On October 22nd the Olympic Cauldron will be lit during the dedication of Jack Poole Plaza. While the flames have been ignited since the Games for Canada Day and a few other occasions, this celebration will commemorate the memory of Jack Poole, architect of Vancouver 2010, as the plaza has finally been completed.
The ceremony will take place at 7:30pm and everyone is encouraged to bust out their red mittens for the occasion.
Even though it’s been eight months since we hosted the world, and plush toy mascots are now in the clearance bins of local stores, many who were unable to see the cauldron during the Game will now have a chance. If the event also manages to rekindle a bit of the spirit that was around town in February, be prepared for a sea of red shirts, maple leafs, and a whole lot of high-fives.
Jack Poole Plaza is located at the North end of Thurlow at Burrard Place (just North of Cordova).
In related news, the Canadian Paralympic Committee will host its first Awards Ceremony the following night to celebrate the accomplishments of those who made an impact at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
Today is We Day in Vancouver as thousands of school-aged children congregate in Rogers Arena to hear some of the most inspirational and motivational speakers of our time. Last year I had the chance to live blog throughout the day, meeting Jane Goodall, Mia Farrow, and listening to the sage advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Today I’ll be doing the same, posting updates here over the next few hours as Al Gore, Martin Sheen, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and Free The Children co-founders and international children’s rights activists Craig and Marc Kielburger take to the stage in front of 18,000. Rick Hansen, Ethan Zohn, and Philippe Cousteau, will also speak as Hedley, Barenaked Ladies, and Colbie Caillat entertain. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Most parks in Vancouver are named after former Parks Board members or royalty – but not Emery Barnes Park in Yaletown. The grass, stone walkways, water features and new playground on Davie is named after a man born in New Orleans in 1929 who made his way to Canada, into BC Provincial Legislature and is forever in our history books.
In 1952 Emery Barnes was an alternate for the US Olympic high-jump team, while he also played football for the University of Oregon and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1954.
I was just out of the army, with a young family to support. I had a college degree but could not get a job. In fact I asked for help from an Oregon Alumni Booster Club Member who had tried to recruit me with athletic scholarship a few years earlier. I could not get to see him personally but was told they would try to get me a job as a Red Cap at the local train station. I had always believed in the United States, its constitution and the principles it stood for. I may have been naive but I believed all the slogans. When I left to play football in Canada I felt like a political refugee. [1987 Interview with Barnes]
It was football that led him to Canada, and ultimately Vancouver. His time in Green Bay wasn’t long and he found himself in the CFL, playing with the BC Lions when they won the Grey Cup in 1964 (although he was sidelined during the actual championship game). During this time he also attended UBC and received a bachelor degree in social work, which was a passion of his.
In the years following his football career, Barnes opened a nightclub at Harrison Hot Springs, visited Victoria and was pitched NDP and Social Credit party membership, then became the Director of Children and Teenage programs at the Killarney Community Centre.
It was Dave Barrett who encouraged him to move into politics. The first time he ran for the BC Legislature, Emery was not elected. At that time, the city of Vancouver was not as culturally diverse as today so he had less chance of success. Emery did not talk much about the barriers he faced even though, particularly during his childhood in New Orleans, he had suffered harassment which prompted his family’s move to the West Coast. [Reflections on Emery Barnes]
It wasn’t until 1972 that he was elected to the BC Legislature and there he was re-elected for four consecutive terms and served our province until 1996. He and Rosemary Brown (NDP) were the first black politicians elected to a legislative office in British Columbia.
I see politicians as catalysts. Though not elected Martin Luther King was as much a catalyst as a leader. He happened to appear on the scene at a time when a little old black lady said she was tired and wanted a seat on the bus. Many people thought that was a reasonable request. [1987 Interview with Barnes
Barnes worked with the BC Black History Awareness Society (established 1993) to develop the Greater Victoria School Board’s curriculum, to build a cultural community in Vancouver for those of African heritage, and was the first president of the BC Black Cultural Association.
In 1994 he was elected Speaker of the Legislature in BC, the first black person in any Canadian province to hold this position. Barnes passed away on Canada Day, in 1998.
I am a Canadian citizen and have no regrets. Over the years I have come to realize that prejudice is not limited to the USA. There are different kinds of people in all societies. None is perfect. I am less quick to condemn anyone and have probably mellowed a bit. With age and experience I have come to believe that we are the architects of our own destiny. I am more interested in the evolution of society and of my situation as an individual than in blaming any group or any society for all the evils on earth. [1987 Interview with Barnes]
While the Vancouver International Film Festival‘s 2010 season kicked off in style with parties from Martini Madness, Brightlight Pictures, and the official opening gala, the red carpets are slowly being tucked away for another year. However, it’s never too late to look back on the good times had throughout the festival and the deliciousness that was set out before us at the opening gala a few weeks ago.
(Left) Catherine Barr, Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, Robson Arms), Me
With VIFF ending this week there are still some fantastic films to catch and some dazzling parties to attend.
Last week VIFF hosted an anniversary gala screening of Score: A Hockey Musical that’s generating buzz across the country right now. You can find out about future screenings by following @ScoreMusical on Twitter.
The First Weekend Club celebrates another great year of Canadian Film with their own VIFF wrap party tonight at District 319 on Main Street. The lovely and talented singer/songwriter Rachael Chatoor will be performing at the reception.
VIFF’s closing gala film is The Illusionist, screening at the Empire Granville tomorrow at 7:00pm. You can purchase a combo ticket for the screening and the closing gala for $175. The finale cocktail party will then be at FIVESIXTY on Seymour. You can enter to win tickets to this event by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Closing Gala”.
You can view a full list of repeat films that will have another screening before VIFF closes. Stay on top of local film news and events by following @VIFFest on Twitter throughout the year.
London has the Oyster and Hong Kong has the Octopus… what will Vancouver have?
In 2007 I wrote a post about a lack of fare options (or rechargeable electronic fares) for visitors and residents alike, such as the Charlie Card that I saw in Boston.
It looks like Translink has finally caught up with the trend as they’re planning to introduce an electronic re-loadable fare card for 2013. They are also currently looking for public input about the project and hosting a naming contest for the cards.
You may submit your suggestions through the online form or via text message (text CONTEST, your name, and your idea to 77777). The naming contest winner will get an iPad, and in 2013, the winner will also receive an electronic fare card loaded with a year of free transit.
You can check out more of Translink’s latest ideas and provide your input during one of their Transportation Fairs this month:
Saturday October 16 at Creekside Community Centre in the Olympic Village, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver
Sunday October 17 at the Executive Plaza Hotel, 405 North Road, Coquitlam
Saturday October 23 at the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, 13458 – 107 A Avenue, Surrey
All Transportation Fairs run from 10:00am until 3:00pm. Participants will be eligible to win a monthly FareCard (one drawn each hour) and the grand prize – a year’s free transit – will be given away after the last Transportation Fair on October 23rd.
I’m not sure how the naming of the cards usually work (eg. I have no idea how they came up with Oyster for London) but I’m curious to see what people will submit for the name of Metro Vancouver’s fare cards.
On October 22nd the Olympic Cauldron will be lit during the dedication of Jack Poole Plaza. While the flames have been ignited since the Games for Canada Day and a few other occasions, this celebration will commemorate the memory of Jack Poole, architect of Vancouver 2010, as the plaza has finally been completed.
