When the Director of Corporate Communications for the NHL starts sending updates about an NHL Tweetup you know it’s legit. But regardless of its official status, a tweetup is basically a get together for those who use Twitter. In many cases it’s because they share a passion for a similar topic and tonight, it was all about hockey. It just so happens the first-ever Vancouver NHL Tweetup event at the Shark Club coincided with the first Canucks playoff game of 2009 so many gathered to watch the game with friends, contacts, and new Twitter faces.
This afternoon I posted an update to Twitter about the Canucks and moments later I was contacted by ShowTime Tickets (an independent ticket broker). I was offered tickets for tonight’s game (straight up, in exchange for nothing). I gladly accepted even though I was accused on Twitter of supporting “scalpers” — by a season ticket holder who routinely sells their tickets off to the highest bidder online — but I digress. As a result, I pulled Duane out of Chilliwack (since John was working) and headed to the first game of the series versus the St Louis Blues.
The crowd was charged in GM Place and towel power was out in full force. The Go Canucks Go chants seemed never-ending and despite several poor calls (and even though a wave couldn’t get started inside GM Place), our team came out on top, beating the Blues 2-1.
There are several people who made tonight very special including Molson who I hear sponsored a round at the NHL Tweetup, and ShowTime Tickets for getting me in to the game. I would also like to send a shoutout to all those who attended the tweetup such as Richard, Keith, Brian, Dave, Sam, and even Hez who made a fabulous appearance. I hear at least 20-30 people joined the group throughout the night.
On my way home tonight cars were still honking their horns and fans in blue jerseys were still on the streets chanting and cheering in victory. You would think we had just won game seven of a hard-fought series but I think this town is just proving once again that its heart is full of hockey.
The second game of the series is this Friday night at GM Place, the puck drops at 7:00pm.
Update: Sam Chan has his NHL Tweetup post up now and it includes this super fun video that he made throughout the night.
Update: Two of my photos are on the cover of the 24 Hours newspaper today:
It’s fun to be a part of the Canucks Fan Zone live blog when we’re at GM Place but it doesn’t matter where we’re located, really as the fan community is always thriving online, from across the globe. You can always tell when there’s a game as the term “Canucks” becomes a top ten trending topic on Twitter — a service used by millions worldwide yet the Canucks nation can still make an impact.
Mason Horvath is, “a company that was created around people that want extra care and attention in their travel,” said Dean Horvath, COO when we met at the Shangri-La downtown. “More of our focus is on unique once-in-a-lifetime luxury travel experiences that you can’t just find walking into your average travel agency.”
They’re on the lookout for a new Elite Travel Correspondent and they’re hosting an online search for someone who will travel to the most exotic, exclusive and opulent travel destination around the globe.
Possible getaways include enjoying a private candlelight dinner on the Great Wall of China, racing Ferraris through the twisting back roads of Tuscany, and spending the afternoon picnicking in the middle of the Moroccan dessert — hence the Next Best Job in the World title.
Horvath noted that most people are usually very excited to hear about what they can do for their clients and they just wanted to find a better way to share what they do with the rest of the world.
The Elite Travel Correspondent will have a salary of $50,000 US and throughout their six-month adventure (August 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010) and will be required to provide online content such as blog posts, Twitter updates, and videos about their experiences. They will be able to record and report the fascinating things about the striking destinations.
However perhaps that largest part of the adventure is scoring the job itself. “Based on the submissions we’re going to narrow it down to five people and then we’re going to take those five people to a five-star resort and do a sort of playoff, ‘Survivor meets Apprentice style’ on the luxury experience at that resort,” said Horvath.
The final contestants will battle it out during a series of online episodes where each day someone will be eliminated until Mason Horvath has their winner.
“Basically we want somebody that is entertaining and engaging,” said Horvath. “The experiences themselves will be interesting, but we need to have somebody that’s watchable that’s likeable that’s funny, charismatic, that’s going to carry the tempo of it as well.” They will also definitely need someone who will be able to travel for six months straight.
The ultimate itinerary will be determined based on its compatibility with the winner and then the online reporting begins. The deadline for submissions to be considered for the job is May 27, 2009 and the “final five” will be whisked away to their playoff destination in June.
Local ethnic radio station, Red FM 93.1 will be broadcasting play-by-play of the Canucks playoff home games in Punjabi to their radio and internet audiences.
