This is a good book
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Police Crack Down On Cyclists
There have been a lot more crackdowns on cyclists that are riding without helmets.
I'm of two minds about this.
On the one hand, I lost my brother in law to a head injury on a bicycle, so I know how serious an issue it is (he was actually wearing a helmet at the time, but still died)
However, it does also seem like somewhat misplaced resources on the other hand.
Lets hear what you think
http://liveinstrathcona.com/admin/forum_categories/123/forums/191/topics/576
I'm of two minds about this.
On the one hand, I lost my brother in law to a head injury on a bicycle, so I know how serious an issue it is (he was actually wearing a helmet at the time, but still died)
However, it does also seem like somewhat misplaced resources on the other hand.
Lets hear what you think
http://liveinstrathcona.com/admin/forum_categories/123/forums/191/topics/576
Monday, June 1, 2009
Union Street Block Party - July 11th
July 11th is the Union Street Block Party here in strathcona. This family friendly event takes place in the 600-block area of Union, and is always lots of fun on a sunny hot evening. Good food, friendly neighbours, a cold drink, and you're set! Watch out for posters around the neighbourhood for more details as the event nears, or check back to LiveInStrathcona! We'll keep you up to date as we find out more.
NINETEENTH ANNUAL HAWKS AVENUE YARD SALE
Any local Strathcona resident is sure to know or at least heard of the Annual Hawks Avenue Yard Sale. It's a time of year when everyone rounds up their old treasures, gently (and not so gently) loved items, and take part in a very unique community event. "It's one of the most fun events of the season," says local realtor and neighbour Rick Stonehouse. "A great way to meet your neighbours and share your excess treasures." Be sure not to miss this year, marking it's 19th Anniversary.
Sunday, June 14th, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Hawks Avenue, in Strathcona. $2 will be collected from vendors to help cover costs of advertising
Sunday, June 14th, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Hawks Avenue, in Strathcona. $2 will be collected from vendors to help cover costs of advertising
Monday, April 6, 2009
A Fresh Take On Developing the Downtown Eastside
While Vancouver's politicians and academics discuss solutions to the Downtown Eastside's pervasive poverty, one developer is rolling up his sleeves and getting to work.
David Duprey, with his punk tattoos and aggressive language, would look out of place in a boardroom business meeting. But in the Downtown Eastside, he seems to fit right in.
He speaks with conviction about the area, saying that Vancouver has been passive for too long, and his developments are long overdue.
"If you've got an idea, you just go out and do it. You don't sit around and talk about it for 10 years, you just do it," says Duprey.
And he is doing it. In the past two years, he has leased eight buildings across the city, five of which were vacant for more than a decade before he got them.
Duprey owns the Plank Gallery, a non-profit art space that was the first new business in over a decade to open in the 100-block of East Hastings, a block that is known for rampant drug use and extreme poverty.
He also owns the Grace Gallery at Main Street and 3rd Avenue, as well as the hidden bar, called the Narrow, in the back of Grace Gallery. It hosts DJs most nights, and is difficult to find unless someone points out exactly where it is.
Now, he's opening three more buildings: 108, 110 and 112 E. Hastings Street, buildings that have been empty for 14 years. The space inside is devoted nearly exclusively to art studios, and will provide a workspace at dirt-cheap rates to more than 40 artists. And one store-front is set to open very soon.
Saturday is the grand opening of the Goonies Gallery, an all-girls art collective at 108 E. Hastings Street that will host art shows, parties, movie nights and workshops. It will be the first for-profit business in the area in over a decade, according to Duprey.
Dirt-cheap rental rates
The Goonies pays about 75 cents per square foot every month, which is staggeringly cheap compared with monthly rates of up to $3.50 for a Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) apartment.
And with his seven-year lease, Duprey plans to keep the rents cheap, even if condos spring up around the studios within that time.
"My whole thing is to fight greed. I make money off this, I make enough, but it's not insane. Then I can turn over the rest of the money into decent rates for the people who are there," says Duprey.
But the man who made this happen is quick to shine the spotlight on his tenants. He says these artists are the driving force behind what is happening on this block.
"What I do isn't rocket science," says Duprey as he leans forward in his chair. "I rent out a building, I fix it up, then I rent it out again. C'mon! All over the world, they're doing this--except here in Vancouver."
The 40 year-old businessman was raised in Vancouver, but spent his 20s in San Francisco. He then moved to L.A., where he managed a bar before moving back up to Vancouver. After he got back, he was very surprised at the business climate in the city.
"I was shocked when I came back here by the lack of entrepreneurial spirit," says Duprey, who learned his approach in the U.S., where entrepreneurs are not as reliant on government grants or special assistance.
A fresh take on developing the Downtown Eastside
The approach may be exactly what Canada's poorest postal code needs to balance the local demographics. The artist studios will change the landscape dramatically.
"It's going to make this into a more multi-faceted neighbourhood," said Duprey. "Down here you've got only poor people, and it's boring. We should mix it up."
That is the same approach that was suggested by many speakers, who expressed their views at "The Fix," a recent UBC forum on the Downtown Eastside.
Former city councilor Jim Green has been a resident and an outspoken advocate for this area, and he says the Downtown Eastside needs more arts and culture as well as the basic essentials for living.
