Browsing “Random Acts Of Awesomeness”

Local philanthropist Michael Audain just stepped things up a notch and gifted five million dollars to Emily Carr through the Audain Foundation for the Visual Arts. This is the single largest donation the university has ever received and will be used create an enhanced visual arts learning environment – The Audain School of Visual Arts – serving as the cornerstone for the new Emily Carr Great Northern Way Campus (which we told you about HERE).

“Michael’s extraordinary contribution to Emily Carr is a testament to the importance of art and the artist in creating vibrant and thriving communities,” says Dr. Ron Burnett, President + Vice-Chancellor, Emily Carr (whom we also introduced to to, HERE). “This historic support is a transformational gift that moves us one step closer to our new state-of- the-art campus at Great Northern Way and we are grateful to Michael for his vision and generosity.”

What an incredible gift to Vancouver, and to British Columbia.

24 Hours published THIS great piece written by Rachel Healy on Vancouver and its reputation amongst some versus its reality amongst most. It’s Friday night so I imagine you’re out having fun, so enjoy this when you read it Saturday afternoon.

A few weeks back I shared THIS unsolicited proposal that our friends at Michael Green Architecture put together, in which they imagined their vision for the future of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

I noted that it was hopefully the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unsolicited proposals aimed at making our city a better designed, more engaging (and engaged) place, so you can imagine how thrilled I was when Tony Osborn Architecture rang letting us know about their unsolicited proposal that they’ve released. With The Mat they’re proposing a Vancouver Art Gallery site near the foot of the Granville bridge, near to the future Bjarke Ingels tower (which I shared HERE) which they’ve even included in the rendering below.

Click over to vancouvermat.com and see what TOA has cooked up and stay tuned as we (hopefully!) see more unsolicited concepts coming forward.

Here’s something awesome: an initiative wherein we are all encouraged to wear name tags on February 8th in order that we become a little more friendly and say hello to each other! The full details are below but there’s not much more to it than that. Amazing.

THE OFFICIAL WORD:

Say Hi Vancouver is a simple idea. Wear a name tag and say hello! Why? We see the same people everyday… in the coffee shop, on transit, at work, even in our own neighborhoods… and we have little or no connection to most of them. We live our lives beside each other, an invisible barrier separating us – subtle yet powerful.

Don’t have a name tag? Use a sticky label, cut a square of paper and pin it to your shirt, use a grease pencil and write it on your cheek… be creative and have fun with it!!

Like them on FACEBOOK and follow on TWITTER, and be sure to say HI!

Here’s something sweet: The BC SPCA is calling on everyone who loves animals and tasty treats to join Canada’s first-ever National Cupcake Day on February 25th, 2013, in support of homeless, abused and injured animals in B.C.!

Lori Joyce and Heather White of the W network’s The Cupcake Girls will be offering their baking expertise, speaking at promotional events and judging cupcake competitions held in conjunction with the event!

They’re encouraging people to register ONLINE and then to bake and offer cupcakes by donation on the 25th, with all proceeds going to support the BC SPCA in British Columbia.

After you register you’ll be sent a free National Cupcake Day host kit in the mail which includes a poster, sticker, balloons and a fundraising guide, then it’s up to you to get it going with your family and friends.

To register or for more information, visit www.nationalcupcakeday.ca

This morning I intercepted a release from Cindy Beedie of Beedie Living regarding a campaign she’s chairing in support of Powell Place women’s shelter. Expand Powell Place (LINK) aims to raise the remaining capital needed to help do exactly that. Typically the shelter has to turn away 1,600 women every year due to lack of space, and this expansion to the facility will effectively DOUBLE the amount of beds available, so that they don’t have to turn away as many women in need.

Here’s where the majority of the money has come from so far::
BC Housing $2.3M
City of Vancouver $500K
Federal Government $500K
Individuals and Foundations $250K

Cindy is hoping to bridge the gap and raise the remaining $750,000 needed to make this . $375,000 from other donors and Beedie Living will match that number and chip in another $375,000.

If you’re unaware of Powell Place they operate in the Downtown Eastside with a “low barrier” philosophy. This means that there are no barriers to who will be admitted into the facility. WOmen struggling with drugs, alcohol or who are working the street are not turned away. Powell Place meets and welcomes these women at the place where they are in their life right now, and the positive impact they have on our city is immeasurable.

Below is a story from one of the women the shelter has helped. Visit their web site HERE to learn a lot more about them and this campaign, and how you can help.