Travel 4 km in just 3 hours, 41 minutes!

Last week Translink and Google maps got together and released Google transit.
Google transit allows you to fine transit routs for Vancouver and various other metropolitan cities using Google maps.
I have thought of doing this mash up before but I could never get the data out of Translink properly.

A great system I have used it a few times. Of cource they still have some bugs to work out.

6 transfers and 3 hours, 41 minutes to travail 4k
240 st and Lougheed hwy Maple Ridge ==> Mavis and Glover, Langley, Greater Vancouver

Origami Masters Exhibition

Although historically considered a children’s pastime, origami has exploded in popularity and visibility in recent years.
We are now in a Renaissance period in the history of the ancient art of paperfolding.
Artists from around the world are embracing the medium, and new techniques are being constantly explored and created.
This exhibition highlights some of the best work in the in medium, with works by 25 of the top origami artists from nine countries.

The Pacific Coast Origami Conference will be held in the beautiful Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (9-11 Nov 2007)
A public exhibition will be held at the Pendulum Gallery (HSBC) (1-11 Nov 2007 )

Picture: Geistkampfer by Hojyo Takashi taken by Joseph Wu Origami

BAXBEAR Release party Nov10 2007

BAXBEAR Release party Nov10 2007
9.00 PM - midnight November 10th 2007
EL Kartel
121A - 1025 Robson street
Vancouver B.C.

I have hundreds of these vinel toys, I just love them. Toy Robot is my hero.
I have been buying 1 new one every week for the last 2 years and amounted a decent collection.
I’m going, you should go too.
Say hi if you see me!

Board Game design challenge #2 - vancouver

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House hunting in vancouver

House hunting in Vancouver is exalting to say the lest, with a less then 1% vacancy rate and school just around the corner its almost impossible to find anything worthy in late August or early September. I have gotten suggestions from friends and family that I should just rent a motel for a month and wait till December when the renting rush is over and done with. But for some of us this isn’t an option so I have created this list of house hunting websites that might help you in your search.

I also found a good article on how things got so bad in this city, its worth a read.
http://thetyee.ca/Life/2007/08/31/RentalFever/

OK to talk to

br-button2.jpg I have always had trouble striking up conversation with random people, I like to be introduced to someone first to have the ‘Its OK to talk to me’ smile and hand shake.

I hate getting that unwelcome, confused look that you sometimes get when you try to strike up a conversation with a random somebody and there trying to find out what you are trying to sell them.

To day I was reading one of my RSS feeds for BeyondRobson.com, and I came across this story can’t talk to vancouverites about Ok Social.

Basically its a button that you can wear that tells the world that its OK for you to talk to you. A button that tells people that you are willing to take some time out of your day to talk to a random person.

My first thought was who in there right mind would wear that button but over the day the idea grew on me and I ended up requesting on for my self from Ok Social. Apparently the buttons are free “The idea is to make this a friendlier place, not make money.”

Its an interesting idea, I hope it works out and I can’t wait to find someone else in the city that also has the button.

Want to help?

  1. Wear a button. Get one at  info@oksocial.org
  2. Give out a bunch of buttons to your friends to wear. Request a bunch of buttons… we’ll give them to you. It’s free.
  3. Visit our MySpace profile and be our friend.
  4. Download this simple printable poster and post it somewhere.
  5. Send us your suggestions.  info@oksocial.org
  6. Blog about us! This really helps to spread the word.
  7. Steward OK in your city, school, neighbourhood, etc. Ask us how…

VIVO Media arts - upcoming workshops

cameraVIVO Media arts is a not for profit video production, exhibition and distribution center. They rent equipment, and exhibition spaces with there pretty cheap Membership rate its a good resouce for anyone tring to get in to film or other media arts.

They also have a good variety of workshops on many different subjects.
Some of the upcoming workshops that have caught my eye;

Beginner electronics and circuit bending
Thu. April 26, 6-9 PM, Fri. April 27, 6-9 PM (Two sessions x 3 hours)

This course will cover some basic theory of electronic principals that is essential for beginning to work with this medium. From there we will look at some of the components that make up simple circuits and that create the building blocks for more complex circuits. Students will learn some of the basic skills needed for electronic work such as soldering, breadboarding, and reading a schematic. These skills will be used to build a simple audio amplifier (simlare to the cracker box amp that i made earlier) and experiment with different input options such as contact microphones. We will also have a look at how to get started with circuit bending and modifying existing circuits.

