Variety Week 2021 on Global

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Variety – the Children’s Charity and Global BC have announced that that this year’s Variety Week will take place from Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 22, 2021. Throughout the week, Global BC will be showcasing the work that Variety does to help children with special needs and their families across the various communities in BC.

Variety Week 2021 on Global

Variety Week 2021 on Global

During every newscast including Global News Morning and Global News Hour at 6, viewers will meet children who Variety has supported while getting to see firsthand how their lives have been impacted because of Variety’s help.

“With kids heading back to school during this especially challenging time, we’re seeing an influx of applications,” said Cally Wesson, Variety BC CEO. “Whether we’re helping kids with tuition so they can attend a specialized school or one-on-one tutoring so they can learn at a pace for them or even counselling for mental wellness support, the need is greater than ever so I’m hoping British Columbians will once again open their hearts and come together so that every child needing our help receives our help.”

“Variety BC is where families go for the critical funding they need. It’s the incredible support from our audience for Variety Week on Global BC that helps to support BC’s most vulnerable children and their families,” said Bhupinder Hundal, News Director & Station Manager, Global BC

Viewers will also learn about autism assessments and how for the first time in Variety’s 55-year history, they’ve begun funding private autism assessments. Additionally, Variety will be presenting a total of five Sunshine Family Vans … one in each health region across the province.

Last year’s campaign raised $2,624,487. Donations can be made by calling toll-free at 310-KIDS as well as at variety.bc.ca or by texting “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.

Miss604 is proud to be a Telethon Committee Member at Variety BC

Big Sisters Luminary Soirée 2021

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Tickets for the 7th annual Big Sisters Luminary Soirée on October 15th are now available! This year, you can join the event virtually from the comfort of your home or alongside Big Sisters BC Lower Mainland in-person at The Rocky Mountaineer Station for a celebratory evening of music, delicious food and of course – Mentorship.

Big Sisters Luminary Soiree

Big Sisters Luminary Soirée 2021

  • When: Friday, October 15, 2021 5:30pm
    • In-Person: 5:30pm, Virtual Pre-Show: 6:45pm, Virtual Program: 7:00pm, Dinner & Music: 8:00pm
  • Where: Virtual or at The Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cottrell St, Vancouver)
  • Tickets: Available online now for both experiences
    • Following the most recent Provincial Health Order, Big Sisters will require that all guests, staff, volunteers and vendors attending to be fully vaccinated. Entry will be dependent on proof of vaccination and completion of a COVID-19 self-assessment. Those who feel unwell will be encouraged to stay home and join our Virtual Event from the comfort of their home. 

The Big Sisters’ Luminary Soirée will feature unique gala experiences and a program hosted by Fred Lee. Guests will be able to choose from an array of options to “Soirée their way” or create a custom experience through our partnership with The Lazy Gourmet. 

Guests attending virtually will receive curated “gala in a box” packages including food, wine and cocktails. Exclusive catering options will be available for those who would like to host bubble viewing parties.  Those who wish to attend in-person are invited to watch the broadcast live at The Rocky Mountaineer Station before celebrating late into the evening with unique entertainment and bespoke food and cocktail experiences. 

Please note: virtual packages will be delivered on Friday, October 15th to guests in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver and West Vancouver. If you are outside these areas, your order may be delivered on Thursday, October 14th.

This annual event is a time for the community to gather and celebrate the power of mentorship. Every dollar raised truly makes a huge difference in communities across the Lower Mainland where Big Sisters’ small but mighty team of caseworkers support over 700 volunteers and an average of over 800 youth each year. 

You can see your impact every day. It’s the young girl who walks into a classroom with confidence, a nurse’s aide whose career was inspired by her Big Sister or a youth who has experienced trauma and chooses a different path than her peers. In these uncertain times you can give the girls Big Sisters supports something to count on.

Changes to your choice of gala experience can be made up until Friday, September 24th. Big Sisters may choose to switch your in-person experience to a virtual experience if it is no longer feasible to hold the in-person event due to Provincial Health Orders. 

Miss604 is a proud media sponsor of this event and Mentoring Matters Blog partner of Big Sisters BC Lower Mainland.

