The 7th Macaron Day in Vancouver is coming up on March 20th, joining bakeries, cafes and bistros around the world to support local causes, one sweet treat at a time.
Macaron Day
Macaron Day was founded in France (le jour du macaron) by Pierre Hermé years ago. It’s a day to celebrate the colours of spring with a bright palette of treats. Macaron Day events will be happening overseas, in New York, and in Toronto. Over the last few years it has become a Vancouver tradition as well.
Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) are meringue-based confections commonly filled with buttercream or jam with a delicate soft and crunchy outer shell. All you need to do is visit a participating “Macaron Day” bakery or cafe on March 20th and you’ll be given a macaron and be invited to make a donation their chosen charity.
Participants and Causes
1) Bon Macaron for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
2823 W Broadway, Vancouver
When you purchase 6 macarons at any of their locations, $5 from each purchase will be donated to BC Children’s Hospital. Bon Macaron is also hosting a Macaron Day contest.
2) Soirette for Make a Wish Foundation BC Yukon.
1433 W Pender, Vancouver
Soirette is offering a box of 6 macarons for half price and 100% of sales from the first 50 boxes will benefit Make a Wish BC.
3) Meinhardt South Granville for Africa Community Technical Society.
3002 Granville St, Vancouver
Meinhardt is giving out salted caramel macarons between 2:00 and 6:00pm. They will also donate $5 to Africa Community Technical Society for every 6pc box sold.
4) TWG Tea
1070 W Georgia St
Select various hued gift boxes of 6, 12 or 20-count of TWG’s signature tea-infused macarons, priced at $18, $36, and $72 respectively. Enjoy a special 1 for 1 promotion on all macarons purchased between 20th to 22nd March 2018, while stocks lasts at the TWG Tea Salon & Boutique on West Georgia. *Note: No charity component for this promotion.
Do you know of any more locations? The list will be updated as offerings and specials are announced.
This post has been contributed by Greg Hart, Urban Wildlife Coordinator with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).
Grab a Bird’s Eye View of Stanley Park’s Herons
Stanley Park’s Heron Cam
First Herons of the Year in Tree (Photo: Heron Cam/Vancouver Park Board)
The Pacific great blue herons have finally returned to their nesting trees in Stanley Park. This year’s arrival was quite abrupt. Before this past week, the herons had only been seen in and around the colony nests for a few fleeting moments. Then, suddenly, late Sunday afternoon (March 11), eleven males claimed nests. Monday morning—setting up just before dawn and completely unphased by daylight saving time—a few more birds joined their ranks squawking away in the trees by the Vancouver Park Board offices. As of this writing (March 15), more than 50 herons can be seen squabbling for nests and partners.
Pacific great blue herons are a Species at Risk in BC. We are quite fortunate to have such a large colony within such a busy urban area. Stanley Park Brewing, the Vancouver Park Board, and Stanley Park Ecology Society all have the heron’s best interests in mind. Stanley Park Brewing has adjusted their construction schedule at the old Fish House Restaurant site to postpone the majority of the outdoor work until after the breeding season.
Only the male herons bring twigs to the nest. (Photo: Martin Passchier)
The Park Board has developed a new management plan in consultation with biologists from the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada to ensure the construction and park activities do not cause distress to the birds. Stanley Park Brewing has also hired an independent environmental monitor to be on-site daily to ensure that human activity is not disturbing the colony.
Heron fishing in Lost Lagoon (Photo: Greg Hart/SPES)
Stanley Park Ecology Society continues to monitor the colony’s size, productivity, and success rate. We are all thrilled to see the herons behaving as they normally would this time of year. Currently, 41 nests are occupied with herons. These nests are the ones closest to the Park Board offices. Historically, these are always the first nests to be settled and claimed. Over the next couple weeks, we expect to see more and more herons continue to return, pair up, and raise fledglings.
The Heron Cam is now live! Watch all the excitement and drama unfold during this breeding season.
Here’s a snapshot of recent jousting activity between males:
New for the year, Stanley Park Ecology Society will provide live nature interpretation at the heron colony every week. You can help support our monitoring and education programs by Adopting-a-Heron-Nest.
If you have questions or would like to know more about these birds, email us or join us at the colony! We’ll see you there.
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.
The first and only thought that went through the minds of the Rio Theatre‘s team when they heard that their landlord got an offer from a developer in early 2018 was: “We have to save the building.”
Save the Rio Theatre
They sprung into action, launching an online campaign so they could provide a counter-offer. The community rallied, celebrities threw in their support, and over tens of thousands of online signatures, their creative offer to purchase was accepted.
Built in 1938, The Rio Theatre is a historical landmark that has become an award winning hub for independent film and live performance.
Now, the Rio Theatre has about 18 days left to raise millions of dollars.
They have setup an Indiegogo campaign with some fun and creative offers for supporters. Tax receipts will also be issued for those who donate $300 or more, through the Vancouver Art House Society, a registered non-profit BC society.
This is your chance to help save, and be a part of, Vancouver history.
There are so many ways you can support the Indiegogo campaign, with over 50 perks being offered in partnership with local businesses.
