New Pattullo Bridge Plans

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Pattullo Bridge is long overdue for an upgrade and Translink has recently announced a set of preview events so that the public can review the proposed plans.

The bottom of the tip of the iceberg
Photo credit: waferboard on Flickr

Open House:
September 14th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Chuck Baillie Community Centre at 13458-107A Avenue, Surrey

September 21st from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Justice Institute at 715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster

The open houses have been rescheduled to an unknown time in November.

TransLink plans to present several options, including their preferred one, to audiences in Surrey and New Westminster this month. Access on the Surrey side will remain relatively similar to the existing configuration, save for some modifications to 128 St and Scott Road. The major change will be the removal of access to the bridge from Royal Avenue in New Westminster, although connections will remain to Columbia St, McBride Boulevard, and Front St. Following the consultation meetings, TransLink will present a preferred plan to Surrey and New Wesminster councils. [CivicSurrey]

The bridge opened in 1937 (with tolls) and since that time it has been unable to expand and accommodate the growing needs of the traffic crossing the Fraser each day. Built for vehicles that pale in comparison to the semi truck trailers and SUV’s of today, the lanes, grades, and angles of the bridge make it a dangerous crossing for motorists at all hours of the day.

Should the new Pattullo Bridge be tolled, that would mean every single Fraser River crossing direct to Surrey will have a toll.

two yellow lines
Photo credit: waferboard on Flickr

I have been writing about the dangers of the bridge and its ridiculous condition for four years now and along with the 70,000 drivers who use it each day, I can’t wait to see the new plans.

West End Fest 2010

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The first annual West End Fest takes over the West End Community Centre September 10th. This event will combine family fun (bouncy castle included) as well as a beer garden and live music stage. The best part is, it’s also a fundraiser for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

West End FestThe line up so far includes:
6:00pm – 6:45pm
Music With Marnie (Children’s Entertainer)
7:15pm – 8:00pm
Banned In Boston (Folk Music)
8:30pm – 10:00pm
The Hairfarmers (Huge Repertoire of Everything for Everyone)

The Dover Arms will be sponsoring the beer garden as well as preparing food. There will also be an arts & crafts zone and drop-in street hockey games. Activities will be both inside and outside the community centre so lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for outside on the lawn.

The event is free for everyone but of course you will have to be 19+ for beer garden admission. The West End Community Centre is located at 870 Denman (between Haro and Barclay).

Follow the WECC on Facebook or Twitter for updates.

12×12 Photo Marathon 2010

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 12×12 Photo Marathon returns to Vancouver September 12th. This hurried photography race around Vancouver has participants snapping 12 photos (exposures on film), that each represent one of 12 themes, and the must do so within a 12 hour timeframe.

12 x 12 Vancouver Photo Marathon from Lesley Stefanski on Vimeo.

Participants will start out from a central location (Blenz in Yaletown) and make their way around the city to fulfill their assignment. I was a judge last year and it was really interesting to see all the snaps and takes on theme such as “nickel and dime”. Some people took photos of bottles or sale signs, while others snapped images of coins.

The event is now completely sold out so the participant list is set but you can sign up for the wait list. You can also help by being a willing participant on the 12th if you see someone racing around with a camera in need of a model for a “photo marathon” competition.

Follow the 12×12 Photo Marathon on Facebook or Twitter for updates

Victory Square Block Party 2010

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

This year’s Victory Square Block Party happens this Sunday, September 5th in the iconic meeting place on the edge of Gastown.

Festivities will be at Cambie and Hastings from 2:00pm until 9:00pm and the Block Party is totally free for the public. Music and comedic guests include: The Pack AD, The Tranzmitors, Apollo Ghosts, Lord Beginner, Makeout Videotape, Sex Church, Ora Organ, Charlie Demers, and more.

The Victory Square Block Party is presented by the Music Waste Festival which you can follow on Facebook or Twitter for updates and events.

Vancouver Fringe Festival 2010: The Boy Who Had A Mother

Comments 19 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Vancouver International Fringe Festival launches next week with over 600 performances from 83 shows at over two dozen venues around the city. From September 9th until the 19th Fringe will host shows from pop-up “Bring Your Own Venues” outdoors around Vancouver to seven main stages.

The Boy Who Had A Mother will be performed at the Festival this year from September 10th until the 18th at Studio 16.

“This dark comedy, written and performed by Jeff McMahan, follows the life of Dan McIntosh as he grows up with a father who doesn’t know best and a mother who thinks she’s given birth to the second coming of Christ. A young man grows up with a mentally ill mother and an ill-prepared father. We follow his life from conception to adulthood when he decides to move back into his mother’s house to help save her from herself. But it may be him who needs saving.”

I have two tickets to give away for this performance, on a day that can be selected by the winner. To enter to win, please leave a comment below. I will draw a winner tomorrow morning at 9:00am.

You can follow @AsylumTheatre on Twitter for performance and festival updates. This is the first of a series of Fringe Festival giveaways that I will be running this week.

Update The winner for this performance is Darko. Congratulations and have fun at the performance!