Reverse animation and compositing
Sat. April 28 2-6 PM

Reverse Animation is similar to Rotoscoping. Rotoscoping is an animation technique in which animators trace over live-action film movement, frame by frame, for use in animated films. Reverse Animation is the process in which you ERASE elements of live action or other media, using Photoshop, creating transparent backgrounds or other effects. These frames can then be used in Final Cut Pro to create professional looking multi-layer compositions.

Digital photography
Thu. May 10, 6-9:30 PM, Fri. May 11, 6-9:30 PM (Two sessions x 3.5 hours)

The irony of digital photography is that it is now so easy and convenient to take good pictures, yet people are too overwhelmed by these advances to take advantage of them. In this workshop participants will learn how to manipulate ISO settings (sensitivity of “film”), when to use spot metering or regular metering, how to use aparture priority and shutter priority, how to set white balance, and how to do post processing. The workshop will be hands-on, with an extensive question and answer session.

VIVO Media arts has lots of other workshops available and new ones are added regularly, if you get a chance you should check them out.

Manhunt

Today I was told by a friend of mine of a game that recently started in Vancouver called Manhunt.

BASIC MANHUNT RULES:
Manhunt is a hide-and-seek variant. The game starts out with one person, known as the MANHUNTER, who is “it”. After the manhunter has been selected, the FUGITIVES have 120 seconds to hide.

If a FUGITIVE is tagged by a MANHUNTER, she or he is BRAINWASHED and forced to join the side of the MANHUNTERS. At the end of the designated time limit, all FUGITIVES who have not been arrested are declared the winners.

Play occurs within predetermined boundaries. If a FUGITIVE exits these boundaries for any reason, she/he joins the MANHUNTERS. Players are identified as being distinct from the general civilian population by means of a HIGHLY-VISIBLE ARMBAND.

Sounds like an interesting game.

The next match is WEDNESDAY April 25th 2007 @ 7:30 & 8:45 pm @ Waterfront Station. I’m going to see if i can convince a few of my friends to join me its always better with more people.
You can find out more about this game from the official Vancouver manhunt site.

Review - The End Cafe

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Last Saturday night around 9pm we where killing time at Broadway Skytrain station before heading downtown to see some show and we decided to in at The End Cafe for a bit.

The place was packed with people (20 something to mid 30s) there was a live Spanish band playing on a small stage that was pretty good good. People dancing laughing and generally having a good time, great first date atmosphere.

We ordered a Amaretto Sour ($4.50) but they couldn’t have done a worse job, first they didn’t use a shaker, pored one good size shot of Ameretto in to a glass of cube ice and added a shot of raspberry sour puss. I don’t know what they where thinking adding sour puss to a Ameretto sour but I wouldn’t pay for it. I complained for a bit and they gave me a free beer.

The bad drink tainted the entire night but the good music and atmosphere made up for it, I will go back to this place but I won’t be ordering any of there badly mixed drinks.

Name: The End Cafe
Address: 360 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC (map)
Ratting: 8/10
Last word: Good music, Good atmosphere, bad mixed drinks order a beer.

Vancouver Public Library - Book sale

VPL_1.jpgIts that time again Vancouver Public Library annual book sale, cheap books from $0.55- $2.25. Some of the books that they are selling off include; Adult and children’s novels, Children’s non-fiction books, Children’s picture books, Pocket-sized fiction paperbacks, Large print books, Audio cassettes, Multilingual books, Magazines, Encyclopedia sets.

Map to Vancouver public library

Hours
Thursday, April 12 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Friday, April 13 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday, April 14 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 15 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Stephos Greek Taverna - The artificial line

stephos_greek_taverna_1.jpgIn my never ending search for new and interesting restaurants in Vancouver, places like Stepho’s Greek Taverna and The Naam often get suggested. most of the time they comes with a warring ‘You will have to wait in line for at lest 20 mins but the food is good’.

