Chinatown Storytelling Centre’s Foo Hung Curios gift shop is now available online! This local gem has been a destination for hard-to-find, one-of-a-kind curated gifts, books, local art, and home goods since opening in November of 2021.
Now, it is officially launched its e-store where shoppers across the country can have access to its inventory of contemporary takes on traditional objects, focused on Chinese Canadian designers and artists.
Photo submitted
Shop in person: 168 East Pender St, Vancouver; Thurs to Mon 10:00am to 5:00pm
Shop online: Anytime with 24/7 nationwide shipping
“Foo Hung Curios pays homage to my grandfather, Ron Bick Lee, who owned and founded an import/export business named Foo Hung Co. in 1921,” says Carol Lee, chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation.“Since opening Foo Hung Curios, the support has been tremendously positive – we have people from all over Canada come visit us to purchase something they saw on our social media channels or they may have heard about us through our many amazing vendors and the press community. Our e-store has been in the works for a while, and I’m so excited to open up Foo Hung Curios to all of Canada.”
To celebrate the e-store they are offering all newsletter subscribers 10 percent off their first purchase.
The store continually refreshes its collection every season, in addition to organizing fun pop-ups, such as its recent Pop-In series for Asian Heritage Month, where it highlighted a variety of Vancouver’s talented community of Asian Canadian small businesses, makers, and artists. Foo Hung Curios was also the location for the launch of the limited-edition Boba Grizz collaboration with international sporting goods brand Mitchell & Ness and the Canadian non-profit Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association (“CCYAA”).
Awesome little shop at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre 📍 168 East Pender Street
New items arriving to the gift shop include: a special Pride Picks selection of books by Asian Canadian LGBTQ+ authors, such as Kai Cheng Thom and Aaron Chan; whimsical, water-colour prints by Vancouver artist Mikayla Hong of Artbedo; Chinatown prints by Downtown Eastside-based artist Jeff Wilson Art; large dim sum plushies; and exclusive bone china tea cups.
Last December while I was out on my daily walk with my friend Laura, we came across a fruit on a vine in Coal Harbour that looked like a kiwi. I posted a photo to Twitter and there was some debate on whether it was a fig or a kiwi, but consensus said kiwi.
Over the last few weeks, Laura has stopped by that area to check in on the kiwi plant, and yesterday I joined her only to discover dozens and dozens of fruit just thriving away by the marina.
Last summer, I joined TikTok and posted a video during the heat dome. It featured banana trees that were producing fruit right here in Downtown Vancouver and got 73,000 views. What that told me was 1. TikTok sure does have an impact and 2. Maybe I should refocus from events and community news and post more about fruit growing where you don’t expect it?
While the latter won’t be happening, I’d love to know: Do you know who is growing the kiwis in Coal Harbour?
The US kiwi season lasts from October through May, and these appear far from ripe at the moment. If you’re cultivating this thriving plant, I’d love to hear from you. I’ve been looking to see if CTV’s Mike McCardell has already done a story about it too – haha!
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
Covenant House at the Vancouver Pride Parade
Vancouver Pride Parade on July 31st
Why Pride Is So Important
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, gender non-binary and two spirited youth are overrepresented in the homeless community. Covenant House Vancouver strongly believe all youth deserve unconditional love and absolute respect and 2SLGBTQAI+ youth are no exception.
25% – 40% of homeless youth identify as 2SLGBTQAI+.
Family rejection is the most common cause of 2SLGBTQAI+ youth homelessness.
Covenant House Vancouver encourages young people to believe in themselves; and provides the stability and structure necessary to build positive futures.
Youth made buttons and posters for Pride
Youth Involvement
Covenant House Vancouver’s Rainbow Advisory Committee is made up of staff members from each department in the agency. They are dedicated to ensuring that Covenant House uses best practices to serve their 2SLGBTQAI+ youth and that they continue to enhance their spaces, policies, procedures, and programs.
Months before the Pride Parade, Covenant House held an art contest for youth. The winning entries would be made into posters and buttons for Pride.
