This post has been contributed by Patricia Thomson, outgoing Executive Director of the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).
Patricia Thomson has been one of Stanley Park’s more tireless advocates, and we thank her for her passion and dedication to helping people connect with nature. Here, in her own words, Patricia shares an insider’s perspective of Stanley Park’s recent past and her hope for its future.
Protecting a Park
Stanley Park Ecology Society’s outgoing Executive Director reflects on 14 years of conservation and education in Vancouver’s beloved Stanley Park
“I have had the immense satisfaction of working for Stanley Park’s ecological integrity and environmental education for almost half of Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES)’s 30 years.
When I accepted the posting as Executive Director in 2004, there was a staff of seven, and a Board of 14 directors. Today, there are on average 15 staff positions year round, and we swell to 20 each summer. In addition, more than 800 volunteers per year collectively donate over 15,000 service hours, gifting a conservative value of $250,000 /annum to SPES projects and programs for Stanley Park.
Patricia joins in on a SPES ivy pull
in Stanley Park. Photo: Krystal Pyke
My own first project when I signed on was to ensure the completion of the Cob House earthen architecture popcorn stand in the Stanley Park Railway plaza. Most nonprofits fundraise to build a facility; in this case, this facility was built to fundraise: Popping delicious snacks provides important cash support for our all-important School Programs that inspire and invest more than 6,000 students each year.
Built of reclaimed stone, clay, straw and sand, UBC, BCIT, the City of Vancouver, and others contributed engineering research and a garden roof system all when green building methods were still being explored and developed. In September 2004, I found myself on top of this ‘hobbit house’, raking its growing medium in zen fashion while my brain worked overtime contemplating Park projects to prioritize ahead. Within months, I was able to represent the 200 cob volunteers by accepting a prestigious Innovation Award. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Enjoy activities and events during Tri-Cities Culture Days Weekend, September 28-30, 2018. Culture Days represents the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in Canada with thousands of free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to create, participate and share.
Inspiring greater public participation in arts, culture and heritage, Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam will host over 20 free events. Here’s what’s happening in Coquitlam:
Coquitlam Events for Tri-Cities Culture Days Weekend
Coquitlam Public Art Scavenger Hunt
When: September 28 – 30 from 9:00am to 9:00pm
Where: Throughout Coquitlam
About: In 2016, SkyTrain arrived in Coquitlam! In celebration of the four Evergreen Extension stops, multiple works of public art were created and installed at each station. The City is issuing a fun challenge: visit all four Coquitlam stations on the Evergreen Extension and answer questions about the public art. By joining in the fun, you will have the chance to discover Coquitlam and the Evergreen Extension, learn about public art, and enter to win some cool prizes! Event info and how to participate is on the Coquitlam Culture Days site. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Work where you love to shop! More than 50 retailers are participating in the Metropolis at Metrotown Job Fair on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Hudson’s Bay, Toys R Us, T&T Supermarket, Uniqlo, Old Navy, Michael Kors, Sephora, Starbucks, Microsoft, and more will be looking to fill positions for the season ahead.
Metropolis at Metrotown Job Fair
Where: Metropolis at Metrotown’s Atrium and Grand Courts
When: Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
This holiday hiring season, retailers will be looking to fill over 500 part-time and full-time entry-level or managerial positions. Hundreds of job seekers are expected to attend, many of them seeking their first job experience. Retailers are also looking for experienced talent who may want to grow their career in retail management. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Variety – the Children’s Charity and Global BC have announced that the 3rd Annual Variety Week will take place from Monday, October 22 to Friday, October 26, 2018. During every newscast including Global News Morning and Global News Hour at 6, viewers will meet the families who Variety has helped and get to experience firsthand how their lives have changed as a result.
Variety Week on Global BC 2018
Throughout the week, Global BC will be showcasing the work that Variety does to help BC kids with special needs and their families.
In addition to calling and donating, viewers from across the province will be able to register to have their own fundraising page set up online. The new platform allows individuals and groups to connect with friends, families and co-workers in support of kids with special needs.
Variety Week will wrap up with Global News Hour at 6 broadcasting live from Robson Square on Friday, October 26, 2018. Last year’s Variety Week saw Variety raise an incredible $835,000. Donations can be made by calling toll-free at 310-KIDS and as well, they can be made online at variety.bc.ca or by texting “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.
For more information about Variety BC, including the upcoming Gold Heart Gala, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends providing direct help to children with special needs in BC. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured children have the support to reach their potential. Since 2010, Variety has distributed more than $30 million in funding to families and organizations in communities all across the province.
Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is a proud member of the Board of Directors of Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC.
JFL NorthWest presents Vancouver’s own Chris Griffin – the comedian, not the cartoon character – for two performances at The Biltmore Cabaret on October 18, 2018. Vancouver-based Chris Griffin has established himself as one of comedy’s most dynamic storytellers and you can attend this show which will be part of a live comedy taping.
Chris Griffin at the Biltmore
When: Thursday, October 18 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm
where: The Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St, Vancouver)
Tickets: Available online now for 7:00pm & 9:30pm.
Chris Griffin, photo credit: Rebecca Blissett
After winning the Great Canadian Laugh Off, Chris set his academic degrees aside (BAs in English and Political Science), quit his stable job, sold his house, and hit the road to do what he loves best – drinking, making people laugh, and reclaiming his name after enduring over a decade of awful “Family Guy” jokes. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
