hours

Elderpost.com, the Craigslist for seniors

2008-12-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER — Seniors are getting their own online free ad website where they can find everything from specialized equipment to home help.

A kind of seniors-meet-Craigslist, the new site at www.elderpost.com was the brainchild of Vancouver's Peter Silin, whose company Diamond Geriatrics specializes in elder care management, counselling and consulting for the elderly, their caregivers and businesses.

"What happened is I saw so many people needing equipment they couldn't afford and if you go to nursing homes or care facilities you find lots of equipment that's no longer needed," said Silin. "I wanted a way to put together the people who wanted to sell with people who want to buy.

"The other thing I saw was people who needed caregivers and they wanted to hire somebody part-time or just by the hour. Their choice was to go through an agency or just put an ad somewhere.

"I know a lot of people who are looking for that kind of service. That was the genesis of it and it just grew from there."

The site was only launched in recent weeks and Silin said he expects it will take some time for the listings to grow as people discover the service.

"I don't have a million bucks or investors," he said. "I just wanted a site where there would be everything for care providers, for product providers and where older people themselves could find what they are looking for."

The site also lists resources such as support groups and services for seniors, their families and caregivers. It also has caregiver circles, exchanges and groups in which people can get together to share their time and talent.

Caregiver circles are groups of people who help each other out, perhaps driving someone to an appointment, visiting or other sharing and exchanging responsibilities. Caregiver exchanges are similar to circles except they are less formal and involve just two or three people.

"The idea of it is to have a very grassroots way for people to find mutual support," Silin said. "I wanted a place where maybe five, 10 people could get together and provide each other with mutual support."

So far, he said, he has no plans to make money doing it; it's an adjunct to his geriatric business.

"It's a Craigslist for eldercare and providers, with a targeted focus," he said. "At some point I'll sell some banner ads and if people want some kind of enhanced listing, there could be a fee. Aside from that, hopefully it will remain free or as low cost as I can keep it."

Silin acknowledges that with seniors often a target for scam artists, the site could attract some ill-intentioned users. He said he has added a warning about safety and users can call on elderpost review, an added service that could check out people they are considering hiring through ads on the site.

He said that could be helpful for people who are helping an elderly relative who lives a distance away.

"If somebody is looking for a caregiver or somebody is looking for work, we will charge for those reviews, so if you want somebody to interview and screen for you, we will do that for an hourly fee."

gshaw@vancouversun.com

Source: Vancouver Sun

BC Ferries reduces fares on all sailing routes, temporarily

2008-12-01T14:29:00.000-08:00

Christmas has come early for people riding B.C. Ferries.

From today until Jan. 31, ferry users will get a 33 per cent break on all sailings on all routes.

The temporary ferry-fare cut was announced in October by Premier Gordon Campbell as part of the B.C. Liberal government's efforts to protect the province's economy in the face of a global financial crisis.

The government will pay B.C. Ferries the difference between the full fare and the lower fare, Dan Wong, vice-president of corporate relations, said yesterday.

The corporation has already restored service levels on all routes -- some sailings were cut after the company experienced a significant drop in passenger traffic this fall.

"We hope to see an increase in traffic. That's obviously the intent by an offer like this," said Wong. "It's not a hard science and probably all kinds of other factors -- the price of gas, the overall economic climate, consumer confidence and mood -- will play a part. But certainly our hope is that with this kind of an offer, it will spur people to travel in the holiday season."

And there's more relief on the horizon. Fuel surcharges will be removed on minor routes Dec. 5, and on major routes on Dec. 19.

In August, B.C. Ferries imposed a 10.3 per cent surcharge on major routes.

And fares increased 17.6 per cent on 18 minor routes.

In October, B.C. Ferries announced it would cut its fuel surcharge in half by Nov. 3, to reflect dropping oil prices.

B.C. Ferries estimates at its highest, the price for a family of four travelling between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen was $91.15. With a reservation fee of $17.50, the total came to $108.65.