"These people, they're dying for culture, we can't just think of material needs, people need culture, too," he said at the forum.
Green also supports a policy that would create diverse neighbourhoods of one-third low income, one-third middle income and one-third high income earners.
This is aimed at creating mutual understanding between the groups and allows for upward mobility for the poor and increased compassion from the rich. It would also stimulate local businesses because some people would have a budget for buying products from local shops.
And Duprey agrees with this strategy.
"I think Jim Green's absolutely right. If that's what he's advocating, then he's 100-per-cent on the money," he said.
Development would also help to keep people in the area after they get a steady income.
"It would be nice if people wanted to stay once they started to get jobs. But I can totally understand; I wouldn't want to live in one of these skid-row places," said Duprey.
A simple appraoch
And he says that turning abandoned buildings into functional spaces won't make all the homeless and drug-addicted people leave.
San Francisco is a good example; in the 1990's, it had a poor neighbourhood called The Mission that aimed to recruit artists attracted by the cheap rent and gritty urban feel of the area.
The artists opened galleries and started the hippest bars around. This encouraged development--some would call it gentrification--and luxury condos were built above Single-Room Occupancy apartments, which are affordable rooms aimed at housing low-income earners.
But the luxury condos didn't push the poor people out. They just made for a more diverse, interesting neighbourhood, according to Duprey, who says that Vancouver's Downtown Eastside could be the next most exciting and artistic area in the city.
Possibly Vancouver's hippest area
"It could be the coolest area, I think it's got tons of potential, but it's just too mono-economic," Duprey says. But injecting money into the area won't push the poorer people out.
"I don't care if they build luxury hotels. The SROs are still going to be here. So those people have to live with these people, and everyone has to get along, which I think would be awesome."
Duncan McCallum agrees. He is the manager of the building at 108 E. Hastings Street.
"I think what David [Duprey]'s doing here is really great," said McCallum.
Before managing the Hastings building, McCallum took care of a building on South Main.
"There was this dumpster out back with a great piece of graffiti on it... it said 'artists are the storm troopers of gentrification,' think about that; it's totally right," said McCallum.
And the artists who have moved in are aware of this, too.
PaperBird designer gets a fresh start
Mérida Anderson is the driving force behind the Goonies gallery and says that the people she meets on the 100 block of East Hastings are excited about the new place.
"I think it's good," she says. "People walk by and stop to take a look, they tell me 'I haven't seen this place open in like, 20 years.'"
But she knows that gentrification is soon to follow.
"In 10 years there's probably just going to be big, stupid condos everywhere, and it's a bummer. But what can you do?"
Anderson has sold previous seasons' garments from her clothing label PaperBird and is investing all her time, energy and money into this new space.
Duprey is quick to say it's people like Anderson--not himself--who are the real heroes.
"She's just awesome, that whole collective is awesome," said Duprey.
In addition to the Goonies gallery, two other store-fronts will open next door: a screen printing workshop and Vancouver Skate Shop.
But with a luxury condo already planned on the block, only time will tell what the lasting impact of these ground-breaking developments will be.
Source: Jeremy Stothers, ctvbc.ca
David Duprey, with his punk tattoos and aggressive language, would look out of place in a boardroom business meeting. But in the Downtown Eastside, he seems to fit right in.
He speaks with conviction about the area, saying that Vancouver has been passive for too long, and his developments are long overdue.
"If you've got an idea, you just go out and do it. You don't sit around and talk about it for 10 years, you just do it," says Duprey.
And he is doing it. In the past two years, he has leased eight buildings across the city, five of which were vacant for more than a decade before he got them.
Duprey owns the Plank Gallery, a non-profit art space that was the first new business in over a decade to open in the 100-block of East Hastings, a block that is known for rampant drug use and extreme poverty.
He also owns the Grace Gallery at Main Street and 3rd Avenue, as well as the hidden bar, called the Narrow, in the back of Grace Gallery. It hosts DJs most nights, and is difficult to find unless someone points out exactly where it is.
Now, he's opening three more buildings: 108, 110 and 112 E. Hastings Street, buildings that have been empty for 14 years. The space inside is devoted nearly exclusively to art studios, and will provide a workspace at dirt-cheap rates to more than 40 artists. And one store-front is set to open very soon.
Saturday is the grand opening of the Goonies Gallery, an all-girls art collective at 108 E. Hastings Street that will host art shows, parties, movie nights and workshops. It will be the first for-profit business in the area in over a decade, according to Duprey.
Dirt-cheap rental rates
The Goonies pays about 75 cents per square foot every month, which is staggeringly cheap compared with monthly rates of up to $3.50 for a Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) apartment.
And with his seven-year lease, Duprey plans to keep the rents cheap, even if condos spring up around the studios within that time.
"My whole thing is to fight greed. I make money off this, I make enough, but it's not insane. Then I can turn over the rest of the money into decent rates for the people who are there," says Duprey.
But the man who made this happen is quick to shine the spotlight on his tenants. He says these artists are the driving force behind what is happening on this block.
"What I do isn't rocket science," says Duprey as he leans forward in his chair. "I rent out a building, I fix it up, then I rent it out again. C'mon! All over the world, they're doing this--except here in Vancouver."
The 40 year-old businessman was raised in Vancouver, but spent his 20s in San Francisco. He then moved to L.A., where he managed a bar before moving back up to Vancouver. After he got back, he was very surprised at the business climate in the city.
