On Wednesday I captured the progress of the demolition of two buildings at Robson and Granville which revealed a “ghost sign” on the side of the Charlie’s Music building.
Immediately Jason Vanderhill and Robert White pointed out on Twitter that this was indeed a ghost sign – the shadow of an old painted advertisement. With some quick sleuthing from Heritage Vancouver, it was revealed to be an ad for a silent movie, “Grandma’s Boy” starring Harold Lloyd, that would be playing across the street at the original Capitol Theatre.
Photo credit:
Photocat62 on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool
(Left) 1926 – Capitol Theatre marquee on Granville. Archives item# CVA 1399-540.
(Right) 1943 – Archives item# CVA 1184-706. Photographer: Jack Lindsay.
On Thursday, the ghost sign was fully revealed and the city was clamoring about this discovery. Unfortunately, all but the Charlie’s Music facade will be coming down so the last record of “Grandma’s Boy” will disappear.
One of my goals when I started this blog was to bring local history to the forefront in our young, glassy, and glossy city. It was encouraging to see how much excitement “Grandma’s Boy” brought this week and it’s important to keep that interest in Vancouver’s past alive.
Over the last few days Jason stressed the importance of documenting these signs and sightings. There’s a Flickr Group called Vanishing Vancouver to which you can add your images and Heritage Vancouver has a nice collection on Flickr as well. If you spot a ghost sign in the future, be sure to snap a photo because you don’t know when it will disappear.
Update March 6, 2012: The Vancity Theatre will be screening “Grandma’s Boy” one night only on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00pm. Check out this 1922 classic directed by Fred C Newmeyer and starring Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, and Anna Townsend. Tickets are available online through the VIFF box office.
The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards will be awarded tonight in Vancouver at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Co-hosted by Theoren Fleury and BC’s Carmen Moore, the 19th annual event will recognize 15 outstanding First Nation, Inuit and Metis Canadians.
Hosts Carmen Moore & Theo Fleury
Photo courtesy of NAAF
2012 Recipients
Adam Beach – Arts
Victor S. Buffalo – Business & Commerce
Dave Courchene – Culture, Heritage & Spirituality
Leona Makokis – Education
Richard Stewart Hardy – Environment & Natural Resources
Dr. Janet Smylie – Health
Violet Ford – Law & Justice
Senator Gerry St. Germain – Lifetime
Richard Wagamese – Media & Communications
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq – Politics
Grand Chief Edward John – Politics
Minnie Grey – Public Service
Richard Peter – Sports
Earl Cook – Youth
Candace Sutherland – Youth
Among the recipients is BC’s own Richard Peter who plays wheelchair basketball in Vancouver and has represented Canada at four Paralympics Games — and won the gold medal at the Sydney Games in 2000. He was also inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Chantal Kreviazuk, Derek Miller, and Robbie Robertson are among the evening’s performers. Tickets for the event are completely sold out (with a waiting list) but you can watch the awards on Global TV Friday, April 13, 2012.
Vancouver’s HootSuite, one the world’s most popular social media dashboards, is hiring sales people, developers, and support specialists and they hope to find them at an open house next week.
A shining beacon among our city’s tech and social startup scene, Vancouver’s HootSuite has come a long way over the last 4 years. Growing from a handful of employees, wrangled by founder Ryan Holmes, their roster has topped 100 talented individuals so far in 2012.
They’re looking to double their “flock” by the end of the year and that’s where you could come in.
“Working at HootSuite is a unique joy as we are building a social media dashboard which have a significant impact on business, technology and world affairs… and we manage to have a lot of fun while doing it,” says Dave Olson, VP Community (@DaveOHoots).
“Specifically, developers enjoy writing next-level code which is quickly implemented to a huge audience of eager users, and sales pros like nothing more than having a well-known and loved tool to share with the biggest brands in the world. Anyone who’s looking for a chance to ride this revolutionary wave should certainly come by the open house to chat.”
HootSuite’s mascot “Owly”. Photo credit:
John Biehler on Flickr
The recruiting open house will be this Monday, February 27, 2012 at 343 Railway Street from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Drop by to let them know why you would be a good fit for the team.
The annual Parksville Uncorked event kicks off tonight as lovers of fresh local food, wine, and beer enjoy a series of events on Vancouver Island’s east coast.
Untapped
What: A best-of-BC beer tasting event paired with gourmet local cuisine.
When: Thursday, February 24, 2012 starting at 6:30pm
Where: The Beach Club Resort
Tickets: $49 per person plus taxes. Includes a take-home “Parksville Untapped” beer glass. Overnight packages are available. Call 1-888-760-2008 to reserve.
Sip and Swirl
What: A best-of-BC wine tasting event paired with gourmet local cuisine.
When: Friday, February 24, 2012
Where: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort
Tickets: $69 per person plus taxes. Includes a take-home “Parksville Uncorked” wine glass. Call 1-800-663-7373 to reserve.
Winemakers Dinner
What: Executive Chef Eric Edwards of Tigh-Na-Mara and Mission Hill‘s Sommelier Jesse Harnden present a five-course menu with pairings. Menu PDF.
When: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Where: Walbran Room at Tigh-Na-Mara
Tickets: SOLD OUT, sorry!
Winemakers Dinner
What: Executive Chef Michael Sproul of Beach Club Resort and Burrowing Owl present a five-course seasonal menu with pairings. Menu PDF.
When: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Where: Beach Club Resort
Tickets: SOLD OUT, sorry!
Brunch and Bubbles
What: Sunday brunch featuring a selection of BC sparkling wines.
When: Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 9:00am
Where: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa & Resort
Tickets: $29 per person plus taxes. Call 1-800-663-7373 to reserve.
I have visited Parksville over the last 30 years, and participated in a fantastic girls getaway with Keira-Anne, but this will be my first year at Uncorked. If you have the weekend free, consider heading over to not only enjoy the events but to explore this charming seaside community.
Dunn’s Famous is currently hosting a poutine promotion, showing off its 6 flavours and poutine styles. From now until March 21, 2012, diners can enjoy any 3 poutines for $9.99 or all 6 selections for $17.99. You can also enjoy a full size poutine Quebecois and draft beer for $9.99 after 10:00pm.
Poutine options: Quebecoise (cheese curds & Dunn’s special gravy), Dunn’s (cheese curds, Dunn’s special gravy & chopped Montreal smoked meat), Peppercorn (cheese curds & peppercorn sauce), Italienne (cheese curds & meat sauce), Dunn’s Italienne (cheese curds & meat sauce with chopped Montréal smoked meat), Vegetarian (cheese curds, vegetarian gravy).
I stopped by for lunch with my mother to try their 3-poutine special, choosing the Dunn’s, Italienne, and Peppercorn. She preferred the simplicity of the Peppercorn while I enjoyed the multitude of flavours mixed together in the Dunn’s.
To promote the poutine festival, or “bonanza” as our server called it, I have 4 gift cards up for grabs, each loaded with $50 to spend at Dunn’s. I will award the gift cards to 4 different winners so they can try out Dunn’s smoked meat sandwiches and poutine combos with friends. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment here naming your ideal poutine topping (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw four winners who will each receive a $50 gift card at 10:00am next Thursday, March 1, 2012. Dunn’s is located at 827 Seymour and is open every day from 10:00am until midnight.
The winners are Jonathan, Amman Hirji, @winniekwan83, @b_yasmin – congratulations!
