At a press conference at the CBC Vancouver broadcast centre this afternoon it was announced that legendary BC anchor Tony Parsons would be co-hosting the local supper-hour newscast.

Tony Parsons, who I grew up watching on BCTV, anchored his final newscast on Global TV’s News Hour in December of 2009.

Around that time but published a book but Parsons was off the air during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

He then returned to television with CHEK-TV in Victoria as the anchor of their 10:00pm newscast in March. According to today’s press release, a deal between the CBC and CHEK-TV has been made that will see the local news from CBC Vancouver simulcast on CHEK-TV in Victoria.

“Tony Parsons has been synonymous with local news in Vancouver for 35 years and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the CBC News Vancouver team,” said Johnny Michel, Managing Director, BC Region, CBC. “He is the most recognizable face in local news and has an innate gift to get to the heart of what matters for Vancouverites.”

Parsons will be co-hosting with Gloria Macarenko on CBC Vancouver from 5:00pm until 6:30pm and will then appear specifically on CHEK at 10:00pm.

Update April 13, 2010

I had the chance to speak with Tony this afternoon, you can see his responses to a few quick questions in the video above.

Some of Western Canada’s top comics will be performing in Vancouver April 16th, raising funds for the Union Gospel Mission.

Photo credit: zdenadel on Flickr

“The Legion Of Stand-Up Comedians and Drive by Comedy presents the comedy show of the year. Some of Canada’s funniest stand-up comedians will deliver a fantastic show while raising money for Vancouver’s homeless.”

The lineup includes:

The event takes place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #179 (2205 Commercial Drive @ East 6th Ave). There are 225 tickets available all for $15 with $5 from each going to the Union Gospel Mission. Doors are at 7:00pm with the show at 9:00pm. There is a full bar service available and prizes supplied by Splitz Grill.

Tickets are available through Echo Vintage (beside Neptoon Records on Main Street), Golden Age Collectibles, Patrick Maliha, Carter Hortie or by calling (604) 219-2665. You may purchase online through PayPal but a service charge will apply. The following is what I was told about PayPal ticket purchases…

“As a special treat, the first 20 people to purchase their tickets via PayPal will get a FREE former Vancouver Canuck’s Authentic Autographed 8×10!! That’s right, you could get legendary goalie Dany Sabourin or former elite goal scorer Murray “The Beef” Baron! Why not buy two tickets and get TWO Authentically Signed 8×10’s?! Imagine your child’s surprise when they see autographed photo’s of Jeff Cowan and Peter Nedved under the tree?”

You can find out more through Facebook or by contacting Patrick Maliha directly.

This past Saturday I had a book signing event at London Drugs. Earlier this year, I co-authored Blogging to Drive Business along with Eric Butow of California. This was my first book signing event and it was a fantastic experience.

Many people came and went throughout the day including my Blogger Starter Kit contest winner, Karm. As there were plenty of cameras in the crowd, I have already spotted some photos from the event online.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

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A few weeks ago I took a behind the scenes tour of the Sinclair Centre buildings, one of which just celebrated its 100th anniversary.

To share this milestone with all Sinclair Centre is hosting an entire week of festivities including entertainment and snacks for all.

The first 50 people to bring in the Sinclair Centre birthday ad from the Georgia Straight get a free cupcake. House of Q will also host tastings while you can get work done from Tattoos 4 Now.

There will be appearances by magician Matthew Johnson, caricaturist Ted Couling, Mark James Fortin (jazz standards), Steve Walker & Lucie Elliott (country music), Kelly Brock (contemporary) and more.

The entertainment (and cupcakes) can be found in Sinclair Centre’s food court daily 11:00am until 2:00pm today until April 16th, 2010.

You can follow them on Twitter @SinclairCentre for updates throughout the anniversary week.

This morning John and I headed out to Iona Beach in Richmond for a brisk Sunday walk.

I have profiled Iona before thanks to Stewart Marshall who contributed a guest post. The regional park consists of several kilometers of sandy beaches sandwiched by Fraser River outlets. As we set out, the warm sea air rolled across the sand dunes, weaving its way through the vegetation.

Airplanes took off and landed at YVR to the South, where you can walk out along the pipeline. We hung a right along the Northern shoreline and out to a spit along the Fraser River, across from UBC and the Endowment Lands.

There is a curious mix of river industry debris blended with whatever the Georgia Straight tides rolls in. We walked between century-old logs, washed up truck tires, old fishing nets and styrofoam pebbles dancing in the wind.

A bald eagle soared overhead as glistening tidal pools rippled in the breeze. After about 2 hours of walking on the sand we could feel its soft impact in our legs — but the trek was well worth it.

The next time we visit Iona it will hopefully be at dusk so we can witness the sun tucking itself behind the snow-capped peaks on Vancouver Island.