"I was shocked when I came back here by the lack of entrepreneurial spirit," says Duprey, who learned his approach in the U.S., where entrepreneurs are not as reliant on government grants or special assistance.
A fresh take on developing the Downtown Eastside
The approach may be exactly what Canada's poorest postal code needs to balance the local demographics. The artist studios will change the landscape dramatically.
"It's going to make this into a more multi-faceted neighbourhood," said Duprey. "Down here you've got only poor people, and it's boring. We should mix it up."
That is the same approach that was suggested by many speakers, who expressed their views at "The Fix," a recent UBC forum on the Downtown Eastside.
Former city councilor Jim Green has been a resident and an outspoken advocate for this area, and he says the Downtown Eastside needs more arts and culture as well as the basic essentials for living.
"These people, they're dying for culture, we can't just think of material needs, people need culture, too," he said at the forum.
Green also supports a policy that would create diverse neighbourhoods of one-third low income, one-third middle income and one-third high income earners.
This is aimed at creating mutual understanding between the groups and allows for upward mobility for the poor and increased compassion from the rich. It would also stimulate local businesses because some people would have a budget for buying products from local shops.
And Duprey agrees with this strategy.
"I think Jim Green's absolutely right. If that's what he's advocating, then he's 100-per-cent on the money," he said.
Development would also help to keep people in the area after they get a steady income.
"It would be nice if people wanted to stay once they started to get jobs. But I can totally understand; I wouldn't want to live in one of these skid-row places," said Duprey.
A simple appraoch
And he says that turning abandoned buildings into functional spaces won't make all the homeless and drug-addicted people leave.
San Francisco is a good example; in the 1990's, it had a poor neighbourhood called The Mission that aimed to recruit artists attracted by the cheap rent and gritty urban feel of the area.
The artists opened galleries and started the hippest bars around. This encouraged development--some would call it gentrification--and luxury condos were built above Single-Room Occupancy apartments, which are affordable rooms aimed at housing low-income earners.
But the luxury condos didn't push the poor people out. They just made for a more diverse, interesting neighbourhood, according to Duprey, who says that Vancouver's Downtown Eastside could be the next most exciting and artistic area in the city.
Possibly Vancouver's hippest area
"It could be the coolest area, I think it's got tons of potential, but it's just too mono-economic," Duprey says. But injecting money into the area won't push the poorer people out.
"I don't care if they build luxury hotels. The SROs are still going to be here. So those people have to live with these people, and everyone has to get along, which I think would be awesome."
Duncan McCallum agrees. He is the manager of the building at 108 E. Hastings Street.
"I think what David [Duprey]'s doing here is really great," said McCallum.
Before managing the Hastings building, McCallum took care of a building on South Main.
"There was this dumpster out back with a great piece of graffiti on it... it said 'artists are the storm troopers of gentrification,' think about that; it's totally right," said McCallum.
And the artists who have moved in are aware of this, too.
PaperBird designer gets a fresh start
Mérida Anderson is the driving force behind the Goonies gallery and says that the people she meets on the 100 block of East Hastings are excited about the new place.
"I think it's good," she says. "People walk by and stop to take a look, they tell me 'I haven't seen this place open in like, 20 years.'"
But she knows that gentrification is soon to follow.
"In 10 years there's probably just going to be big, stupid condos everywhere, and it's a bummer. But what can you do?"
Anderson has sold previous seasons' garments from her clothing label PaperBird and is investing all her time, energy and money into this new space.
Duprey is quick to say it's people like Anderson--not himself--who are the real heroes.
"She's just awesome, that whole collective is awesome," said Duprey.
In addition to the Goonies gallery, two other store-fronts will open next door: a screen printing workshop and Vancouver Skate Shop.
But with a luxury condo already planned on the block, only time will tell what the lasting impact of these ground-breaking developments will be.
Source: Jeremy Stothers, ctvbc.ca
Thursday, March 26, 2009
LOCAL TV PRODUCTION COMPANY SEEKS PARTICIPANTS FOR DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON IMPROVING YOUR LIFESTYLE!!
Have you, your family and your neighbours fallen into the rut of an unhealthy lifestyle? Eg’s: watching too much television, not exercising, eating too much take-out, spending countless hours in front of the computer, or not pushing beyond your comfort zone. Do you live on a street block of outgoing, fun, and open-minded people? Are you known for your block parties and community spirit?
An award-winning Vancouver-based production company seeks neighbours on a street block to participate in a new documentary series featuring a street block ready to get out of the rut of unhealthy living and challenge each other to move beyond comfort zones and improve their lifestyles.
If you think your block is ready for some lifestyle improvement, and is outgoing enough to be documented on television… we’d love to hear from you! Please write and tell us about you and your family and what area(s) you’d like to improve about your lifestyle (eg lose weight, exercise more, develop new hobbies etc). Also, please tell us about your neighbourhood as a whole and in particular, what type of “characters” live there. If there was a “community leader” who would it be?
Please include your name and phone number, as well as your street address and city. We are casting in the Greater Vancouver area. Please send email to: blockparty@forcefour.com
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Recent Break-Ins
One in the 700-block of East Pender and the other in the 500-block of Prior Street. In both incidents the door was kicked in. The perpetrator in the Prior Street break-in was a young, short, white male who remained calm when confronted and ran off through the next-door neighbour’s yard.