I been to both places there good there is no denying that but not worth the wait there are lots of other superior Greek places in Vancouver that take reservations and aren’t so over crowed for the same price.

So why are these places so popular?

Some of the users on darrenbarefoot.com suggest that its the line its self that makes it so popular. When people walk by the see the long line and say to them selfs “that place must be good if its got such a long line”. It makes sense too, clubs and bars have know this for years(The Roxy comes to mind) . You see a long line in front of a club and you think to yourself that place must be popular, there has to be a pretty show in there, that place must be pretty exclusive I wonder if they would LET me in there.

Some people are starting to wise up thou the place right down the street is gets a pretty good run off of people from Stephos and the mongolain place across the stree and west a bit is pretty popular thanks to there artificial line.

Stephos is a place for people that want to feel privileged to be let in to a place that makes them wait, me I won’t be going back anytime soon.

Thanks to waqas for the photo of Stephos.

Vancovuer report a crime online

iv009_19970084_arms_vancouv_1.jpgVancouver now lets you to report crimes in Vancouver online. I have been broken in to twice, my bike stolen 3 times and ‘misplaced’ my digital camera 5 times. Every time I call Vancouver’s non emergency phone number 604-717-3321 wait on hold for what seems like hours and report it. I don’t ever expect it to be recovered but I feel an obligation to report it.

Vancouver police finnely upgraded there site to web 2.0 and let people report small crimes online as long as they fit in to one of the following categories.

  • You have lost something that costs less than $5000.
  • Someone has stolen something from you that costs less than $5000.
  • Someone has vandalized your property or car.
  • Someone has broken into your car.
  • Someone has used your credit card, bank card, or cheques without your permission and you have lost less than $5000.

All other crimes will require a police officer, please call 604-717-3321 (non-emergency line) immediately.

its still a pain to get your stuff stolen but at lest its easier to report it now.

I was first told about this new service from the good people at citizenvancouver.com Thanks

Vancouver’s Restaurants review site - Dinehere.ca

restaurant_iconVancouver has thousands of restaurant to choose from and each week me and a few friends try out a new one. Finding a new restaurants never hard with fantastic websites such as Dinehere.ca but its are missing a few nice to have features such as a map of all the restaurants in your area, and select a random restaurant.

Selecting a random Vancouver restaurant isn’t that hard just select a random number between 1 and 9999 and replace Restaurant ID www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r={restaurant id} in the address bar. I created a small utility that does this for you and also selects a random restaurant type

With out access to Dinehere.ca’s database it would be hard to generate a Google map of the local address. (With read DB access I could generate a script with in a day) I have requested the feature a few times but I have not gotten a response. Maybe if a few of my readers also request it they might implement it. Contact Dinehere.ca

Anyone know of a local Vancouver restaurant site that has a map of the local restaurants?

What is there to do in Vancouver?

Living in Vancouver I find myself asking the same question all too often.
What should I do in Vancouver? or What is going on this weekend in Vancouver?

I have made a pretty extensive list of touristy places to visit in Vancouver a few months ago but I still find my self asking the same questions. There is only so many times you can visit the The Vancouver Aquarium before you want to drown yourself.

So I have compiled this list of places that you can go and look to find something to do in Vancouver.

Vancouver has thousands of different restaurants to choose from and each week I try to go someplace new in this city (I create a reviews for every place I go to on dinehere.ca) Some other great Vancouver restaurant and eateries review sites include; dinehere.ca, urbandiner, VanEats.com vancouvercoffee.ca.

Vancouver has a pretty active music seen, and Livemusicvancouver.com has a great list of upcoming shows in pubs, bars, and clubs around the city. There is also Clubvibes, Clubzone.com.

