Straight Out of Sci-Fi is a star-studded fundraiser for 4 year old Luke McCletchie, happening on May 27th. Sci-Fi stars Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG-1, Sanctuary); Simon Barry (Continuum, Ghost Wars); Leah Cairns (Travelers); Aleks Paunovic (Van Helsing, War for the Planet of the Apes); Chelsey Reist (The 100); Rukiya Bernard (Van Helsing) are all coming together for one afternoon to support a young fan who needs all the help the universe can muster.

Straight Out of Sci-Fi Fundraiser

Where: The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau St, Granville Island)
When: Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 2:00pm
Tickets: On sale now

About Luke

Luke has been diagnosed with severe Acquired Aplastic Anemia (AAA), which is a rare, life-threatening bone marrow disease. Only 2 children in 1 million are diagnosed each year in North America. His bone marrow is not producing red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets which puts him at risk for an overwhelming infection or hemorrhage. The best treatment for AAA is a bone marrow transplant however his brothers and parents are not a match. A world-wide search for an unrelated bone marrow donor has been started. Meanwhile Luke is receiving blood transfusions and platelet infusions on a regular basis and has started treatment of immunosuppressant drugs at BC Children’s Hospital.

About the Event

Straight Out of Sci-Fi is a fundraiser for for Luke, that will see these sci-fi stars in conversation with award-winning film and TV journalist Sabrina Furminger (YVR Screen Scene). The event offers a kind of “Inside the Actors Studio” but with a sci-fi – and charitable – twist. Also on the schedule: silent and live auctions of rare and unique items; photo opportunities with the stars; refreshments available for purchase; the opportunity to sign up to be a bone marrow donor with Canadian Blood Services’ OneMatch program. More info about donating here

It’ll be a one-of-a-kind, out-of-this-world, intimate afternoon. All funds raised will be donated directly to Luke’s family.

OneMatch Stem Cell & Marrow Network will be onsite registering young males to become potential stem cell donors. Fill out a form, swab your cheek and you might just be the one match to save someone’s life! Not a 17-35 year old male? Sign up to become a blood donor! Chelsey Reist from The 100 will be available for photos and signing autographs. You do not need to purchase a ticket for this portion. Attendees during this time will be entered into a draw. Four names will be drawn and those people will get to stay and participate in the rest of the afternoon’s activities.

If you are unable to attend you can start the registration process online and you can also donate directly to Luke’s family here. Tickets for Straight Out of Sci-Fi are on sale now through the Vancouver TheatreSports box office.

The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd! Summer starts on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at 7:05pm when the defending Northwest League Champions, the Vancouver Canadians, fresh off a five-game series down in Eugene, return north to host the Everett Aquasox.

This year, on top of affordable family fun cheering on our team for 38 home games at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, fans can enjoy 8 Fireworks Extravaganzas, 6 A&W Family Fun Sundays, 6 Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat days, 4 Superstar Series Appearances and much more!

Here is the full promotional calendar for the Vancouver Canadians.

June 2018

Wednesday June 20, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza/Magnetic Schedule (first 2,500 fans)
Presented by Whistler Brewing
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza Presented by Scotiabank
Friday June, 22, 2018
Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat
TuesdayJune, 26, 2018
Throwback Jersey Auction
Presented by Waste Management
Wednesday June, 27, 2018
Drawstring Bag Giveaway (first 500 fans)
Presented by Developmental Disabilities Association
ThursdayJune, 28, 2018
Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat
Friday June, 29, 2018
Cooler Tube Giveaway (first 1,000 fans 19+)
Presented by Dublin Calling
Saturday June, 30, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza Presented by Scotiabank

Get tickets online today »