Also, many car windows smashed, many in the 400 Block of Heatley Ave. A reminder to all to keep all valuables out of your cars.
Also, many car windows smashed, many in the 400 Block of Heatley Ave. A reminder to all to keep all valuables out of your cars.
New Pho
HANOI PHO
[Thanks to Deb Miller]
If you like Vietnamese food, especially Pho, you may want to give Hanoi Pho at try. They're located at 406 East Hastings Street, opposite the Patricia Hotel. Don't be put off by the full-on security bars on all the windows: inside the decor is bright and cheerful, very clean, and the food is delicious. They do take-out too.
[Thanks to Deb Miller]
If you like Vietnamese food, especially Pho, you may want to give Hanoi Pho at try. They're located at 406 East Hastings Street, opposite the Patricia Hotel. Don't be put off by the full-on security bars on all the windows: inside the decor is bright and cheerful, very clean, and the food is delicious. They do take-out too.
Au Petit Chavignol: Un Petit Review
AU PETIT CHAVIGNOL NOW OPEN AT 845 EAST HASTINGS
[Thanks to James Johnstone]
We just got back from an evening at Au Petit Chavignol, Les Amis du Fromage's newest outlet's (open Thursday to Monday from 5pm to 1am) just a few minutes from where we live. This place is perfect for an afterwork or late night get together in the East End. The CHEESES!!!! It felt like we were on a holiday...
Au petit Chavignol is not cheap, but it is well worth skipping a couple of cheaper places and saving up for... and if you live in Strathcona, watch out!
[Thanks to James Johnstone]
We just got back from an evening at Au Petit Chavignol, Les Amis du Fromage's newest outlet's (open Thursday to Monday from 5pm to 1am) just a few minutes from where we live. This place is perfect for an afterwork or late night get together in the East End. The CHEESES!!!! It felt like we were on a holiday...
Au petit Chavignol is not cheap, but it is well worth skipping a couple of cheaper places and saving up for... and if you live in Strathcona, watch out!
The Evolution Of Green
SUSTAINABILITY 2.0: "The Evolution of Green"
Thursday, April 2, 2009 | 3pm-7pm
Chapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy Avenue, Vancouver BC
Building on the success of Sustainability 1.0: the Upside of Greening your Business, the Strathcona BIA is proud to present Sustainability 2.0 - the Evolution of Green. Come and learn how businesses are taking the next step beyond reducing, reusing and recycling.
Discover how you can further your sustainability goals and continue to profit by collaborating together with other businesses. Listen first hand to innovative speakers and become a part of a progressive sustainable business community, the Strathcona green zone. Pre-registration is required.
Registration: http://www.strathconabia.com/expo2
For this event, Dunlevy Street from Cordova south to the lane behind the Patricia Hotel will be closed. Sustainable vehicles will be on display!
Thursday, April 2, 2009 | 3pm-7pm
Chapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy Avenue, Vancouver BC
Building on the success of Sustainability 1.0: the Upside of Greening your Business, the Strathcona BIA is proud to present Sustainability 2.0 - the Evolution of Green. Come and learn how businesses are taking the next step beyond reducing, reusing and recycling.
Discover how you can further your sustainability goals and continue to profit by collaborating together with other businesses. Listen first hand to innovative speakers and become a part of a progressive sustainable business community, the Strathcona green zone. Pre-registration is required.
Registration: http://www.strathconabia.com/expo2
For this event, Dunlevy Street from Cordova south to the lane behind the Patricia Hotel will be closed. Sustainable vehicles will be on display!
Open Mike @ The Snail
EVENING OPEN MIKE EVENT AT THE WILDER SNAIL MARCH 29
We're planning a monthly open mike kids-friendly event the last Sunday of every month at the Wilder Snail, starting March 29. We'd not only like neighbourhood attendance, but participation as well: musicians, poets, performance artists, whomever. Admission is by donation. More info at
We're planning a monthly open mike kids-friendly event the last Sunday of every month at the Wilder Snail, starting March 29. We'd not only like neighbourhood attendance, but participation as well: musicians, poets, performance artists, whomever. Admission is by donation. More info at
Good Neighbour Agreement
UNION GOSPEL MISSION FINALIZING GOOD NEIGHBOUR AGREEMENT MARCH 25
[Message from Leah Gregg, UGM's Community Relations Coordinator]
We are excited to be nearing the finalization of our Good Neighbour Agreement. To date, we have not received any further feedback regarding the Good Neighbour Agreement. The Strathcona Business Improvement Association is the only group that has submitted changes to the GNA in the extended review period. On January 28, we circulated the SBIA’s comments to the rest of the Community Advisory Committee members to seek additional input and feedback.
Because we have received no further responses, we are optimistic that your concerns have been satisfied. But we would like to hear from you. Do you feel you have had the opportunity to review the GNA and do you feel comfortable signing this document? If not, please send us your specific objections by 9:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25.
We hope to sign the Good Neighbour Agreement at our next CAC meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 11:30 AM and we look forward to finishing this process with you. Please confirm your attendance by Tuesday, March 24.