Vancouver sometimes has special events but unless you read the paper every day you might not even hear anything about them until it is too late. Lucky there are a few events websites that can tell you what is coming and what you need to know about. Upcoming.org is one of my favorite places, there is also Vancouver Events and straight.com

Last but not least if you are still stuck for something to do try trolling some of the other Vancouver blogs out there. My favorite Vancouver blogs are thevancouverite.com, and Beyond Robson

I have found lots of other Vancouver blogs in no perpendicular order; Gus’s Place, Purrrlescence, John Bollwitt, DingoRue, Meg Fowler, Jonathon Narvey, Really Smooth Music, Vancouver Events, Susan Natalie ,Industrial Brand Creative, Gus Greeper, Miss 604, Mike Browne, VanRamblings, Metroblogging Vancouver, Jak’s View From Van, Immutably Me, Kitsilano.ca, Public Eye Online, Urban Vancouver, Darren Barefoot, Breebop, discovervancouver.com If you know of any other Vancouver blogs leave a comment and I will add it to my list.

Camilla d’Errico - One of my favorite Vancouver artists

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Camilla d’Errico is one of my favorite Vancouver artists, I first met her at the main street monthly comic convention back in early 2006. Her work was amazing her helmet head paintings blew me away. She had a very original style, with a hint of Anime, a bit of sex appeal, colorful, and with the obvious experience that makes her work stand out of the crowed.

In 2007 she started to pop up a lot more as she started doing a lot more show local and abode. A list of her upcoming shows can be found on her website.

She also sells prints of her work on her website, I bought a few when i met her at the comic con.

Camillia has a standing show of her work at the ayden gallery in Tinseltown Vancouver. I highly suggest that you check out her work.

A online gallery of her work can be found on her website Camilladerrico.com, She also has a MySpace

Translink schedules via bus stop ID

pic_bus_neu.jpgOn very bus stop in Vancouver there is a 5 digit code near the top left or button right that is used to identify the bus stop. i have often wondered why I can look up the bus schedules via this number especially when I call up Chris at Translink automationed phone system. People in noisy areas or with heavy ascents can never get the right cross streets with there voice system but imagine if they let people type the bus stop code in to there phone.

Some SFU students got the bright idea to create a system that uses this bus stop identification number and text messing to relay bus schedules to your phone. Mytxt.ca the system is down right now it cost too much to run for two students but they have said that they would give the system to anyone that wants it. $1000 a month for the dedicated computer with bandwidth and $0.07 a text that they send out.

I would gladly pay $0.50 for this information, I hope someone picks it up or Translink gets off there ass and creates something similar. If you are looking for something to invest in that helps your community this project would be ideal

The original story on the Vancouver courier
Frustrated university students take bus schedule matter into own hands

Arroy-d - Best Thai in vancouver

Arroy-d ThaiOne of my new favorite spots
The atmospheres is pretty nice, they have an area where you can sit down on the floor on pillows, and the normal chair and table area with pleasant music plays in the background.

The portions are smaller the some of the other places I have been too but it always fills me up, the good is very good and there lunch specials are great. Less then $6 for most lunch items and 12-15 for the dinner.

Service is fast and the waiters are approachable and attentive.

I would suggest this place to anyone in the area and I might even be convinced to travel some distance to eat here.

Worth a visit

Cuisine: Thai
Price: $10 - $20
Address: 3106 Cambie, Vancouver Map
Tel: 604-879-9944

My Dinehere.ca review
Overall: 4 /10
Food: 4 /10
Service: 4 /10
Ambiance: 4 /10

Vancouver (GVRD) Taxi Numbers

Yellow Cab

Often I find that I can find a cab when I need one in this city. So here is a list of all the major Cab companies in Vancouver.

Bel Air/Coquitlam Cabs - 604.942.8080
Black Top/Checker - 604.731.1111
Bonny’s (Burnaby) - 604.435.6655
Kimber (Richmond) - 604.488.8888
MacLure’s - 604.683.6666
North Shore - 604.987.7171
Queen City - 604.526.1166
Richmond Cabs - 604.272.1111
Royal City - 604.521.6666
Select - 604.433.4466
Sunshine (Delta) - 604.594.5444
Sunshine (N. Shore) - 604.988.8888
Van City Cabs - 604.871.1111
Yellow - 604.681.1111

They can not refuse to pay with credit card, if there system is down they can Phone it in to the office. This is a scam to pocket the money from your card. Source
If they say that they are going to take you to a debit machine to get money make sure that they turn off the timer first, how is it your fault that there system is down.