Today, B.C. Ferries says, that same family of four will pay $59.60. By Dec. 19, the price for a family of four will be $54.90.

B.C. Ferries is now working on a plan for February, said Wong. "The arrangement will end, but I don't know how. We're working on how to come out of the sales period. There might be a few other things we can contemplate to make the transition," he said.

The ferry-fare cut -- called the "Winter Super Sail" -- applies to all passengers and all vehicles on all sailings and all routes throughout December and January. The only exception is pre-paid paper tickets bought before today and assured loading tickets.

Reservations are recommended Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 -- the busiest days for ferry travel during the holidays.

ldickson@tc.canwest.com

Source: Vancouver Sun

Free holiday shopping trolley along new Canada Line route

2008-12-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

To give hard-hit businesses a leg-up, the Canada Line is running a free hop-on, hop-off Holiday Shopping Trolley along the construction route.

Starting this week, and on each Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 21, the trolley – adorned with holiday decorations – will pick up and drop off shoppers at seven locations along the Canada Line route.

Karen Peterson, independent project director for the business liaison program of the Canada Line project, said this lets shoppers find unique gifts while supporting local businesses.

Many of the businesses along the route have been struggling financially because construction of the line has slowed or diverted traffic.

On Nov. 12, several merchants along Cambie Street filed a lawsuit against the Canada Line asking for compensation for loss of revenue.

Giriraj Gautam, who owns a convenience store on Cambie Street, told Metro last year that his business was kept afloat because his landlord lowered his rent.

“We know it’s going to be a tough year for merchants overall and we thought we’d find a fun way to bring lots of people and come shop the Line,” Peterson said. “(And) you can avoid traffic and parking.”

The trolley starts today and runs every weekend until Dec. 21.
It runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, visit shoptheline.ca

source: metro

Winter Farmers Market

2008-11-27T15:56:00.000-08:00

If you’re missing your farmers market fix, grab your biggest shopping bags and take in the Winter Farmers Market every other Saturday through April (the next is December 6) at the WISE Hall (1882 Adanac Street).

You’ll find crisp apples, veggies, lamb, organic coffee, cheese, and more. Also mark your calendar for the Holiday Market on December 13 and 14 at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street).

Vendor information: www.eatlocal.org/markets.html

Vancouver East Cultural Centre’s completion experiences delays

2008-11-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

Theatre audiences will get their first peek at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre’s new Vancity Culture Lab studio theatre when Blackbird Theatre brings its production of Pinter’s Briefs to the venue December 3 to 6. But the official unveiling of the renovated venue is still months away.

Crews are putting the finishing touches this week on the three-storey addition to the site, which houses the new studio theatre, washrooms, and administrative offices. But work on the original theatre, to be renamed the historic theatre, continues.

The 99-year-old venue has been under renovation since August 2007, and executive director Heather Redfern admitted the completion date of the project has been slipping.

“I’m not going to give a completion date because it seems to be a moving target,” she said. “It seems like every time they tell us it’s going to be ready for this time, something happens and they say no, it’s going to be a month later. I’m not even going to guess. We are crossing our fingers and hoping that we’ll be able to do our shows in May in there, but we just don’t know.”

A number of shows scheduled to run in the historic theatre in the new year have been moved. Ronnie Burkett’s Billy Twinkle, Requiem for a Golden Boy and the French Theatre of the National Arts Centre collaboration with Théâtre de la Vieille 17 and Théâtre de Sable Maïta will be at the Waterfront Theatre in January and February; Montréal Danse will perform at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in March; and the Theatre Conspiracy/Rumble Productions coproduction Blackbird will now have an extra-long run in the much smaller Vancity Culture Lab in March.

“We are all over town,” said Redfern, who insisted the Cultch’s finances are secure, despite the added cost of hall rentals.

“We do have a contingency for the project and so this is part of that,” she said. “Our operating budget is horrible because we have no revenue from rental or anything, but we knew that was going to happen and we were able to plan for that.”

