When tickets for the Vancouver 2010 games went on sale I didn’t even ante up as I was looking forward to covering the games from a community perspective – not necessarily from inside the rink (although okay, that would be amazing). Sharing stories and capturing the excitement from local pubs, restaurants, parks, friend’s homes, and group gatherings while celebrating the mix of culture all descending upon the city would be the ultimate coverage for someone like me.
There was talk of having “live sites” around the City where the general public can gather to watch events on big screens and celebrate the triumph of their nation’s athletes but recently there have been murmurs that funding has been cut and the “live sites” will not be as grand as expected.
In early March, they were still cautiously optimistic…
“We still hope to obtain that [$4.5-million] number but it’s becoming increasingly more difficult,†city Olympic operations general manager Dave Rudberg said in an interview. “We haven’t revised the number down yet but we are faced with the realities of the market.†The province of Manitoba is a confirmed participant in the live site near Georgia and Beatty, while Coca-Cola is committed to the David Lam Park site. Rudberg said the city is negotiating with several others now but no new deals have been completed. [Vancouver Sun]
Although last week, the cuts were approved…
Vancouver is scaling back plans for public parties during the 2010 Games while leaving their budget to wine and dine politicians and corporate executives untouched. City council voted Tuesday to cut $5 million from their $23-million budget for public entertainment sites, citing trouble raising sponsorship money. Economic challenges and competition from other so-called live sites also means the city won’t rule out shutting down the smaller of the two planned sites to stay within the new $18-million budget. [Canadian Press]
The two planned sites were at David Lam Park in Yaletown and the former Bus Depot site on Beatty Street.
Cutting back on the budget for the public, who are in fact paying quite a handsome sum out of their pockets for the games, may not sit well. There are those that couldn’t care less about any kind of hoopla or fanfare during those two weeks next February but if even this past weekend’s Juno Fest is an example, the public love their outdoor events in Vancouver (especially when we can get that sun to shine).
Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs wrote on his site with regards to the cut backs:
“… council approved cuts to the two-site budget March 24 and left the door open for further reductions, including possible elimination of one site, if reduced budget projections fail to pan out. The next day this warning from the IOC: Vancouver is planning more downtown “activation†for the 17 days of the Games than any previous Olympic city, summer or winter. “They’ve made the observation that we may not need as much as is being planned,†VANOC executive vice-president Dave Cobb told reporters. Huge sections of the downtown peninsula are scheduled to be converted to free or limited access party areas, including the two city parks, a large Concord Pacific area between Science World and the Plaza of Nations, long stretches of Robson and Granville, and Robson Square. That’s not to mention the countless national “houses†for visiting teams and other Olympic-related installations. It may not be sustainable.” [Hat tip: Chris from 6S]
Quick show of hands – or mouse clicks, as it were – how important do you believe the “live sites” are to the Games or will be to your personal experience overall?
Our pal John Biehler has great ideas for photowalks, which are meetups where everyone bring a camera and takes photos of what they see along the way. He’s had the brilliant idea of getting away from the downtown core for these events and recently ventured out to Minnekhada Park a few times. After seeing his amazing shots I figured it would be the perfect fit for the next entry in my Park Series.
Metrics: 175 hectares in North East Port Coquitlam
How to Get There: From Vancouver, head out to Port Coquitlam (Lougheed Hwy – East) then turn left on to Coast Meridian Road and follow it north, until Appel Drive. Take Appel Drive, until it turns to Victoria Drive. Follow Victoria Drive to Minnekhada Regional Park.
Features: Picnic facilities, birds and other wildlife, Pitt-Addington Marsh, Widgeon Creek Estuary, Minnekhada Farm, and Minnekhada Lodge. There are a variety of trails that range from 20 – 30 minutes (Lodge Trail) to the High Knoll which is an hour to 90 minutes each way. [Read more on ClubTread]. The peaks of Golden Ears Provincial Park also lend a fantastic view.
History: “The estate [Minnekhada Lodge] has hosted royalty and boasts a royal suite, and Governor-General Lord Tweedsmuir and his sons played polo here. The area around the house commands fine views of the Pitt River and retains a Japanese garden. Minnekhada is now the people’s palace, situated within a regional park that boasts good trails and birdwatching opportunities.†[From VancouverHistory] In 1981, Minnekhada Farms was made a regional park.