Portobello West Fall Market 2021 Giveaway

Comments 78 by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Portobello West Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

The Portobello West Fall Outdoor Market is coming up with a special outdoor – and free admission – edition of one of the city’s most beloved shopping experiences. Shop with safety protocols in place from over 35 local artists and designers, ranging from sustainable slow fashion, jewellery, art, home decor, skin care, kids, pets, spirits, and more!

Portobello West Fall Market 2021

Portobello West Fall Outdoor Market

  • Where: Helena Gutteridge Plaza (next to Vancouver City Hall at 453 W 12th Ave, Vancouver)
  • When: Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 10:00am to 4:00pm (rain or shine)
  • Admission: FREE!

Camion Café and Peak Mobile Coffee will be serving up tasty treats on site and this is your chance to shop from and support local vendors including:

AateaJusto’s Craft Dips
Aiyana JewelryLethal Lites Candles
AMLiora DesignsLiola Luxuries
Anna Lune ArtmeNom
Avery CandlesMilklady Soap Co.
Backcountry BonfiresOhne & Co.
Claire Douglas ArtRed Pot Pottery
DoodlesByNaomiRoberto Fioravanti Jewellery
Elaine Brewer-White CeramicsRelaxation Island
glaseaSerenity Living
Go Wild Plants and GiftsTerme
Holt & LambThe Burnt Apron
Hygge LifeThe Prepared Environment
In His Time CreationsThe True NOSH Company Ltd
Itty Bitty Geeky GackThe Woods Spirit Co.
Think SOAPuni design
VV Sveglio… and more!

Enter to Win!

I have an awesome $390 prize pack available courtesy of Portobello West vendors! It includes:

  • VV Signature Sweatshirt from VV SVEGLIO (value $90)
    • Dropped Shoulder Crewneck sweatshirt with an oversized fit. Features French terry knit for a moisture-wicking material unparalleled in comfort. Stylized with a signature V V logo on left shoulder back. Materials: 100% Cotton, 370 GSM French Terrycloth
  • Sherwood Charcuterie Board from Holt & Lamb (value $215.99)
    • Holt & Lamb crafts one-of-a-kind, unique pieces for your space. With an array of curated colours and texture – each product is carefully thought through for design and function. Bringing epoxy resin together with the richness of natural sustainable wood.
  • Prize pack from Avery Candles ($35.50)
    • The “Dessert Bundle” includes Keylime Pie Candle, Root Beer Float Bath Bomb, Cotton Candy Bath Bomb, and Red Champagne Soap. Each of their candles is hand poured in small batches using Parafin Soy Wax. They use locally sourced wax, and each of their jars is recycled honey jars to give them their second life.
  • Fall-inspired dry floral bouquet from Ohne & Co. (value $50)
    • Ohne & Co. specializes in up-cycling preloved glassware, creating beautiful dried bouquets and offer an array of hand made decor pieces for your home. With a slow production approach, each product is hand crafted in their local home studio.
Portobello West Collage
Image does not depict exact prizes, just the awesome brands who donated them.

Here are some of the many ways you can enter to win this amazing prize package valued at over $390!

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @PortobelloWest prize package (value $390) – Shop the fall outdoor market Sept 18 http://ow.ly/hbxQ50G5Ptx” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00pm on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Winner must be able to pick up their prize at the market.

Follow Portobello West on FacebookTwitter and Instagram for the latest market updates, vendor news, and more. See you on September 18th for the market of the season!

For over 13 years, Portobello West has sought and presented top-notch emerging and established local talent. Featuring up to 90-local artists and designers at a time, Portobello West’s seasonal markets offers up a curated selection of locally designed fashion, art, home decor, gourmet treats, wine and spirits, and more. Their hope is to foster a sense of support and community for local creatives living and working here.

UPDATE The winner is @jessicataratan on Instagram!

British Columbia: An Untold History

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Knowledge Network, British Columbia’s public broadcaster, announced today the debut of the landmark documentary series British Columbia: An Untold History. Premiering on October 12, 2021 at 9:00pm, the new docu-series takes an unflinching look at BC’s complex history while offering viewers a chance to learn about diverse stories from a more inclusive lens that they may not have known before.