House Hunting in Vancouver

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Some of my favorite house hunting websites in vancouver

When responding to any online classified ad, it’s always a good idea to provide lots of information about your self. During peek house hunting times such as September some ads can get upwards of 50+ responses a day, a potential renter can get overwhelmed. So make it easy for them to select you over the next guy. Clean well formatted response with your contact information.

If you don’t fine a house on time, you might want to consider putting your stuff in storage and try http://www.couchsurfing.com/ for a while.

CouchSurfing.com helps you make connections worldwide. You can use the network to meet people and then go and surf other members’ couches! When you surf a couch, you are a guest at someone’s house. They will provide you with some sort of accommodation, a penthouse apartment or maybe a back yard to pitch your tent in. Stays can be as short as a cup of coffee, a night or two, or even a few months or more. When you offer your couch, you have complete control of who visits. The possibilities are endless and completely up to you.

Things to do in vancouver

Vancouver sky line

A small personal list of what to do in vancouver

  • Treetops Adventure - Treetops Adventure is the newest of Capilano Suspension Bridge’s attractions and the first venue of its kind in North America, offering a squirrel’s eye view of a thriving coastal forest. Visitors venture from one magnificent Douglas fir tree to another on a series of elevated suspension bridges, some reaching as high as 100 feet (30m) above the forest floor. Guided nature tours and the Kids’ Rainforest Explorer program are some of the activities that enhance this unique rainforest encounter. Recognized for extraordinary innovation with national and provincial tourism and engineering awards, a walk on Treetops Adventure has emerged as one of Vancouver’s quintessential activities.
  • Stanley Park, Vancouver’s first park, is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares (1,000 acres) close to the heart of Vancouver’s downtown core. Its natural west coast atmosphere offering a back drop of majestic cedar, hemlock and fir trees embraces visitors and transports them to an environment rich in tranquility.
  • Queen elizabeth park The top of this beautifully maintained 52 hectare (130 acre) park is the highest point in the city, at 167m (505 ft) above sea level. From the lookouts, visitors have a 360 degree view of the Vancouver skyline. The park receives nearly 6 million visitors a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.
  • Vancouver Aquarium [Beluga Cam]
  • Granville Island [1]
  • The Grouse Grind
  • Wreck beach, Jericho Beach (Webcam), Kitsilano Beach, Spanish Banks.
  • See a movie in Tinseltown
  • Go have breakfast at The Elbow Room on Davie street, about 2 blocks east of Granville. GREAT food, and the waiters will HECKLE you, they are halarious, and it is great fun.
  • La Casa Gelato Venables Street, a few blocks west of Clark Drive, (they have a billion flavors of ice cream, like, Corn, Beer, Tequila, Pistachio, Rice, Wasabi, Curry, Balsamic Vinigrette… and all the traditional favorites!)
  • Goto Chinatown and Little India.
  • Science World on a day you are feeling fun and silly, you should make a point of checking out their OMNIMAX theatre. CRAZY FUN.
  • Explore Commercial Drive. Thoroughly
  • A hookah in The Persian Tea House on Davie and Granville.
  • Open Mic’s and and local/indie music
  • Zen Garden in China town.
  • Anime shops in China town.
  • Farmer’s Market at Trout Lake Park
  • Little India (40th and Oak area)
  • lynn canyon suspension bridge (free) Swiming too
  • sunset from the top of capitol hill
  • comedy at the granville island theatre
  • Tower Beach as the sun rises
  • chinatown in the summer. They have the midnight market. All kindsa food and insanity till midnight on weekends. SO RAD! Happens in richmond too
  • Bons on Broadway is a wicked little place on Tuesdays. They have their $3 breakfast, and $2 pints of beer! After about 6pm it cleans out to young people all in for the beer special
  • And The Blarney Stone has actually been taken over by new owners, as of last week. They fired the whole staff ( some of which have been working there for 10 years ) and have plans to re-vamp the whole place into a “nicer” pub that is open during the day as well. It’s not going to be the same :(
  • If you’re looking for good pub’s with Pool tables check out the Cambie or The Bourbon. They always have good people in it, and it’s always a load of fun where you are guarenteed to meet new people.
  • Squamish chieftain
  • Lighthouse Park [1]
  • VanDusen Botanical Garden

Days of the year

  • Bard on the Beach
  • Festival of Lights
  • Festival of The Dead and Parade of Lost Souls on the Drive just before Halloween.
  • Illuminaries, the latern festival at Trout Lake Park, in May I believe.
  • christmas/halloween train at Stanley Park

Tool at GM place Review

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Erich Saide photo.

