DeMerit will join the likes of David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), and Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) on July 25th at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The “2012 MLS All-Star First XI” will take on current UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea FC and the match will be the culmination of five days of festivities hosted by the home-field Philadelphia Union.
Alan Bates is a doctor in residency studying at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he has one year left until he finishes his doctorate in psychiatry. Bates who has studied the issue of homelessness and mental illness up close knew that something had to be done to help the most vulnerable. He became involved in the Vancouver Street Soccer League to try and provide some help to the most vulnerable population, some of have mental illnesses. The Vancouver Street Soccer League provides these individuals with a voice, while giving the participants an outlet to exercise in a safe and positive environment. The League has also provided its participants with a greater sense of community.
Bates truly got a once in a lifetime experience when he got to travel to Paris, France last year as Head Coach of the Canadian Men’s Street Soccer team for the Homeless World Cup. In Paris he saw first hand the positive impacts that the sport can have on the lives of individuals. “Street soccer is a great form of therapy for many people, as it shows them there are so many positive outlets out there,” noted Bates.
Earlier this season the Southsiders launched a retro scarf fundraising campaign to benefit the Vancouver Street Soccer League. John Knox, a founding member of the Southsiders told me: “The VSSL isn’t just a recreational league for people to kick a ball around – it’s a means of bringing people together to begin building self-esteem, confidence, health and hope. It’s all about empowering people to find their way to a better life.”
Fans can vote online for Alan Bates — vote now and vote often until 2:00pm PT July 13, 2012.
The PNE Concert Series is one of the most highly-anticipated entertainment events in Vancouver. Having successfully wrapped the first annual Summer Playland Festival (“SPF2012”), the PNE has just announced their own line-up for this summer that will include their Summer Night Concerts along with a new afternoon WestJet Family Fun Series concert stage.
Summer Night Concert Schedule
August 18: Heart
August 19: Emerson Drive
August 20: Juice Newton
August 21: Nick Carter
August 22: Allstar Weekend
August 23: Our Lady Peace
August 24: Rick Springfield
August 25: Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw
August 26: The Manhattan Transfer
August 27: Down with Webster
August 28: HANSON
August 29: Tower of Power
August 30: Chad Brownlee
August 31: Trooper
September 1: Prism
September 2: Lifehouse
September 3: Olivia Newton-John
WestJet Family Fun Series Schedule
August 22: Tyler Medeiros
August 23: Charlie (YTV’s The Next Star)
August 24: Star Trek Stars: Come and meet Brent Spiner and Marina Sirtis
August 25: Aloha Elvis! with Red Robinson
August 26: A Lamb Chop Celebration!
August 27: Victoria Duffield
August 28: Doodlebop’s Musical Playdate
August 29: Greyson Chance
August 30: Shawn Desman
August 31: Les Noces Gitanes
September 1: R5
September 2: Princess Jubilation! A Musical Coronation
The Summer Night Concerts will run every evening from August 18th to September 3rd at 8:00pm on the WestJet Concert Stage. The WestJet Family Fun Series kicks off August 22nd and will take place every afternoon at 2:00 pm on the WestJet Concert Stage as well. Entrance to the WestJet Family Fun Series and Summer Night Concerts is free with admission to the Fair.
Fair-goers can also check out the new Star Trek exhibition (on top of meeting Brent Spiner and Marina Sirtis) and a live Family Feud game show daily, along with staple entertainment and attractions. Follow the PNE on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Following a successful partnership in 2011 that raised $20,000 for KidSport BC, Triple O’s will launch a two week promotion for the same cause from June 25, 2012 to July 8, 2012.
The public will be able to contribute to their local KidSport chapter when ordering off the Triple O’s menu in any of the 29 participating locations. Funds raised during the two-week period will help kids with financial barriers experience the benefits of sport participation by covering the registration fees for a sport season of their choice.
Why KidSport? It provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. Sport got me through some tough years as a child and as a teenager and I believe every child should be able to have the opportunity to play sports — and not let the cost of equipment or fees stand in their way.
In addition to donating in-store, guests can help raise money for KidSport by re-tweeting the Triple O’s Twitter account with the tag #donate4kids. All re-tweets received TODAY will equal a $1 donation to KidSport (up to $5,000).
To help get the word out, I have 20 burger combo gift cards to give away (value $10). Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post listing your fondest sports memory (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT & @TripleOs will donate $1 to @KidSport http://bit.ly/N0YmZf & enter you to win a gc via @Miss604 http://ow.ly/c4aeV #donate4kids
Enter to win a gift card and donate to a great local cause all in one shot! Since today’s the day for the re-tweet campaign, I’m only running this contest until midnight tonight. I will then draw 20 winners for each of the burger combo gift cards.
Weather in Vancouver is always a hot topic, even when it’s dreary and soggy. By now, I’m certain everyone in and around the city has seen the forecast for the next week or so, featuring bright and smiling yellow sunshine icons. The only umbrellas we’ll see around here will be at the beach so to celebrate, I’ve scoured the Vancouver Archives for some old-time beach pictures:
1905. English Bay Beach. Archives item# Be P12.05. Photographer: Philip T. Timms.
1900. English Bay Beach. Archives item# Be P1.2.
1908. Kitsilano Beach. Archives item# CVA 677-138. Photographer: Philip T. Timms.
July 1, 1911. Dominion Day at English Bay. Archives item# Be P101. Photographer: Stuart Thomson.
1925. White Rock Beach. Archives item# CVA 677-896.
1928. Kitsilano Beach. Archives item# Be P15.1. Photographer: Leonard Frank.
Aside from its obvious function as a departure and arrival terminal for our region, the award-winning Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”) is known for its transit access, artwork, views, and free WIFI. Over the years the airport has engaged the public in a variety of unique ways to promote its other offerings such as retail options and the Observation Area. Keeping with this trend, they’re bringing back Take Off Fridays for the third year. This is family-friendly event takes place throughout the terminal with food, prizes, entertainment, and more.
Every Friday from now until August 31, 2012 there will be treats like samples from Jugo Juice, frapps from Starbucks, chocolates from Rogers, and discounts at World Duty Free and terminal restaurants from 9:00am until 3:00pm.
Live DJs will provide beats, acrobats and artists will entertain, and kids can get a balloon twisted or their face painted. There’s also a special Take Off Fridays parking rate of $5 (for up to four hours) if you want to head to the airport just for fun.
Follow the airport’s blog or Twitter account for more community information.
Alan Bates is a doctor in residency studying at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he has one year left until he finishes his doctorate in psychiatry. Bates who has studied the issue of homelessness and mental illness up close knew that something had to be done to help the most vulnerable. He became involved in the Vancouver Street Soccer League to try and provide some help to the most vulnerable population, some of have mental illnesses. The Vancouver Street Soccer League provides these individuals with a voice, while giving the participants an outlet to exercise in a safe and positive environment. The League has also provided its participants with a greater sense of community.