British Columbia An Untold History knowledge network

British Columbia: An Untold History

With episodes releasing weekly, the thought-provoking series about the province will take viewers on a journey from the late 18th century and spanning 200 years. The project offers a more inclusive and diverse perspective as told from those who have lived and studied BC’s shared past and features the voices of authors, historians, Elders, and descendants of historical figures. Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, Punjabi, Black, and European stories are woven together to present an astute look at the complicated past that shaped the province as we know it today.

“So much about what we are taught about our province’s history is learned in school, but there are so many facets to history that do not make the classroom,” said Rudy Buttignol, President & CEO of Knowledge Network. “We wanted to create a series that explores B.C.’s complicated history even further by showcasing stories and amplifying voices that were previously silenced by mainstream interpretations.”

Executive Produced by Screen Siren Pictures’ Trish Dolman and produced by Leena Minifie from Stories First Productions, the series is commissioned by Knowledge Network, and written and directed by Kevin Eastwood. From set to screen, those involved in the development of the series emphasized inclusion and equity from the selection of commentators to hiring protocols ensuring a more diverse crew.

“It was incredibly important to us that the series is as authentic as possible and in order to do so, we interviewed over 70 individuals and researched over 10,000 archives to put this project together, and have developed alongside the series an online history database that is incredibly impressive and in depth,” said Leena Minifie, Producer of British Columbia: An Untold History. “We want this series to be a platform for members of Indigenous, Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, and Black communities to share some of their stories with an audience who may not have heard them before, and through that allow viewers to take away their own understanding of the past and challenge how they think about our province’s diverse history today.”

British Columbia: An Untold History will air on Knowledge Network on Tuesdays from October 12 to November 2, 2021 at 9:00pm. The series will also be available to stream for free across Canada on the Knowledge website and on the Knowledge Network app.

Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival 2021

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival returns this month marking the first time in two years that these races will hit Vancouver waters. After being postponed earlier this year and cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the festival’s expansion and evolution — with the return of dragon boat racing — will connect with more communities over a longer period of time at multiple sites around Vancouver for the first time.

Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
Photo submitted

Dragon Boat Festival 2021

When: September 18-26, 2021
Where: Concord Pacific Place (False Creek – 88 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver)
Admission for Spectators: All programs are either free or by donation.

North America’s flagship dragon boat festival is back for the first time with a multi-day event, set to feature races, performances, and cultural programs over multiple sites. 

“While COVID has impacted what our Festival normally looks like, we’ve taken this as a challenge to reimagine what comes next and look for creative ways to bring our community back together,” said Dominic Lai, Marketing and Operations Director for Dragon Boat BC. “We’re excited to unveil our Festival’s new direction, to safely welcome paddlers and the community to the world of dragon boat, and to highlight the culture that inspires this popular Vancouver tradition.”

Returning to its roots in culture and sport, the 9-day event’s main highlight is the return of dragon boat racing during Championship Weekend on September 25 from 10:00am to 7:00pm The day will also feature local artists on the 102.7 THE PEAK Main Stage and pavilions sharing Chinese and Indigenous cultures within a controlled site at Concord Pacific Place.

During the week-long festivities, the community will also be able to:

  • Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with special activities, such as moon and star gazing at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens from September 21 to 26; 
  • Explore the Festival’s archives at BC Sports Hall of Fame through the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Exhibit from September 24 to 26;
  • Visit “A Seat at the Table: Chinese Immigration and British Columbiaexhibit at the Chinese Canadian Museum and view a new video documentary series about Chinatown’s historic clan society buildings starting September 23;
  • Join Cross Cultural Walking Tours to learn about multi-community and layered history of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhoods;
  • Experience temporary art installations in Chinatown and traditional skill demonstrations. 
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
Photo submitted

Peak Main Stage – Free

Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 10:00am to 7:00pm

Enjoy free local performances on the 102.7 THE PEAK Main Stage during Championship Weekend. Lineup features local artists and musicians including: Hotel Mira, Mathew V, Desirée Dawson, Missy D, Fionn, Jasper Sloan Yip. Representatives and performers from the three host nations on which the Festival is held will be present, including: Eagle Song Dancers (Squamish), Coastal Wolf Pack (Musqueam), and Children of Takaya (Tsleil-Waututh). 

Follow Dragon Boat BC on Facebook for more information.