During the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Andrew Lavigne followed a group of various social media users around the city to see how the digital world impacted the Games and their daily lives. The result is With Glowing Hearts. A unique documentary that, being funded by grassroots campaigns and screenings by donation, is finally ready for its official premiere.

The premieres will take place over the course of a few days in select cities across Canada:
Montreal: Friday, September 23, 2011 at 7:00pm at Cinema du Parc
Vancouver: Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 7:00pm at SFU Woodward’s
Toronto: Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 7:00pm at the Revue Cinema
Ottawa: Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 6:30pm at Mayfair Theatre

Kris Krug, who is in the film, will have a photography exhibition in the lobby of each theatre prior to the screenings. I also have a few cameos in the documentary along with John Biehler, Dave Olson, and a feature on April Smith.

If you would like to attend the Vancouver premiere this Saturday, tickets are currently available for $10. The documentary channel has also picked up With Glowing Hearts and it will run over the next three years starting with its television premiere November 21, 2011 (check local listings).

Follow WGHTheMovie on Twitter for screening updates and to find out how you can support the distribution of this Vancouver-made film.

It was announced yesterday (and I found out thanks to the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Twitter account) that the Government of BC will proclaim days throughout 2011 in honor of BC Olympic and Paralympic medallists.

Maëlle Ricker. Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

“Athletes will be recognized on the one-year anniversary of their medal-winning performance. Athletes who won multiple medals will receive a day proclaimed in their honour on the one-year anniversary of their first medal victory and acknowledgement of their additional medal victories.” [PDF]

Proclamations Days in 2011 include:
Feb 16 Maëlle Ricker Day
Feb 23 Ashleigh McIvor Day
Feb 27 Chris Le Bihan and Denny Morrison Day
Feb 28 Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Brent Seabrook, Roberto Luongo, Shea Weber Day
Mar 13 Josh Dueck and Lindsay Debou Day
Mar 15 Lauren Woolstencroft and Karolina Wisniewska Day
Mar 20 Ina Forrest, Jim Armstrong, Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbour Day
Mar 21 Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day

As a reminder, you can still vote for the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards “Best of BC” nominees, some of which are listed above, until February 20th. The winner will be awarded at the Sport BC banquet February 24, 2011.

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, an event that has forever changed our city in many ways. We came together as a region, Province, and country, to celebrate athleticism at its best while letting our patriotism show. One man who had a major hand in making this event happen is John Furlong and you can now purchase copies of his book: Patriot Hearts.

“Working with Globe and Mail columnist Gary Mason, Furlong recounts the lead­up to the Games and describes how he handled seemingly insurmountable setbacks ― such as the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, a global recession and the washed­out snow at Cypress Bowl ― to achieve a runaway success and, ultimately, a pivotal moment of nationhood.” [PatriotHearts.ca]

Events surrounding the book launch include a blue jacket volunteer flash mob yesterday, a Vancouver Board of Trade lunch this afternoon, a pancake breakfast with blue jacket volunteers February 12th, a book signing at Chapters on Granville February 12th at 3:00pm followed by a VANOC employee reunion at 7:00pm. Furlong will make his way to Whistler on Sunday February 13th for a reading and signing at the Whistler Public Library at 3:30pm, and he’ll do another February 14th at 7:00pm back at the Richmond Public Library’s main branch.

The book is available as of today in local bookstores and online at Amazon or Indigo. If you would like to win a copy of this book, please leave a comment stating your favourite memory from the Olympics or Paralympics. You can also leave your entry on the Contest Tab of the Miss604 Facebook page.

Personally, aside from the pavilions and hospitality houses, the high-fives on Granville, the double gold in hockey, and the amazing achievements at the Paralympics, I will still remember my ride in the Surrey leg of the Olympic torch relay for the rest of my life. I will draw two winners, who will each receive a copy of the book, on February 17, 2011.

Update The winners are Linda Nguyen (Facebook entry) and Nicole (comment entry).

Fine print for Facebook entries: This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. View all Facebook contest guidelines here.

Last August I announced that Vancouver 2010 Winter Games street banners were for sale from VANOC with proceeds benefitting Tradeworks Training Society. A few months later, and closer to the anniversary celebrations, there are still banners available for purchase from The Flag Shop.

Photo credit: cheukiecfu

The banners range from $34.95 to $79.95 (for ones with Olympic rings that are signed). Proceeds still benefit Tradeworks Training Society’s program The Fab Shop which provides training to at-risk individuals who are trying to re-enter the workforce.

The The Flag Shop is located at 1615 Powell Street in Vancouver.

Yesterday CTV was looking for news and events surrounding any kind of Vancouver 2010 anniversary events. Turns out, there’s plenty going on around town and so far 10,000 people have signed up on Facebook for a simple gathering on Granville — anywhere on Granville between Drake and Georgia. 

