First came the blogging, then the podcasting, then the embracing by the Canucks organization, then the bus posters, then the live blogs, the jumbotron, then an afternoon on GM Place ice shooting a small promo for the Fan Zone.
Wish we could have shot this after I got my hair cut and coloured but hey, I won’t complain. It was supposed to be shot near a coffee shop and we ended up on the ice.
Tonight I’ll be out at Provident Security covering their home security seminar. I’ve been commissioned to provide a live blog, which will begin at around 7:00pm and if you’re attending there’s a reception ahead of time at around 6:45.
The seminar covers, with lots of pictures, exactly how burglaries occur on Vancouver’s West side. More importantly, we will show you exactly what you can do (both high and low tech) to ensure that you minimize your risk of becoming a victim.
Update: Just a quick hop over the Boulevard into Kerrisdale and I’ve arrived at the Provident Security office for their home security seminar. Mike Jagger, President, is giving a quick overview of the company – explaining that they install, monitor and provide security services. The office is not-so-much your typical “office” space, it’s more of a showroom. For example, the glass is shatter-proof, there are cameras all over (ceiling, concealed etc.) even flood and carbon monoxide detectors.
Mike presents the number 156.55 which is the number of burglaries the VPD would like to get down to each year… just west of Oak Street in Vancouver – this is followed by a pie chart that shows 40% of property crime in Vancouver happens here, in the West side.
Update: We’re now being shown a National Geographic presentation about the vampire squid and its unique and amazing stealth-like capabilities. “You can’t make it physically impossible for someone to break in,” notes Mike, “but what you need to do is change your tactics – you can control perception.” … “It’s all about creating hassle.”
Old school thinking was simple go out and buy an alarm system, however nowadays every single house has a “protected by” sign, which no longer makes this a deterrent. “The bad guys have figured out how alarms work.”
Update: “It’s best to talk about how break-ins actually happen. A good thing about break-ins (especially on the West side) is that they happen in exactly the same way.” Mike goes on to add that a common misconception is that most burglaries happen at night. The reality is Monday to Friday, during the day while you’re out running errands, at work, at soccer practice etc. Another typical “story” by a burglar is showing up at your door and asking vague questions, “casing the neighbourhood.” Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
I’ve known Rachael for months through the blogosphere but it wasn’t until yesterday that we were able to meetup and chat about her life as a career performer and musician.
“I don’t see myself as a recording artist, I see myself as a local mom working in the industry and working around town,” she made sure to note. She was the focus of my E!Online article this week due to her participation in the I’m Too Young for This compilation album.
I’m Too Young for This, voted one of Time Magazine’s Top 50 website of 2007 creates a very down to earth community for survivors, family and friends; “Our mission is to help young adults affected by cancer to get busy living.”
As career performer and musician Rachael Chatoor has played on large tours, as well as in small, medium and private venues across the globe and was on stage this year at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival with Kelly Brock, who was BC Country Music Award -nominated for female vocalist of the year 2008. Taking time to give what she can to great causes is a task Chatoor is always willing to take on as she recently played at a fundraiser for the Babz Chula Society, which was created to assist Canadian television and film icon Babz Chula with her ongoing battle with cancer.
I’m Too Young for This founder Matthew Zachary, recipient of the 2007 Hollywood FAME Award for Humanitarianism, talked about the first album they produced: “Instead of simply slapping a pink ribbon on an existing compilation of songs by random pop artists, this project has deeper meaning and purpose as a practical educational tool that not only raises awareness for our mission but fulfills it simultaneously.” [via CD Baby]
They took to Chatoor and have supported her contribution to the upcoming album—Zachary even being the producer of her single “Standing All the Way”, which will appear on Volume 2 of the I’m Too Young for This compilation in 2009. The Vancouver Film School will also be creating a video for the single this spring. [E!Online]
It was Mick Della Vee that helped her put together a recorded version of this single for the compilation.
Rachael is happy performing around town (and has a great gig at the River Rock Casino Resort that I’m thinking we should all check out sometime) although her big time goal is to head out on more tours, using her amazing vocals.
Upcoming shows include, January 30, 31 at Southpoint Station in White Rock, St James’ Well in Port Moody February 6 and 7, and at the River Rock February 15 and 19.
You can check out her website, blog, or follow her on Twitter (even though she’s already started resenting me for getting her on there and flooding her with followers).
While barista sounds echoed and suspended canvases along with looping video screens filled the room at Raw Canvas this morning, I sat with actress Christina Gooding to discuss her art-filled charity event, Seeing Eye to Eye.
Seeing Eye to Eye is a charity event for Operation Eyesight on January 14 @ 7:00pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown. Music, art and theatre collide for one night.
Gooding was raised in the Vancouver-area although has spent recent years going to school in New York, where she fell in love with the arts community within the bubbling metropolis. She has performed off-Broadway, on television and is now taking to the silver screen.
While returning to Vancouver for a brief period of time she realized that her contribution to our local scene could be to add some globally-infused excitement, while celebrating the local arts community. She then began planning an event that would bring awareness and attention to a formidable cause, while highlighting and showcasing many talented individuals and cultural genres our region has to offer.
Seeing Eye to Eye will feature performances as well as an art showcase. Musical acts include, Adam Woodall Band, Friends with Liam and Fully Loaded, Squamish singer/songwriter Tessa Amy and The Racoons. The open gallery will highlight work from local artists such as Lindsay Mclennan, Eleanor Rosenberg, Simon Haiduk, Amy Alto and more. The first performance of the evening will be a 10-minute play, Katie and Frank featuring Christina Gooding.
Seeying Eye to Eye takes place tomorrow, January 14th at the Roundhouse with doors at 7:00pm and the play will kick things off at 7:45pm. Tickets are $37 for adults and $22 for 26 years/under and are available on this site or by phone (604) 803-0555.
100% of the ticket sales will go to Operation Eyesight, which is “a Canadian non-profit organization, working since 1963 in places like South Asia and Africa to support local eye doctors, educators and community leaders in their efforts to fight blindness.”
The radio situation in Vancouver has been slightly lacking over the years, especially when you compare it to other major markets across North America that have more than one station of each genre on their dials.
An example of this is the rock station in town, which although is ever-changing its approach to rock and roll, has unfortunately settled on a mostly Nickelback and AC/DC format. Mind you this is better than listening to Britney Spears 10 times a day, but I digress. This leaves fans of sweet alternative tunes like myself in search of alternate music source thus moving me away from the traditional dial and toward podcasts, internet radio, or some of our pretty great college stations like Evolution 107.9, CiTR or CJSF.
However, just a few weeks ago 100.5 was unleashed and The Peak FM was born.
The Peak will be an ADULT ALTERNATIVE music intensive radio station that will be putting a huge emphasis on new and emerging artists with a secondary focus on alternative music from the 80’s & 90’s. It’s the only place you’ll hear the hottest rock, acoustic, folk, world beats and much more, all on one station – setting a new standard for great music in Vancouver.
DJ’s will be mature, articulate and professional – never wasting your time with useless banter and chatter – information and news will cover everything from local arts and environmental issues to gastronomical interests and the local music scene. [Puget Sound Radio]
The Peak is also a member of the Pattison Broadcast Group and our pal Raj from Urban Mixer was there in November for the launch party. Since then they have impressed listeners with interesting content offerings such as the EcoZone and spending time at the UGM.
Here’s hoping they can keep doing what they’re doing and grow from here because entertaining my ears with the likes of The Weakerthans, Death Cab for Cutie, Metric, Spoon, and Ben Folds all in one sitting is something I can truly live with.
