Inner City Kids Week with CLICK

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

This week, May 4 – 8, 2009 is inner city kids week presented by CLICK (Contributing to the Lives of Inner City Kids).

click4kidsCLICK is a dynamic fundraising conduit. When you make a donation, CLICK directs the funds to a wide range of programs that enhance the lives of inner city children… CLICK has directed donations to programs and services that include: meal programs, safe and enriching after school, programs, family literacy, sports for inner city teenagers, music and theatre programs, speech pathology, a golf skills program and more. In its short history, CLICK has already improved the lives of hundreds of Vancouver’s inner city children and teens.

For the next few days they will be hosting fundraisers for their causes, starting with an event at the Vancouver Art Gallery today.

The 5th annual “Pulling for Inner City Kids” tug of war is will kick off the week at 11:00am today where you’ll see the VPD and the CTV media team battle it out in front of the art gallery.

On Friday at 7:30pm, they will host the “Touch a Life” benefit concert with Five Alarm Funk along with top local student acts over at Van Tech Secondary [Google Map].

Tickets for this showcase are $25 and are available at Highlife Records (1317 Commercial Drive), Zulu Records (1972 West 4th Ave) or call us to reserve (604) 713-8273. Tickets will also be available at the door.

You can find out more on their website or follow @Click4Kids on Twitter for updates on events this week and the work they do throughout the year.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses: Circle Farm Tour

Comments 7 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Continuing the Circle Farm Tour series from my adventures last week in the Harrison/Agassiz region, our next stop was The Farm House Natural Cheeses.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses

“The family farm is a great thing,” said owner Debra Boyes when we had our tasting. The farm hosts a retail shop so people can come and buy their cheese directly from Farm House and Debra says meeting the people who enjoy their product is key when it comes to being part of the community (and running a business).

The Farm House offers up hand-made cheeses made from goat and also cow milk and we were informed about procedures, milking, the differences in the cheeses, and were able to get some tasty samples.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses

I have to say that the Farm House Cheddar was definitely my favourite but the Alpine Gold isn’t too far behind in my books and I know John would love their Gouda.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses

We were also told that the Yew restaurant in downtown Vancouver’s Four Seasons Hotel make their macaroni and cheese with the Farm House Cheddar — something I would be very interested in trying now that I’ve seen where it all comes from… and had a taste from the source. Debra also told us that her La Pyramide was also recently served at the White House.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses

One of the best parts about The Farm House was not only to see how passionate and professional the owners are, but to also be able to walk around and see the animals themselves. Debra said her cows and goats are very “stress free” and given the lovely setting and the great facilities I can see why. We had the chance to meet some of the goats and they seemed very friendly.

You can stop by The Farm House [Google Map] to pick up your cheese from their store or for one of two tours: a cheesetasting with the cheesemaker, or for an interactive farm tour plus tasting.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses

Debra is also set to do an event with Books to Cooks next week but I believe it’s already sold out. You can however pick up her book 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes from your nearby book store.

You’ll also notice that when you do the Circle Farm Tour and stop by all of these unique places filled with talented and passionate community members that they’ll reference each other or each others products. The support system for the farms out in this area seems really strong and it just made my experience that much more enjoyable.

Salome and Blogger Night at the Opera

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s opening night of Salome at the Vancouver Opera and I’ll be covering the evening on my site and Twitter along with Raul, Tanya, Tris, and Kimli. This is the final performance of the season and I’ve been lucky enough to attend every production by the Vancouver Opera this year.

salome
Mlada Khudoley (Salome), John Mac Master (Herod), Judith Forst (Herodias)
Photo: Tim Matheson

Updates will begin around 6:00pm and so far I hear Salome will include things like nudity and a beheading and with a tag line of “lust and prophecy in Judea” to boot. I’ve come to realize that with opera, there really isn’t a dull moment.

You can view the opera’s manga at OperaLive to get an idea of the story and read the VO’s blog for a preview of Salome along with cast interviews.

Blogger Night at Salome

Blogger Night at Salome

Update: My mother and I have arrived at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for Salome and have settled in at the blogger table. I also won’t be able to check the Canucks score throughout the evening but I have a feeling that (being two blocks away from GM Place) we’ll be able to hear the jubilation and car horns outside if our team is victorious. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Make it Vancouver This Weekend

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

A new fashion, art and design market is happening in Vancouver this weekend at the Roundhouse in Yaletown. Make It! kicked off last night and will be open today at 10:00am until 5:00pm and again tomorrow from 11:00am until 5:00pm.

makeitlogoMake It is devoted to creating positive opportunities for artists and designers. On the flip side, Make It is a shopping event that gives enlightened shoppers the opportunity to buy unique, ethically made goods from top artisans from all over Canada!

The vibe at the show is funky, hip and modern…very different from you traditional granny craft show! Music is spun by top local DJs and there are always drinks and tasty eats to be enjoyed. Make It is about appreciating creativity, connecting entrepreneurs, and giving conscious shoppers an alternative to the mall. [About]

It’s basically a craft show meets a party-like atmosphere – upbeat, funky, and creative with fashion, accessories, baby items, art and jewelry from over 65 exhibitors. Tickets are $5 at the door and Make it will also feature a silent auction that will support the BC Cancer Foundation.