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#WhatsTheLink is a series about all that TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority, is responsible for in the region. Learn more at Translink.ca/WTL and join the #WhatsTheLink conversation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, The Buzzer Blog, and here of course!
Not everyone in the region knows what we do at TransLink. Sure, most know that TransLink is responsible for public transit. But did you know we’re also responsible for the Major Roads Network, five bridges, providing cycling options and more? Well, grade-six student Boya Yang does.
Boya, a student at Marlborough elementary in Burnaby, used TransLink as the subject of his project, which won him the Rotary Club of Burnaby Ambassador Award at the Rivers to Sea Regional Heritage Fair a couple of weeks back.
The enthusiastic fan of SkyTrain and the print Buzzer, Boya says, “I’m interested in roads and stuff [as well].”
When not playing chess, doing his math homework, or “Checking out the great view and roads [from SkyTrain or bus],” Boya is learning about transit and movement in our region. Boya’s winning project on TransLink included historical info as well as various facts about the transit system in Metro Vancouver.
While it is well known that TransLink moves a lot of people each day – around 418,000 each day – just how much people can count on the system is not always part of dinner time conversations. Here’s a couple of interesting ones from 2013:
The SkyTrain is on time 95% of the time for both the Expo and Millennium lines.
The West Coast Express is on time 98% of the time.
TransLink delivered 99.4% of scheduled service for bus and SkyTrain.
As Boya points out in his project, TransLink is important because it connects cities. How do we do this? By linking public transit like bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express to our Major Roads Network, the five bridges TransLink operates as well as cycling options throughout the region.
It’s the multimodal nature of TransLink that allowed almost 234 million people to board buses, trains and SeaBus last year!
This summer Michael Franti & Spearhead are bringing their Soulshine Summer Tour to Vancouver with SOJA, Brett Dennen, and Trevor Hall on June 26th at the WestJet Concert Stage at the PNE Amphitheatre. The experience will be complete with a pre-concert yoga session, rounding out a perfect West Coast summer combo: cheerful music, sunshine, the PNE concert stage, rejuvenating yoga, DJ sets, and a dance party.
With a collective reach of over 90 million impressions, the four bands: Michael Franti & Spearhead, SOJA, Brett Dennen and Trevor Hall, come together for a tour that embraces their passions and love of music, dance, yoga and sustainability.
The yoga session is designed for people of all experience levels, ages, shapes and sizes and will feature artists participating side by side with fans. Michael Franti has been practicing yoga for over 12 years, having appeared in numerous publicans such as Yoga Journal, Origin, Mantra and Yoga magazines. The tour will be incorporating yoga studio networks across the nation and inviting the founders, teachers and students of the studios to the shows to support the tour, share the lifestyle and have fun.
The 30+ city tour kicks off on June 19th in Southern California and will make its way across North America, ending in Nashville, TN at the Woods at Fontanel on August 2nd.
Tickets are currently on sale for $60 (concert with yoga) or $45 (concert only), plus FMF and service charges. Yoga check-in is at 2:30pm, with the session starting at 3:00pm. The concert doors will open at 5:00pm, with the show starting at 6:00pm. Charge by Phone 1-604-757-0345 or purchase online through the Ticketmaster box office. This event is general admission/all ages.
Win Tickets to Michael Franti & Spearhead
If you would like to experience the Michael Franti & Spearhead Soulshine Summer Tour I have two pairs of tickets AND yoga passes to give away thanks to Live Nation. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment naming your favourite Michael Franti & Spearhead song (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win @michaelfranti #SoulshineTour tickets from @LiveNationWest + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/xNwQJ
I will draw two winners (who will each get a pair of tickets + yoga passes) at 12:00pm on Sunday, June 15, 2014. Follow Live Nation on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest Vancouver concert event information.
Vancouver’s biggest event, and the world’s largest offshore fireworks competition, returns to English Bay this summer as the Honda Celebration of Light illuminates the sky on July 26th, July 30th, and August 2nd.
