National Digital Media Day 2009 Dance Party Flash Mob

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Last year’s National Digital Media Day saw me travel across the Lower Mainland, blogging along the way to spread the digital media vibe. This year, I’m slightly less involved in NDMD however I am pleased to announce a dance party flash mob that will be taking place.

  • What: Show up and dance like crazy
  • When: Friday September 25, 2009 @ 6:00pm
  • Where: Powell and Carrall
  • For a lesson in dance party flash mobs, YouTube has plenty of resources (from “Random MC Hammer Can’t Touch This” to “The Chicago Dance Flash Mob“). Here in Vancouver our flash mobs usually involve waterfights, pillow fights or zombie walks.


    Photo credit: donnaidh_sidhe on Flickr

    To fuel up for the public dancing, there is also Appy Hour at The Diamond on Powell Street from 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Appy Hour is a new form of meetup event in Vancouver, “that combines mobile applications and a whole lotta networking.” Presenters on Friday will include Michael Ferguson (CEO of Ayogo), and Jonathan Carrigan (Product Development Manager, CBC).

    Campaign to Save Bear Creek

    Comments 9 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    A proposed road development to expand 84th Avenue in Surrey right through the Southern tip of Bear Creek Park has residents up in arms.

    Bear Creek Park

    Bear Creek Park in Surrey is a pillar of the community featuring a playground and pool, 5 acres of gardens, a track, forest trails, meadows, and the Surrey Arts Centre. Bear Creek itself flows right through the park and across much of the City of Surrey. A proposed development to expand 84th straight through the park (instead of stopping at King George Highway) is meeting some strong opposition.

    The two-hectare park hosts Bear Creek and with this proposal, the nearby King Creek will also be affected. Both spawning channels for Sockeye Salmon and some even call Bear Creek Surrey’s own “Stanley Park” [Surrey Leader]


    Photo credit: nikon3100 on Flickr

    “Coun. Linda Hepner said she tentatively supports the idea because it does not make sense to have such a large area in the middle of the city without a road through it.” [CBC] This plan has been “on the books” for the last 20 years and this is the fourth time council has considered the extension of the road. [Surrey Leader]

    There is an online petition that currently has 2545 signatures and local papers have been receiving Letters to the Editor for months about the issue. Council will be taking their final vote October 5th.
    [poll id=”37″]

    Raise a Reader 2009

    Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    This is my fourth annual Raise-a-Reader day and it’s something I look forward to each year. The streets of downtown become populated with members of the Canucks organization (past and present) and in exchange for a donation to the Raise-a-Reader program, you get a copy of the Vancouver Sun and the opportunity to meet said Canucks.


    Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

    Raise-a-Reader is a national initiative to promote and support childhood literacy. In the Lower Mainland we have the Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader Program. Upcoming events include a Read-a-Thon which children can sign up for through their elementary school, as well as Word on the Street, taking place this Sunday.

    Related posts: Raise-a-Reader 2008, 2007, 2006.

    Vancouver History: Since Yesterday

    Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    This evening I was milling about the internet doing some research and I ended up on YouTube. Somewhere between the polka version of Katy Perry’s Hot & Cold and Artem Anisimov’s sweet goal I came across the channel of the City of Vancouver Archives. The Archives have been my resource for the Before & After photo series so I thought I would take a look around. What I came across was their own film called Since Yesterday from 1962 which is broken into 4 parts for online viewing.


    View Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

    “From 1962, this film documents the history of various modes of transportation (boat, horse and carriage, plane, streetcar, train) in Vancouver from 1887 to 1962. Subtitled “75 years of transportation: a 75th anniversary project of the Transportation and Customs Bureau of the Vancouver Board of Trade”. Produced by Art Jones. Entire film runs 32.5 mins.”

    You can check out more on their YouTube channel which also has two “City Lights” features. I’m sure Mister and Misses Vancouver would appreciate this footage today, I for one I absolutely love it.

    Toni and Guy Pay What You Want

    Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

    This Sunday Vancouver’s location of the world-famous Toni & Guy Salon will be hosting a “Pay What You Want” event with proceeds going to the David Suzuki Foundation. Participants will be able to select their choice of haircut from the new Toni & Guy Puritan Collection (images below) and they pay whatever price they like.

    As this is sure to be a busy day at the salon so show up early to book your place; appointments will only be made on the day of the event. It’s a great time to get a new look for fall and also support the efforts of the David Suzuki Foundation. Find out more on the Toni & Guy blog or you can follow them on Twitter @ToniGuy.