It was announced yesterday (and I found out thanks to the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Twitter account) that the Government of BC will proclaim days throughout 2011 in honor of BC Olympic and Paralympic medallists.
“Athletes will be recognized on the one-year anniversary of their medal-winning performance. Athletes who won multiple medals will receive a day proclaimed in their honour on the one-year anniversary of their first medal victory and acknowledgement of their additional medal victories.” [PDF]
Proclamations Days in 2011 include:
Feb 16 Maëlle Ricker Day
Feb 23 Ashleigh McIvor Day
Feb 27 Chris Le Bihan and Denny Morrison Day
Feb 28 Duncan Keith, Scott Niedermayer, Brent Seabrook, Roberto Luongo, Shea Weber Day
Mar 13 Josh Dueck and Lindsay Debou Day
Mar 15 Lauren Woolstencroft and Karolina Wisniewska Day
Mar 20 Ina Forrest, Jim Armstrong, Sonja Gaudet and Darryl Neighbour Day
Mar 21 Olympic and Paralympic Blue Jacket Volunteers Day
As a reminder, you can still vote for the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards “Best of BC” nominees, some of which are listed above, until February 20th. The winner will be awarded at the Sport BC banquet February 24, 2011.
Keeping up with work and blogging while in Africa has proven to be a challenge (as can be expected) however all of the travel has inspired this week’s photo collection from the Vancouver Archives which has an airport theme.
Year: 1946
Subject: Airline stewardess passing the “Vancouver, City of Destiny” film to a man at the airport
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-2349
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay
Year: 1934
Subject: Arrival in Vancouver of United Airlines’ inaugural flight from Seattle
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1376-82
Year: 1940
Subject: Vancouver Airport administration building
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 586-171
Photographer / Studio: Don Coltman
Year: 1943
Subject: TCA Flight Crew
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 586-1512
Photographer / Studio: Don Coltman
Year: 1942
Subject: Majorettes at head of parade during ceremony to launch the first bomber produced at the Boeing plant on Sea Island
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-1191
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay
Year: 1930
Subject: Pacific International Airways arrival of Fleetster aircraft at airport (Mayor Malkin in top hat)
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 99-2161
Photographer / Studio: Stuart Thomson
Year: 1948
Subject: Woodward’s truck parked by a Trans-Canada Air Lines plane at the airport
Vancouver Archives Item#: CVA 1184-3392
Photographer / Studio: Jack Lindsay
Should you have a suggestion or request for a “From the Archives” theme, please feel free to leave a note in the comments.
I am currently in Ghana to experience Cadbury’s Bicycle Factory delivery. This is their second delivery in two years thanks to the help of Canadians who participated in the online project.
Our second day of community visits in Ghana took us to the Nsiana, almost two hours outside of Kumasi City. While the region we were in the first day was cared for by the Kuapa Kokoo fairtrade union and World Vision, I learned that Nsiana is a Care International community.
The woman in the photo above called me over from across the dusty field to ask me to take photos of her children. She said she wanted me to take pictures so that they can be sent more food. There was such a flurry of activity I don’t think her words had a chance to sink in; I am still thinking about them. I told her my name and throughout the day, she would continue to call me over to take shots.
The woman in the photo below, who I believe is a teacher at the school, also asked me to take photos of her class as she lined them all up.
This man’s name is Alexander, Alexander The Great he said.
The school children in Nsiana were incredibly excited to see us all. They crowded around as close as they could and would touch my arm or hand every now and then to wait for me to look over and smile.
The boy in the photo below was proud to show me his school work and his writing. He had copied down the books of the bible and told me he also knew them by heart.
After the bicycle dedication ceremony we presented the Chief and the head teacher of the school with supplies (books, pencils, games, crayons, and more). The supplies were then divided up into big metal bowls and carried off to the school house.
We spent the rest of our time in the community visiting with children, mothers, teachers, and learning about the work that Care International is doing. Nsiana received a shipment of bikes in 2009, from the first edition of the Cadbury Bicycle Factory, so we also had the chance to speak with past recipients.
