Unfortunately, John and I were unable to use my passes last night so I asked someone to go in our place and write a recap post for my site. As a result Richard Loat (Canucks blogger, fellow Fan Zone blogger, and avid users of Twitter) attended the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards and has graciously written the following about the evening:
In one of the longest recurring awards ceremonies in British Columbia, the 43rd edition of the Annual Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards ceremony did not disappoint. On a night that saw British Columbians showcased for their sporting achievements there was representation from over 18 sports and on a night filled with as many star studded award presenters as there were award nominees the lineup did not disappoint. Amongst some of the presenters were some top brass including Head Coach of the BC Lions Wally Buono, as well as the NHL Players Association Executive Director Paul Kelly. The event sponsored by and hosted by CTV saw everything from an outstanding musical performance to start the evening, hip hop dancers mid event, the sometimes hilarious comments of the MC du jour and a fantastic closing performance by none other than Colin James, renowned rhythm and blues guitarist and singer.
The largest sport present amongst the nominees was by far swimming having Swimmer Savannah King up for Junior Female Athlete of the Year, Ryan Cochrane (Olympic Bronze Medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics) up for Male Athlete of the Year, Randy Bennett (Cochrane’s coach) up for coach of the Year, and Donovan Tildsley up for Athlete with a Disability of the Year.
Richard Loat & the men’s rowing team
Surprisingly not a single swimmer made it up there this year to take home an Athlete of the Year award as the night belonged to Canada’s Olympic medal winning rowing team. The men’s rowing team took home the Team of the Year Award and saw their coach take top spot away from Island Swimming’s Randy Bennett in the Coach of the Year award. Overnight Olympic hero Ryan Cochrane lost Male Athlete of the Year honors to Victoria’s own Simon Whitfield, Tildsley lost Athlete with a Disability honors to Nanoose Bay’s Wheelchair Track star Michelle Stilwell and King lost Junior Female Athlete of the Year honors to Tennis star Rebecca Marino. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
It was nine years ago today that Alexis was born and I became an auntie for the first time. Over the years I’ve been blessed several times over with the joys of having the most caring and thoughtful niece and nephews anyone could dream of calling their own.
Things have changed a lot in nine years, in both our lives. I remember one of the first times I went to my sister’s house after Lexi was born and it took us about 45 minutes to prepare the stroller and diaper bag… for our trip to the corner store about 200 feet away. Since that time I think I’ve seen my sister get socks, shoes, school bags, and five kids out the door in 35 seconds flat, no lie.
Alexis is such a special girl who can make you laugh and smile while always impressing you with her sense of humour and ability to learn. Before she turned 3 she could tell us all that “Paul Martin in Ottawa” was the Prime Minister of Canada and she spoke two languages before even starting pre-school. I’m constantly amazed at how smart she is, how wicked good she is at skiing, and at how quick her wit is to boot. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Thanks to the people at FilmsWeLike I was able to screen Examined Life, a documentary film by Astra Taylor that walks and talks with philosophers in various cities. Discussions range from meaning in life to Truth (with a capital “T”), romanticism, ecology, gender, capabilities, and ideology.
“Examined Life pulls philosophy out of academic journals and classrooms, and puts it back on the streets.” [NFB]
The wide cast of philosophers range from Michael Hardt talking about ‘revolution’ while rowing a boat in Central Park, to Cornel West quoting Donne and Yeats in the back of a moving car, while Peter Singer discusses ethics on 5th Avenue in New York.
Slavoj Zizek walks through a waste treatment plant in New York while explaining ecology as ideology, and Kwame Anthony Appiah discusses what it is to be truly cosmopolitan. We hear from Avital Ronell, Martha Nussbaum, and in San Francisco – Judith Butler and Sunaura Taylor as well.
In the Director’s Q&A, Taylor notes: “Many would feel that the world is facing a multitude of unprecedented problems, from global arming to growing economic inequality. In a way, this is part of why I wanted to make Examined Life right now — I feel that the myriad of problems facing us demand more thinking than ever, not less.
That said, most people wouldn’t assume philosophy would have anything useful to say on these issues. Often when you mention “philosophy” people’s eyes kind of glaze over. The world conjures images of stodgy old white men pontificating on abstract matters completely irrelevant to those of us who in the “real world”. Or maybe folks assume that philosophy doesn’t relate to their lives, or that people who are interest in the subject or unforgivably ponderous or pretentious.”
The film is certainly thought-provoking and with so many faces and angles presented in each discussion, your eyes certainly won’t glaze over — especially when the passionate Cornel West talks about music, “I’m a blues man… …the blues is personal catastrophe lyrically expressed.”
Examined Life has been playing since Friday at Pacific Cinematheque downtown and tonight is the last showing before it heads to Victoria for screenings beginning April 1st at Cinecenta. Tickets are $9.50 (cash only) and the show starts at 7:30pm. You can also follow Pacific Cinematheque on Twitter for other show updates.
I’m all for events that are a) for the public b) free so I thought I would quickly highlight this Big Rock Brewing meet and greet session that will take place at the BC Liquor Store at 39th & Cambie (5555 Cambie Street).
From 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday March 26th Ryan McMahon will be there to sign autographs along with Exit this Side, Portal, and Souls in Rhythm. These artists are also featured on Big Rock Brewing’s “Untapped Vol. 2” album.
Big Rock’s three signature brews, Grasshöpper, Traditional Ale and Rock Creek Cider, will be available for sampling along with food pairings throughout the event.
Ryan McMahon will also be playing two shows as a part of Juno Fest this weekend: Thursday March 26th at the Arts Club Backstage Lounge and Saturday March 28th at Doolins (with Matthew Barber & Lindsay Ell).
This Thursday, March 26th, The Trews will make an appearance at Terry Fox Secondary as the school is awarded a 2009 Band Aid grant from MusiCounts.
MusiCounts‘ mission is to ensure that children in Canada have access to a comprehensive music program through their school. MusiCounts includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education initiatives.
MusiCounts began in 1989 in order to provide annual scholarships to exceptional graduates enrolled in post-secondary music industry arts programs across Canada. In 1997, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Science (CARAS) created the Band Aid program, which awards a grant to secondary schools each year.
For 2008-2009 honorees in our province include Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River, KB Woodward in Surrey, Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary in Vancouver, and Terry Fox Secondary in Port Coquitlam.
Shout out to KB Woodward — my best friend growing up went there and we used to rollerblade in its courtyard on sunny Saturday afternoons.
Chosen schools receive $10,000 in musical instrument grants so that they can grow and sustain their music programs.
The Trews, who are nominated for Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year, will speak at Terry Fox Secondary this Thursday morning about their personal experiences with music programs and will follow up with a private performance for the school’s 1,700 students. The school’s jazz and rock bands will also perform.
