Archive for April 3rd, 2012

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

Something a little different today for you. It’s an awesome photo depicting an awesome piece of Vancouver’s history. An old 1947 Fageol Twin Coach bus that ran for BC Electric, presumably going to or near Empire Stadium. What an awesome ride, huh?
And judging by the photo, the bus looks to be in pretty decent shape too! Hope someone snaps some photos pf it when it’s all fixed up and purddy. ;)

Enjoy Next Stop Empire Stadium from Photocat62

John

I recently read a theory that going for 50 coffees with people you’ve never met is the entrepreneur’s equivalent to the theory that doing anything for 10,000 hours will make you an expert on it. While I get the idea, 50 coffees is far easier than practicing something for ten years, and while I’m far from lazy I’ve decided to set out on a fairly simple mission: over the next 50 weeks I’m going to invite 50 interesting Vancouverites, most of whom I have never met before, to go for coffee. I’m going to use this as an exercise in networking for myself and for V.I.A. while also using it as a platform to introduce you to some people who are doing really cool stuff in the city you live in. COFFEE #32 Name: Mark Brand Occupation: Entrepreneur Beverage: Dark roast

Meet Mark Brand. Proprietor of the latest incarnation of Save On Meats, a serial entrepreneur who has launched a number of Gastown/DTES restaurants and businesses, and the recent subject of a documentary TV series which you can now watch the entire first season of online, for free (HERE).

We met inside the diner side of Save On, a place I’ve been visiting semi-regularly for lunch since it re-opened. In case you haven’t been yet, the next door over to the West is where the butcher shop and the meat counter is, and it’s a place I’ve also been visiting for months, picking up meat after work for my family’s meals (sausages are a weekly favourite in our household). Though a loyal patron and a fan of what he and his team have been doing less than three blocks away from the V.I.A. office, Mark and I hadn’t formally met before this coffee went down.

After a quick chat Mark took me upstairs and gave me a tour of what you’ll see in all of the episodes of the show, Gastown Gamble, that’s all about how they’re running this social enterprise doing a ton of good for the DTES community and the entire city. The show is real, so authentic that you may have noticed I call it a “documentary TV series” as opposed to a “reality show”. Since our first coffee we’ve met a few more times and I can safely say that Mark is an incredibly awesome and inspiring human being, and I am extremely happy that we’re in the middle of cooking up a collaborative project we’ll be launching here in the coming months. Stay tuned for much more Save On Meats x V.I.A. goodness in the future and, in the meantime, go watch the SHOW!

And stay tuned for more 50 Coffees!

SCENE AND HEARD showcases the independent music scene here in Vancouver. We interview some of our favourite local artists, post weekly guest playlists comprised of Vancouver artists and ‘Last Week in Music’ highlights some of the concerts happening around the city…

It’s hard to top a show at an aquarium in front of beluga whales, but this week did an amazing job. Got to check out Great Lake Swimmers again at Zulu Records, followed immediately by Bahamas (and Wake Owl) at the Biltmore…a venue which I returned two twice after that. Once for Baptists and Ladyhawk (I even crowdsurfed…dont worry, I put my camera away for that), and then for John K Samson, and Shotgun Jimmie on Saturday. And in the middle of this awesome? More awesome…with Crossing Borders – another great Rain City Chronicles show.

Equally as exciting?…

THIS WEEK IN MUSIC: starts with one doozie of an April 4th. Somehow everyone chose THIS day to have shows/events (including this). My recommendations? ROCOCODE’s CD Release show at the Electric Owl w/ Wintermitts, and Ryan Guldemond. The Live At Squamish lineup release show ft The Matinee, and Current Swell at the Commodore Ballroom. AND/OR Share-enade III at Cafe Montmartre. Friday is the Hannah Georgas/Kathleen Edwards show at the Commodore…can’t be missed! And I hope you have tickets to the Gotye at the Vogue on Sunday because The Belle Game is opening for them!

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

If you’re around downtown tomorrow night you should plan to get to the Community Open House for the development project that’s coming to life at the foot of the Granville Street bridge on the downtown side: the first ever Canadian building designed by the world-famous, much-respected, architect firm Bjarke Ingels Group. A refreshing and interesting design to say the absolute least, you can check out the plans and give your feedback.

Image: BIG

Details on the Open House after the jump… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>