Source: Straight

Campagnolo opens Friday

2008-11-27T15:22:00.000-08:00

The much-awaited Italian restaurant Campagnolo—owned by Fuel Restaurant’s Robert Belcham, Tom Doughty, and Tim Pittman—is scheduled to open at 1020 Main Street on Friday, November 28.

There’s a wine bar at the back, and the menu focuses on simple pizzas, pastas, and house-made salumi, influenced by the Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna regions of Italy.

For hours, call 604-484-6018.

Source: Straight

Fundraiser: 3rd Annual AIDS Benedict Brunch this weekend!

2008-11-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

Vancouver’s 3rd Annual AIDS Benedict brunch weekend is happening this weekend, November 29th and 30th.

"YouthCO AIDS Society and Camp Moomba, two non-profit organizations that support and empower children and youth impacted by HIV and AIDS, have teamed up for Vancouver’s 3rd Annual AIDS Benedict brunch weekend. Collectively sponsored by local restaurants, this “eggsellent” event blends scrumptious eggs benedict with public education to help raise awareness about children and youth in BC impacted by HIV and AIDS.

Donations from participating restaurants will give children and youth impacted by HIV and AIDS access to year-long programs and supports that they might not otherwise have access to. Participation in the two-day eggs-travaganza is eggstremely simple: fill your belly with eggs benedict or other promotional items at one (or more!) of the participating establishments on November 29th and November 30th."

Participating restaurants in the area include the following:

Alibi Room 157 Alexander Street www.alibi.ca
Chopper’s 3298 East 1st Avenue no website
Main Cafe 4210 Main Street www.themainonmain.com
Seb’s Market cafe 592 East Broadway www.hotstuffcatering.com
Slickity Jim’s 2513 Main Street www.findmycraving.com/icrave/slickity
WaaZuBee 1622 Commercial Drive www.waazubee.com/main.php
The Whip 209 East 6th Avenue www.thewhiprestaurant.com

For the full restaurant list (thanks Raul), please visit Rauls' blog @ Hummingbird604.com

Farewell to the Monica Lee Band... for now!

2008-11-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

The Monica Lee Band performs its last show at the Libra Room on tonight.

Lee and her band have been a Thursday-night fixture of the Libra Room for three years but she is taking the next six months off to have a baby, which is due in January. By May, Lee and band will tour Western Canada.

For Lee, tonight's show celebrates the fact that the Monica Lee Band has been the longest consecutively running act at the popular Commercial Drive venue, and enjoys the distinction of being one of the only regular gigs in the city that plays original music almost exclusively.

Source: Vancouver Province

Rally this Friday at Havana's

2008-11-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

I may already have sent you a notice about this... A friend of a friend though sent me this link to a documentary on the Westboro Church and their message of hate on Youtube. Please watch it. It will give you a very clear idea just what sort of hateful verbal assault is waiting for the theatre goers...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7735501683185935638

On the surface, they seem so wacky and outrageous that they can't be dangerous... The truth is that these people have influence and express the unspoken opinions of a significant swath of America's and even Canada's Evangelical Christian society.

When I first sent out this message I mostly addressed it to friends and contacts in the LGBT community, but i now think it is important to send this out to all our friends and allies...

I am not sure just type of response is best... They are here to get attention and obviously they have already been successful in that. Part of me is thinking that a huge crowd of silent, non-reactive people is the best counter demonstration that we could possibly give back... That if we descend to their level, that we won't accomplish much... My dream would be that we could get such a large crowd out around the theatre that we would be able to keep the Westboro wackos and their anti-gay rants far enough away from the theatre that the people going to see the Laramie Project would be able to see the play in peace. We are not going to change the Westboro people's minds. Their mindset goes beyond fossilization... but if we accomplished that one thing they would have failed to disrupt the play and stopped its important message.

The neat thing is that the show is going on in the heart of Commercial Drive, perhaps Vancouver's most progressive, politically aware and gay supportive neighbourhood... I am confident that we can get a good crowd out there... I am just hoping that our response is articulate and focussed as well as massive and unequivocal.