Rain or shine, the fireworks begin at 10:00pm as hundreds of thousands of spectators take to the shore to witness this spectacle. Plan your day and enjoy all of the following activities, entertainment, food and experience options.
Vancouver Fireworks Dates and Countries
Saturday, July 26, 2014: USA; Pyrotecnico
Wednesday, July 30, 2014: France; F.C. Pyro
Saturday, August 2, 2014: Japan; Akariya Fireworks
Food Truck Festival
The Sunset Beach parking lot will host some of the city’s best mobile dining options. Head down early and enjoy dinner on the beach.
Vancouver Fireworks Premium Seating
There are many viewing locations for the fireworks but if you would like to amp up your experience, you can purchase tickets in the Keg Lounge or the YVR Observation Deck bleachers.
The Keg Lounge The Keg Lounge presented by The Keg Steakhouse and Bar will once again be located on top of the Bath House Roof at English Bay for the festival. The Keg Lounge offers guests prime viewing opportunities, delicious food offerings, and intimate music experiences from the English Bay SHOREfest stage. This 19+ area opens at 6:30pm, with entertainment beginning at 7:15pm. Proceeds from The Keg Lounge benefit the not for profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society. Price: $169.55 (includes welcome drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and more).
YVR Observation Deck
Fans of the fireworks can secure reserved seats at the YVR Observation Deck located at English Bay. These convenient seats offer simulcast of the fireworks, prime viewing and dedicated services. Price: $57.55.
Vancouver Fireworks Concerts
ShoreFEST SHOREfest presented by Shore 104.3FM will host a fresh lineup of Canadian bands on two stages at English Bay and Sunset Beach. This year, Shore 104 is very pleased to announce that Juno-winners The Sheepdogs will be headlining the festival and rocking Vancouver into the twilight.
The Honda Celebration of Light mobile App will once again allow festival goers to keep informed of artist schedules for SHOREfest, search through an interactive map and vote for their favourite pyrotechnic team. The app will also play the audio simulcast for each fireworks presentation.
More information and ticket purchase links can be found on the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks website. You can also follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
Over the years I have profiled bloggers from the Northwest Territories to the Fraser Valley, anyone that interests me and that I hope will interest you as well. A few years ago I started asking a standard set of questions and this is the latest instalment of this continuing series.
How long has your blog been around?
I’ve been developing the idea of the blogazine about a year ago, it was officially launched 2 months ago.
What is your role?
I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief of LFORLIFE.COM.
What does your site do/what is it about?
I call it “blogazine”, it is a lifestyle blog written mostly in Chinese. I love to share stories. With the nature of my previous work, a lifestyle reporter; and my strong editorial background, I want to create a platform where Chinese Canadians, new immigrants and Chinese international students can find useful local lifestyle information by sharing my own adventures in searching these “hidden gems”.
What can people see, read, and do when visiting your site?
There are 5 categories in my blogazine – Style, Food, Travel, Pets and Life.
For fashionistas, you will find the latest trend reports and shopping guides, I also do beauty product reviews. For food lovers, you will find my own experiments in the kitchen. In travel section, I focus mainly on local hidden spots that people will never find in travel books as well as my own travel stories to other cities.
I love my dog, every day I learn a new lesson on how to become a better dog owner, if you are also a pet owner or if you are planning to become one soon, I might have some very good tips for you in the Pet section. Also, our guest writer VB, who has 10+ years experiences in veterinary and pet supply industry, will feature her stories to all pet owners too!
Life section is about art, LGBT and fun things to do in the city, check out regularly to find out the latest events!
Why do you blog?
My love for writing and sharing stories. I have worked in the magazine and newspaper industry for almost 10 years. Although it was fun to work as a team, it is difficult at times to express freely on paper.So when time calls, I decided to quit my day job to start my own “publication”. Blog / website is a great platform to share stories and to interact with people, I encourage my readers to leave comments and share their finds.
