The Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”) and its volunteers work hard to conserve, protect, educate and research to ensure that Stanley Park remains a bastion of natural wonder and beauty, and the Best Park in the World.
If you’ve followed Miss604 online — whether on the blog, Twitter, or Instagram — you’ll know how much I love Stanley Park, which is why I became a member of the Stanley Park Ecology Society almost three years ago. In fact, I was the first person to ever purchase a membership online and I have featured a monthly “SPES Saturday” series submitted by the Stanley Park Ecology Society since that time as well.
My Vancouver Gift Guide series wouldn’t possibly be complete without a list of ways that you support Stanley Park now, and throughout the year, thanks to the Stanley Park Ecology Society’s gifts that give back.
Supporting the Stanley Park Ecology Society
Every year 8 million people visit Stanley Park… to marvel at its forests, connect with nature, exercise along its seawall and relax on its beaches. Great blue herons, bald eagles, little brown bats and coastal cutthroat trout live here while thousands of overwintering birds shelter along its shores. For all that Stanley Park offers people and wildlife, SPES invites you to help us give back.
Your year-end tax deductible donation supports Stanley Park Ecology Society’s stewardship of Vancouver’s largest urban wilderness: Restoring habitat, monitoring wildlife, inspiring school children with quality environmental education programs, and connecting park visitors of all ages with nature.
Gifts for Stanley Park
$16.50 buys one 5 gallon native plant to help restore damaged Park habitat.
$48 adopts a Great blue heron nest to support conservation of this Species at Risk.
$160 provides one pair of high quality binoculars for SPES’ popular public birding programs.
$500 subsidizes the school program fee for one inner city class to participate in Nature Ninjas, an empowering, unforgettable overnight camping fieldtrip in Stanley Park (read more about Nature Ninjas »).
You can also adopt and eagle nest or one whole acre of the park to protect.
In 2014, donations helped 5,401 elementary school students participate in SPES’ experiential education programs, helped remove over 325 cubic meters of invasive species from Stanley Park (equivalent of 217 wheel barrows-full), planted 850 native plants in habitat restoration efforts… and much, much more. To make a donation or purchase an annual membership call (604) 718-6523 or donate online.
Your annual membership (for $15, $20, $30, or $40) includes quarterly newsletters; discounts on SPES Discovery Walks, programs and special events; special invitations to free preview nights in Stanley Park for Halloween Ghost Train, Christmas Bright Nights and Theatre Under the Stars; discounted admission to the Vancouver Aquarium; and voting rights at SPES’ Annual General Meeting.
For more information visit the Stanley Park Ecology Society website. Follow SPES on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
It’s the very last weekend before Christmas and the city is alive with events, activities, and plenty of neighbourhoods showing off their very best light displays. The weekend event list is bigger than usual, packed with fun ways to get the most out of the city this holiday season.
Last Chance Craft Fair
This post is sponsored by Great Canadian Craft’s Last Chance Craft Fair, on Saturday, December 20th and Sunday, December 21st at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver). Stop by this handmade stocking stuffer extravaganza for all of your last minute shopping needs and see over 150 talented artisans and crafters from all over the Lower Mainland and BC. Face painting, balloon animals, and Buddy The Elf will be on site for the kids. First 25 entrants each day receive a FREE swag bag loaded with goodies. Follow Great Canadian Craft on Facebook and Twitter for more information and get your free tickets online in advance.
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.
Friday, December 19, 2014
The 13th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Vancouver Chamber Choir Presents: Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Musica Intima: A Christmas Story, Downtown
Don Pasquale performed by Venture Opera
Alicia Tobin’s Come Draw With Me: Special Edition Food Bank Fundraiser
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir Presents: All is Calm
The Shortest Day Film Festival
12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl Series
Vancouver TheatreSports: Christmas Queen
Carousel Theatre Presents: James and the Giant Peach
Goh Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Pacific Theatre: It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show
Karaoke Christmas Lights Vancouver Trolley Tours
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
Vancouver Christmas Market
Bright Nights in Stanley Park Christmas Train
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Arts Club Presents: Mary Poppins
Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
The Cultch: Dylan Thomas Return Journey
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Last Chance Craft Fair
Historic Christmas Programs at Irving House
The Marcus Mosely Chorale at Ryerson United Church
Blim Holiday Market
Lovecoast + Friends Christmas Benefit at the Backstage Lounge
Dundarave Festival of Lights
Skate with Santa at Bill Copeland Sports Centre
Skate with Santa, New Westminster
Pacific Theatre: Christmas Presence, Valley
Winter Farmers Market at Nat Bailey Stadium
Surrey’s Winter Ice Palace in Cloverdale Opens
The Shortest Day Film Festival
Vancouver TheatreSports: Christmas Queen
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir Presents: All is Calm
Carousel Theatre Presents: James and the Giant Peach
Goh Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Pacific Theatre: It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Show
Karaoke Christmas Lights Vancouver Trolley Tours
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
Vancouver Christmas Market
Bright Nights in Stanley Park Christmas Train
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Arts Club Presents: Mary Poppins
Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
North Pole, BC at TRADEX in Abbotsford
The Cultch: Dylan Thomas Return Journey
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Last Chance Craft Fair
Winter Solstice Lantern Festival
J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio – Cantatas 1, 3, 6
29th Annual Blues for Christmas
Vancouver Chamber Choir Presents: A Charlie Brown Christmas
River District Winter Craft Fair
Bill Nye at the Vogue Theatre
Surrey’s Winter Ice Palace in Cloverdale
The Shortest Day Film Festival
Vancouver TheatreSports: Christmas Queen
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir Presents: All is Calm
Carousel Theatre Presents: James and the Giant Peach
Goh Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas
Karaoke Christmas Lights Vancouver Trolley Tours
Festival of Lights at VanDusen Garden
Vancouver Christmas Market
Bright Nights in Stanley Park Christmas Train
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Arts Club Presents: Mary Poppins
Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
North Pole, BC at TRADEX in Abbotsford
The Cultch: Dylan Thomas Return Journey
View the full monthly event list to plan ahead at any time. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for frequent updates about local events and community happenings.