Four entries were chosen for the Parade and were made into large posters to adorn the Covenant House van, during the parade. The winning entries were also made into buttons that were distributed during the parade and were available at the Covenant House booth, located on Sunset Beach.
In addition, on the day before the Parade, the art studio located in the new Drake building, held a day-long open studio, for youth to express their Pride voices through art. That artwork was then added to the van decorations and used as handheld signs during the Parade.
Vancouver Pride Parade 2022
At the Parade
Despite the heat, an enthusiastic squad comprised of Covenant House youth and staff, engaged the crowd, as they walked along the parade route. One of the art contest winners said, “I’ve never won an art contest before!” She proudly handed out her buttons to spectators.
Amongst the cheers and applause, comments like, “We love you!” and “Thank you for all that you do!” could be heard.
Down at Sunset Beach, a staff member who was working at the Covenant House booth said, “Everyone loved the buttons. They loved them even more when they found out that the artwork was created by youth.” One mother thanked Covenant House for helping her son, when no one else could.
The day ended with pizza and pop, back in the art room at Covenant House Vancouver. With beaming smiles, everyone shared their experiences from the day.
Thank you to the Vancouver Pride Society for hosting such an incredible event! It was truly wonderful to be “Together Again.” Covenant House Vancouver looks forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Pride Parade and wish everyone a happy Pride!
Covenant House at the Sunset Beach Festival
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the City of Richmond Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
A stroll by the water in Steveston is always a good time and there’s a weekend each summer when it’s even more special: The 19th annual Richmond Maritime Festival at Britannia Shipyards is coming up this month and it’s the City’s biggest nautical celebration!
2017 Richmond Maritime Festival ship boarding. Photo by John Bollwitt.
Richmond Maritime Festival at Britannia Shipyards
When: Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21, 2022
11:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston
The two-day event will unfold across the eight-acre site and showcase a vibrant program of live music, historical characters and storytellers, heritage boats and displays by community groups.
New to the festival this year are a series of themed areas, where festival-goers can experience different aspects of sea-faring culture. Activities for families include interactive performances by festival favourites Rikki the Rat and his crew, hands-on workshops, fun water features, heritage games and a family portrait sketch artist.
The community stage will feature performances by the Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack), the Irish Wakers, and Go Taiko. Look for other pop-up musical and storytelling performances throughout the site by festival favourites like The Seabillys and the Cannery Mermaids.
City of Richmond/Photos submitted
Down on the docks, visitors can take in the beauty of restored heritage vessels including the 1903 Providence sailing ship and 100-year-old SS Master tug boat.
Britannia Shipyards’ many historic buildings will be open to public and will feature costumed interpreters. The site also has plenty of picnic tables for families to enjoy the offerings of exciting local food vendors.
The only event of its kind in Vancouver! Bring the kids for an afternoon on the water during Vancouver Salsa Cruises Family Edition on August 14th and 28th.
MV Britannia. Photo submitted.
Vancouver Salsa Cruises Family Edition
Afternoon Family Cruise August 14 at 2:00pm, get tickets
Afternoon Family Cruise August 28 at 2:00pm, get tickets
Dance in fun costumes, enjoy two levels of music geared for all ages, and add even more flare with face painting, hair braiding, and a kids salsa lesson. Families will be joined by special guests Mirabel, Rapunzel and Spiderman on these cruises as well (on the 28th guests will be Snow White, Belle and Batman)!
Las Autenticas will have their delicious tacos and chips with salsa, along with other snack options available for purchase on board.
Win Tickets
I have a four pack of tickets (admission for 2 adults, 2 children) to give away to the harbour cruise on August 14th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
All events take place aboard the MV Britannia docked at 501 Denman St in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour.
The original Salsa Cruise, sailing Vancouver since 2000! Additional adults-only dates: Salsa Cruise August 20 at 8:30pm get tickets; Salsa Cruise September 10 at 8:30pm get tickets.