What is the ultimate goal for your site, how would you like to see it grow?
I wish someday my blogazine will become one of the major Chinese lifestyle medias. I’d be thrilled if my articles would enrich how people live their lives.
Summer in Vancouver means warm strolls at sunset on the sea wall, fireworks in the sky, and Bard on the Beach. The annual festival under the iconic red and white tents at Vanier Park will celebrate its 25th season starting June 11th.
Bard on the Beach Summer 2014
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare’s beloved comedy returns to Bard! Oberon, King of the Fairies, is upset with Queen Titania. He commands his servant Puck to produce a magical nectar that will cause love at first sight. The mischievous sprite arranges for Queen Titania to fall for Bottom, a simple weaver (now transformed into an ass) while hilariously misdirecting the affections of four runaway lovers. Get Tickets
Directed by: Dean Paul Gibson
Location: BMO Main Stage
Run Dates: June 11th to September 20th
The Tempest
Prospero, a magician and exiled Duke, is stranded on an enchanted island with his daughter Miranda, the spirit Ariel, and the slave Caliban. He conjures up a storm that shipwrecks his enemies on the island’s shores. As Prospero and Ariel weave a magical web, murder plots are hatched, unlikely alliances form and romance blooms between Miranda and the son of Prospero’s deepest enemy. Get Tickets
Directed by: Meg Roe
Location: BMO Main Stage
Run Dates: June 12th to September 18th
Equivocation
Palace intrigue and backstage humour share the spotlight in this entertaining ode to art, politics and the dangers of negotiating both! King James’ Prime Minister has charged Shag (William Shakespeare) with writing the “true history” of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot. The playwright struggles to figure out where fiction stops and the facts may lead – without losing his head in the process! Get Tickets
Directed by: Michael Shamata
Location: Howard Family Stage
Run Dates: July 2nd to September 19th
Cymbeline
All is not as it appears after Imogen defies her father, King Cymbeline, to secretly marry Posthumus. The enthralling story that follows is driven by love, jealousy, betrayal and redemption and features a host of memorable characters, including one of Shakespeare’s most finely-etched female leads. Get Tickets
Directed by: Anita Rochon
Location: Howard Family Stage
Run Dates: July 4th to September 17th
Special Events
Bard-B-Q & Fireworks: Enjoy one of this season’s four plays followed by a delicious salmon barbecue and scrumptious desserts, complimentary tea and coffee; then enjoy a private view of the Celebration of Light fireworks.
Gazing Back: Join Christopher Gaze as he recalls highlights, hiccups and some well-kept secrets from twenty-five years of fascinating Festival history.
Opera and Arias: Shakespeare’s Opera: Featuring beloved arias and ensembles inspired by some of Shakespeare’s greatest works including Hamlet, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Romeo & Juliet.
Celebrating Red & White: Join host Sandhill Wines for a special tasting of award-winning VQA wines from BC’s Okanagan region, paired with delicious cheeses.
Play ticket prices (adults) include all fees and taxes and are $47 (evenings) and $33 to $35 (previews, matinees and long weekend evenings) with a $27 Global BC Youth Rate (6-25 years, all play performances). Early Bird regular adult tickets are priced at $43 to May 30. Prices for special events, groups and multi-play ticket package discounts can be found on the Bard website. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection (all seats are reserved). Order by phone (604) 739-0559 or 1-877-739-0559, or online, and follow @BardontheBeach on Twitter for season updates.
#WhatsTheLink is a series about all that TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority, is responsible for in the region. Learn more at Translink.ca/WTL and join the #WhatsTheLink conversation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, The Buzzer Blog, and here of course!
When not playing chess, doing his math homework, or “Checking out the great view and roads [from SkyTrain or bus],” Boya is learning about transit and movement in our region. Boya’s winning project on TransLink included historical info as well as various facts about the transit system in Metro Vancouver. 
With a collective reach of over 90 million impressions, the four bands: 
