The other day I saw Mark Pilon (@atomos) post a photo of an old sidewalk stamp on Instagram. The caption read: “1912, this is the oldest sidewalk stamp I’ve seen to date in Strathcona.” I immediately recognized and identified the concrete marking with one in my neighbourhood — a sidewalk stamp at Robson and Bidwell that marks the year 1906.
After a quick Google search I found a group discussion about these historical markers.
Vancouver is somewhat unique among cities in that when the Works Department builds a sidewalk, they stamp the current year into the wet cement, at the street corner. They have been doing this for about a hundred years. These sidewalk date stamps serve as indicators of the age of various neighbourhoods because, with the exception of the downtown core, most sidewalks remain as they were originally built. Should you wish, you can walk around and read the ages of various street corners by the date stamps on the sidewalks. [Source: City Sidewalks – Contributed by Terry Lowe on August 06, 2006]
In the article that is shared on the discussion board it states that there are a few distinct periods in which the City of Vancouver did sidewalk stamping over the last century:
- Early: From about 1906 to 1918 (with a brief resurgence in 1930 and 1931)
- Middle: Between 1945 and 1965, at which point it abruptly stopped
- Modern: Began again in the early 1980s and continues to this day
There are a few comments stating that a few more old sidewalk stamps have been found, with the year 1906 being the most elusive. There’s a 1908 at 10th and Columbia and another at 10th and Manitoba.
I remember a few years ago when Robson was getting repaved that cobblestone was revealed when they ground up the top layer of asphalt. They paved over it again but some of the curbs are still original. Much of Vancouver has been built up, renovated, resurfaced, and restored over the years but I appreciate the fact that these stamps are out there. While I’m on my way to grocery store along Robson I can take a glance at the ground and think about who else walked that same exact path, 106 years ago.
October is BC Hydro PowerSmart Month which focuses on sharing information about conserving energy, using electricity wisely, finding the right electronics and lighting options for your home, and offering great deals and savings to consumers. Throughout PowerSmart Month I will be sharing updates, deals, and a few exciting giveaways.
PowerSmart activations and activities have been popping up around the province. This weekend you can check out the Vancouver Home & Design Show and use the code powersmart to book 2-for-1 tickets online. I also have a new play-again code Energy9 for PowerSmart’s Power Plinko game online.
PowerSmart Tips
The warm sunshine has ended its extended stay in Metro Vancouver so be sure to draft-proof your home as the temperature drops. Seal up cracks along windows with caulking and weather stripping to reduce heat loss. You can also bundle up at home with a sweater or blanket to keep your thermostat down a degree or two — even that little bit helps.
Something that I need to learn to do myself is shut off the power to my computer on the weekends when it’s not in use. Another quick tip is to turn off the lights when you’re not in a room or putting your lights on timers so that they do not remain on all night or day.
When it comes to hockey (which is my PowerSmart theme for this week) watch or listen in groups, with friends or family. Ten people around one television or radio is better than having ten appliances on and using power.
BCHL Hockey Giveaway
BC Hydro is a proud partner of the BC Hockey League and they’ve teamed up with me to do a giveaway for my readers. I have 4 pairs of BCHL tickets up for grabs that can be redeemed for any BCHL game. The winners can pick their games — from the Chilliwack Chiefs, Langley Rivermen and Victoria Grizzlies, to the Surrey Eagles, Vernon Vipers, Penticton Vees and more. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your BCHL team or who you would like to see (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw 4 winners at random from all entries on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 5:00pm. Tickets are valid for any regular season 2012-2013 game and tickets can be picked up at the box office in your city. Follow the BCHL on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about hockey in your community.
Update The winner is @GregShackelton!
Author Michael Kluckner (“Vanishing Vancouver”, “Vanishing Vancouver: The Last 25 Years“) is hosting a talk, Selling Vancouver in the Kodachrome Era, this Sunday in support of the Vancouver Archives.
