Earth Hour is taking place on March 23rd this year as cities around the world participate in 60 minutes of powering off to show the impact that can be made through energy conservation. In preparation for this year’s campaign, the World Wildlife Fund (hosts of Earth Hour) are running the first Earth Hour City Challenge. This international competition to recognizes cities that demonstrate leadership in reducing carbon pollution. Two local cities, Vancouver and Surrey, are among the 17 international city finalists.

Lions Gate Bridge during Earth Hour. Photo credit: bcbusinesshub on Flickr

The challenge invites cities to submit inspiring and credible urban development plans that dramatically increase the city’s use of renewable energy. The plans and relevant data are submitted via an internationally recognized carbon reporting platform for cities, managed by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Outreach and support to cities will be provided in collaboration with ICLEI and the final plans and data reviewed by an international jury. The jury will review development plans for building, transport, energy and food systems – solutions that will make a city greener and cleaner and improve living standards for residents. The Earth Hour Capital, as well as six national capitals will be announced in March 2013.

You can go online now to vote for the People’s Choice Award until March 15, 2013 by:

• Clicking the Vote button on Vancouver or Surrey‘s profile
• Uploading photos of sustainable Vancouver or Surrey to Instagram with the tag #peopleschoiceVAN or #peopleschoiceSUR
• Adding suggestions for how Vancouver and/or Surrey can do even better at becoming the Greenest City in the world (follow instructions on the profile pages for each city).

The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the city that receives the greatest number of votes. Every photo and suggestion submitted will be counted. The other finalists are: Colwood (Vancouver Island); India: Delhi, Coimbatore, Cochin; Italy: Forli, Siena; Norway: Oslo, Stavanger, Arendal; Sweden: Malmö, Stockholm, Uppsala; USA: Chicago, Cincinnati, San Francisco.

In 2012, British Columbians saved 121 megawatt hours of electricity and reduced the provincial electricity load by 1.67 percent during Earth Hour – about the same as the 1.8 percent drop last year – and the equivalent of turning off about 9 million 12.5-watt LED light bulbs.

Follow Earth Hour Canada on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about the campaign and how you can make a difference at 8:30pm on Saturday, March 23rd.

Update: Vancouver Wins!

Vancouver has won the City Challenge: “Today, WWF announced that Vancouver has been crowned the Global Earth Hour Capital for 2013, a prestigious honour that recognizes the city’s innovative actions on climate change and dedication to create a sustainable, vibrant urban environment. Vancouver was also named the People’s Choice winner, scooping the highest number of online votes.”

During my weekly perusal of the Vancouver Public Library Archives I came across the photography collection of Croton Studio, based out of New Westminster. The collection from this commercial photography studio spans the years 1950 to 1978 and features everything from hockey games and holidays to media personalities and parades. They were the official municipal photography studio for New Westminster and clients also included CKNW Radio, Finning, and the Vancouver Sun.

1952: Royals vs Canucks hockey game. VPL Number: 78763.

1958: Vogue Theatre at night with spotlights. VPL Number: 80284.

(Left) 1961: Newly built piers on the Coquitlam side of the Port Mann Bridge. VPL Number: 79013.
(Right) 1961: Fishing on the Fraser, Pattullo Bridge in background. VPL Number: 79767A.

1974: Vancouver Sun columnist Jack Wasserman eating Chinese food. VPL Number: 80377.

1959: The “only two lady mayors in BC”, New Westminster’s Mayor Beth Wood and Prince George’s Mayor Carri Jane Gray. VPL Number: 79706.

1960: Polar Bear Swim English Bay. VPL Number: 80103.

1960: Chinese dragon parade in Vancouver’s Chinatown. VPL Number: 79795B.

Related Photographer Posts: Art Jones, Philip Timms, Leonard Frank, Walter Edwin Frost, Bailey Bros., Don Coltman, Fred Herzog.

The Spring West Coast Women’s Show is coming right into Vancouver this season with live shows, celebrities, shopping, exhibitors, cooking, health and wellness tips, and much more for all the ladies in your life.

Details

The Spring West Coast Women’s Show will take place at the PNE Forum on Friday March 1st (1:00pm to 9:00pm), Saturday March 2nd (10:00am to 6:00pm) and Sunday March 3rd (10:00am to 5:00pm).

Special Guests

1. Tony Okungbowa from the Ellen DeGeneres Show (the man who makes Ellen dance) will be at the show on Saturday, March 2nd. The actor, producer, DJ, and America’s favourite sidekick on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Tony Okungbowa is recognized by audiences around the world for his charm, style, and humour. Tony is bringing his infectious energy to DJ the Main Stage fashion show at 2:00pm on Saturday. He’ll also be doing a Question and Answer session after the fashion show.

2. Joshua Morrow who plays “Nicholas Newman” on The Young and The Restless will take to the main stage on Sunday, March 3rd at 1:00pm. Morrow joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as Nicholas Newman in 1994 and has routinely been named the favourite male star in daytime television by top two soap opera magazines. On screen, Nick’s love life is described as “messy and convoluted,” but in reality Morrow is a loving husband and doting father of four. An all-around athlete, Morrow is a star player on several celebrity basketball and softball teams that raise money for charity. His favourite charity event is the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Pro/Celeb Race, which he has competed in three times.

3. Friday, March 1st is Girls Night Out with the Hall of Flame calendar firefighters fashion show. Back by popular demand, the firefighters will take to the main stage at 7:15pm in support of the Firefighters Charitable Foundation. The 26th annual Hall of Flame calendar will be on sale at the Show, so don’t miss your chance to get an autograph from your favourite “Mister”.