Photo credit: Mananetwork on Flickr

Cauldron
The Olympic cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza will be lit at 4:00pm on February 12th, 2011

Breakfast with John Furlong
VANOC CEO John Furlong will be at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Saturday February 12th, 2011 from 9:30am until 11:30am. Meet Mr Furlong, have breakfast, and grab a copy of his new book. Tickets are available for $35 or $55.

Robson Square
Free skating and with other free & family-friendly activities planned from 9:00am – 11:00pm February 12th. The entertainment line-up includes: Four Host First Nations (with representatives of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh), Mark Donnelly – Mr. O Canada, Uzume Taiko, Koan, Public Dreams, Inez, The Shirleys, En Karma with South Asian Arts, Jets Overhead, Dustin Bentall, and Said the Whale.

There will also be free admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery February 12th.

Olympic Glory Relived on Granville
Beginning at noon and running until 9:00pm on February 12th, Granville Street will be activated from Smithe to Dunsmuir. Enjoy buskers, street hockey, and the Lunar Festival parade. Organized by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. There will once again be street closures along Robson, Seymour, and Granville. The Facebook event with the unstoppable momentum will culminate on the same date at the same locations.

Granville and Smithe will be home to the “Centre Ice” celebration site and Canadian figure skate Patrick Chan will be doing meet and greets at the McDonald’s as well.

Olympic Street Hockey on Granville
On February 12th while Robson and Granville Streets will be closed to traffic and there will be a charity street hockey game in the afternoon.

LunarFest
Lunar Fest will take place February 3rd until the 13th as well. You may remember the lanterns and art from Lunar Fest last year that were on Granville between Robson and Georgia. 

Illuminate Yaletown
Illuminate Yaletown will be back February 11th at 12th with features contemporary light art installations.

Whistler
Two events in Whistler are outlined by Tourism Vancouver. 

With Glowing Hearts Film Screening
There will be a free screening of With Glowing Hearts on February 12th. This documentary followed social media documentarians, protestors, journalists and more throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canucks
There will be a “salute to 2010″ at the Vancouver Canucks game February 12th.

Volunteer Reunion
Olympic “blue jackets” or “smurfs” (or whichever name everyone had for the beloved and tireless volunteers) will have a reunion at Jack Poole Plaza February 12th at 4:00pm. Torchbearers are also encouraged to come out for their own reunion event at the same time and location.

Olympic Village, Creekside
Creekside Community Recreation Centre will host a free family-friendly community event in the Creekside gymnasium from 11:00am – 3:00pm February 12. The event will feature a range of Olympic and Paralympic themed activities including a hockey sledge race, winter sports on Wii, pin trading, 2010 memorabilia on display and a big-screen TV showing Games highlights. Organized by Vancouver Parks and Recreation.

Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain will be open for 24 hours between February 12th and 13th to celebrate the Olympic anniversary. Activities will include a torch parade of skiers, a one-day kids hockey tournament on the outdoor rink.

West Vancouver
The Columba Light Festival will take place February 11th and 12th with performances by Mother Mother and Said the Whale along with drumming, dancing, and ice skating at the Park Royal outdoor rink.

Irish House
Doolin’s Irish Pub is bringing Irish House back February 26th.

Closing Ceremony
The TD Winter Carnival at Robson Square will commemorate the closing ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with a day of midway games, skating, free hot chocolate and more. Join the fun Sunday, February 27th, 2011 from 12:00pm until 4:00pm.

Thinking back on all of the amazing memories, free celebrations, and impromptu gatherings, I have recently spent some time going through my Olympic and Paralympics posts and photos.

I’m not sure what everyone is expecting, or what else they would like to see, but I’m sure the public will create their own event regardless of anything that might be formally setup (eg. the Facebook event mentioned above). O! Canada will be sung and hands will be sore from high-fives, that’s for certain.

Stay tuned to @Miss604, @OlymGlryRelived, @DowntownVan, and the tag #ReliveIT on Twitter for event information which will also be posted here as announcements are made.

This morning the Canadian Paralympic Committee named four-time Paralympian Elisabeth Walker-Young as Canada’s Assistant Chef de Mission for the London 2012 Paralympic Summer Games.

After captivating our attention in Vancouver last February, the Paralympics have been growing in popularity thanks to the outstanding performances by our athletes. I had the chance to chat with Elisabeth today to find out about her new role assisting Dr. Gaétan Tardif, Chef de Mission, and how things are looking heading into the next Summer Games.

“Gaétan has expertise to bring about what worked before and what didn’t. I have the luxury of being on the athlete side so I get to think about and bring the athlete’s perspective,” said Elisabeth. Along with assisting the Mission staff with budgets and operational issues, she said she can be the voice of the athletes when it comes to everything from the placement of Canada’s building at the Games to the clothing they will wear.

Photo credit: Vincent L. Chan

Elisabeth’s Paralympic career began in Barcelona and she brought continued success to Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens in the years to follow. Having won three gold medals, one silver, and two bronze in swimming over her outstanding competitive career, her passion for the Paralympics is clear.