Win Tickets to Kevin Smith
When the campaign first began, writer, director, actor and podcaster Kevin Smith generously showed his support on social media and offered to step up for the cause. Even after suffering a heart attack in late February, he is still committed to the Rio.
Kevin Smith will be hosting two sold out shows at the Rio Theatre on Friday, March 30, 2018 and I have tickets to give away to the later show at 9:30pm PLUS the perk of early entry since it is General Admission.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Visit the Indiegogo page and leave a comment back here naming your favourite perk on offer (1 entry)
- Comment on this post on Facebook, naming a film or show you’ve seen (or would like to see) at the Rio Theatre (1 entry)
- Click and post the tweet below on Twitter (1 entry)
[clickToTweet tweet=”Spread the word and let’s #SaveTheRio! http://bit.ly/SaveRio604 RT to enter to win tickets to see @ThatKevinSmith at the @RioTheatre on March 30th http://bit.ly/RioKS604″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Use the tag #SaveTheRio on social media and follow the Rio on Facebook and Twitter for their latest updates.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Update The winner is @silverselene03!
Chor Leoni proudly opens its 4th annual VanMan Male Choral Summit with TAKE 6, the most-awarded a cappella group in history, as they enjoy their Vancouver debut, April 6th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The ensemble are set to charm with their singular renditions of cherished jazz, gospel, pop and R&B favourites, including songs from their just-announced, soon-to-be-released album, ICONIC.
Take 6. Photo credit: John Shyloski
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir Presents TAKE 6
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
When: Friday April 6, 2018 at 8:00pm
Tickets: From $35. Available by phone 1-877-840-0457 or online via TicketsTonight »
All audiences are invited to experience the harmony-rich and swoon-worthy sound of this larger-than-life, all-male sextet. From classic ballads such as Ben E. King’s Stand by Me, to chart-topping hits like Pharrell’s Happy, TAKE 6 are known to “bring the house down”.
Since they began in Huntsville, Alabama in 1980, TAKE 6 has won the hearts of fans and critics at venues across the globe, racking up a staggering 10 GRAMMY’s, 10 Dove Awards (Gospel Music Awards), Best Jazz Vocal Group honours for seven consecutive years in Downbeat’s Reader’s and Critic’s Poll, a Soul Train Music Award, and many other prestigious recognitions. In 2014, the illustrious crooners were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.
With clarity and precision, swinging from tender falsetto, to lush baritone without missing a beat, Take 6 draws sold out crowds. Major artists as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, James Taylor, k.d. lang, and Sheryl Crow have sought these singing cavaliers out to collaborate on stage and in recordings. Called to perform on Saturday Night Live, at the Oscar’s, at the White House, and in countless other high-profile gigs, Take 6 remain in the spotlight and in high-demand.
Win Tickets to TAKE 6
I have a pair of tickets to give away to this performance on April 6th, here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to see @TAKE6Official in concert, presented by @ChorLeoni http://ow.ly/aVS630iYsYH” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
Follow Chor Leoni on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on their latest events and performances.
Update The winner is Jeanne!
Join Realwheels Theatre for an intellectually sexy and thought-provoking evening as they present SEQUENCE, the award-winning science thriller by Arun Lakra. This production integrates a cast of four professional actors, including two who live with disability. The casting speaks to Realwheels Theatre’s ongoing commitment to fostering interchange between mainstream and disability arts sectors.
Realwheels Theatre Presents SEQUENCE
When:March 14-24, 2018
Performance Times: March 16-17 & 21-24 @ 8:00pm; March 18 @ 2:00pm
Where: Presentation House Theatre (333 Chesterfield Avenue; North Vancouver)
Tickets: Adult: $28, deaf; PWD: $20; Senior: $20; Student, Arts Worker: $15; School Groups: $10 per student. Tickets are on sale now at Presentation House’s Box Office, online, or by phone at (604) 990-3474. Advisory: Mature content, not suitable for children.
Added Value Shows:
Enjoy a post-show discussion on Wednesday, March 21
ASL Interpretation on Sunday, March 18
Live Description by VocalEye for people who have vision loss on Saturday, March 17 & Saturday, March 24
About SEQUENCE
Is our luck programmed in our genes? Is there an innate ‘right-ness’ to biological outcomes that’s rooted in our fundamental DNA? SEQUENCE is a fast-paced, science thriller that explores the intersection of math, nature, and spirituality.
A professor confronts a student who has defied probability by taking a multiple choice exam only to get every answer wrong. Meanwhile, the “Luckiest Man Alive” – with his uncanny ability to predict the winner of the Super Bowl coin toss for 20 years running – is confronted by a young woman who claims to know his secret. In SEQUENCE, two different paths converge. Belief systems clash, ideas mutate, and order springs from chaos!
Directed by Rena Cohen and featuring performances by Amy Amantea (Comedy on Wheels), Jake Anthony (Just Watch Me: A Trudeau Rock Musical), Byron Noble (The Foreigner) and Krista Skwarok (Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street), SEQUENCE explores questions of determinism versus free will via two stories that interweave like a strand of DNA.
This production of SEQUENCE will be the first-ever to be performed by an integrated cast, giving audiences a rare glimpse into the lived experience of disability.
Follow RealWheels on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more information.
