Update March 11th, 2009: A “generous benefactor with a business angle” has stepped up to cover/sponsor the event and the Celebration of Light is officially back on. [news1130]
Additional: It has been announced that The Keg is the new sponsor. [straight.com]
Our city has battled with these events each year, from noise pollution to crowd control, and now the future of the world’s largest offshore fireworks competition, the Celebration of Light, is pretty dark. In a press release this morning it was announced that due to a lack of sponsorship dollars the festival would not be happening again.
I’ve lived in Surrey, Kitsilano, and the West End so I’ve been able to experience Vancouver’s annual Celebration of Light summertime fireworks nights from several angles and perspectives. As a West End resident, I came to accept the fact that hundreds of thousands of people would come streaming past my building 4-5 nights a year (even during a garbage strike). When I lived in Surrey it was a treat when the family would pile into the car and head out to the beach at Jericho for an evening picnic and fireworks display off the shore.
Every city and resident has their opinion of the fireworks so for many this announcement is a blessing — for others it’s just another way our city is returning to its “no fun” roots.
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Update: In 2001, 6S Marketing ran a “Save the Symphony of Fire” campaign as you may recall it used to be the “Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire” but having a tobacco company being a title sponsor was no longer allowed.
Update February 9th, 2009: There is now an official campaign to save the fireworks. You can donate online to support this event or join the Facebook Group for more information.
A few weeks ago I hopped on board the Twestival organization team and decided to figure out Vancouver’s event. Twestival is a high profile event for Charity:Water that will be taking place in over 180 cities o February 12, 2009. Our plan is to get together after work for food, drinks, mingling, raffle prizes, fundraising, and of course, tweeting and linking up with other cities.
We announced this morning that the venue will be the Opus in Yaletown. They have set aside a space for Twestival and can accommodate all of the above. They are also going to be giving 6% of all drink sales that night to Charity:Water.
Big thanks go to the Opus for partnering with us on this as well as our top tier sponsor 6S Marketing. If you would like to get involved by being a volunteer (like the great crew that’s helped so far) or sponsor, please feel free to contact me.
Months ago 1116 Denman street was decked out in pink and fluffy designs with dozens of decadent cupcakes on display, however once the small bakery moved out, Qoola moved in and not only gave the space a facelift, it started to change the way people approach snacks and dessert.
I admit that the only frozen yogurt I had really tried was of the mid-mall eatery variety but with Qoola’s motto of “no poweder, always fresh” you really can taste the difference.
Fresh fruit is prepared while the yogurt, which comes in green tea, chocolate, raspberry or original, cools all day.
The ordering style of Qoola is pretty simple; pick your yogurt then pick your topping. However, with smoothies, bowls, waffles and crepes on the menu there is much more to Qoola than soft serve.
Qoola also offers free WIFI to its customers, hot beverages from $2 and they’re open late. Their website isn’t fully launched but they are currently very active on Twitter (thanks to Raul for the referral too).
Another impressive feature of Qoola is its effort to be as sustainable as possible and while founder Warrick Chu admits they are not yet “100% Green”, they sure have a headstart. All of the utensils are biodegradable, along with the take out containers and smoothie (plastic-looking) drink cups, and their trash sorting station is filled with instructions on what is plant-based and what can be recycled.
On a strip of road where shops offer up cookies, fudge and cakes, it’s nice to have a healthier alternative that can be just as delicious, good for you, and good for the environment.
If you’d like to check out Qoola Yogurt and Fruit, at any time of day, please tell them “Miss604 sent me” and you’ll receive a special treat.
Promo code can be used once per visit as a blueberry topping on frozen yogurt, waffles and crepes only.
Growing up in the Vancouver area I think everyone becomes a bit of an umbrella connoisseur in their own right. I know that tiny pocket umbrellas are great for those days you’re not sure it will rain since you can just tuck them away in your purse and not have to think about it if the sun shines above. However when they are soaking wet after use, they aren’t so purse-friendly. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Michael will be sitting in for long-time Canucks colour commentator Tom Larscheid, who will be in Logan, Utah this weekend to be inducted into the Utah State University Hall of Fame. [Team1040]
Buble will be on the radio broadcast with John Shorthouse this Saturday at 7:00pm PT when the Canucks take on the Blackhawks.
Recent guest-commentators have included Brent Butt (of CTV’s Corner Gas) and Brendan Morrison (formerly of Vancouver’s famed West Coast Express line circa 2001-2005).