If I was Miss Sheilds from the beloved holiday film A Christmas Story I would legitimately give Aaron Chapman’s new book Live at the Commodore an “A Plus-Plus-Plus-Plus…!” It arrived by courier last week and I immediately sat down to read it.
I didn’t budge as the sun crossed through the sky and the hours passed. I pulled out my sticky notes and began marking off my favourite lines and references so I could bring them up later when gushing to John about the book. I would read a passage, close the book, and hold it to my chest — just like the fictional teacher who read Ralphie’s theme — then open it again to read more.
“Who’s playing tonight?”
What made the book so brilliant? I felt as though I was reading what could easily be turned into a moving and captivating Ken Burns documentary about Vancouver’s entertainment history.
Live at the Commodore starts out “Once Upon a Saturday Night”, telling the tale of Granville Street, then moves into a chronological history of how the Commodore Ballroom came to be, how it thrived, how it almost died, how its doors were shut and opened again as chapters of music history in Vancouver were written.
I went from imagining my Oma and Opa out dancing on a Saturday night (which they did in the 1950s) to looking at legendary rock photographer Bev Davies’ photos of D.O.A., some of the founders of hardcore punk. I learned about Drew Burns and the place where a who’s-who of music greats — like The Police, The Clash, Blondie, Talking Heads, Nirvana, New York Dolls, U2, Tom Waits, and the White Stripes — took the stage.
1930 – Commodore Ballroom. Archives# CVA 99-3855.
In Live at the Commodore, Aaron Chapman (author of Liquor, Lust, and the Law, a bestselling history of Vancouver’s Penthouse Nightclub) delves into the Commodore’s archives to reveal stories about the constellation of characters surrounding the club over the last 80-plus years, as well as startling, funny, and outrageous anecdotes about the legendary acts that have graced its stage. Filled with never-before-published photographs, posters, and paraphernalia, Live at the Commodore is a visceral, energetic portrait of one of the world’s great rock venues.
If you enjoy reading about Vancouver, history, music, and can appreciate some pretty rocking photography, pick up your copy of this untold story of Vancouver’s rock ‘n’ roll landmark for $28.95 online or look for it in your local book store.
Win a Copy of Live at the Commodore
I received my review copy of the book from the publisher Arsenal Pulp Press and I have another to give away to a lucky Miss604 reader to enjoy. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming the best concert you’ve ever seen in Vancouver (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, December 22, 2014. Follow Arsenal Pulp on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their BC titles and follow author Aaron Chapman on Twitter.
Two things that I, and most of the internet-using population around here, love dearly are cats and Vancouver — a reason why we recently hosted an Internet Cat Video Festival and funded a Cat Cafe. As such, during this busy holiday season I thought I would spread some lighthearted cheer by introducing some incredibly adorable local cats of Instagram who have plenty of Christmas spirit:
Vancouver Christmas Cats of Instagram
Found using this #CatsOfVancouver tag, elliot_sheldon is one well-behaved feline in this Christmas card-worthy pose:
Scout of TheScoutChronicles is a very social cat, sending out Christmas cards to many friends on Instagram who also posed with their cards:
A cat in a sweater – a Christmas sweater – courtesy of Jiro_Boo:
While it’s not Christmassy per se — and I have no idea how they did it — but BestFriendsPetCareVancouver got this little one to not only wear a hooded sweater but also stay in it long enough to snap this photo:
A pet food and supply store on East Hastings, LongLiveCatsandDogs recently featured Ritchie in a festive Santa hat:
The Vancouver Canucks get a mention for their BCSPCA and cat-themed Christmas cards this year including this photo of Kevin Bieksa and a kitten:
Gary of HisNameIsGary is the only cat I actually follow on Instagram. He had me hooked ever since he appeared in a Yoda costume and this Santa Claws getup is just as good:
Finally, while not all cats they feature are local, the popular CatsofInstagram account is actually run by Erin Filtness of Vancouver and it’s the go-to Instagram cat photo account for more than half a million people worldwide:
I don’t have a cat but you can follow me on Instagram anytime @Miss604.
