Last year I rounded up a list of performances from a wide variety of Vancouver theatre companies. Looking at the updates on Twitter, the flyers in stores and restaurants, and the press releases in my inbox, I’m getting excited about several upcoming productions. I absolutely love a night out at the theatre in Vancouver (no matter the size or location around town) so here’s a quick preview of what’s on stage this holiday season.
(Right) Kirsten Robek and Bob Frazer in It’s a Wonderful Life (Left) Brian Linds in The Patron Saint of Stanley Park. Photos by David Cooper.
The arts funding cuts are still very real so supporting these programs is as important as ever. Many of these performances have ticket prices under $20 so they could definitely lead to an affordable (and entertaining) night on the town.
Should you have any additional shows that you would like to see highlighted on this list, please feel free to leave a note in the comments.
The following photo essay was experienced and contributed by John Biehler exclusively for Miss604.com. This month John was a guest of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) to experience the region and see what the area has to offer.
With over 50 hectares of animals, the Wildlife Park is the largest breeding facility for burrowing owls in North America and is a member of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC. It features over 65 species of wildlife including timber wolves, moose, cougars, grizzly bears – all of them indigenous to BC aside from a few camels that they adopted years ago.
Aside from its conservation projects, the Wildlife Park serves as a rehabilitation centre and rescue centre for injured animals, as well as an education centre for kids camps and schools. The Park also hosts events including their 13th Annual Wildlights Celebration this December.
Definitely the highlight of the park was getting up close with Shardik the 35 year old grizzly bear. I kept waiting for him to talk to me in a cartoon bear voice. I mean just look at his face:
Getting to feed him grapes, apples and pears was a little disconcerting at first but he was such a gentle animal, it didn’t take long for us to relax around him.
I’ve visited other zoos and always left with a feeling of sadness. That was not the case here as the park has so much space and such a well thought-out care program provided by some very passionate people working behind the scenes. It’s hard not to leave the place with a big smile on your face after spending an afternoon with the animals.
John is an avid photographer, gadget geek and traveller. You can find him on Twitter and at johnbiehler.com where he discusses photography and all sorts of technology. All photos in this post were taken by John.
Disclosure: Activities, services and dining experiences during the trip were compliments of Thompson-Okanagan Tourism.
Opening in 1919, it was the western terminus for the Canadian Northern Railway (now the terminus for VIA Rail) and was one of the first major structures completed while they were filling in False Creek. As such, I thought it would be a great focus for the Archive Photos of the Day series.
Year: 1917
In this photo: Construction of Canadian Northern Railway depot
Vancouver Archives Item #: Bu N540.042
Year: 1918
In this photo: CNR Station under construction (right) and completed GNR (Union) Station (left)
Photographer: Canadian Photo Co
Vancouver Archives Item #: PAN N178
Year: 1918 – January
In this photo: Final stages of construction before fill of False Creek completed
Vancouver Archives Item #: Bu N540.077
Year: 1918 – March
In this photo: Final stages of construction before fill of False Creek completed
Vancouver Archives Item #: Bu N540.085
Year: 1932
In this photo: Exterior of the Canadian National Railway station on Main Street
Vancouver Archives Item #: Can P23.1
The annual Movember campaign is in full swing as many moustached “Mo Bros” continue to grow their facial hair and fundraising totals.
Last year I had the chance to speak with one of Movember’s founders, Adam Garone of Melbourne, to learn more about this campaign that is taking the world (and internet world) by storm.
“Growing a mustache is a lot like doing a run or a walk for charity,” said Adam who said they then created the tag line “changing the face of men’s health”. “So we literally challenge men to change their appearance with that commitment and by doing that they became a walking billboard for 30 days talking about prostate cancer, their health, and raising funds along the way.”
So far Canadian Movember campaigns have raised over $5,000,000 thanks to over 90,000 participants. In Vancouver, over 5,600 men are participating – many with the loving support of partners, children, and the women in their lives.
Gus Fosarolli has shaved off his “Mo” to re-grow it during Movember for several years now. “I’m at that age now where I have to start to be tested for prostate cancer yearly. As men we are brought up to be strong and this sometimes could lead us to not get tested as a matter of pride and keeping our manhood,” Fosarolli told me. “I want to help raise awareness that it’s ok and that every man over 40 should be tested. With early detection, we can live stronger and longer lives.”
You can browse the Movember site to find an individual or team to support by way of online donation. This year’s local Movember campaign will end with a gala at the Fortune Sound Club December 2nd, 2010.
Several cities around the region are putting their archive collections online, including thousands of historical photographs – and North Vancouver is no exception. By way of a photo contest, they have enlisted the public’s help in promoting not only the use of their online database, but the history of North Vancouver.
The winner will receive a new camera (estimated value of $500), a copy of “Time Travel in North Vancouver: A Peek into the Past†by Sharon J. Proctor, membership to the North Vancouver Museum and Archives, and admission to a variety of local attractions.
For inspiration, you can check out the current North Vancouver THEN & NOW: From Lonsdale Avenue to Deep Cove at Presentation House Museum (209 West 4th Street) until December 30th, 2010.
Visit the archives in person at the Community History Centre – Archives and NVMA offices (3203 Institute Road, Lynn Valley) or online on Twitter, Facebook or Flickr.
