Megaphone Magazine has launched its 10th annual special literary edition — Voices of the Street— showcasing the literary talents of marginalized writers in Vancouver and Victoria.
Voices of the Street Available Now
Megaphone is a non-profit organization that publishes an award-winning monthly magazine sold by 175 low-income vendors in Vancouver and Victoria. Vendors buy each magazine for 75 cents and sell it for $2, keeping the profit. By selling Megaphone, people experiencing poverty, homelessness or health challenges can earn income through meaningful, dignified work.
Megaphone also publishes an annual literary anthology, Voices of the Street. Many of the writers whose work is featured in the book are introduced to writing in Megaphone’s various writing workshops, including weekly sessions at Onsite, a residential treatment program run by the Portland Hotel Society.
“Decide to survive. Be willing to thrive. Let our beauty & vision keep us Alive. It is a paradox that the weakest among us must work harder to overcome. But there are so many examples of ones who have gone before, that we can’t hide our eyes. When all of us grow, then diversity can thrive.” — James Witwicki
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Megaphone has temporarily ceased street sales of its publications in order to protect its customers and vendors. As a result, for the time being, Megaphone is releasing its 10th edition of Voices of the Street online in digital format.
The theme of the 2020 Voices of the Street is “Envision” with 36 literary works focusing on the sense of sight and everything associated with that, including clarity, blindness, reflections and hindsight.
“Voices of the Street, while providing a platform for those least likely to be heard — people striving to survive in the midst of poverty, homelessness, and physical and mental illness — also unearths startling talents,” says Megaphone managing editor Paula Carlson.
Megaphone supporters can now purchase this special literary anthology online, along with a copy of the latest Megaphone magazine, for $12. Readers can direct the funds to their usual vendor or Megaphone will distribute the income among all its active vendors.
Since shifting its sales model online, Megaphone has put more than $12,000 into the pockets of its team of vendors, helping them purchase essentials such as healthy groceries and COVID-19 cleaning supplies.
“In any other year, the launch of Voices would be an opportunity to gather with our supporters, celebrate the 36 unique contributions, and hear writers speak life into their poetry,” says Julia Aoki, executive director of Megaphone. “We may have shut down street sales and events for the time being, but this beautiful compilation is still available, and 100% of proceeds will be distributed to vendors to create a bridge to better times.”
Customers can purchase the special edition as well as Megaphone magazine online here now. Supporters are also encouraged to donate to Megaphone’s emergency fund to help sustain the organization’s essential operations such as magazine production and daily vendor support.
After closing in March due to COVID-19, Uno Gelato began offering free delivery of their farm-to-cone gelato and vegan sorbetto. To celebrate their three main locations re-opening in Kitsilano, False Creek and at the Vancouver Convention Centre, I am pleased to offer up a four pint delivery of Uno Gelato to a lucky Miss604 reader!
Savour Uno Gelato
Now available are scoops in a cone or cup, or pints of freshly made farm-to-cone gelato and sorbetto. The flagship Kitsilano shop is also offering Italian inspired hot beverages such as affogato (one scoop of gelato and one-shot of espresso). As of May 22nd, the new daily hours are: Kitsilano & Vancouver Convention Centre 1:00pm to 9:00pm and at False Creek 9:00am to 9:00pm.
Flavour Offerings
Gelato: Lavazza Espresso Mint Chocolate Chip New Fashioned Chocolate Salted Caramel Tahitian Vanilla
Vegan Sorbetto: Mango Tango Midnight Chocolate Passion Fruit Yuzu Lemon
Delivery Schedule
The products are made fresh in small batches, thus orders placed by end of day Monday will be delivered that same week. Orders made on Tuesdays or afterwards will be delivered the following week. Delivery days:
Wednesday – Richmond, Vancouver
Thursday – Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Surrey
Friday – Coquitlam, North Shore, Port Moody
For more information, follow Uno Gelato on Facebook.
Enter to Win
I am giving away a four pint delivery to one lucky reader (value $50). Will they pick Mango Tango, Midnight Chocolate, Passion Fruit and Salted Caramel? Or how about Lavazza Espresso and Yuzu Lemon? Or maybe just 4 pints of Tahitian Vanilla? The winner will get to pick! Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a 4 pint delivery from @unogelatoyvr http://ow.ly/3HiU30qIUtl” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
The winner must be in the available delivery area (Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Shore or Port Moody).
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Saturday, May 30, 2020. UDPATE The winner is Sara C.!
