explorASIAN is celebrating Asian Heritage Month and its 25th anniversary this May! The month-long virtual festival will consist of over 50 events hosted by various pan-Asian communities and organizations in Metro Vancouver.
explorASIAN 2021
Presented by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (“VAHMS”), explorASIAN is a time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions Canadians of Asian origin continue to make to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
“VAHMS and explorASIAN Festival continue to evolve to meet the needs of our society. This year, as we did in 2020, we have adapted to the circumstances by producing all our programming virtually and free for all. The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Opening Ceremony on May 1st, the complete May program of more than 50 events, and the VAHMS Recognition Awards ceremony in June will feature performers, artists and social advocates who, by coming together, model racial harmony, alliance, recognition and respect for all cultures.
This year and in times of increased anti-Asian sentiment, visibility and inclusiveness are more important than ever. This is why VAHMS’ efforts are constantly led by the desire to strengthen cultural identity and emphasize the importance of communicating respectfully. VAHMS stands strong against any discriminatory acts and believes that the solution to ending systemic racism against Asian and other racialized communities must include values of solidarity, tolerance, and inclusive representation.” – Leticia Sanchez, President, VAHMS
The virtual opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 1st at 8:00pm. On the evening, landmarks such as Vancouver City Hall, Science World, the Bloedel Conservatory, and BC Place will be illuminating their exteriors in red to celebrate the occasion. Join the event live on Zoom to celebrate with performances from local Asian-Canadian Artists Vince Mai and Sujit Vaidya.
UPDATE April 27, 2021 Media release from PNE/Playland: “Playland was set to open on Saturday, May 1st with a strong safety plan supported by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). We had confidence in our ability to provide a safe outdoor experience for local families. During discussions today with the Provincial Health Office concerns were raised related to Playland drawing travel outside of the regional health authorities. Due to this concern, we were asked to remain closed until after the May long weekend to support the provincial circuit breaker. We are looking forward to opening to our park to guests following the May long weekend.”
Playland has announced that it will be open Saturdays and Sundays starting May 1, 2021. Hours will be 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekends, and it will be operating with significantly reduced capacities, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning procedures, and masks required on rides and in all queue lines.
Playland is Opening May 1, 2021
“Following discussions and guidance from Vancouver Coastal Health, we determined that our plans related to sanitization and COVID-19 related protocols were sound, and so the decision was made to reopen the park in a limited capacity. We will monitor the re-opening and, again with guidance from Vancouver Coastal Health, make any changes necessary.”
The schedule of Playland operating dates and hours will expand to more days and nights, later this summer. For the May opening, you can select two packages:
Family Fun Pass $29.50 Rides
Thrill-Seeker Pass $39.50 Includes all Family rides plus:
Balloon Explorers Bug Whirled Cap’n KC Choppers Cool Cruzers Dizzy Drop Flutterbye Honeybee Express Kettle Creek Mine Coaster Merry-Go-Round Rock’n’Cars Sea-to-Sky Swinger Scrambler Sweet Escape Mini Golf – newly updated Tea Cups West Coast Wheel
AtmosFear The Beast Breakdance Enterprise Gladiator Hell’s Gate Music Express Pirate Ship Revelation (extra charge) Wooden Roller Coaster
As for fair food, Fundunkers mini donuts, Triple O’s, and candy floss will be available. Playland uses cashless procedures on site for retail and food and beverage, accepting credit/debit and recommend that you use your tap enabled cards or Apple Pay/Google Pay on your mobile device.
As per Vancouver Coastal Health recommendations, please only travel to the PNE/Playland in small groups/with your family/household unit, and keep within your social bubble. Guests should comply with public health orders, and not travel outside of their local health authority.
For more information about COVID safety protocols, purchasing passes, and more, visit Playland online.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Burnaby Village Museum Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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Reservations are now open for summer at Burnaby Village Museum, which will be open from May 1 until September 6, 2021. Stroll through the 1920’s village and visit your favourite historical exhibits. Exhibits are open with Burnaby Village Museum staff to interact with and learn from.
Summer at Burnaby Village Museum
At this time only residents of the Fraser Health region may book visits to Burnaby Village Museum, as per restrictions from the Provincial Health Officer (PHO).
Where: 6501 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
When: May 1 to September 6, 2021 Tuesday-Sunday & stat holidays 11:00am to 4:30pm
Explore the new Agents of Change outdoor exhibit at the Carousel Plaza and discover the inspiring stories of people who have taken a stand to promote or support social justice.
Stop by the Burnaby Lake General Store to learn about popular store purchases in the 1920s, and check out the newly renovated Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. Herbalist shop in the Village to discover the role Chinese medicine has played in shaping communities like Burnaby.
Find out what a blacksmith does at Wagner’s Blacksmith Shop, or experience the evolution of steam power and its impact on today’s machinery at the Steam Shed on Tuesdays. Don’t forget to view the Interurban Tram Car #1223 in the Tram Barn too!
Visit the Jesse Love Farmhouse to experience a historic family home, then stroll over to Seaforth School to learn about schooling in early Burnaby. There’s also the Learning House where Indigenous Educators share their knowledge of Coast Salish history and culture.
You can also learn about the history of Chinese-Canadians in Burnaby at the feature exhibit, Across the Pacific, in The Stride Studios. Download the summer scavenger hunt PDF to enjoy self-guided fun and educational adventure through the village.