[Message from Leah Gregg, UGM's Community Relations Coordinator]
We are excited to be nearing the finalization of our Good Neighbour Agreement. To date, we have not received any further feedback regarding the Good Neighbour Agreement. The Strathcona Business Improvement Association is the only group that has submitted changes to the GNA in the extended review period. On January 28, we circulated the SBIA’s comments to the rest of the Community Advisory Committee members to seek additional input and feedback.
Because we have received no further responses, we are optimistic that your concerns have been satisfied. But we would like to hear from you. Do you feel you have had the opportunity to review the GNA and do you feel comfortable signing this document? If not, please send us your specific objections by 9:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25.
We hope to sign the Good Neighbour Agreement at our next CAC meeting on Wednesday, March 25 at 11:30 AM and we look forward to finishing this process with you. Please confirm your attendance by Tuesday, March 24.
Strathcona Spring Fair
STRATHCONA SPRING FAIR MARCH 21
Please join us to celebrate the arrival of Spring at the Strathcona Spring Fair this Saturday.
Saturday, March 21st
1-7pm
McLean Park, Strathcona
All ages, rain or shine community event.
Live music by:
Miriam Davidson
Earle Peach & Albert Klassen
Dalannah Gail Bowen
Pancho and Sal
Michelle Dumond
Bob Cole & Ryan McBeth
Kat Gillis
Ranj Singh
Scott Cook
Community Potluck
Bake Sale (please let me know if you can donate something for the bake sale - proceeds to the community centre)
Craft Sale
Raffle (to raise funds for Strathcona Community Centre and the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival in Sept '09)
Spring craft tent for all ages, free to create, supplies provided (egg decorating, caterpillar & butterfly making, paper flowers & vases, oragami bunnies, etc)
Fibre Art Demos by The RAW Studio (felting Easter eggs, spinning wheel demos)
For more info or to volunteer some time & love, contact milisa@honeybeephotography.ca
Please join us to celebrate the arrival of Spring at the Strathcona Spring Fair this Saturday.
Saturday, March 21st
1-7pm
McLean Park, Strathcona
All ages, rain or shine community event.
Live music by:
Miriam Davidson
Earle Peach & Albert Klassen
Dalannah Gail Bowen
Pancho and Sal
Michelle Dumond
Bob Cole & Ryan McBeth
Kat Gillis
Ranj Singh
Scott Cook
Community Potluck
Bake Sale (please let me know if you can donate something for the bake sale - proceeds to the community centre)
Craft Sale
Raffle (to raise funds for Strathcona Community Centre and the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival in Sept '09)
Spring craft tent for all ages, free to create, supplies provided (egg decorating, caterpillar & butterfly making, paper flowers & vases, oragami bunnies, etc)
Fibre Art Demos by The RAW Studio (felting Easter eggs, spinning wheel demos)
For more info or to volunteer some time & love, contact milisa@honeybeephotography.ca
Orchestra In The City
PACIFIC BAROQUE ORCHESTRA AT ST. JAMES CHURCH MARCH 20 7:30
Bach Reconstructed
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra welcomes Alexander Weimann as guest conductor and harpsichordist in a unique program featuring world premieres of remodeled Bach and Vivaldi concertos, joined by guest artists Washington McClain (baroque oboe) and Chloe Meyers (baroque violin). http://www.pacificbaroque.com/bach.htm
Date/Venue: Friday March 20, 7:30pm – St. James Anglican Church, 303 Cordova St. (at Gore Ave.)
Tickets: FREE
Bach Reconstructed
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra welcomes Alexander Weimann as guest conductor and harpsichordist in a unique program featuring world premieres of remodeled Bach and Vivaldi concertos, joined by guest artists Washington McClain (baroque oboe) and Chloe Meyers (baroque violin). http://www.pacificbaroque.com/bach.htm
Date/Venue: Friday March 20, 7:30pm – St. James Anglican Church, 303 Cordova St. (at Gore Ave.)
Tickets: FREE
The Future Of Old Vancouver
THE FUTURE OF OLD VANCOUVER MARCH 19, 7:00 P.M.
Vancouver Arts and Cultures Forum
Creative Conversation: The Future of Old Vancouver
(Old Vancouver is Gastown, Chinatown, Strathcona,Hastings,Victory Square, and Japantown)
The Vancouver Museum
1100 Chestnut Street
Heritage Vancouver welcomes guest speakers Ray Spaxman, Aprodicio Laquian, and Jan Sircus to an evening of imagining a future for Vancouver's historic neighbourhoods.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Registration at 7:00 pm
Conversation begins at 7:15 pm
Tickets $5:00
Heritage Vancouver Members free
RSVP
Vancouver Arts and Cultures Forum
Creative Conversation: The Future of Old Vancouver
(Old Vancouver is Gastown, Chinatown, Strathcona,Hastings,Victory Square, and Japantown)
The Vancouver Museum
1100 Chestnut Street
Heritage Vancouver welcomes guest speakers Ray Spaxman, Aprodicio Laquian, and Jan Sircus to an evening of imagining a future for Vancouver's historic neighbourhoods.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Registration at 7:00 pm
Conversation begins at 7:15 pm
Tickets $5:00
Heritage Vancouver Members free
RSVP
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Campangolo - Vancouver East's Trendy New Spot
Risky business(es): 1) Intravenous Drugs; 2) Opening a restaurant next to the Ivanhoe.