“TEAM 1040 is proud to help build and support this unique radio partnership with ReD FM,†said Robert Gray, Program Manager, TEAM 1040. “For the Punjabi community to now be able to enjoy all of the excitement of Canucks home playoff games in their own language speaks to how sports can bond cultures together.†[source: news release]
Starting with tonight’s game, Red FM will broadcast in Punjabi live from GM Place with a pregame show at 6:45pm as well as post-game analysis. Listeners will be welcome to call in with questions and comments. Red FM is based in Surrey, hometown of Canucks 2008 draft pick, Prab Rai. With such a great indo-Canadian community in Vancouver and the entire region, I think it’s fantastic that Canucks fans will be able to get this additional coverage. The CBC also did a few television broadcasts in Punjabi earlier this season.
Speaking of the CBC, and also starting with tonight’s game, the big 25-foot outdoor LED screen at Canada Place will be showing the CBC television broadcast of both home and away Canucks games.
This year’s Earth Day celebrations in Metro Vancouver aren’t just taking place April 22nd, but they’re spanning across a week and two full weekends. Here’s a quick rundown of events around the region.
Evergreen’s Earth Day
Kicking things off the weekend before Earth Day, Evergreen’s Earth Day will see the planting of 4,000 native trees and plants at Jericho Beach Park and the public are encouraged to come out and take part. Throughout the day on April 18th they will also have a First Nations drum group, strorytelling, a blessing ceremony, and dancers.
Earth Day at Metropolis at Metrotown
This takes place Saturday, April 18th from 11:00am until 3:00pm and will be located in the Grand Court of Metropolis at Metrotown shopping centre. It will be an interactive clothing recycling event as they hope to show you how to “reinvent last season’s jeans into a fab new backpack, transform old light bulbs into useful vases, and turn those old T-shirts into funky bags.”
Surrey’s Earth Day Celebration
The City of Surrey will also host Earth Day activities on Saturday April 18th over in Bear Creek Park from 11:00am until 3:00pm. This free event will include live music, story times, face painting, costume parades, and environmental displays. Queen Elizabeth High School will also have an Earth Day Fair on April 22nd.
Delta Earth Week Delta is hosting an entire week of events from April 19 until April 24. They have photo contests, a fish release event, Earth Day at the Municipal Hall, and a Litterless Lunch challenge.
Earth Day in West Vancouver Whole Foods at Park Royal is hosting an outdoor Earth Day celebration April 18th from noon until 4:00pm.
Earth Day at Everett Crowley Park
This will be the 9th annual Earth Day at the park and will take place April 25th from 10:30am until 4:00pm. They’ll have music, food, face painting, games for kids, displays, special guests and free souvenirs. They will also be planting 1,000 native trees and saw 5,000 people take part last year. More information about this event is available at EarthDayVancouver.org. I profiled Everett Crowley Park in my Metro Vancouver Park Series and it’s neat to see how the old landfill has shaped up.
Earth Day Rally
Join the Green Party of BC on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Earth Day from noon until 1:00pm. Speakers include Elizabeth May, Jane Sterk, Green Party of BC Leader, Emily Jubenvill, “Greenest Canadian†contest winner and Sacha Husband, “Invent the Future†contest winner. Find out more on the Facebook event listing.
Earth Day Tofino
A special treat for those on the Island or who would like to get away. I received a bulletin stating that “Every day is Earth Day at the Wickaninnish Inn” although they’ll also take part in Tofino’s Earth Day celebrations that will run from April 22nd until the 26th.
Wildlife Rescue Association’s Earth Fest
The WRA will host an event at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavillion on April 26th from 10:00am to 3:00pm. They will have community exhibits, wildlife releases, you can build nest boxes, and take part in other family-friendly activities.
I also received information from the Earth Day organizers including their “Top 10 Actions“, widgets for bloggers and the Earth Day 2009 video. More events across the province and country can be found listed on the Earth Day Canada site.
Update Here’s another event happening at the Vancouver Art Gallery – thanks to Paul for his comment. It will be a “Meat Free” celebration on April 22nd from noon until 2:00pm as Liberation BC, Earthsave, and the Vancouver Humane Society spread the word about the impacts of meat consumption. They will also be handing out free vegan food.
To celebrate the re-opening of the street that felt the pains of the “cut and cover” construction there will be a street party April 25th and everyone is invited to participate in this free event.
Where Outside of Best Buy (at 6th and Cambie) and up to Broadway
More infoRock 101 will be there and you can learn more on the Best Buy website.
Rumour has it Fin from the Vancouver Canucks will stop by, 54-40 will sign autographs, there will be video game tents and fun activities for the entire family. Save-on-Foods will supply the hotdogs and businesses from Canadian Tire to Original Joes will have swag, product demos, and live music.
Local ethnic radio station, 
