The Monopoly board game is retiring its iron player piece in exchange for a new token. Hasbro, makers of the game, hosted an online vote and a cat was the winner (well played, Internet). In honor of this move today’s archive photo collection from the Vancouver Public Library and the City of Vancouver Archives features cats:

Left: 1953 – City policeman working at desk with kitten. VPL Number: 78678. Photographer: Croton Studio.
1966 – Cat with trophies. VPL Number: 67893A. Photographer: Gordon F. Sedawie. I actually found a few photos of cats with trophies and an image that eluded to a “Cat Show Building” at the PNE, which could possibly be related.

Between 1866 and 1870: Governor Seymour and cat. Archive item# A-6-111. Photographer: F. Dally.

Left: 1900s – Harold Timms. VPL Number: 67779. Photographer: Philip Timms.
Right: 1913 – Norma Aileen Paterson on steps of house at 1433 Nelson. Archives item# CVA 1376-366.

Left: 1947 – John Bennett and his cat. Archive item# Port P1812.2.
Right: 1915 – Portrait of Noel Robinson and Bill Reed in military uniforms. Archive item# CVA 677-423.

1964 – Woman holding winner of Best Kitten in Show in 1964 PNE. Archives# CVA 180-4055.

Sun Life Financial is giving lucky fans the chance to skate with the Canucks at Rogers Arena on Monday, February 11, 2013 (which is also BC’s first Family Day holiday) and the Canucks are currently hosting a contest so that you can win your way in and participate in this unique on-ice experience.

The Canucks’ big contest ends tomorrow but I also have 2 tickets to give away exclusively to a Miss604 reader and their guest. If you’re up for hitting the ice with members of the Vancouver Canucks, here’s how you can enter to win my tickets:

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

The winner will need to be able to attend on Monday (between 6:00pm and 6:55pm) and have their own skates and helmet. All participants will need to sign an on-ice waiver prior to entry as well. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Update: The winner is Michele!

This is an official contest in partnership with the Vancouver Canucks.

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is celebrating Heritage Week in BC (February 18th to 24th) by hosting a series of events that shine a spotlight on our local history.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Chinatown: Why is it a National Historic Site?
Historian John Atkin and Planner Jeannette Hlavach lead this lecture about Chinatown and the process and significance of becoming a National Historic landmark. Tickets are $12 and the event will be held at the University Women’s Club at Hycroft, McRae Avenue from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Tickets are available online in advance.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Philosopher’s Café – Why Do We Worry About Heritage?
Co-presenting with Jewish Museum & Archives of BC
John Atkin offers his own interesting and offbeat insight into Vancouver’s architecture, history and neighbourhoods through his astute insight of urban planning and development, a love of architecture, and a fascination for the curious. This runs from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at 6184 Ash Street and there is a suggested donation of $5 at the door. Light refreshments will be served.

Thursday, February 21, 2013
Historic Jewish Walking tour of Strathcona & Gastown
With Jewish Museum & Archives of BC
Discover the fascinating tales of early Jewish life in the heart of Strathcona and Gastown. This guided walking tour starts in Strathcona, and covers approximately 2 km to visit the landmarks, architecture, and events that shaped the evolution of historic Vancouver. Participants should meet at 700 East Pender (at Heatley, First Shara Tzedek Synagogue) for the walk that will take place from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Registration online in advance is required.

Friday, February 22, 2013
Historic West Hastings Map Guide Launch
Join the inaugural walking tour to launch the new map guide and be one of the first people to receive a copy of the guide researched and written by Michael Kluckner. Meet at Bute and Hastings to join the walk at 12:00pm. Tickets are $12 and registration online in advance is required.

Saturday, February 23, 2013
Japantown Walking Tour
Join civic historian, John Atkin, on an walking tour of Japantown and the oldest residential district in Vancouver. You’ll look at the extraordinary history of this neighbourhood before returning to the 1928 Japanese Language School for a tour of the recent green renovation and restoration of this important community building. Tour starts at 475 Alexander St. Tickets are $12 and registration online in advance is required.

