Archive for November, 2010

Rattlehead is best known for hosting Powerchord on Citr with Metal Ron from 1985.   He’s seen over a thousand shows and is Vancouver’s biggest rock and roll fan, period.  Over the years, venues have closed, scenes change, but Gerald’s always been there.  And he’s doing it all for the love of it, which is why Vancouver’s lucky to have him. Gerald was gracious enough to share a few of his most prized pieces of memorabilia with me, so I could share them with you over the next few months.

I’ve had this idea for quite awhile but had a real tough time getting in touch with Gerald.  I found out that he no longer did the radio show, and there was very little information about him on the internet (not for long!)  One day I was walking around downtown and I ran into him.  If you’ve met him, he’s always super jovial (next time you’re at a show and see him, say ‘Hi’), but on this occasion he was bummin’….

“It’s a sad day in metal today, I tell ya….Ronnie James Dio passed away.”  Gerald went on to tell me how cool Ronnie was to him over the years, and how much stuff he signed for Gerald, which ultimately gave me the idea of this series…..

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

50 East Pender.

Another last-Sunday-of-the-month, another excuse to toddle on down to the monthly Blim Market to get inspired by Vancity’s best indie crafters. This was the second Blim Market to be held at the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Centre and my first time attending a market at this new location, which is within walking distance of the Skytrain and all those funky Chinatown shops that require regular exploration.

She’s Crafty! Some of Blim’s lady-crafters. (That’s jeweler Alison on the far right.)

There were some familiar faces and some new ones, too. As always the artists and designers are (IMO) the real stars of the show, chatting up their wares and whatnot. My single purchase of the day was a headband from Love Bobbie. The band itself is completely covered (sewn, not glued) in fabric and easily adjustable, making for a comfy fit. Floppy fabric flowers in two shades of blue contrast nicely against the maroon of the band, making it easily wearable and totally adorable. I’ve been looking for a new headband for a while, and the $12 price tag was very reasonable.

Trés Blair Waldorf.

The term “craft fair” undermines what is actually available at these events, as “craft fair” connotes images of coasters made from popsicle sticks and oven mitts made from old socks or something equally lame – the fairs I have attended lately have been anything but! I am constantly in awe of the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of the designers and the entire movement here in Vancity…

The award for Best Packaging has got to go to Grandiose Lab. Also, their soap smells remarkably divine.

If you’re like me and have yet to even start your Festivus shopping, you could easily get all your gifts at one of the many …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Leading up to Paul Anthony’s Talent Time’s Christmas Special at the Biltmore (which we are a proud co-sponsor of) we’re bringing you 12 (okay, maybe not 12… a few) tracks off of Pauls’ album, “Christmas Is Extraordinary Volume II”. On this tenth day of Christmas we’re giving to you “Frosty (the snowman)”. Have a listen and feel free to download the MP3 to share with everyone this holiday season. Also, maybe you want to remix it then uploaded it somewhere so we can share your version?

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

I started this project called A Stranger A Day to overcome my shyness and talk to people. The challenge: talk to a stranger a day and try to convince them to let me take a picture and share a story. Since most tattoos have a story behind them, this will be my conversation starter and a common thread that links them all. Every week I will be sharing one of my favourite findings here on Vancouver Is Awesome.

Join me in this Stranger a Day adventure and let me know what you think!

Stranger #69

Location: Granville and 4th, on our way to Granville Island (Originally posted last Friday).

Your narrartor is reporting back from a borrowed bed in east Van. It has been an amazing Friday, with happenings ranging from crappy to (possitively) unforgettable. This story was found when a friend and I were on our way to The Tattoo Project photo exhibition, in Granville Island. While on the bus, I had spotted some strangers with some ink, but the previous emptying of a wine bottle had made us (or at least me) tremendously self-conscious. When we got off the bus, we had the feeling we were going to the same place. I knew I didn’t want to approach a stranger inside the event, but I was too nervous. My friend pushed me to do it. It was going to be the first time someone I knew witnessed the process. I just went for it and walked up to them and explained the project.

“Here, you can take the picture of the one that’s on my face. The three lines on white. They represent for me the three levels of transformation that one goes through with body modification: mind, body, and spirit. That’s what it means to me.”

