On this day in 1989 SFU opened a downtown campus in the old David Spencer’s Department Store building on West Hastings between Seymour and Richards.

1930’s – Spencer’s Department Store. Archives item# CVA 1495-32

Built in 1908 and restructured by 1925, the Spencer’s stores in BC were bought up by Eatons in 1948 and most were re-branded.

1926 – Spencer’s Department Store. Archives item# CVA 1495-5. Photographer: Leonard Frank

In 1973 the adjacent buildings were demolished to make room for the Harbour Centre development and Sears moved into the Spencer’s space for the next dozen years or so.

SFU Public Affairs & Media Relations

From VancouverHistory.ca on the 1989 opening of SFU Harbour Centre: “It was clear there was need for a downtown university centre…”

“…This unique campus was originally financed through private sector funding and designed to meet another major challenge: mid-career education in the emerging global, knowledge-based economy.

I have given many talks in classrooms within this building and today I’m attending the WordCamp Developers conference.

With auditoriums, workspaces, computer labs and more, you’d hardly know that cans of biscuits, Lux soap, neck-ties and lingerie were once sold in this space.

The history that was in this space is continues to be made through education and dialogue in the heart of the city.

The 15th annual explorASIAN Festival is happening around Vancouver in celebration of May being Asian Heritage Month. There are dozens of activities and event happening around Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, and various communities around the province over the next few weeks.

Walk-a-thon for Japan Relief
When: Saturday, May 7, 2011 starting at 10:00am
Where: Burnaby Lake Sports Complex East Clubhouse (3760 Sperling Ave)
Fee: $10 individual, $20 family
Event website Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Though I decided to publish fewer personal (family-related) posts on this site a few years ago, every now and then there’s just something that impacts me, my writing, and the online community as a whole that is worth sharing and worth discussing. That being said, it’s been a rough 2011 so far, that’s for sure. I have attended a wake, a living wake, and delivered a eulogy at a funeral all within the last two months. These things not only affect our daily lives and our work process, but they deeply impact our state of being.

Bollwitts & Millers. Photo: Derek K Miller

This morning I read the news that our friend, local blogger and podcaster, Derek Miller had lost his battle with cancer (that he had been fighting since 2007) and everyone been sharing his story on Facebook and Twitter – as he wanted it to be shared throughout his entire struggle.

I was debating whether or not I should write a tribute to my grandmother (my Oma) as this was a recent family tragedy that is still sinking in for me. I continue to struggle with it. I keep thinking that she can’t read it so why should I share? However looking at Derek’s writing over the years, including his own farewell post, sometimes things need to be said – not for public display and presentation, but for the healing process to begin. Getting the words out there, letting thoughts flow, and preserving memories are worth the effort – even if the words flowing from your fingers to the keyboard only reach a mass of people you have never met.

Oma & one of her great-grandchildren

I don’t want to share what I said in my eulogy for my Oma but I will say that I saw her several times a month, throughout my entire 31-year existence. We were very close. I was with her in the hospital on and off for the last three months, and near here bedside when she came home for palliative care. There is a void in my heart that will never again be filled by the love of my Oma, however I know that she gave me enough in the years I knew her to last me a lifetime.

There are people you meet in life that inspire you. Whether that inspiration is to step into your flip flops and enjoy the sun on a warm spring afternoon, to reach out donate your time to help educate others in any capacity, or to be a better person and commit to doing what you love each and every day. I’m thankful that I know who those people are to me.

There is no lost value or sentiment when an email, Facebook message or Tweet offers consolation. Even if I sit at the computer and allow tears to stream down my cheeks as I type, it helps. It helps to read a sympathy card you receive in the mail as much as it helps to write a farewell message or thank-you note, regardless of the medium.

If you are looking for some worthy causes to support this year, please consider the following (in memory of Oma, David M Kane, Derek K Miller, or someone in your life):

Update Derek recorded an interview with Stephen Quinn from CBC’s On the Coast back in November. They just aired the audio and it is archived here. Very worthy of a listen.

Hapa Umi is now open at 909 West Cordova in Vancouver, looking out over Coal Harbour and Canada Place. It’s the “big sister” restaurant to the beloved Hapa Izakayas around town (on Robson, in Yaletown, and in Kitsilano) that serves up full dinner items that are big enough for one and plenty enough sharing family-style.

The lounge area has television screens (and last night they had a $3 Sapporo special during the Canucks game) while the main part of the restaurant has comfortable booths or bar seating in front of the open kitchen area. I missed the group media tasting on Monday so they invited me down for a dinner that included samples of some of their best menu items (as such this is not a review post, it’s a recap).

Cocktails
Hapa Umi offers some of the same signature cocktails found at other Hapa locations. With fruit, citrus, and crisp, refreshing ingredients.

Start
Halibut Ceviche
lemon-lime soy marinade, shiso-infused olive oil

Edamame Ravioli
edamame and ricotta-stuffed housemade pasta with yuzu brown butter, truffle oil

Mains
Sablefish Yuanzuke
yuzu-miso marinade, koshi-hikari rice, marinated baby bok choy

Peach Country Lamb
braised lamb shank, pommes puree, yuzu-shio gremolata, umeboshi emulsion

Soy-Glazed Chicken Breast
Maple Hills organic chicken, soy sake butter, fondant potatoes, sautéed wild mushrooms

Desserts
Green tea opera cake, Yuzu tart, Blackberry sorbet

I have heard online that it’s a popular place for the business lunch crowd and based on our experience last night, it’s worth checking out after work hours as well. The prices are as-expected for a restaurant that’s a notch above your everyday Izakaya but once again allow for sharing with others. Our favourite dishes of the night were the edamame ravioli (we could have each enjoyed a bowl of our own), the chicken, and the lamb.

Follow @HapaUmi on Twitter for updates and daily specials.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2 I missed the media tasting luncheon so Hapa Umi hosted us for dinner.

Vancouver Craft Beer Week is steadily approaching as the city gets ready to celebrate craft beer from around the world. From Belgian wheats to Brooklyn brews and the very best of BC, you can enjoy events that feature multi-course beer pairings or pub crawls around town. One of these events is taking place next Tuesday, May 10th at BierCraft.

Source: Phillips Brewing on Flickr

When Tuesday, May 10, 2011 from 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Where BierCraft Bistro (3305 Cambie, Vancouver)
What Phillips Brewmaster’s Dinner: Five course beer-pairing dinner featuring delicious beers from Vancouver Island’s award winning Phillips Brewery. Chefs Don Farion and Stephen Chandband present a locally inspired menu designed to pair perfectly with the fantastic hand crafted beers of Matt Phillips who will be in attendance to discuss his beers and answer questions.

Tickets are $55 and there’s room for about 30 more people (at the time I have written this post). I also have a pair of tickets available for giveaway until Friday, May 6th at 10:00am. Here’s how you can enter to win:

Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe ride home from Vancouver Craft Beer Week events. Miss604.com is a proud sponsor of Vancouver Craft Beer Week 2011.

Update The winner is Ryan – congratulations!