Undercover as a grossly ignored corner of Vancouver’s most troubled area, something interesting springs to life. A restaurant.
Having been raised in East Vancouver, the word “Ivanhoe” conjures up a lot of imagery pertaining to infectious diseases, stolen strip loins, shopping carts, mouthwash and system failure. But now that I’ve been to Campangolo, I can add Tagliarini Pork Ragu with Basil and Pecorino to the list. And a few perfectly roasted beets to start.
Located right next door to the Ivanhoe, Campagnolo neither fits in nor sticks out. It’s the artsy, bohemian, arguably hotter brother of the far preppier Fuel on West 4th. The atmosphere is all very five o’clock shadow and suits a moody glass of red wine (a highly suggested pairing for adventures on the outskirts of town). The dining room faces Main Street with a seperate wine-bar tucked on the alley-side. Both rooms have nice architecural features (beamed ceiling, light fixtures, brick walls) that create an overall dining experience that is really just about you, the person you’re sitting across from, and the food.
The food itself is an easy conversation on the plate. Each ingredient has its own story to tell and needs be noticed - much like the people outside on the street.
I definitely recommend you take a look.
Source: ChampagneWednesdays.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Strathcona Survey Re: Street Prostitution
Recently, Strathcona residents recieved a notice in their mailboxes.
Christine Louie, a researcher at Simon Fraser University ,is conducting an online survery of Public Opionion regarding Street Prostitiution in the Downtown Eastside. In 2006, the House of Commons Subcommittee on Solicitation Laws agreed unanimously that Canada's prostition laws need to be changed, but they could not agree on how to change them.
The purpose of the survey is to ask residents and business persons in the Downtown Eastside and Strathcona rea about their experiences, feelings and opinions about street prostitution and what they think should be done to reform prostitution law. The survey focuses on the effects of prostitution on residents and businesses, and on opinions about prostitution laws and policy alternatives.
Christine's hope is that this research will help inform policy development and law reform relation to prostitution. The survey takes between 5-20 minutes to complete, and can be found at www.DTESStrathconaSurvey.ca
Anonymity is guaranteed. Your participation would be an invaluable contribution to this study. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Christine Louie at cglouie@sfu.ca
Monday, February 9, 2009
Vancouver Walks - Discover Your City
Vancouver's history and architecture in a fascinating set of self-guided walking tours. Vancouver is best appreciated on foot, whether it's the old commercial blocks of the inner city, the centuryold cottages of Strathcona or the mansions of Shaughnessy and West Vancouver's Caulfield. A few of the walks are only a block or two long while others range over entire neighborhoods, but even the longest can be walked comfortably in a few hours on a sunny afternoon. All include maps or clear directions in a text rich with historical anecdote and short on architectural bafflegab! Now revised and updated to reflect recent changes or losses to some of the buildings and houses on Vancouver's changing architecural landscape. Also incorporated is information offered from careful readers, who share an understandable fascination with old Vancouver.
You can purchase "Vancouver Walks" by John Atkin by clicking HERE.
You can purchase "Vancouver Walks" by John Atkin by clicking HERE.
Home Sweet Home
For some Vancouver-Whistler homeowners, the Olympic Games will be a rental windfall as visitors will be looking for a place to stay
Erika Pantages feels she and her husband, Tony, struck gold by agreeing to rent the upper floor of their Strathcona home for $13,750 during the Olympic Games next year.
Her friends aren't so sure.
"A lot of people think we're crazy because they say we could wait and get more, but why be greedy?" Pantages said. "We only get $3,500 a month when we rent it out now, so if someone is going to pay me an extra $10,000, I think that's fine."
Homeowners Erika (above) and Tony Pantages are renting out the upper floor of their East Side home during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They will get $13,750 during the Games.
With just over a year to go before the Games, Metro Vancouver homeowners are busy chasing potential windfalls that await by renting their properties to Olympics visitors.
Check out any number of online listings services and you'll find a huge range of housing types and prices, but nothing in the bargain category. How about $750 a day for a "beautiful Vancouver basement suite" or $45,000 for a two-bedroom Yaletown condo for a month or a whopping $250,000 for a West Vancouver mansion?
"I have done a lot of research and I don't think people are going to get the prices they think they will," Pantages said. "They could get greedy and wind up not renting their suites at all."
Her 1,200-square-foot suite, which features two bedrooms, a rooftop deck, wood fireplace and office area, will be occupied by two visitors for about three weeks of a five-week period around the Games. The listings broker, Prime Strategies, uses the week before and after the visitors' stay to inspect and clean up the suite.
Pantages said she and Tony considered leaving Vancouver during the Games so they could rent out their entire house, but they didn't want to deal with the issue of removing and storing all their personal belongings.
"I also thought it would be good for us to be here so I can monitor what's going on upstairs," she said.
Prime Strategies finds Olympic rental properties mainly for corporate clients who will be in Vancouver to work, something that appeals to Pantages.
"You could try to rent it yourself on Craigslist and end up with some crazy family or something," she said. "I don't need that."
Pantages has signed a marketing agreement with Prime that calls for the broker to pay her half the rental total when it finds a renter this year and the other half by November. She's free to search for a better deal if she can find one before Prime finds a suitable renter.