This made me happy. I thanked him for sharing his story. I was really glad that my friend had pushed me to do so. We introduced each other and then walked together to the event. The exhibition itself was amazing. I was in awe. So many amazing people, so many stories —although this time I was more of a quiet expectator.  It was a great night.

Thank you strangers! And thank you all for reading. I hope you have a rad week start!

To check out the daily strangers, click here:  astrangeraday.com

Nicholson Road is part of a daily photo project aimed at sharing and celebrating the different communities in Metro Vancouver. Each week Vancouver Is Awesome will be featuring one of the most engaging photos from the project in order to draw your attention a little bit outside of the hyper-focus that we usually have on the city of Vancouver. Metro Vancouver Is Awesome, and you should get out and explore it!

Although I wanted to share a photo of the recent snowstorm, I feel like snow is so last week. I gotta look ahead to the future! And maybe share some knowledge while I’m at it.

So here we are this week, taking a look at the brand new terminal building at Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB, or YDT), which was completed earlier this year. The airport as we know it has been around since 1983, though the runways were first opened in 1941 at what was then known as the Royal Canadian Air Force Station Boundary Bay.

Today, YDT is the 6th busiest airport in the country as far as take-offs and landings go, and the busiest in the country in terms of its circuit! (the pattern of flight/queue to take off or land). This is largely due to the huge number of training flights the airport supports.

So you already know about Vancouver International Airport and now Boundary Bay Airport, but did you know there are 3 more airports in Metro Vancouver? (And no, I’m not talking Abbotsford, cause they’re just east of the Metro limits!).

There’s also the Langley Regional Airport, which opened in 1938, the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, which opened in 1963, and the Fort Langley Airport… which mainly operates floatplanes on the Fraser, and only recently had the grass runway paved. But hey, if you’re looking to hop on a sweet floatplane tour of the Golden Ears, Fort Langley Airport is the place to go!

More from Nicholson Road can be found HERE.

Below are six more letters of support from folks who are urging you to make a donation to V.I.A. to help us continue our work today! We’ve gathered 60 of these and will be presenting them over the next few days for you to read, HERE is a link to the first 30 for you to read. Please consider making a donation because if you don’t, then nobody will.

The Vancouver Observer:

Montecristo Magazine:

Home for the Games:

IDS West / One Of A Kind Show:

Village & Co.:

Coco Cake:

Every day we share a single photo from our Flickr Pool shot by one of our faithful and talented readers (that’s you!).

Clayton Perry Photoworks is playing the part of reporter for us today, covering the recent return of Santa. Are you ready?

Dano

Read All Over celebrates the bookworm in all of us, showcasing readers in Vancouver and the books they love most. I’ve only been a citizen of Vancouver since September, but already feel more at home here than I ever did in my ‘hometown’ of Kelowna. I spend a lot of my time playing music with my band Treelines, but also with other friends, acquaintances, strangers… pretty much anyone who will have me. I love photography, cooking, bike rides, and the humour of Larry David. I currently live in a big house in East Van with the best roommates a guy could ever ask for. Also, currently reading: Breakfast Of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. - Matt Kelly

What book makes you feel like a kid again?

A  Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle. I must have read it 10 times when I was a kid. My mom told me that she read it when she was young and loved it. Although I was never into science fiction or fantasy (and never have been since), I took her word for it and dug in right away and couldn’t put it down.

What books have changed your life?

Anything by David Suzuki.

The one book you always recommend is…

The Catcher In The Rye. I actually can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it.

How do you like your books served up best – audio books, graphic novels, used paperbacks, library loaner, e-reader…

Definitely used paperbacks. I’ve still never used an e-reader… I can’t stand the thought of it.  There’s something so satisfying about turning a page – the feel, the smell, I suppose just the aesthetic as a whole. I appreciate it more and more as technology keeps lowering the demand for printed media.

Your life story is published tomorrow. What’s the title?

Oh gosh.. I don’t know. “Broke But Happy” seems about right.

Librarian vs. English Professor – who is sexier?

I’ve met very few librarians who aren’t leathery, ancient, and unfriendly. I have, however, met many attractive english professors, yet somehow I’m still wanting to say librarian… I know you’re out there sexy librarian.

Where is your favorite place to crack open a good book in Vancouver?

My bedroom is always my first choice. Second place goes to Turks on Commercial.