Saturday, February 23, 2013
Old School Workshop – Lath & Plaster Repair
Simple repairs for restoring and maintaining lath and plaster. Don’t swap out the patina of your lath and plaster for drywall! Workshop with Master Plasterer of 40 years’, Lloyd Cutting and Carpenter, John Anderson. The event runs from 10:00am to 12:00pm and tickets are $30 (plus tax).

Sunday, February 24, 2013
Places That Matter plaque presentation – Hogan’s Alley
Celebrate Black History month with a very special presentation. 2:00pm at the Hogan’s Alley Cafe, at Gore and Union. Speeches, poetry, music and history will be presented, followed by a procession to unveil the plaque nearby. Tickets are not required for this event.

More events and walks are posted on the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s website along with maps for other self-guided walking tours. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook to find out more about special events and heritage news.

When the crowds leave and the doors are shut, the Vancouver Aquarium teems with nightlife in the habitats. You can catch a glimpse of the nocturnal side of the sea at the aquarium’s After Hours event this month:

Whipray. Photo credit: Vancouver Aquarium

After Hours gives our grown-up guests a chance to enjoy the peace and tranquility of our galleries without children underfoot. On this special evening, you can enjoy a glass of wine or beer while exploring our new feature, The Secret World of Sharks and Rays, in an adults-only environment. Discover the amazing lifestyles of the not-so-famous sharks and their cousins – the skates, rays and ratfishes. Don’t miss the beautiful zebra shark or the elegant whiprays!

In addition to new exhibits, animals and interactive displays, the February After Hours event will feature shark dives, shark and ray feature talks and a special guest speaker on these fascinating fishes.

Tickets for After Hours are $13.25 for Vancouver Aquarium members and $21 for the general public. Enjoy this unique experience on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Must be 19+ to attend.

I have two tickets up for grabs for After Hours that you can enter to win by doing one or both of the following:

Answer the skill testing question in the box below:

You can also enter by posting the following on Twitter:

I will draw one winner at random from all (correct) entries at 12:00pm on Monday, February 11, 2013.

Note: 19+ event. Photo ID required for entry. No tickets available for purchase at the door. Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable. Alcohol available only with the purchase of food. Membership cards will be required for member priced ticket holders.

Update The winner is Milla!

Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver has launched their “Not Just for the Boys” campaign this month to highlight volunteer opportunities for women. They’re specifically looking for 28 women for the In-School Mentoring Program:

You’re a working woman with a busy schedule and you’re trying to juggle a million things at once. But you want to volunteer and you love kids. And you’re responsible and caring. Does this describe you? If so, you’ve come to the right place!

The In-School Mentoring Program is a flexible volunteer opportunity for men and women who don’t have much time to spare, but want to do something meaningful and fun with that extra time. (It’s also for people who have lots of extra time, by the way).

Volunteers spend one hour a week playing games and sports, doing arts and crafts, baking, talking or hanging out on the playground with a boy or girl at a nearby elementary school. In just one hour a week you can make a difference in a child’s life.

The children (Little Buddies) are in grades 1 through 6, and are approximately 6 to 12 years old. They have been identified by their teacher as children who could benefit from the friendship and extra attention from a caring, stable adult. This program is friendship-based and non-academic, which means there’s no tutoring involved.

The commitment involves weekly visits which take place on school grounds during school hours, normally between the hours of 8:30am and 3:00pm from Monday to Friday.

If you or a woman you know would like to get involved, there is an online application form to get the process started. Any female that completes the application form before March 1, 2013 is also eligible to win a gift certificate for VIDA Spa.

Follow Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about the organization, their work in the community, special events, and volunteer opportunities like this.

Miss604.com is a proud sponsor of the Not Just For The Boys Program.