James Johnstone
703 Hawks Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6A 3J2
CANADA 604-254-4666
www.homehistoryresearch.com

Original message below.

Subject: westboro baptist church rally

Hey everybody
You may have heard that an anti-gay group from Kansas is coming to Vancouver next week to protest the performance of "The Laramie Project" at Havana Theatre (Commercial Drive). I am attending an anti-hate rally that is planned to start on Friday, November 28th at 5pm at Havana's... We have to stand up to these lunatics who show up inappropriately at funerals and other events, carrying signs that read "God Hates Fags". It would be awesome if we all showed up to support our gay and lesbian friends and family. Thanks!

I'm attaching a link to a CBC news article about this :
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/11/19/bc-westboro-church-protest-vancouver-laramie-project.html?ref=rss

I am passing this on - please do likewise!

James Johnstone
703 Hawks Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6A 3J2
CANADA 604-254-4666
www.homehistoryresearch.com

Eco-Friendly Never Looked So Good

2008-11-25T12:57:00.000-08:00

Second Edition Eco-Bag In Stores!

Commercial Drive's old street banners get second life as reusable shopping bags!

Almost every year the Commercial Drive Business Society prints 256 32" x 60" nylon street banners which help create a festive, colourful atmosphere for this unique shopping neighbourhood. Eventually each edition of these unique designs must be retired, so rather than sending them to the landfill they've come up with a very green idea — transform them into reusable nylon shopping bags!

By converting our first 3 year's worth of banners (768 banners) into reusable nylon shopping bags rather than using new fabric, we have:

• avoided the equivalent of 10,588 pounds or 5.3 tons of CO2 emissions
• freed up 814 trees to capture and store CO2 from other sources for a full year
• avoided sending 192 kg (422.4 lb) of nylon to the landfill
• saved 38,184,960 BTUs of energy – enough to provide electricity to an average Vancouver home for over 15 months.

"This green initiative even goes one step further", explains Ian McSorley, marketing chair for Commercial Drive. "ALL proceeds from the sale of these shopping bags will be donated to the development of new green spaces in the neighbourhood."

Bei Linda Tang, owner of, Dream Designs says, "We are pleased to contribute to this fabulous community initiative by designing and manufacturing these shopping bags on a cost recovery basis. Each of them is a unique embodiment of the Commercial Drive history that we are proud to be part of."

Bags retail for $9.95 from these Commercial Drive retailers:

A Small World Shop and Gallery, 2120 Commercial Drive, T: 604.215.0279
Banshee Clothing, 1566 Commercial Drive, T: 604.254.7240
Barefoot Contessa, 1928 Commercial Drive, T: 604.255.9035
Dream Designs, 956 Commercial Drive, T: 604.254.5012
Drive Organics, 1047 Commercial Drive, T: 604.678.9665
Kali, 1000 Commercial Drive, T: 604.215.4568
Lucky Rooster, 1706 Charles Street, T: 604.251.9119
Mintage, 1714 Commercial Drive, T: 604.871.0022
Network Apparel, 1832 Commercial Drive, T: 604.683.8011
Riot, 1395, Commercial Drive, T: 604.254.5073
Spakwus Organic Eco Spa, #102-1638 E. Broadway, T: 604.879.8367
Spank on the Drive, 1027 Commercial Drive, T: 604.255.1131
Ten Thousand Villages, 1204 Commercial Drive, T: 604.323.9233
Unityoga Teahouse, 1672 E. 10th Avenue, T: 604.708.8369
Womyns'Ware, 896 Commercial Drive, T: 604.254.2543

Source: thedrive.ca

4 Low Rent Artist Studios Up For Grabs by Nov. 21

2008-11-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

In 1996, the City of Vancouver created its first live/work Studio Award. This studio, provided free of rent, recognized distinguished artists like Teresa Marshall, Steven Shearer, Myfanwy MacLeod and Kevin Schmidt and enabled them to explore their creative practice.

