Whitecaps FC have teamed up with Purolator Tackle Hunger to support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. On Saturday, May 24th, food bank volunteers will be set up in front of BC Place Stadium on Terry Fox Plaza at 2:30pm, ahead of the 4:00pm kick-off, to collect your donations of non-perishable food items. The first 400 fans to make a donation will receive an autographed Whitecaps FC banner.
Your donations will help people in our community who use the food bank, over a quarter of whom are children.
Last year ‘Caps fans raised 6,200 pounds of food, and the hope is to beat that amount this year. Purolator will also be donating 250 pounds of food for every corner kick taken during the match.
As part of its commitment to helping alleviate hunger in the communities where it operates, Purolator works closely with its teammates, customers and food banks across Canada to collect donations and help raise awareness about the issue of hunger in Canada. Since its inception in 2003, the Purolator Tackle Hunger program has helped deliver the equivalent of more than 6.5 million pounds of food to food banks across Canada.
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (“GVFBS”) is dedicated to empowering over 28,000 people weekly in the Lower Mainland by providing access to healthy food, education, and training, but requires the support of the community to accomplish their goal.
The match against the Seattle Sounders will be a big one so let’s make a difference on Saturday and show the community how much ‘Caps fans care! Follow the Greater Vancouver Food Bank on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Virgin Mobile recently announced its newest RE*Generation phone, the Samsung GALAXY S5. Not only is this a highly-anticipated and talked-about phone — due in part to its 16MP camera, 16GB of memory and Android™ 4.4.2 KitKat® operating system — but it also does some good.
Right now, $15 from the sale of every GALAXY S5 bought from Virgin Mobile will go to Virgin Mobile RE*Generation, an initiative dedicated to helping at-risk and homeless youth.
This is the sixth phone in the RE*Generation phone program. Since its inception in 2008, the program has raised over $1 million to support the lives of at-risk and homeless youth across Canada. I remember when Sir Richard Branson’s daughter, Holly Branson, spoke at WE Day in Vancouver about social initiatives. She quoted an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Speaking to the power of many, for a single cause, and what can be accomplished.
Right now there are 225,000 Canadian youth without a job and not in school. 35,000 live in emergency shelters, and tonight up to 6,000 youth will sleep on the streets — a reason why I support Covenant House in Vancouver, a cause that Virgin Mobile has previously supported in North America.
The cycle of homelessness is extremely difficult to escape without help. With little income or opportunities to work, at-risk youth can’t afford decent, stable accommodations or the basic necessities. This lack makes it a huge challenge to sustain work or emerge from homelessness, and so the cycle continues.
Virgin Mobile RE*Generation empowers a generation to help its own and support at-risk and homeless youth. This movement is committed to creating new opportunities and experiences for at-risk and homeless youth across the country to help them emerge out of the cycle of homelessness. To date, more than $2.5 million has been raised and dispersed to leading youth serving agencies across the country from programs such as Change For A Dollar, Text to Donate, the RE*Generation phone and ongoing benefit concerts. Join Virgin Mobile RE*Generation to help give a chance to youth who need it the most.
Get the Samsung Galaxy S5™ with Virgin Mobile and $15 goes to Virgin Mobile RE*Generation to help youth emerge from homelessness. The phone is available at any Virgin Mobile store or kiosk, online, or call 1-888-999-2321.
Virgin Mobile RE*Generation Giveaway
Virgin Mobile RE*Generation has offered up a Samsung GALAXY S5, the phone that does some good, to one lucky Miss604 reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:
RT to enter to win a Samsung GALAXY S5 from @virginmobilecan RE*Generation + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/xbmPq
Follow Virgin Mobile Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about RE*Generation.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, May 30, 2014. The Samsung GALAXY S5 prize will be for use on the Virgin Mobile Canada network, plan not included with this prize.
I’ve partnered with Honda Canada to take their vehicles out for a spin and explore our beautiful region. Most recently, Michelle and I took the Acura RDX to Osoyoos to discover The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake and enjoy the warmth of the South Okanagan in spring.