July 2018

Sunday, July 01, 2018
A&W Family Fun Sunday/Toque Giveaway (first 500 kids, 12 & under)
Monday, July 02, 2018
Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat
Tuesday, July 03, 2018
C’s Cap Giveaway (first 1,000 fans)
Presented by The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
Saturday, July 07, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza
Sunday, July 08, 2018
A&W Family Fun Sunday/Photoball Giveaway (first 1,000 kids, 12 & under)
Monday, July 09, 2018
Dog Day of Summer
Presented by Petcurean
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Superstar Appearance by JP Arencibia/Card Giveaway (first 1,000 fans)
Presented by Special Olympics/Blakes
Friday July 20, 2018
Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat
Saturday July 21, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza Presented by Cloverdale Paint
Sunday, July 22, 2018
A&W Family Fun Sunday/Youth Jersey Giveaway (first 500 kids, 12 & under)
Monday, July 23, 2018
Throwback Jersey Auction
Presented by the Salvation Army
Friday, July 27, 2018
Presented by Port of Vancouver
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza/hey y’all! Helmet Giveaway (first 1,000 fans 19+)
Presented by hey y’all! Southern Style Hard Iced Tea
Sunday, July 29, 2018
A&W Family Fun Sunday/Backpack Giveaway (first 1,000 kids, 12 & under)
Monday, July 30, 2018
Superstar Appearance by Mookie Wilson/Card Giveaway (first 1,000 fans)
Presented by BC Sports Hall of Fame/Blakes
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Water Bottle Giveaway (first 2,000 fans)
Presented by Wawanesa Insurance

Get tickets online today »

August 2018

Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Superstar Appearance by Justin Morneau/Card Giveaway (first 1,000fans)
Presented by Special Olympics/Blakes
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Fleece Blanket (first 1,000 fans)
Presented by Scotiabank
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat
Friday, August 17, 2018
Presented by Vancouver Parks Board
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza
Presented by Carter Honda
Sunday, August 19, 2018
A&W Family Fun Sunday/Youth Cap Giveaway (first 500 kids, 12 & under)
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Presented by Port of Vancouver
Friday, August 24, 2018
Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat
Saturday, August 25, 2018
Fireworks Extravaganza
Presented by Holborn
Sunday, August 26, 2018
A&W Family Fun Sunday/Umbrella Giveaway (first 500 fans)
Monday, August 27, 2018
Team Photo Giveaway (First 2,500 fans) & Throwback Jersey Auction
Presented by Van Houtte Coffee Services
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Superstar Appearance by Cliff Floyd/Card Giveaway (first 1,000 fans)
Presented by BC Sports Hall of Fame/Blakes
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Presented by Sleeman Breweries
Friday, August 31, 2018 Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat

Tickets are on sale now starting at just $16! Follow the team on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and use the tag #AtTheNat.

Playland Nights for adults only return every Friday, from June 22 to July 27, 2018. Playland is hosting these 6 evenings for those 19+, with food, drinks, midway games, and exhilarating rides. The grounds will be fully licensed, so you can enjoy your favourite craft beer, glass of wine, or Playland-inspired cocktail throughout the park.

Playland Nights for Adults Only

When: June 22 & 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018
7:00pm to 12:00am midnight
Tickets: Last year’s events sold out, tickets are now on sale, act fast! Playland Season Passes are not valid for these special events. Some activations require an extra fee.

In addition to guest DJs spinning party tunes under the twinkling lights, people can enjoy Playland-inspired cocktails, craft beer and wine while participating in the fun.

New this year: Discover a virtual reality racing experience, burlesque shows featuring nostalgic carnival glamour, and atmospheric entertainment. Test your Lumber Jack/Jill skills at the axe-throwing station and more exciting activations throughout the site.

VIP Experience

This year, Playland Nights is introducing VIP offerings to provide exclusive benefits for discerning guests looking for an elevated experience. VIP ticket holders get express park entry, can skip the line at ten different rides, and exclusive access to a VIP bar.

Follow PNE/Playland on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information.

The Q to Q ferry service in New Westminser returns this summer, offering passenger travel between Queensborough and Quayside, from May 19 to October 28, 2018. The ferry will run seven days a week at least every 30 minutes, with sailings every 15 minutes during peak times.

