Summer Silence Makes Way for Fall Festivities

New Fall Events are coming as summer draws to a close, and the families and kids settle back into the routines of the school year. As for all the single folk, the camping gear is almost ready to be packed for the winter, and everyone reluctantly gets back to college, university, and work. Let's see what the community has in store for us in the coming weeks:

First Up is Justice Rocks
Fusing Pop Culture and Social Change

Free to All
August 30, 2008
12 - 8 P.M.
Strathcona Park

Performances By
Choir Practice
Run GMC
Fur Bearing Animals
Curtis Santiago
and more

Also featuring
Wilderness Committee
BC Civil Liberties
Portland Hotel Society
and more!

Kidz Zone
Noon to 3 P.M. with storytimes, activities, and fun stuff!
Visit www.justicerocks.org for more information about how to volunteer, sponsor, or support Justice Rocks - and for Information on the AfterParty!

Up Second is the Strathcona Film Festival

WHAT
Dear Neighbours, our outdoor movie night this year is scheduled for September 13th, 2008. Please invite family and friends to set out blankets and enjoy this one-night film festival together!

WHEN
Saturday, September 13th, 2008
Saturday, September 20th, 2008 Rain Date
8:30 - 9:00pm Shorts by Local Filmmakers
9:00 - 11:00pm Feature Presentation chosen by you

WHERE
McLean Park at the corner of Keefer St and Hawks Ave

HOW
To celebrate the Olympics, this year's theme is Sports Films. Please cast your vote at www.strathconafilms.org. To showcase local talent, we will also present shorts by local filmmakers. If you’ve made a short film (5 minutes max in length and family friendly), please email shorts@strathconafilms.org - Please include your name, phone number, name of your film, and a link to your film; e.g. website, YouTube, etc. Submissions must be received by August 31, 2008.

Up Next... Full Frontals, Rear Views

Louise Francis-Smith, a long-time resident artist of Strathcona has a collection of Strathcona photographs from many years past.

WHEN
October 3 - 19, 2008

OPENING RECEPTION
Friday October 3, 6-9pm

WHERE
RedIron Studio and Gallery
884 East Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC, V6A 2X1
604-254-0585

Bean Around The World In Strathcona

I find it interesting that we have a few new coffee shops popping up in the hood.

We started with The Wilder Snail with it's earthy, organic vibe. Now, while they're more on the outskirts of Strathcona proper, we're starting to see other coffee shops popping up.

The Waves at Pender and Main is the most interesting from a visible social change level, the other one to watch which has had a brisk uptake in traffic is the new Bean Around The World at Union and Gore.

I did a brief cell phone interview with the owner Craig.


Interview with Bean Around the World Owner from Riel on Vimeo.

Onni Breaking Ground In Strathcona

With a 2 new developments on this corner, it will be interesting to see what happens with prices in the area. Do they stay flat, or start to rise as we get closer to 2010.




You can see that the coffee shops are already starting to move in on the area.

Koobasa Day at Benny's

Council Approves EcoDensity Charter

Vancouver City Council unanimously voted on June 10 to adopt the EcoDensity Charter.

The EcoDensity Charter commits the City to make environmental sustainability a primary goal in all city planning decisions - in ways that also support housing affordability and livability.

The first two actions to be implemented by the City immediately are:
1. Rezoning policy for greener buildings: Applications for new rezoning will need to meet a minimum LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating, or similar equivalency in green design. The City will also be expecting that energy performance, water efficiency and storm water use be considered.

2. Rezoning policy for greener larger sites: Changes to rezonings for land that is two acres or more. A number of sustainability measures will be required for these rezonings, and for sites with housing, a range of types and tenures must be considered to increase affordable housing opportunities.

Longer-term actions that will receive priority include: an interim EcoDensity rezoning policy; options for backyard/laneway housing; more options for secondary suites; and removal of barriers to green building approaches.

Council initiated the EcoDensity program in July 2006. The final Charter and Actions incorporated public input from a Special Council Meeting that lasted seven sessions, amongst numerous other public consultation opportunities.

To view the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions and for more information: vancouver.ca/ecodensity