The Olympic and Paralympic Countdown Clock in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery was a symbol of the Olympic Games for many. It ticked away the months, days, hours, minutes and seconds of anticipation for what became the largest global party this city has ever seen.
At first it was an eyesore for some, then it soon became something so much more. It was vandalized, it was a shadow cast on a homeless man in need of shade, it was a meeting point, a melting pot of emotion, and a celebration site. Now that the Games are over, the fate of the clock is uncertain.
The Omega-owned sculpture at the northwest side of the Vancouver Art Gallery site could be moved or it could stay put… …“The city has been in discussions with Omega, VANOC and the province of B.C. on the options for the clock. No decision has been made on what to do with the clock, but the partners are now finalizing an agreement and we expect a decision to be made shortly,†according to a prepared statement from Mayor Gregor Robertson’s executive assistant, Kevin Quinlan. [Bob Mackin for 24 Hours Vancouver]
This has many wondering what will become of the clock and even News1130 was doing a listener poll this morning. I re-tweeted their inquiry on Twitter and here are some suggestions that I received:
From @mojaveband: will it fit around flava flav’s neck?
From @250joules: Suggest the clock go to the Vancouver museum along with the protest pictures – the good and the bad… it’s all history.
From @KimAnami: Turn it into a World Cup TV screen and scoreboard.
From @WhistlerFacts: Auction! Give the money 2 the people.
From @joebonka: It should be set to countdown to December 21, 2012 of course!
I like the idea of it being added to the Museum of Vancouver however I would like to see it benefit citizens somehow. I also like the idea of it living on in some capacity around town. The final decision is yet to be made and I expect a few ideas will also be officially tossed around in the near future.
I’ve been to New York twice before but each time has been for no longer than 3 days. Months ago I booked a trip with Keira who has been planning her visit to the Big Apple since I met her, and even long before that. She had studied the MTA subway maps, memorized streets and neighbourhoods, and I knew we would hit the ground running.
In six days we hit SOHO, the West Village, the Meat Packing District, the Lower Eastside, Chinatown, Little Italy, Staten Island, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Midtown, TriBeCa, Central Park, the Financial District, the Upper East and Upper West sides (some documented in Part One of this post series).
On our last day alone we went for brunch in the West Village, then walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, got ice cream in DUMBO, and took the subway back to the Upper West Side. Here are just a few more photos taken to document our experience.
Staten Island Ferry
Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Bike to Work and School Week in Vancouver is coming up May 31st – June 6th.
You can either hop on your bike or sign up with the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition to track your commute or sign up with a team.
You can also register your workplace and become a team leader. Schools are also encouraged to participate.
On the Bike to Work Week site you can also learn how to be a bike-friendly workplace and for the first year they are hosting the Bike to Work Week Awards and reception.
With a slightly brighter weather forecast on the horizon it’s the perfect opportunity to re-shape your commute and pedal to work.
More resources including trip-planning guides and safety tips are available online from the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition or find them on Twitter @MetroVanCycle.
The EPIC Sustainable Living Expo, which usually lives up to its massive name, takes place this Friday, Saturday and Sun at the new Vancouver Convention Centre.
Mike Holmes at EPIC 2008
There are well over 100 exhibitors showcasing techniques, services and wares that span from soda pop to yoga and everything in between. A large part of the expo is also the staged presentations and entertainment.
The EPICurean Stage features cooking demonstrations while the Main Stage hosts Global TV’s Dr. Art Hister, an eco-comedy show, home energy presentations and more. You may even find out what makes some beers organic.
Tickets are $10 with multi-day tickets going for $18. I also have two 4-packs of tickets to give away.
Here’s how to enter to win passes good any day at EPIC:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw a winner tomorrow, Friday May 28th by 12:00pm. EPIC’s hours of operation are Friday May 28th from 1:00pm – 8:00pm, Saturday May 29th from 11:00am – 7:00pm, and Sunday May 30th from 11:00am – 5:00pm.
Update The ticket winners are Ari and Angie – have fun!
Even though the weather isn’t quite cooperating, Vancouver’s social calendar is heating up toward the end of the month. The following community events, presented in Link Fest form, have been either researched or submitted via my contact form.