The Ice Cream Parlour (limited to-go menu items, contactless payment only) will be open and you can shop for unique, historical finds and sweet treats at the Carousel gift shop.
In Vancouver, nine independent book stores are celebrating Canadian Independent Bookstore Day on April 24th with some special offerings. Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (“CIBD”) is the annual day when readers, writers, and publishers celebrate beloved local bookstores from across the country.
Independent Book Stores in Vancouver
This is also an opportunity for Canadians to champion indie bookstores. By shopping local on April 24th, you are advocating for independent businesses, supporting a flourishing bookselling community, and investing in Canadian culture. Here’s how you can support independent book stores in Vancouver on April 24th and all throughout the year:
Massy Books Location: 229 E Georgia St, Vancouver About: From rare, off-beat and out-of-print books to familiar titles and current-day best sellers, they scour the internet and places near and far knowing that the books they source have a perfect match in a reader or collector who is as passionate about books as they are. Massy Books is 100% Indigenous owned and operated and a member of the Stó:lō Business Association. For CIBD, all in store and online purchases (on April 24) will be entered to win a prize pack worth over $350.
Iron Dog Books Location: 2671 E Hastings St, Vancouver About: Indigenous owned and operated, with roots as Vancouver’s first modern-day mobile bookshop. Owned and operated by Cliff and Hilary Atleo, and rooted in the core belief that books should be affordable and accessible, Iron Dog Books sells new, used and remaindered books. For CIBD, all in store and online purchases (on April 24) will be entered to win a prize pack worth over $350.
Kidsbooks Location: 2557 W Broadway, Vancouver About: Over thirty-five years ago, Kidsbooks started as a small idea and has grown over the past decades to be a thriving, exciting environment for children and adults who love reading and great books.
The Paper Hound Location: 344 W Pender, Vancouver About: The Paper Hound is a new, used and rare book store Downtown Vancouver. They don’t specialize in one particular kind of book, but they favour the classic, curious, odd, beautiful, visually arresting, scholarly, bizarre, and whimsical.
Hager Books Location: 2176 West 41st Ave, Vancouver About: Hager Books was established in 1974 and is located in the west side Vancouver neighbourhood of Kerrisdale. They carry a wide selection of fiction, memoir, biography, travel, psychology, history, cookbooks, and gardening. We also stock an excellent range of art and decorating books, from renaissance to 21st century, Michelangelo to Picasso, as well as recent architecture, cinema, and photography. Shop in store on CIBD April 24th and you’ll be entered to win a prize package.
Book Warehouse Location: 4118 Main St and 632 W Broadway, Vancouver About: Since 1963 Black Bond Books has grown as a proud independent Canadian bookseller. They welcomed Book Warehouse under their umbrella in 2021. For CIBD, each Book Warehouse store will be participating in their own way with door prizes, swag, and more.
Banyen Books Location: 3608 W 4th Avenue, Vancouver About: Since 1970, Banyen Books & Sound has grown to become an abundant oasis – one of the most comprehensive selections in North America focusing on Spiritual Traditions, Healing Arts, and Earth Wisdom. Orders on April 24th will be entered to win a prize pack worth over $350 in gift cards, book store swag, and gift items.
Upstart & Crow Location: 1387 Railspur Alley, Granville Island, Vancouver About: Located on Granville Island, one of our city’s cultural hubs, they sell books, hand-picked literary gift packages and artworks. They host writer residencies, live events and storytelling workshops.
You can enter the mega CIBD contest online here, submitting proof of purchase from any indie book store April 24, 2021.
Miss604 is the proud Blog Sponsor of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation through the Miss604 Health Check Series. The following has been contributed by their team.
In this month’s guest post, Dr. Kendall Ho provides advice so you can get the most out of virtual health:
How to Make the Most of Virtual Health
Smartphone apps are able to deliver all manner of vital information between a health care provider and their patient. VGH is already using various apps and secure messaging services to help with emergency department safety during COVID-19, as well as helping patients track their personal health in and out of hospital to further personalize care.
Getting comfortable using these apps and secure messaging will help keep you informed of important information such as wait times, directions to care and health tracking information you can pull up any time.
Booking Video Check-Ups
Video call technology is growing leaps and bounds with improved image, sound and connection quality allowing for meaningful check-ups from the comfort of your home. Improving access, especially for those who have challenges leaving home, can have a profoundly positive impact on a patient’s quality of life, as it allows for them to be able to receive vital health care without stepping outside. Booking these meetings can often be done online or with a simple phone call, just ask your doctor or health care provider about these options.
Use At-Home Services
In certain cases, patients are able to use monitoring devices at home that share vital information back to their health care provider including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood sugars and more. This data is shared during check-ups, and allows patients to provide fulsome data to help improve their care.
Provide Feedback
Patient input is key in developing these technologies and helping to ensure that these tools are both useful and easily understood. So feel free to be honest and offer your feedback with your health care provider — it only gets better when you do!
Dr. Kendall Ho is a VGH physician and the Research Lead for the Digital Emergency Medicine department at UBC. His work allowed our hospitals and health care centres to continue safely and securely offering world-class care in the midst of a global pandemic. The accelerated use of telehealth, utilizing donor-supported tools, will only continue to grow and help provide care that is more accessible than ever to patients across BC.
Follow the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation on Facebook for more info and updates.
