I bet you thought I was going to do “Yaletown” eh? Well due to my trusty Vancouver History source I was able to do a quick search of the Hall of Fame and come up with Yasutaro Yamaga.

Born in Japan, Yasutaro Yamaga came to British Columbia in 1908. After working as a labourer, he purchased ten acres of land near Haney, B.C. Yamaga led the Japanese Farmer’s Union in the Fraser Valley. After World War II, he moved to Ontario, where at Beamsville he established the first home for Japanese Canadian senior citizens (Nipponia Home) in Canada. [BC Archives]

The Nipponia Home was the first extended care facility and seniors’ home for Japanese Canadians. Yasutaro Yamaga was particularly concerned about the issei with no relatives or families to care for them in their old age. Using his personal savings he provided a haven for the elderly Japanese Canadians by establishing Nipponia Home in 1958 where they would be able to use Japanese language and enjoy Japanese food. [NAJC]

This is an excellent way to remember that Canada has always been multicultural and much of it was built and established with the help of people of all ethnic backgrounds who came together as Canadians.

Yamaga Yasutaro was born on the 30th day of the 3rd month of the 19th year of Meiji (1886) in Toyohama, Toyoda County, Hiroshima Prefecture. He came to Canada on the mail steamer Aki Maru in 1908 with “a dream of becoming the owner of 5000 acres of golden field of the Canadian Prairies.”

You can read more about Yasaturo in this PDF from the University of British Columbia. Written in 1977 this paper is a really interesting read.

When I was a teenager we got a notice through our mail slot stating that the X-Files would soon be filming at Kwantlen Park. My friends and I set out for the south end of the parking lot on the day of the shoot and waited for 3 hours while David Duchovny repeatedly drove around the parking lot, got out of the car, and walked into the woods.

Afterwards we were able to meet him, get his autograph, and we all waited eagerly for our episode to air. Our scene hit the small screen one night during the opening sequence, before the theme song started. It was then I realized how much time and effort it takes to produce even the smallest 45 second clip for some productions.

In Vancouver/X-Files news: “Series creator Chris Carter was recognized Thursday night in Vancouver by the B.C. government for his contribution to the province’s television and film industry. A few dozen fans and a throng of media gathered around a short red carpet to welcome Carter and executive producer Frank Spotnitz before a private screening of the new film.” [CBC]

Last Friday the Vancouver-filmed X-Files: I Want to Believe hit theatres with the triumphant return of agents Mulder and Scully attempting to knock The Dark Knight off its box office pedestal.

I suppose we won’t know how well the film did until Monday morning but I do think it’s on our short list of films to catch as we’ve been on a bit of a theatre kick lately.

The following has been contributed by John Bollwitt

Don’t roll your eyes about this post just yet because there is more to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC than just their current status as a member of the United Soccer League (USL).

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Vancouver Whitecaps is a Canadian professional soccer team, founded in 1986. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

They currently play at the Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia, 7 miles east of downtown Vancouver. The team is currently coached by Teitur Þórðarson. The team’s colors are blue and white.

The team was originally known as the Vancouver 86ers of both the A-League and, prior to that, the Canadian Soccer League (CSL). In addition to its men’s side the Whitecaps also field a women’s team, Vancouver Whitecaps Women, in the USL W-League, and two developmental teams: Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, in the USL Premier Development League, and the Whitecaps FC Prospects, in the Pacific Coast Soccer League. [wikipedia]

It seems to come up in conversation here and there that we need to actually attend a Whitecaps game, but there are those occasional TV broadcasts that we tune into from time to time. Honestly, I’m more of a “futbol” fan that I ever thought I would be, especially for being the American that I am.

In 1994, the World Cup came to the U.S, and I was instantly enthralled with what was going on. Most of the nation was paying attention like the good marketing from one of the big soda pop sponsors told us to be, but many seemed to think that was a nice month of soccer and then looked forward to the World Series and then the start of the NFL regular season.

Taking numerous trips to my grandparents’ house in Kansas City, there was always ads on Univision for these “futbol” games (“Esta Sabado!”), and occasionally my grandfather would watch these matches while taking a bit of a snoozer in his chair. Mexican play-by-play announcers are insane, and even though I could not understand everything they said, I was usually enthralled. This is where I attribute my current interest in the sport of soccer in general, appreciating a good match but not understanding everyone and everything there is to know of every league that exists across the globe.

Banking on that interest of the 1994 World Cup, the MLS was formed in 1993 with the FIFA World Cup in mind that following year, and the inaugural season started in 1996 with ten teams. Today, there are 14 teams that make up the league, and the MLS plans to expand to 18 by the year 2011.

As of last Friday morning, the Vancouver Whitecaps announced that they would be making a hefty bid to get into the MLS for that 2011 season, and they have some weight, by the name of Steve Nash, to throw behind it.

NBA superstar Steve Nash announced Friday that he has invested in the Vancouver Whitecaps as part of the team’s bid to bring Major League Soccer to the city.

The Whitecaps currently play in the United Soccer League First Division, one level below MLS, but are looking to become one of two expansion teams that will begin play in MLS in 2011.

Nash said he would not be a majority owner, but will put a significant amount of money toward the project. Nash will join current Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot.

“I am really excited to be a part of the Whitecaps organization and play a role in our application to join Major League Soccer,” said Nash. “This new partnership is a great fit for me. My passion for soccer and commitment to the community is well aligned with the Whitecaps vision.” [cbc]

The Whitecaps have already had some amazing matches with various MLS teams such as the L.A. Galaxy and Toronto F.C., none of which have resulted in a loss, and next year will see the addition of a new team with a natural, cross border rival of the Seattle Sounders FC getting their inaugural year into the MLS.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

The timing seems ripe to have Vancouver Whitecaps join the MLS, and with natural rivals of Toronto and Seattle, combined with the international flavor of a city that would love nothing more than seeing great soccer action on the pitch, a MLS franchise in Vancouver seems like a great fit.

Of course, the question remains about where the Whitecaps will play in future. Even though renovations are in motion for BC Place and eventual incorporation of Whitecaps games in the post, 2010 Winter Olympics venue, the case for a new, waterfront stadium is still on the table, even if it’s dangling on the edge.

The thought of the MLS coming to Vancouver is highly entertaining. How cool would it be to see Chivas vs. the Whitecaps? Or the Chicago Fire or the Kansas City Wizards? I like that idea a lot.

In all my years of living in Metro Vancouver I have never made it to some of the city’s most advertised attractions. Grouse Mountain is probably the largest, followed by the Capilano Suspension Bridge, then the VanDusen Gardens.

Photo credit: SqueakyMarmot on Flickr

Whitford Julian VanDusen was a lumber magnate who ended up on the board of MacMillan Bloedel until 1969. Being a philanthropist involved in things like the Vancouver Foundation, Van Dusen donated the purchase amount for the Shaughnessy Golf Course, now the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. [Vancouver History]

Photo credit: bchow on Flickr

There are several annual festivals that take place in the gardens including special light displays at Christmas and monthly walks or family programs. Even though I’ve ignored it for so long, it’s definitely at the top of my ‘to see’ list in this town.

As mentioned in my previous post, the UGM is pretty special to me since they do such great work for the less fortunate all around Metro Vancouver. Here are some of their own words from their website:

Union Gospel Mission has been providing hope for the hungry, hurting and homeless since 1940… …Employing a full-time staff of approximately 130 and relying on a broad base of loyal volunteers, Union Gospel Mission provides meals, shelter, education, counselling, housing and more to hundreds of people each day. [About]

They have various services, support centres and Thrift Stores with 12 facilities around Metro Vancouver.