Departing from the West End, I took Highway 1 to Surrey (across the Port Mann) to pick up Michelle on the way out to Osoyoos. The entire 390km drive took us about 5 hours since we stopped so much along the way. Here are a few places we reached in the Acura RDX:
Stop of Interest 1: Hope Slide
In 1965, on the morning of January 9th, 47 million cubic meters of rock plummeted down the side of the Cascade Mountains in the Nicolum Valley, killing four people.
The Hope Slide was the largest landslide ever recorded in Canada and it’s a humbling stop of interest as you head east on Highway 3 after the Highway 1 and Highway 5 turn offs around Hope.
Boulders larger than today’s SUVs dot the landscape and one can only imagine the horror of the deafening tragedy that occurred that day. It’s calm, quiet, and intimidating while making you appreciate the unpredictability of Mother Nature.
Stop of Interest 2: Osoyoos Lookouts
There are many great lookout spots along road to Osoyoos but two in particular offer panoramic views of the entire valley, lake, and surrounding vineyards. The first is just past Spotted Lake as you enter Osoyoos from the west. We stopped here on our way back so we didn’t have to make a left turn or u-turn as the highway grades down towards the valley.
The second lookout point is from Anarchist Mountain, after you’ve passed through Osoyoos and head east towards Grand Forks.
Stop of Interest 3: Wineries, of Course
The Cottages on Osoyoos Lake were so close to some of the Black Sage Road wineries, like Black Hills, that we could have rode bikes out to the vineyards and tasting rooms. Since we had the Acura we only did one winery stop but of course when you’re in the Oliver/Osoyoos region you have to do a wine tour, tasting, or enjoy some of the award-winning restaurants like Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek. There are 31 wineries in the region, each with their own stories, histories, and unique offerings.
Stop of Interest 4: Indian Food in Keremeos
When traveling along Highway 3/Crowsnest Highway, fruit stands are more abundant than rest stops between Princeton and Osoyoos. There’s one in particular that Michelle wanted to visit since she said they had the best samosas around so we stopped at Sanderon Fruit Stand and Indian Restaurant in Keremeos on our way home. While she just went in to grab samosas, she also came out with a carton of fresh butter chicken. We sat in sunshine and fuelled up for the trip home with these deliciously fresh and spicy Indian treats on the side of Highway 3.
About the Acura RDX
The RDX first went on sale in April 2012 and achieved an all-time record sales year that year. It is a comfortably-sized crossover SUV with plenty of power (273 horses to be exact) and Environment Canada fuel-economy ratings. Our model was had a rich Kona Coffee exterior paint, black leather interior, back-up camera, sun roof, 18 inch wheels, and plenty of cargo room in the back for our suitcases and the bounty we accumulated in wine country.
My favourite part of trying out these Honda and Acura vehicles is the consistency in the technology offered on board. Each has HandsFreeLink™ so I can easily pair my iPhone to listen to music and make calls. There’s no guess work and no need to re-learn a system with each vehicle. Having Sirius XM was also a bonus for entertaining us through those Southern BC mountain passes. Michelle and I flipped between the BBC World Service and CBC Radio 3, with a stop or two on Caliente to match our upbeat moods as we basked in the rays coming from the sun roof.
Follow Honda Canada on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information about their 2014 fleet.
The CBCMusic.ca Festival will bring some top talent to Deer Lake Park on June 14th, giving fans a chance to enjoy great live music outdoors this summer.
CBC Music Festival Lineup
The CBCMusic.ca Festival will be hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, with special co-host appearances by CBC’s Stephen Quinn, Tom Power, Grant Lawrence, CBC News Vancouver hosts Gloria Macarenko, Renee Filippone, Rich Terfry will DJ a special set on stage and more.
The concert lineup includes: Dan Mangan, Tegan and Sara, Spoon, Arkells, Hannah Georgas, Chad VanGaalen, Wake Owl, Belle Game, Crystal Shawanda, and the CBC Music Searchlight winner, who will be announced on CBC Radio One’s Q on Friday, May 9th.
Searchlight is a competition that connects artists with fans in their community and across the country. Vote for your favourite bands in your region and across the country. It’s all leading to a grand prize, including $20,000 worth of music equipment from Yamaha Canada Music, a professional recording with CBC Music, and an opening spot on a high profile music showcase.