In 1999, a second studio was added (made available at below market rents) and this year, two additional studios have been made available.

These four studios will be leased to Vancouver-based, low-income professional artists for a 3 year term beginning February 1, 2009.

The city will accept applications until Nov. 21.

"It's a small but important gesture," said Jacquie Gijssen, senior cultural planner with the city. "We can actually help with the tool kit that we have without people arguing about how much money it costs or doesn't cost."

The city has secured live/work spaces for artists through community amenity contributions that developers make when the city allows them increased building density or relaxed zoning. It owns two of the spaces and leases the other two for $1 a year. They're all in artist live/work buildings with two near Cambie, one near Main and the largest on East Pender near Knight Street. The Artist Studio Award Program was initiated by the city in 1996, and the Contemporary Art Gallery picks the jurors and coordinates the selections.

Professional artists in any discipline can apply for the award. The winners will be announced mid-December and can move in Feb. 1.

The jury of local arts and culture professionals seeks artists who are serious professionals, not hobbyists, Gijssen said. Although most, if not all, of those selected in the past have been emerging artists, senior artists can also apply.

Applicants must show financial need. Three of the four spaces are studios and one is a one bedroom. To qualify to win a studio, artists much prove they earn $29,000 or less per year, and to win the one bedroom, they must earn $32,500 or less.

The first place winner is awarded a free studio apartment for three years and the other recipients will pay $375 a month.

Sculpture artist, Rhonda Weppler, paid $325 a month for her 450-square-foot studio at Cambie and West Eighth Avenue for the past three years. The artist live/work building also includes a workshop. Previously, she rented small studios on the East Side.

"A lot of studios in Vancouver are in bad areas because it's cheap rent," Weppler said. "It was nice to be in a place that you could walk downtown and I wasn't scared to be alone at night or walking home at night."

When her tenancy expires and the end of this year, Weppler expects to move to an artist's space in Railtown Studios or in The ARC on Powell Street at the foot of Commercial Drive.

"Even though it's in a bad area it's around $1,000 a month for rent," she said.

Myfanwy MacLeod, who won a space in 2002, recently won a juried international competition held by the city to create the first Olympic and Paralympic legacy art commission for the main plaza in the Olympic Village in Southeast False Creek.

More info at the Office of Cultural Affairs Awards

Vancouver Courier

EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL 2008

2008-11-13T12:31:00.000-08:00

This is a once a year opportunity to meet many diversely talented artists and view their creations in the studios where they work. Be part of this exciting event, which brings people from all over the Lower Mainland, and share in the imaginations that enrich our neighbourhood and lives. get more details...

	painters			potters
	illustrators			writers
	jewellers			printmakers
	furniture makers			photographers
	musicians			glassblowers
	weavers			sculptors

From emerging artists to those of international fame... these are just a sampling of the exciting talents featured during this unique chance to meet local artists in their studios. details...

Purchase something that strikes your fancy, commission something to be uniquely yours, or just browse through the studios and meet the artists, learning about their specific works of art, materials and tools, approaches and techniques. details...

Download a printable map here

FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
November 21st	November 22nd	November 23rd
5:00pm - 10:00pm	11:00am - 6:00pm	11:00am - 6:00pm

It's Western Canada's largest studio exhibition and sale, and it's absolutely free-- don't miss it!

www.eastsideculturecrawl.com

Vancouver Archives Fundraising Event; Celebrate BC's first 150 Years

2008-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Come out and support this very important fund raising event for the Friends of the City of Vancouver Archives. This is a five hour history symposium on BC's first 150 years by three renowned BC historians and includes a catered lunch.

Cost is $50, and a $25 receipt may be issued for tax purposes.

Three speakers are scheduled to attend:

Sylvia Van Kirk will talk about 1858
Terry Eastwood will talk about 1908, and
Robert A. J. Macdonald will talk about 1958

Catering is by Sherilee Dee Catering Ltd., and that means Yummy!

For more information contact James Johnstone - househistorian@yahoo.ca