Notes: The word is a Sioux Indian name meaning “water rattling byâ€. You can check out more of John’s photos on his Flickr account or on his website. We’re really hoping to get out there and join him for his next photowalk, whether it be at Minnekhada or another equally-stunning location.
From March 27th until April 10th the Union Gospel Mission wants to encourage you to get outside, explore Vancouver, your neighbourhood, and your local parks.
Take a walk (instead of filling up the car with gas) and head to the market (in place of going out for that big fancy dinner) – save some pennies wherever you can throughout the next few weeks and with what you’ll be able to stockpile, the UGM is hoping you’ll consider donating to Orange Day (April 10th) – [in the spirit of Stay in and Help Us]
3,500 people will come to the UGM for an Easter dinner this year, here’s how far some change will get you: $0.32 (the price of an orange), $32.90 (10 full meals from UGM).
…Why all this talk about oranges? Well oranges are fresh, bright, fun, and juicy (the list could go on). But most importantly every one of UGM’s Easter Dinner guests gets an orange at the end of their meal. It is usually received with a smile. It’s a tangible reminder that its never too late for a fresh start. No matter how much time has passed on the streets or in an addiction, UGM’s doors are always open. With your help, fresh starts can be made this Easter.So go outside. Enjoy all your city has to offer and try to not spend any money and see how much you can squeeze for UGM.
A big part of Orange Day is sharing stories about what you’ve been getting up to as you head out about town to have fun and save those pennies, so please feel free to take photos and add them to the Orange Day group on Flickr or follow #orangeday updates on Twitter to check out or create a tweetup or two. My friend Laura used to go on themed photowalks she’d call a “colour safari”, it may be fun to do one with your friends for Orange Day.
Have fun, share, and consider giving what you can to the UGM so that they can continue to help those in need in the Downtown Eastside this season. For ideas, check out my Park Series or feel free to suggest your own favourite/inexpensive destinations around town.
The eTalk Red Carpet program is running from 3:30pm until 4:30pm (Pacific) and I’ll be heading down to GM Place to liveblog the 2009 Juno Awards this afternoon as well. I won’t be backstage in the media room like at last night’s gala dinner since I’ll be up above the set in the press box catching the whole show.
Performances during the CTV broadcast tonight include: Bryan Adams, Great Big Sea (with Hawksley Workman and Eccodek members Andrew McPherson, Les Hartai, and Jason Shute), Kathleen Edwards, City and Colour, Crystal Shawanda, Divine Brown, Nickelback, Sam Roberts, Sarah McLachlan, Serena Ryder, Simple Plan and The Stills.
John will be there as well, helping out in a CHUM radio capacity as The Beat‘s morning crew will be on the red carpet (and I hear that they might be live-tweeting). I’ll start my liveblog when I get settled in around 4:30pm and will have photos and updates galore throughout the night.
Update: There was a bit of confusion at the media gate(s) about certain passes however everyone was pleasant, helpful, and they knew who I was (and read my site) so things were sorted out. Shout out to all the ladies working the media tables – they’re holding up well amidst all the chaos. I’m just waiting to head up to the press box for tonight’s performance and can already see folks heading down the red carpet at GM Place. Note: Abbott between Expo and Pacific is closed and don’t even think about heading to Costco for that flat of mayonnaise tonight because SUV limos are out in droves.
Update: Arieanna and I are setup inside GM Place way up in press row on level 500 looking down on show, which will begin at 5:00pm Pacific.
Update:John‘s down on the red carpet and said as Russell Peters (host of tonight’s show) approached he was flanked by two RCMP officers and said, “don’t taze me, bro!” Also, BC Premier Gordon Campbell tweeted from the red carpet: “Red Carpet for Junos was both fun and a lot of noise. Glad SAM ROBERTS is in music not politics.”
Here’s a quick list of feeds I’ll be following tonight, Junos and Canucks, that is all. Arieanna is right beside me with her camera and she will also be liveblogging this evening, and Derek & Airdrie Miller are out there in the crowd somewhere and have apparently spotted us already with our glowing MacBooks.