Tool at GM Place Review
The stage was set up with a 2-3 meter high white wall that made the musicians look huge compared to the backdrop, they had a few projectors creating some pretty trippy visuals on the wall, it more and more intense with each passing song. Adam Jones was off to the front left and Justin Chancellor on to the right, both where barley in the light of the stage for most of the show. Maynard dead center of the stage, right of him was Danny Carey with a huge drum kit. Above the stage were 3 circle light stages that dropped down to maybe 15 feet above the stage and rotated around, red green and blues. A complex show of red and green lasers that bounced off precisely placed mirrors around GM place filling the place with an amazing ligh show, worthy of praise.

The track list when something like this;

  • Stinkfist
  • The Pot
  • 46 & 2
  • Jambi
  • Schism
  • Rosetta Stoned
  • Right in Two
  • Sober
  • Lateralus
  • Vicarious
  • Aenima

Right after Lateralus a huge track epic with the crowd, they came out and sat down to the edge of the stage feeding off the praise and energy of the crowd, Danny Carey in his Lakers jersey just pumping the crowd for energy.

Amazing show, I will be first in line next time they come anywhere close to Vancouver.

1 Free Grande Iced Cap from Starbucks

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Starbucks goes crazy and starts giving away its Iced coffee.
Get a free Grande Iced Cap from Starbucks!
1 per person, per day, until September 30th, 2006!
Click the image above to print off a copy of the coupon
These things normally would go for around $4 each.
Enjoy !

Who: Starbucks
What: 1 Free Grande Iced Cap pre day
Where: Any lower mainland Starbucks [Find a local Starbucks]
When: Untill September 30th, 2006!

Portobello West Fashion and Art Market

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Portobello West Fashion and Art Market

Inspired by the famous artisan markets of London, Portobello West showcases up to 100 local clothing designers, jewelers, potters and artisans.

Free to the public, Portobello West creates a new shopping experience by bringing together a variety of designers and artists. It provides a place for individuals to support the local fashion industry, purchase unique designs and express their distinctive style.

Portobello West opens August 27, 2006 and will be open year round on the last Sunday of every month from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

When: August 27 2006 from 11am to 5pm [Google Calendar]
Where: Plaza of Nation 750 Pacific Boulevard [Google Map]
Cost: Free of charge

For more information about the event go to www.portobellowest.com

5th Annual BURNABY LAKE ANTIQUES FAIR

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5th Annual BURNABY LAKE ANTIQUES FAIR

Over 250 tables and booths of Antiques & Collectibles under one roof! Antique & estate jewelry, period furnishings, portcards & memorabilia, country collectibles, sterling & silverplate, vintage kitchenalia, decorative art pottery & glass, antiquarian books, mid-century Modernist design, handmade linens & lace, shabby chic decor, old dolls & toys, ephemera, paintings & prints, and much, much more…Early Bird Admission - Saturday Only 8am-10am - $10 at Door / General Admission - Saturday & Sunday - 10am-5pm - $5 at Door / Children Under 13 Free with Adult Admission / Ample Free Parking / Multiple Food Courts

When: Saturday & Sunday - August 26 & 27 - 10am-5pm [Google Calendar]
Where: Burnaby Lake Sports Centre, 3676 Kensington Avenue at Sprott Street, Burnaby, BC [Google maps]
Cost: $10 at Door
More Info: 604-980-3159 or www.antiquesvancouver.com

City Square Heritage Walks

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City Square Heritage Walks

Highlighting Vancouver’s history: Led by local author and heritage expert, John Atkin, these unique tours showcase the rich heritage of surrounding areas. The tour starts from City Square’ Food Court at 10am and lasts about two hours.