4. International award winner Samira, aka “Truly Tina” will channel the legendary diva each day. Check the main stage schedule for showtimes. All shows are included with your admission to the West Coast Women’s Show.

Tickets

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors ($7 on Friday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm), $8 for youth (13 to 17), $4 for children (6 to 12), and children 5 and under are free. Ticket prices include HST. Ticket sales are cash only at the gate at PNE. You can save $2 on an adult pass for any day of the show at your local London Drugs. You can also print a $2 off coupon for Friday only, between 1:00pm and 5:00pm.

Contests

Visit the Spring West Coast Women’s Show and enter to win one of these great giveaway packages: A shopping spree at the show, a girls getaway package for Osoyoos, a meet and greet with Joshua Morrow from The Young & The Restless and a beauty prize package, a Penticton girls adventure getaway package, a mother/daughter makeover, and a VIP girls night out package for the show itself.

My Ticket Contest

I have three 4-packs of Spring West Coast Women’s Show tickets to give away to a group of lucky readers. Here’s how you can enter to win your way into the show:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw three winners at random from all entries on Friday, February 22, 2013 at 4:00pm. Follow the West Coast Women’s Show on Twitter and Facebook for more event information throughout the year. You can also sign up for the VIP Club newsletter for coupons, show information, and special offers.

Update The winners are Heidi Clarkson, Bev, and @bluerubytuesday!

Miss604.com is the official Social Media Sponsor of the 2013 Spring West Coast Women’s Show in Vancouver, BC.

Hit the red carpet next weekend and watch the Oscars in style while supporting a great local cause — the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association. VOKRA is hosting its 2nd annual Oscars at the Morrissey party on Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 4:00pm to 11:00pm.

Photo credit: oooNJooo on Flickr

Celebrate the 85th Annual Academy Awards, enjoy Oscar-themed appies, take part in a live auction hosted by Morgan Brayton, and support the kitties. Be sure to dress for the occasion as there will also be a “Best Dressed” prize.

The Morrissey is located at 1227 Granville. Tickets are on sale now for $20 in advance (plus fee) or $25 at the door. 100% of proceeds go to VOKRA and their efforts. Follow VOKRA on Twitter and Facebook for more information about the event and their work in the community.

Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) is a no-kill, non-profit, registered charity dedicated to the rescue of cats in the Lower Mainland. We also coordinate rescue work with other groups in BC. VOKRA does not have a shelter. Instead, we provide over 100 individual foster homes throughout the Lower Mainland. In this way we are able to protect the very young from colds, distemper, parasites and other transmissible illnesses. In a home environment, our cats are safe and well socialized, with lots of love and attention. VOKRA covers all of the costs and provides ongoing support to foster families.

Vancouver Foodster, Richard Wolak, is once again hosting his Poutine Challenge at over two dozen restaurants and pubs in the Greater Vancouver area.

Each establishment has signed on to put a special poutine creation on their menu this month and the public is encouraged to try out as many as they like. Then, starting February 26th, an online vote will open until March 3rd when the winning restaurant will be announced.

Participating Venues

Yesterday Richard hosted a media preview tour at three participating venues in Vancouver. Each dish was very different and the tour provided a nice overview of the creativity you can expect to find from the chefs taking part in the challenge.

Media Preview

The first stop was at Darby’s in Kitsilano, on the busy corner of MacDonald and West 4th. Executive Chef A.J. Jackson created the Darby’s Duck Poutine with kennebec fries, caramelized onions, duck confit, cambozola cheese, and red wine demi glace. The poutine is on the menu for $12.95 and they have paired it with a Switchback IPA from Lighthouse Brewing, which works really well to cut through the richness. This available to order after 4:00pm.

Darby’s Duck Poutine

The second stop was in Gastown at 131 Water Kitchen + Bar. They have offered up a Crispy Chicken and Waffle Poutine with hand-cut fries, chopped Belgian waffle, cheese curds, breaded fried chicken and white pepper gravy topped with fresh cilantro. This is on the menu for $10 during the challenge and is served for lunch from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.

131 Water’s Chicken & Waffle Poutine

The final stop on the tour was at Vancouver FanClub, a venue I have heard a lot about but had never visited until yesterday. It was so refreshing to see an open venue with a stage and balconies on Granville that was still intimate — and had the aroma of smoked pork and bourbon. Their challenge entry is a Pulled Pork Poutine with the pork smoked in-house, and next time I’ll try it with the bourbon they also smoke on-site. Chef Josie has topped the fries with smoked pulled pork, smoked bourbon BBQ sauce, cheese curds, chicken gravy, shredded mozzarella, and parsley. This is served during all operating hours and is $6.

FanClub’s Pulled Pork Poutine

Each of the three samples had their merits, like FanClub’s juicy and smokey pulled pork and 131 Water’s flavourful pepper gravy, however I think when it all came together, Darby’s Duck Poutine packed the biggest punch. It would be good to share with a group and be sure to get the beer pairing. You can’t really go wrong with FanClub’s $6 Pulled Pork Poutine either.

I’m certain that anyone trying out more than one poutine in the challenge will have a tough time deciding but make sure you do get your votes in. Follow Richard @VanFoodster on Twitter for information about the public vote that will open up at the end of the month. A full list of every participating venue and their poutine offering is available via Vancouver Foodster.