Tuesday June 1, 2010
Book launch for Show & Tell – Unlocking the Secrets of New Home Buying
Wednesday June 2, 2010
UNICEF’s 3rd Unite with Art Auction
A Very Productive Party, a fashion photo shoot, hosted by Albach Studios
Grand opening of Philanthropy by The Latest SCOOP, a pop-up store dedicated to giving back to the local community
Pipedream Theatre Project presents the musical, NINE (until June 6)
Amarcord Ristorante in Yaletown hosts Giving on the Edge in support of Big Brothers 6:00pm – 9:00pm
City of Vancouver Archives & Heritage Vancouver Art Exhibition: Edifice by Graham Winter (until August 26)
Thursday June 3, 2010
Wine Down with Delta Hotels, a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity
Hot Gay DJ competition on Davie
Friday June 4, 2010
Family Fun Night at Wix Brown Elementary School in South Langley 5:30pm – 8:30pm
In the House Festival (until June 6)
Circle Craft Gallery presents “A Twisted Exchange†(until June 29)
Hazelgrove Elementary Fun Fair 2010 raising funds for a playground
Urban Nights: Wine & Cheese Fundraiser at Heritage Hall on Main Street
International Special Events Society Signature Event “Secrets of the Orient“
Sunday June 5, 2010
CEFA Langley hosts a Carnival Open House 10:00am – 1:00pm (more open houses throughout the month)
BC Lung Association’s The Rush: Race & Urban Scavenger Hunt
Burnaby Heights Hats off Day
Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life at Eric Hamber Secondary
Vancouver Pasty School grand opening celebration
BC Children’s Hospital ChildRun
Monday June 6, 2010
Burnaby Hospital Foundation: Rhythm of Life: The Run and Walk for Everyone
11th Annual Round Bowen (Island) Challenge
A Day at the Races with BOB
Tuesday June 8, 2010
Ceili’s Comedy Central, comedy event at 8:00pm
How to Speak with Confidence and Power – Vancouver Business & Marketing Meetup Group
Wednesday June 9, 2010
Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation team fundraiser at Pop Opera
Thursday June 10, 2010
Small Business BC’s Successful You awards gala
Friday June 11, 2010
Animalopolis Opening Party at Ayden Gallery, artwork by Kristian Adam
Swingin’ for a Good Cause with the Inland Refugee Society
South Africa: Then and Now series at the Vancity Theatre
Lions Gate Quilters Guild – Album of Quilts 9:00am – 7:00pm (and June 12 9:00am – 5:00pm)
Vancouve Storytelling Festival (until June 13)
Saturday June 12, 2010
WordCamp Vancouver
The “Summer Festivalâ€, SAFA’s Sawan Mela returns to Stanley Park (until June 13th)
Newton Community Festival
Sunday June 13, 2010
TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes
8th Annual Rick Hansen Wheels In Motion event
Wednesday June 16, 2010
Goldfish Summer Splash, summer fashions and cocktails
Surrey Farmers Market
Thursday June 17, 2010
The Hangout: A Fundraising Event to Benefit the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation
Cocktails for Cause, a fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers
Friday June 18, 2010
Salt Spring Island’s premier art event ArtSpring (until June 20th)
BC Teen Challenge Day of Golf
Arab Latin Fiesta
Burnaby Hospital Foundation: The Slice – An Evening of Fun with Friends
Saturday June 19, 2010
All About You Productions hosts the 3rd annual Wish Upon a Star Charity Gala
Kidtopia Early Learning’s Swap Meet
The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation
desiFEST
12th Annual Whalley Community Festival
Folk/Alt-Country singer-songwriter Wendy Norman – CD Release Party
Sunday June 20, 2010
Vancouver’s First Cupcake Challenge
Leave Out Violence (LOVE) BC presents it’s third annual LOVE Out Loud Youth Festival in partnership with Car Free Vancouver Day on Main Street
Vancouver Canucks Official NHL Awards Tweetup
Culture: Unplugged – presented by the League of Kickass Business People
Pecha Kucha Night Vancouver
Thursday June 24, 2010
Fiona Forbes and Michael Eckford from Urban Rush host The Curve Ball, lingerie fashion show for curvy women
Friday June 25, 2010
PINK in the City fundraiser
Canadian Flowers for Food presents an Art Gala Night
Saturday June 26, 2010
BC Highland Games
Swap-O-Rama-Rama, clothing + craft supply swap
The Glass Slipper, GOT Cabaret Society’s benefit event
The Cheaper Show with 200 artists, 400 pieces of art, all priced at $200
Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival
Sunday June 27, 2010
Food Fight! The Battle for Brunch, benefiting Variety
Tuesday June 29, 2010
Tuca Body Art Ball
To have your Metro Vancouver event listed please feel free to contact me. To be listed, I simply need you to supply the name of the event, the date, and a link to a website with more information.
