As an honorary member of BC’s Sherlock Holmes Society for the last 20 years, I’m pleased to announce that First Impressions Theatre is presenting the Canadian Premiere of Holmes & Watson Save the Empire from February 27th until March 16th in North Vancouver.

Damon Calderwood and Gordon Roberts as Holmes & Watson. Photo credit: Ryan Crocker.

Holmes & Watson Save the Empire! is a family friendly, hilarious musical mystery by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner in its Canadian premiere. This two-actor exciting musical stars Damon Calderwood and Gordon Roberts (the fearless duo from Billy Bishop Goes to War), accompanied by Chris Robson, guitar, vocals, actor and Renée Bulat, violin.

Once again the fate of the British Empire lies in the hands of the greatest crime fighting team in literature. Holmes and his faithful friend Watson have until midnight to solve the fiendish Moriarty’s deadly puzzle. Where is the QV2? What is Victoria’s secret? How on earth did Holmes end up on the stage of the Gaiety Music Hall? Who is the mysterious Nightingale of Nuremburg? And why is Watson wearing her dress…?

The show opens on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 and will run Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8:00pm until March 16, 2013. Tickets are available online and are $18 for adults, and $16 for students and seniors (plus applicable taxes or fees). The Deep Cove Shaw Theatre is located at 4360 Gallant Avenue in North Vancouver.

If you would like to check out this charming production, I have a pair of tickets to give away for the performance on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post naming a Sherlock Holmes story or quote (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entires at 12:00pm on Monday, February 25, 2013. Follow First Impressions Theatre on Twitter and Facebook for more information about this production and their other shows throughout the year.

Update The winner is Andy C.!

On this day in 1833, James Murray Yale – namesake of Yale, BC and Yaletown in Vancouver – took command of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Langley. He was 36 years old and had been with the company for half his life already.

1900s – Yale, BC. VPL Number: 41974. Photo credit: Edwards Brothers.

At the time he took command, Fort Langley was located 4km down the right from where it stands today but it was moved to its present location under his supervision in 1838. Unfortunately, the fort then burned to the ground in 1840.

Here’s an indication of Yale’s independent spirit: When colleagues James Douglas and John Work offered him help after the fire, Yale “had only two requests to make, that they would supply me with six good axes, and be off out of our way as quick as possible.” So the present site is the third Fort Langley. Under Yale the fort thrived, shipping salted salmon to Hawaii. A lot of the men who worked at the fort married women from the Kwantlen nation. Yale was one of them: he and his native wife had two daughters. [Source: Chuck Davis’ Vancouver History]

The town of Yale, just at the start of the Fraser Canyon, was named after him thanks to his long and loyal service. Yaletown in Vancouver was then named after Yale after CPR workers were sent down to Vancouver to work on the rail line’s extension.

1953 – Yaletown yards from the air. VPL Accession Number: 47516. Photographer: The Province.

James Murray Yale was also distantly related to Elihu Yale, after whom Yale University in Connecticut is named.

Dining Out For Life is back for its 19th year with over 200 participating restaurants who will be donating 25% of their total food sales from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to the campaign on Thursday, March 7th.

Dining Out For Life is BC’s largest restaurant fundraiser and it benefits two great Vancouver charities: Friends For Life and A Loving Spoonful. These organizations provide support to people living in our communities with HIV/AIDS.

All you need to do is dine out at the participating bistro, eatery, cafe, or pub and you’ll help make a difference.

New this year is a Vancity 20% Off Tuesday Savings Card. This offers 20% savings on food purchased every Tuesday until February of 2014 at 15 participating Lower Mainland restaurants. The card is just a small token of appreciation to those guests who visit a participating restaurant on March 7th. You can also enter to win some great prizes when you take part.

Follow Dining Out For Life on Twitter and Facebook to find out more about the campaign, participating restaurants, specials, and other information. Be sure to book reservations soon as this will be one busy day of dining out in Vancouver.

The Friends of the North Vancouver District Public Library are hosting their popular book sale this weekend with fantastic deals for literary enthusiasts of all ages.

Photo credit: heipei on Flickr

When
Friday, February 22, 2013 from 10:00am to 7:00pm; Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 10:00am to 4:00pm; Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm

Where
Lynn Valley Main Library’s Community Room
Lynn Valley Village, 1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver

The sale will have books, CDs, and DVDs for 50 cents to $2. On Sunday everything is half price. You can also fill a bag of books for $3 or a box of books for $6 on Sunday. They recommend bringing your own bag to carry your purchases.

Proceeds from the sale go towards projects of the Friends of the North Vancouver District Public Library.

The Friends are a group of over 150 community members dedicated to the support and enhancement of North Vancouver District Public Library facilities, services, and programs. Members span all ages from high-schoolers to seniors. Some Friends are actively involved, others are quietly supportive – but all care deeply about North Vancouver District Public Library. If you love the Library, becoming a Friends member is an easy way to make a difference. The Library is always happy to welcome new Friends.

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.”