Q to Q Ferry Service in New Westminster

Running from Westminster Quay under the Inn at the Quay and from Queensborough at the Port Royal Public Dock, the passage takes just 5 minutes across the Fraser River.

Ticketing

A trip in either direction requires a paid fare, either an individual ticket or a monthly pass or you may pay using exact cash on board at the time of boarding. Children aged 0-5 do not require a fare.

Full Fare (19-64 years)
$2 one way, $40 for a one month pass
Concession (Seniors 65+, children 6-18, & people with disabilities)
$1 one way, $20 for a one month pass

Tickets and passes can be purchased in advance at Queensborough Community Centre, Centennial Community Centre, City Hall, and at three shops in River Market: Craft Café, Paddlewheeler Liquor Store, and Jolene’s Natural Soaps.

The #QtoQFerry is sponsored by Aragon Properties.

This post has been contributed by Kathleen Stormont, SPES Communications Specialist with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).

The Buzz about Mason Bees

Hives, honey and yellow stripes likely come to mind when you think of bees. We’re all familiar with the iconic honeybee, but there are over 4,000 native bee species in North America and many sport colours ranging from red to metallic green. Unlike the social, domesticated honeybees, these wild bees are solitary – living in hollow stems and soil burrows, or under rocks and leaves.

A native orchard mason bee pollinates
an apple blossom. Photo: Red58bill, Wikimedia.org

Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) is working to support one of these solitary bee species, the blue orchard mason bee.

Like many bees around the world, our mason bees (Osmia lignaria) are in trouble, threatened by severe habitat loss, escalating pesticide use, and pollen mites. Without the bees’ pollination services, many wild plants and cultivated crops would be unable to thrive. Although SPES is hosting only a small number of mason bees (about 300), the benefits may be significant: 6 mason bees will pollinate one fruit tree compared to 10,000 honey bees! In Stanley Park, the bees work hard to pollinate early spring flowers like our native salmonberries. A single mason bee will visit between 1,600 to 2,400 blossoms daily, and pollinate over 90% of them.

You’ll find evidence of our mason bee program just north of the Nature House on Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park. In a sunny patch beside the lake, look for bee habitat complete with native flowering plants and bee “condos”.

SPES Conservation Technician Ariane Comeau
manages the bee condo at Lost Lagoon.

Plastic blocks of tubes house the bees over the winter. Come spring, the male bees are the first to hatch from their cocoons in the tubes, waiting for the females to emerge so they can pounce and mate. The females feed on nectar to build their strength for laying up to 30 eggs each in an empty tube.

By June all the eggs are laid and the adult bees die. Bee larvae emerge from the eggs a week after being laid. They feed for a month on the pollen mass left in the tube by their mother, then spin a cocoon around themselves and slowly transform into an adult bee over fall and winter. The warmth of next spring spurs them to emerge from their cocoons and start the cycle of life again.

An orchard mason bee rests on its “condo”.
Photo by Michael Schmidt.

We chose plants for our bee garden that bloom when the bees are emerging from their cocoons. This ensures a stable food supply for the busy bees.

You can plant the same native species on your balcony or in your yard to support these and other pollinators.

Some good plant choices include: coastal strawberry, nodding onion, red flowering currant, Nootka rose, and tall Oregon grape.

Volunteers plant Oregon grape at the bee garden by Lost Lagoon.
Photo by Michael Schmidt.

Keeping mason bees in your own garden, or even on your condo balcony, is an easy way to promote pollination and support this important pollinator.

Learn more about mason bees and their care online here »

Special thanks to the Al Roadburg Foundation for supporting the Stanley Park mason bees project

About SPES Saturday

As a member of the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”), I wanted to offer the organization an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I created the “SPES Series” years ago. This is where SPES can contribute and share stories with my audience once a month. Follow SPES on Facebook for more information.