Tickets for CBCMusic.ca Festival are available now. Purchase tickets online, by phone at 1-855-985-5000, or in person at a Ticketmaster Outlet for $59.50 (including GST) or you can get a special family rate (a four-pack of tickets) for $200 (plus FMF and service charges).
If you would like to win your way in, I have a pair of tickets to give away thanks to Live Nation. Here’s how to enter:
Leave a comment naming a CBC Music Festival artist (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win @CBCMusic Festival tickets from @LiveNationWest + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/x6VTO
I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 12:00pm. Follow Live Nation on Facebook and Twitter for more show information.
Nominees for the 32nd annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards (“The Jessies”) have just been announced and winners will be awarded at a ceremony on Monday, June 23, 2014 at the Commodore Ballroom. The list of nominees reflects a full year of excellence in local theatre, showing appreciation for everything from costume and lighting design to performances on stages large, small, and for young audiences.
Jessie Awards 2014: Nominees
The awards are divided into three categories: Large Theatre, Small Theatre, and Theatre for Young Audiences. Also included are the Significant Achievement Award and other special awards that comprise the Jessies. Here’s the rundown courtesy of the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards:
In the Large Theatre category there were a total of nine theatre companies whose productions were nominated; from that group four companies garnered the highest number of nominations. Leading the group is Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival with a total of 15 nominations from their 4 productions. Hamlet received the most with a total of 5 nominations that includes actor Jonathon Young receiving two nominations – one for Outstanding Lead Actor in Hamlet and the other for Supporting Actor in Twelfth Night.
Pacific Theatre garnered an impressive total of 14 nominations with The Seafarer receiving a total of 8 that includes Ron Reed and John Emmet Tracy both nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and their production of The Foreigner receiving a total of 6 nominations. Arts Club Theatre Company received a total of 13 nominations with Armstrong’s War leading with a total of 5 including Outstanding Original Script. The musical, Floyd Collins produced by Patrick Street Productions, received 5 nominations along with one for Out of a Dream.
In the Small Theatre Category a total of 19 theatre companies are nominated with a total of 22 productions. ITSAZOO Productions presentation of Killer Joe took the lead with a total of 7 nominations that include Outstanding Direction, Production, Set Design, and Supporting Actor categories. Realwheels Theatre received a total of 6 nominations for Whose Life Is It Anyway including Outstanding Production, with Bob Frazer nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role and John Cooper for Outstanding Direction. Hardline Productions also received recognition with a total of 7 nominations for their productions of Of Mice and Men and Bug.
Drew Facey received an impressive 7 nominations, the most by a single individual. He received four out of the five nominations in Outstanding Set Design in the Large Theatre category and in the Small Theatre Category he earned one for Set Design and two for Costume Design.
Under the Theatre for Young Audiences category, Carousel Theatre for Young People garnered a total of 10 nominations with six going to Busytown and three to Wondrous Tales of Old Japan. Théâtre La Seizième’s production of Extra Celeste and Presentation House Theatre’s Jack and the Bean both garnered four nominations.
Some of the most touching moments of the Jessie Awards ceremony come with the special awards. These not only honour very deserving, distinguished, and up-and-coming members of the industry, but I have personally learned so much about the history of theatre in Vancouver thanks to the namesakes of these awards and their recipients. The special awards include: The Georgia Straight Patron of the Arts Award, the Mary Phillips Award for Behind the Scenes Achievement, the Ray Michal Prize for Emerging Director, the Sam Payne Award for the Most Promising Newcomer, the John Moffat & Larry Lillo Award, the Colin Campbell Award for Excellence in Technical Theatre, the Critics Choice Innovation Award, and the GVPTA Career Achievement Award.
Tickets for the Jessies are now on sale for $29.50 (plus service charges) through Ticketmaster online or by phone 1-855-985-5000. Doors are at 5:30pm on Monday, June 23rd with the ceremony beginning at 6:30pm. Even if you aren’t a member of the industry, it’s a thoroughly entertaining evening and one of my favourite theatre-related events of the year thanks to the Vancouver TheatreSports who puts on the show.
Your donations will help people in our community who use the food bank, over a quarter of whom are children. 
The concert lineup includes: Dan Mangan, Tegan and Sara, Spoon, Arkells, Hannah Georgas, Chad VanGaalen, Wake Owl, Belle Game, Crystal Shawanda, and the 