Update: Things are almost underway and they’re just prepping the crowd. It’s a 2 hour show with no intermission but there are “commercial breaks” and winners will have 30 seconds for acceptance speeches before the exit music starts. “The fireworks can get pretty hot,” the crowd up front is warned. I think the crowd’s reaction to the announcement for Russell Peters was just louder than the one for Bryan Adams. Looking down on the audience I see so many LCD screens – either for cameras (hence all the flash bulbs bursting) or mobile phones and they’re all on Twitter.
Update: Wow, okay Nickelback’s fireworks explosion at the top of the show almost made me drop my camera. “You look so much cuter with something in your mouth” kicks off the awards show… stay classy, Nickelback.
Russell Peters enters with Bhangra dancers and takes the mic, “I know this is Vancouver but what’s the grow up on stage.” He walks over to chat with Elvis Costello and Diana Krall, followed by Bryan Adams, a fist bump from Michael Buble, then climbs through the crowd to sit next to Divine Brown.
Songwriter of the Year: Dallas Green for Waiting from Sleeping Sickness
The Sam Roberts Band takes the stage – sounding great and not needing fireworks and explosions to add to their performance at all.
Group of the Year: Nickelback. “Let’s smoke some of the stage to celebrate.”
Rap Recording of the Year: Kardinal Offishall for Not 4 Sale, who also took home a Juno for Single of the Year last night for Dangerous.
New Artist of the Year:Lights. A very pretty young lady but so, so tiny.
The Stills are on stage next (wonder if their pants are as tight as last night) playing their single Being Here. They are actually opening up for Kings of Leon on tour – that is one show I would love to see.
Now performing is Crystal Shawanda, looking lovely and quickly followed by Divine Brown and the last of the bunch, Serena Ryder with tons of energy. Three genres, three women, all with lots of talent – this was a fun showcase to watch (though could have been a bit longer).
The Pepsi Juno Fan Choice Award: This one goes to Nickelback although the arena was going bonkers when Feist and Hedley were announced as nominees.
Simple Plan performed and now the crowd is being kept warm during the commercial break ahead of a few more awards. Russell Peters then chats with some Olympic athletes that are in the crowd (representing North Vancouver and Fernie, BC) – they seriously look like rock stars – while Jeremy Witherspoon and Melissa Hollingsworth-Richards introduce Bryan Adams.
Artist of the Year: Sam Roberts – presented by Jim Cuddy and Feist, looking stunning. Sam Roberts got the hook as the “your speech is going on too long” music started to play, but congratulations to him, well-deserved. I’m hearing an air horn in the crowd here at GM Place… really?
Elvis Costello and his wife, Diana Krall are the next presenters for the Album of the Year.
Album of the Year:Dark Horse, Nickelback. I think if Hedley would have won it the crowd would have gone ballistic, and we would have heard that strange air horn again. “I’d like to thank my mom for giving birth to half the band.” They also get the “you’ve used up your 30 seconds for an acceptance speech” music.
The final performance of the night is a huge one from Great Big Sea with Hawksley Workman and and Eccodek members Andrew McPherson, Les Hartai, and Jason Shute. Very energetic way to end the show although I was still missing some Russell Peters comedy throughout the night, seems like we hardly saw him.
I’m off now to find food and hit the Vancouver Fashion Week closing gala party/Junos afterparty with Arieanna. By the way, check out this photo that Derek was able to capture of us blogging from the Junos… way, way up in the rafters.
Update: Went to the Fashion vs Rock party, supported David Suzuki Foundation, saw BNL, K-OS, and met Strombo – good times.
When: 9:00am – 4:00pm today, Sunday March 29, 2009
Where: 11427 Somerset Crescent, North Delta [Google Map]
Info: There are hundreds of items from sports equipment to kid’s toys. Helen writes: “Our local Starbucks has generously donated coffee, cups, merchandise and a great basket of goodies for a raffle. You’ll get to buy all my yummy homemade goodies: Homemade Marshmallow S’mores, Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies. Home-baked Chunky Peanut Butter Treats for your doggies too.”
Another fundraiser happening today is at the Clova Cinemas in Cloverdale [map]. I received an email from a reader, Karin, who will be doing a screening of the new hit movie Monsters vs Aliens at 4:00pm. Tickets are only $5 and will support her campaign for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.