August 26th: Fairview Slopes - On this walk see how in an area of extraordinary change there are still bits of history. Look at how this neighbourhood, largely redeveloped in the 1980s, has matured over time.

Walkers are asked to meet at City Square Mall’s Food Court at 10am. Space is limited so get there early. Walks are $10 per person, kids under 12 are free. Contact City Square administration at 604-876-5165 or the Vancouver Heritage Foundation at 604-264-9642.

When: Aug. 26th @ 10am [Google Calendar]
Where: Meet at City Square Mall’s Food Court [Google maps]
Cost: $10 per person, kids under 12 are free.
More Info: 604-264-9642 / www.vancouverheritagefoundation.org

HO-HAI-YAN TAIWANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL

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HO-HAI-YAN TAIWANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL
TAIWANESE CANADIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY

The Taiwanese Cultural Festival returns to celebrate Taiwan’s traditional, aboriginal and modern culture in Vancouver! As a five-time CEIA Best Cultural Event winner, TCF will have outstanding arts and craft exhibitions, excellent food fairs and markets, and vibrantly entertaining performances. Dragon boats races will thrill the audience, and a cooking competition will display Taiwanese and Canadian chefs’ techniques as well as their sense of flavor. It is a great event to end your summer! September 2nd to 4th, Plaza of Nation and Roundhouse Community Centre.

When: [Google Calendar]
Saturday, September 2, 2006 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, September 3, 2006 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Monday, September 4, 2006 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Cost: $9 One Day Pass / $15 Three Day Pass
Where: Plaza of Nation 750 Pacific Boulevard [Google Map]
More info: Hotline: 604-696-1555
www.taiwanfest.ca

2006 DESTINATION FUNNY SHORT FILM CONTEST

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2006 DESTINATION FUNNY SHORT FILM CONTEST
www.vancouvercomedyfest.com

The Vancouver Comedy Festival Society and Destination Funny Entertainment with the UBC Film Society are pleased to announce the first annual “DESTINATION FUNNY SHORTS” short film competition to coincide with the 2006 Canwest Comedyfest presented by RE/MAX. September 18-24th, 2006. www.destinationfunny.com. Nominated shorts films will be screened and judged at the event to be held Monday, September 18, 2006. Winners are announced at the end of the evening.

CONTEST SUBMISSION POLICY

  • Must be in DVD/broadcast ready
  • All submission must include a logline, synopsis and cast and crew list.
  • Films may be animation or live
  • Films must be between 3 and 15 minutes in length
  • Deadline for submissions : August 30, 2006 at 5PM
  • All submissions MUST be comedic in nature
  • THERE IS NO FEE.

PRIZES INCLUDE:
1. SPECIAL BEST FILM PRIZE (tba)
2. DESTINATION FUNNY SHORTS award.
3. Media Acknowledgement in the form of a press release from Destination Funny
4. Two 2006 Canwest Comedy Festival Passes
5. Two Tickets to the Opening Launch Party and passes to the after-hours private parties.

All nominated performers, directors, producers and writers will receive two tickets to the event.
ALL NOMINATED FILMS WILL BE LISTED ON www.destinationfunny.com

Mail to:
Destination Funny c/o FUNNY SHORTS
504-825 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1K9
Direct queries to: interest@shaw.ca

ABOUT THE COMEDYFEST SOCIETY
Vancouver International Comedy Festival Society brings awareness and funds to comedic performers and provides emerging local comics with the audiences needed to develop their skills. This non-profit society has been working for 20 years to fulfill its mandate; to commission and encourage innovative comedic talent in music, film, theatre, street performance and of course, stand-up.

ABOUT THE CANWEST COMEDYFEST PRESENTED BY RE/MAX
The 2006 CanWest ComedyFest promises to be a spectacular six-day event, jam-packed with hilarious side-splitting performances. During the week the best in stand-up, improv and showcase comedy will descend on the west coast. Over 80,000 people have attended our shows over the past two years and we continue to make the CanWest ComedyFest a true jewel of the West Coast.