Ian Hamilton, director of sports services for Prime Strategies, said there is still a strong demand for downtown Vancouver condos, and he has secured about a third of the 725 bedrooms he's looking for.
His company assigns units a gold, silver or bronze rating -- depending on their location and amenities -- and charges accordingly. Pantages' unit got a silver ranking and the rental rate they negotiated could be more than satisfactory, given the current state of the economy.
SHIFTS IN SUPPLY AND DEMAND
VIP Mountain Holidays owner Ben Thomas said his Whistler-based rental agency has noticed a definite drop in demand for Olympic rental properties.
"A year ago, there was almost no supply and tons of demand but now it's the opposite -- tons of supply and not much demand," he said.
Thomas said many corporate clients have already secured their Whistler rental accommodation needs for the Games, while the economic slowdown has forced others to cut their budgets, so they're not sure what they can afford.
He said most of the demand for Whistler rentals now comes from spectators wanting a place for three to five nights. Corporate clients usually want to stay for a longer period of time.
VIP has found more than 200 units for clients so far and has another 50 available now, but few clients are in a mood to book anything these days.
"We get 10 calls a day from owners who want to rent their properties, but we don't even take calls from owners outside the main village [because demand has slowed down]," Thomas said.
Condos in the main village have generally attracted monthly rental rates of $7,000 to $10,000 a bedroom.
Thomas has heard all the stories about certain properties fetching monthly rates of $100,000 or more, but feels most of them are exaggerated.
"As far as I know, most of those have been rumours and those prices have not been paid," he said. "In many cases, the expectations that people had have not been realized."
EMR Vacation Rentals Inc. partner Tim Bonner said his agency has at least 150 Olympics accommodation listings now and gets more every week. It costs $250 to list a property on emrvacationrentals.com, and the agency also gets a percentage of the rental price.
He said the demand for downtown Vancouver condos remains strong and most are attracting prices of about $400 a day for each bedroom. So a two-bedroom condo would fetch more than $22,000 for the month of February 2010.
But Condominium Home Owners Association executive director Tony Gioventu warned there are potential pitfalls for all parties involved in the rental of condo units during the Olympics.
"I know there will be horror stories out there, like people who think they have rented a unit and then come here only to find it has been double- or triple-booked," he said.
Gioventu advises condo owners and renters to use licensed brokers or agents to ensure the legitimacy of the transaction.
"If you try to rent it out yourself, who do you end up with?" he said. "How do you deal with someone from Europe who comes over and trashes your place and then gets on a plane and goes home?"
Gioventu said condo owners have to make sure they don't break any strata corporation bylaws when they rent their units. Many strata corporations prohibit rentals or restrict them to certain time periods and several downtown buildings won't allow occupants under the age of 55.
Condo owners can also be held responsible for any costs related to tenants who make too much noise or misuse common facilities or commit parking violations.
Gioventu expects that Games visitors who rent condos will create a huge parking problem because most condo owners will leave their cars behind.
"So we're going to have a big influx of visitors with rental cars and nowhere to park," he said.
Insurance Bureau of Canada vice-president Lindsay Olson said it's extremely important for homeowners to tell their insurance companies about a change of occupancy if they rent their homes to visitors. She said insurers will then determine if there are any issues to deal with around coverage of things like theft, damage and liability.
In some cases, insurers might want to reduce the coverage they provide or charge a higher premium to maintain the same coverage.
Olympic visitors who want to stay in a Metro Vancouver hotel room still don't have access to the few that will be made available. Vanoc has taken most of the supply, and non-Vanoc hotel rooms won't be released until early March.
Tourism officials have no control over the room rates to be charged to the public, but have encouraged hotels to provide fair market rates.
"We expect rooms will be sold at a premium, similar to the rate charged during the high season in the summer," said Tourism Vancouver representative Walt Judas. "That would be reasonable because people expect to pay more for a room during the Olympics."
At least one Vancouver accommodation provider has already committed to providing a reasonable, non-gouging rate during the Games.
The Vancouver Central Hostel on Granville Street, which normally charges $26 a night for a dormitory bed, will charge $40 during the Games. About 30 per cent of the 136 beds are already booked for the Games period.
At the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, one hostel boosted its rate from $12 a night to $200 a night.
Source: bconstantineau@vancouversun.com
Erika Pantages feels she and her husband, Tony, struck gold by agreeing to rent the upper floor of their Strathcona home for $13,750 during the Olympic Games next year.
Her friends aren't so sure.
"A lot of people think we're crazy because they say we could wait and get more, but why be greedy?" Pantages said. "We only get $3,500 a month when we rent it out now, so if someone is going to pay me an extra $10,000, I think that's fine."
Homeowners Erika (above) and Tony Pantages are renting out the upper floor of their East Side home during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They will get $13,750 during the Games.
With just over a year to go before the Games, Metro Vancouver homeowners are busy chasing potential windfalls that await by renting their properties to Olympics visitors.
Check out any number of online listings services and you'll find a huge range of housing types and prices, but nothing in the bargain category. How about $750 a day for a "beautiful Vancouver basement suite" or $45,000 for a two-bedroom Yaletown condo for a month or a whopping $250,000 for a West Vancouver mansion?
"I have done a lot of research and I don't think people are going to get the prices they think they will," Pantages said. "They could get greedy and wind up not renting their suites at all."