I’ve been spending much more time with John these past few months, however we haven’t really had a date night since the beginning of the year. One of our favourite nights out together every year is at the Vancouver Alpen Club for the best Oktoberfest celebration in the city. While they are closed for events right now the restaurant, Deutsches Haus, is still serving up delicious, authentic German meals for take-out and delivery.
John & me at the Vancouver Alpen Club for Oktoberfest 2018
How about a sausage platter with Thuringer bratwurst, Bavarian smokie, weisswurst, Bavarian smokie, and meatloaf? Or how about their Currywurst with Bratwurst sausage served with curry ketchup and french fries.
Looking for shnitzel? They’ve got my favourite, Jagerschnitzel, served breaded or unbreaded with hunter-style with mushroom gravy, homemade spaetzle, and red cabbage. Or select Vienna or Chicken, starting off with an oven-fresh pretzel or some goulash.
Alpen Poutine has fries topped with signature creamy mushroom sauce and melted cheese, and the Cheese Spatzle (vegetarian) has their traditional egg noodles covered in melted Swiss cheese, served with fried onions and mixed green salad.
They also have a kids menu, dessert, and beverage options. Follow the Vancouver Alpen Club on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Enter to Win
Host your own mini Oktoberfest now, from home! I am giving away a Feast for Two from the Vancouver Alpen Club that includes: 1/2 oven roasted pork hock, 2 schnitzel, 2 Bavarian meatloaf, and assorted sausages. Served with spatzle, red cabbage and sauerkraut.
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a Feast for Two from the Vancouver @AlpenClub http://ow.ly/ws5W30qIzIj” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
The winner must be able to pick up their meal from the Vancouver Alpen Club (4875 Victoria Drive, Vancouver). Must be claimed/ordered by August 31, 2020.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, May 29, 2020. UPDATE: The winner is Caroline Phillips!
Sea to Sky Gondola annual passholders and their guests only will be invited to visit starting May 22nd. This will allow our loyal passholders and locals to reconnect with nature safely in our own backyard while experiencing our new operating procedures. Passholders can bring their ‘‘bubble” of up to 4 guests with them. In this first phase no other ticket products will be sold.
In the second phase, they will be opening their online ticket store for pre-purchased tickets. To avoid unnecessary physical contact at the ticket windows, non-passholders will be required to purchase tickets online prior to arrival at the gondola. This will allow guests to proceed directly to the gondola from the parking lot. In this phase, they will be carefully monitoring capacity and guests may be required to wait in their car prior to loading the gondola or be asked to visit later in the day.
Hours of Operation
In the first phase (for passholders) hours will be 10:00am to 6:00pm with the last download at 7:00pm. Hours are subject to change. When planning a trip to the gondola, consider that their quietest times to visit are weekdays, overcast/cooler weather days and weekends prior to 10:30am or after 3:00pm.
For hikers, the Sea to Summit Trail is currently closed as the lower part of the trail travels through trails in Stawamus Provincial Park. They recommend hiking the trails from the summit including Shannon Basin Loop, Al’s Habrich Ridge and Sparky’s Spin.
Update: Phase 2 Opening
After reopening exclusively to passholders last Friday, May 22, 2020, the Sea to Sky Gondola is now offering online ticket sales to non-passholders.
As of May 28, 2020, the Sea to Sky Gondola will be opening to the public with new COVID-19 safety protocols and reduced capacity. Prior to visiting and entering the parking lot, guests must purchase a ticket online. The online transaction supports British Columbia’s new COVID-19 protocols limiting unnecessary physical contact on-site.
As part of the new COVID-19 operating procedures, Sea to Sky Gondola staff will carefully monitor capacity. Guests will be required to show proof of online ticket or pass purchase upon entering the parking lot. Guests may also be required to wait in their car prior to loading the gondola or be asked to visit later in the day.
One-way, directional signage on some trails including the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge as well as posted capacities for viewing platforms will allow guests to physically distance themselves from those not in their “bubble”. Food and beverage services will be limited to grab and go items at the base and the summit. Outdoor spaced seating will be available in the Backyard and on the Summit Lodge patio, however, the Summit Lodge will be closed except for access to washrooms and some limited retail.
This week we entered Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan, and as Dr Henry urges, we should still be cautious engaging with fewer faces, in bigger spaces. With the latter in mind, some BC Parks have re-opened for day use this week, you can still book a time to visit VanDusen Gardens, and there’s a mini donut drive-thru happening at the PNE. Find these activities, virtual events, and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
