Eagles in the City

Comments 7 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Two years ago Vancouver was overrun with Spirit Bears on almost ever street corner.


Photo credit: RightAntler on Flickr

Batman, Darth Vader, and Brent Butt were some of the themes for these posed monuments that, once auctioned off at the end of the campaign, helped raise over half a million dollars for the BC Lions Society Easter Seals.

They were removed from their stations throughout the city and then placed wherever the highest bidder deemed worthy – in front of an office building or even GM Place. Before there were bears we had the orcas… that sort of looked more like dolphins.

baseballart on Flickr

Coming next year from April 2009 until April 2010 the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Price George will have Eagles in the City.

Local artists, in partnership with sponsoring individuals or organizations, will create a unique design and apply it to the surface of a 7.5 foot custom formed fibreglass Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle becomes the artist’s canvas. Once the work is complete, the Bald Eagle will be displayed in prominent public spaces around the participating cities. A ‘Bald Eagle Flight Path Map’ will be created and distributed throughout participating communities showing the location, sponsor and artist of every bald eagle. [Eagles in the City]

Despite the fact that many people became annoyed with the orcas and moreso the bears, the money raised does go to a good cause. Eagles in the city will benefit the BC Lions Society Easter Seals as well at the Canucks for Kids Fund. You can also check out a list of artists who will be painting and decorating the eagle, on the Eagles in the City website.

How the Smoking Ban is Affecting Vancouverites

Comments 26 by Rebecca Bollwitt

As a follow up to my follow up post about the new smoking regulations in BC, I thought I would focus on the direct impact this is having on Vancouverites.

A new province-wide regulation, effective March 31, bans smoking within three metres of those doorways, open windows and air intakes, so people who work in office towers, retail outlets and other buildings will have to go outside and walk farther away from the door to light up legally.

A City of Vancouver smoking bylaw that also comes into force at the end of the month creates a much larger no-smoking zone: smoking is prohibited within six metres of an entryway, openable window or air intake of a building. [The Vancouver Sun]

What this all means is that even if you’re walking down Robson street smoking a cigarette, you are breaking the law as you’re passing countless entryways to establishments.

You may have also noticed the display cases for tobacco products are missing from your neighbourhood store, grocery store and even London Drugs. All items are now behind closet doors, curtains or under counters that cannot contain any kind of tobacco advertising.

At the final Canucks game of the season, they also had a sign outside GM Place stating as of the beginning of the 08-09 season GM Place would no longer offer a smoking area for fans.

We are a non-smoking facility in accordance with the Vancouver City Health By-law. Areas for smoking during events are outside of Gates 2, 3, 7and 8.

Effective September 15, 2008 the outside designated smoking areas will no longer be in effect. Once a guest enters General Motors Place, they will not be granted in and out privileges at any gate. [GM Place]

Also, the other night while entering the Commodore for a concert we were told by two separate staff members that should we be smokers, there would be no in-and-out privileges whatsoever, as they have completely removed their outdoor smoking area.

So if you’re a smoker planning on going to a public event in Vancouver, whatever the venue, you should get all your puffs in at home because you won’t be able to have another until you get back.

Happy 31st Birthday Duane

Comments 11 by Rebecca Bollwitt

An ode to Duane.

Over the last year he’s been an outstanding friend to John and I, from geeky nights in on the couch coding sites, to taking us up to the woods and feeding us too much wine for our own good.

Duane and John

Even though the last few years weren’t the smoothest for him, he’s always willing to share a laugh, help out, have a good time, and support his friends – and for that I think he’s a pretty stand up individual.

Long lost Launch Party Photo

I wish all the best in the coming year to a person who is more than just a developer, software engineer, WordPress guru, photographer, blogger, and the king of nachos.


Duane and Rebecca at Fogg n Suds © Duane Storey on Flickr

Happy birthday to a guy that we’re pretty darn lucky to call a good friend. Cheers buddy!

The Black Keys Rock the Commodore

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

What’s better than watching a completely rockin’ band at the Commodore for $20? Not much at all really. Despite the fact that I felt out of place with out a fedora, horn-rimmed glasses, a beard, or a jean jacket, I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Keys.

The volume and caliber of nostril-tickling sound that those two men produce is beyond compare in rock today. Boy am I sure glad John introduced me to them a few years ago.

The Black Keys @ The Commodore

Update: The Black Keys website has a fan photo gallery where they’re aggregating in photos with the appropriate tags from Flickr. The photo in this post (above) is now on there. Awesome.

Stanley Park Restoration Update April 2008

Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Mr. Bollwitt and I cherish our multi-hour treks off the tourist-beaten paths through our city’s crown jewel – Stanley Park. We’ve been keeping a close eye on it throughout the years and especially since the big storm of 2006.

Still busted

Yesterday after being disappointed about seeing the same piece of the Seawall I documented a year ago was still not repaired, we came across some pleasant surprises.

Siwash Rock trail is unrecognizable

Heading down from Hollow Tree we turned onto the Merilees trail. About half way down Merilees we made a right turn onto the Siwash Rock trail – one we hadn’t ventured down in over a year. [See Stanley Park Trail Map]

Road? What the...?

The old path down below

To our amazement there was regrowth, plant pots, streams, creek beds, widened paths, a new metal railing and the whole trail was pushed back about 20 feet from its original route.

Planting

Geek in the mist

Leaning Hollow Tree

Also, good news for 88% of folks who participated in my poll will be pleased to know that the Hollow Tree will be laid to rest instead of going even more bionic. Head over to John’s blog for his update and to view a quick video.