I plan on writing detailed posts about the cocoa industry and the specifics of the bicycle factory deliveries in a few weeks, however I thought it would be important to mention the following items right off the bat:
First, the delivered bikes are put in the charge of community leaders who are responsible for distributing them to their children and youth. Second, the communities receive training and tools from David Peckham and the team he’s assembled from the Village Bicycle Project. These two steps ensure that the bikes are not simply dropped off without care and that the communities can self-manage.
David told me that it was rare to see a girl with such interest in tuning the bikes. It’s still considered more of a boys’ activity and girls can sometimes be teased or mocked for their involvement with bikes. It’s a barrier he and many others try to help break down and it seems to be working, slowly but surely.
We haven’t been traveling too far out of major cities but within minutes you’re transported from bustling streets, honking horns, and billboards to groves of palm trees, children splashing in at well-water pumps, and random goats or chickens hustling across dirt roads. It’s one contrast after another but the universal language, I’m finding out, is that of a handshake, smile and dance whenever a good tune is played.
We return to the capital city of Accra tomorrow where I believe we will head out to another rural community before beginning the long trek home on Saturday.
Please note: Photos were taken with the permission of the community. You can view all of my photos in this Flickr set.
Disclosure: I have not been paid by Cadbury to participate in this trip. However, they have covered my accommodation and airfare to come along and document what I experience.
It was a big year for movies and Hollywood North is celebrating in style with a few Oscar parties being hosted around town.
Little Black Dress Oscar Party
Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on West Georgia
When: Sunday, February 27 from 3:00pm
Tickets: $25 in advance online through ClubZone
Info: The event will benefit Dress for Success Vancouver
Marquee 2011 “Feel Like a Star†Vancouver Film Industry Oscar Soiree
Where: Gossip Nightclub
When: Sunday, February 27 from 3:30pm red carpet and cocktail reception followed by the screening
Tickets: Starting at around $60 in advance online
Info: Proceeds from the evening will will benefit the Starlight™ Children’s Foundation
LimeNite Oscar Night Special
Where: J Lounge on Bute at Davie
When: Sunday, February 27 from 8:30pm
Tickets: $5 in advance online through ClubZone, $7 at the door
Info: 10% of proceeds that night will go to the BCSPCA
Oscar’s Dress: The 2011 Drag Queen Oscar Party
Where: The Helm Restaurant (1180 Howe Street)
When: Sunday, February 27 from 4:00 pm
Tickets: $15 at the door (but restaurant reservations are recommended.
Info: The event is hosted by and includes “commercial-break drag performances” by drag legends Joan-E and Justine Tyme. Proceeds from the evening will benfit the Vancouver Friends For Life Society
Oscars at Cinema
Where: Cinema Public House on Granville (at Smithe)
When: Sunday, February 27 from 4:30pm (doors)
Tickets: $25 for ladies, $40 for gentlemen available online through ClubZone
Info: The evening will be hosted by Erin Cebula of ET Canada and tickets include a prix-fixe meal served between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.
VIFF Oscar Party
Where: Vancity Theatre on Seymour (at Davie)
When: Sunday, February 27 from 3:30pm (red carpet)
Tickets: Free to VIFF members (annual membership is $2 at the door)
Info: The live broadcast in HD will be on the big theatre screen. Wine, Beer and food will be available for purchase. Symone Says will emcee the evening. The Oscar extravaganza is presented in partnership with Out in Schools.
Last summer the City of Vancouver approved over a dozen street food vendors who have been selling everything from BBQ to noodles or chocolate-dipped fruit.
Of all the applicants last year, this selection was chosen by the City and almost a year in, they would now like the public’s input on the programme.
“The City Street Vending Programme will be granting new food vending licenses with an opportunity for public opinion. Participate in our survey, and tell us your preference for street food options.” You can take the survey here although the only thing they would like to know is what kind of food you would like to see on the streets, using a multiple-choice list.
While we wait to see whose license get renewed, and at which locations, you can still track down current street food vendors with a free iPhone application.
The app shows you the location of each truck or cart, their hours of business, and how many times they have been marked as a “favourite” by other users. From what I understand, everyone is loving the lunchtime food selections and while the kinks are still being worked out of the process, hopefully they City can gather some valuable information with their survey.