Celebrate the 21st annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on December 21st in three Vancouver communities. Presented by the Secret Lantern Society and Artistic Director Naomi Singer, this free family event (with some ticketed attractions) will illuminate the longest night of the year.
These are festive celebrations of the human spirit expressed through art and music, enjoy a night of spirited fun with lanterns, fires, singing, drumming, music and dancing.
Workshops
Join a last minute lantern workshop in any of the three celebration locations. Lanterns can be made in as short as 30 minutes. While supplies last.
Granville Island: A last Minute Lantern workshop will be held on Sunday December 21, 2014 at the False Creek Community Centre (1318 Cartwright St) from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Drop in and make a simple lantern ($10 each) to carry in the procession that leaves at 6:00pm.
Yaletown: Drop into the Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews) and make a simple lantern ($10 each) to carry in the procession that gathers in David Lam Park at 6:30pm.
Chinatown: Drop into the Strathcona Community Centre (601 Keefer St) from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and make a simple lantern ($10 each) to carry in the procession that leaves at 6:00pm.
Processions
Granville Island: Meet at 6:00pm at Leg-In-Boot Square, Granville Island Triangle Square, or H.R. MacMillan Space Centre. The 3 processions converge on Granville Island and are greeted by the traditional torch-lit Song Of Welcome by The Vancouver Morris Men. The Carnival Band, Bloco Energia and the Rhythm Spirit Drummers then join forces to lead everyone over to Ron Basford Park where Radiant Heat weave their fiery magic atop the hill and a giant fire sculpture of the rising sun lights the darkest night.
Yaletown: Meet at 6:00pm at Cooper’s Park, Emery Barnes Park, or the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. These three lantern processions are led by the drums of Tege Fo Collective along the seawall as well as through historic Yaletown to converge in David Lam Park where they are welcomed by the traditional English music and dance of the Tiddley Cove Morris Dancers and a spectacular fire performance by The Vancouver Fire Collective.
Chinatown: Meet at 6:00pm at the Strathcona Community Centre and join a lively lantern procession led by the drums of African Crossing through the streets of Strathcona for a magical evening at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall St).
Indoor Performances
Granville Island: After the processions pop into the False Creek Community Centre (1318 Cartwright St) from 7:30pm to 9:30pm for hot chocolate and live music and dancing with Star Child Drum Group, Hot Club of Pluto, Rhythm Spirit Drummers and Odette Slater. Experience the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance and Welch Border Dances by The Vancouver Morris Men, who have been part of this festival for the entire 21 years. Learn about the celestial facts of winter solstice with Community Astronomer Bill Burnyeat in the amazing inflatable Canadian Planetarium, while being serenaded by the award-winning violin of Michael Burnyeat. Look for the roving Mistress of Ceremonies and Ritual Historian Shaughna Born (in the top hat) to tell you the sometimes bloody and epic stories ancient peoples told to explain the loss of the light.
Yaletown: After the Yaletown processions pop into the Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews) from 7:00pm to 10:00pm for a variety of indoor activities starting with the Opening Welcome at 7:00pm by Master of Solstice Ceremonies Ari Lazer. Performers include the Git Hayetsk Dancers, Kira Schaffer of Firebelly Performance Society, Kathleen Forrester, Orkestar Slivovica, Jacky Arrah Yenga and more.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Following the Chinatown procession, meet at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden (578 Carrall St) from 6:00pm to 10:00pm to celebrate the Chinese winter solstice, dong zhi, which marks the rebirth of the yang qualities of light and energy. The Garden will be filled with lanterns created by artists Joey Mallett, Yoko Tomita, Jacquie Rolston, Naomi Singer and Secret Lantern Society volunteers. Tickets are $5 per person or $10 for a family (at the door) or online in advance, plus fee. Make your own simple lantern decorated with bird images with artists from the Secret Lantern Society in the Scholar’s Study for $3. Featured performers include the energetic jazz of the Brad Muirhead Quartet, the wild drums of African Crossing and the thrilling rhythms of Uzume Taiko.
Labyrinth of Light
Labyrinth of Light: From 6:00pm to 10:00pm at Performance Works on Granville Island and 6:00pm to 11:00pm at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.
Photo credit:
Jack on Flickr
Created with over 700 pure beeswax candles, the winter solstice labyrinth invites you to warm yourself in a self-guided ceremony intended to help release old attachments and envision new possibilities as the darkest night of the year births a new season. Hosted by Helene Bolduc, with crystal bowl toning by Christine Paton.
Purchase Labyrinth of Light tickets online and select your exact visit times. Everyone who gives a donation or purchases a ticket to one of the labyrinths will receive a solstice button.
Follow the Secret Lantern Society on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