Her 1,200-square-foot suite, which features two bedrooms, a rooftop deck, wood fireplace and office area, will be occupied by two visitors for about three weeks of a five-week period around the Games. The listings broker, Prime Strategies, uses the week before and after the visitors' stay to inspect and clean up the suite.
Pantages said she and Tony considered leaving Vancouver during the Games so they could rent out their entire house, but they didn't want to deal with the issue of removing and storing all their personal belongings.
"I also thought it would be good for us to be here so I can monitor what's going on upstairs," she said.
Prime Strategies finds Olympic rental properties mainly for corporate clients who will be in Vancouver to work, something that appeals to Pantages.
"You could try to rent it yourself on Craigslist and end up with some crazy family or something," she said. "I don't need that."
Pantages has signed a marketing agreement with Prime that calls for the broker to pay her half the rental total when it finds a renter this year and the other half by November. She's free to search for a better deal if she can find one before Prime finds a suitable renter.
Ian Hamilton, director of sports services for Prime Strategies, said there is still a strong demand for downtown Vancouver condos, and he has secured about a third of the 725 bedrooms he's looking for.
His company assigns units a gold, silver or bronze rating -- depending on their location and amenities -- and charges accordingly. Pantages' unit got a silver ranking and the rental rate they negotiated could be more than satisfactory, given the current state of the economy.
SHIFTS IN SUPPLY AND DEMAND
VIP Mountain Holidays owner Ben Thomas said his Whistler-based rental agency has noticed a definite drop in demand for Olympic rental properties.
"A year ago, there was almost no supply and tons of demand but now it's the opposite -- tons of supply and not much demand," he said.
Thomas said many corporate clients have already secured their Whistler rental accommodation needs for the Games, while the economic slowdown has forced others to cut their budgets, so they're not sure what they can afford.
He said most of the demand for Whistler rentals now comes from spectators wanting a place for three to five nights. Corporate clients usually want to stay for a longer period of time.
VIP has found more than 200 units for clients so far and has another 50 available now, but few clients are in a mood to book anything these days.
"We get 10 calls a day from owners who want to rent their properties, but we don't even take calls from owners outside the main village [because demand has slowed down]," Thomas said.
Condos in the main village have generally attracted monthly rental rates of $7,000 to $10,000 a bedroom.
Thomas has heard all the stories about certain properties fetching monthly rates of $100,000 or more, but feels most of them are exaggerated.
"As far as I know, most of those have been rumours and those prices have not been paid," he said. "In many cases, the expectations that people had have not been realized."
EMR Vacation Rentals Inc. partner Tim Bonner said his agency has at least 150 Olympics accommodation listings now and gets more every week. It costs $250 to list a property on emrvacationrentals.com, and the agency also gets a percentage of the rental price.
He said the demand for downtown Vancouver condos remains strong and most are attracting prices of about $400 a day for each bedroom. So a two-bedroom condo would fetch more than $22,000 for the month of February 2010.
But Condominium Home Owners Association executive director Tony Gioventu warned there are potential pitfalls for all parties involved in the rental of condo units during the Olympics.
"I know there will be horror stories out there, like people who think they have rented a unit and then come here only to find it has been double- or triple-booked," he said.
Gioventu advises condo owners and renters to use licensed brokers or agents to ensure the legitimacy of the transaction.
"If you try to rent it out yourself, who do you end up with?" he said. "How do you deal with someone from Europe who comes over and trashes your place and then gets on a plane and goes home?"
Gioventu said condo owners have to make sure they don't break any strata corporation bylaws when they rent their units. Many strata corporations prohibit rentals or restrict them to certain time periods and several downtown buildings won't allow occupants under the age of 55.
Condo owners can also be held responsible for any costs related to tenants who make too much noise or misuse common facilities or commit parking violations.
Gioventu expects that Games visitors who rent condos will create a huge parking problem because most condo owners will leave their cars behind.
"So we're going to have a big influx of visitors with rental cars and nowhere to park," he said.
Insurance Bureau of Canada vice-president Lindsay Olson said it's extremely important for homeowners to tell their insurance companies about a change of occupancy if they rent their homes to visitors. She said insurers will then determine if there are any issues to deal with around coverage of things like theft, damage and liability.
In some cases, insurers might want to reduce the coverage they provide or charge a higher premium to maintain the same coverage.
Olympic visitors who want to stay in a Metro Vancouver hotel room still don't have access to the few that will be made available. Vanoc has taken most of the supply, and non-Vanoc hotel rooms won't be released until early March.
Tourism officials have no control over the room rates to be charged to the public, but have encouraged hotels to provide fair market rates.
"We expect rooms will be sold at a premium, similar to the rate charged during the high season in the summer," said Tourism Vancouver representative Walt Judas. "That would be reasonable because people expect to pay more for a room during the Olympics."
At least one Vancouver accommodation provider has already committed to providing a reasonable, non-gouging rate during the Games.
The Vancouver Central Hostel on Granville Street, which normally charges $26 a night for a dormitory bed, will charge $40 during the Games. About 30 per cent of the 136 beds are already booked for the Games period.
At the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, one hostel boosted its rate from $12 a night to $200 a night.
Source: bconstantineau@vancouversun.com
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