“People ask me (whether it’s media, or friends) ‘which were your favourite Games?’ and I can never pick one because they all bring such different memories. When I was a rookie in Barcelona it was the grandeur of the opening ceremony.” Elisabeth talked about how dedicated she was to her first Games and noted that she was only 15 years old at the time.

Her original goal was to make her Paralympics appearance a “one time thing” however after Barcelona she knew she had to do it again.

Eighteen years after her first competition, Elisabeth is committed to helping our athletes achieve their best and the Canadian Paralympic Committee is aiming to rank within the top eight countries in the next medal count. “I think London will bring a different perspective,” added Elisabeth, looking ahead to 2012. “The one thing that’s really unique to the London Games is that’s where the Paralympic games all began, and I think they’ll use that as a catalyst.”

Back in 1948 Dr. Ludwig Guttmann of Stoke Mandeville Hospital started the competition for war veterans, to be the equivalent to the Olympics. First referred to as the Stoke Mandeville Games, the Paralympic Games opened up to everyone (not just war vets) in 1960.

With Canadian athletes performing so well at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, particularly while being on our home soil, there was a spotlight on the Games like never-before. Elisabeth definitely sees that momentum continuing on to the upcoming Summer Games.

“I’ve seen it evolve and every year there’s more and more attention. I think having had it in the home environment with such success it can only continue that snowball effect. I think that’s natural but we as the Canadian Paralympic Committee — as mission staff, as athletes — are still going to have to do the work to keep it in the media’s attention and to keep it in the public’s attention.” Elisabeth said she aims to make it resonate with the public that it’s not all about performance sport, although that is the major component of the Games. “Having been an athlete, I know how hard people train and how much they put into it. There’s so much more with Paralympic sport and the societal benefits that can come out of it can’t be ignored.”

You can follow @CDNParalympics on Twitter for updates leading up to the next Games or add them on Facebook.

On October 22nd the Olympic Cauldron will be lit during the dedication of Jack Poole Plaza. While the flames have been ignited since the Games for Canada Day and a few other occasions, this celebration will commemorate the memory of Jack Poole, architect of Vancouver 2010, as the plaza has finally been completed.

The ceremony will take place at 7:30pm and everyone is encouraged to bust out their red mittens for the occasion.

Even though it’s been eight months since we hosted the world, and plush toy mascots are now in the clearance bins of local stores, many who were unable to see the cauldron during the Game will now have a chance. If the event also manages to rekindle a bit of the spirit that was around town in February, be prepared for a sea of red shirts, maple leafs, and a whole lot of high-fives.

Jack Poole Plaza is located at the North end of Thurlow at Burrard Place (just North of Cordova).

In related news, the Canadian Paralympic Committee will host its first Awards Ceremony the following night to celebrate the accomplishments of those who made an impact at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

During the Vancouver 2010 Games, everyone became a reporter in their own way. Photos, videos, podcasts, tweets, and Facebook updates allowed anyone in town to share what they were experiencing with the rest of the world. While all of the high-fives were happening and the streets flowed with flags and colours of all nations, Andrew Lavigne was making a documentary about social media creating social change.

Today is your chance to view this film at the With Glowing Hearts Unfestival. They are doing a screening at 4:00pm that will be free for the community and then again at 7:00pm for $12. The paid screening will include a larger event with silent auction, drinks, Q&A and every ticket-holder will receive a producer credit on the film for contributing to its production.

If you’d like to support this film, the social media community, and the continued story-telling of what went on in town during the Vancouver 2010 Games, this is definitely an event not to miss.

Bucky Gunts collected an Emmy Award this evening for his direction of the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games for NBC.

The biggest event this town’s ever seen took place just six month ago and for many it’s a very fond memory that will live with them forever.

To celebrate, you can revisit the entire production thanks to YouTube.

While NBC’s coverage was slightly different than CTV’s (ie. no close-ups of the fiddlers) it’s still nice to hear Vancouver 2010 getting recognition in some way on an international stage.

The banners that lined the streets and bridges of Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now up for sale.

Photo credit: Michael Francis McCarthy

A few months ago there was an application process for local non-profits to register so that they could benefit from the sale of these items.

You can now purchase the banners (signed by John Furlong) from the Vancouver 2010 online store with proceeds going to the Fab Shop‘s new Tradeworks Training Society.

About Tradeworks:
“Based in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver BC, Tradeworks Training Society helps foster sustainable independence by providing job-related skills training, counseling, and work opportunities. Tradeworks Training Society has been offering training and employment programs in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver since 1994. Each program is centered in the belief that mutual respect is key to any relationship, and that a hand up is more lasting than a hand out.”

Over 800 pairs of banners have been donated for the fundraising sale. Some items are already out of stock but it looks like there is a quite a selection left starting at $149.