Summer Addiction Beach Party

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Summer Addiction Beach Party
August 30 will be an introduction to a new series: Summer Addiction. This month we start with a Beach Party that will set a new mark with amazing decorations. With sand, tiki huts, palm trees, surf boards, a special VIP Raft Lounge and more, you will be left feeling as though you’re at the beach and craving nothing but cold drinks and bumpin beats.

Email info@bluelite.ca for guestlist and party bookings.

Where: Tonic Nightclub - 919 Granville St. [Google map]
When: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 9:00 pm - 2:00 am [Google calendar]
Cost: $7 Cover

More info
http://www.bluelite.ca
Phone: 778-889-4784

Larch Market

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LARCH MARKET
A community bazaar

Enjoy the local flavour of a small (and incresingly rare) yuppie-free section of Kitsilano this Saturday.
Artists, musicians, students and chefs will be displaying a variety of treasures - books, records,
clothing, antiques, and more. Come early and chill out on the lawn, enjoy some good music, bask in the sun, and have a snack or two.

When: August 26th, 2006 (Saturday) 9:00am until 4:00pm
Where: Larch Street and 4th avenue, South Side

Parking is limited but the #4 or #7 stop right outside the block, and there’s always tons of room for bikes!

Vancouver Zombie Walk

I hart Zombies

Saturday, August 19 - starts 4pm from the VAG (Vancouver Art Gallery) and 5pm from 15th and Sophia
(near Main St).

(a month away, so you have plenty of time to plan to be there!)
The walk will start in two-stages as follows:

  1. All non-lazy zombies (or “super zombies”) are invited to gather on or around the big steps at the Vancouver Art Gallery no later than 4pm. From the VAG the horde will be skytrain bound. After a stumble through the mall and a short jaunt on Vancouver’s fine public transit system we will de-train at Main St. station and stumble on up to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church - 320 East 15th - two blocks east of Main. Once there, we will take a short pause to collect ourselves, gnaw on brains, and meet up with . . .
  2. The lazy zombies. A second group of zombies will gather in front of the above mentioned church (Bethlehem Lutheran, 320 East 15th, at Sophia and E 15th) at or around 5pm. Remember - zombies tend to move slowly and occasionally have problems with limbs falling off, body stiffness and possibly skytrain security officers. If you do not see any of your brethren exactly at 5pm, be patient. Mill about and look scary.

Once all zombie factions have massed at the church it will be time to head onward and uphill to Mountainview Cemetery at Fraser and 31st. For reference, the walk will proceed along Main Street to 31st should any zombie stragglers be left behind and/or spontaneous zombies wish to join the braaiiins procession.

Once at the cemetery, please be on good zombie behaviour - respect your brethren.

We will linger a short while in the cemetery before moving onwards to nearby Queen Elizabeth Park for some games, brains, fun, prizes, brains and a pinata or two.

Yes, you do have to dress like a zombie. Those who do not do so are welcome, but risk having their brains eaten by confused zombies. You have to admit - they’re not all that smart, but they know a good living brain when they smell it.

Causes of zombie-ness: As everyone knows - or should know - zombies are usually attributable to one or more of the following:

  1. voodoo
  2. science gone astray - chemical or biological accidents, experiments, viruses and the like
  3. the apocalypse

Of course, there are many more possibilties. Be creative. Corpses in all stages of decay are encouraged.
For the low-budget zombie:

  1. Oatmeal and liquid latex works wonders.
  2. Food colouring and corn syrup makes convincing blood, but sticky. However, also tasty.
  3. Value Village - but I’m sure it’s hardly necessary to mention that.

Finally: As mentioned previously - zombies are only really effective when travelling together in large groups. Bring your friends, foes, family and other loved ones.

Nothing says you love someone quite like caking yourself in make-up, limping down the street together and eating them in the park!

Pass this info on to anyone who might be interested - it has a bit of a ‘viral’ feel to it, but see zombie cause number 2. It all makes perfect sense.

Where: VAG
When: Saturday, August 19 - Starts 4pm
Who: Zombie

For more infomation
http://groups.myspace.com/vanzombiewalk

The fair at the PNE!