With Michael Kluckner and special guests: An illustrated talk on commercial photography and filmmaking in Vancouver in the decades after the Second World War, focusing on the people who were using Kodachrome and colour film and the backdrop of the city. Subjects include colour postcards, educational films and television commercials, illuminated by special guests who will describe the challenges of making a living in the city’s small creative milieu. A Reception follows the presentation.
Focusing on the commercial photographers and film makers of the post-war period (1940-1980), the event is bound to interest those who love photography and pieces of Vancouver history. It will take place at 2:00pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the Vancouver Archives (1150 Chestnut Street near Vanier Park).
Kluckner said by email: “Highlights include some classic Vancouver colour images from the 1950s/60s and vintage TV ads from the 1970s by Marv Newland, who is much more famous for his animated films including Bambi Meets Godzilla.”
He will also be on CBC Radio at approximately 3:40pm on Friday, October 12th to chat with Stephen Quinn about the event.
Tickets are available online at $25 for members of the Friends of the City of Vancouver Archives and $35 for non-members.
This fundraising event and others for the Vancouver Archives are to help make more of their holdings available to the public online. Find out more by visiting the Friends of the Vancouver Archives online.
The air is cooler but the colour of the leaves is getting warmer around Metro Vancouver. Turkey dinners have passed and Halloween costumes are being considered. It’s officially fall. What better way to celebrate than to bundle up and enjoy the season’s bounty at the UBC Botanical Garden’s Apple Festival this weekend:
When Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Where UBC Botanical Garden & Centre for Plant Research (6804 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver)
Admission $4 cash entry for adults and children over 12. Children under 12 are free. All proceeds from this event support the educational, research and community programs in the Garden.
Every year, around 44,000 lbs (20,000 kilos) of apples are sold to thousands of hungry attendees. More than 70 varieties of heritage, new and “tried and true” varieties are available, grown both conventionally and organically. These include the heritage apples ‘Grimes Golden’ ‘Bramley Seedling’, ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ and many others and also new varieties like the very popular ‘Ambrosia’ which was hybridized in Cawston British Columbia, will be available. Also for sale will be many varieties of apple trees (2011 List of Apple Tree Cultivars for Sale) grafted onto dwarfing root stock, perfect for the home garden or patio.
The tasting tent is always a hit and there will be up to 60 BC-grown varieties to sample. You can ‘stump the experts’ (or at least try to) by bringing up to 6 varieties of your own from an unknown apple tree and the BC Fruit Testers Association will identify them. They’ll also be hosting grafting and cider-pressing demonstrations.
Watch the main festival stage at 1:00pm as the Apple Festival hosts a naming ceremony for Canada’s newest apple, currently bearing the title of “SPA493”.
There’s also the Children’s Area with live entertainment, the Food Fair, Shop the Garden Centre, and many more apple-related activities and events happening throughout the day. Guests can also explore the rest of the UBC Botanical Garden like its Canopy Walkway.
Follow UBC Botanical Garden on Twitter and the Apple Festival on Facebook for more information.
The Vancouver Aquarium is hosting its annual Toast to the Coast celebration this Friday in support of its conservation programs, education, and research efforts. Over 550 guests will enjoy BC wine and food pairings in a stunning after-hours experience among the glowing pools of the aquarium.
Where Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way, Vancouver)
When Friday, October 12, 2012 from 7:30pm to 11:00pm
Participating restaurants and eateries include Terra Breads, YEW Restaurant + Bar, The Sonora Room, The Sandbar, Miradoro Restaurant, the Donnelly Group, Oyster and Wild Rice. Wineries include: Hillside Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Covert Farms Estate Winery, Poplar Grove, Red Rooster Winery, Quals’ Gate, Fort Berens Estate Winery and Blasted Church Vineyards.
Tickets have not yet sold out and they’re still on available online for $95 and there will be a silent auction on site. 100% of the event’s proceeds support the aquarium’s commitment to conservation of aquatic life in our BC waterways.
Evening and after-hours events are always fun at the aquarium when nocturnal creature swim about through swaying seaweed and guests glide around exhibits with canapés and wine glasses in hand.
Follow the Vancouver Aquarium on Twitter and Facebook for more information. Their next after-hours event will be the Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown in November.
